Sea God Island.
Within the room beneath the Golden Ancient Tree where the life energy was most concentrated, an aged figure slowly walked out.
"My strength has finally returned. How many years has it been? The feeling of losing one's power truly was unbearable. I never thought these dying embers of mine would have a chance to burn once more."
Elder Mu appeared far younger now.
The wrinkles on his face had faded considerably, and his entire body seemed filled with renewed vitality.
Elder Song suddenly appeared before him, somewhat surprised by his condition, though she did not think too deeply about it.
"Elder Mu, thankfully you've come out of seclusion."
"What is it, Xiao Song? Did something happen?"
Elder Mu was in an excellent mood. After all, he had just regained his strength. Not only could he now accomplish more things, but he could even live another twenty or thirty years.
All of this naturally left him in high spirits.
Elder Song hesitated for a moment before sighing.
"Xuan Zi has convened a Sea God Pavilion meeting. He says there's something important to discuss."
Elder Mu's face instantly darkened, and all traces of his good mood vanished.
"Damn it! Did Xuan Zi screw things up again?!"
Elder Song was stunned.
How many years had it been?
She could not even remember the last time Elder Mu had cursed like this. It was probably something from his younger days.
...
Sea God Pavilion Meeting.
Elder Xuan recounted the incident involving the Death God's Messenger to all the elders present.
He wanted to evade responsibility once again—
but this time, Elder Mu had no intention of giving him that chance.
"You want to run away like a coward again, Xuan Zi?!"
Elder Mu instantly rose to his feet and punched Elder Xuan directly in the face.
With a single blow, he smashed Elder Xuan's head straight into the floor.
All the elders present were shocked.
None of them had expected Elder Mu to directly resort to violence.
As for Elder Xuan, he actually felt that getting beaten by Elder Mu might make things easier on his conscience.
After repeatedly making such disastrous mistakes, he truly had no face left to show anyone.
But Elder Mu did not care.
First of all, he was genuinely furious. This useless fool had nearly caused another catastrophe.
No wonder Su Yunlin had gone to the Soul Tool Department some time ago and purchased such a large number of defensive soul tools.
So he had already predicted this situation in advance.
For many years, countless burdens had rested on Elder Mu's shoulders. He too carried immense pressure.
Now that he finally had an outlet to vent it, how could he hold back?
Besides, Xuan Zi had thick skin. A beating would not kill him.
After thoroughly beating Elder Xuan, Elder Mu finally let out a long breath.
The pent-up frustration accumulated over many years had finally been vented.
Elder Xuan slowly raised a hand and used the table to support himself as he stood back up.
His entire face had swollen into a pig's head.
The sight made several of the older elders unable to suppress their laughter.
Elder Mu returned to his seat.
"Now all of you understand what happened, correct?
"It was only because Su Yunlin forced Xiaotao and the others to carry defensive soul tools that their lives were saved.
"From today onward, every Shrek Inspector must be equipped with defensive soul tools.
"Lin'er, Duoduo—you two will handle this matter. Tailor a full set for every inner court disciple.
"Also, from now on, students from the Soul Tool Department will regularly teach classes to the inner court disciples.
"I'm not demanding that they learn how to build soul tools, but they must know how to use them!
"They must recognize every type of soul tool.
"This order is mandatory!"
"Yes!"
Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo immediately stood up.
They had waited for this day for a very long time.
Elder Song also quietly let out a sigh of relief.
"Teacher, should we perhaps reconsider this a little?"
Yan Shaozhe cautiously asked.
Boom!
In the next instant, Yan Shaozhe was sent flying.
His body slammed directly into the wall and embedded itself there so deeply that he could not even pry himself free.
Elder Mu slowly lowered his hand.
"I said mandatory execution. Are you deaf?
"The times are progressing. Soul tools are products of that progress.
"If a person already possesses great individual strength, then combining it with soul tools will only make them even stronger.
"You remain so stubbornly conservative in your thinking. If that's the case, then stop being dean altogether.
"My decision is final.
"The Martial Soul Department's inner court will pay the Soul Tool Department for the soul tools they purchase.
"And there will be no delayed payments."
Then Elder Mu continued,
"And I have already seen a type of soul tool capable of changing the tide of war entirely.
"Lin'er, Duoduo—how far has your research progressed?"
Xian Lin'er stood up.
"We've nearly completed the research, but only for the first-rank version. For the later stages, we'll probably need the Duke of the Night himself to personally come to the academy."
