Backing Down

Qin Sheng and Mu En landed on the ground and found a place to sit.

Dragon God Douluo was very old. More importantly, he had once swallowed a Dragon Pill, and the Baleful Aura's backlash had damaged his body and injured his Origin.

By rough estimate, without fighting anyone at full strength, this Ultimate Douluo had a little over ten years left to live.

"I apologize to you and Blazing Spirit Academy for the loose tongues of those seven children from the academy," Mu En said sincerely.

Qin Sheng said, "The matter between the students was already settled in the arena. You need not do this."

Mu En understood what Qin Sheng meant and let out a soft sigh.

"This time, Xuan Zi was in the wrong. It was only right that you crippled one of his arms. I will compensate Blazing Spirit Academy with a high-quality Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Bone for each of those seven children, as well as one Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Bone. What do you think?"

"Additionally, I will confine Xuan Zi to Sea God Island for ten years. He will not be allowed to leave it for even a single step during that time."

Qin Sheng looked at the old man. He was open and forthright, and his sincerity was clear.

These words were, in truth, a complete concession to Qin Sheng. He had placed himself in the inferior position.

"I don't think Sea God Pavilion would be willing to pay such a great price. In fact, most of them probably hold a different attitude."

For example, mobilizing all of Shrek's strength to march against Blazing Spirit Academy and restore its glory as the number one academy of the age.

"When one is wrong, one must admit it," Mu En said.

"They have immersed themselves in the glory of the past for too long. They think Shrek is truly fearless and eternally unshakable."

"This incident is also a good thing for Shrek."

"For the sake of Taotie Douluo having killed quite a few Evil Soul Masters in the past, you may take them back later," Qin Sheng said.

"However, if something similar happens again in the future, there will be no need for you to come."

To be honest, Qin Sheng had never cared about Shrek Academy since arriving in this world six years ago. It was merely a power in the Human World.

Whether that academy was good or bad, whether it deserved praise or criticism, had nothing to do with him. If Xuan Zi had not gone mad, Qin Sheng could not have been bothered with him.

"Thank you."

Mu En looked in the direction of Heaven Dou City and asked, "There is another Ultimate Douluo in the city?"

"Yes. A friend of mine."

Mu En sighed. "It seems I truly was a frog at the bottom of a well before. Douluo Continent is vast, and there are many hidden experts."

"May I ask how Blazing Spirit Academy intends to develop in the future?"

"Only as an academy," Qin Sheng answered without hesitation.

"Yes, that is how it should be."

Mu En said, "Shrek has already lost its way somewhat."

Shrek had replaced the former Spirit Hall and was also showing signs of developing into a new "Spirit Hall."

It was still somewhat better now. The Shrek and Tang Sect of the Douluo Three Kingdoms era would become even more excessive, opposing the Federation, trampling the law, trafficking arms, secretly colluding with enemy states...

The last was the worst of all.

"I wonder what you think of Soul Tools?"

Soul Tools were products of Soul Power technology developed on Douluo Continent. At present, they were mainly used in combat and had yet to become widespread in everyday life.

"They are the tide of the times, and they cannot be stopped. Although pure Soul Masters still hold the dominant position for now, the continent of the future will certainly be a fusion of Soul Masters and Soul Tools."

Qin Sheng said, "Powerful Soul Masters equipped with powerful Soul Tools are the future of the Soul Master world."

Mu En felt as though he had found a kindred spirit. He thought the same.

"However, Soul Tools in our era still have their limitations. It is enough to let talented people research and manufacture them; there is no need to force everyone to study them deeply."

Qin Sheng continued, "Most Soul Masters only need to learn how to use them. That is enough."

Were Soul Tools the ultimate answer during the second Douluo era?

That was complete nonsense.

Huo Yuhao had spent so much time on Soul Tools early on and even joined the supposedly incredible Ultimate Individual Soldier Project, but in the end, did he not still sweep everyone aside through the raw strength of a Soul Master?

Only after several thousand more years, when mechs and Battle Armor appeared, would Soul Tools become the answer and a required subject for everyone.

