Reunion of the Three, Contracting Xue Di

Mu En and Mu Xuanheng arrived at the Extreme North together.

The wheelchair was a specially crafted Soul Tool.

"Xuanheng, your third soul ring effect is so powerful; what kind of soul beast do you intend to obtain?"

He informed Mu En that his next soul skill was Chaofeng Yuyuan, and its effect was to control elements. If the soul beast he obtained was proficient in a certain element, his control over that specific element would be stronger than others.

Mu En was a little worried that his good disciple might be too eager for quick success and try to obtain a ten-thousand-year soul ring for his third ring.

Clearly, his worry was unnecessary.

"Old man, the reason I asked you to come is that I want to try and sign a Contract with one of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North. To make them my soul beast."

"Hm, hmm?" Mu En realized something was wrong after the fact.

"The Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North? Those are all Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts."

"That is exactly why I asked you to come."

If it had been Xuan Zi, Mu Xuanheng would have been truly terrified. If he had a fit and went off to find something to eat, he would have died in the Extreme North. And it would have been the kind of death where not even a corpse remained.

Signing a Contract with one of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North meant starting with a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. That also meant his third soul ring would be a Hundred-Thousand-Year soul ring.

"Xuanheng!" Mu En wanted to stop his disciple from having such a crazy idea.

"Teacher!" This was the first time Mu Xuanheng had addressed Mu En this way, not even when he had first become his apprentice.

Mu En heard the persistence in Mu Xuanheng's voice: "We will just try. If the other party does not agree, we will leave and settle for a ten-thousand-year soul ring instead."

He conceded; Mu Xuanheng wanted more than even he did.

"No wonder you agreed to hold off on obtaining your third soul ring."

Mu En carried Mu Xuanheng as they flew through the Extreme North: "Have you decided who you are looking for? They are all powerhouses among soul beasts and do not bother to hide their presence. They can be found at will."

"We are looking for the one who is hiding."

He was not sure about the timing of Xue Di's transformation, so he did not know what state she was in at this moment.

If she had already been sealed, he would have no choice but to buy her or snatch her.

If she had not transformed, that would be a different matter; they could just negotiate properly.

Mu En used his spiritual power to sense the surroundings, noting two clearly powerful soul beasts.

Only the strongest, Xue Di, did not appear.

He looked at Mu Xuanheng in confusion: "Xue Di's cultivation is 690,000 years, approaching the heavenly tribulation. It is normal for her to hide her tracks at this time. You want to find Xue Di?"

"Yes. It is precisely because she is approaching the heavenly tribulation that I want to find her. The Contract can ensure she survives for a period of time; I don't think she will refuse."

Xue Di had hidden her existence, and even if he wanted to, it would be very difficult to find her now.

Failure was almost a certainty.

"If we can't find Xue Di, perhaps we can try Bing Di. She is also approaching the heavenly tribulation; perhaps that could work." Mu En wanted Mu Xuanheng to give up.

"Old man, do you know why I only asked you to bring me to find Xue Di at this time?"

Mu En: "Because Chaofeng gave a warning?"

Mu Xuanheng: "Yes, it is excited. The excitement of facing a life-and-death challenge. Chaofeng is dangerous; I want to create a dangerous situation myself."

Chaofeng did not have the ability to predict the future; he had simply been moving closer to the Extreme North every time. It had been dangerous before, but only this time was it incomparably excited.

"Not right!" Mu Xuanheng observed everything from high above, ignoring even the soul beasts he saw.

His gaze fell upon a person wearing a mask and a cloak.

"Found you." Chaofeng was throbbing; he could feel that excitement.

"Old man, follow that person, and be careful not to be discovered."

"That person feels somewhat familiar?" He did not understand, but he chose to follow anyway.

Mu En's strength was incomparably formidable, so it was easy for him to stay far away without being discovered.

When they stepped into an area that could not be detected by spiritual power, both of them immediately realized that this was the moment.

They rushed in and saw that the person was in the middle of sealing Xue Di.

His warning finally had an answer.

The person who appeared was none other than Ye Xishui, the Limit Douluo Ye Xishui.

