Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

"Shrek Academy really is a treasure trove for our Holy Spirit Cult."

At the headquarters of the Holy Spirit Cult, Zhongli Wu laughed heartily.

"Indeed." The Second Elder, Nangong Wan, quickly chimed in with a flattering smile, "Saintess Ma Xiaotao was taken from Shrek Academy. And Saintess Tang Ya is the last remnant of the Tang Sect. If not for the intervention of His Highness, the Holy Son, she probably would have joined Shrek Academy as well."

"I wonder... if there are any more students in Shrek Academy suitable for our Holy Spirit Cult?" Zhongli Wu stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Nangong Wan's mouth twitched.

Come on, Your Excellency, are you treating Shrek like a recruitment market? Just picking up talent whenever you need?

That said, he understood where Zhongli Wu was coming from. After all, their capture of Ma Xiaotao had gone far more smoothly than expected, exposing the hollowness of Shrek Academy.

Sure, Elder Mu had intervened—an Ultimate Douluo was an unexpected roadblock.

But even then, they hadn't deployed their full strength.

If Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao or Grand Elder Ye Xishui had personally acted, Shrek wouldn't have stood a chance.

After all, during Zhongli Wu's clash with Mu En, he had sensed the latter's declining vitality. Although Mu En had forcefully maintained his strength as an Ultimate Douluo, his body was failing, and his attacks clearly lacked power.

Later, after consulting his mother, Zhongli Wu learned about Mu En's past injuries.

This long-buried secret was finally uncovered. And it turned out—Zhongli Wu had been right. Mu En had suffered a grave injury in the past, damaging his very foundation. Everyone had simply assumed he was long dead.

Now, even though Mu En was still alive, after their recent battle, his remaining days were numbered…

"Send people to infiltrate Shrek City and gather intelligence. Any individuals with devouring, slaughter-related, or evil martial souls must be reported immediately!" Zhongli Wu ordered decisively.

"But infiltrating Shrek City won't be easy," the Second Elder hesitated. "Your Excellency, we've attempted this before with little success. It's as if there's an invisible eye that sees through all our disguises."

"That's because of the Golden Tree and that old fossil, Mu En." Zhongli Wu sneered.

"But once Mu En dies, everything will change. For now, just test the waters—I'm not asking for immediate results."

"Understood!" The Second Elder grinned internally. He had been waiting for those words.

"Mu En... I didn't expect you to still be alive."

In Mingdu, atop a tall clock tower.

A slender, shadowy figure stood silently, gazing toward the north.

The voice was ageless, but it seemed to belong to a woman.

Ye Xishui remained silent, her hands clasped behind her back as memories surfaced.

The only person she had ever truly loved in this life was Mu En, the elegant young man from her past.

But fate had other plans—circumstances had forced them apart.

Mu En became the leader of the righteous, bearing the burden of Shrek Academy.

She, on the other hand, had embraced darkness, seeking vengeance against the entire continent.

"Haah…"

Ye Xishui exhaled softly, her scarlet eyes slowly fading back to normal.

"The past is the past. If you die, perhaps… it's for the best."

(Author's Note: In the original work, Mu En was incredibly perceptive—not a fool. That's why I personally believe that he and Ye Xishui were truly in love. Long Xiaoyao, on the other hand, was just a tragic scapegoat—a pitiful, cuckolded simp. Ye Xishui's final words to him? Probably just a last bit of comfort before his death. After all, based on the original novel's descriptions, Long Xiaoyao did nothing but desperately simp for her—without ever gaining anything in return…)

"Should we go back?"

Xiao Xiao hesitated.

"We should," Wang Dong nodded. "The academy still needs to announce the exchange student list, and we need to complete the paperwork. The Sun Moon Empire will verify our identities after we arrive."

"Alright," Xiao Xiao sighed, her steps feeling unusually heavy.

Honestly, she wasn't sure why, but—

Even though the Sun Moon Empire was regarded as a haven for evil soul masters, she actually felt more eager to go there.

Meanwhile, Tang San followed behind them.

He curiously observed Shrek Academy. Even in the God Realm, he had never really paid much attention to what Shrek looked like.

Seeing the revamped Shrek Academy for the first time was quite novel.

But his heart was heavy, weighed down by worry—concern over that fragment of his soul.

"Ah, there you are!"

Elder Xuan's voice suddenly rang out, accompanied by his booming laughter.

Both Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao froze in place.

Slowly turning around, they saw Elder Xuan grinning at them.

"Haha… Elder Xuan, were you… waiting for us?"

Wang Dong's smile stiffened.

