Soul Land 2 - The Unrivaled Tang - Tang Jia San Shao

Table of Cont ent s
Sou l Lan d 2: T h e Un r ivaled T an g Sect
Book 1: Sk yd r eam Icew or m
Book 2: Acad em y of M on st er s
Book 3: Fu sion of M ar t ial Sou ls
Book 4 : T h e Gold en Road
Book 5: T h e Ch am p ion sh ip Figh t
Book 6: Gr ad u at in g
Book 7: T h e Ext r em e Nor t h
Book 9: Escap e
Book 10 : Sh r ek 's Sev en M on st er s
Book 11: T h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t
Book 13: Life Gold
Book 14 : T h e Fin als!
Book 15: Vict or s
Book 16: T h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est
Book 17: T h e Ult im at e Sold ier Plan
Book 18: T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y Exch an ge
Book 19: Ret u r n t o t h e Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y

Book 20 : Sp ar r in g Com p et it ion
Book 21: Reu n ified
Book 22: T h e Clear Sk y Sect
Book 23: T h e En d of t h e Exch an ge
Book 24 : T h e Sea God 's Fat ed Blin d Dat e
Book 25: Sou l Rin g Exp ed it ion
Book 26: H id d en Dan ger
Book 27: T h e New Con t in en t a l Elit e You t h Sou l M ast er T ou r n am en t !
Book 28: Escap e fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e
Book 29: T h e Yin Yan g Love Qu er yin g Valley
Book 30 : Rescu e
Book 31: T h e Evil Em p er or 's An ger
Book 32: J ou r n ey
Book 33: W ar
Book 34 : T h e Calm Befor e t h e St or m
Book 35: T h e Fr on t lin es!
Book 36: M ovin g For w ar d s
Book 37: Vin d ict ive Plan s
Book 38: T h e M er folk 's Blessin g
Book 39: Decisive Blow

Book 4 0 : Com p lem en t in g Yin an d Yan g
Book 4 1: T h e W ar God d ess' T er r ifyin g Pr ow ess
Book 4 2: On e on T en !
Book 4 3: T h e Ice-Sp ir it Dou lu o an d t h e Dr agon Bu t t er fly Dou lu o
Book 4 4 : Legacy of t h e Dar k n ess H oly Dr agon an d t h e Deat h God Dou lu o
Book 4 5: H u o Yu h ao
Stay up to date On Light Novels by Downloading our mobile App
Zerobooks Android
Zerobooks IOS
Download all your Favorite Light Novels
Jnovels.com
Soul Land 2: The Unr ivaled Tang Sect
(斗罗大陆 2 绝世唐门)
by
Tang Jia San Shao

(唐家三少)
Synopsis
T h e legen d of t h e con t in en t , t h e b at t le t h at b r ou gh t fam e; t h e Sacr ed Ph oen ix

Lad y, t h e W in d fir e M et eor God r ealm sa b er -ar t ; t h e p air t h a t ascen d an d fu se,
t h e gold en su n an d t h e b lu e m oon , t h e fu r y of t h e cr ash in g t h u n d er . T h er e is n o
m agic, n o b at t le qi, n or an y m ar t ial ar t s in t h is la n d . H ow ever , t h er e ar e m ar t ia l
sp ir it s. T en t h ou san d year s h ave p assed sin ce t h e fou n d in g of t h e T an g Sect on
t h e Dou lu o con t in en t , an d it h as d eclin ed . A n ew , p r ou d gen er at ion of h eaven ’s
ch osen h as b een b or n . Can t h e n ew gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven Devils r ally t h e
T an g Sect an d on ce m or e com p ose t h e son g of t h e Un r ivaled T an g Sect ?
A m illion -year -old sp ir it b east , a sacr ed d eat h god t h at h old s t h e su n , t h e

m oon , an d t h e st ar s in h is h an d s, an d a b r an d n ew sp ir it t ool syst em w h ich
cau sed t h e fall of t h e T an g sect . On e m ir a cle sh all occu r aft er a n ot h er .
Can t h e T an g Sect ’s h id d en w eap on s r ally t h e w in d s, an d can t h e glor y of t h e

T an g Sect ascen d on ce m or e? All of t h is w ill b e con t in u ed in t h e secon d
in st allm en t of Dou lu o Dalu —T h e Un r ivaled T an g Sect !
Pr ologue: The God Realm! Tang San's Family!
T h e gen t le h a los of ligh t w er e ak in t o a m ot h er ’s p air of h a n d s w h en t h ey

gen t ly t ou ch ed t h e d elica t e sk in of t h e clou d s, cr eat in g an excep t ion ally
b eau t ifu l feelin g t h at seem ed t an gib le w it h in t h e illu sor y sp ace. T h er e also
seem ed t o b e an in d ist in ct yet m ajest ic p alace n ot far aw ay, b u t n ear ly seem ed
lik e an illu sion as t h e gen t le h alo of ligh t t ou ch ed it .
A figu r e qu iet ly st ood w it h in t h e clou d s for a lon g t im e, gazin g in t o t h e

en d less d ist an ce at som et h in g.
H e h ad lon g b lu e h air t h at d r ap ed t o t h e floor lik e a w at er fall. If n ot for h is

im p osin g st at u r e an d h is w id e sh ou ld er s, h e m igh t ’ve b een con fu sed w it h a
gir l—if you on ly look ed at h im fr om b eh in d .
H is lu xu r io u s b lu e r ob es seem ed t o con t ain r ip p lin g w at er . If on e w er e t o

car efu lly look at it , t h eir gaze w ou ld in st an t ly b e d r aw n t o h is d eep -azu r e
colou r ed r ob es; t h eir en t ir e sou l m igh t even b e ab sor b ed in t o t h e d eep an d
b ou n d less b lu e colou r t h at seem ed t o r esem b le an ocean .
H ow ever , fr om t h e p air of equ ally d eep eyes on h is h an d som e face, it d id n ’t

look lik e h e w as over t w en t y. H is eyes w er e lik e b lack h oles, yet at t h e sam e
t im e, t h ey seem ed all-em b r acin g. Occasion ally, a p u r p le flash w ou ld flick er
t h r ou gh h is eyes, w h ich w ou ld ast on ish on e’s sou l. T h is w ou ld in st an t ly cr eat e a
b eau t ifu l feelin g, on e t h at cou ld d et er m in e on e’s life or d eat h .
“Ai...” T h e m an ligh t ly sigh ed , a fain t ly d ist r essed look ap p ear in g u p on h is

face. H e sligh t ly fu r r ow ed h is b r ow , as if h e w as cu r r en t ly com p r eh en d in g t h e
secr et s of h eaven an d ear t h .
“T h ir d Br ot h er .” A soft voice ech oed ou t . A figu r e st ep p ed ou t fr om t h e

illu sor y sp ace, ar r ivin g b esid e t h e b lu e-clot h ed you n g m an . Sh e h ab it u ally h eld
t h e m an ’s ar m in a gen t le m an n er . T h e sm oot h n ess of h er a ct ion m ad e it seem
as t h ou gh sh e’d d on e it cou n t less t im es in t h e p ast .
Sh e w as w ea r in g a p in k -colou r ed lon g d r ess an d sh e h a d lon g h air t h at h ad

b een b r aid ed , w h ich w as gen t ly d r ap ed b eh in d h er b ack . You cou ld see h er
exqu isit ely slen d er an d b eau t ifu l w h it e n eck fr om b eh in d , w h ile h er lon g d r ess
t igh t ly w r ap p ed ar o u n d h er w aist , fu r t h er accen t in g h er p er fect figu r e.
A fain t sm ile ap p ear ed on h er b eau t ifu l face as sh e p u lled t h e on t h e b lu e-

sh ir t ed m an ’s ar m . Sh e gen t ly laid h er h ead on h is sh ou ld er , cau sin g h er b r aid s
t o fall n ext t h e t h e m an ’s lon g b lu e h air . T h ey qu iet ly cu r led ar ou n d h is h air ,
t w ist in g t h e m an ’s lon g h air .
A lovin g sm ile t h at con t ain ed a t r ace of h elp lessn ess ap p ear ed on t h e b lu e-

sh ir t ed m an ’s h an d som e face, “Even t h ou gh you ’r e a m ot h er alr ead y, you ’r e
st ill so n au gh t y.”
T h e w om an w ear in g t h e p in k d r ess w as som ew h at d iscon t en t as sh e p ou t ed ,

“So w h at if I’m a m ot h er n ow ? Does t h at m ean t h a t I can ’t t h r ow a t an t r u m ?
Ar en ’t you st ill called T an g San , even t h ou gh you ’r e n ow t h e En for cer of t h e
God Realm , an d t h e God of t h e Sea? You ’r e st ill m y T h ir d Br ot h er .”
On ce Xiao W u h ear d T an g San b r in g u p t h eir d au gh t er , a gen t le look in st an t ly

filled h er eyes, “Xiao Qi is sim p ly t oo clin gy. W e on ly h ave t im e t oget h er w h en
sh e’s sleep in g. T h ir d Br ot h er , I saw t h at you w er e d isp lea sed ear lier … is it
b ecau se of issu es w it h in t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ?”
T an g San n od d ed h is h ead as h e ligh t ly sigh ed an d said , “A sin gle d ay in t h e

God Realm is equ ivalen t t o a year in t h e m or t al w or ld . T h is is t r u e for ever y
sin gle p lan e. I h ad or igin ally w an t ed t o st ay in t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t for a
p er iod of t im e, b u t I w as for ced t o r et u r n t o t h e God Realm in or d er t o t ak e car e
of t h e gen er al sit u at ion h er e, d u e t o a b et b et w een t h e God k in gs, Kin d n ess, an d
Evil. H ow ever , I d id n ’t t h in k t h at t h e T an g Sect w ou ld ’ve d ecayed aft er on ly
t w en t y or so year s w it h in t h e God Realm , w h ich is eq u ivalen t t o t en t h ou san d
year s in t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t .”
Xiao W u u n h ap p ily said , “Kin d n ess an d Evil ar e sim p ly t oo cr a ft y. T h ey’r e t oo
ir r esp on sib le, u sin g t h eir b et a s an excu se t o d escen d t o t h e m or t al w or ld . T h ey
p r eviou sly fou n d a m ar r ied cou p le t o r ep lace t h eir God ly Posit ion . H ow ever , t h e
cou p le’s p r eviou s exp er ien ce w as sim p ly t oo p it ifu l. If n ot for t h at , you cou ld ’ve
let t h em t ak e car e of t h e gen er a l sit u a t ion h er e, an d cou ld ’ve r elaxed a b it
m or e.”
T an g San said , “Fr om t h e ou t sid e, t h e En for cer an d God k in g p osit ion s ap p ear
t o b e q u it e loft y p osit ion s, b u t t h ey a r en ’t r esp on sib ilit ies t h at ever yon e is
w illin g t o u n d er t ak e! T h e Dou lu o Con t in en t h as clear ly b ecom e som ew h at
ch aot ic d u e t o t h e ch an ges t h at h ave occu r r ed w it h in t h e p ast t en t h ou san d
year s—esp ecially t h e con t in en t al collisio n t h at h ap p en ed d u e t o t h e sh ift in g of
t h e ear t h ’s cr u st , fou r t h ou san d year s a go. Not on ly d id it cau se t h e Dou lu o
Con t in en t t o m or e t h an d ou b le in size, it also cau sed m an y ch an ges t o h ap p en t o
t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t .”
Xiao W u said , “T h e T an g Sect also b egan d eclin in g at t h at t im e! T h ir d

Br ot h er , you sh ou ld n ’t t h in k t oo m u ch ab ou t it . In a w ay, t h e T an g Sect ’s
d eclin e can a lso b e at t r ib u t ed t o t h e p r ogr ess of b ot h t im e, an d t h e p lan e it self.”
T an g San n od d ed h is h ead , “You ’r e r igh t , b u t aft er all, t h e T an g Sect w as

cr eat ed b y m e. I r ea lly w ou ld h a t e for it t o b e d est r oyed b ecau se of t h is, b u t
sad ly I can ’t in t er fer e in t h e ch an ges of a p lan e, sin ce I’m t h e En for cer of t h e
God Realm . H ow ever , it seem s t h at a n ew st ar w ill soon r ise w it h in t h e Dou lu o
Con t in en t , an d h e w ill b e ext r em ely closely lin k ed t o m y T an g Sect . I’ll t r y t o get
a clear er look at h is d est in y, b u t so far it ’s h eavily clou d ed . I h op e t h at
ever yt h in g w ill d evelop in a good d ir ect ion .”
Xiao W u ’s eyes b r igh t en ed as sh e r ep lied , “H e’ll d efin it ely b e a good

can d id a t e, sin ce even you say t h at h e’s a n ew st ar . If h e cou ld even t ak e over
you r God ly Posit ion in t h e fu t u r e, w o u ld n ’t w e t h en h av e t im e t o go p lay
ar ou n d ?”
T an g San r aised h is h an d an d lovin gly p in ch ed h er n ose, “You ! You on ly

k n ow h ow t o p lay.”
W h ile t h ey w er e t alk in g, a sm all h ead p op p ed ou t fr om som e n ear b y clou d s.
Sh e look ed ab ou t eleven or t w elve, an d h er b eau t ifu l r ou n d eyes b lin k ed . H er
ap p ear an ce w as ext r em ely sim ilar t o T an g San ’s, b u t h er b od y w as m u ch soft er ,
an d h er eyes w er e closer t o Xiao W u ’s.
“I’ve alw ays h ear d d ad an d m om t alk in g ab ou t t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ! It

seem s r eally fu n ! H ee h ee.” H er p et it e b od y qu iet ly d isap p ear ed in t o t h e clou d s
as sh e sp ok e.
Book 1: Skydr eam Icewor m
Chapt er 1.1: The Yout h wit h t he Spir it Eyes
T h e gold en , glazed r oof t iles at op t h e h u ge, p alace-lik e b u ild in g sh on e w it h a

d azzlin g ligh t d u e t o t h e su n ligh t . T h e an cien t w or k m an sh ip t h at h ad b een u sed
t o cr eat e t h e p alace’s gold en r oof an d r ed d oor s cau sed p eop le t o in volu n t ar ily
feel a sen se of ser iou sn ess w h en t h ey saw it .
W h en gazed at fr o m afar , a fog seem ed t o lin ger a r ou n d t h e p alace. T h e

b u ild in gs t h a t su r r ou n d ed t h e p alace w er e lin ed u p n eat ly, ju st lik e t h e p at t er n a
b r ick w all h ad . T h e ar ea t h at t h ey occu p ied seem ed lim it less t o t h e n ak ed eye.
T h e t w o w or d s ‘Du k e’s M an sion ’ w er e car ved in t o t h e fift y-foot t all ar ch w ay
t h at st ood in fr on t of t h e en t r an ce.
T h is en or m ou s m an sion t h at occu p ied an ar ea of over 2 kilom et r es d id n ’t

b elon g t o a cit y. In st ead , it w as a sin gu lar b u ild in g locat ed fift y m et er s
n or t h w est of t h e ca p it al of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, St ar Lu o Cit y. Fr om t h is you
cou ld see t h a t t h e ow n er of t h is m an sion h eld an h on or ed p osit ion w it h in t h e
St ar Lu o Em p ir e.
Du r in g t h e cu r r en t t im e of d ay, t h e b r igh t an d b eau t ifu l su n ligh t w ou ld sh in e

on t h e sp ar k lin g gla zed r oof t iles, cau sin g a layer of d azzlin g gold t o cover t h e
en t ir et y of t h e Du k e’s M an sion . You cou ld even vagu ely see t h is scen e at op St ar
Lu o Cit y’s cit y w alls.
T h e b ack d oor of t h e Du k e’s M an sion ’s n or t h er n a r ea n oiselessly op en ed , an d

a sk in n y figu r e qu iet ly sn u ck ou t .
T h e figu r e w as a you t h t h at ap p ear ed t o b e ar ou n d eleven or t w elve. H is

st at u r e w as r eason ab ly p r op or t ion ed , an d h e w as w ear in g a gr ey clot h sh ir t t h at
w as sim p le b u t clean . H e also h ad a sm all b u n d le of clot h on h is b ack . H is sh or t
b lack h air ap p ear ed n eat an d t id y. A d et er m in ed look , w h ich w as filled w it h an
in t en sit y t h at su r p assed all of h is p eer s at t h e sam e age, w as p r esen t on h is
h an d som e face.
Aft er soft ly closin g t h e b ack d oor of t h e Du k e’s M an sion b eh in d h im , t h e

you t h r ap id ly r an a few st ep s for w ar d . H ow ever , h e su d d en ly st op p ed t o look
b ack at t h e Du k e’s m an sion , h is d eep b lu e eyes b r im m in g w it h h at r ed .
“M ot h er , w at ch m e fr om t h e lan d of t h e d eceased . No m at t er h ow h ar d I h ave

t o w or k , t h er e w ill b e a d ay w h en I r et u r n , an d t r am p le ever yt h in g h er e
u n d er n eat h m y foot . T h er efor e, I’ll h on ou r you b y ch an gin g m y su r n am e t o
you r s—H u o. Fr om n ow on , m y n am e w ill b e H u o Yu h ao.”
Aft er fin ish in g h is sen t en ce, h e t u r n ed t o face t h e Du k e’s M an sion , an d gazed

at it d eep ly. T h en , h e t u r n ed ar ou n d a n d w alk ed aw ay w it h ou t an y secon d
t h ou gh t s.
H e d id n ’t h ea d t ow ar d s St a r Lu o Cit y, w h ich w as locat ed t o t h e sou t h w est of

t h e Du k e’s M an sion . In st ead , h e w en t n or t h . H is t in y figu r e gr ad u ally
d isap p ear ed in t o t h e d ist a n ce as t h e st r on g m id d ay su n ligh t sh on e on h im .
Alt h ou gh h is b od y w as sk in n y, t h e w a y in w h ich h e’d left d id n ’t give off a
h elp less feelin g at all.
T h er e w er e w id e r oad s on all sid es of t h e Du k e’s M an sion . H u o Yu h ao

con t in u ed t o r u n for w ar d , h is eyes gr ad u ally t u r n in g r ed d er a n d r ed d er .
“M ot h er …” T h e u n w illin g an d u n r esign ed look t h at h is m ot h er h ad h ad as

sh e p assed aw ay u n con sciou sly ap p ear ed in H u o Yu h ao’s m in d , cau sin g h im t o
t igh t ly clen ch h is t eet h .
I have t o becom e st r onger ! M ot her t aught m e t hat a per son can onl y r el y on
t hem sel ves. One can onl y l i ve a bet t er l i f e i f t hey ar e st r ong.
Scen es f r om H uo Yuh ao’ s m em or y un ceasi n gl y f l ash ed t h r ough h i s m i n d.
H uo Yuh ao’ s m ot h er h ad been on e of t h e Duk e’ s per son al m ai ds, an d h ad

gr ow n up t oget h er w i t h t h e Duk e. A per son al m ai d on l y exi st ed f or t h e si m pl e
sak e of ser vin g h er m ast er , b u t H u o Yu h ao h ad q u iet ly ap p ear ed w it h in h is
m ot h er ’s b elly on e n igh t , t w elve year s ago.
Sh e w as p r egn an t for t en m on t h s, b efor e sh e fin ally gave b ir t h on e d ay.
Desp it e w h at id en t it y H u o Yu h ao’s m ot h er p r eviou sly h ad , h e w as st ill t h e

son of t h e Du k e. T h er efor e, alt h ou gh h is t r eat m en t w it h in t h e p alace cou ld n ’t
b e d escr ib ed as good , it st ill w asn ’t t oo b ad . H is m ot h er n o lon ger r em ain ed a
m aid , an d r elied on h er ch ild ’s n ob ilit y t o ob t ain a cou r t yar d for h er self.
As su ch , ever yt h in g sh ou ld ’ve con t in u ed w it h ou t an y t r ou b le, b u t w h o

cou ld ’ve k n ow n t h at d isast er w ou ld ar r ive so soon ?
T h e Du k e w en t t o w ar as a r ep r esen t at ive of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, leavin g all

of t h e M an sion ’s in t er n al affair s t o t h e Du k e’s w ife. T h e Du k e’s w ife alr ea d y h ad
t w o son s an d a d au gh t er , an d sh e t r ea t ed an yt h in g t h at cou ld affect h er ch ild r en
as t h in gs t h at n eed ed t o b e su p p r essed . T h in gs w er e qu it e good for H u o Yu h ao
an d h is m ot h er w h ile t h e Du k e w a s in t h e M an sion , b u t w h en h e left , t h e
M an sion b ecam e t h e w or ld of t h e Du k e’s w ife. Fu r t h er m or e, sh e w as t h e
favou r it e d a u gh t er o f t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s cu r r en t em p er or .
H u o Yu h ao’s m ot h er h ad gr ow n u p b esid e t h e Du k e, r esu lt in g in h er b ein g

h eavily d ot ed u p on b y h im . T h u s, sh e w as alw ays en vied b y t h e Du k e’s w ife.
On ce t h e Du k e left , sh e im m ed ia t ely b ecam e t h e m ain t ar get for t h e Du k e’s w ife.
Usin g t h e excu se t h a t H u o Yu h ao’s m ot h er h ad con t r act ed an in fect iou s d isease,
sh e ch ased t h em t o t h e ser van t ’s w ood en sh ed s, w h ich w er e locat ed at t h e b ack
of t h e m an sion . Fu r t h er m or e, sh e cu t aw ay all t h eir cu r r en t sou r ces of in com e.
H u o Yu h ao w as on ly t w o w h en t h is h ap p en ed .
H u o Yu h ao’s m ot h er d id n ’t h ave a h ea lt h y b od y fr om t h e st ar t , t h u s t h e
ar d u ou s lifest yle t h a t t h ey h ad t o live in cau sed h er b od y t o gr ad u ally collap se.
W h at ’s m or e, t h e ser van t s u n d er t h e con t r ol of t h e Du k e’s w ife w ou ld
fr eq u en t ly su p p r ess h er , cau sin g h er t o su d d en ly d ie fr om h er illn ess w h en H u o
Yu h ao w as t en .
Fou r t h ou san d year s ago, t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t collid ed w it h t h e Su n M oon
Con t in en t , w h ich h a d d r ift ed over d u e t o t h e W est er n Ocea n . T h is r esu lt ed in
t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ’s lan d m ass b ein g gr eat ly exp an d ed , b u t also ca u sed t h e
fr eq u en cy of w ar s on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t t o in cr ease.
T h e Dou lu o Con t in en t h ad or igin ally b een d ivid ed in t o t w o cou n t r ies t en

t h ou san d year s ago—t h e H eaven Dou Cou n t r y, an d t h e St ar Lu o Cou n t r y.
H ow ever , t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t h a d n ow b een sp lit in t o t h r ee cou n t r ies. Of t h e
t w o, t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e st ill exist ed , b u t t h e r oyal fam ily h ad ch an ged . T h ey
h ad for t u n at ely p acified all of t h eir k in gd om s at t h at t im e, a llow in g t h e en t ir e
St ar Lu o Em p ir e t o r em ain u n it ed , an d t h u s r esu lt in g in t h em b ecom in g t h e
st r on gest for ce of t h e t h r ee.
H ow ever , t h e H eaven Dou Em p ir e w as sp lit d u e t o t h e d isco r d am on gst it s

st r on g k in gd om s. In t h e en d , it w as sp lit u p in t o t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e an d
t h e Sp ir it Dou Em p ir e.
T h e Su n M oon Con t in en t t h a t h ad d r ift ed over fr om t h e w est h ad b ot h a vast

su r face ar ea an d p len t ifu l r esou r ces. It w as sligh t ly sm aller t h an t h e Dou lu o
Con t in en t , b u t it on ly h ad a sin gle cou n t r y, w h ich w as t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e.
W ar b r ok e ou t b et w een t h e t w o con t in en t s alm ost as soon as t h ey collid ed .

T h e t h r ee cou n t r ies of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t all d isp at ch ed a llied a r m ies t o figh t
again st t h eir com m on en em y. Aft er n ear ly t w en t y year s of w ar , t h ey fin ally
m an aged t o d efeat t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. Fr om t h a t p oin t on , t h ey u n ified t h e
t w o con t in en t s u n d er t h e Dou lu o n am e. T h e Su n M oon Con t in en t n o lon ger
exist ed , on ly t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w it h in t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t w as left .
H ow ever , t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w asn ’t fu lly in vad ed even t h ou gh it w as

d efeat ed . T h ey r elied on t h eir n a t u r a l ad van t ages, as w ell as t h e con flict in g
view s of t h e t h r ee em p ir es of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t , t o gr ad u ally for m a st ab le,
d ead lock ed sit u a t io n b et w een t h e fou r p ar t ies. H ow ever , w ar s st ill occu r r ed
ever y year .
Du e t o t h e fr equ en t am ou n t of w ar s t h a t t h e Du k e h ad t o p ar t icip at e in , h e
sp en t ver y lit t le t im e w it h in t h e m an sion . Du e t o t h e Du k e’s w ife d elib er at ely
con cealin g t h e m at t er , H u o Yu h ao’s m ot h er w as gr ad u a lly for got t en b y t h e
Du k e. W h en t h e Du k e ask ed ab ou t h er , h is w ife m er ely sa id t h at H u o Yu h ao’s
m ot h er h ad fallen ill.
H u o Yu h ao’s m ot h er h ad su ffer ed m an y b it t er h a r d sh ip s as sh e b r ou gh t h im
u p . W h en h e w as six, h e car r ied ou t t h e a w ak en in g of h is m a r t ial sou l w it h in t h e
M an sion .
M ar t ial sou ls w er e an som et h in g t h at ever yb od y on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t

p ossessed . Alt h ou gh t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h ad d evelop ed in a d iffer en t w ay
com p ar ed t o t h e ot h er t h r ee em p ir es, m ar t ial sou ls w er e st ill on e of t h eir
fu n d am en t al con cep t s.
Ever yon e w ou ld n at u r ally h ave a m ar t ia l sou l t h at cou ld b e aw ak en ed at t h e

age of six. A m ar t ial sou l cou ld b e an yt h in g, fr om a t ool t o an an im al. Beast -t yp e
m ar t ial sou ls w er e r efer r ed t o as ‘Beast Sou ls’, w h ile all ot h er m ar t ia l sou ls t h at
w er en ’t Beast Sou ls w er e collect ively k n ow n as ‘T ool Sou ls’. H ow ever , t h er e
w er e n at u r ally som e m ar t ial sou ls t h at p ossessed m u t at ion s. T h u s, t h ey w er e
excep t ion s t o t h is r u le.
Aft er t h e aw ak en in g of on e’s m ar t ial sou l, a sm all am ou n t of p eop le w ou ld

h ave a sp ecial p ow er alon g w it h t h eir m ar t ial sou l. T h is p ow er w as called ‘sou l
for ce’. On ly p eop le w h o p ossessed sou l for ce h ad t h e ab ilit y t o cu lt ivat e, an d t o
b ecom e t h e n ob lest p r ofession on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t —a sou l m ast er .
Sou l m ast er s w er e sep ar at ed in t o n in e d iffer en t r an k s. Fr om low est t o

h igh est , t h ey w er e: Sou l Sch olar , Sou l M ast er , Sou l Gr an d m ast er , Sou l Eld er ,
Sou l An cest or , Sou l Kin g, Sou l Em p er or , Sou l Sage, Sou l Dou lu o, an d T it led
Dou lu o.
Sou l m ast er s w ou ld in cr ease in p ow er as t h eir sou l r an k in cr eased . If on e
m an aged t o r each t h e h igh est level of t h e T it led Dou lu o r an k , on e w ou ld h ave
t h e t er r ifyin g ab ilit y t o b ot h m ove t h e m ou n t ain s an d seas, as w ell as even sh ift
t h e st ar s.
Peop le w h o w er e b et w een t h e fir st an d t en t h r an k of sou lfor ce fell

u n d er n eat h t h e ca t egor y of Sou l Sch ola r . W h en som eon e’s m ar t ial sou l w as
aw ak en ed , t h eir in n at e sou lfor ce w ou ld sign ify t h eir t a len t t ow ar d s b ecom in g a
sou l m ast er . As su ch , a p er son w it h gr eat er t a len t w ou ld h ave a gr eat er
cu lt ivat ion sp eed . If on e h ad t en t h -r an k ed sou lfor ce aft er t h eir m ar t ial sou l h a d
aw ak en ed , t h ey w ou ld b e a gift ed p er son w it h ‘in n at e fu ll sou lfor ce’. T h a t
p er son w ou ld t h u s b e r efer r ed t o as a gen iu s sou l m ast er . A gen iu s sou l m ast er
w ou ld h ave gr eat accom p lish m en t s in h is life as lon g as h is m ar t ial sou l w asn ’t
t oo b ad .
Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h a o w as t h e son of t h e Du k e, h e h ad n ’t in h er it ed a p ow er fu l
m ar t ial sou l fr om t h e Du k e. If h e h ad , t h e Du k e’s w ife w ou ld ’ve h ad t o r ep or t
h is m ar t ial sou l t o t h e Du k e, r egar d less of w h et h er or n ot sh e lik ed h im . Fr om
t h en on , H u o Yu h ao an d h is m ot h er ’s d est in y w ou ld ’ve a lso ch an ged .
Un for t u n at ely, an ext r em ely r ar e m u t at ion ap p ear ed in H u o Yu h ao’s m ar t ia l

sou l.
H e p ossessed t h e ‘Sp ir it Eyes’.
Ou t sid e of t h e t w o m ain cat egor ies of m ar t ial sou ls, t h er e w as an ext r em ely
t in y su b cat egor y t h a t w er e k n ow n as ‘Bod y Sou ls’. T h e m ar t ial sou l t h a t t h ey
aw ak en ed w ou ld b e a p ar t of t h eir b od y, su ch as an ar m , or a leg.
Alm ost all Bod y Sou ls w er e ext r em ely st r on g, b u t t h e p r ob ab ilit y of t h em

ap p ear in g w as ext r em ely sm all. It cou ld b e said t h at t h ey w er e exist en ces ab ove
b ot h Beast Sou ls an d T ool Sou ls, an d b ecau se of t h is, t h ey w er e gr eat ly valu ed
w h en ever t h ey ap p ear ed .
Un for t u n at ely, H u o Yu h ao’s m ar t ial sou l w as an excep t ion t o t h is.

H is Sp ir it Eyes m ar t ial sou l h ad n a t u r a lly ap p ear ed in h is eyes. Fu r t h er m or e,
it w as also a n ext r em ely r ar e sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l. Un d er n or m al
cir cu m st an ces, H u o Yu h ao sh ou ld ’ve b ecom e gr eat ly valu ed . Un for t u n a t ely,
t h er e w er e t w o p oin t s t h at h ad r est r ict ed h is d evelop m en t . W h en h e’d
aw ak en ed h is m ar t ia l sou l, h is in n at e sou lfor ce h ad on ly b een at t h e fir st r an k .
T h u s, it cou ld b e said t h a t h is t a len t w as q u it e p oor , w h ich m ean t t h at h is
cu lt ivat ion sp eed w o u ld d efin it ely b e ext r em ely slow . T h e secon d p oin t t h at h a d
r est r ict ed h is d evelo p m en t w as even m or e fat al; n ot on ly w er e sp ir it u al-t yp e
m ar t ial sou ls r ar ely seen , sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l b east s w er e a lso ext r em ely r ar e.
W h en ever a sou l m ast er ’s cu lt ivat ion r each ed t h e t en t h sou l r an k ’s

b ot t len eck , t h ey w ou ld n eed t o k ill a sou l b east t h at w as com p at ib le w it h t h eir
m ar t ial sou l, an d t h en w ou ld n eed t o u se it s sou l r in g t o b r eak t h r ou gh it .
Not on ly w er e sou l r in gs r equ ir ed t o b r eak t h r ou gh a b ot t len eck , b u t t h ey

w ou ld also give sou l m ast er s a sk ill. T h is w as also on e of t h e or igin s of a sou l
m ast er s st r en gt h .
Com b in ed , t h ese t w o fact or s p r act ically d oom ed H u o Yu h ao t o h ave n o

ach ievem en t s d u r in g h is lifet im e.
H ow ever , h e w as st ill t h e Du k e’s son in t h e en d . T h u s, h e st ill m an aged t o

ob t ain a sim p le sou lfor ce cu lt ivat ion m et h od .
Even t h e ch ild r en of som e ser van t s w it h in t h e Du k e’s M an sion w er e cap ab le

of r each in g t h e t en t h sou l r an k , an d cou ld b ecom e sou l m a st er s w it h in t h r ee
year s of aw ak en in g t h eir m ar t ial sou l.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao h ad r each ed t h e age of eleven t h is year . H e’d alr ead y

cu lt ivat ed for five year s, yet h is sou lfor ce h ad on ly b ar ely r each ed t h e t en t h sou l
r an k . Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d w or k ed t h r ee t im es h ar d er t h an h is p eer s!
Aft er h is m ot h er p assed aw ay, H u o Yu h ao st ayed in t h e Du k e’s M an sion for

an ot h er year . H e w as st ill you n g, so h e d id n ’t h a ve an y sou r ce of in com e
w h at soever aft er r ash ly leavin g t h e Du k e’s M an sion . T h u s, h e cou ld on ly
su p p r ess all of h is gr ievan ces a n d h a t e w it h h is h ear t . An d , d u e t o t h e
op p r ession t h at h e’d h ad t o su ffer t h r ou gh , h is m in d h ad m at u r ed m u ch m or e
t h an h is p eer s.
H is m ot h er h ad t old h im t h at t h e on ly w ay for h im t o b e ou t st an d in g w as t o
b ecom e a sou l m ast er . Even if h e on ly b ecam e an or d in ar y sou l m ast er , h is
st at u s w ou ld st ill b e m u ch h igh er t h an t h at of ot h er or d in ar y p eop le on t h e
Dou lu o con t in en t .
Yest er d ay, H u o Yu h ao h ad fin ally m an aged t o r aise h is sou lfor ce t o t h e t en t h

r an k ; t h is w as w it h h is ext r em ely p oor t alen t , a n d aft er five year s of b it t er ly
h ar d w or k . T h is w as also t h e d ay t h a t h e’d p lan n ed t o leave t h e Du k e’s M an sion .
H e n eed ed a sou l r in g. Even a low -t ier t en year sou l r in g w ou ld b e fin e! T h at

w ay, h e’d h ave t h e ch an ce t o b ecom e a t r u e sou l m ast er t h at p ossessed h is ow n
p er son al sk ill.
On t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t , sou l b east s w er e r an k ed accor d in g t o t h e n u m b er of

year s t h at t h ey’d liv ed for . T h e st r en gt h of t h eir sou l r in gs w as closely r elat ed t o
t h is, as w ell as t h eir over all p ow er .
Gen er ally sp eak in g, sou l b east s w er e sep ar at ed in t o t en year sou l b east s,

h u n d r ed year sou l b east s, t h ou san d year sou l b east s, t en t h ou san d year sou l
b east s, an d h u n d r ed t h ou san d year so u l b east s.
Sou l m ast er s w ou ld h ave t o p er son ally k ill a sou l b east in or d er t o ob t ain a

sou l r in g fr om it w h en it d ied .
H u o Yu h ao k n ew t h at , if h e con t in u ed t o st ay in t h e Du k e’s M an sion , h e

sim p ly w ou ld n ’t h a ve a ch an ce t o ob t ain a sou l r in g. Pr act ically n o on e t h er e
w as w illin g t o h elp h im . Du e t o t h is, h e r ash ly d ecid ed t o leave t h e Du k e’s
M an sion , even t h ou gh h e k n ew t h at it w as an ext r em ely d an ger ou s t h in g for
h im t o look for a sp ir it u a l-t yp e sou l b east b y h im self. Aft er a ll, a n ew b or n calf
w ou ld n ’t b e afr aid of a t iger .
H u o Yu h ao qu ick ly ar r ived at t h e m ain r oad as h e w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e n or t h .
Alt h ou gh h e w as you n g, h e’d alr ead y m ad e p r ep ar at ion s for t h e sak e of
ob t ain in g a sou l r in g. Besid es a set of clean clot h es, h e’d also b r ou gh t som e d r y
r at ion s in h is b ag, as w ell as som e m on ey t h at h is m ot h er h ad ob t ain ed via h ar d
w or k . H e also h ad a d agger in h is b ag. Bu t m ost im p or t an t ly, h e h ad a sim p le
m ap of t h e con t in en t .
Bot h t h e Du k e’s M a n sion an d St a r Lu o Cit y w er e locat ed in t h e n or t h -cen t r al

r egion of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, an d t h e ar ea t h at H u o Yu h ao ch ose t o h u n t for a
sou l b east in w as t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est t h at b or d er ed t h e n or t h er n ar ea of
t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e an d t h e T ian H u n Em p ir e. Var iou s t yp es of sou l b east s lived
w it h in t h e for est , w h ich w as alm ost as b ig as a p r ovin ce. Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e
w er e n o lack of su p r em e exist en ces in sid e of t h e for est .
If an yon e else k n ew t h at t h e eleven year old H u o Yu h ao h ad d ar ed t o en t er

t h e St ar Dou For est b y h im self, w it h ou t a t each er accom p an yin g h im , t h ey
w ou ld d efin it ely b e st u n n ed sp eech less. H e w as over est im at in g h is ow n
cap ab ilit ies! Sin ce h e d id n ’t h a ve an y sk ills a t all, h e m igh t n ot even b e ab le t o
w in a figh t again st a t en year sou l b east !
T h e m ain r oad w as p er fect ly st r a igh t , t h u s H u o Yu h ao q u ick ly w alk ed alon g

it , follow in g t h e r oa d sid e. Alt h ou gh h e w as you n g, h e w as st ill a t en t h r an k ed
Sou l Sch olar . H is p h ysical st r en gt h w as m u ch gr eat er t h an a n or m al ad u lt ’s.
H u o Yu h ao gazed fa r in t o t h e d ist an ce as h e w alk ed for w ar d . If on e w er e t o

car efu lly look at h im , t h ey w ou ld see t h at h is d eep b lu e eyes h ad in st an t ly
b ecom e m u ch clear er , an d t h a t t h er e fain t ly seem ed t o b e ligh t flash in g in sid e of
t h em .
Ever sin ce h e’d aw a k en ed h is Sp ir it Eyes, H u o Yu h ao h a d d iscover ed t h at h is

vision exceed ed t h a t of an or d in ar y p er son ’s. At a r elat ively close d ist an ce, h e
cou ld see m an y m in u t e d et ails t h a t or d in ar y p eop le w er e u n ab le t o clear ly see;
at a lon ger d ist an ce, t h e r a n ge of h is vision w as over t w ice t h e d ist an ce of an
or d in ar y p er son ’s.
T h e st r en gt h of h is vision h ad also u n ceasin gly in cr eased in com b in at ion w it h
h is sou lfor ce level. T h e ch an ges t h at h ad ap p ear ed as h is cu lt iva t ion in cr eased
m ad e h is t r u st in h is m ot h er ’s w or d s in cr ease. A sou l m ast er , I m u st b ecom e a
sou l m ast er .
“M ot h er on ce sa id t h at I w ou ld b ecom e a con t r ol syst em b at t le sou l m a st er if I

w as ab le t o ob t ain a sou l r in g. It ’s n ot t h at m y m ar t ia l sou l is b ad , b u t t h at m y
t alen t is p oor . T h u s, I’ll ju st w or k h ar d er an d cu lt ivat e lon ger t h an ot h er p eop le
d o.”
H u o Yu h ao cu lt iva t ed as h e ad van ced for w ar d , su p p or t ed b y t h is r esolu t e

con vict ion . W h en h e w as t h ir st y, h e’d look for som e sp r in g w at er ; w h en h e w as
h u n gr y, h e’d eat som e of t h e r ou gh b iscu it s t h at h e’d b r ou gh t alon g w it h h im .
Ot h er t h an h u r r yin g for w ar d on h is jou r n ey, h e w ou ld sit d ow n an d m ed it a t e.
T h e fact t h at h e cou ld act u ally ad van ce t h r ee h u n d r ed m iles in a sin gle d ay—at
h is age—w as n ot h in g sh or t of a m ir acle.
H ow ever , h e on ly h ad seven silver sou l coin s an d five cop p er sou l coin s h im ,

w h ich cau sed h im t o b e ext r em ely fr u gal w it h h is m on ey.
Ever sin ce t h e w a r b et w een t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t an d t h e Su n M oon

Con t in en t h ad en d ed , t h e con t in en t h ad u n d er gon e t h o u san d s of year s of
ch an ges. T h e cu r r en cy u sed w as n ow com p let ely u n ified : on e gold sou l coin w as
equ al t o t en silver sou l coin s, w h ich w as eq u al t o on e h u n d r ed cop p er sou l coin s.
W h en h e w as you n g, h is m ot h er h ad som et im es qu iet ly t ak en h im ou t sid e of

t h e Du k e’s M an sion t o look for som e fr u it s an d w ild h er b s in t h e for est t o eat ,
sim p ly for t h e sak e of givin g h im a b et t er m eal t h an n or m al. T h u s, t h e am ou n t
of p lan t s t h at Lit t le Yu h ao r ecogn ised w as fair ly h igh . M an y t im es, h e cou ld n ’t
even b ear t o b u y som e ch eap b iscu it s, so h e h ad t o r esor t t o look in g for som e
food in t h e w ood s b esid e t h e r oad as h e t r avelled alon g.
Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h a o h ad t h e gu id an ce of a m ap , t h is w as st ill t h e fir st t im e

t h at h e’d left vicin it y of t h e Du k e’s M an sion . Du e t o t h is, h e cou ld n ’t avoid
losin g h is w ay a few t im es, an d h e h a d t o con t in u ou sly ask for t h e h elp of ot h er
p eop le t o fin d t h e co r r ect r ou t e t o h is d est in at ion .
T h is w as t h e so-called ‘r ead in g t en t h ou san d b ook s is n ot as good as t r avellin g

t en t h ou san d m iles’. H e felt lik e h e’d lear n ed a lot of t h in gs aft er on ly a few
d ays. H is m ood h ad also im p r oved a lot w it h ou t t h e op p r ession an d r est r ict ion s
t h at w er e u su ally im p osed w it h in t h e Du k e’s M an sion . T h e in t er est in g t h in gs
t h at h e’d seen so far d u r in g h is jou r n ey cau sed h im t o b e en d lessly excit ed . H e
w as st ill you n g aft er all. Aft er h is b od y h ad r ecover ed , h e d id n ’t feel t ir ed w h ile
t r avellin g. On t h e con t r ar y, it cou ld b e said t h at h e w as a b ir d w h o’d left it s
cage. T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h a t h e’d h a d fu n aft er h is m ot h er ’s p assin g.
“I’ve b een w alk in g for six d ays, I sh ou ld get t h er e soon .” H u o Yu h ao car efu lly
in sp ect ed t h e p ap er m ap in h is h an d s, a n d t h en look ed in t h e d ir ect ion w h er e
t h e t r ees b y t h e r oad sid e p oin t ed t o. H e d et er m in ed t h at h e w as alr ead y ver y
close t o t h e Gr ea t St a r Dou For est .
H u o Yu h ao w ip ed t h e sw eat off of h is for eh ead as h e w alk ed in t o t h e w ood s

b y t h e r oad sid e. As soon as h e sat d ow n in t h e sh ad e of a t r ee, in t en d in g t o
m ed it at e an d r ecover h is sp ir it p ow er , t h e sou n d of flow in g w at er su d d en ly
b egan t o r ever b er at e t h r ou gh t h e air . T h is sou n d im m ed iat ely cau sed H u o
Yu h ao t o ju m p u p in excit em en t .
T h e p r esen ce of w at er sign ified t h at h e cou ld im p r ove h is lifest yle!
H u o Yu h ao qu ick ly sh u t h is eyes, an d q u iet ly list en ed for t h e sou r ce of t h e

w at er . As som eon e w h o p ossessed a sp ir it u a l-t yp e m ar t ial sp ir it , h is six sen ses
w er e m u ch st r on ger t h an an or d in ar y p er son ’s. T h is w as esp ecially t r u e w h en
h e sh u t h is eyes. W h en h e sh u t h is eyes, h is ot h er five sen ses w ou ld in cr ea se in
st r en gt h b y a m ar gin .
H e q u ick ly id en t ified w h er e t h e sou n d of w at er w as com in g fr om , an d

car efu lly ad va n ced t h r ou gh t h e for est . T h e r eason w h y h e w as b ein g so ca r efu l
w asn ’t b ecau se t h e for est ’s gr ou n d w as u n even , b u t b ecau se h e w as scar ed t h a t
h is clot h es w ou ld b e t or n b y t h e b r am b les in t h e for est . T h ese w er e clot h es t h at
h is m ot h er h ad p er son ally m ad e for h im .
H e fou n d h is t ar get w it h ou t w alk in g m or e t h an t w o h u n d r ed m et r es, w h ich

t u r n ed ou t t o b e a sm all b r ook ap p r oxim at ely t h r ee m et r es w id e. T h e cold w at er
w it h in w as so clear t h at you cou ld see st r aigh t t o t h e b ot t om , an d it cr eat ed b ot h
a r elaxin g an d a r efr esh in g feelin g.
H u o Yu h ao let ou t a h ap p y ch eer , r ap id ly t ook h is clot h es off, an d t h en

in st an t ly ju m p ed in t o t h e st r eam , w h ich w asn ’t even t w o feet d eep . T h e last
t im e h e’d h ad a b at h w as t w o d ays ago. T h e p ast t w o d ays of t r avellin g h ad
cover ed h is b od y in sw eat , an d t ak in g a b at h in t h is cold an d clear w a t er w a s
sim p ly a p leasu r e t h at cou ld n ’t b e an y m or e r elaxin g.
Aft er t h or ou gh ly b a t h in g, a b r illian t feelin g w as su ffu sed t h r ou gh ou t h is

w h ol e body w h en h e w al k ed out of t h e st r eam . H e i n w ar dl y t h ough t , Si nce I ’ ve
al r eady ar r i ved at t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , I ’ l l si m pl y have a good r est her e.
H e ch an ged i n t o a cl ean set of cl ot h es, pr oceeded t o w ash ed h i s di r t y cl ot h es

i n t h e st r eam as w el l , an d t h en h un g t h em on a n ear by t r ee br an ch . H e t h en
sn apped of f a t r ee br an ch t h at w as appr oxi m at el y t h r ee f eet l on g.
H e used h i s r i gh t h an d t o pul l a dagger f r om i t s sh eat h at h i s w ai st . T h e

dagger w as r ough l y f or t y cen t i m et r es l on g, an d i t s scabbar d w as dar k gr een i n
col our . T h e scabbar d w as m ade of t ough l eat h er , t h ough h e di dn ’ t k n ow
w h et h er i t w as l eat h er f r om an an i m al , or f r om a spi r i t beast . H e on l y k n ew t h at
i t w as a pr esen t t h at h i s f at h er h ad gi ven t o h i s m ot h er . I t h ad al w ays been
t r easur ed by h i s m ot h er , so m uch so t h at h i s m ot h er h ad on l y gi ven i t t o h i m
t h e m om en t bef or e sh e passed aw ay.
T h e h an d le of t h e d agger w as ab ou t seven t een cen t im et r es lon g, an d d id n ’t
h ave an y gor geou s d ecor at ion s on it at all—it gave p eop le a sim p le an d
u n ad or n ed feelin g. Not on ly d id it feel n at u r al t o h old , it also felt excep t ion ally
com for t ab le.
It also d id n ’t m ak e an y n oise w h en it w as u n sh ea t h ed . T h e t w en t y-t h r ee

cen t im et r e lon g b la d e w as ju st lik e lim p id au t u m n w a t er , an d seem ed t o b e
t r an sp ar en t . H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sh iver b ecau se of t h e d en se, cold air
ar ou n d t h e k n ife, ev en t h ou gh h e seem ed t o b e som ew h at u sed t o it .
T h e ‘W h it e T iger Dagger ’. T h is w as t h e d agger ’s n am e, w h ich h is m ot h er h ad

t old h im .
As H u o Yu h ao look ed at t h e W h it e T iger Dagger , t h e excit em en t in h is eyes

in st an t ly t u r n ed in t o a d eep look of sad n ess. H e seem ed t o see h is m ot h er ’s
figu r e in t h e b lad e’s r eflect ion .
H old in g t h e b r an ch t h at h e’d ju st sn ap p ed off in on e h an d , H u o Yu h ao u sed

t h e W h it e T iger Dagger t o sh ave t h e fr on t of it . W h en t h e b lad e, w h ich w as
r eleasin g a fain t b lu e ligh t , cu t in t o t h e t r ee b r an ch , it felt lik e cu t t in g t h r ou gh
t ofu . Aft er t w o or t h r ee cu t s, t h e fr on t of t h e t r ee b r an ch h ad b een sh ar p en ed .
H e sh eat h ed t h e W h it e T iger Dagger at h is w aist , an d w alk ed b ack t ow ar d s

t h e st r eam w it h t h e sh ar p en ed b r an ch in h an d .
Aft er t ak in g a d eep b r eat h , h is eyes im m ed iat ely lit u p . All of t h e m in u t e

d et ails in t h e clea r w at er w er e m agn ified w it h in h is eyes. H e w as n ow ab le t o see
t h e m in u t e ch an ges in t h e w a t er ’s r ip p les—even t h e sm all sh r im p s t h a t lay in -
b et w een t h e cr ack s in t h e gr ou n d at t h e b ot t om of t h e r iver cou ld n ’t escap e t h e
n ot ice of h is Sp ir it Eyes. Fu r t h er m or e, ever yt h in g seem ed t o slow d ow n a s h e
look ed at it .
Su d d en ly, H u o Yu h a o m ad e a ligh t n in g fast m ove, an d st ab b ed t h e sh a r p en ed

b r an ch h e w as h old in g in t o t h e st r eam .
“Pu —” W h en h e r aised h is h an d b ack u p , an d t u r n ed t h e t r ee b r an ch
u p w ar d s, a h alf-feet lon g m ack er el h ad a p p ear ed on t h e t ip of it .
T o or d in ar y p eop le, st ab b in g a fish w as d efin it ely som et h in g t h at r eq u ir ed

t ech n iq u e. H ow ever , t h is w as som et h in g ext r em ely easy for H u o Yu h ao, w h o
h ad t h e aid of t h e Sp ir it Eyes t o h elp h im accu r at ely d et er m in e t h e p osit ion of
t h e fish .
A sin gle sm all fish w as n at u r ally n ot en ou gh for h im . Aft er a few m om en t s of

casu al lab ou r , h e’d st ab b ed t en m a ck er els t h at var ied fr om seven t een
cen t im et r es in len gt h , t o t h ir t y-t h r ee cen t im et r es in len gt h .
“T h is is good , it can last m e for t w o d ays at t h e least . It w on ’t r ot ver y easily if

I r oast it t oo.”
H u o Yu h ao h ap p ily squ at t ed d ow n n ext t o t h e st r eam , an d u sed t h e W h it e

T iger Dagger t o gu t t h e m ack er els. T h e sh ar p W h it e T iger Dagger easily
m an aged t o cu t t h r ou gh t h e fish , n o m a t t er if it w as it s scales, ch est , or b elly.
T h is w as n o p r ob lem at all t o H u o Yu h ao, w h o’d b een d oin g m an u al lab or w it h
h is m ot h er sin ce h e w as you n g. T h e t en fish w er e all gu t t ed aft er fift een
m in u t es.
H e look ed for som e b ig leaves in t h e for est , an d r in sed t h em off in t h e r iver .

T h en , h e p laced t h e gu t t ed fish es on t h e w et leaves. Aft er t h at , h e fou n d som e
d r y t w igs t o u se as fir ew ood , an d st ar t ed a fir e n ext t o t h e st r eam aft er a
m om en t of w or k .
H u o Yu h ao on ly h ad salt availab le as a season in g, b u t t h at w as en ou gh for

som et h in g lik e r oast ed fish . H e st u ck t h e clean m ack er els on t o a t h in b r an ch ,
an d r u b b ed som e sa lt in t o t h eir b ellies. T h en h e t ook som e leaves k n ow n as
Pu r p le Basil ou t of h is b ag, w h ich h e’d got t en in t h e for est a few d ays ago. H e
w ash ed an d sep ar a t ed t h e Pu r p le Basil b efor e p u sh in g it in t o t h e b ellies of t h e
fish . On ly aft er t h is d id h e st ar t t o r oast t h e fish on t h e gr ill t h at h e’d cr eat ed
u sin g som e t h ick b r a n ch es.
It d id n ’t t ak e lon g for an u n u su al sm ell t o sp r ead fr om t h e fir e t h at h e’d
cr eat ed . T h e sm ell w as ver y h eavy, an d it con t ain ed a cer t ain at t r act ion t h at
b elon ged solely t o it . As H u o Yu h ao slow ly r ot at ed t h e m ack er els, t h ey gr ad u ally
t u r n ed gold en . T h is, accom p an ied w it h t h at h eavy ar om a, w as excep t ion ally
en t icin g.
At fir st , h e on ly r oast ed t w o of t h e fish , an d set asid e t h e ot h er s. If h e h ad

r oast ed t oo m an y of t h e fish in on e go, it w ou ld ’ve b een qu it e easy for p r ob lem s
t o occu r w h ile h e w as con t r ollin g t h e fir e.
“H ow fr agr an t !”
A h ap p y an d d elica t e cr y ech oed ou t at t h at m om en t . T h e cr y sou n d ed b ot h

clear an d p u r e, b u t it st ill st ar t led H u o Yu h ao.
H e look ed t ow ar d s t h e sou r ce of t h e sou n d , an d saw t w o p eop le w alk in g alon g

t h e sid e of t h e st r eam . T h e p er son w alk in g in fr on t w as a gir l w h o look ed t o b e
ar ou n d fift een or sixt een , an d h ad lon g b lack h air t h at w as t ied in t o a p on yt ail
b eh in d h er . Sh e w or e a set of ligh t b lu e, for m -fit t in g w a r r ior ’s r ob es, w h ich
seem ed t o ou t lin e h er b u d d in g an d d elica t e b od y t h at w as filled w it h you t h .
Sh e h ad p h oen ix-lik e eyes, w h ich w er e b ot h b ig an d b r igh t . Sh e also h ad a

r aised n ose, an alm ost p er fect oval face, an d a p r et t y an d d elicat e face t h at w as
sligh t ly h ap p y as sh e fixed h er gaze on H u o Yu h ao’s r oast ed fish .
T h e p er son follow in g b eh in d h er w as a you t h t h at seem ed t o b e of t h e sam e

age as h er . H is slen d er b od y w as t a ll a n d st r aigh t , w h ilst h is sh or t , d eep b lu e
h air sh on e w it h a jad e-lik e lu st er u n d er t h e su n ligh t . Alt h ou gh h e w asn ’t old , h e
gave p eop le a sor t of sch olar ly feelin g. H is h an d som e face h ad a lazy yet w ar m
sm ile on it , an d h is h an d s w er e r est ed on t h e b ack of h is h ead . H e also gazed in
H u o Yu h ao’s d ir ect ion w it h an in t er est ed look . H ow ever , h e w asn ’t look in g at
t h e r oast ed fish , b u t at H u o Yu h ao h im self.
T h e gir l r an t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao in h igh sp ir it s. A gr eed y, h u n gr y look

ap p ear ed on h er face as sh e said , “Lit t le b r ot h er , a r e you sellin g t h is r oast ed
fish ? It sm ells so good ! H ow d id you m ak e it ?”
It w asn ’t t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t ever seen b eau t ifu l gir ls b efor e. W h ile h e

w as in t h e Du k e’s M an sion , m an y of t h e ser van t gir ls h a d b een ver y p r et t y,
h ow ever n on e of t h em h ad ever com e as close as t h e gir l in fr on t of h im b efor e.
Fu r t h er m or e, n on e of t h e gir ls in t h e Du k e’s M an sion w er e com p ar ab le t o t h e
gir l in fr on t of h im eit h er . Sh e w asn ’t an ab solu t e b eau t y t h at w as p er fect ly
flaw less, b u t sh e h ad a sor t of ou t st an d in g t em p er am en t .
H u o Yu h ao’s face t u r n ed som ew h at r ed as h e r ep lied , “I-I’ll t r eat you b ot h t o

a m eal.”
T h e gir l giggled in r esp on se. “Lit t le b r ot h er , you ’ve even b ecom e

em b ar r assed . T h en , I w on ’t b e p olit e.” As sh e t alk ed , sh e st r et ch ed h er h an d ou t
t o t ak e t h e r oast ed fish t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad p assed over . Sh e d id n ’t seem t o car e
ab ou t w h at sh e look ed lik e as sh e ca r efu lly at e t h e r oast ed fish , t h en let ou t a
lou d cr y of “H ot !”.
At t h at m om en t , t h e you t h t h at h ad b een follow in g t h e gir l w alk ed over . H e

h ad a h elp less look on h is face as h e r aised h is h an d a n d gr eet ed H u o Yu h ao.
T h en h e said t o t h e gir l, “Xiao Ya, t h is lit t le b r ot h er h a sn ’t even eat en yet , yet
you ’ve alr ead y st ar t ed eat in g.”
Xiao Ya’s b eau t ifu l eyes w id en ed as sh e an gr ily r et or t ed , “W h at d id you ju st

call m e?”
T h e you t h im m ed iat ely r aised h is h an d s in su r r en d er , “Fin e, T each er Xiao Ya,

t h at sh ou ld b e fin e, r igh t ?”
Xiao Ya st ar ed at h im cold ly an d said , “T h at ’s t h e w ay t h a t it sh ou ld b e. You
sh ou ld p ay at t en t ion t o you r st a t u s.” Alt h ou gh sh e w asn ’t t h at old , h er gaze w as
filled w it h a ch ar m in g look . T h e on look in g you t h cou ld n ’t h elp b u t h ave h is
exp r ession t u r n ed b lan k . H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as t o t h e sid e, d id n ’t d ar e t o
con t in u e look in g. H e p assed t h e ot h er fish t h at h e’d r oast ed t o t h e you t h an d
said , “Big b r ot h er , t h is is for you .”
T h e you t h sm iled an d said , “Gen t lem en sh ou ld n ’t t ak e good t h in gs t h a t

b elon g t o ot h er s. Lit t le b r ot h er , you st ill h aven ’t eat en . Did you cat ch t h ese fish
in t h e r iver ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ead an d said , “It ’s n ot a p r ob lem , I can st ill r oast

m or e.” W h ile h e sp ok e, h e h an d ed t h e r oast ed fish t o t h e you t h . T h en , h e
sk illfu lly t ook t w o of t h e fish t h at h e’d set asid e, so t h a t h e cou ld r oast t h em on
t h e w ood en r ack .
T h e you t h gen t ly sm iled an d said , “I’m Bei Bei an d sh e’s T an g Ya. Lit t le
b r ot h er , w h at ’s you r n am e?”
“I’m H u o Yu h ao.” H e r ep lied w h ilst ca r efu lly r oast in g t h e fish . Du r in g h is

jou r n ey, h e’d m et m an y t r aveller s w h ile sleep in g ou t d oor s, an d h ad also
r eceived a lot of h elp fr om t h em . T h u s, h e h ad n ’t h esit at ed t o give T an g Ya on e
of t h e fish h e’d r oast ed w h en sh e ask ed . T h e p ast few d ays h ad t au gh t h im t h e
fact t h at p eop le h ad t o m u t u a lly h elp each ot h er w h ile t h ey w er e ou t d oor s.
Bei Bei sa t n ext t o T an g Ya. T h e w ay h e at e t h e r oast ed fish w as m u ch m or e

gr acefu l t h an T an g Ya’s. At t h e ver y lea st , h is h an d s w er en ’t fu lly st ain ed w it h
oil.
By t h e t im e H u o Yu h ao h ad fin ish ed r oast in g t h e secon d b at ch of fish , T an g

Ya w as alr ead y im p at ien t ly w ait in g. Un d er Bei Bei’s h elp less gaze, sh e sn at ch ed
an ot h er r oast ed fish .
H ow ever , Bei Bei w as u n w illin g t o eat an ot h er fish , t h u s h e m ot ion ed for H u o
Yu h ao t o eat fir st . H u o Yu h ao w as alr ead y h u n gr y, so h e at e t h e ot h er fish w h ile
con t in u in g t o r oast m or e.
Alt h ou gh t h e season in gs u sed on t h e r oa st ed fish w er e on ly salt an d p u r p le

b asil, t h e r oast ed fish ’s t ast e w as ext r em ely d eliciou s. An d alt h ou gh t h e t en fish
w er en ’t t h at b ig, t h eir size t oget h er w as st ill q u it e lar ge. All of t h e fish w er e
eat en b y t h e t h r ee.
“T h is is sim p ly t oo t ast y. I’ve n ever eat en su ch a d eliciou s r oast ed fish b efor e.

Lit t le b r ot h er H u o Yu h ao, h ow abou t I h ir e you as a ch ef, okay?” T an g Ya laid
d ow n on t h e gr ass, an d st r et ch ed in sat isfact ion . H er cu r ves w er e com p let ely
exp osed , b u t sh e d id n ’t seem t o m in d at all. Bei Bei scr at ch ed h is h ead w h ilst
look in g at h er , b u t d id n ’t d o an yt h in g ab ou t it .
“Do you h ave an y m on ey? T each er Xiao Ya?” Bei Bei ask ed , sp lash in g cold
w at er on h er id ea.
“Eh … I’ll h ave m on ey in t h e fu t u r e.” T an g Ya w as sligh t ly em b ar r assed as sh e

sat u p . Sh e glar ed a t Bei Bei, seem in gly u n h ap p y at h im for r u in in g h er p la n s.
H u o Yu h ao st ood u p an d said , “Br ot h er Bei, Sist er T an g, I’ll h ave t o leave

fir st .”
Bei Bei said , “Lit t le b r ot h er H u o, t h is is t h e d esolat e cou n t r ysid e, an d isn ’t

t h at far aw ay fr om t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est w h er e sou l b east s w an d er . J u st
w h er e d o you in t en d t o go?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead , t h en gr ab b ed h is clot h es t h a t h ad alr ead y d r ied

fr om t h e t r ee b r an ch . H e sm iled an d w aved good b ye t o t h e t w o aft er h e’d
p ack ed h is clot h es in t o h is b ag. Aft er w ar d s, h e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d left u n d er
T an g Ya’s sligh t ly ast on ish ed gaze.
“H e cou ld n ’t r eally w an t t o go in t o t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , cou ld h e?”

T an g Ya gazed at H u o Yu h ao’s sh r in k in g b ack as sh e p on d er ed .
Bei Bei sh ook h is h ead an d said , “I can ’t b e su r e. I ca n vagu ely sen se t h at h e
p ossesses sou lfor ce, b u t it ’s ver y w eak . It also seem s t h at h e’s alon e. T h is is t r u ly
som ew h at st r an ge.”
T an g Ya st u ck h er t on gu e ou t an d said , “Sin ce h e h as sou lfor ce, w h y d on ’t w e

r ecr u it h im in t o ou r T an g Sect ?”
Bei Bei u n h ap p ily r ep lied , “You can ’t b e w an t in g t o r ecr u it som eon e in t o t h e

sect , sim p ly b ecau se t h ey cook ed you som e d eliciou s fish ?”
T an g Ya’s face r ed d en ed w h en h er in t en t ion s w er e fou n d ou t , an d sh e st u ck

h er t on gu e ou t at Bei Bei.
Bei Bei said , “T h is Lit t le b r ot h er H u o h as d efin it ely exp er ien ced som et h in g in
h is life. I can see t h at h is m at u r it y exceed s h is p eer s fr om h is gaze alon e.
H ow ever , I d on ’t k n ow w h at h is t a len t is lik e.”
A h ap p y exp r ession su ffu sed on T an g Ya ’s face as sh e r ep lied , “Sin ce you ’r e

p u t t in g it lik e t h is, d oes t h at m ean t h at you ’ve agr eed ?”
Bei Bei b it t er ly sm iled , “Sect lead er of t h e gr eat T an g Sect , M iss T an g. Befor e

you t ook m e in as a d iscip le, t h e T an g Sect on ly h ad you , an d you alon e, as it s
lead er . T h er efor e, sin ce you r am b it ion is t o st r en gt h en t h e T an g Sect , it ’s on ly
n at u r al t h at w e r ecr u it su it ab le p eop le. T h is Lit t le b r ot h er H u o look s lik e a
r at h er st ead y a n d ca lm p er son . If h is t a len t is p assab le, h e’s a su it ab le ch oice.
An d fr om t h e clot h es t h at h e’s w ear in g, h is fam ily cir cu m st a n ces sh ou ld n ’t b e
t oo good . T h u s, ou r T an g Sect can r ecr u it t h is k in d of d iscip le n ow .”
T an g Ya look ed at Bei Bei w it h a sligh t ly cu r io u s gaze as sh e said , “You ’r e

act u ally qu it e cr aft y. I cou ld n ’t t ell t h at a t all.”
Bei Bei st ood u p an d b r u sh ed t h e d u st off of h is clot h es as h e r ep lied , “T h is is

sim p ly called b ein g ast u t e, b u t callin g m e w ise is fin e t oo. Let ’s go. Sin ce w e’ve
eat en so m an y of h is r oast ed fish , w e sh ou ld at least p r ot ect h im for a segm en t of
h is jou r n ey, ju st in case h e get s in d an ger w h en h e en cou n t er s som e sou l b east s,
n o m at t er w h et h er w e r ecr u it h im in t o t h e T an g Sect or n ot .
T an g Ya also st ood u p an d giggled . “You ’r e in d eed q u it e sm ar t t h is t im e,

b ecau se you r t h ou gh t s ar e act u a lly id en t ical t o m in e. Let ’s go aft er I clean u p a
b it .”
H u o Yu h ao w as n at u r ally u n aw ar e of t h e con ver sion b et w een Bei Bei an d

T an g Ya. H e’d or igin ally p lan n ed t o b r in g som e r oast ed fish w it h h im , b u t t h at
p lan cou ld n ’t b e r ea lised , as h e h ad n ’t w an t ed t o exp ose h is id en t it y as a Sou l
Sch olar , w h ich w as w h y h e h ad n ’t cau gh t an y m or e fish . H is m ot h er h a d t a u gh t
h im t o t alk w it h r eser vat ion w h en d ealin g w it h st r an ger s. Alt h ou gh h e h ad a
good im p r ession of Bei Bei an d T an g Ya, h e st ill d ecid ed t o sep ar at e fr om t h em
aft er h e fin ish ed eat in g.
Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w as you n g, h e st ill t h ou gh t a lot a b ou t t h in gs. H e

cou ld t ell t h a t T an g Ya an d Bei Bei w er en ’t or d in ar y p eop le. Bei Bei h ad sa id t h at
t h is w as t h e d esolat e cou n t r ysid e, yet t h ey b ot h d id n ’t even h ave an y b ags on
t h em . T h u s, h e b elieved t h a t it w ou ld b e b et t er for h im t o sep ar at e fr om t h e
t w o.
Aft er eat in g t h e m eal, h e’d alr ead y r ecover ed fr om h is p r ior exh au st ion . H e
m ar k ed t h e p osit ion of t h e sm all st r eam on h is m ap . W h o k n ew , h e m igh t h ave
a u se for it w h en h e r et u r n ed .
Aft er w alk in g for w ar d for a sh or t t im e, a w ood en sign b oar d on t h e r oad sid e

cau gh t h is a t t en t ion .
“You w ill en t er t h e t er r it or y of t h e Gr ea t St ar Dou For est in 50 m et r es. T h er e

ar e sou l b east s r oam in g ar ou n d , so p lease b e car efu l.”
Su r e en ou gh , h e h ad n ’t got t en lost . H e w as fin ally ab ou t t o r each h is

d est in at ion . In ad d it ion t o h is cu r r en t feelin g of excit em en t , H u o Yu h ao also felt
a t r ace of n er vou sn ess. H e t ou ch ed t h e W h it e T iger Dagger on h is low er b ack
an d su p p r essed t h e u n easin ess in h is h ear t . T h en , h e t ook d et er m in ed st r id es as
h e ad van ced for w ar d .
Becom in g a sou l m ast er w as t h e on ly w ay ou t for h im . T h is w as t h e

con vict ion t h at h e h eld in h is h ear t , an d h e’d n ever r egr et t ed h is d ecision .
T h e air gr ad u ally t u r n ed cool an d r efr esh in g, an d an ext r aor d in ar ily ser iou s
feelin g seem ed t o exist w it h in it . T h e Gr eat St a r Dou For est w as lik e a sou l b east
t h at h a d it s m ou t h w id e op en for you n g cr eat u r es. H e w ou ld eit h er h ave an
op p or t u n it y…or b e sw allow ed !
Chapt er 2.1: Skydr eam Icewor m
H u o Yu h ao w as st ill you n g, aft er all. Aft er on ly a b r ief m om en t of

ast on ish m en t an d n er vou sn ess, h is m ood ch an ged in t o t h at of excit em en t . H e’d
fin ally ar r ived at h is d est in at ion aft er so m an y d ays of t r avel. W h en h e t h ou gh t
ab ou t ob t ain in g a sou l r in g for h im self, so t h at h e cou ld t r u ly b ecom e a sou l
m ast er , h e felt h is b lood b oil. Alt h ou gh h e w as on ly eleven , h e’d alr ead y b it t er ly
cu lt ivat ed for over five year s, ju st for t h e sak e of t od ay.
In h is excit ed st a t e, h e u n con sciou sly in cr eased t h e sp eed of h is st ep s. T h e

sp eed of h is ad van ce t ow ar d s t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est w as also sligh t ly
fast en ed .
A sligh t ly st r an ge feelin g su d d en ly ap p ear ed in h is m in d as h e ad van ced

for w ar d . H u o Yu h ao t h en felt a sligh t st a b b in g p ain in h is eyes, cau sin g h im t o
u n con sciou sly m ove sou lfor ce t o h is Sp ir it Eyes.
A w eak st r eam of air sp ir alled ar ou n d H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, an d h e seem ed t o see

a sh ad ow flash acr oss t h e left sid e of t h e r oad in fr on t of h im .
As an ext r em ely r ar e sp ir it u a l-t yp e m u t a t ed m ar t ial sou l, h is Sp ir it Eyes h ad a

ver y st r on g ab ilit y t o sen se d an ger . T h e feelin g of im m ed iat e cr isis H u o Yu h ao
felt cau sed h is sen ses t o im m ed iat ely sh ar p en . H e r ap id ly lo w er ed h is b od y t o
t h e left , an d u sed h is r igh t h an d t o qu ick ly u n sh eat h e t h e W h it e T iger Dagger
fr om h is w aist .
A b lack figu r e flash ed p ast t h e ar ea h e’d p r eviou sly b een at . T h e ar ea w h er e it

h ad p ou n ced w as alm ost w it h in H u o Yu h ao’s r each , w h ich im m ed iat ely allow ed
h im t o clear ly see w h at it w as.
It w as a b ab oon t h at w as r ou gh ly on e m et r e t all. It s b od y w as cover ed in ligh t

b r ow n fu r , an d it s eyes w er e b r ow n in colou r . It h ad t w o ar m s t h at w er e od d ly
lon g, an d sh ar p fin ger n ails on it s claw s. It s can in e t eet h w er e exp osed fr om it s
lip s, an d a savage ligh t w as p r esen t in it s eyes. It im m ed iat ely let ou t a low r oar
t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao sin ce it h a d failed t o h it h im . It t h en p ow er fu lly st am p ed it s
h in d legs, on ce again p ou n cin g t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
Alt h ou gh h is Sp ir it Eyes d id n ’t h ave an accom m od at in g sou l r in g, it s

fu n d am en t al ab ilit y w as st ill fair ly good . Aft er h e’d p ou r ed h is sou lfor ce in t o h is
eyes, t h e p ou n cin g b ab oon ’s m ovem en t s b ecam e m u ch slow er in h is eyes. H u o
Yu h ao, w h o h ad p r eviou sly d r op p ed t o t h e gr ou n d , r ap id ly r olled t o t h e r igh t .
H e t h en sp r u n g u p an d t u m b led a few st ep s b ack w ar d s, w h ilst sim u lt an eou sly
r aisin g t h e W h it e T iger Dagger b efor e h im .
T h e clear sou n d s of h is n er vou s h ear t b eat ech oed ou t , an d h is b r eat h in g h a d

clear ly b ecom e r u sh ed . T h is w a s t h e fir st t im e in h is life t h a t h e’d en cou n t er ed a
sou l b east ’s at t ack s. T h e p alm h e w as u sin g t o h old t h e W h it e T iger Dagger h ad
alr ead y b een cover ed in sw eat , an d h is exp r ession h ad also t u r n ed som ew h at
b lan k , b ecau se h e d id n ’t k n ow h ow t o r eact .
Aft er t h e b ab oon m issed t w o at t ack s in a r ow , it seem ed t o b ecom e en r aged .

It s u p p er b od y r ose u p , an d it u sed it s fist s t o vigor ou sly b eat on it s ch est , let t in g
ou t a r oar . At t h e sa m e t im e, it su d d en ly op en ed it s m ou t h t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
It im m ed ia t ely sp at ou t a b all of w h it e ligh t , w h ich w en t d ir ect ly t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao.
Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao h ad n o exp er ien ce, h e w as st ill ab le t o see t h at h is

op p on en t w as a sou l b east n ow . T h er e w as st ill a cer t a in d ist an ce b et w een
w h er e h e w as an d t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , w h ich w as t h e r eason w h y h e
h ad n ’t b een p r ep ar ed at all. W it h h is cu r r en t level of cu lt iv at ion , it w as ver y
p ossib le t h at h e w ou ld su ffer a calam it ou s fat e if h e w er e t o b e st r u ck b y t h at
w h it e b all of ligh t .
At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao’s m in d h a d alr ead y b ecom e b lan k . T h e b all of

w h it e ligh t d id n ’t seem ver y fast w h en h e look ed at it t h r ou gh h is Sp ir it Eyes,
b u t in r ea lit y, it w ou ld ar r ive in t h e b lin k of an eye.
W h ilst sp it t in g ou t t h e w h it e ligh t , t h e b ab oon h ad also p ou n ced t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao at an ext r em ely q u ick sp eed , a savage ligh t in it s eyes.
H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y lost t h e ab ilit y t o t h in k d u e t o h is n er vou sn ess. W h en

t h e w h it e ligh t r ea ch ed h im , h e su b con sciou sly follow ed h is in st in ct s a n d
b r ou gh t t h e W h it e T iger Dagger in h is r igh t h an d u p , st r ik in g t h e w h it e ligh t
h ead -on .
A st r an ge scen e ap p ear ed at t h is m om en t . By t h e t im e t h e w h it e ligh t h ad

collid ed w it h t h e W h it e T iger Dagger , t h e b ab oon h ad alr ea d y ar r ived , an d h a d
ext en d ed it s lon g ar m s in fr on t of it , slash in g t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er s
w it h it s sh ar p claw s.
Sin ce t h e b at t le h ad r each ed t h is p oin t , H u o Yu h ao’s fat e seem ed t o alr ead y b e

sealed . W as h e r eally goin g t o p er ish u n d er t h is sou l b east ’s claw s?
T h e b ab oon claw ed H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er s, an d m ad e u se of it s st u r d y b od y

an d t h e m om en t u m fr om it s ch ar ge t o flip ar ou n d m id air , in an at t em p t t o
fier cely t h r ow H u o Yu h ao d ow n w ar d s.
In t h e sam e m om en t t h at it r each ed H u o Yu h ao an d a t t em p t ed t o t h r ow h im
d ow n , a w h it e ligh t flash ed p ast it s b od y. It s b od y seem ed t o st iffen for a
m om en t , an d H u o Yu h ao w as flu n g ou t w ar d s in st ead of b ein g sm ash ed in t o t h e
gr ou n d . On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e b ab oon r olled on t h e gr ou n d for a lit t le w h ile,
b efor e ceasin g an y fu r t h er m ovem en t s.
“Pen g—” H u o Yu h ao’s b od y collid ed w it h a n ear b y t r ee t r u n k , t h en slid d ow n .

Ever yt h in g in fr on t of h is eyes t u r n ed d ar k , an d t h e violen t sp ik e of p ain
in st an t ly cau sed h im t o lose h is ab ilit y t o b r eat h e.
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao’s ap p ear an ce t r u ly look ed qu it e m iser ab le. T h er e

w er e lon g w ou n d s on h is sh ou ld er s, an d h is jack et h ad n ear ly b een t or n ap ar t .
H ow ever , h e st ill m an aged t o aw ak en fr om h is em p t y-m in d ed st a t e am id st
t h e violen t p ain . H is gaze su b con sciou sly sh ift ed t ow ar d s t h e b ab oon t h at lay
u n m ovin g on t h e gr ou n d .
A fain t w h it e ligh t h ad ap p ear ed over t h e b ab oon . It slow ly an d gr ad u ally

b egan t o con d en se in t o a w h it e h alo ab ove it s b od y. T h e h alo w asn ’t clear , an d
t h e ligh t w as also on ly fain t ly d iscer n ib le. H ow ever , t h is st ill m ad e H u o Yu h ao
gap e at it .
Soul r i ng? T hi s i s a soul r i ng? H uo Yuh ao w as so exci t ed t h at h i s body

t r em bl ed sl i gh t l y, an d t h e w oun ds on h i s body di dn ’ t seem t o h ur t t h at m uch
an ym or e.
H e'd on l y l ear n t t h e m ost basi c m edi t at i on t ech n i que w i t h i n t h e Duk e’ s

M an si on , yet h e’ d h ear d f ar , f ar t oo m uch about soul beast s an d soul r i n gs.
Al m ost ever y si n gl e guar d w i t h i n t h e Duk e’ s M an si on w oul d br i n g up t h e t opi c
f r equen t l y, but t h i s w as t h e f i r st t i m e t h at h e’ d per son al l y seen on e.
Coul d i t be t hat i t ’ s al r eady dead? H uo Yuh ao t h ough t bl an k l y t o h i m sel f . A

soul r i n g w oul d on l y appear w h en a soul beast h ad di ed! But , h ow h ad i t di ed?
H i s Spi r i t Eyes’ abi l i t y appear ed at t h i s m om en t , causi n g h i s m em or i es t o

sur ge t h r ough h i s m i n d l i k e a t i de.
T h e w h i t e l i gh t t h at t h e baboon h ad r el eased h ad st r uck t h e W h i t e T i ger

Dagger , h ow ever as soon as t h at h appen ed, t h e W h i t e T i ger Dagger h ad
sudden l y em i t t ed a l i gh t , un expect edl y absor bi n g al l of t h e w hi t e l i gh t . T h i s w as
al so t h e f act or t h at al t er ed t h e m ost cr uci al m om en t of t h e bat t l e.
Accor di n g t o t h e baboon ’ s i n st i n ct s, a w eak h um an l i k e H uo Yuh ao w oul d

def i n i t el y l ose al l of h i s com bat pow er af t er bei n g st r uck by i t s soul sk i l l . T h en ,
h e w oul d l ose at l east h al f h i s l i f e f r om bei n g f i er cel y sm ash ed t o t h e gr oun d.
H ow ever , i t n ever t h ough t t h at i t s soul sk i l l w oul d be subcon sci ousl y
n eut r al i sed by H uo Yuh ao’ s W h i t e T i ger Dagger . W h en i t f l i pped i t s body i n
or der t o t h r ow H uo Yuh ao, H uo Yuh ao h ad i n st i n ct i vel y sw un g h i s h an ds
u p w ar d s, cau sin g t h e W h it e T iger Dagger in h is r igh t h an d t o n at u r ally sla sh
u p w ar d s as w ell.
Or igin ally, t h e W h it e T iger Dagger ’s len gt h h ad n ’t b een lon g en ou gh t o r each

t h e b ab oon t h at h ad alr ead y soar ed in t o t h e sk y. H ow ever , t h e W h it e T iger
Dagger su d d en ly r eleased a foot -lon g b lad e of ligh t in t h at in st an t , w h ich sw ep t
acr oss t h e b ab oon ’s b od y. It seem ed t o h ave t u r n ed t h e w h it e ligh t it h ad
p r eviou sly ab sor b ed in t o a sh ar p b lad e. Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w as u n ab le t o
clear ly r em em b er w h er e t h e d agger h ad st r u ck d u e t o h is b lan k m in d ,
som et h in g h ad d efin it ely h ap p en ed . T h at b lad e of ligh t m u st h ave d efin it ely
slash ed t h e b od y of t h e b ab oon .
I act ual l y w on? H uo Yuh ao gazed at t h e w h i t e soul r i n g, but t h e exci t em en t i n

h i s h ear t gr adual l y f aded. Soul r i n gs w er e n ecessar y i t em s f or soul m ast er s t o
advan ce i n r an k . H ow ever , n ot al l soul r i n gs w er e sui t abl e f or soul m ast er s t o
absor b. On l y a soul r i n g t h at h ad a h i gh com pat i bi l i t y w i t h t h e soul m ast er ’ s
m ar t i al soul coul d be absor bed, f or t h e best r esul t s.
T h e st r en gt h of a sou l r in g w as b ased off of h ow m an y year s t h e sou l b east

h ad cu lt ivat ed for ; t h e b et t er a sou l r in g w as, t h e st r on ger t h e sk ill it w ou ld
gr an t t o a sou l m ast er .
W h it e sou l r in gs w er e t h ose for m ed b y a t en year sou l b east . All sou l b east s

t h at h ad cu lt iva t ed b et w een t en an d a h u n d r ed year s w ou ld p r od u ce a w h it e
colou r ed sou l r in g w h en t h ey w er e k illed . T h e b ab oon t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad
lu ck ily m an aged t o k ill w as u n d ou b t ed ly a t en year sou l b east , an d a t en year
sou l r in g h a d also clear ly ap p ear ed in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao. Un for t u n at ely, t h e
sou l r in g w asn ’t on e h e cou ld ab sor b .
Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h a o d id n ’t h ave an y exp er ien ce at k illin g sou l b east s, an d

cou ld n ’t see w h at t yp e of exist en ce t h e b ab oon w as, h e w as cer t ain t h a t t h e
b ab oon w asn ’t a sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l b east . T h er efor e, it s sou l r in g w as t h u s even
m or e u n su it ed for h im .
H e w an t ed t o ch eck t h e b ab oon ’s con d it ion , b u t a w ave of b ot h p ain an d

sor en ess flood ed h is b od y w h en h e w as ab ou t t o st an d u p . H is excessive
n er vou sn ess fr om ear lier ca u sed h im t o b e u n ab le t o u se an y st r en gt h a t all n ow .
Com b in ed w it h t h e p ain fr om h is sh ou ld er s, t h e exer t ion of for ce cau sed h im t o
let ou t a m u ffled gr oan , an d alm ost cau sed h im t o fain t .
H e w as on ly eleven a ft er all! T h e d et er m in at ion in h is h ea r t h ad even w aver ed

sligh t ly, aft er t h e b at t le t h at h e’d ju st exp er ien ced . T h e am ou n t of sp ir it u al-t yp e
sou l b east s t h at exist ed w as ext r em ely lit t le, yet h e’d alm ost b een k illed b y t h e
fir st so u l b east h e’d en cou n t er ed . Fu r t h er m or e, t h is h a d on ly b een a t en year
sou l b east . W h at if h e’d en cou n t er ed a h u n d r ed year sou l b east ? H e w ou ld ’ve
h ad ab solu t ely n o ch an ce of even n a r r ow ly escap in g, sim p ly b ecau se it w as
im p ossib le for lu ck t o b e w it h h im at a ll t im es. T h e m ir acu lo u s p ow er t h at h a d
m om en t ar ily b een r eleased fr om t h e W h it e T iger Dagger ob viou sly cou ld n ’t
m ak e u p for h is w eak st r en gt h .
W hat shoul d I do? H uo Yuh ao st r uggl ed t o bar el y si t up. H e l ean ed agai n st t h e

t r ee t h at h e’ d pr ev i ousl y f l ow n i n t o, an d gasped f or br eat h .
I can’ t di e, I ’ l l def i ni t el y succeed. I st i l l h ave t o seek just i ce f or m y m ot her , I

can’ t gi ve up l i k e t h i s! H uo Yuh ao t i gh t l y cl en ch ed h i s t eet h , an d un ceasi n gl y
h ar den ed h i s con vi ct i on . H ow ever , t h e scen es f r om h i s pr evi ous bat t l e w i t h t h e
baboon con t i n uousl y l et h i m k n ow t h at h e h ad been over est i m at i n g h i s
capabi l i t i es.
H uo Yuh ao’ s m i n d w as f i l l ed w i t h an em pt y f eel i n g, an d h e di dn ’ t k n ow w h at

t o do. Sudden l y, a voi ce ech oed out i n si de of h i s m i n d, w i t h out an y pr i or
w ar n i n g.
“ Fi n al l y, I ’ ve m et a spi r i t ual -t ype h um an ! W h at a pi t y t h at t h i s br ot h er can ’ t

cr y! I f I coul d, m y f ace w oul d def i n i t el y be cover ed w i t h t ear s!”
H uo Yuh ao w as st ar t l ed. H e di dn ’ t un der st an d w h y a voi ce h ad sudden l y

appear ed i n si de of h i s m i n d. H ow ever , at t h i s m om en t , t h e gr oun d ben eat h h i m
sudden l y t r em bl ed w i t h out an y pr i or w ar n i n g. Cr ack s began t o appear on t h e
gr oun d t w o m et r es i n f r on t of h i m , an d t h en gr adual l y expan ded un t i l t h ey
t ur n ed i n t o a cr evi ce; a di m gol den -w h i t e l i gh t f ai n t l y sh on e f r om w i t h i n t h e
cr evi ce.
T hi s, w hat i s t hi s? Anot her soul beast ?
H uo Yuh ao subcon sci ousl y gr i pped t h e W h i t e T i ger Dagger t i gh t l y, an d

n er vousl y gazed at t h e cr evi ce t h at w as gr adual l y expan di n g. I f i t w asn ’ t f or h i s
ach i n g body, h e m i gh t ’ ve al r eady r un aw ay.
An i cy ch i l l w as r el eased f r om t h e cr evi ce, w h i ch caused t h e sur r oun di n g

t em per at ur e t o dr op. T h e ar ea of t h e cr evi ce gr adual l y i n cr eased, an d af t er a
m om en t , it s d iam et er h a d r each ed five m et r es w id e, cau sin g t h e t r u e
ap p ear an ce of t h e gold en -w h it e ligh t t o fin ally b e r evealed .
It w as a p lu m p an d fat -look in g h ead w it h a d iam et er of over on e m et r e. Aft er

it slow ly w iggled it s b od y an d m an aged t o clim b u p , it s en t ir e b od y w as
r evealed . It s b od y w as over seven m et r es lon g.
Follow in g it s ap p ear an ce, t h e su r r ou n d in g t em p er at u r e b eca m e so cold t h at

H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o see h is ow n b r eat h , an d it cau sed h im t o b e u n ab le t o
h elp b u t sh iver a few t im es.
T h is w as d efin it ely a sou l b east , yet it u n exp ect ed ly r esem b led a silk w or m .
H ow ever , it w as god -k n ow s h ow m an y t im es lar ger t h a n a n or m al silk w or m .
It s b od y w as t h e sam e colou r as w h it e jad e, sp ar k led , an d w as t r an slu cen t .

Alt h ou gh it h ad d u g it self ou t fr om t h e ear t h , t h er e w asn ’t an y d ir t on it s
b r illian t sk in at all. H alos of ligh t m oved ab ou t u n d er n eat h it s ep id er m is, an d it
u n exp ect ed ly h ad a sm all p air of eyes on it s h ead t h at flick er ed w it h a gold en
ligh t . St r an gest of all, gold en p at t er n s w er e en gr aved on it s b od y at cer t ain
in t er va ls, st a r t in g h alf a m et r e fr om it s h ead . Fr om h ead t o t ail, it h ad a t ot al of
t en gold en p at t er n s.
A look of d esp air ap p ear ed on H u o Yu h ao’s alr ead y n er vou s face as h e gazed at
it s en or m ou s b od y. I t has such an enor m ous body, and i t has t he pow er t o
change t he t em per at ur e... i t ’ s at l east a hun dr ed year soul beast . I t ’ s over ,
ever yt hi ng’ s over .
“ Don ’ t be scar ed, don ’ t be scar ed. T h i s br ot h er w on ’ t h ar m you!” T h e voi ce

f r om bef or e ech oed out i n H uo Yuh ao’ s m i n d on ce agai n , an d t h e en or m ous
si l k w or m n odded i t s h ead. I t s h uge h ead t h en dr ooped dow n w ar ds, bef or e
st oppi n g a m et r e aw ay f r om H uo Yuh ao. I t even em i t t ed a f ai n t l y f r agr an t odor
f r om i t s body.
H uo Yuh ao sai d i n a st ar t l ed t on e, “ Ar e you t h e on e t h at ’ s t al k i n g t o m e?”

T h e en or m ou s silk w or m n od d ed it s h ead in r esp on se, an d it s voice con t in u ed
t o ech o ou t in sid e of h is m in d , “It ’s ob viou sly t h is b r ot h er t h at ’s sp eak in g. Did
you get cap t ivat ed b y m y b eau t ifu l b od y?”
Aft er r ealizin g t h a t t h e en or m ou s silk w or m d id n ’t h ave an y evil in t en t ion s,

H u o Yu h ao’s t au t h ear t st r in gs r elaxed a b it .
“W h at d o you w an t t o d o?”
T h e silk w or m r ep lied , “Fir st off, let m e in t r od u ce m yself. I am t h e

em b od im en t of h er oism an d ch ivalr y! A k in g of k in gs am on gst sou l b east s, w h o
is b ot h equ ally sm a r t an d good -look in g! I’m an ab solu t e exp er t , on e w h o h as
cu lt ivat ed for a m illion year s! I’m t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w h o’s set t h e r ecor d
for t h e lon gest lifesp an in t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ! Yu p , you ca n call m e Br ot h er
Sk yd r eam !”
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes in st an t ly t u r n ed lifeless, “M il-M illion year sou l b east ?” T h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s age d iffer ed fr om h is p r ed ict ion b y a fact or of t en
t h ou san d t im es. Fu r t h er m or e, w er e t h er e r eally su ch exist en ces as m illion year
sou l b east s in t h e w or ld ? T h e st r on gest sou l b east on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t
sh ou ld on ly b e a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s old !
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , w h o w as clear ly p leased w it h h im self, said , “Ar en ’t

you in aw e? Ar en ’t you r eally excit ed ? You ’r e t h e fir st h u m an w h o’s seen m y
alm igh t y figu r e.”
H u o Yu h ao b lan k ly said , “T h en w h at d o you w an t t o d o?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice su d d en ly b ecam e ser iou s, “T h is b r ot h er

w an t s t o b ecom e you r sou l r in g—t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ’s fir st ever in t elligen t
sou l r in g.”
“Ah ?” H u o Yu h ao look ed at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m in fr on t of h im w it h a

d u m b st r u ck exp r ession . H e’d m om en t ar ily lost h is ab ilit y t o t h in k .
Ever yt h in g t h at h a d occu r r ed so far h ad sim p ly b een t oo su d d en . Ad m it t ed ly,
h e d id t h ir st for a sou l r in g. H ow ever , in t h e p ast , t h e sou l r in g t h at h e’d w an t ed
t o ob t ain w as sim p ly a t en year sou l r in g. H e’d n ever h a d an y ext r avagan t h op es.
Yet , at t h is m om en t , a m assive silk w or m t h at cou ld t alk h ad su d d en ly d u g it self
ou t fr om b en eat h t h e gr ou n d , h ad t old h im t h at it w as an alm igh t y m illion year
sou l b east , an d t h at it w an t ed t o b ecom e h is sou l r in g. T h is m ad e H u o Yu h ao
com p let ely u n ab le t o u n d er st an d w h at w as goin g on at all. Fu r t h er m or e, h e
d id n ’t k n ow w h et h er t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as t ellin g t h e t r u t h or n ot .
H ow ever , t h e en or m ou s silk w or m in fr on t of h im w asn ’t som et h in g t h at h e

cou ld h op e t o figh t , r egar d less of w h et h er it w as t ellin g t h e t r u t h or n ot .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s en or m ou s h ea d t u r n ed in t h e d ir ect ion of t h e Gr eat

St ar Dou For est , an d car efu lly scan n ed it . T h en , it t u r n ed b ack t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao an d said , “I’m goin g t o st ar t , okay? Don ’t w or r y, I’ll b e gen t le. I w on ’t
cau se t oo m u ch p ain .”
“You …” Befor e H u o Yu h ao cou ld even voice an y sor t of op p osit ion , an

ext r em ely cold a u r a cau sed h im t o im m ed iat ely lose con sciou sn ess. H e cou ld
on ly fain t ly see a w h it e ob ject ch ar gin g t ow ar d s h im . In t h e n ext m om en t , all of
h is t h ou gh t s fad ed a w ay.
T h e t en gold en p at t er n s on t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s b od y m oved

r h yt h m ically, alm ost as if t h ey w er e alive. T h e w h it e ob ject t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad
seen w as act u ally t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s h ead , w h ich h a d r each ed for w ar d t o
p r ess again st h is h ea d .
T h e t en gold en p at t er n s r ap id ly en velop ed H u o Yu h ao’s sk in n y b od y, an d t h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m slow ly t u r n ed it self h alos of w h it e ligh t t h at u n ceasin gly
su r ged in t o h is b od y.
“T oo w eak , t oo w eak . T h is is sim p ly t o o t r agic. I’m so p it ifu l, ah ! J u st h ow

m an y m or e seals w ill I h ave t o p u t on m y b od y b efor e h is w eak b od y can su p p or t
m e? It ’s so h ar d t o b ecom e an in t elligen t sou l r in g.”
W h en t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad su r ged t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, a layer

of in cor p or eal sp ir it u al u n d u la t ion s h ad sp r ead ou t fr om it s b od y. T h ese
t er r ifyin g sp ir it u al en er gy u n d u la t ion s alm ost in st an t ly cover ed ever yt h in g
w it h in a h u n d r ed m iles.
W h en t h e sp ir it u al en er gy u n d u lat ion s cover ed Bei Bei an d T an g Ya, w h o h ad

sp ed u p t o ch a se aft er H u o Yu h ao, t h ey im m ed iat ely fell in t o a m om en t ar ily
slu ggish st at e. Alt h ou gh t h e sp ir it u al a t t ack h ad n ’t b een t oo d am agin g, it st ill
cau sed all livin g b ein gs t o lose t h eir ab ilit y t o t h in k for a sh or t p er iod of t im e.
At t h is m om en t , a lar ge p or t ion of t h e sou t h er n ar ea of t h e Gr eat St a r Dou

For est h ad b ecom e fr igh t en in gly qu iet .
Pr eviou sly, t h e sk y h ad b een ext r em ely clear an d su n n y. H ow ever , it h ad

su d d en ly d ar k en ed , an d a t h u n d er -lik e b oom r esou n d ed ou t in t h e a ir . In t h at
in st an t , t h e su n ’s b r illian t r ays of ligh t w er e u n exp ect ed ly cover ed u p b y t h e
d ar k n ess. T h en , an en or m ou s p r essu r e t h at cau sed on e t o b e u n ab le t o even
b r eat h e d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y.
W h en t h e t h u n d er -lik e b oom r esou n d ed in t h e air , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s

en or m ou s b od y, w h o w as cu r r en t ly t r yin g t o m er ge w it h H u o Yu h ao’s b od y,
violen t ly sh ook for a m om en t . It s sm all, gold en eyes look ed u p w ar d s in t o t h e
sk y, an d a t er r ified look im m ed iat ely a p p ear ed in sid e of t h em . In sid e of t h at
t er r ified exp r ession w as also a h in t of sh ock . T h e p r essu r e in t h e sk y clea r ly
h ad n ’t affect ed it , b u t it exceed ed it s k n ow led ge.
A gr ey st r eam of air d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y, as if an en or m ou s at t r act ive
for ce h ad su ck ed it d ow n w ar d s. Aft er on ly an in st a n t , it lan d ed on t h e b ack of
H u o Yu h ao’s h ead , an d qu iet ly en t er ed it .
“W h o d ar es t o figh t w it h t h is b r ot h er over a p er son ?” T h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m flew in t o a r age. It s h u ge sp ir it u al u n d u lat ion s in st an t ly su r ged for t h
in an at t em p t t o exp el t h e gr ey st r eam of air fr om H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
An ext r em ely b lu r r y figu r e ap p ear ed b eh in d H u o Yu h ao, an d an aged voice

w it h a h ar d -t o-d escr ib e im p osin gn ess ech oed ou t , “T h e h an d gr asp s t h e su n an d
m oon , an d also p lu ck s t h e st a r s; T h is w or ld h as n o on e lik e m e. I d id n ’t t h in k
t h at t h is old m an w ou ld h ave a t r ace of a r em n an t sp ir it left t h at st ill exist ed
h er e.”
T h e vagu e an d illu sor y figu r e d id n ’t seem t o b e affect ed b y t h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m ’s p ow er fu l sp ir it u al at t ack at a ll. W it h a w h oosh , it d isap p ear ed in t o
t h e b ack of H u o Yu h ao’s h ead .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m d id n ’t d ar e t o st r en gt h en h is sp ir it u al at t ack again , as

t r aces of b lood h ad alr ead y b egu n t o seep ou t of H u o Yu h ao’s seven ap er t u r es.
H e d iscover ed t h a t , aft er t h e gr ey st r eam of air h ad en t er ed H u o Yu h ao’s m in d ,
it h ad im m ed ia t ely t u r n ed in t o a soyb ean -sized gr ey p ear l. T h en , it h a d t u r n ed
silen t . It d id n ’t con flict w it h h is sp ir it u al en er gy, n or cou ld h e affect it w it h h is
p ow er .
“I can ’t b e t h is u n lu ck y. It w as so h ar d t o fin d a sp ir it u al-t yp e h u m an , b u t a

b ast ar d w an t s t o sn at ch h im fr om m e. Ar e t h e h eaven s jealou s of a gen iu s lik e
m yself? T h is b r ot h er is so p it ifu l!” Alt h ou gh h e w as cu r r en t ly voicin g h is
com p lain t s, h is m ovem en t s d id n ’t slow d ow n at all. Den se w h it e ligh t gr a d u ally
con d en sed an d p ou r ed in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, w h ile t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s
b od y b ot h gr ad u ally t u r n ed m or e t r an sp ar en t d u r in g t h e p r ocess, an d r ap id ly
d ecr eased in volu m e. T h er e h a d alr ead y b een n o t u r n in g b ack for h im , fr om t h e
in st an t h e’d st ar t ed t o p ou r h is en er gy in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y h ad t u r n ed com p let ely jad e-w h it e, an d r esem b led t h e
p r eviou s ap p ear an ce of t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m . H is sh ou ld er s’ w ou n d s w er e
r ecover in g at a sp eed visib le t o t h e n ak ed eye.
“W ah ah a, n o m at t er w h at w ay you p u t it , t h is b r ot h er is fin ally fr ee! You

b ast ar d s w h o t ook m e as food n o lon ger h ave an y ch an ce, w ah ah a!” T h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice, w h o w as clear ly p leased w it h h im self, gr ad u ally
t u r n ed soft er a n d so ft er . T h e h u ge sp ir it u al en er gy t h a t h ad p r eviou sly cover ed
a h u n d r ed m iles p r oceed ed t o sh r in k at a fr igh t en in g sp eed , t h en gr ad u ally
d isap p ear ed .
Sever al t er r ifyin g au r as fr om w it h in t h e d ep t h s of t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est

sim u lt an eou sly let ou t violen t u n d u lat ion s, as if t h ey’d sen sed som et h in g.
H ow ever , t h ey w er e fat ed t o t o n ot h ave a n y su ccess in t h eir en d eavor s.
W h en t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m ’s voice h ad com p let ely d isa p p ear ed , a jad e-

w h it e h alo sou n d lessly ap p ear ed b en eat h H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. Aft er cir clin g
ar ou n d h is b od y t h r ee t im es, it s ligh t d im m ed , an d t h e en t ir e h alo m er ged in t o
h is b od y, d isap p ear in g w it h ou t a t r ace.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow t h at , w h ile h e w as u n con sciou s, h e’d m an aged t o

ob t ain h is fir st sou l r in g. Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w as a sou l r in g t h at w a s t r u ly
u n r iva lled an d u n iqu e on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t .
T h e jad e-w h it e colou r gr ad u ally fad ed fr om H u o Yu h ao, an d an ice-b lu e layer

st ar t ed t o ap p ear b elow h is sk in . T h is last ed r ou gh ly t en secon d s, b efor e it
gr ad u ally d im m ed a n d r est or ed t h e or igin al colou r of h is sk in . T h en , h is b od y
t ilt ed , cau sin g h im t o fall again st t h e t r ee h e’d p r eviou sly lean ed again st .
A t h in w h it e m em b r an e t h at h ad a fain t gold en sh een t o it sou n d lessly r ose

in t o t h e air , b efor e it r ap id ly sh r u n k a n d for m ed a b all t h a t d isap p ear ed in sid e
of H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t . T h er e w er e n o m or e t r aces of t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s
au r a aft er t h a t .
T h e b ig h ole in t h e r oad h ad alr ea d y closed at an ea r lier t im e, an d excep t for
t h e collap sed H u o Yu h ao, t h e b ab oon t h at ’d b een k illed b y h im h ad h ad it s
cor p se left on t h e gr ou n d . Ever yt h in g else also seem ed t o h a ve r ecover ed t o it s
n or m al st at e.
Not lon g aft er w ar d s, t w o figu r es r an over ext r em ely qu ick ly.
“Ah !” A figu r e let ou t a cr y, an d in st an t ly sp ed u p . Sh e sp ed over t o H u o

Yu h ao’s b od y, an d st op p ed b esid e h im .
“W e’r e lat e. It seem s lit t le b r ot h er Yu h ao w as at t ack ed . T h ese sou l b east s

h ave r eally b ecom e m or e an d m or e r am p an t ! T h ey’ve act u ally com e ou t of t h e
Gr eat St ar Dou For est !” T an g Ya car efu lly h elp ed H u o Yu h ao u p off t h e gr ou n d ,
a gloom y an d w or r ied exp r ession on h er face.
Bei Bei w alk ed over t o t h e b ab oon an d t u r n ed it over . H e saw t h at a slan t ed ,

foot -lon g w ou n d h ad b een in flict ed on t h e b ab oon ’s ch est , an d t h at even it s
h ear t h ad b een cu t p ar t . T h is w a s clear ly a fat al w ou n d .
“T h at w as a W in d Bab oon . Fr om it s size, an d t h e st r en gt h of it s m u scles, it

sh ou ld b e a t en year sou l b east . It ’s alr ea d y d ead .” Bei Bei w a lk ed over t o T an g
Ya an d sq u at t ed d ow n t o ch eck on H u o Yu h ao’s con d it ion .
T h e t h in g t h a t am a zed t h em w as t h at , alt h ou gh H u o Yu h a o’s clot h in g h ad

b een ser iou sly d am a ged , t h ey cou ld n ’t fin d an y sign of in ju r y on h is b od y.
Bei Bei t ap p ed H u o Yu h ao’s w r ist w it h h is r igh t for efin ger , w h ich cau sed t h e
W h it e T iger Dagger t o d r op in t o h is p alm . A fain t b lu e ligh t flash ed in Bei Bei’s
h an d for an in st an t , an d t h en a h azy b lu e lu st er im m ed iat ely ap p ear ed on t h e
W h it e T iger Dagger .
“T h is is a sou l t ool. Yu h ao m u st ’ve u sed it t o k ill t h at W in d Bab oon . Alt h ou gh

t h e W in d Bab oon w as on ly a t en year sou l b east , b ot h it s sp eed an d p ow er ar e
r elat ively d ecen t , an d it can also u se an in n at e sou l sk ill t o at t ack it s op p on en t s.
Sin ce h e can k ill a W in d Bab oon at h is age, Lit t le Yu h ao is a lr ead y q u it e good . It
seem s t h at ou r ear lier ju d gem en t of Yu h ao w asn ’t accu r at e en ou gh —h e sh ou ld
alr ead y b e a fir st r in g sou l m ast er .”
T an g Ya an xiou sly exam in ed H u o Yu h a o’s b od y, t h en said , “T alk in g ab ou t

t h is is u seless r igh t n ow . W e w ast ed t im e all b ecau se you in sist ed t h at I w ash m y
h an d s an d m y face. If som et h in g h ap p en s t o Lit t le Yu h ao b ecau se of t h at , I’ll
n ever for give m yself. No m at t er w h a t level of t alen t h e h as, I’ve d ecid ed t h a t I’ll
d efin it ely con vin ce h im t o join ou r T an g Sect .”
Bei Bei’s gaze soft en ed as h e look ed a t T an g Ya’s an xiou s exp r ession . T h e

k in d n ess t h at cam e fr om T an g Ya’s h ear t w as som et h in g h e loved ver y m u ch .
“Don ’t w or r y, h e’s fin e. Can ’t you see t h at h is b r eat h in g is n or m al? T h er e ar en ’t
an y w ou n d s on h is b od y eit h er . J u d gin g fr om h is t h e w ay h e fain t ed , h e m u st 've
lost con sciou sn ess aft er b ein g slam m ed in t o t h at t r ee b y t h e W in d Bab oon
d u r in g t h eir b at t le.”
T an g Ya st ar ed b lan k ly for a m om en t , t h en r aised h er h ead u p an d glar ed at

Bei Bei. “W h y d id n ’t you t ell m e ear lier ? You m ad e m e w or r ied .”
Bei Bei h elp lessly r ep lied , “W h o cou ld ’ve k n ow n t h at you ’d b e u n ab le t o see

som et h in g so sim p le?”
“H u m p h !” T an g Ya h elp ed H u o Yu h ao u p , an d allow ed h im t o lean on h er

b od y. Aft er con fir m in g t h at h e t r u ly h ad n o p r ob lem s, sh e r elaxed .
Bei Bei st ood u p a n d car efu lly ch eck ed t h eir su r r ou n d in gs as h e q u iet ly

gu ar d ed T an g Ya.
Aft er H u o Yu h ao fain t ed , h e en t er ed a d r eam . H e d r eam t t h at h e’d en t er ed a

p u r e w h it e sp ace. T h er e w er e m an y m ot es of ligh t w it h in t h e sp ace, an d h e
cou ld n ’t see t h e en d of it . H ow ever , h is gaze st ill seem ed t o som eh ow b e ab le t o
r each ever y sin gle co r n er of t h e sp ace.
W h ilst in t h e m id st of u n d er st an d in g t h e m yst er ies of t h e sp ace, it h ad

su d d en ly t u r n ed t u r b u len t . Aft er t h at , gold en ligh t s h a d in t er w eaved an d
en t er ed t h e sp ace.
T h e gold en ligh t s con ver ged in t o en or m ou s gold en r in gs of ligh t w h ich

float ed in m id air , a n d t h e m an y m ot es of ligh t w it h in t h e r oom st ar t ed t o
in cr ease in size d u e t o t h eir ap p ear an ce.
T h e t en gold en r in gs of ligh t slow ly st ar t ed t o r ot at e, an d a m ilk y w h it e h alo

ap p ear ed w it h in ever y sin gle on e of t h em . As t h e h alo’s st r en gt h in cr eased , t h ey
gr ad u ally gat h er ed t oget h er an d for m ed t en en or m ou s b alls of ligh t t h at float ed
w it h in t h e sp ace. T h e h eigh t an d t h e volu m e of t h e sp ace in cr eased m an y fold s
in size in t u r n .
At t h at m om en t , an u n r em ar k ab le gr ey b all of ligh t ap p ear ed n ear on e of t h e

gold en b alls of ligh t . T h e gr ey b all’s size w as m u ch sm aller t h an t h e ot h er t en
b alls of ligh t . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e gold en b alls of ligh t b egan r eleasin g a st r on g
gold en ligh t , as if t h ey w an t ed t o ch ase it aw ay. H ow ever , t h e gr ey b all r em ain ed
t r an qu il, an d con t in u ed t o float in m id air . No m at t er h ow m u ch t h e gold en
ligh t s a t t ack ed t h e gr ey b all, it d id n ’t seem t o b e affect ed at all.
In t h e en d , t h e t en gold en ligh t s cou ld on ly give u p on t h e m ean in gless t ask .
T h ey t u r n ed st ab le, an d flick er ed w it h a d im lu st er .
As H u o Yu h ao’s con sciou sn ess gr ad u ally clear ed , t h e sm aller m ot es of ligh t

t h at w er e float in g in t h e sp ace gr ad u ally san k d ow n w ar d s, for m in g a fain t
gold en ocean t h at su p p or t ed t h e t en en or m ou s b alls of ligh t . On ly t h e ext r em ely
t in y gr ey ligh t r em ain ed m id a ir , u n w illin g t o join t h e lar ge b alls of ligh t .
“So you ’r e called H u o Yu h ao.” A voice su d d en ly ech oed ou t . Follow in g t h at ,

H u o Yu h ao’s vision in st an t ly r et r act ed , a n d h e u n con scio u sly low er ed h is gaze.
H e cou ld on ly see h is n ak ed self-st an d in g ab ove t h e gold en ocean , r igh t in t h e
m id d le of t h e t en n o w -gold en -w h it e b alls of ligh t .
“W h er e is t h is? W h y am I h er e?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed in am azem en t .
“T h is is you r m in d ’s sea of con sciou sn ess, or sp ir it u a l sea. In t h e fu t u r e, t h is

w ill b e Br ot h er ’s h om e. T h is p lace w as t oo sm all, so Br ot h er sim p ly h elp ed you
exp an d it . H ow ever , you r b od y is ju st t oo w eak , so I’ll h ave t o m ak e d o for n ow .”
“You ’r e t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ? I’m n ot d r eam in g?” H u o Yu h ao b ecam e

even m or e st u n n ed w h en h e h ear d t h e voice an d t on e of t h e p er son w h o’d
sp ok en . Ever yt h in g t h at h e saw in fr on t of h im h ad alr ead y su r p assed h is
k n ow led ge. Not t o sp eak of H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as on ly eleven ; even ad u lt s w ou ld
b e sh ock ed t o t h e p oin t of t h em t r em b lin g in fear if t h ey w er e p r esen t ed w it h
su ch a m ir acu lou s scen e.
“Dr eam in g? If you w er e ab le t o h ave su ch a n ice d r eam , w ou ld n ’t you h ave

d ied fr om h ap p in ess? T h is is ob viou sly n ot a d r eam . As I said , t h is is t h e w or ld
w it h in you r m in d .” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m u n h ap p ily r ep lied .
H u o Yu h ao b lan k ly said , “W h at ’s t h at ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “You r eally ar e foolish . H ow d o I exp lain t h is

t o you ? W ell... let ’s p u t it t h is w ay. You k n ow ab ou t you r eyes—t h ey’r e t h e
m ar t ial sou l t h at you r con sciou sn ess calls t h e ‘Sp ir it Eyes’. I’ve ju st gon e
t h r ou gh you r m em or ies, so I k n ow abou t you r p r eviou s exp er ien ces. T h e Sp ir it
Eyes ar e you r m ar t ial sou l, b u t at t h e sam e t im e also you r eyes. T h u s, t h e
sp ir it u al sea is w h er e you r sp ir it u a l en er gy is st or ed . If you w an t t o d isp lay t h e
m igh t of you r Sp ir it Eyes, you ’ll n eed t o con ver t you r sou lfor ce in t o sp ir it u al
en er gy, t h en r elease it u sin g you r Sp ir it Eyes. T h e sp ecific locat ion of you r
sp ir it u al sea is you r b r ain , b eh in d you r Sp ir it Eyes. As of r igh t n ow , you r
con sciou sn ess is im m er sed w it h in you r sp ir it u al sea. T h e b od y t h at you ’r e
seein g isn ’t act u ally you r r eal b od y, b u t a b od y t h at I’ve cr ea t ed u sin g sp ir it u al
en er gy for t h e sak e of com m u n icat in g w it h you .”
H u o Yu h ao fin ally u n d er st ood a few t h in gs aft er h ear in g t h is d et ailed

exp lan at ion . T h e fear in h is h ear t also w eak en ed b y a lot . You n g k id s w er e m u ch
m or e sen sit ive t h an ad u lt s a t cer t ain t im es, an d h e felt t h at t h e Sk yd r ea m
Icew or m t r u ly d id n ’t h ave an y m aliciou s in t en t ion s t ow ar d s h im .
“T h en , h ow com e you ap p ear ed in m y sp ir it u a l sea?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed again .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “Did n ’t I ju st t ell you ? I w an t t o b ecom e you r

sou l r in g, an in t elligen t sou l r in g! As of n ow , I’ve alr ead y b ecom e on e. H ow ever ,
for t h e sak e of b ecom in g you r sou l r in g, I’ve su p p r essed an d sealed a la r ge
am ou n t of m y p ow er . Fr om n ow on , you ’ll h ave a sou l r in g, an d can b ecom e on e
of t h e h u m an ’s so-called sou l m ast er s. H ow ever , you r in n a t e t alen t is m u ch
w or se t h an w h at I t h ou gh t . You can p r act ically u se t h e t er m ‘ext r em ely p oor ’ t o
d escr ib e it . I r ea lly d on ’t k n ow w h et h er m y ch oice w as cor r ect or n ot .
H u o Yu h ao w as sligh t ly ash am ed as h e said , “I ad m it t h at m y t alen t isn ’t t h a t

good . Bu t , I’ll w or k h ar d . M y in n at e sp ir it p ow er w as on ly r a n k on e.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m gloom ily said , “I’ll t h in k of a m et h od t o h elp you

im p r ove you r self lat er on .”
As t h e len gt h of t h e con ver sat ion in cr eased , H u o Yu h ao’s gu t s d id t oo.

“Sk yd r eam Icew or m .”
“Call m e Br ot h er Sk yd r eam .”
“Fin e, Br ot h er Sk yd r eam . You said t h at you w er e a m illion year sou l b east , is
t h at t r u e? Also, w h y d id you p ick m e? I’ve h ear d t h at Sou l Sch olar s can on ly
w it h st an d sou l r in gs t h at ar e b elow fou r h u n d r ed year s old . H ow ever , sin ce
you ’r e a m illion year sou l b east , h ow w er e you ab le t o b ecom e m y sou l r in g?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m su d d en ly let ou t a lon g sigh , “Do you t h in k t h a t I

w an t ed t o p ick you ? I h ad n o ot h er ch oice! If I’d con t in u ed t o r efr ain fr om
m ak in g a ch oice, m y life w ou ld ’ve com e t o an en d . An d on ce I d ied , m y b od y
w ou ld ’ve m ost lik ely b ecom e food for t h ose gu ys in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est !
Un d er m y st at e of h elp lessn ess, I cou ld on ly u se t h is p lan t o at t ach m yself t o you
h u m an s. T h is is also m y on ly w ay ou t . W ou ld you lik e t o list en t o m y st or y? In
t h e fu t u r e, w e’ll b e w it h each ot h er for a ver y, ver y lon g t im e. I d on ’t w an t t o
h id e an yt h in g fr om you eit h er , so I’ll t ell you ever yt h in g.”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ead an d said , “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , p lease sp eak .”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “At fir st , I w as ju st an or d in ar y Icew or m sou l

b east . I w asn ’t b or n in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , b u t in an ext r em ely cold p lace
locat ed in t h e n or t h er n ar eas of t h e con t in en t . W e Icew or m s ar e sou l b east s t h a t
h ave t w o in n a t e at t r ib u t es, sp ir it u al an d ice at t r ib u t es. H ow ever , ou r com b at
st r en gt h is ser iou sly lim it ed b y ou r sp eed . T h u s, w e can on ly b e con sid er ed ver y
or d in ar y sou l b east s. W h at ’s m or e, w e’r e also affect ed b y t h e p r esen ce of n at u r a l
p r ed at or s. Ver y few of u s can cu lt ivat e lon ger t h an t en t h ou san d year s. I’m t h e
sole excep t ion t o t h a t .”
“W h en I w as t h ir t een year s old , I car elessly fell in t o a cr ack in t h e ice w h ilst

r u n n in g aw ay fr om a p r ed at or . At t h at t im e, I t h ou gh t I w as d on e for . H ow ever ,
w h o cou ld ’ve k n ow n t h at I’d d r op in t o a b all of t en t h ou sa n d year Ice Pit h ? I
san k in t o a d eep sleep aft er t h at . I w as st ill ver y w eak an d sm all b ack t h en , an d
m y b od y w asn ’t ev en t h r ee in ch es lon g. T h at sleep last ed for an en t ir e t en
t h ou san d year s. W h en I w ok e u p , I fou n d m yself in an icy cave. T h at t en
t h ou san d year Ice Pit h h ad d isap p ear ed —it h ad all b een ab sor b ed b y m e.
H ow ever , as a r esu lt of m y slu m b er , I h ad t h u s t u r n ed in t o a t en t h ou san d year
sou l b east . I w as in d escr ib ab ly p leased an d su r p r ised b ack t h en ! H ow ever , I
d iscover ed t h at I cou ld n ’t fin d an y w ay t o exit t h e icy cave at a ll.”
“I w as su r r ou n d ed b y ext r em ely h ar d ice in t h a t icy cave. Alt h ou gh I h ad

alr ead y b ecom e a t en t h ou san d year sou l b east , ou r Icew or m clan h as a lw ays
b een w eak in com b at , r esu lt in g in m e b ein g u n ab le t o for cefu lly b r eak t h r ou gh
t h e ice. For t u n at ely, t h er e w er e m a n y h oles in t h e icy cave t h at I w as ab le t o
clim b t h r ou gh . T h u s, I cr aw led ar ou n d in sear ch of an exit . In t h e en d , I st ill
cou ld n ’t fin d an exit , b u t I fou n d an even lar ger b all of Ice Pit h . T h e ap p ear an ce
of t h is n ew b all of Ice Pit h sign ified t h at I h ad food t o ea t . H en ce, I en t er ed
an ot h er d eep sleep . H ow ever , t h is sleep last ed sever a l t en s of t h ou san d s of
year s…”
Chapt er 3.1: The M illion Year Soul Ring
As H u o Yu h ao list en ed t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s exp lan at ion , h e su d d en ly

felt a st r an ge feelin g. Cou ld it b e t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s n am e w as
b ecau se it h ad d r eam t ever yd ay?
“Alt h ou gh I w asn ’t a b le t o lea ve t h e icy cave, eat in g t h e t en t h ou san d year Ice

Pit h sim p ly felt t oo good . T h u s, I w as lu ck y t o n ot b e ab le t o fin d a w ay ou t ,
b ecau se I fou n d an ot h er lar ge lu m p of t en t h ou san d year Ice Pit h w h ilst
cr aw lin g ar ou n d t o look for on e. I slep t again , b u t I d id n ’t even k n ow h ow lon g
I’d slep t for t h is t im e—yet t h e fir st set of gold en p at t er n s h a d ap p ear ed on m y
b od y b y t h e t im e I w ok e u p .”
“A gold en p at t er n h as an ext r em ely im p or t an t m ean in g t o u s Icew or m s. It

sign ifies t h at ou r cu lt ivat ion h as r each ed a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s. Fr om w h at
I r em em b er , ou r Icew or m clan h as n ever h ad an exist en ce p ossess a cu lt ivat ion
of a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s. I w as t h e fir st t o d o t h is! T h is w as u n p r eced en t ed
in h ist or y! At t h at t im e, I evolved in t o a Gold -p at t er n ed Icew or m . I also h ad
su fficien t p ow er t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h e ice an d leave. H ow ever , at t h at t im e, I
d id n ’t k n ow t h at h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s w ou ld su ffer en or m ou s
r est r ict ion s, w h ich w ou ld m ak e it h ar d er for t h em t o in cr ease t h eir cu lt ivat ion .
Per h ap s it w as b ecau se I w as lu ck y, or p er h ap s it w as b ecau se ou r Icew or m cla n
h as a d eficien cy of com b at st r en gt h , b u t I m ir acu lou sly d id n ’t at t r act a n y
H eaven ly T r ib u la t ion .” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sigh ed . “I d ecid ed t o con t in u e
sleep in g, sin ce I w as t oo lazy t o lea ve an yw ay. T h u s, I con t in u ed t o sleep in t h e
icy caves. Becau se m y cu lt ivat ion h a d r each ed a cer t ain level, I w as ab le t o b r eak
t h e ice an d en t er ar eas w h ich I p r eviou sly cou ld n ’t . T h is allow ed m e t o fin d
even m or e t op q u alit y Ice Pit h s, all of w h ich b ecam e m y food .
“J u st lik e t h at , I r ep eat ed t h e cycle of sleep in g aft er eat in g, an d eat in g aft er
w ak in g u p . I d id n ’t even k n ow h ow m u ch t im e h a d p assed . On ly t h e gold en
p at t er n s on m y b od y w er e ab le t o t ell m e h ow lon g I’d lived for .”
“In t h e en d , I fin ish ed eat in g all of t h e Ice Pit h w it h in t h e icy caves on e d ay. I
t h en d u g m yself ou t fr om t h e b ot t om of t h e icy caves, ar r ivin g at t h e ocean . I
float ed in t h e ocean , an d m oved w it h t h e t id e; I float ed alon g t h e ed ge of t h e
con t in en t , even t u ally m ovin g t ow ar d s t h e sou t h . I also en cou n t er ed m y fir st
en em y d u r in g t h is jou r n ey."
“At t h at t im e, I alr ead y h ad n in e gold en p at t er n s, w h ich m ean t t h at I w as a

p ow er fu l n in e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east . I or igin ally t h ou gh t t h at I w as
an u n eq u alled exist en ce w it h in t h is w or ld . H ow ever …”
As h e con t in u ed t o sp eak , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m clear ly b ecam e som ew h at

em b ar r assed , “H ow ever , I’d n ever d on e a n yt h in g n or fou gh t w it h an yon e w h en
I w as aw ak e. In t h e en d , I h ad t o r ely on m y en or m ou s sp ir it u al en er gy t o scar e
t h at en em y aw ay. T h is fin a lly r ou sed m y cau t ion , w h ich m ad e m e a t t em p t t o
cu lt ivat e t h e ab ilit y t o at t ack . H ow ever , I d iscover ed t h at m y cu lt ivat ion
lifesp an d id n ’t m ea n t h at I w as st r on g. I w as in d eed a m illion year sou l b east ,
b u t m y com b at p ow er w as in fact in fer ior t o som e t en t h ou san d year sou l b east s.
T h ose t en t h ou san d year sou l b east s t h at w er e good at figh t in g w er e sim p ly
op p on en t s I cou ld n ’t h op e t o ach ieve vict or y over . T h e ou t sid e w or ld w as t r u ly
t oo d an ger ou s. H ow ever , I d id n ’t k n ow t h e w ay b ack .”
“I t h ou gh t t h a t sin ce t h e ocean w as d an ger ou s, p er h ap s t h e con t in en t w ou ld

b e safer . T h u s, I w en t ash or e. H ow ever , I d iscover ed t h a t t h e con t in en t w asn ’t
ver y p eacefu l eit h er . M ayb e it w as an effect of ab sor b in g t oo m u ch Ice Pit h , b u t
m y b od y h ad a sp ecial sm ell t h a t cou ld a t t r act t h e at t en t ion of an y an d all sou l
b east s. It ca u sed t h em t o see m e as food .”
“In t h e en d , I w as cap t u r ed b y a st r on g h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east

fr om t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est . H ow ever , it d id n ’t im m ed iat ely k ill m e; In st ead ,
it b r ou gh t m e t o t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est . On ly aft er list en in g t o h im d id I
u n d er st an d w h at w a s goin g on . As it t u r n ed ou t , I p ossessed t oo m u ch H eaven
an d Ear t h Yu an Qi. As lon g as t h ey w er e ab le t o ab sor b an d t r an sfor m m y
en er gy, an y sou l b east cou ld b ecom e a h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l b east , an d
an y h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year so u l b east s cou ld b r eak fr ee fr om t h e lim it of t h eir
cu lt ivat ion lifesp an . Bu t , it t ook a lon g t im e t o ab sor b m y en er gy, sin ce t h e
en er gy I’d cu lt ivat ed for a m illion year s w as t oo en or m ou s. T h u s, it b r ou gh t m e
b ack t o it s n est .”
“H ow ever , t h at fellow u n d er est im at ed h ow aw esom e t h is Br ot h er is.

Alt h ou gh I w asn ’t t oo good at figh t in g, I w as ab le t o in cr ease t h e st r en gt h of m y
au r a. T h u s, I w as able t o at t r act all of t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s in
t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est . H eh e.”
“T h e h u ge b at t le r oyale t h at en su ed in clu d ed n ea r ly ever y sin gle sou l b east in

t h e Gr ea t St ar Dou For est w h ose age exceed ed t en t h ou san d . T h ey fou gh t so
d esp er at ely! I or igin ally t h ou gh t t h at I n ow h ad a ch an ce t o escap e. H ow ever ,
w h o cou ld ’ve k n ow n t h at t h ey’d b e so cr a ft y? On ce t h e b at t le h ad alm ost en d ed ,
t h ey act u ally st op p ed an d n egot ia t ed w it h each ot h er . In t h e en d , a t r aged y
occu r r ed t o t h is Br ot h er . T h ey fin ally ca m e t o an agr eem en t , d ecid in g t o ab sor b
m y p ow er t oget h er , sin ce t h e sou lfor ce in m y b od y w as lar ge en ou gh . Aft er t h at ,
t h ey t r ap p ed m e in t h e cen t r e of t h e Gr eat St a r Dou For est an d for ced m e t o
r elease t h e H eaven an d Ear t h Yu an Qi fr om m y b od y for t h em t o ab sor b . T h e
st r on ger sou l b east s w ou ld b e closer t o m e, an d t h e b en efit s t h ey ob t ain ed w ou ld
t h u s b e gr eat er . T h ese b ast ar d s p r act ically t ook t h is Br ot h er a s food .”
“Ai, sin ce I h ad n o w ay t o r esist t h em , I cou ld on ly let t h em or d er m e ar ou n d .

I t r ied t o t h in k of a p lan t o b r eak fr ee fr om t h eir con t r ol w h ilst h avin g m y
en er gy d r ain ed b y t h em . M y Yu a n Qi w as ver y p u r e, t h u s t h er e w as en ou gh for
t h em t o ab sor b it fo r over t en t h ou san d year s. Aft er a few t h ou san d year s of
p on d er in g an d ob ser vin g, I d iscover ed t h at I’d n ot on ly n eed t o escap e fr om
t h em , b u t w ou ld also n eed t o con ceal m y au r a t o su ccessfu lly b r eak fr ee fr om
t h eir con t r ol. You h u m an s t h en ap p ear ed in m y lin e of sigh t . T h er e w er e a few
t im es w h en som e esp ecially st r on g h u m an s en t er ed t h e d ep t h s of t h e Gr eat St ar
Dou For est t o h u n t t h ose h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s. Un for t u n at ely,
t h ey w er e st r u ck b y a t r aged y. Un d er t h e n ou r ish m en t of t h is Br ot h er , t h e h igh
r an k in g sou l b east s w it h in t h e Gr eat St a r Dou For est h ad d efin it ely b ecom e t h e
st r on gest sou l b east s on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t . Alt h ou gh t h ose h u m an s h ad
ext r em ely st r on g w eap on s, t h ey cou ld on ly su ffer a b ig d efeat . H ow ever , t h is
allow ed m e t o u n d er st an d t h e ad van t ages you h u m an s h ad .”
“Br ot h er is a sp ir it u a l an d ice d u al-at t r ib u t e sou l b east . Aft er t h in k in g ab ou t it

for a lon g t im e, I d ecid ed t o t h in k of a w ay t o b ecom e a h u m a n ’s sou l r in g. If t h is
h ap p en ed , t h at h u m an w ou ld d efin it ely b ecom e ext r aor d in ar ily st r on g, an d I
cou ld r ely on m y sp ir it u al-t yp e at t r ib u t e t o p r eser ve m y ow n con sciou sn ess.
T h u s, I w ou ld b ecom e an u n p r eced en t ed in t elligen t sou l r in g. H u m p h , on ce t h at
h ap p en ed , Br ot h er w ou ld d efin it ely get r even ge, an d w ou ld h elp t h at h u m an
k ill a ll of t h e b ast a r d s w h o p er secu t ed t h is Br ot h er . H en ce, I st ar t ed ca r r yin g ou t
m y p lan . H ow ever , w h o cou ld ’ve k n ow n t h at I’d fail on m y fir st at t em p t ? T h e
gu y t h at I ch ose w as w h at you h u m an s call a T it led Dou lu o, an d h e w as r at h er
st r on g. H ow ever , h e w as t r u ly r u b b ish . H e act u a lly exp lod ed im m ed iat ely,
b efor e even seein g m y r eal b od y. H e cou ld n ’t even w it h st a n d t h e sh ock of m y
sp ir it u al en er gy. On ly t h en d id I d iscover t h at b ecom in g m y h ost w asn ’t
som et h in g so sim p le. T h ey w ou ld fir st n eed t o h ave a sp ir it u al-t yp e at t r ib u t e as
w ell, an d b e ab le t o su st ain t h e en er gy o f m y sou l p ow er . T h is w as som et h in g
t h at w as even h a r d er . H en ce, I h ad n o r esu lt s, even aft er sear ch in g for a few
t h ou san d year s. At t h at p oin t , m y sou lfor ce h ad alm ost b een fu lly d r ain ed b y
t h ose h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s. T h is Br ot h er w ou ld ’ve soon b ecom e
ak in t o a can d le t h at h ad n o w ax left .”
“H ow ever , t h e H eaven s st ill t ook car e of Br ot h er . W h en Br ot h er h ad alr ead y

d esp air ed , t h e t en t h gold en p at t er n ap p ear ed on m y b od y. I’d fin ally b ecom e an
u n p r eced en t ed m illion year sou l b east . Aft er t h e t en t h gold en p at t er n ap p ear ed ,
I fin ally p ossessed t h e p ow er t o r esist t h ose com b at -or ien t ed h u n d r ed t h ou san d
year sou l b east s, an d I cou ld a lso con ceal m y ow n au r a. T h u s, I r en am ed m yself
as t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ; I w as n o lon ger a Gold -p at t er n ed Icew or m . H ow ever ,
I w as d efin it ely u n a b le t o b eat so m an y h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s.
Fu r t h er m or e, m y H eaven an d Ear t h Yu a n Qi h ad alm ost b een fu lly ab sor b ed b y
t h em . T h e on ly en er gy t h at I st ill h a d w as m y or igin sou lfor ce, w h ich w as w h at
w ou ld p r ovid e t h e gr eat est aid t o t h em . T h ese w er e m y t w o gr eat at t r ib u t es,
w h ich h ad yet t o b e ab sor b ed . Reven ge w as som et h in g cu r r en t ly u n at t ain ab le
for m e. H en ce, I fou n d an op p or t u n it y, a n d u sed t h e en er gy t h at I h a d ob t ain ed
aft er b r eak in g t h r ou gh t o con ceal m y au r a. T h en , I esca p ed b y b u r r ow in g
t h r ou gh t h e ear t h .”
“Aih ——” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sigh ed . “Un for t u n a t ely, Br ot h er st ill

su ffer ed a t r aged y. Br eak in g t h r o u gh t o a m illion year sou l b east w as act u a lly a
d ou b le ed ged sw or d . Alt h ou gh I m an aged t o b ar ely b r eak fr ee fr om t h eir
con t r ol, m y lifesp an su d d en ly r each ed it s en d d u e t o t h e H eaven ly T r ib u lat ion
t h at ab r u p t ly ar r ived . If I w a sn ’t ab le t o p r eser ve m y life w it h ot h er m et h od s, I
w ou ld ’ve d ied soon fr om exh au st ion ; it w as also at t h is m om en t w h en Br ot h er
m et you , a you n g fellow . Alt h ou gh you w er e p it ifu lly w eak , Br ot h er h a d n o
ot h er ch oice! Yet , you also h ad a sp ir it u al-t yp e at t r ib u t e. H en ce, Br ot h er cou ld
on ly w or k h ar d t o m er ge w it h you r b od y. No m at t er w h ich w ay you look at it ,
t h ose b ast ar d s can ’t ob t ain t h is Br ot h er ’s m ost p r eciou s t h in g.”
H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y for got t en h is fear fr om ear lier as h e list en ed t o t h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s st or y. H e felt r igh t eou sly in d ign an t as h e said , “T h ey’r e
t oo d esp icab le. H ow cou ld t h ey b e lik e t h is? T h ey act u ally t r ap p ed you for
alm ost t en t h ou san d year s!”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m felt t h a t h is an ger gave t h em com m on gr ou n d as h e

said , “Exact ly! Alt h ou gh Br ot h er is q u it e cu t e, q u it e h an d som e, an d q u it e
st r on g, t h ey sim p ly can ’t t r eat Br ot h er as food ! T h in gs ar e good n ow t h ou gh . On
t h e w h ole, I’ve m an aged t o escap e an d n ot allow t h em t o ob t ain Br ot h er ’s b od y.
H u o Yu h ao, alt h ou gh you ’r e you n g an d you r ab ilit ies ar e st ill lack in g, it ’s
for t u n at e t h a t you ’r e st ill p u r e. Br ot h er w ill t r ea t t h is as a p lan t o r aise you u p .
W h en you ’r e st r on g in t h e fu t u r e, you m u st h elp Br ot h er get r even ge! Did n ’t
t h ey r ely on m y sou lfor ce t o evolve? In t h e fu t u r e, t u r n t h em in t o you r sou l
r in gs an d sou l b on es! H u m p h !”
H u o Yu h ao h ad n o h esit at ion at all as h e an sw er ed , “I’ll d efin it ely h elp you

get r even ge aft er I gr ow u p .” T h is r elat ion sh ip b et w een m an an d b east h ad
r ap id ly d eep en ed d u e t o t h is sligh t ly od d yet m ir acu lou s st or y.
In r ealit y, alt h ou gh t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad lived for a m illion year s, it
h ad on ly m et w it h a few sou l b east s aft er all. Even t h ou gh it s in t elligen ce w asn ’t
in fer ior t o t h at of a h u m an ’s, h ow cou ld it k n ow t h a t h u m an s h a d sin ist er
h ear t s? If a h u m an h ad en cou n t er ed for t u n at e even t s lik e t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m h ad , h e w ou ld ab solu t ely n ot r eveal h is st or y so easily. Ch oosin g a k id
lik e H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as p r act ically as w h it e as a sh eet of p ap er , w as act u ally
qu it e lu ck y for it .
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , I st ill d on ’t u n d er st an d a few t h in gs. Sin ce you ’r e so

st r on g, you h ad t o seal you r ow n p ow er t o b ecom e m y sou l r in g. J u st w h at ’s t h e
m at t er w it h t h is? Can you st ill b est ow a sou l sk ill t o m e?” Aft er losin g h is fear ,
an even gr eat er sen se of cu r iosit y filled H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m lau gh ed cu n n in gly as h e said , “Br ot h er n at u r ally h a s

a w ay. Sin ce I’ve b een p lan n in g t h is for so lon g, I’ve alr ead y p r ep ar ed t h e p r op er
ar r an gem en t s. Aft er ob t ain in g som e exp er ien ce fr om b low in g t h ose h u m an s u p ,
I r ealised t h a t all of m y h elp w ill h ave t o focu s on you r safet y. I alr ead y h ave n o
w ay of r et r eat n ow ; if you d ie, I d ie t oo. M y or igin al sou lfor ce w as alm ost fu lly
d r ain ed b y t h ose sou l b east s fr om t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est . Ot h er w ise, you r
b od y w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o w it h st an d m y p ow er , even if I’d sealed it .
W h en I m er ged w it h you r b od y, m ost of t h e en er gy t h at en t er ed you w as m y
or igin en er gy an d m y sp ir it u al en er gy. Can you see t h ose t en b alls of ligh t ?
T h ey’r e t h e t en seals t h at I’ve set u p . If you look at it fr om an ot h er an gle, it can
b e said t h at I’ve a lr ead y b est ow ed you t h e p ow er of you r fir st sou l r in g.
H ow ever , you ’r e t em p or ar ily u n ab le t o u se it .”
“T h is also m ean s t h at , alt h ou gh you r fir st sou l r in g is a m illion year sou l r in g,

it cu r r en t ly d oesn ’t h ave t h e m igh t of a m illion year sou l r in g. H ow ever , t h e
en er gy t h at I’ve sealed w it h in you r b od y w ill gr ad u a lly d isp er se as you r
cu lt ivat ion im p r oves, w h ich in t u r n w ill in cr ease t h e m igh t of you r sou l r in g. It
m igh t even in cr ease t h e m igh t of you r fu t u r e sou l r in gs. Aft er all, t h e en er gy
t h at I’ve accu m u lat ed over a m illion year s is sim p ly t oo en or m ou s for you .”
H u o Yu h ao b lin k ed h is eyes an d said , “I st ill d on ’t fu lly u n d er st an d w h at
you ’r e sayin g.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m u n h ap p ily said , “Id iot . I’ll r ep eat t h e sim p le p oin t s
again . You r b od y, w h ich h as cu r r en t ly ob t ain ed it s fir st sou l r in g, can on ly
w it h st an d t h e sou l r in g of a fou r h u n d r ed year old sou l b east a t m ost . T h u s, t h e
r ealist ic m igh t of you r fir st sou l r in g is a fou r h u n d r ed year sou l r in g. Aft er you
m ak e a b r eak t h r ou gh you ’ll b e ab le t o w it h st an d t h e m igh t of a t h ou san d year
sou l r in g, so you r fir st sou l r in g w ill b ecom e a t h ou san d year sou l r in g. You r
fir st sou l r in g w ill follow t h e am ou n t of en er gy t h at you r b od y can w it h st an d ,
an d w ill in cr ease accor d in gly. In ot h er w or d s, you r fir st so u l r in g can evolve at
an y t im e, an d you r fu t u r e sou l r in gs w ill also h ave t h is b en efit . Of cou r se, t h is
evolu t ion ar y en er gy t h at I can b est ow u p on you is lim it ed . T h e st r on ger t h e sou l
r in g you ob t ain in t h e fu t u r e, t h e m or e en er gy you save for m e. Usin g t h e en er gy
t h at I sealed w it h in you r b od y, it can at m ost h elp in cr ease t en of you r sou l r in gs
r each t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g r an k .
“Ah ? So m an y? W e sou l m ast er s can on ly p ossess n in e sou l r in gs at m ost ,

n o?” H u o Yu h ao sp ok e w it h a st a r t led t on e.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sn or t ed cold ly an d loft ily said , “T h at ’s on ly t r u e for

or d in ar y p eop le. You ’r e alr ead y n o lon ger an or d in ar y p er son —ever sin ce
Br ot h er m er ged w it h you . A sin gle m ar t ial sou l can n at u r ally on ly ab sor b on ly
n in e sou l r in gs. H ow ever , you cu r r en t ly d on ’t ju st h ave a sin gle m ar t ia l sou l.
Aft er k illin g a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east , you w ill b ot h ob t ain a sou l
b on e an d a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g t h at con t a in s t w o sou l sk ills w it h in
it . You sh ou ld k n ow t h is.”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ead .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said . “As a m illion year sou l r in g, an d an

u n p r eced en t ed in t elligen t sou l r in g, I’m ob viou sly st r on ger t h an t h em . Not on ly
can m y in car n at ion , w h ich is you r fir st sou l r in g, u n d er go u n lim it ed evolu t ion
accor d in g t o t h e co n d it ion of you r b od y, it can also b est o w fou r sou l sk ills t o
you . H ow ever , I h ave n o sou l b on es t h at I can give t o you —in st ead , I can give
you an ot h er m ar t ia l sou l.”
H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y p r ed ict ed t h at a m illion year sou l r in g w ou ld b en efit

h im gr eat ly, b u t h e’d n ever t h ou gh t t h a t it w ou ld b e t o t h is ext en t . A sou l r in g
t h at cou ld u n d er go u n lim it ed evolu t ion h ad alr ead y cau sed h im t o b e in effab ly
h ap p y. Yet , t h e gr eat er su r p r ise w as act u ally in it s ot h er b en efit s. Fou r sou l
sk ills an d an ext r a m ar t ial sou l, ju st w h at k in d of con cep t w as t h is?
Sin ce t h e fou r sou l sk ills b elon ged t o t h e fir st sou l r in g, t h eir m igh t w ou ld
in evit ab ly evolve as h is fir st sou l r in g ev olved . T h ey w er e ab ilit ies t h at cou ld b e
u sed for ever ! An d , a n ext r a m ar t ia l sou l cou ld sim p ly b e d escr ib ed as a m ir acle.
It w as equ ivalen t t o t u r n in g h im , w h o on ly h ad t h e Sp ir it Eyes m ar t ial sou l, in t o
a gen iu s w h o h ad t w in m ar t ial so u ls. Ad d in g an ot h er m ar t ial sou l w ou ld m ean
t h at h e w ou ld h ave at least n in e ad d it io n al sou l r in gs, w h ich w ou ld give h im
n in e m or e sou l sk ills. H ow cou ld a h u n d r ed t h ou san d yea r sou l r in g even
com p ar e t o t h e st r en gt h am p lificat ion of t h is m illion year sou l r in g? Alt h ou gh
h is ow n st r en gt h w a s st ill w eak even aft er ob t ain in g t h ese a m p lificat ion s, an d
r equ ir ed h im t o slow ly in cr ease it , t h is m illion year sou l r in g u n d ou b t ed ly
op en ed a gr eat d oor t o t h e h eaven s for H u o Yu h ao, allow in g h im , w h o’d
or igin ally h ad m ed iocr e t alen t , t o h ave a fu t u r e of u n lim it ed p ossib ilit ies.
“T h e m ar t ial sou l t h at I’ve b est ow ed you w it h is Ice, b u t it ’s Ice t h at cu r r en t ly

d oesn ’t h ave a sou l.” T h e w or d s t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said n ext p u lled
H u o Yu h ao b ack fr om h is h ap p in ess.
“Ice t h at d oesn ’t h a ve a sou l? W h at ’s t h at ?” H u o Yu h ao h ad a look of d ou b t

on h is face.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “T h is m ea n s t h at t h e m ar t ial sou l I’ve b est ow ed

you cu r r en t ly on ly h as an at t r ib u t e, b u t n ot a for m . W h en you ab sor b you r fir st
ice-t yp e sou l r in g, t h e for m of you r secon d m ar t ial so u l w ill b e fin alized . T h e
sou l b east of t h e sou l r in g you ab sor b t h en w ill t h u s b ecom e you r secon d m ar t ial
sou l. T h is also m ea n s t h at you r secon d m ar t ial sou l w ill d efin it ely b e a b east
sou l. You d on ’t h ave t o w or r y ab ou t t h is, I’ve alr ead y t h ou gh t ab ou t it for you .
H ow ever , you r cu r r en t cu lt iva t ion isn ’t su fficien t . On ce you r st r en gt h is h igh er ,
I’ll t ak e you t o com p let e you r fir st ice-t yp e sou l r in g. Now you sh ou ld
u n d er st an d w h y I said t h a t I w ou ld n ’t h a ve en ou gh en er gy t o am p lify you r sou l
r in gs. Beca u se of t h is, you m u st b e ext r em ely car efu l w h en ch oosin g you r sou l
r in gs, an d you sh ou ld list en t o m y su ggest ion s.”
“Fin e.” H u o Yu h ao excit ed ly agr eed , “W h at ar e m y fou r sou l sk ills?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “You ’ll h ave t o r ely on you r self t o

com p r eh en d t h em . Som et h in g t h at you com p r eh en d on you r ow n w ill alw ays b e
clear er t h an som et h in g I t ell you d ir ect ly. H ow ever , d on ’t b e h ap p y so ear ly.
You ’r e r igh t , I’ve given you fou r sou l sk ills, an d t h ey’r e all sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l
sk ills; h ow ever t h e en er gy t h at I’ve sealed w it h in you r b od y is also ver y
en or m ou s. T h u s, you m u st r em em b er a few t h in gs. Fir st ly, t h e en er gy t h at I’ve
sealed in sid e of you r b od y can on ly h elp you in cr ease t h e age of you r sou l r in gs—
w h ich is also t h eir m igh t —w h en you r cu lt ivat ion h as r each ed a su fficien t st age.
H ow ever , it can ’t in cr ease t h e st r en gt h of t h e sou lfor ce t h at you cu lt ivat e.
Secon d ly, t h e fou r sou l sk ills t h at I’ve b est ow ed you w it h ar e, d u e t o t h e fact
t h at t h ey’r e fr om m e, au xiliar y sou l sk ills t h a t d on ’t h ave m u ch at t ack p ow er .
Becau se of t h is, you ’r e st ill qu it e w eak r igh t n ow . You st ill h a ve a lon g w ay t o go
if you w an t t o b ecom e st r on g, d o you u n d er st an d ?”
“I u n d er st a n d . M y m ot h er t au gh t m e t h at n ob od y cou ld r each t h e h eaven s in

a sin gle st ep , t h a t on e st ep cou ld on ly lea ve a sin gle foot p r in t . T h e on ly w ay for
on e t o b ecom e a m an ab ove all ot h er m en is t o r ely on on e’s ow n h ar d w or k an d
d iligen ce. Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , you can r est assu r ed ; I’ll d efin it ely w or k h ar d .”
“T h at ’s good . H ow ever , you r n at u r al ap t it u d e is t r u ly p oor . Ai… if t h er e’s a

ch an ce in t h e fu t u r e, I’ll fin d som e h eaven ly t r easu r es for you t o eat . You r Sp ir it
Eyes m ar t ial sou l w as cau sed b y a m u t at ion , b u t you r p ot en t ial isn ’t b ad .
H ow ever , t h e m u t at ion p r ocess h as gr eat ly affect ed you r b od ily fu n ct ion s sin ce
you w er e you n g. You r p assagew ays ar e n ow n ar r ow an d r ou gh , cau sin g you r
cu lt ivat ion t o b e sligh t ly ch allen gin g. Let ’s t ak e it slow ly, w e can ’t r u sh t h is. Oh
r igh t , t h er e’s som et h in g I h ave t ell you .
“Can you see t h at gr ey b all u p t h er e?”

H u o Yu h ao said , “I can see it . Is t h a t also you r p ow er ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , "No, I d on 't k n ow eit h er . It h ap p en ed w h en I

fu sed w it h you r b od y. I t h in k you r sou lfor ce m ay h ave cau sed t h is. T h at gr ey
b all of ligh t seem s t o b e a sp ir it , an d also seem s t o n ot b elon g t o ou r w or ld . I
d on ’t even k n ow w h er e it cam e fr om . H ow ever , alt h ou gh t h is sp ir it w as w eak ,
it ’s a ver y h igh r an k ed sp ir it , so I d on ’t h ave an y m et h od s of d ealin g w it h it .
H ow ever , I can sen se t h at it d oesn ’t h a ve an y evil in t en t ion s. Righ t n ow , it ’s
cu r r en t ly in a d eep sleep . It m igh t n ot w ak e u p d u r in g you r en t ir e lifet im e, b u t
if it d oes, it cou ld b e sligh t ly t r ou b lesom e. Don ’t w or r y, if it d oesn ’t m ove, t h en
t h at ’s t h a t ; If it t r u ly d oes d o an yt h in g h a r m fu l t o you , I’ll p r ot ect you —it w on ’t
b e a p r ob lem .”
“Alr igh t , you sh ou ld go b ack t o you r b od y n ow . T h e t w o h u m an s ou t sid e h ave

b een w ait in g for you t h is w h ole t im e, a n d t h ey d on ’t h ave an y evil in t en t ion s
t ow ar d s you .”
“T w o h u m an s?” W h ile H u o Yu h ao w as ast on ish ed , t h e scen er y in fr on t of

h im su d d en ly t u r n ed b lu r r y. H e felt lik e h e’d in st an t ly b een su ck ed in t o an
en or m ou s w h ir lp ool, an d ever yt h in g t u r n ed d ar k .
……
“W h y h aven ’t you w ok en u p yet !” T an g Ya p at t ed H u o Yu h a o’s face an d sh ot

an in qu isit ive glan ce t ow ar d s Bei Bei, w h o w as n ext t o h er .
Bei Bei gen t ly sm iled an d said , “Bot h h is q i an d b lood ar e co m p let ely sm oot h ,
an d h is b od y’s sou lfor ce is ver y n or m al. Fu r t h er m or e, it ’s ver y vigor ou s. If I’m
n ot w r on g, h e m u st ’ve ju st b r ok en t h r ou gh t h e sou l Sch olar r ealm , an d t h is is
t h e sign of h im en t er in g t h e Sou l M ast er r ealm . H is b od y n eed s t o h ar m on ize
w it h t h is p ow er r igh t n ow , t h u s h e n at u r ally n eed s a cer t ain am ou n t of t im e t o
get u sed t o t h e sou lfor ce t h at h e’s ob t ain ed aft er b r eak in g t h r ou gh .
Un for t u n at ely, it w a s on ly a t en year W in d Bab oon .”
T an g Ya h u m p h ed an d said , “H ow is t h at ver y u n for t u n at e? It ’s n or m al for
som eon e’s fir st sou l r in g t o b e a b it w ea k er t h an t h e r est . T h e fact t h a t h e w as
ab le t o k ill a W in d Bab oon b y h im self is alr ead y q u it e good .”
Bei Bei ch u ck led an d said , “T h e w ay t o cap t u r e a w om an ’s h ear t is t h r o u gh

h er st om ach , m u ch less for a p er son lik e you , w h ose h ear t an d st om ach a r e
con join ed .”
T an g Ya’s ch ar m in g face t u r n ed sligh t ly r ed , “Pah , you ’r e t h e on e w h o’s h ear t

an d st om ach ar e con join ed . You ’r e im p u d en t ; d on ’t for get t h at I’m you r
t each er !”
Bei Bei d id n ’t r et or t . H e on ly look ed at h er an d w ar m ly sm ile.
“Ugh …” H u o Yu h ao let ou t a ligh t gr oan , an d slow ly op en ed h is eyes.
“Lit t le Yu h ao, you ’ve fin ally w ok en u p ! You w or r ied m e t o d eat h .” T an g Ya

w as im m ed iat ely exh ilar at ed w h en sh e saw H u o Yu h ao op en h is eyes.
H u o Yu h ao felt som e con fu sion in h is m in d , an d on ly b ecam e clear -h ead ed

aft er com p osin g h im self. H e clear ly r ecalled t h e con ver sat ion t h at h e’d
p r eviou sly h a d w it h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , cau sin g h im t o b e u n ab le t o h elp
b u t su b con sciou sly m u t t er t o h im self, “W as I r eally n ot d r ea m in g?”
T an g Ya giggled an d p in ch ed H u o Yu h ao’s ar m for a m om en t , cau sin g h im t o

im m ed iat ely cr y ou t in p ain . “Sist er Xiao Ya, w h at ’r e you d oin g?”
T an g Ya sm iled . “I’m h elp in g you ch eck w h et h er or n ot you w er e d r eam in g!

H ow ar e you ? Ar e you m or e aw ak e n ow ? You r eally h ave som e gu t s, act u ally
d ar in g t o t r avel in t o t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est b y you r self.”
H u o Yu h ao w as sligh t ly em b ar r assed as h e scr at ch ed h is h ea d . H eld on ly ju st

lear n ed h ow w eak h e w as, an d h ow m u ch h e’d over est im at ed h is cap ab ilit ies,
aft er m eet in g t h e W in d Bab oon . H ow ever , an eager feelin g qu ick ly r ose u p fr om
h is em b ar r assm en t . H e ju m p ed u p fr om t h e gr ou n d , an d r ou sed t h e sou lfor ce in
h is b od y.
A scen e t h at m ad e H u o Yu h ao in d escr ib ab ly h ap p y im m ed iat ely ap p ear ed .
H is sou lfor ce, w h ich h ad or igin ally r ea ch ed a b ot t len eck , h ad u n d er gon e a

qu alit a t ive ch an ge—even t h e st r en gt h of h is bod y seem ed t o h ave sligh t ly
in cr eased . Gen t le sou l p ow er su r ged ou t , an d ever yt h in g t h a t h e saw w it h h is
Sp ir it Eyes b ecam e clear er . Fu r t h er m or e, m an y in st in ct ive m ar k s h ad ap p ear ed
in h is m in d , an d each an d ever y on e of t h em w er e sk ills. Fou r , t h er e ar e act u ally
fou r sou l sk ills! Br ot h er Sk yd r eam t r u ly exist s! I w asn ’t d r ea m in g! Ever yt h in g’s
r eal, I act u ally p ossess a m illion year sou l r in g!
On ly n ow d id H u o Yu h ao b elieve t h at ever yt h in g h e’d exp er ien ced ear lier w as

r eal. T h e ecst asy in h is h ear t su r ged ou t u n ceasin gly, an d h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
let ou t a lo u d sh ou t , “I’ve su cceed ed !”
Bei Bei an d T an g Ya saw a jad e-w h it e sou l r in g r ise fr om H u o Yu h ao’s feet . It

slow ly m oved u p w a r d s, all t h e w ay u n t il it r each ed h is h ea d . T h en , it slow ly
m oved d ow n w ar d s w it h a r h yt h m ic p ace. It w as h is fir st sou l r in g.
Bei Bei su b con sciou sly t h ou gh t t o h im self, “Su r e en ou gh , it ’s a t en year sou l

r in g.” On ly, h e h ad a sligh t feelin g of d ou b t in h is h ear t . W h y d id t h e colou r of
H u o Yu h ao’s t en year sou l r in g seem t o h ave a sor t of sp ar k lin g, t r an slu cen t
feelin g—as if it w er e sligh t ly d iffer en t fr om an or d in ar y t en year sou l r in g?
Cou ld it b e t h at t h e W in d Bab oon h ad h ad a h igh er cu lt ivat ion ? H ow ever , h ow
cou ld h e h ave k n ow n t h at a m illion year sou l r in g w as a lso jad e-w h it e?
T h e ch an ge t h at h ad occu r r ed t o H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t lim it ed t o ju st h is sou l

r in g; a fain t gold sh een h ad also ap p ear ed in sid e of h is d eep b lu e eyes. Bei Bei
an d T an g Ya cou ld b ot h sen se u n d u lat ion s of sou lfor ce fr om h is eyes, as w ell as a
sp ir it u al u n d u lat ion , w h ich cau sed t h em t o b e d ist r act ed for a n in st an t .
Pr eviou sly, t h e p ow er fu l sp ir it u a l en er gy t h at h ad b een r eleased b y t h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad cau sed t h em t o t em p or ar ily lose t h e ab ilit y t o t h in k .
H ow ever , t h ey h ad b een u n ab le t o sen se it d u e t o t h e en or m ou s d iffer en ce
b et w een it an d t h em . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao w as cu r r en t ly ver y close t o t h em .
H e’d ch an ged , an d t h e sp ir it u al u n d u la t ion s t h at w er e b ein g r eleased fr om h is
eyes cau sed t h em t o b e sh ock ed .
“A sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l? A sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l t h at ’s m er ged

w it h a W in d Bab oon as it s fir st sou l r in g?” Bei Bei, w h o’d b een calm u n t il n ow ,
cou ld n ’t h elp b u t h a ve h is exp r ession sligh t ly ch an ge. Accor d in g t o t h e t h eor y of
sou l m ast er s t h at h e u n d er st ood , t h is seem ed t o b e som et h in g im p ossib le!
H ow ever , t h e fact s w er e r igh t in fr on t of h im .
T h e fain t gold en sh een q u ick ly van ish ed fr om H u o Yu h ao’s eyes. H e’d also
r ecover ed fr om h is su r p r ise. H e excit ed ly ju m p ed u p , “Su cceed ed , I’ve t r u ly
su cceed ed ! I’m a Sou l M ast er n ow !”
Bei Bei an d T an g Ya b ot h look ed at each ot h er an d saw t h e sh ock in t h e

ot h er ’s eyes. T an g Ya cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask , “Lit t le Yu h ao, is you r m ar t ial sou l a
sp ir it u al-t yp e? I sen sed a st r on g sp ir it u al u n d u lat ion ear lier .”
H u o Yu h ao fin ally r ecover ed fr om h is excit em en t , an d h e w as sligh t ly

em b ar r assed as h e sa id , “Yeah ! M y m ar t ial sou l is t h e Sp ir it Eyes. It ’s a m u t at ed
m ar t ial sou l t h a t h as t h e sp ir it u a l at t r ib u t e.”
T an g Ya’s eyes b r igh t en ed , “Sp ir it Eyes? A b od y sou l? Good .”

Bei Bei h ad clear ly r ealised som et h in g t o o, cau sin g h im t o n od h is h ead an d

say, “I r eally d id n ’t k n ow ab ou t it . W h at a p it y t h at w e ar r ived lat e. If w e
h ad n ’t , w e w ou ld ’ve fou n d lit t le b r ot h er H u o a b et t er sou l b ea st t o m er ge w it h .”
H u o Yu h ao’s m in d h ad alr ead y clea r ed u p fr om h is ear lier su r p r ise. Alt h ou gh

h e w as you n g, t h e exp er ien ces t h at h e’d h ad in h is you t h h a d cau sed h im t o b e
som ew h at vigilan t . H e im m ed ia t ely gu essed t h at Bei Bei an d T an g Ya m u st ’ve
t h ou gh t t h at t h e sou l r in g h e’d ju st ab sor b ed h ad b een fr om t h e b ab oon . Even
t h ou gh h e d id n ’t u n d er st an d w h y a m illion year sou l r in g w as w h it e, t h is w as
u n d ou b t ed ly h is cu r r en t b est w ay of con cealin g it . Nat u r ally, h e w ou ld n ’t go
an d exp lain an yt h in g.
“Big b r ot h er Bei, sist er Xiao Ya, d id you gu ys ch ase aft er m e? Ar e t h er e an y

p r ob lem s?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed p r ob in gly.
T an g Ya r ep lied , “W e on ly gu essed t h at you w er e h er e t o en t er t h e Gr ea t St ar

Dou For est , b u t I d id n ’t t h in k t h a t you ’d r eally d o it . You r gu t s ar e t oo b ig. Don ’t
you k n ow t h at t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est is called a for b id d en ar ea for m an k in d ?
Even som e Sou l M ast er s w it h ext r em ely h igh cu lt iva t ion s d on ’t d ar e t o en t er t h e
in n er p ar t s of t h e for est . An d if it ’s a lit t le gu y lik e you , a t each er m u st
accom p an y you for you t o even b e ab le t o m ove ar ou n d t h e su r r ou n d in g ar eas of
t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est . T h e r eason w h y w e ch ased aft er you w as t o p r ot ect
you , sin ce Bei Bei an d I ar e Sou l M ast er s. H ow ever , you r lu ck is qu it e good .
Alt h ou gh t h e fir st so u l r in g you ’ve ob t ain ed isn ’t t oo st r on g, you ’ve su ffer ed n o
in ju r ies on t h e w h ole.”
Aft er h ear in g h er w or d s, a t h ick w ar m feelin g im m ed iat ely su r ged t h r ou gh

H u o Yu h ao’s you n g h ear t . H e w as you n g, b u t h e’d exp er ien ced far , far t oo m u ch
of t h e h yp ocr isy of t h e w or ld . W h en T an g Ya w as t alk in g, h e cou ld t ell t h at
t h er e w er e n o t r aces of falseh ood w it h in t h e sin cer e look h er eyes h eld .
“Sist er Xiao Ya, I…” H u o Yu h ao alm ost b r ou gh t u p t h e issu e of t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m , d u e t o im p u lse. H ow ever , at t h is m om en t , a cou gh ech oed ou t in h is
m in d . Un d er t h e a t t ack of a cer t ain r efr esh in g au r a, h e im m ed iat ely sw a llow ed
h is w or d s.
T an g Ya giggled an d said , “Look at you r d im -w it t ed ap p ear an ce. Fin e, I w on ’t

t alk ab ou t t h a t an ym or e. Lit t le Yu h ao, sin ce you ’ve alr ead y ob t ain ed a sou l r in g,
w h at d o you p lan t o d o n ext ?”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed b y h er qu est ion . Yeah ! W h at p la n s d id h e h ave for

h im self? Befor e com in g t o t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , h is aim all alon g h ad b een
t o b ecom e a Sou l M ast er , an d ob t ain a sou l r in g t h a t b elon ged t o h im . T h e
d iffer en ce b et w een Sou l M ast er s an d Sou l Sch olar s w as in d eed as vast as t h e
h eaven s an d t h e ea r t h ! Becom in g a Sou l M ast er a lso sign ified t h at h e’d st ep p ed
t h r ou gh a d oor , on e w h ich w ou ld allow t o h im t r avel t h r ou gh t h e w id e seas an d
sk ies fr om n ow on . H ow ever , h e’d t r u ly n ever t h ou gh t of w h at t o d o in t h e
fu t u r e. Aft er all, h e w as on ly eleven , an d t h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at h e’d left
h om e.
T an g Ya w as secr et ly h ap p y w h en sh e saw t h e b lan k look in h is eyes. Sh e sen t

a glan ce t ow ar d s Bei Bei.
Bei Bei n od d ed t ow ar d s h er an d said , “Lit t le b r ot h er H u o, w h a t k in d of p eop le

d oes you r h ou se h av e?”
H u o Yu h ao’s gaze in st an t ly fr oze for a m om en t . Follow in g t h at , h e sh ook h is

h ead d ecisively. “T h er e’s n o on e else, I’m t h e on ly on e t h at ’s left .”
T an g Ya w as exu lt ed . Sh e b lu r t ed ou t , “T h en t h at ’s r eally t oo good .”
H u o Yu h ao w as im m ed iat ely st u n n ed , w h ile Bei Bei h ad a sp eech less

exp r ession on h is face. H e k n ock ed h er h ead , “W h at ’r e you sayin g?”
T an g Ya h ad also r ealised h er slip of t h e t on gu e. Sh e glar ed at Bei Bei an d said ,
“I d id n ’t d o it on p u r p ose! Lit t le Yu h ao, sin ce you d on ’t h a ve an y id eas r igh t
n ow , w h y n ot join ou r sect ?”
“A sect ?” H u o Yu h ao h ad h ear d of sect s w h en h e w as in t h e Du k e’s M an sion .

On t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t , t h e st r en gt h s of sect s w er e ext r em ely h igh , esp ecially
som e Sou l M ast er sect s t h at h ad lon g h ist or ies. Fr om t h e m ean in g of t h e w or d
‘sect ’, t h e Du k e’s M a n sion in it self cou ld b e con sid er ed a la r ge sect .
T an g Ya n od d ed h er h ead an d said ser iou sly, “It ’s a sect , an d w as p r eviou sly

t h e n u m b er on e sect in t h e con t in en t . If you join , you d efin it ely w on ’t b e at a
d isad va n t age. Fu r t h er m or e, ou r sect ’s secr et t ech n iq u es a r e ver y su it ab le for
you t o cu lt ivat e. Sin ce you ’r e all alon e an d you ’r e so you n g, it ’d b e b et t er for
you t o join ou r sect , sin ce ever yon e w ill t ak e car e of each ot h er , r at h er t h an you
b ein g so b old b y you r self. Aft er a ll, lu ck can ’t alw ays b e w it h you . W h at if
som et h in g h ap p en s w h en you ’r e m ovin g b y you r self?”
H u o Yu h ao su b con sciou sly ask ed , “Sist er Xiao Ya t h en , w h at is you r sect

called ?”
T an g Ya r esolu t ely said , “T h e T an g Sect . It w as p r eviou sly t h e n u m b er on e

sect in t h e con t in en t .”
Aft er h ear in g t h e t w o w or d s ‘T an g Sect ’, H u o Yu h ao’s bod y cou ld n ’t h elp b u t

t r em b le. Even t h ou gh t h e T an g Sect h a d st ar t ed t o d eclin e, t h e T an g Sect st ill
h ad an im p or t an t p lace w it h in t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ’s h ist or y. It cou ld even b e
said t h a t t h er e h ad n ever b een a sect t h at cou ld com p ar e w it h it .
W h en h e w as ver y you n g, h is m ot h er h a d t old h im t h e m an y legen d s of t h e

T an g Sect . T h e T an g Sect h ad b een fou n d ed t en t h ou sa n d year s ago, an d it cou ld
b e said t o b e on e of t h e old est sect s in h ist or y. Su p p osed ly, t h e fir st sect m ast er
of t h e T an g Sect , T a n g San , h ad ch an ged t h e en t ir e st r u ct u r e of t h e con t in en t ,
est ab lish in g t h e fu t u r e d evelop m en t of t h e con t in en t ’s Sou l M ast er s. T h e T an g
Sect , at t h at t im e, h ad t r u ly b een t h e n u m b er on e sect u n d er t h e h eaven s, an d
n ot ju st in n am e. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e legen d s said t h at T an g San h ad b r ok en
t h r ou gh t h e h igh est r ealm of Sou l M ast er s, T it led Dou lu o, t o b ecom e an
exist en ce t h at w as on an ot h er level, on e t h at w ou ld n ’t d ie fr om t h en on .
H ow ever , in t h e en d , n o on e k n ew h ow h e’d d on e it .
Aft er t en t h ou sa n d year s, t h e legen d s of t h e T an g Sect st ill r em ain ed , b u t t h e

sect it self h ad alr ead y left t h e st age of h ist or y. Ver y few p eop le k n ew t h at t h e
T an g Sect st ill h ad lat er gen er at ion s of d iscip les; even t h e d et ails of som e of t h e
T an g Sect ’s legen d s h ad alr ead y b ecom e vagu e. H ow ever , t h er e w as som eon e
w h o h ad on ce sa id t h at , if it w er en ’t for T an g San est a b lish in g t h e fu t u r e
d evelop m en t of t h e Sou l M a st er s w it h in t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t t en t h ou san d
year s ago, t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t m igh t n ot h ave b een ab le t o ach ieve vict or y
over t h e exp er t s of t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t , an d t h u s u n ify t h e t w o con t in en t s
w h en t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t h ad collid ed w it h t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t fou r
t h ou san d year s ago.
“Lit t le b r ot h er H u o, you ’ve h ear d of t h e T an g Sect ?” Bei Bei ask ed .
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ea d an d said , “I’ve h ear d som e of t h e legen d s ab ou t

t h e T an g Sect . On ly, I d on ’t k n ow w h er e t h e T an g Sect is.”
T h e r im s of T an g Ya’s eyes su d d en ly t u r n ed r ed . “T h e T an g Sect d oesn ’t h ave

it s m an sion an ym or e, an d ou r fou n d at ion s w er e sn a t ch ed aw ay. Cu r r en t ly, t h e
on ly p eop le of t h e T an g Sect r em ain in g ar e Bei Bei an d I. I’m t h e cu r r en t sect
m ast er of t h e T an g Sect , an d Bei Bei is m y fou n d in g d iscip le.”
“Ah ?” H u o Yu h ao look ed at t h em w it h a n ast on ish ed exp r ession . If you ju st

look ed at t h eir ages, T an g Ya w asn ’t t h at m u ch old er t h at Bei Bei, an d fr om
t h eir con ver sat ion s, you cou ld n ’t t ell t h at t h ey w er e m ast er an d d iscip le at all.
Bei Bei cou gh ed t w ice an d said , “You ’ve also seen ou r sit u at ion n ow , lit t le
b r ot h er H u o. T h e T an g Sect on ly h as t h e t w o of u s r igh t n ow , b u t w e’ll
d efin it ely w or k h ar d t o let t h e T an g Sect r ise again . If you ’r e w illin g, you ’r e
w elcom e t o join . T h er e’s on e p oin t t h at Xiao Ya w as r igh t abou t : T h e T an g Sect
h as a secr et t ech n iq u e t h at sh ou ld b e com p let ely su it ab le for you t o cu lt ivat e,
an d w ill h ave m an y b en efit s t ow ar d s you r fu t u r e d evelop m en t .”
Aft er h esit at in g for a w h ile, H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “T h en , w h at d o I h ave t o d o
aft er I join t h e T an g Sect ?”
T an g Ya r ep lied , “You n eed t o u n ceasin gly r aise you r cu lt ivat ion , an d b ecom e
even st r on ger . W h en t h e sect n eed s you , you n eed t o exer t you r self for t h e sect . I
w on ’t b oast or lie t o you , ou r T an g Sect h as t r u ly d eclin ed as of n ow . H ow ever ,
w e st ill h a ve ou r secr et t ech n iq u es. Also, an ot h er t h in g. Ou r T an g Sect w as on ce
t h e n u m b er on e sect in t h e con t in en t , so w e st ill h ave a few p r ivileges. You
sh ou ld ’ve h ear d of t h e n u m b er on e acad em y on t h e con t in en t , Sh r ek Acad em y.
Sh r ek Acad em y is ext r em ely st r ict w h en it r ecr u it s st u d en t s, b u t t h ey’r e w illin g
t o give ou r T an g Sect an exem p t ed sp ot ever y year . Bei Bei an d I h ave alr ead y
join ed Sh r ek Acad em y, an d it ju st so h a p p en s t h at t h er e’s a sp ace availab le t h is
year . If you ’r e w illin g t o join ou r T an g Sect , t h is sp ace w ill b elon g t o you . As for
w h et h er or n ot you can st ay in Sh r ek Acad em y, t h at w ill r ely on you r h a r d
w or k . I can give you t h is m u ch . H ow ever , lit t le Yu h ao, I h ave a r equ est . On ce
you ’ve join ed t h e T an g Sect , you ’r e a m an of ou r T an g Sect for you r en t ir e life.
If you d ecid e t o leav e on e d ay, you ’ll h ave t o r et u r n all of t h e T an g Sect ’s secr et
t ech n iq u es.”
T an g Sect ...T an g Sect . H u o Yu h ao’s eyes gr ad u ally b r igh t en ed , an d h e look ed

ser iou sly at T an g Ya. “Sist er Xiao Ya, I agr ee; I’m w illin g t o join t h e T an g Sect .”
Chapt er 4.1: 'Thunder bolt ' Bei Bei
Bei Bei sp ok e w it h sligh t ast on ish m en t , “Lit t le b r ot h er H u o, you d efin it ely

n eed t o t h in k ab ou t t h is car efu lly. J oin in g a sect is n ot a sm all m at t er . Even
t h ou gh ou r T an g Sect is alr ea d y on t h e d eclin e, w h en a ll is said an d d on e, w e
w er e st ill on ce t h e n u m b er on e sect u n d er t h e h eaven s. If you r egr et you r
d ecision in t h e fu t u r e, an d w ish t o b et r a y t h e sect , n o m at t er w h et h er it is T an g
Ya or m yself, n eit h er of u s w ill for give you . ”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “Big b r ot h er Bei, I’ve alr ead y t h ou gh t t h is

m at t er t h r ou gh car efu lly. I n o lon ger h a ve an y r elat ives, an d am of a you n g age
as w ell. I on ly lear n ed h ow d an ger ou s t h e ou t sid e w or ld w as a ft er com in g t o t h e
Gr eat St ar Dou For est t h is t im e ar ou n d . I w an t t o b ecom e an ou t st an d in g
in d ivid u al an d a p ow er fu l Sou l M ast er . J oin in g t h e T an g Sect is n o d o u b t a
sh or t cu t for m e t o ach ieve t h a t . Not on ly d oes join in g t h e T an g Sect let m e en t er
Sh r ek Acad em y, I can fu r t h er m or e r eceive gu id an ce fr om t h e b ot h of you .
M or eover , I b elieve in t h e b ot h of you . T h e t w o of you w er e w illin g t o t ell m e of
t h e p r ed icam en t s t h e T an g Sect is cu r r en t ly facin g. I can t h u s feel t h e sin cer it y
t h at t h e b ot h of you h old t ow ar d s m e. I’m w illin g t o h elp t h e T an g Sect r egain
it s glor y t oget h er w it h t h e b ot h of you .”
“Good , you cou ld n ’t h ave said it an y b et t er .” T an g Ya t ook h old of H u o

Yu h ao, an d em b r aced h im in excit em en t .
Bei Bei also n od d ed sligh t ly as h e look ed at H u o Yu h ao, as if h e felt t h e sam e

w ay t oo. H u o Yu h a o w as m u ch m or e m at u r e t h an h is p eer s of t h e sam e age.
Alt h ou gh h e’d on ly ob t ain ed h is fir st sou l r in g aft er h e w as over t en year s old ,
an d even t h ou gh t a len t w as im p or t a n t , h ar d w or k w as ab solu t ely n ecessa r y, let
alon e t h e fact t h at h e w as a r ar ely-seen ow n er of a sp ir it u al-t yp e b od y sou l. It
cou ld b e said t h at t h e T an g Sect h ad got t en h im for a ch eap p r ice.
T h e fain t fr agr an ce on T an g Ya’s b od y cau sed H u o Yu h ao’s face t o
im m ed iat ely t u r n r ed . H e d id n ’t d ar e t o m ove at all, h e ju st st ood t h er e
in n ocen t ly.
It w as Bei Bei w h o again h elp ed h im ou t of t h is em b ar r a ssin g sit u at ion ,

“T each er Xiao Ya.”
On ly n ow d id T an g Ya loosen h er em b r ace on H u o Yu h ao’s ar m . Sh e sm iled at

h im , an d look in g at h er ap p ear an ce, sh e w as ext r em ely p leased . Ob viou sly,
t h ou gh sh e ab solu t ely w ou ld n ’t ad m it it , t h e ver y fir st r eason t h at sh e’d w an t ed
H u o Yu h ao t o join t h e T an g Sect w as b ecau se of t h e excessively d eliciou s r oast ed
fish t h at h e m ad e...
“Lit t le Yu h ao, you sh ou ld for m ally b ecom e m y ap p r en t ice n ow . Ou r T an g

Sect on ly h as t h r ee p eop le as of n ow , an d w e d on ’t h ave t h at m an y r u les. On ce
you b ecom e m y ap p r en t ice an d call m e you r t each er , you ’ll b e a m em b er of ou r
T an g Sect in t h e fu t u r e.” T an g Ya said fir m ly.
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d k n eeled d ow n in fr on t of T an g Ya w it h a ‘p u t on g’
sou n d . H e t h en p aid h is r esp ect s t o h er , “Discip le H u o Yu h ao gr eet s t each er .”
T an g Ya st ood t h er e, u n m ovin g. Aft er let t in g h im p ay h is r esp ect s t h r ee

t im es, sh e h elp ed h im u p .
Not e: Payin g h is r esp ect s, for t h ose t h at d on ’t k n ow , m ean s k n ock in g h is h ead

t o t h e gr ou n d .
“Ver y good , Yu h ao. In t h e fu t u r e, you ’r e t each er ’s secon d d iscip le.

Ack n ow led ge you r eld est sen ior b r ot h er .” As sh e sp ok e, sh e p oin t ed t ow ar d s Bei
Bei.
“I ack n ow led ge eld est sen ior b r ot h er .” H u o Yu h ao b ow ed again , t h is t im e

t ow ar d s Bei Bei.
Bei Bei sm iled sligh t ly an d said , “You d on ’t h ave t o b e so p olit e, ju n ior

b r ot h er . W e’ll b e fam ily in t h e fu t u r e.”
T an g Ya seem ed t o r elax as sh e said , “Yu h ao, you sh ou ld b e lik e Bei Bei, an d
r efer t o m e as T each er Xiao Ya in t h e fu t u r e. H ow ever , d on ’t lear n t o b e as
ch eek y as h im , u n d er st an d ?”
“Yes, t each er .” Aft er p ayin g h is r esp ect s, H u o Yu h ao h a d clear ly b ecom e

sligh t ly r eser ved . H ow ever , t h e b lan k n ess in h is h ea r t h a d st ab ilised a lot .
J oin in g t h e T an g Sect h ad cau sed a sen se of secu r it y t o im p er cep t ib ly ap p ear in
h is h ear t . T h is feelin g h ad n ’t ap p ear ed in h is h ear t in a ver y lon g t im e.
Xiao Ya flip p ed h er w r ist over , an d p u lled ou t a b ook fr om som ew h er e. Sh e

t h en p assed it t o H u o Yu h ao, “Lit t le Yu h ao, t h is is a cop y of ou r T an g Sect ’s
M yst er iou s H eaven T r easu r e Recor d ; ou r T an g Sect ’s secr et t ech n iqu es ar e
r ecor d ed in sid e. Ou t of t h em , t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e is t h e
fou n d at ion t o all of t h e ot h er t ech n iq u es con t ain ed w it h in . If you u se it t o
m ed it at e, it w ill d efin it ely in cr ease you r cu lt ivat ion sp eed . You r cu lt ivat ion is
st ill sh allow , so ch a n gin g you r cu lt ivat ion t ech n iq u e t o t h e M yst er iou s H eaven
T ech n iq u e w on ’t h a ve an y sid e effect s. Lat er on , Bei Bei an d I w ill gu id e you in
cu lt ivat ion . Besid es t h e M yst er iou s H ea ven T ech n iq u e, t h e M yst er iou s H eaven
T r easu r e Recor d also h as five m or e secr et t ech n iqu es. T h ey ar e, r esp ect ively:
M yst er iou s J ad e H a n d s, w h ich is for t r a in in g on e’s h a n d s; Pu r p le Dem on Eyes,
w h ich is for t r ain on e’s eyes; Con t r ollin g Cr an e Cap t u r in g Dr agon , w h ich is a
cap t u r in g t ech n iqu e; Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack s, w h ich is a sp eed -t yp e
t ech n iq u e, an d H id d en W eap on H u n d r ed Sep ar at ion , w h ich is a m et h od t o u se
h id d en w eap on s. T h e m ost fam ou s t ech n iqu es of ou r T an g Sect in volve ou r
h id d en w eap on s, b u t you n eed t o est ab lish a good fou n d at ion b efor e you can
cu lt ivat e in t h em . W h at you n eed t o d o n ow is b egin cu lt ivat in g in t h e fir st five
secr et t ech n iq u es. In t h e fu t u r e, I’ll t each you h ow t o u se h id d en w eap on s.”
“Ear lier , w h en I said t h at ou r T an g Sect h ad a secr et t ech n iqu e t h at ’d b e

esp ecially su it ab le for you , I w as r efer r in g t o t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes. T h e Pu r p le
Dem on Eyes is a t ech n iq u e t o t r ain on e’s eyes, an d you ’ll b e ab le t o r elease an
ext r em ely st r on g sp ir it u a l at t ack aft er cu lt ivat in g it t o a cer t ain d egr ee. Sin ce
you r m ar t ial sou l is t h e Sp ir it Eyes, t h er e sh ou ld n ’t b e a m or e su it ab le t ech n iq u e
for you t h an t h is. You sh ou ld t r a in in t h is t ech n iq u e as m u ch a s p ossib le.”
Aft er r eceivin g t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T r easu r e Recor d t h at T an g Ya h ad
h an d ed h im , H u o Yu h ao car efu lly p laced it in t o t h e fold s of h is sh ir t , “T h an k s,
t each er . I’ll d efin it ely p u t in a lot of effor t t o cu lt ivat e t h ese t ech n iqu es.”
Bei Bei t ap p ed h is b elt , cau sin g a b elt t h at w as b lack , an d em b ed d ed w it h

r ou n d w h it e jad es, t o ap p ear in h is h an d s.
“J u n ior b r ot h er , I’ll give you t h is im it at ion of t h e T w en t y Fou r M oon lit

Br id ges t h at ou r An cest or T an g San on ce h ad . J u st t ak e it as a m eet in g p r esen t
fr om you r eld est sen ior b r ot h er . W it h it , car r yin g a few it em s on you w ill b e
m u ch m or e con ven ien t .”
W h ilst sp eak in g, Bei Bei fast en ed t h e T w en t y Fou r M oon lit Br id ges b elt on t o
H u o Yu h ao’s w aist , an d t old h im h ow t o u se it . As it t u r n ed ou t , t h e t w en t y fou r
em b ed d ed jad es on t h e b elt each h ad a h alf-m et r e w id e sp ace t h at cou ld b e u sed
t o st or e var iou s ob ject s. H u o Yu h ao on ly n eed ed t o gu id e h is sou lfor ce in t o t h e
b elt t o b e ab le t o u se it . It w as a r elat ively p r eciou s sou l t ool.
H u o Yu h ao’s p oor t alen t w as r eflect ed b y t h e st at e of h is b od y, b u t h e w as

ext r em ely sm ar t . Aft er a few t r ies, h e m an aged t o easily con t r ol t h e T w en t y
Fou r M oon lit Br id ges. H ow ever , a lot of h is sou lfor ce h ad b een d r ain ed w h ile h e
w as lear n in g t o con t r ol it .
T an g Ya said , “Lit t le Yu h ao, t h e r eason w h y I follow ed you r eld est sen ior
b r ot h er ou t h er e w as t h e sam e as you r s; it w as t o k ill a sou l b east for it s sou l
r in g. Follow u s, I’ll t ak e you b ack t o Sh r ek Acad em y on ce I’m d on e.”
“Yes, T each er .” H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly gave a r esp ect fu l r ep ly.
T an g Ya giggled an d said , “Alt h ou gh you ’ve alr ead y t ak en m e as you r m ast er ,

you d on ’t h ave t o b e so r eser ved . Sin ce t h e T an g Sect on ly h as u s t h r ee, w h at ’s
t h e p oin t of u s b ein g so old -fash ion ed ?”
Bei Bei u n h ap p ily said , “W it h a t each er lik e you , it ’d b e a w on d er if you r

d iscip les w er e ab le t o b e r eser ved . It ’s get t in g la t e, let ’s h u r r y u p . H op efu lly ou r
lu ck w ill b e b et t er , a n d w e’ll b e ab le t o fin d an d k ill a su it ab le sou l b east on t h e
ou t sk ir t s of t h e Gr ea t St ar Dou For est .”
“Yeah .” T an g Ya n odd ed an d said , “Let ’s go.”
T an g Ya w alk ed in fr on t , w h ile Bei Bei r em ain ed b eh in d , p u llin g H u o Yu h ao

alon g b y t h e h an d . T h e t h r ee of t h em sp ed u p sim u lt an eou sly, an d r u sh ed
t ow ar d s t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est .
Aft er ob t ain in g h is fir st sou l r in g, H u o Yu h ao clear ly felt t h a t h is ow n

cu lt ivat ion h ad r isen gr eat ly. T h is w as esp ecially so for h is b od y, allow in g h im
t o b e m u ch m or e r elaxed d u r in g t h e jou r n ey. H ow ever , h is sp eed w as st ill
gr eat ly d iffer en t com p ar ed t o T an g Ya an d Bei Bei’s. A gen t le flow of sou lfor ce
flow ed ou t fr om Bei Bei’s h an d in t o h is, p r act ically car r yin g h im alon g on t h eir
jou r n ey. On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o Yu h a o h im self d id n ’t n eed t o exp en d m u ch
st r en gt h .
W h ile t h ey r an , Bei Bei sp ok e t o H u o Yu h ao, “J u n ior b r ot h er , ou r T an g Sect ’s

M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e is p r esen t ly on e of t h e con t in en t ’s b est
cu lt ivat ion t ech n iq u es. As lon g as you cu lt ivat e it d iligen t ly, you ’ll d efin it ely
r eap som e b en efit s. I’ll t ell you t h e t r ick s n eed ed t o cir cu la t e t h e M yst er iou s
H eaven T ech n iq u e. You m u st r em em b er t h em .”
“Ok ay.” H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ea d , an d list en ed t o Bei Bei’s exp lan at ion

ser iou sly.
Not on ly w as Bei Bei’s ou t w ar d ap p ear an ce sch olar ly, h e also h ad an

ext r em ely gen t le an d m et icu lou s t em p er am en t . W h en h e exp lain ed t h e
M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e’s cu lt ivat ion t ech n iq u e t o H u o Yu h ao, h e
p at ien t ly exp lain ed all of t h e p ar t icu lar s of t h e t ech n iqu e in d et ail. W h en t h ey
cam e acr oss an ar ea t h at H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t u n d er st a n d , h e w ou ld give a n
exp lan at ion t h a t w a s b ot h easy an d sim p le t o u n d er st an d , w h ich cau sed H u o
Yu h ao t o qu ick ly b ecom e im m er sed in t h e fan t ast ic t ech n iq u e.
T an g Ya, w h o w as w alk in g in fr on t , cou ld n ’t h elp b u t st ick h er t on gu e o u t ,
b ecau se sh e w as com p let ely cer t a in t h a t sh e’d b e u n ab le t o exp lain t h in gs as
or d er ly as Bei Bei w as, if sh e w er e t h e on e t o t each H u o Yu h ao. As t h e sect
m ast er of t h e T an g Sect , sh e h er self w as t r u ly u n q u alified as a t each er .
Bei Bei a n d H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed on w a r d s, w it h on e p er son t alk in g an d on e

p er son list en in g. Alm ost t w o h ou r s u n k n ow in gly p assed .
T h e lar ge r oad h ad alr ead y d isap p ear ed , an d t h eir su r r ou n d in gs w er e n ow

filled w it h d en se fo r est . T h e air h ad t u r n ed fr esh er an d clean er , b u t t h er e
seem ed t o b e a fain t ser iou s au r a em it t ed fr om t h e d ep t h s of t h e for est .
“T h is is t h e gen er al m et h od u sed t o cu lt ivat e t h is t ech n iqu e. As for t h e

sp ecifics, you ’ll h ave t o slow ly get a feel for t h em aft er t r yin g it ou t for you r self.
If you h ave an yt h in g t h at you d on ’t u n d er st an d , you can ask m e.” Bei Bei said t o
H u o Yu h ao.
“T h an k s, eld est sen ior b r ot h er .” H u o Yu h ao’s ad m ir at ion t ow ar d s Bei Bei h ad

con t in u ou sly r isen w h ile Bei Bei h ad b een exp lain in g ever yt h in g t o h im ;
n at u r ally, h is r esp ect for Bei Bei h ad gr o w n as w ell.
At t h is m om en t , T an g Ya, w h o’d b een w alk in g in fr on t , su d d en ly let ou t a

cold sn or t . H er foot st ep s su d d en ly t u r n ed illu sor y, an d h er b od y in st a n t ly
t u r n ed in t o con secu t ive aft er im ages as sh e p ou n ced t ow ar d s a lar ge t r ee on t h e
gr ou p ’s r igh t . T h e on ly t h in g t h at H u o Yu h ao cou ld fain t ly see w as a few cold
ligh t s t h a t flick er ed ou t w ar d s. A W in d Bab oon , sim ilar t o t h e on e t h at h ad
alm ost k illed h im p r eviou sly, fell fr om a t r eet op .
Xiao Ya u n h ap p ily said , “T h ese W in d Bab oon s ar e sim p ly t h e m ost d et est ab le

cr eat u r es. Not on ly d o t h ey t ak e t h e in it iat ive t o at t ack , t h ey even lau n ch sn eak
at t ack s.”
H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t u sed h is Sp ir it Eyes ea r lier , so h e w as en t ir ely u n ab le t o see

h ow Xiao Ya h ad m oved , “T each er Xiao Ya, d id you u se a sou l sk ill ju st n ow ?”
Xiao Ya w as sligh t ly p r ou d of h er self as sh e r ep lied , “It w asn ’t a sou l sk ill, b u t
t h e syn er gy of ou r T an g Sect ’s Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack s an d h id d en
w eap on s. W asn ’t it a w esom e? If you cu lt ivat e p r op er ly, you ’ll also b e ab le t o u se
t h em t oget h er in t h e fu t u r e.”
“Xiao Ya, car efu l.” Bei Bei’s exp r ession su d d en ly ch an ged . H e su d d en ly r aised
h is r igh t h an d an d m ad e an illu sor y gr ab b in g m ovem en t t ow ar d s T an g Ya.
Clear ly, t h ey’d w or k ed t oget h er fr equ en t ly, as T an g Ya’s t oes t ap p ed t h e gr ou n d
ligh t ly, an d h er b od y flew u p . Sh e seem ed t o b e w eigh t less as sh e w a s p u lled
over b y t h e ab sor p t ion for ce exer t ed on h er b y Bei Bei’s h an d .
A p it ch b lack sh ad ow in st an t ly fell t o t h e gr ou n d an d let ou t a ligh t n oise.

Follow in g t h at , a st r on g sw eet sm ell assa u lt ed t h e sen ses of ever yon e p r esen t .
H u o Yu h ao’s m in d felt d izzy, b u t a w ave of icy air in st an t ly su r ged t h r ou gh

h is b od y, sealin g h is m ou t h an d n ose. An icy m ist flew sligh t ly ou t w ar d s fr om
H u o Yu h ao’s m ou t h an d n ose, cau sin g t h e sw eet -sm ellin g p oison gas t h at h e’d
p r eviou sly in h aled t o b e d isp er sed in t o t h e air .
An i ce at t r i but e? M y second m ar t i al soul ? H uo Yuh ao i m m edi at el y quest i on ed

t h e st r eam of i cy ai r ’ s or i gi n s. H ow ever , h e cl ear l y h adn ’ t con t r ol l ed i t .
Just as h e w as begi n n i n g t o f eel pl eased because of h i s secon d m ar t i al soul ’ s

ef f ect s, T an g Ya h ad been pul l ed cl oser by t h e absor pt i on f or ce of Bei Bei ’ s h an d.
Sh e used h er r i gh t h an d t o pr ess agai n st Bei Bei ’ s sh oul der , causi n g h er del i cat e
body t o cur l up an d t h en f l i p ar oun d i n m i dai r t o l an d beh i n d Bei Bei .
T w o l i gh t r i n gs si m ul t an eousl y r ose up f r om T an g Ya’ s l egs, t h e br i gh t yel l ow

col our s m ovi n g up an d dow n i n a r h yt h m i cal m an n er . H er t w o soul r i n gs w er e
un expect edl y of t h e h un dr ed-year r an k .
I n t h at i n st an t , l on g bl ue vi n es w er e r api dl y r el eased f r om T an g Ya’ s body.

On e of t h em just so h appen ed t o w r ap ar oun d H uo Yuh ao’ s w ai st , w h i l e even
m or e di sper sed i n t o t h e di st an ce.
H ow ever , com p ar ed t o T an g Ya, Bei Bei, w h o w as st an d in g in fr on t , sh ock ed
H u o Yu h ao even m or e.
Up t o t h is p oin t , in h is m in d , t h is eld est sen ior b r ot h er of h is w as a gen t le,

sch olar ly p er son . H e alw ays w or e a gen t le sm ile w h en h e w a s b esid e T an g Ya,
an d h ad an ext r em ely ap p r oach ab le feel. H ow ever , at t h is m om en t , h e’d
ch an ged in t o a com p let ely d iffer en t p er son .
W h en Xiao Ya h a d ju m p ed over h is h ea d , a d azzlin g b lu e ligh t h ad sh on e fr om

in -b et w een Bei Bei’s eyeb r ow s. Follow in g t h at , t h e b lu e ligh t in st an t ly exp an d ed
ou t w ar d s fr om h is eyeb r ow s, an d sp r ead t o h is en t ir e b od y. T h e fier ce b lu e ligh t
r esem b led sever al sm all sn ak es a s t h ey exp lod ed ou t , su r r ou n d in g an d m ovin g
all over h is b od y. Excep t for t h e b lu e ligh t n in g sym b ol t h at h a d ap p ear ed on h is
for eh ead , on ly a sin gle ch an ge h ad ap p ear ed on h is b od y d u e t o h is m ar t ial
sp ir it .
H ow ever , ju st t h is o n e, sim p le ch an ge ca u sed H u o Yu h ao t o h ave a com p let ely

n ew u n d er st an d in g t ow ar d s Sou l M ast er s.
T h e p ar t of h is b od y t h at h ad ch an ged w a s h is r igh t ar m . H is r igh t sleeve h ad

t u r n ed com p let ely in t o ash d u e t o t h e exp an sion of h is r igh t ar m , w h ich h ad
su d d en ly in cr eased in len gt h b y m or e t h an h alf a foot . H is en t ir e ar m h ad
b ecom e ext r em ely t h ick , an d w as n ow cover ed in violet -b lu e scales. H is h an d
h ad t u r n ed in t o a claw t h at w as also cover ed w it h t h e sam e scales, w h ile ever y
join t in h is h an d h ad b ecom e ext r em ely t h ick . T h e violet -b lu e ligh t n in g t h a t
cir cled h is b od y gat h er ed an d sep ar a t ed u n ceasin gly. H ow ever , h is sou l r in gs,
t w o of w h ich w er e yellow an d on e of w h ich w as p u r p le, w er en ’t lik e t h ose of an
Sou l M a st er s; t h ey d id n ’t cir cled ar o u n d h is h is r igh t ar m in st ead of h is en t ir e
b od y, t h e p lace w h er e t h e u n u su al ch an ges h ad ap p ear ed .
T h ese t h r ee r in gs sign ified t h a t h e w as a Sou l Eld er . H is eld est sen ior b r ot h er ,

w h o w as on ly fou r t o five year s old er t h an h im , w as u n exp ect ed ly alr ead y a Sou l
Eld er -level exp er t , w h o w as alr ead y ab ove t h e r an k of t h ir t y! Fu r t h er m or e, h is
sou l r in gs w er e t w o h u n d r ed -year on es a n d a t h ou san d -year on e, w h ich w as t h e
b est p ossib le com b in at ion .
For sou l r in gs, w h it e r ep r esen t ed a t en -year sou l r in g, yellow r ep r esen t ed a
h u n d r ed year s sou l r in g, p u r p le r ep r esen t ed a t h ou san d year sou l r in g, an d
b lack r ep r esen t ed so m et h in g even h igh er , a t en t h ou san d year sou l r in g. Besid es
t h ese, if t h e m igh t y h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s, su ch as t h e on es w h o’d
p er secu t ed t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , w er e t u r n ed in t o sou l r in gs, t h ey’d b e r ed in
colou r .
H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y ask ed t h em t h eir ages. Bei Bei a n d T an g Ya w er e b ot h

t h e sam e age—fift een . H ow ever , Bei Bei w as sligh t ly old er , if you look ed at t h e
m on t h t h at t h ey w er e b or n in . Con sid er in g t h e fact t h at h e’d r each ed t h e Sou l
Eld er r ealm a t su ch an age, an d t h at h e h ad t h r ee sou l r in gs of t h is level, u sin g
t h e w or d s ‘h eaven ’s ch osen ’ t o d escr ib e Bei Bei cou ld n ’t b e an y m or e su it ab le. If
you look ed at t h eir cu lt ivat ion s, h e’d clea r ly su r p assed T an g Ya, w h o w as on ly a
Sou l Gr an d m ast er t h at w as ab ove r an k t w en t y, d esp it e b ein g h is m ast er .
“Gu a, gu a...” Aft er let t in g ou t t h is st r an ge cr y, t h e sh ad ow t h at h ad lan d ed on

t h e gr ou n d in st an t ly sh ot ou t , p ou n cin g t ow ar d s Bei Bei.
Bei Bei sn or t ed cold ly, an d a layer of p u r p le ligh t ap p ear ed in h is eyes. H e

p laced h is t h ick r igh t ar m in fr on t of h im h or izon t ally, cau sin g a w eb of
ligh t n in g t o im m ed iat ely cover t h e sp ace in fr on t of h im , w h ich p r even t ed t h e
sh ad ow fr om p assin g.
“Ka la—” Un d er t h e r u m b lin g sou n d of ligh t n in g, t h e sh a d ow r eb ou n d ed

b ack w ar d s, w h ile Bei Bei st agger ed t h r ee or fou r st ep s b ack at t h e sam e t im e.
T h e exp r ession on h is face ch an ged sligh t ly; Clear ly, h is op p on en t ’s st r en gt h
h ad su r p assed h is p r ed ict ion .
“It ’s a M an d ala Sn ak e! W ah , it ’s a t h ou sa n d -year on e t oo, t h is is t oo good ! Bei

Bei, I w an t t h is on e.” T an g Ya w asn ’t ast on ish ed , b u t in st ead h ap p y as h er
lovab le voice let ou t a lou d cr y.
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao h ad also clear ly seen t h e sh ad ow t h at h ad

am b u sh ed t h em . It w as a t h r ee-m et r e-lon g sn ak e, w h ose en t ir e b od y w as p in k .
T h er e w as also a sm all p r ot r u sion on it s for eh ead t h at fain t ly r esem b led a
flow er .
Bei Bei clear ly d id n ’t sh ar e T an g Ya’s excit em en t , an d in st ea d h ad a ser iou s

exp r ession on h is face. Alt h ou gh h e w as alr ead y a Sou l Eld er -level exp er t , it w as
st ill h ar d for h im t o easily ach ieve vict or y over a t h ou san d -year sou l b east .
H ow ever , t h e r eason t h at it w as p ossib le for h im t o d o so in t h e fir st p lace w as
b ecau se of h is su fficien t ly st r on g m ar t ial sp ir it . If an or d in ar y Sou l Eld er w er e t o
see a t h ou san d -year sou l b east , t h e on ly t h in g t h at t h ey cou ld d o w as t u r n
ar ou n d an d r u n .
“Xiao Ya, t ak e car e o f Yu h ao.” Bei Bei let ou t a low r oar , ca u sin g t h e fir st sou l
r in gs on h is r igh t ar m t o flick er . Un d er t h e st r on g u n d u lat ion s of h is sou lfor ce, a
foot -lon g violet -b lu e d r agon claw con d en sed an d sh ot ou t t ow ar d s t h e M an d ala
Sn ak e.
T h is w as T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw , Bei Bei’s fir st so u l sk ill.
H ow ever , t h e M an d ala Sn ak e w as ext r em ely cr aft y. It h ad p r eviou sly b een

en t r en ch ed in t h e gr ou n d , b u t it su d d en ly sh ot in t o m id air t h e m om en t t h a t Bei
Bei’s at t ack act ivat ed . It s lon g t ail su d d en ly w h ip p ed ab ou t in m id air ,
im m ed iat ely r esem b lin g a p in k -colou r ed sh ad ow as it p ou n ced t ow ar d s Bei Bei.
Bei Bei d id n ’t r et r eat , b u t in st ea d ad va n ced . H e in st an t ly lean ed h is b od y

d ow n w ar d s, w h ile u sin g t h e Gh ost Sh a d ow Per p lexin g T r ack s t o flash for w ar d .
T h e ligh t n in g d r agon claw t h at h ad alr ead y flow n ou t u n exp ect ed ly t u r n ed
ar ou n d in m id a ir t o p u r su e t h e M an d ala Sn ak e fr om b eh in d . At t h e sam e t im e,
h is secon d sou l r in g lit u p . Cou n t less sn ak es of ligh t n in g su d d en ly exp an d ed
sim u lt an eou sly, t u r n in g in t o ligh t n in g ar r ow s t h at flash ed t h r ou gh t h e air ,
for m in g a d en se, t h u n d er ou s w eb t h at t r ied t o en velop t h e M a n d ala Sn ak e.
T h e p r eviou s T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Cla w h ad on ly b een u sed t o m ak e t h e

M an d ala Sn ak e m ov e, w h ile t h e n et for m ed fr om Bei Bei’s secon d sou l sk ill,
Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt , w as t h e t r u e t r ap . As lon g as t h e M an d ala Sn ak e w as
t r ap p ed b y t h e n et of ligh t n in g, t h e T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw cou ld ca t ch u p t o
it fr om b eh in d . Even if t h e M an d ala Sn ak e w asn ’t sever ely w ou n d ed , it w ou ld at
least give Bei Bei a d ecisive op p or t u n it y.
H ow ever , a t h ou sa n d -year sou l b east ’s st r en gt h w as ab solu t ely n ot t h a t

sim p le. As t h e ligh t n in g w eb closed in on t h e M an d ala Sn ak e, it sp at ou t a p in k
m ist fr om it s m ou t h , w h ich ca u sed a sm ell t en t im es sw eet er t h an ear lier t o
sp r ead ou t .
T an g Ya t ook H u o Yu h ao w it h h er as sh e r ap id ly r et r eat ed , for fear t h at t h ey

w ou ld b ot h w ou ld b e affect ed b y t h e m ist . T h is w as a lso t h e fir st t im e t h at
w or r y h ad ap p ear ed on h er ch ar m in g face.
W h en t h e ligh t n in g ar r ow s for m ed fr om t h e Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt sk ill w er e

sp r ayed b y t h at p in k m ist , it w as as if t h ey’d b een su b m er ged ; t h eir m igh t w as
st ill p r esen t , b u t it h ad in st a n t ly b ecom e fr agm en t ed .
T h e M an d ala Sn ak e d isp layed it s valian t sid e at t h is m om en t . It s b od y

su d d en ly st r aigh t en ed ou t in m id a ir , a n d it p r oceed ed t o p ow er fu lly sm ash
t h r ou gh t h e ligh t n in g w eb . It h ad u n exp ect ed ly m an aged t o op en a gap in t h e
w eb m ad e b y Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt . W h en it flew ou t fr om t h e w eb , it sw u n g
it s t a il, cau sin g t h e p in k ligh t at t h e t ip of it s t ail t o b r igh t en . It t h en w h ip p ed
t h e T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw b eh in d it , lou d ly sh at t er in g Bei Bei’s fir st sou l
sk ill.
H ow ever , Bei Bei’s a t t ack s w er en ’t com p let ely u seless. As som eon e w h o h ad
on e of t h e st r on gest b east sou ls, h is a t t ack p ow er w as at t h e p eak of sou l m ast er s
at t h e sam e r an k a s h im . Alt h ou gh t h e M an d ala Sn ak e w as valian t , a fin e layer
of ligh t n in g h ad ap p ear ed on it s b od y aft er it h ad con secu t ively b r ok en t h r ou gh
t w o of Bei Bei’s sou l sk ills. W h en it lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d , it w as u n ab le t o
con t in u e r eleasin g a t t ack s.
At t h e sam e t im e, Bei Bei d id n ’t p r oceed t o lau n ch an ym or e at t ack s. H e d id n ’t

d ar e t o in h ale t h e t o xic p in k m ist t h a t h ad sp r ead ou t in t o t h e air eit h er . As h e
r ap id ly r et r eat ed , a p or celain b ot t le ap p ear ed in h is h an d . Aft er d u m p in g a p ill
ou t for h im self, h e t h r ew t h e b ot t le t ow a r d s T an g Ya.
T an g Ya gr abb ed t h e p or celain b ot t le an d im m ed iat ely d u m p ed ou t t w o p ills.

Sh e at e on e p ill, an d sh oved t h e ot h er in t o H u o Yu h ao’s m ou t h .
“Bei Bei, I’ll h elp you .” W h ile ch ew in g t h e p ill, T an g Ya said .
Bei Bei sh ook h is h ead an d r ep lied , “T h is fellow is ver y t r ou b lesom e, I’m

afr aid t h at I’ll h ave t o p lan on a b at t le of at t r it ion . T h er e’s a ver y h igh
p ossib ilit y of sou l b east s ap p ear in g in t h e su r r o u n d in gs, so you sh ou ld b e
car efu l. I’ll t ak e h im on alon e. Also, t ak e car e of Yu h ao.”
T h is w as t h e secon d t im e t h at Bei Bei h a d r em in d ed T an g Ya t o t ak e car e of

H u o Yu h ao, w h ich cau sed a w ar m feelin g t o su r ge t h r ou gh h is h ear t .
T h r ou gh ou t h is en t ir e life, Bei Bei w as t h e fir st p er son ot h er t h an h is m ot h er t o
t r eat h im t h is w ell. Du e t o t h is, h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t b e m oved .
I w an t t o h elp eld est sen ior b r ot h er ; I’m n ot t r ash .
H u o Yu h ao r ap id ly p ou r ed h is sou lfor ce in t o h is Sp ir it Eyes, an d t h e sou l

sk ills t h at h e’d ju st ob t ain ed im m ed iat ely flash ed t h r ou gh h is m in d .
A fain t gold en ligh t ap p ear ed in h is d eep b lu e eyes on ce again , an d h is jad e-

w h it e sou l r in g st ar t ed t o r ise u p fr om h is feet .
If you look ed at t h em ju st fr om t h e su r face, you cou ld n ’t see an y sign s of

an yt h in g h ap p en in g. H ow ever , t h e n ext m om en t , b ot h Bei Bei an d T an g Ya’s
b od ies sim u lt an eou sly sh ook , an ast on ish ed look ap p ear in g in t h eir eyes.
Fr om t h eir p oin t of view , t im e seem ed t o h ave slow ed d ow n . Ever yt h in g
ar ou n d t h em h a d b ecom e excep t ion ally clear , an d a lar ge am ou n t of
in for m at ion in st an t ly ap p ear ed in sid e of t h eir m in d s w h er ever t h ey look ed .
W h en Bei Bei look ed at t en t ively at t h e M an d ala Sn ak e, t h e d ist an ce b et w een
h im an d t h e sn ak e ap p ear ed in h is m in d ; even t h e m in u t e ch an ges in st r en gt h
fr om ever y on e of it s m u scle ap p ear ed in h is m in d . All of t h e su b t let ies an d
m in u t e d et ails h ad a p p ear ed clear ly in t h e d ep t h s of h is m in d .
Not on ly t h a t , b u t t h ey d id n ’t even n eed t o u se t h eir eyes t o see an yt h in g in a

t h ir t y m et r e r ad iu s ar ou n d t h em . All of t h eir su r r ou n d in gs h ad ap p ear ed in sid e
of t h eir m in d s as t h r ee-d im en sion al sh a p es. Fu r t h er m or e, a n y su b t le ch an ges
t h at occu r r ed w ou ld im m ed iat ely b e r eflect ed in t h eir m in d s.
T h is w as...
No m at t er w h et h er it w as Bei Bei or T an g Ya, t h ey b ot h im m ed iat ely t h ou gh t

of H u o Yu h ao. W as t h is H u o Yu h ao’s fir st sou l sk ill? W h y cou ld it b e so
m yst ical? W it h t h e assist an ce of a d et ect ion ab ilit y lik e t h is, facin g an y
op p on en t w ou ld b e far , far , t oo effor t less—esp ecially w it h a n op p on en t lik e t h e
M an d ala Sn ak e, w h ich w as a sou l b east sp ecialised in sp eed . For a p er son lik e
Bei Bei w h o h ad su fficien t at t ack p ow er , t h er e w asn ’t an yt h in g else t h at cou ld
b e as h elp fu l as an ab ilit y t o p r ed ict h is op p on en t ’s m ovem en t s an d seize a k ey
op p or t u n it y.
T h is t en -year sou l r in g’s sk ill w as act u ally so st r on g? It s au xiliar y ab ilit y w as

t h is ou t st an d in g? Su r e en ou gh , it d eser ved it s n am e as a r a r ely seen m u t a t ed
sp ir it u al-a t t r ib u t e m ar t ial sou l!
H u o Yu h ao n a t u r ally d id n ’t k n ow t h at b ot h Bei Bei an d T an g Ya h ad cr ed it ed

t h e m yst icalit y of t h e sk ill t h at h e w as cu r r en t ly u sin g on h is m u t at ed m ar t ial
sou l. H ow ever , in r ealit y, h e w asn ’t u sin g on e sou l sk ill, b u t t w o.
T h e t w o sk ills t h at h e w as u sin g w er e t h e fir st sk ill t h a t t h e m illion -year sou l

r in g h ad given h im , Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , com b in ed w it h t h e secon d sk ill,
Sp ir it u al Sh ar in g.
T h ese t w o sk ills w er e au xilia r y-t yp e sk ills, an d t h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at
H u o Yu h ao h ad u sed t h em . Alt h ou gh h e h ad n ’t b een a b le t o com p let ely
com p r eh en d t h e su b t let ies b eh in d t h e t w o sk ills, h e w as st ill ab le t o exh ib it
m ost of t h eir en or m ou s effect s.
W it h t h e cu r r en t st r en gt h of h is b od y, t h e m igh t of t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s

sou l r in gs w er e r ou gh ly eq u ivalen t t o t h at of a fou r h u n d r ed year sou l b east ’s.
Becau se of t h is, t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion an d Sp ir it u a l Sh ar in g w as
r ou gh ly t h ir t y m et r es. H ow ever , w it h h is cu r r en t p ow er , t h e m axim u m n u m b er
of p eop le t h at h e cou ld sim u lt an eo u sly sh ar e h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion ab ilit y w it h
w as t h r ee. H is st r en gt h w ou ld n ’t b e en ou gh if t h er e w er e m or e p eop le.
H is sou lfor ce con su m p t ion w h ile u sin g t h ese t w o sk ills w asn ’t gr eat , b u t H u o
Yu h ao h ad t o u se a cer t ain am ou n t of sp ir it u al p ow er t oo. It cou ld b e said t h at
h e w as u sin g b ot h sp ir it u al p ow er a n d sou lfor ce t o join t ly su p p or t t h ese t w o
sk ills. W it h h is cu r r en t level of cu lt ivat io n , last in g a t least an h ou r w ou ld n ’t b e a
p r ob lem at all. T h e exact am ou n t of t im e t h at h e cou ld last cou ld on ly b e
d iscover ed lat er on , t h r ou gh t est in g.
A low r u m b le su d d en ly r ever b er a t ed fr om Bei Bei’s b od y. H is w h ole b od y

em it t ed st r on g, violet -b lu e ligh t n in g, an d t h e scales on h is r igh t ar m r ap id ly
sp r ead ou t w ar d s t ow ar d s h is b od y, en casin g t h e r igh t p ar t of h is ch est w it h in
t h em . T h is cau sed t h e au r a r elea sed fr om h is b od y t o in st an t ly r ise ab r u p t ly. H is
t h ir d sou l r in g, t h e p u r p le on e, also r eleased a d azzlin g r ad ian ce at t h is m om en t .
T h is w as t h e sk ill fr om h is t h ou san d -year sou l r in g, ‘T h u n d er ou s Fu r y’.
As a p er son w h o p ossessed a b east sou l w it h t h e st r on gest a t t ack p ow er , h is

t h ir d sou l sk ill, ‘T h u n d er ou s Fu r y’, w as cap ab le of in st an t ly r aisin g t h e effect s
of Bei Bei’s sou lfor ce at t ack s b y m or e t h an fift y p er cen t . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e
st r en gt h of h is ligh t n in g a t t r ib u t e h ad also d ou b led . Alt h ou gh t h is w asn ’t a
d ir ect at t ack sk ill, it st ill m an aged t o in cr ease Bei Bei’s con d it ion t o an
ext r aor d in ar ily st r on g r ealm . Even som e fou r -r in ged Sou l An cest or exp er t s
w ou ld n ’t b e h is m at ch if t h ey h ad w eak er m ar t ial sp ir it s.
Alt h ou gh Bei Bei w asn ’t t h at old , h is am ou n t of com b at exp er ien ce w as
ext r em ely p len t ifu l. Aft er ob t ain in g t h e su p p or t of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion an d Sp ir it u al Sh a r in g, h e k n ew t h at h is ch a n ce h ad com e. Sin ce h e
cou ld n ’t b e su r e of h ow lon g H u o Yu h ao cou ld m ain t ain t h is st a t e, h e
im m ed iat ely d ecid ed t o u se all of h is st r en gt h at on ce b y r eleasin g h is st r on gest
ab ilit y.
A violet -b lu e ligh t n in g b olt cu r led ar ou n d t h e d r agon claw t h at h is r igh t h a n d

h ad t u r n ed in t o, an d a T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw ab ou t t w ice t h e size of t h e
p r eviou s on e ap p ear ed ar ou n d h is h an d . H ow ever , Bei Bei d id n ’t d ir ect ly r elease
it t h is t im e. In st ead , h is b od y flash ed as h e p ou n ced t ow ar d s t h e t h ou san d -year
M an d ala Sn ak e.
T h e M an d ala Sn ak e w as also cr aft y. It s t h ou san d year s of cu lt ivat ion h a d

cau sed it t o p ossess a cer t ain am ou n t of in t elligen ce. T h e au r a r eleased fr om Bei
Bei’s b od y h ad alr ead y cau sed it t o feel a con sid er ab ly h igh level of d an ger . Sin ce
it self u n ab le t o h ar m it s op p on en t an ym or e, it su d d en ly sp at ou t a m ou t h fu l of
t oxic m ist t ow ar d s Bei Bei, b efor e t u r n in g ar ou n d t o r u n aw a y.
“H u m p h !” Bei Bei sn or t ed cold ly, an d t h e ligh t in h is eyes su d d en ly t u r n ed

sligh t ly p r ofou n d . A layer of fr agm en t ed ligh t n in g su d d en ly b u r st ou t w ar d s
fr om h is b od y, for cib ly d isp er sin g t h e t oxic m ist . At t h e sam e t im e, t h e
T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw in h is r igh t h an d sh ot ou t t ow ar d s t h e sp ace
d iagon ally t o t h e left of h im .
At t h is m om en t , t h e effect s of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion fu lly

ap p ear ed . T h e r easo n t h at Bei Bei cou ld p r ed ict h is op p on en t ’s m ovem en t s an d
st r ik e fir st w as b eca u se of t h e Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion t h a t H u o Yu h ao h ad sh ar ed
w it h h im . W h en t h e M an d ala Sn ak e sp r u n g for w ar d s, it fled d iagon ally t o t h e
left in fr on t of Bei Bei. H ow ever , at t h is m om en t , an en or m ou s ab sor p t ion for ce
ap p ear ed in t h e p at h t h at it h ad t ak en in or d er t o escap e, an d it w as alm ost as if
it h a d sim p ly d eliver ed it self r igh t in t o Bei Bei’s h an d s. On ce t h e en or m ou s
ab sor p t ion for ce cau gh t t h e M a n d ala Sn ak e, it s for w ar d m om en t u m w as
im m ed iat ely d issolved , an d it w a s su ck ed t ow ar d s Bei Bei.
W it h t h e t h r ea t of life an d d ea t h loom in g over it s h ead , t h e M an d ala Sn ak e

im m ed iat ely exp lod ed ou t w it h p ow er . A fier ce p in k ligh t im m ed iat ely sh on e
fr om t h e t op of it s h ead , an d it let ou t sever al sh ar p h isses. T h e flow er -lik e
p r ot r u sion on t h e t op of it s h ead su d d en ly exp lod ed , an d an a r r ow m ad e of p in k
b lood flew st r aigh t a t Bei Bei.
H ow ever , Bei Bei h a d alr ead y r esp on d ed t o t h is in ad van ce. T h e in st a n t b efor e

t h e flow er -lik e p r ot r u sion exp lod ed , t h e T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw on h is r igh t
ar m h ad alr ead y lau n ch ed a fier ce at t ack . It lan d ed on t h e b od y of t h e M an d ala
Sn ak e in t h e sam e in st an t t h at t h e p r ot r u sion exp lod ed .
T h e ar r ow m ad e of p in k b lood h ad on ly flow n sever al in ch es b efor e it w as

sw ep t aw ay b y t h e exp losion . H ow ever , Bei Bei felt cold sw eat for m . T h e
T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw t h at h e’d r eleased h ad act u ally t u r n ed p in k w h en it
t ou ch ed t h e p in k b lood . If it w er en ’t for t h e fact t h at h e w as ab le t o p r ed ict h is
op p on en t ’s m ovem en t s, an d seize a d ecisive op p or t u n it y, it m igh t ’ve b een ver y
t r ou b lesom e for h im if h e’d b een in fect ed b y t h at b lood ar r ow .
Bei Bei’s figu r e flash ed as h e in st an t ly ch ar ged for w ar d . T h is t im e, t h e

t h ou san d -year M an d ala Sn ak e h ad n o cou n t er m easu r es left . It w as accu r at ely
gr ab b ed b y Bei Bei’s r igh t claw w h en it w as on ly seven in ch es aw ay fr om h im . It
st ill at t em p t ed t o u se it s b od y t o w r ap ar ou n d Bei Bei’s, b u t d ir ect ly lost
con sciou sn ess aft er b ein g st r u ck b y t h e t er r ifyin g ligh t n in g fr om Bei Bei’s
Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt .
T h e t h ou san d -year M an d ala Sn ak e w as w id ely k n ow n for it s t yr an n ical b od y

an d it s ligh t n in g-lik e sp eed . H ow ever , on ce it fell in t o t h e h a n d s of Bei Bei, w h o
p ossessed an ext r aor d in ar ily p ow er fu l m ar t ial sp ir it , it s d efen sive p ow er w asn ’t
w or t h m en t ion in g at all. Un d er t h e st at e of T h u n d er ou s Fu r y, Bei Bei’s d r agon
claw let ou t a fier ce b low , p ar t ially cr u sh in g it s h ead . It s b on es seem ed as if t h ey
cou ld b e cr u sh ed at a n y t im e.
“Xiao Ya.” Bei Bei let ou t a low r oar .
T an g Ya n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t let go of su ch a good op p or t u n it y. Car r yin g H u o

Yu h ao, sh e r ap id ly ap p r oach ed t h e M a n d ala Sn ak e. A h alf-foot lon g t h r ow in g
k n ife ap p ear ed in h er h an d , w h ich sh e t h en flu n g d ir ect ly in t o t h e M an d ala
Sn ak e’s m ou t h t h at Bei Bei h ad p in ch ed op en , en d in g t h e life of t h e t h ou sa n d -
year M an d ala Sn ak e.
T h e violet -b lu e ligh t fr om h is ligh t n in g van ish ed as Bei Bei fin ally r elaxed ,
w h ile a p u r p le sou l r in g slow ly con d en sed an d for m ed ab ove t h e M an d ala
Sn ak e’s h ead .
T an g Ya look ed t ow ar d s Bei Bei w it h an excit ed exp r ession , an d Bei Bei

n od d ed b ack at h er , “Qu ick ly st ar t . I d id n ’t t h in k t h at w e’d m eet a t h ou san d -
year sou l b east a t t h e ed ge of t h e Gr ea t St a r Dou For est . T h e qu alit y of sou l
b east s in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est h as r eally in cr eased .”
T an g Ya giggled an d said , “I d id n ’t t h in k t h at it ’d go t h is sm oot h ly. Pr ot ect

m e.” W h ilst sp eak in g, sh e r ap id ly sat d o w n in a cr oss-legged p osit ion b esid e t h e
M an d ala Sn ak e. A b lu e, gem -lik e lu st er sh on e in h er r igh t h an d , an d sh e slow ly
r aised h er em p t y h an d s. Aft er gen t ly t ap p in g t h e p u r p le sou l r in g ab ove t h e
M an d ala Sn ak e, it w as im m ed iat ely su ck ed in t o t h e b lu e ligh t in h er h an d .
T h en , it m er ged w it h h er b od y.
T h e sm ile on T an g Ya’s face su d d en ly van ish ed as sh e b egan t o con cen t r at e on
ab sor b in g t h e sou l r in g. On ly n ow d id H u o Yu h ao r ealize t h at T an g Ya h ad
alr ead y r each ed t h e b ot t len eck of t h e t h ir t iet h r an k . T h e r eason w h y sh e an d Bei
Bei h ad com e t o t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est m u st ’ve b een t o look for a su it ab le
t h ir d sou l r in g for h er . On ly, w h a t w as T each er Xiao Ya’s m ar t ial sou l? A b lu e
vin e?
“Xiao Ya’s m ar t ial sou l is Blu esilver Gr ass.” Bei Bei said gen t ly, as if h e’d seen
t h r ou gh t h e d ou b t in H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t .
H u o Yu h ao w as ast on ish ed as h e r ep lied , “ T he Bl uesi l ver Gr ass? T h e sam e

m ar t i al soul as t h e per son i n t h e T an g Sect ’ s l egen ds?”
Bei Bei n odded h i s h ead an d sai d, “ T en t h ousan d year s ago, t h e f i r st

gen er at i on sect m ast er of t h e T an g Sect r el i ed on h i s Bl uesi l ver Gr ass m ar t i al
soul t o f or ge t h e T an g Sect ’ s gl or y. Af t er w ar ds, h e becam e a God an d l ef t .
H ow ever , h e di dn ’ t l eave an y descen dan t s i n t h e T an g Sect . For t h e sak e of
r em em ber i n g h i m , t h e l at er gen er at i on s of t h e T an g Sect st ubbor n l y gl or i f i ed
Bl uesi l ver Gr ass w h en ch oosi n g t h e n ext sect m ast er . I n addi t i on t o t h at , t h e
T an g Sect w oul d put m uch m or e ef f or t i n t o n ur t ur i n g Soul M ast er s w h o
possessed Bl uesi l ver Gr ass. Un f or t un at el y, t h e f act s h ave pr oven t h em sel ves.
Bl uesi l ver Gr ass i sn ’ t som et h i n g t h at just an yon e can un l eash gr eat pow er w i t h .
Ever si n ce t h e al m i gh t y l egen d of t h e T an g Sect l ef t , t h e T an g Sect h asn ’ t h ad
an y m or e exper t s w i t h Bl uesi l ver Gr ass t h at w er e abl e t o st an d at t h e pi n n acl e of
t h e con t i n en t . H ow ever , t h i s t r adi t i on h as con t i n ued t o be passed dow n , an d
n obody can ch an ge i t . Xi ao Ya’ s i n n at e t al en t t o use h er Bl uesi l ver Gr ass i s
al r eady r at h er good, so I h ope t h at sh e can m ak e som e sor t of a br eak t h r ough .
H uo Yuh ao w as sl i gh t l y cur i ous as h e ask ed, “ El dest sen i or br ot h er , i f t h at

year ’ s T an g Sect w as t r ul y as st r on g as t h e l egen ds say, w h y di d i t h ead dow n t h e
r oad of decl i n e?”
Bei Bei sm i l ed sl i gh t l y an d r epl i ed, “ You’ l l gr adual l y un der st an d t h e an sw er

t o t h i s quest i on on ce you ar r i ve at Sh r ek Academ y. T h er e w er e m an y i n t er n al
an d ext er n al pr obl em s. Cur r en t l y, t h e on l y peopl e l ef t i n t h e T an g Sect ar e t h e
few of u s, b u t in fact , t h is isn ’t a b ad t h in g at all. At t h e ver y least , it ’ll b e ver y
h ar d t o u se cer t a in r est r ict ion s on u s. On t h e con t r ar y, ju n ior b r ot h er , you ’ve
t r u ly given m e a gr eat su r p r ise!”
H u o Yu h ao n at u r ally u n d er st ood t h a t Bei Bei w as r efer r in g t o t h e sou l sk ills

t h at h e’d ju st u sed . H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t scr at ch h is h ead in em b ar r assm en t . “I
w as ju st t r yin g t o u se it , it ’s good t h a t it w as a b it h elp fu l.”
Bei Bei fir m ly said , “H ow cou ld t h at on ly b e con sid er ed ‘a b it ’ h elp fu l? I d on ’t

n or m ally h ave t h e assu r an ce t o face a t h ou san d -year sou l b east . If it w er en ’t for
t h at fan t ast ic assist an ce fr om you r sp ir it u al p ow er , it w ou ld ’ve b een ver y h ar d
for m e t o escap e in on e p iece.”
Pr eviou sly, w h en h is con fr on t at ion w it h t h e M an d ala Sn ak e h ad r each ed it s

last cr u cial p oin t , h e’d r elied on H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion sk ill t o h elp
h im accu r at ely p r ed ict t h e M an d ala Sn ak e’s ever y m ovem en t . Not on ly t h at , b u t
t h e m ost im p or t an t m om en t w as w h en t h e M an d ala Sn ak e h ad d et on at ed it s
cr ow n .
T h e m om en t b efor e it h ap p en ed , Bei Bei h ad clear ly felt a k in d of b r igh t

feelin g su r r ou n d t h e M an d ala Sn ak e’s cr ow n w it h in t h e Sp ir it u al Det ect ion
w or ld . H e h ad n ’t b een ab le t o see it w it h h is eyes at all. T h is all cam e fr om t h e
feelin g t h at h e’d felt fr om t h e t h r ee-d im en sion al w or ld of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion . Becau se of t h is, h e’d b een ab le t o n ear -in st a n t ly r ea ct su b con sciou sly.
If n ot , h e m igh t n ot h ave b een ab le t o r et r eat in on e p iece if t h e t oxic b lood h ad
p ollu t ed h im .
T h is also m ad e Bei Bei aw ar e of h ow en or m ou s of a r ole H u o Yu h ao’s sk ill h a d

h ad d u r in g t h e b at t le. H e m ad e a con ser vat ive est im a t ion ; if h e h ad t h e
assist an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s sk ill d u r in g a figh t w it h an op p on en t , h is over all
st r en gt h w ou ld b e in cr eased b y t w en t y t o t h ir t y p er cen t m in im u m . T h is w as a
p h en om en al in cr ease! Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w as on ly H u o Yu h ao’s fir st sou l sk ill.
H u o Yu h ao st ill h ad som e lin ger in g fear in h is h ear t as h e said , “T h at sn ak e

w as t r u ly t oo fier ce. Eld est sen ior b r ot h er , w h at sou l b east w as it ”
Bei Bei r ep lied , “It ’s called a M an d ala Sn ak e, an d it s t oxicit y is ext r em ely
st r on g. Not on ly d oes it h ave a n u m b in g effect , it also h as a st r on g d est r u ct ive
effect t ow ar d s on e’s m en t al st a t e. It w a s on e of t h e m ost t er r ifyin g exist en ces
am on gst p oison -t yp e sou l b east s. It s b od y w as ext r em ely t ou gh , an d or d in a r y
b lad es w ill h a ve d ifficu lt y w ou n d in g it . It s on ly w eak n esses ar e it s m ou t h an d
eyes. H ow ever , t h e M an d ala Sn ak e w ill alw ays p r ot ect t h ese t w o exr t em ely w ell.
Fu r t h er m or e, it s sp eed is in com p ar ab ly q u ick . H ow ever , t h e m ost t er r ifyin g
p ar t of t h is sn ak e is it s a t t ack . On ce it clear ly id en t ifies it s op p on en t , it r ar ely
gives u p .”
Chapt er 5.1: Fir st Glimpse Thr ough The Gat e
“Becau se of it s in n at e st r en gt h an d t oxicit y, t h e M an d ala Sn ak e d oesn ’t h ave

m an y n at u r al p r ed a t or s. Befor e t h ey r each a t h ou san d year s of age, t h eir b od ies
w ill h ave a d ar k gr een colou r , an d t h ey’ll gr ow a m et r e lon ger for ever y h u n d r ed
year s t h ey live. By t h e t im e t h ey’r e ap p r oach in g t h e t h ou san d -year level, t h eir
b od ies can b e as lon g as t en m et r es in len gt h . On ce t h ey b r eak t h r ou gh , t h e
en er gy in sid e of t h eir b od ies w ill con d en se, an d t h ey’ll con t in u ou sly m olt . Not
on ly w ill t h e colou r of t h eir b od ies ch an ge fr om d ar k gr een t o p in k , t h eir b od ies
w ill also sim u lt an eo u sly sh r in k b ack d ow n t o on e m et r e. Aft er w ar d s, t h ey’ll
gr ow an ot h er m et r e ever y h u n d r ed year s. Aft er r each in g t w o t h ou san d year s of
age, t h ey’ll on ce again sh r in k b ack d ow n t o on e m et r e. H ow ever , t h e p in k
colou r of t h eir sk in w ill b ecom e d eep er . If w e look at t h e colou r an d len gt h of
t h is M an d a la Sn ak e, w e can see t h at it sh ou ld ’ve b een over on e t h ou san d t h r ee
h u n d r ed year s old . If it w er en ’t for you r h elp , I’m afr aid t h at I’d ’ve h ad t o su ffer
a b it t o k ill it .”
Nat u r a lly, Bei Bei d id n ’t say t h at it act u ally w ou ld n ’t h ave b een t oo h ar d for
h im an d T an g Ya t o t eam u p an d k ill t h e M an d ala Sn ak e—if H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t
b een t h er e.
Aft er list en in g t o Bei Bei’s exp lan at ion , H u o Yu h ao’s k n ow led ge gr ew . “T h is

M an d ala Sn ak e is act u ally t h at m yst er iou s. T h en , w ou ld it p er h ap s sh ed again ,
on ce it ’s r each ed t en t h ou san d year s in age?”
Bei Bei n od d ed an d r ep lied , “A t en t h o u san d year M an d a la Sn ak e w ill t u r n

yellow . T h at w ou ld b e a t r u ly t er r ifyin g exist en ce. Even Sou l Kin g exp er t s w on ’t
d ar e t o r ash ly p r ovok e a t en t h ou san d year M an d ala Sn ak e if t h ey en cou n t er
on e. You ’d n eed a So u l Em p er or , at t h e ver y least , t o b e ab le t o b eat it easily.
“J u n ior b r ot h er , sin ce Xiao Ya is cu r r en t ly ab sor b in g h er sou l r in g, t ell m e
ab ou t you r sou l sk ill. W h at ’s t h e n am e o f t h e sou l sk ill t h at you ju st u sed , an d
h ow lon g can you m ain t ain it for ? T h is is ver y im p or t an t in for m at ion .”
H u o Yu h ao h ad p r eviou sly h ear d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s r em in d er , an d

k n ew t h at h e cou ld n ’t let h im b e r evealed . Aft er p on d er in g a b ou t it for a lit t le
w h ile, h e said , “Eld est sen ior b r ot h er , t h e sk ill t h at I ju st u sed is called ‘Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion Sh a r in g’. You sh ou ld h ave b een ab le t o sen se it s r an ge: it can on ly
cu r r en t ly b e of h elp w it h in a r ou gh ly t h ir t y m et r e r ad iu s. W h en m y sou lfor ce
in cr eases, it s r ad iu s sh ou ld also in cr ease. I d on ’t k n ow h ow lon g I can m ain t ain
it , b u t I feel t h at it s sou lfor ce con su m p t ion d oesn ’t seem t o b e t oo lar ge.”
“No w ay.” Bei Bei look ed at h im , flab b er gast ed . “T h e sou lfor ce con su m p t ion
of a sk ill t h at h as su ch an en or m ou s effect lik e you r s ‘d oesn ’t seem t o b e t oo
lar ge’? You r Sp ir it Eyes seem t o b e t oo st r on g. Fu r t h er m or e, you r sou l r in g w as
on ly ob t ain ed fr om a t en year W in d Ba b oon ! T h is is a lm ost t oo im p ossib le t o
b elieve. T h e sou l m ast er s of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t h ave r esear ch ed m ar t ial sou ls
for over t en t h ou sa n d year s, b u t t h er e’s n ever b een a sit u at ion lik e you r s
r ecor d ed w it h in an y of t h e b ook s I’ve r ead . T h is is t r u ly h ar d t o im agin e.”
H u o Yu h ao low er ed h is h ead an d said , “I d on ’t k n ow w h at ’s goin g on eit h er .”
Aft er Bei Bei p on d er ed t h e m at t er h im self for a w h ile, h e r evealed a sm ile an d

said , “J u n ior b r ot h er , you d on ’t n eed t o t h in k t oo d eep ly ab ou t it ; a st r on g sou l
sk ill is alw ays a good t h in g. W it h t h e su p p or t of t h is sou l sk ill, I’m afr aid t h at
an y sou l m ast er w ill b e w illin g t o w or k w it h you in t h e fu t u r e. H ow ever , ju n ior
b r ot h er , you ’r e a sp ir it u a l-t yp e sou l m ast er . In t h e fu t u r e, d o you p lan t o w alk
t h e p at h of an au xiliar y syst em sou l m ast er , or a con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er ?”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed for a m om en t . “I d on ’t k n ow eit h er .”
Bei Bei said , “Ch oosin g t h e p at h you r cu lt ivat ion w ill t ak e is ver y im p or t an t .
T h is d ir ect ly r ela t es t o t h e t h e sou l sk ills t h at you ’ll ch oose for you r fu t u r e sou l
r in gs, as w ell as t h e d ir ect ion of you r cu lt ivat ion . Alt h ou gh you , a sp ir it u al-t yp e
sou l m ast er , h ave on ly ju st ob t ain ed you r fir st sou l r in g, you ’ve alr ead y r evea led
you r m ar t ial sou l’s st r on g p ot en t ia l. If you b ecom e a sim p le au xiliar y syst em
sou l m ast er , I feel t h at it w ou ld b e a b it of a w ast e. Alt h ou gh I d on ’t k n ow w h at
k in d of sp ir it u a l sou l sk ills you ’ll m an age ob t ain in t h e fu t u r e, I’m in clin ed
t ow ar d s m ak in g you b ecom e a con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er . You ’ll h ave t o p u t in
a lot of t im e an d en er gy in t o you r sp ir it u a l con t r ol, b u t if ever yt h in g goes
sm oot h ly, you m igh t b ecom e t h e cor e of you r t eam in t h e fu t u r e.”
“A t eam ? Do sou l m ast er s h ave t o join a t eam ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed cu r iou sly.

Sin ce h is you t h , h e’d alw ays r elied on h im self for cu lt ivat ion , an d h ad h a d t o
exp er ien ce ever yt h in g for h im self. No on e b u t h is m ot h er h ad ever t au gh t h im
an yt h in g. Now t h a t h e’d join ed t h e T an g Sect , in h is op in ion , h is eld est sen ior
b r ot h er h a d b ecom e m or e im p or t an t t h an a t each er . It h ad on ly b een a sh or t
p er iod of t im e, b u t Bei Bei h ad t au gh t h im m an y t h in gs.
Bei Bei p at ien t ly exp lain ed , “Ou r p r ofession as so u l m ast er s h as d evelop ed

q u it e a b it aft er so m an y year s, b u t t h e id ea of for m in g a t eam w as en t ir ely
cr eat ed b y t h e alm igh t y fou n d er of ou r T an g Sect , t en t h ou san d year s ago. At
t h at t im e, h e an d h is com p an ion s w er e called ‘Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s’. T h e
seven of t h em all h ad for m id ab le ab ilit ies, an d cou ld r elease an even st r on ger
figh t in g st r en gt h w h en t h ey w or k ed t oget h er . Fr om t h en on , coop er at ion
b et w een sou l m ast er s b ecam e t h e on ly p at h for t h eir d evelop m en t . Aft er all, t h e
st r en gt h of an in d ivid u al is m in iscu le. For exam p le, you r coop er at ion w it h m e
ju st n ow . It allow ed m e t o b e m u ch m or e r elaxed d u r in g t h e b at t le. Xiao Ya an d I
also h ave som e com b in at ion t act ics. Con ver sely, t h e n u m b er of sou l m ast er s
w it h in a t eam n or m ally sh ou ld n ’t su r p ass t en . Ou t of t h at t ea m , t h er e w ou ld b e
a b at t le-t yp e sou l m ast er w h o’s r esp on sib le for d efen se, an a ssau lt syst em sou l
m ast er w h o’s r esp on sib le for at t ack s, an d a con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er w h o
b ot h com m an d s an d con t r ols t h e b at t lefield . T h er e ar e also au xiliar y syst em
t ool-t yp e sou l m a st er s, au xilia r y syst em food -t yp e sou l m ast er s, agilit y syst em
sou l m ast er s, alon g w it h m an y ot h er t yp es of sou l m ast er s. T h ey all h ave
d iffer en t u ses in a t eam .”
H u o Yu h ao seem ed t o h ave su d d en ly u n d er st ood som et h in g a s h e said , “T h en ,

is eld est sen ior b r ot h er an assau lt syst em sou l m ast er ?”
Bei Bei sm iled as h e n od d ed an d said , “M y m ar t ial sou l is t h e Blu e Ligh t n in g
T yr an t Dr agon ; It ’s con sid er ed a r a t h er st r on g m ar t ial sou l am on gst b east sou ls.
It sp ecialises in a t t a ck s. On t h e ot h er h a n d , Xiao Ya’s m ar t ia l sou l is Blu esilver
Gr ass, w h ich w ill allow h er t o b ecom e a con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er lik e t h e
alm igh t y an cest or of t h e T an g Sect fr om t h e legen d s. H ow ever , h er con t r ollin g
ab ilit ies m ost ly ap p ear w it h in t h e Blu esilver Gr a ss. If you can also b ecom e a
con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er , w e can r ely on t h e com b in at ion of you r sp ir it u al
con t r ollin g ab ilit ies an d Xiao Ya’s Blu esilver Gr ass. W it h t w o con t r ol syst em
sou l m ast er s, w e w on ’t even n eed an au xiliar y syst em t ool-t yp e sou l m ast er t o b e
ab le t o for m a st r on g t eam .”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed ser iou sly, “Eld est sen ior b r ot h er , I’ll list en t o you r ad vice.
T h en , I’ll w or k h ar d t o b ecom e a con t r ol syst em sou l m a st er . On ly, m y n at u r al
t alen t isn ’t t oo good ... M y cu lt ivat ion sp eed is ver y slow …” Aft er sp eak in g t o
t h is p oin t , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t low er h is h ead . W h en h e com p ar ed h im self, w h o
w as alr ead y eleven b u t on ly h ad on e r in g, t o Bei Bei or T an g Ya, h is t alen t w as
qu it e d isap p oin t in g.
Bei Bei r u b b ed H u o Yu h ao’s h ead an d sm iled . “T alen t is o n ly on e p ar t of

su ccess. In t h e p ast , t h er e w er en ’t alw a ys p eop le w h o cou ld gu id e you on you r
cu lt ivat ion p at h . Ad d on t o t h a t t h e fact t h at you d id n ’t h ave a su it ab le
cu lt ivat ion t ech n iq u e, an d it ’s alr ead y ver y com m en d ab le t h at you h ave b een
ab le t o r each you r cu r r en t sit u at ion w it h h ar d w or k alon e. Fu r t h er m or e, you r
m ar t ial sou l in an d of it self is p r et t y good , w h ich m ean s t h at you r p ot en t ial in
t h e fu t u r e w ill b e ver y gr eat . T h u s, you d on ’t h ave t o b e so r em or sefu l. Sin ce
you h ave t h e t im e r igh t n ow , it ’d b e b et t er for you t o cu lt ivat e m or e. As lon g as
you ’r e ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t o t h e t h ir t iet h r an k b efor e t h e age of t w en t y,
you ’ll h ave h op es of b ecom in g a st r on g sou l m ast er . No m at t er w h et h er it ’s m e
or Xiao Ya, w e’ll b ot h d o ou r b est t o h elp you .”
“T h an k you , eld est sen ior b r ot h er .” On ly a t ou ch ed exp r ession r em ain ed on

H u o Yu h ao’s face.
Bei Bei gen t ly p at h is sh ou ld er . “M eet in g you m igh t also b e Xiao Ya an d I’s
good for t u n e, sin ce w e w er e ab le t o r esolve t h e issu e of h er a d van cem en t in r an k
so q u ick ly. Aft er sh e fin ish es ab sor b in g h er sou l r in g, w e can r et u r n t o t h e
acad em y. T h is p lace isn ’t p ar t icu lar ly su it ab le for cu lt ivat ion . You can r ecall t h e
M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e t h at I t old you ab ou t ear lier r igh t n ow , an d ca n
st ar t cu lt ivat in g it o n ce w e’ve r each ed a safe ar ea.”
“Yes.” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied r esp ect fu lly. In h is h ear t , Bei Bei h ad alr ea d y

b ecom e sligh t ly m or e of a t each er t o h im t h an T an g Ya.
“Oh , r igh t , ju n ior b r ot h er . Did n ’t you say t h at you w er e u n clear ab ou t h ow

lon g you cou ld m ain t ain you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g for ? W h y d on ’t w e
exp er im en t t o see? T h is w ill r ela t e t o ou r fu t u r e coop er at ion d u r in g b at t les, as
w ell as let you u n d er st an d you r ow n ab ilit y, an d fam iliar ize you w it h you r n ew
sk ill.”
Un d er Bei Bei’s su ggest ion , H u o Yu h ao r eleased h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion

Sh ar in g on ce again . A fain t gold en ligh t flick er ed ou t fr om h is eyes, an d a t h r ee-
d im en sion a l im age t h at w as t h ir t y-m et r es in r ad iu s ap p ear ed in sid e of h is an d
Bei Bei’s m in d s.
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g w as flaw less, an d w as ab le t o clear ly

d iffer en t ia t e an y su b t le ch an ges w it h in t h at t h ir t y-m et r e r ad iu s.
T h e m or e Bei Bei exp er ien ced it , t h e m or e ast on ish ed h e b ecam e. T h is

Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g w asn ’t ju st an au xiliar y d et ect ion sk ill, b u t w as lik e
an ot h er b r ain for h im t o m ak e d ecision s w it h . Ever y m in u t e d et ail w it h in a
r ad iu s of t h ir t y m et r es h ad essen t ially b een r evealed , an d t h er e w er e ab solu t ely
n o d ead an gles. W h ile h e w as u n d er t h is sk ill’s effect , it w as as if h e h ad
cou n t less eyes t h at w er e ob ser vin g t h e sit u a t ion fr om var iou s an gles w it h t h e
h igh est level of car efu ln ess!
T h e t h in g t h at m ad e h im even m or e ast on ish ed w as t h at H u o Yu h ao seem ed

t o b e ext r em ely r ela xed w h ile h e h ad t h is sou l sk ill act ivat ed ; h e h ad n ’t even
sh ow n an y t r aces of exh au st ion . W h ile t h ey sh ar ed t h e effect s of h is Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion Sh a r in g, t h ey cou ld even feel som e of t h e ch an ges occu r r in g in sid e of
T an g Ya’s b od y as sh e m er ged w it h h er sou l r in g.
T an g Ya’s figu r e seem ed t o h ave b ecom e even m or e slen d er , yet h er au r a w as

b ecom in g r ich er an d m or e p ow er fu l a t an ast on ish in g sp eed . T h er e w a s also a
lu st er t h at h ad ap p ear ed on h er sk in , w h ile h er qi an d b lood h ad b ecom e m or e
exu b er an t .
In t h e b lin k of an eye, fift een m in u t es h ad p assed , yet H u o Yu h ao’s face h ad

on ly t u r n ed sligh t ly p ale.
Bei Bei in w ar d ly gasp ed w it h p r aise. A sp ir it u al sk ill t h at la st ed so lon g—it

w as alr ead y en ou gh t o b e u sed in b at t le. Fu r t h er m or e, n ot on ly cou ld Lit t le
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion Sh ar in g b e u sed on t h e b at t lefield , it also h ad m an y
ot h er u ses. For exam p le, w h ile t h ey w er e on a d an ger ou s a d ven t u r e or h u n t in g
sou l b east s, t h is w as a r ar ely seen an d ext r em ely p r act ical ab ilit y!
Fin ally, aft er H u o Yu h ao h ad m ain t ain ed h is sk ill for alm ost an h ou r , h e w a s

u n ab le t o p er sever e an y lon ger . H is b od y flash ed as h e en d ed h is Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion Sh a r in g. H e felt st ab s of p ain in h is m in d , an d t h e st r on g sen se of
d izzin ess n ear ly cau sed h im t o fall d ow n . H e h u r r ied ly sat d ow n in a cr oss-
legged p osit ion , an d im m ed iat ely st ar t ed m ed it at in g t o r ecover h is lost sou lfor ce
an d sp ir it u al p ow er .
T h is w asn ’t t h e fir st t im e t h a t H u o Yu h a o h ad exp er ien ced b it t er p ain d u e t o

an over d r aft of h is sp ir it u al p ow er . T h e feelin g of h is m in d b ecom in g b lan k w as
d efin it ely n ot a com for t ab le feelin g.
Bei Bei h ad b een q u iet ly ob ser vin g h im t h e en t ir e t im e. W h en h e saw t h a t

H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t collap se aft er h is exh au st ion of p ow er , b u t r a t h er t ir ed ly sa t
d ow n in a cr oss-legged p osit ion t o m ed it at e in st ead , a sm ile cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
ap p ear on h is face. H e silen t ly n od d ed h is h ead . Com p ar ed t o seein g som eon e’s
t alen t , Bei Bei p r efer r ed t o look a t som eon e’s t em p er am en t . In h is m in d , t h is
ju n ior b r ot h er of h is h ad u n d ou b t ed ly p assed t h is t est .
T h e t im e n eed ed for som eon e t o ab sor b a t h ou san d year sou l r in g w as

con sid er ab ly lon g, so Bei Bei w alk ed ar ou n d t h eir su r r ou n d in gs in or d er t o
sp r ead ou t som e m ed icin e t h a t cou ld ch ase aw ay sou l b east s. T h eir lu ck w as
act u ally qu it e good ; on ly a few t en -year an d h u n d r ed -year so u l b east s ap p ear ed
as T an g Ya cu lt ivat ed , b u t t h ey w er e all ch ased aw ay b y Bei Bei. Fu r t h er m or e,
t h ey d id n ’t en cou n t er an y ot h er exist en ces at t h e level of a t h ou san d year sou l
b east , so t h e p r ocess w as m or e fr igh t en in g t h an t r u ly d an ger o u s.
“Ph ew …” Aft er exh alin g d eep ly, T an g Ya slow ly op en ed h er eyes, cau sin g a
r ad ian t ligh t t o ap p ear in sid e of h er b r igh t p u p ils. T h e en er gies in h er b od y h ad
all r isen b y an ext r em ely lar ge am ou n t .
Alon g t h e p at h of a sou l m ast er ’s cu lt ivat ion , t h e t h ir t iet h r an k w as an

im p or t an t t h r esh old . Bein g ab le t o cr oss t h is t h r esh old allow ed on e t o st ep in t o
t h e Sou l Eld er r ealm . Reach in g t h e Sou l Eld er r ealm sign ified t h at on e w as a
t r u e exp er t t h a t h a d an im m easu r ab le fu t u r e. M an y Sou l M ast er s w h o h ad
r at h er p oor t alen t w er e u n ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h e b ot t len eck of t h e t h ir t iet h
r an k , even aft er u sin g u p all of t h eir life’s en er gy.
“I su cceed ed .” T an g Ya ju m p ed u p excit ed ly. Follow in g t h e st im u lat ion of h er

sou lfor ce, t w o yellow sou l r in gs an d on e p u r p le sou l r in g r ap id ly r ose u p fr om
h er feet . T h e m ost eye-cat ch in g sigh t w a s n at u r ally t h e t h ou san d -year sou l r in g.
T h e b r igh t p u r p le colou r r eleased an au r a filled w it h gr an d eu r ; T an g Ya’s
st r en gt h h ad alr ead y en t er ed a com p let ely d iffer en t level fr om t h is m om en t on .
Bei Bei sm iled as h e said , “Xiao Ya, con gr at u lat ion s.”
T an g Ya let ou t a ch eer fu l cr y as sh e su d d en ly p ou n ced on Bei Bei, givin g h im

a b ig h u g. “Bei Bei, t h an k you .”
Bei Bei h u gged h er d elicat e b od y, an d a sligh t ly d ot in g look ap p ear ed w it h in

t h e sm ile on h is face. “Sin ce I’ve p r om ised t o h elp you ach ieve you r d r eam s, I’ll
n at u r ally d o ju st t h a t .”
As T an g Ya r est ed in Bei Bei’s em b r ace, sh e in ad ver t en t ly saw a p air of lar ge,

ast on ish ed eyes look in g at h er , ca u sin g h er t o su d d en ly r em em b er t h at t h er e
w as an ot h er p er son p r esen t . Sh e in st an t ly b r ok e fr ee fr om Bei Bei’s em b r ace,
an d look ed at H u o Yu h ao, w h ose Sp ir it Eyes w er e flick er in g, w it h a sligh t ly
em b ar r assed look as sh e sa id , “W h a t ’r e you look in g at ? H aven ’t you seen love
b et w een a t each er an d a st u d en t b efor e?”
H u o Yu h ao an sw er ed w it h an ext r em ely h on est t on e, “I’ve n ever seen it
b efor e!” W h en h e sa w Bei Bei an d T an g Ya h u ggin g each ot h er , a in d escr ib ab le
sen se of en vy su d d en ly ap p ear ed in h is h ear t . H ow ever , h e w asn ’t jealou s of
t h em at all. H is eld est sen ior b r o t h er a n d h is t each er Xiao Ya w er e t r u ly w ell
m at ch ed w it h each ot h er .
Bei Bei cou gh ed an d said , “Alr igh t , sin ce you ’ve alr ead y fin ish ed ab sor b in g
you r sou l r in g, w e sh ou ld q u ick ly leave t h is p lace. Du r in g t h e p ast few year s, t h e
n u m b er of accid en t s t h at h ave occu r r ed t o sou l m a st er s en t er in g t h e Gr ea t St ar
Dou For est h ave in cr eased . Even t h e ar eas ar ou n d t h e for est h ave exist en ces
su ch as t h ou san d -year sou l b east s, so it w ou ld b e b et t er for u s t o leave soon er
r at h er t h an lat er .
T an g Ya n od d ed h er h ead an d said , “Let ’s go.”
At t h is m om en t , t h e sk y h ad alr ead y d im m ed . H ow ever , sp en d in g t h e n igh t in

t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est clear ly w asn ’t a good p lan , so t h e t h r ee of t h em
ign or ed t h eir exh au st ion as t h ey r ap id ly r an t ow ar d s t h e ou t sid e of t h e for est .
H u o Yu h ao, w h o’d r ecover ed h is sp ir it u a l p ow er , even act ivat ed h is Sp ir it u al

Det ect ion Sh ar in g again , cr eat in g an ot h er level of safet y for t h eir jou r n ey
t ow ar d s t h e exit of t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , so m u ch so t h at t h ey even
m an aged t o evad e a t h ou san d -year sou l b east t h at w ou ld n ’t t a k e t h e in it iat ive t o
at t ack .
Aft er r ap id ly h u r r yin g alon g for t w o h ou r s, t h ey m an aged t o fin ally r et u r n t o

t h e b r ook w h er e t h ey’d eat en t h e r oast ed fish . T h is w as alr ead y sever al t en s of
m iles fr om t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , w h ich m ean t t h at t h ey w er e,
fu n d am en t ally, far aw ay fr om an y d an ger .
H u o Yu h ao w as n a t u r ally d r agged over an d m ad e a ch ef on e again , u n d er

T an g Ya’s fier ce r eq u est for h im t o r oast m or e fish . H ow ever , h e d id n ’t n eed t o
cat ch t h e fish t h is t im e ar ou n d .
Bei Bei sim p ly st r et ch ed h is r igh t h an d in t o t h e w at er , t h en violet -b lu e
ligh t n in g flash ed in t h e w at er , cau sin g t en u n con sciou s m ack er els t o r ise t o t h e
su r face b elly-u p . Aft er t h at , h e u sed t h e Con t r ollin g Cr an e Cap t u r in g Dr agon
t ech n iq u e t o q u ick ly get t h em t o t h e b r ook sid e, allow in g t h em t o n ear ly
in st an t ly b e ab le t o eat .
T an g Ya also t ook ou t som e food t h at w as st or ed w it h in h er st or age sou l t ool.

T h e t h r ee p eop le sat t oget h er an d a t e a su m p t u ou s d in n er .
T an g Ya w as in ext r em ely h igh sp ir it s, w h ich m ad e h er ea t even m or e. Aft er

fin ish in g h er m ea l, sh e d ir ect ly slep t on t h e lar ge t r ee b esid e t h e b on fir e. On t h e
ot h er h an d , t h e p er son w h o’d act u ally ob t ain ed t h e m ost b en efit s, H u o Yu h ao,
h ad n ’t gon e t o sleep yet . H e r esist ed t h e d ou b led exh au st ion cau sed b y h is t ir ed
b od y an d m in d , an d ask ed for Bei Bei t o give h im som e p oin t er s so t h at h e cou ld
b egin t o cu lt ivat e t h e M yst er iou s H ea ven T ech n iqu e for t h e fir st t im e.
Bei Bei ver y m u ch ad m ir ed H u o Yu h ao’s d iligen ce. Aft er t ak in g off h is

ou t er w ear t o cover T an g Ya w it h , h e exp lain ed som e of t h e m ain asp ect s of t h e
M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e’s cu lt ivat ion t o H u o Yu h ao. In ad d it ion t o t h a t ,
h e h elp ed H u o Yu h a o st ar t m ed it at in g.
T h e p at h s t h at t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e p assed t h r ou gh d u r in g

cu lt ivat ion w er e m u ch m or e com p lica t ed t h an H u o Yu h ao’s or igin al m ed it at ion
t ech n iq u e. T h e n u m b er of p assagew ays u sed b y t h e t ech n iq u e w er e a t least t en
t im es gr ea t er t h an t h at of h is or igin al t ech n iqu e, so m u ch so t h at H u o Yu h ao’s
sou lfor ce h ad n ever even p assed t h r ou gh m an y of t h e ch an n els.
For t h e sak e of en su r in g H u o Yu h ao’s safet y w h ile cu lt iva t in g, Bei Bei sat

b eh in d h im in a cr oss-legged p osit ion . Bei Bei’s h an d s w er e p r essed again st t h e
cen t r e of H u o Yu h a o’s b ack , allow in g h is sou lfor ce t o seep in t o H u o Yu h ao’s
b od y as h e gu id ed H u o Yu h ao’s sou lfor ce alon g t h e fir st cir cu la t ion of t h e
M yst er iou s H ea ven T ech n iq u e.
By t h e t im e t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad ju st st a r t ed t o gu id e h is sou lfor ce ar ou n d h is
b od y, Bei Bei’s exp r ession h a d t u r n ed ser iou s. H u o Yu h ao ’s com p r eh en sion
sk ills w er e ver y h igh , an d h e w as also v er y sm ar t . H ow ever , h is b od y’s t alen t s
w er e in d eed som ew h at lack in g. Aft er Bei Bei’s sou lfor ce h ad en t er ed H u o
Yu h ao’s b od y, h e d iscover ed t h at h is m er id ian s w er e ext r em ely n ar r ow , an d
t h at t h er e w er e som e ver y d elica t e m er id ian s in h is b od y t h at w ou ld n ’t b e ab le
t o h an d le an y st r on g for ce flow in g t h r ou gh .
At t h is m om en t , Bei Bei r ealised t h at t h e fact t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad b een ab le t o

cu lt ivat e t o h is cu r r en t r an k , an d t h at h e h ad b een ab le p ossess h is fir st sou l
r in g, h ad b een som ew h at d ifficu lt for h im . Aft er ob t ain in g h is fir st sou l r in g, h is
b od y w ou ld ’ve im p r oved t o a cer t ain ext en t , b u t h is p assagew ays w er e st ill t h is
fr ail. It cou ld b e seen ju st h ow p oor h is t alen t w as, so m u ch so t h at h e t r u ly
w asn ’t m u ch b et t er off t h an som e or d in ar y folk s w h o h adn ’t even aw ak en ed
t h eir sou lfor ce. J u st h ow m u ch w illp ow er d id h e h a ve t o h ave t o h ave cu lt ivat ed
h is sou lfor ce t o t h e t en t h r an k an d h ave b ecom e a Sou l M ast er !
Bei Bei h ad a ca lm t em p er am en t ; d iscover in g t h is d id n ’t m ak e h im feel

d esp air t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. In st ead , h is r esp ect for h im sligh t ly in cr eased .
Bein g ab le t o h ave su ch u n w aver in g d et er m in at ion at H u o Yu h ao’s age m ean t
t h at , even if H u o Yu h ao’s t alen t w as som ew h at p oor , h e’d st ill b e ab le t o ach ieve
som et h in g in life.
Aft er in vest igat in g t h e con d it ion of H u o Yu h ao b od y, Bei Bei gu essed t h a t t h e

r eason t h at H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes w er e so st r on g w as d efin it ely lin k ed t o t h e
m u t at ion of h is m ar t ial sou l. Fu r t h er m o r e, alt h o u gh h is m u t at ed m ar t ial so u l
w as ver y st r on g, t h e h ar m it h a d cau sed t o H u o Yu h ao w h en h e w as you n g w as
also ver y gr eat . Beca u se h e h a d n ’t b een p r op er ly car ed for , it cau sed h is t a len t t o
b ecom e lik e t h is. If h e’d b een im m ed ia t ely t r eat ed w it h m ed icin e aft er h e w as
b or n , p er h ap s h is ju n ior b r ot h er w ou ld ’ve b een a gen iu s.
In r ealit y, Bei Bei’s gu ess w as on ly h alf-accu r at e. T h e r eason w h y H u o

Yu h ao’s b od y w as so fr ail w as in d eed b ecau se of t h e d eficien cy cau sed b y t h e
m u t at ion of h is m ar t ial sou l, an d b ecau se of t h e lack of car e t ow ar d s h im aft er
aw ak en in g h is m a r t ial sp ir it . H ow ever , t h e m ain r eason w h y h is Sp ir it Eyes’
sk ills w er e so st r on g, w as b ecau se of t h e m illion -year in t elligen t sou l r in g, t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m .
As t h e d ar k sk y gr ad u ally t u r n ed d ar k b lu e, a p at ch of w h it e slow ly b egan t o

ap p ear fr om t h e east . Bei Bei slow ly w it h d r ew h is p alm s, a n d let ou t a lon g
b r eat h . It w as h ar d t o con ceal t h e exh au st ion on h is sligh t ly p ale face.
H e’d u sed an en t ir e n igh t t o h elp u n b lock H u o Yu h ao’s p assa gew ays, h elp in g
h im com p let e t h e fir st cir cu lat ion of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e. T h is
p r ocess h ad b een q u it e ar d u ou s, b u t it h ad h ad en or m ou s b en efit s for H u o
Yu h ao.
“Peh —” H u o Yu h ao sp at ou t a m ou t h fu l of clot t ed b lood b efor e h e op en ed h is

eyes.
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao felt t h at all 36,0 0 0 p or es on h is b od y h ad b een

op en ed u p , cau sin g a n u n p r eced en t ed feelin g of r elaxat ion t o sp r ead t h r ou gh o u t
h is b od y. T h e m ou t h fu l of clot t ed b lood h e’d sp at ou t w er e im p u r it ies w it h in h is
b lood t h at h ad ca u sed t h e st agn at ion of h is p assagew ays. Aft er Bei Bei h ad
h elp ed h im u n b lock h is p assagew ays, it fin ally u n clogged h is p assagew ays. Even
if h is p assagew ays w er e st ill t h in a n d w eak , h e cou ld a t least let sou lfor ce flow
t h r ou gh t h em . T h is w ou ld allow H u o Yu h ao’s sou lfor ce t o flow sm oot h ly w h en
h e cu lt ivat ed in t h e fu t u r e. T o a cer t ain ext en t , t h is h ad ch an ged h is p h ysiq u e.
Even t h ou gh Bei Bei w as an excellen t cu lt ivat or am on gst h is p eer s, an d w as a

Sou l Eld er level exp er t , h e w as exh a u st ed aft er u n b lock in g H u o Yu h ao’s
p assagew ays.
“J u n ior b r ot h er , st a n d u p an d look t ow a r d s t h e east . Follow m y m ovem en t s,
an d focu s you r eyes.” Bei Bei r esist ed h is exh au st ion , an d let ou t a low sh ou t
t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao w h ile gr asp in g h is sh ou ld er s w it h h is h an d s.
At t h is m om en t , T a n g Ya, w h o h ad or igin ally b een sleep in g sou n d ly, act u a lly

w ok e u p . Sh e ju m p ed u p an d ar r ived b esid e Bei Bei.
T h e t h r ee of t h em op en ed t h eir eyes an d look ed t ow ar d s t h e east er n sk y. A

fain t p u r p le clou d seem ed t o flash t h r ou gh t h e m ar b le-w h it e sk y t h a t w a s
gr ad u ally t u r n in g b r igh t . If you d id n ’t h a ve ast on ish in g visu a l acu it y, as w ell as
su fficien t con cen t r at ion , it w ou ld b e im p ossib le for on e t o d iscover it s exist en ce.
T h e ap p ear an ce of t h e p u r p le clou d cau sed t h e t h r ee p eop le’s at t en t ion t o b e

focu sed on it . T h ey even st op p ed exh alin g. In st ead , t h ey ligh t ly an d slow ly
in h aled , sim u lt an eou sly fixin g t h eir ga zes on t h e h in t of p u r p le t h at h ad
su d d en ly, fain t ly ap p ear ed .
T h e p u r p le clou d w a sn ’t p r esen t for ver y lon g. By t h e t im e t h e m or n in g su n

h ad slow ly r isen fr om t h e east , it h ad alr ead y d isap p ear ed .
On ly t h en d id t h e t h r ee p eop le slow ly close t h eir eyes, an d sim u lt an eou sly

exh ale t h e im p u r it ies fr om t h eir b od ies.
Bei Bei an d T an g Ya each sp at ou t a m ist y w h it e st r eam of air . Aft er in h alin g

an d exh alin g sever al t im es, it fin ally d isp er sed .
Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h a o’s cu lt ivat ion w asn ’t even close t o t h at of h is T each er

Xiao Ya, or h is eld est sen ior b r ot h er , h e felt an in t en se sh ock .
W h en h e h ad look ed at t h e p u r p le clou d in t h e d ist an t east , a st r on g w ar m

feelin g h ad seem ed t o flow in t o h is b r ain via h is Sp ir it Eyes, cau sin g h is eyes t o
ob t ain an u n p r eced en t ed n ou r ish m en t ; so m u ch so t h at h e w as ab le t o look at
an yt h in g w it h a n ext r em ely clea r level of vision w it h ou t u sin g an y sou lfor ce.
Even h is p er ip h er al vision in st an t ly exp an d ed .
An d w h en h e h ad sh u t h is eyes t o con t ain t h at p u r p le clou d , it h ad slow ly
im m er sed it self in t o h is eyes. H is Sp ir it Eyes h ad even st ar t ed t o n at u r a lly
act ivat e t h e sou lfor ce w it h in h is b od y, cau sin g it t o m er ge w it h t h e p u r p le
clou d . T h e or igin ally w ar m feelin g gr ad u ally b ecam e a fain t r efr esh in g feelin g
t h at gave h im an u n sp eak ab le sen se of r elaxat ion .
T h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, t h is w as t h e sk ill t h at T each er Xiao Ya h ad sp ok en

ab ou t . T h is w as t h e sk ill t h a t w as said t o b e t h e m ost su it ab le for h im t o
cu lt ivat e! T h is w as on ly t h e fir st t im e t h a t h e’d cu lt ivat ed it , yet it u n exp ect ed ly
h ad h ad su ch an effect . H u o Yu h ao felt t h a t even t h e sou lfor ce t h at h e’d
p r eviou sly cu lt iva t ed an d u p gr ad ed for t h e p ast sever al m on t h s h a d n ’t h ad as
good an effect as t h is east er n p u r p le clou d .
Aft er a fu ll 15 m in u t es, t h at feelin g of r elaxat ion gr ad u a lly d isap p ear ed . W h en

H u o Yu h ao fin ally op en ed h is eyes, a fain t ly d iscer n ib le p u r p le ligh t h ad alr ead y
ap p ear ed in t h e d ep t h s of h is clear , d eep b lu e eyes.
“It seem s t h at you t r u ly h ad good r esu lt s!” T an g Ya look ed at H u o Yu h ao w it h

a p leased exp r ession on h er face.
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly st ood u p an d r esp ect fu lly said , “T h an k you , t each er .

T h an k you , eld est sen ior b r ot h er .”
T h e p u r p le glin t in Bei Bei’s eyes gr a d u ally d im m ed , b u t a look of ext r em e

exh au st ion st ill r em ain ed on h is face. H e p at t ed H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er as h e
said , “W e’r e a fam ily. In t h e fu t u r e, you d on ’t n eed t o t h an k u s. H ow ever , I’m
goin g t o r est for a w h ile, so I’m afr aid t h at w e can on ly leave lat er . T each er Xiao
Ya, p lease p r ep ar e som e food . J u n ior b r ot h er , go cu lt ivat e t h e M yst er iou s
H eaven T ech n iq u e a gain t o con solid at e you r m em or ies fr om last n igh t .”
“Yes.” T h e r esp ect t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad t ow ar d s t h is eld est sen ior b r ot h er of

h is h a d d eep en ed ev en m or e. Aft er h ear in g h is w or d s, h e im m ed iat ely sat d ow n
an d b egan t o follow t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e t o cir cu lat e h is sou lfor ce.
W it h t h e p r ofou n d m em or ies of last n igh t , alon g w it h Bei Bei u n cloggin g h is
m er id ian s, act ivat in g h is sou lfor ce w as n ow m u ch easier . T h e sou lfor ce t h at
h e’d or igin ally ob t ain ed via m ed it at ion gr ad u ally t u r n ed a fain t w h it e colou r
aft er b ein g r efin ed b y t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e.
Aft er t w o h ou r s, Bei Bei t ook t h e in it ia t ive t o aw ak en fr om h is cu lt ivat ion .

H is cu lt ivat ion level w as alr ead y ext r em ely st r on g, so h e cou ld easily sw eep
aw ay h is exh au st ion .
T an g Ya gave Bei Bei som e r at ion s an d qu iet ly ask ed , “H ow is h e?”
Bei Bei sm iled sligh t ly an d said , “You w er e act u ally r igh t t h is t im e. M y ju n ior
b r ot h er is a p r om isin g t alen t . H is b od y’s con d it ion isn ’t gr ea t , b u t h e h as st r on g
com p r eh en sive ab ilit ies. Fu r t h er m or e, h e can b ear h ar d sh ip , an d h is h ear t is
st ead y. H e’s a good sp r ou t . In ad d it ion t o t h at , t h e M yst er iou s H eaven
T ech n iqu e in an d of it self h a s b en efit s t ow ar d s h is gr ow t h . If h e cu lt ivat es it for
a lon g t im e, it ’ll h elp r ep air t h e p assagew ays in h is b od y. T h is is a t ech n iq u e
t h at ’s also qu it e su it ab le for h im . As for h is fu t u r e gr ow t h , it ’ll d ep en d on h is
ow n h ar d w or k , as w ell as w h at op p or t u n it ies h e ob t ain s. All w e can d o is op en a
d oor for h im , b u t h o w far h e can t r avel w ill b e u p t o h im .”
T an g Ya soft ly said , “T h an k s.”
Bei Bei cou ld n ’t h elp b u t lau gh as h e said , “J u st w h at ’s got t en in t o you ?

Nor m ally, you ’d n ever say t h an k s t o m e. Cou ld it b e b ecau se of m y ju n ior
b r ot h er ? I w on ’t st a n d for a r ival in love.”
T an g Ya p u n ch ed h im u n h ap p ily a n d said , “You k n ow w h a t I’m t h an k in g you

for , st op act in g st u p id .”
Bei Bei gen t ly m oved h is ar m , leisu r ely p u llin g T an g Ya in t o h is em b r ace.

