After a brief meeting, Zhang Peng, the Scorpion Tiger Douluo, led by Jing Hongchen, donned his flying soul tool and soared into the sky.
With him, the leader of Mingde Hall, there was no such thing as a flight restriction order in Mingdu.
"Having lived here for two years, what do you think of Mingdu?" Jing Hongchen still used his bionic flying soul tool, looking quite elegant.
Huo Yuhao paused, scanning the towering, continuous buildings below. Golden light bathed this ancient yet youthful city, and he exclaimed, "The number one city in the world."
The praise pleased Jing Hongchen greatly. He smiled and said, "In my opinion, all cities on the Douluo Continent in the future will develop in this direction, even your Shrek City." Qian
Duoduo did not refute. With the development of the times, city walls would inevitably become history in the future, but by then he would be long dead and would not live to see that day.
"Speaking of which, I should thank you," Jing Hongchen said, his tone gentle.
Upon hearing this, Qian Duoduo and Ye Guyi were both stunned for a moment, while Huo Yuhao asked in confusion, "Thank me?"
Jing Hongchen explained frankly, "My grandson and granddaughter are absolute geniuses within the Empire, but geniuses all have a common flaw: excessive pride. This is not conducive to their growth. Some of the things you said in the Star Luo Empire have served as encouragement for them. Since then, the two children have changed their personalities, and as their grandfather, I am naturally happy."
Perhaps Ye Guyi didn't understand, but Qian Duoduo instantly grasped the meaning, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.
Huo Yuhao was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected that his boastful words would actually change Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
Before long, the four of them flew out of the Mingdu area, and here, everything seemed to have quieted down.
But suddenly, Jing Hongchen's tone became serious, "There's something I need to clarify with you, as a way of thanking Huo Yuhao for your help to my grandson and granddaughter."
Reddish soul power waves swirled around them, resisting all the blows of the gale.
Qian Duoduo and Huo Yuhao couldn't help but look at Jing Hongchen.
The next moment, Jing Hongchen solemnly transmitted his voice, "Our destination is Maple Leaf City. I will return later to wait for the Shrek Academy experts to bring you back, but… someone will ambush you on the way, and their strength is formidable. Even if a Super Douluo comes, it's highly unlikely they will be enough."
Huo Yuhao frowned slightly, looking at Jing Hongchen's retreating figure with a puzzled expression. Qian Duoduo's pupils contracted; he wanted to ask something but didn't know how to begin. Jing Hongchen, supposedly their enemy, was actually saying these things.
"Sect Master Hongchen, what do you mean by this?" But quickly, Qian Duoduo calmed down and asked what the other meant.
Jing Hongchen chuckled lightly, "You're probably wondering why I, as an enemy, would tell you this, aren't you? It's simple. The Hongchen family now only has three members left: myself and these two children. I'm worried that when the empire descends into chaos, it will impact my Hongchen family, so I need to find ways to cultivate goodwill beforehand." "As for me," Huo Yuhao and Qian Duoduo exchanged a glance, suddenly understanding something.
