Those Who Might Become Gods

"Damn, they took poison!"

As Mu Baobao was lost in thought, Beibei's expression turned ugly. He looked at the four men.

Black blood flowed from the corners of their mouths, and their necks had turned pitch-black. This was not merely poison, but deadly poison. Even he had to admit... ruthless.

This was an extremely serious matter. If Shrek Academy were truly caught with evidence, hostility between Shrek Academy, the White Tiger Duke Mansion, and even the Star Luo Empire would be inevitable, though they would not actually do anything drastic.

Dai Mubai's statue stood prominently at the main gates... Among Ma Xiaotao's generation of the Shrek Seven Devils was one of his descendants, Dai Yueheng.

After all, this was only something Dai Huabin had caused on his own. Even if conclusive evidence were found, he would likely receive nothing more than a warning and expulsion. Shrek still would not dare to directly start a war.

The Star Luo Empire had been the only nation not crushed in its war against the Sun Moon Continent... It also had the formidable Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Clear Sky Sect, and Star Crown Sect among the Upper Three Sects.

They had helped the Star Luo Empire turn the tide and even replace the imperial family. There were likely many affiliated sects as well. Mu Baobao had thought that by stepping in, he would get to see a good show, with Dai Huabin expelled.

Dai Yueheng would be affected and driven out of the Shrek Seven Devils by his troublesome younger brother, allowing him to take his place openly and justifiably... But Xuan Zi was still around.

Even with Battle Armor, the seven official members would suffer several serious injuries even if none died... There would still be a great chance then, and he could stop Huo Yuhao and the others from showing off. All he could say was that connections mattered!

During the second Soul Master Tournament, Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu had even become substitutes and competed.

In a fantasy world where strength was supreme, treating someone well was useless if one wanted complete control over them, because they could still join forces with an enemy to deal with and replace you. One needed leverage that would make them unafraid to sacrifice even their own lives at a critical moment.

"Forget it. Have the academy bring the bodies back for examination later. There must be some clues." Ma Xiaotao waved a hand. That was all they could do. The others were still in shock.

Compared to being attacked and nearly killed, they were more astonished by Mu Baobao's strength. A thousand-year soul skill had frozen three five-ring Soul Kings and one six-ring Soul Emperor. Was he even human?

Ma Xiaotao looked at Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong. "You people actually dared to cause trouble within Shrek Academy's territory. I almost admire their courage. Did you offend someone?"

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong suddenly realized something, and a chill flashed through their hearts. Dai Huabin had lost to them twice in succession, and after the last time, he had even been told to kneel and apologize.

He came from the White Tiger Duke Mansion, so naturally he could not endure such humiliation. It was easy to imagine the fury of a noble kneeling before commoners. A Soul Emperor and five Soul Kings were indeed forces he could mobilize.

Before Huo Yuhao could speak again, Beibei rushed to say, "Junior brothers, it still isn't safe here. Let's return to the academy first."

Clearly, he had thought of something as well. At first, he had truly believed Mu Baobao could tell fortunes, but it turned out that he was simply observant. Ma Xiaotao also watched them suspiciously... What were these two brothers up to?

Xu Sanshi was Beibei's best buddy and instantly understood... Even if they knew who the enemy was, they could not casually go looking for trouble, could they?

At that moment, seven or eight figures had appeared atop Shrek City's walls at some unknown time. Behind them stood many city guards, all respectfully waiting there.

Among those seven or eight people was Treasure Appraisal Pavilion Master Lin Lao. He had been happily chatting with Mu Baobao earlier and had nearly tricked him into forging Battle Armor, only to see the signal and directly smash his outrageously expensive window before rushing out.

The Treasure Gathering Pavilion's security team had instantly been startled awake, thinking a thief had broken in. But there were Title Douluos and Soul Douluos there. What kind of legendary thief would go insane like that?

Going there just to die? Then there was Shrek City's lord, Shi Xing, who was in charge of the city's defenses...

He had rushed over immediately as well, only to find that the battle was already over. Xian Lin'er and Yan Shaozhe were also among them... They had originally intended to provide reinforcements, but seeing the battle had ended, they did not show themselves.

A distress signal from an Inner Court disciple was a top-priority matter for Shrek Academy. They were already fully considered Shrek's people, and losing even one was unacceptable. Mu Baobao was Dragon God Douluo Mu En's great-grandson and the founder of the Battle Armor system.

He even had a customized version. If something happened to him, there was no doubt that the Sea God Pavilion would mobilize in full, gun down the enemy, and then whip the corpses tens of thousands of times.

Yet it had merely been Mu Baobao showing off. The Inner Court signal had been meant for Huo Yuhao. That was truly absurd.

Yan Shaozhe said helplessly, "After Xiaotao and Baobao went to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, their cultivation improved considerably again. Within two years, both of them should be able to break through to seven rings."

"But what surprises me more is that his third soul skill is actually a domain-type soul skill?" Yan Shaozhe said gravely. Such soul skills were exceedingly rare.