“Xiao Ya, I’ll ad m it it . T h e r eason t h at I agr eed t o join t h e T an g Sect in t h e fir st
p lace w as b ecau se I’d fallen for you , b ecau se I fell in love at fir st sigh t . Bu t as I
cu lt ivat ed t h e T an g Sect ’s t ech n iqu es, I r ealised m or e an d m or e ju st h ow d eep
ou r T an g Sect is. Alt h ou gh t h e T an g Sect h as d eclin ed , w ou ld n ’t it b e in t er est in g
if w e w er e ab le t o r ed evelop it , an d b r in g it t o gr eat h eigh t s? T h er efor e, I’m
alr ead y n ot ju st d oin g t h in gs for t h e T a n g Sect solely b ecau se of you , b u t also
b ecau se of t h e T an g Sect in an d of it self.”
T an g Ya b lin k ed h er lar ge eyes an d said , “Does t h at m ean t h at you ’ll st ill

w or k h ar d for t h e fu t u r e of t h e T an g Sect , even if I d on ’t lik e you ?”
Bei Bei’s exp r ession im m ed iat ely ch an ged as h e sp ok e w it h a sligh t ly

exasp er at ed t on e, “Be a b it m or e n or m al p lease.”
“H eeh ee.” T an g Ya sm iled . “I ju st love seein g you r eveal you r t r u e colou r s.

You n or m ally h ave su ch a d ign ified look , ar en ’t you t ir ed of it ?”
Bei Bei flick ed h er for eh ead . “T h at ’s called b ein g civilised . Don ’t t h in k t h at

ever yon e’s lik e you ! You ’r e alw ays r evealin g you r t h ou gh t s on you r face.”
T an g Ya gr ab b ed h is w r ist an d sp ok e w it h a w r on ged exp r ession , “I’m n ot
allow in g you t o flick m y for eh ead an ym or e, t h is is offen d in g you r t each er .
Righ t , d o you t h in k t h at lit t le Yu h ao w ill b e ab le t o last at t h e acad em y?”
Bei Bei sh ook h is h ea d an d said , “It ’s h ar d t o say; it ’ll d ep en d on h is w ill. All I

can say is t h at , if h e can r eally m an age t o last t h er e, an d st ay for t h e fu ll t w elve
year s, t h en h is fu t u r e accom p lish m en t s m igh t b e even h igh er t h an m in e.”
T an g Ya w as st ar t led . “I d id n ’t t h in k t h at you ’d h ave su ch a h igh evalu at ion

of h im .”
Bei Bei sm iled sligh t ly an d r ep lied , “M y ju n ior b r ot h er ’s m u t at ed m ar t ial sou l

is ext r aor d in a r y. You ’ll u n d er st a n d w h en I give you an exam p le. T h er e’s alr ead y
b een a sligh t d iffer en ce b et w een t h e fir st an d secon d t im e t h at h e u sed h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g. T h is m ean s t h at h is m ast er y of t h e sk ill isn ’t t h a t
h igh , yet it ’s alr ead y am p lified ou r p ow er s b y an en or m ou s am ou n t .
Fu r t h er m or e, if w h a t h e’s said is t r u e, it seem s t h a t t h is sk ill can st ill evolve. If
h is fu t u r e sou l sk ills ar e all lik e t h is, h e’ll d efin it ely r each t h e p in n acle of
sp ir it u al con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er s.”
T an g Ya said . “It ’s ju st t h a t , h is self-d efen se sk ills ar e lack in g. It ’ll r em a in lik e

u n t il h e r each es a cer t ain level of cu lt ivat ion , t oo.”
Bei Bei r ep lied , “No, you ’r e w r on g. H e w on ’t n eed t o p r ot ect h im self, b ecau se,
even if h e m er ely h a s t h e sk ill t h a t h e ju st u sed , h e’s d est in ed t o h ave n o lack of
com p an ion s b esid e h im .”
H u o Yu h ao’s cu lt iva t ion p er iod last ed even lon ger t h an T an g Ya an d Bei Bei
exp ect ed . H is cu lt iva t ion u n exp ect ed ly la st ed all t h e w ay u n t il n oon . Du r in g t h is
p er iod of t im e, Bei Bei w en t over t o h im a few t im es t o ch eck on t h e cir cu la t ion
p at h s of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e, w h ich h e fou n d t o h ave n o
d eviat ion s at all. It cou ld b e said t h a t H u o Yu h ao h ad t r u ly en t er ed t h e T an g
Sect aft er h is cu lt iva t ion t h is t im e.
Aft er H u o Yu h ao aw ak en ed fr om h is cu lt ivat ion , h e at e som e food . T h en , t h e
t h r ee of t h em h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e east .
T h e m ajor it y of t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est lay w it h in t h e t er r it or y of t h e St ar

Lu o Em p ir e, on ly a sm all p or t ion of it lay w it h in t h e T ian H u n Em p ir e. On t h e
ot h er h an d , Sh r ek Acad em y w as locat ed t o t h e n or t h east of t h e Gr eat St ar Dou
For est , so t h e d ist an ce b et w een t h e t w o w asn ’t con sid er ed t oo far .
T h e r eason t h a t T an g Ya an d Bei Bei h a d en t er ed t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est

fr om t h e sou t h w a s b ecau se t h e su r r ou n d in g ar ea h ad a r elat ively low n u m b er of
st r on g sou l b east s.
Becau se Sh r ek Acad em y fr eq u en t ly h ad st u d en t s w h o’d en t er t h e Gr eat St a r

Dou For est t o k ill sou l b east s, t h ey w er e u t t er ly h at ed b y t h e exp er t sou l b east s
w it h in . So m u ch so, t h at a lar ge n u m b er of sou l b east s h ad ch ar ged ou t of t h e
for est , cr eat in g a m ajor even t k n ow n as a ‘b east w ave’, w h ich h ad gon e t ow ar d s
Sh r ek Acad em y.
Becau se of t h is, ever y sin gle p er son w it h in t h e acad em y b elow t h e Sou l Kin g
r an k w as p r oh ib it ed fr om en t er in g t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est fr om t h e en t r an ce
closest t o t h e acad em y. Even if on e w er e a Sou l Kin g exp er t , h e’d st ill n eed a
t each er gu id in g h im t o b e ab le t o en t er .
T h e t h r ee of t h em h u r r ied t ow ar d s Sh r ek Acad em y, b u t t h e sp eed of t h eir

ad van ce w asn ’t con sid er ed q u ick , sin ce t h ey h ad t o cir cle ar ou n d t h e Gr eat St ar
Dou For est . T h u s, t h ey h ad t o t r avel n ear ly a t h ou san d m iles.
Du r in g t h eir jou r n ey, T an g Ya an d Bei Bei im p ar t ed t h e ab solu t e t ech n iq u es

of t h e T an g Sect t o h im . Of t h em , t h e t ech n iqu es t h at H u o Yu h ao
com p r eh en d ed t h e m ost w h er e t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e an d t h e
Pu r p le Dem on Eyes. As for t h e Con t r o llin g Cr an e Cap t u r in g Dr agon , Gh ost
Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack s, an d M yst er iou s J ad e H an d s t ech n iqu es, h e’d on ly
ju st t ak en h is fir st glim p se t h r ou gh t h e gat e.
H u o Yu h ao’s d iligen ce h ad d eep ly st u n n ed T an g Ya an d Bei Bei. H e, w h o w as
on ly eleven , d id n ’t for get t o cu lt ivat e even as t h ey t r avelled . W h en Bei Bei t old
h im t h at h e cou ld sligh t ly in cr ea se h is sou lfor ce b y con t in u ou sly u sin g h is sou l
sk ills, H u o Yu h ao u n ceasin gly u sed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh a r in g as lon g as h e
cou ld . An d t h e secon d t h a t h e st ar t ed t o r est , h e’d im m ed ia t ely st ar t cu lt ivat in g
t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e. As t h ey con t in u ed on w it h t h eir jou r n ey, h e
even sp lit h is at t en t ion , r eleasin g h is sou l sk ills w h ile sim u lt a n eou sly p on d er in g
t h e Gh ost Sh a d ow Per p lexin g T r ack s, Con t r ollin g Cr an e Cap t u r in g Dr agon , an d
M yst er iou s J ad e H an d s.
Becau se H u o Yu h ao t ook a lon g t im e t o cu lt ivat e t h e M yst er iou s H eaven

T ech n iq u e, t h eir sp eed t ow ar d s Sh r ek Acad em y w as slow ed d ow n . H ow ever , Bei
Bei an d T an g Ya d id n ’t r u sh h im ; t h ey even in cr eased t h eir cu lt iva t ion t im e
u n d er h is im p et u s.
“Xiao Ya, w it h you r t alen t , if you h ad even h alf of m y ju n ior b r ot h er ’s

d iligen ce, I p r ed ict t h at you w ou ld ’ve lon g su r p assed m e.” Bei Bei said as h e
look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as cu r r en t ly sit t in g cr oss-legged u n d er a lar ge
t r ee, h is a t t en t ion focu sed on cu lt ivat in g.
T an g Ya cu r led h er lip s an d said , “Ar e even you t h at d iligen t ? It ’s n ot lik e

even you can com p ar e w it h lit t le Yu h ao. H ow ever , h e seem s t o b e h id in g
som et h in g w it h in h is h ear t . It ’s t h is secr et t h a t p u sh es h im t o b e so h ar d
w or k in g. H ow ever , I d on ’t k n ow if t h at ’s a good or t h in g, a b ad t h in g.”
Bei Bei sm iled sligh t ly as h e st a t ed , “H avin g a t a r get is n ever a b ad t h in g.

Fu r t h er m or e, h e’s st ill you n g, so h is h ear t w ill even t u ally op en u p as w e secr et ly
in flu en ce h im . Cu r r en t ly, t h e m ost im p or t an t t h in g for h im is b r eak in g t h r ou gh
t o r an k t h ir t y b efor e t h e age of t w en t y.”
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao h ad aw ak en ed fr om h is m ed it a t ion . A fain t w h it e
st r eam of air sw ir led ar ou n d h is m ou t h an d n ose, an d a gold en ligh t flick er ed
t h r ou gh h is clear eyes t h e in st an t h e op en ed t h em . H is Sp ir it Eyes seem ed t o
h ave b ecom e even m or e p en et r at in g.
Ad m it t ed ly, t h e r eason t h at H u o Yu h ao d iligen t ly cu lt iva t ed w as t o b ecom e
an ou t st an d in g p er son . H ow ever , t h e m ost im p or t an t t h in g for h im r igh t n ow
w as t o com p r eh en d t h e n ew exp er ien ces h e’d acqu ir ed fr om sw it ch in g t o t h e
W it h Bei Bei an d T an g Ya’s h elp , h is p h ysiq u e h a d im p r ov ed b y a cer t ain

am ou n t . T h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e w as t r u ly a con sid er ab ly
ou t st an d in g t ech n iq u e; t h ey’d alr ead y b een t r avellin g for fou r d ays st r aigh t ,
t h u s t h e t ot al am ou n t of t im e t h at h e’d cu lt ivat ed t h e M yst er iou s H eaven
T ech n iqu e w as also fou r d ays lon g. Du r in g t h e p ast fou r d ays, t h e sou lfor ce in
h is b od y h ad alr ead y t r an sfor m ed in t o t h e sou lfor ce cu lt ivat ed b y t h e
M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e. T h e im p u r e an d ch aot ic sou lfor ce in h is b od y
w as gr ad u ally p u r ified d u r in g t h e t r a n sfor m at ion p r ocess. Ever y t im e h e
fin ish ed cu lt ivat in g, h is en t ir e b od y w ou ld exp er ien ce a w ar m feelin g t h at led t o
an u n sp eak ab le am ou n t of com for t ; it s r ecover y effect s w er e even b et t er t h an
t h at of sleep in g.
Alt h ou gh h is t ot al a m ou n t of sou lfor ce h ad n ’t in cr eased b y m u ch , H u o Yu h ao

cou ld clear ly feel t h e ch an ges t h at h a d occu r r ed in h is b od y, as w ell as t h e
q u alit a t ive ch an ge h is sou lfor ce h ad gon e t h r ou gh aft er t r an sfor m in g in t o t h e
p u r e sou lfor ce of t h e M yst er iou s H ea ven T ech n iqu e.
T h is w as t h e fir st t im e in h is life of cu lt ivat ion t h at su ch a clear im p r ovem en t

h ad occu r r ed , so h ow cou ld h e n ot b e assid u ou s a n d d iligen t ?
“Lit t le Yu h ao, you can ’t alw ays b e w or k in g so h ar d . You sh ou ld t ak e a r est

w h en you n eed t o. If n ot , w on ’t you b ecom e a b lock h ead aft er a w h ile?” T an g Ya
said ser iou sly.
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed a n d said , “Yes, T each er Xiao Ya.”
T an g Ya giggled as sh e said , “Don ’t b e so h on est a n d ob ed ien t , ok ay? It ’s

r eally b or in g. Alr igh t , let ’s go, w e’ve a lm ost r each ed t h e acad em y. You ’ve b een
im m er sed in cu lt iva t ion t h e p ast few d ays, so I d id n ’t get t h e ch an ce t o t ell you
ab ou t som e t h in gs t h at you n eed t o p ay at t en t ion t o in sid e of t h e acad em y.
You ’ve t ak en a b r eak at ju st t h e r igh t t im e, so r elax you r m in d for a b it an d
list en .”
Chapt er 6.1: The Number One Academy on t he
Douluo Cont inent
“Oh .” H u o Yu h ao h ad or igin ally p lan n ed t o p on d er t h e few cap t u r in g

t ech n iq u es t h at Bei Bei h ad t au gh t h im yest er d ay, b u t h e im m ed iat ely t u r n ed
b lan k aft er h ear in g w h at T an g Ya h ad sa id .
T h e t h r ee con t in u ed t h eir jou r n ey. W h ile t h ey w er e w a lk in g, T an g Ya

exp lain ed t h e sit u at ion w it h in Sh r ek Aca d em y t o H u o Yu h ao.
Sh r ek Acad em y h ad b een est ab lish ed t en t h ou san d year s ago, an d t h e w or d

‘Sh r ek ’ m ean t ‘m on st er ’ in t h e an cien t lan gu age. T h is a lso m ean t t h at , t h e
p eop le w h o’d fou n d ed Sh r ek Acad em y a t t h e st ar t h ad w an t ed t o est ab lish an
acad em y of m on st er s.
Sh r ek Acad em y’s old est m ot t o w as “T o b r eed on ly m on st er s, n ot or d in ar y

p eop le.”, b u t t h e w or d ‘m on st er ’ act u ally r efer r ed t o gen iu ses.
Even t h e p er son w h o’d fou n d ed t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ’s n u m b er on e T an g

Sect h a d gr a d u at ed fr om Sh r ek Acad em y, an d it w as also t h at st u d en t w h o
b r ou gh t ab ou t t h e fir st glor iou s m om en t for Sh r ek Acad em y. At t h at t im e,
Sh r ek Acad em y h a d on ly h ad t h eir fou n d in g st u d en t s, w h o w er e r efer r ed t o as
t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s w it h in t h e Sh r ek Acad em y’s h ist or y.
T h e st or y of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s h a d alr ea d y sp r ead for a lon g t im e, an d

t h e m ost fam ou s of t h em w as st ill t h e h u sb an d an d w ife cou p le t h at in clu d ed t h e
sect m ast er of t h e T an g Sect . Aft er w a r d s, alt h ou gh t h e T an g Sect d eclin ed ,
Sh r ek Acad em y st ill st ood h igh . Fu r t h er m or e, follow in g t h e d evelop m en t s t h a t
cam e w it h t h e p assa ge of t im e, it gr a d u ally b ecam e t h e n u m b er on e acad em y on
t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t .
Now ad ays, Sh r ek Acad em y h eld a p osit ion of p ow er w it h in t h e con t in en t , t h e
r oot of t h e cau se of b ein g t h e con t in en t al w ar t h a t h a d occu r r ed d u r in g t h e
collision of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t an d t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t fou r t h ou san d
year s ago.
W h en t h e w ar h a d on ly ju st st ar t ed , t h e t h r ee em p ir es of t h e Dou lu o
Con t in en t h a d b een d ivid ed in t h eir op in ion s, cau sin g t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t t o
b e at a d isad van t ageou s p osit ion d u r in g t h e st ar t of t h e w a r , so m u ch so t h at t h e
ar m y of t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t h ad b een ab le t o m ak e t h eir w ay t o t h e in n er
p ar t s of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t .
At t h is cr u cial m om en t , Sh r ek Acad em y’s d ean fr om t h at year h ad m ad e a

r allyin g cr y. T h is h ad an u n exp ect ed ly lar ge r esp on se, cau sin g n ear ly sixt y
T it led Dou lu o su p er -exp er t s t o t em p or ar ily b ecom e t h e com m an d er s of t h e
t h r ee ar m ies. Aft er t ak in g com m an d of t h eir ar m ies, t h ey sw ift ly d est r oyed t h e
Su n M oon Em p ir e’s ar m y, ob t ain in g t h e fin al vict or y in t h e w ar , an d u n ifyin g
t h e con t in en t s in t o on e called t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t . T h e Su n M oon Em p ir e
on ly m an aged t o con t in u e exist in g aft er w ar d s b y givin g u p it s lan d s, an d b y
p ayin g w ar r ep ar at ion s. H ow ever , t h eir m ilit a r y st r en gt h h a d b een w eak en ed b y
an ext r em ely lar ge am ou n t , w h ich led t o t h em b ein g u n ab le t o con t en d w it h t h e
t h r ee com b in ed ar m ies of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t an ym or e. It s m ilit ar y st r en gt h
w as equ ivalen t t o t h at of a sin gle em p ir e, at m ost .
T h e w ar also cau sed t h e r ep u t at ion of Sh r ek ’s Acad em y t o soar . It w asn ’t ju st

b ecau se Sh r ek Acad em y h ad gat h er ed sixt y T it led Dou lu os, b u t w as also b ecau se
t h at year ’s d ean h ad b ecom e t h e com m an d er of t h e t h r ee em p ir es’ u n ified a r m y.
Un d er h is r allyin g cr y, t h e r oyal fam ilies fr om t h e t h r ee gr eat em p ir es
d iscover ed , t o t h eir gr eat su r p r ise, t h at p r act ically all of t h e gen er als of t h e
u n ified ar m y h ad com e fr om Sh r ek Acad em y. Un d er t h e u n ified allocat ion of
r esou r ces b y Sh r ek Acad em y’s d ean , t h e com b in ed ar m y of t h e t h r ee gr eat
em p ir es n o lon ger h ad an y d iscor d b et w een t h em . It w as also b ecau se of t h is
u n ificat ion t h at t h ey w er e ab le t o ach ieve vict or y.
Fr om t h en on , Sh r ek Acad em y n o lon ger b elon ged t o an y sin gle cou n t r y; it
h ad b ecom e a st an d a lon e exist en ce.
Sh r ek Acad em y h ad su ccessively r aised ext r em ely w ise d ean s. Alt h ou gh t h e

acad em y h eld a m ajest ic p osit ion on t h e con t in en t , t h ey w er en ’t ar r ogan t in t h e
least . T h e acad em y’s at t it u d e t ow ar d s all cou n t r ies w as t h e sa m e. Fu r t h er m or e,
t h ey d id n ’t p ossess an y p r ivat e ar m ies, an d t h e n u m b er of t each er s t h a t t h ey
k ep t w as even k ep t at a cer t ain lim it . Becau se of t h is, Sh r ek Acad em y d id n ’t
cau se an y of t h e co u n t r ies t o feel a sen se of d an ger . Aft er all, Sh r ek Acad em y
w as an acad em y. T h u s, n ot on ly d id it con t in u e t o exist , b u t it s loft y p osit ion
w it h in t h e con t in en t w as also on e t h at cou ld n ’t b e easily sh ak en b y an y cou n t r y.
Sh r ek Acad em y w as locat ed w it h in t h e sou t h east er n p or t ion of t h e T ian H u n

Em p ir e, w it h t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est locat ed d ir ect ly sou t h w est fr om it . T h e
Dou Lin g Em p ir e w as east of it , an d t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e w as locat ed
n or t h w ar d s. It cou ld b e said t h at Sh r ek Acad em y w as locat ed at t h e in t er sect ion
p oin t of t h e t h r ee em p ir es.
T an g Ya t old H u o Yu h ao t h at Sh r ek Aca d em y w as cu r r en t ly d ivid ed in t o t w o

p ar t s: t h e in n er cou r t yar d an d t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . Ever y year , t h e n u m b er of
n ew st u d en t s t h ey’d r ecr u it w as ar ou n d a t h ou san d or so, yet t h e t ot a l n u m b er
of st u d en t s w it h in t h e acad em y h ad n ever su r p assed five t h ou san d . It w ou ld
t ak e t w elve year s fo r on e t o com p let e t h eir st u d ies an d gr a d u at e aft er en t er in g
Sh r ek Acad em y. T h is also m ean t t h at Sh r ek Acad em y’s elim in at ion r at e w as
ext r em ely h igh ever y year . If on e w asn ’t ab le t o p ass t h e acad em y’s assessm en t s,
h e’d b e m er cilessly k ick ed ou t of t h e acad em y.
H ow ever , ever y sin gle p er son t h at m an aged t o su ccessfu lly gr ad u at e fr om

Sh r ek Acad em y w as a on ce-in -a-gen er at ion gen iu s.
It cou ld b e said t h at Sh r ek Acad em y w as t r u ly a cr ad le filled w it h exp er t s, so

m u ch so t h at even p olit ical issu es w ou ld occu r b et w een t h e T ian H u n Em p ir e,
Dou Lin g Em p ir e, an d St ar Lu o Em p ir e d u e t o t h e n u m b er of st u d en t s t h at
Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld ad m it each year . T h e fam e of t h e n u m b er on e acad em y in
t h e w or ld cou ld clea r ly b e seen fr om t h is.
T h e Su n M oon Em p ir e, on t h e ot h er h an d —p ossib ly d u e t o t h eir en m it y w it h
Sh r ek Acad em y—h a d n ever a sk ed t o sen d p eop le t o st u d y at Sh r ek Acad em y.
T h er e w er e also a few h igh -level acad em ies w it h in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e t h at
h ad alr ead y r each ed a fair ly h igh st an d ar d aft er exp er ien cin g a few t h ou san d
year s of d evelop m en t . On ly, t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s m ilit ar y st r en gt h h ad
alw ays b een lim it ed d u e t o t h e p act t h ey’d m ad e aft er t h e w ar , w h ich p r even t ed
t h em fr om exp an d in g t oo m u ch . T h u s, t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w as st ill k eep in g a
low p r ofile, at least on t h e su r face.
“Yu h ao, on ce you en t er t h e acad em y, you ’ll cu lt ivat e in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .

T h e ou t er cou r t yar d is sp lit in t o m an y facu lt ies, so you sh ou ld t em p or ar ily
cu lt ivat e in sid e t h e con t r ol facu lt y. At t h e sam e t im e, you sh ou ld
sim u lt an eou sly st u d y in sid e of t h e Sou l En gin eer in g In st it u t ion . H ow ab ou t it ?”
T an g Ya ask ed H u o Yu h ao aft er giv in g h im a sim p le in t r od u ct ion t o t h e Sh r ek
Acad em y’s in t er n al sit u at ion .
“T each er Xiao Ya, w h at ’s t h is ‘Sou l En gin eer in g In st it u t ion ’?” H u o Yu h ao

ask ed .
T an g Ya r ep lied , “T h e so-called So u l En gin eer in g In st it u t ion is a p lace cr eat ed

for t h e sak e of st u d yin g sou l w eap on s.” Sh e u n exp ect ed ly clen ch ed h er t eet h in
an ger as sh e said t h e w or d s ‘sou l w eap on s’.
“Sou l w eap on s?” H u o Yu h ao w as st ill sligh t ly p u zzled . H ow ev er , you cou ld n ’t

b lam e h im . Sh r ek Acad em y w as cu r r en t ly t h e n u m b er on e acad em y on t h e
con t in en t , yet h e’d gr ow n u p in a closed en vir on m en t sin ce h e w as you n g. T h u s,
h e n at u r a lly h ad lit t le k n ow led ge an d exp er ien ce of su ch m at t er s.
Seein g T an g Ya’s sligh t ly u n h ap p y exp r ession , Bei Bei t ook h er p lace

exp lain in g t h in gs t o H u o Yu h ao. “Sou l t ools act u ally h ave a ver y lar ge
r elat ion sh ip w it h ou r T an g Sect . In a sen se, sou l t ools ar e w eap on s t h at w e u se
sou lfor ce t o act ivat e. H igh er q u alit y sou l t ools w ill p ossess gr eat er m igh t . T h is
also m ean s t h a t , ev en if you ’r e on ly a t ool sou l m ast er , you ’d st ill b e ab le t o
p ossess con sid er ab ly h igh at t ack p ow er if you h ad a st r on g sou l t ool. H ow ever ,
t h e d evelop m en t of sou l t ools w as on e of t h e m ain r eason s for ou r T an g Sect ’s
d eclin e.”
“Ou r T an g Sect w as st ill flou r ish in g fou r t h ou san d year s ago. H ow ever , t h e
collision w it h t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t w as t h e r oot cau se for ou r T an g Sect ’s
d eclin e.” T an g Ya sp ok e w it h a h at efu l t on e, “Ou r T an g Sect w as fam ou s for
h id d en w eap on s, an d ou r m ain sou r ce of in com e w as ob t ain ed b y sellin g h id d en
w eap on s. In t h e p a st , alm ost ever y sin gle cou n t r y w ou ld p u r ch ase a cer t a in
am ou n t of h id d en w eap on s fr om u s—even som e sect s w ou ld d o t h e sam e.”
“Over fou r t h ou san d year s ago, w ar qu ick ly b r ok e ou t w h en t h e Su n M oon

Con t in en t collid ed w it h ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t . T h e t h r ee em p ir es’ ar m ies,
su p p or t ed b y t h e h id d en w eap on s of ou r T an g Sect , collid ed w it h t h e ar m y of
t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. In t h e en d , alt h ou gh t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w asn ’t st r on g
in t h e asp ect of sou l m ast er s, t h ey p ossessed u n iq u e in sigh t s in t h e asp ect s of
sou l t ools. T h ese sou l t ools w er e act iva t ed w it h sou lfor ce, an d su r p assed ou r
T an g Sect ’s h id d en w eap on s in st r en gt h as a w h ole, as w ell as in at t ack r an ge. In
t h e en d , it cau sed t h e t h r ee em p ir es of ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t t o su ffer d isast r ou s
losses d u r in g t h e in it ial p h ase of t h e w ar .”
Douluo Cont inent
“Alt h ou gh w e w on t h e w ar in t h e en d , t h e effect iven ess of ou r T an g Sect ’s

h id d en w eap on s w as called in t o q u est ion . Fr om t h en on , var iou s cou n t r ies
st ar t ed a lar ge-sca le r ed u ct ion in p u r ch a sin g ou r h id d en w ea p on s. Even t h ou gh
ou r in com e w as st ill h igh , a lar ge p or t ion of it w as d on at ed ou t , as p er t h e w ill of
t h e fir st sect m ast er . T h e d on at ed m on ey w as u sed t o im p r ove t h e lifest yle of
t h e or d in ar y folk w h o lived in im p over ish ed a r eas, as w ell as t o b u ild sch ools
an d ot h er p u b lic facilit ies. T h u s, w e d id n ’t h ave a lot of ext r a cash .”
“At t h at t im e, t h e T an g Sect h ad sever al t h ou san d p eop le in it . H ow ever , t h e

sp eed of ou r d eclin e w as sim p ly t oo qu ick . Aft er on ly a m er e t w o h u n d r ed year s,
ou r T an g Sect h ad r ap id ly d eclin ed . T h e for m er n u m b er on e sect in t h e
con t in en t n ever saw it s for m er glor y again . W h en t h e T an g Sect r each ed m y
gen er at ion , t h e on ly t h r ee p eop le left w er e m y fat h er , m y m ot h er , an d m e. An d
w h en w e w er e h u n t in g som e sou l b east s, m y m ot h er an d fat h er d ied . T h u s, t h e
T an g Sect on ly h ad a lon e ch ild lik e m e left .”
W h en sh e got t o t h is p oin t , t ear s flow ed d ow n T an g Ya’s sm oot h an d

exqu isit e face, an d sh e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t clen ch h er fist s t igh t ly.
H u o Yu h ao m u r m u r ed , “T each er Xiao Ya, ar e ou r T an g Sect ’s h id d en

w eap on s t r u ly in com p ar ab le t o t h ese sou l t ools?”
T an g Ya sigh ed an d said , “In cer t ain asp ect s, w h at you say is in d eed t r u e.
W h at t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t b r ou gh t t o u s w asn ’t ju st sou l t ools, b u t also a
p len t ifu l am ou n t of m in er als. T h ese r ar e m in er als ar e a ll ext r em ely good
con d u ct or s for sou lfor ce, w h ich m ak es t h em esp ecially su it ab le for
m an u fact u r in g sou l t ools. T h is cau sed t h e h igh -sp eed d evelop m en t of sou l t ools
t o h ap p en d u r in g t h e few t h ou san d year s aft er t h e w ar h ad en d ed , w h ich
r esu lt ed in an even sm aller m ar k et for ou r T an g Sect ’s h id d en w eap on s.
H ow ever , in t h e field of d egr ee of m et icu lou sn ess, as w ell as d esign in gen u it y,
ou r T an g Sect ’s h id d en w eap on s ab solu t ely su r p ass sou l t ools; t h is is esp ecially
t r u e of a few sh ar p h id d en w eap on s, w h ich ar e even su p er ior t o sou l w eap on s.
H ow ever , t h e m an u fact u r in g r eq u ir em en t s for t h ose h id d en w eap on s ar e also
ext r em ely com p licat ed .”
Bei Bei r u b b ed T an g Ya’s h ead an d said , “ T h e d evelop m en t of sou l t ools h as

t r u ly d ea lt a h ar sh b low t o ou r T an g Sect an d it s h id d en w eap on s. W h en I’d ju st
m et T an g Ya, sh e st u b b or n ly b elieved t h at h id d en w eap on s w er e st r on ger t h a n
sou l t ools. H ow ever , t h e fact s h ave p r oven t h at sou l t ools ar e cap ab le of
r ep lacin g ou r T an g Sect ’s h id d en w ea p on s in b ecom in g w eap on s t h at ar e
accep t ed b y all p ar t ies, w h ich in d eed m ak es sen se. Fir st ly, it ’s b ecau se t h ey’ve
sim p ly b een easily a ccep t ed b y t h e m asses, esp ecially t h ose t ool sou l m ast er s
w h o d on ’t act u ally h ave an y at t ack in g ca p ab ilit ies. Aft er p ossessin g a sou l t ool,
t h ey t u r n ed in t o b at t le sou l m ast er s in p r act ically an in st a n t , w it h t h e on ly cost
t h ey h ad t o p ay b ein g sou lfor ce. T h u s, aft er Xiao Ya an d I d iscu ssed it , w e
d ecid ed t h a t ou t T a n g Sect ab solu t ely cou ld n ot con t in u e follow in g ou r old
w ays, lock in g ou r selves in ou r ow n w or ld , if w e w an t ed t h e sect t o flou r ish on ce
again . If w e w an t t o m ak e t h e glor y of t h e T an g Sect r eap p ear , t h en n ot on ly d o
w e h ave t o u n d er st an d sou l t ools, b u t w e also n eed t o m er ge t h em w it h t h e
m an u fact u r in g t ech n iq u es of ou r cu r r en t h id d en w eap on s t o cr eat e even
st r on ger sou l t ools. T h is is t h e on ly w ay ou r T an g Sect w ill h ave t h e op p or t u n it y
t o gr ow . Becau se of t h is, each an d ever y on e of ou r T an g Sect ’s d iscip les m u st
sim u lt an eou sly st u d y sou l t ools w h ile cu lt ivat in g t h eir m ar t ia l sou ls.”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “T each er Xiao Ya, eld est sen ior b r ot h er , sin ce sou l
w eap on s ar e so st r o n g, w h y d id t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e lose t o t h e allied ar m y of
ou r t h r ee em p ir es d u r in g t h e w ar ?”
Bei Bei sm iled calm ly an d said , “T h at ’s b ecau se, alt h ou gh t h e sou l w eap on s
t h ey p ossessed b ack t h en w er e st r on g, even t h e st r on gest sou l t ool w asn ’t ab le t o
com p ar e t o t h e figh t in g p ow er of a T it led Dou lu o. H ow ever , aft er a few
t h ou san d year s of d evelop m en t , a few esp ecially st r on g sou l t ools h ave b egu n t o
ap p ear , w h ose st r en gt h can even t h r eat en T it led Dou lu os. H ow ever , sou l t ools
h ave a m ajor issu e, w h ich is t h e fact t h at st r on ger sou l t ools r eq u ir e st r on ger
sou l m ast er s t o u se t h em t o t h eir fu llest ext en t . If you d on ’t h ave en ou gh
sou lfor ce t o su p p or t t h eir u sage, t h eir p o w er w ill b e ext r em ely lim it ed . T h u s, an
in t er est in g p h en om en a h as occu r r ed aft er ou r t w o con t in en t s m er ged t oget h er .
T h e p eop le over h er e ar e d oin g t h eir u t m ost t o st u d y t h e m et h od s n eed ed t o
m an u fact u r e sou l t ools, w h ile t h e p eop le over at t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e ar e d oin g
t h eir b est t o cu lt ivat e st r on g sou l m ast er s. Aft er t h ese p ast few t h ou san d year s,
ou r t w o con t in en t s seem t o act u ally b e som ew h at b alan ced .”
H u o Yu h ao fin ally h ad an in it ial u n d er st an d in g of Sh r ek Acad em y w it h Bei

Bei an d T an g Ya’s in t r od u ct ion s.
Aft er T an g Ya r u b b ed t h e t ear s off of h er face, sh e gr ab bed H u o Yu h ao’s

sleeve an d sa id , “Lit t le Yu h ao, t h e m ost im p or t an t t h in g for you t o d o r igh t n ow
is t o st ay w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y. Bei Bei an d I ar e alr ea d y t h ir d year st u d en t s,
an d it sh ou ld n ’t b e a p r ob lem for u s t o r ise t o t h e r an k of fou r t h year st u d en t s
sin ce I’ve ob t ain ed m y t h ou san d -year sou l r in g. Aft er b ecom in g fou r t h year
st u d en t s, t h e elim in at ion r at e isn ’t t h at h igh . Aft er a few m or e year s, w e’ll h ave
t h e ch an ce t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d an d st u d y t h er e. H ow ever , you ’r e
d iffer en t . Aft er en t er in g t h e acad em y as a fir st year st u d en t , t h e com p et it ion
you ’ll face w ill b e t h e m ost in t en se. T h e acad em y w ill h ave an assessm en t for
n ew st u d en t s ever y t h r ee m on t h s, an d on ly st u d en t s w h o ar e ab le t o p ass t h e
assessm en t can st ay. Alt h ou gh ou r T an g Sect h as t h e p r ivilege of ad m it t in g a
sin gle st u d en t in t o Sh r ek Acad em y, w h et h er you can con t in u e t o st ay w ill all
d ep en d on you . T h is is som et h in g t h a t n o on e can h elp you w it h , d o you
u n d er st an d ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ead ser iou sly as h e said , “T each er Xiao Ya, I w ill

d efin it ely d o m y b est . H ow ever , w it h you r an d eld est sen ior b r ot h er ’s p ow er ,
h ave you act u ally n ot b ecom e st u d en t s of t h e in n er cou r t yar d ?”
T an g Ya r ep lied , “W an t in g t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d of Sh r ek Acad em y is

easier said t h an d on e. T h e r u les for Sh r ek Acad em y h ave n ever b een ch an ged .
T h e ou t er cou r t yar d w as on ly cr eat ed lat er on , d u e t o t h e t h r ee em p ir es r equ est s
so t h at t h ey cou ld cu lt ivat e even m or e t alen t ed p eop le. H ow ever , on ly st u d en t s
w h o h ave en t er ed t h e in n er cou r t yar d ar e con sid er ed t r u e st u d en t s of Sh r ek
Acad em y. Ever y sin gle st u d en t in t h e in n er cou r t yar d is a gen iu s or a m on st r ou s
gen iu s, an d som e of t h em can on ly b e descr ib ed as m on st er s. St u d en t s in t h e
ou t er cou r t yar d w ill h ave a t est aft er st ayin g t h er e for six year s, an d can
gr ad u at e aft er p assin g t h at t est . On ly t h e m ost ou t st a n d in g p eop le t h at t ak e t h e
t est , w h ich n u m b er ext r em ely few , w ill h ave t h e ch an ce t o t ak e t h e en t r an ce
exam for t h e in n er cou r t yar d . On ly aft er p assin g t h a t t est w ill t h ey h ave
p er m ission t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d . T h e t im e t ak en t o com p let e t h eir
st u d ies w it h in t h e in n er cou r t yar d is also six year s. Su p p osed ly, ever y sin gle
p er son t h at h as gr ad u at ed fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d is at least an exp er t of t h e
Sou l Em p er or r an k ! Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey’ll r eceive t h e b est t r eat m en t fr om all
cou n t r ies, in clu d in g t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e.”
“It ’s t h at am azin g!” W h en H u o Yu h ao h ear d t h is, h e cou ld n ’t h elp a feelin g of

in fat u at ion r isin g in h is h ear t . H e secr et ly t h ou gh t t o h im self t h at , if h e cou ld
on e d ay b ecom e a gr ad u at in g st u d en t fr om Sh r ek Acad em y’s in n er cou r t yar d , h e
cou ld r et u r n t o t h e Du k e’s M an sion t o ask for h is m ot h er ’s r em ain s. T h en , h is
m ot h er cou ld b e at p eace. Aft er h e t h ou gh t of t h is, h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t clen ch
h is fist s t igh t ly.
Bei Bei w as ser iou s as h e sa id , “It ’s far m or e am azin g. I on ce saw an

u p p er classm an fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d . H e en t er ed t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est
b y h im self, an d d efeat ed t h r ee t en -t h ou san d -year sou l b east s w it h h is b ar e
h an d s, w it h ou t k illin g t h em ! H e t h en t ook t h em b ack t o t h e acad em y.
Su p p osed ly, t h at w a s t h e m ission h e’d r eceived for h is t en t h year assessm en t .”
T an g Ya said , “I’ve even h ear d t h at t h er e w as on ce a t w elft h -year

u p p er classm en w h o ’d alr ead y r each ed t h e Sou l Sage level b y t h e t im e h e
gr ad u at ed . Fu r t h er m or e, h e even p ossessed a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g!
T h at u p p er classm an lat er st ayed in t h e acad em y t o b e r aised as t h e n ext d ean of
t h e acad em y.”
Aft er h ear in g t h eir exp lan at ion s, H u o Yu h ao h ad b egu n t o h ave an im p at ien t
feelin g. H is in t er act ion s w it h Bei Bei an d T an g Ya t h ese p ast few d ays h ad m ad e
h im d eep ly u n d er st an d t h e en or m ou s b en efit s h e r eceived t ow ar d s h is
cu lt ivat ion w h en h e h ad a good t each er . Sh r ek Acad em y w as u n d ou b t ed ly t h e
b est ch oice! H e secr et ly m ad e a vow t o h im self t h at , n o m at t er h ow h ar d h e h ad
t o w or k , h e’d en su r e t h at h e r em ain ed in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , an d t h at h e w ou ld
st r ive t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d in t h e fu t u r e.
Douluo Cont inent
W it h t h is feelin g in h is h ear t , H u o Yu h a o cou ld n ’t h elp b u t b egin t o p on d er

t h e secr et t ech n iq u es of t h e T an g Sect w h ile t h ey w alk ed . Bei Bei an d T an g Ya’s
in t r od u ct ion t o Sh r ek Acad em y h ad alr ead y ign it ed a flam e in h is h ear t .
T an g Ya an d Bei Bei cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sm ile at each ot h er w h en t h ey saw H u o

Yu h ao’s ap p ear an ce. W h en t h ey’d en t er ed Sh r ek Acad em y in t h e b egin n in g,
w er en ’t t h ey ju st lik e H u o Yu h ao?
Aft er a few h ou r s, H u o Yu h ao fin ally saw Sh r ek Acad em y.
Rat h er t h an callin g it an acad em y, it ’d b e m or e su it ab le t o call it a cit y. As

t h ey w alk ed ou t of t h e for est n ear t h e m ain r oad , t h ey w er e ab le t o see t h e t all
w alls of t h e cit y b egin n in g t o ext en d u p w ar d s fr om t h e d ist a n t field s.
Sh r ek Acad em y h ad b een est ab lish ed on a w id e field , t h u s t h e ar ea t h at it

cover ed w as ext r em ely vast . It w a s a cit y in an d of it self, an d t h e cit y’s n am e w as
‘Sh r ek Cit y’. Sh r ek Cit y w as on e of t h e b iggest cit ies on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ,
an d t h e n u m b er of p eop le w h o lived in it su r p assed t w o m illion . Fu r t h er m or e,
Sh r ek Acad em y w as t h e sole gover n or of t h e cit y, an d d id n ’t n eed t o p ay an y
t axes t o an y cou n t r y. T h is sin gle p oin t ju st b y it self w as so m et h in g t h at ever y
sin gle ot h er acad em y, in clu d in g t h ose in t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t , w er e u n ab le
t o say.
Sh r ek Acad em y w asn ’t locat ed in t h e m id d le of Sh r ek Cit y, b u t t h e east er n

p ar t . T h is w as b eca u se t h e d ist an t Gr ea t St ar Dou For est w as locat ed t ow ar d s
t h e east .
Sh r ek Acad em y w as su r r ou n d ed b y lan d in a ll d ir ect ion s, an d cou ld also b e

said t o b e accessib le fr om all d ir ect ion s. It w asn ’t on ly t h e locat ion of Sh r ek
Acad em y, b u t w as also t h e m ost im p or t a n t t r ad e cit y for t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ’s
or igin al t h r ee em p ir es. Becau se of Sh r ek Acad em y, t h e p eacek eep in g w it h in
Sh r ek Cit y w as ext r em ely good . T r an sact ion s m ad e w it h in t h e cit y w er en ’t ju st
fair , b u t also m ad e p eop le feel at ease. Becau se of t h is, m ost of t h e m er ch a n t s
fr om t h e t h r ee em p ir es w ou ld ch oose t o d o t h eir b u sin ess w it h in Sh r ek Cit y
w h en con d u ct in g t r an sn at ion al t r ad e.
T h e sou t h er n , w est er n , an d n or t h er n cit y gat es of Sh r ek Cit y cou ld b e en t er ed

an d exit ed t h r ou gh at w ill. On ly t h e east er n gat e w as exclu sive t o Sh r ek
Acad em y.
Un d er Bei Bei a n d T an g Ya’s lead , H u o Yu h ao ar r ived ou t sid e t h e east er n cit y

gat e.
T h is cit y gat e w as on ly u sab le b y Sh r ek Acad em y, b u t it w as cu r r en t ly

ext r em ely b u sy. T h er e w er e at least five t h ou san d p eop le gat h er ed ou t sid e t h e
east er n gat e, an d it w as u n u su a lly lively. A lar ge n u m b er of t r ad er s h ad alr ead y
m oved h er e d u e t o t h e r u m ou r s, as t h is gat e w as even livelier t h an t h e ot h er
gat es b y a lar ge m ar gin .
“J u n ior b r ot h er , you ’r e ju st in t im e for t h e acad em y’s r ecr u it m en t of n ew

st u d en t s. You sh ou ld b e ab le join t h is year ’s b at ch of n ew st u d en t s w it h ou t an y
p r ob lem s, w h ich ’ll m ak e you ou r ju n ior b y t h r ee year s. T h ese or d in ar y n ew
st u d en t s d on ’t ju st h ave t o p ass t h e assessm en t , b u t also h ave t o h ave a
r ecom m en d at ion let t er fr om on e of t h e t h r ee em p ir es’ cap it al cit ies at t h e ver y
m in im u m . T h is t im e of year is alw ays t h e b u siest p er iod of t im e for Sh r ek Cit y.”
H u o Yu h ao q u iet ly ask ed , “Eld est sen ior b r ot h er , is t h e assessm en t ver y

d ifficu lt ?”
Bei Bei h esit at ed , an d su b con sciou sly look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
T an g Ya, on t h e o t h er h an d , w as st r aigh t for w ar d as sh e said , “H e’ll fin d ou t

soon er or lat er . T h is w ill also b ecom e t h e d r ivin g for ce b eh in d h is fu t u r e h ar d
w or k , so it ’s b et t er t o t ell h im n ow . Lit t le Yu h ao, t h e en t r an ce exam for Sh r ek
Acad em y’s ou t er cou r t yar d h as t w o r equ ir em en t s: On e, you can n ot b e old er
t h an t w en t y, an d t w o, you r sou lfor ce can n ot b e low er t h an t h e fift een t h r an k . If
you look at it p u r ely fr om t h e st an d p oin t of t h e exam in at ion ’s st an d ar d s, you
d on ’t m eet t h e q u alificat ion s t o en t er .”
Sh e d id n ’t say an yt h in g t h at w ou ld m a k e H u o Yu h ao w or k h ar d er , b ecau se
sh e k n ew t h a t h e alr ead y w or k ed h ar d en ou gh .
H u o Yu h ao ask ed ser iou sly, “T h en , w ill t h e fir st assessm en t aft er t h r ee

m on t h s also t est m y sou lfor ce?” W it h h is p h ysiqu e, w an t in g t o in cr ease h is
sou lfor ce fr om t h e eleven t h r an k t o t h e fift een t h r an k w it h in t h r ee m on t h s w as
an en t ir ely im p ossib le t ask .
Bei Bei sh ook h is h ead an d r ep lied , “No. T h e assessm en t s of ou r Sh r ek

Acad em y alw ays con sist of live com b at . As a t each er on ce said , ‘an y am ou n t of
n u m er ical d at a p ales in t h e face of live co m b at ’.”
H u o Yu h ao for cefu lly n od d ed h is h ead . “T each er Xiao Ya, eld est sen ior
b r ot h er , p er h ap s I cu r r en t ly can ’t com p ar e t o t h e over w h elm in g m ajor it y of t h e
n ew st u d en t s, b u t I w ill d efin it ely exceed t h em in t h e fu t u r e.” H is w or d s h ad a
calm n ess t h at su r p assed h is p eer s, a n d an a fir m n ess t h a t d id t h e sam e w a s also
p r esen t w it h in h is Sp ir it Eyes.
Bei Bei, w h o w as a h ead t aller t h an H u o Yu h ao, ext en d ed h is ar m s ou t t o gr ab

h is sh ou ld er s as h e said , “Let ’s go. If you can get t h r ou gh t h e follow in g t h r ee
m on t h s, eld est sen ior b r ot h er w ill b e op t im ist ic ab ou t you r ch an ces t o get t o t h e
en d .”
Bei Bei an d T an g Ya t ook H u o Yu h ao w it h t h em as t h ey sk ir t ed t h e cr ow d ,

an d ar r ived at t h e ea st er n cit y gat e.
T h er e w er e t en m ale an d fem ale you t h s st an d in g ou t sid e t h e east er n cit y gat e,

p r ot ect in g it . T h ey w er e r ou gh ly t h e sa m e age as T an g Ya an d Bei Bei, an d all of
t h em w er e w ear in g yellow w ar r ior r ob es w it h a gr een p at t er n in scr ib ed on t h e
ch est s. T h is w as t h e u n ifor m for secon d an d t h ir d year st u d en t s of Sh r ek
Acad em y’s ou t er cou r t yar d .
W h en t h ey saw Bei Bei, t h ey im m ed iat ely b ecam e r esp ect fu l. “Eld est sen ior
b r ot h er Bei, you ’ve r et u r n ed .”
Bei Bei sm iled an d gr eet ed ever y on e of h is ju n ior an d sen ior b r ot h er s.

Aft er w ar d s, h e sp ok e a few w or d s t o t h e lead er of t h e gr ou p . T h at st u d en t
glan ced at H u o Yu h ao, t h en im m ed iat ely n od d ed h is h ead . “T h er e’s n ot h in g t o
d ou b t ab ou t ou r sen ior b r ot h er ’s w or d s. Go t ak e t h is ju n ior b r ot h er in sid e t o
r egist er .”
Bei Bei sm iled as h e gave h im a t h u m b s u p . “T h an k s. I’ll t r eat you ju n ior

b r ot h er s t o a m eal n ext t im e.”
T h e ot h er p er son w asn ’t p olit e eit h er a s h e lau gh ed . “T h en t h at ’s t h a t . W e

w on ’t give u p t h e ch an ce t o h ave a feast .”
Bei Bei r aised h is h an d an d gave h im a h igh five. “I w on ’t d isap p oin t

ever yon e.” W h en h e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g, h e an d T an g Ya t ook H u o Yu h ao in t o
t h e east er n cit y gat e, w h ich w as also t h e sym b ol for Sh r ek Acad em y’s d oor .
Not far aw ay, a n ew st u d en t , w h o’d ju st fin ish ed en r ollin g for h is assessm en t ,

ask ed t h e old er st u d en t w h o w as in ch ar ge of h is assessm en t , “Sen ior classm at e,
w h o w as t h at sen ior classm at e?”
“T h at w as sen ior b r ot h er Bei. H is n am e is Bei Bei, b u t ever yon e calls h im

T h u n d er b olt Bei Bei. H e p ossesses t h e n u m b er on e b ea st sou l, t h e Blu e
Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon . Fu r t h er m or e, h e’s excep t ion ally t a len t ed . At t h e age
of t h ir t een , h e b r ok e t h r ou gh t o t h e t h ir t iet h r an k , an d h is cu lt ivat ion h a s
su p p osed ly ap p r oach ed t h e for t iet h r an k , w h ich m ean s t h at h e cou ld
b r eak t h r ou gh an d b ecom e a Sou l An cest or in on e or t w o year s. H e’s on e of t h e
ou t st an d in g exp er t s of ou r ou t er cou r t ya r d . W it h sen ior b r ot h er Bei’s st r en gt h ,
an d if it w er en ’t for t h at ju n ior classm a t e called T an g Ya w h o’s accom p an yin g
h im , h e cou ld ’ve alr ead y st ar t ed t h e fift h -year assessm en t for t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d . If h e b r eak s t h r ou gh t o t h e for t iet h r an k , I p r ed ict t h at even t h e
sixt h -year a ssessm en t s w on ’t st op h im . Eld est sen ior b r ot h er Bei isn ’t ju st
st r on g, h e’s alw ays b een k in d t o p eop le. If you w er e t o ask w h o t h e m ost p op u la r
p er son in t h e o u t er cou r t yar d w a s, it w ou ld d efin it ely b e h im . Sen ior b r ot h er
Bei is t h e Pr in ce Ch a r m in g of m an y fem ale st u d en t s in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , b u t
h e’s sin gle-m in d ed ly focu sed on w h o h e loves. For t h e sak e of ju n ior classm a t e
T an g Ya, h e’s r eject ed t h e con fession s of an u n cou n t ab le n u m b er of ju n ior an d
sen ior fem ale classm at es. Rep or t ed ly, even som e of t h e fem ale sen ior classm at es
fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d h ave fallen for h im . Ever yon e says t h at sen ior b r ot h er
Bei w ill d efin it ely en t er t h e in n er cou r t ya r d in t w o year s at m ost .”
W h en Bei Bei an d T an g Ya t ook H u o Yu h ao in t o Sh r ek Acad em y, it w as

d iffer en t fr om t h e v ast an d solem n scen e t h at h e’d im agin ed . Sh r ek Acad em y
h ad an elegan t en vir on m en t , an d t h er e w er e var iou s t yp es of ab u n d an t an d lu sh
flor a w it h in . As h e w alk ed alon g t h e w id e m ain p at h , h e w as ab le t o see at least
t en p lan t s in ever y d ir ect ion h e look ed . T h ese p lan t s h ad clear ly b een
m et icu lou sly p r u n ed .
Aft er h e’d w alk ed for t w o h u n d r ed or so m et r es, sever al en or m ou s scu lp t u r es

ap p ear ed in fr on t of h im , cover in g h is lin e of sigh t . T h er e w er e a t ot a l of t en
scu lp t u r es, an d t h ey w er e all t en m et r es t all. T h ey h ad a ll b een car ved fr om
ext r em ely t ou gh gr a n it e.
Chapt er 6.4: Number One Academy in t he Douluo
Cont inent
T h er e w er e t h r ee scu lp t u r es in t h e fr on t , w it h t h e m id d le scu lp t u r e
r esem b lin g an old m an . H e h ad a set of sp ect acles an d a beam in g look on h is
face. H is figu r e w as aver age, b u t h e w as sligh t ly p lu m p , an d h e look ed lik e a yes-
m an .
Bei Bei sa id t o H u o Yu h ao, “T h e p er son in t h e m id d le is t h e fou n d er of Sh r ek

Acad em y, an d also t h e fir st d ean of t h e acad em y, Flen d er . T h e p er son t o h is left
is an an cest or of m y clan . H e cr eat ed t h e t each in g fou n d at ion s t h at ar e cu r r en t ly
u sed b y var iou s m ar t ial sou l syst em s w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y. H e’s also on e of t h e
m ar t ial sou l w or ld ’s t en cor e r ole m od els, an d h as t h e t it le of Gr an d m ast er . H is
n am e is Yu Xiaogan g. M y m ot h er w as a d ir ect d escen d an t of h is b lood lin e. T h e
w om an t o t h e r igh t is also an ot h er an cest or of m in e, Liu Er lon g. Sh e’s
Gr an d m ast er ’s w ife. T h e t h r ee of t h em w er e ab le t o m er ge t oget h er an d for m
t h e Gold en Ir on T r ian gle. If Dean Flen d er cou ld b e said t o h ave fou n d ed Sh r ek
Acad em y, t h en Gr an d m ast er w ou ld b e t h e t r u e sp ir it b eh in d it . H e w as also t h e
p er son w h o sin gle-h an d ed ly r aised Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s, w h ose scu lp t u r es
ar e b eh in d t h em .
T h e scu lp t u r e of Gr an d m ast er look ed lik e a m id d le-aged m an w h o’d w ast ed

aw ay a b it , w h ile Liu Er lon g w as a ch ar m in g m id d le-aged w om an .
T h er e w er e seven scu lp t u r es lin ed u p h or izon t ally b eh in d t h em . W h en H u o

Yu h ao’s gaze fell u p on t h e scu lp t u r e in t h e m id d le, w h o st ood at t h e for efr on t of
t h e ot h er s, h is b od y cou ld n ’t h elp b u t t r em b le.
It w as a st at u e of a t all m an w h o h ad a h an d som e ap p ear an ce, b u t t h e m ost

p ecu liar t h in g ab ou t h im , w er e h is eyes. T h er e w as a p at t er n on h is for eh ea d
w it h t h e w or d “Kin g”, an d alt h ou gh it w as on ly a scu lp t u r e, it h ad a sor t of
im p osin g an d st r on g p r essu r e.
“T h e seven scu lp t u r es t h a t st an d b eh in d t h e Gold en Ir on T r ia n gle ar e Sh r ek ’s

Seven M on st er s, w h o p r eviou sly cr eat ed t h eir ow n glor y. T h e p er son w h o’s
st an d in g in fr on t is t h e W h it e T iger Dou lu o, Dai M u b ai, w h ile t h e secon d p er son
is t h e Sau sage Dou lu o, Oscar . T h e t h ir d p er son is ou r T an g Sect ’s an cest or , t h e
Asu r a Dou lu o, T an g San .
T an g San w as t h e m ost h an d som e am on gst t h e seven . H is b lu e h air w as

d r ap ed acr oss h is sh ou ld er s, an d h e w or e a sim p le set of w a r r ior s r ob es. Blu e
vin es t h a t w er e clea r ly h is Blu esilver Gr ass m ar t ial sou l h ad coiled ar ou n d t h e
scu lp t u r e. T h er e w a s also a fain t sm ile at t h e cor n er of h is m ou t h , b u t h is
lifelik e gaze w as fixed on a w om an w h o w as fift h in t h e r ow , w h o h ad b r aid ed
h air .
“T h e fou r t h p er son is t h e Evil Ph oen ix Dou lu o, M a H on gju n , w h ile t h e fift h

p er son is T an g San ’s w ife, t h e Soft Bon e Dou lu o, Xiao W u . Accor d in g t o t h e
st or ies, sh e w as a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east w h o ch ose t o cu lt iva t e as a
h u m an . T h e p er son even fu r t h er b ack is t h e Nin e T r easu r e Dou lu o, Nin g
Ron gr on g, w h o h old s t h e t it le of t h e w or ld ’s st r on gest au xiliar y sou l m ast er ; sh e
w as also t h e Sau sage Dou lu o’s w ife. T h e last p er son is t h e Net h er w or ld Dou lu o,
Zh u Zh u q in g. Sh e w as t h e w ife of t h e W h it e T iger Dou lu o.”
T h e fir st gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s scu lp t u r es all h ad d iffer en t

sh ap es, b u t t h e fact t h at t h ey w er e all T it led Dou lu os a t t est ed t o h ow st r on g
t h ey’d b een in t h e p a st .
T an g Ya’s gaze w as fixed on t h e scu lp t u r e of t h e Asu r a Dou lu o, T an g San . T h e

Gold en Ir on T r ian gle an d t h e fir st gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s h ad
laid t h e fou n d a t ion for Sh r ek Acad em y. Even t h ou gh t en t h ou san d year s h ad
gon e b y, an d even t h ou gh Sh r ek Acad em y h ad r aised an u n cou n t ab le n u m b er of
ou t st an d in g gen iu ses an d exp er t s, t h e n u m b er of scu lp t u r es h a d n ever
in cr eased , an d h ad r em ain ed at t en .
Bei Bei exp lain ed t o H u o Yu h ao, “W e’ll h ave t o sep ar a t e h er e. If you w alk t o
t h e left , you ’ll ar r ive at t h e M ar t ial Sou l In st it u t ion . If you w alk t o t h e r igh t ,
you ’ll ar r ive at t h e Sou l En gin eer in g In st it u t ion . T h ese ar e t h e t w o lar gest
b r an ch es of Sh r ek Acad em y, an d t h ey b ot h b elon g t o t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . If you
w er e t o com p ar e t h em , t h e M ar t ial Sou l In st it u t ion is la r ger , w h ile t h e So u l
En gin eer in g In st it u t ion is sm aller . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e M ar t ial Sou l In st it u t ion is
also d ivid ed in t o m a n y d ep ar t m en t s. W e’ll go t o t h e M ar t ial Sou l In st it u t ion t o
get you r egist er ed fir st . T h e b asic r eq u ir em en t for you t o en r oll in t h e So u l
En gin eer in g In st it u t ion is for you t o p ass t h e fir st assessm en t for n ew st u d en t s.”
H u o Yu h ao’s gaze w as st ill st u ck on t h e t en scu lp t u r es. W h en h e t h ou gh t

ab ou t t h e legen d s t h at h is m ot h er h ad t old h im ab ou t , h e occasion ally felt a
sh ock ed feelin g r ise in h is h ear t .
T h e r oad t o t h e left of t h e scu lp t u r es w a s st ill ver y w id e, an d cou ld fit fou r or

five car r iages sid e-b y-sid e. T h er e w as a sign b oar d n ext t o t h e r oad w it h t h e
w or d s ‘Lak esid e Pat h ’ w r it t en on it .
You cou ld fain t ly see a lar ge b od y of w at er h id d en w it h in t h e sh ad y gr een

t r ees t o t h e r igh t . T h is also m ean t t h a t t h er e w as an en or m ou s lak e b eh in d t h e
t en scu lp t u r es of t h e Gold en Ir on T r ian gle an d Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s.
T an g Ya n ot iced H u o Yu h ao’s gaze, an d cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sp eak w it h a

sligh t ly p r ou d voice, “T h at ’s an ar t ificial lak e m ad e for t h e sak e of
com m em or at in g ou r T an g Sect ’s an cest or , T an g San . It ’s ca lled Sea God ’s Lak e,
b ecau se accor d in g t o t h e legen d s, ou r an cest or T an g San in h er it ed t h e Sea God ’s
legacy. T h e Sea God ’s Lak e h as an ext r em ely lar ge su r face ar ea, an d is filled
en t ir ely w it h gr ou n d w at er . Ou r Sh r ek Acad em y’s in n er cou r t yar d is locat ed on
an islan d in t h e m id d le of t h e Sea God ’s Lak e. Ever y sin gle d iscip le fr om t h e
ou t er cou r t yar d feels h on or ed if t h ey’r e ab le t o r each t h e cen t r e islan d of Sea
God ’s Lak e.
Bei Bei look ed t ow ar d t h e Sea God ’s Lak e w it h a d eep gaze, an d a d et er m in ed

an d st u b b or n ligh t flash ed t h r ou gh h is eyes.
T h e Sea God ’s Lak e w as in d eed ver y lar ge. As t h ey follow ed t h e lak esid e p at h
t o h ead sou t h w ar d , t h ey on ly n eed ed t o t u r n w est w ar d s aft er a fu ll fift een
m in u t es h ad p assed . On ly aft er t h ey’d w alk ed an ot h er fift een m in u t es or so d id
t h e p at h fin ally b egin t o r eced e, cau sin g a vast , r ect an gu lar p laza t o ap p ear in
t h eir lin e of sigh t . A sign b oar d w it h t h e w or d s ‘Sh r ek Plaza’ also st ood b esid e
t h e p laza.
T h er e w er e m an y t all t each in g ar ea s b eh in d Sh r ek Plaza. T h e colou r s of t h ese

t each in g ar eas w er e all d iffer en t , an d w er e sep ar at ed in t o fou r m ain colou r s—
w h it e, yellow , p u r p le, an d b lack . If on e gazed in t o t h e far sou t h of Sh r ek Plaza,
t h ey’d even b e ab le t o see a gr ey t each in g ar ea.
Bei Bei p oin t ed t ow a r d s t h e t each in g ar eas n ext t o t h e p laza as h e said , “T h e

d iffer en t colou r ed t each in g ar eas r ep r esen t t h e d iffer en t year s of st u d en t s,
w h ich ar e d iffer en t iat ed accor d in g t o t h e colou r s of sou l r in gs. T h e w h it e
t each in g ar eas a r e for n ew st u d en t s, ju st lik e t h e low est level t en year sou l r in gs.
Accor d in gly, t h e yellow t each in g ar eas ar e for t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ’s secon d an d
t h ir d year st u d en t s, an d t h e p u r p le t each in g ar eas ar e for t h e fou r t h an d fift h
year st u d en t s. T h e b lack t each in g ar eas ar e for t h e sixt h year st u d en t s. If you ’r e
ab le t o leave t h e b lack t each in g ar eas, you ’ll b e ab le t o ob t ain a gr ad u at ion
cer t ificat e fr om t h e a cad em y’s ou t er cou r t yar d .
“T h ose gr ey t each in g ar eas in t h e d ist a n ce b elon g t o t h e Sou l En gin eer in g

In st it u t ion . If you com p ar e w er e t o com p ar e t h eir size h er e, t h e Sou l
En gin eer in g In st it u t ion t ak es u p r ou gh ly a t h ir d of t h e t each in g ar ea, w h ile t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t t ak es u p a fu ll t w o-t h ir d s. Besid es t h ese t each in g ar eas
at t h e fr on t , t h er e ar e also m an y sp ecial t each in g gr ou n d s locat ed in t h e b ack ,
su ch as t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a, t h e a ssessm en t a r eas, t h e d or m it or ies, t h e
t each er ’s offices, an d so on .”
T h e n ew st u d en t s’ w h it e t each in g a r eas w er e locat ed t o t h e far sou t h , a n d

w er e also t h e closest t o t h e lak esid e p at h . T h e t h r ee of t h em w alk ed sou t h w ar d s
fr om Sh r ek Plaza, ar r ivin g at t h e t each in g ar ea.
Becau se it w as cu r r en t ly t h e p er iod t h a t n ew st u d en t s w er e a d m it t ed in , t h e
n ew st u d en t ’s t each in g ar ea w as esp ecially lively. A few n ew st u d en t s w h o’d
alr ead y p assed t h eir assessm en t s w er e cu r r en t ly t h er e t o en r oll.
W it h Bei Bei an d T a n g Ya’s gu id an ce, H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o r ep or t for h is

r egist r a t ion ext r em ely sm oot h ly. T h e sch ool’s fees w er e p aid b y Bei Bei, w it h
t h e fee for a n ew st u d en t u n exp ect ed ly b ein g t en gold sou l coin s. Fu r t h er m or e,
t h is d id n ’t in clu d e h is food exp en ses. If on e h ad t o q u it sch o ol d u e t o failin g an
assessm en t , t h eir sch ool fees w ou ld n ’t b e r efu n d ed .
Aft er collect in g h is d or m k ey an d t w o set s of sch ool u n ifor m s, as w ell as a

w h it e fr esh m an b ad ge, H u o Yu h ao follow ed T an g Ya an d Bei Bei t ow ar d s t h e
n ew st u d en t ’s t each in g ar ea.
T an g Ya said , “Lit t le Yu h ao, t h e d or m it or y’s b eh in d t h e t ea ch in g ar eas; it ’s

t h e lar gest b u ild in g in t h e en t ir e acad em y. You can go t h er e b y you r self lat er .
New st u d en t s w ill for m ally st ar t t h eir classes in t h r ee d ays, so you can
fam iliar ize you r self w it h t h e en vir on m en t d u r in g t h e n ext few d ays. W e’ve p aid
for you r fir st year ’s sch ool fees, b u t you ’ll h ave t o r ely on you r self for n ext year .
T h e acad em y h as var iou s t yp es of com p et it ion s, all of w h ich h ave p r ize m on ey
for w in n in g t h em . Also, you ’r e alr ead y a sou l m ast er , so on ce you fin ish
r egist er in g, you can collect a salar y t h at t h e t h r ee em p ir es give ou t on ce a
m on t h . You sh ou ld save som e of it , b u t it sh ou ld b e en ou gh for food .”
H u o Yu h ao m ad e su r e h e r em em b er ed ever yt h in g t h a t T an g Ya said . W h en h e
w as ab ou t t o b id h is far ew ells t o T each er Xiao Ya an d Bei Bei, Bei Bei look ed at
t h e n ear b y b u llet in b oar d an d fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s sligh t ly w h en h e saw t h e
an n ou n cem en t p ast ed on it .
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t n eed t o w alk u p t o it ; H e m er ely cir cu lat ed h is sou lfor ce a

b it , an d t h e st r on g visu al ab ilit ies of h is Sp ir it Eyes exh ib it ed t h eir u se, allow in g
h im t o see t h e w or d s on t h e an n ou n cem en t clear ly.
H u o Yu h ao’s m ot h er h ad t au gh t h im h ow t o r ead sin ce h e w as you n g, so
alt h ou gh h e’d n ever for m ally at t en d ed sch ool, h is ed u cat ion level w asn ’t b ad at
all.
H e saw t h e w or d s t h at w er e w r it t en on t h e an n ou n cem en t : “T each er in

ch ar ge of t h e class on e: Zh ou Yi. T each er in ch ar ge of class t w o…”
Zh ou Yi? I t h in k t h at I’m in class on e! Becau se h e’d r egist er ed ear ly, H u o

Yu h ao h ad b een d ir ect ly assign ed t o t h e fir st class of n ew st u d en t s, class on e.
T an g Ya h ad also n ot iced . Sh e let ou t a low cr y of su r p r ise. “Ah ? W h y is it t h at

p er ver t ed old gr an d m a, Zh ou Yi? Doesn ’t sh e t each year t h r ee? W h y w ou ld sh e
b e assign ed t o t each n ew st u d en t s?”
Bei Bei sm iled b it t er ly, “I h ear d t h at T each er Zh ou w as over ly st r ict w h en sh e

t au gh t t h e t h ir d year st u d en t s, w h ich r esu lt ed in on ly t en p er cen t of h er
st u d en t s b ein g p r om ot ed t o fou r t h year st u d en t s. Fu r t h er m or e, sh e w as
r ep or t ed b y t h e st u d en t s t o t h e aca d em y m an y t im es, w h ich led t o h er b ein g
d em ot ed t o t each in g n ew st u d en t s. J u n ior b r ot h er , you m u st b e car efu l. T h er e
ar en ’t m an y m on st r ou s st u d en t s w it h in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d of ou r Sh r ek
Acad em y, b u t t h er e ar e m an y m on st r ou s t each er s. Of t h em , t h e w or st is t h is
T each er Zh ou .
Chapt er 7.1: Fr eshmen Ent er ing t he Academy
Aft er h ear in g Bei Bei’s in t r od u ct ion t o T each er Zh ou , H u o Yu h ao w as also

ast on ish ed . “Eld est sen ior b r ot h er , if t h is t each er d oes t h ese sor t of t h in gs, w h y
d oesn ’t t h e sch ool seem t o car e?”
Bei Bei sp ok e in a low voice, “Alt h ou gh T each er Zh ou Yi is a st r ict t each er ,

sh e’s h on est ly a ver y good on e. Of all t h e st u d en t s p r om ot ed fr om h er class,
n on e of t h em h ave act u ally said t h a t sh e w as a b ad t each er . T each er Zh ou ’s
st r ict n ess is m ain ly r eflect ed in t h e h igh r equ ir em en t s t h at sh e set s for h er
st u d en t s, as w ell as in h er h ar sh t each in g m et h od s. H ow ever , alm ost a fou r t h of
t h e st u d en t s w h o’ve b een t au gh t b y T each er Zh ou , an d p assed , h ave en t er ed t h e
in n er cou r t yar d . T h is st a t ist ic is on e of t h e b est w it h in t h e en t ir e aca d em y.
T each er Zh ou w as on ly d em ot ed t o t each in g fr esh m en b eca u se t h e com m ot ion
w as t oo b ig t h is t im e. H ow ever , as lon g as you w or k h a r d en ou gh , an d ar e
ou t st an d in g en ou gh , T each er Zh ou ’s t each in g w ill on ly h ave b en efit s for you .”
H u o Yu h ao r elaxed an d r ep lied , “So it ’s lik e t h at . T each er Xiao Ya, eld est

sen ior b r ot h er , you gu ys m u st h ave p len t y of ot h er t h in gs t o d o. I’ll r et u r n t o
m y r oom fir st .”
Bei Bei sm iled an d said , “T h at ’s fin e, T each er Xiao Ya an d I w an t t o go an d

t ak e ou r p r om ot ion t est . If w e can p ass t h is t est , w e’ll b e p r om ot ed t o fou r t h -
year s. I live in Room 316, so you can go t h er e if you n eed an yt h in g.”
Bei Bei an d T an g Ya w er e t r u ly b u sy. T h e r eason w h y T an g Ya h ad b een in

su ch a r u sh t o ob t ain h er t h ir d sou l r in g w as so t h at sh e cou ld sm oot h ly p ass t h e
fou r t h -year p r om ot ion t est . Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w ou ld b e even m or e issu es
w ait in g for t h em aft er t h ey w er e p r om ot ed . H u o Yu h ao h ad gon e t o t h e Gr eat
St ar Dou For est alon e, an d h ad ob t ain ed h is sou l r in g t h er e, so h is self-
p r ot ect ion ab ilit ies w er e qu it e st r on g. T h u s, t h ey d id n ’t w or r y m u ch ab ou t h im .
Aft er p assin g t h r ou gh t h e w h it e sch ool b u ild in g for fir st -year s, an d t h e yellow
sch ool b u ild in g for secon d an d t h ir d -year st u d en t s, H u o Yu h ao saw t h e
d or m it or y. T h e d or m it or y occu p ied an ext r em ely lar ge ar ea, an d alt h ou gh it
w as on ly a sin gle b u ild in g, t h e sam e fou r colou r s—w h it e, yellow , p u r p le, an d
b lack —w er e st ill p r esen t on it . T h e b u ild in g’s colo u r s clear ly r ep r esen t ed t h e
d iffer en t livin g ar eas of t h e st u d en t s fr om t h eir r esp ect ive year s, an d h ad a t ot al
of six floor s.
H u o Yu h ao ar r ived at t h e en t r an ce t o t h e w h it e b u ild in g, a n d w as m et w it h
t h e sigh t of a m an w h o look ed qu it e old . T h e old m an h ad a set of gr ey clot h es
on , an d t h e t h e n u m b er of flies t h at h is w r in k les cou ld cr u sh t o d eat h h ad
r each ed t h e d ou b le d igit s. H is eyes w er e yellow an d m u d d le-h ead ed , w h ile h is
eyelid s w er e d r oop y. H is ap p ear an ce w as as if h e h ad on e foot in t h e gr ave. T h e
su n ligh t b et w een t h e b u ild in gs sp illed p er fect ly over h is b od y. H is b od y, w h ich
w as h alf-lyin g in a ch air , act u ally gave off a ver y com for t ab le feelin g.
H u o Yu h ao w alk ed for w ar d an d sp ok e r esp ect fu lly, “H ello, Gr an d p a. I’m a

n ew st u d en t w h o’s com e t o live in t h e d or m it or y. W ou ld yo u lik e t o ch eck m y
fr esh m an b ad ge?”
T h e old m an d id n ’t even r aise h is h ead as h e st r et ch ed h is t r em b lin g r igh t

h an d ou t . T h en , a sligh t ly d eep yet h oar se voice ech oed ou t , “T ak e you r b ad ge
an d d or m it or y k ey ou t for m e t o see.”
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly p assed t h e t w o it em s over .
T h e old m a n w aved t h em in fr on t of h is eyes b efor e r et u r n in g t h em t o H u o

Yu h ao. “Go on . Room 10 8 is t h e t h ir d r oom fr om m y left on t h e fir st floor . T h e
w om en ’s d or m s st ar t fr om t h e fou r t h floor , so you can ’t go u p st air s at all. If w e
d iscover you u p t h er e, you ’ll b e exp elled .”
“T h an k you .” Aft er b ow in g an d gr eet in g t h e old m an again , H u o Yu h ao

w alk ed in t o t h e d or m it or y b u ild in g.
T h e old m an d id n ’t m ove fr om h is or igin al p osit ion as h e m u t t er ed
n ost algically t o h im self, “It ’s r ar e t o see a k id w it h m an n er s.”
As h e m u t t er ed t o h im self, a few n ew st u d en t s w a lk ed p ast t h e ar ea. H ow ever ,

t h ey clear ly h a d n ’t t ak en n ot e of t h e old m an b esid e t h e b u ild in g, an d d ir ect ly
w en t in sid e. T h e old m an d id n ’t st op t h em eit h er . H e sim p ly sat t h er e d r ow sily.
Aft er follow in g t h e old m an ’s in st r u ct ion s, H u o Yu h ao q u ick ly fou n d h is

d or m r oom . T h e d or m it or y h ad a st a n d ar d h allw ay layou t , w it h b ot h sid es of
t h e lon g h allw ay h avin g d or m r oom s w it h n u m b er s et ch ed in t o t h eir d oor s. T h e
p assage of t im e w as clear ly visib le in t h e d or m r oom s, an d it cou ld b e seen t h a t
t h ey h ad b een in u se for an ext r em ely lon g am ou n t t im e. T h e t w o en d s of t h e
cor r id or h a d sh ar ed b at h r oom s.
Aft er u sin g h is k ey t o op en t h e d oor , a gu st of sligh t ly m u st y air su r ged ou t of

t h e r oom . H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly t u r n ed t o t h e sid e, w ait ed a w h ile, t h en h eld h is
b r eat h as h e ch ar gin g in t o t h e r oom a n d op en ed t h e w in d ow . T h e r oom h ad
b een u n in h ab it ed for over a m on t h , a t t h e ver y m in im u m . A layer of d u st
cover ed t h e en t ir e r oom .
By r elyin g on t h e w in d ow ’s ven t ilat ion , H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o clear ly see t h e

d or m r oom ’s layou t . T h e d or m r oom w as ver y sm all, it s ar ea on ly ab ou t t en
sq u ar e m et r es or so. T h e t w o b ed s t ook u p a lar ge p or t ion of t h e r oom ’s floor
sp ace, b u t t h er e w as also a t ab le, t w o m et al w ar d r ob es, as w ell as a lam p on t h e
ceilin g. T h er e w er e also a few m et al p r ot r u sion s on on e of t h e w alls. Bei Bei h a d
t old h im t h at lam p s w er e b asic sou l t ools t h at n eed ed sou lfor ce in o r d er t o ligh t
u p . T h e m et al p r ot r u sion s w er e p laces t h a t on e cou ld p ou r sou lfor ce in t o.
Aft er som e ven t ilat ion , t h e m u st y air w it h in t h e d or m r oom h ad fin ally

clear ed u p . As H u o Yu h ao look ed ar ou n d t h e sm all r oom , a h ar d -t o-d escr ib e
excit em en t ap p ear ed in h is h ear t . Fr om t od ay on w ar d s, t h is w ou ld b e t h e d or m
r oom t h at h e’d live in for a year . Fr om t h e look s of it , h e’d even h ave a d or m -
m at e. I’ll clea n u p a b it fir st .
T h e sayin g ‘p oor ch ild r en can m an age a h ou se ear lier on in life’ w as t r u e.
Alt h ou gh h e’d b een b or n in t h e Du k e’s M an sion , H u o Yu h ao’s life h ad n ’t even
b een as good as a com m on er ’s. H e u sed a lit t le b it of h is sa ved m on ey t o b u y a
b asin fr om t h e st u d en t con ven ien ce st or e locat ed ou t sid e t h e d or m s, an d aft er
r eq u est in g a u sed clean in g r ag fr om t h e sh op , h e im m ed iat ely st ar t ed t o clean
t h e d or m r oom .
Aft er on ly an h ou r h ad p assed , n ot even a sp eck of d u st w as left u n d er t h e

m et icu lo u s scr u t in y of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes. Alt h ou gh ever yt h in g in t h e
d or m r oom w as st ill in -p lace, t h er e w a s n ow a sor t of fr esh sm ell t o it . H u o
Yu h ao d id n ’t p lan on b u yin g an y sor t of b ed d in g for h im self, sin ce t h e w ood en
b ed w as alr ea d y en ou gh for som eon e lik e h im , w h o d evot ed all of h is h ar d w or k
t o cu lt ivat in g.
H e felt a b it h u n gr y, so h e en q u ir ed ab ou t t h e d in in g h all’s locat ion . Aft er

b u yin g t h e ch eap est lu n ch b ox fr om t h e st u d en t con ven ien ce st or e, h e w en t t o
t h e d in in g h all.
Each year -gr ou p h ad a d in in g h all t h at b elon ged t o t h em , w h ich w er e locat ed

b eh in d t h e d or m it or y. W h en H u o Yu h ao w alk ed in t o t h e fr esh m an d in in g h all,
h e w as ast on ish ed . At t h at m om en t , t h er e w er en ’t m an y p eop le in t h e d in in g
h all, m ak in g it ap p ear ext r em ely sp aciou s. T h er e w asn ’t ev en a sin gle t ab le; it
w as an en t ir ely em p t y p lace. T h er e w as on ly a w ash b asin u sed t o w ash on e’s
h an d s an d t ab lew a r e. T h e in n er p ar t s of t h e d in in g h all h ad w in d ow s t h at on e
cou ld b u y food fr om , w it h p r ice t ags ou t sid e t h em . T h er e w er e a t ot al of eigh t
w in d ow s t h at in cr eased in p r ice fr om r igh t t o left , an d all ser ved d iffer en t
d ish es.
T h er e w er e act u ally n o seat in g ar eas in t h e d in in g h a ll? T h e d in in g h all’s

en t r an ce even h ad t h e w or d s ‘No food is allow ed t o b e t ak en fr om t h e d in in g
h all. No excep t ion s.’ w r it t en on it .
Aft er a b r ief m om en t of ast on ish m en t , H u o Yu h ao w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e r igh t -

m ost w in d ow t o b u y t h e ch eap est availab le food , w h ich w as st ir -fr ied veget ab les
an d w h it e r ice. H ow ever , h e st ill d evo u r ed t h e food d esp it e it s qu a lit y. For h im ,
h avin g som et h in g t o eat w as alr ead y ext r em ely good . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e food ’s
p r ice w as ext r em ely ch eap ; it w as on ly t w o cop p er coin s. W it h h is m on t h ly
in com e of on e gold coin , h e cou ld eat for t h e en t ir e m on t h as lon g as h e w as
fr u gal w it h h is m on ey.
W h ilst ea t in g, H u o Yu h ao ob ser ved t h e d in in g h a ll. H e d iscover ed t h at t h e

m ost exp en sive w in d ow ’s food w as act u ally p r iced in gold sp ir it coin s. T h at w as
som et h in g t h a t h e d id n ’t even d ar e t o im agin e.
Aft er qu ick ly fin ish in g h is m ealy, H u o Yu h ao r et u r n ed d ir ect ly t o h is d or m .

Lik e t h e sayin g goes, t h e clu m sy b ir d n eed s t o fly in t o t h e for est ear lier . H e
u n d er st ood t h e d iffer en ce b et w een h im self an d t h e ot h er st u d en t s, so h e
n at u r ally cou ld n ’t w ast e an y t im e.
Aft er sit t in g in a cr oss-legged p osit ion on t h e st u r d y w ood en b ed , H u o Yu h ao

q u ick ly en t er ed a m ed it at ive st a t e, an d st ar t ed cu lt ivat in g t h e M yst er iou s
H eaven T ech n iq u e.
Alt h ou gh h is cu lt ivat ion sp eed w as far slow er t h an Bei Bei’s or T an g Ya’s,

h e’d alr ead y im p r oved q u it e a b it com p ar ed t o t h e p ast . Aft er ch an gin g h is
cu lt ivat ion t ech n iq u e t o t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e, h e cou ld n ow at
least feel a sligh t im p r ovem en t in h is cu lt ivat ion as h e cu lt ivat ed , w h ich w a s
m u ch b et t er t h an h is p r eviou s st at e. Fu r t h er m or e, aft er t h e few d ays of
cu lt ivat ion t h at h e’d d on e d u r in g t h eir jou r n ey b ack , h is or igin ally ch aot ic an d
im p u r e sou lfor ce h a d alr ead y com p let ely t u r n ed in t o t h at of t h e M yst er io u s
H eaven T ech n iq u e. T h er e w as on e effect of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e’s
sou lfor ce t h a t w as ext r em ely u sefu l for h im —t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e
w ou ld n ou r ish h is p assagew ays w h en h e cir cu lat ed it . Alt h ou gh h e cou ld n ’t see
m u ch im p r ovem en t cu r r en t ly, Bei Bei h ad t old h im t h at it w ou ld d efin it ely
im p r ove h is p h ysiq u e in t h e lon g r u n .
Chapt er 7.2: Fr eshmen Ent er ing t he Academy
H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y p lan n ed h is t im e ou t w ell. Ever y d a y, h e’d cu lt iva t e

t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes in t h e m or n in g, t h en sp en d t w o h ou r s p r act icin g t h e
Con t r ollin g Cr a n e Cap t u r in g Dr agon , Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack s, an d t h e
M yst er iou s J ad e H an d s, as w ell as som e gr ap p lin g t ech n iq u es. As for t h e r est of
h is t im e, ot h er t h an t h e t im e h e sp en t eat in g, h e’d u se all of it t o cu lt ivat e t h e
Sou lfor ce w as t h e fou n d at ion of a sou l m ast er . Cu r r en t ly, h e h ad t o u se as

m u ch of h is as h e co u ld t o cu lt ivat e t h e M yst er iou s H ea ven T ech n iqu e.
“Oh , t h is t ech n iqu e isn ’t b ad at all. It ’s in d eed q u it e su it ab le for you r cu r r en t

st at e. You h u m an s ar e r eally sk illed !” W h en H u o Yu h ao h ad ju st en t er ed h is
cu lt ivat ion st at e, ev er yt h in g h e saw su d d en ly t u r n ed w h it e. T h e voice of t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m also ech oed ou t ; h e’d b een b r ou gh t b ack t o h is sp ir it u al sea.
H u o Yu h ao w as sligh t ly su r p r ised as h e called ou t , “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s lazy voice ech oed ou t , “You r bod y’s con d it ion h as
ch an ged a lot d u r in g t h e p ast few d ays. You ’ve fin ally got t en a good st ar t . You r
b od y’s en d u r an ce h as also b een gr ad u a lly in cr easin g. Not b ad , n ot b ad . T h e
ab ilit ies t h at you ’r e cu lt ivat in g ar e su it a b le for you , esp ecially t h is m ed it a t ion
t ech n iq u e, an d t h at eye t r ain in g t ech n iq u e. T h e fou r sou l sk ills I’ve given you
h ave in d eed r eceived b en efit s fr om t h em . You m u st p r act ice u sin g t h ese sou l
sk ills con st an t ly, esp ecially t h e last on e. It sh ou ld b e ver y effect ive w h en
com b in ed w it h you r eye t r ain in g t ech n iq u e. You ’ve ob t ain ed a b asic sou l-at t ack
sk ill. All in all, you r con d it ion , a s of n ow , is sligh t ly b et t er t h an I h a d
p r ed ict ed .”
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , I’ll d efin it ely p u t a lot of effor t in t o cu lt ivat in g.” Aft er
h ear in g t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m ’s voice, H u o Yu h ao r eaffir m ed t h a t h e’d t r u ly
m er ged w it h a m illion -year sou l b east , an d t h at h e h ad n ’t b een d r eam in g.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m t h en said , “I’m t ir ed , t h u s I n eed t o r est for a p er iod

of t im e. You sh ou ld ju st follow you r cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion m et h od . W h en you
b r eak t h r ou gh , an d you n eed a secon d sou l r in g, I’ll n at u r ally w ak e u p . At t h at
t im e, t h e ice-t yp e m ar t ial sou l t h at I b est ow ed you w it h sh ou ld b e ab le t o
b ecom e a fu ll-fled ged m ar t ial sou l. It ’ll cau se you r st r en gt h t o h ave a q u alit at ive
leap .”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “H ow can I fin d you if I n eed t o?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew o r m said , “If you en cou n t er an y d an ger t h a t you ’r e u n ab le

t o escap e, I’ll n at u r ally h elp you ou t . Don ’t w or r y, I can on ly live w h ile you ’r e
st ill alive! Alr igh t , I’m goin g t o sleep …”
T h e w h it e ligh t van ish ed , an d H u o Yu h a o w ok e u p fr om h is m ed it at ion . T o

h is ast on ish m en t , h e fou n d t h at t h e sk y ou t sid e h ad alr ea d y t u r n ed com p let ely
d ar k . H e’d act u a lly cu lt ivat ed for six h ou r s... at t h e ver y lea st . T h e M yst er iou s
H eaven T ech n iq u e in h is b od y also seem ed t o h ave h ad a sligh t im p r ovem en t .
I t ’ s al r eady becom e ni ght t i m e, but I ’ m a bi t hungr y. H ow ever , l ook i ng at t he

t i m e, t he di n i ng hal l s shoul d’ ve al r eady cl osed. For t un at el y, t h er e w er e st i l l a
f ew m or e dr y r at i on s w i t h i n h i s cl ot h sack . T h us, af t er dr i n k i n g som e w at er an d
al l ayi n g h i s h un ger , H uo Yuh ao con t i n ued t o cul t i vat e.
Af t er absor bi n g som e of t h e m yst i cal en er gy f r om t h e east er n pur pl e qi at

daw n , H uo Yuh ao r et ur n ed t o h i s r oom t o st ar t cul t i vat i n g a f ew of t h e T an g
Sect ’ s t ech n i ques. H i s at t ai n m en t s i n t h ese t ech n i ques coul d be sai d t o on l y be
super f i ci al . Fur t h er m or e, h e di dn ’ t dedi cat e m ost of h i s en er gy t o t h i s; h e w as
just doi n g som e l i gh t cul t i vat i on .
By t h e t i m e h e’ d f i n i sh ed h i s t r ai n i n g sessi on , t h e sk y out si de h ad al r eady

t ur n ed br i gh t . Af t er cl ean i n g h i m sel f up, H uo Yuh ao w al k ed over t o t h e di n i n g
h all for som e food . On ce h e r each ed t h e d in in g h all, h e w as som ew h a t
con cer n ed . Ever sin ce h e’d st ar t ed cu lt iva t in g t h e M yst er iou s H eaven
T ech n iq u e, h is ap p et it e h ad b een r isin g con st an t ly. St r en gt h en in g on e’s
p h ysiq u e r eq u ir ed su fficien t n u t r ien t s, yet h e h ad n o m on ey. H is sch ool fees h ad
alr ead y b een p aid for b y h is eld est sen ior b r ot h er , h ow cou ld h e ask Bei Bei for
m or e?
For t u n at ely, t h er e w er en ’t m an y var iet ies of food availab le for b r eak fast .
Fu r t h er m or e, b r eak fast w as also ch eap . H u o Yu h ao b ou gh t a few eggs an d a
b ow l of p or r id ge, cau sin g h im t o r elu ct an t ly sp en d t h r ee cop p er coin s. H e’d
fin ally r ep len ish ed h is b od y’s n u t r ien t s. Yest er d ay, h e’d even h ad t h e t h ou gh t
t h at t h e food h er e w as ch eap . H ow ever , h e su d d en ly d iscover ed t h at t h e p r ice of
food w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y w as act u ally m or e exp en sive t h an t h e food ou t sid e.
“J u n ior b r ot h er , you can ’t b e st in gy w h ile eat in g; you can ’t lack n u t r ien t s.

T h e sch ool h as som e job s t h at ar e w it h in you r ab ilit ies t o d o. You can d o t h ese
job s for you r livelih ood in com e.” Un b ek n ow n st t o h im , Bei Bei h ad ar r ived at
H u o Yu h ao’s sid e.
“Eld est sen ior b r ot h er !” H u o Yu h ao let ou t a cr y of su r p r ise. Up t ill n ow , t h e

on ly p eop le t h at h e w as ab le t o r ecogn ise w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y w er e T an g Ya
an d Bei Bei.
Bei Bei w as sligh t ly a p ologet ic as h e sa id , “T h e r eason w h y I h aven ’t given you

an y m on ey d ir ect ly is b ecau se I h op e t h at you can lear n t o r ely on you r self.
Com b at st r en gt h is on ly a p ar t of on e’s st r en gt h ; a p er son ’s com p osit e st r en gt h
is d et er m in ed b y m an y d iffer en t ab ilit ies. Of t h em , t h e m ost im p or t an t ab ilit y is
t h eir ab ilit y t o live u n d er an y cir cu m st an ces. Do you u n d er st a n d ?”
“Eld est sen ior b r ot h er , you ’ve alr ead y given m e a lot of h elp . I u n d er st an d . I
st ill h ave a few silver coin s as of r igh t n ow , so I’ll go t ak e u p som e job s aft er
sch ool op en s.”
Bei Bei r u b b ed h is h ead . “I’ll go fir st . You m u st r em em b er t h is: m on ey can b e

ear n ed , b u t you can ’t b e st in gy w it h you r food . You m u st h ave you r n u t r it ion .”
H u o Yu h ao follow ed Bei Bei as t h ey w alk ed ou t of t h e d in in g h all t oget h er . H e
d ecid ed t o list en t o h is eld est sen ior b r ot h er ’s ad vice; h e’d t r eat h im self t o a
m eal t od ay.
W h en h e r et u r n ed t o h is d or m r oom , H u o Yu h ao w as su r p r ised t o d iscover

t h at t h e d oor t o h is r oom w as op en . H e felt ast on ish ed a t fir st , b efor e r ealizin g
t h e fact t h a t h is r oom m at e m igh t h ave a r r ived .
At t h at m om en t , a you t h w alk ed ou t of t h e r oom . Aft er seein g H u o Yu h ao, h e

w as also st u n n ed .
T h e you t h h ad a d elicat e ap p ear an ce, as w ell as fair sk in . H is lar ge eyes w er e

ver y u n u su al; t h ey w er e act u ally a fain t p in k ish -b lu e. H is set t led sh or t h air w as
also t h e sam e colou r . H is ap p ear an ce seem ed t o b e even m or e h an d som e t h an
Bei Bei’s. T h is w as t r u ly t h e m ost h a n d som e p er son t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad ever
seen . H is h eigh t an d age d id n ’t seem t o b e t h at d iffer en t fr om H u o Yu h ao’s
eit h er .
“You ar e?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed su b con sciou sly.
T h e you t h w as som ew h at h au gh t y as h e st ar ed at h im . “St ep a sid e.”
“Oh .” H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly st ep p ed t o t h e sid e. T h e you t h w alk ed p ast h im ,

t h en st op p ed aft er t a k in g a few st ep s ou t of t h e r oom . H e t u r n ed ar ou n d t o look
at H u o Yu h ao as h e said , “You also live in t h is d or m r oom , I assu m e. Sin ce
you ’ve clean ed t h is r oom u p so w ell, I’ll allow you t o live w it h m e for n ow . I
h ave a few r u les t h at you m u st r em em b er : On e, you ’r e n ot allow ed t o r an d om ly
b r in g ot h er p eop le b ack t o t h is r oom . T w o, you ’r e n ot allow ed t o b ar e you r
d isgu st in g n ak ed b od y in t h is r oom . T h r ee, you ’r e n ot allow ed t o sn or e at n igh t .
Fou r , you ’r e n ot allow ed t o b ot h er m e. Five, you ’r e in ch ar ge of t h e clean lin ess
of t h is r oom in t h e fu t u r e, b u t you can ’t t ou ch m y b ed . Do you u n d er st an d
clear ly?”
W h en h e saw t h e you t h ’s ar r ogan t ap p ear an ce, H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t

let h is a n ger h it t h e r oof. “W h y m u st I list en t o you ?”
T h e you t h sn or t ed cold ly. “If you d on ’t list en t o m e, I’ll sim p ly t h r ow you
ou t . If you d on ’t b elieve m e, you ’r e w elcom e t o t r y.”
H u o Yu h ao h ad b een b u llied b y p eop le fr om t h e Du k e’s M an sion sin ce h e w as

you n g, so t h e p eop le t h at h e h at ed t h e m ost w er e t h ese t yp es of ar r ogan t p eop le.
H e cold ly said , “If you w an t figh t , t h en let ’s figh t . Let ’s go ou t sid e.”
As h e look ed at H u o Yu h ao’s u n su b m issive ap p ear an ce, t h e you t h act u ally

lau gh ed . H is sm ile w as ver y good -look in g, b u t t h e d isd ain an d con t em p t in it
ign it ed t h e an ger in H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t even m or e.
“I st ill d on ’t k n ow you r n am e.” T h e you t h said w it h d isd ain .
H u o Yu h ao sp ok e in a low t on e, “Befor e ask in g som eon e elses n am e,

sh ou ld n ’t you t ell m e you r n am e fir st ?”
T h e you t h in d iffer en t ly said , “I’m W an g Don g.”
“I’m H u o Yu h ao.”
W an g Don g sm iled as h e su d d en ly ap p r oach ed H u o Yu h ao. “Ver y good . I

t h in k t h at you r n am e sh all q u ick ly d isap p ear fr om Sh r ek Acad em y. Let ’s go,
id iot .” As h e said t h is, h e t ook t h e in it iat ive t o t u r n ar ou n d a n d w alk ou t of t h e
r oom .
H u o Yu h ao’s fist s w er e t igh t ly clen ch ed a s h e follow ed W a n g Don g w it h lar ge

st r id es. Even t h ou gh h e k n ew t h at h is com b at st r en gt h w asn ’t t h at h igh , h e
w ou ld n ever allow a n yon e t o b u lly h im again . Fu r t h er m or e, t h is p er son w ou ld
even b e h is r oom m at e for at least a year .
Book 2: Academy of M onst er s
Chapt er 8.1: M onst r ous Teacher
Sh r ek Acad em y occu p ied an ext r em ely lar ge ar ea. Lar ge ar eas of vacan t lan d
sep ar at ed t h e b u ild in gs fr om on e an ot h er . Aft er H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad
exit ed t h e d or m it or y, W an g Don g con t in u ed u n t il h e st ood fir m ly w it h in on e of
t h e em p t y sp aces ou t sid e t h e d or m it or y, t h en t u r n ed ar ou n d an d b eck on ed H u o
Yu h ao t ow ar d s h im b y cu r lin g h is fin ger .
H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t w as st ill b u r n in g w it h fu r y, b u t h e d id n ’t im m ed iat ely

r u sh t ow ar d s W an g Don g in an ger . Aft er u n d er goin g a life-an d -d ea t h exp er ien ce
in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , h e’d lear n ed on e t h in g at t h e ver y least , w h ich w as
t o st ay calm n o m at t er w h at .
T h at old m an w h o’d b een lean in g on t h e ch air at t h e d or m it or y’s en t r an ce

r aised h is h ead sligh t ly. A gleam of cu r iosit y flash ed t h r ou gh h is fain t yellow
eyes as h e gazed at H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w it h in t er est .
A fain t gold en ligh t flash ed t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, an d a w h it e sou l r in g

su b sequ en t ly r ose fr om h is feet , act ivat in g h is Sp ir it Eyes.
Seein g h is “t en year sou l r in g” W an g Don g let ou t a soft lau gh . “I’m ver y

cu r iou s as t o h ow you m an aged t o en t er t h is sch ool. You d ar e t o ch allen ge m e
w it h ju st t h is b it of sk ill? I w on ’t even h ave t o u se m y m ar t ial sou l t o d ea l w it h
you .”
As h e sp ok e, t h e t ip of W an g Don g’s left foot t ap p ed t h e gr ou n d . H is b od y w as

lik e an ar r ow as h e ch ar ged t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. Not on ly w as h e fast , b u t
ap p ear ed as if t h er e w as also an ab n or m al agilit y h id d en in sid e h is m ovem en t .
H e ar r ived b efor e H u o Yu h ao in t h e b lin k of an eye, an d r aised h is r igh t leg t o
k ick h im in t h e ch est .
W it h t h is r a ise of W an g Don g’s leg, on ly H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o m ak e ou t t h at
W an g Don g h ad a p air of legs t h at exceed ed t h e p r op or t ion of a n or m al p er son ’s.
Befor e h e r ealized it , t h e leg h ad alr ead y a r r ived in fr on t of h im .
In t h at in st an t , H u o Yu h ao m oved . H e r ap id ly t ook on e st ep t o t h e r igh t

w h ilst sim u lt an eou sly u sin g h is left h an d t o p u sh W an g Don g’s foot aw ay.
“H m m ?” W an g Don g clear ly h ad n ’t exp ect ed H u o Yu h ao t o b e ab le t o d od ge

h is sw ift k ick . H e d r ew b ack t h e r igh t leg h e’d u sed t o st ep ou t w it h in a flash ,
an d d od ged H u o Yu h ao’s left h an d . At t h e sam e t im e, h e sh ot ou t a n ot h er k ick
ligh t n in g-lik e sp eed , t h is t im e aim ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao's n eck .
It w as as if H u o Yu h ao cou ld for esee W a n g Don g’s act ion s. W h en W an g Don g

sh ot h is leg ou t , H u o Yu h ao sim u lt an eou sly low er ed h is b od y an d cr ou ch ed
d ow n . In t h e n ext in st an t , h is b od y b ou n ced b ack u p , an d h is r igh t sh ou ld er ju st
h ap p en ed t o collid e w it h t h e low er p or t ion of W an g Don g’s t h igh .
Bot h of t h eir m ovem en t s w er e ver y qu ick . Fr om an ou t sid er ’s p oin t of view , it

look ed lik e W an g Don g h ad p u r p osely sen t h is leg u p w ar d s su ch t h at H u o Yu h ao
cou ld u se h is sh ou ld er t o p u sh it u p fu r t h er .
It h ad t o b e said t h at W an g Don g’s b od y w as ext r em ely st r on g. A n or m al

p er son w ou ld ’ve h ad t h eir cen t er of b alan ce d est ab ilized aft er h avin g t h eir t h igh
p u sh ed u p lik e t h at . H ow ever , W an g Don g’s r igh t leg w as in st ead act u ally r aised
u p over h im , as h e d id a sp lit . H is left leg w as st ill fir m ly p lan t ed on t h e gr ou n d .
H u o Yu h ao felt a b u r st of b ot h soft n ess an d elast icit y fr om t h e sh ou ld er h e’d

u sed t o b u m p in t o W an g Don g’s t h igh w it h . H e d id n ’t let W an g Don g r egain t h e
u p p er h an d as h e r a p id ly ch ar ged for w ar d s, im m ed iat ely r a m m in g in t o W an g
Don g in an at t em p t t o t ak e ad van t age of h im w h ile h e w as st ill st an d in g on on e
leg.
Facin g H u o Yu h ao, w h o’d b een d oggin g h is h eels t ill t h is p oin t , W an g Don g

m ad e an ast on ish in g m ovem en t . H is r igh t leg w as st ill r a ised u p in t h e a ir as h e
sh ock in gly con t in u ed t o m ove it u p w ar d s b eh in d h im , alon g w it h t h e u p p er h alf
of h is b od y. At t h e sam e t im e, h is left leg sh ot ou t t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. In t h at
m om en t , t h e w id t h at w h ich h is legs w er e sp r ead ou t h ad alr ead y com p let ely
exceed ed t h e lim it s t h at n or m al p eop le w er e cap ab le of im agin in g.
Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h a o h ad r elied on h is Sp ir it Eyes’ sp ir it u al d et ect ion sk ill t o

accu r at ely ascer t a in W an g Don g's p r eviou s at t ack s, h e’d alr ead y m oved . T h u s,
h e w asn 't ab le t o w it h d r aw even t h ou gh h e’d sen sed W an g Don g's m ovem en t s.
On e w as b ou n d t o h ave a cer t ain am ou n t of ad van t age over t h eir op p on en t

w h en t h ey cou ld an t icip at e t h eir op p on en t ’s m ovem en t s. W h en H u o Yu h ao saw
t h at W an g Don g’s left leg h ad sp r u n g u p t ow ar d s h is ch in , b ot h of H u o Yu h ao’s
h an d s sim u lt an eou sly m ad e a d ow n w ar d s p r essin g m ot ion , collid in g w it h h is
left leg.
“Ban g——” W an g Don g’s st r en gt h w as excep t ion al. H is leg car r ied a p ow er fu l
vib r at ion t h at w as d ifficu lt t o d escr ib e. H u o Yu h ao felt a b u r st of n u m b n ess
fr om b ot h of h is p alm s, cau sin g h im t o su b con sciou sly act iv at e t h e M yst er iou s
J ad e H an d s t ech n iq u e. Desp it e h im d oin g so, h e st ill en d ed u p st agger in g b ack
in r et r eat .
W an g Don g’s r igh t leg t h at h ad fallen b ack w ar d s on ly t ou ch ed t h e gr ou n d

ligh t ly b efor e h is left leg t h a t h ad b een lift ed u p lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d again ,
cau sin g h is w h ole b od y t o flip over on ce a gain . W an g Don g’s r igh t leg r esem b led
a w h ip as it w en t st r aigh t d ow n t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er w it h a
w h oosh in g sou n d . H e w as evid en t ly in fu r iat ed t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad p r eviou sly
p u sh ed h is t h igh u p .
H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as in t h e p r ocess of r et r eat in g, r eact ed t h e in st an t W an g

Don g’s r igh t leg t ou ch ed t h e gr ou n d , b ou n cin g b ack w ar d s. H u o Yu h ao’s
foot st ep s su d d en ly b ecam e q u ick , an d w it h a sw ay of h is figu r e, h e r ap id ly
h ead ed t ow ar d s W an g Don g’s left sid e, get t in g ou t of t h e w ay of h er st r ik e.
“Ban g——” W an g Don g’s r igh t leg t h at h ad w h ip p ed d ow n w ar d s h it t h e

gr ou n d fer ociou sly. H e act u ally left a sh allow foot p r in t on t h e h ar d st on e
gr ou n d . Follow in g closely aft er t h a t , h is w h ole b od y b ecam e lik e a w in d m ill as
h e ch ar ged t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. Bot h of h is legs w er e lik e t w o m aces as h e
u n leash ed an at t ack ak in t o lik e h ow lin g w in d s an d t or r en t ial r ain s in H u o
Yu h ao’s d ir ect ion .
Desp it e t h e su r p r ise h e’d r eceived aft er goin g t h r ou gh t h eir p r ev iou s

con fr on t at ion , H u o Yu h ao h ad calm ed d ow n at t h is m om en t . H e act iva t ed h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion a b ilit y in an ar ea ar ou n d h im , an d calm ly d et er m in ed ever y
sin gle on e of W an g Don g’s at t ack s in ad van ce. Un d er W a n g Don g’s fier ce
at t ack s, t h e Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack s t h at h e k n ew ver y lit t le ab ou t w as
lik e a sm all b oat t h at w as b at t er ed on t h e left an d r igh t , yet r efu sed t o cap size.
W an g Don g w as also b ecom in g m or e an d m or e ap p r eh en sive as h e fou gh t

w it h H u o Yu h ao. H e cou ld clear ly sen se t h at H u o Yu h ao’s st r en gt h w as far
w or se t h an h is ow n . Regar d less of w h et h er it w as h is sp eed or st r en gt h , a ll of
t h em w er e com p let ely in fer ior t o h is o w n . H ow ever , h is a t t ack s st ill w er en ’t
ab le t o lan d on H u o Yu h ao. H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t qu ick , yet h e w as alw ays ab le t o
clear ly d iscer n h is m ovem en t s b efor eh an d , an d w as t h er eb y ab le t o effect ively
evad e h is at t ack s. W an g Don g h ad alr ead y at t em p t ed t o m ak e a fein t , b u t h ad
st ill b een u n ab le t o d eceive h is op p on en t .
Not on ly w as W an g Don g ar r ogan t , h e w as ext r em ely st u b b or n t oo. Sin ce

t h ey’d agr eed t o n ot u se t h eir m ar t ial so u l, h e d efin it ely w o u ld n ’t u se h is. H e
cou ld on ly con t in u e t o in t en sify h is at t ack s, n ot b elievin g t h at H u o Yu h ao cou ld
con t in u e t o p er sever e.
In d eed , H u o Yu h a o h ad alr ea d y r each ed t h e p oin t of b ein g u n ab le t o

p er sever e for m u ch lon ger . Not on ly w er e t h e at t ack s fr om W an g Don g’s legs
p ow er fu l t o t h e p oin t t h at h e a lm ost cou ld n ’t w it h st an d t h em , b u t t h e sp eed a t
w h ich h e at t ack ed w as also u n u su a lly fast . H e cou ld on ly b ar ely con t en d again st
W an g Don g w h ile r elyin g on h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion , u n d er t h e con d it ion t h at h e
w as fu lly con cen t r a t ed on t h e figh t . H ow ever , as t im e p assed , t h e d isp ar it y
b et w een t h e b asic st r u ct u r es of t h eir b od ies gr ad u ally ap p ear ed .
H u o Yu h ao h ad lived an ar d u ou s life sin ce h is ch ild h ood , an d w as

m aln ou r ish ed . As su ch , t h e n ou r ish m en t t h at t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e
h ad p r ovid ed t o h is b od y w it h h ad also ju st b egu n . Com p ar ed t o W an g Don g,
w h o h ad d eep -r oot ed fu n d am en t a ls, h e w as far w or se in t er m s of h is b od y’s
d evelop m en t . Even t h ou gh h e’d u t ilised h is m ar t ia l sou l, an d even t h ou gh W an g
Don g st ill h ad n ’t , t h e n ou r ish m en t t h a t h is sou lfor ce p r ov id ed w as solely in
r egar d s t o h is in t er n als. Aft er t h ey’d fou gh t for a lon g t im e, it w as in evit ab le
t h at m in u t e m ist ak es w ou ld em er ge on H u o Yu h ao’s en d . Bot h of W an g Don g’s
legs h ad on ly accu r at ely sw ep t at h is sid e a few t im es, b u t h is b od y w as alr ead y
exp er ien cin g a scor ch in g p ain . T h e Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack s t h at h e
k n ew ver y lit t le ab ou t h ad also st ar t ed t o b ecom e m essy, an d h e b ecam e m or e
an d m or e p assive.
T hi s w on’ t do. I f t hi ngs cont i nue on i n t hi s m anner , I ’ l l def i ni t el y l ose. H uo

Yuh ao r et r eat ed as f ast as h e coul d, as soon , h e w oul dn ’ t be abl e t o k eep
avoi di n g W an g Don g’ s at t ack s.
Sudden l y, h e r ai sed h i s h ead w i t h out n ot i ce. Si n ce t h i s m ovem en t w as qui t e

l ar ge, W an g Don g al so subcon sci ousl y l ook ed at h i s f ace. H e cl ear l y saw a h i n t of
pur pl e f l ash ed t h r ough bot h of H uo Yuh ao’ s eyes. I m m edi at el y f ol l ow i n g t h i s,
W an g Don g f el t l i k e h i s br ai n h ad been pr i ck ed by a n eedl e an d, w i t h a sh ar p
pai n , h i s m i n d m om en t ar i l y becam e bl an k .
H ow coul d H uo Yuh ao l et t h i s k i n d of oppor t un i t y sl i p by? H e sudden l y

poun ced f or w ar ds w i t h a l ar ge st r i de f or w ar ds. H e l eapt up, an d bot h of h i s
ar m s w r apped t i gh t l y ar oun d bot h of W an g Don g’ s ar m s. Bot h of h i s l egs t h en
w oun d t h em sel ves ar oun d W an g Don g’ s w ai st , f or ci bl y k n ock i n g h i m t o t h e
gr oun d.
W an g Don g h ad al w ays used h i s l egs w h en com m en ci n g h i s at t ack s. At t h i s

m om en t , H uo Yuh ao w as qui t e an xi ous. W i t h h i s l egs w r apped ar oun d W an g
Don g's w ai st , h ow coul d h e exer t an y f or ce? As l on g as h e con t i n ued t o subdue
W an g Don g, ever yt h i n g w oul d be f i n e. H uo Yuh ao coul d on l y subdue h i m an d
h ope t h at ever yt h i n g w oul d be f i n e.
T h e st ab b in g p ain in h is b r ain cau sed W an g Don g t o t igh t ly fu r r ow h is
eyeb r ow s. H ow ever , t h at on ly last ed for a cou p le secon d s b efor e h e b ecam e
clear -h ead ed on ce again . Never t h eless, H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y k n ock ed h is
b od y t o t h e gr ou n d . H is w aist w as t igh t ly lock ed b et w een H u o Yu h ao’s legs, an d
h is ar m s w er e also b ou n d b y H u o Yu h ao. T h e d ist an ce t h at sep ar at ed t h eir faces
w as n o m or e t h an an in ch , an d t h ey cou ld h ear each ot h er ’s b r eat h in g.
H u o Yu h ao p an t ed fier cely as h e let ou t a low gr ow l, “Ar e you goin g t o

su r r en d er or n ot ?”
“Su r r en d er m y ass! Let m e go!” W an g Don g flew in t o a r age an d for cefu lly
st r u ggled again st H u o Yu h ao’s gr ip . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao w as u sin g all of h is
st r en gt h t o r est r ain h im , an d h ad even in cor p or at ed h is sou lfor ce. Un d er t h e
cir cu m st an ces, an d con sid er in g t h at h e cou ld n ’t u se h is m a r t ial sou l, escap in g
w asn ’t easy for h im at all.
“Ar e you st ill n ot ad m it t in g you r loss? If I’d u sed a b lad e ear lier , you ’d
alr ead y b e d ea d .” H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t sh ow an y w eak n esses at all a s h e let ou t a
low r oar . At t h at m om en t , w h ile h is b od y w as in close con t act t o W an g Don g’s,
h e fou n d ou t t h at W an g Don g’s b od y w asn ’t on ly ext r em ely soft , b u t w a s also
q u it e elast ic. Fu r t h er m or e, it even h ad a sor t of gen t le feelin g t o it . H is b od y w as
also u n exp ect ed ly r eleasin g a fain t ly fr esh ar om a t h at sm elled ext r em ely n ice.
Aft er h ear in g h is w or d s, W a n g Don g w as st u n n ed . H is r esist a n ce again st H u o

Yu h ao’s gr ip in st an t ly d ecr eased . H e w a s r igh t ! t h e st ab b in g p ain in h is h ead
an d h is p r eviou s d izzin ess h ad n ’t last ed lon g ear lier , b u t sin ce t h e t w o of t h em
h ad b een so close, H u o Yu h ao w ou ld h ave d efin it ely h ad en ou gh t im e t o h u r t
h im if h e’d w an t ed t o.
“I’ve lost . Qu ick ly get off m e.” W an g Don g said an gr ily. H is eyes w er e filled
w it h a look of h at e an d d en ial.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t r elease h im . In st ead , h e cold ly r ep lied , “T h e five

con d it ion s t h a t you p r eviou sly set ar en ’t som et h in g t h at I’m u n w illin g t o d o,
h ow ever , I’m n ot d o in g it b ecau se of you r t h r eat s, b u t b ecau se of t h e r esp ect I
h ave for a r oom m at e. I k n ow t h at you ’r e st r on ger t h an m e, a n d t h a t I d efin it ely
w ou ld n ’t b e you r m at ch if w e w er e b ot h t o u se ou r m a r t ia l sou ls. H ow ever ,
r em em b er t h is: If you d ar e t o h u m iliat e m e again , t h en even if I’m b eat en t o
d eat h b y you , I’ll d efin it ely m ak e su r e you p ay t h e p r ice.”
W h en h e saw H u o Yu h ao’s in cr easin g viciou sn ess, w h ich got t o t h e p oin t t h at

felt lik e h e w as look in g in t o t h e eyes of a b lood -t h ir st y sou l b east , t h e h at e in
W an g Don g’s eyes d issip at ed . W h at r ep la ced it w as a sligh t ly d ism ayed look . In
t h e field of st r en gt h , H u o Yu h ao w as clear ly a lot w eak er t h an h im , b u t in t h e
field of im p osin gn ess, h e’d com p let ely lo st .
H u o Yu h ao slow ly r eleased W an g Don g an d st ood u p . W h ile facin g W an g

Don g, h e r et r eat ed a few st ep s. T h en , h e t u r n ed ar ou n d , an d h ead ed b ack
t ow ar d s t h eir d or m r oom .
W an g Don g sat d azed ly on t h e gr ou n d fo r a w h ile, b efor e fin ally st an d in g u p

again . T h en , h e slow ly w alk ed t ow ar d s t h eir d or m r oom as w ell. W h en h e
ar r ived at t h e d or m ’s m ain en t r an ce, t h e voice of an old m an ech oed ou t , “You
h ave in d eed lost . Not ju st in b at t le, b u t even you r h ear t h a s lost .”
“W h y?” W an g Don g su d d en ly t u r n ed ar ou n d t o gaze at t h e old m an . W it h an

u n r esign ed look on h is face, h e r ep lied , “I’m clear ly st r on ger t h an h im . If I w er e
t o r eally figh t again st h im , h e w ou ld n ’t h ave even b een ab le t o t ou ch m e. In
w h ich w ay d id h e ach ieve vict or y over m e?”
T h e old m an p oin t ed t ow ar d s h is ow n h ear t , “On t h e b asis of t h is. H e h as a

fear less h ear t , w h ile you lack on e. Not b ein g afr aid of d eat h isn ’t som et h in g t h at
ju st an yon e can d o.”
W an g Don g w as st u n n ed . Aft er a w h ile, h e bow ed d eep ly t ow ar d s t h e old

m an . “Gr an d p a, t h an k you for you r ad vice.” Aft er sp eak in g, h e w alk ed t ow ar d s
t h e d or m r oom w it h lar ge st r id es.
Up on h is r et u r n t o t h e d or m r oom , W an g Don g saw H u o Yu h ao, w h o’d

alr ead y b egu n t o m ed it at e on h is w ood en b ed . H e w an t ed t o say som et h in g, b u t
in t h e en d , h e h eld it in . Aft er let t in g ou t a sn or t , h e m ad e h is b ed .
Com p ar ed t o H u o Yu h ao’s p over t y-st r ick en con d it ion s, W an g Don g’s b ed w as
set u p w it h a t h ick fu r m at t r ess t h at h ad b een m ad e fr om t h e fu r of som e
u n k n ow n sou l b east . It look ed t h ick a n d soft . Fu r t h er m or e, h e even h ad a soft
qu ilt . H is lu ggage h ad alr ead y filled t h e w ar d r ob e b esid e h im , b u t t h er e w er e
st ill m an y t h in gs left ou t on h is t ab le. W a n g Don g seem ed t o b e t oo lazy t o fin ish
u n p ack in g, in st ead p u llin g t h e q u ilt ov er h is h ead t o sleep w it h feelin g of
in ju st ice.
Over t h e follow in g t w o d ays, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g m in d ed t h eir ow n

b u sin ess, an d d id t h eir ow n t h in gs w it h ou t b ot h er in g on e a n ot h er . T h e t h in g
t h at ast on ish ed W a n g Don g t h e m ost w as t h at H u o Yu h a o seem ed t o b e in a
cu lt ivat ion st a t e at all t im es, excep t for w h en h e w as eat in g. H e cou ld fain t ly
sen se t h e st r en gt h of H u o Yu h ao’s sou lfor ce, b u t t h e m or e h e sen sed it , t h e m or e
in cr ed u lou s h e felt . J u st b y r elyin g on h is st r en gt h , h ow w as ab le t o b eat m e?
T h e ad m ission p er iod for n ew st u d en t s fin ally en d ed , an d t h e fr esh m en

d or m it or y also b ecam e lively. Alt h ou gh t h e r oom s w er en ’t b ig, t h ey cou ld st ill
fit t w o p eop le in t h em . It w as ver y n oisy ou t sid e, b u t t h e sou n d -p r oofin g
ab ilit ies of t h e d or m r oom s w er e ver y good .
H u o Yu h ao h ad b een cu lt ivat in g in cessa n t ly d u r in g t h ese p a st few d ays. H is

p r eviou s figh t w it h W an g Don g h ad in sp ir ed h im qu it e a b it . T h e r eason t h at
h e’d p r eviou sly b een ab le t o over com e h is op p on en t , an d w as ab le t o ach ieve
vict or y, w as b ecau se h e’d r elied on t h e sk ill t h a t t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad
given h im aft er aw a k en in g.
Icew or m s t r u ly w er en ’t ver y st r on g sou l b east s; t h e fou r so u l sk ills t h at t h e

m illion -year Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad best ow ed on H u o Yu h ao w er en ’t ver y
st r on g eit h er . T h ey w er e, r esp ect ively: Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , Sp ir it u al Sh ar in g,
Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce, an d Sp ir it Sh ock .
H u o Yu h ao w as r elat ively m or e sk illed w it h t h e fir st t w o sk ills, an d h ad

alr ead y ver ified t h eir im p r essiven ess w it h Bei Bei. On t h e ot h er h an d , Sp ir it u al
In t er fer en ce w as a d om ain -t yp e sk ill t h at cou ld in t er fer e w it h all livin g
cr eat u r es in sid e a fift een m et r e r a d iu s of H u o Yu h ao, w h o w ou ld p r od u ce
sp ir it u al u n d u lat ion s. H ow ever , t h e st r en gt h of it s in t er fer en ce w asn ’t h igh .
W it h h is cu r r en t level of cu lt ivat ion , t h e m ost h e cou ld d o w as m ak e p eop le t u r n
ab sen t -m in d ed for a m om en t . Fu r t h er m or e, h e w asn ’t even ab le t o m ain t ain t h e
sk ill for a fu ll t h r ee secon d s; t h e sou lfor ce con su m p t ion w as m u ch h igh er t h an
h is p r eviou s t w o sk ills.
Sp ir it Sh ock w as t h e on ly sk ill am on g t h e fou r t h at h a d even a t in y b it of

at t ack p ow er . Sin ce it w as a sin gle-t ar get sk ill, t h e st r en gt h of it s a t t ack w as
sligh t ly st r on ger t h an t h e d om ain -t yp e Sp ir it u a l In t er fer en ce. H ow ever , it
w asn ’t m u ch st r on ger t h an it eit h er . T h e r eason t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad b een ab le
t o over com e W an g Don g an d ach ieve vict or y in t h at figh t w as b ecau se h e’d
com b in ed Sp ir it Sh o ck w it h h is Pu r p le Dem on Eyes. T h e com b in ed effect of t h e
t w o w as even b et t er t h an h e’d im agin ed . Nat u r a lly, t h is w as a lso b ecau se W an g
Don g h ad n ’t b een a b le t o p u t u p an y d efen ses d u e t o t h e su d d en n at u r e of t h e
at t ack . If h e’d m ad e an y p r ep ar at ion s, t h e st r en gt h of h is Sp ir it Sh ock w ou ld ’ve
b een h eavily r ed u ced .
H ow ever , n o m at t er w h at w ay you p u t it , H u o Yu h ao fin ally h ad t h e b asic

r eq u ir em en t s t o b ecom e a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er b y r elyin g w it h t h ese fou r
sp ir it u al-t yp e sk ills. H ow ever , h is eld est sen ior b r ot h er h ad p r eviou sly t old h im
t h at n ew st u d en t s w ou ld n ’t b e sep ar a t ed in t o d ep ar t m en t s d u r in g t h eir fir st
year . Ever yt h in g cou ld b e d on e aft er h e’d su r vived t h eir fir st year .
“Oi, class st ar t s t od ay. Ar e you st ill goin g t o sit t h er e lik e a fool?” W an g

Don g’s voice r ou sed H u o Yu h ao fr om h is p on d er in g st at e. H e’d ju st r et u r n ed
fr om h is b r eak fast , an d w as p lan n in g t o cu lt ivat e for a w h ile.
“Class is st ar t in g?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed su b con sciou sly. T h is w as t h eir fir st

con ver sat ion aft er t h eir figh t .
W an g Don g d id n ’t even look at h im as h e in d iffer en t ly r ep lied , “T h er e’s st ill

an h ou r left .”
“Oh .” Aft er H u o Yu h ao r esp on d ed , h e sh u t h is eyes an d b egan t o m ed it at e.

Aft er h is h ar d w or k d u r in g t h ese few d ays, h is fam iliar it y w it h t h e M yst er iou s
H eaven T ech n iqu e h ad in cr eased a b it . An h ou r w as en ou gh for h im t o cir cu lat e
t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e t h r ou gh an en t ir e cycle, w h ich w ou ld a llow
h is sou lfor ce t o im p r ove b y a sm all st ep .
W an g Don g d id n ’t even list en t o h is r ep ly. W h en h e t u r n ed b ack t o look at

H u o Yu h ao, h e d iscover ed t h at h e’d act u ally st ar t ed t o m ed it at e again , cau sin g
h im t o in volu n t a r ily m u r m u r t o h im self, “T r u ly a lu n at ic.” W h en h e fin ish ed
sp eak in g, h e left t h e d or m r oom w it h ou t even look in g b ack . Du r in g t h ese p ast
t w o d ays, h e’d n ever seen H u o Yu h ao lie d ow n t o sleep .
T h e lar ge gat es of t h e w h it e t each in g ar ea w er e op en ed w id e, an d t h e n ew

st u d en t s w h o w er e n ow w ear in g w h it e-colou r ed sch ool u n ifor m s w alk ed in sid e
in sin gle file. Ever yon e’s clot h in g h ad t h e sym b ol of a sm all gr een m on st er on
t h eir left b r east p ock et , w h ich w as t h e sym b ol of Sh r ek Acad em y.
St u d en t s fr om d iffer en t year gr ou p s h ad u n ifor m s of d iffer en t colou r s; t h ey

h ad u n ifor m s t h at w er e t h e sam e colou r a s t h eir t each in g ar ea s.
As H u o Yu h ao r u sh ed t ow ar d s t h e n ew st u d en t ’s t each in g ar ea, h e w as ju st in
t im e t o h ear t h e r in gin g of t h e b ell. H e r ap id ly r u sh ed in sid e an d saw t h e sign
for Class 1 on t h e fir st r oom t o t h e left on t h e fir st floor , cau sin g h im t o
im m ed iat ely d ash in sid e w it h ou t an y h esit at ion .
At t h at m om en t , t h e sp aciou s classr oom h ad alr ead y b een filled w it h p eop le.

Becau se H u o Yu h ao ar r ived a t t h e last m om en t , t h e n u m b er of seat s left for h im
t o ch oose fr om w er e ver y lit t le. H e b ar ely m an aged t o fin d a seat w it h gr ea t
d ifficu lt y. H is d esk m at e w as a r elat ively p r et t y you n g lad y. H ow ever , t h is you n g
lad y’s ap p ear an ce w as som ew h at sim ila r t o W an g Don g’s w h en h e’d fir st m et
h im . Sh e h ad a h au gh t y look on h er face w h en sh e r aised h er h ead , an d d id n ’t
even sp ar e h im a gla n ce.
H u o Yu h ao on ly m an aged t o ob ser ve t h e su r r ou n d in g sit u at ion aft er h e’d sat

d ow n . T h e classr oom w as ver y lar ge—t h er e w er e a fu ll h u n d r ed p eop le w h o
w er e in t h e sam e class as h im . Follow in g t h e id ea t h at t h er e w er e r ou gh ly a
t h ou san d fr esh m an st u d en t s, t h er e sh ou ld b e r ou gh ly t en fr esh m an classes or
so.
H e q u ick ly fou n d W an g Don g, sim p ly becau se W an g Don g’s look s w er e t oo

ou t st an d in g. T h e p eop le sit t in g ar ou n d h im w er e act u a lly all gir ls, an d n on e of
t h em w er e w eak er t h an t h e fem ale st u d en t t h at sat b esid e H u o Yu h ao in t er m s
of ap p ear an ce.
At t h at m om en t , a p er son w alk ed in t h e classr oom ’s d oor . It w as an old lad y

w it h w r in k led sk in an d sh r iveled h a ir . H er gr izzled h air h a d b een r olled in t o a
b u n , an d sh e w or e set of w h it e r ob es. Fu r t h er m or e, h er b od y’s figu r e w as
aver age in size. T h e m ost u n u su al t h in g ab ou t h er w er e h er ext r em ely b r igh t
eyes, w h ich seem ed t o r ad iat e ligh t fr om h er b lack p u p ils.
H u o Yu h ao’s m ar t ial sou l w as h is Sp ir it Eyes. As a r esu lt of t h is, h e w as

esp ecially sen sit ive t o t h e eyes of ot h er s. H e cou ld sen se a st r on g level of
sp ir it u al su p p r ession fr om t h is old w om a n ’s eyes.
Even t h ou gh t h e old w om an w as ver y old , h er b ack w as r a m r od st r a igh t as
sh e w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e sp eak in g p lat for m . T h er e w as n o d ou b t ab ou t it ; sh e w a s
d efin it ely t h e t each er of t h is fr esh m an class.
W h en t h ey saw t h e t each er en t er , t h e p r eviou sly d isor d er ly class im m ed ia t ely

q u iet ed d ow n , an d t h eir gazes all gat h er ed on t h e sp eak in g p la t for m .
T h e old w om an ’s gaze calm ly sw ep t acr oss t h e cr ow d fr o m left t o r igh t ,

im m ed iat ely cau sin g ever yon e t o feel h er gaze r ak in g over t h em , w h ich in t u r n
cau sed a for m less p r essu r e t o ap p ear in t h eir h ear t s.
“I am Zh ou Yi, an d am t h e t each er in ch ar ge of you r class. I’m n ot su r e h ow

m an y of you w ill b e ab le t o k eep u p w it h m e for t h e follow in g year , b u t I h ave t o
t ell you som et h in g: in m y class, t r ash can ’t p ass m y assessm en t s. I w an t t o
cu lt ivat e m on st er s, n ot id iot s.”
T each er Zh ou ’s voice h ad a k in d of ext r em ely u n p lea san t r asp t o it ; it

r esem b led a b r ok en gon g.
W h en t h ey h ear d h er w or d s, an ext r em ely an gr y look ap p ear ed on t h e faces of

m an y st u d en t s. T h ey h ad p assed t h e en t r an ce assessm en t t h at en ab led t h em t o
b ecom e st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y, an d h ad b een car efu lly select ed fr om
var iou s cou n t r ies on t h e con t in en t . Am on gst t h eir p eer s, t h e w or d ‘elit e’ cou ld
ab solu t ely b e u sed t o d escr ib e t h em . H ow ever , t h ey h ad t u r n ed in t o ‘t r ash ’ an d
‘id iot s’ u n d er t h e w or d s of t h is T each er Zh ou .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o w as ext r em ely calm . W h en h e saw t h is T each er Zh ou ,

h e r ecalled t h e w or d s of h is eld est sen ior b r ot h er an d T each er Xiao Ya. T h is
T each er Zh ou w as ver y st r ict , an d h ad a b ad t em p er , b u t sh e t r u ly h ad ab ilit y.
“T h ose w h o’ve got t en in t o a figh t d u r in g t h ese p ast few d ays of en r ollm en t ,

st an d u p .” Zh ou Yi’s follow in g sen t en ce st u n n ed t h e en t ir e cla ss on ce again .
T h ey’d ju st b een en r olled , w h o w ou ld h a ve t h e fr ee t im e t o st ar t a figh t in t h e

acad em y? Even if t h ey h ad fou gh t , w h o’d ad m it t o it ?
As t h e en t ir e class r em ain ed silen t , on ly a sin gle p er son st ood u p . It w as H u o
Yu h ao. H e d id n ’t st a n d u p b ecau se h e w a s h on est , b u t b ecau se h e fain t ly sen sed
t h at t h is T each er Zh ou w asn ’t a p er son w h o’d p lay h er car d s accor d in g t o
com m on sen se.
Seein g H u o Yu h ao st an d u p , W an g Don g let ou t a ‘h u m p h ’. N ot w illin g t o b e

ou t d on e, h e also st ood u p .
Of t h e en t ir e class of a h u n d r ed st u d en t s, on ly t w o h ad st ood u p . T h ey
im m ed iat ely b ecam e ‘cr an es in a flock of ch ick en s’ a s t h ey b ecam e t h e focu s of
t h e en t ir e class’s a t t en t ion .
“On ly t w o?” Zh ou Yi r aised h er eyeb r ow s. “T r u ly a gr ou p of t r ash . Don ’t t ell

m e you d id n ’t k n ow t h at n ot d ar in g t o p r ovok e ot h er s is a sign of m ed iocr it y?
Ot h er t h an t h ese t w o, ever yon e else go ou t sid e an d r u n a h u n d r ed lap s ar ou n d
Sh r ek Plaza. An yon e w h o can ’t fin ish t h ese on e h u n d r ed la p s w ill b e d ir ect ly
exp elled .”
On ce sh e sp ok e, t h e w h ole class flew in t o an u p r oar . T h is w as on ly t h eir fir st

d ay of sch ool, an d class h ad n ’t even b egu n yet . W h o cou ld a ccep t t h e fact t h at
t h ey w er e act u ally b ein g p u n ish ed for n ot figh t in g?
On e of t h e st u d en t s im m ed iat ely st ood u p . “T each er , I r efu se t o accep t t h is.

W h y d o w e h ave t o b e p u n ish ed for n ot figh t in g?”
Zh ou Yi in d iffer en t ly r ep lied , “Becau se I said so. If you ’r e n ot w illin g t o

accep t t h is, you can scr ew off. As a t each er , I h ave t h e au t h or it y t o exp el an y
st u d en t I w an t . I’ll give you on e m in u t e. If I d on ’t see a ll of you r u n n in g a r ou n d
Sh r ek Plaza w it h in t h at m in u t e, all of you w ill b e exp elled .”
As sh e sp ok e, a t er r ifyin g au r a w as su d d en ly r eleased fr om h er b od y. T h e
p ow er fu l sou lfor ce u n d u la t ion s cau sed ever y sin gle st u d en t t o b e ch ok ed b y t h e
p r essu r e. Follow in g t h at , sou l r in gs st ar t ed t o r ise fr om Zh ou Yi’s feet .
T w o yellow , t w o p u r p le, an d t w o b lack sou l r in gs b u r st for t h w it h a st r on g
au r a t h at w as h ar d t o d escr ib e. T h is T each er Zh ou w as act u ally a Sou l Em p er or -
level exp er t , an d fu r t h er m or e, sh e h ad t w o t en t h ou san d year sou l r in gs. If sh e
w an t ed t o t ak e car e of t h e h u n d r ed st u d en t s in fr on t of h er , it w ou ld n ’t b e an
exagger at ion t o say t h at it w ou ld b e as ea sy as t u r n in g h er p alm over .
T h ese st u d en t s w er e on ly fr esh m en , aft er all. Un d er t h e st r on g p r essu r e, ju st

w h o w ou ld d ar e t o r esist ? All of t h em d eject ed ly w alk ed ou t t h e d oor . Zh ou Yi
w it h d r ew h er sou l r in gs aft er r eleasin g t h em , an d h er eyes follow ed t h e st u d en t s
ou t of t h e classr oom as sh e gazed at t h em exp r ession lessly.
“I’ll give you a r em in d er : you on ly h ave t w o h ou r s. Aft er t w o h ou r s, t h e

p eop le w h o h aven ’t fin ish ed t h e h u n d r ed lap s w ill b e con sid er ed t o b e
u n q u alified . T h is is you r fir st t est aft er en t er in g t h e aca d em y, an d t h ose
u n qu alified w ill b e exp elled .”
W h en t h ey h ear d h er w or d s, t h e st u d en t s’ m ovem en t s im m ed iat ely sp ed u p .

T h ey qu ick ly r an t o t h e field aft er leavin g t h e classr oom .
W an g Don g w as sligh t ly ast on ish ed as h e glan ced at H u o Yu h ao. At t h at

m om en t , on ly t h e t w o of t h em w er e left in t h e class. Zh ou Yi’s exp r ession
seem ed t o h ave b ecom e m u ch w ar m er as sh e b eck on ed t ow ar d s t h em .
W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao w alk ed t ow ar d s h er t oget h er .
Look in g at t h e t w o of t h em , Zh ou Yi n od d ed h er h ea d in a sat isfied m an n er .

T h en , sh e said , “Not b ad , at least t w o of you h ave som e gu t s. T ell m e, w h o d id
you figh t w it h , an d w h y d id you figh t w it h t h em ?”
W an g Don g w as ju st ab ou t t o sp eak , b u t H u o Yu h ao in t er ject ed , “Rep or t in g t o

t h e t each er , w e ar e r oom m at es. W e h ad a sm all con flict d u e t o ou r op p osin g
view s.”
Zh ou Yi seem ed t o b e ver y in t er est ed as sh e said , “Oh ? You ’r e even

r oom m at es. Figh t in g is good , b u t figh t in g b et w een r oom m at es is t h e b est k in d
of figh t in g. You ’ll h a ve com p et it ion t h is w ay, an d you ’ll also b e ab le t o im p r ove
t oget h er .”
As t h ey st ood in fr on t of Zh ou Yi, bot h H u o Yu h ao or W an g Don g felt t h eir

b ack s b ecom e cool as t h eir b ack s b ecom e cover ed in cold sw eat . J u st n ow , t h is
T each er Zh ou h a d sim p ly b een t oo d om in eer in g. Fu r t h er m or e, sh e r eally d id n ’t
p lay h er car d s accor d in g t o com m on sen se! H er w ay of t h in k in g w as en t ir ely
d iffer en t fr om an or d in ar y p er son ’s. Sh e w as t r u ly d eser vin g of t h e t it le t h at Bei
Bei h ad called h er b y, t h e ‘M on st r ou s T each er ’.
A t r ace of a sm ile t h at w as even u glier t h an on e’s cr yin g face ap p ear ed on

Zh ou Yi’s face. H er aged face even seem ed t o t w it ch . “Figh t in g is a good t h in g,
b u t I d on ’t r ea lly lik e figh t in g am on gst m y ow n st u d en t s. Rem em b er , you
sh ou ld figh t w it h st u d en t s fr om ot h er classes if you w an t t o st ar t a figh t . Ou r
Sh r ek Acad em y’s r u les h ave alw ays b een r elaxed , an d t h is is for t h e sak e of
d evelop in g in d ivid u alit y w it h in ou r st u d en t s. T h u s, w e’ve alw ays t u r n ed a b lin d
eye t ow ar d s t h e issu e of figh t in g. H ow ever , t h er e ar e cer t ain lim it s t o t h is,
w h ich I’ll t ell you a b ou t . St u d en t s fr om h igh er year gr ou p s ar en ’t allow ed t o
p r ovok e or at t ack st u d en t s fr om low er year gr ou p s. If w e fin d ou t t h a t som eon e
h as d on e t h is, t h e p u n ish m en t is im m ed iat e exp u lsion . H ow ever , st u d en t s fr om
low er year gr ou p s ca n ch allen ge old er st u d en t s, b u t t h is r equ ir es t h e p r esen ce of
a t each er , t o en su r e t h e fact t h at old er st u d en t s ar en ’t sim p ly b u llyin g t h e
you n ger st u d en t s. As for st u d en t s of t h e sam e year gr ou p , you can figh t as you
w ish . As lon g as you d on ’t cau se an y fat al w ou n d s, t h e sch ool w on ’t in t er fer e at
all. H on est ly, figh t in g is an excep t ion ally good w ay of in cr easin g you r st r en gt h .”
“If you can r each you r secon d year , you can go t o t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a t o
figh t . If you w in a lot , t h e sch ool w ill even r ew ar d you . H ow ever for n ow , you
t w o can go r u n ou t sid e w it h t h e ot h er s.”
W an g Don g w as st u n n ed . “T each er , d id n ’t you say t h at w e h ad gu t s?”

Zh ou Yi st ill h ad a sm ile on h er face. “Bu t I n ever said t h at you w ou ld n ’t n eed

t o r u n ! Sch ool h as on ly ju st st a r t ed , yet you ’ve alr ead y fou gh t w it h you r
r oom m at e. You t w o r eally h ave fu t u r e p r osp ect s. T h u s, sin ce you t w o h ave so
m an y fu t u r e p r osp ect s, t h e d ifficu lt y of you r t est sh ou ld b e h ar d er t h an t h at of
t h e ot h er ’s. M or eover , you t w o of you sh ou ld sh ar e b ot h d eligh t a n d h ar d sh ip
w it h you r fellow st u d en t s. T h e am ou n t of t im e you t w o h ave t o fin ish t h ose on e
h u n d r ed lap s w ill b e t h e sam e as t h e ot h er s. Look , a m om en t h as alr ead y p assed
w h ile you t w o w er en ’t b ein g car efu l!”
W an g Don g st ill w an t ed t o say som et h in g, b u t h e w as p u lled aw ay b y H u o

Yu h ao, w h o d id n ’t h esit at e t o t u r n ar ou n d an d r u n ou t sid e.
Alt h ou gh W an g Don g felt som ew h at d ep r essed , h e st ill follow ed H u o Yu h ao

ou t t o r u n . “W h a t ’d you p u ll m e aw a y for ? T h is ‘T each er Zh ou ’ is t r u ly a
lu n at ic.”
H u o Yu h ao u n h ap p ily r ep lied , “Can you b eat h er in a ver b al b at t le? Can you

b eat h er in a figh t ? If you can ’t d o eit h er of t h ese t h in gs, an d you st ill w an t t o
st ay in Sh r ek Acad em y, t h en you ’ll h ave t o follow h er or d er s. Qu ick ly r u n , I
b elieve t h at h er ear lier w or d s ab ou t exp ellin g an yon e w h o’s u n ab le t o fin ish a
h u n d r ed lap s ar en ’t false at all.”
Sh r ek Plaza w as r igh t ou t sid e t h e fr esh m an sch ool b u ild in g. It w asn ’t

con sid er ed t oo b ig; a sin gle lap w as r o u gh ly t h r ee h u n d r ed m et r es or so. T o
n or m al p eop le, r u n n in g a h u n d r ed lap s ar ou n d t h e p laza w as d efin it ely n ot a
sim p le t a sk . H ow ever , t o t h ese you n g st u d en t s w h o h a d t h e fou n d at ion of a sou l
m ast er , it w asn ’t a ct u ally t h at h ar d . As lon g as t h ey r a n ser iou sly, t h ey’d
m an age t o fin ish r u n n in g t h eir h u n d r ed lap s w it h in t w o h ou r s.
Aft er H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad join ed t h e ‘gr eat ar m y’ of r u n n in g,
m an y sou n d s of sch ad en fr eu d e im m ed iat ely ech oed ou t . H ow ever , t h e t w o
p eop le d id n ’t even b ot h er t o ca r e ab ou t t h em . T h ey w er e alr ead y b eh in d b y
fift een m in u t es, so t h ey h ad t o m ak e t h e m ost of ever y m in u t e t h at t h ey h ad .
W h ilst r u n n in g, W a n g Don g su d d en ly ask ed H u o Yu h ao, “W h at sk ill d id you

u se t o b eat m e t h at d ay? I st ill h aven ’t b een ab le t o figu r e it ou t . Cou ld it b e t h at
you r m ar t ial sou l is a sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed .
W an g Don g w as st u n n ed , “It ’s r eally a sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l! No w on d er

I cou ld n ’t see w h at you r m ar t ia l sou l w as aft er you ’d u sed you r sou l r in g. At
least m y loss can ’t b e con sid er ed t oo m u ch of an in ju st ice.”
H u o Yu h ao felt sligh t ly h elp less as h e r ep lied , “You ’r e t oo ar r ogan t . If you ’d

also u sed you r m ar t ial sou l, I w ou ld ’ve d efin it ely h ad n o ch an ce at all. I can
sen se t h a t you r sou lfor ce is m u ch st r on ger t h an m in e.”
W an g Don g w as sligh t ly p leased as h e said , “T h at ’s ob viou s. Am on gst t h is

year ’s fr esh m en , t h e n u m b er of st u d en t s w h o can com p ar e w it h m e in t er m s of
st r en gt h ar e as r ar e as p h oen ix feat h er s an d q ilin h or n s. You m er ely h ave a
sin gle t en year sou l r in g, t h u s you ’r e n a t u r ally n ot m y op p on en t .”
H u o Yu h ao d islik ed W an g Don g’s ar r ogan t ap p ear an ce. “Don ’t for get t h at you
ju st lost t o t h a t ‘t en year sou l r in g’.”
“Ugh …” W an g Don g u n h ap p ily r ep lied , “I get it , let ’s n ot t alk ab ou t t h is

an ym or e. Seein g t h at you p r ot ect ed m e in fr on t of t h at p er ver t ed t each er , I’ll
con sid er t h e p r evio u s m at t er set t led . In t h e fu t u r e, I’ll t ak e car e of you . If
an yon e w an t s t o b u lly you , I’ll p r ot ect you .”
H u o Yu h ao w as left sp eech less. “I d on ’t n eed you r p r ot ect ion .” Aft er sayin g

t h is, h e sp ed u p h is p ace an d r an for w ar d .
W an g Don g follow ed H u o Yu h ao as h e sp ed u p . T h e p h ysical fit n ess of h is
b od y w as m u ch b et t er t h an H u o Yu h ao’s, so k eep in g u p w it h h is in cr ease in
sp eed w as effor t less t o h im .
W an g Don g w as sligh t ly d issat isfied as h e said , “You ’r e t oo u n r eason ab le!”
H u o Yu h ao glar ed at h im an d r ep lied , “If you ’d t r eat m e as a st u d en t on eq u al

t er m s, you w ou ld n ’t h ave t o h ave t h is k in d of feelin g.”
W an g Don g cu r led h is lip . “Sin ce I w as you n g, t h er e’s n ever b een som eon e
t h e sam e age as m e w h o w as ab le t o m ak e m e t r eat t h em as a n equ al.”
H u o Yu h ao h u m p h ed , an d st op p ed look in g at h im . “W h en w or d s get sou r ,

ad d in g ext r a w or d s is m ean in gless.”
W an g Don g also st op p ed t alk in g. H e su d d en ly sp ed u p , over t a k in g H u o Yu h ao

as h e u sed an a st on ish in g sp eed t o r u n ar ou n d Sh r ek Plaza.
It h ad t o b e said t h a t even t h ou gh W an g Don g w as ar r ogan t , h is cu lt iva t ion

t r u ly st ood ou t fr om t h e m asses. Fu r t h er m or e, h is p h ysical fit n ess w as
ext r em ely st r on g. On ce h e’d sp ed u p , t h er e w as n o on e fr om Class 1 w h o cou ld
act u ally cat ch u p t o h im .
At t h at m om en t , Zh ou Yi h ad alr ead y a r r ived b esid e Sh r ek Plaza. Sh e sim p ly

st ood t h er e as sh e calm ly w at ch ed t h e st u d en t s r u n . H er gaze w as q u ick ly
at t r act ed t o W an g Don g, an d h er gaze ch an ged sligh t ly b efor e r et u r n in g t o
n or m al.
T im e qu ick ly p assed . As t h e n u m b er of com p let ed lap s in cr eased , t h e

b r eat h in g of t h e r u n n in g st u d en t s gr a d u ally b ecam e r ou gh er . T h e p h ysical
fit n ess an d cu lt iva t ion level of t h e st u d en t s w as r evealed at t h is m om en t . Zh ou
Yi h ad n ever said t h at t h ey w er e p r oh ib it ed fr om u sin g t h e assist an ce of
sou lfor ce, so ever yon e h ad st ar t ed u sin g sou lfor ce t o r ecover t h eir p h ysical
st r en gt h in or d er t o con t in u e t h eir lon g-d ist an ce r u n n in g.
T h er e w er e m or e t h a n t en p eop le r u n n in g at t h e ver y fr on t of t h e gr ou p ; t h eir
sp eed w asn ’t slow at all. Of t h e gr ou p , t h e lead er w as W an g Don g. Alt h ou gh
h e’d com e ou t lat e, h e’d m an aged t o cat ch u p t o t h e p eop le w h o h ad t h e m ost
lap s com p let ed w it h in an h ou r . H e’d even over t ak en t h em . J u st look in g at h is
ap p ear an ce, h e d id n ’t seem t o h ave u sed u p m u ch en er gy; h is sp eed h ad n ’t
d ecr eased a t all t h e en t ir e t im e.
Aft er t h e p eop le at t h e fr on t of t h e class, t h er e w as a lar ge gr ou p of st u d en t s.

T h er e w er e at least seven t y st u d en t s w it h in t h is gr ou p , an d t h ey all r an at a
r elat ively even sp eed . Ru n n in g d id n ’t seem t o b e t oo exh au st in g for t h em .
Look in g at t h eir sp eed , it w ou ld n ’t b e a p r ob lem for t h em t o com p let e a h u n d r ed
lap s w it h in t h eir t w o allot t ed h ou r s.
Beh in d t h em w er e st ill m or e t h an t en st u d en t s w h o’d b een left b eh in d in t h e

b ack . H u o Yu h ao w as am on gst t h is gr ou p . For t h e sak e of cat ch in g u p t o t h e
st u d en t s in fr on t , H u o Yu h ao h ad u sed a ver y qu ick sp eed t o st ar t r u n n in g as
soon as h e’d st ar t ed . H ow ever , t h e d r ain on h is p h ysical st r en gt h h ad st ar t ed
in cr easin g as soon as h e fin ish ed r u n n in g t w en t y or so lap s. N ot on ly w as h e t h e
last p er son in t h e class, t h e n u m b er of lap s t h at h e’d r u n w as even few er t h an
t h e ot h er s, d u e t o h im h avin g st ar t ed fift een m in u t es lat er .
M or e t h an h alf of t h e t ot al t im e h ad alr ead y p assed w h en Zh ou Yi’s voice

su d d en ly ech oed ou t in ever yon e’s ear s, “Sp eed u p an d u se m y locat ion as t h e
fin ish in g p oin t .”
In t h e m id d le of h er sp eak in g, W an g Don g h ad sw ep t p ast h er w it h a

“sw oosh ”, b ecom in g t h e fir st p er son t o com p let e t h e h u n d r ed lap s.
Aft er u sin g an ext r em ely fast sp eed t o fin ish t h e h u n d r ed lap s, W an g Don g’s
h an d som e face h a d also t u r n ed r osy. H e p an t ed sligh t ly as h e slow ed h is p ace,
an d h e fin ally st op p ed aft er h e’d w alk ed a n ot h er lap ar ou n d t h e p laza.
Gr ad u ally, m or e an d m or e st u d en t s b egan t o com p let e t h eir h u n d r ed lap s

aft er W an g Don g. At t h is m om en t , t h er e w er e st ill fift een m in u t es left u n t il t h e
t w o h ou r s w er e u p .
Aft er W an g Don g st op p ed , h is gaze qu ick ly lan d ed on H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as
r u n n in g at t h e b ack . H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t fu r r ow h is b r ow as h e m u t t er ed t o
h im self, “H ow d id I lose t o h im ...?”
H u o Yu h ao’s sp eed h ad alr ea d y b ecom e m u ch slow er t h an h is st ar t in g sp eed .

H is sch ool u n ifor m w as soak ed w it h sw eat , an d sin ce h is m ar t ial sou l w as a
sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ia l sou l, t h e h elp t h a t h is sou lfor ce p r ovid ed t o h is b od y w as
sm aller t h an n or m a l. If it w er en ’t for h im cu lt ivat in g t h e M yst er iou s H eaven
T ech n iq u e, h e w ou ld ’ve b een in an even w or se st at e.
If H u o Yu h ao h ad h ad t h e fu ll t w o h ou r s t o com p let e t h e h u n d r ed lap s, h e

cou ld ’ve st ill p er sever ed an d com p let ed t h em , alb eit w it h m u ch d ifficu lt y.
H ow ever , aft er Zh ou Yi d elayin g h im ear lier , it w a s ju st t oo d ifficu lt for h im .
Delib er at ely in cr easin g h is sp eed h ad su b st an t ially d r ain ed h is p h ysical
st r en gt h . At t h is m om en t , h e w as t h r ee lap s b eh in d t h e st u d en t s n ext t o h im ,
an d w as st ill t w en t y lap s aw ay fr om t h e h u n d r ed lap s. Ru n n in g t w en t y lap s
w it h in fift een m in u t es w as som et h in g t h at w as n ear ly im p ossib le for h im .
Chapt er 9.1: Radiant But t er fly Goddess
“No, I m u st p er sever e. I can ’t get d isqu a lified .” H u o Yu h ao clen ch ed h is t eet h

t igh t ly an d sp ed u p h is foot st ep s again . For t h e sak e of clear in g u p h is t ir ed
m in d , h e even act iva t ed h is sou lfor ce an d r eleased a Sp ir it Sh ock t h at w as aim ed
t ow ar d s h im self. T h e in t en se p ain in h is m in d also st im u lat ed h is b od ily
fu n ct ion s, an d su r e en ou gh , h is sp eed in cr eased b y a b it on ce again , allow in g
h im t o over t ak e t h e few p eop le at t h e ver y b ack of t h e gr ou p .
Zh ou Yi qu iet ly st ood t h er e. Sh e d id n ’t p ay at t en t ion t o t h e st u d en t s w h o’d

alr ead y fin ish ed t h eir lap s. In st ead , h er gaze fell u p on t h e st u d en t s w h o h ad n ’t
com p let ed t h eir lap s.
Ou t of t h ese st u d en t s, t h e on e w h o h ad t h e m ost t ir ed exp r ession w as H u o

Yu h ao. H is u n ifor m , w h ich h ad alr ead y b een soak ed w it h sw eat , w asn ’t
som et h in g t h at cou ld b e fak ed ! H ow ever , h e clen ch ed h is t eet h t igh t ly as h e
st r en u ou sly p er sever ed .
T im e r ap id ly p assed , an d H u o Yu h ao p er sever ed for an ot h er eigh t lap s. At

t h is m om en t , t h er e w as on ly five m in u t es left u n t il t h e en d of t h e t w o h ou r s.
Alon g w it h H u o Yu h ao, t h er e w er e seven ot h er p eop le w h o h ad n ’t fin ish ed
r u n n in g. H ow ever , t h ey seem ed t o on ly h ave t h r ee t o five lap s left .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey’d alr ead y st ar t ed t o u se all of t h eir st r en gt h t o in cr ease t h eir
sp eed . T h er e w as st ill a ch an ce t h at t h ey’d fin ish on t im e. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao
st ill n eed ed t o t w elv e m or e lap s!
At t h at m om en t , a figu r e su d d en ly r u sh ed ou t fr om t h e m id d le of Sh r ek Plaza.
It lan d ed b eh in d H u o Yu h ao, an d cau gh t u p t o h im in ju st a few st ep s. Follow in g
t h at , a scen e w h ich st u n n ed ever yon e p r esen t ap p ear ed .
A p air of b lu e b u t t er fly w in gs su d d en ly sp r ead ou t fr om t h e b ack of t h e

p er son t h at w as ch a sin g aft er H u o Yu h a o. T h e t ip s of each w in g u n ceasin gly
ch an ged b et w een d eep b lu e, azu r e, an d ligh t b lu e, w h ile t h e su r face of each
w in g w as sim ilar t o a b r igh t , V-sh ap ed h alo t h at h ad b een em b ed d ed w it h in t h e
b lu e sk y t h at in t u r n b r ou gh t ligh t t o t h e h u m an r ealm . It s sh ap e an d colou r
w er e in com p ar ab ly an d flaw lessly b eau t ifu l.
“Ah —” W h en su ch a gor geou s p air of w in gs su d d en ly ap p ear ed , t h e sh ock

t h at it b r ou gh t t o ever yon e w as sim p ly t oo gr eat . Pr act ically all of t h e st u d en t s,
r egar d less of w h et h er t h ey w er e b oys or gir ls, let ou t a cr y.
T h at p air of w in gs w as sim p ly t oo b eau t ifu l. It s su r face r esem b led w h it e

sp ou t s su r gin g fr om t h e azu r e ocean . T h e p at t er n s on it , as w ell as it s colou r ,
w er e ext r em ely m agn ificen t . W h en it w a s azu r e, t h e en t ir e su r face of t h e w in g
r esem b led a b r igh t h alo em b ed d ed w it h in t h e b lu e sk y. It occasion ally t u r n ed
d eep b lu e, azu r e, an d t h en ligh t b lu e. T h e w h it e p at t er n s of ligh t on b ot h w in gs
w er e lik e p ear ls t h at h ad b een em b ed d ed w it h in t h em ; t h ey h ad a b r igh t lu st er
t h at w as ext r em ely en ch an t in g.
Alt h ou gh t h e w in gs w er e on ly an illu sor y sh ad ow , it ca u sed ever yon e p r esen t

t o h ave a st u n n ed an d d azzled feelin g u n d er t h eir illu m in at ion . Even Zh ou Yi,
w h o w as a t each er , felt t h e sam e.
Aft er t h e figu r e h ad r eleased it s b u t t er fly w in gs, it st u ck t o H u o Yu h ao fr om

b eh in d . It h u gged H u o Yu h ao u n d er n eat h h is ar m p it s, an d t h e w in gs on it s b ack
su d d en ly b egan t o flap . J u st lik e t h at , it act u ally b r ou gh t t h em b ot h in t o t h e
sk y.
H u o Yu h ao w as also sh ock ed . H e u n con sciou sly t u r n ed ar ou n d t o see w h o it

w as, allow in g h im t o see W an g Don g’s h an d som e face.
“You …”
“You w h at ? W h y h aven ’t you cir cu lat ed you r sou lfor ce t o m ak e you r b od y

ligh t er ?” W an g Don g flap p ed h is p air of b eau t ifu l w in gs as h e sp ok e, cau sin g
t h em t o su d d en ly sp eed u p . H e t h en t ook H u o Yu h ao w it h h im as h e flew
ar ou n d Sh r ek Plaza a t h igh sp eed .
H u o Yu h ao w as also st u n n ed b y t h e p air of w in gs on W an g Don g’s b ack . T oo
b eau t ifu l, t h ey w er e r eally t oo b eau t ifu l! W as t h is h is m ar t ia l sou l? H u o Yu h ao
cou ld even sen se t h e V-sh ap ed p at t er n s on W an g Don g’s w in gs ab sor b in g t h e
w ar m t h of t h e su n ligh t . W it h ou t m en t ion in g t h is, ju st a m ar t ial sou l t h at h a d
t h e ab ilit y t o fly w as alr ead y a con sid er ab ly st r on g exist en ce. Fu r t h er m or e,
t h er e w as a sayin g in t h e n at u r al w or ld : b eau t ifu l m ar t ial sou ls w er e alw ays
st r on ger !
A t r ace of sat isfact ion w as ap p ar en t in sid e of Zh ou Yi’s ast on ish m en t as sh e

sp ok e t o h er self, “Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess? T h e con t in en t ’s m ost b eau t ifu l
b u t t er fly m ar t ia l sou l? Good , ver y good . At least n ot all of t h em h ave
d isap p oin t ed m e.”
W an g Don g’s flyin g sp eed w as ver y fast . W it h h is sp eed , com p let in g t w elve
lap s w it h in five m in u t es w asn ’t a n im p ossib le t ask a n ym or e. W h en t h e t w o
sim u lt an eou sly lan d ed aft er fin ish in g H u o Yu h ao’s last lap , t h ey cou ld n ’t h elp
b u t st u m b le. H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly t u r n ed ar ou n d an d su p p or t ed W an g Don g.
H ow ever , h e also fell b ack w ar d s, cau sin g W an g Don g t o fall on t op of h im .
Alt h ou gh W an g Don g’s cu lt ivat ion cou ld n ’t b e con sid er ed w eak am on gst h is
p eer s, h e w as st ill a ch ild ! Aft er over t h r ee t h ou san d m et r es w h ilst ca r r yin g H u o
Yu h ao, h is sou lfor ce h ad b een sligh t ly over d r aft ed . On ce h e lan d ed , t h e p air of
d azzlin g w in gs on h is b ack w er e w it h d r aw n in t o h is b od y. H is exp r ession h ad
also b ecom e p ale.
H u o Yu h ao w as cr u sh ed u n d er W an g Don g’s b od y, b u t t h e t r ace of a sm ile

st ill ap p ear ed on h is face. “T h an k s. I cr u sh ed you last t im e, an d you cr u sh ed m e
b ack t h is t im e.”
W an g Don g cr aw led b ack u p w it h a look of r evu lsion on h is face. “You

st in k in g b r at , d o you t h in k I w an t t o b e on t op of you ?”
H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t a n ger ed b y w h at W a n g Don g said as h e cr aw led u p alon g

w it h h im . W h ilst p an t in g h eavily, h e gave W an g Don g a t h u m b s-u p .
W an g Don g w as st u n n ed for a m om en t . T h en , h e n od d ed h is h ead an d gave
h im a t h u m b s-u p in r ep ly. Follow in g t h at , t h e t w o p eop le cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
sm ile. T h eir p r eviou s gr u d ges h a d also com p let ely d isap p ear ed at t h is m om en t .
All of t h e st u d en t s h ad com p let ed a h u n d r ed lap s w it h in t h e st ip u la t ed t im e.

T h ey w er e n ow st an d in g in t h e m id d le of Sh r ek Plaza, r est in g.
Zh ou Yi exp r ession lessly t u r n ed t ow ar d s t h e st u d en t s as sh e in d iffer en t ly

said , “T h e p eop le w h ose n am es I call, st ep for w ar d . Ch en g Ch en g, Qiu J ian r ao,
T an g Dao, Sh an ggu an Ch en t ian , Lin Zeyu , Zh u ge Yu n , T ai Lon g, T an g Lin g, an d
Yu n Xiaop iao.”
A t ot al of n in e st u d en t s w er e called ou t b y h er . T h e st u d en t s h ad clear ly n ever

exp ect ed Zh ou Yi t o b e ab le t o act u ally ca ll ou t t h e n am es of n in e st u d en t s, even
t h ou gh t h ey h ad n ’t given an y self-in t r od u ct ion s.
T h e st u d en t s w h o w er e called ou t slow ly st ep p ed for w ar d .
Zh ou Yi in d iffer en t ly said , “You n in e can go p ack you r lu ggage an d leave t h e

acad em y. Fr om t h is m om en t for t h , you ’r e n o lon ger st u d en t s of Sh r ek
Acad em y.”
“Ah ?” T h e n in e st u d en t s w h o w er e st ill t ir ed fr om r u n n in g w er e im m ed iat ely

ast on ish ed , w h ile t h e ot h er st u d en t s er u p t ed in t o an u p r oar .
“T each er , w h y?” T h e t all you t h n am ed T ai Lon g st ep p ed for w ar d w it h an

an gr y look on h is face. Ou t of t h e st u d en t s w h o’d com p let ed t h eir h u n d r ed lap s,
h e’d b een in t h e fir st gr ou p of p eop le; h e w as on e of t h e fir st p eop le t h at h a d
fin ish ed .
Zh ou Yi cold ly r ep lied , “Sh r ek Acad em y d oesn ’t n eed st u d en t s w h o’r e fu ll of

t r ick s. If w e cu lt ivat e a p er son lik e you , w h o h as st r en gt h b u t n ot a good an d
u p r igh t at t it u d e, t h e on ly t h in g you ’ll b r in g t o an y cou n t r y is cat ast r op h e, n ot
h elp . T ai Lon g, say it you r self, d id you r u n t h e fu ll h u n d r ed la p s ju st n ow ?”
“I n at u r ally r an en ou gh .” T ai Lon g p r ot est ed .

Zh ou Yi lau gh ed . “You r an en ou gh ? If m y m em or y ser ves m e r igh t , w h en
ever yon e st ar t ed r u n n in g, you u n h u r r ied ly w alk ed t w o lap s d u e t o t h e fact t h at I
h ad n ’t ar r ived at Sh r ek Plaza yet . You on ly st ar t ed t o cat ch u p w h en t h e lead in g
gr ou p w er e on t h eir fift h lap s. Becau se of t h is, you d id n ’t r u n a fu ll on e h u n d r ed
lap s, b u t n in et y-sev en . I b elieve t h at I’m n ot t h e on ly p er son w h o saw you r
lazin ess in t h e b egin n in g.”
“I…” T ai Lon g’s face im m ed iat ely t u r n ed b r igh t r ed . H e n ever t h ou gh t t h a t

Zh ou Yi, w h o h a d n ’t com e ou t t o t h e field at t h e b egin n in g, w ou ld b e ab le t o
r eveal h is cr aft y t r ick s as if sh e’d seen t h em p er son ally. “Bu t , ju st b ecau se I r an a
few lap s less... you can ’t exp el m e b ecau se of t h is!”
Zh ou Yi sn or t ed d isd ain fu lly. “I’ve alr ead y exp lain ed t h e r eason w h y I’m
exp ellin g you . You ’r e n ot su it ab le t o b e called a st u d en t of Sh r ek Acad em y. Pack
you r b ags an d scr ew off.”
“You …” T ai Lan g w as com p let ely flab b er gast ed . In r ealit y, r u n n in g a h u n d r ed

lap s or so w asn ’t a p r ob lem at all for h im , w it h h is st r en gt h . H is cu lt ivat ion w as
even r an k ed am on gst t h e b est of all t h e st u d en t s in Class 1. H ow ever , h e’d n ever
exp ect ed t h at h e’d b e elim in at ed lik e t h is.
Zh ou Yi look ed t ow ar d s t h e ot h er st u d en t s an d sp ok e in d iffer en t ly,

“Alt h ou gh I h ave a b ad t em p er , I d efin it ely k eep m y p r om ises. T h e n in e p eop le
w h o I called ou t all ch eat ed w h ilst r u n n in g, an d d id n ot com p let e t h eir h u n d r ed
lap s. If you ’r e u n h ap p y w it h it , you can go an d r ep or t m e t o t h e ed u cat ion
ad m in ist r at ion . Bu t for n ow , you can leave.”
“T each er Zh ou , I r efu se t o accep t t h is. H e d id n ’t r u n a h u n d r ed lap s ju st n ow ;

h e on ly m an aged t o fin ish w it h som eon e else’s h elp . W h y isn ’t h e b ein g
elim in at ed ?” An ot h er elim in at ed st u d en t n am ed Lin Zeyu sp ok e fu r iou sly
w h ilst p oin t in g t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
Zh ou Yi lau gh ed , “You r efu se t o accep t it ? ‘H e’ is n am ed H u o Yu h ao. An d if

‘h e’ h ad n ’t fin ish ed r u n n in g a h u n d r ed lap s, h e’d b e am on gst you r igh t n ow . I
w ill n ot ch an ge w h at I’ve said . H e fin ish ed a h u n d r ed lap s. I n ever said t h at
h elp in g ot h er s w as for b id d en . W an g Don g h elp ed h im , som et h in g t h at h e d id
volu n t ar ily. If som eon e w illin gly h elp ed you w h ilst you w er e r u n n in g, t h at
w ou ld ’ve b een fin e t oo. Bu t d id an yon e h elp you ? I d on ’t look at t h e p r ocess,
on ly at t h e r esu lt s. An d t h e r esu lt s w er e: H u o Yu h ao com p let ed a h u n d r ed lap s,
w h ile you d id n ot . Qu ick ly scr ew off. If you m ak e m e an y an gr ier , I’ll w ast e you r
m ar t ial sou ls.”
Un d er Zh ou Yi’s p ow er fu l m igh t , t h e n in e st u d en t s w h o’d b een called ou t

cou ld d o n ot h in g b u t d eject ed ly w a lk a w ay. T h ey ob viou sly w er en ’t goin g t o
p ack t h eir lu ggage, b u t w er e in st ea d goin g st r aigh t t ow ar d s t h e ed u cat ion al
ad m in ist r at ion t o lod ge a com p lain t . T h is w as on ly t h e fir st d ay of sch ool! H ow
cou ld t h ey accep t t h is?
T h e sw eat on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y in cr eased as h e p er son a lly w at ch ed Zh ou Yi

im p ar t ially exp el t h e n in e st u d en t s. It w ou ld ’ve b een w eir d if h e d id n ’t feel
n er vou s. If it w er en ’t for W an g Don g’s h elp , h e w ou ld ’ve b een w it h t h ose
p eop le! W h en h e t h ou gh t ab ou t t h is, h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sh oot a gr at efu l glan ce
t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
T h e r em ain in g st u d en t s’ exp r ession s h ad com p let ely ch an ged ; t h ey d id n ’t

even d ar e t o b r eat h e h eavily w h ilst look in g at Zh ou Yi. It h ad on ly b een t w o
h ou r s, yet Zh ou Yi h ad alr ead y est ab lish ed h er ab solu t e au t h o r it y over Class 1.
“Go b ack t o t h e d or m s an d ch an ge you r clot h es. Aft er t h a t , com e b ack t o t h e

classr oom for class. I’ll give you fift een m in u t es.” As soon as sh e’d fin ish ed
sp eak in g, Zh ou Yi t u r n ed ar ou n d an d h ead ed b ack t ow ar d s t h e classr oom .
No on e d ar ed t o w ast e an y t im e t h is t im e ar ou n d . T h ey lou d ly d isp er sed , as

p r act ically all of t h em sp r in t ed b ack t o t h eir d or m r oom s.
“T h at old w om an is t oo fier ce.” W an g Don g sp ok e as as h u r r ied ly r an b ack

t ow ar d s t h e d or m s w it h H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed a n d said , “T h an k s. If it w er en ’t for you , I’m afr aid t h at …”
W an g Don g sn or t ed an d said , “Don ’t t h an k m e. If it w er en ’t for ou r figh t , you

cou ld ’ve d on e it on you r ow n . You can go in an d ch an ge fir st , I’m n ot r eally t h at
sw eat y.”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed . “You d on ’t w an t t o ch an ge t oget h er t o save t im e?”
W an g Don g r ep lied , “Did you for get ab ou t t h e five r u les I t old you t h e ot h er
d ay? I d on ’t lik e seein g t h e b od ies of ot h er p eop le, it gives m e gooseb u m p s.
H u r r y u p .”
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t b ot h er r esp on d in g. H e h u r r ied ly r et u r n ed t o t h eir r oom
an d t ook off h is sw eat -soak ed sh ir t . H e t h en u sed a clean clot h t o w ip e h is b od y
d ow n , b efor e ch an gin g in t o an ot h er set of t h e sch ool u n ifor m . H e’d h ave t o w ait
u n t il aft er class b efor e h e cou ld clean h is d ir t y b od y.
W h en h e left t h e r oom , it w as W an g Don g’s t u r n t o ch an ge h is clot h es. At t h at

m om en t , H u o Yu h ao w as st ill som ew h a t ou t of b r eat h . T h e p air of w in gs t h at
h ad ap p ear ed on W a n g Don g’s b ack su b con sciou sly ap p ear ed in h is m in d again .
T oo b eau t ifu l, t h ey h ad t r u ly b een t oo b eau t ifu l! J u st w h at w as t h at m a r t ia l

sou l? Per h ap s t h e ot h er s m igh t n ot h ave n ot iced an yt h in g, b u t H u o Yu h ao h ad .
W h en W an g Don g h ad r eleased h is m ar t ial sou l, h is sou l r in gs h ad also
ap p ear ed . H e’d u n exp ect ed ly h ad t w o of t h em . T h e t h in g t h at ast on ish ed h im
even m or e t h an t h at h ow ever , w as t h at W an g Don g act u ally h ad b ot h a yellow
an d a p u r p le sou l r in g. In ot h er w or d s, h is secon d sou l r in g w as a t h ou san d year
on e. T h is h ad alr ead y su r p assed t h e com m on sen se of n or m al sou l m ast er s.
No w on d er h e w as so ar r ogan t , h e t r u ly h ad t h e m ean s t o d o so! W h en h e

com p ar ed h is st r en gt h t o W an g Don g’s, h e t r u ly w as far t oo w eak .
As h e p on d er ed ab ou t t h is, W an g Don g cam e ou t of t h eir r oom aft er ch an gin g

in t o a n ew set of clot h es. T h e t w o of t h em d id n ’t d a r e t o w a st e an y t im e; t h ey
r et u r n ed t o t h e classr oom as fast as t h ey cou ld .
Zh ou Yi h ad given t h em fift een m in u t es t o ch an ge, b u t in r ealit y, even t h e

slow est p er son d id n ’t t ak e t en m in u t es. All of t h e st u d en t s h ad alr ea d y seat ed
t h em selves in an or d er ly fash ion in sid e of t h e classr oom . T h eir eyes w er e st ill
filled w it h fear w h en t h ey look ed at t h e n in e em p t y seat s.
Ever yon e p r esen t h a d h ear d t h e p h r ase ‘Sh r ek Acad em y is h ar d t o en t er , b u t

easy t o leave.’ H ow ever , t h ey on ly felt a st r on g sen se of d an ger aft er it h ap p en ed
r igh t in fr on t of t h em . No on e d ar ed t o even t h in k of ch eat in g an ym or e.
W h en t h e fift een t h m in u t e ar r ived , Zh ou Yi w alk ed in t o t h e classr oom ju st on

t im e. W h en sh e saw t h at t h e n in et y-on e st u d en t s w er e all p r esen t , sh e n od d ed
h er h ead . Sh e t h en said , “W e’ll st ar t class n ow . On t h e w h ole, you r t est ear lier
h as m ad e m e sa t isfied . A m ajor it y of you w er e ab le t o com p let e t h e sim p le
r u n n in g t est . H u o Yu h ao, st an d u p .”
“T each er Zh ou .” H u o Yu h ao r ap id ly st ood u p ; h is b ack w as r a m r od st r a igh t .
Zh ou Yi cold ly said , “An n ou n ce you r sou l r an k .”
“Yes. M y sou lfor ce is at t h e eleven t h r a n k .” H u o Yu h ao sp ok e r esp ect fu lly.

Ever sin ce Zh ou Yi h ad called ou t t h eir n am es ear lier , h e k n ew t h at in r ealit y,
t h is T each er Zh ou com p let ely u n d er st ood t h em , even t h ou gh sh e seem ed
u n r eason ab le. Per h a p s h e w ou ld n ’t even b e ab le t o con ceal h is cu lt ivat ion fr om
h er .
Aft er h ear in g t h e w o r d s ‘eleven t h r a n k ’, a su sp iciou s exp r ession ap p ear ed on

all of t h e st u d en t s in t h e class. W an g Don g even d ir ect ly cover ed h is eyes w it h
h is h an d s.
Em b ar r assin g, t h is w as t oo em b ar r assin g t o h im . W it h h is level of cu lt ivat ion ,

h e’d act u ally lost t o a p er son at t h e eleven t h r an k . W ait , h ow cou ld h e on ly b e at
t h e eleven t h r an k of sou lfor ce? Did n ’t en r ollin g at Sh r ek Acad em y h ave a b asic
r eq u ir em en t t h at st u d en t s h ad t o b e at t h e fift een t h r an k ? W h en h e t h ou gh t
ab ou t t h is, W an g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t r aise h is h ead t o look at H u o Yu h ao
w it h a flab b er gast ed exp r ession .
“Cor r ect , h is sou l p ow er is on ly at t h e eleven t h r an k . I k n ow , you all ar e ver y

cu r iou s as t o w h y h e cou ld p ass t h e sch o ol’s assessm en t an d w as ab le t o b ecom e
a fr esh m an . I’ll on ly an sw er t h is q u est ion on ce, n o on e can a sk h im ab ou t it in
t h e fu t u r e u n less h e’s elim in at ed . H e’s a st u d en t w h o w as sp ecially in v it ed b y
t h e acad em y. W h en h e en t er ed t h e aca d em y, h e d id n ’t n eed t o p ass an y t est s.
H ow ever , t h is is t h e on ly excep t ion w e m ak e for sp ecially in vit ed st u d en t s. If
h e’s u n ab le t o com p let e t h e st u d yin g assign m en t s t h at t h e a cad em y set s, h e’ll
also b e elim in at ed . Ok ay H u o Yu h ao, sit d ow n .”
“T h an k you , t each er .” As H u o Yu h ao sat b ack d ow n , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel
ast on ish ed . T each er Zh ou ’s w or d s w er e clear ly m ean t t o p r ot ect h im ! By clear ly
exp lain in g t h e sit u at ion of h is en r ollm en t , even w it h h is in su fficien t sou l r an k ,
n o on e w ou ld ask ab ou t it in t h e fu t u r e.
Zh ou Yi d id n ’t seem t o car e abou t t h e st u d en t s’ r eact ion s t o t h is. Sh e t u r n ed

ar ou n d an d w r ot e t w o b ig w or d s on t h e b lack b oar d : ‘AT T ACK’ an d ‘DEFENSE’.
Aft er w r it in g t h e t w o w or d s ou t on t h e b lack b oar d , sh e t u r n ed b ack t o face

t h e st u d en t s on ce again . “I k n ow t h at a m ajor it y of you ar e ver y u n h ap p y
b ecau se of t h e p u n ish m en t I gave t o you ear lier , as w ell as t h e exp u lsion of t h ose
n in e p eop le. On ly, you d on ’t d ar e t o sh ow it b ecau se of m y p r essu r e. I h ave n o
n eed t o give you an y exp lan at ion s. Peop le w h o ar e p er cep t ive w ill n at u r ally
u n d er st an d m y r eason in g in t h e fu t u r e. As for t h e id iot s w h o can ’t u n d er st an d ,
it ’s fin e for t h em t o n ot u n d er st an d . W e w ill n ow st a r t class.”
“You sh ou ld a ll r ecogn ise t h e t w o w or d s t h at I’ve ju st w r it t en on t h e

b lack b oar d . ‘At t ack ’, an d ‘Defen se’. For ou r fir st cla ss t od a y, I’ll t alk t o you
ab ou t t h e a t t ack in g an d d efen d in g t ech n iqu es t h a t sou l m ast er s u se. Sin ce
an cien t t im es, w e sou l m ast er s h ave b een sp lit in t o m an y d iffer en t syst em s
b ased off of ou r in n at e m ar t ia l sou ls, su ch as t h e Pow er At t ack Syst em , t h e
Agilit y At t ack Syst em , t h e Au xiliar y Syst em , t h e Food Syst em , t h e Con t r ol
Syst em , t h e Defen se Syst em , an d so on . Som e sou l m ast er s d evelop t h eir
ab ilit ies t ow ar d s an ext r em e of on e syst em , w h ile ot h er s d ev elop t h eir ab ilit ies
equ ally in m u lt ip le. T h e var iou s n u m b er of m et h od s t o cu lt iv at e is b y n o m ean s
an isolat ed p at h . W a n g Don g, an sw er t h is q u est ion : Of t h e va r iou s syst em s t h at
sou l m ast er s fall in t o, w h ich is t h e b est at at t ack in g, an d w h ich sh ou ld lean
t ow ar d s d efen se a n d au xiliar y, or su p p or t ?”
T h is q u est ion cou ld n ’t b e an y easier for h im . W an g Don g st ood u p an d

u n h esit an t ly r ep lied , “Nat u r ally, assau lt , agilit y, an d con t r ol syst em sou l
m ast er s ar e in clin ed t ow ar d s at t ack in g, w h ile au xiliar y, food , an d d efen se
syst em sou l m ast er s ar e in clin ed t ow ar d s d efen se.”
Zh ou Yi sp ok e w it h n o t r ace of p olit en ess, “T h at w as a st u p id an sw er .”
W an g Don g w as left b lan k . “T each er Zh ou , m y an sw er -”
“Sit d ow n .” Zh ou Yi in t er r u p t ed h im , as sh e w aved h er h an d in h is d ir ect ion ,

cau sin g a st r on g b u r st of sou lfor ce t o h old b ack t h e w or d s h e w as ab ou t t o say.
T h en , it for ced h im t o sit b ack d ow n .
“If t h is w er e fou r t h ou san d year s ago—b efor e t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t h a d

collid ed w it h ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t —W an g Don g’s an sw er w ou ld ’ve b een
cor r ect . H ow ever , a s of n ow , h is an sw er cou ld n ’t b e an y m or e in cor r ect . H u o
Yu h ao, t ell m e, w h y is t h is so?”
H u o Yu h ao in st an t ly t h ou gh t t o h im self t h at T each er Zh ou r eally h a d a

gr u d ge again st h im an d W an g Don g t od ay. For t u n at ely, t h ey h ad n ’t b een
exp elled d esp it e t h is. Aft er som e ligh t n in g-qu ick t h in k in g, h e cam e t o an
an sw er . H e st ood u p an d said , “Becau se of sou l t ools.”
T h e st r ict n ess p r esen t on Zh ou Yi’s face fin ally b ecam e a b it gen t ler . “You
ar en ’t con sid er ed t h at st u p id ; it ’s n o w on d er t h at you w er e ab le t o b ecom e a
sp ecially in vit ed st u d en t . Cor r ect . It ’s exact ly b ecau se of sou l t ools t h at t h e lin e
b et w een at t ack an d d efen se h as b ecom e b lu r r ed . T h is is also t h e t op ic t h at I
w an t t o t alk ab ou t t od ay. Sit d ow n .”
“I b elieve t h at ever yon e ver y clear k n ow s t h at t h e d evelop m en t of sou l t ools

h as b een q u it e r ap id d u r in g t h ese r ecen t few t h ou sa n d year s. T h at year , t h e Su n
M oon Con t in en t b r ou gh t m an y p r eciou s m at er ials w it h t h em , as w ell as t h e
b asic m an u fact u r in g t ech n iqu es for sou l t ools. Aft er a few t h ou san d year s of
d evelop m en t , t h e q u alit y of ou r m an u fact u r ed sou l t ools h as st ead ily b ecom e
b et t er , w h ile t h eir st r en gt h h as in t u r n b ecom e st ead ily st r on ger . T h is h as
cr eat ed a sit u a t ion w h er e even food syst em sou l m ast er s can h ave an at t ack
p ow er t h at ’s equ al t o, or even su r p asses, t h e a t t ack of assau lt syst em sou l
m ast er s—if t h ey p ossess a su fficien t ly st r on g sou l t ool. Con t r ast in gly, if agilit y
syst em sou l m a st er s h ave a sou l t ool w it h a st r on g d efen sive cap ab ilit y, t h ey can
t em p or ar ily p lay t h e r ole of a d efen se syst em sou l m ast er s.”
“It cou ld b e said t h at t h e ap p ear an ce of sou l t ools h as en or m ou sly ch an ged

b ot h t h e d ir ect ion a n d cu r r en t sit u a t ion of sou l m ast er s’ cu lt ivat ion . In r ealit y,
t h e u sage of sou l r in gs h ave b een w ea k en ed . As lon g as you h ave su fficien t
sou lfor ce, you can r ely on sou l t ools t o m ak e u p for t h e d eficien cy in you r sou l
r in gs. T h is h as ca u sed m an y p eop le t o n eglect t h e u sage of sou l r in gs, t h er eb y
cr eat in g t h e cu r r en t sit u at ion in w h ich t h e sou l m ast er s of t h e fou r gr eat
em p ir es ar e cu lt iva t in g w it h t h e sole aim of ach ievin g a h igh am ou n t of
sou lfor ce.”
“T h is sor t of cu lt iva t ion m et h od is u n d ou b t ed ly effect ive in t h e sh or t -t er m ;

esp ecially for sou l m ast er s b elow t h e fift iet h r an k , w h er e t h e effect s of sou l t ools
ar e ext r em ely ob viou s. H ow ever , w h at I w an t t o m ak e clear t o you is t h at ou r
Sh r ek Acad em y d oesn ’t cu lt iva t e t h is k in d of sou l m ast er . An d t h a t ’s b ecau se,
aft er su r p assin g t h e fift iet h r an k , t h ey’r e all t r ash .”
“You d on ’t u n d er st an d , r igh t ? Let m e give an exam p le. You ’r e a t ool sou l

m ast er t h at ’s cu lt ivat ed t o t h e fift iet h r an k , w h ile I’m an agilit y syst em sou l
m ast er w h o’s also cu lt iva t ed t o t h e fift iet h r an k . H ow ever , you h ave a sou l t ool
t h at ’s st r on g en ou gh t o t h r ea t en m y life, w h ile I d on ’t h ave on e at all. W h o w in s
t h e figh t ?”
“T h e an sw er is ver y sim p le. I’ll d efin it ely w in . W h y? Becau se w it h m y sp eed ,

you b asically w on ’t h ave t h e sligh t est ch an ce of h it t in g m e w it h you r sou l t ool.
Even if you h ave a p eak -level sou l t ool, I can st ill r ely on m y sp eed t o gr in d d ow n
you r sou lfor ce. T h e st r on ger t h e sou l t ool, t h e h igh er t h e d r ain on you r
sou lfor ce. Becau se of t h is, alt h ou gh sou l m ast er s of t h e d efen se, au xilia r y, an d
food syst em s can r ely on sou l t ools t o p ossess t h e a t t ack p ow er of a assau lt
syst em sou l m ast er s, t h ey st ill w on ’t h av e t h e com b at st r en gt h of a r eal assau lt
syst em sou l m ast er . You m u st r em em b er t h is ver y clear ly. Becau se of t h is,
alt h ou gh sou l t ools can en or m ou sly st r en gt h en d efen se, a u xiliar y, an d food
syst em sou l m ast er s, you ’ll alw ays b e k illed fir st on t h e b at t lefield if you r b od y
isn ’t st r on g en ou gh . You r op p on en t s w on ’t let you off ju st b ased on t h e fact t h at
you ’r e n ot an offen sive sou l m ast er . On t h e con t r ar y, p eop le b u lly t h e w eak .
You r at t ack p ow er m igh t b e ver y st r on g b y r elyin g on a sou l t ool, b u t you r ot h er
asp ect s w ill b e ver y w eak in t u r n . W h at w ou ld you r en em ies ch oose t o d o in t h at
case?”
“Lik ew ise, if I’m ext r em ely fit , m y com b at st r en gt h w ill b e ver y st r on g in an d

of it self. T h u s, h avin g p ossession of a st r on g sou l t ool at t h e sa m e t im e w ou ld b e
lik e ad d in g w in gs t o a t iger . T hi s i s a t r ue exper t .”
“ T h e l i n e separ at i n g at t ack an d def en se h as been bl ur r ed; n ow adays, an ybody

w i t h i n a t eam of soul m ast er s can f i l l t h e r ol e of an at t ack er . H ow ever , on l y by
r ai si n g your ph ysi cal f i t n ess can you i n cr ease your ch an ce of sur vi vi n g on t h e
bat t l ef i el d by a l ar ge degr ee. Un l ess soul t ool s devel op t o t h e poi n t w h er e t h ey
can com pl et el y r epl ace your body, t h e l evel of bot h your ph ysi cal f i t n ess an d
your soul r i n gs w i l l st i l l be t h e m ost i m por t an t t h i n g i n your f ut ur es.”
Zh ou Yi di dn ’ t k n ow t h i s, but t en t h ousan d year s f r om n ow , soul t ool s w oul d

act ual l y devel op t o t h e degr ee w h er e t h ey coul d act ual l y r epl ace on e’ s en t i r e
body, l i k e sh e’ d just sai d.
“ Dur i n g t h e n ext t h r ee m on t h s, m ost of m y t r ai n i n g f or you w i l l be f ocused

on t r ai n i n g your ph ysi cal f i t n ess. No m at t er w h o you ar e, w h at or i gi n s you h ave
or h ow t al en t ed you ar e, i f you can ’ t pass m y t est t h r ee m on t h s f r om n ow , you’ ll
en d up just l i k e t h ose n i n e peopl e. You can scr ew of f .”
“T od ay’s m or n in g class w ill en d h er e. I r ecom m en d t h at you eat a p r op er
lu n ch . You r t r a in in g w ill st ar t t h is aft er n oon . H u o Yu h ao, follow m e t o t h e
office for a b it .”
Aft er sp eak in g, Zh ou Yi t u r n ed ar ou n d an d w alk ed aw ay w it h ou t p au sin g.

T h e lu n ch b ell h ad n ’t even r u n g yet .
T h e class r em ain ed silen t u n t il Zh ou Yi h ad w alk ed ou t of t h e classr oom . A

m ajor it y of t h e p eop le t h er e w er e im m er sed in w h at Zh ou Yi h ad said . Alt h ou gh
t h is T each er Zh ou d id n ’t follow t h e r u les of com m on sen se, t h ey h ad n o ch oice
b u t t o agr ee t h a t h er w or d s m ad e a lot of sen se.
H u o Yu h ao st ood u p an d follow ed Zh ou Yi ou t . Besid es t h e office b u ild in gs

t h at w er e locat ed b eh in d t h e p u r p le a n d b lack t each in g b u ild in gs, t h er e w as also
a sim p list ic office locat ed w it h in ever y sch ool b u ild in g.
H u o Yu h ao follow ed Zh ou Yi t o t h e office, w h ich w as close t o t h e classr oom .

Zh ou Yi m ot ion ed fo r h im t o sh u t t h e d oor , w h ile sh e p r oceed ed t o sit b eh in d an
office d esk . Alt h ou gh sh e look ed old , h er m ovem en t s d id n ’t ap p ear eld er ly at
all.
“H u o Yu h ao, I d on ’t lik e t o b eat ar ou n d t h e b u sh . W an g Don g’s m ar t ial sou l

ast on ish ed m e a lot , b u t you r m ar t ial sou l h as cau sed m e t o b ecom e ver y
cu r iou s. Even w it h m y exp er ien ce, I w as u n ab le t o sen se w h at you r m ar t ial sou l
w as. Now , I w an t t o k n ow w h at exact ly it is.” Zh ou Yi’s p ow er w as u n d ou b t ed ly
m an ifest ed in h er w or d s.
T h er e w as n at u r ally n o n eed for h im t o con ceal h is m ar t ial sou l fr om h is

t each er . H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “M y m ar t ial sou l is t h e Sp ir it Eyes, a sp ir it u al-t yp e
m ar t ial sou l.”
W h en sh e h ear d H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s, Zh ou Yi w as visib ly ast on ish ed . A t r ace

of d eligh t flash ed t h r ou gh h er b r igh t eyes, w h ich w er e in con sist en t w it h h er
ext r em ely aged face. “A b od y sou l t h at h a s a sp ir it u al at t r ib u t e? Eyes?”
Zh ou Yi’s eyes fu r r ow ed sligh t ly, as if sh e w er e d eep in t h ou gh t . Aft er a sh or t

p er iod of t im e, sh e ask ed H u o Yu h ao, “Can you t ell m e w h at you r fir st sou l sk ill
is?”
T each er s in qu ir in g ab ou t t h eir st u d en t ’s m ar t ial sou ls w as ver y com m on , b u t

a sou l sk ill w as t h e m ost im p or t an t ab ilit y of a sou l m ast er , a s w ell as t h eir m ost
im p or t an t secr et . Even w it h Zh ou Yi’s m igh t , sh e’d st ill u sed a n in qu ir in g t on e.
Som eon e else m igh t ’ve h esit a t ed for a m om en t , b u t H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t h ave

t h is p r ob lem . H is fir st sou l r in g h ad fou r sk ills, so on ly exp osin g t w o of t h em
w as st ill qu it e easy for h im .
W it h ou t d ir ect ly an sw er in g Zh ou Yi, H u o Yu h ao’s fir st p u r e w h it e sou l r in g

slow ly r ose fr om h is feet . Follow in g t h at , h is p u p ils w er e cover ed in a fain t ly
gold en layer . Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, Zh ou Yi felt a sp ir it u a l u n d u lat ion
em er ge b efor e h er eyes.
Zh ou Yi w as n at u r a lly d iffer en t fr om Bei Bei an d T an g Ya; sh e w as a Sou l

Em p er or exp er t . Alt h ou gh sh e w asn ’t a sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l m ast er , sh e st ill
n at u r ally h ad a st r on g level of sp ir it u al p ow er d u e t o h er cu lt ivat ion . If sh e
w an t ed t o r eject H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sk ill, fr om som eon e w h o w as on ly at t h e
eleven t h r an k , it co u ld n ’t b e an y easier for h er . H ow ever , sh e clear ly w ou ld n ’t
r eject it r igh t n ow ; sh e im m ed ia t ely ch ose t o accep t it .
On ce sh e accep t ed it , Zh ou Yi’s p u p ils in st an t ly exp an d ed .
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g im m ed ia t ely ap p ear ed w it h in Zh ou Yi’s sen se of

vision , cau sin g ever yt h in g ar ou n d h er t o b ecom e m u ch clear er . T h is clear sen se
of r ealit y m ad e it seem as if on e w as w a lk in g ou t fr om a d en se fog. Ever yt h in g
b ecam e clear an d or d er ly, so m u ch so t h at sh e w as ab le t o com p let ely d escr ib e
ever yt h in g u sin g n u m b er s. T h e p r ecise p r ed ict ion s, alm ost as if t h ey w er e
com in g fr om a secon d , sep ar at e b r ain , u n ceasin gly ch an ged alon g w it h h er lin e
of sigh t .
Aft er r ou gh ly a m in u t e, H u o Yu h a o d eact iva t ed h is sk ill, an d st ood

con scien t iou sly in fr on t of Zh ou Yi.
Zh ou Yi st ood st ill in a d aze for a w h ile, b efor e m u r m u r in g t o h er self, “W h at a

m ir acu lou s sk ill. No w on d er t h e T an g Sect ch ose you as t h eir sp ecially in vit ed
st u d en t . W it h t h is sk ill alon e, t h at gir l T an g Ya h as d efin it ely ch osen t h e r igh t
p er son . I w as w on d er in g w h y t h a t gir l, w h o w as ext r em ely sm ar t even t h ou gh
sh e h ad or d in a r y t alen t , w ou ld ch oose a p er son w h o on ly h a d a cu lt ivat ion level
of t h e eleven t h r an k , an d an or d in ar y level p h ysical fit n ess. T o t h in k t h at h e
act u ally h ad t h is secr et ...”
“H u o Yu h ao, follow m e.” W h ilst sp eak in g, Zh ou Yi qu ick ly st ood u p an d t ook

H u o Yu h ao w it h h er . Sh e t h en led h im ou t of t h e office w it h q u ick st ep s.
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao w as con fu sed . H e cou ld sen se t h at Zh ou Yi’s

fr am e of m in d h ad h ad a h u ge ch an ge aft er lear n in g ab ou t h is m ar t ial sou l an d
sou l sk ill, b u t h e w asn ’t clear ab ou t w h et h er t h is w as a good t h in g or a b ad
t h in g. Fu r t h er m or e, h e d id n ’t k n ow w h er e Zh ou Yi w a s t ak in g h im , n or w h a t
sh e w an t ed h im t o d o t h er e.
Aft er leavin g t h e fr esh m an sch ool b u ild in g, Zh ou Yi led H u o Yu h ao st r aigh t

t ow ar d s t h e b ack of t h e acad em y, w h ich w as t o t h e w est . Aft er w alk in g a sh or t
d ist an ce, Zh ou Yi fu r r ow ed h er b r ow s sligh t ly an d said , “T h is is t oo slow . I’ll
t ak e you w it h m e.” M id -sen t en ce, sh e flash ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d gr ab b ed
h is sh ou ld er w it h h er r igh t h an d . T h e n ext m om en t , H u o Yu h ao felt lik e h e w as
soar in g t h r ou gh t h e clou d s.
T h e scen er y ar ou n d h im r ap id ly ch an ged , w h ile a for m less b a r r ier seem ed t o

h ave ap p ear ed ar ou n d h im —seem in gly t o p r ot ect h im . On ly, h is su r r ou n d in gs
h ad b ecom e b lu r r y.
Zh ou Yi w as u n d ou b t ed ly t h e st r on gest sou l m ast er t h a t H u o Yu h ao h ad ever

seen . J u st w h at sor t of sp eed w as t h is!? H e h u r r ied ly r eleased h is Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion . On ly aft er h e’d d on e t h is w as h e ab le t o fain t ly d ist in gu ish t h e
d ir ect ion t h ey w er e h ead ed in .
Aft er h ead in g w est w ar d for qu it e a w h ile, Zh ou Yi ch an ged d ir ect ion s an d

h ead ed t o t h e n o r t h . H u o Yu h ao b egan t o feel t h at t h ey’d left t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d ’s M ar t ial Sou l In st it u t e, an d t h at t h ey’d en t er ed t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ’s
Sou l En gin eer in g In st it u t e.
Even w it h h er level of sp eed , Zh ou Yi on ly h alt ed aft er a few m in u t es h ad

p assed . T h ey’d ar r iv ed b efor e an en or m ou s b u ild in g.
T h e sch ool b u ild in gs t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad p r eviou sly seen h ad alr ead y b een
qu it e b ig, b u t t h ey w er e st ill ou t sh on e b y t h e gr ey, r ect an gu la r b u ild in g in fr on t
of t h em . T h e t o t al su r face ar ea of t h is b u ild in g m igh t even b e ab le t o com p ar e
w it h t h e M ar t ial Sou l In st it u t ion ’s d or m s.
T h e gr ey b u ild in g look ed ext r em ely m assive. It w asn ’t ju st m ad e of b r ick s

eit h er ; it s su r face h a d m an y m et allic glin t s on it . A low , r u m b lin g sou n d ech oed
u n ceasin gly fr om t h e b u ild in g, an d t h e gr ou n d b en eat h H u o Yu h ao’s feet w as
even vib r at in g sligh t ly.
A sign b oar d t o t h e sid e of t h e b u ild in g t old h im w h at t h is p lace w as: “Sou l

T ool T est in g Ar ea”.
H u o Yu h ao w as filled w it h d ou b t . W h y w ou ld T each er Zh ou b r in g h im t o t h e
Sou l T ool T est in g Ar ea? W h at d id sh e w a n t t o d o?
Zh ou Yi n at u r ally d id n ’t exp lain an yt h in g t o h im . Aft er loosen in g h er gr ip on

H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er , sh e w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e en t r a n ce of t h e Sou l T ool
T est in g Ar ea.
On ce t h ey’d en t er ed , H u o Yu h ao d iscover ed t h at ever yt h in g in sid e t h e Sou l

T ool T est in g Ar ea w as m ad e of m et al. Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d n ever seen t h e t yp e of
m et al t h a t h ad ap p ar en t ly b een u sed t o con st r u ct ever yt h in g; it w as a som ew h at
d ar k b r ow n colou r .
Aft er en t er in g, t h ey w er e gr eet ed b y a lon g h or izon t al cor r id or . It look ed

sim ilar t o t h e cor r id or s fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l In st it u t e’s d or m s, b u t t h er e w er e
on ly d oor s locat ed on on e sid e of t h e cor r id or , an d t h ey w er e all t h ir t y m et r es
ap ar t fr om on e an ot h er . T h e sign s on t h e d oor s h ad w or d s lik e ‘T est in g Ar ea
On e, T est in g Ar ea T w o...’ alon g w it h ot h er w or d s t o t h e sam e effect .
Zh ou Yi seem ed t o h ave com e h er e oft en , as sh e w as alr ead y fam iliar w it h

ever yt h in g. Sh e t ook H u o Yu h ao w it h h er as sh e h ead ed n or t h w ar d t h r ou gh a
cor r id or , b efor e st op p in g at t h e en d of it , in fr on t of a d oor t h at h a d t h e sign
‘T est in g Ar ea 20 ’ on it .
Zh ou Yi t u r n ed h er w r ist over , an d a h exagon al silver com m an d m ed allion
ap p ear ed in h er h an d . Sh e t h en p r essed it t o t h e d oor t h at sa id ‘T est in g Ar ea 20 ’.
A m agical scen e ap p ear ed b efor e H u o Yu h ao’s eyes; T h e d oor sp lit op en ,

r evealin g a gap t h at w as p er fect ly fit t ed t o h er com m an d m ed allion . H u o Yu h ao
t h ou gh t h e sen sed a t em p or ar y flu ct u a t ion of sou lfor ce b efor e t h e com m an d
m ed allion w as r elea sed fr om t h e gap . Follow in g t h a t , t h e d oor t o T est in g Ar ea
20 op en ed h or izon t ally, a gr at in g sou n d ech oin g ou t .
W h en t h e d oor h ad op en ed a b it , H u o Yu h ao d iscover ed , t o h is ast on ish m en t ,

t h at t h e d oor w as m ad e en t ir ely of m et al, an d w as act u ally t w o feet t h ick . T h er e
w er e sm oot h r ails at t h e b ot t om an d t op of t h e d oor , w h ich a llow ed it t o slow ly
op en .
Aft er t h e d oor op en ed h ad fu lly, Zh ou Yi w aved h er h an d t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao,

an d w alk ed in b efor e h im .
“Boom —” On ce H u o Yu h ao en t er ed , h e w as st ar t led b y a lou d sou n d . A st r on g

vib r at ion , m ixed t oget h er w it h a st r eam of air , sm ash ed d ir ect ly in t o h is face,
cau sin g h is sch ool u n ifor m t o flu t t er .
Zh ou Yi seem ed t o see t h is as a com m on occu r r en ce, an d con t in u ed t o w alk

in sid e.
Aft er en t er in g T est in g Ar ea 20 , H u o Yu h ao d iscover ed t h at t h is p lace w as a

com p let ely d iffer en t w or ld . T h er e w er e m assive m et al p lat es t h a t d ivid ed t h e
w or ld in t o sep ar a t e ar eas t h at w er e a k in t o m et al b oxes. Un d er Zh ou Yi’s
gu id an ce, t h ey qu ick ly ar r ived at t h e la r gest ar ea w it h in t h e w or ld . It w as an
em p t y field t h at w as r ou gh ly t w o t h ou san d sq u ar e m et r es in size, w h ile it s
h eigh t w as ar ou n d t en m et r es t all. T h er e w er e cu r r en t ly a few p eop le t h at st ood
alon g t h e ed ges of t h e field , w h o seem ed t o b e fid d lin g w it h st r an ge t h in gs in
t h eir h a n d s.
“Fan Yu .” Zh ou Yi sh ou t ed lou d ly, cau sin g t h e gr ou p of p eop le b esid e t h e field

t o im m ed ia t ely look t ow ar d s h er , in w h ich t h er e w as a t all, m id d le-aged m an ,
w h o fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s sligh t ly, t h en w alk ed t ow ar d s Zh ou Yi an d H u o Yu h ao
w it h lar ge st r id es.
T h e m id d le-aged m an w as r ou gh ly 1.8 m et r es t all, an d h is sh ou ld er s w er e

ext r em ely w id e. H e w or e a sim p le clot h sh ir t t h at exp osed h is t h ick an d st u r d y
sh ou ld er s, in t u r n r evealin g h is gr an it e-lik e m u scles. T h er e w er e d ist in ct lin es
on h is face, an d h e h ad a d eep gaze. As h e st ood t h er e, h e gave off t h e feelin g of a
m ou n t ain t h at h a d st ood t h er e for t im e im m em or ial.
“Zh ou Yi, w h y h ave you com e?” Clear ly, t h is m id d le-aged m an w as t h e Fan
Yu t h at Zh ou Yi h a d called ou t t o.
“Do you st ill r em em b er t h e w or d s t h a t you said t o m e last t im e?” Zh ou Yi

seem ed t o b e sligh t ly excit ed as sh e sp ok e.
A h elp less sm ile ap p ear ed on Fan Yu ’s face as h e r ep lied , “I’ve t alk ed t o you
ab ou t a lot of t h in gs. H ow am I t o k n ow w h at t h in g you ’r e r efer r in g t o? If it ’s
n ot im p or t an t , h ea d b ack fir st . I st ill h ave t o con d u ct a few t est s h er e.”
Chapt er 10.1: Fir st Exper ience wit h Soul Tools
T each er Zh ou Yi w as in com p ar ab ly d om in eer in g w h en sh e w as in fr on t of h er

st u d en t s, b u t sh e seem ed t o h ave com p let ely lost t h at t yr an n y w h en sh e w as in
fr on t of t h is m id d le-aged m an n am ed Fan Yu . Sh e am iab ly said , “I’m r efer r in g
t o w h at you b r ou gh t u p last t im e; t h e m at t er r egar d in g sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l
m ast er s u sin g sou l t ools.”
W h en h e h ear d w h at sh e sa id , Fan Yu ’s eyes cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ligh t u p . H is

gaze su b con sciou sly fell on H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as st an d in g t o t h e sid e. “H e h as a
sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ia l sou l?”
Zh ou Yi n od d ed h er h ead an d sa id , “Cor r ect . H is n am e is H u o Yu h ao, an d h e’s

a n ew st u d en t . H e h a s a sp ir it u al-t yp e b od y sou l.”
Aft er ser iou sly look in g over H u o Yu h a o, Fan Yu sh ook h is h ead an d sa id ,

“T h is w on ’t d o. H is b od y an d sou l for ce ar e b ot h t oo w eak . I’m afr aid t h at h e
w on ’t even b e ab le t o con t r ol on e of t h e w eak est sou l t ools. Fu r t h er m or e, h is
t alen t is sim ilar t o t h e cu r r en t st at e of h is b od y; it ’s t oo far aw ay fr om w h at I
n eed .”
Zh ou Yi h u m p h ed a n d r ep lied , “Ar e you look in g d ow n on m y for esigh t ? T r u e,

H u o Yu h ao is st ill w eak r igh t n ow , b u t h is sou l sk ill is ext r aor d in ar y. It ’s t h e
m ost p r act ical sp ir it u al-t yp e sk ill t h a t I’ve ever seen . H u o Yu h ao, let h im
exp er ien ce it for a m om en t .”
“Oh .” As a st u d en t , H u o Yu h ao cou ld on ly p ar t icip at e as a sp ect at or r igh t

n ow . H e im m ed iat ely act ivat ed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g an d u sed it on
t h e m id d le-aged m an .
Follow in g t h at , H u o Yu h ao w as so st ar t led t h a t h e a lm ost lost focu s. W h en h is

Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g cam e in t o con t act w it h t h e m id d le-aged m an , t h e
lat t er sligh t ly fu r r ow ed h is b r ow . In t h a t in st an t , H u o Yu h ao felt a s if t h er e w as
a t er r ifyin g b east in fr on t of h im t h at h ad su d d en ly op en ed it s m aw —as if it
w an t ed t o sw allow h im in on e gu lp .
T h is feelin g even cau sed t h e sleep in g Sk yd r eam Icew or m t o w ak e u p . A

r efr esh in g feelin g ap p ear ed in h is sp ir it u al sea, cau sin g H u o Yu h ao’s
ast on ish m en t an d h o r r or t o d isap p ear .
T h e t er r ifyin g au r a t h at w as em an at in g fr om Fan Yu ’s b od y disap p ear ed aft er

on ly ap p ear in g for an in st an t . As soon as it d id , h e allo w ed H u o Yu h ao’s
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g t o lin k w it h h im .
“Eeeh !” Aft er a sh or t m om en t , Fan Yu d iscover ed t h e su b t let ies con t ain ed

w it h in H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g. Gr eat w aves im m ed iat ely r ose
in sid e of h is or igin ally p eacefu l eyes.
“T h er e’s act u ally a sp ir it u al-t yp e sk ill lik e t h is? H ow cou ld a sk ill lik e t h is
com e fr om a t en year sou l b east ?” Fan Yu look ed at t h e w h it e sou l r in g float in g
b elow H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w it h a p u zzled look . In ad d it ion t o t h e p u zzled look on
h is face, h e also h ad a su r p r ised look .
H u o Yu h ao n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t m en t ion t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , so t h e W in d

Bab oon b ecam e h is excu se on ce again .
“A t en year W in d Ba b oon ?” Fan Yu an d Zh ou Yi w er e b ot h sp eech less.
Zh ou Yi gazed at Fan Yu an d said , “Cou ld t h is b e a m u t at ed sou l sk ill?”
Fan Yu n od d ed h is h ead an d said , “T h er e’s a ch an ce. T h is lit t le gu y’s m ar t ial

sou l is a b od y sou l, a n d a sp ir it u al-t yp e on e at t h at . H is exist en ce in an d of it self
is a m u t at ion . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e sou l b east t h at h e ch ose for a sou l r in g is a n
exist en ce t h a t ’s com p let ely in com p at ib le w it h h im . T h is m u st ’ve t r igger ed an
ext r em ely r ar e sou l sk ill m u t at ion . T h e fact t h at a sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l
d id n ’t su ffer a b ack lash fr om ab sor b in g a w in d -t yp e sou l r in g is alr ead y a
m ir acle, b u t I d id n ’t t h in k t h at a m u t a t ion lik e t h is w ou ld a p p ear . I’m afr aid
t h at t h is is a m ir acle t h at w ou ld b e com p let ely im p ossib le t o r ep r od u ce.”
“Cait ou , com e h er e.” Fan Yu b eckon ed t ow ar d s t h e gr ou p of p eop le st an d in g

n ext t o t h e w all. A you t h im m ed iat ely r u sh ed over .
W h en h e saw t h e you t h , H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t b e st a r t led . Fr om h is

face, h e d id n ’t look t o b e m u ch look old er t h an Bei Bei. H ow ever , h e w as
ext r em ely t all—over t w o m et r es t all. H is sh ou ld er s w er e even w id er t h an Fan
Yu ’s, w h ile h is n ak ed u p p er b od y exp osed h is t an n ed m u scles. T h er e w asn ’t an y
h air on h is h ead , an d h e w as m u ch m or e t an n ed t h an an or d in ar y p er son . H e
h ad a sim p le an d h on est ap p ear an ce.
“T each er .” T h e you t h b ow ed r esp ect fu lly t ow ar d s Fan Yu .
Fan Yu p oin t ed at H u o Yu h ao an d said , “Go an d fir e a r ou n d of t h e st at ion ar y

sou l can n on . Let t h is k id su p p or t you , an d t r y t o h it a m ovin g t ar get .”
“Yes.” T h e t an n ed you t h d id n ’t ask an y qu est ion s. H e sm iled sim p le-

m in d ed ly at H u o Yu h ao an d said , “Lit t le b r ot h er , follow m e.”
Zh ou Yi said , “H u o Yu h ao, ju st u se t h at sk ill of you r s t o su p p or t h im .”
“Yes.” H u o Yu h ao n ow som ew h at u n d er st ood w h y Zh ou Yi h ad b r ou gh t h im

h er e. H e h u r r ied ly ch ased aft er t h e t an n ed you t h .
“Nice t o m eet you , lit t le b r ot h er . M y n am e’s H e Cait ou , b u t ever yon e sim p ly

calls m e Cait ou . T h u s, you can ju st call m e Cait ou .” T h e t an n ed you t h gave H u o
Yu h ao an ot h er sim p le-m in d ed sm ile.
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “Nice t o m eet you , b ig b r ot h er H e. I’m H u o Yu h ao.”
W h en h e said t h e t h r ee w or d s ‘Big b r ot h er H e’, H e Cait ou b ecam e st u n n ed for

a m om en t . Aft er h e’d r ecover ed , h e gave H u o Yu h ao a b ig t h u m b s u p an d said ,
“Lit t le b r ot h er , you ’r e n ot b ad .”
Even fu t u r e h ist or ia n s w ou ld n ’t k n ow t h at t h e fr ien d sh ip b et w een ‘Eyes of
t h e Asu r a’ H u o Yu h ao an d ‘Or igin of Dest r u ct ion ’ H e Cait ou h ad act u ally st ar t ed
fr om a sim p le sen t en ce lik e t h is.
W h en t h e t w o h ad a r r ived at t h e ed ge of t h e t est in g field . H e Cait ou t ap p ed

t h e b lack b elt on h is w aist , cau sin g a ligh t t o flash , an d an it em t h at w as
ext r em ely st r an ge-look in g—in H u o Yu h a o’s op in ion —ap p ear ed in h is h an d .
It w as a r ou gh ly 1.5 m et r e-lon g t u b e m ad e of b lack m et al. It s cr oss-sect ion al

d iam et er w as a r ou n d 15 cen t im et r es, w h ile it s ‘t ail’ w as sligh t ly t h ick er . It h ad
m an y m yst er iou s p at t er n s car ved on it .
H e Cait ou h eld it in an ext r em ely p r oficien t m an n er . Aft er p r essin g t h e b ack

of t h e m et al t u b e w it h h is r igh t h an d t w ice, a cover im m ed iat ely cam e off,
r evealin g a h ole t h at w as ap p r oxim at ely t w en t y cen t im et r es lon g an d t en
cen t im et r es w id e.
H e qu ick ly t ap p ed h is w aist w it h h is left h an d on ce again , cau sin g a sh u t t le-

sh ap ed p iece of m et al t o ap p ear in h is h an d . H e car efu lly p laced it in t o t h e
exp osed h ole in t h e m et al t u b e, b efor e car efu lly p u t t in g t h e cover b ack on .
W h en h e r a ised h is r igh t h an d , t h e m et al t u b e lan d ed on h is r igh t sh ou ld er .
H e Cait ou , w h o’d p r eviou sly given off an ext r em ely sim p le feelin g, su d d en ly
h ad a lar ge ch an ge in t em p er am en t w h en h e r aised t h e m et al t u b e t o h is
sh ou ld er . H u o Yu h a o’s m ar t ial sou l w as a sp ir it u al-t yp e on e, t h u s h is k een level
of aw ar en ess cau sed h im t o feel a st r on g sen se of d an ger fr om H e Cait ou all of a
su d d en .
“H u o Yu h ao, let ’s st a r t .” H e Cait ou ’s voice ech oed ou t .
A gold en ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, an d h is Sp ir it u al

Det ect ion Sh a r in g a ccu r at ely lan d ed on H e Cait ou ’s b od y. H e Cait ou ’s eyes
exu d ed a t r ace of ast on ish m en t , an d h e excit ed ly sh ou t ed in t o t h e d ist an ce,
“M ovin g t ar get , fir e.”
T h er e seem ed t o b e som eon e con t r ollin g t h e t ar get s fr om t h e ot h er sid e. W it h
a ‘sw oosh ’, a d isk -sh ap ed ob ject sh ot ou t fr om a cor n er in t h e d ist an ce, an d w as
h ead ed d ir ect ly t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d H e Cait ou .
At t h at m om en t , a st r on g u n d u lat ion of sou lfor ce in st an t ly exp lod ed fr om H e

Cait ou ’s b od y. T h r ee sou l r in gs—t w o yellow an d on e p u r p le—all sim u lt an eou sly
flash ed , an d t h e m et al t u b e on h is sh ou ld er seem ed t o t r em b le sligh t ly. A st r on g
h alo of b lack ligh t b egan t o r evolve ar ou n d t h e su r face of t h e m et al t u b e, an d H e
Cait ou ’s b od y gen t ly m oved . T h e m et al t u b e w as n ow aim ed at t h e r ou n d d isk
flyin g t ow ar d s t h em at h igh sp eed .
“Ban g—” A violen t exp losion ech oed ou t , an d t h e m et a l t u b e in st an t ly

r eleased a d azzlin g b lack ligh t . T h e h u ge am ou n t of t u r b u len ce t h at su d d en ly
ap p ear ed cau sed H u o Yu h ao t o st u m b le a n d alm ost fall d ow n .
H ow ever , t h e b lack ligh t d id n ’t h it t h e flyin g r ou n d d isk . In st ead , it b r u sh ed

p ast it , an d flew in t o t h e d ist a n ce. Aft er it h ad t r aver sed a h u n d r ed or so m et r es,
it collid ed fier cely w it h a m et al p lat e in t h e d ist an ce, cau sin g a violen t exp losion
t o er u p t . An en or m o u s st r eam of air r eb ou n d ed st r a igh t t ow a r d s t h em , cau sin g
H e Cait ou t o q u ick ly m ove t o p r ot ect H u o Yu h ao b eh in d h im .
T h e air cu r r en t last ed a few secon d s b efor e it gr ad u ally ca lm ed d ow n . On t h e

ot h er h an d , t h e r ou n d d isk d id n ’t fly ou t of t h e t est in g a r ea, b u t r at h er lan d ed
n ear t h em .
H e Cait ou h ad a gloom y exp r ession as h e said , “It st ill isn ’t w o r k in g.”
Fan Yu an d Zh ou Yi h ad alr ea d y w alk ed over . Zh ou Yi’s exp r ession w as

sligh t ly u gly, w h ile Fan Yu look ed as if h e’d t h ou gh t of som et h in g. H e q u ick ly
ask ed H u o Yu h ao, “H u o Yu h ao, h ow lar ge is t h e r an ge of you r Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion ?”
H u o Yu h ao an sw er ed , “It h as a d iam et er of t h ir t y m et r es or so.”
Fan Yu su d d en ly u n d er st ood w h a t h ad h ap p en ed as h e said , “So t h at ’s t h e

case…. No w on d er t h is h ap p en ed . Aft er all, t h is is st ill on ly a sou l sk ill fr om a
t en year sou l r in g. For it t o h a ve su ch p r ofou n d d et ect ion ca p ab ilit ies w it h in a
fixed r an ge is alr ea d y r elat ively am azin g. W e can ’t ask for t oo m u ch eit h er .
On ly, t h is is r at h er u n for t u n at e.”
H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly said , “T each er Fan Yu , t h e r a n ge of m y Sp ir it u al

Det ect ion w ill in cr ea se as m y sou l r an k in cr eases.”
Fan Yu w as st u n n ed . “T h at ’s im p ossib le. H ow cou ld a sou l sk ill evolve?”
H u o Yu h ao sa id w it h a ser iou s cou n t en an ce, “It ’s r eally t r u e. T h is sk ill’s

r an ge h as alr ead y in cr eased b y on e m et r e sin ce I ob t ain ed it . Fu r t h er m or e, I
d on ’t h ave com p let e con t r ol over it r igh t n ow . Per h ap s in t h e fu t u r e I’ll b e ab le
t o r ed u ce it s om n ip r esen t r an ge an d in st ead in cr ease it s r an ge in on ly a sin gle
d ir ect ion .”
H u o Yu h ao w as alr ead y acu t ely aw ar e as t o w h y Zh ou Yi h ad b r ou gh t h im

h er e, as w ell as w h at sh e’d said d u r in g t h e follow in g con ver sat ion . T h is cou ld b e
an op p or t u n it y for h im , alt h ou gh h e w asn ’t clear on w h at t h is op p or t u n it y w as.
H ow ever , assu m in g t h at it w as an op p or t u n it y h e cou ld n ’t give u p on , h e
d ecid ed t o t ell t h e t r u t h .
Fan Yu glan ced at Zh ou Yi, w h o n od d ed sligh t ly b ack at h im .
Fan Yu r ep lied , “Fin e. If t h e r an ge of you r Sp ir it u al Det ect io n Sh ar in g is ab le

t o r each a h u n d r ed m et r es in on e d ir ect ion , com e fin d m e. W h en t h a t h ap p en s,
I’ll t each you h ow t o m ak e sou l t ools.”
“Yes. T h an k you , t each er .” H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly b ow ed in r esp ect .
Fan Yu w aved h is h a n d an d said , “Cait ou , go over an d exp lain t o h im w h at a

st at ion ar y sou l t ool is.”
“Su r e.” H e Cait ou h ad an ext r em ely good im p r ession of H u o Yu h ao. H e

b eck on ed t o h im as h e w alk ed over t o t h e sid e.
As h e w at ch ed t h eir figu r es gr a d u ally fad e in t o t h e d ist an ce, Fan Yu q u iet ly

ask ed Zh ou Yi, “W h at d o you t h in k of t h is k id ? H is m u t at ed so u l sk ill is h on est ly
in cr ed ib ly st r on g; t h er e’s n o d ou b t ab ou t h is ab ilit ies in a t ea m . Am I ask in g t oo
m u ch fr om h im ? If w e w an t h im t o b e ab le t o su p p or t a st at ion ar y sou l t ool,
w e’ll n eed it t o b e ab le t o r each a t least d ist an ce of a h u n d r ed m et r es—an d t h at ’s
at t h e ver y least . H ow ever … I d ar e t o say t h at , if t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion Sh ar in g is ab le t o r each a t h ou san d m et r es in a sin gle d ir ect ion , h e’ll
b ecom e t h e m ost t er r ifyin g su p p or t -t yp e sou l m ast er on t h e con t in en t .”
Zh ou Yi said , “I’ve ju st m et t h is k id , so I can ’t say m u ch ab ou t h im . H ow ever ,

you sh ou ld ’ve seen it . Alt h ou gh h is cu lt ivat ion isn ’t st r on g, an d even t h ou gh h is
p h ysiq u e is r a t h er w eak , h is t em p er am en t is m u ch m or e m a t u r e t h an t h at of h is
p eer s. If it w er e a n yon e else, t h ey d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave said w h at h e ju st
said . I’ll h elp you w a t ch over h im . H ow ever , if h e can ’t p ass t h e t est s I give h im ,
I’ll st ill exp el h im . Ru les can ’t b e b r ok en .”
Fan Yu t h ou gh t t o h im self for a secon d , t h en said , “H elp m e ob ser ve h im a b it

m or e. Even if h e can ’t p ass t h e M ar t ial Sou l In st it u t e’s t est s, I can st ill sp ecia lly
in vit e h im t o t h e Sou l En gin eer in g In st it u t ion as lon g as h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion
Sh ar in g is ab le t o con t in u e im p r ovin g. I’ve alr ead y d evot ed t en year s of m y life
t o r esear ch in g st a t ion ar y sou l t ools. Aft er com b in in g t h at w it h t h e exp er ien ces
of m y p r ed ecessor s, I fin ally m an aged t o d evelop t h e m ost t er r ifyin g k in d of sou l
t ool. Cu r r en t ly, all I lack ar e u ser s for it .”
Zh ou Yi sigh ed ligh t ly an d said , “You sh ou ld n ’t b e t oo st u b b or n eit h er . In

ad d it ion t o t h e lack of u ser s for it , t h er e’s also an ot h er fat al flaw ; it s
m an u fact u r in g cost is ext r em ely h igh . You of all p eop le sh ou ld k n ow t h at . It ’s
d est in ed n ot t o b e u sed in a lar ge-scale m an n er .”
Fan Yu u n yield in gly r ep lied , “Sou l t ools ar e p ow er fu l w eap on s m ean t for a

sm all n u m b er of esp ecially ou t st an d in g sou l m ast er s in t h e fir st p lace. W h en I
con d u ct ed m y r esear ch on st at ion ar y sou l t ools, I n ever even t h ou gh t of
sp r ead in g t h em ou t in t o t h e com m u n it y of com m on sou l m ast er s. As lon g as an
ext r em ely sm all n u m b er of sou l m ast er s ar e ab le t o u se t h em , st at ion a r y sou l
t ools w ill b ecom e ou r acad em y’s t r u e ace in t h e h ole!”
----
“Big b r ot h er H e, w h at exact ly ar e st a t ion ar y sou l t ools?” H u o Yu h ao h ad a

cu r iou s look on h is face as h e ask ed H e Cait ou .
H e Cait ou ch u ck led an d r ep lied , “T h er e ar e m an y d iffer en t t yp es of sou l t ools.

H ow ever , I can ’t t ell you ab ou t all of t h em in t h e sh or t p er iod of t im e w e h ave.
For st ar t er s, t h er e a r e t w o m ain t yp es of sou l t ools: sh or t r a n ge sou l t ools an d
lon g r an ge sou l t ools.Of t h ese, sh or t r an ge sou l t ools ar e sim ilar t o t h e w eap on s
t h at w e n or m ally u se; t h ey’r e w eap on s t h at w ill exp lod e w it h even m or e p ow er
w h en you p ou r sou lfor ce in t o t h em . W h en you com p ar e t h em t o lon g r an ge sou l
t ools, t h ey’r e sligh t ly st r on ger . On t h e ot h er h an d , lon g r an ge sou l t ools ar e a
t yp e of sou l t ool t h at u n lea sh lon g r an ge at t ack s b y p ou r in g sou lfor ce in t o t h em .
T h e st r on ger t h e so u l t ool, t h e m or e so u lfor ce r eq u ir ed . T h is m ean s t h a t sou l
m ast er s w it h st r on ger levels of cu lt iva t io n can u se h igh er q u a lit y sou l t ools.
“On t h e ot h er h an d , a st at ion ar y sou l t ool is a sp ecial t yp e of sou l t ool t h at m y

t each er cr eat ed b ased off of t h e accu m u lat ed w isd om of ou r p r ed ecessor s. It can
fir e lon g r an ge a t t ack s, b u t d oesn ’t r equ ir e t oo m u ch sou lfor ce t o u se. You saw
h ow I u sed it ear lier . Sim p ly p u t , it sp lit s t h e sou l t ool in t o t w o p ar t s, w h er e t h e
sou l t ool com p on en t is on ly u sed t o fir e an d d et on a t e a p r oject ile. Ear lier , I u sed
t h e st at ion ar y sou l can n on t o fir e a ca n n on sh ell. T h e b iggest ad van t age of a
st at ion ar y sou l t ool lies in t h e fact t h at it u ses ver y lit t le sou lfor ce, an d t h at it
d oesn ’t r equ ir e an excessively h igh level of cu lt iva t ion t o u se. It s flaw lies in t h e
fact t h at it ’s ver y h ar d t o a im it —esp ecially w h en you ’r e aim in g at a m ov in g
t ar get m w h ich is even h ar d er t o h it . Bu t w h en it ’s u sed again st a fixed t a r get ,
it ’s ver y p ow er fu l. H ow ever , t h e m an u fact u r in g p r ocess of t h e can n on sh ells is
ver y t r ou b lesom e, a n d r eq u ir es m an y p r eciou s m at er ials. Nor m ally, t each er
n ever let s m e fir e it w it h ou t r eason . T each er said t h at a st at ion ar y sou l t ool can
st r en gt h en a sou l m ast er ’s at t ack p ow er b y t en fold ... in t h eor y. H ow ever , t h e
st r en gt h of a st at ion ar y sou l t ool also h as it s lim it s. Aft er all, it ’s affect ed b y t h e
m at er ials u sed t o m a k e it . T h e n u m b er of u ser s for t h ese st a t ion ar y sou l t ools is
fat ed t o b e an ext r em ely sm all n u m b er of sou l m ast er s w h o ar e su it ed t o u se
t h em .”
H e Cait ou ’s exp lan at ion cou ld n ’t b e said t o b e w on d er fu l; it w as even a b it

u n clear at som e p oin t s. H ow ever , t h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad
op en ed t h e gr eat d oor of sou l t ools. T h is fin ally allow ed h im t o h ave a
p r elim in ar y am ou n t of k n ow led ge r egar d in g sou l t ools. H e fain t ly u n d er st ood
t h at T each er Fan Yu d efin it ely h ad a gr eat d eal of accom p lish m en t s w it h in t h e
field of sou l t ools. T each er Xiao Ya h ad t old h im t h at h e’d h ave t o st u d y sou l
t ools in t h e fu t u r e. If h e cou ld b ecom e T each er Fan Yu ’s d iscip le, t h a t w ou ld
clear ly b e t h e b est op t ion availab le t o h im .
“H u o Yu h ao, let ’s go.” At t h at m om en t , Zh ou Yi’s voice ech oed ou t .
H u o Yu h ao said t o H e Cait ou . “Big b r ot h er H e, I’ll b e goin g fir st . It w as a

p leasu r e t o m eet you .”
H e Cait ou ch u ck led an d r ep lied , “You ’r e a n ew st u d en t , w or k h ar d . It ’ll b e

good if you ’r e ab le t o b ecom e m y ju n ior b r ot h er in t h e fu t u r e. T each er d oesn ’t
n or m ally let m e leave t h is p lace. It ’s t oo b or in g.”
Aft er leavin g t h e So u l T ool T est in g Ar ea, Zh ou Yi t ook H u o Yu h ao st r aigh t

b ack t o t h e d or m s. “H u o Yu h ao, you h ear d w h at T each er Fa n Yu said ear lier . I
can on ly t ell you t h at h e’s t h e n u m b er on e m ast er at cr eat in g sou l t ools in t h e
acad em y. If you ’r e ab le t o b ecom e h is d iscip le, you ’ll h ave an en d less fu t u r e.
H ow ever , you ’ll fir st n eed t o b e ab le t o st ay w it h in t h e acad em y. Go on , go eat
lu n ch .”
Aft er w at ch in g Zh ou Yi leave, H u o Yu h ao w en t st r aigh t t o t h e can t een . T h e

st u d en t s fr om t h e ot h er classes h ad a lr ead y fin ish ed t h eir classes, so t h e
en t r an ce t o t h e can t een w as filled w it h sever al p eop le b ot h en t er in g an d leavin g
t h e can t een .
Su d d en ly, a figu r e ap p ear ed b lock ed h is w ay, scar in g H u o Yu h ao. W h en h e

r aised h is h ead t o see w h o t h e figu r e w a s, h e r ealised t h a t it w as act u ally T an g
Ya.
“T each er Xiao Ya?”
T an g Ya h ad a som ew h at m yst er iou s sm ile on h er face as sh e p u lled H u o

Yu h ao over t o t h e sid e an d w h isp er ed t o h im , “Lit t le Yu h ao, you d on ’t h ave an y
m on ey, r igh t ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed . “T h at ’s r igh t ! Eld est sen ior b r ot h er t old m e t h at t h er e

w er e som e job s t h at I cou ld t ak e for t h e a cad em y if I n eed ed som e t h ou gh . I w a s
p lan n in g t o see w h a t w as availab le aft er class.”
H is year ly t u it ion w as t en gold coin s. At t h e sam e t im e, t h er e w er e d aily

exp en ses t h at h e’d n eed t o sp en d m on ey on . Alt h ou gh h e w a s w illin g t o sp en d
all of h is en er gy cu lt ivat in g, h e st ill n eed ed t o st ay alive.
T an g Ya giggled an d said , “You ’r e a d iscip le of m y T an g Sect , so as you r

t each er , it ’s on ly r igh t t h at I t ak e car e o f you . I’ve t h ou gh t of a w ay for you t o
m ak e m on ey. I k n ow t h e au n t ie w h o’s r esp on sib le for b u yin g food for t h e
can t een ; I’ll h elp you ask h er t o b u y t w en t y fish ever yd ay. Aft er w ar d s, I’ll h elp
you set u p a gr ill ou t sid e, alon g w it h h elp you ob t ain som e ch ar coal. I’ve also
p r ep ar ed som e ot h er in gr ed ien t s. It sh ou ld b e fin e if you ju st sell r oast ed fish b y
t h e acad em y’s en t r a n ce aft er sch ool. W it h you r cook in g sk ill, you ’ll d efin it ely
b e ab le t o sell t h em off. T h ese fish es n or m ally cost ar ou n d on e cop p er coin , b u t
aft er you ’ve fin ish ed r oast in g t h em , sellin g t h em for five cop p er coin s w on ’t b e
a p r ob lem at all! If w e d o it t h is w ay, w on ’t you b e ab le t o m ak e som e m on ey?”
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes lit u p . “T each er Xiao Ya, t h at ’s a p r et t y good p lan . I h ave
m y Sp ir it Eyes, t h u s I’m ab le t o ver y accu r at ely con t r ol t h e fir e. W h y d on ’t w e
t r y t h is o u t t on igh t ? ”
T an g Ya n od d ed h er h ead r ep eat ed ly. Aft er w ar d s, sh e r evealed h er t r u e

in t en t ion s. “Ab ou t t h at ... sin ce I’ll h av e h elp ed you b u y all of t h ese t h in gs,
you ’ll h ave t o give m e p r ior it y w h en you ’r e sellin g t h e r oast ed fish . Don ’t
w or r y, I’ll st ill b u y t h em fr om you . As for you r fu t u r e in gr ed ien t s, you ’ll h ave t o
b u y t h em you r self.”
Ever sin ce sh e’d eat en H u o Yu h ao’s r oast ed fish t h at d ay, sh e’d con st an t ly
t h ou gh t ab ou t it . Aft er fin ish in g h er exam s yest er d ay, sh e’d fin ally t h ou gh t of
t h is m et h od t h at w ou ld b en efit t h em b ot h . Na t u r ally, sh e’d h id t h is fr om Bei
Bei.
W h en h e saw T an g Ya’s gr eed y exp r ession , H u o Yu h ao fin a lly u n d er st ood h er

m ot ive b eh in d d oin g t h is. H e gave h er a k n ow in g sm ile an d sa id , “Fin e. T each er
Xiao Ya, w h y d on ’t w e m eet h er e t on igh t ?”
“Yes, yes. I’ll go b ack fir st . Righ t , I h ave t o t ell you a p iece of good n ew s! Bei
Bei an d I h ave b ot h b een p r om ot ed t o Year 4 !” T an g Ya w aved t o h im good b ye,
an d excit ed ly r an aw ay.
Aft er gr ab b in g a sim p le lu n ch , H u o Yu h a o r et u r n ed t o t h e d or m s. W an g Don g

w asn ’t t h er e, an d n o on e seem ed t o k n ow w h er e h e’d gon e. Zh ou Yi st ill w an t ed
t o d r ill t h em in t h e aft er n oon , so H u o Yu h ao t ook ad van t age of t h eir aft er n oon
b r eak t o en t er a m ed it at ive st at e. As h e cu lt ivat ed , h e sim u lt a n eou sly r ecover ed
h is p h ysical st r en gt h .
H u o Yu h ao’s w as su r p r ised w h en h e cu lt ivat ed . Aft er t h e ext r em ely t axin g

r u n t h at m or n in g, h e d iscover ed t h at t h e gr ow t h w as sligh t ly gr eat er t h an
n or m al. Alt h ou gh it w as on ly a st r an d m or e, h e w as st ill q u it e sa t isfied . H e
in w ar d ly t h ou gh t t o h im self, it seem s lik e t em p er in g m y b od y t o t h e lim it
b oost s t h e gr ow t h of m y sou lfor ce. On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e p h ysical fit n ess level
of h is b od y w as or igin ally ver y n or m al, so h e sh ou ld ’ve t em p er ed h is b od y
an yw ay. T h is w as k illin g t w o b ir d s w it h on e st on e!
W h en H u o Yu h ao w ok e u p fr om h is m ed it at ion , h e w as st u n n ed in t h at t h e
in st an t t h at h e op en ed h is eyes, h e d iscover ed W an g Don g—w h o w as sit t in g on
t h e op p osit e b ed —look in g at h im w it h a b r illian t gaze.
“You ’ve r et u r n ed ? W e sh ou ld go t o class n ow .” W h ilst sp ea k in g, H u o Yu h ao

ju m p ed off t h e b ed an d b egan t o p u t h is sh oes on . Aft er w h at h ad h ap p en ed t h a t
m or n in g, t h eir r elat ion sh ip h ad alr ea d y w ar m ed u p .
W an g Don g sp ok e in a low voice, “H u o Yu h ao, I’ve alw ays fou n d you r m ar t ial
sou l st r an ge. You ’ve seen m y m ar t ial so u l n ow , so can you t ell m e w h a t you r
m ar t ial sou l is?”
H u o Yu h ao fin ish ed p u t t in g on h is sh oes, t h en st ood u p a n d said , “M y eyes

ar e m y m ar t ial sou l. I call t h em Sp ir it Eyes. T h ey’r e a sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial
sou l. I k n ow w h y you ’r e b affled . M y fir st sou l sk ill is called Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .
T h e r eason w h y you w er e u n ab le t o h it m e t h at d ay w as b ecau se I u sed Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion t o p r ed ict you r ever y m ove.”
W an g Don g su d d en ly u n d er st ood w h at h ad h ap p en ed . “So t h at ’s t h e case... I

d id n ’t t h in k t h a t you act u ally h ad a b od y sp ir it . Let ’s go, w e can ’t b e lat e.
Ear lier , I w en t an d ask ed ar ou n d . I d iscover ed t h at T each er Zh ou h as t h e
n ick n am e ‘Per ver t ed Gr an d m a’. T h e n u m b er of st u d en t s exp elled b y h er ever y
year is su p p osed ly eq u ivalen t t o t h at of t en ot h er t each er s. W e r eally h ave b ad
lu ck , h avin g a t each er lik e h er in ch ar ge o f ou r class.”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead an d sm iled . “You can ’t t h in k ab ou t it t h at w ay.

T each er Zh ou is in d eed st r ict , b u t as lon g as w e d em an d t h e sam e level of
st r ict n ess fr om ou r selves, m eet in g h er d em an d s w on ’t b e t h at h ar d . Righ t , I’ve
seen you r m ar t ial sou l, b u t I d on ’t k n ow it s n am e. I a lso saw t h at you h a d a
yellow an d a p u r p le sou l r in gs; h ow d id you m an age t o get a t h ou san d year sou l
r in g for you r secon d sou l r in g?”
W an g Don g lau gh ed m isch ievou sly an d said , “Bein g ab le t o u se a t h ou san d
year sou l r in g as m y secon d sou l r in g is a secr et ; I can ’t t ell you h ow . On t h e
ot h er h an d , m y m ar t ial sou l is t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess. It ’s t h e m ost
b eau t ifu l b u t t er fly on t h e con t in en t , b u t it ’s a lr ead y on t h e ver ge of b ein g
ext in ct . H avin g it as m y m ar t ial sou l is even r ar er t h an you r b od y sou l. You ’ll
see it s p ow er in t h e fu t u r e. Righ t , w h at d id T each er Zh ou t ak e you t o d o
ear lier ?”
T h e t w o h ad alr ead y left t h eir d or m an d w er e h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e t each in g

b u ild in gs as t h ey sp ok e t o each ot h er . It w asn ’t ju st t h em ; n on e of t h e st u d en t s
in Class 1 d a r ed t o b e lat e.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t con ceal t h e fact t h at T each er Zh ou h a d b r ou gh t h im t o see

T each er Fan Yu ; t h er e w as n o n eed t o h id e som et h in g lik e t h is fr om h im . T h u s,
h e t old W a n g Don g ever yt h in g t h at h ad h ap p en ed .
“W h at ? You can ev en sh ar e you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion ? Qu ick ly, let m e see.”
Aft er all, ever yon e h er e w as on ly eleven or t w elve year s old . Du e t o h is
cu r iosit y, W an g Don g excit ed ly ask ed for H u o Yu h ao t o sh ar e h is Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion w it h h im .
H u o Yu h ao felt h elp less, an d h ad n o ch oice b u t t o act ivat e h is Sp ir it u al

Det ect ion Sh ar in g an d let W an g Don g exp er ien ce it for a m om en t .
Du e t o ever yt h in g w it h in t h e su r r ou n d in g t h ir t y m et r es su d d en ly b ecom in g
clear , as w ell as t h e d at a-lik e feed b ack , W an g Don g im m ed iat ely t u r n ed sligh t ly
b lan k . It w as ak in t o t h e feelin g a b lin d m an w ou ld get w h en h e w as su d d en ly
ab le t o see t h e w or ld clear ly. T h is feelin g of sh ock w ou ld ap p ear in ever y sou l
m ast er w h o sh ar ed H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion for t h e fir st t im e.
Fu r t h er m or e, as H u o Yu h ao con t in u ou sly u sed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion

Sh ar in g, h is p r oficien cy in it w ou ld gr a d u ally in cr ea sed . As h e allow ed W an g
Don g t o exp er ien ce it , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t t h in k of Fan Yu ’s w or d s. H e
su b con sciou sly at t em p t ed t o ext en d h is Sp ir it u al Det ect io n in on e d ir ect ion ,
t h en d id h is b est t o cover a sligh t ly lar ger ar ea w it h h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .
Un d er t h e cu r r en t sit u at ion w h er e h e w as focu sin g h is en er gy in on e
d ir ect ion , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow t h at t h e fain t gold en colou r in h is eyes h ad
clear ly b ecom e st r on ger , an d t h at t h e sp ir it u a l u n d u lat ion s h e w as r eleasin g h ad
got t en m u ch st r on ger as w ell. T h e or igin ally om n i-d ir ect ion al Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion slow ly con t r act ed , an d b egan t o ext en d t ow ar d s t h e fr on t .
W an g Don g also felt t h e ch a n ges in H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion . H e

d iscover ed t h a t t h e t h r ee-d im en sion a l scen es t o h is left an d r igh t h a d
d isap p ear ed , an d t h at on ly t h e t h r ee-d im en sion al im age in fr on t of h im
r em ain ed . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e r an ge of t h is im age w as slow ly in cr easin g.
T o H u o Yu h ao, ju st a few secon d s of d oin g t h is felt lik e it t ook lon ger t h an

w h en h e’d r eleased h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion for a qu a r t er of an h ou r in t h e p ast .
H e felt h is sou lfor ce b ein g con ver t ed in t o sp ir it u al en er gy at a n ast on ish in g p ace
as it flow ed ou t of h is b od y. It w as on ly a m om en t , b u t w aves of exh au st ion h ad
alr ead y in vad ed h im .
H is b od y sw ayed , an d h e on ly m an aged t o st an d u p r igh t b y gr ab b in g on t o

W an g Don g’s ar m . H is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion Sh ar in g h a d also a ccor d in gly en d ed .
“H u o Yu h ao, w h at h ap p en ed ?” W an g Don g h u r r ied ly su p p or t ed h im .

H u o Yu h ao com p lexion h ad t u r n ed p ale, an d a n over flow in g am ou n t of cold

sw eat h ad cover ed h is for eh ead . H e seem ed t o h ave an ext r em ely w eak
exp r ession .
H u o Yu h ao w aved t ow ar d s W an g Don g t o in d ica t e t h a t h e w as fin e. “It w as

ju st t h at it b ecam e qu it e a lar ge d r ain on m y sp ir it u al en er gy. W an g Don g, w h en
you w er e look in g st r aigh t ah ead ear lier , h ow far d id m y Sp ir it u al Det ect ion
r each ?”
Aft er W an g Don g t ook a m om en t t o r ecall w h at h ad h ap p en ed , h e sa id , “I

w asn ’t p ayin g t oo m u ch at t en t ion , b u t it seem ed t o b e ab ou t fift y t o sixt y
m et r es. H ow ever , I n ot iced t h at I w asn ’t ab le t o see an yt h in g w it h Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion in t h e ot h er d ir ect ion s. T h e d ist an ce n ear ly d ou b led in t h e fr on t , b u t
t h at w as it .”
W h en h e h ear d w h a t W an g Don g h ad said , H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it s im m ed ia t ely

r ose, so m u ch so t h at even h is exh au st ion d ecr eased b y a lar ge am ou n t . “T h at ’s
gr eat ! It act u a lly w or k s if I d o it lik e t h is. H ow ever , t h e d r ain on m y sp ir it u al
en er gy is a b it t oo m u ch .”
W h en h e t r ied t o focu s t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion in on e d ir ect ion

an d ext en d it , t h e d r ain on h is sp ir it u a l en er gy w as alm ost t en t im es t h e n or m al
cost . T h is w as w h y h is sp ir it u al en er gy h ad b ecom e over d r aw n in su ch a sh or t
p er iod of t im e. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao b elieved t h at t h e r eason b eh in d t h e la r ge
d r ain of sp ir it u al en er gy w as b ecau se t h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at h e’d t r ied d oin g
t h is. H e b elieved t h a t h e’d get b et t er at it if h e p r act iced m or e in t h e fu t u r e.
T each er Fan Yu h a d said t h a t h e cou ld b ecom e h is d iscip le on ce t h e r an ge of

h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as ab le t o r each a h u n d r ed m et r es in a n y sin gle
d ir ect ion .
Aft er seein g t h e t er r ifyin g m igh t of sou l t ools, as w ell as h ear in g Cait ou ’s
in t r od u ct ion t o t h em , h e w as filled w it h in t er est t ow ar d s t h ese m yst er iou s
exist en ces.
Fir st -year Class 1. All n in et y-on e st u d en t s w er e a lr ead y sea t ed in -class t en

m in u t es b efor e t h e aft er n oon b ell h ad r u n g. Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w as an u n u su al
silen ce am on gst t h e classr oom . Non e of t h e st u d en t s d ar ed t o cau se an y n oise.
T h is is p r ob ab ly w h y it w as said : ‘It ’s n ot a b ad t h in g for a t each er t o b e st r ict
som et im es, sin ce m a k in g st u d en t s st u d y ser iou sly h as m an y ad van t ages.’
Sin ce t h ey d id n ’t h ave assign ed seat s, W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao sat

t oget h er . T h e t w o w h o w er e on ly eleven year s old w er e u n exp ect ed ly d eep in
t h ou gh t . H u o Yu h a o w as n at u r a lly p on d er in g b ot h h is su ccesses an d failu r es
w h en h e’d ch an ged t h e d ir ect ion of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . No on e k n ew w h at
W an g Don g w as t h in k in g ab ou t .
As Zh ou Yi slow ly w alk ed in t o t h e classr oom , t h e at m osp h er e w it h in Class 1

t u r n ed solem n . H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g also aw ak en ed fr om t h eir
p on d er in g. Alt h ou gh n ot m u ch t im e h ad p assed , H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y
r ecover ed a gr eat d eal of h is sp ir it u al en er gy an d sou lfor ce, m ost ly b ecau se h e
d id n ’t h ave t h at m u ch sou lfor ce t o b egin w it h . At t h e ver y least , h e d id n ’t feel
w eak an ym or e.
“Ever yon e, st an d u p an d gat h er in t h e p la za.” Un exp ect ed ly, Zh ou Yi said t h is

im m ed iat ely aft er en t er in g t h e classr oo m , b efor e in st an t ly t u r n in g ar ou n d t o
leave.
No on e d ar ed t o w ast e an y t im e. A cr ow d of st u d en t s r ap id ly left t h e
classr oom an d follow ed Zh ou Yi in an or d er ly, q u iet m an n er t o Sh r ek Plaza.
T h ey d id n ’t n ot ice t h at Zh ou Yi u n exp ect ed ly h ad a sm ile h id d en w it h in h er

eyes. T h is t each er , w h o w as st r ict t o t h e p oin t of b ein g som ew h at p er ver t ed ,
w as cu r r en t ly t h in k in g t h at t h er e w er e d efin it ely som e ad va n t ages t o t each in g
n ew st u d en t s. At lea st t h ese n ew st u d en t s w er e less u n r u ly, w h ich m ad e t h em
easier t o con t r ol. T h ey w er en ’t lik e t h ose st u d en t s fr om t h e t h ir d year or h igh er ,
w h o w er e m or e ar r ogan t an d r eb elliou s sin ce t h ey alr ead y h ad cer t ain
accom p lish m en t s.
A p ile of ir on ch ain s h ad b een p iled u p on Sh r ek Plaza at som e u n k n ow n t im e.

Un d er Zh ou Yi’s com m an d , t h e st u d en t s ar r an ged t h em n ea t ly.
“W an g Don g.” Zh ou Yi called ou t .
“Pr esen t .” W an g Don g t ook a st ep for w ar d .
Zh ou Yi sp ok e t o t h e st u d en t s, “I’ve flip p ed t h r ou gh you r en t r an ce t est

r esu lt s, an d I’ve ad d ed t h em t o t h e t est t h at w e p er for m ed t h is m or n in g.
Cu r r en t ly, ou t of all of you , W an g Don g h as t h e h igh est level of cu lt ivat ion .
Becau se of t h is, I h er eb y d eclar e t h at h e’ll b e t h e class m on it or of Class 1 fr om
n ow on . T h e class m on it or p osit ion is a volat ile on e, an d w h oever h as t h e
st r en gt h t o b eat h im m ay d o so an d r ep lace h im as t h e n ew class m on it or . Do
you all u n d er st an d ?”
“W e u n d er st an d .” T h e gazes fr om a few m ale st u d en t s w h o h ad a h igh

am ou n t of self-con fid en ce in t h eir st r en gt h im m ed iat ely t u r n ed sh ar p , w h ile t h e
gazes fr om t h e fem ale st u d en t s seem ed t o b ecom e m u ch w ar m er as t h ey look ed
at W an g Don g.
Zh ou Yi p oin t ed t ow ar d s t h e ir on ch ain s in fr on t of h er . “T h ese ar e su it s of

ch ain m ail sp ecialised in st r en gt h en in g you r p h ysical fit n ess. Ever y sin gle on e of
you w ill t ak e on e. Aft er you ’ve p u t t h em on , st ar t r u n n in g ar ou n d ar ou n d t h e
p laza. You ’ll k eep r u n n in g fr om n ow u n t il t h e b ell sign allin g t h e en d of class
r in gs. You can u se you r sou lfor ce, b u t you can ’t u se an y sou l sk ills. You r r a n k
w ill b e b ased on t h e n u m b er of lap s t h a t you ’ve com p let ed at t h e en d of class,
an d t h e p er son in last p lace w ill b e exp elled fr om Class 1.”
“T h er e’s som et h in g I n eed t o em p h asise. In m y class, elim in at ion s w on ’t ju st

h ap p en d u r in g exa m p er iod s; t h ey can h ap p en at an y t im e. T od ay, n in et y-on e
p eop le w ill b ecom e n in et y p eop le. St ar t r u n n in g.”
Aft er sh e fin ish ed sp eak in g, sh e flick ed h er t oe, an d a fu ll set of ch ain m ail
m ad e ou t of t h ick ir on ch ain s flew t ow ar d s W a n g Don g. W an g Don g h u r r ied ly
cau gh t it a n d p u t it on .
As soon as h e got t h e ch ain m ail on , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sligh t ly ch an ge h is

exp r ession . T h is ch a in m ail w eigh ed at least 15 k ilogr am s!
W h en t h e st u d en t s h ear d t h at t h e p er son in last p lace w ou ld b e elim in at ed ,

h ow cou ld t h ey d ar e t o w ast e an y t im e? T h ey all r an u p an d gr ab b ed a set of
ch ain m ail. T h e m a le st u d en t s w er e sligh t ly b et t er off, w h ile a m ajor it y of t h e
fem ale st u d en t s t u r n ed p ale aft er p u t t in g t h e h eavy ch ain m ail on .
Zh ou Yi cold ly said , “I k n ow t h at a lot of you w an t t o say t h at t h is is u n fair

b ecau se t h er e’s an in n at e gap b et w een t h e b od ies of m en an d w om en . T h at t h e
p h ysical fit n ess levels of t ool, b east , an d b at t le sou l m ast er s ar e d iffer en t .
H ow ever , I w an t t o t ell you t h at I t r ea t ever yon e equ ally in m y class. T h in k
ab ou t it ! If you w er e on t h e b at t lefield , w ou ld you r en em y sp ar e you sim p ly
b ecau se you ’r e a gir l or a t ool m ast er ? St a r t n ow . Ru n .”
No m at t er h ow m u ch t h ey w an t ed t o cu r se at Zh ou Yi, n on e of t h e st u d en t s
d ar ed t o sp eak a w or d of p r ot est . W it h W an g Don g lead in g, t h ey collect ively r an
t ow ar d s t h e ed ge of t h e field , an d st ar t ed r u n n in g w it h h eavy ch ain m ail on t h eir
b od ies.
Nob od y w an t ed t o be elim in at ed . On ce t h ey st ar t ed r u n n in g, t h e vigor w it h

w h ich t h ey r an w as com p let ely d iffer en t com p ar ed t o t h at m or n in g.
W an g Don g t ook t h e lead an d r a n in fr on t . No m at t er w h et h er it w as h is

m ar t ial sou l or h is sou lfor ce, h e w as figu r e t h at excelled w it h in t h e gr ou p of
st u d en t s. Alt h ou gh h e w as w ear in g a su it of ch ain m a il, h is sp eed d id n ’t d ecr ease
in t h e sligh t est .
T h e few m ale st u d en t s w h o w an t ed t o com p et e w it h h im also ch ar ged

for w ar d , closely follow in g h im .
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t sp eed u p . H e w as ver y clear ab ou t h is b od y’s sit u at ion .
Zh ou Yi h ad said t h a t t h ey h ad t o r u n u n t il t h e b ell r u n g, yet t h e aft er n oon class
w as n ear ly fou r h ou r s lon g. It h a d ju st st ar t ed ! T h e m ost r ea son ab le t ar get t h at
h e’d for m u lat ed for h im self w as t o p er sever e an d t o sim p ly r u n u n t il t h e t h e b ell
r an g; n ot t o com p et e w it h t h e ot h er s.
T h u s, h is sp eed w a s clear ly m u ch slow er t h an t h e ot h er s w h en h e st ar t ed .

H u o Yu h ao look ed on as ever yon e over t ook h im on e b y on e, b u t h e d id n ’t
b ecom e im p at ien t . H is st ep s w er e sligh t ly slow er , b u t t h ey w er e st ab le an d
u n ifor m as h e r an fo r w ar d .
Aft er on ly t w o lap s, H u o Yu h ao w as d ea d last . Even t h e fem ale st u d en t s h ad

over t ak en h im . H ow ever , h e d id n ’t t ak e it t o h ear t .
W h en h e r each ed h is fou r t h lap , t h e p er son in fir st p lace—W an g Don g—h ad

alr ead y lap p ed h im on ce. W h en W an g Don g p assed h im , h e even gave h im a
flab b er gast ed look .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t t ak e it t o h ear t , an d sm iled at h im in r ep ly.
Zh ou Yi exp r ession lessly st ood in t h e m id d le of t h e p laza as sh e w at ch ed t h e

st u d en t s r u n . No on e k n ew w h at sh e w as t h in k in g.
Chapt er 11.1: The Weakest Class M onit or
By t h e t im e t h e sw eat -d r en ch ed H u o Yu h ao h ad fin ish ed h is t en t h lap , t h e

p er son in fir st p lace—W an g Don g—h ad alr ead y lap p ed h im t h r ee t im es. T h e
ot h er st u d en t s h ad alr ead y lap p ed h im at least on e t im e. M an y p eop le h ad even
cast d isd ain fu l gazes at h im . Aft er all, t h ey all k n ew t h at H u o Yu h ao d efin it ely
h ad t h e w eak est cu lt ivat ion am on gst t h em .
H ow ever , t h e r u n n in g sp eed of t h e st u d en t s in fr on t h ad alr ead y st ar t ed t o

slow d ow n . As t im e p assed , t h e effect s of t h e ch a in m ail st ar t ed t o b ecom e m or e
ob viou s. Even W an g Don g h ad a face fu ll of sw eat .
T h e few m ale st u d en t s w h o’d follow ed W an g Don g fr om t h e st ar t h ad st ar t ed

t o fall b eh in d . Som e h ad even b een over t ak en b y t h e st u d en t s b eh in d t h em .
Dr op s of sw eat seep ed in t o t h e r u n n in g t r ack . Aft er ar ou n d an h ou r h ad

p assed , a fem ale st u d en t w h o h ad a w eak er b od y collap sed t o t h e gr ou n d . Sh e
st r u ggled t o get u p , b u t sh e cou ld n ’t d o an yt h in g.
W an g Don g h ap p en ed t o b e r u n n in g n ext t o h er w h en t h is h ap p en ed . H e
h elp ed h er u p an d sen t h er a n in q u ir in g gaze. H ow ever , t h at fem ale st u d en t
sh ook h er h ead an d sat d ow n on t h e p laza, u n w illin g t o get b ack u p . Sh e d id n ’t
even h ave t h e en er gy t o sp eak .
W it h t h e fir st , t h e secon d w as b ou n d t o h ap p en . Per h ap s it w as b ecau se t h ey

h ad t h e cu sh ion of H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as d ead last . Alt h ou gh t h e st u d en t s
p er sever ed , in t h e en d , t h eir w illp ow er d id n ’t seem t o b e t oo st r on g.
T h e b u r d en of car r yin g t h e h eavy ch ain m ail w h ilst r u n n in g w as t r u ly

en or m ou s. T h is w as esp ecially t r u e sin ce ever yon e h ad st ar t ed r u n n in g at fu ll
sp eed , w h ich h a d q u ick ly d ep let ed t h eir sou lfor ce. On t h e ot h er h an d ,
w it h st an d in g t h e w eigh t of t h e ch ain m ail w it h t h eir b od ies alon e w as t r u ly
som et h in g st r en u ou s at t h eir age.
W h en t w o h ou r s h ad p assed , h alf of t h e st u d en t s h ad collap sed t o t h e gr ou n d .

Fr om t h e b egin n in g t o t h e en d , Zh ou Yi h ad st ood t h er e w it h an exp r ession less
face. Sh e h ad n ’t u r ged t h em t o con t in u e eit h er .
H u o Yu h ao w as also r each in g h is lim it . Alt h ou gh h e’d d ecid ed t o r u n w it h a

con st an t sp eed , w h ich m ean t t h at t h e d r ain on h is p h ysical st r en gt h w as t h e
low est , h is so u lfor ce w as st ill t h e w eak est am on gst t h e p eop le p r esen t , an d h is
p h ysical st r en gt h w asn ’t t h at m u ch d iffer en t eit h er . Bein g ab le t o p er sever e
u n t il n ow w as alr ead y qu it e d ifficu lt for h im . If you look ed at it fr om t h e
view p oin t of t h e n u m b er of lap s t h at h e’d com p let ed , h e w as n o lon ger t h e last ,
d u e t o t h e fact t h at h e’d m an aged t o p er sever e for a lon ger t im e t h an som e.
W h en ever yt h in g in fr on t of h im st ar t ed t o t u r n b lack , h e su d d en ly felt t h at

t h er e seem ed t o b e a lu m p of fir e w it h in h is st om ach t h a t w a s b u r n in g. H e w as
ext r em ely p ar ch ed , an d t h e st ick in ess h e felt fr om t h e sw ea t all over h is b od y
w as h ar d t o b ear . As t h e h eavy ch ain m ail gr ou n d again st h is sk in t h r ou gh h is
sch ool u n ifor m , b u r st s of scor ch in g p ain p assed u n ceasin gly t h r ou gh h is b od y.
Not good, I can’ t hol d on any l onger . A voi ce con t i n uousl y ech oed out i n H uo
Yuh ao’ s m i n d. H e act i vat ed h i s soul f or ce an d pour ed i t i n t o h i s Spi r i t Eyes w i t h
m uch di f f i cul t y.
A r ef r esh i n g f eel i n g spr ead out f r om h i s Spi r i t Eyes, causi n g h i m t o sober up a

l i t t l e.
T hi s w on’ t do, I can’ t col l apse l i k e t hi s. I w i l l def i n i t el y per sever e. As h e

l ook ed at t h e m an y st uden t s r un n i n g i n f r on t of h i m , h e t h ough t about t h e
i n cr ease i n cul t i vat i on speed t h at h e’ d exper i en ced t h at af t er n oon af t er t h e
ext r em el y l ar ge dr ai n t o h i s soul f or ce. H uo Yuh ao sudden l y bi t h i s t on gue,
r ousi n g h i m sel f t o con t i n ue r un n i n g.
At t h is m om en t , h e su d d en ly felt a com for t ab le, w ar m feelin g sp r ead o u t
fr om h is low er ab d om en . Alt h ou gh h is sou lfor ce h a d alr ead y alm ost b een
exh au st ed , t h e w ar m feelin g flow ed slow ly t h r ou gh h is lim b s an d b on es, cau sin g
h is ach in g m u scles t o feel sligh t ly allevia t ed .
T hi s i s...
T he pow er of t he M yst er i ous H eaven T echni que?
H uo Yuh ao qui ck l y r ecogn i sed t h e sour ce of t h e w ar m cur r en t . Af t er

cul t i vat i n g t h e M yst er i ous H eaven T ech n i que, i t w oul d gat h er i n h i s l ow er
abdom en at t h e ver y en d. Al t h ough t h e t i m e h e’ d spen t cul t i vat i n g t h e
M yst er i ous H eaven T ech n i que so f ar w as st i l l sh or t , h e st i l l h ad a f oun dat i on of
soul f or ce, af t er al l . Af t er con ver t i n g h i s pr evi ous soul f or ce i n t o t h e M yst er i ous
H eaven T ech n i que’ s, h e coul d be con si der ed t o h ave com pl et ed t h e f i r st l ayer of
t h e M yst er i ous H eav en T ech n i que.
Bot h h i s el dest sen i or br ot h er an d t h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m h ad sai d t h at t h e

M yst er i ous H eaven T ech n i que w as ver y sui t abl e f or h i m , si n ce i t coul d n our i sh
h i s passagew ays. W as i t f i n al l y di spl ayi n g i t s ef f ect s?
As h e pon der ed t h e m at t er , H uo Yuh ao’ s con sci ousn ess ver y n at ur al l y

f ol l ow ed t h e passagew ays of t h e M yst er i ous H eaven T ech n i que, an d f el t i t out
f or a m om en t . H e di dn ’ t sen se an y obst r uct i on s, an d t h e w ar m f eel i n g w i t h i n
h i s l ow er abdom en w an der ed ar oun d h i s passagew ays, f ol l ow i n g h i s
con sci ousn ess.
H uo Yuh ao saw t h at i t w as a w eak t r ace of t h e M yst er i ous H eaven

T ech n i que’ s soul f or ce. On l y, i t w oul d sl ow l y spr ead i n t o h i s passagew ays as i t
t r avel l ed, w h i ch w as al so t h e r eason beh i n d t h e w ar m f eel i n g.
T h e t h i n g t h at ast on i sh ed h i m even m or e w as t h at h i s passagew ays w er e

act ual l y absor bi n g t h ese st r an ds of soul f or ce at an ext r em el y r api d pace. T h i s
w as al so t h e sour ce of t h e com f or t abl e f eel i n g h e’ d f el t ear l i er , w h i ch h ad i n
t ur n r el i eved h i s w ear i n ess.
H u o Yu h ao’s n at u r al p h ysiqu e w asn ’t t h a t good , b u t h e w as st ill q u it e sm ar t .
T h e fact t h at t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e cou ld b e ab sor b ed b y h im w h en
h is b od y r each ed it s lim it sign ified t h a t h e cou ld also cir cu lat e it w h ile m ovin g,
n ot ju st w h en h e w as m ed it at in g. T h e cir cu la t ion of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven
T ech n iq u e u n d er t h ese cir cu m st an ces w as sligh t ly d iffer en t t h an w h en h e w as
n or m ally cu lt iva t in g. T h e sp eed at w h ich h is sou lfor ce in cr eased in st r en gt h
w asn ’t h igh , b u t it s in t egr at ion w it h h is b od y w as m u ch m or e in t im a t e.
W it h t h is d iscov er y, H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly con cen t r at ed w h ilst

sim u lt an eou sly slow in g h is st ep s. H e qu iet ly st a r t ed t o cir cu lat e t h e M yst er iou s
H eaven T ech n iq u e.
T h e T an g Sect ’s M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e h a d b een b r ou gh t over fr om

an ot h er w or ld b y t h e fir st gen er at ion T an g sect m ast er , T an g San . Fr om a
cer t ain st an d p oin t , it w asn ’t a t ech n iq u e t h at b elon ged t o t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ,
b u t w as d efin it ely a t op n ot ch t ech n iqu e. It h ad ext r em ely lar ge b en efit s
t ow ar d s t h e n ou r ish m en t of on e’s b od y.
Du e t o an accid en t , H u o Yu h ao h ad act u ally cr eat ed a m et h od of cir cu la t in g

t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e w it h ou t en t er in g a st at e of m ed it at ion . W h en
it w as cir cu lat ed lik e t h is, t h e m ain effect of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e
w ou ld b e t o n ou r ish on e’s b od y b y u sin g sou lfor ce t o n ou r ish t h e p assagew ays.
Du e t o t h e p r ogr essive r ecover y t h at r esu lt ed fr om t h e cir cu lat ion p r ocess of

t h e M yst er iou s H ea ven T ech n iq u e, a m ir acu lou s cyclical st at e h ad for m ed
w it h in h is b od y. T h is cou ld b e con sid er ed cu lt ivat ion w h ile m ovin g.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow it , b u t even t h e fir st gen er at ion sect m ast er of t h e

T an g Sect , T an g San , h ad n ’t m an aged t o ach ieve t h is. T h e r eason b eh in d t h is
w as sim p ly b ecau se h e’d h ad r ich ly en d ow ed ad van t a ges. H u o Yu h ao’s
cu lt ivat ion , on t h e ot h er h an d , w as st ill w eak , w h ich w as t h e r eason w h y h is
b od y w as ab le t o r ea ch su ch a st at e, w h er e it w as a t it s lim it . Fu r t h er m or e, b ot h
h is sp ir it u al en er gy b ein g ver y st r on g, com b in ed w it h h is p ossession of a
sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l, m ad e it so t h at h e cou ld sen se a n d m an ip u la t e t h e
m ir acu lou s en er gy.
T h e T an g Sect h ad b ir t h ed m an y exp er t s, b u t n on e of t h em h a d p ossessed t h e
con d it ion s t h a t t h e cu r r en t H u o Yu h ao h ad . Aft er t h ey b ecam e st r on g, t h ey
w ou ld n ’t easily r each t h eir lim it s, an d t h ey w ou ld n ’t car efu lly sen se t h e w ar m
feelin g t h at ap p ear ed in t h eir d an t ian s. It cou ld b e sa id t h at an evolu t ion of t h e
M yst er iou s H ea ven T ech n iq u e h a d ap p ear ed in H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
W it h t h e h ar m on izat ion of t h is w ar m feelin g, H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, w h ich h ad

or igin ally r each ed it s lim it , w as r elieved of it s exh au st ion b y a cer t ain am ou n t .
Not on ly d id t h is st r en gt h en h is w illp ow er , it also m ad e h im p ou r m or e of h is
sp ir it u al en er gy in t o gu id in g t h is w a r m feelin g.
T h e w ar m feelin g cir cu lat ed ar ou n d h is b od y, follow in g t h e cir cu la t ion p at h

of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e. W h en it com p let ed an en t ir e cycle, t h e
st r an d w ou ld b e alm ost fu lly d r ain ed . H o w ever , it w as also a t t h e m om en t t h a t
t h e cycle w as com p let ed t h a t t h e w ar m feelin g w ou ld b e sligh t ly st r en gt h en ed
on ce again , an d w ou ld con t in u e t o m ove for w ar d .
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as get t in g m or e an d m or e exh au st ed , b u t h e w as get t in g

m or e an d m or e excit ed . T h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e’s n ou r ish m en t of h is
p assagew ays u n d er h is cu r r en t st a t e w as exact ly w h at h e n eed ed t h e m ost r igh t
n ow ! H is t h in p assagew ays, w h ich h e’d p r eviou sly n eed ed ext r em e car e t o
h an d le, b ecam e m or e elast ic u n d er t h e n ou r ish m en t of t h e w ar m feelin g, an d
even w id en ed sligh t ly. T h e u n p r eced en t ed lack of ob st r u ct ion w it h in t h e ar eas
t h at t h e w ar m feelin g p assed t h r ou gh t old H u o Yu h ao t h at h e w as d oin g t h e
r igh t t h in g.
T h e n u m b er of st u d en t s w h o’d collap sed w it h in Sh r ek Plaza w as gr ad u ally

in cr easin g. Even t h e st u d en t s w h o’d b een r u n n in g at t h e ver y fr on t w er e
st ar t in g t o gr ad u ally b e u n ab le t o p er sever e. T h e sou n d s of ch ain m ail sm ash in g
in t o t h e gr ou n d occa sion ally ech oed ou t fr om t im e t o t im e.
W h en W an g Don g lap p ed H u o Yu h ao on ce again , ever y st ep h e t ook w as

t ak en w it h gr eat d ifficu lt y. H ow ever , t o h is ast on ish m en t , h e saw t h a t H u o
Yu h ao’s eyes w er e ligh t ly sh u t ; t h ey w er e on ly op en en ou gh t o exp ose a sm all
cr ack t h at fain t ly exu d ed a gold en ligh t . H is st ep s w er e t ak en ver y slow ly
com p ar ed t o W an g Don g’s, b u t h e w as st ill ad van cin g st ea d ily. M an y of t h e
st u d en t s w h o h ad h igh er cu lt ivat ion levels t h an h im h ad alr ead y collap sed , b u t
h e w as st ill b it t er ly p er sever in g. H e even left a t r ail of sw eat w it h ever y st ep h e
t ook .
“If you can ’t d o it , d on ’t for ce you r self.” W an g Don g sp ok e in a low voice

b efor e con t in u in g on w ar d s. T h e n u m b er of lap s t h at h e’d r u n so far exceed ed
ever yon e else b y a lar ge m ar gin . H ow ever , t h e h is b od y w as r each in g it s lim it .
An ot h er h ou r p assed , w it h t h e t im e left u n t il t h e b ell r an g get t in g closer an d

closer . T h er e w er e on ly n in e st u d en t s left t h at w er e st ill r u n n in g ar ou n d Sh r ek
Plaza. H ow ever , t h e p er son w h o’d b een con sid er ed t h e ‘b ot t om cu sh ion ’ fr om
t h e st ar t , H u o Yu h ao, w as on e of t h em .
Zh ou Yi h ad b een p ayin g at t en t ion t o H u o Yu h ao t h e en t ir e t im e. Sh e’d

alr ead y b een ast on ish ed w h en on ly t w o h ou r s h ad p assed . Based on H u o Yu h ao’s
p h ysical st r en gt h an d sou lfor ce, h e sh ou ld ’ve r each ed h is lim it at t w o h ou r s, n o
m at t er w h at t h e cir cu m st an ces. H ow ever , h e’d st ill m a n aged t o p er sever e.
Alt h ou gh r u n n in g at a con st an t sp eed d id give som e sm all b en efit s, h is
cu lt ivat ion an d p h ysical con d it ion w er e b ot h r igh t t h er e!
Cou ld a p er son ’s w illp ow er r eally b e st r on g t o t h is ext en t ? Fu r t h er m or e, h e

w as st ill so you n g.
“Pu t on g, p u t on g…” T w o m or e st u d en t s collap sed , an d w h en t h ey d id , t h ey

cr eat ed a d om in o effect . A few st u d en t s collap sed in su ccession follow in g t h e
d u o, on e of t h em ju st h ap p en in g t o b u m p in t o W an g Don g, w h o w as n ext t o
h im .
W an g Don g st u m b led , h is alr ead y ach in g legs u n ab le t o p er sist an y lon ger . As

h e fell d ow n , h is t h ou gh t s ab ou t p er sever in g also collap sed . H ow ever , h e’d r u n
t h e gr eat est n u m b er of lap s w it h in t h e class; t h er e w as n o on e left w h o cou ld
exceed t h e n u m b er o f lap s t h at h e’d r u n .
T h er e w er e st ill t h r ee p eop le t h at w er e st ill r u n n in g, on e of w h ich w as H u o

Yu h ao.
Aft er five m in u t es, t h e ot h er t w o st u d en t s also collap sed . T h e last p er son st ill

r u n n in g w as act u ally H u o Yu h ao, t h e w eak est p er son of Class 1. Alt h ou gh h is
st ep s w er e w eak , an d h is r u n n in g sp eed w asn ’t t h at qu ick , h e’d st ill m an aged t o
p er sever e, even w h en ever yon e else h ad collap sed . T h is cau sed ast on ish m en t t o
ap p ear on m an y st u d en t s faces w h en t h ey look ed at h im .
It w as t r u e t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ea d y r each ed h is lim it , an d it w as also t r u e

t h at t h e w ar m feelin g cau sed b y t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e cou ld
n ou r ish h is b od y an d r elieve h is w ear in ess t o a cer t ain ext en t . H ow ever , in t h e
en d , it d id n ’t m ak e h im st r on ger !
H e’d r each ed h is lim it again an d again , b u t h ad clen ch ed h is t eet h an d

en d u r ed it ever y sin gle t im e. H u o Yu h a o u n d er st ood t h at h e w as t h e w eak est
am on gst t h e st u d en t s of 1, so h e h ad t o com m it 20 0 %, or even 30 0 % of t h eir h ar d
w or k if h e w an t ed t o r em ain at Sh r ek Acad em y. An d a t t h is m om en t , t em p er in g
h is b od y b y r each in g h is lim it s cou ld b ot h h elp w id en h is p assagew ays, an d
in cr ease h is sou lfor ce. No m at t er w h at , h e d id h is b est t o p er sist for ever y sin gle
m om en t .
Per sever e...per sever e! H uo Yuh ao i n w ar dl y sh out ed t o h i m sel f n on st op. At

t h at m om en t , h e di dn ’ t even an y soul f or ce l ef t t h at h e coul d pour i n t o h i s Spi r i t
Eyes t o st i m ul at e h i m sel f an d sober up h i s m i n d.
Gr ad u ally, h e h im self b egan t o sou n d ou t t h e ‘ch an t ’ t h at h e w as u sin g t o
su p p or t h im self.
“M ot h er , m ot h er ….” T h is w as all for t h e sak e of h is m ot h er ’s last w ish es; for

t h e sak e of b ein g ab le t o r et r ieve h is m ot h er ’s r em ain s fr om t h at p lace on e d ay...
for t h e sak e of w ash in g aw ay h is m ot h er ’s h u m ilia t ion an d aven gin g h er ... n o
m at t er w h a t , h e h ad t o p er sever e.
“T h u d , t h u d ...” H u o Yu h ao’s foot st ep s w er e ext r em ely h ea vy. H is legs an d

b od y w er e t r em b lin g u n con t r ollab ly. H o w ever , h e d id n ’t fall d ow n . Un d er su ch
d ifficu lt con d it ion s, h e st ill r ep eat ed t h e m ach in e-lik e m ot ion s of r aisin g h is leg,
p u t t in g it d ow n , r a isin g it b ack u p , an d p u t t in g it b ack d ow n on ce again .
T h e d isd ain fu l look t h at t h e st u d en t s, w h o’d n ow fallen , h ad b een look in g at

h im w it h gr ad u a lly d isap p ear ed . T h e p ow er t h at a r ole m od el p r ovid ed w as
m igh t y. T h ey st ar t ed t o p u ll t h em selves b ack u p , on e b y on e, b efor e b lan k ly
st ar in g at H u o Yu h a o’s figu r e as h e p er sever ed .
Aft er b ein g st u n n ed for a b r ief m om en t , W an g Don g w as t h e fir st t o con t in u e

r u n n in g aft er H u o Yu h ao. H ow ever , h e d id n ’t over t ak e h im t h is t im e a r ou n d .
W it h W an g Don g lead in g, a secon d , an d t h en a t h ir d p er son gr ad u ally b egan

t o st ar t follow in g h im . Gr ad u ally, all of t h e st u d en t s fr om Cla ss 1 clen ch ed t h eir
t eet h an d r aised t h eir legs—w h ich w er e alr ead y st iff t o t h e p oin t t h a t t h ey felt
d ead —t o con t in u e r u n n in g.
Zh ou Yi w as m oved . Of all t h e t im e sh e’d b een t each in g, it w as ext r em ely r ar e

t h at sh e’d b e m oved b y t h e p er for m an ces of h er st u d en t s. H ow ever t h is t im e,
sh e’d t r u ly b een m oved . T h is w as b ecau se of H u o Yu h ao, an d in t u r n w as also
b ecau se of t h e n in et y st u d en t s w h o’d clim b ed b ack u p t o follow h im . T h is w as
n o lon ger a sim p le exer cise t h a t cou ld t em p er t h eir b od ies—t h is w as a
t em p er in g of t h eir m in d s! Zh ou Yi cou ld visib ly see t h eir d et er m in a t ion w it h in
t h eir exh au st ed facia l exp r ession s.
T h e r esu lt s of t h is class w er e far , far gr eat er t h an w h at sh e’d im agin ed .

