Bonus Chapter. Enjoy!
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The anomaly on Sea God Island appeared suddenly and dissipated just as quickly.
After that sky-blotting Fire Phoenix transformed into a sky full of drifting flames and scattered, the crimson sky gradually returned to its original azure, as if the earth-shaking confrontation from a moment ago had never occurred.
The surface of Sea God Lake returned to tranquility, with only the ripples—like layers of fine scales stirred by the breeze—glinting like broken gold under the sunlight.
The teachers and Students of the Outer Court were still gathered along the shores of Sea God Lake, standing on their tiptoes and craning their necks toward Sea God Island, discussing the spectacular sight of those two Phoenix phantoms in groups of twos and threes.
None of them noticed that while they were in the heat of discussion, two figures had already quietly departed from Sea God Island, silently crossing the lake's surface and disappearing among the layered buildings of the Outer Court.
Meanwhile, around Yan Shaozhe's small courtyard, a strange silence had fallen.
The Inner Court teachers and Students who had gathered earlier were still standing in place, their faces filled with varying expressions.
For the longest time, being able to enter the Shrek Academy Inner Court was the lifelong glory of every Student. They were proud to be a part of Shrek and took pride in the academy's title as number one on the continent; they walked with their backs straighter than others.
However, after witnessing that scene with their own eyes, a thought they had never had before surfaced in everyone's minds simultaneously.
And that was: it seemed Shrek Academy wasn't actually something so worth being proud of. The so-called number one academy on the continent also had to bow its head in the face of absolute strength.
Even Dean Yan had to bow his head and admit his mistake to that Limit Douluo in front of everyone.
Shrek's halo was not omnipotent after all.
Elder Mu's gaze slowly swept across the surroundings. He looked at each face one by one, seeing confusion, bewilderment, and certain things that were loosening and collapsing.
He knew what that was. It was arrogance—the arrogance that Shrek Academy had accumulated over generations, which had long since seeped into their very marrow.
Today's event might not necessarily be a bad thing.
He spoke slowly, his aged and steady voice not loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of everyone present: "Since everyone is here, I will speak plainly."
Everyone raised their heads and focused their minds, looking toward this Master of the Sea God Pavilion who usually lived in seclusion.
Elder Mu paused, a hint of gravity flashing in his cloudy yet still sharp eyes: "In recent years, the atmosphere of the academy has become somewhat abnormal. I hope every person present will go back and reflect properly on today's incident."
His voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a heavy hammer striking their hearts: "Shrek Academy is not invincible. This reputation was fought for by our ancestors with their lives; it wasn't meant for us to use to look down on others."
"Therefore, from today onward, everyone should rein in that inexplicable arrogance in your hearts. A truly powerful person does not need to rely on pride to prove anything."
As his words fell, the courtyard became silent.
No one argued, and no one spoke up in agreement, but almost everyone showed a thoughtful expression on their faces.
Seeing that everyone was deep in thought, Elder Mu knew that his words had finally been taken to heart to some extent.
He said no more, simply waving his withered hand as his tone returned to its usual indifference: "Alright, disperse."
After the crowd dispersed, only four people remained in the small courtyard. The breeze brushed through the trampled flowers and grass, making faint rustling sounds that made the silence feel exceptionally oppressive.
Elder Mu still stood there with a straight back. He looked at Yan Shaozhe, who had his head lowered and remained silent, and a rare look of seriousness gradually appeared on his aged face.
As he looked at the prized Disciple he had personally raised, a flash of undisguisable disappointment flickered in the depths of his eyes.
"You didn't want Huo Yuhao to leave the academy?" Elder Mu spoke; his voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unavoidable sense of pressure.
Yan Shaozhe raised his head at the sound. Hearing the disappointment in his teacher's tone, his heart instantly panicked, and he quickly explained, "Teacher, you know Huo Yuhao's talent. For such a Genius, the academy shouldn't give up so easily."
"I admit my actions were a bit rash, but my original intention was for the good of the academy."
He carefully observed Elder Mu's expression and added another sentence: "Huo Yuhao's growth speed is simply too fast. If he becomes the academy's enemy one day, it will be absolutely catastrophic for us."
"The reason I wanted to keep him in the academy was also to bind him firmly to our chariot, so as to avoid the future..."
He didn't finish his sentence because he saw the disappointment in Elder Mu's eyes grow deeper and deeper.
"Shrek is only an academy." Elder Mu interrupted him, his voice sinking a few degrees lower than before: "It seems you have completely forgotten the academy's original purpose."
"Since when did Shrek need to use threats and coercion to keep its own Students?"
"Since when have we been afraid that the geniuses we cultivate would become enemies in the future?"
"Your mind is no longer on teaching and imparting the Dao. You, as Dean, are no longer fit to continue."
Hearing this, Yan Shaozhe's eyes widened suddenly, his pupils contracting violently. His entire being felt as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning.
He never expected his teacher would actually dismiss him from his position. For the sake of one Huo Yuhao, his teacher was going to pull him down from this position?
Elder Mu did not look at his expression again, instead turning his gaze to Cai Meier nearby. The old man looked at this Disciple who had always silently stayed by Yan Shaozhe's side and handled matters fairly, his tone softening slightly: "Meier, from now on, you are the Dean of Shrek Academy."
Cai Meier was also startled upon hearing this, opening her mouth to say something. But meeting Elder Mu's unquestionable eyes, she ultimately swallowed the words at the tip of her tongue, merely nodding slightly with a complex expression.
Only then did Elder Mu look back at Yan Shaozhe, his tone carrying a trace of helpless frustration: "As for you, Shao Zhe... stay on Sea God Island and reflect properly. When you have figured it out, then come find me."
After saying this, Elder Mu turned his gaze toward Xuan Zi, who had remained silent the entire time.
His expression grew more solemn as he said earnestly, "Xuan Zi, my time is running out. You must work hard too."
Hearing this, the expression on Xuan Zi's rugged face froze.
Elder Mu did not wait for his response and continued, his voice carrying a desolation that had seen through the impermanence of time.
"After I am gone, if Shrek Academy does not have a Limit Douluo overseeing it, that may be the beginning of its decline."
"I do not wish for history to record that Shrek Academy met its end at our hands. This burden, in the end, must fall upon your shoulders."
As his voice fell, Elder Mu's figure seemed to be gently scattered by a breeze, disappearing before the eyes of the three without any warning.
Xuan Zi opened his mouth, but his throat felt as if it were blocked by something; he couldn't say a word. Elder Mu's words from just now were like a great mountain, suddenly pressing down on his shoulders, so heavy that he could barely breathe.
From Rank 98 to Rank 99, it seemed like only a single step away, but if this step were so easy to cross, he wouldn't have been stuck at this threshold for decades without any progress.
In everyone's eyes, he was a Rank 98 Super Douluo second only to Elder Mu, one of that small handful of people standing at the very peak of the continent.
But only he knew how indestructible that final rank's barrier was; it was not a screen that could be broken through by diligence and hard work.
That required Opportunity, Comprehension Ability, and for the heavens to be willing to grant that one sliver of inspiration.
And he had waited for decades, yet that sliver of inspiration had never descended.
After a long time, Xuan Zi let out a heavy sigh.
That sigh carried helplessness and exhaustion, but also a bit of the determination of someone burning their bridges.
He didn't say any grand words, only silently saying in his heart that he could only do his best.
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
2 Reviews = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.