Chapter 237: The Final Bargain
"Old Mu, you…"
"Moon…"
When Moon En stated the terms under which Xuan Zi and Du Bu Si could live, both men looked at him in disbelief.
"Moon, if he wants to leave, let him go. I don't owe you anything!" Du Bu Si said firmly, his tone cold after the initial shock.
"Du Bu Si, now is not the time for reckless pride. And… they haven't agreed yet," Moon replied calmly.
"So, what do you say, Xiao Xiaoyou? What do you think of my proposal?"
Xiao Qiang rejected it without hesitation. "Not good. Killing you would give me four hundred thousand-year soul bones and eight fifty-thousand-year soul bones all the same. And as for Mu Qingxue—why assume I don't have another trump card to save her?"
Moon En nodded slightly. "Of course, I believe you have other methods. But the fact that you haven't acted yet tells me something. You do have a trump card—but one that can't guarantee her survival with certainty. Otherwise, we wouldn't still be talking."
Xiao Qiang's eyes grew cold. His gaze sharpened. "Mu En, you're really an old undead monster."
"Being called such by someone like you, I'll take it as a compliment," Moon En replied mildly. "Now, back to the matter—will you accept my proposal?"
Xiao Qiang fell into deep thought. If Du Bu Si were to fight with the intent to die, burning his life and cultivation, his strength might rise to that of a demigod. That kind of suicidal, venomous energy had once severely injured Long Xiaoyao in the original timeline.
In theory, Xiao Qiang could contend with someone who had just reached Limit Douluo, but a demigod was a different league. Even fighting to the death might only result in mutual destruction.
With soul power only at level 85, Xiao Qiang would be fighting someone four realms above. Without something like the Dragon God's divine suppression, victory was uncertain at best.
Xuan Zi, at level 98, wasn't a major threat—his teacher's life-saving techniques could counterbalance his suicide tactics. Du Bu Si, however, was another story entirely.
"You and Xuan Zi can leave, but Du Bu Si cannot. A hundred thousand-year soul ring can fuse with the seventh ring. I don't believe he only has three hundred thousand-year soul bones."
"Don't be naïve, young man," Du Bu Si interjected. "Once I activated this state, I was already walking toward death. Whether you allow me to leave or not, I won't see tomorrow. My conditions are simple and non-negotiable. Let the two of them live, and Shrek will compensate you. If the compensation is insufficient, we can negotiate—but they must leave alive. Otherwise, this ends in mutual ruin."
Du Bu Si turned to Xiao Qiang again. "You wouldn't want this young lady to die here, would you? Her talent is undeniable. Within ten years, she could rival even me. It'd be a waste."
Xiao Qiang stared silently, weighing the cost.
Finally, he gave a quiet nod. "Fine. You win. But the price doubles. I want eight hundred thousand-year soul bones and sixteen fifty-thousand-year soul bones. Also, I must place a restriction on them to ensure today's events are never spoken of."
Risking everything now would be too costly. Securing high-level soul bones and avoiding open conflict was an acceptable outcome.
Xuan Zi posed little threat in the long term. Du Bu Si, even if he broke through to Limit Douluo, would still be vastly outclassed by Xue Di. The difference between a newly advanced Limit Douluo and a quasi-god like Xue Di—whose soul power was nearly sixfold greater—could not be bridged by Du Bu Si's martial spirit alone.
The only lingering threat was the Holy Spirit Church. If they allied with Shrek due to their shared enmity toward the Angel Martial Spirit, then Long Xiaoyao or Ye Xishui—who might be demigods or quasi-gods themselves—could become lethal dangers.
"Eight hundred thousand-year soul bones and sixteen fifty-thousand-year soul bones. My friend, you've made Shrek bleed," Moon muttered.
"If you and Xuan Zi left together, I might've let you go for free," Xiao Qiang replied coldly.
Moon waved it off. "Forget it. I'll keep her alive unless the poison kills her. But since I've paid such a steep price, could I ask for a small favor? Let Le Xuan return with us. Just a minor concession. I'll ensure the Kong family gets a satisfactory explanation."
"If you can convince her master, I have no objection," Xiao Qiang said indifferently.
Zhang Le Xuan meant little to him. In the original timeline, her peak potential was Soul Douluo. She posed no threat. By the time she reached Titled Douluo, Nana would likely surpass her anyway.
"Good. Then please allow me a few minutes… to say my last words."
"Fine. But hear me now—if you try to pass on your power or any forbidden tricks, I'll rip the agreement apart."
"Rest assured. I know the boundaries. I will only speak—nothing more."
"See that you do."
Mu Qingxue retreated into the storage soul guide to recover, while Xue Di, Xiao Qiang, and Jing Hongchen stood watch over Moon En, ensuring he dared not try anything deceitful.
"Thank you, Elder Mu. I will try to find a way to repay Shrek for the loss of soul bones," Du Bu Si said solemnly.
Moon En shook his head. "No need. I didn't do this to save you. I did it so that the Douluo Continent could remain… the Douluo Continent. I'd rather it not become the Sun Moon Continent one day."
He paused, looking at Du Bu Si.
"I know there's bad blood between us. Today, I've paid for your brother's life. So… may I ask you for a favor?"