“Din g r in g r in g—”
T h e b ell t h at sign alled t h e en d of t h e class fin ally r an g.
H u a la, h u a la. It w a s t r u ly t h e collap se of a r ow of d om in oes t h is t im e. T h e

ear -p ier cin g b ell in st an t ly cau sed a lar ge n u m b er of p eop le t o collap se.
T h e sou n d s of collision cau sed b y t h eir ch ain m ail an d t h e gr ou n d cau sed a

ser ies of sou n d s t o ech o ou t , an d k n ock ed a clou d of d u st in t o t h e air .
H u o Yu h ao, w h o’d b een at t h e ver y fr on t , fin ally collap sed . T h e b ell cau sed
h im t o fin ally let go of all of t h e st u b b or n ess an d p er sever an ce w it h in h is h ear t .
H ow ever , h e d id n ’t fall d ir ect ly t o t h e gr ou n d . As h e fell, W an g Don g, w h o w as
r igh t b eh in d h im , cau gh t h im b y h is ch ain m ail. As soon as h e d id , t h e t w o of
t h em r olled t o t h e gr ou n d t oget h er . T h e t w o sim u lt an eou sly gasp ed for air
t oget h er .
As h e look ed t ow ar d s t h e sk y, H u o Yu h ao’s vision t u r n ed d ar k for a p er iod of

t im e. H ow ever , t h e p assagew ays w it h in h is b od y h ad b ecom e com for t ab ly
w ar m , an d felt in d escr ib ab ly com for t ab le. T h e sou lfor ce w it h in h is b od y h ad
b een exh au st ed , an d h is p h ysical st r en gt h h ad alr ead y b een over d r aw n w ay
b efor e t h at . An d yet , h is p assagew ays st ill m ad e h im feel ver y com for t ab le. H e
h ad t h e p r em on it ion t h at , in all asp ect s, h is cu lt iva t ion w ou ld h ave a lar ge
im p r ovem en t aft er t h is.
W an g Don g lay b esid e H u o Yu h ao. Bot h h is cu lt iva t ion an d t h e con d it ion of

h is b od y w er e m u ch st r on ger t h an H u o Yu h ao’s, so even t h ou gh h e w as
ext r em ely exh au st ed , h e w asn ’t lik e H u o Yu h ao, w h o cou ld n ’t b u d ge at all.
“I r eally d on ’t k n ow w h at p ow er m ad e it so t h at you cou ld en d u r e all t h e w ay

u n t il n ow . You ’r e a Sou l M ast er w it h on ly a t en year sou l r in g, b u t you w er e ab le
t o p er sever e lon ger t h an a Sou l Gr an d m a st er lik e m e. You ’r e t r u ly a fr eak .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led t w ice. H e d id n ’t even h ave t h e en er gy t o sp eak an ym or e.

Zh ou Yi slow ly t ook a d eep b r eat h , t h en b eck on ed t ow ar d s t h e d ist an ce. A
w h it e-clot h ed m ale ar r ived as if h e w as float in g on air . H e ar r ived b y Zh ou Yi’s
sid e w it h w h a t seem ed t o b e a few ligh t st ep s. Aft er n od d in g t ow ar d s h er , h e
t u r n ed t ow ar d s t h e st u d en t s.
H is d azzlin g sou l r in gs r ose u p fr om h is feet on e b y on e. T h er e w er e t w o

yellow on es, t w o p u r p le on es, an d t h r ee b lack on es. H e act u a lly h ad seven sou l
r in gs.
Sou l Sage! T h is w as act u ally a Sou l Sage-r an k ed exp er t , w h o w as ab ove t h e

seven t iet h r an k ! H e w as alr ead y ap p r oach in g t h e p eak of sou l m a st er s!
Fu r t h er m or e, h e o n ly look ed t o b e ar ou n d t h ir t y year s old . On ly, t h e
vicissit u d es visib le w it h in h is eyes d id n ’t m at ch h is you t h fu l o u t er ap p ear an ce.
H e r aised h is h an d s, an d a gen t le sh ad e of gr een —a leaf—su d d en ly b egan t o

gr ow fr om h is p alm s. H is seven t h sou l r in g flash ed b r igh t ly as it r evolved
ar ou n d h im , b u t t h e st u d en t s w er e on ly ab le t o see h is b od y flash on ce b efor e it
u n exp ect ed ly d isap p ear ed . T h e gr een leaf gr ew w ild ly, an d in t h e b lin k of an
eye, t h e leaf u n exp ect ed ly t u r n ed in t o an en or m ou s t r ee t h at w as ext r em ely t all.
A cool b r eeze seem ed t o b low p ast t h em . T h en , d ar k gr een leaves b egan t o fly

ou t fr om t h e en or m ou s can op y of t h e en or m ou s t r ee. Exact ly n in et y-on e leaves
lan d ed ligh t ly on t h e b od ies of t h e st u d en t s fr om Class 1; n ot on e m or e, an d n ot
on e less.
Ever y sin gle p r esen t felt an in com p ar ab ly r efr esh in g feelin g. T h e r efr esh in g
feelin g in st an t ly sp r ead t h r ou gh ou t t h eir b od ies, an d n o m at t er w h et h er it w as
t h eir ach in g m u scles or t h e w ou n d s t h a t h ad b een in cu r r ed b y t h e ch ain m ail
gr at in g again st t h eir sk in , t h ey w er e all r ecover in g a t an a st on ish in g sp eed .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h eir p h ysical st r en gt h w a s gr ad u ally r ecover in g a d r op at a t im e.
On ly t h eir sou lfor ce w as com p let ely em p t y; it w asn ’t left com p let ely u n affect ed
b y t h e d ar k gr een lea f.
W an g Don g h ad t h e h igh est cu lt iva t ion am on gst ever yon e p r esen t , an d w as

also t h e fir st p er son t o r ecover . H e flip p ed over an d sat u p b efor e look in g at t h e
ext r em ely t all t r ee w it h a b u r n in g gaze. H e t ook a d eep b r eat h of t h e cool air .
“T h is... t h is is on e of t h e p in n acle exist en ces am on gst p lan t -t yp e m ar t ial sou ls:
T h e T r ee of Life! It ’s a seven t iet h r an k ed m ar t ial sou l w it h a Sou l Avat ar !
T each er Zh ou act u ally fou n d a p lan t -t yp e sou l m ast er ab ove t h e seven t iet h r an k
t o h eal u s an d h elp u s r ecover .”
T h e d ar k gr een ligh t sh r ou d ed t h e ar ea. Aft er r eleasin g n in et y-on e t r ee

leaves, t h e en or m ou s t r ee r ap id ly sh r u n k an d t r an sfor m ed b ack in t o t h e w h it e-
clot h ed m ale in t h e b lin k of an eye. Aft er w ar d s, h e n od d ed at Zh ou Yi, w h o
b ow ed r esp ect fu lly t ow ar d s h im . T h at m ale left in t h e sam e w ay h e’d ar r ived —
lik e a gu st of w in d . Fr om t h e st ar t t o en d , h e h ad n ’t sa id a w or d t o Zh ou Yi at all.
T h e st u d en t s cr aw led u p on e aft er an ot h er . Alt h ou gh t h ey w er e st ill

exh au st ed , t h ey felt an in d escr ib ab le p leasu r e fr om t h eir b od ies b r eak in g
t h r ou gh t h eir lim it s.
H u o Yu h ao h a d also r ecover ed fr om h is h alf-d azed st at e. Aft er r eceivin g

n ou r ish m en t fr om t h at god ly sou l sk ill, a r efr esh in g feelin g w ash ed over h is
m u scles an d cau sed t h eir exh au st ion t o d isap p ear w it h ou t a t r ace. Fu r t h er m or e,
t h e p assagew ays w it h in h is b od y w er e st ill im m er sed in t h e com for t ab ly w ar m
feelin g t h at t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e h a d cr eat ed . It w as alm ost as if h e
w as feelin g t h e com for t ab len ess p r ovid ed b y b ot h cold an d h ot at t h e sam e t im e.
H e’d n ever felt su ch a com for t ab le feelin g in h is life b efor e.
H e su p p or t ed h im self as h e cr aw led b ack u p . H is en t ir e b od y w as cover ed in

sw eat , b u t h is Sp ir it Eyes b ecam e in cr easin gly b r igh t . H e su b con sciou sly
act ivat ed h is sou lfor ce an d cir cu lat ed it accor d in g t o t h e M yst er iou s H eaven
T ech n iqu e. H e fou n d t h at h e cou ld act u ally st ill d o it , an d t h at t h e in t an gib le
ch an ges w it h in h is b od y h ad n ou r ish ed h is p assagew ays. Fu r t h er m or e, sin ce it
w asn ’t b ein g con su m ed an ym or e, t h er e w as st ill t h at lit t le b it of t h e M yst er iou s
H eaven T ech n iq u e’s in t er n a l en er gy left over t h at w as ab le t o r et u r n b ack t o h is
d an t ian an d com p let e a fu ll cycle b efor e it cir cu lat ed again .
Zh ou Yi gazed at all t h e st u d en t s w h o w er e slow ly cr aw lin g u p an d

in d iffer en t ly said , “I h ave t o say, you all h ave given m e an an sw er t h at
ast on ish ed m e qu it e a b it . T od ay, n ob od y w ill b e elim in at ed .”
On ce sh e said t h is, t h e st u d en t s cou ld n ’t h elp b u t im m ed iat ely let ou t a ch eer ,

esp ecially t h e few w h o’d r u n t h e least n u m b er of lap s, w h o felt as if a h eavy
b u r d en h a d b een lift ed fr om t h eir m in d s.
Zh ou Yi t h en p r oceed ed t o say “You all n eed t o t h an k H u o Yu h ao. Or igin ally,

I w as p r ep ar ed t o give you all a p u n ish m en t . T h e t ask t h at I ga ve you all w as for
you t o r u n u n t il t h e b ell r an g, an d t h en w e’d cou n t t h e n u m b er of lap s each of
you r an . H ow ever , o t h er t h an H u o Yu h a o, n on e of you m an aged t o r u n fr om t h e
st ar t t o t h e en d . H o w ever , sin ce you w er e ab le t o act u ally d evelop a sen se of
com p et it ion b ecau se of h im , you d on ’t h ave t o h ave a p u n ish m en t . W a n g Don g,
st ep for w ar d .”
“T each er .” W an g Don g t ook a st ep for w ar d .
Zh ou Yi in d iffer en t ly said , “As t h e class m on it or of Class 1, you on ly car ed

ab ou t you r self—you d id n ’t set a good exam p le for t h e ot h er s. Fr om n ow on ,
you ’r e st r ip p ed of you r p osit ion of class m on it or , w h ich w ill b e t ak en over b y
H u o Yu h ao. Un t il t h e n ext p h ysical class, H u o Yu h ao w ill b e t h e class m on it or of
Class 1. If an yon e w an t s t o ch allen ge h im , you ’r e in ch ar ge of accep t in g t h em .”
W h en h e h ear d w h at sh e said , W a n g Don g w as sligh t ly st u n n ed .
Zh ou Yi con t in u ed in a cold voice, “W h at ? Do you h ave an y p r ob lem s w it h

t h is?”
On ly t h en d id W an g Don g sob er u p . H e sh ook h is h ead an d said , “I h ave n on e.

T each er Zh ou , I’m w illin g t o con ced e.”
Zh ou Yi n od d ed an d said , “Disp er se. T ak e you r set of ch ain m ail w it h you .

T om or r ow , an ot h er t each er w ill b e h avin g a class on t h eor y w it h you all. I
su ggest t h at you m ed it at e w ell as you d igest t h e im p r ovem en t s an d t h e
sign ifican ce of t od ay’s p h ysical class. M y n ext class w ill b e in t h e aft er n oon , t h e
d ay aft er n ext . At t h at t im e, I h op e t h a t I w on ’t see an y t r ash .”
“Yes.” T h e st u d en t s all sim u lt an eou sly agr eed . H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t

r an d om ly d isp er se a ft er w ar d s. In st ea d , t h ey collect ively ch a r ged t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao an d su d d en ly t h r ew h im in t o t h e sk y.
T o t h ese you t h s, excit em en t a n d h a p p in ess w as som et h in g ext r em ely

st r aigh t for w ar d . Becau se of H u o Yu h ao, n ob od y w as elim in at ed , an d t h ey h ad
even b een ab le t o avoid t h eir p u n ish m en t . T h u s, at least d u r in g t h is m om en t ,
H u o Yu h ao w as t h eir h er o.
Fu r t h er m or e, aft er t h e d ifficu lt an d p ain fu l class, T each er Zh ou h ad fou n d

t h at m ir acu lou s p lan t -t yp e So u l Sage t o h eal all of t h em an d h elp t h em r ecover ,
w h ich m ad e t h em u n d er st an d t h e st r en gt h of a h igh -r an k ed sou l m ast er . Aft er
t h e p ain in t h eir b od ies h ad d isap p ear ed , t h eir ill w ill t ow ar d s T each er Zh ou
h ad , im p er cep t ib ly, d ecr eased b y a lar ge am ou n t .
T h e st u d en t s con t in u ed t o b e r ow d y for an ot h er t en m in u t es or so, all t h e w ay

u n t il t h e st u d en t s fr om ot h er classes h a d fin ish ed t h eir classes t oo. On ly t h en
d id t h ey st op an d st ar t h ea d in g b ack t o t h eir in d ivid u al d or m s t o clean
t h em selves u p . T h eir cu r r en t ap p ear an ces w er e t r u ly t oo h aggar d .
T h e n in et y-on e st u d en t s d id n ’t k n ow t h is, b u t it w as p r ecisely b ecau se of t h is

lesson t h a t a collect ive p r id e h ad b egu n t o gr ad u ally ap p ear w it h in t h e n in et y-
on e of t h em . It h ad on ly b een a sin gle d ay sin ce t h e class h a d b een est ab lish ed ,
an d m ost of t h em st ill d id n ’t k n ow each ot h er ’s n am es, b u t a collect ive sen se of
p r id e h a d alr ea d y ap p ear ed . T h is w a s u n d ou b t ed ly b ecau se of T each er Zh ou ’s
t each in g m et h od s. Com b in ed w it h a cer t ain am ou n t of lu ck t h at H u o Yu h ao’s
p er for m an ce at t h e en d h ad b r ou gh t , Fir st -year Class 1 h ad m a n aged t o get a st ep
ah ead of t h e ot h er classes.
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g d ir ect ly r et u r n ed t o t h eir d or m w h ilst w ear in g

t h eir ch ain m ail. T h ey h ad t o u se t h e b at h r oom s at t h e t w o en d s of t h e cor r id or s,
so W an g Don g let H u o Yu h ao clean u p fir st , w h ile h e in st ea d t ook a b asin of
w at er an d clea n ed h im self u p in t h e d or m r oom .
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao’s m in d w as st ill im m er sed in a sp ecial st at e of

u n d er st an d in g t ow ar d s t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e. H e d id n ’t t h in k
m u ch of it , an d w en t t o sh ow er in st ead . H ow ever , t h e cir cu la t ion of t h e
M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e w it h in h is b od y h ad n ’t st op p ed sin ce h e’d st ar t ed
cir cu la t in g it in t h e n ew m an n er t h at h e d iscover ed . H e d iscover ed t h at t h e
w ar m st r eam t h a t h ad b een u n ceasin gly gen er at ed h ad alr ead y st ar t ed t o
b ecom e w eak er an d w eak er .
W hy? I s i t because m y physi cal st r engt h has r ecover ed? H uo Yuh ao w as

gr eat l y puzzl ed. Af t er h e f i n i sh ed cl ean i n g h i m sel f up, h e f ai n t l y guessed t h e
r eason as t o w h y i t h ad h appen ed. T h at w ar m f eel i n g seem ed t o on l y appear
w h en bot h h i s soul f or ce an d h i s body w er e n ear l y exh aust ed. An d r i gh t n ow ,
si n ce h i s body h ad al r eady r ecover ed by a l ar ge am oun t , an d h i s soul f or ce w as
al so sl ow l y r ecover i n g, t h at w ar m f l ow w oul dn ’ t be pr oduced an ym or e.
I f I ’ d k now n ear l i er , i t w oul d’ ve been bet t er f or m e t o not r ecover . H uo Yuh ao

w as som ew h at h el pl ess as h e t h ough t t o h i m sel f . I f t h at w as t h e case, per h aps
h i s passagew ays m i gh t ’ ve been abl e t o obt ai n even m or e ben ef i t s.
H ow ever , T eacher l ef t t he chai nm ai l f or us. I can t r y i t out by m ysel f l at er .
On ce h e t h ough t of t h i s, h e coul dn ’ t h el p but f eel exci t ed.
“ H uo Yuh ao.” At t h i s m om en t , a sh out t h at w ok e h i m up f r om h i s exci t em en t

ech oed out .
H uo Yuh ao i n w ar dl y ch ast i sed h i m sel f . H ow coul d h e h ave f or got t en about

h er ? H e h ur r i edl y sh out ed f r om t h e cor r i dor , “ T each er Xi ao Ya, I ’ l l be r i gh t
out .” T h en , h e r api dl y r an back t o h i s dor m r oom , pl an n i n g t o put on h i s ot h er
sch ool un i f or m bef or e goi n g out .
Because h e w as i n a r ush , h e di dn ’ t bot h er k n ock i n g on t h e door w h en h e got

t h er e. H e push ed t h e door open an d en t er ed, but w h en h e en t er ed, h e w as
f l abber gast ed...
W h at h e saw w as a w h i t e… r ear vi ew .
As H uo Yuh ao’ s gaze t r aced h i s r oun d, n ar r ow sh oul der s, t h e con t our s of a

sof t ar c appear ed by h i s w ai st . H e h ad a pai r of st r ai gh t an d t h i n l egs w h i ch w er e
m or e del i cat e t h an an or di n ar y per son ’ s. Due t o h i s age, n on e of h i s f eat ur es
w er e exagger at ed. H ow ever , h i s f ai r sk i n , w h i ch st i l l h ad dr opl et s of w at er
dr i ppi n g f r om i t , appear ed cr yst al cl ear . T h e assaul t t o H uo Yuh ao’ s vi si on w as
si m pl y t oo st r on g.
“AH H —” A sligh t ly scr eam ech oed ou t . Follow in g t h at , t h e p at ch of w h it e in

fr on t of H u o Yu h ao’s eyes b ecam e a p at ch of d azzlin g b lu e.
A p air of en or m ou s w in gs su d d en ly sp r ead ou t , an d w h at im m ed iat ely

follow ed t h at w as a V-sh ap e m ad e of gold en h aloes t h at su d d en ly b r igh t en ed .
T h e sap p h ir e b lu e w in gs su b sequ en t ly t u r n ed a b lu eish -violet . A st r on g
u n d u lat ion of sou lfor ce im m ed ia t ely r u sh ed ou t , as if it w an t ed t o d evou r h im .
For t u n at ely, t h e w ave-lik e sou lfor ce st ill st op p ed in t h e en d .
“W h at ar e you d oin g? W h y d id n ’t you k n ock ?” W an g Don g’s an ger -filled

voice ech oed ou t . T h e b lu e ligh t van ish ed , an d w h en H u o Yu h ao look ed again ,
h e’d alr ead y p u t on a set of sch ool clot h es. H e’d su d d en ly ch ar ged over , b u t
h ad n ’t m a d e a m ov e again st H u o Yu h a o in t h e en d . T h is w as b ecau se H u o
Yu h ao, w h o h ad ju st clean ed h im self u p , w as on ly w ear in g h is b oxer s n ow ; h is
en t ir e b od y w as clean . H ow ever , w h en on e com p ar ed t h e colou r of h is sk in t o
W an g Don g’s, it w a sn ’t ju st a d iffer en ce of colou r . H u o Yu h ao’s sk in flick er ed
w it h a h ealt h y cop p er colou r , b u t it w as far in fer ior t o W an g Don g’s en ch an t in g
w h it e sk in ...
“I… som eon e ou t sid e called for m e. I w as in a h u r r y, sor r y!” H u o Yu h ao

d id n ’t k n ow w h y, b u t h is h ear t b eat h ad t u r n ed esp ecia lly q u ick . H e h u r r ied ly
r an t o h is b ed an d gr ab b ed h is clean sch ool u n ifor m b efor e t u r n in g ar ou n d an d
qu ick ly r u n n in g ou t sid e.
W an g Don g st ood t h er e b lan k ly, n ot st op p in g H u o Yu h ao. On ly w h en H u o

Yu h ao h ad sh u t t h e d oor an d r u n off d id h e com e b ack t o h is sen ses. Flash es of
b ot h r ed an d w h it e a p p ear ed on h is face, b u t h e d id n ’t k n ow w h at t o d o ab ou t it .
Aft er h u r r ied ly r u n n in g ou t of t h e d or m r oom , H u o Yu h ao’s m in d calm ed
d ow n a b it . H ow ever , t h at w h it e p at ch st ill lin ger ed in h is m in d . Esp ecially
t h ose b u t t ock s, w h ich alr ead y st u ck ou t a b it ...
W h at am I t h in k in g ab ou t ! H u o Yu h ao felt som e self-d isd ain t ow ar d s h im self.

H e h u r r ied ly sh ift ed h is t h ou gh t s t ow ar d s t h e M yst er iou s H ea ven T ech n iqu e,
H is ear su d d en ly h u r t , an d h e let ou t a p ain ed cr y.
T an g Ya’s p layfu l v oice sou n d ed ou t , “You st ill k n ow h ow t o cr y ou t ? I’ve

b een w ait in g h er e fo r a lon g t im e.”
H u o Yu h ao m iser ab ly said , “T each er Xiao Ya, p lease let go. W e ju st h a d a

p h ysical class t h at m ad e m e sw eat a lot , so w ou ld n ’t I fir st r et u r n t o m y d or m t o
clean u p b efor e I cam e?”
On ly t h en d id T an g Ya let go of h im . As sh e look ed at H u o Yu h ao’s sligh t ly

p ale face, h er eyeb r ow s fu r r ow ed . Sh e said , “Is t h at p er ver t ed gr an d m a Zh ou Yi
m ak in g t h in gs h ar d for you gu ys? You h ave t o b e a b it m or e car efu l, a s sh e’s
alw ays b een w id ely k n ow n as an ir on m ask . You ’ll lose a layer of sk in , if n ot d ie,
if you offen d h er . H ow is it ? Is you r b od y st ill fin e? If you ’r e n ot fin e, t h en so b e
it . W e ca n t alk t om or r ow .”
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly sh ook h is h ead an d said , “T each er Xiao Ya, I’m fin e.

Let ’s go.” T od ay’s p h ysical t r ain in g h ad b r ou gh t h im t ak e on e st ep closer t o
r ealisin g t h a t h e n eed ed n u t r ien t s, an d a lar ge am ou n t of n u t r ien t s at t h at . T h at
w ar m feelin g cr eat ed b y t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e h ad d isap p ear ed , b u t
it cau sed an in t en se su r ge of h u n ger t o r ise u p fr om h is b od y. If h e h ad n o
m on ey, w h at cou ld h e b u y t o eat ?
T an g Ya giggled an d said , “T h en you can r oast t w en t y fish . I’ve p r ep ar ed

t h em for you . It w on ’t t ak e t oo m u ch of you r t im e, b u t it ’ll d efin it ely t ak e less
t h an you w or k in g for t h e acad em y.”
“T each er Xiao Ya, t h en w h er e ar e w e goin g t o sell t h em ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed .

Clear ly. T an g Ya h a d alr ea d y t h ou gh t ab ou t it t h or ou gh ly. “At t h e aca d em y’s
en t r an ce! Ou r Sh r ek Acad em y’s en t r an ce is t h e east er n gat e of Sh r ek Cit y, an d
t h er e h as alw ays b een m an y p ed d ler s o u t sid e. Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e’s n o lack of
acad em y st u d en t s w h o d o b u sin ess t h er e. W it h you r sk ill in r oast in g fish , w e
w on ’t n eed t o b e afr aid of n ot sellin g a n y if w e go t h er e. Even if w e’r e u n ab le t o
sell t h em , w e can ju st eat t h em for ou r selves.”
H u o Yu h ao follow ed T an g Ya all t h e w a y u n t il t h ey r each ed t h e gat e. W h en

t h ey st ep p ed ou t sid e, H u o Yu h ao w as ast on ish ed . As of n ow , t h er e w er e n o
lon ger an y st u d en t s h er e t o en r oll. In st ea d , b ot h sid es of t h e east er n gat e’s m ain
r oad w er e sw ar m in g w it h p ed d ler s. T h e p ed d ler s w er e sellin g ever yt h in g t h a t
cou ld p ossib ly b e im agin ed , an d t h eir go od s look ed lik e glit t er in g jew els. Ou t of
t h e good s t h at w er e on d isp lay, t h e lar ge var iet y of food w as t h e gr eat est .
M or eover , t h e sou n d s of h aw k er s d oin g t h eir job n ever st op p ed . Clear ly, t h e
r eason t h a t t h ey’d gat h er ed h er e w as for t h e sak e of d oin g b u sin ess w it h t h e
st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y.
T an g Ya w as clear ly sligh t ly im p at ien t . In an ar ea t h at w asn ’t t oo far fr om t h e

cit y gat es, sh e t ook ou t t h e st u ff t h at sh e’d p r ep ar ed . Sh e even t ook u p a b it of
t h e m ain r oad .
Sh e w as clear ly com p let ely p r ep ar ed . Sh e h ad a m et al gr ill t h a t h ad b een

sp ecially m ad e b y a sm it h , m et al st a n d s, var iou s seaso n in gs, as w ell as
m ack er els t h at h ad alr ead y b een clean ed . Sh e’d even b r ou gh t a sm a ll t ab le for
t h e sak e of set t in g all of h er st u ff d ow n .
As H u o Yu h ao h elp ed h er set u p t h e gr ill, h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t fin d it fu n n y.

T each er Xiao Ya’s r esist an ce t ow ar d s d eliciou s food w as r eally low !
T an g Ya also t ook ou t t h e ch ar coal an d p u t it on t h e floor b efor e sayin g,

“Ok ay, m y job is d o n e. Ever yt h in g else is u p t o you . I’m gon n a go b u y som e
ot h er st u ff t o eat , ju st r em em b er t h at t w o of t h ese fish ar e m in e. J u st sell t h em
for five cop p er coin s. In t h e fu t u r e, if you w an t t o b u y in gr ed ien t s, ju st fin d you r
can t een ’s Au n t y Lin .”
Aft er sayin g t h is, sh e excit ed ly r an off.
H u o Yu h ao ch eck ed t h e am ou n t in gr ed ien t s t h at h e h a d b efor e h e p r ep ar ed

t h e m ack er els. T h e n u m b er of in gr ed ien t s t h at h e h ad w as t r u ly lar ge, an d T an g
Ya w as q u it e con sid er at e. Sh e’d even b r ou gh t h im som e p u r p le b asil. H u o Yu h ao
t or e u p t h e p u r p le b asil, t h en st ir r ed it t oget h er w it h som e of t h e ot h er
in gr ed ien t s. Aft er t h e in gr ed ien t s w er e r ead y, h e st u ffed t h em in t o t h e b elly of
t h e m ack er els, t h en u sed a b am b oo st ick t o sk ew er t h em on e-b y-on e.
T od ay’s p h ysical class h ad m ad e h im u n d er st an d m an y t h in gs, so h e w as

an xiou s t o go b ack a n d cu lt ivat e. Nat u r a lly, h e d id n ’t w an t t o w ast e t oo m u ch
t im e h er e.
Sim p ly ligh t in g a fir e w as as easy as a w alk in t h e p ar k for h im , so aft er a

m om en t ’s w or k , t h e oven alr ead y h ad a few b r igh t r ed p ieces of b u r n in g coal
in sid e of it . T h e oven w as qu it e b ig, an d w as ab le t o h old fou r fish at on ce. T h u s,
h e r oast ed t h e fish d ir ect ly.
It h a d t o b e said t h a t H u o Yu h ao’s level of sk ill w it h r oast in g fish w as t r u ly

u n r iva lled . Not lon g aft er h e’d st ar t ed , a st r on g fr agr an ce h ad alr ead y d iffu sed
ou t w ar d s fr om h is m ak esh ift st a ll. T h is w as b et t er t h an a n y ot h er for m of
ad ver t isem en t . Not even m en t ion in g t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e acad em y, even t h e
su r r ou n d in g p ed d ler s cou ld n ’t h elp b u t cast a few cu r iou s gazes at h im .
A m ale st u d en t w h o w as w ear in g a yellow sch ool u n ifor m w alk ed over an d

ask ed , “Lit t le b r ot h er , h ow m u ch ar e you sellin g t h ese r oast ed fish for ?”
H u o Yu h ao an sw er ed w it h a ver y p olit e t on e, “Sen ior , t h e r oast ed fish es ar e

five cop p er coin s each .”
T h at st u d en t w a s ver y st r aigh t for w ar d . “It sm ells qu it e good . Let m e t r y on e.”

W h ile h e sp ok e, h e h an d ed five cop p er sou l coin s t o H u o Yu h a o.
T h is w as H u o Yu h ao’s fir st su ccessfu l t r a n sact ion , so h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel

excit ed . Aft er r eceiv in g t h e cop p er coin s, h e b ecam e even m or e ser iou s w h ile
r oast in g t h e fish , so m u ch so t h at h e even r ou sed som e of t h e sou lfor ce h e’d ju st
r ecover ed in or d er t o u se h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t o b et t er con t r ol t h e h eat .
W it h t h e fir st cu st om er , t h er e w ou ld n at u r ally b e m or e p eop le w h o’d com e

over . On ly, t h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad ap p ear ed h er e. H is fish
sm elled q u it e good , an d n ob od y k n ew h ow t h ey t ast ed . Pr act ically all of t h e
p eop le w h o cam e over w er e st u d en t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w h o’d ju st b een
d ism issed for t h e d a y.
W h en H u o Yu h ao p assed t h e r oast ed m ack er el over t o t h e yellow -sh ir t ed

st u d en t , ever yon e else cou ld n ’t h elp b u t look at h im in exp ect at ion .
Chapt er 12.1: Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan
T h e m ack er el, w h ich h ad t u r n ed a gold en b r ow n , st ill h ad oil d r ip p in g off it ,

an d a st r on g a r om a gu sh ed u n ceasin gly fr om it s b elly. W h en t h e m an ’s b it in t o
t h e r oast ed fish , a ligh t cr ack lin g sou n d cam e fr om it . T h e r oast ed fish ’s sk in
h ad act u ally b een r oast ed u n t il it w as cr isp y, b u t it w asn ’t b u r n t at all. H ow ever ,
w h at lay u n d er n eat h t h e cr isp y layer of t h e sk in w as t h e fr esh , t en d er , su ccu len t
m eat of t h e fish , w h ich w as p ack ed w it h flavou r .
It w as on ly a sin gle b it e, b u t t h at yellow -sh ir t ed st u d en t ’s eyes w id en ed in

sh ock . H e d id n ’t even st op t o p r aise it . In st ead , h e at e t h e en t ir e fish alm ost as
fast as h e cou ld .
T h e ot h er n ear b y st u d en t s, w h o’d b een ob ser vin g H u o Yu h ao fr om t h e

sid elin es, im m ed ia t ely u n d er st ood w h at h ad h ap p en ed . T h e ot h er t h r ee
m ack er els t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad r oast ed so far w er e in st an t ly b ou gh t , an d h is
t ot al sales r even u e d ir ect ly in cr eased t o t w en t y cop p er sou l coin s, w h ich w as
equ ivalen t t o t w o silver sou l coin s.
T h ese fou r r oast ed fish cau sed H u o Yu h a o t o gain an ‘excep t ion al’ r ep u t at ion
in a ver y sh or t p er iod of t im e. T h is w as t h e acad em y’s en t r an ce, so t h e n u m b er
of p eop le t h at p assed h im w as ext r em ely gr eat . H is sm all b oot h q u ick ly b ecam e
su r r ou n d ed b y a n ea r ly-im p en et r ab le cr ow d .
“T oo t ast y, t h at w as r eally t oo t ast y.” T h e yellow -sh ir t ed st u d en t w h o’d

b ou gh t t h e fir st r oast ed fish m an aged t o squ eeze b ack in , alb eit w it h m u ch
d ifficu lt y. “J u n ior b r ot h er , give m e t h r ee m or e r oast ed fish . I’ll h ave m y d in n er
h er e t on igh t .”
A p u r p le-clot h ed st u d en t w h o w as on e year old er t h an h im cold ly r esp on d ed ,

“Go t o t h e b ack of t h e lin e.”
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t t h in k t h at h is r oast ed fish w ou ld sell so w ell. H e sp ok e
ap ologet ically t o t h e st u d en t s su r r ou n d in g t h e oven , “Fellow classm at es an d
sen ior s, it ’s m y fir st d ay d oin g b u sin ess, t h u s I can on ly sell eigh t een r oast ed
fish . I sold fou r fish ear lier , b u t I st ill h ave fou r t een left . Follow in g t h e p r in cip le
of ‘fir st com e, fir st ser ve’, t h ose w h o ar en ’t lin ed u p sh ou ld com e b ack
t om or r ow .”
As h e sp ok e, h e p u t aw ay t h e m on ey t h at h e’d so far in t o t h e T w en t y Fou r

M oon lit Br id ges. Aft er sellin g eigh t een fish , h e’d m ad e n in e silver sou l coin s. If
h e d ed u ct ed t h e cost s of p r od u ct ion , w h at w as left w as en ou gh for h im t o b ot h
eat h is fill an d save som e. H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t gr eed y; h e u n d er st an d t h a t t h e
m ost im p or t an t for h im r igh t n ow w as t o cu lt iva t e. H avin g en ou gh m on ey t o
su r vive w as good en ou gh .
Sk ew er s of r oast ed fish cam e ou t of t h e gr ill on e aft er an ot h er as H u o Yu h ao

con t in u ed t o r oast t h e fish w it h ext r em e ser iou sn ess. H e d id n ’t d ecr ease t h eir
q u alit y d u e t o t h e n u m b er of p eop le. Ever y sin gle p er son w h o ch ose t o b u y on e
of h is r oast ed fish w as in com p ar ab ly sat isfied , w it h som e p eop le even ch oosin g
t o or d er fish for t om or r ow in ad van ce. Aft er som e con sid er at ion , H u o Yu h ao
st ill d ecid ed t o st ick w it h a qu eu e m od el. Aft er all, t h e t ast e of h ot food w as t h e
gr eat est w h en it h ad ju st fin ish ed cook in g. If som eon e w er e t o eat it an y la t er ,
it s flavou r w ou ld ’ve d im in ish ed .
At t h is m om en t , a few fem ale st u d en t s w ear in g p u r p le sch ool u n ifor m s

w alk ed ou t of t h e gat e t o Sh r ek Acad em y. H er ap p ear an ce im m ed iat ely a t t r act ed
cou n t less gazes.
Sh e on ly look ed t o b e ab ou t fou r t een or fift een , an d h er figu r e w as slen d er

an d w ell p r op or t ion ed . H er gold en h a ir w as d r ap ed b eh in d h er sh ou ld er s lik e a
w at er fall, an d h er sk in w as sn ow -w h it e. H er eyes w er e ak in t o clear w at er , an d
w h en sh e look ed ar o u n d , sh e h ad an elegan t t em p er am en t . H er face r esem b led
jad e, a cr escen t h alo , as w ell as sn ow ar ou n d a flow er in g t r ee. Sh e h ad a gen t le
b eau t y, a ch ar m in g voice, a lovab le ap p ear an ce, an d an ext r aor d in ar y b eau t y
t h at cou ld n ’t b e fou n d an yw h er e else. H er b eau t y, t h at seem ed as if it cou ld
cau se t h e d ow n fall of a cou n t r y, seem ed t o d u ll t h e colou r s of ever yt h in g else
ar ou n d h er .
“Sist er Na n , som et h in g sm ells good . W h a t ’s t h at sm ell?” A st u d en t b esid e t h e

exceed in gly b eau t ifu l you n g lad y ask ed cu r iou sly. H er look s w er e also
ext r aor d in ar y, b u t u n for t u n at ely, h ow cou ld fir eflies n ext t o t h e m oon em it an y
r ad ian ce?
T h e exceed in gly b ea u t ifu l you n g la d y h a d clear ly also sm elled t h e ar om a. All

of t h e gir ls cou ld n ’t h elp b u t cast t h eir gazes t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s b oot h .
Per h ap s t h e b eau t y of t h at you n g lad y w as t oo im p osin g, b u t t h e st u d en t s

w h o’d or igin ally b een in lin e in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao’s b oot h act u ally op en ed u p a
p at h for h er . Sh e, a n d t h e ot h er fem ale st u d en t s sh e w as w it h , w alk ed t ow ar d s
t h e oven . On ly, w h en t h e exceed in gly b eau t ifu l you n g lad y sa w ever yon e t ak in g
t h e in it iat ive t o op en a p at h for h er , sh e w asn ’t ar r ogan t at all. In st ea d , sh e
car r ied an ext r em ely w ar m sm ile an d n od d ed h er h ead t ow ar d s t h em in t h an k s.
All of t h e st u d en t s w h o saw h er sm ile h ad flu sh ed faces filled w it h excit em en t .
W h en H u o Yu h ao saw t h e exceed in gly b eau t ifu l you n g lad y, h e b lan k ed ou t .

Pr eviou sly, t h e m ost b eau t ifu l gir l h e’d ever seen h ad b een w as T an g Ya, b u t n ot
on ly w as t h e p u r p le-clot h ed fem ale st u d en t in fr on t of h im n ot in fer ior t o T an g
Ya, sh e even h a d b ot h a gen t le a n d w ar m t em p er am en t . W h en you ad d ed t h at t o
h er som ew h at m elan ch olic exp r ession , sh e h ad a b eau t ifu l an d m ovin g
ap p ear an ce. Com p ar ed t o h er , T an g Ya w as a lively an d ch eer fu l, easy-go-lu ck y
gir l. As for t h eir ap p ear an ces, it sim p ly d ep en d ed on on e’s p r efer en ce.
“J u n ior b r ot h er , h o w m u ch ar e you sellin g t h ese r oast ed fish for ?” T h e

exceed in gly b eau t ifu l you n g lad y ask ed q u iet ly.
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao h ad ju st sold t h e last of t h e eigh t een r oast ed fish

h e’d h ad . T h e last t w o r em ain in g fish on t h e gr ill w er e for T an g Ya.
“Sen ior sist er , t h ey’r e five cop p er sou l coin s each .”

T h e exceed in gly b eau t ifu l you n g lad y fu r r ow ed h er b r ow , t h en said , “T h is is a
b it exp en sive. If w e con sid er h ow m u ch it cost s for t h e in gr ed ien t s, p lu s t h e
w or k you ’ve p u t in , t h r ee cop p er sou l coin s—at m ost —sh ou ld b e fin e. You ’ll st ill
m ak e a p r ofit .”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed . H e h ad n ’t t h ou gh t t h at a you n g la d y as b eau t ifu l as

h er w ou ld act u ally h aggle w it h h im . Non e of h is p r eviou s cu st om er s h a d d on e
t h is.
“I’m sor r y, b u t m y r oast ed fish ar e sold at a fixed p r iced . Fu r t h er m or e, I’ve

alr ead y sold all of m y fish for t h e d ay.” H u o Yu h ao sp ok e w it h a flat t on e. T an g
Ya w as t h e on e w h o ’d set t h e p r ice, so h e w ou ld n ’t ch an ge it easily. M or eover ,
t h is in com e w as ver y im p or t an t t o h im , an d w as ju st en ou gh for h im as-is.
T h e exceed in gly b eau t ifu l you n g lad y w as st u n n ed for a m om en t , t h en

ap ologet ically said , “I’m sor r y, I w as ju st m ak in g a casu al calcu lat ion . If t h er e’s
a ch an ce in t h e fu t u r e, I’ll t r y you r r oast ed fish .” As sh e said t h is, sh e t u r n ed
ar ou n d an d w a lk ed a w ay fr om H u o Yu h ao’s t em p or ar y b oot h .
H u o Yu h ao clear ly sen sed t h a t t h e su r r ou n d in g at m osp h er e h ad b ecom e

som ew h at ab n or m al. M an y of t h e st u d en t s t h at h ad p r eviou sly b een look in g
fer ven t ly at h im w er e n ow glar in g at h im .
“Br at , you d ar e n ot t o sell it ?” A d eep voice fu ll of an ger su d d en ly r an g ou t ,

im m ed iat ely follow ed b y a gold en ligh t t h at sh ot t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s b oot h .
“Din g—” T h e gold en ligh t accu r at ely st r u ck h is gr ill. In fact , it act u ally
em b ed d ed it self in it . Im p r essively, it w as a gold en sou l coin . Follow in g t h at , a
figu r e w alk ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s b oot h w it h lar ge st r id es, u n t il h e q u ick ly
ar r ived in fr on t of it . As soon as h e ar r ived , h e st r et ch ed h is h an d ou t t o gr ab t h e
t w o r oast ed fish .
Becau se r oast in g fish r eq u ir ed p r ecise con t r ol over t h e h eat , H u o Yu h ao h ad

k ep t h is Sp ir it Eyes act ivat ed t h is w h ole t im e. W h en t h at d eep voice r an g ou t ,
h e’d sen sed a n en or m ou s p r essu r e ar r ive. T h u s, h e’d su b con sciou sly r eleased h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .
Alt h ou gh t h e h an d t h at r each ed t ow ar d s t h e r oast ed fish w as ver y qu ick , H u o

Yu h ao m an aged t o p r ed ict t h e m ovem en t s of t h e ot h er p ar t y via h is Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion , allow in g h im t o gr ab t h e t w o sk ew er s of r oast ed fish b efor e
r et r eat in g b ack w ar d s a few st ep s. H e’d set t h ese fish asid e esp ecially for T an g
Ya. H ow cou ld h e let ot h er p eop le t ak e t h em ?
T h e p er son w h o’d t r ied t o gr ab t h e r oast ed fish act u ally gr ab b ed a few p ieces

of ch ar coal fr om t h e oven in st ea d of t h e fish in h is h u r r y.
At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o clear ly see t h e a p p ear an ce of t h e

n ew com er .
H e w as w ear in g a b lack sch ool u n ifor m ; h e w as act u ally a sixt h -year st u d en t .

H e look ed t o b e ar ou n d Bei Bei’s age, an d h ad a t all figu r e t h at w as com p ar ab le
t o H e Cait ou ’s. H e h ad b u sh y eyeb r ow s, as w ell as eyes t h at r esem b led t h a t of a
t iger ’s. H e a lso h ad a st r aigh t n ose, a sq u ar e-sh ap ed m ou t h , alon g w it h a gr an d
ap p ear an ce. H is fair sk in h ad alr ead y b een su ffu sed w it h a few sh ad es of r ed d u e
t o h is an ger , w h ile h is face, w h ich st ill seem ed t o con t ain som e b ab y fat , w as
qu it e im p osin g.
“Br at , ar e you cou r t in g d eat h ?” T h e b lack -sh ir t ed you t h r oa r ed an gr ily. H e

act u ally cr u sh ed t h e coals h e’d gr ab b ed w it h in h is h an d s, cau sin g sp ar k s t o fly
ever yw h er e. H ow ever , h e d id n ’t seem t o h ave b een b u r n t b y t h em at all. H e
sw ep t h is r igh t leg ou t , k ick in g H u o Yu h ao’s gr ill t o on e sid e. At t h e sam e t im e,
h e st ep p ed for w ar d a n d u sed h is lar ge h an d s t o gr ab H u o Yu h a o b y t h e sh ir t .
Usin g h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , H u o Yu h ao r ealised t h a t t h is b lack -sh ir t ed

you t h w asn ’t ju st b ein g over b ear in g. H is ‘sim p le’ gr ab act u ally con t ain ed
cou n t less var ia t ion s in it , an d alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o m ak e ou t som e
w eak n esses in it , h is cu lt iva t ion w as t oo w eak t o m ak e u se of t h em . T h u s, h e
w asn ’t ab le t o d od ge, an d w as t h u s gr ab b ed b y t h e sh ir t b y t h e b lack -sh ir t ed
you t h .
“H ey.” T h e b lack -sh ir t ed you t h r aised h is r igh t h an d , lift in g H u o Yu h ao in t o

t h e air . At t h e sam e t im e, h e for cefu lly sn at ch ed t h e t w o sk ew er s of r oast ed fish
fr om H u o Yu h ao.
T h e en t ir e p r ocess, fr om t h e t im e t h at t h e b lack -sh ir t ed you t h h ad ap p ear ed

t o h im m ak in g h is m ove, h ap p en ed in com p ar ab ly q u ick ly—t o t h e ext en t t h at
t h e su r r ou n d in g p eop le w er e on ly ju st r ealisin g w h a t h ad ju st h ap p en ed .
T w o voices ech oed ou t at p r act ically t h e sam e t im e.
“W h at ar e you d oin g?”
“St ay you r h an d .”
T h e for m er w as t h e exceed in gly b eau t ifu l you n g lad y, w h o cu r r en t ly h ad a

st ar t led an d an gr y exp r ession . T h e lat t er h ad alr ead y ch ar ged over w it h as fast
as ligh t n in g an d h a d u sed h is p alm in a n at t em p t t o d ir ect ly k n ock t h e b lack -
sh ir t ed you t h aw ay.
Clear ly, t h e b lack -sh ir t ed you t h h ad n ’t t h ou gh t t h at som eon e w ou ld m ak e a
m ove again st h im . T h u s, h e w asn ’t ab le t o p r ot ect h im self in t im e. H e w as u sin g
on e h an d t o h old H u o Yu h ao, w h ile u sin g an ot h er t o h old on t o t h e r oast ed fish .
If h e w an t ed t o d efen d h im self fr om h is op p on en t ’s at t ack , h e w ou ld h ad t o
for feit on e of t h e t w o.
H e ch ose t o let go of H u o Yu h ao. W it h a flick of h is w r ist , H u o Yu h ao w as sen t

flyin g h or izon t ally. H e t h en low er ed h is r igh t h an d t o collid e w it h t h e in com in g
h an d .
“Pa—” T h e t w o p eop le sim u lt an eou sly t r em b led , t h en b ot h t ook a st ep b ack .

In t h is clash , n eit h er of t h em h ad m an aged t o t ak e t h e u p p er h an d .
T h e n ew com er w asn ’t som e r a n d om p er son ; it w a s H u o Yu h a o’s eld est sen ior

b r ot h er , Bei Bei.
H u o Yu h ao, w h o’d b een flu n g in t o t h e air , sp u n ar ou n d in t h e air t w ice.

H ow ever , an at t r act ive figu r e ap p ear ed b elow h im an d u sed h er h an d s t o cat ch
an d low er h im st ead ily t o t h e gr ou n d .
T h e p er son w h o h elp ed H u o Yu h ao w as n at u r ally T an g Ya. At t h is m om en t ,

h er or igin ally sm all an d ch ar m in g face w as filled w it h r age.
“Xu San sh i, you d ar e t o b u lly on e of m y m en ? I’m gon n a b eat t h e sh it ou t of

you .” As sh e said t h at , T an g Ya r aised h er h an d , ca u sin g a gold en ligh t t o fly
d ir ect ly t ow ar d s Xu San sh i.
T h e b lack -sh ir t ed you t h w a ved h is r igh t h an d , cau sin g a sh ar p b lack ligh t t o

flash as h e at t em p t ed t o sw eep aw ay t h e gold en ligh t . H ow ever , an ast on ish in g
scen e occu r r ed : T h e gold en ligh t su d d en ly b r igh t en ed , u n exp ect ed ly b u r r ow in g
it s w ay t h r ou gh t h at st r on g b lack sou lfor ce, b efor e b u r yin g it self an d
d isap p ear in g in sid e of t h e b lack -sh ir t ed you t h .
T h e b lack -sh ir t ed you t h ’s b od y t r em b led violen t ly, an d h is gaze su d d en ly

fr oze. Aft er w ar d s, h is t iger -lik e eyes flar ed w it h an ger , an d h is t h r ee sou l r in gs
in st an t ly r ose u p fr om h is legs—t h er e w er e t w o yellow r in gs an d on e p u r p le
r in g. H is or igin ally p ale sk in im m ed ia t ely d ar k en ed as h is m u scles exp an d ed ,
an d h is en t ir e b od y seem ed t o sw ell u p . T h e m ost p ecu liar t h in g w as t h a t a
t or t oisesh ell sh ield —w h ich h ad a d iam et er of ar ou n d on e m et r e—h ad ap p ear ed
in h is r igh t h a n d .
H u o Yu h ao act ivat ed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , allow in g h im t o sen se t h at t h e

m ar t ial sou l r eleased b y t h e b lack -sh ir t ed you t h h ad a level of gr an d eu r t h at
w asn ’t an y w eak er t h an t h e Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon t h at Bei Bei
p ossessed .
“T an g Ya, d on ’t t h in k t h at I can ’t d o an yt h in g t o you ju st b ecau se you h ave

Bei Bei p r ot ect in g you .” As t h e b lack -sh ir t ed you t h let ou t a lo w r oar , h is eyes lit
u p w it h an ger .
T an g Ya lau gh ed cold ly. “Com e! Did you t h in k t h at I’d b e afr aid of t r ash lik e
you ?”
Bei Bei in d iffer en t ly said , “Xu San sh i, you ’ve b u llied m y ju n ior b r ot h er .
You ’ll h ave t o give m e an exp lan at ion for t od ay’s m at t er . If n ot , w e’ll go t o t h e
Sou l Du elin g Ar en a a n d set t le it w it h an official figh t .”
Xu San sh i t r em b led sligh t ly as h e p oin t ed at H u o Yu h ao an d ask ed , “H e’s you r

ju n ior b r ot h er ?”
Bei Bei exp r ession lessly n od d ed h is h ead .
Xu San sh i cold ly said , “So w h at ? H e d id n ’t give J ian g Nan n an an y face, n or

d id h e d id n ’t give m e an y face eit h er . It w as ju st t w o sk ew er s of r oast ed fish , an d
I alr ead y p aid for t h em .”
T an g Ya an gr ily said , “T h ose w er e t h e fish t h at H u o Yu h ao h a d saved for m e.

Bei Bei, w h y ar e you st ill list en in g t o h is b u llsh it ? Beat h im u p ! Beat h im u p u n t il
h e can ’t m ove an ym or e. I’ll give you a k iss lat er .”
Bei Bei’s face, w h ich h e’d or igin ally b een car efu lly con t r ollin g, fin ally
t w it ch ed w h en h e h ear d T an g Ya’s im p ish w or d s, w h o seem ed t o w an t t o see t h e
w or ld b u r n r igh t n ow .
Xu San sh i cu r led h is lip an d said t o Bei Bei, “You r T an g Ya’s st ill so b er ser k , I
see. I h aven ’t com p ar ed n ot es w it h you in a lon g t im e; w h y d on ’t w e
im m ed iat ely go t o t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a ? Let ’s go!”
As h e w as sp eak in g, h e t u r n ed ar ou n d a n d w alk ed aw ay w it h ou t p au sin g at

all. W it h a few st ep s h e ar r ived in fr on t of t h e exceed in gly b eau t ifu l la d y n am ed
J ian g Nan n an g. H is p r eviou sly an gr y exp r ession act u a lly t u r n ed t en d er t h e
in st an t h e ar r ived , a n d h e p assed t h e t w o sk ew er s of r oast ed fish t o h er . H e t h en
sp ok e in a gen t le voice. “Nan n an , you can eat fir st . I’ll b e b ack lat er .”
H ow ever , J ian g Na n n an w asn ’t gr at efu l at all. Sh e w as a lw ays ver y k in d

t ow ar d s ever yon e else, b u t sh e w as as cold as ice t ow ar d s Xu San sh i. Sh e
p r oceed ed t o sp eak in a cold voice, “Xu San sh i, I’ve t old you b efor e. T h er e’s n o
p ossib ilit y of an yt h in g h ap p en in g b et w een u s. Please st op b ot h er in g m e in t h e
fu t u r e.” On ce sh e’d fin ish ed sayin g t h is, sh e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d w alk ed aw ay.
A b u r st of em b ar r assm en t ap p ear ed on Xu San sh i’s face. H e su d d en ly

st r aigh t en ed h is b od y an d st ar ed a n gr ily at t h e cr ow d , w h o’d in -t u r n b een
w at ch in g t h e sh ow . “W h at ’r e you look in g at ? Go aw ay. Bei Bei, let ’s go.” Aft er
sayin g t h is, h e w a lk ed t ow ar d s t h e acad em y. T h e r oast ed fish in h is h an d w er e
t h r ow n t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
T an g Ya st ood in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao an d r aised h er h an d t o cat ch t h e fish .

H er m ovem en t s w er e ver y sm oot h an d gen t le, yet sh e seem ed t o h ave ca u gh t
t h e fish in a ver y n a t u r al m an n er . Sh e b lu n t ly t ook a b it e ou t of on e, w h ile sh e
u sed h er h an d t o p u ll H u o Yu h ao w it h h er as sh e at e. “Let ’s go w at ch som et h in g
fu n .”
T h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a w as an ext r em ely im p or t an t locat ion w it h in Sh r ek

Acad em y. It w as locat ed on t h e n or t h w est er n cor n er of t h e M ar t ial Sou l
In st it u t ion , an d w as close t o Sh r ek Acad em y. In fact , it w asn ’t t h at far fr om t h e
Sou l T ool T est in g Ar ea t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad visit ed b efor e. T h is w as a p lace t h at
m an y st u d en t s fr om all year s w ou ld fr eq u en t . You cou ld car r y ou t var iou s t yp es
of com p et it ion s w it h in t h is b u ild in g, w it h sp ecialised t each er s t o act as r efer ees.
T h e r efer ees w er e r esp on sib le for d et er m in in g t h e vict or of each com p et it ion ,
an d w er e a lso r esp on sib le for p r ot ect in g t h e st u d en t s, p r ovid in g assist a n ce
st u d en t s w h o n eed ed it , h ealin g in ju r ed st u d en t s, an d su ch . Nat u r a lly, all of t h is
n eed ed t o b e p aid for .
W h en car r yin g ou t a d u el in t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a, each p ar t y w ou ld n eed t o

p ay a m in im u m of t en gold sou l coin s for ar en a exp en ses. H ow ever , m an y
st u d en t s n ever gr ew b or ed of t h ese com p et it ion s, d u e t o t h e fact t h at t h er e w er e
n o r est r ict ion s w h ilst com p et in g h er e. Fu r t h er m or e, you d id n ’t n eed t o b e
afr aid of an y d an ger ou s sit u at ion s if you w er e t oo h eavy-h an d ed , sin ce t h e
t each er s w h o w er e act in g as r efer ees w ou ld k eep ever yt h in g u n d er con t r ol. At
t h e sam e t im e, st u d en t s w h o w on a m at ch w it h in t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a w ou ld
ob t ain a cer t ain am ou n t of cr ed it s, w h ich w ou ld , in t u r n , in cr ease on e’s m ar k s
b y a cer t ain am ou n t d u r in g t h eir an n u a l ad van cem en t t est .
Past t h eir fou r t h year , st u d en t s w h o w a n t ed t o con t in u e on t o b ecom e fift h -

year s an d sixt h -year s w ou ld n eed Sou l Du ellin g Cr ed it s. A fou r t h -year st u d en t
w h o w an t ed t o b ecom e a fift h -year st u d en t w ou ld n eed at least t en vict or ies
w it h in t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a over st u d en t s fr om h is sam e year gr ou p , w h ile
ad van cin g fr om a fift h -year t o a sixt h -year r equ ir ed even m or e cr ed it s. Sou l
Du ellin g Cr ed it s w er e su p p osed ly even m or e im p or t an t w h en on e w an t ed t o
en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d aft er b ecom in g a sixt h -year .
All com p et it ion s w it h in t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a w er e op en t o all st u d en t s, b u t

t h e en t r an ce fee w as on e silver sou l coin .
W h at ast on ish ed H u o Yu h ao t h e m ost w as t h e fact t h at Bei Bei an d Xu

San sh i’s d u el act u ally at t r act ed t h e at t en t ion of so m an y st u d en t s. An
over w h elm in g m ajo r it y of t h e st u d en t s w h o‘d b een w at ch in g t h e livelin ess
ou t sid e act u ally ch ose t o go w at ch t h e d u el, w it h n o car e for w h at year t h ey
w er e.
“T each er Xiao Ya, t h e sch ool m u st m ak e a lot of m on ey!” H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t

h elp b u t sp eak aft er h e h ear d T an g Ya’s sim p le in t r od u ct ion of t h e Sou l Du elin g
Ar en a.
T an g Ya r ep lied , “It ’s som et h in g t h e acad em y logically d eser ves. Sin ce t h e

acad em y is as lar ge as it is, it s exp en ses ar e n at u r ally ju st as la r ge. If t h ey h ad n ’t
t h ou gh t of a w ay t o m ak e m on ey, h ow w ou ld t h ey b e ab le t o m ain t ain t h e
acad em y? H ow ever , t h e t axes t h e acad em y levels in Sh r ek Cit y ar en ’t lit t le
eit h er . In an y case, ou r acad em y is t h e con t in en t ’s n u m b er on e acad em y in
t er m s of p r osp er it y. Righ t , lit t le Yu h ao, t h e st an d ar d of you r r oast ed fish h as
im p r oved even m or e. It ’s eit h er t h at , or t h e in gr ed ien t s t h at I got you ar e b et t er ,
sin ce it t ast es so good .”
T an g Ya fin ish ed h er t w o sk ew er s of r oast ed fish lon g b efor e t h ey r each ed t h e

Sou l Du elin g Ar en a. H u o Yu h ao w as alr ead y h u n gr y, so h e w en t ah ead an d
b ou gh t som e d in n er w h en t h ey w alk ed b y t h e can t een . W h en h e an d T an g Ya
ar r ived at t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a, t h er e w er e m an y p eop le flood in g in t o it . As
t h e n ew s of Xu San sh i an d Bei Bei’s d u el b egan t o sp r ead lik e w ild fir e, m or e an d
m or e st u d en t s st r ea m ed t ow ar d s t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a.
T an g Ya p aid t w o silver sou l coin s an d b r ou gh t H u o Yu h a o in t o t h e Sou l

Du elin g Ar en a. T h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a w as h exagon al, an d w as r ou gh ly as b ig
as Sh r ek Plaza. T h e cen t r e of t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a w as a lar ge op en ar ea,
w h ich w as clear ly t h e p lace w h er e st u d en t s w ou ld d u el again st on e an ot h er .
Fu r t h er m or e, it w a s su r r ou n d ed b y ar ou n d t h r ee t h ou san d ch air s t h a t r ose
p r ogr essively u p w ar d s.
W h en t h ey en t er ed , t h er e w er e alr ead y t w o t o t h r ee h u n d r ed st u d en t s sit t in g

ar ou n d t h e b at t lefield . T an g Ya an d H u o Yu h ao h ad ar r ived r elat ively ear ly on ,
so t h ey m an aged t o ob t ain seat s in t h e r ow t h at w as closest t o t h e b at t lefield . On
t h e ot h er h an d , t h e b at t lefield in fr on t of t h em w as em p t y; it w as u n k n ow n
w h er e Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i w er e.
T an g Ya k n ew t h at H u o Yu h ao w as u n fam iliar w it h t h e r u les for t h e Sou l

Du elin g Ar en a. T h u s, sh e d ecid ed t o exp lain t h em t o h im . “T h e Sou l Du elin g
Ar en a is op en ever yd ay, fr om d ism issal t o m id n igh t . St u d en t s w h o w ish t o car r y
ou t a d u el h a ve t o fir st p ay t h e fee an d r egist er . If b ot h p ar t ies ar e fair ly fam ou s
st u d en t s in t h e acad em y, t h e acad em y w ill u se a sou l t ool called a ‘m egap h on e’
t o b r oad cast t h e even t in or d er t o at t r act m or e view er s. T h e acad em y w ill t h en
k eep h alf of t h e t ick et in g fees, w h ile t h e w in n er w ill k eep t h e ot h er h alf. You r
eld est sen ior b r ot h er ’s alr ead y m ad e qu it e a b it of m on ey fr om d u elin g.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h at Xu San sh i is a fift h -year st u d en t , w h er eas h e’s ju st b ecom e a
fou r t h -year . Sin ce t h ey’r e sep ar at ed b y an en t ir e year , it ’s con sid er ed a
ch allen ge t h a t b yp asses w h at year t h ey’r e in . T h u s, t h a t Xu San sh i w ill h ave t o
give Bei Bei a n ad d it ion al t en gold sou l coin s if h e loses. You r eld est sen ior
b r ot h er an d t h a t Xu San sh i ar e b ot h ext r em ely fam ou s st u d en t s in t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d —t h ey’r e b ot h acclaim ed as gen iu ses. I’m gu essin g t h at t h e n u m b er of
p eop le w h o’ll sh ow u p t o w at ch w ill exceed five h u n d r ed .”
H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “T h en w h o w as t h at J ian g Nan n an ?”
T an g Ya r aised h er h an d an d h it H u o Yu h ao on t h e h ead . “You ’ve alr ead y

lear n t b ad t h in gs a t su ch a you n g age? You ’r e alr ead y look in g at p r et t y gir ls?
H m p h !”
H u o Yu h ao felt h is h ead t h r ob , an d d id n ’t d ar e t o ask again . In st ead , h e ch ose

t o t ak e ou t h is lu n ch b ox an d st ar t eat in g d in n er .
W h en sh e saw h is n aive ap p ear an ce, T an g Ya cou ld n ’t h elp b u t lau gh . “Fin e,

I’ll t ell you . J ian g Nan n an is k n ow n as t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ’s n u m b er on e
b eau t y. Sh e com es fr om an or d in ar y fa m ily, an d t r ea t s ever yb od y k in d ly. Sh e
h as cou n t less fan s w it h in t h e aca d em y. Do you t h in k t h at sh e’s p r et t ier t h a n
m e?”
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly sh ook h is h ead a few t im es.

T an g Ya w as som ew h at p leased as sh e said , “T h at ’s r igh t ! I d on ’t t h in k t h a t
sh e’s st r on ger t h an m e in an y ot h er ar ea eit h er , h m p h ! T h at gu y, Xu San sh i, h as
a ver y st r on g m u t a t ed m ar t ial sou l k n ow n as t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld
T u r t le. It ’s a d u al-at t r ib u t e m ar t ial sou l t h at p ossesses b ot h t h e w at er an d t h e
ear t h elem en t , an d h as an ext r em ely st r on g d efen se. It ’s b een called an
im p en et r ab le for t r ess b y som e. H is cu lt ivat ion is ar ou n d t h e sam e level as Bei
Bei’s, an d t h ey b ot h h ave fir st -r a t e m ar t ial sou ls. Don ’t w or r y, I’ve alr ead y
ven t ed som e an ger for you . I t h r ew a Dr a gon Bear d Need le at h im , w h ich sh ou ld
b e u n b ear ab le for h im . If h e w an t s t o p u r su e J ian g Nan n an , so b e it , b u t it w on ’t
d o if h e h u r t s an y of m y p eop le in t h e p r ocess. Sp eak in g of st r an ge, I’m
b egin n in g t o t h in k t h at J ian g Nan n an h as a p r ob lem w it h h er gen d er
or ien t at ion . T h er e ar e an en d less n u m b er of ou t st a n d in g m ale st u d en t s
p u r su in g h er , b u t sh e’s n ever t ak en a lik in g t o an y of t h em . W h en sh e r eject s
ot h er p eop le, sh e d oes it w it h a gen t le t on e. H ow ever , w h en sh e r eject s Xu
San sh i, it ’s w it h a r a r ely-seen cold n ess. I d on ’t k n ow if t h is is b ecau se Xu San sh i
t ook ad van t age of h er in som e w ay. On t h e ot h er h an d , t h ese p eop le w h o ar e
com in g t o w at ch Bei Bei an d Xu Sa n sh i a r e r eally in n ocen t ! T h ey on ly k n ow t h at
Bei Bei an d Xu Sa n sh i ar e r esp ect ively k n ow n t o p ossess t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ’s
st r on gest at t ack -t yp e m ar t ia l sou l an d t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ’s st r on gest d efen se-
t yp e m ar t ial sou l. H ow ever , t h ey d on ’t k n ow t h at t h ese t w o k n ow each ot h er .
I’m gu essin g t h a t t h ey’ve collu d ed t o b ot h ear n som e m on ey—t h at ’s w h y so
m an y of t h em r an over t o t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a.”
H u o Yu h ao sp ok e w it h ast on ish m en t , “Eld est sen ior b r ot h er an d t h at Xu

San sh i k n ow each ot h er ?”
T an g Ya n od d ed . “Lit t le Yu h ao, d on ’t w or r y. Even t h ou gh t h ey k n ow each

ot h er , you r eld est sen ior b r ot h er w ill st ill com p et e again st h im fier cely. H e
w on ’t let Xu San sh i b u lly you for n o r eason .”
Sou l Du elin g Ar en a, lob b y.
“Bei Bei, you r T an g Ya is t oo viciou s. Look at t h is, ju st lo ok at t h is…” Xu

San sh i h ad a d issa t isfied exp r ession as h e lift ed h is jack et t o sh ow Bei Bei
som et h in g. A b u lge t h e size of an in fan t ’s fist h ad alr ead y sw elled u p on t h e
r igh t sid e of h is w a ist . On ly, h e con t in u ed t o r elease h is m a r t ial sou l, ca u sin g t h e
sk in su r r ou n d in g t h at b u lge t o seem in gly b ecom e as h ar d as m et al.
Bei Bei sn or t ed an d r ep lied , “Ser ves you r igh t . W h o ask ed you t o b u lly ou r
ju n ior b r ot h er ? Less b u llsh it , give m e a M yst er iou s W a t er Pill an d I’ll r em ove
t h e Dr agon Bear d Need le for you . If n ot , t h en you can w ait t ill it d igs ou t a p iece
of you r flesh . T h is Dr agon Bear d Need le w as left b eh in d b y t h e fir st -gen er at ion
an cest or of t h e T an g Sect , an d w as on ly p assed d ow n t o t h e su ccessive sect
m ast er s. Xiao Ya w as r eally an gr y t h is t im e.”
Xu San sh i said , “T h at b r at w as act u ally som eon e w h o b elon ged t o you r T an g

Sect ? H e d oesn ’t look lik e h e h as an y ab ilit y at all! For get ab ou t t h e M yst er iou s
W at er Pill, q u ick ly h elp m e! T h is Dr agon Bear d Need le is t oo t oxic, it h u r t s lik e
h ell. It ’s also sp ecialised in b r eak in g t h r o u gh sou lfor ce. I can ’t b elieve I act u a lly
fell in t o T an g Ya’s t r ap b ecau se of m y car elessn ess. T h is is r ea lly d ep r essin g.”
Bei Bei look ed t ow ar d s t h e sk y an d r ep lied , “W h at ever . If you d on ’t w an t t o

give it t o m e, d on ’t give it t o m e. You h it m y ju n ior b r ot h er , p lu s you even
w r eck ed h is b oot h . You can slow ly en d u r e t h is Dr agon Bear d Need le t h en . T h e
d u el’s goin g t o st a r t soon an yw ay. I d on ’t b elieve t h a t you ’ll b e ab le t o com p et e
again st m e w it h t h a t Dr agon Bear d Need le in you .”
Xu San sh i sn or t ed an gr ily. “Fin e, Bei Bei, ju st w a it . You ju st w at ch h ow I t ak e

car e of you in t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a lat er . I w on ’t b e len ien t t ow ar d s you a t
all.”
Bei Bei sm iled an d said , “Do I n eed you t o b e len ien t t ow ar d s m e?” As h e
sp ok e, h e ext en d ed h is r igh t h an d t ow ar d s Xu San sh i a n d m ad e a gest u r e.
Xu San sh i u n w illin gly t ook ou t a d elicat e b ot t le m ad e ou t of w h it e jad e an d

t h r ew it t ow ar d s Bei Bei. Bei Bei cau gh t it an d said , “M an y t h an k s. Now ,
w it h d r aw you r m ar t ial sou l, I’ll h elp you r em ove t h e Dr agon Bear d Need le.”
On ly t h en d id Xu San sh i slow ly w it h d r aw h is m ar t ia l sou l. W it h ou t t h e
r est r ict ive effect of h is m ar t ial sou l, w aves of u n b ear ab le p ain im m ed ia t ely
sp r ead fr om t h e Dr agon Bear d Need le in t o h is b od y. Even w it h h is cu lt ivat ion
level an d w illp ow er , Xu San sh i act u ally cou ld n ’t st op h is b od y fr om t r em b lin g.
Bei Bei u sed h is r igh t h an d t o r ap id ly t ap a few p oin t s su r r ou n d in g Xu

San sh i’s w ou n d . Aft er w ar d s, h e sim u lt an eou sly m oved b ot h of h is h an d s,
cau sin g w aves of gen t le sou lfor ce t o u n ceasin gly p ou r in t o Xu San sh i’s cr am p ed
m u scles. Aft er a m om en t ’s w or k , a h air -lik e gold en st r an d slo w ly cam e ou t fr om
Xu San sh i’s w aist m u scles.
Bei Bei p u lled it ou t soft ly, cau sin g t h e gold en st r an d t o p op ou t of Xu San sh i’s
b od y, b efor e qu ick ly sh r in k in g in t o a gold en gr ain -sized p ea. W it h a flip of h is
w r ist , Bei Bei qu ick ly p u t it aw ay.
Xu San sh i let ou t a lon g sigh , as if a gr eat b u r d en h ad b een lift ed fr om h is

sh ou ld er s. H ow ever , h e st ill h ad an an gr y exp r ession . “Bei Bei, you ’r e t ak in g
ad van t age of m e. You k n ow h ow valu ab le t h is M yst er iou s W at er Pill is. H ow
ab ou t t h is? Let ’s m ak e a b et . If I w in ou r m at ch lat er on , you ’ll r et u r n t h at
M yst er iou s W at er Pill t o m e.”
Bei Bei sim p ly sm iled . “W h at if you lose?”
Xu San sh i sn or t ed a n d said , “I’ll give you on e t h ou san d gold sou l coin s.”
Bei Bei sh ook h is h ead b efor e sayin g, “T h at w on ’t d o. I k n ow t h at t h e

M yst er iou s W at er Pill isn ’t w or t h on ly a t h ou san d gold sou l coin s. I w on ’t m ak e
an u n fair b et w it h you .”
Xu San sh i an gr ily r et or t ed , “I on ly h ave t h at m u ch m on ey. If you d on ’t agr ee,

I’m goin g t o get ver y an gr y.”
Bei Bei sigh ed soft ly an d said , “Do I look lik e I lack m on ey? Fin e, I’ll give you
a ch an ce. I k n ow you st ill h ave m or e M yst er iou s W a t er Pills. T ak e an ot h er on e
ou t an d u se it as t h e w ager .”
A t r ace of su sp icion ap p ear ed in Xu Sa n sh i’s eyes. “W h y d o I feel lik e I’ve

fallen in t o you r t r ap ? It seem s lik e you ’r e su r e t h at you can b eat m e.”
Bei Bei st ill k ep t a w ar m sm ile on h is face. “You ’r e t h e p er son w h o w an t ed t o

m ak e a b et , n ot m e. You can st ill ch oose n ot t o b et . Also, d on ’t m oan an d gr oan
w h en you lose t o m e lat er on .”
Xu San sh i sn or t ed a n d said , “M e, lose? Alt h ou gh I can ’t gu ar an t ee t h a t I can

b eat you , it w on ’t b e easy for you t o b eat m e eit h er . If w e w er e t o t ie, h ow w o u ld
ou r b et w or k ?”
H ow ever , Bei Bei w asn ’t fooled b y h im . “T h en w e’ll each k eep w h at w e

alr ead y h ave. H u r r y u p , st op act in g lik e a sissy.”
Xu San sh i clen ch ed h is t eet h an d said , “Fin e, I’ll b et w it h you . You b ast ar d .

You m igh t n ot b e st r on ger t h an m e, b u t you ’r e ext r em ely cr aft y. I r eck on t h at
I’ve b een t r ick ed b y you again . If w or st com es t o w or st , I’ll ju st go su ck u p t o m y
d ad w h en I get b ack .”
Bei Bei’s st ill h ad a sm ile on h is face. Alt h ou gh Xu San sh i w a s t r yin g h is b est

t o look for a ch an ge in h is exp r ession , h e w asn ’t ab le t o n ot ice an yt h in g.
“You ! You ’r e n ot r eally st u p id , b u t you ’ll im m ed iat ely t u r n foolish t ow ar d s

an y m at t er t h at J ian g Nan n an ’s in volved in . I r eally d on ’t k n ow w h et h er you
t w o w er e som e sor t of en em ies in you r p r eviou s life. Even t h ou gh J ian g Nan n an
is p r et t y, t h er e ar e m an y excellen t fem ale st u d en t s in Sh r ek Acad em y. W h y d o
you in sist on givin g you r u n r eq u it ed love t o a flow er ?”
Xu San sh i u n h ap p ily said , “Don ’t b e an ar m ch air exp er t . If you ’r e so again st

w it h it , w h y d on ’t you give T an g Ya t o m e?”
Bei Bei st ood u p a n d r et or t ed , “You ’d b et t er qu ick ly ad ju st you r b od y’s

con d it ion so t h at you w on ’t b e u n con vin ced w h en you lose lat er . I’ll go fir st .”
H e’d alr ead y st ar t ed t o w alk ou t as h e sp ok e.
T an g Ya’s p r ed ict ion s w er e sp ot on . T h e n u m b er of st u d en t s t h at h ad

gat h er ed in t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar ea h ad gr ad u ally in cr eased , an d cu r r en t ly it
exceed ed fou r h u n d r ed . It w ou ld n ’t b e a p r ob lem at all t o gat h er five h u n d r ed
st u d en t s b y t h e t im e t h e d u el st a r t ed .
“H u o Yu h ao.” A voice t h at w as fu m in g w it h an ger cau sed H u o Yu h ao t o b e

st ar t led . W h en h e t u r n ed ar ou n d t o see w h o it w a s, h e saw t h e t id ily d r essed
W an g Don g aggr essively w alk in g t ow ar d s h im .
“W h y d id you com e?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed w it h a som ew h at gu ilt y t on e. W h en

h e saw W an g Don g, h e im m ed ia t ely r ecalled t h a t w h it e scen e...
W an g Don g’s face h ad b ot h sh ad es of r ed an d w h it e on it . H e sat d ow n n ext t o

H u o Yu h ao an d sp ok e w it h a low voice, “T ell m e, w h at d id you see?”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed for a m om en t . T h en h e r ep lied , “Ah ? I d id n ’t see

an yt h in g!”
W an g Don g sn or t ed an gr ily. “If you d on ’t k n ock n ext t im e, I’ll k ill you .”
H u o Yu h ao k n ew t h at h e w as in t h e w r on g, b u t h e st ill m u t t er ed t o h im self,
“W e’r e all m en ...it ’s n ot lik e you ’d su ffer a loss if I saw an yt h in g.”
“W h at d id you ju st say?” W an g Don g flew in t o a r age an d r aised h is h an d t o

gr ab H u o Yu h ao.
A slen d er p alm st r et ch ed over an d slap p ed W an g Don g’s h an d aw ay.

Aft er w ar d s, T an g Ya’s voice r an g ou t , “Lit t le Yu h ao, you h aven ’t in t r od u ced
h im t o m e.”
On ly t h en d id W an g Don g n ot ice T an g Ya’s exist en ce. W h en h e saw T an g Ya’s

exceed in gly b eau t ifu l face, h e w as sligh t ly st u n n ed . H ow ever , h e q u ick ly
r egain ed h is com p osu r e an d sn or t ed , b efor e ch oosin g t o ign or e H u o Yu h ao. At
fir st , aft er H u o Yu h ao h ad r u n off, W an g Don g h ad qu ick ly p u t h is clot h es on .
H ow ever , h e h ad n ’t b een ab le t o fin d an y t r aces of H u o Yu h ao’s exist en ce. H e’d
w an t ed t o m ed it at e, b u t w asn ’t ab le t o calm h im self d ow n a t all. At t h a t exact
m om en t , h e h ear d t h e an n ou n cem en t t h at w as b r oad cast t o t h e d or m s. T h u s, h e
d ecid ed t o go ou t a n d r elieve som e of h is b or ed om . H ow ever , h e d id n ’t t h in k
t h at h e’d b u m p in t o H u o Yu h ao an d T an g Ya h er e.
H u o Yu h ao q u ick ly said , “T each er Xiao Ya, t h is is m y r oom m at e W an g Don g.

W an g Don g, t h is is T an g Ya, on e of ou r sen ior classm at es.” H e w as on ly ab le t o
give a sim p le in t r od u ct ion su ch a s t h is.
W an g Don g n od d ed t ow ar d s T an g Ya, w h o sm iled an d said , “W h at a p r et t y

you n g b oy! I lik e h im ! Lit t le Yu h ao, h ow ab ou t you p er su ad e h im t o join ou r
T an g Sect ?”
W h en W an g Don g h ear d t h e t w o w or d s ‘T an g Sect ’, h is b od y t r em b led

sligh t ly. Ast on ish ed , h e said , “Bot h of you ar e fr om t h e T an g Sect ?”
T an g Ya n od d ed h er h ead a few t im es an d said , “Yeah , t h er e’s on ly t h r ee of u s
left in t h e T an g Sect . I’m t h e cu r r en t sect m ast er of t h e T an g Sect . H ow ab ou t it ,
ar e you ast on ish ed ? Com e, com e, t h e T an g Sect w elcom es you .”
Even t h ou gh T an g Ya w as u su a lly a ver y car efr ee p er son , an d alt h ou gh sh e

w as ju st casu ally sayin g t h is w it h ou t t h in k in g t h e m at t er t h r ou gh , an yon e w h o
t h ou gh t sh e w as d im -w it t ed w ou ld even t u ally su ffer a h u ge loss u n d er h er h an d .
Sh e’d alr ea d y seen h ow u n or d in ar y W a n g Don g w as. H is essen ce w as h id d en ,
an d h is sou l for ce h a d b een con d en sed . W it h ju st a glan ce you cou ld t ell t h at h is
cu lt ivat ion far su r p a ssed H u o Yu h ao’s.
H ow ever , T an g Ya w as su r p r ised w h en W an g Don g act u ally n od d ed at h er

p r op osal aft er a sh or t p er iod of b lan k n ess. H e qu ick ly said , “Su r e! I’ve alr ead y
h ear d ab ou t t h e m ir acu lou sn ess of t h e T an g Sect ’s h id d en w eap on s. Sect m ast er
T an g, I w ish t o join t h e T an g Sect . Plea se accep t m e.”
“Ah ? You r eally w an t t o join t h e T an g Sect ? Bu t ou r T an g Sect on ly h as t h r ee

p eop le left .” T an g Ya w as ext r em ely sh ock ed . Sh e look ed a t W an g Don g w it h a
p u zzled look .
W an g Don g n od d ed ser iou sly an d said , “I w ish t o join t h e T an g Sect an d lea r n

h ow t o u se h id d en w eap on s.”
T an g Ya’s exp r ession also t u r n ed solem n as sh e said , “I’ll h ave t o t h in k t h is

m at t er over . I’ll let H u o Yu h ao give you m y an sw er lat er .”
Du r in g t h e sh or t m om en t of t im e t h at t h ey’d b een t alk in g, Bei Bei h a d w alk ed

in t o t h e ar en a fr om t h e lou n ge. Som e of t h e st u d en t s sit t in g n ear t h e ar en a h ad
alr ead y st ar t ed t o sh ou t ou t h is n am e as h e ap p ear ed .
“T h u n d er b olt Bei Bei, T h u n d er b olt Bei Bei…”
Bei Bei sm iled t ow a r d s t h e sp ect at in g st u d en t s an d w aved at t h em , b u t h is

gaze w as sear ch in g t h r ou gh t h e view in g p lat for m .
On ly w h en T an g Ya st ood u p an d w aved at h im d id Bei Bei see w h er e t h ey
w er e. Becau se t h ey w er e sep ar at ed b y a gr eat d ist an ce, t h e t r io p r ob ab ly
w ou ld n ’t h ear an yt h in g if h e sp ok e. T h u s, h e ju st gest u r ed a few t im es at T an g
Ya.
T h e t w o h ad b een t o get h er for q u it e a w h ile alr ead y, so T an g Ya im m ed ia t ely

r et u r n ed a few gest u r es t o sh ow t h at sh e u n d er st ood w h at h e m ean t , b efor e
sit t in g b ack d ow n .
“Lit t le Yu h ao, w h at ’s t h e m axim u m r an ge of you r Sp ir it u al Det ect io n

Sh ar in g?” T an g Ya w h isp er ed in t o H u o Yu h ao’s ear .
H u o Yu h ao an sw er ed , “If it ’s on ly in on e d ir ect ion , ab ou t fift y m et r es or so.”
Ear lier , h e’d t est ed t h e lim it of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w h en it w as u sed in a

sin gle d ir ect ion w it h W an g Don g. If h e r eleased it n or m ally, it h ad a d iam et er of
t h ir t y m et r es. T h is m ean t t h a t it on ly a fift een m et r e r ad iu s. On t h e ot h er h an d ,
fift y m et r es w as alr ead y m or e t h an t w ice h is lim it . H ow ever , it con su m ed a
lar ge am ou n t of H u o Yu h ao’s sou l for ce w h en h e d ir ect ed it lik e t h at .
T an g Ya im m ed iat ely r aised h er r igh t h an d an d m ad e a few h an d gest u r es

t ow ar d s Bei Bei, w h o n od d ed b ack at h er .
At t h is m om en t , Xu San sh i also w alk ed in t o t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a. T h er e

w as a for t y-or -so year -old t each er w h o follow ed h im ou t .
W h en t h ey r each ed t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a, Xu San sh i an d Bei Bei b ot h h ad a

cold look of con cen t r at ion on t h eir faces. T h is w asn ’t t h eir fir st t im e com p et in g
again st each ot h er in t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a. In t h e p ast , t h ey’d b ot h ach ieved
vict or ies over on e a n ot h er , b u t m ost of t h eir d u els h ad en d ed in t ies. T h ey’d
t r u ly m an aged t o ear n a lot of m on ey fr om t h is Sou l Du elin g Com p et it ion , t h u s
t h ey n at u r a lly cou ld n ’t r eveal t h e fact t h at t h ey w er e close fr ien d s.
T h e t each er t h at w as act in g as t h e r efer ee w alk ed t o t h e cen t r e of t h e ar en a,

t h en sa id in a low voice, “Fou r t h year st u d en t ‘Bei Bei’ is ch allen gin g fift h year
st u d en t ‘Xu San sh i’. If Xu San sh i loses t h is m at ch , h e w ill h ave t o p ay an
ad d it ion al t en gold sou l coin s t o Bei Bei. You ’ve alr ead y m ad e you r b et s in
p r ivat e. Ar e you t w o r ead y?”
Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i b ot h sim u lt an eou sly n od d ed .

Chapt er 13.1: M yst er ious Wat er Pill
“M at ch , st ar t .” Aft er an n ou n cin g t h e st ar t of t h e m at ch , t h e r efer ee r ap id ly

r et r eat ed . Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i t h en r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls alm ost
sim u lt an eou sly.
T h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a t h at h ad p r eviou sly b een clam ou r in g in st an t ly

b ecam e silen t , ever yon e’s at t en t ion n ow focu sed on t h e t w o p eop le in t h e ar en a.
As in flu en t ial figu r es w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y’s ou t er cou r t yar d , ever y sin gle d u el
b et w een Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i w ou ld sh a k e on e t o t h e cor e. T h e ot h er st u d en t s
loved it w h en t h ey fou gh t again st each ot h er . Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w er e even
m an y st u d en t s w h o p r ivat ely m ad e b et s again st on e an ot h er .
Blu e ligh t n in g gat h er ed ar ou n d Bei Bei’s b od y, an d h is r igh t ar m exp an d ed

r ap id ly. As t h e b lu e ligh t n in g w r eat h ed h is b od y, h is m ar t ial sou l, t h e Blu e
Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon , w as r eleased .
On t h e ot h er sid e, Xu San sh i d id n ’t sh ow an y w eak n esses at all. H is b od y

exp an d ed on ce again , cau sin g h is u n ifor m t o st r et ch ou t w a r d s. Follow in g t h at ,
t h e m assive t or t oisesh ell sh ield ap p ear ed in h is r igh t h a n d aga in as w ell.
T h e t w o b egan t o slow ly w alk ar ou n d t h e ou t sid e of t h e ar en a as t h ey st ar ed

at on e an ot h er w it h p ier cin g gazes. T h e st r on g sou lfor ce t h at w as b ein g em it t ed
fr om t h e t w o of t h em —on e b lu e an d on e b lack —in cr eased in st r en gt h
u n ceasin gly. T h e d iffer en ces b et w een t h e t w o d iffer en t t yp es of sou lfor ce cou ld
clear ly b e seen .
On t h e su r face, t h ey look ed lik e t h ey look ed lik e t h ey w er e even ly m at ch ed .

Bot h of t h em w er e Sou l Eld er exp er t s t h at p ossessed t h r ee sou l r in gs, an d b ot h
of t h em w er e b at t le-t yp e Sou l Eld er s. Fr om t h eir m ar t ial sou ls, Bei Bei w as
clear ly an assau lt syst em Sou l Eld er , w h ile Xu San sh i—w h o p ossessed a sh ield —
w as h igh ly lik ely t o b e a d efen se syst em Sou l Eld er .
On e of t h em h ad t h e Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon t h at w as k n ow n as t h e
m ar t ial sou l w it h t h e h igh est am ou n t of at t ack p ow er , w h ile t h e ot h er h ad a
m u t at ed m ar t ial so u l t h at h ad an en or m ou s level of d efen se, t h e M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld T u r t le. It w as h ar d t o say w h o w ou ld w in .
W an g Don g seem ed t o h ave for got t en ab ou t h is issu e w it h H u o Yu h ao as h e

silen t ly b egan t o con cen t r at e on t h e t w o p eop le in t h e ar en a. H u o Yu h ao w as t h e
sam e. T h eir m ood s h ad in volu n t a r ily flu ct u a t ed t ow ar d s follow in g t h e t w o
com p et in g Sou l Eld er s.
Aft er r eleasin g h is m ar t ial sou l, Bei Bei’s gen t le t em p er am en t in st an t ly

t u r n ed sh a r p . On t h e ot h er h an d , Xu San sh i’s h ot t em p er seem ed t o h a ve cooled
d ow n , an d a m ou n t a in -lik e st ab ilit y h ad a p p ear ed .
W h en Xu San sh i r each ed t h e a r ea t h a t w as closest t o H u o Yu h ao an d t h e

ot h er s, Bei Bei su d d en ly r oar ed , an d ch ar ged t ow ar d s Xu San sh i lik e a b olt of
ligh t n in g.
Xu San sh i w as sligh t ly st ar t led . H e h ad n ’t exp osed an y w eak n esses, an d t h is

w asn ’t a gr eat op p or t u n it y for Bei Bei eit h er ! W h en d id Bei Bei b ecom e so
im p u lsive?
Alt h ou gh Xu San sh i t h ou gh t t h is in h is h ear t , h e d id n ’t d ar e t o b e slow at all.

H e w as ext r em ely clear on t h e exp losive p ow er t h at Bei Bei cou ld r elease w h en
h e at t ack ed .
W h en Bei Bei w as on ly five or so m et r es aw ay fr om Xu San sh i, h e su d d en ly

leap t u p w ar d s an d sen t h is r igh t a r m , w h ich w as cover ed w it h t h ick scales,
t ow ar d s Xu San sh i’s h ead . Blu e ligh t n in g w r ap p ed it self ar ou n d Bei Bei’s
d r acon ic claw , sign ifyin g t h at h e cou ld r elease h is sou l sk ill at an y t im e.
H ow ever , Xu San sh i r em ain ed calm an d u n h u r r ied . H e sligh t ly sh ift ed h is

r igh t foot b ack h alf a st ep , an d sligh t ly cr ou ch ed d ow n . H e p laced h is sh ield in
fr on t of h is b od y, allow in g it t o com p let ely p r ot ect h is b od y. M ean w h ile, p it ch -
b lack sou lfor ce su r ged ou t fr om h is t or t oisesh ell sh ield , fain t ly for m in g a b lack
h alo of ligh t t h at b ot h sh r ou d ed an d p r ot ect ed h im .
“Boom —” Bei Bei’s d r acon ic claw collid ed fer ociou sly again st t h e t h ick b lack
t or t oisesh ell sh ield , cau sin g t h e t w o of t h eir b od ies t o sim u lt an eou sly sh ak e. Bei
Bei r ap id ly h alt ed h is at t ack an d fell b ack , w h ile Xu San sh i slid b ack w ar d s.
Of Xu San sh i’s t h r ee sou l r in gs, h is h u n d r ed year so u l r in g su d d en ly lit u p ,

cau sin g t h e b lack ligh t em it t ed b y h is t or t oisesh ell sh ield t o im m ed iat ely b e
d ou b led . A st r on g b lack h alo sp r ead ou t fr om h is sh ield , cover in g a fu ll t en or so
sq u ar e m et r es. It w as lik e an en or m ou s h ood t h at p u sh ed ou t w ar d s. It even
em it t ed r u m b lin g sou n d s as it w as r eleased .
T h is w as M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e, Xu San sh i’s fir st sou l sk ill.
T h is w as a w id e r an ge k n ock b ack sk ill t h at also h ad a d izzyin g effect . If h is

op p on en t ’s cu lt ivat ion w as in fer ior t o h is, t h ey w ou ld feel d izzy an d b e k n ock ed
b ack w ar d s. At t h e ver y least , t h is sk ill cou ld allow Xu Sa n sh i t o p u ll som e
d ist an ce fr om h is en em ies.
H ow ever , Xu San sh i n ever exp ect ed Bei Bei t o b e so d et er m in ed .
W h en Xu San sh i r eleased h is fir st sou l sk ill, b ot h Bei Bei’s secon d an d t h ir d

sou l r in gs u n exp ect ed ly lit u p at t h e sam e t im e.
T h e fir st t o act iva t e w as h is t h ir d r in g, w h ich w as h is t h ou san d year on e. As

it s ligh t exp an d ed ou t w ar d s, a low r u m b lin g sou n d su d d en ly exp lod ed fr om Bei
Bei’s b od y, cau sin g h is en t ir e b od y t o em it st r on g b lu ish p u r p le ligh t n in g. T h e
scales on h is r igh t h a n d sp r ea d r ap id ly t o w ar d s h is b od y, en ca p su lat in g t h e r igh t
sid e of h is ch est w it h in t h em . Follow in g t h at , t h e a u r a su r r ou n d in g h is b od y
in st an t ly r ose.
T h is w as T h u n d er ou s Fu r y.
Follow in g t h at , h is secon d sou l r in g flash ed , cau sin g m a n y t h ick elect r ic

sn ak es t o in st an t ly b u r st ou t w ar d s fr om Bei Bei’s b od y.
W h en Bei Bei com b in ed h is secon d an d t h ir d sou l sk ills, t h ey m an aged t o
n egat e Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e. Even if Xu San sh i w a s w id ely
r ecogn ised for h is d efen se, h is M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu a k e w asn ’t ab le t o
k n ock Bei Bei aw ay.
A h ole w as for cib ly t or n in t o t h e b lack h ood for m ed b y Xu San sh i’s sk ill. Bei
Bei ign or ed t h e assa u lt s of t h e b lack st r eam s of air an d st u b b or n ly for ced h is
w ay in .
Xu San sh i w as st ar t led , b u t h is m ovem en t s d id n ’t slow d ow n in t h e least . H is

secon d an d t h ir d sou l r in gs a lso lit u p in su ccession . H e w as all t oo fam iliar w it h
Bei Bei’s p ow er , an d w as ext r em ely con fid en t in h is ow n d efen se. Alt h ou gh h e
d id n ’t feel 10 0 % cer t ain t h at h e cou ld d efeat Bei Bei, Bei Bei a b solu t ely w ou ld n ’t
b e ab le t o b eat h im if h e con cen t r at ed fir m ly on h is d efen se.
H ow ever , in t h e in st an t t h a t h e r elea sed h is secon d an d t h ir d sou l sk ills, h e

su d d en ly felt as if h is b r ain h ad b een p ier ced b y a n eed le. A t r ace of fu zzin ess
in st an t ly ap p ear ed in h is con sciou sn ess, cau sin g h is t w o sou l sk ills t o su d d en ly
t u r n slu ggish for a m om en t . H e’d act u a lly b een u n ab le t o im m ed iat ely r elease
t h em .
Bei Bei’s p ou n cin g b od y su d d en ly t u r n ed illu sor y. T h is w as t h e T an g Sect ’s

Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack s. H is b od y cr ou ch ed sligh t ly d ow n w ar d s, an d
h is en t ir e b od y seem ed t o slid e alon g t h e gr ou n d . H e u sed h is r igh t claw t o h ook
on t o t h e b ot t om of t h e t or t oisesh ell sh ield , w h ilst sim u lt an eo u sly slid in g b eh in d
it .
Even if Xu San sh i w an t ed t o r elease h is sou l sk ills, it w as t oo lat e. Let t in g Bei

Bei get ar ou n d h is sh ield lik e t h is h ad alr ead y d oom ed h im t o t r aged y.
Bei Bei u sed h is r igh t foot t o st am p d ir ect ly on Xu Sa n sh i’s calf, an d

u n d er n eat h t h e st r en gt h en in g effect s of T h u n d er ou s Fu r y, t h e ligh t n in g of
Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt in st an t ly su r ged for t h . In t h e n ext m om en t , Xu San sh i’s
b od y w as on ly ab le t o t r em b le in it s or igin al locat ion . On t h e ot h er h an d , Bei
Bei’s en or m ou s d r acon ic ar m d u g d ir ect ly in t o h is sh ou ld er . T h e ou t com e of t h e
b at t le h ad b een set t led , ju st lik e t h a t .
T h e m at ch h ad en d ed even fast er t h an m ost p eop le h ad exp ect ed , so m u ch so

t h at t h er e w er e m a n y p eop le w h o sim p ly h ad n 't seen w h at h ap p en ed . Bei Bei
h ad gon e ar ou n d Xu San sh i's t or t oisesh ell ar m or 's d efen se an d t h en su b d u ed h is
op p on en t in or d er t o ob t ain vict or y.
“Bei Bei w in s.” T h e r efer ee’s voice r an g ou t , an n ou n cin g t h e vict or . H e d id n ’t

st op Bei Bei fr om t h r ow in g Xu San sh i t o t h e gr ou n d eit h er .
Xu San sh i’s b od ily r esist an ce w as in d eed ext r em ely st r on g, w h ich w as sh ow n

b y h ow h is t r em b lin g im m ed ia t ely st op p ed w h en Bei Bei w it h d r ew h is
ligh t n in g. H ow ever , h is w or d s w er e st ill som ew h at scat t er ed . “You , you w er e
ch eat in g.” Alt h ou gh h e d id n ’t k n ow h ow Bei Bei h ad ch eat ed , h e k n ew t h a t h e
d efin it ely w asn ’t t h e r eason for h is sou l sk ills b ein g slow ed d ow n b y h alf a b eat
ear lier . Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d b een fu lly con cen t r at ed on h is d efen se. T h e fact t h at
Bei Bei h a d act u ally b een ab le fin d t h e w eak est sp ot in h is d efen se in on ly a
sin gle m om en t w as com p let ely ou t r ageou s.
“Ch eat in g m y ass. If you w an t t o b et w it h m e, you h ave t o accep t you r loss.

Give m e t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill you ow e m e.” Bei Bei sm iled as h e u sed h is
d r acon ic claw t o p ou r a b it of h is ligh t in g-t yp e sou lfor ce b ack in t o Xu San sh i’s
b od y, cau sin g Xu San sh i’s t a ll b od y t o t r em b le all over on ce a gain .
H ow cou ld Xu San sh i k n ow t h at a p er son in t h e st an d s h a d alr ea d y fain t ed

solely for t h e sak e of h elp in g Bei Bei b eat h im ?
T h at ’s r igh t ; t h e p ier cin g p ain t h a t Xu San sh i h a d felt in h is b r ain w h en h e’d

w an t ed t o act iva t e h is secon d an d t h ir d sou l sk ills h ad com e fr om H u o Yu h ao’s
Pu r p le Dem on Eyes an d Sp ir it Sh ock . Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s cu lt ivat ion
w asn ’t t h at h igh , t h e in st an t an eou s at t a ck p ow er gen er at ed b y t h e com b in at ion
of t h e t w o sk ills st ill m a d e Xu San sh i, w h ose b od y h ad b een com p let ely
p r ot ect ed b y sou lfor ce, su ffer a loss.
H u o Yu h ao h a d b een r ou gh ly t h ir t y m et r es aw ay fr om Xu Sa n sh i, w h ich w as
p er fect ly w it h in t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it Sh ock .
Not on ly t h at , b efor e r eleasin g t h ese t w o sk ills, H u o Yu h ao h ad even u sed h is

Sp ir it u al Det ect ion an d Sp ir it u a l Sh ar in g in or d er t o h elp Bei Bei fin d a w eak
p oin t in Xu San sh i’s d efen se.
It cou ld b e said t h a t t h is sh or t in st an t w as H u o Yu h ao’s best p er for m an ce

sin ce b ecom in g a sou l m ast er . H e’d con secu t ively u sed t h r ee sou l sk ills, as w ell
as t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, t o for cefu lly d ir ect t h e ou t com e of a m at ch b et w een
t w o even ly m at ch ed ad ver sar ies.
T h e scen es b efor e t h e m at ch —
T h e few gest u r es t h at Bei Bei h ad m a d e t ow ar d s T an g Ya h ad b een m ean t t o

t ell h er t o ask H u o Yu h ao t o h elp ou t , an d t h e r eason t h at Bei Bei h ad u n leash ed
h is at t ack s on Xu San sh i w h en h e h ad n ’t r eceived an y op p or t u n it ies w as b ecau se
T an g Ya h ad t old h im t h e r an ge of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g.
T h is vict or y act u ally b elon ged t o t o t h e com b in ed effor t s of bot h Bei Bei an d
H u o Yu h ao.
Ot h er t h an T an g Ya an d Bei Bei, w h o w as in t h e ar en a, W an g Don g w as t h e

on ly w h o’d sen sed it . W h en H u o Yu h ao h ad u sed h is sou l sk ill, alt h ou gh h e’d
d elib er at ely con t r olled t h e sou l r in g t h at h ad ap p ear ed b elow h is feet so t h at it
d id n ’t r ise u p w ar d s, h ow cou ld h e h id e t h e u n d u lat ion s of sou lfor ce r eleased b y
it fr om W an g Don g, w h o w as sit t in g r igh t n ext t o h im ?
W an g Don g clear ly saw a fain t -gold colou r ap p ear in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, w h ich
h ad alm ost in st an t a n eou sly t u r n ed m u ch m or e vib r an t in t h e n ext m om en t .
Fin ally, a p u r p le ligh t h ad flash ed t h r ou gh t h em . Righ t aft er t h at , h e’d d ir ect ly
t ilt ed t ow ar d s h im , u n con sciou s.
As W an g Don g su b con sciou sly h eld on t o H u o Yu h ao, t h e m at ch in t h e ar en a

h ad alr ead y fin ish ed .
“H e, w h at h ap p en ed t o h im ?” W an g Don g ask ed w it h a n ast on ish ed t on e.
T an g Ya w as also st ar t led w h en sh e saw H u o Yu h ao collap se. Sh e h u r r ied ly

exam in ed H u o Yu h ao’s con d it ion , b efor e let t in g ou t a sigh of r elief. “H e’s
sim p ly over d r aw n h is sou lfor ce, t h er e’s n ot h in g w r on g w it h h im . Let ’s go.” It
w as b et t er t o leave t h e cr im e scen e aft er d oin g som et h in g b ad . Fu r t h er m or e,
T an g Ya w as in w ar d ly p u zzled . H ow h ad t h e effect iven ess of Lit t le Yu h ao’s
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g b een so gr eat ? Bei Bei’s or igin al in t en t ion h a d ju st
b een t o u se it t o let h im t ak e t h e in it iat ive in t h e figh t !
Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i’s cu lt ivat ion level w er e ab ou t t h e sam e, so t h e p er son

w h o w as ab le t o seize a d ecisive op p or t u n it y w ou ld h a ve t h e b est ch an ce at
vict or y. H ow ever , sh e n ever t h ou gh t t h at h e’d act u ally w in t h e m at ch in on e
b low .
H u o Yu h ao w as t r u ly t oo exh au st ed . Aft er a fu ll d ay of p h ysical t r ain in g,
com b in ed w it h t h e m an y t im es t h at h e’d u sed h is sou l sk ills, t h e over -
exh au st ion cau sed h im t o fall in t o a ver y t h or ou gh u n con sciou s st at e, w h er e h e
w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o w ak e u p for q u it e a w h ile. T h is w as also on e of h is b od y’s
self-d efen se m ech an ism s.
T an g Ya an d W an g Don g car r ied H u o Yu h ao b ack t o h is d or m r oom t oget h er .

By t h e t im e t h ey r each ed t h e d or m , Bei Bei h ad cau gh t u p . Aft er u sin g h is
sou lfor ce t o h elp H u o Yu h ao’s b od y r ecover , h e t ook ou t a p or celain b ot t le an d
t u m p ed ou t a m ed ica l p ill, w h ich h e sh ov ed in t o H u o Yu h ao’s m ou t h .
“Lit t le b r ot h er , p lea se t ak e car e of h im .” Up p er classm en w er en ’t allow ed t o

en t er t h e d or m it or ies of low er classm en ; t h is w as a r u le set b y Sh r ek Acad em y.
T h u s, Bei Bei cou ld on ly ask W an g Don g t o h elp h im ou t .
W an g Don g’s gaze w as sligh t ly b lan k . H e cam e fr om a p r est igiou s fam ily, so
h e w as k n ow led geab le ab ou t m an y t h in gs. Ear lier , h e h ad clear ly seen t h e p ill
t h at Bei Bei h ad t ak en ou t .
It h ad b een a d ar k b lu e p ill ab ou t t h e size of a ch er r y, w it h m an y vein s of

var iou s sh ad es of w h it e on it s su r face. W h en h e’d t ak en it ou t of t h e p or celain
b ot t le, t h e p ill h a d even b een su r r ou n d ed b y a fain t layer of m ist . Fu r t h er m or e,
it s fr esh sm ell t h at h ad lin ger ed in t h e air w as som et h in g d eep ly r efr esh in g t o
t h e m in d .
W as t hat a M yst er i ous W at er Pi l l ? No w ay. W an g Don g w as gobsm ack ed.
I t w asn ’ t on l y h i m . Even t h e ol d m an w h o w as l azi l y r ecl i n i n g n ext t o t h e

en t r an ce w i den ed h i s eyes sl i gh t l y f or a m om en t bef or e he r et ur n ed t o h i s
or i gi n al st at e.
T an g Ya ask ed W an g Don g, “ Li t t l e cut i e, w h en l i t t l e Yuh ao w ak es up, pl ease

r em i n d h i m t o go buy som e f i sh t om or r ow . W h en I get back , I ’ l l pr epar e
an ot h er set of w h at I gave h i m ear l i er t oday.”
Bei Bei u n h ap p ily r et or t ed , “You on ly k n ow h ow t o eat . You alm ost h ar m ed
m y lit t le ju n ior b r ot h er t od ay.”
T an g Ya h u m p h ed an d said , “Don ’t give m e t h at . I k n ow t h at you alr ead y h ad

b ad in t en t ion s t ow ar d s Xu San sh i b eh in d h is b ack . T h at gu y’s as d u m b as a r ock ,
so su r e en ou gh , h e w as d u p ed b y you . You ju st h ap p en ed t o gr ab t h e
op p or t u n it y.”
Bei Bei in n ocen t ly sa id , “If som eon e w an t s t o give m e a p r esen t , w h at else can
I d o b u t r eceive it ? All I can say is t h at ou r lit t le ju n ior b r ot h er ’s lu ck is q u it e
good . Let ’s go b ack an d cu lt ivat e. I r em em b er a cer t ain som eon e w h o said t h at
sh e’d give m e a k iss if I w er e t o b eat Xu Sa n sh i. You sh ou ld k eep you r p r om ises.”
T an g Ya st u ck h er t on gu e ou t at h im . “I a sk ed you t o b eat h im u n t il h e w asn ’t

even ab le t o t ak e car e of h im self. Did you d o t h at ? If n ot , go cu lt ivat e!”
W an g Don g su d d en ly said , “Sen ior T an g Ya, p lease con sid er m y qu est ion for a
w h ile. I r eally w an t t o join t h e T an g Sect .”
T an g Ya n od d ed h er h ead an d w aved at h im , w h ile Bei Bei r evealed a

p on d er in g look on h is face. Aft er w ar d s, h e sm iled at W an g Don g b efor e p u llin g
T an g Ya aw ay.
W an g Don g car r ied H u o Yu h ao b ack t o t h eir d or m r oom an d p laced h im on t o

h is b ed . T h e im age of t h e p ill t h at Bei Bei h ad fed t o H u o Yu h ao w as st ill p r esen t
in h is m in d . Aft er soft ly sh ak in g h is h ea d an d glar in g fier cely at H u o Yu h ao, h e
m u t t er ed t o h im self, “I’m n ot scar ed of get t in g an eye in fect ion aft er seein g
w h at I w asn ’t su p p osed t o see. Sleep in g on a h ar d b ed ser ves you r igh t .” W h ilst
sp eak in g, h e ju m p ed b ack on t o h is ow n b ed an d st ar t ed m ed it at in g in a cr oss-
legged p osit ion . T h e p h ysical t r ain in g t h at h e’d u n d er gon e t od ay h ad also b een
ext r em ely effect ive.
H u o Yu h ao’s sleep t h is t im e a r ou n d w a s esp ecially sou n d . Ever sin ce h e’d

en t er ed t h e T an g Sect , h e’d b een b it t er ly cu lt ivat in g t h e M yst er iou s H eaven
T ech n iq u e. T h is w a s t h e fir st t im e sin ce t h en t h a t h e’d b een ab le t o sleep
p eacefu lly.
In h is d r eam , h e felt as if h e w as im m er sed w it h in a r elaxin g p ool. T h e

en su in g feelin g of r elaxat ion cau sed h im t o let ou t a m oan .
Not lon g aft er st ar t in g h is m ed it at ion , W an g Don g op en ed h is eyes on ce again

an d look ed —ast on ish ed —t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as st ill lyin g on h is b ed .
H e’d b een r ou sed aft er sen sin g t h e st r on g flu ct u a t ion s of sou lfor ce in t h e air .
Su r e en ou gh , t h e st r on g flu ct u a t ion s of sou lfor ce h e’d felt w er e b ein g em it t ed

fr om H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. It w a s alr ea d y n igh t t im e, so t h e fa in t b lu e ligh t t h a t
w as com in g fr om H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as esp ecially n ot iceab le in t h e d ar k .
W an g Don g ju m p ed d ow n fr om h is b ed an d squ a t t ed q u iet ly b esid e H u o

Yu h ao’s b ed t o car efu lly ob ser ve h im . H e d iscover ed t h at H u o Yu h ao’s sk in
seem ed t o b e r isin g an d fallin g sligh t ly. Fu r t h er m or e, as it r ose an d fell, a few
t in y st r eam s of air w er e b ein g con t in u ou sly em it t ed fr om h is p or es. T h ese w er e
t h e flu ct u a t ion s of sou lfor ce t h at h e’d sen sed . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e fain t b lu e m ist
su r ged u n ceasin gly in t o h is p or es b efor e su r gin g b ack ou t an d , follow in g t h e
p assin g of t im e, t h e colou r of t h e m ist gr ad u ally t u r n ed sligh t ly d ar k er . At t h e
sam e t im e, t h e r efr esh in g sm ell in t h e a ir gr ad u ally w eak en ed .
“It ’s t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill... it ’s act u ally t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill t h a t ’s

w or t h t en t h ou san d gold . W h y w ou ld sen ior Bei Bei ca su ally give h im su ch a
p r eciou s p ill?! Don ’t t ell m e t h at h e gave H u o Yu h ao t h e w r on g p ill?” W an g
Don g sp ok e t o h im self w it h a sh ock ed t on e.
Aft er a b r ief m om en t of sh ock , W an g Don g p lan n ed t o r et u r n t o h is b ed an d

sleep . H ow ever , h e su d d en ly t h ou gh t of som et h in g, an d som ew h at h elp lessly
w alk ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s b ed . H e t h en w aved h is fist a r ou n d an d h u m p h ed .
“T h an k s t o you , I ca n ’t sleep even w h en I h ave a b ed . H m p h , ju st w ait .” As h e
sp ok e, h e r olled u p h is b ed d in g an d p u t it aw ay in h is st or age-t yp e sou l t ool.
Aft er w ar d s, h e qu iet ly left t h e d or m r oom . No on e k n ew w h er e h e w en t .
Not lon g aft er W an g Don g left , t h e sm ell em it t ed b y t h e m ist su r r ou n d in g

H u o Yu h ao’s b od y gr ad u ally t u r n ed fr om a sw eet sm ell t o a fish y sm ell, an d it s
colou r also d ar k en ed even m or e. Follow in g t h at , H u o Yu h ao’s b r eat h in g b ecam e
in cr easin gly calm .
T h is t im e ar ou n d , H u o Yu h ao’s sleep w as t r u ly r elaxin g an d p eacefu l. T h e

t h in g t h at fin ally w ok e h im u p w a s b ecau se of h ow st ick y h e felt . On ce h is
con sciou sn ess h ad r et u r n ed , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sn eeze lou d ly.
“H oly sh it , t h is sm ell! W h at 's t h is sm ell com in g fr om !?” H u o Yu h ao r olled

over an d sat u p . H e su b con sciou sly t h ou gh t t h at t h is w as W an g Don g d oin g
som et h in g cr azy t o h im .
H ow ever , w h en h e op en ed h is eyes t o look at t h e b ed op p osit e h im , h e

d iscover ed t h at it w a s b ar r en . W an g Don g w asn ’t in t h e r oom .
It w as st ill d ar k ou t sid e w h en h e w ok e u p , b u t H u o Yu h ao qu ick ly d iscover ed
t h at som et h in g seem ed t o b e off. H e cou ld see ever y sin gle b it of d et ail w it h in
t h e r oom —alm ost as if h is eyes w er en ’t affect ed b y t h e d ar k n ess at all.
In t h e p ast , alt h ou gh h e cou ld ’ve ach ieved t h is level of vision , it w ou ld ’ve

r equ ir ed t h e h im t o b ot h cir cu lat e h is so u lfor ce an d r elease h is Sp ir it Eyes. Bu t
n ow , h e d id n ’t even n eed t o u se h is m ar t ial sou l t o r each t h e sam e level of
vision !
W h en h e look ed d ow n w ar d s, h e d iscover ed t h at h is u n ifor m h ad act u ally

t u r n ed p it ch -b lack ; t h e st in k y sm ell t h a t h e’d com p lain ed a b ou t w as com in g
fr om h is u n ifor m . M or eover , a layer of p it ch -b lack filt h h a d also ap p ear ed on h is
sk in w h er e t h e u n ifor m d id n ’t cover it . H e felt as if h e’d b een d r op p ed in t o a p ile
of slu d ge b efor e b ein g t h r ow n b ack on t o h is b ed .
“I’m p r et t y su r e t h a t W an g Don g d oesn ’t h at e m e t h is m u ch …” H u o Yu h ao

w as left som ew h at sp eech less as h e look ed h im self over . W h en h e st ood u p , h e
n ot iced t h at h is w ood en b ed w as cover ed w it h a d en se layer of b lack filt h .
J u st w h at w as t h is?
T h e sm ell t h at w as p r esen t on b ot h h is b od y an d t h e b ed w er e t r u ly t oo
u n p leasan t , so h e d id n ’t b ot h er t o car efu lly p on d er w h at exact ly h ad h ap p en ed .
H e ju m p ed off h is b ed an d r u sh ed t o op en t h e d or m r oom ’s w in d ow s.
Im m ed iat ely aft er w a r d s h e r an ou t of h is d or m r oom , an d w en t d ir ect ly t ow ar d s
t h e b at h r oom locat ed at t h e en d of t h e cor r id or .
T h e filt h t h at w as cover in g h is b od y felt gr easy. T h e t im e t h at it t ook for h im

t o clean h is b ed a n d w ash h is clot h es, com b in ed w it h clean in g h im self, all-in -all,
t ook ab ou t an h ou r of h is t im e.
W h en h e fin ally sat b ack d ow n on h is b ed , H u o Yu h ao h ad a p er p lexed

exp r ession . W hat ever , I w on’ t over t hi nk i t . I ’ l l f i n d out w hat happened w hen I
ask W ang Dong t om or r ow . I ’ ve sl ept f or m ost of t he ni ght al r eady, w hi ch
w ast ed a l ot of t i m e I coul d’ ve spen t doi ng ot her t hi ngs. I need t o hur r y up an d
cul t i vat e.
Af t er t h i n k i n g t h i s t o h i m sel f , H uo Yuh ao sat dow n i n a cr oss-l egged posi t i on

an d began ci r cul at i n g h i s soul f or ce t h r ough out h i s body, f ol l ow i n g t h e
ci r cul at i on pat h s of t h e M yst er i ous H eaven T ech n i que as h e cul t i vat ed.
H uo Yuh ao h ad on l y spen t t h r ee secon ds m edi t at i n g w h en h e sudden l y

open ed h i s eyes w i de i n sh ock . H i s Spi r i t Eyes w er e w i de open , but w er e f i l l ed
w i t h an i n con cei vabl e l ook .
“ Am ... am I dr eam i n g?” H uo Yuh ao w as som ew h at i n a daze. Af t er h e

r ecover ed, h e h ur r i edl y sh ut h i s eyes on ce agai n .
W h en an ot h er t h r ee secon ds h ad passed, h e open ed h i s eyes agai n , on l y t h i s

t i m e h i s f ace w as f ul l of exci t em en t .
Yes, som et h i n g t h at H uo Yuh ao di dn ’ t dar e t o bel i eve h ad h appen ed. W h en

h e’ d en t er ed i n t o a m edi t at i ve st at e t o ci r cul at e h i s soul f or ce, h e f el t as i f h i s
body w as i n an un pr eceden t ed st at e. I f h e w as t o com par e h i s pr evi ous
ci r cul at i on of soul f or ce t o t h e cr aw l i n g speed of a sn ai l , t h en h i s cur r en t speed
of ci r cul at i on w as at l east as f ast as t h e cl i m bi n g speed of a spi der . H i s soul f or ce
ci r cul at i on speed w as t h r ee t o f i ve t i m es f ast er an d, i n addi t i on t o t h at , h i s
soul f or ce h ad been st r en gt h en ed by a l ar ge am oun t . W h en h e ci r cul at ed i t n ow ,
i t f el t m uch l ess obst r uct ed.
As h e con t i n ued t o ci r cul at e h i s soul f or ce, h e f el t an un pr eceden t ed sen se of

pow er spr ead t h r ough out h i s body—as i f al l h i s m er i di an s h ad been open ed.
T h i s sor t of f eel i n g w as si m pl y t oo w on dr ous. H e al so f el t t h e i t ch y f eel i n g t h at
n or m al l y si gn i f i ed gr ow t h i n al l of h i s l i m bs an d bon es.
H uo Yuh ao som ew hat i m pat i en t l y sh ut h i s eyes an d r oused h i s soul f or ce so

t h at h e coul d ci r cul at e i t ar oun d h i s passagew ays. T h e f act s had pr oven t h at h e
w asn ’ t dr eam i n g; ever yt h i n g w as r eal . Or i gi n al l y, w h en h e w as f ol l ow i n g t h e
ci r cul at i on pat h s of t h e M yst er i ous H eaven T ech n i que t o cul t i vat e, h e’ d n eed at
least an h ou r t o com p let e a fu ll r evolu t ion . Now h ow ever , h e d id n ’t even n eed t o
u se a qu a r t er of t h at t im e t o fin ish a fu ll cir cu lat ion . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e r a t e at
w h ich h is sou lfor ce gr ew w as sever al t im es gr eat er t h an b efor e. It w as n o lon ger
t h e sor t of in cr ease t h at cou ld b e cou n t ed w it h t r aces; it h ad evolved in t o
som et h in g t h a t cou ld b e cou n t ed in w isp s.
At t h e sam e t im e, as h e w as cu lt ivat in g, H u o Yu h ao d iscover ed t h a t all of h is

p assagew ays h ad b ecom e u n p r eced en t ed ly u n ob st r u ct ed . T h e ar eas t h at h ad
b een p r eviou sly b een ob st r u ct ed , alon g w it h t h e ar eas w h ich h ad b een
ext r em ely t h in an d fr agile, h a d all b een w id en ed a n d t h ick en ed b y a la r ge
am ou n t . Fu r t h er m or e, h is p assagew ays h ad a fain t k in d of elast icit y t o t h em ;
even if t h ey w er e h it w it h sever al sou lfor ce at t ack s, t h ey st ill w ou ld n ’t b e in a n y
d an ger .
Coul d i t be t hat I ’ ve shed m y m or t al body and bones i n a si ngl e ni ght ?
H e w asn ’ t even w i l l i n g t o t h i n k about w h at h ad caused i t . H e’ d n ever f el t such

an i n cr ease i n pow er i n h i s en t i r e l i f e. I t w asn ’ t easy f or h i m t o gr asp t h i s sor t of
f eel i n g, so h e w asn ’ t w i l l i n g t o gi ve i t up n o m at t er w h at . H e un ceasi n gl y
ci r cul at ed h i s soul f or ce t h r ough out h i s body. As h e di d so, t h e ci r cul at i on speed
of t h e M yst er i ous H eaven T ech n i que seem ed t o f ai n t l y i n cr ease. Fur t h er m or e,
as t h e M yst er i ous H eaven T ech n i que n our i sh ed t h e passagew ays i n h i s body,
t h at w ar m an d com f or t abl e f eel i n g st ar t ed t o appear agai n .
H uo Yuh ao di dn ’ t even k n ow h ow m an y t i m es h e en ded up ci r cul at i n g h i s

soul f or ce, but i t w as at l east un t i l t h e sk y out si de gr adual l y br i gh t en ed. On l y
w h en t h e di st an t h or i zon exposed dayl i gh t di d h e w ak e up f r om h i s m edi t at i ve
st at e.
Even af t er si t t i n g i n a cr oss-l egged posi t i on f or h al f t h e n i gh t , h i s l egs di dn ’ t

f eel n um b or st i f f at al l . H e m oved sl i gh t l y un t i l h e w as by t h e w i n dow . As h e
gazed t ow ar ds t h e pur pl e qi t h at gr adual l y appear ed i n t h e east , h i s soul f or ce
easi l y w en t t ow ar ds h i s Spi r i t Eyes i n a ver y n at ur al m an n er as h e st ar t ed
cul t i vat i n g t h e Pur pl e Dem on Eyes.
T h e ch an ge t h at h ad occu r r ed in h is b od y, as w ell as t h e st r en gt h en in g of h is
sou lfor ce, m ad e ever yt h in g seem d iffer en t for H u o Yu h ao. W h en H u o Yu h ao
u sed h is Sp ir it Eyes t o look at t en t ively t ow ar d s t h e layer of p u r p le q i t h a t h a d
r isen fr om t h e ea st t o st ar t cu lt ivat in g t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, h e clear ly felt as
if som et h in g in h is b r ain h a d b een cu t ap ar t . H is Sp ir it Eyes fain t ly gen er a t ed an
in visib le at t r act ive for ce t h at ab sor b ed t h e p u r p le qi in t h e sam e m an n er a
w h ale w ou ld d r in k w at er .
T h e ou t sid e of h is eyes b ecam e w ar m , w h ile t h eir in t er ior r em ain ed cool. H u o

Yu h ao on ly felt h is sp ir it u al en er gy sp r ead ou t in a ll fou r d ir ect ion s, q u ick ly
exceed in g h is or igin al lim it , r each in g a t ot al d iam et er of for t y m et r es b efor e
st op p in g. T h e layer of p u r p le w it h in h is eyes h ad also d eep en ed , an d even h is
sk in h ad a b r igh t an d sm oot h lu st er t o it . H is t h r ee en er gies—essen ce, qi, an d
sp ir it u al en er gy—w er e com p let ely d iffer en t fr om yest er d ay.
As h e let ou t a lon g sigh t o exh ale a m ou t h fu l of im p u r it ies fr om h is b od y,

H u o Yu h ao com p let ed h is cu lt iva t ion o f t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes. Ever yt h in g
ar ou n d h im b ecam e in cr easin gly clear . W it h a t h ou gh t , H u o Yu h ao w it h d r ew
h is sou lfor ce, an d h is Sp ir it Eyes also r et u r n ed b ack t o t h eir n or m al st at e. On ly,
h is p air of d eep b lu e eyes h ad b ecom e even b r igh t er .
H e k n ew t h a t som et h in g m u st ’ve h ap p en ed t o h is b od y. If n ot , h e m igh t n ot

h ave h ad su ch a h u ge in cr ease in h is cu lt ivat ion fr om a fu ll h alf a year of
cu lt ivat ion .
J u st as H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t w as fillin g w it h d ou b t , t h e r oom t o t h e d or m it or y

op en ed .
W an g Don g st u ck h is h ead t h r ou gh t h e d oor an d sn iffed t h e r oom a few t im es.

Aft er con fir m in g t h a t t h e r oom d id n ’t sm ell, h e slow ly w alk ed in w h ilst h u ggin g
h is b ed d in g t o h is b od y. H e t h r ew t h e b ed d in g on t o h is b ed an d sp ok e u n h ap p ily
t o H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as st an d in g t h er e. “You ’r e r eally a good on e. You ’ve ‘sh ed
you r m or t al b od y an d b on es’, b u t you m ad e m e u n ab le t o r et u r n h om e. H m p h .
You ’r e t r eat in g m e t o b r eak fast t od ay.”
H u o Yu h ao look ed at W an g Don g w it h a p u zzled exp r ession . “W an g Don g,

ju st w h a t h ap p en ed t o m e? W h y w as I cover ed w it h filt h w h en I w ok e u p ? M y
cu lt ivat ion h as even r isen b y a lar ge am ou n t . It even feels lik e I’ve d on e w h at
you ju st said ; I h ave a sor t of ‘sh ed d in g m y m or t al b od y an d b on es’ feelin g.”
A sim p le-look in g gold en b r acelet on W an g Don g’s w r ist flash ed , cau sin g a
r ou n d m et allic b all t o ap p ear in h is h a n d , w h ich h e t h en t h r ew t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao.
“Let ’s see h ow m u ch you r sou lfor ce h as in cr eased b y. T h is sou l t ool of m in e

can t est t h e sou lfor ce of p eop le fr om t h e t en t h t o t h e t h ir t iet h r an k . J u st p ou r
you r sou lfor ce in t o it .”
“Oh .” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied . Gr ip p in g t h e m et al b all, h e slow ly p ou r ed h is

sou lfor ce
in t o it .
T h e gold en b all st ar t ed t o em it a fain t layer of yellow ligh t t h at gr ad u ally
b egan t o ext en d ou t w ar d s. Next , a n u m b er ap p ear ed on t h e su r face of t h e m et al
b all. At fir st , it w as fixed at eleven , b u t it r ap id ly ju m p ed u p t o t w elve. As t h e
yellow ligh t con t in u ed t o ext en d ou t w ar d s, t h e ‘t w elve’ also st ar t ed t o gr ad u ally
t r em b le. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao w as alr ead y u sin g all of h is st r en gt h at t h e
m om en t ; h e w asn ’t a b le t o st im u lat e t h e n u m b er an ym or e.
W an g Don g’s exp r ession h ad ch a n ged in t o on e of ast on ish m en t . “It r eally is

w or t h y of b ein g called t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill! It ’s act u ally in cr eased you r
sou lfor ce b y alm ost t w o r an k s in a sin gle n igh t . You ’r e at t h e p eak of t h e t w elft h
r an k n ow , on ly a st ep aw ay fr om t h e t h ir t een t h r an k .”
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes w en t w id e. “Ar e you t ellin g t h e t r u t h ? W h at is t h is

‘M yst er iou s W at er Pill’?”
W an g Don g sn at ch ed t h e t est in g sou l t ool b ack fr om H u o Yu h ao an d

h u m p h ed . T h en , h e said , “M y sou l t ool is ext r em ely accu r at e w h en t est in g
p eop le’s sou l r an k s. Besid es, I d on ’t b en efit fr om lyin g t o you . Sp eak in g of
w h ich , you sh ou ld t h an k sen ior Bei Bei. W h at sor t of r elat io n sh ip d o you h ave
w it h h im ? H e act u ally ju st casu ally slip p ed you a M yst er iou s W at er Pill t h at ’s
w or t h t en t h ou san d gold w h en you w er e u n con sciou s. I’m ver y sk ep t ical as
w h et h er or n ot h e gave you t h e r igh t p ill.”
W h en h e saw H u o Yu h ao’s p u zzled face, W an g Don g w en t ah ead an d

exp lain ed , “T h e M yst er iou s W a t er Pill is an ext r em ely m yst ical p ill. Su p p osed ly,
it ’s a p ill t h at ’s sp ecific t o a cer t ain w at er -t yp e sect . H ow ever , I d on ’t k n ow
w h ich exact sect t h a t is. W h en t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill is b ein g r efin ed , you
n eed t o u se t h e b lood essen ce of t en or so w at er -t yp e sou l b east s, as w ell as
sever al t en s of w at er -t yp e p lan t s. Aft er w ar d s, you ’ll a lso n eed t o m ix t h em in a
sp ecific m an n er b efor e b ein g ab le t o su ccessfu lly r efin e it . W a t er h as a clean sin g
p r op er t y, so n ot on ly can t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill gr eat ly h eal you , it can also
in cr ease you r sou lfo r ce b y a m ar gin . Fu r t h er m or e, it s m ed icin al p r op er t ies ar e
ext r em ely gen t le, so a sou l m ast er of an y r an k is cap ab le of ab sor b in g it s
m ed icin al efficacy ext r em ely w ell. As for sou l m ast er s b elow t h e t w en t iet h r an k ,
it can in cr ease t h eir sou lfor ce b y a r an k at least . H ow ever , it s m ost valu ab le
asp ect isn ’t t h is; it ’s t h e fact t h at it can clean se you r m u scles as w ell as you r
b on e m ar r ow .”
“W h en w e sh ow er n or m ally, w e clean se t h e filt h off t h e su r face of ou r b od ies.

On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill clean ses t h e im p u r it ies h id d en
w it h in ou r b od ies. T h is M yst er io u s W at er Pill is effect ive for an yon e w h o t ak es
it . T o an ext r em ely t alen t ed sou l m ast er , it m igh t on ly b e ak in t o ad d in g flow er s
t o a b r ocad e. H ow ever , t o a sou l m ast er w it h or d in ar y t alen t , it ’s b asically
sen d in g t h em coal d u r in g a b lizzar d . It can exp el t h e im p u r it ies w it h in t h eir
b od ies, as w ell a s n ou r ish t h eir m er id ian s. T h e in cr ease in p ot en t ial for an
or d in ar y sou l m ast er cau sed b y t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill is eq u iva len t t o an
in cr ease in h is in n at e sou lfor ce b y an en t ir e r an k . In ot h er w or d s, if you r in n a t e
sou lfor ce w h en you r m ar t ial sou l w as aw ak en ed w as on ly at t h e fir st r an k , it ’ll
t u r n in t o t h e secon d r an k aft er you ’ve t ak en a sin gle M yst er io u s W at er Pill. T h is
is n ot h in g sh or t of a qu alit a t ive gr ow t h in on e’s t alen t an d p h ysiqu e.”
W h at W an g Don g d id n ’t k n ow w as t h at h is an alogy h a d act u ally st r u ck t h e

t r u t h . H u o Yu h ao’s in n at e sou lfor ce w as act u ally t h e fir st r an k !
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o clear ly sen sed t h a t t h e feelin g of ‘sh ed d in g on e’s b on es’

h e’d felt aft er t ak in g t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill d efin it ely w asn ’t ju st as sim p le
as a m er e on e r an k in cr ease in h is in n at e sou lfor ce. In fact , h is cu lt iva t ion sp eed
h ad alm ost qu a d r u p led ! Alt h ou gh h e w a sn ’t com p ar ab le t o t h e lik es of W an g
Don g an d Bei Bei, w h o w er e gen iu s sou l m ast er s, h e’d b ecom e equ ivalen t t o an
or d in ar y sou l m ast er at least . Cu lt ivat io n w ou ld n ’t b e as d ifficu lt as it h ad b een
in t h e p ast for h im a n ym or e.
“Eld est sen ior b r ot h er ….”
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t w a n t t o sh ed a few t ea r s. It w as h is eld est sen ior

b r ot h er w h o’d given h im t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill, som et h in g t h at w as w or t h
t en t h ou san d gold ! T h is fr ien d sh ip given t o h im b y Bei Bei w as d eep ly en gr aved
in t o h is h ear t .
H u o Yu h ao’s lu ck w a s t r u ly good . W an g Don g’s exp lan at ion of t h e M yst er iou s
W at er Pill w asn ’t in cor r ect at a ll. Un d er n or m al cir cu m st an ces, t h e in cr ease
p r ovid ed b y t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill w ou ld b e ju st as h e’d d escr ib ed .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao h ad t ak en t h e M yst er iou s W a t er Pill at t h e p er fect

m om en t . Aft er yest er d ay’s b it t er t r a in in g, h is b od y h ad r eceived en ou gh
t em p er in g t h at it b r ok e t h r ou gh it s lim it s. H e’d essen t ially com p let ed a
t h or ou gh ‘w ar m u p ’ b efor e h e con su m ed t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill.
Fu r t h er m or e, h is com p r eh en sion t ow ar d s t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e
h ad cau sed t h e t ech n iqu e t o p er m eat e t h r ou gh ou t h is p assa gew ays, allow in g it
t o r esid e in a sor t of w ar m , n ou r ish in g st at e.
T h e over u se of H u o Yu h ao’s con sciou sn ess h ad cau sed h im t o sin k in t o a

com at ose st at e. Du e t o t h is, w h en h e a b sor b ed t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill, h e
h ad n ’t b een ab le t o d elib er at ely con t r ol t h e efficacy of t h e M yst er iou s W at er
Pill, allow in g it t o even ly sp r ead t h r ou gh ou t h is b od y. T h e n ou r ish in g effect
b r ou gh t ab ou t b y t h e M yst er iou s W a t er Pill w as com p let ely r eceived b y h is
b od y.
T h er e w as an ot h er im p or t an t p oin t . T h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill w as a w at er -

t yp e m ed icin al p ill, w h ile h is secon d m a r t ial sou l t h at h a d b een b est ow ed t o h im
b y t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as an ice-t yp e on e. Ice w as, in an d of it self, an ot h er
st at e of w at er , w h ich cau sed h is ab sor p t ion of t h e M yst er iou s W a t er Pill t o b e
even m or e fr u it fu l.
In ad d it ion , follow in g t h e M yst er iou s W a t er Pill’s r econ st r u ct ion of h is b od y,

on e of t h e t en b alls of Or igin En er gy t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad sealed
w it h in h is b od y h ad fin ally b een cr ack ed op en b y a sm all am ou n t . A p or t ion of
t h e en er gy t h at h ad sp illed ou t fr om it h ad t h u s fu sed w it h h is b od y. Becau se of
t h is, t h e in cr ease in h is sp ir it u al en er gy w as act u ally even lar ger t h an t h e
in cr ease in h is sou lfor ce. T h is w as also t h e r eason w h y h is sp ir it u al aw ar en ess
h ad exp an d ed fr om t h ir t y m et r es t o for t y m et r es.
T h e M yst er iou s W a t er Pill cou ld b e said t o h ave cau sed an all-ar ou n d u p gr ad e

t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, w h ich w as t h e r eason w h y h e’d exp er ien ced su ch a h u ge
ch an ge. T h is w ou ld h ave en or m ou s b en efit s t ow ar d s h is fu t u r e cu lt iva t ion , an d
even h is Pu r p le Dem on Eyes h ad evolved .
T h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes h ad fou r m ajor r ealm s—Su r veyan ce, T ot alit y,

M u st a r d Seed , an d Bou n d lessn ess. W h en H u o Yu h ao u sed h is Sp ir it Eyes t o
cu lt ivat e t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, h e b asically ach ieved t w ice t h e effect s w h ile
p u t t in g in h alf t h e w or k . As t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill h ad in cr eased h is
sou lfor ce, it h ad also sim u lt an eou sly sp u r r ed on t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s Or igin
En er gy. T h u s, w h en h e’d p r eviou sly cu lt ivat ed t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, t h e
Or igin En er gy h ad cr eat ed a sip h on in g effect t ow ar d s t h e p u r p le qi on t h e
h or izon , t h er eb y allow in g H u o Yu h ao’s Pu r p le Dem on Eyes t o d ir ect ly leap in t o
t h e T ot alit y r ealm fr om t h e Su r veyan ce r ealm . In t er m s of cu lt ivat ion sp eed for
t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, h e cou ld even b e said t o b e t h e fast est p er son in all of
h ist or y. H e’d even exceed ed t h e fou n d er of t h e T an g Sect , T an g San .
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow t h is yet , b u t t h e ad van cem en t of h is Pu r p le Dem on

Eyes h ad cau sed a lar ge in cr ease in h is ab ilit y t o con t r ol sp ir it u al-t yp e sk ills.
W h en h e act ivat ed sou l sk ills in t h e fu t u r e, h is sou lfor ce con su m p t ion w ou ld b e
su b st an t ially lessen ed .
As h e look ed at H u o Yu h ao’s r ed eyes an d sligh t ly b lan k ap p ear an ce, W an g

Don g p at t ed h im on t h e sh ou ld er an d sa id , “Let ’s go an d get som e b r eak fast . I
w an t t o eat d ou b le t od ay!”
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed . “Su r e. You can even eat qu ad r u p le if you w an t t od ay.”
W an g Don g eyes w id en ed . “You ’r e t h e p ig h er e.” On ce h e sp ok e, t h e t w o

cou ld n ’t h elp b u t b r eak in t o lau gh t er . T h eir em b ar r assm en t fr om last n igh t h ad
d isap p ear ed . At su ch a sim p le age, t h e t w o st ill h a d p u r e h ea r t s.
Chapt er 14.1: Skydr eam Point s
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t for get t o d ig ou t t h e gold en sp ir it coin fr om t h e gr ill t h a t

h e’d ear n ed fr om yest er d ay’s r oast ed fish b efor e follow in g T an g Ya t o see Bei Bei
an d Xu San sh i com p et e. W h en H u o Yu h a o an d W an g Don g ar r ived a t t h e d in in g
h all, t h ey secr et ly felt a lit t le r ich an d im p osin g.
T h e b r eak fast t h at t h ey h ad w as esp ecially su m p t u ou s, an d gr eat ly

r ep len ish ed t h eir b od ies’ n eed s. T h ey w er e t h e ear liest t o a r r ive a t t h e d in in g
h all, an d even b y t h e t im e t h ey’d fin ish ed eat in g, n ot m an y st u d en t s h ad
ar r ived .
“T h er e’s st ill a w h ile t ill w e h ave t o b e in class. Let ’s r et u r n t o t h e d or m

r oom .” H u o Yu h ao p at t ed h is sat isfied b elly an d st r et ch ed h is b od y for a w h ile
w it h a con t en t look on h is face.
Ever sin ce h e ar r ived at Sh r ek Acad em y, h e’d gr a d u ally b ecom e ch eer fu l. H e

fin ally h ad fr ien d s h er e, b u t even m or e so, h e h ad T each er Xiao Ya an d h is
Eld est Sen ior Br ot h er Bei Bei w h o b ot h car ed ab ou t h im . T h is w as w or ld s b et t er
com p ar ed t o t h e p r eviou s k in d of at m osp h er e h e’d exp er ien ced w h en h e w as in
t h e Du k e’s m an sion , w h er e ever yt h in g w as ice-cold .
W an g Don g r ep lied , “Save it . You ’r e ju st gon n a go b ack an d cu lt iva t e again

an yw ay. Bow st r in gs t h at h a ve b een st r et ch ed t oo t igh t ly w ill b r eak , you k n ow .
If you n eed t o r elax, t h en you sh ou ld ju st r elax. Let ’s t ak e a w alk b y Sea God
Lak e an d r elax for a w h ile. T h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill ju st h elp ed you in cr ease
you r cu lt ivat ion b y q u it e a b it ; you sh ou ld n ’t car e ab ou t t h is sh or t m om en t of
r elaxat ion .”
“Alr igh t t h en .” H u o Yu h ao h ap p ily agr eed . Ever y sin ce en t er in g t h e aca d em y

a few d ays ago, h e st ill h ad yet t o visit Sea God Lak e. M or eover , it r eally w as
alm ost t im e for t h em t o h ead t o class. It w ou ld b e a good id ea if h e t ook t h e
ch an ce t o t ak e a w alk t oo.
T h e t w o left t h e d in in g h all an d cu t t h r ou gh t h e sch ool b u ild in g for n ew

st u d en t s as t h ey h ead ed t o t h e east alon g t h e sou t h sid e of Sh r ek Plaza. Soon
aft er w ar d s, t h ey ar r ived at t h e alley t o t h e lak esid e.
As t h ey p assed t h r ou gh t h e for est n ext t o t h e alley, Sea God Lak e, w it h it s

gleam in g w aves t h a t w er e r eflect ed in t h e su n ligh t , an d it s w at er t h a t w as b ot h
clear an d cr yst allin e, w as p r esen t ed b efor e t h eir eyes.
A gu st of w in d t h at con t ain ed a gen t le m ist m ixed w it h fr esh air b u ffet ed

t h em . Even t h ou gh Sea God Lak e w a s a m an -m ad e lak e, t h e w at er t h at it h eld
w as ext r em ely clear . T h e azu r e lak e w as b lu e t o t h e p oin t t h at it s su r face w as
b ot h p u r e a n d d eep , yet so b lu e t h at it w as also t en d er , calm , an d gr acefu l. A
sligh t r ip p le t h a t look ed lik e t h e lu m in ou s eyes of a you n g lad y w as also fu ll of
life t h at u n d u lat ed on t h e su r face of t h e lak e an d look ed lik e a b lu e b r ocad e.
T h e lak e r eflect ed a n in ver t ed im age of t h e b lu e sk y an d w h it e clou d s, as w ell

as t h e t r ees t h a t lin ed t h e lak esid e.
“So b eau t ifu l!” W a n g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t in h ale d eep ly, p h ysically
exer t in g h im self as h e st r et ch ed h is b od y.
W h en h e st r et ch ed h is b od y, h is sh ir t w as in ev it ab ly p u lled u p , r evealin g h is
p er fect ly r ou n d ed a n d p er k y b u t t . H u o Yu h ao ab solu t ely d id n ’t d elib er a t ely
focu s h is a t t en t ion o n it , b u t an u n in t en t ion al look w as en ou gh t o r em in d h im
of t h e sh in in g p at ch of w h it e t h at h e’d seen yest er d ay…
H e t u r n ed h is h ea d aw ay, feelin g som ew h at em b ar r assed , an d look ed far ou t

in t o t h e d ist an ce acr oss Sea God Lak e. Sea God Lak e occu p ied an ext r em ely w id e
ar ea; p er h ap s it w as even lar ger t h an t h e m ain Sh r ek Acad em y cam p u s t h at w as
t o t h e w est of Sh r ek Plaza. T h er e w as even a layer of fog at op t h e w at er ’s su r face
in t h e d ist a n ce.
Aft er H u o Yu h ao’s Pu r p le Dem on Eyes h ad evolved , t h e sigh t of h is Sp ir it
Eyes h ad su b st an t ially in cr eased on ce again . Even t h ou gh h e h ad n ’t p ou r ed sou l
p ow er in t o h is Sp ir it Eyes t o act ivat e t h em , H u o Yu h ao cou ld st ill see far in t o
t h e d ist an ce. H e fain t ly saw w h at seem ed t o b e h ou ses am id st t h e m ist t h a t
r est ed u p on t h e su r face of t h e lak e in t h e d ist a n ce. H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t t h in k
t h at t h e in n er cou r t yar d w as p r ob ab ly at t h at en d of t h e lak e, as h e’d associat ed
t h ose h ou ses w it h Xiao Ya an d Bei Bei’s d escr ip t ion .
If su ch an ou t st an d in g Sou l M ast er lik e h is eld est sen ior b r ot h er w as on ly ab le

t o st u d y in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , t h en h ow st r on g w ou ld t h e u p p er classm en fr om
t h e in n er cou r t yar d b e!?
“Eh ?” At t h e exact m om en t t h at H u o Yu h ao w as p r eoccu p ied w it h h is

t h ou gh t s, h e su d d en ly saw w h at ap p ear ed t o b e a r ed d ot a p p ear in t h e m ist
ab ove t h e lak e.
“W h at is it ?” W an g Don g ask ed cu r iou sly.
H u o Yu h ao p oin t ed in t h e d ir ect ion t h a t h e w as look in g. “Look , t h er e seem s

t o b e som e sor t of r ed d ot over t h er e.”
W an g Don g follow ed w h er e H u o Yu h ao’s fin ger w as p oin t in g, an d look ed in

t h e d ir ect ion t h at h e w as p oin t in g. H ow ever , all h e saw w as a sea of m ist .
“W h er e?” H e w as q u est ion in g H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s on e m om en t , w h en in t h e
n ext m om en t , h e op en ed h is eyes w id e a n d st ar ed . H e’d also seen t h e so-called
r ed d ot t h a t H u o Yu h ao h ad m en t ion ed . H ow ever , it w asn ’t som e r ed d ot . It w as
clear ly a r ed -colou r ed figu r e t h at w as cu r r en t ly r u n n in g on t h e su r face of t h e
w at er at an ast on ish in g sp eed . In ad d it io n t o t h at , look in g closely at t h e figu r e,
it act u a lly seem ed t o b e r u sh in g in t h eir d ir ect ion !
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g b ot h exch an ged a glan ce b efor e sim u lt an eou sly

cr yin g ou t in su r p r ise, “An u p p er classm an fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d ?!”
T h e r ed figu r e’s sp eed w as ext r em ely sh ock in g. In ju st a sh or t p er iod of t im e,

it h a d alr ead y r each ed t h e cen t er of t h e lak e. Ever y t im e t h e t ip s of h is t oes
b r iefly t ou ch ed t h e su r face of t h e lak e, h e’d cr eat e a r ip p le t h a t sp r ead ou t acr oss
t h e lak e. H ow ever , h e w as also con t in u ou sly sp eed in g u p w it h t h e h elp of t h a t
sligh t b u oyan cy fr om t h e lak e, r ap id ly flyin g for w ar d s lik e a r ed clou d .
As t h e figu r e got closer , H u o Yu h ao w as also ab le t o see it even b et t er . T h e r ed

colou r w asn ’t on ly d u e t o t h e fact t h at t h e clot h es on it s b od y w er e r ed in colou r ,
b u t even it s h air w as a b lood -r ed colou r . T h e figu r e w a s slen d er , yet w as
em it t in g a sor t of b it in g fier cen ess fr om it s w h ole b od y, ju st lik e a fr igh t en in g
sou l b east . T h e figu r e w as w ear in g a m ask t h at w as also sim ilar ly r ed in colo u r ;
even it s eyes w er e b lood -r ed .
T h e air su r r ou n d in g it s b od y seem ed t o b e d ist or t in g sligh t ly. T h e m ist w ou ld

even som ew h at d issip at e b en eat h h is feet w h er ever h e p assed .
“T h is sen ior seem s t o b e ver y st r on g! Look , h e can even r u n on t h e su r face of

t h e w at er w it h ou t r eleasin g h is M ar t ial Sou l.” W an g Don g said t o H u o Yu h ao
w it h an excit ed look on h is face, as p er h is an alysis of t h e sit u at ion .
H u o Yu h ao’s cu lt ivat ion w asn ’t as good as h is, b u t h is p er cep t ion w as far

m or e acu t e. “W an g Don g, w h y d o I feel t h at som et h in g isn ’t r igh t !?”
T h e r ed figu r e w as t r u ly t oo fast . In t h e p er iod t h at t h ey’d b een con ver sin g

w it h each ot h er , t h e figu r e h ad alr ea d y ap p r oach ed t h e h u n d r ed -m et r e r ad iu s of
t h e sh or e. A fr igh t en in g su r ge of h eat en gu lfed t h em in t h at in st an t . H u o Yu h ao
an d W an g Don g h ad ast on ish ed look s en t er t h eir eyes at t h e sam e t im e, b ecau se
t h ey sim u lt an eou sly felt t h at an in d escr ib ab ly w ild au r a h ad exp lod ed fr om t h at
sen ior ’s b od y. It d efin it ely w asn ’t an au r a t h at sh ou ld ap p ear fr om a n or m al
p er son .
W it h a sw ish , azu r e w in gs h ad sp r ead ou t fr om W an g Don g’s b ack . H e

gr ab b ed ah old of H u o Yu h ao in an at t em p t t o t ak e fligh t . H ow ever , t h at r ed
figu r e h ad alr ea d y got t en close t o t h em in t h e sh or t sp an of W an g Don g’s
m ovem en t s.
T h e t er r ifyin g h eat b u r st for t h in an in st an t , cau sin g b ot h W an g Don g an d
H u o Yu h ao t o feel a s t h ou gh t h ey’d b een en velop ed b y a sea of fir e. T h e w in gs
on W an g Don g’s b ack cr u m p led in an in st an t , m ak in g it so t h at h e cou ld n o
lon ger fly. T h e d u o fell t o t h e gr ou n d at t h e sam e t im e. All of t h e veget a t ion in
an ar ea t en m et r es ar ou n d t h e figu r e h ad t u r n ed b u r n t -yellow in an in st a n t .
T h e d iffer en ce in t h eir cu lt ivat ion s w a s r eally t oo gr eat . W an g Don g st ill

w an t ed t o t r y t o r elease h is sou l sk ill, b u t ju st as h e act ivat ed h is sou lfor ce, h e
im m ed iat ely su st ain ed an at t ack fr om t h at t er r ifyin g h eat . W it h a d u ll gr oan , h e
im m ed iat ely lost con sciou sn ess.
H u o Yu h ao’s cu lt iva t ion w as in fer ior t o W an g Don g’s, b u t on e m u st n ’t for get

t h at h e st ill h ad an ice-t yp e m ar t ial sou l t h at h ad yet t o t ak e for m .
On ce H u o Yu h ao w as su b ject ed t o t h e in t en se st im u lat ion fr om t h e ext er n al

h eat , h is ice-at t r ib u t e m ar t ia l sou l w as im m ed iat ely aw ak en ed . H ow ever , h is
sou lfor ce t h a t w as on ly at t h e p eak of t h e t w elft h r a n k w as t h or ou gh ly
con su m ed b y t h e ext er n al h ea t in ju st a sin gle secon d . M or eover , t h at r ed figu r e
h ad alr ead y sw at t ed a lar ge h an d in h is d ir ect ion .
T h e t em p er at u r e of h is su r r ou n d in gs w a s alr ead y so fr igh t en in g. If h e r eally

w as h it , w ou ld n ’t h e d ie ver y t r agically?
T h e last t h in g t h at H u o Yu h ao cou ld d o w as lau n ch a Sp ir it Sh ock . H ow ever ,

t h e d isp ar it y b et w een h im an d h is op p on en t w as t oo gr eat . H is Sp ir it Sh ock
d issip a t ed in t h e h eat b efor e it cou ld even ch ar ge t h r ou gh t h at layer of st r on g
fir e-at t r ib u t e au r a. At t h is r a t e, h e w as goin g t o van ish in a p u ff of sm ok e an d
ash es u n d er t h a t h u ge, scor ch in g-h ot p alm .
It w as at t h is exact m om en t t h a t t h e sigh t b efor e H u o Yu h a o’s eyes b ecam e a

field of w h it e, an d ever yt h in g in h is su r r ou n d in gs b ecam e a b lu r .
Am I dead? Am I goi ng t o di e l i k e t hi s? I n t h i s m om en t , w h en deat h w as

appr oach i n g, t h e f eel i n g t h at h e h ad i n h i s h ear t w asn ’ t un w i l l i n gn ess.
Ever yt h i n g t h at h ad h appen ed h ad r eal l y been t oo sudden . H en ce, h e w as on l y
at a l oss at t h e m om en t .
T h e scen e bef or e h i s eyes sudden l y becam e cl ear . H uo Yuh ao saw a st r an ge

scen e: H e saw h i m sel f …
I f W an g Don g w er e st i l l aw ak e n ow r i gh t , h e’ d h ave seen an i n com par abl y

sh ock i n g scen e.
I n t h e m om en t t h at H uo Yuh ao w as about t o be en gul f ed by t h at f l am i n g

h an d, t h e col our of h i s eyes sudden l y ch an ged. H i s dar k bl ue eyes—w h i ch h ad
been t w i n k l i n g w i t h a f ai n t gol den l i gh t —sudden l y becam e as w h i t e as
t w i n k l i n g f r ost i n an i n st an t .
A gust of ext r aor di n ar i l y col d ai r sudden l y spr ead out w ar ds f r om H uo

Yuh ao’ s body. H e act ual l y m an aged t o f or ci bl y di sper se al l of t h e h eat com i n g
f r om t h e f i gur e i n f r on t of h i m . T h e f i er y f i gur e on l y l et out a dul l gr oan bef or e
cur l i n g up as t h ey col l apsed t o t h e gr oun d.
W h en H uo Yuh ao w as ut i l i si n g h i s Spi r i t Eyes, t h e soul r i n g t h at r ose up f r om

ben eat h h i s f eet w as w h i t e. H ow ever , at t h i s m om en t , h i s n or m al l y w h i t e soul
r i n g h ad act ual l y t ur n ed an i n com par abl y br i l l i an t gol den col our . A gl ar i n g
gol den l i gh t spar k l ed of f of i t , just l i k e t h e m or n i n g sun w as r i si n g up f r om
ben eat h h i s f eet .
W i t h H uo Yuh ao’ s body as t h e cor e, t h e ar ea ar oun d h i m —an d a h un dr ed

m et r e di am et er of h i m —i n st an t l y t ur n ed i n t o a w or l d of i ce an d sn ow . Even h i s
oppon en t ’ s spi r i t ual sea w as f r ozen .
T h e r ed figu r e seem ed t o b e sh iver in g violen t ly, as t h e t er r ifyin g in t im id at in g
au r a it let off w as con t in u ou sly con d en sed b y t h e cold . H u o Yu h ao slow ly r aised
h is r igh t ar m . It w a sn ’t k n ow n w h en h is r igh t h an d ’s in d ex fin ger h ad t u r n ed
ice-b lu e, n or w h en h is eyes h ad b egu n t o sh in e w it h a w h it e ligh t . A gloom y
voice im m ed ia t ely r a n g ou t .
“You d ar e t o t ou ch t h e p er son t h at t h is Br ot h er h as ch osen , an d d ar e t o

d ist u r b t h is Br ot h er ’s sleep ! Go an d d ie!”
H u o Yu h ao p oin t ed for w ar d s w it h h is in d ex fin ger , cau sin g an icy-b lu e r ay of

ligh t t o su d d en ly flash in t h e sk y, h ead ed st r aigh t for t h e r ed figu r e.
T h e t em p er at u r e su r r ou n d in g t h e r ed figu r e p lu m m et ed as a r esu lt of t h e
ext r em ely ch illin g feelin g H u o Yu h ao w as em it t in g. Per h ap s b ecau se it felt
d an ger ap p r oach in g it , t h e r ed figu r e st r u ggled violen t ly. Closely follow in g t h at ,
t h e lou d a n d clear cr y of a p h oen ix ab r u p t ly r an g ou t .
An en or m ou s p h oen ix float ed u p fr om b en eat h t h e figu r e, alon g w it h six sou l

r in gs—t w o yellow , t w o p u r p le an d t w o b lack . Sou l Em p er or r an k !
Am on g t h e six sou l r in gs, t h e secon d , t h ir d , an d sixt h sou l r in gs all sh on e at

t h e sam e t im e. T h e flam e b eh in d t h e figu r e t u r n ed d ar k r ed alm ost in st an t ly. A
t h r ead of fir e t h a t w as as t h in as a fin ger w as sp ou t ed fr om t h e p h oen ix’s
m ou t h , collid in g w it h t h e ice-b lu e ligh t t h at h ad b een sh ot ou t of H u o Yu h ao’s
in d ex fin ger .
“Ch i ch i——” A ser ies of st r an ge sou n d s r an g ou t . T h e t h r ead of fir e collap sed

alm ost in st a n t ly. T h e en or m ou s p h oen ix ab r u p t ly p ou n ced for w ar d s, u sin g it s
h u ge b od y t o sh ield t h e r ed figu r e fr om t h e fr on t .
T h e fier y r ed figu r e r olled b ack alon g w it h t h e violen t cr y of t h e fir e p h oen ix

an d , w it h an icy-b lu e layer cover in g t h em fr om h ead t o t oe, t h ey im m ed iat ely
d r op p ed st r a igh t in t o Sea God Lak e in t h e d ist an ce.
H u o Yu h ao w as ju st ab ou t t o p u r su e an d at t ack t h em , b u t h alt ed h is st ep s for
a m om en t . T h e sou n d t h at h ad p r eviou sly r u n g ou t r a n g on ce m or e. “H ow
an n oyin g, som eon e else cam e. H u h , t h is sm all gu y’s p h ysical fit n ess h as
im p r oved ver y q u ick ly! It seem s t h at I can give h im a b it m or e p ow er alr ead y.
Alr igh t , I’m fleein g.”
T h e gold en sou l r in g r ap id ly d u lled b ack t o a w h it e sou l r in g an d d isap p ear ed .

All of t h e cold n ess in H u o Yu h ao’s su r r ou n d in gs also d isa p p ear ed seem in gly
in st an t ly. T h e w at er in t h e lak e r ap id ly r ever t ed b ack t o it s or igin al st at e. H u o
Yu h ao’s w h it e eyes t h at h a d b een em it t in g a st r on g ch ill r ever t ed b ack t o
n or m al. Fin ally, h is b od y w en t lim p , cau sin g h im t o fall t o t h e gr ou n d in
exh au st ion .
Sea God Lak e h ad ju st h ad fr igh t en in g sou lfor ce flu ct u at ion s a m om en t ago,

b u t t r an q u ilit y h ad alr ead y b een com p let ely r est or ed . On ly H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g w er e left , collap sed an d u n con sciou s b y t h e sh or e.
In t h e d ist an ce, m or e t h an t en silh ou et t es w er e h ea d ed st r a igh t for t h em fr om

t h e d ep t h s of Sea God Lak e at an ast on ish in g sp eed . It on ly t ook a cou p le
secon d s for t h em t o ar r ive at t h e sh or e.
“T h is is b ad . St u d en t s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d w er e in ju r ed .” A w h it e-
clot h ed old m an w as t h e on e lead in g t h e gr ou p . H e su d d en ly st r od e over in m id -
air an d , as if h e’d ju st t elep or t ed t h r ou gh sp ace, ar r ived at H u o Yu h ao an d W an g
Don g’s sid e. H e ext en d ed b ot h h is h an d s, an d b ot h of t h eir b od ies im m ed iat ely
float ed u p w ar d s.
“For t u n at ely, it seem s t h at t h ey’ve on ly fain t ed . T h ey h aven ’t su st ain ed an y

in ju r ies. T each er Li, p lease p r ovid e t h em w it h som e m ed ical t r eat m en t .”
“Yes.” An ot h er w h it e-clot h ed m id d le-aged p er son h ast ily st ep p ed for w ar d s,

t ak in g ch ar ge of H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g. If H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g
w er e st ill con sciou s, t h ey w ou ld ’ve im m ed iat ely r ecogn ised t h is T each er Li aas
t h e Sou l Sage-r an k ed m ast er w h o’d u t ilised h is m ar t ia l sou l—T h e T r ee of Life—
on t h em yest er d ay, a n d h ad con d u ct ed a fu ll-scale r ecover y on t h e en t ir e class.
H is sou l r in gs q u ick ly r ose u p , an d h oop s of gr een ligh t r evolved ar ou n d H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s b od ies, q u iet ly in filt r at in g t h eir b od ies. A m ir acu lou s
scen e ap p ear ed : T h e w ilt ed p lan t s in t h eir su r r o u n d in gs h ad act u ally st ar t ed t o
r ap id ly r ecover at an ast on ish in g sp eed . On e cou ld also fain t ly see t h at t h e lar ge-
scale veget at ion t h a t su r r ou n d ed t h e Sea God Lak e w as em it t in g fain t gr een r ays
of ligh t . T h ese fain t gr een r ays of ligh t w er e su r gin g t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g’s b od ies, slow ly soak in g in t o t h em .
“Xiao T ao is over h er e.”
T h e cr ash in g sou n d of w at er r an g ou t , an d a w h it e-clot h ed p er son fish ed ou t

t h e figu r e cla d in r ed w h o’d p r eviou sly fallen in t o Sea God Lak e.
T h e p er son clad in r ed w as alr ead y d r en ch ed fr om h ead t o t oe, r evealin g a

lit h e an d gr acefu l figu r e. Look in g at t h e figu r e’s ap p ear an ce, t h e p er son act u ally
seem ed t o b e a w om an .
T h e w h it e-clot h ed o ld m an w en t ar ou n d t o h er sid e. H e p r essed h er r igh t

h an d t o h is sh ou ld er an d cou ld see t h a t r ich w h it e sou lfor ce w as su r gin g in t o t h e
w om an ’s b od y at an ast on ish in g sp eed .
“St r an ge!” T h e w h it e-clot h ed old m an fu r r ow ed h is b r ow , as if t h er e w as

som et h in g t h a t h e cou ld n ’t u n d er st a n d .
“T each er Li, w h at ’s t h e sit u at ion w it h t h ese t w o st u d en t s fr om t h e ou t er

cou r t yar d ?” H e t u r n ed h is h ead an d ask ed t h e t each er w h o w as cu r r en t ly
t r eat in g H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g.
T h e p er son k n ow n as T each er Li said , “It ’s n ot h in g ser iou s. T h ey’ll b e w ak in g

u p ver y soon .”
T h e w h it e-clot h ed old m an h eaved a sigh of r elief an d said , “T h an k good n ess

w e d id n ’t m ak e a ser iou s m ist ak e. It seem s t h at Xiao T ao st ill m an aged t o r et ain
som e of h er con sciou sn ess. T each er Li, sen d t h ese t w o st u d en t s b ack an d
r ep eat ed ly w ar n t h em t o for get w h a t t h ey saw . If t h ey d ivu lge t h is m at t er t o
ot h er s, t h ey’ll b e exp elled . Give t h em a h igh gr ad e a s com p en sat ion . W e’r e
h ead in g b ack .”
T h e last t h r ee w or d s w er e d ir ect ed t ow ar d s t h e ot h er s. H e car r ied t h e w om an

clad in r ed , an d as h is silh ou et t e flick er ed , h e t u r n ed in t o a r ay of w h it e ligh t as
h e h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e d ep t h s of Sea God Lak e.
In t h e m om en t t h at H u o Yu h ao fain t ed an d fell t o t h e gr ou n d , h e w as n o
lon ger ab le t o see an yt h in g on t h e ou t sid e w it h h is con scio u sn ess. Na t u r a lly, h e
also d id n ’t k n ow w h at h ap p en ed aft er h e fain t ed eit h er .
“You m an aged t o d ist u r b Eld er Br ot h er ’s sleep so q u ick ly! H ow an n oyin g!”

T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice r esou n d ed in H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u a l sea.
H u o Yu h ao d azed ly ask ed , “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , you w er e t h e on e w h o m ad e

t h at m ove ju st n ow ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “Of cou r se it w as t h is b r ot h er w h o d id it ! If

n ot , you w ou ld ’ve a lr ead y b ecom e a d r ied u p , b ak ed p er son ! T h at p er son ’s fir e
at t r ib u t e is t r u ly ver y st r on g; sh e act u ally p ossesses t h e b lood of a Ph oen ix
God b east ! If n ot , t h is Br ot h er ’s fin ger w ou ld ’ve an n ih ilat ed h er . Bu t , n o m at t er .
Sh e sh ou ld ’ve lost con sciou sn ess alr ea d y. T h at flam e of h er s seem s t o b e sligh t ly
d em on ic. H ow ever , t h is Br ot h er d id n ’t ea t all t h at t en t h ou sa n d year Ice Pit h for
n ot h in g. H er p ow er s ar e st ill far fr om com p ar ab le t o m in e. Lit t le Yu h ao, you r
cu lt ivat ion h as b een ver y su ccessfu l. You r p h ysical fit n ess h as in cr eased
sign ifican t ly. T h e fir st seal of t h e t en seals t h at I left in you r b od y h as alr ead y
b een cr ack ed op en .”
“Really?” H u o Yu h ao w as over joyed . Ever sin ce h e’d com e t o Sh r ek Acad em y,

h e’d st a r t ed t o u n d er st an d h ow in sign ifican t h e w as. Aft er m eet in g so m an y
exp er t s, h is t h ir st for st r en gt h h ad gr ow n even gr eat er . H ow ever , d u e t o h is
p oor t alen t , h e cou ld on ly secr et ly w or k even h ar d er . Now , even t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m h ad p r aised h im , so h ow cou ld h e n ot b e h ap p y?
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sp ok e w it h a ver y d ep r essed t on e. “H ow ever , t h is

Br ot h er h as u sed som e of h is Or igin En er gy. T h is is m y Or igin Con sciou sn ess,
w h ich can also b e con sid er ed t h e in t elligen ce t h at ’s b een ad d ed on t o you r sou l
r in g. It ’s b ecau se of t h is t h at I w as ab le t o p r ot ect you r b od y b efor e u sin g m y
p ow er . Fu r t h er m or e, aft er t h at a t t ack , you r b od y w on ’t b e a b le t o b e p ossessed
b y m e for at least a year . You ’ll h ave t o b e ext r em ely car efu l. If you m eet
an ot h er u n d efeat ab le en em y lik e t h is on e, w e’r e b ot h fin ish ed . Ok ay, I w on ’t
t ar r y on an y lon ger . I’m goin g t o k eep sleep in g. You h ave t o qu ick ly w or k
h ar d er . On ce you ’ve got t en a secon d sou l r in g, you w on ’t h ave t o con st an t ly
b ot h er t h is Br ot h er a n ym or e.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as alw ays r u sh ed w h en ever h e ap p ear ed . H u o

Yu h ao h ad or igin ally p lan n ed t o ask h im a few qu est ion s r egar d in g t h e con t r ol
of h is sou l sk ills, b u t t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m alr ead y fallen b ack in t o a d eep
sleep , an d ever yt h in g su r r ou n d in g h im h ad t u r n ed d a r k .
……
W an g Don g w as t h e fir st on e t o w ak e u p . W h en h e op en ed h is eyes, h e saw a

w h it e-clot h ed m id d le-aged m an in fr on t of h im . H ow ever , b efor e h e cou ld
sp eak , H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as t o h is sid e, let ou t a m u ffled gr oan an d slow ly
op en ed h is eyes.
Becau se h e w asn ’t as clear as H u o Yu h ao r egar d in g t h e gen er al sit u at ion ,
W an g Don g’s m in d w as b lan k . H e an gr ily said , “J u st w h at ’s goin g on ? W h at w as
t h at m on st er ear lier ?”
T h e w h it e-clot h ed m id d le-aged m an in d iffer en t ly r ep lied , “You ’r e b ot h fin e

n ow . Ab ou t t h e t h in g t h at you gu ys ju st saw , p lease for get ab ou t it . If you d on ’t ,
you ’ll b e exp elled fr om t h e acad em y. I’ll give you t w o t h ese as com p en sat ion . I
b elieve t h at you ’r e b ot h sm ar t p eop le.” As h e sp ok e, h e t h r ew t w o gr een ob ject s
t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g.
T h e t w o su b con sciou sly r aised t h eir h a n d s t o cat ch t h em . At t h e sam e t im e,

t h e w h it e-clot h ed m id d le-aged m an h ad alr ead y r isen u p in t o t h e sk y, an d w as
flyin g t ow ar d s Sea God Lak e. “Go t o class. Rem em b er , it ’s b est t h a t you for get
ever yt h in g you ju st saw .”
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g look ed at each ot h er . T h ey w er e left in a d aze for

qu it e a w h ile.
“H u o Yu h ao, w h at do you t h in k ’s goin g on ?” W an g Don g ask ed h im in a low

voice.
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead . “I d on ’t k n ow . It seem s lik e w e’ve com e acr oss a

m ad m an .”
W an g Don g low er ed h is h ead t o see w h at t h e gr een ob ject in h is h an d w as,

an d im m ed iat ely b ecam e st u n n ed . Follow in g t h a t , h is face b ecam e filled w it h a
h ap p y exp r ession . “W ah , w e’ve st r u ck gold ! It ’s a Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill! It ’s
act u ally a Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill.”
H u o Yu h ao look ed t ow ar d s t h e gr een lu m p in h is h an d w it h p u zzlem en t . It

w as a gr een p ill t h at w as ab ou t t h e size of a w aln u t , an d it w a s r eleasin g a fain t
fr agr an t od or . It s su r face w as d ar k -gr een in colou r , a n d t h er e seem ed t o b e a
fain t h alo of ligh t cir cu lat in g w it h in it . It w as sp ar k lin g an d t r an slu cen t , an d
w as also filled w it h a n au r a of life.
“W h at ’s a Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill? Is it a t yp e of p ill, lik e t h e M yst er iou s
W at er Pill?”
W an g Don g r ep lied , “Yeah ! Fu r t h er m or e, it ’s a p ill t h a t ’s of t h e sam e r a n k as

t h e M yst er iou s W a t er Pill! H ow ever , t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill is a b it m or e
p r eciou s t h an t h e Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill b ecau se it h as a clean sin g effect on
on e’s m u scles an d m ar r ow . Bu t , t o sou l m ast er s ab ove t h e t h ir t iet h r a n k , w h ose
m u scles an d m ar r ow h ave alr ea d y b een t h or ou gh ly clean sed , t h e Sou l
Ad van cem en t Pill is b et t er t h an t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill. Du e t o t h is, t h e p r ice
of t h e t w o p ills ar e ab ou t t h e sam e. You h ave t o t ak e car e of it . It ’s su p p osed ly
ext r em ely h ar d t o r efin e t h is sor t of p ill. I d id n ’t exp ect t h at t each er t o give u s
som et h in g so ext r aor d in ar y as h u sh m on ey. I’ve d ecid ed t o for get ever yt h in g
t h at I saw ear lier .”
H u o Yu h ao ask ed im p at ien t ly, “Can you sp eak m or e clear ly? J u st w h at u se

d oes t h is Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill h ave?”
W an g Don g let ou t a cu n n in g lau gh an d r ep lied , “I’m n ot t ellin g! Beg m e!”

Aft er h e fin ish ed h is sen t en ce, h e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d r an t ow ar d s t h e
fr esh m en 's sch ool b u ild in g.
H u o Yu h ao w as left sp eech less. Aft er car efu lly p u t t in g t h e Sou l Ad van cem en t
Pill in t o h is T w en t y Fou r M oon lit Br id ges, h e ch ased aft er W an g Don g. W h ile
r u n n in g, h e sh ou t ed , “If you d on ’t t ell m e, I’ll ju st ask m y eld est sen ior b r ot h er .
H e d efin it ely k n ow s w h at it d oes. If you t ell m e n ow , I’ll t r eat you t o lu n ch .”
W an g Don g slow ed d ow n an d w ait ed for h im t o cat ch u p . “T h en , I’ll b e eat in g

som et h in g t ast y.”
H u o Yu h ao t ook ou t all of h is savin gs an d said , “I’m a h om eless or p h an

an yw ay. T h ese ar e all of m y savin gs, d o w h at ever you w an t w it h t h em .”
W an g Don g w as st u n n ed for a m om en t . “You ... you ’r e an or p h an ?”
W an g Don g sp ok e again , “T h e r eason t h at you d on ’t even h ave an y b ed d in g
on you r b ed , isn ’t it b ecau se you ju st w an t t o assid u ou sly cu lt ivat e? Isn ’t it
b ecau se you ’r e sim p ly n ot w illin g t o sp en d m on ey on som e b ed d in g?”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “It ’s b ecau se I feel t h at h avin g som e m on ey left t o eat

w it h is m or e im p or t an t t h a n b u yin g b ed d in g. T h e food in t h e can t een is r a t h er
exp en sive aft er all.”
W an g Don g u n w it t in gly st op p ed , cau sin g H u o Yu h ao t o n at u r ally st op alon g

w it h h im . “W h at ’r e you d oin g? It ’s alm ost t im e for class. W e n eed t o h u r r y u p .”
W an g Don g p u r sed h is lip s t igh t ly an d st ar ed at H u o Yu h ao. H u o Yu h ao, w h o

w as cu r r en t ly b ein g st ar ed at , felt gooseb u m p s r ise on h is b ack . “W h at ’s
h ap p en ed t o you ? W as you r b r ain fr ied b y t h at gu y ear lier ?”
W an g Don g in h aled d eep ly an d exh aled slow ly. “H u o Yu h ao, I’m sor r y. I
d id n ’t k n ow t h at you w er e an or p h an . I sh ou ld n ’t h a ve b u llied you .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led an d r ep lied , “You r b u llyin g d id n ’t w or k , d id it ?”
W an g Don g som ew h at r esen t fu lly slap p ed h is sh ou ld er . “Can you n ot

in t er r u p t m e w h en I’m in t h e m id d le of feelin g m oved ? Let ’s h u r r y t o class. I’ll
p ay for you r m eals fr om n ow on .”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead an d said , “You d on ’t n eed t o. T each er Xiao Ya

fou n d a w ay for m e t o m ak e som e m on ey. Fr om n ow on , I’ll b e sellin g r oast ed
fish ever yd ay aft er sch ool. T h at ’ll b e en ou gh for m e t o get m y livin g exp en ses.
I’ll t r ea t you t o som e r oast ed fish lat er t on igh t .”
As h e sp ok e, t h e t w o w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e fr esh m en 's sch ool b u ild in g. As t h ey

w alk ed , W an g Don g exp lain ed t h e u se of t h e Sou l Ad va n cem en t Pill t o h im .
T h e m ain u se of t h e Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill w as t o in cr ease o n e’s sou lfor ce; it
w as r efin ed fr om a few h eaven ly t r easu r es. Sou l m ast er cou ld on ly u se a sin gle
Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill d u r in g t h eir en t ir e lifet im e, an d t h e in cr ease in sou lfor ce
on e w ou ld r eceive fr om t h e p ill w as r ou gh ly equ ivalen t t o t h e sou lfor ce t h at a
sou l m ast er at t h e t h ir t iet h r an k n eed ed t o ad van ce t o t h e t h ir t y-fir st r an k . T h is
w as a p ill t h at cou ld r aise on e’s sou lfor ce b y an en t ir e r a n k ! T h is w as t r u ly
som et h in g t h a t w as h ar d t o com e b y. H ow ever , on e’s fu t u r e cu lt iva t ion
p ot en t ial w ou ld b e affect ed if m or e t h an o n e w er e t ak en .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e So u l Ad van cem en t Pill an d t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill w er e

som ew h at sim ila r , as t h eir m ain fu n ct ion w as t o st im u lat e a p er son ’s p ot en t ial
t o p r ovid e m or e n ou r ish m en t t o t h e b od y. Becau se of t h is, t h eir m ed icin al
p r op er t ies w er e r ela t ively gen t le; sou l m ast er s t h at w er e on ly above t h e t en t h
r an k cou ld con su m e t h em .
“T h en , h ow lar ge w ou ld t h e in cr ease in m y sou lfor ce b e if I w er e t o eat it

n ow ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed p r ob in gly.
W an g Don g sh ook h is h ea d an d said , “I d on ’t k n ow . I’ve n ever h ear d of

an yon e w illin g t o eat it at t h e t w elft h r an k . No m at t er h ow h igh ly r an k ed an
au ct ion is, t h is p ill is alw ays con sid er ed a good t h in g. M or eover , ver y few p eop le
w ill ch oose t o sell it . Su p p osed ly, on ly an ext r em ely sm all n u m b er of p lan t -t yp e
sou l m ast er s ca n r efin e it , an d a year ’s su p p ly w on ’t exceed t w en t y. T h is t im e,
w e r eally h a d som e cr ap p y lu ck . It seem s t h at t h e sch ool is fair , as even t h ou gh
t h at fellow t h r eat en ed ou r lives, w e st ill got som et h in g t h is go od .”
Un lik e W an g Don g, w h o w as p r aisin g t h e sch ool for givin g t h em t h e p ill, H u o

Yu h ao’s m ood w asn ’t t oo h ap p y. T h is w as b ecau se h e clear ly k n ew h ow h e an d
W an g Don g w ou ld ’ve b een ch ar coal r igh t n ow , w er e it n ot for t h e exist en ce of
t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m . Even if t h ey w er e t o r eceive a p ill t h en , it w ou ld n ’t b e
of an y u se t o t h em .
“T h en , w h en i s t h e best t i m e t o eat i t , i n your opi n i on ?”
W an g Don g r epl i ed, “ Obvi ousl y, w h en w e get back t o our dor m t on i gh t . You
can ’ t just put a good t h i n g l i k e t h i s aw ay. Fur t h er m or e, i t ’ s best t o i n cr ease your
cul t i vat i on ear l i er , so t h at you can r each r an k t h i r t y ear l i er . I f I ’ d h ad a t h i r d
soul r i n g t oday, I w oul dn ’ t h ave been so passi ve, at t h e ver y l east . T h er e
w oul dn ’ t h ave been an y pr obl em s w i t h m e f l yi n g i n t o t h e ai r w i t h you ei t h er .”
H uo Yuh ao t h ough t about i t f or a w h i l e, bef or e deci di n g t o eat t h e Soul

Advan cem en t Pi l l on ce h e got back h om e t on i gh t . T h e st r on ger t h e soul f or ce h e
suppl i ed h i s M yst er i ous H eaven Sk i l l w i t h , t h e st r on ger i t s n our i sh i n g ef f ect
w oul d be on h i s passagew ays. H en ce, i n cr easi n g h i s soul f or ce w as n at ur al l y a
good t h i n g f or h i m . H ow ever , h e di dn ’ t k n ow h ow gr eat an i n cr ease i n soul f or ce
t h e Soul Advan cem en t Pi l l w oul d pr ovi de. T h e soul f or ce n eeded f or on e t o
advan ce t o t h e t h i r t y-f i r st r an k f r om t h e t h i r t i et h r an k coul d i n cr ease h i s
soul f or ce by t w o, or even t h r ee r an k s at t h e ver y m i n i m um . I f t h at w as t h e case,
h i s cul t i vat i on w oul d en d up ar oun d t h e t h e f i f t een t h r an k , w h i ch m ean t t h at
i t ’ d be i n accor dan ce w i t h t h e m i n i m um cul t i vat i on l evel n or m al l y n eeded t o
en t er Sh r ek Academ y.
W h en h i s t r ai n of t h ough t r each ed t h i s poi n t , H uo Yuh ao i m m edi at el y f el t a

w ave of passi on sur ge t h r ough h i s h ear t . Even t h ough h e di dn ’ t f eel i n f er i or h i s
cl assm at es, h e w as st i l l f i l l ed w i t h a sen se of dan ger . W i t h h i s or i gi n al l evel of
t al en t , t h e f i r st r oun d of assessm en t s f or f r esh m en w oul d’ ve been ext r em el y
h ar d f or h i m t o pass. H ow ever , h i s l ar ge i n cr ease i n cul t i vat i on dur i n g t h e past
t w o days h ad gi ven h i m som e h ope. No m at t er w h at , h e h ad t o st ay i n Sh r ek
Academ y.
Com par ed t o Zh ou Yi ’ s cl ass yest er day, t oday’ s cl asses w er e—at l east t o t h e

st uden t s—si m pl y t oo r el axed. Bot h t h ei r m or n i n g an d af t er n oon cl asses w er e on
t h eor y. T h e m or n in g class w as ab ou t t h e classificat ion of m ar t ial sou ls, w h ile
t h e aft er n oon class w as ab ou t d ist in gu ish in g a sou l b east ’s age.
Sin ce m ost of t h e st u d en t s w er e fam iliar w it h w h a t w as b ein g cover ed in t h e

t w o classes alr ead y, t h ey d id n ’t p ay t h em m u ch at t en t ion . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao
w as d iffer en t ; h e list en ed t o t h e t each er w it h r ap t at t en t ion . W h at h e lack ed
w asn ’t ju st t alen t an d cu lt ivat ion , b u t k n ow led ge t oo.
Su r e en ou gh , W a n g Don g t r eat ed h im t o a good m eal for lu n ch . On ce h e’d

fin ish ed h is aft er n oon class, T an g Ya cam e over t o h im .
“Let ’s go, Lit t le Yu h ao. I’ve p r ep ar ed ever yt h in g for you on ce again . Don ’t
w or r y, T each er Xiao Ya w ill st ay b y you r sid e an d p r ot ect you t od ay. Let ’s see
w h at id iot d a r es t o b u lly you w it h m e ar o u n d . Righ t , you r eld est sen ior b r ot h er
ask ed m e t o give t h is t o you w h en I saw you . Eat it w h en you get b ack t o you r
d or m r oom t on igh t .”
W h ilst sp eak in g, T a n g Ya h an d ed a p or celain b ot t le t o H u o Yu h ao.
T h e on look in g W an g Don g’s eyes im m ed iat ely w id en ed w h en h e saw t h is.

H e’d seen t h is sam e p or celain b ot t le yest er d ay! It w as t h e sa m e on e t h at Bei Bei
h ad t ak en a M yst er iou s W at er Pill ou t of t o feed H u o Yu h ao b efor e. It w as t h e
exact sam e on e!
T h is... w a s t h is a secon d M yst er io u s W a t er Pill?! T h e M yst er iou s W a t er Pill

w as d iffer en t fr om t h e Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill; it d id n ’t h ave an y r est r ict ion s on
h ow m an y t im es it cou ld b e u sed . H ow ever , t h e fir st p ill’s effect s w ou ld b e t h e
b est , w h ile t h ose of an y p ills t ak en aft er w ar d s w ou ld p r o gr essively d eclin e.
Aft er all, t h er e w as st ill a lim it t o t h e im p u r it ies each p er son h ad w it h in t h eir
b od ies. T h e in cr ease in sou lfor ce w ou ld n ’t b e as gr ea t as a Sou l Ad van cem en t
Pill eit h er .
“T each er Xiao Ya, h ave you t h ou gh t ab ou t m y issu e?” W an g Don g ask ed T an g

Ya, a fer ven t exp r ession on h is face.
T an g Ya giggled an d r ep lied , “I t alk ed t o Bei Bei ab ou t it . Bei Bei said t h at , if
you ’r e ab le t o ob t ain fir st p lace in t h e fir st fr esh m en assessm en t , you ’ll b e
qu alified t o join ou r T an g Sect .”
“Fin e, it ’s a d eal.” W an g Don g r ep lied w it h ou t an y h esit a t ion at all. T h e

b en efit s for join in g t h e T an g Sect w er e sim p ly t oo good ! H u o Yu h ao h ad ju st
r eceived t w o M yst er iou s W a t er Pills in fr on t of h im ! Alt h ou gh h e k n ew t h at h is
t alen t w as excep t ion al, an d t h at h e d id n ’t h ave an y u se for t h e M yst er iou s
W at er Pill, w h o k n ew w h et h er or n ot t h e T an g Sect h a d b et t er t h in gs? H ow ever ,
t h e r eason t h at h e w an t ed t o join t h e T an g Sect w asn ’t d u e t o it s b en efit s.
H u o Yu h ao accep t ed t h e p or celain b ot t le an d p u t it in t o h is T w en t y Fou r

M oon lit Br id ges w it h ou t ask in g an y q u est ion s. Aft er w ar d s, h e follow ed T an g Ya
ou t of t h e acad em y.
W an g Don g h u r r ied ly cau gh t u p t o t h em an d said , “I’m goin g t oo! H u o Yu h ao,

n o m at t er h ow you look at it , w e’r e r oom m at es. I’ll b u y t w o of you r r oast ed fish
t o h elp you r b u sin ess ou t a b it .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “I’ll t r eat you .”
W an g Don g sh ook h is h ead an d said , “H ow can I d o t h at ? Fr ien d s ar e fr ien d s,

b u sin ess is b u sin ess. I d on ’t n eed you t o t r eat m e, I can affor d t o b u y t h em .” As
h e sp ok e, h e fish ed ou t a silver so u l coin an d for cefu lly sh oved it in t o H u o
Yu h ao’s h an d .
H e or igin ally t h ou gh t t h at h e w as h elp in g H u o Yu h ao, b u t w h en t h e t h r ee of

t h em w alk ed t h r ou gh t h e acad em y’s gat es, W an g Don g r ealised t h a t h e’d
act u ally t ak en a d van t age of H u o Yu h ao.
T h er e w er e m or e t h an t h ir t y p eop le w ait in g ou t sid e for H u o Yu h ao t o r oast

fish , of t h e m ost eye-cat ch in g p er son of t h em b ein g Xu San sh i, w h o’d lost t o Bei
Bei yest er d ay in t h e Sou l Du ellin g Com p et it ion .
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed for a m om en t w h en h e saw Xu San sh i. H ow ever ,
T an g Ya im m ed iat ely st ep p ed for w ar d b r avely. “W h at , you ’r e n ot ab le t o accep t
you r loss? H ow ab ou t I follow you t o t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea t od ay?”
Xu San sh i u n h ap p ily r ep lied , “You ? Save it . I d on ’t h it w om en . St op t r yin g t o

st ir u p t r ou b le w it h m e. I’m h er e t od ay t o b u y som e r oast ed fish , n ot t o cau se
t r ou b le. Can ’t you see t h at I’m fir st in t h e qu eu e?”
W h en sh e h ear d w h at h e h a d t o say, T an g Ya’s exp r ession fin ally r elaxed . Sh e

ask ed , “You ’r e b u yin g it for J ian g Nan n a n ?”
“Yu p .” Xu San sh i n od d ed h is h ead .
T an g Ya t easin gly said , “I cou ld n ’t t ell t h at you w er e st ill so in fat u at ed w it h

h er . W h a t a p it y t h a t t h at sh e d oesn ’t even lik e you .”
Xu San sh i an gr ily said , “T an g Ya, d on ’t p r ovok e m e! You r Bei Bei sw in d led

m e yest er d ay, yet I h aven ’t even t r ied t o set t le m y d eb t s w it h you gu ys.”
T an g Ya st u ck h er t on gu e ou t , t h en t u r n ed ar ou n d an d said t o H u o Yu h ao,
“Lit t le Yu h ao, you sh ou ld st ar t n ow . Sin ce som eone gave you som et h i n g good
yest er day, you sh oul d sel l h i m t w o r oast ed f i sh t oday.”
Af t er set t i n g h i s gr i l l up, H uo Yuh ao began t o sel l h i s r oast ed f i sh at t h e

en t r an ce t o Sh r ek Academ y f or t h e second t i m e. H ow ever , h e di dn ’ t sel l t h e f i r st
t w o r oast ed f i sh t o Xu San sh i , as h e di dn ’ t h ave a f avour abl e opi n i on of t h i s
f el l ow w h o’ d m ade a m ove agai n st h i m yest er day. Fur t h er m or e, W an g Don g
h ad pai d h i m f i r st . H en ce, t h e f i r st t w o f i sh h e r oast ed w en t t o W an g Don g.
T h e t h i r d an d f our t h w en t t o T an g Ya.
On l y w h en Xu San sh i ’ s expr essi on h ad t ur n ed i n cr easi n gl y dar k , di d h e

r ecei ve t h e f i f t h an d si xt h r oast ed f i sh . H e t h r ew h i s m on ey t ow ar ds H uo Yuh ao
an d l ef t .
“Deliciou s, t h is is r eally t oo d eliciou s! Fish can act u ally b e so fr agr an t ?!” As
W an g Don g at e, h is eyes glow ed . W h ilst eat in g t h e r oast ed fish , h is ap p ear an ce
b ecam e com p let ely id en t ica l t o T an g Ya’s. By t h e t im e h e’d fin ish ed h is fish ,
b ot h h is face an d h a n d s w er e d r ip p in g w it h oil.
As H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed t o sell r oast ed fish b y t h e en t r an ce t o Sh r ek

Acad em y, a cer t ain p er son in a secr et r oom locat ed on t h e cen t r al islan d of t h e
Sea God Lak e gr ad u a lly w ok e u p fr om t h eir com at ose st at e.
“Ugh …” T h e r ed -sh ir t ed w om an ’s b od y m oved a b it . Sh e su b con sciou sly

cover ed h er ch est w it h h er r igh t h a n d an d m u t t er ed , “I’m t oo h ot , it ’s t oo
u n b ear ab le... I feel t er r ib le... h u h ?”
Sh e gr ad u a lly op en ed h er eyes, h ow ever h er p u p ils w er e n ow fain t ly p in k in

colou r ; t h e b lood y colou r w it h in h er eyes h ad r eced ed . T h er e w as also a t r ace of
d ou b t in h er eyes. “T h at ’s st r a n ge, w h y isn ’t it h ot a n ym or e?”
Sh e su d d en ly sat u p , su b con sciou sly look in g d ow n at h er self. H er or igin ally

sw eat -d r en ch ed clot h es h ad alr ead y d r ied . Sh e ju m p ed off t h e b ed sh e’d b een
layin g on an d t ook off t h e m ask cover in g h er face, r evealin g a som ew h at p ale,
oval-sh ap ed face. Sh e look ed t o b e ab ou t t w en t y or so, w it h h er facial exp r ession
b ein g sligh t ly cold . H ow ever , it w as st ill u n ab le t o con ceal h er b eau t y, w h ich
w as p eer less en ou gh t h at it cou ld m ove on e’s h ear t . As sh e st ood t h er e, sh e
exp osed h er excit in g figu r e w h ich r esem b led a r ip en ed p each .
“You ’r e aw ak e.” An aged voice r an g ou t , b efor e let t in g ou t a lon g sigh .

“Xiaot ao, you alm ost m ad e a h u ge m ist a k e t h is t im e! I d on ’t k n ow w h et h er or
n ot it w as d est in y, b u t an ot h er w or ld ly ice-t yp e en er gy su r ged in t o you r b od y,
jolt in g t h e evil fir e w it h in you r b od y. Can you r em em b er an yt h in g you saw aft er
you ch ar ged ou t fr o m Sea God Lak e?”
Book 3: Fusion of M ar t ial Souls
Chapt er 15.1: Thr ee M ont hs
T h e r ed -sh ir t ed w om an w as p r ecisely t h e fir e-t yp e Sou l Em p er or t h at h ad

n ear ly b r ou gh t a calam it y u p on H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g. If sh e r eally w as as
old as sh e look ed , h er t a len t h ad alr ead y r each ed a level t h at cou ld n ’t b e
d escr ib ed w it h t h e w or d s ‘ext r em ely st a r t lin g’ an ym or e.
T h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e h ist or y of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t , even w h en t h e fir st

sou l m ast er s h ad ap p ear ed , a t w en t y-year -old Sou l Em p er or cou ld r an k am on gst
t h e t op in t er m s of t a len t ; so m u ch so t h at t h ey cou ld even b e com p ar ed t o Sh r ek
Acad em y’s fir st gen er at ion Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s.
T h e aged voice b elon ged t o t h e w h it e-clot h ed eld er w h o’d b r ou gh t h er b ack .

W h en sh e h ear d h is qu est ion , t h e r ed -sh ir t ed gir l, w h o w as n am ed Xiaot ao,
b lan k ly sh ook h er h ead . “I d on ’t r em em b er an yt h in g excep t for a p at ch of r ed
ap p ear in g in fr on t o f m e. Aft er t h at , I felt som et h in g life-t h r eat en in g. I t r ied t o
r esist , b u t aft er t h at , I w ok e u p h er e....”
T h e w h it e-clot h ed eld er fu r r ow ed h is b r ow an d w alk ed u p t o h er . H e sp ok e in

a low voice, “W h y d id n ’t you t ell m e t h at you cou ld n ’t su p p r ess t h e evil fir e
w it h in you r b od y? Ar en ’t you aw ar e t h at you alm ost cau sed a calam it y? T w o
st u d en t s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d alm ost d ied t o you r evil fir e.”
Xiaot ao w as d azed . “I... I d id n ’t k n ow t h at it w ou ld b e t h is ser iou s. I t h ou gh t

t h at I cou ld con t r ol it . Bu t ….”
T h e w h it e-clot h ed eld er let ou t a lon g sigh b efor e sayin g, “T h e lon ger you
su p p r ess it , t h e st r o n ger it ’ll b e w h en it er u p t s. Xiaot ao, fr om n ow on , p ost p on e
you r cu lt iva t ion . Even if you ’r e t h e m ost ou t st an d in g gen iu s Sh r ek Acad em y h as
h ad in t h e p ast sever al h u n d r ed year s, you can ’t d est r oy you r self for t h e sak e of
t h e sch ool. If t h e evil fir e d est r oys you r con sciou sn ess in t h e fu t u r e, you r
t each er w ill r egr et it for t h e r est of h is life.”
Xiaot ao st u b b or n ly r ep lied , “No, t each er . I w an t t o cu lt ivat e. I gu ar an t ee t h at
it w on ’t h ap p en again in t h e fu t u r e. I can even feel t h at t h e eviln ess an d h eat
fr om t h e evil fir e h a ve b een su p p r essed . T h er e d efin it ely w on ’t b e an y p r ob lem s
in t h e n ear fu t u r e. It ’s ju st … w h at k in d of p ow er w as act u ally ab le t o su p p r ess
m y Evil Ph oen ix Fir e?”
T h e w h it e-clot h ed eld er sp ok e w it h a t h ou gh t fu l t on e, “It ’s a n ext r em e, p eak -

level ice-t yp e en er gy. It s p u r it y far exceed s t h a t of you r Evil Ph oen ix Fir e, an d
som ew h at r esem b les t h e Ab solu t e Fr ost Br eat h of t h e An cien t Ice Dr agon s. It ’s
com p let ely su p p r essed t h e Evil Ph oen ix Fir e’s effect s on you r b od y—far m or e
t h an an y of t h e m et h od s w e’ve u sed .”
Xiaot ao ask ed w it h a d ou b t fu l t on e, “H ow ever , it ’s sim p ly im p ossib le for it t o

b e an An cien t Ice Dr agon ! M u ch less in ou r acad em y! Cou ld it b e som eon e w h o’s
in filt r at ed t h e acad em y?”
T h e w h it e-clot h ed eld er sh ook h is h ea d an d said , “I’ve alr ead y sen t som e

p eop le t o in vest igat e. I or igin a lly t h ou gh t t h a t it m igh t h ave b een som e p eop le
fr om t h eir fam ilies w h o’d b een sen t t o p r ot ect t h em , b u t a ft er I in vest igat ed
t h em , I d iscover ed t h at t h a t w as im p ossib le. T h ey’r e called W an g Don g an d H u o
Yu h ao. H u o Yu h ao is a sp ecial st u d en t fr om t h e T an g Sect , so I ask ed Bei Bei
ab ou t h im . H e an d T an g Ya m et h im in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , t h en b r ou gh t
h im b ack w it h t h em . H is t a len t is or d in ar y; h e’s even an or p h an . T h er e’s n o w ay
t h at a n exp er t w ou ld follow h im ar ou n d an d p r ot ect h im . On t h e ot h er h an d ,
W an g Don g h as qu it e a la r ge b ack gr ou n d . H ow ever , h is b ack gr ou n d isn ’t
sp ecialised in ice-t yp e m ar t ial sou ls. As for t h e aca d em y it self, I’ve ask ed ar ou n d
sever al t im es. T h er e ar e m an y st u d en t s a n d t each er s w it h ice-t yp e m ar t ial so u ls,
b u t a p eak -level ice-t yp e m ar t ial sou l lik e t h is h as n ever b een sp ot t ed am on gst
an y of t h em b efor e. It ’s t r u ly st r an ge.”
Xiao T ao r ep lied , “T each er , for get ab ou t it . You d on ’t n eed t o con t in u e

in vest igat in g it .”
T h e w h it e-clo t h ed eld er sp ok e, “T h is m at t er con cer n s you r fu t u r e, h ow cou ld

I n ot b e w or r ied ? If I can at least fin d t h e p er son w h o p ossesses t h is ice-t yp e
m ar t ial sou l, an d if h e t u r n s ou t t o b e m ale, I’ll let you b e a cou p le w it h h im .
T h at w ay, you ’ll b e ab le t o n eu t r alise t h e n egat ive effect s b r ou gh t ab ou t b y t h e
Evil Ph oen ix Fir e w it h in you r b od y. T h at ’s t h e on ly w ay t h at you can t r u ly soar
in t o t h e h ea ven s in t h e fu t u r e. H ow ever r igh t n ow , you ’r e com p let ely r est r ict ed .
Not on ly h as you r cu lt iva t ion sp eed d ecr eased , even you r life’s at r isk .”
Xiaot ao’s ch ar m in g face w en t r ed . “I d on ’t w an t t o get m ar r ied , m u ch less t o a

p er son I d on ’t lik e for t h e sak e of h is m ar t ial sou l!”
T h e w h it e-clot h ed eld er sigh ed . “T h e p r ob lem is, you r evil fir e can ’t b e

r est r ain ed !”
Xiaot ao h u m p h ed an d r ep lied , “I’ll r est r ain it . I d on ’t w an t t o m ar r y an yon e!”
T h e w h it e-clot h ed eld er said an gr ily, “M a Xiaot ao, if you con t in u e t o b e t h is

u n r u ly, I w on ’t r ecogn ise you as a d iscip le an ym or e.”
W h en M a Xiaot ao saw t h at t h e w h it e-clot h ed eld er w as an gr y, sh e

im m ed iat ely b egan t o b eh ave. Sh e p r oceed ed t o sp eak in an aggr ieved t on e,
“Bu t , t each er I….”
T h e w h it e-clot h ed eld er r u b b ed h er h ea d . “Foolish gir l. You r em ot ion s can b e

cu lt ivat ed , b u t you on ly h ave on e life t o live, let alon e h o w m u ch t alen t you
h ave. No m at t er w h a t , t each er w ill m ak e su r e t h at you fin d a good p ar t n er .”
……
“Nan n an , I b r ou gh t som e r oast ed fish fr om t h at k id fr om yest er d ay. Don ’t

w or r y, I d id n ’t u se a n y violen t m et h od s t o ob t ain it . I q u eu ed u p an d b ou gh t it .”
Xu San sh i sp ok e w it h a p olit e t on e as h e st ood in fr on t of J ian g Nan n an , w h o’d
p lan n ed t o w alk t o t h e can t een .
J ian g Nan n an sh ook h er h ead , “No n eed , t h an k you .”
Xu San sh i p r ob in gly ask ed , “Do you t h in k I w as t oo violen t yest er d ay?

Act u ally, I’m n ot n or m ally lik e t h at . It ’s ju st t h at , b ecau se of you , I… Nan n an , I
k n ow t h at you st ill h old a gr u d ge again st m e b ecau se of w h at h ap p en ed t h a t
t im e. Bu t , cou ld n ’t ou r r eu n ion at Sh r ek Acad em y b e con sid er ed a sor t of
d est in y? I r eally lik e you ! I p r om ise t o b e fait h fu l t o you u n t il I d ie.”
J ian g Nan n an cold ly r ep lied , “I r em em b er t ellin g you t h at w e’d t ak e w h at w e

n eed ed , t h en w alk o u r sep ar at e w ays aft er m eet in g t h at t im e. T h er e’s n o ch an ce
t h at an yt h in g w ill h ap p en b et w een t h e t w o of u s. Xu San sh i, you ’r e a h igh an d
loft y n ob le, w h y d o you h ave t o b ot h er a lit t le w om an lik e m e? I can ’t even give
you an yt h in g. Please d on ’t in t er fer e w it h m y life in t h e fu t u r e. If you con t in u e,
I’ll r ep or t it t o t h e sch ool. Also, p lease d on ’t b u lly ot h er st u d en t s b ecau se of
m e.”
W h en sh e fin ish ed sp eak in g, sh e t u r n ed ar ou n d t o w alk aw ay. H ow ever , sh e

w as b lock ed b y Xu San sh i, w h o a n gr ily said , “M e, b u lly ot h er st u d en t s? Don ’t
you k n ow h ow b ad ly t h at Bei Bei b u llied m e? T h e p er son r oast in g fish yest er d ay
w as h is ju n ior b r ot h er , w h ich h e t h en u sed as an excu se t o sw in d le m e ou t of
t w o M yst er iou s W a t er Pills! T an g Ya even sh ot a Dr agon Bear d Need le in t o m y
w aist , t h u s I h ave a h u ge b r u ise t h er e n ow ! J u st w h at ’s w r on g w it h m e? You ’r e
n ot even w illin g t o give m e a ch an ce.”
J ian g Nan n an cold ly r ep lied , “You w en t t o a p lace lik e t h at a t su ch a you n g

age, so w h at ’s can b e so ‘good ’ ab ou t you ?” W h en sh e fin ish ed sp eak in g, sh e
t u r n ed ar o u n d an d left . T h is t im e, sh e d ir ect ly ju m p ed u p , h er t h r ee yellow sou l
r in gs im m ed ia t ely ligh t in g u p . H er ear s seem ed t o fain t ly elon gat e an d p r ick u p ,
w h ile h er b od y ap p ear ed t o b ecom e even m or e slen d er . Sh e p u sh ed off t h e
gr ou n d w it h h er legs, an d ap p ear ed t en m et r es aw ay, b efor e r ap id ly r u n n in g
aw ay w it h ou t t u r n in g b ack .
As h e gazed at h er sh r in k in g b ack , Xu San sh i fell in t o a d aze for a w h ile.

Aft er w ar d s, h e fier cely b it off som e of t h e r oast ed fish t h at h e w as h old in g. “Xu
San sh i, you ’r e su ch a loser . W h a t ’s so am azin g ab ou t t h is? I’ll eat it m yself. Eh ?
T h is r oast ed fish t ast es qu it e d eliciou s.”
“H u o Yu h ao, I d id n ’t t h in k t h at t h e qu alit y of you r r oast ed fish w ou ld b e so

h igh . H ow ab ou t t h is. Aft er I t r eat you t o d in n er , you can t r eat m e t o som e
r oast ed fish . H ow d oes t h a t sou n d ?” W an g Don g sp ok e w it h an excit ed
exp r ession as h e r ecalled t h e d eliciou s fr agr an ce of t h e r oast ed fish h e’d ju st
eat en .
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t lau gh . “You cou ld n ’t p ossib ly w an t t o eat

r oast ed fish ever y n igh t , cou ld you ? Even if it ’s as t ast y as you say it is, you ’ll
st ill get t ir ed of it if you eat it t oo m u ch .”
W an g Don g r ep lied , “No w or r ies, I d on ’t car e. Let ’s t a lk ab ou t t h a t w h en I’ve

m an aged t o sat isfy m y cr avin gs. It ’s set t led ; I w an t t o eat fou r r oast ed fish
t om or r ow n igh t ! T w o fish es ju st w er en ’t en ou gh t o sa t isfy m e! Besid es, d id you
see h ow m an y p eop le w er e in lin e t od ay? I t h in k t h at you sh ou ld sell a few m or e
fish , it d oesn ’t w ast e t oo m u ch t im e an yw ay. If you d on ’t , w e’ll fin ish eat in g
t h em b efor e you ’ve even st ar t ed sellin g t h em !”
By t h is t im e, t h e t w o h ad alr ead y p ack ed u p an d r et u r n ed t o t h eir d or m it or y.

Befor e r et u r n in g t o t h eir r oom s, t h ey d ecid ed t o h ea d t o t h e can t een t o get som e
d in n er .
“W an g Don g, sin ce m y eld est sen ior b r ot h er gave m e an ot h er M yst er iou s

W at er Pill, d o you t h in k t h a t I sh ou ld eat it or t h e Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill fir st ?”
H u o Yu h ao t ook ou t t h e t w o p ills an d ask ed W an g Don g. W an g Don g w as clear ly
m or e k n ow led geab le t h an h im in t h e field of m ed icin al p ills. Aft er r eceivin g t h e
t w o p ills, H u o Yu h a o w as t r u ly feelin g som ew h at im p at ien t . If h e ad d ed t h e
m ed icin al p r op er t ies of t h e t w o p ills t o h is ow n cu lt ivat ion , h e w ou ld n ’t b e
b eh in d t h e ot h er st u d en t s in t h eir class an ym or e.
W an g Don g t h ou gh t for a w h ile, b efor e r ep lyin g, “I’d r ecom m en d t h at you
n ot b e so eager t o t ak e t h ese t w o p ills; at least , for t h e t im e b ein g.”
“W h y?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed w it h a p u zzled exp r ession .
W an g Don g r ep lied , “T h in k ab ou t it . You ju st u sed a M yst er iou s W at er Pill

yest er d ay. A lot of you r b od y’s im p u r it ies h ave alr ead y b een flu sh ed ou t . T h e
m ed icin al efficacy of t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill w ill st ay in you r b od y for a
p er iod of t im e, b u t w ill b e d issolved as you con t in u e t o m ed it at e. If you t ak e an y
ot h er m ed icin e r igh t n ow , even t h ou gh it ’ll st ill h ave som e p a r t ial effect s, you ’ll
w ast e som e of it s m ed icin al p ow er . T h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill an d t h e Sou l
Ad van cem en t Pill ca n b ot h b e d escr ib ed w it h t h e w or d s ‘H eaven ly T r easu r e’.
Sin ce you h ave su ch p r eciou s p ills, you sh ou ld n at u r ally m ak e fu ll u se of t h em . I
su ggest t h at you cu lt ivat e for ar ou n d t en d ays or so; w ait u n t il you r b od y h as
m an aged t o fu lly ab sor b t h e effect s of t h e fir st M yst er iou s W a t er Pill b efor e you
u se t h e secon d on e. You ’ll b e ab le t o im p r ove you r p h ysiqu e b y a st ep , w h ile
in cr easin g you r sou lfor ce at t h e sam e t im e. On ce you ’ve fin ish ed ab sor b in g t h e
m ed icin al effect s of t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pills, b ot h you r p h ysiq u e an d
p assagew ays w ill h a ve h ad a r a t h er lar ge im p r ovem en t . If you t h en u se t h e Sou l
Ad van cem en t Pill—sin ce you r b od y w ill b e fr ee of ob st r u ct ion s—you ’ll n at u r a lly
b e ab le t o ob t ain t h e gr eat est am ou n t of b en efit s p ossib le.”
H u o Yu h ao felt t h at W an g Don g’s a n alysis w as ext r em ely r eason ab le.

“T h an k s, I’m lu ck y t h at you t old m e ab ou t all of t h is n ow . If you h ad n ’t , I
w ou ld n ’t h ave k n ow n h ow t o u se t h em effect ively. W h at ab ou t you ? Ar e you
goin g t o eat you r ’s t od ay?”
W an g Don g n od d ed h is h ead an d said , “I’m alr ead y at r an k t w en t y on e; m y

p h ysiqu e an d p assa gew ays ar e in ext r em ely good con d it ion . It ’s n at u r ally
p er fect for m e t o ab sor b t h e Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill as soon as p ossib le. W h en I
eat it , I’ll b e ab le t o dissolve it s m ed icin al p ow er in a sin gle n igh t . H eh e, I’ll b e at
r an k t w en t y t w o t o m or r ow , or p ossib ly even r an k t w en t y t h r ee! Did n ’t sen ior
Xiao Ya say t h at sh e’d let m e en t er t h e T a n g Sect if I r an k fir st in t h e fr esh m en 's
assessm en t ? Aft er ea t in g t h is Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill, I’m even m or e cer t ain t h at
I’ll b e ab le t o ach ieve fir st p lace. Alr igh t , I’m goin g t o st ar t n ow . You sh ou ld go
an d cu lt ivat e b y you r self.”
Aft er h e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g, h e t ook ou t t h e w aln u t -sized Sou l Ad van cem en t
Pill an d p op p ed it in t o h is m ou t h . H e b it in t o it soft ly, ca u sin g an ext r em ely
st r on g fr agr an ce t o im m ed iat ely gu sh ou t of t h e p ill. W an g Don g in h aled soft ly,
t h en im m ed ia t ely b egan t o su ck a gr een liq u id ou t fr om t h e p ill. H e d id n ’t even
w ast e t h e p ill’s ou t er sh ell; h e p op p ed it in t o h is m ou t h an d ch ew ed it a few
t im es b efor e sw allow in g it .
At t h at m om en t , t h e d or m b ecam e su ffu sed w it h a n at u r al fr agr an ce t h at

r esem b led a clu st er of t en t h ou san d flow er s. H u o Yu h ao’s m in d felt r efr esh ed ,
w h ile all t h ir t y-six t h ou san d of h is p or es seem ed t o op en u p accor d in gly,
cau sin g a h ar d -t o-d escr ib e st im u lat ion t o sp r ead t h r ou gh h is en t ir e b od y. H e
d id n ’t d a r e t o w ast e an y t im e, h u r r ied ly sit t in g on t h e gr ou n d in a cr oss-legged
p osit ion t o t ak e ad van t age of t h e fact t h at h is sou lfor ce h ad b een ad ju st ed t o an
op t im u m st a t e for cu lt iva t ion .
Aft er t h e b ap t ism of t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill, cu lt iva t ion w a s sim p ly a for m

of p leasu r e for H u o Yu h ao. H e qu ick ly en t er ed a m ed it a t ive st at e, t h en b egan t o
cir cu la t e t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e w it h ou t an y ob st r u ct ion s. It
p er m eat ed t h r ou gh ou t h is b od y w h ile sim u lt an eou sly in cr ea sin g h is sou lfor ce
slow ly, alb eit at a ver y st ab le r at e.
A fain t jad e ligh t gr ad u ally st ar t ed t o em er ge fr om W an g Don g’s b od y,

follow ed b y t h e st r on g r efr esh in g a u r a t h at w as cir cu la t in g t h r ou gh ou t t h e
r oom . Som e of it w a s ab sor b ed b y H u o Yu h ao, b u t even m or e of it w as in h aled
b y W an g Don g as h e p r act iced h is b r eat h in g exer cises. Un d er t h e st im u lat ion of
t h e Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill, h is sou lfor ce h ad b egu n t o in cr ease at a st ar t lin g
r at e.
……
Aft er t h e t w ist s an d t u r n s t h a t h ad occu r r ed t o h im t w o d ays ago, H u o

Yu h ao’s sch ool life st ar t ed t o ca lm d o w n . Not on ly t h at , b u t h e’d gr ad u a lly
b egu n t o gain som e fam e. Pr act ically all of t h e st u d en t s an d t each er s w h o’d t r ied
h is r oast ed fish h a d u n ceasin gly p r aised it .
H u o Yu h ao in cr eased t h e n u m b er of fish h e sold fr om t w en t y t o t h ir t y, b u t h e

w as st ill far fr om sat isfyin g t h e d esir es of t h e st u d en t s an d t each er s. H ow ever ,
h e w asn ’t w illin g t o m ak e an y m or e, as h e st ill n eed ed m ost of h is t im e for
cu lt ivat ion .
For t h e sak e of a sin gle r oast ed fish , m an y st u d en t s w ou ld r u sh ou t of t h e

sch ool on ce class en d ed . M or eover , b ecau se of t h e h igh d em an d for h is r oast ed
fish , h e h a d n o ch oice b u t t o im p ose a lim it of on e fish p er p er son . H ow ever ,
alt h ou gh t h e d em an d for h is r oast ed fish w as as h igh as it w as, H u o Yu h ao n ever
in cr eased h is p r ice, cau sin g h im t o r eceiv e u n an im o u s p osit iv e r eview s fr om t h e
st u d en t s. Fu r t h er m or e, h e even m ad e sever al n ew fr ien d s.
T h e n u m b er on e b eau t y of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , J ian g Nan n a n , st ill en d ed u p

eat in g on e of h is r oast ed fish in t h e en d , t h ou gh sh e qu eu ed u p b y h er self in
or d er t o b u y it . H ow ever , t h e m or e in t er est in g t h in g w a s t h a t , even t h ou gh Xu
San sh i w a sn ’t ab le t o p lease J ian g Nan n an w it h t h e r oast ed fish , h e also lik ed it s
t ast e. H en ce, h e b eca m e on e of H u o Yu h ao’s m ost fait h fu l cu st om er s.
In t h e b lin k of an eye, t h e fir st t h r ee m on t h s of sch ool h ad p assed . Un d er

Zh ou Yi’s t each in g, w h ich w as st r ict t o t h e p oin t of b ein g p er ver t ed , Class 1
cou ld b e said t o h av e com p let ely t r an sfor m ed . H ow ever , t h e u p p er ech elon of
t h e acad em y w as sligh t ly ast on ish ed b y t h e fact t h at t h er e w er e act u ally
b et w een sixt y an d seven t y st u d en t s left fr om t h e t h r ee m on t h b ap t ism of Class 1,
w h ich Zh ou Yi h ad b een in ch ar ge of. T h is w as leagu es ap ar t fr om t h e sch ool’s
on e-t h ir d est im at e.
If on e w er e t o ask w h o’d ch an ged t h e m ost in all of Class 1 du r in g t h ese t h r ee

m on t h s, t h e an sw er w ou ld u n d ou b t ed ly b e H u o Yu h ao.
W h en h e en t er ed t h e acad em y, h is sou lfor ce h ad m er ely b een r an k eleven . In

ad d it ion t o t h at , h e’d ju st ob t a in ed h is sou l r in g. H is st r en gt h h a d b een
ab solu t ely d ead last w h en r an k ed in t h e acad em y, w it h ou t an y su sp en se at all.
H ow ever , aft er t h ese t h r ee m on t h s, H u o Yu h ao h ad com p let ely ch an ged .
Fu r t h er m or e, n ot on e p er son h ad ch allen ged h im for h is p osit ion as class
m on it or sin ce h e’d t ak en u p t h e r ole.
It w asn ’t b ecau se H u o Yu h ao h ad u sed h is st r en gt h t o ast on ish ever yon e, or

t h at n o on e cou ld b eat h im . In st ead , it w as b ecau se h is vigor h ad sp ar k ed t h e
ad m ir at ion of t h e st u d en t s in Class 1. T h is w as t h e m ain r eason t h at t w o-t h ir d s
of t h e class w as ab le t o p er sever e in Class 1, even u n d er Zh ou Yi’s st r ict t each in g.
H u o Yu h ao w as t r u ly t oo h ar d w or k in g. Pr act ically all of t h e t each er s w h o

t au gh t Class 1 k n ew of h is exist en ce. No m at t er w h en t h e class w as, n or w h at
lesson w as goin g on , t h er e w ou ld alw ays b e a p air of eyes focu sed on t h e t each er
for t h e d u r a t ion of t h e en t ir e lesson ; t h e ow n er en t ir ely focu sed on list en in g t o
t h e t each er ’s exp lan at ion .
Neit h er t alen t n or h is st r en gt h w er e t h a t gr eat . H ow ever , h e w as alw ays t h e

m ost at t en t ive p er son in t h e class.
Zh ou Yi’s level of st r ict n ess w as secon d t o n on e in t h e acad em y, b u t n ot even

sh e w as ab le t o fin d an y fau lt s w it h H u o Yu h ao. H er lon g an d cr u el p h ysical
t r ain in g w as con sid er ed t or m en t t o st u d en t s of t h e sam e age a s h im , yet n ot on ly
h ad h e p er sist ed t ill t h e ver y en d of ever y sin gle t r a in in g session , h e even
t r ain ed m or e at n igh t .
T h is w as som et h in g t h at Zh ou Yi h ad d iscover ed on e n igh t , p u r ely b y ch an ce.

It ju st so h ap p en ed t h at sh e n eed ed t o go an d d o som et h in g t h at d ay. By t h e t im e
sh e r et u r n ed t o t h e acad em y, it w as alr ead y lat e at n igh t . W h en sh e’d w alk ed
p ast Sh r ek Plaza, sh e’d d iscover ed —t o h er ast on ish m en t —a figu r e slow ly
r u n n in g ar ou n d t h e r u n n in g t r ack . M or eover , t h e soft cla n gin g of m et al h ad
even b een r in gin g ou t .
W h en sh e focu sed , sh e w as ab le t o see t h e figu r e of a sh ir t less, sw eat -

d r en ch ed p er son . T h e ch ain m ail on h is b od y h ad alr ead y b een soak ed w it h
sw eat , an d ever y st ep h e t ook w as ext r em ely h eavy. Zh ou Yi w as even ab le t o see
t h e lin e of sw eat t h at t h e figu r e h a d left b eh in d on t h e gr ou n d .
T h e figu r e, w h ich w asn ’t ver y t all,yet h ad b ot h st ead y an d p er sist en t

foot st ep s, w as p r ecisely H u o Yu h ao. Zh ou Yi h a d b een d eep ly st u n n ed b y h is
act ion s; h e w as act u ally givin g h im self ext r a t r ain in g in t h e m id d le of t h e n igh t !
Zh ou Yi h ad called o u t t o H u o Yu h ao in or d er t o ask h im w h at h e w as d oin g,

t o w h ich H u o Yu h ao h ad sim p ly r ep lied , “T each er , I h ave p oor t alen t ; I h ave t o
w or k sligh t ly h ar d er t h an t h e ot h er s. An d , if I m ed it at e aft er goin g t h r ou gh
p h ysical t r ain in g, it seem s t o sp eed u p a b it .”
Zh ou Yi som ew h at su sp ect ed t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad k n ow n t h a t sh e w as goin g
ou t t h at d ay, w h ich w as w h y h e’d p u r p osefu lly p u t on a sh ow for h er . H ow ever ,
sh e d ism issed t h is t h ou gh t n ot lon g aft er sh e’d t h ou gh t of it as, n o m at t er if it
w as w in d y or r ain y, a st ealt h y figu r e w ou ld alw ays ap p ear in Sh r ek Plaza. H is
r u n n in g session s w ou ld last over fou r h ou r s an d , in ad d it ion t o t h at , h is
ch ain m ail h a d gr ad u ally sp lit in t w o.
W h en ever yt h in g w a s said an d d on e, t h is w as st ill a sch ool. Even t h ou gh H u o

Yu h ao d id n ’t t ell a n yon e, h is act ion s w er e st ill fou n d ou t b y h is classm a t es.
T h er e w er e even a few st u d en t s w h o t r ied t o t r ain w it h H u o Yu h ao, b u t n on e of
t h em w er e ab le t o last lon ger t h an t h r ee d ays. T h ey alr ead y h ad h igh -in t en sit y
classes d u r in g t h e d ayt im e; if t h ey con t in u ed t o t r ain lat e at n igh t , it w ou ld n o
lon ger b e sim p le p h ysical t r a in in g. T h is w as p r act ically t or t u r in g on e’s ow n
b od y!
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao st ill m an aged t o p er sever e w it h t h is t or t u r e t o h is ow n

b od y. H e m ad e t h e im p ossib le p ossib le. H is level of vigor r eceived b ot h t h e
ack n ow led gem en t a n d ad m ir at ion of ever y t h e st u d en t s in t h eir class.
Fu r t h er m or e, H u o Yu h ao m an aged t o for cefu lly p er sever e for an en t ir e t h r ee
m on t h s d esp it e Zh ou Yi’s h ar sh r equ ir em en t s, allow in g h im t o b ecom e on e of
t h e sixt y-seven fr esh m en left in Class 1 .
‘H ar d w or k can m ak e u p for on e’s d eficien cies.’ T h ese ar e ver y sim p le w or d s,

b u t h ow m an y p eop le can t r u ly m ak e t h em a r ealit y?
An d yet , H u o Yu h ao h ad d on e it . T h u s, h e’d r eap ed t h e b en efit s of h is h ar d

w or k . M ak e n o m ist ak e, t h e m ain r eason for h is cu lt iva t ion in cr easin g b y su ch a
lar ge am ou n t w it h in su ch a sh or t p er iod w as st ill b ecau se of t h e t w o M yst er iou s
W at er Pills a n d t h e Sou l Ad van cem en t Pill. H ow ever , h e h a d n ’t ju st in cr eased
h is sou lfor ce. H e’d h ad a com p r eh en sive im p r ovem en t . It d id n ’t m at t er if it w as
h is k n ow led ge, or h is var iou s sk ills; h e’d ‘sh ed h is m or t a l b od y an d b on es’
d u r in g t h e p ast t h r ee m on t h s.
H e’d or igin ally b een sligh t ly sh or t er t h an W an g Don g, b u t h is h eigh t w as n ow

r ou gh ly t h e sam e a s W an g Don g’s. H is b od y h ad also b ecom e m u ch m or e
r u gged . H e d id n ’t h ave an y exagger at ed m u scles, b u t if h e w er e t o exp ose h is
u p p er b od y, you w ou ld clear ly b e ab le t o see t h at it h ad b ecom e w ell-
p r op or t ion ed . Ever y sin gle on e of h is m u scles seem ed t o b e filled w it h an
ab u n d an t am ou n t of p ow er .
M ost im p or t an t ly, H u o Yu h ao’s p h ysiq u e h ad u n d er gon e a h eaven -d efyin g

ch an ge d u r in g t h e p ast t h r ee m on t h s. T h is sor t of ch an ge w as d u e t o b ot h
in t er n a l an d ext er n al fact or s; it ab solu t ely w asn ’t ju st cau sed b y t h e t w o
M yst er iou s W at er Pills.
Sin ce h e’d ob t ain ed a sp ecial u n d er st an d in g of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven

T ech n iq u e, H u o Yu h ao m ad e su r e t o r ep or t it t o T an g Ya an d Bei Bei. H ow ever ,
t h e t w o of t h em w er en ’t ab le t o r ep licat e t h e p assagew ay-n ou r ish in g en er gy t h at
h e’d fou n d .
T h e r eason t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad t r ain ed h is b od y lat e in t o t h e n igh t w as

b ecau se t h e n ou r ish in g effect of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e w ou ld
ap p ear w h en ever h is st am in a an d sou lfor ce w er e com p let ely exh au st ed . T h e
in t an gib le ch an ges t h at w er e cau sed b y t h e n ou r ish in g effect h e felt ever y t im e
it occu r r ed cau sed h is p assagew ays t o exp an d sligh t ly, b u t t h e feelin g gr ad u ally
gr ew w eak er as t im e p assed . H ow ever , h is cu lt ivat ion sp eed w as in cr eased b y an
en or m ou s am ou n t as a r esu lt .
W h en H u o Yu h ao t ook t h e secon d M yst er iou s W at er Pill, h is cu lt iva t ion

sp eed b ecam e seven t im es fast er t h an it ’d b een at t h e st ar t . At t h e sam e t im e,
t h e im p u r it ies w it h in h is b od y w er e on e st ep closer t o b ein g en t ir ely exp elled .
Aft er t h e p ast t h r ee m on t h s of cu lt ivat ion , h is b od y’s p assagew ays b een
b r oad en ed u n ceasin gly, an d h ad b ecom e m u ch m or e d u r ab le. As of n ow , h is
cu lt ivat ion sp eed w a s t en t im es fast er t h an at t h e st ar t ! T h is w as an ast on ish in g
in cr ease in cu lt ivat ion sp eed !
W h en H u o Yu h ao h as u sed t h e secon d M yst er iou s W at er Pill, h is sou lfor ce

h ad in cr eased b y a fu ll r an k , b r in gin g h im t o st r a igh t t o t h e p eak of t h e
t h ir t een t h r an k fr om t h e p eak of t h e t w elft h r an k . Aft er h e’d u sed a p er iod of
t im e t o ad ju st h is b o d y’s con d it ion , h e’d t ak en t h e Sou l Ad va n cem en t Pill. Su r e
en ou gh , t h e r esu lt in g in cr ease in sou lfor ce b r ou gh t ab ou t b y it w as even m or e
im p r essive: H u o Yu h ao’s sou lfor ce r ose t h r ee con secu t ive r an k s, b efor e fin ally
sm ash in g t h r ou gh t h e fou r t h ’s b ot t len eck , r esu lt in g in h is sou lfor ce r each in g
t h e seven t een t h r an k .
Now , H u o Yu h ao’s cu lt ivat ion h ad r each ed t h e aver age level of t h e ot h er

st u d en t s in h is class. T h e m ost p r aise-w or t h y t h in g ab ou t t h is, w as t h at h e’d
r elied on h is ow n cu lt ivat ion t o d o so. Du r in g t h ese p ast t h r ee m on t h s, h is
sou lfor ce h ad con t in u ed t o in cr ease; h e’d r each ed t h e p eak of t h e seven t een t h
r an k , an d w as close t o b r eak in g t h r ou gh t o t h e eigh t een t h t an k . T h is w as st ill
d u e t o t h e fact t h at h e’d h ad t o st ab ilise h is fou n d at ion aft er u sin g m ed icin e for
h is p r eviou s b r eak t h r ou gh s. It cou ld d efin it ely b e said t h at h is cu r r en t d egr ee of
t alen t w as n o lon ger t h at of t h e t r ash -lik e d egr ee h e’d h a d w h en h e’d ju st
en t er ed Sh r ek Acad em y.
“W e’ll st op t od ay’s p h ysical t r a in in g h er e.” As Zh ou Yi st ood b eh in d t h e

t each in g p lat for m , h er aged face r em ain ed in d iffer en t . H ow ever , as lon g as h er
class w as st ill goin g on , p r act ically ever y sin gle st u d en t w ou ld sit p er fect ly
st r aigh t ; n o on e w ou ld d ar e t o m ak e an y sor t of st r an ge m ovem en t s.
“As of t od ay, t h r ee m on t h s h ave p assed sin ce you st a r t ed sch ool. You ’r e all
ab ou t t o face you r fir st assessm en t sin ce en t er in g Sh r ek Acad em y. If you p ass
t h is exam in at ion , you ’ll for m ally b ecom e fir st -year st u d en t s, an d w ill t r u ly
b ecom e st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y. If n ot h in g u n exp ect ed h ap p en s, you ’ll b e
ab le t o con t in u e cu lt ivat in g w it h in t h e acad em y u n t il you r fir st year gr ad u at ion
exam at t h e ver y lea st . T h e assessm en t w ill b egin t om or r ow , so I’d fir st lik e t o
d iscu ss t h e m a in p oin t s of t h e assessm en t .”
It w as r ar e for Zh ou Yi’s voice t o b e as soft as it w as. As sh e sw ep t h er gaze

acr oss t h e sixt y-seven st u d en t s b en eat h h er , sh e w as act u ally ext r em ely p leased
w it h t h em . Per h ap s t h e q u alit y of t h is bat ch of st u d en t s m igh t n ot b e st r on ger
t h an t h e p r eviou s b at ch of st u d en t s, b u t aft er t h r ee m on t h s of t each in g, t h eir
w illp ow er ab solu t ely su r p assed an y p r eviou s year ’s gr ou p t h at Zh ou Yi h ad
t au gh t . T o Zh ou Yi, t h is w as d efin it ely an u n exp ect ed su r p r ise. As t h e class
m on it or , H u o Yu h ao h ad p layed t h e r ole of an ext r em ely im p or t an t r ole m od el.
“H u o Yu h ao.”
“Pr esen t .” H u o Yu h a o in st an t ly st ood u p an d r esp ect fu lly r ep lied .
Aft er t h r ee m on t h s, H u o Yu h ao’s r esp ect for Zh ou Yi ab solu t ely cam e fr om

h is h ear t , an d it w a sn ’t b ecau se of h er st r en gt h . Alt h ou gh Zh ou Yi fr equ en t ly
cam e u p w it h som e st r an ge w ays t o t each , an d h ad even t or m en t ed t h em t o t h e
p oin t of t h em w an t in g t o d ie, it h ad t o b e said t h at h er t each in g ab ilit ies w er e
ext r aor d in ar ily st r on g. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ese st r an ge t h in gs t h at sh e’d d on e h ad
h ad a m u ch gr eat er effect on t h em t h an t h ey cou ld ’ve im agin ed . Becau se of t h is,
n ot on ly h ad t h e st u d en t s of Class 1 h ad a gr eat ch an ge in t h eir p sych ological
st at e, b u t t h e on es w h o w er e left aft er t h e last t h r ee m on t h s h ad an au r a as fir m
as a b ou ld er ar ou n d t h em .
H u o Yu h ao h ad ob ser ved t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e ot h er cla sses, b u t h e h ad n ’t

b een ab le t o sen se t h e sam e sor t of t em p er am en t fr om t h em . It w as ju st a s Bei
Bei h ad said : Even t h ou gh Zh ou Yi w as a ver y st r ict t each er , on e w ou ld
d efin it ely b ecom e an ou t st an d in g st u d en t , or even a t r u e exp er t in t h e fu t u r e, so
lon g as t h at p er son cou ld p er sever e t h r ou gh h er classes.
Zh ou Yi b eck on ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h a o, cau sin g h im t o h u r r ied ly w alk

t ow ar d s t h e t each in g p lat for m an d t ak e a st ack of p ap er s fr om h er . H e d id n ’t
n eed Zh ou Yi t o t ell h im w h at t o d o, as h e qu ick ly h an d ed t h em ou t t o ever y
sin gle st u d en t in t h e class.
Zh ou Yi said , “Aft er t h e fr esh m en assessm en t en d s, you r classes w ill b e in lin e

w it h you r ab ilit ies. W r it e d ow n t h e d ir ect ion you w ish for you r fu t u r e
cu lt ivat ion t o go, an d give it b ack t o m e lat er .”
T h e d ir ect ion sh e w as r efer r in g t o w as or gan ized as su ch : Assau lt , Defen se,

Con t r ol, an d Au xilia r y. T h ese w er e t h e fou r t yp es of sou l m ast er s. Du r in g t h e
fir st t h r ee m on t h s of t each in g, ever yon e w ou ld b e t oget h er in t h e sam e class.
H ow ever , on ce t h e t r u e fr esh m an classes h ad st ar t ed , ever yon e h ad t o b e
sep ar at ed . Aft er all, t h e d iffer en ce in cu lt ivat ion p a t h s b et w een sou l m ast er s
fr om d iffer en t cat egor ies w as ext r em ely lar ge.
Aft er H u o Yu h ao h ad r et u r n ed t o h is sea t , h e w as t h e fir st on e t o w r it e d ow n

w h ich d ir ect ion h e w as goin g t o follow . H e n at u r ally w r ot e d ow n t h e w or d s
‘Con t r ol Syst em Sou l M ast er ’, b efor e sign in g t h e b ot t om of t h e p age w it h h is
ow n n am e. H ow ever , h e d id n ’t n ot ice t h at W an g Don g, w h o w as sit t in g n ext t o
h im , h ad glan ced a t t h e con t en t s of h is p a ge b efor e w r it in g d ow n h is ow n .
Zh ou Yi said , “You ’r e all st u d en t s t h a t I’ve t au gh t . Even t h ou gh you ’ll b e sp lit

in t o d iffer en t classes aft er t h is assessm en t , I h op e you b r at s w on ’t for get t h e
t h in gs t h at I’ve t au gh t you . H an d you r p ap er s b ack t o m e aft er class. Now t h en ,
I’ll go over t h e m ain p oin t s of t h e fr esh m an assessm en t .”
As sh e w as sp eak in g, Zh ou Yi t u r n ed ar ou n d an d w alk ed b ack t o t h e

b lack b oar d . Sh e t h en d r ew a few lin es, a n d p r oceed ed t o w r it e t h e w or d ‘Bat t le’
in t h e m id d le of t h e b lack b oar d .
“Bat t le. T h at ’s r igh t , you ’ll h ave t o figh t in t h e fr esh m en assessm en t .

Fu r t h er m or e, it ’s a b at t le t h a t ever yon e h as t o p ar t icip at e in . I k n ow , t h e t ool
sou l m ast er s am on gst you lot , an d esp ecially t h e au xiliar y an d food syst em on es,
w ill fin d t h is ver y st r an ge. ‘W h y d o you h ave t o p ar t icip at e in t h e figh t as w ell?’
W ell, you d id n ’t h ea r m e w r on gly. You a ll h ave t o ap p ear on t h e b at t lefield t oo,
ju st lik e t h e b at t le sou l m ast er s. Even t h ou gh Sh r ek Acad em y ed u cat es all t yp es
of t alen t ed sou l m ast er s, you r ab ilit y on t h e b at t lefield is st ill t h e m ost
im p or t an t t h in g. I t old you all t h is on ce b efor e, on t h e d ay t h at sch ool st ar t ed .
Ever sin ce t h e ap p ear an ce of sou l t ools, t h e lin e d ivid in g t h e t yp es of sou l
m ast er s h as b egu n t o b lu r . Even if you ’r e an au xiliar y or food syst em t ool sou l
m ast er , you ’ll st ill b e ab le t o exp lod e w it h an ext r em ely st r on g com b at p ow er b y
r elyin g on sou l t ools. H ow ever , w h er e w ill you r com b at in st in ct s com e fr om ?
Don ’t t ell m e t h a t a sou l m ast er can ju st b e given a sou l t ool, an d w ill t h en b e
m agically ab le t o su r vive b y d im -w it t ed ly st an d in g ar ou n d on t h e b at t lefield ?
Ob viou sly n ot . You r com b at in st in ct s h a ve h on ed fr om r eal b at t les. Becau se of
t h is, all of you w ill h ave t o u n d er go t h is com b at assessm en t .”
“Of cou r se, t h e acad em y n at u r ally w on ’t allow au xiliar y syst em t ool sou l
m ast er s t o figh t w it h assau lt syst em b at t le sou l m ast er s, t h at ’s ju st t oo u n fair t o
you lot . As su ch , t h e fr esh m en assessm en t w ill b e con d u ct ed u sin g a for m of
t eam b at t les. H ow ev er , t h er e w on ’t b e t oo m an y p eop le in a t eam . Ult im at ely,
t h e acad em y h as d ecid ed t h at t h is year , t h er e w ill b e t h r ee p eop le p er t eam . T h is
is a r at h er h igh n u m b er for p eop le at you r age t o at t em p t t o syn er gize w ell w it h .
W h en you ’r e m ak in g you r gr ou p s, you can on ly h ave on e assau lt syst em sou l
m ast er at m ost , w h ile you r ot h er t w o t eam m em b er s can b e ch osen as you w ish .
W e’ll fir st p u t st u d en t s w h o ar e in t h e sam e d or m r oom t oget h er in t o t eam s,
an d let you m ak e t h e r est of you r t eam s as you w ish . As for p eop le w h o ar en ’t
ab le t o join a t eam , w e’ll d r aw lot s t o d ecid e you r t eam s. If you w ait a m om en t ,
I’ll give you a r at h er r at ion al p lan t o cr eat e you r ow n t eam s.”
“T h e fr esh m en assessm en t w ill b e con d u ct ed w it h ever y sin gle st u d en t fr om

t h e en t ir e year p ar t icip at in g, as t h e n u m b er of st u d en t s w h o’ve join ed Sh r ek
Acad em y year is q u it e lar ge. T h is t im e, t h er e’ll b e a t ot al of alm ost t h r ee
h u n d r ed t eam s of st u d en t s p ar t icip at in g in t h e fr esh m an assessm en t , b u t on ly
h alf of t h em w ill b e ab le t o r em ain in t h e acad em y, w h ich also m ean s t h at on ly
t h e t op on e h u n d r ed an d fift y t eam s w ill p ass. T h is r an k in g w ill b e b ased off of
h ow m an y p oin t s you accu m u la t e in you r b at t les.”
“You r m at ch es w ill b e or gan ized via lot d r aw in g, w it h ever y t eam h av in g t o

figh t in at least t en m at ch es. Fin ally, a r an k in g w ill b e cr eat ed b ased off of t h e
n u m b er of m at ch es you ’ve w on . Of t h em , t h e t op sixt y-fou r w ill h ave a
k n ock ou t r ou n d , w it h t h e t op fou r t eam s in each get t in g a d iffer en t p r ize. T h e
p r ize for t h e ch am p ion w ill b e ext r em ely p r eciou s.”
Ever y st u d en t in t h e r oom w as list en in g w it h r ap t at t en t ion . T o t h em , t h e

fr esh m an assessm en t w as t h e k ey t h at d ecid ed w h et h er or n ot t h ey cou ld st ay in
t h e acad em y. If t h ey w er e elim in at ed , t h ey cou ld on ly r et u r n an d ch oose
an ot h er su b -fir st r a n k ed college. If t h ey d id , t h ey m igh t n ot b e ab le t o ever
b ecom e a p in n acle exp er t on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t . T h ey’d alr ead y w or k ed h ar d
for t h r ee m on t h s; n ob od y w ish ed t o get elim in at ed at t h is p oin t in t h eir st u d ies.
Zh ou Yi in d iffer en t ly said , “Ou r class cu r r en t ly h as sixt y-seven p eop le, t h u s

w e can m ak e t w en t y-t w o t eam s, w it h on e p er son r em ain in g. I’ll d ivid e all of you
u p accor d in g t o you r m ar t ial sou ls, an d aft er d oin g som e car efu l an alysis, I’ll
h elp you m ak e you r t eam s. If an yon e isn ’t sa t isfied , you can ch an ge you r
t eam m at es aft er r et u r n in g t o you r d or m . H ow ever , if n o on e d isagr ees w h en w e
r egist er t om or r ow m or n in g, t h en you ’ll h ave t o st r ict ly follow m y
ar r an gem en t s. If you d o, I t h in k you ’r e all p r et t y clear on w h at ’ll h ap p en .”
“Son g Qin gh an .” Zh ou Yi said in a low voice.

“Pr esen t .” A som ew h at sm all st u d en t q u ick ly st ood u p . H e’d n ever b een t oo
con sp icu ou s w it h in t h e class, so h e clear ly h ad n ’t t h ou gh t t h at Zh ou Yi w ou ld
call h im ou t fir st .
Zh ou Yi said , “Ever y t each er in ch a r ge of a fr esh m an class ca n p r op ose t h at a

st u d en t d ir ect ly p ass t h e assessm en t . T h e p er son t h at I’m ch oosin g is you . Aft er
ob ser vin g you for a w h ile, I b elieve t h at you ’r e t h e m ost su it ab le t o join t h e Sou l
En gin eer in g In st it u t ion an d con t in u e cu lt ivat in g. Do you h ave an y p r ob lem s
w it h t h at ? Righ t n ow , you h ave t w o ch oices. You can eit h er join t o t h e Sou l
En gin eer in g In st it u t ion , or you can p ack you r b ags.”
Over b ear in g, sh e w as t r u ly t oo over b ear in g. Ever y sin gle st u d en t w it h in t h e

class sim u lt an eou sly look ed over at Son g Qin gh an .
“I’m w illin g t o go t o t h e Sou l En gin eer in g In st it u t ion . T h a n k you , T each er

Zh ou .” Son g Qin gh a n d id n ’t r esist Zh ou Yi’s over b ear in gn ess at a ll, excit ed ly
ju m p in g u p an d d ow n . T h e r ea son t h a t h e’d cam e t o Sh r ek Acad em y h ad b een t o
en t er t h e Sou l En gin eer in g In st it u t ion in t h e fir st p lace!
Zh ou Yi gest u r ed for h im t o sit b ack d ow n . “Next , w e’ll b e sp lit t in g you in t o

t eam s. T h e fir st t ea m is H u o Yu h ao, W a n g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao.”
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g p r act ically st ood u p at t h e sam e t im e. T h ey’d

or igin ally b een w illin g t o for m a t eam an yw ay, b u t w h en t h ey h ear d Zh ou Yi
p er son ally gr ou p t h em t oget h er , t h ey look ed at each ot h er an d w er e ab le t o see
t h e h ap p in ess r eflect ed in each ot h er ’s eyes.
T h e ot h er p er son w h o st ood u p w it h t h em w as a fem ale st u d en t w h o sat in

t h e fr on t r ow . Sh e w asn ’t t all. In fact sh e w as q u it e sm all, ju st lik e Son g
Qin gh an . Sh e d id n ’t p ar t icu lar ly st an d ou t in t h e class, eit h er . H er var iou s
ab ilit ies seem ed t o r a n k am on gst t h e m id d le of t h e class.
T h e lit t le gir l w asn ’t esp ecially b eau t ifu l, b u t sh e h ad a d elicat e an d p r et t y

look , an d cou ld at least b e ap p r eciat ed . H er face h ad a h in t of b ash fu ln ess w h en
sh e t u r n ed a r ou n d . H ow ever , h er gaze d ir ect ly w en t r igh t p a st H u o Yu h ao an d
lan d ed on W an g Don g’s in cr easin gly h an d som e face. H er face r ed d en ed , b efor e
sh e t u r n ed b ack ar ou n d an d low er ed h er h ead .
“For t h e secon d t ea m , w e’ll h ave Zi H ao, M a Qin gsh u an g, an d Len g Len g.”
“For t h e t h ir d t eam , ….”
Zh ou Yi look ed an d sou n d ed ver y over b ear in g, b u t aft er sh e’d fin ish ed

an n ou n cin g t h e d ivision of t h e t eam s, ever y st u d en t in t h e class seem ed t o h ave
b een r elieved of a h eavy b u r d en .
As H u o Yu h ao coolly ob ser ved t h e cla ss, h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t let ou t an

in w ar d sigh of ad m ir at ion . Even if T each er Zh ou n or m ally h ad a cold exp r ession
on h er face, an d w as ver y st r ict , in r ealit y, sh e t h or ou gh ly u n d er st ood ever y
sin gle on e of h er st u d en t s. T h ese gr ou p s h ad clear ly b een t h or ou gh ly t h ou gh t
ou t b y h er .
Chapt er 16.1: Fr eshman Examinat ion
“Alr igh t , t h at ’s t h at . If you h ave an y su ggest ion s, you ’d b est b r in g t h em u p

qu ick ly. I’ll give you a d ay t o t h in k ab ou t it . T h e ot h er classes ar e also sp lit t in g
u p in t o t eam s, b u t t h ey d efin it ely w on ’t b e as q u ick as you lo t . Let t h em d aw d le
ar ou n d an d w ast e m or e of t h eir t im e. W h en you r et u r n t h at p iece of p ap er t o
m e, you can b e d ism issed . W h en you get b ack , m ak e su r e t o h ave a good r est .
Nob od y’s allow ed t o go ar ou n d an d st a r t a m ess. T h e fr esh m an assessm en t w ill
st ar t t om or r ow , an d m y goal is for all t w en t y-t w o of you r t eam s t o p ass. If
an yon e get s elim in a t ed , t h ey w on ’t ju st h ave t o p ack t h eir b ags an d leave. I’ll
m ak e su r e t o give yo u som e m em or ies t h at you ’ll n ever for get .”
W h en t h e st u d en t s of Class 1 saw Zh ou Yi’s gaze, w h ich h ad su d d en ly b ecom e

h eavy, t h ey cou ld n ’t h elp b u t fier cely sh iver . T h er e w as n o qu est ion ab ou t w h at
sor t of m em or ies Zh ou Yi w ou ld leav e b eh in d ; t h ey w o u ld p r ob ab ly b e a
n igh t m ar e for t h em .
T h e en t ir et y of Class 1 su d d en ly filled w it h a m u r d er ou s look for a m om en t .

Even if it w as ju st for t h e sak e of n ot b ein g ab u sed b y T each er Zh ou , t h ey
w an t ed t o d o t h eir b est t o p ass t h e a ssessm en t !
“H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, you t h r ee st ay b eh in d for a b it .”
W h en t h e ot h er st u d en t s h an d ed over t h e w h it e p ieces of p ap er t h at h ad t h eir

fu t u r e d ir ect ion of cu lt ivat ion w r it t en on it , t h ey left t h e cla ssr oom t o w alk b ack
t o t h eir d or m s. T h e on ly p eop le left b eh in d in t h e classr oom w as H u o Yu h ao’s
gr ou p of t h r ee. At t h is t im e, t h e ot h er classes w er e st ill en t h u siast ically
exp lain in g t h e d ivision of t eam s for t h e fr esh m an assessm en t .
“Alr igh t , give it t o m e. W h a t ’r e you h id in g W a n g Don g?” Zh ou Yi t ook t h e

t h r ee p ieces of p a p er fr om H u o Yu h ao’s gr ou p . W an g Don g im m ed iat ely
low er ed h is h ead an d qu iet ly t ook a few st ep s b ack , h id in g b eh in d H u o Yu h ao.
As Zh ou Yi look ed a t t h e t h r ee p ieces of p ap er in fr on t of h er , t h e cor n er s of
h er eyes t w it ch ed . Aft er w ar d s, sh e r aised h er h ead an d look ed t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao.
W h en Zh ou Yi look ed at t h em w it h t h at sh ar p gaze of h er s, t h e t h r ee of t h em
felt as if t h eir b od ies h ad b een im p aled .
"Alr igh t ! You t h r ee, let ’s see w h a t you ’ve got ." Sh e p ick ed u p on e of t h e sh eet s
of p ap er , t h en slam m ed it d ow n on t o t h e t ab le.
"Alr igh t !"
“Ban g!” H u o Yu h ao’s t eam of t h r ee sim u lt an eou sly sh iver ed .
“Con t r ol Syst em .” Zh ou Yi said cold ly.
Aft er w ar d s, sh e t ook t h e secon d p iece of p ap er an d slap p ed it h eavily on t o t h e

t ab le.
“Con t r ol Syst em !” H er voice h ad clear ly got t en lou d er b y qu it e a b it . H u o

Yu h ao w as som ew h a t ast on ish ed a s h e look ed at W an g Don g b esid e h im . T h er e
w as n o d ou b t ab ou t it , t h is secon d p iece of p ap er b elon ged t o h im !
“Ban g—!” Zh ou Yi’s last slap n ea r ly cr u sh ed t h e t each in g p lat for m . “An d

Con t r ol Syst em .”
“Ah ?” T h is t im e, it w as H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s t u r n t o b e ast on ish ed .

T h e t w o cast t h eir gaze t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao, w h o cu r r en t ly h ad h er h ead low er ed
an d w as fid d lin g w it h t h e cor n er of h er sh ir t . Fr om t h eir fir st im p r ession of h er ,
Xiao Xiao sh ou ld ’ve b een an au xiliar y syst em t ool sou l m ast er ! H ow h ad sh e
t u r n ed in t o a con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er ?
T h e cor n er of Zh ou Yi’s m ou t h t w it ch ed follow in g t h e t w it ch in g of h er eye.

“Ar e you t h r ee b r a t s d oin g t h is on p u r p ose? Alt h ou gh t h e fr esh m an assessm en t
lim it s each t eam t o h avin g a sin gle assau lt syst em sou l m ast er , it also st at es t h a t
you can ’t all h ave t h e sam e cu lt ivat ion d ir ect ion . You t h r ee ar e r eally good , eh ?
You ’ve all d ecid ed t o b e con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er s. Ar e you d oin g t h is on
p u r p ose? If it w er en ’t for t h e fact t h a t t h e com p et it ion w a s st a r t in g t om or r ow , I
w ou ld ’ve m ad e you r u n t en h ou r s in a r ow t o clear you r m in d s. H u o Yu h ao, you
can b e t h e fir st t o t ell m e w h at ’s goin g on . W h at ’s got t en in t o you ? T h at
sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l of you r s is ext r em ely su it ab le as an au xilia r y-t yp e!
W h at ’s t h e m ean in g b eh in d you b ecom in g a con t r ol syst em so u l m ast er ?”
H u o Yu h ao h ast ily r ep lied , “T each er Zh ou , I’ve alw ays h op ed t h at I cou ld

b ecom e a con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er . M y Sp ir it u al Det ect ion can su r vey t h e
en t ir e st a t e of t h e b at t lefield , an d in ad d it ion t o t h at , som e of t h e fu t u r e sou l
r in gs t h at m y Sp ir it Eyes ab sor b w ill d efin it ely h ave a few at t ack -t yp e sou l sk ills.
Becau se of t h a t , I d on ’t w an t t o b ecom e a sim p le au xiliar y-t yp e sou l m ast er .
Bein g a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er sh ou ld b e m or e su it ab le for m y fu t u r e gr ow t h .”
Zh ou Yi slow ly n od d ed h er h ead an d said , “You h ave a p oin t ; con t r ol syst em

sou l m ast er s h ave b et t er fu t u r e p r osp ect s t h a n au xiliar y-t yp e on es. T h e ch oice
t h at you ’ve m ad e isn ’t exact ly w r on g. I’ll con sid er you t o h ave p assed . W an g
Don g, w h y ar e you h id in g? Com e on ou t . Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao
w r ot e d ow n t h e w or d s ‘con t r ol syst em ’, t h ey’r e st ill a b it r ea son ab le. Bu t w h at
ab ou t you ? You , an assau lt syst em sou l m ast er , w r it in g d ow n t h e w or d s ‘con t r ol
syst em ’... ar e you d elib er at ely look in g for t r ou b le?”
“Uh ….” W an g Don g car efu lly t ook a st ep b ack fr om b eh in d H u o Yu h ao an d

sp ok e w it h a self-m ock in g sm ile on h is face, “T each er Zh ou , p lease d on ’t b e
an gr y. H on est ly, I d on ’t t h in k t h at it ’s com p let ely im p ossib le for m e t o b ecom e
a con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er w it h m y st r en gt h . Righ t , I w an t t o r ely on m y
at t ack p ow er t o con t r ol t h e en t ir e b at t lefield . Isn ’t t h a t a t yp e of ‘con t r ol’?
Fu r t h er m or e, I ca n fly an d lau n ch lon g-r an ge at t ack s. It ’s sh ou ld n ’t b e
im p ossib le for m e t o con t r ol t h e b at t lefield t h is w ay, r igh t ?”
“You …” Zh ou Yi w as alm ost an ger ed t o t h e p oin t of lau gh in g. H er eyes

con t ain ed p r ofu n d it ies as sh e st ar ed at h im . “Don ’t t h in k t h at I d on ’t k n ow you r
r eal r eason in g. You ju st d on ’t w an t t o b e sp lit u p w it h H u o Yu h ao. I’ll ju st call
you foolish for t h at . You clear ly h ave t h e h igh est cu lt ivat ion in t h e en t ir e class,
yet you ’r e b ar ely en ou gh t o b e called a gen iu s. You ’r e sm ar t , yet h ow you can b e
st u p id t o b e p oin t of b ein g a d r oolin g id iot ? J u st w h en h ave you ever seen an
assau lt syst em an d con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er sp lit u p ? You ’r e r igh t , t h ey’ll b e
in d iffer en t classes. H ow ever , assau lt syst em an d con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er s
ar e alw ays t oget h er ! You id iot ! Ch an ge it for m e r igh t n ow !”
As soon as sh e fin ish ed sp eak in g, sh e t h r ew t h e p iece of p ap er in h er h an d

b ack t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
“Cou gh , cou gh …” Alt h ou gh h e’d b een scold ed an d called an id iot , W an g Don g

st ill seem ed excit ed . H e q u ick ly ch an ged t h e w or d s ‘con t r ol syst em ’ t o ‘assau lt
syst em ’, b efor e r esp ect fu lly h an d in g t h e p ap er b ack t o Zh ou Yi.
“H u m p h !” Zh ou Yi sn or t ed an gr ily. Sh e d ir ect ed h er gaze t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao

last . “W h a t ab ou t you , Xiao Xiao? If I’m n ot m ist ak en , you r m ar t ial sou l is t h e
ext r em ely r ar e Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on , w h ich can b e con sid er ed a t op -r an k ed
m ar t ial sou l. T h e m ain effect of t h e Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on is t o assist som eon e
else; w h y d id you p u t d ow n t h e w or d s ‘con t r ol syst em ’?”
Xiao Xiao glan ced at W an g Don g an d sp ok e in a soft voice, “T each er Zh ou , m y

Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on is a b it d iffer en t fr om an or d in ar y Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on . It
can b ot h at t ack an d assist ot h er s. I’m even b ar ely ab le t o u se it for d efen se. It
can b e con sid er ed a m u t at ed Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on . It ’s k n ow n as a T h r eelives
Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on .”
Zh ou Yi w as st u n n ed for a m om en t . “Xiao Xiao, d on ’t t ell m e you d on ’t k n ow

t h at if you r cu lt iva t ion d ir ect ion is t oo m essy, it ’ll b e d isa d van t ageou s t ow ar d s
you r fu t u r e d evelop m en t ? I su ggest t h a t you lean t ow ar d s on e d ir ect ion , an d
d evelop fr om t h er e. Even if it ’s a m u t at ed m ar t ial sou l, you ’ll st ill h ave t o h ave
an d ir ect ion w h en you ’r e ad d in g sou l r in gs.”
Xiao Xiao n od d ed h er h ead an d said , “I k n ow , t h at ’s w h y t h e m ain ab ilit ies

I’ve ch osen for m y T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on a r e at t a ck in g an d d efen sive
on es.”
Zh ou Yi fu r r ow ed h er b r ow an d said , “T h at ’s also u n r elat ed t o con t r ol!” It
cou ld b e seen t h at sh e w as b ein g ext r em ely p at ien t t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Xiao said in a m eek voice, “Bu t , I h ave an ot h er m ar t ial sou l. It ca n

m an age b ot h su p p or t an d con t r ol.”
“Ah ?” At t h is m om en t , it w asn ’t ju st Zh ou Yi w h o w as ast on ish ed ; even H u o

Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad w id en ed t h eir eyes. W an g Don g’s sh ock w as
esp ecially gr eat . H e’d alw ays t h ou gh t t h a t h e w as an ab solu t ely u n r ivalled figu r e
w it h in Cla ss 1. H e n ever t h ou gh t t h a t t h er e’d act u ally b e som eon e lik e h er
h id d en w it h in t h e class.
“T w in m ar t ial sou ls? ” H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g said at p r act ically t h e sam e

t im e.
Xiao Xiao low er ed h er h ead sh yly.

T h e look in Zh ou Yi’s eyes flick er ed a few t im es. T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h a t a

sit u a t ion lik e t h is h ad occu r r ed in Class 1, w h ich exceed ed h er con t r ol. Aft er
t h in k in g t o h er self for a m om en t , sh e said , “Fin e, b e a con t r ol syst em sou l
m ast er if t h a t ’s you r w ish . It ’ll also b e easier for t h e t h r ee of you t o w or k
t oget h er in t h e fu t u r e. Even t h ou gh t h e fr esh m an assessm en t is on ly you r fir st
exam in at ion w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y, it ’s ver y im p or t an t for you r fu t u r e
cu lt ivat ion p at h . T h e on ly w ay for you t o h ave a ch an ce t o ap p ear in t h e
acad em y’s cu lt iva t ion h on or r oll is for you t o ob t ain a good r an k in g in t h e
fr esh m an assessm en t . Bein g in t h is class, I’m op t im ist ic ab ou t t h e ch an ces t h a t
you t h r ee h ave. I d on ’t even n eed t o m en t ion W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao; you
t w o alon e h ave t alen t s an d st r en gt h s t h at far exceed t h ose of t h e ot h er st u d en t s.
As for you , H u o Yu h ao, even t h ou gh you h ave an or d in ar y a m ou n t of st r en gt h
an d t a len t , you h ave a level of w illp ow er t h a t or d in ar y p eop le ar en ’t ab le t o
even st r ive for , as w ell as an ext r aor d in ar y sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l. W it h ou t
even t ak in g Xiao Xiao’s secon d m ar t ial sou l in t o accou n t , you t h r ee alr ead y
com p lem en t each o t h er t o a cer t ain ext en t . I’ll give you a m ission . In t h e
fr esh m an assessm en t , you on ly h ave on e t ar get : Becom e t h e ch am p ion s! If you
d on ’t r et u r n as t h e ch am p ion s, t h en so be it for Xiao Xiao. H ow ever you t w o, on
t h e ot h er h a n d , w ill h ave t o con t in u e follow in g m e as you cu lt ivat e.”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “T each er Zh ou , even if w e b ecom e t h e

ch am p ion s, I’ll st ill b e w illin g t o follow you .”
Zh ou Yi w as st u n n ed . “You foolish b r at , d on ’t you also t h in k t h a t I’m

ext r em ely st r ict ? I k n ow w h at t h ey call m e in p r iva t e. You d on ’t h ave t o lie t o
m e t o m ak e m e h ap p y.”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead b efor e sayin g ser iou sly, “No, T each er Zh ou . I t r u ly

am w illin g t o follow you an d con t in u e lea r n in g fr om you . Even t h ou gh you ’r e a
b it fier ce, I can st ill lear n m an y m or e u sefu l t h in gs fr om you if I d o. I’ve
occasion ally ob ser ved t h e st u d en t s fr om ot h er classes; t h eir gr ow t h h asn ’t b een
n ear ly as lar ge as ou r class’s—at least d u r in g t h ese p ast t h r ee m on t h s.”
Zh ou Yi’s face fin ally r evealed t h e t r ace of a sm ile. Alt h ou gh h er aged face
d id n ’t look even r em ot ely p r et t y w h en sh e sm iled , t h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h a t
H u o Yu h ao h ad felt a sen se of w ar m t h fr om h er b od y.
“Alr igh t , you t h r ee can go b ack an d r est . Rem em b er , you t h r ee d efin it ely h ave
t o b ecom e t h e ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m an assessm en t . Also, I can at least t ell
you t h r ee t h is: Sh r ek Acad em y h as an en or m ou s am ou n t of w ealt h . Ou t of all
t h e assessm en t s t h e acad em y h old s, t h e ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m an assessm en t
an d t h e ch am p ion s of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ’s gr ad u at ion assessm en t r eceive t h e
m ost gen er ou s r ew a r d s. As for w h at t h ose r ew ar d s act u a lly ar e…w ell, you ’ll
n at u r ally fin d ou t w h en you b ecom e t h e ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m an assessm en t .
H ead b ack an d m a k e su r e t h a t you ’r e in t op con d it ion . I b elieve in you r
st r en gt h .”
“Yes.” T h ey all an sw er ed h er sim u lt an eou sly, b efor e p r oceed in g t o leave t h e

classr oom t oget h er .
On ce t h ey’d left , Xiao Xiao look ed as if sh e’d fin ally d r u m m ed u p en ou gh

cou r age t o ask som et h in g. “W an g Don g, can I t alk t o you for a b it ?”
H ow ever , W an g Don g w aved h is h an d an d r ep lied , “T h er e’s n o n eed . Righ t

n ow , I h ave t o go b ack an d p r ep ar e for t om or r ow ’s com p et it ion . You can sh ow
u s h ow am azin g you r t w in m ar t ial sou ls ar e w h en t h e assessm en t st ar t s, Xiao
Xiao.” Aft er h e fin ish ed sp eak in g, h e gr a b b ed H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er an d left .
W h en h e saw t h e d isap p oin t m en t in Xia o Xiao’s eyes, H u o Yu h ao sm iled at

h er , cau sin g Xiao Xiao t o for cefu lly r et u r n t h e sm ile. T h ey w er e st ill you n g, so
t h e som ew h at h azy feelin g t h at t h ey h ad t ow ar d s t h e op p osit e sex oft en w as
solely b ased on t h e ot h er p ar t y’s ap p ear an ce. Alt h ou gh W an g Don g’s r eject ion
h ad cau sed h er t o b e sligh t ly d isap p oin t ed , sh e d id n ’t t h in k m u ch m or e ab ou t it .
Sh e on ly t h ou gh t in w ar d ly t o h er self, “W h at ’s so am azin g a b ou t you ? J u st w ait
t ill t h e assessm en t st ar t s. W h en it st ar t s you ’ll see ju st h ow am azin g m y ab ilit ies
ar e, h u m p h !” H er ar r ogan ce h ad alw ays b een h id d en w it h in t h e d eep r ecesses of
h er h ear t .
“You d id n ’t h ave t o b e so ob viou s w h en you r eject ed h er , d id you ?” H u o

Yu h ao t eased W an g Don g.
Du r in g t h e p ast t h r ee m on t h s, t h e t w o h ad b ecom e ver y fam iliar w it h each

ot h er . T o H u o Yu h a o, t h eir in t en se life of cu lt ivat in g h ad on ly b een an ot h er w ay
t o t em p er h is b od y. H ow ever , h is m in d h ad exp er ien ced an u n p r eced en t ed
am ou n t of r elaxat ion . At least h er e, ever y sin gle st u d en t w it h in t h e acad em y
w as equ al; h e d id n ’t feel an yt h in g t h at r esem b led t h e class d ivision t h at h e’d
p r eviou sly felt w h en h e w as in t h e Du k e’s M an sion . As h is m in d h ad r elaxed , h is
p er son alit y h ad b egu n t o t u r n m u ch m or e ch eer fu l. H e w as n o lon ger t h at
r et icen t an d sh y you t h t h a t h e’d b een w h en h e’d ju st ar r ived .
W an g Don g cu r led h is lip an d b oast fu lly st at ed , “T h er e ar e sever al gir ls

w h o’ve lik ed m e. Don ’t t ell m e t h a t I sh ou ld accep t all of t h em ?” Aft er h e said
t h is, h e sw it ch ed t o a sagely t on e of voice. “W e’r e st ill you n g, t h u s w e sh ou ld b e
focu sin g ever yt h in g on ou r st u d ies. H ow can w e h ave ot h er t h ou gh t s lik e t h is?
H u o Yu h ao, you r m en t alit y t r u ly is u n h ea lt h y.”
“I….” H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t b eat h im in an ar gu m en t . “You w in !”
W an g Don g lau gh ed cu n n in gly an d said , “Let ’s go. Sin ce w e’ve b een let ou t
ear ly t od ay, you r oast som e fish for m e t o eat . W e’ll b e for m ally r egist er in g for
t h e assessm en t t om or r ow , so I’m gu essin g t h at t h e assessm en t w ill on ly st ar t
t h e d ay aft er . It seem s t h at ou r t im e t o sh ow off h as fin ally com e.”
H u o Yu h ao sn ap p ed b ack , “You eat r oast ed fish ever yd ay! W ill you ever get
t ir ed of it ? Not on ly t h at , b u t t h e exam is t h e d ay aft er t om or r ow ! Sh ou ld n ’t you
p olish you r sk ills b efor e t h e b at t le?”
W an g Don g h u m p h ed . “You b r ain -d ead id iot . You on ly k n ow h ow t o
cu lt ivat e. Ar en ’t yo u scar ed of b ecom in g an id iot t h at on ly k n ow s h ow t o
cu lt ivat e?”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led an d sa id , “As t h ey say, t h e clu m sy b ir d leaves ear ly t o

r each t h e for est fir st . Sin ce I’m u n t a len t ed , t h e on ly t h in g t h at I can d o t o
com p en sat e for m y w eak n esses is w or k h ar d . I’m su r e you k n ow t h at t h e m ain
r eason m y sou lfor ce w as ab le t o r each t h e seven t een t h r a n k w as b ecau se of t h e
p ills w e t ook . I h on est ly t h in k t h a t I w ou ld n ’t h ave a ver y h igh ch an ce of
p assin g t h e assessm en t w it h an ot h er gr ou p . T each er Zh ou ’s clear ly t ak in g car e
of m e b y p u t t in g m e in t h e sam e gr ou p as you an d Xiao Xiao. If I d on ’t w or k
even h ar d er , w ou ld n ’t I sim p ly b e let t in g h er k in d n ess go t o w ast e?”
W an g Don g cu r led h is lip s an d sa id , “You r t alen t m igh t b e n ot h in g m u ch , b u t

you r m ar t ia l sou l is st ill qu it e good . Don ’t w or r y, w it h m yself—a gen iu s—h er e,
d on ’t t a lk ab ou t a few fr esh m en , even som e secon d year st u d en t s m igh t n ot b e
ab le t o b eat m e. W h en t h e t im e com es, you on ly n eed t o act ivat e you r Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion Sh a r in g a n d w at ch m e d o m y job fr om t h e b ack . W it h m e lea d in g ou r
gr ou p , b ecom in g ch am p ion s w ill b e as sim p le as ju st st r et ch in g ou r h an d s ou t
an d gr ab b in g it .”
H u o Yu h ao r em in d ed h im , “Ou r Sh r ek Acad em y is t ill t h e n u m b er on e

acad em y in t h e w or ld . It ’s alw ays b een filled w it h h id d en d r agon s an d
cr ou ch in g t iger s; you can ’t b e t oo car eless. H ow ever , I t h in k t h at Xiao Xiao’s
q u it e st r on g as w ell. W h en t h e t im e com es, you t w o ab solu t ely h ave t o w or k
t oget h er .”
H e h ad fou r am azin g sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l sk ills, b u t W an g Don g on ly k n ew of

h is com b in ed Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g. As for h is h an d -t o-h an d com b at
sk ills, alt h ou gh h e h ad a sligh t fou n d at ion in t h e T an g Sect ’s secr et t ech n iqu es,
sim p ly r elyin g on t h em an d t h e st r en gt h of h is m ar t ial sou l w ou ld n ’t b e en ou gh
for a fair figh t . It ju st ju st as W an g Don g h ad said —d u r in g t h e u p com in g
assessm en t , h is gr eat est u se w ou ld t r u ly b e h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g.
Even t h ou gh W an g Don g cou ld b eat H u o Yu h ao in a w ar of w or d s, h e cou ld n ’t
ch an ge h ow st u b b or n h e w as. W h en t h e t w o of t h em r et u r n ed t o t h eir d or m
r oom , t h ey en d ed u p m ed it a t in g an d cu lt ivat in g. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao
p r om ised W an g Don g t h at h e’d r oast a few ext r a fish for h im aft er t h e
assessm en t .
H u o Yu h ao’s seven t een t h r an k ed sou lfor ce cou ld alr ea d y con d en se in t o a

w h it e st r eam in sid e H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. As it t r avelled t h r ou gh ou t h is b od y,
follow in g t h e cir cu la t ion p at h of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e, it seem ed t o
p ier ce t h r ou gh h is en t ir e b od y, w ar m in g u p h is p assagew ays. Not on ly w as it
com for t ab le, it also b r ou gh t ab ou t an ob viou s im p r ovem en t in H u o Yu h ao’s
cu lt ivat ion .
Aft er t h r ee m on t h s of b it t er cu lt ivat ion , H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o fain t ly sen se

t h at h is p assagew ays h ad exp an d ed b y a lar ge am ou n t . T h is w as d u e, in p ar t , t o
t h e su b t le effect s of t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill, as w ell as t o t h e n ou r ish in g effect
of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e t h at h e’d d iscover ed b y ch an ce.
Fu r t h er m or e, h is p assagew ays w er e ext r em ely elast ic an d d u r ab le n ow . In t er m s
of p h ysiqu es, H u o Yu h ao w as n o lon ger in fer ior t o an yon e of t h e sam e age as
h im . H ow ever , t h e fact t h at h e’d st ep p ed on t o t h e r igh t p at h r at h er la t e w as
u n d en iab le. It w asn ’t ver y lik ely t h at h e’d cat ch u p t o W an g Don g. H en ce, h e
cou ld on ly ch oose t o im p r ove alon gsid eh W an g Don g.
W it h h is cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion sp eed , H u o Yu h ao w as con fid en t t h at h e cou ld

b r eak in t o t h e t w en t iet h r an k b y t h e t im e h e gr ad u at ed as a fir st -year st u d en t ,
t h er eb y ob t ain in g a secon d sou l r in g. Accor d in g t o h is b r ot h er Sk yd r eam , h is
st r en gt h w ou ld r ap id ly soar w h en h e ob t ain ed h is secon d so u l r in g, esp ecia lly
w h en h is ice-t yp e m ar t ial sou l t r u ly h ad it s ow n ab ilit ies.
H u o Yu h ao look ed for w ar d t o t h at m om en t ver y m u ch . W h en t h at h ap p en ed ,

h e’d d efin it ely b e ab le t o h elp W an g Don g a lot m or e w h en t h ey fou gh t sid e-b y-
sid e.
T im e alw ays p assed ext r em ely t h e fast est d u r in g m ed it at ion ; even in g soon
ar r ived . Lik e yest er d ay, H u o Yu h ao w alked over t o t h e can t een t o clean h is fish
b efor e h e h ead ed t o w ar d s t h e aca d em y’s en t r an ce.
T h e flow of p eop le at t h e acad em y’s en t r an ce h ad clear ly b een r ed u ced .

