Zhu Ziyang arrived at the Sea God Pavilion.
"Teacher, I'm back!" Zhu Ziyang called out.
As usual, Mu En was leisurely reclining on a wooden chair, basking in the sunlight filtering through the branches of the Golden Tree. Hearing Zhu Ziyang's voice, he replied in his usual casual tone, "Oh, you're back."
But the moment he opened his eyes and saw Zhu Ziyang, he could no longer remain composed. He sat upright abruptly, his eyes filled with shock and confusion as he asked, "Your soul power?!"
"Yes, Teacher," Zhu Ziyang smiled. "I've reached Rank 60."
"So fast? Did you encounter some kind of opportunity again?" Mu En's astonishment didn't last long—he had grown somewhat used to surprises. His aged face showed a hint of helplessness as he asked.
"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about," Zhu Ziyang said. "But what I'm about to say may really shock you!"
"Heh, what could possibly shock me? This old man has lived for over two hundred years. I've seen it all," Mu En replied dismissively.
Zhu Ziyang chuckled, then released his Heavenly Frost Holy Dragon martial soul. Five red soul rings glowed brilliantly within the Sea God Pavilion's main hall.
Mu En immediately stood up, all composure gone. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Zhu Ziyang, his wizened face trembling ever so slightly.
"These soul rings… they carry the aura of that Heavenly Snow Woman from the Extreme North!" Mu En instantly sensed the presence of the Snow Empress from Zhu Ziyang's soul rings. His voice shook. "Ziyang, you've truly rendered this old man speechless! These four hundred-thousand-year soul rings are undoubtedly connected to that Heavenly Snow Woman. What happened during your month at home? Tell me everything in full detail!"
"Of course," Zhu Ziyang nodded, then recounted his experiences in the Extreme North to Mu En. He shared everything, including the Snow Empress's transformation, the birth of spirit souls, and the matter with the Ice Empress—though he intentionally left out Huo Yuhao. That matter, he decided, was better left for the Academy to discover on its own. There was no need for him to get involved.
"So that's how it is!" Mu En's expression was full of astonishment, along with a deep excitement. "Spirit souls… spirit soul contracts… to think such wondrous things actually exist! Ziyang, I'm becoming more and more certain—you are truly someone chosen by destiny!"
"Heh, maybe," Zhu Ziyang laughed lightly. He already knew he wasn't the true child of destiny. That title belonged to Huo Yuhao. As for himself… perhaps he was the one fated to be forgotten.
"No need to be modest, Ziyang!" Mu En's gaze was intense as he spoke solemnly. "You understand, don't you? The appearance of spirit souls is a world-changing event for us soul masters. Without a doubt, you are the one chosen by the heavens to reshape the world! For this old man to witness the birth of a power that will alter the course of history before my death… I can die without regrets."
"Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang was surprised by his words. He then asked, "Aren't you curious how I obtained the spirit soul contract?"
"That's your own opportunity, your own secret. As your teacher, I won't pry," Mu En said with a smile, shaking his head. "The fact that you were willing to tell me about the spirit souls is already more than enough. Ever since I decided to make you the successor to the Sea God Pavilion, I prepared myself mentally. You were never destined to be ordinary. You were always meant to do things that would change the structure of the continent. And now, it seems my judgment was spot-on, hahaha!"
"Thank you for your trust, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang was deeply moved. He couldn't help but let out a breath of relief—at least he didn't have to reveal the existence of Electrolux.
"Ziyang, regarding spirit souls, do not reveal their existence lightly before you become a Title Douluo. Especially, never expose the existence of spirit soul contracts!" Mu En's expression turned stern as he warned him carefully. "Spirit souls touch on too many sensitive matters. Forget about the soul beasts—they absolutely won't stand by and let humanity gain a power that threatens them. Even among humans, you can't always trust others."
"I understand, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang nodded. He fully grasped the seriousness of Mu En's warning—this wasn't something to be taken lightly.
"Hahaha, good, good! This is truly wonderful! Heaven bless Shrek!" Mu En grew increasingly cheerful, laughing heartily again and again.
Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but smile as he watched his teacher laugh with such joy.
After a while, Mu En calmed down and looked at Zhu Ziyang. "Alright, Ziyang, now let's talk about your sixth soul ring."
