Chapter 53

Taking Huo Yutong out of the room and coming to the first floor, Tang Wulin unexpectedly discovered that Mu En's room already had someone inside, and there were even continuous arguing voices coming from inside.

"Mu Lao, even if we let Tang Wulin go, we cannot let that girl named Huo Yutong off either; she is merely an ordinary soul master whose first soul ring is only ten years old, and her enrollment level was even only rank ten. Apart from her martial soul being a body soul, she has practically no merits. If someone like her can squander the academy's resources at will, it would simply overturn heaven!"

"Xuan Lao, didn't Mu Lao already say this matter cannot be pursued further? Moreover, I can declare as the head of the Soul Tool Department that Huo Yutong's soul tool talent is absolutely the best the department has ever received since its establishment, and I and Duo Duo have even considered taking her as a personal disciple during this period; even if she absorbs some life force, what of it?"

"Hmph, what soul tools? Just heretical side paths; how could they compare to the life force contained within the Golden Ancient Tree? For soul masters, the most important thing is ultimately their own strength; soul tools, as external objects, even if developed to the limit, cannot possibly be as strong as a true Limit Douluo."

This was an old man and a woman arguing; the woman's voice was very familiar to both Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong—it was the head of the Soul Tool Department, Xian Lin'er; the old man's voice, however, was quite unfamiliar.

Merely hearing part of the conversation between those two voices caused Tang Wulin's brows to furrow.

He tightly grasped Huo Yutong's slightly cold little hand, gave her some comfort, then knocked on the door.

The voices inside the door abruptly ceased, followed by Mu En's steady voice transmitting out.

"Come in."

Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong exchanged a glance, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.

For some unknown reason, a group of people had gathered in Mu En's room; the vast majority were elderly grandfathers and grandmothers, while individuals like Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er, who appeared middle-aged, were among the youngest there.

However, Tang Wulin did not look down on them in the slightest, for he knew these elders were mostly the legendary Sea God Pavilion Senior Elders, generally possessing strength at the level of Honored Douluo or above, and their status in the academy was extraordinarily transcendent.

As soon as Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong entered the room, the gazes of those Senior Elders all focused on them, giving the two an intangible sense of pressure.

Seeing that it was them, Mu En revealed a friendly smile and beckoned to them.

"Wulin, Yutong, you've come; just in time, we were just talking about you two—come over here."

The disheveled old man sitting beside Mu En was unwilling; he urgently said to Mu En:

"Mu Lao, this is a Sea God Pavilion meeting, which is the academy's highest-level meeting that only Sea God Pavilion members are qualified to attend; how could we let these two brats who just entered the academy participate!"

As soon as he spoke, Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong recognized that this old man was precisely the owner of the voice they had just heard advocating that Huo Yutong not be let off.

Mu En glanced at him, his tone indifferent.

"If we don't let them participate, could you tell me what happened to the Golden Ancient Tree? Xuanzi, since you know this matter is of great importance, don't just interject randomly."

Having said that, he scanned the assembled Senior Elders and solemnly declared: "This situation is special; I specially permit Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong to stand beside me and listen to this meeting. If anyone objects again, they should leave first—do you understand?"

All the Senior Elders nodded together; the old man whom Mu En called Xuanzi, though appearing extremely dissatisfied, nonetheless, out of deference to Mu En's authority, reluctantly closed his mouth.

Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong together walked around the Senior Elders and came to Mu En's side.

Mu En gently asked them:

"Do you know what happened?"

The two shook their heads in unison. They had merely attempted a martial soul fusion; halfway through, they both lost consciousness. When they woke up and went to find Mu En, they discovered the Senior Elders had gathered in Mu En's room, convening some Sea God Pavilion meeting; aside from that, they knew nothing else.

Mu En sighed and said: "Last night, the Golden Ancient Tree, which serves as the pillar of the academy, suddenly erupted. Under its influence, the life force of the entire Haishen Dao began flowing toward your room. By the time we arrived, the massive life force had already formed a cocoon; I feared it would harm you, so I did not break it. Now the Golden Ancient Tree's life force has greatly diminished, and we have convened this Sea God Pavilion meeting to discuss the matter, which has already lasted an entire night."

"..."

After hearing Mu En's words, Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong looked at each other, seeing deep shock in each other's eyes.

They never imagined that their mere attempt at a martial soul fusion would cause such a huge commotion.

They were aware of the matter concerning the Golden Ancient Tree; after staying a few days in the Sea God Pavilion, Mu En had explained to them the importance of the Golden Ancient Tree to Shilake Academy and told them not to come into contact with it casually.

But according to what Mu En just said, they not only came into contact with it, but even absorbed a large amount of life energy from it? Now they understand why all the Senior Elders were suddenly gathered to convene a meeting.

Xuanzi snorted displeasedly.

"Do you realize how serious what you've done is? The loss you've caused to the academy is irreparable, especially for that girl named Huo Yutong; Tang Wulin could still serve the academy and make amends, but letting her leave the academy is already our great mercy!"

Upon hearing that, Huo Yutong's pretty face turned pale, yet she couldn't utter a word.

Others may not know the truth, but she does know part of it; evidently this incident was caused by Ilex, and she also bears half the responsibility—even if the academy expelled her, she would have nothing to say.

Merely thinking that she might never see Tang Wulin again made her feel somewhat breathless.

Noticing her complexion was off, Tang Wulin hastily said to Xuanzi: "This matter is our fault, but Yutong is not as worthless as you claim; please take back your words just now."

Compared to the previous assassination incident, Tang Wulin's attitude this time was not as radical.

After all, all signs indicate that the energy within the Golden Ancient Tree was indeed absorbed by the two of them; this matter is fundamentally their fault, and frankly, no matter what the academy says, they would find it hard to refute.

Xuanzi let out a cold laugh.

"Heh, you're on good terms with her, so of course you speak for her; in reality, isn't she just a good-for-nothing who becomes useless once she leaves the academy?"

His harsh words made even Tang Wulin's complexion change somewhat.

He forcibly suppressed his anger and said: "You're wrong; Yutong must not come to harm—at the very least, she cannot leave my side; I and she are now inseparable."

Xuanzi revealed a mocking expression.

"Oh? Why? Because of your pretend-play-like friendship?"

"No."

Tang Wulin took a deep breath and said:

"Because we possess a Soul Fusion Technique between us."

(End of chapter)