Chapter 108: Returning to the Academy and Spirit Bone DistributionAfter several days of travel, the Shrek team, which participated in the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament, finally returned to the familiar Academy.In front of the magnificent main gate of Shrek Academy, crowds had already gathered, and the atmosphere was enthusiastic. Countless students who had heard the news rushed over, eagerly anticipating a glimpse of the heroes.Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo, the two sisters, were also squeezed into the crowd, their pretty faces beaming with excitement and anticipation. They had learned in advance through various channels that Dai Youheng had ultimately represented the Academy in the competition and achieved glorious results, which made them happier than achieving success themselves.However, even more eye-catching were the five figures standing directly in front of the massive gatehouse.Standing at the very front was an old man with a hunched figure, dressed in plain gray clothes. His face was kind, but his eyes were gentle and profound.The four people standing behind him were the four giants whose stomping could shake the entire Academy: Yan Shaozhe, the Dean of the Spirit Department; Xian Lin'er, the Dean of the Soul Tool Department; Cai Mei'er, the Vice Dean of the Spirit Department; and Qian Duoduo, the Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department!The four Deans had all arrived, yet they respectfully stayed half a step behind, treating the hunched old man with the highest reverence. This scene caused all the witnessing students to gasp, their hearts filled with shock, as they speculated about the old man's true identity.As the team approached, Huo Yuhao recognized the old man instantly and couldn't help but exclaim, "Old Grandpa, it's you—why are you—"Isn't this the old Dormitory Manager Grandpa who spends all day lying in a rocking chair sunbathing at the entrance of the dormitory building? How could he be standing in front of the four Deans?Dai Youheng's gaze also fell upon the old man. His eyes were calm, but his heart understood. Elder Mu, the Dragon God Douluo, the contemporary Pavilion Master of the Sea Gods Pavilion, one of the three Limit Douluo on the continent, and Shrek's true stabilizing force. His personal welcome demonstrated the Academy's emphasis on this victory.Elder Mu looked at the children's surprised expressions, chuckled, and his voice, though gentle, clearly reached everyone's ears, "Children, there's no need to be surprised. I, Elder Mu, humbly serve as the contemporary Pavilion Master of the Sea Gods Pavilion. My usual presence downstairs at the dormitory building is merely because I crave the liveliness and enjoy watching you spirited young ones come and go.""Pavilion Master of the Sea Gods Pavilion?" Wang Dong's eyes widened in disbelief. "You are the Pavilion Master? Then why did you—""Why be a Dormitory Manager?" Elder Mu smiled and finished the sentence for him. "Because that is the place closest to you, where I can best feel the vitality of the Academy."His gaze swept over all the returning team members, filled with gratification and praise. "Children, I thank you very much. You fought fiercely outside and successfully defended Shrek's ten-thousand-year glory."Perhaps because the path to victory was fraught with difficulty, the main team members suffered heavy casualties, and the reserve team members also saw significant changes—Xu Sanshi and Dai Youheng both joined as substitutes, not formal members of the Shrek Seven Devils, and Dai Huabin was already crippled—Elder Mu did not, as in the original novel, directly establish the "Lifetime Shrek Seven Devils."After all, the lineup was incomplete.His gaze focused particularly on Dai Youheng, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao. "Dai Youheng, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, the four of you step forward."The four stepped forward as instructed. Elder Mu waved his hand, and four Spirit Bones, shimmering with vast energy fluctuations and dazzling light, appeared out of thin air, suspended in mid-air.Three of them were the tournament championship prizes, which Zhou Yi had given to Xuan Zi, who then brought them back early. The last piece had an exceptionally deep aura, clearly a private collection item Elder Mu had added using