Old Mu knew Xuanzi couldn't offer any response. He sighed, "We have too many similarities. Independent of the empire, a holy land for soul masters, but that's not the key. The most crucial point is that our Shrek Academy has made too many enemies. When we're strong, everything's fine, but when we become weak, our enemies will tear at us like wolves."
"The world is changing, and we must change too. My time is running out, but I can still protect the academy for a while. But these heavy burdens will eventually fall to you. On that day, you'll understand what I'm truly worried about."
"Old Mu, you..." Xuanzi's expression changed drastically upon hearing Old Mu mention his limited time.
To the outside world, the Taotie Douluo was considered the strongest at Shrek. But outsiders didn't know that the Old Mu, who was lying on the chair, was the true strongest. As long as he was around, the academy could stand firm despite the storms.
If Old Mu were to leave, then...
"Don't worry. Before I die, I'll still see Le Xuan and Xiao Tao's generation of young people grow up and take over from us old folks." Old Mu said calmly, having lived for over two hundred years, he had long since taken life and death lightly.
Xuanzi fell silent, unsure of what to say.
Through the drawn curtain, Old Mu glanced at Xuanzi and shook his head. "The Body Sect has been getting close to the Heavenly Soul Empire's royal family recently. You need to pay more attention, remember that."
"Yes," Xuanzi replied gravely.
On the other side, after Zhang Le Xuan left the Sea God Pavilion, she first called for Yao Hao Xuan, who was carrying the camphor tree in its evolutionary stage. The two of them went together to the botanical garden where Old Zhuang, one of the elders of Shrek Academy, often stayed.
Located on the far right of Sea God Island, where the vegetation was most abundant, inside a special building, it was a structure shaped like an inverted bowl, covered with a large number of herbaceous plants. Everything seemed hidden from the world. In terms of life elements, this place was almost second only to the Sea God Pavilion.
The building's door was open, connected to a winding, rugged stone path leading outwards. Zhang Le Xuan and Yao Hao Xuan didn't delay at all and went straight inside.
As soon as they stepped in, the first thing they saw was a floor covered with Blue Silver Grass, as abundant as weeds. In the center of the room, hanging from the ceiling, was a huge, petal-shaped Soul Guide Lamp. Warm, soft light spread from it, illuminating the entire inside of the building.
There was also the sound of flowing water and a faint, elegant floral fragrance.
It could be said that the space inside this building was entirely like a garden. You could see a large number of rare herbal plants.
"Swish."
A green glow rippled across the ground. The next moment, an old man with a ruddy face like a child and white hair appeared before them with a smile.
"Old Zhuang." Zhang Le Xuan and Yao Hao Xuan stopped and called out respectfully together.
"I already know the specifics. Bring out that Camphor Tree and let me see it," Old Zhuang said.
"Yes." Yao Hao Xuan responded and then activated his soul power, preparing to take out the Camphor Tree placed inside his soul guide tool.
His storage belt could hold living things, but there were strict limitations. Intelligent life forms with high levels of life essence could not be placed inside. Plants like the Camphor Tree, even if it was evolving into a Soul Beast, were not considered to have much intelligence before they successfully evolved.
However, putting living things inside consumed a considerable amount of soul power because you had to continuously release soul power to maintain it. If the soul power support ran out, the living thing inside would be forcibly ejected.
Very quickly, a six-meter-tall camphor tree, as thick as a water tank, appeared before the three of them. Its branches were luxuriant with dark green leaves, appearing normal and unremarkable. But what was strange was that the veins of these leaves seemed to have a golden thread-like substance running through them.
These golden threads were extremely subtle, almost hidden within the deep green, making them nearly impossible to detect without incredibly strong perception.
Old Zhuang's expression immediately changed upon seeing the camphor tree. He looked serious as he walked over and reached out to touch its trunk. The next moment, as if he had thought of something, he channeled a surge of vast life-attribute soul power directly into the tree from his hand.
In an instant, the camphor tree's brown bark transformed into layers of bluish-green light. The leaves on its branches instantly turned a fresh, vibrant green, and a faint aura of life began to emanate outward.
As Zhang Le Xuan and Yao Hao Xuan watched this scene with curiosity, Old Zhuang suddenly increased the amount of soul power he was injecting, causing the surrounding life elements to become extremely active and even slightly viscous.
A shimmering silhouette of an ancient tree, brimming with powerful vitality, flashed behind Old Zhuang. It was his Martial Soul, the Tree of Life.
Whoosh.
After receiving such a high intensity of life energy, something that shocked both Zhang Le Xuan and Yao Hao Xuan occurred. They saw that the camphor tree's myriad leaves had turned completely golden.
At the same time, a gentle warmth and a subtle heat continually diffused from the leaves.
The two of them were also outstanding students from the Inner Court, but they couldn't understand what was happening.
"Old Zhuang, what's going on?" Zhang Le Xuan asked urgently.
Old Zhuang stroked his beard, and said with amazement, "The original life force of this Camphor Tree has been infused with the power of the sun, causing it to begin to mutate and evolve. If I'm not mistaken, once it evolves into a Soul Beast, its attributes will be fire and light, making it a powerful Soul Beast."
"However, due to the innate deficiencies of this species, even if it becomes a Soul Beast, it will be difficult to improve its cultivation without external interference."
"But that doesn't matter. Le Xuan, you've given me a great surprise this time. This Camphor Tree can be nurtured in the future. Once it becomes a Soul Beast of around a hundred years, its roots and leaves can be added to medicine refining. It will have a strong auxiliary effect on some special, difficult-to-refine pills."
"Xiao Tao's Martial Soul gives Shao Zhe a headache. Maybe with this Camphor Tree, I can purify Xiao Tao's Evil Fire. Even if it can't cure the root cause, it can at least treat the symptoms."
"So amazing?" Zhang Le Xuan and Yao Hao Xuan were somewhat surprised.
The Herb Garden was actually where the Shrek Academy Inner Court refined pills.
"Not just that." Old Zhuang's expression turned serious. "I think this tree still holds many secrets I haven't uncovered. Leave the follow-up to me; I'll sort it all out."
Zhang Le Xuan's pretty face was taken aback. She hadn't expected a tree they'd encountered on the way to be so impressive.
But… who had infused it with the power of the sun?
After leaving the botanical garden, Yao Hao Xuan also prepared to leave. "Senior Sister, I need to go to the Nine Treasure Auction House first. The team from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is here."
"Go ahead, and be sure to treat the representatives of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan well," Zhang Le Xuan instructed.
"Don't worry, we're old friends," Yao Hao Xuan said with a smile, patting his chest.
After Yao Hao Xuan left, Zhang Le Xuan strolled alone to a pavilion. Gazing at the bright moon in the sky, she seemed to recall something, and a rare look of disappointment appeared on her soft, pretty face.
The gentle moonlight fell, with only fireflies accompanying her.
Old Zhuang's character design, I referenced the anime. How should I put it, the original novel had some issues with Old Zhuang.
Initially, a Soul Saint level Tree of Life Martial Soul Master was called by Zhou Yi to help treat the students, but later Old Zhuang was mentioned. However, Old Zhuang was clearly a Title Douluo, which didn't fit. Therefore, the Soul Saint setting was removed, and it was directly changed to Old Zhuang.
...
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