They had just been thinking, "Surely we won't run into Elder Xuan…"—and yet, here he was!

"What's with those faces? Do I look like I'm going to eat you?" Elder Xuan chuckled before turning to Xiao Xiao.

"Well? Have you considered it? Will you take me as your master?"

He took another swig of wine, watching her expectantly.

"To be frank, I'm a Rank 98 Super Douluo—one of the strongest in the entire continent. How many people get such an opportunity?"

"Um…" Xiao Xiao was about to refuse.

But before she could, Tang San's eyes widened.

What an opportunity!

He had already failed to save his daughter in time, causing him unbearable grief.

Right now, he was only at Rank 11, and his life was in Wang Dong's hands—he had no way to escape.

But now—

"I accept!" Tang San immediately shouted.

"I want to become your disciple!"

Elder Xuan blinked in surprise.

Then, he glanced at Tang San with disdain.

"What? Any random stray dog can become my disciple now? Take a piss and look at yourself."

"I'm Innately Full Spirit Power! I have Twin Martial Souls!" Tang San quickly argued. "I may only be Rank 11 at eleven years old, but my potential is limitless!"

"Pfft…!" Elder Xuan's eyes widened.

"Innately Full Spirit Power? Twin Martial Souls? You're serious?"

Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao exchanged glances.

They weren't fond of Tang San's behavior, but at least this solved their current problem—since Xiao Xiao didn't want to join.

Wang Dong smiled and added, "Elder Xuan, he's from the Haotian Clan. His martial souls are exactly the same as Ancestor Tang San—the Haotian Hammer and Blue Silver Grass. As for his Innately Full Spirit Power, I can vouch for it—my protector just helped him awaken his martial souls."

Elder Xuan's breathing quickened.

He examined Tang San carefully.

"What's your name?"

"Tang San!" He declared excitedly.

Xiao Xiao frowned.

"But your name was—"

Before she could finish, Wang Dong tugged on her sleeve, shooting her a look.

Let him be Tang San.

She had once respected Ancestor Tang San.

But after learning what he had done to her in Star Dou Forest, she no longer cared.

Elder Xuan glanced at Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, nodding in satisfaction.

"Fine. Tang San is now my disciple. But…"

With that, he grabbed Tang San and vanished.

"Whew… that's finally over."

Xiao Xiao sighed in relief.

Back in Elder Xuan's quarters.

Tang San knelt on the floor, bowing deeply.

"Master!" He declared earnestly.

Elder Xuan grinned from ear to ear.

"Haha! Good, good—now, get up!"

But Tang San remained kneeling.

"Please save someone!"

Elder Xuan: "???"

Wait—you only took me as a master for this?

Xuanzai furrowed his brows.

However, after examining Tang San's bone structure and his two martial souls, he had to admit—this kid was indeed a genius among geniuses.

And he, Xuanzai, was one of the strongest on the continent. Rescuing someone shouldn't be too difficult.

"Tell me then, who do you want to save..." Xuanzai took a slow sip of wine. "Even if it's a Titled Douluo, I'll bring them here and have them kneel before you."

"A person..." Tang San hesitated. "But the opponent is a soul beast from the core region of the Star Dou Forest. I think… it's called… Di Tian."

"Pfft!"

Xuanzai spewed out a mouthful of wine.

He stared at Tang San in shock. "The person you want to save—how did they end up offending those monsters?"

"I…" Tang San hesitated.

"Forget it, forget it. That's impossible. Di Tian has at least 700,000 years of cultivation. Even an Ultimate Douluo wouldn't be able to handle him, let alone me at Rank 98." Xuanzai waved his hands, shaking his head.

He just wanted to take in a disciple, not throw his own life away.

"But…" Tang San was anxious.

"No buts. There's no way to make this happen. Our Shrek Academy doesn't exactly have a friendly relationship with the Star Dou Forest either. If I go alone, I'd never come back. If we send too many powerhouses, it could start an all-out war..." Xuanzai replied indifferently.

He wasn't stupid. Elder Mu was already old and fading. If he stirred up trouble for Shrek now, it would be like digging his own grave.

This disciple was promising, exceptionally talented, but...

Not worth it.

"Enough. Just focus on your cultivation." Xuanzai waved his hand and disappeared.

Tang San was left alone in the room, stunned.

On the table, a letter was left behind.

"Start from the first-year class and train in the outer court."

Tang San's face darkened.

The outer court?!!

He had assumed that this old man would take him straight to Sea God's Island for training.

That way, he could at least attempt to contact Ah Yin.

But now, his entire plan had been ruined.

Damn it!!!

(End of Chapter)