Golden Ancient Tree Underground World – Main Hall
Zhu Ziyang and Mu En were still seated together, speaking in low voices. After instructing Ziyang on the importance of building his own core team, Mu En shifted the conversation to stories from his youth.
"Ah, Long Xiaoyao… back when I was young, he and I were fierce rivals," Mu En said with a nostalgic smile. "At that time, we were both brimming with spirit, arrogant in our youth. Whenever we met, we had to fight first before we could sit down to talk. Our strengths were evenly matched—we'd trade victories, neither of us able to truly best the other.
"Haha… and in the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. Who would have thought we'd both end up Limit Douluo, with no hope of becoming gods, and both of us troubled by matters of the heart? Truly, misery loves company."
His smile faded into a look of helplessness. Zhu Ziyang listened quietly, unsure of how to comfort him—but Mu En, who had lived for over two and a half centuries, didn't need comforting. He knew well enough how to manage his own emotions.
So his helplessness quickly turned to pride. "Still, I was more fortunate than him. I took in a number of outstanding disciples—especially in my later years when I met you, the one I'm most satisfied with. By comparison, that old fellow Long Xiaoyao is alone. He's always been too proud, and all these years he's never taken on a disciple."
"Teacher, does Uncle Long have no family at all?" Ziyang asked in surprise. With Long Xiaoyao's status and strength, it didn't seem possible that he had no kin. Even if Mu En said he was troubled by love, surely he wouldn't remain single for life? As a Limit Douluo, wouldn't he want to pass down his Dark Sacred Dragon spirit?
"Hehe, I knew you'd ask that." Mu En chuckled, a trace of respect flashing in his eyes. "You probably wouldn't imagine it, but this Dragon Emperor Douluo, famous across the continent, is—like you—born of commoners."
"A commoner?!" Ziyang was indeed shocked.
"Yes. Long Xiaoyao was born in a civilian family in the Heavenly Soul Empire. His parents were only soul masters," Mu En explained. "After awakening his spirit, he studied at a local primary soul master academy, then advanced to an intermediate one, and later to the Heavenly Soul Royal Academy. It was there that he received help from a prince—owing him a debt. That debt is the very reason he involved himself in the conflict between us and the royalist faction.
"After that, he and I met during a disaster caused by evil soul masters, and later we crossed paths again at the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. That's when we both met a woman we fell in love with at the same time.
"In pursuit of her, we fought fiercely. But due to a series of misunderstandings, she disappeared from both our lives. Afterward, burdened by my family's responsibilities, I married and had children—my line eventually leading to Bei Bei's great-grandfather. He, on the other hand, spent his life searching for that woman, never marrying."
Mu En sighed. "In some ways, I admire him. I don't think I could have done what he did."
"Teacher, did Uncle Long ever find her?" Ziyang's curiosity was fully piqued now. He never imagined that the two great Douluo—Dragon God and Dragon Emperor—had once been part of a love triangle. How could something so juicy not be in the Academy's records?
"Heh…" Mu En let out a bitter laugh. "In the end, I lost to him in that matter. He searched for over a hundred years before finding her—and stayed by her side for another hundred."
"She must have been an extraordinary woman, to capture both your hearts," Ziyang said, fascinated.
"Of course," Mu En said, a look of deep reminiscence in his eyes. "She was the most remarkable woman I've ever met, the only one among our peers who could rival both Long Xiaoyao and me in talent—and the only one who ever defeated us both."
"She defeated both you and Uncle Long? Then… that means…" Ziyang's eyes widened in disbelief.
"That's right. She is also a Limit Douluo," Mu En said calmly.
"But if she's a Limit Douluo, why have I never heard of her?" Ziyang asked, sensing something was amiss. Surely such a powerhouse wouldn't be unknown.
"Her name is Ye Xishui," Mu En said with a bitter smile. "The reason you haven't heard of her is that after becoming a Limit Douluo, she never fought again."
"And… she's an evil soul master."
"An evil soul master?!" Ziyang was stunned. Was this some kind of joke? If she was an evil soul master, how could she have charmed both the young Mu En and Long Xiaoyao? Was her martial soul some kind of succubus?
"Yes," Mu En said, his expression full of helplessness. "Xishui had twin martial souls. Her first was the Light Phoenix, her second the Blood Soul Demon Puppet. When Long Xiaoyao and I met her, she only showed the first one, so we never realized she was an evil soul master. But I believe that if she'd had a choice, she would never have become one."
"Twin martial souls… Light Phoenix and Blood Soul Demon Puppet!" Ziyang couldn't help but click his tongue in astonishment. No wonder she could defeat both Mu En and Long Xiaoyao—her martial soul talent alone far surpassed theirs. "Light Phoenix? Isn't that the same martial soul as First Senior Brother?"
"That's right," Mu En nodded. "One of the main reasons I accepted Shao Zhe as my disciple was because of his Light Phoenix. Every time I see it, I'm reminded of her."
"…I see." Ziyang wanted to comment but held back. Instead, he asked, "Teacher, since Ye Xishui is an evil soul master and a Limit Douluo, was she the one who founded the Holy Spirit Cult?"
"No," Mu En shook his head. "The Holy Spirit Cult was founded by an evil soul master named Zhongli Laogui—her teacher. But Xishui is indeed its Supreme Leader now, and Long Xiaoyao serves as the cult's Chief Worshiper."
"I understand now," Ziyang thought. No wonder Mu En had been so calm when hearing about the Holy Spirit Cult—the top brass were old acquaintances.
"Ziyang, even though Xishui and Long Xiaoyao control the Holy Spirit Cult now, you must not show mercy in the future," Mu En said, his tone suddenly hard. "A tumor like that must be destroyed without hesitation. As for Xishui, Long Xiaoyao has promised me that when the time comes, he'll take her away into seclusion. You must not harm them."
"Teacher, you're thinking too highly of me. Those are two Limit Douluo. If anything, they'd be the ones showing mercy," Ziyang said, rolling his eyes.
"Hahaha! Don't underestimate yourself," Mu En replied with a laugh. "With your talent, you'll surpass them completely in fifteen years at most. When that time comes, you'll be the one deciding whether to show mercy."
"And what if they attack Shrek Academy within those fifteen years?" Ziyang asked, raising a realistic concern.
Mu En smiled. "Don't worry. Long Xiaoyao has promised me that for ten years after my death, he will prevent the Holy Spirit Cult from making any move against Shrek. Between the years I have left and that decade, you'll have enough time to grow strong."
"Teacher… it sounds like you're prepared to leave at any moment," Ziyang said, sadness creeping into his expression.
"Haha, there's no need for sorrow," Mu En said gently. "I've long been ready. If nothing goes wrong, my body can hold on for another three to five years. By then, you should reach Soul Sage—perhaps even Soul Douluo. When that time comes, I can leave without worry."
"Teacher…" Ziyang's nose stung. He stepped forward and grasped Mu En's hand. Though they had only known each other for three or four years, Mu En's care and affection had made Ziyang see him as family. Hearing these words now filled him with grief.
"Silly child…" Mu En said with warmth, patting his hand. "I can still protect you for a while yet. There's no need to be sad."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 early chapters available on Patreon: [email protected]/facficmax10