"Teacher."
In the underground lab of the Mingde Hall, far below the surface, Xu Cheng looked at Old Cheng with a serious expression.
Without needing more words, both master and disciple immediately understood each other.
Old Cheng also sighed. Who wouldn't want to survive? Especially for someone like him, who had no partner, his passion for soul guide technology and his mischievous disciple were the only things keeping him alive now.
He had originally thought that taking a disciple would be a way to pass on his teachings, but unexpectedly, it had brought him hope for life.
"Vroom!"
A violent fluctuation erupted from Xu Cheng's body.
A faint green light instantly enveloped the entire laboratory.
Xu Cheng stood still, his face somewhat stiff, and a faint grayish aura emitted from his eyes. "Elder Yi, from here on out, it's up to you."
"Hahaha, don't worry, boy. With me here, when your teacher wakes up, he'll be as strong as ever."
Electrolux smiled widely.
Xu Cheng's intention was clear, and Electrolux was confident in his choice. After all, he was a person who had once stood at the pinnacle of this world, practically at the top. If it hadn't been for a twist of fate, he wouldn't have ended up in his current position. With such vast experience and a high standard for choosing disciples—looking first at fate, second at character, and only third at talent—he had never been wrong.
This boy had spent considerable time trying to extend his teacher's life. Although it wasn't exactly his responsibility, he was glad to help.
If it hadn't been for Saint Cai'er, who was willing to give up her own heart to save Long Haochen, that pure love between them had touched Electrolux. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken them as disciples.
Now, it was time for the next step.
Electrolux's world was centered on contract magic, something he hadn't yet tested on people and soul beasts from this world. But there were other forms of magic—like necromancy—that he had yet to fully explore. Once his strength was restored, he planned to help his disciple create a necromantic space.
"Vroom!"
"But first, let's deal with business," Electrolux controlled Xu Cheng's body, bringing his two fingers together, gently pressing against his forehead. Rich green light surged from Xu Cheng's third eye, forming thread-like patterns that encased Old Cheng, slowly cocooning him in a protective layer.
At the Sea God Pavilion.
The once-rare meetings were now held more than ten times in just a few months.
At this moment, all the pavilion elders had arrived, including the Vice-Deans of the Martial Soul and Soul Tool departments, as well as the successor of the Sea God Pavilion, Zhang Lexuan.
But the atmosphere in the meeting room was heavy.
"Xuanzi... What were you doing when we were chasing after Ma Xiaotao?" Mu En, with his head of white hair and increasingly frail body, looked at Xuanzi, who had his head down, asking.
Everyone in the room turned to look at him.
The reason for the current predicament was Xuanzi's absence. When Ma Xiaotao had been kidnapped, Mu En had exhausted himself trying to rescue her, not caring about his dwindling lifespan, even using the Golden Tree's power. However, the result was still disheartening—the enemy not only took the unconscious Ma Xiaotao but mocked them publicly: "Is this all Shrek is? The number one academy in the continent seems rather weak."
It was only after the evil soul masters had left that Xuanzi arrived, looking quite disheveled.
Even with his high status and strength, the others couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Zhang Lexuan, at this moment, also cast a glance at Xuanzi. After the incident with the 100,000-year soul beast, Xuanzi had thrown a tantrum, ready to quit. It was she who had begged him to return, but whether he came willingly was another matter. Mu En had spoken to her a lot at the time.
As the eldest senior sister, seeing so many of her brothers and sisters die before her eyes was tormenting. Yet, the "culprit" was never punished and instead, she had to beg him to return.
Could she harbor no resentment?
"I... was delayed on the way by an evil soul master. I saw that his martial soul seemed to be a Fallen Angel, and his strength was on par with mine," Xuanzi said gloomily.
It was just bad luck.
He happened to be in Shrek City looking for a drink when he noticed a suspicious man in a black cloak. The man seemed to take notice of him, and when he was surprised, he quickly fled towards the city outskirts. Without hesitation, Xuanzi followed.
At first, he thought the man was weak, like Cheng Gang, someone he could easily overpower with one hand. But when he chased him to the outskirts of Shrek City, the man revealed his strength. His dark angel martial soul and strength on par with Xuanzi's led to a prolonged chase outside the city.
It wasn't until he noticed something amiss inside the city that he tried to pull back—but it was already too late…
"Fallen Angel martial soul? Was it him?" Mu En furrowed his brows, seemingly deep in thought. He suddenly coughed up blood, his throat wheezing like a broken bellows, causing panic among those around him.
Zhuang Lao hurriedly summoned a large green tree, its branches winding around Mu En, emanating an aura of life.
Mu En's expression softened, and he sighed deeply.
He glanced at Xuanzi.
How could he trust Xuanzi with the Sea God Pavilion now? Such clumsy tactics! He had fallen for such an obvious trap, and at such a critical time.
Ma Xiaotao had been kidnapped. Although Shrek's foundation wouldn't be shaken too severely, their helplessness and the mysterious power of the Holy Spirit Sect only made Mu En more anxious.
When he left, it was just when Xuanzi needed to assert his authority and prove his worth. And yet…
"Sigh..."
He glanced at Zhang Lexuan. What a pity—if only her strength were a bit stronger. If she had reached the Super Douluo level, he would have done everything in his power to make her the next Sea God Pavilion leader.
Then his gaze shifted to Yan Shaozhe.
This young man truly cared for him and had good character, but his mind was too narrow. As a pavilion leader, his character was far below the level needed to lead such a powerful faction.
For years, Yan Shaozhe had done his duties as the head of the Martial Soul Department, but if he were to become the Sea God Pavilion leader, Shrek's fall would be inevitable…
"Sigh, forget it. Ma Xiaotao must have displayed the talents of an evil soul master during the competition, which is why she was targeted."
Mu En coughed lightly again.
"There's no one to blame now. What's important is strengthening Shrek's defenses," he added. "Duo Duo, it's up to you. Make sure to fortify the city and equip the Soul Guide cannons."
"Yes..." Qian Duo Duo responded happily, though her smile faded as she looked at Mu En's ailing condition.
"By the way, Lexuan, would you be willing to go to the Sun Moon Empire as an exchange student?" Mu En asked softly.
"I... would be willing," Zhang Lexuan glanced at Xuanzi, then replied indifferently.
As the senior sister of the inner court, she could not tolerate evil soul masters operating openly in Shrek's territory.
Moreover, going to the Sun Moon Empire also provided an opportunity to search for Ma Xiaotao and uncover the truth behind the matter.
Is Xuanzi really an undercover agent?
(End of Chapter)