Chapter 16: Conversation
The aged voice fell, and Yan Shaozhe as well as all the senior elders of Shrek Academy were stunned.
In the next moment, an old man with a hunched back stepped through the air and landed directly in front of Jiang Li.
Upon seeing the visitor, Jiang Li naturally knew his identity, and the corners of his mouth slightly rose.
Ninety-ninth rank Dragon God Douluo, Mu En.
"Little friend, may I have a talk with you?"
After landing, Mu En spoke slowly, his tone calm.
Before Jiang Li could respond, Yan Shaozhe also landed beside Mu En and hurriedly said, "Teacher, this bastard has seriously injured Elder Xuan like this. We cannot let him go!"
"Shaozhe, take Xuan Zi back to Sea God Pavilion for treatment first. Leave this place to me," Mu En said without even looking at him.
Hearing this, Yan Shaozhe's expression turned somewhat ugly. The person before him was not only his teacher, but also one of the strongest on the continent.
He opened his mouth, still wanting to say something, but was stopped by Mu En's gaze.
That gaze was calm and without waves, yet carried undeniable authority, making Yan Shaozhe's heart tremble, and in the end he did not dare to refute.
"Elders, follow me!"
Yan Shaozhe gritted his teeth, glared fiercely at Jiang Li, then turned around, carried the unconscious Xuan Zi on his back, and left with the group of elders in frustration.
The sound of breaking air gradually faded. On the ruins, only Mu En and Jiang Li remained.
A breeze swept by, lifting the strands of hair in front of Jiang Li's forehead as his gaze fell upon the hunched old man.
Even though the man was in his twilight years, the terrifying soul power fluctuations hidden within his body were still as vast as an abyss and ocean, causing the surrounding air to feel somewhat frozen.
Mu En was also observing Jiang Li.
The young man in front of him looked to be around twenty. A black outfit outlined his tall and straight figure, his face handsome, with a faint, half-smiling expression at the corner of his lips.
He possessed not even the slightest trace of soul power within his body, yet he had still managed to severely injure Xuan Zi. Such strength could be called monstrous among the younger generation.
"I am Mu En, current Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion of Shrek Academy."
After a long silence, Mu En spoke first. His voice remained calm, but now carried a hint of solemnity. "I have not had dealings with you before, little friend. Today's meeting is rather abrupt."
Upon hearing this, the smile on Jiang Li's face deepened slightly. He nodded lightly and said somewhat teasingly, "Jiang Li, a lone cultivator without sect or faction. I have long heard of the famous Dragon God Douluo. Seeing you today, your reputation is truly well-deserved."
Half truth, half falsehood—Mu En's name was thunderous across the Douluo Continent. Even if he had not heard it before, he would still know of it, though the two had indeed never met.
Mu En waved his hand and chuckled. "Mere reputation. I am already half a step into the grave; how could I compare to a young genius like you?"
After a pause, he looked at Jiang Li and slowly said, "At such a young age, you already possess such strength. Truly rare.
Regarding what happened earlier, Xuan Zi is of an impulsive nature and was impolite. I hope you will not take it to heart."
Jiang Li raised an eyebrow. He naturally understood the intention of Mu En's words—to ease the situation.
Xuan Zi had provoked first, and he merely counterattacked. What fault could there be? At least in his own view, none.
However, since Mu En was the stabilizing pillar of Shrek Academy and was willing to lower himself to speak like this, Jiang Li became somewhat interested.
"Too kind," Jiang Li said indifferently. "That old man was indeed strong, but too overbearing in his actions. I merely acted in self-defense."
Mu En nodded, apparently agreeing.
He fell silent for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully, then finally spoke again, revealing his true purpose.
"Little friend, the reason I asked you to stay today is actually to discuss something."
Jiang Li already understood. He had guessed that Mu En would not come only to mediate the dispute.
So he feigned curiosity and asked, "Oh? What guidance does Elder Mu have?"
Mu En took a deep breath and looked directly at Jiang Li.
"As the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion of Shrek Academy, I would like to invite you to join Shrek."
As soon as these words were spoken, the air seemed to fall silent for a moment.
Shrek Academy was the sacred ground that countless soul masters of the Douluo Continent dreamed of entering, not to mention the status of Sea God Pavilion elder—supreme honor and access to all academy resources.
Such conditions were enough to make any soul master eager to accept.
Mu En looked at Jiang Li with expectation in his eyes.
However, Jiang Li's reaction was beyond his expectations.
Jiang Li first paused, then couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, carrying a hint of amusement.
Mu En frowned slightly. "Why do you laugh? Could it be that my offer lacks sincerity?"
"Not at all," Jiang Li stopped laughing and shook his head, meeting Mu En's gaze calmly.
"I appreciate Elder Mu's sincerity. It's just that I am used to freedom and cannot adapt to the restrictions of Shrek Academy."
Mu En was slightly stunned, clearly not expecting such a direct refusal.
He said slowly, "You need not worry about rules. If you are willing to join, the Sea God Pavilion can grant you the greatest freedom, without being bound by academy regulations. As for resources, you will have top priority."
It had to be said, Mu En's offer was already extremely generous.
Any soul master would find it hard to refuse.
But Jiang Li was not a soul master, and these things were completely useless to him.
Besides, wasn't Mu En essentially trying to get him to work for free?
Thinking this, Jiang Li shook his head firmly.
"Thank you for your kind invitation, Elder Mu, but my ambitions lie elsewhere."
Mu En's brows furrowed deeper. He looked at Jiang Li and asked in a deep voice, "Then what exactly is your ambition?"
Jiang Li did not bother with pretense and said directly with a smile, "Elder Mu, have you forgotten? I am a bounty contractor."
"Bounty contractor?" Mu En was slightly taken aback.
Before he could react, Jiang Li continued, "I take money to eliminate troubles for others. I only accept commissions, not sect teachings.
Someone pays, I act. Once the job is done, I leave—no attachments."
Hearing this, Mu En finally understood.
He looked at Jiang Li's clear yet slightly unruly eyes and realized that the young man truly had no interest in the Sea God Pavilion elder position.
After a long silence, he let out a soft sigh, his tone carrying regret.
"What a pity. With such strength, yet unwilling to seek academy protection."
Jiang Li smiled indifferently. "There's nothing to pity. After all, I have no soul power. Cultivation resources are useless to me."
He paused, then added, "If Elder Mu ever needs help in the future, you can also send me a commission.
As long as the price is right, I don't mind taking on Shrek Academy's jobs."
Mu En was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.
This young man was truly interesting.
He had injured Xuan Zi, rejected his invitation, and then immediately said he could take Shrek's commissions. Such freedom and openness made him appreciate Jiang Li even more.
"Good!" Mu En restrained his laughter and said seriously, "If Shrek ever truly needs your help in the future, I will be the first to come to you."
He was not as foolish as Yan Shaozhe. Even though Jiang Li had no soul power, his strength was unfathomable, and he was alone without backing.
To make an enemy of him would bring endless trouble to Shrek Academy.
Of course, the main reason was that Mu En himself was not confident he could defeat Jiang Li.
Jiang Li naturally did not know his thoughts.
But he also did not care. Compared to Yan Shaozhe, Mu En was a smart man.
"Since the conflict is resolved, I will take my leave."
With that, Mu En turned and flew toward the Sea God Pavilion.
Watching his departing figure, Jiang Li chuckled softly and muttered to himself.
"It's about time to leave this place as well. Tomorrow I'll go talk to that girl Ning Tian."
............