The Dark Sacred Dragon Feasted on Meat, Mu En Sighed While Silver Moon Rejoiced, and Blue Lightning Forged Ties with the Angels Again

Yu Tianjun left on his second day back at the Heavenly Dragon Sect. There was one more person on the return journey: Thunderclap Douluo wanted to visit Mingdu to inspect his grandson's living conditions.

The five set out before dawn, their flying soul tools streaking across the sky at high speed without leaving a trace.

"Now that you've gone, I can rest easy here."

Long Xiaoyao woke from a nap and learned that Yu Yuanjue had already left. A relaxed smile curved his lips.

Preventing the Dark Qilin from falling into the Holy Spirit Cult and keeping the Holy Angel hidden from evil soul masters—hadn't I, Long Xiaoyao, rendered an unparalleled service to all living beings on the continent? Surely that redeemed half a lifetime's sins?

It's just that my position as the Holy Spirit Cult's supreme elder is all title and no substance. I'm practically a spy planted in the cult. When Yan Shaozhe comes back someday, I should step aside for someone worthy as soon as possible. Then I can truly be at ease.

The dragon's heart was delighted. Three pounds of roast meat were in order.

"Little Xing Yan, Little Heavenly Dragon, you five little dragons, make this old man some orchid bear paw today. Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear paws are the tastiest of all."

Licking his lips, Long Xiaoyao silently praised Yu Tianjun's filial thoughtfulness. The boy had even saved a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear paw for him.

Heh heh, eating meat is wonderful. Living like a lord at the Heavenly Dragon Sect is even better!

"Bei Bei, come here."

Shrek Outer Court, the boys' dormitory building.

Mu En, who habitually lay sunning himself in a chair, called out to his great-grandson as the boy returned to his dormitory to rest.

"Great Ancestor, did you need something?"

Bei Bei had just conned a Mystic Water Pill out of Xu Sanshi and was in an excellent mood. He stopped and looked toward his great ancestor.

At that glance, worry crossed his refined face.

Has Great Ancestor aged again? His face is so pale.

"Because of what happened to your parents, I've always been lenient with you and let you grow freely. Starting today, I can't let you carry on like this."

Mu En spoke in a low voice. "Starting tomorrow, you'll cultivate with me. Over the next few years, I'll do everything I can to help you grow."

"What happened at the academy?"

Bei Bei's expression changed. When Tang Ya was not involved, his wits were sharp, and he guessed that something had happened at Shrek.

Mu En's voice was barely audible. "The night before last, your Sister Lexuan led a team into Star Dou to hunt soul beasts. She died protecting a younger female student."

"Shrek now has no one to carry on after us."

Died?

The word flashed through Bei Bei's mind. His head seemed to explode, and his thoughts froze.

In that instant, all five senses deserted him. Only Zhang Lexuan's gentle, breathtakingly beautiful figure remained in his mind.

Sister Lexuan, who raised me and cared for me for so many years, is gone?

"The academy—how could the academy let something like this happen?! Didn't you arrange for teachers to protect them?! What were the Inner Court teachers doing? What were the dean and the elders doing?! Are all the academy's Titled Douluos dead?!"

It took Bei Bei a quarter of an hour to digest the news. His features twisted as he questioned Mu En with bloodshot eyes.

Mu En's expression was grief-stricken. "No one was protecting them in secret. My heart aches. The pain I feel is no less than yours."

"No one?! How could there be no one?! Sister Lexuan already had an accident last time! How could the academy let this happen again?! How could you!"

Bei Bei roared. Zhang Lexuan's death had robbed him of reason.

Though he had not previously known that Zhang Lexuan was his child bride, she was the woman who had raised him, both a mother and a sister to him!

"Last time, Xuan Zi's negligence was to blame. Who is it this time? Nobody went, so nobody has to take responsibility, is that it?!"

"Indeed, no one is taking responsibility. I convened a Sea God's Pavilion Meeting last night. The elders have spent years living in comfort and privilege. Yan Shaozhe is the one most concerned about the students' safety, so I had no choice but to put him back in charge of the Martial Soul Department."

