"Really? The academy has changed that much? Did it really take me that long to absorb a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring?"
Su Yunlin had never expected that absorbing a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring would consume nearly an entire year of time.
"What just happened?" Tang Wutong asked.
Su Yunlin scratched his cheek and let out a sigh.
"Senior Golden Ancient Tree—Elder Jin—gave me a mission. He wants me to plant another Tree of Life somewhere on the continent. He already gave me the seed. The Seed of Nature is inside my heart now."
Even Mu En was startled.
The Golden Ancient Tree possessed its own consciousness. Throughout the generations, every master of the Sea God's Pavilion had been able to draw upon its power. As long as the Golden Ancient Tree remained standing within Shrek Academy, Shrek Academy would never truly fall.
Back when the Star Dou Forest had launched its beast tide, the Pavilion Master of the Sea God's Pavilion had relied on the might of the Golden Ancient Tree to barely fight Emperor Tian to a draw, allowing the academy and the Star Dou Forest to establish several agreements.
However, the Golden Ancient Tree's power was not inexhaustible.
Every use diminished it.
Each time its energy was called upon, the Golden Ancient Tree itself suffered damage. Once that accumulated damage reached a certain level, the tree would eventually wither away.
For that reason, whenever a Sea God's Pavilion elder approached the end of their lifespan, they would merge their spirit and Spirit Power into the Golden Ancient Tree.
Doing so not only allowed the tree to continue accumulating strength, but also enabled some elders to remain in existence in a special form for a longer period of time.
This was the agreement jointly established between the Sea God's Pavilion and the Golden Ancient Tree.
Mu En had originally intended to do the same. Once his own time had come, he would enter the Golden Ancient Tree and continue protecting Shrek Academy for a while longer.
But now, that was no longer necessary.
He could still live for some time yet.
Su Yunlin fell into thought.
Earlier, he had met the spirit of the Golden Ancient Tree. Contrary to what he had expected, it was not some blue-haired woman, but rather an elderly man whose entire body radiated golden light.
He called himself Elder Jin.
According to Elder Jin, the planet Douluo Continent had already begun showing signs of decline.
As humanity continued developing and endlessly extracting resources while hunting Spirit Beasts, the world's vitality had gradually weakened.
The collision between the two continents had certainly strengthened Douluo Continent itself, but the war that followed had also severely affected its ecology.
However, if another Tree of Life could be planted, then with two Trees of Life supporting the world together, they might barely be able to stabilize the increasingly deteriorating environment of Douluo Continent.
As for why the Golden Ancient Tree had chosen Su Yunlin...
No one knew.
...
God Realm.
Tang San quietly watched everything unfold and muttered to himself,
"Since you want to change Douluo Continent, then I'll give you a hand."
The breathtakingly beautiful woman beside him covered her mouth and laughed softly.
"Third Brother, can you be a little more honest? You clearly think Yunlin is a good kid and want to help him. Why are you acting so awkward? Is it because he stole Wutong away from you?"
Tang San curled his lips.
From top to bottom, he was extremely satisfied with Su Yunlin.
Su Yunlin was the type of person who understood exactly what he wanted and would take action to pursue it. His goals were clear, and his resolve was firm.
Most importantly, he treated his daughter very well and was completely devoted to her.
Tang San was especially pleased with that.
On the other hand, Huo Yuhao—the Child of Destiny—was much more complicated.
Although he possessed countless fortunate opportunities, he lacked a truly clear objective.
He was overly hesitant and indecisive by nature, his personality too soft.
The growth of a Child of Destiny often brought countless calamities in its wake, and such people usually possessed exceptional luck with women as well.
Tang San personally believed in unwavering devotion and disliked people who wavered between multiple affections.
Tang San let out a sigh.
"Douluo Star is already declining. If two Trees of Life are planted and the circulation of heaven and earth energy can be restored, then perhaps the fate of Douluo Star's decay can finally be reversed."
Xiao Wu seemed to think of something.
"Then why not let that Child of Destiny do it? He seems to be Old White Tiger Dai's descendant. Oh~ I get it now. You must think little Yunlin is more outstanding!
"I think so too! Not only is little Yunlin excellent, he's handsome, cooks well, and most importantly, he treats little Qi especially, especially well! Sister Xiao Wu approves of this son-in-law!"
