Chapter 30

Master Mu Ye nearly bit his tongue; he was a clever man and instantly grasped Han Han Tianyi's meaning!

The youth before him possessed the Spirit of the True Self, a god-level Body Spirit that the Body Sect had longed for.

"Uncle, I knew you were in the Spirit Tower but your heart remained with the Body Sect! When something good happens, you think of the sect first!"

Master Mu Ye gave Han Han Tianyi a huge mental thumbs-up, then excitedly grabbed Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's shoulders with both hands, staring unblinkingly at that handsome face:

"Come, let me see your Spirit."

Seeing Master Mu Ye's state, Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen roughly guessed the letter's content. The Spirit of the True Self manifested, and three black-as-ink ten-thousand-year soul rings rose from beneath his feet, pulsing continuously around his body.

His entire blood and qi energy radiated without restraint, causing the God Artisan Master Zhenhua's pupils to unconsciously dilate. Within the Limit Douluo Continent's soul master system, blood and qi almost equaled physical strength; Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's blood and qi were so formidable they even surpassed most five-ring Soul Kings of the Strong Attack type!

"Exactly right! The True Self should indeed possess this kind of blood and qi!"

Master Mu Ye clenched his fist hard, his old face excited beyond measure; among all the Body Spirits he had ever seen, none at the same level could rival Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen!

"Vroom—"

The next second, a spiritual sea realm mental wave swept the entire room; black and white yin-yang energy currents whirled like wind, illuminating the three ten-thousand-year soul rings. A human-shaped shadow condensed behind Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen, his gaze distant, looking down upon the human world.

"Comparable to the Golden Long Wang's physique, the Silver Long Wang's spirit... No mistake, absolutely no mistake!"

Master Mu Ye gazed at the enlarged shadow of Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen and whispered softly.

The Body Sect believes humans are the pinnacle of all things, possessing infinite possibilities, so a god-level Body Spirit awakened autonomously by humans must exist in the world, combining an indestructible body with boundless spirit.

The two Dragon Kings split from the Dragon God happened to be exactly so; thus, the Body Sect benchmarked the god-level Body Spirit against the Dragon God and named it True Self.

In reality, the True Self existed only in the Body Sect's fantasies; some Body Sect disciples even thought their ancestors were whimsical, believing the strongest spirits in human history were the Sea God and the Six-Winged Angel, still far from the Dragon God.

Only a few Body Sect disciples firmly believed the True Self would surely descend upon the continent to rule humanity!

Calming his emotions slightly, Master Mu Ye asked, "What is your name?"

"Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen."

"A good name, a perfect match for True Self!"

Even if it were Zhang Dog-Egg, Master Mu Ye would have to grit his teeth and praise that a humble name ensures a long life; he reached up, removed the chef's hat on his head that hindered his dignified image, puffed out his chest, and spoke with a loud, passionate voice:

"My name is Master Mu Ye, the current Sect Master of the Body Sect and the Body Limit Douluo.

To speak without modesty, I am the Limit Douluo on Douluo Continent most suitable to be your teacher; even quasi-gods like the Sky Pillar Limit Douluo Yun Ming or the Vast Sea Limit Douluo Chen Xinjie do not understand the Body Spirit as well as I do by three-tenths!

Zhao Xuanzhen, you have a fate with me, and a fate with the Body Sect!

Become my disciple, and I will transmit the sect's Secret Methods to you, allowing you to unleash the full power of the True Self Spirit and become the most powerful Body Limit Douluo in history!"

Hearing this, Master Zhenhua could not help but smile; today seemed to be a good day. He had found Jiu Tian, qualified to inherit the God Artisan's mantle, and Master Mu Ye had encountered Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen, the possessor of a god-level Body Spirit; the two should raise a large cup of wine!

Nearby, Gu Yu's understanding of Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen was not yet deep; she turned her head to look at him, curious whether he would change sects, leave the Spirit Tower, join the Body Sect, and take Master Mu Ye as his master.

Jiu Tian remained cold and silent; the Eight Deceivers never cared about the background of the Master of the Strange Doors; they only wished to follow the Master of the Strange Doors to surpass the world's rules' limits, living up to the gods' majestic reputation.

