Seeing that Xu Tianxi didn't bother exchanging pleasantries with Zhang Lexuan and instead addressed him directly, Yan Shaozhe was momentarily surprised. But he quickly composed himself and nodded, answering in as gentle a tone as he could muster:
"Yes, I am Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the Martial Soul Department of Shrek Academy. I once guided your mother in her cultivation. I grieve her loss, and I offer my deepest condolences."
Kong Xiyue had been the previous Senior Sister of Shrek's Inner Court before Zhang Lexuan. Though she hadn't stayed to continue her rise within the Academy, marrying the Xuanming Sect Master and strengthening ties between Shrek and the Xuanming Sect had also been a wise path.
While Shrek Academy was undoubtedly the continent's number one soul master sanctuary, it had always valued maintaining relations with the top noble families and hidden sects of the Three Great Nations—such as the White Tiger Duke's Mansion of the Star Luo Empire and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect of the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Though Xuanming Sect's ties with Shrek were not as intimate as the above, they were still significant. After all, this hidden sect could mass-produce the Xuan Shui Pill and possessed martial soul inheritance comparable to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. No one would consider it weak.
Moreover, Kong Xiyue had originally been sent to Shrek by the very same Xuanming Grandmaster seated beside Xu Tianxi now. Back then, no one had expected her to enter the sacred Sea God's Pavilion. Just contributing to Shrek from within Xuanming Sect was already valuable.
Now that Kong Xiyue had died in an accident, though Yan Shaozhe was somewhat displeased by the servants' loose tongues, he wasn't about to argue with a child.
Xu Tianxi, unaware of Yan Shaozhe's internal thoughts, saw that the man had admitted his identity. He carefully composed his words, bit his lip, and asked in a sorrowful voice:
"Dean Yan, may I ask... why did my mother encounter an accident in the Star Dou Forest? Where were you all at the time? Why didn't you protect her?"
As soon as the question landed, the aged, murky eyes of the Xuanming Grandmaster flashed sharply. His gaze locked onto Yan Shaozhe, as though trying to peel the truth straight from his face.
Zhang Lexuan's sobs paused. She gripped Xu Tianxi's hand even tighter.
"This..."
Yan Shaozhe was momentarily at a loss for words.
He couldn't possibly tell the truth—that Elder Xuan had wandered off to indulge his gluttony, got separated from the Inner Court disciples, and that they just so happened to run into a bloodthirsty hundred-thousand-year soul beast that triggered a full-blown battle.
And by the time Elder Xuan finished eating and went looking for the group, he discovered that only four of the twelve disciples were barely clinging to life. He had no choice but to gather their remains and return to the Academy.
If he admitted that, wouldn't it prove that loud-mouthed servant right—and tarnish Shrek's image? Besides, Elder Xuan hadn't meant for it to happen...
He quickly organized his thoughts and responded:
"The situation was... complicated. Our Academy's top experts were momentarily preoccupied with other matters, so we weren't able to reach your mother's group in time. That's how the tragedy occurred."
"But let me assure you, your mother and the others died with the highest honor. Their sacrifice wasn't in vain. They upheld the dignity and glory of Shrek's Inner Court disciples."
At these words, Zhang Lexuan's eye twitched. A trace of anger flashed across her pale cheeks, but she quickly suppressed it—she didn't want Xu Tianxi to notice.
What could she do, after all? The person who had failed in his duty was Elder Xuan—a peerless expert destined to inherit the position of Sea God's Pavilion Master.
Even if she had watched her companions fall one by one... even if she had seen Sister Xiyue die to protect them... what could she do?
Her own talent, however great, had yet to fully bloom. Compared to Elder Xuan—the continent's second-ranked powerhouse—her value to the Academy was minuscule.
She had even been forced—by both Dean Yan and Elder Mu—to plead with Elder Xuan, begging him not to abandon responsibility and leave the Academy...
If she hadn't intervened, she might have been fine. But her surviving teammates? They would've been cast aside.
There was no choice. She could only bury the anguish in her heart—forever, never to be spoken aloud.
