"Alright, let's head out and let Xuanzi get some proper rest."
"After all, the day after tomorrow, with Xuanzi around, we'll have one more safeguard. At certain times, Xuanzi is… well, he is quite reliable…"
Mu En suddenly felt that Xu Jiawei's gaze toward him seemed a little off, so he quickly spoke up.
Then, though his wheelchair wasn't pushed by anyone, it turned on its own. The door opened, and he smoothly slid outside.
Xu Jiawei scanned the room, his eyes narrowing slightly. With a wave of his right hand, the soul lamp inside immediately went out. Then he followed after Mu En and stepped out as well.
The door slowly closed behind them. The moonlight that had spilled into the room gradually disappeared until the door shut fully, plunging the room back into darkness.
"Elder Mu, take care on your way."
Xu Jiawei looked respectfully at the old man before him. Just Mu En sitting there gave him a terrifying sense of overwhelming strength.
"Everything must be arranged properly. There can be no mistakes. This matter allows no carelessness."
Mu En spoke calmly. At once, the space in front of him rippled like water. His figure vanished into nothingness, leaving not a single trace.
"Sigh… is this Douluo Continent four nations, or five nations…"
Watching Mu En disappear, Xu Jiawei's eyes grew complicated, and he let out a deep sigh.
How could he not know that relying too much on Shrek Academy was unwise? But he had no choice. He had already done everything he could to lead the Star Luo Empire forward—but the gap was simply too vast. So vast he could see no future, no other shore to reach.
In all times and places, truth is always found at the tip of the blade. Weak nations have no diplomacy.
Still, Xu Jiawei quickly steadied his mindset. The Star Luo Empire was already learning soul tool technology from the Sun Moon Empire. The future would surely be brighter.
"It's been a long time since I visited the Empress… After so many exhausting days, it wouldn't be too much for me to take a little rest."
At this thought, Xu Jiawei's mood lifted.
"Prepare the carriage—we're going to the Empress's palace."
Tonight, he would finally let himself relax.
But neither he nor Mu En realized that inside the room, within Xuanzi's body, a new transformation had already begun.
"Buzz!"
A heavy sound echoed from within Xuanzi. A stream of purplish-black energy broke free, as if shattering some seal, and slithered out from the soul bone in his arm like a snake, winding its way through his body.
Xuanzi's body suddenly jolted, his muscles taut. A mass of dark yellow soul power surged forth, encircling the purplish-black current. Under the crushing pressure of that thick dark yellow energy, the purplish-black current was quickly defeated and fled in all directions.
But the dark yellow power pursued relentlessly. In just moments, the purplish-black stream was hunted down and eradicated. The dark yellow energy then circled once, like a victorious general after battle, and withdrew, content.
Soon after, a dull gray current tentatively peeked out from the soul bone. In an instant, it condensed into a droplet of liquid. It sank downward, releasing a misty gray aura, then gradually concealed itself, unmoving.
Meanwhile, within Xuanzi's dantian, a dark force of soul power emerged. It seemed it had always been there. Now, as if drawn by some hidden pull, it began to grow stronger.
Its method of growth was simple: devouring the surrounding dark yellow soul power. To be precise, this was consumption…
"The might of the Taotie Divine Ox lies in its devouring attribute. Now, enjoy the awakening feast I've prepared for you!"
A low, chilling voice resounded from within Xuanzi's body. There was no way to trace its source.
Xuanzi's daily drinking and eating of meat had always been to suppress hunger. He had always believed it a flaw of his martial soul. But awakening the devouring attribute—the same trait that had once evolved Tang Ya's ordinary Blue Silver Grass into Dark Blue Silver Grass—how could such an attribute possibly be weak?
The next moment, silence once again filled the room, as if nothing at all had happened.
At this time, the moon was faint, its light scattering gently over the land.
In Star Luo City, in a small, ordinary courtyard:
"Huff… huff…"
"Yu Tao, can't you put some muscle into it? You're digging like you skipped your meals! Can you even do this?"
"Huff… huff…"
The sound of digging echoed nonstop. The once-flat ground shook, and with a burst of noise, two figures crawled up from beneath the earth.
"Second brother, easy for you to talk! I dug this whole long tunnel myself!"
"And besides, it's not like I—"
The two were Yu Tao and Lang Ya, who had been in the audience stands earlier that day. But now, Yu Tao was a sorry sight: his thick arms covered in dirt, his whole body dusty and grimy.
"What nonsense are you muttering? Didn't sneak in a couple curses at your second brother, did you? Still got the guts to talk back!"
"If it weren't for my spiritual guidance, you'd have dug your way straight into the Star Luo Emperor's palace chambers!"
Lang Ya brushed dust off himself, then smacked Yu Tao on the head, scolding him irritably.
On the way, Yu Tao had been tunneling in endless circles like a broken compass, always drifting toward the Imperial Palace. If not for Lang Ya constantly guiding him with spiritual power, they might already have burrowed into the palace itself.
"Heh, my bad. Credit's all yours."
Yu Tao scratched his head with an embarrassed laugh, not daring to argue further.
Just then, a dark green figure appeared above the courtyard, descending in an instant to land before them.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
Both Lang Ya and Yu Tao quickly bowed upon recognizing the newcomer.
It was none other than the Body Sect's master—Du Bushi (Poison Undying).
"How's the tunnel coming along?"
Du Bushi asked softly, though the aura radiating from him was commanding, inspiring awe even without anger.
"We… we've got it covered. Don't worry, Sect Master. This tunnel can already reach beyond the city walls."
Yu Tao pointed confidently at the gaping hole in the ground.
Du Bushi's eyes swept over it, then he nodded with satisfaction.
When he and Yu Tao had first arrived in Star Luo City, they had discussed how to rescue Jiang Jue. Yu Tao had suggested using the Body Sect's traditional skill—tunnel digging!
He had sworn that this craft was both secretive and unexpected, absolutely reliable—and more importantly, it was a traditional craft of the Body Sect that must never be abandoned!
Since the match wasn't for a while yet, Du Bushi had agreed, letting Yu Tao and Lang Ya make preparations.
"Sigh… if not for those two old monsters still around, we wouldn't have to resort to this."
A shadow of weariness flickered in Du Bushi's eyes as he muttered softly.
Hearing this, Lang Ya and Yu Tao wisely kept silent.
The previous night, during the battle between Long Xiaoyao and Xuanzi, the three of them had been drawn over. To their shock, they discovered that from the previous era, there were still people alive—who had become Limit Douluo.
"I thought Sect Master was already invincible under heaven. Who would have thought there are still those even fiercer than him…"
Lang Ya sighed inwardly.
Still, at least their tunnel was ready. That effort wouldn't be wasted.
"The day after tomorrow is the finals. At that time, I will make my move, seizing the chestnut from the fire. You two, stay sharp…"
Du Bushi looked at Yu Tao, hesitated, then changed his words.
"No, Lang Ya, you keep watch. Grab Jiang Jue and escape through the tunnel immediately. I will hold off the pursuers."
"This mission concerns the future of our Body Sect. You are allowed only success, not failure!"
"Yes, Sect Master!"
Both Lang Ya and Yu Tao responded in unison.
A fierce light flashed in all three of their eyes.
Overhead, the bright moon hung silently, pouring its silver radiance upon the earth.
(End of Chapter)