his own authority."Children, these Spirit Bones are the witness to the glory you earned with sweat and strength. Now, I bestow them upon you." Elder Mu's voice was solemn and kind.Seeing this, Huo Yuhao quickly said, "Elder Mu, winning the championship was the result of everyone's collective effort! Senior Sister Xiao Tao,Senior Sister Ling, Senior Brother Bei Bei, Senior Brother He, Senior Sister Jiang, Senior Brother Xu, they all contributed immensely—"Elder Mu gently interrupted him, "Xiao Tao's current situation is special, making her unable to absorb a Spirit Bone. Luo Chen felt she did not fulfill her duties as a Senior Sister in this tournament and voluntarily gave up her share. As for Bei Bei, Sanshi, and the others, the Academy will provide separate rewards later."Bei Bei said loudly, "Yuhao, you don't need to decline. Your and Youheng's contributions were the greatest in winning this championship. The two of you deserve the most credit. If you don't take them, we would feel ashamed to accept them."Only then did Huo Yuhao accept with trepidation: "Then—then we won't be polite. Thank you, Elder Mu, and thank you, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters."Elder Mu nodded and began the distribution: "Xiao Xiao, this thirty-thousand-year Purple Spirit Demonic Vine Right Arm Bone contains powerful control and amplification abilities, and it is perfectly compatible with your Nine Phoenix Calligraphy Flute Spirit. I bestow it upon you.""Thank you, Elder Mu!" Xiao Xiao happily accepted the Spirit Bone, which shimmered with a purple glow."Wang Dong, this ten-thousand-year Light Demon-Shattering Right Arm Bone was acquired during my travels in my early years. It contains pure light and demon-breaking power, matching your Radiant Goddess Butterfly Attribute.""Thank you, Elder Mu!" Wang Dong accepted the Spirit Bone and, feeling the surging power of light within it, thought it was quite good."Dai Youheng." Elder Mu's gaze turned to him, carrying a hint of scrutiny. "This forty-thousand-year Giant Palm Black Tiger Left Arm Bone possesses tyrannical and fierce power. It perfectly complements your Evil Shadow Demonic Tiger Martial Soul, making it a tailor-made choice for you.""Thank you, Elder Mu." Dai Youheng calmly accepted the Spirit Bone, his tone indifferent, showing neither ecstasy nor humility, as if he were merely taking an ordinary item.This Spirit Bone was indeed good, but his mind was already elsewhere."Finally, Yuhao." Elder Mu's gaze was the most gentle, full of expectation. "You are the child with the greatest potential among all of them. Not only do you possess the infinitely potential Innate Spirit, the Spiritual Eye, but you have also inherited the power of Ultimate Ice.This fifty-thousand-year Ice Plain Ferocious Left Arm Bone is an extremely rare dual-attribute Spirit Bone of Strength and Ice Attribute. Its defense is astonishing and will surely greatly enhance your survival and combat capabilities."Huo Yuhao excitedly accepted the Spirit Bone, which radiated icy coldness and heavy power, with both hands. "Thank you, Elder Mu, for your generous gift!"After the Spirit Bone distribution was complete, Elder Mu waved his hand and said, "Alright, the rest of you may dismiss and rest. Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, the three of you follow me."Xiao Xiao obediently responded upon hearing this, then looked at Dai Youheng beside her with some confusion, and quietly asked, "Elder Mu, just the three of us? Student Dai—"Elder Mu's gaze swept over Dai Youheng again. His profound eyes seemed to see through people's hearts. He spoke gently yet firmly, "He doesn't need to come. What I am taking you to explore is the path you need to clarify and choose for your future. As for Dai Youheng, he has already found his own path and sees it clearly."Dai Youheng met Elder Mu's gaze without any change in expression, but his heart slightly stirred. This Limit Douluo indeed possessed extraordinary insight.He had indeed planned everything out long ago. The guidance and resources Shrek could offer him were not necessary for him.He nodded slightly in response, then quietly retreated to the side. Now, he only needed to wait for the person sent by Xu Jiujiu Jiu Jiu to arrive at the Academy and help him legitimately process his graduation.His stage was gradually shifting toward that broader world.
