Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 17 The Sea God Pavilion Meeting

Zhang Lexuan approached the dying Silver Moon Dragon King, her expression complex, her eyes flashing with hatred, killing intent, and sorrow.

Looking at this silver dragon, which still appeared mysterious and elegant even on its deathbed, she couldn't help but think of her junior brothers and sisters who had been cruelly killed by this dragon.

She could no longer hold back. A flash of silver light appeared in her hand, and the head of the Silver Moon Flood Dragon fell to the ground, with a red soul ring slowly emerging.

She gave the Silver Moon Flood Dragon King a quick death, without torturing him out of hatred; she did not have the inclination to torment her enemies.

Looking at the red ring in front of her, Zhang Lexuan glanced back at Ji Lin before sitting cross-legged and slowly using her soul power to guide the soul ring, beginning to absorb it.

Just as Zhang Lexuan was absorbing the soul ring.

Xuanzi, accompanied by three disciples from the inner court, had arrived in Shrek City. The level 98 Super Douluo had been traveling at full speed and had finally made it back to the academy before the three seriously injured disciples' injuries worsened. He handed the three seriously injured inner court disciples over to a healing-type Soul Master and sat on the steps with a dejected look on his face.

Several hours later.

Old Xuan, with his disheveled hair, sat on the steps, gulping down wine. Footsteps sounded behind him, and an old man dressed in white approached.

"How is the situation?"

The old man in white stood respectfully behind Elder Xuan and said, "The situation has stabilized, and you brought them back in time. Their lives are no longer in danger."

Elder Xuan exhaled a breath of wine and sighed, "That's good."

Just then, a person walked in from outside the courtyard. It was none other than Yan Shaozhe, the dean of the Martial Soul Department of Shrek Academy.

"Elder Xuan, the Sea God Pavilion meeting you proposed is ready. You…"

While handing over the three inner court disciples to a healing-type soul master, Xuanzi also used his mental power to send a telepathic message to Yan Shaozhe, instructing him to notify the other members of the Sea God Pavilion to convene a Sea God Pavilion meeting.

"Let's go." Elder Xuan stood up and walked outside, his figure clearly showing some loneliness.

Yan Shaozhe followed behind Elder Xuan, sighing inwardly. It seemed that the accident had dealt a heavy blow to Elder Xuan, but he didn't know how to comfort him. After all, he was also heartbroken. The loss of eight inner court disciples was one of the foundations of Shrek Academy's future.

"Elder Xuan, this incident can't be entirely blamed on you, so please don't blame yourself too much," Yan Shaozhe could only whisper, trying to persuade him.

Elder Xuan didn't speak, but just shook his head dejectedly.

Sea God Pavilion.

The meeting was no different from any other Poseidon Pavilion meeting, but the atmosphere was much more somber. Elder Mu, seated at the head of the table, remained reclining in his chair, his face obscured.

At the lower left of the two sides were Elder Lin and Elder Xuan. The four deans and vice deans of the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Guidance Department, respectively, remained seated at the very end.

Elder Mu's gentle voice rang out, "Speak, Xuanzi, what is the purpose of your proposal to convene the Sea God Pavilion meeting?"

Elder Xuan nodded, slowly stood up, and said in a deep voice, "Everyone already knows about what happened this time. Of the 12 inner court disciples, 8 died, 3 were seriously injured and unconscious, and only Le Xuan escaped unharmed. If it weren't for the fact that Chi Yuan Douluo from the Star Luo Empire's Royal Hall happened to be hunting for soul rings with his disciples in the Star Dou Great Forest mixed area and happened to encounter them and save Le Xuan in time, I'm afraid even she would have perished."

Elder Xuan paused for a moment, then continued, "As the leader, I have an unshirkable responsibility. Therefore, I have decided to resign from my position as the vice-captain of the Shrek Academy's supervisory group and withdraw from the Sea God Pavilion, becoming a mere idle person in the academy."

Upon hearing Elder Xuan's words, everyone was astonished. His status within the academy was second only to Elder Mu, who remained seated on the reclining chair. He was an absolute elder of the academy, and his cultivation was nearly on par with Elder Mu. If Elder Mu were to pass away, then Elder Xuan would be the first in line to succeed him as the Sea God Pavilion Master. Only then would Elder Lin be in line. Elder Mu was the head of the Shrek Academy's Supervisory Group, and there was only one vice-head, Elder Xuan. For nearly fifty years, all the most outstanding disciples from the inner academy who represented the academy in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament had been trained by Elder Xuan. His sudden announcement of resigning from all his positions was bound to shock the Sea God Pavilion meeting.

Yan Shaozhe exclaimed in shock, "Elder Xuan, how can this be? No one can guarantee they won't make a mistake, especially since the responsibility isn't entirely yours. No one expected Le Xuan and the others to encounter a 100,000-year-old soul beast in the mixed zone. If it weren't for that, with Le Xuan and the others' strength, they could have easily escaped unscathed. Elder Xuan, you are one of the pillars of the academy; the academy cannot do without you!"

Elder Xuan sighed and said, "Shao Zhe, don't say anymore. If I had stayed by their side, would this have happened? My martial spirit dictates that I am not suitable for the position of vice-captain of the Shrek Academy's supervisory team. I have made up my mind. The deaths of eight inner court disciples have truly grieved me. I must give an explanation to the fallen disciples, an explanation to their families, and an explanation to the academy. This responsibility can only be borne by me."

Dean Xian Lin'er of the Soul Guidance Department also spoke up: "Elder Xuan, please stay. Although your Martial Soul, the Gluttonous Divine Ox, requires you to eat for extended periods, it doesn't affect your abilities! Everyone has witnessed your contributions to the academy over the years. We are all saddened by the deaths and injuries of inner court disciples, but we cannot let minor setbacks stop us from continuing our studies. If you leave, it will be the greatest loss to the academy."

Elder Xuan shook his head with a bitter smile. "If it weren't for good luck this time, Le Xuan would probably have died at the hands of that 8-year-old soul beast. She was already doomed. If it weren't for Chi Yuan Douluo's timely intervention to save her, I'm afraid even the next candidate for the Sea God Pavilion Master would have been lost. How can I have the face to remain in the Sea God Pavilion after such a major mistake? You don't need to persuade me anymore, my mind is made up. The eight inner court disciples all come from families with considerable influence. I still need to visit each of their families and try my best to ease their grief. Farewell, everyone."

With that, he stood up, turned around, and walked out.

"Come back." A calm yet imposing voice rang out. The words were spoken in a very calm tone, but Elder Xuan, who had already started walking, stopped abruptly.

"Elder Mu, I really have no face to stay any longer." Elder Xuan stood with his back to everyone, his body trembling slightly. Only he knew how much pain he was enduring.

"Didn't you hear me telling you to come back?" Old Mu's tone became even more forceful.

Elder Xuan's body trembled slightly. How many years had it been since he had heard Elder Mu's tone show any emotion? Eighty years or a hundred years?

Although he was extremely unwilling, he eventually turned around and sat back down. Even the others, sensing the anger in Old Master Mu's tone, unconsciously sat up straight. They all remained silent, trembling with fear.

Among the assembled elders, the most senior were Elder Xuan and Elder Lin. However, even they were a generation younger than Elder Mu. Elder Mu was the last disciple and youngest disciple of Grandmaster Xuan. In other words, Elder Mu was actually Elder Xuan's junior uncle. Age-wise, Elder Mu was only a dozen years older than Elder Xuan. But his contributions to the academy and his strength made him truly the number one student at Shrek Academy.

(End of this chapter)