Xuan Zi's words revealed the identity of the visitors.
The leader was none other than the Sect Master of the Body Sect.
Du Busi snorted coldly, his tone unyielding. "Xuan Zi, don't play games with me. Hand over our sect's people, or don't blame me for waging war against Shrek Academy!"
"Your sect's people? That's laughable!" Xuan Zi's eyes narrowed, his expression turning cold. "Since when have our inner courtyard disciples become yours? Do you really think Shrek Academy fears your Body Sect?"
Xuan Zi knew full well that given Huo Yuhao's talent, the Body Sect would never let him go easily.
But Huo Yuhao—the possessor of an Ultimate martial soul, the successor of Mu En, and the future heir of the Sea God's Pavilion Master—held immeasurable significance to Shrek. He was a pivotal figure.
Thus, Xuan Zi made his stance clear from the beginning.
If the Body Sect truly intended to fight Shrek to the death over Huo Yuhao, he wouldn't believe it.
Moreover, Mu En was already aware of the situation—this matter was settled.
A surge of green light flickered in Du Busi's venomous eyes, revealing his ferocity as he laughed wildly.
"Everyone knows that the owners of the body martial souls on the continent are all disciples of the Body Sect. Enough nonsense—I'll ask you one last time: Will you surrender him or not?"
However, Xuan Zi had underestimated Du Busi's determination.
Though Du Busi had yet to fully grasp the potential of Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eyes martial soul, one thing was certain—it was undoubtedly a fusion of eyes and brain, capable of a Gold-level Second Awakening!
Just the level of spiritual power Huo Yuhao displayed during the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament was enough for the Body Sect to take a gamble.
Furthermore, from Lang Ya and Yu Tao's reports, Du Busi had learned that Huo Yuhao not only possessed a top-tier eye-type martial soul but also had supreme soul skills like Teleportation and Soul Shock, along with a second martial soul—the Ultimate Ice Jade Scorpion.
Such a genius was destined to belong to the Body Sect!
It wasn't that the Body Sect lacked top-tier talents.
But even the strongest among them, Long Aotian, was merely powerful—his future potential was limited.
His Skin martial soul was not top-tier, inherently restricting his martial soul's quality.
The strength he possessed now was only due to lifelong training under the Body Sect's guidance, access to the finest resources, and his own relentless effort.
Realistically, even if Long Aotian reached the Titled Douluo realm, there was no guarantee he could achieve a Gold-level Second Awakening, let alone inherit the Body Sect's legacy.
This was precisely why Du Busi was still searching for a successor.
The Body Sect was currently plagued by internal and external troubles. They desperately needed a pillar—someone who could shoulder the sect's future, withstand the venom trials, and inherit the legacy.
Especially since Du Busi himself was no longer young.
At nearly 240 years old, if he failed to find an heir before his death, how could he face his ancestors in the afterlife?
Just the thought of his elder brother's wrath was enough to make him shudder.
Hearing this, Xuan Zi scoffed. "Enough talk—let's settle this in the sky!"
In the end, fists spoke louder than words.
Strength was the foundation of authority.
Given the current standoff, a battle between the two leaders was inevitable.
A dazzling yellow light erupted from Xuan Zi's body as an overwhelming aura surged forth, shaking the surroundings.
The thick radiance dyed half the sky in earthy hues as nine soul rings rose—two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red.
As his seventh soul ring flashed, the Godly Taotie Bull roared to the heavens!
"Well done! I hope you can give me a good fight!"
Du Busi bellowed wildly as a dark green light shot into the sky, opposing the yellow radiance in a clear divide.
His seventh soul ring activated—Martial Soul True Body.
His body swelled violently, enlarging over tenfold in an instant. His dark green skin bulged into granite-like muscles, with only a pair of shorts preserving his modesty.
Two yellow, two purple, two black, and three red.
The Sect Master of the Body Sect actually possessed three 100,000-year soul rings!
With the release of their true forms, the overwhelming pressure ignited the skies above Shrek City!
…
At this moment, Huo Yuhao and the seven reserve team members had arrived at Sea God's Island.
Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er exchanged a glance before Yan Shaozhe quickly instructed, "Head into the Sea God's Pavilion immediately. No matter what happens, do not come out. Understood?"
"Yes!" The group responded.
"No need to enter the pavilion. You may observe from the doorway."
Mu En's gentle voice sounded.
Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er exhaled in relief, bowing deeply toward the pavilion before swiftly heading toward the battlefield.
As the deans of the Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departments, they could not remain absent when Shrek's dignity was challenged.
The sudden upheaval in the sky left the reserve team in shock.
