Chapter 188: Long Xiaoyao
Mu En pushed his wheelchair through the first and second floors of Sea God Pavilion, arriving directly at the open-air balcony on the third floor.
The leaves of the Golden Ancient Tree rustled in the breeze, the “sasha” sound filling Mu En’s ears, soothing his inner restlessness and making his heart even calmer.
Mu En turned his head to look at the trunk of the Golden Ancient Tree, faint golden light traveling upward along the patterns in the trunk, as if it had its own consciousness.
Actually, sometimes Mu En would wonder if this Golden Ancient Tree had its own consciousness, because he often felt a gaze like being watched.
But whenever that happened, he scanned with spiritual power yet discovered nothing.
Only leaves swaying in the wind, their tips glowing with golden light.
Yet that gaze definitely existed; Mu En found it hard to describe it. How should he put it? It was just like a predator seeing tasty prey.
“A line of sight that doesn’t exist in perception…”
“How is that possible?”
“Sigh, getting old, even my spirit is declining.”
Mu En instinctively didn’t want to think too much about it, just gazing at the clear Sea God Lake in the distance, like an azure blue gemstone embedded in the earth.
“Maybe in the future, we can relocate Sea God Pavilion.”
“This place can serve as a cultivation ground.”
Although Mu En didn’t want to dwell on it, he still planned to relocate Sea God Pavilion. Deep down, he knew this tree definitely held secrets unknown to others.
“Hehe.”
“It’s time to contact an old friend.”
A screen unfolded before Mu En’s eyes, accompanied by countless blue data streams flashing across the screen, as the Magic Net page began verification.
“『Dark Dragon Emperor』 authentication successful.”
“Wish you a pleasant browsing experience.”
Every time he saw the Magic Net, Mu En couldn’t help but feel the unfathomable depth of its creator 『Ye Ge』.
He couldn’t imagine what kind of ability or method could create such a miraculous creation as the Magic Net.
Countless factions on the continent tried to analyze the Magic Net, even wanting to find that 『Ye Ge』.
Even ambitious people tried to control the Magic Net, because the benefits behind it were unimaginable. Controlling the Magic Net meant controlling the world; this was no empty talk.
Unfortunately, no one succeeded. The Magic Net always hovered above every intelligent being, high and aloof, indifferent.
Mu En was very curious how soul power and spiritual power were converted into Dream Coins through the Magic Net, and how Dream Coins were reconverted into soul power and spiritual power.
As the top figure of Shrek Academy, Mu En clearly knew that Dream Coins were gradually dismantling the Gold Soul Coin system.
No, rather than dismantling, it was more like replacement—good money driving out bad.
Simply put, Dream Coins had far greater actual value than Gold Soul Coins, like rare metals. No matter the time, as long as soul tools existed, those rare metals would never depreciate.
Dream Coins were the same; as long as humanity needed soul power, they could never depreciate.
Moreover, even ordinary people could accumulate spiritual power to exchange for Dream Coins.
The actual value of one Dream Coin was not low.
It was said that for the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament, Star Luo Empire officially announced that Dream Coins were prohibited for replenishing soul power and spiritual power throughout the event.
Once discovered, it would be considered cheating, and competition results canceled.
If Dream Coins were allowed, the competition would become a pure contest of wealth.
In this regard, who could outplay Sun Moon Empire?
They had the most money and the most advanced soul tools.
Mu En sighed. Although the Magic Net was very mysterious with unknown specific purposes, he was still very grateful to its creator.
The higher the position, the more one could feel the importance of the Magic Net.
The Magic Net truly brought all intelligent beings closer, making the unchanging world vibrant.
“Let me see, the friend request page is here.”
Mu En opened the Magic Net friend request page.
Then entered the Magic Net username to search.
“『Light Dragon God』”
After clicking confirm, as expected, a user page appeared before Mu En.
“I knew it, Long Xiaoyao, you old guy would use this name!”
“Hahaha!”
Mu En’s palm slapped the wheelchair armrest, a smile on his lips, eyes revealing longing.
This time, he contacted Long Xiaoyao to seek his help.
This time, he was going to make cuts at Shrek Academy, carrying out a thorough reform.
This reform would undoubtedly weaken Shrek for a period, and a disabled person like him alone might not be able to protect it.
There were too many strong persons on the continent; just Du Busi alone was enough to give him trouble.
But if Long Xiaoyao joined, Mu En was confident that even if Di Tian came, he’d have to clutch his butt and flee!
Mu En clicked the friend request, waiting for his good friend’s response. He believed Long Xiaoyao would surely agree.
…
Sun Moon Empire Mingdu, a restaurant.
“Otto, don’t just drink tea, eat more meat!”
“In life, not eating plenty of meat is a wasted trip!”
A robust silver-haired elder patted the shoulder of the blond man beside him.
The blond man wore a composed smile, pouring wine for Long Xiaoyao.
“I’ll pass.”
“I already ate at the Prince’s Mansion.”
Long Xiaoyao chewed the meat heartily, then said to Otto:
“I heard Xu Tianran is arranging for you to enter the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Corps?”
Otto showed an appropriate smile and said:
“That’s right, Long lao.”
“His Highness wants me to enter the Royal Soul Engineer Corps and find a way to gain control over it.”
Long Xiaoyao set down his knife and fork, pinching his chin and saying:
“Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Corps…”
“Their three main and deputy leaders are all level nine soul engineers; it’s too dangerous for you to go.”
