This is... a Spatial Attribute Soul Skill? Ma Xiaotao's heart jolted. Besides the six known Ultimate Attributes, he had even mastered the power of space? Could he control time, too...?
She didn't dare move a muscle, afraid that interfering might make him suffer a backlash. All she could do was hold his trembling body even more firmly, unconsciously making her breathing lighter.
The whole process had lasted only two or three seconds. When the last trace of silver light faded from Long Jinyu's fingertips and his hands fell limp, it was as though the last bit of strength had been drained from his body. His head lolled to one side, and he collapsed completely into her arms, falling into a deep coma.
Before sinking into darkness, Long Jinyu's last hazy thought was: System Treasure... still... have...
[Host, rest assured. This treasure promises there's absolutely nothing left! Should I send a message to Mu En for you?]
Heh... Zzz...
"Kid!" Ma Xiaotao hurriedly checked his breath and pulse. Only after confirming that he had merely exhausted himself and collapsed from fatigue did her anxious heart settle a little. An incredible suspicion surfaced in her mind: Could it be... that he used the last of his strength just now to deal with those... bombs even Elder Mu couldn't find?
The thought made her whole body stiffen. If that was true, then he hadn't just been holding the fort alone at the Medical Pavilion—while already nearing his limits, he had also silently removed the greatest threat to Shrek!
Complex emotions surged through her: anger at how recklessly he'd pushed himself, shock at his abilities, and an overwhelming ache for him... along with a stirring she couldn't quite name.
She tightened her arms around him, letting him rest more securely against her. Then she reached out and gently brushed the sweat-stuck strands of hair from his forehead with her fingertips, chiding him softly, "You really are... a reckless fool."
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Sea God Pavilion was grim.
The Evil Soul Master sat with one leg crossed over the other, leisurely sipping tea as he spoke arrogantly. "There's an old saying among Douluo: 'Westward winds and eastern weeds—Wei Junjie.' One hundred million Gold Soul Coins, a set of top-grade Soul Bones, a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring... I want every cultivation resource you have."
His cold gaze swept across Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe, and he gave a sinister chuckle. "Oh, right. A word of warning: those people sneaking around outside and keeping an eye on me had better not try anything funny. I planted timed bombs. Even if I die right now, they'll still go 'boom!' You'll never find out where they're hidden. You can just wait to collect the bodies of all those commoners!"
Xuan Zi clenched his fists until his knuckles creaked, his chest heaving violently.
Yan Shaozhe's face was ashen. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Fine! As long as you tell us where all the bombs are, we'll... do our best to meet your demands!"
The Evil Soul Master was triumphant inside. Shrek is nothing special! The bombs Holy Son gave me really are divine weapons. They've even got these high-and-mighty old geezers groveling before me! I'll be bragging about this for the rest of my life! But he feigned doubt. "Oh? So eager to agree? You mean it?"
"We mean it," Yan Shaozhe ground out. "But gathering all those things will take time."
"Since you're so 'sincere'..." A lewd glint flashed in the Evil Soul Master's eyes as he pushed his luck. "Then I'm adding one more condition! Resources alone would be boring, wouldn't they? I hear Shrek is full of talented young beauties. Pick out a few dozen fresh-faced ones and send them to serve me properly! If you make me happy, maybe I'll tell you everything when I'm in a good mood. Hahaha!"
"You—!" Xuan Zi shot to his feet, barely able to restrain himself.
At the heart of the Golden Tree, Mu En sat motionless as a mountain. With the Golden Tree's power, his vast, ocean-like spiritual power swept over all of Shrek City again and again.
He could clearly sense something "filthy" lurking in the city like a malignant growth, stirring a faint unease within him. Yet no matter how thoroughly he searched, he couldn't pinpoint its exact location.
Even the Golden Ancient Tree can't locate it precisely... Mu En's brows knitted together. His wrinkled face was filled with confusion and gravity. I've never heard of concealment like this. Where exactly is the problem?
The feeling of being powerless, as if nearly "blind," was a first for him since becoming the Sea God Pavilion Master.
Outside the pavilion.
Elder Song, Elder Lin, and the other senior elders, along with members of the Supervision Group, were secretly searching the Academy and evacuating the people.
Xian Lin'er led the Soul Guidance Department's elite in racing against time to analyze the remains of the dismantled bombs.
The vast intelligence network was also doing everything it could to dig up the Evil Soul Master's background and weaknesses...
Inside the pavilion.
At the negotiation table, Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi were still doing their utmost to bargain and stall, using "gathering and persuading the talented young women will take time" as an excuse.
Meanwhile, the Evil Soul Master was losing patience as a strange red glow appeared in the distant sky and a certain signal—possibly from his accomplices—seemed to reach him.
"My patience is limited! When the deadline comes, if I still don't see beauties and resources, the next bomb might go off in the most crowded market! Hehehehe!" His laughter grated on the ears.
Yan Shaozhe's expression "changed dramatically," and he hurriedly "calmed" him down. "Don't get worked up! We can discuss everything!"
