Chapter 74: Xuan Lao's Repentance
When Master Xuan mentioned returning to Shrek Academy to accept punishment, Dai Yuheng, Ning Tian—who had just been taught a harsh lesson—and Zhu Lu, who witnessed Ning Tian's fate, all knelt down without hesitation.
"Master Xuan, it was our mistake this time. Shrek can't live without you!" Dai Yuheng said solemnly.
Master Xuan, the Deputy Master of Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion, was a Title Douluo at level 98. His status and strength were second only to Elder Mu. However, Mu Lao's life was nearing its end; even if he maintained good health, he would only survive another ten years at most.
Xuan Lao was undoubtedly the next in line to become the Master of the Sea God Pavilion. If Shrek punished their future leader, who else could take over?
Last time, when Master Xuan was punished and almost left Shrek, even the eldest sister—who had not yet recovered from the trauma of her companions' deaths and was seen as Mu Lao's potential successor—had knelt down, begging him to stay.
If Xuan Lao left because of them, Dai Yuheng knew he would be ruined.
As for Ning Tian, having just been beaten to the ground by Xuan Lao, she didn't dare to even think about opposing him again.
Zhu Lu was simply terrified. She understood that if Dai Yuheng hadn't protected her moments ago, she would have been the one seized by the Death Messenger and tossed into the pile of corpses.
Facing the young students kneeling before him, Xuan Lao sighed heavily. "Get up. You are all good children. This time, it was my failure."
He paused, then continued.
"Now, only you, Yuheng, can lead them in the competition. Due to the sudden change, it's too late to send new players from the academy. Fortunately, Shrek still holds enough authority to temporarily add players, but they won't arrive in time. You must lead them for now. I will send reinforcements as soon as I can."
"Children, remember—victory and honor will be yours. Failure and shame will be mine alone."
After speaking, Xuan Lao turned and departed quickly, returning to Shrek Academy to summon the replacements—those originally intended to stand in for Ma Xiaotao and others.
Thanks to the Death Messenger's ruthlessly efficient methods, there were no lingering injuries requiring urgent treatment, allowing Xuan Lao to move much faster than before.
Everyone watched Xuan Lao's departing figure in silence. His final words echoed in their hearts:
"Victory and honor belong to you. Failure and shame belong only to me."
Yet, with Ning Tian's earlier lesson fresh in their minds, none dared utter a single complaint.
After all, a level 98 Title Douluo had personally moved to allow a mere Soul King without even a single ten-thousand-year spirit ring to escape right under his nose. The implications were chilling. Ning Tian's earlier questioning had angered Xuan Lao—everyone understood, but none dared to comment.
Later, Wang Yan and Dai Yuheng led the battered reserve team, the gravely injured Ma Xiaotao, and the lightly wounded Ling Luochen towards Xingluo City, while Xuan Lao rushed ahead, back to Shrek Academy.
Upon entering the Sea God Pavilion, Zhang Lexuan immediately sensed something was wrong. Seeing Xuan Lao's grim expression, she shuddered. His face was almost identical to the last time tragedy had struck.
Thinking of the mission Xuan Lao had undertaken, Zhang Lexuan grew anxious but didn't dare ask.
"Lexuan," Xuan Lao said solemnly, "summon the Sea God Pavilion. I must confess my sins."
Zhang Lexuan, who once bore thorns herself to plead for Xuan Lao's pardon, was momentarily speechless.
"Xuan Lao, what about Beibei…" she asked hesitantly.
"He's fine," Xuan Lao replied. "But even so, I am guilty beyond forgiveness."
Zhang Lexuan breathed a soft sigh of relief. Soon, at Xuan Lao's insistence, the Sea God Pavilion elders gathered for a meeting.
At the assembly, Xuan Lao recounted the entire incident, tears streaming down his face.
"I am guilty! I am the sinner of Shrek!"
The elders sat in stunned silence.
A level 98 Titled Douluo, boasting the strongest soul ring configuration—two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red—had allowed a five-ring Soul King with a mere three yellow and two purple rings to not only kill but also abduct someone right in front of him. Even Tang San, ten thousand years ago, might not have achieved such a feat!
Furthermore, that Soul King lacked even a single ten-thousand-year soul ring. He had the worst possible soul ring combination.
Despite much deliberation, the elders couldn't comprehend how Xuan Lao could have made such a devastating mistake.
Xuan Lao then fell to his knees. "This failure was mine alone. Now that history has repeated itself, I have no face left to remain at Shrek Academy. Elder Mu, I beg to be expelled!"
"Enough!" Elder Mu interrupted sternly.
"What's done is done. Seeking blame now serves no purpose. Our focus must be on solving the problem, not shirking responsibility. Xuanzi, do you intend to run from this?"
Xuan Lao shook his head vigorously.
"No, Elder Mu. I will bear full responsibility. I am not the kind of person who flees from guilt."
Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan was relieved. At least Dai Yuheng and the others would not need to endure the same painful experience of kneeling and begging as she once had.
Elder Mu continued, "There is still a five-ring Soul King within Shrek's inner courtyard who meets the tournament's age requirements. Take him. Also, recruit a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda soul master from the outer courtyard. Though he's only at the four-ring level, his support abilities will suffice."
"Also, bring Mo Xuan. Though his individual combat power is weak, his long-range support skills are valuable."
The elders all nodded. With the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda's support, alongside Dai Yuheng and the others, plus Mo Xuan's assistance, reaching the finals was feasible. By then, Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen should have mostly recovered—after all, Xingluo Empire had a Super Douluo-level healing master.
Even if Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy had a Soul Emperor, Shrek's team—with two Soul Emperors, two Soul Kings, and a Seven Treasures Pagoda support—would maintain an advantage.
"I understand," Xuan Lao said. "Elder Mu, rest assured. I will deliver them safely to Xingluo City."
Afterward, Zhang Lexuan stepped forward.
"Elder Mu, allow me to accompany Elder Xuan and observe this tournament on your behalf."
Elder Mu agreed.
"Good. Watch carefully."
"Yes, Elder Mu," Zhang Lexuan responded respectfully.
Meanwhile, at the capital of the Xingluo Empire, Xingluo City—
Princess Xu Jiujiu of Xingluo received Dai Yuheng's group, noticing immediately the injured team members and the battered reserve squad. She pulled Dai Yuheng aside and asked in a low voice:
"Yuheng, what happened? Where are the other Shrek members? Why do you look half-crippled?"
Dai Yuheng quietly explained the events that had transpired.
When he finished, Xu Jiujiu stared at him, stunned.
"You're telling me," she said incredulously, "that a Soul King—only five rings, three yellow and two purple, not even a single ten-thousand-year ring—defeated Shrek's entire team, captured someone under the nose of Xuan Lao—a level 98 Titled Douluo with the best possible soul ring setup—and escaped?"
Hearing her summary, Dai Yuheng's face darkened.
If he hadn't personally experienced it, he wouldn't have believed such nonsense himself.
But since he had lived through it, he could only grit his teeth and nod.
"Yes," he confirmed grimly.
Xu Jiujiu fell silent for a long time before asking seriously:
"Yuheng… Xuan Lao of your Shrek Academy… he's not secretly an elder of the evil soul masters, is he?"
Dai Yuheng: "…"