Chapter 6: A Conversation with Elder Mu

Long Crystal and Dragon Core, as their names suggest, are both intricately connected to the Dragon Clan, yet they differ fundamentally in nature.

The Dragon Core is a form of energy that gradually condenses within a great dragon’s body upon reaching adulthood, embodying the dragon’s bloodline and primordial power. For human soul masters, the primary function of the Dragon Core is to purify the body and enhance the strength of their bloodline and bones.

To illustrate with a simple example: when a human soul master consumes a Dragon Core, their physical strength can rival that of ancient dragons. Even if they train to the utmost limits of the Douluo realm, they need not fear their body’s capacity to endure.

In contrast, the Long Crystal is the product of a breakthrough by an advanced dragon-type soul master, condensed from their primordial soul power. It contains pure soul energy but lacks the miraculous ability of the Dragon Core to alter one's physical constitution.

After all, even top-tier dragon soul masters at the pinnacle of the current era, such as Dragon God Douluo Mu En and Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao, cannot truly compare their bloodlines to those of genuine dragons, nor can they manifest the power of the bloodline directly.

In terms of function, the Dragon Core and Long Crystal share a relationship of inclusion and being included.

However, this Long Crystal of the Dark Sacred Dragon is exceptionally precious, its dark attribute soul power of a very high level, enough to enable dark attribute soul masters above the Super Douluo level to break through their cultivations.

Night Xi Xuan quietly waited by Elder Mu’s side. Once he reopened his eyes, she calmly asked in a low voice, “Elder Mu, the Dragon Emperor Douluo should still be alive, right? Since he could contend with you for over a hundred years, he must be a formidable figure of this age. But why couldn’t he protect his own family? Could it be that the senseless slaughter of our Night Clan by evil soul masters is somehow connected to this Dragon Emperor Douluo?”

“Xiaoyao has his own hardships,” Mu En’s eyes, rarely showing surprise and shock, revealed a trace of both when he heard Night Xi Xuan’s guess, which was uncannily close to the truth. He could not refute her and sighed with melancholy.

Compared to Elder Mu, Elder Xuan was only a dozen years younger and had some knowledge of the events between Mu En and Long Xiaoyao back then, as well as of the female soul master Ye Xishui, tangled up with them both, who ultimately fell and became an evil soul master.

Could it be that the evil soul masters who attacked the Night Clan were acting out of revenge on behalf of that mad woman against Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao?

At this thought, Elder Xuan felt a sudden headache. The matters of the past were too complicated; perhaps only Elder Mu, who had experienced them firsthand, truly knew all the secrets.

Among the three present, only Elder Xuan was left in the dark.

Yet both Night Xi Xuan and Elder Mu knew clearly that although Ye Xishui was extreme in character, she truly loved Long Xiaoyao deeply and was unlikely to have committed such acts. However, everything stemmed from Long Xiaoyao himself.

“Are the lives of hundreds of members of our Night Clan really worth less than his ‘hardships’?” Night Xi Xuan sneered, not at Elder Mu, but at the Long Xiaoyao he remembered from his past life.

When the Sun and Moon Empire invaded the Tianhun Empire, Long Xiaoyao, a native of Tianhun, willingly served the Sun and Moon Empire—disloyalty.

He abandoned wife and child for the sake of Ye Xishui, the leader of the evil soul masters—betrayal.

Knowing well the harm evil soul masters caused, yet turning a blind eye to Ye Xishui and the entire Holy Spirit Sect’s slaughter of innocent civilians—inhumanity.

Such a man, unfaithful, unkind, and unjust, was a deep shame to Night Xi Xuan. He could not change his bloodline but refused to be associated with Long Xiaoyao any longer.

“Please, Elder Mu, keep this Dark Sacred Dragon Long Crystal for me. I do not wish to accept its favor.”

“A fine lad, full of ambition!” Elder Xuan, straightforward like a child, could not help but pat Night Xi Xuan heavily on the shoulder.

“Do you know who Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao is? A ninety-nine-limit Douluo, with cultivation no less than Elder Mu. Even I feel ashamed before him.”

“Elder Xuan, he is he, and I am I. Aside from blood ties, we have nothing to do with each other,” Night Xi Xuan remained firm. Then, he solemnly bowed to Elder Mu. Memories of the past arose one by one. Having enjoyed the most abundant treatment within his family from youth, he naturally owed a return to them. In the future, he vowed to stand before Long Xiaoyao himself and seek justice for his family.

“I ask for your support, Elder Mu!”

“Very well. It is said that soul spirits influence a person’s character. Rare is one with such a pure heart as yours. In that case, let us be frank.”

Elder Mu raised one hand and took the Dark Sacred Dragon Long Crystal from Night Xi Xuan’s grasp. His gentle voice was like a spring breeze, and his dim eyes were filled with admiration.

“Although your Night Clan elders sent you here to seek refuge at the academy, your situation is rather special. Your soul spirit is not only a corporeal type but also possesses an ultimate dark attribute. In the history of Shrek Academy, there have been three soul masters with ultimate attributes: ultimate wind, ultimate wood, and ultimate fire. These three predecessors became iconic figures of their era. The academy certainly has experience cultivating soul masters with ultimate attributes. However, I must admit, when it comes to research and understanding of corporeal soul spirits, the academy cannot compare to the Corporeal Sect.”

“If you wish to remain at the academy, I will devote myself to your cultivation. If you want to truly unlock the potential of your corporeal soul spirit, the academy can negotiate with the Corporeal Sect on your behalf. The choice is yours.”

“Elder Mu, I shall obey the instructions of my family elders.” Night Xi Xuan could feel Elder Mu’s sincerity. Beyond conspiracy theories, Elder Mu was truly a man of his word.

Hearing Night Xi Xuan’s reply, Elder Xuan was already joyfully drinking, while Elder Mu smiled approvingly.

“Good child, help me up.”

“Yes.” Night Xi Xuan quickly supported Elder Mu’s hand. His movements were slow, like an elderly man approaching twilight, rising slowly from the recliner. His back was bent at nearly ninety degrees, a sight that stirred a pang of sorrow.

“From now on, you will stay and train on Sea God Island. Based on your soul spirit, I will find a dedicated instructor for you. If you have any questions, you may come to me. Though my soul spirit attributes differ entirely from yours, the path of cultivation ultimately converges. But before that, I have a gift for you.”

Elder Mu’s arm was thin, bony, and stiff, yet unusually warm.

Night Xi Xuan supported Elder Mu as they entered the grand hall on the first floor of the Sea God Pavilion. Elder Mu did not forget to call out to Elder Xuan outside:

“Xuanzi, please go fetch Lexuan and bring her here.”