Bickering

Far away in Shrek City, within the Sea God Pavilion, Mu En was lost in thought. Gazing at the bright moon outside the window, he let out a long sigh.

He did not know that his old friend, Xuan Zi, would never return.

Such a disturbance could not be hidden from him.

The night was deep, and the moonlight flowed like water.

Shen Zhou and Qian Daoliu set out on the road back to Martial Soul Academy.

The wind swept across the wilderness behind them, carrying the scent of scorched earth and ashes, but it was quickly dispersed by the fresh night breeze.

The two walked side by side at an unhurried pace, as though they had merely gone out for a stroll rather than just slain a Level 98 Super Douluo.

At first, Er Ha ran energetically ahead of them, his tail raised high as he endlessly bragged about his achievements that night.

"This emperor's claw strike—wasn't it fierce?

That brat in black got smacked three zhang away by this emperor!

And that big fellow—this emperor bit down on his Martial Soul, swung him around twice, and tossed him away. Clean and efficient!

Boss, did you see that?"

"I saw it."

Shen Zhou answered casually.

"Wasn't this emperor amazing?"

"Amazing."

"Then did this emperor make a great contribution?"

"Yes."

"Then how much extra food will boss give me when we get back?"

"Three bowls of braised pork."

"Awesome!"

Er Ha excitedly spun around twice on the spot before running ahead again.

Qian Daoliu watched Er Ha's retreating figure and shook his head.

"That dog certainly has plenty of energy."

Shen Zhou smiled. "His mouth is just too busy."

After walking for about a quarter of an hour, Er Ha's pace began to slow.

His tail was no longer raised so high, his steps were no longer so light, and he was even panting faintly.

Shen Zhou noticed something was off and frowned slightly.

"White Emperor?"

"Boss, I'm... I'm a little tired."

Er Ha's voice was somewhat weak, and his golden canine eyes had lost some of their brightness.

Shen Zhou crouched down, placed a hand on Er Ha's head, and sent Soul Power into his body.

A moment later, he withdrew his hand, his brow furrowing even deeper.

Er Ha had indeed overexerted himself that night. He had intercepted Ma Xiaotao and four members of the Inspection Group alone.

Though he had made it sound easy, all six opponents had been Soul Masters above the five-ring level. Ma Xiaotao was even a six-ring Soul Emperor, and later, after turning dark, her strength had nearly reached that of a Soul Saint.

Er Ha had fought six opponents alone. Though he was not injured, he had expended an enormous amount of Soul Power.

He had even blocked Xuan Zi's full-force strike.

"Come in."

Shen Zhou patted Er Ha's head.

"Huh?"

Er Ha lifted his head.

"Enter the Consciousness Sea.

In your current condition, if you keep wandering around outside, you'll be bedridden tomorrow."

Er Ha blinked, somewhat hesitant.

"Boss, if I enter your Consciousness Sea, will I see anything I shouldn't?"

"You're a dog. What could possibly be inappropriate for you to see?"

"Then this emperor is really going in."

After saying that, Er Ha turned into a streak of silver-white light and entered Shen Zhou's glabella.

Within Shen Zhou's mind, the Consciousness Sea slowly unfolded.

It was a vast, boundless golden ocean. Above its surface floated a dazzling Golden Star, where Sky Dream Ice Silkworm slept.

The sea was as calm as a mirror, and golden light flowed through the space, warm and tranquil.

Er Ha's silver-white figure appeared within the Consciousness Sea. His four paws stepped on the golden surface, sending ripples spreading outward.

He looked around, his canine eyes filled with curiosity.

"So this is boss's Consciousness Sea?

So huge, so bright, so warm... awesome!"

He took a deep breath, and golden motes of light entered through his nostrils. Instantly, he felt comfortable all over.

It felt like soaking in a hot spring, with every trace of exhaustion gradually melting away.

"So comfortable... This emperor wants to sleep here."

