Mu En wheeled his wheelchair through the first and second floors of the Sea God Pavilion, directly arriving at the open-air balcony on the third floor.
The leaves of the golden ancient tree rustled in the breeze, the "shush-shush" sound filling Mu En's ears, soothing his inner restlessness and bringing him greater peace.
Mu En turned his head to look at the trunk of the golden ancient tree.
A faint golden light followed the veins of the trunk upwards, as if it had its own consciousness.
In fact, sometimes Mu En would wonder if this golden ancient tree had its own consciousness, because he often felt a kind of gaze upon him.
But whenever this happened, he would scan it with his mental power and find nothing.
Only leaves swaying in the wind, their tips gleaming with golden light.
Yet that gaze was definitely there. Mu En found it difficult to describe this gaze.
How could he put it? It was like a predator seeing its delicious prey.
"A gaze that doesn't exist in perception..."
"How is that possible?"
"Sigh, I'm getting old, and my spirit is declining."
Mu En instinctively didn't want to think about it anymore, only gazing at the clear Sea God Lake in the distance, like a blue gem embedded in the earth.
"Perhaps in the future, we can move the Sea God Pavilion to a different location."
"Let's use this as a training ground."
Although Mu En didn't want to think about it, he still planned to move the Sea God Pavilion.
In fact, he knew in his heart that this tree must hold some unknown secret.
"Hehe."
"It's time to find an old friend."
A screen unfolded before Mu En's eyes, accompanied by countless blue data streams flashing across the screen.
The Magic Network page began verification.
"'Dark Dragon Emperor' authentication successful."
"Enjoy your internet time."
Every time Mu En saw the Magic Network, he couldn't help but feel the unfathomable depth of its creator, 'Ye Ge'.
He simply couldn't imagine what kind of ability it was, or what method it took to create such a magical creation as the Magic Network.
Countless forces on the continent attempted to analyze the Magic Network, and even wanted to find 'Ye Ge'.
Some ambitious individuals even attempted to control the Magic Network, for the benefits behind it were unimaginable; controlling the Magic Network meant controlling the world—this was not mere rhetoric.
Unfortunately, no one succeeded. The Magic Network remained suspended above the heads of every intelligent life form, aloof and indifferent.
Mu En was curious about how soul power and spiritual power were converted into Dream Coins through the Magic Network, and how Dream Coins were then converted back into soul power and spiritual power.
As the top student at Shrek Academy, Mu En knew clearly that Dream Coins were gradually eroding the Gold Soul Coin system.
No, rather than eroding it, it was more like replacing it—good money driving out bad.
The reason was simple:
Dream Coins possessed a far greater actual value than Gold Soul Coins, like rare metals. As long as the Soul Guidance Device remained, that rare metal would never depreciate.
The same applies to Dream Coins.
As long as humans need to use Soul Power, their value will never depreciate.
Even ordinary people can accumulate Spiritual Power to exchange for Dream Coins.
The actual value of a single Dream Coin is not low.
It's said that in the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament, the Star Luo Empire officially announced a complete ban on using Dream Coins to replenish Soul Power and Spiritual Power throughout the competition. Any violation would
be considered cheating, resulting in disqualification.
If Dream Coins were allowed, the competition would become a pure contest of wealth.
In this respect, who could outmaneuver the Sun Moon Empire?
They have the most money, and their Soul Guidance Devices are the most advanced.
Mu En sighed. Although the Magic Network was mysterious and its specific purpose unknown, he was still grateful to its creator.
The higher one's position, the more one could appreciate the importance of the Magic Network.
The Magic Network truly brought all intelligent life closer together, making the unchanging world more vibrant.
"Let me see, the friend request page is here."
Mu En opened the Magic Network friend request page.
Then he entered the Magic Network username to search.
"『Light Dragon God』"
After clicking confirm, sure enough, a user page appeared before Mu En.
"I knew it, you old codger, Long Xiaoyao, would use that name!"
"Hahaha!"
Mu En patted the armrest of his wheelchair, a smile playing on his lips, his eyes filled with longing.
He had contacted Long Xiaoyao this time to seek his help.
This time, he was going to make a radical overhaul of Shrek Academy, carrying out a complete reform.
This reform would undoubtedly weaken Shrek for a while, and he, a cripple, might not be able to protect Shrek.
There were too many powerful figures on the continent; just the fact that he couldn't be poisoned to death was enough to give him a hard time.
But if Long Xiaoyao were added to the mix, Mu En was confident that even if Di Tian came, he would have to run away clutching his diaper!
Mu En clicked on the friend request, waiting for his good friend's response.
He believed that Long Xiaoyao would definitely accept.
...
A restaurant in the capital of the Sun Moon Empire.
"Otto, don't just drink tea, eat more meat!"
"Life is wasted if you don't eat more meat!"
A robust, silver-haired old man patted the shoulder of the blond man next to him.
The blond man poured wine for Long Xiaoyao with a calm smile on his face.
"I think I'll pass."
"I've already eaten at the Crown Prince's residence."
Long Xiaoyao chewed his meat heartily, then said to Otto,
"I heard Xu Tianran wants to arrange for you to join the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Corps?"
Otto smiled appropriately and said,
"That's right, Elder Long."
"His Highness wants me to join the Royal Soul Master Corps and wants me to find a way to gain control of the corps."
Long Xiaoyao put down his knife and fork, pinching his chin as he said,
"The Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Corps…"
"Their three leaders and vice-leaders are level nine Soul Masters.