Everything became clear. Why Xu Jiujiu had a cunning smile in the original story was because she believed that the Super Douluo would not be from the Sun Moon Empire.

Why she would sell it to the Star Luo Empire was because she did not get along with Mingde Hall.

And she herself was already fully equipped and no longer needed a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

The reason she did not recognize Xue Di was also because, in everyone's knowledge, only soul beasts that had just reached one hundred thousand years could undergo reincarnation.

Faced with the overly chaotic situation of the original work, Mu Xuanheng could only think of such a relatively reasonable explanation.

It was not he who called out the name, but Mu En.

"How could it be you?" He could feel the fluctuations in Mu En's emotions at this moment.

Ye Xishui turned to face them: "Mu En? It really is you. Aside from Long Xiaoyao, you are the only one who could follow me like this. But you even brought a little child along?"

Endless blood-colored light shrouded the two of them: "Mu En, I couldn't beat you in Shrek City, but do you think you can be stronger than me here? And look at you now? After your battle with Du Bisi, you can't even stand up straight anymore, can you?"

"Xishui, wake up. Do not create more slaughter because of your past experiences." He touched the surrounding blood-colored light and knew that Ye Xishui had killed many people once again.

Warm light replaced the blood-colored light, also shielding Mu Xuanheng.

Both of them simultaneously unleashed their soul rings: yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, black, red, red, red. All of them were peerless powerhouses with soul ring configurations that exceeded the norm, with black, black, black, black, black, black, red, red, red.

The Dragon Emperor Breaking Evil Crack clashed against the Death God Light, and the battle between the two ultimate powerhouses instantly devastated everything in the vicinity.

"Mu En, you are already crippled. Just stay in Shrek and rest; you cannot defeat me."

Mu En shook his head: "I truly cannot defeat you alone, but I am merely stalling for time."

Ye Xishui looked at him in disbelief: "That guy Xuan Zi can reach the limit?"

Mu En's expression remained unchanged. She looked at Mu Xuanheng and saw that his face was even calmer than water.

"Fine, Mu En. Originally, I thought that as long as you were alive, I wouldn't come out. What, are you trying to raise a Xuan Zi to suppress me?"

There was no trace of their former fake love or hatred between the two. Outsiders did not know their situation, but they knew it themselves.

Mu Xuanheng felt regret; he shouldn't have let Mu En come. Mu En's body could no longer withstand an ultimate battle.

Such an intense fight would only end his remaining lifespan prematurely.

He had originally only wanted Mu En to be a safety net, not to have him consume his life like this.

Use me! He wanted Mu En to use his body to unleash the power of the limit. Chaofeng was far stronger than the Bright Holy Dragon.

Mu En did not agree, because Mu Xuanheng could not possibly withstand the power of the limit.

"Xishui! Enough, Mu En's body can no longer withstand an ultimate battle." Another Ultimate Douluo descended from the sky: Long Xiaoyao.

The situation of the ultimate battle was now something he could no longer influence.

"What, Long Xiaoyao? Are you following me too?"

"Xishui, I..."

"Are you going to team up with Mu En to deal with me? The Black and White Holy Dragons slaying an Evil Soul Master—what a wonderful tale that would be." She mocked Long Xiaoyao viciously.

A tower appeared in her hand: the level-nine soul tool, the Death God Tower. Even in its incomplete state, it could boost her combat power.

Mu En had even less chance of victory.

Yet his gaze was even more determined than Mu Xuanheng's; this was nothing more than a fight to the death. Long Xiaoyao was caught in the middle, feeling incredibly uncomfortable.

"Mu En, are you going to fight to the death without putting down the child in your arms?" Her psychological attack was not aimed only at Mu En: "Little one, are you going to watch this old thing die?"

Ye Xishui put away the Death God Tower: "As long as you jump to the ground, I guarantee I won't continue fighting this Dragon God Douluo. How about it?"

They were at an altitude of a thousand meters; jumping down would mean certain death. And her words were absolutely not to be trusted.

