Zhu Ziyang and the other four traveled slowly, making occasional stops, and by dusk they had reached a vast plain. This was the only open plain between Shrek City and Star Luo City, and also the only path connecting the two.
Upon entering the plain, Zhu Ziyang could clearly sense that Elder Song's aura was steadily rising. Beside them, Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er had already adjusted themselves to peak condition, ready to respond to an ambush at any moment.
Suddenly, Elder Lin, walking at the front, stopped in her tracks. Without warning, the Tianhe Umbrella appeared in her hand. With a light wave, a massive version of the umbrella unfurled, instantly shielding the group beneath its canopy.
At the same time, a barrage of soul tool artillery shells rained down from the sky like a storm of falling blossoms. They pounded against the umbrella and the surrounding earth. Dust billowed, debris flew, and shrapnel scattered in all directions—but none of it breached the Tianhe Umbrella's protection.
"They're here!" Elder Lin exchanged glances with Elder Song, Xian Lin'er, and Cai Mei'er. A flicker of both delight and seriousness flashed in their eyes. Elder Lin commanded, "Lan'er, protect Ziyang. Lin'er, Mei'er, be ready to act on my signal!"
"Yes!" The three immediately nodded in acknowledgment.
"Ziyang, if a fight breaks out, stick close to Elder Song. Understand?" Elder Lin warned, "This may only be the first wave. More will come. Don't act on your own!"
"I will, Elder Lin!" Zhu Ziyang nodded solemnly.
Once the bombardment ceased, the Tianhe Umbrella vanished, and silence once again fell over the vast plain. Unexpectedly, aside from the round of soul tool shelling, the enemy made no further moves.
However, the hidden auras around them only grew stronger, which greatly displeased Elder Lin. She gave a cold snort and snapped, "Cowards hiding in the shadows, come out!"
But her provocation was ignored. The enemy clearly had no intention of revealing themselves. A voice, impossible to distinguish as male or female, echoed across the plain via a loudspeaker:
"Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor, we leave it to you!"
The voice carried far into the horizon, and everyone—including Elder Lin—showed looks of surprise and suspicion. Zhu Ziyang could feel the unease rising in Elder Song's heart. That name—Dragon Emperor—could it be... that one?
His question was soon answered. A figure appeared at the far end of the plain. As the sunset cast its golden glow, the man's features were slowly revealed—an elderly man with neatly combed silver hair, a youthful red complexion that belied his age, long brows hanging past his cheeks, and a tall, graceful frame clad in elegant black robes.
"It's really you!" Elder Lin's expression was full of shock and disbelief. "Brother Xiaoyao!"
"Hahaha, long time no see, Ah Qun," the old man chuckled. He called the over-two-hundred-year-old Elder Lin Ah Qun, a clear sign of his seniority and high status. "Didn't expect our reunion would be under these circumstances!"
Zhu Ziyang was now certain of his identity.
Long Xiaoyao.
One of the Twin Sacred Dragons.
The Dark Sacred Dragon.
A Rank 99 Limit Douluo.
Dragon Emperor Douluo — Long Xiaoyao!
"Brother Xiaoyao, why would you get involved in this?" Elder Lin asked, clearly baffled. Long Xiaoyao was a close friend of Elder Mu En and had once guided her in her youth. She never imagined they would meet again as enemies. To her knowledge, Long Xiaoyao had no direct ties to the Heavenly Soul Empire's royal family.
"Sigh. A debt from my youth," Long Xiaoyao answered bitterly. "Never thought it would be used for something like this."
At his words, Elder Lin realized the situation couldn't be resolved peacefully. Long Xiaoyao was a man who took promises seriously. Though they were acquaintances, their bond wasn't strong enough for him to break his word. Her expression turned grim, as did those of Elder Song, Xian Lin'er, and Cai Mei'er. They all knew who Long Xiaoyao was—and none had expected him to get involved.
