You Jie laughed with exceptional vigor, even starting to show the makings of a true card-game fanatic. All he had to do now was change his whole vibe while laughing—for instance, pull off Katsuya Jonouchi's iconic grin—and he'd be even closer to the real thing.
But Zhang Lexuan and Mu En had never seen anything like this.
Mu En took it in stride. Thanks to the self-control he'd honed under the Holy Spirit Cult's Supreme Elder and the Bright Phoenix Dog Donkey, he remained unruffled. Zhang Lexuan, however, turned pale with fright and even stumbled backward a step or two, nearly tripping over a small stone.
That might sound pretty pathetic, but considering that even the Heavenly King of a certain magnetic-field world had once fallen into a cesspit when he landed and taken a bite of it, then ripped his pants by stepping on a banana peel too hard, tripping over a small stone hardly seemed like much.
"Elder Mu, has You Jie gone mad with cultivation?"
Zhang Lexuan quickly steadied herself, then cast a desperate look at Mu En.
If Zhang Lexuan sensed the chaotic Soul Power fluctuations unique to a Soul Master who had gone mad with cultivation, she could be sure You Jie had completely lost control.
Thanks to a certain Evil Fire Roast Chicken, Zhang Lexuan and many people from Shrek Academy knew all too well just how chaotic a Soul Master's Soul Power fluctuations could become after going mad with cultivation.
But You Jie's laughter clearly wasn't normal, and with his grin already twisting out of shape, Zhang Lexuan had started imagining villains cackling "Heh heh heh" as they ran amok.
"He probably hasn't... I think. At least You Jie's Soul Power and mental fluctuations are both normal."
Mu En had already checked You Jie's mental state and Soul Power fluctuations. As long as neither was abnormal, it basically meant he hadn't gone mad with cultivation.
Still, You Jie's laughter was beyond anything Mu En had imagined—more maddeningly shrill than an Evil Soul Master's, more deranged than the laughter of those lunatics from the Body Sect.
Could a human being really make a sound like that?
Mu En had no idea what to do for the moment, so he could only wait for You Jie to calm down before deciding what came next.
A few minutes later, You Jie finally stopped laughing, his throat growing tired. Seeing the concern in Mu En and Zhang Lexuan's eyes, he realized what had just happened.
"Sorry, Sister Lexuan, Mystic Ancestor. I didn't expect my fourth Soul Skill to suit me so perfectly. I couldn't help laughing..."
"It's fine. As long as you got a suitable Soul Skill, that's what matters. But do the fourth Soul Skills of your two Martial Souls need to work together to bring out their full potential? Your expression just now seemed a little off..."
Zhang Lexuan immediately relaxed, a gentle smile returning to her face. That only made You Jie feel a little guilty.
Sister Lexuan was such a wonderful person. How could anyone ever dare to wrong her?
From now on, he, You Jie, would make sure Sister Lexuan was happy!
"That's right, and the effect is incredibly powerful. It's just not convenient to demonstrate it here.
"Once we're back at the academy, I'll show you and Mystic Ancestor."
Mu En nodded. You Jie's explanation put his mind at ease.
If he'd gained a Soul Skill that suited him perfectly by sheer chance, Mu En would have been giddy with delight too. He just wouldn't have been able to laugh with quite so much... vigor.
It was late. After packing up, You Jie and Zhang Lexuan went into their respective tents to meditate, while Mu En took on the responsibility of keeping watch.
The watch should have been easy enough. They were deep in the mixed zone, but for Mu En, a Limit Douluo, even an ordinary Ferocious Beast wouldn't pose much danger—unless it was Di Tian.
As for Bi Ji, Xiong Jun, and Myriad Demon King, who had technically reached the combat strength of a Limit Douluo, they were all tops to Mu En at his very healthiest. The only question was how hard he'd have to flick them to make them spin, and how fast.
As for the other Soul Beasts, faced with the powerful aura of a Limit Douluo that Mu En was faintly letting off, they had no choice but to turn tail and run—unless they were a freak of nature like the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.
And if they still dared to charge, Mu En wouldn't even need to act. His aura alone would be enough to pin them down.
However, the Soul Beast that charged in this time gave Mu En a genuine fright.
"What's going on? Why has the legendary Emperor Auspicious Beast come here of its own accord? And the aura behind it... is that Di Tian?!"
Sensing Di Tian's presence, Mu En immediately woke You Jie and Zhang Lexuan with his mental power, then shielded them behind him.
You Jie was already preparing to fight or flee. He had put on both his Flying Soul Tool and Soul Propulsion Device, while his mind raced:
"Could Di Tian have come to settle things over me summoning the Red Demon Dragon to invite Elder Yi here? If I really have to fight Di Tian, I still don't have Clear Mind. I'll have to grit my teeth and try Double Tuning to summon Tyrant, then see if I can fight him...
"But what does the Emperor Auspicious Beast want? Wang Dong isn't here to split her soul and influence it. Is it planning to steal Sister Zhang Card so it can get close to me?
"But I didn't bring any girl cards in my deck..."
Soon, a golden, sun-bright Soul Beast appeared before them.
It shone so brightly that You Jie nearly raised both hands, tears streaming down his face as he shouted about his gratitude.
Beside the glittering Emperor Auspicious Beast stood a black-haired man in black robes, his features stern as he studied Mu En and You Jie with curiosity.
"Dragon God Douluo, you've recovered your health? Don't worry. We didn't come here to fight you. At least, the people from Shrek Academy have kept their word."
Seeing how wary Mu En and the others were, Di Tian spoke calmly. Then he fixed his gaze on You Jie and continued:
"You're the boy with that strange dragon power, aren't you? We're very interested in you."
"...So what did you come here for? You're not planning to keep us here, are you?"
You Jie couldn't figure out what Di Tian was up to. He stayed on guard, his fourth Soul Skill already poised to unleash.
If Di Tian or the Emperor Auspicious Beast dared to make a move, he'd show them what a real dragon was!
"Not at all. We Soul Beasts have no desire to invite unnecessary trouble.
"But this girl is very curious about your abilities. Have a spar with her."
As he spoke, Di Tian patted the Emperor Auspicious Beast on the head.
You Jie froze.
Fight the Emperor Auspicious Beast? Now that was a real headache...
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