Chapter 115 – The Elders' Judgment! Punishment for Xuan Zi!

One night later.

At the temporary resting grounds of Shrek Academy's inner court disciples, the glowing cocoon that had encased Zhu Ziyang and the Starlight Unicorn Xingcai finally dimmed. As it faded and dissolved into the morning mist, Zhu Ziyang stepped out from within.

His condition was excellent—eyes bright, breath calm, and a gentle smile on his face. It was clear he had successfully absorbed the 50,000-year soul ring.

"Ziyang, congratulations!"

Having rested well through the night, the inner court disciples had regained much of their strength. Gone was the despair of yesterday. They looked at Zhu Ziyang's restored figure with joy and admiration, offering sincere congratulations.

"Thank you," Zhu Ziyang replied with a warm smile.

"Lord Child of Light!"

Little Xingcai, the young unicorn, trotted up to him and affectionately rubbed against his side. Zhu Ziyang was surprised to see that her once youthful horn had transformed—now as crystal clear and pure as her mother's had been. At the base of the horn, a pattern resembling a crown shimmered faintly.

This was the symbol of royalty among the Starlight Unicorns. Before sacrificing herself, Luoxing Xiya had passed her bloodline and title to Xingcai. With the crown-etched horn, Xingcai had now become the new queen of her race, destined to lead the Starlight Unicorns of the Douluo Continent.

"Don't worry," Zhu Ziyang said gently, stroking Xingcai's head. "Your mother entrusted you to me, and I won't abandon you."

"Senior Sister," he turned to Zhang Lexuan, "let's return to the academy."

"Mm."

Her face was still pale, but the deadness in her eyes had faded. She nodded with a faint smile.

"Everyone, let's go home."

"Yeah! Home!"

Ma Xiaotao, Wu Ming, and Su Meng, the most lively of the group, cheered in unison. Their relief was plain to see now that they were out of danger.

Meanwhile, the calmer, more composed ones—Han Ruoruo and Zhang Weiwei—didn't jump or shout, but the smiles on their faces were impossible to miss.

Only one person didn't speak—Shen Xu, the only other male in the group besides Zhu Ziyang. He remained as silent as ever, but the faint flicker in his eyes betrayed his stirred emotions.

The group quickly set off. Except for Zhang Weiwei, who was still too weak and rode atop Xingcai, the rest walked slowly behind. Even so, they only managed to leave the Star Dou Forest by midday.

When they passed the boundary marker at the forest's edge, they all froze, as if waking from a long nightmare. None of them had expected this trip to be so harrowing—two companions lost forever.

As they recalled the sacrifices of Cheng Hui and Wanwan, everyone fell silent. The joy of surviving was replaced with grief. Even cheerful Su Meng began to sob quietly.

A sorrowful air blanketed the group.

"Let's head back to the academy first," Zhang Lexuan said, forcing a smile. "Once we're there, everything will be okay again."

But they had only taken a few more steps when a golden streak flashed across the sky. No one paid it much attention. They thought it was just another soul beast moving through the clouds.

Until it returned.

"Ziyang! Lexuan!"

Both Zhu Ziyang and Zhang Lexuan froze. That voice—aged, familiar, powerful.

They looked up in unison to see a figure descending from the heavens in a golden stream of light. A stooped elder in tattered robes appeared before them.

Zhu Ziyang was stunned. Zhang Lexuan gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Tears filled her eyes.

She had faced death itself without breaking. But now—seeing this man—her tears flowed freely.

Together, they cried out:

"Teacher!"

"Elder Mu!"

It was Mu En, the supreme elder of the Sea God Pavilion.

He had felt their life auras and returned without hesitation. The moment he laid eyes on them—and saw that not only were they alive, but that Zhu Ziyang's strength had grown—his heart finally settled.

"It's all right now. It's all right," he murmured, voice trembling. Joy and relief overflowed from him.

Only then did he notice the rest of the disciples—wounded, weary, emotionally shattered.

A wave of sorrow and guilt surged within him.

"My children… you've suffered."

Even Zhang Weiwei, always so composed, couldn't hold it in anymore. Her tears poured out in uncontrollable sobs. Their tight, fragile hearts—clenched for so long—finally relaxed.

