Douluo:Peerless Tang Sect: Douluo of Peaceful Heaven

"Shaozhe, bring Ziyang and the others downstairs," Mu En said calmly after announcing the punishment for Xuan Zi.

"Yes, Teacher."

Yan Shaozhe bowed and immediately went upstairs to bring down Zhu Ziyang and the rest of the inner court students.

The young disciples had already learned of the academy's final verdict concerning Elder Xuan's punishment, and none of them said a word. They hadn't expected much more.

After all, no powerful force would truly sacrifice a Super Douluo—especially one at Rank 98, with the potential to reach Limit Douluo status—just for the sake of a few students, even if they were geniuses. Genius represented the future, but a true powerhouse could impose deterrence now. And if the present couldn't be secured, what meaning did the future hold?

That the academy had issued any punishment at all—even if largely symbolic—already showed how seriously they regarded the matter. But more than punishment, what the students wanted now was compensation—for themselves, and more importantly, for their fallen companions.

In the end, it all came down to interests. Punishing Xuan Zi too harshly would offend the elders. Offering too little compensation would anger the students and their powerful backers.

Zhu Ziyang lowered his head. He already sensed what was coming next.

"Children," said Elder Xian Lin'er, standing on behalf of the Pavilion. "This tragedy was the fault of the academy and the Sea God Pavilion. After full deliberation, the elders have decided to compensate each of you with a spirit bone of at least 30,000-year quality or an item of equal value."

"Additionally, each of you will be granted a recommendation slot—the same status given to lords of the major cities in the three great empires. You may use it to admit one person of your choosing into Shrek Academy."

"As for the families of Cheng Hui and Wanwan, in addition to Elder Xuan's personal contribution, the academy will compensate them with equal-value resources and a full scholarship for one descendant each."

Stunned silence.

The students had expected a token gesture at best—but not this.

Thirty-thousand-year spirit bones. Eleven of them. And eleven recommendation slots.

Even among top-ranking nobles, such resources were beyond reach. The academy's generosity was astonishing. Only someone like Mu En—or Xian Lin'er, perhaps—could have authorized such a sweeping gesture.

The matter, it seemed, was finally resolved.

But just as relief settled in, something happened that left Zhu Ziyang—and many others—deeply unsettled.

Their Senior Sister, Zhang Lexuan, suddenly dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks, and begged Mu En to restore Elder Xuan's titles.

Her plea gave the other elders the opening they needed. They all chimed in one by one, ostensibly denouncing Xuan Zi while subtly defending him. Their tone said "he was wrong," but their words all ended with: "...so please reconsider."

Mu En appeared deeply moved by Lexuan's act of sincerity. After a long, drawn-out deliberation, he reluctantly agreed to reinstate Elder Xuan as Deputy Commander of the Watchmen while suspending his position as Vice Pavilion Master.

And thus, the meeting ended with what the elders likely viewed as…

A perfect compromise.

"Ha… Did that whole scene feel fake to you?"

Later, Mu En brought Zhu Ziyang to the third floor of the Sea God Pavilion. Lying back on a wooden chair, he looked at Ziyang with an amused smirk.

Zhu Ziyang didn't even pretend.

"Yeah."

His answer was immediate—and brutally honest.

Mu En chuckled. "Politics and power are always laced with hypocrisy. You'll have to get used to it. So let's take this chance… for a lesson."

Zhu Ziyang tilted his head, curious.

Mu En sat up slightly and fixed him with a piercing gaze.

"When you become the next Pavilion Master, the first thing you must do is sort out your web of interests."

He paused, then added with a faint smile, "The Sea God Pavilion may be small, but it's tangled with power. Your job, as Pavilion Master, will be to balance those interests—and eliminate those who oppose you. Of course, this only works if your own strength and resources are strong enough to replace what others lose."

Zhu Ziyang grew quiet.