Mu En: "Xishui, you cannot trick this child. He will not believe you."

Mu Xuanheng: "All you want is a way out, and I will grant it." Pushing away Mu En's arm, he jumped down himself.

Mu Xuanheng spread the wings of Chaofeng in mid-air, looking as if there was no risk of death.

But it only looked that way; below was the Extreme North, and a soul tool was crashing down from the sky.

Ye Xishui blocked Mu En, who wanted to go for a rescue: "A level-nine soul tool and a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Mu En, you only lost one disciple; aren't you happy?"

"Ye Xishui, you have gone too far."

The bright soul power was resisted by the dark soul power; how could Long Xiaoyao let him harm Ye Xishui?

"Mu En, that's enough from you too. You might as well wait until we leave to go find your disciple. If you insist on a fight to the death, your disciple will have no chance of survival. Don't forget, this is not Shrek City, but the Extreme North! The icy, snowy Extreme North."

The God Sealing Platform smashed into him, forcing his spread wings to close. He grabbed onto it with all his might.

"Xue Di, I know it is you. You can hear our conversation, right? I will release you, just help us!"

No demands, no conditions; he had no other way.

Placing hope in an outsider was an incredibly foolish thing to do, but he had no choice.

The God Sealing Platform was torn apart by the Chaofeng Dragon Claw, releasing Xue Di.

The terrifying cold instantly froze Mu Xuanheng. Even Huo Yuhao, with his Ultimate Ice, could not withstand such cold; how could he possibly resist it?

The entire Extreme North could feel Xue Di's fury.

A sword aura of ice and snow rose from below, shooting straight into the sky. It carried her sealed rage and the frost of the Extreme North.

Long Xiaoyao easily blocked this ice and snow sword aura.

"Xishui, we should go. The ruler of the Extreme North has awakened; let's not leave any injuries here."

Ye Xishui smiled faintly: "Mu En, find a way to live well. Perhaps the three of us can fight side by side in the future."

It was a naked mockery, but Mu En was in no mood to care about such things.

He hurriedly flew down and saw Mu Xuanheng lying beside Xue Di.

"Human, go save your disciple. It is already a miracle that he is still alive."

Between the fall from the high altitude and the freezing of Xue Di, Mu Xuanheng was already on the verge of death.

Channeling bright soul power into Mu Xuanheng's body, Mu En took out a medicinal pill and fed it to him. It was one he had prepared long ago.

A few seconds later, Mu Xuanheng regained consciousness.

He coughed a few times, accompanied by heart-wrenching pain. He paid no mind to it, forcing his body up only to feel at ease upon seeing Mu En.

"I'm sorry, Teacher. I was wrong. Next time, you shouldn't come out."

Mu En gently brushed over Mu Xuanheng's body: "This is not your fault. You did very well, better than I imagined. If it had been anyone else, the outcome today would have been even more miserable."

He patted Mu Xuanheng's body: "The person you were looking for has appeared, though her condition is worse than both of ours."

At this moment, the origin power of Xue Di could no longer be suppressed. Mu En wanted to reach out to help, but was refused by Xue Di.

"Humans are rarely good for anything, but you two are passable." Her gaze toward Mu Xuanheng held a hint of tenderness: "He didn't try to negotiate with me; he only wanted to save you. That is already better than the previous two."

Mu En: "You will die."

"You helped me, but does that mean I won't die? This is my seventh heavenly tribulation, after all."

Mu Xuanheng: "The old man can't do it, but I can. Xue Di, are you willing to sign a contract with me?"

A piece of paper floated in front of Xue Di. She could tell this was Mu Xuanheng's martial soul.

"Twin Martial Souls?"

"It is a Companion Martial Soul." Mu Xuanheng corrected her: "I can sign a contract with you, allowing you to become my strength."

"A Master-Servant Contract? I would rather die!"

"An Equal Contract. Or rather, a Symbiotic Contract." Mu Xuanheng could not discern Xue Di's exact state, but he had some guesses: "Your reincarnation failed. Once the origin power you are maintaining begins to dissipate, death is the only path. And it will be soon. By signing a contract with me, you can live for at least another two hundred years."

