"First Dean, what brings you to the Elemental Academy this time?"
Yu Xiaoting asked cautiously. Although he had managed to restrain his earlier excitement, his posture remained respectful as he waited for Lin Mu's answer.
"Primarily two things."
Lin Mu glanced toward Huo Yuhao, who was standing quietly behind the group.
"First, this child has considerable potential. I want him to become a student of the Elemental Academy."
Only then did Yu Xiaoting turn his full attention to the slightly thin boy.
Huo Yuhao appeared to be around eleven or twelve years old. His clothes were worn, and his body was noticeably thinner than those of most children his age. More importantly, the fluctuations of soul power surrounding him revealed that his cultivation had only recently crossed Level 10.
Yu Xiaoting's brows furrowed slightly.
For someone of Huo Yuhao's age to possess such low soul power, his innate talent was clearly poor. He was far below the Elemental Academy's normal admission standards.
However, Yu Xiaoting did not immediately question Lin Mu's judgment.
A child personally brought here by the First Dean could not be evaluated according to ordinary standards. Huo Yuhao might possess some extraordinary quality that Yu Xiaoting could not detect. Even if the boy truly had no special abilities, arranging a place for a single student was an insignificant matter.
"I understand," Yu Xiaoting replied respectfully. "I will arrange for him to complete the enrollment process shortly."
Huo Yuhao's tense expression immediately relaxed. Although Lin Mu had already promised to admit him, he had still been worried that his poor talent might cause difficulties.
"The second reason I came here," Lin Mu continued, "is to examine the present state of the Elemental Academy and determine whether it has strayed from the path on which it was founded."
The atmosphere within the courtyard changed at once.
Lin Mu's voice remained calm, but his gaze became noticeably sharper.
Yu Xiaoting's pupils contracted, and a trace of unease appeared in his eyes.
If Lin Mu discovered that the Elemental Academy had betrayed its founding principles, he would undoubtedly handle the matter swiftly and decisively. No one within the academy would possess either the ability or the courage to oppose him.
No matter how powerful the Elemental Academy had become over the past ten thousand years, it could not possibly contend with a god.
Furthermore, even before Lin Mu had formally reached the god level, he had already possessed god-level combat strength. After spending ten thousand years in the God Realm, the extent of his current power was impossible to imagine.
Lin Mu was also the First Dean and founder of the Elemental Academy. Even without his overwhelming strength, he possessed every right to investigate the institution he had created.
"Please rest assured, First Dean," Yu Xiaoting said earnestly. "Every major matter concerning the future of the Elemental Academy is still decided through a vote by the council. That system has remained unchanged for the past ten thousand years."
Lin Mu placed a hand on Yu Xiaoting's shoulder.
"Maintaining the council is merely the most basic requirement. My main concern is whether the Elemental Academy has gradually transformed into a scourge upon the continent."
Yu Xiaoting's expression stiffened.
The Elemental Academy was no longer the comparatively young institution Lin Mu had established ten thousand years ago.
Lin Mu had even incorporated Sea God Island into the academy's system, creating a connection between the Elemental Academy and two divine forces.
Those extraordinary foundations had allowed the academy to develop at an astonishing speed. After ten thousand years of continuous growth, it now possessed enough knowledge, resources, political influence, and military strength to affect the fate of the entire continent.
Such power could be used to preserve peace and protect the weak.
However, it could just as easily be abused.
Once an organization reached the peak of power, corruption was almost inevitable. Its leaders might begin believing themselves to be above ordinary people, while its members could use the academy's reputation and authority to justify selfish or cruel actions.
The Elemental Academy did not possess the same deeply flawed traditions and rigid prejudices that had once plagued Shrek Academy. Nevertheless, human nature was unpredictable, and no set of rules could completely restrain ambition.
No one could guarantee that the academy would preserve its original ideals forever.
Lin Mu had founded the Elemental Academy to provide talented soul masters with opportunities regardless of their social standing. He had never intended for it to become an arrogant organization that controlled the continent while claiming moral superiority.
"Power itself is not the problem," Lin Mu said calmly. "The problem begins when those who possess it believe they no longer need to answer for their actions."
Yu Xiaoting could only offer an awkward smile.