As for Xiang Xiang Naer... she was already sweating profusely!

Na'er had lived in the Spirit Tower for four years and knew too well how much Leng Yaoju cherished Zhao Xuanzhen; she was infinitely relieved the other party was not here, otherwise the moment Master Mu Ye spat out the two words "teacher," Leng Yaoju would surely explode instantly!

Both Title Douluos were Four-Word Battle Armor Masters; their Battle Armors would cancel each other out, leaving only soul power to decide. With the massive gap between level ninety-nine and level ninety-four, Leng Yaoju would devour Master Mu Ye alive on the spot!

Master Mu Ye was completely unaware; his world contained only Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen, his eyes brimming with eagerness to the point of overflowing, his facial expressions so vivid they seemed to speak.

Come into the bowl!

"Sorry, Senior Master Mu Ye, my master's title is Lady Lady Tianfeng." Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen apologized.

"Lady Lady Tianfeng Limit Douluo Leng Yaoju!?"

Hearing this title, Master Mu Ye instantly sucked in a breath of cold air.

The Heavenly Phoenix Limit Douluo's fame resounded throughout the world: Limit Douluo, Four-Word Battle Armor Master, Vice Tower Master of the Spirit Tower, and head of the Phoenix Clan, the ruling family of the Spirit Tower for generations... Leng Yaoju was absolutely not a figure the dilapidated Body Sect could provoke.

He suddenly realized that with Zhao Xuanzhen's monstrous talent, how could he not be valued by the Spirit Tower's high leadership? It was quite normal for Leng Yaoju to take him as a disciple.

Although Lady Lady Tianfeng and True Self were as different as horses and cows, the relationship between master and disciple has always been unrelated to both parties' spirits. The two most famous master-disciple pairs on Limit Douluo Continent were Tang San/Yu Xiaogang and Huo Huo Yuhao/Dragon God Limit Douluo Mu En; their spirits had almost no connection.

"A step too late!"

Master Mu Ye was heartbroken; missing the god-level Body Spirit True Self today meant the ancestors of the Body Sect through the ages could climb out of their graves tonight, and even his great-grandmother would have to slap him hard twice!

Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's expression was calm as water, showing no reluctance; sect and academy were two different matters. Graduating from the academy meant returning to one's own home and finding one's own mother, but a sect implied responsibility and could not be left at will.

For example, Tang Sect disciples must return the techniques learned within the sect to the sect before leaving. The Body Sect requires an oath sworn upon the Body Spirit, forbidding the unauthorized transmission of Body Sect secrets to outsiders.

The Body Sect's ten-thousand-year inheritance records precious hidden treasures left by countless Body Soul Masters over the last ten thousand years; naturally, Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen hoped to borrow and study them to gain some inspiration regarding the Body Spirit and a second awakening.

However, if becoming a disciple was mandatory, Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen could only regretfully give up, performing extreme training himself for a second awakening, or following Huo Huo Yuhao's example by consuming a medicinal herb of the Immortal Grass level.

In another timeline, the auction house had once featured the juvenile predecessor of the Eight-Cornered Profound Ice Grass, the Profound Ice Grass; with the Spirit Tower's vast energy, scouring the entire Limit Douluo Continent, there was a chance to obtain an Immortal Grass.

Leng Yaoju viewed him as her only disciple, and Zhao Xuanzhen also did not wish for anyone to stand alongside Leng Yaoju in his heart.

I, Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen, am loyal!

Seeing the situation reach a stalemate, Master Zhenhua, Master Mu Ye's good buddy, hurriedly stepped forward to mediate: "Zhao Xuanzhen, since you traveled far to deliver the letter, why not share a meal and taste Master Mu Ye's cooking?

This is Jiu Tian, the disciple I recently accepted; his age should be about the same as yours. Let people of the same generation get to know each other and exchange cultivation insights; it would be beneficial."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Master Mu Ye received Master Zhenhua's signal; no matter what, he must keep these people here first.

"Ten thousand years ago, the Body Spirit was assumed to belong to Body Sect members; things are different now, and everyone is blood-related kin!

Since you are already here, let's have lunch here!"

