Camphor Tree Infused with the Power of the Sun

Mu En knew Xuan Zi could not offer any answer. He sighed to himself. "We have too much in common. We stand independent of the Empire, and we are both holy lands for Soul Masters, but those are not the key. The most crucial point is that Shrek Academy has made too many enemies. When we are strong, everything is fine. But once we weaken, our enemies will tear into us like hungry wolves."

"The world is changing, and we must change as well. I do not have much time left, though I can still protect the Academy for a while. But sooner or later, these burdens will be handed over to all of you. When that day comes, you will understand exactly what I am worried about."

"Mu En, you..." Hearing Mu En say that he did not have much time left, Xuan Zi's expression changed sharply.

To the outside world, the continent believed that he, the Taotie Douluo, was Shrek's strongest. But outsiders did not know that Mu En, lying in that chair, was the true strongest. With him around, no matter how turbulent the winds and clouds became, the Academy could stand unshaken.

If Mu En left, then...

"Do not worry. Before I die, I will still live to see Lexuan, Xiaotao, and the rest of that generation of youngsters grow up and take over the positions of us old fellows." Mu En spoke calmly. Having lived for over two hundred years, he had long since taken life and death lightly.

Xuan Zi fell silent. He did not know what to say.

Separated by the curtain, Mu En glanced at Xuan Zi and shook his head. "The Body Sect has been growing close to the Heaven Dou Empire's Royal Family recently. Pay close attention to them. Remember that."

"Yes." Xuan Zi's tone was heavy.

Meanwhile, after Zhang Lexuan left Sea God Pavilion, she first summoned Yao Haoxuan, who was carrying the camphor tree currently undergoing evolution. Together, they headed to the Botanical Garden, where Old Zhuang, one of Shrek's Elders, often stayed.

Located at the far right side of Sea God Island, it was the place with the greatest amount of vegetation. Within a special building stood a structure resembling an upside-down bowl, covered in countless herbaceous plants. Everything seemed hidden away from the world. In terms of Life Element, this place was almost second only to Sea God Pavilion.

The building's doors stood open, connected to a winding stone path that stretched outward. Zhang Lexuan and Yao Haoxuan did not waste any time and walked straight inside.

The moment they entered, the first thing they saw was Blue Silver Grass covering the ground, so abundant that it looked like wild grass. Hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room was an enormous petal-shaped Soul Guiding Lamp. Warm, gentle light spread from it, illuminating the entire interior.

The sound of flowing water came from all around them, accompanied by a faint, elegant floral fragrance.

It could be said that the space within this building was entirely like a garden. Countless rare species of herbaceous plants could be seen everywhere.

Whoosh.

A green gleam pulsed across the ground. The next moment, an elderly man with the rosy complexion of a child and graying hair appeared before them with a smile.

"Old Zhuang." Zhang Lexuan and Yao Haoxuan stopped walking and respectfully called out together.

"I already know the details. Take out that camphor tree and let me have a look." Old Zhuang spoke.

"Yes." Yao Haoxuan answered. He then activated his Soul Power, preparing to retrieve the camphor tree stored within his Soul Tool.

His Storage Belt could hold living creatures, but there were strict limitations on storing them. Intelligent life forms with a high degree of innate life essence could not be placed inside. A plant like this camphor tree, even if it was about to evolve into a Soul Beast, could not be considered a particularly powerful intelligent life form before its evolution was complete.

However, storing living creatures consumed a considerable amount of Soul Power, because he needed to continuously maintain it with Soul Power. The moment the Soul Power supply stopped, any living creature placed inside would be forcibly ejected.

Soon, a camphor tree six meters tall and as thick as a water vat appeared before the three of them. Its branches were lush with leaves, their color a deep green. It looked entirely normal, with nothing special about it. Yet strangely, the veins of those leaves seemed to contain strands of golden thread.

The golden threads were extremely subtle, almost hidden amid the dark green. Without exceptionally sharp perception, one might not even notice them.

The instant Old Zhuang saw the camphor tree, his gaze changed. His expression turned solemn as he strode over, reached out, and touched the trunk. Then, as though something had occurred to him, he willed it, and a vast amount of Life Attribute Soul Power poured from his hand directly into the camphor tree.

In an instant, layers of bluish-green light appeared over the camphor tree's brown bark. The leaves upon its branches turned tender green in moments, while a faint aura of life spread outward.

Just as Zhang Lexuan and Yao Haoxuan watched the scene curiously, Old Zhuang suddenly increased the amount of Soul Power he was pouring in. The Life Element around them grew extremely active, even becoming slightly viscous.

The phantom of an ancient tree brimming with powerful vitality flashed behind Old Zhuang. It was his Martial Soul, the Tree of Life.

Whoosh.

After receiving such an intense influx of Life Energy, something happened that shocked both Zhang Lexuan and Yao Haoxuan. The countless leaves of the camphor tree abruptly turned golden.

At the same time, a faint heat and warmth continuously radiated from the leaves.

They were both outstanding students of the Inner Court, yet they could not understand these changes.

"Old Zhuang, what is going on?" Zhang Lexuan hurriedly asked.

Old Zhuang stroked his beard and said in amazement, "This camphor tree's innate life essence has been infused with the Power of the Sun, causing it to undergo a mutational evolution. If I am not mistaken, once it evolves into a Soul Beast, it will possess both Fire Attribute and Light Attribute. It will certainly become a powerful Soul Beast."

"However, due to the innate shortcomings of this species, even after it becomes a Soul Beast, it will be difficult for it to increase its cultivation without external assistance."

"But that is no longer important. Lexuan, you have brought me an enormous surprise this time. This camphor tree can be cultivated in the future. Once it becomes a Soul Beast around the hundred-year level, its roots and leaves can be added during pill refinement. They will provide tremendous assistance in refining certain special pills that are difficult to make."

"Xiaotao's Martial Soul has been giving Shao Zhe a terrible headache. Perhaps with the help of this camphor tree, I can find a way to purify Xiaotao's Evil Fire. Even if it cannot cure the root cause, treating the symptoms will not be a problem."

"It is that miraculous?" Zhang Lexuan and Yao Haoxuan were somewhat astonished.

The Botanical Garden was, in fact, the place where Shrek's Inner Court refined pills.

"There is more." Old Zhuang's expression became serious. "I believe this tree still holds many secrets that I have yet to uncover. Leave the rest to me. I will sort it all out."

Zhang Lexuan's lovely face showed astonishment. She had not expected a tree they encountered midway to be this remarkable.

But... who had infused it with the Power of the Sun?

After leaving the Botanical Garden, Yao Haoxuan also prepared to depart. "Senior Sister, I need to make a trip to the Nine Treasures Auction House first. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's delegation has arrived."

"Go. Remember to receive the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's delegation properly," Zhang Lexuan reminded him.

"Do not worry. I am old acquaintances with them." Yao Haoxuan smiled and patted his chest.

After Yao Haoxuan left, Zhang Lexuan wandered alone to a pavilion. Gazing at the bright moon in the sky, she seemed to remember something. A rare look of desolation appeared on her gentle, beautiful face.

Soft moonlight fell over her, with only fireflies keeping her company.

For Old Zhuang's characterization, I referenced the animation. How should I put it? There was an inconsistency regarding Old Zhuang in the Original Work.

At first, there was a Soul Saint-level Tree of Life Soul Master whom Zhou Yi called over to help treat the students. But Old Zhuang was later introduced, and Old Zhuang was clearly a Titled Douluo. This did not fit, so I removed the Soul Saint setting and changed it directly to Old Zhuang.