Chapter 58: Good and Evil (Monthly Votes Requested)

On a rooftop with the best vantage point inside Shrek City, Chun gently dangled their legs, gazing at the Golden Ancient Tree that appeared vibrant on the surface but was already rotting away entirely from within.

With even deeper perception, Chun pierced through the facade to witness a woman dressed in a light white sheer gown, struggling bitterly deep inside the tree, as ominous black tendrils slowly spread across her body.

With every inch the darkness spread, the expression of agony on her face deepened.

Chun chuckled and clicked their tongue in wonder, "To think that a dignified spirit of nature is being backlashed by nature itself—such a bizarre phenomenon, wouldn't you say..."

Turning their head to look at the elderly man in a wheelchair who had appeared out of nowhere, Chun smiled. "Dragon God Douro, Mu En?"

"With the honored guest putting it this way, could it be that you possess a method to heal the Golden Ancient Tree?" Mu En asked slowly, his cloudy eyes fixed upon the beautiful figure before him.

He did not bother to ask who the other party was; identity was rarely a matter of true importance.

It was simply that people more often than not placed excessive emphasis on titles and origins, much like he himself had done in the past.

"Heal the Golden Ancient Tree? No, no, no!" Waving an index finger, Chun shook their head. "The Miracles of Abundance are well-deserved of their reputation. Turning decay into wonder is merely the baseline, but why should I do such a thing? I am not nearly so kind-hearted."

Chun suddenly stood up, spreading their arms with a dramatic flourish. "Don't you think it would be far more interesting to bestow an Abundance Blessing just as her willpower is about to break? That should create an unprecedentedly powerful Abundance abomination, shouldn't it?"

"Besides, life will always find a way out."

"Withered wood will eventually rot, but new branches will sprout from the decayed trunk!"

Hearing these words, Mu En slowly nodded. "I see. It appears the honored guest belongs to the Abundance faction. While Shrek does not reject followers of Abundance, we cannot tolerate the presence of anyone who might threaten our very foundations."

The cloudiness in his eyes vanished, replaced by a sudden, brilliant flash of sharp light as an unrivaled aura erupted from top to bottom!

Yet just as he prepared to strike, a gust of wind swept past, and Chun vanished instantly, leaving no trace behind.

Only a teasing remark drifted back on the breeze.

"I have no mood to play and spar with you. With that idle time, I'd rather go find some amusement to enrich myself."

"So, farewell to you!"

Mu En stood stunned for a moment. This was likely his first time encountering someone as erratic and elusive as Chun. He made no move to pursue, only shaking his head with a helpless sigh. "An eventful autumn, indeed."

Meanwhile, on a balcony elsewhere, the escaped Chun stood looking out, gazing down at Huo Yuhao who was strolling through the streets below.

Seeing the boy's unconcealed joy at successfully being accepted into Shrek, Chun smiled. "Young lad, I can only accompany you this far. For the days to come, I must ask you to rehearse well. When the curtain officially rises in the future, let me witness your performance."

Just as he was about to step into Shrek Academy, Huo Yuhao suddenly sensed something and turned back to look at the endless stream of people.

Ling Luochen asked, "What is it?"

After a long pause, Huo Yuhao shook his head. "It's nothing. I just thought I heard the voice of an acquaintance, though how could he possibly be here now?"

At this thought, he let out a sigh. How he wished Chun were by his side right now.

Not long after, Huo Yuhao saw Ma Xiaotao again, but her expression now appeared extremely trance-like and unfocused. Sometimes she failed to even hear others speaking to her, and a lingering trace of shock remained in her eyes, as if she had experienced something beyond belief.

Beside her stood a depressed and hollow-eyed youth. Forcing herself to gather some spirit, Ma Xiaotao introduced them, "Little Yuhao, let me introduce you. This is Beibei, the acting sect master of the Tang Sect. Your special enrollment quota came from him."

Beibei's face was etched with sheer exhaustion, yet he still managed a strained smile toward the younger boy. "You must be Huo Yuhao. I've heard all about you from Sister Xiaotao. I hope you'll enjoy your life here ahead.

"At the same time, I also hope you can make me a promise."

His expression turning stern, hatred surfaced in Beibei's eyes as he gritted his teeth, "I want you to promise to keep your distance from the followers of Abundance. Whenever you see Abundance disciples and abominations, kill them on sight!"

Huo Yuhao possessed exceptionally keen spiritual perception; he could feel the bone-deep hatred buried within Beibei's body, yet as the youth finished speaking, his expression lapsed back into despondency.

He gave a bitter laugh. "Forget it. You've only just reached the first ring and become a Spirit Master; how could I place such a harsh burden on you? Just pretend I never said those last words."

Shaking his head and sighing, he turned and walked away, his retreating figure appearing utterly desolate and powerless to those watching.

Ling Luochen watched his receding figure, a tone of pity in her voice. "His spirit power seems to have been stuck at that bottleneck for over a year now, hasn't it?"

"Mmm."

Regathering her composure, Ma Xiaotao said, "Ever since Tang Ya was swept away by an abomination lured by Abundance followers in order to protect him, he hasn't advanced a single level. It's not a physical issue from injuries, but a heartache—he can only walk out of it himself."

Her gaze shifted to the somewhat dazed Huo Yuhao, flashing briefly before she spoke, "Junior brother, don't dwell on it too deeply. In truth, the encounter of Beibei and Tang Ya is merely a microcosm of the grand backdrop that is the Abundance Calamity; there are far too many similar cases."

"However, just as Beibei said, those Abundance disciples and abominations who betrayed humanity are all madmen. If you lack the ability, hide far away—no one will blame you. But if you have the ability..."

Ma Xiaotao paused, her words ringing with resolute force. "You must eradicate all evil to the roots!"

"Ah... Ah! Yes!"

Huo Yuhao snapped out of his daze and responded loudly, while within his spiritual realm, the Skydream Iceworm panicked.

"Hey, hey, hey, Yuhao, don't actually believe her words! As far as I know, the greater the ability, the faster you die. Take me, for example—I contributed immensely to the future of spirit beasts, and now I've even grown thin!"

Pinching its sagging belly, it wailed and sighed, lamenting its unbearable past and angrily denouncing Di Tian and the others for treating a mere silkworm this way!

Faced with the Skydream Iceworm's exaggerated performance, the corners of Huo Yuhao's mouth twitched into a speechless grimace. "Um... Skydream Brother, I know you're anxious, but don't panic just yet.

"It's not like I don't know how terrifying Abundance disciples and abominations are. Without absolute strength, I certainly won't go looking for trouble with them."

The Skydream Iceworm widened its large eyes, directly crawling onto Huo Yuhao's back and scolding, "Even if you become strong, you still shouldn't touch them!"

"Fine, fine, fine! I won't touch them! Hiss... Skydream Brother, did you get heavier?"

"Humph!"

With a cold snort, the Skydream Iceworm crawled away, too lazy to argue with him any further.

Elegance, who had been observing quietly for a long time, spoke slowly, "Little Huo, do you truly believe that all followers of Abundance are evil?"

Hearing this question, Huo Yuhao hesitated.

Noticing this, Elegance said, "Do not forget your purpose. You are here to witness many things, and witnessing requires personal experience and observation. Only after truly coming into contact with it will you understand what reality is truly like."

Chun's words echoed once more in his mind, and Huo Yuhao nodded. "Yes, I understand."