Because now… they were truly safe.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

More figures descended from the sky—over a dozen elders from the Sea God Pavilion, all of them Title Douluo. When they laid eyes on the group of haggard, broken youths before them, they were stunned.

These were Shrek's top talents?

They looked like survivors from a war.

Anger and confusion filled their faces.

"Xiaotao! What happened to you all?"

Cai Mei'er rushed forward, gathering the sobbing Ma Xiaotao in her arms.

"Teacher… we—we ran into a 100,000-year soul beast," Ma Xiaotao choked through her tears.

That one sentence made every elder's expression harden. They were even more confused now.

Why weren't the students accompanied by an elder?

Only Yan Shaozhe understood. He lowered his head in regret.

"Enough," Mu En said quietly. "No more questions. Take them back to the academy first."

His tone was soft—but every elder could sense the suppressed rage beneath.

Someone was about to be in serious trouble.

Mu En personally carried Zhu Ziyang.

Elder Lin carried Zhang Lexuan.

Elder Song carried Han Ruoruo.

Yan Shaozhe carried Zhang Weiwei.

Xian Lin'er carried Shen Xu.

Cai Mei'er carried Ma Xiaotao.

The remaining two girls—Wu Ming and Su Meng—were carried by two elders Zhu Ziyang didn't recognize.

As for Xingcai, she was entrusted to Qian Duoduo.

The young unicorn trembled as she sensed the terrifying power of the people around her—all comparable to 100,000-year soul beasts. She didn't dare misbehave.

Qian Duoduo, like the others, was deeply curious about her.

Sea God Island, Sea God Pavilion.

The elders gathered in the great hall. The injured disciples were sent to the second floor for rest and healing, tended to by Elder Zhuang, the Life Douluo.

In the first-floor hall, Mu En sat in his chair, eyes closed, fingers tapping the armrest in thought. The atmosphere was suffocating.

No one dared speak.

Kneeling at the end of the long table was the Gluttonous Douluo, Xuan Zi—the one responsible for the disastrous mission.

His face was full of regret and pain.

"Speak," Mu En said at last, eyes still shut. "What shall we do about this?"

The elders knew the full story by now.

Everyone was furious, but also helpless. On one side, they had Xuan Zi, a Rank 98 Super Douluo—second only to Mu En. On the other, they had two dead and ten wounded disciples.

If this wasn't handled properly, it could spark a major crisis.

"Elder Mu, this is all my fault," Xuan Zi said hoarsely. "I am willing to resign from all positions and leave the Sea God Pavilion."

"Humph!"

Mu En's snort shook the room. A suffocating pressure filled the hall.

"Leave and wash your hands of it? Coward!" he snapped.

Xuan Zi bowed low, unable to reply.

"Elder Mu," Elder Lin finally spoke—the only one senior enough to dare offer a solution. "Let Elder Xuan compensate the families of the fallen students. Offer rewards to the survivors. Then send him to redeem himself in the field."

Mu En fell silent for a long time.

Finally, he declared:

"Strip Xuan Zi of his title as Deputy Commander of Shrek's Watchmen.

Reduce him to an ordinary member.

Strip him of his title as Deputy Head of the Sea God Pavilion.

Reassign him to the outer ranks.

Order him to slay ten Spirit Douluo–level Evil Soul Masters or enemy teams within three years. If he fails, he may not return.

He is to compensate the families of Cheng Hui and Wanwan—each shall receive three soul bones, all of at least 10,000-year quality.

Also, dock Yan Shaozhe's salary and stipend for five years."

"Understood!" the elders responded in unison.

Their faces remained solemn—but in their hearts, they breathed a sigh of relief.

The punishment sounded harsh—but only the final clause had real weight. The rest were more like symbolic gestures.

Even so, this was the most Shrek Academy could afford.

Xuan Zi was too powerful. If they truly cast him out, only their enemies would celebrate. Mu En could not allow that—not when they had just barely avoided catastrophe.

After all, Zhu Ziyang was still alive. That meant this was a recoverable mistake.

As for the two fallen students, all Mu En could offer was regret—and compensation.

And Yan Shaozhe?

No one knew why he had been punished too. But since even he didn't protest, the others dared not question it.