"Then... we disturb you two seniors."

Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen nodded; Chinese people could not resist four-character phrases; besides, this provided a natural opportunity to connect with Jiu Tian, laying the groundwork for Jiu Tian to forge Limit Douluo Armor metals for them in the future.

Master Zhenhua led the four youths to their seats; the five chatted freely, and the atmosphere gradually grew heated. Master Mu Ye dashed into the kitchen, opened his soul tool communicator, dialed Han Han Tianyi's number, and used soul power to seal the surroundings to prevent the conversation from leaking.

"Master Mu Ye..."

Shortly after, Han Han Tianyi's smiling voice came through the soul tool communicator.

"What's going on, Uncle!"

Master Mu Ye had no mood to beat around the bush and cut straight to the point: "I saw your letter. Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's Martial Soul is indeed True Self!

I thought you brought him before me because you wanted him to take me as his master and lead the Body Sect to revive once again, but how does he already have a teacher, and it's Cold Leng Leng Yaozhu, the Heaven Phoenix Limit Douluo!"

"Don't get so excited."

"Am I excited?" Master Mu Ye's eyes widened. "Fine, I admit I am indeed excited... That is True Self! Which Body Sect Master wouldn't be excited!"

"Calm down and listen to me," Han Han Tianyi said. "Zhao Xuanzhen's mother came from the Spirit Phoenix branch of the Phoenix Family. Shortly after his birth, his parents died on the battlefield.

Since the descendants of the Phoenix Family are dwindling, and the main Cold line has no heirs left, Heaven Phoenix adopted him and raised him like a treasure since childhood. Grand-Uncle, I advise you to give up the idea of taking him as a disciple early on. The fact that you can meet him alone today is already due to me swallowing my pride and harboring selfish motives."

"Grand-Uncle, you know the Body Sect has declined. After you and Grand-Uncle Hu Jie left, only Ah Ruheng and I remain. I will find it difficult to break through to Super Douluo in this lifetime, and while Ah Ruheng has excellent cultivation talent, his mind isn't very sharp; he cannot bear the great responsibility of revitalizing our sect!

If I do not accept Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen into the sect, I... will be unworthy of our ancestors!"

A trace of dejection appeared on Master Mu Ye's face. Since the Four Kingdoms War ten thousand years ago, the Body Sect had rapidly declined, falling from the continent's top powers and never recovering since. He felt Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen was a gift from heaven, the next leader of the Body Sect.

"Look at the bigger picture. Who said revitalizing the Body Sect requires you to take Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen as a disciple?" Han Han Tianyi chuckled. "That child possesses peerless talent and a peaceful, rational temperament. With Cold Leng Leng Yaozhu and the Spirit Pagoda safeguarding him, he will be the next Xiang Yunming who dominates an era.

As someone who was once part of the Body Sect, mindful of the sect's nurturing grace, I am giving you a chance to get on board.

Moreover, keeping Zhao Xuanzhen within the Spirit Pagoda could, to some extent, benefit the Body Sect even more than him joining the sect directly."

"I don't understand. Please explain in detail, Grand-Uncle," Master Mu Ye said, his face full of confusion.

"Idiot!"

Han Han Tianyi scolded with a laugh: "Why has the Body Sect declined? First, the number of sect disciples is decreasing; Body Soul Masters are being gathered in advance by major powers like Shrek, the Spirit Pagoda, and the War God Hall. Second, there is a lack of top-tier combat power to hold the fort; you, the Sect Master, are not even a Super Limit Douluo.

To solve the first point, the Spirit Pagoda can be of great help, after all, every Soul Master needs to fuse a Soul Spirit. The Spirit Pagoda holds an absolute monopoly on Soul Spirits; in the realm of information, it is number one on the continent.

Just imagine, if Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen agrees in the future to prioritize introducing Body Soul Masters to the Body Sect, the sect will flourish with members, and you will have the face to meet your ancestors.

The second point is equally not difficult. So what if he doesn't join the Body Sect? You can just teach him directly. Alternate between Secondary Awakening and sect Secret Methods and the like. I recall you are a Grade-9 Mecha Maker; in this aspect, you are even stronger than Heaven Phoenix.