The deadline set by the Evil Soul Master was drawing near.
A resolute glint flashed through Mu En's cloudy eyes. He was ready to make the hardest decision: gather all high-level combatants and risk the casualties, striking several of the most suspicious areas at once while Elder Song swiftly killed the Evil Soul Master! It was a desperate measure, like severing a limb to save the body, and the weight of guilt was already pressing down on his heart.
At this critical moment—
From the direction of Shrek Academy's main gate, a rich, familiar aura of life spread like ripples. It felt somewhat weak, but it was undeniably Long Jinyu's power.
Is that Xiaoyu? Is he saving people? Xiaotao is back, too, and she seems to be in good shape... Mu En's thoughts stirred.
Then something even more unbelievable happened. The "filthy things" that had been pricking at his senses like thorns vanished in an instant, without warning! As if they had never existed!
As he stood there, bewildered and uncertain, a clear, elegant voice—slightly hurried—rang directly in his mind. It sounded exactly like Long Jinyu, but carried the system's distinct concision:
"Teacher: With a snap, thunder struck; hidden dangers are gone. Dust and grit swept away; the city is safe again. Senior Sister Xiaotao is unharmed. Your disciple is spent and will recover after resting. I'll report the details later."
Mu En's pupils contracted sharply!
He'd dealt with it? The crisis that had left even Mu En helpless had been silently resolved by a young disciple who had only recently returned and seemed to be helping with rescue efforts outside? And from the message, Xiaotao's injuries had also...
Though it was hard to believe, the sense of danger weighing on his heart had indeed vanished without a trace.
An immense surge of joy, along with the comfort of knowing the future was in good hands, swept away the gloom that had clouded him.
He immediately sent his voice into Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe's ears.
At first, the two were stunned. Then they exchanged a glance, and both wore a "kind" smile.
The Evil Soul Master still had no idea disaster was about to befall him. He was impatiently tapping the table, urging them to hurry up with the resources and beauties.
Suddenly—
"Smack!"
A crisp, resounding slap struck his face. The tremendous force sent him and his chair tumbling, and one side of his face swelled instantly.
The Evil Soul Master was stunned. Clutching his face, he pointed at Xuan Zi in anger and shock. "You! How dare you! Aren't you afraid I'll set them off?!"
"Smack!"
Another, heavier slap knocked several teeth out of his mouth.
The Evil Soul Master panicked completely. Thinking Shrek had been driven to the brink and was ready to drag him down with them, he roared with bravado that barely concealed his fear, "Fine, fine, fine! You brought this on yourselves! Go collect the bodies of those commoners outside!"
He frantically tried to activate the Soul Tools, but the earth-shaking explosion he expected never came.
Unwilling to believe it, he tried again.
Once—nothing happened.
Twice—still silence.
A third time... His expression shifted from savage to bewildered, then finally drained to ashen despair.
"Impossible... absolutely impossible! How could you have found them...?"
"Click..."
As Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe advanced slowly, their eyes icy, the Evil Soul Master seemed to see his own gruesome fate. His crotch grew wet in an instant.
Outside Shrek's main gate, the rescue effort was nearing its end.
Ma Xiaotao sat on a wooden chair brought over for the occasion, holding Long Jinyu in her arms. She used a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, occasionally poking his pale but still handsome cheek with a fingertip, unable to resist.
After arranging for the wounded to be transported, Liu Tao walked over and made a quiet suggestion. "Miss Ma, Dean Long has exhausted himself and needs to rest. Why don't I take him back to the Medical Pavilion and see that he's settled in properly?"
"All right," Ma Xiaotao immediately replied. "I'll come with you."
Liu Tao didn't know the full story, but from what he'd seen earlier, he could tell the two were close. Naturally, he agreed. "Of course, Miss Ma. Please."
Just then, two figures descended. They were Yan Shaozhe and Life Douluo Zhuang Lao.
"Xiao Liu, it's been a long time," Zhuang Lao said warmly.
Liu Tao hurriedly bowed. "Elder Zhuang, Dean Yan."
Yan Shaozhe got straight to the point. "Dean Liu, to be honest, Jinyu is Master's direct disciple. Master Mu is worried about his condition and wants to take him back to the Sea God Pavilion so he can personally look after him and treat him. Would that be..."
Liu Tao looked surprised. "Dean Long is actually Elder Mu's esteemed disciple?" He considered it for a moment. Though he knew his own master didn't seem to trust Shrek, it would be difficult to refuse when the disciple's teacher had personally asked for him. Carefully, he handed Long Jinyu over to Yan Shaozhe, then said solemnly, "If Elder Mu is personally treating him, we're naturally at ease. Please make sure Dean Long stays safe."
"Dean Long?" Yan Shaozhe and Zhuang Lao both caught the title and looked surprised.
Liu Tao nodded. "That's right. Dean Long successfully solved the Medical Pavilion's three inheritance riddles and officially took over as its dean."
Yan Shaozhe exclaimed, "He's proficient in medicine, too?"