"If it weren't for these two children, I could act without restraint. But I have no choice; they hold my weakness, and I can't argue with them." Gradually, everyone quieted down. Jing Hongchen gazed ahead, a hint of worry in his smile. He knew very well that after choosing to side with the Crown Prince, whether intentionally or unintentionally, he was destined to be a thorn in the side of the nobles who had sided with the Second Prince, who wanted to remove him immediately. Perhaps his enemies wouldn't attack him, but Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were different. If anyone harbored murderous intent, the trouble would be immense. Even… Jing Hongchen's eyes turned cold. The one who would act might not necessarily be those nobles; it could be the Crown Prince. Those in power are adept at framing others. As a grandfather, the only thing he can do right now is pave the way for his grandchildren, even if that path might never be needed; it's all just his overthinking. Several hours later, finally, after a long distance, the group saw a sizable city. At a glance, the city was enveloped in maple forests, dazzling like a brilliant flame. Qian Duoduo's arm sprouted a cannon barrel, which fired into the air, quickly exploding into a green Shrek monster-like light and shadow. The light and shadow flickered, containing astonishing soul power fluctuations. This was a special signal flare belonging to the Shrek Academy Dean's level, impossible for outsiders to replicate. With the signal flare clearing the way, the group entered Maple Leaf City. On the high city walls, many elite soldiers of the Heavenly Soul Empire watched them until they disappeared from sight. Without the signal flare, anyone flying in the air would be blocked. It was still Maple Leaf Square, where the group had been waiting for a long time. Huo Yuhao looked up and a smile appeared on his face. Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er were waiting in Maple Leaf Square. Seeing Huo Yuhao return, the two deans also smiled. Of course, without the exchange students from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, they would still stay at Shrek Academy for another six months. Upon landing, Jing Hongchen stood still, occasionally glancing at a certain point in the sky, seemingly wary of something. "Teacher, Dean Xian." Huo Yuhao quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the two. Xian Lin'er nodded with a smile. With Huo Yuhao's help, Shrek Academy had obtained a total of 1,750 soul tool blueprints. Although top-tier soul tool blueprints were few, the rest would definitely allow Shrek's soul tool department to advance several levels and save countless years of research time. What Xian Lin'er didn't know was that even Huo Yuhao in the original story only replicated 1,376 blueprints. This was the change brought about by Huo Yuhao's powerful spiritual strength. "Not bad, you've grown taller again." Yan Shaozhe smiled broadly at the tall and upright Huo Yuhao. He had a lot to say, but in the end, he only patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder. Then he walked towards Jing Hongchen, clasped his hands, and said, "Hall Master Hongchen, we meet again." "Dean Yan, you are as dashing as ever." Jing Hongchen replied politely, then asked what he was thinking, "How are my grandson and granddaughter doing?" Mentioning this, Yan Shaozhe smiled and said, "Hall Master Hongchen, don't worry, the two children are living very well in the academy, and their cultivation is progressing exceptionally smoothly. If nothing unexpected happens, your grandson will likely break through to Soul Saint by the time the next competition begins." Hearing this, Jing Hongchen's eyes lit up, and Huo Yuhao's expression also changed slightly. In the original story, Xiao Hongchen used drugs and the foundation of the next few years to forcibly break through to Soul Saint. Unexpectedly, things have changed in this life. "Good, good, good." For the old man, nothing could make him happier than his descendants becoming stronger. Jing Hongchen's smile was full of an elder's satisfaction with the results of his juniors' efforts.
"Perhaps we should wait a bit," Yan Shaozhe suddenly transmitted his voice to Jing Hongchen, Huo Yuhao, and Ye Guyi.
The three were startled, and following Yan Shaozhe's helpless gaze, they immediately understood.
They saw Qian Duoduo embracing Xian Lin'er, their backs to them, whispering to each other. It was understandable; the couple hadn't seen each other for two years, so naturally they had a lot to say.
"Really?" Qian Duoduo looked at Xian Lin'er excitedly, his neck flushed red, veins bulging.
Xian Lin'er's face showed a mixture of embarrassment, relief, and anticipation. "My mother wants to hold her grandson. Although we're not young anymore, we're still considered young for Soul Masters, so..."
Qian Duoduo's breath hitched, "Or I should immediately write a report and go back, saying I'm returning to the academy early."
Xian Lin'er reached out and pinched Qian Duoduo's waist, then turned him around, causing the three men watching behind to feel a sharp pain in their waists and instinctively take a few steps back.
Ye Guyi stood there, watching the three retreat, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"What's the rush? Another six months won't make a difference," Xian Lin'er said irritably.
Qian Duoduo chuckled sheepishly, "I've waited far too many years, haven't I?"
Xian Lin'er rolled her eyes but said nothing more, calmly turning away.
Qian Duoduo scratched his head, grinning foolishly.
The couple's conversation had been transmitted through soul power, so outsiders couldn't hear it, but seeing Qian Duoduo's beaming face, Huo Yuhao's expression turned strange.
In the original story, Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo only broke through that barrier of romantic relationship after the beast tide attacked Sen Shrek City; could it be earlier in this life?
Jing Hongchen and Qian Duoduo lingered for a few more minutes before finally setting off again to return to Mingdu.
The four of them remained in the square.
Xian Lin'er watched Qian Duoduo's figure, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
"Let's go, let's go to the hotel to rest first," Yan Shaozhe said, glancing at Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi.
