"That's right, it was indeed a Super Douluo—Wang Xian'er. And she is one of the extremely rare healing-type Super Douluo."
Cheng Gang nodded as he spoke.
"Last night, two people entered the palace of the Star Luo Empire, and Xu Jiawei even summoned the Medicine Immortal Douluo."
A glint flashed in Jiang Jue's eyes—he already had a good guess as to who those two were.
"So… Mu En didn't immediately bring Xuanzi back to Shrek Academy, but instead went to the Star Luo royal family for treatment? Could it be… he's still worried about Shrek's upcoming matches?"
Jiang Jue thought silently.
"Good, this information is very important. Keep it up. If the Star Luo royal family makes any moves, report to me at once. You can go now."
"Yes, young master!"
Cheng Gang nodded. For some reason, hearing Jiang Jue's praise gave him a sense of joy. Without lingering further, he turned, leapt out the window, and disappeared into the night.
Jiang Jue rose from his chair, walked to the window, and gazed at the bright full moon. His eyes grew deep.
"Immortal Poison… Mu En… The storm is coming. I must refine the plan even more carefully. Not a single flaw can be allowed."
He knew that once this tournament ended, something much bigger would happen. And all of it… would be tied to him.
Star Luo Empire, within the royal palace, in a hidden chamber.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Two rows of armored guards knelt outside the room, lowering their heads.
"Rise."
Xu Jiawei looked at these guards with satisfaction. These were the elite of the palace—every one of them at least a Soul King, loyal beyond doubt.
Straightening his robes, Xu Jiawei strode inside.
As the doors opened, a rich wave of life force surged out. The entire chamber glowed with soft green light, vitality brimming everywhere.
On a large bed lay an elderly man—Xuanzi. In front of him sat Mu En in a wheelchair, his brows drooping as he stared at the bedridden elder.
"Baptism of Life!"
From within the green glow, a clear voice rang out. Twin eyes shimmered emerald, and behind the figure unfolded five pairs of verdant wings.
Raising her right hand gently, the figure pressed down toward Xuanzi. At once, the entire room's green radiance flowed into Xuanzi's body.
Bathed in this power, Xuanzi's body slowly lit up. Gentle vitality washed through him, especially around the freshly reattached arm, which was enveloped in a focused brilliance.
"Elder Mu."
Entering the chamber, Xu Jiawei stepped lightly to Mu En's side, lowering his voice in greeting.
Mu En gave a slight nod. "Jiawei, thank you."
"It's nothing, Elder Mu. After all, I too was once a member of Shrek."
Xu Jiawei shook his head with a faint smile.
In his youth, he had indeed studied at Shrek Academy, though he did not remain long due to his status as a royal prince. Thus, Mu En's arrival with Xuanzi was no burden to him—in fact, he was glad, for this was a chance to strengthen ties between Star Luo and Shrek.
After a while, the green light subsided. On the bed, Xuanzi's face had regained a healthy flush.
The glowing figure descended gracefully, folding her wings away. As the light dispersed, she revealed herself as a kindly elder—Wang Xian'er.
"Senior Medicine Immortal, how is Elder Xuan?"
Xu Jiawei stepped forward respectfully.
Wang Xian'er—Super Douluo, ancient protector of the Star Luo Empire, elder of unmatched repute. Even before Xu Jiawei's ascension, she had long been an honored worship elder. Now she stood as vice master of the Worship Hall itself. For Xu Jiawei to show such respect was only natural.
"Xuanzi will be fine. With half a day's rest, he will wake."
Her voice was soft, her demeanor calm, as if she were always this gentle.
"Wang Xian'er, thank you."
Mu En spoke slowly.
"Hahaha, we are of the same generation—no need for such formality."
She smiled lightly, unconcerned.
Indeed, she was of the same era as Mu En and Long Xiaoyao—over two centuries old. Even Xuanzi had to call her 'Elder Wang.'
"Yes… our era has passed. The new age has no vessel to carry us forward. Even our names are fading into silence… We… have grown old."
Mu En's voice carried a sigh.
"Don't… don't…"
Suddenly, Xuanzi stirred on the bed. The three immediately turned their attention toward him.
"Don't hit me… I yield, I really yield!"
Mu En's face darkened instantly.
This Xuanzi—truly shameful!
Quickly, Mu En pressed a ball of light into Xuanzi's body. Xuanzi's head lolled to the side, falling quiet again.
"Cough, cough… He's just exhausted. I'll let him rest properly."
Mu En coughed twice, though his tone was clearly unnatural.
Wang Xian'er chuckled softly, excused herself, and left the chamber. She had already treated Xuanzi three times since yesterday; she too needed rest.
"Senior Medicine Immortal, I'll have rare herbs delivered to you."
Xu Jiawei called after her, but Wang Xian'er merely shook her head. At her level, without great fortune, further breakthroughs were nearly impossible—especially for a healing-type soul master.
The door closed, leaving only Mu En, Xu Jiawei, and the slumbering Xuanzi.
"Buzz!"
A dazzling starlight spread from Xu Jiawei, forming a barrier across the room, preventing eavesdropping.
"Jiawei, it seems your cultivation hasn't faltered all these years."
Mu En praised, and Xu Jiawei merely smiled.
"In this world, strength reigns supreme."
Then, hesitating: "Elder Mu, are you sure you won't send more Shrek students? I can—"
"No need. I've made up my mind. Shrek has been crushed beneath so-called glory for too long. Everything will depend on the children now."
Before Xu Jiawei could finish, Mu En cut him off with a wave.
Xu Jiawei's face soured, as if he had swallowed a fly. He had even sacrificed Xingluo Academy to force out Sun Moon's trump cards—yet the true master didn't even care. It made him feel like a clown, ridiculous and alone.
"However… last night, I sensed the presence of Immortal Poison."
Mu En continued, ignoring Xu Jiawei's expression.
On the night Xuanzi was beaten down by Long Xiaoyao, it wasn't only the Star Luo guardian Douluo who appeared—the Body Sect's master, Immortal Poison, had also arrived in the city.
"The Body Sect's sect master… Immortal Poison?"
Xu Jiawei was shocked.
"What is he doing here? Could he have discovered my plan? Impossible—the Body Sect has never been the thoughtful kind…"
Xu Jiawei worried inwardly, thinking his scheme of pitting Mingdetang against the Body Sect had been exposed.
"Yes, the Body Sect. Can you guess why they came?"
Mu En asked with a mysterious smile.
Xu Jiawei's thoughts raced. Suddenly, inspiration struck.
"They came for Jiang Jue!"
Mu En nodded, satisfied.
"Exactly. I am eighty percent certain—the Body Sect came to seize Jiang Jue, the one who possesses a body-type martial soul."
"Then you mean…"
Xu Jiawei quickly caught the implication.
"Do you want Jiang Jue in the hands of the Sun Moon Empire… or the Body Sect?"
Mu En asked calmly.
Xu Jiawei wanted to say he wanted him for the Star Luo Empire—but he knew they lacked the strength.
"Of course… the Body Sect."
"Good. When the Body Sect makes its move, I will hold back Long Xiaoyao. You must ensure others are restrained. Then the Body Sect can take Jiang Jue away."
Xu Jiawei's expression shifted. After a moment's thought, he nodded heavily.
Compared to the Sun Moon Empire, he preferred Jiang Jue in the Body Sect's hands.
"Then it's settled."
Mu En's voice turned solemn, a faint gleam flashing in his clouded eyes before fading once more. None could guess what he was truly thinking.
Looking at Mu En's thinning hair, Xu Jiawei sighed inwardly:
"So it's true… baldness is the mark of wisdom."
End of Chapter 129