Zhuang Lao's gaze sharpened slightly as he pondered. "Those three questions... had nothing to do with ordinary medicine. They were as obscure as the Heavenly Tome. For this young fellow to solve them... remarkable." He turned to Liu Tao. "Xiao Liu, the Medical Pavilion was attacked earlier, and the assailants kept us occupied, so we couldn't come to your aid. Instead, you sent people to help us. I'm ashamed. I'd like to go back to the Medical Pavilion with you and lend a hand."
"Elder Zhuang, you're too kind. We'd be delighted."
Yan Shaozhe then turned to Ma Xiaotao. "Xiaotao, let's take Jinyu back to the Sea God Pavilion as well."
Ma Xiaotao stood up with Long Jinyu in her arms, moving gently. Watching her handle him so carefully, Yan Shaozhe remembered that Long Jinyu had seemed to hold her just as gently earlier...
The thought of bringing them together surfaced again, only to be suppressed by Mu En's warning. All he could do was let out a complicated sigh.
When they returned to the Sea God Pavilion, Xuan Zi saw Ma Xiaotao carrying Long Jinyu inside. She looked perfectly fine, even more radiant than before, and nothing like she had when she was carried away earlier that day. Unable to help himself, he asked, "Xiaotao, are you all right? Did this kid... do anything to you?"
Only then did Yan Shaozhe belatedly realize there might be a reason for concern. "That's right, Xiaotao. Jinyu didn't... take advantage of you, did he?"
Ma Xiaotao immediately took offense. She glared at the two elders in annoyance. "Teacher! Elder Xuan! What are you imagining?! Is Long Jinyu that kind of person?"
She lowered her eyes to the young man in her arms, her gaze softening unconsciously. Then she added quietly, "He pushed himself to exhaustion saving me and helping the Academy... and you're still...!"
Yan Shaozhe: "..."
Xuan Zi: "..."
Ma Xiaotao ignored them and gently laid Long Jinyu on the couch. She pulled over a chair and sat right beside him, her gaze barely leaving his pale face.
Watching her like this, Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe exchanged a glance. They saw the same helplessness and a hint of... understanding in each other's eyes. Xuan Zi wanted to ask a few more questions, but Yan Shaozhe stopped him. This clearly wasn't the time to press for details.
Mu En appeared in the pavilion without a sound. His gaze fell first on Long Jinyu, his eyes filled with unmistakable praise and a trace of concern.
He walked slowly to the couch and placed his withered but warm palm gently against Long Jinyu's forehead. Pure, gentle Soul Power flowed like a trickling stream into Long Jinyu's depleted meridians and exhausted Spiritual Sea.
"Elder Mu..." Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi hurriedly bowed.
Mu En gave a slight nod, his eyes still on Long Jinyu. "I know what happened. This time, we owe it all to Jinyu."
A moment later, he withdrew his hand and spoke gently to Ma Xiaotao, who was watching him anxiously. "Don't worry. His Soul Power and spiritual power are both exhausted, but his foundations are unharmed. He just needs a good sleep and a few days of proper rest to recover."
Only then did Ma Xiaotao let out a long breath. Her tense shoulders finally relaxed.
Mu En turned to Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi, his tone growing stern. "Did you get anything out of that Evil Soul Master?"
Yan Shaozhe's face showed a flash of anger. "He's tight-lipped! He only said he came on the orders of the Holy Son of the Holy Spirit Cult to create chaos and make demands. He knows nothing about where the bombs came from or how they were brought in and planted. He only said the Holy Son gave them the bombs and they followed orders. He's stubborn, all right. We tried a few methods, but he still gave us no more core intelligence."
"The Holy Son..." A cold glint flashed in Mu En's eyes. "It seems the Holy Spirit Cult's reach extends farther than we imagined, and its methods are even more devious. If not for Jinyu this time, the consequences would have been unthinkable."
His gaze returned to the unconscious Long Jinyu, filled with thought. "He solved the inheritance mystery of 'Yanhuang Lingyun,' and as a Soul Ancestor, he was able to simulate... an aura so terrifying it beggars belief. Then, at the critical moment, he eliminated the threat in a way none of us can understand... There are more secrets to this child than we thought."
"Teacher, you mean..." Yan Shaozhe mused.
"There's no need to dig deeper, and this must never be revealed to outsiders." Mu En's tone was firm as a nail driven into stone. "He's a student of Shrek and my disciple. All we need to do is trust and protect him. Pass down the order: no one is to reveal a single detail about Jinyu driving off the attackers at the Medical Pavilion today or what happened afterward!"
"Yes!" Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi answered solemnly. They both understood that the abilities Long Jinyu had displayed today were too astonishing. If word got out, countless people would covet him, and the Holy Spirit Cult would make him a target for assassination.
"One more thing..." Mu En pondered for a moment. "Hasn't he been searching for his missing 'family'? Use every resource the Academy has to intensify the search and expand its scope. Also, once he wakes, the Sea God Pavilion Library will be open to him without restriction. How far he can go will depend on his own fortune..."
Before you continue