Following Yan Shaozhe's footsteps, the group soon arrived at a luxuriously decorated hotel. Upon entering the living room, Huo Yuhao was surprised to see several people.
"Grandmaster, Elder Xuan, Elder Song?"
Huo Yuhao's eyes widened. Three elderly men were sitting on the soft sofa.
It was Elder Mu, Elder Xuan, and Elder Song.
Good heavens, Shrek Academy's top combat power has gathered!
Mu En nodded gently to Huo Yuhao, then looked at Ye Guyi and smiled, "You possess an extremely rich aura of light and holiness; truly worthy of the Holy Angel Martial Soul."
As he spoke, Elder Mu extended his hand, and in an instant, strands of light gathered in his palm, eventually forming a ball of light, from which the faint sound of a dragon's roar could be heard.
Mu En said, "Consider this ball of light a gift from this old man to you."
Ye Guyi's beautiful eyes widened slightly. She could naturally sense the power within the sphere of light; once absorbed, her cultivation would definitely increase. However… being a newcomer, she couldn't make a decision yet.
"Take it," Huo Yuhao said encouragingly.
Ye Guyi then looked at the many elders, and with everyone's smiles and gestures, she respectfully accepted the sphere of light. "Thank you, senior."
"Just call me Elder Mu; 'senior' is too distant," Mu En said cheerfully.
"Elder Mu," Ye Guyi called out again.
Everyone chuckled.
"Perfect timing, with you all here, Grandmaster, our safety should be completely guaranteed," Huo Yuhao said in a deep voice as he sat down beside Ye Guyi.
"Someone wants to attack you?" Xian Lin'er frowned, a murderous intent flashing in her eyes.
"That's right," Huo Yuhao nodded. "It's the Holy Spirit Sect."
"The Holy Spirit Sect." Upon hearing this, the eyes of the assembled experts all flashed with cold light.
Only Mu En's expression showed a hint of melancholy. Upon arriving in Maple Leaf City, he had sensed a familiar fluctuation of soul power.
His old friend had indeed arrived; unsurprisingly, he had joined the Holy Spirit Cult.
However, something was amiss. Besides his friend, there seemed to be another powerful aura, fleetingly appearing, its strength estimated to be only slightly weaker than his own, most likely at the Limit Douluo level.
Yet this unfamiliar aura wasn't associated with his friend, which was truly strange.
Who could it be?
Mu En's eyes flickered as he pondered.
"Speaking of which, the Red Dust Hall Master even proactively revealed this information to me," Huo Yuhao added.
"Jing Hongchen?" Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er, Elder Xuan, and Elder Song were all taken aback.
"It seems he's worried about his grandchildren," Xuan Zi casually remarked, sipping his juice. "After all, they're still in our academy."
"No, he's worried that the Sun Moon Empire's court will harm his grandchildren," Huo Yuhao shook his head.
The Sun Moon Empire's court?
Shrek Academy naturally had an intelligence network within the Sun Moon Empire, and upon hearing Huo Yuhao's words, they immediately understood.
However, the more chaotic the Sun Moon Empire became, the more advantageous it would be for Shrek Academy, and even the original Douluo Three Kingdoms.
Huo Yuhao looked up at Mu En, "Grandmaster, how do you suggest we return?"
"Just fly back openly," Mu En said calmly.
"Wouldn't flying back openly be too risky? Teacher, should we split up? One group to attract the attention of the evil soul masters, and another group to quickly return to the academy?" Yan Shaozhe had an idea.
"No need," Mu En shook his head, "I already know very well who the enemy is. On the contrary, I'd like to take this opportunity to see him, after all, we've been friends for over two hundred years."
Two hundred years of friends?
Everyone paused, then realized something, their expressions changed, and they became extremely vigilant.
Ye Guyi was still confused, but Huo Yuhao explained it to her, and she was also startled.
The enemy of the Limit Douluo?
Thinking about it, she couldn't help but worry about Huo Yuhao.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Huo Yuhao said calmly, a flash of silver-white light passing through his eyes—the power of time.
"That's enough, let's go." Mu En slowly stood up, leaning on his cane as he walked out. Yan Shaozhe hurriedly stepped forward to help him, but was glared at and sent away by Mu En.