Even if someone obtained one, its effects would not be outstanding at a low level. But if it were at the ten-thousand-year level... it would be comparable to a true domain. The key was that it directly froze a Soul Emperor and Soul Kings. The hell was that supposed to be a thousand-year soul skill?

Even ten thousand years would be considered too little. Many top-tier martial souls could possibly become, or approach, Ultimate attributes upon cultivation to their limits. If Huo Yuhao merely possessed a Body Martial Soul and an Ultimate Martial Soul, then after Shrek Academy confirmed that there were no problems with his identity...

The academy would have devoted resources to cultivating him. But it was because he possessed two martial souls along with exceptional Soul Tool talent that Yan Shaozhe had regretted it enough to cause a fuss at the Sea God Pavilion meeting. Mu Baobao was Mu En's great-grandson, so he had naturally been invited.

At first, Yan Shaozhe had thought he would join the Spirit Department, but he chose the Soul Guidance Department instead... He only attended classes occasionally, because he knew the Spirit Department's courses were largely useless, teaching all sorts of knowledge and theories. But were those useful in the face of absolute strength? Obtaining the best Soul Rings and Soul Bones... that was the ultimate method of cultivation.

Tang San and Huo Yuhao had listened to some of that stuff in the early stages, but did they not still cheat their way through everything later? Tang Wulin had not attended Shrek Academy for long before it was blown up, while Lan Xuanyu had practically gone there to carry Shrek, spending all day undercover in the Longma Galaxy and barely learning anything.

Thus, Mu Baobao chose the Soul Guidance Department. Yan Shaozhe had assumed he was sulking because Mu En cared more about Beibei than him, but he barely studied in the Soul Guidance Department either and simply spent all his time smithing.

Until the Battle Armor system was unveiled... Xian Lin'er glanced at him. "It seems your disciple never told you what happened at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Otherwise, you would have come to snatch Mu Baobao from me again, just as you did with Huo Yuhao. You're nothing but someone who goes back on his word and abandons people after messing around with them."

"Then what happened to them at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?" Yan Shaozhe directly ignored Xian Lin'er. When she accused his character and conduct, he responded, "Is this how Shrek Academy's dean behaves? Ignoring her own past mistakes?"

Xian Lin'er's gaze turned hostile. Shi Xing and Lin Lao did not interfere, lest they get dragged into the mess.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Yan Shaozhe could only vent his anger on the ambushers. "Bring all the corpses back to the academy. Spare no cost in finding out who dared to attack our people on Shrek territory, especially such important students."

If something happened to Wang Dong, he would not be able to answer to the Clear Sky Sect. As for Huo Yuhao, he would not mind bathing the enemy in blood.

There was no longer any need to worry about Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong on the way back. That distress signal had directly summoned Shrek Academy's strongest forces. Surrounded by several Sea God Pavilion members, they were escorted away. As for the result...

Although there was no actual evidence, once they pieced together the clues and figured out who it was, they backed down again. Dai Mubai was one of the First Generation Shrek Seven Devils, the God of War.

The Evil Eye White Tiger family had once been the imperial family of the Star Luo Empire and was now its ducal house. Dai Huabin was placed under close watch... Yet Yan Shaozhe was more concerned about Xian Lin'er's words. Ma Xiaotao had not told him about the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, clearly because she did not want to make Mu Baobao resent him. Thus, he went to the Sea God Pavilion... and appeared before Dragon God Douluo Mu En.

"Teacher, Huo Yuhao's matter has been handled. Although we found no concrete evidence, we have narrowed down the possible target."

"But even if we had evidence, we could not touch him..." Yan Shaozhe said.

Start a war with the Star Luo Empire for Huo Yuhao?

That was clearly impossible. Shrek Academy would be severely damaged as well, and Huo Yuhao could only bring honor to the academy after he grew stronger. He had not yet done so... Even geniuses could die young.

They were simply too dazzling, and their enemies would not let them develop freely... But they could not follow him at all times either. What kind of growth would that be?

Not to mention that this involved Dai Mubai, one of the First Generation Shrek Seven Devils and the God of War... a man who had brought them boundless glory. Mu En nodded.

"I understand. But there is no need to report this matter to me, is there?" Mu En saw through Yan Shaozhe's thoughts. After hesitating slightly, Yan Shaozhe still said, "I want to know what happened between your great-grandson Mu Baobao and my disciple Ma Xiaotao at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"

"Sigh, at first I thought Huo Yuhao was merely an ordinary orphan, but now it seems he carries many secrets. Yet I have discovered that my great-grandson has just as many secrets. If we did not share the same bloodline, he, Beibei, their father, and even my younger self would seem incredibly alike."

"I can hardly believe that he is my great-grandson!" Mu En rocked in his reclining chair. Yan Shaozhe indicated that he could understand.

"After all, he and Huo Yuhao have brought us far too many surprises."

