Chapter 78: Elder Mu Questions Elder Xuan: "Is it that Liu Yuan?"
Of course, Liu Yuan and his companions remained completely oblivious to the crushing despair Elder Xuan had experienced in that dark, secluded corner of the banquet hall.
After the grand celebration concluded the previous night, the Body Sect delegation returned directly to the State Guest Hotel. Rather than immediately diving into their usual meditative cultivation routines, they chose to simply rest.
The next morning, brilliant golden sunlight spilled through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow across the spacious room. Liu Yuan slowly opened his eyes, his breathing steady and calm.
According to their original itinerary, today was the day they were supposed to depart the capital and return to the Body Sect. Leaving the sect grounds was a rare occurrence for all of them. Whether it was Liu Yuan, Long Aotian, or Chen Lu, their daily lives typically consisted of nothing but grueling, high-intensity physical training and monotonous meditation. The vibrant customs and bustling atmosphere of the outside world were luxuries they seldom experienced.
Vina, naturally, had taken this into consideration. While the group was still washing up and preparing for the day, she dispatched a servant with a message, formally inviting everyone to remain in the Heavenly Soul Imperial City for a few more days of leisure.
Given her new status as Liu Yuan's fiancée, the invitation carried a special weight. After a brief discussion, Liu Yuan and Long Aotian readily agreed to the delay.
Early that morning, Vina took the initiative to visit the State Guest Hotel personally.
Despite standing in the very heart of the Heavenly Soul Imperial City, surrounded by streets filled with commoners and patrolling guards who immediately recognized their princess, Vina carried none of the haughty airs typical of royalty.
She wore a light, lotus-root-colored dress that flowed gracefully with her movements. Her demeanor was exactly as it had been during her time cultivating at the Body Sect—bright, generous, and entirely unpretentious.
, ever since the engagement was officially announced to the world the night before, a subtle shift had occurred. Vina had become noticeably more active and affectionate in Liu Yuan's presence.
She found him in the hotel lobby early in the morning. Before Liu Yuan could even offer a greeting, she stepped right into his personal space and naturally looped her arms around his.
A radiant, unrestrained smile graced her exquisite face, the corners of her lips turning up so high they almost reached her ears. Her entire being seemed to glow with an indescribable, infectious happiness.
This intimate display did not go unnoticed. Wang Yanfeng, Chen Lu, and Gu Tong walked out from the inner corridors just in time to witness the scene, instantly sparking a chorus of good-natured teasing.
"No way. Are you two seriously planning to be this sweet so early in the morning?" Wang Yanfeng crossed his arms over his chest, his face contorted into an exaggerated mask of awe.
Chen Lu immediately chimed in from the side. He rubbed his eyes with a look of utmost seriousness before turning to his companion. "Gu Tong, when we hit the commercial district later, my first stop has to be an optical shop. I need to buy the darkest sunglasses they have. Otherwise, I'm going to go completely blind looking at these two!"
Hearing their relentless teasing, a faint blush crept across Vina's porcelain cheeks. Yet, instead of pulling away, she hugged Liu Yuan's arm even tighter, almost as if she were proudly showing him off to the world.
She threw a playful, fake punch in Chen Lu's direction and scolded him with a bright laugh. "You guys are getting way too bold these days! You even dare to make fun of me now, right?"
The group spilled out of the hotel doors, their laughter echoing in the crisp morning air.
After walking a short distance and merging into the bustling, vibrant commercial street, the dynamic of the group began to shift.
Wang Yanfeng suddenly reached out, grabbing Gu Tong by the shoulder. He pointed animatedly toward a distant stall displaying rare, glowing ores. "Hey, look at that! I need to check out that shop right now."
Chen Lu's reaction was equally swift. He clamped a hand onto Long Aotian's shoulder just as the Chief Disciple was about to follow Liu Yuan and Vina. Without a word of warning, Chen Lu spun him around and began marching in the exact opposite direction.
Long Aotian stumbled slightly, his brow furrowing in utter confusion. "Chen Lu, what are you pulling me for? Aren't we sticking with Liu Yuan and the others?"
Hearing such a hopelessly oblivious question from his own senior brother, Chen Lu stopped dead in his tracks, staring at Long Aotian in disbelief.
He leaned in, lowering his voice to an exasperated whisper. "Senior Brother, can you not read the room at all? Those two just got engaged. They obviously want to spend some time alone. Do you really want to go over there and be a massive third wheel?"
Long Aotian blinked, the realization finally crashing down on him. His face flushed a deep shade of red, and he rubbed the back of his neck in acute embarrassment. "Right, right, right. I was completely confused for a second. Let's go, let's go."
Up ahead, Vina, still happily clinging to Liu Yuan's arm, had already steered him away from the main thoroughfare and far from the rest of the group.
As they strolled together, the conversation naturally drifted away from heavy topics. There was no mention of soul power cultivation, martial soul theories, or the brutal politics of sect competitions.
Instead, Vina dragged Liu Yuan through the winding streets and hidden alleys of the Imperial City. She introduced him to a dizzying array of local delicacies, stopping to buy exquisite, steaming street snacks. She showed him strange, complex crafts carved by local artisans, and eventually led him into high-end boutiques displaying the luxurious silk clothing unique to the Heavenly Soul royal family. She guided the entire experience, chatting animatedly as they shopped and ate.
In the brutal world of soul masters, Liu Yuan was an absolute apex predator, a supreme talent capable of crushing his entire generation without breaking a sweat. But when it came to the mundane, delicate details of secular life, he was vastly out of his depth compared to Vina.
