The nearby students and teachers lowered their heads one by one, not daring to make a sound; this was a conflict between Shrek Academy's current top combat power and his wife.
However, they hadn't expected Zhou Yi to say such things at a time like this.
"Zhou Yi!"
Seeing Bei Bei's expression grow increasingly grim, Fan Yu quickly spoke up to stop her.
"Enough, don't say any more!"
Zhou Yi turned her head, glanced at Fan Yu, and snorted coldly without responding.
Standing beside Bei Bei, Tang Ya finally couldn't take it anymore after hearing Zhou Yi's words.
She took a step forward, lifted her head, and looked directly into Zhou Yi's cold, sharp eyes with a hint of anger in her voice.
"Teacher Zhou, I originally thought you were a very good teacher—strict with your students and strict with yourself. Even though you have a bad temper, at least you were a responsible person."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"But I never expected that you would say such excessive things when Shrek Academy is facing such a crisis."
Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow but didn't speak.
Zhou Yi's words just now were also applicable to Tang Ya. Currently, the Tang Sect only had herself and Bei Bei left. However, overall, Bei Bei was still a member of Shrek Academy, while only she was truly of the Tang Sect.
Her Tang Sect was nearly extinct, with the Legacy resting only with her. Was she not also guarding an empty shell now?
"My situation is similar to Bei Bei's. The Tang Sect is currently in decline, but it is still my Tang Sect, the Tang Sect my father passed down to me. No matter what happens, I will protect it for a lifetime!"
Zhou Yi looked at Tang Ya, fell silent for a moment, and then let out a cold laugh.
"Finished?"
Her tone carried a hint of disdain.
"Since you're finished, let me say a few words."
She crossed her arms and looked down at Tang Ya condescendingly.
"You also know you're guarding an empty shell? You also know your Tang Sect is in decline? Then why are you still guarding it? Is there any point?"
"You call that responsibility?"
Zhou Yi's voice was tinged with mockery.
"That's called stupidity."
Tang Ya's face instantly turned bright red.
"You—"
"Me what?"
Zhou Yi interrupted her, her tone becoming even sharper.
"I'm stating a fact. Is there any hope for your Tang Sect? Can it ever restore its former glory? You know better than anyone that it's impossible."
"If you're guarding a Tang Sect that can never be restored, what is that if not stupidity?"
Tang Ya's body trembled slightly, her lips quivering, but she couldn't say a single word.
Bei Bei reached out and gently took Tang Ya's hand, supporting her silently.
"Teacher Zhou."
Bei Bei looked up at Zhou Yi, his tone calm.
"You say Tang Ya is stupid for guarding an empty shell, but what about you?"
Zhou Yi was slightly taken aback.
"Shrek Academy has nurtured you for so many years. You studied here, grew up here, and became a respected teacher here."
Bei Bei's voice was steady and measured.
"Now that Shrek Academy is in peril, you choose to leave."
He paused and asked word by word.
"What does that count as?"
Zhou Yi's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her cold and sharp appearance.
She said coldly.
"I have trained so many talents for Shrek Academy, and my class's passing rate has always been number one. The contributions I've made have long since repaid the Academy's nurturing."
"Now, I owe the Academy nothing."
Bei Bei was silent for a moment.
"So, you feel that once you've paid it back, you can just leave?"
"Yes."
Zhou Yi nodded, her tone crisp and decisive.
"I don't owe anyone anything."
Seeing the situation between the two becoming more and more strained, Fan Yu quickly stepped forward and stood between Zhou Yi and Bei Bei.
"Enough, enough, say less."
He first looked at Zhou Yi, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness.
"Zhou Yi, calm down first. Don't be so hot-headed."
Then he turned to Bei Bei and Tang Ya.
"Don't take it to heart. Zhou Yi is just like this; she's blunt but means no harm. Right now, she's also worried about the Academy's affairs, and her mind isn't quite clear."
He paused and added.
"Rest assured, no matter what others think, I will not leave Shrek Academy."
Looking at Fan Yu's serious face, a warmth welled up in Bei Bei's heart, and he nodded.
"Thank you, Teacher Fan Yu."
Hearing Fan Yu's words, Zhou Yi's expression became even uglier.
She glared fiercely at Fan Yu and snorted coldly.