Per h ap s it w as d u e t o t h e u p com in g fr esh m an assessm en t , b u t a m ajor it y of t h e
fr esh m en felt a sen se of u r gen cy, cau sin g t h em t o b it t er ly cu lt ivat e in sid e of
t h eir d or m r oom s.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao’s b u sin ess w asn ’t affect ed b y t h is a t all. W h en h e

ar r ived , a qu eu e h ad alr ead y for m ed , w it h t h e p er son in fr on t b ein g, am azin gly,
Xu San sh i.
“Din g—” Xu San sh i h an d ed H u o Yu h ao a silver sou l coin an d said , “No n eed

t o h an d m e an y ch an ge; ju st m ak e su r e t o give m e a b ig fish .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led an d r ep lied , “Big b r ot h er Xu , n ot h in g can st op you , can

it ?”
T h e p r eviou s r ift b et w een t h e t w o h ad a lr ead y closed . Aft er b egin n in g t o see

each ot h er ever y d a y, t h ey’d lon g b ecom e fam iliar w it h ea ch ot h er . Aft er h e
b ecam e fam iliar w it h Xu San sh i, H u o Yu h ao d iscover ed t h a t , even t h ou gh h e
w asn ’t as gen t le as Bei Bei, an d even t h ou gh h e h a d a b it of a violen t t em p er an d
a fier y d isp osit ion , h e w as st ill ext r em ely sin cer e w it h h is fr ien d sh ip s.
Xu San sh i lau gh ed m isch ievou sly. “W h o w as t h e on e t h at m ad e m e lik e w h at

you r oast ? If I d on ’t at least get a b it e of t h is ever y n igh t , m y d in n er w on ’t t ast e
d eliciou s at all. I’ve eat en m an y r oast ed fish in t h e p ast , b u t n ot a sin gle p er son
w as ab le t o con t r ol t h e fir e as w ell as you d o. Even J ian g Nan n an h as p r aised
you r r oast in g t ech n iqu e. Righ t , I’ve h ear d t h at t h e fr esh m an assessm en t ’s ab ou t
t o st ar t ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ead a few t im es an d r ep lied , “Yeah !”
Xu San sh i said , “T h en you h ave t o w or k h ar d . You can ’t get elim in at ed ! If you

d o, I w on ’t b e ab le t o eat an ym or e r oast ed fish .” Even n ow , h e st ill d id n ’t k n ow
t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad b een b eh in d Bei Bei’s vict or y d u r in g t h eir m at ch . H e on ly
k n ew t h at H u o Yu h ao’s t alen t w as or d in ar y, b u t t h at h e cou ld r oast fish
ext r em ely w ell. Act u ally, H u o Yu h ao’s fam e in Sh r ek Acad em y for h is r oast ed
fish w as d efin it ely gr eat er t h an fam e for h is st r en gt h .
“Lit t le Xu .” At t h is m om en t , a cr isp voice su d d en ly r an g ou t . W h en Xu San sh i

h ear d t h is voice, h e im m ed iat ely b egan t o sh iver . H u o Yu h ao even saw a few
h in t s of fear , b u t even m or e t h an t h at , h elp lessn ess, ap p ear w it h in h is eyes.
T h e ot h er d in er s t h at h ad q u eu ed u p b eh in d Xu San sh i in st an t ly q u iet ed
d ow n .
A gir l w alk ed ou t fr om t h e acad em y’s en t r an ce w it h slow st ep s, cau sin g t h e

cr ow d t o op en u p a p at h for h er in a ver y n at u r al m an n er , so m u ch so t h at t h ey
d id n ’t even d an e t o look at h er ; t h ey all low er ed t h eir h ead s as sh e p assed . H er
ap p ear an ce clear ly exceed ed t h at of J ian g Nan n an ’s ap p ear an ce last t im e.
W h en H u o Yu h ao r aised h is h ead t o see w h o t h e gir l w as, h e d iscover ed t h at

t h e n ew com er w as a r ed -clot h ed w om an . H er b od y w a s slen d er an d w ell-
p r op or t ion ed , w it h t h e fir st t h in g t h a t m ost p eop le w ou ld n ot ice w h en look in g
at h er b ein g h er sligh t ly exagger at ed p eak s t h at w er e fir m , t ow er in g, an d
lu st fu l...
H er w aist w as ext r em ely slim , w it h t h at slim n ess con t in u in g all t h e w ay

d ow n t o h er t h igh s, w h er e it su d d en ly ar ced ou t . H er legs w er e p er fect ly
st r aigh t an d r ou n d , w h ile at t h e sam e t im e a st r on g a u r a of you t h fu ln ess t h a t
w as em an at ed b y h er assau lt ed on e’s sen ses.
H ow ever , h er facial feat u r es cou ld n ’t clear ly b e seen ; sh e w or e a r ed veil over

h er face. H ow ever , on e cou ld t ell t h at sh e w as d efin it ely a b eau t y fr om ju st h er
eyes alon e. H er fain t ly-p in k eyes cou ld easily m ak e on e feel as if h is sou l h ad
b een sw ep t aw ay. For t u n at ely, h er ga ze w as ext r em ely cold , w h ich sligh t ly
su p p r essed t h e glow of r ap t u r e in h er eyes t h at w as cap ab le of p en et r at in g in t o
on e’s b on es.
Xu San sh i clear ly seem ed t o r ecogn ise h er . Aft er su m m on in g u p som e

cou r age, h e t u r n ed ar ou n d . H ow ever , h e d id n ’t look d ir ect ly in t o h er eyes; h e
low er ed h is h ead sligh t ly in st ead , an d r ep lied , “Sist er Xiaot ao.”
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao w as even m or e ast on ish ed . Xu San sh i w as an

u n t am eab le p er son w it h q u it e a fier y d isp osit ion , w h o h a d an even h igh er st at u s
t h an Bei Bei in t h e ou t er co u r t yar d d u e t o h im b ein g a fift h year st u d en t .
Becau se of h is gr eat t alen t , m an y sixt h year st u d en t s w er e som ew h at r ever en t of
h im ; even t each er s w ou ld n ’t ca u se h im t o act lik e t h is! J u st w h o w as t h is r ed -
clot h ed gir l? Aft er look in g at t h e gir l closely, b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g
felt as if sh e look ed sligh t ly fam ilia r for som e r eason .
T h e r ed -clot h ed gir l look ed over at H u o Yu h ao’s oven , t h en slow ly w alk ed u p

t o Xu San sh i an d said , “Lit t le Xu , you ’ve com e t o eat r oast ed fish ?”
Xu San sh i n od d ed h is h ead an d said , “Yeah ! H u o Yu h ao’s r oast ed fish t ast es

ext r aor d in ar y. It ’s r eally t ast y.”
A sligh t t r ace of cu r iosit y ap p ear ed on t h e r ed -clot h ed gir l’s eyes, an d sh e sa id

t o H u o Yu h ao, “Let m e t r y on e.” Sh e w asn ’t t h e t yp e of fair y t h at w ou ld n ’t eat
t h e food of ‘com m on m or t als’. Pr act ica lly all of h er d ays w er e sp en t cu lt ivat in g,
so sh e w as n at u r ally excit ed w h en sh e fou n d som et h in g n ew .
H u o Yu h ao su b con sciou sly r ep lied , “I’m sor r y, I on ly sell t h ir t y fish a d ay.

T h ir t y p eop le h ave alr ead y q u eu ed u p t od ay, so p lease com e ear lier on
t om or r ow .”
T h ese exact w or d s h ad b een u t t er ed b y h im cou n t less t im es b efor e. H ow ever ,

w h en h is voice r an g ou t t h is t im e, p r act ically ever yon e st an d in g in t h e qu eu e
sim u lt an eou sly r a ised t h eir h ead s t o look at h im w it h t er r ified exp r ession s; even
Xu San sh i w asn ’t an excep t ion .
Follow in g t h at , t h e p eop le w h o’d b een qu eu ed b eh in d Xu San sh i lou d ly

d isp er sed an d w alk ed aw ay as fast as t h ey cou ld , cau sin g H u o Yu h ao t o b ecom e
even m or e ast on ish ed .
T h e r ed -clot h ed gir l sm iled an d said , “Ok ay, t h er e’s n o on e left in t h e q u eu e

n ow . I t h in k t h at I sh ou ld b e ab le t o eat on e n ow , r igh t ?”
Xu San sh i con t in u ou sly m ad e a few gest u r es t o H u o Yu h ao w it h h is eyes. H u o

Yu h ao w asn ’t som eon e w h o d id n ’t u n d er st an d h ow t h in gs w or k ed . Aft er
n od d in g h is h ead , h e con t in u ed t o r oast h is fish ser iou sly.
H ow ever , W an g Don g w h o w as at h is sid e w as som ew h at in d ign an t . “W h o ar e

you ? W h y d id you d ist u r b ou r b u sin ess?”
T h e r ed -clot h ed gir l r aised h er r igh t h a n d , exp osin g h er t en d er h an d . On it ,

t h er e w as a lar ge b lood -lik e cr im son r u b y t h at w as ab solu t ely b eau t ifu l. T h e
r u b y flash ed , cau sin g a sin gle gold sou l coin t o ap p ear in h er h an d . Sh e t h en
p assed it t o W an g Don g an d said , “I’ll t ak e all of t od ay’s r oast ed fish .”
W an g Don g w asn ’t p olit e at a ll as h e t ook t h e gold sou l coin . Aft er w ar d s, h e

d id n ’t u t t er an ot h er w or d . Alt h ou gh t h is r ed -clot h ed gir l w as t h r eat en in g t o t h e
p oin t of scar in g so m an y p eop le aw ay, sh e d id n ’t look u n r eason ab le.
Fu r t h er m or e, h e felt t h at som et h in g w a s w r on g; a few t r aces of fear t ow ar d s
t h is r ed -clot h ed gir l h ad act u ally ap p ear ed in h is h ear t .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o h on est ly r ep lied , “I d on ’t n eed t h is m u ch m on ey. M y

r oast ed fish on ly cost five cop p er sou l coin s ap iece.”
T h e r ed -clot h ed gir l seem ed as if sh e w asn ’t w illin g t o t alk w it h h im an ym or e.

Sh e in d iffer en t ly said , “J u st t ak e it as a d ep osit . J u st d on ’t ask m e for m on ey if I
w an t t o eat h er e in t h e fu t u r e.”
“Ok ay.” H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d r ep lied w h ilst sim u lt an eou sly con t in u in g t o

car efu lly r oast fish .
T h e r ed -clot h ed gir l or igin ally look ed as if sh e’d com e t o fin d Xu San sh i, b u t

sh e d id n ’t even seem t o car e ab ou t Xu San sh i n ow . In st ead , sh e w as n ow
focu sin g on H u o Yu h ao as h e r oast ed fish .
Aft er a sh or t p er iod of t im e, sh e let ou t a soft cr y of su r p r ise. “You r fir e-

con t r ollin g t ech n iqu e is t h is p er fect ?! Do you h ave a fir e-t yp e m ar t ial sou l?” Sh e
h er self w as an exp er t in t h e field of fir e, so sh e w as n at u r a lly ab le t o see t h at
H u o Yu h ao’s fir e-con t r ol w h ile h e w as r oast in g t h e fish h a d r each ed t h e ap ex of
p r ecision .
H u o Yu h ao sim p ly sh ook h is h ead .
Aft er a sh or t p er iod of t im e, h e fin ish ed r oast in g t h e fir st fou r fish . Sin ce

n ob od y else w as com in g t od ay, H u o Yu h ao sim p ly p assed t w o t o t h e r ed -clot h ed
gir l an d t w o t o Xu San sh i. In r ealit y, h e d id n ’t ju st b u y t h ir t y m ack er els
ever yd ay; an y ext r a fish w er e n a t u r ally left t o T an g Ya an d W an g Don g.
W h en Xu San sh i h ad fir st seen t h e r ed -clot h ed gir l, h e h ad clear ly b een

som ew h at d ist r essed . H e w asn ’t even as p assion at e as h e n or m ally w as w h ilst
eat in g h is r oast ed fish . On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e r ed -clot h ed gir l slow ly r aised h er
veil, r evealin g h er ab solu t ely b eau t ifu l face, as sh e slow ly b egan t o eat t h e
r oast ed fish .
H er m ovem en t s w er e ext r em ely gr acefu l as sh e car efu lly at e t h e fish .

H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e st u n n ed b y t h e m yst er iou s
d isap p ear an ce of t h e fish b on es fr om h er h an d aft er sh e’d fin ish ed eat in g t h e
fish . Sh e’d clea r ly u sed h er h an d s t o ea t t h e fish , yet t h er e w er en ’t an y oil st a in s
on h er h an d at a ll.
J u st w h at p ow er w as t h is? H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g glan ced at each ot h er ,

b ot h seein g t h e sh ock r eflect ed in each ot h er ’s eyes.
T h e t w o p ieces of r oast ed fish w er e q u ick ly fin ish ed b y h er . W h en sh e

fin ish ed , t h e r ed -clo t h ed gir l n od d ed at H u o Yu h ao an d said , “You r r oast ed fish
ar e ver y t ast y. T h ey seem t o h ave b een ser iou sly m ad e. Now t h en , let m e see
you r m ar t ial sou l.”
H er w or d s h ad an ir r efu sab le t on e t o t h em . Ever sin ce t h e evil fir e in h er b od y

h ad b een su p p r essed b y t h at m yst er iou s ice elem en t , sh e h ad n ’t d ist u r b ed b y
h er m ar t ial sou l’s over b ear in g d em on ism for a fu ll t h r ee m on t h s. H ow ever , t h a t
icy au r a h ad gr ad u ally b een r efin ed b y h er m ar t ial sou l’s p h oen ix flam es as t im e
p assed , cau sin g a b ack lash t o gr ad u a lly ap p ear . T h e r eason t h at sh e w as look in g
for Xu San sh i w as b ecau se of h is M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld T u r t le, w h ich w as
cu r r en t ly t h e b est w at er -t yp e m ar t ial sou l in t h e acad em y. If sh e b or r ow ed a
cer t ain am ou n t of h is st r en gt h , sh e cou ld su p p r ess t h e ev il fir e in h er b od y. T o
Xu San sh i, t h is p r ocess w as ju st lik e t em p er in g ir on in t o st eel—it on ly b r ou gh t
b en efit s. H ow ever , it w as ext r em ely p ain fu l. T h at w as w h y Xu San sh i h ad
im m ed iat ely h ad a b it t er exp r ession w h en h e saw h er . Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w asn ’t
t h e fir st t im e t h at sh e’d t or m en t ed h im lik e t h is.
H u o Yu h ao eyeb r ow s fu r r ow ed sligh t ly, w h ile W an g Don g h ad an in d ign an t

look on h is face. H ow ever , h e w as st op p ed b y H u o Yu h ao’s r aised h an d . H e
slow ly r aised h is h ead an d look ed t ow a r d s t h e r ed -clot h ed gir l. Aft er t h a t , a
fain t gold en ligh t em er ged in h is eyes. As t h at h ap p en ed , a sh een of p u r p le
r ip p led t h r ou gh h is d eep b lu e eyes.
Of all t h e secr et t ech n iq u es h e’d lear n ed fr om t h e T an g Sect , H u o Yu h ao’s

gr eat est im p r ovem en t lay in t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes. W h en ever h e ab sor b ed t h e
p u r p le qi t h at r ose fr om t h e east ever y m or n in g, h is Sp ir it Eyes w ou ld n at u r ally
gen er at e a sip h on in g effect . For h im , a sin gle d ay’s w or t h of cu lt ivat in g t h e
Pu r p le Dem on Eyes w as b et t er t h an t en d ays w or t h of cu lt ivat ion for Bei Bei an d
T an g Ya. Becau se of t h is, h is Pu r p le Dem on Eyes h ad im p r oved ext r em ely qu ick .
T h e r ed -clot h ed gir l r aised h er lon g eyeb r ow s sligh t ly w h en sh e sen sed H u o

Yu h ao’s m yst er iou s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g.
Follow in g t h e in cr ease in h is cu lt ivat io n , t h e st r en gt h of H u o Yu h ao’s sou l

r in g h ad gr ad u ally b egu n t o in cr ease, a s p er t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s w or d s.
T h e st r en gt h of h is t oler an ce w ou ld d et er m in e h ow m u ch st r en gt h h is fir st sou l
r in g cou ld m a n ifest .
In t h e b egin n in g, alt h ou gh h is fir st sou l r in g con t ain ed fou r sou l sk ills w it h in

it , t h eir effect s h ad on ly b een equ iva len t t o t h at of a fou r h u n d r ed year sou l
r in g. H ow ever , h is fir st sou l r in g n ow p ossessed t h e p ow er of a sou l r in g t h at
w as ar ou n d six h u n d r ed year s, w it h t h e m axim u m r a n ge of h is Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion an d h is Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce n ow r each in g a d iam et er of fift y
m et r es. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e effect s of t h ese sk ills w er e even m or e d et ailed t h a n
t h ey h ad p r eviou sly b een .
Par t of t h e fir st seal t h at t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m 's h ad m ad e w it h in H u o

Yu h ao’s b od y h ad alr ead y b een u n lock ed . As lon g as H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed t o
m ak e b r eak t h r ou gh s in h is cu lt ivat ion , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m 's p ow er fu l
or igin en er gy w ou ld au t om at ically in cr ease t h e st r en gt h of h is fir st sou l r in g.
T h is w as som et h in g t h at ot h er sou l m ast er s cou ld n 't even d ar e t o d r eam ab ou t .
H is fir st sou l r in g w ou ld on ly con t in u e t o gr ow m or e t er r ifyin g as h is cu lt ivat ion
level r ose.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m cou ld n ’t give H u o Yu h ao an in st an t p ow er b oost , b u t

it h ad given h im an a st on ish in gly b r igh t fu t u r e.
H u o Yu h ao k ep t h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g act ive for ab ou t t en secon d s,

b efor e w it h d r aw in g it . Aft er a few m om en t s of w h at seem ed t o b e sh ock , t h e
r ed -clo t h ed gir l n od d ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. Sh e t h en gazed d eep ly at t h e sin gle
w h it e sou l r in g t h at r ose u p fr om h is feet an d said , “T h at ’s t h e st r on gest t en
year sou l r in g I’ve ev er seen .”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied in a ver y n at u r al m a n n er , “It ’s st ill on ly a t en year sou l

r in g.”
T h e r ed -clot h ed gir l lau gh ed soft ly an d said , “I’m M a Xiaot ao, n ice t o m eet
you . If I h ave t h e ch an ce, I’ll com e b ack again t o eat you r r oast ed fish . Lit t le Xu ,
let ’s go.”
Xu San sh i h ad a p ain ed exp r ession as h e said , “Sist er Xiaot a o, can you p lease
b e a b it m or e gen t le t od ay?”
M a Xiaot ao gave h im an in d iffer en t glan ce, cau sin g h im t o im m ed iat ely

cor r ect h im self, “I d on ’t h ave an y p r ob lem s, n on e at all.” As h e sp ok e, h e
h u r r ied ly w alk ed in fr on t of M a Xiaot ao an d gest u r ed for h er t o con t in u e.
On ly aft er t h e t w o h ad en t er ed t h e aca d em y d id W a n g Don g m u t t er , “H er

n am e’s r eally t ack y....”
H u o Yu h ao said in r esp on se, “Can a n a m e p r ove an yt h in g? Don ’t you t h in k

t h at sh e seem ed a b it fam iliar ?”
W an g Don g w as su d d en ly st ar t led . “Sh e cou ld n ’t b e t h at p er son w e m et at t h e
lak e last t im e, cou ld sh e? Sh e w as also w ear in g r ed clot h es… cou ld sh e b e a
d iscip le of t h e in n er cou r t yar d ?”
H u o Yu h ao sh r u gged h is sh ou ld er s in r esp on se, exp r essin g h is d ou b t .
A gr ou p of p eop le cam e r u sh in g b ack a n d qu eu ed at h is st a ll as soon as M a

Xiaot ao an d Xu San sh i h a d left . T h e p er son in fr on t , w h o h ap p en ed t o b e a
fou r t h year st u d en t , over h ear d t h e con ver sat ion b et w een t h e t w o. H e
im m ed iat ely w h isp er ed , “J u n ior classm en , you n eed t o q u iet d ow n a b it . You
can ’t ju st t a lk ab ou t d iscip les fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d lik e t h at , esp ecially
sen ior Xiaot ao.”
H u o Yu h ao ask ed in ast on ish m en t , “Sh e’s r eally fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d ?”
T h e u p p er classm an r ep lied , “Ob viou sly. W it h in Sh r ek Acad em y, r ed -clot h ed

st u d en t s ar e all sen ior s fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d . I d on ’t k n ow h ow m an y
p eop le t h er e ar e in t h e in n er cou r t yar d , b u t sen ior s fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d
r ar ely com e ou t . T h er e’s also a r an k in g syst em in t h e in n er cou r t yar d , cau sin g
t h e com p et it ion t h er e t o b e ext r em ely in t en se. Desp it e h ow in t en se it is, sen ior
Xiaot ao is on e of t h e t op t en r an k ed st u d en t s in sid e of t h e in n er cou r t yar d . H er
st r en gt h is d efin it ely n ot som et h in g t h a t w e can com p ar e t o. Sen ior Xu San sh i
seem s t o h ave a ver y good r elat ion sh ip w it h sen ior Xiaot ao, t h u s h e m igh t get a
r ecom m en d at ion fr om sen ior Xiaot ao t o t h e in n er cou r t yar d in t h e fu t u r e, if
h e’s lu ck y.”
W an g Don g ask ed w it h cu r iou sit y, “You n eed a r ecom m en d at ion t o en t er t h e

in n er cou r t yar d ?”
T h e u p p er classm an r ep lied , “T h at ’s o b viou s! W ell, I’m n ot en t ir ely clear

ab ou t t h e sp ecific p r oced u r es on e m u st follow t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d .
Su p p osed ly, ever y sin gle st u d en t fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d t h at w an t s t o en t er
t h e in n er cou r t yar d m u st ob t ain a r ecom m en d at ion fr om a st u d en t fr om t h e
in n er cou r t yar d .”
H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o fin ish sellin g t h e r est of h is fish w it h ou t a h it ch . By
t h e t im e h e w as ab ou t t o sell t h e last of t h em , Bei Bei an d T a n g Ya ar r ived sid e-
b y-sid e. H u o Yu h ao t ook ou t t h e fish t h at h e’d saved for t h em b efor eh an d t o
t r eat t h em t o a few r oast ed fish .
“J u n ior b r ot h er , t h e fr esh m an assessm en t is ab ou t t o st ar t . I’ve ju st got

ob t ain ed accu r at e in fo: You ’ll b e r egist er in g in t h e m or n in g, w h ile t h e
assessm en t w ill st ar t in t h e aft er n oon . You h ave t o p r ep ar e w ell.” Bei Bei’s
d em ean or w as st ill a s gen t le as b efor e.
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “I’ll d efin it ely w or k h ar d t o p ass t h e

assessm en t .”
Bei Bei la u gh ed , w h ile T an g Ya said , “Lit t le Yu h ao, even if I’m you r t each er , I
can ’t ju st ea t t h is m an y of you r r oast ed fish for fr ee. I’ll give you som et h in g
n ice. You can u se it w h en t h e t im e ar ises.” As sh e sp ok e, sh e h an d ed som et h in g
t h at r esem b led a p o u ch t o H u o Yu h ao. “W h en you get b ack b ack t o you r d or m
r oom , st or e w h at ’s in sid e in you r T w en t y Fou r M oon lit Br id ges. M ak e su r e t o b e
car efu l w h en you ’r e u sin g it . Don ’t h it an y vit al p oin t s. Also, you ’ll n eed t o st ar t
lear n in g h ow t o r efin e sou l t ools aft er t h e assessm en t . At t h at t im e, I’ll t each
you a few m or e secr et t ech n iq u es.”
“T h an k you , T each er Xiao Ya.” H u o Yu h ao r eceived t h e p ou ch , r ou gh ly ab le

t o gu ess w h at w as in sid e.
W an g Don g h ad a cu r iou s look on h is face. H e p r oceed ed t o ask , “T each er

Xiao Ya, I d on ’t t h in k t h a t you can u se sou l t ools d u r in g t h e fr esh m an
assessm en t , r igh t ?”
T an g Ya u n h ap p ily r ep lied , “W h at sou l t ools? Don ’t you k n ow w h at t h e T an g

Sect is fam ou s for ?”
W h en H u o Yu h ao a n d W an g Don g r et u r n ed t o t h eir d or m r oom an d op en ed

t h e p ou ch , t h ey w er e sh ock ed . It w as filled w it h h id d en w eap on s. T h er e w er e
t h r ow in g k n ives, t h r ow in g n eed les, Bon e Pier cin g Need les, as w ell as a d ozen
p lu s ot h er t yp es of h id d en w eap on s. Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w er e over a h u n d r ed of
each of t h em . It w as b asically a w ar eh ou se for h id d en w eap on s.
It w as ext r em ely ob viou s t h at T an g Ya h ad p r ep ar ed t h ese h id d en w eap on s

for H u o Yu h ao sin ce h is m ar t ial sou l h ad n o w ay t o at t ack . Du r in g t h ese p ast
t h r ee m on t h s, H u o Yu h ao h ad sligh t ly im p r oved in h is u n d er st an d in g of t h e
secr et t ech n iq u es of t h e T an g Sect , an d h ad even st ar t ed t o sk im t h r ou gh t h e
H id d en W eap on H u n d r ed Sep ar at ion s. H e w as ext r em ely b r igh t an d st u d iou s,
w h ich r esu lt ed in h im m ast er in g a few t ech n iqu es. H e d id n ’t h ave an y p r ob lem s
u sin g h id d en w eap on s in a b asic fash ion . T o t h ese n ew st u d en t s w it h on ly on e
or t w o sou l r in gs, t h ese h id d en w eap on s w er e st ill a lar ge t h r eat .
As W an g Don g gazed at H u o Yu h ao’s h id d en w eap on s, h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t

cu r l h is lip s an d say, “You r T each er Xiao Ya is clear ly look in g d ow n on m e. W it h
m e t h er e, t h er e w on ’t even b e a n eed for you t o m ak e a m ove.”
Chapt er 17.1: Fir st Time Cooper at ing; Two People
Cont r ol t he Bat t lefield
H u o Yu h ao w as som ew h at sp eech less a s h e said , “Ar r ogan ce cau ses set b ack s;
at least b e a b it m or e low -p r ofile.”
W an g Don g sn or t ed . “Do you t h in k t h a t I can act u a lly h ave a low -p r ofile w it h

m y m ar t ial sou l?”
“Uh …” Righ t ! W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess w as a n exist en ce t h a t
w ou ld alw ays st u n ever yon e w h en ever it ap p ear ed . For h im t o h ave a low -
p r ofile w ou ld n ’t b e easy.
A w or d less n igh t p assed as t h e t w o cu lt ivat ed in silen ce. T h e n ext m or n in g,

t h e t w o w alk ed over t o t h eir sch ool b u ild in g aft er eat in g b r eak fast . W h en t h ey
en t er ed class, t h ey felt a fer ven t a t m osp h er e en velop t h em .
Ever yon e h ad gat h er ed in t h eir r esp ect ive gr ou p s of t h r ee, an d w er e

w h isp er in g t o on e an ot h er .
Xiao Xiao h ad ar r ived b efor e t h e t w o of t h em , an d t h u s w as alr ead y w ait in g

for t h em . W h en sh e saw t h em en t er t h e classr oom , sh e h u r r ied ly w aved t ow ar d s
t h em .
W h en H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad r each er h er , Xiao Xiao said , “T h e

assessm en t is goin g t o for m ally b egin t h is aft er n oon . Let ’s d iscu ss som e t act ics.”
W an g Don g u n p er t u r b ed ly said , “T h er e’s n ot h in g for u s t o d iscu ss. Let ’s ju st

go an d figh t .”
Xiao Xiao soft ly sh ook h er h ead an d said , “It ’s n ot t h at easy. I’ve h ear d t h at
ever y sin gle class h as a few esp ecially ou t st an d in g st u d en t s w h o’ve in t u r n
for m ed elit e t eam s t h at ar e gu n n in g for t h e ch am p ion sp ot . T h ey w on ’t b e easy
t o d eal w it h . W e h av e t o b e w ell-coor d in a t ed t o h ave a ch an ce again st t h em .”
W an g Don g st ill w an t ed t o r et or t , b u t w as cu t off b y H u o Yu h ao. “W an g

Don g, act p r op er ly. If you d on ’t , I’ll h ave t o ask T each er Zh ou t o ch an ge ou r
t eam s.”
It w asn ’t clear w h et h er or n ot Xiao Xiao st ill h eld a gr u d ge again st W an g

Don g r eject in g h er yest er d ay, b u t sh e im m ed iat ely ech oed H u o Yu h ao, “T h at ’s
r igh t ! T oo m u ch over -con fid en ce is sim p ly ar r ogan ce.”
W an g Don g h u m p h ed , b u t n o lon ger sp ok e.
H u o Yu h ao p u t h is h an d on W an g Don g’s sh ou ld er an d said , “Alr igh t , d on ’t

b e an gr y. If w e w or k t oget h er , w on ’t it b e even easier for u s t o d efeat ou r
en em ies d u r in g t h e a ssessm en t ? Let ’s d iscu ss t h e ab ilit ies t h a t w e sp ecialise in .”
Even t h ou gh t h ey’d b een classm at es for t h r ee m on t h s, t h ey’d st ill on ly

st u d ied t oget h er . Cu lt iva t ion w as som et h in g t h at t h ey’d d on e in d iv id u ally, t h u s
n ob od y r eally k n ew m u ch ab ou t an yon e else’s m ar t ia l sou ls.
H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed , “I’ll st ar t fir st . I h ave a sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l. I

can u se a sk ill k n ow n as Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g, w h ich can let you d et ect
an y m ovem en t s w it h in a fift y m et r e d iam et er in a fair ly d et a iled m an n er . At t h e
sam e t im e, it can a lso p r ed ict an op p on en t ’s m ovem en t s t o a cer t ain ext en t .”
W an g Don g said , “I’m an assau lt syst em sou l m ast er . Sh or t -r an ge an d lon g-

r an ge at t ack s ar e b ot h ok ay for m e. I’m also ab le t o fly.” Alt h ou gh h e w a s
som ew h at ar r ogan t , h e t r u ly h ad t h e qu a lificat ion s t o act as su ch . Regar d less of
w h et h er it w as h is cu lt ivat ion , h is m ar t ial sou l, or h is sou l sk ills, h e w as an
ou t st an d in g exist en ce am on g h is p eer s. T h e sim p le fact t h at h is secon d sou l r in g
w as a t h ou san d year on e w as som et h in g t h at p er h ap s n o on e else in t h e acad em y
cou ld ou t sh in e.
Xiao Xiao n od d ed an d said , “M y m ain m ar t ial sou l is t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh
Cau ld r on . It can b ot h at t ack an d d efen d , an d can con t r ol t h e b at t lefield t o a
cer t ain ext en t . It can also in t im id at e m y en em ies b y r am m in g in t o t h em , w h ich
w ill cau se t h em t o feel d izzy, w h ile get t in g h u r t at t h e sam e t im e. M y secon d
m ar t ial sou l is a flu t e—t h e Nin e Ph oen ix Flu t e. It focu ses on au xilia r y an d
con t r ol-t yp e ab ilit ies. Cu r r en t ly, m y secon d m ar t ial sou l on ly h as a h u n d r ed
year sou l r in g. It can slow d ow n t h e sp eed of ou r en em ies d u r in g com b at .”
W an g Don g w as sligh t ly am azed as h e ask ed , “You r au xiliar y-t yp e m ar t ial

sou l d oesn ’t b oost you r self?”
Xiao Xiao h ad a p r ou d sm ile on h er face as sh e r ep lied , “Nop e. Som et im es,

w eak en in g an en em y is b et t er t h an b oost in g on e’s self. W h en t h e t im e com es,
you ’ll see w h at I m ean . H ow ever , it isn ’t t h at easy for m e t o u se m y secon d
m ar t ial sou l, so it ’s b et t er if w e h id e a b it of ou r st r en gt h an d t ak e it slow .”
Bot h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g su d d en ly r ealized som et h in g—Xiao Xiao

m igh t b e even st r on ger t h an t h ey t h ou gh t .
W h at t h ey d id n ’t k n ow w as t h at , w h en H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao w or k ed
t oget h er t o con t r ol t h e b at t lefield , t h ey w ou ld exp lod e ou t w it h a fr igh t en in g
am ou n t of con t r ol.
“T h u m p , t h u m p , t h u m p .” T h r ee r ap p in g sou n d s r an g ou t . W h en t h e class
h ear d t h a t , it im m ed iat ely b ecam e so qu iet you cou ld h ear a p in d r op .
Zh ou Yi st ood at t h e en t r an ce t o t h e classr oom , h er r igh t h an d ju st com in g

b ack d ow n t o h er sid e. T h e r ap p in g sou n d h ad b een fr om h er r ap p in g on t h e
d oor t o t h e classr oom .
Zh ou Yi st ill m ain t a in ed h er ice-cold com p osu r e as sh e slo w ly w alk ed u p t o

t h e p lat for m . “I’ve alr ead y r ep or t ed t h e list of t eam s t h at a r e p ar t ak in g in t h e
com p et it ion lat er . T h e com p et it ion w ill for m ally st ar t t h is aft er n oon . It w ill u se
a r ou n d -r ob in syst em , an d you w on ’t m eet each ot h er d u r in g t h e t en m a t ch es
t h at you ’ll b e com p et in g in , on ly t eam s fr om ot h er classes. I on ly h ave on e lin e
of ad vice for you : If an yon e t r ies t o st op you fr om p assin g t h e assessm en t , b eat
t h e sh it ou t of t h em . T h at ’s it , you can all d isp er se. W e’ll gat h er at t h e
assessm en t ar ea t h is aft er n oon .” W h en Zh ou Yi h a d fin ish ed sp eak in g, sh e h ar d -
h ead ed ly t u r n ed ar ou n d an d w alk ed aw a y.
W an g Don g sp ok e in a low voice t o H u o Yu h ao. “Don ’t you t h in k t h at old lad y

Zh ou is b ecom in g cooler an d cooler ?”
H u o Yu h ao glan ced at h im an d said , “T h is isn ’t b ein g cool; sh e’s b ein g

com p let ely d om in eer in g.”
Xiao Xiao w alk ed over an d giggled . “T each er Zh ou ’s ju st givin g off a st r on g

p r esen ce. Let ’s go an d fin d a p lace t o t r ain t oget h er for a w h ile. If w e d on ’t , h ow
w ill w e coor d in at e la t er ?’
W it h ou t w ait in g for W an g Don g t o sp eak , H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely n od d ed

h is h ead in agr eem en t . “St u d en t W an g Don g, if you ever w an t t o eat r oast ed fish
n ext t im e, I h ave t o r eq u est t h at you t o list en t o ever y com m an d of t h e cu r r en t
class m on it or d u r in g t h e fr esh m an assessm en t . Do you agr ee t o t h ese t er m s?”
“Ur gh …” W an g Don g look ed at H u o Yu h ao’s r esolu t e gaze, t h en said w it h an

in d ign an t exp r ession on h is face, “H u o Yu h ao, you ’r e r eally t ak in g ad van t age of
m y fear .”
H u o Yu h ao calm ly r ep lied , “You can ch oose n ot t o eat t h em .”
W an g Don g h esit at ed for a m om en t , b u t st ill r elen t ed in t h e en d . “I

su r r en d er . I’ll list en t o you . H ow ever , you ’r e in ch ar ge of t h e h ygien e in t h e
d or m r oom fr om n ow on .”
H u o Yu h ao h ad a look of d isd ain on h is face as h e said , “H ave you clean ed t h e

r oom at all d u r in g t h ese p ast t h r ee m on t h s?”
“T h is…” W an g Don g felt sp eech less as h e said , “You ’r e a fier ce on e, ar en ’t

you ?”
Xiao Xiao seem ed t o b e st an d in g com p let ely on H u o Yu h ao’s sid e as sh e
giggled . “Lazin ess is a t yp e of sin .”
W an g Don g su d d en ly b lu r t ed ou t a few w or d s, cau sin g t h e you n g Xiao Xiao t o

im m ed iat ely b lu sh . “Xiao Xiao, t h e t ar get of you r affect ion r eally ch an ges fast !”
“You —!” Xiao Xiao p oin t ed h er fin ger at W an g Don g w it h a look of an ger on
h er face. Sh e even look ed as if sh e h ad b een w r on ged .
“Ok ay, ok ay. Did n ’t w e say t h at w e w er e goin g t o t r ain ? Let ’s h u r r y u p an d d o

so. I t h in k t h a t w e sh ou ld h ead ou t sid e t h e aca d em y. T h er e ar e t on s of t r ees
ou t sid e t h e acad em y, t h u s w e w on ’t b e ea sily d ist u r b ed b y t h e ot h er s.”
W an g Don g st u ck h is t on gu e ou t at Xiao Xiao, t h en t u r n ed ar ou n d t o leave.

On ly aft er H u o Yu h ao h ad given Xiao Xiao a few w or d s of con solat ion , d id sh e
b ecom e h ap p y. Aft er w ar d s, t h e t w o ch ased aft er W an g Don g, follow in g t h e
lak esid e p at h a s t h ey left t h e acad em y.
Look in g for a q u iet p lace ou t sid e Sh r ek Acad em y cou ld n ’t be an y easier for

t h em . Alt h ou gh t h er e w er e sever al r oad s, t h er e w as a lar ge am ou n t of
veget at ion t h at cover ed b ot h sid es of t h e m ain r oad . Som e of it w as n at u r ally
gr ow n , w h ile som e of it h ad b een p lan t ed b y h an d .
Aft er t h e t h r ee h a d fou n d a r elat ively flat ar ea in t h e for est , W an g Don g

ask ed , “H ow ’r e w e goin g t o t r ain ? Ar e w e ju st goin g t o u se o u r sou l sk ills on ce?”
Xiao Xiao im m ed ia t ely r efu t ed h im , “H ow w ou ld t h at b e u sefu l? You

n at u r ally n eed t o h a ve a figh t for t r ain in g t o b e t h e m ost effect ive. You ’r e an
assau lt syst em sou l m ast er , so you can b e on on e sid e, w h ile t h e class m on it or
an d I w ill b e on t h e ot h er sid e. Let ’s h a ve a m at ch .”
“You t w o again st m e?” W an g Don g r aised h is r igh t h a n d , w aggin g h is

for efin ger as h e said , “T h at w on ’t d o. W it h ju st t h e t w o of you , you w on ’t h ave a
ch an ce again st m e!”
Xiao Xiao gave an op p osin gly cold sm ile. “H ow w ill w e k n ow if w e d on ’t t r y?

H ow ever , you ’r e an assau lt syst em sou l m ast er , so you can ’t b e r igh t n ext t o u s
w h en t h e b at t le st a r t s. Let ’s sp r ead ou t a b it . Let ’s say… t h ir t y m et r es.”
As H u o Yu h ao list en ed t o t h e t w o’s ar gu m en t , h e gr ad u ally d iscover ed h ow

clever Xiao Xiao w as. H is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion Sh ar in g h ad a fift y m et r e d iam et er ,
t h u s for Xiao Xiao t o ask for W an g Don g t o st ar t off t h ir t y m et r es aw ay w as
eq u ivalen t t o h avin g h im en t er t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t h e in st an t
h e m ad e a m ove.
W an g Don g agr eed w it h ou t a n y h esit a t ion at all.
Xiao Xiao t h en said , “You can fly, b u t w e can ’t . T h is is a t r ain in g session , so

you ’d b et t er n ot fly a w ay on ce you st ar t losin g.”
W an g Don g r ep lied in a ver y casu al m a n n er . “I w on ’t leave t h e gr ou n d b y

m or e t h an five m et r es. T h en , I’ll b e h ea d in g over . You can sh ou t ‘st ar t ’ w h en
you gu ys ar e r ead y.” W h en h e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g, h e b egan t o w alk aw ay.
Xiao Xiao im m ed iat ely t u r n ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d said , “Class m on it or ,

let ’s k it e t h is fool. It ’ll b e fin e if you ju st u se you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh a r in g t o
su p p or t m e. Let ’s m a k e t h at ar r ogan t gu y eat a loss.”
If t h is h ad b een b efor e H u o Yu h ao h ad com e t o Sh r ek Acad em y, h e d efin it ely

w ou ld n ’t h ave k n ow n w h at ‘k it in g’ w as. H ow ever , h e w as ext r em ely clear ab ou t
w h at it w as n ow —it w as a t act ic t h at r elied on r et r ea t in g as on e fou gh t .
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “Alr igh t , I’ll h elp you .” H e also w an t ed t o see

ju st h ow st r on g Xiao Xiao an d W an g Don g w er e. Du r in g t h e p ast t h r ee m on t h s,
h e h ad n ’t ever b een ab le t o see exact ly h ow st r on g W an g Don g t r u ly w as w h en
h e u sed h is m ar t ial sou l t o figh t . H ow ever , h e u n d er st ood t h at even t h ou gh
W an g Don g w as sligh t ly m or e ar r ogan t t h an ot h er s, h e w as ju st b ein g self-
con fid en t , n ot ar r ogan t . T h is w as b ecau se self-con fid en ce ca m e fr om st r en gt h .
T h e d ist an ce b et w een t h e t w o sid es q u ick ly gr ew lar ger . W an g Don g lazily

lean ed again st a la r ge t r ee an d gazed at t h e t w o t h at w er e t h ir t y m et r es aw ay
fr om h im —h e’d even in cr ea sed t h e d ist an ce b et w een t h em a b it . H e r a ised h is
ar m an d w aved a t H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao, in d icat in g t h at h e w as r ead y.
Xiao Xiao an d H u o Yu h ao st ood n ext t o each ot h er . Xiao Xiao h ad a p et it e

b od y, an d w as r at h er sh or t com p ar ed t o t h e r est of t h e class. Sh e even h ad t h e
t it le of ‘p ock et -sized b eau t y’. Sh e glan ced at H u o Yu h ao an d n od d ed . “Class
m on it or , p lease assist m e.”
“Ok ay.”
On ly t h en d id Xiao Xiao t u r n ar ou n d an d sh ou t t ow ar d s W a n g Don g, “St ar t !”

As soon as sh e sp ok e, sh e r eleased h er m a r t ial sou l.
T w o yellow ligh t s sim u lt an eou sly lit u p as soon as t h ey r ose fr om Xiao Xiao’s
feet ; sh e w as act u a lly a Sou l Gr a n d m a st er ! W h en H u o Yu h ao saw t h is, h e
in w ar d ly b lu sh ed fr om sh am e.
T h e t w o sh in in g sou l r in gs r ose fr om Xiao Xiao’s feet , b u t n ot h in g seem ed t o

h ap p en t o h er b od y. H ow ever , a b lack sh ad ow r ap id ly con d en sed ab ove h er
h ead , clear ly for m in g a t h r ee-legged cau ld r on t h at h ad t w o h an d les an d a
d iam et er of ar ou n d on e m et r e. T h is w as Xiao Xiao’s m ain m ar t ial sou l, t h e
T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on .
H u o Yu h ao act ivat ed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g at t h e sam e t im e,

cau sin g a w h it e sou l r in g t o r ise u p fr om h is feet . T h e on look in g Xiao Xiao
cou ld n ’t h elp b u t fin d it som ew h a t w eak . Sh e t h ou gh t t o h er self, “No w on d er
t h e class m on it or cu lt ivat es a s h ar d as h e d oes; h is t alen t ’s r ea lly lack in g!”
H ow ever , Xiao Xiao w as q u ick ly sh ock ed b y t h e m yst er iou s scen e t h at H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g sh ow ed h er .
Ever yt h in g w it h in a t w en t y-five m et r e d iam et er of t h em in st an t ly b ecam e

t h r ee-d im en sion al figu r es w it h in h er m in d . Sh e b asically d id n ’t even h ave t o
t h in k ab ou t t h em eit h er —in for m at ion ab ou t t h em r ap id ly ap p ear ed in sid e of
h er m in d . Sh e cou ld even clear ly sen se t h e exist en ce of ever y sin gle st r an d of
gr ass an d b it of veget at ion w it h in t h e ar ea t h at w a s su r r ou n d in g t h em .
Fu r t h er m or e, b esid es t h e t h r ee-d im en sion al p an or am ic view t h at sh e’d
su d d en ly r eceived , sh e felt as if sh e su d d en ly h ad an ext r a b r ain t h at cou ld h elp
h er p r ocess t h e n ew in for m at ion t h at sh e w as r eceivin g.
As Xiao Xiao glan ced at H u o Yu h ao, ast on ish ed , W an g Don g h ad alr ea d y

b egu n t o m ak e h is m ove.
Alt h ou gh W an g Don g seem ed t o b e look in g d ow n on H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao

Xiao on t h e su r face, h e w asn ’t b ein g car eless at all. H e’d p er son ally exp er ien ced
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g, so h e w as fu lly aw a r e of t h e fact t h at
it cou ld p r ed ict an o p p on en t ’s m ovem en t s.
A d azzlin g p air of b lu e w in gs in st an t ly sp r ead ou t fr om h is b ack , cau sin g

W an g Don g’s b od y t o also b e cover ed in an exot ic colou r t h at seem ed t o
con st an t ly ch an ge b et w een b lu e a n d p u r p le. Fu r t h er m or e, a few gold en b alls of
ligh t ap p ear ed on h is en or m ou s p air of w in gs an d lit u p , for m in g a ‘V’. As h is
t w o sou l r in gs r ose u p fr om h is feet , on e yellow an d on e p u r p le, h is Rad ian t
Bu t t er fly God d ess w as fu lly r eleased .
W it h a flash , W an g Don g r u sh ed ou t at h igh sp eed . T h e b alls of ligh t on h is

w in gs b egan t o em it sou lfor ce, w h ich cau sed h is sp eed t o in st an t ly r each an
ext r em e level.
T h is w asn ’t a sou l sk ill, b u t an in n at e sk ill t h at b elon ged t o h is Rad ian t

Bu t t er fly God d ess. Fr om t h is alon e, it cou ld b e seen h ow st r on g h is m ar t ial sou l
w as.
W an g Don g’s su d d en in cr ease in sp eed cau sed h im t o in st an t ly cr oss a
d ist an ce of t en or so m et r es; h e h ad a lr ead y n ear ly ar r ived in fr on t of H u o
Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao. T h e r esu lt of an assau lt syst em sou l m ast er ap p r oach in g
t w o con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er s w h o h ad n o m ean s of en gagin g h im in close-
com b at cou ld b e im agin ed . T h eir d efeat seem ed t o b e in evit ab le.
W h en W an g Don g w as on ly t w en t y-five m et r es aw ay fr om H u o Yu h ao an d
Xiao Xiao, a d igit a l r ep r esen t at ion of h is m ovem en t s in st an t ly ap p ear ed in Xiao
Xiao’s b r ain . T h is in clu d ed t h e t r aject or y of h is m ovem en t s, t h e m in u t e ch an ges
in h is b od y, t h e sm allest ch an ges in h is m ar t ial sou l… even t h e r ot at ion of W an g
Don g’s sou lfor ce w it h in h is m er id ian s co u ld b e fain t ly exam in ed b y Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Xiao d id n ’t look flu st er ed at all. H u o Yu h ao’s sou l r in g, w h ich w as on ly a

t en year sou l r in g, h ad alr ead y su r p r ised h er im m en sely. As sh e w at ch ed W a n g
Don g ap p r oach t h em , sh e d ecid ed t o m ak e a m ove t oo.
Sh e p oin t ed h er r igh t h an d t ow ar d s W an g Don g, cau sin g t h e on e-m et r e w id e

cau ld r on ab ove h er t o ch ar ge for w ar d s. It d id n ’t h ead st r a igh t t ow ar d s W an g
Don g, b u t t ow ar d s t h e on ly p at h t h at h e cou ld t ak e. Fu r t h er m or e, sh e sim ilar ly
u sed an in n a t e sk ill t h at b elon ged t o h er m ar t ial sou l: sh e d elayed t h e u se of h er
sou l sk ill.
W an g Don g w as p u t in t o an ext r em ely d ifficu lt p osit ion d u e t o t h e p osit ion of

t h e en or m ou s b lack cau ld r on , as it w as cu r r en t ly flyin g d ir ect ly t ow ar d s t h e
on ly p at h t h at h e cou ld t ak e. T h is w as d efin it ely a clever ap p licat ion of H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g, n o d ou b t . If n ot for H u o Yu h ao’s h elp , Xiao
Xiao w ou ld h ave h ad t o r ely on h er eyesigh t an d t h e flu ct u at ion s in W an g
Don g’s sou lfor ce t o m ak e a ju d gem en t , w h ich d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave b een as
accu r at e as r igh t n o w .
In t h is m om en t of h elp lessn ess, W an g Don g su d d en ly con t r act ed h is left

w in g. T h is allow ed h is b od y t o t w ist sligh t ly in m id air , sligh t ly ch an gin g h is
t r aject or y. H ow ever , h e b ecam e even m or e d ep r essed w h en t h e b lack cau ld r on
in st an t ly sh ift ed , allow in g it t o con t in u e b lock in g h im .
For esigh t .
Xiao Xiao su b con sciou sly t u r n ed t o glan ce at t h e gold en -eyed H u o Yu h ao.

W it h h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g, sh e d id n ’t even n eed t o look at W an g
Don g. Sh e on ly n eed ed t o follow t h e in st r u ct ion s of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion Sh ar in g t o con t in u e h er at t ack s. T h is cou ld n ’t b e an y easier for h er .
H ow ever , W an g Don g w ou ld n ’t sim p ly a d m it d efeat ; h e con t in u ed t o flap h is

w in gs as h e soar ed t h r ou gh t h e air , in cr easin g h is sp eed b y sever al t im es.
Desp it e t h is, H u o Yu h ao w as st ill ab le t o sen se t h e r ot at ion of h is sou lfor ce via
h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , t h u s h e w as ab le t o con sist en t ly p r ed ict h is m ovem en t s.
For h im t o at t em p t t o avoid Xiao Xiao’s T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on w h ile it
w as u n d er h er con t r ol clear ly w asn ’t r ealist ic.
W an g Don g felt d ep r essed . H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sh ou t , “H u o Yu h ao, you ’r e

in h u m an e! Fin e, I w on ’t d od ge—I’ll for ce m y w ay in !”
H is fir st sou l r in g su d d en ly lit u p as h e sp ok e, w h ile t h e gold en ligh t in H u o

Yu h ao’s eyes su d d en ly lit u p as w ell. W it h h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , h e cou ld
clear ly sen se t h a t t h e sou lfor ce w it h in W an g Don g’s b od y w as r ot at in g in an
exp losive m an n er , su r gin g m ad ly in t o h is fr on t p air of w in gs. On t h e ot h er
h an d , h is r ea r w in gs h ad b een sp r ead ou t for t h e sole sak e of m ain t ain in g h is
b alan ce.
H is fr on t p air of w in gs t u r n ed com p let ely azu r e, t h e gold en p at t er n s on t h em

r eleasin g a gold en ligh t t h at sp r ead ou t w ar d , in st an t ly for m in g a t h r ee-in ch
w id e sh ar p gold en ed ge on h is fr on t w in gs.
T h e look on Xiao Xiao’s face ch an ged sligh t ly. Via H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l

Det ect ion Sh ar in g, sh e cou ld clear ly sen se t h e ast on ish in g d est r u ct ive p ow er
t h at w as cu r r en t ly con t ain ed w it h in W a n g Don g’s w in gs aft er h e u sed t h is sou l
sk ill.
W an g Don g sim u lt a n eou sly r aised h is h an d s, gr ab b in g t h e in n er p ar t of h is

fr on t w in gs. W it h a su d d en p u ll, h is fr on t p air of w in gs im m ed iat ely u n fu r led ,
r esem b lin g t w o gu illot in es w it h gold en ed ges. H e t h en t w ist ed h is b od y, cau sin g
h is r igh t w in g t o sla sh t ow ar d s t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on . It w a s ju st as
h e’d said : If a soft m et h od w ou ld n ’t w or k , h e’d h ave t o u se a h ar d on e!
H ow ever , h e’d st ill u n d er est im a t ed t h e level of coor d in a t ion t h at H u o Yu h ao

an d Xiao Xiao sh ar ed , w h o w er e b ot h w or k in g t oget h er t o con t r ol t h e
b at t lefield . Xiao Xiao d id n ’t h ave h er T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on for cefu lly
t ak e t h e h it t h a t W an g Don g h as sen t at it , in st ead ch oosin g t o h ave it t w o
m et r es. T h is allow ed it t o p er fect ly d od ge t h e slash m ad e b y W an g Don g’s r igh t
w in g, b efor e su d d en ly r am m in g in t o h is w in g.
A lou d ‘b an g’ r an g ou t fr om t h eir collision , an d W an g Don g’s b od y w as sen t

flyin g sever al t en s of m et r es aw ay. On t h e ot h er h an d , Xiao Xiao’s T h r eelives
Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on r em ain ed h over in g in m id air .
W an g Don g t r u ly felt d ep r essed b y t h is. H is st r en gt h ab solu t ely exceed ed Xiao

Xiao’s, b u t h e h ad n ’t b een ab le t o d isp la y an y of it w h ilst facin g t h e com b in ed
for ces of Xiao Xiao an d H u o Yu h ao. Su d d en ly, h is eyes lit u p . T h is t im e, h e
d ecid ed t o r et r eat in st ead of ad van cin g. W it h a flash , h e m oved m or e t h an
t w en t y-five m et r es aw ay fr om H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao, n at u r ally m ean in g
t h at h e’d escap ed t h e r an ge of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g.
“H eh e, H u o Yu h ao, I w an t see h ow you ’ll d et ect t h e m y b od y’s con d it ion n ow .

T h is b r ot h er h as lon g-r an ge at t ack s t oo.” As h e sp ok e, h is secon d sou l r in g lit
up.
H u o Yu h ao sm iled sligh t ly an d said , “H ave you for got t en ? I can also

m an ip u lat e t h e d ir ect ion of m y Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . As of r igh t n ow , I can sen d
it ou t ar ou n d a h u n d r ed m et r es. If you r at t ack can lock on t o u s fr om over a
h u n d r ed m et r es aw a y, you can t r y u sin g it . An d even if it can , t h er e’ll st ill b e
en ou gh t im e for m e t o h elp Xiao Xiao t ak e it on w h en you r at t ack en t er s t h e
r an ge of m y Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , u n less t h e st r en gt h of you r at t ack ca n sh a t t er
Xiao Xiao’s T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on . An d b esid es t h at , you sh ou ld n ’t
for get t h at Xiao Xiao st ill h as h er secon d m ar t ial sou l.”
W an g Don g w as st u n n ed . Righ t ! Even t h ou gh h is secon d sou l sk ill w as a

t h ou san d year on e, an d w as r elat ively st r on g com p ar ed , it s m igh t w ou ld st ill b e
gr eat ly r ed u ced aft er it h ad cr ossed a h u n d r ed m et r es. Besid es, H u o Yu h ao t r u ly
w ou ld h a ve en ou gh t im e t o h elp Xiao Xiao t ak e it on . H ow ever , h e st ill w asn ’t
w illin g t o con ced e t o t h em . “M y lon g-r an ge at t ack is an AoE at t ack . Even if you
can d et ect it , it w on ’t b e of an y u se.”
Xiao Xiao sm iled . “W an g Don g, d on ’t b e so p r ou d of you r self. Don ’t for get , I

st ill h ave m u lt ip le sou l sk ills t h a t I h aven ’t u sed . W ou ld you lik e t o k n ow w h at
sou l sk ills m y T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on h as? T o b e h on est , you m igh t n ot
b e m y m at ch , even if t h is w er e a on e-on -on e figh t . As for you r lon g-r an ge at t ack ,
it m igh t h ave an ext r aor d in ar y am ou n t of st r en gt h , b u t all t h e class m on it or an d
I n eed is en o u gh t im e t o d od ge it . J u st w a it an d see.”
W h ilst sp eak in g, sh e p oin t ed at t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on w it h h er

r igh t h an d , cau sin g it t o su d d en ly t r em b le sligh t ly. Im m ed iat ely aft er t h at , it
u n exp ect ed ly sp lit in t o t h r ee sm aller cau ld r on s t h a t su r r ou n d ed h er an d H u o
Yu h ao, for m in g a t r ip ar t it e for m at ion . At t h e sam e t im e, Xiao Xiao’s fir st sou l
r in g lit u p .
A lou d r u m b lin g ech oed ou t as t h e t en squ ar e m et r es of air ab ove t h e t w o of

t h em t w ist ed d u e t o a violen t vib r at ion .
T h e t h r ee cau ld r on s t h en m er ged b ack in t o on e an d qu iet ly la n d ed in fr on t of

Xiao Xiao.
H u o Yu h ao’s an d W an g Don g’s exp r ession s ch an ged . W hat a st r ong m ar t i al

soul ! W h en t h e T h r eel i ves Soul cr ush Caul dr on h ad spl i t i n t o t h r ee par t s, t h at
w as an i n n at e sk i l l t h at bel on ged t o i t . H ow ever , t h at t r em or w as def i n i t el y i t s
at t ack . H uo Yuh ao h ad cl ear l y been able t o sen se t h e t er r i f yi n g m i gh t of t h at
t r em or vi a h i s Spi r i t ual Sen se.
W an g Don g qui ck l y r egai n ed h i s com posur e. “ I get i t , I w on ’ t f i gh t an ym or e.

I f t h e t w o of you t eam up, i t ’ s t r ue t h at I can ’ t beat you. But Xi ao Xi ao, i n t h e
f ut ur e, you’ l l def i n i t el y l ear n t h at you’ r e n ot m y m at ch i n a on e-on -on e f i gh t .
On t h e ot h er h an d, i f t w o peopl e ar oun d t h e sam e l evel of cul t i vat i on f i gh t
agai n st on e an ot h er , t h e si de t h at h as H uo Yuh ao’ s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on w i l l
def i n i t el y w i n . T h at sk i l l of h i s doesn ’ t gi ve an yon e a w ay out at al l . You’ l l be
l ef t i n a passi ve st at e t h r ough out t h e en t i r e bat t l e, un l ess som eon e w i t h an
exceedi n gl y h i gh cul t i vat i on uses absol ut e pow er t o cr ush h i m .”
Al t h ough Xi ao Xi ao w asn ’ t w i l l i n g t o accept W an g Don g sayi n g t h at h e coul d

beat h er i n a on e-on -on e f i gh t , sh e h ad t o ack n ow l edge w h at el se h e’ d sai d. Sh e
n odded an d sai d, “ Yeah ! W i t h t h e cl ass m on i t or ’ s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on , f i gh t i n g i s
as si m pl e as just usi n g m y soul sk i l l s. Cl ass m on i t or , your soul sk i l l i s super
st r on g. I t f eel s gr eat t eam i n g up w i t h you! I even un der est i m at ed your t en year
soul r i n g, sor r y!” Xi ao Xi ao w as a gi r l w h o h ad a ver y st r ai gh t f or w ar d at t i t ude;
sh e sai d w h at ever sh e w as t h i n k i n g about w i t h out beat i n g ar oun d t h e bush . Due
t o t h i s, H uo Yuh ao an d W an g Don g i m m edi at el y h ad a f avour abl e opi n i on of
h er .
H u o Yu h ao ext en d ed h is r igh t h an d h or izon t ally t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao, w h o
r esp on d ed w it h a sw eet sm ile, b efor e p lacin g h er r igh t h an d on t op of h is.
Fin ally, W an g Don g w alk ed over an d p laced h is r igh t h an d on t h e ver y t op .
H u o Yu h ao t h en said , “Fr om n ow on , w e’r e com r ad es on t h e sam e t eam . As

for t h e fr esh m en exa m in at ion , w e w an t t o b e ch am p ion s.”
“W e w an t t o b e ch am p ion s!” T h e t h r ee sim u lt an eou sly sh ou t ed . At t h is

m om en t , t h e r ela t io n sh ip b et w een t h em h ad d eep en ed fu r t h er . T h e h ap p iest
p er son of t h e t h r ee w as n at u r ally Xiao Xiao; sh e fin ally felt a s if H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g h ad sin cer ely accep t ed h er as on e of t h eir fr ien d s. Becau se of t h is, it
w as alw ays said t h at , b et w een sou l m ast er s, sp eak in g w it h on e’s fist s w as alw ays
t h e sim p lest , m ost d ir ect , an d m ost effect ive w ay t o d o t h in gs.
Sh r ek Acad em y’s assessm en t ar ea w as locat ed at t h e n or t h -cen t r al p ar t of t h e

M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , an d w as ad jacen t t o t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea. H ow ever ,
t h e Exam in at ion Ar ea w as m u ch lar ger t h an t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea. T o t h e
ou t er cou r t yar d st u d en t s, t h is w as a p ar ad ise for ou t st an d in g st u d en t s, w h er e
t h ey cou ld d isp lay t h eir ab ilit ies, b u t w as a n igh t m ar e for w eak er st u d en t s.
T h er e w ou ld alw ays b e a lar ge n u m b er of st u d en t s exp elled aft er failin g t h eir
assessm en t ever y year . A lar ge m ajor it y of t h e assessm en t s w ou ld b e h eld in t h is
Exam in at ion Ar ea.
T h e Exam in at ion Ar ea w as oval-sh ap ed . Un lik e t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea, w h ich

w as en closed , t h e Exam in at ion Ar ea w a s b asically an op en field . It w as on ly
en cir cled b y sh or t w alls, w h ile in sid e it w as sep ar at ed in t o m an y sm all ar eas b y
p ar t it ion s. T h ese p ar t it ion s cou ld b e m oved at an y t im e t o a lt er t h e size of t h e
Exam in at ion Ar ea.
T h e Exam in at ion Ar ea w ou ld alw ays b e d ivid ed t h e m ost w h en ever t h e

fr esh m an assessm en t h ap p en ed . It w asn ’t ju st b ecau se of t h e lar ge n u m b er of
n ew st u d en t s, b u t also b ecau se t h er e w as st ill a lim it t o t h e d est r u ct ive p ow er
an d at t ack r an ge t h at n ew st u d en t s h ad . Becau se of t h is, t h ey d id n ’t n eed t oo
lar ge of an ar ea t o allow t h em t o fu lly d isp lay t h eir ab ilit ies.
T h e Exam in at ion Ar ea w as r ou gh ly t w en t y-t h ou san d sq u ar e m et r es la r ge, b u t
w as cu r r en t ly sep ar at ed in t o fift y ar eas. Ever y sin gle p ar t it ion ed ar ea w as
ar ou n d fou r h u n d r ed sq u ar e m et r es in size, an d w as a t w en t y b y t w en t y m et r e
squ ar e. T h is w as alr ead y su fficien t for n ew st u d en t s, w h o gen er ally on ly h ad
on e or t w o sou l r in gs.
Aft er t h e in t en se d ivision of gr ou p s in t h e m or n in g, t h e assessm en t for m ally

st ar t ed in t h e aft er n oon . Becau se t h is w as t h e fir st d ay of t h e assessm en t , all of
t h e t eam s cou ld lea ve aft er fin ish in g on ly on e m at ch . T h is w as d on e for t h e sak e
of let t in g t h e n ew st u d en t s ad ap t , at least som ew h at , t o t h e sch ed u le. T h e
acad em y h ad st at ion ed a t each er in each of t h e fift y ar eas in or d er t o com p let e
t h e r egist r a t ion p r ocess for t h e assessm en t . T h e lot d r aw in g for t od ay’s m at ch es
h ad alr ea d y b een d on e t h at aft er n oon , a n d t h e acad em y d id all t h ey cou ld t o
en su r e t h a t n o t eam s fr om t h e sam e class w ou ld m eet each ot h er d u r in g t h e t en -
m at ch r ou n d r ob in t ou r n am en t .
Ot h er t h an Cla ss 1, w h ich on ly h ad t w en t y-t w o t eam s, t h e ot h er classes

gen er ally h ad at least t h ir t y t eam s. Un less t h er e w er e st u d en t s t h at h a d
p er for m ed ext r em ely p oor ly d u r in g t h eir fir st t h r ee m on t h s at Sh r ek Acad em y,
t each er s in ch ar ge o f t h e fr esh m en classes w ou ld gen er ally a lw ays give t h em a
ch an ce t o t ak e t h e fr esh m an assessm en t .
T h er e w er e a t ot al of t h r ee h u n d r ed an d t en t eam s p ar t icip at in g in t h e
fr esh m en assessm en t , w h ich m ean t a t ot al of n in e h u n d r ed an d t h ir t y p eop le.
Ou t of t h ese t h r ee h u n d r ed an d t en t ea m s of st u d en t s, on ly a h u n d r ed an d fift y
of t h em w ou ld b e ab le t o r em ain an d for m ally b ecom e fir st -year st u d en t s t o
con t in u e st u d yin g. T h e r est of t h e t eam s w ou ld b e elim in at ed .
W h ilst st u d yin g in Sh r ek Acad em y, t h e com p et it ion w as u n d ou b t ed ly fier ce

an d cr u el. H ow ever , t h is also r esu lt ed in st u d en t s w or k in g even h ar d er u n d er
t h is in t en se at m osp h er e, allow in g t h em t o st im u la t e even m or e of t h eir
p ot en t ial. T h is h ad , in t u r n , allow ed Sh r ek Acad em y t o su r vive t en t h ou san d
year s w it h ou t b ecom in g w eak at all.
T h er e w er e a t ot al o f fift y ar en as for t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , w h ich m ean t

t h at ever y sin gle ar en a w ou ld h ave six or seven t eam s w it h in it . It w asn ’t ju st
t od ay; t h ey w ou ld also com p et e w it h ot h er t eam s fr om t h e sam e a r en a
t om or r ow , u p u n t il t h ey’d fin ish ed com p et in g w it h all t h e t eam s in t h e sam e
ar en a as t h em . Aft er w ar d s, t h e w in n er s w ou ld b e r ed ist r ib u t ed in t o n ew gr ou p s,
allow in g t h em t o fin ish t h eir t en -r ou n d com p et it ion .
H u o Yu h ao’s t eam of t h r ee w as assign ed t o t h e 33r d ar en a . Aft er t h e t h r ee at e

lu n ch , t h ey r et u r n ed t o t h eir r esp ect ive d or m r oom s in or d er t o m ed it at e for a
w h ile, t h en m et b ack u p w h en it w as t im e t o. T h e ar en as w it h t h e Exam in at ion
Ar ea w er e ext r em ely easy t o look for , sin ce each ar en a w as qu it e ob viou sly
lab eled . T h ey m an aged t o fin d w h ich a r en a t h ey w er e su p p osed t o b e in q u it e
qu ick ly.
T h e st u d en t s fr om t h e ot h er classes w h o w er e also m ean t t o b e in t h e ar ea h ad

alr ead y ar r ived . Som e of t h em look ed n er vou s, w h ile som e of t h em seem ed
eager t o b egin . All of t h em w er e on ly k id s, ar ou n d eleven or t w elve year s old , so
t h ey cou ld n ’t r eally con ceal t h eir t h ou gh t s. W h en t h ey look ed at each ot h er ,
t h eir eyes clear ly exp osed t h e h ost ilit y t h ey h ad for on e an ot h er . Aft er all, on ly
h alf of t h em w ou ld con t in u e t o r em ain w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y. Even t h ou gh t h e
fr esh m en assessm en t on ly h ad a t ot al of t en r ou n d s, ever y sin gle r ou n d w ou ld
affect t h eir fu t u r e.
“New st u d en t s, p lease p ay at t en t ion . New st u d en t s, p lease p ay at t en t ion .

Please im m ed ia t ely en t er t h e Exam in at ion Ar ea t o p ar t icip at e in t h e fr esh m en
assessm en t . T h er e a r e st ill t en m in u t es left for you t o en t er . An y st u d en t s t h at
ar e lat e w ill au t om at ically for feit t h eir assessm en t .”
T h e b oom in g voice fr om t h e lou d sp eak er r an g t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e

acad em y; it w as lou d en ou gh t o t r avel t h r ou gh ever y n ook an d cor n er of t h e
acad em y. At t h is m om en t , m ost st u d en t s’ exp r ession s b ecam e qu it e ser iou s.
Ever yon e’s fir st m at ch w as ab ou t t o b egin ; t h ey’d b e lyin g if t h ey said t h at t h ey
w er en ’t n er vou s.
H u o Yu h ao u n con sciou sly clen ch ed h is fist s, t h en felt t h e T w en t y Fou r

M oon lit Br id ges on h is w aist for r eassu r an ce. T h e fr esh m an assessm en t
p r oh ib it ed t h e u sage of sou l t ools, b u t h id d en w eap on s w er e st ill classified as
or d in ar y w eap on s, w h ich w er en ’t p r oh ib it ed . Sou l m ast er s w ou ld r a r ely u se an y
w eap on s, u n less t h ey w er e sou l t ools. H ow ever , as a d iscip le of t h e T an g Sect ,
H u o Yu h ao w as clear ly an excep t ion t o t h is r u le.
W an g Don g p laced h is left h an d on H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er an d lean ed t ow ar d s

h im . “Don ’t b e n er vou s, t h is w ill b e t r ivial t o u s.”
Xiao Xiao d id n ’t call W an g Don g ou t for bein g ar r ogan t t h is t im e. In st ead , sh e
n od d ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. Alt h ou gh W an g Don g h ad n ’t b een ab le t o sh ow off
h is fu ll p ow er w h en t h e t h r ee of t h em h a d fou gh t ear lier , sh e h ad st ill b een ab le
t o see t h at h is cu lt ivat ion w asn ’t an y low er t h an t h at h er s, b ased on t h e r esolu t e
w or d s h e sp ok e at t h e ver y en d . Com b in ed w it h t h e cla ss m on it or ’s m yst ica l
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g, t h er e w er e an ext r em ely sm all n u m b er of st u d en t s
w it h in t h eir age gr ou p w h o cou ld b e t h eir op p on en t s.
H u o Yu h ao w h isp er ed , “W e’ll b e t h e ch a m p ion s.”
Xiao Xiao an d W an g Don g sim u lt an eou sly n od d ed . T h e t h r ee t h en p laced

t h eir p alm s ab ove each ot h er ’s on ce again . Alt h ou gh t h ey w er e you n g, t h ey
k n ew on e t h in g: Alt h ou gh sim p ly p assin g t h e assessm en t m igh t n ot b e t h at h ar d
for t h em , if t h ey w an t ed t o b ecom e ch am p ion s of t h e assessm en t , t eam w or k
w ou ld b e k ey. Becau se of t h at , even W an g Don g r est r ain ed h is p r id e.
T h e fr esh m en assessm en t w as ext r em ely im p or t an t , so t h e acad em y’s

an n ou n cem en t w asn ’t r eally t h at u sefu l. All of t h e fr esh m en h ad alr ea d y ar r ived
at t h eir d esign at ed ar en as in or d er t o m ak e p r ep ar at ion s for t h e u p com in g
assessm en t .
A t each er t h at look ed t o b e ar ou n d for t y w alk ed in t o t h e 33r d Ar ea. H e look ed

lik e an ext r em ely aver age p er son ; h e d id n ’t give off an y sor t of t h r eat en in g au r a.
H e h ad a sm ile on h is face, as w ell as an ext r em ely fr ien d ly ap p ear an ce. As su ch ,
h e w as as d iffer en t as h eaven an d ear t h w h en com p ar ed t o Zh ou Yi. Aft er
cou n t in g t h e n u m b er of p eop le p r esen t , h e sm iled sligh t ly. “Ver y good . W e h ave
a t ot al of six t eam s p ar t icip at in g in t h e fr esh m en assessm en t t od ay, an d it seem s
t h at you ’r e all p r esen t . Allow m e t o in t r od u ce m yself fir st . I’m W an g Yan , an d
I’ll b e you r p r oct or for t h e n ext t w o d ays.
“Gr eet in gs, T each er W an g.” T h e st u d en t s h u r r ied ly b ow ed in r esp ect .
W an g Yan ch u ck led . “No n eed t o b e so p olit e. I’ve a lw ays t r eat ed ever yon e as
a fr ien d w h ile I’m t each in g, an d fr om n ow u n t il t h e en d of ou r t im e t oget h er ,
you ’ll all b e m y lit t le fr ien d s. As su ch , I d on ’t w ish t o see an yon e get h u r t .
Alt h ou gh t h is assessm en t d et er m in es w h et h er or n ot you can con t in u e t o st u d y
in Sh r ek Acad em y, I h ave t o r em in d you t h a t t h is is st ill on ly an assessm en t .
You ab solu t ely m u st n ’t h u r t you r op p on en t s t oo b ad ly. If t h at h ap p en s, I'm
afr aid I'll h a ve t o ask h im t o leave an d r ep or t t h e in cid en t t o t h e Acad em y.”
H e sp ok e w it h a ver y gen t le t on e an d d ow n p layed t h e en t ir e m at t er . Alt h ou gh

h e d id n ’t m en t ion t h e con sequ en ces for cr ip p lin g on e’s op p on en t , ever y sin gle
st u d en t t h at w as a b le t o en t er Sh r ek Acad em y w as a ch ild p r od igy. T h ey
n at u r ally u n d er st ood t h e im p lica t ion s b eh in d h is w or d s, an d n od d ed t o exp r ess
t h eir u n d er st an d in g.
W an g Yan sm iled . “Sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, w e can st a r t n ow . If w e en d ear lier ,

you can go b ack ear ly t o t r ain for t om or r ow . A sligh t sen se of u r gen cy is
d efin it ely a good t h in g for you you n gst er s.”
As h e sp ok e, h e t ook ou t a sh eet of p ap er an d glan ced over it . Aft er w ar d s, h e

r aised h is h ead an d said , “For t h e fir st m at ch of t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e fr esh m en
assessm en t —Cla ss 1: H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao. Class 3: Ou yan g J u n yi,
Ch en J u n fen g, Zh ao H aoch en . T h e six of you can en t er t h e bat t lefield an d t ak e
you r sid es. W h en I a n n ou n ce t h e st ar t of t h e b at t le, you can r elease you r m ar t ial
sou ls. En t er .”
T h er e w er e six t eam s of st u d en t s, t h u s t h r ee m at ch es w ou ld b e h eld w it h in

t h e 33r d a r en a t od a y. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao n ever t h ou gh t t h at t h ey w ou ld b e
t h e fir st t eam t o go ou t . T h e t h r ee of t h em glan ced at each ot h er , t h en q u ick ly
w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e n or t h w est er n cor n er of t h e ar en a.
T h e t h r ee of t h em p osit ion ed t h em selves qu it e ca r efu lly. W a n g Don g st ood in

fr on t , w h ile Xiao Xiao st ood b eh in d h im . H u o Yu h ao, on t h e ot h er h a n d , st ood
b eh in d b ot h of t h em , in t h e t h e cor n er of t h e ar en a . As for t h e t h e ot h er t eam of
t h r ee, t h ey n at u r ally ch ose t o st an d a t t h e sou t h east er n cor n er of t h e ar en a.
T h e t h r ee st u d en t s fr om Class 3 w er e all b oys—t h ey even look ed q u it e

h an d som e. T h e t allest p er son of t h e t h r ee w as Ou yan g J u n yi, w h o w as also t h e
m ost h an d som e of t h e t h r ee. Alt h ou gh t h er e w as st ill a gap b et w een h im an d
W an g Don g, h is b od y look ed m u ch st u r d ier t h an W an g Don g’s. T h e p er son n ext
t o h im , Ch en J u n fen g, w as ext r em ely slen d er , even t h ou gh h e w asn ’t t h at t all.
Fin ally, Zh ao H aoch en w as a lit t le fat t y w h o h ad a p lu m p st om ach , as w ell a s a
st r aigh t for w ar d sm ile on h is face.
Seein g t h at b ot h p ar t ies w er e in p osit ion , W an g Yan n odd ed . “St ar t t h e

assessm en t .”
T h e t w o p ar t ies in st an t ly r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls. Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao

w as st an d in g in t h e cor n er , w it h h is m et icu lou s con t r ol, h e w as ab le t o p r even t
h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g fr om cover in g w h at w as b eh in d h im . In st ea d , h e
m er ely cover ed t h e ar en a in fr on t of h im w it h h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g.
Xiao Xiao also r eleased h er T h r eeliv es Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on , cau sin g an
en or m ou s b lack cau ld r on t o r ap id ly for m in m id air .
W an g Don g’s m ovem en t s w er e even m or e d ir ect . W it h a flash , h e ch ar ged

st r aigh t in t o t h e air , h is p air of d azzlin g b lu e an d p u r p le w in gs alr ead y u n fu r led .
A b r illian t gold en p at t er n t r aced t h em . N o m at t er w h et h er it w as h is op p on en t s,
or t h eir p r oct or W a n g Yan , t h ey w er e all ast on ish ed b y h is b eau t ifu l p air of
w in gs. H is w in gs w er e sim p ly t oo b eau t ifu l! It w as even t o t h e ext en t t h at Xiao
Xiao an d H u o Yu h ao’s lim eligh t w as com p let ely over sh ad ow ed .
T h eir t h r ee op p on en t s h ad alr ea d y m ad e t h eir p r ep ar at ion s; t h ey h ad

r eleased t h eir m a r t ia l sou ls t h e in st an t t h e b at t le h ad st ar t ed .
Chapt er 18.1: The 33r d Ar ena—3v3
Zh ao H aoch en , w h o w as st an d in g at t h e ver y b ack of h is t eam , sh ou t ed ,

“Com e qu ick ly, m y d r u m st ick s!” T h e r ip p les of a yellow sou l r in g ap p ear ed fr om
b en eat h h is feet an d r ose u p , cau sin g t w o sp ar k lin g yellow ligh t s t o ap p ear in h is
h an d s. T w o b r aised ch ick en d r u m st ick s su d d en ly ap p ear ed in h is h an d s, w h ich
h e qu ick ly p assed t o t h e t w o p eop le in fr o n t of h im .
W h ile r elea sin g t h eir m ar t ial sou ls, Ou yan g J u n yi an d Ch en J u n fen g r ap id ly

gr ab b ed t h e d r u m st ick s fr om Zh ao H aoch en an d for cefu lly t ook lar ge b it es fr om
t h em .
A f ood syst em m ar t i al soul ? T h i s w as H uo Yuh ao’ s f i r st t i m e seei n g a f ood

syst em m ar t i al soul ; h e di dn ’ t h ave an y i dea w h at t h e dr um st i ck s t h at Zh ao
H aoch en h ad sum m on ed coul d do. Even t h ough Zh ao H aoch en on l y h ad a si n gl e
soul r i n g, i t w as st i l l a h un dr ed year on e, so i t ’ s st r en gt h en i n g ef f ect s w er e
pr esum abl y good. H ow ever , Ouyan g Jun yi an d Ch en Jun f en g’ s r espect i ve
appear an ces w h i l st eat i n g t h e dr um st i ck s t h at h ad been sum m on ed w er e
som ew h at odd, t o t h e ext en t t h at Xi ao Xi ao coul dn ’ t h el p but l augh . T h e
T h r eel i ves Soul cr ush Caul dr on st i l l r em ai n ed h over i n g above h er h ead w i t h out
an y i n t en t i on of m ak i n g a m ove at al l .
Ouyan g Jun yi an d Ch en Jun f en g m ade t h ei r m oves at t h e sam e t i m e. Of t h e

t w o, on e of t h em had a beast m ar t i al soul , w h i l e t h e ot h er h ad a t ool m ar t i al
soul . H ow ever t h ey w er e bot h agi l i t y syst em soul m ast er s.
Ouyan g Jun yi ’ s m ar t i al soul w as t h e Sw or d-beak H um m i n gbi r d. W h en h e

r el eased h i s m ar t i al soul , a sh ar p st i n ger r api dl y appear ed on h i s r i gh t f or ear m .
H i s m ar t i al soul w as a bi r d-t ype on e, but h e di dn ’ t h ave w i n gs due t o h i s cur r en t
cul t i vat i on l evel . T h i s al on e dem on st r at ed t h e gap bet w een h i s an d W an g
Don g’ s m ar t i al soul s. W an g Don g’ s Radi an t But t er f l y Goddess i n n at el y h ad
w i n gs, w h i ch w as t h e si gn of a peak -l evel beast m ar t i al soul .
Ch en J u n fen g’s m ar t ial sou l w a s a flexib le sw or d , m ak in g a ll t h r ee of t h em
on e-r in ged sou l m ast er s. H ow ever , t h ey all p ossessed h u n d r ed year sou l r in gs.
Ou yan g J u n yi w as t h e st r on gest of t h e t h r ee—h is cu lt ivat ion h ad a lr ead y
r each ed t h e n in et een t h r an k . Ch en J u n fen g, on t h e ot h er h a n d , h ad r each ed t h e
eigh t een t h r an k . As for Zh ao H aoch en , con sid er in g t h e fact t h at h e w as a food
syst em sou l m ast er , h is cu lt iva t ion sp eed w as r elat ively slow er . H en ce, h is
cu lt ivat ion h a d on ly r each ed t h e seven t een t h r an k .
As soon as t h e t w o agilit y syst em sou l m ast er s of t h e op p osin g t eam fin ish ed

t h eir d r u m st ick s, t h ey p r oceed ed t o p ou n ce t ow ar d s W an g Don g lik e ar r ow s
r eleased fr om a b ow st r in g; t h eir sp eed w as so qu ick t h a t even W an g Don g w as
ast on ish ed . H ow ever , h e in st a n t ly u n d er st ood t h a t t h e d r u m st ick s t h ey’d ju st
fin ish ed w er e t h e ca u se for t h eir in cr ease t h eir sp eed !
Zh ou Yi w asn ’t t h e on ly t each er w h o’d d ivid ed h er st u d en t s in t o t eam s; ot h er

t each er s h ad a lso d on e it . W it h Zh ao H aoch en su p p or t in g Ou yan g J u n yi an d
Ch en J u n fen g, t h eir ad van t age in t er m s of sp eed w as u n d ou b t ed ly u n leash ed t o
it s fu llest p ot en t ial, allow in g t h em t o u se sp eed alon e t o ach ieve vict or y.
Un for t u n at ely for t h em , H u o Yu h ao’s t eam of t h r ee fear ed sp eed -t yp e

op p on en t s t h e least , as H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion Sh a r in g cou ld su b d u e
t h em com p let ely.
A fain t gold en ligh t ap p ear ed w it h in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, cau sin g a t h r ee-

d im en sion a l im age of t h e en t ir e b at t lefield t o ap p ear in W an g Don g’s m in d .
Alt h ou gh Ou yan g J u n yi an d Ch en J u n fen g w er e ext r em ely q u ick , t h e t r aject or y
of t h eir m ovem en t s, t h e r ot at ion of t h eir sou lfor ce, t h e d ir ect ion of t h eir
at t ack s, an d even t h eir flaw s ap p ear ed sim u lt an eou sly in W a n g Don g’s m in d .
Ou yan g J u n yi an d Ch en J u n fen g w er e ver y w ell-ver sed t ow ar d s focu sin g on a

sin gle t ar get , so w h en W an g Don g ch ar ged t ow ar d s t h em b y h im self, it w as
exact ly w h at t h ey w an t ed . W it h a su d d en exp losion in sp eed , t h ey w er e
ext r em ely con fid en t t h at n eit h er H u o Yu h ao n or Xiao Xiao w ou ld b e ab le t o
r escu e h im in t im e. T ak in g car e of H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao aft er d efeat in g
W an g Don g cou ld also b e con sid er ed a for m of d ivid in g an d con qu er in g.
Besid es t h e sh a r p st in ger on h is for ear m , Ou yan g J u n yi’s en t ir e r igh t ar m h ad
also b een cover ed in a layer of feat h er s. H is b od y b ecam e ext r em ely lit h e, an d
even t h ou gh h e an d Ch en J u n fen g w er e b ot h agilit y syst em sou l m ast er s, h e w as
q u ick er t h an Ch en J u n fen g. T h e yellow sou l r in g b elow h is b od y flash ed ,
cau sin g t h e st in ger on h is for ear m t o in st an t ly t u r n in t o sever al t en s of sh ad ow s
t h at im m ed iat ely r u sh ed t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
Alt h ou gh Ch en J u n fen g w as a b it slow er t h an Ou yan g J u n yi, t h is clea r ly

w asn ’t t h e fir st t im e t h at t h ey’d t eam ed u p . Befor e h e even ar r ived , h e sw u n g
t h e sh or t -sw or d h e w as h old in g, cau sin g h is fir st sou l r in g t o ligh t u p . A sw or d -
b eam sh ot ou t fr om h is sw or d t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
H ow ever , b efor e t h e t w o even m ad e t h eir m oves, t h e gold en p at t er n

im p r in t ed on W an g Don g’s w in gs h ad alr ead y st ar t ed t o sp r ead as h e act iva t ed
h is fir st sou l r in g as w ell. H is ar m s m er ged w it h h is fr on t al w in gs, cau sin g h is
W in g Gu illot in e sk ill t h at H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao h ad seen b efor e t o ap p ear
again .
Sin ce h e w as in m id air , W an g Don g w as in a m u ch b et t er p osit ion t h an

Ou yan g J u n yi an d Ch en J u n fen g. A h in t of ar r ogan ce ap p ear ed on h is face—as if
h e w er e loft ily look in g d ow n on t h e t w o of t h em . As h e faced t h eir at t ack s,
W an g Don g sw ep t h is left w in g ou t , d ir ect ly m eet in g Ou ya n g J u n yi’s Sw or d -
b eak H u m m in gb ir d . W h ilst h e w as d id t h is, h is r igh t w in g d ir ect ly slash ed
ou t w ar d s, h it t in g Ch en J u n fen g’s sw or d ligh t fir st , even t h ou gh it w as r eleased
secon d . W an g Don g’s p osit ion in g as h e u n leash ed h is at t ack s w asn ’t lack in g in
t h e least .
“Ch i ch i ch i ch i ch i…” A ser ies of sou n d s r an g ou t . T o h is ast on ish m en t ,

Ou yan g J u n yi d iscover ed t h a t h is Sw or d -b eak H u m m in gb ir d ’s fir st so u l sk ill—
H u m m in gb ir d Flash -st in g—h ad on ly b een ab le t o cau se a few h alos of ligh t t o
ap p ear on W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess’ fr on t w in gs. Even w it h t h e
level of sh ar p n ess t h at h is Sw or d -b eak H u m m in gb ir d p ossessed , it h ad act u ally
b een u n ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h e st r en gt h of W an g Don g’s w in gs. Follow in g
t h at , W an g Don g’s en or m ou s w in gs sw ep t st r a igh t t ow ar d s h is face.
Ou yan g J u n yi cou ld b e con sid er ed t o h ave at least a lit t le b it of com b at
exp er ien ce. H e in st an t ly cr ou ch ed d ow n w ar d s in an at t em p t t o d od ge W an g
Don g’s h it fr om b elow . H ow ever , w h o cou ld ’ve gu essed t h at W an g Don g w ou ld
su d d en ly sw in g h is w in gs d ir ect ly d ow n w ar d s an d m ak e it seem as if Ou yan g
J u n yi h ad sp ecifically k n eeled d ow n in or d er t o b e slap p ed b y W an g Don g. W it h
a t h u m p , Ou yan g J u n yi w as slap p ed fa ce-fir st in t o t h e gr ou n d . Fu r t h er m or e,
t h e en or m ou s for ce t h at slam m ed in t o h is b ack n ear ly cau sed h im t o vom it u p
som e b lood .
Ch en J u n fen g w as in fer ior t o Ou yan g J u n yi in st r en gt h as w ell. W h en t h e

sw or d ligh t h e’d r eleased collid ed w it h t h e sh ar p ed ge of W an g Don g’s W in g
Gu illot in e, Ch en J u n fen g on ly saw a flash of gold b efor e h is sw or d ligh t w as
cr u sh ed . Follow in g t h at , a violen t b u zz ech oed ou t fr om h is sh or t -sw or d as it
sh at t er ed . H e on ly saw a gold en b lu e ligh t flash in fr on t of h is eyes b efor e h e w as
sen t flyin g w it h a sp eed even gr eat er t h an t h e sp eed h e’d h ad w h ilst r u n n in g
t ow ar d s W an g Don g. Aft er w ar d s, h e collid ed w it h Zh ao H aoch en , w h o w as st ill
n ib b lin g on a d r u m st ick , ca u sin g t h e t w o of t h em t o in st a n t ly r oll h ea d -over -
h eels over t h e gr ou n d .
W an g Don g sp r ead h is w in gs ou t in m id air , cau sin g b lu e a n d violet ligh t s t o

glit t er b ack an d for t h acr oss h is w in gs. T h e gold en p at t er n on h is w in gs slow ly
van ish ed as h e casu ally lan d ed , an d h e m ain t ain ed t h e a r r ogan t look on h is face
t h at h ad n ’t d isap p ear ed sin ce t h e b at t le st ar t ed .
T h e on look in g t each er , W an g Yan , h ad a b r illian t look in h is eyes, w h ile t h e

faces of t h e ot h er t er m s san k aft er w a t ch in g t h e m at ch . T h e en t ir e 33r d Ar ea
w as d ead silen t .
H e w as t oo st r ong; h e w as a t er r i f yi ng assaul t syst em soul m ast er !
Assaul t syst em soul m ast er s coul d n at ur al l y suppr ess agi l i t y syst em soul
m ast er s t o a cer t ai n ext en t , but ever yon e pr esen t w as a n ew st uden t ! H ow l ar ge
coul d t h e di f f er en ce bet w een t h em be? W an g Don g h ad act ual l y been abl e t o
def eat t w o agi l i t y syst em soul m ast er s by h i m sel f —an d t h i s w as a f ood syst em
soul m ast er suppor t i n g t h em !
Alt h ou gh a t w o-r in ged sou l m ast er h ad an en or m ou s ad van t age over a on e-
r in ged sou l m ast er , h e h ad st ill b een ab le t o b eat t h r ee op p on en t s w it h in m er e
secon d s. Fr om t h is a lon e, on e cou ld im agin e h ow t yr an n ical t h is sou l m ast er —
w h o p ossessed t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess—w as.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w as st ill an ot h er p er son w h o also p ossessed t w o sou l

r in gs ju st lik e W an g Don g in t h eir t eam . T h is t eam h a d t w o sou l m ast er s t h at
w er e ab ove t h e t w en t iet h r an k ! As for H u o Yu h ao, h e w as com p let ely
over look ed b y ever yon e p r esen t ; on ly T each er W an g Yan h ad fain t ly n ot iced t h e
gold en ligh t t h at h ad flick er ed in h is eyes.
In r ealit y, even t h ou gh t h er e w as a sign ifican t gap b et w een Ou yan g J u n yi an d

H u o Yu h ao’s t eam in t er m s of st r en gt h , W an g Don g sh ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o
ach ieve vict or y as q u ick ly as h e d id ju st b y h im self. H ow ever , d on ’t for get t h at
h e h ad t h e assist an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g, w h ich w as
equ ivalen t t o a six h u n d r ed year sou l r in g!
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g w asn ’t a sin gle sk ill aft er all; it
p r ovid ed assist an ce equ ivalen t t o t w o six h u n d r ed year so u l r in gs. T h e h elp t h at
W an g Don g h ad r eceived fr om H u o Yu h ao vast ly exceed ed t h e su p p or t t h at h is
op p on en t s h ad r eceived fr om t h eir food syst em sou l m ast er .
Fu r t h er m or e, W an g Don g also h ad a h u n d r ed year sou l r in g as h is fir st sou l

r in g, w h ile h is so u lfor ce h ad alr ea d y r each ed t h e t w en t y-fou r t h r an k ; h is
cu lt ivat ion t r em en d ou sly ou t st r ip p ed t h at of h is op p on en t ’s.
Aft er w it h d r aw in g h is w in gs, W an g Don g w alk ed b ack t o Xiao Xiao an d H u o

Yu h ao an d h igh -fived t h em in celeb r at ion . Xiao Xiao sm iled . “Ou r class m on it or
is aw esom e. W an g Don g, h ow ab ou t you let m e en joy m yself n ext t im e?” Sh e
w as con fid en t t h at , if sh e w as t h e on e w h o’d gon e ou t , sh e w ou ld ’ve also b een
ab le t o d efeat h er o p p on en t s. T h e m or e sh e felt t h a t H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion w as m agical, t h e m or e sh e fou n d h er self en t r an ced b y it . T h u s, t h e
p er son sh e p r aised w asn ’t W an g Don g, b u t H u o Yu h ao.
W an g Don g ch or t led . “Don ’t ! Keep you r st r en gt h h id d en . T h ese t en m at ch es

ar e m er ely ap p et iser s t o t h e t h r ee of u s. It ’s en ou gh for ju st m e t o sh ow off. W e
can ’t let t h e ot h er t eam s get a feel for ou r st r en gt h .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “W an g Don g m ak es a good p oin t . Xia o Xiao, you ’ll b e

ou r t r u m p car d .”
Xiao Xiao also lau gh ed w h en sh e h ea r d t h eir w or d s a n d n od d ed in agr eem en t .
“Class 1’s ‘T eam H u o Yu h ao’ w in s t h eir fir st m at ch .” Aft er W an g Yan h ad

an n ou n ced t h e r esu lt s of t h e m a t ch , h e n ot ed it d ow n on t h e p r eviou s sh eet of
p ap er h e’d p u lled o u t .
On t h e ot h er sid e, Ou yan g J u n yi’s t ea m of t h r ee h ad alr ead y m an aged t o

cr aw l b ack t o t h eir feet . W an g Don g h ad b een len ien t on t h em , so t h ey h ad n ’t
su ffer ed an y r eal in ju r ies. H ow ever , t h ey h ad a look of em b ar r assm en t on t h eir
faces. T h ey d id n ’t w an t t o r em ain for even on e m or e secon d aft er let t in g
ever yon e see h ow easily t h ey’d b een d efeat ed . H en ce, t h ey qu ick ly r an aw ay.
Aft er W an g Yan h ad r ecor d ed t h e r esu lt s of t h e m at ch , h e glan ced b ack

t ow ar ds H uo Yuh ao’ s t eam of t h r ee. H e i n w ar dl y t h ough t , I r eck on t hat t hi s i s
Cl ass 1’ s t r um p car d. T he st uden t s t h at T eacher Zhou Yi has t augh t ar e
ext r aor di nar y, as expect ed!
H ow ever , h e st i l l coul dn ’ t f i gur e out H uo Yuh ao. Un l i k e t h e st uden t s, h e w as

cl ear l y abl e t o un der st an d t h e subt l et i es beh i n d each t eam w h en t h ey r egi st er ed.
T h e n am e of t h i s t eam f r om Cl ass 1 w as ‘ T eam H uo Yuh ao’ . I n ot h er w or ds,

H uo Yuh ao w as t h e l eader of t h i s t eam . H ow ever , i f you l ook ed at i t f r om t h e
per spect i ve of t h ei r cul t i vat i on l evel s, W an g Don g an d Xi ao Xi ao bot h
out st r i pped h i m . T o put i t bl un t l y, w i t h H uo Yuh ao’ s soul r i n g t h at w as on l y of
t h e t en year r an k , as w el l as h i s cul t i vat i on t h at h adn ’ t yet br ok en t h r ough t o
t h e t w en t i et h r an k , h e sh oul dn ’ t even h ave t h e qual i f i cat i on s t o en t er Sh r ek
Academ y.
Despi t e al l of t h i s, h e w as t h e l eader of t h ei r t eam . T h at i s t o say, t h i s

st uden t —w h o h ad a t en year soul r i n g—w as t h e cor e of t h i s t eam . Just w h y w as
t h i s t h e case?
W an g Yan w as a r epr esen t at i ve f r om t h e m oder at e f act i on of Sh r ek

Academ y’ s t h eor et i cal sch ool of t h ough t . H e h ad a l ar ge am oun t of k n ow l edge
on t h eor y, w h i l e h i s abi l i t y t o t each w as ext r em el y st r on g. Even t h ough h e w as
on ly for t y or so year s old , h e w as a h igh ly r an k ed t each er t h at w as secon d t o
n on e in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .
Ob t ain in g a p r om ot ion as a t each er w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y w as even m or e

d ifficu lt t h an ob t ain in g on e as a st u d en t . T h is w as ext r em ely ob viou s, as sh ow n
b y Zh ou Yi on ly b ein g a m id d le-r an k ed t each er . T h is w as n at u r ally r elat ed t o
h er t er r ifyin g t each in g m et h od s. On t h e ot h er h an d , W an g Yan w as som eon e
w h o cou ld b ecom e a h igh -r an k ed t ea ch er , an d w as som eon e w h o h ad t h e
qu alificat ion s t o t ea ch in n er co u r t yar d st u d en t s. Fr om t h is, it cou ld clear ly b e
seen h ow st r on g h e w as in t h e field of t h eor et ical k n ow led ge. H ow ever , even h e
cou ld n ’t u n d er st an d w h at w as goin g on w it h H u o Yu h ao’s t ea m , so m u ch so t h at
h e cou ld n ’t even t ell w h at k in d of sou l m a st er H u o Yu h ao w as.
Alt h ou gh t h ey’d fin ish ed t h eir assessm en t for t h e d ay, H u o Yu h ao’s t eam of
t h r ee d id n ’t leave. In st ead , t h ey st ayed b eh in d t o ob ser ve t h e ot h er t w o
m at ch es. T h ey w ait ed u n t il t h e ot h er m at ch es h ad fin ish ed b efor e b id d in g
far ew ell t o W an g Ya n .
W an g Yan d id n ’t ask H u o Yu h ao an yt h in g in t h e en d . H e b elieved t h at h e’d

d efin it ely see H u o Yu h ao’s ab ilit ies in t h e follow in g m at ch es.
T h e fir st r ou n d of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t qu ick ly fin ish ed . T h e p u r p ose of

t od ay’s assessm en t w as m or e or less t o allow t h e p ar t icip at in g st u d en t s t o ad ap t
t o t h e assessm en t . H ow ever , t om or r ow ’s assessm en t w o u ld b e m u ch m or e
ch allen gin g. T h e st u d en t s w ou ld h ave t o u n d er go t w o r ou n d s of assessm en t s in
b ot h t h e m or n in g a n d t h e aft er n oon , t ot allin g fou r r ou n d s for t h e d ay. T h e
t h ir d d ay, on t h e ot h er h an d , w ou ld b e even m or e t er r ifyin g: All of t h e t eam s
t h at w er e left w ou ld h ave t o u n d er go five r ou n d s t h at d ay, as t h e d u r a t ion of t h e
fr esh m en assessm en t w as on ly t h r ee d ays lon g.
T h is assessm en t d id n ’t ju st t r a in st u d en t s in com b at , b u t also in t h eir ab ilit y

t o figh t a p r olon ged b at t le.
W h en t h e secon d d ay of t h e assessm en t st ar t ed , t h e st u d en t s fr om Class 1

b egan t o feel gr at efu l for T each er Zh ou Yi. Figh t in g fou r m a t ch es in a sin gle d ay
w asn ’t ju st a p r ob lem of sou lfor ce con su m p t ion ; t h e d r ain on t h eir p h ysical
st r en gt h w as ext r em ely ser iou s as w ell. Aft er u n d er goin g Zh ou Yi’s h ell-lik e
t r ain in g, t h e st u d en t s fr om Class 1 clea r ly h ad a b et t er ab ilit y t o en d u r e t h e
p h ysical d r ain fr om t h e con st an t b at t lin g t h an t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e ot h er
classes.
Aft er t h e m at ch t h ey’d fou gh t on t h e fir st d ay, as w ell as t h e ob ser vat ion s

t h ey’d m ad e aft er w a r d s, H u o Yu h ao w as on e-h u n d r ed p er cen t cer t ain t h a t t h er e
w er e n o op p on en t s in t h eir gr ou p cap ab le of t h r eat en in g t h em . Ot h er t h a n
t h em , t h er e w as on ly a sin gle st u d en t ab ove t h e t w en t iet h r an k of sou lfor ce.
T h e st u d en t s fr om t h e ot h er t eam s w er en ’t id iot s eit h er . Bein g u n d er su ch

in t en se con d it ion s, t h ey d ir ect ly for feit ed w h en t h ey faced H u o Yu h ao’s t eam in
or d er t o ach ieve b et t er r esu lt s la t er on .
H u o Yu h ao’s t eam w as in m u ch b et t er con d it ion com p ar ed t o t h e exh au st ed

st u d en t s of t h e ot h er t eam s. H u o Yu h ao’s t eam of t h r ee easily m an aged t o
ach ieve vict or y in all fou r of t h eir m at ch es, t h er eb y ob t ain in g a p er fect r esu lt of
five vict or ies in fiv e m at ch es. W it h t h ese r esu lt s as a ‘safet y n et ’, t h ey’d
b asically p assed t h e fr esh m en assessm en t alr ead y. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ese five
vict or ies ca u sed t h em t o b e filled w it h con fid en ce.
On t h e ot h er h an d , W an g Yan felt som ew h at d ep r essed as t h e p r oct or of t h e

33r d ar en a. Five m a t ch es h ad p assed , yet H u o Yu h ao’s t eam h ad fou gh t in t h e
exact sam e w ay in ever y m at ch —W an g Don g w ou ld m ak e m ove on h is ow n ,
w h ile H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao w ou ld sim p ly sit b ack an d w at ch . T h e m at ch
w ou ld en d in a sh or t p er iod of t im e, cau sin g h im t o r em ain m yst ified as t o w h at
ab ilit ies H u o Yu h ao p ossessed . As a t h eo r y-b ased t each er , h ow cou ld h e n ot feel
d ep r essed ?
“H u o Yu h ao, you t h r ee com e over h er e for a m om en t .” W h en t h e secon d

d ay’s m at ch es h ad con clu d ed , W an g Yan called H u o Yu h ao’s t eam of t h r ee over .
“T each er W an g.” H u o Yu h ao w alk ed in fr on t , w it h W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao

flan k in g h im .
As I t hought . W an g Yan i n w ar dl y t h ough t t o h i m sel f . T hi s H uo Yuhao t r ul y i s
t he cor e of t hei r t eam !
“ You t h r ee h ave obt ai n ed an excel l en t r esul t of f i ve vi ct or i es i n f i ve m at ch es.

You m ust con t i n ue t o w or k h ar d i n your f ut ur e m at ch es, so t h at you can
par t i ci pat e i n t h e r an k i n g t our n am en t f or t h e t op si xt y-f our t eam s. H ow ever ,
t om or r ow ’ s f i ve m at ch es w on ’ t be n ear l y as easy as t oday’ s w er e. Af t er t oday’ s
m at ch es h ave con cl uded, w e’ l l be dr aw i n g l ot s agai n , w h i l e t eam s w h o’ ve l ost
al l of t h ei r m at ch es w i l l be el i m i n at ed. W h en w e dr aw l ot s, w e’ l l m ak e sur e t h at
st uden t s f r om t h e sam e cl ass w on ’ t m eet each ot h er , but your pr evi ous r esul t s
w i l l al so be br ough t i n t o con si der at i on . T om or r ow , you’ l l def i n i t el y r em ai n i n
t h e 33r d ar en a, but t h er e’ s a ver y h i gh ch an ce t h at you’ l l m eet a st r on g t eam , or
even t w o, t h at ar e capabl e of ch al l en gi n g you.”
H uo Yuh ao n odded an d r epl i ed, “ T h an k you, T each er W an g. W e’ l l def i n i t el y

w or k h ar d.”
W an g Yan sm iled . “T h at ’s good . Go b ack an d get som e r est .” H e st ill h eld

h im self b ack fr om ask in g H u o Yu h ao ab ou t h is m ar t ial so u l, a s h e st ill h ad som e
p r id e in h im self. H e b elieved t h a t H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o h id e h is
m ar t ial sou l fr om h im on ce t h ey m et a st r on g op p on en t .
“H ow r elaxin g! W in n in g again st t h em w as as easy as ch op p in g veget ab les.”

W an g Don g said w it h excit ed look on t h eir w ay b ack . H e w as ext r em ely sat isfied
w it h h ow t h ey’d d on e t od ay.
Xiao Xiao said , “It sh ou ld b e m y t u r n t o go ou t t om or r ow . W an g Don g, you ’ve

on ly u sed you r fir st sou l sk ill so far . If t h e op p on en t s w e m eet t om or r ow ar e
even st r on ger t h a n t od ay’s, I’m afr aid t h at you m igh t h ave t o u se you r secon d
sou l sk ill. H ow ever , you r secon d sou l sk ill w as cr ea t ed fr om a t h ou san d year
sou l r in g, so it ’s t h e st r on gest a t t ack t ech n iqu e w e h a ve on ou r t eam . W e
sh ou ld n ’t let ot h er p eop le see it easily; w e sh ou ld on ly u se it d u r in g t h e r an k in g
t ou r n am en t . If w e m eet an y st r on g op p on en t s t om or r ow , I’ll h elp you ou t . W e
sh ou ld t r y ou r b est t o on ly u se ou r fir st sou l sk ills. Even if w e d o m eet an
ext r em ely st r on g op p on en t , I’ll b e t h e on e t o u se t h eir secon d sou l sk ill, so t h at
w e can k eep you r s h id d en . T h is w ay, w e’ll h ave t w o t r u m p car d s. H ow ab ou t
it ?”
W an g Don g lau gh ed . “Xiao Xiao, you ’ve said all t h is, b u t it ’s r eally ju st
b ecau se you r h an d s ar e it ch y, isn ’t it ? Fin e, w e’ll d o it you r w ay. I’ve alr ead y
b een sat isfied , so I’ll let you p leasu r e you r self for a b it .”
For t u n at ely, t h er e w er en ’t an y ad u lt s w alk in g n ear t h em w h ile t h ey w er e

sp eak in g. If t h er e h ad b een , W an g Don g’s w or d s cou ld h ave b een in t er p r et ed
ver y d iffer en t ly.
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “Let ’s go, I’ll t r eat you t w o t o som e r oast ed fish . I
or d er ed som e ext r a yest er d ay.”
As t h e t h r ee of t h em left t h e Exam in a t ion Ar ea, t h ey b u m p ed in t o t w o p eop le.

H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t b e st u n n ed w h en t h ey saw w h o
t h e p eop le t h ey’d b u m p ed in t o w er e.
T h e p eop le t h ey’d b u m p ed in t o w er en ’t r an d om p eop le; it w a s t h e r ed -clot h ed

d iscip le fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d , M a Xiaot ao, an d t h e p er son sh e’d d r agged
aw ay a few d ays ago, Xu San sh i.
Com p ar ed t o h is u su al h igh -sp ir it ed self, t h e cu r r en t Xu San sh i h ad an a sh en

look on h is face, as if all t h e en er gy h ad b een d r ain ed fr om h is b od y. H e look ed
list less, an d h is clot h es w er e cr u m p led . H is cu r r en t ap p ear an ce w as ext r em ely
d isp ir it ed .
M a Xiaot ao w as st ill as b eau t ifu l as ever , alt h ou gh t h er e w as an ab n or m al

flu sh on h er ch a r m in g face, an d t h e p in k n ess of h er eyes h ad d ar k en ed a b it .
“W e’ve fou n d t h em , r igh t ? Sist er Xiaot a o, can I go n ow ?” Xu San sh i h ad a

b it t er sm ile on h is fa ce as h e sp ok e. Aft er b ein g t or m en t ed b y an in t en se am ou n t
of p ain for a few d ays, h e’d fin ally m an aged t o en d u r e t h e last of it . H ow ever ,
t h e d r ain on h is en er gy, p h ysical st r en gt h , an d sou lfor ce w as t oo sever e. Righ t
n ow , all h e w an t ed t o d o w as r et u r n t o h is r oom an d sleep .
M a Xiaot ao n od d ed . “Ok ay, you can go.”
Xu San sh i glan ced a t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w it h a look t h at said ‘you

can fen d for you r selves’ b efor e h e left . H is d isloyal ap p ear an ce cau sed t h e t w o t o
feel n er vou s. J u st w h y h ad M a Xiaot ao b een look in g for t h em ?
M a Xiaot ao in d iffer en t ly said , “You t w o, follow m e. J u n ior classm at e, you can

r et u r n b y you r self.”
Xiao Xiao w as ju st ab ou t t o say som et h in g, b u t H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely sh ook
h is h ead , in d ica t in g t h at sh e sh ou ld lea ve, an d t h at n ot h in g w ou ld h ap p en t o
t h em .
Seein g t h at M a Xiaot ao p r ob ab ly h ad n ’t com e w it h good in t en t ion s, h e d id n ’t

w an t t o d r ag Xiao Xiao in t o t h is. Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w as st ill t h e acad em y; H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g b ot h b elieved t h at sh e w ou ld n ’t d o an yt h in g t o b ad t o
t h em .
Xiao Xiao felt som ew h at u n r esign ed , b u t sh e left u n w illin gly in t h e en d .

Follow in g M a Xiaot ao’s lead , t h e t w o w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e la k esid e p at h . Aft er
w alk in g for a lit t le w h ile, t h ey a r r ived at t h e lak esid e w h er e t h ey’d fir st b een
at t ack ed b y h er .
M a Xiaot ao on ly st op p ed w h en sh e w as r igh t in fr on t of t h e Sea God ’s Lak e.

H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o an d W an g Don g b ot h k ep t t h eir d ist a n ce fr om h er . W an g
Don g h ad a vigilan t look on h is face, w h ile H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t w as t h u m p in g.
“Sen ior sist er M a, w h y d id you call u s ov er ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed p r ob in gly.
W it h h er b ack t o t h em , M a Xiaot ao said , “You sh ou ld ’ve gu essed it b y n ow .

You ’r e r igh t ; I w as t h e st u d en t w h o b u r st ou t fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d —t h e
st u d en t w h o a lm ost h ar m ed you t w o t h at t im e. At t h e t im e, I t r u ly h ad n o
ch oice. Now t h en , I’d fir st lik e t o ap ologize t o you t w o.”
W an g Don g cur l ed h i s l i ps, i n w ar dl y t h i n k i n g, T hi s i s apol ogi zi ng? T her e’ s no

si ncer i t y i n your act i ons at al l !
T h e t w o gl an ced at each ot h er , t h en H uo Yuh ao sai d, “ Sen i or si st er M a, l et ’ s

l et bygon es be bygon es. T h e sch ool ’ s al r eady com pen sat ed us an yw ay.”
M a Xi aot ao sudden l y t ur n ed ar oun d, t h e sh ades of pi n k i n h er eyes sudden l y

dar k en i n g f ur t h er . An i n ef f abl e pr essur e sudden l y appear ed on H uo Yuh ao an d
W an g Don g’ s bodi es.
“ I n m y opi n i on , t h i s m at t er i sn ’ t over yet .” M a Xi aot ao gr ow l ed.

“T h at d ay, t h er e sh ou ld ’ve b een an ice-t yp e sou l m ast er t h at st op p ed m e.
T h at w as w h at st op p ed m e fr om h ar m in g you t w o. T h at p er son is ext r em ely
im p or t an t t o m e. T ell m e ever yt h in g you k n ow . Per h ap s it w as on e of you r
p r ot ect or s. Eit h er w ay, I m u st fin d t h em .”
W an g Don g h ad a b lan k look on h is face. “Sen ior sist er M a, I d on ’t k n ow w h a t

you ’r e t alk in g ab ou t . W h en you at t ack ed u s t h at d ay, w e bot h fain t ed fr om t h e
h igh t em p er at u r es you r b od y w as em it t in g! W e d on ’t k n ow an yt h in g ab ou t
w h at h ap p en ed aft er t h at ! As for t h is ice-t yp e sou l m ast er you ’r e t alk in g ab ou t ,
w e d on ’t h ave an y w ay of k n ow in g w h o h e is."
H u o Yu h ao follow ed W an g Don g’s lead an d n od d ed h is h ea d . N o m at t er w h at ,

h e cou ld n ’t d iv u lge h is secr et s r egar d in g t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m .
Seein g t h at t h ey d id n ’t seem t o b e lyin g, a t r ace of h esit at ion ap p ear ed in M a

Xiaot ao’s eyes.
T h e r eason t h at sh e’d gon e look in g for t h e t w o of t h em w as b ecau se, aft er

r et u r n in g t h a t d ay, sh e’d su d d en ly t h ou gh t ab ou t w h y t h ey’d felt fam iliar t o
h er : It w as b ecau se sh e’d seen som e in for m at ion r egar d in g H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g in t h e in n er cou r t yar d .
T h r ee m on t h s ago, sh e’d r elied on t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s cold en er gy t o

su p p r ess t h e d em on ic fir e w it h in h er b od y, w h ich h ad let h er cu lt ivat ion sp eed
gr eat ly in cr ease w h ile it w a s su p p r essed . W h en t h e cold en er gy van ish ed , sh e
w as on ly ab le t o r ely on Xu San sh i. H ow ever , sh e d iscover ed t h at alt h ou gh h is
M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld T u r t le w as a p eak -r an k ed m ar t ial sou l, it w as st ill ju st a
w at er -t yp e m ar t ia l sou l, n ot an ice-t yp e m ar t ial sou l. H en ce, t h e h elp t h at it
b r ou gh t h er h a d gr a d u ally d ecr eased .
If sh e w asn ’t ab le t o su p p r ess t h e d em on ic fir e in h er b od y, sh e’d h ave t o st op

cu lt ivat in g. M or eover , t h at d em on ic fir e in h er b od y cou ld exp lod e at an y t im e,
cau sin g h er t o lose h er con sciou sn ess.
Aft er t h in k in g it over for a w h ile, sh e’d d ecid ed t o look for H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g. If sh e w as ab le t o fin d t h e p er son t h at h ad p r eviou sly u sed t h a t ice-
t yp e m ar t ial sou l t o st op h er , h er p r ob lem s cou ld easily b e solved .
“You r eally d on ’t k n ow ?” M a Xiaot ao asked in a low voice.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g sim u lt an eou sly sh ook t h eir h ead s.
M a Xiaot ao’s exp r ession su d d en ly ch an ged as sh e sp ok e in a ch illy voice,

“T h en d on ’t b lam e m e for b ein g im p olit e. If you r eally d on ’t k n ow , I’ll h ave t o
for ce h im ou t .” As sh e sp ok e, a st r on g w ave of h eat w as er u p t ed ou t w ar d s as a
volcan o-lik e scar let flam e sh ot ou t fr om M a Xiaot ao’s b od y.
W h en t h e t w o h ad b een called over b y M a Xiaot ao, t h ey’d alr ead y felt t h at

som et h in g w asn ’t r igh t . H en ce, t h ey’d m ain t ain ed t h eir vigilan ce at all t im es.
Aft er t h e loss t h at t h ey’d su ffer ed last t im e, t h e t w o im m ed iat ely r eact ed t h e
in st an t t h a t M a Xiaot ao m ad e h er m ove! T h ey cou ld n ’t ju st sit an d w a it for t h eir
d eat h s!
T h e w in gs of t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess in st an t ly sh ot ou t fr om W an g

Don g’s b ack . As t h ey u n fu r led , t h ey w er e alr ead y filled w it h gold en p at t er n s;
W an g Don g’s W in g Gu illot in e h ad in st an t ly b een act iva t ed .
At t h e sam e t im e, H u o Yu h ao r eleased b ot h h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion Sh a r in g

an d h is Sp ir it Sh ock .
Alt h ou gh on ly t h r ee m on t h s h a d p assed , t h eir cu lt iva t ion s h a d in cr eased b y a

lar ge am ou n t . In ad d it ion t o t h at , t h ey h ad a t acit u n d er st a n d in g of each ot h er .
H en ce, w h en t h ey su d d en ly r eleased t h eir sk ills, W an g Don g gr ab b ed H u o
Yu h ao fr om b eh in d an d qu ick ly flew b ack w ar d s.
M a Xiaot ao w as clear ly car eless. T h er e w as n o w ay t h at sh e’d even p ay

at t en t ion t o a on e an d t w o-r in ged sou l m ast er ! As sh e r eleased h er m ar t ial sou l,
d azzlin g fir e-r ed feat h er s cover ed h er en t ir e b od y. H ow ever , W an g Don g h ad
alr ead y b egu n t o r ap id ly fly aw ay w it h H u o Yu h ao in t ow .
Follow in g t h at , M a Xiaot ao saw a p u r p le ligh t flick er in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes. In

t h at in st an t , sh e felt as if H u o Yu h ao’s gaze h ad b ecom e ak in t o t w o sh ar p
n eed les p ier cin g t ow ar d s h er , w h ich m ad e h er su b con sciou sly sh u t h er eyes.
Fu r t h er m or e, h er b r ain felt d izzy for a m om en t .
T h e st r en gt h of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Sh ock h ad in cr eased in p ow er w h en h is

Pu r p le Dem on Eyes h ad b r ok en t h r ou gh . Even w it h h er six-r in ged level of
cu lt ivat ion , M a Xiaot ao h ad n ’t b een ab le t o t ak e it on d ir ect ly.
Alt h ou gh it on ly st op p ed M a Xiaot ao for a m om en t , W an g Don g h ad alr ead y

m an aged t o ch ar ge ou t of t h e for est w it h H u o Yu h ao in t ow , r et u r n in g t o t h e
lak esid e p at h .
“H ead b ack t ow ar d s t h e sch ool b u ild in gs!” H u o Yu h ao sh ou t ed . At t h e sam e

t im e, h e sw u n g h is h an d in M a Xiaot ao’s d ir ect ion , cau sin g a few icy ligh t s t o fly
d ir ect ly t ow ar d s h er . T h ey w er e t h e h id d en w eap on s t h at T an g Ya h ad given
h im . H e’d u sed t h e m ost b asic, alb eit fast est , t h r ow in g t ech n iqu e w h en h e t h r ew
t h em .
An in t en se st r eam of air sim u lt an eou sly er u p t ed fr om t h e gold en p at t er n s on

W an g Don g’s w in gs, r ap id ly p u sh in g h im in t o t h e d ist an ce.
Bu t h ow cou ld M a Xiaot ao b e w illin g t o let t h e t w o of t h em escap e? Sh e

sim p ly ign or ed H u o Yu h ao’s h id d en w eap on s an d r u sh ed t ow ar d s t h em w it h a
flash . An en or m ou s p air of fier y w in gs u n fu r led , cau sin g all of t h e m et allic
h id d en w eap on s in fr on t of h er t o in st an t ly m elt in t o a liq u id t h a t fell t o t h e
gr ou n d . T h e t er r ifyin g h eat t h at w as em an at ed fr om h er w as ak in t o a h u ge
h an d t r yin g t o sm ot h er H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g fr om b eh in d .
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as an ext r em ely st r on g sk ill t h a t cou ld

r ever se t h e ou t com e of a b at t le, b u t t h a t w as on ly w h en b ot h p ar t ies w er e at
ar ou n d t h e sam e r a n k . W h en t h ey w er e facin g an op p on en t lik e M a Xiaot ao, it
w as sim p ly t oo flim sy a sk ill. Even if t h ey cou ld accu r at ely p r ed ict h er
m ovem en t s, w h at cou ld t h ey d o? Even if t h ey k n ew ever yt h in g ab ou t h er , t h ey
st ill cou ld n ’t st op h er !
W an g Don g w as alr ead y d oin g h is u t m o st t o fly as b est as h e cou ld , b u t t h e

h eat w ave sw allow ed t h e t w o of t h em in w h at w as p r act ica lly an in st an t . If on e
w as t o look at it w it h a b ir d ’s-eye view , t h ey w ou ld ’ve d iscover ed t h at M a
Xiaot ao’s figu r e h ad cau gh t u p t o t h e t w o in b asically an in st an t . Aft er w ar d s,
h er en or m ou s p air o f fier y w in gs h a d exp an d ed , b efor e su d d en ly fold in g in w ar d ,
t r ap p in g H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w it h in t h em .
M a Xiaot ao gr ab b ed t h e t w o of t h em b y t h eir collar s. H er t er r ifyin g sou lfor ce

u n d u lat ion s cau sed t h e t w o of t h em t o im m ed iat ely lose t h eir ab ilit y t o r esist .
Fir e su r r ou n d ed t h em , cau sin g t h em t o b e en t ir ely u n ab le t o see t h e ou t sid e
w or ld at all. Even sp eak in g w as an im p ossib le t ask .
M a Xiaot ao silen t ly w ait ed t h er e w it h a ser iou s look on h er face. Aft er h alf an

h ou r p assed , sh e h er b r ow fu r r ow ed . “W a s it r eally a coin cid en ce last t im e?”
Sh e on ly h ad on e ob ject ive fr om m ak in g a m ove again st t h e t w o—t o for ce ou t
t h e ice-t yp e sou l m ast er t h at h ad p r eviou sly su p p r essed h er . H ow ever , t h in gs
w er en ’t goin g as sh e w ish ed . If you look ed at t h e sit u at ion fr om t h e ou t sid e,
sh e’d alr ead y sw allow ed H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w it h in h er flam es.
H ow ever , t h at sou l m ast er st ill h ad n ’t a p p ear ed .
T h e fier y ligh t w it h d r ew , cau sin g t h e su r r ou n d in g flam es t o fad e aw ay. M a

Xiaot ao h ad also r egain ed h er com p osu r e. Sh e r elaxed h er gr ip on H u o Yu h ao
an d W an g Don g, cau sin g t h em t o st u m b le an d fall t o t h e gr ou n d .
M a Xiaot ao in d iffer en t ly said , “Sin ce t h is is u n r elat ed t o you t w o, so b e it . I

k n ow t h at you t w o w on ’t accep t t h is, so w or k h ar d an d cu lt iva t e. If you can
en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d on e d ay, I’ll give you t h e ch an ce t o ch allen ge m e.”
W h en sh e fin ish ed sp eak in g, sh e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d left . Sh e com p let ely
ign or ed t h e t w o of t h em , w h o w er e filled w it h in d ign at ion .
“T h is m ad w om an !” W an g Don g sh ou t ed an gr ily.
H u o Yu h ao clim b ed t o h is feet , t h en p u lled W an g Don g u p . “Let it go. If you

st ill h ave t h e st r en gt h t o cu r se at h er , u se it t o cu lt ivat e w h en you get b ack .
Sh e’s n ot w r on g; w h ose fau lt is it t h at w e’r e n ot st r on ger t h an h er ? Let ’s h ea d
b ack .” Pr eviou sly, w h en M a Xiaot ao h ad b een for ced b ack b y t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ’s fin ger , H u o Yu h ao h ad seen ever yt h in g. Beca u se of t h is, h e’d fain t ly
gu essed w h a t M a Xia ot ao w as t alk in g ab ou t .
T h er e w as p r act ica lly n o ch an ce of a clear -h ead ed M a Xiaot ao k illin g t h em ;

sh e ju st w an t ed t o for ce t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ou t . H ow ev er , H u o Yu h ao h ad
alr ead y d ed u ced h er ob ject ive, b u t even if h e h ad n ’t , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m
st ill cou ld n ’t even com e ou t ! T h e old m an w as sleep in g sou n d ly; h e’d alr ead y
said t h a t h e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o h elp H u o Yu h ao for an ot h er year .
W h en Xiao Xiao saw t h e t w o t h e d ay aft er , sh e cou ld n ’t h elp a h in t of

ast on ish m en t fr om ap p ear in g on h er ch ar m in g face. “W h a t h ap p en ed t o you
t w o? W h y d o t h e t w o of you h ave su ch u gly look s on you r faces? Did t h at sen ior
sist er fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d d o som et h in g t o you ?”
W an g Don g an sw er ed fir st , “Ob viou sly n ot . Sh e ju st w an t ed t o ask u s a few
q u est ion . Don ’t w or r y ab ou t it , let ’s h u r r y u p an d h ea d t o t h e assessm en t .” H e
w as ob viou sly u n w illin g t o sp eak ab ou t su ch an em b ar r assin g m at t er .
Sin ce t h ey w er e t h e t eam t h at h ad ach ieved t h e b est r esu lt s d u r in g t h e

p r eviou s five-r ou n d t ou r n am en t , t h ey w er e ab le t o r em a in in t h e 33r d ar en a.
Aft er lot s w er e r ed r aw n , t h ey w er e p air ed w it h an ot h er five t eam s in or d er t o
con t in u e t h eir a ssessm en t .
T h ese st u d en t s d efin it ely w er en ’t fir st -r a n k er s fr om t h e ot h er ar en as, as su ch

t h ey cer t ain ly w ou ld n ’t m eet an y am azin gly st r on g op p on en t s d u r in g t h eir n ext
five r ou n d s. H ow ev er , it st ill w ou ld n ’t b e as easy for t h em as t h eir p r eviou s
m at ch es.
T each er W an g Yan glan ced at H u o Yu h ao’s t eam of t h r ee w it h a d eep look in

h is eyes, t h en p r oceed ed t o m ak e an an n ou n cem en t , “Alr igh t , ever yon e’s
p r esen t . Sin ce Class 1’s ‘T eam H u o Yu h ao’ w as ab le t o ob t ain t h e b est r esu lt s in
t h is ar en a d u r in g t h eir p r eviou s five m a t ch es, t h ey’r e t h e seed ed t eam of t h is
ar en a. As for t h e or d er of t h e m at ch es, t h e fir st m at ch of t h e 33r d ar en a’s sixt h
r ou n d w ill b e: Class 1’s T eam H u o Yu h ao ver su s Class 7’s T eam H u an g Ch u t ian .
Begin t h e assessm en t .”
W h en t h e t w o sid es en t er ed t h e ar en a , H u o Yu h ao’s t eam of t h r ee w as

im m ed iat ely ast on ish ed b y t h e fact t h at t h er e w as an id en t ical p air of fem ale
st u d en t s on t h e op p osin g t eam .
T h e t w o fem ale st u d en t s h ad b lu e h air , an d t h eir sm all, d elicat e faces w er e

r osy. T h ey look ed ext r em ely cu t e, an d even seem ed t o b e sligh t ly you n ger t h an
t h em .
A p air of t w in s?
A t all an d st u r d y m a le st u d en t st ood in fr on t of t h e t w o gir ls; h e w as clear ly

H u an g Ch u t ia n , t h eir t eam lead er .
“I’m H u an g Ch u t ian . T h e gir l on m y left is Lan Su su , w h ile t h e gir l on m y
r igh t is Lan Lu olu o. Please ad vise u s.”
“H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao. Please a d vise u s.” H u o Yu h ao

r ep lied .
Bot h p ar t ies t ook t h eir p osit ion s. H u o Yu h ao’s sid e follow ed t h eir or igin al
for m at ion , w it h W an g Don g in fr on t , Xiao Xiao in t h e m id d le, an d H u o Yu h ao in
t h e cor n er of t h e ar en a.
On t h e ot h er sid e, H u an g Ch u t ia n st ood in fr on t , w h ile La n Su su an d Lan

Lu olu o st ood b eh in d h im . T eam s cou ld on ly h ave on e assau lt syst em sou l
m ast er , an d it w as ext r em ely ob viou s t h at on e of t h e t w in s cou ld n ’t p ossib ly b e
t h eir t eam ’s assau lt syst em sou l m ast er . H en ce, it w a s ext r em ely p ossib le t h a t
t h ey w er e b ot h au xiliar y syst em sou l m ast er s, or even b ot h con t r ol syst em sou l
m ast er s lik e H u o Yu h ao’s t eam .
T each er W an g Yan let ou t a low sh ou t , “Let t h e assessm en t b egin !”
Bot h sid es qu ick ly r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls. H u an g Ch u t ian let ou t a r oar
an d u sed b ot h h an d s t o for cefu lly b eat on h is ch est . H e h ad n ’t even r each ed t h e
age of t w elve, yet h e w as alr ead y 1.5 m et r es t all. Aft er r eleasin g h is m ar t ial sou l,
h is st at u r e in st an t ly sh ot u p t o 1.8 m et r es or so, w h ilst h is b u lgin g m u scles
d ir ect ly r ip p ed t h e sch ool u n ifor m t h at h e w as w ear in g ap ar t , exp osin g h is
m u scles, w h ich h ad t u r n ed m et allic b lack .
H is or igin ally b lack eyes h ad t u r n ed yellow , an d t w o can in e t eet h w er e n ow

p r ot r u d in g fr om h is t h ick en ed lip s. H is fou r lim b s w er e b ecom e t h ick an d solid ,
w h ile h is m u scles look ed as t ou gh as st eel.
T w o yellow sou l r in gs sim u lt an eou sly r ose u p fr om h is feet . Im p r essively, h e

w as an assau lt syst em Sou l Gr an d m ast er .
T h e p air of t w in s b eh in d H u an g Ch u t ia n also r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls,

w h ich , u n exp ect ed ly, t u r n ed ou t t o b e t h eir h air ...
T w o sou l r in gs u n exp ect ed ly also ap p ear ed b elow Lan Lu olu o an d Lan Su su ’s
feet , all fou r yellow . W it h a sw in g of t h eir h ead s, t h eir lon g, b lu e h air
im m ed iat ely r ose in t o t h e air , r ap id ly sp r ead in g ou t in m id air . It q u ick ly
r each ed t en or so m et r es in len gt h as it float ed in m id air .
Chapt er 19.1: Soul Fusion Skill—Empyr eal Net
T h is w as an en t ir e t eam com p osed of t h r ee st u d en t s ab ove t h e t w en t iet h

r an k ! J u st h ow h ad t h ey n ot ob t ain ed fir st in t h eir or igin al ar ea? T h is w as also
t h e fir st t eam for m ed b y t h r ee Sou l Gr a n d m ast er s t h at H u o Yu h ao’s t eam h ad
m et .
H u an g Ch u t ian ’s t eam of t h r ee w er e in d eed st r on g, b u t t h ey’d ju st so

h ap p en ed t o m eet a n en em y in t h eir or igin al ar ea t h a t h ad p er fect ly r est r a in ed
t h em . H en ce, t h ey’d en d ed u p w it h fou r w in s an d on e loss, r elegat in g t h em t o
t h e 33r d Ar ea.
W an g Don g flew ou t at as soon as t h e m a t ch st a r t ed . As h is b eau t ifu l Rad ian t

Bu t t er fly God d ess’ w in gs u n fu r led , t h e t w in gir ls in fr on t of h im w er e
st ar st r u ck ; t h e w ay t h ey look ed at W an g Don g im m ed iat ely ch an ged .
H u an g Ch u t ian let ou t a low r oar an d h e su d d en ly t ook lar ge st r id es t o m eet

W an g Don g h ead -on . As h is feet lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d , t h ey u n exp ect ed ly
cau sed d eep ‘b oom ’s t o r in g ou t . W h en h e w as on ly t h r ee m et r es aw ay fr om
W an g Don g, h e su d d en ly leap t t ow ar d s W an g Don g an d sm ash ed h is fist s
st r aigh t t ow ar d s h im .
W an g Don g fold ed h is w in gs t oget h er , for cefu lly r eceivin g t h e b low .
“Ban g—” H u an g Ch u t ian w as u n exp ect ed ly t h e on e for ced back t ow ar d s t h e

gr ou n d . W h en h e la n d ed , h e t ook a few st ep s b ack t o st ead y h is b od y.
Aft er st ead yin g h im self, h e im m ed iat ely leap t b ack in t o t h e air an d h ead ed
st r aigh t t ow ar d s W a n g Don g again .
At t h at m om en t , a lar ge, p it ch -b lack cau ld r on sou n d lessly ap p ear ed at t h e

su m m it of H u an g Ch u t ian ’s leap . H e b a sically look ed lik e h e w as p u r p osefu lly
t r yin g t o sm ash h im self in t o it .
H u an g Ch u t ian w as som ew h at st u n n ed . H e cou ld n ’t b or r ow an y for ce t o
ch an ge d ir ect ion m id air , t h u s h e cou ld n ’t ch an ge t h e d ir ect ion of h is ju m p on ce
h e w as in t h e air . In a m om en t of h elp lessn ess, h e h ad n o ch oice b u t t o sm ash
t h e lar ge cau ld r on a w ay in st ead .
St r an gely, t h e lar ge cau ld r on m oved 30 cm b ack w ar d s ju st as h is m ovem en t s

ch an ged , allow in g it t o ‘sid est ep ’ h is fist , b efor e it in st an t ly ch ar ged for w ar d s.
H ow ever , H u an g Ch u t ian w as st ill r elat ively st r on g. By a n glin g h is b od y

for w ar d s, h e u n exp ect ed ly m an aged t o sh ak e t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh
Cau ld r on .
“Ban g—” H u an g Ch u t ian w as sen t flyin g b ack w ar d s, w h ile t h e T h r eelives

Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y an d lan d ed b esid e W an g Don g. T h is
w as t h e fir st t im e t h at Xiao Xiao h ad m ad e a m ove d u r in g t h e fr esh m an
assessm en t .
As t h e p r oct or of t h e m at ch , W an g Yan ’s eyes lit u p . H e’d n at u r ally b een ab le

t o see ju st h ow ext r aor d in ar y Xiao Xiao ’s m ar t ia l sou l w as, w h ich m ad e h im
ser iou sly evalu at e Xiao Xiao’s ab ilit y t o gr asp k ey m om en t s in a b at t le.
W an g Don g t u r n ed t o Xiao Xiao an d sm iled . “I w as ju st t est in g h is st r en gt h .

T h is gu y’s m ar t ial sou l sh ou ld b e t h e ext r em ely t ou gh H er cu lean Ap e, n o
w on d er h e’s so st r on g.” Aft er sayin g t h is, h e leap t b ack in t o t h e air . H e t oes
t ap p ed t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on w it h h is t oes on h is w ay b ack u p , an d
h is fir st sou l r in g lit u p .
“H u an g Ch u t ian , let ’s see w h et h er or n ot you r t ou gh n ess ca n w it h st an d m y

W in g Gu illot in e.” Ext en d in g h is w in gs, h e ch ar ged t ow ar d s h is op p on en t .
As W an g Don g flew t ow ar d s h is op p on en t , Lan Su su an d Lan Lu olu o st op p ed

look in g t ow ar d s h im . In st ea d , t h e p air look ed at each ot h er , an d clasp ed t h eir
h an d s. An even st r on ger sou lfor ce u n d u lat ion im m ed iat ely er u p t ed fr om t h em .
T h eir t en or so m et r es of b lu e h air in st an t ly flew in t o t h e a ir , for m in g a lar ge
n et in m id air t h at flew t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
Usin g a n et t o con fr on t a b u t t er fly w as clear ly t h e b est m et h od availab le t o
t h em .
H air n et —t h is w as a sou l sk ill t h at b ot h of t h e t w in s p ossessed as t h eir fir st

sou l sk ill. W h en t h e t w o id en t ica l sou l sk ills w er e u sed t oget h er via t h e
con n ect ion b et w een t h eir sp ir it s t o for m a lar ge b lu e n et t h at en sh r ou d ed W an g
Don g, H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion u n exp ect ed ly cou ld n ’t sen se an y gap s in
it .
H u an g Ch u t ian ’s figu r e r ap id ly r et r eat ed in t o t h e n et of h air , w h ich seem ed

t o p ossess a p air of eyes, as it let h im p ass t h r ou gh w it h ou t ev en t ou ch in g h im ,
T h e sit u a t ion t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad b een m ost w or r ied ab ou t h ad occu r r ed —

t h eir op p on en t s con sist ed of a t eam of on e assau lt syst em sou l m ast er an d t w o
con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er s. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e t w o con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er s
h ad even t u r n ed ou t t o b e t w in s, w h ich n at u r ally m ean t t h at t h e con n ect ion
b et w een t h e t w o of t h em w as d eep er .
At t h is m om en t , t h e over b ear in g m igh t of W an g Don g’s Gu illot in e W in g

sh ow ed it self. T h e H air n et w as or igin ally m ean t t o su p p r ess h is b u t t er fly-t yp e
m ar t ial sou l, b u t w h en h e w aved h is Gu illot in e W in g, it s sh ar p ed ge em it t ed a
t er r ifyin gly d est r u ct ive p ow er . T w o en or m ou s b lu ish -gold en b lad es d a n ced
ab ou t , u n exp ect ed ly t ear in g a h ole in t h e lar ge n et . H e u sed t h e op p or t u n it y
h e’d m ad e t o in st an t ly d ive d ow n t ow ar d s H u an g Ch u t ian w it h t h e aid of H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g.
H u an g Ch u t ian an d t h e t w o sist er s w er e ast on ish ed ; t h ey h ad n ’t exp ect ed t h e

d est r u ct ive st r en gt h of W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess t o b e t h is gr ea t .
M or eover , t h ey d id n ’t u n d er st an d h ow W an g Don g cou ld ’ve k n ow n exact ly
w h er e H u an g Ch u t ia n w as, d esp it e h is vision b ein g b lock ed b y t h e H air n et .
H u an g Ch u t ian let ou t a lou d r oar , h is fir st so u l r in g in st a n t ly ligh t in g u p .

T h e size of h is fist s su d d en ly d ou b led , an d t h ey sh on e w it h a st r on g m et a llic
lu st er . Aft er h e d id t h is, h e m et W an g Don g’s Gu illot in e W in g h ead -on . W h ile
t h is w as h ap p en in g, t h e Lan sist er s r eleased t h eir H a ir n et s in an at t em p t t o t r ap
h im fr om b eh in d .
“Don g—” W h en W an g Don g’s Gu illot in e W in g slam m ed in t o h is m et a llic

fist s, a h ar d sou n d u n exp ect ed ly r an g ou t . H u an g Ch u t ian w a s for ced b ack on ce
again ; h e st u m b led b ack w ar d s five or six st ep s b efor e h e st ead ied h im self. Fr esh
b lood d r ip p ed off h is fist s, w h ich h ad b een cu t op en .
H u an g Ch u t ia n ’s exp r ession ch an ged . H is H er cu lean Ap e w as a r elat ively

t yr an n ical m ar t ial sou l; it w as w id ely k n ow n as on e t h at p ossessed b ot h
ext r em ely t ou gh sk in as w ell as ext r aor d in ar y st r en gt h . H ow ever , it h ad act u a lly
b een u n ab le t o b lock W an g Don g’s w in gs. It w asn ’t b ecau se h e w as w eak er t h an
W an g Don g, b u t b ecau se of h ow t er r ifyin gly sh ar p W an g Don g’s Gu illot in e
W in g w as. If h e h a d n ’t r et r ea t ed , h is fist s m igh t ’ve b een ser iou sly in ju r ed .
Aft er u sin g a sin gle slash t o for ce H u an g Ch u t ian b ack , W a n g Don g’s m igh t
h ad flou r ish ed even m or e. H e flap p ed h is r ear w in gs, allow in g h im t o ad ju st h is
p ost u r e, t h en p r oceed ed t o r ap id ly w h ir l h is w in gs, cau sin g h is Gu illot in e W in g
t o r esem b le a sp in n in g t op as it t or e ap ar t t h e H air n et t h at w a s ap p r oach in g h im
fr om b eh in d .
Xiao Xiao cou ld n at u r ally sen se W an g Don g’s cu r r en t con d it ion via H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g. Becau se of t h is, sh e d id n ’t m ak e an y ot h er
m oves w it h h er T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on .
“Roar —” H u an g Ch u t ian let ou t an ot h er an gr y r oar . H e clasp ed h is h an d s an d

r aised t h em ab ove h is h ead , cau sin g h is secon d sou l r in g o fin ally ligh t u p . A
d en se layer of yellow ligh t filled h is b od y. T h is t im e h is ar m s exp an d ed , cau sin g
h is st r on g m u scles t o b e filled w it h a t er r ifyin g st r en gt h . T h e yellow ligh t
con t in u ed t o cir cu lat e u n t il it r each ed h is fist s, w h er e it fin ally st op p ed .
“Pow er Can n on !” H u an g Ch u t ian sh ou t ed , su d d en ly sen d in g h is fist s

sm ash in g t ow ar d s W an g Don g. A con d en sed yellow b all of ligh t in st an t ly sh ot
ou t fr om h is fist s t ow ar d s W an g Don g. T h is b all of ligh t u n exp ect ed ly h ad a
lock -on ab ilit y, as W an g Don g w as u n ab le t o sh ak e it off aft er d od gin g it t h r ee
t im es.
As h e p r ep ar ed t o u se t h e Gu illot in e W in g t o b lock t h e b all of ligh t , t h e h in t of

a sm ile su d d en ly ap p ear ed on W an g Don g’s face. H e su r p r isin gly ch ose t o give
u p on b lock in g it , in st ead ch oosin g t o ign or e t h e Pow er Ca n n on en t ir ely. H e
t u r n ed over an d flew d ow n w ar d s, st r aigh t t ow ar d s t h e Lan sist er s, as h e
con t in u ed t o t ear t h eir H air n et ap ar t .
T h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on sou n d lessly ap p ear ed b eh in d W an g Don g

w h en h e d id t h is, fier cely sm ash in g in t o t h e Pow er Can n on . T h e in st an t t h a t t h e
t w o collid ed , a b lack h alo w as d iffu sed fr om t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on ,
cau sin g a d eafen in g r u m b le t o ech o ou t in m id air .
W h en t h e Pow er Can n on collid ed w it h t h e b lack h alo of ligh t , a lar ge p ar t of it

w as im m ed ia t ely cr ip p led . Alt h ou gh it s exp losive for ce w as en ou gh t o sen d t h e
T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on flyin g w h en it sm ash ed in t o t h e cau ld r on ,
H u an g Ch u t ia n ’s at t ack w as fin ally n eu t r alised . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e Lan sist er s
w er e cu r r en t ly facin g W an g Don g’s all-ou t at t ack .
T h e Lan sist er s h a d clear ly u n d er est im at ed t h eir op p on en t s. Alt h ou gh H u an g

Ch u t ian w as at a d isad van t age w h en figh t in g W an g Don g, h e h ad n ’t b een
d efeat ed . H ow ever , t h ey’d for got t en t h at W an g Don g w asn ’t b y h im self! As
W an g Don g flew st r aigh t t ow ar d s t h em w h ilst t ear in g ap ar t t h eir H air n et s, t h ey
r ealised t h at t h ey d id n ’t h ave en ou gh t im e t o u se t h eir secon d sou l sk ills
an ym or e, as t h er e n eed ed t o b e a cer t ain am ou n t of d ist an ce b et w een t h e t w o
p ar t ies for it s gr eat est m igh t t o b e u n leash ed .
T h e sist er s glan ced at each ot h er , a d et er m in ed look ap p ear in g in t h eir eyes.

T h e sou l r in gs on t h e t w o gir l’s b od ies sim u lt an eou sly d isa p p ear ed , an d t h ey
su d d en ly u n clasp ed t h eir h an d s. Next , t h ey u n exp ect ed ly op en ed t h eir ar m s an d
h u gged each ot h er .
W an g Don g w as st u n n ed for a m om en t —w h at w er e t h ey t r yin g t o d o?
T h e Lan sist er s an sw er ed h is qu est ion a m om en t lat er . T h ey in st an t ly

r eleased an u n d u la t ion of sou lfor ce t h at gr eat ly exceed ed t h at of t h e p r eviou s
on e. T h e in st an t t h a t t h ey em b r aced each ot h er , a b lu e h alo of ligh t w as r eleased
fr om t h eir b od ies, w h ich en cap su lat ed t h em an d m a d e it im p ossib le t o see t h em
clear ly. At t h e sam e t im e, t h eir lon g h air flew in t o t h e air an d t u r n ed a sh ad e of
sp ar k lin g b lu e. T h eir H air n et s w er e st ill as t h in as b efor e, b u t t h e feelin g t h at
t h ey gave W an g Don g as t h ey t r ied t o cover h im t h is t im e w as en t ir ely d iffer en t .
H is Gu illot in e W in g cu t in t o it again , b u t it w asn ’t cu t t h r ou gh in st an t ly lik e
it h ad b een b efor e. W an g Don g felt as if h e’d sm ash ed in t o a n ext r em ely flexib le
an d d u r ab le n et ; n o m at t er h ow m u ch h e st r u ggled , t h e n et got sm a ller an d
sm aller ar ou n d h im . T h e in st an t t h a t t h e lar ge n et com p let ely cover ed h im , H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g u n exp ect ed ly d isap p ear ed .
Cou ld H u o Yu h ao h ave st op p ed t h e sk ill? T h e an sw er t o t h a t w as ob viou sly

‘n o’. T h e r eason b eh in d W an g Don g’s cu r r en t p r ed icam en t w as d u e t o t h e fact
t h at t h is sou l sk ill w as sim p ly t oo st r on g; so m u ch so t h at it s en or m ou s
sou lfor ce u n d u lat ion s h ad allow ed it t o for cefu lly b lock ou t H u o Yu h ao’s
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . No m at t er h ow you look ed at it , H u o Yu h ao w as st ill on ly a
on e-r in ged sou l m ast er aft er all.
In w h at seem ed t o b e an in st an t , W an g Don g h ad b ecom e a d u m p lin g t r ap p ed

w it h in t h e n et of h a ir ; t h e sp ar k lin g st r an d s of b lu e h air h a d su r r ou n d ed h im
com p let ely. H ow ever , t h e ‘om n ip r esen t ’ st r an d s of h air d id n ’t sim p ly st op h er e.
In st ead , t h ey r ap id ly flew t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao an d H u o Yu h ao t o en t r ap t h em a s
w ell.
“A sou l fu sion sk ill?” Xiao Xiao let ou t a su r p r ised cr y. Sh e q u ick ly u n leash ed

an all-ou t at t ack w it h t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on . T h e lar ge cau ld r o n
sp lit in t o t h r ee sm aller cau ld r on s in m id a ir , b efor e sm ash in g in t o t h e lar ge w eb .
T h is so-called ‘sou l fu sion sk ill’ w as a com b in ed sk ill t h a t co u ld b e u n leash ed

b y t w o sou l m ast er s w h o h ad ext r em ely con gen ial m ar t ial sou ls. H en ce, t h e
p ow er of a sou l fu sion sk ill far exceed ed t h at of an y sou l sk ill of t h e sam e r an k .
It w as an exist en ce t h at w as n o lon ger on t h e sam e level as ot h er sou l sk ills. On
t h e ot h er h an d , a sou l fu sion sk ill cou ld on ly b e u n leash ed b y an ext r em ely sm all
n u m b er of sou l m a st er s; fin d in g t w o com p at ib le sou l m ast er s w as as d ifficu lt as
fin d in g a n eed le in a h ayst ack .
H u an g Ch u t ia n w as n at u r ally t h e st r on gest in d ivid u al on h is t eam , b u t t h eir

t eam ’s t r u e t r u m p car d w as t h e sou l fu sion sk ill t h at t h e Lan sist er s cou ld u se!
Du r in g t h eir p r ev iou s m at ch es, t h ey’d m ad e su r e t o p at ien t ly r est r ain
t h em selves. T h ey w en t so far as t o n ot u se t h eir sou l fu sion sk ill, even if it
m ean t losin g a m a t ch . H ow ever , t h is w as t h e fir st m at ch of t h e fift h r ou n d ; t h ey
cou ld n ’t affor d t o lose an ym or e. H u o Yu h ao’s t eam w as Cla ss 1’s seed ed t eam .
Lik ew ise, H u an g Ch u t ian an d t h e Lan sist er s w er e Class 7’s seed ed t eam ; t h eir
d u t y w as t o gu n for t h e t op t h r ee sp ot s.
Becau se of t h is, t h e Lan sist er s h ad d ecid ed t o em b r ace each ot h er an d

act ivat e t h e Em p yr eal Net on ly aft er con sid er in g it for a b r ief m om en t .
Don ’t even m en t ion a t w o-r in ged Sou l Gr an d m ast er ; even a t h r ee-r in ged Sou l
Eld er w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o escap e fr om t h e Em p yr eal Net if h e w as all b y h im self.
W h en t h e Em p yr eal Net sw allow ed u p t h e t h r ee b lack cau ld r on s, Xiao Xiao let

ou t a fr ail cr y, ca u sin g t h r ee sim u lt an eou s r u m b lin g sou n d s t o r in g ou t fr om
w it h in t h e Em p yr eal Net .
T h e Em p yr eal Net u n exp ect ed ly sh ook a lit t le b it . T h is w as t h e sk ill t h at h ad

p r eviou sly b lock ed H u an g Ch u t ian ’s sou l sk ill—t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh
Cau ld r on ’s fir st sou l sk ill: Ca u ld r on Qu ak e.
It s act ivat ion t h is t im e ar ou n d d iffer ed fr om it s p r eviou s u sage. T h is t im e,

Cau ld r on Qu ak e w as sim u lt an eou sly u sed b y all t h r ee cau ld r on s, cau sin g it s
st r en gt h t o b e fu lly r eleased .
T h e secr et b eh in d Xiao Xiao’s T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on lay h er e: w h en

t h e t h r ee ca u ld r on s w er e fu sed t oget h er , t h eir d efen sive cap ab ilit ies w er e at
t h eir gr eat est . W h en t h e t h r ee ca u ld r on s w er e sep ar at ed , t h eir at t ack in g
cap ab ilit ies an d sou l sk ills p ow er w er e a t t h eir gr ea t est .
H ow ever , t h e Em p yr eal Net w as st ill a sou l fu sion sk ill! Alt h o u gh Xiao Xiao’s
all-ou t Cau ld r on Qu ak e w as ext r em ely st r on g, it p aled in sign ifican ce t o t h e
Em p yr eal Net . Aft er a sligh t t r em b le, t h e Em p yr eal Net con t in u ed t o fly t ow ar d s
Xiao Xiao, ap p ear in g b efor e h er in an in st an t .
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly sh ou t ed , “W an g Don g!”
T h e Em p yr eal Net w h ich h a d alr ea d y n ea r ed Xiao Xiao su d d en ly st op p ed , as if

it h ad b een in t im id at ed b y H u o Yu h ao’s voice. A st r on g b lu ish -gold en ligh t
su d d en ly lit u p fr om w it h in t h e d ep t h s of t h e Em p yr eal Net .
H u o Yu h ao’s M en t a l Det ect ion Sh ar in g h ad b een act ivat ed t h e w h ole t im e.

Alt h ou gh it w as cu r r en t ly b ein g b lock ed b y t h e Em p yr eal Net , Xiao Xiao st ill felt
t h e st r en gt h en in g effect of h is M en t al Det ect ion Sh ar in g. Su d d en ly, t o h er
ast on ish m en t , t h e or igin ally w id e-r a n ge M en t al Det ect ion Sh ar in g su d d en ly
n ar r ow ed d ow n an d p ier ced st r aigh t in t o t h e h ea r t of t h e Em yp r eal Net in t h e
in st an t t h a t H u o Yu h ao sh ou t ed .
Not on ly t h at , b u t H u o Yu h ao’s sou lfor ce u n d u lat ion s seem ed t o b e r ap id ly

r isin g, alon g w it h an in com p r eh en sib le for ce t h at seem ed t o b e m ixed in w it h it .
Aft er w ar d s, Xiao Xiao felt as if som et h in g h ad sw ep t over h er m in d , cau sin g a
w ave of d izzin ess t o over com e h er .
Follow in g t h at , t h e om n ip r esen t Em p yr eal Net collap sed , lik e it h a d b een

w ash ed aw ay b y t h e t id e.
“Pu t on g——”
As W an g Don g lan d ed , h e t ook a few d eep b r eat h s. Evid en t ly h e’d b een

sever ely d r ain ed . On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e Lan sist er s h ad b een left in an even
w or se con d it ion ; t h ey’d alr ead y fain t ed a n d w er e lyin g on t h e gr ou n d .
H u o Yu h ao’s face w as n ow ext r em ely p ale; h e w as so t ir ed t h at h e cou ld n ’t

even m ain t ain h is M en t al Det ect ion Sh ar in g. Alt h ou gh h e w asn ’t as ou t of
b r eat h as W an g Don g, h is ch est w as u n ceasin gly m ovin g u p a n d d ow n .
W an g Yan , w h o w as st ill over look in g t h e ar en a, look ed on w it h an

in con ceivab le look in h is eyes.
W h en t h e Lan sist er s h ad act iva t ed t h eir Em p yr eal Net , h is eyes h ad alr ead y
b een filled w it h ast on ish m en t . H e’d or igin ally t h ou gh t t h at H u o Yu h ao’s t eam
w as d est in ed t o lose, b u t h e n ever exp ect ed t h e d r am at ic ch an ge t h at h ad ju st
occu r r ed . J u st as t h e Em p yr eal Net w as ab ou t t o d efeat it s op p on en t s an d ob t ain
vict or y for H u an g Ch u t ia n ’s t eam , H u o Yu h ao’s t eam h ad u n exp ect ed ly
m an aged t o flip h eaven an d ear t h ar ou n d in an in st an t .
W an g Yan w as d ep r essed b y t h e fact t h at h e’d b een u n ab le t o see h ow H u o

Yu h ao’s t eam h ad m ad e t h eir m ove. T h is w as esp ecially t r u e for H u o Yu h ao
h im self; fr om h is p a le exp r ession an d h is p r eviou s yell, it w as evid en t t h at h e’d
m ad e a m ove. Fu r t h er m or e, it w as h igh ly lik ely t h at b r eak in g t h e Em p yr eal Net
w as som et h in g t h at h e’d ach ieved b y goin g all-ou t . H ow ever , in w h at w ay h ad
h e m ad e a m ove? An d , h ow h ad h e b r ok en a sou l fu sion sk ill? W an g Yan ju st
cou ld n ’t see h ow h e’d m an aged t o d o it .
H ow ever , t h e b at t le h ad n ’t en d ed yet . Alt h ou gh H u an g Ch u t ian h ad b een

gr eat ly ast on ish ed b y t h e fact t h at t h ey w er en ’t ab le t o d efeat t h eir op p on en t s,
h e q u ick ly r et u r n ed t o h is sen ses. H e p ou n ced t ow ar d s W an g Don g, w h o w as t h e
closest t o h im , an d let ou t a low r oar . Fr om h is p oin t of view , it m u st ’ve b een
W an g Don g w h o’d b r ok en t h eir sou l fu sion sk ill. H u o Yu h ao m er ely h ad a t en
year sou l r in g, so h e w ou ld n ’t at t r act an y at t en t ion u n d er n or m a l
cir cu m st an ces.
At t h is m om en t , W an g Don g w as n ear ly exh au st ed . As h e look ed at t h e

ap p r oach in g H u an g Ch u t ian , h e for cefu lly flap p ed h is w in gs b ack w ar d s in
r et r eat . H e sh ou t ed , “Xiao Xiao, I’m cou n t in g on you !”
“Leave it t o m e.” Xiao Xiao h u m p h ed , cau sin g t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh

Cau ld r on t h at sh e’d sep ar at ed t o at t ack t h e Em p yr eal Net t o r e-m er ge. Alt h ou gh
sh e d id n ’t h ave t h e assist an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s M en t al Det ect ion , H u an g
Ch u t ian ’s ob ject ive w as ob viou s. T h e lar ge cau ld r on sh ift ed h or izon t ally,
p lacin g it self in fr on t of W an g Don g’s b od y in or d er t o b lock H u an g Ch u t ian ’s
w ay.
On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely sat d ow n in a cr oss-legged

p osit ion b eh in d Xiao Xiao, at t em p t in g t o r ecover h is m en t al en er gy via
m ed it at ion . H is ear lier m ove h ad d r ain ed h im b y a con sid er ab le am ou n t .
For t u n at ely, h e w as n o lon ger t h e r ook ie t h at h e’d p r eviou sly b een at t h e
eleven t h or t w elft h r an k ; h is Pu r p le Dem on Eyes h ad also exp er ien ced a
qu alit a t ive leap , w h ich w as w h y h is en er gy h ad n ’t b een com p let ely d ep let ed .
H ow ever , t h at m ove of h is h ad cau sed w aves of d izzin ess t o fill h is m in d . T h u s,
h e w as n o lon ger ab le t o sim u lt an eou sly m ain t ain b ot h h is M en t al Det ect ion an d
h is M en t al Sh a r in g; h e n eed ed t o r est for a w h ile.
For som eon e t o b r eak a sou l fu sion sk ill w it h H u o Yu h ao’s st r en gt h ? T h at w as
ob viou sly im p ossib le. H e w as st ill on ly a on e-r in ged sou l m ast er . Alt h ou gh h is
m illion year sou l r in g w as st r on g, h e w as st ill far aw ay fr om b ein g ab le t o u se
t h e t r u e m igh t of t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m .
T h e r eason t h a t h e’d b een ab le t o d est r oy t h e Em p yr eal Net w a s a cu lm in at ion

of m an y fact or s. Of t h em , H u o Yu h ao h ad p layed t h e m ost cr u cial r ole.
W h en h e’d sh ou t ed W an g Don g’s n am e, t h e la t t er h ad im m ed iat ely

u n d er st ood h im , an d h ad r eleased h is secon d sou l sk ill w h ile t h e Em p yr eal Net
w as u n ceasin gly con t r act in g. W an g Don g’s secon d sou l sk ill w as n at u r ally
u n ab le t o d est r oy a sou l fu sion sk ill b y it self, b u t d on ’t for get t h at W an g Don g’s
secon d sou l sk ill w as fr om a t h ou san d year sou l r in g, w h ich m ean t t h at it s
st r en gt h w as con sid er ab ly h igh er t h an n or m al. Alt h ou gh it cou ld n ’t d est r oy t h e
Em p yr eal Net , it w as st ill ab le t o r ap id ly in cr ease t h e Lan sist er s’ sou lfor ce
con su m p t ion .
Follow in g t h at , it w as t im e for H u o Yu h ao’s at t ack . Sin ce t h e Em p yr eal Net

b lock ed h is M en t al Det ect ion , h e’d focu sed it in on e d ir ect io n . T h is allow ed h is
st r on g m en t al u n d u lat ion s t o over com e t h e Em p yr eal Net an d for it t o p en et r at e
t h r ou gh it . H ow ever , t h is w as in on e d ir ect ion on ly.
W h en h e fou n d t h e Lan sist er s, h e im m ed iat ely r eleased h is Sp ir it Sh ock sk ill

t h at w a s also am p lified b y h is Pu r p le Dem on Eyes at fu ll p o w er ; t h e d izzin ess
t h at Xiao Xiao h ad felt h ad b een cau sed b y H u o Yu h ao’s all-ou t at t ack .
T h e fact s sh ow ed t h at H u o Yu h ao’s all-ou t effor t h ad su cceed ed . T h e Lan

sist er s’ sou l fu sion sk ill w as su fficien t ly st r on g, b u t it w asn ’t flaw less. It s
gr eat est flaw lay in t h e fact t h at t h eir cu lt iva t ion levels w er e ju st b ar ely
su fficien t t o u t ilize it . H en ce, t h ey w er en ’t ab le t o m ain t ain it for a lon g t im e.
Aft er W an g Don g h ad d r ain ed t h em w it h h is sou l sk ill, H u o Yu h ao’s su d d en
Sp ir it Sh ock h ad st r u ck t h eir m in d s. T h e st r on g m en t al u n d u lat ion s h ad
in st an t ly collap sed t h eir sk ill, w h ile t h e lar ge b ack lash fr o m t h eir sou l fu sion
sk ill h a d im m ed iat ely k n ock ed t h em ou t .
Desp it e t h is, t h e Lan sist er s h ad b een ab le t o alm ost com p let ely r id H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g of t h eir com b at cap ab ilit ies. Fr om t h is, it cou ld b e seen
ju st h ow st r on g a sou l fu sion sk ill w as. H u o Yu h ao seem ed ver y w eak , b u t h e
h ad a m illion year sou l r in g!
H u an g Ch u t ian ’s h an d s viciou sly slam m ed in t o t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh

Cau ld r on ; t h is w as h is fir st sou l sk ill, t h e Vigor ou s Kin g Kon g fist .
“Boom —” H is m et allic fist s slam m ed in t o a b lack h alo, in st a n t ly sen d in g t h e

T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on t h r ee m et r es aw ay. H ow ever , H u an g Ch u t ian
st ood u n m ovin g in h is or igin al sp ot , h is b od y violen t ly sh ak in g for a m om en t .
Xiao Xiao’s Cau ld r on Qu ak e h a d a st r on g st u n n in g effect . It w asn ’t on ly

cap ab le of h u r t in g h er op p on en t s; all en em ies w it h in a on e m et r e r a d iu s of t h e
T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on w ou ld b e st u n n ed on im p act .
On ce H u an g Ch u t ia n w as st u n n ed , Xiao Xiao cold ly sn or t ed an d clasp ed h er

h an d s t oget h er , cau sin g t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on t o in st an t ly sp lit
in t o t h r ee, t r ap p in g H u an g Ch u t ia n in t h e m id d le.
T h e st u n effect on ly last ed a sh or t w h ile. As su ch , H u an g Ch u t ian qu ick ly

r egain ed h is sen ses a ft er a sh or t w h ile. T h is t im e, h e d id n ’t im m ed iat ely m ak e a
m ove; h e d ecid ed t o p au se for a m om en t in or d er t o ob ser ve t h e sit u at ion in
fr on t of h im .
T h e Lan sist er s h a d alr ead y fain t ed , r esu lt in g in t h em losin g all of t h eir

com b at cap ab ilit ies. On t h e ot h er h an d , W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao seem ed t o
h ave lost t h eir figh t in g cap ab ilit ies as w ell, b u t t h ey w er e st ill con sciou s. As a
r esu lt of t h is, it w asn ’t cer t ain w h en t h ey’d b e ab le t o r ejoin t h e b at t le. On ly a
b lit zk r ieg st r at egy w ou ld give H u an g Ch u t ian ’s t eam a ch an ce of ob t ain in g
vict or y in t h is assessm en t .
On ce h e’d fin ish ed t h in k in g ab ou t t h is, H u an g Ch u t ian let ou t a lou d r oar . H e

su d d en ly st am p ed h is feet , ca u sin g h is b od y t o q u ick ly ascen d . M ea n w h ile, h e
clasp ed h is h an d s ab ove h is h ead , h is secon d sou l r in g ligh t in g u p . Pow er
Can n on w as act ivat ed on ce again .
Xiao Xiao gest u r ed in w ar d s w it h h er h a n d s, im m ed ia t ely cau sin g t h e t h r ee

cau ld r on s t o sim u lt a n eou sly r ise u p w ar d s an d st r ik e in w ar d s. T h e st r en gt h of
H u an g Ch u t ian ’s Pow er Can n on w as ext r aor d in ar y; as a r esu lt , sh e ab solu t ely
cou ld n ’t let h im r elease it .
H ow ever , H u an g Ch u t ian let ou t a cu n n in g sm ile. H is b od y su d d en ly flip p ed

ar ou n d in m id air , t u r n in g h is b od y u p sid e-d ow n b efor e t h e t h r ee cau ld r on s
cou ld con ver ge. H e sw u n g h is clasp ed fist s w it h all h is st r en gt h , cau sin g a b all of
yellow ligh t t o im m ed iat ely sh oot t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao.
W h en figh t in g an en em y, on e h as t o con sid er t h eir ow n safet y. H u an g

Ch u t ian d id n ’t b elieve t h at Xiao Xiao w as w illin g t o go t h r ou gh m u t u al
d est r u ct ion . As lon g as sh e r et u r n ed h er T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on t o
p r ot ect h er self, h e’d h ave a ch an ce t o a p p r oach h er . T h en , t h e op p or t u n it y t o
w in w ou ld p r esen t it self t o h im .
In d eed , H u an g Ch u t ian ’s p lan w as ext r em ely clever . If Xiao Xiao w an t ed t o

d efen d h er self again st h is Pow er Can n on , sh e’d h ave t o m er ge h er t h r ee
cau ld r on s. An d if t h at h ap p en ed , H u an g Ch u t ian w ou ld h ave en ou gh t im e t o
ap p r oach t h e t r io. N o m at t er w h o h e d ecid ed t o at t ack , t h ey’d d efin it ely h a ve a
h ar d t im e r esist in g h im .
H ow ever , h e su d d en ly felt as if h is eyesigh t h ad gon e b ad t h e in st an t b efor e

h e m ad e h is m ove. H is Pow er Can n on h ad b een r eleased , b u t it h ad act u a lly
b een sen t ou t in t h e w r on g d ir ect ion ...
T h e yellow b all of ligh t w as accom p an ied b y an exp losive sou n d as it flew

ou t w ar d s at a t ilt ed an gle an d b last in g t h e Exam in at ion Ar ea’s p ar t it ion in g
w alls t o sm it h er een s. T h e st u d en t s fr om t h e n eigh b ou r in g ar ea, w h o w er e
cu r r en t ly u n d er goin g t h eir assessm en t , cou ld n ’t h elp b u t look t ow ar d s t h eir
d ir ect ion w it h an ast on ish ed exp r ession .
An d at t h is m om en t , t h e vict or of t h e m a t ch b et w een H u o Yu h ao’s t eam an d
H u an g Ch u t ia n ’s t ea m w as d ecid ed .
Xiao Xiao’s t h r ee ca u ld r on s m er ged b ack in t o on e in p r ep ar at ion t o p r ot ect

h er . H ow ever , aft er t h e lar ge, r e-m er ged cau ld r on h ad flow n b ack sever al
m et r es, it sw ep t b ack an d viciou sly st r u ck H u an g Ch u t ian ’s b od y. Aft er Xiao
Xiao’s secon d sou l r in g lit u p , H u an g Ch u t ian w as en sh r ou d ed b y a b lack h alo,
an d w as sen t flyin g ou t of t h e ar en a. W an g Yan st r et ch ed h is ar m ou t t o cat ch
h im , t h u s h e w asn ’t sen t flyin g even fu r t h er .
T h at b lack ligh t u n ceasin gly lin ger ed on h is b od y; it t ook a fu ll t h r ee secon d s

for H u an g Ch u t ian t o r egain t h e ab ilit y t o m ove.
T h is w as t h e secon d sou l sk ill of Xiao Xiao’s T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on :

Cau ld r on Sw eep .
W h en Cau ld r on Sw eep w as u sed again st a sin gle op p on en t , it w ou ld n ’t on ly

h u r t t h em via t h e collision , it w o u ld also sw eep t h em aw ay w h ile
sim u lt an eou sly st u n n in g h im . H en ce, it cou ld b e con sid er ed a con t r ol-t yp e sk ill.
Relyin g on t h ese t w o sk ills, Xiao Xiao w as d efin it ely w or t h y of callin g h er self a
con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er .
Xiao Xiao n at u r ally h ad n ’t b een ab le t o p r ed ict t h at h er op p on en t ’s at t ack

w ou ld d eviat e fr om it s or igin al t ar get . T h e r eason w h y sh e ch an ged fr om a
d efen sive st a t e t o an offen sive on e w as b ecau se sh e on ce m or e r eceived H u o
Yu h ao’s assist an ce.
On ly, sh e d id n ’t k n ow t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad sim u lt an eou sly r eleased t h r ee sou l

sk ills in t h at in st an t , an d t h a t t h ese t h r ee sou l sk ills h ad fin a lly con su m ed t h e
last of h is sou lfor ce.
Of t h ese t h r ee sk ills, t h e on e h e’d n ever b efor e u sed in a b at t le w as Sp ir it u al

In t er fer en ce, w h ich w as an ar ea of effect sk ill.
Com p ar ed t o Sp ir it Sh ock , Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce seem ed m u ch w eak er .

H ow ever , d on ’t for get t h at it w as an ar ea of effect sk ill. Fu r t h er m or e, it s effect s
w er e ver y su b t le w h en it w as act ivat ed . As a r esu lt of t h is, en em ies w ou ld oft en
b e u n aw ar e t h at it h ad affect ed t h em . Ot h er w ise, h ow cou ld H u an g Ch u t ian ’s
lock ed -on Pow er Can n on d eviat e fr om it s t ar get ?
W an g Yan said , “H u o Yu h ao’s t eam w in s.” W h ile h e sp ok e, h e p laced H u an g

Ch u t ian —w h o w as at a loss—b ack on t h e gr ou n d . Aft er w ar d s, h e follow ed h im
t o t h e Lan sist er s an d u sed h is sou lfor ce t o aw ak en t h em .
Aft er t h e Lan sist er s h ad aw ak en ed , t h ey felt a sp lit t in g h ead a ch e; it w as as if

t en t h ou san d n eed les w er e p r ick in g t h eir b r ain s.
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Sh ock h ad b ecom e m u ch st r on ger t h an b efor e; even t h e
six-r in ged M a Xiaot ao h ad b een sligh t ly affect ed , let alon e t h e t w o of t h em .
Com b in ed w it h t h e b ack lash fr om t h eir sou l fu sion sk ill, H u an g Ch u t ian ’s t eam
cou ld b e said t o h ave su ffer ed a gr eat loss fr om t h is m at ch . Lan Su su an d Lan
Lu olu o d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o r ecover t h eir com b at st r en gt h t od ay.
H ow ever , t h ey st ill h ad fou r m or e m at ch es t od ay!
On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o Yu h ao’s t eam w as in a m u ch b et t er sit u at ion

com p ar ed t o t h eir op p on en t s. For t u n at ely, t h ey’d ob t ain ed a vict or y.
Fu r t h er m or e, W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao h ad on ly b een d r ain ed of t h eir
sou lfor ce; t h ey h ad n ’t b een in ju r ed . T h ey cou ld r ecu p er at e for t w o m at ch es’
w or t h of t im e, at t h e ver y least . H ow ever , Xiao Xiao w ou ld h ave t o b ecom e t h e
m ain st r en gt h of t h e t eam d u r in g t h e follow in g m at ch es.
W h ile W an g Don g su p p or t ed t h e w eak H u o Yu h ao as h e w alk ed t o t h e sid e of

t h e ar en a, Xiao Xiao follow ed t h em a n d su sp iciou sly ask ed , “Class m on it or , w h y
d id h is at t ack m iss?”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled b it t er ly. “Let ’s n ot t alk ab ou t t h is r igh t n ow . W e sh ou ld

h u r r y an d m ed it at e t o r est or e ou r sou lfor ce. Ou r fir st m at ch h as d r a in ed u s b y
t h is m u ch , yet w e st ill h ave fou r m or e m at ch es t od ay. W e can on ly p r ay t h at
ever yon e else w as d r ain ed t h is m u ch as w ell.”
Aft er sp eak in g, h e im m ed iat ely sat in a cr oss-legged p osit ion t o b egin

m ed it at in g.
It w asn ’t ju st Xiao Xiao w h o w as p u zzled ; W an g Don g w as sligh t ly p u zzled as

w ell, b u t u n lik e Xiao Xiao, h e fou n d it st r an ge t h at t h e Lan sist er s’ fu sion sk ill
h ad b een b r ok en so easily. If t h ey w er e on ly ab le t o m ain t ain t h eir fu sion sk ill
for su ch a sh or t t im e, w as t h er e an y p oin t in t h em u sin g it ? T h e an sw er w as
d efin it ely n o. H ow ever , t h ey’d st ill u sed it , an d it h ad in -t u r n q u ick ly b een
sh at t er ed b y h is t h ou san d -year sou l sk ill. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey’d even b een
k n ock ed u n con sciou s. J u st w h a t w as goin g on ? W h en h e t h ou gh t ab ou t H u o
Yu h ao’s sh ou t , h e felt som et h in g w r on g in h is h ear t . H ow ever , h e cou ld n ’t p lace
w h at w as w r on g.
T h er e w er e a t ot al of six t eam s p ar t icip a t in g in t h e a ssessm en t , so t h e secon d
m at ch b egan im m ed iat ely aft er H u o Yu h a o’s m at ch h ad en d ed .
T h e lat er st ages of t h e Fr esh m an Exam in at ion h ad st ar t ed fr om t h e p oin t t h at

t h e st u d en t r ed ist r ib u t ion h ap p en ed ; t h is w as also t h e m ost im p or t an t p er iod of
t im e for t eam s t o figh t for p oin t s. Ever y ext r a vict or y r ep r esen t ed an ext r a
p ossib ilit y of st ayin g. As a r esu lt , ever y t eam p r esen t h ad alr ead y b egu n t o give
each m at ch t h eir all.
T h e p r eviou s m at ch b et w een H u o Yu h a o’s t eam an d H u an g Ch u t ia n ’s t eam

h ad gr eat ly ast on ish ed t h e ot h er fou r t eam s. Aft er ask in g t h em selves w h et h er
t h ey h ad t h at k in d of st r en gt h , t h ey cam e t o t h e con clu sion t h a t n at u r ally h a d t o
d o t h eir u t m ost w h ile com p et in g w it h t h e ot h er t eam s. T h e fir st m at ch h ad
b asically en d ed u p w it h b ot h sid es r eceivin g d am age, so t h is gr ou p ’s
exam in at ion b ecam e in cr easin gly com p licat ed .
All t h r ee m at ch es in t h e exam in at ion ’s fir st r ou n d qu ick ly en d ed , w it h t h e

r esu lt s b ein g ju st as H u o Yu h ao h ad w ish ed for it t o b e; t h e ot h er fou r t eam s h ad
w ast ed a con sid er ab le am ou n t of en er gy. Aft er all, t h ey w er en ’t ju st d r ain ed
fr om t od ay’s m at ch es; t h ey’d u sed a lar ge am ou n t of en er gy d u r in g t h e p r eviou s
d ay’s fou r m at ch es as w ell! T h ey h ad n ’t r ecover ed en ou gh en er gy t o b e in t h eir
op t im u m st a t e t o b egin w it h .
As t h is ar en a’s seed ed t eam , H u o Yu h ao’s t r io w as t h e fir st t o en t er t h e st age

w h en t h e secon d r o u n d b egan . T h is t im e, t h eir op p on en t s w er e t h r ee st u d en t s
fr om Class 4 .
Aft er t h eir op p on en t s in t r od u ced t h em selves, t h ey t ook t h eir p laces. On H u o

Yu h ao’s sid e, t h eir p osit ion in g h ad clea r ly ch an ged . Xiao Xiao w as st an d in g in
t h e fr on t , w h ile H u o Yu h ao st ood b eh in d h er . On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e assa u lt
syst em W an g Don g st ood at t h e ver y b ack . Fu r t h er m or e, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g
Don g h ad alr ead y sat d ow n on t h e gr ou n d b efor e W an g Yan h ad even
an n ou n ced t h e st ar t of t h e b at t le; t h ey w er e act u ally m ed it a t in g in t h e ar en a.
T h is w as t h e t ask t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad en t r u st ed t o t h em ; t h ey h ad t o d o t h eir
b est t o r ecover all of t h eir d ep let ed sou lfor ce. T h e p ossib ilit y of t h em w in n in g
ever y m at ch in t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t on ly exist ed if W a n g Don g’s
cu lt ivat ion w as r est or ed t o it s op t im u m st at e.
“Good lu ck Xiao Xiao.” H u o Yu h ao w h isp er ed .
“Don ’t w or r y, class m on it or . W e can d efin it ely d o t h is.”
Follow in g W an g Yan ’s an n ou n cem en t , t h e assessm en t b egan w it h b ot h

p ar t ies sim u lt an eou sly r eleasin g t h eir m ar t ial so u ls. Aft er ob ser vin g t h eir
p r eviou s m at ch es, H u o Yu h ao’s t r io k n ew t h at t h eir op p on en t s con sist ed of
t h r ee agilit y syst em sou l m ast er s; t h ey all w alk ed d ow n t h e p at h of sp eed .
W h en W an g Yan an n ou n ced t h e st ar t of t h e m a t ch , t h e t h r ee op p osin g sou l

m ast er s sim u lt an eou sly ch ar ged ou t w h ile r eleasin g t h eir m ar t ial sou ls. T h ey
t h r ee of t h em w en t d iffer en t d ir ect ion s, all of t h em ch ar gin g t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao
at t h e sam e t im e.
T h ey’d alr ead y n ot iced t h at W an g Don g w as m ed it at in g on t h e gr ou n d . W h en

t h eir en em ies st r on gest assau lt syst em sou l m ast er seem ed t o h ave n o com b at
st r en gt h at all, h ow cou ld t h ey give u p t h e op p or t u n it y p r esen t ed t o t h em ?
Alt h ou gh t h ey’d exp en d ed a lar ge am ou n t of en er gy ear lier , t h ey st ill d ecid ed t o
go all-ou t .
W an g Yan st ood t o t h e sid e of t h e ar en a, n ot r elaxin g even a lit t le b it as h e

k ep t h is eyes car efu lly t r ain ed on H u o Yu h ao. H e b elieved t h at Xiao Xiao alon e
w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o b eat t h r ee op p on en t s w it h ou t W an g Don g’s h elp . Aft er all,
t h eir op p on en t s w er e t h r ee agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er s! H e d efin it ely h ad t o see
h ow H u o Yu h ao w ou ld m ak e a m ove, as w ell as h ow h e w ou ld r elease h is sou l
sk ill.
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes lit u p . Alt h ou gh t h e fain t ly gold en ligh t in h is eyes w asn ’t

esp ecially clear , W an g Yan m an aged t o see it clear ly. H ow ever , a ch an ge in on e’s
eye color w h en t h ey r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou l w as ext r em ely com m on for sou l
m ast er s. W an g Yan also n ot iced t h e p r esen ce of t h e seem in gly-w eak w h it e sou l
r in g b elow h is feet , yet h e st ill w a sn ’t ab le t o t ell w h at H u o Yu h ao’s m ar t ial sou l
w as.
At t h at m om en t , t h e t h r ee agilit y syst em sou l m ast er s h ad a lr ead y m ad e t h eir

m ove. T h e t h r ee m oved in t h r ee d iffer en t d ir ect ion s, an d t h eir sp eed s w er e
var ied . T w o of t h em p ou n ced t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao, w h ile t h e t h ir d cir cled ar ou n d
h er in an at t em p t t o lau n ch a sn eak at t a ck on H u o Yu h ao. T h ey w er e r ela t ively
w ell-coor d in at ed .
Xiao Xiao’s gaze w as fixed on t h e ar ea in fr on t of h er fr om t h e b egin n in g—as

if sh e w as com p let ely ign or in g t h em . Sh e t h en r a ised h er h a n d s ab ove h er h ea d ,
m ak in g it look as if sh e w er e su p p or t in g t h e h eaven s. T h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh
Cau ld r on in st an t ly r ose u p an d sep ar at ed in t o t h r ee, w h ich sim u lt an eou sly flew
ou t t o m eet h er t h r ee op p on en t s.
A m in d -b low in g scen e occu r r ed . W it h ou t even u sin g h er eyes t o see w h at w as

goin g on , Xiao Xiao b lock ed t h e p at h s of t h e t h r ee agilit y syst em sou l m ast er s,
u sin g h er ca u ld r on t h at h ad sep ar at ed in t o t h r ee. T h e t h r ee agilit y syst em sou l
m ast er s w er e all a t t h e p in n acle of on e-r in ged sou l m ast er s; t h ey w er e all ar ou n d
Ran k 19. T h ey’d gon e all-ou t , so t h eir m ovem en t sp eed w as ext r em ely qu ick . As
a r esu lt of t h is, t h ey sim p ly w er en ’t ab le t o ch an ge t h eir m ovem en t s fast
en ou gh . T h u s, all t h r ee collid ed w it h t h e t h r ee cau ld r on s.
T h ey n at u r ally w er en ’t as st r on g as H u an g Ch u t ian , w h o p ossessed t h e

H er cu lean Ap e b ea st sou l. Aft er collid in g w it h t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh
Cau ld r on s, t h ey w er e im m ed iat ely sen t in t o a con fu sed st a t e. Fu r t h er m or e, an
even m or e sh ock in g scen e occu r r ed in t h e b ack of t h e ar en a.
Chapt er 20.1: The Body Soul's Secr et
Not on ly w as t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on q u ick , b u t it s a r r iva l w as

also r elat ively su d d en . T h u s, t h e t h r ee Agilit y Syst em So u l M ast er s w er en ’t ab le
t o u n leash t h eir sou l sk ills in t im e. It w as ap p ar en t t o ever yon e w at ch in g t h a t
Xiao Xiao w as alr ead y ext r aor d in ar y solely for b ein g ab le t o m u lt it ask t o t h is
d egr ee. It w as im p ossib le for h er t o st ill h ave en er gy left over t o u se a sou l sk ill at
t h e ap p r op r iat e t im e w h ile also con t r ollin g h er m ar t ia l sou l, w h ich h ad alr ead y
b een d ivid ed in t h r ee. Aft er all, h er op p on en t s w ou ld ar r ive at d iffer en t t im es
sin ce t h ey w er e ap p r oach in g h er at d iffer en t sp eed s.
As a r esu lt , Xiao Xiao sh ow ed t h e au d ien ce a sh ock in g scen e. T h r ee b an gs

r an g ou t fr om t h e cau ld r on s, u n leash in g t h r ee t r em or s in t h eir r esp ect ive
p laces.
It all h ap p en ed t h e m om en t t h ey collid ed w it h t h e Agilit y Syst em Sou l

M ast er s; t h e t h r ee Agilit y Syst em Sou l M ast er s w er e k n ock ed b ack fr om t h e
im p act , an d d ir ect ly fain t ed fr om t h e sh ock . T h ey d id n ’t h a ve t h e p h ysiqu e of
assau lt syst em b at t le sou l m ast er s, t h u s t h is p er iod of d izzin ess w as n at u r ally
even lon ger for t h em t h an w h at H u an g Ch u t ian h ad p r eviou sly exp er ien ced .
T h e cau ld r on s over t ook h er op p on en t s an d st r u ck t h em on ce m or e.
“Ban g, b an g, b an g.” T h e t h r ee cau ld r on s ap p r oach ed t h eir r esp ect ive

op p on en t s an d st r u ck t h em on ce again w it h p r ecision , cau sin g t h e t h r ee figu r es
t o fly ou t of t h e ar en a at t h e sam e t im e.
T h e t h r ee b lack cau ld r on s r ose u p an d m er ged b ack in t o a sin gle en t it y ab ove

Xiao Xiao’s h ead , t h en qu iet ly d isap p ear ed in t o t h in air follo w in g t h e r et r act ion
of h er m ar t ial sou l.
Ever yon e p r esen t fell ab solu t ely silen t . T h is m at ch w as even m or e sh ock in g

t h an t h e p r eviou s m at ch , w it h Xiao Xiao em er gin g v ict or iou s as t h e lead figu r e.
T h e en t ir e figh t h a d t ak en less t h an h alf a m in u t e. By r elyin g on h er ow n
st r en gt h alon e, sh e’d for cefu lly st u n n ed h er op p on en t s; sh e h ad n ’t even let
t h em d ash acr oss h a lf t h e b at t lefield . Sh e’d faced a t h r ee-d ir ect ion al b at t le an d
ob t ain ed t ot al vict or y in all t h r ee d ir ect io n s.
W an g Yan h a d seen all of t h e p r eviou s assessm en t s t h at H u o Yu h ao’s t eam

h ad p assed w it h h is ow n eyes. In h is h ear t , t h e st r on gest p er son in t h is t h r ee-
m an t eam w as n at u r ally W an g Don g, w h er eas t h e m ost m yst er iou s on e—w h o
w as also t h e st ead iest on e—w as H u o Yu h ao. Xiao Xiao’s t ool sou l seem ed t o b e
p r et t y good , b u t r ela t ively sp eak in g, it s fu n ct ion lean ed m or e t ow ar d s t h a t of a
p ar t -au xiliar y, p ar t -con t r ol syst em t ool sou l. Fr om h is p oin t of view , h er t ool
sou l fell b eh in d t h e ot h er t w o’s.
H ow ever , Xiao Xiao h ad u sed h er ow n st r en gt h t o p r ove t o W an g Yan t h at sh e

also p layed a d ecisively im p or t an t r ole in t h is t h r ee-m an t eam . A you n g lad y
t h at w as m er ely ar ou n d eleven year s old h ad act u ally b een ab le t o d iscer n all of
h er op p on en t s’ at t ack in g r ou t es w it h su ch calm n ess an d p r ecision , an d t h en
fr om t h er e h ad b een ab le t o u n leash a b ar r age of at t ack s. Even a fou r -r in ged
con t r ol syst em Sou l An cest or m igh t n ot n ecessar ily h ave b een ab le t o ach ieve
su ch a n at u r a l an d sm oot h m an n er of d efen se, con t r ol, an d r et r eat again st t h eir
op p on en t s. H ow w as it t h a t su ch a sm a ll you n g lad y su ch as h er w as ab le t o
accom p lish su ch a feat ?
T h e ot h er gr ou p s h a d or igin ally t h ou gh t t h at t h ey cou ld t ak e t ak e ad van t age

of t h e fact t h at H u o Yu h ao an d h is t eam h ad exh au st ed t h eir en er gy in t h eir fir st
m at ch , b u t n ow , t h at t h ou gh t com p let ely van ish ed fr om t h eir h ea r t s. T h eir
t eam h ad t w o p eop le w it h t h e st r en gt h t o figh t a w h ole t eam on t h eir ow n ! T h ey
w er e r eally t oo valia n t .
H ow ever , H u an g Ch u t ian ’s t eam —w h ose st r en gt h h a d b een la ck in g com p ar ed

t o H u o Yu h ao’s t ea m —w asn ’t n ear ly as for t u n at e. Even t h ou gh t h e Lan sist er s
h ad aw ok en fr om t h eir u n con sciou s st a t e, t h ey h ad a h ea d ach e t h a t w as so b ad
it felt as t h ou gh t h eir h ead s w er e goin g t o sp lit ap ar t . T h ey’d also con su m ed an
excessive am ou n t of sou l p ow er ; t o t h e p oin t t h at t h ey cou ld n ’t p ar t ak e in t h e
follow in g m at ch es an d h ad t o r ely on H u an g Ch u t ian alon e t o con t in u e
p ar t icip at in g in t h e com p et it ion .
H u an g Ch u t ian h a d p r eviou sly con su m ed a lar ge am ou n t of h is sou l p ow er ,

an d h ad also b een in ju r ed b y W an g Don g’s W in g Gu illot in e. M or eover , all t h r ee
of h is op p on en t s w ou ld b e com p let ely focu sed on h im if h e w er e t o face t h em
alon e. Even t h ou gh Xiao Xiao h ad also faced t h r ee op p on en t s alon e ju st n ow , t h e
ot h er p ar t y h ad b een d ist r act ed , cow er in g in fear w h en H u o Yu h ao st ood b eh in d
h er .
As a r esu lt of t h is, H u an g Ch u t ia n su ffer ed a t r aged y. Alt h ou gh h e p er sever ed

for a w h ile d u r in g t h e secon d m at ch of t h e com p et it ion , h e w as d efeat ed b y h is
op p on en t s in t h e en d . T h u s, h is t eam w as u t t er ly d efeat ed d u r in g t h e secon d
r ou n d .
Fr om H u o Yu h ao’s t h r ee-m an t eam ’s p oin t of view , t h e r est of t h e

com p et it ion h a d en t er ed a vir t u ou s cycle. No on e w as w illin g t o t o for cib ly
con fr on t t h em h ea d -t o-h ead in b at t le, an d w er e all d oin g t h eir u t m ost t o
p r eser ve t h eir st r en gt h w h en con t en d in g again st t h em so t h at t h ey cou ld d eal
w it h t h e o t h er s. On e cou ld say t h at H u o Yu h ao’s t eam w on t h e n ext t h r ee
r ou n d s w it h an ab n or m al level ease. T h is w as esp ecia lly t h e case d u r in g t h e
fou r t h m at ch , w h en W an g Don g h ad m an aged t o com p let ely r ecover h is sou l
p ow er . W it h b ot h h im an d Xiao Xiao st an d in g in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao, t h eir
op p on en t s h ad on ly sym b olically con fr on t ed t h em for aw h ile b efor e con ced in g.
In t h e en d , H u o Yu h ao’s t eam —r ep r esen t in g Fr esh m an Class 1—em er ged

vict or iou s fr om all t en m at ch es of t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t , ob t ain in g t h e
b est scor e in t h eir gr ou p .
H u an g Ch u t ian ’s t eam h ad a st r on g fou n d at ion as w ell. Aft er losin g t w o

m at ch es con secu t ively, t h e Lan sist er s h ad r ecover ed a lit t le. T h ey m an aged t o
r eap p ear on t h e scen e on ce m or e, w h ile H u an g Ch u t ian d isp layed h is valian t
st r en gt h again . T h ey w er e ab le t o w in t h eir last t h r ee m a t ch es con secu t ively b y
d ir ect ly con fr on t in g t h eir op p on en t s, w h o’d alr ead y exh au st ed a lot of t h eir
en er gy fr om t h eir p r eviou s m at ch es. As a r esu lt of t h at , t h ey w on seven ou t of
t h eir t en m at ch es in t h e en d . As su ch , en t er in g t h e t op sixt y-fou r t eam s
sh ou ld n ’t b e t h at gr eat of a p r ob lem for t h em .
W h en t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t en d ed , W an g Yan fin ally cou ld n ’t

su p p r ess h is cu r iosit y an ym or e.
“H u o Yu h ao, you t h r ee st ay b eh in d for a b it .” T h e ot h er t eam s h ead ed b ack t o

r est , b u t W an g Yan h eld H u o Yu h ao’s t h r ee-m an t eam b ack .
“T each er W an g.” H u o Yu h ao ar r ived in fr on t of W an g Yan .
W an g Yan n od d ed in h is d ir ect ion , sm iled , t h en said , “Con gr at u la t ion s t o all

of you for w in n in g all of you r m at ch es in t h e fr esh m an assessm en t ’s r ou n d -
r ob in t ou r n am en t . I’m afr aid t h a t less t h an t en t eam s w er e ab le t o ob t ain su ch
r esu lt s d u r in g t h is fr esh m an assessm en t . You gu ys ar e t r u ly ver y st r on g.
H ow ever , I’ve alw a ys b een ver y cu r iou s ab ou t you , H u o Yu h ao. Bein g you r
t eam ’s lead er , w h a t exact ly is you r m ar t ial sou l? Even t h ou gh I w asn ’t ab le t o
see you d o m u ch d u r in g you r b at t les, I b elieve t h at you ’r e t h e cor e of t h is t eam .
I’m r igh t ab ou t t h is, ar en ’t I?”
H u o Yu h ao w en t b lan k for a m om en t , an d t h en , feelin g sligh t ly b ash fu l, said ,

“ T each er W an g, you flat t er m e. W e w er e ab le t o ob t ain su ch good r esu lt s all
t h an k s t o W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao’s p ow er fu ln ess. I’m on ly a su p p or t in g
ch ar act er com p ar ed t o t h em b ecau se, a s you can see, I on ly h ave a sin gle t en
year sou l r in g.”
W an g Yan lau gh ed fain t ly an d said , “You d on ’t n eed t o b e m od est . If you

w er en ’t t h at p ow er fu l, I d on ’t b elieve t h at su ch t alen t ed in d ivid u als as W a n g
Don g an d Xiao Xiao w ou ld b e w illin g t o let you b e t h e t eam lead er . M or eover , I
also in vest igat ed you r p er for m an ce a t t h e Acad em y d u r in g t h ese p ast t h r ee
m on t h s. Do you k n ow w h at st u d en t s call you ?”
H u o Yu h ao w en t b la n k for a m om en t , t h en sh ook h is h ead .

W an g Yan con t in u ed , “All of t h em call you ‘Ir on -w illed Yu h ao’ b ecau se you
h ave a w illp ow er ak in t o t h at of st eel. You r in n at e t alen t is t h e w eak est , b u t you
ar e t h e m ost h ar d w or k in g. T h at ’s w h at m ak es you t h e r ole m od el of Fr esh m an
Class 1. H ow ever , I d id n ’t ask ar ou n d ab ou t you r m ar t ial sou l b ecau se I w an t ed
t o p er son ally see w h at you r m ar t ial sou l an d sou l sk ill w as for m yself, t o p r ove
m y ow n ab ilit ies. H o w ever , I’ve n o ch oice b u t t o ad m it t h at I’ve lost ; I cou ld n ’t
t ell w h at you r m ar t ial sou l w as fr om t h e b egin n in g of t h e com p et it ion t o t h e
en d , an d I also w asn ’t ab le t o fin d ou t w h at sou l sk ill you w er e u sin g. I saw t h at
w h it e t en year sou l r in g of you r s ligh t u p ever y sin gle m at ch , b u t I ju st cou ld n ’t
seem t o m ak e ou t w h at t h e effect of you r sou l sk ill w er e. Ca n you clear u p m y
con fu sion for m e?”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “T each er W an g, m y m ar t ial sou l is t h e Sp ir it Eyes, an d

it ’s classified as a m en t al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l. As for m y sou l sk ill, p lease let m e
k eep it a secr et . Aft er all, w e st ill n eed t o con t in u e p a r t icip at in g in t h e
assessm en t .” H is m ar t ial sou l w asn ’t t h a t b ig of a secr et w it h in t h e Acad em y, as
t h er e w er e m an y p eop le w h o k n ew abou t it . If t h is T each er W an g sin cer ely
w an t ed t o fin d ou t , t h en h e cou ld d efin it ely d o so, yet w h y sh ou ld h e b e so
p et t y? As for h is sou l sk ill, h e w asn ’t w illin g t o r eveal it .
“Sp ir it Eyes? You r m ar t ial sou l is you r eyes?” W an g Yan ’s r esp on se w as even
gr eat er t h a n H u o Yu h ao cou ld ’ve im agin ed . Aft er h ear in g H u o Yu h ao’s
exp lan at ion , h e w as so excit ed t h at h e alm ost ju m p ed u p . H e look ed at H u o
Yu h ao w it h a face fu ll of excit em en t .
H u o Yu h ao st ar ed b lan k ly an d ask ed , “T each er W an g, w h at ’s com e over

you ?”
W an g Yan gr ab b ed ah old of H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er s w it h b ot h of h is h an d s

an d said , “An sw er m e fir st . Is you r m ar t ial sou l you r eyes?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed a n d said , “Yes!”
W an g Yan in h aled d eep ly, t h en in t er r ogat ed h im fu r t h er w it h a n er vou s

exp r ession on h is face. “T h en , d o you b elon g t o t h e Bod y Sect ?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead , feelin g lost , “T h e Bod y Sect ? T each er W an g, I

h aven ’t h ear d of t h em b efor e.”
A h in t of ecst asy b lossom ed in W an g Ya n ’s eyes. H e r elea sed h is gr ip on H u o

Yu h ao an d sa id , “W on d er fu l! T h is is t r u ly w on d er fu l! H ah a, I n ever w ou ld ’ve
t h ou gh t t h at ou r Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld ob t ain su ch a gr eat b ar gain . No
w on d er … No w on d er you r r ole is en or m ou s, even t h ou gh you on ly h ave a t en
year sou l r in g. As it t u r n s ou t , you act u ally h ave a b od y sou l. It r eally is a p it y. If
you ’d en t er ed t h e Acad em y ear lier , I w ou ld ’ve h elp ed you ob t ain a sou l r in g at
t h e lim it of w h at you cou ld ab sor b for you r fir st sou l r in g, n o m at t er w h a t !”
Look in g at t h e sligh t ly m yst er iou s W an g Yan w h o w as ch at t er in g aw ay, H u o

Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t t u r n ar ou n d an d look at W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao. H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad alr ead y en cou n t er ed t h e u n r eason ab le Evil Fir e
Ph oen ix n am ed M a Xiaot ao b efor e. T each er W an g h ad b een p r et t y n or m al w h en
t h ey m et h im t w o d ays ago! H ow com e h e’d su d d en ly ch a n ged ? H u o Yu h ao
cou ld n ’t h elp b u t r ecall t h e w or d s t h at T each er Xiao Ya an d h is eld est sen ior
b r ot h er h ad said a ft er w it n essin g t h e p r esen t scen e. T h er e w er en ’t m an y
m on st er st u d en t s in Sh r ek Acad em y, b u t t h er e w er e d efin it ely m an y m on st er
t each er s.
W an g Yan in h aled d eep ly, calm in g t h e a st on ish m en t an d joy in h is h ea r t . H e

t h en said , “Alr igh t . H u o Yu h ao, you gu ys h ead b ack an d r est fir st . I’ll com e an d
look for you again lat er on .” Aft er h e fin ish ed sp eak in g, h e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d
h ast ily left .
Look in g at h is leavin g figu r e, Xiao Xiao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask in a low voice,
“It can ’t b e t h at T each er W an g is m en t al, r igh t ?”
H u o Yu h ao fr ow n ed an d r ep lied , “Don ’t t alk ab ou t T each er W an g lik e t h at .”
W an g Don g w en t u p t o H u o Yu h ao’s sid e an d said , “H e m u st ’ve lost h is

com p osu r e d u e t o you r b od y sou l. I t h in k I’ve also h ear d t h at p eop le w h o
p ossess b od y sou ls a r e ext r em ely r ar e, b u t I’ve n ever h ear d of som et h in g called
t h e ‘Bod y Sect ’ b efor e.”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead an d sm iled . “For get it . I r eck on t h at T each er W a n g

w ill st ill com e an d fin d m e again in t h e fu t u r e. Sh o u ld n ’t w e celeb r at e ou r t ot al
vict or y? I’ll t r eat you gu ys t o som et h in g good at t h e d in in g h all.”
Xiao Xiao w as eager t o eat , as sh e im m ed iat ely r evealed h er d esir e t o ea t

som et h in g. “For get ab ou t t h e d in in g h a ll. Class m on it or , I st ill h aven ’t t r ied
you r r oast ed fish . N o m at t er w h at you say, you h ave t o sat isfy t h is sm all w ish of
m in e t od ay.”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led an d said , “No p r ob lem . It ’s st ill ear ly. Let ’s r et u r n t o ou r

d or m it or ies an d r est for aw h ile fir st ; w e’ll m eet at t h e d or m it or y’s gat e lat er
t on igh t . T h er e sh ou ld n ’t b e an yt h in g im p or t an t t om or r ow . In an y case, let ’s
r est an d r eor gan ise ou r selves b efor e b efor e t h e st ar t of t h e elim in at ion
m at ch es.”
T h e t h r ee of t h em r et u r n ed t o t h e d or m it or y t oget h er . Xiao Xiao w en t
u p st air s t o t h e gir ls’ d or m it or y—t h e ar ea t h at w as ab solu t ely r est r ict ed t o t h e
m ale st u d en t s.
H u o Yu h ao follow ed W an g Don g b ack t o t h e d or m it or y. H ow ever , h e d id n ’t

exp ect W an g Don g t o look as t h ou gh h e h ad a lot on h is m in d .
“W h at ’s u p ? W an g Don g, w h at ’r e you t h in k in g ab ou t ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed

W an g Don g, w h o w as cu r r en t ly sit t in g on h is b ed .
W an g Don g m u t t er ed ir r esolu t ely t o h im self, sayin g, “Yu h ao, I’m t h in k in g

ab ou t w h at h ap p en ed d u r in g ou r fir st m at ch t od ay. No m at t er w h at w ay I t h in k
ab ou t it , I st ill feel t h at som et h in g isn ’t r igh t . Even t h ou gh t h e p ow er of m y
t h ou san d year sou l r in g sk ill is ext r em ely st r on g, t h e ot h er p ar t y w as u sin g a
m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill! I cou ld feel t h at you focu sed you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion
Sh ar in g an d d et ect ed t h e in n er p ar t of t h eir sou l sk ill, b u t it w asn ’t t o sh ar e it
w it h m e. Im m ed iat ely aft er you d id t h a t , t h eir so u l sk ill w as d efeat ed . W h at
exact ly d id you d o?”
H e r aised h is h ead as h e sp ok e an d look ed at H u o Yu h ao w it h a b u r n in g gaze.
H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t leap t . H e k n ew t h at it w ou ld b e sligh t ly d ifficu lt if h e

w an t ed t o k eep t h in gs fr om W an g Don g. W an g Don g w as d iffer en t fr om
T each er W an g Yan ; t h ey b ot h sh ar ed a d or m it or y, an d h ad also cu lt ivat ed
t oget h er for su ch a lon g t im e. W an g Don g u n d er st ood h im ver y w ell. If h e
fab r icat ed a lie, p er h ap s h e m igh t b e ab le t o b lu ff h is w ay ou t of it , b u t W an g
Don g w ou ld d efin it ely h old a gr u d ge again st h im for d oin g so.
As a r esu lt of t h is, H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t r ep ly at fir st , in st ead sin k in g in t o

h esit at ion an d d eep t h ou gh t .
It w as d efin it ely im p ossib le for h im t o t ell t h e t r u t h . T h e exist en ce of t h e

m illion year sou l b ea st , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , w as t oo m in d -b low in g. It w ou ld
affect on e in u n im a gin ab le w ays r egar d less of w h o t h at p er son w as. If h e t old
W an g Don g t h e t r u t h , h e m igh t on ly b e h ar m in g h im . H ow ever , w h at w as h e t o
d o if h e cou ld n ’t t ell h im t h e t r u t h ?
Su d d en ly, t h e w or d s ‘b od y sou l’ flash ed t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s m in d . H is eyes

sh on e, r evealin g t h a t t h e fact t h at h e’d com e u p w it h an id ea.
“W an g Don g.” H u o Yu h ao r aised h is h ea d on ce m or e. T h er e w as a som ew h at

ser iou s gaze in h is eyes com p ar ed t o n or m al.
W an g Don g h ad n ever seen H u o Yu h ao look t h is w ay b efor e, an d im m ed iat ely

st ar ed at h im w h ile sayin g, “Cou ld it b e t h at you r eally h ave som e k in d of t r u m p
car d ?”
H avin g W an g Don g look h im st r a igh t in t h e eye, H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t

h ave h is m in d go b la n k for a m om en t , as W an g Don g’s eyes w er e r eally ju st t oo
b eau t ifu l. H is lon g eyelash es cu r led u p w ar d s, an d t h e w h it es of h is eyes p eek ed
ou t fr om t h e ed ges of h is jet -b lack eyes. T h at cu r iou s look in h is eyes m ad e t h ose
lar ge p air of eyes seem as t h ou gh t h ey cou ld sp eak .
H u o Yu h ao secr et ly let ou t a sigh in h is h ear t . No w on d er t h ose gir ls w er e

cap t ivat ed b y h im . H e r eally w as ext r em ely good -look in g!
H u o Yu h ao low er ed h is voice an d said , “I w ou ld n ’t say t h at it 's a t r u m p ca r d .

You cou ld say t h at t h is is a secr et of b od y sou ls. I d iscover ed it n ot t oo lon g ago.”
W an g Don g w as ast on ish ed . H e im m ed iat ely ask ed , “T h e b od y sou l’s secr et ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “You m en t ion ed you r self t h at b od y sou ls a r e

ext r em ely r ar e w h en w e r et u r n ed ju st n ow . T h e r ealit y of t h e m at t er is exact ly
t h at . M or eover , ou r b od y sou ls r eally d o h ave a few u n iq u e ar eas. Sin ce
cu lt ivat in g t h e T an g Sect ’s Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, I r ealised t h at m y Sp ir it Eyes
h ad d efin it ely st ar t ed t o m u t at e again . W h en I focu s m y fir st sou l sk ill—
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g—in a p ar t icu lar d ir ect ion , I can gen er at e a sp ir it u al
at t ack if I focu s m y sp ir it u al for ce in t o a sin gle p oin t an d st r ik e ou t w it h it . I
t r ied it ou t again st a few sm all an im als in t h e Acad em y, an d it w as r eally
effect ive. I d ecid ed t o t est it ou t in b at t le t od ay b ecau se I’d b een b ack ed in t o a
r eally t igh t cor n er , b u t I d id n ’t k n ow t h at it w ou ld act u a lly b e so effect ive.
M ayb e… Lan Su su an d Lan Lu olu o w er e act u ally fin d in g it ext r em ely d ifficu lt t o
u se t h eir m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill, an d at t h e sam e t im e, t h ey w er e also b ein g
r est r ict ed b y you r t h ou san d year sou l sk ill. Per h ap s t h ey on ly collap sed aft er t h e
su d d en sp ir it u al for ce at t ack fr om m y Pu r p le Dem on Eyes com b in ed w it h t h e
accu m u lat ion of all of t h ese fact or s. H ow ever , I sh ou ld n 't h ave h ad an yt h in g t o
d o w it h t h em losin g con sciou sn ess. H ave you for got t en w h at t h e t each er said
b efor e in class? Not on ly d oes a m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill con su m e a lot of en er gy,
b u t it s u ser s w ill n o r m ally b e su b ject ed t o a r eb ou n d . T h e m or e p ow er fu l t h e
fu sion sk ill is, t h e gr eat er t h e r eb ou n d . I’m afr aid t h at even t h e ligh t est r eb ou n d
w ou ld cau se it s u ser s t o b ecom e ext r em ely w eak . Sin ce t h ey u sed t h eir fu sion
sk ill t od ay, I r eck on t h at t h ey can ’t u se it again for a p er iod of t im e, t oo.
W an g Don g w id en ed h is eyes. “W h at you ’r e sayin g is t h a t you r m ar t ial so u l

w as in flu en ced b y t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, an d t h at you w er e act u ally ab le t o
u n leash a sp ir it u al at t ack sim ila r t o t h a t fr om a sou l sk ill?”
H u o Yu h ao p laced a fin ger t o h is lip s. “Keep you r voice d ow n , lest ot h er

p eop le fin d ou t ab ou t t h is. I’ve ju st t old you m y b iggest secr et .”
Fr om a cer t ain st an d p oin t , H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t lyin g. Of cou r se, t h at w asn ’t

t h e en t ir e t r u t h , b ecau se in all h on est y, a m at t er lik e t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m
w ou ld b e t oo sh ock in g. Now t h at h e’d fou n d a su it ab le exp lan at ion for h is Sp ir it
Sh ock , H u o Yu h ao h eaved a sigh of r elief. H e k n ew t h at h e’d st ill h ave t o face
m an y d iffer en t exam in at ion s alon g w it h h is st u d ies in Sh r ek Acad em y, an d in
or d er t o face t h ese exam in at ion s, h e ab solu t ely cou ld n ’t affor d t o con ceal h is
Sp ir it Sh ock . Even so, h e’d h ave t o fin d a n exp lan at ion for it soon er or lat er , an d
t h e t h eor y t h a t h e’d ju st given t o W an g Don g seem ed t o b e r at h er su it ab le.
W an g Don g h ad a look of sh ock on h is face as h e look ed at H u o Yu h ao. “A

b od y sou l is act u ally so aw esom e? It can even sp on t an eou sly evolve an d cr eat e a
sk ill.”
H u o Yu h ao scr at ch ed h is h ead an d said , “T h is isn ’t an yt h in g sp ecial. You r

Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess n at u r ally p ossesses t h e ab ilit y t o fly, r igh t ? T h e
alt it u d e of you r fligh t w ill also in cr ea se as you r cu lt iva t ion in cr eases. T h is k in d
of in n at e ab ilit y ou gh t t o b e con sid er ed as you r m ar t ial sou l’s n at u r al
ch ar act er ist ic.”
Aft er p on d er in g w h a t H u o Yu h ao h ad said for a m om en t , W a n g Don g r ep lied ,

“Nop e, it ’s n ot t h e sam e. You ’r e r igh t , t h e in n at e ab ilit y of m y Rad ian t Bu t t er fly
God d ess is flyin g. Bu t t h at sp ir it u al at t ack of you r s isn ’t an in n at e ab ilit y, sin ce
it ap p ear ed t h r ou gh t h e evolu t ion of t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes. M ean in g, you r
Sp ir it Eyes h as t h e n at u r al ab ilit y t o evolve as a m u t at in g b od y sou l. T h is is
som et h in g t h at m y Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess ca n n ever com p ar e t o. M ayb e
som e ot h er k in d of sk ill w ill em er ge in t h e fu t u r e w h en t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes
evolve again .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led sh eep ish ly an d sa id , “Act u ally, it ’s n ot an y k in d of sk ill
eit h er . A m or e accu r at e in t er p r et at ion sh ou ld b e t h at t h e Sp ir it Eyes is
con t in u ou sly in cr easin g m y sp ir it u al for ce. On t h e ot h er h an d , I fou n d a u se for
it aft er r eleasin g m y sp ir it u al for ce t h r ou gh m y Sp ir it Eyes w it h t h e a ssist an ce of
t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes.”
W an g Don g n od d ed an d said , “I u n d er st an d w h at you m ean w h en you p u t it

t h is w ay. It ’s ju st lik e h ow I p u r ify or com p r ess m y sou l p ow er t o at t ack an d
d efen d . T h e on ly d iffer en ce b et w een m in e an d you r s is t h at you r sp ir it u al for ce
is for m less, so it ’s even m or e d ifficu lt t o d et ect it w h en you u se it . I n ever
t h ou gh t t h at t h er e w ou ld b e su ch a clever w ay t o u se sou l p ow er .”
W h en t h e d ou b t s in h is h ear t h ad b een an sw er ed , t h er e w as a som ew h at

r elieved exp r ession in W an g Don g’s b eau t ifu lly b ig eyes. H ow ever , h e q u ick ly
b ecam e ext r em ely excit ed again . “Yu h ao, t h e m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill t h a t t h ose
t w in s u sed w as r eally p ow er fu l. I’m afr aid t h at w e w ou ld ’ve lost t od ay even if
w e’d h ad t h r ee sou l r in gs! Even t h ou gh a fu sion sk ill can ’t last lon g, it ’s st ill
im m en sely p ow er fu l, an d h as an ext r em ely p ow er fu l exp losive for ce. It can b e
said t o b e t h e t op -r a n k ed sk ill for u s Sou l M ast er s. T h eir sou l p ow er is goin g t o
get even st r on ger in t h e fu t u r e, r igh t ? If t h ey can su st ain t h eir fu sion sk ill for an
even lon ger p er iod of t im e, t h en it w ill d efin it ely b e ext r em ely d ifficu lt for
an yon e of t h e sam e r an k t o con t en d again st t h em . It ’d b e good if w e cou ld also
h ave t h is k in d of sk ill.”
H u o Yu h ao b u r st in t o lau gh t er an d sa id , “St op d r eam in g, h ow cou ld su ch a

good t h in g h ap p en t o u s? I st ill r eca ll t h at t each er said t h at t h e com p at ib ilit y of
on e’s m ar t ial sou ls n eed s t o b e ext r em ely h igh b efor e it w ill b e p ossib le for a
m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill t o ap p ear . T h e p ossib ilit y of it h ap p en in g is so slim t h at
n ot even a sin gle on e w ill ap p ear am on g t h ou san d s. If an d w h en t w o p eop le’s
m ar t ial sou ls ar e h igh ly com p at ib le, t h er e w ill b e a r eact ion b et w een b ot h
p ar t ies. W e’ve lived t oget h er for t h r ee m on t h s alr ead y, yet h ave you h ad an y
feelin gs of com p at ib ilit y w it h m e b efor e? In an y case, I h aven ’t felt an yt h in g.”
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t exp ect W an g Don g t o low er h is h ea d as h e sp ok e, as t h ou gh
h e w as m u llin g over som et h in g. M or eover , h is face h ad b ecom e sligh t ly flu sh ed .
“W h at ’s w r on g?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed , p u zzled .
W an g Don g seem ed t o h ave m ad e u p h is m in d w h en h e r aised h is h ead . T h er e

w as a som ew h at st r an ge look in h is eyes as h e look ed at t en t ively at H u o Yu h ao,
an d b egan t o sp eak in a ser iou s t on e. “Sin ce you ’ve t old m e t h e secr et of you r
b od y sou l, t h en it ’s n ot r igh t if I con ceal t h e t r u t h an y lon ger . T h e t r u t h is, I’ve
alw ays b een con cealin g m y ab ilit y, as w ell as m y au r a, t o som e ext en t .”
“Ah ?” It w as H u o Yu h ao’s t u r n t o b e su r p r ised . W an g Don g’s st r en gt h sp ok e

for it self. H e’d alr ead y am p ly d isp layed t h e st r en gt h of h is m ar t ial sou l—t h e
Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess—d u r in g t h e fr esh m an exam in at ion . W an g Don g h ad
on ly u sed h is secon d sou l sk ill on ce d u r in g t h e t en m at ch es, b u t even t h en , n o
on e h ad b een ab le t o see w h at exact ly it h ad look ed lik e. Yet , h e w as n ow sayin g
t h at h e act u ally st ill h ad a con cealed ab ilit y. H ow cou ld H u o Yu h ao n ot b e
sh ock ed at t h is?
W an g Don g con t in u ed , “Alt h ou gh you can n ot sen se t h e au r a on m e, w h en I

r eceived t h a t Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g of you r s for t h e fir st t im e, I cou ld
alr ead y feel t h at you r au r a w as ext r em ely close t o m in e. T h e r eason t h at m y
au r a d oesn ’t ext en d ou t w ar d s b eyon d t h e scop e of m y b od y is b ecau se it ’s
r est r ict ed b y an ot h er p ow er of m in e. You ’ll on ly b e ab le t o sen se t h e exist en ce of
m y au r a w it h close b od ily con t act . Do you w an t t o t r y it ou t ?”
“Close b od ily con t act ? H ow d o you w an t t o get close?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed in a

d im -w it t ed m an n er .
W an g Don g su d d en ly b ecam e exasp er at ed . “St u p id , isn ’t it fin e t o ju st h u g

each ot h er for aw h ile?”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led an d said , “Is t h at so! You sh ou ld ’ve ju st said so. Do I

n eed t o u n d r ess?”
“No!” W an g Don g gave H u o Yu h ao a sh ock .
H u o Yu h ao la u gh ed an d said , “T h en com e on .” H e w illin gly sp r ead h is ar m s

ou t w id e as h e sp ok e, w alk in g t ow ar d s W an g Don g for a h u g.
W an g Don g, on t h e ot h er h an d , w as sligh t ly d azed w h en h e saw H u o Yu h ao

get t in g closer an d closer t o h im . H e d id n ’t h ave H u o Yu h ao’s w illin gn ess, w h ich
in t u r n ca u sed h is b od y t o u n con sciou sly t en se u p . H is w h ole b ein g seem ed t o
h ave en t er ed an esp ecially r igid st at e.
H u o Yu h ao h u gged W an g Don g in a ver y n at u r al m an n er . Fr om h is p oin t of

view , it w as a h u g b et w een fr ien d s. W asn ’t t h is ver y n or m al? Bu t , w h en h e
r eally h u gged W a n g Don g, t h e feelin g ch an ged sligh t ly.
H e su d d en ly r em em b er ed t h at t h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at t h ey’d b een so

in t im a t ely in con t act w it h on e an ot h er , m ak in g h im su d d en ly r ecall t h e t im e
w h en h e’d seen W an g Don g’s figu r e fr om b eh in d on ce m or e.
H e’d or igin ally t h ou gh t t h at W an g Don g’s b od y w ou ld b e as m u scu lar an d

st u r d y as h is. Aft er all, t h ey w er e b ot h Sou l M ast er s w h o p ain st ak in gly t r ain ed
t h eir b od ies an d cu lt ivat ed t h eir sou l p ow er ever yd ay.
H ow ever , w h en h e h u gged W an g Don g, it w as com p let ely d iffer en t fr om w h at

h e’d im agin ed . Even t h ou gh W an g Don g’s b od y w as elast ic t o t h e t ou ch , it w as
also ext r em ely soft ; t h e k in d of soft n ess t h at m ad e h im feel as t h ou gh h e h ad n o
b on es. M or eover , h e also h ad a fain t fr agr an t sm ell on h im . T h ey w er e ab ou t t h e
sam e h eigh t , so w h en H u o Yu h ao h u gged W an g Don g, h is face w as t o t h e sid e of
W an g Don g’s n eck . W h en h is ch in r u b b ed again st W an g Don g’s slen d er n eck ,
t h e sm oot h an d sleek feelin g m ad e h is m in d t r em b le sligh t ly.
H u o Yu h ao r eally w an t ed t o let ou t a sigh , b u t h e felt t h a t som et h in g w as

w r on g. H ow ever , at h is age, h is k n ow led ge in cer t ain ar eas w as st ill
in su b st a n t ial, an d t h u s h e d id n ’t t h in k t oo m u ch of it . H e on ly felt t h at h u ggin g
W an g Don g w as m u ch m or e com for t ab le t h an h e’d im agin ed it w ou ld b e.
“H ow d oes it feel?” W an g Don g p r act ically m u m b led . H e d id n ’t p u t h is h an d
on H u o Yu h ao’s b ack an d h u g h im t h e sam e w ay; r at h er , h e on ly let H u o Yu h ao
h u g h im . T h e feelin g t h at h e h ad w as also d iffer en t fr om w h at H u o Yu h ao felt .
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as ver y st u r d y, an d h e a lso h ad a h ea vily m ascu lin e scen t
t h at w as accom p an ied b y t h e fain t scen t of sw eat t h at you n gst er s h a d . Su ch an
exp er ien ce m ad e W a n g Don g b lu sh d eep ly.
“It ’s p r et t y good . Ver y com for t ab le.” H u o Yu h ao su b con sciou sly an sw er ed ,

b ased on w h at h e felt .
W an g Don g w en t b lan k for a m om en t , b u t h is exp r ession im m ed ia t ely

b ecam e on e of an ger aft er a m om en t . “St u p id , d id I let you h u g m e so t h at you
cou ld feel com for t ab le? I w as let t in g you feel t h e au r a of m y m ar t ial sou l!”
“Uh … I for got . I’ll t r y h u ggin g you again .” H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt

som ew h at em b ar r assed , b u t h e im m ed iat ely h u gged W an g Don g even t igh t er .
W h en W an g Don g w as h u gged w it h even m or e st r en gt h , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t

let ou t a ligh t gr oan . H e w an t ed t o p u sh h im aw ay, b u t h e st ill d ecid ed t o en d u r e
it . W it h h is h an d s r elu ct an t ly gr ab b in g H u o Yu h ao’s clo t h es a n d h is lip s t igh t ly
sh u t , h e r eally look ed as if h e’d su ffer ed a lar ge gr ievan ce.
H u o Yu h ao slow ly gat h er ed h is sou l p o w er w h ile con scien t iou sly p er ceiv in g

W an g Don g’s au r a, bu t t h e fir st t h in g h e sm elled aft er h u ggin g W an g Don g w as
t h e st r on g fr agr an ce t h at cam e off h is b od y. W an g Don g’s b od y felt som ew h at
fir m , b u t it w as st ill ext r em ely soft .
Gr ad u ally, H u o Yu h ao felt t h e u n d u lat ion s of W an g Don g’s au r a; it w as a

st r on g, r ad ian t au r a t h at felt com for t ab ly w ar m . As it st im u lat ed h is sou l p ow er
t o slow ly cir cu lat e ar ou n d W an g Don g’s b od y, it cau sed an in d escr ib ab ly
com for t ab le feelin g. W h at m ad e h im even m or e ast on ish ed w as t h e fact t h a t an
even st r on ger au r a of life h ad gr ad u ally ap p ear ed in t h e m id st of t h e r ad ian t
au r a.
W an g Don g’s au r a u n exp ect ed ly t r an sfor m ed t h r ee t im es in a r ow , b u t ever y

ch an ge m ad e h im feel even m or e in t im a t e w it h W an g Don g. W h en h e felt t h e
fin al t r an sfor m a t ion in W an g Don g’s au r a , h is sou l p ow er su r p r isin gly st ar t ed t o
cir cu la t e alon g t h e cir cu lat ion p at h s of t h e M yst er iou s H ea ven T ech n iqu e.
T h is, t h is w a s...
H u o Yu h ao gr ad u ally w id en ed h is eyes; W an g Don g w as sim ilar ly ast on ish ed .

Aft er H u o Yu h ao h u gged h im , a gold en st r eam slow ly ap p ear ed on t h e su r face of
h is sk in . T h en , it slow ly t u r n ed a b lu ish -gold colou r b efor e t u r n in g d ar k -gold .
T h e colou r of t h e ligh t ch an ged t h r ee t im es; t h is w as also a st r an ge
u n d u lat ion t h at H u o Yu h ao felt aft er h is a u r a t r an sfor m ed .
In t h e en d , W an g Don g w as st ill m or e exp er ien ced t h an H u o Yu h ao. H u o

Yu h ao silen t ly sen sed t h e au r a on W an g Don g’s b od y, w h ile W an g Don g
ob ser ved ever yt h in g on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. H e d iscover ed t h at a ligh t h ad
st ar t ed t o ap p ear on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. Fir st , it w as a d im , w h it e st r eam t h at
w as soft an d p r ofou n d , an d even h a d a d iver se feelin g t o it . W h en h is a u r a cam e
in t o con t act w it h t h is w h it e au r a, an in d escr ib ab le sen se of cozin ess
u n exp ect ed ly ap p ear ed . H u o Yu h ao’s au r a seem ed t o b e vir t u ou s, an d
h ar m on ized p er fect ly w it h h is ow n au r a.
Follow in g t h at , t h e au r a on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y b egan t o t r an sfor m . H is soft

an d p r ofou n d au r a gr ad u ally t u r n ed ch illy, an d a fain t ch illin ess ap p ear ed on h is
b od y. H ow ever , t h a t ch illin ess also felt as if it w er e filled w it h an en d less
am ou n t of life; it m er ged p er fect ly w it h t h e au r a of life on W an g Don g’s b od y.
Alt h ou gh on e w as a n au r a of life w as on e t h at b elon ged t o t h e n at u r al w or ld ,
w h ile t h e ot h er w as an in exh au st ib le am ou n t of life t h at cam e fr om t h e d esolat e
cold of an cien t t im es, t h e en d less u n d u lat ion s of life t h a t t h ey sh ar ed a llow ed
t h e t w o au r as t o com b in e w it h each ot h er , fu r t h er h a r m on izin g t h em .
W h en t h e st r eam su r r ou n d in g W an g Don g’s b od y fin ally t u r n ed d ar k -gold ,

t h e au r a on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y ch an ged fr om an icy-b lu e colou r t o an in sip id
gr ey on e.
T h is gr ey w as ver y, ver y d u ll. H ow ever , t o W an g Don g’s ast on ish m en t , t h e

p r ofu n d it y an d st ab ilit y t h at cam e fr om t h e st r eam of gr ey su r p assed even t h e
d ar k -gold on h is b od y.
Yes, t h e au r a on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y h ad exp ect ed ly t r an sfor m ed t h r ee t im es in

a r ow as w ell. Fu r t h er m or e, it fu sed p er fect ly w it h W an g Don g’s au r a each t im e
it t r a n sfor m ed .
Gr ad u ally, W an g Don g’s h an d s, w h ich w er e h old in g on t o H u o Yu h ao’s

clot h es, st ar t ed t o r ise u p w ar d s, h u ggin g h im as w ell. At t h is m om en t , t h er e
w er e n o d ist r act in g t h ou gh t s in t h eir m in d s; t h ey w er e com p let ely im m er sed in
t h e w on d er fu l feelin g cau sed b y t h e ch an ges in t h eir r esp ect iv e au r as.
T h e t h r ee d iffer en t au r as var ied u n ceasin gly, w h ile t h e sou l p ow er in t h eir

b od ies st ar t ed t o cir cu lat e. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e cir cu la t ion sp eed of t h eir sou l
p ow er b ecam e in cr easin gly fast er as t im e p assed , w h ile t h e sp eed at w h ich t h e
t h r ee au r as alt er n at ed con t in u ou sly in cr eased .
T h e d iffer en t ly-colo u r ed st r eam s t h at u n ceasin gly su r r ou n d ed t h e t w o w er e

fain t ly d iscer n ib le; in r ealit y, t h ey w er e ver y ligh t in colou r , so on ly t h e t w o of
t h em cou ld clear ly sen se t h eir au r as.
At t h is m om en t , t h e t w o d id n ’t u n d er st an d w h a t t h is st at e t r u ly m ean t t o
t h em , b u t t h ey t ook ad van t age of t h e op p or t u n it y t h at h a d p r esen t ed it self an d
calm ly h u gged each ot h er , silen t ly p er ceivin g t h is w on d er fu l an d in cr easin gly
r elaxin g feelin g.
Regar d less of w h et h er it w a s H u o Yu h ao or W an g Don g, t h e t w o of t h em felt

as if t h e ot h er p ar t y h ad m er ged in t o t h eir b od y; t h is feelin g w as sim p ly t oo
w on d er fu l. Su b seq u en t ly, t h eir sou ls felt as if t h ey h ad ascen d ed t o a h igh er
p lan e.
At t h is m om en t , a r efr esh in g feelin g ap p ear ed in H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea.

An ext r em ely fam iliar voice t h en ech oed ou t .
“H ow can you r lu ck b e t h is good ? T h is ca n ’t b e t r u e.”
T h is su d d en voice st ar t led H u o Yu h ao, sligh t ly aw ak en in g h im fr om t h at

st r an ge feelin g. H e su b con sciou sly w an t ed t o r elease h is h an d s.
T h at voice h u r r ied ly said , “Qu ick ly h u g h im , you id iot .”
H u o Yu h ao im m ed ia t ely t igh t en ed h is ar m s. H e h a d an ab solu t e t r u st t ow ar d s

t h is voice, b ecau se h e h ad alr ead y r ecogn ised t h at t h is voice b elon ged t o n o on e
else b u t t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m .
Yes, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , w h o h ad b een in a d eep slu m b er for sever al
m on t h s, h ad act u ally aw ak en ed d u e t o H u o Yu h ao’s an d W an g Don g’s h u g.
H ow ever , it qu ick ly t u r n ed t acit u r n . Aft er a b r ief m om en t , it s voice r an g ou t

in H u o Yu h ao’s m in d again , “Fr om n ow on , follow m y in st r u ct ion s. I’d n ever
h ave t h ou gh t t h a t you ’d act u ally b e a b le t o fin d som eon e w h o’s com p let ely
com p at ib le w it h you r au r a. T h is Br ot h er r eally can ’t u n d er st an d it . No, t h is is
p r act ically im p ossib le! H ow ever , you ’ve d on e it . T h is, t o you , is som et h in g
ext r em ely for t u n at e. You h ave t o gr ab t h is ch an ce; it ’ll giv e you t w o en d less
p r osp ect s in t h e fu t u r e.”
H u o Yu h ao su b con sciou sly t h ou gh t in h is m in d ; “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , ju st

w h at d o you m ean ? W an g Don g’s au r a is p er fect ly com p at ib le w it h m in e?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r esp on d ed ; “Sim p ly p u t , t h e cu r r en t r ela t ion sh ip

b et w een you t w o is ju st lik e t h at of a m ar r ied cou p le b et w een m or t als. On t h e
on e h an d , w e h ave Yin ; On t h e ot h er h an d , w e h ave Yan g. W e h ave t w o
com p let ely id en t ical au r as, b u t t h ey r esp ect ively r ep r esen t Yin an d Yan g. Aft er
t h ey fu se com p let ely, a com p let ely h ar m on ized b od y of Yin an d Yan g w ill for m .
As a r esu lt of t h is, you ’ll in evit ab ly r elease an ext r em ely lar ge am ou n t of p ow er .
It seem s lik e you h u m an s call t h is sit u at ion a ‘M ar t ial Sou l Fu sion ’. In ot h er
w or d s, you r m ar t ial sou l an d t h e m ar t ia l sou l of t h is fellow you ’r e h u ggin g ar e
p er fect ly com p at ib le. Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e ar e d iffer en t levels of m ar t ial so u l
fu sion s. Gen er ally, t h e p ossib ilit y of a fu sion on ly exist s if you r com p at ib ilit y
exceed s fift y p er cen t . H ow ever , t h e com p at ib ilit y b et w een you t w o is a h u n d r ed
p er cen t . Not on ly t h at , b u t t h is Br ot h er w as even ast on ish ed b y t h e fact t h at you
t w o act u ally h a ve t h r ee m ar t ial sou ls t h at ar e fu sin g w it h each ot h er . T h is
p r act ically isn ’t a m ir acle, it ’s p er ver t ed !”
“T h r ee m ar t ial sou l fu sion s?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed b lan k ly. “H ow can t h at b e

p ossib le? W an g Don g on ly h as on e m ar t ial sou l, an d t h at ’s t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly
God d ess! I on ly h ave t w o m ar t ial sou ls, an d m y secon d m ar t ial sou l isn ’t even
d ecid ed yet .”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m u n h ap p ily said ; “Do you t h in k h e’s ju st goin g t o t ell
you t h at h e h as a few m ar t ial sou ls? If it w er e m e, I w ou ld n ’t even t alk ab ou t it !
As for you , n ot b ad . You or igin ally h ad on e m ar t ial sou l, b u t I gave you an Ice
m ar t ial sou l. T h a t ’s t w o. Bu t d o you st ill r em em b er t h a t sm a ll gr ey b all? T h at
u n fat h om ab le fellow . Even if h e look s ver y w eak , d on ’t look d ow n on h im . I’ve
t h ou gh t ab ou t h im for a lon g t im e, b u t I st ill can ’t sw allow h im u p . H e’s
u n exp ect ed ly b ecom e a st r an ge sor t of m ar t ial sou l. Even w it h t h is Br ot h er ’s
m illion year s of exp er ien ce, I st ill can ’t fat h om w h at h e’s d oin g. It d oesn ’t seem
t o b e ab le t o ob t ain an y sou l r in gs, b u t t h e in n a t e st r en gt h of it s sou l t er r ifies
even m e. Even I can ’t im agin e w h at it ’ll b ecom e. Bu t , t h is m ar t ial sou l t h a t can ’t
even b e called a m a r t ial sou l act u ally m an aged t o fu se w it h t h is fellow you ’r e
h u ggin g. Ot h er w ise, w h y w ou ld t h is Br ot h er b e so st u n n ed ?”
H u o Yu h ao ast on ish ed ly said , “If you p u t it t h is w ay, t h en d oesn ’t it m ean

t h at W an g Don g h as t r ip le m ar t ial so u ls a s w ell?”
Chapt er 21.1: Fusion of t he Thr ee Innat e M ar t ial
Souls
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m in d iffer en t ly sa id , “Id iot . T h at ’s ob viou s. H aven ’t

you ever t h ou gh t t o you r self ab ou t t h is? Even som eon e p ossessin g t w in m ar t ial
sou ls w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o w it h st an d t h e su p p r essive st r en gt h of a t h ou san d -year
sou l r in g w h en h e is at t h e level you h u m an s call ‘Ran k 20 ’. T h e r eason w h y h e
can d o it is exact ly b ecau se h e h as t h r ee m ar t ial sou ls. Each a n d ever y on e of h is
m ar t ial sou ls h as im p r oved h is p h ysiq u e, so t h at ’s h ow h e’s ab le t o p ossess a
t h ou san d -year sou l r in g w h en h e’s on ly at Ran k 20 . Usin g t h e d escr ip t ion s you
h u m an s u se, t h is fellow you ’r e h u ggin g is a su p er -gen iu s t h a t ’s h ar d t o see even
in t en t h ou san d year s.”
H u o Yu h ao w ou ld ab solu t ely n ever h a ve t h ou gh t t h a t W a n g Don g w ou ld

act u ally p ossess t h r ee m ar t ial sou ls. No w on d er , n o w on d er h e t old Xiao Xiao
t h at sh e’d ab solu t ely n ever b e h is m at ch in a 1v1 sit u at ion . No w on d er h e
p ossessed su ch st r on g self-con fid en ce. H e w as on ly a t w o-r in ged Sou l
Gr an d m ast er , b u t h e h ad n ever d isp layed an y feelin gs of ad m ir at ion t ow ar d s
an yon e. H u o Yu h ao h ad n ever t h ou gh t t h at W an g Don g’s t alen t w as T H IS h igh .
“Foolish k id , w h at d o you h ave t o b e st u n n ed ab ou t ? In a sen se, you ’r e

som eon e w h o h as t r ip le m ar t ial sou ls as w ell! Fu r t h er m or e, d on ’t for get t h is:
you r fir st sou l r in g is an u n p r eced en t ed m illion -year sou l r in g. I can gu ar an t ee
t h at you ab solu t ely w on ’t fin d a secon d m illion -year sou l b east on t h e Dou lu o
Con t in en t . T h er efor e, even t h ou gh h e’s an excep t ion al gen iu s, you ’r e u n iq u e
an d u n m at ch ed . H ave som e con fid en ce in you r self. For exam p le, n ow . W it h
you r Br ot h er as an u n p r eced en t ed in t elligen t sou l r in g, I’ll let you t ak e t h e
in it iat ive w h en you t w o u n d er go m ar t ia l sou l fu sion . Relax you r b od y an d allow
m e t o d o ever yt h in g.”
As h e sp ok e, a r efr esh in g feelin g in st an t ly sp r ead fr om H u o Yu h ao’s b r ain t o
h is en t ir e b od y, cau sin g h is aw ar en ess t o w ar d s h is su r r o u n d in gs t o d r am at ically
in cr ease.
It w as as if h e’d u sed h is M en t a l Det ect ion ; ever yt h in g in t h e r oom ap p ear ed

as a t h r ee-d im en sion al figu r e. Not on ly t h at , b u t t h er e seem ed t o b e va r iou s
color s in t er ch an gin g in t h e r oom . H u o Yu h ao fin ally saw t h e colou r ch an ges on
W an g Don g’s b od y. Gold , b lu ish -gold , d ar k gold —t h e t h r ee color s flick er ed
alt er n at ely. On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e t h r ee color s on h is b od y w er e w h it e, ice-
b lu e, an d gr ey; t h e t h r ee color s t r a n sfor m ed u n ceasin gly.
It w as ju st as t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad said , t h e com p at ib ilit y b et w een

t h eir m ar t ial sou ls w as sim p ly t oo h igh . W h en ever t h e color on H u o Yu h ao’s
b od y b ecam e w h it e, t h e color on W an g Don g’s b od y w ou ld t u r n gold . T h en , t h e
ice-b lu e on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w ou ld b e m at ch ed w it h W an g Don g’s b lu ish -gold ;
gr ey w as m at ch ed w it h d ar k -gold .
T h e t h r ee p air s of co lou r s w er e ext r em ely h ar m on ized .
H ow ever , aft er t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m st ar t ed t o m ove, t h e colou r of H u o

Yu h ao’s p u p il q u iet ly t u r n ed a fain t ly ice-b lu e color , w h ich w as d iffer en t fr om
t h e t im e w h en it h a d h elp ed H u o Yu h a o figh t again st M a Xiaot ao’s t er r ifyin g
Ph oen ix Flam e. T h is t im e, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m on ly p ou r ed a t r ace of it s
st r en gt h in t o H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea; it d id n ’t con t r ol h is b od y. H e on ly
gu id ed H u o Yu h ao’s au r a, cau sin g it t o st ar t p r od u cin g var iou s t r an sfor m at ion s.
Gr ad u ally, it cou ld b e seen t h at t h e au r a on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y h ad q u iet ly

st r en gt h en ed b y qu it e a b it . Du r in g t h is k in d of p r ocess w h er eb y m ar t ial sou l
fu sion w as occu r r in g in volu n t ar ily, a t r an sfor m at ion in t h e au r a of on e p ar t y
w ou ld in evit ab ly ca u se a su b seq u en t t r an sfor m at ion in t h e au r a of t h e ot h er
p ar t y.
Con seq u en t ly, W an g Don g’s au r a im m ed iat ely st r en gt h en ed b y qu it e a b it as

w ell, an d at t h is m om en t , a st r on g sp ir it u al u n d u la t ion w as r eleased fr om H u o
Yu h ao’s b od y, sim u lt an eou sly jolt in g t h e t w o. T h e t w o t h en fain t ed in w h a t w as
p r act ically t h e sam e in st an t , cau sin g t h eir b od ies t o fall on t o W an g Don g’s fu r -
cover ed b ed .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s cu n n in g voice t h en r an g ou t , “Next , ju st w at ch t h is

Br ot h er . T h er e’s also a d ist in ct ion b et w een t h e m a in u ser a n d t h e secon d a r y
u ser d u r in g a m ar t ial sou l fu sion , so let ’s t ak e t h e d om in an t p osit ion an d t ak e a
few ad van t ages. Eeh , t h is fella called W an g Don g is act u ally... sin ce t h a t ’s t h e
case, I’ll t ak e a few less ad van t ages fr om h im .”
St r an d s of icy-b lu e t h r ead st ar t ed t o slow ly ap p ear on H u o Yu h ao’s fin ger t ip s,

r ap id ly en velop in g h is an d W an g Don g’s b od ies. If you exam in ed t h em closely,
you w ou ld r ealise t h at t h ese t h r ead s w er e act u ally com p let ely m ad e fr om sou l
p ow er ; t h is w a s ab solu t ely n ot H u o Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er . W it h h is cu r r en t
cu lt ivat ion , h e w as sim p ly t oo far fr om w an t in g t o m at er ialise h is sou l p ow er .
Gr ad u ally, t h e t w o w h o w er e em b r acin g each ot h er h ad alr ead y t u r n ed in t o

an en or m ou s cocoon .
Aft er all, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as a silk w or m , an d for m in g cocoon s w as a

n at u r al ab ilit ies t h a t b elon ged t o silk w or m s. Cu r r en t ly, t h eir r esp ect ive a u r as
w er e com p let ely con cen t r at ed w it h in t h a t b lu e cocoon , u n ceasin gly w an d er in g
ab ou t t h eir b od ies w h ile t r an sfor m in g.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s p leased voice r an g ou t , “Don e. I’ll ju st let t h em

con t in u e for n ow . It w as a p er fect fu sion , t h eir com p at ib ilit y r at e w as 10 0 %.
W it h t h e fu sion b et w een t h r ee m ar t ial sou ls, I d on ’t b elieve t h at gr ey t or t oise
w on ’t b e for ced ou t . If you h ave t h e ab ilit y, com e ou t fr om you r sh ell an d figh t
t h r ee h u n d r ed r ou n d s w it h t h is Br o. H m p h .”
T h e d or m it or y q u iet ed b ack d ow n aft er t h at . On ly t h e lar ge icy-b lu e cocoon

r em ain ed , flick er in g w it h a m yst er io u s ligh t . T h er e w er e n o sou l p ow er
u n d u lat ion s ou t sid e t h e cocoon , an d t h e t w o p eop le w it h in t h e cocoon w er e in a
d eep , d eep sleep .
T im e slow ly p assed . T od ay w as t h e on ly d ay H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t sell h is r oast ed
fish .
Xiao Xiao w ait ed for t h e t w o for a lon g w h ile, b u t sh e d id n ’t see t h em exit t h e

d or m s. J u st lik e h ow m ale st u d en t s cou ld n ’t casu ally en t er t h e gir ls d or m s,
fem ale st u d en t s cou ld n ’t en t er t h e m ale d or m s as t h ey w ish ed ! Aft er a m om en t
of h elp lessn ess, sh e cou ld on ly r et u r n t o h er r oom t o r est .
On t h e ot h er h an d , T an g Ya h ad d r agged Bei Bei t o t h e en t r an ce of Sh r ek

Acad em y in or d er t o w ait for H u o Yu h ao’s r oast ed fish . H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t
fin d H u o Yu h ao’s ab sen ce st r an ge. Aft er all, t h ey h ad h ear d of t h e fr esh m en
assessm en t ’s syst em . T h e assessm en t syst em ch an ged ever y year , an d t h is year ’s
syst em w as esp ecia lly fier ce! T h e t w o even ask ed ar ou n d ab ou t t h e t r io’s
sit u a t ion w it h in t h e assessm en t . Sin ce H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t set u p h is st a ll, t h ey
n at u r ally assu m ed t h at h e w as t oo t ir ed fr om t h e assessm en t . T h u s, t h ey d id n ’t
t h in k m u ch of it , an d d ecid ed t o go b ack t o t h eir r oom s aft er w ait in g for a w h ile.
T h ey w er en ’t t h e on ly on es w h o w er e d isap p oin t ed b y H u o Yu h ao’s ab sen ce.

T od ay, J ian g Nan n an h ad also q u eu ed u p ear ly. Un for t u n at ely, sh e cou ld on ly
r et u r n d isap p oin t ed t od ay.
H ow ever , n ob od y k n ew h ow im p or t an t t h is w as for H u o Yu h ao an d W an g
Don g. Aft er b ein g sch oolm at es for t h r ee m on t h s, t h e r elat ion sh ip b et w een t h e
t w o st ar t ed t o h ave a q u alit a t ive ch a n ge fr om t od ay on w ar d s.
……
Sea God ’s Lak e, cen t r e islan d , lak esid e.
T each er W an g Yan , w h o h ad ju st car r ied ou t t h e fr esh m en assessm en t n ot

lon g ago, w as st an d in g h er e. On ly, h e h ad an excep t ion ally r esp ect fu l exp r essio n
on h is face.
An old m an w it h d ish eveled h air w a s sit t in g n ot far aw ay fr om h im , h is figu r e

som ew h at m essy. H is or igin ally-w h it e ch an gp ao h ad alr ead y b een ch an ged in t o
a gr eyish -b r ow n on e w h ich h ad m an y h oles on it . H is n ak ed feet w er e cu r r en t ly
im m er sed in t h e cool w at er of t h e Sea God ’s Lak e w h ile h is r igh t h an d h eld a
m assive b ot t le gou r d .
T h e b ot t le gou r d w as r ed -p u r p le in color , an d n ob od y k n ew w h at it w as m ad e
ou t of. H e occasion ally t ook a gu lp fr om it , im m ed iat ely cau sin g a st r on g sm ell
of alcoh ol t o sp r ead . H is ot h er h an d h eld a fr ied ch ick en , ign or in g t h e gr ease on
it . T h e w ay h e w as eat in g an d d r in k in g m ad e on e feel t h at it w as ext r em ely
joyfu l.
“Xu an Lao, t h is is w h at h ap p en ed . T h ese st u d en t s ar e st ill you n g; t h ey’r e

fr esh m en . Even t h ou gh t h at ’s t h e case, t h ey’r e t r u ly d eser vin g of ou r
at t en t ion .”
Souls
“Oh …” T h e slop p y eld er w h o w as called Xu an Lao sw allow ed a m ou t h fu l of

ch ick en b efor e glan cin g b ack at W an g Yan . In all ot h er asp ect s, h e look ed lik e a
ver y old m a n . H ow ever , h is u n exp ect ed ly scar let eyes w er e ext r aor d in ar ily
b r igh t ; t h ey seem ed as if t h ey cou ld st eal on e’s sou l aw ay. Bu t h is gaze w as
sligh t ly d isor d er ly, so m u ch so t h at h e even ap p ear ed vacan t ; it w as as if h e
w asn ’t ser iou sly p ayin g at t en t ion t o W an g Yan ’s w or d s.
“A Bod y Sou l, in t er est in g.” Xu an Lao m u m b led t o h im self, h is voice

som ew h at r ou gh an d aged .
W an g Yan ask ed , “Xu an Lao, can a h air m ar t ial sou l b e con sid er ed a Bo d y
Sou l?”
Xu an Lao sp ok e as h e at e, “It cou ld b e con n ect ed t o it .”
W an g Yan r ep lied , “Sin ce t h a t ’s t h e ca se, Lan Su su an d Lan Lu olu o sh ou ld

d eser ve you r at t en t ion ; t h ey can even r elease a fu sion sk ill. If t h ey can even b e
con n ect ed t o a Bod y Sou l, t h eir fu t u r e p ot en t ia l sh ou ld b e qu it e lar ge.”
Xu an Lao sh ook h is h ead an d said , “H air ? Im p ossib le. You ’r e k n ow n as a

p er son w h ose r esear ch an d t h eor et ica l sk ills a r e ver y st r on g, so h ow cou ld you r
k n ow led ge of Bod y Sou ls b e so w eak ?”
W an g Yan sm iled b it t er ly. “T h er e’s sim p ly n o on e I can p er for m r esear ch on !

Also, t h e in for m at ion r elat ed t o Bod y Sou ls is sim p ly t oo lim it ed . T h e Bod y Sect
h asn ’t en t er ed t h e w or ld for a lon g t im e.”
Xu an Lao ch u ck led a n d st ood u p , h is w et feet st ep p in g on t h e gr assy floor . H e

ap p ear ed ver y casu al an d r elaxed as h e sa id , “T h en let m e t ea ch you som et h in g.
T o t ell h ow st r on g a Bod y Sou l is, you h ave t o see h ow im p or t an t it is t o t h e
b od y. If t h e b od y p ar t u sed in a Bod y Sou l is m or e im p or t an t t o t h e h u m an b od y,
t h e b et t er it ’ll b e. Becau se of t h at , I’m qu it e in t er est ed in t h at you t h w h o h as t h e
Sp ir it Eyes. If you r h air falls off, it can st ill b e gr ow n b ack . Bu t w h at if you lose
you r eyes? Fu r t h er m or e, h e even p ossesses a sp ir it u a l-t yp e m ar t ial sou l. In
ot h er w or d s, h is m a r t ial sou l act u ally con sist s of h is eyes an d h is b r ain . T o b e
ab le t o see a Bod y Sou l t h at st an d s at t h e p eak of all Bod y Sou ls w it h in you r
lifet im e, you ’r e q u it e lu ck y. H ow ever , I b elieve t h at h is Bod y Sou l h asn ’t b een
com p let ely st im u lat ed yet . Ot h er w ise, w h y w ou ld h e b e r ed u ced t o u sin g a t en -
year sou l r in g? Go t ell Lit t le Nin g I’ll b e w at ch in g t h e fr esh m en assessm en t ’s
r an k in g t ou r n am en t . Ask h im t o leave a sp ace for m e.”
“Yes.”
……
Nigh t gr ad u ally d escen d ed . H ow ever , t h e ice-b lu e h alo in W an g Don g’s an d

H u o Yu h ao’s r oom con t in u ed t o qu iet ly flick er .
T im e gr ad u ally p assed as even in g b ecam e n igh t . T h e au r a su r r ou n d in g H u o

Yu h ao’s an d W an g Don g’s b od y h ad secr et ly u n d er gon e m yst er iou s ch an ges; t h e
color s of t h eir r esp ect ive au r as h a d fu r t h er coiled ar ou n d each ot h er , fu sin g.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h eir r esp ect ive sou l p ow er h ad even t r avelled in a st r an ge cycle
aft er en t er in g each ot h er ’s b od ies. In ad d it ion t o t h at , each d iffer en t ly color ed
au r a w as follow ed b y a d iffer en t cir cu la t io n p at h .
If it w er e an yon e else w h o h ad en t er ed a m ar t ia l fu sion , t h ey w ou ld n eed at

least t h r ee d ays t o com p let e t h eir fu sion . H ow ever , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s
h elp m an aged t o h elp t h em d ir ect ly com p let e t h e sou l p ow er cir cu la t ion p at h s
d u r in g t h eir fu sion b y u t ilisin g t h e in t er act ion s b et w een t h eir au r as, allow in g
t h em t o save an ext r em ely lar ge am ou n t of t im e.
Aft er a w or d less n igh t , d ay gr ad u ally ar r ived .

T h e ice-b lu e cocoon gr ad u ally m elt ed , r evealin g t h e sit u at ion w it h in . H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e st ill t igh t ly h u ggin g each ot h er , b u t t h e d iffer en t ly
color ed au r as su r r o u n d in g t h em h ad alr ead y d isap p ear ed . T h eir faces w er e r igh t
n ext t o each ot h er , an d t h ey cou ld even sm ell each ot h er ’s b r eat h . T h ey w er e
sleep in g ver y, ver y sou n d ly.
Aft er com in g t o Sh r ek Acad em y, t h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at H u o Yu h ao

h ad n ’t w ok en u p ea r ly t o cu lt ivat e, as w ell as t h e fir st t im e h e h a d n ’t ea t en
b r eak fast .
T h e ou t sid e of t h e d or m it or y q u ick ly b ecam e lively. T h e ot h er st u d en t s livin g

in t h e d or m s h ad a lr ead y w ok en u p , a n d t h ey w er e r u sh in g ab ou t t o clean
t h em selves.
T h e n oisy sou n d s gr ad u ally affect ed t h e t w o w h o w er e sleep in g sou n d ly,

cau sin g W an g Don g t o w ak e fir st .
“Ugh .” W an g Don g’s soft gr oan sou n d ed som ew h at let h ar gic, yet also seem ed
sligh t ly d elicat e. As h e slow ly op en ed h is eyes, h e saw H u o Yu h ao r igh t n ext t o
h im .
H e w as left st u n n ed for a m om en t . Aft er m ovin g h is b od y for a m om en t , h e

r ealised t h at h e’d b een t igh t ly h u gged b y H u o Yu h ao; t h eir ch est s w er e st u ck t o
on e an ot h er ’s t igh t ly. H u o Yu h ao’s b od y even seem ed t o b e givin g off a w ar m
feelin g.
W an g Don g on ly k n ew t h at h e h a d slep t for a ver y, ver y lon g t im e. H e h a d

n ever felt som et h in g lik e t h is b efor e, so at t h is m om en t , b esid es a sligh t sen se of
p ecu liar it y in h is h ea r t , h e act u a lly felt p a n ick ed .
“H u o Yu h ao, w ak e u p .” H e st r u ggled ligh t ly again st H u o Yu h ao’s em b r ace,

w an t in g t o fr ee h im self fr om H u o Yu h ao’s h an d s. H ow ever , st ayin g in t h a t
p osit ion for t oo lon g a t im e h ad cau sed t h e t w o’s b od ies t o sligh t ly st iffen u p .
W it h ou t even t alk in g ab ou t H u o Yu h ao’s h an d , even h is ow n h an d felt sligh t ly
n u m b as h e t r ied t o p u ll t h em b ack t o h im self.
“Ah ?” H u o Yu h ao fin ally w ok e u p fr om h is sleep , d iscover in g W an g Don g,
w h o w as in fr on t of h im , w it h a glan ce. T h e t w o w er e sim p ly t oo close t o each
ot h er ; t h e on ly r ea son w h y t h eir n oses w er en ’t st u ck t oget h er w as b ecau se
W an g Don g h ad d elib er at ely r aised h is h ead . Bu t , H u o Yu h ao felt t h e sen sat ion
of a lon g p air of eyelash es as W an g Don g b lin k ed .
“W h y’r e you so close t o m e?” H u o Yu h ao sp ok e su b con sciou sly. As h e sp ok e,

h is w ar m b r eat h cov er ed W an g Don g’s face.
“You …” W an g Don g flew in t o a r age. H e su d d en ly st ar t ed st r u gglin g, fin ally

w it h d r aw in g h is ar m s. T h en , h e u sed h is h an d s t o gr ab H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er s,
p u llin g h im self b ack w ar d s w h ile r aisin g h is soft legs an d sh o vin g t h em b et w een
h im an d H u o Yu h ao, cr eat in g a gap b et w een t h e t w o of t h em .
W h en H u o Yu h ao w ok e u p , h e su b con sciou sly loosen ed h is gr ip on W an g

Don g’s h an d s. Bu t aft er b ein g sep ar at ed fr om W an g Don g b y h is legs, h e fin ally
w ok e u p fr om h is sleep . H ow ever , W an g Don g w ok e h im u p even m or e in t h e
n ext m om en t ...
W it h in t h e d or m r oom , t h e t w o each h ad a sin gle b ed t o t h em selves. T h e

su d d en st r en gt h r eleased b y W an g Don g’s lon g legs im m ed iat ely k ick ed H u o
Yu h ao aw ay, cau sin g h im t o lan d on t h e gr ou n d w it h a “p u t on g”.
“Aiya, W an g Don g, w h at ’r e you d oin g?” H u o Yu h ao w as in agon y d u e t o

b ein g fier cely k ick ed t o t h e gr ou n d b y W an g Don g w h ile h e’d b een com p let ely
d efen celess. T h is im m ed iat ely cau sed an in d ign an t exp r essio n t o ap p ear on h is
face.
W an g Don g w as sligh t ly b r eat h less as h e sat u p . Aft er st r aigh t en in g h is m essy

clot h es, h e a n gr ily said , “You ’r e ask in g m e w h at I w as d oin g? W h y w er e you
sleep in g on m y b ed last n igh t ?”
“Uh …” On ly t h en d id H u o Yu h ao d iscover t h a t h e’d b een k ick ed off W an g

Don g’s b ed . H e r em ain ed silen t for a b r ief m om en t , t h in k in g t o h im self, “Br o,
oh Br o, you ’ve d oom ed m e. Don ’t you k n ow h ow m ysop h ob ic t h at gu y is? W h y
w ou ld you m ak e m e sleep t oget h er w it h h im ?”
Alt h ou gh h e t h ou gh t t h is in h is h ear t , h e st ill ar gu ed , “You can ’t b lam e m e

for t h is. Look , d id n ’t you sleep w it h m e as w ell?”
W an g Don g sn or t ed an gr ily. J u st a s h e w as ab ou t t o r ep ly t o H u o Yu h ao, a

p ier cin g r in g su d d en ly r an g ou t , jolt in g b ot h of t h em .
“I for got , it ’s t im e for class. Cr ap , w e’r e lat e. Qu ick .” H u o Yu h ao in st an t ly

ju m p ed u p , d ir ect ly r u n n in g ou t sid e w it h W an g Don g in t ow .
Souls
W an g Don g d id n ’t h ave t h e t im e t o b e an gr y w it h H u o Yu h a o, as h e w as also

aw ar e of t h e t r ou b le t h ey h ad got t en t h em selves in t o. T h u s, h e r an a lon gsid e
H u o Yu h ao.
T h e t w o d id n ’t h ave t im e t o eat b r eak fast , n or d id t h ey h ave t h e t im e t o

sh ow er . In st ead , t h ey q u ick ly r an t ow ar d s t h e t each in g b lock s. T h ey w er e
ext r em ely clear ab ou t Zh ou Yi’s t em p er ; w as t h er e an y d iffer en ce b et w een b ein g
lat e for class an d com m it t in g su icid e?
T h eir ap p ear an ces w er e t r u ly som ew h at w r et ch ed . W an g Don g w as st ill fin e.

At t h e ver y least , h e h ad st ill m an aged t o st r aigh t en h is clot h es w h en h e’d
k ick ed H u o Yu h ao ear lier . H u o Yu h ao, on t h e ot h er h an d , w as in an even m or e
sor r y sit u at ion . H is sch ool sh ir t w as h alf t u ck ed in t o h is p an t s. Not on ly t h at ,
h is h air w as also m essy, an d t w o of h is sh ir t b u t t on s w er e u n b u t t on ed , exp osin g
h is b r on ze ch est . As h e r an , t h e w in d b lew h is clot h es ar ou n d .
H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t h ave t h e t im e t o w or r y ab ou t t h at . Righ t n ow , all t h ey

w an t ed t o d o w as t o r u sh t o t h e classr oom w it h t h e u t m ost h ast e an d ext in gu ish
t h e flam es of Zh ou Yi’s an ger ; t h ey w er e alr ead y lat e!
Aft er a m in u t e, t h ey ar r ived a t Class On e’s en t r an ce.
“Rep or t in g in .” H u o Yu h ao sh ou t ed ou t , fu ll of en er gy.
“Rep or t in g in .” W an g Don g’s voice w as soft er t h an h is, so m u ch so t h at it

seem ed lik e h e d id n ’t h ave an y en er gy at all. H e st ole a glan ce at H u o Yu h ao, a
som ew h at com p licat ed exp r ession in h is eyes. T h en , h e r u t h lessly r aised h is
h an d an d p in ch ed H u o Yu h ao’s b ack .
H u o Yu h ao’s exp r ession im m ed ia t ely ch an ged , b u t seein g t h at Zh ou Yi h ad
alr ead y w alk ed over t o t h em , h e for cefu lly h eld in t h e scr eam t h at alm ost left
h is m ou t h .
T h e ot h er st u d en t s w er e alr ead y p r esen t . Seein g H u o Yu h ao’s slop p y

ap p ear an ce, a sm ile u n exp ect ed ly flash ed t h r ou gh Zh ou Yi’s eyes. H ow ever , t h e
alw ays m et icu lou s H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t m an age t o n ot ice it as a r esu lt of t h e sever e
p ain fr om h is b ack .
“You t w o, w h at h ap p en ed ? Com e in fir st .” Zh ou Yi w aved over t o t h e t w o.
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g h u r r ied ly w alk ed in t o t h e cla ss, an d W an g Don g

even sh u t t h e d oor con sid er at ely.
Xiao Xiao, w h o h ad alr ead y ar r ived ear lier , cou ld n ’t h elp b u t w id en h er eyes
as sh e saw t h eir w r et ch ed ap p ear an ces. H er m ou t h m oved , b u t sh e d id n ’t say
an yt h in g. It look ed as if sh e w as ask in g, “H eaven s! W h at w er e t h e t w o of you
d oin g last n igh t ?”
T h e gazes of t h e en t ir e class w er e focu sed on t h e t w o, esp ecially on t h e

m on it or w h ose clot h es w er e u n t id y.
Zh ou Yi u sed h er ever -cold voice t o ask , “M y d ear class m on it or , t ell m e.

W h at w er e you t w o d oin g?”
“Uh … sor r y, T each er Zh ou . W e over slep t .” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied w it h an

em b ar r assed look on h is face. Now , a ll t h ey cou ld d o w as t o t a k e t h e in it iat ive t o
ap ologize for t h eir m ist ak es. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey cou ld on ly r eceive w h at ever
p u n ish m en t Zh ou Yi gave t h em w it h ou t com p lain in g.
“W h o slep t w it h w h o? You act u ally m an aged t o over sleep ?” Zh ou Yi m ad e a

r ar e jok e.
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed , w h ile W an g Don g’s face in st an t ly r ed d en ed . T h is

w as b ecau se sh e’d h it u p on t h e t r u t h .
T h e w h ole class con t in u ed t o r em ain silen t , b u t t h is silen ce on ly last ed for
t h r ee secon d s. Righ t aft er t h at , t h e class b u r st in t o la u gh t er .
W an g Don g low er ed h is h ead , w ish in g h e cou ld fin d a w h ole t o ju m p in t o.

T h is w as em b ar r assin g, sim p ly t oo em b ar r assin g! H avin g ju st n ot iced H u o
Yu h ao’s u n t id y clot h es, h e ju st w an t ed t o slap h im t o d ea t h ! T hi s bast ar d, he
m ade m e l ose al l m y f ace.
Un expect edl y, Zh ou Yi sm i l ed as w el l . Al t h ough t h e sm i l e on h er f ace l ook ed

even ugl i er t h an som eon e cr yi n g, H uo Yuh ao w as cer t ai n , cer t ai n t h at sh e w as
sm i l i n g.
Zh ou Yi r ai sed h er h an d, an d h er aut h or i t y as a super -t each er un doubt edl y

m an i f est ed i t sel f , causi n g t h e en t i r e cl ass t o qui et en i m m edi at el y. H ow ever ,
Zh ou Yi i gn or ed t h e sm i l i n g expr essi on s i n t h ei r eyes.
“ En ough . Ret ur n t o your seat s.” Zh ou Yi w aved h er h an ds, f or gi vi n g t h e t w o

i n a com pl et el y un pr eceden t ed m an n er .
“ Ah ?” H uo Yuh ao an d W an g Don g subcon sci ousl y r ai sed t h ei r h eads,

t h i n k i n g t h ey h ad h ear d w r on gl y.
Zh ou Yi gl ar ed at t h em , “ W h at ? You’ ve over sl ept t o t h e poi n t w h er e you

don ’ t k n ow w h at I ’ m sayi n g?”
On l y t h en di d H uo Yuh ao un der st an d w h at sh e h ad sai d. Pul l i n g W an g Don g’ s

sl eeve, t h e t w o gl oom i l y w al k ed over t o t h ei r usual seat s. H ow ever , t h ey di dn ’ t
f eel l i k e r ai si n g t h ei r h eads af t er f eel i n g t h e sur r oun di n g l ook s of r i di cul e.
H ow ever , i t w as f or t un at e t h at t h ey w er e st i l l f r esh m en , w h er e ever yon e w as

on l y el even or t w el ve-year -ol d st uden t s. T h ey on l y t r eat ed t h e i ssue of t w o
peopl e sl eepi n g t oget h er as a jok e; t h ey di dn ’ t t h i n k t oo m uch of i t . But i f t h i s
r each ed t h e ear s of t h e out er cour t yar d’ s upper cl assm en , an d w as di st or t ed by
t h e w or ds of a f ew f ujosh i s, i t coul d becom e an even bi gger scan dal .
Aft er w alk in g b ack t o t h e t each in g p od iu m , Zh ou Yi in d iffer en t ly said , “Aft er
t h r ee d ays, t h e fr esh m en assessm en t h a s fin ally en d ed . T h e fin al r esu lt s w er e
alr ead y t allied last n igh t .”
Aft er h ear in g h er w or d s, t h e st u d en t s of Class 1 w er e filled w it h en er gy; n ot

ever y gr ou p w as as ab solu t ely con fid en t t h ey h ad p assed t h e assessm en t lik e
H u o Yu h ao’s gr ou p .
A sm ile t h at n ob od y d ar ed t o com p lim en t u n exp ect ed ly ap p ear ed on Zh ou

Yi’s face for t h e secon d t im e t o d ay. “I h ave n o ch oice b u t t o ad m it t h at you ’ve
w or k ed ver y h ar d . You ’ve given m e face. Ou t of ou r t w en t y-t w o t eam s fr om
Class 1, all of you h ave p assed t h e fr esh m en assessm en t . I’m ver y h ap p y ab ou t
t h is.”
“Ban g——” T h e en t ir e class w as filled w it h b oilin g excit em en t ; ch eer in g

sou n d s filled ever y cor n er of t h e classr oom . T h is t im e, Zh ou Yi d id n ’t st op
t h em . Sh e sm iled as sh e w at ch ed t h e excit ed ch eer in g of t h e k id s in fr on t of h er .
T h ey t r u ly h ad t h e qu alificat ion s t o st ar t ch eer in g! Last n igh t , all of t h e

p r oct or s as w ell as t h e t each er s in ch ar ge of t h e t en classes h ad w or k ed t oget h er
t o t ally t h e r esu lt s of t h e assessm en t .
Pr act ically all t h e p r oct or s st at ed t h at t h e st u d en t s fr om Cla ss 1 w er e m u ch

m or e r esilien t t h an t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e ot h er classes. Du r in g t h e in t en sive
assessm en t com p et it ion , t h ey h ad all d isp layed a fr igh t en in g am ou n t of
w illp ow er an d com b at st r en gt h ; ou t of all t h e classes, t h ey w er e t h e cla ss t h at
h ad t u r n ed t h e t id es t h e m ost t im es d u r in g t h e assessm en t . M ost ou t st an d in gly,
t h e st u d en t s fr om Class 1 p r act ically w on all t h e m a t ch es t h a t in volved
op p on en t s w h o w er e even ly m at ch ed w it h t h em .
Ever sin ce sh e h ad b ecom e a t each er at Sh r ek Acad em y, t h is w as t h e fir st t im e

Zh ou Yi h ad r eceived p u b lic p r aise. Or igin ally, t h e st u d en t s in Class 1 h ad b een
t h e few est in n u m b er am on g t h e t en classes. Bu t aft er t h e r ou n d -r ob in
t ou r n am en t , over h alf of t h e st u d en t s w h o h ad p ar t icip at ed in t h e assessm en t
h ad b een elim in at ed . As a r esu lt of t h is, Class 1 w as n ow t h e class w h o h ad t h e
gr eat est n u m b er of st u d en t s in Year 1.
No m at t er h ow st r ict Zh ou Yi w a s, ever yon e w as feelin g ver y h ap p y t od ay.

