Two Masters

Inside the Soul Guidance Emergency Center.

"Disciple, your Martial Soul should be your own shadow, right? And its Ultimate Attribute is darkness, isn't it?"

Mu Ye sat across from Jiang Xiu and asked in a gentle tone.

"How did you know, Senior?"

Jiang Xiu feigned surprise, playing along with Mu Ye.

Although the Body Sect had fallen into decline, its various secret techniques remained extremely powerful. Though his Martial Soul was the Shadow Monarch, according to Mu Ye, it could still be considered a Body Martial Soul. Perhaps it could even undergo a Second Awakening of a Body Martial Soul.

And right now, he had no one to rely on and no resources for his future cultivation. Naturally, having more options meant having more paths to choose from.

Besides, although Mu Ye hadn't broken through to Super Douluo, his strength was beyond question. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the strongest below Limit Douluo.

And Mu Ye also had an old friend, Zhen Hua...

Thinking of all this, Jiang Xiu suddenly felt his future brighten considerably.

"Come, let me have a look."

Seeing Jiang Xiu agree, Mu Ye smiled proudly. As the Body Sect's leader, when it came to understanding Body Martial Souls, he could spot the truth at a glance.

Jiang Xiu glanced at Dong Zi'an beside him. Seeing that he didn't object, he prepared to summon his Shadow Monarch Martial Soul.

After all, Dong Zi'an's status was equally extraordinary. The Western Legion ranked just below the Central Legion and the Sea God Legion among the eight legions, so he had to take Dong Zi'an into consideration too.

He couldn't help it. He was desperate to improve his cultivation.

Rather than scraping together resources on his own, it was better to join a powerful faction.

A faint glow appeared, and a shadow emerged from beneath Jiang Xiu's feet, rising behind him. A chilling aura of darkness spread out, and a pair of blood-red eyes fixed on Mu Ye.

"Not bad. It really is a Shadow Martial Soul. This darkness is so pure."

The moment Mu Ye saw the Shadow Martial Soul appear, his settled heart stirred again. From time to time, he stole a glance at Dong Zi'an beside him.

Dong Zi'an gave him an amused smile. After knowing Mu Ye for so many years, he knew exactly what Mu Ye was thinking.

Then Dong Zi'an barely moved his lips, sending a voice transmission into Mu Ye's ear.

"Jiang Xiu's First Martial Soul is the Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon. Can you protect him?"

After hearing the message, Mu Ye's brows knitted together. As if recalling something, he looked at Jiang Xiu, then at Dong Zi'an, and finally let out a sigh.

"Speak up. You called me here because you wanted me to teach Jiang Xiu, but now you're hesitating. What exactly are you getting at?"

Seeing that the time was right, Dong Zi'an's eyes suddenly grew deep as he slowly revealed his true purpose.

"I want the two of us to teach Jiang Xiu together. I'll teach him combat techniques, and you'll teach him how to temper his body and help him achieve a Second Awakening of his Body Martial Soul."

"You're awfully invested in him. What is Jiang Xiu to you? You two don't look alike.

"Jiang Xiu is so handsome—he'll surely grow into a beautiful man. You, on the other hand... you're barely human."

Mu Ye immediately perked up, asking with a teasing smile.

"We're not related. Jiang Xiu's parents were soldiers in the Blood God Legion. They both died in battle, and I couldn't bear to see Jiang Xiu's talent go to waste, so I came up with this plan. Otherwise, why do you think I called you here?"

Mu Ye's smile froze on his face. Looking at the young Jiang Xiu before him, he felt a hint of guilt.

Damn it. How could he make a joke like that?

"But for Jiang Xiu's sake, you're willing to let me become his master too. Old Dong... you really are something."

Mu Ye looked at Dong Zi'an with approval. They had known each other for years. Dong Zi'an had never married and had no children; more than anything, he wanted someone to inherit his legacy. Now he was actually willing to share his disciple with Mu Ye.

"So, what's your decision?"

Dong Zi'an watched Mu Ye intently, though he had already guessed the answer.

"Since you've made such a huge concession, what reason do I have to refuse? But Jiang Xiu has to become a disciple of our Body Sect too, and inherit it in the future."

Mu Ye shrugged slightly, then added,

"If Jiang Xiu is willing, I have no objections. After all, we're here to teach him, not to control him or dictate what he thinks."

Dong Zi'an said softly.

"Good! Then let's join forces and see just what kind of monster we can raise."

Mu Ye felt the deepest part of his heart begin to beat with excitement. It had been so many years since he'd felt this kind of drive.

For a moment, although the two men had different goals, they reached the same decision.

Jiang Xiu looked at the two men before him, a glimmer in his eyes. He could tell they were communicating through voice transmission, and whatever they were discussing had to do with his future.

I should add fuel to the fire of my own future, too.

After thinking it over, Jiang Xiu steeled himself and made up his mind.

"Uncle Dong, and Senior, I think there's something wrong with my Second Martial Soul."

"What's wrong? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

Dong Zi'an and Mu Ye both tensed at once. Their plan couldn't fall apart halfway through.

"It's just that... I think I have a domain."

Jiang Xiu said tentatively.

"What?!"

"My disciple has an innate domain too! Well, Old Dong, why were you keeping this from me? Are we even friends?"

Hearing this, Mu Ye felt as if a stroke of incredible luck had fallen right into his lap. Everything was going his way, and his mouth stretched into a delighted grin.

But he was furious that Dong Zi'an had kept this from him.

"No, I really didn't know."

Seeing the scornful look Mu Ye gave him, Dong Zi'an felt terribly wronged. He'd only just found out himself.

But both men understood what an innate domain meant. A Martial Soul that came with an innate domain was undoubtedly among the strongest—the very pinnacle of the pyramid.

And Jiang Xiu's Shadow Martial Soul might even surpass his Purple Imperial Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon Martial Soul.

"Everyone says Yun Ming is the strongest person on the continent, but I'm not so sure. My disciple Jiang Xiu has what it takes to become the strongest on the continent too!"

With his hands behind his back, Mu Ye declared grandly.

"What are you babbling about? We haven't even asked whether Jiang Xiu wants us as his masters."

Dong Zi'an glared at Mu Ye in exasperation, but as he spoke, he kept a close eye on Jiang Xiu's expression.

Mu Ye also turned to watch Jiang Xiu intently.

"What are you two talking about, Masters?"

Jiang Xiu asked, confused.

"Hm? You..."

The two men were taken aback, then exchanged smiles.

Jiang Xiu wore a smile of his own. He was eager to improve his cultivation. Why settle for one master? He'd take them both!

"Uncle Dong, my parents were both soldiers in the Blood God Legion, and you were the ones who rescued me. Naturally, I respect you deeply."

"Senior, you said you held me when I was little. I don't remember it, but I believe you. Having both of you as my masters is the greatest blessing I could ask for."

Jiang Xiu spoke with heartfelt sincerity.

After hearing those honest words, Mu Ye's face turned slightly red, but he quickly suppressed it. After all, he really had been making that part up earlier.

"It's all right, child. It may be our good fortune to teach you."

Dong Zi'an's stern face broke into a faint smile as he spoke softly.

"But, Masters, which of you is the senior master, and which is the junior master?"

A glint passed through Jiang Xiu's eyes as he asked, puzzled.

"Of course I'm the senior master."

Mu Ye asserted himself without hesitation.

"Childish."

Dong Zi'an snorted, a look of disdain on his face.

But the next moment, a quiet voice rang out.

"I'll be the senior master, and you'll be the junior master, Old Mu. That's settled."

"Old Dong, you..."