"…Tsk…"
Su Wen felt his consciousness forcibly pulled out of his body, drifting away from Douluo Planet, lost and directionless.
Suddenly, a grave, dignified voice, ancient as chaos itself, rumbled from behind him.
Opening his eyes—
Su Wen was utterly stunned.
"This is…"
"The realm of time and space," came a gentle voice from behind.
Su Wen's pupils shrank—it felt as if he had been severed from Electrolux and all his contracted beasts.
"You must be… God of Time and Space?" Su Wen's voice was hoarse—first time he truly felt powerless against a "god."
To be able to shield from Electrolux?
This being's level had to surpass the average so-called gods by far.
The "God Realm" was just a patch of territory with top-level rulers—most gods only held the "authority" of their star domain; in their jurisdictions, say, Sea God had clout, but outside… not so much.
But this man...
"Correct." The black-clad man nodded mildly with a smile. "I am the God of Time and Space, but not just of the God Realm—of the entire universe…"
"A Supreme God?" Su Wen gasped.
"Yes. But even among the supremely divine, there are levels," the God of Time and Space spoke calmly but with distinct pride.
"Your star domain's Dragon God—inventor of your region—barely counts among the universe's top rank. But still not quite my equal."
"…!"
Su Wen's eyes widened.
No wonder...
"My authority over time and space laws underpins this universe. Other than the Creator God, no one in this world can suppress me…"
"Pity, those old ones have all gone to sleep."
The God of Time and Space couldn't hide the regret in his voice.
"So why are you here for me, then?"
"Nothing much—just checking up on my designated successor." The man smiled at Su Wen.
"You really thought messing with gods' fates wouldn't attract consequences?"
"So you mean…" Su Wen's eyes were full of confusion.
"I blocked it for you."
He waved a hand carelessly. "Just wanted you to know: the stronger one becomes in this vast universe, the more karma they attract. Mess with Ning Rongrong alone, not a big deal. But when her fate pulls in Tang San…"
"This time, consider it a lesson. That Big Eye still has a long way to go. It can block time-space corrections, but can't stop the backlash."
"If you really want to act against Tang San, at least become a god yourself first."
"Of course, I'm not talking about killing him. Just weakening him—no big deal."
"Enough talk. You're probably tired of listening. I'll send you back."
The God of Time and Space sighed, snapping his fingers lightly—
"Ah…" Su Wen opened his mouth to ask more, but—
Next instant.
He jolted awake.
Nearly knocking Gu Yuena over…
"What are you—" Su Wen looked at Gu Yuena, her face flushed.
"What, what? I just couldn't help it!" Gu Yuena grabbed his shoulder and bit him fiercely, pinning him down.
"…."
Su Wen held his forehead, pondering the God of Time and Space's warnings.
"Looks like I oversimplified the idea of 'authority' over time…"
"And he mentioned 'Fate'… Could there really be a God of Fate in this vast universe?"
Big Eye should be fine—he could sense a faint presence. After this scare, he'd probably behave for a while. And Old Yi's divine sense suffered wounds while protecting him, but it wasn't serious.
Even though he couldn't reel in Ning Rongrong, he did save Qian Renxue and advanced both soul tools and the forging system…
Well, never mind the rest.
———
The door swung open.
Nana, ever-elegant, helped Su Wen change and straighten his robes.
Gu Yuena, meanwhile, sprawled on the bed, long legs exposed, moaning like a lazy pig.
"Master, Dean Qian asks for you." Nana finished up, standing aside respectfully.
"Alright."
Su Wen nodded.
Having become head of the Sea God's Pavilion, he was now in essence the true grandmaster of the monster Shrek Academy.
He had no plans to touch the council of elders for now.
As long as he held the core—the inner court disciples and inspector squad—in his grip, that was the true future of the Academy.
The Pavilion could be for the old men to quietly retire in peace.
Dong dong—
But as Su Wen stepped out of the golden ancient tree, he was a bit dumbfounded.
What had once been the unchallenged domain of the Soul Master Department (inner and outer court) had now been split almost in half by the Soul Tool Department. Soul tool tech was everywhere—streetlights, aerial surveillance (floating spheres), and all kinds of low-altitude flying devices.
If not for the parallel existence of the Soul Master Department, one might have thought this was the Sun Moon Imperial Academy.
The prevalence of soul tools far surpassed the department's former glory.
The Soul Tool Department's main building now mirrored the Soul Master Department in luxury.
But Qian Duoduo's own office remained bare, its door barely holding onto its frame.
"He's crazy! Trying to poach students from us? Tell Yan Shaozhe—not a single freshman with any talent in spiritual power or metals will go his way!" Qian Duoduo's thunderous voice boomed.
Su Wen couldn't help twitching at the mouth.
Well, well.
Timid old Qian Duoduo, now so bold?
But he could sense something different: the man's spirit power was rather terrifying...
Super Douluo + Grade 9 Soul Engineer.
On paper, only Kong Deming could compare.
Still, even with this leap in soul tool tech, they lagged behind the Sun Moon Imperial Academy in the very cutting-edge—bionics and linked defense systems. The foundations were much stronger, though.
Su Wen's work had mostly connected the Soul Tool and Forging Departments, creating a new discipline… Battle Armor.
He just offered a fresh perspective.
As for equipment and personnel, Shrek now teemed with them "overnight."
What did this age lack most?
Talent!!
...