For his entire life, his singular, consuming goal had been the pursuit of absolute power.
But now, with Vina by his side, he didn't have to plan a single thing. Every itinerary, every preference, every tiny detail of the day was arranged for him with effortless grace.
Liu Yuan found himself sinking into the experience. In this warm, vibrant environment where he didn't need to calculate combat rhythms or anticipate enemy movements, simply walking beside Vina felt incredibly comfortable.
This rare, deep psychological relaxation had an unexpected physical effect. The soul power surging through his meridians, which had been slightly turbulent and restless following his recent, rapid breakthroughs, began to settle, flowing with a much smoother, more stable rhythm.
Over the next few days, Liu Yuan enjoyed a rare, precious pocket of absolute peace.
However, just because Liu Yuan was enjoying a stress-free existence in the capital, it did not mean that Elder Xuan was afforded the same luxury.
At this very moment, a disheveled, grey-brown figure stood frozen before the towering gates of Shrek Academy.
Ever since that fateful night at the banquet, Elder Xuan had traveled back to Shrek at a breakneck pace, barely stopping to catch his breath.
Yet, now that he actually stood before the grand academy gates—the very symbol of ten thousand years of absolute glory—his legs felt as though they had been filled with molten lead.
He stopped dead in his tracks. He lowered his head, staring at the cobblestones beneath his boots, utterly unable to take that final step forward.
His chest tightened as his heart waged a violent, agonizing struggle.
He had no idea how he was going to face Elder Mu once he stepped inside the Sea God Pavilion. He had no idea what words he could possibly string together to explain the cruel, humiliating truth he had uncovered.
As Elder Xuan stood there, paralyzed by his own hesitation, a patrolling academy guard spotted him.
"Isn't that Elder Xuan? You've returned!" The guard jogged over, offering an enthusiastic, respectful greeting. "Why are you just standing out here at the gate? Please, come inside."
The sudden shout jolted Elder Xuan from his spiraling thoughts. He jerked his head up, looking at the young guard. He forced the corners of his mouth to twitch upward, plastering a stiff, incredibly awkward smile onto his weathered face.
"Oh... yes," Elder Xuan rasped, waving a hand dismissively. "I was just pondering some complex theories regarding soul power cultivation. I suppose I got a bit distracted. I will head inside now."
Without waiting for a response, Elder Xuan lowered his head once more and walked quickly past the gates.
Beneath the bright afternoon sunlight, his back appeared noticeably hunched. He looked as though he had aged ten full years in a single night.
Deep within the inner courtyard, inside the massive Golden Tree that served as the heart of Shrek Academy, the atmosphere was utterly tranquil.
The Master of the Sea God Pavilion, the Dragon God Douluo Elder Mu, lay quietly on his wooden recliner.
Though his eyes were gently closed, his vast spiritual senses encompassed the entire area. He knew every single movement, every shifting breeze within the Sea God Pavilion.
Elder Mu slowly turned his head toward a staff member responsible for intelligence liaisons standing nearby. "Counting the days, Elder Xuan traveled to the Heavenly Soul Imperial City to investigate that matter. He should be arriving back today, shouldn't he? I wonder what exact information he managed to bring back this time."
A faint sigh escaped the old man's lips. "I hope he will not disappoint me..."
Scarcely had the words left Elder Mu's mouth when another attendant walked briskly into the pavilion, bowing deeply as he reported in a hushed, respectful tone. "Elder Mu, Elder Xuan has just passed through the academy gates. He is currently making his way toward the Sea God Pavilion."
On Elder Mu's usually placid face, his eyelids twitched slightly. Then, he slowly opened his eyes. A sharp, piercing light flashed within those ancient depths.
"He has returned? Good. Have him come see me immediately."
The attendant accepted the order and hurried out to intercept Elder Xuan, who was currently dawdling along the pathways, dragging his feet with every step.
Upon learning that Elder Mu was already aware of his return and had summoned him directly, Elder Xuan knew he could not delay any longer.
He knew better than anyone that in front of a Limit Douluo like Elder Mu, any attempt at evasion was entirely meaningless.
A few moments later, Elder Xuan placed his trembling hands against the heavy wooden doors of the Sea God Pavilion's main conference hall and pushed them open.
Inside the dimly lit pavilion, Elder Mu sat quietly on his recliner. His deep, unfathomable eyes locked onto Elder Xuan the second he crossed the threshold.
"How did it go, Elder Xuan?"
As soon as they made eye contact, Elder Mu cut straight to the point. His tone carried a subtle, underlying hint of urgency and expectation—an eagerness that even he himself did not fully register.
"This time, during your trip to the Heavenly Soul Empire, did you see that child named Liu Yuan with your own eyes? Is his identity... confirmed?"
Elder Xuan stood rigidly in front of the pavilion master. The man who was usually so boisterous, careless, and eternally clutching a chicken leg or a wine gourd, now stood with his hands tightly crossed and hidden deep within his sleeves.
Facing Elder Mu's direct questioning, Elder Xuan's expression instantly twisted into a mask of pure, suffocating awkwardness. His pale lips parted, trembling slightly, but his throat seized up.
For a long, agonizing moment, he couldn't force a single word out.
He simply did not know how to look Elder Mu in the eye and confess that the peerless genius Shrek Academy had been desperately trying to recruit... was the exact same Liu Yuan he had personally driven away all those years ago.
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