He did not dare make careless promises. The Elemental Academy was far too large for him to know everything happening within it. Even as Speaker, he could not guarantee that every teacher, student, councilor, and affiliated force continued to uphold the academy's founding principles.
"I understand your concern," Yu Xiaoting replied. "If you wish to examine the academy, no one will obstruct you."
Lin Mu nodded faintly.
At the very least, Yu Xiaoting had not attempted to conceal the academy's imperfections or reassure him with empty words.
Shortly afterward, Yu Xiaoting summoned a trusted teacher and placed Huo Yuhao under his care.
"Take this student to the admissions office," Yu Xiaoting instructed. "Complete his enrollment procedures as soon as possible and arrange suitable accommodations for him."
The teacher glanced curiously at Huo Yuhao but did not question the order.
"Yes, Speaker."
Huo Yuhao looked toward Lin Mu, seemingly reluctant to leave without saying anything.
Lin Mu understood his hesitation.
"Go with him," Lin Mu said. "From this point onward, how far you progress will depend on your own effort."
Huo Yuhao bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Senior. I will not waste this opportunity."
He then followed the teacher out of the courtyard.
Lin Mu watched him leave without any intention of accepting him as a disciple.
Now that Lin Mu stood among the strongest beings in the God Realm, he had neither the time nor the desire to personally teach another student. The effort required would be entirely disproportionate to what he might gain.
Teaching Huo Yuhao would not be particularly difficult, but doing so would not advance the main quest. Spending years carefully cultivating him would therefore be a thankless task.
Moreover, in Lin Mu's judgment, Huo Yuhao's limit was only that of a first-class god.
This did not mean that Huo Yuhao lacked ability.
With Electrolux and Heavenly Fream Ice Silkworm assisting him, Huo Yuhao's strength before ascending to godhood in the original story had been no weaker than Tang San's. In certain areas, he had even surpassed him.
However, Huo Yuhao could not be compared to the Tang San of this altered world.
Lin Mu had already taken both the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress before Huo Yuhao could meet them. He had also killed the Evil Emperor. Even if Huo Yuhao continued growing stronger, his future achievements would inevitably be far below those of his original counterpart.
Most importantly, Tang San had become far more powerful than he had been in the original story.
Before becoming a god, Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer already possessed seven 100,000-year soul rings. The remaining two soul rings, although only at the 10,000-year level, possessed qualities that were equally terrifying.
If Tang San used the Ring Detonation technique, his offensive power would undoubtedly reach the god level. That was far beyond what the present Huo Yuhao could hope to match.
Returning to the matter of divine positions, the God Realm already had three God Kings in Lin Mu's altered timeline.
For Huo Yuhao to acquire a God King position through inheritance, both the Goddess of Kindness and the God of Evil would have to pass their divine positions to him.
That was clearly impossible.
As for becoming a god by comprehending and controlling universal laws, Huo Yuhao's current talent and foundation were still insufficient.
Since Huo Yuhao was destined to become no more than a first-class god, Lin Mu saw no reason to spend his own time personally teaching him.
The primary reason Lin Mu had helped him was simply pity.
Huo Yuhao had now been placed on a better path. What happened afterward would depend entirely on his own choices and determination.
Under Yu Xiaoting's guidance, Lin Mu, Gu Yuena, and Tang Wutong continued touring the academy until they reached the inner courtyard.
A powerful formation surrounded the area, separating it from the rest of the campus. The buildings within were fewer but far grander, while the surrounding elemental energy was noticeably denser.
"First Dean, only students who have passed the inner courtyard assessment are permitted to enter this area," Yu Xiaoting explained. "The vast majority of them possess elemental martial souls."
At first glance, such a preference might appear unfair. However, it did not contradict Lin Mu's original intentions when he established the academy.
The Elemental Academy was renowned for its mastery of the elements. As its name suggested, it had always specialized in teaching students with elemental martial souls.
Treating students equally did not mean ignoring whether the academy's teachings were suitable for them. Students with non-elemental martial souls could still enter the academy, but only those capable of benefiting from its most advanced elemental teachings were admitted into the inner courtyard.
The group soon arrived at a spacious training hall.
The walls were reinforced with rare metals and covered in protective formations. Several groups of students were practicing inside, releasing waves of fire, water, wind, earth, and other elemental energy.