T h is w as also t h e m ain r eason w h y H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad b een
for given even t h ou gh t h ey h ad t u r n ed u p lat e t o class.
“Ok ay, q u iet d ow n .” Aft er let t in g t h e class ch eer for a lon g t im e, Zh ou Yi

m ot ion ed for t h em t o q u iet d ow n .
“T h e on ly w ay for you t o gu a r an t ee t h a t you ’ll st ay in t h e acad em y is t o p ass

t h e assessm en t . At t h e ver y least , you w on ’t b e easily elim in at ed for an ot h er
year . H ow ever , it ’s on ly on e m or e year . If you b ecom e lazy in t h e fu t u r e, I’m
afr aid t h a t I w on ’t b e ab le t o con t in u e seein g you aft er you r secon d year h er e.
Fu r t h er m or e, it ’s n o t su ch a b ig d eal t o be ab le t o p ass t h e fr esh m en assessm en t .
Ou t of t h e t w en t y-t w o t eam s h er e, fou r t een t eam s h aven ’t fin ish ed t h eir
fr esh m an assessm en t yet , b ecau se you ’ve en t er ed t h e t op 64 . You ’ll st ill h ave t o
go t h r ou gh t h e k n ock -ou t com p et it ion , w h ich is w h er e you can t r u ly p r ove h ow
ou t st an d in g you ar e.”
Souls
Aft er h ear in g Zh ou Yi’s w or d s, t h e t w o r aised t h eir h ea d s, exp osin g a t r ace of

am azem en t in t h eir eyes. T h er e w as n o n eed t o m en t ion t h e fact t h at all t w en t y-
t w o t eam s fr om t h eir class h ad p assed t h e assessm en t , b u t t h er e w er e act u ally
fou r t een t eam s t h at h ad en t er ed t h e t op 64 . In ot h er w or d s, t h eir class a lon e
occu p ied over 20 % of t h e t op 64 sp ot s; t h e p er cen t age of st u d en t s fr om Class 1
w h o m an aged t o en t er t h e k n ock ou t r ou n d w as d ou b le t h at of t h e ot h er classes.
W it h a r esu lt lik e t h is, t h ey t r u ly d eser ved t o b e ar r ogan t !
Zh ou Yi con t in u ed sp eak in g. “Du r in g t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t , a t ot al of

six t eam s m an aged t o w in ever y sin gle m at ch t h ey p ar t icip at ed in . Ou r class
on ly h as on e su ch t eam . Or igin ally, I w as p lan n in g t o give t h em a r ew ar d , b u t
u n for t u n a t ely, t h ey t u r n ed u p la t e t o class. H en ce, t h eir m er it s ar e equ al t o t h eir
d em er it s, so I w on ’t r ew ar d t h em or p u n ish t h em .”
On ce again , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g b ecam e t h e cen t er of at t en t ion of t h e

en t ir e cla ss. T h e t w o of t h em t r u ly felt d ep r essed ! T h ey t h en look ed each ot h er
in t h e eye. T h eir gazes look ed n or m al, b u t b ot h of t h em w er e st u n n ed .
W h en t h ey look ed a t each ot h er , t h ey clear ly sen sed t h e sou l p ow er in t h eir

b od ies u n d u la t e for a m om en t . T h is cau sed a sen se of in t im acy t h at w as h ar d t o
d escr ib e t o in volu n t ar ily ar ise, so m u ch so t h at t h ey felt lik e h u ggin g each ot h er
again .
At t h is m om en t , t h e t w o sim u lt an eou sly t h ou gh t of t h e r ea son w h y t h ey h a d

en d ed u p on W an g Don g’s b ed aft er h u ggin g each ot h er .
W an g Don g m u t t er ed , “Cou ld w e h ave su cceed ed ?”

H u o Yu h ao w as m or e cer t ain of t h e an sw er t h an W an g Don g. Aft er all, h e h a d
t alk ed t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ! H e n at u r ally cou ld n ’t ap p ear t oo cer t ain , b u t
h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t exp ose a fer ven t look in h is eyes.
“It cou ld b e. Sh a ll w e t r y it ou t aft er class?”
“Yep .”
T h e t w o n od d ed at each ot h er at w h at seem ed t o b e t h e sam e in st an t . A h ar d -

t o-d escr ib e sen se of u n d er st an d in g in volu n t ar ily ar ose b et w een t h e t w o, an d
alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s M en t al Det ect ion h ad n ’t b een act iva t ed , t h e t w o of t h em
seem ed t o b e ab le t o p r ed ict t h eir cou n t er p ar t ’s n ext m ove. T h is feelin g m ad e
t h em feel as if t h ey w er e t w in s; it felt w on d er fu l, yet ext r aor d in ar ily p ecu liar .
“T h u m p ——” A lou d sou n d jolt ed t h e t w o fr om t h at p ecu liar feelin g. T h e t w o

sim u lt an eou sly r aised t h eir h ea d s, ju st in t im e for t h em t o see Zh ou Yi’s an gr y
face.
Oop s… t h eir ab sen t -m in d ed n ess d u r in g class h ad b een cau gh t .
“You t w o, go ou t sid e an d st ar t r u n n in g w it h ch ain m a il on you . You ’r e n ot

allow ed t o st op u n t il t h e b ell r in gs. You t w o ju st ach ieved som et h in g, b u t you ’r e
alr ead y so sat isfied w it h you r selves!”
T hi s i sn’ t f ai r ! T h e t w o si m ul t an eousl y cr i ed out i n t h ei r h ear t s. H ow ever ,

t h ey k n ew t h at as l on g as T each er Zh ou deci ded on som et h i n g, t h er e w as n o
w ay sh e w oul d ch an ge h er m i n d. H el pl essl y, t h ey coul d on l y l eave t h e cl assr oom
w i t h a bi t t er l ook on t h ei r f aces an d r et ur n t o t h ei r dor m s t o get t h ei r ch ai n m ai l .
As sh e saw t h e t w o l eave deject edl y, Zh ou Yi sn or t ed, “ Al l of you, r em em ber

t h i s. No m at t er h ow successf ul you ar e, you m ust al w ays h ave a h um bl e an d
caut i ous h ear t . Not on l y can ar r ogan ce cause you t o det er i or at e, i t can al so t ak e
your l i f e. T h e k n ock out r oun d w i l l st ar t t om or r ow , so I ’ l l gi ve you a si m pl e
expl an at i on r egar di n g i t s m ai n par t s.”
T h e t w o of t h em w er e d oom ed t o n ot list en t o Zh o u Yi’s exp lan at ion , b u t it
w as for t u n at e t h a t Xiao Xiao w as st ill t h er e. Alt h ou gh sh e d id n ’t exp licit ly st a t e
it , Zh ou Yi in t en d ed Xiao Xiao t o p ass t h e in for m at ion on t o t h em .
“I’m b lam in g you for t h is.” On ce t h ey left t h e t each in g b lock , W an g Don g

exp lod ed , sp eak in g an gr ily t o H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao h ad a w r on ged exp r ession on h is face as h e said , “H ow can you

b lam e m e for t h is? You w er e t h e on e w h o in sist ed on m e h u ggin g you
yest er d ay.”
“W h at d id you say?” A cold ligh t ap p ear ed in W an g Don g’s eyes as h e look ed

at H u o Yu h ao w it h clen ch ed t eet h .
“Uh … w e’r e a t ea m , w e sh ou ld b e u n it ed .” H u o Yu h ao solem n ly look ed

t ow ar d s W an g Don g, w h o alr ead y h ad h is fist s clen ch ed .
“Un it y m y ass. You ’r e t h e r eason w h y I got p u n ish ed , so you t ell m e w h a t

you ’r e goin g t o d o ab ou t it .” W an g Don g said an gr ily, “Also, you slep t on m y b ed
last n igh t . W h at ’r e you goin g t o d o ab ou t t h at ?”
H u o Yu h ao p at t ed W an g Don g’s sh ou ld er w h ile p u t t in g h is h an d ar ou n d h is

n eck , “Ok ay, ok ay. W e’r e all b r ot h er s, so w e sh ou ld n ’t b ick er over a sm all
m at t er lik e t h is. Ok ay? W e sh ou ld ju st q u ick ly fin ish T each er Zh ou ’s t ask , ju st
in case sh e flip s ou t on u s.”
In t h e in st an t H u o Yu h ao p laced h is h a n d ar ou n d W an g Don g’s n eck , W an g

Don g w as im m ed iat ely st u n n ed . H u o Yu h ao’s voice h ad also b ecom e soft er .
Aft er sp eak in g, t h e t w o com p let ely st op p ed m ovin g. H u o Yu h ao su b con sciou sly
look ed t ow ar d s h is h an d s; W an g Don g d id as w ell.
“W h y w ou ld t h is h a p p en ?” T h e t w o sp ok e in u n ison .
Cor r ect , a st r an ge t h in g h ad h ap p en ed t o t h e t w o. W h en H u o Yu h ao’s h an d

t ou ch ed W an g Don g’s n eck , it seem ed lik e t h e t w o h ad b een con n ect ed . H u o
Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er h ad flow ed in t o W an g Don g’s b od y in a ver y n at u r al
m an n er , w h ile W an g Don g’s sou l p ow er h ad slow ly flow ed b ack . It w as as if t h e
t w o h ad for m ed a com p let e w h ole. Alt h ou gh t h e con n ect ion w as on ly for m ed
fr om W an g Don g’s n eck an d H u o Yu h ao’s h an d , t h at feelin g w as ver y clear .
“T h at ’s n ot r igh t , let ’s t r y it again .”
H u o Yu h ao fir st p u lled b ack t h e h an d h e w as h old in g W an g Don g w it h , b efor e

gr ip p in g W an g Don g’s t w o h an d s w it h h is ow n h an d s.
W an g Don g’s h an d s w er e u n u su ally soft , an d t h ey w er e ext r em ely sm oot h ; it

w as ver y com for t ab le t o h old t h em . H ow ever , t h e p r esen t H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t
h ave t h e t im e t o fu lly exp er ien ce t h is feelin g.
In t h e in st an t t h e t w o h eld h an d s, t h e sou l p ow er fr om H u o Yu h ao’s

M yst er iou s H ea ven T ech n iqu e st ar t ed m ovin g. It flow ed r ap id ly fr om h is r igh t
h an d in t o W an g Don g’s left h an d . T h en , h is left h an d gen er at ed w h at seem ed t o
b e an ab sor p t ion for ce t h at ab sor b ed W an g Don g’s sou l p ow er in t o h is b od y.
T h e sou l p ow er of t h e t w o r ap id ly cir cu lat ed , an d t h e sp eed of t h is cir cu lat ion
w as at least d ou b le t h e sp eed of H u o Yu h ao’s p r eviou s cir cu la t ion sp eed .
W an g Don g w as a gen iu s am on g gen iu ses in t h e fir st p lace, so h e im m ed iat ely

r ealised w h at h ad h ap p en ed . “T r y con t r ollin g it for a b it . T r y an d p ou r it in t o
you r b od y.” As h e sp ok e, h e p u lled b ack h is left h an d . T h is w ay, on ly h is sou l
p ow er w as b ein g t r a n sfer r ed t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
Im m ed iat ely, H u o Yu h ao felt t h at h is sou l p ow er w as exp losively in cr easin g

at a ast on ish in g r at e; an u n p r eced en t ed feelin g of p ow er filled h is en t ir e b od y.
As a r esu lt of b ein g r em ou ld ed b y t h e M yst er iou s W at er Pill a n d n ou r ish ed b y

t h e M yst er iou s H ea ven T ech n iqu e, t h e en d u r an ce of h is p assagew ays h ad
alr ead y r each ed t h e ap ex of w h at cou ld b e ach ieved b y h is p eer s. Alt h ou gh a
lar ge am ou n t of sou l p ow er h ad en t er ed h is b od y, h e d id n ’t feel b loat ed at all.
An im p er cep t ib le sen se of u n d er st a n d in g h ad alr ead y ap p ear ed b et w een t h e
t w o of t h em . H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely act ivat ed h is M en t al Det ect ion ,
en velop in g W an g Don g w it h in it .
For t h e sak e of im m er sin g h im self in t h is b izar r e feelin g, W an g Don g sh u t h is

eyes. Im m ed iat ely, h e d iscover ed t h a t t h e r an ge of H u o Yu h ao’s M en t al
Det ect ion w as in cr ea sin g at an ast on ish in g r at e.
Or igin ally, H u o Yu h ao’s M en t al Det ect ion cou ld exceed a r an ge of sixt y

m et r es w h en it w as act ivat ed in a sp h er ical m an n er ; it cou ld r each a h u n d r ed
m et r es or so w h en it w as focu sed in on e d ir ect ion . H ow ever , h is M en t al
Det ect ion q u ick ly r each ed a r ad iu s of a h u n d r ed m et r es as a r esu lt of W an g
Don g’s ad d it ion al sou l p ow er .
As t h e t w o st ar ed st u p efied at each ot h er , H u o Yu h ao’s voice t r em b led

sligh t ly, “W an g Don g, h ave you h ear d of sou l m ast er s w h o can sh ar e t h eir sou l
p ow er w it h an ot h er p er son w h o t h ey fu sed t h eir m ar t ial sou l w it h ?”
W an g Don g b lan k ly sh ook h is h ead an d m u t t er ed , “W h y w ou ld t h is h ap p en ?

Don ’t t ell m e t h a t ou r at t em p t yest er d ay act u ally su cceed ed ?”
H u o Yu h ao h ad an excit ed exp r ession as h e said , “Sh all w e fin d a p lace t o t r y

it ou t ?”
Righ t at t h is m om en t , an an gr y voice r an g ou t fr om t h e w in d ow of t h e n ear b y

t each in g b lock : “W h y ar en ’t you t w o w ear in g you r ch ain m ail an d r u n n in g?
W h y’r e you h old in g h an d s an d cou r t in g each ot h er ?”
Book 4: The Golden Road
Souls
“W h y ar en ’t you t w o w ear in g you r ch ain m ail an d r u n n in g? W h y’r e you t w o

h old in g h an d s an d r om an cin g on e an ot h er ?”
St ar t led , t h e t w o h u r r ied ly let go of each ot h er , t h en r an b ack t ow ar d s t h eir

d or m r oom s. T h eir h ear t s w er e cu r r en t ly b eat in g ext r em ely qu ick ly, an d it
n at u r ally w asn ’t b ecau se of Zh ou Yi’s sh ou t , b u t b ecau se of t h e st r an ge ch an ge
t h at h ad occu r r ed t o t h eir m ar t ial sou ls!
T h e t w o r u sh ed b ack t o t h eir d or m s. As t h ey look ed at each ot h er , t h ey cou ld

see t h e t r ace of ast o n ish m en t t h at w as p r esen t in t h eir eyes. Righ t , t h e m at t er
t h at h a d ju st occu r r ed w as sim p ly t oo u n u su al. Regar d less of w h et h er it w as
H u o Yu h ao, w h o h ad st u d ied a lar ge am ou n t of in fo w it h r egar d s t o sou l m ast er s
aft er en t er in g Sh r ek Acad em y, or W an g Don g, w h ose k n ow led ge w as exp an sive,
t h is w a s t h e fir st t im e t h ey h ad lear n t of an yt h in g lik e t h is; t h is clear ly exceed ed
t h e t er r it or y of or d in ar y sou l m ast er s.
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t say, “It seem s lik e ou r n ap last n igh t w asn ’t for
n ot h in g!”
“Pah .” W an g Don g glar ed at h im . Bu t t h en , h e q u ick ly r aised h is soft , slen d er

h an d s an d said , “Let ’s t r y again .”
H u o Yu h ao w as also an xiou s t o ver ify t h e m at t er t h a t h ad ju st occu r r ed t o

t h em . H en ce, h e h u r r ied ly h eld h an d s w it h W an g Don g.
As t h e fou r h an d s join ed t oget h er , t h e flow of sou l p ow er im m ed iat ely

r est ar t ed . T h eir sou l p ow er w er e com p let ely d iffer en t ; T h e sou l p ow er t h at
cam e fr om H u o Yu h ao’s M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e w as h on est , m od er at e,
gen t le, an d u n con st r ain ed , w h ile W an g Don g’s sou l p ow er w as m u ch m or e
over b ear in g; it h ad a t h r eat en in g an d n ob le au r a t o it .
If H u o Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er cou ld b e com p ar ed t o a gen t le an d h on est you t h ,

W an g Don g’s sou l p ow er w as a n ob le, aloof, an d over b ear in g you n g m ist r ess.
H ow ever , t h ese t w o sou l p ow er w it h com p let ely d iffer en t t em p er am en t s h ad

cu r r en t ly for m ed a cycle, flow in g p er fect ly t h r ou gh t h eir b od ies. Fu r t h er m or e,
t h ese t w o sou l p ow er w er e act u ally fu sin g qu iet ly t h r ou gh ou t t h is p r ocess,
in t im a t ely sh ar in g ever yt h in g w it h each ot h er . Du r in g t h is p r ocess, t h er e w er e
n o con flict s d u r in g t h is p r ocess; it w as ju st as if t h ey h ad or igin ally b elon ged t o a
sin gle b od y.
H u o Yu h ao w as left in a sligh t ly b et t er st at e; aft er all, t h e sou l p ow er t h at

cam e fr om h is M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e w as ext r em ely gen t le in t h e fir st
p lace. On t h e ot h er h an d , W a n g Don g w as filled w it h ast o n ish m en t . H e w a s
fu lly aw ar e of h ow d om in eer in g an d fier ce h is sou l p ow er w as, as w ell as h ow
st r on gly it exclu d ed ot h er t h in gs fr om it self. Bu t , h is cu r r en t sit u at ion h ad
vast ly exceed ed h is scop e of k n ow led ge.
Du r in g t h e b r ief m om en t w h er e t h e cir cu lat ion occu r r ed , t h e t w o felt

ext r em ely r elaxed a n d r efr esh ed . Clear ly, it w ou ld b e m u ch fast er for t h em t o
cu lt ivat e in t h is st at e r at h er t h an cu lt iv at in g in d iv id u a lly. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey
clear ly k n ew t h at t h is w as ju st t h e b egin n in g. T h eir sou l p ow er h ad fu sed so
p er fect ly, so h ow cou ld t h e b en efit s t h a t ar ose fr om t h is b e as sim p le as a llow in g
t h em t o cu lt iva t e t oget h er ?
“Let ’s go, w e sh ou ld go r u n fir st . W e can st u d y t h is fu r t h er a ft er w e get b ack

t on igh t .” H u o Yu h a o t ook t h e in it iat ive t o let go of W an g Don g’s h an d s. T h en ,
h e p u t h is ch ain m ail on an d r an ou t sid e.
Aft er list en in g t o h is w or d s, W an g Don g w as sligh t ly st ar t led , an d h is m ou t h

sligh t ly t w it ch ed for a m om en t . H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s, in ad d it ion t o h ow h e h ad
m yst er iou sly h u gged h im for an en t ir e n igh t , cau sed a few t r a ces of am b igu it y t o
r elu ct a n t ly ap p ear in h is h ea r t . Aft er m ak in g a fist b eh in d h is b ack , h e p u t h is
ch ain m ail on an d cau gh t u p t o h im
T h ey h ad alr ea d y b een r u n n in g w it h ch a in m ail for t h r ee m on t h s, so d oin g it

n ow w as a w alk in t h e p ar k for t h em . T h e t w o d iligen t ly r an t ill t h e b ell r a n g,
an d on ly w h en Xiao Xiao cam e t o t h e field t o fin d t h em d id t h ey st op . W h en sh e
ar r ived , Xiao Xiao in for m ed t h em t h a t T each er Zh ou h ad alr ea d y left .
H u o Yu h ao’s en t ir e b od y w as cover ed w it h sw eat , w h ile W an g Don g, w h o h ad

a h igh er cu lt iva t ion , d elib er at ely m ad e it so t h at h e w asn ’t sw eat in g at all.
“H ow w as it ? Did T each er Zh ou say an yt h in g?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed as h e

p an t ed .
Xiao Xiao sh r u gged h er sh ou ld er s. “Not h in g m u ch , r eally. Sh e ju st ch eer ed

ever yon e u p an d gave u s som e en cou r agem en t . Aft er t h at , sh e an alysed t h e
sit u a t ion of ou r op p on en t s. It ’s goin g t o b e ext r em ely d ifficu lt for u s t o b ecom e
ch am p ion s. It seem s lik e t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t w as on ly a r eh ea r sal. On
t h e ot h er h a n d , ou r Sh r ek Acad em y’s n ever lack ed gen iu ses!”
As h e look ed at h er som ew h at w or r ied exp r ession , W an g Don g said , “W h at ?

Even ou r t w in m a r t ial sou l gen iu s d oesn ’t h ave an y con fid en ce in h er self?”
Xiao Xiao cu r led h er lip s an d said , “Con fid en ce is som et h in g I n at u r ally h ave,
b u t I h ave t o say t h at t h er e a r e som e p eop le w h o’r e m or e t alen t ed t h an u s.
T each er Zh ou t old u s t h at ou t of t h e five t eam s w h ich a ch ieved com p let e
vict or ies, t h r ee h ad t h r ee-r in ged Sou l Eld er s. H ow con fid en t ar e you again st s
t h r ee-r in ged sou l m a st er s?”
“Sou l Eld er s?” T h e t w o sim u lt an eou sly cr ied out w it h a look of

in con ceivab ilit y on t h eir faces.
Xiao Xiao sm iled b it t er ly. “Exact ly. W h y else w ou ld I b e so u n con fid en t ?”
“W h at d id T each er Zh ou say?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed .

“W h en sh e w as t alk in g ab ou t t h ose t h r ee t eam s, T each er Zh ou d id n ’t seem t o
b e t oo h ap p y ab ou t t h em . It look ed lik e sh e h ad ju st ob t ain ed t h at p iece of
in for m at ion . Pr eviou sly, t h ose t h r ee classes h ad n ever t old an yon e t h at t h ey h a d
st u d en t s w h o w er e Sou l Eld er s. Also, t h ose t h r ee st u d en t s ar e ju st lik e you ;
t h ey’r e sp ecially in vit ed st u d en t s.” Xiao Xiao r ep lied .
H ear in g t h is, W an g Don g lau gh ed an d look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. “See,

you ’r e all sp ecially in vit ed st u d en t s, so w h y is t h er e su ch a lar ge gap b et w een
you an d t h em ?”
H u o Yu h ao w as sp eech less for a m om en t b efor e sayin g, “T h er e’s n o u se

t alk in g ab ou t t h is n ow , t h e k ey t h in g w e n eed t o d o n ow is t o t h in k of h ow w e
can b eat t h em .”
“Righ t n ow , all w e can d o is t o d o ou r b est an d let d est in y set t le ever yt h in g for

u s. T h ose t h r ee ar e t h e r esp ect ive t ea m lead er s of t h eir ow n t eam s, so it ’s
ob viou s t h a t t h ey w on ’t b e easy t o d eal w it h . T h in k ab ou t it : t h ey w er e ab le t o
b r eak in t o t h e t h r ee-r in ged r ealm b efor e t h e age of t w elve. J u st h ow st r on g ar e
t h eir m ar t ial sou ls? Also, t h er e’s d efin it ely a clan t h at ’s fu lly su p p or t in g t h em
fr om b eh in d , so t h eir sou l r in gs ar e d efin it ely at t h eir lim it . Even if t h ey ar en ’t
as p er ver t ed as W an g Don g, w h o got a t h ou san d -year sou l r in g as h is secon d sou l
r in g, t h ey sh ou ld n ’t b e t oo far off. In m y op in ion , even T each er Zh ou d oesn ’t
t h in k it ’s look in g t oo good for u s. I t h in k t h at w e can on ly aim for fou r t h p lace,”
Xiao Xiao said .
W an g Don g sn or t ed . “W h at if t h ey h ave t h r ee r in gs? Ar e Sou l Eld er s

u n b eat ab le? W e h ave ou r ad van t ages as w ell; You h ave you r t w in m ar t ia l sou ls,
an d I h aven ’t u sed a ll of m y st r en gt h yet . In ad d it ion t o H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u a l
m ar t ial sou l, t h e t h r ee of u s m igh t n ot lose t o an yon e else if w e t eam u p
t oget h er .”
Xiao Xiao said , “Do you t h in k t h at I d on ’t w an t u s t o b ecom e ch am p ion s! On ly

t h e t op t h r ee get a su b st an t ial r ew a r d ; fou r t h p lace d oesn ’t get an y good
r ew ar d s. H ow ever , ou r com b in ed st r en gt h t r u ly isn ’t as go od as t h eir s. T h in k
ab ou t it , t h e t eam m at es of a Sou l Eld er -level st u d en t w ill a t least b e at t h e Sou l
Gr an d m ast er level, ju st lik e u s. W e d o h ave ou r ow n st r on g p oin t s, b u t t h e on ly
w ay for u s t o h ave a ch an ce is for t h e class m on it or t o b r eak in t o Ran k 20 an d
get an ot h er st r on g sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l sk ill.”
Souls
H u o Yu h ao look ed at Xiao Xiao, glan ced at W an g Don g, t h en said ser iou sly,
“Don ’t b e t oo w or r ied for n ow . T r u e, w e m igh t b e w eak er t h an ou r op p on en t s,
b u t if w e lose all co n fid en ce n ow , w e w on ’t h ave an y ch an ce at all. Xiao Xiao,
t h in k ab ou t it . W h en w e w er e facin g t h e Lan sist er s’ fu sion sk ill, w er en ’t w e p u t
in a ver y d ifficu lt sit u at ion ? Bu t w e st ill m an aged t o ach ieve vict or y in t h e en d .
T h e fu sion sk ill t h ey u sed m igh t n ot b e w eak er t h an a Sou l Eld er ’s sou l sk ill; it
cou ld even exceed it in p ow er . H ow ever , w e st ill m an aged t o over com e it .
Differ en t p eop le h ave t h eir ow n sp ecialt ies, an d lik ew ise, w e h ave ou r ow n . Ou r
ad van t age lies in t h e fact t h at w e h aven ’t u sed all ou r st r en gt h , an d w e on ly
h ave on e ob ject ive. T h at is, t o b ecom e ch am p ion s.”
H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s seem ed t o h ave r ek in d led Xiao Xiao’s con fid en ce. Sh e

n od d ed h er h ea d ligh t ly. “Figh t ! No m at t er w h er e w e get t o, t h at ’ll b e w h at ever
w e get . Let ’s d o t h is!”
H u o Yu h ao ext en d ed h is r igh t h an d , an d W an g Don g qu ick ly p laced it ab ove

h is b efor e Xiao Xiao cou ld . Last ly, Xiao Xiao p laced h er h an d on W an g Don g’s
h an d .
“W e’ll d efin it ely b e ch am p ion s.”
H u o Yu h ao said , “Xiao Xiao, it seem s lik e I’ll h ave t o ow e you r oast ed fish for
a few m or e d ays. T h e com in g k n ock -ou t r ou n d is sim p ly t oo im p or t an t t o u s, so
n o m at t er w h at , w e h ave t o d o ou r b est an d u se t h ese few d ays t o in cr ease ou r
cu lt ivat ion s. Even if w e can on ly in cr ease it b y a st r an d , it ’ll in cr ease ou r
ch an ces of vict or y b y a lar ge am ou n t . On ce t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t is over ,
I’ll t ak e car e of t h e r oast ed fish . I w on ’t b e set t in g u p m y st or e for t h ese few
d ays, so let ’s fir st con cen t r at e on cu lt ivat in g b efor e t alk in g ab ou t it .”
Xiao Xiao giggled . “You ’ll h ave t o p ay in t er est for a n o w ed d eb t . Class
m on it or , I’m b lam in g t h is on you an yw ay, so I w on ’t p ay you w h en I eat you r
r oast ed fish in t h e fu t u r e.”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “No p r ob lem , I’ll t r eat you t o som e fish .”
Xiao Xiao said , “T each er Zh ou sa id t h at w e’ll h ave t o gat h er at t h e Assessm en t

Ar ea b efor e t h e b ell r in gs t om or r ow . Also, sh e t old m e t o t ell you t h at you ’r e n ot
allow ed t o b e lat e. T h e fir st t h in g w e n eed t o d o is t o p r ay for lu ck . H ow ever ,
T each er Zh ou said t h at t eam s w h o ach ieved a clean sw eep d u r in g t h e r ou n d -
r ob in t ou r n am en t w ill h ave som e p r efer en t ial t r eat m en t d u r in g t h e fir st t w o
r ou n d s of t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t ; w e w on ’t m eet each ot h er . T h is is t h e on ly
good t h in g w e got fr om t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t . As lon g as w e d o w h at w e
u su ally d o, t h er e sh ou ld b e n o p r ob lem for u s t o en t er t h e t op sixt een . Aft er
t h at , it ’ll ju st d ep en d on u s.”
H u o Yu h ao said , “T h is is act u a lly so m e good n ew s. Righ t , b efor e w e d o

an yt h in g else, I’m sw eat y, so I’m goin g b ack t o sh ow er b efor e gr ab b in g a m eal.”
Xiao Xiao said , “T h en , I w on ’t w ait for you t w o. I’ll go t o t h e can t een fir st , see
you t om or r ow .” Aft er sp eak in g, sh e w aved t ow ar d s t h e t w o of t h em an d left .
H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed t ow ar d s W an g Don g, sligh t ly fu r r ow in g h is b r ow s. “Seem s

lik e it w on ’t b e easy t o get a good r esu lt in t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t . Let ’s go
b ack t o t h e d or m s, an d aft er I sh ow er an d ch an ge, w e can go eat . T h en , w e can
go t h in k ab ou t t h is issu e r egar d in g ou r m ar t ial sou l fu sion .”
“Yu p .” W an g Don g n od d ed . H ow ever , h e clear ly seem ed som ew h at t acit u r n ,

t o t h e p oin t w h er e h e look ed b lan k an d lifeless; n ob od y k n ew w h at h e w as
t h in k in g. Aft er r et u r n in g t o t h eir d or m r oom , H u o Yu h ao t ook a clean set of
clot h es as w ell as a t ow el an d w en t t o sh ow er , w h ile W an g Don g sat b y h im self
on h is b ed .
“T h u m p .” T h e d oor sh u t . W an g Don g su b con sciou sly look ed t ow ar d s t h e

d oor , gr ad u ally exp osin g a sligh t ly com p licat ed look in h is b la n k eyes.
Ear lier , h e h ad n ’t h a d an y t im e t o set t le h is d eb t s w it h H u o Yu h ao r egar d in g
t h e issu e of sleep in g t oget h er w it h h im d u e t o t h em t u r n in g u p lat e for class.
Now , H u o Yu h ao h a d alr ead y seem ed t o h ave d isr egar d ed it as an u n im p or t an t
issu e, b u t W an g Don g w as feelin g com p let ely d iffer en t ly.
I , I act ual l y sl ept w i t h h i m f or an ent i r e ni ght . M or eover , i t even seem s l i k e

w e’ ve com pl et ed a m ar t i al soul f usi on, an d not a nor m al one at t hat .
W an g Don g h i m sel f di dn ’ t k n ow h ow h e w as cur r en t l y f eel i n g; h e f el t t h at h e

w as sl i gh t l y con f used, con f used t o t h e poi n t w h er e h e di dn ’ t k n ow w h at t o do.
T i m e al w ays f l i es by w h en on e i s di st r act ed. Not l on g af t er h e l ef t , H uo Yuh ao

r et ur n ed af t er a r ef r esh i n g sh ow er . As h e en t er ed, h e br ough t a f ai n t l y f r agr an t
sm el l w i t h h i m t h at cam e af t er h i s sh ow er . As h e r ai sed h i s h ead, W an g Don g
saw h i s un usual l y br i gh t pupi l s.
H uo Yuh ao st i l l h adn ’ t n ot i ced t h e ch an ge i n W an g Don g’ s psych e. H e

beck on ed, “ Let ’ s qui ck l y go f or a m eal an d st udy our m ar t i al soul f usi on af t er
com i n g back . Per h aps w e’ l l h ave t o r el y on i t i f w e w an t t o get a good r esul t i n
t h e en d.” T h e cur r en t h i m w as com pl et el y f ocused on t h e f r esh m en
assessm en t ’ s k n ock -out t our n am en t .
W an g Don g’ s som ew h at per pl exed em ot i on s seem ed t o h ave f oun d an

object i ve. Noddi n g h i s h ead, h e sai d, “ Ok ay.” Si n ce t h e m at t er h ad al r eady
occur r ed, t h er e w as n o use i n t h i n k i n g t oo deepl y about i t . H e w oul d f i r st w or k
h ar d dur i n g t h i s assessm en t an d get a good r an k i n g bef or e t al k i n g about i t .
W h en Xi ao Xi ao spok e about t h e appear an ces of t h e f ew Soul El der s, W an g
Don g’ s f i gh t i n g spi r i t h ad al so been ar oused.
H e f i r m l y bel i eved t h at h i s t al en t w asn ’ t l ack i n g com par ed t o t h ose Soul

El der -l evel l ed st uden t s. On l y, h e h ad been ext r em el y l azy dur i n g h i s yout h , an d
h ad been com pl et el y un w i l l i n g t o cul t i vat e, w h i ch w as t h e r eason w h y h e w as
on l y at h i s cur r en t l evel . I n h i s opi n i on , r an k s di dn ’ t m ean ever yt h i n g; by
beat i n g t h em , h e coul d pr ove t h at h e w as t h e m ost out st an di n g st uden t i n Sh r ek
Academ y.
Aft er t h in k in g ab ou t t h is, h is h ear t u n t an gled it self. Follow in g H u o Yu h ao t o
t h e can t een , h e im m ed iat ely at e a gar gan t u an m eal. Becau se t h ey w en t t o t h e
can t een r ela t ively lat e, t h er e w as p r act ically n o on e left w h en t h ey fin ish ed
eat in g.
Aft er r et u r n in g t o t h eir r oom , H u o Yu h ao lock ed t h e d oor , p r even t in g an yon e

fr om d ist u r b in g t h em w h ile t h ey w er e cu lt ivat in g. At t h e sa m e t im e, h e p laced a
‘Do Not Dist u r b ’ sign on t h e ou t sid e of t h e d oor . Ever y d or m r oom h ad t h is sign ;
an d as lon g as a st u d en t h u n g it u p , even t each er s w ou ld n ’t ea sily d ist u r b t h em ,
as t h is sign sign ified t h at t h e st u d en t s in sid e w er e cu lt ivat in g.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao’s for m er ly n or m al b eh aviou r seem ed t o m ak e t h e

cu r r en t W an g Don g som ew h at em b ar r a ssed . Bu t h e qu ick ly ad ju st ed h im self,
an d b y t h e t im e H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed a r ou n d , h e h ad a lr ead y r egain ed h is
com p osu r e.
“H ow ’r e w e goin g t o st ar t ?” W an g Don g ask ed h im .
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “W e’ll t r y t o cu lt ivat e w h ile h old in g ou r h an d s for a w h ile

fir st . T h is w ay, w e can in cr ease t h e effect s an d b e m or e fam iliar w it h t h e fu sion
b et w een ou r sou l p ow er . T h en , w e’ll t r y t o u se t h e fu sed sou l p ow er t o
st r en gt h en each an d ever y on e of ou r sou l sk ills. Lat er at n igh t , w e’ll leave t h e
acad em y an d t est ou t ou r fu sion sk ill t h er e.”
W an g Don g cu r led h is lip s. “You ’r e act u a lly q u it e or d er ly w it h you r p lan s.”
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed . “Nat u r ally. Don ’t for get , I’m t h e class m on it or . Isn ’t

b ein g or d er ly som et h in g t h at sh ou ld b e ext r em ely n or m al for m e? Com e.” As h e
sp ok e, h e w alk ed over t o W an g Don g’s b ed , in t en d in g t o sit on it .
“W h at ’r e you d oin g? ” W an g Don g p u sh ed h is b od y aw ay.
H u o Yu h ao su sp iciou sly ask ed , “I’m t r yin g t o cu lt ivat e! H ow ar e w e goin g t o

cu lt ivat e if w e d on ’t sit cr oss-legged ?”
H ow ever , W an g Don g st ood u p an d p oin t ed at H u o Yu h ao’s b ed . “W e’ll
cu lt ivat e on you r b ed .”
H u o Yu h ao w as sp eech less. “If you ’r e n ot afr aid of a sor e b u t t , I h ave n ot h in g

t o say.”
W an g Don g clear ly saw t h at H u o Yu h a o’s exp r ession h ad t u r n ed som ew h at

u n sigh t ly. At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao w as t r u ly som ew h at u n h ap p y. In h is
op in ion , t h e t w o of t h em h ad alr ead y b een fr ien d s for a lo n g t im e, b u t W an g
Don g st ill con t in u ed t o b ick er an d b ick er on ; t h is w as ver y p et t y-m in d ed t o h im .
Souls
H ow ever , W an g Don g in sist ed on d oin g it h is w ay, so t h e t w o sat on H u o

Yu h ao’s b ed . T h e in st an t h e sat d ow n , W an g Don g felt som ew h at gloom y; w h en
com p ar ed t o h is fu r m at t r ess, t h is com p let ely h ar d w ood en b oar d cou ld n ’t b e
con sid er ed com for t ab le in t h e least ! H ow ever , h e cou ld on ly en d u r e it . T h ey h ad
accid en t ally slep t on h is b ed last n igh t , a n d W an g Don g d id n ’t w an t t o let H u o
Yu h ao on h is b ed again .
H u o Yu h ao w as st ill a ver y m agn an im ou s p er son . Aft er feelin g d issat isfied for

a sh or t p er iod of t im e, h e h ad a lr ead y r egain ed h is com p osu r e. In h is h ear t , h e
t h ou gh t , “W h at ever . Differ en t p eop le h ave t h eir ow n h a b it s, b u t I sh ou ld
n ever t h eless r esp ect ever yon e.” T h in k in g t h is, t h e sm all t r ace of r esen t m en t in
h is h ear t d isap p ear ed .
As W an g Don g look ed at H u o Yu h ao, h e n ot iced t h at H u o Yu h ao w as also

look in g at h im , an d h is h ea r t u n k n ow in gly felt som ew h at h u r r ied an d
ap ologet ic. H e h u r r ied ly r aised h is p alm s. “Let ’s st ar t . W e’ll follow you r p lan .
W e’ll cu lt iva t e u n t il d in n er t im e an d see w h at h ap p en s.”
H u o Yu h ao h a d r a ised h is p alm s as w ell, p lacin g t h em op p osit e W an g Don g’s.

On ce t h e t w o t ou ch ed each ot h er , t h eir sou l p ow er w er e im m ed iat ely at t r act ed ,
cau sin g t h em t o fu se t oget h er . Aft er a m er e sin gle cir cu la t ion in t h eir b od ies,
t h e t w o sou l p ow er com p let ed t h e fu sion p r ocess. Follow in g t h at , a fu sed d u al-
at t r ib u t e sou l p ow er w as n ow flow in g t h r ou gh t h eir b od ies.
Sin ce d iscover in g t h is od d m a t t er in t h e m or n in g, t h ey h a d n ’t h ad en ou gh
t im e t o st u d y it car efu lly. As t h ey cu lt ivat ed calm ly n ow , a d iffer en t feelin g
gr ad u ally ap p ear ed .
J u st as t h ey h ad p r eviou sly felt , t h e in cr ease in t h eir sou l p ow er w h en t h e t w o
cu lt ivat ed w it h t h eir h an d s h eld t oget h er w as ext r em ely qu ick . Sim p ly p u t ,
t h eir in d ivid u a l sou l p ow er w er e in cr easin g at a r at e t h at w as eq u ivalen t t o t h at
of t w o p eop le p u t t oget h er .
In ot h er w or d s, if t h e am ou n t of sou l p ow er H u o Yu h ao gain ed aft er

cu lt ivat in g for t w o h ou r s w as r ep r esen t ed b y on e u n it , an d t h e am ou n t of sou l
p ow er W an g Don g gain ed aft er cu lt ivat in g for t h e sam e t im e w as r ep r esen t ed b y
1.2 u n it s, w h en t h e t w o cu lt ivat ed t oget h er , t h e m ixt u r e of t h eir t w o sou l p ow er
w ou ld b e st r en gt h en ed t oget h er , an d n ot on ly w ou ld it in cr ease t h e cir cu lat ion
sp eed of t h eir sou l p ow er , b u t t h e am ou n t of sou l p ow er t h ey w ou ld each gain
w it h in t w o h ou r s w ou ld b e r ep r esen t ed b y 2.2 u n it s.
T h is w ay, H u o Yu h ao’s cu lt ivat ion sp eed w ou ld m or e t h an d ou b le, w h ile

W an g Don g’s cu lt iva t ion sp eed w ou ld n ear ly d ou b le. T h e p er son w h o b en efit t ed
m or e fr om t h is w as u n d ou b t ed ly H u o Yu h ao, as W an g Don g’s cu lt ivat ion w as
h igh er t h an h is. H ow ever , as t h eir cu lt ivat ion levels st ar t ed get t in g closer t o
each ot h er , t h e in d ivid u a l b en efit s t h ey gain ed w ou ld b e m u ch m or e sim ilar as
w ell.
A d ou b lin g in cu lt ivat in g sp eed t o sou l m ast er s w as com p let ely ast on ish in g!
H u o Yu h ao’s or igin a l p lan h a d b een t o t r y an d get t o Ran k 20 b efor e gr ad u at in g
h is fir st year , b u t follow in g h is cu r r en t r at e of cu lt iva t ion , t h er e w as a
p ossib ilit y of h im get t in g t o Ran k 20 w it h in t h r ee or fou r m on t h s. On t h e ot h er
h an d , if W an g Don g cu lt ivat ed w it h t h is sp eed all t h e w ay u n t il t h e en d of t h e
year , get t in g t o Ran k 30 w asn ’t an im p ossib ilit y.
Aft er n ear ly six h ou r s of cu lt iva t in g, w h en t h e sk y ou t sid e h ad gr ad u ally

b egu n t o d ar k en , t h e t w o w ok e u p fr om t h eir m ed it at ive st at e. T h eir sou l p ow er
r et u r n ed t o t h eir ow n b od ies, an d t h e or igin ally en t w in ed sou l p ow er
im m ed iat ely sep ar at ed . T h e t w o cou ld clear ly feel t h a t t h eir cu lt ivat ion s h ad
in cr eased a t a m u ch fast er p ace t h an t h ey u su ally d id .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g sim u lt an eou sly op en ed t h eir eyes, im m ed iat ely

n ot icin g t h e su r p r ise in t h e ot h er ’s eyes. Regar d less of w h er e t h is m ar t ial sou l
fu sion h ad com e fr om , it w as an ext r em ely good t h in g for t h em ! T h is w as
esp ecially so for H u o Yu h ao, as t h e in cr ease in h is cu lt ivat ion sp eed w as m u ch
gr eat er t h an t h e in cr ease t o W an g Don g’s; it cou ld b e said t h at h e’d t ak en a
sm all ad van t age fr om W an g Don g.
T h e t w o cou ld n ’t w ait t o st ar t t r yin g ou t t h eir st r en gt h en ed sou l sk ills, an d

t h is t im e, t h ey d iscover ed a m yst er y w it h in t h eir m ar t ial sou l fu sion .
Ever y sin gle on e of t h eir sou l sk ills w ou ld b e st r en gt h en ed b y an ext r em ely

lar ge am ou n t follow in g t h e fu sion , a n d it w asn ’t ju st a s sim p le as ‘1+1=2’.
W h en ever t h ey w or k ed t oget h er t o u n leash a sou l sk ill, n ot on ly w ou ld it s m igh t
d ou b le, b u t t h e con su m p t ion of sou l p ow er it r equ ir ed w ou ld d ecr ease b y a h alf.
In ot h er w or d s, t h e d r ain in sou l p ow er aft er t h e t w o t yp es of sou l p ow er fu sed
w as ext r em ely sm all. T h is w as eq u iva len t t o a n all-n ew t yp e of h igh -level sou l
p ow er aft er t h ey fu sed .
Becau se of t h is, t h eir cu r r en t st at e cou ld n ’t b e con sid er ed a m ar t ial sou l

fu sion . It w ou ld b e m or e accu r at e t o call it a sou l p ow er fu sion . H ow ever , W an g
Don g m ad e w as sp eech less b y t h e fact t h at it w asn ’t h im , w h o h ad a st r on ger
cu lt ivat ion , w h o t ook t h e in it iat ive aft er t h ey fu sed .
W h en t h eir b od ies t ou ch ed an d t h eir sou l p ow er fu sed , H u o Yu h ao w as

u n exp ect ed ly left in t h e d om in an t p osit ion . As lon g as h e w illed it , t h e fu sion
w ou ld go ah ea d on ce h e t o u ch ed W an g Don g’s b od y, r egar d less of w h et h er
W an g Don g coop er at ed or n ot . Also, t h e p er son w h o cou ld u se t h e fu sed sou l
p ow er t o act ivat e t h e st r en gt h en ed sou l sk ills w as H u o Yu h ao. Bu t if W an g Don g
w an t ed t o u se t h is fu sed sou l p ow er , h e w ou ld n eed H u o Yu h ao’s ap p r oval
b efor e d oin g so. T h e d iffer en ce in w h o w a s d om in an t in t h is fu sion w as clear .
“W h y w ou ld t h is h a p p en ? It ’s t oo u n fair .” W an g Don g said in d ign an t ly.
H u o Yu h ao, sp eech less, said , “I d on ’t k n ow eit h er ! Don ’t w or r y, I’ll d efin it ely

t r y m y b est t o h elp you ou t w h en you n eed t o u se it .”
Alt h ou gh h e d id n ’t say an yt h in g, H u o Yu h ao w as fain t ly aw ar e t h at t h is h a d
som et h in g t o d o w it h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m . Ot h er w ise, w h y w ou ld h e, w h o
h ad a w eak er cu lt iva t ion , t ak e t h e d om in an t p osit ion aft er t h e fu sion occu r r ed ?
“W an g Don g, d on ’t feel so u p set . T h is n ew sou l p ow er of ou r s sh ou ld also

h ave a n am e, so let ’s ju st u se you r n am e t o n am e it .”
W an g Don g giggled . “W h at ever . You w an n a call it t h e W in t er k in g Pow er ?

T h at sou n d s r eally b ad . W h y d on ’t w e u se a w or d fr om each of ou r n am es? Let ’s
call it t h e H aod on g Pow er .”
H u o Yu h ao scr at ch ed h is h ea d . “It d oes k in d a sou n d b et t er .”
W an g Don g st ood u p , r u b b in g h is b u t t ock s as h e u n h ap p ily said , “T h is b r ok en

m at t r ess of you r s is t oo h ar d , let ’s cu lt ivat e on m y b ed lat er t on igh t . Sin ce
you ’ve t ak en su ch a lar ge ad van t age fr om m e, you ’r e t r eat in g m e t o d in n er
t on igh t .” H e r aised h is h ea d sligh t ly a s h e sp ok e. T h en , h e r est ed h is h ea d
again st h is h an d s an d w alk ed ou t .
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sm ile as h e look ed at W an g Don g’s seem in gly

in d iffer en t exp r ession . T hi s f el l a never adm i t s hi s m i st ak es and al w ays act s
ar r ogant , but i n r eal i t y, he has a good hear t .
“ So be i t . I n an y case, I ear n ed al l m y m on ey f r om sel l i n g r oast ed f i sh es, so I ’ l l

eat your f ood i f I r un out of m on ey.” H e st ar t ed t o ch ase af t er W an g Don g w h i l e
t al k i n g.
Regar dl ess of w h et h er i t w as H uo Yuh ao or W an g Don g, t h ey bot h cl ear l y f el t

a ch an ge i n t h ei r r el at i on sh i p af t er t h e cr eat i on of t h e H aodon g Pow er . W an g
Don g w as n o l on ger a si m pl e f r i en d or cl assm at e t o h i m , h e w as a br ot h er . H e
bel i eved t h at W an g Don g t h ough t so as w el l . As f or w h et h er t h at w as t r ue or
n ot , on l y W an g Don g k n ew t h e an sw er t o t h at ...
W h ile eat in g d in n er , a t r ace of su sp icion ar ose in H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t . T h is
su sp icion cam e fr om h is u n d er st a n d in g of t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ; it p r eviou sly
said t h a t it w ou ld give m or e of it s Or igin En er gy t o h im on ce h is b od y w as ab le
t o en d u r e it , w h ich w ou ld allow h is sou l sk ills t o r each t h eir m axim u m levels as
h is sou l r in gs in cr eased in r an k .
Souls
H ow ever , t h e st r en gt h of all h is so u l sk ills h ad in cr eased aft er w or k in g

t oget h er w it h W an g Don g t o gen er at e t h e H aod on g Pow er , an d alt h ou gh h e
cou ld sen se t h at h e w as n ear h is b od y’s lim it , h e w as st ill ab le t o en d u r e. Sin ce
t h is w as t h e ca se, w h y d id n ’t t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m st r en gt h en h is sou l sk ills
t o t h is p oin t ?
“You id iot .” J u st as su sp icion ar ose in H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t , t h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m ’s voice r an g ou t in h is m in d .
“Br o, you w er en ’t sleep in g?” Su r p r ised , H u o Yu h ao im m ed ia t ely ask ed in h is

m in d .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sn or t ed . “I’m ob viou sly aw ak e. Do you t h in k I lik e t o

sleep t h at m u ch ?”
H u o Yu h ao secr et ly cu r sed t o h im self. I f you don’ t l i k e sl eepi ng, how di d you

sl eep f or a m i l l i on year s?
T h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m sai d, “ T h e an sw er t o your w or r i es i s ext r em el y

si m pl e. I t ’ s t r ue t h at I di dn ’ t r ai se t h e r an k of your soul r i n g t o i t s l i m i t , but
t h at ’ s because I can ’ t al l ow you t o becom e an i n f l at ed bal l oon . Let m e gi ve you
an exam pl e. T h er e’ s a t ype of f i sh cal l ed t h e T i ger Bl ow f i sh . I t s body i s f i l l ed
w i t h spi n es, an d w h en ever i t ’ s i n dan ger , i t ’ l l i n st an t l y i n f l at e i t sel f , expan di n g
i t s body an d r el easi n g al l of i t s spi n es. T h i s m ak es i t so t h at i t s pr edat or s ar e
un abl e t o eat i t . I t coul d be sai d t h at i t al l ow s i t s body t o expan d t o i t s l i m i t i n a
si t uat i on l i k e t h at .”
“ I n deed, t h e at t ack pow er of t h e bl ow f ish ’ s spi n es i s r ai sed t o i t s l i m i t s i n a

si t uat i on l i k e t h i s, but w h at i f a n eedl e st abs i t ? W h at w oul d h appen t h en ?
Lik ew ise, you ’r e t h e sam e. If I r a ised t h e st r en gt h of you r sou l r in gs t o t h e
m axim u m am ou n t t h at you can en d u r e, you ’d b e ju st lik e t h a t b alloon on ce you
en cou n t er a m ish ap d u r in g a b at t le or cu lt ivat ion ; you ’d exp lod e w it h a b an g.
Becau se of t h at , t h e ‘m axim u m lim it you can en d u r e’ I’m r efer r in g t o is t h e lim it
at w h ich you can com p let ely en d u r e it w it h ou t an y sid e effect s. W h en you r sou l
p ow er fu sed w it h W an g Don g’s ear lier , t h e fu sed en er gy in st an t ly im p r oved
you r p h ysiq u es. T h is is a n ot h er gr eat b en efit t h a t I h elp ed you ob t ain w h en you
t w o ach ieved a 10 0 % fu sion an d t h or ou gh ly fu sed you r t w o t yp es of sou l p ow er s
last n igh t .”
“In ot h er w or d s, w h en ever you sou l p ow er s fu se, t h e en d u r an ce of you r

b od ies w ill also in cr ease as a r esu lt of t h is fu sed sou l p ow er . An d w h en you can
su st ain a st r on ger sou l p ow er , t h e st r en gt h of you r sou l sk ills w ill in cr ease
accor d in gly. T h is in it self is t h e secr et b eh in d a m ar t ial sou l fu sion . H ow ever ,
you r m ar t ial sou l fu sion d iffer s fr om t h at of or d in ar y cu lt ivat or s, an d you ’ll
r eceive d iffer en t b en efit s. Du r in g you r fu sion , you r b od ies w ill b e con st an t ly
im p r ovin g as a r esu lt of you r fu sed sou l p ow er , so as lon g a s you con t in u e t o
cu lt ivat e t oget h er , t h er e’ll b e a d ay w h en you r p h ysiqu es an d cu lt ivat ion sp eed s
ar e t h e b est in t h e h u m an w or ld .”
“Nat u r ally, t h is p r o cess in im p r ovem en t is r at h er agon izin gly slow . If you

t w o can ach ieve a T r u e Fu sion in t h e fu t u r e, t h en it ’s effect s w ill b e even
b et t er .?
Pu zzled , H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “W h at ’s a ‘T r u e Fu sion ’?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m seem ed t o t u r n b lan k for a m om en t b efor e u t t er in g,

“Aih , I d on ’t k n ow . I’ve n ever t r ied it eit h er . Ok ay, ju st con t in u e t r yin g t h in gs
ou t w it h h im . You ’ll r eceive en or m ou s b en efit s fr om b ot h you r sou l p ow er
fu sion an d you r m ar t ial sou l fu sion . In t h e fu t u r e, you ’ll slow ly u n d er st a n d
w h at I m ean .”
As h e fin ish ed h is sen t en ce, t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m st op p ed b ot h er in g t o t alk

an d d isap p ear ed .
“Oi, h as you r food got t en in t o you r n ose?” Aft er look in g at H u o Yu h ao’s
d ayd r eam in g face for a lon g t im e, W an g Don g w aved h is h an d in fr on t of h is
face.
“Eh …” H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly r u b b ed h is n ose, b u t h e t h en n ot iced t h at W an g

Don g w as sm ilin g n a u gh t ily.
“W h at ’r e t h in k in g a b ou t ? You look ed lik e you w er e in a t r an ce.” W an g Don g

said lau gh in gly. H e n ot iced t h a t H u o Yu h ao’s b lan k exp r ession w as ver y fu n n y
t o look at .
H u o Yu h ao said , “I’m ob viou sly t h in k in g ab ou t ou r H aod on g Pow er . I’m

t h in k in g ab ou t w h y ou r sou l p ow er s w ou ld fu se, an d aft er som e t h ou gh t , t h er e’s
on ly on e p ossib ilit y. T h at is, w h en ou r m ar t ial sou ls fu sed last n igh t , ou r
com p at ib ilit y r at e w as ext r em ely h igh ; t h at ’s w h y so m et h in g lik e t h is
h ap p en ed .
W an g Don g’s eyes lit u p , “Righ t ! You m ak e som e sen se. If t h at w asn ’t t h e
case, w h y w ou ld som et h in g u n iq u e lik e t h is h ap p en ? Qu ick ly eat , an d w e can go
see w h et h er w e ca n r elease a fu sion sk ill on ce w e’r e d on e. Bu t d o you k n ow h ow
a fu sion sk ill is act ivat ed ?”
Sp eech less, H u o Yu h ao said , “H ow w ou ld I k n ow ? Doesn ’t it ju st n at u r ally

com e t o you ?”
T h eir t w o sm all eyes cou ld n ’t h elp b u t exp ose a t r ace of sp eech lessn ess an d a
b it t er sm ile. Righ t , alt h ou gh t h e t each er s d id t alk ab ou t fu sion sk ills in t h eir
lect u r es, it w as an a b ilit y t h a t b elon ged t o on ly an ext r em ely sm all n u m b er of
t h e p op u lat ion , so t h eir t each er s h ad ju st glan ced over it , a n d n ever exp lain ed
h ow it cou ld b e act ivat ed . Aft er all, t h e n u m b er of p eop le w h o cou ld t r u ly
r elease a fu sion sk ill w as t r u ly t oo sm all.
W an g Don g said , “W h at ever , w e’ll go t r y it ou t t on igh t . If t h at d oesn ’t w or k ,

w e’ll go fin d T each er Zh ou an d see w h et h er sh e k n ow s of an y w ays w e can go
ab ou t t h is.”
“Yu p .” W h ile an sw er in g, H u o Yu h ao k ep t cr yin g ou t t o t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m in h is m in d . H e b elieved t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew o r m , w it h h is m illion
year s of exp er ien ce, w ou ld d efin it ely k n ow t h e an sw er t o t h is qu est ion .
“Id iot , w h y ar e you d ist u r b in g m e over a sm all m a t t er lik e t h is? J u st d o

w h at ever you d id la st n igh t ! You id iot .” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m seem ed t o b e
ju st on t h e ver ge of sleep in g, so it w as ver y u n h ap p y w h en H u o Yu h ao w ok e it
u p . Aft er m u m b lin g for a b it , it d isap p ear ed again .
Just do w hat ever w e di d l ast ni gh t ? Af t er t h i n k i n g bl an k l y f or a m om en t , h e

qui ck l y un der st ood w h at t h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m m ean t . H uggi n g?
Af t er speedi n g t h r ough di n n er , H uo Yuh ao an d W an g Don g qui ck l y l ef t t h e

col l ege w i t h an exci t ed an d cur i ous f eel i n g i n t h ei r h ear t s. H uo Yuh ao h adn ’ t
sol d an y r oast ed f i sh es t oday, so as t h e t w o l ef t t h r ough t h e academ y’ s en t r an ce,
t h ey bum ped i n t o m an y r egul ar s w h o st ar t ed t o com pl ai n . Apol ogi zi n g
pr of usel y w as t h e on l y t h i n g h e coul d do, an d h e used t h e excuse of pr epar i n g
f or t h e r an k i n g t our n am en t t o m ak e h i s w ay t h r ough t h e cr ow d.
“ W e sh oul d speed up.” W an g Don g sof t l y sh out ed out , an d on ce h i s f eet

t ouch ed t h e gr oun d, h e sudden l y sped up, causi n g h i s body t o f l y out l i k e an
ar r ow t h at h ad l ef t a bow .
I f t h i s h ad been t h r ee m on t h s ago, H uo Yuh ao m i gh t n ot even h ave been abl e

t o see h i s sh adow , but h i s t h r ee m on t h s of bi t t er t r ai n i n g w asn ’ t w ast ed on H uo
Yuh ao. Af t er exer t i n g st r en gt h i n h i s l egs, H uo Yuh ao’ s speed si m i l ar l y soar ed,
an d al t h ough h e di dn ’ t l ook as gr acef ul as W an g Don g, h e absol ut el y w asn ’ t
sl ow . H e r ush ed t ow ar ds W an g Don g, an d w h en ever h e l an ded, h e w oul d l eave a
f oot pr i n t i n t h e gr oun d
T h e expl osi ven ess f r om h i s m uscl es f l ow ed en dl essl y t o h i s l egs, an d t h e f l ow

of h i s i n t er n al soul pow er un ceasi n gl y r epl en i sh ed h i s l ost ph ysi cal st r en gt h .
T h e even i n g ai r w as ver y r el axi n g an d r ef r esh i n g, an d t h e t w o of t h em

cur r en t l y f el t l i k e t h ey w er e t r avel l i n g i n t h e w i n d. W i t h out t h e con st r ai n t s of
t h e ch ain m ail, t h e r efr esh in g feelin g all over t h eir b od ies allow ed t h eir sp eed s t o
r each t h eir m axim u m levels.
In t h e en d , W an g Don g’s fou n d at ion w as st ill m u ch b et t er t h an H u o Yu h ao’s,

an d t h u s h e q u ick ly w id en ed t h e d ist an ce b et w een t h em . W h en t h is d ist an ce
exceed ed 30 0 m et er s, h e slow ed d ow n an d w ait ed for H u o Yu h ao t o cat ch u p .
“Ok ay. As a con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er w h o d oesn ’t sp ecialise in fr on t lin e

com b at , you r sp eed is st ill p assab le.” W a n g Don g sp ok e w it h a h au gh t y air as h e
look ed at H u o Yu h ao .
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “W e’r e alm ost t h er e. Let ’s go in t o t h e for est .”
“Ok ay.” W an g Don g n od d ed . Aft er t h e t w o m ad e su r e t h er e w as n o on e

ar ou n d t h em , t h ey sim u lt an eou sly r an in t o t h e for est b y t h e r oad sid e. T h ey on ly
st op p ed aft er t h ey w er e sever al h u n d r ed m et r es in t o t h e for est .
“Let ’s d o it h er e. H ow ar e w e gon n a t r y it ou t ?” W an g Don g ask ed .
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “Let ’s fir st t est t h e r ecover y sp eed of ou r H aod on g

Pow er .” H e r aised h is h an d s as h e sp ok e.
W an g Don g t h en join ed h is h an d s w it h H u o Yu h ao’s. Aft er t h eir p r act ice in

t h e aft er n oon , t h ey w er e ext r em ely fam iliar w it h t h e cir cu la t ion of t h e H aod on g
Pow er . J u st as t h ey p r ed ict ed , t h e H aod on g Pow er t h ey gen er at ed aft er fu sin g
t h eir sou l p ow er s in cr eased t h e r ecover y sp eed of t h eir p h ysica l st r en gt h , a s w ell
as t h eir sou l p ow er , b y a cer t ain am ou n t . H ow ever , t h is in cr ease w asn ’t as
sign ifican t w h en com p ar ed t o t h e in cr ea se in t h eir cu lt ivat ion sp eed s.
“It ’s or d in ar y! H ow ever , it h as it s u ses.” Aft er a b r ief m om en t , W an g Don g

fu lly r ep len ish ed h is lost p h ysical st r en gt h .
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed b efor e sp r ead in g h is a r m s w id e. “Com e.”
W an g Don g w as st u n n ed . H is gaze t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely t u r n ed

vigilan t . “W h at ’r e you d oin g?”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied in a ver y n at u r a l m an n er , “Let ’s h u g!”
“You …” W an g Don g’s exp r ession im m ed iat ely ch an ged . H is fa ce t u r n ed gr een

b efor e p alin g. “H u o Yu h ao, I n ever t h ou gh t you ’d b e som eon e lik e t h is. Do you
act u ally t h in k t h at I w on ’t b eat you t o t h e p oin t w h er e you ca n ’t even t ak e ca r e
of you r self?”
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow w h et h er h e sh ou ld lau gh or cr y. “W h at ’r e you even

t h in k in g ab ou t ? You id iot , h ave you for got t en h ow w e cau sed t h e m ar t ial sou l
fu sion in t h e fir st p lace? Sin ce w e can alr ead y fu se ou r sou l p ow er s n ow , t h e
sim p lest w ay for u s t o act ivat e ou r fu sion is t o r ep eat w h at h ap p en ed
yest er d ay!”
On ly t h en d id W a n g Don g u n d er st a n d w h at h e h a d m ean t . H e w as
im m ed iat ely em b ar r assed t o t h e p oin t w h er e h is face t u r n ed b r igh t r ed .
Alt h ou gh it w as alr ead y qu it e d ar k , H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes w er e ab le t o clear ly
see t h in gs even if it w as m id n igh t ; n at u r ally, h e saw W an g Don g’s r eact ion
clear ly.
“You d id n ’t even exp lain an yt h in g b efor e you ask ed m e t o h u g you . Ar e you

p u r p osely t r yin g t o em b ar r ass m e?” W an g Don g u sed h is an ger t o d isgu ise h is
em b ar r assm en t an d aw k w ar d n ess.
Sp eech less, H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “I d id n ’t k n ow t h at you r t h ou gh t s w er e t h is

u n h ealt h y. W e’r e b o t h gu ys, so w h at ca n w e even d o? H u r r y u p . Let ’s get t h is
d on e ear ly so w e can con t in u e cu lt ivat in g lat er .”
W an g Don g h esit a t ed for a m om en t . “W e’r e ou t sid e t h e cit y n ow , ar e you su r e

t h at w e w on ’t ju st fa ll asleep lik e yest er d ay?”
H u o Yu h ao sp eech lessly r ep lied , “It w on ’t . T od ay’s sit u at ion is d iffer en t fr om

yest er d ay’s. W h y ar e you act in g so over ly car efu l lik e a w om an ? I’m goin g t o
st ar t n ow .” As h e sp ok e, h e q u ick ly t ook a st ep for w ar d an d h u gged W an g Don g
in a sin gle m ovem en t .
W an g Don g’s b od y st iffen ed . In t h e in st a n t h e w as h u gged b y H u o Yu h ao, h e
felt h is m in d go som ew h at b lan k . H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as sligh t ly sw eat y d u e t o
h is p r eviou s sp r in t , cau sin g t h e fain t sm ell of sw eat t o assau lt W an g Don g’s
n ose.
W an g Don g’s bod y w as ver y soft , so h u ggin g h im w as st ill as com for t ab le as

last n igh t . H ow ever , t h e cu r r en t H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t h ave an y t h ou gh t s of
en joyin g t h is feelin g. In t h e in st an t h e h u gged W an g Don g, h e im m ed ia t ely
cir cu la t ed h is ow n sou l p ow er , act ivat in g h is Sp ir it Eyes; in t h at sam e in st a n t ,
W an g Don g cam e t o h is sen ses as w ell.
T h e lar ge ar ea of con t act b et w een t h e t w o of t h em cau sed t h e sou l p ow er s

w it h in t h eir b od ies t o b e q u ick ly con ver t ed in t o H aod on g Pow er . H u o Yu h ao’s
eyes w er e esp ecially b r igh t d u e t o t h e d im even in g, an d a fain t gold en ligh t
flick er ed w it h in t h em .
Aft er a b r ief m om en t of slu ggish n ess, W an g Don g h u r r ied ly act ivat ed h is

m ar t ial sou l.
In t h at in st an t , a st r an ge feelin g cam e over t h e t w o of t h em . As t h ey h u gged

each ot h er , t h eir r eleased m ar t ial sou ls felt com p let ely d iffer en t t o t h e sou l
sk ills t h ey’d act ivat ed w it h t h e p r eviou s a ssist an ce of t h e H aod on g Pow er .
Righ t as W an g Don g’s ice-b lu e w in gs u n fu r led , b ot h of t h eir m in d s b lan k ed

ou t b r iefly.
Chapt er 23.1: The Golden Road Amidst Wit her ing
Resplendence
On t h e on e h an d , you h ad t h e gold en -eyed H u o Yu h ao;
On t h e ot h er h an d , you h ad t h e d azzlin g w in ged W an g Don g, w h o’d r eleased

h is Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
In t h e in st an t t h at t h ey r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls, ever yt h in g w it h in t en

m et er s of t h em lit u p . An ext r aor d in ar y ligh t su d d en ly b lossom ed ou t w ar d s
fr om t h eir b od ies.
T h at ligh t w as ver y p ecu liar ; it w as a b izar r e ligh t t h at alt er n at ed b et w een t h e

color s b lu e, p u r p le, an d gold . It s cor e co n sist ed of a d en se a u r a of ligh t , an d it
w as even fu sed t oget h er w it h a few d iffer en t m yst er iou s sou l p ow er
u n d u lat ion s.
An en or m ou s sh a d ow ap p ear ed b eh in d W an g Don g’s b ack . It w as a com p let e

an d m agn ificen t Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
On t h e ot h er h an d , an en or m ou s eye w it h a ver t ical p u p il a p p ear ed b eh in d

H u o Yu h ao. T h is eye w as ligh t -gold in color , b u t it s p u p il w as fain t ly p u r p le.
Aft er b lan k in g ou t for a b r ief m om en t , t h e t w o of t h em ca m e b ack t o t h eir

sen ses. H ow ever , t h ey im m ed iat ely n ot iced t h at ever yt h in g ar ou n d t h em w as
filled w it h an in t en se ligh t .
T h e t w o en or m ou s sh ad ow s slow ly ap p r oach ed each ot h er in m id air ; as t h ey

ap p r oach ed each ot h er , t h ey b egan t o t r an sfor m . T h e color of t h e eye t h at
r ep r esen t ed H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eye gr ad u ally t u r n ed d eep er , an d it s en t ir e b od y
t u r n ed b lu ish -p u r p le. H ow ever , it s gold en com p on en t h ad va n ish ed com p let ely.
T h e sh ad ow t h at r ep r esen t ed W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess st a r t ed
t o violen t ly com b u st as it n ear ed H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eye; it b u r n ed w it h a
b lu ish -gold en flam e.
In t h e en d , aft er cr o ssin g w h at seem ed t o b e an en t ir e w or ld , t h e t w o m ar t ial

sou l sh ad ow s fin ally t ou ch ed each ot h er ab ove H u o Yu h ao’s an d W an g Don g’s
h ead s.
In t h a t in st an t , t h eir b od ies sim u lt an eou sly sh ook violen t ly. T h e H aod on g

Pow er t h at h ad for m ed as a r esu lt of t h eir fu sion er u p t ed lik e a geyser , d r ain in g
all of t h eir en er gy in w h at seem ed t o b e an in st an t .
T h e flam in g Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess sp r ead it s d azzlin g w in gs, slow ly
h u ggin g t h e sh ad ow of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eye. In t h at in st a n t , t h e sh ad ow of
t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess d isap p ear ed , b u t t h e b lu ish -p u r p le Sp ir it Eye
con t in u ed t o r elease a st r eam of ligh t .
T h e d azzlin g b lu ish -gold en flam e er u p t ed fr om t h e sh ad ow of t h e Sp ir it Eye,

w h ich slow ly d escen d ed t o p r ot ect t h e t w o of t h em .
T h e en or m ou s Sp ir it Eye seem ed ext r em ely ar can e. If on e w er e t o look

car efu lly, it w ou ld seem as t h ou gh t h er e w as a b ou n d less w or ld con t ain ed
w it h in it . In an in st a n t , a t r i-color ed b ea m of b lu e, p u r p le, an d gold sh ot ou t .
T h is illu sion -lik e r ay of ligh t sh o t for t h in a st r aigh t lin e, an d ever yt h in g in it s

p at h t u r n ed in t o n ot h in gn ess. T h e r esp len d en ce con t ain ed w it h in t h at sin gle
in st an t seem ed t o last for ever . T h e h a los of ligh t cr eat ed w h er ever t h e t r i-
color ed b eam of ligh t p assed d id n ’t d isp er se; in st ead , it left a b lu r r y an d
d ist or t ed b r illian ce in it s w ak e.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o an d W an g Don g w er en ’t ab le t o w it n ess t h is scen e. In

t h e in st an t t h at r ay of ligh t w as r eleased , t h e H aod on g Pow er w it h in t h eir
b od ies w as in st an t ly d r ain ed . T h e in t en se feelin g of w eak n ess t h at r esu lt ed fr om
t h is in st an t ly cau sed t h em t o collap se an d fain t ...
M ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ills w er e alw ays sk ills t h a t r elea sed an ext r em ely lar ge
am ou n t of p ow er . T h is w as also t h eir fir st t im e t r yin g it ou t , so t h ey h a d t o
u n d er go t h e p r ocess of t w o m ar t ial so u ls fu sin g. T h u s, t h e d r ain on t h eir sou l
p ow er an d m en t al en er gies w as ext r em ely lar ge. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey h ad n ever
ad ap t ed t o a sit u at ion lik e t h is in t h e p ast , so it w as n o w on d er t h ey fain t ed .
T h ey d ir ect ly collap sed on t o t h e gr ou n d , even t h ou gh t h ey w er e st ill h u ggin g

each ot h er ...
A sp eech less n igh t p assed ...
Dayt im e gr ad u ally ar r ived ...
H e d id n ’t k n ow w h et h er h e’d fain t ed or fallen asleep , b u t w h en W an g Don g

w ok e u p , h e t r u ly felt lik e d yin g.
It w as for t u n at e t h at t h ey h ad b een on W an g Don g’s b ed last n igh t . Bu t t od ay,

t h e t w o of t h em w er e st ill t igh t ly h u ggin g each ot h er , b u t t h ey w er e cover ed in
d u st , d ir t , an d d ew . T h ey h ad d ir ect ly fa llen asleep in t h e for est . W as t h is t h e
fab led on e n igh t st a n d ?
“H u o Yu h ao, get u p r igh t n ow !” As W an g Don g st r u ggled t o clim b ou t of H u o

Yu h ao’s em b r ace, h is exp r ession t u r n ed som ew h at h yst er ical.
H u o Yu h ao d r ow sily op en ed h is eyes. Aft er d iscover in g t h at t h e su n w as

alr ead y u p , h e w as st ar t led an d q u ick ly got u p . H ow ever , t h e n ext t h in g h e saw
w as W an g Don g, w h o w as st an d in g over h im an d look ed as if h e w er e ab ou t t o
b eat h im u p violen t ly.
Clen ch in g h is t eet h , W an g Don g glar ed at h im . “Did n ’t you say t h at w e

w ou ld n ’t fall a sleep w h ile h u ggin g each ot h er ?”
“Did , d id I say t h at ?” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied b lan k ly.
“You … I’m gon n a b eat you u p .” W an g Don g su d d en ly p ou n ced , st r ad d lin g

H u o Yu h ao. H e t h en st ar t ed t o r ain b low s d ow n on h im .
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly cau gh t h is h an d s an d look ed t o t h e sid e w it h a b lan k
look in h is eyes, “L-look …”
“W h at am I su p p osed t o look at …” On ce h e sp ok e, W an g Don g su b con sciou sly

glan ced t ow ar d t h e d ir ect ion w h er e H u o Yu h ao w as look in g; h e cou ld n ’t r em ain
calm aft er seein g w h at H u o Yu h ao saw .
T o t h eir ast on ish m en t , a m yst er iou s t r en ch h ad ap p ear ed in a d ir ect ion for t y-

five d egr ees aw ay fr om t h em .
T h is t r en ch w as r ou gh ly 1.5 m et r es w id e, 30 cen t im et r es d eep , an d st r et ch ed

50 or so m et er s in a st r aigh t lin e in t o t h e d ist an ce b efor e qu iet ly d isap p ear in g.
If it w er e ju st an or d in ar y t r en ch , t h e t w o of t h em ab solu t ely w ou ld n ’t b e t h is
su r p r ised . Aft er all, t h e fu sion sk ill t h ey h ad u n leash ed h ad com p let ely d r ain ed
t h em of t h eir sou l p ow er an d k n ock ed t h em ou t for an en t ir e n igh t . T h u s, it w as
n or m al for it t o b e t h is st r on g.
H ow ever , t h e m ost t er r ifyin g t h in g ab ou t it w as t h e fact t h a t a layer of ligh t -

gold h ad cover ed t h e soil in t h e t r en ch ; t h is ligh t -gold w as a ct u ally id en t ical t o
t h e ligh t -gold t h at a p p ear ed w h en ever H u o Yu h ao act ivat ed h is Sp ir it Eyes.
It w asn ’t ju st t h e soil. Becau se t h er e w er e a few t r ees in t h e p at h of t h e

t r en ch , a sem icir cu lar h ole h ad ap p ear ed on a t r ee w h ich w as at t h e ed ge of t h e
t r en ch . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e in sid e of t h at h ole w as cover ed in a layer of ligh t -gold
as w ell. In ad d it ion t o t h a t , ever y p la n t n ear b ot h sid es of t h e t r en ch w as
cover ed in a layer of ligh t -gold as w ell.
At t h is ver y m om en t u n d er t h e su n ’s r a d ian ce, t h at d azzlin g layer of ligh t -

gold look ed lik e a gold en r oad t h a t h a d ap p ear ed in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g. H ow cou ld t h ey n ot b e ast on ish ed ?
“T h is, w as t h is cr eat ed b y you r Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed

b lan k ly.
W an g Don g w as cu r r en t ly st ill at op H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. H e su b con sciou sly
sh ook h is h ead . “No, ab solu t ely n ot . Alt h ou gh m y m ar t ial sou l’s gold , it 's eit h er
b r igh t gold or b lu ish -gold en . It ’d n ever b e a ligh t -gold color lik e t h is. T h is, t h is
look s id en t ical t o t h e color of you r Sp ir it Eyes!”
H u o Yu h ao slap p ed h is t h igh an d said , “Qu ick ly, get u p . Let ’s go an d t ak e a

look .”
“Ok ay.” At t h is m om en t , W an g Don g w as fascin at ed b y t h e gold en r oad ; h e

d id n ’t n ot ice t h a t t h e ar ea H u o Yu h ao h ad slap p ed w as n ear h is b u t t ock s. Aft er
get t in g u p , H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly got u p as w ell, an d t h e t w o of t h em q u ick ly
w alk ed over t o t h e gold en r oad b efor e sq u at t in g d ow n t o t ak e a look .
W an g Don g w as ju st ab ou t t o t ou ch t h e gold en r oad , b u t H u o Yu h ao gr ab b ed

h is h an d . “You said t h at t h is is ju st lik e t h e color of m y Sp ir it Eyes, so I sh ou ld
d o t h is.” As h e sp ok e, h e st r et ch ed h is h an d in t o t h e t r en ch an d t ou ch ed it s
gold en su r face.
Resplendence
T ou ch in g t h e gr ou n d d id n ’t seem lik e a ver y d an ger ou s act ion , b u t H u o

Yu h ao in st an t ly r et r act ed h is h an d aft er d oin g so. Fu r t h er m or e, an ast on ish ed
exp r ession ap p ear ed on h is face. In t h e in st an t h e t ou ch ed t h e gold en soil, h e
felt as if h is m in d h ad b een t h r ow n in t o d isa r r ay. H is Sp ir it u al Sea sh ook
violen t ly; it felt as if h e’d b een st r u ck b y h is Sp ir it Sh ock .
“T h is, t h is is on ly t h e aft er effect s of ou r fu sion sk ill? T r y it ou t .” H u o Yu h ao

h u r r ied ly look ed t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
W an g Don g w as ext r em ely cu r iou s. As a r esu lt of t h is, h e q u ick ly st r et ch ed h is

h an d ou t t o t ou ch t h e gold en t r en ch .
H is r eact ion t o it w a s m u ch gr eat er t h an H u o Yu h ao’s. H is en t ir e b od y t u r n ed

slu ggish , an d it t ook a lon g t im e for h im t o com e b ack t o h is sen ses.
T h e t w o look ed at each ot h er an d saw t h e ast on ish m en t in on e an ot h er ’s eyes.
“T h is, isn ’t t h is t oo aw esom e? T h is is ju st t h e aft er effect s of ou r fu sion sk ill,

b u t it felt lik e I h a d b een st r u ck b y you r all-ou t Sp ir it Sh ock . Can you im agin e
w h at ’d h ap p en if w e w er e h it it s fu ll p ow er ?” W an g Don g’s voice w as t r em b lin g
sligh t ly d u e t o h is excit em en t . T h er e w er e n o sou l m ast er s w h o d id n ’t w ish t o
p ossess a st r on g sou l sk ill.
H u o Yu h ao said , “Look , t h e r an ge of t h is sou l sk ill sh ou ld b e ar ou n d fift y

m et er s or so in a st r aigh t lin e, b u t I’m n ot su r e ab ou t w h et h er or n ot it ca n
sin gle som eon e ou t or n ot . It ’s ext r em ely st r on g—I b elieve t h at it m igh t even
h ave b ot h m en t al an d d est r u ct ion at t r ib u t es, m ak in g it a d ou b le-at t r ib u t e
at t ack . On ly, I’m n ot su r e h ow m an y t im es it in cr eases ou r at t ack p ow er b y. If
som eon e w er e t o b e st r u ck b y it a t fu ll p o w er , it s p ow er w ou ld …”
W an g Don g n od d ed excit ed ly. “M or eover , t h e st r en gt h of t h is fu sion sk ill w ill
in cr ease as ou r cu lt ivat ion in cr eases! T h is fu sion sk ill of ou r s is t r u ly t yr an n ica l.
If w e w er e t o m eet t h e Lan Sist er ’s Em p yr eal Net again , w e’d d efin it ely b e ab le
t o d est r oy it in an in st an t !”
H u o Yu h ao w as sim ilar ly excit ed , b u t h e w as sligh t ly calm er t h an W an g

Don g, “W an g Don g, d o you t h in k w e can u se t h is fu sion sk ill in t h e assessm en t ?
I d ou b t t h a t a Sou l Eld er can w it h st an d t h e am ou n t of p ow er it con t ain s!”
W an g Don g’s face st iffen ed . “T h at ’s a good qu est ion . An ext r em ely st r on g

sk ill lik e t h is is act u ally q u it e p r ob lem at ic. Fu r t h er m or e, w e can on ly u se it
on ce, so w e can ’t even u se it t o in t im id a t e t h e ot h er s. W e’d fain t aft er u sin g it
on ce.”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “T h is is t h e fir st t im e w e u sed it , so w e w er e t oo

in exp er ien ced . I d on ’t t h in k it ’d b e t h is d r ain in g w h en w e t r y u sin g it n ext t im e,
b u t w e sh ou ld on ly b e ab le t o u se it on ce. H ow ever , h avin g a st r on g sk ill is
alw ays a good t h in g. On ce w e p r act ice it a few m or e t im es an d get u sed t o it , it ’ll
b e m u ch b et t er .”
W an g Don g said , “If t h at M a Xiaot ao w an t s t o b u lly u s aga in , w e’ll let h er

t ast e t h is. It sh ou ld n ’t k ill h er w it h h er cu lt ivat ion , so w e can u se it t o sh ow h ow
aw esom e w e ar e.”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “A st r on g fu sion sk ill lik e t h is sh ou ld alw a ys h ave a n am e.

Sin ce I w as w r on g ea r lier , I’ll let you n am e it .”
W an g Don g d id n ’t d eclin e t h is r esp on sib ilit y. “Fin e, I’ll con sid er you t act fu l.
W h at w ou ld sou n d n ice? Gaze of Deat h , h ow ab ou t t h at ?”
W it h ou t even w ait in g for H u o Yu h ao’s op in ion , h e im m ed iat ely r eject ed t h at

n am e h im self. “No, t h at w on ’t d o. It ’s a fu sion sk ill t h at ’s act ivat ed b y t h e b ot h
of u s, so h ow can it n ot con t ain an yt h in g t h at ’s r elat ed t o m y m ar t ial sou l? Let ’s
call it t h e ‘Gaze of t h e Rad ian t God d ess’. T h at sou n d s cool.”
H u o Yu h ao h ad a sp eech less look on h is face as h e st ar ed at h im , “H ow t h e
h eck is you r Rad ia n t Bu t t er fly God d ess a Rad ian t God d ess? T h e ‘Rad ian t
God d ess’ in you r m a r t ial sou l’s n am e clea r ly r efer s t o h ow it illu m in a t es ligh t , as
w ell as t h e fact t h at it ’s a b u t t er fly t h a t ’s as b eau t ifu l as a god d ess. Let ’s n ot even
b ot h er d iscu ssin g t h e exist en ce of a Rad ian t God d ess; even if it d id exist , it
w ou ld n ’t b e r elat ed t o u s at all.”
W an g Don g fr ow n ed . “Can ’t you a d m it t h at it sou n d s qu it e n ice? Don ’t t ell

m e you w an t t o call it ‘Gaze of t h e Bu t t er fly’? W ou ld n ’t t h at sou n d even w or se?”
Su d d en ly, h is eyes lit u p . “I’ve got it . W h y d o w e even n eed t o ad d t h e n am es

of ou r m ar t ial sou ls t o it ? T h at d oesn ’t sou n d sp ecial a t all. Con sid er in g t h e fact
t h at it ’s su ch a m agn ificen t gold en color , an d t h a t it r elea ses su ch a r esp len d en t
ligh t for an in st a n t , w h y d on ’t w e call it : A Gold en Road Am id st W it h er in g
Resp len d en ce. H ow ab ou t t h at ?”
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes w id en ed sligh t ly, “T h is n am e sou n d s cool, b u t isn ’t it t oo

lon g?”
Pleased w it h h im self, W an g Don g said , “A lon g n am e sh ow s off h ow aw esom e

w e ar e, r igh t ? Let ’s ju st ab b r eviat e it t o ‘A Gold en Road ’. In an y case, n ob od y
else w ill even k n ow w h at it is. On ce w e get b ack , let ’s ask T each er Zh ou t o
evalu at e t h e effect s an d st r en gt h of ou r ‘A Gold en Road Am id st W it h er in g
Resp len d en ce’. T h en , w e can fin d ou t w h at ’s goin g on .”
On ce h e h ear d t h e w or d s ‘T each er Zh ou ’, H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt a ch ill u p

h is b ack . H e t h en t u r n ed ar ou n d an d n ot iced t h e su n , w h ich w as alr ead y r isin g
gr ad u ally.
W an g Don g w as in st an t ly r em in d ed b y h is act ion s, an d st ar t ed t o t h in k of

som et h in g. T h e t w o t h en look ed each ot h er in t h e eye an d sim u lt an eou sly let
ou t a cr y, im m ed iat ely r u n n in g.
W e’r e gon n a b e lat e again … an d it ’s even w h en t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t ’s

ab ou t t o st ar t . W e’r e gon n a b e lat e again ...
For t h e sak e of get t in g b ack t o Sh r ek Acad em y in t h e sh or t est t im e p ossib le,
t h e t w o h ad n o ch oice b u t t o h old h an d s an d r u n at fu ll sp eed , act iva t in g t h e
H aod on g Pow er . Un d er t h is sit u a t ion , n ot on ly w as t h e con su m p t ion of en er gy
even sm aller , it even allow ed t h em t o r ea ch t h eir m axim u m sp eed .
For t u n at ely, t h ey w er en ’t t oo far aw ay fr om t h e Acad em y. T h u s, t h ey d id n ’t

n eed t oo m u ch t im e t o r et u r n , b u t t h ey w er e st ill lat e.
Rou gh ly t h ir t y or so acad em y t each er s, in clu d in g t h e old la d y Zh ou Yi, w er e

st an d in g in a lin e ou t sid e t h e Assessm en t Ar ea.
Zh ou Yi cu r r en t ly h ad an u n h ap p y look in h er eyes. Sh e scan n ed t h r ou gh t h e

n ear ly t w o h u n d r ed st u d en t s b en ea t h h er , b u t sh e st ill cou ld n ’t fin d t h e p eop le
sh e w as look in g for .
Xiao Xiao w as alr ead y t h er e, an d sh e w as cu r r en t ly w ait in g w it h a p an ick ed

exp r ession on h er fa ce. T h is w as b ecau se r egist r a t ion h ad alr ead y st ar t ed , an d in
ad d it ion t o t h at , it h ad st ar t ed w it h t h eir Class 1. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g w er en ’t t h er e yet . If t h ey did n ’t m an age t o m ak e it t h er e b efor e
r egist r a t ion en d ed , t h ey’d b e d isqu alified fr om t h e t ou r n am en t . W it h ou t even
m en t ion in g w h at a p it y it ’d b e for t h em t o m iss t h is op p or t u n it y, Old Lad y
Zh ou ’s r age w as som et h in g t h ey w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o en d u r e! An d sh e, w h o w as
p ar t of t h e sam e t ea m as H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, w ou ld h ave t o su ffer t h is
st r ok e of b ad lu ck w it h t h em .
J u st w h at ’r e t h ose t w o gu ys d oin g? T h ey w er e lat e yest er d a y, d on ’t t ell m e

t h ey’r e goin g t o b e lat e t od ay as w ell?
T h e n u m b er of p ar t icip at in g st u d en t s fr om Class 1 w as gr eat est am on g t h e t en

classes, an d as su ch , t h e t im e n eed ed t o r egist er t h em w a s also t h e lon gest
am on g t h e t en classes. W h en it w as t im e for Xiao Xiao’s t eam t o b e r egist er ed ,
Xiao Xiao w as t h e on ly p er son w h o r esp on d ed . Un exp ect ed ly, n ob od y r esp on d ed
t o t h e n am es ‘H u o Yu h ao’ an d ‘W an g Don g’. On ce t h is occu r r ed , n ot on ly w as
t h e en t ir e st u d en t b od y st u n n ed , even t h e t each er s w er e ast on ish ed .
Alt h ou gh t h is w asn ’t t h e fir st t im e t h a t a sit u at ion lik e t h is h ad occu r r ed in
t h e h ist or y of Sh r ek Acad em y, it w as an ext r em ely r ar e occu r r en ce. Even if t h ey
h ad alr ead y p assed t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , it w ou ld seem as if t h ey w er e
look in g d ow n on t h e acad em y if t h ey d id n ’t t u r n u p for t h e k n ock -ou t
t ou r n am en t . As su ch , t h ey w ou ld give an u n favou r ab le im p r ession t o all t h e
t each er s.
T h e t each er in ch ar ge of t h e r egist r at ion p au sed sligh t ly for a m om en t b efor e

con t in u in g t o r egist er t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e ot h er classes. T h is w en t on all t h e
w ay u n t il Class 6, w h en H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g fin ally ar r ived .
T h e t w o of t h em h ad r u sh ed a ll t h e w ay t o t h e acad em y, an d t h ey’d even slep t

in t h e for est over n igh t . In ad d it ion t o t h at , t h ey h ad n ’t even h ad t im e t o clean
t h em selves u p . As a r esu lt of t h is, t h eir figu r es look ed ext r em ely sor r y. W it h ou t
even t alk in g ab ou t h ow d ir t y t h eir clot h es w er e, t h er e w er e even t r aces of m u d
an d d ew on t h eir clot h es.
H ow ever , t h e d eed w as alr ead y d on e. T h u s, t h ey cou ld on ly t h ick en t h eir

faces an d com e u p . Aft er all, t h ey cou ld n ’t act u ally for feit t h eir p laces!
Resplendence
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g b ot h r an t ow ar d s t h e a r ea b et w een t h e t each er s

an d st u d en t s, lou d ly sh ou t in g “Rep or t in g in .” as t h ey d id so.
T h e t each er in ch a r ge of t h e r egist r at ion im m ed ia t ely p au sed . T h is t each er

look ed fift y-or -so-year s old , an d h a d a t all fr am e. H e w as d ar k -sk in n ed an d
b ear d less, an d h ad a st er n exp r ession on h is face.
“W h at class ar e you t w o fr om ? W h at h ap p en ed ?”
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g bot h r ecogn ised h im . T h is t each er w as called Du

W eilu n , an d h e w as t h e d ir ect or of t h e ou t er cou r t ya r d ’s M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t . H e p ossessed t h e gr eat est a u t h or it y in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .
H u o Yu h ao sh ou t ed , “Rep or t in g in , T each er Du . W e’r e Class 1’s H u o Yu h ao

an d W an g Don g. W e w er e lat e d u e t o excessive cu lt ivat ion .”
Du W eilu n ’s face d ar k en ed . “You ’r e even lat e t o t h e assessm en t ? H ave you n o

con cep t of t im e? As a p u n ish m en t , you ’ll b e sw eep in g all t h e cor r id or s of t h e
fr esh m en t each in g b lock s t w o d ays aft er t h e t ou r n am en t en d s. Ret u r n t o you r
t eam .”
“Yes sir .” H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h u r r ied ly r ep lied . T h ey in w ar d ly let

ou t a sigh of r elief. As lon g as t h ey d id n ’t lose t h eir q u a lificat ion t o p ar t icip at e in
t h e t ou r n am en t , ever yt h in g else w as fin e. T h e t w o h u r r ied ly w alk ed t o t h e ar ea
w h er e Class 1’s t eam s w er e an d st ood t oget h er w it h Xiao Xiao.
Du W eilu n gla n ced at t h e n ear b y Zh ou Yi b efor e con t in u in g t o r egist er t h e

ot h er st u d en t s. W it h h is t em p er , if a n y ot h er st u d en t s w er e lat e, it ’d b e ver y
lik ely for h im t o d ir ect ly st r ip t h em of t h eir q u alificat ion s t o p ar t icip at e in t h e
r an k in g t ou r n am en t . In an y case, t h ey’d h ave p assed t h e fr esh m en assessm en t
an yw ay. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g w er e u n iq u e in t h e sen se t h at
t h ey h ad p er for m ed excep t ion ally w ell d u r in g t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t ;
t h ey’d ob t ain ed a p er fect scor e. T h is w as t h e r ea son w h y t h e ir on -faced d ir ect or
let t h em off len ien t ly.
Alt h ou gh r esu lt s w er en ’t ever yt h in g in Sh r ek Acad em y, st u d en t s w h o w er e

st r on g an d ob t ain ed good r esu lt s w ou ld h ave p r efer en t ial t r eat m en t . T h is w as
t h e case in an y acad em y.
“W h er e’d you t w o go t o? J u st w ait t ill Old Lad y Zh ou t ak es car e of you gu ys

on ce t od ay’s m at ch es ar e over . Look at h er eyes; t h ey look lik e b lad es. If look s
cou ld k ill, you t w o w ou ld ’ve d ied b y a t h ou san d cu t s.” Xiao Xiao sp ok e
u n h ap p ily.
W an g Don g sp ok e w it h a d ep r essed look on h is face. “St op gr u m b lin g. T h is is

all H u o Yu h ao’s fau lt . If h e d id n ’t d r ag m e ou t t o com p ar e n ot es w it h h im ,
m ak in g m e lose t r ack of t im e, h ow cou ld w e b e lat e?”
Du r in g t h e jou r n ey b ack , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad agr eed t o k eep t h eir

m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill a secr et for t h e t im e b ein g. Aft er all, t h ey w er en ’t
p lan n in g on u sin g it d u r in g t h e fr esh m en assessm en t . T h ey agr eed t o on ly t ell
t h is p iece of good n ew s t o T each er Zh ou , in or d er t o ap p ease h er t h u n d er ou s
fu r y w h ile let t in g h er give t h em som e ad vice r egar d in g t h eir cu lt iva t ion s.
T h ey’d t h en sh ow it off in fu t u r e assessm en t s on ce t h ey w er e ad ep t at u sin g it .
T h e d ir ect or of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ’s M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , Du W eilu n ,

q u ick ly fin ish ed t ak in g at t en d an ce, an d w h at follow ed t h at w as t h e d r aw in g of
lot s. T h is w as on ly a fr esh m en assessm en t , so t h er e w er en ’t t oo m an y
com p licat ed p r oced u r es in volved . H u o Yu h ao r ep r esen t ed h is t eam t o d r aw lot s.
T h e sixt y-fou r t eam s in volved in t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t w er e d ivid ed in t o
t h ir t y-t w o ar eas w h er e t h ey w ou ld figh t each ot h er .
Yest er d ay, t h e st u d en t s h ad h ad an en t ir e d ay’s w or t h of r est , an d t h e layou t

of t h e Assessm en t Ar ea h ad b een ch an ged d u r in g t h at d ay as w ell. T h ey m er ely
ch an ged t h e p osit ion in g of t h e p ar t it io n in g w alls, r e-d ivid in g t h e Assessm en t
Ar ea in t o sixt een a r eas. T h is t im e, t h e ar ea of ever y sin gle su b -ar ea w as
in cr eased sever al-fold , allow in g t h e p ar t icip at in g st u d en t s t o h ave even m or e
sp ace t o u t ilise.
T h e r u les of t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t w er e ver y sim p le; t h er e w ou ld b e on e

m at ch in t h e m or n in g an d on e m at ch in t h e aft er n oon ever y d ay, an d elim in at ed
t eam s w ou ld h ave t o r et u r n t o class, w h ile vict or iou s t eam s w ou ld con t in u e t o
com p et e. Aft er t h r ee d ays, t h e t op t h r ee t eam s w ou ld b e d ecid ed .
Aft er t h e lot s w er e d r aw n , t h e r ou n d of sixt y-fou r im m ed iat ely st ar t ed , an d

t h ir t y-t w o m at ch es w er e sim u lt an eou sly h eld . T h is w ay, t h ey cou ld sh or t en t h e
t im e u sed for t h e t ou r n am en t an d give vict or iou s st u d en t s am p le t im e t o r est for
t h eir aft er n oon m at ch .
T h is t im e, H u o Yu h a o’s t eam w as sen t t o t h e 15t h ar ea; t h eir p r oct or h ad b een

ch an ged as w ell. T h is t im e, t h e p r oct or in ch ar ge of t h em w as a t h ir t y-or -so-
year -old fem ale t each er w h o look ed ext r em ely good -n at u r ed .
W h en t h ey d r ew lot s ear lier , t h ey on ly ob t ain ed a n u m b er . H en ce, t h ey d id n ’t

even k n ow w h o t h ey’d b e facin g. On ce t h ey ar r ived , t h ey w er e som ew h at
sp eech less. T h eir op p on en t s in t h e fir st m at ch w as act u a lly a few of t h eir
classm at es, r esu lt in g in t h is k n ock -ou t t o u r n am en t b ecom in g a civil w ar .
T h eir t h r ee op p on en t s w er e p eop le w h o H u o Yu h ao’s t eam r ecogn ised . On e of

t h em h ad even at t em p t ed t o ch allen ge W an g Don g. Accor din g t o W an g Don g,
t h at fellow h ad b een im m ed ia t ely h u m b led aft er W an g Don g p r ivat ely b eat h im
up.
Zh ou Yi’s ju d gem en t w as ext r em ely p r ecise. Sin ce sh e h ad ch osen H u o

Yu h ao’s t eam as Cla ss 1’s seed ed t eam , t h eir st r en gt h w as n at u r ally som et h in g
t h at t h e ot h er t eam s cou ld n ’t com p et e again st . T h e m at ch d id n ’t last for lon g.
Alt h ou gh t h eir op p on en t s w er e ext r em ely r esilien t , t h e m at ch w as fin ish ed
w it h in t en m in u t es d u e t o W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao w or k in g t oget h er , alon g
w it h t h e assist an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . T h u s, H u o Yu h ao’s t eam
su ccessfu lly en t er ed t h e t op 32.
H ow ever , ju st as t h ey w alk ed ou t of t h e Assessm en t Ar ea, t h eir or igin ally

joyfu l exp r ession s in st an t ly van ish ed . T h is w as b ecau se t h e gloom y-faced Old
Lad y Zh ou w as w ait in g for t h em b y t h e exit t o t h e Assessm en t Ar ea.
“Xiao Xiao, you can go b ack an d r est fir st . You t w o, follow m e.” W it h t h at ,
sh e cold ly h u m p h ed an d t u r n ed aw ay.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g sim u lt an eou sly felt a ch ill u p t h eir sp in es.

For t u n at ely, t h ey h a d alr ea d y m ad e t h eir p r ep ar at ion s. Aft er glan cin g at each
ot h er , t h ey follow ed Zh ou Yi. Xiao Xiao cou ld on ly gaze at t h em w it h an
exp r ession t h at said ‘you can fen d go for you r selves’.
T h is t im e, Zh ou Yi u n exp ect ed ly b r ou gh t t h em st r a igh t t o h er office. As t h e

t each er in ch ar ge of Class 1, h er office w as locat ed in t h e Ad m in ist r at ion Ar ea
t h at w as locat ed b eh in d t h e b lack an d p u r p le b u ild in gs of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ’s
t each in g b lock s, as w ell as t h e n or t h er n ar ea of t h e Dor m it or y Ar ea. H er office
w as sit u at ed on t h e fir st floor , an d sh e w as t h e on ly p er son w h o w as cu r r en t ly
w or k in g t h er e.
Aft er follow in g Zh ou Yi in t o t h e Office, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g cou ld n ’t

h elp b u t feel ast on ish ed .
Un exp ect ed ly, t h e cold an d ext r em ely st r ict T each er Zh ou h ad d ecor at ed h er

office in an ext r em ely elegan t m a n n er . T h e w alls of h er office w er e p ain t ed a
ligh t p in k color , an d h er t ab le w as m a d e w it h a sp ecial t yp e of w ood t h a t w as
ligh t r ed . Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w as a lar ge r ed sofa t h at w a s m ean t for gu est s
alon g w it h a few ot h er d ecor a t ion s. T h er e w as also a sm a ll d oor t h at seem ed t o
lead t o a lou n ge. On e h ad t o ad m it t h at Sh r ek Acad em y t r eat ed it s t each er s
r elat ively w ell; even t each er s in ch ar ge of fr esh m en classes h ad t h eir ow n
p r ivat e offices.
H u o Yu h ao w as t h e last p er son t o w alk in t o t h e r oom , an d h e car efu lly sh u t
t h e d oor u p on en t er in g. Zh ou Yi w as alr ead y seat ed on t h e lar ge r ed sofa, an d
sh e cr ossed h er ar m s in fr on t of h er ch est . Sh e sp ok e cold ly. “T ell m e, ju st w h at
in t h e w or ld w er e you t w o d oin g? You ’r e r eally good ! You t w o w er e lat e for t w o
con secu t ive d ays. Sin ce you ’ve p assed t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , you r w in gs
h ave h ar d en ed , an d I can ’t con t r ol you an ym or e. Is t h at w h at you t h in k ? Let m e
t ell you t h is. As lon g as I w ill it , I can exp el you t w o fr om t h e acad em y w it h a
sin gle w or d . T h is w or ld d oesn ’t lack an y gen iu ses, an d I’ve exp elled m an y of
t h em m yself. T h er e’s on ly on e r eason w h y I w ou ld exp el a gen iu s—an d t h at ’s
b ecau se t h ey w er en ’t su it ed t o b ecom e an exp er t w it h t h eir p er son alit y. Give m e
a good r eason w h y I sh ou ld n ’t exp el t h e t w o of you .”
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g glan ced at each ot h er , an d W a n g Don g b u m p ed

h im , in d icat in g t h at h e sh ou ld exp lain .
H u o Yu h ao cou ld on ly b r ace h im self an d say, “T each er Zh ou , sor r y. W e w er e

in t h e w r on g.” Du r in g t h ese t h r ee m on t h s, h e cou ld b e con sid er ed t o h ave
b ecom e fam iliar w it h Zh ou Yi’s t em p er . Ar gu in g w it h h er h a d n o b en efit s; it ’d
ju st en r age t h is Old Lad y Zh ou fu r t h er . If you h ad a good at t it u d e, you cou ld
r eceive a sm aller p u n ish m en t .
Resplendence
“Do you t h in k sor r y w ill cu t it ? Do you t h in k t h a t b ein g lat e is ju st a sm all

m at t er ? Let m e t ell you t h is. Bein g lat e r ep r esen t s lazin ess, an d lazin ess at you r
age is som et h in g ext r em ely ser iou s. If you on ly h ave t h is r eason t o d efen d
you r self, you can scr ew off. T ell m e, I n eed a logical exp lan at io n .”
On ly t h en d id H u o Yu h ao r esp ect fu lly r ep ly, “T each er Zh ou , p lease d on ’t b e

an gr y. T h is is w h at h ap p en ed . Do you st ill r em em b er w h at h ap p en ed ? W h en w e
m et H u an g Ch u t ia n ’s t eam , t h ey h ad a p air of t w in s w h o w er e called Lan Su su
an d Lan Lu olu o.”
“Yes.” Zh ou Yi r ep lied .
H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed , “Du r in g t h at m a t ch , w e alm ost lost b ecau se t h e Lan

sist er s w er e ab le t o a ct ivat e a fu sion sk ill. W e w er e on ly ab le t o for cefu lly b lock
t h at p ow er fu l sk ill of t h eir s aft er w or k in g h ar d t oget h er . Aft er t h at , w e fin ally
w on t h at m at ch an d en d ed t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t w it h a p er fect scor e.”
“Aft er w e got b ack , w e b ot h en vied t h e st r en gt h of t h eir fu sion sk ill. T h u s, w e

d ecid ed t o t r y it ou t an d see w h et h er ou r m ar t ial sou ls cou ld fu se. T h e sch ool
d oesn ’t h ave a class t h at sp ecialises in fu sion sk ills, so w e cou ld on ly t r y it ou t b y
ou r selves. H ow ever , w h o k n ew t h at ou r m ar t ial sou ls w ou ld fu se t oget h er on
ou r fir st t r y? Du r in g t h e fu sion p r ocess, w e fell asleep on W a n g Don g’s b ed , an d
class h ad a lr ead y st ar t ed b y t h e t im e w e w ok e u p . T h at ’s w h y w e w er e lat e
yest er d ay.”
As H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed h is exp lan at ion , h e clear ly felt W an g Don g soft ly

p in ch t h e sk in on h is w aist an d t w ist it a h u n d r ed an d eigh t y d egr ees.
H e felt an in t en se sen sat ion of p ain , b u t h e d id n ’t d ar e t o sh ow it . H ow ever ,
h is exp r ession im m ed iat ely st iffen ed b y a b it .
“A m ar t ial sou l fu sion ?” Zh ou Yi w as st u n n ed . Sh e d id n ’t t h in k t h at H u o

Yu h ao w ou ld act u ally give a r eason lik e t h is. Sh e su b con sciou sly ask ed ,: “Did
you su cceed ?”
H u o Yu h ao scr at ch ed h is h ead an d said , “W e w er en ’t su r e ab ou t it yest er d ay.

T h u s, w e t r ied it ou t for a m om en t w h en you ask ed u s t o r u n ar ou n d yest er d ay,
an d it seem ed t o w or k . Lat er t h at n igh t , w e w en t ou t sid e t h e acad em y t o t r y ou t
ou r fu sion sk ill. W e n ever t h ou gh t t h at it ’d act u ally su cceed in on e t r y.
Fu r t h er m or e, it s st r en gt h seem ed q u it e st r on g. H ow ever , t h is w as t h e fir st t im e
w e’d act iva t ed a fu sion sk ill, so ou r sou l p ow er w as over d r aft ed . Aft er r eleasin g
it , w e d ir ect ly collap sed in t h e for est , a n d w e w er e alr ea d y lat e w h en w e w ok e
u p . T each er Zh ou , w e w er e t r u ly lat e b ecau se w e w er e d iligen t ly cu lt ivat in g.
T h is w as ju st an accid en t ; I p r om ise you t h at it w on ’t h ap p en again .”
W it h t h a t , H u o Yu h ao qu iet ly r aised h is h ead an d st ole a gla n ce at Zh ou Yi.

H ow ever , h e on ly saw Zh ou Yi’s d u m b st r u ck exp r ession .
“You , you ’r e t ellin g m e t h at you act u ally su cceed ed w h en you t r ied t o u se a

fu sion sk ill?” Zh ou Yi’s voice clear ly r ose in p it ch . At t h e sa m e t im e, sh e st ood
u p w it h an ast on ish ed an d excit ed look on h er face.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g n od d ed sim u lt an eou sly.
Zh ou Yi excit ed ly said , “Qu ick , let m e see. W h at ’s you r fu sion sk ill?”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “T each er Zh ou , w e st ill h ave a m at ch in t h e aft er n oon ,

an d w e’ll com p let ely d r ain ou r sou l p ow er aft er u sin g t h is sk ill.”
Zh ou Yi u n h ap p ily said , “You r en er gy w ill b e d r a in ed t h e m o st w h en you u se

it for t h e fir st t im e. It w on ’t b e t h at d r ain in g w h en you u se it in t h e fu t u r e. If
sou l m ast er s w er e t o fain t w h en ever t h ey r eleased a fu sion sk ill, w ou ld n ’t it
b ecom e a su icid al m ove? H u r r y u p . I’ll b e r esp on sib le for h elp in g you r ecover
you r sou l p ow er , so it w on ’t in t er fer e w it h you r aft er n oon m at ch . Com e, ju st
u se it on m e.”
Sin ce Zh ou Yi h ad alr ead y said so, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g n at u r ally

w ou ld n ’t r efu se. T h e t w o faced each ot h er , an d H u o Yu h ao sp r ead h is ar m s an d
h u gged W an g Don g in a ver y n at u r al m an n er . Alt h ou gh W an g Don g’s
m ovem en t s w er e st ill som ew h at st iff, h e d id n ’t p u sh H u o Yu h ao aw ay. H e sh u t
h is eyes an d sp r ea d h is ar m s as w ell, h u ggin g H u o Yu h ao.
In t h e in st an t t h eir b od ies t ou ch ed , t h ey each r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls.
T h eir sou l p ow er s in st an t ly fu sed , ca u sin g t h e H aod on g Pow er t o flow

t h r ou gh t h eir b od ies. T h e t w o of t h em felt as if t h eir b od ies w er e fu sed t oget h er .
On e secon d , t w o secon d s, t h r ee secon d s p assed ...
T each er Zh ou ’s office w as so qu iet t h at even t h e sou n d of a n eed le d r op p in g

cou ld b e h ear d , b u t t h er e w er e n o ot h er m ovem en t s in t h e r oom b esid es t h e sou l
p ow er u n d u lat ion s cau sed b y H u o Yu h ao’s an d W an g Don g’s m ar t ial sou ls.
Zh ou Yi w id en ed h er eyes as sh e st a r ed at t h em . Sh e w as alr ead y p r ep ar ed t o

d efen d again st t h eir at t ack , b u t t h e t w o of t h em w er e ju st st an d in g t h er e
h u ggin g each ot h er w it h ou t d oin g an yt h in g else. T h e cor n er of h er eyelid w a s
b egin n in g t o t w it ch .
T h e t w o of t h em cou ld feel t h at som et h in g w as w r on g. In accor d an ce w it h

w h at h ad h ap p en ed yest er d ay, t h eir sou l p ow er sh ou ld ’ve qu ick ly b een d r ain ed !
T h en , a Gold en Road Am id st W it h er in g Resp len d en ce sh ou ld ’ve b een r eleased
in a sin gle d ir ect ion . H ow ever , n ot h in g w as h ap p en in g at all.
“J u st w h at t h e h ell d o you t w o t h in k you ’r e d oin g?” Zh ou Yi’s cold voice

sou n d ed as if it w as sp ok en t h r ou gh clen ch ed t eet h . T h e t w o cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
feel a ch ill u p t h eir sp in es, an d t h ey su b con sciou sly st op p ed h u ggin g each ot h er .
An exp r ession of sh ock in st an t ly filled t h eir faces.
Zh ou Yi’s b od y w as cu r r en t ly r eleasin g k illin g in t en t ; it w as t h e secon d t im e
Zh ou Yi h ad given off t h is feelin g t ow ar d s t h e t w o of t h em . Old Lad y Zh ou w a s
clear ly ab ou t t o b low u p .
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly sp ok e, “T each er Zh ou , t h is w as h ow w e r eleased ou r

fu sion sk ill yest er d ay! W e d on ’t k n ow w h at ’s goin g on .”
Zh ou Yi sp ok e w it h a ch illy voice, “Ar e you t r yin g t o sh ow off you r gay love

b y h u ggin g each ot h er in m y office? If I d on ’t T AKE CARE of you t w o t od ay,
I’ll…”
W it h ou t even w ait in g for Zh ou Yi t o fin ish h er sen t en ce, H u o Yu h ao

im m ed iat ely sp r u n g in t o act ion . H e gr a b b ed W an g Don g’s h an d an d in st a n t ly
u sed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g on Zh ou Yi.
“H m m ?” Zh ou Yi w as ju st ab ou t t o b lo w u p fr om h er an ger , b u t ever yt h in g
ar ou n d h er su d d en ly b ecam e clear t o h er . H er p er cep t ion r ap id ly exp an d ed , an d
w it h in t h e b lin k of an eye, ever yt h in g w it h in a h u n d r ed m et er s of h er b ecam e a
clear t h r ee-d im en sion al im age in h er m in d .
W hy di d h i s r ange i ncr ease by t h i s m uch? Zh ou Yi cl ear l y r em em ber ed t h at

t h e r an ge of H uo Yuh ao’ s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on w as on l y t h i r t y m et er s or so t h e
l ast t i m e h e h ad used i t . H ow ever , i t h ad t ur n ed i n t o a h un dr ed m et er s t h i s t i m e
ar oun d. T h e m agn i t ude of t h i s i n cr ease w as si m pl y t oo l ar ge.
As h e l ook ed at Zh ou Yi ’ s sl i gh t con f usi on , H uo Yuh ao h ur r i edl y expl ai n ed,

“ T each er Zh ou, do you r em em ber w h at I sai d l ast t i m e? I t ol d you t h at m y
Spi r i t ual Det ect i on w oul d evol ve as m y cul t i vat i on i n cr eases, an d af t er your
car i n g gui dan ce dur i n g t h ese t h r ee m on t h s, i t s r an ge i n cr eased t o ar oun d f i f t y
m et er s or so. I n addi t i on t o t h at , I ’ ve f oun d a w ay of con cen t r at i n g i t s ef f ect s i n
on e di r ect i on on l y, al l ow i n g i t s r an ge t o i n cr ease even m or e. On t h e ot h er h an d,
t h e h un dr ed m et er s t h at you’ r e cur r en t l y sen si n g w asn ’ t don e by m e al on e.
Af t er W an g Don g and I f used our m ar t i al soul s, our soul pow er s f used as w el l .
T h e r eason w h y m y Spi r i t ual Det ect i on ’ s r an ge i n cr eased by so m uch , t o t h e
poi n t w h er e i t ’ s even doubl ed i n r an ge, w as due t o W an g Don g’ s h el p. Doesn ’ t
t h is p r ove t h a t w e can fu se ou r m ar t ia l sou ls? W e r eally m an aged t o u se a fu sion
sk ill last n igh t . If you d on ’t b elieve u s, w e can b r in g you t o t h e ar ea w e t est ed it
ou t on . T h er e ar e a st ill a few t r aces left t h er e.”
Aft er h ear in g H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s, Zh ou Yi gr ad u ally calm ed d ow n ; sh e k n ew

t h at sh e h ad b een sligh t ly im p et u ou s.
Du r in g t h ese t h r ee m on t h s, sh e h ad seen H u o Yu h ao’s p er for m an ce in t h e

acad em y. Even as sh e look ed t h r ou gh h er m em or ies, t h er e h ad n ever b een a
st u d en t w h o’d b een m or e d iligen t t h an h im . Fu r t h er m or e, h e w as calm er t h an
h is p eer s, an d h ad a few h in t s of m at u r it y. Even if h e w an t ed t o lie t o h er , h e’d
n ever t ell a lie t h at cou ld b e exp osed as easily as t h is on e.
T h is w as a p er fect exam p le of t h e sayin g ‘ever yon e sp ecialised in t h eir ow n

field s’. Alt h ou gh Zh ou Yi w as a t each er fr om Sh r ek Acad em y, sh e w asn ’t t oo
fam iliar w it h m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ills. Aft er all, t h ese sk ills w er e t r u ly t oo
n ich e. Aft er list en in g t o H u o Yu h ao’s exp lan at ion , sh e h ad alr ead y b elieved
t h em . As su ch , t h e a n ger in h er h ear t q u ick ly d issip at ed .
W avin g h er h an d , Zh ou Yi said , “Fin e. You can st op u sin g yo u r sk ill, I b elieve

you t w o. On ly, t h er e’s d efin it ely som et h in g t h at w en t w r o n g w h en you w er e
t r yin g t o u se you r fu sion sk ill. W ait in m y office for a w h ile, I’ll go b r in g a
t each er w h o’s fam iliar w it h fu sion sk ills. I’ll get h im t o d isp el you r d ou b t s.”
Old Lad y Zh ou w as a lw ays a p er son w h o m ad e sw ift an d d ecisive d ecision s. By

t h e t im e sh e h ad fin ish ed sp eak in g, sh e w as alr ead y ou t sid e, an d w as w alk in g
w it h qu ick st ep s
On ce sh e left , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g sim u lt an eou sly let ou t a sigh of

r elief. T h e t w o of t h em collap sed on t o t h e sofa, an d H u o Yu h ao u sed h is left
h an d t o w ip e aw ay t h e sw eat on h is for eh ead . W an g Don g w an t ed t o u se h is left
h an d as w ell, b u t h e n ot iced t h at H u o Yu h ao w as st ill h old in g it .
“Release you r h an d .” W an g Don g u n h ap p ily fr eed h is h an d fr om H u o Yu h ao’s

gr ip . H e t h en glar ed at h im , “I’m b la m in g you for t h is. If it w er en ’t for you
in sist in g on t r yin g ou r fu sion sk ill ou t , w h y else w ou ld w e b e cau gh t b y t h at Old
Lad y Zh ou ? W e d on ’t r eally h ave an y secr et s n ow , d o w e?”
As H u o Yu h ao lean ed in t o t h e sofa, h e ch u ck led , “Blam e m e if you w an t t o,

b u t t h is isn ’t r eally a b ad t h in g. W e’ll b e ab le t o avoid d oin g t h in gs in cor r ect ly if
w e h ave a t each er gu id in g ou r cu lt iva t ion . J u st w h en can you ch an ge t h is
gr u m b lin g at t it u d e o f you r s? I’m t h e on ly on e w h o can t oler at e you .”
W an g Don g h u m p h ed . “I on ly d o it w h en I’m w it h you . If it w er e an yon e else,

I’d b e t oo lazy t o even com p lain . H ow ever , it ’s w or t h it , sin ce w e saw Old Lad y
Zh ou ’s st u n n ed exp r ession . H ey, d o you t h in k Old Lad y Zh ou w ill con t in u e t o
t each u s aft er w e fin ish t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t ?”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “It ’s h ar d t o t ell. T each er Zh ou ’s t each in g seem s t o b e

q u it e com p r eh en sive, b u t sh e seem s t o p lace em p h asis on a few d iffer en t t h in gs.
On ly, w e’r e t oo you n g, an d ou r cu lt ivat ion levels ar e qu it e low , so w e h aven ’t
seen h er sp ecialt ies yet . In an y case, w e’ll fin d ou t aft er w e get r eassign ed classes
on ce t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t en d s. I’m h op in g t h at w e’ll follow T each er
Zh ou . Alt h ou gh sh e’s som ew h at st r ict , it isn ’t r ea lly a b ad t h in g for u s. At t h e
ver y least , sh e’ll con t in u e t o en cou r age u s t o d iligen t ly cu lt ivat e an d lear n .”
Chapt er 24.1: The Bet
W an g Don g lau gh ed . “Ar e you a m asoch ist ? Righ t , let ’s cu lt ivat e for a w h ile
h er e. On ce Old Lad y Zh ou com es b ack a n d sees t h a t w e w er e cu lt ivat in g w h ile
sh e w as gon e, sh e’ll d efin it ely t h in k t h at w e’r e ver y h a r d w or k in g. I’m su r e t h at
h er m ood w ill im p r ove as w ell.”
H u o Yu h ao k n ock ed h im on t h e h ead an d said , “You ’r e an exp er t at d oin g

t h ese cr aft y t h in gs.”
“Ru b b ish , you ’r e t h e on e w h o’s d oin g cr a ft y t h in gs. W e’ve got a m at ch in t h e

aft er n oon , an d w e w er e som ew h at d r ain ed fr om t h e m at ch ear lier , so w h at ’s
w r on g w it h r ecover in g as soon as p ossib le? Ar e you gon n a d o it or n ot ? H u r r y
u p .” As h e sp ok e, h e t ook off h is sh oes an d sa t on t h e sofa in a cr oss-legged
p osit ion . Aft er t h a t , h e ext en d ed h is h an d s ou t t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao h ad alw a ys cu lt iva t ed w h en ever h e h ad fr ee t im e, so n at u r ally, h e

w ou ld n ’t r efu se. H e m ir r or ed W an g Don g’s p osit ion an d p laced h is p alm s
again st W an g Don g’s p alm s. T h en , t h ey sim u lt an eou sly cir cu lat ed t h eir sou l
p ow er s.
As t h eir sou l p ow er s cir cu lat ed an d fu sed w it h on e a n ot h er , it felt som ew h at

d iffer en t fr om yest er d ay’s cu lt ivat ion . T h eir sou l p ow er s seem ed t o h ave
b ecom e m or e in t im a t e, an d t h eir cu lt iva t ion sp eed s d u r in g t h e in it ial st ages of
t h e fu sion w er e clear ly m u ch fast er t h an t h ey w er e yest er d ay; t h e H aod on g
Pow er h ad alr ead y a p p ear ed in t h e in st a n t t h ey t ou ch ed . As t h ey w illed it , t h e
H aod on g Pow er cir cu lat ed alon g t h eir cu lt ivat ion p at h s at a sp eed t h at w as at
least 10 % fast er t h an yest er d ay.
W h en t h ey st ar t ed cu lt ivat in g, t h ey sh u t t h eir eyes. As su ch , t h ey d id n ’t

n ot ice t h at t h r ee b lu e, p u r p le, an d gold ligh t s h ad slow ly em er ged fr om t h eir
p alm s. T h ese t h r ee ligh t s r evolved ar ou n d t h eir ar m s a n d st ar t ed t o h over
ar ou n d t h eir b od ies, an d gr ad u a lly, a layer of color ap p ear ed on t h eir b od ies.
Or igin ally, t h ey w er e m er ely p lan n in g on r ecover in g som e of t h eir sou l

p ow er . H ow ever , t h ey q u ick ly en t er ed a m ed it at ive st at e on ce t h eir cu lt ivat ion
st ar t ed , r esu lt in g in t h em losin g all aw ar en ess of t h e w or ld .
Not lon g aft er t h ey b egan cu lt ivat in g, Zh ou Yi r et u r n ed w it h an ot h er p er son

in t ow . If t h e t w o of t h em h ad b een aw ak e, t h ey w ou ld ’ve d efin it ely b een
ast on ish ed . T h is w a s b ecau se t h e p er son t h at Zh ou Yi h ad b r ou gh t b ack w as
t h eir p r oct or d u r in g t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t , T each er W a n g Yan .
Zh ou Yi w as st a r t led b y t h e ap p ear an ces of t h e t w o as t h ey cu lt ivat ed , w h ile

W an g Yan w as com p let ely ast on ish ed . Aft er w ar d s, t h e t w o of t h em
u n exp ect ed ly gave each ot h er a sign al t o r em ain silen t .
An in q u ir in g look ap p ear ed in Zh ou Yi’s eyes, b u t W an g Yan m er ely sh ook h is

h ead . Aft er t h a t , h e qu iet ly w alk ed t ow ar d s t h eir b od ies an d squ at t ed d ow n ,
ob ser vin g t h eir con d it ion s. In a d d it ion t o t h at , h e st ar t ed t o car efu lly p ay
at t en t ion t o t h e so u l p ow er u n d u lat ion s t h ey w er e gen er at in g as t h ey cu lt ivat ed .
As h e con t in u ed t o p ay at t en t ion t o t h em , t h e ast on ish m en t on W an g Yan ’s

face in cr eased . H e su b con sciou sly st ar t ed t o r u b h is h a n d s.
Zh ou Yi an d W an g Yan h ad k n ow n each ot h er for a w h ile; sh e k n ew t h at t h is

act ion of h is sign ified h is n er vou sn ess an d excit em en t . M or eover , sh e w as a
t each er h er self. As su ch , sh e cou ld also sen se h ow u n u su a l H u o Yu h ao an d W an g
Don g’s cu r r en t st at e w as. At t h e ver y least , sh e h ad n ever seen som et h in g lik e
t h is b efor e. T w o sou l m ast er s w er e u n exp ect ed ly cu lt iva t in g t oget h er , an d n ot
on ly d id t h eir sou l p ow er s n ot in t er fer e w it h each ot h er , t h ey even fu sed
t oget h er . T h ey cou ld see h ow q u ick ly t h ey w er e cu lt ivat in g fr om t h e cir cu la t ion
of t h e t h r ee ligh t s, an d k n ew t h at even a t h r ee-r in ged Sou l Eld er w ou ld n ’t b e
ab le t o cu lt ivat e as fa st as t h em !
Aft er com p let in g t h ir t y-six cycles of cu lt ivat ion , H u o Yu h ao a n d W an g Don g
st op p ed . T h e t w o m an aged t o com p let ely r ecover t h e sou l p ow er t h ey h ad lost
d u r in g t h eir ear lier m at ch , an d t h ey even m an aged t o in cr ease t h eir cu lt iva t ion
levels b y a st ep .
T h e t w o of t h em sim u lt an eou sly let ou t a sigh , slow ly r et r act in g t h eir

r esp ect ive sou l p ow er s. T h is t h en cau sed t h e t h r ee ligh t s r evolvin g ar ou n d t h eir
b od ies t o slow ly d issip at e.
As t h ey op en ed t h eir eyes, t h e t w o felt som ew h at r efr esh ed . T h eir cu r r en t

cu lt ivat ion sp eed w a s sim p ly t oo sat isfyin g. H ow ever , t h ey w er e q u ick ly st a r t led
b y t h e scen e in fr on t of t h em .
“T each er Zh ou , T each er W an g?” T o h is ast on ish m en t , H u o Yu h ao saw Zh ou

Yi an d W an g Yan sea t ed on ch air s n ot far aw ay fr om t h e sofa, fu lly con cen t r a t ed
on t h em .
W an g Don g w as also ast on ish ed . On ly t h en d id t h e t w o r em em b er t h at t h ey

w er e st ill in Zh ou Yi’s office.
H u o Yu h ao sp ok e w it h a sligh t ly em b ar r assed voice. “T each er Zh ou , w e

w an t ed t o r ecover so m e of ou r sou l p ow er an d p r ep ar e for t h e aft er n oon m at ch .
T h at ’s w h y w e…”
Zh ou Yi w aved h er h an d an d sa id , “N o n eed for an y exp lan at ion s. Bein g

h ar d w or k in g is alw ays a good t h in g. T h is p er son is T each er W an g Yan , an
excellen t t each er fr om t h e Acad em y’s t h eor et ical fact ion . H e’s even on e r an k
h igh er t h an m e as a t each er . H e’s ver y w ell-lea r n ed w it h r egar d s t o m ar t ial sou l
fu sion sk ills.”
W an g Yan sm iled sligh t ly an d said , “I d on ’t t h in k t h a t I n eed t o in t r od u ce

m yself. W e’ve m et b efor e. I w as t h eir p r oct or d u r in g t h e r ou n d -r ob in
t ou r n am en t .” T h e cu r r en t h im h ad alr ead y r egain ed h is u su al calm look , b u t as
for w h et h er h e w as t r u ly calm on t h e in sid e, on ly h e h im self k n ew t h e an sw er t o
t h at .
“T each er W an g.” H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g sim u lt an eou sly b ow ed t o h im
r esp ect fu lly.
W an g Yan n od d ed h is h ead an d sa id , “I’ve car efu lly ob ser ved you r

cu lt ivat ion s. In t h e b egin n in g, I d id n ’t b elieve w h at Zh ou Yi t old m e, b u t n ow ,
I’ve r ealised t h at I w as in exp er ien ced . Now , I can t est ify t o Zh ou Yi w it h a 10 0 %
cer t ain t y t h at you t w o h ave com p let ed a m ar t ial sou l fu sion , an d t h at you
p ossess a fu sion sk ill.”
Zh ou Yi look ed at h im w it h a som ew h a t ast on ish ed exp r ession on h er face,

b u t sh e d id n ’t in t er r u p t h im .
W an g Yan con t in u ed . “You r sou l p ow er s ar e act u ally so com p at ib le t h at t h ey

d id n ’t even con flict w it h each ot h er at all w h en t h ey fu sed t oget h er . M or eover ,
t h e fu sion even assist ed you r cu lt iva t ion . T h is h as n ever b een seen in t h e t en -
t h ou san d -year r ecor d s of Sh r ek Acad em y. T h er e’s on ly on e exp lan at ion for
t h is—t h at is, you r m ar t ial sou ls ar e p er fect ly com p at ib le, ach ievin g a p er fect
10 0 % com p at ib ilit y r at e. On ly t h is legen d ar y occu r r en ce cou ld allow you r sou l
p ow er s t o p er fect ly fu se w it h ou t an y d ist in ct ion s w h at soever , an d allow you t o
sh ar e you r cu lt ivat io n sp eed s. Con gr a t u lat ion s. I can even for esee t h a t you t w o
w ill d efin it ely b ecom e Ch osen of ou r Sh r ek Acad em y in t h e fu t u r e.”
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t secr et ly ad m ir e W an g Yan as h e list en ed t o h is

w or d s. H e’d h ea r d of t h e w or d s ‘Per fect Com p at ib ilit y’ fr om t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m , b u t W an g Yan w as ab le t o d ed u ce t h is b y m er ely ob ser vin g t h eir
cu lt ivat ion s, even t h ou gh h e d id n ’t fu lly u n d er st an d t h em . It w as n o w on d er h e
w as a r ep r esen t a t ive of t h e Acad em y’s t h eor et ical fact ion .
Pu zzled , W an g Don g ask ed , “T each er W a n g, sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, w h y d id ou r

fu sion sk ill fail t od ay? H u o Yu h ao an d I t r ied it ou t ea r lier , b u t n ot h in g
h ap p en ed !”
W an g Yan ch u ck led . “Do you t h in k t h at fu sion sk ills ar e or d in ar y sou l sk ills?
H ow cou ld t h e act ivat ion of a fu sion sk ill b e so sim p le? You r m ar t ial sou ls an d
en er gies h ave t o b e at t h eir p eak con d it ion s for a fu sion sk ill t o b e act ivat ed .
T h is is t h e fir st t im e I’ve ever seen t w o p eop le w it h p er fect com p at ib ilit y r a t es,
b u t accor d in g t o m y exp er ien ce, t h er e’s a fixed r est in g p er iod for t h e act ivat ion
of a m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill. M or eover , you w on ’t b e ab le t o act ivat e it d u r in g
t h is t im e p er iod . T h is p er iod n or m a lly last s seven d ays, b u t t h at w ill gr ad u ally
lessen as you r cu lt ivat ion s in cr ea se. T h is w ill h ap p en all t h e w ay u n t il you can
com p let ely m ast er you r fu sion sk ill.”
H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “T each er W an g, w h en w ill w e b e ab le t o fr eely u se ou r

fu sion sk ill?”
W an g Yan r ep lied , “It ’s st ill t oo ear ly t o t ell. You ’d h ave t o r each Ran k 70 at
t h e ver y least t o b e ab le t o u se it fr eely, as you ’d h ave ob t ain ed a M ar t ial Sou l
T r u e Bod y b y t h en . T h is is n or m ally t h e case for an y sou l m ast er . H ow ever , it ’s
ver y lik ely t h at you t w o h ave a p er fect com p at ib ilit y r a t e. T h u s, I su ggest t h a t
you t r y u sin g you r fu sion sk ill ever y d a y fr om n ow , all t h e w ay u n t il it w or k s
again . W e can t h en con fir m t h e r est in g p er iod of you r fu sion sk ill. On ce you ’ve
con fir m ed t h e len gt h of t h is r est in g p er iod , com e fin d m e a n d let m e see w h at
you r fu sion sk ill is. I’m ver y cu r iou s a s t o w h at it is!”
W it h W an g Yan ’s exp lan at ion , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e n ow m u ch

m or e k n ow led geab le ab ou t fu sion sk ills.
Zh ou Yi ask ed , “T each er W an g, sin ce t h ey’ve ach ieved a p er fect com p at ib ilit y

r at e for t h eir m ar t ia l sou l fu sion , w h at ot h er b en efit s d oes it give b esid es aid in g
t h em in t h eir cu lt iva t ion ?”
W an g Yan ch u ck led . “T each er Zh ou , a m an w h o’s n ever con t en t is lik e a

sn ak e t h a t ’s t r yin g t o sw allow an elep h an t ! You ’ve a lr ea d y p ick ed u p t w o
t r easu r es. Sim p ly allow in g t h em t o assist each ot h er d u r in g cu lt ivat in g can
d ou b le t h eir cu lt ivat ion sp eed . You m igh t n ot b e ab le t o see a n yt h in g n ow , b u t
give it a few year s. I can gu ar an t ee t h at w it h in t h r ee year s, ab solu t ely n on e of
t h eir p eer s w ill b e ab le t o com p et e w it h t h eir cu lt ivat ion levels. H ow ever , you ’r e
r igh t t o ask t h is q u est ion . T h er e’s an ot h er d iffer en ce b et w een p er fect ly
com p at ib le fu sion sk ills an d or d in ar y fu sion sk ills, an d t h a t is t h eir st r en gt h s.
I’m p r et t y su r e you k n ow w h at I m ean . Accor d in g t o t h e n or m al r u les of a
m ar t ial sou l fu sion , t h e h igh er t h e com p at ib ilit y r at e, t h e st r on ger t h e fu sion
sk ill w ill b e. H ow ever , w e’ve n ever seen a p er fect fu sion b efor e. H en ce, I w ish t o
p er son ally see h ow st r on g t h eir fu sion sk ill is, an d w h at effect s it h as.”
Zh ou Yi n od d ed an d said , “T h an k s for you r h elp . T each er W an g, sh all w e

r ep or t t h is m at t er t oget h er ?”
W an g Yan sh ook h is h ead an d sm iled . “N o n eed . You can r ep or t it b y you r self.

You sh ou ld ’ve b een p r om ot ed t o a h igh -r an k ed t each er a lr ea d y. Fu r t h er m or e,
you w er e t h e on e w h o d iscover ed t h ese t w o fellow s. I can ’t st eal you r glor y.”
Zh ou Yi sm iled an d n od d ed at h im .
W an g Yan st ood u p a n d said , “You lit t le fellas h ave t o w or k h a r d . Go en t er t h e

t op 32 in t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t . You ’ll h ave t o w or k even h ar d er on ce
you ’ve en t er ed t h e t op 8. T h e acad em y w ill h ave a few h igh er -u p s w at ch in g you
figh t . Fu r t h er m or e, even w e t each er s t h in k t h a t t h e ch am p ion p r ize is q u it e
good , so you can ’t m iss ou t on it . If you h ave an y p r ob lem s, you can com e fin d
m e. M y office is on t h e fou r t h floor . T each er Zh ou , I’ll b e t ak in g m y leave t h en .”
Zh ou Yi w alk ed W an g Yan all t h e w ay t o t h e d oor t o t h e office. Befor e leavin g,

W an g Yan look ed d eep ly at H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g.
Zh ou Yi d id n ’t en t er t h e r oom again . In st ead , sh e b eck on ed t ow ar d s t h e t w o

w h o w er e st ill in t h e office. “Let ’s go, you sh ou ld eat lu n ch . I’ll t r ea t you t o
lu n ch t od ay.”
Alt h ou gh sh e d id n ’t exp licit ly st at e it , t ak in g t h e in it ia t ive t o t r eat t h em t o

lu n ch sign ified t h at sh e w as ap ologizin g t o H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g for
b lam in g t h em .
T h e t w o felt t h at it w as som ew h at in con ceivab le, b u t t h ey qu ick ly cam e t o

t h eir sen ses an d excit ed ly ch ar ged t o t h e can t een w it h Zh ou Yi in t ow .
Zh ou Yi w as act u ally qu it e a gen er o u s p er son ; sh e u n exp ect ed ly t r ea t ed t h em

t o all of t h e can t een ’s t op -r an k ed d ish es.
T h e can t een ’s t op -r a n k ed d ish es w er e ext r aor d in ar ily p r icey, an d t h er e w er e
n ew d ish es t h at w er e p r iced d iffer en t ly ever y d ay. H ow ever , t h eir p r ices w er e
alw ays in gold sou l coin s. T h er e w er e t w o t op -r an k ed d ish es t od ay, an d Zh ou Yi
or d er ed t w o of each , cau sin g t h e t ot al b ill t o exceed sixt y gold sou l coin s.
“T each er Zh ou , you ’r e sp en d in g t oo m u ch on u s.” H u o Yu h a o felt a b it b ad .

Even aft er all t h e t im e h e’d sp en t sellin g r oast ed fish , h e h ad n ’t even ear n ed a
t ot al of sixt y gold sou l coin s yet ...
Zh ou Yi said , “Qu ick ly, eat it w h ile it ’s h ot . Don ’t t h in k t h a t t h e Acad em y’s

sellin g t h ese t op -r an k ed d ish es for t h e sak e of m ak in g a p r ofit . In r ea lit y, t h e
t op -r an k ed d ish es ar e t h e on ly d ish es in t h e can t een t h at ca u se t h e Acad em y t o
su ffer a loss.”
“W h y?” H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g ask ed at p r act ica lly t h e sam e t im e.
Zh ou Yi sm iled in d iffer en t ly. “It ’s n at u r ally for t h e sak e of t h e b od ies of t h e

st u d en t s. Do you t w o r ecogn ise t h ese d ish es?” Sh e p oin t ed a t t h e p la t es in fr on t
of h er .
T h ese t w o d ish es h ad st r on g fr agr an ces. On e look ed lik e a st ew , w h ile t h e

ot h er w as som e sou p .
T h at st ew w as m ad e ou t of lean m eat an d t en d on s. T h e st ew it self w as st r on g

an d t h ick , w h ile t h e m eat w as fr esh an d soft t o t h e t ou ch . Even t h e t en d on s h ad
b een cook ed in su ch a w ay t h at t h ey h a d a soft an d gelat in ou s t ext u r e. M er ely
look in g at t h e d ish w ou ld m ak e on e’s ap p et it e in cr ease.
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e sou p h ad a ligh t -gold color , an d t h er e w as n ot h in g

in sid e it ; t h er e w as on ly sou p . H ow ever , it s fr agr an ce assau lt ed on e’s n ose, so
m u ch so t h at it even sm elled r ich er t h an t h e st ew . T h er e w as even t h e fain t
sm ell of m ed icin a l h er b s h id d en w it h in t h e sou p .
Un d ou b t ed ly, H u o Yu h ao w as u n ab le t o t ell t h e n am es of t h ese d ish es.

H ow ever , W an g Don g h esit at ed for a m om en t , t h en said , “T each er Zh ou , t h is
st ew seem s t o b e m ad e ou t of t h e m ea t of t h e Devilsca le Alligat or ? I can ’t t ell
w h at t h e sou p is m a d e ou t of, t h ou gh .”
Zh ou Yi n od d ed a n d said , “You d eser ve t o b e called a ch ild fr om an

ar ist ocr at ic fam ily. You ’r e r igh t . T h is m eat of t h is st ew com es fr om t h e
Devilscale Alligat or , w h ich is an ext r ao r d in ar ily st r on g am p h ib ian sou l b east .
Eat in g it s m eat is a lar ge h elp t o u s sou l m ast er s, as it can im p r ove ou r p h ysiq u e
an d in cr ease t h e t ou gh n ess of ou r m er id ian s. It ’s a good t h in g t h at ’s q u it e r ar e.
On ly, t h e m eat of t h e Devilscale Alligat or is as h ar d as st eel. T h u s, it t ak es an
ext r em ely gr eat ch ef t o b e ab le t o r efin e it in t o som et h in g t h is soft . So let m e t ell
you t h is: ou r Sh r ek Acad em y d oesn ’t ju st h ave t h e b est t each er s on t h e
con t in en t , w e h ave t h e b est ch efs as w ell. An ad u lt Devilsca le Alligat or is a t t h e
t h ou san d -year sou l b east r an k at t h e ver y least , so d o you st ill t h in k t h a t t h is
d ish is exp en sive?”
“As for t h is sou p , it w as m ad e b y b oilin g an avian sou l b east for a lon g t im e,

an d it h as t h e effect of n ou r ish in g on e’s in t er n al or gan s. T h is can m ak e ou r
in t er n a l or gan s m or e st ab le, w h ich can b en efit ou r cu lt ivat ion .”
“I’ve said t h is in t h e p ast , b u t w e h a ve t h r ee st u d en t s t h is year w h o’ve

r each ed t h e Sou l Eld er r an k . It ’s t r u e t h at t h ey’r e t alen t ed an d h ar d w or k in g,
b u t t h ey’r e also ch ild r en w h o com e fr om t h e lar ge clan s. Sin ce t h eir you t h ,
t h ey’ve r eceived t h e assist an ce of t h e b est food , d r in k , an d m ed icin e, w h ich is
w h y t h ey ar e ab le t o at t ain a cu lt ivat ion lik e t h eir s at su ch a you n g age. W an g
Don g cou ld ’ve also r eceived t r ea t m en t lik e t h is b efor e com in g t o t h e Acad em y,
b u t as for w h y you h aven ’t ob t ain ed you r t h ir d r in g, in m y op in ion , it ’s ver y
lik ely d u e t o you r lazin ess or a sp ecial con d it ion in you r b od y. Fu r t h er m or e, if I
h aven ’t r em em b er ed it in cor r ect ly, you ju st t u r n ed eleven .”
W an g Don g n od d ed , “T each er Zh ou , I’ll d efin it ely ob t ain m y t h ir d r in g b efor e

I t u r n t w elve.”
Zh ou Yi said , “Ok ay, you t w o sh ou ld qu ick ly st ar t eat in g. On ce you ’r e d on e,

go b ack an d t ak e a sm all r est . T h e aft er n oon m at ch is goin g t o st ar t soon . I’ll b e
r ep or t in g t h is m at t er t o t h e h igh er -u p s. If you ’r e select ed as a cor e d iscip le of
t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , t h e Acad em y w ill p r ovid e you t h ese t op -r an k ed d ish es fr ee
of ch ar ge. I’m p r et t y su r e you can im agin e h ow m u ch t h is’ll b en efit you r
cu lt ivat ion . H ow ever , p ossessin g a m a r t ial sou l fu sion sk ill d oesn ’t m ean t h at
you ’ll d efin it ely b e select ed as a cor e d iscip le. Rem em b er , ou r Sh r ek Acad em y
h as n o lack of gen iu ses. You r fin al r an k in g in t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t w ill
gr eat ly affect you r ch an ces at en t er in g t h e cir cle of cor e d iscip les. T r u t h is, I
m an aged t o gr ad u at e fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d d u r in g m y t im e, b u t I w asn ’t
ab le t o b ecom e a cor e d iscip le, m u ch less ob t ain t h e q u alificat ion s t o en t er t h e
in n er cou r t yar d . Bu t for you t w o, b ecom in g a cor e d iscip le is an im p or t an t st ep
t h at ’ll h elp you t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d . Ou t of all t h e cor e d iscip les t h a t ’ve
b een in Sh r ek Acad em y, over h alf of t h em m an aged t o p ass t h e in n er
cou r t yar d ’s assessm en t . Also, b ecom in g a cor e d iscip le sign ifies t h a t you ’ll
r eceive even m or e h elp fr om Acad em y t each er s. Do you u n d er st an d ?”
“Yes.” T h e t w o r ep lied t oget h er . T h en , t h ey im m ed iat ely gor ged t h em selves

silly.
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g im m ed iat ely ack n ow led ged Zh ou Yi’s p r aise of

t h e Acad em y’s ch efs. H u o Yu h ao w as st ill som ew h a t b et t er ; h e’d n ever t r ied
t h ese t yp es of h igh -r an k ed food st u ffs b efor e. H ow ever , W a n g Don g d iffer ed
fr om h im . H e’d eat en t h ese d elicacies in t h e p ast , b u t t h e flavou r s cr eat ed b y h is
fam ily’s ch efs cou ld n ’t com p ar e t o t h e d ish es cook ed b y t h e Acad em y’s can t een .
On ce t h ey fin ish ed eat in g, t h e t w o in st an t ly felt t h eir b od ies h eat u p . T h is

w as esp ecially t r u e for t h eir st om ach s; w aves of w ar m t h sp r ead t h r ou gh t h eir
en t ir e b od ies, ca u sin g an in d escr ib ab le r elaxin g feelin g t o a r ise. Su r e en ou gh ,
you r eally got w h at you p aid for !
Zh ou Yi follow ed t h em all t h e w ay t o t h e d or m en t r an ce. Befor e leavin g, sh e

p laced h er h an d on H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er an d w h isp er ed , “Sin ce you w er en ’t
b or n as a n ob le, u se you r ow n st r en gt h t o b ecom e on e.”
W it h t h at , sh e t u r n ed an d left . Ever sin ce t h e m eal h ad st ar t ed , h er icy

exp r ession seem ed t o h ave d isap p ear ed .
T h e old m an w h o seem ed t o b e t h e d or m it or y m an ager , yet n ever car ed ab ou t

an yt h in g, con t in u ed t o lean on h is r eclin er . H e seem ed t o h a ve h ear d Zh ou Yi’s
w or d s, an d m u m b led som et h in g in r esp on se, b u t n ob od y h ear d h im .
Aft er H u o Yu h ao gr eet ed t h e old m an a s h e u su a lly d id , h e r et u r n ed t o h is

d or m r oom alon g w it h W an g Don g. T h ey’d ju st fin ish ed eat in g, b u t t h ey h ad t o
cu lt ivat e for a w h ile. Aft er all, w ast in g t im e w as d isgr acefu l! Fu r t h er m or e, t h e
aft er n oon m at ch clear ly w ou ld n ’t b e as effor t less as t h e m or n in g m at ch .
W h en t h e aft er n oon b ell r an g, t h e fr esh m en assessm en t ’s k n ock -ou t

t ou r n am en t ’s r ou n d of sixt een officially b egan .
W h en com p ar ed t o t h e m or n in g, t h e n u m b er of com p et in g st u d en t s h a d
d ecr eased b y a h alf. On ce t h ey d r ew t h eir lot s again , t h e st u d en t s im m ed ia t ely
h ead ed t ow ar d t h eir d esign at ed ar eas t o st ar t t h eir r esp ect ive m at ch es.
T h e layou t of t h e ar ea h ad n ’t ch a n ged , as t h is m at ch w as b ein g h eld on t h e

sam e d ay as t h e p r eviou s m at ch . H ow ever , on ly t h e fir st 16 b at t lefield s w er e
u sed for t h e m a t ch es.
T h er e w as a t all st a ge er ect ed b y t h e n or t h er n p ar t of t h e Assessm en t Ar ea.

T h is st age w as 20 m et er s ab ove t h e gr ou n d , an d w as su p p or t ed b y six m et allic
p illar s. Fr om t h e gr ou n d , it w as im p ossib le t o see t h e n u m b er of p eop le t h e st age
con t ain ed . H ow ever , t h er e w er e vagu e figu r es u p t h er e, as if t h er e w er e p eop le
w h o w er e w at ch in g t h eir m a t ch es. On t h e ot h er h an d , a d ist an ce of 20 m et er s
fr om t h e gr ou n d w as en ou gh t o over look t h e en t ir e Assessm en t Ar ea, allow in g
t h e p eop le u p t h er e t o clear ly see t h e st at e of ever y m at ch .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er en ’t lat e t h is t im e ar ou n d . In st ead , t h ey cam e

t o t h e Assessm en t Ar ea ver y ear ly t o d r aw t h eir lot s, cau sin g Xiao Xiao t o sigh in
r elief.
T h is t im e, t h ey w er e assign ed t o t h e eigh t h ar en a. By t h e t im e t h ey ar r ived a t

t h e ar en a, t h e ot h er t eam w h o’d b een assign ed t o t h e eigh t h ar en a as w ell h ad
alr ead y ar r ived .
T o H u o Yu h ao’s ast on ish m en t , t h eir op p on en t s w er e all gir ls. Fu r t h er m or e,

t h ey w er e you n g lad ies w h o w er e ver y p r et t y.
T h e Sp ect at or ’s St age.
Zh ou Yi q u iet ly st ood on t h e st age, su r veyin g t h e m at ch es t h at w er e ab ou t t o

st ar t . Class 1 h ad b een t h e b iggest w in n er am on g t h e t en classes d u r in g t h e
r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n a m en t , b u t a few st r on g st u d en t s h ad b egu n t o r eveal t h eir
t r u e p ot en t ial an d st r en gt h w h en t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t st ar t ed . Aft er t h e
r ou n d of 32, on ly five t eam s fr om Class 1 r em ain ed . Alt h ou gh t h eir n u m b er s
w er e gr eat er t h an t h ose fr om t h e ot h er classes, t h eir d om in a n ce w as n o lon ger
t h at ob viou s.
T h e r ou n d of 32 w as ext r em ely cr u cia l.
“T each er Zh ou , ar e you look in g for you r seed ed t eam ? I’ve ju st look ed at t h e

lot s, an d coin cid en t ally, t h e seed ed t ea m you ’ve ch osen ju st so h ap p en ed t o
m eet u p w it h t h e seed ed t eam fr om m y class. T h ey’r e over t h er e at t h e eigh t h
ar en a. Say, w h o d o you t h in k w ill w in ?”
A t h ir t y-or -so-year -old fem ale t each er h a d w alk ed u p t o Zh ou Yi, an d sp ok en

w it h an am u sed t on e.
Zh ou Yi im m ed iat ely squ in t ed , “M u J in , d o you t h in k t h at you r st u d en t s w ill

w in for su r e?”
Alt h ou gh M u J in w asn ’t you n g, h er ap p ear an ce cou ld d efin it ely b e d escr ib ed
u sin g t h e w or d s ‘you n g an d p r et t y’. Sh e sm iled , sh ak in g h er h ead . “T h at ’s n ot
t r u e. T h er e ar e n o ab solu t es in t h is w or ld . H ow ever , I’ve h ear d t h at t h er e ar en ’t
an y p ar t icu lar ly ou t st an d in g t alen t s fr om you r class t h is t im e ar ou n d . At t h e
ver y least , I’ve h ear d t h a t you d on ’t h ave an y st u d en t s w h o’r e ab ove Ran k 30 .
W h at a p it y.”
Zh ou Yi’s gaze t u r n ed ch illy. “Ar e you t r yin g t o p r ovok e m e?”
M u J in ’s sm ilin g exp r ession in st an t ly v an ish ed , “So w h a t if I am ? Doesn ’t

you r Class 1 h ave good r esu lt s? I w an t t o see h ow m an y of t h e st u d en t s w h o
you ’ve t au gh t can get in t o t h e t op 8. W h en I saw t h a t m y seed ed t eam w as
p air ed u p again st you r seed ed t eam , I felt ver y h ap p y. Ever sin ce you exp elled
m y d iscip les even w h en I b it t er ly b egged you n ot t o, t h is is t h e fir st t im e t h at
I’ve felt t h is h ap p y. I’ve h ear d t h at you w an t t o b e p r om ot ed t o a sen ior t each er ,
b u t aih , you m igh t b e ou t of lu ck again .”
H ow ever , Zh ou Yi d id n ’t p ay at t en t ion t o M u J in ’s p r ovok in g look . Sh e cast

h er gaze d ow n t o t h e ar en as b elow h er , a n d fixed h er eyes on t o t h e eigh t h a r en a
t h at H u o Yu h ao’s t eam w as on . T h en , sh e in d iffer en t ly said , “W ou ld you lik e t o
m ak e a b et w it h m e? ”
M u J in ’s ob ject ive h ad b een t o en r age an d h u m iliat e Zh ou Yi. T h u s, sh e

d id n ’t h esit at e t o r ep ly aft er h ear in g Zh ou Yi’s w or d s. “A b et ? W h at ’r e you
b et t in g w it h m e?”
Zh ou Yi fin ally st op p ed ign or in g h er . T u r n in g ar ou n d , sh e sp ok e w it h a

ser iou s t on e. “On e sou l b on e. Do you d ar e t o b et w it h m e?”
Aft er h ear in g t h e w o r d s ‘sou l b on e’, M u J in ’s eyes su d d en ly sh r an k .
A sou l r in g w as alr ead y an ext r em ely p r eciou s it em t o a sou l m ast er s, as a sou l

m ast er n eed ed a sou l r in g t o b e ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h e exist en ce k n ow n as a
b ot t len eck .
H ow ever , sou l b on es w er e a h u n d r ed t im es m or e p r eciou s t h an sou l r in gs.
Ever y sou l m ast er cou ld fu se w it h six sou l b on es, w h ich w er e t h e sk u ll b on e, t h e
t or so b on e, an d t h e fou r lim b b on es.
Ever y sou l r in g cou ld give a sou l m ast er on e sk ill, w h ile a h u n d r ed t h ou san d

year r in g cou ld give t w o sk ills. In ot h er w or d s, an or d in ar y sou l m ast er w h o
m an aged t o cu lt iva t e h is w ay t o t h e n in e-r in ged T it led Dou lu o st age sh ou ld
p ossess n in e sk ills. On t h e ot h er h an d , sou l b on es w er e a com p let ely d iffer en t
st or y alt oget h er . Ev er y sou l b on e w ou ld give a sou l m ast er an ot h er sk ill, an d
w ou ld d r ast ica lly in cr ease t h e st r en gt h of t h e b od y p ar t it w as ad d ed t o.
Sou l r in gs w er e it em s t h at sou l b east s w ou ld d efin it ely p r od u ce, b u t t h at

w asn ’t t h e case for sou l b on es; on ly h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s w ou ld
d efin it ely p r od u ce sou l b on es. On t h e ot h er h an d , sou l b east s b elow t h e h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year r an k w ou ld on ly h ave a on e p er cen t ch an ce of p r od u cin g a sou l
b on e! T h e ap p ear an ce of an y sou l b on e w ou ld d efin it ely cau se a scr am b le am on g
sou l m ast er s.
T h er e w as a sayin g in t h e w or ld of sou l m ast er s: “If on e w an t ed t o b ecom e an

ou t st an d in g sou l m a st er , h e w ou ld d efin it ely h ave t o w or k h ar d an d in cr ease h is
sou l p ow er , w h ile ob t ain in g an op t im a l sou l r in g.”
H ow ever , if on e w an t ed t o b ecom e a p eak -level sou l m ast er an d b ecom e a t r u e

exp er t in t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t , h e w ou ld d efin it ely n eed t o p ossess a sou l b on e.
Fu r t h er m or e, a p er son w ou ld b ecom e even st r on ger if h e p ossessed even m or e
sou l b on es. Fr om an ot h er st an d p oin t , a sou l b on e cou ld even h ave t h e sam e
effect as a m ed icin a l p ill, as fu sin g w it h a sou l b on e w ou ld in cr ea se t h e sou l
p ow er of a sou l m ast er t o som e ext en t .
At t h is m om en t , Zh ou Yi’s su ggest ion of a sou l b on e w as p r act ically h er

b r in gin g ou t a for t u n e t o figh t w it h M u J in . H en ce, h ow cou ld M u J in n ot b e
ast on ish ed ? Sh e d id n ’t u n d er st an d w h er e Zh ou Yi’s con fid en ce w as com in g
fr om .
A t r ace of d isd ain ap p ear ed at t h e cor n er of Zh ou Yi’s m ou t h , “Get aw ay fr om

m e if you ’r e scar ed . I d on ’t w an t t o sm ell t h at n au seat in g p er fu m e of you r s.”
A fier ce ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh M u J in ’s eyes. “Fin e, I’ll b et w it h you . W er e

you t r yin g t o scar e m e aw ay u sin g em p t y w or d s? If I lose, I’ll give you a sou l
b on e. Bu t if you lose, I w an t Fan Yu t o m ak e m e a close-com b at sou l t ool.”
Zh ou Yi cold ly r ep lied , “I’m t h e p er son w h o’s b et t in g w it h you , n ot h im . If I

lose, I’ll give you a sou l b on e.”
M u J in h u m p h ed , “I d on ’t w an t you r sou l b on e. I w an t Fan Yu t o m ak e m e a

close-com b at sou l t o ol.”
“Fin e, I’ll r ep ly on h er b eh alf.” A d eep voice r an g ou t . A t all figu r e h ad
alr ead y ar r ived a t Zh ou Yi’s sid e; t h is w as t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ’s Fan Yu ,
w h o Zh ou Yi h ad t ak en H u o Yu h ao t o m eet in t h e p ast .
On ce sh e saw Fan Yu ap p ear , M u J in ’s exp r ession im m ed iat ely ch an ged . H er

p r eviou sly ar r ogan t an d p r ovocat ive t em p er h ad com p let ely d isap p ear ed , an d
h er face w as som ew h at p ale. Sh e t ook a sligh t st ep b ack w ar d , an d look ed at Fan
Yu w it h sligh t ly r ed eyes. “You ’r e t eam in g u p w it h h er t o b u lly m e.”
Fan Yu ’s exp r ession r em ain ed calm , b u t h e fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s sligh t ly.

“You ’r e t h e on e w h o’s p oin t lessly cau sin g t r ou b le for ot h er p eop le. If you w an t
t o m ak e a b et , com e; if you d on ’t w an t t o, d on ’t b ot h er Zh ou Yi. As for ou r
r elat ion sh ip , w e’r e m er ely co-w or k er s, n ot h in g else.”
“I’ll b et . W h y w ou ld n ’t I b et w it h h er ? Even t h ou gh I lost t o h er , it d oesn ’t

m ean t h at m y st u d en t s w ill lose t o h er s.” M u J in su d d en ly t u r n ed ar ou n d ,
t igh t ly h old in g on t o t h e r a ilin gs w it h h er h a n d s. M ean w h ile, h er alr ea d y-
t ear in g eyes t u r n ed t ow ar d s t h e ar en as w it h in t h e Assessm en t Ar ea.
H u o Yu h ao’s t eam w er en ’t aw ar e t h a t a scen e lik e t h is h ad occu r r ed on t h e

Sp ect at or ’s St age; t h ey w er e cu r r en t ly com p let ely focu sed on t h eir op p on en t s.
T h e t h r ee you n g lad ies in fr on t of t h em w er e ver y p r et t y. T h ey w or e

fr esh m en u n ifor m s, ju st lik e H u o Yu h ao’s t eam . T h e gir l st an d in g for em ost w as
r at h er t all; sh e w as even sligh t ly t aller t h an H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g. Sh e
h ad sh or t gold en h a ir , an d seem ed ext r em ely n im b le. H er la r ge b lu e eyes h a d
lon g eyelash es ab ove t h em , an d t h er e w er e a few cu t e fr eck les on h er ch eek s.
T h e gir l b eh in d a n d t o h er left h ad sh or t fier y-r ed h air , w h ile h er eyes w er e a

r ar ely-seen sh ad e of r ed . At a glan ce, sh e seem ed som ew h a t scar y, b u t if you
ob ser ved h er car efu lly, you ’d n ot ice t h at h er facia l feat u r es w er e ext r em ely
exqu isit e. H er sk in w as jad e-w h it e, b u t t h e gaze in h er eyes w as ext r em ely cold ;
sh e w as even com p ar ab le t o Old Lad y Zh ou .
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e gir l on t h e r igh t con t r ast ed sh a r p ly w it h t h e gir l on
t h e left . A lon g h ead of ligh t -gr een h a ir w as d r ap ed over h er sh ou ld er s, w h ile
h er d ar k -gr een eyes w er e filled w it h w ar m t h . T h e d elica t e feelin g sh e em an at ed
cau sed on e t o u n con sciou sly feel t h e n eed t o b e t en d er t ow ar d s h er .
T h e p r oct or an n ou n ced : “Bot h p ar t ies, en t er t h e ar en a an d in t r od u ce

you r selves.”
T h e six p eop le fr om b ot h t eam s sim u lt a n eou sly en t er ed t h e w id e ar en a, an d

st ood b y t h eir r esp ect ive sid es. H u o Yu h ao’s t eam of t h r ee m ain t ain ed t h eir
or igin al for m at ion , w it h W an g Don g st an d in g in fr on t , Xiao Xiao in t h e m id d le,
an d H u o Yu h ao r igh t at t h e b ack .
H ow ever , t h e t h r ee gir ls ch an ged t h eir for m at ion a b it . T h e gold en -h air ed gir l

w h o h ad or igin ally b een st an d in g at t h e fr on t n ow m oved t o t h e b ack , w h ile t h e
ot h er t w o gir ls sim u lt an eou sly ad van ced t o p r ot ect h er .
T h e r ed -h a ir ed gir l ar r ogan t ly an n ou n ced : “Class 9, W u Fen g. I’m a Ran k 25

Assau lt Syst em Sou l Gr an d m ast er .”
T h e gr een -h a ir ed gir l glan ced at h er w it h a r eb u k in g look in h er eyes, as if sh e

w er e b lam in g h er for b ein g t oo ar r ogan t . Sh e h ad even an n ou n ced h er ow n Sou l
Ran k . H ow ever , sh e d id n ’t ch an ge t h e for m at of h er in t r od u ct ion . T h e con t r ast
b et w een h er soft voice an d W u Fen g’s ar r ogan t voice w as as gr eat as t h e con t r ast
b et w een t h eir ou t er ap p ear an ces. “Class 9, Nan m en Yu n ’er . I’m a Ran k 24
Agilit y Syst em Sou l Gr an d m ast er .”
A m on ot on e voice t h en r an g ou t fr om t h e b ack , “Class 9, Nin g T ian . I’m a

Ran k 31 Au xiliar y Syst em T ool Sou l Eld er .”
On ce h er w or d s left h er m ou t h , H u o Yu h ao’s t eam w as in st an t ly st u n n ed . A

Ran k 31 Sou l Eld er ? T h ey h ad t r u ly n ever exp ect ed t o m eet on e of t h e t h r ee Sou l
Eld er -r a n k ed fr esh m en ju st w h en t h ey h ad got t en in t o t h e r ou n d of 16.
Fu r t h er m or e, sh e w a s even an au xiliar y-t yp e t ool sou l m ast er .
It h ad t o b e k n ow n t h at t h e cu lt ivat ion sp eed of a t ool sou l m ast er w as
gen er ally slow er t h a n t h at of a b at t le sou l m ast er . H ow ever , t h eir op p on en t h a d
b een ab le t o r each Ran k 31 an d ob t ain t h r ee sou l r in gs at t h e m er e age of t w elve.
T h is w as n o lon ger ju st a m at t er of t alen t .
Alt h ou gh t h ey w er e ast on ish ed , H u o Yu h ao’s t eam d id n ’t for get t o in t r od u ce

t h em selves. Sin ce t h eir op p on en t s h ad st ar t ed t h eir in t r od u ct ion s w it h t h eir
assau lt -t yp e sou l m a st er s, t h ey d id so as w ell.
“Class 1, W an g Don g. I’m a Ran k 24 Assau lt Syst em Bat t le Sou l Gr an d m ast er .”
“Class 1, Xiao Xiao. I’m a Ran k 22 Con t r ol Syst em Bat t le Sou l Gr an d m ast er .”
H u o Yu h ao w as t h e last t o in t r od u ce h im self, “Class 1, H u o Yu h ao. I’m a Ran k

17 Con t r ol Syst em Ba t t le Sou l M ast er .”
Aft er h ear in g t h e n u m b er ‘17’, W u Fen g cu r led h er lip s in a ver y ob viou s

m an n er , exp osin g a look of con t em p t on h er face.
W an g Don g sligh t ly squ in t ed h is eyes, an d fixed h is gaze on W u Fen g’s b od y.

H e d id n ’t k n ow w h y, b u t h e felt as if a fir e h ad b een ign it ed in h is h ear t w h en h e
look ed at W u Fen g’s d isd a in fu l gaze.
W u Fen g also sen sed h is gaze. T h eir gazes m et , an d W u Fen g sn or t ed cold ly.
T h e sm ell of gu n p ow d er h ad alr ead y ap p ear ed b et w een b ot h p ar t ies, even
t h ou gh t h e m a t ch h a d n ’t even st ar t ed yet .
H u o Yu h ao p at t ed W an g Don g’s sh ou ld er , cau sin g h im t o look b ack . T h eir

gazes m et , an d alt h ou gh n ot h in g w as said , t h ey b ot h k n ew w h at t h e ot h er
p er son w as t h in k in g.
Righ t at t h is m om en t , t h e p r oct or lou d ly sh ou t ed , “M at ch , st a r t !”
W an g Don g’s feet t ap p ed t h e gr ou n d , cau sin g h im t o sh oot off. H is d azzlin g

p air of gold en w in gs su d d en ly u n fu r led as h e ch ar ged for w ar d .
Regar d less of h ow con fid en t t h ey w er e, t h ey cou ld n ’t h elp b u t b lin k an d
secr et ly a d m ir e t h e b eau t y of h is Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess’ b r illian t p air of
w in gs t h e m om en t t h ey set t h eir eyes on t o t h em .
Lik ew ise, W u Fen g let ou t a soft cr y, cau sin g h er d elicat e b od y t o su d d en ly

sp r in g u p , A st r on g w ave of h eat t h en su r ged ou t fr om h er b od y, even cau sin g
t h e soft cr y of a d r agon t o r in g ou t . W u Fen g’s d elicat e b od y t h en su d d en ly
b ecam e slen d er . As sh e ju m p ed in t o t h e air , h er ap p ear an ce u n exp ect ed ly
t u r n ed in t o t h at of a m at u r ed sixt een or seven t een -year -old gir l. H er slen d er
b od y d ir ect ly t or e h er u n ifor m , exp osin g t h e sk in t igh t clot h es u n d er n eat h .
Clear ly, sh e h ad a lr ead y m ad e h er p r ep ar at ion s. Sh e w or e an ext r em ely

elast ic lea t h er su it in sid e, exp osin g h er lar ge an d d elica t e t h igh s. Fu r t h er m or e,
h er lea t h er su it w as lik e a ju m p su it t h at got sm aller as it w en t h igh er ,
en velop in g h er soft ch est t h a t h ad b ecom e p lu m p aft er sh e r eleased h er m ar t ial
sou l.
A ligh t -r ed lu st er r ip p led t h r ou gh h er sk in . An exqu isit e set of d r agon scales

st ar t ed ap p ear in g on h er face an d sp r ead in g d ow n w ar d s, follow in g h er ar m s
u n t il t h ey r each ed h er left ar m .
W h en W u Fen g’s m ar t ial sou l, w h ich w as also d r acon ic in n at u r e, w as

com p ar ed t o Bei Bei’s Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon ’s m ar t ial sou l p ossession , it
w as m u ch soft er . H o w ever , t h at w as on ly r elat ive. T h e p ow er fu l au r a of a t op -
r an k ed m ar t ial sou l su r ged ou t w a r d , cau sin g t w o yellow sou l r in gs t o in st a n t ly
r ise fr om h er feet .
W u Fen g’s figu r e seem ed slen d er an d p r et t y, b u t sh e gave off a feelin g t h at

m ad e it seem as if sh e w as filled w it h exp losiven ess. H er b od y flick er ed , an d sh e
in st an t ly ap p ear ed b efor e W an g Don g. T h en , h er left ar m sw ep t sid ew ays in an
at t em p t t o w h ip at W an g Don g’s b od y.
Facin g h er t yr an n ical at t ack , W an g Don g d id n ’t cou n t er at t ack w it h a sou l

sk ill. In st ead , h is b od y h alf-t u r n ed in m id air w h ile h is r igh t leg sh ot o u t lik e
ligh t n in g, collid in g w it h W u Fen g’s left ar m .
A m u ffled “Ban g” r an g ou t , an d W an g Don g’s b od y w as sen t flyin g five m et er s
b ack w ar d s. On t h e ot h er h an d , W u Fen g w as for ced t o t h e gr ou n d . Evid en t ly,
W an g Don g w as t h e on e w h o’d su ffer ed a loss d u r in g t h eir in it ial con fr on t at ion .
Alt h ou gh t h ey w er e b ot h assa u lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s, t h ey h ad d iffer en t st r on g
p oin t s. In t er m s of p h ysical st r en gt h , t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess clea r ly
w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o t ak e an y ad van t ages fr om t h e Red Dr agon .
At t h is exact m om en t , Nan m en Yu n ’er m ad e a m ove. In t h e in st a n t sh e

m oved , h er b od y w as as ligh t a s a feat h er , as if sh e w asn ’t affect ed b y gr avit y.
H ow ever , h er sp eed vast ly exceed ed W an g Don g an d W u Fen g, w h o w er e
figh t in g. W it h a flash , sh e cr ossed sever a l t en s of m et er s an d ar r ived in fr on t of
Xiao Xiao.
A p air of d ar k -gr een w in gs h ad ap p ear ed on Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s b ack , b u t w er e

on ly visib le aft er sh e’d ap p r oach ed t h em . H er w in gs w er en ’t lar ge, an d t h ey
d efin it ely w er en ’t as d azzlin g as W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
H ow ever , t h ey cau sed Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s sp eed t o b ecom e in com p ar ab ly q u ick .
At t h e sam e t im e, h er h an d s t u r n ed d a r k -gr een in color , m ak in g t h em r esem b le
t h ose of a jad e st at u e as sh e sw at t ed at Xia o Xiao.
M ean w h ile, t h e d ist an t Nin g T ian ext en d ed h er r igh t h an d , sh ou t in g w it h a

clear voice, “T h e Seven T r easu r es r evolve t o p r od u ce a Glazed Pagod a”. T h en ,
sh e q u ick ly sp u n ar ou n d , ca u sin g a d azzlin g seven -color ed ligh t t o im m ed iat ely
em an at e fr om h er b od y. T h is t h en cau sed a seven -color ed p agod a t h a t w as a foot
t all t o ap p ear in t h e m id d le of h er r igh t p alm , w h er e t h e seven -color ed ligh t h ad
gat h er ed .
T h is p agod a flick er ed w it h an over flow in g am ou n t of color , m ak in g it seem as

t h ou gh t h er e w er e a n in n u m er ab le n u m b er of gem s t h at h ad b een em b ed d ed in
it . On ce it ap p ear ed , it d r ew t h e at t en t ion of ever yon e st an d in g on t h e t all st age.
Nin g T ian ’s t h r ee sou l r in gs, w h ich con sist ed of t w o yellow r in gs an d on e

p u r p le r in g, r ose fr om h er p alm , cir clin g t h e seven layer ed p agod a in a
r h yt h m ical m an n er .
Up on t h e Sp ect at or ’s St age, M u J in t u r n ed t ow ar d s Zh ou Yi an d Fan Yu ,
r igh t in t im e for h er t o see t h e ast on ish m en t in t h eir eyes. Zh ou Yi cou ld n ’t h elp
b u t cr y ou t , “T h e Seven T r easu r es Glazed Pagod a of t h e Nin e T r easu r es Glazed
Pagod a clan !”
Chapt er 25.1: Seven Tr easur es Glazed Pagoda VS
Spir it Eyes
If W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess w as t h e p in n a cle of b eau t y for
Beast Sou ls, t h e Pagod a t h at h ad ap p ear ed w it h in Nin g T ia n ’s p alm cou ld b e
con sid er ed t h e p in n a cle of elegan ce for T ool Sou ls.
Nin g T ian ’s clear voice r an g ou t t h e in st a n t t h a t t h e p agod a a p p ear ed .
“I call u p on t h e fir st of t h e Seven T r easu r es: Sp eed .” H er fir st sou l r in g lit u p

w h en sh e fin ish ed sayin g t h is, t h e r ich yellow ligh t cau sin g t h e p agod a t o
b ecom e even m or e b eau t ifu l. Im m ed ia t ely aft er w ar d s, t w o d a zzlin g r ays of ligh t
sh ot ou t fr om t h e p agod a an d lan d ed on t h e b od ies of W u Fen g an d Nan m en
Yu n ’er .
H u o Yu h ao h ad act ivat ed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion a t t h e st ar t of t h e m at ch , b u t

h e d iscover ed —t o h is ast on ish m en t —t h at h e w as u n exp ect ed ly u n ab le t o
p er ceive t h e cir cu lat ion of Nin g T ian ’s sou l p ow er , n or t h e sou l sk ill t h at sh e
w as r eleasin g. Nin g T ian ’s d azzlin g p agod a seem ed t o b e em it t in g a m yst er iou s
sou l p ow er u n d u la t ion , w h ich w as p r ot ect in g h er au r a fr om leak in g ou t .
Fu r t h er m or e, it w as act u ally ab le t o b lock H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .
J u st w h at w as t h is T ool Sou l? It w as act u ally t h is st r on g?
T h e scen e t h at follow ed cau sed H u o Yu h ao’s t eam t o b ecom e even m or e

st ar t led . W an g Don g’s an d Xiao Xiao’s sit u at ion su d d en ly ch an ged w h en t h e t w o
r ays of ligh t lan d ed on W u Fen g’s an d Na n m en Yu n ’er ’s b od ies.
T h e sp eed of Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s p alm s su d d en ly in cr eased as t h ey sw u n g

t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao, so m u ch so t h at even a st r in g of con secu t ive aft er im ages
w er e for m ed in m id a ir .
If H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t h ad h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion act ive, Xiao Xiao m igh t ’ve
su ffer ed a gr eat loss fr om t h is exch an ge. T h e in st a n t t h at t h e r ay of ligh t h ad
lan d ed on Na n m en Yu n ’er , H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion h ad w ar n ed h er . At
t h e sam e t im e, H u o Yu h ao—w h o w as cu r r en t ly st an d in g b eh in d h er —h ad
su d d en ly gr ab b ed t h e b ack of h er sh ir t an d p u lled h er o u t of h ar m ’s w ay.
H ow ever , sh e’d on ly m an aged t o d od ge N an m en Yu n ’er ’s p alm s d esp it e t h is.
M ean w h ile, Xiao Xiao h ad act ivat ed h er T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on ,
cau sin g it t o d escen d fr om t h e sk y w it h a flash of b lack ligh t . On ce it lan d ed , it
cau sed a violen t b a n g t o r in g ou t ; Xia o Xiao’s fir st sou l r in g lit u p as h er
Cau ld r on Qu ak e act ivat ed .
Fr om t h e st ar t of t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n a m en t t ill n ow , Nan m en Yu n ’er cou ld

b e con sid er ed t h e fa st est op p on en t t h ey’d m et . T h is w as even m or e t r u e sin ce
sh e’d r eceived t h e b oost fr om Nin g T ian ’s p agod a. Cu r r en t ly, h er sp eed h ad
com p let ely exceed ed t h e level of Sou l Gr an d m ast er s; even a gilit y syst em so u l
eld er s m igh t n ot b e a b le t o b est h er in sp eed .
On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as even m or e

im p or t an t d u r in g d ir ect com b at sit u a t ion s su ch as t h is.
Aft er m issin g h er at t ack , Nan m en Yu n ’er im m ed iat ely ch ar ged for w ar d .

Fr om h er view p oin t , sh e w as con fid en t t h at sh e cou ld en d t h e b at t le w it h in t h e
sh or t est p ossib le am ou n t of t im e b y u t ilisin g h er com p let e d om in an ce in sp eed .
H ow ever , a sen se of cr isis ap p ear ed in h er h ear t t h e in st an t sh e ch ar ged

for w ar d . Sh e su d d en ly for ced h er b od y t o a scr eech in g st op , an d h er fir st sou l
r in g lit u p , cau sin g h er h an d s t o sh in e w it h a gr een ligh t . On e cou ld fain t ly see
t h at it h ad also sp r ead t o h er ar m s, cau sin g a t h in layer of gr een ligh t t o ap p ear
ar ou n d t h em . It felt som ew h at sim ilar t o W an g Don g’s Gu illot in e W in g, b u t w as
clear ly m u ch w eak er .
T h e in st an t t h at sh e, t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on su d d en ly lan d ed ,

sep ar at in g h er fr om Xiao Xiao.
Nan m en Yu n ’er h ad or igin ally p lan n ed t o d od ge it an d con t in u e at t ack in g,
b u t t h e effect of Xiao Xiao’s Cau ld r on Qu a k e act ivat ed , st u n n in g h er .
As a violen t b oom r an g ou t , violen t seism ic w aves cover ed Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s

b od y, im m ed iat ely sen d in g h er in t o a d aze for a b r ief m om en t .
T h e com b in at ion of Xiao Xiao’s Cau ld r on Qu ak e an d H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al

Det ect ion cou ld d efin it ely b e con sid er ed a n ext r em ely p ow er fu l w eap on . Even
w it h h er sw ift sp eed , Nan m en Yu n ’er h a d su ffer ed a loss.
T h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Ca u ld r on t h en ch ar ged for w ar d , slam m in g h er

b od y aw ay.
W h en t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d w it h a b an g

an d st u n n ed Nan m en Yu n ’er , t h e d ist a n t Nin g T ian op en ed h er m ou t h again . “I
call u p on t h e secon d of t h e Seven T r easu r es: Disp el.”
An ot h er r ay of ligh t lan d ed on Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s b od y aft er sh e fin ish ed

sp eak in g; even t h ou gh h er d azed st at e sh ou ld ’ve con t in u ed for a few m or e
m om en t s, it w as for cefu lly d isp elled . Sh e im m ed iat ely m oved b ack w ar d s as fast
as sh e cou ld , w h ile d od gin g t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r o n .
As H u o Yu h ao look ed at t h e d ist an t N in g T ian , h e w as in w ar d ly ast on ish ed .

W hat a st r ong auxi l i ar y syst em m ar t i al soul , and w hat f or m i dabl e judgem ent !
Sh e di dn ’ t h ave h i s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on , yet sh e’ d i n st an t l y been abl e t o judge
t h e ch an ges i n t h e con di t i on of t h e bat t l e, an d h ad suppor t ed h er t eam m at es
w i t h out an y h esi t at i on .
Fr om t h e soul sk i l l s sh e’ d r el eased so f ar , H uo Yuh ao coul d t el l t h at h er f i r st

soul sk i l l gr eat l y i n cr eased t h e speed of h er com pan i on s, w h i l e h er secon d sk i l l
coul d di spel an y n egat i ve ef f ect s or seal i n g abi l i t i es h er t eam m at es w er e
af f l i ct ed w i t h , t h er eby r et ur n i n g h er t eam m at es t o t h ei r peak bat t l e st at es.
Regar dl ess of w h et h er i t w as bat t l e exper i en ce or t h e st r en gt h of h er m ar t i al
soul , sh e com pl et el y deser ved t o be k n ow n as a Soul El der -r an k ed exper t !
H u o Yu h ao w as ast on ish ed , b u t Nan m en Yu n ’er an d Nin g T ian w er e even
m or e ast on ish ed t h a n h e w as. T h eir ast on ish m en t n at u r ally h ad n ot h in g t o d o
w it h H u o Yu h ao. Fr om t h eir view p oin t , t h e p ow er fu l p er son w as Xiao Xiao,
w h o’d r ap id ly r et r eat ed an d r eleased h er sou l sk ill. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e
p osit ion in g a n d t im in g of t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on h ad sim p ly b een
p er fect . Fu r t h er m or e, sh e’d p er fect ly con t r olled Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s sou l sk ill
w h ile sim u lt an eou sly b lock in g h er su r e-k ill a t t ack , an d h ad even n ar r ow ly
cou n t er at t ack ed , for cin g Nin g T ian t o u se h er secon d sou l sk ill. T h e t w o gir ls
cou ld n ’t h elp b u t view Xiao Xiao in a n ew ligh t .
On t h e ot h er sid e of t h e b at t lefield , W an g Don g an d W u Fen g w er e st ill st u ck

in a fier ce b at t le.
Bot h p ar t ies h ad t op -r an k ed Beast Sou ls, b u t W u Fen g h ad Nin g T ian ’s b u ff,

cau sin g h er agilit y a n d at t ack sp eed t o in cr ease. At t h e sam e t im e, sh e’d r eleased
h er fir st sou l sk ill—Dr agon fir e.
A d en se layer of flam es h ad sh ot ou t fr om h er b od y, cover in g ever yt h in g

w it h in 30 cm of h er . T h is m ad e it so t h a t all of h er at t ack s p ossessed t h e h igh
t em p er at u r es of Dr agon fir e, an d m ad e t h in gs ext r em ely in con ven ien t for W an g
Don g.
H ow ever , W an g Don g’s com b at st r en gt h w asn ’t at all in fer ior t o h is

op p on en t ’s. H is secon d sou l r in g w as at t h e t h ou san d year r a n k , so t h e in cr ease
in p ow er p r ovid ed b y b ot h h is sou l r in gs w as gr eat er t h an W u Fen g’s. T h e r ar it y
of h is Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess also su r p assed t h a t of h er Red Dr agon .
Alt h ou gh h is op p on en t ’s sp eed w as r aised , d on ’t for get t h at h e h a d t h e
assist an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion ! W h en ever h e sp r ead h is
Gu illot in e W in gs w id e, h e w asn ’t p u t a t a d isad van t age. Con t r ar ily, h e w as even
ab le t o p lace h im self in an ad van t ageou s p osit ion b y r elyin g on t h e p r ed ict ive
ab ilit y of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .
Ever sin ce h e’d fu sed h is m ar t ial sou ls w it h H u o Yu h ao’s, a sen se of m u t u a l

u n d er st an d in g h ad fain t ly ap p ear ed b et w een t h e t w o of t h em . T h e effect iven ess
of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion h ad b ecom e gr eat er w h en u sed u sed on
W an g Don g, com p ar ed t o Xiao Xiao. W a n g Don g’s Gu illot in e W in g w ou ld oft en
slash st r aigh t a t W u Fen g w h en even m in iscu le op en in g ap p ear ed in h is h ea d .
W u Fen g—w h o w as cu r r en t ly b ein g a t t a ck ed —felt as if h er h an d s w er e t ied . In
h er cu r r en t st a t e, sh e d efin it ely felt t h at sh e w as st r on ger t h an h er op p on en t .
H ow ever , sh e w as u n ab le t o p u t h er self in an ad van t ageou s p osit ion . Sh e d id n ’t
d ar e t o let h er self b e h it b y W an g Don g’s Gu illot in e W in g. On t h e ot h er h an d ,
W an g Don g’s Gu illot in e W in g seem ed lik e a p ar asit e; b efor e sh e cou ld even
m ak e a m ove, h er op p on en t ’s at t ack s w ou ld alr ead y b e w ait in g for h er . T h is
in su ffer ab le feelin g—on e t h at m ad e h er w an t t o vom it b lood —cau sed h er t o let
ou t a few scr eech es.
For t u n at ely, h er cu r r en t sp eed exceed ed W an g Don g’s, an d sh e w as ab le t o

ch an ge h er m ovem en t s m u ch qu ick er . Alt h ou gh W an g Don g cou ld p r ed ict h er
m ovem en t s, h e st ill h ad t o focu s on d efen se. Even if h e cou ld p r ed ict w h er e an d
w h en h is op p on en t w ou ld at t ack , h e’d su ffer a loss if h e cou ld n ’t k eep u p w it h
h is op p on en t ’s sp eed .
Chapt er 25.2
Ever yon e exp ect ed t h e m at ch t o en d q u ick ly as soon as t h ey saw b ot h p ar t ies

r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls. Even Zh ou Yi w as n o lon ger con fid en t . H ow ever ,
n ob od y exp ect ed t h at W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao w ou ld act u ally b e ab le st an d
t h eir gr ou n d w h ile facin g t w o st r on g op p on en t s.
M u J in m u t t er ed t o h er self w it h an in con ceivab le t on e in h er voice, “T h is…

h ow is t h is p ossib le? W h at ’r e t h ey d oin g? W it h a t h r ee-r in ged Seven T r ea su r es
Glazed Pagod a in cr easin g t h eir sp eed , t h eir sp eed s sh ou ld ’ve in cr eased b y 4 0 %!
At t h e ver y least , t h ey sh ou ld b e as st r on g as Sou l Eld er s; w h y can ’t t h ey b eat
t h eir op p on en t s?”
Zh ou Yi t u r n ed ar ou n d an d glan ced t ow ar d s Fan Yu , w h o h ad an in q u isit ive

look in h is eyes. Zh ou Yi n od d ed h er h ead , cau sin g Fan Yu t o im m ed iat ely
u n d er st an d w h at w as goin g on . H is eyes lit u p , an d h e u n con sciou sly glan ced
t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, w h o on ly h ad a t en year sou l r in g flick er in g b eh in d h im .
H e w as cu r r en t ly t h e m ost in con sp icu ou s p er son am on gst t h e six p eop le in t h e
ar en a.
“Is it h im ?”
“Yu p .”
Yes, it w as H u o Yu h a o.
Nin g T ian ’s Seven T r easu r e Glazed Pa god a w as ab solu t ely at t h e p in n acle

am on gst au xilia r y syst em Sou l Eld er s, b u t w asn ’t H u o Yu h a o’s Sp ir it Eyes t h e
p in n acle am on gst con t r ol syst em m ar t ial sou ls? Alt h ou gh h e w as cu r r en t ly on ly
r elyin g on a sin gle m ar t ial sou l, d on ’t for get t h at h e w as figh t in g again st t w o
Sou l Gr an d m ast er s an d a Sou l Eld er ! Desp it e t h is, h e w as ab le t o r ely on h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t o cou n t er act t h e ad van t ages of t h e Seven T r easu r es Glazed
Pagod a.
T h is w as t h e st r en gt h of a m illion year sou l r in g. W it h t h e assist an ce b r ou gh t

ab ou t b y h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g, h e’d m an aged t o t ak e con t r ol of t h e
en t ir e b at t lefield . H ow ever , Nin g T ian ’s st r en gt h en in g ab ilit ies on ly h elp ed t w o
p eop le.
Bot h p ar t ies w er e cu r r en t ly st u ck in a d ead lock . Alt h ou gh Xiao Xiao w as ab le

t o b lock Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s at t ack s, sh e d id n ’t d a r e t o r ash ly m ak e a m ove. T h is
w as b ecau se h er op p on en t w as sim p ly t o o q u ick . At t h is m om en t , sh e’d a lr ead y
r eleased all t h r ee of h er T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on s; on ly aft er d oin g so h ad
sh e b een ab le t o p r ot ect t h e t w o of t h em u n d er t h e gu id an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . In r ealit y, sh e w as st ill st u ck in a p assive st at e.
W an g Don g w as in a sim ilar sit u at ion on t h e ot h er sid e of t h e ar en a. If h e

d id n ’t exp lod e ou t w it h h is p ow er , h e’d on ly b e ab le t o m ain t ain h is cu r r en t
sit u a t ion . H ow ever , for h im t o cou n t er at t ack w ou ld b e ext r em ely d ifficu lt . Aft er
all, h is op p on en t w as t oo q u ick ; on e b ad m ove w ou ld give h is op p on en t a
ch an ce.
A t r ace of d ou b t fla sh ed t h r ou gh Nin g T ian ’s eyes, t h u s sh e su b con sciou sly

look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. Xiao Xiao h ad a p et it e b od y, so sh e w asn ’t ab le t o
com p let ely b lock H u o Yu h ao’s figu r e fr om view . On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o Yu h ao
w as also look in g r igh t at h er .
T h eir gazes m et , a n d N in g T ian n ar r ow ed h er eyes in a som ew h at ch illy

m an n er . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao n od d ed t ow ar d s h er w it h a sm ile on h is face.
I s i t hi m ? Ni n g T i an ’ s h ear t sh ook . Sh e l ook ed at h i s soul r i n g, an d saw t h at

i t w as w as f l i ck er i n g w i t h a gem -w h i t e l i gh t .
W h en t h e bat t l e h ad st ar t ed, t h ei r t eam of t h r ee h ad com pl et el y over l ook ed

H uo Yuh ao’ s exi st en ce; on e coul dn ’ t bl am e t h em f or doi n g so ei t h er . Af t er al l ,
h ow cou ld a Ran k 17 Sou l M ast er , som eon e w h o on ly h ad a t en year sou l r in g,
at t r act t h e at t en t ion of t h ese Ch osen ?
H ow ever , seein g t h at t h e b at t le h ad r each ed it s cu r r en t st age, Nin g T ian

r ealised t h a t som et h in g w asn ’t r igh t . Sh e w as also t h e fir st p er son in t h e en t ir e
fr esh m en assessm en t t o su sp ect H u o Yu h ao.
H ow cou ld a fellow w h o on ly p ossessed a sin gle t en year so u l r in g m an age t o

join Sh r ek Acad em y? Fu r t h er m or e, h is sou l r in g h ad b een lit sin ce t h e st ar t of
t h e m at ch . T h is sign ified t h at h e’d b een u sin g a sou l sk ill t h e en t ir e t im e. Aft er
r ealisin g t h is, Nin g T ian cou ld n ’t h elp b u t r ecall w h at h a d h ap p en ed at t h e st ar t
of t h e m at ch . At t h a t t im e, H u o Yu h ao h ad claim ed t o b e a con t r ol syst em sou l
m ast er w h en h e’d in t r od u ced h im self.
W h at w as h is m ar t ia l sou l? W h a t sor t of sou l sk ill w as h e r elea sin g?
T h e in st an t sh e r ealized t h is, Nin g T ia n sh ou t ed , “Yu n ’er , a t t ack t h at on e-

r in ged fella in t h e b a ck .”
Nin g T ian p layed t h e sam e r ole in h er t eam as H u o Yu h ao d id ; sh e w as t h e

b r ain of h er t eam .
Aft er h ear in g Nin g T ian ’s com m an d , Nan m en Yu n ’er su d d en ly sp ed u p .

H ow ever , sh e d id n ’t at t ack H u o Yu h ao st r aigh t aw ay, n or d id sh e a t t ack Xiao
Xiao. In st ead , sh e t u r n ed a r ou n d an d in st an t ly ch ar ged t ow ar d s W an g Don g,
w h o w asn ’t far fr om h er .
Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s cu r r en t sp eed w a s sim p ly t oo qu ick . Alt h ou gh W an g Don g

w as aw ar e of h er sn eak at t ack d u e t o H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , h is
r eact ion t o it w as ext r em ely r u sh ed . Fu r t h er m or e, Xiao Xiao cou ld n ’t m ak e it in
t im e t o h elp h im ou t .
At t h is m om en t , t h eir op p on en t s fu lly u t ilised t h eir a d van t age in sp eed in

or d er t o u n leash a p in cer at t ack on W a n g Don g.
Nan m en Yu n ’er an d W u Fen g w er e ext r em ely coor d in at ed w it h each ot h er . In
t h e in st a n t t h a t sh e m ad e h er m ove, a r ed ligh t su d d en ly sp illed ou t fr om h er
b od y. H er secon d sou l r in g lit u p , an d t h e Dr agon fir e ar ou n d h er b od y su d d en ly
t u r n ed d ar k r ed . T h e d r agon scales t h at w er e cu r r en t ly cover in g h alf of h er b od y
su d d en ly b ecam e t h ick er , an d a h er eyes sh on e w it h a r ed ligh t . At t h e sam e
t im e, h er left h an d com p let ely t r an sfor m ed in t o t h e sh ap e of a d r agon claw .
T h is w as W u Fen g’s secon d sou l sk ill, Dr agon fu r y.
Bot h W u Fen g’s at t ack an d d efen se in cr eased d u e t o Dr agon fu r y. At t h e sam e

t im e, it also am p lified t h e st r en gt h of h er ot h er sou l sk ills, ca u sin g t h e in t en sit y
of Dr agon fir e’s h eat t o p r act ically d ou b le in an in st an t . T h is cau sed t h e air
ar ou n d h er t o violen t ly d ist or t .
Nan m en Yu n ’er also act ivat ed h er ow n secon d sou l sk ill; as sh e p ou n ced

t ow ar d s W an g Don g, h er yellow h u n d r ed year sou l r in g flash ed . Sh e clasp ed h er
h an d s ab ove h er h ea d , cau sin g a jad e ligh t t o con d en se ab ove t h em in t h e for m
of a cr escen t m oon , w h ich t h en sh ot d ir ect ly t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
H er m ar t ial sou l w as t h e J ad e Blu eb ir d , w h ile t h e sou l sk ill sh e’d u sed ear lier
w as called ‘J ad e Blad e’, w h ich t u r n ed h er ar m s in t o b lad es. On t h e ot h er h an d ,
w h en h er secon d sou l sk ill m er ged w it h h er fir st sou l sk ill, it w as k n ow n as
‘J ad e Slash ’.
Agilit y syst em sou l m ast er s w er e alw ays k n ow n for t h eir sp eed an d at t ack
p ow er , so t h e st r en gt h of t h is a t t ack cou ld b e im agin ed . T h e jad e-color ed b la d e
of ligh t cu t t h r ou gh t h e air in a b eau t ifu l ar c as it sw u n g t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
M or e im p or t an t ly, t h is at t ack of h er s h ad a lock -on effect , w h ich m ad e it
im p ossib le t o d od ge.
T w o Sou l Gr an d m ast er s h a d sim u lt an eou sly act ivat ed t h eir secon d sou l sk ills,
an d in ad d it ion t o t h at , w er e lau n ch in g a p in cer at t ack on W an g Don g u n d er t h e
sp eed b oost of t h e Seven T r easu r es Glazed Pagod a. T h ey clear ly w an t ed t o en d
ever yt h in g in on e m ove, an d t ak e car e of W an g Don g t h en an d t h er e, as h e w as
t h e on ly assau lt syst em sou l m a st er on t h eir t eam . Aft er t h at , Xiao Xiao an d H u o
Yu h ao n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t b e a m at ch for t h em . T h is w as a m et h od of u t ilisin g
sp eed ; even if t h eir op p on en t k n ew w h at t h ey w er e p lan n in g, t h ey’d st ill b e
su p p r essed .
H ow ever , h ow cou ld H u o Yu h ao’s t eam sim p ly sit an d w ait for d eat h ? If it

w er e an yon e else, t h ey w ou ld ’ve b een cau gh t u n p r ep ar ed . H ow ever , t h eir
ad van t age lay in t h e fact t h at t h ey’d alr ead y p r ed ict ed Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s at t ack
t h e in st an t sh e lau n ch ed it via h er m ovem en t , as w ell as t h e cir cu la t ion of W u
Fen g’s sou lfor ce.
T h ey w er en ’t ab le t o d o an yt h in g d u e t o t h eir in fer ior sp eed s. H ow ever , t h e

t h r ee of t h em st ill r eact ed in t h r ee d iffer en t w ays.
Xiao Xiao’s gaze b ecam e focu sed . Sh e r a ised h er h an d s in t o t h e air , an d h er

t em p er am en t su d d en ly ch an ged . A gen t le an d b eau t ifu l look ap p ear ed on h er
face, an d follow in g t h at , t h e t w o yellow sou l r in gs su r r ou n d in g h er w er e
su d d en ly r ep laced b y a sin gle yellow sou l r in g. T h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh
Cau ld r on sim p ly float ed ab ove h er h ead , w h ile a jad e-color ed flu t e h a d ap p ear ed
in h er h an d s.
T h is jad e flu t e w a s ext r em ely lon g, an d t h er e w er e lifelik e car v in g of

p h oen ixes on it . W h en com p ar ed t o t h e st ead y feelin g given off by t h e
T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on , Xiao Xiao n ow seem ed as b eau t ifu l a s a fair y as
sh e h eld t h e flu t e in h er h an d s.
H er sou l r in g qu iet ly lit u p , ca u sin g a p eacefu l m elod y t o r in g ou t . T h e m elod y

d id n ’t seem ver y m ovin g, b u t it m ad e ever yon e w h o h ear d it feel a t an gib le
viscosit y. Follow in g t h at , a jad e-color ed h alo sp r ead ou t w ar d s fr om Xiao Xiao’s
b od y.
Chapt er 25.3
Regar d less of h ow q u ick W u Fen g an d Nan m en Yu n ’er w er e, t h ey w er en ’t

cap ab le of b ein g fast er t h an sou n d . T h eir m ovem en t s su d d en ly b ecam e slu ggish
ju st as t h ey w er e r eleasin g t h eir sou l sk ills in p r ep ar at ion t o lau n ch a p in cer
at t ack on W an g Don g.
“T w in m ar t ial sou ls!” Alm ost ever yon e in t h e au d ien ce gasp ed in su r p r ise.
T h at ’s r igh t , Xiao Xiao w as cu r r en t ly u sin g h er secon d m ar t ial sou l—t h e

Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e. Alt h o u gh it on ly h ad a sin gle sou l r in g, Xiao
Xiao w as st ill d isp layin g t h e m igh t of a con t r ol syst em T ool So u l M ast er .
In t er m s of q u alit y, t h er e w as st ill a lar ge gap b et w een h er Nin ep h oen ix

W or sh ip p in g Flu t e an d Nin g T ian ’s Seven T r easu r es Glazed Pagod a. H er fir st
sou l sk ill cou ld on ly d ecr ease t h e sp eed of h er op p on en t s b y 20 %. H ow ever , even
t h ou gh t h at w as t h e case, it w as st ill en ou gh t o con sid er ab ly affect W u Fen g an d
Nan m en Yu n ’er , w h o’d alr ead y ad ap t ed t o t h eir b u ffed m ovem en t sp eed . T h is,
in t u r n , in h ib it ed t h eir p in cer a t t ack on W an g Don g.
Of cou r se, W an g Don g w ou ld n ’t ju st sit st ill an d h is op p on en t s at t ack h im .

T h e in st an t t h at H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w ar n ed h im t h at som et h in g
w as off, h is secon d , t h ou san d year sou l r in g lit u p .
H is d azzlin g p u r p le sou l r in g in st an t ly over sh ad ow ed t h e ligh t of W u Fen g

an d Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s sou l r in gs. Follow in g t h at , t h e b r igh t n ess of W an g Don g’s
w in gs in cr eased even m or e.
T h e gold en p at t er n s at op h is azu r e w in gs seem ed t o h ave b een lit b y cou n t less

t in y su n s, cau sin g it t o b u r st for t h w it h a st r on g r ad ian ce.
T h ese gold en p at t er n s gat h er ed on t h e fr on t sid e of h is w in gs. H e su d d en ly

t u r n ed h is left w in g t ow ar d s Nan m en Yu n ’er , w h o w as b eh in d h im . At t h e sam e
t im e, h e t u r n ed h is r igh t w in g t ow ar d s W u Fen g. Aft er w ar d s, t h e gold en
p at t er n s a t op h is w in gs sim u lt an eou sly er u p t ed w it h a b r illia n t flash of color .
W an g Don g’s en t ir e b od y w as in st an t ly d yed gold , cau sin g h im t o b ecom e t h e

m ost d azzlin g p er son am on gst t h e sixt een ar en as.
Even t h e t each er s w it h in t h e Sp ect a t or ’s St an d w h o h ad n ’t in it ially b een

p ayin g at t en t ion t o H u o Yu h ao’s m at ch t u r n ed t o look . W h en t h ey d id , t h ey saw
W an g Don g’s d azzlin g p air of w in gs r elease a p ow er fu l at t ack in t w o d ir ect ion s
at on ce.
T h is w as W an g Don g’s secon d sou l sk ill—Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess.
T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at even H u o Yu h ao h ad seen t h e t r u e m igh t of t h is

sou l sk ill.
W u Fen g—w h o’d r eleased h er Dr agon fu r y—w as sw allow ed b y t h e gold en

ligh t in an in st an t . On t h e ot h er h a n d , Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s J ad e Slash w as on ly
ab le t o cu t t h r ou gh h alf of t h e gold en ligh t b efor e it w as w or n aw ay. Aft er t h at ,
t h e gold en ligh t sim ilar ly st r u ck h er b od y.
W u Fen g an d Nan m en Yu n ’er on ly felt som et h in g w ar m , b efor e t h ey w er e

violen t ly flu n g aw a y. On t h e ot h er h an d , W an g Don g sp u n ar ou n d in m id air ,
b efor e n im b ly lan d in g in an in com p ar ab ly d ash in g m an n er .
T h is w as t h e st r en gt h of a t h ou san d year sou l r in g!
H ow ever , n ob od y m an aged t o w it n ess t h e h id d en exch an ge t h at occu r r ed

b et w een H u o Yu h ao an d Nin g T ian .
In t h e in st a n t t h a t W an g Don g h ad r eleased h is sou l sk ill, Nin g T ian h ad

b egu n t o ch an t on ce again , “I call u p on t h e t h ir d of t h e Seven T r easu r es-”
H ow ever , sh e’d p au sed in t h e m id d le of h er ch an t . Not on ly t h at , b u t h er
p r eviou s b u ffs on W u Fen g an d Nan m en Yu n ’er h ad sim u lt an eou sly
d isap p ear ed .
Becau se of t h is, t h e sp eed -r ed u cin g effect of t h e Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g
Flu t e—w h ich h ad b een m it iga t ed b y h er secon d sou l sk ill—w as act ivat ed . T h is
w as also t h e r eason t h at Nan m en Yu n ’er , w h ose for t e w as sp eed , h ad b een
u n ab le t o d od ge t h e r ay of ligh t fr om W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly
God d ess. Aft er b ein g st r u ck b y t h at seem in gly w ar m r ay of gold en ligh t , sh e’d
d ir ect ly fain t ed .
Nin g T ian clear ly w ou ld n ’t h ave m ad e a m ist ak e su ch as t h is. T h e fact or t h at

lead t o all of t h is cam e p r ecisely fr om H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes, w h ich w er e
cu r r en t ly glow in g w it h a p u r p lish -gold en ligh t . It h ad b een h is Sp ir it u al Sh ock !
H is Sp ir it u a l Sh ock w as p r ecisely w h a t h ad in t er r u p t ed Nin g T ian ’s b u ffs.

Fu r t h er m or e, it h ad even in t er r u p t ed t h e t h ou san d year sou l sk ill t h a t sh e’d
b een p r ep ar in g t o u n leash .
T h er e w as a lar ge gap b et w een H u o Yu h ao an d Nin g T ian ’s cu lt iva t ion levels,

yet h is Sp ir it u a l Sh ock , fu sed t oget h er w it h h is Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, h ad st ill
b een ab le t o b r iefly st u n even M a Xiaot ao, d esp it e t h e gap b et w een t h em .
Aft er r eceivin g h is at t ack , Nin g T ian felt as if h er b r ain h ad b een st ab b ed b y a

n eed le, cau sin g h er t o b lan k ou t for an in st an t . By t h e t im e sh e w as ab le t o r esist
t h e acu t e p ain in h er b r ain an d com e b ack t o h er sen ses, W u Fen g an d Nan m en
Yu n ’er h ad alr ead y b een b last ed aw ay b y W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly
God d ess.
W u Fen g w as a sligh t ly b et t er sit u at ion t h an Nan m en Yu n ’er , as sh e’d

sim u lt an eou sly act ivat ed h er Dr agon fir e an d Dr agon fu r y sk ills, w h ich h ad
r aised h er at t ack an d d efen se b y a good m ar gin r igh t b efor e sh e w as h it . Aft er
t ak in g W an g Don g’s at t ack , sh e h ad n ’t b een in ju r ed t h at m u ch . Sh e r olled
acr oss t h e gr ou n d a few t im es, b u t sh e w as ab le t o st a n d b ack u p . H ow ever ,
Nan m en Yu n ’er h ad d ir ect ly fain t ed aft er lan d in g on t h e gr ou n d , in t u r n losin g
all of h er com b at p ow er .
“Nin g T ian , w h at ’r e you d oin g?” W u Fen g look ed t ow ar d s Nin g T ian w it h an

an gr y look on h er face.
Desp it e t h is, Nin g T ian m er ely su p p or t ed h er for eh ea d w it h h er h an d . Aft er
r ecover in g fr om H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sh ock , a b lan k look flash ed t h r ou gh h er
eyes. H ow ever , in t h e en d , sh e w as t h e cor e of t h eir t eam , w h ich w as w h y sh e
m an aged t o im m ed ia t ely r eact .
“W u Fen g, go all-ou t .”
As sh e sp ok e, Nin g T ian b egan ch an t in g as qu ick ly as p ossib le, “I call u p on t h e

fir st of t h e Seven T r easu r es: Sp eed . I call u p on t h e secon d of t h e Seven
T r easu r es: Disp el. I call u p on t h e t h ir d of t h e Seven T r ea su r es: Pow er .”
T h e t h r ee sou l r in gs su r r ou n d in g h er p agod a sim u lt an eou sly lit u p . As sh e

sim u lt an eou sly act ivat ed h er t h r ee so u l sk ills, t h e p agod a in h er h a n d b ecam e
ext r aor d in ar ily r esp len d en t , so m u ch so t h at it even seem ed t o in cr ease in size.
T h r ee r ays of ligh t sh ot ou t fr om it an d lan d ed on W u Fen g’s b od y. At t h e sam e
t im e, t h r ee b eam s sh ot ou t , t u r n ed ar ou n d , an d lan d ed on h er ow n b od y.
H er secon d sou l sk ill cou ld d isp el all n egat ive effect s t h a t w er e u sed b y
au xiliar y syst em sou l m ast er s. Sh e d id n ’t b elieve t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld h ave
an ot h er w ay t o in t er r u p t h er sk ills n ow t h at sh e’d u sed it on h er self.
Aft er Nin g T ian ’s t h ou san d year sou l r in g t ook effect , n ot on ly d id W u Fen g’s
sp eed in cr ea se b y 4 0 %, h er st r en gt h a lso in cr eased b y 4 0 % as w ell. W h en all of
t h is w as com b in ed w it h h er r esist an ce t o n egat ive effect s, sh e’d b e ab le t o
con t en d w it h assau lt syst em Sou l Eld er s. Alt h ou gh t h ey’d lost Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s
com b at st r en gt h , t h ey st ill h a d a h igh ch a n ce of w in n in g t h e m at ch .
“W an g Don g, com e b ack .” H u o Yu h ao sh ou t ed .
Un lik e Nin g T ian , h e d id n ’t p u t u p a false sh ow of st r en gt h . Flap p in g h is

w in gs, W an g Don g qu ick ly r et r eat ed t o H u o Yu h ao’s sid e. Xia o Xiao’s T h r eelives
Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on float ed in fr on t of h er , an d h er t w o sou l r in gs in t er sect ed
w it h h er ot h er sin gu lar sou l r in g, allow in g h er t o sim u lt a n eou sly r elease h er
t w o m ar t ial sou ls.
H u o Yu h ao p laced a h an d on W an g Don g’s sh ou ld er . Aft er t h at , W an g Don g
fold ed h is w in gs sligh t ly, p er fect ly cover in g H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. Ot h er t h an
W an g Don g, n ob od y else w as ab le t o clear ly see w h at h e w a s d oin g, r egar d less of
w h ich an gle t h ey w er e look in g at h im fr om .
Aft er H u o Yu h ao p la ced h is h an d on W a n g Don g’s sh ou ld er , t h ey fu sed t h eir

sou l p ow er t o for m H aod on g Pow er . T h is m at ch h ad a lr ead y b ecom e t oo
ch allen gin g for t h em , an d t h ey cou ld m eet ot h er st r on g op p on en t s t om or r ow .
As a r esu lt of t h at , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t w an t t o con t in u e w ast in g m or e t im e; h e
w an t ed t o t h or ou gh ly d ecid e t h e ou t com e of t h e m at ch .
W an g Don g cou ld clear ly see a p u r p lish -gold en ligh t ap p ear in H u o Yu h ao’s

eyes. T h at m yst er iou s ligh t in h is eyes in st an t ly sh ot ou t a t h r ee-in ch lon g r ay of
ligh t . Alt h ou gh it d isap p ear ed w it h a fla sh , W an g Don g w as st ill ab le t o sen se a
t er r ifyin g u n d u la t ion of sp ir it u al p ow er su d d en ly exp lod e ou t w ar d s via h is
Chapt er 25.4
W h en t w o p eop le fu sed t h eir m ar t ial sou ls w it h on e an ot h er , t h ey’d b ecom e

alm ost en t ir ely im m u n e t o each ot h er ’s m ar t ial sou ls an d t h eir ab ilit ies. If it
w er e an yon e else b u t W an g Don g, even if t h ey w er en ’t st r u ck b y H u o Yu h ao’s
at t ack , t h ey’d st ill h ave b een d azed for a w h ile d u e t o b ein g in su ch close
p r oxim it y of h is en h an ced sou l sk ill.
If Nin g T ian felt as if h er b r a in h ad b een st ab b ed b y a n eed le ear lier , t h en t h is

at t ack fr om H u o Yu h ao w as ak in t o a lar ge h am m er h it t in g h er b r ain .
Ever yt h in g in fr on t of h er b ecam e w h it e, an d h er b od y t u r n ed w eak . Sh e
collap sed on t o t h e gr ou n d , b lood flow in g ou t of h er n ose an d m ou t h lik e t in y
sn ak es.
H er secon d sou l sk ill cou ld on ly d isp el au xiliar y syst em sk ills, b u t H u o

Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Sh ock w as a sp ir it u al-t yp e at t ack in t h e t r u est sen se of t h e
w or d . H ow cou ld h er secon d sou l sk ill can cel it ? Fu r t h er m or e, t h is at t ack h ad
b een lau n ch ed b y H u o Yu h ao w it h t h e assist an ce of W an g Don g. Even if t h e
Seven T r easu r es Glazed Pagod a w as st r on ger t h an it cu r r en t ly w as, it w ou ld n ’t
h ave t h e ab ilit y t o b lock sp ir it u al-t yp e at t ack s. Fr om an ot h er st an d p oin t , Nin g
T ian ’s b u ffin g ab ilit ies h ad act u a lly b een p er fect ly r est r a in ed b y H u o Yu h ao.
W u Fen g, w h o’d alr ead y ch ar ged t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s t eam , in st an t ly slow ed

d ow n ; t h e sp eed a n d st r en gt h b u ffs sh e’d ju st r eceived com p let ely d isap p ear ed .
Ast on ish ed , sh e t u r n ed t ow ar d s N in g T ian ju st in t im e t o see h er fallin g b od y.
Sh e com p let ely gav e u p on at t ack in g H u o Yu h ao’s t eam . In st ead , sh e t u r n ed
ar ou n d an d r an t o N in g T ian ’s sid e, p ick in g h er u p an d h old in g h er in h er a r m s.
“Nin g T ian , Nin g T ian w h at ’s h ap p en ed t o you ?” W u Fen g im m ed iat ely

p an ick ed w h en sh e saw t h e in ju r ed N in g T ian .
Xiao Xiao su d d en ly t u r n ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, t h en
w h isp er ed in an ast on ish ed t on e, “Did you t w o d o t h is?”
W an g Don g h ad a p leased sm ile on h is lip s, w h ile H u o Yu h ao sh r u gged h is

sh ou ld er s an d sa id , “I d on ’t lik e you r u se of t h e w or d ‘d o’.”
T h e p r oct or w as sligh t ly ast on ish ed as w ell. On ly aft er H u o Yu h ao r em in d ed

h im d id h e an n ou n ce t h at t h ey’d w on t h e m at ch . Even t h ou gh W u Fen g st ill h ad
an in d ign a n t look on h er face, sh e sim p ly w asn ’t ab le t o figh t again st t h e
com b in ed at t ack s of W an g Don g an d t h e t w in -so u led Xiao Xiao w it h ou t N in g
T ian ’s assist an ce an d Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s sp eed . Fu r t h er m or e, sh e w as an xiou s t o
t r eat N in g T ian ; sh e d id n ’t h ave t h e t im e t o car e ab ou t t h e com p et it ion .
M u J in w as com p let ely ast on ish ed as sh e st ood in t h e Sp ect at or ’s St an d ; so

m u ch so t h at sh e d id n ’t even d ar e t o t r u st h er ow n eyes. H er t eam h ad h ad t w o
Sou l Gr an d m ast er s an d a Sou l Eld er ! T h e lat t er even h ad t h e Seven T r easu r es
Glazed Pagod a, w h ich w as k n ow n as t h e ‘Nu m b er On e T ool Sou l Un d er H eaven ’.
Desp it e all of t h is, t h ey’d act u ally lost t o t w o Sou l Gr an d m ast er s an d a Sou l
M ast er , w h o on ly h a d a t en year sou l r in g.
Not t o m en t ion h er , n ob od y w ou ld ’ve b elieved t h e r esu lt s of t h e m at ch aft er

h ear in g t h e d iffer en ce in p ow er b et w een b ot h t eam s.
H ow ever , t h e fact s w er e r igh t in fr on t of h er : N in g T ian ’s t ea m h ad lost .
T h e t r ace of a sm ile ap p ear ed in Fan Yu ’s eyes as h e said t o Zh ou Yi, “T h is w as

t r u ly a m ar velou s m at ch . You r st u d en t s h ave ast on ish ed m e gr eat ly; esp ecially
t h at H u o Yu h ao. I d id n ’t t h in k t h at h e’d act u ally h ave an ab ilit y lik e t h is.”
T h er e w as on ly a gr at ified look in Zh ou Yi’s eyes. “Let ’s go.” As sh e sp ok e, sh e

t ook t h e in it iat ive t o w alk t ow ar d s t h e st air s. W h en sh e w alk ed p ast M u J in , sh e
glan ced cold ly at h er . H ow ever , sh e d id n ’t say an yt h in g. In st ead , sh e ju m p ed
for w ar d s an d leap t off t h e t w en t y-m et er -t all st age.
Fan Yu d id n ’t even seem t o see M u J in as h e follow ed Zh ou Yi.

“W h at d id you gu ys d o ju st n ow ? W h y’d t h a t N in g T ian su d d en ly fain t ?”
Aft er leavin g t h e Assessm en t Ar ea, Xia o Xiao d id n ’t for get t o ask ab ou t t h e
d ou b t s in h er h ear t .
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “It ’s b ecau se I u sed an at t ack fu elled b y m y sp ir it u al

p ow er . Sh e cou ld n ’t d efen d in t im e, t h u s sh e w as k n ock ed u n con sciou s b y it .”
“Ah ? You can even d o t h at ? No w on d er h er sou l sk ills w er e in t er r u p t ed

ear lier . W as t h at you as w ell?” Xiao Xiao’s face w as filled w it h ast on ish m en t .
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “Per h ap s t h is is an a d van t age of h avin g a Bod y

Sou l. Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w as also d u e t o m y Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, w h ich is a secr et
t ech n iq u e cu lt ivat ed b y m y T an g Sect . I u sed t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes t o
st im u lat e m y sp ir it u al p ow er , w h ich m a d e m y ear lier a t t ack as effect ive as it
w as. As for w h y m y Sp ir it u al Sh ock b ecam e even st r on ger aft er I ask ed W an g
Don g t o r et u r n , it ’s b ecau se w e’ve su ccessfu lly cr eat ed a fu sion sk ill.”
T h ey w er e all fr ien d s, an d Xiao Xiao h ad d on e h er b est d u r in g t h eir p r eviou s

m at ch es. Fu r t h er m or e, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w ou ld d efin it ely n eed t o u se
t h eir H aod on g Pow er d u r in g t h eir m at ch es in t h e fu t u r e, so t h ey w ou ld n ’t b e
ab le t o h id e it eit h er w ay. It w as for t u n at e t h at t h ey’d d ecid ed t o t ell h er t h e
t r u t h , so as t o avoid m ak in g Xiao Xiao feel alien at ed .
Xiao Xiao st ar ed b la n k ly at t h em . Sh e p oin t ed a t H u o Yu h ao, t h en p oin t ed at

W an g Don g. Aft er t h at , sh e b lu r t ed ou t a few w or d s t h a t m ad e t h e t w o n ot k n ow
w h et h er t o lau gh or t o cr y. “I w as get t in g m or e an d m or e su sp iciou s t h a t t h e
t w o of you w er e gay….”
H u o Yu h ao scr at ch ed h is h ea d an d sa id , “W h at d o you m ean b y ‘gay’?”
Xiao Xiao t ook H u o Yu h ao’s h an d an d p laced it in W an g Don g’s h an d .

Aft er w ar d s, sh e glan ced d isd a in fu lly at H u o Yu h ao. “H ow cou ld you n ot k n ow
w h at su ch a m a in st r eam t h in g is? Bein g gay r efer s t o t h e love b et w een t w o
b oys.”
“You ….”
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g sim u lt an eou sly let go of on e an ot h er ’s h an d s.

W it h a b ell-lik e la u gh , Xiao Xiao im m ed iat ely t u r n ed ar o u n d an d r an ; sh e even
r em em b er ed t o r elea se h er Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e a n d p lay it so as t o
r ed u ce t h e sp eed of t h e t w o gu ys t h at w er e ch asin g aft er h er .
Con t r ar y t o t h eir h igh -sp ir it ed excit em en t , N in g T ian slow ly aw ak en ed aft er

b ein g t r eat ed b y a h igh r an k in g h ealin g syst em sou l m ast er in t h e in fir m a r y.
Aft er aw ak en in g, sh e im m ed iat ely clu t ch ed h er h ea d in a fet al p osit ion . T h e

in t en se w aves of p ain st em m in g fr om h er b r ain filled h er for eh ead w it h a cold
sw eat .
“Nin g T ian , Nin g T ian ...”
W u Fen g h u gged h er con cer n ed ly, w h ile Nan m en Yu n ’er st ood t o t h e sid e
w it h a p er p lexed loo k on h er face.
T each er M u J in h ad an ext r em ely gr ave exp r ession on h er fa ce as sh e ask ed

t h e t each er w h o’d ju st h ealed N in g T ia n , “J u st w h a t h ap p en ed t o h er ? W h at
k n ock ed h er ou t ?”
T h e t each er m u t t er ed in r esp on se. “I’m n ot r eally su r e. It seem s lik e h er h ead

w as st r u ck b y a h eavy ob ject , t h u s cau sin g h er t o h ave a cer eb r al con cu ssion . As
you k n ow , t h e b r ain is t h e m ost com p licat ed or gan in ou r b od ies—n ob od y h as
m an aged t o t r u ly gr asp ever yt h in g ab ou t it . As su ch , I can on ly m ak e a few
m in or d ed u ct ion s ab ou t w h at h ap p en ed h er e. H ow ever , d esp it e h er in ju r ies, h er
sou l p ow er seem s t o h ave a ver y st r on g ab ilit y t o ad ju st it self, so t h e p r ob lem
isn ’t t h at ser iou s an ym or e. Sh e’ll b e ab le t o fu lly r ecover aft er a sh or t t im e.”
“T h an k you .” Aft er t h an k in g t h e t each er , M u J in w alk ed over t o t h e b ed .
Aft er a b r ief m om en t of u n com for t ab len ess, Nin g T ia n ’s h ea d ach e gr ad u ally

su b sid ed , an d h er b r eat h in g b ecam e m u ch m or e st ab le.
Nan m en Yu n ’er ask ed M u J in in a qu iet voice, “T each er M u , w h at h ap p en ed ?
H ow d id w e lose t h e m at ch ?” Up t ill n ow , sh e st ill d id n ’t u n d er st an d h ow h er
t eam h ad lost .
M u J in h ad a gr ave exp r ession on h er face as sh e r em ain ed silen t . W asn ’t

Nan m en Yu n ’er ’s q u est ion t h e exact q u est ion t h at sh e h a d in h er h ear t ? Sh e
d id n ’t even k n ow h ow t h ey’d lost t h e m at ch . Alt h ou gh sh e’d b een ab le t o clear ly
see t h e en t ir e m a t ch fr om t h e t all st age, sh e h ad n ’t b een ab le t o con cen t r a t e on
t h e m in u t e d et ails. T h is w as esp ecially so w h en W a n g Don g h ad u sed h is w in gs
t o cover H u o Yu h a o, an d in t u r n w h en H u o Yu h ao h ad u sed t h eir H aod on g
Pow er t o act ivat e h is Sp ir it Sh ock . Sh e h ad n ’t b een ab le t o see an yt h in g t h en .
On ly Nin g T ian w ou ld b e ab le t o q u ell t h eir d ou b t s, b u t t h a t w ou ld b e aft er sh e
w ok e u p .
Aft er a fu ll fift een m in u t es, Nin g T ian slow ly cam e t o fr om h er com a. W h en

sh e op en ed h er eyes, sh e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t fu r r ow h er b r ow s. H er h ead ach e h ad
alr ead y su b sid ed b y a lar ge am ou n t , an d h er t r ain of t h ou gh t h ad gr ad u ally
r et u r n ed .
Aft er W u Fen g h elp ed h er u p an d gave h er som e w at er t o d r in k , Nin g T ian ’s

p ale exp r ession im p r oved sligh t ly. Aft er seein g M u J in —w h o w as st an d in g n ext
t o t h e w in d ow —an ash am ed look ap p ear ed on h er cu t e face. “T each er M u , w e
lost .”
M u J in n od d ed an d w ar m ly said , “It ’s fin e, d on ’t b e t oo u p set over losin g t h is

m at ch . It ’s fin e as lon g as you ’r e safe.”
M u J in ’s w or d s ca u sed a w ar m feelin g t o ap p ear in N in g T ian ’s h ear t .

“T each er M u , w er e you ab le t o see w h y w e lost fr om t h e Sp ect at or ’s St an d ?”
M u J in w as st u n n ed . “You d on ’t k n ow eit h er ?”
Nin g T ian p laced h er h an d on h er for eh ead an d st a r t ed t o con cen t r at e. “On ce

I fin ish ed b u ffin g W u Fen g, I u sed all t h r ee of m y b u ffs on m yself in or d er t o
p r ot ect m yself. H ow ever , I saw a p u r p lish -gold en ligh t ap p ear in fr on t of m e
r igh t aft er I fin ish ed . Aft er t h a t , it seem ed as if an en or m ou s h am m er st r u ck m y
h ead . I can ’t r em em b er an yt h in g else aft er t h at .”
W u Fen g an gr ily said , “T h ose b ast ar d s d ar ed t o b e so viciou s. T each er M u , w e

can ’t ju st let it go lik e t h is.”
M u J in cold ly sw ep t h er eyes over h er . “T h en w h at d o you p lan on d oin g?

T h is w as ju st an assessm en t . Do you t h in k t h at t h is is a sect w ar ?”
W u Fen g low er ed h er h ead an d st op p ed t alk in g. H ow ever , sh e clen ch ed h er

fist s t igh t ly. H er eyes w er e b u r n in g w it h b ot h an ger an d r an cor .
M u J in ask ed Nin g T ian , “T h in k a b it m or e car efu lly. J u st b efor e you fain t ed ,

d id an yt h in g st r an ge h ap p en ?”
Aft er t h in k in g for a w h ile, N in g T ian r ep lied , “Alt h ou gh I d on ’t k n ow h ow

t h ey d id it , t h e p r ob lem m ost lik ely st em m ed fr om t h at on e-r in ged Sou l M ast er .
H is sou l r in g w as lit u p fr om t h e st ar t of t h e m at ch t ill t h e en d , w h ich m ean t
t h at h e w as con st an t ly act ivat in g a sou l sk ill t h at w e cou ld n ’t sen se, yet w as st ill
affect in g t h e sit u at ion of t h e b at t le. I fain t ly saw a gold en ligh t flick er in g in h is
eyes. T h eir t eam h ad a ver y st r on g assau lt syst em sou l m ast er , as w ell as a t w in -
sou led con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er . W h at q u alificat ion s d o es t h a t on e-r in ged
fr esh m an h ave t o for m a t eam w it h t h ose t w o? H e m u st h ave som e sor t of
sp ecial ab ilit y. Du r in g t h e m ost cr it ical m om en t of t h e b at t le, h e in t er r u p t ed m y
sou l sk ills, p r even t in g m e fr om b u ffin g W u Fen g an d Nan m en Yu n ’er . At t h a t
t im e, m y h ead felt as if it h ad b een st ab b ed b y a n eed le. H ow ever , h is at t ack w as
m u ch st r on ger t h e secon d t im e ar ou n d .
M u Ji n ’ s h ear t sh ook . Ri ght ! T hat one-r i nged f r eshm an di dn ’ t seem t o m ak e

any m oves t he ent i r e l engt h of t he m at ch. T hat soul m ast er w ho had t he
Radi ant But t er f l y Goddess and t he t w i n -soul ed soul m ast er w er e t he onl y ones
w ho f ought . T hen, w hat r ol e di d he pl ay i n t hei r t eam ? No w onder Zhou Yi w as
t hat conf i den t ; t hat f r eshm en w i t h t hat t en year soul r i ng m ust have som e sor t
of secr et .
Aft er calm in g t h e in d ign at ion sh e h ad in h er h ear t , M u J in said , “If you lost ,
you lost . H ow ever , you sh ou ld su m m ar ize you r exp er ien ces an d u se t h em as a
lesson w h en you d o. In an y case, you ’ve alr ead y p assed t h e fr esh m en
assessm en t . T h er e’ll d efin it ely b e com p et it ion s b et w een you an d t h em in t h e
fu t u r e. So, for r igh t n ow Nin g T ian , h ave a good r est .”
“T h an k you , T each er M u .”
Chapt er 26.1
Aft er M u J in left , Nan m en Yu n ’er t ook h er leave as w ell. On ly W u Fen g

st ayed b eh in d t o accom p an y Nin g T ian . Alt h ou gh t h e t h r ee of t h em w er e a
t eam , in t r u t h , on ly Nin g T ian an d W u Fen g w er e closely r elat ed ; Nan m en
Yu n ’er w as on ly a classm at e of t h eir s.
“You n g m ist r ess, w e can ’t ju st leave t h is as it is. T h a t b ast ar d d ar ed t o h u r t

you ! Sh all w e u se t h e st r en gt h of t h e clan ?” W u Fen g said h at efu lly.
An u n r esign ed look flash ed t h r ou gh Nin g T ian ’s eyes. “Sist er Fen g, d on ’t let

an ger clou d you r r ea son in g. T h is is Sh r ek Acad em y. H ow ca n w e r a sh ly u se t h e
st r en gt h of ou r clan ? Fu r t h er m or e, w e lost in t er m s of p er son al st r en gt h ; w e
can ’t r an d om ly accu se ot h er s for ou r loss. If w e w an t t o w ash t h is h u m iliat ion
aw ay, w e’ll h ave t o w or k h ar d b y ou r selves. Also, h aven ’t I said t h is b efor e?
Don ’t call m e ‘you n g m ist r ess’ in t h e Acad em y. W e’r e sist er s h er e.”
“Alr igh t .” W u Fen g ob ed ien t ly r ep lied , soft ly n od d in g h er h ead as sh e d id so.
Aft er p on d er in g for a m om en t , Nin g T ian said , “Let ’s see if w e can fin d a w ay

t o w at ch t h eir m at ch t om or r ow . As lon g as w e w at ch t h em car efu lly, I’m su r e
w e’ll b e ab le t o fin d a clu e as t o w h y w e lost . T h ey d id n ’t r ely on lu ck t o b eat u s,
t h ey r elied on st r en gt h . T h at st u d en t w it h t h e t en year sou l r in g seem s t o b e
k n ow n as H u o Yu h ao; h e’s t h e on e w e sh ou ld p ay t h e m ost at t en t ion t o. H e
cou ld en d u p b ein g ou r gr eat est op p on en t d u r in g ou r t im e in t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d .”
For t u n at ely, t h e t ou r n am en t ’s m a t ch es w er e h eld in d ivid u ally, w h ich m ean t

t h at t h er e w asn ’t a lar ge au d ien ce for each m at ch . As a r esu lt , H u o Yu h ao’s t eam
w asn ’t follow ed t oo closely.
Asid e fr om p r ovin g t h em selves, H u o Yu h ao’s t eam h ad h ad t h eir con fid en ce
levels in cr eased aft er b ot h su ccessfu lly en t er in g t h e t op 16 a n d b eat in g on e of
t h e t h r ee st r on gest t eam s. Sou l Eld er s w er en ’t t h at scar y; aft er all, h ad n ’t t h ey
ju st b eat a t eam led b y a Sou l Eld er -r an k ed exp er t ? Even an ext r em ely
syn er gist ic t eam lik e Nin g T ian ’s h ad lost t o t h eir s, so t h e excit em en t in H u o
Yu h ao’s t eam cou ld b e im agin ed .
H u o Yu h ao fin ally fu lfilled h is p r om ise w it h Xiao Xiao. H e fir st sold h is

r egu lar am ou n t of t w en t y fish , t h en b r ou gh t t h e r em ain in g fish h e’d b ou gh t t o
t h e for est an d h ad a p icn ic w it h W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao. T h is w en t on all t h e
w ay u n t il t h e sk y h ad b ecom e d ar k , w h en t h e t h r ee qu iet ly r et u r n ed t o t h eir
d or m s.
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g fir st w en t t o clean t h em selves u p . H u o Yu h ao

k n ew t h at W an g Don g w as som ew h at of a m ysop h ob ic, so h e ch an ged in t o a set
of clean clot h es. “Ar e w e goin g t o d o it on you r b ed , or on m in e?”
W an g Don g’s face st iffen ed an d h e r ep lied w it h a sligh t ly an gr y voice, “W ou ld

it k ill you t o ad d t h e w or d ‘cu lt ivat e’? Can you n ot m ak e it sou n d so
am b igu ou s?”
H u o Yu h ao w as sp eech less. “Don ’t list en t o Xiao Xiao’s n on sen se, I d on ’t lik e

you . I d efin it ely st ill p r efer p r et t y gir ls.”
W an g Don g h u m p h ed . “Let ’s d o it on ou r ow n b ed s, you r ’s is t oo h ar d .”
H u o Yu h ao fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s. “St op ar gu in g, let ’s d o it q u ick ly. If w e

cu lt ivat e t oget h er , ou r cu lt iva t ion sp eed p r act ically d ou b les. Don ’t you w an t t o
qu ick ly cat ch u p t o t h at Nin g T ian in t er m s of sou l r an k ?”
W an g Don g sm iled cr aft ily. “W h o w ou ld w an t t o a r gu e w it h you ? W h o said

t h at w e can ’t cu lt iva t e t oget h er w h ile w e’r e sit t in g on ou r ow n b ed s? Dr ag you r
b ed over an d m ak e a 50 cm gap b et w een t h em . T h at w ay, w e’ll b e ab le t o h old
h an d s if w e st r et ch ou r h an d s ou t . Fu r t h er m or e, w e’ll b e ab le t o u se t h e
r em ain in g sp ace as t h e d ivid in g lin e b et w een ou r sid es of t h e r oom .”
H u o Yu h ao r olled h is eyes. “Ar en ’t you t ir ed of all of t h is? Ar en ’t you ju st
lyin g t o you r self?”
W an g Don g glar ed at h im w it h h is lar ge, b eau t ifu l eyes. “Ar e you com in g over
or n ot ? If you ar en ’t , I’m goin g t o sleep . I w asn ’t even a h ar d w or k in g p er son in
t h e fir st p lace. If it w er en ’t for you , w h y w ou ld I even t h in k of cu lt ivat in g at
n igh t ?”
“Fin e, I’m scar ed of you t h en .” H elp less, H u o Yu h ao cou ld on ly d r ag h is b ed

over n ext t o W an g Don g’s an d sit in a cr oss-legged p osit ion w it h h is p alm s
ou t st r et ch ed .
W an g Don g r aised h is h an d s t o m eet W an g Don g’s, cau sin g t h eir H aod on g

Pow er t o r ap id ly cir cu lat e t h r ou gh ou t t h eir b od ies.
Defeat in g Nin g T ian t od ay h ad b een t h e fir st t im e t h at t h ey’d t r ied u sin g t h eir

H aod on g Pow er t o act ivat e a sou l sk ill t oget h er . W h en t h ey’d su cceed ed , H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad fain t ly felt t h at t h er e w as a ch an ce for t h em t o
cover t ly t u r n a ll of t h eir sou l sk ills in t o fu sion sk ills via t h eir H aod on g Pow er .
W h en t h e t w o of t h em h ad gat h er ed t h eir sou l p ow er t o act ivat e t h e sou l sk ill, it
h ad n ’t b een as st r on g as a t r u e fu sion sk ill, b u t it h a d st ill d ist an t ly exceed ed t h e
st r en gt h of t h eir u su al sk ills. T h ey’d b een ab le t o sm oot h ly d efeat t h eir
op p on en t s b ecau se of t h is.
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h eir m at ch t od ay h a d given H u o Yu h ao a feelin g of p ow er

for t h e fir st t im e ever . H ow ever , t h eir cu lt iva t ion levels w er e sim p ly t oo low . It
h ad t ak en t h e t w o of t h em w or k in g t oget h er t o act ivat e t h e sou l sk ill for it t o
b ar ely r each t h e level of a Sou l Eld er . Aft er all, H u o Yu h ao’s ow n sou l p ow er
w as st ill t oo w eak . If it w er en ’t for t h e fact t h a t h is Sp ir it u al Sh ock w as a u n iq u e
sp ir it u al-t yp e at t ack , t h ey p r ob ab ly w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o w in t h eir ea r lier
m at ch as efficien t ly as t h ey h ad .
On ly a sin gle d ay h ad p assed , yet a lar ge n u m b er of fr esh m en h ad alr ead y

b een elim in at ed fr om t h e fr esh m en assessm en t . Aft er t h e secon d d ay fin ish ed ,
on ly t h e t op 16 t eam s—or a t ot a l of 4 8 st u d en t s—w ou ld r em a in fr om t h is year ’s
fr esh m en assessm en t . Ever yon e t h at h ad r each ed t h is p oin t cou ld b e con sid er ed
an excellen t figu r e fr om t h is year ’s fr esh m en ; so m u ch so t h at t h ey cou ld even
b e con sid er ed as on e of t h e m ost ou t st a n d in g figu r es am on gst t h eir p eer s in t h e
en t ir e con t in en t .
Du r in g t h e lot -d r aw in g for t h e t op 16, H u o Yu h ao’s t eam sa w a few fam iliar

faces. H u an g Ch u t ian ’s t eam —w h o t h ey’d b eat en d u r in g t h e r ou n d -r ob in
t ou r n am en t —h ad en t er ed t h e t op 16 as w ell.
H u o Yu h ao w h isp er ed t o W an g Don g, “H ow lon g d o you t h in k t h e Lan sist er s

w ill h ave t o r est in or d er for t h em t o u se t h eir fu sion sk ill again ?”
W an g Don g r ep lied , “I d on ’t t h in k it ’ll b e t h at lon g. Even t h ou gh t h ey’r e

t w in s, t h eir fu sion sk ill w asn ’t t h at st r on g. I r eck on t h at it ’s b ecau se t h eir
com p at ib ilit y r a t e isn ’t t h a t h igh —t h eir fu sion sk ill w asn ’t exp losive en ou gh . It s
ab ilit y t o r est r ict op p on en t s isn ’t t oo b ad t h ou gh . H ow ever , t h ey ar en ’t ab le t o
m ain t ain t h e d r a in o n t h eir sou l p ow er for a lon g t im e. If w e m eet t h em again ,
you w on ’t even n eed t o m ak e a m ove. As lon g as you h elp m e act ivat e m y Ligh t
of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess, I’m con fid en t t h at I’ll b e ab le t o b r eak t h eir fu sion
sk ill.”
W h ile t h ey t alk ed , t h ey con t in u ed t o ob ser ve t h e r est of t h eir op p on en t s. At

t h is p oin t in t h e t ou r n am en t , H u o Yu h ao w as p r ob ab ly t h e on ly on e-r in ged Sou l
M ast er left .
T h er e w er e even m or e p eop le in t h e Sp ect at or ’s St an d t od ay. T h e st an d s h a d

alr ead y b een filled u p , d esp it e t h e m at ch es n ot yet b ein g st ar t ed . St r an gely,
t h er e w as an em p t y sp ace in t h e m id d le of t h e st an d s t h at w as ab ou t t h r ee or so
squ ar e m et er s w id e. An old m an w it h d ish eveled h air an d h oles all over h is
clot h es w as sit t in g t h er e w it h h is legs d a n glin g off t h e ed ge of t h e st an d . H e w as
d r in k in g alcoh ol fr om a r ed d ish -p u r p le gou r d t h at h e w as h old in g in h is h an d s.
In ad d it ion t o t h at , t h er e w er e a few p ieces of fr ied ch ick en t h at h ad b een p laced
on oiled p ap er in fr on t of h im . H e w as also h old in g a fr ied ch ick en leg in h is off
h an d . As h e d r an k a n d at e, h e ap p ear ed t o b e ext r em ely joyfu l.
Ever y sin gle p er son w h o w as w at ch in g t h e t ou r n am en t fr om t h e Sp ect a t or ’s
St an d w as a t each er at Sh r ek Acad em y, yet n ob od y h ad even d ar ed t o ap p r oach
t h is old m an , m u ch less qu est ion h im .
W an g Yan r esp ect fu lly w alk ed over t o t h e slop p ily d r essed old m an an d
w h isp er ed , “Xu an Lao, you ’ve com e.”
“Yep .” T h e old m an sim p ly sn or t ed b efor e h e con t in u ed eat in g an d d r in k in g.
W an g Yan p oin t ed t ow ar d s t h e st age b elow an d said , “T h e t h r ee you n gst er s

t h at I t a lk ed ab ou t ar e over t h er e. Yest er d ay….”
W h en h e got t o t h is p oin t , Xu an Lao im p at ien t ly w aved h is fr ied ch ick en leg

ar ou n d an d said , “I’ll t ak e a look for m yself.”
Chapt er 26.2
“Yes.” W an g Yan st ep p ed t o t h e sid e, as h e d id n ’t d ar e t o say an yt h in g else.
Aft er t h e lot -d r aw in g en d ed , t h e r ou n d of 16 for m ally b egan .
T h e ar ea u sed for each in d iv id u a l m at ch w as w id en ed on ce again , an d eigh t

m assive ar en as all sim u lt an eou sly b egan t h eir m at ch es. T h is t im e ar ou n d , H u o
Yu h ao’s t eam w as facin g a r at h er st r a n ge t eam . In con t r ast t o yest er d ay’s
m at ch —w h en t h ey’d fou gh t again st t h r ee gir ls—t h ey w er e n ow figh t in g again st
t h r ee b oys.
On ce t h eir op p on en t s en t er ed t h e ar en a, t h ey st ood in a h or izon t al lin e. T h e

p er son w h o st ood in t h e cen t er w as a fat b oy. Accor d in g t o t h e en r ollm en t r u les
of Sh r ek Acad em y, h e w as t w elve at m ost . H ow ever , h is b od y r eally d id n ’t seem
lik e t h a t of a t w elve-year -old ’s!
H e w as at least 1.7 m et er s t all, w h ich m ean t t h at h e w as at least a h ead t aller

t h an an yon e on H u o Yu h ao’s t eam . M or e im p or t an t ly, t h e len gt h of h is w aist
seem ed t o ap p r oach 1.7 m et er s as w ell...
As h e st ood t h er e, h e look ed lik e a m in ia t u r e m ou n t a in of m eat .
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e t w o p eop le st an d in g n ext t o h im seem ed lik e sp r ou t s

in com p ar ison t o h im . Not on ly w er e t h ey sh or t er t h an h im b y a h ead , t h ey w er e
even sligh t ly em acia t ed . T h e t w o of t h em seem ed som ew h a t sim ilar , as if t h ey
w er e b r ot h er s. H ow ever , t h ey w er en ’t t w in s. Som et h in g t h at w as n ot ab le w as
t h at t h eir ar m s w er e p ar t icu la r ly slen d er .
If on e w er e t o look at t h ese t h r ee st u d en t s fr om a d ist an ce, t h e t w o sk in n y

st u d en t s w ou ld p r ob ab ly b e over look ed .
“Bot h sid es, in t r od u ce you r selves. Pr ep ar e for t h e m at ch t o b egin .” T h e
p r oct or said in a d eep voice.
T h e m ou n t ain -sized b oy slap p ed h is ch est fier cely, cau sin g t h e fat on h is b od y

t o jiggle. “I’m Xie H u an yu e fr om Class 2.”
“Class 2, Lu o T ian lon g.”
“Class 2, Lu o T ian b a.”
T h e t w o sk in n y st u d en t s h ad n am es t h a t sou n d ed ext r em ely d om in eer in g.
H u o Yu h ao’s t eam t h en in t r od u ced t h em selves on e b y on e. W h en t h e p r oct or

an n ou n ced t h e st ar t of t h e m at ch , t h e r ou n d of 16 for m ally st ar t ed .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao’s t eam w er e alr ead y t w it ch in g t h eir faces b efor e t h e

t w o sid es h a d even clash ed ….
T h e r eason b eh in d t h is w a s ver y sim p le; t h ey’d m et a n ot h er t h r ee-r in ged

exp er t ….
Xiao Xiao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t com m en t , “Ar e w e ju st t h is u n lu ck y, or is t h e

sch ool d elib er at ely p layin g w it h u s?”
T h r ee sou l r in gs r ose u p fr om t h e st u d en t k n ow n a s Xie H u an yu e.

Fu r t h er m or e, h is t h r ee sou l r in gs w er e all op t im a l on es. As t h ey m oved
r h yt h m ically ar ou n d h is fat b od y, t h ey b ecam e in cr easin gly clear . In t h e in st an t
t h at h e’d r eleased h is sou l r in gs, h is b od y h ad u n exp ect ed ly exp an d ed on ce
again , cau sin g h is h eigh t t o ju m p fr om 1.7 m et er s t o 1.9 m et er s. M or eover , t h e
color of h is sk in h ad in st an t ly d ar k en ed . H e for cefu lly t h u m p ed h is ch est u sin g
h is fist s, cau sin g m u ffled t h u m p s t o r in g ou t . Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, h e
ch ar ged t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s t eam w it h lar ge st r id es.
Lu o T ian lon g an d Lu o T ian b a d id n ’t r elease t h eir m a r t ial so u ls st r a igh t aw ay.

In st ead , t h eir b od ies flash ed as t h ey b egan t o r u n b eh in d Xie H u an yu e; t h ey
w er e u sin g h is en or m ou s b od y t o h id e t h em selves.
T h is w as t h eir u su al st yle of figh t in g, an d it h ad allow ed t h em t h e a d van t age
of m ak in g t h e fir st m ove on m an y occasion s in t h e p ast . Un for t u n at ely, t h is w as
t h e fir st t im e t h ey’d m et a p r od igy lik e H u o Yu h ao.
H id in g? W h a t w as t h e u se of t h at !? Cou ld t h ey h id e fr om h is Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion ? Follow in g t h e ap p ear an ce of a fain t gold en ligh t in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes,
a t h r ee-d im en sion al im age in st an t ly ap p ear ed in b ot h W a n g Don g an d Xiao
Xiao’s m in d s.
T h is t im e, Xiao Xiao d id n ’t even b ot h er t o b r in g ou t h er T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh

Cau ld r on . In st ead , sh e in st an t ly r eleased h er Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e.
At t h is p oin t , t h e fact t h a t sh e w a s a t w in -sou led sou l m ast er h ad a lr ead y b een
r evealed . T h u s, sh e n at u r ally ch ose t h e b est op t ion for t h e sit u at ion .
As h er sp eed -in h ib it in g son g r an g ou t , Xie H u an yu e an d t h e t w o st u d en t s w h o

w er e h id in g b eh in d h im w er e in st an t ly slow ed d ow n .
H ow ever , W an g Don g d id n ’t im p at ien t ly ch ar ge for w ar d s. In st ea d , aft er

r eleasin g h is Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess, h is d azzlin gly m assive p air of w in gs
u n fu r led , h id in g H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao fr om h is op p on en t s v iew . At t h is
m om en t , h e an d Xie H u an yu e cou ld on ly see each ot h er .
Xie H u an yu e d id n ’t seem t o car e ab ou t t h e fact t h at h e’d slow ed d ow n ; h e

h eavily st am p ed h is left leg in t o t h e gr ou n d , b u t t h is t im e ar ou n d , t h er e w er e n o
m or e t h u m p in g sou n d s. At t h a t m om en t , h is fir st sou l r in g im m ed iat ely lit u p .
T h e t h r ee of t h em w er e ab le t o p r ed ict ed t h a t h e w as ab ou t t o ju m p d u e t o
H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al d et ect ion . H ow ever , h ow h igh cou ld t h at en or m ou s b od y
of h is ju m p ?
In t h e in st an t t h a t H u o Yu h ao’s t eam felt p u zzled , t h ey qu ick ly r ealised t h eir

m ist ak e.
Un exp ect ed ly, Xie H u an yu e’s b od y sh ot st r aigh t in t o t h e air ; it w as alm ost as

if h e’d b een sh ot fr om a Sou l Can n on . H e act u ally m an aged t o ju m p t en m et er s
in t o t h e air . Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, h e cu r led h is b od y u p , m ak in g h im look
lik e an en or m ou s m eat b all t h at sm ash ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s t eam .
Lu o T ian lon g an d Lu o T ian b a—w h o w er e clear ly sib lin gs—sim u lt an eou sly
m ad e t h eir m oves. Alt h ou gh t h eir sp eed h ad b een r ed u ced as a r esu lt of Xiao
Xiao’s sou l sk ill, t h ey w er e st ill r ela t ively q u ick . T h er e w er e t w o h u n d r ed year
sou l r in gs su r r ou n d in g t h em ; in ad d it ion t o t h at , t h eir for ear m s w er e silver , an d
an en or m ou s M an t is Blad e h ad sp r ou t ed fr om b ot h of t h eir ar m s. Not on ly w er e
t h ey q u ick , b u t t h eir b od ies seem ed ext r em ely d ext er ou s as w ell.
At t h at m om en t , W a n g Don g ch ar ged for w ar d s. H e d id n ’t r ely on h is p ow er s

of fligh t t o m eet t h e m id air Xie H u a n yu e, b u t ch ar ged t ow ar d t h e Lu o b r ot h er s
in st ead , sim u lt an eou sly r eleasin g h is Gu illot in e W in g in a n at t em p t t o d efeat
t h eir agilit y w it h h is p ow er . T h e Lu o b r ot h er s w er e slow ed d ow n b y Xiao Xiao,
so t h ey w er en ’t ab le t o com p let ely d om in at e h im in t er m s of sp eed . As a r esu lt
of t h is, h e h ad t h e con fid en ce t o b lock t h em even t h ou gh it w a s a 1v2.
As for Xie H u an yu e, w h o w as cu r r en t ly fallin g fr om t h e sk y, t h e on ly t h in g

t h at aw ait ed h im w a s n at u r a lly Xiao Xiao’s T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on .
As h er T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on h a d alr ead y sp lit in t o t h r ee, Xiao Xiao
act ivat ed h er secon d sou l sk ill, Cau ld r on Sw eep . Sh e d id n ’t h ave an y h op e of
com p let ely st op p in g h im , sh e sim p ly d id n ’t w an t t o com p let ely fail.
Xiao Xiao d id n ’t d a r e t o look d ow n on h er op p on en t in t h e least , as h e w as a

gen u in e Sou l Eld er -r an k ed exp er t . T h u s, sh e u sed h er m ost p ow er fu l sou l sk ill
in t h e in st an t sh e m a d e a m ove.
Un exp ect ed ly, Xie H u an yu e d id n ’t d od ge or u se a sou l sk ill as h e faced Xiao

Xiao’s at t ack . In st ea d , sh e allow ed t h e t h r ee lar ge cau ld r on s t o st r ik e h im .
In t h e in st an t t h at h e collid ed w it h t h e t h r ee cau ld r on s, Xie H u an yu e’s b od y

w h ir led ar ou n d in m id air , h is fir st so u l r in g fin ally lit u p , allow in g h im t o
act ivat e h is fir st sou l sk ill.
H is or igin ally h u m on gou s b od y on ce again exp an d ed , a n d t h is t im e ar ou n d ,
h e look ed lik e a b alloon t h at w as b ein g filled w it h air , ca u sin g h is b od y t o
b ecom e p er fect ly r ou n d .
J u st as Xiao Xiao’s Cau ld r on Sw eep w as ab ou t t o act ivat e it s sp ecial effect for

st r ik in g h is b od y, t h e en or m ou s ‘b alloon ’ su d d en ly sh r u n k , n eu t r alisin g a lar ge
ch u n k of it s p ow er . Aft er t h at , it im m ed iat ely sh ot st r aigh t t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao.
H ow st r ong! I n t h at i n st an t , H uo Yuh ao an d Xi ao Xi ao k n ew t h at t h ey
w oul dn ’ t be abl e t o bl ock h i s ch ar ge. T h i s Xi e H uan yue h ad an ext r em el y
m yst er i ous m ar t i al soul , on e w h i ch seem ed un i que am on gst Beast Soul s.
H ow ever , t h ey di dn ’ t k n ow w h at i t w as.
On t h e ot h er si de of t h e bat t l ef i el d, W an g Don g h adn ’ t been put at a

di sadvan t age; even t h ough h i s oppon en t s w er e st r on g, h e’ d st i l l been abl e t o
r el y on h i s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on com bi n ed w i t h t h e dur abi l i t y an d sh ar pn ess of
h i s Gui l l ot i n e W i n g t o f i gh t on an even f oot i n g agai n st t h e t w o peopl e.
H ow ever , t h e Luo br ot h er s w er en ’ t just qui ck ; t h ey w er e cr af t y as w el l . T h ey
avoi ded di r ect l y cl ash i n g w i t h W an g Don g en t i r el y, put t i n g t h em i n a st al em at e
f or t h e t i m e bei n g.
“ Ban g—” Xi e H uan yue’ s en or m ous body w as ak i n t o a h uge bal l as h e

descen ded, but h e w as st i l l sen t f l yi n g by t h e T h r eel i ves Soul cr ush Caul dr on i n
t h e en d. T h i s w as m or e or l ess because h e’ d been si m ul t an eousl y st r uck by H uo
Yuh ao’ s Spi r i t ual Sh ock an d Xi ao Xi ao’ s Caul dr on Sw eep.
Means 'Gathering the Heavenly Dragon/Allheaven Dragon'. Gathering the Heavenly

Tyrant/Allheaven Tyrant.
Chapt er 26.3
Becau se h e w asn ’t ab le t o u se h is for ce-n eu t r alisin g sou l sk ill d u e t o H u o

Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sh ock , h e w as sen t flyin g.
Un for t u n at ely, Xiao Xiao’s T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on clear ly d id n ’t h ave
en ou gh p ow er t o t h r eat en h im . Aft er h is en or m ou s b od y lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d ,
h e in st an t ly b ou n ced b ack u p in t o t h e air .
H u o Yu h ao h ad a st u n n ed look on h is face. W h en h e’d u sed h is Sp ir it u al

Sh ock on Xie H u a n yu e, h e’d clea r ly b een ab le t o feel it slow d ow n u p on
t ou ch in g h is flesh y sk in . Fu r t h er m or e, h is sp ir it u al p ow er h a d also b een filt er ed
b efor e it en t er ed Xie H u an yu e’s b r ain . In t h e en d , h e’d on ly b een d azed for an
in st an t , w h ich w as a b ou t as effect ive as w h en h e’d u sed it on M a Xiaot ao. Just
w hat k i nd of m ar t i al soul i s t hat !? H ow can i t be t hi s t r oubl esom e?!
T h e pr essur e sur r oun di n g H uo Yuh ao an d Xi ao Xi ao sudden l y i n cr eased,

w h i ch W an g Don g w as n at ur al l y abl e t o sen se vi a H uo Yuh ao’ s Spi r i t ual
Det ect i on . A col d l i gh t f l i ck er ed t h r ough h i s eyes as h i s w i n gs sudden l y f l ash ed,
f or cef ul l y sh ovi n g t h e Luo br ot h er s back w ar ds. I m m edi at el y af t er w ar ds, h i s
secon d soul r i n g l i t up.
T h e dazzl i n g Li gh t of t h e But t er f l y Goddess on ce agai n appear ed on t h e

bat t l ef i el d. Even t h ough i t di dn ’ t h ave a l ock -on ef f ect , W an g Don g def i n i t el y
w oul dn ’ t m i ss h i s t ar get , due t o t h e f or esi gh t t h at H uo Yuh ao’ s Spi r i t ual
Det ect i on gave h i m .
T h e Luo br ot h er s n at ur al l y w oul dn ’ t just st an d t h er e an d w ai t t o be def eat ed,

but di dn ’ t h ave a suppor t sk i l l l i k e H uo Yuh ao’ s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on . As such ,
t h ei r r eact i on speed w as m uch sl ow er t h an W an g Don g’ s. By t h e t i m e t h ey’ d
r eadi ed t h ei r secon d soul sk i l l , W an g Don g h ad al r eady r el eased h i s.
T h e Lu o b r ot h er s sen t ou t sever a l t en s of b lad e ligh t s fr om t h eir M an t is
Blad es in an at t em p t t o st op W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess, b u t it
w as all for n au gh t . T h ey w er e com p let ely in fer ior t o W an g Don g in all asp ect s,
r egar d less of w h et h er it w as t h eir sou l r a n k , t h e q u alit y of t h eir m ar t ial sou ls, or
even t h e age of t h eir sou l r in gs. A gold en ligh t flick er ed ou t w ar d s as W an g
Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess r eleased it s fu ll p ow er , for cefu lly b last in g
t h em aw ay. H ow ever , t h e in st an t t h at t h eir sou l sk ills w er e b r ok en , t h e p r oct or
in ch ar ge of t h e m at ch r u sh ed in t o t h e ar en a lik e a gh ost , r et r ieved t h em fr om
t h e gold en ligh t , t h en left lik e a b olt of ligh t n in g. Evid en t ly, h e’d d et er m in ed
t h at t h e Lu o b r ot h er s w ou ld ’ve su ffer ed h eavy in ju r ies fr om W an g Don g’s
at t ack . T h u s, h e’d in t er fer ed in t h e m at ch . H ow ever , h is in t er fer en ce sign ified
t h at t h ey’d b e u n ab le t o con t in u e an y fu r t h er .
W an g Don g’s accu r at e ju d gem en t , h igh at t ack p ow er , an d p r om p t d ecision

m ak in g sk ills w er e all ack n ow led ged b y t h e t each er s w at ch in g t h eir m at ch .
H ow ever , in t h e in st an t t h a t W an g Don g h ad t r iu m p h ed over h is op p on en t s,
H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao w er e in t h e m id d le of t ak in g on Xie H u an yu e’s all-ou t
at t ack .
In r ealit y, t h e t ot al st r en gt h of Xie H u an yu e’s t eam w as w eak er t h an t h at of

Nin g T ian ’s t eam ; t h er e w as an in su r m ou n t ab le d ist an ce b et w een t h e Lu o
b r ot h er s an d W u Fen g an d Nan m en Yu n ’er d u e t o t h e m assive gap in qu alit y
b et w een t h eir m ar t ial sou ls. H ow ever , t h e t each er s h ad p r ivat ely evalu at ed all
of t h e Sou l Eld er s w it h in t h e fr esh m en classes, an d Xie H u an yu e’s h ad en d ed u p
r an k ed h igh er t h an Nin g T ian . It cou ld b e seen h ow t yr an n ica l h e w as fr om t h is.
Aft er fallin g fr om t h e sk y again , Xie H u an yu e’s secon d sou l r in g lit u p . H u o

Yu h ao r ep eat ed h is old t act ic an d sen t an ot h er Sp ir it u a l Sh ock t ow ar d s h im . At
t h e sam e t im e, Xiao Xiao m ad e a m ove w it h h er T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on .
T h eir cu r r en t ob ject ive w as t o d r ag t h e figh t ou t b et w een t h e t h r ee of t h em for
as lon g as t h ey cou ld , so t h a t t h ey cou ld w ait for W an g Don g t o r et u r n . W h en h e
d id , t h ey’d u se t h e com b in ed st r en gt h of all t h r ee of t h em t o t ak e on Xie
H u an yu e.
H ow ever , alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as ab le t o d et ect w h er e
h is op p on en t s w ou ld m ove, h e w asn ’t ab le t o fin d ou t t h e sp ecific sou l sk ill t h ey
w er e p lan n in g t o u se.
Xia H u an yu e's secon d sou l r in g su d d en ly lit u p w h ile h e w as st ill in m id air ,

an d h e w aved h is or igin ally st ock y r igh t ar m . J u st as H u o Yu h ao act ivat ed h is
Sp ir it u al Sh ock , Xie H u an yu e's ar m gr ew lon ger , an d su d d en ly sm ack ed all
t h r ee of Xiao Xiao's T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on s t h a t w er e flyin g t ow ar d s
h im aw ay w it h su r p r isin g accu r acy.
Even t h ou gh Xiao Xiao im m ed iat ely act ivat ed h er Ca u ld r on Sh ock sk ill, Xie
H u an yu e’s ar m sim p ly sm ash ed t h r ou gh it . H is m on st r ou s st r en gt h h a d act u ally
sen t all t h r ee of h er cau ld r on s flyin g. Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, h is b all-lik e b od y
d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y. H e ext en d ed t h e h an d t h at h e’d u sed t o sw eep t h e
cau ld r on s aw ay on ce again , an d sen t it t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao.
H e w as affect ed b y t h e Sp ir it u a l Sh ock for t oo sh or t a t im e, an d h is con t r ol

over h is sou l sk ills h ad r each ed t h e p in n acle; t h is w as t r u e for esigh t . Aft er
p r ed ict in g t h e in st an t t h a t H u o Yu h ao w o u ld act iva t ed h is Sp ir it u a l Sh ock , h e’d
u sed h is ow n sou l sk ill t o escap e d an ger b y a h air ’s b r ead t h . H e’d p laced h im self
in a w in n in g p osit ion in b u t an in st a n t .
Even t h ou gh Xiao Xiao p ossessed t w o m ar t ial sou ls, h er close-com b at sk ills

w er e ext r em ely lack in g. Sh e’d alw ays con sid er ed h er self t o b e a con t r ol syst em
Sou l M a st er , n ot an assau lt or agilit y syst em Sou l M a st er . As su ch , sh e w asn ’t
t oo exp er ien ced in com b at . W h en Xie H u an yu e’s en or m ou s b od y fell t ow ar d s
h er , sh e w as left som ew h at b lan k .
H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly r u sh ed t ow ar d s h er fr om b eh in d an d gr a b b ed h er w aist .
W it h a flash , h is b od y sw ayed lik e a d em on , allow in g t h e t w o of t h em t o evad e
Xie H u an yu e’s d ecisive b low . Aft er w ar d s, h e im m ed iat ely r olled on t h e gr ou n d
w it h Xiao Xiao in t ow , allow in g t h em t o escap e t h e w eigh t of Xie H u an yu e’s
b od y.
“Pu —” Even t h ou gh Xie H u an yu e’s en or m ou s b od y h ad lan d ed , t h e sou n d of a
h eavy collision d id n ’t r in g ou t . T h is t im e ar ou n d , h e d id n ’t b ou n ce b ack in t o t h e
air ; h e r olled on t h e gr ou n d , follow in g H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao.
T h is occu r r ed ju st a s W an g Don g d efeat ed t h e Lu o b r ot h er s b y r eleasin g h is

god -lik e p ow er s, in t u r n cau sin g Xie H u a n yu e t o feel p r essu r ed . If h e w asn ’t ab le
t o d efeat H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao b efor e W an g Don g r et u r n ed ... h e d id n ’t h ave
an y con fid en ce t h at h e’d b e ab le t o b eat t h em in a 1v3.
T h e t h ir d sou l r in g on h is fat b od y fin ally lit u p , w h ich cau sed h is b od y t o

in st an t ly b e illu m in at ed p u r p le. T h is cau sed Xie H u an yu e t o look lik e an
en or m ou s p u r p le b all. Follow in g a low gr ow l, a st r on g p u r p le h alo er u p t ed fr om
h is b od y, allow in g h im t o im m ed iat ely cat ch u p t o H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao.
In t h a t cr u cial m om en t , H u o Yu h ao d isp layed t h e t r u e qu a lit y of a m an ; h e

in st an t ly st ood u p fr om h is r ollin g p osit ion an d exer t ed for ce t h r ou gh h is ar m s,
t h r u st in g Xiao Xiao in t o t h e air —Xie H u an yu e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o at t ack h er
w h ile sh e w as u p t h er e.
“Yu h ao—”
“H u o Yu h ao—”
W an g Don g an d Xia o Xiao sim u lt an eo u sly cr ied ou t , b u t t h e t yr an ical p u r p le

h alo ar ou n d Xie H u an yu e’s b od y h ad alr ead y collid ed w it h H u o Yu h ao’s. H u o
Yu h ao’s en t ir e b od y sh ook , an d a p u r p le h alo r ose fr om h is feet . H e st ood t h er e
u n m ovin g, w h ile h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g in st an t ly d isa p p ear ed .
A figu r e flash ed as t h e p r oct or p u lled H u o Yu h ao ou t of t h e ar en a ju st b efor e

Xie H u an yu e’s en or m ou s b od y cou ld cr u sh h im . T h is p r even t ed h im fr om
b ecom in g a m eat p at t y b en eat h t h e m eat b all...
Xie H u an yu e silen t ly cu r sed h is b ad lu ck . H ow ever , h e w as st ill com p let ely

con fid en t in h im self. Def eat i ng a Soul M ast er w ho onl y has a t en year soul r i ng
i sn’ t usef ul at al l . T hat t w i n-soul ed Soul Gr an dm ast er m anaged t o escape.
H ow ever , i t seem s l i k e I st i l l have a chan ce t o w i n t h i s bat t l e! T h e Luo br ot h er s
w er e just h i s subor di n at es; h e w as t h e t r ue sour ce of com bat pow er on h i s t eam .
H e w as con f i den t t h at h e coul d use h i s t h r ee r i n gs’ st r en gt h t o f ace t w o Soul
Gr an dm ast er s, an d f el t t h at h i s ch an ce of vi ct or y w as st i l l above 70%.
Chapt er 26.4
H ow ever , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel st u n n ed w h en h e look ed u p in t o t h e air .

Xiao Xiao, w h o’d b een flu n g in t o t h e air , h ad b een cau gh t b y W an g Don g ju st in
t im e. W an g Don g u n fu r led h is w in gs w h ile h e h eld on t o Xiao Xiao, allow in g t h e
t w o of t h em t o r em ain float in g in t h e air . At t h at m om en t , b ot h of t h eir eyes
h ad t u r n ed sligh t ly r ed , w h ich cau sed even Xie H u an yu e, w it h h is st r en gt h , t o
u n exp ect ed ly feel so m ew h at p r essu r ed b y t h em .
“W an g Don g, let m e d ow n .” Xiao Xiao’s voice sou n d ed som ew h at ch illy. At

t h is m om en t , t h e gir l w h o’d alw ays b een gen t le in t h e p ast w as t r u ly en r aged ;
H u o Yu h ao h ad t ak en t h at b low for h er ! Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey h ad n ’t b een su r e
t h at t h e p r oct or w o u ld b e ab le t o m ak e it in t im e t o save H u o Yu h ao. If h e
h ad n ’t b een ab le t o m ak e it , H u o Yu h ao w ou ld ’ve b een sever ely in ju r ed , if n ot
k illed ! H ow cou ld Xiao Xiao n ot b e m oved b y h is act ion s?
Fu r t h er m or e, sh e felt t h at it w as h er m ist ak e t h at h ad a llow ed Xie H u an yu e t o

get close t o t h em . Cu r r en t ly, h er w ill t o figh t h ad b een en t ir ely ar ou sed .
W an g Don g r et r act ed h is w in gs an d car r ied Xiao Xiao b ack d ow n t o t h e

gr ou n d . H e w as ju st as an gr y as Xiao Xia o. As h e fier cely gla r ed at Xie H u an yu e,
h e on l y h ad on e t h ough t i n h i s m i n d. T hi s bast ar d dar ed t o i njur e Yuhao—I
w ant t o k i l l hi m .
Xi e H uan yue di dn ’ t m ak e an y i m pat i en t m oves. As h i s en or m ous body m oved

sl ow l y t ow ar ds W an g Don g an d Xi ao Xi ao, h i s f i r st soul r i n g r em ai n ed l i t ,
al l ow i n g h i s body t o r em ai n as f at as i t pr evi ousl y w as. T h i s w as a speci al
ch ar act er i st i c t h at bel on ged t o h i s m ar t i al soul . As som eon e w h o ow n ed a t op-
r an k ed def en si ve Beast Soul , h e di dn ’ t on l y cul t i vat e h i s def en se—h i s goal s
w er en ’ t t h at si m pl e. H e w an t ed t o becom e an al l -r oun ded def en se an d con t r ol
syst em soul m ast er . M or eover , h i s cul t i vat i on up t o t h i s poi n t h ad been
ext r em el y successf ul ; so m uch so, t h at h e, as w el l as an ot h er f r esh m an w h o’ d
r each ed t h e Sou l Eld er Ran k , h a d alr ea d y b ecom e cor e d iscip les of t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d b efor e t h e fr esh m en assessm en t h ad even st ar t ed .
“Xiao Xiao, I n eed fift een secon d s.” W an g Don g gr ow led . W it h t h at , h e closed
h is eyes, sim u lt an eou sly cau sin g b ot h of h is sou l r in gs t o ligh t u p . Gold en h alos
im m ed iat ely st ar t ed t o ap p ear fr om h is d azzlin g b lu e w in gs. W h ile t h is
occu r r ed , h e r a ised h is ar m s an d fold ed h is fr on t w in gs.
Xiao Xiao n od d ed h eavily, b u t d id n ’t say an yt h in g. In st ead , sh e w alk ed

st r aigh t t ow ar d s Xie H u an yu e w it h lar ge st r id es. T h e sou n d s com in g fr om t h e
Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e b ecam e ext r aor d in a r ily p assion at e, an d ja d e-
colou r ed h alos sp r ea d r ap id ly fr om h er ja d e flu t e.
T h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on su d d en ly r et u r n ed t o h er , an d it s t h r ee

cau ld r on s su r r ou n d ed h er in a t h r ee-p r on ged for m at ion .
W it h a sn or t , Xie H u an yu e su d d en ly sq u at t ed d ow n , t h en b ou n ced h im self

b ack u p in t o t h e air . T h is t im e ar ou n d , h e sh ot h im self d ir ect ly t ow ar d s Xiao
Xiao. H is b od y w as t h e m ost p ow er fu l w eap on h e h ad at h is d isp osal, an d even
t h ou gh h is sp eed h a d b een r ed u ced , h e w as st ill ext r em ely con fid en t in h im self.
At t h e sam e t im e, h is secon d sou l r in g lit u p as h e look ed for an op p or t u n it y

t o u se h is ext en sib le ar m t o at t ack Xiao Xiao’s T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on .
H ow ever , ju st b efor e h e r each ed five m et r es aw ay fr om Xiao Xiao, t h e t h r ee

lar ge cau ld r on s su r r ou n d in g h er sim u lt a n eou sly r eleased a b lack ligh t an d sh ot
t ow ar d s h im . H ow ever , in st ead of collid in g w it h Xie H u an yu e, t h ey collid ed
w it h on e an ot h er ab ove h er h ead . At t h e sam e t im e, Xiao Xiao’s ot h er t w o sou l
r in gs sim u lt a n eou sly lit u p .
Pr act ically all sou l sk ills t h at b elon ged t o a sou l m ast er cou ld b e u sed t oget h er
w it h t h eir ot h er sou l sk ills, b u t t h eir level of syn er gy d ep en d ed on b ot h t h e
st r en gt h of t h e sou l m ast er ’s m ar t ial sou l, as w ell as t h e com p at ib ilit y b et w een
t h e sou l sk ills t h at w er e b ein g u sed t oget h er .
Xiao Xiao fin ally r evealed h er st r on gest m ove as sh e faced su ch a p ow er fu l
en em y.
Nat ion al T r easu r e, Cau ld r on ’s T r em b lin g Qu ak e.
W h en t h e t h r ee ca u ld r on s fu sed t oget h er , a violen t b an g r an g ou t . An

en or m ou s cau ld r on t h at w as d ou b le t h e size of h er p r eviou s cau ld r on ap p ear ed ,
cover in g t h e sk y as it d id so. M yst er iou s r u n es em er ged fr om t h e en or m ou s
cau ld r on , cau sin g an in d escr ib ab le sen se of aw e t o b u r st for t h .
Xie H u an yu e’s ar m w as for cefu lly d eflect ed off t h e cau ld r on w h en h e st r u ck

it , an d w h en h is fat b od y collid ed w it h it , h e w as act u ally glu ed t o it , cau sin g
h im t o r em ain m ot ion less in t h e air . H alos of b lack ligh t t h a t w er e b ein g
r eleased fr om t h e en or m ou s cau ld r on u n ceasin gly in vad ed h is b od y, cau sin g Xie
H u an yu e t o d iscover t h at t h e sou l p ow er in h is b od y w as u n exp ect ed ly r ap id ly
evap or at in g.
Sh ock ed , h e h u r r ied ly r ou sed h is sou l p o w er , w an t in g t o u t ilize h is p ow er fu l

t h ou san d year sou l sk ill. H ow ever , t o h is ast on ish m en t , h e d iscover ed t h at h e
w asn ’t ab le t o. H is b od y seem ed t o b e in a fixed st a t e; h e w a sn ’t ab le t o can cel
an y sou l sk ills t h at h e’d alr ead y act ivat ed , w h ile at t h e sam e t im e h e w as also
u n ab le t o r elease an y m or e sou l sk ills t h an t h e on es h e h a d act ive. T h e on ly
t h in g t h at occu r r ed w as t h e r ap id evap or at ion of h is sou l p ow er . On t h e ot h er
h an d , t h e t ow er in g cau ld r on t h a t w as a k in t o a m ou n t a in con t in u ed t o st an d
u p r igh t , as if it w asn ’t fazed b y h is at t ack s in t h e sligh t est .
T h e Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e in st an t ly d isap p ear ed fr om Xiao Xiao’s

h an d w h en t h e en or m ou s cau ld r on ap p ear ed . Fu r t h er m or e, on e cou ld clear ly
see b lack h alos of ligh t r isin g fr om h er b od y as w ell. H ow ever , h er exp r ession
w as t u r n in g p aler b y t h e secon d .
T h e sou l p ow er con su m ed w h en fu sin g t w o sou l sk ills u sin g a sp ecial m et h od

lik e t h is n ear ed t h e con su m p t ion of a fu sion sk ill! W h en t h is w as ad d ed on t o t h e
sou l p ow er sh e’d u sed u p d u r in g t h e b at t le it self, Xiao Xiao d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t
last for a lon g p er iod of t im e. H ow ever , W an g Don g’s w or d s w er e t h e on ly t h in g
t h at w as in h er m in d n ow . Fi f t een seconds. No m at t er how I achi eve i t , I have t o
l ast f i f t een secon ds.
I n t h e i n st an t t h at H uo Yuh ao h ad f ear l essl y t h r ow n h er i n t o t h e ai r , h er

si m pl e h ear t h ad been com pl et el y m oved. I n t h at i n st an t , sh e’ d been com pl et el y
assi m i l at ed i n t o H uo Yuh ao’ s t eam . Al t h ough sh e w as a gi r l , h ot bl ood st i l l
sur ged t h r ough h er h ear t . For our t eam ’ s honor , and f or m y com pani ons, I can
sacr i f i ce som et h i ng as w el l .
Nor m al l y, f i f t een secon ds w as a r el at i vel y br i ef per i od of t i m e. H ow ever , i t

f el t agon i zi n gl y sl ow n ow .
At t h at m om en t , a f eel i n g of pan i c began t o appear i n t h e h ear t of t h e Ran k 32

Xi e H uan yue. W h en h e l ook ed i n t o Xi ao Xi ao’ s eyes, h e saw t h at t h ey w er e f i l l ed
w i t h a r esol ut e st ubbor n n ess; t h ey cl ear l y sh ow ed t h at sh e w as w i l l i n g t o
sacr i f i ce h er sel f t o t ak e h i m dow n w i t h h er ! I s sh e cr azy? T h i s i s on l y a m at ch i n
t h e f r esh m en assessm en t ! Al t h ough h e w asn ’ t sur e w h at Xi ao Xi ao w as doi n g t o
k eep h i m f r om m ovi n g, h e cl ear l y un der st ood t h at even t w i n -soul ed soul
m ast er s coul dn ’ t br eak on e of t h e l aw s t h at gover n ed al l m ar t i al soul s; t h e
st r on ger i t s abi l i t y, t h e gr eat er i t s dr ai n .
On e secon d passed. An ot h er secon d passed. Yet an ot h er secon d passed.
T h e pr oct or began t o get w or r i ed; h e di dn ’ t k n ow w h et h er h e sh oul d st op a

m at ch l i k e t h i s or n ot . Fur t h er m or e, even i f h e di d st op t h e m at ch , h ow w oul d
h e deci de t h e vi ct or of t h e m at ch ? H uo Yuh ao, w h o’ d aw ak en ed f r om t h e
i n t en se f eel i n g of di zzi n ess t h e pur pl e l i gh t h ad caused, cl en ch ed h i s f i st s
t i gh t l y. Due t o h i s Spi r i t Eyes, h e w as abl e t o cl ear l y see w h at w as goi n g on ; Xi ao
Xi ao w as cl ear l y over dr aw i n g h er soul pow er !
“ Xi ao Xi ao, gi ve up!” H uo Yuh ao yel l ed. H e w asn ’ t w i l l i n g t o l et h i s

t eam m at es get h ur t , even i f i t m ean t l osi n g t h e m at ch !
Xi ao Xi ao’ s r epl y t o H uo Yuh ao w as i n t h e f or m of h er t i gh t l y pur sed l i ps.

