In the original timeline, Mu En should have already passed away by now. Huo Yuhao had guessed correctly—this old man must have used some special means to forcibly extend his life.
Even if Mu En's life was hanging by a thread, a Limit Douluo standing in the path of the Sun Moon Empire was still a formidable obstacle. Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui were further complications—both being hindrances to the Holy Spirit Cult. And although Long Xiaoyao now claimed to be Huo Yuhao's teacher, there wasn't much true sentiment between them. If Ye Xishui were to take a stand against Mingdu, that love-crazed old fool would undoubtedly side with her.
In other words, standing between Huo Yuhao and the Mingde Hall were three Limit Douluo-level opponents.
Even with two reliable shields—Kong Deming and Snow Empress—on his side, the idea of facing three Limit Douluo still gave Huo Yuhao some pause.
But if he could neutralize Mu En—if he could force him to stay out of the Sun Moon Empire's affairs—then everything would change.
"Heh... visiting Shrek Academy as a guest? That won't be necessary, Senior. I don't have the time. But what does intrigue me is this—what have I done to deserve an invitation from the Pavilion Master of Sea God's Pavilion? A place not even Shrek's inner court disciples can casually enter?"
Mu En's eyes narrowed slightly. 'This boy… not easy to deal with.'
Just as Mu En was about to respond, Huo Yuhao said something that wiped all calm from the old man's face.
"Senior Mu En, let's not waste time. Since fate has given us this opportunity to meet, I'll be direct. On behalf of the Sun Moon Empire, I propose a verbal agreement. If you promise that Shrek Academy will not interfere in the Sun Moon Empire's upcoming war against the Three Kingdoms of Douluo, then I promise that Shrek City will be spared from harm."
"What!?"
Mu En's voice rose in shock, staring at Huo Yuhao in disbelief. He hadn't expected such a statement—talk of war, agreements… The Sun Moon Empire's ambitions were being laid bare, as if they were no big deal!
But what shocked him more was the boldness of Huo Yuhao's request. Expecting Shrek Academy to sit idly by in the face of an imperial invasion? Had this young man lost his mind?
In an instant, Mu En's gaze turned dangerously cold.
"A brat like you... an agreement? You really think this old man would agree? And more importantly, who gave you the right to represent the Sun Moon Empire?"
Huo Yuhao smiled calmly, completely unfazed by Mu En's terrifying aura.
"Because my god-grandfather is Kong Deming, Head of the Worship Hall and the Grand Priest of the Sun Moon Empire. My mentor and future father-in-law is Jing Hongchen, Head of Mingde Hall. And as for the current Emperor, Xu Tiannan—we share a bond like sworn brothers."
He spoke shamelessly, but Mu En didn't think he was lying. Based on the intelligence Mu En had gathered, what Huo Yuhao said was likely true.
Even so, it wasn't enough to give him the qualifications to negotiate—unless Kong Deming himself was the one standing beside him now.
Mu En's body tensed. 'Could the mysterious powerhouse protecting him from the shadows be... Kong Deming? A soul engineer not yet a Limit Douluo, but possessing strength close to one?'
Knowing that wasn't enough to shake Mu En, Huo Yuhao unveiled his first real trump card:
"And—by my side at all times—is the Queen of the Extreme North, a 700,000-year-old soul beast, formerly ranked third among the Ten Great Savage Beasts. Or perhaps, now she should be considered number one: Snow Empress."
The moment those words left his mouth, the entire world seemed to freeze.
An icy blue figure appeared between the two of them, gracefully hovering in the air. At the sight of her, Mu En felt as though his soul had been utterly frozen. He couldn't think, couldn't move. His body refused to respond.
With the last ounce of strength he could muster, Mu En forcefully activated his blood essence and soul power. A bright dragon's roar of holy light erupted from his body, slowly dispelling the overwhelming chill that had invaded both his body and spirit.
"What a shame... just barely missed," came Snow Empress's cold voice.
She had made a preemptive move, attempting to freeze Mu En completely using her perfected Ultimate Ice at near absolute zero. Unfortunately, this old man wasn't so easy to subdue. She had come this close to succeeding.
Even after repelling the chill with the fiery blood of the Light Holy Dragon, Mu En broke into a cold sweat. Had he hesitated for even a moment, he would have been sealed in ice, reduced to a puppet.
Snow Empress... Queen of the Extreme North... formerly ranked third among the Ten Great Savage Beasts...
Feeling the terrifying cold just now, and staring at the noble figure before him, Mu En had no doubt—this was indeed Snow Empress. Huo Yuhao hadn't lied.
"Why..."
Mu En murmured in disbelief. 'How could this be possible? Why would the mighty Snow Empress be helping a human like Huo Yuhao? Just because of his Ultimate Ice? Ice Jade... Wait!'
Like a bolt of lightning, a realization shot through his mind. He recalled how Huo Yuhao's second martial soul was said to be of the Ultimate Ice attribute. But why had it always been described as just Ice Jade Scorpion and not Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion?
That missing "Emperor" implied an enormous difference.
Now, Mu En understood—Huo Yuhao's martial soul was Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion. And in this world, there was only one creature who bore that name—the Ice Empress.
If Jing Hongchen had figured it out, how could Mu En not?
As this truth settled in, cold sweat trickled down Mu En's back.
Just as Huo Yuhao had said—Snow Empress might really be beside him at all times, aiding and protecting him. And hadn't Huo Yuhao also said she wasn't ranked third anymore... but first?
Just one brief encounter, and Mu En—a Limit Douluo—had nearly lost all ability to resist, completely overpowered. If she was still ranked third, that would've been impossible.
And now, Mu En understood Huo Yuhao's true intent in revealing Snow Empress so openly. He was saying: I now have two Limit-level powerhouses standing with me. So, do I have the right to negotiate with you?
Of course he did.
In fact, it was more than a right—it was a threat.
'With two Limit Douluo behind me, can you afford not to negotiate with me?'
(End of Chapter)
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