"These are among the most outstanding students of the academy's younger generation," Yu Xiaoting explained. "Three of them possess exceptionally pure elemental martial souls."
He raised one hand and pointed toward a young woman standing near the center of the training hall.
"The most talented among them is Ling Luochen. Her martial soul is the Ice Element. At only seventeen years old, she has already reached the peak of the Soul King realm."
Lin Mu followed his gesture.
Ling Luochen possessed an exquisitely beautiful yet almost expressionless face. Her long hair cascaded down her back like a dark waterfall, and her custom-fitted academy uniform emphasized her graceful figure without appearing improper.
Her skin was as pale as freshly fallen snow, while a faint chill lingered around her body. Even while standing still, she gave off a cold and distant presence that discouraged others from approaching carelessly.
"Ling Luochen…"
A thoughtful light flashed through Lin Mu's eyes.
In the original story, Ling Luochen should have become a member of Shrek Academy's representative team and one of the temporary Shrek Seven Devils.
However, Shrek Academy no longer existed in this world. Naturally, the Shrek Seven Devils of Huo Yuhao's generation could no longer form in the same way.
Lin Mu was not surprised that Ling Luochen had joined the Elemental Academy instead.
Her Ice Element martial soul was exceptionally pure. Although it had not reached the level of Ultimate Ice, she remained an extremely valuable elemental soul master whom the academy would naturally devote considerable resources to cultivating.
As for the other students who had originally belonged to Shrek Academy, some might have enrolled in the outer academy of the Elemental Academy, while others might have joined different organizations.
Several could also have disappeared entirely because of the butterfly effect created by Lin Mu's actions.
Bei Bei was the clearest example.
In the original story, Bei Bei was the leader of the new generation of Shrek Seven Devils. However, with Shrek Academy gone and history fundamentally altered, there was no guarantee that he had even been born.
Although the original story had not initially explained Bei Bei's ancestry in detail, Mu En and Bei Bei were both descendants of Yu Xiaogang. Their Light Holy Dragon bloodline originated from that lineage.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had been destroyed during Yu Xiaogang's era, while Yu Xiaogang carried the bloodline that later produced the Light Holy Dragon martial soul.
The absence of both Mu En and Bei Bei in this altered world further suggested that their original family line had disappeared because of the changes to history.
However, the Light Holy Dragon bloodline itself had not necessarily vanished.
It might have emerged within the descendants of Yu Tianheng, whose family had survived and continued developing for the past ten thousand years.
Shortly after Lin Mu's group entered the training hall, the students gradually stopped what they were doing and turned toward them.
None of them recognized Lin Mu, Gu Yuena, or Tang Wutong. However, they all knew Yu Xiaoting.
For the academy's Speaker to personally accompany these unfamiliar guests, their backgrounds could not possibly be ordinary.
Some of the students watched curiously, while others tried to maintain disciplined postures despite their obvious interest.
Lin Mu calmly swept his gaze across them.
"Since our meeting can be considered a matter of fate, I will give each of you a small gift."
With a casual wave of his hand, dozens of pills appeared before him.
Each pill was smooth and flawless, releasing a faint medicinal fragrance that immediately filled the training hall. Spiritual energy gathered around them in thin streams, making it clear that they were no ordinary medicines.
The pills floated through the air before gently landing in the hands of the students.
Yu Xiaoting's eyes immediately lit up with excitement.
Anything refined and distributed personally by Lin Mu could not possibly be an ordinary cultivation resource. The quality of these pills was far beyond those produced by even the finest alchemists of the Elemental Academy.
At the very least, they would cleanse impurities from the students' bodies, strengthen their foundations, and improve their future cultivation potential.
For young soul masters, such benefits could influence the course of their entire lives.
Ling Luochen lowered her gaze toward the pill resting on her palm.
Even without knowing its exact effects, she could sense the pure and immense medicinal energy contained within it. The energy was gentle rather than violent, suggesting that the pill would not damage her body or destabilize her cultivation.
The other students exchanged bewildered glances.
They had only just met this mysterious man, yet he had casually handed each of them a treasure that even the academy's senior teachers might struggle to obtain.
The same question appeared in all their minds.
Who exactly was this incredibly generous person?