"Don't worry," Long Xiaoyao said, smiling as he saw their tension. "I won't make things difficult. I only need the child, Zhu Ziyang, to come with me. I believe Mu En will pick him up later."
"No!" Elder Lin refused decisively. "Brother Xiaoyao, I won't hide it—Ziyang is Elder Mu's final disciple. We absolutely cannot let you take him."
"Must we really do this?" Long Xiaoyao sighed. "I don't want to fight, let alone harm you. Just let me take the boy. Shrek Academy is already too strong. If you let him grow under your care, many others will lose sleep at night!"
"You overthink things, Brother Xiaoyao."
The response didn't come from Elder Lin, but from a stooped figure who suddenly appeared in front of her. Four more elders appeared behind Zhu Ziyang and the others.
As soon as the hunched elder arrived, the oppressive pressure from Long Xiaoyao vanished. Everyone's faces lit up with joy as they turned to face this seemingly frail yet unshakably steady figure, like a pillar holding up the heavens.
"Teacher! (Elder Mu!)" they all cried out excitedly.
Indeed—it was the Light Sacred Dragon, the Dragon God Douluo, Mu En, the other half of the Twin Sacred Dragons.
Though they had expected him, the sight of Mu En in the flesh still stirred joy and excitement in their hearts.
"Hahaha, Brother Mu, long time no see!" Long Xiaoyao greeted joyfully, unsurprised by Mu En's arrival.
"It has been a long time indeed, Brother Xiaoyao." Mu En replied warmly. "You still look as full of spirit as ever. I, however, can't hold on much longer."
"Then why stir up such a storm?" Long Xiaoyao asked with confusion. "Wouldn't it be better to rest peacefully on Sea God Island? Or are you looking for people to join you in death?"
"Haha, not at all," Mu En chuckled. "I simply want to help the younger generation a bit, so their path ahead might be easier. I just didn't expect you to get involved too."
"You sly old man!" Long Xiaoyao laughed and scolded. "You're dying and still scheming to drag others into it. Looks like I ruined your plan, didn't I?"
His gaze swept over everyone behind Mu En—each one given precisely three seconds of scrutiny, except Zhu Ziyang.
He couldn't help but marvel: eight Super Douluo from Shrek Academy mobilized at once—only the Holy Spirit Cult could match this force!
"Still," Mu En said with a chuckle, "there's always another chance."
In his view, Shrek could afford to lose many battles—but their enemies only had one shot.
"Heh." Long Xiaoyao understood this well. He turned his attention to Zhu Ziyang. "So this is the boy—Zhu Ziyang?"
"Yes!" Mu En said proudly, his face glowing. "Ziyang, come greet your Uncle Long."
Zhu Ziyang stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Greetings, Uncle Long. I am Teacher's last disciple—Zhu Ziyang!"
"Hahaha! Good lad!" Long Xiaoyao laughed heartily. "What a shame this isn't the right time. Otherwise, I'd have prepared a gift for our first meeting."
He then looked at Mu En with envy. "Brother Mu, I truly envy you. To take in such a student in your twilight years! Ultimate Light... sigh, why couldn't it have been Ultimate Darkness?"
"No need to fret, Brother Xiaoyao," Mu En said, understanding his friend's concern for passing on his legacy. "You still have plenty of years left. One day, you'll find the right disciple!"
"Hah! If only it were that easy!" Long Xiaoyao sighed. "Only someone with an Ultimate Darkness martial soul is worthy. But those are so rare—maybe one in a hundred years!"
"True enough," Mu En nodded in agreement.
And so, the two Limit Douluo stood in the middle of the plain reminiscing, and no one dared interrupt.
The ones hidden in the shadows could do nothing but wait anxiously. They had already paid a heavy price to enlist the Dragon Emperor Douluo—how could they dare urge him to act now?
All they could do was pray: Please, Dragon Emperor, hurry and make your move—stop chatting with Mu En!
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