Elder Mu nodded slightly.
"The matter of battle armor is of utmost importance!
"And as for Su Yunlin, who contributed battle armor technology to the academy—
this old man will reward him with two hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bones!
"Furthermore, for all of his future Spirit Ring needs, the Sea God Pavilion will fully support him!"
"What?!"
All the elders were stunned.
None of them had expected Elder Mu to be this generous.
Under normal circumstances, they definitely would have advised him to reconsider.
But after glancing at Yan Shaozhe still embedded in the wall…
they wisely chose silence.
"Alright. That's enough for now."
Cai Meier, vice dean of the Martial Soul Department, spoke up.
"Elder Mu, then what about this year's Spirit Master Tournament?
"There are only a little over ten inner court disciples left at the academy right now, and only two of them meet the age requirement, but their abilities are somewhat lacking.
"Should we send the Soul Tool Department member who was eliminated previously, along with those two eligible students?"
Elder Xuan, whose face was still swollen beyond recognition, spoke up.
"I can carry them there myself. There's still enough time."
Elder Mu shook his head before looking toward Elder Xuan.
"Xuan Zi, was Su Yunlin injured?"
Elder Xuan thought carefully before replying,
"No. That little fellow has even better soul tools on him. He's in pretty good condition."
Elder Mu nodded.
"Good. Then there's no problem.
"With Su Yunlin there, this tournament championship is secure.
"Though honestly, even losing wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.
"As the saying goes, one feels shame and then grows brave.
"To tell the truth, I almost wanted Shrek to lose this Spirit Master Tournament.
"It would teach those overconfident disciples that stubbornly clinging to outdated traditions will eventually cause them to be eliminated by the times.
"But with Su Yunlin there, that won't happen anymore."
He then looked at Elder Xuan.
"Pass a message to Su Yunlin.
"Tell him to act freely.
"No matter what happens, this old man will back him up.
"Tell him to boldly do whatever he wants!"
Elder Xuan nodded.
"Understood."
Afterward, Elder Mu gave several more instructions.
One of them involved arranging an exchange program between Shrek Academy students and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
Finally, Elder Mu kept Elder Xuan behind alone.
"Xuan Zi, this time you must protect Su Yunlin and the girl beside him at all costs.
"Nothing can happen to either of them.
"If anyone threatens them, kill them immediately.
"I will bear all responsibility."
"If you can't win, then run—but you must bring them back safely.
"Their safety takes absolute priority.
"I want to see who dares touch this old man's successor!"
Elder Mu personally instructed Elder Xuan to ensure Su Yunlin's safety.
After so many years, Elder Xuan finally saw once more the domineering Dragon God of the past.
For a moment, tears filled his eyes.
The Dragon God who once looked down upon the world had returned.
"Understood!"
Elder Xuan answered solemnly before departing.
This time, he would absolutely complete his mission.
...
Star Luo City.
The capital of the Star Luo Empire.
This year's Spirit Master Tournament would be held here.
The Shrek group headed directly to the Star Luo Grand Hotel.
As the defending champions, Shrek Academy had been assigned the most luxurious rooms on the highest floor.
At this moment, the atmosphere among the Shrek group was heavy.
After all, the reserve team truly had to take the field now.
Su Yunlin, however, did not care in the slightest.
After being nourished by the Life Gold, his body had already mostly recovered.
A mere Spirit Master Tournament was not something he took seriously.
Wang Yan, meanwhile, forced a smile as he asked everyone whether they were satisfied with their accommodations.
"Teacher Wang, there's no need to be so nervous. With me here, are you really afraid we'll lose?"
As he spoke, Su Yunlin gently stroked Wang Dong's silky hair.
His entire demeanor radiated wild confidence.
"Uh… now that you mention it, I suppose that's true. Maybe I'm just too nervous.
"After all, the official team suffered severe injuries. Having you all step in was completely unexpected."
Wang Yan calmed himself slightly.
After all, Su Yunlin was still here.
There truly was nothing to fear.
Su Yunlin alone could defeat inner court disciples. Even Ma Xiaotao was not his match.
Furthermore, Su Yunlin and Wang Dong possessed an extremely powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
If used properly, they truly could sweep through the entire tournament.
Su Yunlin spoke calmly,
"Teacher Wang, don't worry.
"With me here, your gilded résumé trip won't run into any accidents."
Wang Yan's expression instantly turned awkward.
You may know I'm here to pad my credentials—
but did you really have to say it out loud?
...
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