This year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Combat Tournament is nothing short of a lifeline for Shrek Academy.
If they can secure the championship as usual, it will prove one thing to the world.
Shrek Academy is an indomitable institution. Even after such a heavy blow, Shrek Academy remains Shrek Academy!
Suddenly, Xuan Zi's expression turned serious, and he spoke with great gravity, "I've heard that Liyue will also participate in this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Combat Tournament."
At this point, Xuan Zi clenched his fists, his eyes red, and continued, "More than half of Liyue's participants are former students who withdrew from Shrek Academy..."
"This..."
Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, and the others exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of emotions. Xuan Zi, who had spoken these words, also wore a complex look.
Those students of Shrek Academy had ultimately turned their backs on Shrek.
And Xuan Zi was responsible for nearly ninety percent of this outcome!
"Elder Xuan, Liyue is strong, and the Martial God is powerful, but we will show the world that when it comes to teaching and nurturing, Shrek Academy is still the best!"
If not for their fiery spirit, what kind of youth would they be?
"Shrek Academy has a heritage of tens of thousands of years. It's not something that can be caught up to overnight. Those who left Shrek Academy will surely regret it!"
As soon as Ma Xiaotao finished speaking, the tall and sturdy Dai Yueheng chimed in, "Exactly! As long as we're here, those guys won't be able to turn the tables!"
Dai Yueheng's affection for Ma Xiaotao was no secret, and he was very proactive. However, Ma Xiaotao seemed indifferent to him.
As the eldest son of the White Tiger Duke's mansion, Dai Yueheng was competent and outstanding.
Whether in strength, character, or cunning, Dai Yueheng excelled!
Most importantly, the Zhu family had not invested in him, and he had no girlfriend.
If he could marry Ma Xiaotao, it would be a perfect match!
Listening to the grand discussions of the Shrek Seven Monsters, Xuan Zi's eyes grew brighter.
"Right! As long as you're here, the spirit and will of Shrek Academy remain!"
"We must clearly tell the world that Shrek Academy is the continent's top institution!"
"Shrek will Win!"
"Shrek will Win!"
Not far away, Mu En watched this scene with both relief and worry.
"Bei Bei, perhaps your choice was the right one."
Mu En's achievements today were inseparable from Shrek Academy, which was why he stayed despite knowing that Shrek Academy had been abandoned by "Heaven's Will," the consciousness of the plane.
Alive, he was a man of Shrek Academy; dead, he was a ghost of Shrek Academy!
But Bei Bei was different. Although he was Mu En's descendant, he had never enjoyed the resources of Shrek Academy.
Yes, Bei Bei had never benefited from Shrek Academy's resources. Otherwise, how could he only be in his thirties at this level?
This was all the result of Bei Bei's own hard work.
"The Martial God..."
"The Martial God!"
Mu En sighed. The Martial God's magnanimity made him feel ashamed and unworthy.
Knowing that Bei Bei was his descendant, the Martial God not only did not expel Bei Bei but also guided him in his cultivation and even helped him fuse with a Golden Turtle.
Bei Bei was Mu En's only remaining relative. Not caring for him would be a lie.
After a while, Mu En snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Xuan Zi with somewhat cloudy eyes, murmuring, "I hope nothing goes wrong this time."
To be honest, if it weren't for the lack of alternatives, he would never have let Xuan Zi lead the team.
After so many incidents, Xuan Zi had learned his lesson and was no longer as reckless as before.
"Elder Mu, we're setting off."
Before leaving, Xuan Zi bid his final farewell to Mu En.
"Xuan Zi, you know what I want to say!"
Hearing this, Xuan Zi lowered his head like a child admitting his mistakes.
He had made mistake after mistake, causing significant losses to Shrek Academy.
"Elder Mu, this time, there will be no issues!"
Xuan Zi spoke with unwavering determination.
After the incident with the Golden Ancient Tree, the faith of Shrek Academy's higher-ups had collapsed. If not for the honor of Shrek Academy, they would have already succumbed to despair.
"I don't care if you remember or not, but I must remind you: do not be rash, do not be careless."
"Also, those things were indeed Shrek Academy's fault. Do not hold grudges against Liyue, and especially not against the Martial God."
"If not for the Martial God, the entire Douluo Continent would have no chance of rising, and who knows when it might have been refined by the Ancestor of Evil Soul Masters, Tang San."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Zi's eye twitched, and he opened his mouth, hesitating to speak.
He and Yan Shaozhe, among others, had been resurrected by the Ancestor of Evil Soul Masters!
"Yes, Xuan Zi will remember!"
"I actually stopped resenting the Martial God long ago, but the struggle for orthodoxy cannot allow us to fall like this."
"I will lead the children to reclaim the glory that belongs to Shrek Academy!"
"Once they grow up, I... I will go to Liyue and take my own life to atone for my sins!"
Xuan Zi's eyes were firm, his expression solemn.
Hearing this, Mu En trembled.
After a while, he nodded, acknowledging Xuan Zi's actions.
After all, Xuan Zi was his junior disciple brother, and their bond spanned over two hundred years...
How many two-hundred-year spans does one have in life?
Even for a Limit Douluo, there's only one.
"Xuan Zi, you... you've finally grown up."
"Elder Mu..."
Xuan Zi's body trembled slightly, his voice choked with emotion, and a hint of moisture flashed in his eyes.
He didn't cry, but he was immensely happy.
Finally, he had gained his uncle's approval.
"This life, I have no regrets!"
"Uncle, we're leaving!"
Xuan Zi waved to Mu En, then to Ma Xiaotao and the others, before heading towards the gates of Shrek Academy.
"Grandmaster, we're leaving!"
"The championship will definitely be ours!"
"Elder Mu, just watch. My sword , is not only fast but also razor-sharp!"
"With Yao Haoxuan here, Shrek will surely return to the pinnacle of Douluo Continent in a hundred years!"
"I, Gong Yangmo, have never been inferior to anyone!"
"Elder Mu, goodbye!"
Watching their retreating figures, Mu En's face bore a smile, his eyes filled with a glimmer of hope.
"Good, all good children!"
With these children, Shrek still has hope, and Shrek Academy will not fall!
In these children, Mu En seemed to see his younger self, fresh, spirited, and unbeatable among his peers.
If not for that woman, his life wouldn't have been so tumultuous.
But love is unreasonable.
Love cannot defeat fate, but it can wound fate deeply. Hence, it is unreasonable.
"I don't have many years left. Everyone, the future of Shrek Academy is in your hands!"
As the figures faded into the distance, Mu En murmured these words.