*I've finally managed to walk steadily again, can't you let me walk a little longer and enjoy the experience?*
With Mu En leading the way, no one said anything more, but the powerful figures spread out, protecting Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi in the middle.
Leaving Maple Leaf City, Mu En flew ahead, Xuanzi and Yan Shaozhe on the right, and Song Lao and Xian Lin'er on the left, protecting Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi as they flew slowly.
With the protection of the powerful figures' soul power, Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi didn't consume much soul power throughout the journey, and on the return trip, they only needed to enjoy the scenery.
Time ticked by, and the group had penetrated deep into the southern border of the Heavenly Soul Empire, drawing ever closer to Shrek City. As far as the eye could see, only dense vegetation and the deep, secluded mountains stretched out before them. Sunlight streamed down, and occasionally, the smoke from villages nestled in the forests could be heard.
A few clouds hung in the sky, their azure color exceptionally clear.
"What if the evil soul masters aren't coming?" Yan Shaozhe asked with some doubt, estimating they would reach Shrek City in another hour.
Xuanzi lazily took a bite of his chicken leg. "With our current lineup, unless two Limit Douluos arrive, who can handle us? I think they've most likely run away."
Mu En chuckled. "What if two Limit Douluos really do come?"
"Uh…" Startled by Mu En's question, Xuanzi froze, opening his mouth but unable to find a response.
Old Song joked, "At my speed, taking two kids away shouldn't be a problem. Xuanzi, you can cover the rear. Anyway, you're tough, you can take a few more beatings without a problem. Even if you lose an arm or a leg, Old Zhuang can make up for it, right?"
"Oh, you're hoping I lose an arm or a leg, aren't you?" Xuanzi's face darkened, and he couldn't help but retort.
"No, no." Old Song shook his head with a smile.
"Tch, I think you are." Xuanzi said irritably.
"Haha."
Not to mention Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er, even Mu En couldn't help but laugh.
Ye Guyi looked at Huo Yuhao with a strange expression, as if to say, is this how the big shots in your academy usually behave?
Huo Yuhao nodded helplessly.
Yes, that's right.
"Whoosh."
Suddenly, just as everyone was laughing at Xuanzi and the air was getting a little happier, Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi suddenly felt a terrifying aura appear around them.
Blue, gold, and earth yellow soul power light bloomed, bringing a heavy sense of oppression.
Mu En lowered his eyelids, slightly raised his hand, and led everyone to stop flying, his gaze calmly fixed on the distance.
"Enemy attack!"
Ye Guyi's heart tightened, but seeing everyone else's calm expressions, she felt somewhat embarrassed, then feigned composure as well.
"Scorpion Tiger Douluo Zhang Peng."
She hadn't expected him to come again in this life.
Huo Yuhao's spiritual power was exceptional; he noticed the problem almost simultaneously with Mu En and the others. His spiritual eyes looked into the distance, only to see that the once clear sky was now covered with layers of dark clouds, like locusts sweeping towards their location.
The sky darkened abruptly, as if the light had been completely swallowed up.
"Hehehehehe." As the dark clouds approached with an overwhelming sense of impending doom, a low, cold laugh echoed. "I've been waiting for you for a long time, haven't I... um?"
Everyone looked up at the sky, silently listening to the cold laugh, but suddenly, the laugh stopped abruptly, replaced by terror.
Mu En, leaning on his cane, stood with his feet firmly planted in mid-air, his face calm as he spoke: "Old man, I remember someone saying that I would never walk in this world before I die. Zhang Peng, you haven't kept your promise."
Mu En's voice was extremely calm, but when it landed on the swirling dark clouds, an eerie silence suddenly descended.
"Mu... Elder Mu?" Within the dark clouds, a massive tiger's head slowly materialized. Logically, a tiger's head should be more frightening, but at this moment, the tiger's face was incredibly stiff, even displaying visibly fear.
Inside the dark clouds, Scorpion Tiger Douluo Zhang Peng floated there blankly, staring at Mu En, feeling a cold sweat break out on his back.
Why didn't the Grand Elder stop him just now?
And nobody told him that Moon would be coming along!
Oh no, I'm going to get a beating.
====================
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(End of Chapter)