"You are right. But in the original Douluo Three Kingdoms, many people were unwilling not only to manufacture Soul Tools, but even to use them. The ideological resistance is far too severe."

Mu En shook his head. "Trying to promote the development of Soul Tools is as difficult as climbing to heaven."

The current Douluo Continent was quite absurd. Most Soul Masters rejected tools like Soul Tools, believing that true Soul Masters should not use such implements.

"What ideological resistance? At the end of the day, it is all about interests," Qin Sheng sneered.

"Take your Shrek, for instance. If the Soul Tool Department wants to develop, it must take resources from the Martial Soul Department. Why would the Martial Soul Department agree to that?"

"The same is true of the other academies. Old-school Soul Masters hold most of the resources. Who would be willing to give them up?"

The younger generation was influenced by their elders and indoctrinated from childhood with the belief that Soul Tools were bad. There was nothing to be done about that.

But those in high positions across the continent talked about how the laws of their ancestors could not be changed, while all they thought about in their hearts was business.

If they truly rejected Soul Tool technology, why did they still use storage-type Soul Tools?

"You as well. You speak of supporting the development of Soul Tools, but you yourself came from the Martial Soul Department. When your disciples and descendants come crying to you, do you not compromise again?"

"I have been taught. I have lived two hundred years in vain," Mu En said shamefully.

"Enough. How your Shrek Academy develops is your own business."

Qin Sheng said, "After the Soul Master Tournament ends, I will deal with the Holy Spirit Cult. When that time comes, I will invite people from the Three Kingdoms to witness it. Your academy may also send people."

"The Holy Spirit Cult?" Mu En's expression tightened.

"Don't tell me you do not know," Qin Sheng said.

"The Evil Soul Masters have already become a force to be reckoned with, no weaker than any power on the continent. I have a blood feud with them. They must die."

"When the time comes, you will not need to act. I alone will be enough."

With that, his figure vanished from the place. There was nothing more to say to Dragon God Douluo.

Setting aside the absurd things Mu En had done in his youth, his vision and breadth of mind truly surpassed those of Shrek's other people.

He had long seen the hidden dangers beneath Shrek's present prosperity: glory clouding the mind, arrogance and conceit, madness and obsession, a lofty sense of superiority...

He had also understood the impact Soul Tools would have on Soul Masters.

Mu En had always wanted to change Shrek and promote the academy's development of Soul Tools, but he did not have the ability.

More accurately, he lacked the resolve.

Shrek was too large a ship. Mu En was at the helm, yet he could not change its course and could only drift with the current.

That academy could not be completely controlled by any one person. Its true masters were the so-called Shrek spirit and glory.

What Mu En wanted was to trust in the wisdom of later generations and leave the problems for those who came after to solve.

But if Shrek had not encountered a Child of Destiny, it would not even need to wait ten thousand years. It would have to be blown apart right now.

Inside the room, Snow Emperor smiled faintly.

"I thought you two would fight."

"He is not that foolish ox. He is very smart, and he does not dare," Qin Sheng said, shaking his head.

"If he fought me, he would undoubtedly die."

Mu En did not possess the strength to knock Xuan Zi unconscious in a single move.

"Do you need me to go with you to deal with the Holy Spirit Cult?" Snow Emperor asked.

"You should return to the Far North first and begin preparing the matter of faith. I will notify you when it is time to attack the Holy Spirit Cult."

Snow Emperor drifted away.

"After destroying the Holy Spirit Cult, I will use the momentum to have the Sun-Moon Empire spread my name as well. That way, the faith of humanity across the continent can basically be secured. It will only need time to accumulate."

Qin Sheng pondered, "Should I make contact with the Soul Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest? There are quite a few Soul Beasts there as well."

"And beyond Douluo Continent, there are two other continents in the deep sea. There are living beings there too. As long as I find their locations, they can provide me with faith as well."

As he thought, Qin Sheng raised his head and looked at the sky.

Normally, gathering faith with his strength to sweep across the continent should not be difficult. The only uncertainty was the God Realm—or rather, Tang San.

"Will you make a move?"