Faced with the fiery Xian Lin'er, Yan Shaozhe felt a hint of guilt, but when it ca to matters like this, he wouldn't back down.
Just as Xian Lin'er was about to continue arguing, an elderly woman seated in the main position on the right side frowned slightly. "Lin'er, this is a Sea God's Pavilion eting. If you continue to make a fuss, step outside."
Xian Lin'er's expression shifted slightly. She snorted but chose to remain silent.
The elderly woman had hair as white as snow, yet her face bore few wrinkles, and her gentle gaze made her look like a kind-hearted grandmother.
Her na was Song Yunzhi—commonly known as Elder Song—and she was both Xian Lin'er's mother and a staunch supporter of the Soul Tool Departnt among the elders.
Acting out in front of Elder Mu wasn't appropriate, and Xian Lin'er knew it.
Just as Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er had argued, the reality remained unchanged—whether it was Zhou Sichen's martial soul talent or his soul tool aptitude, both were top-tier. Neither departnt wanted to let him go.
Even though Elder Song had reprimanded Xian Lin'er, she herself wasn't willing to let the Martial Soul Departnt take Zhou Sichen so easily.
A scene similar to the original story's tug-of-war over talent was playing out again. The Sea God's Pavilion was filled with the voices of both sides, each arguing their case.
After a long debate, Mu En's voice finally rang out. "Sit down."
At his words, the opposing factions imdiately restrained themselves and returned to their seats.
His gentle yet firm voice echoed through the hall. "You have all presented your argunts clearly, but have you considered another possibility? Tell , what was Shrek Academy's original purpose when it was founded?"
Yan Shaozhe respectfully replied, "To nurture monstrous geniuses. Shrek Academy only cultivates monsters, not ordinary people."
Mu En nodded slightly. "Correct. We cultivate monsters, not ordinary people."
"In that case, why not be bolder and cultivate a true monster-level talent?"
"This child, Zhou Sichen, has exceptional conditions. He is a native of the Heavenly Soul Empire, and his grandfather is an old friend of both Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo."
"With all these factors combined, it is almost certain that this child will remain at Shrek Academy."
As Mu En spoke, the elders fell into contemplation. They could already sense where he was going with this.
"You have all seen Zhou Sichen's talent and strength—twelve years old, rank thirty-eight, and simultaneously trained as a soul engineer, reaching Grade-4."
"Have any of you seen soone achieve this at his age?"
The room fell silent as everyone pondered, then shook their heads.
Mu En's voice suddenly carried a light chuckle. "You are all too caught up in your own perspectives. Since this child has already been dual-cultivating martial souls and soul tools before entering Shrek—and has done so with such exceptional results—then why are you arguing over him? Why not simply let him continue dual-cultivating?"
"...Huh?"
Yan Shaozhe, Cai i'er, Xian Lin'er, and Qian Duoduo were all montarily stunned.
Even Xuanzi, Elder Song, and the others couldn't help but glance at Mu En in surprise.
Xian Lin'er couldn't help but speak up. "But, Teacher, whether it's the Martial Soul Departnt or the Soul Tool Departnt, as the studies beco more advanced, they demand more and more focus."
"If he trains in both simultaneously, won't that hinder his growth instead? Wouldn't it waste his talent by making him a jack of all trades but master of none?"
Mu En smiled faintly. "How do you know he won't be able to do it?"
"In reality, you are all trapped in a narrow mindset, treating the Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departnts as inherently opposing disciplines. Let ask you, can either of them function without soul power? Can either exist without martial souls?"
"The real difference between the two lies only in their offensive and defensive approaches—there is no fundantal divide. So, there is no need to overcomplicate things."
"Lin'er, if you truly wish for this child to beco a top-tier soul engineer, then first and foremost, he must beco a top-tier soul master."
"Without sufficient soul power, how will he create and control stronger soul tools?"
Hearing this, Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo fell silent, deep in thought.
"Shaozhe, the sa applies to you. Since this child has such extraordinary talent in soul tool developnt, then soul tools will serve as powerful weapons to protect him."
"Raising a soul master from weak to strong takes more than a year or two. Can you always stay by his side? If he encounters danger, being able to protect himself is the best safeguard."
"If that's the case, why shouldn't he cultivate soul tools? Shrek Academy is indeed lacking top-tier soul engineers right now."
"Therefore, I believe that we should allow this child to continue dual-cultivating, existing as a unique presence within the academy. Instead of forcing him to choose a path, we should provide him with the most comfortable and unrestricted training environnt possible."
"You are all forgetting one crucial thing—the child's own will."
"He is only twelve years old. Placing too much pressure on him will only hinder his future growth."
"What's more, he accomplished all of this before entering Shrek Academy. If he has access to your professional guidance and training, do you really think he would fall short of the Zhou family's expectations?"
Hearing Mu En's reasoning, the elders nodded in agreent, their expressions easing.
Even Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er exchanged a glance, their expressions more relaxed.
Indeed, before coming to Shrek Academy, Zhou Sichen had already reached this level.
That alone proved that he was fully capable of handling both disciplines.
And with Shrek Academy's resources—how could they possibly fall behind the Zhou family?
That kid, Zhou Zhenxuan, used to be nothing more than their junior tag-along back in the day!
After a mont of contemplation, Yan Shaozhe raised an important question. "Teacher, what if Zhou Sichen's progress begins to slow down?"
Mu En responded calmly, "That's simple. When the ti cos, let him choose for himself. Whichever path he prefers, he can take. We do not need to push him in any particular direction."
Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er exchanged another glance, their expressions softening further. In this stalemate, this resolution seed to be the best possible outco.
At the sa ti, after hearing Mu En's suggestion, a spark of anticipation ignited in their hearts.
A student cultivating both the Martial Soul and Soul Tool disciplines—this had never happened in Shrek Academy's history.
Zhou Sichen had barely entered the academy and had already created a miracle.
No—several miracles.
Reaching rank thirty-eight at his age, becoming a Grade-4 soul engineer, and even rivaling a Soul Emperor while still a Soul Elder...
Mu En's voice remained calm. "If there are no objections, then this matter is settled."
The elders and the others nodded in agreent, with no further opposition.
But just then, Mu En's body suddenly trembled, as if he had witnessed sothing beyond comprehension.
Seeing this, Xuanzi and the others were startled.
Xuanzi quickly asked, "Elder Mu, what's wrong?"
Mu En did not respond imdiately. After a long pause, he finally spoke in a soft but profound tone.
"Shrek has welcod a true monster, As long as Zhou Sichen remains with Shrek, this will be the beginning of our fourth golden age."
****
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