Return to the Body Sect, Du Busi's Reward

Within the Sea God Pavilion, golden halos flowed without end.

Mu En's somewhat stooped body remained tense for a long while after hearing the staff member's report.

Though disabled, his eyes, which seemed to see through all worldly affairs, now gleamed with blazing light.

"Level 27 at such a young age, injuring a Five-Ring with two rings, surviving being cut in half..." Mu En murmured, his thin old face filled with astonishment.

"This is not merely a matter of Martial Soul quality, but the ultimate development of one's own potential."

"If such a stunningly gifted youth can be carefully nurtured, he will surely become a pillar of Shrek in the future, perhaps even a leading figure of this continent's next generation."

Mu En had seen no shortage of outstanding youngsters.

Yet a child who could display such "unreasonable" strength at that age and Soul Power Level—even Mu En himself in his youth would likely have fallen short by a measure.

"Such talent must never be allowed to drift outside, much less stray down the wrong path."

With that thought, Mu En's expression turned solemn as he looked at the staff member below.

"Has Xuan Zi sent anyone to make contact or recruit him?"

The staff member immediately replied, "In response to Elder Mu, Elder Xuan Zi placed extreme importance on the matter after hearing Luochen's report."

"He has already ordered Luochen to lead a group back toward the vicinity of Yaluo City day and night. They are to find that youth's whereabouts and bring him back to the academy at all costs."

Mu En nodded slightly, a trace of relief appearing on his aged face. "Xuan Zi may be somewhat impatient by nature, but he is clear-headed enough when it comes to major matters."

"He handled this well. A youth this exceptional deserves whatever resources the academy must devote to him."

Yet amid his admiration, the lingering guilt Mu En felt over Liu Yuan had never faded.

"However... that youth with the Eye Martial Soul... surely he cannot be Liu Yuan."

Mu En let out a long sigh and slowly lay back down in his rocking chair, his eyes returning to their half-open, half-closed state.

"Though they are of similar age and both possess Eye Martial Souls, I know that child's aptitude..." Mu En shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of regret.

"Liu Yuan was only Level 9 when he left. Even if he encountered some fortunate opportunity afterward and succeeded in breaking through, he could not possibly leap from Level 9 to Level 27 in just a few months."

"Moreover, before Liu Yuan left, his Martial Soul had already been determined to be a failed mutation that left him blind and disabled. Such explosive growth in level, such domineering offensive power and recovery ability, could never belong to him."

In Mu En's understanding, while there were exceptional cases of late bloomers, they could never defy the fundamental logic of cultivation.

In his eyes, Liu Yuan was ultimately only a pitiful and mediocre junior, utterly incomparable to the monstrous genius Ling Luochen had described, who had dominated the battlefield and regenerated severed limbs.

"Go. Increase the efforts to search for Liu Yuan as well."

"That child is, after all, an orphan of Shrek. Drifting outside is never safe."

Mu En closed his eyes and waved a hand.

"As for that youth with Double Pupils... he is the academy's hope for the future. If he is found, report to the Sea God Pavilion immediately."

"Yes!" The staff member respectfully accepted the order and withdrew into the shadows.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean, deep within the Heaven Dou Empire, at the mountain gate of the Body Sect.

Liu Yuan and his group, dusty from travel, had already crossed the perilous mountain-gate corridor and arrived within the solemn Sect Master Hall.

Du Busi sat firmly in the seat of honor, listening as Long Aotian reported, word by word, on the desperate battle outside Yaluo City.

Especially when he heard that Liu Yuan had allowed himself to be cut in half by a Five-Ring Evil Soul Master to save Vina, then pierced his opponent's wings in the midst of despair, Du Busi slammed his thick palms onto the armrests.

"Good! Well done!"

Du Busi rose to his full height and strode over to Liu Yuan in several quick steps.

Although he had already learned the details from the two Title Douluo, he had to make his approval of Liu Yuan's actions absolutely clear.

So he praised Liu Yuan directly.

"Liu Yuan, you've got guts! You're someone others can entrust themselves to!"

"It isn't only your battle record. More importantly, you had the courage to draw your blade against a powerful enemy and risk your life to save your fellow disciples. That is truly extraordinary!"

"You did very well!"

Du Busi turned to Vina and the others, then looked at Long Aotian and spoke loudly.

"Though this mission was fraught with danger, this is the true meaning of experience!"

"Flowers in a greenhouse may bloom beautifully, but they are merely decorations. Only after enduring the trials of life and death are you worthy of being called the future of my Body Sect!"

Feeling that the remaining poison in his body had been purged and his breathing had stabilized, Liu Yuan bowed to Du Busi. "Master overpraises me. This disciple merely did what he should have done. Still, I made Master and everyone worry this time."

"Stop being modest, brat. I protect my own, but I cherish talent even more!" Du Busi took a jade vial from his robes and flicked his fingers repeatedly, sending several streaks of green light into the hands of the disciples.

"These are the sect's secret Qiangti Pills. Not only can they greatly strengthen your foundations and nourish your vitality, they can also reinforce your meridians' endurance."

"You all worked hard on this mission. One bottle each. Go back and absorb them properly!" Du Busi waved a hand, smiling.

"Especially Liu Yuan and Aotian. You two must not disappoint this old man's expectations!"

"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Sect Master!"

Everyone answered in unison. After exchanging glances, they returned to their respective residences, carrying the exhaustion and gains of the mission with them.

Liu Yuan returned to Tingtao Pavilion and casually activated the surrounding Tranquility Array.

He sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, idly turning the vial of faintly fragrant Qiangti Pills in his hand, while his mind replayed the gaze of that Five-Ring Evil Soul Master before he had fallen from the sky.

"Being powerful does not mean being invincible. The gulf in levels is still a fatal weakness." Liu Yuan muttered, unprecedented determination shining in his eyes.

This experience had served as a tremendous warning to him.

Though his Laser Eye possessed enough power to threaten a Five-Ring, though his Undying Body allowed him to regenerate again and again, if he had faced that Five-Ring Evil Soul Master alone that day, his only end would have been a miserable death.

In the end, the total amount of Soul Power at Level 27 was still far too meager.

"Abnormal soul skills require far greater Soul Power and Spirit Power to sustain them. My first priority now is Level 30."

Liu Yuan opened the stopper and swallowed a Qiangti Pill.

In an instant, a scorching yet gentle medicinal effect erupted through his limbs and bones, washing over his meridians like mild molten lava.

He drew a deep breath. The Double Pupils in his eyes shone brilliantly within the dark cultivation chamber, overlapping and rotating as though they were devouring the sparse spiritual energy around him.

"This secluded cultivation will not end until I reach Level 30."

Liu Yuan had already planned it out. Once he broke through to Level 30, he would seek out a powerful Soul Ring that best matched his vision for the Qilin Step.

By then, with ranged attacks, recovery, and close-combat movement combined into one, Liu Yuan would truly possess the foundation to stand firm on this continent.

So for now, he needed to raise his level as quickly as possible.