Shrek Academy, Sea God Island, Sea God Pavilion.

Towering ancient trees and lush vegetation surrounded countless wooden cabins. Atop a golden tree that reached the clouds stood an exquisite three-story house, its atmosphere now somber and oppressive.

Yan Shaozhe's expression was grim and stern. His gaze swept across Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, and Xixi as he spoke in a deep voice, "Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, Xixi, as official team members, your negligence and impulsiveness this time resulted in severe losses for the main team. The Academy has decided to give each of you a major demerit. I hope you remember this painful lesson!"

Hearing Yan Shaozhe's rebuke, Ling Luochen and the others bowed their heads in shame. Even Ma Xiaotao accepted her punishment without protest.

They knew that although Xuan Zi had abandoned his post, the core problem was their own arrogance and underestimation of the evil soul master Soul King, which led to tragedy.

Yao Haoxuan had died, Gongyang Mo and Chen Zifeng were left disabled—they all bore responsibility.

Huo Yuhao and the others stood nervously to the side; they understood the seriousness of this failure but dared not plead for the punished, only standing there in silence.

Yan Shaozhe sighed slightly, his gaze turning to the wheelchair-bound Gongyang Mo and the one-armed Chen Zifeng, his tone softening with a hint of regret: "Gongyang Mo, Chen Zifeng, the Academy will do its utmost to craft replacement soul tools for you."

For soul masters, losing a limb was nearly a death sentence for advancing to Title Douluo.

Gongyang Mo's martial soul was already defective, so his situation was slightly better. Chen Zifeng, however, was truly gifted, making his fate all the more regrettable.

Even with the Academy's vast resources, turning him into a Title Douluo would be costly and inefficient, with uncertain results.

Frankly, neither Chen Zifeng nor Gongyang Mo had talent enough for the Academy to invest the immense resources needed for limb regeneration.

If their talents matched Huo Yuhao's, perhaps Shrek would unhesitatingly use the Golden Tree's invaluable life essence to regrow their limbs. But reality was cruel—this simply wasn't possible.

Even Dragon God Douluo Mu En only used the Golden Tree's life essence for Huo Yuhao after a Sea God Pavilion meeting and majority approval. Huo Yuhao's exceptional talent made this worthwhile.

Compared to him, Chen Zifeng and Gongyang Mo fell far short—certainly not enough for the Academy to risk the Golden Tree's life essence.

The Golden Tree was Shrek Academy's foundation and lifeblood. Unless absolutely necessary, its life force would never be touched.

Gongyang Mo and Chen Zifeng understood this logic. Still, hearing Yan Shaozhe's words crushed their last hope. They nodded in dejection, hearts full of bitterness.

Even if artificial soul tool limbs could restore some function, how could they compare to their own bodies? As inner court disciples, they had once cultivated under the Golden Tree's nurturing energy, always hoping the Academy would use it to heal them. Now, reality struck hard.

"All right, everyone's worked hard. Go rest. Remember, what was discussed here today must not leave this room," Yan Shaozhe waved, dismissing them.

"Yes!" Ma Xiaotao and the others replied softly, then left the Sea God Pavilion one by one.

Not only had they failed to bring glory or rewards from the tournament, but they were now severely punished. Everyone's mood was heavy.

Seeing this, Huo Yuhao and the reserve members grew even more anxious, afraid to make a sound. The atmosphere grew more oppressive.

Noticing this, Yan Shaozhe suddenly smiled warmly, breaking the suffocating silence: "Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, He Caitou, Jiang Nannan, Xu Sanshi—you seven stepped in at a critical moment and fought valiantly, even though you didn't win the championship. The Academy recognizes your efforts and will reward you."

Huo Yuhao and the others breathed a long sigh of relief, as did their teacher, Wang Yan.

The earlier punishment scene had frightened Wang Yan; he worried the Academy would discourage the reserves, impacting their sense of belonging.

