Chapter 142: A Bunch of Misfits—Selling Zhang Lexuan?

Amidst the turbulence, Shrek Academy needed a decisive leader to guide it forward!

Though 100,000-year spirit bones were precious, they weren't impossible to obtain. Shrek had an agreement with the Great Star Dou Forest—no hunting of 100,000-year soul beasts within the core region. But if they ventured into the ocean, they could still hunt some down.

Compared to Shrek's ten-thousand-year legacy, those six 100,000-year spirit bones seemed insignificant.

Bones lost could be reclaimed by killing more. After all, soul beasts' lives were worthless.

But if Shrek failed to maintain its supreme status as the sacred land of soul masters in the coming upheaval, its destruction would be imminent!

"Let's go, Shao Zhe. A matter this significant must be discussed in a Sea God Pavilion meeting. You'll preside over this one." Mu En's voice was solemn. A flash of golden light later, Mu En—along with his wheelchair made of golden tree wood—vanished on the spot.

Yan Shao Zhe followed closely, transforming into a streak of light that shot toward Sea God Island.

Soon after, a peculiar fluctuation emanated from the Sea God Pavilion—a signal only its members could sense, indicating the start of a meeting.

Figures exuding terrifying auras appeared one after another, quietly taking their designated seats around the central table.

The seating arrangements in the Sea God Pavilion were fixed. Unless there were changes in membership, each chair represented a member.

(The Sea God Pavilion's decisions could even influence the course of the continent, you know? /s)

Here, being a Titled Douluo was the bare minimum. With over a dozen chairs, this place alone gathered more than ten Titled Douluo-level powerhouses.

Only one among them had the aura of a Soul Sage—a theorist who had achieved extraordinary accomplishments in martial soul research, earning him an exceptional entry into the Sea God Pavilion.

At the head of the table sat Mu En, the Pavilion Master, without question.

To his left was Xuan Zi, the second strongest after Mu En. Opposite Xuan Zi was Elder Song, a 97th-ranked agility-type Super Douluo.

The rest were familiar faces:

Lin Huiqun, Gong Changlong, Cai Mei'er, Xian Lin'er, Qian Duoduo, Elder Zhuang…

"Speak, Shao Zhe. What matter requires the Sea God Pavilion's discussion this time?" Without waiting for Mu En to speak, Xuan Zi, as the strongest present, took the initiative.

Yan Shao Zhe stood, first bowing to Mu En before addressing the group. "Esteemed elders, this meeting concerns a matter that requires your collective judgment."

At his words, all eyes turned to him. Even Xuan Zi wiped his greasy hands and fixed a serious gaze on Shao Zhe.

"Last year, a little monster with an Ultimate attribute enrolled in Shrek's outer court. His martial soul is the Golden Dragon, progenitor of strength, and he possesses the Ultimate Power attribute." Shao Zhe began by introducing Lin Yun to set the stage.

After all, not every elder here had heard of him.

"Oh, that boy? What about him?" Lin Huiqun asked curiously.

"You know him, Elder Lin?" The healing-type Titled Douluo Elder Zhuang turned to her.

"I know of him. He doesn't know me." Lin Huiqun shook her head. "That boy's standards are high. He didn't fancy a single treasure in my collection."

Yan Shao Zhe's breath hitched, his expression turning awkward.

A few days ago, he might've thought the same—that Lin Yun was just picky. But after learning about the immortal herbs, he realized the truth. Was it really that Lin Yun's standards were too high?

Compared to immortal herbs, what does Shrek even have that could catch his eye?

Xian Lin'er, who had been watching Shao Zhe, was the first to notice his discomfort. Her eyes flickered with confusion. "Yan Shao Zhe, what's on your mind? Why do you look so troubled?"

Wait, why is Xian Lin'er paying attention to Yan Shao Zhe?

Qian Duoduo: ?

Shao Zhe glanced at her and sighed. "What I meant to say is this—I suspected Lin Yun, or the sect behind him, possessed immortal herbs. After further investigation, he confirmed it."

"Immortal herbs?!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, exclamations erupted throughout the Sea God Pavilion.

The elder who had joined based on theoretical contributions burned with excitement—unable to suppress his fervor. For any scholar, the chance to study immortal herbs was a dream!

"That kid has immortal herbs?!" Old man Xuan Zi was immediately fired up, his eager eyes making Shao Zhe uneasy.

