Golden Ancient Tree Underground World, central hall.
Zhu Ziyang and Mu En were still deep in conversation. After advising Zhu Ziyang to nurture his core team, Mu En began reminiscing about his youth.
"…Long Xiaoyao… back in my younger days, he and I were fierce rivals," Mu En said with a nostalgic smile. "Back then, both of us were high-spirited and brimming with pride. Every time we met, we had to fight before we could sit down in peace. Our strengths were evenly matched — I'd win once, he'd win once. Neither of us could truly surpass the other."
He chuckled.
"Time flew by. I never expected us both to become Ultimate Douluo, both unable to reach godhood, both tormented by love. Truly, we shared the same sorrow."
Mu En's smile gradually faded into quiet helplessness. Zhu Ziyang listened silently, unsure how to comfort him. But Mu En didn't need consoling. At over two hundred sixty years old, he long knew how to soothe his own emotions.
That helplessness soon transformed into pride.
"Still, I was luckier. I took in a group of outstanding disciples — especially in my twilight years, I met you… the disciple I'm most proud of. Compared to that old bastard Long Xiaoyao, he's got no one. Too arrogant to look down, he never took on a single disciple all these years."
"Teacher, doesn't Uncle Long have any family?" Zhu Ziyang asked, puzzled. With Long Xiaoyao's status and strength, it didn't make sense for him to have no family or kin. Even if he was said to be burdened by love, to never marry in his entire life? As an Ultimate Douluo, wouldn't he want to pass on his Dark Holy Dragon Martial Soul?
"Heh, I knew you'd ask that," Mu En replied with a smile tinged with admiration. "You'd never guess — that legendary Dragon Emperor Douluo, like you, was born a commoner."
"A commoner?!" Zhu Ziyang was genuinely shocked.
"Yes. Long Xiaoyao was born in a humble family in the Heaven Soul Empire. His parents were just Soul Masters. After awakening his Martial Soul, he studied at a local junior Soul Master academy, then moved up to intermediate, and eventually the Royal Academy of the Heaven Soul Empire. There, he received support from a prince, owing a favor that later drew him into the political conflict between us and the royalists."
"Later, he and I became acquainted due to a catastrophe caused by evil Soul Masters. Then we clashed again during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, where we met the woman we both fell in love with."
"We fought bitterly over her. But in the end, due to various misunderstandings, she vanished from our lives. I, burdened with my family's expectations, chose to marry and have children — one of whom would become Beibei's great-grandfather. As for Long Xiaoyao… he spent his life searching for her. He never married."
Mu En sighed.
"Sometimes, I really admire him — even envy him. If it were me in his place, I doubt I could've done what he did."
"Teacher, did Uncle Long ever find that woman?" Zhu Ziyang was now completely absorbed. The thought that the mighty Dragon God Douluo and Dragon Emperor Douluo had once shared a love triangle was astonishing. Why hadn't this been mentioned in the academy's historical records?
"Heh." Mu En let out a bitter chuckle. "In the end, I lost that ill-fated love. He searched for her for over a century… and he did find her. They spent a hundred years together."
"The woman who could captivate both you and Uncle Long must've been extraordinary," Zhu Ziyang said, deeply curious about her identity.
"Of course she was," Mu En said with a faint smile. "She was the most remarkable woman I've ever known. Among our peers, she was the only one who could rival both Long Xiaoyao and me in talent. The only one who ever defeated us both."
"She beat both of you? Then that means…" Zhu Ziyang's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Yes. She, too, is now an Ultimate Douluo," Mu En replied calmly.
"If that's the case, why has there been no word about her on the continent?" Zhu Ziyang frowned. A Soul Master who reached the Ultimate Douluo realm couldn't be completely unknown.
"Her name is Ye Xishui. The reason she vanished from public memory is because she never fought again after becoming an Ultimate Douluo," Mu En said with a wry smile. "And… she's an evil Soul Master."
"Evil Soul Master?!" Zhu Ziyang's jaw dropped. Was Mu En joking? If Ye Xishui was an evil Soul Master, how could she have charmed both Mu En and Long Xiaoyao? Was her Martial Soul some kind of succubus?
"Yes." Mu En showed a bitter, self-mocking expression. Telling this like an embarrassing old secret in front of his disciple was truly humiliating. "Ye Xishui possessed twin Martial Souls. Her first was the Light Phoenix. Her second — the evil Blood Soul Demon Puppet. When Long Xiaoyao and I met her, she only displayed the Light Phoenix. We never suspected she was an evil Soul Master. But I believe… if she had a choice, she would never have become one."
"Twin Martial Souls? The Light Phoenix and Blood Soul Demon Puppet?" Zhu Ziyang clicked his tongue. No wonder Ye Xishui could defeat both Mu En and Long Xiaoyao. Twin Martial Souls alone gave her a massive advantage. He said, "Light Phoenix? Isn't that the same as Senior Brother's Martial Soul?"
"Exactly," Mu En nodded. "That's why I took Shao Zhe as my disciple. His Light Phoenix reminded me of her every time I saw it."
"Ah, I see…" Zhu Ziyang resisted the urge to roll his eyes, though his mind was already doing it. Out loud, he asked, "Teacher, since Ye Xishui is an evil Soul Master and an Ultimate Douluo… could she be the founder of the Holy Spirit Cult?"
"No," Mu En shook his head. "The Holy Spirit Cult was founded by an evil Soul Master named Zhongli, Ye Xishui's teacher. But now, Ye Xishui is the Supreme Elder of the Holy Spirit Cult. And Long Xiaoyao? He's their Chief Consecrated."
"So that's why…" Zhu Ziyang understood now. No wonder Mu En had reacted so calmly when he first heard about the Holy Spirit Cult. The top brass were all old acquaintances.
"Ziyang," Mu En said, his voice suddenly stern, "Even if Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao are in charge of the Holy Spirit Cult, you must never hesitate when the time comes. It's a cancerous organization. It must be wiped out without mercy. As for Ye Xishui — Long Xiaoyao promised me that when the time comes, he'll take her and vanish into seclusion. You are not to touch them."
"Teacher, aren't you giving me too much credit?" Zhu Ziyang said, rolling his eyes. "They're Ultimate Douluo. Shouldn't it be them showing mercy to me?"
"Hahaha! Ziyang, don't sell yourself short," Mu En laughed heartily. "With your talent, in fifteen years at most, you'll surpass them both. Then it will be you who must show mercy."
"And what if they attack Shrek Academy before then?" Zhu Ziyang asked seriously.
Hearing this, Mu En smiled.
"No need to worry. Long Xiaoyao promised me — for ten years after my death, he will stop the Holy Spirit Cult from making any move against Shrek. Between now and then, and the decade after, you'll have all the time you need to grow strong."
"Teacher… why does it sound like you're already preparing for your final farewell?" Zhu Ziyang's voice trembled, sorrow washing over his face.
"Hahaha, don't be sad," Mu En said warmly. "I've long accepted that my time is limited. If nothing unforeseen happens, I've got another three to five years. By then, you should at least be at Soul Sage, maybe even Soul Douluo. When that day comes, I can leave without regrets."
"Teacher…" Zhu Ziyang's nose stung with emotion. He stepped forward and tightly grasped Mu En's hand. Though they'd only been master and disciple for three or four years, Mu En had long since become family in Zhu Ziyang's heart. Hearing these words filled him with pain.
"Foolish child…" Mu En gently patted Zhu Ziyang's hand with comfort. "I'll stay by your side for a little while longer. Don't be sad."
(End of Chapter)
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