Chapter 105: Xuan Zi Returns to Shrek Academy
"It's just not working..." On the tenth day, Du Qianjue opened his tired eyes and lay back on the bed, speechless.
Indeed, striving to achieve innate elemental control like the Silver Dragon King through acquired effort was proving immensely challenging, possibly requiring years of insight.
Thinking this way, expecting significant gains within ten days was indeed a bit far-fetched. Du Qianjue chuckled self-deprecatingly.
But it was still quite an accomplishment, possibly one of the unique advantages of the Douluo world. Though the level of power was low, the versatility within the cultivation system was astounding.
In contrast to other worlds, where one's physique and elemental attributes at birth dictated their lifelong attributes, Douluo was exceptionally accommodating. Just by integrating a soul ring with a specific attribute to one's spirit, the body could gain and continuously enhance that attribute.
Indeed, those in the Doupo world who wished to become pharmacists would be envious. Grasping the cycle of elements was not something that could be rushed.
Du Qianjue realized he had been too impatient. The body crafted for him by the planetary consciousness, using a substantial amount of its essence, had almost made him forget the difficulties of cultivation. It's just that his talents were too exceptional, making everything seem smooth sailing.
Realizing his mindset was off, Du Qianjue quickly adjusted his state and opened the door he hadn't touched in ten days.
Though going ten days without food didn't affect his physique, the sensation of hunger was still there. After enjoying a hearty meal at the hotel restaurant and relaxing in a bath, Du Qianjue left the hotel.
He had been focused on cultivation and competitions recently, with his only entertainment being the auction and the enjoyable sessions of thrashing Xuan Zi.
Staying cooped up was not ideal. Du Qianjue decided to stroll around Xing Luo City.
Meanwhile, Xuan Zi, now resembling Yang Guo, finally returned to Shrek Academy. Ordinarily, it would take less than a day for Xuan Zi to return, but not only had he fought Du Qianjue—suffering not severe, but substantial soul power depletion—he was also attacked by Du Qianjue, losing a hand and enduring a punch.
The damage inflicted by Du Qianjue was, ironically, less severe than that single punch from Du Qianjue.
The most severe blow was the loss of his arm. As a titled Douluo, although losing a limb wouldn't be fatal, his soul level would permanently drop by ten ranks. This drastically worsened Xuan Zi's situation, not only exacerbating his internal injuries but also reducing his soul level from ninety-eight to eighty-eight.
The pain was unbearable!
Xuan Zi had wanted to return to Shrek Academy immediately, but his injuries didn't allow for long travels. Reluctantly, he found a place to manage his condition over several days before he could travel from the Xing Luo Empire back to Shrek City.
Seeing Shrek City in the distance, Xuan Zi was tearfully overwhelmed. The last time he returned, he was still the strongest in Shrek Academy, aside from Mu En. But now, it felt like falling from heaven to hell...
After hesitating outside the city for a long time, Xuan Zi finally flew towards Shrek Academy. Thinking about the reasons for his downfall and the demands of Du Qianjue and Du Qianjue, he couldn't help but seek out Mu En, even if it meant facing severe reprimand.
At the outer court of Shrek Academy.
Under the new student dorms, Mu En was comfortably lounging in a sun chair, exhausted. The battle with Du Bi Si, although he had lost and died shortly after, left Mu En in bad shape too.
Not only had he been poisoned by Du Bi Si's venom during their final strike, but his spine was also broken, leaving him unable to stand ever since.
What Mu En hadn't expected was that the Dragon Pill he obtained helped him not only purge the venom left in his body by Du Bi Si but also breakthrough his limits.
However, the malevolent energy within the Dragon Pill backstabbed him at a critical moment, entangling him for decades. Only when basking in the sun did the relentless torment of the malevolent energy in his body slightly subside.
Today was no different from any other; he squinted and lay down under the new student dorms.
"Hmm? Xuan Zi is back?" Mu En's eyebrows twitched.
As an Ultimate Douluo, Mu En's spiritual realm was incredibly powerful. He had even created his battle technique, Dominance of the World, by fusing spirit power with soul power. For him, covering the entire Shrek Academy with his spiritual power was effortless.
So the moment Xuan Zi returned to Shrek Academy, Mu En naturally noticed. Having spent a century or two together, he was very familiar with Xuan Zi's aura and quickly recognized him.
"But why is his aura so weak? Did he encounter an enemy?" Mu En's slightly opened eyes narrowed, a trace of seriousness flashing through them.
Few could harm Xuan Zi.
Mu En stopped pretending to sleep and opened his eyes fully, furrowing his brows. He knew that if Xuan Zi had trouble, he would be the first to seek help, so waiting here was enough.
Before long, the disheveled figure of Xuan Zi appeared in front of Mu En, pale and with deeply sunken eyes, his eyeballs threaded with blood vessels.
And most notably, his right arm was missing.
"Mu... elder..." Xuan Zi's voice was hoarse, his face a mask of agony.
"What happened to you, who hurt you?" Mu En asked in shock, sitting up.
He had thought Xuan Zi's injuries were not severe, just a little weak in spirit, but he hadn't expected the Chicken Leg Douluo to have an arm amputated!
"It was Du Qianjue," Xuan Zi said through gritted teeth, remembering his lost right arm.
"That shouldn't be. You're both at level ninety-eight; even if he could suppress you, how could he severely injure you and cut off your arm..." Mu En murmured.
"What caused the conflict? Why did he hurt you and cut off your arm?" Mu En's eyes sharpened instantly.
His battle with Du Bi Si was a matter of pride, and all grievances dissolved at the end of that fight. Du Bi Si died after suffering severe injuries, and though Mu En broke through his limits, he was almost crippled for the rest of his life. There was no reason for grudges anymore.
Without cause, why would Du Qianjue strike so mercilessly against Xuan Zi?
"This..." Xuan Zi found it difficult to speak.
After all, being thrashed by Du Qianjue was bad enough, but the fact that he had tried to steal something from Du Qianjue's grandson and ended up being thrashed himself made it even harder to explain.
Seeing Xuan Zi stammering and unable to articulate a word, Mu En felt a chill in his heart, realizing that Xuan Zi must have initiated the conflict, or Du Qianjue wouldn't have attacked him.
If that was the case, Shrek had no grounds to confront the Sect.
If they couldn't justify their actions, how could they demand an explanation from the Sect? Would Shrek still have any dignity left?
"Speak up!" Mu En's voice was stern, his aura suddenly bursting forth, pressing the now level-eighty-eight Xuan Zi, making it hard for him to breathe.
Seeing Mu En getting impatient, Xuan Zi had no choice but to recount everything that had happened.