Long Xiaoyao: Mu En is useless. I'll protect the continent's future!

"My connection with the Heavenly Dragon Sect goes back to when I was still studying at a Soul Master Academy."

Beneath a bright moon and sparse stars, Long Xiaoyao strode through the skies between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Sun Moon Empire, taking the border-crossing stowaways Yu Tianjun and Ling Luochеn with him as he recounted stories from his youth.

He seemed to be taking a leisurely stroll, but each step covered dozens of miles. The old black dragon had resolved to leave Yu Tianjun no chance whatsoever to get involved with the Holy Spirit Cult.

Yu Tianjun appeared to have recovered completely. Playing the straight man, he said, "I've heard about your exploits. In his youth, the Darkness Dragon Emperor led a team that fought Shrek Academy to a standstill."

"The person leading the Shrek Academy Team back then was precisely the man who would later become as famous as you—the Radiant Sacred Dragon, Dragon God Douluo Mu En."

"They say he reached rank sixty-nine at eighteen, making history at Shrek. And you happened to be his match."

Long Xiaoyao laughed heartily. "Your distant ancestor, my teacher, deserves credit for that."

"Mu En came from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and entered Shrek as a child, inheriting the true teachings of two great powers. If I hadn't studied under your distant ancestor and filled the gaps in my cultivation knowledge, how could I have been his match?"

"Dragon Transformation alone let Mu En tower over his peers. Your distant ancestor taught me my Dragon Transformation, and it was no worse than Mu En's."

Yu Tianjun nodded. Dragon Transformation was an exclusive secret art the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had passed down for ten thousand years. After rank thirty, each additional tier allowed the user to transform another body part, greatly increasing physical strength and explosive power.

The Radiant Sacred Dragon and Dark Sacred Dragon were of comparable quality. With all other factors equal, if one side knew Dragon Transformation and the other did not, the outcome would hold no suspense.

At rank sixty-nine, Mu En could already transform four body parts. Yu Tianjun estimated that his combat strength could approach that of a Soul Douluo.

Since Long Xiaoyao could contend with him, he must also have known Dragon Transformation during the Soul Master Tournament, with mastery no lower than Mu En's.

The only person who would and could have taught him was the Heavenly Dragon Sect's sect master at the time.

"Strange, really. My Soul Master Academy was nowhere near Mu En's, but with the knowledge my teacher imparted, I didn't fall behind Mu En at all in the early stages. At most, I was a hair weaker."

"In that tournament, I led my team to defeat the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, then narrowly lost to Mu En. I wasn't convinced back then. Mu En's soul power was one rank higher than mine."

Sighing over the past, Long Xiaoyao brought his index finger close to his thumb, leaving a tiny gap, as though to say the difference between them had been just that little.

Ling Luochеn thought, Sea God Island has the Golden Tree, a sacred cultivation ground for light Soul Masters. That was where you fell short, Senior. There's no need to feel ashamed.

"Haha, exactly! I've actually always felt my talent was just a little better than Mu En's."

Long Xiaoyao laughed with delight, finding Ling Luochеn's acknowledgment particularly gratifying.

After some thought, Yu Tianjun asked an unusual question. "Which academy did you study at back then? I can't recall any academy that fits."

Long Xiaoyao came from the Heaven Dou Empire, but none of its academies matched.

Jiang Peng was the first Soul Emperor in the Heavenly Soul Imperial Academy's history, so Long Xiaoyao certainly wasn't from there.

Then perhaps Zhengtian Academy? Its school history contained no glorious victory over the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

The question brought a complicated expression to Long Xiaoyao's face. After a brief silence, he said, "Not long after the tournament, Shrek's elders came knocking and bought my academy. Its old grounds have long since fallen into ruin. Best not to mention it."

Neither of them spoke again.

"Enough. The past is gone; look to today for heroes. You both have tremendous talent. Mingdu is a grand stage, more than large enough for you to display your abilities."

As they spoke, endless scenery swept past, and the outline of the enormous city of Mingdu came into view in the distance.

Long Xiaoyao pointed toward Mingdu, surveying the landscape with an old veteran's experience. "There, that's the imperial palace. That's the old district, and that's the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. Its grounds are comparable to a medium-sized city. Its current Dean, Radiant Virtue Hall Master Jing Hongchen, is quite capable.