"Fine, if you're willing to guard this empty shell, that's your business."
She turned around and strode toward the courtyard gate without looking back.
"I'll give you a bit more time to think it over."
With those words, her figure disappeared through the courtyard gate.
In the courtyard, only Fan Yu, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya remained, along with a few students and teachers in the distance who were cowering and didn't dare to speak.
Fan Yu watched the direction Zhou Yi had left and sighed.
"Bei Bei, Tang Ya, don't blame Zhou Yi. She is just too clear-headed—so clear-headed that she's almost cold-blooded."
He paused and added.
"However, she does have a point."
Bei Bei looked up at Fan Yu.
"The current Shrek Academy is indeed in a difficult situation, but the more difficult it is, the less we can fall apart. Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year Foundation is not so easily toppled."
Fan Yu's voice became firm.
He looked at Bei Bei and said seriously.
"I believe that as long as we work together, we will definitely get through this."
Bei Bei nodded.
"I understand."
Fan Yu patted his shoulder.
"Alright, you go back and take care of Elder Mu. I'll keep an eye on things at the school."
Bei Bei nodded and turned toward the medical room.
Tang Ya followed behind him, and the two returned once more to Mu En's bedside.
The air in the medical room was still heavy, with the groans of the wounded and the smell of medicine intertwining, making one's chest feel tight.
Bei Bei sat by Mu En's bed, looking at that peaceful, aged face, his heart filled with a mixture of emotions.
Tang Ya stood beside him and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Bei Bei..."
"I'm fine."
Bei Bei shook his head and spoke in a low voice.
He just looked at Mu En and remained silent for a long time.
Then, he lowered his head, his voice very, very soft.
"Ancestor Mu... what should I do?"
His voice was full of confusion and helplessness.
"Teacher Fan Yu said we can get through this if we work together, but... I really don't know how many people are willing to stay."
His voice grew lower and lower, almost turning into a murmur.
"I really don't know what to do anymore..."
On the bed, Mu En's finger suddenly twitched slightly.
Bei Bei's whole body jolted, and he abruptly looked up.
"Ancestor Mu?!"
His eyes were full of disbelief as he stared intently at Mu En's hand.
The finger moved again.
"Ancestor Mu!!"
Bei Bei threw himself toward the bedside, his voice filled with excitement.
"You... you're awake?!"
Tang Ya was also stunned and quickly leaned in.
"Elder Mu?"
The surrounding medical Spirit Masters also heard the commotion and hurried over, surrounding the bed.
Mu En's brow furrowed slightly, and a trace of pain appeared on his aged face, as if he were struggling to wake from a long nightmare.
Then, his eyelids slowly opened.
Those cloudy yet deep eyes slowly focused in the dim light.
He saw Bei Bei's face, filled with excitement and tears.
"Bei Bei..."
Mu En's voice was raspy and weak, like a flickering candle in the wind that could go out at any moment.
"I've made you... worry."
Bei Bei's tears finally couldn't be held back and streamed down his face.
"Ancestor Mu! You're finally awake!"
He tightly gripped Mu En's hand, afraid that if he let go, he would lose him again.
Mu En blinked with difficulty.
"How long... have I been unconscious?"
His voice was still weak, but clearer than before.
"Five months."
Bei Bei replied with a sob.
"You've been unconscious for five months."
"Five months."
A complex look flashed through Mu En's eyes.
He was silent for a moment and then asked.
"How is... Shrek Academy?"
Bei Bei's body stiffened slightly.
His mouth opened, wanting to say something, but he found his throat blocked as if by something, unable to make a sound.
How should he answer?
Tell Ancestor Mu that someone had attacked Shrek Academy and defeated fifteen Titled Douluo in just two moves?
Tell Ancestor Mu that the Academy's treasury had been emptied, with not even a single Spirit Bone left?
Tell Ancestor Mu that Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year reputation had been destroyed in an instant?
Bei Bei's mind was in a state of chaos.
He could feel the hand he was holding move slightly again.
Mu En seemed to see Bei Bei's hesitation, and a sharp glint flashed in his cloudy eyes.
"Speak."
Bei Bei took a deep breath, looked up, and met Mu En's gaze.
"Ancestor Mu..."
"Something... has happened to Shrek Academy.
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
1 Review = 1 Bonus Chapter
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