You won't have the name of a teacher, but you will have the reality of one. Wait twenty or thirty years, until Zhao Xuanzhen has fully matured, then invite him to become a Guest Elder and Honorary Vice-Sect Master of the Body Sect. It's just a titular position, yet it will make the sect famous across the world. Do I need to teach you such a small trick?"

"Thank you for your guidance, Grand-Uncle!"

Master Mu Ye nodded frantically like a chick pecking at rice. Indeed, the old artist was rich in experience, worthy of his Brain Martial Soul; his mind was truly sharp!

Inside the Spirit Pagoda's Illusionary Realm, Han Han Tianyi ended the Soul Tool communication and said with a smile: "Worrying about both sides, is it easy for this old man!"

In the Tiantou City Blacksmith Association, inside Master Zhenhua's exclusive small kitchen.

"Here comes the ginseng soup!"

Master Mu Ye swept away his gloom, his face blooming with a chrysanthemum-bright smile. The soup rippled with jade-green waves, semi-transparent slices of ginseng floating and sinking within.

Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen leaned back tactically, seriously suspecting Master Mu Ye was hiding a codename. Beside him, Xiang Xiang Naer could hardly wait, lifting the porcelain cup; the light green broth reflected in her silver-white pupils, making them shine with luster.

"Gulp, gulp—"

"It tastes so good! Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen, drink up quickly!" Xiang Xiang Naer urged.

"Mm... alright, I'll try."

The soup slid down his throat; the liquid was as cool as snow, but the moment it hit his stomach, it exploded into a ball of blazing fire, burning along his meridians to his limbs and bones. Faint jade-green patterns emerged beneath the pale blue veins on the back of Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's hand.

"So generous today, making soup with Jasper Ginseng. Usually, you can't bear to make this for me!" Master Zhenhua teased.

"It's for the children!"

Master Mu Ye snorted coldly: "You're just riding on their coattails."

Jasper Ginseng grows in vast swampy marshes, growing one inch per century. It possesses powerful effects of purifying impurities within the body and nurturing qi and blood. Master Mu Ye could feel that after one bowl of ginseng soup, Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's qi and blood fluctuations became extremely vigorous.

The copper platter clinked lightly as dishes arrived one after another. Starlight Rice grains were each coated with a glimmer of star sand, tasting like holding a flowing galaxy in the mouth. Crimson Flame Fruit Pastries were piled into a pagoda, their crispy crusts branded with flame dragon patterns. Gu Yue bit through the pastry shell with her red lips; magma-like fruit juice surged into her mouth, and the tips of her ears suddenly flushed crimson.

Hiss~ Not spicy!

The meal left everyone fully satisfied. Huo Huo Yuhao was the number one chef of Limit Douluo Season 2, while Master Mu Ye was a strong contender for the God of Cooking in Season 3!

Full of food and drink, Master Mu Ye affectionately grabbed Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's hand: "All Body Soul Masters are one family. Stay a few more days; let's have a good, intimate chat!"

Xiang Xiang Naer suddenly felt a wave of chill, and Gu Yue's willow-like brows knitted tightly. This kind of enthusiasm, like a dog seeing shit, was twelve parts suspicious out of ten!

Under Master Mu Ye's enthusiastic invitation, the three agreed to stay for a few days at the Tiantou City Blacksmith Association.

The Divine Craftsman Master Zhenhua dragged Jiu Tian off to learn blacksmithing, while Master Mu Ye recounted the Body Sect's glorious past history to Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen.

Xiang Xiang Naer and Gu Yue flanked Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen on the left and right. They were originally listening with great interest until Master Mu Ye boldly stated that the Body Sect had gone to the Star Dou Forest and killed seven hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts. Gu Yue's expression changed instantly; she tilted her head to size up Master Mu Ye, seemingly observing whether his head was round or not...

As night fell, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

When all sounds were silent, Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's room door quietly opened a crack. A dark-golden figure, reeking of sneakiness, slipped inside. Looking at the youth meditating on the bed, two large hands slowly reached out, and he grinned wickedly:

"Heh heh heh..."

(End of Chapter)