"This child must be Su Wen, right? He's got the makings of joining our Soul Tool Department."

A beautiful, capable-looking woman with a single ponytail looked at Su Wen, her eyes sparkling.

"Hmph, what nonsense. This kid's martial soul is all about commanding soul beasts—it's got nothing to do with your Soul Tool Department…"

A scholarly-looking, middle-aged man with short, half-white hair, full of energy, chuckled as he spoke.

In the spacious conference hall, only these four… didn't have seats.

Most likely, these were Xian Lin'er and Yan Shaozhe.

Next to Xian Lin'er stood a big, chubby man wearing glasses, his squinting eyes flashing with cunning. But when he noticed Su Wen looking his way, he quickly put on a silly, honest smile.

Shrek's top soul tool master—Qian Duoduo.

By Yan Shaozhe's side stood a gentle beauty who flashed a sweet smile at Su Wen. She should be Cai Mei'er, the vice dean of the Martial Soul Department.

Whenever Cai Mei'er was mentioned, Su Wen always wanted to complain.

She was the complete opposite of Elder Xuan.

Both had led teams into the Star Dou Forest in the original story.

Both encountered crises (the evil soul master Zhongli brothers), but the outcomes couldn't have been more different. Although Cai Mei'er's team lost three members, she cared for her team like a mother hen, never neglecting anyone.

Honestly, after this hundred-thousand-year soul beast disaster, Su Wen would have much preferred to be under Cai Mei'er's leadership, even if she was only an average Title Douluo in terms of strength…

Having a competent team leader makes all the difference, right?

Still, it showed that, overall, Shrek Academy was reliable—except for a certain someone surnamed Xuan.

Honestly, it's not the Sun Moon Empire you have to worry about, but our own food-loving Elder Xuan coming up with bright ideas…

"All right, enough arguing."

Elder Mu sat at the head of the table, Su Wen pushing his golden-wood wheelchair. The old man straightened his hunched back a little.

"Which department Xiao Wen joins in the future is his own business. That's at least five or six years away. What's the rush…"

"Yes, Elder Mu."

The two immediately fell silent, although they kept sneaking silly glances at Su Wen.

Obviously, they both knew each other's tricks. If you didn't make your move early, Su Wen would be completely swayed by the other side in six years!

Elder Mu shook his head, ignoring them.

Su Wen kept a straight face.

If the deans want him, they'd have to show some sincerity, right?

All he had to do was sit tight and enjoy the resources both deans offered; as for which department to join… obviously, the Martial Soul Department! If this were the Sun Moon Empire, he might hesitate, but this was Shrek Academy!

The Soul Tool Department's level was miles behind the Sun Moon Empire. Why go there—just to starve?

Even now, despite Elder Mu's support, the Soul Tool Department had worse resources, teaching, and faculty than the Martial Soul Department—by a long shot.

The Martial Soul Department had inherited a thousand years of honor. It might be bloated and have rotten roots, but there was no denying it was still rolling in wealth—even a single hair from it was thicker than the whole Soul Tool Department.

"Today, we're here to discuss what happened a month ago—Elder Xuan leading a team into the Star Dou Forest and encountering a hundred-thousand-year soul beast…"

Mu En's eyes grew sharp as an eagle's, staring directly at Elder Xuan.

The whole atmosphere suddenly became tense.

All the elders looked at Elder Xuan, their gazes full of helplessness, regret, and some anger at his failure.

"Elder Mu, everyone, I want to resign as Vice Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion and Deputy Leader of the Inspection Group. I am the Academy's sinner—I don't deserve to stay…"

Elder Xuan bowed his head, as if carrying a heavy mountain on his shoulders, bending even more.

He slowly stood up, took a badge from his pocket, wiped it, and placed it on the table for all to see.

"Elder Xuan, this isn't your fault! It's just… ahem, everyone makes mistakes, and besides, thanks to Xiao Wen's intervention, not a single person died. Those who were seriously injured have already been treated, and Elder Zhuang said there won't be any impact on their future cultivation," Yan Shaozhe said sincerely—though halfway through he realized there was no scapegoat, but he quickly smoothed it over.

"That's right, Elder Xuan. You're a pillar of the Academy. If you leave, who'll hold the line when enemies come? Besides, even though this mission was dangerous, the outcome was good. We should focus on rewards, not punishment…"

For once, Xian Lin'er and Yan Shaozhe were in agreement.

And they meant it.

Because if Elder Xuan left, and something happened to Elder Mu, who could hold up Shrek's banner?

No one!

"Elder Xuan, are you throwing a tantrum? Quitting now?" Mu En's tone was calm, but everyone felt a pressure in the air.

"Elder Mu, you know I'm not like that…" Elder Xuan said bitterly.

"Then you mean I've wronged you?" Mu En's voice softened.

"No, I…" Elder Xuan started to speak but fell silent.

"Then get back to work!" Mu En suddenly snapped.

"Be a man—shoulder your responsibilities! Don't just think about running away when something goes wrong. Don't think I can't still spin you around like a top!" Mu En slapped the table.

"Clean up your own mess."

"And… you should thank Su Wen," Mu En said more gently.

"This time, he saved you. If Xiao Wen hadn't stalled the Blood-Eating Demon Tiger at the key moment… you'd better be ready to die in shame."

"Yes!"

A bitter smile squeezed onto Elder Xuan's face.

He nodded apologetically at Su Wen.

Su Wen smiled back—

But thought to himself: "Heh, I'll hold this over you for the rest of your life…"

Seeing this, many elders looked at Su Wen with curiosity—and their gazes grew gentler, as if looking at their own juniors.

Steadfast, courageous, calm in crisis—weren't these exactly the qualities of a leader?

A born Sea God Pavilion Master.

"Elder Xuan, you made a mistake, so the Academy must punish you: for ten years, you're forbidden from leading teams outside. Your salary for the next ten years is canceled and will be used to compensate these children. The Academy will also give each seriously injured child a ten-thousand-year soul bone, and each lightly injured child two million gold soul coins."

"If you want money, go hunt soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest for others. Also… this time, because you were eating, the children nearly died. So, you're grounded and forbidden to eat for three months," Mu En said slowly.

"This…" Yan Shaozhe was stunned.

He hadn't expected his teacher to be so harsh?

Even Su Wen was a little surprised.

Salary and money meant little to Elder Xuan—if he wanted, people would line up to give him money. Not being allowed to lead teams was no big deal. So Su Wen thought Elder Mu was just going to give a light slap on the wrist.

But then he said "no food for three months."

Three months isn't enough to starve a level-98 Super Douluo to death.

But Elder Xuan's martial soul was the Taotie Divine Bull—the more he eats, the faster his soul power grows. The less he eats—or if he stops eating at all—it's torture.

This kind of torment is on par with a drug addict's withdrawal.

Three months would make Elder Xuan wish he was dead.

A punishment tailored for the Taotie Divine Bull Martial Soul.

"All right…"

Elder Xuan, however, let out a long sigh of relief.

<><><>>><><><><><><><>

Advanced chapter here: p-atreon.com/Sajaboyzzz

<><><><><>><>>><><><><>

Keep the Chapters coming - Support with Power Stones!

Every 200 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com