Twin Masters

Inside the Soul Guidance Emergency Center.

"My pupil, your martial soul should be your own shadow, and the ultimate attribute you've awakened is darkness, am I right?"

Mu Ye sat across from Jiang Xiu, asking in a gentle tone.

"How did you know, Senior?"

Jiang Xiu feigned surprise, playing along with Mu Ye.

Although the Body Sect had declined, its various secret techniques remained incredibly powerful. Even though his martial soul was the Shadow Monarch, according to Mu Ye, it could be classified as a body martial soul, and perhaps it could even undergo a secondary awakening.

With no one to rely on and no resources for his future cultivation, he knew that having more options was always better.

Furthermore, although Mu Ye had not yet broken through to the Super Doulu level, his strength was unquestionable; it would be no exaggeration to call him the strongest person beneath the Limit Doulu level.

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

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiu felt his future brighten instantly.

"Come, let me see it."

Seeing Jiang Xiu agree, Mu Ye smiled proudly. As the sect master of the Body Sect, his understanding of body martial souls was nothing short of absolute.

Jiang Xiu glanced at Dong Zi'an, and seeing no objection, he prepared to summon his Shadow Monarch martial soul.

After all, Dong Zi'an's status was equally transcendent; the Western Legion was second only to the Central Legion and the Sea God Legion among the Eight Great Legions, so he had to be mindful of him as well.

He had no choice; he was desperate to progress in his cultivation.

Rather than struggling to find resources on his own, it was better to join a formidable faction.

A ghostly light emerged, and a black shadow rose from beneath Jiang Xiu's feet, standing behind him. A cold, dark aura radiated outward, and a pair of blood-red eyes fixed their gaze upon Mu Ye.

"Not bad, it truly is a shadow martial soul. This dark energy is incredibly pure."

The moment Mu Ye saw the shadow martial soul appear, his previously calm heart began to stir, and he glanced at Dong Zi'an from time to time.

Dong Zi'an revealed a playful smile. Having known Mu Ye for so many years, he knew exactly what the man was thinking.

Immediately, Dong Zi'an's lips moved slightly, and a voice transmission reached Mu Ye's ears.

"Jiang Xiu's first martial soul is the Purple Imperial Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon. Can you handle that?"

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

"Speak up. You must have called me here because you want me to mentor Jiang Xiu, but now you're hesitating. What is your true intention?"

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

"I want the two of us to mentor Jiang Xiu together. I will teach him the arts of slaughter, and you will teach him how to forge his own body and help him achieve the secondary awakening of his body martial soul."

"You're so invested in him—what is Jiang Xiu to you? You two don't look alike at all. Jiang Xiu is so delicate-looking, a guaranteed handsome man in the future, while you... well, you're barely human."

Mu Ye's interest was piqued, and he asked with a teasing tone.

"We have no relation. Jiang Xiu's parents were soldiers of the Blood God Legion who have both sacrificed their lives. I don't want to see his talent buried, which is why I came up with this method. Otherwise, do you think I would have called you?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Ye's smile froze on his face. Looking at the young Jiang Xiu before him, a sense of guilt emerged.

Damn it, he really shouldn't have made that joke.

"But to cultivate Jiang Xiu to the fullest, you're actually willing to let me become his master as well? Old Dong... you really are something."

Mu Ye looked at Dong Zi'an with newfound respect. They had known each other for many years; Dong Zi'an had never married or had children, and his greatest wish was to find someone to inherit his legacy. Now, he was actually willing to share his disciple.

"So, what is your decision?"

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

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

Mu Ye shrugged slightly, adding a final condition.

"If Jiang Xiu is willing, I have no problem with that. After all, we are only here to guide him, not to control or dictate his own thoughts."

Dong Zi'an said softly.

"Good! Then let us join forces and see what kind of monster we can cultivate."

Mu Ye felt his heart racing deep within his chest; he hadn't felt this kind of drive in years.

For a moment, despite their different motives, the two reached a consensus.

Jiang Xiu watched the two men, ripples forming in his eyes. He could tell they were communicating via secret transmission, and the subject was undoubtedly his future path.

"It's time I added some fuel to my own future."

After a moment of thought, Jiang Xiu steeled his heart and made a decision.

"Uncle Dong, and this Senior, my second martial soul seems to have a problem."

"What kind of problem? Do you feel any discomfort?"

Upon hearing this, Dong Zi'an and Mu Ye both grew tense; their plans could not fall apart halfway through.

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

Jiang Xiu said tentatively.

"What?!"

"My disciple even possesses an innate domain! Good one, old Dong, you were still hiding this from me? Are we even still brothers?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Ye felt as if a stroke of immense luck had struck him; every good thing seemed to be falling into his lap, and the corners of his mouth curled up in joy.

However, the fact that Dong Zi'an had concealed the news from him made him quite angry.

"No, I really didn't know about this."

Seeing the look of disdain Mu Ye cast his way, Dong Zi'an felt quite wronged; he had only just found out himself.

But both men were well aware of the implications of an innate domain. Any martial soul that came with an innate domain was absolutely among the strongest of the lot, existing at the very pinnacle of the pyramid.

And Jiang Xiu's shadow martial soul was very likely even above the Purple Imperial Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon martial soul.

"The world currently believes the strongest person on the continent is Yun Ming, but I don't think so. My disciple Jiang Xiu also has the potential to be the strongest on the continent!"

Mu Ye stood with his hands behind his back, his voice filled with soaring ambition.

"Blabbering on about what? We haven't even asked if Jiang Xiu agrees to let us be his masters yet."

Dong Zi'an glared at Mu Ye in annoyance, though as he spoke, he kept a close watch on Jiang Xiu's expression.

Mu Ye also turned his head, staring intently at Jiang Xiu.

"Masters, what are you talking about?"

Jiang Xiu asked, puzzled.

"Hm? You, oh you..."

Hearing this, the two men were stunned for a moment before exchanging a smile.

Jiang Xiu wore a smile, indicating that he wanted to improve his cultivation so badly that he didn't see why he had to choose just one master—he wanted them both!

"Uncle Dong, my parents were both soldiers of the Blood God Legion, and since you were the ones who saved me, I naturally hold you in high regard."

"And as for you, senior, you said you held me when I was a child. Although I don't remember it, I believe you. Having the two of you as my masters is my greatest blessing."

Jiang Xiu said with a sincere expression.

These earnest words made Mu Ye's face flush slightly, though he forcibly suppressed it; after all, he had indeed been bluffing earlier.

"It's alright, child. Being able to teach you may be our honor as well."

A hint of a smile appeared on Dong Zi'an's stern face as he spoke softly.

"But masters, which one of you is the first master, and which one is the second?"

A flash of brilliance crossed Jiang Xiu's eyes as he asked, feigning confusion.

"Obviously, I am the first master."

Mu Ye said, refusing to yield.

"Childish."

Dong Zi'an let out a soft snort, a look of disdain appearing at the corner of his mouth.

But the next moment, a faint voice rang out.

"I will be the first master, and old Mu, you will be the second. It is settled."

"Old Dong, you..."