"Huo Yuhao possesses Twin Martial Souls. There is no need to mention the Ultimate Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, while his Spirit Eye is an evolved Body Martial Soul that might one day become Ultimate Spirit... Yet even that is equivalent to, or perhaps inferior to, one of my great-grandson's martial souls. Ultimate Ice and spirit, two attributes in one, and a dragon is stronger than a scorpion."

"His second martial soul is even a dragon egg that requires Soul Rings of matching attributes to hatch. It also possesses two Ultimate attributes: Ultimate Lightning and Evil."

Dragon God Mu En's words completely shocked Yan Shaozhe. Dragons stood at the top of the food chain in every plane, including the God Realm. If Ultimate Ice and spirit were added to that... how invincible would it be?

He had not expected Mu Baobao to possess not only Ultimate Ice, but Ultimate Spirit as well.

That truly rivaled, or even surpassed, Huo Yuhao's two martial souls. He had also never expected Mu Baobao to possess an unhatched martial soul that was likewise dragon-attributed.

It also possessed two Ultimate attributes. Mu En glanced at him and continued, "So when he went to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he did not merely obtain the Dragon Transformation Method. He also went hunting for a Soul Ring, and with Battle Armor and a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, he defeated a thirty-thousand-year Thunder Prison Vine!"

Yan Shaozhe, as the dean of the Spirit Department, knew the Thunder Prison Vine all too well. It possessed the God of Thunder's bloodline. If it could cultivate to one hundred thousand years, it might gain Ultimate Lightning. Precisely because it could not suppress its violent lightning, it could self-destruct anywhere from twenty to fifty thousand years of cultivation, destroying an entire region.

Along with the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, it was one of the few aberrant soul beasts that possessed a deity's bloodline.

At fifty thousand years, it could rival a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. At thirty thousand years, it was fully comparable to a Soul Douluo... Yet Mu Baobao had actually succeeded. But Yan Shaozhe was even more shocked.

"A Martial Soul Fusion Skill? His two martial souls can even fuse with each other? How is that possible? The Evil Eye White Tiger and Hell Spirit Cat families have intermarried for generations not merely because they can perform Martial Soul Fusion Skills, but also because they wanted to test whether someone possessing both martial souls could achieve a Self-Martial Soul Fusion Skill."

Mu Baobao's example now clearly gave them the answer. Wang Dong was a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect.

The Light Goddess Butterfly was her primary martial soul, and they knew she also possessed the Clear Sky Hammer... She and Huo Yuhao could use a four-martial-soul fusion skill, but that was far inferior to Mu Baobao's ability to perform a Self-Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

The key was that he had also founded the Battle Armor system. They had never expected that his most terrifying aspect would still be his martial souls. Yan Shaozhe slapped the table and made a request to Mu En.

"I want to convene a Sea God Pavilion meeting. Someone like him should not be buried!" he said firmly.

Mu En, whose light attribute merely approached Ultimate Light, had already become Shrek Academy's and even the Douluo Continent's strongest soul master in a thousand years... Yan Shaozhe had believed that Huo Yuhao, with a Body Martial Soul and Ultimate Martial Soul, would surpass him and become an invincible soul master among Limit Douluos.

Even if he did not become a god, he would still become the strongest person on the Douluo Continent in thousands of years. Wang Dong and his Martial Soul Fusion Skill could absolutely contend against demi-gods, perhaps even quasi-gods. At the very least, they could protect Shrek's peace and glory for several centuries. Yet Mu Baobao was even more astonishing.

One martial soul possessed two Ultimate attributes. Once he reached Limit Douluo, he would only be stronger than Huo Yuhao. If he then used a Self-Martial Soul Fusion Skill and equipped the theoretical Four-Word Battle Armor comparable to a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone...

If Shrek went all out to help him hunt Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts and gave him a full set of Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones... there would be no issue with his strength catching up to gods. Yet Mu En merely glanced at him.

"And then have you argue with Xian Lin'er, Qian Duoduo, and the others again? I can only say that it is impossible."

"Why?!" Yan Shaozhe demanded. Mu En released an immense pressure, forcing this ninety-seventh-rank Super Douluo to calm down. "Shaozhe, you have lost your composure... You have gone back on your word time and again, and even in your youth, you were unreliable in love."

"Baobao was indeed my mistake. I should not have played favorites... But I never expected his talent to be so terrifying. I can see that his ambitions do not lie with Shrek, nor even with the Douluo Continent."

"Otherwise, why would he reject the special exception of becoming a Sea God Pavilion member at eighteen? But this is not because he resents me for valuing Beibei more. We can no longer predict his future. He may very well reach the realm of the First Generation Shrek Seven Devils, perhaps even rival Tang San... That is precisely why we cannot bind him."

"You only need to know that he is the great-grandson of Dragon God Douluo Mu En, one of Shrek's people... Even if his ambitions lie elsewhere, he will not stand by and watch our academy suffer misfortune. The Battle Armor system he created has already given us far too much!"

"We must not restrain him further. Even if he wishes to leave Shrek Academy in the future, we must respect his choice. This... is enough."

Mu En spoke slowly. Even his state of mind had become unsteady, filled with too many emotions.

His pride needed no words.