When the words "Body Sect" echoed from afar, their expressions froze—instantly recalling the events in Star Luo City.
No wonder the assailants dared to act so brazenly. It was the Body Sect, a force said to rival Shrek's Sea God's Pavilion!
The seven glanced worriedly at Huo Yuhao.
Though not explicitly stated, they all knew—the Body Sect's overwhelming presence was undoubtedly for him.
Truly overbearing.
This was also their first time witnessing Xuan Zi at full power.
Those familiar with the might of Super Douluo began to fear that if the two forces truly clashed, Shrek City might be reduced to ruins.
Unlike the others' anxiety, Huo Yuhao remained calm.
He leisurely observed the battle.
At first, he frowned at Du Busi's muscular, pants-defying martial soul avatar, but then relaxed.
"This kind of wild, barbaric transformation… really isn't my style."
Just imagining himself in such a form made him cringe hard enough to dig a three-bedroom apartment with his toes.
Fortunately, his Ice Jade Scorpion Empress martial soul followed a more elegant path—strength with grace.
…
In midair—The Godly Taotie Bull charged fearlessly, its yellow radiance crashing toward Du Busi like tidal waves.
The dark green giant strode through the sky, meeting the assault head-on.
BOOM!
The two collided with earth-shaking force.
Mu En's voice calmly explained, "What you are witnessing is no longer a simple martial soul avatar. It is the pinnacle of power—where one's comprehension of the martial soul merges with soul power beyond Rank 95."
"This is a technique only Super Douluo can wield. As for that man, he is Du Busi, the Sect Master of the Body Sect."
The reason Huo Yuhao and the others were allowed to observe was precisely for them to witness this rare battle.
This was also why Mu En did not intervene.
A clash of this caliber occurred once in who knows how many years on the Douluo Continent.
For Huo Yuhao and the team, experiencing the power of top-tier experts would only benefit their future cultivation.
At the moment of impact—
Terrifying pressure descended like a collapsing sky.
The Body Sect and Shrek's powerhouses below swiftly joined forces, erecting a barrier to withstand the shockwaves.
CRACK—
A crisp sound echoed as space itself fractured like shattered glass.
Xuan Zi's body was sent flying, his form tinged with dark green—clearly at a disadvantage.
"Admit defeat, Xuan Zi. You're no match for me. Hand over the boy, or I'll risk severe injury to kill you. By then, Shrek Academy will lose its protector."
Du Busi stood arrogantly in the sky, his words domineering.
Xuan Zi stabilized himself a thousand meters away, his expression shifting. "You dare?!"
"What don't I dare do?" Du Busi sneered. "The Body Sect fears nothing in this world. Have you forgotten who triggered the beast tide in the Star Dou Forest?"
Xuan Zi's face darkened. "Shameless! If not for Shrek's efforts, countless lives would've been lost. Or have you forgotten your sect's promise after the tide ended?"
"What 'Shrek's efforts'? As if the Body Sect contributed nothing!"
Du Busi snorted. "A promise? So what if I break it? Can you stop me? That boy leaves with me today—who dares to interfere?"
"If Xuan Zi can't stop you… what about me?"
A gentle voice resounded as a soft golden glow emanated from the Sea God's Pavilion.
The light spread slowly yet swiftly, enveloping the sky in an instant.
Both Xuan Zi and Du Busi's auras collapsed under its radiance.
In mere seconds, Shrek City was bathed in gold.
Du Busi's domineering demeanor shattered as his expression twisted in shock.
"The Light of the Sea God?! Impossible! Who in Shrek could wield this?!"
"Little Poison, it's been years. Have you forgotten me?"
The tranquil voice reached Du Busi's ears alone.
"Thanks to Big Brother Ling, I remember clearly. Your temper mirrors his—recklessness is folly. Had he been more rational back then, perhaps he'd still be here."
Du Busi's face paled, beads of sweat forming.
"You—You're the Dragon God Douluo?! But you… you were supposed to be—"
"Disappointed that I'm alive?"
Mu En's voice remained calm. "Had I died, would you have bullied Shrek Academy?"
A simple sentence, yet it struck Du Busi like a hammer.
A golden flash later, his towering form shrank several meters, his dark green aura flickering.
Mu En continued, "As for the boy, I've already consulted him. He wishes to remain at Shrek. Little Poison, for your elder brother's sake, I'll let this slide. But if your Body Sect schemes against my disciple again… don't blame me for paying your sect a visit."
Du Busi refused to relent. "He's your disciple?"