After Yan Shaozhe finished speaking, the Xuanming Grandmaster, Xu Xiaoyun, casually waved his hand. Instantly, Chen Wu and Old Yue were enveloped by a sphere of dark energy and vanished from the room.
Yan Shaozhe and Zhang Lexuan, both strong soul masters, immediately sensed that the two had been teleported a hundred meters away. Their expressions changed.
Xu Xiaoyun smiled calmly at Yan Shaozhe's startled reaction:
"This is a serious matter—better that only we know. No need to risk them saying something... unpleasant. Don't be surprised. It's just a minor soul skill of mine."
Yan Shaozhe's expression eased, replaced by solemnity. He smiled respectfully:
"Elder Xu, you're too modest. I came today on behalf of my teacher to personally apologize. Shrek truly owes your sect and you, Elder Xu, a deep debt for this incident."
No wonder his teacher had warned him not to underestimate the Xuanming Sect—and to treat this Grandmaster with utmost courtesy. To teleport people right under their noses without anyone noticing... this Elder Xu's strength must be at least on par with Elder Song at rank 97.
Xu Xiaoyun merely gave a dismissive grunt and said nothing more. No one could discern his true emotions. He simply took a seat beside Xu Tianxi, pulled out two jet-black, glossy pills, and flicked one each toward Xu Tianxi and Zhang Lexuan.
"These are Xuanwu Divine Pills I refined myself. You two look a bit weak—take them and recover."
"Xiao Tianxi, if you have something to say, go ahead. Your Grandmaster is here."
Just as Xu Tianxi swallowed the pill, a voice echoed in his mind—his Grandmaster's silent encouragement. His eyes brightened. He lifted his head and stared straight at Yan Shaozhe, asking:
"Dean Yan, I heard that Shrek's experts are the strongest on the continent—that Titled Douluos from other forces can't even compete. So was the senior who accompanied them attacked by multiple Titled Douluos in the Star Dou Forest? Or ambushed by some overwhelmingly powerful soul beast?"
"And also... I want to know—how can you call dying at the hands of a soul beast 'an honor'? My mother died because she didn't receive support—killed by a hundred-thousand-year soul beast! Many others died too! What kind of 'glory' is that!?"
Yan Shaozhe's expression twisted. He hadn't expected such a direct challenge.
Shrek Academy had existed for over ten thousand years, and over that time, students had always died during soul beast hunts. To die without retreat was considered an honor. Besides, their deaths had led to the birth of Zhang Lexuan's hundred-thousand-year eighth ring—it was absolutely worth it.
But how could a child possibly understand such "glory"?
Zhang Lexuan was startled by Xu Tianxi's sudden and justifiable outburst. Her grip on his hand tightened again as she quickly said:
"Tianxi... things are complicated. You're still young. It's not time for you to understand everything yet…"
Yan Shaozhe appreciated her timely intervention. With a self-important glint in his eye, he clasped his hands behind his back and declared solemnly:
"Young man, I won't preach to you now. But let me say this: Shrek Academy's expert was at fault that day. He has since expressed deep remorse—and even offered to step down from the Sea God's Pavilion. It was our students who begged him to stay."
"You're too young now to understand what the Sea God's Pavilion truly represents. But if you inherit your mother's talent and one day join the Inner Court, you'll come to understand the weight of his guilt—and the magnitude of the punishment he's chosen to bear."
"Your mother was once Shrek Academy's finest. If you can follow in her footsteps and enter the Inner Court, her spirit will surely rest in peace."
With every sentence Yan Shaozhe uttered, Zhang Lexuan's shoulders trembled. Tears streamed down her face, rendering her almost unrecognizable.
In the end, she simply broke down, throwing her arms around Xu Tianxi and sobbing uncontrollably. It was as if only by holding him could she find a shred of comfort.
There was nothing she could do. Nothing at all.
Xu Tianxi gently brushed aside her silky black hair, revealing eyes like glistening obsidian. He locked his gaze onto Yan Shaozhe and asked:
"So what you're saying is—the Shrek senior who caused my mother's death, and the deaths of many others... wasn't punished at all?"
