Chapter 49: Mu En's Perspective

Shrek Academy, Sea God Island.

The island was filled with buildings, but none were as grand and imposing as the Sea God Pavilion, situated at the heart of the island. This towering structure, standing six stories high with each floor over ten meters tall, held many secrets and precious artifacts. Many self-proclaimed elites had tried to infiltrate it, only to never leave alive.

Whenever a major event took place at Shrek Academy, the Sea God Pavilion elders would gather here for the academy's highest-level meeting.

Inside the pavilion's grand conference hall, there was a heavy silence. Around a long oval table sat ten people. At the head of the table, in a shadowed area, was a reclining chair, upon which an old man lay back, hidden in dim light.

Seated on the left side of the table was Yan Shaozhe, with a beautiful, middle-aged woman beside him. She was Cai Meier, the Vice Dean of Shrek Academy's Martial Spirit Department and a Level 95 Titled Douluo.

On the right side, two more figures sat: the Soul Tool Department's Vice Dean, Qian Duoduo, and another woman around fifty, white-skinned and neat, with her black hair coiled elegantly. Dressed in a white dress with golden trims, she was Xian Lin'er, the Soul Tool Department's Dean.

Apart from these four, six elderly figures sat around the table. Each one looked quite distinct, yet all shared a certain weight of age and experience. Among them, the most striking was Elder Xuan, his face bruised and swollen, holding a chicken leg in one hand and a wine gourd in the other, eating and drinking without a care.

"Is everyone here?" A calm, gentle voice drifted from the shadowed recliner at the head of the table, like a warm spring breeze that settled over the room.

"Yes, Mu Lao." Elder Xuan quickly put down his chicken leg and wine gourd, wiping his greasy hand on his robe. Rising, he began recounting the incident that had left him bruised.

The elders listened intently, their expressions ranging from shock and fear to confusion. Only the old man on the recliner remained calm and unaffected, as if nothing he heard could disturb him.

"I believe the person who injured Elder Xuan was likely the same individual who suppressed Xiao Tao's evil fire by Sea God Lake yesterday. But why would he help her? And what is his true purpose for sneaking into Shrek Academy?" Yan Shaozhe murmured, puzzled, stroking his chin.

The elderly woman seated to the right, Lin Lao, who managed the auction house Ju Bao Pavilion, spoke up, "It was I who notified Elder Xuan. This man was the one selling pills in secret at Ju Bao Pavilion. Always shrouded in a black cloak, he concealed his identity, which made me suspicious. I feared he had hidden motives for coming to Shrek City. But from what I've heard, it seems he does have other reasons for being here. Otherwise, why would he sneak into the academy?"

Qian Duoduo, twirling his watch, asked thoughtfully, "Elder Xuan, you mentioned a student might be connected to this mysterious figure. Do you have any proof?"

"No." Elder Xuan shook his head, his bruised face clouded. "When that kid fought with Zhou Yi, someone helped him from the shadows. But I can't be sure because the ice used this time was different."

Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion meetings only convened on rare occasions, typically for major events. Clearly, the attack on Elder Xuan by a powerful unknown had alarmed everyone. An Ultimate Douluo—someone who had infiltrated the academy—was indeed a matter that merited this high-level gathering.

Xian Lin'er speculated, "Could it be that a young heir from a prominent family is studying at our academy? Perhaps the mysterious figure is a bodyguard sent to protect him?"

Elder Xuan took a drink from his gourd, then answered seriously, "Among this year's students, only that boy named Wang Dong has significant background, but his family doesn't include anyone with an ice-based martial spirit."

"As for the boy who fought with Zhou Yi, I've already investigated him. He seems to be an orphan, but his admission recommendation was forged." Rubbing his bruised face, Elder Xuan suddenly stood, growling, "I'm sure he's linked to that ice-wielding figure. Let me bring that boy in and question him!"

Just as Elder Xuan moved toward the door, a calm, authoritative voice echoed, "Sit down."

Elder Xuan stopped in his tracks, visibly frustrated, his shoulders trembling slightly. "Mu Lao, am I wrong to pursue this? I can't just let this go!"

"Didn't you hear me? Sit down," Mu En's voice held a sharper edge. Elder Xuan visibly flinched before reluctantly returning to his seat.

Sensing the slight anger in Mu En's tone, the elders straightened in their seats, quieting immediately.

Mu En was the most revered figure present, even more than Elder Xuan and Lin Lao. Though their age difference was minimal, Mu En was Elder Xuan's junior master—a fact that only added to the weight of his authority. Mu En was the academy's strongest protector and had made unparalleled contributions over the years.

Sitting up from his reclined position, Mu En spoke, his gaze focused, "Xuanzi, you're over two hundred years old, yet you still act as impulsively as you did in your youth."

"If this Ultimate Douluo truly harbored malice toward the academy, would he have intervened to help Xiao Tao suppress her evil fire? And if he truly wished to harm us, do you think you'd still be standing here?"

"And what would you gain from interrogating that boy? If the mysterious man truly represents his backing, you would risk offending a powerful faction. If he doesn't, you'd be wronging a child. From what I see, this man likely bears no hostility toward us.

You should all cease investigating his identity."

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