Douluo:Peerless Tang Sect: Douluo of Peaceful Heaven

Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan returned to Shrek Academy and parted ways upon arriving at Sea God Island.

Jiang Nannan went to see Elder Song, as was proper etiquette for a disciple. With Elder Song's guidance, she would begin absorbing the flower gifted to her by Moon Laurel Immortal Tea.

As expected, Zhu Ziyang went to find Mu En. The matters concerning the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were too important to keep to himself. He was sure Mu En would be eager to learn more about it.

"Teacher, Elder Xuan." Zhu Ziyang entered the Sea God's Pavilion. As usual, Mu En was lying back leisurely in a wooden chair, and Elder Xuan stood nearby. It turned out Elder Xuan had just completed his punishment and had returned to report to Mu En. As Zhu Ziyang entered the hall, Mu En was in the middle of instructing Elder Xuan.

"Mm, you're back," Mu En said kindly before continuing to Elder Xuan, "...I hope you've truly learned your lesson. For now, keep your attention on the outer courtyard. You can ignore the inner courtyard for the time being. Go."

"I understand, Elder Mu!" Elder Xuan responded respectfully, bowed, and turned to leave. Before exiting, he gave Zhu Ziyang a smile—one filled with guilt and apology.

Zhu Ziyang returned a faint nod before turning to Mu En and saying, "Teacher, I just came back from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

"What?!" Mu En, still absorbed in his thoughts about Elder Xuan's growth, was suddenly jolted awake. His cloudy eyes widened with shock and disapproval. "You went there alone? How could you take on something so dangerous by yourself? Do you not understand how important you are to the Academy? If something had gone wrong, there would've been no undoing it!"

"Hehe, but Teacher, I came back just fine, didn't I? And I even brought something back!" Zhu Ziyang chuckled, pulling out a jade box containing the Phoenix Sunflower and holding it out to Mu En.

"Sigh... Ziyang, I want you to consider the consequences before you act in the future. Putting yourself in uncertain danger so recklessly—that's no way to go through life," Mu En said seriously, not even looking at the flower.

"I understand, Teacher." Zhu Ziyang's expression turned solemn. "I didn't go alone—I had Nannan with me. And besides, I now have the ability in my left eye."

"Sigh... I'll let it go this time since you've returned safely," Mu En sighed. He was aware of the power in both Zhu Ziyang's eyes, and while still worried, he was grateful nothing had gone wrong. "Now, tell me about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

"Yes, Teacher." Zhu Ziyang nodded. "Our earlier theory that it was the main base of the Body Sect—was wrong. Aside from some spirit herbs, we found nothing inside. And that man we encountered last time? He wasn't from the Body Sect. In fact, I didn't see him at all this time. My guess is that we must have triggered some kind of mechanism that summoned him before."

"I see..." Mu En fell into deep thought. The fact that the Body Sect hadn't claimed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was good news. But the unknown man might be a sign of a different, possibly dangerous force.

"After entering, Nannan and I..." Zhu Ziyang began to describe everything inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. There was no need to keep secrets from Mu En.

"You're telling me there are more than a dozen hundred-thousand-year-old immortal herb soulbeasts inside?" Mu En was utterly stunned.

"Yes. According to Moon Laurel Immortal Tea and my own observation, there are at least ten of them. And every single one is an immortal herb that evolved into a soulbeast. Even the Phoenix Sunflower I brought back is just an offshoot of a hundred-thousand-year-old Phoenix Sunflower."

"That's... truly astonishing!" Mu En, a man over two hundred years old, quickly regained his composure. "That many ancient soulbeast herbs—if they could be brought under our control, it would be the key to Shrek's rise! But... it won't be easy."

Mu En sighed with regret. If his body were in peak condition, he might've been able to seize those herbs. But as he was now, that wasn't possible. Even if he could somehow defeat the immortal herbs on their home turf, what about the mysterious man? Could he survive both threats?

No—caution was necessary.

"Ziyang, you must treat this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well situation with utmost caution," Mu En said sternly. "Until I or one of your senior brothers or sisters can accompany you, don't go back."

"I understand, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang readily agreed. Whether he would actually follow the order was another matter.

"Good. Go find your senior brother and have him bring the book Chronicles of the Phoenix Douluo from the library. Then come back. Little Tao is in seclusion under the Golden Tree."

"Yes, Teacher." Zhu Ziyang left to find Yan Shaozhe.

"Heh... so this is what it means to be a child of destiny?" Mu En murmured to himself, smiling as he watched Zhu Ziyang leave. "That Little Tao girl is really lucky—just like her ancestor."

Zhu Ziyang quickly completed his task and returned to the Sea God's Pavilion. Just as he arrived, Ma Xiaotao emerged from beneath the Golden Tree. Judging by her expression, she had made a breakthrough.

Being part of Shrek's official tournament team had its perks.

The underground world beneath the Golden Tree was the most concentrated source of spirit energy and life force in all of Shrek Academy. Inner courtyard disciples considered training there the highest honor. But it wasn't accessible to just anyone. Only those on the verge of a breakthrough—or those granted direct permission by Mu En—could enter.

Official team members were granted five opportunities per year to train there. This was meant to rapidly strengthen them before the Elite Tournament.

Thus, the period between joining the team and the tournament was the fastest time of growth for these elite students.

"Elder Mu, did you call for me?" Ma Xiaotao asked, puzzled.

"Haha, it's good news." Mu En smiled. "We'll wait for your teacher to arrive and discuss it together."

"Yes." Ma Xiaotao nodded and moved beside Zhu Ziyang, whispering, "Ziyang, do you know what this is about?"

"Hehe, don't worry, Sister Xiaotao. It's definitely good news. Once our senior brother gets here, you'll understand." Zhu Ziyang smiled mysteriously, keeping her in suspense.

"Alright then..." Ma Xiaotao sighed and waited.

Before long, Yan Shaozhe arrived—with Xian Lin'er.

The sight of them together shocked both Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao. Everyone knew that Xian Lin'er didn't like Yan Shaozhe. The two appearing together was extremely rare.

"Teacher, I'm here," Yan Shaozhe said with barely contained excitement. Zhu Ziyang had already told him about the Phoenix Sunflower.

"Teacher," Xian Lin'er greeted Mu En as well. She had bumped into Yan Shaozhe while on her way and decided to come along, though she usually avoided him.

"Good. You're here." Mu En smiled. "Lin'er, wait a moment. Shaozhe, did you bring the book I asked for?"

"Yes, Teacher." Yan Shaozhe nodded, pulling out an ancient, yellowed volume from his soul tool ring and handing it to Mu En.

Mu En was slightly surprised to see the original copy. He hadn't expected Shaozhe to bring out the real thing. He carefully opened it and began reading in silence.

The others waited patiently. Ma Xiaotao glanced at the book's title and, surprised, realized it might be about her.

Zhu Ziyang was also intrigued. Chronicles of the Phoenix Douluo—his own library had a copy, but he hadn't expected Shrek Academy to still preserve the original. After all, it was written ten thousand years ago.

One had to admit: Shrek's preservation of ancient texts was truly exceptional.