Facing his great-grandson's questions, Mu En felt an indescribable ache. He said gently, "Bei Bei, I've already ordered Sea God's Pavilion to make changes. An accident like Lexuan's won't happen again.

"But now, Lexuan is gone. Ma Xiaotao is the only person in the Inner Court whose talent could catch up to hers, but her evil fire is unstable, and her character is flawed. I would never dare entrust the future to her.

"Looking across the entire academy, you're the only one I can trust."

"I know this is unexpected and puts enormous pressure on you, but there's no other way. Forgive your great ancestor. If I could stand, I would certainly have protected Lexuan."

Bei Bei lowered his head, his face deathly pale. After a long silence, he finally spoke again.

"If I go to Sea God Island, what about Xiaoya? Even graduating from the Outer Court will be difficult for her. I originally planned to travel the continent with her after graduation and revive the Tang Sect."

Mu En said, "Blue silver grass has limited potential, and I can't improve it either. I can find her some Pills to bring her cultivation to four rings so she can graduate from the Outer Court."

"After graduation, she could stay and teach in the Outer Court, or I could arrange a job for her in one of the academy's businesses. I could even lend the Tang Sect a hand."

"But she needn't enter the Inner Court. Joining the Inspection Corps would only harm her."

"Bei Bei, you and she still have a long future ahead of you. Your Great Ancestor has only a few years left. Just think of it as setting things aside temporarily to keep me company. I'll allow you to return to the Outer Court and see her every month."

Faced with Mu En's gaze, hopeful yet unyielding, Bei Bei ultimately could not bring himself to refuse.

"All right. I'll talk to Xiaoya and the others. Tomorrow, I'll go to Sea God Island with you."

Bei Bei knew that a life of partial seclusion awaited him. Fully passing on his Great Ancestor's lifetime of experience would take far too long. From now on, he and Tang Ya would be a long-distance couple.

But how could he refuse?

His Great Ancestor's hopes weighed too heavily. Sister Lexuan's wish in life had been to protect Shrek Academy. Even if only to carry on her final wishes, he had to enter the Inner Court and inherit Dragon God Douluo's legacy.

Watching his Great-Grandson being forced to grow up so quickly, Mu En's heart softened. "Once you enter the Inner Court, your studies will keep you very busy. Spend today enjoying time with your friends."

"All right."

"Excellent, excellent! Little Liao, you've rendered a tremendous service this time!"

While clouds of gloom hung over Shrek, the Sun Moon Empire's Offering Hall, ten thousand miles away, was filled with celebration.

Kong Deming, head of the Offering Hall, could not hide his delight. He paced with his hands behind his back and said with a chuckle:

"Eight rings, a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, a pure Moon Martial Soul, and not even thirty years old. Shrek actually failed to cherish such a heaven-blessed genius and nearly let her die beneath a bear's claws. How could our Sun Moon Empire fail to win?"

"She shows signs of martial soul fusion with Yu Tianjun, and Yu Tianjun brought back a Level 97 Super Douluo grandfather. I'm beginning to suspect the imperial ancestral graves have exploded. I'll have to pay my respects to the ancestors another day."

"Compared with those three pieces of good news, the Golden Crow Soul Saint you brought back, along with Ji Juechen and Xiao Hongchen obtaining Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear soul rings, is merely a bonus. Still, taken together, that makes four blessings at our door."

Zhang Lexuan had the potential to become a Level 98 Super Douluo. If she and Yu Tianjun joined forces, their future Martial Soul Fusion Skill would surely sweep aside every enemy on the continent and secure dominion over the world.

A normal soul master—a Level 97 Super Douluo—had half-joined the Sun Moon Empire's camp. This was a first since the dawn of creation, courtesy of Yan Shaozhe's stupidity.

The Golden Crow Saintess had hopes of becoming a Super Douluo, Ji Juechen had a steadfast heart, and Xiao Hongchen, the former greatest genius of the Sun Moon Empire, was quite promising too.