Mu En smiled faintly. "Huo Yuhao is a peerless genius unseen in millennia. Naturally, I teach him personally. Or do you believe yourself more qualified?"
Du Busi took a deep breath. "Dragon God, out of respect, I'll retreat today. But mark my words—the Body Sect will not abandon this child. At our age, the end nears. Don't pretend Big Brother left you nothing."
"Heh." Elder Mu chuckled.
Du Busi scowled. "Why laugh?! You know how rare an heir for our legacy is!"
"Nothing. I just recalled something amusing."
"What?"
"That boy mentioned recently that if your Body Sect makes him sect leader and grants him unrestricted access to your treasury… he might consider training there temporarily after graduation."
"...Did he truly say that?"
To everyone's surprise, Du Busi actually considered it seriously.
Perhaps… this wasn't impossible.
...
Mu En's joke had stirred excitement in Du Busi.
If Huo Yuhao could successfully inherit the legacy seed, Du Busi wouldn't hesitate to offer him the position of Body Sect Leader—let alone anything else.
However, the Body Sect was not yet so desperate.
In the end, Du Busi refused this tempting proposal.
Still, he secretly added Huo Yuhao to the list of potential Body Saints in his heart.
'Mu En won't always be by his side.'
'Why not let the old man suffer a bit?'
Du Busi could afford to wait.
'Let's give Dragon God Douluo some face today.'
"Dragon God," Du Busi declared, "the green mountains remain unchanged, and the rivers flow eternal. We shall meet again."
With those words, the dark green light around his body flared violently, burning a hole through the golden radiance of Sea God's Light.
Once free, he waved his hand.
"Body Sect—retreat!"
Over twenty figures swiftly followed the rift in the sky.
The golden glow enveloping Shrek City gradually receded, returning to the Sea God Pavilion before vanishing underground.
It was a victory without battle.
The conflict had ended.
Not only was Shrek Academy in an uproar, but the entire city buzzed with disbelief at the near-miraculous resolution.
In the outer courtyard, teachers and students emerged from the buildings, assessing the damage from the earlier clash of Super Douluo.
Thanks to Du Weilun's timely warning and the joint efforts of the inner and outer courtyard disciples, no lives had been lost—only minor structural damage remained.
…
Sea God Pavilion
Xuan Zi descended before the pavilion, followed by the four deans.
Mu En's voice echoed from within: "Shaozhe, reassure the citizens. The rest of you, return to your duties. Xuan Zi, Yuhao—enter."
"Yes, Teacher." Yan Shaozhe bowed and immediately took flight.
As the heart of Shrek Academy, the city needed stability after such an event.
Xuan Zi and Huo Yuhao stepped inside.
Mu En reclined peacefully, his frail appearance belying the overwhelming presence that had just repelled the Body Sect.
"Elder Mu." Xuan Zi's voice carried a trace of dejection—still smarting from his suppression by the Du Busi.
Mu En smiled faintly.
"Discouraged? Don't be. Even I relied on the Golden Tree's power. In a true battle, I might not fare much better. After all… this Dragon God is no longer the same."
Xuan Zi quickly interjected, "No, Old Mu! You are Shrek's eternal pillar!"
A sigh escaped Mu En's lips, sorrow flickering in his eyes.
"Human lifespans are finite—even for Limit Douluo. My clash with the Du Bidi shattered my spine and wounded my origin. Though I survived, I will never stand straight again."
His voice grew quieter.
"I feel my time waning. When I depart, the academy will rely on you and the elders. Little Xuan—you are impulsive. You must learn restraint. Prioritize Shrek above all else. The past lessons… do not forget them."
Xuan Zi paled. "Old Mu, you—"
Mu En chuckled. "Don't fret. I'll hold on a few more years—long enough to see these youngsters grow."
His gaze softened as it settled on Huo Yuhao.
"What insights did you gain from Xuan Zi and Du Busi's battle?"
Huo Yuhao nodded. "The black holes surrounding Elder Xuan—"
Mu En's eyes widened slightly. Even with his experience, Huo Yuhao's comprehension stunned him.
"Correct. At their level, combat transcends ordinary soul skills. It hinges on martial soul essence and spatial mastery."
He elaborated, "To break through from Rank 98 to Rank 99, one must first command spatial power. Both have taken that step. With your talent, you will reach it—and beyond."
"I see…" Huo Yuhao murmured.
His third soul ring, fused from the Three-Life Wolf Ape, granted him Teleportation and Spatial Perception.
As his soul power grew, this seemingly passive skill—combined with his Spirit Eyes—revealed its true potential.
Mu En studied Huo Yuhao's deep blue eyes and smiled.
