While Zhu Ziyang and Mu En were deep in conversation, elsewhere on the continent, two other discussions were taking place — both closely tied to Zhu Ziyang and his teacher.
Sun Moon Empire, deep in a shadowy forest.
"…You're injured?" A cold, emotionless female voice echoed in the air.
Long Xiaoyao didn't bother looking for the source. He knew this voice too well. His face was slightly pale, and he smiled faintly. "Just a small accident."
"Weren't you repaying that favor to the Heaven Soul royal family?" the woman asked. "What, did they send you to hunt one of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts?"
"Close enough," Long Xiaoyao replied, always keeping a light smile on his face. "They asked me to stir up trouble for Shrek Academy."
"What!" The woman's voice finally showed a hint of emotion. "So you actually went? Did Mu En injure you? Isn't he almost dead by now?"
"I did see Mu En," said Long Xiaoyao. "His condition is indeed terrible. His life force is nearly gone — probably won't last another five years."
"Answer me. Was it Mu En who injured you?" The woman's tone grew colder, laced with displeasure.
"Haha, didn't I just say? Mu En's nearly dead — how could he possibly injure me?" Long Xiaoyao chuckled.
"Then how did you get injured?" The woman was losing patience, her voice edged with irritation.
"Well, how should I put this?" Long Xiaoyao hesitated, searching for the right words. "You could say… I got injured by a kid."
"A kid?" The woman sounded puzzled.
"Yes. A kid. Mu En's new disciple. Around fourteen or fifteen, I think. A very remarkable youngster," Long Xiaoyao recalled Zhu Ziyang, and despite himself, a hint of admiration surfaced in his eyes.
"You're telling me… you got hurt by Mu En's new disciple — a fifteen-year-old brat?" The woman sounded utterly incredulous. She thought Long Xiaoyao was messing with her. But she knew him too well. He wasn't the type to joke like this, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.
"You're really getting worse with age!"
"Hahaha! I never expected that little guy to be so formidable," Long Xiaoyao laughed again. "I really envy Mu En — even at the end of his life, he managed to take in a disciple with an Ultimate Light Martial Soul."
"What did you say? Ultimate Light Martial Soul?!" The woman's voice showed clear surprise now. She hadn't left this forest in many years and didn't know much about the outside world.
"Yeah," Long Xiaoyao nodded. "That kid's very presence has forced the anti-Shrek factions in the three Douluo nations to go all in. He's quite something!"
"You sound like you admire this kid," the woman remarked with a trace of curiosity. "But surely just having an Ultimate Light Martial Soul isn't enough to earn the Dragon Emperor Douluo's admiration, right?"
"Don't be fooled by his age. He's only fifteen, but already a rank 65 Soul Emperor — far stronger than Mu En or I were at that age. More than that, his sixth soul ring is a hundred-thousand-year one. You can tell Mu En's put everything into him. Oh, and he also possesses death attribute."
"Death attribute?" The woman's voice wavered with the strongest reaction so far. "Are you saying… he has twin Martial Souls?"
"He does have twin Martial Souls," Long Xiaoyao confirmed. "But the death attribute isn't from a second soul. His first Martial Soul holds both Ultimate Light and Death attributes."
"What?" The woman gasped. "A Martial Soul with both Ultimate Light and Death attributes? Does such a Martial Soul even exist?"
"Intrigued?" Long Xiaoyao asked, smiling faintly. "Why don't we go visit Shrek Academy sometime and meet this kid?"
"This…" The woman hesitated, tempted. But after a long pause, she sighed. "Forget it. I have no intention of leaving the cult for now."
"Alright then," Long Xiaoyao said, clearly disappointed. He had hoped she would go out and see the world again — instead of hiding in this dark, lightless forest. Though this place suited his own dark attributes, he would rather live in blinding light… if it made her happier.
"Take care of your injuries," the woman said softly, clearly understanding Long Xiaoyao's thoughts. She stepped out of the shadows, revealing the face that had once captivated both Long Xiaoyao and Mu En.
Ye Xishui.
——
Sun Moon Empire, Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
A vast hall. The entire space was designed in a metallic style, dominated by a soft gold hue. It wasn't lavish, but the clean metallic lines gave it a distinct quality. Above the entrance hung a grand plaque, its dark-gold characters carrying a dominating aura — Mingde Hall.
"Stand up."
On the central seat sat a man appearing to be in his forties. He was short and stocky, with dark skin. His first impression? A chubby little man. Though his build and features didn't suit long hair, he insisted on keeping shoulder-length reddish-brown locks, hiding his already stubby neck. His entire presence radiated an odd sense of humor.
In front of him, a man knelt on the floor. Upon hearing the command, he stood up like he'd just received a royal pardon.
"Hall Master, I failed in leading the team. Please punish me!" he said, face full of fear and guilt.
Now that he stood, his identity was clear — the other teacher who led the Sun Moon Royal Academy team during the tournament. Despite his current terrified expression, he'd been prepared to take the fall the moment they left Star Luo City.
In fact, it could be said he was chosen because he was disposable. Compared to Elder Ma, he was insignificant. If they won, credit would go to Elder Ma and the students. If they lost, he'd take all the blame. That was his only value — a scapegoat.
The way he addressed the man made it clear: the oddly amusing chubby man was none other than the infamous Hall Master of Mingde Hall — Jing Hongchen!
"You're not really to blame. Sometimes things just don't go your way — not everything can be controlled by one person," Jing Hongchen said blandly, expression unreadable.
The teacher breathed a huge sigh of relief and immediately bowed.
"Thank you, Hall Master!"
In his heart, he was celebrating. Just like they'd said — the one assigned to take the fall wouldn't be punished. Sure, he missed a promotion, but he received generous compensation. With that money, he could buy rare metals, upgrade his Soul Tool rank, and earn promotion in a different way.
In a way, he'd just landed a free windfall!
Jing Hongchen's mood seemed quite good.
"Do you know what pleased me the most about your trip?" he asked.
"The information we gathered on Shrek Academy's students?" the teacher guessed.
Jing Hongchen smiled. "Exactly. That's what pleased me most. Three twin Martial Soul holders. One of them with dual Ultimate attributes — and six hundred-thousand-year soul rings!"
"Shrek sure spared no expense. If that boy grows up, our Sun Moon Empire will be suppressed for centuries again. And those fools in the Douluo Alliance — eight or nine Title Douluo, nearly a hundred Soul Douluo and Soul Saints — and they couldn't even handle a few students from Shrek. Useless!"
"Originally, Shrek Academy agreed to student exchanges. But yesterday, they sent word that due to internal reasons, it would be postponed."
"How long? Still under review. Clearly, they fear we'll target those students. I have to admit — when it comes to finding talent, no one on the continent compares to Shrek. A real shame, honestly."
"Now leave."
"Yes, Hall Master!" The teacher bowed quickly and retreated from Mingde Hall.
Once he was gone, Jing Hongchen clasped his hands behind his back and looked toward the east — toward Shrek Academy.
He murmured, "Such helplessness…"
(End of Chapter)
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