After hearing Lin Yun's words, Wang Dong immediately said,
"Then let's fight. Just don't cry if you lose."
As she spoke, Wang Dong turned to Lin Yun and said,
"Once I've dealt with him, I'll have a proper go at you too. After all, you look like the only one who can match this young master."
Lin Yun watched the commotion with interest and said,
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch. Be careful you don't bite your tongue. You might not have enough left in you to fight me afterward."
Wang Dong snorted, then strode off first with an air of haughty pride.
Huo Yuhao looked at Lin Yun, a trace of apology in his eyes, and said,
"Sorry about this, Brother Yun. I've dragged you into trouble first thing in the morning."
Lin Yun patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder and said casually,
"It's fine. This isn't your fault. And if you ask me, whether this is a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen."
Huo Yuhao stared at Lin Yun in surprise. Lin Yun smiled and beckoned to him,
"Come on, let's go. Don't keep them waiting—but there's no need to rush. Get your spirit up. At our level, spirit is often more important than the number of Soul Rings."
From Lin Yun's observations, a Soul Master's battle was like a jujube: the pit in the middle was where the most factors affecting victory and defeat lay.
At the middle levels, the number of Soul Skills could make all the difference, and how a Soul Master managed their Soul Skills and Soul Power could also affect the outcome.
As for Soul Masters at the beginning and end of the road, the former had little Soul Power and few Soul Skills, so what mattered most was their mindset and basic qualities.
High-level Soul Masters placed even greater importance on spirit. As the saying went, the Great Dao was simple. At that level, the specific effects of Soul Skills were often no longer important; the contest of spirit alone could determine the final outcome.
The moment Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao came downstairs, they saw a figure drifting slowly down. It was Lin Yun, his Martial Soul possessed.
After landing, Lin Yun put away his Martial Soul and glanced at the two of them, then pointed toward the shady spot behind the building and said,
"All right, you two. Go ahead."
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong exchanged a glance, then each went their own way toward the open space behind the Dormitory Building.
Lin Yun was about to catch up when a cough suddenly sounded beside him. He whipped around.
The one coughing was none other than Shrek's current leader, one of the three Limit Douluo on the entire Douluo Continent: Dragon God Douluo Mu En.
That old geezer spent every day lying in front of the Outer Court dormitory, sunbathing and cosplaying as a dorm supervisor. Lin Yun wondered why he hadn't seen the old man yesterday. Now he'd only just shown his face, and they'd already run into each other.
There was no avoiding him now. Lin Yun steadied himself, walked closer, and bowed to Mu En.
"Are you the senior who was at the Sea God Pavilion Meeting? I never expected to run into you here. I'm truly delighted."
Mu En stroked his beard and said with a beaming smile,
"I like the unique energy and vitality of new students. You don't find that in the Inner Court. But are you really happy to see me?"
Lin Yun took a deep breath and answered earnestly,
"I truly am. No matter what, my village was slaughtered by Evil Soul Masters, and it was Shrek, under your leadership, that saved me. At the Sea God Pavilion Meeting, you also stood up for me and spared my life. I, Lin Yun, may not be a saint, but at least I know who has shown me kindness."
Lin Yun suppressed his disgust, showing none of it on his face, and continued,
"No matter what happens in the future, you and the teacher who took me Soul Hunting have truly shown me kindness. Shrek Academy took me in, too, and I'm grateful for that. Even if I really lose my way, I won't forget any of it."
Mu En nodded, seeming very pleased with Lin Yun's words. Then he said,
"If you remember my kindness and truly feel grateful, then don't lose your way. That will be repayment enough. As for what you owe the academy and Shao Zhe, just follow your heart."
Lin Yun nodded. Suddenly, he thought of the senior who had taken his own life in the Dormitory Building. He looked at Mu En, then toward the commotion over there, and ultimately decided to make a heartfelt appeal.
Then Lin Yun took a step forward, moving a little closer. Mu En raised his eyes, seeming intrigued by his movement, and watched him curiously.
Lin Yun took a deep breath, thinking that this was also for the sake of making his own future more comfortable. Then he asked Mu En,
"You said you really like the energy in front of the new students' dormitory, didn't you?"
Mu En relaxed and leaned back contentedly in his recliner, then nodded.
Lin Yun asked,
"Is Shrek Academy a place where people listen to opinions?"
Mu En nodded again. Lin Yun finally got to the point and asked,
"Then I'd like to ask: why is it that after energetic young people study here in this semi-closed environment for a while, they end up weighed down by so much weariness that all their original vitality disappears?"
Mu En opened his eyes, which had been closed, and even sat upright, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Yun.
Lin Yun took a step back, a smile on his face.
"I was only mentioning it in passing. If I've made you uncomfortable, please forgive me."
Mu En looked at Lin Yun and sighed deeply.
"It's not that I haven't thought about what you said. But your horizons aren't broad enough yet. Stay and study at the academy. When your horizons are broad enough, I'll wait for you to come and answer this question—and solve it."
Mu En placed heavy emphasis on the words "and solve it." Lin Yun understood what he meant, though he had no kind thoughts about it.
The old man was basically saying, You're not strong enough to meddle in this yet. I'll wait for the day you're powerful enough to do something about it.
Lin Yun understood Mu En's words, nodded, and casually replied,
"Got it. Then you can keep resting. It's normal for the old to need more sleep, but I've heard that quite a few elderly people fortunate enough to enjoy their golden years just drift off and never wake up."
Mu En glanced up, his opinion of Lin Yun improving a little. Not only had the boy understood his meaning at once, he'd even dared to threaten him in return.
"This old man hopes to be so fortunate. As for you, it's a pity. If only you didn't have an Evil Martial Soul, I would have taken you as my last disciple today and passed on everything I know."
Mu En sighed as he spoke to Lin Yun. Lin Yun smiled, then replied evenly,
"Senior, I'm only eleven. Inheriting the knowledge of a great master is too heavy a burden for me. Besides, if you want to defeat a powerful opponent, you naturally have to take a different path from theirs."
After saying that, Lin Yun hurried past Mu En's recliner and swiftly headed for the shady open space behind the Dormitory Building.
Huo Yuhao had somehow already pinned Wang Dong beneath him, a fierce light in his eyes.
Faced with that intimidating glare, Wang Dong finally admitted defeat, still somewhat unwilling...
Before you continue