H ow ever , t h e bl ack h al o ar oun d h er body seem ed t o i n t en si f y even f ur t h er .
In t h at in st a n t , H u o Yu h ao w as d eep ly t ou ch ed b y t h e st u b b or n look in Xiao
Xiao’s eyes. It w asn ’t ju st h im ; even t h e ch ick en w in g-ea t in g Xu an Lao st op p ed
ch ew in g h is food an d slow ly n od d ed at Xiao Xiao.
Five, fou r , t h r ee, t w o, on e...
W h en t h e la st seco n d fin ally ar r ived , a gold en p illar su d d en ly ap p ear ed

b eh in d Xiao Xiao. W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess h ad com p let ely
t u r n ed a b r illian t gold , an d follow in g t h e ap p ear an ce of t h e gold en p illar of
ligh t , h e r ose in t o t h e air lik e a b u t t er fly b at h ed in fir e. As h is b od y r ose in t o t h e
air , t h e gold en p illar u n exp ect ed ly cu r ved , t r an sfor m in g in t o a t er r ifyin g,
en or m ou s, cr escen t -sh ap ed b lad e of ligh t .
In t h at in st an t , t h e air it self seem ed t o h ave b een r en t ap ar t as t h e en t ir e

ar en a w as filled w it h a d om in eer in g u n d u lat ion of sou l p ow er t h at w as h a r d t o
d escr ib e.
As h e look ed a t t h e en or m ou s b la d e of ligh t com in g t ow ar d s, Xie H u an yu e

w as scar ed t o t h e p oin t t h at h is sou l n ear ly left h is b ody. Even if h e w as
ext r em ely con fid en t in h is d efen se, h e d id n ’t t h in k t h at h e’d b e ab le t o b lock
W an g Don g’s at t ack .
T h e p r oct or d id n ’t d ar e t o h esit a t e an y lon ger ; h e ch ar ged in t o t h e ar en a w it h

a flash . H ow ever , h e d iscover ed , t o h is ast on ish m en t , t h at h e w asn ’t ab le t o
sep ar at e Xie H u an yu e fr om Xiao Xiao’s Cau ld r on ’s T r em b lin g Qu ak e. As t h e
en or m ou s gold en b lad e of ligh t w h ist led over , t h e st r on g p r essu r e em an at ed
fr om it m ad e t h e p r oct or feel as if h e w as su ffocat in g—even w it h h is Sou l
Em p er or level of cu lt ivat ion .
No w ay, i s t hi s som et hi ng a Soul Gr andm ast er st udent can even use? Even
t h ough t h e pr oct or w an t ed t o r el ease h i s m ar t i al soul , i t w as al r eady t oo l at e.
H el pl ess, h e coul d on l y use h i s body t o f or cef ul l y bl ock W an g Don g’ s at t ack .
At t h at exact m om en t , an en or m ou s ab sor p t ion for ce su d d en ly d escen d ed
fr om t h e sk y, ca u sin g t h e gold en b la d e of ligh t t o t u r n t ow ar d s t h e sk y ju st
b efor e it h it t h e p r oct or .
A h u ge, fier y h an d h ad su d d en ly ap p ear ed in t h e sk y. It gr ab b ed t h e gold en

b lad e of ligh t an d seem ed t o cr u sh it w it h in it s gr ip . Aft er t h at , t h e gold en b lad e
of ligh t d ir ect ly sh at t er ed w it h a “p u ”.
As h e ch ew ed on h is ch ick en leg, Xu an La o m u t t er ed , “T h is Or lean ian ch ick en

leg is a b it t oo salt y t od ay.” W it h t h a t , h e st ood u p an d slow ly w alk ed off t h e t all
st age.
Aft er t h e Na t ion al T r easu r e cau ld r on q u iet ly va n ish ed , Xia o Xiao collap sed
an d fain t ed .
T h e b r illian ce of t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess van ish ed as w ell, b u t W an g

Don g for ced h im self t o r em ain st an d in g. H e look ed at t h e som ew h at b lan k
p r oct or w it h an u n yield in g gaze. “W e’ve... w on …” Aft er for cin g ou t t h ese t w o
w or d s, h e w as u n ab le t o con t in u e p er sever in g, an d collap sed .
“W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao.” H u o Yu h ao w ild ly r u sh ed in t o t h e a r en a w it h all of

h is st r en gt h an d h u gged h is t w o com p an ion s.
At t h at m om en t , Xie H u an yu e’s b od y h a d alr ead y r et u r n ed t o it s or igin al size,

b u t h is sch ool u n ifor m w as soak ed w it h cold sw eat . In t h a t in st an t , h e t r u ly felt
t h at Xiao Xiao an d W an g Don g h ad w an t ed t o k ill h im , b u t t h er e w as n ot h in g
h e’d b een ab le t o d o ab ou t it . As t h e fat on h is b od y t r em b led , h e d iscover ed t h at
Xiao Xiao’s gaze h ad b een d eep ly car ved in t o h is h ear t .
T h e t each er s in t h e Sp ect at or ’s St an d w er e all com p let ely silen t . At t h is p oin t

in t im e, t h ey’d w er e com p let ely ign or in g t h e ot h er m at ch es t h at w er e occu r r in g
or h ad alr ead y en d ed .
T h e in d ivid u al st r en gt h of each st u d en t t h at m ad e u p t h e t w o t eam s w er en ’t
m u ch t o t h em . Aft er all, on e w ou ld h a ve t o b e a six-r in ged , Sou l Em p er or -
r an k ed exp er t at t h e ver y least t o b ecom e a t each er at Sh r ek Acad em y. H ow ever ,
t h ey w er e ast on ish ed b y W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao’s st u b b or n con vict ion . W a n g
Don g’s sit u at ion w as st ill accep t ab le t o t h em , as it seem ed lik e h e’d on ly u sed u p
all of h is st r en gt h . H ow ever , Xiao Xiao h ad clear ly over d r a w n h er sou l p ow er ;
t h is w asn ’t som et h in g t h at sh e cou ld r ecover fr om in a sh or t p er iod of t im e.
Chapt er 27.1: Revenge? Br ot her ?
T h e t each er s of Sh r ek Acad em y h ad seen m an y gen iu ses, b u t fr esh m en lik e

Xiao Xiao an d W an g Don g, w h o w er e t h is fixat ed on vict or y a n d t h is r esolu t e in
t h eir b eliefs… t h ey w er e sim p ly t oo r ar e.
T h e Dir ect or of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , Du W eilu n , w alk ed over t o t h e

st u n n ed Zh ou Yi. “T each er Zh ou , con gr at u la t ion s on t each in g t h ese t w o
excellen t st u d en t s. Rep or t t h em t o t h e h igh er -u p s. I b elieve t h at t h ey b ot h h av e
t h e qu alificat ion s t o b ecom e cor e d iscip les of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .”
On ly t h en d id Zh ou Yi r eact . Sh e h u r r ied ly r ep lied , “Dir ect or Du , t h er e’s st ill

H u o Yu h ao. H e’s t h e cor e of t h eir t eam , a s w ell as t h eir t eam lead er .”
Du W eilu n w as st u n n ed , b u t h e sh ook h is h ead . “H e on ly h as a sin gle sou l

r in g. H e’s t oo w eak . Also, h e sh ou ld b e on e of t h ose r ar ely-seen sp ir it u al-t yp e
sou l m ast er s. Don ’t you k n ow h ow few sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l b east s t h er e a r e?”
W it h t h at , h e w alk ed off t h e t all st age.
As t h e Dir ect or of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , Du W eilu n w asn ’t ju st

st r on g, h e w as calcu lat ive as w ell. H e n a t u r ally saw t h e r ole t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad
p layed d u r in g t h e m at ch . H e w as t h e on e t h at h a d st im u la t ed t h e n ea r ly-in san e
figh t in g sp ir it s of W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao. H ow ever , h e h ad im p or t an t
r esp on sib ilit ies as a Dir ect or ; h e n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t ch oose a cor e d iscip le ju st
for h is p er son alit y an d lead er sh ip sk ills.
Aft er list en in g t o Du W eilu n ’s w or d s, Zh ou Yi’s en t ir e b od y sh ook . Righ t !

Sh e’d alw ays over look ed t h is sim p le p r ob lem . Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s fir st sou l
r in g h ad a st r on g sou l sk ill at t ach ed t o it , h e w as st ill a sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l
m ast er . Sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l b east s w er e sim p ly t oo r ar e, an d st r on g on es w er e
even r ar er . Un d er t h ese cir cu m st an ces, t h e ch an ces of H u o Yu h ao b ecom in g an
exp er t w as n at u r ally m u ch sm aller t h an n or m al.
“No p r ob lem . If t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t d oesn ’t w an t h im , ou r So u l
T ool Dep ar t m en t w ill t ak e h im .” A b r igh t ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh Fan Yu ’s eyes
as h e p at t ed Zh ou Yi’s sh ou ld er . “It ’s h ar d t o fin d st r on g sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l
b east s, b u t it ’s st ill p ossib le t o fin d or d in ar y on es. As lon g as h e h as en ou gh sou l
p ow er , h e’ll st ill b e ab le t o b ecom e an ou t st an d in g st u d en t of t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t —even if h e on ly h as h is fir st sou l r in g. I w an t t h is cor e d iscip le.”
In fr on t of Fan Yu , Zh ou Yi d id n ’t seem t o h ave an y of h er u su al icin ess, “No,

it ’s n ot t im e yet . Yo u n eed t o give h im t h r ee year s. Yu h ao is a sp ecially-in vit ed
st u d en t w h o w as r ecom m en d ed b y t h e T an g Sect ; h e sh ou ld ’ve b een a r ogu e
sou l m ast er w h o gr ew u p in a p over t y-st r ick en fam ily. T h at ’s w h y h e on ly h as a
t en year sou l r in g. H e’s alw ays b een t h e m ost a t t en t ive st u d en t d u r in g class
t im e, an d alt h ou gh h e’s h ad a som ew h a t lat e st ar t , h e’s t h e m ost h ar d w or k in g
an d ser iou s st u d en t I’ve ever m et . H is fou n d at ion is t oo w eak , t h u s I n eed t o st ay
b y h is sid e an d con t in u e t each in g h im . T h r ee year s w ill b e en ou gh for h im t o
ob t ain a b asic k n ow led ge of h ow t h in gs ar e, an d w it h h is cu r r en t level of
d iligen ce, h e sh ou ld b e ab le t o ob t ain t h r ee r in gs at t h e ver y least b y t h at p oin t .
On ce h e ob t ain s h is t h ir d r in g, h e’ll n at u r ally h a ve b r igh t er p r osp ect s. At t h a t
t im e, h e can b e t h e cor e d iscip le of you r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
Fan Yu sm iled . “I ca n see t h at you lik e t h is ch ild a lot . Sin ce you ’ve alr ead y
p lan n ed t h in gs ou t for h im , I’ll list en t o you . On ce t h e fr esh m en assessm en t h as
en d ed , t ak e h im over t o see m e, an d I’ll let h im p ar t icip at e in t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t in ad d it ion t o h is r egu lar st u d ies. I’ll see w h et h er or n ot h e h as an y
t alen t in t h a t field .”
“Yu p .” Zh ou Yi n od d ed h er h ea d , “I’ll go ch eck on Xiao Xiao an d W an g Don g.

Fan Yu , b elieve m e, t h e M a r t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t w ill d efin it ely r egr et n ot
t ak in g H u o Yu h ao in as a cor e d iscip le.”
Fan Yu r ep lied , “T h en , let ’s w ait an d see.”
W an g Don g w as left in a sligh t ly b et t er con d it ion t h an Xiao Xiao, as h e’d on ly

u sed u p all of h is en er gy. M or e im p or t an t ly, h e h ad h is fu sion p ar t n er , H u o
Yu h ao. On ce H u o Yu h ao h u gged h im , h is sou l p ow er n at u r ally flow ed in t o
W an g Don g’s b od y, allow in g h im t o qu ick ly r ecover a st r a n d of h is sou l p ow er .
Aft er u sin g t h eir H aod on g Pow er , W an g Don g w as ab le t o w ak e u p fr om h is
u n con sciou s st at e in less t h an t en m in u t es.
H ow ever , Xiao Xiao’s con d it ion w a s m u ch w or se t h an W a n g Don g’s. Sh e

n eed ed b ot h sou l p o w er t o act ive h er Ca u ld r on ’s T r em b lin g Qu ak e, as w ell as a n
ext r em ely st r on g a m ou n t of con t r ol over it t o m ain t a in it . Un d er n or m a l
cir cu m st an ces, Xiao Xiao w ou ld on ly u se h er Na t ion al T r easu r e t o d ea l a sin gle
at t ack , sen d in g h er op p on en t flyin g w h ile ap p lyin g a for ced st u n effect . T h e
st r en gt h of t h is sin gle b low far exceed ed t h at of u sin g b ot h of h er sou l sk ills on e
aft er an ot h er . H ow ever , sh e d id n ’t d o t h is again st Xie H u an yu e. In st ead , sh e’d
u sed it t o t r ap h im . Sh e’d d on e so for t h e sak e of b u yin g even m or e t im e for
W an g Don g. Xie H u an yu e’s d efen se w as sim p ly t oo st r on g, an d Xiao Xiao h ad
b een scar ed t h a t h e’d ch ar ge st r aigh t b ack t ow ar d s t h em if h e w as sen t flyin g
aw ay. Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w as a h igh ch a n ce of t h at h ap p en in g d u e t o h is b od y’s
b ou n cin g sp eed .
Becau se of t h a t , Xia o Xiao h ad n ’t ju st over d r aw n h er sou l p ow er alon e; sh e’d

over d r aw n h er sp ir it u al p ow er as w ell. As soon as t h e m at ch h ad en d ed , sh e’d
in st an t ly su n k in t o a d eep com a.
For t u n at ely, t h ey w er e in Sh r ek Acad em y, w h ich h ad n o sh or t ages of h ealin g

m ed icin es. Aft er con su m in g a few m ed icin al p ills, Xiao Xiao san k in t o a d eep
sleep . H ow ever , t h e t each er t h at t r ea t ed h er said t h at sh e’d h ave t o r est for a fu ll
d ay, at t h e ver y m in im u m . Fu r t h er m or e, sh e cou ld n ’t b e d ist u r b ed in an y w ay
at all, so t h at t h e m ed icin al p ills t h a t h a d b een u sed on h er w ou ld n ’t leave an y
aft er effect s. In ot h er w or d s, Xiao Xiao w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o p ar t icip at e in t h e
follow in g t w o m at ch es… an d t h a t w as a con ser vat ive est im a t e.
Zh ou Yi p er son ally car r ied Xiao Xiao b ack t o h er r oom for h er t o r est , w h ile
H u o Yu h ao car r ied t h e w eak en ed W an g Don g b ack t o t h eir d or m r oom .
“W an g Don g, sh ou ld w e give u p on t h e n ext m a t ch ?” As h e look ed at W an g

Don g’s p ale face, H u o Yu h ao sigh ed gen t ly.
“No w ay.” W an g Don g k n ew t h at H u o Yu h ao w as con cer n ed ab ou t t h e st at e
of h is b od y, b u t h is cu r r en t w ill t o figh t w as st ill as st r on g as it p r eviou sly w as.
H e’d n ever b een as ser iou s as t h is t ow ar d s an yt h in g else as h e w as n ow .
“Yu h ao, I k n ow t h at you ’r e w or r ied ab ou t m e. Bu t w e h ave t o con t in u e on

w it h t h is t ou r n am en t . If w e ju st gave u p lik e t h is, h ow cou ld w e face Xiao Xiao?
Sh e m ay h ave fain t ed , b u t t h er e’s st ill t h e t w o of u s. An d , d on ’t w e h ave ou r
H aod on g Pow er ? W e’ll d efin it ely b e ab le t o r ecover b efor e t h e aft er n oon m at ch .
W e h ave t o figh t for Xiao Xiao, an d w ait for h er t o com e b ack .”
As h e look ed at W an g Don g’s d et er m in ed eyes, H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t w as

com p let ely m oved . T r u e feelin gs h ad b lossom ed b et w een t h em as a r esu lt of
t h eir h a r d sh ip s. T h e m at ch es t h a t h ad occu r r ed yest er d ay an d t od ay h ad r ap id ly
n ar r ow ed t h e gap b et w een h im , W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao. T h e feelin gs
b et w een t h e t h r ee of t h em w er e n o lon ger t h ose of fellow sch oolm at es, b u t
t h ose of com r ad es-in -ar m s w h o w er e w illin g t o live an d d ie t oget h er . Alt h ou gh
t h is w asn ’t a t r u e b at t lefield , t h ey alr ead y t r eat ed t h e t ou r n am en t as on e.
“W h at ’r e you w ait in g for ? H u r r y u p .” As h e sp ok e, W an g Don g r aised h is

h an d s.
H u o Yu h ao t ook a d eep b r eat h , t h en p laced h is p alm s on W an g Don g’s p alm s.

H e sp ok e w it h a r esolu t e t on e in h is voice, “Let ’s figh t for Xiao Xiao.”
Sea God ’s Islan d , t h e Lak esid e.
“Xu an Lao, w h at d o you t h in k ?” W an g Yan st ood b esid e Xu a n Lao an d ask ed

in a qu iet voice.
Xu an Lao h ad alr ead y fin ish ed h is ch ick en legs, an d t h er e w er e n ow ch ick en

w in gs ar ou n d h im . It seem ed as t h ou gh h e’d n ever b e fu ll.
“T h ose t w o fellas ar en ’t b ad . As for t h at fella w it h t h e Bod y Sou l you w er e

t alk in g ab ou t , h e’s lack in g b y qu it e a b it . H e sh ou ld h ave a sk ill t h at ’s sim ilar t o
a sp ir it u al d et ect ion -t yp e sk ill, h ow ever it ’s u n for t u n a t e t h a t h is fir st so u l r in g
is on ly t en year s old . T h is is a flaw t h at can ’t b e m ad e u p for .” As h e sp ok e, Xu an
Lao sw allow ed a m ou t h fu l of w in e.
W an g Yan r ep lied , “Bu t , Xu an Lao, h e st ill h as a Bod y Sou l!”

Chapt er 27.2
Xu an Lao sh ook h is h ead . “You sh ou ld k n ow w h at t h e m ost im p or t an t p ar t of

a Bod y Sou l is; it ’s t h e p ot en t ial t h at it h as, as w ell as t h e var iat ion s t h at t h e
m ar t ial sou l can u n d er go d u r in g com b at . It ’s ver y clear fr om t od ay’s m at ch ;
even u n d er t h a t sor t of p r essu r e, h is m ar t ial sou l d id n ’t u n d er go an y var iat ion s.
In ot h er w or d s, h e d oesn ’t p ossess t h e essen ce of a Bod y Sou l. H e’s t oo old , an d
h e d oesn ’t h ave en o u gh sou l p ow er . At t h e sam e t im e, h is fir st sou l r in g is on ly
t en year s old . Even if h e h as d ecen t p ot en t ial, h e isn ’t som et h in g t h at I w an t . Do
you u n d er st an d ?”
W an g Yan w as st ill som ew h at u n r esign ed . “Xu an Lao, I ju st fou n d ou t

yest er d ay t h at H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ave fu sed t h eir m ar t ial sou ls, an d
can even r elease a fu sion sk ill. Alt h ou gh I d on ’t k n ow w h at exact ly t h eir fu sion
sk ill is, isn ’t t h at en ou gh t o p r ove h is t alen t ?”
Xu an Lao ob ject ed . “A fu sion sk ill d oesn ’t m ean ever yt h in g. Alr igh t , I’ve
alr ead y m ad e m y d ecision . T h ose t w o lit t le fellas can b e ch osen . As for H u o
Yu h ao, ju st leave it .”
W it h t h at , h e st ood u p an d w a lk ed u n st ead ily aw ay, a ch ick en w in g in on e

h an d an d a h u ge b ot t le gou r d in t h e ot h er . H is u n st ead y gait m ad e it seem as if
h e cou ld fall d ow n at an y t im e.
As h e st ar ed at Xu an Lao’s b ack , W an g Yan cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sigh . H e

n at u r ally k n ew of H u o Yu h ao’s p r ob lem s, b u t h e st ill felt t h at h e h ad an
u n or d in ar y t em p er am en t . W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao w er e m u ch , m u ch m or e
ou t st an d in g t h an h im on t h e su r face, b u t h e w as st ill ab le t o lead t h em in t o t h eir
m at ch es, an d h a d b ecom e t h e t r u e cor e of t h eir t eam . W h y w as t h is?
“W as m y ju d gem en t t r u ly w r on g? No, I w on ’t give u p . No m at t er w h at , I’ll d o
all I can t o n u r t u r e H u o Yu h ao. It w on ’t b e t oo lat e t o fin d Xu an Lao aft er h e’s
ob t ain ed a few ach ievem en t s.”
T h e fr esh m en assessm en t h ad a lr ead y en t er ed it s fin al st ages, an d t h e t op 8

h ad alr ead y b een d ecid ed fr om t h e m or n in g m at ch es. T h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at
t h ese 8 t eam s w er e t h e m ost ou t st an d in g t eam s am on gst t h e fr esh m en st u d en t s.
H ow ever , t w o of t h e t eam s t h at w er e led b y Sou l Eld er -r a n k ed st u d en t s h ad
act u ally b een elim in at ed , t o ever yb od y’s su r p r ise. M or e im p or t an t ly, t h ey h ad
act u ally b een elim in at ed b y t h e sam e t ea m .
T h er e w er e on ly eigh t t eam s left in t h e k n ock -ou t r ou n d . T h e m om en t H u o

Yu h ao an d W an g Don g ar r ived at t h e Assessm en t Ar ea, t h ey im m ed iat ely
at t r act ed t h e a t t en t ion of t h e ot h er seven t eam s. It w as clea r t h at n on e of t h e
ot h er t eam s w er e w illin g t o figh t again st t h e t w o of t h em in t h e q u ar t er fin a ls—
even if t h ey on ly h ad t w o p eop le left in t h eir t eam .
T h eir H aod on g Pow er w as t r u ly m ir acu lou s. Un d er H u o Yu h ao’s assist an ce,

W an g Don g h ad alr ead y r ecover ed all of h is sou l p ow er aft er cu lt ivat in g for
m er ely fou r h ou r s. Fu r t h er m or e, u sin g all of h is st r en gt h d u r in g t h e m or n in g
m at ch , com b in ed w it h t h e d iligen t cu lt ivat ion h e’d r ecen t ly d on e, h ad allow ed
h is sou l p ow er t o in cr ease t o Ran k 25.
W h ile d r aw in g t h e lot s, H u o Yu h ao w h isp er ed t o W an g Don g, “Righ t , w h at

w as t h at sk ill you u sed at t h e ver y en d of t h e m or n in g m at ch ?”
W an g Don g r ep lied , “It w as a fu sion sk ill t h at I cr eat ed b y com b in in g m y

Gu illot in e W in g an d m y Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess. It ’s t h e st r on gest m ove I
h ave at m y d isp osal. If I’m n ot m ist ak en , t h at Xie H u an yu e p ossesses a ver y
r ar ely seen Bea st Sou l t h a t ’s k n ow n a s t h e Ru b b er d on . T h at m ar t ial sou l
in n at ely p ossesses a n ext r em ely st r on g d efen se. H is fir st sou l sk ill sh ou ld ’ve
b een ‘Elep h an t T r an sfor m at ion ’, w h ile t h at ar m -elon gat in g sk ill sh ou ld b e
‘Elep h an t ’s Nose’. T h at last sk ill t h at h a d a p ow er fu l cr ow d -con t r ollin g effect
sh ou ld b e som et h in g lik e ‘Elep h an t ’s Fu r y’. If you w an t t o b r eak t h a t r u b b er
b all-lik e d efen se of h is, n or m al at t ack s d efin it ely w on ’t w or k . T h er e ar e on ly
t w o w ays t h at I k n o w of: A p eak -level elem en t al at t ack , su ch as an ext r em ely h ot
fir e-t yp e sk ill or an ext r em ely cold ice-t yp e sk ill, or an ext r em ely sh ar p sk ill. I
u sed m y Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess t o act ivat e m y Gu illot in e W in g so t h at I
cou ld u se it s sh a r p n ess t o p ier ce t h r ou gh h is d efen ses. W h ile t h a t gu y w as
t r ap p ed b y Xiao Xiao, I h ad ju st en ou gh t im e t o ch ar ge u p en ou gh en er gy t o u se
it . I w as con fid en t t h at a sin gle at t ack of m in e cou ld d est r oy h is m ar t ia l sou l.”
Aft er list en in g t o W an g Don g’s exp lan at ion , H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t

in w ar d ly p r aise h im . Alt h ou gh h e’d st u d ied t h e va r iou s asp ect s of sou l m ast er -
r elat ed k n ow led ge d u r in g t h ese t h r ee m on t h s, t h er e w as st ill a lar ge gap
b et w een h im an d W an g Don g! T h is fu r t h er solid ified H u o Yu h ao’s con vict ion t o
d iligen t ly cu lt iva t e.
“T eam H u o Yu h ao, com e for w ar d an d d r aw you r lot s.” Dir ect or Du W eilu n ’s
voice jolt ed H u o Yu h ao aw ak e. H e t h en h u r r ied ly w alk ed for w ar d , d r aw in g a
st ick fr om t h e b allot cylin d er Du W eilu n h eld .
Du W eilu n car efu lly look ed at H u o Yu h a o, t h in k in g t o h im self, T hi s k i d t r ul y

has hi s ow n out st an di ng poi nt s, and hi s spi r i t ual -t ype m ar t i al soul i s ext r em el y
r ar e. Unf or t unat el y, he hasn’ t r eached Rank 20 yet , and t he chances of hi m
obt ai ni ng a st r ong soul r i ng i n t he f ut ur e ar e t oo sm al l . I f he can cont i nue t o
pass al l of t he Academ y’ s assessm ent s an d r em ai n as a st udent , w e’ l l be abl e t o
see w het her or not he has t he qual i f i cat i ons t o becom e a cor e di sci pl e of t he
M ar t i al Soul Depar t m ent by t he t i m e he get s t o hi s f our t h or f i f t h year .
“ Num ber 3.” Af t er t ak i n g H uo Yuh ao’ s l ot , Du W ei l un l oudl y an n oun ced h i s

n um ber .
On e of t h e t eam s w h o’ d al r eady dr aw n t h ei r l ot s sudden l y h ad a ch an ge i n

expr essi on ; t h ey w er e goi n g t o f i gh t agai n st H uo Yuh ao an d W an g Don g.
H uo Yuh ao w al k ed back t ow ar ds W an g Don g. “ T h er e’ s a on e in seven ch an ce

t h at w e’ r e goi n g t o f i gh t agai n st t h e l ast t eam t h at h as a Soul El der i n i t . I f t h at
t eam ’ s our n ext oppon en t , I t h i n k t h at w e sh oul d con si der pr ayi n g t o a god.”
W an g Don g h ad a sp eech less look on h is face. “W h at god sh ou ld w e p r ay t o?”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led , “T h e Sea God , of cou r se. Isn ’t t h at a n cest or t h e t r u e

sym b ol of ou r Sh r ek Acad em y?”
W an g Don g p laced h is r igh t h an d on H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er . “H ey, t h at ’s n ot

fu n n y. W h en t h er e w as a 3 in 32 ch an ce in t h e b egin n in g, t h e ch an ces of u s
figh t in g again st a t eam w it h a Sou l Eld er in it w asn ’t even t en p er cen t , b u t w e
st ill got t h em . W h en it w as t w o in sixt een , it w asn ’t even eigh t p er cen t , b u t w e
st ill got t h em . Now t h at it ’s a on e in seven ch an ce, t h e od d s of u s figh t in g
again st t h e la st t ea m w it h a Sou l Eld er in it ar e even gr eat er t h an ou r p r eviou s
od d s. W h at d o you t h in k ou r od d s ar e n ow ?”
Aft er h ear in g h is a n alysis, H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely sm iled b it t er ly. “W e can ’t

b e t h at u n lu ck y, r igh t ….”
Alt h ou gh t h e con cep t of lu ck d id exist , on e w ou ld n ’t b e lu ck y or u n lu ck y all

t h e t im e; t h e fact s p r oved it . T h is t im e ar ou n d , t h er e w er en ’t an y Sou l Eld er s in
t h e t eam t h ey’d p ick ed .
Aft er en t er in g t h e Assessm en t Ar ea, b ot h t eam s st ood facin g each ot h er an d

in t r od u ced t h em selves. T h is t im e, t h eir op p on en t s w er e fr om Class 9, an d all
t h r ee of t h em w er e Sou l Gr an d m ast er s. Relat ively sp eak in g, t h ey w er e an
ext r em ely st r on g t ea m . H ow ever , t h er e w as a lar ge gap b et w een t h eir t eam , an d
t h e t eam s t h at H u o Yu h ao’s t eam h ad d efeat ed in t h eir t w o p r eviou s m at ch es.
“T w o agilit y-t yp es an d an assau lt -t yp e. It ’s t h is com b in a t ion again , h ow

b or in g. H ow sh ou ld w e go ab ou t t h is?” W an g Don g w h isp er ed in t o H u o Yu h ao’s
ear .
A ligh t flash ed t h r o u gh H u o Yu h ao’s eyes. “Let ’s ju st b r u t e for ce ou r w ay

t h r ou gh t h em .”
“Fin e.”
T h e level of syn er gy b et w een t h e t w o h ad b ecom e m u ch h igh er . Aft er a
sim p le exch an ge of p leasan t r ies, t h e m at ch st ar t ed .
Bot h sid es sim u lt an eou sly r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls. H ow ever , t h e assau lt
syst em W an g Don g d id n ’t im m ed iat ely ch ar ge ou t . In st ea d , h e flap p ed h is b lu e
w in gs, flyin g in t o t h e air w h ile im m ed ia t ely act ivat in g h is secon d , p u r p le sou l
r in g.
H u o Yu h ao h eld on t o W an g Don g’s an k le fr om b elow , t h e fain t ly gold en ligh t

in h is eyes com p let ely con cealed b y t h e ligh t t h a t W an g Don g w as cu r r en t ly
r eleasin g.
T h e gold en p at t er n s on W an g Don g’s w in gs all lit u p , w h ile a sm id ge of

or an ge ap p ear ed on t h em as a r esu lt of t h e H aod on g Pow er t h a t w as b ein g
p ou r ed in t o t h em .
T h is t im e ar ou n d , H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o closely ob ser ve W an g Don g fr om a

sh or t d ist an ce w it h n ob od y d ist u r b in g h im . As a r esu lt of t h at , h e w as ab le t o
clear ly see t h at W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess w asn ’t sp u r t in g ou t
a p illar of ligh t , b u t m an y ligh t or b s. Each an d ever y gold en p at t er n on W an g
Don g’s w in gs w ou ld sp u r t ou t a sin gle or b of ligh t , cau sin g a t ot al of sever al t en s
of t h em t o ap p ear . In t h e n ext in st a n t , an or an ge ligh t illu m in at ed t h e en t ir e
ar en a.
T h eir op p on en t s n ever exp ect ed W an g Don g t o go all ou t t h e in st an t h e m ad e

a m ove. M or e im p or t an t ly, t h ey’d n ever exp ect ed t h e st r en gt h of h is Ligh t of
t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess t o b e t h is t er r ifyin g.
W it h t h e su p p or t of t h eir H aod on g Pow er , W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly

God d ess w as eq u ivalen t t o a t h r ee-r in ged Sou l Eld er u sin g t h eir t h ou san d year
sou l sk ill at t h e ver y least . All t h at t h eir op p on en t s cou ld d o w as r elease t h eir
sou l sk ills at fu ll p ow er an d d efen d again st it .
W h en t h e d azzlin g r ay of ligh t ap p ear ed , t h e t w o agilit y syst em sou l m ast er s

w er e alm ost im m ed iat ely b last ed ou t of t h e ar en a. Alt h ou gh t h e assau lt syst em
sou l m ast er w as ab le t o r em ain st an d in g in sid e of t h e ar en a, h is sou l p ow er h ad
b een alm ost en t ir ely d r ain ed , an d h e’d su ffer ed som e m in or in ju r ies.
Becau se of t h at , W a n g Don g u t t er ed an ext r em ely d om in eer in g sen t en ce aft er

h e’d u n fu r led h is d a zzlin g w in gs an d lan d ed , “Ar e you goin g t o leave t h e ar en a
b y you r self, or d o I n eed t o assist you ?”
Aft er t h at … t h er e w as n o ‘aft er t h at ’. T h is w as t h e qu ick est m at ch t h at h ad

occu r r ed sin ce t h e t ou r n am en t h ad b egu n . It w as also t h is m at ch t h a t h ad
cau sed W an g Don g’s p op u lar it y t o soar , an d m ad e m a n y p eop le r efer t o h im as
t h e n u m b er on e assa u lt syst em sou l m ast er .
Aft er t h e m at ch h a d en d ed , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g b ot h r u sh ed b ack t o

t h eir d or m s. In r ealit y, even t h ou gh W a n g Don g h ad r ecover ed h is sou l p ow er ,
h is over d r aw in g of it d u r in g t h e p r eviou s b at t le h ad cau sed h im t o su ffer a few
in ju r ies, r esu lt in g in h im b ein g a t a d isad van t age in a d r aw n -ou t figh t . H ow ever ,
on ly H u o Yu h ao an d h im k n ew ab ou t t h is. T h at w as w h y t h ey’d ch osen t o en d
t h e m at ch in su ch an exp losive m an n er . If t h ey’d m et an op p on en t sp ecialised in
d efen se lik e Xie H u an yu e w as, t h e d ifficu lt y of t h e m at ch w ou ld ’ve in cr eased
exp on en t ially—even if t h eir op p on en t on ly h ad t w o r in gs.
T h e secon d t h eir m at ch en d ed , H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao h ad

alr ead y en t er ed t h e t op 4 of t h e t ou r n am en t . In ot h er w or d s, t h ey w ou ld
d efin it ely r eceive a p r ize if t h ey w on an ot h er m at ch . If t h ey m an aged t o w in t w o
m or e m at ch es, t h ey’d b e t h e ch am p ion s of t h e t ou r n am en t .
Zh ou Yi h ad t old t h em t h at t h is year ’s b at ch of n ew st u d en t s’ q u alit y far

exceed ed t h at of t h e p r eviou s year s. If t h ey w er e ab le t o b ecom e ch am p ion s
d esp it e t h ese cir cu m st an ces, t h ey’d u n d ou b t ed ly h ave p r oven t h eir p ot en t ial.
Aft er t h ey r et u r n ed t o t h eir d or m r oom , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t set u p h is st all.

In st ead , h e im m ed iat ely b egan cu lt ivat in g w it h W an g Don g. W it h ou t Xiao
Xiao’s h elp , t h eir follow in g m at ch es w ou ld on ly get t ou gh er . Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey
cou ld n ’t u se t h e sam e t act ic a secon d t im e. T h eir exp losive m et h od of ob t ain in g
vict or y d u r in g t h eir p r eviou s m at ch h ad h ad an en or m ou s elem en t of su r p r ise t o
it ; n ow t h a t t h eir op p on en t s w er e p r ep ar ed for it , it ’d b e ext r em ely d ifficu lt t o
p u ll off again . H ow ever , t h is w as t h eir b est st r a t egy t o ach ieve vict or y w it h
b efor e Xiao Xiao r et u r n ed .
W h en m or n in g ar r ived , b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g sim u lt a n eou sly

op en ed t h eir eyes an d sep ar at ed t h eir p alm s fr om on e an ot h er . As t h e su n h ad
ju st r isen , H u o Yu h ao st ood u p fr om h is b ed an d op en ed t h e w in d ow in t h eir
r oom t h at faced east .
A sm id ge of p u r p le qu iet ly ap p ear ed w it h in t h e m ar b le-w h it e sk y, cau sin g

H u o Yu h ao’s eyes t o in st an t ly t u r n p u r p le.
Aft er t id yin g h is clot h es u p , W an g Don g w en t t o clean h im self u p .
Ever yt h in g occu r r ed in a n at u r al m an n er . Aft er b r eat h in g in som e fr esh air

t h at h ad b een let in b y t h e w in d ow , a fain t sm ile ap p ear ed on H u o Yu h ao’s face.
M om , can you see m e? Your son has al r eady becom e a t r ue soul m ast er . I ’ ve
even becom e a m em ber of one of t he t op 4 t eam s i n t he f r esh m en assessm en t of
t he cont i nen t ’ s num ber one soul m ast er academ y. Don’ t w or r y about m e; I ’ l l
def i ni t el y r et ur n t o see you. Si nce you’ ve suf f er ed so m any gr i evances, I ’ l l
def i ni t el y l et you have a gr and f uner al som eday. I ’ l l m ak e t hose w ho hel d you i n
cont em pt and bul l i ed you pay.
W i t h t h at , a t r ace of h ost i l i t y f l ash ed t h r ough H uo Yuh ao’ s eyes, causi n g a

l ayer of r ed t o f l ar e w i t h i n h i s eyes bef or e di sappear i n g.
H e di dn ’ t cul t i vat e so di l i gen t l y an d devot edl y just t o becom e a peak -l evel

exper t or t o becom e an exper t am on gst exper t s. H e just w an t ed r even ge—
r even ge f or h i s m ot h er . H e’ d n ever f or got t en t h e h um i l i at i on h e’ d suf f er ed
dur i n g h i s yout h . Al t h ough h e’ d r ecei ved w ar m t h f r om ot h er s, an d h ad f el t
f r at er n al l ove bet w een f r i en ds af t er en t er i n g Sh r ek Academ y, h e h adn ’ t
f or got t en t h e el even year s of pai n h e’ d suf f er ed. T h e m em or i es f r om h i s
ch i l dh ood w er e al r eady deepl y i n gr ai n ed i n h i s m i n d.
Yes, t h er e w oul d be a day w h en h e r et ur n ed t o t h e pl ace t h at h ad l ef t a bl ack

m ar k on h i s ch i l dh ood m em or i es, as w el l as w h er e h i s m ot h er ’ s r em ai n s w er e.
H uo Yuh ao’ s am bi t i on w as on e t h at n obody w oul d’ ve ever t h ough t of .

H ow ever , t h e seeds of r even ge h ad al r eady spr out ed i n h i s h ear t .
Af t er t h e t i m e n eeded t o br ew a cup of t ea h ad passed, W an g Don g push ed t h e

door open an d r e-en t er ed t h ei r r oom . W h en h e saw H uo Yuh ao, w h o w as st i l l
st an di n g by t h e w i n dow , h e coul dn ’ t h el p but puzzl edl y ask , “ Yuh ao, ar e you
ok ay?” I n t h e past , H uo Yuh ao w oul d al w ays be r eady t o go sh ow er on ce h e’ d
r et ur n ed. H ow ever , h e w as st i l l st an di n g i n f r on t of t h e w i n dow t oday.
H uo Yuh ao h ur r i edl y w i ped t h e t ear s f r om t h e r i m s of h i s eyes an d t ur n ed

ar oun d, f or cef ul l y put t i n g on a sm i l e. “ I ’ m f i n e, I w as just t h i n k i n g of m y
m ot h er .”
Regar d less of it h ad b een T an g Ya, Bei Bei, or W an g Don g, t h e on ly t h in g t h a t
H u o Yu h ao h ad said ab ou t h is p ar en t s w as t h at t h ey’d d ied , leavin g h im an
or p h an .
W an g Don g’s gaze im m ed iat ely t u r n ed soft . H e w alk ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao

an d said , “Don ’t feel sad . W h a t ’s h ap p en ed h as alr ea d y h ap p en ed . I’m su r e t h a t
Au n t y w ou ld w an t you t o b e h ap p y, n o? You ’ve alr ea d y h ad a com p let ely n ew
b egin n in g in Sh r ek Acad em y, so leave t h ose u n h ap p y t h in gs in you r p ast . Go
t ak e you r sh ow er q u ick ly. W e’ll cu lt ivat e a b it m or e on ce w e’r e d on e w it h
b r eak fast . T h is is t r u ly a p er fect exam p le of t h e p h r ase ,‘w h en it com es t im e t o
ap p ly you r k n ow led ge, you fin d t h at you d on ’t h ave en ou gh of it ’! If I’d w or k ed
h ar d er in t h e p ast , w e w ou ld n ’t b e t h is w or r ied n ow .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led , t h en gr ab b ed h is t oilet r ies an d left t h e r oom . Cou ld on e

sim p ly ju st for get t h eir r even ge? If on e cou ld ju st ‘for get ’ r even ge, w h at ot h er
for ce cou ld p r om p t a m er e eleven -year -old k id t o t r avel acr oss t h e lan d s an d
h ead t ow ar d s t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est ? W h at else cou ld m ot ivat e a k id —w h ose
t alen t w as ext r em ely b ad —t o t h e p oin t t h at h e w as at n ow ? H ow ever , even
t h ou gh r even ge cou ld b e a d r ivin g for ce at t im es, t h er e w er e t im es w h er e it
cou ld also clou d on e’s eyes.
Aft er sh ow er in g, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h u r r ied ly at e t h eir b r eak fast s,

t h en cu lt ivat ed u n t il t h e su n h ad r isen . Aft er t h e su n h ad r isen , t h ey left t h eir
r oom s an d h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e Assessm en t Ar ea. T h e ch am p ion s of t h is year ’s
k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t w ou ld b e d ecid ed t od ay, an d aft er get t in g all t h e w ay t o
t h e t op 4 , n on e of t h e t eam s w ou ld cow er fr om t h e ot h er s.
T h e n u m b er of sp ect at or s t od ay w as even gr eat er t h an yest er d ay. All of t h e

sp ect at or s w er e t each er s, of cou r se, as t h e st u d en t s st ill h ad t o con t in u e t h eir
classes. T h e on ly d iffer en ce w as t h at t h e slop p y old m an w h o’d ap p ear ed on t h e
t all st age yest er d ay h ad n ’t t u r n ed u p t od a y.
T h e t op 4 t eam s st ood t oget h er , w ait in g t o d r aw lot s. H ow ever , t h e p er son in

ch ar ge of t h e lot -d r aw in g t od ay w as n o lon ger t h e Dir ect or of t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d ’s M a r t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , Du W eilu n .
A w h it e-clot h ed old m an h ad t ak en h is p osit ion . W h en h e sa w t h is old m an ,
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t in w ar d ly feel ast on ish ed ; h e’d p r eviou sly seen t h is
old m an b efor e, w h en h e an d W an g Don g h ad m et t h e b er ser k M a Xiaot ao for
t h e fir st t im e!
At t h at t im e, t h is old m an h ad b een t h e p er son in ch ar ge of t h e t each er s

w h o’d r u sh ed over fr om t h e Sea God ’s Lak e. As t h e fr esh m en assessm en t ’s
k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t h ad p r ogr essed t o it s fin al st age t od ay, h e’d fin ally
sh ow n u p . T h is clear ly sh ow ed h is loft y p osit ion in t h e Acad em y. Even Dir ect or
Du W eilu n —w h o p ossessed an ext r em ely h igh am ou n t of au t h or it y in t h e
Acad em y—r esp ect fu lly st ood b esid e h im .
“Gr eet in gs, you t h s. I’m Yan Sh aozh e, t h e 261st Dean of Sh r ek Acad em y.” T h e
w h it e-clot h ed old m an car r ied a sm ile on h is face as h e sp ok e. H e h ad an
ext r em ely w ar m t em p er am en t , an d m ad e it seem as if h e w as on ly an or d in ar y
old m an .
Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y gu essed t h e m an ’s id en t it y—at least t o som e

ext en t —h e st ill u n con sciou sly st r aigh t en ed h is b ack w h en it w as p er son ally
an n ou n ced b y t h e m an , ju st lik e t h e ot h er st u d en t s.
J u st w h at st a t u s d id t h e Dean of Sh r ek Acad em y h ave? As t h e Dean of t h e

con t in en t ’s n u m b er on e acad em y, h e h ad t h e q u alifica t ion t o b e on equ al
foot in g w it h t h e em p er or of an y cou n t r y in t h e w or ld . Fu r t h er m or e, as t h e Dean
of Sh r ek Acad em y, h e w as d efin it ely a T it led Dou lu o su p er exp er t ! H e w as a
t r u e, p eak -level exist en ce on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t .
T h e Dean p er son ally ap p ear in g w as som et h in g t h at n on e of t h e fr esh m en

cou ld ’ve p r ed ict ed .
“I k n ow t h at all of you ar e ver y cu r iou s as t o w h y I’ve com e h er e, an d you ’r e

n ot w r on g t o b e so. Nor m ally, w h en t h e fr esh m en a ssessm en t en t er s it s last
st age, a Vice-Dean w ou ld b e su fficien t t o sh ow h ow m u ch t h e acad em y va lu es
you . H ow ever , I h ave t o ad m it t h at you r p er for m an ces d u r in g t h is fr esh m en
assessm en t h ave left m e ext r em ely p leased . I’ve com e b ecau se you all ar e t h e
b est b at ch of fr esh m en t h a t I’ve seen d u r in g t h e p ast h u n d r ed year s, so I’m ver y
in t er est ed in you all. In ad d it ion t o t h at , I’ll b e w at ch in g all of t h e m at ch es
t od ay, so I h op e t h at I’ll con t in u e t o b e p leasan t ly su r p r ised b y you all. Alr igh t ,
let t h e lot -d r aw in g b egin .”
Nat u r a lly, t h e Dean h im self cou ld n ’t d r aw t h e lot s. T h u s, Du W eilu n

h u r r ied ly t ook over t h e r esp on sib ilit y of d r aw in g lot s. H o w ever , Dean Yan
h im self w as p er son a lly h old in g t h e b allot cylin d er , w h ich im m ed iat ely ca u sed
all of t h e fr esh m en p r esen t t o feel t h eir b lood b oil.
T h is w as a su p er p ow er t h at w as on ly sp ok en of in t h e legen d s! T he Dean of
Shr ek Academ y i s act ual l y hol di ng t he bal l ot cyl i nder f or us! Not t o m en t i on
t h ese fr esh m en , even if a gr ou p of eigh t -r in ged Sou l Dou lu o w er e h er e, t h ey’d
st ill feel d eep ly h on ou r ed . In an in st an t , t h e fr esh m en felt u n con t r ollab ly
elat ed ; H u o Yu h ao a n d W an g Don g w er en ’t excep t ion s eit h er .
“T eam H u o Yu h ao fr om Class 1, p lease com e for w ar d t o d r aw you r lot .” T h is

t im e ar ou n d , t h e fir st t eam t o d r aw t h eir lot w as u n exp ect ed ly H u o Yu h ao’s
t eam .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g glan ced at each ot h er . “You go.” H u o Yu h ao

n u d ged h is fr ien d .
W an g Don g sh ook h is h ea d . “No, you ’r e t h e t eam lead er . Qu ick ly go a n d

d r aw .” W h ile sp eak in g, h e p u sh ed H u o Yu h ao ou t , m ak in g h im t h e fir st st u d en t
t o d r aw a lot fr om t h e Dean .
H u o Yu h ao felt som ew h at n er vou s as h e w alk ed for w ar d . W h en h e st r et ch ed

h is h an d ou t t o d r a w h is lot , h e alm ost cou ld n ’t con t r ol h is em ot ion s—h is ar m
w as even t r em b lin g.
Dean Yan sm iled . “Lit t le fella, t h er e’s n o n eed t o b e n er vou s. I h op e t h at you r

t eam can ob t ain good r esu lt s.”
Aft er d r aw in g h is lot , H u o Yu h ao t ook a st ep b ack an d r esp ect fu lly b ow ed

d eep ly t ow ar d s Yan Sh aozh e. Aft er w ar d s, h e h an d ed h is lot over t o Du W eilu n
b efor e w alk in g b ack t ow ar d s W an g Don g. By t h e t im e h e r each ed W a n g Don g,
h e d iscover ed t h a t t h e sp eed of h is h ear t b eat h ad d ou b led .
“Class 1, T eam H u o Yu h ao. Lot Nu m b er : 2.”
T h e n u m b er ‘t w o’ sign ified t h at t h ey’d b e com p et in g in t h e secon d ar en a

d u r in g t h e sem ifin als. T h er e w er e fou r n u m b er s in t h e cylin d er ; t w o ‘on es’, an d
t w o ‘t w os’.
“Class 5, T eam Dai H u ab in . Please com e for w ar d an d d r aw you r lot .”

A t all you t h w alk ed for w ar d s w it h lar ge st ep s. H u o Yu h ao h ad alw ays h ad a
good m em or y, b u t a s h e look ed t ow ar d s t h e b ack of t h is you t h , h e d iscover ed
t h at h e’d n ever seen t h is you t h d u r in g t h e lot -d r aw in gs of t h e p r eviou s m at ch es.
Clear ly, t h e t eam fr om Class 5 h ad ch an ged t h e p er son t h ey w er e sen d in g ou t t o
p ick t h eir lot d u e t o Dean Yan Sh aozh e’s ap p ear an ce.
T h e you t h w alk ed u p t o t h e st age an d , aft er salu t in g Yan Sh aozh e an d Du

W eilu n , d r ew a lot . Follow in g H u o Yu h ao, h e b ow ed d eep ly b efor e h an d in g h is
lot t o Du W eilu n . Aft er w ar d s, h e t u r n ed a w ay.
H is face w as h an d som e, yet ice-cold . H is lon g, gold en h air w as sp lit in t w o

at op h is h ea d , an d w as d r ap ed over h is sh ou ld er s. If on e w er e t o car efu lly
in sp ect h im , t h ey’d n ot ice t h at t h er e w er e u n exp ect ed ly t w o p u p ils in h is d eep
b lu e eyes. In ad d it ion t o t h at , h e w as a lso sligh t ly t aller t h an h is p eer s.
W h en H u o Yu h ao saw h im , h is en t ir e b od y su d d en ly sh ook violen t ly. An

in con ceivab le look filled h is eyes, a n d h is b od y su d d en ly b egan t r em b lin g
u n con t r ollab ly as h e gr ab b ed t h e ar m of W an g Don g, w h o w as n ext t o h im .
W an g Don g w as st ar t led b y h is su d d en m ovem en t . H e t u r n ed ar ou n d t o look

at H u o Yu h ao, on ly t o d iscover t h a t h is face w as ext r em ely p ale. An
u n con cealab le am ou n t of h a t r ed h ad ap p ear ed in h is eyes. H u o Yu h ao’s gr ip w a s
ext r em ely st r on g, so m u ch so t h at even W an g Don g felt t h at it w as sligh t ly
p ain fu l.
……
…….
“M om , I’ll h elp you d r y t h e clot h es.” A d elicat e seven or eigh t -year -old ch ild
st r en u ou sly h u gged a lar ge w ood en b u ck et an d u n st ead ily w alk ed ou t of t h e
cou r t yar d t o d r y t h e clot h es ou t sid e.
A b eau t ifu l, m id d le-aged w om an st ood in t h e cou r t yar d as sh e look ed at t h e
figu r e of t h e you t h , a gr at ified look in h er eyes. Sh e m u t t er ed t o h er self, “M y
Yu h ao h as t r u ly gr ow n u p . H e’s b ecom e m or e an d m or e t h ou gh t fu l.”
T h e lit t le Yu h ao car r ied t h e w ood en b u ck et an d left t h e cou r t yar d w it h m u ch

d ifficu lt y. W h en h e p assed t h r ou gh t h e p assage in fr on t of h im , h e’d b e ab ou t
t en st ep s for m t h e clot h es-d r yin g ar ea.
Righ t at t h at m om en t , a lar ge for ce su d d en ly slam m ed in t o h is b od y fr om t h e

sid e, viciou sly p u sh in g h is b od y, alon g w it h t h e b u ck et , t o t h e gr ou n d , cau sin g
t h e clot h es w h ich h a d ju st b een clean ed t o im m ed iat ely scat t er on t h e gr ou n d .
“You b ast ar d , d o you n ot h ave an y eyes? Did n ’t you see t h a t t h e you n g m ast er
h as r et u r n ed ? Scr ew off.” An over b ear in g voice r an g ou t . T h e lit t le Yu h ao
en d u r ed t h e p ain h e w as feelin g, on ly t o see eigh t st r on g-look in g gu ar d s
st an d in g b y eit h er sid e of t h e p at h w ay. T h e p er son w h o’d ju st k n ock ed h im
d ow n w as a gu ar d , an d a you t h —w h o w as w ear in g a w h it e r ob e em b r oid er ed
w it h t h e p at t er n of a w h it e p yt h on —w alk ed t ow ar d s h im .
T h e you t h look ed ext r em ely h an d som e, an d h e h ad t w o p u p ils in h is eyes. In

ad d it ion t o t h at , h e gave off a n ob le an d aloof feelin g. T h er e w as a st er n look in
h is eyes, h ow ever h e d id n ’t even sp ar e a glan ce t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao u n t il h e
st ep p ed on a p iece of clot h in g t h at h ad b een d ir t ied b y t h e m u d .
“H m m ?” T h e w h it e r ob ed you t h st op p ed an d glan ced cold ly t ow ar d s H u o

Yu h ao. “Beat h im u p .” W it h t h a t , h e q u ick ly w alk ed aw ay, as if h e w as sca r ed of
d ir t yin g h is eyes.
T w o of t h e eigh t gu ar d s im m ed iat ely r an t ow ar d s t h e lit t le Yu h ao, t h en b egan

t o viciou sly b eat h im u p .
H u o Yu h ao h ad on ly b een eigh t year s old at t h e t im e, so h ow cou ld h e even

h ave t h e en er gy t o r esist ? H ear in g t h e com m ot ion goin g on ou t sid e, H u o
Yu h ao’s m ot h er h a d r u sh ed ou t fr om t h e cou r t yar d an d u sed h er ow n b od y t o
sh ield h er son w h ile b it t er ly b eggin g t h e gu ar d s t o st op . H ow ever , t h e m ot h er
an d son d u o w er e b eat en t o w it h in an in ch of t h eir lives b efor e t h e t w o gu ar d s
fin ally st op p ed .
H u o Yu h ao w as st ill you n g at t h e t im e, so h is r ecover y ab ilit y w as a b it

st r on ger t h an h is m ot h er ’s. H ow ever , h is m ot h er ’s b od y w as alr ead y w eak fr om
an illn ess t h at h a d accu m u la t ed over h er m an y year s of h ar d w or k .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e b eat in g sh e’d r eceived t h is t im e h a d left h er w it h ext r em ely
sever e in ju r ies. Aft er t w o year s, sh e fell gr avely ill, a n d t h en et er n a lly left t h e
w or ld .
……
…….
T h r ee year s h ad p assed , an d h e’d gr ow n m u ch old er . H ow ever , even t h ou gh

t h is w as t h e case, H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ever for get h is p air of in d iffer en t eyes, n or
h is cold voice fr om t h at t im e.
It w as h im ; h e w as t h e m ain cu lp r it w h o’d cau sed h is m ot h er ’s d eat h . Red n ess

gr ad u ally filled H u o Yu h ao’s eyes. H e clear ly saw t h ose st r ik in g t w in p u p ils t h a t
sign ified t h e d ir ect d escen d an t s of t h e Du k e’s M an sion . An d t h at p er son w as t h e
you n gest son of t h e Du ch ess. In ot h er w or d s, h e w as h is h alf-b r ot h er ; h e w as t h e
p er son w h o’d cau sed t h e d eat h of h is m ot h er . H e w as Dai H u a b in .
Dai H u ab in ’s face w as as cold as ever . Even as h e st ood b efor e Dean Yan

Sh aoze, h e d id n ’t low er h is p r ou d h ea d . Un lik e t h e ot h er st u d en t s w h o’d st ood
b efor e t h e Dean , h e w as m u ch calm er . On ly h is t igh t ly clen ch ed fist s r evealed
t h e r est lessn ess in h is h ear t .
H e’d clear ly for got t en w h o H u o Yu h ao w as. T h at ’s r igh t ! Even t h ou gh h e’d

b r ou gh t a calam it y d ow n u p on H u o Yu h ao an d h is m ot h er at t h at t im e, h e’d
n ever r ecogn ised h im as h is h alf-b r ot h er .
“T eam Dai H u ab in , Lot Nu m b er 1.” Aft er Du W eilu n m ad e h is an n ou n cem en t ,

Dai H u ab in r et u r n ed t o h is t eam . H u o Yu h ao’s em ot ion s calm ed d ow n b y q u it e a
b it w h en h e w as n o lon ger ab le t o see Dai H u ab in ’s face. T h e cu r r en t h im
n eed ed W a n g Don g’s su p p or t t o even st an d fir m ly on t h e gr ou n d .
W an g Don g w as filled w it h sh ock . T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h a t H u o Yu h ao h ad

ever b een so em o t io n al, an d h e w as com p let ely u n su r e as t o w h at h ad h ap p en ed
t o h im . H ow ever , it w as cer t ain t h a t t h is h ad som et h in g t o d o w it h t h at Dai
H u ab in .
“Yu h ao, Yu h ao, calm d ow n . W h at h ap p en ed t o you ?” W a n g Don g soft ly

con soled h im .
As t h e lot -d r aw in g con t in u ed , n ob od y n ot iced t h e ch an ge in H u o Yu h ao’s

exp r ession . On ly w h en t h e lot -d r aw in g h ad en d ed d id H u o Yu h ao m an age t o
r egain h is com p osu r e. H ow ever , W an g Don g cou ld st ill feel h is b od y t r em b lin g.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w as t h e sor t of t r em b lin g t h at on ly occu r r ed w h en on e’s
em ot ion al st at e h ad r each ed it s lim it !
“Can you st ill figh t ?” W an g Don g ask ed , con cer n ed . T h er e w as n o t im e left t o

ask ‘w h y’, as t h e sem ifin als w er e ju st ab ou t t o st ar t .
H u o Yu h ao t ook a d eep b r eat h , t h en for cefu lly r est r a in ed t h e p ain h e h ad in

h is h ear t as h e soft ly n od d ed . “I can . J u st n ow , w h a t n u m b er d id Dai H u ab in
get ?”
W an g Don g fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s. H e di dn’ t even hear such a l oud

announcem ent ? T he change i n hi s em ot i ons w as t hat gr eat ?
“ H e dr ew a on e. I f w e f i gh t agai n st t h em , i t ’ l l be dur i n g t h e f i n al s. Ear l i er , I

h ear d som eon e say t h at h e w as t h e l ast t h r ee-r i n ged Soul El der l ef t i n t h e
f r esh m en assessm en t .”
“ A t h r ee-r i n ged Soul El der ?” A col d l i gh t f l ash ed t h r ough H uo Yuh ao’ s eyes.
“ Ri gh t ! A t h r ee-r i n ged Soul El der ? H e’ s h ad so m uch suppor t an d so m an y
r esour ces; w h y w oul dn ’ t h e be t h i s out st an di n g? Com e, l et ’ s go f i n i sh our
m at ch .”
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao seem ed t o h ave r egain ed h is com p osu r e. T h e
t r em b lin g on h is b od y an d t h e violen t em ot ion al flu ct u at ion s h e’d b een
exp er ien cin g com p let ely van ish ed . W an g Don g felt as if ever yt h in g t h at h ad ju st
h ap p en ed w er e ju st figm en t s of h is im a gin at ion . H ow ever , h e k n ew t h at t h ey
d efin it ely w er en ’t h a llu cin at ion s!
Chapt er 28.1: Syner gic Cooper at ion, Huo Yuhao
and Wang Dong Achieve Vict or y
H u o Yu h ao h ad b u r ied h is h at r ed for Dai H u ab in in t h e ver y d ep t h s of h is

h ear t . It h ad a lr ead y t u r n ed in t o a d r ivin g for ce for h im , an d as su ch h e w a s
w illin g t o go t o a n y len gt h s t o get r even ge for h is m ot h er . H ow ever , t h is w as
Sh r ek Acad em y, an d h e w an t ed t o st ay h er e in or d er t o b ecom e even st r on ger .
T h e r even ge h e w a n t ed w asn ’t ju st a sim p le m assacr e eit h er —h e w an t ed t o
con sole h is m ot h er ’s sou l in h eaven . H e k n ew w h at h is m ot h er ’s gr eat est w ish
w as; it w as som et h in g t h at sh e h ad n ’t even d ar ed t o h op e t o accom p lish w h ile
sh e’d b een alive. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao st ill aim ed t o com p let e it . Becau se of
t h at , h e cou ld n ’t ju st t h r ow ever yt h in g aw ay ju st for r even ge. Regar d less of
w h et h er or n ot h e cou ld d efeat Dai H u a b in , h e cou ld n ’t t h r ow aw ay h is life’s
gr eat est w ish for a sin gle p er son . If t h e t r u t h w er e t o b e exp osed , h e m igh t n ot
b e ab le t o con t in u e st u d yin g at Sh r ek Acad em y. T h er efor e, h e cou ld on ly
en d u r e; h e cou ld on ly b u r y h is h at r ed an d u se h is ow n m et h od t o ob t ain
r even ge.
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g’s op p on en t s d u r in g t h e sem ifin als w er e t h r ee

Sou l Gr an d m ast er s fr om Class 10 . M or eover , t h ey p ossessed som ew h at st r an ge
m ar t ial sou ls.
Even t h ou gh t h eir op p on en t s d id n ’t h a ve an y t h r ee-r in ged Sou l Eld er s on

t h eir t eam , t h ey d efin it ely st ill w er en ’t w eak . Aft er all, t h ey’d b een ab le t o st an d
ou t fr om t h e m asses an d r each t h eir cu r r en t p osit ion s.
T h e t h r ee fr esh m en fr om Class 10 w er e all b oys t h at h ad h er oic an d exu b er an t

ap p ear an ces.
“Class 10 , Zh ou Sich en . I’m an assau lt syst em Sou l Gr an d m ast er .”

“Class 10 , Lon g Xian gyu e. I’m an agilit y syst em Sou l Gr an d m a st er .”
“Class 10 , Cao J in xu an . I’m a con t r ol syst em Sou l Gr an d m ast er .”
T h eir r esou n d in g an d for cefu l voices w er e a m an ifest at ion of t h eir

con fid en ce. T h ey d id n ’t h ave an y t r aces of fear in t h eir eyes as t h ey faced H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g.
“Class 1, H u o Yu h ao. I’m a con t r ol syst em Sou l M ast er .”
“Class 1, W an g Don g. I’m an assau lt syst em Sou l Gr an d m ast er .”
Du e t o W an g Don g’s b r eat h t ak in g p er for m an ce d u r in g t h eir p r eviou s m at ch ,

t h e p r oct or —w h o cou ld b e con sid er ed t h e ju d ge of t h e sem ifin al r ou n d —h ad
b een sw it ch ed t o a r ou gh ly sixt y-year -old eld er . H e gave off an ext r em ely st r on g
au r a sim p ly b y st a n d in g t h er e, sh ow in g t h at h e w as an ext r em ely st r on g
exist en ce. H e w as clear ly an esp ecially st r on g t each er t h at ’d b een sen t ou t t o
p r even t an y accid en t s fr om occu r r in g d u r in g t h e m at ch .
“M at ch , st ar t !” As soon as t h e p r oct or an n ou n ced it , t h e sem ifin als officially

b egan . At t h e sam e t im e, an in t en se clash h ad also b egu n in Ar en a 1, w h er e Dai
H u ab in w as.
Sin ce it w as on ly t h e t w o of t h em left , H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g cou ld n ’t

m ove far aw ay fr om each ot h er ; t h ey clear ly u n d er st ood t h at t h ey d id n ’t h ave
an y ch an ce of vict or y in a 2v3 sit u at ion w it h ou t u sin g t h eir H aod on g Pow er .
T h is t im e ar ou n d , H u o Yu h ao st ood in fr on t , w h ile W an g Don g st ood b eh in d

h im . Aft er w ar d s, t h e t w o of t h em sim u lt an eou sly r eleased t h eir m ar t ia l sou ls.
W an g Don g t h en fold ed h is w in gs ar ou n d H u o Yu h ao, en velop in g h im w it h in
t h em lik e a m at aw n in g.
T h eir op p on en t s h ad clear ly d on e som e r esear ch on t h eir b at t le st yles.

Con sid er in g W an g Don g’s su d d en exp losiven ess in yest er d ay’s m at ch , t h ey’d
p aid a lar ge am ou n t of at t en t ion t o h im . As su ch , t h eir op p on en t s in st an t ly
r eleased all of t h eir st r en gt h t h e m om en t t h e m at ch st ar t ed .
H ow ever , t h e agilit y syst em Lon g Xian gyu e d id n ’t ch ar ge for w ar d s
st r aigh t aw ay. In st ea d , h e qu ick ly h id b eh in d Zh ou Sich en ’s b ack . Su r p r isin gly,
Cao J in xu an d id t h e sam e as w ell, cau sin g t h e t h r ee of t h em t o st an d in a
st r aigh t lin e.
In t h at in st an t , t h eir st r an ge m ar t ial sou ls ap p ear ed .
A w h it e ligh t sh on e as as a b ook ap p ear ed w it h in Zh ou Sich en ’s h an d s. At t h e

sam e t im e, b ot h of h is h u n d r ed year so u l r in gs lit u p , cau sin g t h e b ook ’s p ages
t o flu t t er op en an d r elease t w o r ays of ligh t in su ccession . T h ese r ays of ligh t
t h en con gealed in fr on t of h im .
T h is w as Zh ou Sich en ’s sp ecial T ool Sou l, t h e T r easu r e Bib le.
Nor m ally sp eak in g, b ook -t yp e m ar t ial sou ls w er e t r ash sou ls t h at ver y few
p eop le h ad b een ab le t o su ccessfu lly cu lt iva t e. H ow ever , Zh ou Sich en h ad a
var ian t m ar t ia l sou l; h is T r easu r e Bib le h ad even given h im Ran k 7 in n at e sou l
p ow er . Fu r t h er m or e, h e cou ld d ir ect ly a b sor b t h e en er gy of an y sou l b east h e
k illed for it s sou l r in g, w h en ever h is sou l p ow er r each ed a b ot t len eck . M ost
im p or t an t ly, h e h ad n o at t r ib u t e r est r ict ion s for h is sou l r in gs, so h e cou ld
ab sor b an d u t ilise t h e ab ilit ies of an y sou l r in gs h e ab sor b ed . In ot h er w or d s, h e
cou ld u se an ice-t yp e sou l sk ill on e m om en t , b efor e u sin g a fir e-t yp e sou l sk ill
t h e n ext . It w as an ext r em ely u n u su al T o ol Sou l.
At t h at m om en t , h e’d r eleased t w o sou l sk ills, w h ich h a d in -t u r n for m ed t w o

b east s. On e of t h e b east s h e’d su m m on ed w as a b ear cover ed in yellow ligh t ,
w h ile t h e o t h er w as a fier ce t iger cover ed in flam es.
Ever sin ce h e’d ob t a in ed h is T r easu r e Bib le, Zh ou Sich en ’s goal h ad b een t o

b ecom e an assau lt syst em sou l m ast er . Becau se of t h at , even t h ou gh h e cou ld
ch oose an y sou l b east t o b ecom e h is sou l r in g, h e’d on ly ch osen on es t h at h ad
assau lt syst em sou l sk ills. T h is w as all for t h e sak e of h is d r eam of b ecom in g an
assau lt syst em sou l m ast er .
T h e b ear an d t iger d u o h u r r ied ly r u sh ed in fr on t of t h e t h r ee, t h en r oar ed
t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g.
H ow ever , t h e p er son st an d in g b eh in d h im w asn ’t t h e agilit y syst em Lon g

Xian gyu e, b u t t h e con t r ol syst em Cao J in xu an . Cao J in xu an h ad a look of
con cen t r at ion in h is eyes, an d w as em it t in g a d ist or t ed h alo of ligh t . Even
p eop le st an d in g n ext t o h im w ou ld t h in k t h at h e look ed som ew h at b lu r r y.
H ow ever , d esp it e t h at , an exq u isit e clock h ad qu iet ly ap p ear ed ab ove h is h ead .
T h e clock it self w as h or sesh oe-sh ap ed , a n d it s w h it e b od y w as r ou gh ly h alf a

m et er t all. It s w at ch face w as r ou n d , an d a r ot or en gr aved w it h gold en p at t er n s
ligh t ly sw ayed b en eat h it . Aft er t h e clock ap p ear ed , b ot h of Cao J in xu an ’s
h u n d r ed year sou l r in gs seem ed t o h ave b ecom e a p ar t of h is b od y, cau sin g t h em
t o r h yt h m ically sw ay in -syn c w it h t h e clock .
Zh ou Sich en ’s T r easu r e Bib le w as alr ead y som et h in g r ar e, bu t Cao J in xu an ’s

clock w as a r ar it y am on gst r ar it ies; h is m ar t ial sou l w as k n ow n as t h e ‘T im e
Elap sin g Clock ’, an d it s r ar it y am on gst T ool Sou ls w asn ’t in fer ior t o W an g
Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
T h e t h r ee w er e sim u lt an eou sly m ovin g t oget h er , so n at u r ally, Lon g Xian gyu e

cou ld n ’t b e lack in g com p ar ed t o t h e ot h er t w o. H e’d m ain t ain ed a r elat ively
lar ge d ist an ce fr om Cao J in xu an , b u t t h ey w er e st ill in a st r aigh t lin e. Desp it e
b ein g an agilit y syst em sou l m ast er , h e u n exp ect ed ly p ossessed a T ool Sou l as
w ell. Aft er r eleasin g h is m ar t ial sou l, an en or m ou s b oom er an g ap p ear ed in h is
h an d . On e ‘sid e’ of t h e b oom er an g w as m or e t h an a foot lon g, so it look ed
som ew h at im b alan ced in t h e h an d s of Lon g Xian gyu e, w h o h ad n ’t even t u r n ed
t w elve.
Aft er t h e b oom er an g ap p ear ed in h is h an d , Lon g Xian gyu e p au sed sligh t ly for

a m om en t . Im m ed ia t ely aft er w ar d s, h e b en t h is b od y b ack w ar d s, t h en ab r u p t ly
sw u n g h is b od y b ack t ow ar d s t h e fr on t a s h e sen t t h e b oom er an g flyin g ou t . In
t h e in st an t t h at h e m ad e h is m ove, b ot h of h is sou l r in gs lit u p .
H ow ever , h is exp r ession su d d en ly ch an ged t h e in st an t h e m a d e h is m ove, as
h is or igin a lly clear ju d gem en t h ad su d d en ly t u r n ed vagu e.
T h eir t h r ee-m a n for m at ion w as u n d ou b t ed ly sp ecialised t o figh t again st H u o

Yu h ao an d W an g Don g; h ow cou ld t h e t w o of t h em sim p ly sit t h er e an d w at ch
w it h ou t d oin g an yt h in g?
Of t h e five p eop le in t h e ar en a, t h e fir st p er son t o h ave r eleased t h eir sou l

sk ill h a d act u a lly b een H u o Yu h ao.
T h e in st an t h e’d seen t h eir op p on en t s lin e t h em selves u p , h e’d k n ow n t h a t

t h ey w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o p u ll off t h e sam e t r ick again st t h em . Regar d less of w h o
h e w as figh t in g again st , H u o Yu h ao w ou ld alw ays r elease h is Sp ir it u al Det ect io n
Sh ar in g in t h e fir st p ossib le in st an t t h at h e co u ld . It w as p r act ically
u n d et ect ab le, yet it w as ab le t o give t h em an ext r em ely lar ge ad van t age.
Chapt er 28.2: Syner gic Cooper at ion, Huo Yuhao
and Wang Dong Achieve Vict or y
Becau se of t h at , t h e agilit y syst em Lon g Xian gyu e w as st r u ck b y H u o Yu h ao’s

sou l sk ill t h e in st an t h e t h r ew ou t h is b oom er an g. T h e sk ill h e w as st r u ck b y w as
on e of t h e fou r sou l sk ills t h at cam e fr om h is fir st sou l r in g—Sp ir it u a l
In t er fer en ce.
H is Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce’s st r en gt h w as m u ch w eak er t h an h is Sp ir it u al

Sh ock ’s, so m u ch so t h at it cou ld p r act ically b e d isr egar d ed . Even W an g Don g
h ad n ’t sen sed t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad r eleased it . In or d er t o con ceal t h e fact t h at
h e’d r eleased an all-n ew sou l sk ill, H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t allow ed W an g Don g t o
t ou ch h im , so t h at h e d id n ’t u se it w it h t h eir H aod on g Pow er . In st ead , h e’d
m ad e su r e t o r elease h is Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce w it h h is st r en gt h alon e.
T h e in t er fer en ce t h at occu r r ed for a sp lit secon d cau sed a h is con sciou sn ess
b ecom e som ew h at b lu r r y for a m om en t , h ow ever at t h at m om en t , W an g Don g
h ad en velop ed h im w it h in h is w in gs, t h u s p r ot ect in g H u o Yu h ao.
T h e b oom er an g sh ot t h r ou gh t h e air , car vin g a b eau t ifu l ar c t h r ou gh t h e air

as it flew t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g. Fr om t h e in t en se ligh t r eleased
fr om t h e b oom er an g, as w ell as t h e t w o sou l sk ills t h a t h a d b een ad d ed t o it , it
w as ob viou s t h at it cou ld n ’t b e b lock ed easily. H ow ever , it w as st ill d isr egar d ed
b y t h e t w o of t h em .
W an g Don g h ad r evealed h is st r en gt h in t h e p r eviou s m at ch , b u t t h e m a in

ch ar act er in t h is m at ch w as n ow H u o Yu h ao.
T h e in st a n t Lon g Xian gyu e t h r ew ou t h is b oom er an g, an in t en se p u r p lish -

gold en ligh t sh ot ou t fr om H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, w h o w as m ost ly con cealed w it h in
W an g Don g’s w in gs.
Zh ou Sich en on ly h ear d a m u ffled gr oan fr om b eh in d h im . Im m ed iat ely
aft er w ar d s, t h e T im e Elap sin g Clock t h at h a d ju st b een r eleased in st an t ly
d isap p ear ed ; Cao J in xu e h ad n ’t even h ad t h e ch an ce t o r elease a sou l sk ill.
Un d er Lon g Xian gyu e’s ast on ish ed gaze, Cao J in xu e collap sed t o t h e gr ou n d
u n con sciou s.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o w as ab le t o con t r ol t h e st r en gt h of h is H aod on g Pow er -

b oost ed Sp ir it u al Sh ock aft er h is exp er ien ce w it h it last t im e. T h u s, Cao J in xu an
on ly fain t ed —h e w asn ’t in ju r ed lik e Nin g T ian h ad b een .
Cao J in xu an ’s m ar t ial sou l h ad seem ed r at h er u n u su al, an d h e w as even a

con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er . In H u o Yu h a o’s op in ion , h e w as t h e m ost d an ger ou s
of t h e t h r ee. T h u s, h e h ad n ’t h esit a t ed t o u se H aod on g Pow er t o in st an t ly t ak e
car e of h im . Aft er all, n ot ever y sou l m ast er w ou ld p ossess a d efen sive m ar t ial
sou l as p er ver t ed as t h e Ru b b er d on . Cao J in xu an w asn ’t an excep t ion t o t h is.
Defen seless, h e in st a n t ly fain t ed .
“Pu ——” T h e b oom er an g st r u ck t h e gr ou n d a foot aw ay fr om H u o Yu h ao an d

W an g Don g. T h e sh ar p au r a it em an at ed st ar t led even W an g Don g, an d even
t h ou gh h e d id n ’t k n ow w h at Lon g Xian gyu e’s sou l sk ills w er e, h e w as st u p ified
t o d iscover t h at it ’d b e ext r em ely d ifficu lt t o b lock it w it h ou t t ak in g an y d am age
if h e w er e t o clash w it h it h ead -on .
Zh ou Sich en glan ced b ack w ar d s an d op en ed h is m ou t h , ast on ish ed . H e’d

clear ly b een st an d in g in fr on t of Cao J in xu an , b u t h e’d st ill b een k n ock ed
u n con sciou s. J u st h ow h ad t h eir op p on en t s d on e it ? Na t u r a lly, h e d id n ’t k n ow
of t h e exist en ce of som et h in g lik e H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . As lon g as
on e w as in h is d et ect ion r ad iu s, t h ey w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o h id e fr om h im ; n ot
even if t h ey flew in t o t h e air or h id u n d er gr ou n d .
H ow ever , as a t eam lead er , Zh ou Sich en w as ab le t o r em ain ext r em ely cool-

h ead ed . Aft er b ein g st ar t led for a b r ief m om en t , h e in st an t ly k n ew t h a t h e
cou ld n ’t k eep gu ar d in g h im self. Bot h t h e Ear t h en Bear an d Devilflam e T iger
h e’d su m m on ed r oar ed sim u lt an eou sly b efor e t h ey ch ar ged t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao
an d W an g Don g.
T h e b oom er an g t h a t h ad lan d ed b esid e t h e t w o of t h em d isap p ear ed , t h en
r eap p ear ed in Lon g Xian gyu e’s h an d .
T h is t im e ar ou n d , Lon g Xian gyu e b ecam e m or e vigilan t an d con cen t r at ed as

h e p r ep ar ed t o t h r o w t h e b oom er an g again . Aft er cover in g h im self w it h d en se
sou l p ow er , h e t h r ew it .
H u o Yu h ao on ly h ad a sin gle sou l r in g, a n d w asn ’t w illin g t o exp ose t h e fact

t h at h e p ossessed h is Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce sou l sk ill. H o w ever , for h im t o
d isr u p t a p r ep ar ed sou l m ast er w it h ou t t h e assist an ce of t h e H aod on g Pow er
w ou ld b e an ext r em ely d ifficu lt t ask . T h is t im e ar ou n d , t h e b oom er an g h ad
com p let ely lock ed on t o h im .
T h is w as Zh ou Sich en ’s or igin al p lan . Fr om t h e u n d er st an d in g t h ey h ad

t ow ar d s H u o Yu h a o’s t eam , t h ey w er e ab le t o fain t ly gu ess t ow ar d s t h e
im p or t an ce of t h is on e-r in ged sou l m a st er . T h u s, h e’d w an t ed Lon g Xian gyu e t o
go all-ou t an d t ak e car e of H u o Yu h ao b efor e t h ey d id an yt h in g else. As lon g as
t h e r efer ee sen sed t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o t a k e h is b low , h e’d
d ir ect ly r em ove H u o Yu h ao fr om t h e m at ch . Aft er t h at , t h ey cou ld join for ces t o
figh t again st W an g Don g, w h ich w ou ld p r act ically b e a d efin it e w in for t h em .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o com p let ely ign or ed h is b oom er an g. Un d er t h e st r en gt h -

am p lifyin g ab ilit ies of t h e H aod on g Pow er , t h e p u r p lish -gold en ligh t sh ot ou t
fr om H u o Yu h ao’s eyes again , t h is t im e t o w ar d s Zh ou Sich en .
Aft er Cao J in xu an ’s su d d en fain t in g, h ow cou ld Zh ou Sich en n ot b e car efu l?

H e’d d on e t h e sam e t h in g as Lon g Xian gyu e; h e cir cu la t ed h is sou l p ow er ar ou n d
h is en t ir e b od y, esp ecially h is b r ain . H e d id all of t h is ju st t o p r ot ect h im self
fr om H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l sk ill.
Un for t u n at ely, h e w as figh t in g again st a sk ill p ow er ed b y H u o Yu h ao an d

W an g Don g’s com b in ed effor t s. H ow cou ld h is Sp ir it u a l Sh ock —eq u ivalen t t o
an at t ack fr om a Sou l Eld er —b e so easily d efen d ed again st ?
T h e in st an t t h a t p u r p lish -gold en ligh t sh ot ou t fr om H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, Zh ou
Sich en ’s h ea d su d d en ly r ock ed b ack w ar d s, as if h e’d su ffer ed a h eavy b low .
Im m ed iat ely aft er w a r d s, h is b od y follow ed su it .
Fr om h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o t ell t h at h e’d gu ar d ed

h im self again st sp ir it u al-t yp e at t ack s. Becau se of t h at , h is Sp ir it u al Sh ock t h is
t im e w as at fu ll p ow er .
Zh ou Sich en k n ew w h at h is op p on en t w as in t en d in g t o d o, yet h e’d st ill b een

u n ab le t o d o an yt h in g ab ou t it . H ow ever , t h e d efen se of an assau lt syst em sou l
m ast er w as r ela t ively st r on g, an d alt h ou gh t h e at t ack w as ab le t o k n ock h im
d ow n , h e h a d n ’t yet fain t ed . H e h ad , h ow ever , lost con t r ol of t h e t w o sou l sk ills
h is T r easu r e Bib le h ad r eleased , r esu lt in g in t h e t w o b east s su d d en ly st op p in g in
t h e m id d le of t h eir ch ar ge t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g.
T h e in st an t h e r eleased h is secon d Sp ir it u a l Sh ock , H u o Yu h ao sh ou t ed ,

“T each er , save m e!”
T h e b oom er an g h ad alr ead y cr ossed h alf t h e d ist an ce b et w een Lon g Xian gyu e
an d H u o Yu h ao, an d it w as ju st ab ou t t o r each H u o Yu h ao. H ow ever , W an g
Don g d id n ’t p r ot ect h im ; h e u n fu r led h is w in gs in st ea d . An in t en se, gold en ligh t
b egan t o ap p ear on h is d azzlin g b lu e w in gs. T h is w as h is secon d sou l sk ill, t h e
Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess. At t h at exact m om en t , t h e H aod on g Pow er t h a t
h ad or igin ally b een in H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, r u sh ed in t o W an g Don g’s b od y,
r ap id ly fillin g it u p .
W h en h e h ear d H u o Yu h ao’s cr y of h elp , t h e p r oct or n a t u r ally cou ld n ’t

sim p ly ign or e h im . W h en a st u d en t cr ied ou t for h elp d u r in g t h e fr esh m en
assessm en t , it sign ified t h at h e’d given u p an d w ou ld n o lon ger at t ack .
A b lack figu r e flash ed , an d t h e b oom er an g ap p ear ed in t h e h an d s of t h e

p r oct or . Nob od y saw t h e p r oct or r elease h is sou l p ow er or a sou l sk ill, yet t h e
ligh t fr om t h e b oom er an g h ad alr ea d y van ish ed .
At t h at exact m om en t , W an g Don g r eleased h is Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly
God d ess.
Righ t . Aft er cr yin g ou t for h elp , H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t even at t em p t ed t o d efen d

h im self, so m u ch so t h at h e’d even w it h d r aw n h is m ar t ial sou l, cau sin g t h e
sin gle w h it e r in g ar ou n d h is b od y t o d isa p p ear . Nob od y cou ld claim t h a t h e w as
b r eak in g t h e r u les, b u t in r ealit y, h e’d t r an sfer r ed all of t h e H aod on g Pow er
t h ey’d cr eat ed t o W a n g Don g.
Im m ed iat ely aft er w a r d s, t h e or an ge t in t ed gold en ligh t d evast at ed t h e en t ir e

ar en a.
T h e r efer ee, w h o’d ju st cau gh t t h e b oom er an g, h ad n o ch oice b u t t o m ak e a

m ove yet again . H e r eleased an en or m ou s u m b r ella, w h ich in st an t ly exp an d ed
ou t w ar d s. On ly t h en w as h e ab le t o b lock W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly
God d ess, w h ich w as a b om b ar d in g at t ack t h at last ed for t h r ee secon d s. H e k n ew
t h at b ot h t h e collap sed Zh ou Sich en an d Cao J in xu e, alon g w it h Lon g
Xian gyu e—w h o’d ju st r eleased h is b oom er an g—w er e sim p ly u n ab le t o b lock
W an g Don g’s at t ack .
T eam H u o Yu h ao h ad w on yet again , allow in g t h em t o ad van ce t o t h e fin als.

Book 5: The Championship Fight
Chapt er 29.1: The Two Deans
As t h e m at ch goin g on in t h e ot h er ar en a m agn ificen t ly con t in u ed , t h e

sem ifin al m at ch in Ar en a 1 h ad alr ead y en d ed . T h e t im e it h ad t ak en for T eam
H u o Yu h ao’s m at ch t o en d w as m u ch sh or t er t h an a n yon e h ad exp ect ed .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad w on again . Even t h ou gh t h ey w er e lack in g a

t eam m em b er , t h ey’d st ill b een ab le t o w in t h e t w o m at ch es aft er w ar d s,
allow in g t h em t o p r ogr ess d ir ect ly fr om t h e t op 8 t o t h e t op 2.
Alt h ou gh t h is m a t ch h ad en d ed ver y q u ick ly, t h ey w er e st ill lack in g a p er son ,

w h ich h ad m ad e it a ver y n ar r ow vict or y. If it w er en ’t for t h eir H aod on g Pow er
p layin g an ext r em ely cr u cial r ole in t h eir m at ch es, t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave even h ad
a ch an ce at w in n in g. If t h is w er e a life an d d ea t h m at ch , it w ou ld b e ver y h a r d t o
t ell w h o w ou ld ’ve w on .
H u o Yu h ao h ad u sed t h e r u les t o h is a d van t age, w h ich h a d allow ed h im t o

escap e u n scat h ed fr om t h e b oom er an g d u e t o t h e p r oct or ’s p r ot ect ion .
H ow ever , w h at if t h er e t h er e h ad n ’t b een a p r oct or ? W an g Don g w ou ld ’ve h ad
t o b lock Lon g Xian gyu e’s at t ack for h im . Fu r t h er m or e, H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ’t
h ave b een ab le t o act ivat e h is Sp ir it u al Sh ock on Zh ou Sich en in a sit u at ion lik e
t h at . On ce h is t w o su m m on ed b east s join ed t h e b at t le, it w ou ld ’ve b ecom e h ar d
t o p r ed ict t h e ou t com e.
T h eir ch an ge in t act ics, in ad d it ion t o t h e ap p ear an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s fou r

sou l sk ills, h ad a llow ed t h em t o b ar ely ek e ou t a vict or y. H ow ever , n ear ly all of
t h eir sk ills h a d b een exp osed . H u o Yu h a o h ad alr ea d y u sed h is Sp ir it u al Sh ock
m u lt ip le t im es d u r in g t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t , t h u s t h eir fu t u r e op p on en t s
w ou ld d efin it ely b e vigilan t t ow ar d s it .
T h e fr esh m en assessm en t w as on ly d esign ed t o t est t h e cu lt ivat ion of a

st u d en t ’s m ar t ial sou l. H ow ever , m od er n sou l m ast er s w er e alw ays equ ip p ed
w it h sou l t ools d u r in g com b at , an d t h er e w as n o lack of ext r em ely d efen sive
sou l t ools. At m an y t im es, t h e a d van t a ges a m ar t ial sou l h ad w ou ld act u ally
b ecom e d isad van t ages b ecau se of t h is.
Desp it e t h is, a vict or y w as st ill a vict or y. Aft er d efeat in g Zh ou Sich en ’s t eam

of t h r ee, T eam H u o Yu h ao h ad for m ally en t er ed t h e t op 2. T h ey w er e
gu ar an t eed t o at least ob t ain secon d p lace, w h ich also gu ar an t eed t h em a p r ize.
As soon as t h e m at ch en d ed , t h ey im m ed iat ely left t h e Assessm en t Ar ea an d

w en t b ack t o t h eir d or m r oom . It w as h igh ly p r ob ab le t h at t h eir last op p on en t
w ou ld b e t h e t eam fr om Class 5 t h a t Dai H u ab in led . As t o w h et h er or n ot Xiao
Xiao w ou ld r ecover in t im e for t h e m at ch , H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t clear . H ow ever , a
sp ar k h ad alr ea d y b een lit in h is h ear t ; h e h ad t o w in t h is n ext m at ch .
On ce t h ey got b ack t o t h eir d or m s, W an g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask , “Yu h ao,

w h at h ap p en ed t o you b efor e t h e m a t ch ? Did you r ecogn ise t h at Dai H u ab in ?”
H u o Yu h ao’s r eact ion w h en saw Dai H u ab in h ad b een ext r em ely st r an ge. T h e
n or m ally-calm H u o Yu h ao h ad alm ost lost con t r ol of h im self; h ow cou ld W an g
Don g n ot b e b affled ?
H u o Yu h ao t ook a d eep b r eat h . Aft er h ear in g t h e w or d s ‘Dai H u ab in ’, h is

b od y sh ook u n con t r ollab ly. H e low er ed h is h ead an d m ad ly r u ffled h is h air
b efor e sit t in g d ow n h eavily on h is b ed . Aft er w ar d s, h e slow ly sp ok e in a h oar se
voice, “Dai H u ab in is t h e son of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e. You sh ou ld k n ow w h o
t h e W h it e T iger Du k e is.”
W an g Don g n od d ed . “Nat u r a lly. T h e W h it e T iger Du k e is t h e h er ed it ar y an d

p er p et u al Gr an d Du k e of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e. H e h as an ext r em ely ven er at ed
p osit ion . T h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s clan w a s or igin ally t h e r oyal fam ily of t h e St ar
Lu o Em p ir e. H ow ev er , t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e w as n ear ly d est r oyed d u r in g a
m assive w a r t h at occu r r ed a few t h ou sa n d year s ago. T h e em p ir e w as on ly saved
d u e t o t h e coop er at ion of a few lar ge sect s in t h e em p ir e. W h en t h at h ap p en ed ,
t h ose sect s gu ar d ed t h e en t ir e cou n t r y. At t h at t im e, t h e b lood lin e of t h e W h it e
T iger Du k e h ad w it h er ed t o t h e p oin t t h at t h ey w er e ext r em ely w eak , an d t h eir
su b ject s w er e u n w illin g t o con t in u e ser vin g t h em . T h u s, t h at gen er a t ion ’s
W h it e T iger Du k e st ep p ed d ow n an d gave t h e t h r on e of t h e em p er or t o t h e
gen er al w h o’d q u elled t h e r eb ellion t h at h ad occu r r ed . T h at gen er al’s fam ily is
t h e cu r r en t r oyal fam ily of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e. H ow ever , r oyal b lood st ill flow s
t h r ou gh t h e vein s of t h e W h it e T iger Du k ed om , so t h e n ew em p er or b est ow ed
h im w it h t h e h er ed it ar y p osit ion of Gr a n d Du k e so t h at h is fam ily cou ld en joy
r ich es an d h on or in p er p et u it y.”
“T h e b lood flow in g t h r ou gh t h e vein s of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s clan is st ill

t h e b lood of a for m er r oyal fam ily, so t h e W h it e T iger m a r t ial sou l t h at t h ey
p ass on is an ext r em ely st r on g Beast Sou l. T h e h ead of ou r Sh r ek Acad em y’s fir st
gen er at ion Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s w as t h e Evil Eyed W h it e T iger Dai M u b ai,
w h o cam e fr om t h e W h it e T iger Du k ed om . I d id n ’t t h in k t h at t h is Dai H u ab in
w ou ld act u ally b e a d escen d an t of t h e W h it e T iger Du k ed om .”
W an g Don g’s voice p au sed . H e look ed H u o Yu h ao st r aigh t in t h e eye. “T h en ,

t h en you an d Dai H u ab in ….”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “M y m ot h er w as a ser van t of t h eir clan , w h ile I w as b or n

w it h ou t a fat h er . M y m ot h er w or k ed in t h e W h it e T iger Du k ed om in or d er t o
p r ovid e for m e….” H e d id n ’t say t h a t h e w as act u ally on e of t h e W h it e T iger
Du k e’s son s, as h e’d n ever t h ou gh t of h im as h is fat h er . Fu r t h er m or e, h e h at ed
t h e m an w h o’d r u in ed h is m ot h er ’s life. H e’d r at h er say t h at h e d id n ’t h ave a
fat h er , an d w a sn ’t w illin g t o ad m it t h e t r u t h of h is r ea l id en t it y. As h e t old t h e
st or y of h is life t o W an g Don g, abou t h ow h is m ot h er h ad b een b eat en u p for t h e
sak e of p r ot ect in g h im , an d h ow sh e’d fin ally d ied of h er illn esses, H u o Yu h ao
w as r ed u ced t o t ear s.
“T h at b ast ar d .” W a n g Don g su d d en ly sm ack ed t h e w ood en b ed an d st ood u p

w it h a ‘w h oosh ’.
“W h at ar e you d oin g?” H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly gr ab b ed ah old of h im .
W an g Don g an gr ily said , “I’m n at u r a lly goin g t o h elp you seek r even ge! Let ’s
go! Let ’s go r igh t n ow !” H e’d or igin ally t h ou gh t t h at H u o Yu h ao w as ju st an
or d in ar y k id w h o’d b een b or n p oor . On ly n ow h ad h e b ecom e aw ar e of w h at
H u o Yu h ao h ad gon e t h r ou gh . It w as n o w on d er t h at h e’d alr ead y b ecom e as
silen t as h e w a s b y t h e m er e age of t w elve. Fu r t h er m or e, h e w as m u ch ca lm er
t h an h is p eer s, an d h e cu lt ivat ed lik e h is life d ep en d ed on it .
H u o Yu h ao st ood u p an d p u sh ed W an g Don g b ack on t o t h e b ed . A ligh t

flash ed t h r ou gh h is eyes. “No, w e can ’t d o t h at . It ’s n ot t im e t o con fr on t h im
yet . T h is is Sh r ek Acad em y. Let ’s n ot even m en t ion w h et h er or n ot w e h ave t h e
st r en gt h t o d o an yt h in g t o h im w it h in t h e con fin es of t h e Acad em y; t h e
Acad em y d efin it ely w on ’t t oler at e ou r m aliciou s act ion s. H e’s on ly on e of t h e
m ain cu lp r it s b eh in d m y m ot h er ’s d eat h . I w an t r even ge fr om all of t h em , n ot
ju st fr om h im alon e. As su ch , t h e t ar get of m y r even ge is t h e en t ir e W h it e T iger
Du k ed om . T h er efor e, I w an t t o b ecom e st r on ger —st r on g en ou gh t o t ak e on t h e
en t ir e W h it e T iger Du k ed om an d ob t ain t h e r even ge I seek .”
W an g Don g look ed at H u o Yu h ao, ast on ish ed . H e d id n ’t t h in k t h at H u o

Yu h ao’s u n w illin gn ess t o seek r even ge w as a cow ar d ly act at all an ym or e. On
t h e con t r ar y, h e sen sed an ext r em ely ch illy au r a fr om H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
T h e h eaven -t u r n in g h at r ed t h a t h ad in st an t ly b u r st for t h fr om H u o Yu h ao’s

b od y w as so gr eat t h at even t h e t h r ee r iver s an d five lak es w er en ’t ab le t o w ash
it aw ay; t h e h at r ed in h is eyes w as sim p ly t h at d eep . T h e cu r r en t h im w as lik e a
lion t h at w as ab ou t t o d evou r it s p r ey; h e w as com p let ely d iffer en t fr om t h e
n or m ally-w ar m an d d iligen t H u o Yu h ao.
An eleven -year -old ch ild h a d act u ally b een ab le t o con ceal h is h at r ed t h is

m u ch , w h ile r em em b er in g ever yt h in g. Fr om t h is, it cou ld b e seen w h at h e’d
exp er ien ced d u r in g h is eleven year s of life. T h is d efin it ely w asn ’t som et h in g
t h at cou ld ’ve accu m u lat ed in a sin gle d ay!
T h e an ger in W an g Don g’s eyes gr ad u ally d issip at ed . Aft er w ip in g som e of t h e

t ear s fr om h is eyes, h e ask ed in a q u iet voice, “T h en , h ow d o you in t en d t o seek
you r r even ge?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead . “T h e cu r r en t m e is ju st a m er e a n t t h at t h e W h it e
T iger Du k ed om can st om p on at an y t im e. W h at I n eed t o d o r igh t n ow is
b ecom e st r on ger , m u ch st r on ger . T h e W h it e T iger Du k ed om w ill con t in u e on ,
b u t aft er t en , t w en t y, t h ir t y, or even fift y year s fr om n ow , t h er e w ill com e a d ay
w h en I’ll fin d t h em . W h en t h a t h ap p en s, I’ll sever t h e b lood lin e of t h e W h it e
T iger Du k ed om .”
In t h at in st an t , a sa vage ligh t ap p ear ed in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes. H is p u p ils h ad

even t u r n ed b lood -r ed d u e t o t h e d eep h at r ed t h at h ad b een car ved in t o h is
h ear t . In t h at in st an t , t h e gr ey p ear l in h is sp ir it u al sea sh o ok ligh t ly, cau sin g
H u o Yu h ao t o feel d izzy for a b r ief m om en t . H is b od y sw ayed for a m om en t , b u t
h e w as b ar ely ab le t o st an d fir m ly on t h e gr ou n d w it h W an g Don g’s su p p or t .
W an g Don g assu m ed t h at h e’d b een st ir r ed u p d u e t o h is em ot ion s. H ow ever ,

h e’d n ever t h ou gh t t h at t h er e w as su ch a d eep h at r ed h id d en w it h in H u o
Yu h ao’s h ear t .
H u o Yu h ao h eld W an g Don g’s sh ou ld er s w it h h is h an d s an d fier cely st ar ed at

h im . T h e r ed in h is eyes seem ed t o h ave d eep en ed as h e said , “W an g Don g, I
t h in k of you as a b r ot h er . Please h elp m e k eep m y secr et .”
W an g Don g clear ly h ad a h igh er cu lt iva t ion t h an H u o Yu h ao, b u t h e su d d en ly

felt fear in t h at in st an t . Righ t aft er t h at feelin g of fear ap p ear ed , h e felt even
m or e sym p at h y an d p it y for H u o Yu h ao. T h ey w er e b ot h on ly eleven , yet h ow
h ad h e lived d u r in g h is eleven year s of life? On t h e ot h er h an d , h ow h ad H u o
Yu h ao lived !?
H u o Yu h ao slow ly closed h is eyes an d for cefu lly t ook a d eep b r eat h , calm in g
h is r agin g em ot ion s. H e’d h id d en t h is h a t r ed for far , far t oo lon g alr ead y. Aft er
en t er in g Sh r ek Acad em y an d p assin g t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , h e’d fin ally felt
h op e, h op e t h at h e cou ld seek r even ge for h is m ot h er . H ow ever , w h en h e saw
Dai H u ab in t od ay, t h e flam es of h at r ed in h is h ear t h ad fin ally er u p t ed . An d yet ,
h e cou ld n ’t exp lod e n ow , n or d id h e d ar e t o. H e h ad t o con t in u e t o en d u r e, u n t il
t h at st r an d of h op e sp r ou t ed in t o h is fu t u r e.
“Ai—” A d eep sigh su d d en ly r an g ou t , cau sin g H u o Yu h ao t o in st in ct ively

sh iver . H is r elaxed m in d in st an t ly b ecam e vigilan t as h e r eleased h is Sp ir it Eyes,
sw eep in g t h e ar ea a r ou n d h im w it h h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . H e let ou t a low
sh ou t , “W h o’s t h er e?!”
T h e d or m w as ext r em ely q u iet , an d n ot h in g ab n or m al ap p ear ed w h en H u o

Yu h ao scan n ed it w it h h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . W an g Don g w as ast on ish ed as h e
look ed at H u o Yu h ao; h e d id n ’t k n ow w h y h e’d su d d en ly b ecom e so n er vou s.
Pu zzled , W an g Don g ask ed , “Yu h ao, w h at h ap p en ed t o you ?”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed . “Did n ’t you h ea r it ?”
“H ear w h at ?” W an g Don g h ad a su r p r ised look on h is face.
H u o Yu h ao w as st ar t led b y W an g Don g’s r ep ly. “Som eon e ju st sigh ed . I h ear d

it clear ly, w h y d id n ’t you ?”
W an g Don g sh ook h is h ead , a b lan k exp r ession on h is face. “I d id n ’t h ea r

an yt h in g. W er e you h allu cin at in g?”
H u o Yu h ao exp an d ed t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion t o it s m axim u m , b u t

n ot h in g st r an ge ap p ear ed . Aft er t h at sigh , n o ot h er st r an ge sou n d s h ad r u n g ou t
in t h e d or m r oom .
Coul d I r eal l y have hal l uci nat ed?Doubt appear ed i n H uo Yuh ao’ s h ear t .
H ow ever , h e qui ck l y r em oved t h at t h ough t f r om h i s m i n d. H e w as a spi r i t ual -
t ype soul m ast er , w h i ch m ean t t h at h i s sen ses w er e m uch sh ar per t h an t h ose of
an or di n ar y per son . Besi des h i s vi si on —w h i ch w as h i s st r on gest sen se—h i s
ot h er si x sen ses w er e r el at i vel y st r on g as w el l . Even i f h i s em ot i on s w er e r agi n g,
h e w oul dn ’ t h ave h al l uci n at ed. Fur t h er m or e, t h at si gh h ad been ext r em el y
cl ear ; i t h ad soun ded l i k e i t w as r i gh t n ext t o h i s ear .
“ Br ot h er Sk ydr eam , Br ot h er Sk ydr eam .” H uo Yuh ao cal l ed out i n w ar dl y.
“ W h addaya w an t ?” T h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m ’ s l azy voi ce r an g out . An

over w h el m i n g m ajor i t y of i t s t i m e w as spen t sl eepi n g. T h e on l y r eason i t h ad
r em ai n ed aw ak e dur i n g t h e past f ew days w as due t o i t s i n t er est i n H uo Yuh ao
an d W an g Don g’ s m ar t i al soul f usi on .
“ I just h ear d a si gh —di d you h ear i t as w el l ?” H uo Yuh ao ask ed.
“ A si gh ? You br at , di d your em ot i on s get t o your h ead!? W h at si gh ? I f i t ’ s n ot

som et h i n g i m por t an t , don ’ t i n t er r upt m y sl eep. Al so, you sh oul d cal m dow n a
bi t . I f you can ’ t even con t r ol your em ot i on s w i t h t h e l i t t l e st r en gt h you h ave
n ow , you w on ’ t be abl e t o t el l h ow you di ed i n t h e f ut ur e. I t doesn ’ t m at t er i f
you di e, but w h at i f t h i s Br ot h er i s i n vol ved?”
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao w as t r u ly sh ock ed . Un exp ect ed ly, even t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad n ’t h ear d t h a t sigh . W as it t r u ly n on -exist en t ?
No, h e cou ld n ’t b elieve it . H e w as com p let ely con fid en t in h is ju d gem en t .

H ow ever , w her e di d t hat si gh com e f r om ? W i t h t he Sk ydr eam I cew or m ’ s
pow er , how coul d som eone have evaded i t s senses? T hat ’ s i m possi bl e; t he
Sk ydr eam I cew or m i s a m i l l i on year soul beast ! Even i f i t s com bat st r engt h i s
l ack i ng, i t ’ s st i l l pr act i cal l y an unpar al l el ed exi st ence i n t er m s of spi r i t ual
pow er .
Just as H uo Yuh ao w as t h i n k i n g about t h i s t o h i m sel f , t h e Sk ydr eam

I cew or m ’ s voi ce r an g out agai n , “ Ri gh t , H uo Yuh ao, I h ave t o r em i n d you of
som et h i n g. You n eed t o use your Spi r i t ual Sh ock as l i t t l e as possi bl e. I f i t ’ s
exposed, your oppon en t s w i l l be pr epar ed f or i t n ext t i m e. Al t h ough i t ’ s been
st r en gt h en ed by your w h at -ch a-m a-cal l -i t ‘ Pur pl e Dem on Eyes’ , i t ’ s h i gh l y
pr obabl e t h at you’ l l r ecei ve a back l ash i f som eon e w i t h a h i gh er cul t i vat i on t h an
you i s guar di n g t h em sel ves agai n st i t . T h at ’ s ver y dan ger ous f or you.”
Ast on i sh ed, H uo Yuh ao h ur r i edl y ask ed, “ Br ot h er Sk ydr eam , un der n or m al

ci r cum st an ces, h ow m uch st r on ger w oul d som eon e h ave t o be t o m ak e m e
suf f er a back l ash f r om m y Spi r i t ual Sh ock ?”
T h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m r epl i ed, “ I f t h ey’ r e car ef ul , an d t h ey k n ow h ow t o

pr oper l y use t h ei r soul pow er , som eon e t h at ’ s just a si n gl e r an k h i gh er t h an you
can m ak e you suf f er a back l ash . Ot h er w i se, w h y w oul d I h ave been l ef t i n such a
w r et ch ed st at e w i t h i n t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est ? I f t h e Spi r i t ual Sh ock w as
un par al l el ed, w h y w as I l ef t i n such a m i ser abl e st at e f or so m an y year s? T h e
m ai n r eason w h y your Spi r i t ual Sh ock per f or m ed so st un n i n gl y dur i n g your
pr evi ous m at ch es w as because you h ad t h e el em en t of sur pr i se. I n addi t i on t o
t h at , i t ’ s al so been st r en gt h en ed by your Pur pl e Dem on Eyes. Last l y, i t ’ s because
of your soul pow er f usi on w i t h W an g Don g. Al l of t h ese f act or s caugh t your
oppon en t s un pr epar ed. H ow ever , you’ l l h ave t o be car ef ul i f ever yon e st ar t s
pr epar ed agai n st your Spi r i t ual Sh ock . On t h e con t r ar y, you can si m pl y use your
Spi r i t ual I n t er f er en ce. Al t h ough i t ’ s m uch w eak er t h an t h e Spi r i t ual Sh ock , on e
of it s b en efit s is t h at you w on ’t r eceive a b ack lash fr om it . Rem em b er , you w on ’t
b e ab le t o alw ays d efeat a t h r ee-r in ged op p on en t ju st b y r eleasin g a Sp ir it u al
Sh ock —even w it h W an g Don g h elp in g you . In t h e fu t u r e, you sh ou ld u se it
sp ar in gly.”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled b it t er ly. “It ’s n ot t h at I w an t t o u se it a lot . Rat h er , Br ot h er

Sk yd r eam , of t h e fou r so u l sk ills you ga ve m e, I d on ’t h ave an y ot h er w ays t o
at t ack b esid es t h e Sp ir it u al Sh ock !”
“Ugh … t h at ’s an ot h er p r ob lem . H ow ever , ju st b e p at ien t for a w h ile. H ow old

ar e you ? W h y’r e you so im p at ien t ! Qu ick ly get t o Ran k 20 ; I h ave m y ow n w ays
of let t in g you h ave en ou gh com b at st r en gt h . At t h e ver y least , you w on ’t b e at a
d isad va n t age again st an yon e of t h e sam e r an k as you . An yw a y, I’m goin g b ack
t o sleep .”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s w or d s w er e a t im ely r em in d er t o H u o Yu h ao, w h ile

sim u lt an eou sly d ecr easin g h is u r ge t o p u r su e t h e sou r ce of t h at sigh . T h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad alr ea d y m en t ion ed ‘Ran k 20 ’ m an y t im es, an d H u o
Yu h ao h ad ju st b een r em in d ed of t h is fa ct again . Clear ly, Ran k 20 w ou ld b e an
im p or t an t r an k for h im . If h e cou ld b r eak in t o Ran k 20 , h is st r en gt h w ou ld
p r ob ab ly exp er ien ce a flyin g leap , allow in g h im t o p ossess at least a cer t ain
am ou n t of figh t in g p ow er . At t h a t p oin t , h e w ou ld n ’t n eed t o k eep r elyin g on h is
com p an ion s.
Aft er t h in k in g t h is, H u o Yu h ao’s em ot ion s gr ad u ally calm ed d ow n ,

aft er w h ich h e b egan cu lt iva t in g w it h W an g Don g w h ile r ecover in g h is sou l
p ow er .
T h e aft er n oon figh t w ou ld d efin it ely b e a h ar d on e, n ot on ly b ecau se it w as

t h e figh t t h at w ou ld d et er m in e t h e ch a m p ion of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , b u t
also b ecau se it w as an or d eal t o h is h ear t ! H ow ever , h e cou ld n ’t r u n aw ay fr om
t h is figh t ; eit h er w a y, h e’d h ave t o face Dai H u ab in on e d ay. Sin ce t h a t w as t h e
case, h e’d u se t h is figh t as a for m of t r ain in g for h is h ear t .
T h e d or m r oom h a d t u r n ed q u iet . Du e t o t h eir m ar t ial so u l fu sion , W an g
Don g cou ld sen se t h e ch an ge in H u o Yu h ao’s em ot ion s. Aft er d iscover in g t h at
h e’d act u ally b een ab le t o calm d ow n t h is q u ick ly, n ot on ly w as W an g Don g
ast on ish ed , h e even som ew h at a d m ir ed H u o Yu h ao. Fr om look s alon e, H u o
Yu h ao w asn ’t ju st a sin gle r an k b elow W an g Don g. H ow ever , in W an g Don g’s
eyes, t h e eleven -year -old H u o Yu h ao alr ea d y h ad t h e r esolu t en ess of a m an .
T h e t w o cu lt ivat ed all t h e w ay u n t il it w as t im e for lu n ch , w h ich allow ed

t h em t o fu lly r ep len ish t h eir sou l p ow er . W h en t h ey r each ed t h e can t een , t h ey
w er e m et w it h a b ig su r p r ise.
“H ey you t w o fellas, I h ear d t h at you m an aged t o en t er t h e fin als. Good ,

b ecau se t h is you n g lad y h as r et u r n ed . H ow cou ld you go t o t h e fin als w it h ou t
m e?” Xiao Xiao h ap p ily lean ed again st t h e d oor t o t h e can t een as sh e st ar ed at
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, w h o w er e abou t t o en t er .
T h e t w o of t h em w er e im m ed iat ely over joyed . T h ey qu ick ly w alk ed over t o

h er , an d H u o Yu h ao h ast ily ask ed , “Xiao Xiao, h ave you r ecover ed ?”
Xiao Xiao giggled . “Nat u r a lly! I h ave t w in m ar t ial sou ls, so I’m ob viou sly ver y
t alen t ed . H ow lon g d id you gu ys t h in k I’d h ave t o r est aft er a lit t le scen e lik e
t h at ? As a m at t er of fact , t h er e’s n ot h in g w r on g w it h m e an ym or e. Let ’s go, I’ll
t r eat t h e t w o of you t o lu n ch . Let ’s eat som et h in g n ice for lu n ch t od ay so t h at
w e can m ak e su r e w e’r e w ell fed w h en w e b eat t h ose fellas in t h e aft er n oon t ill
t h ey can ’t even t ak e car e of t h em selves. H eh e.”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled , t h en m oved h is r igh t h an d for w ar d . On ce again , W an g

Don g im m ed iat ely p laced h is h an d on t op of H u o Yu h ao’s h an d as fast as h e
cou ld , w h ile Xiao Xiao’s en d ed u p at t h e ver y t op . T h e t h r ee of t h em look ed a t
each ot h er , an d con fid en t sm iles ap p ear ed on t h eir faces.
“W e’ll b e t h e ch am p ion s.”
Lu n ch t im e h a d ju st st ar t ed , so n ot m an y st u d en t s h ad a r r ived . T h e in st an t
t h ey said t h at t h ey’d b e ch am p ion s, t h e sligh t ly sh a r p voice of a gir l r an g ou t ,
“H ow sh am eless. You ’r e n ot even scar ed of b r aggin g. T h e ch am p ion s w ill
d efin it ely b e ou r Class 5.”
H u o Yu h ao’s gr ou p of t h r ee sim u lt an eou sly t u r n ed ar ou n d t o see t h r ee

fr esh m an st u d en t s w alk in g t ow ar d s t h em . T h e p er son in t h e m id d le w as H u o
Yu h ao’s p er son al en em y, Dai H u ab in . T h e p er son w h o’d sp ok en , on t h e ot h er
h an d , w as a b lack -h a ir ed gir l w h o w as st a n d in g t o h is left .
T h is gir l h ad ver y sp ecial eyes; t h e color of h er left an d r igh t eye w er e

u n exp ect ed ly d iffer en t . H er left eye w as p ale b lu e, w h ile h er r igh t eye w as p ale
yellow . As sh e focu sed h er gaze on t h e t r io, h er p u p ils u n exp ect ed ly t u r n ed in t o
ver t ical slit s, m ak in g h er look ext r em ely p ecu liar .
Dai H u ab in h ad a st er n look on h is face, b u t h e r em ain ed silen t . Aft er

sw eep in g h is gaze over t h e t r io, h e w alk ed p r ou d ly in t o t h e can t een . On t h e
ot h er h an d , t h e b lack -h air ed gir l sn or t ed d isd ain fu lly t ow ar d s t h em . H ow ever ,
t h e ot h er gir l in t h eir gr ou p —w h o h ad lon g p in k h air —sm iled sw eet ly at t h em .
H er sm ile w as ext r em ely ch ar m in g; so m u ch so t h at it seem ed t o seep in t o on e’s
b on es. Clear ly, t h ese t w o gir ls w er e Dai H u ab in ’s t eam m at es.
W an g Don g an d Xia o Xiao w er e ab ou t t o exp lod e, b u t t h ey w er e st op p ed b y

H u o Yu h ao. Dai H u ab in clear ly h a d n ’t r ecogn ised h im , an d aft er H u o Yu h ao’s
in t er n a l st r u ggle ea r lier , h e’d b een ab le t o r em ain calm on t h e su r face w h en
h e’d m et h im again .
“A w ar of w or d s h as n o m ean in g. Let ’s set t le it in t h e Assessm en t Ar en a aft er

lu n ch .” Aft er sp eak in g in d iffer en t ly, H u o Yu h ao w alk ed in t o t h e can t een w it h
h is com p an ion s in t ow .
If t h is w er e a n or m al d ay, H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ever eat t h e Acad em y’s m ost

exp en sive, t op -r an k ed d ish es—even if som eon e w er e t o t r ea t h im t o t h em ; t h ey
w er e sim p ly t h at exp en sive. H ow ever , t od ay w as a d iffer en t st or y. Xiao Xiao h ad
over d r aw n h er self yest er d ay, an d h er b od y n eed ed n ou r ish m en t . In t h e en d ,
Xiao Xiao w asn ’t ab le t o t r eat t h em t o t h e m eal, as W an g Don g t ook t h e
in it iat ive t o p ay t h e b ill. It w asn ’t t h at H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t w a n t t o p ay it , b u t h e
gave u p aft er seein g t h e n u m b er s on t h e b ill. T h e m on ey h e’d accu m u lat ed aft er
sellin g r oast ed fish for a few m on t h s h e’d b een in t h e aca d em y st ill w er en ’t even
en ou gh t o p ay for h is sch ool fees n ext t er m . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e sch ool fees
r eq u ir ed for secon d year st u d en t s w as su p p osed ly even m or e exp en sive.
Dai H u ab in ’s gr ou p of t h r ee n at u r a lly at e t h e b est food in t h e can t een as w ell.

T h e t w o p ar t ies w er en ’t far aw ay fr om each ot h er , an d t h e fain t sm ell of
gu n p ow d er h ad alr ead y st ar t ed t o p er m eat e t h r ou gh t h e air . On ly, n on e of t h em
d ar ed t o st ar t a figh t . Aft er all, t h eir m at ch in t h e aft er n oon w as m or e
im p or t an t .
Aft er eat in g lu n ch , H u o Yu h ao’s t r io fou n d a qu iet p lace b y t h e Sea God ’s
Lak e t o st u d y som e b at t le t act ics for t h eir m at ch in t h e aft er n oon . T h ey w er e
ab ou t t o face an ext r em ely st r on g op p on en t , an d it w as im p ossib le for t h em t o
n ot b e n er vou s. Even t h ou gh t h ey w er e on ly fr esh m en , an d t h ou gh t h eir
st r en gt h cou ld n ’t b e con sid er ed an yt h in g w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y, t h is
ch am p ion sh ip m at ch w as of t h e u t m ost im p or t an ce t o t h em ; an y m in or d et ail
cou ld d ecid e t h e fin a l vict or of t h e m a t ch .
“It ’s ab ou t t im e, let ’s h ead t o t h e Assessm en t Ar en a.” Xiao Xiao said .
“Yu p .” H u o Yu h ao n od d ed .
At t h at m om en t , W a n g Don g su d d en ly sa id , “Yu h ao, h u g m e for a secon d .”
Xiao Xiao’s eyes im m ed iat ely w id en ed . H ow ever , sh e qu ick ly r et u r n ed t o

n or m al w h en sh e sa w a ch illy k illin g in t en t ap p ear in W an g Don g’s eyes.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad a som ew h at t acit u n d er st an d in g b et w een

t h em selves. H is b od y sh ook , an d h e im m ed iat ely u n d er st ood w h at W an g Don g
m ean t .
“W an g Don g…”
W an g Don g sm iled in d iffer en t ly, an d a cold ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh h is eyes.

H ow ever , h is voice w as ext r em ely gen t le, “If w e d on ’t t r y, h ow w ill w e k n ow ?”
H u o Yu h ao t ook a d eep b r eat h an d st op p ed sp eak in g. Aft er w ar d s, h e sp r ead

h is ar m s an d h u gged W an g Don g.
----
T h e Assessm en t Ar en a seem ed eer ily qu iet . Even t h ou gh t h ey’d alr ead y

r each ed t h e fin als of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t ’s k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t , t h er e
w er e n o sp ect at in g st u d en t s.
Sh r ek Acad em y d id it s b est t o k eep an elem en t of p r ivacy r egar d in g a
st u d en t ’s ab ilit ies. T h u s, st u d en t s d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o sp ect at e ot h er ’s
assessm en t s.
An y st u d en t s w h o w er en ’t p ar t icip at in g in t h e a ssessm en t h ad t o con t in u e

t h eir classes. T h u s, t od ay w as t h e d ay w h er e t h er e w as t h e few est n u m b er of
st u d en t s in t h e Assessm en t Ar en a.
H ow ever , a lack of st u d en t s d id n ’t m ea n t h at t h er e w as a sm all am ou n t of

p eop le p r esen t . Alm ost all of t h e t each er s w h o d id n ’t h a ve an y classes w er e
gat h er ed a t t h e Assessm en t Ar en a t o w a t ch t h e fin als. Even t h e Dean of Sh r ek
Acad em y, Yan Sh aozh e, h ad p er son ally com e t o w at ch t h is m at ch m at ch .
Accom p an ied b y Du W eilu n an d t h e ot h er t each er s, h e w a lk ed u p t o t h e t all
st age.
Even t h ou gh t h is w as on ly a fr esh m en assessm en t t h at w as h eld t h r ee m on t h s

aft er sch ool h ad st ar t ed , n ear ly all of t h e st u d en t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y’s in n er
cou r t yar d h a d r evealed t h eir t alen t s d u r in g t h is fr esh m en assessm en t . As a
r esu lt of t h is, t h ey w er e r egar d ed h igh ly b y t h e college an d n u r t u r ed . T h e
r eason t h at Dean Yan Sh aozh e h ad com e w as d u e t o t h e ext r aor d in ar y st r en gt h
of t h is year ’s b at ch o f n ew st u d en t s. Nor m ally, even st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y
w ou ld n eed ar ou n d t h r ee year s or so t o r each t h e t h r ee-r in ged r an k . At t h e sam e
t im e, a cu lt ivat ion of t h r ee r in gs w as r equ ir ed for t h ir d year st u d en t s t o b e
p r om ot ed t o fou r t h year st u d en t s.
H ow ever , t h er e h ad act u ally b een t h r ee n ew st u d en t s w h o w er e alr ead y at t h e

t h r ee-r in ged r a n k . W it h t h is level of st r en gt h , t h ey w er e p r act ically gu ar an t eed
t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d in t h e fu t u r e. Even Yan Sh aozh e h im self w ish ed t o
see w h ich of t h e t w o t eam s w ou ld b ecom e t h e ch am p ion s of t h is year ’s b at ch of
fr esh m en .
H ow ever , t h e t eam h e w as p ayin g t h e m ost at t en t ion t o w as H u o Yu h ao’s

t eam , d u e t o Du W eilu n ’s r ep or t . By r elyin g on t h e st r en gt h of t w o Sou l
Gr an d m ast er s an d a Sou l M ast er , H u o Yu h ao’s t eam h ad a ct u ally m an aged t o
b eat b ot h Nin g T ian an d Xie H u an yu e’s t eam s, w h o w er e b ot h Sou l Eld er s.
Fu r t h er m or e, W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao’s p er for m an ces cou ld d efin it ely b e
d escr ib ed w it h t h e w or d ‘b r eat h t ak in g’.
W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess w as an u n r ivalled m ar t ial sou l t h at
w as secon d t o n on e, even in Sh r ek Acad em y. On t h e ot h er h an d , Xiao Xiao’s
p ot en t ial as a t w in -sou led sou l m ast er w as even lar ger . Sou l m ast er s w h o
p ossessed t w in m ar t ial sou ls h a d b een r ar it ies d u r in g t h e ear ly d ays of t h e
Dou lu o Con t in en t , a n d t h at st ill h eld t r u e t o t h is d ay. Even as t h e n u m b er on e
acad em y in t h e w o r ld , Sh r ek Acad em y cu r r en t ly on ly h ad t h r ee st u d en t s,
in clu d in g Xiao Xiao, w it h t w in m a r t ial sou ls. H ow ever , t h e ot h er t w o st u d en t s
w er e alr ea d y d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d , an d t h ey w er e all r an k ed am on g
t h e t op 10 over all st u d en t s of t h e Acad em y.
As for H u o Yu h ao, Du W eilu n h ad a lso exp lain ed h is sit u at ion t o Dean Yan
Sh aozh e. H u o Yu h ao h ad a r ar e Bod y Sou l, w h ich w as a sp ir it u a l-t yp e m ar t ia l
sou l as w ell. Un for t u n at ely, h e h ad n ’t h ad a good u p b r in gin g, w h ich h a d
r esu lt ed in h im on ly b ein g at Ran k 17. Fu r t h er m or e, h e on ly h ad a t en year sou l
r in g. Alt h ou gh h e h ad a r elat ively d ecen t am ou n t of t alen t , t h e flaw s in t h e
st ar t in g st ep s of h is cu lt ivat ion cou ld n ’t b e fixed . At t h e sam e t im e, t h er e w a s
also t h e q u est ion as t o w h et h er or n ot h e’d b e ab le t o ob t ain a su fficien t ly st r on g
sou l r in g as t h e h old er of a sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l. Du e t o t h e cu lm in a t ion of
t h ese fact or s, Du W eilu n h ad p u t qu ot at ion m ar k s ar ou n d H u o Yu h ao’s n am e,
an d h ad also exp r essed h is u n w illin gn ess for H u o Yu h ao t o b ecom e a cor e
d iscip le of t h e Acad em y.
Yan Sh aozh e w as st ill r eassu r ed b y t h e w ay Du W eilu n w a s h an d lin g t h in gs.

As t h e Dir ect or of St u d ies, Du W eilu n h ad a ver y in sigh t fu l gaze, w h ile b ot h
b ein g fair an d im p ar t ial a t t h e sam e t im e. H e’d m ad e ext r em ely im p or t an t
con t r ib u t ion s t o Sh r ek Acad em y as a w h ole b y n u r t u r in g a lar ge q u an t it y of
ou t st an d in g st u d en t s.
H ow ever , Yan Sh aozh e w asn ’t t h e on ly Dean of Sh r ek Acad em y. H e w as t h e

Dean of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , b u t Sh r ek Acad em y also h ad a Dean of t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . T oget h er , t h ese t w o Dean s m an aged ever yt h in g in t h e
Acad em y.
Nat u r a lly, Yan Sh aozh e—w h o over look ed t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t —h a d
a sligh t ly lar ger am ou n t au t h or it y am on gst t h e t w o Dean s. H ow ever , t h e Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t w as an in d ep en d en t b od y w h ich h ad a cer t ain am ou n t of
com p et it iven ess w it h t h e M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t . Du e t o t h is, h e d id n ’t r eally
h ave t h at m u ch ju r isd ict ion over t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
Ot h er t h an t h e t w o Dean s, t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t an d t h e Sou l T ool

Dep ar t m en t each h a d t h eir ow n Vice-Dean s w h o w er e in ch ar ge of t ak in g car e of
t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . Aft er all, Yan Sh aozh e an d h is cou n t er p ar t in t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t focu sed m or e of t h eir en er gy on t h e in n er cou r t yar d , as t h e in n er
cou r t yar d w as t h e t r u e n u cleu s of Sh r ek Acad em y. Du e t o t h is, t h ey w ou ld n ’t
n or m ally b ot h er w it h m at t er s in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .
T h e Dean of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s ou t er cou r t yar d w as also t h e Vice-

Dean of t h e Acad em y. H e w as a sch olar w h o sp en t m ost of h is t im e on t h e
st u d ies of t h e fift h an d sixt h year st u d en t s. H e p ick ed excellen t st u d en t s fr om
t h e ou t er cou r t yar d t o b ecom e d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t ya r d , w h ile sen d in g
t h ese d iscip les t h r ou gh m an y t yp es of st r ict assessm en t s. H ow ever , h e d id n ’t
m an age m an y m at t er s ot h er t h an t h a t . Ot h er t h a n t h e Dean fr om t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d , t h e p er son w h o h ad t h e gr eat est au t h or it y in t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t w as Du W eilu n .
As t h e Dir ect or of St u d ies for t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ’s M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t ,

Du W eilu n h ad an ext r em ely lar ge am ou n t of au t h or it y. H ow ever , t h er e w er e n o
com p et it or s for h is p osit ion . Du r in g h is t w en t y year s of t each in g, h e’d
con scien t iou sly given an ou t st a n d in gly lar ge n u m b er of con t r ib u t ion s t o t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . As a r esu lt of t h is, Yan Sh aozh e w as ext r em ely
r eassu r ed w h en h e t ook ch ar ge of t h in gs, an d com p let ely t r u st ed h is ju d gem en t
w h en it cam e t o t h e st u d en t s.
“W eilu n , w h o d o you favou r in t od ay’s m at ch ?” Yan Sh aozh e ask ed w it h a
sm ile.
Du W eilu n ch u ck led . “I’m sligh t ly m or e con fid en t in Dai H u ab in ’s t eam .

Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h a o’s t eam m an aged t o d efeat t w o ot h er t eam s t h at w er e led
b y Sou l Eld er -r an k ed fr esh m en , t h e over all st r en gt h of Dai H u ab in ’s t eam is
d efin it ely som ew h at st r on ger t h a n t h at of H u o Yu h ao’s t eam . T h is is esp ecially
so for h is t w o t eam m at es; t h ey’r e b ot h qu it e st r on g. All t h r ee of t h em h ave a
d ecen t ch an ce a t en t er in g t h e in n er cou r t yar d in t h e fu t u r e.”
Yan Sh aozh e sm iled an d n od d ed . At t h at exact m om en t , a vigor ou s voice

su d d en ly r an g ou t , “Sin ce Dir ect or Du t h in k s t h at Dai H u ab in w ill w in , I’ll say
t h at t h e ot h er p ar t y w ill w in .”
Yan Sh aozh e d id n ’t even t u r n ar ou n d , b u t t h e t r ace of a sm ile h ad alr ead y

ap p ear ed on h is face, “Qian Du od u o, w h y’d a fella lik e you com e r u n n in g over
h er e? As soon as I sm elled t h e scen t of cop p er fr om you r b od y, I k n ew it w as
you .”
T h e n ew com er w as a st u r d y fift y-or -so year -old m an . H e d id n ’t h ave an y

w r in k les on h is face, b u t h e h a d a h ead fu ll of w h it e h air t h at r esem b led st eel
n eed les, m ak in g h im look som eon e w h o’d exp er ien ced a lot in life. H is t all,
st alw ar t b od y look ed as if it h a d b een car ved fr om gr an it e it self, an d h e w as a t
least 2.2 m et er s t all. H is w id e sh ou ld er s a n d r u gged m u scles d id n ’t seem t o h ave
gon e lim p d u e t o h is age, w h ile h is b r on ze sk in glow ed w it h a m et allic lu st er d u e
t o t h e r ays of t h e su n , an d a st r on g sm ell of m et al w aft ed off h is b od y. H ow ever ,
t h e p er son n ext t o h im w as t h e p er son t h at Zh ou Yi h ad t ak en H u o Yu h ao t o see
in t h e p ast ; Fan Yu .
Yan Sh aoze d id n ’t even look b ack , b u t Du W eilu n h a d alr ead y t u r n ed ar ou n d ,

a t r ace of ast on ish m en t flash in g t h r o u gh h is eyes. H e h u r r ied ly b ow ed in
r esp ect . “Vice-Dean Qian , h ow d o you d o? W h at b r in gs you h er e?”
T h e good -n at u r ed Qian Du od u o w h o alw ays h ad a sm ile on h is face w as t h e

Vice-Dean of t h e So u l T ool Dep ar t m en t , w h o t ook car e of t h e d aily act ivit ies
w it h in it . H e h ad a loft y p osit ion in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , an d h e on ly h ad
on e p er son ab ove h im . H is p osit ion in Sh r ek Acad em y w as sligh t ly h igh er t h an
even Du W eilu n ’s.
In Sh r ek Acad em y, p r om ot ion s cou ld n ’t b e r an d om ly given ou t . T h er e w er e

t w o m ain w ays t o ob t ain a p r om ot ion : T h e fir st m et h od w as b ased on a t each er ’s
ab ilit y t o t each , as w ell as t h e con t r ib u t ion s h e’d m ad e t o t h e Acad em y, w h ile
t h e ot h er m et h od w as b y r elyin g on on e’s ow n st r en gt h . T h r ou gh ou t t h e
en or m ou s Sh r ek Acad em y, t h er e w er e on ly a t ot al of fou r Vice-Dean s, an d t h ey
cou ld b e con sid er ed t h e t r u e b ack b on es of Sh r ek Acad em y. H ow ever , a p er son
w h o’d ob t ain ed su ch a h igh p osit ion clear ly h ad n ’t d on e it b y d oin g som et h in g
as sim p le as con t r ib u t in g t o t h e Acad em y. T h eir in d iv id u al st r en gt h s w er e all at
t h e p eak .
Vice-Dean Qian Du od u o ch u ck led . “I w as ju st p assin g b y, w h en I h ear d you

an d Old Yan gu essin g w h o w ou ld w in . I p er son ally lik e b et t in g, so Old Yan ,
w ou ld you lik e t o b et w it h m e?”
Yan Sh aozh e fin ally t u r n ed ar ou n d , lau gh in g as h e d id so. “A fellow w h o

sm ells of cop p er lik e you w ou ld n ever com e h er e w it h ou t a r eason . I d on ’t
b elieve t h at you ’ve com e h er e w it h su ch a sim p le p u r p ose in m in d . If you ’r e
covet in g t h e p eop le fr om ou r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , you ’d b et t er t ak e a look
b efor e d oin g an yt h in g.”
Qian Du od u o casu ally w alk ed over t o Ya n Sh aozh e an d sat d ow n . “W h at d o

you m ean , ‘t h e p eop le fr om ou r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’? T h ey’r e on ly
fr esh m en . T h ey h aven ’t ch osen t h eir Dep ar t m en t s yet . You can say t h at again
w h en t h ey’ve m ad e t h eir fin al ch oices in t h eir t h ir d year . You r M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t ju st p r o vid es a fou n d at ion al level of ed u ca t ion t o t h ese fr esh m en .
So com e on , d o you w an n a b et or n ot ?”
Du W eilu n h ad alr ead y m oved t o on e sid e, gr eet in g Fan Yu as h e d id so. Fan

Yu sm iled in r et u r n , an d t h e t w o fou n d a p lace t o sit b eh in d t h e t w o Vice-Dean s.
Fan Yu h ad an ext r em ely h igh p osit ion w it h in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
Alt h ou gh h is cu r r en t p osit ion w as low er t h an Du W eilu n ’s, Du W eilu n clear ly
u n d er st ood t h a t Fan Yu w as d efin it ely goin g t o b e t h e fu t u r e Vice-Dean of t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , an d t h at h e cou ld even b e t h e su ccessor t o t h e Dean .
Con t r ar ily a Dir ect or lik e h im w as h igh ly lik ely t o h ave r each ed t h e en d of h is
car eer .
Yan Sh aozh e w asn ’t fooled by Qian Du od u o’s p r ovocat ion . H e sm iled an d

sh ook h is h ead . “I’m n ot goin g t o b et w it h you . Old Qian , you ’r e even t r yin g t o
m ak e a q u ick b u ck fr om m e. W h en I get b ack , ju st w a t ch m e t ell on you t o
Lin ’er .”
Qian Du od u o’s facial m u scles t w it ch ed as h e in d ign an t ly said , “Give m e a

b r eak , you w er e an exp er t at act in g sh am elessly even w h en you w er e you n g. I’m
m or e m or al t h a n you . You u se Lin ’er as a sh ield ever y t im e, d o you h ave an y
face at all?”
As Du W eilu n list en ed on , h is h ear t t w it ch ed . T h ese t w o m ajor figu r es—w h o

cou ld ch an ge t h e en t ir e b alan ce of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t —ar e act u ally ar gu in g
over h er e. If t h e st u d en t s w er e t o h ear t h em ...
Yan Sh aozh e ch u ck led as h e look ed at Qian Du od u o’s in d ign an t exp r ession .

“Fin e, w h at d o you w an t t o b et ?”
On ly t h en d id a sm ile r eap p ear on Qia n Du od u o’s face. “If m y t eam w in s,

you ’ll h ave t o let m e p ick a fr esh m an fr om you r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t t o
en t er t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t w it h in t h r ee year s, an d you can ’t st op m e fr om
u sin g an y t r ick s.”
Yan Sh aozh e sn or t ed cold ly an d cu r led h is lip s. “I k n ew t h a t you w er e u p t o

n o good . I’m n ot b et t in g.”
Qian Du od u o r ep lied w it h a n easy-goin g voice, “Don ’t b e so im p at ien t , let m e

fin ish t alk in g fir st . Fir st ly, I w on ’t ch oose an y of t h e st u d en t s you ’ve select ed t o
b e cor e d iscip les. N ext , I w on ’t ch oose an y st u d en t s w h o ar e ab le t o cu lt iva t e
ab ove Ran k 30 b efor e fin ish in g t h eir secon d year . Is t h at fin e w it h you ?”
Yan Sh aozh e w as st u n n ed . “Old Qian , d o you even n eed t o m ak e a b et w it h

m e? Don ’t you t ak e t h ese k in d s of st u d en t s ever y year ?”
Qian Du od u o h a d a gloom y exp r ession on h is face as h e said , “Don ’t b r in g it

u p . T h ese n ew fellas k eep aim in g so h igh t h at t h ey d on ’t even u n d er st an d ou r
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . T h ey’ve b asically en t ir ely ign or ed u s. W e’ve h ad n o lack
of st u d en t s over t h ese p ast few year s, b u t st u d en t s w h o’r e t r u ly su it ab le for ou r
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ar e r ar it ies am on g r ar it ies. You k n ow ab ou t t h at p lan of
ou r s, an d if w e w an t t o n u r t u r e a t alen t lik e t h at accor d in g t o ou r p lan , w e can ’t
d o it u sin g or d in ar y Sou l En gin eer s. It ’s t r u e t h at Sou l En gin eer s ar e ext r em ely
im p or t an t , b u t t h e p eop le w h o can p r op er ly u se t h em ar e ju st as im p or t an t as
t h e p eop le w h o m ak e t h em ! T h er efor e, I w an t t o ch oose a few st u d en t s w h o
h ave b et t er m ar t ia l sou ls. H ow ever , t h e fellas fr om you r sid e ar e all follow in g
you lik e a ch ick en follow in g a h en . You ’ve h id d en t h em so w ell t h a t I h aven ’t
even h ad a ch an ce t o p ick an y st u d en t s. If I d on ’t get an y su it ab le st u d en t s, ou r
p lan is b asically scr ew ed . Don ’t for get , you also agr eed t o t h at p lan d u r in g t h e
Dean ’s M eet in g. If you w on ’t su p p or t ou r w or k , t h en I’ll ju st b r in g Lin ’er t o t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s in n er cou r t yar d n ext t im e. Let ’s see if you d ar e t o
st op h er .”
W h en h e saw Qian Du od u o’s sin cer e look , Yan Sh aozh e p on d er ed t o h im self

for a w h ile. Aft er w ar d s, h e said , “You w on ’t ch oose an y of m y cor e d iscip les?
An d you w on ’t ch oose an y of ou r st u d en t s w h o’r e ab le t o r each Ran k 30 b y t h eir
secon d year ?”
Qian Du od u o im m ed iat ely assu m ed t h e ap p ear an ce of a r igh t eou s p er son ,

“W h en h ave I, Qian Du od u o, n ot k ep t m y w or d ?”
Yan Sh aozh e n od d ed an d sa id , “Fin e, I’ll t ak e t h a t b et . In a d d it ion t o t h a t , I’ll

st ill let you ch oose a st u d en t even if you lose, so you can ’t say t h at I’m n ot
su p p or t in g you r w or k . H ow ever , if you d o lose, you ’ll h a ve t o give m e a h u n d r ed
St at ion ar y Sou l Can n on Sh ells for m e t o p lay w it h if you lose. Also, t h ey h ave t o
b e h igh -exp losive on es. T h ose t oys ar e r eally fu n t o p lay w it h .”
Qian Du od u o’s exp r ession im m ed iat ely ch an ged . “Old Yan , you ’r e b ein g t oo
b lack -h ear t ed . Do you k n ow h ow m u ch it cost s t o m ak e a h u n d r ed sh ells? I n eed
a h u n d r ed gold sou l coin s t o m ak e ju st on e of t h ose ‘t oys’.”
Yan Sh aozh e sm iled . “If you d on ’t d ar e, let ’s call t h e d ea l off. I w asn ’t w illin g
t o m ak e a b et w it h you in t h e fir st p lace.”
Qian Du od u o h ad a p ain ed look on h is face as h e r ep lied , “Fift y of t h em .”
As if h e w as scar ed t h at Qian Du od u o w ou ld r egr et h is d ecision , Yan Sh aozh e

im m ed iat ely said , “Deal.” H ow cou ld h e casu ally u se a h igh -exp losive sh ell
sp ecially m ad e for a St at ion ar y Sou l Can n on ju st t o sa t isfy h im self? Even h avin g
t h e ch an ce t o p lay w it h on e w as alr ead y qu it e d ecen t . Alt h ou gh h e w as t h e Dean
of Sh r ek Acad em y, h e cou ld n ’t d am age h is ow n h ou se!
Qian Du od u o st ar ed b lan k ly at Yan Sh aozh e. Aft er w ar d s, h e look ed at Yan

Sh aozh e w it h a st ar t led look on h is face. “You old t h in g, I’ve b een t r ick ed b y you
again !”
Yan Sh aozh e im m ed iat ely b u r st in t o lau gh t er . H ow ever , h e d id n ’t n ot ice t h e

cr aft y look t h at h ad flash ed t h r ou gh Qian Du od u o’s eyes.
Chapt er 30.1: The Finals
Yan Sh aozh e lau gh ed , w h ile Qian Du od u o h ad a look of r igh t eou s in d ign a t ion
on h is face. In r ea lit y, h ow ever , Qian Du od u o h ad also b u r st in t o la u gh t er
in w ar d ly. Glan cin g a t Yan Sh aozh e, h e in w ar d ly t h ou gh t , Ol d Yan, Ol d Yan. No
m at t er how sl y you ar e, you’ l l have t o dr i nk t he w at er t hi s daddy uses t o w ash
hi s f eet w i t h. H ehe, I hope t hat you don’ t r egr et t hi s i n t h e f ut ur e. Of cour se,
i t ’ l l be t oo l at e t o r egr et i t t hen . W ahahah a!
Nat ur al l y, t h e t w o t eam s t h at w er e par t i ci pat i n g i n t h e f i n al s of t h e f r esh m en

assessm en t ’ s k n ock -out t our n am en t w er en ’ t aw ar e t h at t h ei r m at ch h ad got t en
t o t h e poi n t t h at even t h e t w o Dean s w er e bet t i n g agai n st each ot h er .
Bot h si des h ad ar r i ved i n t h e ar en a ear l y. On e si de w as m ak i n g t h ei r

pr epar at i on s, w h i l e t h e ot h er obser ved t h ei r oppon en t s.
Even t h ough Dai H uabi n di dn ’ t r ecogn i se H uo Yuh ao, h e w as n at ur al l y abl e t o

sen se t h e t h r eat t h at H uo Yuh ao’ s t eam posed t o h i m . I f h e based t h ei r ch an ces
on cul t i vat i on r an k al on e, t h ei r t eam sh oul d w i n . H ow ever , t h er e w er e sever al
t h i n gs t h at ‘ sh oul d’ h ave h appen ed yet h adn ’ t . As such , n ot h i n g w as set i n
st on e. W as N i n g T i an ’ s t eam w eak ? Bot h Ni n g T i an , w h o possessed t h e Seven
T r easur es Gl azed Pagoda, an d W u Fen g, w h o possessed t h e Fi r e Dr agon , w er e
out st an di n g f i r st -r at e st uden t s f r om t h i s year ’ s bat ch of n ew st uden t s, an d t h e
over al l st r en gt h of Ni n g T i an ’ s t eam h adn ’ t been f ar of f f r om t h ei r t eam ’ s
st r en gt h . H ad Xi e H uan yue’ s t eam been w eak ? Xi e H uan yue h ad an
ext r aor di n ar i l y st r on g def en se, but t h ei r m at ch h ad st i l l en ded w i t h t h e pr oct or
bei n g f or ced t o i n t er f er e an d pr ot ect h i m . I f t h e pr oct or h adn ’ t , h e m i gh t n ot
h ave been abl e t o l eave i n on e pi ece.
T h er e w as t h e pow er f ul W an g Don g, t h e t w i n -soul ed Xi ao Xi ao, an d f i n al l y

H uo Yuh ao, w h o w as som ew h at m yst er i ous despi t e on l y bei n g a Soul M ast er .
T h e t h r ee of t h em m ade Dai H uabi n f eel t h r eat en ed. Because of t h i s, t h ey’ d
m ad e su fficien t p r ep ar at ion s b efor e t h e m at ch st ar t ed ; t h ey’d even fou n d t h e
t eam s t h at h ad p r eviou sly fou gh t again st H u o Yu h ao’s t eam an d ask ed t h em
ab ou t t h eir figh t s in or d er t o ca r efu lly u n d er st a n d H u o Yu h ao an d h is
t eam m at e’s ab ilit ies.
Com p ar ed t o Dai H u ab in ’s cau t iou s a n d con cen t r at ed st at e of m in d , H u o

Yu h ao w as cu r r en t ly feelin g a few d iffer en t em ot ion s. H e’d d on e ever yt h in g h e
cou ld t o h id e h is h a t r ed d eep w it h in h is h ear t , b u t h is h ear t b eat st ill sp ed u p
violen t ly w h en t h ey en t er ed t h e a r en a t o b egin t h e fin al m at ch of t h e k n ock -ou t
t ou r n am en t . H e t r u ly w an t ed t o sim p ly get h is r even ge n ow ! H ow ever , h e k n ew
t h at t h at w asn ’t a r ealist ic op t ion . W it h so m an y t each er s p r esen t , as w ell as t h e
r efer ee w h o’d b e m on it or in g an d con t r ollin g t h e m at ch , it w ou ld p r act ically b e
im p ossib le for h im t o k ill Dai H u ab in w it h h is cu r r en t st r en gt h .
“Yu h ao.” W an g Don g w h isp er ed .
“Yep .” H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed t o W an g Don g an d saw t h e cold look in h is eyes.

“Relax, d on ’t exp ose an y flaw s.” H e u r ged H u o Yu h ao, h is voice so low t h at even
Xiao Xiao cou ld n ’t h ear h im .
At t h at m om en t , t h e r efer ee en t er ed t h e vast Assessm en t Ar en a. All of t h e

p ar t it ion s h ad b een r em oved d u r in g t h e aft er n oon , exp osin g t h e en or m ou s
Assessm en t Ar en a.
T h e r efer ee w aved t o w ar d s b ot h sid es, m ot ion in g for t h em t o en t er t h e ar en a.
H u o Yu h ao’s t r io p r ou d ly en t er ed t h e ar en a. As p er u su al, H u o Yu h ao st ood in

t h e m id d le, w h ile W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao st ood on eit h er sid e of h im . On t h e
ot h er sid e of t h e ar en a, Dai H u ab in also st ood in t h e m id d le as h e w alk ed in t o
t h e ar en a, w h ile t h e t w o gir ls on h is t eam st ood b esid e h im .
T h e r efer ee called t h e t w o p ar t ies t o h im an d said in a d eep voice, “T h e fin als

ar e ab ou t t o b egin , t h u s t h er e w ill b e a ch an ge in t h e r u les. List en w ell. As of
n ow , you can m ove as you w ish in t h e ar en a, b u t st u d en t s w it h flyin g-t yp e
m ar t ial sou ls ar e n o lon ger allow ed t o fly m or e t h an t en m et er s in t o t h e air . For
t h e sak e of allow in g you t o d isp lay t h e en t ir et y of you r st r en gt h , you can go all-
ou t w it h you r at t ack s; d on ’t h old an yt h in g b ack an yt h in g d u r in g t h e m at ch . I’ll
t ak e car e of t h e sit u at ion if an y p r ob lem s ar ise. H ow ever , an y p ar t icip an t s I
h ave t o r escu e w ill b e d isqu a lified fr om t h e m at ch . Do you u n d er st an d ?”
“Un d er st ood .” Bot h p ar t ies sim u lt an eo u sly r ep lied . A p ecu liar ligh t flash ed
t h r ou gh b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s eyes. At t h e sam e t im e, a t r ace of
ch illin ess ap p ear ed in Dai H u ab in ’s eyes as an in cor p or eal k illin g in t en t seem ed
t o er u p t fr om h is b od y.
Alt h ou gh Dai H u ab in w asn ’t t h e eld est son , h e w as st ill on e of t h e W h it e

T iger Du k e’s son s. H e’d r eceived t h e b est ed u ca t ion a ch ild cou ld sin ce h e w as
you n g. H e h ad n ’t ju st lea r n ed h ow t o cu lt ivat e h is m ar t ial sou l; h e’d a lso
lear n ed ab ou t h ow t o p ar t icip at e in a w ar , as w ell as w ays t o k ill ot h er s. T h e
W h it e T iger Du k e w as a com m an d er of on e of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s t h r ee
ar m ies. As su ch , h is son s w ou ld d efin it ely ob t ain m ilit ar y exp er ien ce in t h e
fu t u r e.
As a r esu lt of t h is, Dai H u ab in h ad a m u ch cold er t em p er am en t t h an h is p eer s;

h e alr ead y h ad t h e b asic m an n er ism s of a sold ier . Of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s
m an y son s, h e h ad t h e b est am ou n t of t alen t , w h ich in t u r n m ad e t h e W h it e
T iger Du k e valu e h im h igh ly. On t h e ot h er h an d , an y of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s
son s cou ld in h er it t h e p osit ion of Gr an d Du k e. T h is h ad for m ed Dai H u ab in ’s
fir m an d r u t h less p er son alit y. W h en h e w as on ly five year s old , h e’d p er son ally
k illed h is fir st you n g sou l b east .
“Bot h sid es, in t r od u ce you r selves.”
“H u o Yu h ao.”
“W an g Don g.”
“Xiao Xiao.”
On t h e ot h er sid e, Dai H u ab in ’s t eam of t h r ee exu d ed an ob viou s sen se of
h ost ilit y.
“Dai H u ab in .”
“Zh u Lu .” T h e b lack -h air ed gir l said .
“Cu i Yajie.” T h e p in k -h air ed gir l sa id .
T h e r efer ee sp r ead h is ar m s w id e an d said , “Bot h t eam s, r et u r n t o you r sid es

of t h e ar en a. W h en I give t h e sign a l, you m ay b egin at t ack in g.”
Bot h p ar t ies slow ly m oved b ack w ar d s, b u t H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed t o k eep h is

eyes t r ain ed on Dai H u ab in . A savage ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh Dai H u ab in ’s eyes
as t h ey r evealed a fain t k illin g in t en t . H ow ever , h e w as ast on ish ed b y t h e fact
t h at H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t yield a t all. St r en gt h -w ise, t h er e w as a w or ld of
d iffer en ce b et w een t h e t w o of t h em . H ow ever , t h e au r a t h at H u o Yu h ao w as
let t in g ou t at t h is in st an t d id n ’t lose t o Dai H u ab in ’s at all.
At t h at m om en t , t h e on look in g t each er s w er e com p let ely silen t . Even Yan

Sh aozh e an d Qian Du od u o h a d b ecom e fu lly con cen t r at ed on t h e ar en a b elow
t h em .
As Fan Yu look ed t ow ar d s t h e r et r ea t in g for m of H u o Yu h ao, h e in w ar d ly

t h ou gh t t o h im self, Br at , I hope t hat you w on’ t di sappoi nt m e. T hi s m at ch i sn’ t
just r el at ed t o your f r eshm en assessm ent ; i t ’ s al so t he m ost i m por t an t
assessm ent t hat t he Soul T ool Depar t m ent has f or you.
Bot h par t i es qui ck l y r each ed t h ei r r espect i ve si des of t h e ar en a. T h e

Assessm en t Ar en a w as ext r em el y l ar ge, t h us, due t o t h e di st an ce bet w een t h em ,
bot h par t i es h ad al r eady becom e m i n i scul e dot s i n each ot h er ’ s eyes.
T h e r ef er ee r ai sed h i s r i gh t h an d, t h en br ough t i t dow n sw i f t l y. I m m edi at el y

af t er w ar ds, a cl ear ‘ Begi n !’ r an g out i n t h e ear s of t h e par t i ci pan t s.
T h e in st an t aft er t h e an n ou n cem en t w as m ad e, bot h p ar t ies m oved
id en t ically; t h ey b ot h ch ar ged t ow ar d s each ot h er .
At t h at m om en t , t h ey w er e sep ar at ed b y t oo gr eat a d ist an ce; even H u o Yu h ao

w as u n ab le t o scou t t h eir op p on en t s w it h h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .
W an g Don g let ou t a sh ou t as h e r an , cau sin g t h e w in gs of h is Rad ian t

Bu t t er fly God d ess t o u n fu r l. H e flew d ir ect ly in t o t h e air , b u t d id n ’t over t ak e
H u o Yu h ao. In st ea d , h e flew r igh t ab ove h im .
T h ey u n d er st ood t h a t t h er e w as lit t le ch a n ce of t h em w in n in g if t h ey w er e t o
com p et e in p u r e st r en gt h ; Dai H u ab in ’s W h it e T iger w as even b et t er t h an W u
Fen g’s Red Dr agon in t er m s of q u alit y, alb eit on ly sligh t ly. Fu r t h er m or e, W u
Fen g h ad on ly h ad t w o sou l r in gs. Even t h ou gh Nin g T ian w as a t h r ee-r in ged
Sou l Eld er , h er st r en gt h -b oost in g b oost h ad b een com p let ely h alt ed b y H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sh ock . H ow ever , Dai H u ab in d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t a llow
h im self t o lose t o t h e sam e t r ick ; h e’d d efin it ely gu ar d h im self again st H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sh ock . W it h h is cu lt iva t ion r an k as a Sou l Eld er , H u o Yu h ao’s
t eam w er e fat ed t o b e d r agged in t o a b it t er figh t in w h ich t h eir on ly ch an ce of
w in n in g w ou ld lay w it h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s H aod on g Pow er .
Xiao Xiao r an in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao, u sin g h er b od y t o sh ield h is.

Sim u lt an eou sly, sh e t ook ou t h er N in ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e.
On t h e ot h er h an d , Dai H u ab in ’s t r io k ep t t h eir p r eviou s for m at ion as t h ey

w ild ly d ash ed for w a r d . Dai H u ab in w as in t h e ver y fr on t , an d h e sh ou t ed lou d ly
as h e r an , “W h it e T iger , Possession !”
An in t en se, w h it e ligh t su d d en ly exp lod ed fr om h is b od y, cau sin g h is ar m s t o

sim u lt an eou sly exp an d as h e ch ar ged for w ar d . H is ch est st u ck ou t , an d b on e-
cr ack in g sou n d s r an g ou t fr om ever y cor n er of h is b od y. H is m u scles su d d en ly
sw elled u p , cau sin g h is clot h es t o b e st r et ch ed t a u t . All of h is m u scles w er e n ow
ext r em ely p r om in en t , an d even t h e air su r r ou n d in g h im seem ed t o h ave t u r n ed
w ild .
H is gold en h air in st an t ly t u r n ed b lack a n d w h it e, w it h t h e w h it e h air t ak in g

u p a m ajor it y. H ow ever , t h e few st r an d s of b lack h air on h is h ead w er e
esp ecially ob viou s. Fou r fain t lin es ap p ear ed on h is h ead , for m in g t h e ‘Kin g’
ch ar act er . (王)
Of t h e t r an sfor m at ion s t h a t occu r r ed t o h is b od y, h is h an d s h ad b een

t r an sfor m ed t h e m o st . T h ey d ou b led in size, an d w h it e fu r cover ed t h e b ack s of
h is h an d s. Sh or t , d agger -lik e claw s b egan t o u n ceasin gly ext en d an d r et r act
fr om h is t en fin ger s as h e m oved t h em , an d each claw —eigh t in ch es in len gt h —
w as ju st lik e t h e ed ge of a k n ife, an d flick er ed w it h a cold , gh ost ly ligh t .
Dai H u ab in slow ly cr ou ch ed for w ar d , an d h is fou r p u p ils b ecam e a d eep ,

gh ost ly b lu e, m ak in g it seem as if h e w er e a m ach in e sp ecifically d esign ed for
slau gh t er .
T h r ee h alos of ligh t b egan t o slow ly r ise ab ove h is feet ; t w o of t h em w er e

yellow , w h ile t h e ot h er w as p u r p le. As h is sou l r in gs r evolved , h is su r gin g sou l
p ow er for m ed a w ave of p r essu r e t h a t exp lod ed ou t w ar d s.
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t p u r se h is lip s as h e saw t h e W h it e T iger m ar t ial

sou l. If h is m ar t ia l sou l h ad n ’t u n d er gon e a var iat ion , h e w o u ld ’ve p ossessed a
m ar t ial sou l t h a t w as ju st lik e Dai H u ab in ’s! If h e also p ossessed t h e st r on g
W h it e T iger m ar t ia l sou l, even t h e w ife of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e w ou ld n ’t b e
ab le t o su p p r ess h im if sh e w an t ed t o. An y ch ild of t h e m ain b lood lin e w h o
p ossessed t h e W h it e T iger w ou ld b e an ext r em ely im p or t an t p er son w h o w ou ld
b e gr oom ed b y t h e clan . Fu r t h er m or e, h e w as even t h e son of t h e W h it e T iger
Du k e, alb eit a b ast ar d ch ild .
Var iou s t r an sfor m at ion s h ad also occu r r ed t o t h e t w o gir ls b esid e Dai H u ab in .

T h e h et er och r om at ic eyes of t h e b lack -h air ed gir l on h is left —Zh u Lu —b ecam e
even d eep er in colou r , an d h er ear s p r ick ed u p . Fu r t h er m or e, h er ch ar m in g
figu r e b ecam e even m or e slen d er an d p ow er fu l. Sh ar p claw s ap p ear ed on all t en
of h er fin ger s, an d even t h ou gh t h ey w er en ’t as st u r d y as Dai H u ab in ’s, t h ey
gave off an illu sor y sen se of sw ift n ess. Alt h ou gh h er cu r r en t sp eed h ad n ’t
exceed ed Dai H u ab in ’s, h er b od y u n exp ect ed ly gave r ise t o a ser ies of
con secu t ive aft er im a ges as it flick er ed .
T h e p in k -h air ed gir l, on t h e ot h er h an d , w as even st r an ger . Aft er r eleasin g

h er m ar t ial sou l, sh e seem ed t o h ave aged b y t h r ee or fou r year s, cau sin g h er
or igin ally t w elve-year -old self t o t u r n in t o a you n g lad y t h at w as filled w it h
you t h fu ln ess. H er p in k h air gr ew even lon ger , an d even for m ed lar ge cu r ls at
t h e b ot t om , m ak in g it look lik e a p in k w at er fall t h at r ose in t o t h e air . H er eyes
b ecam e clear an d gem -lik e, cau sin g h er w h ole b od y t o b e filled w it h t h e vigor of
you t h . H er ear s h a d b ecom e p oin t ed as w ell, even m or e so t h an Zh u Lu ’s.
Fu r t h er m or e, on e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t st ar e b lan k ly at h er p er fect feat u r es. M ost
im p or t an t ly, t w o lo n g t ails h a d ap p ear ed fr om h er b ack . Ea ch t ail w as ar ou n d
on e m et er lon g, an d t h eir t h ick , p in k fu r w as illu m in at ed b y t h e r ays of t h e
aft er n oon su n , m ak in g it so t h a t on e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t w an t t o r u b t h em .
Cu i Yajie’s p in k eyes im m ed ia t ely fou n d H u o Yu h ao’s, a n d sh e sm iled

ch ar m in gly at h im . H er fir st sou l r in g q u iet ly lit u p , b u t t h e ligh t com in g fr om it
w asn ’t ver y ob viou s. If on e w asn ’t p ayin g car efu l at t en t ion t o it , it w ou ld b e
over look ed .
H u o Yu h ao’s p ale gold eyes flash ed , b u t h e r em ain ed u n m ovin g.
Cu i Yajie’s b od y sh ook , an d h er p eer less face t u r n ed sligh t ly p ale. H er m ar t ial

sou l—t h e Nin et ails Fox—w as a r elat ively h igh -levelled exist en ce am on g Beast
Sou ls, an d it h ad a few u n iqu e ch ar act er ist ics. It w ou ld gr o w a sin gle t ail for
ever y ext r a sou l r in g sh e ob t ain ed , an d h er st r en gt h w ou ld in cr ease accor d in gly.
H er fir st sou l sk ill w as called ‘Ch ar m ’, an d sh e’d u sed it on H u o Yu h ao, alb eit t o
n o effect .
T h e Nin et ails Fox w as p ar t sp ir it u al-t yp e an d p ar t assau lt -t yp e, an d sh e’d

ch osen t h e sam e p at h for h er cu lt ivat ion . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes
w er e a m ar t ial sou l t h at focu sed com p let ely on t h e sp ir it u al-t yp e. Du e t o t h at , it
w ou ld b e h ar d for Cu i Yajie’s Ch ar m , w h ich w as a sp ir it u al-t yp e sk ill, t o affect
h im .
Aft er t h is b r ief p er iod of t im e p assed , b ot h t eam s w er e n ow w it h in fift y

m et er s of each ot h er . T h u s, t h e sp eed -r ed u cin g effect of Xiao Xiao’s
Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e st ar t ed t o sh ow it self, cau sin g t h e sp eed of Dai
H u ab in ’s t r io t o d ecr ease clear ly. H ow ever , Zh u Lu w as affect ed m ost b y it ; t h e
n u m b er of aft er im ages sh e’d cr eat ed d ecr eased b y t w o, an d sh e d id n ’t seem so
illu sor y an ym or e.
As t h e d ist an ce b et w een t h em sh r an k , Da i H u ab in ’s t eam en t er ed t h e r an ge of

H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , ca u sin g t h eir ever y m ove t o ap p ear as a t h r ee-
d im en sion a l im age in t h e m in d s of H u o Yu h ao’s t eam .
Dai H u ab in ’s t eam m ad e t h e fir st m ove. Zh u Lu ’s b od y flash ed , cau sin g h er

sp eed t o su d d en ly in cr ease. T h is cr ea t ed a ser ies of con secu t ive aft er im ages t h at
ap p ear ed b eh in d h er as sh e p ou n ced t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. Alt h ou gh sh e w as
affect ed b y t h e sp eed-r ed u cin g effect of t h e Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e, h er
sp eed w as st ill as sh ock in g as ever .
H u o Yu h ao’s t r io w er e all in w ar d ly ast on ish ed . Befor e t h eir m at ch st ar t ed ,

t h ey’d h ear d t h at Zh u Lu ’s m ar t ial sou l w as t h e Net h er w or ld Civet , an d t h a t sh e
w as an Agilit y Syst em Bat t le Sou l M a st er . H ow ever , sh e w a s u n d ou b t ed ly t h e
q u ick est Agilit y Syst em Sou l M ast er t h ey’d ever m et . W er e it n ot for t h e
Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e’s sp eed -r ed u cin g effect , it w ou ld ’ve b een h ar d
t o even cat ch h er sh a d ow .
T h e in st an t Zh u Lu m ad e h er m ove, Dai H u ab in st a r t ed t o go on t h e offen sive.
H e r oar ed , an d in a flash , an in t en se w h it e ligh t gat h er ed a r ou n d h is h ead as h is
secon d sou l r in g lit u p . Righ t aft er t h at , a b all of w h it e ligh t sh ot t ow ar d s W an g
Don g. Clear ly, h e d id n ’t w an t t o give W an g Don g an y ch an ce t o save H u o
Yu h ao.
Cu i Yajie w as or igin ally u sin g h er Ch a r m on H u o Yu h ao, b u t sh e su d d en ly

sh ift ed t h e t ar get of h er sk ill t o Xiao Xiao.
T h e t h r ee of t h em coor d in at ed ext r em ely w ell. T h ey each t ar get ed a m em b er

of H u o Yu h ao’s t ea m t h at t h ey h ad an ad van t age again st . Cu i Yajie w an t ed t o
d isr u p t Xiao Xiao’s Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e, givin g Zh u Lu t h e ch an ce
t o at t ack H u o Yu h ao. Zh u Lu w an t ed t o r ely on h er sp eed t o t ak e car e of t h e
en em y com m an d er . On t h e ot h er h an d , Dai H u ab in clash ed again st W an g
Don g’s st r en gt h w it h h is ow n st r en gt h .
W er e it n ot for H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , t h eir t eam w ou ld ’ve

im m ed iat ely su ffer ed a loss. Aft er all, t h er e w as a d ist in ct ga p b et w een t h e t w o
t eam ’s cu lt ivat ion s. H ow ever , t h e fou n d at ion al gap b et w een t h eir p r ed ict ive
sk ills ch an ged t h e en t ir e sit u a t ion .
T h e m om en t Cu i Yajie ch an ged t h e t ar get of h er sk ill, H u o Yu h ao m ad e h is

m ove. H ow ever , h e ch ose n ot t o w or k t oget h er w it h W an g Don g. T h ey w er e
cu r r en t ly in a 3v3 m at ch , an d if h e a n d W an g Don g join ed for ces again st a sin gle
op p on en t , t h e r em ain in g p er son w ou ld d efin it ely cau se a h u ge in con ven ien ce t o
t h em .
H u o Yu h ao r eleased h is Sp ir it u al Sh ock . T ar get : Cu i Yajie.
T h e t im in g of H u o Yu h ao’s at t ack w as sim p ly t oo in gen iou s. T h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m h ad w ar n ed h im of t h e b ack la sh t h at cou ld occu r as a r esu lt of h is
Sp ir it u al Sh ock , b u t H u o Yu h ao h ad t h e h elp of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . W h y
w ou ld h e lau n ch a n at t ack on an op p on en t w h o w as gu ar d in g again st h is
at t ack s? T h e in st an t h e ch ose t o act ivat e h is Sp ir it u al Sh ock w as t h e exact
in st an t w h en Cu i Yajie ch an ged w h o sh e w as t ar get in g—t h e in st an t sh e u sed h er
Ch ar m on Xiao Xiao.
Cu i Yajie’s Ch ar m an d H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Sh ock w er e b ot h sp ir it u al-t yp e

sk ills, b u t t h e d iffer en ce b et w een t h e t w o sk ills w as sh o w n n ow . Cu i Yajie
n eed ed visu al con t act for h er Ch ar m t o b e act ivat ed , b u t H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t n eed
an yt h in g of t h e sor t . Fu r t h er m or e, h is Sp ir it u a l Sh ock h ad n o act ivat ion sign als.
Cu i Yajie let ou t a m u ffled gr oan . An in t en se, st ab b in g p ain su d d en ly filled

h er b r ain , cau sin g h er t o st agger for w ar d an d n ear ly fall. H ow ever , h er sp ir it u al
p ow er w as m u ch gr eat er t h an an or d in ar y Sou l Gr an d m ast er ’s, an d H u o
Yu h ao’s cu lt ivat ion r an k w as b elow h er s. W it h ou t t h e assist a n ce of t h e H aod on g
Pow er , H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Sh ock w asn ’t ab le t o p ose an en or m ou s t h r eat t o
h er . H ow ever , it w as st ill ab le t o st op h er fr om in t er r u p t in g Xiao Xiao.
T h e in st a n t t h at H u o Yu h ao m ad e h is m ove, Xiao Xiao act ivat ed h er

T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on . T h e b lack cau ld r on flew t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao,
su d d en ly d r op p in g t o t h e gr ou n d ju st as Zh u Lu w as ab ou t t o r each h im .
Zh u Lu w as ext r em ely q u ick , t h u s sh e w as ab le t o qu ick ly evad e. H ow ever ,

t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on su d d en ly sp lit in t h r ee t o for m a st r aigh t lin e
in fr on t of h er . Xiao Xiao t h en act iva t ed h er fir st sou l sk ill, Cau ld r on Qu ak e.
Am id st t h e t h u n d er ou s b oom s, t h e q u ak in g r ip p les em a n at ed fr om Xiao

Xiao’s T h r eelives So u lcr u sh Cau ld r on s for m ed a p r ot ect ive b ar r ier in fr on t of
H u o Yu h ao. Alt h ou gh Zh u Lu w as qu ick , sh e w asn ’t ab le t o d od ge all t h r ee
cau ld r on s in su ch a b r ief m om en t . W h en Xiao Xiao h ad r eleased h er so u l sk ill,
sh e k n ew t h at sh e w as scr ew ed . T h u s, sh e’d in st an t ly st o p p ed t h e sou l sk ill
sh e’d ju st act ivat ed an d h ad t u r n ed t o t h e sid e, n ar r ow ly d od gin g t h e q u ak in g
r ip p les fr om Xiao Xiao’s Cau ld r on Qu ak e.
At t h e sam e t im e, an ot h er in t en se b oom r an g ou t . W it h a m u ffled gr oan ,

W an g Don g lan d ed b esid e H u o Yu h ao.
H e’d su ffer ed a loss aft er t r yin g t o b lock Dai H u ab in ’s secon d sou l sk ill—t h e
W h it e T iger ’s Fier ce Ligh t W ave—w it h h is Gu illot in e W in g, ca u sin g an u n st ab le
ligh t t o flick er ar ou n d h is w in gs as t h ey sh ook . In ad d it ion , a t r ace of b lood
b egan leak ed ou t of h is m ou t h a n d n ose.
T h e gap in t h eir so u l p ow er ’s st r en gt h h ad im m ed ia t ely b een r evealed .
On ce Dai H u ab in h ad ob t ain ed an ad van t age, h e w ou ld n ’t give it u p easily. H e

q u ick ly sh ot for w ar d s, a savage glin t in h is eyes. On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e cr aft y
Cu i Yajie r ap id ly h id b eh in d h im , so as t o d od ge H u o Yu h ao’s at t ack s.
Dai H u ab in w as a b old p er son , b u t h e h ad a p len t ifu l am ou n t of com b at
exp er ien ce; h e w as m u ch m or e exp er ien ced t h an H u o Yu h ao’s t r io a t lea st . T h e
in st an t h is b od y sh ot for w ar d , h is fir st sou l r in g lit u p , cau sin g a layer of w h it e
ligh t t o su r r ou n d h is en t ir e b od y, esp ecially h is h ead . H e w a s clear ly gu ar d in g
again st H u o Yu h ao. T h is w as h is fir st sou l sk ill—W h it e T iger ’s Sh ield . Not on ly
d id it h ave an ext r em ely p ow er fu l d efen se, it also in cr eased h is com b at st r en gt h ,
Bot h p ar t ies h a d alr ead y b een close t o on e an ot h er , an d t h is clash on ly

b r ou gh t t h em even closer . Dai H u ab in p ou n ced t ow ar d s W a n g Don g, lan d ed in
fr on t of h im , an d sw at t ed at h im w it h h is claw .
On t h e ot h er sid e, Zh u Lu ’s b od y flash ed as sh e fou gh t again st t h e T h r eelives

Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on . Sh e w as sim p ly t oo fast h ow ever , as Xiao Xiao n eed ed 120 %
of h er focu s t o b lock h er w it h t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on —even w it h
t h e sp eed -in h ib it in g effect of h er Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e an d H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . If Zh u Lu h a d n ’t b een su p p r essed b y a com b in at ion
of so m an y fact or s, sh e w ou ld ’ve b een ab le t o ap p r oach H u o Yu h ao an d at t ack
h im .
W an g Don g h ad alr ead y su ffer ed a loss d u r in g h is fir st clash w it h Dai H u ab in ,

w h o h ad n ow ap p r oach ed h im again . It w as clear w h o h eld t h e u p p er h an d .
T h ey w er e b ot h Assau lt Syst em Bat t le Sou l M ast er s, b u t t h ey sp ecialised in

d iffer en t ar eas. W a n g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess h ad ext r em ely st r on g
en er gy-t yp e at t ack s lik e t h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess, b u t t h e W h it e T iger
h ad alw ays b een good at close-com b at at t ack s. As a r esu lt of t h is, Dai H u ab in
w ou ld h ave t h e u p p er h an d in a close-r an ge figh t lik e t h is.
Dai H u ab in w as a st on ish ed b y t h e fact t h at W an g Don g h ad n ’t act ivat ed h is

secon d sou l sk ill yet . Aft er lan d in g on t h e gr ou n d st ab ly, W an g Don g st ill
con t in u ed t o m eet Dai H u ab in ’s claw w it h h is Gu illot in e W in g.
Dai H u ab in sn or t ed cold ly an d for cefu lly gr ab b ed ah old of W an g Don g’s

w in gs w it h h is claw s, com p let ely ign or in g t h eir sh ar p ed ges. H e w an t ed t o r ely
on h is ow n st r en gt h t o cr u sh W a n g Don g’s m ar t ial sou l. Fr om t h is, h is am ou n t
of self-con fid en ce cou ld b e seen .
T h e m om en t b efor e h is claw t ou ch ed W an g Don g’s w in g, Dai H u ab in

su d d en ly felt a sen se of cr isis in h is h ea r t . H e su d d en ly d iscover ed som et h in g
d iffer en t ab ou t W a n g Don g’s Gu illot in e W in g. Pr ev iou sly, W an g Don g’s b lu e
w in gs h ad b een ou t lin ed w it h a gold en ed ge. Now , h ow ever , a fain t layer of
or an ge h ad on t op of t h at gold en ed ge.
T hat ’ s not r i gh t . As a r esul t of Dai H uabi n ’ s vast com bat exper i en ce, h e w as
abl e t o r eact t h e i n st an t h e sen sed t h at som et h i n g w as w r on g. H e f or cef ul l y
st opped h i s cl aw , t h en st am ped on t h e gr oun d w i t h h i s r i gh t f oot . T h i s
f or cef ul l y ch an ged t h e t r aject or y of h i s ch ar ge, al l ow i n g h i m t o dodge t o t h e
si de. At t h e sam e t i m e, h e act i vat ed h i s W h i t e T i ger ’ s Fi er ce Li gh t W ave agai n ,
l aun ch i n g i t t ow ar ds W an g Don g as h e dodged t o t h e si de.
H ow ever , t h e si t uat i on t h i s t i m e h ad com pl et el y ch an ged. T h e i n st an t t h at

Dai H uabi n h ad ch an ged di r ect i on s, W an g Don g h adn ’ t ch ased af t er h i m .
I n st ead, h e’ d un f ur l ed h i s w i n gs an d f l ow n up i n t o t h e ai r . H e t h en l an ded on
H uo Yuh ao’ s sh oul der s, al l ow i n g h i m t o dodge Dai H uabi n ’ s W h i t e T i ger ’ s
Fi er ce Li gh t W ave’ s bom bar dm en t .
W i t h H uo Yuh ao’ s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on , W an g Don g’ s gr asp of t h e bat t l ef i el d

w as ext r em el y accur at e. As a r esul t of h i s r ush ed at t ack , Dai H uabi n h adn ’ t been
abl e t o l ock on t o W an g Don g. T h us, W an g Don g h ad been abl e t o dodge h i s
W h i t e T i ger ’ s Fi er ce Li gh t W ave. On t h e ot h er h an d, t h e ch an ge i n Dai H uabi n ’ s
m ovem en t s h ad exposed Cui Yaji e, w h o h ad been h i di n g beh i n d h i m .
Cui Yaji e w as com pl et el y st upef i ed w h en sh e saw t h e gol den st r eak s appear on

W an g Don g’ s w i n gs. On l y af t er t h e bat t l e h ad r each ed i t s cur r en t st age, h ad
W an g Don g f i n al l y r eveal ed h i s secon d soul sk i l l , t h e Li gh t of t h e But t er f l y
Goddess.
T h i s w as t h e ar t of w ar . H uo Yuh ao an d W an g Don g bot h k n ew t h at i t w as an

i m possi bl e t ask t o def eat Dai H uabi n w i t h i n such a sh or t per i od of t i m e. As a
r esu lt of t h is, Cu i Yajie h ad b een t h eir t ar get sin ce t h e ver y b egin n in g. T h ey
h ad n ’t even h esit at ed t o exp ose a w eak p oin t in t h eir for m at ion b y allow in g
W an g Don g t o t ak e on Dai H u ab in w it h ou t t h e assist an ce of t h eir H aod on g
Pow er . All of t h is h a d b een d on e t o t em p or ar ily d ist r act Dai H u ab in .
Alt h ou gh Dai H u ab in h ad a vast am ou n t of com b at exp er ien ce, h e w as st ill a

t w elve-year -old ch ild . H ow m an y calcu lat ion s cou ld h e p er for m in an in st an t ?
On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o Yu h ao’s w ay of figh t in g en t ir ely r elied on t h e p r ed ict ive
n at u r e of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . H e d id n ’t even n eed t o t ell W a n g Don g
an yt h in g; h e cou ld b asically d ir ect W an g Don g ju st b y con t in u ou sly ch an gin g
t h e focal p oin t s of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . T h is w as a t yp e of m u t u al
u n d er st an d in g t h at t h e t w o h ad gr ad u ally for m ed aft er t h e m an y m at ch es
t h ey’d fou gh t t oget h er .
Cu i Yajie w as on ly a Sou l Gr an d m ast er , an d as su ch , sh e d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t

b e ab le t o b lock t h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess t h at h ad b een act iva t ed b y
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g’s H aod on g Pow er . H ow ever , at t h at m om en t , sh e
r evealed h er viciou s sid e.
As t h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess sh ot t ow ar d s h er , it w as b asically

im p ossib le for h er t o d od ge it . On t h e ot h er h an d , Dai H u ab in h ad p ou n ced t o
t h e sid e a n d w asn ’t ab le t o r escu e h er . H ow ever , sh e d id n ’t r et r eat , sid est ep , or
r eveal a flu st er ed exp r ession . In t h at in st an t , h er secon d sou l r in g lit u p . Sh e
sw ift ly sw u n g h er b od y, cau sin g b ot h of h er p in k t ails t o fly ou t w ar d s. H ow ever ,
sh e d id n ’t t ar get W an g Don g, b u t in st ead H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as b en eat h h im .
H er t ails flew st r a igh t t ow ar d s H u o Yu h a o’s ch est .
On e sh ou ld n ’t assu m e t h at sh e h ad a la r ge, soft t ail. T h is w asn ’t fu r , b u t an

at t ack filled w it h t h e m igh t of Cu i Yajie’s secon d sou l sk ill.
H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o clear ly sen se t h e t er r ifyin g am ou n t of sou l p ow er

con t ain ed w it h in Cu i Yajie’s t w o t ails fr om h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion . H er sou l
p ow er h ad n ’t sim p ly b een con d en sed ; it h ad b een focu sed in t o t h e ver y t ip of
h er t ail, ju st lik e a n eed le. If h e w er e st r u ck b y it , h e’d d efin it ely d ie.
T h is w as Cu i Yajie’s secon d sou l sk ill, Foxt ail Need le.
On e w h o k n ow s b ot h h is an d t h eir en em y’s st r en gt h is su r e t o b e in vin cib le in

b at t le. Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s t r io d id n ’t com p let ely u n d er st an d t h e
com p r eh en sive st r en gt h of t h eir op p on en t s, t h ey w er e d efin it ely ab le t o p r ed ict
t h eir ever y m ove w it h H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . H ow ever , t h e
u n d er st an d in g Dai H u ab in ’s t r io h ad of t h eir t eam w as lim it ed b y t h eir p r ev iou s
p er for m an ces.
As far as t h ey w er e aw ar e, H u o Yu h ao h ad m er ely st ood t o t h e sid e an d

r eleased h is sp ir it u a l-t yp e sou l sk ill d u r in g h is t eam ’s p r eviou s m at ch es. Ot h er
t h an t h a t , h e’d n ever m ad e a m ove.
As a r esu lt of t h is, Cu i Yajie n ever exp ect ed t o m iss. Sh e n at u r ally cou ld n ’t

d od ge W an g Don g’s at t ack , b u t it w ou ld ’ve b een w or t h it if sh e cou ld ’ve d r agged
H u o Yu h ao d ow n w it h h er . Aft er all, h er t eam m at es cou ld b e t ar get ed b y H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sh ock at an y t im e.
W h en t h ey’d b egu n figh t in g at close r an ge, t h e r efer ee h ad im m ed iat ely

m oved closer t o t h em . T h e in st an t t h at W an g Don g u n fu r led h is w in gs, h e
m oved .
For t h e sak e of allow in g t h e six fr esh m en t o u se all of t h eir st r en gt h , t h is

m at ch h ad n o r est r ict ion s on t h e am ou n t of p ow er t h ey w er e allow ed t o u se.
T h e sp ect at in g t each er s w ou ld on ly b e ab le t o clear ly ob ser ve t h eir p ot en t ial if
t h ey w en t all-ou t . Du e t o t h a t , t h e r efer ee w asn ’t ju st an exp er ien ced t each er ,
b u t w as an agilit y syst em sou l m ast er . Fu r t h er m or e, h is cu lt iv at ion h ad r each ed
t h e seven -r in ged Sou l Sage r an k . T h e m om en t h e m ad e h is m ove, h is sp eed far
su r p assed t h at of w h at H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est cou ld ’ve im agin ed .
W h en Cu i Yajie h ad viciou sly la u n ch ed h er at t ack t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, t h e

r efer ee h ad alr ea d y ar r ived n ext t o h im . Even t h e r efer ee t h ou gh t t h at t h e t w o
of t h em w ou ld r in g-ou t sim u lt an eou sly.
J u st as t h e r efer ee w as ab ou t t o m ak e a m ove, H u o Yu h ao h ad m oved .
H is figu r e su d d en ly t u r n ed illu sor y, an d h is figu r e sw ift ly m oved b ack w ar d s

w it h a gen t le sw ay, u n exp ect ed ly for m in g an aft er im age.
H is sp eed d efin it ely cou ld n ’t com p ar e t o t h e agilit y syst em Zh u Lu ’s, b u t t h e
m ovem en t h e’d m a d e w as d efin it ely n ot som et h in g an agilit y syst em sou l
m ast er cou ld p er for m . M or e im p or t an t ly, h is foot st ep s h ad b een ext r em ely
m yst er iou s, w h ich h ad r esu lt ed in Cu i Yajie’s Foxt ail Need le n ot b ein g ab le t o
locat e it s t ar get . As su ch , it s con d en sed p ow er h ad n ’t b een ab le t o b e r eleased .
In t h at exact m om en t , W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess su r ged

d ow n w ar d s; n ot ju st t ow ar d s Cu i Yajie, b u t also t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in .
W an g Don g w as st an d in g on H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er s, an d m oved b ack w ar d s

alon g w it h h im as a r esu lt . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion m ad e it so
t h at h is sou l sk ill d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t m iss. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e Ligh t of t h e
Bu t t er fly God d ess w as an ext r em ely st r o n g sou l sk ill t h a t co u ld b e u sed as b ot h
an AoE at t ack an d a sin gle-t a r get at t ack .
T h e r efer ee t h r ew Cu i Yajie ou t of t h e ar en a w it h h is r igh t h an d . H is

ju d gem en t w as ext r em ely good ; Cu i Yajie w as n o lon ger a b le t o st r ik e H u o
Yu h ao, b u t sh e w ou ld d efin it ely b e ser iou sly in ju r ed , if n ot k illed , if sh e w er e
b at h ed in t h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess. As for Dai H u ab in , h e d id n ’t b ot h er
h elp in g h im .
W h en t h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess la n d ed on Dai H u ab in ’s W h it e

T iger ’s Sh ield , a ser ies of exp losion s r an g ou t . In or d er t o m in im ize t h e ar ea of
con t act w it h W an g Don g’s at t ack , h e cr ou ch ed d ow n in a h a lf-k n eelin g p osit io n
w h ile u sin g h is p alm s t o p r ot ect h is h ead .
H ow ever , t h e st r en gt h of W an g Don g’s at t ack exceed ed h is im agin at ion .

Alt h ou gh it w as on ly a t w o-r in ged sou l sk ill, Dai H u ab in w as n ear ly u n ab le t o
w it h st an d it s m igh t . H is W h it e T iger ’s Sh ield act u ally alm ost sh at t er ed fr om
d efen d in g again st it .
T h e air su r r ou n d in g Dai H u ab in ’s b od y su d d en ly t w ist ed as h is d em on ic eyes

t u r n ed b lood -r ed . H is t h ir d sou l r in g flick er ed w it h a n ob le p u r p le color as it
slow ly r ose in t o t h e air . H is b od y—w h ich h ad b ecom e m u scu la r d u e t o t h e
W h it e T iger ’s Possession —exp an d ed yet again , cau sin g h is m u scles t o b u lge
even m or e. M or eover , h is clot h es com p let ely b u r st ap ar t , r evealin g t h e d ist in ct
silh ou et t e of h is m u scles. St r an gely, b la ck p at t er n s h ad ap p ear ed on h is sk in ,
an d w er e it n ot for t h e h air on h is sk in , t h ey’d b e id en t ica l t o t h at of a t iger ’s.
H is p alm s b ecam e even lar ger , w h ile h is claw s t u r n ed b r igh t silver . H ow ever ,
h is b od y w as cover ed b y a layer of in t en se gold en ligh t , m ak in g it seem as if h is
sk in h ad b ecom e gold -p lat ed . In ad d it ion t o t h at , a b lood t h ir st y ligh t filled h is
b lood -r ed eyes, in -t u r n cau sin g t h e h egem on ic au r a of a Beast Kin g er u p t fr om
h is b od y.
T h e in st an t h e r elea sed h is t h ir d sou l sk ill, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g b ot h

felt an in t en se sen se of cr isis fill t h eir h ea r t s.
A st r on g, gold en ligh t er u p t ed fr om Dai H u ab in ’s b od y, cau sin g h is sp eed an d

st r en gt h t o in cr ease exp losively. H e r ep eat ed ly slam m ed h is p alm s ou t w ar d s,
for cefu lly d est r oyin g t h e b alls of ligh t cr eat ed b y W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e
Bu t t er fly God d ess.
Alt h ou gh t h e t ar get of W an g Don g’s at t ack w asn ’t h im sp ecifically, it w as st ill

a p ow er fu l sou l sk ill t h at h ad b een act ivat ed b y t h eir H aod on g Pow er , an d it s
st r en gt h h ad d efin it ely r each ed t h e level of a Sou l Eld er ’s t h ou san d year sou l
sk ill! Dai H u ab in w as t h e fir st p er son w h o’d b een ab le t o b lock t h e H aod on g
Pow er -fu elled Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess sin ce t h e st ar t of t h e t ou r n am en t !
T h is w as t h e st r en gt h of a t op -r an k ed Beast Sou l. In t h e en d , W an g Don g’s

cu lt ivat ion r an k w a s st ill in fer ior t o Dai H u ab in ’s. Aft er all, h e w asn ’t a Sou l
Eld er , even aft er h e’d fu sed h is sou l p ow er w it h H u o Yu h a o’s. If H u o Yu h ao’s
cu lt ivat ion r an k h a d r each ed Ran k 20 , Dai H u ab in d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave
b een ab le t o r eact in su ch a m an n er . H ow ever , t h eir cu r r en t sit u at ion w as d u e t o
t h e gap in t h eir st r en gt h .
In an in st an t , W an g Don g’s at t ack com p let ely d issip at ed . Aft er ‘sacr ificin g’
Cu i Yajie, Dai H u ab in —w h o w as n ow at h is p eak con d it ion —h ad fin ally ar r ived
b efor e H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g. Alt h ou gh it w as a 1v2, h e’d alr ead y t ak en t h e
u p p er h an d in t er m s of p r essu r e alon e.
T h e in st an t W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly d isap p ear ed , Dai H u ab in
st am p ed t h e gr ou n d w it h h is left foot , cau sin g a m u ffled b an g t o r in g ou t .
Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, h e sh ot for w ar d lik e a b ow , n ot t ow ar d s W an g Don g,
b u t t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
T h is w as H u o Yu h ao’s fir st t im e b ein g so close t o Dai H u ab in . W it h h is h at ed

en em y so close t o h im , H u o Yu h ao w as u n ab le t o r em ain ca lm n o m at t er h ow
h ar d h e t r ied t o for ced h im self.
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly m oved b ack w ar d s w it h t h e Gh ost Sh a d ow Per p lexin g

T r ack , b u t h ow cou ld h is sp eed com p ar e t o t h at of t h e Sou l Eld er -r a n k ed Dai
H u ab in ? T h e d ist an ce b et w een t h em in st an t ly sh r an k , an d Dai H u ab in sen t h is
p alm st r aigh t t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s ch est .
At t h at exact m om en t , H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly st op p ed m ovin g. H e st ar ed at Dai

H u ab in w it h a b r illian t ligh t in h is eyes, cau sin g t h e air w it h in a five-m et er
d iam et er of h im t o sligh t ly d ist or t . Even t h e m ajor p ow er s ob ser vin g fr om t h e
Sp ect at or ’s St an d w er en ’t ab le t o n ot ice t h is sligh t ch an ge.
T h is w asn ’t h is Sp ir it u a l Sh ock , b u t h is Sp ir it u a l In t er fer en ce. H u o Yu h ao

clear ly u n d er st ood t h at t h e on ly p er son w h o’d su ffer a loss if h e u sed h is
Sp ir it u al Sh ock on Dai H u ab in in h is cu r r en t st a t e w ou ld b e h im self.
Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d d efin it ely su ffer a b ack lash . T h u s, h e ch ose t o u se Sp ir it u al
In t er fer en ce, w h ich w ou ld n ever h ave a b ack lash . Fu r t h er m or e, h e u sed h is
ever -gr ow in g am ou n t of con t r ol over h is sp ir it u al p ow er t o lim it t h e r an ge of h is
sk ill t o a d iam et er of five m et er s.
T h e in st an t H u o Yu h ao act ivat ed h is Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce, W an g Don g

su d d en ly fell for w ar d in a st r an ge m a n n er , as if h e’d slip p ed . H ow ever , h is
Gu illot in e W in gs flick er ed w it h a p ale or a n ge ligh t , an d st ill slash ed t ow ar d s Dai
H u ab in . H e’d aim ed h is at t ack a t b ot h sid es of Dai H u ab in ’s n eck .
No m at t er h ow t ou gh t h e W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion m ad e h im , Dai

H u ab in d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t d ar e t o for cefu lly t ak e on W an g Don g’s Gu illot in e
W in gs w it h ju st h is n eck . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l In t er fer en ce h ad
d ist r act ed h im for a secon d . It w as ju st a secon d , b u t h e’d st ill b een slow ed d ow n
h alf a b eat !
Becau se of t h at , Dai H u ab in ’s m ovem en t s h ad b ecom e sligh t ly slu ggish w h en

h e felt t h e sh ar p n ess of W an g Don g’s Gu illot in e W in gs. T h u s, h e cou ld on ly u se
h is p alm s t o for cefu lly b lock W an g Don g’s at t ack .
H ow cou ld a h ast ily-r eleased at t ack b e com p ar ed t o an at t ack t h at h a d b een

ch ar ged u p ? Alt h ou gh Dai H u ab in w as u sin g h is W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a
T r an sfor m at ion , h e st ill w asn ’t ab le t o b last W an g Don g a w ay. On t h e ot h er
h an d , a gold en ligh t su d d en ly ap p ear ed on W an g Don g’s fold ed w in gs. On ce
again , h e act ivat ed t h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess.
W it h t h e su p p or t of H u o Yu h ao an d t h e H aod on g Pow er , t h e st r en gt h an d
act ivat ion sp eed of W an g Don g’s sou l sk ills far su r p assed h is u su al level. H is
cu r r en t st r en gt h h a d alr ead y r each ed t h e Sou l Eld er level. Com p ar ed t o a Sou l
Eld er , t h e on ly t h in g h e lack ed w as a t h ir d sou l sk ill.
Dai H u ab in w as in w ar d ly ast on ish ed . W an g Don g’s gr asp of t em p o w as

sim p ly t oo am azin g, t o t h e ext en t t h at h e sim p ly cou ld n ’t r eact . H elp less, h e
cou ld on ly go all-ou t w it h h is d efen se. H e act ivat ed h is W h it e T iger ’s Fier ce
Ligh t W ave at close r an ge, cau sin g it t o collid e w it h W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e
Bu t t er fly God d ess.
On e w as a con cen t r at ed all-ou t at t ack , w h ile t h e ot h er w as a d efen sive

cou n t er at t ack t h at h ad b een h ast ily r elea sed . On e w as a t h ou san d year sou l sk ill,
w h ile t h e ot h er w as a h u n d r ed year sou l sk ill. At t h is m om en t , b ot h p ar t ies h ad
sim ilar levels of sou l p ow er . T h u s, t h e w in n er of t h e clash w as im m ed ia t ely
d ecid ed .
A violen t b oom r an g ou t fr om t h e ar ea b et w een W an g Don g an d Dai H u ab in .

W an g Don g h ad lau n ch ed h is at t ack fr om ab ove, w h ile Dai H u ab in h ad lau n ch ed
h is w h ile facin g u p w ar d s fr om d ow n b elo w .
Aft er t h e t er r ifyin g b oom r an g ou t , W an g Don g flew in t o t h e air w it h h is
w in gs u n fu r led , easily d isp er sin g t h e for ce of t h eir collision . H ow ever , Dai
H u ab in w as left in a sor r ier st a t e; h e’d su n k k n ee-d eep in t o t h e gr ou n d , w h ile
h is u p p er b od y w as b ar ed an d facin g t h e sk y. A gold en ligh t exp lod ed fr om h is
b od y, sh ow in g t h at h is W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion h ad su st a in ed an
in cr ed ib le b low .
Chapt er 31.1: The Golden Pat h VS Net her wor ld
Whit e Tiger
H ow ever , Dai H u abin ’s t h ir d sou l sk ill w as st ill ext r em ely p ow er fu l. Even

t h ou gh h e’d b een at t ack ed in a sit u a t ion lik e t h is, h e st ill h ad n ’t su ffer ed an y
ser iou s in ju r ies.
W an g Don g h ad flow n in t o t h e air , b u t H u o Yu h ao w as st ill on t h e gr ou n d !

H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t r et r eat lik e W an g Don g h ad . In st ea d , h e im m ed iat ely ch ar ged
for w ar d s. As h e m oved for w ar d s w it h t h e Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack s, h is
h an d s t u r n ed jad e-w h it e. T h is w as t h e T an g Sect ’s M yst er iou s J ad e H an d s. H e
t ook ad van t age of Dai H u ab in ’s h alf-k n eelin g p osit ion t o r u sh for w ar d s, t h en
b r ou gh t h is p alm s b ack w ar d s. J u st as Dai H u ab in w as ab ou t t o st an d u p , H u o
Yu h ao slam m ed h is p alm s in t o Dai H u ab in ’s ch est .
H u o Yu h ao h ad p u t ever yt h in g h e h ad in t o t h is at t ack . H e k n ew t h at h e
w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o k ill Dai H u ab in w it h it , b u t t h is at t ack cou ld b e said t o
con t ain all t h e gr iev an ces h e’d exp er ien ced d u r in g t h e eleven year s h e’d sp en t
w it h in t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s M an sion . As h e st r u ck Dai H u ab in ’s ch est , h is
eyes even t u r n ed so m ew h at r ed .
H is t h r ee m on t h s of b it t er t r ain in g h a d n ’t b een for n au gh t . N ot on ly h ad H u o

Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er an d var iou s sk ills gr ow n in st r en gt h , t h e q u alit y of h is
p h ysiq u e h ad im p r oved as w ell. T h is a t t ack , b oost ed b y t h e M yst er iou s J ad e
H an d s an d Con t r ollin g Cr an e Cap t u r in g Dr agon , w as t h e m ost p ow er fu l
p h ysical at t ack h e cou ld r elease at h is cu r r en t level. Fu r t h er m or e, Dai H u ab in ’s
W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion w as in a sligh t ly w eak en ed st at e d u e t o
W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess. H u o Yu h ao h ad gon e all-ou t in t h is
at t ack , an d d esp it e t h er e b ein g an en or m ou s gap b et w een t h eir sou l p ow er r an k ,
h e w as st ill ab le t o d ep r ess Dai H u ab in ’s st om ach an d sh ov e h is b od y in t o t h e
gr ou n d a lit t le, w h ile n ear ly cau sin g h im t o sp it ou t a m ou t h fu l of b lood .
Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s em ot ion s w er e su r gin g, h e w as st ill a sp ir it u al-t yp e
sou l m ast er . H is sp ir it u a l p ow er —w h ich w as m u ch st r on ger t h an t h at of an
or d in ar y sou l m ast er ’s—allow ed h im t o r em ain clear -h ead ed at all t im es. H e
sw ift ly r et r eat ed as soon as h is at t ack lan d ed . T h e in st an t aft er h e h ad , Dai
H u ab in sh ot r igh t b ack u p , h is claw s cu t t in g t h r ou gh t h e air w h er e H u o Yu h ao
h ad ju st b een . W it h h is at t ack p ow er , H u o Yu h ao’s m u scles an d b on es b ot h
w ou ld ’ve b een b r ok en if Dai H u ab in ’s at t ack h ad lan d ed
W an g Don g slow ly d escen d ed , lan d in g b ack on H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er s.

Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t ab le t o t r u ly in ju r e Dai H u ab in , h e st ill felt a sen se
of cat h ar sis in h is h ear t .
M om , d id you see t h at ? You r Lit t le Yu h ao h as alr ead y b egu n t o ob t ain h is

r even ge for you . T h is p alm st r ik e is on ly t h e b egin n in g; t h er e w ill b e a d ay w h en
I h ave en ou gh st r en gt h t o get r even ge for you , an d clean se t h e p ain an d
h u m iliat ion t h at w e’ve su ffer ed t h ese p ast t en year s.
An an gr y ligh t filled Dai H u ab in ’s eyes w h en h e m issed H u o Yu h ao. H e d id n ’t

t h in k t h at h e’d act u ally b e u n ab le t o ob t ain an a d van t age again st h im , even at
su ch a close r an ge. T h er e w as a d ist in ct gap b et w een t h eir st r en gt h s, yet H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e ab le t o r ely on t h eir ast on ish in g syn er gy an d
t im in g t o su p p r ess h is st r en gt h . Alt h ou gh t h e W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a
T r an sfor m at ion w as a p ow er fu l sk ill, it s sou l p ow er con su m p t ion w as ext r em ely
lar ge. If it w as u sed for a p r olon ged p er iod of t im e, h e’d b e fu lly exh au st ed .
W it h ou t an y h esit a t ion or p au se at all, Dai H u ab in r u sh ed st r aigh t t ow ar d s

H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g again .
T h e b at t le h ad r each ed it s m ost clim act ic st age.
----
On t h e ot h er sid e of t h e ar en a, Xiao Xia o h ad com p let ely en t er ed t h e zon e.

H er cu lt iva t ion r an k w asn ’t an y w eak er t h an Zh u Lu ’s, an d even t h ou gh Zh u
Lu ’s Net h er w or ld Civet w as a p eak -level exist en ce am on gst agilit y syst em
m ar t ial sou ls, Xiao Xiao h ad t w in m ar t ial sou ls! In t er m s of at t r ib u t es, sh e even
h ad a sligh t ed ge ov er Zh u Lu , as t h e sp eed -r ed u cin g effect of h er Nin ep h oen ix
W or sh ip p in g Flu t e w as ab le t o r ed u ce h er op p on en t ’s sp eed .
In a sit u a t ion lik e t h is, w h er e Xiao Xiao also h ad t h e assist an ce of H u o

Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , sh e m igh t as w ell scr ew off if sh e w asn ’t ab le t o
b lock Zh u Lu .
Xiao Xiao’s t h r ee lar ge b lack cau ld r on s r ot at ed ar ou n d in m id air , in t er r u p t in g

Zh u Lu ’s ever y m ove b y u t ilisin g H u o Yu h ao’s for esigh t . Even t h ou gh Zh u Lu
w as ext r em ely q u ick , it w as as if sh e’d fallen in t o a cage cr eat ed b y Xiao Xiao’s
T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on s. No m at t er h ow h ar d sh e t r ied t o escap e fr om
it , sh e w asn ’t ab le t o.
Sh e’d t r ied t o u se b r u t e for ce t o b r eak ou t of t h e p r ison , b u t even t h ou gh sh e

w asn ’t w eak , b r eak in g a t op -r an k ed T ool Sou l lik e t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh
Cau ld r on w asn ’t som et h in g t h at sh e cou ld ach ieve.
Con t r ar ily, Xiao Xiao w asn ’t good at at t ack in g, w h ich m ean t t h at d efeat in g
Zh u Lu w ou ld b e a d ifficu lt t ask t o p u ll off. As su ch , t h eir b at t le h ad t u r n ed in t o
a closely-fou gh t on e.
In t h e eyes of t h e sp ect at in g t each er s, t h is w as alr ead y Xiao Xiao’s w in . In t h e

w or ld of sou l m ast er s, t h e agilit y syst em w ou ld n or m ally b e ab le t o su b d u e t h e
con t r ol syst em . H o w ever , Xiao Xiao h ad b een ab le t o r ely on h er t w in m ar t ial
sou ls t o con t r ol Zh u Lu , allow in g h er t o gain t h e u p p er h an d . At t h e ver y least ,
Zh u Lu w asn ’t ab le t o h elp Dai H u ab in . On t h e ot h er h an d , Cu i Yajie h ad b een
d isp at ch ed ear ly, d u e t o H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s clever m ach in at ion s.
Becau se of t h is, t h e com p r eh en sive st r en gt h of b ot h t eam s w er e n ow m u ch
closer t o each ot h er ’s.
“H ow ab ou t it ? Old Yan , it seem s t h a t m y for esigh t w as b et t er t h an you r s.

H ah a.” Qian Du od u o sp ok e w it h a p leased voice.
Yan Sh aozh e m er ely sm iled . “You sh ou ld n ’t sp eak so ea r ly. T h ose t h r ee fellas
h aven ’t w on yet .”
Qian Du od u o lau gh ed . “Fr om w h at I’ve seen , even t h ou gh t h er e’s a gap

b et w een t h em in t er m s of st r en gt h , t h ey’r e st ill n ot at a d isa d van t age as lon g as
t h ey r ely on t h eir syn er gy. On ce t h is m at ch h as b een d r aw n ou t , w h ich sid e d o
you t h in k w ill w in ?”
Yan Sh aozh e in d iffer en t ly sa id , “I k n ow w h at you ’r e ab ou t t o say. T h at flu t e-

p layin g gir l w h o also u ses cau ld r on s h a s b een m in im izin g t h e con su m p t ion of
h er sou l p ow er sin ce t h e b egin n in g of t h e m at ch ; sh e’s on ly b een u sin g h er
flu t e’s sou l sk ill. If t h is con t in u es, t h e m at ch w ill t ilt in t h eir favou r on ce t h at
lit t le b lack cat r u n s ou t of sou l p ow er .”
Qian Du od u o sm iled cu n n in gly. “I k n ew t h at you ’d r ealise it . If t h at ’s t h e

case, w h y d on ’t you q u ick ly su r r en d er ?”
Yan Sh aozh e glan ced at h im . “Old Qian , you ’ve b een p layin g w it h you r m et als
for t oo lon g. You ’ve alr ead y for got t en on e of t h e t r ad it ion s of t h e w or ld of sou l
m ast er s. W h at r elat ion sh ip d oes t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s M an sion h ave w it h t h e
St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s Zh u Fam ily?”
On ce h e h ear d Yan Sh aozh e’s w or d s, t h e sm ile on Qian Du od u o’s face

in st an t ly st iffen ed . “No w ay. T h e Zh u an d Dai Fam ily on ly h a ve a sin gle p air in
each gen er at ion , t w o at m ost . H ow old is t h at k id ? Don ’t t ell m e t h at t h e W h it e
T iger Du k ed om p lan s t o let h im in h er it t h e p osit ion of Gr an d Du k e?”
Yan Sh aozh e sm iled . “W h y w ou ld t h at b e im p ossib le? H e’s a lr ead y m an aged

t o gat h er t h r ee sou l r in gs b efor e t h e age of t w elve. W it h t h is, h e’s alr ea d y
exceed ed t h e an cest or of t h e Dai Fam ily—t h e lea d er of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven
M on st er s w h ose st at u e cu r r en t ly sit s at t h e Acad em y’s en t r an ce. T h e Dai Fam ily
h as alw ays allow ed t h e st r on g t o in h er it t h e p osit ion of Gr an d Du k e. Did n ’t t h e
W h it e T iger Du k e sen d h is k id t o Sh r ek Acad em y for h im t o p u r su e h is st u d ies,
an d t o see h ow m u ch p ot en t ial w e can u n lock w it h in h im ? T h e Zh u Fam ily h as
m an y in t er n a l fact ion s, an d t h is gir l sh ou ld b e an in vest m en t t h a t a cer t ain
fact ion fr om t h e Zh u Fam ily h as m ad e in Dai H u ab in . If t h ey w er e w in n in g t h is
m at ch , m y sp ecu lat ion m igh t h ave r em ain ed sim p ly a sp ecu lat ion . H ow ever ,
t h ey’r e losin g n ow . W e’ll soon b e ab le t o see w h et h er or n ot m y gu ess w as
cor r ect .”
As t h e Dean of Sh r ek Acad em y’s M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , Yan Sh aozh e

d id n ’t ju st h ave an ext r em ely h igh cu lt ivat ion r an k ; h e also h ad con t r ol over t h e
var iou s secr et s an d r esou r ces t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h ad accu m u lat ed over t h e
p ast t en t h ou san d year s. It w ou ld n ’t b e in cor r ect t o call h im t h e en cyclop ed ia of
t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t .
Aft er h ear in g Yan Sh aozh e’s w or d s, t h e sm ile on Qian Du od u o’s face van ish ed
com p let ely. A p ain ed look ap p ear ed on h is face. “I ju st k n ew t h at a cr aft y old fox
lik e you w ou ld n ’t let m e t ak e even a sm all ad van t age fr om you . You w er e ju st
w ait in g for t h is t o h ap p en . Is it fin e if w e r ed u ce ou r b et ? Look , I k n ow t h e
m at ch h asn ’t en d ed yet , b u t can I ju st give you 30 sh ells if I give u p r igh t n ow ?
W e’ve b een b r ot h er s for so m an y year s, an d you also k n ow ab ou t t h e b ad h ab it I
h ave. You ’r e ju st t or t u r in g m e n ow !”
Whit e Tiger
Du W eilu n ’s facial m u scles t w it ch ed as h e r esist ed lau gh in g ou t lou d . Fan Yu ,

on t h e ot h er h an d , h ad cover ed h is face w it h h is h an d s an d b u r ied h is h ead in
h is lap , act in g as if h e d id n ’t r ecogn ise Qian Du od u o.
Dean Qian w as an ext r em ely ou t st an d in g p er son in m an y asp ect s, b u t h e h ad

a sin gle sh or t com in g—h is st in gin ess. Becau se of t h at , h e w as given t h e
ext r em ely lon g n ick n am e of ‘lot s of m o n ey, sm all h a n d s, ch eap sk at e, p or celain
q u ail, glass r at , glazed cat ’ in t h e Acad em y. T h e m ean in g of t h is n ick n am e w as
t h at , even t h ou gh h e h ad a lot of m on ey an d r esou r ces, it ’d b e an ext r em ely
d ifficu lt t ask t o t ak e an yt h in g fr om h im . H e w as t h e ver y d efin it ion of t h e w or d
st in gy!
It w as t r u e t h at H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad a sligh t ed ge in t h e m a t ch .
St r en gt h -w ise, t h ey w er e in fer ior t o Dai H u ab in , even if t h ey w or k ed t oget h er .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o’s Sp ir it u al Det ect io n p layed a d ecisive r ole in t h eir cu r r en t
sit u a t ion . By r elyin g on it s p ow er fu l p r ed ict ion ab ilit ies, t h ey w er e ab le t o figh t
w it h Dai H u ab in w it h ou t m eet in g h im h ead on ; all of t h eir at t ack s w er e
st r at egic in t h a t t h ey for ced Dai H u ab in t o act d efen sively. W an g Don g’s w in gs
w er e fu lly u n fu r led u n d er t h e st r en gt h en in g effect of t h e H a od on g Pow er , w h ile
H u o Yu h ao m oved ar ou n d u sin g t h e Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack s, m ak in g it
seem as if t h e t w o w er e act in g as on e. As W an g Don g’s dazzlin g b lu e w in gs
soar ed ab ou t t h e sk y, Dai H u ab in cou ld on ly cr y ou t t o n o ava il, n o m at t er h ow
fier cely h e at t ack ed .
It w asn ’t as if h e h ad n ’t t ak en an y r isk s; t h e p r ob lem w as t h at h is op p on en t s

seem ed t o b e ab le t o see t h r ou gh all of h is p lan s. In t h e en d , t h e on ly t h in gs h e
h ad t o sh ow for it w er e t h e w ou n d s on h is b od y. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g w er e st ill ab le t o in gen iou sly evad e all of h is at t ack s.
Dai H u ab in h ad also b een p ayin g at t en t ion t o Zh u Lu ’s sit u at ion . At t h e
b egin n in g of t h e b at t le, Zh u Lu h ad alr ead y gon e all-ou t , b r in gin g h er sp eed t o
t h e lim it in an a t t em p t t o b r eak t h r ou gh Xiao Xiao’s w all. Becau se of t h a t , h er
sou l p ow er con su m p t ion h ad b een ext r em ely lar ge. On t h e ot h er h an d , Xiao
Xiao, w h o’d alr ead y for m ed a st r at egy t o cou n t er h er , h ad con su m ed m u ch less
sou l p ow er t h an Zh u Lu . Even t h ou gh sh e’d r eleased b ot h of h er m ar t ial sou ls,
sh e w as on ly u sin g t h e fir st sou l sk ill of h er Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e.
Zh u Lu ’s sp eed h ad clear ly d ecr eased , an d d u e t o t h e Nin ep h oen ix

W or sh ip p in g Flu t e’s sp eed -in h ib it in g sou l sk ill, h er exh au st ion w as n ow
b egin n in g t o sh ow .
Dai H u ab in h ad con t in u ou sly u sed h is W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion

for t h e sak e of m ain t ain in g h is ab solu t e ad van t age in at t ack p ow er , b u t h e w as
st ar t in g t o fin d it d ifficu lt t o m an age it s en or m ou s con su m p t ion of sou l p ow er .
Fr om h is p oin t of view , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g sh ou ld ’ve con su m ed a
sim ilar ly en or m ou s am ou n t of sou l p ow er . H ow ever , t h ey w er e b ot h seem in gly
st ill filled w it h en er gy. If t h e b at t le con t in u ed lik e t h is, h e cou ld act u a lly lose
t h e m at ch .
“If you h ave an y ab ilit y, m eet m e h ead on !” Dai H u ab in r oar ed an gr ily. H e

w asn ’t ab le t o h old b ack h is r age an y lon ger .
A t r ace of d isd ain ap p ear ed on H u o Yu h ao’s lip s. “Don ’t you k n ow w h at

st r at egy is? You ’r e t h e son of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e, yet you d on ’t even k n ow
w h at st r a t egy is. W h at a p iece of r u b b ish .”
A savage ligh t flash ed t h r ou gh Dai H u a b in ’s eyes. Su d d en ly, t o H u o Yu h ao

an d W an g Don g’s ast on ish m en t , h e can celled h is W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a
T r an sfor m at ion .
Alt h ou gh t h ey h ad t h e assist an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion , t h e t w o

of t h em h ad alw ays avoid ed a d ir ect con fr on t at ion w it h Dai H u ab in ; t h ey’d
alw ays m ain t ain ed a fixed d ist an ce b et w een t h em . Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w as
aw ar e of Dai H u ab in ’s act ion s, t h eir m ovem en t s h a d slow ed d u e t o t h eir
b ew ild er m en t .
Dai H u ab in d id n ’t a d van ce, b u t in st ead w ild ly r et r ea t ed . T h e su d d en ch an ge

in h is m ovem en t s sen t H u o Yu h ao’s t r io in t o a d aze. Fu r t h er m or e, H u o Yu h ao
w as ab le t o t ell fr om t h e cir cu lat ion of Dai H u ab in ’s sou l p ow er t h a t h is act ion s
w er en ’t a t r ap , b u t a gen u in e r et r eat .
T h e in st an t Dai H u a b in t u r n ed b ack , Zh u Lu m a d e a m ove as w ell. Aft er u sin g

a Net h er w or ld St ab on Xiao Xiao, sh e in st an t ly r et r eat ed t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in .
W h at ar e t h ey d oin g? Ar e t h ey t r yin g t o r ecover t h eir sou l p ow er ?
W an g Don g ju m p ed off H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er , w h ile Xiao Xiao h u r r ied ly

r u sh ed b ack t o t h eir sid e. T h e t h r ee of t h em all h ad p u zzled look s in t h eir eyes.
Su d d en ly, in exp lica b ly, H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t b egan t o p alp it at e in t en sely. T h is

feelin g w asn ’t n ew t o h im ; w h en h e’d en t er ed t h e Gr ea t St ar Dou For est b efor e
en t er in g Sh r ek Acad em y, h e’d felt t h is exact feelin g w h en h e m et h is fir st sou l
b east . It w as a m yst er iou s p r em on it ion t h at cam e fr om h is Sp ir it Eyes.
T h ey w er e in a m at ch r igh t n ow , an d t h eir st r an ge act ion s alon g w it h t h e

p alp it at ion s in h is h ear t sh ook H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t . H e cr ied ou t in volu n t ar ily,
“Ar e t h ey t r yin g t o r elease a fu sion sk ill? ”
At t h at exact m om en t , Dai H u ab in let ou t a t iger -lik e r oar . T h is w as follow ed

b y h is b od y im m ed iat ely exp an d in g on ce again , alon g w it h w h it e fu r an d b lack
st r ip es fr an t ically su r gin g ou t .
Zh u Lu soft ly b it h er t eet h t oget h er , follow ed b y h er b od y b ein g cover ed in a

fain t b lack ligh t . H er b od y t h en float ed in t o t h e air , a n d even seem ed t o h ave
b ecom e t r an sp ar en t . Aft er w ar d s, sh e sp r ead h er ar m s t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in .
T h e cu r r en t Dai H u ab in an d Zh u Lu cou ld on ly see each ot h er . Dai H u ab in ’s

t w in p u p ils h ad fu sed in t o a sin gle p u p il, b u t t h e gr im n ess in h is eyes st ill
r em ain ed . Con t r ar ily, Zh u Lu ’s gaze h ad b ecom e as t r an qu il as w at er , m ak in g it
seem as if sh e w er e goin g t o m elt in t o h im .
In t h at in st an t , t h e au r as of t h e W h it e T iger an d t h e Net h er w or ld Civet h ad

fu sed com p let ely, givin g off an ext r em ely m yst er iou s feelin g. T h e w h it e t iger
seem ed t o h ave d evou r ed t h e b lack cat , an d an in t en se u n d u lat ion of sou l p ow er
er u p t ed fr om t h eir fu sed b od y lik e a geyser . T h e t w o ligh t s fu sed in t o a sin gle
en t it y w it h in t h e gold en h alo, givin g off a t r an scen d en t feelin g.
A m ar t ial sou l fu sion w asn ’t as sim p le as ‘1+1=2’. Even t w o id en t ica l m ar t ial

sou ls m igh t n ot p ossess a fu sion sk ill, b ecau se t h e act of t h e fu sion it self
r eq u ir ed t h e t w o sou ls t o b ot h com p lem en t each ot h er an d h ave p er fect
com p at ib ilit y. W h en a fu sion sk ill w as r eleased , it s in car n at ion w as d efin it ely
n ot ju st a t t h e level of t w o sou l m ast er s; it w as a t r an scen d en t exist en ce.
Dai H u ab in an d Zh u Lu ’s b od ies van ish ed in t h e in st an t t h at t h e fu sion

occu r r ed , leavin g on ly an en or m ou s W h it e T iger in t h e Assessm en t Ar ea. T h e
W h it e T iger ’s b od y w as t r an sp ar en t , w h ile it s fu r w as lin ed w it h b lack st r ip es.
It s p u r p le eyes gazed cold ly at H u o Yu h ao ’s t r io.
Yes, t h is w as t h e secr et t h at b elon ged t o t h e b lood lin e of t h e W h it e T iger

Du k ed om an d t h e Zh u Fam ily, w h ich w as also a t op -r an k ed n ob le fam ily w it h in
t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e; t h e secr et of a m ar t ial sou l fu sion .
Alm ost all W h it e T iger Du k e’s w er e w ed t o a w om an fr om t h e Zh u Fam ily.

T h is w as also t h e case for t h e Du k e’s w ife w h o’d p er secu t ed H u o Yu h ao’s
m ot h er . T h e r eason t h at sh e w as ab le t o cover t h e h eaven s w it h in t h e W h it e
T iger Du k e’s M an sion w asn ’t ju st d u e t o h er ow n au t h or it y. It w as also d u e t o
t h e st r en gt h of h er fam ily, as w ell as t h e lar ge am ou n t of st r en gt h sh e h er self
p ossessed !
T h e m ar t ial sou l t h at b elon ged t o t h e W h it e T iger Du k ed om h ad a m or e

accu r at e n am e—t h e Evil Eyed W h it e T iger . M or eover , t h e m ost d ist in ct t r ait of
a p er son w h o p ossessed t h e Evil Eyed W h it e T iger w ou ld b e t h e t w o p u p ils in h is
eyes. On t h e ot h er h an d , t h er e w as an ext r em ely h igh ch an ce t h at t h e Evil Eyed
W h it e T iger w ou ld h ave a h igh en ou gh com p at ib ilit y r at e t o p er for m a m ar t ial
sou l fu sion w it h t h e Zh u Fam ily’s Net h er w or ld Civet .
T h e b lood lin e of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e h ad m ain t ain ed a close r elat ion sh ip

w it h t h e Zh u Fam ily sin ce an cien t t im es. In t h e p ast , w h en t h e b lood lin e of t h e
W h it e T iger Du k e w as st ill t h e r oyal fam ily of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, t h e Zh u
Fam ily h ad in h er it ed t h e p osit ion of p r im e m in ist er s. Alt h o u gh t h e t w o fam ilies
n o lon ger h eld t h eir p ast glor y, t h ese en or m ou s, d eep ly-r oot ed p ow er s st ill h eld
im p or t an t p osit ion s w it h in t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e b est t ie an d
b r id ge b et w een t h e Du k e’s M an sion an d t h e Zh u Fam ily w er e t h e m ar r iages t h at
h ad occu r r ed in t h e p ast .
Whit e Tiger
Nat u r a lly, n ot all Evil Eyed W h it e T iger s cou ld fu se w it h a Net h er w or ld Civet .

H ow ever , sin ce an cien t t im es, t h er e w ou ld alw ays b e a p air , or even t w o, ap p ear
w it h in each gen er a t ion . Fu r t h er m or e, on e of t h e m ost im p or t an t p r er eq u isit es
for a d escen d an t t o assu m e t h e p osit ion of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e w as for said
d escen d an t t o su ccessfu lly m ar r y a w om an fr om t h e Zh u Fam ily. Cu r r en t ly, Dai
H u ab in w as t h e on ly son of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s fir st w ife w it h in h is
gen er at ion t h a t cou ld p er for m a m ar t ial sou l fu sion w it h a d au gh t er of t h e Zh u
Fam ily.
T h e fu sion of t h e Evil Eyed W h it e T iger an d Net h er w or ld Civet w ou ld cr eat e

t h e en or m ou s, eigh t -m et er lon g, t w o m et er t all figu r e t h a t h ad ju st ap p ear ed in
t h e Assessm en t Ar en a. It w as Dai H u ab in an d Zh u Lu ’s fu sion sk ill—t h e
Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger !
T h e en or m ou s w h it e t iger ap p ear ed som ew h at t r an sp ar en t , an d gave off t h e

im p r ession t h at it w as a com p let ely illu sor y exist en ce. H ow ever , Dai H u ab in an d
Zh u Lu ’s figu r es h ad alr ead y d isap p ear ed . T h e W h it e T iger ’s h u ge b od y squ at t ed
sligh t ly, t h en im m ed iat ely u sed it s t er r ifyin g sp eed t o p ou n ce t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao’s t r io, t r an sp ar en t r ip p les t r a ilin g b eh in d it .
As it leap t in t o t h e air , it r aised it s h ea d h au gh t ily. It s gaze t h at over look ed

t h e en t ir e w or ld w as filled w it h ar r ogan ce as it r evealed it s b ear in g as b ot h t h e
t yr an t of t h e w or ld , an d t h e k in g am on g b east s.
“Xiao Xiao, let ’s b egin !” H u o Yu h ao sh ou t ed , t u r n in g ar ou n d an d sp r ead in g

h is ar m s t ow ar d s W a n g Don g.
T h ey h ad n ’t or igin ally p lan n ed t o go t h is far , as H u o Yu h ao h ad b een
d et er m in ed t o w ait p at ien t ly for t h e sa k e of h is fu t u r e. H ow ever , w h en t h eir
op p on en t s h ad act ivat ed t h eir fu sion sk ill, t h ey’d b een left w it h n o ot h er ch oice.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t w an t t o lose t h is m at ch ; h e w an t ed t o let h is m ot h er ’s sp ir it in
h eaven see h is d iligen ce an d st r en gt h , an d let h er see t h at h e h ad a ch an ce at
aven gin g h er .
Dai H u ab in an d Zh u Lu h ad t h eir last r esor t , so w h y cou ld n ’t H u o Yu h ao’s

t r io h ave on e as w ell?
W an g Don g h ad alr ead y sp r ead h is a r m s w id e, an d a st r an ge ligh t ap p ear ed in

h is eyes as h e look ed at H u o Yu h ao. T h er e w as a gen t le look in h is eyes, yet it
also seem ed b ot h en cou r agin g an d con solin g. T h is st r an ge ligh t cau sed H u o
Yu h ao’s h ear t t o b eat fier cely, an d h is gaze t o b ecom e even m or e d et er m in ed .
H ow ever , a fain t sm ile also ap p ear ed on h is face; a sm ile t h at on ly W an g Don g
cou ld see.
Righ t . J u st b efor e t h e m at ch st ar t ed , t h ey h ad t r ied act iva t in g t h eir fu sion

sk ill, an d h a d su cceed ed in d oin g so; t h ey’d act u ally r egain ed t h e ab ilit y t o
u n leash t h eir m yst er iou s fu sion sk ill aft er on ly t h r ee d ays.
Up on t h e t all st age, t h e t each er s w er e all h old in g t h eir b r eat h s. H ow ever , t h e

m ost n er vou s p er son on -sit e w as t h e r efer ee; h e w as alr ead y p r ep ar ed t o
in t er ven e at an y t im e.
Asid e fr om an ext r em ely sm all n u m b er of t each er s, an over w h elm in g

m ajor it y of t h em h a d n ever exp ect ed a sp ect acu lar scen e lik e t h is in a m at ch
b et w een fr esh m en . A fu sion sk ill—t h at w as a m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill!
T h e r efer ee w as alr ead y p r ep ar in g t o st op t h e Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger .

Alt h ou gh a fu sion sk ill w as ext r em ely st r on g, t h e u ser s w er e st ill far off fr om h is
cu lt ivat ion r an k . H e w as con fid en t t h at h e cou ld save H u o Yu h ao’s t r io in t h e
in st an t t h at t h e Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger lau n ch ed an at t ack . H ow ever , h e
h ad n ’t m ad e a m ove d u e t o H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s m ovem en t s, as w ell as
Xiao Xiao’s act ion s.
A d ar k ligh t sim u lt an eou sly er u p t ed fr om t h e t h r ee lar ge cau ld r on s b esid e
Xiao Xiao as t h ey in st an t ly sh ot t ow ar d s t h e m id d le of t h e Assessm en t Ar en a . At
t h e sam e t im e, b ot h of h er sou l r in gs for h er T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on
sim u lt an eou sly lit u p .
H alos of b lack ligh t em er ged fr om Xiao Xiao’s b od y, b u t t h ey d id n ’t sim p ly

st op lik e t h ey h ad la st t im e. In st ead , t h ey p ou r ed in t o t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh
Cau ld r on s.
T h e t h r ee cau ld r on s t h en fu sed in t o on e, cau sin g a violen t boom t o r in g ou t .

Follow in g t h at , an en or m ou s cau ld r on t h at w as d ou b le t h e size of h er n or m al
fu sed cau ld r on filled t h e sk y. T h er e w er e st r an ge r u n es fain t ly d iscer n ib le on
t h e su r face of t h e en or m ou s cau ld r on , w h ich cau sed an in d escr ib ab le p r essu r e
t o su r ge for w ar d fr o m it .
Xiao Xiao’s face in st an t ly p aled , b u t sh e closed h er eyes an d p oin t ed for w ar d

w it h h er r igh t h an d . T h e en or m ou s cau ld r on flick er ed , t h en im m ed iat ely
ap p ear ed in fr on t of t h e Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger , let t in g ou t an ea r -d eafen in g
b oom .
“Nat ion al T r easu r e, Cau ld r on ’s Qu ak in g T r em b le.” T h is w as Xiao Xiao’s m ost

p ow er fu l con t r ol t ech n iqu e.
T h is t im e, sh e d id n ’t at t em p t t o u se it s su ct ion ab ilit y. Xiao Xiao k n ew t h at

h er st r on gest sk ill—w h ich w as b or n e fr om t h e fu sion b et w een t w o of h er sou l
sk ills—w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o st op t h e Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger . Sh e act iva t ed it as
a sin gle-u se sk ill, allow in g it s p ow er t o exp lod e ou t w ar d s. Alt h ou gh it s cost w as
h igh , t o t h e p oin t w h er e h er sou l p ow er w as alm ost en t ir ely d r ain ed in an
in st an t , sh e w ou ld n ’t su ffer a b ack lash lik e sh e h ad p r ev iou sly.
Xiao Xiao’s Cau ld r on ’s Qu ak in g T r em b le violen t ly d ist or t ed t h e air

su r r ou n d in g h er t o t h e p oin t w h er e even t h e n ak ed eye cou ld see it , an d it s
t yr an n ical vib r at ion s filled t h e t en -m et er ar ea su r r ou n d in g it . Du e t o t h e
accu r at e gu id an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , it h ad b een ab le t o
p er fect ly b lock t h e ad van ce of t h e Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger .
Aft er t ak in g on t h e d ist or t in g r ip p les fr om Xiao Xiao’s sk ill, t h e en or m ou s
Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger lit u p w it h w h it e ligh t . Aft er t h at , it t u r n ed slu ggish
for a b r ief m om en t . It h ad t ak en on t h e violen t vib r at ion s fr o m Xiao Xiao’s sk ill,
b u t it s en or m ou s b od y h ad b ar ely b een affect ed at all.
Xiao Xiao’s face w as filled w it h sh ock . Sh e’d n ever exp ect ed t h e en or m ou s

W h it e T iger t o on ly p au se for a b r ief m om en t aft er t ak in g on h er Cau ld r on ’s
Qu ak in g T r em b le.
H ow ever , an even m or e ast on ish in g scen e occu r r ed in t h e n ext in st an t , as a

st r an ge gold en colu m n of ligh t sh ot u p fr om b esid e h er . T h e on ly t h in g left in
h er eyes aft er seein g t h a t en or m ou s gold en p illar w as an im age of
r esp len d en ce—a r esp len d en ce t h at cam e fr om H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g!
On on e sid e w as H u o Yu h ao, w h ose eyes w er e r eleasin g a p ale gold en ligh t .
On t h e ot h er sid e w as W an g Don g, w h ose d azzlin g w in gs w er e u n fu r led as h e

r eleased h is Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
T h e in st an t t h ey r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls aft er h u ggin g each ot h er , t h e

su r r ou n d in g t en m et er ar ea in st an t ly lit u p . An u n u su al ligh t t h en su r ged fr om
t h eir b od ies.
T h at ligh t w as ver y p ecu liar . It w as a p ecu liar r ad ian ce t h at alt er n a t ed

b et w een b lu e, p u r p le, an d gold . A d en se, r ad ian t a u r a ser ved as t h e t r u n k of t h e
ligh t , b u t t h er e w er e m yst er iou s sou l p ow er u n d u lat ion s m ixed w it h in it as w ell.
An en or m ou s figu r e h ad ap p ear ed b eh in d W an g Don g. It w as a com p let e,

m agn ificen t figu r e of t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
On t h e ot h er h an d , an en or m ou s yet illu sor y eye w it h a ver t ical p u p il h ad

ap p ear ed b eh in d H u o Yu h ao. T h is eye w as p ale gold , b u t t h er e w as a fain t h in t
of p u r p le w it h in it s p u p il.
T h e t w o en or m ou s figu r es slow ly ap p r oach ed each ot h er in m id air , an d

t r an sfor m at ion s b egan t o occu r as t h ey got closer an d closer t o on e an ot h er . T h e
figu r e of H u o Yu h a o’s Sp ir it Eye gr ad u ally b ecam e even m or e ar can e, an d it s
en t ir e b od y t u r n ed p u r p lish -b lu e; t h e gold colou r in it h ad com p let ely
van ish ed w .
As W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess ap p r oach ed H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it

Eye, it violen t ly com b u st ed in t o a b lu ish -gold en flam e.
T h e in st an t t h e Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger n ear ed t h em , t h e t w o en or m ou s

figu r es h ad alr ead y m er ged in t o a sin gle en t it y ab ove t h eir h ead s.
T h e in st a n t t h at Xiao Xiao’s Cau ld r on ’s Qu ak in g T r em b le u n leash ed it s

p ow er fu l r est r ict ive ab ilit ies on t h e Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger w as also t h e
in st an t t h at t h e com b u st in g Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess sp r ead it s d azzlin g
w in gs, slow ly h u ggin g t h e figu r e of t h e Sp ir it Eye.
In t h e b lin k of an eye, t h e figu r e of t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess h a d

van ish ed , leavin g on ly t h e b lu ish -p u r p le Sp ir it Eye, w h ich r eleased a b r illian t
r ay of ligh t .
A d azzlin g b lu ish -gold en flam e in st an t ly er u p t ed fr om t h e figu r e of t h e Sp ir it

Eye, t h en slow ly d escen d ed t ow ar d s t h e h u ggin g figu r es of H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g, sh ield in g t h em .
T h e en or m ou s Sp ir it Eye seem ed ext r em ely ar can e, an d it seem ed as if t h er e

w er e a b ou n d less w or ld w it h in it if on e w er e t o look at it car efu lly. Im m ed iat ely
aft er w ar d s, a t er r ifyin g t r i-color ed laser sh ot ou t fr om it .
Whit e Tiger
T h e illu sor y r ay of ligh t sh ot st r aigh t ou t , an d a r esp len d en ce t h at seem ed t o

last for ever cover ed an yt h in g t h e ligh t t ou ch ed . T h e on ly t h in g left b eh in d w as a
b lu r r y, d ist or t ed b r illian ce.
T h e p r eviou sly fu lly-con fid en t Dean Yan Sh aozh e h ad su d d en ly st ood u p t h e

in st an t t h at h e saw H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h u g each ot h er , h is eyes filled
w it h an in con ceivab le look . At t h e sam e t im e, t h e m iser ly Dean Qian h ad st ood
u p alon gsid e h im .
T h e sh ock in Qian Du od u o’s eyes w as n o less t h an t h at of Yan Sh aozh e’s.

Neit h er h e n or Yan Sh aozh e h ad k n ow n t h at t h e t w o of t h em h ad a t r u m p car d
lik e t h is! Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey’d n ever exp ect ed t h e occu r r en ce of su ch an
ast on ish in g scen e w it h in t h e fr esh m en t ou r n am en t ’s fin al r ou n d . T h is w as a
fu sion sk ill p it t ed again st an ot h er fu sion sk ill! T h is w as an ext r em ely r ar e sigh t ,
even am on gst t h e u p p er classm en of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , or even t h e in n er
cou r t yar d ! H ow ever , t h ey w er e cu r r en t ly w at ch in g t h e t r i-color ed laser fr om
t h e en or m ou s ver t ical eye h ead t ow ar d s t h e en or m ou s N et h er w or ld W h it e
T iger .
Even t h e ext r em ely exp er ien ced r efer ee h ad b een left flab ber gast ed at t h is
m om en t . H e d id n ’t k n ow if h e sh ou ld st op t h e collision b et w een t h e t w o a t t ack s,
as b ot h p ar t ies w er e u sin g fu sion sk ills. H ow ever , h ow cou ld t h e vict or b e
d ecid ed if t h ey w er en ’t allow ed t o for cefu lly clash again st each ot h er ?
Alt h ou gh t h e r efer ee d id n ’t k n ow w h a t t o d o, t h at d id n ’t m ean t h at n ob od y

k n ew w h at t o d o. T h e in st an t t h e t w o at t ack s w er e ab ou t t o collid e, a w h it e
figu r e ap p ear ed ou t of n ow h er e in t h e Assessm en t Ar en a. T h e figu r e ap p ear ed
r igh t in -b et w een t h e t w o fu sion sk ills, an d u sed it s b ack t o t ak e on t h e
Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger ’s p alm , w h ile it b lock ed t h e r esp len d en t t r i-color ed
b eam of ligh t h ead -on .
A d en se w h it e ligh t soar ed st r aigh t in t o t h e h eaven s, for m in g an illu sor y yet

in com p ar ab ly st u r d y b ar r ier t h a t sim u lt a n eou sly b lock ed t h e t w o fu sion sk ills.
T h e ext r em ely-st r on g look in g Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger in st a n t ly collap sed as

soon as it h it t h e w h it e b ar r ier , cau sin g Dai H u ab in an d Zh u Lu ’s b od ies t o
r eap p ear on t h e gr ou n d w it h p ale exp r ession s on t h eir faces. T h ey d id n ’t even
h ave t h e en er gy t o st an d u p .
On t h e ot h er sid e, t h e en or m ou s Sp ir it Eye h ad ap p ear ed yet again aft er t h e

r esp len d en t t r i-color ed b eam of ligh t d issip at ed . H u o Yu h a o an d W an g Don g
w er e st ill h u ggin g each ot h er , b u t t h ey h ad n ’t collap sed t h is t im e ar ou n d .
In st ead , t h ey look ed t ow ar d s t h e figu r e w h o’d b lock ed t h eir Gold en Pa t h w it h
an exp r ession less look in t h eir eyes.
T h e p er son w h o’d ap p ear ed ou t of t h in air an d u sed h is b od y t o b lock t h e t w o

fu sion sk ills w it h ou t su ffer in g an y n egat ive r ep er cu ssion s w as n on e ot h er t h an
t h e Dir ect or of Sh r ek Acad em y’s M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , Du W eilu n .
T h e w h it e ligh t com in g fr om h is b od y w as for m ed p u r ely of sou l p ow er . In

t h at in st an t , eigh t sou l r in gs h ad em er ged fr om h is b od y.
T h er e w er e t w o yellow , t w o p u r p le, an d fou r b lack sou l r in gs, t h e m ost

op t im u m com b in at ion of sou l r in gs. T h is w as t h e d om in eer in g st r en gt h of an
eigh t -r in ged Sou l Dou lu o!
H ow cou ld on e n eu t r alise su ch an in t en se collision ? Du W eilu n h ad an sw er ed

t h at q u est ion —b y u sin g h is b od y t o sim u lt an eou sly b lock b ot h at t ack s! By u sin g
h is b od y, Du W eilu n cou ld also t ell w h ich at t ack w as st r on ger , an d t h er eb y
d et er m in e t h e v ict or of t h e m at ch .
T h e t w o at t ack s w er e fu sion sk ills, an d t h ey w er e b ot h each t eam ’s last r esor t .
By t ak in g on b ot h at t ack s, Du W eilu n cou ld u n d ou b t ed ly t ell w h ich at t ack w as
st r on ger w it h a sin gle glan ce.
T h e ot h er t each er s on t h e t all st age h ad or d in ar y r eact ion s t o t h is, b u t a look

of sh ock flash ed t h r ou gh t h e eyes of Yan Sh aozh e an d Qian Du od u o. Du
W eilu n ’s b od y h ad t u r n ed gold en , w h ich m ad e t h e cu r r en t h im look lik e an
u p r igh t -st an d in g st a t u e t h at h a d b een car ved fr om gold . H ow ever , t h e b ack of
h is clot h es h ad b een t or n ap ar t b y t h e Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger ’s p alm ,
exp osin g h is st u r d y b ack . In ad d it ion t o t h at , t h er e w er e even five b lood y
st r eak s on h is b ack .
An eigh t -r in ged Sou l Dou lu o h ad act u ally b een in ju r ed ? In ju r ed b y a b u n ch of

st u d en t s led b y som eon e m er ely at t h e t h r ee-r in ged r an k ?
T h is w as sim p ly in con ceivab le. Gr ad u a lly, t h e ot h er t each er s st ar t ed t o

r ealise t h e gr avit y of t h e sit u at ion , a n d each an d ever y on e of t h em w as
flab b er gast ed .
Nat u r a lly, Zh ou Yi w as on e of t h e m an y sp ect at or s t o t h e b at t le. H er eyes

in st an t ly d ar k en ed as sh e w a t ch ed t h is scen e u n fold . Alt h ou gh sh e cou ld n ’t
b elieve t h at som et h in g lik e t h is h ad occu r r ed , t h e Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger h ad
t r u ly w ou n d ed Du W eilu n ! Sh e w as aw ar e of Du W eilu n ’s cu lt ivat ion , an d sh e
w as en t ir ely con fid en t t h at Du W eilu n w ou ld n ’t w an t t o lose face in a sit u a t ion
lik e t h is. T h er efor e, t h e w ou n d s on h is b ack m u st b e r eal.
Yan Sh aozh e’s cu r r en t exp r ession w as ext r em ely u gly. H e t u r n ed t ow ar d s

Qian Du od u o, b u t w as m et b y an in n ocen t -look in g Qian Du o d u o st a r in g b ack at
h im .
“Did you k n ow ab ou t t h is?” Yan Sh aozh e low er ed h is voice, yet sp ok e w it h a

fier ce t on e.
Qian Du od u o sm iled b it t er ly. “Do I look lik e I k n ew ab ou t it ? T h ese ar e
st u d en t s fr om you r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ; h ow t h e h ell w ou ld I k n ow ab ou t
t h em !? Old Yan , you ’r e n ot t r yin g t o r en ege on you r p r om ise, ar e you ?”
Yan Sh aozh e sn or t ed an d left t h e t all st age w it h a flash . H is b od y flash ed yet

again , an d h e van ish ed as ever yon e look ed on .
As h e w at ch ed Yan Sh aozh e leave, Qian Du od u o sm iled . H e d id n ’t let o u t a

lau gh , b u t t h e p leased look on h is face r evealed h ow h ap p y h e cu r r en t ly felt .
“Dean Qian , Dean Yan ...?” Fan Yu h ad a d ou b t fu l look on h is face as h e

w alk ed t ow ar d s Qia n Du od u o, p u zzled . Fr om w h at h ad h ap p en ed in t h e ar en a,
Dean Qian sh ou ld ’ve lost ! Bu t it seem ed a s if...
Qian Du od u o sm iled cu n n in gly. “Let ’s go. I’m a m an of h igh m or al st an d ar d s,

so w e can ’t n eglect ou r ap p ear an ces even w h en w e’r e p r ou d of ou r selves.
H ow ever , I h ave t o say, Fan Yu ! You ’ve r eally fou n d a good seed lin g t h is t im e.
W e’ll h ave t o r ely on t h is b r at for ou r p lan . I d on ’t car e w h at you d o, you can ’t
let t h at b r at b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . You h ear d
t h e b et t h a t I h ad w it h Old Yan , r igh t ?”
Fan Yu w h isp er ed , “Dean Qian , you ’r e sayin g t h at w e w on ?”
Qian Du od u o sm iled m isch ievou sly, “Ob viou sly. Let ’s go.” W it h t h a t , h e left
t h e t all st age in a flash , r ap id ly van ish in g fr om sigh t .
W it h in t h e Assessm en t Ar en a, Du W eilu n ’s gold en b od y h ad alr ead y r et u r n ed

t o n or m al. H ow ever , t h e cu r r en t h im h a d a look of ast on ish m en t an d d isb elief
on h is face. A ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh h is eyes as h e t u r n ed t o look at H u o Yu h ao
an d W an g Don g, w h o w er e st r u gglin g t o escap e fr om each ot h er ’s em b r ace.
Even h e d id n ’t d ar e t o b elieve t h a t t h is w as r eal! H ow ever , t h e scor ch in g p ain
fr om h is b ack r em in d ed h im t h at ever yt h in g in fr on t of h im w as r eal.
St r u gglin g, Dai H u ab in r ose t o h is feet an d h elp ed Zh u Lu u p . Cu i Yajie h ad

alr ead y r u n excit ed ly t o t h eir sid e, ch eer in g exu b er an t ly.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g cu r r en t ly h ad d ow n cast exp r ession s on t h eir
faces. T h ey h ad n ’t seen Du W eilu n ’s w ou n d s, b u t t h ey cou ld t ell t h at t h ey’d lost
fr om t h eir op p on en t ’s h ap p y faces. T h ey w er e u n ab le t o t ell w h at t h eir ‘Gold en
Pat h Am id st W it h er in g Resp len d en ce’ h ad d on e, b u t t h is loss w as t r u ly
som ew h at b afflin g t o t h em . H u o Yu h ao w as d isap p oin t ed , as h e h ad n ’t b een
ab le t o for cefu lly cla sh again st Dai H u ab in ’s at t ack in t h e en d . H e t r u ly w ish ed
t o see w h et h er h is an d W an g Don g’s all-ou t at t ack cou ld d efeat t h eir op p on en t s!
Du W eilu n w as st ill t h e Dir ect or of St u d ies for Sh r ek Acad em y; aft er b lan k in g

ou t for a b r ief m om en t , h e q u ick ly ca m e b ack t o h is sen ses. A b it t er sm ile
ap p ear ed on h is face as h e in w ar d ly t h ou gh t , T h is is t r u ly em b ar r assin g!
“Ver y good . You all h ave d on e ext r em ely w ell.” Du W eilu n ’s voice r an g o u t ,
cau sin g b ot h t eam s t o calm d ow n an d t u r n t h eir gazes t ow ar d s h im .
Du W eilu n sp ok e d u lly, “I’m ver y su r p r ised you r cu lt ivat ion r an k s w er e ab le

t o r each t h is level as fr esh m en . M or eover , b ot h of you r t eam s w er e ab le t o
u n leash fu sion sk ills. I’ve p er son ally felt t h e st r en gt h of you r fu sion sk ills.”
W h ile h e sp ok e, h e glan ced cold ly at t h e n ot -t oo-d ist an t r efer ee. W er e it n ot

for h is m alfeasan ce, w ou ld h e h ave h ad t o h ave h is b ack exp osed for t h e cr ow d
t o see? T h e r efer ee h ad alr ead y low er ed h is h ead ash am ed ly, n ot d ar in g t o m eet
Du W eilu n ’s gaze.
Du W eilu n sp ok e w it h a d eep voice. “Now t h en , I w ill an n ou n ce t h e fin al

ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t ’s k n ock -ou t t ou r n a m en t . T h ey ar e…”
W it h t h at , h e p au sed . Aft er w ar d s, h e su d d en ly r aised h is r igh t h an d an d p oin t ed
t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s t r io, sp eak in g lou d ly, “W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, an d H u o
Yu h ao!”
“Boom —” T h e en t ir e cr ow d w en t in t o an u p r oar .
Dai H u ab in ’s t eam w er en ’t t h e on ly on es w h o d id n ’t d ar e t o b elieve t h eir ow n

ear s; even t h e t each er s on t h e t all st age h ad sh ock ed exp r ession s on t h eir faces.
Fr om w h at t h ey’d seen , t h e w in n in g t eam d efin it ely sh ou ld ’ve b een Dai
H u ab in ’s t eam , as t h ey’d m an aged t o in ju r e Du W eilu n ! T h er e w er e
im m ed iat ely p eop le w h o t h ou gh t , W as Dir ect or Du u sin g h is p osit ion t o t ak e
r even ge for t h e em b ar r assm en t h e’d su ffer ed ?No, t h at w a sn ’t p ossib le! T h e t w o
ot h er Dean s h ad also b een w at ch in g t h e m at ch ear lier , so h ow cou ld Dir ect or Du
ab u se h is p osit ion for h is ow n p r iva t e b en efit s? Fu r t h er m or e, Du W eilu n w as
alw ays k n ow n for h ow ju st h e w as. Aft er ser vin g as t h e Dir ect or of St u d ies for
t h e ou t er co u r t yar d for so m an y year s, h e’d n ever m ad e a m ist ak e.
Even H u o Yu h ao’s t r io w er e som ew h at u n cer t ain . T h e t h r ee of t h em glan ced

at each ot h er , an d Xiao Xiao look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g as sh e
w h isp er ed , “W e w on ?”
W an g Don g r ep lied , u n con vin ced , “Did Dir ect or Du an n ou n ce t h e ch am p ion s

or t h e r u n n er -u p s?”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled an d gave t h e fin al w or d , “It seem s lik e w e’ve act u ally

w on !”
As H u o Yu h ao’s t r io gr ad u ally accep t ed t h e fact t h at t h ey’d w on , Dai H u ab in ’s

t r io w er e st ill u n w illin g t o accep t it . Ign or in g h ow w eak h er b od y w as, Zh u Lu
d id n ’t w an t t o give in . “Dir ect or Du , w h y d id t h ey w in ? W e’r e t h e on es w h o
sh ou ld ’ve w on .”
Du W eilu n t u r n ed ar ou n d an d sw ep t h is glan ce over t h em , sayin g

in d iffer en t ly, “Ar e you q u est ion in g m y ju d gem en t ?”
Zh u Lu im m ed iat ely p au sed as sh e faced h is p ow er fu l au r a. H ow ever , t h e

u n con vin ced look in h er eyes w as obviou s t o an y on look er . Alt h ou gh Dai
H u ab in d id n ’t u t t er an y w or d s, h e p u r sed h is lip s t igh t ly an d st ar ed st r a igh t at
Du W eilu n w it h ou t a n y in t en t ion of givin g u p .
Du W eilu n for cefu lly su p p r essed t h e in d ign at ion in h is h ear t as h e in w ar d ly

t h ou gh t t o h im self, I’ve alr ead y em b ar r assed m yself; d o I also h ave t o exp lain
t h e p r ocess of h ow I w as em b ar r assed !? T h ese b r at s!
Chapt er 32.1: Rewar ds and t he Cor e Disciples
H ow ever , Du W eilu n n at u r a lly h ad en or m ou s m en t al for t it u d e as t h e Dir ect or

of St u d ies for t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . Aft er feelin g d ep r essed for a b r ief m om en t ,
h e q u ick ly r egain ed h is com p osu r e an d exp osed a som ew h at h elp less sm ile on
h is face.
“I h ave t o say, you w er e all ext r em ely ou t st an d in g. I’ve lost face b ecau se I
u n d er est im a t ed t h e st r en gt h of you r fu sion sk ills. I can ’t b la m e an yon e else for
t h is fau lt of m in e. I w on ’t even ch ar ge a fee for allow in g all of you t o see m y
b ack t od ay.”
On ce h e sp ok e, lau gh t er im m ed iat ely r an g ou t fr om t h e t all st age. On e

d efin it ely h ad t o ad m it t h a t Du W eilu n w as ext r em ely ch ar ism at ic. W it h ju st a
sim p le sen t en ce, h e’d alr ead y got t en r id of h is em b ar r assm en t . In a d d it ion t o h is
self-d er ision , t h e t each er s ab ove w er e even p r aisin g h im in w ar d ly. If it w er e
t h em in t h is sor t of sit u a t ion , cou ld t h ey b e as calm an d collect ed as Du W eilu n
w as?
Du W eilu n con t in u ed , “I k n ow , t h er e w ill b e d ou b t s in ever yon e’s h ear t s if I

d on ’t exp lain ever yt h in g clear ly. Fir st o f all, I n eed t o r eaffir m m y p r eviou s
w or d s. I m a d e n o m ist ak e; t h e fin al ch a m p ion s ar e W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, an d
H u o Yu h ao. T h ey’ve p er for m ed sp ect acu lar ly t o ob t a in t h e fin al vict or y in t h is
year ’s fr esh m en assessm en t , an d t h ey ar e en t ir ely w or t h y of t h eir p osit ion s as
ch am p ion s.”
H e r ep eat ed h is p r eviou s an n ou n cem en t , cau sin g t h e exp r ession s of Dai

H u ab in ’s t r io t o b ecom e even u glier .
Du W eilu n con t in u ed , “Ever yon e saw w h at ju st h ap p en ed . As a t each er , I

m u st d o all I can t o p r even t t h e d eat h of ou t st an d in g fr esh m en . Bot h sid es w er e
u sin g fu sion sk ills, so it w as im p ossib le for even t h e t w o Dean s t o d et er m in e t h e
vict or of t h is m at ch via eyesigh t alon e. T h u s, I h ad n o ch oice b u t t o r eceive b ot h
at t ack s w it h m y b od y. I k n ow , I w as in ju r ed b y Dai H u ab in an d Zh u Lu ’s
Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger , so t h ey sh ou ld ’ve ob t ain ed t h e w in . H ow ever , I ask
all of you : As a Sou l Dou lu o, is m y d efen se r eally t h at w eak ? T h ey w er e u sin g a
fu sion sk ill, b u t it w as st ill a fu sion b et w een a Sou l Eld er an d Sou l Gr an d m ast er .
If t h ey w er e act u ally ab le t o d ir ect ly w ou n d m e, even w h en I’d u sed m y sou l
p ow er t o p r ot ect m yself, t h en I m igh t as w ell r esign fr om m y p osit ion of
Dir ect or .”
T h e an ger an d d iscon t en t in Dai H u ab in ’s eyes gr ad u a lly van ish ed as h e

list en ed t o Du W eilu n ’s w or d s. Righ t ! As an eigh t -r in ged Sou l Dou lu o, h ow
cou ld t h eir fu sion sk ill act u a lly in ju r e h im ? T h at w as t r u ly som ew h at
in con ceivab le.
Du W eilu n con t in u ed , “W it h t h is, ever yon e sh ou ld ’ve gu essed t h e a n sw er t o

t h is q u est ion . T h e r eason w h y t h e Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger w as ab le t o in ju r e
m e w as b ecau se I’d t ak en on an ot h er fu sion sk ill. W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao, I
st ill d on ’t k n ow t h e n am e of you r fu sion sk ill. As a p er son w h o p er son ally t ook
on you r fu sion sk ill, d on ’t I h ave t h e qu alificat ion s t o k n ow w h at it ’s n am e is?”
W an g Don g lau gh ed soft ly. “T each er Du , you ’r e t h e fir st p er son t o r eceive o u r

fu sion sk ill. T h is is also t h e fir st t im e w e’ve u sed it in a n act u al b at t le aft er
t est in g it ou t .”
Du W eilu n w as som ew h at ast on ish ed as h e look ed at h im . “I’m ext r em ely

h on ou r ed t o h ave b een t h e fir st t o r eceive it . T h en , can I k n ow it s n am e?”
W an g Don g n od d ed . “Of cou r se. Yu h ao, you t ell h im .”
H u o Yu h ao gazed t ow ar d s t h e d ist an t Dai H u ab in , t h en sp ok e slow ly w it h a

calm voice, “Ou r fu sion sk ill is called ‘T h e Gold en Road Am id st W it h er in g
Resp len d en ce.’”
Du W eilu n cast h is gaze d ow n w ar d s, an d a t r ace of sh ock flash ed t h r ou gh h is

eyes. A 30 -m et er lon g, h alf-m et er d eep gor ge h ad ap p ear ed in t h e gr ou n d of t h e
Assessm en t Ar en a, w h ich flick er ed w it h a d azzlin g gold en lu st er t h at co u ld n ’t
b e con cealed b en eat h t h e su n ’s r ays.
Pr eviou sly, t h e t each er s at op t h e t all st a ge h ad on ly b een p ayin g at t en t ion t o

t h e ou t com e of t h e b at t le. T h u s, t h ey on ly n ot iced t h e d azzlin g gold en r oad aft er
H u o Yu h ao m en t ion ed it . T h e gold en t r ail st r et ch ed all t h e w ay t o w h er e Du
W eilu n w as st an d in g.
Du W eilu n n od d ed sligh t ly. “I h a ve t o a d m it , you r fu sion sk ill is on e of t h e

m ost p ecu liar on es I’ve ever seen . T h e fact t h at you t w o w er e ab le t o r elease t h is
m u ch p ow er w it h yo u r cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion r an k s h as alr ea d y exceed ed t h e r an ge
of m y r esear ch t ow ar d s fu sion sk ills. I b elieve t h at you r co m p at ib ilit y r a t e is
d efin it ely ext r em ely h igh .”
W it h t h at , h e t u r n ed b ack t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in ’s t r io. “T h er e’s on ly on e

r eason w h y you r Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger w as ab le t o in ju r e m e. Befor e you r
at t ack r each ed m e, I w as st r u ck b y t h eir Gold en Road . On ly aft er t h a t d id you r
at t ack ar r ive. T h e effect of a fu sion sk ill is a sou l m ast er ’s secr et , so t h at ’s all I
can say ab ou t t h eir a t t ack . T h e ot h er t w o Dean s w er e a lso t h er e ju st n ow , an d I
b elieve t h at t h ey w er e ab le t o t ell w h ose sk ill w as su p er ior fr om t h e flu ct u a t ion s
in m y sou l p ow er t h e in st an t I w as st r u ck .”
“You r Net h er w or ld W h it e T iger is ext r em ely st r on g. In a sit u at ion lik e t h at ,

you u n d ou b t ed ly w ou ld ’ve w on if you w er e ab le t o d od ge t h eir Gold en Road .
H ow ever , you w er e st u n n ed aft er b ein g h it b y Xiao Xiao’s sou l sk ill. In ot h er
w or d s, you w ou ld ’v e b een u n ab le t o d od ge it . Un d er t h ose cir cu m st an ces, you
w ou ld ’ve d efin it ely lost aft er t ak in g t h eir Gold en Road h ea d -on . Alr igh t , t h at ’s
all I can say. T h e fr esh m en assessm en t h as en d ed . T h e fr esh m en m eet in g w ill
occu r t om or r ow aft er n oon , an d t h e t op t h r ee t eam s w ill r eceive t h eir p r izes
w h ile w e d ivid e you all in t o you r cla sses for you r fir st year .”
“If you w in , d on ’t b e ar r ogan t ; if you lose, d on ’t b e d iscou r aged . T h is is a

n ecessit y if you w an t t o im p r ove. You ’r e all a p ar t of t h e m ost ou t st an d in g
st u d en t s I’ve seen in t h is year ’s fr esh m en ; I d on ’t w ish for t h is m at ch t o affect
you r fu t u r e gr ow t h . Alr igh t , let ’s en d it h er e.”
W it h t h at , Du W eilu n t u r n ed aw ay an d h u r r ied ly left t h e Assessm en t Ar ea.
Dai H u ab in ’s b od y sw ayed sligh t ly. H e w as on ly ab le t o av oid fallin g d ow n

w it h Zh u Lu ’s h elp . T h e ob st in an ce an d ar r ogan ce t h at h ad on ce filled h is face
h ad b een sw ep t aw ay, w it h d isb elief a n d an in t en se u n w illin gn ess t ak in g it s
p lace.
I l ost , I act ual l y l ost . I l ost t o t w o opponent s w ho had cul t i vat i ons f ar bel ow
m i ne. H ow i s t hi s possi bl e? H ow coul d t h i s be possi bl e?
H uo Yuh ao’ s eyesi gh t w as exceedi n gl y good, w h i ch al l ow ed h i m t o cl ear l y see

t h e ch an ges i n Dai H uabi n ’ s expr essi on . A h ar d-t o-descr i be f eel i n g of el at i on
r ose i n h i s h ear t , an d h e sudden l y di scover ed t h at beat i n g Dai H uabi n at h i s
m ost con cei t ed st at e seem ed t o be a ver y good w ay of obt ai n i n g r even ge.
“ W e w on !”
“ W e’ r e t h e ch am pi on s!”
Xi ao Xi ao an d W an g Don g’ s exuber an t ch eer s r an g out , an d t h e t w o of t h em

gr abbed ah ol d of H uo Yuh ao an d f l un g h i m i n t o t h e ai r .
T h r ee peopl e, on e t eam . T h ey h ad f i nal l y becom e t h e cham pi on s of t h e

f r esh m en assessm en t . But , w h o w as t h e t r ue n ucl eus of t h ei r t eam ? Xi ao Xi ao
an d W an g Don g w er e f ul l y aw ar e of w h o i t w as.
W i t h out a doubt , W an g Don g an d Xi ao Xi ao’ s pow er f ul st r en gt h h ad been

com pl et el y di spl ayed dur i n g t h ei r m an y m at ch es, at t r act i n g t h e at t en t i on of al l
of t h e t each er s. H ow ever , w er e i t n ot f or H uo Yuh ao’ s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on an d
Spi r i t ual Sh ock , as w el l as h i s gr asp of t h e bat t l ef i el d an d h i s m ovem en t s at t h e
vi t al poi n t s of t h ei r bat t l es, an d w er e i t n ot f or H uo Yuh ao an d W an g Don g’ s
f usi on sk i l l , h ow coul d t h ey h ave r each ed t h ei r cur r en t posi t i on ?
H u o Yu h ao w as ext r em ely w eak b y h im self, b u t even a Sou l Gr an d m ast er

w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o d o b et t er t h an h e h ad ! Disr egar d in g t h eir fr ien d sh ip ,
W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao b ot h t r u ly ad m ir ed h im . H u o Yu h ao h ad a n
ast on ish in g am ou n t of b ot h t alen t an d d iligen ce, b u t on ly t h e t w o of t h em k n ew
of t h at fact .
Zh ou Yi h ad alr ead y left t h e t all st age an d w as r u n n in g t ow ar d s t h em . T h e

alw ays-st r ict t each er cu r r en t ly look ed as excit ed as a ch ild a s sh e h u gged H u o
Yu h ao’s t r io an d ch eer ed exu b er an t ly.
T h e t each er in ch ar ge of Dai H u ab in ’s cla ss h ad also w a lk ed over t o t h eir t eam

t o con sole t h e t r io. H ow ever , t h e exp r ession on Dai H u a b in ’s face h ad n ’t
ch an ged at all. Fr om t im e t o t im e, h e’d glan ce viciou sly t o w ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s
t r io w it h h is fist s t igh t ly clen ch ed . Next t i m e, I w on’ t l ose!
T h e r esul t s f or t h e f r esh m en assessm en t ’ s f i n al r oun d spr ead t h r ough out t h e

en t i r e sch ool ext r em el y f ast . H ow ever , H uo Yuh ao on ce agai n deci ded t o sk i p
sel l i n g r oast ed f i sh . I n st ead, h e w en t i n t o t h e w i l der n ess al on gsi de W an g Don g,
Xi ao Xi ao, Bei Bei , an d T an g Ya, an d r oast ed som e f i sh f or t h em .
Bei Bei an d T an g Ya h adn ’ t expect ed H uo Yuh ao’ s t r i o t o becom e t h e

ch am pi on s; t h ey’ d gi ven up t h e con cept w h en t h ey h ear d t h at t h er e’ d be t h r ee
Soul El der s par t i ci pat i n g i n t h e k n ock -out t our n am en t . An d yet , despi t e t h e
odds, H uo Yuh ao h ad m an aged t o gi ve t h em an en or m ous sur pr i se.
“ W an g Don g, do you st i l l w an t t o joi n our T an g Sect ?” T an g Ya on l y r ecal l ed

W an g Don g’ s w i sh t o joi n t h e T an g Sect af t er sh e’ d f i n i sh ed gor gi n g h er sel f on
r oast ed f i sh .
W an g Don g h ur r i edl y n odded. “ Of cour se I ’ d st i l l l i k e t o joi n !”

T an g Ya giggled . “Alr igh t , seein g as you gu ys w er e ab le t o b ecom e t h e
ch am p ion s, t h is Sect M ast er can ’t r en ege on h er w or d s. I’ll let you join t h e T an g
Sect lik e I p r om ised . Xiao Xiao, w h at ab ou t you ? Ar e you in t er est ed as w ell?”
Xiao Xiao b lin k ed an d m u m b led , “T h e T an g Sect ?”
T an g Ya r ep lied , “Righ t ! T h e T an g Sect . Ou r T an g Sect d oesn ’t h ave m an y

b en efit s t o offer you if you d o join , b u t w e valu e a ll of ou r d iscip les. Ou r T an g
Sect w ill d efin it ely im p ar t all of it s secr et t ech n iq u es t o it s d iscip les for t h em t o
cu lt ivat e.”
Xiao Xiao sm iled . “T h at sou n d s good . I’ll join as w ell. In an y case, I d on ’t h ave
a sect I’m t ied t o. Sist er T an g Ya, I w an t t o lear n t h a t foot w or k t ech n iq u e t h at
Yu h ao u sed .”
Xiao Xiao n od d ed gr aciou sly. “No p r ob lem . I’ll t each it t o b ot h of you w h en

w e get b ack .” Desp it e h ow car efr ee sh e ap p ear ed t o b e, sh e w as act u ally
ext r em ely h ap p y r igh t n ow . T h er e w as n o n eed t o d ou b t W an g Don g’s st r en gt h ;
a lar ge p ar t of w h y H u o Yu h ao’s t eam h ad b een ab le t o b ecom e ch am p ion s h ad
b een d u e t o h is st r en gt h . On t h e ot h er h a n d , Xiao Xiao’s t alen t d id n ’t lose ou t t o
W an g Don g’s in t h e sligh t est ; sh e h ad t w in m ar t ial sou ls! T an g Ya h ad n ever
exp ect ed h er t o agr ee t o join t h e T an g Sect so easily.
In r ealit y, t h e r eason t h at Xiao Xiao h ad b een w illin g t o join t h e T an g Sect

w as d u e t o H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, b u t T an g Ya d id n ’t k n ow t h at . T h e
fu sion sk ill t h a t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad u n leash ed h ad sim p ly b een t oo
b r eat h t ak in g t o h er ; t h e m or e sh e st ayed w it h t h em , t h e m or e favou r ab le h er
im p r ession of t h em b ecam e. H u o Yu h ao’s st r en gt h an d look s w er e m u ch
in fer ior t o W an g Don g’s, b u t h is calm n ess an d u n sw er vin g d et er m in a t ion w er e
t h in gs t h at W an g Don g d id n ’t h ave. Xiao Xiao b elieved t h at t h e fu t u r e H u o
Yu h ao w ou ld d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t lose o u t t o W an g Don g in t h e sligh t est , an d
b ein g in a t eam w it h t h em w ou ld d efin it ely b e a good t h in g, r egar d less of
w h et h er it w as for h er cu lt ivat ion or for h er fu t u r e.
Good com p an ion s w er e a m u st in t h e w or ld of sou l m ast er s, an d Xiao Xiao
h ad alr ead y got t en u sed t o t h e car efr ee an d u n in h ib it ed w ay of figh t in g t h at
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion allow ed . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e t h r ee of t h em w er e
get t in g m or e an d m or e coor d in at ed w it h each ot h er ; if t h ey w er e ab le t o en t er
Sh r ek Acad em y’s in n er cou r t yar d , t h ey’d h ave t o st ay t oget h er for t en year s at
t h e ver y least . If t h ey con t in u ed t o w or k t oget h er lik e t h is, t h eir t eam w ou ld b e
in com p ar ab ly st ead fast on ce t h ey left Sh r ek Acad em y.
H ow ever , in t h e en d , Xiao Xiao w as st ill ju st a lit t le gir l w h o’d on ly t h ou gh t

ab ou t h er fu t u r e an d h avin g com p an ion s t h at sh e cou ld t r u st . Sh e h ad n ’t
t h ou gh t t oo d eep ly ab ou t t h e ser iou sn ess of h er d ecision t o join t h e T an g Sect .
On t h e ot h er sid e of t h e eq u at ion , T an g Ya h ad b een ab le t o con ven ien t ly get
an ot h er m em b er at a h u ge b ar gain .
As of n ow , t h e T an g Sect h ad b ecom e a five-p er son sect , w h ich w as m or e t h an

t w ice t h e size of it s or igin al t w o. Alt h ou gh t h ey w er en ’t ver y old , t h e T an g Sect
h ad fin ally in cr eased in size.
Bei Bei said , “Now t h at you ’ve all p assed t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , you ’ll b e
sp lit in t o you r r esp ect ive classes. T h e assau lt an d con t r ol syst em s ar e all p ar t of
t h e sam e fam ily, an d you t h r ee ar e on t h e sam e t eam , so you ’ll p r ob ab ly b e
p laced in t h e sam e class. I d on ’t n eed t o r ep eat t h is t o Yu h ao, b u t you t w o
sh ou ld ’ve h ear d t h a t ou r T an g Sect is fam ou s for ou r h id d en w eap on s. H ow ever ,
t h e ap p ear an ce of sou l t ools h as gr ad u ally cau sed h id d en w ea p on s t o d isap p ear
fr om t h e st age of h ist or y. T h at ’s t h e m ain r eason t h at ou r T a n g Sect h as fallen
in t o d eclin e. As su ch , w e n eed t o r ed efin e ou r h id d en w eap on s in or d er for t h e
T an g Sect t o r eem er ge, b u t t h ey can ’t b e as sim p le as ou r p r eviou s h id d en
w eap on s. T h e on ly w ay t h at w e can r efor ge ou r glor y is b y com b in in g h id d en
w eap on s w it h sou l t ools. W h at d o you t w o t h in k ab ou t sou l t ools? Aft er you
for m ally b ecom in g fir st year st u d en t s, you sh ou ld ch oose t o st u d y t h em .”
W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao glan ced at each ot h er , fu r r ow in g t h eir b r ow s

sligh t ly. Xiao Xiao r ep lied in a soft voice, “Sin ce I h ave t w o m ar t ial sou ls, I
w on ’t h ave en ou gh t im e t o cu lt iva t e if I h ave t o r esear ch an d cr eat e sou l t ools. I
feel t h at sou l m ast er s sh ou ld focu s on cu lt ivat in g as t h eir m ain p r ior it y.
Resear ch sou l t ools is som et h in g t h a t on ly sou l m ast er s w it h su b p ar t alen t or
m ar t ial sou ls ar e w illin g t o d o, n o?”
W an g Don g n od d ed . “I agr ee w it h Xiao Xiao. I d on ’t r eally feel lik e lear n in g

h ow t o for ge a sou l t ool eit h er .”
Aft er sp eak in g t h eir m in d , t h e t w o of t h em or igin ally t h ou gh t t h at Bei Bei an d

T an g Ya w ou ld b e u n h ap p y. H ow ever , t h ey u n exp ect ed ly b egan t o lau gh .
H elp less, T an g Ya r ep lied , “It ’s n o w on d er t h at you t w o ar e ou t st an d in g
st u d en t s of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ! T h at ’s t h e t yp ical w ay of t h in k in g for
a st u d en t fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . In fact , you ’r e n ot t h e on ly on es
w h o t h in k t h at w ay. Even Bei Bei an d I t h in k t h at you w ou ld n ’t h ave en ou gh
t im e t o cu lt iva t e if you w er e t o st u d y sou l t ools as w ell. T h er e w on ’t b e a lot of
t im e for you t w o t o car efu lly st u d y sou l t ools, t h u s, ju st d o as you w ish . T h e
T an g Sect w on ’t for ce ever yon e on t o a sp ecific p at h of cu lt ivat ion . I w as ju st
w on d er in g w h et h er an y of you w er e in t er est ed in it . You all h ave excep t ion al
t alen t , so it w on ’t b e t oo good if you ’r e d ist r act ed . W e’ll ju st h ave t o r ecr u it a
few d iscip les t h at ar e sp ecialised in cu lt iv at in g sou l t ools in t h e fu t u r e.”
H ow ever , at t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly op en ed h is m ou t h , “T each er
Xiao Ya, I w ish t o st u d y sou l t ools.”
T an g Ya’s eyes lit u p . “Yu h ao, you ’r e w illin g t o?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed . “Sou l t ools h ave t h eir ow n u n iqu e fascin at in g asp ect s.

