Becoming a Child of Fortune

After Du Busi and Lin Ran left, the Shrek Academy group escorted Mu En back to the Sea God Pavilion.

The moment he returned to his personal reclining chair, Mu En's aura visibly withered.

"Elder Mu, are you alright?"

Everyone from Shrek Academy was deeply worried.

"I'm fine. I'll recover after resting for a few days. Go attend to your duties."

Leaning back in his chair, Mu En lightly waved a hand. His eyelids drooped, and his dim yellowed eyes had lost their light.

Xuan Zi took a swig of wine, frowning with concern. "Elder Mu, how should we deal with Du Busi and the Body Sect?"

Mu En raised his eyes and glanced at Xuan Zi. He sighed, then closed his eyes again and said in a low voice:

"It's fine. We should proceed as usual. The Body Sect is not our enemy now. In fact, looking at the bigger picture, Du Busi's breakthrough is a good thing for us."

Xuan Zi's deeply wrinkled brow furrowed, clearly unconvinced.

"Elder Mu, given Du Busi's vindictive nature, we should still be more careful. This time, he came specifically to get revenge on us."

With his eyes closed, Mu En said calmly, "Though Du Busi may be lacking in minor matters, he will make the right choice when it comes to major issues of right and wrong. Enough, Xuan Zi. You may all leave."

Xuan Zi, Yan Shaozhe, and the others had no choice but to depart from the Sea God Pavilion one by one. In the end, only a gentle young woman remained.

After everyone had left, Zhang Lexuan dropped to her knees before Mu En with a thud. Her head was lowered, and guilt filled her eyes.

"Elder Mu, the academy was humiliated today because of me."

"Silly child!"

Mu En opened his eyes to look at Zhang Lexuan, then closed them again with a long sigh.

"What happened back then was not your fault. What was wrong with avenging your family? The one at fault was this old man. I should never have let greed take hold of me."

"Elder Mu!" Zhang Lexuan looked up at Mu En.

With heaviness in his voice, yet also a trace of release, Mu En slowly said:

"At the time, my grave injuries had yet to heal. Within the academy, Xuan Zi, Shaozhe, and the others were not yet capable of shouldering great responsibility. Among the younger generation, Xiaotao was troubled by Evil Fire, and there was no one else outstanding. Then I met you. Seeing your exceptional talent, greed rose in my heart. I wanted to use the matter of avenging your family to make you Bei Bei's child bride, binding you to the academy."

"Looking back now, I was ultimately wrong. That was why we suffered today's humiliation."

"No!" Zhang Lexuan shook her head, her emotions growing agitated as she stubbornly said, "Back then, I was the one who begged you to help me take revenge. Becoming Bei Bei's child bride was also my own choice. If it hadn't been for you, my enemies would probably still be living freely and happily."

"Silly child. If I had merely accepted you into the academy instead of using your revenge to demand repayment for my favor, then with your talent, you would have eventually been able to kill your enemies with your own hands. In the end, it was still my greed that led me astray. Now, I regret what I did back then."

"A person must dare to face their own mistakes. If I was wrong, then I was wrong. I, Mu En, still have that much responsibility. There is no need for you to forcibly take the blame upon yourself."

Mu En coughed several times and spoke in a deep voice.

Zhang Lexuan lowered her head, weeping silently.

Mu En's eyes were half-open as he looked at Zhang Lexuan. After hesitating for a moment, he made up his mind and said firmly, "Since I know I was wrong, then let us correct this mistake today. Girl, from now on, you are no longer Bei Bei's child bride."

"Elder Mu! I—" Zhang Lexuan suddenly looked up, panic abruptly filling her heart.

Mu En interrupted her firmly. "Girl, you should not be trapped by this vow. Bei Bei only sees you as an older sister now, and in the future, he will have his own destined relationship. What comes next will depend on your own fate. The only thing this old man cannot set aside is the academy. Lexuan, this is this old man's only request: I hope that you can help me protect the academy in the future."

With tears in her eyes, Zhang Lexuan kowtowed. "Elder Mu, I will forever remember your kindness. I swear that I will protect Shrek Academy well, until the day I die."

Mu En nodded in satisfaction.

Elsewhere, Lin Ran and his group were heading toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

As Du Busi led the two of them onward, he asked meaningfully, "Disciple, what did you think of the strength of those two people you fought?"

Lin Ran shook his head. "They weren't weak. I was simply stronger."