“How about this: I’ll have Wu Yun go protect you.”
“You can command him as you wish.”
Otto nodded with a smile and said:
“Thank you for your concern, Long lao.”
Long Xiaoyao waved his hand and said:
“Small matter.”
“If you can control the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Corps, it’s good for us too.”
At that moment, Long Xiaoyao suddenly felt a Magic Net message arrive. Thinking it was some offering with business, he casually opened the Magic Net to see who it was.
“Cough!”
This glance shocked Long Xiaoyao; the meat in his mouth nearly choked him to death.
He forcefully swallowed the meat stuck in his throat, then suddenly sat upright and said to Otto beside him:
“Come, Otto, hit me once.”
“I feel like I’ve been hit by a spirit soul skill.”
Otto’s emerald green eyes showed doubt, but he still punched Long Xiaoyao.
“Hey, kid, your physical strength is impressive.”
“At least Soul Emperor level.”
Immediately after, extremely complex emotions appeared in Long Xiaoyao’s eyes—joy and worry intertwined, revealing that this Dragon Emperor Douluo’s heart was far from calm at the moment.
“Um, Otto, you go pay the bill first.”
“If there’s anything later, contact me via Magic Net. I have something urgent now.”
As soon as Long Xiaoyao finished speaking, he vanished directly from the restaurant.
Otto watched this scene, stood up to pay, a smile on his lips as he noted this down.
“Long Xiaoyao is quite righteous, just a bit stupid.”
“Very good.”
“This empire is much easier to handle than the former Heavenly Mandate.”
“Political skill should be on par with my old friend Walter.”
“Sigh, I really miss him.”
Otto put on his white jacket and wrapped his warm scarf around his neck. This scarf was sent by Kallen with enthusiasm; he maintained it daily, never allowing any flaws.
Meanwhile, the vanished Long Xiaoyao appeared in a secret chamber, sealed around with spiritual power to prevent message leaks.
Then, with trembling hands, he clicked the agree button.
“Hmph, in the end, you added me.”
“This time, I win! Mu En!”
Once the friend add was complete, Mu En immediately sent a message to Long Xiaoyao.
『Dark Dragon Emperor』: “Long time no see, old friend.”
“I wonder how you’ve been these years?”
Long Xiaoyao’s lips curved slightly upward, he tilted his head up slightly, then replied:
“Hmph, doing alright.”
“What about you? How have you been?”
“Why, taking the initiative to add me—do you need help with something?”
“Hmph, unless you beg me, don’t expect my help.”
After sending, Long Xiaoyao regretted it a bit.
“Damn, old habit again.”
“Mu En won’t think I hate him, will he?”
Long Xiaoyao slapped his forehead, about to reply with an explanation.
But for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.
“Stupid brain, think fast!”
However, Mu En’s next message quickly interrupted all of Long Xiaoyao’s thoughts.
『Dark Dragon Emperor』: “As expected of you.”
“I do need your help with something.”
“Shrek Academy is about to go through a major change; my power alone probably won’t suffice.”
“So I thought of you, old friend.”
“This time, I beg you—help me out.”
“Can you come to Shrek Academy?”
“(Cat kneeling emoji)”
Mu En’s message directly crashed Long Xiaoyao’s brain.
His left and right brain started fighting each other.
“You’re now the Chief Offering of Holy Spirit Cult! You can’t go!”
“But Mu En is begging me!”
“You’re mingling with evil soul masters!”
“But Mu En is begging me!”
“What about Ye Xishui?!”
“Mu En! Mu En! Mu En! Mu En! Mu En! Mu En…” (twist) (wriggle) (crawl)!
“…”
Long Xiaoyao’s figure instantly vanished from the secret chamber, a black shadow heading straight for Shrek Academy.
“What exactly happened?”
“Did Di Tian attack?”
“tmd Di Tian, wait for me!”
For his old friend to beg like this, something big must be happening!
No matter what, he, Long Xiaoyao, would help with all his might!
Worst case, die together with Mu En—that was far better than dying in the sunless Holy Spirit Cult!
While Long Xiaoyao rushed to Shrek Academy, a message from Ye Xishui arrived in his Magic Net.
『Blood Soul Demonic Puppet』: “Xiaoyao, come to Holy Spirit Cult; something to discuss.”
Long Xiaoyao didn’t reply.
『Blood Soul Demonic Puppet』: “?”
“Are you there?”
『Light Dragon God』: “Not here.”
Ye Xishui in Holy Spirit Cult’s hidden room was utterly dumbfounded.
She was puzzled; how did Long Xiaoyao seem like a different person?
『Blood Soul Demonic Puppet』: “Are you coming back for dinner?”
『Light Dragon God』: “Gone AFK, got something; we’ll talk later.”
At this moment, Ye Xishui felt like she’d been cucked.
There are two versions of the story about Long Xiaoyao, Mu En, and Ye Xishui: one explained in over 200 chapters, another in over 500. One says Long Xiaoyao and Mu En made the same choice to give up confessing, leading to Ye Xishui’s resentment; later she challenged Mu En at Shrek, and Zhongli old ghost injured her master. The other says Ye Xishui chose Mu En that day, and they became lovers dominating the continent. But the first is what Xuan Zi said, the second from Long Xiaoyao himself. So I take Xuan Zi’s as unofficial history, and Long Xiaoyao’s as canon, since he’s the firsthand witness.