"It's all thanks to Master Kong's torch-bright discernment and wise decisions. You specially transferred me back from the Terror Claw Soul Engineer Legion."

Liao Mengkai wore an expression of utter admiration. "Shrek has lost several outstanding Inner Court students in succession. By contrast, aside from students who suffered accidents in the arena, our Sun Moon Empire has never had such mishaps in everyday life. Clearly, Master Kong's wisdom far surpasses that of the Sea God Pavilion Master.

"Compared with Master Kong, those fools in Sea God's Pavilion are truly like plodding nags beside a Qilin, or fireflies beside the brilliant moon!"

"Well said, very well said. Who taught you that?"

Kong Deming's smile turned teasing. A military man playing with elegant phrases—do you think I don't know how little ink there is in your belly?

"Yu Tianjun said it... Er, Master Kong, I didn't say anything."

Realizing that he had said something he should not have, Liao Mengkai hurriedly clapped a hand over his mouth.

Kong Deming narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice. "I told you not to let him know I was watching him, lest he grow arrogant. Have you already forgotten my instructions?"

"You've wronged me, Master Kong!"

Liao Mengkai begged for mercy repeatedly. "Last night, I saw how eloquently he spoke and was terribly envious. I wanted to say something pleasant to make Master Kong smile."

"So I asked him how I should plainly praise a mentor whom I revered above all others, who was wise and mighty, learned and knowledgeable, a model teacher for all the world... That's what he told me. Your disciple absolutely did not reveal your identity!"

Kong Deming laughed in exasperation. "None of those words could have come from a stupid bear like you! Did you forget to tell him that you're a tongue-tied blockhead in front of me?!"

"Well, well, well..."

Liao Mengkai was drenched in sweat. Haven't I really messed things up now?

"You really didn't reveal me to him. If he knew you behaved like this in front of me, he certainly wouldn't have taught you to say that."

Kong Deming spoke leisurely. The pressure on Liao Mengkai eased, and he hurriedly said, "Exactly! Your disciple always keeps his mouth sealed like a bottle!"

Silver Moon Douluo looked at him as though he were a soul beast and said helplessly:

"Forget it. Your mouth is sealed like a wide-mouthed bottle. He'll have guessed by now anyway. It's time I prepared to meet him."

"You're good at close combat and have strong blood vitality. From now on, you'll teach him to make beginner-level close-combat soul tools and cultivate his blood vitality."

After a pause, Kong Deming's gaze sharpened, its keen edge fully revealed.

"I hear you've been considering following Shrek's example and forming a special class to prepare for the tournament? That's a good idea. We'll call it the Deming Class."

"When the Qilin goes to war next year, I want our Sun Moon Empire's team accepting their prize in the champions' seats."

"The Sun Moon Empire has been suppressed for four thousand years. It's time to turn things around. We'll start with the tournament and bolster our people's confidence."

Kong Deming waved a hand, and two streaks of light flew from his sleeve.

Overjoyed at the sight, Liao Mengkai accepted the two Level 9 Soul Tools. "Thank you, Master Kong!"

"Leave the Demon God Sabers. I'll find time to improve them for you."

"Yes, yes. Sorry for troubling Master Kong with this pair of weapons."

Liao Mengkai unstrapped the twin sabers from his back, greased his soles, and slipped away.

"Ah..."

Watching Liao Mengkai go, Kong Deming sighed helplessly. What sort of thickheaded fools are these students of mine?

Back in the day, he had thought anyone with hands could become a Level 9 Soul Engineer. Looking at things now, there were still plenty of monkeys in this world that merely looked human.

"The Qilin has a nimble mind. It's rare to meet someone clever. Should I seriously study how to be a suitable teacher?"

Kong Deming narrowed his eyes and sank into thought.

A landscaped estate in the southern outskirts of Mingdu.

"Your emperor has returned! Is anyone here to welcome me?"

Yu Tianjun unlocked the detached villa's door. He had barely entered before his voice rang out.

Yu Yuanjue followed him, dressed in a plain martial outfit, cheerfully surveying the living environment.