"Oh, unable to keep my origin power, so I end up living by borrowing your life? You are certainly generous."

Mu Xuanheng propped up his gradually recovering body: "That is not the case. Contracts are diverse; they are not limited to what you know. Master-Servant is one category, and Equal is another. But those are merely two broad classifications."

Equality does not necessarily mean symbiosis, and symbiosis does not necessarily mean equality.

There are three types of Equal Contracts. The first is to maintain one's original strength but live and die together with a human. It does not affect the lifespan of either party, but they will die together if the first one perishes.

The second is to abandon one's original strength, but one can gradually grow stronger alongside the human with equal potential. You likely wouldn't want to choose either of these.

The last one is what I am offering you: a Spirit Contract. You abandon your physical body, keeping only your soul, but you cannot stray too far from me. You can exert the upper limit of the power my body can withstand, up to your full strength, and eventually use my power. You will not lose your origin, only a certain degree of freedom."

Xue Di picked up the contract and finished reading it quickly: "What a Companion Martial Soul. If this could be scaled up, it could resolve the conflict between soul beasts and humans. It is a pity it is only your martial soul."

Mu Xuanheng: "This is what the future me should do. What the current me must do is persuade you to accept this contract and then bear your power."

He released his martial soul, Chaofeng: "Martial Soul Chaofeng, the third of the Nine Sons of the Dragon God. First soul ring, 300-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear; second soul ring, over 2,000-year Dark Evil God Tiger. You shouldn't need to question my talent."

His martial soul, age, and soul power were all laid out here. His talent was peerless in the world.

The origin power within Xue Di's body was constantly rioting, and she had only this choice left: "Fine. What is your name?"

"Mu Xuanheng!"

"From now on, we are symbiotic. Don't let me down."

There was no need to put pen to paper; with a mere thought, the characters appeared on the contract one stroke at a time.

Heavenly Snow Woman was written on the contract, and Mu Xuanheng's name fell beside hers. The contract was formed.

A majestic surge of origin power poured into Mu Xuanheng's body, and this power was tightly sealed away. But this was not the end; there was still Xue Di's soul bone.

"What do you want?"

"Can I choose?"

"Yes, but what I am giving you is something you wouldn't dare to imagine."

The 700,000-year soul bone did not become one of the six major soul bones, but instead became an external soul bone, attaching itself next to his heart like a cage, yet serving as a form of protection.

"Since we live and die together, I shall naturally protect you. Do you dare to absorb it?"

"A soul bone to protect my heart, and it's even cartilage. How could I not dare!"

Mu En watched from the side, anxious: "Xuanheng, this is a 700,000-year soul bone. Your body cannot withstand it."

He smiled at the old man: "That is why it is thrilling."

The soul bone began to integrate. It was not as painless as imagined, but it was certainly not less. With 700,000 years of cultivation at stake, his absorption would only be a desperate agony.

Xue Di watched from the side as Mu Xuanheng struggled painfully on the ground.

Mu En thought about intervening to alleviate the pain, but was refused by Mu Xuanheng.

Since Xue Di dared to sign the contract first, how could he not dare to absorb her soul bone?

The feeling of being bitten by insects and ants, or pierced by stone grinders and blades, was nothing compared to this.

Xue Di knelt down: "Since we live and die together, why don't we share this pain?"

She reached out, wanting to touch his heart to share the torment, but was grabbed by Mu Xuanheng: "It is already done."

The cold sweat pouring down, the twitching body, the pale lips, and the grimace on his face all declared that the pain was still ongoing.

Xue Di: "I am stronger than you right now; it is not up to you to refuse." Her hand forcefully touched the source of the pain, sharing in the torture.

Mu En watched for half an hour, feeling that both the human and the beast had gone mad. They could have waited to absorb it, yet they chose to do it now. They could have allowed his soul power to provide some relief, yet they refused.

They endured it through sheer willpower.

An orange soul ring floated around Mu Xuanheng, and everything was successfully completed.

His contracted soul beast was the leader of the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North, Xue Di.