"I've brought him, Teacher," Yan Shaozhe said respectfully.
Teacher?! Zhu Ziyang was startled inside. Could it really be the legendary Dragon God Douluo? That peerless powerhouse renowned across the northern lands of the continent?
Just then, the tightly shut door of the wooden building suddenly opened. A warm, spring-like light poured out from within, and a calm, aged yet comforting voice called out:
"Come in."
Zhu Ziyang followed Yan Shaozhe into Sea God Pavilion. What he first saw was a simple hall, with a long table and several wooden chairs. They did not linger there, instead heading straight up to the third floor.
On the top floor was a modest wooden room. Its furnishings were simple: a wooden bed against the wall, a square wooden table in the center with four chairs, and a bookshelf filled with books against one wall. By the window sat a wooden rocking chair, where an elderly man rested quietly, facing the light streaming through the window. The sun cast a glow on him, and he emanated a subtle sense of holiness, enough to invoke reverence.
This aura of sanctity was perfectly measured. If it were anyone else, Yan Shaozhe might have found it awkward—but for this man, he felt it was completely deserved.
Because this man was Mu En.
"Teacher!" Yan Shaozhe walked to the rocking chair, bowed respectfully, and called out.
Mu En turned his head, his face adorned with the gentle smile unique to kind old men. After nodding at Yan Shaozhe, his clouded eyes turned to Zhu Ziyang.
"Child, you've given me quite the surprise."
"You're the old man who sits at the dormitory entrance!" Zhu Ziyang's face showed a bit of surprise, his eyes widening slightly.
"Haha! You don't seem very shocked to see me?" Mu En chuckled, clearly amused.
"Because the moment I first saw you, I sensed a strong light aura from your body. I knew then that you weren't an ordinary elder. What I didn't expect was that you're Dean Yan's teacher. That is truly surprising!" Zhu Ziyang responded with a hint of awe, though his tone remained calm as he analyzed the situation.
His gaze remained steady, filled with curiosity and inquiry as he looked at Mu En.
"Hahaha, I see. As expected of someone with Ultimate Light." Mu En laughed again. He remembered the morning Zhu Ziyang had stared at him, and his face crinkled with smiling wrinkles.
"Teacher is the current Head of the Sea God Pavilion, the strongest of the Three Great Limit Douluo alive today. His title is Dragon God, and his full name is Mu En," Yan Shaozhe formally introduced, his face glowing with childlike admiration for a fatherly figure—odd but sincere.
"Dragon God?! You're really the legendary Dragon God Douluo?" Zhu Ziyang looked absolutely stunned, his demeanor shifting into awe—he even looked flustered, just like a fan meeting their idol.
"Oh? So you've heard of this old man before?" Mu En chuckled, clearly enjoying the reaction.
"Mhm!" Zhu Ziyang nodded excitedly, his hands clenched in excitement. This was a genuine emotional reaction, and it touched both Mu En and Yan Shaozhe—making them completely lower their guard. This was what a real teenager should be like, even if he was a genius.
Zhu Ziyang, unaware of all this, continued,
"In the Heaven Soul Empire, you're considered the strongest Dragon-type soul master in the world!"
"Haha, just an empty reputation," Mu En waved it off. He'd heard similar praise countless times, but coming from this pure and sincere youth, it still warmed his heart.
"But you—" Mu En said, eyes glowing, "I truly envy you. Ultimate Light… Do you know that your martial soul is an Ultimate Martial Soul?"
"I do," Zhu Ziyang nodded. "My martial soul told me."
"That saves me some effort then." Mu En wasn't surprised. Ultimate martial souls often possessed a form of vague self-awareness. "May I see your martial soul?"
"Of course." Zhu Ziyang extended his right hand. Instantly, the Scythe of Death's Rest appeared in his grip, and three soul rings manifested behind him, glowing brightly in the cozy room.
The moment Zhu Ziyang released his martial soul, Mu En's eyes trembled slightly—a flash of doubt flickered in his heart. He suppressed it for now, focusing on the scythe.
And the more he looked at it, the more shocked he became.
Even his lying posture shifted slightly as his cloudy eyes widened.
"Light and death—perfectly fused together…" Mu En murmured. "Child, can you tell me the name of your martial soul?"
"Scythe of Death's Rest."
"'Death's Rest that Brings Peace'… What a name!" Mu En repeated quietly.
"That's a death attribute!" Yan Shaozhe finally realized. It was only the second time he'd seen Zhu Ziyang's martial soul up close. This time, he clearly sensed the death attribute, and a look of astonishment appeared on his face.
He had lived so long, and this was the first time he had ever seen a martial soul that combined light and death—and not just any light, but Ultimate Light!
"Teacher, this…" he started to speak, but Mu En cut him off.
Mu En looked intensely at Zhu Ziyang. He had been somewhat hesitant, but that hesitation vanished.
"Child," he asked, "would you be willing to become my disciple?"
He had seen more than Ultimate Light's sacred purity—he had also seen the cold stillness of death. More importantly, the death aura was pure—without the evil or bloodthirst of dark soul masters. In fact, it radiated judgment and divine authority!
Mu En immediately realized: once Zhu Ziyang grew up, he would become the nightmare of all evil soul masters! With such a force on their side, nothing could threaten Shrek Academy's supremacy!
"You… want to take me as your disciple?" Zhu Ziyang was stunned, staring at Mu En in disbelief.
"You little fool, what are you waiting for? Go on—kneel and accept the offer!" Yan Shaozhe was overjoyed and nudged Zhu Ziyang's arm while laughing.
"Oh! Right!" Zhu Ziyang's face lit up. Without hesitation, he knelt on the floor and bowed deeply.
"Disciple Zhu Ziyang pays respects to Teacher!"
"HAHAHAHA!" Mu En couldn't contain his joy any longer and laughed heartily. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd been this happy. With a grin, he sat upright and reached out.
"Good! Good! Come here, child!"
Zhu Ziyang stood up and stepped closer.
Mu En extended his withered hand and grasped Zhu Ziyang's hand. Immediately, a vast yet gentle soul power flowed into Zhu Ziyang's meridians, circulating through his limbs and bones.
Zhu Ziyang was surprised. Then he saw Mu En's body radiate a soft golden glow, and his kind gaze fell upon him. Relaxing, Zhu Ziyang instinctively closed his eyes, focusing on how the energy widened and strengthened his meridians.
Off to the side, Yan Shaozhe's eyes filled with envy. This was a soul-cleansing ritual from a Level 99 Limit Douluo—a treatment he himself had never received.
It was clear: his teacher truly valued this new disciple.
With a smile, Yan Shaozhe quietly left the room to summon the other elders. After all, it had been a century since Mu En last accepted a disciple.
This was an event the Sea God Pavilion could not afford to ignore.