"So that's why he didn't care for my treasures." Lin Huiqun nodded in understanding.

"Indeed, elders. I approached him tentatively, and he admitted it." Shao Zhe's expression grew even more troubled.

"All of you know my disciple, Ma Xiaotao. Her martial soul descends from Ma Hongjun of the original Shrek Seven Monks, but she lacks his fortune. Her Evil Phoenix fire remains unresolved, and in recent years, it's even begun to overwhelm her reason."

"That's why I sought Lin Yun—to trade for an immortal herb to cleanse her flames and help her evolve into an Ultimate Fire Phoenix."

"But the price for the herb…"

"Cut to the chase. What does he want in exchange?" Xuan Zi waved impatiently.

"Spirit bones. 100,000-year spirit bones." Shao Zhe revealed Lin Yun's demand. "A full set of six non-repeating 100,000-year spirit bones, in exchange for one herb capable of evolving Xiaotao's flames to Ultimate Fire."

"A full set?! Is he robbing us?!" Xuan Zi's eyes bulged, his face a picture of disbelief.

The old man himself only had two 100,000-year spirit bones. For Lin Yun to demand six at once—Xuan Zi nearly blew his top.

Using immortal herbs to extort Shrek? Such greed! A boy like this will surely bring calamity to the world.

Verdict: He cannot be allowed to live. He has already courted death!

A glint of killing intent flashed in Xuan Zi's eyes.

Why not…

Kill him and take the herbs by force?

The other elders frowned, equally displeased by Lin Yun's audacity.

You came to Shrek to study. Shouldn't you be groveling at our feet, offering the herbs willingly?

*How dare you demand six 100,000-year spirit bones?*

You'll choke on your own greed!

Still, as seasoned powerhouses, they kept their displeasure hidden, silently observing the others.

But Xuan Zi had no such restraint. At 98th rank, he acted with near impunity, barely acknowledging anyone in Shrek besides Mu En. Arrogant and unruly, his temper was legendary.

He slammed the table, rising in fury. "That brat dares rob us? Has he never tasted a prison-yard elbow strike? Let me teach him a lesson—he'll hand over those herbs soon enough!"

"Calm down, Xuan Zi. You're too old for such impulsiveness." Elder Song frowned disapprovingly.

"Then what do you suggest?" Xuan Zi growled, barely containing his anger.

Elder Song ignored the hotheaded fool (whose brain was more chicken than sense and veins more alcohol than blood) and turned to Shao Zhe. "Shao Zhe, how did you discover Lin Yun had immortal herbs?"

Shao Zhe felt a twinge of fear toward Elder Song—not just because of her seniority and strength, but because she was Xian Lin'er's mother.

Given that I once wronged Xian Lin'er, and she nearly became my mother-in-law… yeah, the intimidation factor is natural.

"Elder Song, last year, he took a girlfriend in the outer court—a classmate. It was her martial soul's transformation that tipped me off. He must've fed her an immortal herb."

"He gave an immortal herb to a girl he'd known for a year?" Elder Song's expression turned odd.

In fact, all the women in the room looked strange.

Damn it.

Why didn't I ever meet such a simp—no, such a generous high-quality soul master in my youth?

Cai Mei'er shot a questioning glance at Shao Zhe.

Xian Lin'er narrowed her eyes, ignoring Qian Duoduo's awkward expression beside her, and instead fixed Shao Zhe with a death glare.

Zhang Lexuan…

Wait, why is Zhang Lexuan here?!

The moon-cool beauty wore a complex expression—melancholy, resentment, and unrequited longing—as she stared blankly at the shimmering Sea God Lake outside the window.

With one sentence, Elder Song had plunged all the women into an emo spiral—and hung every man present out to dry.

Look at this kid, barely in his teens, gifting immortal herbs to a new girlfriend. And then look at you lot—wasted decades being useless.

The chaotic scene was a far cry from the dignified gathering of the continent's elite.

This wasn't the pinnacle of Shrek's leadership.

This was a bunch of misfits!

Suddenly, Elder Song smiled. "Seems like quite the dashing young man, full of youthful passion. Lexuan, how about you go meet this little fellow?"

Snapped out of her daze, Zhang Lexuan pointed at herself in bewilderment.

"Me…? Huh?!"

(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"