Zhu Ziyang immediately grew serious. With a sincere gaze, he asked, "Teacher, when you asked me to attach a soul ring to my second martial soul to strengthen my body, I assume you already selected a suitable soul beast for my sixth ring?"
"That's right!" Mu En smiled. "I was a bit worried you wouldn't meet the standard I expected. But now, it seems I was worrying for nothing. You've given me far more surprises than I anticipated!"
"Hehe," Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "So, what kind of soul beast is it, Teacher?"
"When I was younger, I discovered quite a few soul beasts with the light attribute. Among them, three have now reached the hundred-thousand-year level. With your talent, absorbing a hundred-thousand-year soul ring for your sixth ring is no problem at all," Mu En said. "The three soul beasts are the Sacred Light White Tiger, the Illusory Sky Violet Spirit Dragon, and the Platinum Mystic Wind Eagle. I'll give you one night to think about it. Tell me your choice tomorrow, and I'll take you to find it."
As Mu En spoke, Zhu Ziyang made his decision the moment he heard one of those names.
"No need to wait, Teacher. I choose the Illusory Sky Violet Spirit Dragon!"
"Oh? So decisive. It seems you've planned this all along!" Mu En looked at him in surprise. "Tell me, why did you choose the Illusory Sky Violet Spirit Dragon right away?"
"Actually, Teacher, my original plan was to find a hundred-thousand-year Evil-Eyed Tyrant with a death attribute for my sixth soul ring," Zhu Ziyang said. It was clear he had a well-thought-out plan from the beginning.
"Evil-Eyed Tyrant?" Mu En paused, then began comparing the Evil-Eyed Tyrant with the Illusory Sky Violet Spirit Dragon. After a moment, his eyes widened in realization. "You mean to…"
Zhu Ziyang didn't deny it. He simply nodded with a smile.
"You really are a fearless calf charging at the tiger!" Mu En couldn't help but sigh. "Or maybe I really have gotten too old and can't keep up with you youngsters anymore. Are you sure you want to walk this path?"
"I'm sure!" Zhu Ziyang nodded firmly. "Teacher, this path wasn't chosen on a whim. I've thought it through carefully. I believe that this road will eventually replace tradition and become a necessary path for the future's strongest!"
"Sigh!" Mu En sighed heavily, then said, "Since you've already made up your mind, I won't try to persuade you. I believe you wouldn't make such a decision without being prepared. Good. Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, I'll take you to find the Illusory Sky Violet Spirit Dragon!"
"Understood, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang was elated with Mu En's approval and left the Sea God Pavilion happily.
After he left, Mu En leaned back in his wooden chair, his face a mix of melancholy and expectation. He murmured softly, "The Tri-Origin Soul Core Method… I failed back then. I hope you can succeed."
—
Back in his room, Zhu Ziyang couldn't calm down. What he was about to attempt was just as significant as the birth of spirit souls.
Soul cores—formally called soul power source cores—formed when a soul master's soul power quality reached a certain level, condensing into solid soul power, which then crystallized into a core. The soul core accelerated soul power recovery, reduced consumption, and expanded a soul master's soul power capacity.
According to soul core theory, forming a soul core had nothing to do with cultivation rank. However, most soul masters waited until they reached Title Douluo before attempting to condense one. Only a few condensed their first soul core at the Soul Sage or Soul Douluo level.
Yes—the first soul core. The theory allowed for multiple soul cores, provided they could operate in harmony without interference. Among Title Douluo, the prevailing practice was the Yin-Yang Balanced Soul Core Method—forming one core in each of the upper and lower dantians to maintain dynamic balance. Nearly all Super Douluo pursued a second soul core, as forming it was the only hope of advancing to Ultimate Douluo.
No Ultimate Douluo had ever been single-core!
The Tri-Origin Soul Core Method, as its name implied, involved condensing three soul cores in unison. It was proposed by a former Sea God Pavilion Master, but no one had successfully implemented it. Mu En had once tried and failed.
Yet, this method stirred something deep within Zhu Ziyang. It felt tailor-made for him. From the moment he read about it, he knew it was the solution to managing the diverse and conflicting energies in his body.
He had a strong feeling that once he successfully condensed three soul cores and achieved Tri-Origin Unity, all the energies within him would truly harmonize—and he would gain the power to shift between them freely.
(End of Chapter)
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