Chapter 155: Allegiances and Shadows
When Ling Luochen's voice fell, Mu En finally let out a breath of relief.
He wasn't worried about Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, or Ning Tian. After all, none of the three could match a Title Douluo, even with the aid of stimulants. Their martial souls and the age of their soul rings limited their growth. Though the drugs might help them break through momentarily, they still lacked the foundation—unlike others with comparable boosts who were already Title Douluo.
But Ling Luochen was different.
As one of Shrek Academy's Seven Monsters, she was a Soul Douluo at level 85 in the future. It was highly probable that she would one day break through to become a Title Douluo. If someone like her showed too much interest in the soul tools of the Sun Moon Empire, it would be a dangerous path. The Sun Moon Empire had ways of controlling or recruiting those who were curious enough—especially talents like Ling Luochen.
Yet, Shrek couldn't simply prohibit the use of soul tools either. In the battle against the Death God Envoy, only Dai Yueheng survived—thanks to his full set of soul tools. That incident left a strong impression on Ling Luochen, who became obsessed with soul tool shields. Unfortunately, only the Sun Moon Empire had the best ones.
If not for Shrek's urgent need to infiltrate the Sun Moon Empire and acquire its technology, the academy's upper echelon would never have approved Ling Luochen's trip. It risked her defecting, even if unintentionally.
Now, Mu En had managed to calm her for the time being. With Shrek purchasing all the soul tools she desired, they bought themselves some insurance. Ling Luochen was unlikely to waver—at least until she encountered a truly high-level soul tool. That moment would be the real test.
"He Caitou."
"Mu Lao? Are you looking for me?"
"Caitou, I heard that you were taken in by Fan Yu?"
He Caitou nodded solemnly. "Yes. If not for Teacher Fan Yu, I would've starved to death while wandering. He gave me a second life, and everything I have now is thanks to him."
Mu En, resting on his recliner, nodded gently. Compared to Xiao Xiao and Ling Luochen, He Caitou was much more straightforward.
"Fan Yu rescued you. But Caitou, let me ask—are you really called He Caitou?"
At once, cold sweat beaded on Caitou's forehead.
Mu En's tone remained calm. "Don't be nervous. I'm only asking. As long as your heart belongs to Shrek, I hold no ill will toward you."
"Yes, Elder Mu. Please rest assured, I owe everything to Shrek. In life, I am a man of Shrek; in death, I will be a ghost of Shrek!"
Mu En smiled. "There's no need for such formal words. It's enough that you feel this way. Shrek never fails those who are loyal to her."
He Caitou hesitated. "Elder Mu… what are you implying?"
Mu En chuckled lightly. "The last emperor of the Sun Moon Empire died young under mysterious circumstances. I investigated and, during my time at the palace, noticed a group of evil soul masters rummaging through records. After some inquiry, I discovered they were searching for Xu He—the former crown prince."
He Caitou's face stiffened.
"You have the complexion of the Sun Moon Empire's royal line, and your age fits. It's not hard to deduce—you are Xu He, aren't you?"
"Elder Mu, I…"
"No need to explain. As long as your heart is with Shrek, nothing else matters. If you remain loyal, then Shrek will stand by you. And when the time comes, we'll help you fight for what's rightfully yours."
Tears welled in He Caitou's eyes. With a heavy heart and sincere gratitude, he knelt and kowtowed three times. "Thank you, Elder Mu. Thank you, Shrek. I swear upon my soul—I will never betray Shrek Academy."
"Huo Yuhao."
"Elder Mu?"
"It's me. How have you been in the academy?"
"Very well, thank you. Although I had a rough start, the academy treated me fairly once I began contributing. During my last spirit ring hunt, the academy gave me a spirit bone—without it, I wouldn't have survived. Thanks to the academy, my second spirit ring is a thousand-year one. I can't imagine where I'd be without their support."
Huo Yuhao, like Caitou, was deeply tied to Shrek—though for different reasons. One had experience. The other was the protagonist of this era.
"Good boy," Mu En said warmly. "The academy will never disappoint those who devote themselves to it. Train well. I've already had a suitable spirit beast prepared for your third ring. Once you're ready, it will be waiting."
"Thank you, Elder Mu! I promise I won't let the academy down!"
Mu En nodded. Yuhao needed no more words. His loyalty was already carved deep.
After arranging matters with Xiao Xiao, Ling Luochen, He Caitou, and Huo Yuhao, Mu En turned to the last room.
"Bei Bei."
"Ancestor Xuan."
"Still worried about Tang Ya?"
Bei Bei nodded with a trace of guilt.
"You let a four-ring soul master return to Tiandou City. Don't you know what kind of temperament she has?"
"I'm sorry, Ancestor. But Xiaoya insisted on going back… and I couldn't bring myself to stop her."
"Child, why couldn't you be more tactful—like I was in my youth?"
Long Xiaoyao once called Mu En dull, but the truth was far from it. In the end, Long Xiaoyao had no children, Ye Xishui had several, including Zhongli Wu, and Mu En… well, he certainly wasn't lacking in descendants. In fact, when Wang Dong once asked Huo Yuhao to make grilled fish, Huo Yuhao joked, "If you bring the ingredients, I guarantee you won't be able to walk." Mu En, overhearing, simply remarked, "So many girls told me that. I fed them all."
Among the three, only Long Xiaoyao had remained celibate. The other two? Quite the opposite.
"Ancestor Xuan…"
"Let's not dwell on it. The situation has happened, and now we solve it. I've had Shrek investigate, but there's no trace of Tang Ya anywhere on the Douluo Continent."
"Nowhere? Ancestor, you mean…?"
Mu En nodded solemnly. "Yes. Her disappearance is likely linked to the evil soul masters. Xu Tianran, current prince of the Sun Moon Empire, colluded with them during his coup. With their help, the emperor was dethroned, and the Sun Moon Empire is gradually turning into their stronghold."
"And Tang Ya disappeared during that time?"
"Exactly."
Bei Bei's voice trembled. "Ancestor… you don't think Xiaoya… is dead?"
"No. If the evil soul masters had simply wanted a body for cultivation, she wouldn't be missing this long. They likely want her for something else."
"But… Xiaoya is such a kind, pure-hearted girl. Could they have… made her their Saintess?"
Mu En fell silent.
"…"
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