Yan Shaozhe then announced their rewards: not just precious soul bones, but other rich resources as well. Wang Yan, for his leadership, also received a reward.

As the group was still basking in excitement, an aged voice drifted in: "Shaozhe, leave Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao to study with me. Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi will learn from Xuan Zi; Jiang Nannan from Cai Mei'er; and He Caitou from Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo."

The sudden voice startled everyone. Yan Shaozhe respectfully answered, "Yes, teacher!"

Xuan Zi, Cai Mei'er, and Xian Lin'er appeared and led away Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and He Caitou.

Soon, only Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao remained.

"Come with me," Yan Shaozhe smiled, beckoning them to follow as he led them to the Pavilion's top floor.

"It's you?" Entering the top floor, the three gasped in surprise at the elderly man reclining on a chair—the seemingly ordinary doorman at the freshman dorm! They never expected the kind, familiar old man to be not only Yan Shaozhe's teacher but the true master of the Sea God Pavilion—Dragon God Douluo Mu En.

"Sigh, I'm old now. I just enjoy seeing young people full of spirit," Mu En opened his eyes, his gentle gaze fixed on the three, a faint smile on his face.

He then focused on Huo Yuhao, speaking seriously: "Huo Yuhao, your talent is obvious to all. I don't care how many secrets you hide; I only hope your heart belongs to Shrek Academy. Will you take me as your master? If you agree, I'll do my utmost to heal your injuries."

Mu En's words thundered in Huo Yuhao's ears like a bolt from the blue.

He never imagined the Pavilion Master himself would offer to take him as a disciple, promising to heal his injuries. Even inner court elites like Gongyang Mo and Chen Zifeng hadn't received such a promise, yet he, Huo Yuhao, was given this rare chance.

"Yuhao!" "Class rep!"

Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao urged him not to miss this opportunity.

"Teacher!" Huo Yuhao snapped back to reality, eyes brimming with emotion. Without hesitation, he knelt and kowtowed three times, formally acknowledging Mu En as his master.

How could he refuse? Mu En's strength was unfathomable as Yan Shaozhe's teacher, and he could also heal Yuhao's injuries—a blessing not to be missed.

After learning there was no hope for Gongyang Mo and Chen Zifeng to regrow their limbs, Huo Yuhao had briefly felt despair, since he too was disabled, having lost what was most important to a man. But the Academy had not let him down—now, gratitude and joy filled his heart.

"Good!" Mu En smiled with satisfaction. He had long noticed Huo Yuhao's hidden secrets but didn't mind. As long as Yuhao was loyal to Shrek, that was enough. Making him a disciple and healing his injuries would give him a greater sense of belonging—ensuring Shrek's future even if Mu En died and Xuan Zi couldn't hold on.

Yan Shaozhe frowned slightly, inwardly disapproving of Mu En's decision due to Huo Yuhao's many secrets, but Mu En's authority was absolute; he could only accept it.

With Huo Yuhao now his disciple, Mu En had achieved his goal and felt content.

He smiled at Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao next—both rare talents with twin martial souls. Given time and training, they'd surely become pillars of Shrek Academy.

Suddenly, Mu En's brow furrowed, his gaze fixed far away.

"Xuan Zi, get out here!"

A mighty voice boomed like thunder across Shrek Academy, ringing in every student and teacher's ears, revealing the speaker's unfathomable power.

At the same time, a terrifying pressure swept over the entire Academy, suffocating weaker students with fear. Fortunately, the experienced teachers quickly calmed everyone, averting chaos.

"What a strong aura! Teacher, I'll go check!" Yan Shaozhe's face grew solemn and he flashed away in a streak of golden light toward the source.

"Sigh, troubled times," Mu En murmured, already knowing who had arrived. He sensed more than a dozen strong auras behind the main one.

"Old Freak Du? You! What are you doing here?" Xuan Zi's voice echoed from afar.

A dazzling yellow light shot up, forming a protective barrier over the Academy, blocking the immense pressure.