"Take this recent case," Mu En went on. "Xuan Zi made a mistake. But could we truly punish him? He doesn't just represent himself—he represents the collective interests of the elders. Hurt him too much, and we hurt all of them. And that's a direct blow to their dignity—and pride."

He sighed.

"Lexuan is a good child. She may have grievances, but she knew she had to play her part. So she knelt and pleaded for Xuan Zi's sake. It wasn't just an act—it was a move of survival. Poor girl…"

Zhu Ziyang clenched his fists but said nothing.

"I don't have the energy to deal with all this anymore," Mu En murmured. "If you ever wish to reform Shrek Academy, then your first priority is simple: cultivate. Reach Title Douluo. Become Pavilion Master. Only then will you take the first step."

He held up one finger.

"If you gather a team of loyal, like-minded comrades, you can take the second step."

He raised another.

"And if your strength surpasses all your opponents—if you can crush dissent with your own fists—then you'll take the third step. True reform."

Zhu Ziyang was stunned.

"Teacher, I…"

"No need to explain," Mu En waved him off. "You're not alone in your frustrations. Elder Song feels the same. But take her advice with caution. Believe her—but not entirely. If you don't want to end up like the late Douluo of the Cloud Sky, then you'll need to think for yourself."

"…I understand, Teacher," Zhu Ziyang said quietly after a long silence.

"Hahaha! Good."

Mu En smiled. "Don't worry. I've still got a few years in me. I'll watch your back."

He leaned forward.

"Now, tell me everything—from the unicorn, to your new soul ring, to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion."

Zhu Ziyang nodded and began recounting his tale.

Mu En listened, his eyes gradually widening with astonishment.

"Unbelievable! An Ultimate Light user attracting a soul beast to voluntarily become a soul ring! Incredible… truly incredible!"

When Zhu Ziyang mentioned the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, Mu En waved a hand.

"No need to worry. Other elders have seen her before. She's not as dangerous as you think."

Zhu Ziyang didn't argue. He could tell that Mu En, like most of the soul master world, didn't understand Auspicious Beasts or Destiny's Chosen Ones.

He let it go.

"As for the little unicorn," Mu En added, "keep her on Sea God Island. The Golden Ancient Tree will be a blessing for her. There are already a few soul beasts there—gifts from the previous generations. One more won't hurt."

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Zhu Ziyang beamed.

With Mu En's approval, no one would dare send Xingcai to the outer court's beast arena again.

"Good. Now go rest," Mu En said kindly.

"Yes, Teacher. Goodbye."

Zhu Ziyang bowed and took his leave.

Outside the Pavilion, Zhu Ziyang spotted Qian Duoduo and Xian Lin'er watching Xingcai from a distance.

The little unicorn stood still, afraid to move under their scrutiny. But when she saw Ziyang, her eyes lit up—and she bolted straight for him, hiding behind his legs.

"Hahaha, what an adorable little creature," Xian Lin'er chuckled, covering her mouth as she laughed.

"Senior Sister. Senior Brother," Zhu Ziyang greeted them politely.

"You've been through a lot, Little Brother," Xian Lin'er said gently.

Qian Duoduo gave him a playful nudge. "Here, your compensation."

He handed over a wooden box.

"This is a fifty-thousand-year torso bone. All the details are inside. Take it, it's yours."

Zhu Ziyang accepted it in shock.

He hadn't expected the academy to compensate them this quickly. That kind of efficiency was rare.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

"No thanks needed. You earned it." Qian Duoduo grinned.

"We've got things to do. See you later, Little Brother," said Xian Lin'er.

"Goodbye, Senior Sister. Senior Brother!"

Zhu Ziyang waved as they walked away.

Then, without delay, he took Xingcai with him back to the inner court dormitory.

"Ha! No matter how strong you are, you can never escape the filth of politics," muttered Electrolux, his voice filled with emotion.

Zhu Ziyang didn't reply.

He finally understood what it meant to be caught in the web of power.