The surrounding hills and waters were beautiful, with birdsong, fragrant flowers, fresh air, and bright scenery.

The villa was nicely decorated too, with qilins, angels, and snowflakes. According to his grandson, there were even underground chambers built in different styles.

"Looks like no one's here. Nobody recognizes you as their self-proclaimed emperor."

Finding the villa empty, Yu Yuanjue gave Yu Tianjun a teasing glance, found a comfortable sofa, and sat down with a smile.

"I met Little Ling long ago. You mentioned there was an angel girl here too. I was really looking forward to meeting her. A shame she's out."

Yu Tianjun sat opposite his grandfather. "Isn't your expression a little strange? I thought you'd have some objections."

Yu Yuanjue laughed freely and heartily. "You've underestimated me. Although our branch doesn't get along with Yu Xiaogang's, there's one ability of his that we deeply admire."

"What ability? That he once made Spirit Hall's last Supreme Pontiff, the Rakshasa God Bibi Dong, his girlfriend?"

"Exactly."

Yu Tianjun reminded the old man, "One reason Bibi Dong destroyed the Blue Lightning Family back then was that she hated them for looking down on Yu Xiaogang and stopping his incestuous romance with his cousin."

"What our predecessors did is their business. Yu Xiaogang was a worthless man. He deserved his romantic misfortunes."

For various reasons, Yu Yuanjue held Yu Xiaogang in utter contempt. Curling his lip, he said:

"Do you believe that if he'd had a little more talent—not even innate full soul power, just a normal blue lightning tyrant dragon martial soul—or if he'd been a genuine grandmaster who trained a few students like your Sword Addict friend, his father would have swallowed his pride and gone to the Clear Sky Sect to ask Tang Chen to act as matchmaker, determined to arrange that marriage?"

"The Upper Three Sects and the Lower Four Sects, which hadn't yet sided with Spirit Hall, would all have welcomed it. It might well have succeeded. Perhaps the two imperial families would have objected, but they weren't important."

"If he'd married Bibi Dong, would he ever have met Liu Erlong?"

"'There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters.' He said that, and he proved it perfectly himself. He truly was useless—not worth a single hair on your Sword Addict friend."

Yu Yuanjue clearly understood the events of ten thousand years ago in considerable detail. He smiled and said, "Love is the most beautiful thing in the world, but sometimes there's good reason for the phrase 'a match between equal households.'"

"It isn't just about background. It's also about the abilities of the two people themselves."

"The Holy Angel is excellent. This old man is very much looking forward to our family forging ties with the Angel Clan."

"Don't get your hopes too high yet. She and I are just roommates. Our relationship is completely innocent."

Yu Tianjun urged the old man not to play matchmaker at random.

Yu Yuanjue scoffed. Completely innocent, yet living in the same villa? Young people really know how to play.

"Oh, right. After you vanished without a word, Princess Vina of the Heaven Dou Empire sent letters several times, starting two months ago. That girl is thoughtful too. Give some thought to what you'll do in the future."

"She's a princess. Taking an interest in talented people within her country is called honoring the worthy. Where has your mind wandered? Besides, I'm far from home now—a clay bodhisattva crossing a river, unable even to save myself."

Yu Tianjun stretched out on the sofa, his gaze relaxed.

He had no romantic intentions toward Vina. He simply thought the princess was pretty, gracious, and fond of putting on an act—a good friend.

Love required giving, and words needed to be clear. That was his philosophy in relationships. He was not someone who fell in love easily.

Listening to Yu Tianjun's words, optimistic yet clearheaded, Yu Yuanjue's eyes dimmed for a moment.

Today's Heavenly Dragon Sect was much like the Blue Lightning Family of old. It appeared glorious, but in truth, it fell far short of the real behemoths.

Then Yu Tianjun's calm voice sounded again:

"Now that you're here, my heart is much calmer. Give me a few years. One day, the matter with Shrek will be settled once and for all."

"I'll lead our family to unprecedented heights, where we'll never again need to fear the displeasure of other powers."

"Are you interested in soul tools? A suitable Level 9 Soul Tool might improve your combat strength."