Mu En didn't know why he felt the way he did—but as someone who had reached the pinnacle of Limit Douluo, his instincts were rarely wrong.
To be honest, if he could simply pass away peacefully when his time came, Mu En might even feel relieved. But still, the heavy burden of responsibility in his heart wouldn't allow him to rest easy.
'No matter what the future holds... I must ensure that Shrek Academy is passed down.'
That was Mu En's firm resolve. No matter the cost, he had decided—he had to meet Huo Yuhao. His instincts told him this young man would have a crucial influence on the future of the world.
"He's here, Yuhao."
In Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, Snow Empress's voice echoed.
At the same time, Huo Yuhao's brow arched slightly. 'So he really came?'
"I'll step out for a moment."
In a teahouse in Shrek City, Huo Yuhao set down his teacup and casually informed Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen before rising and walking toward the door.
Meng and Xiao Hongchen blinked, exchanged a glance, then shrugged indifferently and went back to their conversation. As for the Auspicious Beast? She was completely focused on devouring the tea snacks in front of her, oblivious to the world around her.
Stepping outside, Huo Yuhao quietly made his way into a secluded alleyway. At the far end, he saw a hunched old man with his back turned.
The moment Huo Yuhao laid eyes on him, the old man turned around. His weathered face was unremarkable, yet he looked at Huo Yuhao with a calmness as deep and still as a bottomless well.
"You must be Mu En... of Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion," Huo Yuhao said.
He didn't know what Mu En looked like exactly, but given Snow Empress's warning and the old man's extremely aged appearance that matched the descriptions from the original timeline, it wasn't hard to deduce.
"Oh? You were able to find me, little one? I'm surprised. And the fact that you know who I am... even more so," Mu En said with a gentle chuckle, seemingly unhurried.
But Huo Yuhao smiled mysteriously. 'Old man... in a moment, I'll have you sweating.'
"Hahaha, there's nothing too surprising about that, Senior. Elder Long Xiaoyao has spoken of you to me before. I may not have met you in person, but how could I not recognize you?"
This was classic Huo Yuhao. He didn't believe in wasting time with empty pleasantries—he preferred to go straight for the jugular.
And the name "Long Xiaoyao" was an absolute trump card.
Mu En's expression remained calm, but Huo Yuhao could clearly feel a dangerous aura building around him—an overwhelming presence that carried a weight of authority and suppressed fury. In Mu En's eyes, he even caught a faint glimpse of sorrow.
"Long Xiaoyao... heh. Little one, is Xiaoyao doing well these days?"
"Hahahaha, Senior Mu En, Elder Long is doing quite well. Though I'd better not go into detail. I'd worry you couldn't take the shock—might just pass away on the spot," Huo Yuhao said lightly.
The moment he finished, that previously restrained aura burst into deadly pressure. Like a formless storm, it surged toward Huo Yuhao, threatening to swallow him whole. And yet, Mu En's expression didn't change in the slightest, as if nothing had happened.
"Sovereign's Dominion."
Huo Yuhao stood calmly, watching the storm of spiritual pressure come for him. This was Mu En's Sovereign's Dominion—his self-created technique as a Limit Douluo. A terrifying ability that perfectly merged physical and spiritual attacks.
Even though Mu En was only releasing the spiritual component of Sovereign's Dominion right now, its sheer might was enough to completely crush the resistance of an ordinary soul master, leaving them paralyzed and helpless in an instant.
But such a thing would not happen to Huo Yuhao.
Just as the wave of oppressive spiritual force reached him, a surge of extreme cold erupted outward from Huo Yuhao like a tidal wave. Centered on him, it instantly froze the oncoming storm, shattering it into nothing. The overpowering force of Mu En's spiritual pressure dissolved like snow melting under sunlight.
For the first time, Mu En's expression shifted—his eyes narrowing.
That burst of ice—no ordinary power could've done that. It had to have come from an elite of the highest level, possibly another Limit Douluo.
'So... he is protected by a top-level powerhouse from the Sun Moon Empire. But who could it be?'
"Your Excellency," Mu En said, voice calm but carrying authority, "please show yourself. There is no need for a junior to face me alone."
But of course, no one responded.
Huo Yuhao knew exactly what Mu En was doing—he was trying to bait out the unidentified powerhouse by his side and gather more information. So, he played along and put on a look of exaggerated sadness.
"Aiya, Senior, isn't this unnecessary? I'm right here. Isn't chatting with me enough?"
Mu En frowned slightly but quickly relaxed again. His small but deeply wise eyes stared into Huo Yuhao's.
"Very well then. Little one, I would prefer if you did not mention Xiaoyao again. More importantly, you've come to Shrek City... as a guest. As the host, I should offer you a proper welcome."
He smiled.
"I hear you came to see a friend from the Hongchen family? Since you're here already, why not visit Shrek Academy itself? I would be more than happy to welcome you to Sea God's Pavilion—Shrek's greatest sanctuary."
Huo Yuhao chuckled.
A guest at Shrek Academy? He didn't mind. Even if he stepped into the Sea God's Pavilion itself, as long as Snow Empress was at his side, Mu En wouldn't be able to do a thing to him.
He was certain that Mu En's elaborate effort to track him down and extend an invitation had one primary purpose: intelligence gathering—learning more about him and the powerful individual protecting him.
But Huo Yuhao wasn't going to waste the opportunity either. He had his own plans.
Could he, perhaps, take this chance to test Mu En? To try something bold?
No... even with Snow Empress by his side, he couldn't take Mu En's life here. The Shrek Academy's Golden Tree carried centuries of accumulated divine might. Even Di Tian had once been sealed by its remnants after Mu En's death. Killing Mu En would only backfire.
Pushing him into a desperate corner wasn't a smart move.
(End of Chapter)
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