A conversation with Mu En

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Chapter 6: A conversation with Mu En

As their names suggested, Dragon Crystals and Dragon Cores were both bound to dragons by countless threads, yet they were fundamentally different.

A Dragon Core was an energy body that gradually condensed inside a dragon only after it reached adulthood, containing its bloodline and power of origin. For human Soul Masters, a Dragon Core's greatest benefit was purifying the body and strengthening the bloodline and bones.

To give the simplest example, after a human Soul Master consumed a Dragon Core, their physical strength could rival that of an ancient dragon. Even if they cultivated all the way to the rank of Limit Douluo, they would never have to worry about their body being unable to withstand the strain.

A Dragon Crystal, on the other hand, was condensed from the origin Soul Power of a Soul Master with a superior dragon Martial Soul after they broke through a particular bottleneck. It contained only pure Soul Power and lacked a Dragon Core's heaven-defying ability to transform the physique.

After all, even peak dragon Martial Soul masters like Dragon God Douluo Mu En and Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao, who stood at the pinnacle of the present age, possessed bloodlines that could never compare to those of true dragons, much less give their bloodline power tangible form.

In terms of their effects, a Dragon Core encompassed everything a Dragon Crystal could offer, but not the other way around.

Still, this Dark Holy Dragon Crystal was extremely precious. The dark-attribute Soul Power within it was of such a high grade that it could even allow dark-attribute Soul Masters at the Super Douluo rank or above to make a breakthrough in their cultivation.

Ye Xixuan waited quietly beside Mu En. Only after Mu En opened his eyes again did he ask softly, his voice calm, "Mu En, this Dragon Emperor Douluo should still be alive, shouldn't he? Since he could contend with you for over a hundred years, he must also be one of the strongest people alive. But why couldn't he protect his family? Perhaps he was even inextricably linked to the slaughter the Evil Soul Masters inflicted on our Night Family for no reason."

"Xiaoyao has his own difficulties, too." A rare flicker of surprise and bewilderment appeared in Mu En's eyes. He had never expected the young Ye Xixuan to inadvertently come so close to guessing the truth behind it all. Unable to refute him, he let out a melancholy sigh.

Xuan Zi was only a little over a decade younger than Mu En, and he knew something of what had happened between Mu En and Long Xiaoyao back then. There was also Ye Xishui, the female Soul Master whose ties to the two men had been hopelessly tangled. In the end, she seemed to have fallen and become an Evil Soul Master.

Could those Evil Soul Masters have attacked the Night Family because that madwoman wanted revenge on Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao?

At that thought, Xuan Zi's head began to ache. Too much was entangled in those events. Perhaps only Mu En, who had experienced them firsthand, knew the true secrets behind them.

Of the three people present, Xuan Zi was actually the only one kept in the dark.

Both Ye Xixuan and Mu En knew that, extreme as Ye Xishui's temperament was, she truly loved Long Xiaoyao deep in her heart and probably would not have done something like this. Yet all of it had still arisen because of Long Xiaoyao.

"Are the lives of several hundred members of our Night Family worth less than a single claim that he had his difficulties?" Ye Xixuan gave a mocking smile. It was not directed at Mu En, however, but at Long Xiaoyao's actions as he remembered them from his previous life.

When the Sun Moon Empire invaded the Heaven Dou Empire, Long Xiaoyao willingly served the Sun Moon Empire despite being a native of the Heaven Dou Empire. That was disloyalty.

For Ye Xishui, the leader of those Evil Soul Masters, he had abandoned his wife and children without hesitation. That was unrighteousness.

Despite knowing the harm Evil Soul Masters caused, he had stood by while Ye Xishui and the Evil Soul Masters of the entire Holy Spirit Cult slaughtered innocent civilians. That was inhumanity.

Ye Xixuan was deeply ashamed of such a disloyal, inhumane, unrighteous man. He could not change his bloodline, but he wanted no further connection to Long Xiaoyao.

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"Please keep this Dark Holy Dragon Crystal for me, Mu En. I don't want to accept any favors from him."

"Good lad! You've got backbone!" Xuan Zi, whose temperament was as frank as a child's, could not resist reaching out and giving Ye Xixuan two heavy pats on the shoulder.

"Do you know just who Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao is? A rank ninety-nine Limit Douluo, whose cultivation is no lower than Mu En's. Even I must admit I fall short of him."

"Xuan Zi, he is himself, and I am myself. Apart from this so-called blood relationship, there is nothing between us." Ye Xixuan remained unwavering, then turned to Mu En and bowed solemnly once more. His past experiences surfaced one by one in his mind. Since childhood, he had enjoyed the most generous treatment his family could provide, and naturally, he ought to repay them. One day, he would stand before Long Xiaoyao himself and demand justice for his family.

"Please grant my wish, Mu En!"

"Very well. People say a Martial Soul influences a person's character. It is rare to find someone with such a pure heart. Since that is the case, let us be frank with each other." Mu En raised a hand and accepted the Dark Holy Dragon Crystal from Ye Xixuan. His gentle voice felt like a warm spring breeze, and his dim, yellowed eyes were filled with appreciation.

"Although the elders of your Night Family sent you to the academy for protection, your circumstances are rather unusual. Your Martial Soul is not only a Body Martial Soul, but also possesses the ultimate darkness attribute. In the history of Shrek Academy, three Soul Masters with ultimate attributes have appeared: ultimate wind, ultimate wood, and ultimate fire. All three of those predecessors became defining powerhouses of their respective eras. The academy certainly has more experience in training Soul Masters with ultimate attributes. But I must admit that, when it comes to researching and understanding Body Martial Souls, the academy is ultimately inferior to the Body Sect."

"If you wish to remain at the academy, I will spare no effort in nurturing you. And if you want to truly unlock the potential of your Body Martial Soul, the academy can also negotiate with the Body Sect on your behalf. The choice is entirely yours."

"Mu En, I will naturally follow my family elders' instructions." Ye Xixuan could feel Mu En's sincerity. Setting aside those conspiracy theories, Mu En could indeed be called a man whose words matched his deeds.

Upon hearing Ye Xixuan's answer, Xuan Zi had already taken a delighted swig of wine, while Mu En smiled faintly in approval.

"Good child, help me up."

"Yes." Ye Xixuan hurriedly took Mu En's hand to support him. Mu En moved very slowly, like an old man in the twilight of his life, and gradually rose from his reclining chair. His back was bent at nearly a right angle, a sight that made the heart ache.

"From now on, you will stay on Sea God Island to cultivate. I will find a dedicated instructor for you based on your Martial Soul. If you have any questions, you can also come and ask me. My Martial Soul's attribute is the exact opposite of yours, but in cultivation, different paths ultimately lead to the same destination. Before that, however, I will give you a gift."

Mu En's arm was very thin, bony and stiff, yet exceptionally warm.

Ye Xixuan supported Mu En as they walked into the first-floor hall of the Sea God Pavilion. Mu En did not forget to call to Xuan Zi outside, "Xuan Zi, go and bring Lexuan here."

(End of chapter)