The students below the stage had long been rendered speechless by shock. They had originally come to witness the final battle of the "Manure-Eating Fierce Man" Tang San, but instead, they witnessed a match full of numerous twists and turns.
They thought the match would end with Tang San's white backside facing the sky. However, who could have guessed that once the match concluded, what followed would actually be a trial!
Such a change was completely unexpected for all the students.
Even after the trial ended, many students remained in a slight daze, and everyone's topic of conversation naturally shifted to today's judgment.
At the same time, pre-prepared invitations were sent out, and Shrek's self-audit was proclaimed to the world.
Seven days later, at the top of the walls of Shrek City, the second trial began. Countless factions, whether they had received an invitation or not, sent at least one representative to watch this unprecedented self-examination by Shrek.
Over two hundred people knelt on the city wall. Yan Shaozhe acted as the executioner, and Zhang Lexuan acted as the reader. Every time a kneeling person's crimes were read aloud by Zhang Lexuan, they would be mercilessly decapitated by Yan Shaozhe.
For a time, the walls of Shrek City were stained with blood.
The members of other factions who had come to observe from within the city couldn't help but feel a phantom ache in their teeth at the sight.
The Soul Kings and Soul Emperors were one thing, but there were actually several Elders who were Soul Douluos, and even a Titled Douluo who was decapitated in front of everyone after his cultivation was abolished...
A single thought flashed through the minds of almost every faction representative: Shrek has gone mad.
Setting aside the fact that this move completely shattered the golden reputation Shrek had nurtured for ten thousand years, just looking at the present, Shrek's overt strength had dropped by at least twenty percent.
What was this? Setting bait?
Many factions began to speculate on the intentions behind Shrek's large-scale self-audit.
Was there truly a problem within Shrek? Had parasites hollowed out this towering tree from the inside, or was it a power transition within Shrek? Or perhaps some other hidden secret?
The mysteries were many; no one could fathom the truth.
...
The trial lasted for a full half-day. Of course, most of the time was spent on Zhang Lexuan reading the crimes, while Yan Shaozhe simply raised his blade and let it fall, over and over, letting heads roll.
When the trial ended, the two went to a certain location where only one person waited.
"Teacher, I wish to resign from my post as the Dean of the Martial Soul Department and confine myself within the Golden Ancient Tree, not to emerge unless summoned."
Yan Shaozhe knelt straight down. Two trails of clear tears rolled down his blood-stained face. His aura shifted slightly; he had actually broken through to Level 96.
Mu En sighed softly, his eyes reflecting an indiscernible mix of regret and relief.
Yan Shaozhe's aptitude was not poor; possessing the top-tier Beast Martial Soul, the Radiant Phoenix, he faced virtually no bottlenecks before Level 95. However, the path after Level 95 depends more on one's own insights than on soul master talent.
Entrusting him with the position of Dean of the Martial Soul Department was originally because Mu En felt his student was worthy of heavy responsibility. Yet, who would have thought Yan Shaozhe would become mired in power, spending his days in internal strife with the Soul Tool Department?
And now, after this "accomplice" in a certain sense had personally executed these two hundred-plus former "colleagues," Yan Shaozhe's mindset had undergone a total transformation.
With the change in mindset, his cultivation—which had been stuck at Level 95 for a long time—erupted from its long accumulation, naturally reaching Level 96, and likely not far from Level 97.
As for "confining himself within the Golden Ancient Tree, not to emerge unless summoned," it meant that as long as Shrek faced no foreign invasion or crisis of destruction, Yan Shaozhe would not take a single step outside the Golden Ancient Tree.
In a sense, it was permanent imprisonment.
Mu En did not speak; he merely nodded calmly and remained silent.
Barring any accidents, this might be the last time teacher and student would see each other.
Yan Shaozhe kowtowed heavily nine times to Mu En, then turned and left.
He still had things to do, such as handing over all the affairs in his hands, arranging his useless worldly possessions, and... his student, Ma Xiaotao.
He didn't have much time left on the outside and needed to settle all trifles as quickly as possible.
Back at the spot, watching Yan Shaozhe fade into the distance, the aura of twilight on Mu En's body seemed to deepen. Turning his head, Mu En looked at Zhang Lexuan.
"Lexuan."
"Elder Mu..."
Zhang Lexuan hurried forward and took the old man's withered hand.
"How have you been faring at the Spirit Transmission Pagoda lately?" Mu En's tone was relaxed, like an ordinary elder showing kind concern for a junior.
"I've been very well," Zhang Lexuan nodded, her words devoid of falsehood.
"Then, what do you think of 'Skydream'?"
"The Pagoda Master..." Subconsciously, a memory surfaced in Zhang Lexuan's mind: once, she had gone to find Huo Yuhao because she was unsure about an important matter, only to find the man with one girl in his arms, another leaning on his shoulder, and a third not far away watching with gritted teeth...
A total of three!
Moreover, she heard from Luochen that it wasn't just those three—there was even a possibility the guy intended to have a different one every day. The image of Huo Yuhao as a scumbag was deeply rooted in her heart.
Truly a scumbag...
Zhang Lexuan involuntarily gave this evaluation in her heart.
But obviously, such a comment could not be voiced.
However, Zhang Lexuan's hesitation and the faint trace of resentment in her emotions were interpreted differently by Mu En.
Lightly patting Zhang Lexuan's hand, Mu En's gentle voice sounded:
"Lexuan, everyone's life should be chosen by themselves; therefore, I do not wish to make too many decisions for you.
"But, Lexuan, if an opportunity truly presents itself before you, do not hesitate. Rather than leaving behind regrets, it is better to try and fight for it. Even if you lose, it is definitely better than doing nothing at all."
Mu En admonished her; this was a truth he had realized from his own life experiences.
Zhang Lexuan blinked, not understanding the meaning behind Mu En's words for a moment, but she still nodded and complied.
Mu En sighed softly, feeling that Zhang Lexuan hadn't really taken it to heart.
The two were completely on different wavelengths.
...
On the other side, at the Spirit Transmission Pagoda.
Two figures were conversing happily, while Ning Tian stood to the side, pouring tea for them and acting as an attendant.
"I truly thank Brother Yu for looking after my daughter during this time." The handsome middle-aged man spoke with a gentle tone, his gratitude seemingly genuine.
"Sect Master Ning is joking. In any case, Ning Tian is my student; it is only right that I look after her."
Huo Yuhao replied with a smile.
Since the end of the freshman assessment that day, Shrek had started their vacation early. Huo Yuhao had personally sent Ning Tian back to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect (via the Spectral Demiplane transit station).
However, who would have thought Ning Tian would be so efficient? In just seven days, she had brought her father, the Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Guan, back to the Spirit Transmission Pagoda.
And he hadn't just brought a servant or two for a casual visit—he had brought the whole family!