Sin ce t h ey w er e ab le t o r ep lace ou r T an g Sect ’s h id d en w eap on s an d b ecom e t h e
m ost valu ed w eap on s in t h e w or ld , t h ey d efin it ely can ’t b e w eak . I w an t t o t r y
t h em ou t . If I d on ’t h ave t h e t alen t for t h em , t h en n ever m in d . Bu t if I d o h ave
t h e t alen t for t h em , I w an t t o lear n as m u ch as I can ab ou t t h em .”
“Good ! Good !” T an g Ya w as over joyed . “Sou l t ools t r u ly d o fit you . You h ave a
m en t al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l, w h ich m ak es it so t h at you ’r e lack in g a w ay t o at t ack
you r op p on en t s at t h e m om en t . If you h ad a sou l t ool w it h you , you r com b at
p ow er w ou ld in cr ea se exp on en t ially. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e st r en gt h of you r sou l
t ools w ill in cr ease as you r com p r eh en sion of t h em in cr eases as w ell.”
Bei Bei r em in d ed h im , “J u n ior b r ot h er , you h ave t o m an age you r t im e w ell.

You r m ar t ial sou l h a s a lot of p ot en t ia l, t h u s you ca n ’t sp en d t oo m u ch t im e o n
you r sou l t ools. Aft er all, b ot h sou l p ow er an d sou l r in gs ar e t h e fou n d at ion of a
sou l m ast er . Som e st r on ger sou l t ools even r equ ir e sou l p ow er t o act ivat e.”
“Yes, Sen ior Br ot h er .” H u o Yu h ao an sw er ed h u r r ied ly. H e alr ead y h ad h is

ow n p lan s in m in d . Aft er w it n essin g t h e d om in eer in g m igh t of a st at ion ar y sou l
t ool, h is in t er est in sou l t ools h ad b een p iqu ed . H e k n ew t h at t h e t ar get of h is
r even ge w as ext r em ely st r on g, so h e n eed ed t o u se ever y b it of st r en gt h h e
cou ld . H ow cou ld h e k n ow h ow st r on g sou l t ools w er e w it h ou t st u d yin g t h em
b efor eh an d ?
H e d id n ’t k n ow t h is at t h e m om en t , b u t h is w ay of t h in k in g w ou ld b e ver ified
in t h e n ot t oo d ist a n t fu t u r e. T h e st u d y of sou l t ools w ou ld even t u ally op en a
h u ge d oor for h im .
T an g Ya m u sed , “Now t h at I t h in k ab ou t it , you m igh t n ot b e ab le t o cu lt iva t e

in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t even if you w an t ed t o. Aih , t h er e ar e m an y p r izes
t h at com e alon g w it h w in n in g t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , b u t t h er e ar e n o lack of
p r ob lem s eit h er ! Yu h ao, you sh ou ld con t in u e t o cu lt iva t e p r op er ly if you can ’t
get in t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .”
H u o Yu h ao w as b r iefly st u n n ed , “T each er Xiao Ya, w h y w ou ld n ’t I b e ab le t o

en t er t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ?”
T an g Ya r ep lied , “Do you k n ow w h at t h e r ew ar d s for t h e fr esh m en

assessm en t a r e?”
W h en t h ey h ear d t h e w or d ‘r ew a r d s’, H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao

Xiao’s eyes lit u p . T h ey w er en ’t ab le t o con ceal t h eir d esir e m u ch b ecau se of h ow
you n g t h ey w er e. Sh r ek Acad em y w as t h e n u m b er on e sou l m ast er acad em y in
t h e w or ld , an d t h ey h ad m a n aged t o b ecom e t h e ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m en
assessm en t . H ow cou ld t h eir r ew ar d s b e lack in g in an y w ay?
W an g Don g im p at ien t ly ask ed , “T each er Xiao Ya, w h at w ill ou r r ew ar d s b e?”
H e’d alr ead y st ar t ed t o call T an g Ya ‘t each er ’, ju st lik e H u o Yu h ao, d esp it e
h avin g ju st join ed t h e T an g Sect .
T an g Ya r ep lied , “T h er e’s a sligh t d iffer en ce b et w een each year ’s r ew ar d s, b u t

t h ey’ll gen er ally b e t h e sam e. Gen er a lly sp eak in g, t h e r ew ar d s ar e d et er m in ed
b ased off t h e qu alit y of t h e en t ir e b at ch of fr esh m en . I d on ’t k n ow abou t p ast
year s, b u t I’ve n ever seen a Sou l Eld er in a b at ch of fr esh m en d u r in g t h e few
year s t h at I’ve b een in Sh r ek Acad em y; you ’r e t h e fir st b at ch of fr esh m en I’ve
ever seen t h a t h a s h ad Sou l Eld er s am on g t h em . Becau se of t h at , I r eck on t h at
you ’ll get ext r em ely good r ew ar d s. I d on ’t k n ow ab ou t t h e ot h er r ew ar d s you ’ll
r eceive, b u t t h er e’s alw ays a sp ecific r ew ar d given t o t h e ch am p ion s of t h e
fr esh m en assessm en t , an d t h a t is—t h e op p or t u n it y t o b ecom e a cor e d iscip le.”
“A cor e d iscip le?” T h is w asn ’t t h e fir st t im e t h ey’d h ear d of t h e t er m . T each er

Zh ou h ad m en t ion ed it in t h e p ast .
T an g Ya n od d ed . “You ’r e t h e ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , so t h er e

w ou ld n ’t b e an y p r ob lem s for you t o b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t . H ow ev er , on ce you b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t , t h e Acad em y w ill give you even m or e r esou r ces in or d er t o en su r e
t h at you d iligen t ly p u r su e you r st u d ies an d b ecom e an even st r on ger sou l
m ast er . Beca u se of t h is, t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t w ill n at u r ally n ot allow
you t o en t er t h e So u l T ool Dep ar t m en t . Aft er all, t h e M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t
h as alw ays h eld a lea d in g r ole in ou r acad em y.”
On ly t h en d id H u o Yu h ao’s t r io u n d er st an d w h a t Bei Bei h ad m ean t . H u o

Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel h ap p y w h en h e r ecalled t h e n u t r it iou s m eals cor e
d iscip les at e ever yd a y.
W h en Bei Bei glan ced t ow ar d s H u o Yu h a o, a t r ace of w or r y flash ed t h r ou gh

h is eyes. St ill, h e d id n ’t say it ou t lou d . In st ea d , h e t h ou gh t t o h im self, I hope
t hat I ’ m just w or r yi n g f or not hi ng.
----
It w as an ot h er b r igh t an d b eau t ifu l m or n in g, w h ile t h e a ir w it h in Sh r ek
Acad em y w as b ot h clean an d ext r em ely m oist d u e t o t h e p r esen ce of t h e Sea
God ’s Lak e.
All of t h e st u d en t s w h o’d p assed t h e fr esh m en assessm en t w er e gat h er ed in

Sh r ek Plaza, w ait in g for t o b e assign ed t o t h eir classes.
T h e Dir ect or of t h e M ar t ial So u l Dep ar t m en t —Du W eilu n —q u ick ly w alk ed t o

t h e fr on t of Sh r ek Plaza, alon gsid e t en or so ot h er t each er s. H u o Yu h ao on ly
r ecogn ised t w o of t h e t each er s w h o w er e follow in g h im . On e of w h ich w as
n at u r ally t h eir p r eviou s class’s t each er , Zh ou Yi, w h ile t h e ot h er w as T each er
W an g Yan . H e on ly h ad a vagu e im p r ession of t h e ot h er t each er s.
Du W eilu n h eld a fold er in h is h an d s an d sw ep t h is gaze over t h e sm all gr ou p

of st u d en t s w it h a sm ile on h is face. “I’m su r e t h at ever yon e alr ead y k n ow s t h is,
b u t t h e fr esh m en assessm en t ’s k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t h as n ow en d ed . T h e t op
t h r ee p laces h ave a lso b een d ecid ed . As su ch , I w ill n ow for m ally an n ou n ce t h e
t h e t op t h r ee t eam s an d h an d ou t t h eir p r izes. T h ir d p lace in t h e fr esh m en
assessm en t goes t o T eam H u an g Ch u t ia n . T eam m em b er s: H u an g Ch u t ian , Lan
Su su , an d Lan Lu olu o. Please st ep for w ar d .”
Righ t , T eam H u an g Ch u t ian , w h o H u o Yu h ao’s t eam h ad p r eviou sly d efeat ed ,

h ad ob t ain ed t h ir d p lace in t h e fr esh m en assessm en t . T h ey’d lost t o Dai
H u ab in ’s t eam d u r in g t h e sem ifin als, b u t t h ey’d b een ab le t o ob t ain t h ir d p lace
b y b eat in g Zh ou Sich en ’s t eam . In act u al fact , t h ey’d b een ext r em ely lu ck y.
Du r in g t h eir m at ch w it h T eam Zh ou Sich en , t h e Lan sist er s h ad r ecover ed t h e
ab ilit y t o u se t h eir fu sion sk ill, allow in g t h em t o d efeat t h eir op p on en t s.
Ot h er w ise, t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o w in b ased on t h eir in d ivid u al
st r en gt h alon e.
T h e t h r ee w alk ed u p t o Du W eilu n w it h H u an g Ch u t ian st an d in g in fr on t .

T h eir you n g faces w er e sligh t ly flu sh ed d u e t o t h eir excit em en t . Ob t ain in g t h ir d
p lace in t h e fr esh m en assessm en t h ad far su r p assed t h eir exp ect at ion s!
T h e fir st year st u d en t s im m ed iat ely let ou t a t h u n d er ou s ap p lau se. Aft er t h e
k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t , t h er e w er e on ly ar ou n d t h r ee h u n d r ed st u d en t s left in
Year 1. T h is w as a t h ir d of t h e n u m b er of st u d en t s w h o’d b een p r esen t at t h e
b egin n in g of t h e year .
“Secon d p lace goes t o T eam Dai H u ab in . T eam m em b er s: Dai H u ab in , Zh u Lu ,

an d Cu i Yajie. St ep for w ar d .”
Ap p lau se r an g ou t yet again , b u t Dai H u ab in ’s t eam h ad n o t r aces of

excit em en t on t h eir faces as t h ey st ep p ed for w ar d . T h is w as esp ecially so for Dai
H u ab in ; h is exp r ession w as clou d ed , a n d h is h ead w as low er ed sligh t ly, as if h e
h ad som et h in g else o n h is m in d . H is eyes w er e even som ew h at b lood sh ot .
Aft er p au sin g for a b r ief m om en t , Du W eilu n u sed a sligh t ly lou d er voice t o

con t in u e sp eak in g, “Next , can ever yon e en t h u siast ically ch eer for t h e fir st p lace
ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t ! T h ey ar e—T eam W an g Don g! T eam
m em b er s: W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, an d H u o Yu h ao.”
T h e cr ow d im m ed ia t ely b u r st in t o en t h u siast ic ch eer s, b u t H u o Yu h ao’s t r io

w er e som ew h at st u n n ed w h en t h ey h ear d Du W eilu n ’s an n ou n cem en t .
Accor d in g t o t h e n am e t h at Class 1 h ad h an d ed in t o t h e acad em y, t h eir t eam

sh ou ld ’ve b een called T eam H u o Yu h ao, as H u o Yu h ao w as t h e lea d er of t h eir
t eam ! H ow ever , t h e t r io d id n ’t d ar e t o slow d ow n u n d er t h e ch eer s an d ap p lau se
fr om t h e m an y Year 1 st u d en t s. T h ey h u r r ied ly st ep p ed for w ar d , b u t W an g
Don g an d Xiao Xiao d elib er at ely slow ed d ow n as t h ey w alk ed , allow in g H u o
Yu h ao t o r em ain in fr on t .
A sm ile ap p ear ed in Du W eilu n ’s eyes as h e w at ch ed t h e t h r ee of t h em w alk

for w ar d , in d icat in g for t h em t o st an d in t h e m id d le. H u o Yu h ao t ow ar d s Dai
H u ab in , b u t Dai H u a b in h im self w as act u ally look in g at W an g Don g. H e clea r ly
d id n ’t t h in k t h a t h is loss h ad an yt h in g t o d o w it h H u o Yu h ao.
Du W eilu n said , “Alr igh t , I w ill n ow an n ou n ce t h e p r izes for t h e t op t h r ee

t eam s of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t . Fir st , each of t h e m em b er s of t h e t op t h r ee
t eam s w ill r eceive a p r ize fr om t h e Acad em y it self. All of t h em w ill b e ab le t o
r eq u est assist an ce fr om t h e Acad em y in or d er t o ob t ain a sou l r in g t h at h e or sh e
can w it h st an d w h en t h e t im e ar ises. Fu r t h er m or e, it w ill b e a sou l r in g t h at is
m ost su it ab le for t h em .”
On ce h e fin ish ed sp eak in g, t h e st u d en t s of Year 1 im m ed iat ely let ou t

ast on ish ed gasp s. T h is p r ize w as eq u iv alen t t o t h e Acad em y p r om isin g t h em
t h at t h eir n ext sou l r in g w ou ld d efin it ely b e an op t im u m on e. For exam p le, if
H u o Yu h ao cou ld w it h st an d a seven h u n d r ed year sou l r in g for h is secon d on e,
t h e Acad em y w ou ld fin d a su it ab le seven h u n d r ed year sou l r in g for h im . T h is
w ou ld b e t h e case for ever y sin gle m em b er of t h e t op t h r ee t ea m s. T h is p r ize w as
ext r em ely valu ab le.
Du W eilu n con t in u ed , “In ligh t of b ot h T eam W an g Don g’s excep t ion al

p er for m an ce, an d t h eir lossless w in -st r eak t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e t ou r n am en t ,
t h e Acad em y h as also d ecid ed t o aw ar d t h em som et h in g sp ecial. H ow ever , t h is
r ew ar d w ill b e k ep t secr et b y t h e Acad em y. W h en t h e class-d iv ision h a s b een
fin ish ed , t h e t h r ee of you can follow m e t o collect it .”
A sp ecial r ew ar d on t op of w h at t h ey’d alr ead y r eceived ? T h is r eally

sh ow cased t h e d iffer en ce b et w een t h e ch am p ion t eam an d t h e secon d an d t h ir d
p lace t eam s. H u o Yu h ao’s t r io im m ed iat ely b ecam e excit ed ; even t h e
aw k w ar d n ess t h at t h ey felt fr om Du W eilu n callin g t h em ‘T eam W an g Don g’
h ad d im in ish ed gr ea t ly.
Nob od y h ad an y ob ject ion s t o H u o Yu h ao’s t eam ob t ain in g an ad d it ion al

r ew ar d , as t h ey’d m an aged t o d efeat t ea m s led b y t h e Sou l Eld er -r a n k ed Nin g
T ian , Xie H u an yu e, an d Dai H u ab in t h r ou gh ou t t h e cou r se of t h e t ou r n am en t .
T h e t h r ee gr eat Sou l Eld er s am on g t h e fr esh m en h ad all lost t o t h eir t eam ; it
w asn ’t sim p ly lu ck t h at t h ey’d b ecom e ch am p ion s. For t h em t o r eceive even
m or e r ew ar d s w ou ld d efin it ely b e w it h in r eason .
Du W eilu n said , “Alr igh t , you all can r et u r n .”
H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er eigh t st u d en t s r et u r n ed t o t h eir or igin al p osit ion s.
Du W eilu n t h en said , “T h e qu alit y of t h is year ’s st u d en t s exceed s t h at of

p r eviou s year s, t h u s I h op e t h at you all can con t in u e t o w or k h ar d . T h e H eaven s
r ew ar d t h e d iligen t , so I h op e t h at all of you w ill b e ab le t o sm oot h ly gr ad u at e
w h ile ob t ain in g excellen t r esu lt s. Now t h en , seein g t h at a few ou t st an d in g
st u d en t s h ave ap p ea r ed in t h is year ’s fr esh m en assessm en t , t h e Acad em y h as
d ecid ed t o p r om ot e a few st u d en t s t o cor e d iscip les. I w ill n ow an n ou n ce t h e
n am es of t h e st u d en t s t h at ’ve b een p r om ot ed .”
Sh r ek Plaza im m ed iat ely b ecam e com p let ely silen t . Aft er a ll, cor e d iscip les
d id n ’t on ly com e fr om t h e t op t h r ee t eam s! Du W eilu n h ad n ’t said it ou t r igh t ,
b u t w h o d id n ’t k n ow t h at cor e d iscip les w ou ld r eceive a lar ge am ou n t of
r esou r ces fr om t h e Acad em y? T h is issu e con cer n ed ever y sin gle st u d en t p r esen t ,
t h u s, t h ey all list en ed at t en t ively, in fear t h at t h ey’d m iss t h eir ow n n am e b ein g
called .
Du W eilu n op en ed t h e file h e’d b een car r yin g, t h en b egan t o r ead t h r ou gh t h e

n am es of t h e st u d en t s w h o’d b een p r om ot ed t o cor e d iscip les, “In accor d an ce
w it h t h e p er for m an ce of t h e st u d en t s d u r in g t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , t h e
Acad em y h as d ecid ed t o ch oose t h ese follow in g st u d en t s as cor e d iscip les: W an g
Don g, Xiao Xiao, Dai H u ab in , Zh u Lu , Zh ou Sich en , Cao J in xu an , Lan Su su , Lan
Lu olu o, Nin g T ian , a n d W u Fen g.”
T h e in st an t t h at Du W eilu n h a d m en t ion ed cor e d iscip les, H u o Yu h ao, W an g

Don g, an d Xi ao Xi ao si m ul t an eousl y t h ough t i n w ar dl y, T eacher Xi ao Ya’s
i nf or m at i on w as act ual l y cor r ect .
W h en Du W ei l un cal l ed out W an g Don g an d Xi ao Xi ao’ s n am es at t h e ver y

st ar t , t h e t w o of t h em cl ear l y becam e exci t ed. H ow ever , t h i s w as f ol l ow ed by
ast on i sh m en t w h en t h ey r eal i zed t h at Du W ei l un h adn ’ t cal l ed out H uo Yuh ao’ s
n am e. I n st ead, h e’ d di r ect l y sk i pped t o Dai H uabi n . H ow w as t h i s possi bl e? H uo
Yuh ao w as t h ei r l eader !
T h ey st i l l h el d a t r ace of hope i n t h ei r h ear t s as Du W ei l un con t i n ued dow n

h i s l i st , but H uo Yuh ao’ s n am e st i l l w asn ’ t an n oun ced.
H uo Yuh ao w as al so ast on i sh ed. I n t h at i n st an t , h e f el t as i f som et h i n g h ad

been w r en ch ed out f r om h i s h ear t , an d h i s f ace i m m edi at el y t ur n ed pal e w h i t e.
Ever si n ce h e’ d en t er ed Sh r ek Academ y, h e’ d cul t i vat ed w i t h al l h i s m i gh t ,

an d h ad w or k ed t i r el essl y t o i m pr ove h i m sel f . W h en t h e ot h er s w er e r est i n g,
h e’ d been cul t i vat i n g; w h en t h e ot h er s h ad been sl ack i n g of f , h e’ d st i l l been
cul t i vat i n g. W h en t h e f r esh m en assessm en t h ad begun , h e’ d put h i s al l i n t o
w or k i n g t oget h er w i t h h i s t eam m at es, w h i ch h ad al l ow ed h i m t o obt ai n t h e
h igh est for m of glor y a fr esh m en cou ld r eceive. But w hy? W hy w asn’ t I chosen
as a cor e di sci pl e? W hy?
On t h e sur f ace, H uo Yuh ao’ s expr essi on h adn ’ t ch an ged. H ow ever , h i s h ear t
h ad a dar k si de t h at or di n ar y ch i l dr en w oul dn ’ t h ave. T h e dar k n ess t h at h ad
gr adual l y accum ul at ed dur i n g h i s ch i l dh ood h ad n ear l y expl oded out w h en h e
saw Dai H uabi n , but h e’ d f or cef ul l y suppr essed i t . H ow ever , r i gh t n ow , h e on ce
agai n f el t l i k e h e w as goi n g t o l ose con t r ol of h i m sel f . W hy, w hy di d t hey have t o
do t hi s t o m e? H e f i n al l y r eal i sed w h y Du W ei l un h ad r ef er r ed t o t h ei r t eam as
‘ T eam W an g Don g’ in st ead of ‘ T eam H uo Yuh ao’ dur i n g h i s speech . T h i s h ad al l
been pl an n ed f r om t h e st ar t !
W an g Don g an d Xi ao Xi ao w er e n at ur al l y abl e t o sen se h ow st r an gel y H uo

Yuh ao w as act i n g. W an g Don g h ur r i edl y gr abbed ah ol d of H uo Yuh ao’ s ar m ,
f ear i n g t h at h e’ d act r ash l y. H ow ever , h e di dn ’ t k n ow w h at t o say at t h e
m om en t . Bot h h e an d Xi ao Xi ao h ad becom e cor e di sci pl es, but H uo Yuh ao
h adn ’ t . H ow w oul d h e be f eel i n g r i gh t n ow ?
At t h i s poi n t , Du W ei l un con t i n ued, “ H ow ever , al t h ough a f ew st uden t s ar e

cur r en t l y som ew h at l ack i n g i n t er m s of t h ei r t al en t an d abi l i t y, t h ey st i l l
per f or m ed except i on al l y w el l dur i n g t h e f r esh m en assessm en t . As such , t h e
Academ y h as deci ded t o t em por ar i l y l et t h em en joy t h e ben ef i t s of a cor e
di sci pl e un t i l t h e sch ool year f i n i sh es. I f t h ey’ r e abl e t o m ak e a br eak t h r ough by
n ext year ’ s pr om ot i on assessm en t , t h e Academ y w i l l con si der m ak i n g t h em
f or m al cor e di sci pl es. T h ese st uden t s ar e as f ol l ow s: H uo Yuh ao, Cui Yaji e,
H uan g Ch ut i an , Lon g Xi an gyue, an d N an m en Yun ’ er . T h e an n oun cem en t i s
n ow f i n i sh ed.”
H uo Yuh ao’ s gaze w as som ew h at vacan t , but t h e an ger i n h i s h ear t gr adual l y

r eceded. T hat ’ s r i gh t ! M y abi l i t i es ar e st i l l som ew hat l ack i ng. Of al l t he peopl e
t hat w er e chosen as cor e di sci pl es, I ’ m t h e onl y one w ho’ s yet t o r each Rank 20.
A pai n ed l ook f l ash ed t h r ough h i s eyes. Low er i n g h i s h ead, H uo Yuh ao bur i ed
h i s sadn ess deep i n h i s h ear t .
I f i t w er en’ t f or t he f act t hat I ’ m abl e t o r el ease a f usi on sk i l l w i t h W ang
Dong, m aybe I m i ght not have even r ecei ved t he t em por ar y t r eat m ent of a cor e
di sci pl e. But , w ho can I bl am e? I can onl y bl am e t he f act t hat I ’ m not st r ong
enough yet , and t he f act t hat m y f i r st soul r i ng i s onl y a t en year soul r i ng i n
t hei r eyes. A sel f -depr eci at i n g sm i l e appear ed at t h e cor n er of H uo Yuh ao’ s l i ps,
but w h en h e r ai sed h i s h ead back up, h i s sm i l e h ad di sappear ed, an d a t r ace of
col dn ess h ad appear ed i n h i s eyes.
“ Yuh ao, ar e you ok ay?” W an g Don g w h i sper ed.
H uo Yuh ao sof t l y sh ook h i s h ead, t h en f or ced h i m sel f t o sm i l e. “ I ’ m f i n e. I

just don ’ t h ave t h e qual i f i cat i on s t o becom e a cor e di sci pl e. Af t er al l , I ’ m on l y a
Ran k 17 Soul M ast er .”
W an g Don g h ur r i edl y r epl i ed, “ No, t h at ’ s n ot i t ! T h ey don ’ t k n ow h ow

i m por t an t you ar e…”
Xi ao Xi ao n odded h er h ead i n agr eem en t .
H uo Yuh ao’ s sm i l e becam e sl i gh t l y m or e n at ur al . “ I ’ m r eal l y f i n e. Di dn ’ t

Di r ect or Du say t h at I ’ d st i l l be abl e t o en joy t h e t r eat m en t of a cor e di sci pl e?
T h at ’ s al r eady an ext r em el y good r ew ar d. I ’ l l con t i n ue t o w or k h ar d. W h o
k n ow s? I m i gh t be abl e t o f or m al l y becom e a cor e di sci pl e by t h e t i m e t h e
pr om ot i on assessm en t com es ar oun d.”
W an g Don g si gh ed sof t l y as h e r el eased H uo Yuh ao’ s ar m . H e’ d been t oget h er

w i t h H uo Yuh ao f or a l on g t i m e, an d t h ey w er e com pan i on s w h o sh ar ed a f usi on
sk i l l . H e un der st ood H uo Yuh ao’ s per son al i t y t o som e ext en t by n ow : H uo
Yuh ao h ad a cal m appear an ce an d a gen t l e t em per am en t on t h e sur f ace, but h e
w as act ual l y a ver y st r on g-m i n ded per son . W h en h e’ d h ear d of H uo Yuh ao’s
back gr oun d, W an g Don g h ad gr adual l y begun t o un der st an d t h e obst i n an ce an d
un ben di n g w i l l t h at H uo Yuh ao h ad bur i ed deep w i t h i n h i s h ear t . H ow ever , n o
on e el se w oul d be abl e t o h el p h i m . I f h e w an t ed t o cr oss t h i s t h r esh ol d i n h i s
h ear t , h e’ d h ave t o r el y on h i m sel f .
Follow in g t h at , t h e d ivision of classes b egan . Year 1 w as sp lit in t o fou r classes:
Class 1, w h ich h a d assau lt -t yp e an d co n t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er s, Class 2, w h ich
h ad d efen se-t yp e an d agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er s, Class 3, w h ich h ad au xiliar y-t yp e
sou l m ast er s, an d Class 4 , w h ich h a d food -t yp e, h ealin g-t yp e, an d ot h er u n iq u e
t yp es of b ot h Bat t le an d T ool Sou l M ast er s.
W it h ou t a d ou b t , t h e st r on gest cla ss w as n at u r ally Class 1. H u o Yu h ao, W an g

Don g, an d Xiao Xiao w er e all p laced in t h is class. In Cla ss 2, t h e st r on gest
st u d en t in it w as u n d ou b t ed ly t h e d efen se sp ecia list , Xie H u an yu e. H is
Ru b b er d on t r u ly st ood ou t as a u n iq u ely d efen sive m ar t ial sou l. Class 3 w as an
au xiliar y-t yp e class, b u t it d id n ’t con sist of on ly au xiliar y-t yp e sou l m ast er s.
In st ead , it w as m ean t for b ot h Bat t le an d T ool Sou l M ast er s w h o cou ld d ir ect ly
aid t h eir t eam m at es d u r in g a b at t le. An exam p le w ou ld b e Nin g T ian , w h o h ad
t h e Seven T r easu r es Glazed Pagod a. As for Class 4 , it con sist ed of a d iver se r an ge
of sou l m ast er s. Com p ar at ively sp eak in g, t h ey h ad n o com b at p ow er
w h at soever . In st ead t h ey h a d u n iq u e a b ilit ies t h at fit w it h in cer t ain sp ecial
field s. Of t h em , t h e m ost im p or t an t sou l m ast er s in Class 4 w er e food -t yp e an d
h ealin g-t yp e on es.
Alm ost all year gr ou p s w er e sp lit t h is w ay, w it h t h e classes fr om h igh er year s

h avin g few er st u d en t s in each class. Sh r ek Acad em y’s exp u lsion r at e h ad alw ays
b een ext r em ely h igh ; t h e n u m b er of st u d en t s w h o w er e ab le t o su ccessfu lly
gr ad u at e fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d each year d id n ’t exceed fift y. In ot h er w or d s,
if 20 % of t h e cu r r en t t h r ee h u n d r ed or so st u d en t s w er e ab le t o gr ad u a t e, t h at
w ou ld b e an ext r em ely good r esu lt .
W h en ever yon e h ad b een p laced in t h eir classes, t h e t each er s in ch ar ge of

each class in t r od u ced t h em selves. T h e on ly p iece of good n ew s for H u o Yu h ao
w as t h at Zh ou Yi w as on e of t h e t each er s in ch ar ge of Class 1. Ever y class h ad
t w o t each er s, an d t h e ot h er t each er in ch ar ge of H u o Yu h ao’s class w as W an g
Yan , w h o’d view ed h im h igh ly.
W an g Yan , w h o’d or igin ally in t en d ed t o t each t h e h igh er yea r s, h ad act u a lly
ch osen t o com e t o Year 1’s Class 1 an d t each alon gsid e Zh ou Yi for t h e sak e of
H u o Yu h ao, b u t n ot even Zh ou Yi k n ew t h at .
“Alr igh t , follow you r n ew t each er s an d r et u r n t o t h e sch ool b u ild in gs. W an g

Don g, you t h r ee follow m e an d cla im you r p r ize.” Dir ect or Du W eilu n
an n ou n ced .
H u o Yu h ao seem ed t o h ave r et u r n ed t o n or m al. At t h e ver y least , on e

w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o see t h at h is em ot ion s h ad b een affect ed b ased on h is ext er n al
ap p ear an ce alon e. T h e t h r ee p r oceed ed t o follow Du W eilu n t o t h e t each er ’s
offices, w h ich w er e locat ed b eh in d t h e h igh er year ’s sch ool b u ild in gs.
Du W eilu n ’s office w as sit u at ed on t h e t op floor , an d h is office w as m u ch

b igger t h an Zh ou Yi’s. Alt h ou gh it d id n ’t h ave an y fan cifu l d ecor at ion s, t h er e
w er e fou r b ook cases in sid e, w h ich w er e filled w it h an ab u n d an t n u m b er of
b ook s.
Du W eilu n sm iled an d p oin t ed t ow ar d s t h e sofa. “Com e, sit . H u o Yu h ao,

d on ’t let t h is b u r d en you . You ’ve seen it as w ell. It w asn ’t ju st you ; t h er e w er e
also a few st u d en t s fr om t h e t op t h r ee t eam s w h o w er en ’t ab le t o b ecom e cor e
d iscip les. You p er for m ed ext r em ely w ell, esp ecially con sid er in g t h e fact t h at you
w er e ab le t o h elp W an g Don g r elease a fu sion sk ill. H ow ever , you r in d ivid u al
ab ilit y st ill n eed s t o b e im p r oved . W h en you n eed you r secon d sou l r in g, you can
r eq u est assist an ce fr om t h e Acad em y in or d er t o en su r e t h at you ob t ain an
op t im al sou l r in g. If you also m an age t o p er for m excep t ion ally w ell d u r in g you r
Year 2 p r om ot ion assessm en t , t h e Acad em y w ill con sid er for m ally accep t in g you
as a cor e d iscip le.”
W an g Don g b egan , “Dir ect or Du , it ’s n ot lik e t h at ! H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t h elp in g

m e, it w as…” At t h at p oin t , h e w as su d d en ly st op p ed b y Du W eilu n , w h o’d
r aised h is h an d . In Du W eilu n ’s op in ion , t h is w as m er ely a sh ow of fr ien d sh ip
b et w een t w o you n g k id s.
H u o Yu h ao also t u gged on W an g Don g’s sleeve, t h en r ep lied r esp ect fu lly t o
Du W eilu n , “Dir ect or Du , I’ll d efin it ely w or k h ar d . T h a n k you for you r
con cer n .”
Book 6: Gr aduat ing
Chapt er 33.1: Two Soul Bones
Du W eilu n w as ext r em ely p leased w it h H u o Yu h ao’s at t it u d e. Nod d in g h is

h ead , t h e la r ge r ed gem on h is r igh t h an d flash ed , cau sin g a leat h er b ag t o
ap p ear in h is h an d s.
T h e leat h er b ag seem ed t o b e a sou l t ool, as t h er e w er e a few d ar k -color ed

p at t er n s in scr ib ed on t h e b r ow n b ag, an d H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o sen se m in u t e
u n d u lat ion s of sou l p ow er fr om it .
Du W eilu n sa id , “Ch ild r en , seein g as h ow you w er e ab le t o d efeat t h r ee Sou l

Eld er s, an d h ave b ecom e t h e ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , I’v e
r eq u est ed t h at t h e Acad em y m ak e an excep t ion an d give you an ot h er p r ize.
H ow ever , t h er e’s on ly a sin gle p r ize—w h ich m ean s t h at you ’ll h ave t o ch oose
w h o t o give it t o. At t h e sam e t im e, t h is is t h e m ost valu a b le p r ize t h at t h e
Acad em y h as given ou t in t h e p ast t h r ee h u n d r ed year s. T ak e a look .” Aft er h e’d
fin ish ed sp eak in g, h e h an d ed t h e leat h er b ag t o W an g Don g.
W an g Don g r each ed ou t h is h an d an d r eceived t h e leat h er b ag. At t h at

m om en t , h e w as st ill feelin g som ew h at d ow n cast d u e t o H u o Yu h ao’s in ab ilit y
t o b ecom e a cor e d iscip le. As a r esu lt of t h is, h is excit em en t t ow ar d s t h e r ew ar d
h ad d u lled gr eat ly. W h en h e’d r eceived t h e leat h er b ag, h e su b con sciou sly
u n t ied t h e st r in g h old in g it closed .
A b all of yellow ligh t w as in st an t ly r eleased fr om t h e leat h er b ag w it h ou t a n y

w ar n in g. Un d er t h e ast on ish ed gazes of H u o Yu h ao’s t r io, it slow ly r ose in t o t h e
air .
It w as a sm all yet exq u isit e b on e t h at seem ed t o b e ab ou t t h e size of on e’s

p alm . It r a d iat ed a p ale yellow ligh t , w h ich cau sed t h e h ear t b eat s of H u o
Yu h ao’s t r io t o p alp at e t h e in st an t t h ey saw it . T h e st r on g u n d u la t ion s of sou l
p ow er it em an at ed cau sed t h e air w it h in t h e office t o seem in gly b ecom e viscou s.
T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at t h ey’d exp er ien ced a st r an ge feelin g lik e t h is.
“T h is, t h is is… a sou l b on e?” W an g Don g ask ed , an ast on ish ed look on h is

face. Even t h ou gh Du W eilu n h ad h in t ed t h at t h eir p r ize w as ext r em ely
valu ab le, t h ey’d n ev er even t h ou gh t t h a t it ’d b e a sou l b on e. T h is w as a sou l
b on e! T h is w as som et h in g t h a t w as a h u n d r ed t im es m or e valu ab le t h an a sou l
r in g t o a sou l m ast er !
A sou l r in g w a s an en er gy-b ased ob ject t h at w ou ld alw ays ap p ear w h en a sou l

b east d ied , b u t t h e ch an ces of a sou l b on e ap p ear in g w er e less t h an on e in t en
t h ou san d . Even t h ou gh h igh er r an k ed sou l b east s h ad a h igh er ch an ce t o d r op
sou l b on es, on ly h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s w er e gu ar an t eed t o d r op
sou l b on es.
If a sou l m ast er m an aged t o ob t ain a sou l b on e, t h eir st r en gt h w ou ld

im m ed iat ely go u p a level, w h ich w ou ld allow t h em t o h ave an en or m ou s
ad van t age again st ot h er sou l m ast er s of t h e sam e r an k . H ow ever , a sou l m ast er
cou ld on ly h ave six sou l b on es at m ost : T h e h ead b on e, t h e t or so b on e, an d t h e
fou r lim b b on es. Of t h e six p ossib le sou l b on es on e cou ld h ave, t h e m ost valu ab le
on e w as t h e t or so b on e. H ow ever , it w as also t h e r a r est am on g t h e six. T h e h ead
b on e w as t h e secon d m ost valu ab le, w h ile t h e fou r lim b b on es w er e sligh t ly less
p r eciou s.
Even t h ou gh t h a t w a s t h e case, a sou l b on e w ou ld alw ays b e t h e m ost p r eciou s

it em at a co u n t r y’s a u ct ion w h en it w as p r esen t , r egar d less of w h ich cou n t r y t h e
au ct ion w as h eld in . Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w asn ’t a m ar k et w h er e on e cou ld
sim p ly b u y a sou l b on e. On e w ou ld n eed a h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold sou l coin s, at
t h e ver y m in im u m , in or d er t o st an d a ch an ce at b u yin g on e in an au ct ion . M or e
oft en t h an n ot , on e w ou ld n eed t o b ar t er t o ob t ain a sou l b on e.
Regar d less of h ow r ich Sh r ek Acad em y w as, t h ey st ill d id n ’t h ave t h at m an y

sou l b on es st or ed aw ay. On ly t h e m ost ou t st a n d in g st u d en t s, or st u d en t s w h o’d
p er for m ed ext r aor d in ar ily m er it or iou s d eed s, w ou ld h ave a ch an ce at ob t ain in g
a sou l b on e as a r ew a r d . W h en t h e Acad em y h an d ed ou t a r ew ar d su ch as t h is, it
sign ified t h a t t h ey t h ou gh t t h at t h e b en efit s an d in flu en ce t h ey’d gain in t h e
fu t u r e ou t w eigh ed t h e cost of t h e sou l b on e.
H u o Yu h ao st ill h a d som e r esen t m en t b u r ied d eep in h is h ear t fr om n ot b ein g

m ad e a cor e d iscip le. H ow ever , t h e in st an t h e saw t h e sou l b on e, b ot h it an d t h e
t h r esh old in h is h ear t gr ad u ally d isap p ea r ed . It w asn ’t b ecau se it w as som et h in g
t h at h e d esir ed , b u t r at h er b ecau se it allow ed h im t o r ealise h ow fair t h e
Acad em y w as.
H e h ad n ’t b een ab le t o b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ,

yet cou ld t h e Acad em y b e b lam ed for b ein g u n fair ? Aft er all, h e on ly h ad a sin gle
sou l r in g! Fr esh m en w it h h igh er cu lt iva t ion s t h an h im w er e com m on p lace, an d
even t h ou gh h e w as a m em b er of t h e ch am p ion t eam , h e h ad on ly b een a
b yst an d er in t h e eyes of t h ose w a t ch in g. H is fir st sou l r in g w a s also on ly a w h it e
on e. If h e’d b een p la ced in Du W eilu n ’s p osit ion , w ou ld h e h a ve b een w illin g t o
let h im self b ecom e a cor e d iscip le?
T h e k n ot in h is h ea r t h ad alr ead y b egu n t o u n d o it self, t h u s H u o Yu h ao’s

exp r ession b egan t o r elax m or e an d m or e. Follow in g t h at , h is or igin al st iffly
r esp ect fu l at t it u d e b ecam e m u ch m or e n at u r al.
Du W eilu n sm iled . “Did n ’t exp ect t h at , eh ? Cor r ect , you r p r ize is a sou l b on e.
H ow ever , you all sh ou ld k n ow ju st h ow valu ab le sou l b on es ar e. Becau se of t h is,
t h er e’s on ly a sin gle on e d esp it e t h er e b ein g t h r ee of you . As su ch , you ’ll h ave t o
d ecid e w h o t o give it t o aft er you get b a ck . H ow ever , d on ’t let t h is sou l b on e
affect you r fr ien d sh ip . Even t h ou gh sou l b on es ar e h a r d t o fin d , good
com p an ion s ar e even r ar er t h an sou l b on es. Now t h en , I’ll give you gu ys a qu ick
r u n d ow n of t h is sou l b on e.”
“T h is sou l b on e is som et h in g t h at I ch ose esp ecially for you gu ys, as b ot h

assau lt -t yp e an d con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er s can u se it . It ’s a left leg b on e k n ow n
as t h e ‘Em p t yb r igh t Devil Leop ar d ’s Left Leg Bon e’. Aft er fu sin g w it h it , a sou l
m ast er w ill exp er ien ce an in cr ease in sp eed , as w ell a s ob t ain an offen sive sk ill
t h at can b e act ivat ed u sin g t h eir left leg. H ow ever , t h e gr ea t est b en efit of t h is
sou l b on e lies in t h e fact t h at it w ill p r o d u ce d iffer en t sk ills w h en fu sed w it h
d iffer en t m ar t ia l sou ls. H ow ever , it ’ll d efin it ely b e su it ab le for all t h r ee of you .
I’ll give it t o you n ow , alon g w it h t h is leat h er b ag. T h e leat h er b ag can con ceal
t h e sou l p ow er u n d u lat ion s gen er at ed b y t h e sou l b on e. You sh ou ld fu se w it h it
as q u ick ly as p ossib le as, even t h ou gh t h e Acad em y gr ou n d s ar e ext r em ely safe,
a p r eciou s t r easu r e can d oom an in n ocen t m an . Also, you ’ll h ave t o k eep t h is a
secr et for t h e Acad em y. Now t h en , I t r u st t h at you ’ll k n ow w h at t o d o.”
Aft er p u t t in g t h e sou l b on e aw ay, Du W eilu n sen t t h em off. T h e t r io

r esp ect fu lly b id h im far ew ell as t h ey left t h e sch ool b u ild in g.
T h e in st an t t h ey st ep p ed ou t of t h e b u ild in g, t h ey all sim u lt an eou sly st op p ed

w alk in g. H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao all glan ced t ow ar d s on e ot h er ,
aft er w ich Xiao Xiao said , “Let ’s give it t o Yu h ao.”
W an g Don g n od d ed . “I agr ee.”
Aft er sayin g t h is, t h e t w o look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. W an g Don g h ad alr ea d y

p laced t h e leat h er b ag in fr on t of h im . In t er m s of in d ivid u al st r en gt h , t h er e w as
n o d ou b t t h a t H u o Yu h ao w as cu r r en t ly t h e w eak est of t h e t h r ee. If h e ob t ain ed
t h is left leg sou l b on e, h e’d fin a lly p ossess an a t t ack in g sk ill. Com b in ed w it h t h e
in cr ease in sp eed h e’d r eceive fr om fu sin g w it h t h e sou l b on e, H u o Yu h ao w ou ld
im m ed iat ely h ave t h e st r en gt h t o con t en d again st t h e ot h er cor e d iscip les.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o r esolu t ely sh ook h is h ead . “No, I can ’t h ave t h is sou l

b on e. W an g Don g, h ave you for got t en t h e con cep t of ‘lad ies fir st ’? W e h a ve t o
give t h is sou l b on e t o Xiao Xiao. T h is is on ly ou r fir st a ssessm en t in t h e
Acad em y. So lon g as w e w or k even h ar d er an d ob t ain even b et t er r esu lt s, w e’ll
d efin it ely r eceive an ot h er sou l b on e as a r ew ar d . Of t h e t h r ee of u s, Xiao Xiao is
t h e on ly gir l. You b ot h r ecogn ise m e as you r t eam lead er , so h ow cou ld I t ak e
som et h in g as good as t h is aw ay fr om t h e b ot h of you ?”
Alt h ou gh h e w a s qu it e you n g, h e cou ld t ell t h at Du W eilu n h a d n ’t p lan n ed t o

give t h is sou l b on e t o h im . Fu r t h er m or e, it w as as h e’d said . As a lead er , h ow
cou ld h e r eap all t h e b en efit s for h im self?
Xiao Xiao w as st u n n ed . “Yu h ao, you can ’t b e lik e t h is. You p layed t h e m ost
im p or t an t r ole in ou r m at ch es. At t h e sa m e t im e, you ’r e t h e p er son w h o n eed s
t h is sou l b on e t h e m ost !”
H u o Yu h ao sim p ly sm iled . “Xiao Xiao, you d on ’t n eed t o say an yt h in g else.

I’ve alr ead y d ecid ed . No m at t er w h a t , I d on ’t w an t t h is sou l b on e. H aven ’t you
at least t h ou gh t ab ou t it ? It ’s t r u e t h a t I m igh t b e ab le t o ob t ain an at t ack in g-
t yp e sk ill w h en I fu se w it h t h is sou l b on e, b u t I’m a m en t al-t yp e sou l m ast er ;
h avin g a sk ill lik e t h at m igh t n ot b e a good t h in g for m e! I n eed t o w or k even
h ar d er , an d u se m y ow n ab ilit y t o b ecom e even st r on ger . Givin g m e a sou l b on e
r igh t n ow m igh t u n w it t in gly m ak e m e over ly r elian t on t h e at t ack p ow er it
gives m e, b u t you ’r e a d iffer en t st or y. Even t h ou gh you h ave t w in m ar t ial sou ls,
an in cr ease in sp eed is d efin it ely t h e b est b en efit you cou ld r eceive r igh t n ow , a s
an in cr ease in sp eed w ou ld m ak e it m u ch safer for you t o act ivat e you r t w o T ool
Sou ls on t h e b at t lefield . I’ve alr ea d y t h ou gh t it t h r ou gh ; t h is sou l b on e is m ost
su it ed for you , t h er e’s n o d ou b t ab ou t it . Lad ies fir st , you d on ’t h ave t o b e
p olit e.”
W an g Don g look ed at H u o Yu h ao, t h en glan ced at Xiao Xiao. H elp less, h e sa id ,

“Yu h ao, you ’r e valu in g a lover over you r fr ien d !”
Xiao Xiao giggled . “Save it , you . T o h im , you ’r e t h e lover an d I’m t h e fr ien d .

It ’s fin e if a gir l an d a gu y h u g each ot h er d u r in g a fu sion sk ill, b u t you t w o gu ys
h u g each ot h er for you r s, h eh e.”
W an g Don g im m ed iat ely flew in t o a r age an d t h r ew t h e leat h er b ag t h at

con t ain ed t h e sou l b on e t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao. Xiao Xiao cau gh t it an d con t in u ed t o
lau gh . “I w on ’t b e p olit e t h en . If w e get an ot h er sou l b on e as a t eam , on e of you
t w o can h ave it .”
Aft er sh e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g, sh e p u t t h e sou l b on e aw ay in h er st or age-t yp e

sou l t ool. An in con cealab le sm ile of excit em en t h ad ap p ear ed o n h er face.
W an g Don g t u r n ed t o H u o Yu h ao. “Yu h ao, you w er en ’t ab le t o b ecom e a cor e

d iscip le. T h is….”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead . “You d on ’t h ave t o say an yt h in g, I’m fin e. I’ve
alr ead y t h ou gh t it t h r ou gh . Even t h ou gh I m igh t h ave t h e q u alificat ion s t o b e a
cor e d iscip le w h en I’m t oget h er w it h you , w h at ab ou t w h en I’m alon e? W ou ld I
st ill b e ab le t o d efeat m y en em ies? If m y op p on en t h ad an ar ea of effect ab ilit y
an d w as w ar y of m y Sp ir it u al Sh ock , I d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t even h ave a ch an ce at
b eat in g h im w it h ou t you r h elp . T h e Acad em y n ot ch oosin g m e as a cor e d iscip le
w as a fair d ecision . T h u s, I n eed t o w or k even h ar d er t o p r ove m yself.”
“W ell said .” A voice t h at w as fam iliar , yet m ad e t h em sh u d d er , su d d en ly r an g

ou t . T h ey t u r n ed t o see Zh ou Yi slow ly ap p r oach in g t h em .
“T each er Zh ou .” H u o Yu h ao’s t r io cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel ast on ish ed . W asn ’t

T each er Zh ou su p p osed t o h ave t ak en t h e st u d en t s of Class 1 b ack t o t h e sch ool
b u ild in gs w it h T each er W an g? W h y h ad sh e su d d en ly ap p ear ed h er e?
Zh ou Yi look ed d eep ly t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, t h en r evealed a r ar ely-seen look

of gr at ificat ion an d sat isfact ion . “Yu h ao, I cam e t o see you . I d id n ’t t h in k t h at
you ’d b e ab le t o figu r e it ou t b y you r self. H ow ever , I’m ver y h ap p y; you ’r e
w or t h y t o b e called a d iscip le of m in e. Oh , r igh t . Sin ce you gu ys w er e ab le t o
b ecom e t h e ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m an t ou r n am en t , I h ave a p r esen t for you as
w ell.” Aft er sh e fin ish ed sp eak in g, t h e st or age-t yp e sou l t ool on h er h an d , w h ich
w as in t h e for m of a silver b r acelet , flash ed . A lea t h er b a g ap p ear ed in h er
h an d s, an d sh e p assed it t o H u o Yu h ao.
T h e leat h er b ag w as vir t u ally id en t ical t o t h e on e t h a t Dir ect or Du W eilu n

h ad given t h em , w h ich in st an t ly flab b er gast ed H u o Yu h ao’s t r io.
“It can ’t b e?” T h e t h r ee said in u n ison .
Zh ou Yi w as st u n n ed as w ell. “W h a t can ’t b e?”
Xiao Xiao sp eech lessly t ook ou t t h e leat h er b ag con t ain in g t h e Em p t yb r igh t

Devil Leop ar d ’s Left Leg Bon e t h at sh e’d ju st p u t aw ay. T h ey n eed ed t o k eep it a
secr et fr om ot h er st u d en t s, b u t w h y w ou ld t h ey h id e it fr om t h e t each er in
ch ar ge of t h eir class?
Zh ou Yi w as in st an t ly ast on ish ed . “T h is is...? Is t h is t h e p r ize t h e sch ool gave

you ?”
H u o Yu h ao’s t r io sim u lt an eou sly n od d ed .
A t r ace of excit em en t ap p ear ed in Zh ou Yi’s eyes. “It ’s n o w on d er t h at

Dir ect or Du w as b ein g so secr et ive. H e’d act u ally p lan n ed t o give you som et h in g
as valu ab le as t h is. W h at sou l b on e is t h is?”
H u o Yu h ao gave h er a b r ief exp lan at ion of it s ab ilit ies, an d t old h er t h at t h ey

p lan n ed t o give it t o Xiao Xiao.
Zh ou Yi n od d ed . “You ’r e all good k id s! You h ave t o k n ow , even Sou l

Em p er or —or even Sou l Dou lu o-r an k ed exp er t s—w ou ld fin d it h ar d t o r em a in
calm w h en t h ey w er e facin g a sou l b on e! I’m on ly givin g you an ot h er sou l b on e
b ecau se you d eser ve it . Do you st ill r em em b er t h at m at ch you gu ys h ad w it h
Nin g T ian , W u Fen g, an d Nan m en Yu n ’er ? Du r in g t h at m a t ch , I m ad e a b et w it h
t h eir t each er ; t h at ’s h ow I w on t h is sou l b on e. It ’s a r elat ively p oor q u alit y so u l
b on e, b u t it h as t h e ab ilit y t o fu se w it h ot h er sou l b on es. If you can fin d t w o
m or e sou l b on es t h at h ave sim ilar at t r ib u t es t o t h is on e, you can fu se t h em
t oget h er w it h t h is on e. It ’s a p r iceless t r easu r e t o som eon e w h o n eed s it , b u t t h e
ch an ces of you b ein g ab le ab le t o ob t ain t w o ot h er sou l b on es w it h sim ilar
at t r ib u t es t o t h is on e ar e sim p ly t oo sm all. T h u s, I’d su ggest you fu se w it h it
r igh t aw ay. It ’s a left ar m b on e, an d it ’s k n ow n as t h e Secr et Law Sou l’s Left
Ar m Bon e. Act u ally... t h is can ’t r eally b e con sid er ed a t r u e sou l b on e, as it
w asn ’t p r od u ced b y a sin gle sou l b east .”
“T h is Secr et Law Sou l Bon e w as ob t ain ed t h r ou gh a sp ecial, yet b r u t al

m et h od . T o ob t ain a sin gle Secr et Law Sou l Bon e, on e h as t o k ill a h u n d r ed sou l
b east s of t h e sam e t yp e w it h in an h ou r , t h en u se a secr et t ech n iqu e t o act ivat e
all of t h eir sou l r in gs at t h e sam e t im e. Even t h en , t h er e’s on ly a 10 % ch an ce t h at
it w ill p r od u ce t h is sou l b on e. It ’s a r ela t ively sim p le m et h od of ob t ain in g a sou l
b on e, b u t d u e t o it s low su ccess r at e an d b r u t alit y, ver y few sou l m ast er s d o it . If
you d ir ect ly fu se w it h it , it ’ll in cr ease you r sou l p ow er b y 5%. It d oesn ’t sou n d
lik e m u ch , b u t t h is in cr ease w ill alw ays b e t h er e, r egar d less of you r cu lt iva t ion
r an k . On ce you r cu lt ivat ion r an k h as in cr eased , it s effect s w ill b ecom e m u ch
m or e ob viou s.”
H u o Yu h ao r eceived t h e leat h er b ag t h at Zh ou Yi gave h im , t h en t u r n ed t o

W an g Don g. H ow ever , W an g Don g im m ed iat ely faced aw ay fr om h im . “Don ’t
look at m e, I d on ’t w an t it . Don ’t you t h in k t h at it ’s a lit t le b it t oo or d in ar y for
m e?”
H u o Yu h ao felt t ou ch ed w h en h e sa w W an g Don g’s seem in gly ar r ogan t

exp r ession . Nat u r ally, h e k n ew t h at W a n g Don g w as d elib er at ely d oin g t h is t o
give t h e sou l b on e t o h im . It w as ju st as h e’d p r eviou sly said t o Xiao Xiao; it ’d b e
n o b ig d eal t o sp lit it am on g t h em selv es if t h ey ob t ain ed on e in t h e fu t u r e.
H ow ever , ob t ain in g a sou l b on e w as easier said t h an d on e! At t h e sam e t im e,
w h o k n ew w h en t h ey’d get an ot h er sou l b on e?
W an g Don g’s ch eek b ecam e r osy u n d er t h e r ays of t h e su n , w h ich ad d ed a

fain t layer of ligh t t o h is face. Alt h ou gh h e’d t u r n ed aw ay, H u o Yu h ao cou ld st ill
see t h e d et er m in at io n in h is eyes. H e cou ld sen se t h at W a n g Don g w as t r yin g t o
m ak e u p for t h e in ju st ices h e’d su ffer ed , t h u s h e d id n ’t r efu se t h e sou l b on e
again . H e ca r efu lly p u t t h e Secr et Law Sou l’s so u l b on e aw ay w h ile b u r yin g t h e
feelin gs of b r ot h er ly love d eep in h is h ear t . Som et im es, t h e love b et w een
b r ot h er s w asn ’t said ou t lou d , b u t sh ow n t h r ou gh act ion s.
“En , t h is sou l b on e w ill b e q u it e u sefu l. Let ’s h an g on t o it for n ow , I’ll h elp

you u se it soon .” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice r an g ou t in H u o Yu h ao’s m in d
w it h ou t a n y p r ior w ar n in g, jolt in g h im .
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam .” H ear in g it s voice, H u o Yu h ao im m ed ia t ely felt as if h e’d

seen a close r elat ive of h is. T h e gr ievan ces h e’d su p p r essed for so lon g
im m ed iat ely exp lod ed ou t , cau sin g h is eyes t o t u r n som ew h at r ed . H ow ever ,
Zh ou Yi, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao n at u r ally assu m ed t h at h e’d b een m oved b y
W an g Don g’s act ion s.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sp ok e u n h ap p ily, “Lit t le Yu h ao, d on ’t feel so d ow n .

You n at u r ally h ave t h is b r ot h er su p p or t in g you . T h ose h u m an s ar e so sh or t -
sigh t ed , t h in k in g t h at t h is b r ot h er ’s sou l r in g is a t en year on e. H u m p h , you
d on ’t h ave t o w or r y. In a few year s, I’ll m ak e t h em t r em b le w h en t h ey see t h is
t en year sou l r in g. I’m goin g t o r ep eat t h is again —q u ick ly r aise you r sou l p ow er
t o Ran k 20 . W h en t h at t im e com es, I’ll m ak e su r e t h at n o on e d ar es t o look
d ow n on you .”
“En , I’ll d efin it ely get t o Ran k 20 as q u ick ly as p ossib le. I’ll d efin it ely get
t h er e b efor e I gr ad u at e fr om Year 1.” T h e t en sion in h is h ear t h ad d isap p ear ed ,
b u t h e st ill felt a sen se of u r gen cy fr om n ot b ein g ab le t o b ecom e a cor e d iscip le.
W it h h is cu r r en t cu lt iva t ion , it w as d efin it ely h ar d t o say w h et h er or n ot h e
cou ld con t in u e h is st u d ies w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y.
Zh ou Yi said , “W an g Don g, go b ack w it h Xiao Xiao fir st . I h ave som e t h in gs I

n eed t o say t o H u o Yu h ao.”
W an g Don g look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, h is lar ge, b eau t ifu l eyes fu ll of

en cou r agem en t . H e w aved h is fist t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, t h en w alk ed aw ay w it h
Xiao Xiao.
Zh ou Yi w alk ed over t o H u o Yu h ao an d gr ab b ed h is a r m w it h h er r igh t h a n d .

Im m ed iat ely aft er w a r d s, H u o Yu h ao on ce again exp er ien ced t h e feelin g of flyin g
t h r ou gh t h e clou d s.
Not lon g aft er w a r d s, Zh ou Yi st op p ed . T o h is ast on ish m en t , H u o Yu h ao

d iscover ed t h at t h ey’d ar r ived b ack at t h e Sou l T ool T est in g Ar ea. T h is p lace
h ad left a d eep im p r ession on h im t h e last t im e h e’d com e h er e; it ’d also
solid ified h is w ish t o st u d y t h e cr ea t io n an d u t ilisa t ion of sou l t ools. At t h is
m om en t , h e n at u r ally k n ew w h at r et u r n in g h er e sign ified .
“T each er Zh ou , is T each er Fan Yu w illin g t o accep t m e as h is d iscip le?” H u o
Yu h ao ask ed , a t r ace of su r p r ise p r esen t in h is voice.
Zh ou Yi n od d ed sligh t ly. “You ’r e a sm ar t ch ild . H ow ever , I m u st w a r n you .

Becau se you ’r e a fir st year , you r cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion p u t s you in a v er y
d an ger ou s p osit ion . T h e m in im u m r equ ir em en t t o b ecom e a secon d year
st u d en t is t o h ave t w o sou l r in gs, t h u s you ’ll h ave t o get you r secon d on e b y t h e
en d of you r fir st yea r . I d on ’t h ave an y ob ject ion s t ow ar d s you cu lt ivat in g t h e
ar t of sou l t ools alo n g w it h you con t in u in g you r st u d ies in t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t , b u t you st ill n eed t o h ave a good fou n d at ion in t h e field of m ar t ial
sou ls, even if you d ecid e t o sp ecialise in sou l t ools in t h e fu t u r e. As su ch , you ’ll
h ave t o m an age you r t im e r at ion ally.”
Zh ou Yi b r ou gh t H u o Yu h ao in t o t h e Sou l T ool T est in g Ar ea as sh e sp ok e.
T h e st u r d y-b od ied Fan Yu q u ick ly w alk ed over t o t h em w h en t h ey w alk ed in .

Com p ar ed t o t h e cold an d st er n face h e’d h ad last t im e, t h e cu r r en t Fan Yu h ad a
m u ch gen t ler exp r ession on h is face. H e t ook t h e in it iat ive t o p at H u o Yu h ao on
t h e sh o u ld er an d said , “I w at ch ed t h e fin als of you r fr esh m en assessm en t . It w as
ext r em ely b r illian t , you d id ver y w ell.”
Zh ou Yi look ed a t Fan Yu w it h a som ew h at st u p efied look on h er face.

Alt h ou gh sh e seem ed lik e a st r ict p er son on t h e ou t sid e, sh e w as act u a lly a
w ar m -h ear t ed p er so n on t h e in sid e. On t h e ot h er h an d , sh e u n d er st ood Fan Yu ’s
p er son alit y ver y w ell; h e w as a p er son w h o r ar ely com p lim en t ed ot h er p eop le,
an d w as also in com p ar ab ly ar r ogan t on t h e in sid e. H u o Yu h ao w as on ly a fir st
year st u d en t , t h er efor e it w as n o sm a ll t h in g for h im t o b e p r aised so h igh ly b y
Fan Yu .
“Gr eet in gs, T each er Fan Yu .” H u o Yu h ao gr eet ed Fan Yu r esp ect fu lly.
Fan Yu n od d ed . “I’ve h ear d fr om Zh ou Yi t h at you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion h as

im p r oved a lot . Com e, let ’s t r y it ou t .” A p er son lik e Fan Yu , w h o’d d evot ed h is
en t ir e life t o r esear ch , w as alw ays st r aigh t for w ar d w h en d ealin g w it h t h in gs.
“Alr igh t .” As h is p u r e w h it e m illion year sou l r in g r ose fr om h is feet , H u o
Yu h ao’s p u p ils t u r n ed p ale gold . An ext r em ely m in u t e am ou n t of p ale gold
flash ed t h r ou gh h is w h it e sou l r in g, b u t n ob od y m an aged t o n ot ice it .
H u o Yu h ao in st an t ly r eleased h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , en cap su lat in g

ever yt h in g w it h in a fift y m et er d iam et er .
W h en h e sen sed t h e om n i-d ir ect ion al t h r ee-d im en sion al im a ge ap p ear in h is

m in d , Fan Yu n od d ed in sat isfact ion . “En , it ’s act u ally im p r oved b y q u it e a b it .
It ’s n o w on d er you gu ys w er e ab le t o b ecom e t h e ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m en
assessm en t . W it h you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , you gu ys w ou ld ’ve d efin it ely b een
ab le t o p r ed ict all of you r op p on en t ’s m ovem en t s. Eh …?”
As h e sp ok e, Fan Yu su d d en ly r ealised t h at t h e im age of t h e Sp ir it u a l

Det ect ion in h is m in d w as ch an gin g. T h e or igin ally om n i-d ir ect ion al im age h ad
b egu n t o sh r in k t ow ar d s a sin gle d ir ect ion , b u t it s r a n ge w as gr ad u a lly
in cr easin g. T h is st r a n ge feelin g of h avin g on e’s sen ses ext en d ed w as sim p ly t oo
m agical.
Zh ou Yi w as also u n d er t h e effect s of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion

Sh ar in g, t h u s sh e felt it t oo. H er eyes im m ed iat ely w id en ed , an d sh e cr ied ou t
in volu n t ar ily, “H ow ar e you d oin g t h is?!”
H u o Yu h ao saw t h e ast on ish ed gazes of t h e t w o t each er s, b u t d id n ’t r ep ly;

w h en h e w as focu sin g h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t ow ar d s a sin gle d ir ect ion , h e h a d
t o con cen t r at e in t en sely.
Fin ally, w h en t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion h a d r each ed it s lim it , h e

st op p ed , t h en can celled t h e act ivat ion of h is sou l sk ill.
Fan Yu look ed at h im , a fier ce gaze in h is eyes. “A h u n d r ed an d t w en t y on e

m et er s. Ver y good , you ’ve d on e w h at I ask ed you t o d o. Yu h ao, let m e ask you
t h is: W ill t h e r an ge of you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion con t in u e t o in cr ease alon g w it h
you r cu lt ivat ion ?”
Aft er h esit at in g for a m om en t , H u o Yu h a o n od d ed .
“Good !” Fan Yu sh ou t ed lou d ly, jolt in g b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d Zh ou Yi.
Fan Yu p at t ed H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er again . “Follow m e.” W it h t h at , h e

t u r n ed ar ou n d an d w alk ed b ack t ow ar d s t h e T est in g Ar ea w it h lar ge st r id es.
“Cait ou , com e h er e.” Fan Yu w aved h is h an d , cau sin g H e Cait ou —w h o H u o

Yu h ao h ad p r eviou sly seen —t o qu ick ly r u n over . T h e m om en t h e saw H u o
Yu h ao, h e im m ed iat ely sh ou t ed in a su r p r ised t on e, “It ’s yo u ! H u o Yu h ao, lon g
t im e n o see!”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled w h en h e saw H e Cait ou ’s sim p le face. “H ow ar e you ,

b r ot h er H e? You look even st u r d ier t od a y.”
It w as t r u e; t h e d ar k -sk in n ed H e Cait ou b asically h ad t h e p h ysiq u e of an ad u lt

at t h is p oin t . H is m u scles w er e r u gged , w h ile h is r ob u st b od y w asn ’t far off fr om
Fan Yu ’s.
Fan Yu con t in u ed , “Cait ou , sh ow Yu h ao t h e p ow er of sou l m ast er s fr om t h e

Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . You d on ’t n eed t o h old b ack .”
“Su r e!” H e Cait ou clear ly b ecam e som ew h at excit ed . H e qu ick ly sh ed h is

u p p er gar m en t s, r evealin g h is st u r d y b od y. Aft er d oin g so, h e d id som et h in g
t h at flab b er gast ed H u o Yu h ao.
H e Cait ou ’s h an d s flew ab ou t h is b od y as h e slap p ed t h e b elt on h is w aist

u n ceasin gly. T h is cau sed cou n t less st r a n ge m et al ob ject s t o fly ou t fr om h is
st or age b elt , w h ich h e t h en eq u ip p ed .
It t ook less t h an t en secon d s for h im t o fin ish equ ip p in g h im self w it h t h e

st r an ge m et al ob ject s. T h e cu r r en t h im w as com p let ely cover ed in p ieces of
b lack m et al, h ow ev er H u o Yu h ao n a t u r ally h ad n o id ea w h at t h e b lack m et al
w as or w h at it w as u sed for .
Aft er w ar d s, H e Cait ou ’s b od y glow ed , an d h is t h r ee sou l r in gs lit u p . H e h ad
t w o yellow an d on e p u r p le sou l r in gs—t h e op t im u m com b in at ion of sou l r in gs.
Im m ed iat ely aft er w a r d s, h is fir st sou l r in g lit u p , cau sin g a t w o or so cen t im et er
lon g t h ick yellow ob ject t h at w as as lon g as an ad u lt ’s p alm t o ap p ear in h is
m ou t h .
H e casu ally r aised h is left h an d , an d a sp ar k ap p ear ed on t h e b lack m et al

cover in g h is h an d . T h e t h ick , lon g ob ject in h is m ou t h lit u p , in t u r n cau sin g
w h it e sm ok e t o r ise in t o t h e air .
H u o Yu h ao’s facial m u scles t w it ch ed violen t ly, b u t h e fo r cefu lly st op p ed

h im self fr om lau gh in g. T h e t h in g in H e Cait ou ’s m ou t h w as sim p ly t oo sim ilar
t o a fr esh ly b ak ed , p ip in g h ot … t u r d ….
Nat u r a lly, t h e ob ject seem ed t o h ave a m u ch h ar d er t ext u r e….

At t h at m om en t , H e Cait ou ’s ch eek s su d d en ly b u lged , lik e h e’d for cefu lly

in h aled som et h in g. Aft er w ar d s, a clou d of sm ok e left h is m ou t h . W it h t h e
“t u r d ” st ill in h is m ou t h , h e w alk ed in t o t h e T est in g Ar ea.
Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed b y t h e st r an ge effect of H e Cait ou ’s

m ar t ial sou l, h e h u r r ied t o act ivat e h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t o ob ser ve H e
Cait ou ’s m ovem en t s m or e car efu lly, as t h e om n id ir ect ion al t h r ee-d im en sion al
im age allow ed h im t o sen se t h in gs a r ou n d h im m u ch m or e clear ly.
T h e in st an t h e act ivat ed h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion , H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely

sen sed t h at som et h in g w as am iss. H e d iscover ed t h at t h e t est in g ar ea seem ed t o
h ave com e alive, as lar ge m et allic b alls w it h d iam et er s of at least h alf-a-m et er
h ad b egu n t o ap p ear fr om all d ir ect ion s.
“Br ot h er H e, b e car efu l!” H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t cr y ou t .
H e Cait ou t u r n ed t ow ar d s h im , t h en sm iled an d gave h im a t h u m b s u p .

Im m ed iat ely aft er w a r d s, H e Cait ou ’s a u r a d r ast ically ch an ged .
T h e n or m ally st r aigh t for w ar d H e Cait ou ’s gaze su d d en ly b ecam e sh ar p as h e

m oved t h e ‘t u r d ’ in h is m ou t h t o t h e sid e an d b r eat h ed in d eep ly. Aft er w ar d s,
h is m ovem en t s in st an t ly b ecam e as vigor ou s as a ch eet ah .
T w o lar ge m et allic b alls h ad ap p ear ed b esid e h im , an d w er e r ap id ly flyin g

t ow ar d s h im . H e Cait ou sw ift ly r an t o t h e sid e, t h en r olled for w ar d , allow in g
h im t o d ive ou t of t h e w ay. H e im m ed ia t ely t u r n ed ar ou n d a ft er w ar d s, a n d t h e
t w o b lack m et al p ieces h e’d p u t on h is sh ou ld er s op en ed u p , r evealin g
m in u scu le h oles.
At t h is p oin t , H u o Yu h ao sen sed t h a t t h e sou l p ow er in H e Cait ou ’s b od y h ad

su d d en ly b egan t o su r ge violen t ly an d w as r ap id ly gat h er in g in h is sh ou ld er s. As
soon as it h ad , h e r eleased t w o t h in r ays o f w h it e ligh t fr om h is sh ou ld er s, w h ich
accu r at ely st r u ck t h e gold en b alls h u r t lin g t ow ar d s h im .
H u o Yu h ao n ot iced t h at H e Cait ou ’s sh ou ld er m u scles h a d sligh t ly m oved t h e

in st an t h e r eleased t h e w h it e r ay of ligh t ; m ost lik ely for t h e sak e of ad ju st in g
t h e w h it e laser ’s d ir ect ion .
T h e t w o m et allic b alls p au sed sligh t ly for a m om en t , b efor e u n exp ect ed ly

m elt in g m id air .
T hi s, t hi s i s t he pow er of a soul t ool ? H uo Yuh ao w as st un n ed. H e k n ew ,

based on h i s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on , t h at t h e t w o m et al l i c bal l s w er e h ol l ow on t h e
i n si de. H ow ever , t h ey w er e st i l l r el at i vel y h eavy! An d yet , t h ey’ d i n st an t l y been
bl ast ed apar t by t h e t w o t h i n l aser s.
H ow ever , H uo Yuh ao w as even m or e ast on i sh ed by w h at h appen ed

af t er w ar ds. T h e bl ack pi eces of m et al on H e Cai t ou’ s sh oul ds r api dl y ext en ded
t o cover H e Cai t ou’ s ar m s, causi n g si x f oot -l on g m et al t ubes t h at w er e as t h i ck
as a ch i l d’ s ar m t o appear on bot h of h i s ar m s. Af t er t h e m et al pi eces h ad
f i n i sh ed ext en di n g, H uo Yuh ao w as abl e t o see H e Cai t ou sh i f t h i s soul pow er
f r om h i s sh oul der s t o h i s ar m s, w h i ch caused t h e si x m et al t ubes t o spi t t on gues
of f i r e. I n t h at i n st an t , H e Cai t ou’ s ber ser k soul pow er di st or t ed even H uo
Yuh ao’ s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on .
T h e si x h uge m et al l i c bal l s t h at w er e ch ar gi n g t ow ar ds H e Cai t ou w er e al l

st r uck vi ol en t l y, m ul t i pl e depr essi on s appear i n g on t h em . H e Cai t ou h ad on l y
been f i r i n g t h e si x m et al t ubes f or l ess t h an t h r ee secon ds bef or e t h e si x m et al l i c
bal l s h ad been en t i r el y bl ast ed apar t .
As soon as t h ey di sappear ed, si x m or e m et al l i c bal l s appear ed t o bot h h i s l ef t

an d r i gh t si des an d sh ot t ow ar ds h i m .
H e Cai t ou an gl ed t h e ‘ t ur d’ i n h i s m out h upw ar ds, r eveal i n g a f ear l ess sm i l e.

T h en , t h e bl ack pi eces of m et al al l over h i s body st ar t ed m ovi n g. Fur t h er m or e,
i t seem ed l i k e t h ey’ d al l been act i vat ed by h i m m ovi n g h i s m uscl es. As soon as
t h ey fin ish ed m ovin g, H e Cait ou ’s sou l p ow er er u p t ed ou t w ar d s lik e an
exp losion .
H u o Yu h ao h ad t h e assist an ce of h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion , yet h e st ill w asn ’t

ab le t o cou n t t h e n u m b er of m et al, t u b e-lik e ob ject s t h at h ad ap p ear ed all over
H e Cait ou ’s b od y. Soon aft er w ar d s, h e saw t h at H e Cait ou h ad b een fu lly
cover ed in ligh t . Cou n t less b ar r ages of r ays of ligh t sh o t ou t w ild ly fr om h im
t ow ar d s t h e m et al b alls. Ben ea t h h is t er r ifyin g u n d u lat ion s of sou l p ow er , t h e
t w elve en or m ou s m et al b alls in st an t ly d isin t egr at ed in m id air .
T h is w as sim p ly t oo m in d -b low in g!
Aft er d oin g all of t h is, H e Cait ou ’s sou l p ow er h ad b een alm ost en t ir ely
d r ain ed . T h e m et al t u b es on h is b od y qu ick ly d isap p ear ed an d t r an sfor m ed b ack
in t o t h e or igin al sh a p e of h is b lack m et al ar m or . At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao n o
lon ger t h ou gh t t h at H e Cait ou look ed st r an ge; in h is eyes, t h e gen t le an d
st r aigh t for w ar d H e Cait ou h ad b ecom e a m on st er !
H e’d seen q u it e a few t h r ee-r in ged Sou l Eld er s in t h e p ast , su ch as Dai H u ab in ,

Nin g T ian , h is ow n sen ior b r ot h er Bei Bei, an d T each er Xiao Ya. T h ey’d all h ad
t h r ee sou l r in gs, b u t in t er m s of com b at st r en gt h … t h ey w er en ’t even on t h e
sam e level as t h e cu r r en t H e Cait ou ! T h e d est r u ct ive p ow er of t h ose m et allic
t u b es w as sim p ly t oo t er r ifyin g.
H e Cait ou w alk ed over t o t h e sid e an d q u ick ly r em oved t h e b lack p ieces of

m et al fr om h is b od y. T h e sm all ob ject in h is m ou t h h ad d isap p ear ed as w ell, b u t
t h e fain t scen t of sm ok e st ill lin ger ed ar ou n d h is b od y.
Fan Yu sm iled an d look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. “W h at d o you t h in k ?”
H u o Yu h ao su b con sciou sly r ep lied , “T h is, t h is is sim p ly t oo p ow er fu l.”
Fan Yu r ep lied , “Cait ou ’s cu lt ivat ion level is st ill lim it ed , t h u s h e’s on ly ab le

t o r elease p ar t of a sou l t ool’s p ow er . Cu r r en t ly, h e st ill ca n ’t u se an y of t h e
st r on ger sou l t ools. Ot h er t h a n t h e st at ion ar y sou l t ool you saw last t im e, all
sou l t ools ar e act ivat ed via sou l p ow er . Becau se of t h at , cu lt iv at in g sou l p ow er is
also im p or t an t t o sou l m ast er s fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .”
“I k n ow t h at you ’r e d efin it ely cu r iou s as t o h ow sou l m ast er s fr om t h e Sou l

T ool Dep ar t m en t far e again st t h ose fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t in a
b at t le. Let m e t ell you t h is: Un d er t h e Sou l Sage r an k , ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t
h old s an ab solu t e ad van t age again st t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t in b at t le. On
t h e con t r ar y, t h e M a r t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t h old s an ab solu t e ad van t age again st
u s in figh t s b et w een sou l m ast er s ab ove t h e Sou l Sage r an k . Ou r Dou lu o
Con t in en t focu ses p r im ar ily on m a r t ial sou ls, b u t t h e a r m ies of t h e ot h er
var iou s cou n t r ies focu s p r im ar ily on sou l t ools. Fr om an ot h er st an d p oin t , sou l
t ools ar e m or e h elp fu l for or d in ar y p eop le, as t h ey can easily gr an t t h em a lar ge
am ou n t of com b at p ow er in a sh or t p er iod of t im e.”
Aft er list en in g t o Fan Yu ’s exp lan at ion , H u o Yu h ao fin ally h ad a b asic

u n d er st an d in g of sou l t ools. H e’d seen t h e p ow er t h at H e Cait ou h ad sh ow n , an d
cou ld gu a r an t ee t h at , u n less t h e ab ilit ies of h is en em ies m ar t ial sou l w er e ab le t o
r est r ict h im , n ot even fou r -r in ged Sou l An cest or s w ou ld b e a m at ch for h im !
T h is r aised H u o Yu h ao’s in t er est t ow ar d s sou l t ools t o an u n p r eced en t ed h igh .
Fan Yu k n ew t h at t h e cr u cia l m om en t h ad ar r ived . H e low er ed h is t on e,

“Cu r r en t ly, t h e So u l T ool Dep ar t m en t is w eak er t h an t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t aft er t h e seven -r in ged st a ge… b u t t h at ’s n ot a cer t ain t y. Of t h e
m an y r esear ch t op ics I h a ve, t h e m ost im p or t an t on e of t h em all is t o n u r t u r e a
con su m m at e sou l m ast er fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . I’m 4 6 year s old t h is
year , an d t h e on ly d iscip le I’ve ever t ak en in is Cait ou . If you ’r e w illin g, I’m also
w illin g t o t ak e in an ot h er d iscip le.”
H u o Yu h ao w as r elat ively in t elligen t , an d Fan Yu h ad alr ead y exp lain ed

t h in gs so clear ly; h ow cou ld h e h esit at e? W it h a ‘Pu t on g’, H u o Yu h ao k n eeled on
t h e gr ou n d . “T each er Fan Yu , p lease t ak e m e as you r d iscip le. I’ll d efin it ely
w or k h ar d t o st u d y sou l t ools.” Aft er w ar d s, h e k ow t ow ed t o Fan Yu t h r ee t im es.
Fan Yu n od d ed sligh t ly as h e allow ed H u o Yu h ao t o p ay h is r esp ect s. Aft er

h e’d k ow t ow ed t h r ee t im es, Fan Yu h elp ed h im t o h is feet .
“I’ve h ear d of you r d iligen ce fr om Zh ou Yi. Fr om n ow on , you ’r e t h e secon d ,
an d also last , d iscip le of m in e. I’ll d o m y b est t o n u r t u r e you an d Cait ou .
Som ed ay, I’ll sh ow t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ju st w h at level ou r Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t can r each . Yu h ao, you ar en ’t ju st m y d iscip le; fr om n ow on , you ’r e
also a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . I h ear d h ow t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t evalu at ed you ; it ’s t h eir loss for n ot t ak in g you in as a cor e
d iscip le.”
I’m a cor e d iscip le n ow ? T h is st r ok e of for t u n e w as t oo su d d en , t o t h e ext en t

t h at H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t st a r e b lan k ly. T h e d iffer en ce in t r eat m en t
b et w een t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t an d t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t
im m ed iat ely cau sed t h e scales w it h in h is h ear t t o sh ift .
Regar d less of t h e fact s, H u o Yu h ao w as st ill an eleven -year -old ch ild . Becau se

of h is ch ild h ood , h e w as som eon e w h o h eld gr u d ges. H ow ever at t h e sam e t im e,
t h is m ad e h im ch er ish favor s even m or e. T h e in st an t t h at Fan Yu said h e w ou ld
b e a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , H u o Yu h ao felt w ar m t h r ise u p
fr om h is h ear t . T h e gr ievan ces t h a t h e’d su p p r essed im m ed iat ely t u r n ed in t o a
w ar m st r eam t h at su r ged t ow ar d s h is eyes.
“T each er .” H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t let h is t ear s flow fr eely.
Fan Yu sp r ead h is ar m s an d h eld H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er s. “Good ch ild , d on ’t

cr y. I k n ow h ow aggr ieved you feel, b u t I h ave t o t ell you t h is: n o m at t er w h o it
is, if you d on ’t w an t t o feel aggr ieved , an d you w an t t o b e r esp ect ed b y ot h er
p eop le, you can on ly r ely on you r self. W h at you n eed t o d o is u se you r ow n
st r en gt h t o r eject yo u r gr ievan ces.”
“En .” H u o Yu h ao n od d ed r ep eat ed ly as h e w ip ed t h e t ear s fr om h is face.
H e Cait ou w alk ed over as w ell. Lau gh in g, h e h u gged H u o Yu h ao, t h en u sed

h is en or m ou s st r en gt h t o lift h im u p off t h e gr ou n d an d sp u n h im ar ou n d in a
cir cle.
“I h ave a ju n ior b r o t h er n ow , h ah ah a! T h is is t oo good , I d on ’t h ave t o b e
alon e an ym or e. Yu h ao, w e’r e b r ot h er s fr om n ow on .”
“Sen ior b r ot h er .” T h e feelin gs t h at cam e fr om H e Cait ou ’s h ear t m ad e H u o

Yu h ao feel som et h in g sim ilar t o t h e feelin g t h at h is sen ior b r ot h er Bei Bei h a d
given h im . As su ch , h is in n er em ot ion s cou ld n ’t h elp b u t su r ge u p again .
Fan Yu said , “Yu h ao, even t h ou gh you ’ve alr ead y b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of
ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , you st ill n eed t o lay you r self a solid fou n d a t ion as a
sou l m ast er . Becau se of t h at , you ’ll h ave t o con t in u e in cr ea sin g you r k n ow led ge
in t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ; at least u n t il you gr ad u at e fr om you r t h ir d
year . Fu r t h er m or e, you n eed t o focu s m ost of you r en er gy t ow ar d s cu lt ivat in g
you r m ar t ial sou l. Sou l p ow er is t h e fou n d at ion for ever yt h in g w e d o; t h is is t h e
case for t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t as w ell. At t h e sam e t im e, you h ave a sp ecial
m ar t ial sou l, so you h ave t o p ay at t en t ion t o you r sou l sk ills t oo. I h op e t h at you
w on ’t ju st b ecom e an ou t st an d in g sou l m ast er of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t in
t h e fu t u r e, b u t w ill also b ecom e an ou t st an d in g Con t r ol Syst em Bat t le So u l
M ast er as w ell.”
“I w on ’t h id e t h is fr om you : Ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t h as a r ivalr y w it h t h e

M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . As su ch , you ’ll h ave t o k eep t h e m at t er of you
b ecom in g on e of ou r cor e d iscip les a secr et for t h e t im e b ein g, so t h at w e w on ’t
p r ovok e a r eact ion fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . Also, you can ’t b ecom e a
cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . W h en you en t er t h e in n er
cou r t yar d , you ’ll en t er ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ’s in n er cou r t yar d . Zh ou Yi
w ill h elp you fill in t h e for m t h a t allow s you t o join ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
You r classes at t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t n or m ally en d a t ar ou n d fou r in t h e
aft er n oon , so aft er class you ’ll h ave t o com e t o m e t o st u d y for t w o h ou r s ever y
d ay. T h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t h as a r est d ay ever y w eek , b u t you ’ll h ave t o
com e h er e an d st u d y on t h at d ay as w ell. Ar e you scar ed of h ar d w or k ?”
Chapt er 34.1: Taking on an Impossible Challenge
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead , a d et er m in ed exp r ession on h is face. “I’m n ot

afr aid of su ch a t h in g.” Fan Yu ’s at t it u d e h ad com p let ely w on over H u o Yu h ao’s
h ear t . It on ly t ook h im a few secon d s t o get over t h e r egr et h e’d h ad fr om n ot
b ein g ab le t o b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . T h is w as
b ecau se h e w asn ’t alon e; h e also h ad Br ot h er Sk yd r eam w it h in h is b od y! T h e
gr eat est a d van t age of join in g t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t w as t h at it w o u ld
h elp it s st u d en t s ob t ain su it ab le sou l r in gs. H ow ever , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m
h ad alr ead y p r om ised t o ob t ain a sou l r in g for h im . If h e d id n ’t fact or t h is in , t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t cou ld p r act ically give h im ever yt h in g t h at t h e M ar t ial
Sou l Dep ar t m en t cou ld . Fu r t h er m or e, h e w ou ld st ill b e ab le t o t em p or ar ily
en joy t h e t r eat m en t of a cor e d iscip le fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t .
Fan Yu con t in u ed , “If you ’r e n ot afr aid of h ar d sh ip , I’ll d o all t h a t I can t o

t each you . Ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t also h as m or e r esou r ces t h an t h e M a r t ial
Sou l Dep ar t m en t .” H e w alk ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d p laced a b lack n eck lace
on h is n eck . T h e n eck lace w as ad or n ed w it h a t in y, d ar k -gold m ed allion m a d e of
som e u n k n ow n m et a l, an d t h er e w er e a few com p licat ed p at t er n s on it s su r face.
“W it h t h is m ed allion , you can en t er an y of t h e ar eas w it h in t h e Sou l T ool

Dep ar t m en t ’s ou t er cou r t yar d as you w ish . Now t h en , w e’r e d on e h er e for
t od ay, b u t you ’ll n eed t o com e h er e ever y d ay fr om t om or r ow on w ar d s. You ’ve
ju st b een p u t in t o you r n ew class, so you sh ou ld h ea d b ack fir st .”
“Yes. T h an k you , T each er Fan Yu .”
As Zh ou Yi led H u o Yu h ao aw ay, a sat isfied sm ile ap p ear ed on Fan Yu ’s face.

On t h e ot h er h an d , H e Cait ou ’s excit em en t h ad n ’t d im in ish ed in t h e least . “T h is
is t oo good , I h ave a ju n ior b r ot h er n ow . Now T each er can ’t k eep t or m en t in g m e
b y m yself!”
Fan Yu gr u m p ily h it H e Cait ou on h is d a r k , b ald h ea d . “I’ve b een t or m en t in g
you ? Go d o som e w or k .”
W it h a d ow n cast exp r ession on h is face, H e Cait ou ob ed ien t ly w alk ed aw ay.

T h e in st an t h e left , a t all figu r e su d d en ly ap p ear ed an d w alk ed t ow ar d s Fan Yu .
Un exp ect ed ly, t h is figu r e w as t h e Vice-Dean of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t —Qian
Du od u o.
“Not b ad , it w en t qu it e sm oot h ly. T h is H u o Yu h ao h as qu it e a sin cer e

t em p er am en t ; h e’s a good seed lin g. I w as qu it e h ap p y w h en t h ey w on t h e fin als
w it h t h eir fu sion sk ill, b u t n ow t h at I t h in k ab ou t it , I can ’t h elp b u t r egr et it
gr eat ly. For t u n a t ely, Old Yan w asn ’t even ab le t o r ecogn ise su ch a p r eciou s
t r easu r e, w h ich allow ed u s t o sn at ch h im u p a lar ge b ar gain . Fan Yu , h ow
con fid en t ar e you t h at you ’ll b e ab le t o su ccessfu lly im p lem en t in g ou r Ult im at e
Sold ier p la n on h im ? ”
Fan Yu r ep lied solem n ly, “I’m 4 0 % con fid en t if w e u se it on Cait ou , b u t ou r

ch an ces of su ccessfu lly im p lem en t in g it w it h H u o Yu h ao in cr ease t o 70 %, at t h e
ver y least . If t h e t w o of t h em w or k t oget h er , I’m 10 0 % con fid en t t h a t I can
p r od u ce a p r ot ot yp e of t h e Ult im at e Sold ier in t en t o fift een year s. On ce t h ey’ve
cu lt ivat ed t o m y age, w e’ll h ave r each ed ou r t r u e ob ject ive.”
“Good !” Qian Du od u o slap p ed h is st u r d y ch est . “W it h t h is, t h e Sou l T ool

Dep ar t m en t w ill d ed icat e all of it s r esou r ces t o you fr om n ow on . As lon g as w e
com p let e t h e Ult im a t e Sold ier p lan , I can gu ar an t ee t h at you ’ll b e t h e n ext Dean
of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .”
A fever ish gaze ap p ear ed in Fan Yu ’s eyes, an d h e h u r r ied ly r ep lied , “Dean

Qian , you sh ou ld k n ow t h at I’m n ot t r yin g t o com p let e t h e Ult im at e Sold ier
p lan sim p ly for t h e sak e of a h igh er p osit ion .”
Qian Du od u o sm iled . “Of cou r se I k n ow t h at , as t h is is a com m on d r eam w e

sh ar e. T h e m om en t w e com p let e ou r ob ject ive, t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t w ill t u r n a
n ew p age in it s h ist or y.”
Fan Yu sm iled . “If H u o Yu h ao’s m ar t ial sou l con t in u es t o gr ow at t h e sam e
r at e it ’s cu r r en t ly gr ow in g, w e’ll d efin it ely su cceed . T h e M ar t ial So u l
Dep ar t m en t m igh t n ot w an t som eon e w it h a Bod y Sou l, b u t w e d o. Does it r eally
m at t er if h e h as a t en year sou l r in g? So w h at if h e’s h a d a lat e st ar t ? In m y
op in ion , H u o Yu h ao h as a t en year sou l r in g t h at ’s b et t er t h an an y h u n d r ed year
sou l r in g. Fu r t h er m or e, Zh ou Yi t old m e t h at h e’s in cr eased h is sou l p ow er fr om
Ran k 13 t o Ran k 18 in a m er e t h r ee m on t h s. I’ve ask ed Zh ou Yi t o con ceal t h is
fact , b u t is it r eally p ossib le for h im t o b e t r ash w it h a gr ow t h sp eed lik e t h at ?
For t u n at ely, on ly cla ss t each er s h ave access t o a st u d en t ’s r egist r at ion for m s.”
Qian Du od u o said , “You r Zh ou Yi is t oo st r an ge; sh e in sist s o n m ak in g h er self

look lik e an old w om an . Don ’t you car e ab ou t t h at ?”
Fan Yu w as som ew h at h elp less as h e r ep lied , “W it h a t em p er lik e h er s, d o you

t h in k I can r eally co n t r ol h er ? Accor d in g t o h er , t h e on ly w a y for h er t o ap p ear
im p osin g in fr on t of h er st u d en t s is t o d isgu ise h er self. W h at ever , it ’s fin e a s
lon g as sh e d oesn ’t look lik e t h at in t h e h ou se at n igh t .”
Aft er lead in g H u o Yu h ao ou t of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ’s T est in g Ar ea,

Zh ou Yi qu ick ly r et u r n ed t o t h e M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t w it h h im . H ow ever ,
sh e d id n ’t b r in g h im t o t h e fir st year ’s sch ool b u ild in gs.
Aft er r each in g t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s Assessm en t Ar ea, Zh ou Yi

st op p ed an d ask ed h im , “Yu h ao, w h en you saw Dir ect or Du W eilu n ear lier , d id
you ask h im w h at effect you r fu sion sk ill h ad ?”
“Nop e.” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied .
Zh ou Yi fu r r ow ed h er b r ow s sligh t ly. “T h at w on ’t d o. If you d on ’t even k n ow

w h at you r fu sion sk ill d oes, h ow w ou ld you b e ab le t o u se it in a figh t n ext t im e?
Let ’s d o it t h is w ay. Aft er you h ead b ack , ask W an g Don g t o ask Dir ect or Du for
you .”
Ask W ang Dong t o? H uo Yuh ao w as st un n ed.

Zh ou Yi sm iled . “You st ill d on ’t u n d er st an d ? You ’ve alr ead y b ecom e a cor e
d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , so you sh ou ld d o you r b est t o sh ow you r
face ar ou n d Dir ect or Du as lit t le as p ossib le. Also, T each er W an g Yan seem s t o
t h in k q u it e h igh ly of you , so you sh ou ld t r y t o k eep a low er p r ofile w h en you ’r e
n or m ally cu lt iva t in g. I k n ow t h at you h ave a lot of d ou b t s in you r h ear t r igh t
n ow , b u t I p r om ise you t h at T each er Fan Yu w h oleh ear t ed ly w an t s t o r aise you
in t o an ou t st an d in g t alen t . I d o as w ell. You m igh t b e w on d er in g w h y I’m
in clin ed t ow ar d s t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , even t h ou gh I’m clear ly a t each er
fr om t h e M ar t ial So u l Dep ar t m en t . Let m e t ell you a secr et : A w om an sh ou ld
alw ays go alon g w it h w h at h er h u sb an d d oes, an d Fan Yu is m y h u sb an d . T h u s, I
h ave t o su p p or t h im .”
Aft er sh e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g, Zh ou Yi r aised h er r igh t h an d an d gen t ly p u lled

som et h in g off of h er face fr om t h e left sid e of h er ch eek . Sh e slow ly p u lled of an
elab or at e face m ask , r evealin g an ext r em ely b eau t ifu l face t h at also seem ed
ext r em ely you t h fu l. H er eyeb r ow s w er e as b eau t ifu l as t h e scen er y in t h e sp r in g,
w h ile h er com p lexion w as b ot h gr acefu l an d t ou ch in g.
H u o Yu h ao w as d u m b st r u ck . Even in h is w ild est d r eam s, h e’d n ever t h ou gh t

t h at t h e ‘Per ver t ed Old Gr an d m a’ Zh ou Yi w ou ld act u a lly b e a b eau t y.
Fu r t h er m or e, h ow cou ld h er t r u e ap p ear an ce even look st r ict at all?
Zh ou Yi qu ick ly p u lled t h e face m ask b a ck over h er face an d said h elp lessly,

“Now you ’ve seen w h at I look lik e. M y or igin al ap p ear an ce can ’t d et er an yon e at
all, so I h ad t o p u t on a d isgu ise b ecau se of m y p h ilosop h y of t each in g. Now
t h en , h ead b ack t o Class 1. It ’s st ill in ou r or igin al classr oom . Rem em b er , you
h ave t o k eep ever yt h in g you ’ve seen an d h ear d a secr et , esp ecially t h e fact t h at
you ’ve b ecom e a d ir ect d iscip le of Fan Yu . Also, I’ve h ear d t h at you ’ve b een
sellin g r oast ed fish a t n igh t . You sh ou ld st op , as you w on ’t h ave an y t im e t o in
t h e fu t u r e. Don ’t w or r y t h ou gh , t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t w ill t ak e car e of all
of you r exp en ses fr om n ow on . In t h e fu t u r e, you ’ll see ju st h ow w ell cor e
d iscip les of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ar e t r eat ed .”
“Yes, T each er Zh ou .” H u o Yu h ao h ad r eceived t oo m u ch in for m at ion d u r in g
t h is sh or t h ou r , t o t h e ext en t t h a t h e w as even som ew h at m u d d le-h ead ed .
H ow ever , t h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at t h e in ju st ice h e’d felt fr om n ot b ein g ch osen
as a cor e d iscip le of t h e M a r t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t h ad t h or o u gh ly van ish ed d u e
t o h ow h igh ly t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar m en t t h ou gh t of h im , as w ell as t h e
en cou r agem en t t h a t T each er Fan Yu h ad given h im in ad d it ion t o t ak in g h im in
as a d iscip le.
T h e m om en t h e got b ack t o Class 1, H u o Yu h ao sh ou t ed fr om ou t sid e t h e

classr oom , “Rep or t in g in !”
“En t er ,” W an g Yan ’s voice r an g ou t . Aft er H u o Yu h ao h ad en t er ed t h e

classr oom , all of t h e st u d en t s in t h e classr oom ’s gazes im m ed iat ely gat h er ed on
h im .
Of t h e fou r classes in Year 1, Class 1 w as u n d ou b t ed ly t h e st r on gest . Yet , t h ey

w er en ’t t h e lar gest class; t h at t it le b elon ged t o t h e d iver se Class 4 . T h is w as
b ecau se t h e t ot al n u m b er of assau lt -t yp e an d con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er s am on gst
t h e fr esh m en d id n ’t exceed sixt y.
T h e in st an t H u o Yu h ao en t er ed , h e’d im m ed iat ely at t r act ed t h e a t t en t ion of

ever y st u d en t p r esen t . W an g Yan sm iled . “Yu h ao, you cam e at ju st t h e r igh t
t im e. W e’r e ab ou t t o b egin t h e select ion of t h e class m on it or . Com e in an d t ak e a
seat fir st .”
Alt h ou gh t h eir classes h ad b een r e-d ivid ed , H u o Yu h ao a n d W an g Don g’s

seat in g ar r an gem en t s h ad n ’t ch an ged . On t h e con t r ar y, Xia o Xiao n ow sat t o
H u o Yu h ao’s left , w h ich allow ed t h e t h r ee t o b e seat ed in a sin gle r ow .
H u o Yu h ao n ot iced t h at Dai H u ab in , Zh u Lu , an d Cu i Yajie w er e seat ed t w o

r ow s b eh in d t h em . T h e m om en t h e’d en t er ed t h e classr oom , Dai H u ab in h ad
glar ed at h im cold ly.
As h e st ood b eh in d t h e p od iu m , W an g Yan said , “Next u p , w e’ll b e elect in g

t h e class m on it or an d assist a n t class m o n it or of ou r class. Ou r class con sist s of
assau lt -t yp e an d con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er s, so each m on it or w ill b e in ch ar ge of
a sin gle Syst em . W e’ll b e r e-elect in g b ot h m on it or s each m on t h . Now t h en , I’ll
n om in at e a few p eop le, t h en let ever yon e cast t h eir vot es in t o a b allot .”
W it h t h at , h e t u r n ed t ow ar d s t h e b lack b oar d an d w r ot e t w o r ow s of n am es on
it . T h e fir st r ow w as t it led ‘Assau lt Syst em ’, an d t h e n am es b elow it w er e: W an g
Don g, Dai H u ab in , Zh ou Sich en , H u an g Ch u t ian , an d W u Fen g.
T h e secon d r ow w as t it led ‘Con t r ol Syst em ’, an d t h e fir st n am e h e w r ot e

d ow n w as H u o Yu h a o’s. Aft er w ar d s, h e w r ot e d ow n Cao J in xu an , Lan Su su , a n d
Lan Lu olu o’s n am es.
A t ot al of n in e n am es h ad ap p ear ed on t h e b lack b oar d , an d on e cou ld t ell

w h at W an g Yan w as t h in k in g fr om t h e or d er h e’d w r it t en t h e n am es d ow n .
Nob od y ob ject ed t o W an g Don g’s n am e b ein g w r it t en at t h e t op of t h e Assau lt
Syst em list ; aft er all, h is t eam h ad ju st b ecom e ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m en
assessm en t , an d W a n g Don g h ad b een t h e m ain for ce of h is t eam . Even t h ou gh
h e d id n ’t h ave a t h r ee-r in ged cu lt ivat ion , ever yon e h ad seen t h e p ow er of h is
Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao’s n am e b ein g at t h e t op of t h e Con t r ol Syst em list

sp ar k ed a flu r r y of w h isp er s. T h e st u d en t s w h o w er e or igin ally fr om Class 1
w er e fin e w it h it , as H u o Yu h ao h ad b een t h eir class m on it or in t h e fir st p lace.
M or eover , t h ey’d seen h ow h ar d h e w or k ed . H ow ever , t h e st u d en t s w h o’d com e
fr om ot h er classes all h ad d isd ain fu l exp r ession s on t h eir faces.
H u o Yu h ao h ad b een on e of t h e m em b er s of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t ’s

ch am p ion t eam alon g w it h W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao, b u t m an y st u d en t s h ad
secr et ly t alk ed ab ou t h im b eh in d h is b ack , callin g h im t h e lu ck iest p er son
am on gst t h is year ’s fr esh m en . T h e fact t h at a m er e Sou l M ast er —on e w it h on ly
a t en year sou l r in g—h ad b een ab le t o m in gle h is w ay in t o t h e ch am p ion t eam ,
an d w as even ab le t o en joy t h e t r eat m en t of a cor e d iscip le, h ad ar ou sed t h e
en vy an d h at e of sev er al p eop le.
“T each er W an g, I h ave an ob ject ion t o t h is.” W u Fen g, w h o w as sit t in g n ear
Dai H u ab in , r aised h er h an d .
Un lik e Zh ou Yi, W an g Yan h ad a w ar m p er son alit y. H e sm iled . “W u Fen g, do

you h ave an y p r ob lem s w it h t h is?”
W it h a d isd ain fu l exp r ession on h er face, W u Fen g r ep lied , “I d on ’t t h in k t h at

H u o Yu h ao h as t h e q u alificat ion s t o b e n om in at ed as a ca n d id a t e for t h e p osit ion
of class m on it or . H e’s on ly a on e-r in ged Sou l M ast er , an d h is sou l r in g’s even a
t en year on e. Even if h e w as on e of t h e ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t ,
h e on ly d id t h at b y t aggin g alon g w it h W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao. W h y sh ou ld
h e b e n om in at ed in t h is class m on it or elect ion ?”
Nin g T ian h ad alr ead y given voice t o h er d ou b t s ab ou t H u o Yu h ao’s

ext r aor d in ar y ab ilit ies on ce b efor e, an d aft er t h eir r ecen t b at t le, sh e’d
r eaffir m ed h er b elief. T h at , in ad d it ion t o t h e fin a l fu sion sk ill t h ey’d u n leash ed ,
r esu lt ed in ever yon e u n an im ou sly agr eein g t h at W an g Don g’s sk ill h ad k n ock ed
Nin g T ian u n con sciou s; it w as im p ossib le for H u o Yu h ao t o h ave d on e it .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e ob viou s con clu sion w a s t h at H u o Yu h ao’s m ar t ial sou l fu sion
w it h W an g Don g w as t h e on ly r eason h e’d b een ab le t o join t h e ch am p ion t eam .
Plu s, N in g T ian ’s t eam h ad b een elim in at ed aft er t h ey lost t o H u o Yu h ao’s

t eam . T h e r esen t m en t sh e h eld fr om losin g t h at m at ch w as w h y sh e’d
im m ed iat ely p r ot est ed H u o Yu h ao’s n om in at ion .
H er w or d s w er e im m ed iat ely m et w it h agr eem en t , esp ecially fr om st u d en t s

w h o w er e a p ar t of t h e Con t r ol Syst em . Becau se of h er , t h e en t ir e class’
em ot ion s h ad b een st ir r ed u p .
W an g Yan fu r r ow ed h is b r ow an d r ep lied st er n ly, “H u o Yu h a o w as p ar t of t h e

fr esh m en assessm en t ’s ch am p ion t eam alon gsid e W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao;
t h ey all h ave t h eir ow n st r on g p oin t s. I’ve p er son ally exp er ien ced h is sou l sk ill,
an d I can say t h at , w it h in t h e sam e r an k , t h er e ar e ver y few con t r ol-t yp e sou l
m ast er s cap ab le of com p ar in g t o h im . T h e p eop le I’ve n om in at ed w er e all b ased
off of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t r an k in gs a s w ell as t h eir in d ivid u al st r en gt h s.”
H ow ever , W u Fen g w asn ’t w illin g t o give u p . “T each er W an g, you ’ve ju st

st at ed w h a t I h ave w r on g w it h h im . ‘W it h in t h e sam e r a n k , h is sou l sk ill is
good .’ H ow ever , w h at r an k is h e again ? H e’s on ly a on e-r in ged Sou l M ast er ! Ou r
class d oesn ’t lack t w o-r in ged Sou l Gr a n d m ast er s—w e even h ave t h r ee-r in ged
Sou l Eld er s! W h at r igh t d oes a on e-r in ged sou l m ast er h ave t o p ar t icip at e in t h e
elect ion for class m on it or ? Can you even con vin ce ou r class t o list en t o h im ?”
“Ban g!” W an g Don g su d d en ly slam m ed h is h an d s on h is t ab le an d st ood u p .
H e t u r n ed t ow ar d s W u Fen g an d sp at a n gr ily, “Don ’t go t oo far ! Ar e you an gr y
b ecau se you w er e elim in at ed b y u s last t im e? If you h ave t h e ab ilit y t o, b eat u s
fair an d squ a r e d u r in g an assessm en t !”
W u Fen g r ep lied an gr ily, “I’m st ill u n h ap p y ab ou t ou r loss, b u t so w h at ?

Ar en ’t con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er s su p p osed t o h ave an ad van t a ge again st assau lt -
t yp e sou l m ast er s? If h e’s st r on g en ou gh t o b eat m e, I’ll a d m it t h at h e h as t h e
qu alificat ion s t o b e n om in at ed as a can d id at e for class m on it or .”
“You ’r e fu ll of sh it . I’ll figh t w it h you . If you d ar e, com e w it h m e t o t h e Sou l

Du ellin g Ar en a.” W an g Don g’s clear eyes glar ed d agger s at W u Fen g. T h e sou l
p ow er in h is b od y h a d alr ead y b egu n t o st ir .
“En ou gh .” W an g Yan ’s im p osin g voice su d d en ly r an g ou t , accom p an ied b y a

st r on g u n d u la t ion of sou l p ow er . T h is for ced t h e t w o t o im m ed iat ely sh u t u p .
“Sit d ow n .”
On ly aft er W an g Ya n in t er fer ed , d id W u Fen g an d W an g Don g u n w illin gly sit

b ack d ow n .
W an g Yan st er n ly said , “Sin ce it seem s lik e t h er e ar e t h ose w it h ob ject ion s,

let ’s p u t it t o a vot e. If t h e n u m b er of st u d en t s w h o d isagr ee w it h H u o Yu h ao
b ein g n om in at ed exceed s h alf t h e cla ss, I’ll r u b h is n am e off. St u d en t s w h o
d isagr ee, p lease r aise you r h an d s.”
Zh ou Yi d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave h an d led t h e m at t er lik e t h is. In st ea d , sh e

w ou ld ’ve st ood h er gr ou n d , or m igh t h a ve even d ir ect ly ap p oin t ed H u o Yu h ao
as t h e class m on it or . If som eon e w asn ’t h ap p y w it h h er d ecision s, sh e w ou ld ’ve
p u n ish ed t h em w it h an ir on fist .
H ow ever , W an g Yan w as d iffer en t . H e w as a gen t le sch ola r w h o excelled in

t h eor y, b u t h e w as m u ch w or se t h an Zh ou Yi w h en it cam e t o d ealin g w it h
st u d en t s.
Regar d less of w h et h er it w as jealou sy t h at t h e on e-r in ged H u o Yu h ao h ad
b een ab le t o b ecom e p ar t of t h e ch am p ion t eam , or if it w as d u e t o t h e in flu en ce
of W u Fen g’s w or d s, t w o-t h ir d s of t h e class en d ed u p r aisin g t h eir h an d s on ce
W an g Yan h ad fin ish ed sp eak in g. On ly t h e st u d en t s or igin ally fr om Class 1 an d a
few m od er at e st u d en t s h ad n ’t r aised t h eir h an d s.
An yon e t h at h ad en t er ed Sh r ek Acad em y cou ld b e con sid er ed ch osen ; t h is

cou ld b e seen fr om t h e op t im u m com b in at ion of sou l r in gs t h at m ost st u d en t s
h ad b efor e t h e fou r -r in ged r an k . Of t h e st u d en t s w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y, h ow
m an y of t h em w er en ’t p r ou d an d ar r ogan t ? H ow cou ld t h ey n ot b e r esen t fu l an d
en viou s aft er t h ey w er e for ced t o agr ee t o a Sou l M ast er , on e w h o on ly h ad a t en
year sou l r in g, b ein g ap p oin t ed as t h eir class m on it or ?
W an g Yan h ad clear ly n ever exp ect ed a sit u a t ion lik e t h is t o h ap p en . H e w as

left som ew h at d azed for a b r ief m om en t .
In a fit of an ger , W a n g Don g n ear ly st ood u p again . H ow ever , h e w as st op p ed

b y H u o Yu h ao.
Som ew h at sat isfied , W u Fen g said , “T each er W an g, over h alf t h e st u d en t s in

t h e class h a ve d isagr eed . Please r u b h is n am e off t h e b lack b oar d .”
W an g Yan h ad t r u ly b een p u t in t o a d ifficu lt sit u a t ion . H e’d t au gh t m an y

st u d en t s in t h e p ast , b u t t h is w as t h e fir st t im e h e’d en cou n t er ed a sit u a t ion lik e
t h is. Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d alr ead y given h is w or d ea r lier . It w as im p ossib le for
h im t o t ak e b ack h is w or d n ow . H e cou ld on ly look t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao
ap ologet ically.
J u st as h e w as ab ou t t o r em ove H u o Yu h ao’s n am e fr om t h ose qu alified t o

p ar t ak e in t h e elect ion , H u o Yu h ao slow ly r aised h is r igh t h an d .
On t h e ou t sid e, H u o Yu h ao’s m ood h ad n ’t ch an ged at all, even w h en W u Fen g

h ad st ar t ed t o ob ject . H e’d even st op p ed t h e en r aged W an g Don g. H ow ever , w as
h e t r u ly as calm as h e ap p ear ed on t h e in sid e?
W an g Yan said , “Yu h ao, you can t alk .”
H u o Yu h ao slow ly st ood u p w it h ou t even sp ar in g a glan ce t ow ar d s W u Fen g.

Usin g a calm t on e, h e sp ok e in a voice t h at w as sligh t ly slo w er t h an h is u su a l
voice.
“T each er W an g, I u n d er st an d W u Fen g’s ob ject ion s. Sh e’s qu est ion in g m y

q u alificat ion s t o b e ch osen as on e of t h e class m on it or s. Befor e you r u b m y n am e
off, I w an t t o say t h is: I’m w illin g t o accep t W u Fen g’s ch allen ge. If I can b eat
h er in a figh t , I’d lik e ever yon e t o vot e again .”
H is voice w as m od er at e, b u t t h e or igin a lly clam or ou s Class 1 in st an t ly t u r n ed

qu iet .
Dai H u ab in , Zh u Lu , an d even W u Fen g h er self w er e in st an t ly st u p efied . T h ey

n ever t h ou gh t t h a t H u o Yu h ao w ou ld act u ally accep t W u Fen g’s ch allen ge.
W u Fen g h ad t h e Red Dr agon m ar t ial sou l. In t er m s of q u alit y, it w as sligh t ly

in fer ior t o Dai H u ab in ’s W h it e T iger an d W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly
God d ess, b u t t h er e w as on ly an ext r em ely t in y gap b et w een t h em . M or eover ,
sh e also h ad t h e m ost op t im u m com b in at ion of t w o h u n d r ed year sou l r in gs.
T h at , in ad d it ion t o h er t yr an n ica l com b at p ow er , as w ell as h er Ran k 25
cu lt ivat ion , m ad e it so t h at sh e exceed ed H u o Yu h ao in all asp ect s! T h is cou ld b e
seen fr om h ow sh e’d b een ab le t o b ecom e a cor e d iscip le, d esp it e t h e fact t h at
sh e d id n ’t h ave a h igh r an k in g in t h e fr esh m en assessm en t . Even Sh r ek
Acad em y’s p ick y t each er s h ad r ecogn ised W u Fen g’s r elat ively lar ge am ou n t of
t alen t .
Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w as a sp ir it u al-a t t r ib u t e con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er , h e

w as st ill on ly a on e-r in ged Sou l M ast er , an d h is on ly sou l r in g w as t h at of t h e
t en year r an k . No m at t er w h ich an gle you look ed at it fr om , n ob od y b elieved
t h at h e’d b e ab le t o con t en d again st W u Fen g.
An d yet , H u o Yu h ao h ad exp r essed h is w illin gn ess t o accep t W u Fen g’s
ch allen ge. In a d d it ion t o t h at , h is calm v oice d id n ’t seem im p et u ou s in t h e least .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e d et er m in a t ion in h is voice h ad su r p r ised ever yon e.
W an g Yan ’s p u p ils con t r act ed sligh t ly. Seein g t h e calm gaze in H u o Yu h ao’s
eyes, h e b ecam e silen t for a few secon d s. Aft er w ar d s, h e t ook a d eep b r eat h ,
t h en n o d d ed . “Fin e. Sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, I’ll allow you t w o t o h ave a m a t ch in
t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a. H ow ever , w e’ll ch an ge t h e b et s t o m ak e it fair —if W u
Fen g can d efeat H u o Yu h ao, h e’ll b e st r ip p ed of h is q u alificat ion s t o p ar t icip at e
in t h e elect ion . Con ver sely, W u Fen g w ill also b e st r ip p ed of h er q u alificat ion s if
sh e loses t o H u o Yu h ao.”
W u Fen g d id n ’t r aise an y ob ject ion s t o t h e con d it ion s of t h e b et . Eit h er w ay,

sh e w as u n lik ely t o b e ch osen as on e of t h e class m on it or s, d u e t o t h e p r esen ce of
Dai H u ab in an d W a n g Don g. At t h e sa m e t im e, w h at w er e t h e ch an ces of h er
losin g t o H u o Yu h ao, w h o on ly h ad a t en year sou l r in g?
Aft er b ein g ast on ish ed for a b r ief m om en t , W u Fen g’s face b ecam e filled w it h
d isd a in an d con t em p t . As t h e ot h er st u d en t s fr om Class 1 left t h e class on e-b y-
on e, W u Fen g w alk ed over t o H u o Yu h ao an d w h isp er ed , “I’m gon n a b eat you t o
t h e p oin t t h at you w on ’t even b e ab le t o t ak e car e of you r self.”
H u o Yu h ao glan ced cold ly at t h e t om b oyish W u Fen g, t h en t ook lar ge st r id es

ou t of t h e classr oom .
H e’d exp er ien ced a gr eat d eal of t h in gs t od ay. H e u n d er st ood t h at , if h e gave

u p lik e a gu t less cow ar d an d lost h is q u alificat ion s t o b ecom e a class m on it or ,
h e’d n ever b e ab le t o h old h is h ead u p h igh in t h e class. An a d ver se effect on h is
m en t al st at e far su r p assed t h e p ain h e’d r eceive fr om an y p h ysical d am age t o h is
b od y, so h e ch ose t o figh t . Even if h e’d d efin it ely lose, h e st ill h ad t o accep t W u
Fen g’s ch allen ge. Even if h e lost , h e h ad t o lose lik e a m an . If h e d id n ’t even
h ave t h e gu t s t o accep t W u Fen g’s ch allen ge, h ow w ou ld h e ob t ain h is r even ge
in t h e fu t u r e?
Aft er t h e st u d en t s of Class 1 h ad ar r ived in t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea, W an g Yan
h elp ed t h em p ay t h e en t r an ce fee. T h is w as a Sou l Du el w h er e n o on e ot h er t h an
t h e st u d en t s of Class 1 cou ld sp ect at e. In ad d it ion t o t h at , t h is w as t h e fir st Sou l
Du el t h at H u o Yu h ao w as p ar t icip at in g in sin ce h e’d en t er ed Sh r ek Acad em y.
W an g Don g h ad w alk ed t o t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea alon gsid e H u o Yu h ao, b u t

h e h ad n ’t said an yt h in g t o h im . H e cou ld u n d er st an d h ow H u o Yu h ao w as
feelin g t od ay; n ot on ly h ad h e n ot b een ch osen as a cor e d iscip le, h e’d even b een
called in t o qu est ion lik e t h is. Now , it seem ed t h at H u o Yu h ao cou ld n o lon ger
en d u r e t h in gs silen t ly. In st ead , h e’d ch osen t o p r ove h im self t h r ou gh a m et h od
su ch as t h is.
Xiao Xiao d id n ’t u t t er a w or d eit h er . H ow ever , sh e silen t ly fixed h er gaze on

H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. In h er m in d , h er com p an ion w as n o lon ger a m er e you t h ; h e
w as a m an , a m an w h o’d h ad t h e cou r age t o t ak e on a ch allen ge. Not ever yon e
h ad t h e cou r age t o face an op p on en t w h o w as clear ly st r on ger t h an t h em . H ow
m an y p eop le cou ld t ak e on a ch allen ge lik e t h is w h ile fu lly k n ow in g t h at it w as
im p ossib le?
“Let ’s b et , let ’s b et ! I’ll b e t h e b an k er , d oes an yon e w an n a b et ? H u o Yu h ao’s

od d s w ill b e 1 t o 10 , w h ile W u Fen g’s od d s w ill b e 10 t o 1.” Zh ou Sich en st ood an d
sh ou t ed . T each er W an g Yan h ad accom p an ied H u o Yu h ao a n d W u Fen g t o t h e
Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a, b u t n at u r ally d id n ’t b ot h er t o car e ab ou t t h e ot h er
st u d en t s.
“I’ll b et a h u n d r ed gold sou l coin s on W u Fen g.” Dai H u ab in w as t h e fir st

p er son t o ap p r oach Zh ou Sich en . H e h an d ed h im a h ea vy coin p ou ch .
Zh ou Sich en ’s facial m u scles im m ed ia t ely t w it ch ed . “You d on ’t h ave t o b e

t hi s cr uel .”
Dai H uabi n r epl i ed di sdai n f ul l y, “ I f you w an t t o be a ban k er , you sh oul d h ave

t h e gut s t o t ak e a bet . I f you don ’ t , you sh oul d k eep your t h ough t s t o your sel f .”
St ir r ed u p b y Dai H u ab in ’s ar r ogan t w or d s, Zh ou Sich en im m ed iat ely sp at ou t
an gr ily, “I’ll t ak e it ! I’m ju st sca r ed t h at you w on ’t give it t o m e. Even if you
w in , I’ll on ly ow e you t en gold so u l coin s. I’ll t ak e an y b et s.”
H ow ever , Zh ou Sich en w an t ed t o cr y aft er t h e follow in g scen e u n fold ed . A

lar ge n u m b er of st u d en t s r a n t ow ar d s h im , w it h p r act ically all of t h em b et t in g
on W u Fen g. T h e d isp ar it y in st r en gt h b et w een b ot h p ar t ies w as sim p ly t oo
gr eat , t o t h e ext en t t h at n ob od y w as op t im ist ic t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s ch an ces.
Bet t in g on H u o Yu h ao w ou ld give an ext r em ely h igh p ayou t , b u t n ob od y w as
w illin g t o b et on h im .
Zh ou Yi’s exp r ession w as b ecom in g u glier an d u glier , b u t it w as t oo lat e for

h im t o t ak e b ack w h at h e’d said . In st an t ly, h is exp r ession h ad b ecom e as d ar k as
t h e b ot t om of a p ot .
At t h at m om en t , a voice t h at cau sed Zh ou Sich en t o b ecom e over joyed r an g

ou t , “I’ll b et a t h ou sa n d gold sou l coin s on H u o Yu h ao.”
T h e p er son w h o w alk ed u p an d h an d ed h im an exq u isit ely m ad e gold

b an k n ot e w as p r ecisely W an g Don g.
Im m ed iat ely aft er W an g Don g h an d ed h is b an k n ot e t o Zh ou Sich en , Xiao Xiao

also t ook ou t a gold en b an k n ot e. “I’ll b et a t h ou san d as w ell.”
H ear in g t h ese t w o voices, Zh ou Sich en im m ed iat ely t ook t h eir b et s. T h e ot h er

st u d en t s h ad b et a t ot al of ar ou n d t w o t h ou san d gold sou l coin s, yet W an g Don g
an d Xiao Xiao alon e h ad ju st eq u a lled t h a t . In ot h er w or d s, h e w ou ld n ’t h ave t o
p ay ou t of p ock et if H u o Yu h ao lost . On t h e w h ole, a cr isis h a d b een aver t ed .
“W e’ll b et fift y gold sou l coin s on H u o Yu h ao.” T w o cr isp voices r an g ou t

sim u lt an eou sly, jolt in g Zh ou Sich en . T h er e w er e act u ally st ill m or e p eop le w h o
d ar ed t o b et on H u o Yu h ao. Aft er look in g car efu lly, h e r ea lised t h at t h e t w o
p eop le b et t in g on H u o Yu h ao w er e act u ally t h e Lan sist er s.
T h e sist er s sm iled at W an g Don g, t h en t ook ou t a t ot al of fift y gold sou l coin s.
“I’ll b et fift y as w ell.” An ot h er voice r a n g ou t . T h is t im e, Zh ou Sich en w as

som ew h at flab b er gast ed . T h e p er son w h o’d p laced a b et t h is t im e w as act u ally
h is good b r ot h er , Cao J in xu an . Du r in g t h eir m at ch w it h H u o Yu h ao’s t eam , Cai
J in xu an h ad n ’t even b een ab le t o even r elease a sou l sk ill b efor e h e’d b een
k n ock ed ou t b y H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s com b in ed Sp ir it u al Sh ock .
“J in xu an , w h at ’r e you d oin g?” Zh ou Sich en ask ed su sp iciou sly.
Cao J in xu an sm iled cu n n in gly. “I k n ow t h at a fella lik e you h as a lot of

m on ey; w h y can ’t I bet on an u n k n ow n ga m b le?”
St ill som ew h at su sp iciou s, Zh ou Sich en r ep lied , “T h at can ’t b e r igh t . You ’ve

n ever d on e som et h in g t h at d oesn ’t p r ofit you , n or h ave you d on e som et h in g
t h at you ’r e u n su r e of.”
Cao J in xu an r ep lied in an ea sy-goin g m an n er , “T h at ’s n ot you r p r ob lem .

Besid es, I’m on ly b et t in g fift y gold sou l coin s. T h at isn ’t t oo cr u el. H ow ever , let
m e r em in d you : If H u o Yu h ao d oes w in , you ’ll go b an k r u p t . W it h od d s of 1 t o 10 ,
you ’ll h ave t o p ay ou t t w en t y on e t h ou san d gold sou l coin s for t h ese t w o
t h ou san d on e h u n d r ed gold sou l coin s. Do you even h ave t h at m u ch m on ey?”
“Uh …” Cold sw eat im m ed iat ely b egan t o d r ip off of Zh ou Sich en ’s face w h en

h e h ear d Cao J in xu an . Righ t ! In t h e ext r em ely u n lik ely ch an ce t h at H u o Yu h ao
m an aged t o w in , w h at w ou ld h e d o? W a n g Don g an d Xiao Xiao h ad each b et on e
t h ou san d gold sou l coin s! T h at , m u lt ip lied b y t en , w as an ast r on om ical figu r e t o
h im !
“W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, can you gu ys low er you r b et s a b it ?” Zh ou Sich en h ad

p r eviou sly h op ed t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld cau se an u p set . H ow ever , h is cu r r en t
at t it u d e h a d com p let ely flip p ed ar ou n d .
W an g Don g r ep lied , “You said t h at you w er e w illin g t o accep t an y b et s, n o

m at t er h ow h igh t h ey w er e. I’m con fid en t in H u o Yu h ao, an d I’m n ot afr aid of
losin g. W h at ’r e you afr aid of?” W it h t h a t , b ot h h e an d Xiao Xiao t u r n ed ar ou n d
an d fou n d a p lace t o sit .
Seein g t h eir b ack s, Zh ou Sich en m u m b led u n h ap p ily, “H u m p h , let ’s see h ow

you st ar t cr yin g aft er you lose. It ’d b e w eir d if H u o Yu h ao r ea lly w as ab le t o b eat
W u Fen g w it h su ch a lar ge gap b et w een t h em . St ill, I’ve r ea lly d u g a h ole for
m yself w it h t h e od d s I’ve set ! If I’d k n ow n p eop le w ou ld m ak e su ch lar ge b et s
ear lier , I w ou ld ’ve t ak en it easier , so as t o gu ar an t ee t h at I’d st ill m ak e a sligh t
p r ofit .”
Cai J in xu an p at t ed h im on t h e sh ou ld er a n d r ep lied in a sin cer e voice, “Bein g

im p u lsive t r u ly is t h e d evil!”
As t h e sp ect at in g st age con t in u ed t o b u zz w it h act ivit y, H u o Yu h ao an d W u

Fen g p r oceed ed t o en t er t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a. For t h e sak e of safet y, W an g
Yan w as p er son ally act in g as t h e r efer ee for t h eir m a t ch .
Aft er en t er in g t h e a r en a, W an g Yan said solem n ly, “I’ll on ce again r em in d

you t h at t h is is m er ely a sp ar r in g session b et w een fellow classm at es, so alt h ou gh
you can go all-ou t , you ab solu t ely can n ot in ju r e you r op p on en t . Do you
u n d er st an d ? On ce on e p ar t y gain s an u p p er h an d in t h e m at ch , I’ll st op it
im m ed iat ely.”
Bot h H u o Yu h ao an d W u Fen g n od d ed a t t h e sam e t im e. H ow ever , W u Fen g

said offh an d ed ly, “T each er W an g, d oesn ’t t h at m ean t h at you ’ll h ave t o st op t h e
m at ch aft er on ly a few secon d s?”
Aft er sayin g t h a t , sh e t u r n ed ar ou n d a n d w alk ed t ow ar d s h er sid e of t h e

ar en a. W u Fen g h ad n ’t even t u r n ed t w elve, yet sh e’d clear ly d evelop ed m u ch
fast er t h an ot h er gir ls h er age. T h is w as exem p lified b y h er ext r em ely t all
figu r e. Fu r t h er m or e, h er fem in in e t r ait s w er e ver y ob viou s; t h is w as esp ecially
so for h er fier y r ed h air , w h ich h ad a p ecu liar b eau t y t o it . On ly, h er t om b oyish
p er son alit y, w h ich cau sed h er t o b e even r ow d ier t h an b oys, w as clear ly
som ew h at d ish ar m on iou s w it h h er b eau t y.
As H u o Yu h ao slow ly w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e ot h er sid e of t h e ar en a, W an g Yan

w h isp er ed , “T r y you r b est , b u t d on ’t for ce you r self. Som et im es, p at ien ce is a
for m of st r en gt h .”
H u o Yu h ao cou ld see h ow con cer n ed W an g Yan w as for h im . Aft er n od d in g t o

h im , h e slow ly m ov ed b ack w ar d s. H e u n d er st ood W an g Yan ’s good in t en t ion s,
b u t h e’d alr ead y d ecid ed n ot t o sp ar e an y cost s w h en h e fou gh t again st W u
Fen g. H e h ad n o in t en t ion s of b ack in g d ow n .
Bot h sid es w er e qu ick ly sep ar at ed b y a d ist an ce of a h u n d r ed m et er s.
W an g Yan st ood in t h e m id d le of t h e ar en a w it h h is a r m s sp r ead ou t . Aft er

en su r in g t h a t b ot h p ar t ies h ad fin ish ed m ak in g t h eir p r ep ar at ion s, h e su d d en ly
r aised h is h an d s an d sh ou t ed , “Begin !”
W u Fen g m oved in st an t ly. H er r ed h air flu t t er ed in t h e w in d , r esem b lin g a

r ed clou d as sh e ch ar ged t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao at fu ll sp eed . H er slen d er yet
for cefu l legs cau sed h er b od y t o r ap id ly sh oot for w ar d s w h en ever h er feet
t ou ch ed t h e gr ou n d , an d in t h e b lin k of an eye, sh e’d alr ead y t r aver sed sever al
t en s of m et er s.
As h er t en d er b od y r u sh ed for w ar d , d r a gon scales b egan t o cover h alf of h er
b od y. T h ou gh t h ey w er e st ill a good d ist an ce aw ay fr om each ot h er , yet H u o
Yu h ao w as alr ead y ab le t o sen se t h e valia n t air com in g off of h er b od y.
Su r p r isin gly, H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t m ove at all. In st ead , h e sim p ly sh u t h is eyes

an d st ood t h er e, m a k in g it seem as if h e w as m ed it a t in g w h ile st an d in g u p .
T h e sp ect at or ’s st age h ad b ecom e com p let ely silen t ; ever yon e’s eyes w er e
cu r r en t ly focu sed on t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a. Nat u r ally, t h e m ost at t en t ive
st u d en t s w er e W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, an d Zh ou Sich en .
Lik ew ise, Cao J in xu an w as also look in g con cen t r at ed ly at t h e ar en a .

H ow ever , h e w asn ’t follow in g W u Fen g lik e m an y p eop le w er e. In st ead , h e’d
fixed h is eyes on H u o Yu h ao, an d w as ob ser vin g h is ever y m ove.
It w as ju st as Zh ou Sich en h ad gu essed ; Cao J in xu an p lacin g a b et on H u o

Yu h ao h ad n ’t b een a m om en t of im p u lsiven ess, n or h ad it b een b ecau se h e w as
t r yin g t o ob t ain a lar ge p r ofit . Rat h er , h e h ad h is ow n m ot ives for d oin g so.
T h e t r u e cor e of Zh ou Sich en ’s t eam w as act u ally Cao J in xu an . H is T im e

Elap sin g Clock w as an ext r em ely r ar e con t r ol-t yp e T ool Sou l t h at h ad t h e ab ilit y
t o con t r ol t im e. Cao J in xu an h ad con t r ib u t ed t h e m ost d u r in g t h eir ar d u ou s
jou r n ey t o t h e t op fou r . As an ou t st an d in g con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er h im self, Cao
J in xu an h ad a m u ch gr eat er u n d er st an d in g t ow ar d s t h e sim ilar ly con t r ol-t yp e
H u o Yu h ao.
Du r in g t h eir m at ch t h at t im e, h e’d in st an t ly b een k n ock ed u n con sciou s

w it h ou t even b ein g a b le t o u se a sou l sk ill. M an y p eop le h ad assu m ed t h at it w a s
t h e w or k of W an g Don g, b u t Cao J in xu an w as fu lly aw ar e t h at it h ad b een a
sp ir it u al-t yp e at t ack . Even t h ou gh h e’d h ad W an g Don g’s assist an ce, t h e t r u t h
w as t h at it h ad st ill b een H u o Yu h ao’s at t ack . M or e im p or t an t ly, h e‘d even b een
sp ecifically gu ar d in g again st a lon g-r an ge at t ack lik e t h is. T h e t im e su r r ou n d in g
h is b od y h ad b een sligh t ly d ist or t ed , w h ich w as ext r em ely h a r d t o see w it h t h e
n ak ed eye. Becau se of t h is, h e h ad n ’t b een afr aid of lon g-d ist an ce sin gle-t ar get
at t ack s. H ow ever , even t h ou gh h is T im e Elap sin g Clock w as a b le t o d ist or t t im e,
it w asn ’t ab le t o d ist or t H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . On ce H u o Yu h ao’s
at t ack h ad lan d ed , Cao J in xu an d id n ’t h ave t h e ch an ce t o d o an yt h in g at all.
T h is h ad gr eat ly in cr eased Cao J in xu an ’s in t er est t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
Cao J in xu an w as som eon e w h o h ad a st r on g d esir e for k n ow led ge. H e r eally

w an t ed t o k n ow h ow H u o Yu h ao h ad b een ab le t o d o w h a t h e’d d on e. Aft er a ll,
H u o Yu h ao on ly h ad a t en year sou l r in g! Cou ld h is sou l sk ill b e u sed in t w o
d iffer en t w ays? Or d id h is sou l sk ill h ave t w o d iffer en t effect s? W it h it s
d et ect ion an d at t ack in g ab ilit ies, cou ld t h at st ill even b e con sid er ed a t en year
sou l r in g? On ly h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs cou ld h ave t w o sk ills!
Becau se of t h at , even t h ou gh ever yon e else b elieved t h a t H u o Yu h ao w ou ld

d efin it ely lose t o W u Fen g, Cao J in xu an h ad a cer t ain am ou n t of con fid en ce in
h im . T h is con fid en ce w as even st r on ger t h an t h at of even W an g Don g an d Xiao
Xiao’s. Som et im es, a p er son ’s r ivals ca n u n d er st a n d t h em m or e t h an t h eir
t eam m at es.
T h e d ist an ce b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies gr ad u ally d ecr eased . Facin g t h e

m ot ion less H u o Yu h ao, W u Fen g r aised h er vigilan ce. Aft er all, Nin g T ian h a d
b een k n ock ed u n con sciou s d u r in g t h eir p r eviou s m at ch . In t h eir p ost -m at ch
r esear ch , t h ey’d felt t h at t h e b est w ay t o p r ot ect t h em selves w ou ld b e t o gat h er
t h eir sou l p ow er in t h eir h ead s. If t h ey p r ot ect ed t h eir sp ir it u al seas, t h eir
op p on en t ’s at t ack s w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o over com e t h eir d efen ses.
Becau se of t h at , W u Fen g d id n ’t b ot h er t o u se an y sou l sk ills. Fr om h er p oin t

of view , H u o Yu h ao h ad n o ch a n ce of w in n in g in a d ir ect com p et it ion of com b at
p ow er . As lon g as sh e w as w ar y of h is Sp ir it u a l Sh ock , ever yt h in g w ou ld b e fin e.
In r ealit y, n on e of t h e st u d en t s p r esen t —ot h er t h an W a n g Don g an d Xiao Xiao—
w er e aw ar e t h at H u o Yu h ao’s m ain sou l sk ill w as h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .
Cu r r en t ly, t h e d ist a n ce b et w een t h e t w o h ad sh r u n k t o a m er e five m et er s.

St am p in g t h e gr ou n d w it h h er left leg, W u Fen g sh ot t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao lik e a
sh ar p ar r ow t h a t h a d b een r eleased fr om a b ow .
At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao fin ally m ad e a m ove. T h e in st an t W u Fen g
m oved , h e sh ift ed h is feet . As a r esu lt , h e w as ab le t o qu ick ly sid est ep t o t h e left .
At t h e sam e t im e, h e sen t a k ick flyin g st r aigh t t ow ar d s W u Fen g’s ab d om en .
T h e in st an t t h a t W u Fen g h ad leap t ou t , h er ar m s h ad b een r aised u p h igh ,

w h ile h er p alm s h ad slash ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er s. By r elyin g on h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , H u o Yu h ao h ad gr a sp ed t h e t r aject or y of h er m ovem en t s
p er fect ly. Becau se o f t h is, H u o Yu h ao h ad sid est ep p ed h er at t ack t h e ver y
m om en t sh e’d b egu n m ovin g. At t h e sa m e t im e, h e’d sen t a k ick flyin g t ow ar d s
an ar ea t h at w as ver y h ar d for W u Fen g t o d efen d again st .
Even t h ou gh sh e w as ext r em ely con fid en t in h er self, it w as ext r em ely

u n com for t ab le for W u Fen g t o d eal w it h H u o Yu h ao’s at t ack . H ow ever , sh e
w asn ’t w illin g t o get k ick ed b y H u o Yu h ao. H elp less, sh e cou ld on ly t w ist h er
b od y in m id air in an at t em p t t o d od ge H u o Yu h ao’s k ick . H ow ever , t h e fact t h at
sh e w as in a leap in g p osit ion cou ld n ’t b e ch an ged .
Un exp ect ed ly, H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly st o p p ed h is k ick in m id air , t h en ju m p ed

for w ar d u sin g h is left leg. Aft er ju m p in g h alf a m et er off t h e gr ou n d , h e ch an ged
h is r igh t leg’s sw eep in g k ick in t o a r egu lar k ick . T h is allow ed h im t o p er fect ly
k ick W u Fen g’s sligh t ly d efin ed an d p er k y r ou n d b u t t ock s.
On e’s b u t t ock s p r act ically r ep r esen t a p er son ’s cen t er of gr avit y. If som eon e’s
b u t t ock s w er e t o b e k ick ed m id air , t h eir b alan ce w ou ld im m ed iat ely b e b r ok en .
J u st as W u Fen g t w ist ed h er b od y t o t h e sid e, sh e felt a lar ge am ou n t of for ce
t r an sm it t ed t h r ou gh h er b u t t ock s. Sh e im m ed iat ely let ou t an alar m ed cr y w h en
t h is h ap p en ed , an d u sed h er left h an d t o p u sh again st t h e gr ou n d in an effor t t o
seize an op p or t u n it y t o con t r ol h er ow n b od y.
Aft er k ick in g W u Fen g’s b u t t , H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely u sed a follow -u p

m ove. Lan d in g h is r igh t foot on t h e gr ou n d , h e su d d en ly r u sh ed t ow ar d s W u
Fen g. Up t o t h is p oin t , h is eyes h ad r em ain ed sh u t . H ow ever , h is p er cep t ion of
t h e ou t sid e w or ld w as far clear er t h an it w ou ld ’ve b een if h e’d b een u sin g h is
eyes.
As W u Fen g p r essed h er left h an d on t o t h e gr ou n d , t h e sp eed of h er fall
d ecr eased sligh t ly. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao ar r ived at t h at p oin t again . St am p in g
h is r igh t foot on t h e gr ou n d , h e r u sh ed for w ar d s an d u sed h is left leg t o st r ik e
W u Fen g’s slen d er w aist .
Nat u r a lly, W u Fen g w ou ld n ’t ju st let h im h ave h is w ay w it h h er . Sh e

h u r r ied ly r aised h er left k n ee an d an gled it t ow ar d s H u o Yu h a o’s left leg. At t h e
sam e t im e, sh e exer t ed som e st r en gt h w it h h er left ar m , b or r ow in g t h e st r en gt h
of h er p h ysiq u e t o for cefu lly t u r n ar ou n d an d sen d a viciou s k ick t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao w it h h er left leg.
As a r esu lt of t h e em b ar r assm en t sh e w as feelin g, W u Fen g h ad p u t all of h er

st r en gt h in t o t h is k ick . Even t h ou gh sh e h ad n ’t u sed a sou l sk ill, t h e all-ou t k ick
of a Sou l Gr an d m ast er t h at w as u sin g h er m ar t ial sou l cou ld n ’t b e
u n d er est im a t ed .
H ow ever , W u Fen g m ad e an ot h er m iscalcu lat ion . H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly p u lled

h is left leg b ack m id -k ick , t h en w en t d ow n in t o a sq u at , allow in g h im t o d od ge
W u Fen g’s k ick . Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, h e n im b ly sh ot for w ar d s an d fir m ly
slap p ed W u Fen g’s low er b ack w it h h is p alm s.
Chapt er 35.1: I Haven't Lost Yet !
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao h ad n o in t en t ion s of goin g easy on W u Fen g. H is

p alm s b ecam e jad e in colou r as h e u n leash ed Con t r ollin g Cr an e Cap t u r in g
Dr agon on W u Fen g.
W it h a “b an g”, W u Fen g w as sh oved m or e t h an five m et er s aw ay fr om H u o

Yu h ao. T h is t im e ar ou n d , sh e cou ld n ’t m ain t ain h er b alan ce. As a r esu lt of t h is,
W u Fen g fell d ow n a n d r olled on t h e gr ou n d .
H u o Yu h ao’s cu lt ivat ion w asn ’t as h igh as W u Fen g’s, b u t h e w as st ill

som eon e w it h Ran k 17 sou l p ow er ; h e w as a t r u e sou l m ast er . H is all-ou t
Con t r ollin g Cr an e Cap t u r in g Dr agon an d M yst er iou s J ad e Palm h ad st ill b een
r elat ively h eavy b low s.
W u Fen g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sh ak e sligh t ly as sh e got u p . W it h an “ah ” sh e sp at

ou t a m ou t h fu l of b lood . Sh e’d clear ly b een in ju r ed .
T h e st u d en t s st an d in g in t h e sp ect a t or ’s st age w er e all left flab b er gast ed .
Befor e t h e m at ch , w h o w ou ld ’ve p r ed ict ed an ou t com e lik e t h is? W h o cou ld

h ave!?
H u o Yu h ao h ad act u ally m an aged t o gain t h e u p p er h a n d ! Ben eat h h is

r elen t less at t ack s, W u Fen g h ad n ’t even h ad a ch an ce t o cou n t er at t ack .
Bot h Dai H u ab in an d Zh u Lu w er e ast on ish ed , Xiao Xiao’s eyes h ad w id en ed

in su r p r ise, an d Zh ou Sich en w as ch ew in g on h is fin ger n er vou sly. T h e on ly
excep t ion t o all of t h is w as Cao J in xu an , w h o w as cu r r en t ly st ar in g at H u o
Yu h ao w it h sp ar k lin g eyes.
Fr om t h eir ou t er ap p ear an ces, it seem ed lik e b ot h sid es h ad n ’t u sed an y sou l

sk ills yet . Yet som eh ow , an assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er h ad act u ally lost t o a
con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er in h an d -t o-h an d com b at ! Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w as w it h
su ch a d isp ar it y in cu lt ivat ion b et w een t h e t w o.
W u Fen g, w h o h ad t h e Red Dr agon m ar t ial sou l, w as d efin it ely m u ch st r on ger

t h an H u o Yu h ao in t er m s of p h ysiqu e alon e. H er sp eed , p ow er , an d flexib ilit y
w er e all gr eat er t h an H u o Yu h ao’s; w h at h ad h ap p en ed ?
It d id n ’t m at t er t h a t sh e’d b een k ick ed in t h e b u m , yet H u o Yu h ao’s p alm s

h ad sen t h er flyin g an d for ced h er t o cou gh u p b lood . H er d efen se h ad b een
st r en gt h en ed con sid er ab ly u n d er t h e effect s of h er Red Dr agon m ar t ial sou l, yet
sh e’d act u ally b een for ced t o cou gh u p som e b lood . Sin ce w h en d id H u o Yu h ao
h ave t h e ab ilit y t o d o som et h in g lik e t h is?
H u o Yu h ao b asically h ad n ’t p ar t icip at ed in an y d ir ect con fr on t at ion s

t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e fr esh m en assessm en t , excep t for t h e t im e t h at h e’d u sed
t h e Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack again st Dai H u ab in ’s t ea m . Becau se of t h at ,
h is h an d -t o-h an d ab ilit ies h ad b een en t ir ely over look ed . On ly n ow d id ever yon e
r ealise h ow w r on g t h ey’d b een ab ou t h im . T h is w as esp ecially so for t h ose t h a t
w er en ’t at t h e t w o-r in ged r an k yet . T h ey cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask t h em selves: if
t h ey w er e t o figh t a gain st H u o Yu h ao in a close-com b at figh t , cou ld t h ey w in ?
H ad W u Fen g’s loss t r u ly b een d u e t o car elessn ess a lon e?
W an g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t st ar e b lan k ly. H e’d t h ou gh t of m an y w ays for

H u o Yu h ao t o st ave off W u Fen g, b u t h e’d n ever con sid er ed t h e p ossib ilit y of
h an d -t o-h an d com b at . H u o Yu h ao h ad act u ally d ecid ed t o u se h is ow n w eak n ess
again st h is op p on en t ’s st r on g p oin t … yet h e w as w in n in g?
T h e m ost ast on ish ed p er son p r esen t w as W u Fen g h er self. Sh e h ad n ’t

exp ect ed H u o Yu h ao t o figh t h er lik e t h is, n ot even in h er w ild est d r eam s. T h e
Sp ir it u al Sh ock sh e’d b een con st an t ly w ar y off h ad n ’t com e eit h er , yet sh e’d
su ffer ed a h u ge loss in a close-com b at figh t .
Sh e also felt a b u r n in g p ain com in g fr om h er b ack . H u o Yu h ao’s p alm s w er e

lik e t w o ch u n k s of m et al w h en t h ey’d vicio u sly sm ash ed in t o h er b ack .
Fu r t h er m or e, sh e’d felt t w o gen t le for ces su r ge t h r ou gh h er b od y as soon as h is
p alm s h it h er . T h ese for ces t h at h ad seep ed in t o h er b od y cou ld b e d escr ib ed as
‘gen t le’, b u t t h ey h ad seep ed d ir ect ly in t o h er in t er n a l or gan s. Un exp ect ed ly,
W u Fen g w asn ’t ab le t o r em ove t h em in a sh or t p er iod of t im e, even w it h h er
t yr an n ical sou l p ow er . T h u s, sh e h ad h a d n o ch oice b u t t o cou gh u p a m ou t h fu l
of b lood in or d er t o slow d ow n t h e p r ogr ession of h er in ju r ies. H ow ever , h er
in t er n a l or gan s h ad st ill b een b ad ly sh ak en .
H u o Yu h ao’s k ick h a d n ’t h u r t t h a t m u ch , as t h er e w as a lar ge am ou n t of flesh

on h er b u m . H ow ever , t h is h ad b een d on e in fr on t of t h e en t ir et y of Class 1!
Fu r t h er m or e, a m an h ad n ever t ou ch ed h er b u t t ock s b efor e. An d , as soon as
h e’d k ick ed h er , a st r an ge feelin g h ad b egu n t o sp r ead t h r ou gh ou t h er b u t t ock s;
t h is w as t h e m ain r eason t h at sh e’d st u m b led aft er get t in g u p .
“Bast ar d , I’m goin g t o k ill you !” W u Fen g r oar ed an gr ily, t h en p ou n ced

t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao lik e an en r aged lion ess. T h is t im e ar o u n d , sh e d id n ’t h old
an yt h in g b ack . Sh e in st an t ly act ivat ed h er fir st so u l sk ill, Dr agon fir e.
T h e p er son w h o h a d t h e st r on gest self-a u gm en t in g sou l sk ill am on gst Class 1’s

assau lt -t yp e sou l m a st er s w as d efin it ely Dai H u ab in an d h is W h it e T iger Vajr a
T r an sfor m at ion . H o w ever , W u Fen g w as t h e st r on gest p er son aft er Dai H u ab in .
H er Dr agon fir e an d Dr agon fu r y h ad ext r em ely st r on g self-a u gm en t in g ab ilit ies
in ad d it ion t o t h e in cr ease in at t ack p ow er t h ey gave h er . Becau se of t h is, W u
Fen g w as d efin it ely an exp er t in close-qu ar t er s com b at . If Dai H u ab in d id n ’t u se
h is t h ir d sou l sk ill, t h e t w o of t h em w ou ld d efin it ely en d u p lock ed in a
st alem at e d u r in g a close-com b at figh t . An d yet , sh e’d ju st su ffer ed a loss t o H u o
Yu h ao, an d it h a d n ’t b een a sm all loss eit h er !
H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed t o k eep h is eyes sh u t , b u t h is exp r ession b ecam e

ser iou s. H e’d b een a b le t o in ju r e W u Fen g in t h eir close com b at figh t b y cat ch in g
h er u n aw a r e an d u sin g of t h e T an g Sect ’s secr et t ech n iqu es in ad d it ion t o h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion ’s for esigh t . At t h e sa m e t im e, it w as also b ecau se W u Fen g
h ad n ’t u sed an y of h er sou l sk ills yet .
W u Fen g’s b u r n in g Dr agon fir e in st an t ly scor ch ed ever yt h in g w it h in a foot of

h er . Becau se of t h is, t h e scor ch in g st r ea m of air st r u ck H u o Yu h ao in t h e face
b efor e sh e’d even ar r ived . H u o Yu h ao w as a sp ir it u a l-t yp e sou l m ast er , t h u s h is
Sp ir it Eyes w er en ’t a b le t o st r en gt h en h is b od y in an y w ay. H e cou ld p r ed ict all
of h er m oves, b u t h e w asn ’t ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh W u Fen g’s d efen sive sou l
sk ills!
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t ch oose t o r et r eat . H e k n ew t h at h e h ad n ’t h ad

m u ch of a ch an ce in t h e fir st p lace, an d t h at b ein g ab le t o t ak e ad van t age of h is
op p on en t ’s lack of aw ar en ess w as alr ea d y an ext r em ely good r esu lt for h im .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o d id n ’t w an t t o ad m it d efeat . Even if h e on ly h ad a sliver

of h op e left , h e d id n ’t w an t t o give u p .
As su ch , H u o Yu h ao ch ose n ot t o r et r eat . As h e w it h st ood t h e h igh

t em p er at u r es t h at w er e assau lt in g h im , h e u sed h is Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g
T r ack t o r u sh t ow ar d s W u Fen g.
T h is t im e ar ou n d , W u Fen g d id n ’t ch oose t o ju m p in t o t h e air . In st ea d , sh e

r u sh ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao on foot . T h e m om en t t h a t W u Fen g w as close
en ou gh t o st r ik e H u o Yu h ao, sh e st op p ed an d sen t h er left h an d t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao’s st om ach w h ile fir m ly b alan ced .
As a cor e d iscip le, even t h ou gh W u Fen g h ad a fier y d isp osit ion , sh e d efin it ely
w asn ’t an im p u lsive p er son . Aft er su ffer in g a loss t o H u o Yu h ao, sh e’d d efin it ely
p ay at t en t ion t o h is a t t ack s.
Facin g W u Fen g’s p alm st r ik e, H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly lean ed t o t h e left an d

d od ged h er at t ack . M ak in g su r e n ot t o en t er t h e on e-foot ar ea ar ou n d W u Fen g,
h e cr ou ch ed d ow n an d sid e-st ep p ed t o h er r igh t sid e.
Lik e a b olt of ligh t n in g, W u Fen g sen t a k ick flyin g st r aigh t t ow ar d s H u o

Yu h ao w it h h er r igh t leg. H er k ick in g sp eed w as ext r em ely fast , an d h er leg
r each ed H u o Yu h ao’s ch est in t h e b lin k of an eye.
H ow ever , at t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao u n exp ect ed ly slip p ed . H e seem ed t o

fall d ow n , as if h e’d lost con t r ol of h is b od y. W u Fen g’s k ick b r u sh ed p ast h is
ch est as if it w er e st u ck t o it , in st an t ly ch ar r in g t h e fr on t of H u o Yu h ao’s sh ir t .
At t h e sam e t im e, t h e scor ch in g h ot t em p er at u r es fr om W u Fen g’s Dr agon fir e
en velop ed h is b od y.
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w asn ’t om n ip ot en t , as h is p h ysical sp eed

cou ld n ’t follow t h e sp eed of h is t h ou gh t s. H e’d u sed u p t h e of h is en er gy in
or d er t o d od ge W u Fen g’s last at t ack .
Chapt er 35.2: I Haven't Lost Yet !
W u Fen g h ad m issed , w h ich r esu lt ed in h er b ack b ein g exp osed t o H u o Yu h ao.

W h ilst lean in g b ack w ar d s, H u o Yu h ao gr ab b ed on t o W u Fen g an d —en d u r in g
t h e t h e h igh t em p er at u r es cau sed b y h er Dr agon fir e—viciou sly k ick ed W u
Fen g’s b ack , cau sin g h er t o st u m b le for w ar d .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely let go aft er gr ab b in g ah old of h er . W it h

h er Dr agon fir e, t h e t em p er at u r e su r r ou n d in g W u Fen g’s b od y in a on e foot
r ad iu s w as sim p ly t oo h igh . Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d felt t h at som et h in g w as am iss
aft er h e’d gr ab b ed h er .
H e’d gr ab b ed ah old of t w o ext r em ely elast ic yet fir m m ou n d s, w h ich h ad

in st an t ly t igh t en ed t h e m om en t h e’d t ou ch ed t h em . H ow ever , h is h an d s h a d
act u ally b ou n ced off t h em . H u o Yu h ao h ad on ly gr asp ed h old of W u Fen g’s
clot h es; n o, it w ou ld b e m or e accu r at e t o say t h at h e’d gr ab b ed h er d r ess...
H u o Yu h ao w as d azed in t h at in st an t , an d in t u r n h ad u n con sciou sly low er ed

t h e d ir ect ion of h is k ick .
W h en W u Fen g st u m b led for w ar d , sh e u n con sciou sly h eld on t o h er sk ir t . In a

st at e of em b ar r assm en t an d an ger , sh e r ap id ly en t er ed a h a lf-sq u at t in g p osit ion
aft er sw eep in g h er r igh t leg b ack w ar d s.
T hi s guy! Af t er doi n g such a sh am ef ul deed, on e w oul d def i n i t el y be

di st r act ed f or a br i ef m om en t , an d H uo Yuh ao w as n o except i on . T h ough h e
h adn ’ t seen t h em w i t h h i s eyes, t h e t h r ee-di m en si on al i m age h e’ d seen i n h i s
m i n d w asn ’ t t oo f ar of f f r om t h e r eal t h i n gs.
Just as h e bl ur t ed out t h e w or ds, “ I di dn ’ t see an yt h i n g” , W u Fen g’ s k i ck

ar r i ved i n h i s f ace.
Dod gin g W u Fen g’s k ick w as im p ossib le. T h u s, H u o Yu h ao cou ld on ly
h elp lessly b lock W u Fen g’s at t ack w it h t h e M yst er iou s J ad e H an d s.
W u Fen g w as ext r em ely st r on g, an d sh e’d even u sed h er sou l p ow er t o

st r en gt h en h er a t t ack . W u Fen g’s k ick r esem b led an en or m ou s, b u r n in g p iece of
ir on as it viciou sly slam m ed in t o H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as for ced t o t h e gr ou n d
fr om t h e for ce.
H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t scald ed fr om W u Fen g’s at t ack d u e t o t h e p r ot ect ion of t h e

M yst er iou s J ad e H a n d s. H ow ever , h er k ick h ad sim p ly b een t oo p ow er fu l; h e
w asn ’t ab le t o w it h st an d it b y m er ely r elyin g on t h e st r en gt h of h is ar m s. As t h e
b ack of h is ar m s sm ash ed in t o h is face, H u o Yu h ao felt h is m in d go fain t , w h ile
h is n ose b egan b leed in g in t en sely.
W u Fen g h ad fin ally m an aged t o p r ot ect h er sk ir t fr om b ein g t or n off aft er

sh e k ick ed H u o Yu h ao aw ay, an d cou ld feel h er self get t in g m ad d er an d m ad d er
as t h e figh t w en t on .
“H u o Yu h ao, you son of a b it ch !” T h e in t en se r ed ligh t su r r ou n d in g W u

Fen g’s b od y in st an t ly t u r n ed d ar k r ed a s sh e act iva t ed h er secon d sou l sk ill,
Dr agon fir e. H er en t ir e b od y n ow r esem b led a gen u in e Red Dr agon as sh e
p ou n ced t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao; it seem ed lik e sh e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o r est w it h ou t
k illin g h im .
In t h at in st a n t , H u o Yu h ao fin ally op en ed h is eyes. J u st as W an g Yan w as

ab ou t t o save H u o Yu h ao fr om W u Fen g’s at t ack , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t p au se h is
foot st ep s.
Even w it h t h e scar let flam es su r r ou n d in g W u Fen g, t h e t r ace of gold w it h in

H u o Yu h ao’s eyes cou ld n ’t b e con cealed .
In h er en r aged st at e, W u Fen g h ad for got t en t o d efen d h er self again st H u o

Yu h ao’s t r u e at t ack .
W u Fen g felt as if h er b r ain h ad b een gen t ly p r ick ed b y a n eed le, w h ich
in st an t ly cau sed h er t o b ecom e d azed for a m om en t . Follow in g t h at , t h e d ar k -
r ed ligh t on h er b od y d im m ed sligh t ly. Sh e su b con sciou sly b u r ied h er h ead
w it h in h er h an d s b ecau se of t h e p ain cau sed b y H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sh ock .
T ak in g ad van t age of t h e op p or t u n it y, H u o Yu h ao ju m p ed in t o t h e air an d

sh ot t ow ar d s W u Fen g. H e gr ab b ed on t o W u Fen g’s clot h es w it h h is h an d s in an
at t em p t t o t h r ow h er t o t h e gr ou n d .
H ow ever , even t h o u gh H u o Yu h ao’s calcu lat in g ab ilit ies w er e ext r em ely

p r ecise, t h er e w er e st ill t im es w h en even h e m ad e a m ist ak e. H e’d
u n d er est im a t ed t h e st r en gt h of W u Fen g’s Dr agon fu r y, an d n eglect ed t h e in ju r y
t h at h is ar m h ad su ffer ed fr om W u Fen g’s k ick .
H e m an aged t o gr a b ah old of W u Fen g’s clot h es, b u t h e w as im m ed iat ely

en gu lfed b y a b oilin g st r eam of h ot air aft er w ar d s. T h e in t en se w aves of h eat
st r u ck h im in t h e face an d m a d e it seem lik e h e’d t ou ch ed t h e su n it self. H is
sleeves in st an t ly t u r n ed t o ash , an d h e su b con sciou sly loosen ed h is gr ip r igh t a s
h e w as ab ou t t o p u ll h is a r m s b ack d u e t o t h e ext r em e p ain t h at h ad su d d en ly
sp r ead fr om h is h an d s.
Even t h ou gh W u Fen g h ad b een st r u ck b y H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Sh ock , sh e

st ill h ad h er b asic com b at in st in ct s. W h ile sh e w as st ill st r u gglin g
su b con sciou sly, sh e slam m ed h er r igh t ar m in t o H u o Yu h ao’s ch est an d
for cefu lly flu n g h im aw ay.
W u Fen g’s b low w as sim p ly t oo h eavy. T h ou gh h is b on es d id n ’t sh at t er d u e t o

t h e sou l p ow er p r o t ect in g h is b od y, W u Fen g’s b lazin g fir e en er gy st ill m a d ly
su r ged in t o h is b od y. As h e flew t h r ou gh t h e air , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t cou gh u p a
m ou t h fu l of b lood . W h en h e fin ally lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d , ever yt h in g in fr on t of
h is eyes t u r n ed d ar k an d h e n ear ly fain t ed .
At t h e sam e t im e, W u Fen g k n eeled on t h e gr ou n d w it h h er h ead b u r ied in h er

ar m s an d let ou t p ain fu l gr oan s. H avin g st or ed u p so m u ch en er gy, H u o Yu h ao’s
Sp ir it u al Sh ock w asn ’t som et h in g t h at cou ld b e easily en d u r ed . T h er e w er e
t r aces of b lood flow in g fr om W u Fen g’s n ose, b u t sh e w as st ill in sligh t ly b et t er
con d it ion t h an H u o Yu h ao.
I t ’ s f i nal l y ended. W an g Yan si gh ed i n w ar dl y. T h ough H uo Yuh ao h ad l ost , i t

coul d be con si der ed a gl or i ous def eat . For h i m t o be abl e t o i n jur e W u Fen g i n a
cl ose-com bat f i gh t , w i t h h i s cur r en t cul t i vat i on , w as al r eady som et h i n g h e coul d
be pr oud of . Af t er all , h e w as a soul m ast er t h at speci al i sed i n t h e con t r ol an d
auxi l i ar y syst em s! W an g Yan h ad n ever expect ed h i m t o be so sk i l l ed i n cl ose-
com bat f i gh t .
H ow ever , w as i t t r ul y over ?
St i l l h uggi n g h er h ead, W u Fen g sl ow l y st ood up. H ow ever , sh e w asn ’ t abl e t o

st abi l i ze h er f oot i n g due t o t h e i n t en se pai n com i n g f r om h er h ead. H um i l i at i on ,
t h i s w as an en or m ous h um i l i at i on !
Af t er al l evi at i n g t h e i n t en se h eadach e sh e h ad w i t h m uch di f f i cul t y, W u Fen g

di scover ed t h at W an g Yan w as st an di n g bet w een t h e t w o of t h em . Sh e k n ew
t h at sh e w oul dn ’ t be abl e t o m ak e a m ove agai n st H uo Yuh ao f or t h e t i m e bei n g,
but t h e an ger i n h er h ear t caused h er t o h yst er i cal l y yel l out , “ H uo Yuh ao, you
just w ai t ! As l on g as you st ay w i t h i n Cl ass 1, I ’ l l k eep t ar get i n g you t i l l t h e day
you scr ew of f f r om Sh r ek Academ y!”
As ever yon e gazed on , H uo Yuh ao began t o cr aw l back up w i t h gr eat

di f f i cul t y. T o t h e ast on i sh m en t of t h e on l ook i n g st uden t s, a sl i gh t h i n t of r ed
h ad appear ed i n H uo Yuh ao’ s eyes t h e i n st an t h e r ai sed h i s h ead. H e gazed
col dl y at t h e n ear by W u Fen g, m ak i n g i t seem as i f h e w er e a bl ood-t h i r st y t i ger
t h at w as about t o devour i t s pr ey. T h e h yst er i cal W u Fen g f el t as i f sh e’ d
sudden l y been st un g by a poi son ous scor pi on , an d a ch i l l r an up h er spi n e.
“ I h aven ’ t l ost yet !”
H uo Yuh ao’ s voi ce w as som ew h at h oar se, but i t w as f i l l ed w i t h deci si ven ess.
Ri gh t , h e h adn ’ t l ost yet . As l on g as h e h ad a t r ace of en er gy l ef t i n h i m , H uo
Yuh ao w oul d n ever adm i t def eat . W i t h obst i n an ce an d per sever an ce i n h i s h ear t
su p p or t in g h im , b ot h t h e su ffer in g h is b od y h ad exp er ien ced a n d t h e
h u m iliat ion h e’d su ffer ed fr om h er in su lt s in st an t ly cau sed t h e r esen t m en t h e’d
su p p r essed for so m a n y year s t o er u p t lik e a geyser .
At t h at exact m om en t , h is b od y su d d en ly t r em b led . Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s,

t h e p ale r ed in h is eyes on ce again ch an ged color , b ecom in g a t er r ifyin g gr ey
filled w it h t h e au r a of d eat h !
Chapt er 36.1: The Awakened Gr ay Color !
Su r p r isin gly, H u o Yu h ao h ad act u ally st ood u p ! Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d u sed a

h oar se yet d et er m in ed voice t o exp r ess h is w ish t o con t in u e figh t in g.
T h e st u d en t s w h o’d or igin ally t h ou gh t t h e b at t le t o b e over im m ed ia t ely

qu iet ed b ack d ow n an d st a r ed at H u o Yu h ao w it h st u p efied gazes. T h ey w er e
u n ab le t o fat h om w h at cou ld b e h elp in g h im st an d b ack u p sin ce h e’d b een
st r u ck b y W u Fen g’s p ow er fu l at t ack . W as t h e p osit ion of class m on it or t hi s
i m por t an t t o H uo Yuh ao?
T o H uo Yuh ao, w h et h er or n ot h e becam e a cl ass m on i t or di dn ’ t r eal l y

m at t er . H ow ever , h i s h on or w as som et h i n g ext r em el y i m por t an t t o h i m ; h e
coul dn ’ t al l ow an yon e t o t ar n i sh i t . T h i s w as t h e r eason h e’ d accept ed W u
Fen g’ s ch al l en ge i n t h e f i r st pl ace—even t h ough h e k n ew h e’ d pr obabl y l ose. I t
w as al so t h e sam e r eason h e w as st an di n g back up n ow .
W u Fen g’ s h yst er i a i m m edi at el y di m i n i sh ed t h e secon d t h at sh e saw t h e r ed

gl ow i n H uo Yuh ao’ s eyes. H ow ever , t h e i n st an t t h at H uo Yuh ao’ s eyes t ur n ed
gr ay, sh e f el t as i f an en or m ous h an d h ad gr asped h ol d of h er n eck an d w as
st r an gl i n g h er .
T h i s w as t h e f i r st t i m e t h at W u Fen g h ad f el t dr ead f r om H uo Yuh ao.

Regar dl ess of h ow st r on g sh e act ual l y w as, sh e w as st i l l a youn g gi r l n o ol der
t h an t w el ve!
W an g Yan w as al so dum bf oun ded by H uo Yuh ao’ s cur r en t appear an ce. H e

h ur r i edl y t ook a f ew st eps back , w h i l e h i s h ear t beat began t o accel er at e
un con t r ol l abl y. T h e on l y expl an at i on h e coul d com e up w i t h f or H uo Yuh ao’ s
sudden ch an ge w as a r eason r el at ed t o Body Soul s. T h us, i n st ead of i n t er r upt i n g
t h ei r Soul Duel , h e f i xat ed h i s eyes on H uo Yuh ao’ s body w h i l st doi n g h i s best t o
sen se t h e ch an ges occur r i n g w i t h i n i t .
H u o Yu h ao h ad t r u ly t r an sfor m ed in som e w ay. As h is h ad eyes t u r n ed
b lood sh ot , h is h ear t filled w it h an u n yield in g w ill t o figh t an d r esen t m en t
su r gin g t h r ou gh ou t h is b od y, a r efr esh in g feelin g h ad su d d en ly sp r ead silen t ly
t h r ou gh ou t h is Sp ir it u a l Sea. T h is r efr esh in g feelin g in st an t ly cover ed t h e
en t ir et y of h is Sp ir it u al Sea, ca u sin g even t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m t o let ou t a
b ew ild er ed cr y.
Gr ay—H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sea in st an t ly t u r n ed gr ay. H ow ever , t h e

d or m an t gr ay p ear l t h at h a d alw ays silen t ly r esid ed in h is Sp ir it u al Sea h ad
van ish ed .
T h e r efr esh in g feelin g q u iet ly calm ed d ow n H u o Yu h ao’s su r gin g r esen t m en t

an d allow ed H u o Yu h ao t o q u ick ly r egain h is sen ses. H ow ever , h is eyes h a d
t u r n ed gr ay d u e t o t h e ch an ges in h is Sp ir it u a l Sea.
“H at r ed w ill clou d you r eyes.” A w ise yet clear voice r an g ou t in H u o Yu h ao’s

Sp ir it u al Sea. W h en it d id , even t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as ab le t o clear ly h ear
it .
T en b alls of gold en ligh t sim u lt an eou sly lit u p in an at t em p t t o exp el t h e gr ay

st r eam of ligh t t h at h ad ap p ear ed , b u t it d id n ’t r eact at all. It w as as if it w as
in cor p or eal. No m at t er h ow st r on g t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s or igin p ow er w as,
it d id n ’t seem t o affect t h e gr ay ligh t ; it h ad n ’t even b een scr at ch ed .
“You sh ou ld u se you r sp ir it u al p ow er lik e t h is.” H u o Yu h ao d iscover ed t h a t

h e’d lost all con t r ol of h is b od y, b u t h e cou ld st ill clear ly see ever yt h in g t h a t
h ap p en ed . Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, h e felt h is sou l p ow er b oil. T h e M yst er iou s
H eaven T ech n iq u e’s sou l p ow er —id en t ical t o h is in t er m s of p ow er , q u an t it y,
an d in t en sit y—h ad a lso h ad it s con t r ol w r est ed fr om h im .
Aft er w ar d s, h is gr a y Sp ir it Eyes lit u p as h is Sp ir it u al Sh o ck w as act iva t ed

again . T o h is ast on ish m en t , t h is Sp ir it u al Sh ock m oved slow er t h an n or m al a s it
left h is eyes—as if it w as a vip er slow ly ext en d in g it s t on gu e.
At t h e sam e t im e, t h e or igin al b all-lik e Sp ir it u al Sh ock h ad b een sh r u n k en
d ow n t o t h e w id t h of a st r an d of h air a s it gen t ly flew t ow ar d s W u Fen g.
In t h e eyes of t h e sp ect at in g st u d en t s, H u o Yu h ao’s eyes h ad su d d en ly lit u p

an d t u r n ed cr yst al clear , r at h er t h an t h e m u d d y gr ay t h ey’d b een b efor e. T h e
gr ay ligh t in h is eyes h ad flick er ed sligh t ly, aft er w h ich W u Fen g h ad let ou t a
sh ar p cr y.
W u Fen g h ad gat h er ed h er sou l p ow er ar ou n d h er b r ain t h e secon d t h e feelin g

of d r ead h a d ap p ear ed in h er h ear t . H ow ever , at t h is m om en t , sh e su d d en ly
sen sed a gr ay n eed le slow ly ar r ive in fr on t of h er . It p ier ced t h r ou gh t h e layer of
sou l p ow er sh e’d cr eat ed , t h en gen t ly t ap p ed h er b r ain .
W u Fen g’s flow in g r ed h air flew in t o t h e air as h er eyes t u r n ed gr ay as w ell.

Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, sh e fell b ack w ar d s w it h a sh ar p cr y an d d ir ect ly lost
con sciou sn ess.
T h e b at t le h ad en d ed , b u t t h e st u d en t s o f Class 1 h ad fallen com p let ely silen t ,

as if t h eir n eck s h ad b een st r an gled ju st lik e W u Fen g’s ear lier .
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y sh ook sligh t ly, an d t h e h in t of gr ay in h is eyes slow ly fad ed

aw ay. H ow ever , h e con t in u ed t o st an d a s st r aigh t as a r am r od . Aft er sw eep in g
h is alr ea d y-n or m al eyes acr oss t h e sp ect a t in g st u d en t s, h e slow ly left t h e ar en a
w it h ou t sp ar in g a glan ce t ow ar d s W u Fen g.
W an g Yan h u r r ied ly w alk ed t ow ar d s W u Fen g an d m ad e su r e t h at sh e h a d n ’t

su ffer ed an y t r u e in ju r ies. H ow ever , h e st ill d ecid ed t o car r y h er t o t h e
in fir m ar y.
W h ilst r u n n in g t ow ar d s t h e in fir m ar y, W an g Yan felt a p assion at e fir e ign it e

in h is h ea r t . Ri ght , t hat w as def i ni t el y t h e second aw ak eni ng of a Body Soul . I t
m ust ’ ve been! Ot her w i se, w hy w oul d hi s eyes suddenl y chan ge col or ? W hy el se
w oul d he be abl e t o beat W u Feng? H uo Yuhao w on, he w on ! T hi s w on’ t do, I
have t o f i nd El der Xuan and have hi m sel ect H uo Yuhao as a cor e di sci pl e.
As H u o Yu h ao w as qu ick ly ap p r oach in g t h e r est in g r oom , W an g Don g an d
Xiao Xiao h ad ju st left t h e ar en a, allow in g t h em t o b u m p in t o t h e gr ave-faced
H u o Yu h ao.
“Yu h ao, you ’r e aw esom e!” Xiao Xiao excit ed ly cr ied ou t . H ow ever , W an g
Don g w alk ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao aft er r ealizin g t h at som et h in g w as off.
H u o Yu h ao look ed d eep ly at W an g Don g. Aft er w ar d s, h e d ir ect ly collap sed

on t o W an g Don g’s b od y, p assed ou t . M or eover , h is b r eat h w a s scor ch in g h ot .
In r ealit y, H u o Yu h a o’s in ju r ies w er e even m or e ser iou s t h a n W u Fen g’s. W u

Fen g’s d u al-sou l sk ill au gm en t ed a t t ack h ad ser iou sly in ju r ed h im . H ow ever ,
h e’d for ced h im self t o st an d u p r igh t in fr on t of all t h e ot h er st u d en t s. W it h d eep
b r eat h s as h e p er sev er ed , h e’d car r ied h im self all t h e w ay t o t h e r est in g r oom .
W an g Don g secu r ed h im t igh t ly t o h is b ack w it h Xiao Xiao’s h elp , t h en r u sh ed

ou t sid e w it h on ly on e t h ou gh t on h is m in d , Yuhao di dn’ t w ant anyone el se t o
see hi m l i k e t h i s, so I have t o f ul f i l l hi s w i sh. H e r an t ow ar ds t he dor m s w i t h
qui ck st r i des.
On l y af t er W an g Don g h ad l ef t di d Xi ao Xi ao r eact . Sh e h ur r i edl y ch ased af t er

W an g Don g, st oppi n g on l y af t er t h ey’ d r each ed t h e dor m i t or y ar ea.
H uo Yuh ao’ s ph ysical body h ad f ai n t ed, but h i s con sci ousn ess h ad been
dr agged back i n t o h i s Spi r i t ual Sea. M or eover , h e w as except i on al l y cl ear -
h eaded.
“ Ol d f el l a, just w h o ar e you? W h y do you w an t t o f i gh t over t er r i t or y w i t h

m e?” T h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m gr um bl ed.
T h e gr ay l i gh t di dn ’ t w i t h dr aw , n or di d i t en cr oach upon t h e Sk ydr eam

I cew or m .
“ T h i s ol d m an , f i gh t w i t h you over t er r i t or y? W h o do you t h i n k you ar e?

You’ r e just a f l esh y w or m . I f i t w er en ’ t f or t h e f act t h at I cur r en t l y on l y h ave a
t r ace of m y d ivin e sen se left , I’d t u r n you in t o fer t iliser in m er e m om en t s.” T h e
aged voice w asn ’t w illin g t o su b m it .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sp at , “Bu llsh it . If you t h in k you ’r e st r on g en ou gh ,

com e on ! Let ’s see w h o’ll get r id of w h o! Don ’t t h in k t h at t h is Br ot h er can ’t see
t h at you on ly h ave a st r an d of d ivin e sen se left . You d on ’t even h ave an y p ow er
left ! Do you r eally t h in k t h at you can b eat m e in a figh t b y you r self?”
T h e aged voice r ep lied d isd ain fu lly, “You ’r e r igh t ; t h is old m an on ly h as a

st r an d of d iv in e sen se left . H ow ever , t h is old m an ’s d ivin e sen se is on a m u ch ,
m u ch h igh er level t h an you r s. Can you even d o a n yt h in g t o m e? Even t h ou gh
m y d ivin e sen se h as b een sh at t er ed , you can ’t even t ak e on t h is sin gle st r an d of
it . T h in k ab ou t it : If I w er e t o gr a d u ally r ecover st r en gt h an d m em or ies, w h a t
w ou ld h ap p en t h en ? I’d cr u sh you r flesh y b od y, t h en slow ly squ eeze you u n t il
all of you r ju ice h ad squ ir t ed ou t ."
“You …” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m evid en t ly cou ld n ’t b eat t h e old m an in a w ar

of w or d s. H e w as in fu r iat ed t o t h e p oin t t h at a ll t en gold en b alls of ligh t h ad
u n ceasin gly b egu n t o su r ge w it h ligh t .
“T h is, w h at h ap p en ed ?” H u o Yu h ao w as flab b er gast ed . W h y h ad h is Sp ir it u al

Sea b ecom e so lively in t h is sh or t p er iod o f t im e?
T h e aged voice sp ok e t o h im in a m u ch w ar m er t on e, “Lit t le fella, t h is old

m an d id n ’t b elon g t o you r w or ld in t h e b egin n in g. I on ly r em em b er t h at , w h en I
w as ab ou t t o d ie, I b r ok e t h r ou gh t h e b ar r ier s of sp ace an d en t er ed you r w or ld
w it h on ly a st r an d of m y d ivin e sen se r em ain in g. I d on ’t k n ow w h y t h at
h ap p en ed , b u t it m igh t ’ve b een b ecau se of m y over ly st r on g sou l p ow er . W h en
t h at lar ge w or m fu sed w it h you , it cr ea t ed in t en se u n d u lat ion s of en er gy t h at
gu id ed m e t ow ar d s you . T h u s, m y st r an d of d iv in e sen se en t er ed you r Sp ir it u al
Sea. Don ’t w or r y, I d on ’t h ar b ou r an y evil in t en t ion s. H ow ever , I’m afr aid t h at I
w on ’t b e ab le t o leave you , even in t h e fu t u r e.”
“I’ve on ly b een left w it h t h is sin gle st r a n d of d ivin e sen se, so I’m ext r em ely
w eak . I n eed t im e t o slow ly r ecover a ll of m y m em or ies, b u t t h e r esen t m en t t h at
ap p ear ed in you r h ear t ear lier gave m e a fam iliar feelin g t h at fin ally w ok e m e
u p . I d on ’t r em em b er w h at h ap p en ed in m y p ast , b u t I can d efin it ely t ell you
t h at you sh ou ld n ’t let h at r ed clou d you r eyes. On ce you d o som et h in g
u n r ed eem ab le, you ’ll r egr et it t ill t h e d ay you d ie. Fu r t h er m or e, you w on ’t b e
ab le t o d o an yt h in g t o m ak e u p for it . Som et h in g sim ilar seem s t o h ave
h ap p en ed t o m e in t h e p ast . For t u n a t ely, you ’r e st ill you n g, an d you ’r e n ot t oo
st r on g yet . T h er e’s st ill t im e for you t o gr ad u ally d isp el t h e h at r ed in you r
h ear t .”
H u o Yu h ao’s voice ch an ged . “You ’r e sayin g t h at I sh ou ld n ’t get m y r even ge?”
T h e aged voice r ep lied in d iffer en t ly, “T h at ’s n ot w h at I’m sayin g. I’m sayin g

t h at you sh ou ld n ’t t ak e ou t you r an ger on p eop le w h o d on ’t d eser ve it . You can
st ill get you r r even ge, b u t d on ’t h ar m t h e in n ocen t . For exam p le, let ’s say t h at
t h e ch ief of a village h ar m s you . W ou ld you slau gh t er t h e en t ir e village if you
w er e st r on g en ou gh ? Did t h ose in n ocen t villager s com m it an y sin ?”
Un h ap p y, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m cr ied ou t an gr ily, “Oi, Yu h a o’s m y h ost . H e

d oesn ’t n eed you t o t each h im an yt h in g! Do you t h in k t h at t h is Br ot h er is ju st
air ?”
T h e aged voice r ep lied in an ext r em ely d isd ain fu l t on e, “You ’r e n at u r ally n ot

air , you ’r e ju st a lit t le b u g. T h is old m an ’s t oo lazy t o b ot h er w it h you , I’m goin g
t o con t in u e r est or in g m y d ivin e sen se.” Aft er sayin g t h is, h is at t en t ion sh ift ed
b ack t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. “I scan n ed t h r ou gh you r m em or ies. You h ave t oo
m u ch h at e b u ilt u p in you . You can d o as you w ish an d ven t you r h at r ed , b u t you
can ’t let t h is h at r ed fer m en t . On ce I’ve r ecover ed en ou gh of m y d ivin e sen se, I’ll
d o m y b est t o h elp you ou t . Let m e see w h at I can r em em b er ... Oh … ot h er t h an a
few b lu r r y b it s an d p ieces, it seem s t h at I can on ly r em em ber a sin gle p h r ase:
M y h an d gr asp s t h e su n an d m oon an d p lu ck s t h e st ar s fr om t h e sk y; t h is w or ld
h as n o on e else lik e m e. H ah a, h ah ah ah a .”
Chapt er 36.2: The Awakened Gr ay Color
Am id st t h e lou d lau gh t er , t h e gr ay ligh t w it h in H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sea

r eced ed lik e a t id e. Aft er a few secon d s, ever yt h in g ar ou n d h im h ad r et u r n ed t o
n or m al, an d t h e gr ay p ear l h ad r et u r n ed t o it s or igin al p osit io n .
“M y h an d gr asp s t h e su n an d m oon an d p lu ck s t h e st ar s fr om t h e sk y; t h is
w or ld h as n o on e else lik e m e.” M u t t er in g t h ese d om in eer in g yet som ew h a t
sor r ow fu l w or d s, H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t b e left st u n n ed for a m om en t .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m cu r sed in r a ge, “Bast ar d , b ast ar d ! T h at old fella

act u ally d ar ed t o ign or e t h is Br ot h er . H e even cu r sed a t m e! I w an t t o k ill h im , I
r eally w an t t o k ill h im !”
H u o Yu h ao w as jolt ed b y t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice, an d said som ew h at

h elp lessly, “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , you sh ou ld calm d ow n a b it . T h at old m ist er
d id n ’t seem t o h ave an y evil in t en t ion s.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m u n h ap p ily r ep lied , “W h at d o you m ean ‘n o evil

in t en t ion s’? W er en ’t you list en in g w h en h e said t h a t h e w an t ed t o cr u sh m e t o
d eat h ? T h is w on ’t d o. Yu h ao, you h ave t o qu ick ly r aise you r st r en gt h . H e’s a
p ar asit e in you r Sp ir it u al Sea, t h u s on ly you can d r ive h im ou t u sin g you r
sp ir it u al p ow er . Even t h ou gh h is d ivin e sen se is at an ext r em ely h igh level, h e
can ’t h u r t you sin ce h e’s a for eign ob ject in you r Sp ir it u a l Sea . On ce you r d ivin e
sen se r each es h is level, you ’ll b e ab le t o easily d eal w it h h im .”
H u o Yu h ao w as som ew h at h elp less. “Br o t h er Sk yd r eam , you ju st said t h at h is

d ivin e sen se w as at a ver y h igh level. H ow lon g d o you t h in k I’ll h ave t o
cu lt ivat e in or d er t o r each h is level?”
“T h is… let m e m ak e a few calcu lat ion s.” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m fell silen t .
Righ t n ow , H u o Yu h ao w as ext r em ely cu r iou s. T h e fact t h at an in t elligen t
sou l r in g w as in h is b od y alr ead y allow ed h im t o st an d ou t fr om t h e m asses, b u t
h e h ad n ’t exp ect ed t o ab sor b a st r an d of d ivin e sen se w h en h e’d fu sed w it h t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m . T h is w as h is Sp ir it u al Sea, an d t h ou gh h e w as far in fer ior
t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e old m an , h e’d clear ly b een ab le t o sen se
ever yt h in g goin g on in h er e. W h en t h at old m an h ad sp ok en t o h im , h e’d b een
ab le t o sen se t h e vicissit u d es an d sin cer it y in h is voice. Fr om t h at , h e’d b een
ab le t o t ell t h at h e t r u ly h ad n o in t en t ion of h ar m in g h im . Fu r t h er m or e, t h a t
st r an d of d iv in e sen se w as ext r em ely w ea k , so m u ch so t h at it w as even w eak er
t h an h is sp ir it u al p ow er .
H ow ever , w as h e t r u ly as w eak as h e’d seem ed ? H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t

t h in k of ever yt h in g t h at h ad ju st occu r r ed . T h at seem in gly-w eak gr ay d ivin e
sen se h a d t ak en con t r ol of h is sou l p ow er , t h en act ivat ed t h e at t ack t h a t h a d
d efeat ed W u Fen g. Even t h ou gh it h a d b een a Sp ir it u a l Sh ock , t h e gr ay ligh t h ad
b een ab le t o con d en se h is sp ir it u al p o w er in t o som et h in g t h e t h ick n ess t h e
st r an d of a p iece of h air , w h ich in t u r n h ad p ier ced t h r ou gh all of W an g Yan ’s
d efen ses an d d efeat ed h er w it h ou t act u ally h ar m in g h er . W as t h is level of
con t r ol som et h in g t h at h e w as ab le t o com p ar e t o?
If h e p ossessed t h is level of con t r ol over h is sp ir it u al p ow er , t h e st r en gt h of

h is sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l sk ills w ou ld in cr ease, as w ou ld t h e lev el of h is sou l p ow er
fu sion w it h W an g Don g—t o t h e p oin t t h at it ’d even b e sligh t ly excessive!
T h is w as t r u e con t r ol. H ow ever , h ow cou ld h e in cr ease h is level of con t r ol

over h is sp ir it u al p ow er ?
“Aih …” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m let ou t a lon g sigh , “I’ve d on e a q u ick

est im at ion . W it h you r cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion sp eed , even if I w er e t o
w h oleh ear t ed ly h elp you ou t , you ’d st ill n eed ar ou n d t h r ee t h ou san d year s for
you r d ivin e sen se t o cat ch u p t o h is.”
“W h at ?” Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao alr ea d y a h igh est im a t ion of t h e n am eless

old m an , h e’d m ost ly b een t r yin g t o p acify t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w h en h e’d
said t h a t h e w asn ’t as good as t h e old m an . H ow ever , h e n ever exp ect ed t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m , w h o r esen t ed t h e old m an , t o give h im an an sw er lik e t h is.
As h e w asn ’t on good t er m s w it h t h e old m an , it d efin it ely co u ld n ’t b e a lie!
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as ext r em ely h elp less. “W h y else w ou ld I b e

p ow er less t o d o an yt h in g t o a m er e st r an d of d ivin e sen se? I d on ’t k n ow w h er e
t h at old fella cam e fr om , b u t h is d ivin e sen se is on a m u ch h igh er level t h an
m in e. H e’s ver y w ea k n ow , b u t t h e level of h is d ivin e sen se h as alr ead y r each ed
a level I’m in cap ab le of com p r eh en d in g. H e’s alr ead y su r p assed t h e level of all
livin g b ein gs on t h is con t in en t . It t r u ly seem s lik e I can ’t d o an yt h in g t o h im !
On ly, I d on ’t k n ow w h et h er h e’ll h ave a n y com b at st r en gt h on ce h e’s r ecover ed .
W e’ll see, b u t h e sh ou ld n ’t h ave an y. H is d ivin e sen se is t h is w eak n ow , t h u s
even if h e d oes r ep air it , it ’s st ill ju st a st r an d .”
H u o Yu h ao m u r m u r ed , “T h en , h ow st r on g w as t h is old m ist er b efor e h is

d ivin e sen se sh a t t er ed ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m su lk ily r ep lied , “A level t h at you can ’t even b egin t o

fat h om r igh t n ow .”
H u o Yu h ao said , “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , t h is old m an h as n o evil in t en t ion s, an d

w e can ’t d o an yt h in g t o h im an yw ay. Sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, w h y d on ’t w e all ju st
live t oget h er p eacefu lly?”
“H m p h !” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sn or t ed an gr ily, clear ly u n h ap p y.
……
“You ’ve m ad e a m ist ak e; h is Bod y Sou l h asn ’t h ad a secon d a w ak en in g.” Eld er

Xu an m oved h is oily h an d aw ay fr om H u o Yu h ao’s ch est .
W an g Yan ask ed su sp iciou sly, “T h at can ’t b e. If h e d id n ’t h ave a secon d

aw ak en in g, w h y d id h is Sp ir it Eyes t u r n gr ay? Fu r t h er m or e, I clea r ly sen sed a
d iffer en t au r a fr om h im ! Even m or e so, h e d efeat ed a t w o-r in ged assau lt -t yp e
sou l m ast er . Eld er Xu an , w h y d on ’t w e t r y it ou t again on ce h e’s w ok en u p ?”
Aft er sen d in g W u Fen g t o t h e in fir m ar y, W an g Yan h ad d ism issed Class 1.
H e’d t h en r u sh ed over t o t h e in n er cou r t yar d an d fou n d Eld er Xu an , t h en
exp lain ed t h e sit u at ion of H u o Yu h ao’s p ossib le secon d aw ak en in g t o h im .
T h is t im e ar ou n d , even Eld er Xu an h a d b een left som ew h at st u n n ed . On e of

t h e m an y ad van t ages a Bod y Sou l h ad over ot h er m ar t ial sou ls w as it s secon d
aw ak en in g. A Bod y Sou l t h at cou ld ach ieve a secon d aw a k en in g w as a p eak
exist en ce am on g Bo d y Sou ls. M or eover , a Bod y Sou l t h a t a ch ieved a secon d
aw ak en in g w ou ld im m ed iat ely r each a n ew level. Becau se of t h is, h e’d h ast ily
follow ed W an g Yan t o H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s d or m it or y in or d er t o see
H u o Yu h ao’s con d it ion for h im self.
Som ew h at im p at ien t , Eld er Xu an r ep lied , “T h er e’s n o n eed t o b ot h er . Lit t le

W an g! I k n ow you ’ve b een st u d yin g Bod y Sou ls, b u t you can ’t b e con t en t w it h
su ch a sh allow u n d er st an d in g. Do you even k n ow w h a t h ap p en s w h en a Bod y
Sou l ach ieves it s secon d aw ak en in g? H e h asn ’t even r each ed t h e m ost b asic level
of a secon d aw ak en in g. H is sou l p ow er is st ill Ran k 17, m ea n in g t h a t it h asn ’t
ch an ged at all. If h e’d t r u ly h ad a secon d aw ak en in g, h is so u l p ow er w ou ld ’ve
r each ed t h e b ot t len eck of Ran k 20 at t h e ver y least . T h is k id can b e con sid er ed
t o b e q u it e t alen t ed , b u t h e’s st ill t oo old . H e w on ’t r each Ran k 30 b y t h e age of
t w elve, so t h er e’s st ill a gap b et w een h im an d t h e m ost ou t st an d in g st u d en t s
am on gst t h e fr esh m en . In t h e fu t u r e, d on ’t w ast e m y t im e w it h h im .” W it h
t h at , h e d r an k a m ou t h fu l of w in e an d left .
W it h a d ow n cast look on h is face, W an g Yan t old W an g Don g t o t ak e car e of

H u o Yu h ao, t h en p r o ceed ed t o leave as w ell.
It w as alr ead y la t e in t o t h e n igh t w h en H u o Yu h ao aw ok e. T h e p ain in h is

b od y h ad alr ead y d im in ish ed b y a lar ge am ou n t . M or eover , W an g Yan h ad also
b r ou gh t som e h ealin g m ed icin e over . H is in ju r ies w er en ’t ligh t , b u t h is b on es
an d in t er n al or gan s h ad n ’t b een in ju r ed . W it h t h e h elp of Sh r ek Acad em y’s t op -
r an k ed m ed icin es, h is in ju r ies w er en ’t m u ch of a p r ob lem .
W h at a soft an d w a r m feelin g. T o h is a st on ish m en t , H u o Yu h ao d iscover ed
t h at h e w as sleep in g sou n d ly at op W an g Don g’s b ed . On t h e ot h er h an d , W an g
Don g w as sou n d ly asleep w it h h is u p p er b od y lean in g on t h e b ed .
T h is w asn ’t t h e fir st t im e t h a t H u o Yu h a o h ad b een on W an g Don g’s b ed , b u t

it w as t h e fir st t im e h e’d slep t t h er e.
H u o Yu h ao w as gr eat ly t ou ch ed b y W an g Don g's act ion s. H e clear ly

u n d er st ood h ow m ysop h ob ic W an g Don g w as. Nor m ally, W an g Don g w ou ld n 't
even let h im sit at op h is b ed . Yet , h e'd act u ally allow ed h im t o sleep on h is b ed ,
d esp it e h is b od y b ein g cover ed in d u st fr o m t h e Sou l Du el.
Aft er q u iet ly get t in g u p fr om t h e b ed , h e car efu lly p ick ed W an g Don g u p an d

p laced h im on t h e b ed . T u r n in g h is h ead , h e glan ced t ow ar d s h is w ood en b ed
t h at d id n ’t even h av e a m at t r ess. H e gen t ly p laced W an g Don g on t h e fu r -coat ed
m at t r ess a n d sh u ffled h im ar ou n d b efor e lyin g d ow n n ext t o h im .
T h e t w o of t h em w er e sligh t ly cr am p ed , b ein g t oget h er on t h e sam e b ed , b u t

t h ey w er e st ill k id s. T h ey w er en ’t as fat as Xie H u an yu e, so squ eezin g t oget h er
w as st ill p ossib le, t h ou gh on ly b ar ely.
H u o Yu h ao t h en p u lled t h e cover over b ot h of t h em . W it h a w ar m feelin g in

h is h ear t , h e fell asleep again . It h a d b een a lon g t im e sin ce h e’d h ad su ch a
r elaxin g n igh t of sleep w it h ou t cu lt iva t in g. At t h a t m om en t , h e com p let ely
r elaxed fr om t h e var iou s em ot ion s h e’d exp er ien ced d u r in g t h e d ay.
M or n in g. T h e sk y ou t sid e slow ly b r igh t en ed .
As W an g Don g slow ly w ok e u p fr om h is sleep , h e slow ly cam e b ack t o h is

sen ses w it h h is eyes st ill closed . H ow com f or t abl e! W hat a n i ce sl eep I had.
Af t er bei ng dr agged al ong by t hat f el l a t o cul t i vat e ever y ni gh t , i t ’ s been such

a l ong t i m e si nce I ’ ve had such a ni ce ni ght of sl eep. I t f eel s so ni ce t o sn uggl e
t hi s w ar m an d cozy pi l l ow , an d t o sl eep so soun dl y. H ol di ng t hi s pi l l ow i s so
w ar m . Ni ce... Ni ce….
Filled w it h con t en t m en t , W an g Don g n ear ly fell b ack asleep . Su d d en ly, h is
m in d sh ook , r em em b er in g som et h in g.
T hat ’ s not r i ght ! H uo Yuhao w as i njur ed yest er day, so I shoul d’ ve been t ak i ng

car e of hi m ! H ow di d I m anage t o sl eep so com f or t abl y?
Rem em ber i n g t h e i n jur ed H uo Yuh ao, W an g Don g i m m edi at el y w ok e up an d

open ed h i s eyes.
T h e f i r st t h i n g h e saw w as t h e sh ape of a f ace. Soun dl y asl eep, H uo Yuh ao's

ch eek s w er e r uddy un der t h e m or n i n g sun l i gh t . A st r on g aur a of w ar m t h sl ow l y
em an at ed of f of h i m .
W an g Don g w as t h or ough l y st un n ed. H e di scover ed t h at h i s h ead w as

cur r en t l y l ean i n g agai n st t h at per son ’ s sh oul der . H i s ar m , on t h e ot h er h an d,
w as l at ch ed on t o h i s ch est , an d i t w as even gr i pped t i gh t l y. H i s t h i gh w as over
t h at per son ’ s l eg, an d h e’ d even h ook ed h i s h eel on t o h i s out er t h i gh i n or der t o
pr even t h i m sel f f r om f al l i n g.
T h i s, w as t h i s a body pi l l ow ?
H i s m i n d t ur n ed bl an k . T h r ee, t w o, on e...
“ AH —” An ear -pi er ci n g scr eech sudden l y r an g out t h r ough t h e f i r st year

dor m s.
T h i s scr eech w as si m pl y t oo l oud. Even t h ough t h e dor m r oom s h ad

ext r em el y good soun dpr oof i n g, i t i n st an t l y jol t ed a l ar ge am oun t of f i r st year s
w h o w er e cul t i vat i n g or sl eepi n g aw ak e.
“ Ai yah , you’ r e gon n a m ak e m e f al l t o deat h .”
H um an s w er e al w ays def en sel ess w h en t h ey w er e asl eep, an d H uo Yuh ao w as

n o except i on t o t h i s. H e’ d been sl eepi n g ver y soun dl y, an d h e’ d on l y f el t a
w ar m , sof t ‘ pi l l ow ’ t h at r el eased a f r esh odor st i ck i n g t o h i m . W i t h t h e sof t yet
t h ick fu r -coat ed m at t r ess h e’d slep t on , h e’d slep t ver y sou n d ly. Nor m ally, h e’d
alr ead y b e aw ak e in or d er t o cu lt ivat e t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes. H ow ever , h e’d
slep t esp ecially sou n d ly t od ay.
Chapt er 36.3: The Awakened Gr ay Color
H ow ever , h e su d d en ly felt lik e h e’d soar ed in t o t h e sk y. T h e or igin ally w ar m

feelin g h e’d h ad su d d en ly b ecam e ch illy.
Im m ed iat ely aft er w a r d s...
“Pu t on g!” T h e w ar m sen sat ion t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad felt fr om t h e b lan k et

su d d en ly t u r n ed in t o t h at of t h e cold , h ar d floor as h e w as sh oved ou t of t h e b ed .
H e h it t h e cor n er of h is b ed follow ed b y t h e gr ou n d . T h e sou n d ly sleep in g H u o
Yu h ao on ly felt t h e w or ld su d d en ly in ver t as h e fell t o t h e gr ou n d , con fu sed , an d
let ou t a yell.
H ow ever , h is yell w as d r ow n ed ou t b y W an g Don g’s sh ar p scr eech . As h e

w ok e u p , h e felt a cold sh iver r u n u p h is sp in e. H e look ed u p , on ly t o see W a n g
Don g—h is b lan k et t igh t ly clu t ch ed again st h is ch est —glar in g at h im w it h a
viciou s ligh t in h is eyes. H is lar ge eyes seem ed alm ost lik e t h ey cou ld sp ew fir e,
ju st lik e W u Fen g yest er d ay.
“W h at ’r e you d oin g?” H u o Yu h ao m assaged h is sor e ch est as h e got u p fr om

t h e floor .
W an g Don g’s ch illy voice seem ed t o b e for ced t h r ou gh t h e gap s in h is t eet h as

h e en u n cia t ed each w or d h e said , “W h y. W er e. You . Sleep in g. In . M y. Bed ?”
H u o Yu h ao st ar ed b lan k ly. H e im m ed ia t ely r ealised w h at h ad gon e w r on g:

Clear ly, W an g Don g h ad n ’t b een w illin g t o sleep t oget h er w it h h im . H ow ever ,
h is good sleep fr om t h e p r eviou s n igh t h ad cau sed h is m in d t o b e esp ecially
clear .
“Ah ? H ow w ou ld I k n ow ? W asn ’t I figh t in g w it h W u Fen g yest er d ay? T h e

on ly t h in g I r em em b er aft er t h a t is b ein g k ick ed aw ak e b y you .”
“Ah ?” W an g Don g w as left flab b er gast ed at t h is as w ell. Righ t ! H u o Yu h ao
h ad fain t ed aft er h is m at ch w it h W u Fen g, an d h ad con t in u ed t o sleep all t h e
w ay u n t il n ow .
“W h y’d I en d u p in you r b ed in t h e fir st p lace?” H u o Yu h ao look ed at W an g

Don g, a d u m b st r u ck exp r ession on h is face.
W an g Don g’s exp r ession r ed d en ed , an d h e su lk ily said , “Nat u r ally, b ecau se of

m y good in t en t ion s! I w as w or r ied t h at you ’d cat ch a cold sin ce you w er e
in ju r ed !”
H u o Yu h ao r olled h is eyes. “T h en w h y d id you k ick m e ou t of it ?”
“I…” W an g Don g h ad n ’t exp ect ed H u o Yu h ao t o b lam e h im . H ow ever , h e

t r u ly w asn ’t clea r a s t o w h at h ad h ap p en ed . T h e on ly t h in g h e r em em b er ed
d oin g yest er d ay w as look in g aft er H u o Yu h ao. Aft er t h at , h e’d got t en t ir ed as
w ell, t h en h a d fallen asleep . H ow ever , h e d id n ’t r em em b er clim b in g in t o h is
b ed ! Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d even gon e u n d er t h e b lan k et an d h u gged H u o Yu h ao!
T h is w as sim p ly t oo em b ar r assin g...
H u o Yu h ao h u m p h ed an d t u r n ed t o look at t h e sk y ou t sid e. Ign or in g W an g

Don g, h e op en ed t h e w in d ow . It w as ju st ab ou t t im e for h im t o b egin cu lt ivat in g
t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes for t h e d ay.
W an g Don g gr ew in cr easin gly b ew ild er ed as h e sat u p on h is b ed . Di d I

subconsci ousl y cl i m b up i nt o m y bed and go t o sl eep af t er I got t i r ed?
T h i s seem ed t o be t h e on l y l ogi cal expl an at i on t o W an g Don g.
T hat k i ck w as qui t e har d. I s he r eal l y ok ay?
Af t er t h i n k i n g t o t h i s poi n t , h e jum ped of f t h e bed. Som ew h at em bar r assed,

h e sai d, “ Yuh ao, sor r y! I f or got t h at you w er e sl eepi n g i n m y bed l ast n i gh t w h en
I w ok e up. You k now h ow m ysoph obic I am . W h en I saw t h at t h er e w as
som eon e n ext t o m e w h en I got up, I subcon sci ousl y… pl ease don ’ t be an gr y!
Does your i n jur y st i l l h ur t ?”
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t u t t er a w or d in r esp on se. In st ead , h is gaze w as fixed on a
d ist an t p at ch of w h it e in t h e east er n sk y. H e t ook a d eep b r eat h , t h en exh aled
slow ly.
Becau se of t h is, W an g Don g w as u n d er t h e im p r ession t h at H u o Yu h ao w as

t r u ly an gr y. H e silen t ly st ood in t h e cor n er an d w ait in g for H u o Yu h ao t o fin ish
cu lt ivat in g t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes. T h ou gh h e’d alr ead y en t er ed t h e T an g Sect ,
h e h ad n ’t yet b egu n cu lt ivat in g t h e T an g Sect ’s secr et t ech n iq u es alon gsid e H u o
Yu h ao.
Aft er fin ish in g h is cu lt ivat ion of t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, a p u r p le glow b r iefly

su r ged t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s eyes as h e st ood u p . Of all t h e t ech n iq u es h e w as
cu r r en t ly cu lt iva t in g, t h e on e t h a t h e’d im p r oved t h e m ost in w as d efin it ely t h e
Pu r p le Dem on Eyes; h is p r ogr ess in it w a s com p ar ab le t o t r av er sin g a t h ou san d
m iles in a sin gle d ay. H is Sp ir it Eyes an d t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes com p lem en t ed
each ot h er ext r em ely w ell, w h ich allow ed h im t o im p r ove a lar ge am ou n t ever y
d ay. T h is h ad h eld even t r u er ever sin ce h e’d en t er ed t h e T ot alit y r ealm of t h e
Pu r p le Dem on Eyes. Becau se of t h is, h is fou r sou l sk ills’ st r en gt h h ad also
in cr eased alon g w it h t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes. T h is w as t h e m ain r eason w h y t h e
d ist an ce, p r ecision , an d ju d gem en t of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion h ad im p r oved so
qu ick ly.
“W h at ? You st ill ar en ’t sh ow er in g yet ?” H u o Yu h ao w alk ed ou t sid e

u n h ap p ily.
“Yu h ao, d on ’t b e an gr y! I r eally d id n ’t d o it on p u r p ose.” W an g Don g said , a

p it ifu l exp r ession on h is face.
H u o Yu h ao w as in w ar d ly joyou s, b u t h e p u t on a m agn an im ou s ap p ear an ce

an d said , “W h at ever , it ’s n ot lik e it ’s t h e fir st t im e I’ve exp er ien ced t h is b ad
h ab it of you r s. You call you r self a gu y, b u t w h y d o you h ave t o b e so clean ? You
even h ave t h at sw eet sm ell on you . Look , w h er e you k ick ed m e d oesn ’t h u r t
an ym or e. Qu ick ly sh ow er , w e’ll cu lt iva t e for a w h ile aft er w e eat b r eak fast sin ce
w e w ast ed last n igh t ’s cu lt ivat ion t im e.”
T h e issu e h ad sm oot h ly b een sw ep t aw ay b ecau se of H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s.
Aft er t h e t w o sh ow er ed , t h ey p u t on a set of clean u n ifor m s, t h en at e b r eak fast .
Aft er b ecom in g a cor e d iscip le, on e w ou ld r eceive a b ad ge sp ecially m ean t for

cor e d iscip les. T h e b ad ge w as d ar k gr een an d h ad a gold en b or d er . Even t h ou gh
H u o Yu h ao w as cu r r en t ly on ly ab le t o en joy t h e t r eat m en t of a cor e d iscip le,
h e’d st ill b een given a b ad ge. On ly, h e h ad t o r et u r n t h e b ad ge on ce t h e sch ool
year h ad en d ed .
W it h t h e cor e d iscip le b ad ge, t h ey w er e t r eat ed com p let ely d iffer en t w it h in

t h e acad em y. As an exam p le, t h ey w er e ab le t o eat t h e b est t yp e of food in t h e
can t een . T h e n ou r ish m en t an d n u t r it ion p r ovid ed b y t h is food w as gu ar an t eed ,
an d even p r ovid ed a cer t ain am ou n t of h elp t ow ar d s t h eir cu lt ivat ion s. T h e t w o
of t h em at e a h ear t y m eal, t h en r et u r n ed t o t h eir d or m r oom t o cu lt ivat e for a
w h ile. Aft er w ar d s, t h ey h ead ed t ow ar d s Class 1.
T h er e w er e alr ead y q u it e a few p eop le alr ead y in t h e classr oom b y t h e t im e

t h ey ar r ived . H ow ever , t h e en t ir e classr oom in st an t ly t u r n ed silen t w h en t h e
t w o of t h em en t er ed . Ever yon e p r esen t ’s gaze h ad in st an t ly focu sed on H u o
Yu h ao, w h o act ed as if n ot h in g h ad h ap p en ed .
In t u r n , H u o Yu h ao’s gaze w as aim ed t ow ar d s W u Fen g’s seat . H ow ever , W u

Fen g h ad n ’t sh ow n u p yet . H e calm ly w alk ed t ow ar d h is seat alon gsid e W an g
Don g an d sat d ow n . Aft er w ar d , h e d iscover ed t h at a t r ace of r ever en ce w as n ow
p r esen t w it h in t h e gazes of m an y of t h e st u d en t s look in g t ow ar d s h im .
T h e fact s h ad alr ea d y p r esen t ed t h em selves. Yest er d ay’s figh t h ad sh ak en

p r act ically all of t h e st u d en t s; even Dai H u ab in h ad n ’t b een a n excep t ion . Of t h e
fou r classes w it h in Year 1, Class 1 h ad t h e h igh est level of st r en gt h . In t u r n , t h e
st r on gest st u d en t s w it h in Class 1 w ou ld n at u r ally b e t h e cor e d iscip les.
T h e p er son t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad d efeat ed w as a cor e d iscip le! In ot h er w or d s,

h is st r en gt h w as co m p ar ab le t o a cor e d iscip le’s, at t h e ver y least . M or eover , h e
w as st ill on ly a on e-r in ged Sou l M ast er . W h at if h e b ecam e a t w o-r in ged Sou l
Gr an d m ast er ? Ad va n cin g fr om t h e on e-r in ged r a n k t o t h e t w o-r in ged r an k w as
m u ch easier t h a n fr om t h e t w o-r in ged t o t h e t h r ee-r in ged r an k . At t h at t im e,
w ou ld n ’t h e b e even st r on ger ?
T h e st u d en t s w h o’d p r eviou sly look ed d ow n on h is t en year sou l r in g h a d

b ecom e m u ch m or e w ell-b eh aved t od ay. At t h e ver y least , n o on e h ad look s of
d isd a in p r esen t in t h eir eyes as t h ey look ed t ow ar d s h im .
H u o Yu h ao h ad w an t ed an effect ju st lik e t h is. Even if h e’d lost yest er d ay, h e

st ill w ou ld ’ve b een ab le t o aw e a lar ge n u m b er of st u d en t s b y in ju r in g W u Fen g
t o su ch a d egr ee. H e w an t ed t o st u d y in Sh r ek Acad em y for at least six year s,
h op efu lly even m or e. If ever yon e h eld h im in con t em p t , h is m en t al st at e w ou ld
d efin it ely b e affect ed . If t h a t h ap p en ed , h ow w ou ld h e even cu lt iva t e w it h p eace
of m in d !?
T h e class b ell r an g, an d t h e t w o t each er s, W an g Yan an d Zh ou Yi, w alk ed in

ju st in t im e for class t o st ar t .
Zh ou Yi’s aged face seem ed ver y ser en e, b u t h er gaze w as as sh ar p as a b lad e

as sh e cold ly sw ep t it acr oss t h e class. T h e st u d en t s w h o w er e or igin ally fr om
t h e ot h er classes d id n ’t t h in k m u ch of it , b u t t h e or igin al st u d en t s of Class 1
in w ar d ly sh u d d er ed ; t h ey k n ew t h at t h is p er ver t ed old gr a n d m a w as ab ou t t o
sh ow h er au t h or it y.
T h e fact s p r oved t o b e ju st as t h ey’d p r ed ict ed . W h en W a n g Yan h ad t old

Zh ou Yi ab ou t t h e p r eviou s d ay’s in cid en t , h e’d b een sh ow er ed w it h a b ar r age of
r ep r im an d s. W an g Yan ’s st at u s w it h in t h e Acad em y w as h igh er t h an Zh ou Yi’s,
yet sh e d id n ’t seem t o car e at all. Aft er sh e’d fin ish ed cu r sin g at W an g Yan , sh e
p er son ally left t o ch eck u p on t h e b ed -r id d en H u o Yu h ao, a n d on ly left aft er
ver ifyin g t h a t h e w as fin e. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao h ad st ill b een asleep at t h e
t im e.
W an g Yan st ood n ext t o t h e classr oom ’s en t r an ce, b u t d id n ’t w alk t ow ar d s

t h e p od iu m . Zh ou Yi w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e p od iu m b y h er self. Sh e sw ep t h er cold
gaze acr oss t h e en t ir e classr oom , w h ich cau sed even t h e st u d en t s t h at w er e
u n fam iliar w it h h er t o qu iet d ow n u n d er n eat h h er sh ar p gaze.
W an g Yan h ad n ever h eld a class t oget h er w it h Zh ou Yi. Ra t h er , h e’d on ly
h ear d of h er st yle of t each in g in p assin g. Aft er b ein g scold ed b y h er yest er d ay,
h e’d b een in w ar d ly an n oyed . H e t h ou gh t t o h im self, I w ant t o see how you’ l l
t ak e car e of t hese st udent s, w ho’ r e al l Ch osen.
“ Ever yon e, st an d up!” Zh ou Yi sh out ed col dl y.
As i f t h er e a h eat ed i r on h ad sudden l y been pl aced i n t h ei r ch ai r s, t h e or i gi n al

st uden t s of Cl ass 1 i n st an t l y st ood up. T h e ot h er st uden t s st ood up as w el l ; som e
of t h em qui ck l y, som e of t h em sl ow l y. I n t h ei r opi n i on , t h i s ol d l ady w asn ’ t as
l ar ge of a det er r en ce as W an g Yan . Even W an g Yan h ad been f or ced t o agr ee t o
W u Fen g’ s suggest i on af t er bei n g pr essur ed by h er yest er day. Just w h at coul d
t h i s ol d l ady do t o t h em ?
Zh ou Yi i ci l y sai d, “ Ver y good. T h er e ar e a t ot al of 67 st uden t s w i t h i n t h i s

cl ass, w h i l e on e per son h asn ’ t ar r i ved yet . 36 of you st ood up as soon as I
or der ed you t o, w h i l e t h e ot h er 30 or so st uden t s pr ocr ast i n at ed. I f I cal l your
n am e, st an d i n t h e cor r i dor as pun i sh m en t .”
“ H uan g Ch ut i an .” T h e f i r st per son sh e’ d cal l ed out w as H uan g Ch ut i an , w h o

w as al so cur r en t l y r ecei vi n g t h e t r eat m en t of a cor e di sci pl e l i k e H uo Yuh ao.
H uan g Ch ut i an w as f l abber gast ed. H e l augh ed. “ T each er Zh ou, you don ’ t
n eed t o be t h i s ser i ous. I sn ’ t i t just st an di n g up a bi t l at e?”
Zh ou Yi di dn ’ t bot h er w i t h an y super f l uous w or ds. W i t h a f l ash , sh e appear ed

i n f r on t of H uan g Ch ut i an an d gr abbed ah ol d of h i s col l ar . Af t er w ar ds, sh e
di r ect l y f l un g h i m out a w i n dow . Ot h er t h an a br i ef sh r i ek t h at r an g out f r om
out si de t h e w i n dow , H uan g Ch ut i an ’ s voi ce coul d n o l on ger be h ear d. Not on l y
w er e t h e st uden t s f l abber gast ed, even W an g Yan h i m sel f w as ast on i sh ed by
Zh ou Yi ’ s act i on s.
Zh ou Yi con t i n ued col dl y, “ Ye Yul i n , Yu Li n g, T an g Xiaoxi ao, Ouyang

H ai ya…” T h e ot h er 30 st uden t s w h o’ d st ood up l at e w er e al l qui ck l y cal l ed out .
Aft er lear n in g fr om H u an g Ch u t ia n ’s m ist ak e, n ob od y d ar ed t o ob ject t o Zh ou
Yi’s act ion s. T h e offen d in g st u d en t s ob ed ien t ly left t h e classr oom , on e look at
t h e six flick er in g sou l r in gs ar ou n d Zh ou Yi’s b od y b ein g all t h ey n eed ed t o
k n ow h ow lit t le of a ch an ce t h ey h ad .
Zh ou Yi in d iffer en t ly said , “I’ll n ow an n ou n ce t w o p ieces of in for m at ion .

Nu m b er on e: I’ll b e ch oosin g t h e class m on it or s of t h e class. T h e m on it or fr om
t h e Assau lt Syst em w ill b e W a n g Don g, an d t h e m on it or fr om t h e Con t r ol
Syst em w ill b e H u o Yu h ao. N u m b er t w o: Fr om t od ay on w ar d s, an yon e w h o
d ar es t o q u est ion a t each er ’s d ecision s w ill d ir ect ly b e exp elled .”
“T each er Zh ou , w asn ’t t h e class m on it or su p p osed t o b e elect ed ?” Dai H u ab in

su d d en ly ask ed .
Zh ou Yi look ed at h im cold ly. “I ju st said t h at an yon e w h o d ar es t o qu est ion a

t each er w ill b e exp elled . Sin ce you ’r e a cor e d iscip le, I’m u n ab le t o exp el you .
H ow ever , I w ill r eq u est t h at t h e Acad em y t r an sfer you ou t of Class 1. Dai
H u ab in , st an d u p an d leave t h is class.”
Chapt er 37.1: The Pr ot ect ive Hegemon Flower
Dai H u ab in w as st u n n ed . H e h a d n ’t exp ect ed Zh ou Yi t o b e t h is h ar sh , a n d h e

cou ld on ly st a r e b lan k ly for a m om en t . Befor e h e w as ab le t o r eact , Zh ou Yi h ad
ap p ear ed r igh t in fr on t of h im . Desp it e Dai H u ab in b ein g t h e st r on gest
in d ivid u al am on gst t h e fr esh m en , h e w a s st ill com p let ely p ow er less in fr on t of
t h e six-r in ged Zh ou Yi. H e follow ed in H u an g Ch u t ian ’s foot st ep s as h e w a s
im m ed iat ely t h r ow n ou t t h e w in d ow b y Zh ou Yi.
Zh u Lu ’s voice w as in t er m in gled w it h b ot h an ger an d ast on ish m en t as sh e

cr ied ou t , “T each er Zh ou , I can ’t accep t t h is!”
Zh ou Yi gr ab b ed ah old of h er an d flu n g h er ou t of a w in d ow as w ell. “If you

ar en ’t ab le t o accep t it , you can scr am t oo.”
T h e class h ad b een sh ak en w h en H u a n g Ch u t ian w as t h r ow n ou t , b u t n ow t h e

en t ir et y of Class 1 h a d b ecom e so silen t t h at even a p in h it t in g t h e floor w ou ld b e
h ear d . Even t h e st u d en t s w h o’d b een t old t o st an d ou t sid e in t h e cor r id or h a d
b een ab le t o h ear t h e com m ot ion , an d ever yon e h ad m om en t ar ily b een
over w h elm ed w it h sh ock . T h is cau sed t h e at m osp h er e in t h e r oom t o in st an t ly
t u r n gr a ve.
W an g Yan eyes w id en ed in ast on ish m en t as h e fin ally r ealized w h y Zh ou Yi

h ad n ever b een p r om ot ed t o a h igh -r an k ed t each er . H er , h er t em p er w as t oo...
“T each er Zh ou !” W an g Yan h u r r ied ly sh ou t ed .
Zh ou Yi ap p ear ed in fr on t of h im in a flash , sh ock in g t h e st u d en t s, w h o

t h ou gh t for a m om en t t h a t sh e w as ab ou t t o t h r ow T each er W an g ou t . H ow ever ,
Zh ou Yi on ly said icily, “T each er W an g, you ’r e t h e m ain t each er in ch ar ge of
Class 1, w h ile I’m t h e assist an t t each er . H ow ever , I h ave t h e q u alifica t ion s t o
car r y ou t m y p er son al t each in g p h ilosop h ies. As su ch , I’ll h a ve t o t r ou b le you t o
m ak e a r ep or t t o t h e Acad em y st at in g t h at t h e st u d en t s ‘H u an g Ch u t ian ’, ‘Dai
H u ab in ’, an d ‘Zh u Lu ’ h ave sever ely violat ed class d iscip lin e. Seein g t h at t h ey’r e
eit h er cor e d iscip les of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d or t em p or ar y cor e d iscip les, I’m
u n ab le t o exp el t h em . H ow ever , I’d lik e t h e Acad em y t o t r an sfer t h em ou t of
t h is class, as I r efu se t o t each t h ese t yp es of st u d en t s. At t h e sa m e t im e, W u Fen g
h asn ’t at t en d ed t h e fir st d ay of class, an d h asn ’t given a r ea son for h er ab sen ce.
T h u s, I’d lik e t o r eq u est t h a t t h e Acad em y t r an sfer h er t o an ot h er class as w ell.”
W an g Yan h u r r ied ly r ep lied , “T each er Zh ou , calm d ow n . T h ey’r e cor e

d iscip les!”
Zh ou Yi glar ed at h im icily. “In m y eyes, t h er e ar e on ly ob ed ien t an d

d isob ed ien t d iscip les; ou t st an d in g an d t r ash y d iscip les. T h er e ar e n o cor e
d iscip les. I’ve alr ead y d ecid ed t h a t t h ey n eed t o scr ew off. Now t h en , you can go
ah ead an d t each t h e st u d en t s in t h e classr oom . I’m goin g t o t each t h e st u d en t s
ou t sid e.” W it h t h a t , sh e t u r n ed an d left t h e classr oom .
Xiao Xiao w h isp er ed , “Yu h ao, see t h at ? T each er Zh ou ’s h elp in g you ou t for
t h e in ju st ice you ’ve su ffer ed . I lik e h er p r ot ect ion .”
W an g Don g’s evalu at ion of h er w as even m or e su ccin ct , “H er

d om in eer in gn ess h as b een exp osed !”
Zh ou Yi w as t r u ly d om in eer in g. In on ly a sh or t t h r ee m in u t es, sh e’d exp elled

t h r ee cor e d iscip les, as w ell as on e t em p or ar y cor e d iscip le. If it w er e an y ot h er
t each er in t h e Acad em y, t h ey n ever w ou ld ’ve d on e t h is. At t h is m om en t , even
W an g Yan felt t h a t sh e w as a lu n at ic.
H ow ever , it w as t r u e t h at Zh ou Yi’s act ion s h ad st u n n ed t h e st u d en t s of Cla ss

1. Ever y sin gle st u d en t p r esen t su d d en ly felt an ext r em ely in t en se sen se of cr isis.
Cor e d iscip les cou ld n ’t b e d ir ect ly exp elled b y a t each er , b u t t h e ot h er

st u d en t s cou ld b e! Aft er cor e d iscip les h ad b een u sed t o set an exam p le, w h o
w ou ld d ar e t o go again st T each er Zh ou ’s au t h or it y?
At t h is m om en t , t h e st u d en t s b ot h w it h in an d ou t sid e t h e classr oom all
su d d en ly b ecam e ext r em ely ob ed ien t .
T h e or igin al st u d en t s of Class 1 w er e alr ead y h avin g a m om en t of silen ce for

t h e st u d en t s t h a t ’d b een left ou t sid e w it h T each er Zh ou . T h ey u n d er st ood
T each er Zh ou ’s m et h od s of t each in g all t oo w ell. H ow ever , n ot on ly d id t h ey
feel joyou s t ow ar d s t h is m at t er , t h ey even felt a sen se of closen ess. T h ey all felt
t h at sh e’d ven t ed som e an ger for H u o Yu h ao; t h is w as eq u ivalen t t o ven t in g
som e an ger for t h e en t ir et y of t h e or igin a l Class 1!
W an g Yan b egan h is class w it h a h ear t fu ll of d ep r ession . Even if h e w an t ed t o

accu se Zh ou Yi of m iscon d u ct , h e’d h ave t o w ait u n t il aft er class t o d o so.
H ow ever , W an g Yan q u ick ly d iscover ed t h at t h e class’s at m osp h er e h ad
ch an ged .
Com p ar ed t o yest er d ay’s lax at m osp h er e, t h e r em a in in g t h ir t y or so st u d en t s

in t h e class w er e ext r em ely ser iou s, t o t h e p oin t t h at t h ey seem ed t o b asica lly b e
t h ir st in g for k n ow led ge! M or eover , t h e d iscip lin e in t h e cla ss h ad b ecom e so
good t h at h e b asically cou ld n ’t fin d a n yt h in g t o even b e fu ssy ab ou t .
H e cou ld n ’t h elp h is w ay of t h in k in g gr ad u ally sh ift in g b ecau se of t h is. I t

seem s l i k e bei ng som ew hat st r i ct i sn’ t t hat bad af t er al l !
Nat ur al l y, H uan g Ch ut i an , Zh u Lu, an d Dai H uabi n —w h o w er e cur r en t l y

cr aw l i n g up f r om t h e f i el d t h ey’ d l an ded i n —di dn ’ t f eel t h e sam e about Zh ou
Yi ’ s st r i ct n ess. T h e t h r ee of t h em w er e som ew h at dum bst r uck ; n ever i n t h ei r
w i l dest dr eam s h ad t h ey expect ed a si t uat i on l i k e t h i s t o occur .
Dai H uabi n h ad f el t l i k e h e h ad t h e qual i f i cat i on s t o be a cl ass m on i t or , as

W an g Don g w asn ’ t h i s equal i n t er m s of st r en gt h . H ow ever , h e’ d n ever expect ed
Zh ou Yi t o n ot car e about h i s cul t i vat i on or h i s i den t i t y, n or h ad h e expect ed h er
t o l i t er al l y t h r ow h i m out of cl ass. Fur t h er m or e, sh e’ d even k i ck ed h i m out of
Cl ass 1.
Of t h e fou r classes in Year 1, Cla ss 1 w as t h e st r on gest , an d w as also t h e cla ss
t h at sp ecialised in t each in g con t r ol-t yp e an d assa u lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s. If Cla ss 1
d id n ’t w an t h im , w h er e cou ld h e go? T h e on ly an sw er t o t h at w as Class 2.
H ow ever , Class 2 t a u gh t d efen se-t yp e an d agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er s! W h a t cou ld
h e lear n t h er e? M or e im p or t an t ly, t h is w as sim p ly t oo em b ar r assin g. As t h e son
of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e, h e’d act u ally b een k ick ed ou t of h is class! If it h ad n ’t
b een for h is st at u s a s a cor e d iscip le, h e w ou ld ’ve h ad t o sim p ly p ack h is b ags
an d leave. For a b r ief m om en t , Dai H u ab in w as so filled w it h h a t r ed t h at h e
clen ch ed h is fist s, r ead y t o exp lod e.
H ow ever , w h er e w as h e again ? T h is w as Sh r ek Acad em y, t h e con t in en t ’s

n u m b er on e acad em y. As a t h r ee-r in ged Sou l Eld er , h e w as d efin it ely an
excellen t figu r e am on gst h is p eer s. H ow ever , in a p lace lik e Sh r ek Acad em y,
w h er e exp er t s w er e lik e st ar s in t h e sk y, h e w as w or t h a far t ! Even if h is fat h er ,
t h e W h it e T iger Du k e, w er e t o p er son ally com e, h e’d h ave t o k ow t ow in fr on t of
t h e u p r igh t scu lp t u r es of t h e fir st gen er at ion Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. W h at
cou ld h e d o?
“H u ab in , w h at sh ou ld w e d o?” Zh u Lu w as som ew h at agit a t ed . As an agilit y-

t yp e sou l m ast er , sh e sh ou ld ’ve gon e t o Class 2 in t h e fir st p lace. H ow ever , sh e’d
b een sp ecially p laced in t o Class 1 b ecau se of t h e m ar t ial sou l fu sion sh e h ad w it h
Dai H u ab in . H ow ever , t h ey’d b een exp elled t oget h er . At t h e sam e t im e, h er
ar r ogan t t em p er w as n o less t h an Dai H u a b in ’s!
Dai H u ab in clen ch ed h is t eet h t igh t ly. “W e’ll follow t h e Acad em y’s

ar r an gem en t s. I’ll r em em b er t h is h u m ilia t ion . T h er e’ll b e a d a y, h m p h ….”
In t h e en d , W an g Ya n d id n ’t accu se Zh ou Yi of m iscon d u ct . Fu r t h er m or e, h e
d ecid ed t o st an d b y Zh ou Yi’s d ecision . At t h e en d of t h e d ay, t h e r em ain in g
st u d en t s in Class 1 h ad all en d ed u p b ein g ext r em ely ob ed ien t . T h eir lea r n in g
efficien cy w as also m u ch h igh er t h an an y class W an g Yan h ad ever t au gh t .
W an g Yan h a d n o ch oice b u t t o accep t t h e fact s t h at h ad b een p laced in fr on t

of h im ! H e ad m it t ed t h at , even t h ou gh Zh ou Yi’s t each in g m et h od s w er e
som ew h at r ou gh , sh e w as ext r em ely efficien t . W it h a p ar t n er lik e h er , h e’d
d efin it ely b e ab le t o p r od u ce a good b at ch of st u d en t s. Becau se of t h is, h e
d ecid ed t o h ave a p r ivat e con ver sat ion w it h Zh ou Yi b efor e h e w en t t o t h e
Acad em y t o r ep or t t h e issu e t h at h a d occu r r ed at t h e en d of t h e d ay. H e on ly h ad
on e con d it ion : H e w an t ed t o con t in u e t each in g Class 1 b esid e Zh ou Yi all t h e w ay
u p u n t il t h ey’d gr a d u at ed fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . Zh ou Yi agr eed .
“You ’r e m ak in g t r ou b le. Is t h er e an yt h in g good t h at I can say ab ou t you ,

Zh ou Yi? T h e classes h ave on ly ju st b een d ivid ed , yet you ’ve alr ead y cau sed su ch
a lar ge r u ck u s. Ar e you scar ed t h at t h ey d on ’t k n ow w h o you ar e? T h e fr esh m en
t h at you t au gh t w er e cu m u lat ively a b le t o ob t ain t h e b est r esu lt s in t h e
fr esh m en assessm en t , t h u s t h e Acad em y w as goin g t o p r om ot e you t o a h igh -
r an k ed t each er . An d yet n ow , you ’ve gon e an d d on e t h is. Don ’t you t h in k …”
W it h an an gr y exp r ession on h is face, Du W eilu n look ed t ow a r d s W an g Yan an d
Zh ou Yi, w h o w er e seat ed in fr on t of h im .
Zh ou Yi in d iffer en t ly r ep lied , “T h is is t h e w ay I t each m y st u d en t s. If I can ’t

b ecom e a h igh -r an k ed t each er , so b e it . Eit h er you get r id of m e, or I’ll con t in u e
t o t each lik e t h is.”
“You —” In a m om en t of an ger , Du W eilu n alm ost d ecid ed t o act u ally get r id

of h er . H ow ever , h e w asn ’t Zh ou Yi, n or w as h e as im p u lsive as h er . It w a s
w id ely k n ow n t h at t h er e w as a p r ob lem w it h Zh ou Yi’s w ay of t each in g, b u t on e
h ad t o ad m it t h at t h e w ay sh e t au gh t w as ext r em ely efficien t . T h e n u m b er of
in n er cou r t yar d st u d en t s t h at Zh ou Yi h ad n u r t u r ed w as m u ch h igh er t h an an
over w h elm in g n u m b er of h igh -r an k ed t each er s. Nat u r ally, t h e n u m b er of
st u d en t s sh e’d exp elled w as also t h e h igh est in t h e Acad em y.
W an g Yan h u r r ied ly t r ied t o sm oot h t h in gs over . “Dir ect or Du , p lease d on ’t

b e an gr y. Act u ally, T each er Zh ou w asn ’t r eally w r on g in d oin g w h at sh e d id .
T h ese n ew st u d en t s w er e over con fid en t b ecau se of t h eir t a len t , w h ich m ad e
t h em som ew h at r eb elliou s. T h ey’ll n ow b e m u ch m or e ob ed ien t aft er t od ay’s
lesson , w h ich in t u r n w ill b e ext r em ely ad van t ageou s for b ot h t h eir an d ou r
fu t u r e classes. Fu r t h er m or e, n on e of t h e st u d en t s t h at T each er Zh ou r em oved
w er e act u ally exp elled in t h e en d . T h ey st ill h ave t h eir id en t it ies as cor e
d iscip les, so t h ey’ll st ill b e ab le t o r eceive p oin t er s fr om in n er cou r t yar d
t each er s. M or eover , t h ey’ll st ill b e ab le t o con t in u e st u d yin g in t h e Acad em y, so
it w on ’t affect t h em t oo m u ch . As su ch , I su p p or t T each er Zh ou ’s st r ict w ay of
p r od u cin g b r illian t st u d en t s.”
Aft er h ear in g W an g Yan ’s w or d s, Du W eilu n ’s exp r ession b ecam e m u ch

b et t er t o look at . H e p oin t ed t ow ar d s Zh ou Yi, an d an exasp er at ed exp r ession
ap p ear ed on h is face. “Is t h er e a n yt h in g good t o say ab ou t you ? W h en w ill a
h egem on flow er lik e you b ecom e an y soft er ?”
Zh ou Yi, h er eyes as calm as b efor e, r ep lied , “W h en Fan Yu t h in k s t h at I’m

n ot soft en ou gh .”
W h en Du W eilu n h ear d t h is, h e felt lik e h e’d go cr azy if Zh ou Yi st ayed t h er e

an y lon ger . H e h u r r ied ly said , “Fin e t h en , you t w o can leave. Zh ou Yi, fr om n ow
on I w on ’t car e ab ou t an y r u ck u s you m a k e. H ow ever , t h is t im e, you ’ll h ave t o
follow t h is class a ll t h e w ay fr om Year 1 u n t il t h ey gr ad u a t e. If, b y t h at t im e, you
h aven ’t p r od u ced five in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les, I’ll fir e you .”
If Dai H u ab in , Zh u Lu , W u Fen g, an d H u an g Ch u t ian w er e st ill in Class 1,

W an g Yan w ou ld n ’t h ave t h ou gh t m u ch of t h is r eq u est . H ow ever , h e felt
u n cer t a in ab ou t t h is sin ce t h ey lack ed t h ese fou r cor e d iscip le-level st u d en t s.
H ow ever , Zh ou Yi d id n ’t r eveal an y w eak n esses as sh e r ep lied , “T h er e w ill

on ly b e m or e t h an t h at , n ot less.” Aft er sayin g t h at , sh e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d left .
Ever yt h in g h ad sm o ot h ly b een set t led .
As Zh ou Yi an d W an g Yan w er e m ak in g t h eir r ep or t t o Du W eilu n , H u o Yu h ao

w as w alk in g over t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t b y h im self for t h e fir st t im e.
Sin ce h e cou ld n o lon ger sell h is r oast ed fish an ym or e, t h er e w as n ow a t w o

h ou r gap b et w een t h e en d of class an d d in n er t im e. Aft er sayin g far ew ell t o
W an g Don g, h e h ead ed st r a igh t for t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
Fr om t od ay on w ar d s, h e w ou ld h ave t o lear n fr om T each er Fan Yu in t h e Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t .
W it h t h e gold en b ad ge Fan Yu h ad given h im in -h an d , H u o Yu h ao en t er ed t h e

Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t u n im p ed ed . Aft er w ar d s, h e w en t d ir ect ly t o T est in g Ar ea
12. As soon as h e op en ed t h e d oor , h e saw H e Cait ou b u sily m essin g w it h
som et h in g at op m et a l t ab le w h ile Fan Yu st ood b esid e h im , gu id in g h im .
“T each er Fan Yu , sen ior b r ot h er H e.” H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly w alk ed over , on ly

t o see H e Cait ou fid d lin g w it h a few m et allic p ar t s.
Fan Yu sm iled . “You ’ve com e? I h ear d ab ou t w h at h ap p en ed yest er d ay. Nice

job , r eal m en can ’t su r r en d er . Cait ou , b e a b it m or e car efu l. You ’ll h ave t o
h an d le it b y you r self for a lit t le w h ile.”
Aft er H e Cait ou gr eet ed H u o Yu h ao, Fan Yu led h im over t o an ot h er m et al

t ab le.
Fan Yu p u lled over a ch air , look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, an d said , “You ’r e m y

last d iscip le, so I’ll d efin it ely t each you in a w ay t h at ’s d iffer en t t o t h e ot h er
Acad em y t each er s. At t h e sam e t im e, ou r sch ed u le’s goin g t o b e m u ch t igh t er .
You ’ll h ave t o com e over h er e for at least t w o h ou r s aft er d in n er b efor e you can
h ead b ack an d r est . Do you h ave an y p r ob lem s w it h t h at ?”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied w it h ou t an y h esit at ion , “No p r ob lem , t each er . I’m n ot

afr aid of h ar d w or k ; I’ll d efin it ely st u d y h ar d .”
Fan Yu n od d ed . “You d on ’t n eed t o k eep t ellin g m e t h at you ’r e h ar d w or k in g.

Sh ow it t o m e w it h you r act ion s. Let m e ask you t h is: W h at ar e Sou l T ools?”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u m p ed ; h is u n d er st an d in g of sou l t ools w as lim it ed t o t h e

t w o t r ip s h e’d m ad e h er e.
Fan Yu d id n ’t seem t o h ave an y h op es of H u o Yu h ao an sw er in g h is qu est ion .

H e d ir ect ly an sw er ed h is ow n qu est ion , “Sou l t ools ar e w eap on s t h at sou l
m ast er s act ivat e u sin g sou l p ow er . Each an d ever y sou l t ool is in t im at ely lin k ed
t o a sou l m ast er ’s sou l p ow er . Even a st at ion ar y sou l t ool, w h ich n eed s ver y
lit t le sou l p ow er , isn ’t an excep t ion t o t h is. T od ay, I’ll b e t each in g you som e
b asic k n ow led ge ab ou t sou l t ools, w h ich you ’ll h ave t o r em em b er all of.”
“Yes.”
“It ’s im p ossib le t o t ell w h en sou l t ools w er e fir st cr eat ed , b u t t h e t r u e

d evelop m en t of sou l t ools b egan w h en t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t collid ed w it h
ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t . You sh ou ld k n ow t h e h ist or y of ou r con t in en t ; t h e
en or m ou s collision t h at cau sed a m assive w ar b et w een ou r t w o con t in en t s.
T h ou gh w e w er e ab le t o w in in t h e en d , t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t in flict ed
en or m ou s losses on t h e var iou s em p ir es w it h in ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t b y r elyin g
on t h eir sou l t ools.”
“W h y t h en , w as t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e ab le t o d evelop t h eir sou l t ools t o su ch

an ext en t ? Ot h er t h a n t h eir p ain st ak in gly h ar d w or k , t h e m ain r eason t h at t h ey
w er e ab le t o d o so w as b ecau se of t h eir r esou r ces. T h er e ar e m an y p r eciou s
m et als availab le w it h in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e, an d it ’s p r ecisely b ecau se of t h ese
p r eciou s m et als t h a t t h ey w er e ab le t o cr eat e excep t ion ally h igh qu alit y sou l
t ools. Over t h ese p a st few t h ou san d yea r s, t h e level of t h eir r esear ch in t o sou l
t ools h as gon e m or e an d m or e in -d ep t h . M or eover , t h e st r en gt h of t h e Su n
M oon Em p ir e’s Sou l T ool Ar m y h as alr ead y exceed ed t h at of a few of ou r Dou lu o
Con t in en t ’s em p ir es. As su ch , t h e m ain r eason t h at t h ey w er e ab le t o d o t h is w as
b ecau se of t h eir r esou r ces. In t u r n , t h e con flict b et w een t h eir var iou s em p ir es
w ill n ever en d p r ecisely b ecau se of t h eir n at u r al r esou r ces. H ow ever , t h e
st r en gt h of t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h as u n ceasin gly in cr ea sed d u e t o t h eir sou l
t ools. If it w er en ’t for t h eir lack of con su m m at e exp er t s, t h ey w ou ld ’ve alr ead y
b egu n an all-ou t w ar .”
“Becau se of t h at , sou l t ools ar e st r at egic w eap on s for t h e var iou s em p ir es on

t h e con t in en t . H ow ever , t h e fact t h at a sou l t ool r equ ir es a sou l m ast er t o u t ilise
it st op s an ar m y fr om b ein g ab le t o u se t h em on a la r ge-scale b asis. Ot h er w ise,
t h e con flict s t h at w o u ld ’ve occu r r ed w ou ld ’ve b een even m or e t er r ifyin g.”
“You sh ou ld k n ow t h at ou r Sh r ek Acad em y is t h e n u m b er on e acad em y on

t h e con t in en t . T h a t , h ow ever , r efer s on ly t o ou r Acad em y’s M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t ; ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t isn ’t t h e h igh est r an k ed on t h e
con t in en t .”
Aft er sayin g t h is, a ligh t seem ed t o flick er t h r ou gh Fan Yu ’s eyes.
“Ah ? W e’r e n ot ? Is t h e n u m b er on e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t in t h e Su n M oon

Em p ir e?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed .
Fan Yu n od d ed . “You ’r e cor r ect . T h e t op r an k ed Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t

b elon gs t o t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. It ’s k n ow n as t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y, an d it ’s sp ecia lised in b ot h n u r t u r in g sou l en gin eer s an d
r esear ch in g sou l t ools. Becau se of b ot h t h e ear ly st ar t t h ey got , an d t h e p r eciou s
m et als t h ey h ave access t o, t h ey h ave a lar ge ad van t age over u s. For exam p le,
t h ey w er e t h e fir st on es t o cr eat e st at ion ar y sou l t ools.”
“W e’ve alw ays b een ch asin g aft er t h e foot st ep s of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial

Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y, b u t w e’ve n ever cau gh t u p w it h t h em . H ow ever , I
b elieve t h at t h is sor t of sit u at ion w on ’t la st for ever . W e h ave ou r ow n ad van t age
over t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y, w h ich lies in t h e fact
t h at w e h ave far m or e t alen t ed sou l m ast er s.”
“T h e h eaven s ar e fair . T h ey gave t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e an ab u n d an t am ou n t

of r esou r ces, b u t t h ey d id n ’t give t h em t oo m an y t alen t ed sou l m ast er s.
H ow ever , it ’s d iffer en t for t h e cou n t r ies t h at or igin ally b elon ged t o ou r Dou lu o
Con t in en t . T h er e’s alw ays b een a sayin g in t h e w or ld of sou l en gin eer s: T h e
st r on ger a sou l t ool is, t h e st r on ger t h e sou l m ast er r eq u ir ed t o u t ilise it .
H ow ever , at t h e sa m e t im e, you n eed st r on ger sou l m ast er s t o cr eat e st r on ger
sou l t ools. T h is is t h e p at h t h at w e’r e cu r r en t ly follow in g.”
“Now t h en , I’ll give you a sim p le exp lan a t ion of t h e r an k s sou l en gin eer s h ave
an d w h at t yp es of sou l t ools t h er e ar e.”
“Sou l m ast er s t h at follow t h e p at h of r esear ch in g, cr ea t in g, an d u sin g sou l

t ools ar e collect ively called sou l en gin eer s. Sou l en gin eer s h a ve d iffer en t levels,
b u t t h eir t it les a r en ’t as com p licat ed as ‘Sou l Gr an d m ast er s’, ‘Sou l Eld er s’, ‘Sou l
An cest or s’, an d su ch t h at sou l m ast er s h ave. In st ead , w e sim p ly sep ar at e t h em
b y class. As su ch , w e h ave Class 1 t h r ou gh Class 10 sou l en gin eer s. Cu r r en t ly, t h e
st r on gest sou l en gin eer on t h e en t ir e con t in en t is Class 9; t h er e ar en ’t an y Class
10 sou l en gin eer s. Do you k n ow w h y t h at ’s t h e case?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead b lan k ly.
Fan Yu con t in u ed , “T h e d iffer en ce in class b et w een sou l en gin eer s is

d et er m in ed b y t h e class of t h e cor r esp on d in g sou l t ool t h ey can con t r ol. I’ll give
you an exam p le so t h at you can u n d er st an d w h at I m ean : If you can cr eat e an d
con t r ol a sou l t ool su it ab le for sou l m ast er s t h at ar e Ran k 10 an d b elow , you ’ll b e
a Class 1 sou l en gin eer . If you can cr ea t e an d u se sou l t ools t h at ar e su it ab le for
Ran k 10 t o 20 sou l m ast er s, you ’r e a Class 2 sou l en gin eer . Follow in g t h is r u le,
Class 9 sou l en gin eer s n eed t o b e T it led Dou lu o as w ell. As for Class 10 sou l
en gin eer s, t h e fir st st ep is h avin g a cu lt ivat ion of at least Ran k 95.”
“T h er e’s a lim it t o t h e am ou n t of en er gy a p er son h as. A sou l m ast er ’s

cu lt ivat ion is ext r em ely ar d u ou s; even p eop le w it h an ab solu t ely h eaven -d efyin g
am ou n t of t alen t h ave t o go t h r ou gh an u n t old n u m b er of d ifficu lt ies an d an
ext r em ely lar ge am o u n t of h ar d w or k in or d er t o sim p ly b ecom e a n in e-r in ged
T it led Dou lu o exp er t . Let ’s n ot even m en t ion t h e t im e t h ey’d h ave t o u se t o
st u d y an d r esear ch sou l t ools as w ell. Becau se of t h at , w h ile sou l en gin eer s ar e
com m on , h igh -r an k ed sou l en gin eer s ar e ext r em ely r ar e. Fr om w h at I k n ow ,
t h er e ar e on ly t h r ee Class 9 sou l en gin eer s w it h in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e.
H ow ever , t h e h igh est r an k ed sou l en gin eer w it h in t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e,
Sp ir it Lin g Em p ir e, an d St a r Lu o Em p ir e is on ly at Class 8.5.”
H u o Yu h ao ask ed in ast on ish m en t , “T h er e ar e even h alf r an k s?”
Fan Yu r ep lied , “T h a t Class 8.5 sou l en gin eer act u ally b elon gs t o ou r acad em y;
h e’s t h e Dean of ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . H e’s alr ea d y r each ed t h e T it led
Dou lu o r an k , b u t h e’s cu r r en t ly u n ab le t o cr eat e a p ow er fu l sou l t ool t h at on ly
T it led Dou lu o can u se. T h at ’s w h y w e call h im a Class 8.5 sou l en gin eer . T h e
r ealit y is, w e d on ’t h ave a sin gle Class 9 sou l en gin eer t h r o u gh ou t all t h r ee of
ou r em p ir es. Ever sin ce t h e h igh -sp eed d evelop m en t of sou l t ools, a Class 10 sou l
en gin eer h as n ever ap p ear ed on t h e con t in en t b efor e; it ’s on ly t h er e in n am e. If
a T it led Dou lu o m a n ages t o r each Ran k 95, h e r each es a t ot ally d iffer en t level.
T h er e m igh t n ot ev en b e a sin gle Ran k 95 exp er t am on gst t en T it led Dou lu o,
m u ch less on e w h o’s also a sou l en gin eer .”
“Now t h at you k n ow ab ou t t h e d iffer en t r an k s t h at sou l en gin eer s h ave, let ’s

t alk ab ou t t h e d iffer en t t yp es of sou l t ools. Aft er sever al t h ou san d year s of
d evelop m en t , sou l t ools h ave b ecom e in cr easin gly m at u r e. As su ch , sou l t ools
h ave b een sep ar at ed in t o t h r ee d iffer en t cat egor ies: close-com b at sou l t ools,
lon g-r an ge sou l t ools, an d st at ion ar y sou l t ools.”
“As t h e n am e im p lies, a close-com b at sou l t ools focu s on close-com b at , an d

allow a p ow er fu l offen sive or d efen sive sk ill t o b e u n leash ed via sou l p ow er .
Sp eak in g r elat ively, t h er e ar e ver y few sou l en gin eer s w h o u se close-com b at sou l
t ools. A lar ge m ajor it y of sou l en gin eer s d on ’t h ave m ar t ial sou ls t h a t ar e good
for com b at , so t h ey’r e som ew h at t im id in a close-com b at sit u a t ion . T h ou gh
close-com b at sou l t ools ar en ’t w eak , it ’s h ar d t o fin d a ch an ce t o u se t h em
again st ot h er sou l m ast er s at a sim ilar r a n k . Becau se of t h a t , m ost close-com b at
sou l t ools ar e u sed b y com b at an t s fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . On t h e
ot h er h an d , a m ajor it y of sou l en gin eer s u se lon g-r an ge so u l t ools.”
“You ’ve alr ead y seen Cait ou ’s d em on st r at ion ; h e w as u sin g a lon g-r an ge sou l
t ool. Lon g-r an ge sou l t ools d r ain m u ch m or e sou l p ow er t h an close-com b at sou l
t ools, b u t if t h ey’r e u sed sk illfu lly, t h ey can b e eq u ivalen t t o an ad d it ion al sou l
sk ill w it h an ext r em ely lar ge am ou n t of d est r u ct ive p o w er . W it h Cait ou ’s
cu r r en t level of con t r ol an d sk ill, even a fou r -r in ged Sou l An cest or m igh t n ot
h ave t h e u p p er h an d in a figh t again st h im . Nob od y at t h e t h r ee-r in ged r an k can
com p ar e t o h im .”
“Last ly, let ’s t alk a b ou t st at ion a r y sou l t ools. St a t ion ar y sou l t ools ar e t h e
m ost d ifficu lt of t h e t h r ee t o cr eat e, w it h t h eir m at er ial r equ ir em en t s an d
cr eat ion t ech n iq u es ab le t o b e d escr ib ed w it h t h e p h r ase ‘t o p er fect som et h in g
t h at ’s alr ead y ou t st a n d in g’. Ext r em ely com p licat ed for m at ion ar r ays h ave t o b e
car ved on t o t h e sou l t ool w h en it ’s cr eat ed , an d you a lso n eed t o u se sou l p ow er
as a sou r ce t o p ow er it . It h as t h e lar gest am ou n t of p ow er an d r an ge, b u t it
d r ain s t h e gr eat est a m ou n t of r esou r ces am on gst t h e t h r ee t yp es of sou l t ools.
Fu r t h er m or e, it h as an ot h er p r ob lem : Un lik e a lon g-r an ge sou l t ool, w h er e you
can u se you r sou l for ce t o lock on t o you r op p on en t , you h ave t o m an u ally aim a
st at ion ar y sou l t ool. T h is is t h e m ain r eason t h at I w as so in t er est ed in you r
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .”
“Ever sin ce t h e ad ven t of t h e u se of st a t ion ar y sou l t ools on t h e b at t lefield ,
t h e gap b et w een ou r t h r ee gr eat em p ir es an d t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h as b een
d ecr easin g, so m u ch so t h at it ’s p r act ically b ecom e n on exist en t at t h is p oin t . If it
w er en ’t for t h em b ein g afr aid of t h e fact t h at w e h ave even m or e con su m m at e
exp er t s t h an t h em , t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave en d u r ed for
so lon g. Becau se of t h at , t h e m ain focu s of m y r esear ch is on st at ion ar y sou l
t ools. On ce w e can a ccu r at ely la u n ch lon g-d ist an ce at t ack s w it h st a t ion ar y sou l
t ools, it ’ll p lay a cr u cial r ole in an y fu t u r e con flict s w e h ave.”
“Ot h er t h an close-com b at , lon g-r an ge, an d st at ion ar y sou l t ools, t h er e’s also
su b d ivision s of sou l t ools. For exam p le, t h e at t ack -t yp e, d efen se-t yp e,
illu m in at ion , an d ot h er su ch sou l t ools t h at I’ll gr ad u ally t each you h ow t o
cr eat e an d u se in t h e fu t u r e. Now t h en , w e’ll b e m ovin g on t o t h e last sect ion of
t od ay’s cr ash cou r se: T h e com p on en t s of a sou l t ool.”
W it h t h a t , Fan Yu st ood u p an d r et r iev ed a r ect an gu lar m et al b ox. T h e b ox

w as b lack , r ou gh ly a foot lon g, an d a s w id e as a fist . It w as sq u ar e-sh ap ed at t h e
t op , b u t ar c-sh ap ed a t t h e b ot t om .
Fan Yu fast en ed t h e m et al b ox t o h is left for ear m t h en m a d e su r e it w as sn u g.

Aft er w ar d s, h e t ap p ed it in an u n k n ow n fash ion , cau sin g t h e b lack b ox t o
im m ed iat ely b egin ch an gin g.
A ser ies of clan gs r a n g ou t as t h e b lack b ox b egan t o com p let ely cover h is left
for ear m . T h r ee p r ot r u sion s as t h ick as a t h u m b ap p ear ed ab ove it .
“T h is sou l t ool’s k n ow n as a Sleeve Can n on . It ’s a r elat ively com m on lon g-

r an ge sou l t ool, an d it ’s act iva t ed b y sou l p ow er . H er e, w at ch .”
W it h t h a t , Fan Yu r a ised h is a r m . T h r ee r ays of w h it e ligh t im m ed iat ely sh ot

ou t fr om t h e t h r ee m et al t u b es t h at h a d ap p ear ed , an d a st r on g u n d u lat ion of
sou l p ow er im m ed iat ely sh ot t ow ar d s t h e d ist an ce. T h ey st r u ck t h e d ist an t
m et al w all, in st an t ly cau sin g h alos of ligh t t o ap p ear in it .
“T h e p r in cip les b eh in d a sou l t ool ar e in fact , ext r em ely sim p le. Usin g sp ecial
m et h od s an d t ech n iq u es, t h ey t u r n sou l p ow er in t o d est r u ct ive en er gy. T h e
m ost com m on t ech n iq u e w e u se is com p r ession , an d t h e w ay t h at w e d o t h at is
b y u sin g For m at ion Car vin g.”
As H u o Yu h ao ca r efu lly ob ser ved h im , Fan Yu r em oved t h e Sleeve Can n on

fr om h is left ar m an d slow ly d ism an t led it . W h ile d oin g so, h e exp lain ed , “A sou l
t ool is m ain ly sp lit in t o t h r ee p or t ion s: t h e ou t er sh ell, t h e in n er sh ell, an d t h e
cor e. T h e ou t er sh ell is w h at you can see on t h e ext er ior of t h e sou l t ool. You
n eed t o u se t h e m ost d u r ab le an d h eat -r esist an t m et als t o cr eat e t h e ou t er sh ell,
so as so p r even t t h em fr om b ein g easily d est r oyed in t h e lon g t er m . On t h e ot h er
h an d , t h e in n er sh ell is d iffer en t ; t h e in n er sh ell’s m ost im p or t an t feat u r e is it s
ab ilit y t o m agn ify an d con d u ct sou l p ow er . Becau se of t h a t , it h as t o b e cr ea t ed
u sin g ext r em ely p r eciou s con d u ct ive m et als su ch as cr yst al-silver . At t h e sam e
t im e, t h e in n er sh ell’s ab ilit y t o m agn ify sou l p ow er allow s t h e u ser t o r ed u ce
t h eir con su m p t ion of sou l p ow er w h ilst u sin g t h e sou l t ool. It ’s b ecau se of t h is
t h at sou l en gin eer s b elow Class 7 ar e st r on ger t h an sou l m ast er s in a d r aw n -ou t
figh t . Last ly, t h e cor e of a sou l t ool is t h e m ost im p or t an t p ar t . It n eed s t o b e
cr eat ed u sin g t h e m ost p r eciou s t yp es of m et als an d gem s. Differ en t t yp es of
for m at ion ar r ays h ave t o b e act ivat ed u sin g d iffer en t levels of sou l p ow er , an d
cor r esp on d in gly, w e h ave t o ch a n ge t h e m at er ials u sed for t h e in n er an d ou t er
sh ells of t h e so u l t ool. T h e cor e can b e con sid er ed t h e m ost im p or t an t p ar t of t h e
sou l t ool, an d t h e car vin g of a for m at ion ar r ay is t h e m ost im p or t an t st ep for a
sou l en gin eer .”
“W h en w e d et er m in e t h e r an k of a sou l en gin eer , t h e m ost im p or t an t st ep is

t o look at t h e for m at ion ar r ay t h ey car ve. If you can car ve a fo r m at ion ar r ay of a
cer t ain r an k , an d you r ow n sou l p ow er h as r each ed t h at r a n k as w ell, you can
t h en b e con sid er ed a sou l en gin eer of t h a t r an k .”
“T h er e ar en ’t an y sh or t cu t s in lear n in g h ow t o car ve a for m at ion ar r ay. On ce

you ’ve fin ish ed m em or izin g t h e for m at ion t h at ou r p r ed ecessor s r ack ed t h eir
b r ain s t o cr eat e, you ’ll sim p ly h ave t o con t in u ou sly exp er im en t w it h a few
or d in ar y m et als. T h at ’s t h e on ly w ay t h at you ’ll b e ab le t o con st an t ly im p r ove.
On ce you ’ve lear n ed t h e var iou s t h eor ies of for m at ion ar r ay car vin g, you ’ll
fin ally b e ab le t o cr eat e som et h in g t h at can b e con sid er ed you r ow n . W h en t h a t
h ap p en s, you can gr ad u at e.”
“T h e m ost im p or t an t p ar t s of ou r r esear ch ar e r eflect ed t h r ou gh for m at ion

ar r ay car vin g, as it ’s m u ch easier t o p air an in n er an d ou t er sh ell w it h a
for m at ion ar r ay as t h e b ase. Cait ou h as a lot of t alen t in t h is field . Desp it e h ow
r elaxed h e ap p ear s t o b e, h e h as a sp ecial ch ar act er ist ic t h at h is p eer s d on ’t
h ave. T h at ch ar act er ist ic is h is con cen t r a t ion . If you w an t t o car ve an ext r em ely
d et ailed for m at ion a r r ay, you can ’t lack con cen t r at ion .”
“It ’s n ot as if you can ’t m ak e an y m ist ak es w h ile car vin g for m at ion ar r ays.
H ow ever , t h e few er m ist ak es you m ak e, t h e m or e d u r ab le you r for m at ion ar r ays
w ill b e.”
Aft er sayin g t h is, Fan Yu fin ally st op p ed . H u o Yu h ao, w h o seem ed t o b e d eep

in t h ou gh t , m ad e h im feel ext r em ely sat isfied , as h e cou ld feel a level of
con cen t r at ion fr om H u o Yu h ao t h at w as com p ar ab le t o H e Cait ou ’s.
Fu r t h er m or e, H u o Yu h ao’s facial exp r ession sh ow ed t h a t h e’d b een ab le t o
ab sor b t h e in for m at ion ver y qu ick ly; h e seem ed t o alr ead y h ave a cer t ain level
of u n d er st an d in g t ow ar d s sou l t ools.
A sh or t p er iod of t im e lat er , Fan Yu ask ed , “Do you u n d er st an d n ow ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed . “T each er , I u n d er st a n d .”
Fan Yu sm iled . “T h ese ar e t h e m ost b asic t h in gs t h at you ’ll h a ve t o lear n fr om

n ow on . Now t h en , w h at you ’ll fir st n eed t o d o is b u ild a solid fou n d at ion in
p r ep ar at ion of cr eat in g sou l t ools. T h is w ill t ak e q u it e a lon g t im e t o d o, b u t it ’s
a fu n d am en t al p ar t of b ein g a sou l en gin eer . T h e on ly w ay t h at you can b ecom e
an ou t st an d in g sou l en gin eer is b y layin g a solid fou n d at ion . You sh ou ld k n ow
t h at , as a sou l en gin eer , you ’ll h ave t o p er son ally cr eat e ever y sin gle sou l t ool
t h at you ’ll u se. T h is is b ecau se on ly you can u n d er st an d you r self t h e b est , an d
b ecau se you h ave t h e m ost con fid en ce in you r self. W e’ll st a r t b y t each in g you
h ow t o for ge m et al. If you w an t t o b ecom e an excellen t sou l en gin eer , you ’ll fir st
h ave t o b ecom e an excellen t b lack sm it h .”
Aft er h e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g, h e gave H u o Yu h ao a set of b lack sm it h in g

eq u ip m en t t h a t con t ain ed a fu n n el, a fu r n ace, an an vil, a for gin g h am m er , an d
m or e. Aft er w ar d s, Fan Yu b egan t o t each h im t h e ar t of for gin g, st ep b y st ep .
For gin g w as sep ar at ed in t o fou r m ain st ep s, as w as m or e or less t h e case for

all p r eciou s m et als. Even t h e b ase of a for m at ion ar r ay follow ed t h is p r in cip le.
T h e fir st of t h ese st ep s w as m at er ial p u r ificat ion . By u n ceasin gly h am m er in g

a m et al at h igh t em p er at u r es, on e w ou ld b e ab le t o exp el t h e im p u r it ies w it h in
it , in t u r n cau sin g it t o b ecom e m or e co m p act . T h e h igh er a m at er ia l’s p u r it y,
t h e b et t er it w ou ld p er for m . H ow ever , d iffer en t m et als h ad sligh t ly d iffer en t
m et h od s of p u r ificat ion .
T h e secon d st ep w as m old in g. W h ile som e m et als cou ld b e p ou r ed in t o a p r e-

m ad e m old , a lar ge m ajor it y of m et als h ad t o b e m old ed b y h an d .
T h e t h ir d st ep w as t em p er in g. T em p er in g w as a som ew h at com p licat ed

p r ocess, b u t m or e t h an an yt h in g else, it ’s som et h in g t h a t r eq u ir es exp er ien ce.
T h e last st ep w as p olish in g. M et icu lou sly p olish in g an d in scr ib in g m et al w as

t h e last st ep in cr ea t in g a sou l t ool; it w a s t h e p r ocess t h a t p er fect ed an alr ea d y
ou t st an d in g it em . H ow ever , on ce a cor e for m at ion ar r ay h ad b een p olish ed , a
for m at ion ar r ay w ou ld h ave t o b e car ved on t h e b ase.
On ce t h ese fou r st ep s w er e p er for m ed , an d all t h e n ecessar y p ar t s w er e

assem b led , a sou l t ool w ou ld b e cr eat ed .
It seem ed sim p le o n p ap er , b u t ever y sin gle st ep h ad ext r em ely st r in gen t

r eq u ir em en t s. An d r igh t n ow , H u o Yu h ao w as st ar t in g fr om t h e ver y fir st st ep
of for gin g—m at er ial p u r ificat ion . T h e sou n d of a for gin g h am m er sm ash in g
again st m et al b egan t o r in g ou t fr om Lab or at or y # 12.
At d in n er t im e t h at even in g, W an g Don g n ot iced t h at H u o Yu h ao’s h an d s
w er e visib ly sh ak in g.
“H ey, w h y’r e you r h an d s sh ak in g?” W an g Don g ask ed , p u zzled .
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied su lk ily, “You go an d sm ash a m et al h am m er in t o a m et al

b lock for over an h ou r , see w h at h ap p en s. If I h ad n ’t h ad m y M yst er iou s J ad e
H an d s, m y h an d s w ou ld cu r r en t ly b e fu ll of b list er s.”
As t h ey at e, h e gave W an g Don g a con cise exp lan at ion of t h e b asics of sou l

en gin eer in g t h at Fan Yu h ad t au gh t h im .
Aft er h e;d fin ish ed list en in g, W an g Don g h ad a d isap p r ovin g look on h is face.
“Ar en ’t you ju st cr eat in g m or e t r ou b le for you r self? T h at T each er Fan Yu said it
as w ell; on ce w e’ve r each ed t h e seven -r in ged Sou l Sage r a n k , sou l en gin eer s
sim p ly ar en ’t a m at ch for u s sou l m a st er s. W h y b ot h er ? You ’r e alr ead y laggin g
b eh in d in t er m s of cu lt ivat ion , yet you ’ve d ecid ed t o t ak e t im e off t o t r ain as a
sou l en gin eer . W on ’t t h is slow d ow n t h e r at e of you r im p r ovem en t even m or e?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead . “No. I h ave t o b ecom e a sou l en gin eer .” H e h ad

h is ow n t h ou gh t s in m in d . T h er e w er e m an y ch ar act er ist ics of a sou l en gin eer
t h at h e n eed ed . Fu r t h er m or e, Fan Yu h ad in for m ed h im t h at sou l en gin eer s
w er e b egin n in g t o b ecom e even m or e p op u lar t h an sou l m ast er s on t h e
con t in en t , even a t t h e h igh er r an k s. A sin gle sou l m ast er on ly h ad t h e com b at
p ow er of a sin gle p er son , w h ile a p ow er fu l, p eak -level sou l en gin eer cou ld cr eat e
a t er r ifyin g ar m y.
H is en em y w as cu r r en t ly t h e W h it e T iger Du k e an d h is w ife, w h ich w as

equ ivalen t t o m ak in g h alf of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e h is en em y! Even if h e m an aged
t o r each t h e T it led Dou lu o r an k , w ou ld h e safely b e ab le t o w in solely b y r elyin g
on t h e st r en gt h of a sou l m ast er ? Becau se of t h is, h e d id n ’t ju st w an t t o b ecom e a
p in n acle-r a n k ed sou l m ast er ; h e w a n t ed t o b ecom e a p in n acle-r an k ed sou l
en gin eer , so t h at h e cou ld for ge t h e st r on gest sou l t ools for h im self.
T h is goal of h is w a s st ill ver y far , far aw a y fr om com in g t o fr u it ion . H ow ever ,
H u o Yu h ao st ill h a d h is ow n sen se of p r id e an d con fid en ce. H e w asn ’t afr aid of
su ffer in g, an d in t u r n w as w illin g t o p u t in t w ice t h e effor t of an or d in ar y
p er son . On t op of t h ese t h in gs, h e a lso h ad t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ’s fir st ever
m illion year sou l r in g. T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad also t old h im t h at t h e
st r en gt h of h is m illion year sou l r in g w ou ld in cr ease a lon g w it h h is cu lt ivat ion .
Aft er eat in g t h e t op -r an k ed d in n er t h at cor e d iscip les cou ld eat for fr ee, H u o

Yu h ao’s b od y felt com for t ab ly w ar m ; an in d escr ib ab le sen se of r elaxat ion h ad
filled h is b od y.
W an g Don g w ip ed h is m ou t h an d said , “Let ’s h ead b ack an d r est for a b it .”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “I st ill h ave t o see T each er Fan Yu an d t r ain for an ot h er

t w o h ou r s, you can h ead b ack fir st . W e can m ed it a t e on ce I’m b ack .”
W an g Don g r u b b ed h is for eh ead . “H u o Yu h ao, you k n ow , som et im es I t h in k

t h at you ’r e a m ad m a n .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “A cu t e m ad m an ?"
J u st as t h e t w o w er e leavin g t h e can t een , t h ey b u m p ed in t o T an g Ya an d Bei

Bei. Seein g H u o Yu h ao, T an g Ya p at t ed h er in cr easin gly con sp icu ou s ch est lik e
sh e w as sigh in g in r elief. “Lit t le Yu h ao, I t h ou gh t t h at som et h in g h ad h ap p en ed
t o you . It ’s good t h at n ot h in g’s h ap p en ed , it ’s good .”
It t u r n ed ou t t h at T an g Ya an d Bei Bei h ad also h ear d ab ou t H u o Yu h ao’s

m at ch w it h W u Fen g yest er d ay. Sin ce h e h ad n ’t left t o sell an y r oast ed fish ,
t h ey’d assu m ed t h a t h e’d su ffer ed ser iou s in ju r ies. Aft er t h e t w o h ad t h ou gh t
ab ou t it for a b it , t h ey’d r ealised t h at it w as d in n er t im e. T h u s, t h ey d ecid ed t o
h ead over t o t h e can t een an d t r y t h eir lu ck ... ju st in t im e for t h em t o b u m p in t o
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, w h o’d ju st fin ish ed t h eir m eals.
H u o Yu h ao said , “T each er Xiao Ya, sen ior b r ot h er , I ap ologize, b u t I n eed t o

h ead t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ’s T est in g Ar ea t o con t in u e t r ain in g! I d on ’t
h ave t im e t o exp lain ever yt h in g t o you r igh t n ow . You can ask W an g Don g ab ou t
yest er d ay’s in cid en t sin ce h e k n ow s w h a t h ap p en ed .” As soon as h e’d fin ish ed
sp eak in g, h e h ast ily w alk ed aw ay. T h e fir st st ep s of on e’s jou r n ey w ou ld alw ays
b e t h e t ou gh est on es, an d h e w asn ’t w illin g t o give u p on h is t r ain in g in t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . T h u s, h e n at u r ally h ad t o m ak e t h e m ost of h is t im e.
Su sp iciou s, T an g Ya ask ed , “W h at ’s h ap p en ed t o Lit t le Yu h ao?”
W an g Don g lau gh ed . “H im ? H e’s a m ad m an . W ell, u sin g h is ow n w or d s, h e’s

a ‘cu t e’ m ad m an . W h en h e cu lt ivat es, h e h as so m u ch en t h u siasm t h at h e isn ’t
even h u m an an ym or e.”
W an g Don g exp lain ed yest er d ay’s issu es, as w ell a s t h e m at t er of H u o Yu h ao

b ecom in g Fan Yu ’s last d iscip le, t o T an g Ya an d Bei Bei. H ow ever , h e d ecid ed t o
k eep t h e m at t er of H u o Yu h ao b ecom in g a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t a secr et ou t of con sid er at io n for h im . Aft er all, t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t cou ld im m ed iat ely w it h d r a w h is t em p or ar y cor e d iscip le t r eat m en t
if t h ey w er e t o fin d o u t .
Aft er t h ey’d fin ish ed list en in g t o W an g Don g, T an g Ya an d Bei Bei look ed

t ow ar d s each ot h er .
Bei Bei sm iled b it t er ly. “I d id n ’t t h in k t h at ou r m a n y year s of h ar d w or k

w ou ld n ’t even am ou n t t o ou r ju n ior b r ot h er ’s t h r ee m on t h s. It seem s t h at
T each er Fan Yu h as act u ally t ak en h im in as a d iscip le. Xiao Ya, p er h ap s t h e
r esp on sib ilit y of r evivin g ou r T an g Sect w ill fall on t o t h e sh o u ld er s of ou r lit t le
ju n ior b r ot h er .”
T an g Ya n od d ed , som ew h at r elieved . “T h at ’s fin e t o. I w asn ’t r eally t alen t ed

at cr eat in g sou l t ools in t h e fir st p lace, so I w ou ld n ’t r eally b e ab le t o accom p lish
m u ch , even if I con t in u ed . It ’d b e b et t er if I focu sed on ou r T an g Sect ’s
t r ad it ion al h id d en w eap on s.”
W it h a p u zzled exp r ession on h is face, W an g Don g ask ed , “Sen ior b r ot h er ,

T each er Xiao Ya, w h at ar e you t w o t alk in g ab ou t ?”
Bei Bei said , “Bot h t h e r ise an d fall of ou r T an g Sect w er e b ecau se of ou r
h id d en w eap on s. Ever sin ce t h e h igh -sp eed d evelop m en t of sou l t ools b egan , ou r
T an g Sect b egan t o d eclin e in t u r n . Becau se of t h at , w e lost a lot of in com e. Aft er
t h in k in g it over , T a n g Ya an d I r ealised t h at t h e on ly op p or t u n it y w e h ave t o
r evit alise t h e T an g Sect is t o fu se ou r h id d en w eap on s w it h m od er n sou l t ools.
Becau se of t h at , b ot h of u s en t er ed t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . H ow ever , I’m a
cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , w h ile m y classes in t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t ar e a ll elect ives. Righ t n ow , I’m on ly a Class 1 sou l en gin eer . Xiao
Ya is ab le t o sp en d m or e of h er t im e over t h er e, b u t h er p er son alit y m ak es it so
t h at it ’s h ar d for h er t o focu s w h ile sh e’s st u d yin g an d r esea r ch in g. Sh e’s on ly a
Class 2 sou l en gin eer r igh t n ow , an d it w ill b e h ar d for h er t o ad van ce t o a Class
3 sou l en gin eer .”
T an g Ya in t er ject ed , “Bu t T each er Fan Yu ’s d iffer en t ! T each er Fan Yu is t h e

n u m b er on e gen iu s of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , as h e’s on e of ver y few Class 8
sou l en gin eer s t h at a r e r ar ely seen t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e con t in en t ! H e’s secon d
on ly t o t h e t w o Dean s of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , an d h e’s w id ely accep t ed a s
t h e on ly p er son in ou r acad em y’s en t ir e h ist or y cap ab le of b ecom in g a Class 9
sou l en gin eer . H e’s also t h e cu r r en t can d id at e t o su cceed t h e Dean . In essen ce, if
you can b ecom e h is d iscip le, you ’ve b asically en t er ed t h e in n er cir cle of t h e Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t . Not on ly w ill you r eceive t h e b est ed u cat ion , you ’ll also
ob t ain t h e all-ar ou n d b ack in g of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . Lit t le Yu h ao’s t r u ly
cap ab le! H e’s u n w it t in gly d on e som et h in g t h at w e’ve b een year n in g for . Bei Bei,
I t h in k t h at w e can t each Yu h ao t h e H id d en W eap on H u n d r ed Sep ar at ion .”
Chapt er 38.1: Huo Yuhao, a Class 1.5 Soul
Engineer ?
Bei Bei n od d ed sligh t ly. “Ou r lit t le ju n io r b r ot h er h asn ’t b een in t h e acad em y

for lon g, b u t h e’s d efin it ely m u ch calm er an d m or e h ar d w or k in g t h an h is p eer s.
H is p er son alit y is w ar m yet st u b b or n , w h ile h is fir st sou l r in g’s on ly a t en year
on e. H ow ever , if h e can fu lly d evelop in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , h e’ll
d efin it ely p lay a cr u cial r ole in t h e r ev ival of ou r T an g Sect ….”
T an g Ya in t er ject ed , “T h e T an g Sect ’s alr ead y fallen t o t h is p oin t in o u r

gen er at ion . If it d oesn ’t d evelop an y fu r t h er , it m igh t r eally com e t o an en d . If
t h at w er e t o h ap p en , h ow w ou ld w e face ou r an cest or s? W an g Don g, sin ce
Yu h ao’s gon e t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t t on igh t , you sh ou ld follow m e an d
b egin lear n in g t h e secr et t ech n iqu es of ou r T an g Sect . On ce I t each h im t h e
m ain p r in cip les an d cu lt ivat ion t ech n iq u es of ou r h id d en w eap on s t om or r ow ,
h is st u d ies w ill im p r ove en or m ou sly.”
W an g Don g look ed t ow ar d s T an g Ya a n d Bei Bei w it h a som ew h at h elp less

exp r ession on h is face. H e in w ar d ly t h ou gh t , I ’ m not a l i t t l e bee t hat ’ s as
har dw or k i ng as H uo Yuhao! I ’ m bei ng f or ced t o w or k har d! W h en h e r eal i zed
t h at h e’ d be dr agged i n t o cul t i vat i n g over n i gh t w i t h H uo Yuh ao—w i t h out
sl eep—h e coul dn ’ t h el p but sm i l e bi t t er l y.
T h e n ext day, t h e t each er s of t h e M ar t i al Soul Depar t m en t w er e i n f or m ed

t h at t h e f i r st year st uden t s Dai H uabi n , Zh u Lu, H uan g Ch ut i an , an d W u Fen g
w oul d be t r an sf er r ed t o Cl ass 2 i n or der t o con t i n ue t h ei r st udi es.
T h ey’ d un doubt edl y r ai sed a f ew appeal s. H ow ever , Sh r ek Academ y w as st i l l

Sh r ek Academ y. Regar dl ess of your i den t i t y, ever yon e w oul d be t r eat ed equal l y
w h i l e st udyi n g h er e. T h e academ y w oul d f i r st an d f or em ost r espect t h e
deci si on s of i t s t each er s, n ot t o m en t i on h ow T each er W an g Yan h ad expl ai n ed
t h e sit u a t ion . A few st u d en t s h a d b een k ick ed ou t of Class 1, b u t t h ey’d st ill
r em ain in t h e acad em y. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ese cor e d iscip les w er e ar r ogan t d u e t o
t h eir ou t st an d in g t alen t , so su ffer in g a set b ack lik e t h is w asn ’t n ecessa r ily a b a d
t h in g.
Aft er t h is in cid en t , t h e at m osp h er e in sid e of Class 1 ch an ged in t o on e t h at w as

som ew h at jit t er y. T h ou gh t h ey d id n ’t t r em b le t h e m om en t t h ey saw Zh ou Yi,
n ob od y d ar ed t o d isob ey w h at sh e said . W h en h e saw t h is, W an g Yan h ad n o
ch oice b u t t o r esp ect h er ; aft er a r u ck u s lik e t h at , t h e lear n in g at m osp h er e in
Class 1 h ad im m ed ia t ely t r an sfor m ed in t o t h e b est h e’d ever seen am on gst all
t h e classes h e’d t a u gh t .
M ost of t h e st u d en t s’ lives in t h e acad em y b ecam e m u ch calm er aft er t h is, b u t

t h is w as on ly t r u e for a lar ge m ajor it y of t h e st u d en t s. T o a ‘d iligen t lit t le b ee’
su ch as H u o Yu h ao, h is life w as filled w it h vigor ever y d ay. Nat u r a lly, on ly h e
h im self felt t h at it w as fu ll of vigor . In W an g Don g’s op in ion , h e w as p r act ically
a m an m ad e of ir on ...
As soon as h e w ok e u p in t h e m or n in g t o t r ain h is Pu r p le Dem on Eyes, it

w ou ld m ar k t h e b egin n in g of an ot h er in t en se, yet fu lfillin g d ay. T o H u o Yu h ao,
h is classes in t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t d u r in g t h e d ay w er e act u ally t h e
easiest t h in gs t h a t h e d id d u r in g t h e d a y, as h e on ly n eed ed t o u se h is b r ain .
Un d er h is t each er ’s gu id an ce, h e lea r n ed t act ics, cu lt ivat ion t ech n iq u es,
com b in at ion t ech n iq u es, an d all sor t s of ot h er t h in gs t h at sou l m ast er s u sed .
H e d id n ’t even w ast e t h e fr ee t im e h e h ad d u r in g t h e aft er n oon . As soon as h e

fin ish ed lu n ch , h e’d d r ag W an g Don g in t o cu lt ivat in g w it h h im for a p er iod of
t im e. Not on ly d id t h is in cr ease t h e en er gy h e’d h ave av ailab le d u r in g t h e
aft er n oon , it also im p r oved h is cu lt ivat io n .
T h is cau sed W an g Don g t o feel t h at r esea r ch in g t h e H aod on g Pow er alon gsid e

H u o Yu h ao h ad ab solu t ely b een a m ist ak e. H e w ou ld n ’t even n eed t o r em em b er
t o cu lt ivat e, as on ce it w as t im e, H u o Yu h ao w ou ld d r ag h im alon g t o b egin
cu lt ivat in g. Becau se of t h is, t h e n or m ally-lazy W an g Don g w as for ced t o b egin
w or k in g d iligen t ly as w ell, in t u r n cau sin g h is so u l p ow er t o in cr ease a t a
r elat ively fast p ace.
As soon as sch ool en d ed , H u o Yu h ao w ou ld r u sh over t o t h e Sou l T ool

Dep ar t m en t t o st u d y sou l t ools w it h Fan Yu . T h e fou r h ou r s h e sp en t t h er e
ever y n igh t w er e, t o h im , t h e m ost exh au st in g p er iod of t h e d ay. Fan Yu ’s w ay
of t each in g w as ext r em ely st r ict , an d t h e st an d a r d s t h at h e h eld for h is last
d iscip le w er e so h igh t h at t h ey w er e secon d t o n on e, even in Sh r ek Acad em y.
W h en H e Cait ou h a d b een goin g t h r ou gh t h e fir st st ages t h at H u o Yu h ao w as
cu r r en t ly goin g t h r ou gh , h e’d su ffer ed u n t old h ar d sh ip s.
H ow ever , Fan Yu w as ast on ish ed b y t h e fact t h at H u o Yu h a o seem ed t o b e a

r u b b er b all filled w it h ela st icit y: No m at t er h ow h ar d h e p u sh ed h im , h e’d
alw ays b ou n ce b ack . Not on ly d id h e com p let e t h e t ask s t h a t Fan Yu assign ed
h im in an excellen t m an n er , h e w as even m et icu lou s t o t h e p oin t t h a t t h er e
w er en ’t an y flaw s in h is w or k at all. Som et im es, Fan Yu even t h ou gh t t h a t H u o
Yu h ao w as t h e on e b ein g t oo h ar sh on h im self. H ow ever , in t h e en d , H u o Yu h ao
st ill m an aged t o con scien t iou sly com p let e ever y t ask h e w as assign ed w it h ou t
an y com p lain t s. Even w h en h e w as exh a u st ed t o t h e p oin t t h at h e cou ld n ’t even
r et u r n t o h is r oom , h e d id n ’t gr u m b le a t all. T h er e w as m a n y t im es w h en Fan
Yu h ad t o p er son ally sen d h im b ack , b u t even w h en t h at h a p p en ed , h e w asn ’t
w illin g t o sleep . In st ead , h e’d h ave W a n g Don g h elp h im in t o a cr oss-legged
p osit ion in or d er t o cu lt ivat e.
Of t h e T an g Sect ’s secr et t ech n iq u es t h at w er e r ela t ed t o h id d en w eap on s, t h e

fir st t h at H u o Yu h ao u sed w as t h e for gin g t ech n iqu e—t h e Ch aot ic W in d -
Sp lit t in g H am m er T ech n iq u e. T h is t ech n iqu e b or r ow ed t h e for ce gen er at ed b y
h is low er b od y in o r d er t o m ove t h e h am m er h e h eld w it h h is u p p er b od y,
cau sin g ever y sin gle st r ik e w it h a h am m er t o con t in u ou sly in cr ease in p ow er .
Not on ly d id it sav e en er gy, it even m an aged t o in cr ease t h e qu alit y of h is
for gin g. It w as a secr et t ech n iqu e t h at t h e T an g Sect t h at h ad n ever p assed on .
H u o Yu h ao w as en t ir ely r elyin g on h is ow n in t u it ion t o lear n an d u t ilise t h e

Ch aot ic W in d -Sp lit t in g H am m er T ech n iqu e. Even t h ou gh h e con t in u ou sly h ad
t h e M yst er iou s J ad e H an d s act ive, b list er s b egan t o ap p ear on h is p alm s, an d a
layer of flesh w as scr ap ed off h is p alm s as t h ey for m ed callu ses. T h ose callu ses
w er e t h en scr ap ed off, for m in g n ew callu ses. H ow ever , h e d id n ’t slack off for a
sin gle d ay, n or d id h e gr u m b le. On t h e con t r ar y, h e t ook p leasu r e in it ,
assid u ou sly w or k in g h ar d , lik e a t r u e ir on m an .
Aft er t h r ee m on t h s, H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o ch a in t oget h er eigh t een

con secu t ive h am m er st r ik es u sin g t h e Ch aot ic W in d -Sp lit t in g H am m er
T ech n iqu e, an d aft er five m on t h s, h a d in cr eased t o t h ir t y six con secu t iv e
st r ik es. T h e h igh est r ealm t h at on e cou ld r each w it h t h e Ch aot ic W in d -Sp lit t in g
H am m er T ech n iq u e w as on ly eigh t y on e con secu t ive st r ik es, b u t b y t h e t im e h e
cou ld ch ain t h ir t y six st r ik es t oget h er , h e’d alr ead y p assed t h e fir st st age of sou l
t ool cr eat ion . In Fan Yu ’s ow n w or d s, “T h e st u d en t h as su r p assed t h e m ast er .”
H e Cait ou h ad t ak en a fu ll year t o p ass t h is st age, yet H u o Yu h ao h ad on ly

t ak en five m on t h s. Ad m it t ed ly, t h e T an g Sect ’s Ch aot ic W in d -Sp lit t in g H am m er
T ech n iq u e h ad p layed a d ecen t p ar t in t h is, b u t H u o Yu h ao’s fear less t en acit y
h ad b een t h e m ain r eason .
In t h e b lin k of an eye, au t u m n h ad en d ed , an d w in t er h ad a r r ived . An d aft er

t h at , w in t er en d ed , an d sp r in g a r r ived . At t h is p oin t , eigh t m on t h s h ad p assed
sin ce t h e b egin n in g of H u o Yu h ao’s st u d ies in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao, as w ell as Dai H u ab in an d Zh u Lu ,

h ad alr ea d y r each ed t h e en d of t h eir fir st year in Sh r ek Acad em y. Aft er t h is,
t h ey h ad vacat ion t im e.
Ever y year , Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld h ave a m on t h -lon g vacat ion . T h is m on t h

n at u r ally w asn ’t m ean t for st u d en t s t o r elax an d t ou r ar ou n d d u r in g. In st ead , it
w as m ean t for t h em t o com p let ely d igest t h e t h in gs t h ey’d lear n ed d u r in g t h e
p ast eleven m on t h s, an d for t h em t o con t in u ou sly cu lt iva t e. Aft er t h is on e
m on t h r est -p er iod , t h ey’d h ave t o u n d er go t h eir ad van cem en t t est . St u d en t s
t h at w er en ’t ab le t o p ass t h eir ad van cem en t t est w ou ld d ir ect ly b e exp elled .
Becau se of t h at , t h e h olid ay p er iod t en d ed t o b e t h e m ost exh au st in g an d b u sy
t im e for t h e over w h elm in g m ajor it y of st u d en t s. W h o w ou ld d ar e t o t r u ly r elax
an d r est d u r in g a t im e lik e t h is!?
----
W it h in t h e Sou l T ool T est in g Ar ea’s Lab or at or y # 12.
Fan Yu an d H e Cait ou b ot h st ood b esid e H u o Yu h ao—w h o w as cu r r en t ly

w or k in g on an en or m ou s m et al t ab le—w at ch in g h im ver y qu iet ly. Fan Yu h ad
clasp ed h is h an d s b eh in d h is b ack , b u t h e w as w at ch in g ever y m ove t h at H u o
Yu h ao m ad e ver y at t en t ively. On t h e ot h er h an d , H e Cait ou h a d h is fist s
clen ch ed t igh t ly, clear ly som ew h at n er v ou s.
H u o Yu h ao w as cu r r en t ly seat ed in fr on t of t h e m et al t ab le, a n d w as h old in g a

h exagon al p iece of m et al t h at w as r ou gh ly t h e size of a w aln u t in h is left h an d .
H is r igh t h an d gr ip p ed a slen d er , t h in k n ife, w h ich h e w as u sin g t o car efu lly
car ve an in scr ip t ion on a p iece of m et al.
H is m ovem en t s w er e ext r em ely slow , b u t h is h a n d s w er e equ ally as st ab le.