"That's the food street. There's a very authentic Barbecue Restaurant there. I go often..."

After looking at each place, Yu Tianjun asked, "Do you have any recommendations for buying a house? I'd like to purchase somewhere to settle down for now."

"Then look toward the southern outskirts. The surroundings are peaceful and life is comfortable, though prices are a little high. Do you need some financial help from me?"

Ling Luochеn spoke first. "I've saved a little over the years. We just need to find somewhere suitable."

Yu Tianjun was about to speak, but seeing the determination in Ling Luochеn's eyes, he let her have her way.

They could simply pay together.

The three landed in the outskirts. Long Xiaoyao was pointing out how the air here wasn't fresh enough and the vegetation there wasn't dense enough when his gaze abruptly sharpened.

The Darkness Dragon Emperor frowned, his expression turning hostile. "Why are they even here?"

Ling Luochеn blinked. "Who do you mean, Senior?"

"Probably Evil Soul Masters."

After devouring Bi Yangde, Yu Tianjun's spiritual power had increased enormously. From far away, he detected three or four faint traces of an evil aura.

There was also an exceptionally pure aura of the Light Element in that location, its attribute extraordinarily powerful.

Locking his spiritual power onto the southeast, Yu Tianjun took Ling Luochеn's hand and used the Darkness Escape Technique, moving swiftly beneath the cover of night.

In the dense woods, four figures in black robes and clothing sneered coldly. Among them were Soul Ancestors and Soul Kings, and they were surrounding a stunning young woman whose face seemed to proclaim holiness and justice.

Two wings unfurled behind her; a goddess's radiant silhouette illuminated the lofty sky. A Holy Sword struck at evil souls, while her peerless beauty outshone the stars.

Four standard soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—floated around her. Dressed in fitted combat clothes, the beautiful girl wielded her Holy Sword and fiercely slashed at all four opponents despite the gap in their ranks. Her glittering golden eyes held no fear of defeat, only the hope of eradicating evil.

Miss Angel, Ye Guyi!

"A Holy Angel, comparable to an ultimate martial soul? Am I seeing things?"

Ling Luochеn instantly recognized the martial soul of the girl battling the Evil Soul Masters, her beautiful eyes widening into circles.

This world was far too crazy. Everything she had experienced today felt like a dream.

The revelation that Yu Tianjun's true martial soul was a Dark Qilin had already been shocking enough. Now, the very first battle she witnessed upon reaching Mingdu's outskirts featured a Holy Angel whose quality rivaled an ultimate martial soul. What had happened to this world?

Were legendary martial souls really so common? Her ice-element martial soul, so close to ultimate ice, suddenly seemed unfit to show its face.

Confident little Ling had taken a blow, suffering live on the spot. o(╥﹏╥)o

Yu Tianjun quietly approached the battlefield, five-colored light surging from his palm. "A Holy Angel battling evil souls, with neither side gaining the upper hand for now. Just as well, my strength has recently increased enormously... Why did Elder Long step in?"

A black shadow descended into the woods. A ring of dark soul light rippled outward, and before the four Evil Soul Masters could leave a single last word, they were reduced to ash, sent by Long Xiaoyao to meet the Sea God.

"Child, are you all right? How could someone of the Angel Lineage expose herself so readily? That's far too dangerous."

Having silenced them in a flash, Long Xiaoyao transformed into a kindly old man. With a casual gesture, he dispersed Ye Guyi's martial soul and all the Light Element, then fussed over her well-being.

"Thank you, Senior. I was tracking Evil Soul Masters through the Douluo Three Kingdoms and followed their trail all the way here."

Ye Guyi wiped away her sweat. Beneath dark brows like spring mountains, her brilliant golden eyes flickered. "There seem to be especially many traces of Evil Soul Masters in Mingdu..."

"Starting tonight, there won't be so many anymore!"

Long Xiaoyao patted his chest in assurance, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Yu Tianjun, who had slipped up beside him. Inwardly, he was alarmed.

The boy had been even more eager than him upon catching the scent of Evil Soul Masters. It seemed he still harbored ambitions of competing for the title of king of Evil Soul Masters. Precautions were necessary.