Du Busi nodded. "That's right. Your current strength is roughly comparable to a Soul Ancestor with a top-tier strength-type Martial Soul."

At that point, his tone shifted and his expression turned solemn.

"Disciple, I am very satisfied with your strength. However, you must still guard against arrogance and impatience."

"Our Body Sect cultivates Bloodline Power. In the early stages, we rely on medicinal herbs, so our progress is naturally faster than that of ordinary soul masters, and we are stronger at the same level. But after a Martial Soul's second awakening, Bloodline Power must be gradually tempered through one's own body. It may even affect the cultivation of Soul Power. At that time, the gap between us and other soul masters will no longer be so great. Do you understand?"

Lin Ran said seriously, "I will remember Teacher's teachings."

In truth, Lin Ran did not believe his rate of progress would slow down. For cultivating Bloodline Power, he had the Marrow Cleansing Scripture. For cultivating Soul Power, he had the Longevity Skill. The two would even promote each other. Sharpening the axe did not delay the cutting of firewood; there was no need to worry about being distracted. If anything, his rate of progress would only become faster and faster.

But he understood Du Busi's intentions, so he agreed.

Du Busi smiled and nodded in satisfaction.

He had known that Lin Ran would never become arrogant over a little achievement. Still, as his teacher, he needed to praise him properly when praise was due and warn him when warning was needed.

Du Busi then asked, "Disciple, is that branch from the Golden Ancient Tree useful to you?"

Lin Ran nodded. "It is highly compatible with me. I have a feeling that once I return and absorb the Life Essence within it, my Martial Soul will reach the threshold of its second awakening."

To him, the branch that contained the Golden Ancient Tree's origin was even more effective than immortal herbs.

Du Busi's eyes lit up. "That quickly?"

Lin Ran said, "It is mainly because I also have the Marrow Cleansing Scripture. Vitality can promote the cultivation of the Marrow Cleansing Scripture, while the Marrow Cleansing Scripture can promote my Martial Soul Evolution and strengthen my Bloodline Power."

Du Busi clicked his tongue regretfully. "Had I known it worked this well, I would've asked Mu En for more."

Lin Ran shook his head. "Two pieces are enough."

Before long, Shrek City vanished from view, while the Star Dou Great Forest came into sight.

The endless forest dyed the entire sky green, and the forest's unique scent of grass, trees, and life soothed the spirit.

The three decided to rest outside the Star Dou Great Forest for a while before entering it.

Lin Ran also decided to use this opportunity to advance his status as a Child of Fortune.

Looking at the Star Dou Great Forest, Lin Ran silently recited in his heart, "System, advance my fortune and make me a Child of Fortune."

Lin Ran was already considering how he would explain the heavenly phenomenon to Du Busi when it appeared.

[Identity successfully advanced: Child of Fortune of the Douluo Continent.]

Lin Ran looked up at the sky. It was as ordinary as ever, and there was no disturbance in the Star Dou Great Forest either.

Lin Ran blinked. There were no golden lotuses blooming from the earth, no auspicious clouds descending from the heavens, and no ancient war chariots or phantoms of nine dragons and nine phoenixes circling around him.

So, this Child of Fortune had just been born so plainly and simply?

Lin Ran fell silent for a moment. He was not disappointed—peace and quiet suited him just fine.

It was just that he suddenly felt rather foolish for having spent so long considering whether he should become a Child of Fortune.

Since things had come to this, he might as well take a look at the newly reorganized mission.

Because the mission to become a Child of Fortune was an additional mission, it did not require him to spend any advance attempts. Even if he failed to complete it in the end, at most, his identity as a Child of Fortune would simply be revoked.

Thus, he did not have any particular demands regarding the mission.

[Mission generated: One favored by the plane may become a Child of Fortune, but becoming a Child of Fortune does not necessarily require the plane's favor. As strength grows and living beings turn toward you, fortune will naturally gather. Please meet the standards of a Child of Fortune—become a god, and gain the inclination of half the Douluo Continent's fortune. Time limit: Until death.]

Lin Ran pondered.

The mission itself was not much of an issue. He was definitely going to become a god. As for gaining the inclination of half of the continent's fortune, judging by the mission description, he probably needed to earn the recognition of those living beings?

Like how the first Angel God had cleansed the continent with holy light, and the first Sea God had conquered the oceans?

Lin Ran decided that he would slowly figure it out once he had the strength.