Yan Shaozhe's patience snapped. He waved a hand dismissively and barked:
"I already told you—you have no idea how sacred the Sea God's Pavilion is! When you grow up, you'll understand its greatness! That senior made a great sacrifice to stay!"
"Shrek's glory isn't something a child like you can grasp. But let me tell you—that glory was forged with blood by thousands of Inner Court disciples over ten millennia!"
"Every Inner Court disciple signs a life-and-death agreement before joining. Entering the Inner Court means facing the harshest trials. Every year, students die. But the glory they uphold... will never fade!"
"If you question that glory now, you're also questioning your own mother's sacrifices!"
Xu Tianxi inhaled sharply. His eyes widened, stunned.
Unbelievable. Truly unbelievable. So this is what it's like in person. No amount of webnovel reading could compare.
This place isn't an academy—it's a cult.
He glanced at his stiff-faced Grandmaster, then turned back to Yan Shaozhe. Meeting his gaze head-on, Xu Tianxi shouted:
"I don't care how sacred you think the Sea God's Pavilion is. In my eyes, nothing is more important than my mother's life! Your Shrek Academy caused her death and dares call it 'glory'? Don't you feel ashamed!?"
"Enough!"
Yan Shaozhe's fury exploded. He glared at Xu Tianxi for daring to question Shrek's sacred glory:
"Boy, I didn't want to go there, but since you insist—let me tell you where the blame lies!"
"Your mother, as a leader among the disciples, failed to protect her team during the soul beast hunt. That, in itself, was a serious failure!"
Xu Tianxi's eyes widened in disbelief. He stared at Yan Shaozhe, unable to comprehend how someone could be this shameless.
Yan Shaozhe's expression darkened:
"Don't look at me like that! Your mother was a control-type battle soul master—she was responsible for maintaining control within the team! But she failed to detect the soul beast in time or signal a retreat. That negligence cost the team dearly and caused Shrek its greatest loss in centuries!"
"Yes, the team leader failed to provide support, but she made a critical mistake too! She only redeemed herself by sacrificing her life for her teammates—we chose not to pursue accountability out of respect for that."
"If you're unhappy that the senior was left unpunished, then get into Shrek. If you ever become a Titled Douluo and make great contributions, maybe you'll be allowed to challenge him."
"But right now, you have no right to accuse a venerable elder who's done more for Shrek and the continent than you can imagine! Even I treat him as a senior!"
What a stubborn brat, Yan Shaozhe thought. If he enters Shrek, I'll be sure to have someone polish that rebellious streak—can't have him offending Elder Xuan.
Startled by his tone, Zhang Lexuan snapped her pale face toward him, eyes blazing:
"Dean! He's just a child—a child who just lost his mother! Don't scare him!"
"That day was special. Sister Xiyue's scouts were the first to fall. Everyone who survived owes her their lives!"
"Tianxi calls me Aunt. With Sister Xiyue gone, I will never let anyone harm her only child—not even if it costs me my life!"
Seeing her like that, Yan Shaozhe softened his tone and said gently:
"Lexuan, don't be upset. I lost my temper. I didn't mean to make things difficult for the boy. Once he joins Shrek, we'll train him well."
Zhang Lexuan was already a Soul Douluo in her early twenties, with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. The first in Shrek's history in 3,000 years. Destined for the Sea God's Pavilion—Yan Shaozhe couldn't afford to offend her.
Just as he exhaled in relief, a cold, ancient laugh rang in his ears, sending chills down his spine.
"Heh… heh heh heh… Shrek… Sea God Pavilion elders… truly worthy of being called the continent's top soul master sect. So high and mighty, using power to silence all!"
From the eyes of Xu Xiaoyun shot twin beams of crimson light. As he rose from the peachwood chair, its armrest shattered to dust.
A mighty pressure burst from him. Black ripples of thick soul power spread out beneath his feet, flooding the room.
"So what you're saying… is that only power matters? That my little disciple has no right to question you? Then tell me—do I have the right?"
In the black, viscous soul energy, a dark-gold shield coiled with a blood-red serpent appeared in his hand. His expression turned icy as he roared, each word thunderous in Yan Shaozhe's ears.