Those little fellows in the Xishui Alliance would all have to keep a low profile from now on. Their branches could be left as snacks for the little angel.

At last, there was hope of ending the Holy Spirit Cult's crisis.

"You're such an outstanding hero, Senior. Of course I believe you. May I ask who these two are?"

Ye Guyi's gaze settled on Yu Tianjun. The instant she looked at him, her glittering golden eyes abruptly lifted.

So handsome. But why does his aura feel a little strange?

Surely such a handsome boy couldn't be an Evil Soul Master? Those Evil Soul Masters are all crooked melons and cracked dates, and none of them are right in the head.

"Forgive the question, but have you recently killed a Soul Master using some special method?"

Out of her sense of responsibility as the Angel Successor, Ye Guyi still had to confirm whether there was anything wrong with him.

She, Ye Guyi, would never be bewitched by a pretty face.

Yu Tianjun nodded frankly. "A few hours ago, I was forced into a corner and devoured an Evil Soul Master. I don't know whether that makes me an Evil Soul Master now."

"It doesn't!"

Before Ye Guyi could untangle the situation from Yu Tianjun's complicated confession, Long Xiaoyao delivered an unequivocal declaration. He said:

"Devouring Talent has existed since ancient times. When Soul Masters embark on cultivation and hunt soul beasts, that itself is a form of devouring. As long as you guard your heart and remain upright, how could anyone call you an Evil Soul Master?"

Ling Luochеn immediately added, "That beast Yan Shaozhe forced you into it! You did it to save your closest kin!"

Ye Guyi looked at Long Xiaoyao, then Yu Tianjun, then Ling Luochеn, confusion filling her eyes.

This is so confusing. I feel like I'm about to grow a brain.

Long Xiaoyao waved a hand to conceal their auras and continued speaking to Yu Tianjun, determined to dispel his doubts completely.

"Little Ling is right. Besides, your martial soul is special, and the target you devoured was an Evil Soul Master. It achieves much the same result as a Holy Angel killing Evil Soul Masters."

"With a martial soul as powerful as yours, as long as you remain clearheaded and don't wish to fall, no one can make you fall."

"Um..."

Ye Guyi had no idea what she was hearing. "Could you tell me what happened? Or should I step away?"

Long Xiaoyao sought Yu Tianjun's opinion with a glance. Yu Tianjun nodded lightly and recounted his experiences.

"In that situation, you were forced into it."

Ye Guyi took all the factors into consideration. In ancient times, Yu Tianjun's conduct would have counted as self-defense, but by current standards, he would certainly be an Evil Soul Master.

Of course, Ye Guyi did not accept the current judgment.

"From the perspective of martial souls, Ultimate Darkness has a purifying effect, just like the holy attribute of angels."

His aged gaze moved among the three young people as Long Xiaoyao spoke kindly.

"Today, I'll give you a little supplementary lesson on how Evil Soul Masters cultivate."

"The lowest method is to eat raw flesh and drink blood to raise one's cultivation. Sometimes, there's little choice in the matter. Some Soul Masters' martial souls require blood and flesh to advance. Personally, I believe they don't count as Evil Soul Masters so long as they don't consume human blood in large quantities.

"A step above that is using soul skills to torment people and soul beasts, devouring their flesh and enslaving their souls. This is the most common kind.

"Higher still is killing through abilities involving soul bones or vengeful spirits, suffering negligible backlash. Spider-type soul bones, for instance, can absorb life force. Supposedly, the Rakshasa God started that trend, and unofficial histories say the Sea God did it too.

"The highest level uses a martial soul's innate abilities. That means the martial soul was born with excellent potential to become an evil martial soul. But a Soul Master's unintentional actions, or actions taken under duress, are by no means evidence condemning them to a fall into evil."

His gaze settled on Yu Tianjun's thoughtful face. Even Long Xiaoyao, a Limit Douluo, revealed heartfelt emotion.

"Based on my experience, after that innate ability of yours devoured Bi Yangde, the black hole purified everything he possessed, turning it into pure Heaven and Earth Essence that merged into your body."

"From his martial soul to his soul, everything was erased by your divine beast bloodline and Ultimate Darkness, becoming a substance akin to a heavenly treasure. Essentially, you ate a Pill with no side effects."

