Chapter 211: Mu En's Passing (Part 2)

Shao Zhe.

Unexpectedly, the first person he spoke to was not one of the four incumbent deans, but Yan Shaozhe, the former dean of the Martial Soul Department.

Yan Shaozhe stepped forward and lowered his head.

Teacher.

Mu En stared into his eyes and said seriously:

Do you know? Actually, the person I worry about most is you. You lack a bit of magnanimity in your character. I give you ten years to change all this. After ten years, come to the first floor of Haishen Pavilion to meditate. If you pass, you can resume the position of Martial Soul Department Dean; if you fail my assessment, then from now on you must not touch any authority.

Yan Shaozhe's body trembled, but he dared not refute in the slightest, respectfully replying: "Yes, Teacher."

Mu En's gaze then turned to Cai Mei'er.

Mei'er.

Teacher.

As the vice dean of the Martial Soul Department, Cai Mei'er held considerable authority at Shilake Academy, yet before Mu En she seemed like a little girl.

Mu En was noticeably gentler toward her.

Mei'er, I've seen your diligent service to the academy over the years. Now you will assume the post of Martial Soul Department Dean, with Chang Long taking the vice dean position. If Shao Zhe fails my test, the banner of the Martial Soul Department will be yours to bear.

Cai Mei'er's cultivation and administrative skills have long surpassed Gong Changlong's. Mu En previously held her back only to give the Soul Tool Department room to develop; now that he is departing, it is natural to let the more reassuring Cai Mei'er take over as dean of the Martial Soul Department.

Gong Changlong beside him had no objections; he was originally thrust into the role, inept at handling affairs, and now letting Cai Mei'er replace him made him happier than he could bear.

Yes, Teacher, please don't die……

Cai Mei'er flung herself onto Mu En and burst into tears.

Mu En stroked her head, then turned his stern gaze toward Yan Shaozhe.

Shao Zhe, Teacher hopes you understand why I've been strict with you. Ten years is not a short time; I hope you can make good use of these ten years. Understand?

Yan Shaozhe seemed to grasp something, stared deeply at Mu En, fiercely wiped away tears, and said solemnly: "Teacher, I understand; I will not disappoint you. Shilake will not fall because of your departure."

Mu En showed a relieved smile.

Very good, it seems you truly understand.

He then turned his gaze to the two deans of the Soul Tool Department.

Lin'er, Duo Duo, come over.

Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo hurried to Mu En's side; Xian Lin'er's tears were no less than Cai Mei'er's, and she was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Mu En sighed helplessly.

Lin'er, do you know what your biggest flaw is?

Xian Lin'er shook her head, choking back sobs.

Mu En said:

Your temperament is too rigid and you are overly emotional. That wouldn't be bad in itself; if you were male, I would certainly let you take Shao Zhe's place. But as a female, this trait of yours is amplified unseen, causing you to become overly entangled in emotional matters. Regarding Shao Zhe's past affair, I apologize to you here. I do not ask you to forgive him; I only hope you can let go of past grievances and cooperate well with the Martial Soul Department. Can you do that?

Mm! I understand, Mu Lao.

Xian Lin'er wiped her tears and nodded firmly.

Mu En then turned his gaze to Qian Duoduo and said seriously:

Duo Duo, after my passing, promote Fan Yu to vice dean of the Soul Tool Department. I hope that in ten years after my death our academy will produce a nine‑level Soul Tool Master. The exchange program with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Academy is only three months away; you must not give any difficulty to the students they send here. Our academy is inherently open; how much they learn is up to them—do not obstruct them. As for the teacher who will lead the team to Sun Moon, let Fan Yu take that role. I believe you can handle these matters.

Understood, Mu Lao.

Seeing Qian Duoduo agree, Mu En let out a long sigh. "As Master of Haishen Pavilion, I hereby issue my final order."

Upon hearing this, all the Senior Elders stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and Mu En's voice slowly emanated from within Haishen Pavilion, spreading across the whole of Haishen Island.

From today onward, fully develop the Soul Tool Department, promote integration of the Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departments. Given the Soul Tool Department's high funding needs, fifty percent of the income from all academy enterprises in Shilake City shall be allocated to the Soul Tool Department. If one day the Soul Tool Department produces a ten‑level Soul Tool Master, the position of Master of Haishen Pavilion shall be inherited by that person.

Yes.

All the Senior Elders replied in unison.

Seeing his final order accepted, Mu En's face showed a relaxed smile.

He raised a hand and pointed at Tang Wulin; a golden light shot out and entered his body.

Tang Wulin only felt a sudden warmth in his body, then lost consciousness.

Wulin!

Huo Yutong hurried to help him, and Mu En comforted: "Don't worry; I am merely sending him the last opportunity I prepared for him. When he awakens, his view of the world will be different from before. Yutong, you are as emotional as Lin'er, but opposite in that you lack a strong will. After I'm gone, don't grieve too much; cultivate well, but also do not push yourself too hard, or you will only suffer deviation. Teacher hopes you will be well. Understand?"

Teacher……

Huo Yutong stared blankly at Mu En as he gave his final instructions, able only to nod dumbly.

After finishing those last words, Mu En exhausted his strength and shouted loudly:

The predecessors of Shilake, Mu En has arrived!

Then, his body suddenly burst with intense golden light, which enveloped the whole of Haishen Island and began to flow endlessly into the students' bodies.

Yan Shaozhe choked back sobs and shouted loudly:

All inner academy disciples, heed the order: focus your minds in meditation, do not waste the teacher's good intentions!

Mu En's face showed a faint smile, his figure grew younger until he became a young man in his twenties, golden dragon scales covering his whole body; he rose into the air and flew above Shilake.

The giant dragon glanced faintly toward the distant Star Dou Great Forest, let out a resonant dragon roar, and then slowly drifted apart in the air.

In the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest, countless powerful soul beasts lifted their heads and solemnly gazed toward Shilake Academy.

A figure shrouded in thick dark aura burst forth from the void, also letting out a dragon roar that scattered Mu En's final dragon roar.

Then he landed on the ground and knelt before the lake water.

Your Majesty, you have finally awakened.

A voice came from within the lake water.

I have not fully awakened; I merely sensed the aura of the Holy Light Dragon and opened my eyes to look. Di Tian, I forbid you from provoking Shilake Academy as before.

Di Tian was stunned for a moment.

Why, my lord? He's clearly threatening us; why should we fear them?

The voice of the one called my lord said lightly: 'Just an Ultimate Soul Master is naturally not worthy of my fear, but Shilake Academy has the possibility of connecting to the Divine Realm. Di Tian, you have suffered these years; you only need to wait another ten thousand years, and my injuries will fully recover. By then, you won't need to endure anymore.'

Yes.

Di Tian lowered his head respectfully and said no more.

At the bottom of the lake, a hint of doubt flashed in the purple eyes.

I don't know if it's an illusion, but she always felt that the aura of that Light Holy Dragon just now was mixed with something of a higher bloodline aura.

But after thinking it over repeatedly, she still closed her eyes.

Most likely she just felt wrong.

(End of chapter)