It would be too dangerous for you to go."
"How about this, I'll have Wuyun go and protect you."
"You can order him around as you please."
Otto nodded with a smile and said,
"Thank you for your concern, Elder Long."
Long Xiaoyao waved his hand and said,
"It's nothing."
"If you can control the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Corps, it will be a good thing for us as well."
Just then, Long Xiaoyao suddenly sensed a message coming from the magic network.
He thought it was one of the elders who needed to see him, so he casually opened the magic network to see who it was.
"Cough!"
This sight startled Long Xiaoyao, nearly choking him on the meat he was chewing.
He forced down the food stuck in his throat, then sat up abruptly, saying to Otto beside him,
"Come on, Otto, hit me."
"I feel like I've been hit by a mental soul skill."
Otto's emerald green eyes showed confusion, but he still punched Long Xiaoyao.
"Hey, kid, your physical strength is pretty good."
"At least a Soul Emperor."
Then, a complex expression appeared in Long Xiaoyao's eyes, a mixture of joy and worry, revealing the Dragon Emperor Douluo's turbulent state of mind.
"Um, Otto, go pay the bill first."
"If anything comes up later, contact me directly through the magic network. I have some urgent business right now."
As soon as Long Xiaoyao finished speaking, he vanished from the restaurant.
Otto watched this, got up to pay the bill, a smile playing on his lips, and made a note of the incident.
"Long Xiaoyao is a decent guy, just a bit dim-witted."
"Not bad at all."
"This empire is much easier to manage than the former Mandate of Heaven."
"His political acumen is comparable to my old friend Walter."
"Sigh, I really miss him."
Otto put on a white coat and wrapped a warm scarf around his neck. Karen had kindly sent him this scarf, and he meticulously cared for it daily, ensuring it remained flawless.
Meanwhile, the vanished Long Xiaoyao appeared in a secret room, the surroundings sealed off with his mental energy to prevent leaks.
Then, trembling, he clicked the "accept" button.
"Hmph, in the end, you're the one who added me."
"This time I won! Moon!"
Once the friend request was complete, Moon immediately sent a message to Long Xiaoyao.
"Dark Dragon Emperor": "Long time no see, old friend."
"How have you been these past years?"
Long Xiaoyao's lips curled slightly, he raised his head slightly, and replied:
"Hmph, not bad."
"But you, how have you been?"
"What, you added me first, do you want my help?"
"Hmph, unless you beg me, don't expect me to help you."
After sending the message, Long Xiaoyao regretted it a little.
"Damn it, my old habit has kicked in."
"Won't Mu En think I hate him?"
Long Xiaoyao slapped his forehead, about to reply again to explain.
But for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
"Stupid brain, think!"
But soon, Mu En's next message interrupted all of Long Xiaoyao's thoughts.
"Dark Dragon Emperor": "As expected of you."
"I really do have something I need your help with."
"Shrek Academy is about to undergo a major upheaval, and I'm afraid my abilities alone won't be enough."
"That's why I thought of you, old friend."
"This time, I beg you, please help me."
"Could you come to Shrek Academy?"
"(Cat kneeling emoji)"
Mu En's message completely stunned Long Xiaoyao.
His left and right hemispheres started fighting each other.
"You're now the Chief Elder of the Holy Spirit Cult! You can't go!"
"But Mu En begged me!"
"You're associating with evil spirit masters!"
"But Mu En begged me!"
"What about Ye Xishui?!"
"Mu En! Mu En! Mu En! Mu En! Mu En!
Mu En... (twisting) (wriggling) (crawl)!
" "...…"
Long Xiaoyao's figure instantly disappeared from the secret chamber, and a black figure rushed straight to Shrek Academy.
"What on earth happened?"
"Di Tian attacked?"
"Damn it, Di Tian, wait for me!"
For his old friend to beg like this, something big must have happened!
No matter what happens, Long Xiaoyao will do everything in his power to help!
At worst, he'd die alongside Mu En; that would be far more comfortable than dying in the dark, shadowy Holy Spirit Cult!
While Long Xiaoyao was on his way to Shrek Academy, a message from Ye Xishui reached his magic network.
'Blood Soul Puppet': "Xiaoyao, come to the Holy Spirit Cult, I need to discuss something."
Long Xiaoyao didn't reply.
'Blood Soul Puppet': "?"
"Are you there?"
'Light Dragon God': "Not here."
Ye Xishui, in a secluded room within the Holy Spirit Cult, was completely bewildered.
She was confused; Long Xiaoyao seemed like a completely different person.
'Blood Soul Puppet': "Are you coming back for dinner?"
'Light Dragon God': "Anonymous, I have something to discuss, we'll talk about it later."
At this moment, Ye Xishui felt like she'd been tricked.
There are two versions of the story about Long Xiaoyao, Mu En, and Ye Xishui, described in chapters 200 and 500.
One version says that Long Xiaoyao and Mu En both made the same choice—to give up confessing their feelings—leading Ye Xishui to harbor resentment and later challenge Mu En at Shrek Academy, where Zhongli Laogui injured her master.
The other version says that Ye Xishui chose Mu En that day, and the two became lovers, roaming the continent together.
However, the first version is told by Xuanzi, while the second is narrated by Long Xiaoyao.
Therefore, I consider Xuanzi's version as unofficial history and take Long Xiaoyao's version as the more accurate one, as he was a firsthand witness.
(End of Chapter)
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