After the Class Zero Team and the Genius Team returned to Shrek Academy, the first-year final exams were not yet over, but they were nearing their conclusion.
Most of the students had already completed their missions and were rushing back.
High atop the Golden Tree, within the Sea God Pavilion.
Wu Zhangkong reported the special circumstances regarding Fang Yang and Gu Yue in detail to his teacher, Scarlet Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi.
Douluo Zhuo Shi pondered deeply. Believing this matter was of great significance, he reported the situation upward.
Sea God Pavilion Master Yun Ming immediately summoned all the Pavilion Elders to gather at the Sea God Pavilion to discuss how to handle these two students with astonishing talent.
"That is the situation regarding Fang Yang and Gu Yue. Let's see what should be done!"
Yun Ming briefly explained, then swept his gaze across the elders present, awaiting their opinions.
Upon hearing this, Outer Court Dean Cai Yue'er immediately spoke up: "Pavilion Master, do you intend to keep them at the academy?"
"Yes."
Yun Ming nodded. "Students with such extraordinary talent... if they cannot remain at Shrek Academy, it will be a huge loss for the institution."
"Simple. We just force them to stay, won't that work?" Cai Yue'er said without hesitation, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.
Behind this lay her selfish motives. As long as Fang Yang and Gu Yue were kept at Shrek Academy, Gu Yue could become her disciple.
As for whether they would be obedient?
Cai Yue'er sneered inwardly. Shrek Academy could become the number one academy on the continent for a reason; naturally, it possessed special methods.
Once entering the Inner Court, students would undergo special cultivation. Not only would they worship the Sea God Ancestor, but they would also thoroughly integrate into Shrek Academy.
As for Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu? This was Shrek Academy, not the Spirit Pagoda!
"I disagree."
Douluo Zhuo Shi said heavily, his brows furrowed.
He still had some goodwill toward Fang Yang and Gu Yue. After all, they were students of his own disciple, Wu Zhangkong.
In a certain sense, there existed a sliver of a master-disciple bond between him and these two children.
This practice of forcibly detaining people not only violated the academy's principles but would also be counterproductive.
"Elders, what are your views?"
Yun Ming turned his gaze to the other elders, hoping to hear more opinions.
Holy Spirit Douluo Ya Li shook her head gently and said softly, "Shrek Academy's reputation of ten thousand years relies on winning hearts with virtue, not suppression by force."
Another Elder Li stroked his beard and mused, "It would indeed be a pity if such geniuses were lost."
"Perhaps we can offer sufficiently generous conditions to make them stay voluntarily."
"How should we handle the Spirit Pagoda?" an elder raised the question.
Cai Yue'er, however, dismissed it: "Why should our dignified Shrek Academy care about the Spirit Pagoda?"
"The talent of these two children must remain at Shrek Academy."
The meeting room immediately buzzed with discussion. The elders voiced their opinions, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Douluo Zhuo Shi maintained his opposition, while Cai Yue'er held firm to her stance.
Yun Ming listened quietly to the debate, a light of contemplation flickering in his eyes.
Just as the argument reached a stalemate, the doors of the Sea God Pavilion were suddenly pushed open, and an unexpected figure appeared at the entrance.
"Regarding the matter of Fang Yang and Gu Yue, perhaps I can offer some suggestions."
The visitor's voice was calm, yet it caused all the Pavilion Elders present to look surprised.
Light Dark Douluo Long Yeyue!
This existence, holding a special status within the Sea God Pavilion, had actually come in person.
Yun Ming asked heavily, "Elder Long, what is your opinion?"
"I support Cai Yue'er's opinion. These two cannot be let go; they must remain at Shrek Academy."
Long Yeyue's tone was firm and brooked no argument.
The crowd fell silent immediately. Long Yeyue's identity was not simple.
Her husband was the former Dean of Shrek Academy and Sea God Pavilion Master, and she herself was the Vice Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion.
