Zhang Lexuan stared wide-eyed at Elder Song, utterly bewildered.
"Elder Song, I don't understand. What do you mean by that?" she asked cautiously.
Before Elder Song could respond, Xuan Zi's eyes lit up as he slammed the table.
"Right! Why didn't I think of that? You've always been quick-witted, Xiao Song!" Xuan Zi grinned, turning his gaze toward Zhang Lexuan.
The other Sea God Pavilion elders also smiled, sizing up Zhang Lexuan with meaningful looks.
Graceful temperament, gentle personality, generous figure—age? Irrelevant!
Both were destined to become Titled Douluos, possibly even Super or Limit Douluos. A couple hundred years from now, the age gap would be negligible. True love transcends time!
Most importantly, Zhang Lexuan wasn't just stunning—she was single. A nurturing older sister like her was far more appealing than some inexperienced teenage girl, wasn't she?
If Lin Yun could gift an immortal herb to a girl like Xiao Xiao, wouldn't he fall head over heels for Zhang Lexuan?
"Indeed. Would you be willing to approach that young man on the academy's behalf?" Elder Song asked with a smile.
"Uh… Me? Approach Lin Yun? But… why?" Lexuan had already guessed their intentions but refused to believe it.
How is this any different from selling me off?
She was the inner court's senior sister—a Soul Douluo before thirty, with a 100,000-year soul ring! Using her charms to seduce Lin Yun? Unthinkable!
Her question was a final, desperate hope.
What if I'm wrong?
Xuan Zi, ever the blunt fool, delivered the killing blow.
"Let's cut the pretense, Lexuan. Immortal herbs are valuable, worth a full set of 100,000-year spirit bones. But for the academy, that price is too steep. We can't actually hand over six 100,000-year spirit bones. Do you understand?"
They want it—but refuse to pay!
Zero-cost acquisition was supposed to be the Body Sect's specialty, yet Xuan Zi had mastered it flawlessly. He coveted Lin Yun's immortal herbs but wouldn't pay the price!
"Then… can't we just… not take them?" Zhang Lexuan forced a bitter smile, making one last attempt.
"Lexuan, you're not a child. You know how crucial immortal herbs are to the academy. If Xiaotao consumes one, she might not become a god, but she'll surely evolve into an Ultimate Fire Phoenix," Xuan Zi 'reasoned.' "The Sun Moon Empire's ambitions are no secret. War is inevitable."
"In these turbulent times, Shrek needs an Ultimate attribute powerhouse as its pillar!"
The other elders—including Yan Shao Zhe—chimed in, urging Lexuan relentlessly.
Even though he'd already discussed this with Mu En, Shao Zhe couldn't bear to part with the spirit bones. If Zhang Lexuan succeeded, who would most likely inherit them?
Not him—his slots were full. But Ma Xiaotao?
She only had two leg bones so far. If she became an Ultimate Fire Phoenix and Shrek's future leader, those 100,000-year bones would be hers.
The immortal herb? His.
The spirit bones? Also his!
Since the sacrifice wasn't his or Xiaotao's, why care about Zhang Lexuan's feelings?
Shao Zhe knew Lexuan was Mu En's arranged match for Bei Bei. But wasn't that brat already head over heels for some girl from the Tang Sect?
If you're destined to marry Bei Bei anyway, why not Lin Yun?
Lin Yun's talent surpasses Bei Bei's, his looks are superior, and he spoils his women outrageously. This is an upgrade!
What more could you want?
Mu En saved you. Isn't repaying him by sacrificing for Shrek only fair?
Lexuan felt exhausted—mentally and physically. Staring at the elders' 'we-know-what's-best' expressions, she saw them as strangers for the first time.
She wanted to scream: Why not send Ma Xiaotao herself?
But she knew the answer.
If Xiaotao took the herb, her life would be bound to Shrek—either unmarried or wedded only to a Shrek insider.
As Shrek's future pillar, she couldn't afford ties to other factions.
What if outsiders infiltrated through her?
Thus, the sacrificial pawn had to be Zhang Lexuan.
One—her talent and strength were exceptional.
Two—the age gap with Lin Yun wasn't extreme.
Three—her face.
Beautiful enough to captivate Lin Yun.
Love at first sight? All about looks!
Lexuan embodied that ideal—the white moonlight, the goddess of countless inner court disciples.
With Lin Yun? Success was almost guaranteed.
"I understand. I—"
Before she could finish, a voice thick with rage cut her off.
"ENOUGH!"
Mu En rose from his seat, his face dark as he glared at the baffled elders.
He'd remained silent to observe their true colors.
With his lifespan dwindling, he'd gradually delegated authority to these so-called 'pillars' of Shrek.
Previously, he'd been satisfied.
Flawed, but competent enough to safeguard Shrek after my passing.
But today?
He was horrified.
How could these elders—under his watch for decades—be so shortsighted?
Ignoring the future of soul tools, stubbornly suppressing the Soul Tool Department—fine. The next generation could catch up.
But in a matter critical to Shrek's future?
Trading Zhang Lexuan for an immortal herb?!
What idiocy!
Especially Xuan Zi!
Mu En nearly slapped the fool into oblivion.
Not just him—Elder Song, Yan Shao Zhe…
A room full of elders, yet not a single visionary among them!
This is Shrek's backbone?
This is the Sea God Pavilion?
The council that decides the continent's fate?!
Mu En was heartbroken. Furious.
He hadn't felt such rage in decades. It burned so fiercely his vision darkened.
"Is this what I taught you? Since when does Shrek resort to scheming and coercion for a simple trade?" His voice trembled with suppressed fury as he scanned the room.
"Xuan Zi! Explain yourself!"
The once-eloquent Xuan Zi stammered incoherently.
Mu En turned to Elder Song, eyes sharp.
"Xiao Song, you proposed this. Why?"
Elder Song pursed her lips. "Elder Mu, I only thought of the academy's benefit. Six 100,000-year spirit bones are—"
"Six bones?!" Mu En's rage exploded.
"So what?! Can Shrek not afford them? Which matters more—bones, or Shrek's ten-thousand-year legacy and honor? Or is our reputation worth less than six spirit bones?!"
His pupils narrowed into slits, his aura erupting with draconic might—the once-mighty Dragon God Douluo resurfacing.
"ANSWER ME!"
Silence.
Xuan Zi and Elder Song hung their heads.
Mu En's icy gaze landed on Yan Shao Zhe.
"And you. What did I tell you before this meeting?"
His voice dripped with rare scorn.
"I entrusted you to lead this discussion. This is how you lead?"
"You're relieved as dean. Reflect in the Golden Tree's depths. Return only when you've understood your folly. If not, remain in the Sea God Pavilion—away from academy affairs."
"Yes, Teacher." Shao Zhe bowed, shamefaced.
Mu En dismissed him with a glance, then turned to Zhang Lexuan, his tone softening.
"Lexuan, ignore these half-dead fools. Live as you wish."
"Effective today: Shao Zhe is stripped of his deanship. Mei'er, you're promoted. Lexuan will serve as vice-dean."
"As for the bones—Xiao Lin, retrieve a full set from the vault. No tricks."
Finally, he addressed the room.
"Who agrees? Who objects?"
(End of Chapter)
────────────────────────────────────
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [One Piece: General Blue]."
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Naruto: Starting with Tsunade-san]."
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Battle Through the Heavens: Heavenly comprehension]."
"If you want early access to nearly 35+ chapters, join my patreon:- patreon.com/BaDwYGaMeR"