Er Ha found a comfortable spot and lay down. Just as he was about to close his eyes, a lazy voice came from overhead.

"Hey, dog."

Er Ha's ears perked up, and he looked up.

A massive silkworm head emerged from the Golden Star.

Its entire body was jade-like and translucent. Its tiny eyes were half-closed as it stared at him with displeasure.

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm.

"Who are you?"

Er Ha tilted his head.

"Who am I?

I'm Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, a Million-Year Soul Beast, and boss's first Soul Ring."

Tian Meng's tone was full of superiority. "And you?

A mere hundred-thousand-year-old puppy thinks he deserves to stay in boss's Consciousness Sea?"

Er Ha's eyes instantly widened into perfect circles.

"Who are you calling a puppy?

This emperor is the White Emperor!

Boss's companion Soul Beast!

I've been with boss since he was born!

And what about you?

You're an outsider who only entered the Consciousness Sea after sacrificing yourself. What right do you have to compare yourself with this emperor?"

Tian Meng's silkworm face darkened.

"An outsider?

When I sacrificed myself, who knows where you were chewing on bones."

"You're the one who chews bones!

This emperor eats braised pork!"

"Braised pork?

Is that something a dog eats?"

"What does a silkworm like you know about braised pork?

You just eat leaves!"

"I consume Heaven and Earth Origin Power!"

"Isn't that just air?

What's the point of living if you don't even eat meat?"

"You—!"

Tian Meng trembled with rage, and even the Golden Star shook twice.

He slid down from the star, wriggling his massive silkworm body as he charged toward Er Ha.

"I'm going to teach you, you dog who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, a lesson today!"

"Come on, then! Does this emperor look afraid of you?"

Er Ha stood up, bracing himself on all four legs and baring his teeth. "Don't think this emperor is afraid of you just because you're a Million-Year Soul Beast!

This emperor just beat down six Soul Masters tonight and even fought a Level 98 Super Douluo!

What about you?

Have you ever fought?"

Tian Meng abruptly stopped.

He... really had never fought.

His combat strength was practically zero.

Forget fighting a Titled Douluo—even a Thousand-Year Soul Beast could defeat him.

"I... I simply disdain fighting."

Tian Meng snorted and turned his head away. "I rely on intelligence."

"Intelligence?"

Er Ha laughed so hard that he rolled across the ground. "What intelligence could a silkworm have?

You don't even have hands or feet!"

"I have spiritual power!

My spiritual power can cover a hundred li in every direction!"

"What good is that?

You can't eat it!"

"You—!"

"What do you mean, 'you'?

Let this emperor tell you, this emperor came to this Consciousness Sea first!

You came later, so you have to listen to this emperor!"

"Why should I?"

"Because this emperor can fight!"

Tian Meng was so angry that his silkworm body puffed up, but he truly had no way to refute that.

He really could not beat this dog.

Forget fighting—he could barely even move more than a few steps.

"I... I won't lower myself to your level."

Tian Meng snorted and wriggled back toward the Golden Star. Halfway up, he turned and glared at Er Ha. "But I'm warning you: don't come near my star.

That is my territory."

"Fine, fine, it's your star. This emperor doesn't care for it."

Er Ha lay down and rested his head on his front paws. "This emperor will sleep by the sea instead. An ocean-view room is far more comfortable than your lousy star."

"You—!"

Tian Meng was too angry to speak. He plunged headfirst into the Golden Star and disappeared.

Er Ha wagged his tail smugly and closed his eyes.

At last, the Consciousness Sea became quiet.

The corners of Shen Zhou's lips lifted slightly.

Naturally, he sensed every bit of the commotion within the Consciousness Sea.

Those two living treasures—one was a dog with no filter, the other a lazy silkworm. It would be strange if they did not quarrel after being put together.

Still, it was not bad. Tian Meng had been alone for too long and was bored; Er Ha's arrival gave him some company.

"Eighth Brother, what are you smiling about?"

Qian Daoliu glanced at him.