Not to mention, she even kept a young lover, the First Hall Master of the War God Palace, Chen Xinjie!
"Yun Ming, what is your decision?"
Long Yeyue stared straight at Yun Ming, her tone carrying a degree of pressure.
"Heh."
Yun Ming sneered, his gaze suddenly turning sharp. "Old hag, have I given you too much face?"
"Yun Ming, you..."
Long Yeyue's eyes turned red, and she breathed heavily like an ox.
She never expected Yun Ming to disrespect her so openly in front of everyone.
"Remember this: I give you face, so I call you Elder Long. If I don't give you face, you're just a senile old hag."
Yun Ming's tone was ice-cold, and a powerful aura instantly enveloped the entire Sea God Pavilion.
With these few words, the elders inside the Sea God Pavilion fell silent one after another, not daring to breathe loudly.
Everyone could see that Yun Ming was truly serious this time.
Ya Li sighed gently, breaking the suffocating silence: "Brother Ming, Elder Long also means well; it's just that her methods might be inappropriate."
Yun Ming snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over every elder present: "Shrek Academy has stood for twenty thousand years relying on an inclusive breadth of mind, not on means of plunder and force."
"If we don't even have this degree of magnanimity, are we still worthy of being called the Number One Academy on the Continent?"
His voice echoed within the Sea God Pavilion, every word landing with weight.
Long Yeyue's face turned iron-green, but she dared not say anything more.
"I will make my own decision on this matter."
Yun Ming finally said, "Meeting adjourned."
This debate regarding the stay or departure of Fang Yang and Gu Yue came to a temporary halt.
But everyone understood that this matter was far from over.
What no one knew was that the Golden Tree had heard the entire content of the meeting.
...
Shrek Academy, Drink Bar.
"Sigh, I really want to go back to Eastsea City." Xie Xie leaned against the chair back, speaking somewhat lazily.
Hearing this, Tang Wulin teased, "Xie Xie, I think you just want to go back and have fun."
"Screw you!"
Xie Xie glared at him unhappily.
Tang Wulin laughed and waved his hand: "Alright, alright, I won't say it."
With the final assessment over, although they had entered the holidays, they couldn't leave temporarily.
Only after all the students from First Year Class One who went out for assessments had returned could they officially leave the school.
Fang Yang took a sip of his drink and asked casually, "Xie Xie, are you bringing Zheng Yiran back with you?"
"Definitely bringing her." Xie Xie answered decisively.
"Oh? I thought you might hesitate a bit." Fang Yang raised an eyebrow.
"Bring her back to meet that old guy, and also... see my mom." Xie Xie's tone softened slightly, a trace of tenderness flashing in his eyes.
"Mm, that's good."
Hearing this, Fang Yang nodded.
"Eh, by the way."
Xie Xie suddenly perked up, looking at everyone, "You guys, do you want to come to Eastsea City to find me during the break? My treat!"
"Sure."
Tang Wulin spoke first, "If I have time, I'll bring Senior Sister along."
"No problem! Food and accommodation covered!"
Xie Xie patted his chest, then looked at Fang Yang, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi, "What about you? Coming or not?"
Fang Yang pondered briefly, then smiled: "If I have time, I'll definitely come."
"Good! Then it's settled. You must come if you have time!" Xie Xie looked very happy.
The group chatted idly for a while longer.
Just then, a faint voice sounded in Fang Yang's ear.
"Cai Yue'er and Long Yeyue plan to act against you."
Fang Yang's expression did not change; he remained as calm as water.
Gu Yue, sitting beside him, felt that extremely subtle fluctuation in his aura for an instant.
"What's wrong?"
Gu Yue turned her head and asked softly.
"Nothing."
Fang Yang shook his head slightly, giving her a reassuring look.
Gu Yue gazed at him for a moment. Seeing that he truly showed no signs of abnormality, she nodded lightly: "Mm."
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