"Perhaps we've underestimated your Spirit Eyes. They are indeed a top-tier body martial soul. No wonder Du Busi coveted you so fiercely—even offering the Body Sect's leadership."
He added reassuringly, "I told him you are my disciple. As long as you remain at Shrek, he won't dare touch you. With me here, the Body Sect won't be a threat."
Huo Yuhao bowed. "Thank you, Elder Mu En."
Their relationship was complex, but to outsiders, they appeared as teacher and disciple.
Mu En waved dismissively. "Enough for now. You may go."
His thoughts mirrored Huo Yuhao's.
'No need to force formalities. He will inherit the Sea God Pavilion someday.'
As the two departed, Mu En's gaze lingered on Huo Yuhao's retreating figure.
'I was fortunate to meet such talent in my twilight years.'
Though wolves circled and time dwindled, Mu En was confident—within a decade, Huo Yuhao would rise as a Titled Douluo.
With twin martial souls and a 100,000-year soul ring, he would swiftly ascend to Super Douluo.
And with his combat prowess?
He would rival even an Limit Douluo—becoming Shrek's new pillar.
"With great power comes great responsibility…"
Mu En's heart weighed heavily. The Sun-Moon Empire's ambitions were clear—war loomed.
And Huo Yuhao… would be Shrek's key to survival.
…
On his way back, Huo Yuhao realized something was amiss.
The Body Sect had come as expected—but Jing Hongchen was absent.
'That old man escaped.'
In the original timeline, Jing Hongchen had infiltrated the Sea God Pavilion, only to be captured by Xuan Zi.
His schemes—using the Sword of Judgment to corrupt Ma Xiaotao, negotiating student exchanges, and colluding with the Holy Ghost Church (Holy Spirit Cult)—had spiraled into chaos.
But now?
Ma Xiaotao remained uncorrupted. The sword lay dormant in Ma Rulong's storage device, untouched.
The chain of events had unraveled.
According to Xian Lin'er, Jing Hongchen's visit this time was official.
Huo Yuhao almost sighed.
'What a pity.'
That Class 9 defensive soul tool—Hongchen's Blessing—would've been useful.
But more importantly, this was a warning.
The butterfly had flapped its wings.
The future he once knew was crumbling.
Beyond major fixed events, blind reliance on "original knowledge" was now unreliable.
Take Xiao Xiao—already a Soul Elder, yet never formally becoming Xuan Zi's disciple.
And with Huo Yuhao's recent stagnation, the destined encounter with the Auspicious Beast wouldn't occur.
Still, he had to visit the Star Dou Forest—alone.
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were also a priority.
Just as Huo Yuhao pondered his next move—A middle-aged man entered Shrek City.
Short, portly, with reddish-brown hair and opulent black-gold robes—Jing Hongchen, Dean of Mingde Hall at Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
Relief washed over him as he surveyed the unscathed city.
The clash between the two colossal figures earlier had terrified him.
He recognized Du Busi—the Body Sect's infamous leader.
Had those two Rank 98 powerhouses fought in earnest, the city might've been reduced to ashes.
But what truly stunned him was Shrek's hidden trump card—the golden light that forced Du Busi's retreat.
A Limit Douluo.
Shrek's strongest wasn't Taotie Douluo Xuan Zi—but someone far beyond.
Yet Jing Hongchen strode forward confidently.
This visit was official—prearranged for student exchanges between Shrek and Sun Moon.
As he walked, bitterness crept in.
Despite their superior soul technology, the Sun Moon Empire lacked high-end combatants.
Not a single Super Douluo, let alone a Limit Douluo.
Even becoming a Class 10 soul engineer required at least Rank 95 strength—a barrier their people struggled to breach.
Jing Hongchen himself had barely scraped into Titled Douluo with pills and desperation.
Super Douluo? Nothing but a pipe dream.
Only Kong Deming, the empire's foremost researcher, stood a chance—pioneering humanoid soul tools and high-energy arrays.
Once perfected, war would come.
But Jing Hongchen had another plan—his grandchildren.
If Xiao Hongchen studied at Shrek, mastering their secrets, and with the 100,000-Year Soul Beast Embryo…
Rank 95 was achievable.
A Class 10 soul engineer—elevating the Hongchen family's status forever.
Born at the right time. The empire's true chosen ones.
With renewed determination, Jing Hongchen stepped into Shrek Academy—heading straight for the Soul Tool Department to meet Dean Xian Lin'er.
Meanwhile—
Huo Yuhao, rested and ready, accepted an inner courtyard mission.
Under the guise of training, he packed his bags.
His destination?
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
…
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