"Ultimate Darkness is the purest dark element. It can cleanse all filth and filter out every impurity, restoring things to their most fundamental state. It reaches the same destination as the Angel Clan's abilities, by a different path."

"I don't know whether you can keep using your Devouring Technique. If you can, you will become the Evil Soul Masters' most terrifying nightmare."

At those words, all Yu Tianjun's confusion vanished. He bowed to Long Xiaoyao with clasped hands. "Thank you for helping me see through my doubts, Elder Long."

At that moment, he gained a deeper understanding of his Ultimate Darkness.

Long Xiaoyao said, "A trifle, not worth mentioning. In any case, remember what I said. No Evil Soul Master organization will ever accept you. Give up on that idea and be a normal Soul Master."

Yu Tianjun smiled wryly. "As I said, Senior, those were only angry words."

"They had better be. I'll be keeping my eyes on you."

Having witnessed the Darkness Dragon Emperor's great feat of preventing the Dark Qilin from falling, Ye Guyi's eyes filled with respect as she asked Long Xiaoyao:

"Senior, Senior, how do you know so much? Have you killed lots of Evil Soul Masters too?"

"Er, well, haha..."

Long Xiaoyao laughed awkwardly. "When you get old, you learn a few more things."

I can hardly tell you those Evil Soul Masters also respectfully call me Elder Long.

"Well, Tianjun, you youngsters chat among yourselves. Buy a house and settle in soon. I'll go to the Heavenly Dragon Sect first to stand guard for your grandfather."

With that, Long Xiaoyao stamped his foot and shifted through space. First, he slapped away a nearby Soul Master from the Ordinary Alliance, then spread his spiritual power outward.

In less than a quarter of an hour, several Evil Soul Masters within Mingdu met a ruthless end, dying at the hands of their own Grand Elder.

Hidden a hundred meters up in the sky, Long Xiaoyao watched Ye Guyi, Yu Tianjun, and Ling Luochеn purchase a house together in the outskirts. The Darkness Dragon Emperor quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

He felt that some of his lifetime of sins had been redeemed. Then he thought of his old friend.

Yan Shaozhe was Mu En's personal disciple. Had Mu En never noticed anything wrong?

Long Xiaoyao's brows gradually drew together as he began to question his old friend's allegiance.

"I've worn myself out for half the day and only cleaned up half of Yan Shaozhe's mess. Mu En, oh, Mu En. Have you gone senile, keeping a ghost in your house without knowing it? Or are you like me, already working for Xishui in secret?"

In his youth, Yan Shaozhe had shared a romance with Feng Ling, the Holy Spirit Cult Leader's Wife. Their circumstances closely resembled the love triangle between himself, Mu En, and Ye Xishui back then. Thus, it had taken Long Xiaoyao little time to believe Yan Shaozhe was a hidden agent of the Holy Spirit Cult, just as he himself had once been.

Zhongli Wu was a ruthless fellow. Just like his father, Old Ghost Zhongli, he specialized in using women to bait the fishing grounds.

Now the question fell to Mu En. What exactly was the Sea God Pavilion Master's stance?

If Mu En knowingly allowed this, did the future of the continent's normal Soul Masters truly have to rest on his shoulders as the Dark Sacred Dragon, protecting the paths of the Dark Qilin and Holy Angel?

If that was really the case, they might as well trade places. He could go to Shrek and become Sea God Pavilion Master, while Mu En could come to the Holy Spirit Cult and serve as Grand Elder.

He had kept Xishui company for so many years. With Mu En's body in that state, if he didn't come soon, he would never have another chance...

"Since it's come to this, and Mu En is useless, I'll have to protect the future of the continent's normal Soul Masters and ordinary people.

"First, I'll go impose confinement orders at the Xishui Alliance and the Holy Spirit Cult's headquarters, then head to the Heavenly Dragon Sect to stand guard for them. At my age, I still have to rush back and forth. It's exhausting."

As he flew back and forth through the skies, Ye Xishui's figure suddenly rose in his mind. The two-hundred-odd-year-old Darkness Dragon Emperor was overcome with conflicting emotions, cursing all the way as he flew.

"Damn it, how did Yan Shaozhe force me into becoming a traitor to the Holy Spirit Cult? Xi Shui, I've wronged you..."