Tang San's mouth twitched.
"I haven't even said anything yet…"
Xiao Wu shot him a glare.
"You disagree?"
"Uh... as long as Xiao Wu is happy."
A strict wife-controlled Tang San.
Xiao Wu lifted her chin slightly, looking like a victorious winner, before suddenly thinking of something else.
"Oh right, Yunlin's father—our future in-law—how did he create something so far ahead of its time?
"According to calculations, something like battle armor should only appear several hundred years later. How did he accomplish it in just a few years?"
Tang San chuckled.
"Isn't that because of that fellow Evil? Yunlin's entire family received blessings from the Evil God, making them extraordinarily talented in certain aspects. Su Jinming probably received a blessing related to researching soul tools."
Xiao Wu suddenly understood.
"So that's it. Evil always likes bending the rules because he's one of the old gods. Back then, the Asura God was the same. Among those old gods, how many actually follow the rules? The upper beam isn't straight, so the lower beam ends up crooked too."
Indeed, while the God Realm had rules, they could not restrain God Kings.
After all, God Kings were the makers of the rules.
...
Sea God Island.
Su Yunlin looked at Mu En.
"Teacher, I only just realized that your body has a serious problem. No matter how much vitality is poured into you, it won't increase your lifespan. It'll only make you feel somewhat better."
Su Yunlin discovered that Mu En's body resembled a wooden barrel riddled with countless holes.
No matter how much water was poured in, it would all leak away.
Fortunately, Mu En's cultivation was high enough. Previously, he had obtained some Life Essence from Su Yunlin, allowing him to wield greater strength. With his powerful cultivation and spiritual power, Mu En had temporarily sealed those holes.
Locking the Life Essence inside his body allowed him to survive a little longer.
After all, the lifespan limit of a Limit Douluo was around three hundred years.
A Limit Douluo who paid attention to maintaining their health could easily live to three hundred and fifty.
Mu En still had many years before reaching three hundred.
Of course, circumstances differed from person to person.
For a Titled Douluo, living two hundred years wasn't difficult. However, Titled Douluo constantly fought battles. Fighting inevitably damaged one's vitality, and once injuries accumulated over time, rapid aging would eventually follow.
So for a Titled Douluo, reaching the absolute limit of their lifespan was actually quite difficult.
Mu En was exactly such a case.
He had suffered too many injuries in his younger years, especially during the battle against Du Bisi, which severely damaged his body. Afterwards, he suffered backlash from the violent energy of the Dragon Core, leaving him in his current half-dead state.
Mu En nodded.
"I was too impatient back then. If I had been more steady, perhaps I would have attracted the attention of the God Realm."
Mu En's talent in his youth had been extraordinary. He had won his life-and-death battle against Du Bisi and later broke through to become a Limit Douluo.
He also possessed a priceless treasure—a Dragon Core condensed from a Light Holy Dragon Spirit Beast.
The Dragon Core had been both his greatest aid and the very thing that nearly ruined him.
Su Yunlin turned toward Tang Wutong.
"Tongtong, is there any immortal medicinal herb that could heal Teacher?"
Tang Wutong rubbed her chin while thinking.
"Yearning Heartbroken Red!"
Su Yunlin's mouth twitched.
"That's probably impossible. Next."
Tang Wutong sank into thought again.
"Got it! Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng! But Teacher is a Limit Douluo. A single Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng probably won't be enough. It would need many heavenly treasures and rare materials to supplement it.
"Although I do remember that the Tang Sect possesses an immortal-grade medicinal pill left behind by its founder—the Universe Creation Pill. It requires the essences of numerous heavenly treasures and immortal herbs to refine."
Su Yunlin looked speechless.
"Tong, at that point why don't you just call a god down from the heavens? Wouldn't having a deity heal Teacher be easier?"
Mu En simply watched the two with a warm smile.
Their relationship really was good.
This was exactly how young people should be.
"You two don't need to worry about this old man's matters. Everyone has their own fate. I've already accepted it. I can still live for another twenty years or so. If you really care about this old man, then make sure I get to see your future family someday."
The moment those words left his mouth, Su Yunlin and Tang Wutong immediately turned red with embarrassment. The topic had caught them completely off guard.
...
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