Ever y sin gle m ovem en t t h at h e m ad e w it h h is k n ife w as m ad e w it h ext r em e
clar it y.
T h e p iece of m et al w as b lu ish -gold in color , an d r eleased a som ew h at p ecu liar

au r a. As H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed t o car v e w it h h is k n ife, com p licat ed p at t er n s
b egan t o gr ad u ally a p p ear on it .
H u o Yu h ao’s p u p ils sh on e w it h a p ale gold lu st er , an d even t h ou gh h e’d b een

focu sed for a lon g p er iod of t im e, h e h ad n ’t b lin k ed on ce. T im e p assed secon d b y
secon d , b u t h is b od y r em ain ed u n m ovin g, lik e a scu lp t u r e. On ly h is fin ger s—
w h ich w er e con t r ollin g t h e t in y scu lp t in g b lad e—slow ly m oved alon gsid e t h e
gu id an ce of h is sou l p ow er . H is t em p o d id n ’t w aver in t h e sligh t est .
An excit ed ligh t gr a d u ally b egan t o ap p ear in H e Cait ou ’s eyes, an d a st r a n ge

ligh t ap p ear ed in Fan Yu ’s eyes. Even h is clasp ed h an d s cou ld n ’t h elp b u t slow ly
t u r n in t o fist s.
Fin ally, H u o Yu h ao slow ly car ved on e fin al cu t , fin ish in g a m in iscu le
en gr avin g on t h e p iece of m et al. Aft er w ar d s, h e fin ally st op p ed .
T h e gold en ligh t in h is eyes slow ly fad ed aw ay, an d a t r ace of exh au st ion

ap p ear ed on h is face. H ow ever , a b r illian t sm ile h a d alr ea d y ap p ear ed on h is
face b y t h e t im e h e r aised h is h ead t o look t ow ar d s Fan Yu an d H e Cait ou .
“T each er , sen ior b r ot h er , I’ve su cceed ed . Fr om n ow on , I sh ou ld b e a Class 1.5

sou l en gin eer , r igh t ? ”
H e Cait ou look ed t o w ar d s h im w it h a b lan k look in h is eyes. “Yu h ao, you …

you ’ve r eally su cceed ed ?”
H u o Yu h ao car efu lly r aised t h e p iece of m et al w it h h is r igh t h an d , an d a

gen t le t r ace of sou l p ow er slow ly flow ed in t o it . Im m ed iat ely, t h e m et al p iece
sh on e w it h a clear , b lu e ligh t , cau sin g t h e soft h alo of ligh t it h ad or igin ally h ad
t o t u r n in t o a foot -h igh p illar t h at r ose in t o t h e air . T h e b lu e h alo of ligh t w as
st r aigh t yet st u r d y, an d h ad n o sign s of flick er in g. On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e m et al
p iece it self sh on e w it h a p en et r at in gly b lu e ligh t .
“Good , good , good !” Fan Yu fin ally said . Fr om t h e excit em en t on h is face, on e

cou ld t ell t h a t h is em ot ion s h ad b een r ou sed .
“Yu h ao, good ch ild . You ar en ’t ju st a Cla ss 1.5 sou l en gin eer . You r cu lt ivat ion
h asn ’t r each ed t h e r equ ir ed level, b u t ot h er t h an t h at , I can t ell you t h at you ’ve
alr ead y b ecom e a fu lly fled ged Cla ss 2 sou l en gin eer . You h ave an ext r aor d in ar y
am ou n t of t alen t t h at or d in ar y p eop le can ’t even b egin t o h op e for , an d you ’r e
in com p ar ab ly h ar d w or k in g on t op of t h at . T h er e w er e n o coin cid en ces in you r
su ccess. T h is is you r r ew ar d for t h e eigh t m on t h s of h ar d w or k t h a t you ’ve
en d u r ed !”
H e Cait ou ch eer ed , t h en p ou n ced t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. Aft er gr ab b in g ah old

of h im , h e flu n g h im in t o t h e air . H u o Yu h ao’s face w as filled w it h h ap p in ess,
b u t h e p u r sed h is lip s t igh t ly.
Righ t , t h e sm all m et al p iece h e’d ju st en gr aved w as t h e cor e of a Class 2 sou l
t ool!
H e’d com p let ed t h e fou n d at ion s of for gin g aft er five m on t h s of h ar d w or k ,

t h en h a d t ak en an ot h er m on t h t o lear n m old in g, t em p er in g, an d p olish in g, as
w ell as t h e o t h er n ecessar y p r oced u r es. Aft er w ar d s, h e’d fin ally b egu n t o lear n
h ow t o en gr ave for m at ion ar r ays. T h is w as also t h e m ost im p or t an t st ep in
cr eat in g a sou l t ool.
If H u o Yu h ao’s p r eviou s lear n in g sp eed cou ld b e d escr ib ed as qu ick , t h e m ain

r eason b eh in d t h at w as b ecau se of h is h ar d w or k an d d iligen ce. H ow ever , h e’d
b egu n t o r eveal h is t r u e gen iu s in cr eat in g sou l t ools aft er h e’d b egu n t o lear n
h ow t o en gr ave for m at ion ar r ays.
H u o Yu h ao w as m u ch calm er t h a n h is p eer s, an d also h ad an in n at e

ad van t age com p ar ed t o ot h er s—h is Sp ir it Eyes. By r elyin g on t h e Pu r p le Dem on
Eyes alon gsid e h is Sp ir it Eyes, h is visu al acu it y w as sever al t im es gr eat er t h an
t h at of an or d in a r y p er son ’s.
M or e oft en t h an n ot , st u d en t s w ou ld fail w h ile en gr avin g a for m at ion ar r ay

d u e t o m in iscu le er r or s t h ey’d m ad e. H ow ever , a sit u a t io n lik e t h is w ou ld
alm ost n ever occu r w it h H u o Yu h ao.
Engineer ?
H is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion cou ld cr eat e a clear , t h r ee-d im en sion al sh ap e of t h e

m et allic cor e in h is m in d . Becau se of t h is, h e w o u ld b asically n ever m ak e a
m ist ak e, r egar d less of h ow d eep ly h e h a d t o cu t , or h ow m a n y cu t s h e h a d t o
m ak e. T h is, com b in ed w it h H u o Yu h ao’s ser iou sn ess, allow ed h im t o on ly n eed
a m on t h t o fin ish en gr avin g h is fir st for m at ion ar r ay fr om t h e t im e h e st a r t ed
m em or izin g it fr om t h eor y an d p u t t in g it in t o p r act ice.
In ot h er w or d s, H u o Yu h ao h ad t ak en seven m on t h s t o for m ally b ecom e a

Class 1 sou l en gin eer .
At t h at t im e, Fan Yu h ad t old h im t h at , alt h ou gh h e w asn ’t clear w h at t h e

r ecor d in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w as, H u o Yu h ao w as d efin it ely t h e fast est
p er son t o b ecom e a Class 1 sou l en gin eer in all of t h e H eaven ly Sou l, Dou Lin g,
an d St ar Lu o em p ir es. H e Cait ou t ak in g on e year an d fou r m on t h s t o d o t h is h a d
alr ead y b een con sid er ed b r eat h t ak in g b y Fan Yu , b u t H u o Yu h ao h ad on ly
n eed ed h alf t h at !
H u o Yu h ao h ad b een ext r em ely con cen t r at ed on h is st u d ies an d p r act ice. In

Fan Yu ’s op in ion , h e d id n ’t seem t o k n ow t h e m ea n in g of ‘d r y an d d u ll’ at all.
Even if it w as t h e exact sam e Class 1 for m at ion ar r ay, h e w ou ld en gr ave sever al
h u n d r ed of t h em on t o an or d in ar y p iece of m et al w it h gu st o.
Aft er an ot h er m on t h , H u o Yu h ao h ad at t em p t ed t o en gr ave a Class 2

for m at ion ar r ay on t o a t r u e cor e. An d h e’d su cceed ed ; h e’d act u ally su cceed ed !
T h ou gh Fan Yu h ad alr ead y p r ed ict ed it t o som e ext en t , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
t ear u p at t h e sigh t of h is d iscip le t r u ly su cceed in g in fr on t of h im .
St r on g t each er s w er e h ar d t o fin d , b u t t alen t ed st u d en t s w er e ju st as h ar d , if
n ot h ar d er t o fin d ! T h at ’s n ot m en t ion in g a t alen t ed d iscip le t h a t w as a lso
w illin g t o give 20 0 %. Fan Yu w as an ext r em ely h ar sh t each er , b u t even h e
h ad n ’t b een ab le t o fin d a sin gle fau lt w it h H u o Yu h ao.
It sh ou ld b e k n ow n t h at a Class 2 for m at ion ar r ay is at least t h r ee t im es m or e

com p licat ed t h an a Class 1 for m at ion ar r ay. M or eover , t h e r equ ir em en t s
t ow ar d s t h e u sage of sou l p ow er ar e ext r em ely h igh . H u o Yu h ao’s su ccess h a d
h ad n o elem en t of lu ck t o it at all; h e’d t r u ly con t r olled ever yt h in g p er fect ly.
Aft er Fan Yu w aved t ow ar d s H e Cait ou , h e fin ally let H u o Yu h ao go. Fan Yu

cou ld n ’t h elp b u t b e filled w it h p r id e w h en h e saw h is p leased d iscip les.
H u o Yu h ao h ad ju st p assed h is t w elft h b ir t h d ay, an d w as n ow h alf a h ead

t aller t h an w h en h e’d en t er ed t h e aca d em y.
T h e t op -r an k ed food t h at h e’d r eceived fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t

h ad p r ovid ed h im w it h m or e t h an en ou gh n u t r ien t s. Com b in ed w it h h is five
m on t h s of for gin g t r ain in g an d en or m ou s act ivit y level, H u o Yu h ao’s b od y h ad
b ecom e m u ch st u r d ier . T h ou gh h is m u scles w er en ’t as exagger at ed as H e
Cait ou ’s, h e h ad st ill b ecom e r elat ively r u gged -look in g. T h e lin es d r aw n b y h is
m u scles w er e evid en t , b u t t h ey w er e filled w it h flexib ilit y. If h e w er e t o t ak e off
h is clot h es, h e’d look lik e a sm all leop ar d r ead y t o p ou n ce. H is gaze h ad also
b ecom e m u ch calm er an d m u ch m or e r esolu t e, w h ile h is b ack w as n at u r ally
st r aigh t as h e st ood t h er e.
Fan Yu b eckon ed t ow ar d s h is t w o d iscip les. “You gu ys can sit d ow n . Yu h ao,

give m e you r com p let ed cor e. T h is is t h e fir st Class 2 sou l t ool you ’ve m ad e, so
I’ll assist you w it h cr eat in g it s ou t er an d in n er sh ell as a gr ad u at ion p r esen t for
you .”
“T h an k you , t each er .” H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t d eclin e as h e r ep lied w it h a sm ile,

t h en h an d ed t h e cor e over t o Fan Yu .
Fan Yu con t in u ed , “T h e h olid ays ar e ab ou t t o st ar t . W h at d o you t w o h ave in
m in d ?”
H e Cait ou sm iled in a silly m an n er . “T each er , I’m an or p h an , so I’ll ju st st ay

in t h e acad em y an d con t in u e t r ain in g. M y lit t le ju n ior b r ot h er ’s im p r oved t oo
qu ick ly; I a lr ead y feel t h r eat en ed b y h im . I w a n t t o b ecom e a Class 4 sou l
en gin eer b y n ext year . In m y op in ion , I d on ’t t h in k h e’ll n eed lon g t o cat ch u p
w it h m e.”
Fan Yu sm iled . “You d on ’t h ave t o b e so h u m b le. T h e jou r n ey of a sou l

en gin eer get s t ou gh er an d t ou gh er as you m ove for w ar d s. You r ju n ior b r ot h er
t r u ly h as a m on st r ou s level of t alen t in t h e asp ect of for m at ion ar r ay en gr avin g,
b u t h is cu lt ivat ion is st ill lack in g. If h e w an t s t o en gr ave h igh er -r an k ed
for m at ion ar r ays, h e’ll h ave t o fir st in cr ease h is cu lt iva t ion r an k . If h e d oesn ’t ,
h e w on ’t h ave en ou gh sou l p ow er t o fin ish an en gr avin g. Yu h ao, t h is is a lso
som et h in g you h ave t o d o. You n eed t o w or k h ar d t o in cr ea se you r cu lt iva t ion .
If I’m n ot m ist ak en , you r sou l p ow er sh ou ld ’ve alr ea d y r each ed Ran k 20 . I’ll
t ak e you t o t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , as you n eed a su it ab le sou l r in g t o
im p r ove even m or e."
Righ t , H u o Yu h ao’s cu lt ivat ion h ad alr ea d y r each ed Ran k 20 . M or eover , h e’d

r each ed it t w o m on t h s ago. Du r in g t h ese p ast eigh t m on t h s, h e’d cu lt ivat ed
in cessan t ly. W it h t h e H aod on g Pow er ’s assist an ce, t h e r at e at w h ich h is sou l
p ow er in cr eased w as n o less t h an h is r at e of im p r ovem en t in t h e cr eat ion of sou l
t ools.
W h en h e’d r each ed Ran k 20 , t h er e h a d st ill b een som e t im e left u n t il t h e

h olid ays. Becau se of t h at , W an g Yan h ad su ggest ed t h a t h e n ot r u sh t o ob t ain a
sou l r in g. In st ead , h e’d ask ed H u o Yu h ao t o con t in u e cu lt ivat in g d iligen t ly.
Accor d in g t o a gr an d m ast er fr om Sh r ek Acad em y’s fir st gen er at ion , a sou l
m ast er ’s cu lt ivat ion w ou ld n ’t sim p ly h alt b ecau se of t h eir in ab ilit y t o ob t ain a
sou l r in g. In st ead , t h e b ot t len eck w ou ld n at u r ally r est r ict it fr om exp lod in g
u p w ar d s. In ot h er w or d s, alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ’t in cr ease in r an k aft er
h it t in g Ran k 20 , h is lat en t cu lt iva t ion w ou ld st ill con t in u e t o im p r ove. On ce
h e’d ob t ain ed h is secon d sou l r in g h ow ever , it w o u ld im m ed iat ely exp lod e
u p w ar d s.
Becau se of t h at , H u o Yu h ao h ad con t in u ed t o cu lt iva t e. W an g Don g’s

cu lt ivat ion sp eed w a s also ext r em ely q u ick . Cu lt ivat in g w it h t h e H aod on g Pow er
alon gsid e H u o Yu h a o h ad cau sed h is cu lt iva t ion sp eed t o d ou b le. In t h e p ast
eigh t m on t h s, h is sou l p ow er h ad r isen b y an im p r essive t h r ee r an k s; h e’d
alr ead y r each ed Ran k 28. Accor d in g t o W an g Don g’s calcu lat ion s, h e’d b e ab le t o
b r eak t h r ou gh t o t h e t h r ee-r in ged r an k b y su m m er at t h e lat est . T h is cu lt ivat ion
sp eed w as alr ead y fa st en ou gh t o ast on ish m an y p eop le.
H u o Yu h ao b ein g t r eat ed as cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t

n at u r ally w asn ’t lim it ed t o food alon e. T each er s fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d
w ou ld com e over ever y w eek t o p r ovid e t h em w it h som e p oin t er s as w ell. Even
t h ou gh a p er son lik e h im —as som eon e w h o cou ld on ly en joy t h e t r eat m en t of a
cor e d iscip le—w as on ly a sid e ch ar act er , t h e n u m b er of t h in gs h e’d lea r n ed
ab solu t ely w asn ’t an y less t h an t h e ot h er s.
“T each er , t h er e’s n o n eed . I w as on e of t h e ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m en

assessm en t , a n d on e of t h e p r izes I r eceived w as for a t each er t o h elp m e ob t ain
t h e m ost op t im u m sou l r in g I cou ld w it h st an d . You ’r e st ill b u sy w it h you r
r esear ch , so t h er e’s n o n eed t o t r ou b le you r self.”
Fan Yu ch u ck led . “Righ t ! I for got ab ou t t h at . You can go fin d Dir ect or Du
d ir ect ly t h en ; h e t ak es car e of t h ese t h in gs. W h en d o you p lan on goin g?”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “T h e d ay aft er t om or r ow . I’ll leave in t h e m or n in g. Please

d on ’t w or r y, I’ll d o m y b est t o com e b ack ear ly. I’ll h ea d b ack as soon as I get m y
sou l r in g.”
Fan Yu n od d ed . “Yu h ao, if you ’r e ju st t r yin g t o u p gr ad e you r m ar t ia l sou l, I

su ggest t h at you get an at t ack -t yp e sk ill. H ow ever , I su ggest t h at you d iligen t ly
t r ain in you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion if you w an t t o in cr ease you r ab ilit ies as a sou l
en gin eer . H ow ever , I can ’t give you an y sp ecifics as t o w h at so u l r in g you sh ou ld
ob t ain . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e sou l r in g you ob t ain a lso d ep en d s on fat e. T h u s, it ’ll b e
u p t o you t o cr eat e you r sou l t ools.”
“Yes. I’ll t ak e n ot e o f t h at , t each er .” H u o Yu h ao n od d ed ser iou sly. H ow ever ,

t h is w as t h e fir st t im e h e’d t old a lie t o Fan Yu . H e d id n ’t h ave an y p lan s t o ask
t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t t o h elp h im ob t ain a secon d sou l r in g for h is Sp ir it
Eyes. H e w an t ed t o d o it b y h im self, as h e h ad t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m .
On ce h e t h ou gh t ab ou t h ow h e w as fin ally goin g t o b ecom e a Sou l

Gr an d m ast er , an d h ow h e’d for m ally aw ak en h is secon d m ar t ial sou l w it h t h e
h elp of t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t in w ar d ly t u r n fer ven t .
Fan Yu con t in u ed , “W e’r e ab ou t t o b egin vacat ion , so you d on ’t n eed t o

con t in u e w or k in g an ym or e t od ay. Go on , h ead b ack t o you r d or m an d p ack u p .
Rest for a b it t oo.”
H e Cait ou cou ld n ’t h elp b u t w id en h is eyes. T h is w as t h e fir st t im e h e’d ever

h ear d h is t each er say t h e w or d ‘r est ’.
By t h e t im e h e’d left t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ’s T est in g Ar ea, t h e sk y h ad

alr ead y d ar k en ed . T h e w eat h er t od ay h on est ly w asn ’t t h at gr eat . A ligh t d r izzle
gr ad u ally fell, an d t h e sou n d of t h e p at t er in g r ain b r ou gh t a sligh t ch ill t o t h e
sp r in g n igh t .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o d id n ’t feel t h a t t h e r ain w as b ad at all. On t h e con t r ar y,

h e felt som ew h at car efr ee, as if it w er e w ash in g aw ay h is exh au st ion . J u st as h e
w as ab ou t t o st ep ou t in t o t h e r ain an d exp er ien ce t h is r efr esh in g feelin g, h e
su d d en ly sh ift ed h is gaze t ow ar d s t h e left .
An u m b r ella h ad alr ead y b een op en ed , an d b en eat h it w as som eon e w ear in g a

Year 1 u n ifor m . H is sh or t , p in k ish -b lu e h air gave off t h e b eau t y of a fair y
b en eat h t h e r ain y n igh t , w h ile h is sim ila r ly lar ge p in k ish -b lu e eyes w er e filled
w it h b ot h in gen u it y an d a sligh t t r ace of ast on ish m en t .
“Even t h e ir on m an is goofin g off?” H e said as h e sm iled t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.

Ast on ish ed , H u o Yu h ao look ed t ow ar d s h im . “W h y’d you com e?”
“It ’s r ain in g. W e’r e gon n a b e sp lit t in g u p t h e d ay aft er t om or r ow , so I cam e t o

get you .” T h e you t h flip p ed h is sh or t , p in k ish -b lu e h air , t h e gaze in h is eyes
som ew h at p ecu liar .
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “You can ’t b ear t o p ar t w it h m e? T h er e’s on ly a m on t h

b efor e w e’ll all b e b ack t oget h er . Let ’s go. W e’ll h ea d b ack t o ou r r oom fir st . An d
I’m n ot goofin g off; T each er Fan Yu sp ecially allow ed u s t o leave ear ly.”
T h e p er son w h o’d com e t o get h im w as W an g Don g. Aft er eigh t m on t h s, t h e

st ill-d evelop in g W a n g Don g h ad also gr ow n sligh t ly t aller . On ly, h e h ad n ’t
gr ow n as m u ch as H u o Yu h ao h a d . H u o Yu h ao w as n ow t aller t h an h im b y a
lit t le b it .
T h e t w o p eop le slow ly w alk ed acr oss t h e w et gr ou n d as t h ey r et u r n ed t o t h eir

d or m s. Nor m a lly, H u o Yu h ao w ou ld ’ve w alk ed t h r ou gh ca m p u s as qu ick ly as
p ossib le. T od ay h ow ever , h e’d slow ed d ow n . W it h t h e scen er y b ein g as r ain y as
it w as, h e’d im m ed iat ely felt t h a t som et h in g w a s d iffer en t . T h u s, t h e t w o of
t h em h ad d elib er at ely slow ed d ow n as t h ey w alk ed b ack t o t h eir d or m .
“Did t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t agr ee t o h elp you get a sou l r in g?” W an g Don g
ask ed .
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed . “Of cou r se. I’m a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool

Dep ar t m en t aft er all.” H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel som ew h at ap ologet ic as h e said
t h is. In or d er t o k eep t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m a secr et , h e h ad n o ch oice b u t t o
t ell a w h it e lie t o b ot h p ar t ies.
W an g Don g r ep lied , “I’ll b e h ea d in g b ack h om e t oo. I’m also leavin g ear lier
t h an you . T h u s, you ’ll h ave t o t ak e car e of you r self. It ’s a p it y t h at I h aven ’t
r each ed Ran k 30 . Ot h er w ise, I’d com e w it h you t o h u n t a few sou l b east s. T h at
w ou ld ’ve b een n ice.”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “Don ’t b e so d iscon t en t ed . Ever sin ce w e got t h e
H aod on g Pow er , h asn ’t ou r cu lt ivat ion sp eed in cr eased b y a lar ge am ou n t ? Go
ask t h e o t h er st u d en t s; w h o else d o you t h in k cou ld im p r ove as m u ch as you
aft er r each in g Ran k 20 ? Aft er w e get b ack an d p ass t h e a d van cem en t t est , you ’ll
b e ab le t o r each Ran k 30 aft er t w o or t h r ee m on t h s at m ost . I h aven ’t ob t ain ed
m y secon d sou l r in g yet , b u t I r eck on t h a t I’m ab ou t Ran k 22 or so r igh t n ow . As
t im e p asses, t h e ad v an t age t h at w e get fr om ou r H aod on g Pow er w ill b ecom e
m or e an d m or e ob viou s. Let ’s t r y an d ca t ch u p t o Dai H u ab in in sou l p ow er b y
t h e t im e w e’r e in Year 4 .”
Engineer ?
Du r in g t h e p ast eigh t m on t h s, H u o Yu h ao h ad d ed ica t ed as m u ch of h is

en er gy t o cu lt iva t in g as h e cou ld . W it h h is cu r r en t r an k , h e cou ld ca lm ly face
Dai H u ab in . H ow ever , t h is d id n ’t m ean t h at h is h at r ed h a d d issolved ; on t h e
con t r ar y, h e’d b u r ied it even d eep er in sid e of h im self. H is h at r ed h ad alr ead y
b een d eep ly r oot ed in sid e of h im , t h u s h ow cou ld h e er ase it so easily?
H e w asn ’t clear as t o ju st h ow h igh Dai H u ab in ’s sou l p ow er w as com p ar ed t o

h is, b u t h e safely est im at ed it t o b e ar ou n d Ran k 33 or so. Alt h ou gh t h e r a t e at
w h ich a p er son ’s cu lt iva t ion im p r oved d r ast ically d ecr eased aft er cr ossin g t h e
Ran k 30 t h r esh old , goin g u p t h r ee or fou r r an k s in a year w ou ld n ’t b e m u ch of a
p r ob lem w it h Dai H u ab in ’s level of t alen t , p lu s h is p r eviou s cu lt iva t ion .
Fu r t h er m or e, it seem ed t h at h e’d cu lt ivat ed d iligen t ly aft er h e w as k ick ed ou t of
Class 1.
W an g Don g sm iled , b u t d id n ’t say an yt h in g, as a lar ge am ou n t of con fid en ce

h ad b egu n t o em an at e fr om h is gaze.
T h e r ou t e t h ey’d t a k en cou ld easily h ave b een t ak en in ar ou n d t en m in u t es,

b u t t h ey p u r p osefu lly t ook m u ch lon ger . J u st as t h ey w er e ab ou t t o r each t h eir
d or m r oom , W an g Don g su d d en ly said , “Let ’s go sit n ext t o t h e Sea God ’s Lak e
for a w h ile. It ’s n ot ver y easy t o fin d you goofin g off. It ’s also b een a lon g t im e
sin ce I’ve t ast ed you r r oast ed fish .”
H u o Yu h ao w as som ew h at em b ar r assed . “I d id n ’t p r ep ar e an yt h in g. If I’d

k n ow n you w an t ed som e, I d efin it ely w ou ld ’ve r oast ed som e for you .”
W an g Don g sm iled d evilish ly an d sh ov ed t h e u m b r ella in t o H u o Yu h ao’s

h an d s as h e said , “J u st w ait h er e.” Aft er sayin g t h at , h e r an b ack t o t h eir d or m
r oom as fast as h e cou ld . A few m om en t s lat er , h e r eap p ear ed an d gest u r ed w it h
t h e b r igh t b lu e b r acelet in h is left h an d t ow ar d s t h e Sea God ’s Lak e. “Let ’s go.”
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes w id en ed . “You p lan n ed t h is in ad van ce!”
W an g Don g d id n ’t d en y it . “I w as or igin a lly p lan n in g t o w ait for you t o fin ish

at n igh t an d d r ag you ou t for a lit t le m id n igh t fu n , b u t I d id n ’t t h in k t h at you ’d
fin ish ear ly. It ’s p er fect t im in g; w e’r e ab ou t t o go on vacat ion , an d it ’s h ar d t o
in d u lge for a b it . In an y case, d on ’t even t h in k of sleep in g t on igh t if you d on ’t
fill m e u p .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “Alr igh t . As lon g as you h ave en ou gh in gr ed ien t s, I’ll

k eep feed in g you u n t il you can ’t m ove.”
Ben eat h t h e eaves of t h e d or m it or ies, t h e old gr an d p a w h o w as n or m ally

alw ays sleep in g cou ld n ’t h elp h is eyes fr om w id en in g sligh t ly. T h e cor n er of h is
m ou t h cu r ved sligh t ly as h e gazed t ow a r d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, w h o
w er e r u n n in g in t o t h e d ist an ce. H e t h ou gh t alou d , “Back t h en , h ow m an y gir ls
said t h a t t o m e!? An d ever y t im e t h ey’d say t h at , I’d b e t h e on e t o feed t h em
u n t il t h ey w er e fu ll… T h ese t w o fellas su r e ar e in t er est in g.”
Aft er excit ed ly r u n n in g t ow ar d s t h e Sea God ’s Lak e, W an g Don g h eld u p t h e

u m b r ella so t h at H u o Yu h ao cou ld st ar t a fir e. T h e r ain w asn ’t ver y st r on g, t h u s
t h e u m b r ella w as a b le t o cover t h e en t ir e ar ea t h ey’d ch osen . Aft er on ly a
m om en t ’s w or t h of w or k , a fir e h ad b een lit . T h e u n iq u e sm ell of ch ar coal b egan
t o slow ly r ise in t o t h e air , b u t d id n ’t d isp er se d u e t o t h e r a in y w eat h er .
M ist b egan t o ap p ear at op t h e Sea God ’s Lak e, an d slow ly en velop ed t h e

d ist an t Sea God ’s Islan d . T h e m ist y lak e in t u r n gave off a cool yet d am p feelin g,
w h ile t h e n ow -b on fir e gave H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w aves of w ar m t h . T h e
t w o of t h em look ed t ow ar d s each ot h er at p r act ically t h e sam e in st an t , t h eir
ch eek s flu sh ed fr om t h e r eflect ion of t h e b on fir e. As t h ey sm iled t ow ar d s each
ot h er , a w ar m feelin g seem ed t o b or e in t o t h eir h ear t s.
Aft er set t in g u p h is st ove an d p lacin g t h e r aw fish on it , H u o Yu h ao b egan t o
r oast t h em w it h h is fu ll a t t en t ion . T h e con cen t r at ion on h is face w as n o less
t h an w h en h e’d en gr aved for m at ion ar r a ys on t o t h e cor es of sou l t ools.
W an g Don g st ood n ext t o h im , h old in g t h e u m b r ella u p . H ow ever , in st ead of

look in g at t h e fish t h at w er e b ein g r oast ed , h e look ed at H u o Yu h ao’s ser iou s
face. T h e cool air , t h e h ot fu r n ace, an d t h e gold en m ack er els—w h ich h ad b egu n
t o r elease a fr agr an t sm ell—sk et ch ed a m ovin g im age as t h ey com b in ed . As
W an g Don g gazed at H u o Yu h ao, h e in st in ct ively k n ew t h at h e’d n ever for get
t h is scen e. H e also q u it e en joyed t h e t h ou gh t of H u o Yu h ao r oast in g fish for
h im , an d h im a lon e.
Fin ally, H u o Yu h ao fin ish ed r oast in g t h e fir st p iece of fish . H u o Yu h ao

im m ed iat ely h an d ed it t o W an g Don g an d said , “Eat it w h ile it ’s h ot .”
“Yu p .” W an g Don g t ook t h e fish fr om H u o Yu h ao, an d a t e t h e fish car efu lly.

T h e fr agr an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s r oast ed fish , w h ich h e h ad n ’t t ast ed in su ch a
lon g t im e, cau sed h is eyes t o t u r n som ew h at r ed .
As h e r oast ed som e m or e fish , H u o Yu h ao said , “Sp eak in g of r oast ed fish , w e

sh ou ld call T each er Xiao Ya, sen ior b r ot h er , an d Xiao Xiao over . T h ey en joy it as
w ell.”
“No w ay! You b elon g t o m e t od ay!” W an g Don g b lu r t ed ou t .
Ast on ish ed , H u o Yu h ao r aised h is h ead t o look t ow ar d s W an g Don g. W h en h e

d id , h e saw a som ew h at st u b b or n look in W an g Don g’s p in k ish -b lu e eyes.
“I m ean t h at you r r oast ed fish b elon g t o m e,” W an g Don g h u r r ied ly

in t er ject ed . T h e con t r ast b et w een t h e d a r k sk y an d t h e b on fir e cau sed h is face t o
ap p ear ext r em ely flu sh ed .
Aft er w ar d s, t h ey con t in u ed t o eat r oast ed fish for so lon g t h at t h ey d id n ’t

even k n ow h ow lon g t h ey’d b een eat in g. On ly aft er t h ey’d got t en fu ll d id t h ey
r et u r n t o t h eir d or m r oom .
On ce t h ey got b ack t o t h eir d or m r oom , H u o Yu h ao laid d ow n on h is h ar d ,
w ood en b ed . “Ah … it feels so n ice t o fill m yself u p . I’ve d ecid ed t o ju st b e lazy
for t h e en t ir e d ay t om or r ow , an d t o h ave a n ice sleep t on igh t . You ’r e r igh t , w e
sh ou ld t ak e a b r eak on ce in aw h ile.”
“No, get u p an d cu lt ivat e.” W an g Don g w alk ed over t o h im an d p u lled h im u p

as a sar cast ic sm ile a p p ear ed on h is face.
“You can ’t b e ser iou s.” H u o Yu h ao w ailed . “It ’s b een so h ar d for m e t o r est
lat ely!”
W an g Don g r ep lied , “W e’r e sep ar at in g t h e d ay aft er t om or r ow , t h u s w e

sh ou ld m ak e t h e m o st ou t of t h e r est of ou r t im e left t o cu lt ivat e t oget h er . You
can go goof off b y you r self w h en you d on ’t h ave t h e H aod on g Pow er . Com e on ,
get u p .”
“Alr igh t ….” W it h a h elp less look on h is face, H u o Yu h ao slow ly got u p . J u st

as h e w as abou t t o sit d ow n in a cr oss-legged p osit ion on h is w ood en b ed , W an g
Don g su d d en ly sa id , “Com e over h er e. Seein g t h at w e’r e ab ou t t o sep ar a t e, an d
t h at you ju st r oast ed so m u ch fish for m e, I’ll let you sit over h er e w h ile you
cu lt ivat e.”
“H u h ?” H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed . Aft er w ar d s, h e sm iled cu n n in gly as h e

look ed t ow ar d s W a n g Don g’s fu r -cover ed m at t r ess, t h en ob ed ien t ly ju m p ed
on t o W an g Don g’s h is b ed w it h ou t an y r eser vat ion s.
“W h o said t h at you cou ld get u p h er e n ow ? Go ch an ge in t o a clean set of

clot h es!” W an g Don g h u r r ied ly sh ou t ed .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y sat d ow n in a cr oss-legged p osit ion . “You

n eed t o st op h avin g so m an y b ad h ab it s. Qu ick , t h e su n ’s gon n a com e u p if w e
d on ’t st ar t soon .”
On ly aft er h ear in g H u o Yu h ao say t h is d id W an g Don g sit acr oss fr om H u o

Yu h ao, a som ew h at u n w illin g exp r ession p r esen t on h is face. Aft er w ar d s, t h e
t w o p r essed t h eir p alm s again st each ot h er ’s an d b egan t o cir cu lat e t h e H aod on g
Pow er . T h e m om en t t h ey closed t h eir eyes, a fain t sm ile ap p ear ed on b ot h of
t h eir faces.
T h e m or n in g of t h e n ext d ay.
On ce t h ey got u p , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g felt t h at t h eir m in d s h ad b een

com p let ely r efr esh ed , p ossib ly d u e t o t h e p eacefu l n igh t t h ey’d h ad . T od ay w as
t h e last d ay of t h eir Year 1 classes, as Sh r ek Acad em y’s h olid ays w ou ld officially
st ar t t om or r ow .
Aft er eat in g b r eak fast , t h ey h ead ed t ow ar d s t h eir classr oom ear ly. Fan Yu h ad
alr ead y b egu n H u o Yu h ao’s vacat ion , t h u s h e d id n ’t n eed t o go an d t r ain h is sou l
t ool cr eat ion t od ay. Eleven m on t h s h ad p assed sin ce h e’d en t er ed Sh r ek
Acad em y, yet h e’d n ever b een a s r elaxed as t od ay. T h e r elaxin g feelin g t h at
en velop ed h is en t ir e b od y m ad e h im feel w ar m an d com fy.
H u o Yu h ao d ecid ed t h at h e w ou ld n ’t b ot h er w it h an yt h in g else t od ay; h e’d

h ave a good r est t od a y.
Zh ou Yi an d W an g Yan w alk ed in t o t h e classr oom t oget h er . W h en ever Zh u o

Yi w as t h er e, r egar d less of w h a t t im e it w as, t h e a t m osp h er e in Class 1 cou ld
on ly b e d escr ib ed u sin g t h e w or d ‘solem n ’. T od ay w as n o excep t ion , even if t h e
h olid ays b egan t om or r ow . At t h is p oin t in t im e, n ob od y d ar ed t o p r ovok e t h e
h egem on ic flow er k n ow n as Zh ou Yi! In t h e even t t h at h er old m in d su d d en ly
b lew u p , n on e of t h em w ou ld b e ab le t o h an d le it .
W an g Yan w alk ed u p t o t h e st age, w h ile Zh ou Yi w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e b ack of

t h e classr oom an d sa t d ow n in an em p t y ch air .
“St u d en t s, t h is w ill b e you r last d ay in Year 1. T h e acad em y h asn ’t ar r an ged

an y assign m en t s for you . I’ll b e givin g you all som e p ar t in g w or d s, t h en you can
h ead b ack an d p ack u p you r t h in gs.”
On ce W an g Yan said t h is, t h e en t ir e class im m ed ia t ely er u p t ed in t o ch eer s.
T h ey d id n ’t even car e t h at Zh ou Yi w as t h er e. Sin ce t h e h olid ays w er e ab ou t t o
st ar t , ever yon e h ad t h eir h ear t s set on goin g h om e. Aft er all, w h o w ou ld n ’t w an t
t o go h om e an d see t h eir r elat ives!? Nat u r ally, t h ose w it h n o r elat ives w er e an
excep t ion t o t h is.
W an g Yan sm iled . “W e’ve all w or k ed h ar d t h is year . I can sa y w it h p r id e t h at

you ’ve b een t h e m ost ou t st an d in g class I’ve ever t au gh t . On b eh alf of Zh ou Yi
an d m yself, w e t h an k you all for w or k in g h ar d . You r h a r d w or k w ill b r in g glor y
t o t h ose of u s in Class 1.”
“H ow ever ,” W an g Yan said , su d d en ly sh ift ed t h e t op ic of d iscu ssion , “u n lik e

t h e ot h er acad em ies, Sh r ek Acad em y d oesn ’t h ave an y fin al exam s. As t o w h y
t h is is t h e case, I’m su r e t h at ever yon e alr ead y k n ow s. W e’ll b e t est in g w h et h er
or n ot you ’r e q u alified t o b ecom e a secon d year st u d en t a t t h e st ar t of t h e n ext
year . Becau se of t h at , you can ’t r elax a t all, even w h en you go b ack h om e. You ’ll
h ave t o w or k even h ar d er d u r in g t h e n ext m on t h . T h is is t h e on ly w ay t h at you
can con t in u e t o st u d y in Sh r ek Acad em y n ext year . I’m fon d of ever y sin gle on e
of you , t h u s I h op e t h at w e d on ’t h ave t o say far ew ell t o an yon e n ext year .”
“Now t h en , I’ll t ell you all a few of t h e m ain p oin t s r egar d in g t h e

ad van cem en t t est . You ’ll h ave t o r em em b er t h is: T h e fir st p ar t of t h e
ad van cem en t t est h a s n o sk ill r eq u ir em en t s. It t est s you r ab solu t e st r en gt h , or
in ot h er w or d s, you r sou l p ow er . If you w an t t o get in t o Year 2, you ’ll h ave t o b e
Ran k 20 . If you h aven ’t got t en t w o sou l r in gs b y t h e t im e w e t ak e t h e
ad van cem en t t est , I su ggest t h at you n ot b ot h er com in g n ext year . Regar d less of
h ow w ell you p er for m d u r in g t h e ot h er assessm en t s, it w on ’t b e of an y u se if
you h aven ’t got t en t w o r in gs. T h e acad em y w on ’t ch an ge it s r u les for an yon e.
As su ch , if you ’r e a st u d en t w h o h asn ’t r each ed Ran k 20 yet , you ’ll h ave t o
cu lt ivat e for you r lives. At t h e sam e t im e, you ’ll also h ave t o get a secon d sou l
r in g in or d er t o p r ov e t h at you ’ve r each ed t h e Sou l Gr an d m ast er level.”
“H ow ever , h avin g a t w o-r in ged cu lt iva t ion d oesn ’t m ean t h a t you ’ll d efin it ely
p ass t h e ad van cem en t t est . Even T each er Zh ou an d I d on ’t k n ow t h e sp ecifics of
t h e ad van cem en t t est at t h is p oin t in t im e. H ow ever , I can t ell you m y
ad van cem en t t est w as lik e. T h at year , t h e Year 2 ad van cem en t t est h a d ever y
sin gle st u d en t ch allen ge a h u n d r ed yea r sou l b east u n d er t h e su p er vision of a
t each er . Rem em b er t h is—you ’ll h ave t o d o it alon e, w it h ou t an y ou t sid e
assist an ce. If t h e su p er visin g t each er m ak es a m ove, t h e assessm en t w ill b e over .
T h is t est is t h e aca d em y’s m ost -oft en u sed assessm en t . You sh ou ld b e h ap p y if
you get t h is t est , as it t est s you r p u r e, u n ad u lt er at ed st r en gt h . H ow ever , t h er e’s
a ch an ce t h at t h ey cou ld give you an even m or e d ifficu lt t est t h at r eq u ir es lu ck ,
st r en gt h , an d in t elligen ce, b u t t h ese t est s n or m ally on ly ap p ear in u p p er year
t est s. At t h e sam e t im e, t h is ad van cem en t t est isn ’t ju st r ela t ed t o ever y sin gle
on e of you ; it ’s r elat ed t o ou r class, as Class 1 also h as t o u n d er go an
ad van cem en t t est . T h is assessm en t is an ext r a on e t h a t you ’ll h ave t o fin ish a s
w ell.”
Book 7: The Ext r eme Nor t h
Chapt er 39.1: The Thr ee Emper or s of t he Ext r eme
Nor t h
Ever yon e h ad b een ab le t o u n d er st an d W an g Yan ’s fir st w or d s, b u t som e of

t h em b ecam e som ew h at con fu sed w h en h e st a r t ed t alk in g ab ou t a class
ad van cem en t t est . W h at w as a class ad van cem en t t est ?
W an g Yan in d iffer en t ly con t in u ed , “Ever y sin gle class act s a s a w h ole b od y.

As su ch , if t h at w h ole b od y can ’t ad van ce t o Year 2, w h at u se w ou ld t h er e b e in
t h e st u d en t s ad van cin g? Fr om an ot h er st an d p oin t , t h e cla ss a d van cem en t t est is
a t est for T each er Zh ou Yi an d I. Du r in g t h e class a d van cem en t t est , w e’ll ch oose
t h r ee t o seven st u d en t s t o p ar t icip at e in a sp ecial t est . T h e ad van cem en t level of
ou r class w ill b e d et er m in ed b y h ow w ell w e d o in t h is assessm en t . If w e
com p let e t h is assessm en t p er fect ly, t h en 10 0 % of Class 1 w ill a d van ce; ever y
sin gle st u d en t t h at can p ass t h e in d iv id u al assessm en t w ill b e ab le t o con t in u e
t h eir st u d ies in Year 2. H ow ever , if w e can ’t com p let e it p er fect ly, w e’ll h ave t o
exp el a p er cen t age of st u d en t s fr om Class 1, d esp it e t h em p assin g t h eir
in d iv id u al t est s. In ot h er w or d s, even if ever y sin gle on e of you p asses t h e
in d ivid u al assessm en t , if w e on ly en d u p get t in g 90 % on t h e class ad va n cem en t
t est , t h e last 10 % of st u d en t s in t h e Class 1’s assessm en t r an k in g w ill b e
exp elled .”
On ce h e’d fin ish ed h is exp lan at ion , t h e en t ir e class im m ed iat ely u n d er st ood
w h at h e m ean t , w h ich in t u r n cau sed t h em t o b e d u m b st r u ck . T h e st u d en t s t h at
h ad t h ou gh t t h ey cou ld r elax an d t ak e a sh or t b r eak d u r in g t h e h olid ays w er e
ast on ish ed t o t h e p oin t t h a t t h eir m ou t h s w er e w id e op en . T h is w as esp ecially
t r u e for t h ose w h o h ad h igh er cu lt iva t ion s, as t h ey’d t h ou gh t t h a t t h ey cou ld
b r eeze t h r ou gh t h e ad van cem en t t est . T h ey’d n ever exp ect ed t h e p ossib ilit y of
t h er e b ein g a class a d van cem en t t est .
W an g Yan sm iled . T h ou gh it seem ed w ar m , it act u ally con t ain ed an om in ou s
feelin g. “I t h in k t h at , if an y of t h e st u d en t s w h o’ve b een ch osen t o p ar t icip at e in
t h e class assessm en t m ak e a m ist ak e t h at cau ses t h e eva lu at ion of t h e class t o
d r op , t h e en t ir e class w ill r em em b er t h at p er son .”
“I’m also a st u d en t w h o’s gr ad u at ed fr om Sh r ek Acad em y, so I’ll t ell you

ab ou t w h at m y exp er ien ce w as lik e. Rea list ically, t h e p er iod of t im e aft er you
p ass you r ad van cem en t t est an d b egin you r st u d ies again is act u ally t h e h ap p iest
an d m ost excit in g t im e you ’ll exp er ien ce in Sh r ek Acad em y. Con t r ar ily, t h e
h olid ays ar e h ell for an over w h elm in g m ajor it y of st u d en t s. Un less you ’r e
u n w illin g t o con t in u e st u d yin g h er e, you sh ou ld k n ow w h at you all h ave t o d o
on ce you get h om e.”
“T h at ’s all I h ave t o say. Class is d ism issed , you can h ead b ack an d p ack u p
you r t h in gs.” W a n g Yan w aved h is h an d as h e d ism issed t h e class.
T h e st u d en t s of Class 1 w er e d u m b st r u ck ; t h eir or igin al excit em en t an d

en t h u siasm h ad van ish ed fr om t h e face of t h e ea r t h . W as it r eally p ossib le for a
t w o-r in ged st u d en t t o t ak e on a h u n d r ed year sou l b ea st b y t h em selves?
Alt h ou gh a lar ge m ajor it y of t h em p ossessed h u n d r ed year sou l r in gs, h ow m an y
of t h em h ad act u ally b een t h e on e t o h u n t t h e sou l b east t h at t h ey’d ob t ain ed
t h eir so u l r in g fr om ? Not t o m en t ion t h e class ad van cem en t t est t h a t t h ey’d
h ave t o p ass aft er w a r d s.
W an g Don g h ad a b it t er sm ile on h is face as h e ask ed H u o Yu h ao, “Say, d o you

t h in k t h at I’ll b e ch osen for t h e class t est ?”
H u o Yu h ao glan ced a t h im . “W h a t d o you t h in k , class m on it or W an g?”
Dep r essed , W an g Don g st ood u p . “W h at ever , t h er e’s n o u se t alk in g t o you !

Let ’s h ead b ack t o ou r r oom an d cu lt ivat e. An ext r a d ay of cu lt iva t in g is st ill a n
ext r a d ay. Sin ce w e’ve on ly got on e m on t h , I’ll t r y t o r each Ran k 30 as q u ick ly as
p ossib le, even if it m ean s t h at I h ave t o ea t p ills ever yd ay.”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled . “If you can m an age t o r each Ran k 30 b efor e w e t ak e t h e
ad van cem en t t est , I st r on gly b elieve t h at it w ill b e m u ch easier for you . Don ’t
w or r y, I’ll volu n t eer t o p ar t icip at e in t h e class assessm en t so t h at I can b e a
st r on g su p p or t for you .”
“W an g Don g, H u o Yu h ao. You t w o st ay b eh in d for a b it .” Zh ou Yi’s cold voice

r an g ou t .
T h e t w o of t h em h u r r ied ly p au sed t h eir foot st ep s. Aft er t h e ot h er st u d en t s

h ad left , W an g Yan a n d Zh ou Yi h ad called t h e t w o of t h em over t o t h e st age.
“W h at ar e you r t h ou gh t s on t h e class assessm en t t h a t T each er W an g

m en t ion ed ?” Zh ou Yi ask ed .
H elp less, W an g Don g r ep lied , “W h at ca n I say? T h e t w o of u s w ill ju st h ave t o

go t oget h er . Oh yeah , w e’ll h ave t o get Xiao Xiao as w ell.” Xiao Xiao h ad alr ead y
fu sed w it h t h e sou l b on e sh e’d r eceived , cau sin g h er st r en gt h t o in cr ease
d r am at ically. M or eover , sh e w as som eon e t h at p ossessed t w in m ar t ial sou ls.
Even t h ou gh h er sou l p ow er cu lt iva t ion sp eed w asn ’t as fast a s W an g Don g an d
H u o Yu h ao’s, sh e w as st ill on e of t h e q u ick est w it h in Class 1.
W an g Yan n od d ed . “T h e t w o of you d efin it ely h ave t o p ar t icip at e t oget h er

w h en t h e t im e com es. W e d on ’t k n ow t h e sp ecifics of t h e assessm en t , b u t you ’ll
st ill h ave t o w or k h ar d d u r in g t h e n ext m on t h . Yu h ao, ar e t h er e an y p r ob lem s
r egar d in g you r secon d r in g?”
H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely sh ook h is h ead . “T h er e ar en ’t an y.” H e w as st ill

afr aid of W an g Yan qu est ion in g h im , as t h at w o u ld exp ose h is lie. For t u n at ely,
W an g Yan d id n ’t follow u p w it h a n y fu r t h er qu est ion s. H e’d clear ly b een
r eassu r ed b y H u o Yu h ao.
Zh ou Yi said , “You r st u d ies h er e w ill b e even m or e in t en se n ext year . I w on ’t

b ot h er t alk in g t oo m u ch ab ou t ot h er t h in gs, as you t w o sh ou ld h ead b ack ear ly.
As class m on it or s, I h op e t h at t h e t w o of you can com e b ack som ew h at ear lier .
T h e ear lier you com e b ack , t h e b et t er , as T each er W an g an d I w ill b e in for m ed
of t h e con t en t s of t h e assessm en t ar ou n d t en d ays or so b efor e w e b egin sch ool.
Follow in g t h is, you t w o w ill b e ab le t o p r ep ar e for it if you com e b ack ear ly.”
“Yes.” H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g n od d ed sim u lt an eou sly.
Zh ou Yi r ep lied , “Go on .”
“T each er Zh ou , T each er W an g, good b ye.” H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g

r esp ect fu lly said good b ye t o t h e t w o t each er s. Alt h ou gh t h ey w er e ab ou t t o
b egin t h eir h olid ays, t h ey w er e st ill som ew h at u n w illin g t o leave t h e acad em y.
In t h e en d , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s or igin al p lan s—t o m ak e t h e m ost of

t h eir t im e t o cu lt ivat e—d id n ’t su cceed , as Xiao Xiao, alon g w it h Bei Bei an d
T an g Ya, w er e w ait in g for t h em ou t sid e. T h u s, t h e w or d s t h at H u o Yu h ao h a d
said last n igh t b ecam e a r ealit y; h e en d ed u p r oast in g som e fish for ever yon e.
T h eir m eal w asn ’t ju st lim it ed t o t h e five of t h em , as H u o Yu h ao also called

over h is sen ior b r ot h er , H e Cait ou . Aft er t h e six of t h em h ad gat h er ed , it b ecam e
r at h er lively; t h ey con t in u ed m essin g ar ou n d lik e cr azy u n t il it w as n igh t t im e.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t t ell an yon e w h er e h e w as goin g t o ob t ain h is sou l r in g, an d in
t h e en d , h is w h it e lie w asn ’t exp osed .
An ot h er m or n in g b egan .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w alk ed acr oss t h e Sea God ’s Lak e’s lak esid e p at h .
Sin ce t h ey h ad st or age-t yp e sou l t ools, t h ey n at u r ally d id n ’t n eed t o car r y a
b ack p ack w it h t h em . T h e t w o of t h em r em ain ed silen t as t h ey slow ly w alk ed
for w ar d s.
M ist p r oceed ed t o slow ly cover t h e Sea God ’s Lak e, w h ile t h e d am p air b low n
b y t h e lak esid e w in d b at t er ed t h eir b od ies, cau sin g t h eir u n ifor m s t o b ecom e
som ew h at m oist .
T h ou gh t h e lak esid e p at h w as r at h er lon g, it st ill h a d an en d . As t h e m or n in g

su n slow ly r ose, t h e w at er vap or su r r ou n d in g t h em gr a d u ally evap or at ed .
“I’m leavin g n ow , b u t I’ll com e b ack ear ly. See m e off.” W an g Don g said as h e
t u r n ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. W h en H u o Yu h ao saw W an g Don g, h e cou ld clear ly
see t h e t r ace of liq u id sp ar k lin g a t t h e cor n er s of h is eyes.
Du r in g t h e p ast elev en m on t h s, t h e t w o of t h em h ad p r act ica lly b een t oget h er

all t h e t im e, cu lt ivat in g d ay an d n igh t . T h ou gh t h ey w er en ’t in sep ar ab le, t h ey’d
b ecom e b est fr ien d s. J u st as t h ey w er e ab ou t t o sep ar at e fr om each ot h er , a
st r on g feelin g of r elu ct an ce seem ed t o clog u p t h eir t h r oat s. T h ou gh t h is feelin g
d id n ’t last lon g, it ca u sed t h em t o feel t h e p ain of sep ar at ion t em p or ar ily.
Aft er w ar d s, W an g Don g r an ou t of t h e acad em y lik e h e w as escap in g fr om

H u o Yu h ao. H e d id n ’t t u r n a r ou n d , b u t h e cou ld n ’t h elp t h e t ear s in h is eyes
fr om flow in g u n con t r ollab ly. H e m u t t er ed t o h im self in w a r d ly, H uo Yuhao, you
bi g dum m y!
H uo Yuh ao coul dn ’ t h el p but r ub h i s eyes as h e w at ch ed W an g Don g’ s sl en der

f i gur e gr adual l y di sappear . Af t er w ar ds, h e t ur n ed t ow ar ds t h e door pl at e of
Sh r ek Academ y.
T eacher Xi ao Ya, el der seni or br ot her , seni or br ot her H e, T eacher Zhou,

T eacher Fan Yu, T eacher W ang… I ’ m l eavi ng now . I ’ l l def i n i t el y gi ve you al l a
bi g sur pr i se w hen I get back . I ’ ve never f or got t en t he oat h I m ade back t hen; I ’ l l
def i ni t el y m ak e t hose t hat l ook ed dow n on m y w hi t e soul r i ng f eel t er r i f i ed
w henever t hey see t he col or w hi t e i n t he f ut ur e. I ’ l l com e back as soon as
possi bl e.
Af t er t ak i n g a deep br eat h t o cal m h i s sur gi n g em ot i on s, H uo Yuh ao m ade

sur e t h at h e w as h eaded i n t h e r i gh t di r ect i on as h e l ef t t h e academ y. I n t h e
bl i n k of an eye, h e’ d van i sh ed as h e r an al on g Sh r ek Ci t y’ s of f i ci al r oad t o t h e
n or t h .
T o t h e t w el ve-year -ol d H uo Yuh ao, t h e m el an ch ol y t h at h e f el t f r om

separ at i on w as st i l l ver y easy f or h i m t o con t r ol . Af t er m adl y r un n i n g f or t w o
h our s ben eat h t h e car ess of t h e cool br eeze, h e open ed h i s m i n d an d f el t an
i n descr i babl e sen se of del i gh t .
A year ago, h e’d b een a b eggar -lik e you t h w h o’d ju st left t h e W h it e T iger
Du k e’s M an sion .
On e year lat er , t od a y, h e w as a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er t h at on ly n eed ed t o

ob t ain a sou l r in g in or d er t o ad van ce t o t h e level of a Sou l Gr an d m ast er .
Fu r t h er m or e, h e w a s even a Class 2 sou l en gin eer . At t h e sa m e t im e, h e sim p ly
h ad t oo m u ch in for m at ion in sid e of h is m in d r igh t n ow .
H u o Yu h ao m igh t n ot h ave im p r oved t h e m ost ou t of t h e st u d en t s w it h in

Sh r ek Acad em y t h is year , b u t h e h ad d efin it ely t r a n sfor m ed t h e m ost . It h ad
on ly b een year , b u t it seem ed lik e h e’d sh ed h is m or t al b od y an d b on es. T h is w as
som et h in g t h a t n ob od y cou ld d en y.
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , h ow far t o t h e n or t h d o w e n eed t o h ead ?” In t h e p ast ,

t h e Sk yd r eam Icew o r m h ad b een ver y fon d of sleep in g. In fr act , It w ou ld n ’t b e
u n com m on for it t o n ot sp eak t o H u o Yu h ao for over a m on t h . On ly aft er H u o
Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er b r ok e t h r ou gh t o Ran k 20 d id it fin ally aw ak en fr om it s
d r eam s. Som ew h at u n exp ect ed ly, t h e eld er t h at h ad p r eviou sly ap p ear ed h ad
b een ab n or m ally silen t . T h e gr ay p ear l w as excep t ion ally silen t , an d ot h er t h a n
t h e r ip p les it h ad m ad e last t im e, it h ad n ’t ch an ged in t h e sligh t est . T h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad even m aliciou sly said t h at it s st r an d of d ivin e sen se
m u st ’ve b een t h or ou gh ly d est r oyed .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow t h at , if it s st r an d of d ivin e sen se t r u ly h ad

d isap p ear ed , t h e gr ay p ear l d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave r em ain ed in sid e of h is
Sp ir it u al Sea .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s lazy voice r an g ou t , “J u st k eep h ead in g n or t h ,

you ’ll d efin it ely b e on t h e r igh t t r ack . T h is r oad is q u it e lon g. Did n ’t you
con st an t ly p r act ice r u n n in g ar ou n d w it h a h eavy load on you r b ack in t h e
acad em y? T h is t im e, you d on ’t even h ave t o car r y a h eavy load . Based on you r
cu r r en t sp eed , it ’ll t a k e at least t en d ays t o r each w h er e w e’r e h ead ed .”
“Ah ? T en d ays?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed , flab ber gast ed . “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , w h er e

ar e w e h ead ed ? W h y d o w e h ave t o t r avel so far n or t h ? M y cu r r en t sp eed isn ’t
slow at all! If I go all-ou t an d r u n for w ar d s for a fu ll d ay, even if I d on ’t m an age
t o cr oss a t h ou san d m iles, I’ll h it 80 0 m iles at least ! If I w er e t o r u n for t en d ays,
t h at ’s eigh t t h ou san d m iles!”
“Yep ! T h at ’s ab ou t h ow far it is fr om h er e. W e’r e h ead in g t o m y old h om e—

t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ’s Ext r em e Nor t h ,” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said in a t on e
t h at seem ed com p let ely n at u r al. “Don ’t for get , t h at ’s t h e p lace t h at I’m m ost
fam iliar w it h .”
Pu zzled , H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , isn ’t t h at t oo far ? I st ill h ave

t o p ar t icip at e in t h e ad van cem en t t est on ce I get b ack . W on ’t it b e t oo lat e for
m e t o get b ack in t im e? Is t h is t h e on ly p lace you k n ow of t h at h as a sp ir it u al-
t yp e sou l b east ?”
Nor t h
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “M y h om e’s n ot t h e on ly p lace w it h

sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l b east s; t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est d efin it ely h as som e as w ell.
T h e p r ob lem is, you ’r e n ot get t in g som et h in g as sim p le as a sou l r in g. T h e m ost
im p or t an t t h in g you n eed t o d o is aw ak en you r secon d m ar t ial sou l, an d t o d o
t h at , you ’ll h ave t o get you r secon d sou l r in g fr om t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . I’ve
alr ead y p lan n ed it all ou t for you . If you h ave t h e en er gy t o t alk n on sen se, w h y
d on ’t you sp eed u p a lit t le b it m or e? T h e ear lier w e get t h er e, t h e m or e t im e
you ’ll h ave. If ever yt h in g goes sm oot h ly, it w on ’t b e a p r ob lem for u s t o get b ack
t o Sh r ek Acad em y in a m on t h .”
H u o Yu h ao, w h o’d or igin ally t h ou gh t t h a t h e h ad an am p le am ou n t of t im e t o

ob t ain h is sou l r in g, su d d en ly felt a p r essin g sen se of u r gen cy. Afr aid of w ast in g
an y m or e t im e, h e h u r r ied ly sp ed u p . As h e ad ju st ed h is b r eat h in g, h e con t in u ed
t ak in g lar ge st r id es t ow ar d s t h e n or t h .
H e’d ask ed t h e can t een for t w o d ays w or t h of food t h e d a y b efor eh an d . As

su ch , h e d id n ’t n eed t o w or r y ab ou t food for t h e n ext t w o d ays. Fan Yu h ad also
given h im a h u n d r ed gold sou l coin s w h ich , com b in ed w it h h is or igin al savin gs,
sh ou ld b e en ou gh for h is jou r n ey.
A year of b it t er cu lt ivat ion h ad for m ed H u o Yu h ao’s u n yield in g p er son alit y.

Bein g ab le t o cu lt iva t e in a solit ar y en vir on m en t w as d efin it ely n ot som et h in g
t h at ju st an y sou l m ast er cou ld d o. H u o Yu h ao calm ed d ow n an d d iscar d ed an y
d ist r act in g t h ou gh t s in h is m in d as h e w h oleh ear t ed ly r u sh ed t ow ar d s t h e
n or t h . Aft er r u n n in g for b et w een fou r an d six h ou r s, h e’d st op t o t ak e a b r eak ,
as h e’d d r a in ed n ear ly all of h is sou l p ow er . T h e in st an t h e r ecover ed h is sou l
p ow er , h e’d st ar t r u n n in g again .
Con sid er in g t h e sit u at ion h e w as in , h e r an w it h ou t an y r est r ain t s on h is
sp eed . Per h ap s even a t h r ee or fou r -r in ged exp er t m igh t n ot b e ab le t o r u n as far
as h e h ad in a sin gle d ay.
In t h e b lin k of an eye, t h r ee d ays h ad p a ssed . H u o Yu h ao w as alr ead y ab le t o

sen se t h e air ar ou n d h im get t in g cold er an d cold er . H ow ever , t h e fr igid cold
d id n ’t slow h im d ow n at all. H e en t er ed a cit y, b ou gh t a t h ick set of clot h es, an d
r ep len ish ed h is su p p lies. M ost im p or t an t ly of all h ow ever , h e b ou gh t a m ap .
H e w as cu r r en t ly w it h in t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e. As lon g as h e con t in u ed

t o h ead n or t h , h e’d r each t h e n or t h er n b or d er s of t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e; at
t h at t im e, h e’d h a ve r each ed h is d est in at ion . Sh r ek Acad em y lay on t h e
sou t h east er n b or d er of t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e an d t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e.
T h u s, H u o Yu h ao’s jou r n ey w ou ld t ak e h im fr om t h e sou t h er n m ost p ar t of t h e
H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e t o t h e n or t h er n m ost p ar t . Fr om t h is alon e, t h e
exh au st ion h e’d su ffer t h r ou gh ou t h is jou r n ey cou ld b e im agin ed .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t feel t ir ed in t h e least . On t h e con t r ar y, h e t r eat ed

it as exp er ien ce for t h e fu t u r e. Ot h er t h a n t h e fir st cit y h e’d en t er ed , h e d id n ’t
en t er an y ot h er cit ies b efor e r each in g t h e n or t h er n b or d er ; h e r est ed in t h e
w ild er n ess. Of t h e m an y t h in gs h e’d p u r ch ased , on e t h em h ad b een a sm all,
fold ab le t en t m a d e of leat h er . T h e t en t it self w asn ’t lar ge; it w as r ou gh ly 2
m et er s lon g a n d 1.2 m et er s w id e. H ow ever , it w as en ou gh for h im t o r est in .
T h is, ad d ed t o t h e w ar m sleep in g b ag h e’d b r ou gh t , gave H u o Yu h ao a good r est .
M or eover , h e’d alw ays cover h im self w it h h is sleep in g b ag w h en h e en t er ed a
m ed it at ive st at e, m a k in g it so t h at h e d id n ’t even n eed t o lie d ow n or sleep .
H u o Yu h ao h ad lived in t h e Du k e’s M an sion h is en t ir e life, p r ior t o en t er in g

Sh r ek Acad em y. T h u s, h e’d n ever exp er ien ced a h ar sh w in t er b efor e. H ow ever ,
t h e on e year of b it t er cu lt iva t ion h e’d en d u r ed h ad ca u sed h im t o gain an
ext r em ely st u r d y p h ysiqu e. Aft er ad ap t in g t o it for a few d ays, h e w as m u ch
m or e com for t ab le in t h e cold . For t h e sak e of savin g m on ey, h e ch ose n ot t o b u y
a fu r cloak ; h e on ly b ou gh t a h eavy cot t on sh ir t .
Aft er r u n n in g at h is t op sp eed for eigh t d ays, H u o Yu h ao fin ally n ear ed t h e
n or t h er n b or d er of t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e. Up on r each in g t h is p oin t , h is
locat ion on t h e m ap h ad sim p ly b ecom e a p at ch of w h it e.
Pau sin g h is foot st ep s, H u o Yu h ao st op p ed t o t ak e a sm all b r eat h er . T h e w h it e

m ist t h at left fr om h is n ose in st an t ly t u r n ed in t o fr agm en t s of ice t h a t d isp er sed
in t o t h e air .
H u o Yu h ao p u lled h is h ood over h is h ead t o b lock t h e fr igid w in d fr om

d iggin g in t o h is face. H ow ever , t h e fr eezin g air st ill m an aged t o p ier ce in t o h is
b od y lik e m in iscu le d agger s via t h e sm all h oles in h is clot h es.
W at er w ou ld in st an t ly fr eeze in t o icicles w h er e h e w as n ow . As if t o p r ove t h is

p oin t , a layer of fr ost h ad alr ead y cover ed H u o Yu h ao’s eyeb r ow s.
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel som ew h at d ep r essed as h e car efu lly look ed

at h is m ap . Based on h is cu r r en t p osit ion on t h e m ap , h e’d r each an em p t y void
if h e con t in u ed t o h ead n or t h w ar d s. T h er e w as a sm all w ar n in g ab ove t h at void :
“T h e Ext r em e Nor t h , an ar ea for b id d en t o h u m an s. Sou l b east s r oam ab ou t

fr eely h er e. Dan ger , d an ger , d an ger !”
T h e t h r ee ‘d an ger ’s w er e w r it t en in r ed .
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , st op sleep in g. W e m igh t ’ve r each ed ou r d est in at ion , t h u s

I’ll n eed you t o lead t h e w ay fr om n ow on .” H u o Yu h ao in w ar d ly called ou t t o
t h e Sk yd r eam Icew o r m .
“Lead t h e w ay? Lead w h at w ay?” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s st u p or ou s voice

r an g ou t . Aft er com in g t o h is sen ses, t h e on ly m illion year sou l b east on t h e
Dou lu o Con t in en t st ar ed b lan k ly for a b r ief m om en t , t h en said , “I d on ’t
r ecogn ise t h is p lace!”
“W h at ?” H u o Yu h a o w as ast on ish ed . “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , p lease d on ’t jok e

ar ou n d h er e! I follow ed you r in st r u ct ion s an d r an n or t h for a fu ll eigh t d ays t o
get h er e. If you d on ’t r ecogn ise t h is p lace, w h at sh ou ld w e d o? ”
W it h an ext r em ely in n ocen t voice, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “I r eally
d on ’t r ecogn ise t h is p lace. I u sed t o live in t h e n or t h ea st er n p ar t of t h e
con t in en t , w h ich is st ill ext r em ely far fr o m h er e. Lat er on , I d r ift ed t ow ar d s t h e
sou t h , b efor e fin ally r each in g t h e Gr ea t St a r Dou For est . T h is sh ou ld b e t h e
n or t h -cen t r al a r ea of t h e con t in en t , w h ich w as or igin ally t h e n or t h w est er n ar ea
of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t . H ow am I su p p osed t o k n ow m y w ay ar ou n d h er e?”
An xiou s, H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “T h en w h at sh ou ld w e d o? Br ot h er Sk yd r eam ,

you ….”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m let ou t a cu n n in g lau gh . “I m ad e you w or r y for a b it .

Fin e, I w on ’t jok e ar ou n d w it h you an ym or e. Even t h ou gh I d on ’t k n ow w h at
d ir ect ion w e n eed t o h ead h er e, you ’ve for got t en ju st h ow p ow er fu l m y sp ir it u al
for ce is! I d on ’t even n eed t o w or r y ab ou t w h at d ir ect ion w e n eed t o go. As lon g
as w e follow m y sp ir it u a l for ce, w e’ll b e ab le t o fin d w h at w e n eed . Isn ’t t h at
en ou gh ? Righ t , st r ip n ow .”
H u o Yu h ao w as in st an t ly st u n n ed . “You w an t m e t o t ak e m y clot h es off?

Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , t h is is a w or ld of ice an d sn ow ! You ’r e goin g t o cau se m e t o
fr eeze m e t o d eat h !”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m gr u m p ily sp at , “Qu ick ly d o it , else you ’ll r ea lly fr eeze
t o d eat h if you d on ’t . An d w h y d id you call t h is a w or ld of ice an d sn ow ? In t h e
p ast , I’d b e sw ea t in g fr om su ch h igh t em p er at u r es. T h is is st ill ver y, ver y far
fr om t h e t r u ly cold a r eas. On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e t h in g t h a t w e’r e look in g for is
locat ed in t h e ver y cen t er of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . You can ’t even im agin e h ow
cold it is t h er e. Qu ick ly, t ak e off you r clot h es so t h a t I can h elp you ou t a b it . If
you d on ’t , you ’ll b e fin ish ed in less t h a n t w o d ays on ce w e con t in u e h ea d in g
for w ar d .”
At t h is p oin t in t im e, H u o Yu h ao co u ld on ly ch oose t o b elieve in t h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m . H e sim p ly d id n ’t h ave an y ot h er ch oice. H elp less, h e
r em oved t h e t h ick co t t on sh ir t fr om h is b od y.
As soon as h e d id , t h e b it in g cold of t h e fr eezin g n or t h er n w in d p en et r at ed h is
en t ir e b od y. T h is feelin g w as ak in t o h im su d d en ly ea t in g t en p op sicles at on ce.
Am id st t h is w or ld of ice an d sn ow , it w as even p ossib le t o see st eam r isin g fr om
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
Clen ch in g h is t eet h , H u o Yu h ao t ook off t h e r est of h is clot h in g as q u ick ly as

p ossib le, exp osin g h is st u r d y m u scles. H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sw ay d u e t o t h e
ext r em e t em p er at u r es h er e. T h is feelin g w as d efin it ely so ‘r elaxin g’ t h at h e
cou ld n ’t even r elax.
“T ak e you r u n d er w ear off as w ell! W h y d id you even leave t h em on ? If you

d on ’t w an n a let m e h elp you ou t for a b it , d on ’t b lam e m e w h en you r lit t le
b r ot h er fr eezes t o d eat h .” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m let ou t a d evilish lau gh .
H u o Yu h ao an gr ily r ep lied , “Do it q u ick ly, else it ’s goin g t o fr eeze t o d eat h

r igh t n ow !” H is voice w as cu r r en t ly t r em b lin g. Ign or in g t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m , h e q u ick ly t ook off h is u n d er p a n t s.
As t h e b it in gly cold w in d slam m ed in t o h is b od y, H u o Yu h ao’s b od y t u r n ed

b r igh t r ed , ca u sin g h im t o r esem b le a b oiled sh r im p .
H ow ever , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m d id n ’t u t t er a w or d . Even t h ou gh H u o

Yu h ao r ep eat ed ly called ou t t o it , it d id n ’t r esp on d at all.
Feelin g t h at h e w as ab ou t t o fr eeze t o d eat h , H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely

p r ep ar ed t o ju m p t ow ar d s h is clot h es. H ow ever , h is su r r ou n d in gs su d d en ly
t r an sfor m ed as a layer of p ale gold ligh t slow ly sp r ead ou t fr om h is h ead . As t h e
gold en ligh t d isp er sed , it exp elled t h e cold fr om h is b od y. Im m ed iat ely, a w ar m
feelin g b egan t o sp r ead t h r ou gh ou t h is en t ir e b od y.
“Ah —” H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t let ou t a gr oan fr om t h e p leasu r e. H e

even n ear ly b egan t o cr y. T h is feelin g w as sim p ly t oo st im u lat in g...
Aft er w ar d s, a gen t le lu m p of w h it e ligh t su d d en ly sh ot ou t fr om h is ch est . T o

H u o Yu h ao’s su r p r ise, h e d iscover ed t h a t t h e lu m p of ligh t seem ed t o b e m or e
lik e a lu m p of flesh t h at h ad gr ow n fr om h is ch est . T h e ligh t b egan t o qu ick ly
exp an d in m id air , u n t il it h ad b ecom e as lar ge as H u o Yu h ao. Aft er w ar d s, it
slow ly b egan t o sp r ead it self over h is b od y.
As t h e w h it e ligh t slow ly glu ed it self t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, h e felt as if a layer

of film h ad b een ap p lied t o h is sk in . T h e w h it e ligh t gr ad u a lly van ish ed alon g
w it h t h e w ar m feelin g. H ow ever , t h e fr igid cold h e’d felt d id n ’t com e b ack
d esp it e t h e d isap p ear an ce of t h e w ar m feelin g. As t h e b it in gly cold w in d sw ir led
ar ou n d h im , it seem ed t o sim p ly glid e p ast h im . T h ou gh h e st ill felt t h e im p act
of t h e w in d h it t in g h is b od y, it d id n ’t feel cold in t h e sligh t est .
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , t h is…” H u o Yu h ao h ad a look of ast on ish m en t on h is

face. Ever yt h in g t h at h ad ju st occu r r ed h ad u n d ou b t ed ly exceed ed t h e r an ge of
h is u n d er st an d in g.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s lazy voice r an g ou t , “T h is is m y sh ed d ed sk in fr om

m y or igin al b od y t h at you saw p r eviou sly. Pr eviou sly, d id n ’t it st ick t o you r
ch est ? I’ve m ad e it cover you r en t ir e b od y n ow . Sin ce I gr ew u p in su ch a p lace,
h ow cou ld I b e sca r ed of t h e cold ? T h e sk in I sh ed is ext r em ely good at
ven t ila t ion , an d can r esist t h e elem en t s. In ad d it ion t o t h a t , it can also h id e you r
au r a. Ot h er w ise, r ash ly en t er in g t h e Ext r em e Nor t h w it h you r m easly b it of
st r en gt h w ou ld ju st b e cou r t in g d eat h . N ow t h en , qu ick ly p u t on som e clot h es.
Do you t h in k t h at you look good n ak ed ?”
H u o Yu h ao w as left sp eech less. H e in w ar d ly t h ou gh t t o h im self, You’ r e t he

one w ho m ade m e st r i p nak ed! H ow ever , h e h ad t o adm i t t h at t h e Sk ydr eam
I cew or m w as bei n g con si der at e. Af t er put t i n g h i s cl ot h es back on , h e n o l on ger
f el t col d at al l . M or eover , t h e l ayer of sh edded sk i n f r om t h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m
di dn ’ t f eel l i k e i t w as t h er e at al l . H uo Yuh ao coul dn ’ t h el p but f eel som ew h at
m or e con f i den t i n en t er i n g t h e Ext r em e Nor t h w i t h t h e ai d of t h i s m yst i cal
abi l i t y.
At t h i s m om en t , t h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m sudden l y spok e w i t h an ext r em el y

ser i ous t on e, “ Yuh ao, you h ave t o l i st en t o m y com m an ds at al l t i m es f r om n ow
on . You can ’ t m ak e an y car el ess m i st ak es. I f you don ’ t l i st en t o m e, n ot on l y w i l l
you h ave t o st ay in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h for ever , you ’ll cau se m e t o get in t o
t r ou b le as w ell.”
“Ok ay.” H u o Yu h ao n od d ed . H e’d n a t u r a lly list en t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s

in st r u ct ion s. If h e d id n ’t , h e’d b e gr op in g ar ou n d in t h e d a r k .
“Con t in u e h ead in g n or t h w ar d s. W e’ll t a lk on ce you r each t h e cen t r al ar ea of

t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . Did you m ak e su r e t o b r in g en ou gh food ? I r eck on t h at w e’ll
h ave t o st ay h er e for over t en d ays, as t h is p lace d oesn ’t h ave an y w at er or food
for you t o eat or d r in k .”
H u o Yu h ao p at t ed t h e T w en t y Fou r M oon lit Br id ges on h is w aist an d r ep lied ,

“No p r ob lem , I’m all p r ep ar ed .” Aft er sayin g t h at , h e equ ip p ed t h e few sou l
t ools t h at h e’d p r ev iou sly cr eat ed . Sin ce t h e cold h ad d isap p ear ed , h e w as ab le
t o k eep h im self in p eak con d it ion .
Nor t h
H u o Yu h ao set ou t on ce again , h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e n or t h . T h ou gh t h e b it in g

cold w in d n o lon ger p osed a t h r ea t t o h im , t h e fr ost t h at h ad gr ad u ally
accu m u lat ed on h is b od y st ill m an aged t o slow h im d ow n . As h e con t in u ed t o
t r avel n or t h w ar d s, t h e ad van t age t h at h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion gave h im b ecam e
m or e an d m or e p r on ou n ced : W h en ever h e en cou n t er ed an u n fam iliar a r ea, h e
cou ld sim p ly u se h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t o con t in u e t r avellin g an d avoid an y
p ossib le d an ger s.
As H u o Yu h ao t r avelled , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m st ayed aw ak e, w h ich w as an

ext r em ely r ar e t h in g for h im t o d o. T h e r eason h e’d st ayed aw ak e w as so t h at h e
cou ld m ak e su r e t o t ell H u o Yu h ao w h en t o ch an ge d ir ect ion s. As h e con t in u ed
t o t r avel n or t h w ar d s, H u o Yu h ao w as a b le t o fain t ly sen se t h at t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m h ad b een r eleasin g som e of it s sp ir it u al p ow er in fr on t of h im .
Com p ar ed t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s t er r ifyin g sp ir it u al p ow er , h e w as lik e a
gr ain of r ice ad r ift in an ocean . H ow ever , d esp it e b ein g ab le t o sen se it , h e d id n ’t
k n ow w h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as look in g for .
In t h e b lin k of an eye, t w o d ays h ad p a ssed . By t h is t im e, H u o Yu h ao h ad

alr ead y fu lly en t er ed t h e d esolat e an d u n in h ab it ed Ext r em e Nor t h . H e’d
en cou n t er ed a few sou l b east s, b u t d u e t o t h e gu id an ce of t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m , h e’d yet t o m eet an exist en ce t h at act u ally p osed a t h r eat t o h im .
As h e con t in u ed on w ar d s, t h e sn ow b ecam e t h ick er an d t h ick er . On ce it w as

h igh er t h an h is k n ees, H u o Yu h ao h ad n o ch oice b u t t o ch op d ow n a t r ee an d
cr eat e t w o w ood en p lan k s, w h ich h e t ied t o b ot t om of h is feet . T h ou gh t h ey
w er en ’t m u ch , t h ey w er e ab le t o r ed u ce t h e st r ess on h is feet . An d , w h en ever h e
r each ed a d ow n h ill slop e, h e w as ab le t o u se t h em t o slid e d ow n . In t h e en d , h e’d
fou n d a p r et t y d ecen t m et h od t o t r avel t h r ou gh t h e sn ow w it h .
T w o d ays lat er .
Even t h ou gh h e’d slow ed d ow n qu it e a b it , h e w as alr ead y 4 0 0 m iles in t o t h e

Ext r em e Nor t h . T h e fr equ en cy at w h ich t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m t old h im t o
ch an ge d ir ect ion s h a d b ecom e m u ch h igh er as w ell.
Su d d en ly, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice r an g ou t as h e an xiou sly said ,

“Qu ick ly lie flat on t h e gr ou n d an d b u r y you r self b en eat h t h e sn ow . Don ’t m ove
an in ch on ce you ’ve d on e so. You can ’t m ove n o m at t er w h at —even if
som et h in g t ou ch es you .”
H u o Yu h ao w as sh ock ed w h en h e h ea r d t h is. Aft er w ar d s, h e laid d ow n as fast

as h e cou ld , cover ed h im self w it h t h e su r r ou n d in g sn ow , an d h eld h is b r eat h .
Not even t en b r eat h s of t im e h ad p assed b efor e H u o Yu h ao’s b od y b egan t o

sh u d d er u n con t r olla b ly. Even t h ou gh h e’d b u r ied h im self b en eat h t h e sn ow , h e
w as st ill aw ar e of h is su r r ou n d in gs! By r elyin g on h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , h e w as
st ill ab le t o sen se t h e ou t sid e w or ld t o a cer t ain ext en t .
H e w as sh u d d er in g b ecau se h e’d su d d en ly sen sed an in com p ar ab ly t er r ifyin g

au r a ou t sid e. H ow ever , t h e in st an t t h a t t h is au r a h ad ap p ear ed , t h e t r ace of
sp ir it u al p ow er h e’d left ou t sid e h ad in st an t ly sh at t er ed . H e h ad n ’t even b een
ab le t o t ell w h a t t h e n ew com er look ed lik e.
Fr om w h at H u o Yu h ao cou ld t ell, t h e n ew com er w as ext r aor d in ar ily lar ge,

an d t h e t er r or b r ou gh t ab ou t b y it s au r a h ad r each ed t h e ap ex. In fact , it seem ed
lik e it cou ld w ip e h im off t h e face of t h e ear t h w it h a m er e b r eat h . Im m ed ia t ely
aft er sen sin g t h is, h e felt a h eavy p r essu r e w eigh d ow n on h is b ack an d v iciou sly
sh ove h im even d eep er in t o t h e gr ou n d .
Or igin ally, h e’d b een h old in g h is b r ea t h . H ow ever , t h e in st an t t h is h eavy

p r essu r e ap p ear ed , t h e oxygen h e’d b een h old in g in st an t ly d isap p ear ed .
Aft er w ar d s, h is en t ir e b od y san k so d eep in t o t h e sn ow t h a t h e r each ed t h e soil
b en eat h it .
H u o Yu h ao felt a h ar d sh ell cover h is b od y t h e in st an t t h e h eavy p r essu r e
ap p ear ed . Even t h ou gh h e’d b een for ced in t o t h e gr ou n d , h e’d on ly b een sh oved
in . Ot h er t h an t h e su ffocat in g p r essu r e h e felt , h e h ad n ’t su ffer ed an y in ju r ies.
W er e it n ot for t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s p r eviou s com m an d , H u o Yu h ao

d efin it ely w ou ld ’ve m ad e a n oise. Du e t o t h e p r essu r e an d t h e com m an d h e’d
r eceived , h e d id n ’t even d ar e t o m ove at t h e m om en t . In st ead , h e for cefu lly
en d u r ed t h e p ain t h a t cam e alon g w it h b ein g su ffocat ed .
T h e en or m ou s p r essu r e t h at w as w eigh in g d ow n on h im su d d en ly
d isap p ear ed , w h ile t h e t er r ifyin g au r a h e’d felt b egan t o m ove fu r t h er a n d
fu r t h er aw ay fr om h im . As h e con t in u ed t o ch ok e, H u o Yu h ao felt h is ch est
b u r n in g u p .
H ow ever , h e cou ld n ’t m ove b efor e t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m t old h im t h a t it

w as alr igh t . H e cou ld on ly en d u r e. If h e d id n ’t , t h er e w as a lar ge ch an ce t h at
h e’d en cou n t er a calam it y t h at cou ld k ill h im as easily as b r ea t h in g.
Aft er an ot h er t en or so secon d s h ad p assed , t h e t er r ifyin g a u r a d isap p ear ed

com p let ely. On ce it h ad , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m in d icat ed t h at h e cou ld get b ack
up.
Aft er get t in g t o h is feet w it h d ifficu lt y, H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely gasp ed for

air . Even t h ou gh h e w asn ’t afr aid of t h e cold , in h alin g t h e cold air st ill cau sed
h im t o in st in ct ively sh iver . H e h u r r ied ly low er ed h ow m u ch air h e w as t ak in g in
w it h each b r eat h , b u t h is ch est con t in u ed t o m ove u p an d d ow n violen t ly.
Even t h ou gh h e h a d n ’t seen w h at exact ly h ad cr u sh ed h im , h e w as cer t ain

t h at h e’d ju st escap ed fr om t h e gat es of h ell! T h e ou t er sh ell t h at h e’d felt
su d d en ly h ar d en h a d b een t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s sh ed d ed sk in . If it h ad n ’t
b een for t h at , h e w ou ld ’ve b een sq u ash ed in t o a m eat p at t y.
H e con t in u ed t o in h ale an d exh ale for qu it e a w h ile b efor e m an agin g t o

r ecover som ew h at , alb eit w it h d ifficu lt y. T h e m om en t h e st ood b ack u p ,
ast on ish m en t in volu n t ar ily ap p ear ed on h is face. T h e fir st t h in g t h a t h e’d
n ot iced w er e t h e en or m ou s foot p r in t s a r ou n d h im , an d h e w as in t h e m id d le of
on e of t h ese foot p r in t s.
Each foot p r in t w as a r ou n d five m et er s lon g an d t w o m et er s w id e. In con t r ast ,

H u o Yu h ao’s im p r in t in t h e gr ou n d w asn ’t even a t h ir d of a sin gle foot p r in t . H e
w as ab le t o see t h e en or m ou s foot p r in t s h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e d ist an ce.
Aft er ever yt h in g w as said an d d on e, H u o Yu h ao w as st ill ju st a k id . Aft er

en cou n t er in g a sit u a t ion lik e t h is, h ow cou ld h e n ot b e scar ed ?
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , w h -w h at w as t h at ... t h in g ju st n ow ? H ow cou ld it s

foot p r in t s b e t h is b ig?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s som ew h at n er vou s voice r an g ou t , “W e n ear ly gave

aw ay ou r locat ion . T h at fella’s also a sp ir it u al-t yp e, t h u s h e w as act u ally ab le t o
b lock m y Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . For t u n at ely, m y sp ir it u al p ow er vast ly exceed s h is
in qu a lit y. Becau se of t h is, I w as ab le t o n ot ice h im w h ile h e w as st ill a cer t ain
d ist an ce aw ay fr om u s. You ’r e r ea lly lu ck y, k id . You w er e act u ally ab le t o m eet
t h e T it an Ice Devil Kin g, on e of t h e T h r ee Em p er or s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h .
Lu ck ily, w e w er e a b le t o h id e fr om t h at fella. If w e h a d n ’t , on ly on e t h in g
aw ait ed u s: d eat h . Even if it w as m e w h en I w as a t m y p eak con d it ion I w ou ld ’ve
d ied , let alon e you .”
“T h e T it an Ice Devil Kin g? W h at sp ecies d oes it b elon g t o? Is it also a sou l

b east ?” Aft er t h e a n xiet y an d p alp it at ion s in h is h ear t h a d d ied d ow n , t h e
cu r iosit y of a you n g m an q u ick ly w on over H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “T h e T h r ee Em p er or s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h

ar e eq u iva len t t o t h e k in gs in t h e Gr ea t St ar Dou For est . T h ey’r e t h e r u ler s of
t h e Ext r em e Nor t h , as w ell as t h e t r u e con su m m at e exp er t s h er e. T h ey’r e
p r act ically u n p ar alleled exist en ces in a cold en vir on m en t su ch as t h is. In t er m s
of over all st r en gt h , t h ose fellas fr om t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est m ost lik ely
w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o b eat t h e sou l b east s of m y Ext r em e Nor t h , even if t h ey all
h ap p en ed t o w or k t oget h er . On ly, t h e Ext r em e Nor t h h as t oo lar ge of an ar ea
an d r an ge. T h is, com b in ed w it h t h e few sou l b east s p r esen t , m ak es it m u ch
h ar d er for t h em t o gat h er .”
“T h e Ext r em e Nor t h h as a lar ge n u m b er of h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l

b east s, so m an y in fact , t h at t h e am ou n t exceed s t h e am ou n t w it h in t h e Gr eat
St ar Dou For est . Aft er all, t h e en vir on m en t h er e is ext r em ely h ar sh , an d ver y
few h u m an s d ar e t o in t r u d e. In ad d it ion t o t h is, t h e T h r ee Em p er or s all sh ar e a
com m on ch ar act er ist ic—t h eir cu lt ivat ion s all exceed a h u n d r ed t h ou san d
year s.”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed . H e w as n o lon ger t h e ign or an t k id h e’d b een w h en

h e m et t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m . Aft er st u d yin g in Sh r ek Acad em y for m or e t h an
a year , h is k n ow led ge t ow ar d s b ot h sou l m ast er s an d sou l b ea st s h ad d r ast ically
in cr eased .
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , if I’m n ot m ist ak en , sou l b east s h ave n o w ays of gr ow in g

aft er t h ey’ve cu lt iva t ed for a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s. On ce t h ey r each t h at
p oin t , t h eir life for ce w ill b egin t o d et er ior at e. You r sit u at ion is an ext r em ely
u n iq u e on e, su ch t h a t even ou r acad em y’s Dir ect or Du h asn ’t ever seen an yt h in g
lik e it b efor e. H ow ever , n ot a ll h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s ar e ab le t o
con st an t ly eat t h e b est h eaven ly t r easu r es lik e you w er e! H ow d id t h e T h r ee
Em p er or s d o it ? Ar e you on e of t h em ?”
“H ai… t h ey n at u r ally d on ’t in clu d e t h e lik es of m e. If I w er e r eally on e of t h e

T h r ee Em p er or s of t h is p lace, w h y w ou ld I n eed t o go so far as t o r u n aw ay!? At
t h at t im e, I w as for ced t o r u n aw ay b ecau se of on e of t h e T h r ee Em p er or s. T h e
lan d s b en eat h t h e h eaven s ar e vast , an d a r e filled w it h ext r aor d in ar y t h in gs; I’m
n ot t h e on ly sou l b east w h o’s h ad a lu ck y en cou n t er . Isn ’t it p ossib le for
som eon e else t o h ave a lu ck y en cou n t er as w ell? In d eed , t h e T h r ee Em p er or s ar e
d iffer en t fr om m e. W e Icew or m s can on ly b e con sid er ed low er r an k ed sou l
b east s w it h in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . M ost of t h e t im e w e’r e ju st con sid er ed food .
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e T h r ee Em p er or s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h all h a ve n ob le
or igin s; t h e b lood of t h e Ice God flow s t h r ou gh t h eir b od ies. T o b egin w it h , t h ey
b elon g t o t h e st r on gest r aces in t h is fr eezin g p lace. As su ch , t h eir ab ilit y t o
gat h er h eaven ly t r ea su r es is d efin it ely n ot w eak . Com b in ed w it h t h e secr et s t h at
t h ey k n ow , it ’s d efin it ely n ot im p ossib le for t h em t o h ave a cu lt iva t ion
b r eak t h r ou gh .”
“Bu t n ow t h at I t h in k ab ou t it , it r eally is ext r em ely h a r d t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h e

h u n d r ed t h ou san d year b ar r ier b y solely r elyin g on cu lt ivat ion . In t h e m illion
year s t h at I’ve b een alive, t h e n u m b er of sou l b east s t h at I’ve seen su cceed
d oesn ’t exceed t en . An d of t h ose t en , on ly t h r ee of ar e st ill a live. T h e ot h er s all
d ied w h ile t r yin g t o m ak e a b r eak t h r o u gh t o an even h igh er cu lt ivat ion r ealm .
T h e h u r d le t h at sou l b east s h ave t o cr oss ever y h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s is an
ext r em ely ar d u ou s t ask .”
“T h at gu y w h o p assed b y ju st n ow w as a d escen d an t of t h e T it an Gian t clan ,

w h ich w as su p p osed ly visit ed b y t h e an cien t Ice God . H e b elon gs t o t h e T it an Ice
Devil clan . If you w an t t o t alk ab ou t r ace alon e, t h ey’r e u n d ou b t ed ly t h e
st r on gest r ace in t h is fr eezin g p lace. T h ey cu r r en t ly on ly h a ve sever al h u n d r ed
clan sm en left . H ow ever , d esp it e t h is, w h en t h ey gat h er t oget h er , t h ey b ecom e
an u n p ar alleled exist en ce. T it an Ice Devils ar e over t en m et er s t a ll at b ir t h ,
w h ile ad u lt T it an Ice Devils ar e over fift y m et er s t all. T h e Ice T it an Devil Kin g
w h o ju st p assed b y w as over a h u n d r ed m et er s t all, an d h e’s d efin it ely t h e
lar gest livin g cr eat u r e on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t . Fu r t h er m or e, w e’r e n ot t alk in g
ab ou t a ‘on e of a kin d ’ t h in g. Even w it h in t h e ocean , sou l b east s t h at can
com p ar e t o it in size alon e ar e as r ar e as p h oen ix feat h er s an d qilin h or n s.”
H u o Yu h ao w as flabb er gast ed . “A h u n d r ed m et er s t all? T h at ’s t oo scar y. Isn ’t

it an u n p ar a lleled exist en ce t h en ?”
“Un p ar alleled ?” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew o r m sn or t ed d isd ain fu lly. “T h at ’s

ob viou sly n ot t h e case. Not t o m en t ion t h e en t ir e con t in en t , it ’s n ot even
u n p ar alleled in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . It ’s r an k ed last am on gst t h e T h r ee
Em p er or s. Of cou r se, t h e ch an ces of a h u m an b ein g ab le t o b eat it h er e in sin gle
com b at is n at u r a lly b asically zer o.”
Ast on ish ed , H u o Yu h ao said , “It ’s on ly r an k ed t h ir d w it h su ch a t er r ifyin g

b od y? T h en t h e ot h er t w o Em p er or s….”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “H avin g a lar ger b od y isn ’t alw ays b et t er .
Con t r ar ily, t h er e ar e som e t im es w h er e it ’s m or e ad van t ageou s t o h ave a sm aller
b od y. T h e ot h er t w o Em p er or s ar en ’t n ear ly as b ig as t h at gu y, b u t t h ey’r e b ot h
st r on ger t h an h im . Accor d in g t o w h at I k n ow , t h is T it an Ice Devil Kin g
sh ou ld ’ve on ly m an aged t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h e t w o h u n d r ed t h ou san d year
b ot t len eck w it h q u it e a b it of d ifficu lt y. I r eck on t h at it w on ’t b e ab le t o
b r eak t h r ou gh t o t h e t h r ee h u n d r ed t h ou san d year level. On e of t h e ot h er t w o
fellow s h as alr ead y p assed t h e t h r ee h u n d r ed t h ou san d year b ot t len eck , w h ile
t h e ot h er h as p assed t h e even m or e t er r ifyin g five h u n d r ed t h ou san d year
b ot t len eck . Ot h er t h an m yself, it ’s cu r r en t ly t h e old est sou l b east on t h e Dou lu o
Con t in en t . If you w er e t o d et er m in e t h e st r on gest sou l b east on t h e con t in en t ,
t h e lea d er of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ’s T h r ee Em p er or s is d efin it ely a p ow er fu l
con t en d er for t h at p osit ion .”
Chapt er 40.1: Skydr eam, Ice Emper or
H ear in g t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s w or d s, H u o Yu h ao co u ld n ’t h elp b u t

sw allow a m ou t h fu l of saliva. “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , st op it . If you con t in u e
t alk in g ab ou t t h e T h r ee Em p er or s, you ’ll d est r oy t h e lit t le b it of con fid en ce I’ve
fin ally b u ilt u p . T h e T h r ee Em p er or s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ar e st ill t oo far aw ay
fr om m e. Let ’s b e a b it m or e r ealist ic n ow . W h en can I get m y secon d sou l r in g?
Also, I h ave t o aw ak en m y secon d m ar t ial sou l.”
“T h ey’r e t oo far aw ay fr om you ? No, n o, t h ey’r e n ot at all.” T h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m said m yst er iou sly, “Yu h ao! H aven ’t you h ear d t h e p h r ase ‘t h e r ew ar d s
of you r h ar vest ar e on ly as b ig as you r gu t s’? Ou r t ar get t h is t im e is t h e 2n d
r an k ed Em p er or !”
“W h at ?” H u o Yu h ao w as p r act ically st r u ck b y ligh t n in g. As t h e cor n er of h is

m ou t h t w it ch ed , h e said in all ear n est n ess, “Br ot h er Sk yd r ea m , d on ’t you t h in k
w e’ve t r aveled a b it t oo far ju st for u s t o give it som e fr ee food ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sp at u n h ap p ily, “W h at d o you m ean , fr ee food ? You

good -for -n ot h in g, ju st see h ow cow ar d ly you ar e. Ar en ’t t h ey ju st t h e T h r ee
Em p er or s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ? W h a t ’s t h er e t o b e scar ed of?”
H u o Yu h ao h ad an in d ign an t exp r ession on h is face as h e said , “T h er e’s

n ot h in g t o b e scar ed of? If t h er e’s n ot h in g t o b e scar ed of, w h y’d you r u n
aw ay?”
“I…” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m flew in t o a r age, “It ’s d iffer en t n ow . I’m n o

lon ger t h e p er son I w as. Sin ce I d ar ed t o b r in g you h er e, I n at u r ally h ave a w ay
t o d eal w it h t h a t fella. W h at good d oes it d o for m e if I get you k illed ? Cou ld I
even con t in u e livin g t h en ? W it h you r w eak b od y, h ow ’r e you gon n a t ak e
r even ge for m e an d let m e st an d w it h m y ch in h eld h igh if w e d on ’t t ak e som e
d esp er at e m easu r es? ”
Aft er feelin g ast on ish ed for a b r ief m om en t , H u o Yu h ao calm ed d ow n . Feelin g
som ew h at h elp less, h e said , “Fin e. In an y case, I’m t r u st in g you w it h m y life.
Even if you sell m e aw ay, I can on ly cou n t t h e m on ey you ’ll get . Let ’s go. T h e
ear lier I d ie, t h e ea r lier I’ll r ein car n at e. W h er e d o w e go?”
“Con t in u e h ead in g n or t h w ar d . T h at gu y on ly lives w it h in t h e cor e r egion s of

t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . Fr om n ow on , you h ave t o slow d ow n . You ’r e ab ou t t o en t er
t h e b or d er lin e of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ’s cor e r egion s, an d it ’s ext r em ely cold h er e.
H ow ever , it h ou ses t h e st r on gest sou l b east s w it h in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h , lik e t h at
fella ear lier . Even m y Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as t r ick ed b y it . M or eover , t h er e ar e
som e esp ecially qu ick sou l b east s, so w e’ll h ave t o b e even m or e car efu l.
Ot h er w ise, w e’r e d efin it ely scr ew ed if w e m eet on e.”
“Yu p .” H u o Yu h ao cou ld b e con sid er ed t o h ave u n d er st ood t h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m . It d efin it ely h ad a cer t ain am o u n t of assu r an ce in w h at it w as d oin g,
b u t it w asn ’t a h u n d r ed p er cen t cer t ain ; t h er e w as st ill a ch an ce of failu r e.
H ow ever , accor d in g t o h is k n ow led ge of t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , som et h in g t h at
cou ld m ak e it r isk it s life w ou ld d efin it ely yield gr eat r esu lt s if it w er e t o
su cceed . It w as ver y p ossib le t h at it w ou ld r each a com p let ely ast on ish in g
d egr ee.
For t h e sak e of con cealin g h im self even m or e, H u o Yu h ao r em oved t h e p lan k s

of w ood fr om h is feet . Aft er t h at , h e slow ly t r u d ged t h r ou gh t h e h alf-m et er d eep
sn ow . Righ t n ow , h e w as com p let ely cer t ain t h at w er e it n ot for t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ’s sh ed d ed sk in , h e’d t u r n in t o a n ice st at u e aft er a m er e t en m in u t es in
a p lace lik e t h is.
In a cr azy p lace lik e t h is, even t h e sn ow flak es w er e h ar d . W h en t h e b it in g

w in d st ir r ed u p t h e sn ow on t h e gr ou n d , t h e layer of fr ost t h at for m ed cou ld
even r esist an om n i-d ir ect ion al sou l sk ill. W h en t h e w in d got st r on ger , H u o
Yu h ao h ad n o ch oice b u t t o cr aw l ab ou t on t h e gr ou n d . H e w asn ’t scar ed of t h e
cold n ow , b u t t h a t d id n ’t m ean t h at h e w asn ’t scar ed of t h e w in d .
Becau se of t h e over ly low t em p er at u r es h er e, h e som et im es felt t h e ligh t on
t h e h or izon t w ist in g som ew h at . H ow ever , t h is p lace h ad a b eau t ifu l
m u lt icolo u r ed r ad ia n ce t h at ot h er p laces d id n ’t h ave.
Aft er con t in u in g fo r w ar d for t w o m or e d ays, H u o Yu h ao b egan t o feel

som ew h at exh au st ed . It w asn ’t b ecau se of a lack of p h ysical en er gy, b u t a lack of
food an d d r in k .
T h ou gh h e w asn ’t afr aid of t h e cold , h e cou ld n ’t d o w it h ou t food ! No m at t er

w h at r a t ion s h e t o ok ou t of t h e T w en t y Fou r M oon lit Br id ges, it w ou ld
im m ed iat ely fr eeze in t o a p op sicle t h e m om en t it cam e ou t . Even ch ew in g w as a
st r en u ou s act iv it y n ow , b u t h e cou ld on ly u se h is t eet h t o cr u sh h is food . T h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m w asn ’t w illin g t o let h im set u p a t en t for fear of at t r act in g
t h e at t en t ion of ot h er sou l b east s.
T h er e w as n o n eed t o even t alk ab ou t d r in k in g w at er . H e h ad n o w ay of

d r in k in g t h e w at er h e’d b r ou gh t a t all. T h e in st an t h e t ook it ou t , it w as fr ozen
solid . H e sim p ly h ad n o w ay of p ou r in g it ou t of h is w at er fla sk . T h u s, h e cou ld
on ly eat t h e sn ow on t h e gr ou n d t h at h ad accu m u lat ed over god k n ow s h ow
m an y year s. W h en ever h e sw allow ed a m ou t h fu l of sn ow , t h e cold n ess fr om it
w en t st r a igh t t o h is h ear t . H is in t er n al or gan s h ad n o d efen ses, an d t h e m om en t
h e sw allow ed a m ou t h fu l of sn ow , h is b od y sh iver ed for a lon g p er iod of t im e
b efor e h e w as ab le t o r ecover .
Un d er a sit u at ion lik e t h is, h e cou ld on ly d o h is b est t o r ed u ce h is

con su m p t ion of food an d d r in k . H ow ever , t r u d gin g t h r ou gh t h e sn ow con su m ed
an ext r em ely la r ge a m ou n t of p h ysical st r en gt h . W h en t h is w as com b in ed w it h
h is lack of n u t r it ion , h e w as gr ad u ally u n a b le t o w it h st an d it a n y lon ger .
As h e sat w it h in t h is sn ow y lan d , t h er e w as n ot h in g b u t t h ick p iles of sn ow all

ar ou n d h im . Gasp in g for b r eat h , H u o Yu h ao said , “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , I can ’t go
on lik e t h is! I’m alr ead y at t h e p oin t w h er e I d on ’t t h in k I can h old on an y
lon ger . Even if w e m eet t h at sou l b east you ’r e look in g for , h ow w ill I h ave t h e
en er gy t o k ill it an d fu se w it h it s so u l r in g!? Even if I su cceed , I m igh t n ot even
h ave t h e en er gy t o go b ack ou t . I d on ’t t h in k I can w it h st an d it an y lon ger .”
W it h t h a t , h e low er ed h is h ead a n d sh oved it in t o h is cot t on sh ir t . H e t ook a
b it e fr om t h e r at ion s h e h ad st or ed w it h in h is sh ir t . H e w as or igin ally p lan n in g
t o u se h is b od ily w ar m t h t o soft en h is r at ion s a b it , b u t h e sim p ly w asn ’t ab le t o
d o so d u e t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s sh ed d ed sk in . H is r a t ion s r em ain ed as
h ar d as ever , so h e cou ld on ly n ib b le off a b it w it h m u ch d ifficu lt y. Aft er w ait in g
for it t o soft en a lit t le in h is m ou t h , h e slow ly ch ew ed on it an d sw allow ed it .
“Ok ay, ok ay. You d on ’t h ave t o k eep w h in in g an ym or e. W e sh ou ld b e ju st

ab ou t t h er e. Next u p , w e’ll h ave t o w ait for an op p or t u n it y t o com e.” T h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m con t in u ed , “T ak e a r est for a w h ile. Aft er t h at , list en t o m y
in st r u ct ion s.”
Aft er h ear in g t h a t h e w ou ld n ’t h ave t o con t in u e w alk in g a n y fu r t h er , H u o

Yu h ao let ou t a lar ge sigh of r elief. H e h ad com p let ely en t er ed t h e cor e r egion s
of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . Not on ly w as it ext r em ely cold h er e, h e h ad even
en cou n t er ed a few sou l b east s fr om t im e t o t im e. W it h t h e am ou n t of p ow er
t h ose sou l b east s p ossessed , m er ely look in g at t h em fr om a d ist an ce w as en ou gh
t o m ak e H u o Yu h ao feel a ch ill r u n u p h is sp in e! T h ou gh t h ey cou ld n ’t com p ar e
w it h t h e T it an Ice Devil Kin g h e h ad b u m p ed in t o p r eviou sly, t h ey w er e st ill
exist en ces ab ove t h e t en t h ou san d year r an k . In a god -for sak en p lace lik e t h is,
h e cou ld n ’t even fin d an y t h ou san d year sou l b east s.
Aft er r est in g for fift een m in u t es or so, H u o Yu h ao’s or igin al locat ion w as
b u r ied in sn ow . On ly t h en d id h e st an d u p .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice r an g ou t in h is m in d w it h an u n p r eced en t ed

ser iou sn ess, “Yu h ao, I n eed you t o m ak e a qu ick est im a t ion . If you d id n ’t h ave
t h e p r ot ect ion of m y sh ed d ed sk in , h ow lon g cou ld you last in con d it ion s lik e
t h is?”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed . T h in k in g ab ou t it for a m om en t , h e said , “If I u se all

of m y sou l p ow er , I sh ou ld b e ab le t o last for five m in u t es. Bu t I d efin it ely can ’t
last for m or e t h an t en m in u t es.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “I’m goin g t o go b r in g t h at fella over , so I’ll
h ave t o r elease m y au r a. Aft er t h at , m y sh ed d ed sk in w ill p lay a d ecisive r ole
t h at w ill d et er m in e w h et h er or n ot it w ill b e w illin g t o b ecom e you r sou l r in g.
Becau se of t h at , you m u st r em ain in a m ot ion less st at e for a p er iod of t im e aft er
I b r in g it over . Du r in g t h is p er iod of t im e, n ot on ly w ill I h ave t o t r ap it , I’ll h ave
t o n egot iat e w it h it . You r job is t o r em ain st ill, ot h er w ise all ou r p r eviou s effor t s
w ill h ave b een for n a u gh t .”
W it h a b it t er look on h is face, H u o Yu h ao said , “Boss, w h y d id n ’t you t ell m e

t h is ear lier ? If you h ad , I’d b r ou gh t a few m or e cold -r esist an t clot h es!”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sn or t ed cold ly, “Do you t h in k t h at clot h es can b lock

ou t t h e low t em p er at u r es h er e? You ’r e alr ead y over est im at in g you r self b y
sayin g t h at you can last h er e for five m in u t es. Next u p , you ’ll h ave t o m ak e a
t em p or ar y r esid en ce u n d er n eat h t h e sn ow . I’ll leave som e of m y sh ed d ed sk in
h er e an d su ck ou t t h e sou l p ow er w it h in it . You ’ll h ave t o ligh t it u p w it h a
m at ch an d d r aw h ea t fr om it . Aft er t h at , n o m at t er w h at h ap p en s, you m u st n ot
d o an yt h in g r ash if I d on ’t give you t h e sign al. T h is t im e ar ou n d , w e’r e eit h er
goin g t o m ak e it or b r eak it . You can u se you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t o ob ser ve
ever yt h in g ou t sid e, b u t you m u st n ot m ak e an y r ash m oves. Un d er st an d ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h u r r ied ly.
Bu ild in g a h ou se m a d e of ice u n d er n eat h t h e sn ow w asn ’t a n easy t ask ! T h e

ice u n d er n ea t h t h e gr ou n d w as as h ar d as st eel, an d even aft er p ou r in g h is sou l
p ow er in t o t h e W h it e T iger Dagger , it t ook H u o Yu h ao a fu ll d ay t o b ar ely car ve
ou t a sm all ice h ou se w h ich cou ld con t a in h is cu r led u p b od y. Aft er d oin g t h is,
h e w as t ir ed t o t h e p oin t w h er e even b r eat h in g w as st r en u ou s.
“Now , I’m goin g t o st ar t . Yu h ao, you h ave t o d o t h r ee t h in gs for u s t o su cceed

t h is t im e. Fir st ly, you ’ll h ave t o en d u r e t h e fr eezin g cold for a sh or t p er iod of
t im e. Secon d ly, lu ck ; w e’ll h ave t o see w h et h er I h ave t h e lu ck t o d efeat t h e sou l
b east I’m callin g over . Last ly, w e’ll h a ve t o r ely on you r w illp ow er . You ’r e t h e
p er son I’ve ch osen , so w e’r e b ot h scr ew ed if you d on ’t su cceed . If you su cceed ,
on t h e ot h er h an d , I d ar e say t h at you ’ll im m ed iat ely b ecom e t h e n u m b er on e
gen iu s in t h e en t ir e Dou lu o Con t in en t . N ow , let ’s give it ou r a ll.”
At t h at p oin t , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice h ad t u r n ed som ew h at fr en zied .
W h at cou ld H u o Yu h ao even say n ow ? Aft er get t in g all t h e w a y h er e, h e co u ld

on ly follow t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m all t h e w ay t ill t h e en d ; t h er e w as n o ot h er
p at h h e cou ld t ak e. T h er e w er e n o b en efit s t o t alk in g m or e, so h e n od d ed
for cefu lly, in d icat in g t h at h e w ou ld fu lly su p p or t t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m .
An in t en se u n d u la t ion of sou l p ow er slo w ly b egan t o ap p ear w it h in h is m in d ,

an d H u o Yu h ao felt w aves of d izzin ess over com e h im . By r elyin g on t h e w alls of
t h e ice h ou se, h e w a s ab le t o p r even t h im self fr om collap sin g.
H is on ly sou l r in g h ad alr ead y float ed u p in t o t h e air n oiselessly, an d t h e p u r e

w h it e sou l r in g r eleased a b r illian t lu st er . It slow ly m oved r h yt h m ically in t o t h e
air , h over in g ar ou n d h is b od y as it d id so.
T h e p ale gold ligh t in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes b egan t o gr ad u ally t r an sfor m , an d h e

w as ver y aw ar e t h at h e h ad lost con t r ol of h is b od y.
At t h is m om en t , h e felt h is con sciou sn ess sp r ead in g ou t w ar d s r ap id ly,

exp an d in g t ow ar d s t h e d ist an ce. It felt a s if h e w as over look in g t h e ear t h fr om
t h e sk y ab ove, an d it w as an en t ir ely d iffer en t feelin g fr om w h en h e n or m ally
u sed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .
T h e vast n ess of t h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion exceed ed t h e m or e-t h an t en t h ou san d

sq u ar e k ilom et er s of t h e cor e r egion s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . H ow ever , t h e r ay of
ligh t su d d en ly d ar k en ed , ju st as if d ayt im e w as t r an sit ion in g t o n igh t t im e. An
in visib le p r essu r e in st an t ly sp r ead o u t w a r d s fr om H u o Yu h ao ’s b od y alon g w it h
t h e ext r em ely t er r ifyin g am ou n t of sp ir it u al p ow er t h at cam e fr om h im .
T o h is ast on ish m en t , h e d iscover ed t h a t h e act u ally felt a p leasu r e ak in t o

t h at of a sover eign d escen d in g u p on t h e w or ld . T h e feelin g of h avin g t h e ear t h
an d sn ow com p let ely ser vin g h im , a n d h avin g ever yt h in g w it h in t h e gr asp of h is
p alm , w as sim p ly t oo w on d er fu l. It seem ed as if h e cou ld d est r oy ever yt h in g
w it h t h e flip of a h an d , an d t h at h e cou ld ju d ge ever yt h in g w it h in t h e r each of
h is eyes.
M u ffled sou n d s of t h u n d er st ar t ed t o r in g ou t in t h e gloom y sk y, b u t H u o

Yu h ao ast on ish ed ly d iscover ed t h a t h is b od y h ad com p let ely t u r n ed b r igh t -gold
in colou r .
T h e p u r e w h it e h alo of ligh t su r r ou n d in g H u o Yu h ao slow ly b egan t o ch an ge

color , as h is or igin ally w h it e sou l r in g gr ad u ally ch an ged fr om w h it e t o p ale
gold , t h en fr om p ale gold t o b r igh t gold . T h e gold en lu st er com in g fr om it w as
d efin it ely m u ch b r igh t er an y sou l r in gs H u o Yu h ao h ad seen in t h e p ast .
T h er e w er e w h it e t en year sou l r in gs, yellow h u n d r ed year sou l r in gs, p u r p le

t h ou san d year sou l r in gs, b lack t en t h ou san d year sou l r in gs, an d r ed h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l r in gs. An d yet , all of t h em w ou ld on ly b e ab le t o su b m it in
fr on t of t h e b ou n d lessly im p osin g gold en lu st er of t h is gold en sou l r in g.
T h is... t h is w as t h e t r u e color of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ’s u n r ivalled , an d on ly,

m illion year sou l r in g! It w as also t h e fir st t im e t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad
r eleased t h e t r u e color of it s sou l r in g in t o t h e w or ld .
T h e ast on ish in g gold en lu st er im m ed ia t ely cau sed a st r an ge feelin g t o r ise in

H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t .
One day, I w i l l no l onger l et t he H eavens cover m y eyes—w her e I w i l l no

l onger l et t he Ear t h bur y m y hear t . I w ant ever yt hi ng i n t he w or l d t o subm i t t o
m e, just l i k e t hat m an w ho coul d gr asp t he sun and m oon i n each hand, an d
coul d pl uck t he st ar s f r om t he sk y.
At t h at m om en t , n ot on l y di d t h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m sh ow how pow er f ul h e

w as, h e’ d even bur i ed a seed of f ai t h i n si de of H uo Yuh ao’ s h ear t ; t h e f ai t h t h at
h e coul d becom e t h e sover ei gn of t h e en t i r e w or l d. T h i s w as t h e f i r st t i m e t h at
H uo Yuh ao h ad a dr eam even l of t i er t h an h i s w i sh f or r even ge.
As i f h e coul d sen se t h e ch an ge i n H uo Yuh ao’ s m en t al st at e, t h e Sk ydr eam

I cew or m seem ed gr at i f i ed. Ri gh t ! Si n ce h e’ d been abl e t o becom e t h e m ai n body
f or a m i l l i on year soul beast , t h er e’ d be a day w h er e h e w oul d becom e t h e t r ue
m ast er of t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m . If h e d id n ’t h ave an y loft y am b it ion s,
w ou ld n ’t h e t h at b e ak in t o cover in g a p r eciou s p ear l w it h a la yer of d u st ?
Gold en b alls of ligh t b egan t o em er ge fr om H u o Yu h ao’s for eh ead . As each

gold en b all left h is b od y, H u o Yu h ao b egan t o feel m or e an d m or e h ollow . By t h e
t im e t h e n in t h b all o f ligh t h ad left h is b od y, h e’d even b egu n t o feel som ew h at
t ot t er y.
In t h e b egin n in g, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad en t er ed h is b od y w it h a t ot al of

t en b alls of ligh t . T h is w as t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s sp ir it u al or igin , as w ell as
t h e n u cleu s of it s st r en gt h . Now t h at n in e b alls of ligh t h ad left h is b od y, on ly
on e b all of ligh t —t h e on e t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y ab sor b ed —r em ain ed
w it h in h is b od y. T h at w as t h e on ly con n ect ion left b et w een H u o Yu h ao an d t h e
T h e n in e gold en b alls of ligh t slow ly d escen d ed fr om t h e air . On ce t h e fir st

b all of ligh t h ad lan d ed on t h e sn ow y gr ou n d , t h e secon d b all lan d ed on t op of it .
T h e ot h er seven b alls follow ed su it as t h ey st ack ed on t op of each ot h er .
Aft er w ar d s, t h e t ot al volu m e of t h e n in e b alls of ligh t gr ad u ally b egan t o
d ecr ease, w h ile t h e gold en ligh t t h at t h ey w er e em it t in g b ecam e in cr easin gly
t an gib le. At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao w as clear ly ab le t o sen se h ow st r on g t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as. It h ad su ch a t er r ifyin g am ou n t of sp ir it u al p ow er t h at
it cou ld even cau se a m et eor ological p h en om en on .
On ce t h e n in e gold en b alls of ligh t h ad fin ish ed st ack in g at op on e an ot h er ,

t h ey gr ad u ally b egan t o for m a sh ap e. Un exp ect ed ly, t h ey solid ified in t o t h e
sh ap e of a gold en m an m ad e of ligh t . M or e ast on ish in gly, it s ap p ear an ce w as
com p let ely id en t ical t o H u o Yu h ao. Even t h e gold en clot h es it w or e w er e
id en t ical t o Sh r ek Acad em y’s u n ifor m . H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow w h et h er t o cr y
or t o lau gh w h en h e saw t h is.
On ce t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s sp ir it u a l b od y h ad t ak en sh ap e, h e sen t a

t h ou gh t o u t w ar d s w it h h is sp ir it u al for ce, “Ice Em p er or , I k n ow t h a t you ’ve
alr ead y sen sed t h a t I’m h er e. I, Sk yd r ea m , h ave com e t o t a k e m y r even ge. Do
you d ar e t o com e ou t an d m eet m e?”
As soon as t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h a d b egu n sp eak in g, an u n fat h om ab ly
st r on g w ave of sp ir it u al p ow er h ad in st an t ly cover ed H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, t h u s
sh ield in g h is p r esen ce w it h in t h e ice h ou se.
H ow ever , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d H u o Yu h ao w er e st ill a sin gle en t it y.

Becau se of t h at , H u o Yu h ao cou ld st ill t ell w h at w as goin g on ou t sid e via t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s sp ir it u al p ow er aft er h e cam e in con t act w it h it . W h en t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m en lar ged t h e r an ge of h is sp ir it u al p ow er , h e w as st ill ab le t o
sen se ever y sin gle d et ail w it h in a t h ou sa n d m et er s. H ow ever , t h e m or e m agical
t h in g w as t h a t , t h is t im e ar ou n d , h is p er cep t ion h ad en t ir ely r ep laced h is eyes.
H e cou ld t r u ly see ev er yt h in g ou t sid e t h r ou gh h is p er cep t ion , n ot ju st sh ap es.
Aft er fin ish in g h is sen t en ce, t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m qu iet ed d ow n . H ow ever ,

t h e gold en lu st er h is b od y em it t ed co n t in u ed t o sh in e b r igh t ly. T h e b r igh t
gold en ligh t h e w as em it t in g w as ext r a or d in ar ily clear w it h in t h e p u r e-w h it e
w or ld . Black clou d s b egan t o ap p ear in t h e air as t h e sk y gr ew d ar k er an d
d ar k er , w h ich cau sed t h e at m osp h er e t o b ecom e in cr easin gly gr ave. H ow ever ,
t h e gold en lu st er em it t ed fr om t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s b od y r em ain ed a s
b r illian t as ever b en eat h t h e d u sk y sk y.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m d id n ’t seem t o b e w or r ied at all as h e qu iet ly st ood

t h er e. T h e violen t w in d s con t in u ed t o t h r ash ab ou t ar ou n d h im , b u t h e st ood
t h er e m igh t ily, u n m ovin g.
H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o sen se all of t h is. H ow ever , in an ar ea ou t sid e of t h e

r an ge of h is p er cep t ion , an in n u m er ab le am ou n t of sou l b east s h ad scat t er ed in
all d ir ect ion s, t er r ified .
T h er e w as a ch an ce t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w ou ld n ’t even b e ab le t o

d efeat a t en t h ou san d year sou l b east in d ir ect com b at . H ow ever , t h er e w asn ’t a
sin gle sou l b east on t h e en t ir e Dou lu o Con t in en t t h a t cou ld con t en d w it h h im in
t er m s of p u r e sp ir it u al p ow er .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s b iggest p r ob lem lay in it s b lood lin e. Even t h ou gh

h e’d cu lt ivat ed for a m illion year s, in t h e en d h e w as st ill a low -r an k ed Icew or m .
W it h a b ack gr ou n d lik e t h is, even t h ou gh h e’d b een ab le t o b ecom e st r on ger d u e
t o t h e con st an t evo lu t ion s h e’d u n d er gon e, an d h a d ob t ain ed an en or m ou s
am ou n t of en er gy d u e t o t h e T en T h ou san d Year Ice Pit h ’s u n ceasin g
n ou r ish m en t , h e h ad b ecom e ak in t o a m ou n t ain fu ll of t r easu r e; h e h ad
t r easu r es, b u t h e d id n ’t k n ow h ow t o u se t h em . If you w er e t o d escr ib e it in sou l
m ast er t er m s, h e w as an exp er t w h o p ossessed a t er r ifyin g am ou n t of sou l
p ow er , yet d id n ’t h a ve an y sou l r in gs or sou l sk ills.
W h en t h er e w as a la r ge gap in cu lt ivat ion b et w een h im an d h is op p on en t s, h e

cou ld st ill r ely on t h e ab solu t e st r en gt h of h is sp ir it u al p ow er t o d efeat t h em .
H ow ever , w h en h e m et an op p on en t t h at p ossessed at least a cer t ain level of
st r en gt h , h e w ou ld b e com p let ely ou t of lu ck . Regar d less of h ow st r on g h is
sp ir it u al p ow er w as, if h e d id n ’t h ave a w ay t o con cen t r at e it in t o a t er r ifyin g
sp ir it u al sk ill, h is k illin g p ow er w ou ld alw ays b e lim it ed . Aft er b ecom in g H u o
Yu h ao’s m illion year sou l r in g, h e’d b ecom e ext r em ely en viou s of t h e fou r sou l
sk ills t h at H u o Yu h a o h ad r eceived . On ly, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as som eon e
w h o’d alw ays car ed ab ou t face; h e ‘d n ever ad m it h ow en viou s h e w as.
If, w h en t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad h ad a t yr an n ical m illion year cu lt ivat ion

level, h e’d on ly h ad a sin gle sou l sk ill, alm ost ever y sin gle sou l b east on t h e
Dou lu o Con t in en t w ou ld n ’t h a ve b een ab le t o p ose a t h r eat t o it .
At t h is ver y m om en t , h e’d r eleased a ll of h is sp ir it u a l p ow er . It ext en d ed ou t

an d cover ed b asically ever yw h er e t h at h e w an t ed it t o. A t h ir d of t h e Ext r em e
Nor t h ’s cor e r egion s, at t h e ver y least , h ad b een en cap su lat ed w it h in h is
Alt h ou gh t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ap p ear ed ext r em ely car efr ee on t h e su r face,

h is cu r r en t act ion s w er e d efin it ely n ot sim p le at all, as h e h ad n ’t u sed h is ow n
au r a t o r elease h is sp ir it u al p ow er . At t h e ver y least , sou l b east s t h at w er e
u n fam iliar w it h h im d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t t h in k t h a t t h is w as som et h in g d on e b y
som eon e w h o p ossessed n o at t ack in g sk ills at all.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad u sed h is t er r ifyin g sp ir it u a l p ow er t o im it at e t h e

au r a of a cer t ain sou l b eat t h at lived w it h in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . Faced w it h t h is
au r a, t h e ot h er sou l b east s d id n ’t d ar e t o h ave an y t h ou gh t s of r esist in g at a ll.
T h is w as t h e au r a of t h e lead er of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ’s T h r ee Em p er or s. T h is
w as t h e a u r a of t h e sou l b east w h o p ossessed a cu lt iva t io n of five h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year s a lon g w it h it s n ob le b lood lin e.
Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d p u r p osely evad ed t h e t er r it or y of t h e lead er of t h e Ext r em e

Nor t h ’s T h r ee Em p er or s. Du e t o h is m et icu lou s con t r ol over h is Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion , h e w asn ’t scar ed of b ein g d iscover ed b y t h e p er son h e w as im it at in g.
As su ch , t h e sou l b east s in t h e ar ea t h at h e’d w an t ed t o in t im id at e h ad
im m ed iat ely scu t t led aw ay aft er b ein g fr igh t en ed . T h ey sim p ly d ecid ed n ot t o
b ot h er h im an d H u o Yu h ao an ym or e.
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e secon d -r an k ed Ice Em p er or w h o h e w as look in g for

w as also en cap su lat ed w it h in t h e r an ge of h is sp ir it u al p ow er . H avin g k n ow n
h im for a lon g t im e, t h e Ice Em p er or n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t m ist ak e h is a u r a for
som eon e else’s. Besid es, h e’d also said su ch u n b r id led w or d s.
W it h t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m ’s u n d er st an d in g of t h e secon d -r an k ed Ice

Em p er or , h e b elieved t h a t it w ou ld d efin it ely com e. T h is w as b ecau se h e h im self
w as an ext r em ely b en eficial su p p lem en t t h at w ou ld t em p t all sou l b east s.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h is Ice Em p er or w as a sou l b east w h ose cu lt iva t ion exceed ed t h e
t h r ee h u n d r ed t h ou san d year r an k , yet cou ld n ’t b r eak t h r ou gh t h e fou r h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year b ar r ier .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m u n d er st ood h im self w ell, an d u n d er st ood t h e Ice

Em p er or ju st as w ell. At t h at t im e, t h e Ice Em p er or h ad n ear ly d ied n ot lon g
aft er it s cu lt iva t ion h ad b r ok en t h r ou gh t o t h e t h r ee h u n d r ed t h ou san d year
r an k . Cu r r en t ly, it p r ob ab ly w asn ’t t oo far aw ay fr om r each in g t h e fou r
h u n d r ed t h ou san d year r an k . Pr eviou sly, w h en b r eak in g t h r ou gh t o t h e t h r ee
h u n d r ed t h ou san d year r an k , t h e Ice Em p er or h ad said t h a t it h ad r each ed it s
lim it . M or eover , it h ad in ju r ed it s or igin en er gy, t h u s m ak in g it im p ossib le for it
t o r each t h e fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year r an k . T h e on ly w ay t h at it co u ld b r eak
fr ee of it s fet t er s w as for it t o ab sor b t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s en or m ou s yet
p u r e en er gy. If it w er e t o d o t h is, it w ou ld even over t ak e t h e fir st r an k ed
Em p er or in on e fell sw oop .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s on ly st r ok e of lu ck w as t h at t h e fir st r an k ed Ice

Em p er or w asn ’t aw ar e of h is exist en ce. Ot h er w ise, h e b elieved t h at it w ou ld
h ave d efin it ely cau gh t h im —even w h en h e w as st ill in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou
For est .
H avin g b een lu r ed b y som et h in g r elat ed t o it s su r vival, t h e Ice Em p er or h ad

n o ot h er ch oice. It d efin it ely w an t ed t o com e, an d it d efin it ely w ou ld com e.
W h en t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as clear ly ab le t o sen se it s a u r a, a cr aft y sm ile
ap p ear ed on h is face.
T im e con t in u ed t o p ass secon d b y secon d , b u t t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m d id n ’t

seem t o b e p an ick ed at all. Even t h ou gh it w as h ar d for t h e h id in g H u o Yu h ao t o
en d u r e h is st iffen in g b od y, h e d id n ’t even d ar e t o b r eat h e t oo lou d ly, ju st in
case. H e w asn ’t su r e w h en t h e so-called Ice Em p er or w ou ld ap p ear , b u t t h is w as
u n d ou b t ed ly a life-an d -d ea t h t r ial for b ot h h im an d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m . H e
st ill w asn ’t su r e w h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as r elyin g o n in or d er t o k ill a
su p er -exp er t lik e t h e Ice Em p er or , w h o even T it led Dou lu os w er e t er r ified of.
As H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed t o w ait in h is sh elt er , h e felt h is h ear t b eat slow ly

sp eed in g u p . At t h e sam e t im e, h e felt b ot h an xiou s an d afr aid , as h is b od y b egan
t o st ir w it h excit em en t . J u st as t h is b egan t o occu r h ow ever , h e su d d en ly felt t h e
ou t sid e w or ld ch an ge.
T h e or igin ally p it ch -b lack sk y su d d en ly sh ook violen t ly, a n d im m ed iat ely

aft er w ar d s, a ja d e gr een ligh t in st an t ly ap p ear ed in t h e d ist an t n or t h er n
h or izon .
In t h e b lin k of an eye, t h e d u sk y sk y h ad t u r n ed a p en et r a t in g yet allu r in g

jad e gr een . T h is t ou ch in g sh a d e of color m ad e it seem lik e t h e a loof sk y h ad
su d d en ly t u r n ed in t o an en or m ou s ja d e gr een gem . In an in st an t , t h e or igin ally
op p r essive au r a w it h in t h e sk y h ad van ish ed in t o t h in a ir .
W h en t h e jad e gr een ligh t en t er ed t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s t h ou san d m et er
r an ge, H u o Yu h ao fin ally b ecom e ab le t o sen se it . H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t in h a le a
d eep b r eat h of icy air . I t ’ s com i ng, i t ’ s r eal l y com i ng.
“ Sk ydr eam , you’ r e act ual l y st i l l al i ve. I t ’ s n o w on der t h at you’ r e t h e l on gest -

l i vi n g soul beast f r om our Ext r em e N or t h .” A cr i sp voi ce r an g out i n al l
di r ect i on s. T h e appear an ce of t h i s voi ce w as f ol l ow ed by a t er r i f yi n g soun d
w ave. T h e sn ow on t h e gr oun d i n st an t l y r ose by t h r ee m et er s as t h e soun d w ave
st r uck i t , ak i n t o a w ave sudden l y passi n g t h r ough an ocean . On l y t h e h un dr ed
m et er s ar oun d t h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m ’ s body r em ai n ed cal m , as i t h ad been
pr ot ect ed by t h e en or m ous spi r i t ual pow er com i n g f r om h i s body.
“ I ce Em per or , you h aven ’ t di ed yet , so w h y can ’ t I be st i l l al i ve? Don ’ t you

r em em ber w h at I sai d t h at year ? ‘ I f I don ’ t di e, t h er e’ l l be a day w h en I ’ l l
becom e your par t n er .’ ” T h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m ’ s voi ce sudden l y t ur n ed gen t l e.
T h i s som ew h at over l y-sen t i m en t al voi ce even gave H uo Yuh ao a f ew
goosebum ps.
In t h is exact in st an t , H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t w id en h is eyes aft er

t h in k in g of a cer t ain p ossib ilit y.
W it h t h eir cu r r en t com b in at ion , com in g t o t h e Ext r em e Nor t h w ou ld

u n d ou b t ed ly p ose an en or m ou s d an ger t o t h em . T h ou gh t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m
w as p ow er fu l, h e w a s cu r r en t ly a t t ach ed t o H u o Yu h ao aft er b ecom in g h is fir st
sou l r in g. Even if h e w as an in t elligen t sou l r in g, h e w as st ill a p ar t of h im . H e
st ill r elied m ain ly on H u o Yu h ao’s st r en gt h t o d et er m in e w h et h er t h ey w er e
st r on g or w eak .
Un d er a sit u a t ion lik e t h is, t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m ’s b est op t ion sh ou ld ’ve

b een t o m ak e H u o Yu h ao st r on ger b y ob t ain in g h is ot h er sou l r in gs fir st . On ce
h e w as st r on g en ou gh , t h ey cou ld ’ve com e t o t h e Ext r em e Nor t h t o fin d t h is so-
called Ice Em p er or in or d er t o aw ak en h is secon d m ar t ial sou l!
H ow ever , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad im p at ien t ly d ecid ed t o com e h er e an d

fin d t h e ext r em ely t er r ifyin gly st r on g Ice Em p er or r igh t aft er h e’d got t en t o
Ran k 20 . W as it even p ossib le for t h er e t o b e n o d an ger in volved in t h is jou r n ey?
Regar d less of h ow m et icu lo u sly t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad p lan n ed ever yt h in g
ou t , h e an d H u o Yu h ao m igh t b e b u r ied et er n a lly in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h if h e
m ad e a sin gle m ist ak e.
J u st w h at m ad e t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m in sist on h im com in g h er e, even if

t h er e w as an en or m ou s r isk in volved in d oin g so? W as it ju st t o m ak e h im
b ecom e even st r on ger ? Aft er h ear in g it s gen t le voice, it r eally d id n ’t seem lik e
t h e case!
Aft er t h is t h ou gh t flash ed t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s m in d , h e u n exp ect ed ly w en t

silen t . H e d id n ’t h av e an y ot h er ch oice bu t t o b elieve in t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m .
M or e t h an t h a t , h e p r ayed t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad n ’t com e h er e d u e t o
t h e r eason h e’d t h ou gh t of. Righ t n ow , h e cou ld on ly p at ien t ly w ait an d ob ser ve
silen t ly.
“Sk yd r eam , you ’r e cou r t in g d eat h .” T h e Ice Em p er or ’s clear voice w as

su d d en ly filled w it h k illin g in t en t , an d t h e jad e gr een sk y in st an t ly t u r n ed d ar k
gr een . An in t en se k illin g in t en t d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y, an d t h e or igin ally
p r ot ect ed h u n d r ed m et er d iam et er ar ou n d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s b od y
in st an t ly sh r an k t o a d iam et er of t en m et er s.
H ow ever , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w asn ’t scar ed of t h e Ice Em p er or in a

sim p le con t est of sp ir it u al p ow er . Sm ilin g, h e sp ok e in a ver y u n h u r r ied an d
gr acefu l m an n er , “No, I’m ju st exp r essin g m y t r u e feelin gs. I’ve lived for a
m illion year s, an d I’ve sp en t a la r ge m ajor it y of t h em sleep in g. H ow ever , t h e
on ly t h in g w it h in t h e d ep t h s of m y h ear t t h a t I can ’t con t r ol is you . Ice
Em p er or , d o you k n ow w h y I’ve ch osen t o com e b ack at a t im e lik e t h is? It ’s
b ecau se I’ve calcu lat ed t h at you ’r e ab ou t t o r each you r lim it an d r each a d ead
en d w it h in a h u n d r ed year s. At t h at t im e, you w on ’t b e ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t o
t h e n ext r an k . T h en , you ’ll d isap p ear in t h is icy w or ld . T h at ’s w h y I’ve com e
b ack . I can ’t w ait a n ym or e, an d an en d less life h as n o m or e m ean in g t o m e. I
d on ’t h ave m u ch lon ger t o live an ym or e. I’ve com e b ack t o let you con t in u e
livin g an d let u s t r u ly b e t oget h er .”
In w ar d ly sigh in g, H u o Yu h ao sh u t h is eyes. Su r e en ou gh , t h at w as t h e case!

T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad r eally t r ick ed h im ; h e t r u ly h ad h is ow n m ot ives
for com in g h er e.
Fr om t h e m om en t h e’d m et t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m , H u o Yu h ao h ad t r u st ed
h im u n con d it ion ally fr om t h e b ot t om of h is h ear t . T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad
given h im a m illion year sou l r in g in ad d it ion t o fou r sou l sk ills, w h ich w a s
equ ivalen t t o givin g h im a b r an d n ew life.
In H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t , t h e p er son h e’d felt t h e m ost gr a t efu l t o w as t h is

fellow , t h is in t elligen t sou l r in g of h is. T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad a h igh er
p osit ion in h is h ear t t h an T an g Ya, Bei Bei, an d even W a n g Don g.
At t h is m om en t h ow ever , H u o Yu h ao felt as if som et h in g w it h in h is h ea r t h a d
sh at t er ed . T h e em ot ion s h e’d r ep r essed sin ce h is you t h su d d en ly exp lod ed ou t
lik e a d am b u r st in g. H e lied t o m e, h e act u ally lied t o m e!
An u n p r eced en t ed am ou n t of gr ievan ce t u r n ed in t o a r iver of t ear d r op s t h at

flow ed d ow n h is ch eek s b efor e r ap id ly fr eezin g in t o ch u n k s of ice t h at gat h er ed
b y t h e cor n er s of h is eyes. Aft er all, H u o Yu h ao w as on ly t w elve. J u st as h e’d
b elieved t h a t ever yt h in g in fr on t of h im w as filled w it h h op e, t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ’s b et r ayal h ad in st an t ly sh a t t er ed h is t en aciou s h ea r t .
H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t scar ed of h ar d sh ip s, n or w as h e scar ed of an y d ifficu lt ies.

As lon g as h e saw h op e in fr on t of h im , h e w as w illin g t o give it h is a ll.
H is on e year in Sh r ek Acad em y h ad ch an ged h is p er son alit y d r ast ically. In

Sh r ek Acad em y, h e h ad fr ien d s, t each er s, an d com p an ion s. Fr om an ot h er
st an d p oin t , t h is h ad all b een given t o h im b y t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m . It w a s
p r ecisely b ecau se of t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s exist en ce t h at h e h ad con fid en ce
an d fait h in h is h ear t . H ow ever , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s b et r ayal h ad
p r act ically cu t off t h e r oot of h is fait h , b r azen ly u p r oot in g t h e t all, con fid en ce-
filled t r ee fr om h is h ear t .
T h is feelin g cou ld n o lon ger b e d escr ib ed u sin g t h e w or d ‘p ain fu l’. H u o

Yu h ao’s h op e h ad b een com p let ely ob lit er at ed .
T h ou gh t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s sp ir it u al p ow er w as ext r em ely p ow er fu l, h e

h ad focu sed all of h is en er gy on t h e Ice Em p er or ’s r eact ion ; h e d id n ’t n ot ice t h e
h eaven -sh ak in g, ear t h -sh at t er in g t r an sfor m at ion in H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t .
H ear in g t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m ’s w or d s, t h e Ice Em p er or t u r n ed silen t . As if

t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad p r ecisely called ou t t h e w or r ies in it s h ea r t , it
p on d er ed silen t ly.
Som ew h at n er vo u s, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “I’ve com e b ack , Ice

Em p er or . W e h aven ’t seen each ot h er for so m an y year s, b u t you ’r e n ot even
w illin g t o com e an d see m e in p er son ?”
T h e Ice Em p er or ’s cold voice r an g ou t again . “Sk yd r eam , d on ’t you k n ow t h a t
m y t r ib e is a p r ed a t or of you r t r ib e?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m lau gh ed in d iffer en t ly, “I k n ow t h a t of cou r se, b u t

w h y d oes t h at m at t er ? Is t h er e a r u le t h at st at es t h at on e can ’t lik e t h eir ow n
p r ed at or ? An d it ’s p r ecisely b ecau se of t h at t h at I lik e you even m or e.”
T h e Ice Em p er or said d isd ain fu lly, “Un for t u n at ely, you d on ’t h ave t h e
qu alificat ion s t o lik e m e. H ow ever , I’m ver y t ou ch ed . You ’ve act u ally agr eed t o
b r in g you r self b ack as food for m e t o eat . H ow cou ld I n ot h elp you accom p lish
you r goal t o fu se ou r b od ies t oget h er lik e t h is? You sh ou ld b e ab le t o sen se t h at
I’m ap p r oach in g you r igh t n ow . J u st w ait for m e, I’ll get t o you w it h in fift een
m in u t es. I’ll t ak e a ll of you r love, an d I’ll t r eat you w ell. I’ll slow ly eat you r b od y
an d en er gy b it b y b it an d m ak e you a p ar t of m y bod y.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m seem ed t o alr ead y b e fam iliar w it h t h e Ice Em p er or ’s

w ay of sp eak in g. Som ew h at h elp less, h e said , “Can ’t you b e a b it gen t ler ? You ’r e
alw ays so cold an d over b ear in g. It ’s n o w on d er you ’r e st ill sin gle. Righ t , I’ve
alw ays w an t ed t o ask you t h is: is t h a t jok e goin g ar ou n d t h e Ext r em e Nor t h
t r u e? Did you lik e t h e Sn ow Em p er or b ack t h en ?”
“Sk yd r eam , I’ll d efin it ely r en d you r b od y in t o t en t h ou sa n d p ieces!” T h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s w or d s seem ed t o h ave t ou ch ed u p on t h e Ice Em p er or ’s
m ost sen sit ive feelin gs, cau sin g it s voice t o in st an t ly b ecom e h yst er ical. At t h at
m om en t , t h e d ar k gr een sk y su d d en ly t u r n ed a d eep b lack .
T h e sm ile on t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s m ou t h h a d n ever d isap p ear ed , as if it

w as p u r p osely t r yin g t o r ile u p t h e Ice Em p er or . On t h e ot h er h an d , t h er e w er e
n o lon ger t ear s flow in g fr om t h e eyes of t h e h id in g H u o Yu h a o. On ly, h e felt h is
h ear t go som ew h at cold .
Fr om t h eir con ver sa t ion , it w as ob viou s t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e

Ice Em p er or h ad m an y gr u d ges an d em ot ion s b et w een t h em . It w as d efin it ely
n ot as sim p le as t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad said . T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad
p u r p osely r iled u p t h e Ice Em p er or , w h ich m ean t t h at h e d efin it ely h ad h is ow n
m ot ives; h e d efin it ely h ad a m ove h e w as p lan n in g t o u n leash .
H ow ever , d id t h is r eally m at t er t o h im ? W as t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m st ill

d eser vin g of h is t r u st ? H e h ad lied t o h im , b r in gin g h im t o t h is d an ger -filled
Ext r em e Nor t h . W as h is on ly object ive t o h elp h im aw ak en h is secon d m ar t ial
sou l? No, t h at w as d efin it ely n ot t h e case. In t h e en d , h e h ad st ill lied t o h im .
T ak in g a d eep b r eat h , H u o Yu h ao’s face gr ad u ally t u r n ed ch illy. T h e gr ief in

h is h ea r t h ad ca u sed a violen t ch an ge t o occu r in h is m en t al st at e. H is
n er vou sn ess an d excit em en t h a d d isap p ear ed , an d on ly a p at ch of ice r em ain ed
in h is h ea r t .
As if it h ad sen sed t h e ch an ge in H u o Yu h ao’s em ot ion s, t h e gr ay p ear l locat ed

w it h in t h e d ep t h s of h is m in d sh ook ligh t ly. H ow ever , it q u ick ly r et u r n ed t o
n or m al.
A voice t h at H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h ear m u t t er ed t o it self w it h in t h e gr ay p ear l,

“T h e p er son alit y t h is k id ’s cu lt ivat ed sin ce h is you t h goes t o ext r em es t oo easily.
H is gr eat est w eak n ess is h is ow n h ear t . T o h im , t h is cou ld b e con sid er ed a for m
of t r ain in g. Ot h er w ise, h ow w ill h e b e a b le t o m at u r e? It ’s b et t er for m e t o n o t
in t er fer e. H ow ever , t h at lar ge w or m ’s m ad e m e look at h im w it h a com p let ely
n ew ligh t t h an b efor e!”
T h e gr ay p ear l t h en qu iet ed d ow n . In t h is exact in st an t , t h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m ’s voice r an g ou t in H u o Yu h ao’s m in d , “Yu h ao, t h e p r ep ar at ion s ar e all
r ead y. W h en I give you t h e sign al, you ’ll h ave t o en d u r e t h e cold . You ’ll h ave t o
p er sever e, got it ?”
“I w ill.” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied cold ly.
Possib ly d u e t o t h e n er vou sn ess h e felt , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m d id n ’t n ot ice

t h e ch an ge in H u o Yu h ao’s m en t al st at e.
Aft er fift een m in u t es p assed , t h e Ice Em p er or w h o said t h at it ’d t ak e fift een
m in u t es t o ap p ear fin ally sh ow ed it self.
T h e d ar k sk y t u r n ed jad e gr een , an d a jad e gr een ligh t st r eak ed acr oss t h e sk y.

W it h t h at flash of jad e ligh t , an ot h er sou l b east ap p ear ed in fr on t of t h e
H u o Yu h ao w as also con cen t r at ed ly ob ser vin g w h at w as goin g on . T h ou gh h e

h ad n ’t p er son ally seen t h e t h ir d -r an k ed T it an Ice Devil Kin g, h e’d seen it s
t er r ifyin g foot st ep s b efor e. In h is op in ion , t h e Ice Em p er or w h o w as also a
m em b er of t h e T h r ee Em p er or s sh ou ld n ’t b e m u ch sm aller t h an t h e T it an Ice
Devil Em p er or .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel som ew h at st u n n ed w h en t h e Ice

Em p er or fin ally ap p ear ed in h is p er cep t ion . H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t in w ar d ly sigh
in ad m ir a t ion , It ’s r eally t oo p r et t y.
Righ t , t h e Ice Em p er or w as ver y b eau t ifu l. T h ou gh it w as ju st a sou l b east ,

H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sigh in ad m ir at ion .
T h e Ice Em p er or w as r ou gh ly 1.5 m et er s lon g, w h ich m ean t t h at it w asn ’t

even as b ig as t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s p r eviou s b od y. H u o Yu h ao h ad m a d e lot s
of p r ed ict ion s t ow ar d s t h e Ice Em p er or ’s r ace, b u t t h ey w er e all w r on g. T h e Ice
Em p er or w as a scor p ion , a scor p ion w h ose b eau t y h ad r each ed t h e p in n acle.
Cou ld t h e w or d s ‘sco r p ion ’ an d ‘b eau t ifu l’ even b e u sed t oget h er ? H u o Yu h ao

w as n ow cer t ain of h is an sw er t o t h is q u est ion .
T h e 1.5-m et er -lon g Ice Em p er or h ad t w o color s on it s b od y. On e w as t h e color

of ice, an d t h e ot h er w as a jad e gr een color .
T h e fr on t en d of it s b od y h ad fou r layer s st ack ed ab ove each ot h er , an d each

layer w as lon ger t h a n t h e p r eviou s on e b y a t h ir d of a m et er . It s h ead lay on t h e
fr on t m ost layer , an d it s silver -w h it e m ou t h sh on e w it h an o m in ou s, cold ligh t .
T h e fr on t of it s b od y w as cover ed a t yp e of sp ecial scale t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad
n ever lea r n ed of in Sh r ek Acad em y. No, in st ead of call it a scale, it w as m or e
accu r at e t o say t h a t it w as p r ot r u d in g ou t w ar d s.
Chapt er 41.1: Ice Jade Empr ess Scor pion
T h ey w er e sh ap ed lik e h exagon s an d sh on e w it h an in com p ar ab ly b r igh t

lu st er , an d w er e ak in t o a d iam on d in sh ap e. T h ey cover ed t h e fr on t sect ion of
it s b od y, an d it s six slen d er legs. Ben eat h t h e gr een sk y, t h ey em it t ed an
in com p ar ab ly b r illia n t lu st er . It w as alm ost as if t h ey’d b ecom e an ot h er sou r ce
of ligh t as it r eflect ed all a m yr iad of r ays of ligh t .
It s t w o p in cer s w er e b ot h a m et er lon g, an d t h ey w er e b ot h cover ed w it h t h e

st r an ge d iam on d -lik e h exagon al p r ot r u sion s. On ly, t h e for em ost p ar t s of it s
p in cer s w er e cover ed in a m ir r or -lik e silver ish -w h it e color ju st lik e it s m ou t h .
H ow ever , t h e t h in gs H u o Yu h ao p aid t h e m ost at t en t ion t o w er e it s eyes. It s

eyes w er e yellow , a s if t w o yellow d ia m on d s h ad b een em b ed d ed w it h in it s
sock et s. T h ey w er e also h exagon al, an d t h e flick er in g of t h eir cr yst al-lik e yellow
ligh t gave off a feelin g sim ilar t o t h at of a gem glist en in g.
If it s u p p er b od y cou ld b e con sid er ed su fficien t ly r esp len d en t , it s low er b od y--

t h e lon g, yet u p w ar d p oin t in g t ail, w as t h e cor e t h at d azzled ever yt h in g ar ou n d
it .
Un lik e t h e fin ely segm en t ed t ail of an or d in ar y scor p ion , t h e t ail of t h e Ice

Em p er or on ly h ad five segm en t s. Each segm en t sh on e w it h an allu r in g jad e-
gr een ligh t t h at w as filled w it h lu st er . It s five segm en t s w er e id en t ica lly color ed ,
an d t h e segm en t n ea r est t o it s u p p er b od y w as t h e w id est of t h e five; t h e fu r t h er
aw ay fr om it s b od y, t h e n ar r ow er it got . T h e last segm en t w a s also in laid w it h
t h e d iam on d -lik e p r ot r u sion s, an d t h e v er y t ip of it s t ail sim ilar ly flick er ed w it h
a m ir r or -lik e, silver ish -w h it e lu st er .
H ow cou ld a sou l b east w it h a gem -lik e r esp len d en ce lik e t h is n ot b e d eser v in g

of t h e t it le of ‘b eau t ifu l’? Fu r t h er m or e, m er ely d escr ib in g it w it h t h e w or d
‘b eau t ifu l’ d id n ’t seem t o d o it ju st ice.
As t h e Ice Em p er or ap p ear ed , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m u n con sciou sly let an
in t oxicat ed look ap p ear on h is face. St ar in g at t h e Ice Em p er or w it h a p assion at e
gaze in h is eyes, h e said , “You ’ve com e.”
Seein g t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m ’s b r igh t -gold b od y w h ich w as cr eat ed b y

sp ir it u al p ow er , t h e Ice Em p er or seem ed t o b e t ak en som ew h at ab ack . A t r ace of
ast on ish m en t ap p ear ed in it s cr yst a l-yellow eyes.
“Sk yd r eam , d id you t h in k t h a t I’d b e u n ab le t o fin d you r t r u e b od y ju st

b ecau se you h id it an d u sed you r sp ir it u a l p ow er t o cr eat e a vir t u al b od y t o com e
see m e? Even if you r sp ir it u al p ow er ’s st r on g en ou gh t o cr eat e a b od y for
you r self, you ’r e st ill u sin g t h e ap p ear an ce of a h u m an . You ca n ’t b e t oo far aw ay
fr om you r t r u e b od y.” T h e Ice Em p er or said icily.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sm iled sligh t ly. H is eyes w er e filled w it h an

in fat u at ed look , an d h e n ear ly st ar t ed d r oolin g, “You ’r e st ill as ch ar m in g as
ever . I r em em b er t h e last t im e I saw you , you st ill h a d six segm en t s on you r t ail.
H ow ever , t h ey’ve alr ead y fu sed t o five segm en t s! I ju st love t h is at t r act ive sh ad e
of gr een t h at you h ave. It seem s lik e I w asn ’t w r on g; you ’r e n ot t oo far aw ay
fr om you r lim it .”
Sn or t in g d isd ain fu lly, t h e cr isp , fem ale voice of t h e Ice Em p er or r an g ou t

again , “Useless w or d s lik e t h at w ill on ly h ast en you r d eat h . You ’ve b een h id in g
so w ell all t h ese year s, b u t you ’ve su d d en ly com e b ack n ow . Did you on ly com e
h er e t o get you r self k illed ?”
W it h an ad or in g voice, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “I’ve n at u r ally com e t o

let you live on ! M y su ffer in g fr om t h e on e-sid ed love I’ve h a d w ill fin ally com e
t o an en d . Du r in g t h ese lon g year s, I’ve alw ays d r eam t of you d u r in g m y d eep
sleep . M y b eloved , w e can fin ally st ay t oget h er for ever .”
T h e Ice Em p er or w as n o lon ger ab le t o t oler at e t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s

in fat u at ed ap p ear an ce. H er t all, p oin t ed t ail su d d en ly lit u p , an d a sp ot lessly
w h it e b eam of ligh t in st an t ly p ier ced t h r ou gh t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s b od y.
H u o Yu h ao felt t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s sp ir it u al p ow er su r gin g violen t ly,
an d even h is vision b ecam e som ew h at fu zzy.
“I d on ’t k n ow w h at p lan s you h ave, b u t sin ce you ’ve com e all t h e w ay h er e,

you h ave t o d ie. Aft er ab sor b in g you r en er gy, I’ll b ecom e t h e st r on gest sou l
b east in t h e en t ir e con t in en t .”
Aft er p ier cin g t h r ou gh t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s b od y, t h e w h it e r ay d id n ’t

d isap p ear . On t h e con t r ar y, it st ar t ed sp r ead in g t h r ou gh t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ’s gold en b od y, d est r oyin g it in a b er ser k m an n er .
H ow ever , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m d id n ’t r eveal an y sign s of p ain . Som ew h at

r egr et fu lly, h e said , “I w as or igin ally p la n n in g t o ch at w it h you for a w h ile, sin ce
I d id n ’t w an t t o b e so h ear t less. H ow ever , I’ll h ave t o st ar t it n ow , so t h at w e can
t r u ly b e t oget h er .”
H avin g cu lt iva t ed t o it s cu r r en t level, t h e Ice Em p er or cou ld d iscer n d an ger

ver y w ell. Sh e in st a n t ly felt t h at som et h in g w as w r on g, b ecau se t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ’s b od y h ad su d d en ly t u r n ed b lu r r y. Righ t aft er t h at , h e su d d en ly
ap p ear ed r igh t in fr on t of h er .
T h er e w as n o n eed t o d ou b t t h e Ice Em p er or ’s sp eed , b u t sh e su d d en ly felt

h er self slow in g d ow n in t h is in st a n t . T h e air ar ou n d h er seem ed t o h ave
su d d en ly t u r n ed viscou s, an d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s t er r ifyin g sp ir it u al
p ow er h ad b ecom e a vast ocean t h at t r ap p ed h er w it h in it .
T h e Ice Em p er or ’s gaze in st an t ly t u r n ed fer ociou s. For cefu lly w avin g h er ja d e

gr een t ail, it er u p t ed w it h a b r illian t ligh t .
“Sk yd r eam , you ’r e cou r t in g d eat h . You a ct u ally d ar e t o u se sp ir it u al p ow er in

t h is m an n er ? Ar en ’t you scar ed of b ein g u n ab le t o r et u r n t o you r or igin al b od y?
M or eover , r egar d less of h ow h ar d you t r y, it w on ’t ch an ge t h e fact t h at you ’r e
t r ash . H ow lon g can you even k eep m e h er e for ? On e or t w o secon d s?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said gen t ly, “N ot m u ch ! On e secon d ’s m or e t h an
en ou gh !”
At t h is m om en t , a m em b r an e m ad e of a p ale w h it e ligh t slid a cr oss t h e gr ou n d

n oiselessly. No m at t er h ow st r on g t h e Ice Em p er or w as, sh e h ad n ’t n ot iced it .
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e h id d en H u o Yu h ao felt h is b od y sh ak e violen t ly.

Clen ch in g h is t eet h , h e con cen t r at ed all h is sou l p ow er t o d efen d again st t h e
ext r em e cold t h a t h a d ab r u p t ly ar r ived .
T h ou gh h e h ad t h e ice r oom , w h ich w as ab le t o b lock ou t t h e ou t sid e cold , as

w ell as t h e w ar m t h cr eat ed b y t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s ign it ed sh ed d ed sk in , h e
w as st ill fr ozen solid in st an t ly. H e d id n ’t k n ow h ow low t h e t em p er at u r es h er e
h ad r each ed , b u t it seem ed as if h is h ea r t cou ld st op b eat in g at an y t im e. H e
cou ld on ly u r ge h is sou l p ow er as if h is life d ep en d ed on it , m ain t ain in g t h e
t r ace of w ar m t h in h is h ear t .
Righ t , a sin gle secon d w as en ou gh for t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m . T h e Ice

Em p er or w as r eleasin g all of h er st r en gt h in p r ep ar at ion for t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m t o w ast e a ll of h is sp ir it u al p ow er , b u t sh e su d d en ly felt h er b od y
t igh t en . Un exp ect ed ly, sh e h ad lost t h e ab ilit y t o m ove.
Ast on ish ed , t h e Ice Em p er or im m ed iat ely t w ist ed ab ou t m a d ly. W h it e an d

gr een in t er t w in ed a n d flick er ed as sh e r eleased all of h er t yr an n ical sk ills
w it h ou t h old in g an yt h in g b ack .
H ow ever , t h is p ow er fu l sever al h u n d r ed t h ou san d year -r a n k ed sou l b east

w h o’d r oam ed ab ou t t h e Ext r em e Nor t h u n h in d er ed felt fear in t h e n ext in st an t .
No m at t er h ow h ar d sh e st r u ggled , it w as u n exp ect ed ly t o n o a vail.
T h e sen sat ion of con st r ict ion w as st r en gt h en in g at an a st on ish in g r at e,

u n exp ect ed ly cau sin g a gu r glin g sou n d t o r in g ou t . Regar d less of h ow sh e
st r u ggled , t h e st r en gt h of h er b in d in gs con t in u ed t o st r en gt h en u n ceasin gly.
Un exp ect ed ly, sh e h ad n o w ay t o r esist it .
T h e fr on t al p in cer s sh e’d r aised u p in t o t h e air w er e gr ad u ally p u sh ed
d ow n w ar d s, an d h er r aised t a il w as p r essed u p again st h er b od y. T h e Ice
Em p er or , on e of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ’s T h r ee Em p er or s, h ad act u ally b een
con st r ict ed t h is r igid ly.
“No, n o! T h is isn ’t p ossib le. Sk yd r eam , h ow cou ld t r ash lik e you b e ab le t o t ie

m e u p ? W h at sk ill is t h is? W h y can ’t I u se m y en er gy?”
T h e gold en ligh t va n ish ed , an d t h e H u o Yu h ao-sh ap ed Sk yd r eam Icew or m

r eap p ear ed in fr on t of h er . W it h an in d iffer en t sm ile on h is face, h e said , “I’ve
t r u ly w ait ed for t h is d ay for t oo lon g alr ead y. You d on ’t k n ow w h at ’s
h ap p en in g? Righ t , I’ll give you an exp lan at ion , b u t n ot n ow . On ce w e’ve left t h is
ar ea, I’ll h ave a good ch at w it h you . Righ t n ow , w e sh ou ld b e on ou r w ay.”
W it h t h a t , h e r aised h is r igh t h an d a n d p oin t ed t ow ar d s t h e Ice Em p er or .

Am id st t h e flick er in g gold en ligh t , t h e Ice Em p er or ’s b od y van ish ed in t o t h in
air .
Facin g t h e sk y, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m let ou t a sigh . “I d id n ’t t h in k t h at I’d

b e ab le t o u se t h e few ab ilit ies I w ou ld n ’t h ave d ar ed t o u se in t h e p ast aft er
losin g m y b od y. Un for t u n at ely, t h at w as m y on ly ch an ce t o u se t h em . Ice
Em p er or , oh Ice Em p er or , I r eally h op e you w on ’t d isap p oin t m e.”
T h e p ale w h it e m em b r an e r eap p ear ed , b u t t h e Ice Em p er or h ad alr ead y

van ish ed . T h e m em b r an e slow ly fell t h r ou gh t h e gr ou n d , r e-en t er in g H u o
Yu h ao’s b od y, w h ich w as locat ed w it h in t h e ice r oom .
T h e ext r em e cold w as in st a n t ly isolat ed fr om t h e ice r oom , b u t H u o Yu h ao’s

b od y r em ain ed as h ar d as st eel. A layer of fr ost h ad cover ed t h e su r face of h is
b od y.
T h e gold en ligh t va n ish ed in t o h is for eh ead , an d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m

called ou t t o h im soft ly, “Yu h ao, Yu h ao, h ow ar e you ? I’ve su cceed ed .”
T h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as fr ozen solid , h e w as ab n or m ally clear -h ead ed .

“W h y?” W it h in h is sp ir it u al w or ld , H u o Yu h ao ask ed cold ly.
Pu zzled , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ask ed , “W h y w h at ?”
H u o Yu h ao’s icy voice r an g ou t , “W h y d id you lie t o m e? Did you r eally com e

h er e ju st t o aw ak en m y secon d m ar t ial sou l? If so, h ow can you exp lain w h at
you ju st d id ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m fell silen t .
H is voice filled w it h gr ief, H u o Yu h ao said , “Sk yd r eam , you k n ow , aft er

leavin g t h e Du k e’s M an sion , you ’r e t h e fir st p ar t n er in m y life w h o’d given m e
h op e. I con sid er ed you as a t each er , as w ell as m y closest fr ien d . You ’r e t h e
p er son w h o’s fin ally given m e a t ar get I can w or k t ow ar d s, b u t w h y d id you
h ave t o lie t o m e? W h y? Did you ju st w a n t t o u se m e as a p u p p et t o com e h er e? I
u sed all of m y en er gy t o com e h er e, b u t t h e on ly t h in g I saw w as t h e love you
h ad t ow ar d s t h e Ice Em p er or . I d on ’t m in d t ak in g r isk s w it h you . If you h ad t old
m e in ad van ce, I w ou ld ’ve b een w illin g t o follow you all t h e w ay, even if I h ad t o
clim b t h r ou gh m ou n t ain s of b lad es or sw im t h r ou gh seas of fir e. H ow ever , you
sh ou ld n ’t h ave lied t o m e.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m let ou t a lon g sigh , “Sor r y, Yu h ao. I d id lie t o you . I

d id n ’t fu lly t r u st you . I d id n ’t k n ow w h et h er you ’d st ill b e w illin g t o follow m e
if I t old you ever yt h in g. You ’r e n ot w r on g, I h ad m y ow n selfish m ot ives. I h op e
t o b e w it h t h e Ice Em p er or for ever . Ever sin ce I w as b or n , t h e on ly p er son I’ve
lik ed is t h e Ice Em p er or . It ’s ju st lik e t h e ‘love’ you h u m an s h ave. Even if sh e
on ly t r eat s m e as food , I’ll st ill love h er w it h ou t a n y secon d t h ou gh t s.”
“I d id n ’t r ealize t h at d oin g t h in gs t h is w ay w ou ld h u r t you . I d on ’t w ish for

you t o look d ow n on m e. It ’s ju st as sh e’s said , I’m a p iece of t r ash an d a cow ar d .
T h e Ice Em p er or ’s fu ll n am e is t h e Ice J ad e Em p er or Scor p ion , an d sh e’s on e of
t h e t r u e r u ler s of t h is fr eezin g ear t h . T h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion t r ib e sh e b elon gs t o
t ak es m y Icew or m clan as food , b u t I’ve loved h er in cor r igib ly sin ce I t h e fir st
t im e I m et h er t w o h u n d r ed t h ou san d yea r s ago.”
“I k n ow w h at you ’r e goin g t o ask m e: W h y d o I love h er , even t h ou gh w e’r e

fr om com p let ely d iffer en t r aces? Realist ically sp eak in g, a d iffer en ce in r ace
d oesn ’t r eally m at t er at ou r level. Besid es, w h at I’m p u r su in g is m or e of a
sp ir it u al r elat ion sh ip . You ’ve seen w h at sh e t h in k s of m e. T o t ell t h e t r u t h , on e
of t h e m ain r eason s t h at I w as so eager t o b ecom e you r sou l r in g w as b ecau se I
sim p ly cou ld n ’t w ait an y lon ger . I w as scar ed t h at sh e’d r ea ch h er lim it ear ly,
an d t h a t sh e’d p ass aw ay. Even t h ou gh I love h er , I w on ’t for ce h er t o love m e.
H ow ever , I’ll d o ever yt h in g I can in or d er t o en su r e t h at sh e st ays alive, n o
m at t er w h at . It ’s m y selfish w ish t h at I can live w it h h er b esid e m e. Even if sh e
en d s u p cu r sin g m e ever yd ay, I’ll st ill b e w illin g t o list en t o h er voice. Do you
u n d er st an d w h at I’m sayin g? T h is is love.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice w as filled w it h sever a l em ot ion s. An in t r in sic

t r an sfor m at ion seem ed t o h ave occu r r ed in h is u su a lly lazy voice, so m u ch so
t h at even H u o Yu h a o w as gr ad u ally sw a yed b y h is w or d s. H u o Yu h ao w as on ly
t w elve aft er all, t h u s it w as n at u r a l for h im t o n ot u n d er st an d w h at exact ly love
w as. H ow ever , h e h ad u n w it t in gly b een m oved b y t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s
w or d s.
“W h at if an accid en t h ad h ap p en ed b efor e w e fou n d t h e Ice Em p r ess? W h at if

you h ad n ’t b een ab le t o r est r a in h er ?” H u o Yu h ao b lu r t ed ou t .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m calm ly r ep lied , “T h er e w as b asically n o ch an ce of

t h at h ap p en in g w it h m y Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e’s n o ch an ce
t h at sh e w ou ld n ’t h ave b een r est r ain ed b y m e. W h en I d ied , m y cor p se b ecam e
t h e st r on gest w eap on t h at a sou l b east h as ever p r od u ced in t h e w or ld . No t t o
m en t ion h er , I’m con fid en t t h a t I cou ld ’ve t r ap p ed t h e fir st -r an k ed Sn ow
Em p r ess if it h a d b een w it h in fift y m et er s of u s. Un for t u n at ely, I cou ld on ly u se
it on e t im e. T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at I’ve fou gh t ou t sid e you r b od y aft er
fu sin g w it h you , an d it w ill a lso b e t h e last . T h e st r en gt h of m y sp ir it w on ’t
allow m e t o d o t h is again . Aft er all, I’m you r sou l r in g; I’ve alr ead y com p let ely
fu sed w it h you . T h e d an ger s t h at you ’r e w or r yin g ab ou t cou ld n ’t h ave
h ap p en ed eit h er , as I h ave a last -d it ch sk ill t h at allow s m e t o in st an t ly t elep or t
you sever al h u n d r ed s of m iles aw ay. As su ch , I w ou ld n ’t h a ve h ad an y p r ob lem s
m ak in g su r e t h a t you w er e safe. Yu h a o, you n eed t o r em em b er t h is: Even
t h ou gh I w as som ew h at vigilan t t ow ar d s you t h is t im e, w e’r e st ill a sin gle
en t it y. W e sh ar e b ot h ou r glor y an d ou r losses.”
H u o Yu h ao fell silen t . T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s lie h ad h u r t h im q u it e a lot ,

b u t h e felt t h e sad n ess in h is h ear t gr ad u ally d isap p ear w h en h e h ear d t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s exp lan at ion . Aft er w ar d s, an ot h er feelin g t ook it s p lace.
“I can on ly d o w h at I d o b est . Even if t h er e h ad n ’t b een an y feelin gs b et w een

t h e Ice Em p r ess an d m e, I st ill w ou ld ’ve b r ou gh t you t o t h is p lace, as t h is is t h e
on ly p lace w h er e I cou ld u t ilize all of m y ab ilit ies t o h elp you fin d a good ch oice
t o aw ak en you r m ar t ial sou l w it h .”
H u o Yu h ao t ook a d eep b r eat h , t h en m u t t er ed , “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , is m y

h ear t t oo fr agile?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “No. I can ’t b lam e you for h ow you r eact ed .
A p er son ’s m en t al st at e is t r u ly d et er m in ed b y on e’s p ast exp er ien ces. You ju st
r ely t oo m u ch on m e. H aven ’t you r ealized it ? W h et h er you ’r e cu lt ivat in g,
u n d er goin g an assessm en t , or even w h en ever you en cou n t er d an ger . Ever y
sin gle t im e, you su b con sciou sly t ell you r self, No m a t t er w h at , I st ill h ave
Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , or som et h in g lik e, As lon g as I cu lt ivat e d iligen t ly, Br ot h er
Sk yd r eam w ill h elp m e b ecom e even st r on ger . Am I r igh t ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed su b con sciou sly. By t h is p oin t , t h e st iffn ess in h is b od y h ad

m or e or less r eced ed . H is b lood h ad b egu n t o flow q u ick er a s h e cir cu la t ed h is
sou l p ow er , w h ich in t u r n gr a d u ally cau sed a w ar m feelin g t o r ise fr om h is b od y.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m con t in u ed , “T h is r elian ce can som et im es b e a good

t h in g for you , b u t it can also som et im es b e a b ad t h in g. Relyin g on m e t oo m u ch
w ill cau se you t o lose you r w ay. You ar e you r self; you ar e H u o Yu h ao, a h u m an
sou l m ast er , an d a h u m an sou l en gin eer . I, on t h e ot h er h an d , am t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m . I’m cu r r en t ly an in t elligen t sou l r in g. An d w h o d o I b elon g t o?”
“M e, ” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “T h at ’s r igh t . I’m you r sou l r in g. Even if I’m an

in t elligen t sou l r in g, I’m st ill you r sou l r in g. T h er efor e, you h ave t o r em em b er
t h at , w h ile I am a p ar t of you , you ar en ’t a p ar t of m e. You ’r e m y m ast er , an d as
su ch , you ’r e t h e p er son w h o r u les t h is b od y t h at w e sh ar e. Becau se of t h at , I
sh ou ld b e t h e on e w h o’s r elyin g on you ; you sh ou ld n ’t b e t h e on e r elyin g on m e.
If you k eep t h in k in g t h is w ay, you w on ’t h ave an y feelin gs of d ou b t t ow ar d s m e.
If it con t in u es lik e t h is, I’ll h ave t o con sid er w h et h er or n ot an y of m y act ion s
w ill affect m y r ela t ion sh ip w it h you . I’ll on ly b e fin e if you ’r e fin e. Do you
Aft er h ear in g t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s w or d s, H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt h is

m in d clear u p . H e fin ally u n d er st ood w h at h e’d ju st felt —it w as m at u r it y.
In t h is sh or t p er iod of t im e, h is h ea r t h ad m at u r ed . T h e h at r ed h e’d
accu m u lat ed over t h e p ast sever al yea r s seem ed t o h ave d u lled b y a lar ge
am ou n t w h ile, m or e im p or t an t ly, h is h ear t h ad m a t u r ed . H is fr agile h ear t h ad
fir m ed u p , an d t h e con st an t self-r eflect ion h e’d d on e h ad cau sed h im t o d iscar d
h is r esen t m en t .
On ce h e r ealized t h is, h is eyes b ecam e fu ll of con fid en ce on ce again .
I’m t h e m ast er h er e. I’m t h e on e w h o w ill gr ab t h e su n a n d m oon , an d w h o

w ill p lu ck t h e st ar s fr om t h e sk y in t h e fu t u r e.
Aft er d iggin g h is w ay ou t of t h e ice r oom , H u o Yu h ao clim b ed ou t fr om

u n d er n eat h t h e sn ow . Su d d en ly, H u o Yu h ao felt a n u r ge t o let ou t a sh ou t
t ow ar d s t h e h eaven s.
“Don ’t m ak e an y n oise. Im m ed iat ely r u n in t h e d ir ect ion I t ell you t o. T h e Ice
Em p r ess’s clan sm en ar e com in g, as t h ey’ve m or e t h an lik ely sen sed h er au r a
d isap p ear . If w e d on ’t leave, t h ey’ll d efin it ely fin d u s q u ick ly. Now t h en , w e
n eed t o qu ick ly lea ve t h is p lace. W e can h an d le t h e issu e r egar d in g t h e Ice
Em p r ess on ce w e r each a safe p lace.”
“Ok ay.” H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t w ast e an y t im e as h e im m ed iat ely b egan r u n n in g

t ow ar d s t h e d ir ect ion t h ey’d com e fr om . H is m in d h a d clear ed u p , t h u s h is
foot st ep s h ad b ecom e ext r aor d in ar ily sw ift . T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s p ow er fu l
sp ir it u al p ow er con cealed all t r aces of h is au r a, an d t h er e w asn ’t an y n eed for
H u o Yu h ao t o w or r y ab ou t leavin g an y foot st ep s b eh in d . In t h is fr eezin g w or ld
of w in d an d ice, all t r aces of h is p r esen ce w er e w ip ed aw ay w it h a sin gle gu st of
w in d .
As h e r an , H u o Yu h a o sp ok e t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , I

w as w r on g. I sh ou ld n ’t h ave d ou b t ed you . H ow ever , I’m st ill an gr y as, in t h e
en d , you st ill lied t o m e.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “Ok ay, p lease d on ’t b e an gr y. You ’ll b e ab le

t o see h ow b en eficial t h is ad ven t u r e w as t o you on ce w e’ve t a k en car e of t h e Ice
Em p r ess.”
H u o Yu h ao said , “W h at ’s t h e Ice Em p r ess got t o d o w it h m e? Sh e’s you r lover .

Don ’t t ell m e t h at you t r u ly h ave t h e h ear t t o k ill h er an d m ak e h er in t o m y sou l
r in g?”
“H eh eh e….” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m lau gh ed . “You ’ll see, b u t n ot r igh t n ow .

H ow ever , I p r om ise t h at I’ll n ever lie t o you again . You ’ve p assed m y t est .”
“W h at t est ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed , a som ew h at b lan k look in h is eyes.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “You r h ear t , of cou r se. Alt h ou gh you r sm all
h ear t ’s som ew h at fr agile, an d even t h ou gh you r em ot ion s ar e affect ed ver y
easily, I’ve st ill felt t h e com p let e t r u st an d d ep en d en ce you h ave in m e. I d id say
t h at it w asn ’t a ver y good t h in g for you t o d o, b u t it ’s d est r oyed t h e last b ar r ier
b et w een u s.”
Som ew h at h elp less, H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “T h at d oesn ’t r eally m ak e m e feel

ver y good .”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ch u ck led . “W h at ’s n ot good ab ou t it ? Ever y

exp er ien ce alw ays h as it s b en efit s. T h is isn ’t r eally a b ad t h in g for you . Besid es,
you ’ll t r u st you r fr ien d s m or e in t h e fu t u r e, an d you w on ’t d ou b t t h em as
easily.”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “If you w on ’t t ell m e h ow you p lan t o d eal w it h t h e Ice

Em p r ess, t h en at least t ell m e t h e st or y b et w een you an d h er . I w an t t o h ear
w h at t h is ‘love’ is all ab ou t .”
“Alr igh t , I’ll t ell you a lit t le st or y. Ru n a b it fast er ; if w e’r e d iscover ed , all ou r
p r eviou s effor t s w ill h ave b een for n ou gh t ….”
“I’m alr ead y r u n n in g as fast as I can .” H u o Yu h ao b r ou gh t h is sou l p ow er t o

t h e m axim u m as h e r an alon g t h e su r face of t h e sn ow y gr ou n d u sin g t h e Gh ost
Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack . Becau se of b ot h h is sp eed an d t h e p ack ed sn ow of t h e
Ext r em e Nor t h , h e left a t r ail of sh allow foot st ep s in t h e sn ow w it h ou t act u ally
sin k in g in t o it . T h is w as t h e qu ick est w ay h e cou ld m ove for w ar d .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “I’ve b een in love w it h t h e Ice Em p r ess for t w o

h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s. I’d ju st w ok en u p fr om m y sleep b ack t h en , an d I w as
ab ou t t o fin d a n ot h er p lace t o con t in u e sleep in g. Bu t t h en , sh e su d d en ly
ap p ear ed . Sh e’d b een look in g for t h e T en T h ou san d Year Ice Pit h .
Un for t u n at ely, t h is Br ot h er h ad alr ead y eat en all of it . T h e fir st t im e w e m et , w e
w er e b ot h ast on ish ed . You ’ve seen m y o r igin al b od y; it ’s b ea u t ifu l, it ’s b ig, it ’s
r ou n d , an d it h as a gold en lu st er t o it . W ell, sh e w as ver y b eau t ifu l t oo. T h e fir st
t im e t h at I saw h er r esp len d en t b od y an d h er lar ge, jad e-gr een t ail, I w as d eep ly
cap t ivat ed b y h er . In p ar t icu lar , I w as ch ar m ed b y h er cool t em p er am en t . Sh e
look s t h e m ost b eau t ifu l w h en ever sh e’s cu r sin g at m e. T o m e, it d oesn ’t m a t t er
even w h en sh e w an t s t o k ill m e; h er p er son alit y’s ju st t h at p er fect .”
H u o Yu h ao w as left som ew h at sp eech less w h en h e h ear d t h is. “Br ot h er
Sk yd r eam , I d on ’t t h in k you n eed t o con t in u e an ym or e. I ju st can ’t sym p at h ize
w it h t h e love b et w een you sou l b east s. Also, I can ’t h elp b u t say t h a t you ’r e
r eally in fat u at ed w it h h er . Even w h en sh e’s t r yin g t o k ill you , you st ill fin d h er
p er fect ! H ah ah ah a…”
En r aged , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m yelled , “H u o Yu h ao, h ow d ar e a st in k y b r at

lik e you la u gh at m e. Do you r eally t h in k t h at I w ou ld n ’t d a r e t o d est r oy you r
sp ir it u al sea!?”
“I d on ’t b elieve you . If you h ave t h e ab ilit y t o d o it , d o it . H ow ever , if you

d est r oy m y sp ir it u a l sea, you ’r e scr ew ed as w ell. An d if t h at h ap p en s, you w on ’t
b e ab le t o see you r Ice Em p r ess ever again . Ar e you r eally w illin g t o go t h r ou gh
w it h t h at ? If you ar e, com e at m e! I’m n ot scar ed of you .”
“You …” H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s h ad st r u ck t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s soft sp ot . H e

in d ign an t ly r ep lied , “Get t in g t oo in t im at e r eally isn ’t good for m e! Now t h at
w e’ve got t en closer , you ’r e n o lon ger afr aid of t h e con sequ en ces for in su lt in g
m e! I feel lik e I’ve lost ou t on t h is d ea l….”
H u o Yu h ao sn or t ed . “H aven ’t you h ear d t h e p h r ase ‘b ein g p u t at a

d isad va n t age som et im es gives you an ad van t age’? W h at ever , qu iet d ow n a b it . I
d on ’t w an n a get d ist r act ed .”
T h is t im e ar ou n d , H u o Yu h ao h ad t r u ly u n leash ed t h e en t ir et y of h is
p ot en t ial. In h is cu r r en t sit u a t ion , on e w h er e h e cou ld n ’t gu ar an t ee w h en h e
w ou ld even get t o eat , h e d ash ed w ild ly on w ar d s in a w ay t h at seem ed t o
over d r aft h is b od y. On ly w h en h is sou l p ow er w as fu lly d r ain ed w ou ld h e st op ,
sh ove t w o m ou t h fu ls of sn ow in t o h is m ou t h , t h en m ed it at e.
H e d id n ’t even con sid er eat in g t h e fr ozen food t h at h e’d b r ou gh t w it h h im .
T h e d r ain on h is p h ysical en er gy b y m er ely r elyin g on w at er t o r ep len ish h is

en er gy cou ld b e im agin ed , b u t h e d id n ’t h ave a ch oice. Rep eat ed ly u r ged on b y
t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , h e con t in u ed t o r u n for t w en t y-eigh t h ou r s st r aigh t . By
t h at p oin t , h e’d fin ally left t h e cor e r egion s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h an d h ad
ar r ived b ack at t h e b or d er .
“Pu —” H u o Yu h ao fell t o t h e gr ou n d a t op t h e t h ick sn ow . H e w asn ’t ab le t o

cr aw l b ack u p n o m at t er w h a t t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said .
T h e excessive over d r aw in g of h is p h ysica l st r en gt h h ad cau sed h im t o en t er a

st at e of ext r em e t ir ed n ess. For t u n at ely, t h e su r r ou n d in g t em p er at u r e h ad
in cr eased con sid er ab ly on ce h e’d r each ed t h e ou t er ar eas of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h .
At t h e ver y least , it h ad b ecom e a b it easier for h im t o h yd r a t e h im self b y eat in g
sn ow .
“I can ’t d o t h is an ym or e, Br ot h er Sk yd r eam . I ju st can ’t r u n an ym or e. I h ave

t o r est . If I d on ’t eat an y lon ger , I’m goin g t o d ie.” H u o Yu h ao m u t t er ed
in w ar d ly.
H u o Yu h ao gasp ed for air as h e lay at op t h e sn ow , w h ich cau sed b u r st s of

w h it e m ist t o u n ceasin gly em er ge fr o m h is m ou t h . H is vision h a d b ecom e
b lu r r y, an d w aves of d izzin ess w er e assa u lt in g h im . Cu r r en t ly, h e w as w eak t o
t h e p oin t t h at h e w a sn ’t even ab le t o act ivat e h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . T h e on ly
t h in g h e w an t ed t o d o r igh t n ow w as sleep . H e’d n ever felt lik e t h is b efor e, even
d u r in g t h e m ost d ifficu lt m om en t s of h is t r ain in g in Sh r ek Acad em y.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “Let ’s d o it h er e t h en . I ju st d id a qu ick

sear ch . It ’s r ela t ively q u iet for ar ou n d a h u n d r ed m iles ar ou n d u s. As su ch , t h er e
sh ou ld n ’t b e an y sou l b east s r oam in g ab ou t . H ow ever , Yu h ao, you can ’t r est yet ;
you r t r u e t est is com in g n ow .”
“Ah ? You st ill w an t t o t est m e? J u st let m e d ie.” Aft er h is la st con ver sa t ion
w it h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , t h eir r elat ion sh ip h ad ev id en t ly im p r oved b y a
sign ifican t am ou n t . At t h e ver y least , H u o Yu h ao h ad less m isgivin gs w h en h e
con ver sed w it h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “Ar e you su r e you d on ’t w an t t o t ak e t h is
t est ?”
“W h at t est ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed , sp eech less.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sm iled m yst er iou sly. “W h y d id w e com e t o t h e

Ext r em e Nor t h in t h e fir st p lace?”
“T o aw ak en m y m ar t ial sou l! W h at , ar e you sayin g t h a t you w an t t o t ak e car e

of t h e Ice Em p r ess r igh t n ow ?” H u o Yu h ao fin ally cam e back t o h is sen ses.
H ow ever , h e r eally d id n ’t h ave an y st r en gt h left . J u st at t em p t in g t o sit u p t ook
h alf of t h e lit t le en er gy h e h ad left , t h u s h e ch ose t o lie b ack d ow n .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “Righ t . I’m goin g t o u se m y sh ed d ed sk in t o

t r ap t h e Ice Em p r ess’ b od y, t h en u se m y sp ir it u al p ow er t o cr eat e a sp ir it u al
p r ison t h a t ’ll t r ap h er t em p or ar ily. H ow ever , even t h ou gh m y sp ir it u al p ow er is
m y or igin en er gy, I w on ’t b e ab le t o m ain t ain it for t oo lon g. T h e Ice Em p r ess’s
so st r on g t h at I can ’t t r u ly t r ap h er for lon g.”
Cu r iou s, H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “W h at ’s a sp ir it u al p r ison ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “It ’s a sk ill t h at ’s act iv at ed b y sp ir it u al

p ow er . Aft er I gave u p m y b od y in or d er t o fu se w it h you , t h e or igin of m y
sp ir it u al p ow er b ecam e in d ep en d en t fr om m y bod y, allow in g m e t o u se a few
sk ills. Un for t u n at ely, m y sp ir it u al b r an d fu sed even fu r t h er w it h you aft er I left
you r b od y. As su ch , I w on ’t b e ab le t o d o t h is again . As of n ow , I can t r u ly on ly
b e you r su b or d in at e. You n eed t o p r ep ar e you r self as w ell, as t h er e’s a
p r er eq u isit e for t h e Ice Em p r ess t o fu se w it h you an d b ecom e you r m ar t ial
sou l—sh e h as t o d o it of h er ow n accor d . H ow ever , even if sh e w illin gly agr ees,
you ’ll st ill h ave t o w it h st an d an en or m ou s am ou n t of p r essu r e. It w on ’t b e as
easy as it w as w h en I fu sed w it h you in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est . At t h at p oin t
in t im e, I w as fu lly d r ain ed of m y en er gy. All I h ad left w as m y sp ir it u a l or igin .
Con t r ar y t o m yself, sh e’s a t r u e t h r ee h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l b east ; h er
cu lt ivat ion is even at t h e 399,0 0 0 year r an k . You d efin it ely w on ’t b e ab le t o
ab sor b su ch a t er r ifyin g am ou n t of p ow er b y you r self. As su ch , I’ll h ave t o seal
h er en er gy u p in or d er t o m ak e su r e t h at you w on ’t exp lod e. H ow ever , t h is w ill
st ill com e as an en or m ou s sh ock t o you r b od y. T h u s, you ’ll h ave t o p er sever e n o
m at t er w h a t . If you d on ’t , all t h r ee of u s ar e scr ew ed . Do you u n d er st an d ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed . “I u n d er st an d . Bu t … w ill t h e Ice Em p r ess r eally agr ee?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sm iled m yst er iou sly. “Even t h ou gh w e’ve lived for so
m an y year s, w e’r e act u ally m or e afr aid of d eat h t h an you h u m an s. Aft er all, is
an yon e t r u ly w illin g t o give u p an ext r em ely lon g life? No m at t er h ow m u ch sh e
look s d ow n on m e an d h ow u n w illin g sh e is, p r eser vin g h er o w n life is st ill m or e
im p or t an t ! T h e r ea son t h at I cr eat ed a sit u at ion lik e t h is w as t o for ce h er ;
b esid es, t h ose d escen d an t s of h er s w on ’t even b e ab le t o fin d u s. J u st w at ch m e.
You ju st n eed t o lie d ow n an d st ay st ill.”
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes slow ly lit u p , w h ile a st r on g gold en ligh t flick er ed w it h in

t h em . Im m ed ia t ely aft er w ar d s, h e felt t h e m in d -n u m b in g cold . Even t h ou gh it
w asn ’t as in t en se as t h e fr eezin g cold p ar t s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h , h e sh iver ed
in st in ct ively, an d h is b od y cu r led u p su b con sciou sly. T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m
h ad evid et ly t ak en h is sh ed d ed sk in aw ay.
A b all of gold en ligh t em er ged fr om in b et w een H u o Yu h a o’s b r ow s, t h en

slow ly r ose in t o t h e air . It w as on ly a gold en d ot w h en it em er ged , b u t it
gr ad u ally exp an d ed as it r ose. In t h e b lin k of an eye, it h ad b ecom e a d isk of ligh t
w it h a on e m et er d ia m et er .
T h e ligh t t h at t h e gold en d isc h ad su d d en ly b egan t o b ecom e illu sor y. If you

w er e t o look d ir ect ly at it , you r gaze w ou ld b e su ck ed in t o a seem in gly
b ot t om less ab yss.
A ligh t flash ed , an d a figu r e em er ged fr om t h e gold en d isc. T h e in st an t it

ap p ear ed , t h e gold en ligh t in t h e air d isap p ear ed . A fist -sized b all of gold en ligh t
su r ged ou t fr om H u o Yu h ao’s for eh ead an d p r oceed ed t o float in m id air . T h e
t r ap p ed figu r e w it h in w as t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion .
Cu r r en t ly, sh e’d alr ead y b een t r ap p ed b y t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s sh ed d ed
sk in . No m at t er h o w h ar d sh e st r u ggled , sh e cou ld n ’t get fr ee. Aft er all, t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s sh ed d ed sk in w as t h e cr yst allisat ion of h is m illion year s of
cu lt ivat ion . Even t h ou gh h is en er gy—w h ich h e’d accu m u lat ed aft er m an y
year s—h ad b een con t in u ou sly su ck ed ou t b y t h e p ow er fu l sou l b east s of t h e
Gr eat St ar Dou For est t o t h e p oin t w h er e h e’d alm ost d r ied u p , h e’d d elib er a t ely
n ou r ish ed h is b od y w it h h is en er gy d u r in g t h e ext r act ion p r ocess. If it h ad n ’t
b een for h is d u r ab le b od y, h e w ou ld ’ve d ied god k n ow s h ow m an y t im es
alr ead y.
Aft er ch oosin g t o give u p h is b od y in or d er t o fu se w it h H u o Yu h ao, t h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s sh ed d ed sk in h a d b ecom e an ext r em ely valu ab le t r easu r e.
Even w it h t h e Ice Em p r ess’s t er r ifyin g level of en er gy an d sou l p ow er , sh e h ad
st ill b een u n ab le t o b r eak fr ee fr om it . It s d u r ab ilit y cou ld b e seen fr om t h is.
On ly, H u o Yu h ao’s cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion w as far t oo w eak t o con t r ol it , t h u s on ly
t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h im self cou ld d o so. H ow ever , t h e d r ain on h is sp ir it u al
or igin w ou ld b e ext r em ely lar ge w h en ever h e u sed it , an d as su ch , h e cou ld on ly
u se it a t ext r em ely im p or t an t m om en t s.
“Ice Em p r ess, st op r esist in g. You ’ve alr ead y t r ied so m an y t im es, you sh ou ld
k n ow t h at it ’s u seless b y n ow .” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said in it s d ist in ct ively
lazy voice.
T h e Ice Em p r ess r ep lied cold ly, “W h at d o you w an t ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m gen t ly said , “I on ly w an t t o st ay w it h m y b eloved

for ever .”
“T h is is you r w ay of sh ow in g m e you r love?” Aft er t h in k in g it over for an

en t ir e d ay or so, t h e Ice Em p r ess h a d alr ead y com e t o t h e u n d er st an d in g t h a t
sh e’d b een d u p ed . At t h at t im e, if sh e h ad n ’t b een so close t o t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m , h is p lan s w ou ld d efin it ely h a ve failed . Un for t u n a t ely, t h er e w as n o
u se in h er cr yin g over sp oiled m ilk . Sh e’d alr ead y fallen in t o t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ’s h an d s, a n d sh e w asn ’t ab le t o escap e fr om t h is st r an ge p ow er . An
exist en ce lik e t h e Ice Em p r ess, som eon e w h o h ad lived for alm ost fou r h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year s, n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t give u p easily. T h u s, sh e cou ld on ly r ely on
h er ot h er ab ilit ies t o escap e fr om t h is st r an ge p ow er t h a t sh e cou ld n ’t seem t o
r esist .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sm iled sligh t ly. “Don ’t b e so im p at ien t , list en t o m e.”
T h e Ice Em p r ess r ep lied cold ly, “W h at d id you say? You said t h at you loved
m e? If you r eally love m e, t h en w h y h aven ’t you r eleased you r t r u e b od y? I’ve
alr ead y fallen in t o you r t r ap , so w h at d o you h ave t o b e afr aid of?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sigh ed . “I’m n a t u r ally n ot afr aid of you , it ’s ju st t h at

t h er e’s n o w ay for m e t o let you see m y t r u e b od y! M y t r u e b od y n o lon ger
exist s. H aven ’t you r ealised t h a t you ’ve b een look in g at m y sp ir it u al or igin a ll
t h is t im e, n ot a vir t u al b od y? Aft er r u lin g over you r d om ain for so lon g, you ’ve
lost you r cau t iou sn ess. If you h ad n ’t , I d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave su cceed ed so
easily.”
T h e Ice Em p r ess w as st u n n ed . Ast on ish ed , sh e r ep lied , “W h at ? You on ly h ave

you r sp ir it u al or igin ? So you r b od y…” At t h at m om en t , sh e fin ally n ot iced H u o
Yu h ao, w h o w as lyin g on t h e gr ou n d . Becau se of t h e cold , H u o Yu h ao’s face h ad
alr ead y t u r n ed som ew h at p allid . For t u n at ely, h is r esist an ce t o t h e cold h a d
in cr eased b y a lar ge am ou n t aft er h is jou r n ey t o t h e cor e r egion s of t h e Ext r em e
Nor t h .
“You cou ld n ’t b e r efer r in g t o t h is h u m an , r igh t ? Even t h ou gh you ’ve t r ap p ed

m e, I can easily t ell h ow in sign ifican t h e is, ju st b y u sin g m y eyes. Is h e you r
p u p p et ?”
“No, n o, of cou r se t h at ’s n ot t h e case. H e’s m y h ost , or r at h er , h e’s m y

m ast er . T h e cu r r en t m e is a sou l r in g t h at b elon gs t o h im ; you sh ou ld k n ow
ab ou t t h e sou l r in gs t h at t h ese h u m an s h ave. On t h e ot h er h an d , I’m t h e
con t in en t ’s fir st ever in t elligen t sou l r in g.”
T h e Ice Em p r ess cr ied ou t in volu n t ar ily, “W h at ? You ’ve act u ally b ecom e a
h u m an ’s sou l r in g? H ow can t h is b e?! Even t h ou gh you ’r e a p iece of t r ash ,
you ’ve st ill lived for t h is lon g. H ow cou ld a h u m an ’s fr agile b od y w it h st an d you r
en or m ou s en er gy?!”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sm iled b it t er ly. “Don ’t b r in g t h at u p . M y t r aged y

b egan w it h you . At t h at p oin t in t im e, you w er e so p er sist en t on ea t in g m e…
t h er e w as n o w ay t h at I w ou ld n ’t r u n aw ay! I st ill n eed ed a b od y t o con t in u e
lovin g you , t h u s I d r ift ed alon g t h e ocean an d r each ed an a r ea d ow n sou t h …”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m u sed t h e m ost m iser ab le voice h e cou ld m u st er as h e

r ecou n t ed h is exp er ien ces fr om t h e p ast h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s. H u o Yu h ao
h ad alr ead y h ear d h is st or y, b u t t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m u sed a m u ch m or e
sor r ow fu l t on e as h e exp lain ed it t o t h e Ice Em p r ess. M or eover , h e d escr ib ed
h im self w it h a m u ch m or e m iser ab le t on e, d escr ib in g h ow h e’d b een ‘b eat en u p
t ill h e w as a m ass of b r u ises’, an d h ow ‘d eat h w ou ld h ave b een p r efer ab le t o
livin g’.
“...You k n ow h ow t er r ifyin g lim it s ar e t o u s. You also k n ow t h at n o sou l b east

h as lived lon ger t h a n m e. Even t h ou gh I’m on ly a p iece of t r ash in you r h ear t ,
I’m st ill an old p iece of t r ash w h o’s lived lon g en ou gh . M y en er gy’s fou n d at ion
h ad b een d r ain ed , an d I w as ab ou t t o r each m y n ext lim it soon . H ow ever , I’ve
alr ead y lived for t h is lon g—I n at u r ally d id n ’t w an t t o d ie! I b elieve t h at you feel
t h e sam e as I d o. I can sen se t h at you r lim it w ill ar r ive w it h in a h u n d r ed year s.
Becau se of t h at , you ’r e ext r em ely w or r ied .”
“You an d m e, w e b ot h d on ’t w an t t o d ie. W e’ve alr ead y lived t h is lon g; h ow

cou ld w e b e w illin g t o sim p ly t u r n in t o p ile of d u st ? As su ch , I’ve fou n d t h e b est
w ay t o get p ast t h is.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s st or y fin ally ar ou sed t h e in t er est of t h e Ice J ad e

Em p r ess Scor p ion . Sh e su b con sciou sly ask ed , “H ow ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied in a low voice, “By cr eat in g God .”
“Cr eat in g God ?” T h e Ice Em p r ess w as st u n n ed . Sh e im m ed ia t ely b ecam e even

m or e cu r iou s. “W h at d o you m ean b y cr eat in g God ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied in a low voice, “M y b eloved , let m e ask you
t h is: W h ich r ace on t h is con t in en t h as t h e h igh est p ot en t ial of all?”
Aft er b ecom in g en sn ar ed in t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s w or d s, t h e Ice Em p r ess

su b con sciou sly follow ed h is t r ain of t h ou gh t . “Ar e you r efer r in g t o h u m an s?”
Chapt er 42.1: Cr eat ing God?
I f you'r e n ot up-t o-dat e on DD1, t h i s ch apt er h as a r ef er en ce/ spoi l er t o

som et h i n g t h at h appen s i n i t . For ew ar n i n g.
T h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m n odded f or cef ul l y. “ Ri gh t , h um an s. Even t h ough

t h er e ar e som e n obl e soul beast s l i k e you, w h o ar e i n n at el y bor n w i t h a pow er f ul
ph ysi que, you h ave t o adm i t t h at w e’ r e m uch w or se t h an h um an s i n t er m s of
t al en t . Al t h ough a h um an ’ s body can ’ t even be descr i bed as i n si gn i f i can t i n t h e
f ace of your I ce Jade Scor pi on cl an , t h ey can st i l l com pet e w i t h your t en
t h ousan d year , or even h un dr ed t h ousan d-year -ol d cl an sm en af t er cul t i vat i n g
f or sever al decades. W h y i s t h at ? I t ’ s because t h ey h ave a di f f er en t am oun t of
pot en t i al t h an us. H um an s h ave f r ai l bodi es an d sh or t l i f espan s. H ow ever , t h ei r
pot en t i al h as al l ow ed t h em t o obt ai n t h e bl essi n gs of t h e h eaven s; t h ey’ r e
i n com par abl e. T h i s i s t h e advan t age t h e h um an s h ave, an d yet i s al so som et h i n g
w e l ack .”
“ M ost i m por t an t l y, w e can ’ t even h ope t o st r i ve f or t h e peak s t h at h um an i t y

can r each . Do you st i l l r em em ber t h at i n ci den t t h at h appen ed t en t h ousan d
year s ago?”
T h e I ce Em pr ess r epl i ed, “ T h e H eaven s an d t h e Ear t h ch an ged col or ; a God

w as sudden l y bor n .”
T h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m sai d, “ Ri gh t . At t h at t i m e, I sen sed t h e appear an ce of

at l east f i ve Gods. M or eover , t w o of t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est ’ s Gr eat Beast
Ki n gs f el l . T h ey w er e bot h pow er f ul exi st en ces w h o r esi ded w i t h i n t h e cor e
r egi on s of t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , an d even t h ough t h ey w er e som ew h at
i n f er i or i n t er m s of cul t i vat i on t o t h ose sl eepi n g f el l as w h o absor bed m y en er gy,
t h e r aces t h a t t h ey b elon ged t o w er e ext r em ely d om in eer in g. On e of t h em h ad
t h e sam e T it an b lood lin e t h a t t h e T it a n Ice Devil Kin g h a s, w h ile t h e ot h er h a d
t h e b lood lin e of d r a gon s. Desp it e t h is, t h ey b ot h st ill fell. H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t
fall b ecau se t h ey w er e k illed b y t h eir en em ies, b u t b ecau se t h ey w er e u sed t o
com p let e t h e m ost p ow er fu l h u m an w h o exist ed t en t h ou san d year s ago—t h e
p er son w h o lat er b ecam e t h e m ost p ow er fu l God .”
At t h at p oin t , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m st op p ed for a m om en t . Aft er w ar d s, h e

con t in u ed in an even d eep er voice, “Ice Em p r ess, w e b ot h kn ow t h e t r u t h . On ly
God s h ave an u n lim it ed lifesp an !”
T h e Ice Em p r ess fell silen t . St r ik in g w h ile t h e ir on w as h ot , t h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m con t in u ed , “W h en ever w e sou l b east s r each a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s
of cu lt ivat ion , w e can ch oose t o r e-cu lt ivat e as a h u m an . H ow ever , t h er e ar e a n
ext r em ely sm all n u m b er of u s w h o act u ally d ar e t o r e-cu lt ivat e. T h is is b ecau se
w e sim p ly h ave n o w ay of gu ar an t eein g t h at w e can cu lt ivat e an d b r eak t h r ou gh
t o t h e T it led Dou lu o st age in a sh or t h u n d r ed year s of t im e. Even if w e d id
m an age t o b r eak t h r ou gh , it w ou ld b e ver y h ar d for ou r lifesp an s t o exceed five
h u n d r ed year s. T o u s, b ecom in g a God is a m er e fan t asy. T h e Dou lu o con t in en t
h as b een ar ou n d for over a h u n d r ed m illion year s, an d w e sou l b east s w er e
ar ou n d b efor e h u m an s even exist ed . H ow ever , h ow m an y of u s w er e act u ally
ab le t o u se t h e m et h od of r e-cu lt ivat io n t o ach ieve an u n lim it ed lifesp an as a
God ?”
“T h is is also t h e m ain r eason w h y sou l b east s lik e you w h o h ave n ob le

b lood lin es ar e u n w illin g t o r e-cu lt ivat e in t o a h u m an , am I r igh t ?”
“I’m n ot w illin g t o t r y t h at vagu e an d u n r eliab le m et h od , n or am I w illin g t o

d ie a p r em at u r e d ea t h d u r in g t h e p r ocess of r e-cu lt ivat ion . I’ve ch osen an ot h er
m et h od as t h e n ext b est op t ion . T h at is, t o cr eat e a God . By cr eat in g a d eit y,
even t h ou gh I w on ’t b e a God , I’ll st ill b e ab le t o follow t h is God , an d w ill
p ossess an u n lim it ed lifesp an b y b ecom in g p ar t of t h is God . As su ch , I’ve ch osen
t o b ecom e a sou l r in g. Not ju st an y sou l r in g eit h er , b u t an in t elligen t sou l r in g. I
w an t t o u se m y p ow er t o h elp h im b ecom e a God , st ep b y st ep .”
“You ’r e r igh t . I’m ju st a p iece of t r ash in you r eyes, b u t I st ill h ave m y m illion
year s of cu lt ivat ion . On ce I b ecam e an in t elligen t sou l r in g, I w as ab le t o give
h im a t ot al of fou r sou l sk ills, d ou b le t h at of you h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l
b east s. Even t h ou gh I w asn ’t ab le t o give h im a sou l b on e, I w as ab le t o give h im
a m ar t ial sou l, m ak in g h im in t o a p er so n w it h in n at e t w in m ar t ial sou ls. T h is
you n g m an is on ly t w elve, b u t h e’s b een gr ad u ally r evea lin g h is t alen t w it h m y
h elp . H e h as a m u ch calm er at t it u d e t h an h is p eer s, alon g w it h t h e w illp ow er t o
cu lt ivat e assid u ou sly. If h e h as m y h elp , w h y can ’t h e b ecom e an exist en ce lik e
t h at p er son t en t h ou san d year s ago. W h y can ’t h e b ecom e a God ?”
At t h is p oin t , t h e Ice Em p r ess w as fin ally m oved . Sh e solem n ly ask ed , “H ow

con fid en t ar e you ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “By m yself, 30 %. Aft er all, I’m n ot good at

at t ack in g. As su ch , I can ’t give h im t h e ab ilit y t o p r ot ect h im self. H ow ever …”
W h en h e r each ed t h is p oin t , h e su d d en ly p au sed .
“‘H ow ever ’ w h at ?” T h e Ice Em p r ess ask ed , d ou b t fu l.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “I k n ow w h at you ’r e t h in k in g r igh t n ow . You ’r e

t h in k in g of fin d in g an ot h er h u m an a n d t r yin g t o cr ea t e a God lik e m e. An d
you ’r e r igh t t o t h in k lik e t h a t . T h er e ar e m an y ar eas in w h ich you ’r e st r on ger
t h an m e. If you t r ied t o cr eat e a God , you ’d d efin it ely b e m or e su ccessfu l t h an
m e. H ow ever , you ’ve for got t en on e t h in g: You r sp ir it u al p ow er isn ’t an yw h er e
n ear as st r on g as m in e. M or e im p or t an t ly, d o you even h a ve t im e t o d o t h e
r esear ch t h at I’ve alr ead y d on e? You d on ’t even h ave a h u n d r ed year s left , b u t
I’ve alr ead y sp en t sever al t en s of t h ou san d s of year s t h in k in g ab ou t t h is feat .
Fu r t h er m or e, it t ook m e sever al exp er im en t s b efor e I w as fin ally ab le t o
su cceed . You d on ’t h ave t im e t o even d o a sin gle exp er im en t . Even if I w er e t o
let you go, t h e p at h I’m goin g d ow n isn ’t su it ab le for you .”
“T h en w h at ar e you b u llsh it t in g ab ou t w it h m e for !?” T h e Ice Em p r ess

im m ed iat ely flew in t o a r age. T h e t r ace of h op e t h at h ad ju st ap p ear ed in h er
h ear t h ad in st an t ly an d m er cilessly b een ob lit er at ed b y t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m .
It w ou ld ’ve b een st r a n ge if sh e h ad n ’t b een in fu r ia t ed .
“I’m n at u r ally n ot b u llsh it t in g you . M y b eloved , h ow cou ld I b e w illin g t o let

you d ie? Sin ce I’ve t old you ab ou t t h is m et h od , I n a t u r a lly h ave a w ay t o h elp
you ! It ’s t r u e t h at it isn ’t r ealist ic for you t o cr eat e a God b y you r self, as you
w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o fin d a h u m an ab le t o w it h st an d fu sin g w it h you , m u ch less
gu ar an t ee t h at you ’ll b e ab le t o m ain t ain you r con sciou sn ess a n d you r com p let e
sp ir it u al or igin . H ow ever , I h ave exp er ien ce in t h is! I’ve alr ead y d on e it !
M or eover , you r ch an ces of su ccess w ill b e m u lt ip lied b y t en , at t h e ver y least ,
w it h t h e p r ot ect ion of m y p ow er fu l sp ir it u a l or igin . Righ t n ow , if I d o it b y
m yself, I on ly h ave a 30 % ch an ce of cr eat in g a God . H ow ever , if you w er e t o
w or k w it h m e, ou r ch an ces w ou ld in cr ea se t o 50 %, m in im u m ! Isn ’t a, m in im u m ,
50 % ch an ce t o live for ever w or t h u s figh t in g for ?”
T h e Ice Em p r ess w as left sligh t ly b lan k . Sh e fin ally u n d er st oo d t h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m ’s m ot ive for exp lain in g so m u ch t o h er . A p air of cr yst al-yellow eyes
fell u p on H u o Yu h ao ’s b od y, a som ew h at ast on ish ed look in t h em .
H u o Yu h ao h ad silen t ly list en ed t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice

Em p r ess’ con ver sat ion . H is b od y felt ext r em ely cold d u e t o t h e w eat h er , b u t h e
felt ext r em ely p assion at e in w ar d ly. H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ad m it t h at t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s w or d s w er e ver y in cit in g. T h is w as esp ecially so t o t h e Ice
Em p r ess, w h o w as n ear in g h er life’s lim it . T h e d aw n of t h is h op e w as sim p ly t oo
at t r act ive t o h er . It w as n o w on d er t h at h e’d b r ou gh t t h e Ice Em p r ess h er e; h e
k n ew t h at h e’d b e safe w it h h is k n ow led ge. H e w as sim p ly p ok in g t h e Ice
Em p r ess’ w eak sp ot !
W ou ld t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion r eally b ecom e h is seco n d m ar t ial sou l,

an d h is secon d m ar t ial sou l’s fir st sou l r in g? T h is… sh e w as t h e secon d -r an k ed
Em p r ess of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ’s T h r ee Em p er or s!
Chapt er 42.2: Cr eat ing God?
Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t exp ect t o sim p ly soar in t o t h e h eaven s w it h a

sin gle st ep b ecau se of t h is, h e w ou ld st ill n o lon ger b e a sim p le con t r ol-t yp e sou l
m ast er w h o h ad n o com b at st r en gt h on ce t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion b ecam e
h is m ar t ial sou l. On t h e con t r ar y, h e w ou ld b ecom e a p ow er fu l d u al-a t t r ib u t ed
con t r ol an d assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er . It d id n ’t m at t er w h a t sou l sk ill t h e Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion gave h im , as it w ou ld d efin it ely b e a t yr an n ically offen sive
sk ill! Aft er all, h er st r en gt h h a d allow ed h er t o b ecom e on e of t h e T h r ee
Em p er or s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . Fu r t h er m or e, sin ce sh e w as a h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l b east , sh e w as also gu ar an t eed t o give h im a sou l b on e.
H ow cou ld H u o Yu h ao n ot feel excit ed ab ou t t h is?
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m st r u ck w h ile t h e ir on w as h ot , “H ow ab ou t it ? You

h ave t o clear ly t h in k t h is t h r ou gh . You a lso can ’t m iss t h is op p or t u n it y, as t h is
ch an ce d efin it ely w on ’t com e again . I’m also n o lon ger t h e or igin al m e.
H ow ever , if you d on ’t agr ee t o m y su ggest ion , I’ll h ave n o ch oice b u t t o t u r n you
in t o a r egu lar sou l r in g, b ot h for t h e sak e of m y ow n im m or t alit y, an d t o m ak e
m y m ast er st r on ger . On ly, if t h at h ap p en s, you ’ll lose you r in t elligen ce. You
sh ou ld k n ow t h at I h ave sever al d iffer en t w ays t o k ill you n ow t h at I’ve t r ap p ed
you . At m ost , I’ll ju st h ave t o w ast e som e t im e t o d o so. On on e h an d , you h ave a
ch an ce at im m or t alit y. On t h e ot h er h an d , you h ave d efin it e d est r u ct ion . You ’d
b est t h in k ca r efu lly ab ou t w h ich p at h you w an t t o t ak e.”
H is w or d s u n d ou b t ed ly car r ied a t h r eat w it h in t h em . H ow ever , t h e w or ld of

sou l b east s w as d iffer en t t h an t h a t of h u m an s. M or e oft en t h an n ot , d ir ect ly
t h r eat en in g t h e ot h er p ar t y w ou ld b r in g ab ou t b et t er r esu lt s in a n egot iat ion
b et w een sou l b east s. T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad lived for a m illion year s, an d
even t h ou gh t h e fir st n in e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s of h is life w er e as b lan k as
sh eet of p ap er d u e t o h is slu m b er , t h e a m ou n t of figh t in g a n d sch em in g h e’d
u n d er gon e d u e t o t h e p ow er fu l sou l b east s w it h in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est
w asn ’t sm all. H e’d u n d er gon e god -k n ow s h ow m an y t r ib u la t ion s w h ile
at t em p t in g t o escap e w it h h is life in t a ct , all of w h ich h ad st r en gt h en ed h is
cr aft in ess an d in t ellect .
“Do I h ave an y ot h er ch oice?” T h e Ice Em p r ess r ep lied in an in d iffer en t t on e.

Desp it e h er t on e h ow ever , h er d en se k illin g in t en t an d ch illin ess h ad alr ead y
d ecr eased b y a lar ge am ou n t . Sh e w as clear ly t r yin g t o r each a com p r om ise.
Alt h ou gh sh e’d h a ve t o give u p h er fr eed om in for t h is ch an ce at ach ievin g
im m or t alit y, livin g w as st ill m u ch b et t er t h an d yin g—esp ecially t o a sou l b east
lik e h er , w h o’d alr ead y lived for n ear ly fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m let ou t a la r ge sigh of r elief. “It ’s n o w on d er t h at

you ’r e t h e Bin gb in g I love t h e m ost . In t h e fu t u r e, you ’ll d efin it ely b e d eligh t ed
b y t h e ch oice you ’ve m ad e t od ay.”
T h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion an gr ily r ep lied , “Sk yd r eam , if a p iece of t r ash
lik e you d ar es t o t a k e ad van t age of t h is old w om an , I’ll see t o it t h at you t w o
follow each ot h er t o t h e gr ave, even if it m ean s r isk in g m y life t o d o so. I d on ’t
b elieve t h at I w on ’t b e ab le t o d est r oy t h is cage of you r s if I self-d est r u ct . If t h a t
h ap p en s, you t w o w ill h a ve n o ch oice b u t t o accom p an y m e t o m y d eat h . I’m
fin e w it h cr eat in g a God w it h you , b u t I h ave a r equ est : Don ’t sp eak so m u ch
b u llsh it .”
“Er r … you d on ’t h av e t o b e t h is m er ciless. I r eally cam e h er e ju st for you ….”
T h e Ice Em p r ess look ed at h im cold ly, b u t r em ain ed silen t .
“Alr igh t fin e, I agr ee. Release you r sp ir it u al or igin for m e. You can ’t ju st h op e
t h at I’ll r elease you lik e t h is. T h a t t em p er of you r s d oesn ’t r eassu r e an yon e.”
Even t h ou gh t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad b een sh oot in g h is m ou t h off, h e w as

st ill an ext r em ely car efu l p er son . T h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s st r en gt h
r an k ed h er secon d in t h e en t ir e Ext r em e Nor t h —h ow cou ld r eleasin g h er b e an
op t ion ? T h e r isk s w er e t oo h igh if h e d id t h at . At t h e sam e t im e, t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m w asn ’t w o r r ied ab ou t t h e h er self-d est r u ct in g lik e sh e’d m en t ion ed
ear lier . A sou l b east w ou ld alm ost a lw ays ch oose t h e p at h of su r viva l, so lon g as
t h er e w as even a t r ace of a ch an ce t h at t h ey w ou ld .
A t r ace of h esit at ion ap p ear ed in t h e Ice Em p r ess’ eyes. T h e secon d sh e

r eleased h er sp ir it u a l or igin , w it h t h e d isp ar it y in sp ir it u al p ow er b et w een h er
an d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , t h er e w ou ld b e n o w ay for h er t o b ack ou t . If t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as lyin g t o h er , sh e’d h ave n o h op e of t u r n in g t h e t ab les.
W h en h e saw t h e d ou b t in h er eyes, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m solem n ly said ,

“Alm igh t y Ice God , I, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , vow on t h e n am e of Ice t h at I
sh all b e st r ip p ed of all m y Ice if I lie t o t h e Ice Em p r ess an d d on ’t h elp h er
b ecom e an in t elligen t sou l r in g on ce sh e r eleases h er sp ir it u al or igin .”
T h is vow d id n ’t seem t o h old m u ch m ean in g t o H u o Yu h ao, b u t t h e Ice

Em p r ess d id n ’t h ave t h e sam e view ; in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h , t h is w as t h e m ost
im p or t an t vow a sou l b east cou ld m ak e.
“Fin e, I b elieve you .” As som eon e w h o h ad b ecom e on e of t h e Ext r em e

Nor t h ’s T h r ee Em p er or s, t h e Ice Em p r ess w as cap ab le of k illin g w it h ou t sp ar in g
a secon d t h ou gh t . Aft er h esit a t in g for a b r ief m om en t , sh e d ecid ed . Aft er all, t h e
cu r r en t Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad alr ea d y lost h is b od y. Besid es, it w as ju st lik e
h e’d said : It w asn ’t an im p ossib ilit y for h er t o b e r eb or n fr om t h e ash es.
Fu r t h er m or e, sh e’d alw ays k n ow n t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m lik ed h er . Aft er
con sid er in g sever al fact or s, sh e fin ally co n fir m ed h er d ecision .
H er cr yst allin e yellow p u p ils gr ad u ally t u r n ed jad e-gr een , w h ile h er lon g,
jad e-gr een t ail su d d en ly r ose in t o t h e a ir . T h is w as som et h in g t h at sh e w as on ly
ab le t o d o aft er t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad loosen ed h er b in d in gs.
A soft , jad e-gr een h alo b egan t o u n d u lat e fr om t h e r oot of h er t ail, t h en

m oved b ack w ar d s a n d gat h er ed at t h e t ip of h er t ail. In a flash of jad e-gr een
ligh t , sm all, ja d e-gr een b alls of ligh t b egan t o sep ar a t e fr om on e an ot h er as t h ey
slow ly r isin g in t o t h e air . At t h e sam e t im e, t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s
eyes im m ed iat ely lost t h eir lu st er an d d im m ed .
T h is w as h er sp ir it u a l or igin .
Even t h ou gh t h e p r ocess of r eleasin g on e’s sp ir it u al or igin seem ed sim p le, n ot

ju st an y sou l b east cou ld d o it . On ly w h en a sou l b east b r ok e t h r ou gh t h eir lim it s
an d r each in g t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d yea r r an k cou ld t h ey d o su ch a t h in g. Of
cou r se, it n at u r ally d id n ’t p ose an y p r ob lem s t o u n r ivalled exp er t s su ch as t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion .
Aft er let t in g ou t a lar ge sigh of r elief, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s ow n gold en

b all of ligh t im m ed ia t ely glid ed for w ar d a n d glu ed it self t o h is sh ed d ed sk in . T h e
gold en ligh t in cr eased in size t h e in st a n t t h e jad e-gr een b all of ligh t m a d e
con t act w it h it as it sw allow ed t h e jad e-gr een b all of ligh t lik e a w h ale
sw allow in g it s food . Aft er sw allow in g t h e jad e-gr een b all of ligh t , it r et u r n ed t o
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y an d r e-en t er ed it via h is for eh ead . Aft er w ar d s, t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ’s sh ed d ed sk in r ap id ly r et r eat ed b ack in t o H u o Yu h ao’s sem i-fr ozen
b od y.
Aft er losin g h er sp ir it u al or igin , t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s m ain b ody

fell t o t h e gr ou n d . W it h h er sp ir it u a l o r igin n o lon ger con t r ollin g it , h er b od y
im m ed iat ely b egan t o r elease an ext r em ely t er r ifyin g am ou n t of m u r d er ou s
m igh t , w h ile a jad e-gr een lu st er sim u lt a n eou sly ap p ear ed in t h e sk y. It cou ld b e
im agin ed h ow t er r ifyin g t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion w as fr om t h is.
“I’m fr eezin g t o d eat h .” H u o Yu h ao in volu n t ar ily sh iver ed .
“Sk yd r eam , you r eally m ad e a p oor ch oice. H e’s ju st as t r ash y as you . Do you
act u ally w an t h im t o r eceive m y p ow er w it h su ch a w eak b od y? Do you r eally
t h in k t h at su ch a t h in g is p ossib le?” T h e Ice Em p r ess’ d isd ain fu l voice r an g ou t
aft er sh e ap p ear ed in H u o Yu h ao’s m in d .
H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly h ad a st r an ge t h ou gh t in h is m in d . W it h t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m , t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion , t h e gr ay eld er , an d h im self… t h er e
w er e n ow en ou gh p eop le t o set u p a m ah jon g t ab le in h is sp ir it u al sea. It w ou ld
b e r eally lively in h is sp ir it u al sea!
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ch or t led . “Ice Em p r ess, t h er e’s n o n eed t o b e so
im p at ien t . If you ’d died , it w ou ld ’ve n at u r ally b een im p ossib le for h im t o ab sor b
you r m ar t ial sou l. W it h h is cu r r en t b od y, even a t h ou san d year sou l r in g cou ld
cau se h is b od y t o exp lod e, n ot t o m en t ion som eon e lik e you w h o’s n ear ly
r each ed fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s of cu lt ivat ion . H ow ever , t h e sit u at ion is
com p let ely d iffer en t sin ce you an d I ar e h elp in g h im ou t ! W ill w e r eally let h im
fail ju st lik e t h a t ?”
Chapt er 43.1: An Or deal of Ext r eme Pain
W h en sh e h ear d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s w or d s, t h e Ice Em p r ess cou ld n ’t

h elp b u t h esit at e. “Ar e you su r e?” On ce sh e m ad e h er d ecision , sh e’d n at u r ally
h ave t o w or k h ar d for it . If sh e failed , even if sh e cou ld let h er sp ir it u al or igin
r et u r n t o h er m a in b od y, sh e st ill w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o escap e h er n ext b ot t len eck .
As su ch , h ow cou ld sh e n ot b e cau t iou s?
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “If you w or k t oget h er w it h m e, w e’ll h ave at

least a 90 % ch an ce at su ccess. T h e r em a in in g 10 % w ill d ep en d on Yu h ao h im self.
H er e, I’ll in t r od u ce you t w o. Yu h ao, t h is is Bin gb in g. Er … I m ean t t o say Ice
Em p r ess. An yw ay, t h is is t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion w h o is t h e secon d -
r an k ed Em p r ess of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ’s T h r ee Em p er or s. Ice Em p r ess, t h is is
H u o Yu h ao. H e h as t h e sp ir it u al-t yp e Sp ir it Eyes, as w ell as t h e fou n d at ion for
an ice-t yp e m ar t ial sou l t h a t I laid t h e gr ou n d w or k for . Cu r r en t ly, h is ice-t yp e
m ar t ial sou l n eed s a m ain sou l r in g. Or , t o p u t it b et t er , it n eed s an ot h er
in t elligen t sou l r in g lik e m e. You co u ld say t h at h is ice-t yp e ab ilit ies ar e
cu r r en t ly b lan k slat es, t h u s h e n eed s you t o fu se w it h h im t o gain t h em . On ce
you ’ve fu sed w it h h im , you w on ’t ju st b ecom e t h e fir st sou l r in g of h is ice-t yp e
m ar t ial sou l; you ’ll b ecom e h is m ar t ia l sou l. As su ch , h is secon d m ar t ia l sou l
w ill b e you , t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion !”
“H ello, Ice Em p r ess.” H u o Yu h ao said . H is voice w as ext r em ely m od er at e as

h e t r ied n ot t o excessively r eveal t h e em ot ion s h e w as cu r r en t ly feelin g.
T h e Ice Em p r ess h esit at ed for a m om en t , t h en sa id , “H ello. I h op e t h at you ’ll

b e ab le t o p er sever e t h r ou gh t h is p r ocess. If you can ’t , all of ou r effor t s w ill h ave
b een for n au gh t , an d w e’ll all h ave t o face t h e con sequ en ces.” Un lik e w h en sh e
sp ok e t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , sh e w a s m u ch gen t ler t o H u o Yu h ao. Per h ap s
it w as b ecau se sh e w ou ld soon b ecom e a p ar t of H u o Yu h ao’s b od y t h at sh e w as
n at u r ally w illin g t o b e fr ien d ly t ow ar d s t h is t in y h u m an .
W h en t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad m ad e h er ch oice, sh e h ad d on e so som ew h at
b egr u d gin gly. H ow ever , d esp it e h er ch oice b ein g as su ch , sh e h ad im m ed ia t ely
ch an ged h er p osit ion on t h e m a t t er aft er m ak in g h er d ecision . H u o Yu h ao
in w ar d ly a d m ir ed t h e sp eed at w h ich sh e’d ch an ged h er a t t it u d e. Even t h ou gh
t h e Ice Em p r ess h a d n ’t for m ally b ecom e h is m ar t ial sou l an d sou l r in g, h e
alr ead y felt t h a t sh e w as som ew h at m or e r eliab le t h a n t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “W e’ve alr ead y r each ed t h e ou t er r egion s of t h e

Ext r em e Nor t h . W it h t h e Ice Em p r ess’ b od y as a d et er r en t , on ly t h e Sn ow
Em p er or w ou ld d ar e t o ap p r oach u s. Even t h e T it an Ice Devil Kin g h im self w ill
avoid t h is ar ea on ce h e sen ses t h e Ice Em p r ess’ au r a. As su ch , t h er e sh ou ld n ’t b e
an y issu es r egar d in g ou r safet y h er e. Now t h en , w e n eed t o d iscu ss h ow t h e
fu sion w ill p r oceed . Ice Em p r ess, I’ll t ell you t h e m et h od w it h w h ich you can
fu se w it h H u o Yu h ao, so let ’s t alk over it for a b it .”
H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea qu iet en ed d ow n . In or d er t o avoid affect in g h is

m en t al st at e, t h ey d id n ’t w an t h im t o k n ow h ow t h e fu sion w ou ld p r oceed .
T h u s, t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m an d t h e Ice Em p r ess com m u n icat ed w it h each
ot h er u sin g som e ot h er m et h od .
Aft er a sh or t p er iod of t im e p assed , H u o Yu h ao h ear d t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess

Scor p ion let ou t a lon g sigh , “If w e d o it t h is w ay, it ’s t r u e t h at t h er e’s a h igh
ch an ce w e’ll su cceed . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao’s b od y is st ill som ew h at fr agile an d
w eak , so w e’ll n eed t o ch an ge t h e or d er of t h e fu sion . W e’ll fir st n eed t o
st r en gt h en h is p h ysiqu e b efor e com p let in g t h e en t ir e fu sion . Sin ce I’m goin g t o
b ecom e an in t elligen t sou l r in g, I w an t t o t r a n sfer as m u ch of m y st r en gt h as
p ossib le t o h im .”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “Ar e you sayin g t h at you w an t t o t r an sfer you r

b on e, you r sou l, t h en you r r in g last ?”
T h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion said , “Righ t . If w e u se you r m et h od , w e’ll

h ave an 80 % ch an ce of su cceed in g at m ost . You ’r e st ill u n d er est im at in g t h e
am ou n t of p ow er I h ave. M y sou l p ow er is ext r em ely t yr an n ical, an d even if I
r est r ain it w h ilst con t in u ou sly sealin g it , som e of it w ill st ill leak ou t . I’m afr aid
t h at H u o Yu h ao w on ’t b e ab le t o w it h st an d t h is sp illover . T h u s, I t h in k it ’s
b et t er t o b e a b it m or e car efu l.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice ch an ged , t u r n in g gen t le a s h e said , “Bin gb in g,

so you d o t r u st m e even t h is m u ch . If w e d o t h is, w e’ll d ir ect ly d est r oy you r
b od y, leavin g you w it h n o r oom for escap e at all. I’m r ea lly m oved !”
“J u st d ie, w ill you ?” T h e Ice Em p r ess’ cold voice r an g ou t . “W h en h ave I ever

left a p at h of escap e for m yself w h en I’m d oin g t h in gs? Sin ce I’ve m a d e m y
d ecision , I’ll h ave t o go all-ou t . If I’m scar ed of t h e sligh t est t h in g, I’ll on ly let
m y op p or t u n it ies r u n aw ay. St op d aw d lin g ab ou t w it h m e. Sk yd r eam , d on ’t
for get t h at a ll of m y p ow er w ill ap p ear in H u o Yu h ao’s b od y on ce I’ve fu sed w it h
h im . At t h a t t im e, h m p h , h m p h .”
“Uh h …” H ear in g t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s w or d s, t h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m im m ed iat ely t u r n ed m or e m od er at e t h an b efor e.
H u o Yu h ao w as som ew h at p u zzled , “Ice Em p r ess, w h at d o you m ean b y ‘b on e

t h en sou l’?”
T h e Ice Em p r ess h ad a m u ch b et t er at t it u d e t ow ar d s h im . Pa t ien t ly, sh e said ,

“Accor d in g t o Sk yd r eam ’s m et h od , I’ll d ir ect ly b ecom e you r m ar t ial so u l b y
m old in g t h e ice-t yp e m ar t ial sou l h e gave you . Aft er t h at , t h e en er gy w it h in m y
b od y w ill b ecom e you r sou l r in g. You ’r e a h u m an sou l m ast er , so you sh ou ld
k n ow t h at w e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s w ill d efin it ely p r od u ce a sou l
b on e. I’m n ot an excep t ion t o t h at . T h ou gh I’ve alr ead y cu lt ivat ed for n ear ly
fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s, I ca n ’t t u r n m y flesh y b od y in t o even m or e sou l
b on es. H ow ever , t h e sou l b on e I’ll d r op w ill b e m u ch m or e p ow er fu l t h an on e
d r op p ed fr om an or d in ar y h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b ea st . Fu r t h er m or e, I
can d ecid e it s sh ap e, t u r n in g it in t o an y sou l b on e you ch oose. Becau se of t h at ,
I’ve d ecid ed t o fir st h elp you fu se w it h you r sou l b on e. T h is w ay, you r p h ysiq u e
w ill b e st r en gt h en ed b y an ext r em ely lar ge am ou n t . Aft er t h at , I’ll assim ilat e m y
sou l p ow er w it h you r b od y, an d b ecau se you alr ead y h ave m y sou l b on e, t h e
fu sion p r ocess w ill b e m u ch easier .”
Now H u o Yu h ao t h or ou gh ly u n d er st ood w h at sh e h ad m ean t . It w as n o
w on d er t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m h ad said t h at t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion
w ou ld h ave n o r oom for r et r eat b y d oin g t h is. Righ t ! H er b od y w ou ld h ave t o b e
sacr ificed in t h e fir st st ep in t h is scen ar io , an d if sh e failed , sh e m igh t d ie. Su r e
en ou gh , it w as a m et h od t h at left n o w a ys ou t . T h is also ga ve H u o Yu h ao an
ext r em ely favou r ab le im p r ession of h er . Solem n ly, h e said , “Ice Em p r ess, h ow
d o you n eed m e t o h elp you ou t ?” At t h is m om en t , h e d id n ’t say an y w or d s of
gr at it u d e. T h is w as b ecau se b ot h p ar t ies w er e m u t u ally b en efit in g fr om each
ot h er in t h e fir st p la ce. T o t h e Ice Em p r ess, fu sin g w it h h er w ou ld b e t h e m ost
su ccessfu l ou t com e.
T h e Ice Em p r ess said , “Becau se I’m d oin g t h is of m y ow n volit ion , t h er e

w on ’t b e an y p r ob lem s w it h you fu sin g w it h m y sou l b on e. Un d er m y con t r ol,
t h e en er gy con t ain ed w it h in m y sou l b on e w on ’t leak ou t . H ow ever , t h er e’s a
p r ob lem w it h t h a t . You ’ll h ave t o w it h st an d an en or m ou s a m ou n t of p ain . I’ve
alr ead y t h ou gh t ab o u t it , an d t o you , t h e m ost su it ab le sou l b on e I can give you
is t h e sp in e. Du e t o m y fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s of cu lt iva t ion , I’m
con fid en t in r ep lacin g you r en t ir e sp in e, you r r ib s, an d you r st er n u m . Du e t o
t h e over ly en or m ou s am ou n t of en er gy m y sou l b on e con t ain s, you r en t ir e
sk elet on w ill b e r em ou ld ed b y m y sou l b on e. T h is p r ocess w ill b e r elat ively lon g,
an d ext r em ely p ain fu l. You ’ll feel as if all you r b on es ar e b ein g d isassem b led an d
r econ st r u ct ed . Can you w it h st an d t h is a m ou n t of p ain ? M y en er gy can p r ot ect
you r b od y, b u t it can ’t p r ot ect you r m in d . If you ’r e u n ab le t o en d u r e t h e p ain
an d you r m in d colla p ses, ever yt h in g w ill all b e w ast ed .”
H u o Yu h ao’s k n ow led ge of sou l b on es w asn ’t lack in g aft er h is st u d ies in

Sh r ek Acad em y. Of t h e six sou l b on es, t h e m ost valu ab le b on es w er e t h e sk u ll
an d t or so b on e, follow ed b y t h e fou r lim b b on es. W h at w as r efer r ed t o as t h e
t or so b on e w as in r ealit y t h e sp in e, an d n ot all t h e b on es w it h in t h e t or so. For
exam p le, t h er e w er e t h e r ib s an d t h e st er n u m , w h ich w er e r efer r ed t o as
ad d it ion al sou l b on es if a sou l m ast er fou n d an d fu sed w it h t h em . T h ese
ad d it ion al sou l b on es h ad valu e com p ar a b le t o t h at of a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year
sou l r in g, an d t h ey w ou ld give sp ecia l an d p ow er fu l ab ilit ies t o t h eir u ser s.
T h ou gh t h e Ice Em p r ess w as on ly givin g h im a sin gle sou l b on e, t h is sou l b on e
w as alr ead y eq u ivalen t t o a t or so b on e an d t w o a d d it ion al sou l b on es! Regar d less
of w h at sou l sk ill h e ob t ain ed fr om h er , it w ou ld p ossess an in com p ar ab ly lar ge
am ou n t of st r en gt h . Fu r t h er m or e, h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs an d sou l
b on es w ou ld give h im t w o sou l sk ills each . It w as n o w on d er t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m h ad em p h a sised t h at as lon g as h e w as ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t o Ran k
20 , h e w ou ld exp er ien ce a w or ld -sh ak in g t r an sfor m at ion in st r en gt h !
“Ice Em p r ess, I can en d u r e it . No m at t er h ow p ain fu l it get s, I’ll b e fin e.” H u o

Yu h ao’s voice w as v er y sin cer e. Aft er all, st r en gt h cou ld n ’t b e ob t ain ed w it h
m er e em p t y p r om ises. If on e d id n ’t give u p an yt h in g in r et u r n , h ow cou ld you
gain a h ar vest ? Du r in g t h is p ast year , h e h ad cu lt ivat ed w it h p r act ically t w ice
t h e effor t of t h e ot h er st u d en t s. T h is w as t h e r ea son w h y h e h ad h is cu r r en t
level of p ow er . W h en su ch an op p or t u n it y w as p laced in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao, h e
w ou ld ab solu t ely n ot cow er r egar d less of h ow in t en se t h e p ain w ou ld b e.
T h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion said , “Ok ay. Sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, let ’s n ot
w ast e an y m or e t im e.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “Yu h ao, w e’ll b e st ar t in g you r fu sion w it h t h e

sou l b on e. T ak e you r Secr et Law Sou l ou t . W e’ll b e u sin g it a s a m ed iu m t o h elp
you fu se w it h t h e Ice Em p r ess’ sou l b on e. T h is w ay, t h e p r ocess w ill go a lit t le
qu ick er an d you ’ll feel m u ch less p ain . You ’ll even b e ab le t o p r even t
u n n ecessar y leak ages of en er gy d u r in g t h e fu sion p r ocess.”
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly r et r ieved t h e Secr et Law Sou l fr om h is T w en t y Fou r

M oon lit Br id ges. So t h e Secr et Law Sou l w as act u ally m ean t t o b e u sed in t h is
w ay.
W it h a d eep voice, t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion said , “H u o Yu h ao, ar e you

r ead y?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed for cefu lly, “St ar t !”

T h e in st an t t h e w or d ech oed ou t , a ch illy sen sat ion im m ed ia t ely b lossom ed in
h is m in d . H u o Yu h ao in st in ct ively sh iv er ed , feelin g as if h e h ad fallen in t o a
caver n of ice. T h is w as som ew h at d iffer en t fr om h ow h e h ad felt in t h e ice r oom
in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . At t h is m om en t , t h e ch illy sen sat ion h ad ap p ear ed in h is
sou l it self, m ak in g it seem as if h is m in d h ad b een fr ozen solid .
T h e Ice Em p r ess’ voice r an g ou t , “I’ll u se t h e cold t o n u m b you r p ain , so as t o

r ed u ce t h e p ain you ’ll feel t o t h e ver y m in im u m . H ow ever , you r b od y isn ’t fu lly
d evelop ed yet , so I’ll h ave t o b e ext r em ely car efu l w h ile fu sin g w it h you r
or igin al sk elet on . Becau se of t h is, t h is p r ocess w ill go on for a ver y lon g t im e.
For t h e sak e of at t ain in g m axim u m effect iven ess, you can ’t p ass ou t . T h e on ly
w ay I can m ak e a few ad ju st m en t s b ased off you r b od y’s in st in ct ive r eact ion s is
if you r em ain con sciou s.”
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao w as n o lon ger ab le t o r esp on d . T h e Ice Em p r ess

d id n ’t leave an y w a ys ou t for h er self, so t h er e w as n a t u r a lly n o w ay sh e cou ld
ch an ge h er p lan .
A jad e-gr een ligh t flou r ish ed in H u o Yu h ao’s m in d , an d h is Sp ir it Eyes

in st an t ly t u r n ed jad e-gr een accor d in gly. T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ap p ear ed t o
h ave gon e com p let ely silen t , allow in g t h e Ice Em p r ess t o car r y ou t t h e fu sion
p r ocess.
T w o r ays of jad e-gr een ligh t sh ot ou t fr om H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, accu r at ely

lan d in g on t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s b od y. T h is, in t u r n , cau sed h er 1.5
m et er -lon g b od y t o im m ed iat ely sh ak e violen t ly. T h is w as esp ecially t r u e for h er
lon g t ail, w h ich u n d u lat ed u n ceasin gly a n d violen t ly w it h a jad e-gr een h alo. T h e
d iam on d -lik e h exagon al p r ot r u sion s on h er b od y r eleased an even m or e d azzlin g
lu st er .
H u o Yu h ao fain t ly h ear d t h e Ice Em p r ess let ou t a lon g sigh . Righ t aft er t h at ,

h e felt an im m en se sen sat ion of cold t h a t in st an t ly n u m b ed h is b od y an d sou l.
T h e gr ou n d H u o Yu h ao w as lyin g on su d d en ly sh ook , an d h e float ed in t o t h e

air , su p p or t ed b y a jad e-gr een ligh t . On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess
Scor p ion ’s m ain b od y r ap id ly flew over t o h is b od y.
An in t en se ja d e-gr een ligh t w ild ly flu ct u a t ed t ow ar d s t h e t ip of h er t ail. W h en

t h e jad e-gr een ligh t t u r n ed d ar k -gr een , t h e Ice Em p r ess su d d en ly sw u n g h er t ail,
viciou sly st ab b in g it in t o H u o Yu h ao’s t ailb on e.
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y sh ook violen t ly for a b it . H e on ly felt as if h is t ailb on e h ad

in st an t ly b een r u n t h r ou gh b y som et h in g. T h at sh ar p an d p oin t ed ob ject p ier ced
t h r ou gh h is sk in , m u scles an d flesh , an d b u r ied it self fir m ly in t o h is sk elet on .
T h is sor t of p ain t h at cam e fr om on e’s m in d w as som et h in g t h at h u m an s

w er e sim p ly u n ab le t o w it h st an d . H u o Yu h ao in st an t ly w id en ed h is m ou t h , an d
h is eyes p r o t r u d ed as if t h ey w er e ab ou t t o p op ou t of h is eye sock et s. H is b od y
st ar t ed t r em b lin g violen t ly, an d t h e Secr et Law Sou l h e h eld in h is h an d s
in st an t ly t u m b led t o t h e gr ou n d .
T h ou gh H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ea d y p r ep ar ed h im self for t h e ar r ival of t h is p ain ,

h e w as st ill a h u m an ! Even if h is b od y w as alr ead y n u m b ed som ew h at b y t h e Ice
J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s ext r em e cold , h e in st an t ly lost t h e a b ilit y t o b r eat h e.
In t h is exact m om en t , a gold en d ot of ligh t su d d en ly lit u p b et w een H u o

Yu h ao’s eyeb r ow s. T h e gen t le gold en ligh t in st an t ly cover ed h is h ead , t u r n in g
h is sp ir it u al sea gold as w ell. Gen t ly an d r h yt h m ically, t h e gold en ligh t
p r ot ect ed H u o Yu h a o’s sp ir it u al sea, w h ich h ad st ar t ed u n d u lat in g violen t ly. It
r esem b led a m ot h er ’s h an d as it gen t ly p acified h is sou l, w h ich w as exp er ien cin g
an am ou n t of p ain t h at h ad r each ed t h e lim it .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad m ad e h is m ove. W it h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s

h elp , H u o Yu h ao’s b od y soft en ed a lit t le b it . H ow ever , t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad
alr ead y st ar t ed t h e p r ocess of fu sin g h er sou l b on e w it h H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
An ot h er r ay of jad e-gr een ligh t lit u p , cover in g t h e Secr et Law Sou l.

Im m ed iat ely, t h e sou l b on e t u r n ed jad e-gr een b efor e d issolvin g at an
ast on ish in g p ace. Aft er t u r n in g it in t o a fist -sized glob e of liqu id , t h e Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion op en ed h er m ou t h an d in h aled it .
Or igin ally, t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad p lan n ed t o h ar m on ize h er sou l b on e u sin g t h e

Secr et Law Sou l. T h at w ay, t h e am ou n t of p ain H u o Yu h ao su ffer ed w ou ld b e
gr eat ly r ed u ced . H ow ever , sh e n ow ch ose n ot t o d o so. T h is w as b ecau se sh e
w an t ed t o t est h ow m u ch a m easly h u m an lik e H u o Yu h ao cou ld en d u r e.
T h e r esu lt s of t h at t est ast on ish ed h er . T h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s b od y h ad

in st an t ly r each ed t h e lim it s of w h at h e cou ld en d u r e, t h e Ice Em p r ess cou ld t ell
fr om h is b od y’s r eact ion t h at H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as u n exp ect ed ly ext r em ely
d u r ab le, soft , w it h ver y few im p u r it ies w it h in it . M ost im p or t an t ly, t h ou gh h is
sp ir it u al sea w as flu ct u at in g violen t ly, it sh ow ed n o sign s of collap se. Even if t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad n ’t m ad e a m ove, h e w ou ld n ot h ave h ave b een
d est r oyed b ecau se of t h e p ain .
A t r ace of ad m ir at ion ap p ear ed in t h e Ice Em p r ess’ h ear t . T h e am ou n t of

t alen t an d p ot en t ial h u m an s h a d w as t r u ly in com p ar ab le, even t o t h at of a n ob le
sou l b east . Na t u r a lly, sh e on ly felt feelin gs of ad m ir at ion . If sh e w er e given t h e
ch oice t o b ecom e a h u m an , sh e w ou ld d efin it ely n ot b e w illin g t o d o so.
Ot h er w ise, sh e w ou ld n ’t h ave ch osen t o b r eak t h r ou gh h er lim it s d u r in g h er
h u n d r ed t h ou san d t h year of cu lt iva t ion . In st ead , sh e w ou ld ’ve ch osen t o
t r an sfor m in t o a h u m an an d r e-cu lt ivat e.
Aft er all, n o m at t er h ow t alen t ed h u m a n s w er e, t h eir lifesp an s w er e ju st so.
Even t h e st r on gest h u m an b ein gs h ad n o w ay at all t o com p ar e w it h sou l b east s
in t er m s of lifesp an .
Aft er t h e liq u id for m ed b y t h e Secr et Law Sou l w as ab sor b ed b y t h e Ice

Em p r ess, it w as filt er ed in t o a w isp of gr een ligh t t h at flow ed in t o H u o Yu h ao’s
b od y. H e on ly felt a gen t le feelin g of w ar m t h r esem b lin g t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ’s sh ed d ed sk in t h at h ad p r eviou sly p r ot ect ed h is b od y, cau sin g t h e
p r eviou sly in t en se p ain t o im m ed iat ely d ecr ease d r ast ically. T h e sp asm in g p ain
w as st ill t h er e, b u t h e w as feelin g m u ch b et t er t h an b efor e.
As t h is occu r r ed , H u o Yu h ao’s ch est st ar t ed m ovin g u p an d d ow n vigor ou sly.

H e gr eed ily gasp ed for t h e su r r ou n d in g cold air in b ig m ou t h fu ls. At t h is
m om en t , h is b od y st ar t ed sw eat in g p r ofu sely, even in t h is fr eezin g cold r egion
of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h , so m u ch so t h at h e n ear ly p issed an d sh at h im self. It w as
ob viou s h ow in t en se t h at su r ge of p ain w as.
Aft er H u o Yu h ao’s cot t on clot h es ab sor b ed t h e sw ea t secr et ed b y h is b od y,

t h ey w er e in st an t ly t or n t o p ieces b y t h e jad e-gr een ligh t . On ly t h e T w en t y Fou r
M oon lit Br id ges escap ed t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s p ow er , d u e t o t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s ear lier w a r n in g.
H u o Yu h ao’s n ak ed b od y w as ver y st u r d y; h is on e year ’s w or t h of b it t er

t r ain in g in Sh r ek Acad em y h ad n ’t gon e t o w ast e. H ow ever , h is cu r r en t sk in w as
ast on ish in gly w h it e, m ak in g it p r act ically id en t ical t o t h e sn ow on t h e gr ou n d .
M or e ast on ish in gly, am id st h is d ea t h ly p ale sk in , t r aces of jad e-gr een ligh t w er e
slow ly p ou r in g in t o h is sp in e, sp r ea d in g t h r ou gh ou t h is t or so .
T h e fir st p lace t h e ja d e-gr een ligh t w en t t o w as n at u r a lly h is sp in e. Aft er t h at ,

t h e liqu efied jad e-gr een ligh t slow ly m ad e it s w ay u p w ar d s, cau sin g H u o
Yu h ao’s r ib s t o t u r n in t o b r an ch es of jad e-gr een ligh t . T h en , it slow ly h ea d ed
fu r t h er u p .
T h e t er r ifyin g, sp asm in g p ain in H u o Yu h ao’s b od y follow ed w h er ever t h e

jad e-gr een ligh t w en t . H e d id all h e cou ld t o en d u r e it , b u t h is b od y’s r eact ion t o
it w as st ill ext r em ely violen t . On ly, h e w as sim p ly u n ab le t o m ove d u e t o t h e Ice
J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s con t r ol.
H u o Yu h ao u n ceasin gly t old h im self, Per sever e, p er sever e. N o m at t er w h a t , I

can ’t give u p . It w as d ifficu lt for h im t o en d u r e t h e p ain , b u t h e w as cu r r en t ly
com p let ely focu sed on n u m b in g h is sen ses. T h e Ice Em p r ess h ad t old h im t h at
t h e t h in g sh e w as m ost afr aid of w as h is m in d collap sin g t h e m om en t h e cou ld
n o lon ger p er sever e. If t h at h ap p en ed , all of t h eir p r eviou s effor t s w ou ld h ave
b een for n au gh t . Sin ce t h at w as t h e ca se, all h e h ad t o d o w as t o p r ot ect h is
m in d . As for h is b od y, h e w ou ld ju st leave it t o t h e Ice Em p r ess; sh e w ou ld n ’t
ju st let h im d ie, aft er all.
W it h t h is t h ou gh t in h is m in d , H u o Yu h a o st u b b or n ly con t in u ed t o n u m b h is
m in d u n ceasin gly. Ast on ish ed , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m d iscover ed t h at t h e few
t ools h e’d cr eat ed t o h elp H u o Yu h ao p r ot ect h is m in d h a d n ’t b een n eed ed at a ll.
T h e sp ir it u al or igin of t h e Ice Em p r ess w as cu r r en t ly r esid in g in H u o Yu h ao’s
b od y, an d sh e n at u r ally n ot iced t h is m ir acu lou s scen e. T h is w as t h e fir st t im e
t h at sh e h a d a w h ole n ew level of r esp ect t ow ar d s t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m .
T h ou gh t h e h u m an t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ch ose w as you n g, an d h is st r en gt h
w asn ’t w or t h m en t ion in g, h e act u a lly h ad a w illp ow er t h a t w as t h is t en aciou s.
T h is w as an im m en sely good t h in g!
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m st ealt h ily r evok ed t h e in flu en ces h e’d m ad e t ow ar d s

H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea, silen t ly gu a r d in g h im b y t h e sid e. H u o Yu h ao b ein g
ab le t o w it h st an d t h is p ain b y h im self w as n at u r a lly for t h e b est , as t h is w a s an
ext r em ely good gr in d st on e for h is sp ir it u al p ow er . T h is w o u ld st r en gt h en h is
w illp ow er , cau sin g en or m ou sly lar ge b en efit s t ow ar d s h is fu t u r e cu lt ivat ion an d
gr ow t h .
By t h e t im e t h e jad e-gr een ligh t cover ed all t h e b on es in H u o Yu h ao’s t or so,

t h e jad e-gr een ligh t on t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s b od y b egan t o d im .
T h e sou l b on e cr ea t ed b y t h e Ice Em p r ess’ m ain b od y w a s n at u r ally t h e

q u in t essen t ial p ar t of h er st r en gt h . T h ou gh t h is p r ocess of r econ st r u ct ion w as
p ain fu l, t h e fu t u r e effect s of t h is sou l b on e w ou ld vast ly exceed t h at of H u o
Yu h ao’s ot h er sou l b on es. T h is w ou ld b r in g en or m ou s b en efit s t o h is gr ow t h .
T h ou gh t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m w as a m illion year sou l b east , in t er m s of w h o

cou ld give H u o Yu h ao t h e m ost w ell-r ou n d ed b en efit s, h e w ou ld d efin it ely lose
ou t t o t h e Ice Em p r ess. T h e Ice Em p r ess h ad a n ob le b lood lin e, an d sh e w as a
n at u r al m on ar ch . M or eover , sh e h ad cu lt ivat ed for su ch a lon g t im e. T h u s, t h e
in cr ease in st r en gt h sh e cou ld give H u o Yu h ao w ou ld d efin it ely b e a
com p r eh en sive on e. Nat u r ally, H u o Yu h ao cou ld on ly w it h st an d an ext r em ely
m in iscu le am ou n t of h er t ot al st r en gt h , so a lar ge am ou n t of it h ad t o b e sealed
aw ay. As H u o Yu h ao’s t oler an ce in cr eased , t h e am ou n t of st r en gt h sh e r eleased
w ou ld p r ogr essively in cr ease. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao’s p ot en t ial w ou ld r each an
ext r em ely ast on ish in g d egr ee. T o m an y sou l m ast er s, in cr easin g on e’s sou l
p ow er d u r in g t h e lat er sou l r an k s w ou ld p r ove t o b e ver y ch allen gin g. H ow ever ,
t h e issu e of h avin g in su fficien t ly st r on g sou l sk ills w ou ld ab solu t ely n ever occu r
t o h im . As for w h at h e w ou ld gr ow t o b e in t h e fu t u r e, even t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m an d t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion d id n ’t k n ow .
T h eir m et h od of cr eat in g God w as com p let ely u n p r eced en t ed , even on t h e

en t ir e Dou lu o Con t in en t . It h ad t o b e k n ow n t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad
u sed a fu ll h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s of t im e t o com p let e t h e b asic p r ep ar at ion s of
t h is p lan . Even if h e h ad easily fu sed w it h H u o Yu h ao, h e h ad act u ally sealed u p
h is sp ir it u al or igin an d d ivid ed it in t o m an y p ieces. T h is p r ocess h ad b een
com p let ed at a m u ch ear lier t im e. M or eover , t h er e w er e even m or e m in u t e
p r ep ar at ion s h e h a d t o m ak e. Even n ow , h e w as givin g in st r u ct ion s an d
assist an ce t o t h e Ice Em p r ess w h ile sh e fu sed w it h H u o Yu h ao b y r elyin g on h is
p ow er fu l sp ir it u al p ow er . All of t h is h ad t o b e accom p lish ed for t h e fu sion t o
su cceed .
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y t r em b led in cessan t ly. A layer of ice b ead s h ad a lr ead y

for m ed on h is sk in ; t h at w as cr eat ed b y h is sw ea t fr eezin g u p . T r aces of b lood
h ad alr ead y st ar t ed seep in g ou t fr om h is seven ap er t u r es, cau sin g t h e layer of
sk in u n d er n eat h t h e ice b ead s t o b e com p let ely r ed . T h e sp eed at w h ich t h e
b lood w it h in h is b od y w as cir cu lat in g h ad alr ead y r each ed an ast on ish in g
d egr ee. If t h is w er e an yon e else, t h ey w ou ld ’ve alr ea d y exp lod ed an d d ied .
H ow ever , t h e p ow er fu l sp ir it u al or igin s of t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice
J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion w er e cu r r en t ly p r ot ect in g H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
T h e sp eed in g u p of h is b lood cir cu lat ion w as som et h in g t h at in evit ab ly

occu r r ed d u e t o h im fu sin g w it h t h e Ice Em p r ess’ sou l b on e. On t h e ot h er h an d ,
t h e t w o of t h em w er e p r ot ect in g H u o Yu h ao’s in t er n a l or gan s, m er id ia n s, flesh ,
an d b on es. T h is w as equ iva len t t o t h em cover in g h is in n er b od y w it h a layer of
film . No m a t t er h ow qu ick ly h is b lood cir cu lat ed , it cou ld n ’t b r eak t h r ou gh t h e
d efen sive p er im et er t h e t w o of t h em h ad cr eat ed .
T h e in t en se u n d u lat ion s cau sed b y H u o Yu h ao’s b lood , h is p ale sk in , an d h is

jad e-gr een b on es w h ich cou ld b e seen fr om t h e ou t sid e sk et ch ed a t er r ifyin g
im age. On ly, H u o Yu h ao’s eyes w er e st ill gold en . T h ou gh t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m d id n ’t h elp h im p r ot ect h is sp ir it u al sea, h e st ill h ad t o p r ot ect h is
m ar t ial sou l.
As an in t elligen t sou l r in g, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as t h e m ain m ar t ial sou l

of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes, as w ell as t h e p er son w h o w ou ld con t r ol ever yt h in g
r elat ed t o t h e fu t u r e Sp ir it Eyes. Aft er t h e Ice Em p r ess fu sed w it h h im , sh e
w ou ld con t r ol t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion m ar t ial sou l. All in all, H u o Yu h ao
w ou ld b ecom e a t r u e w ield er of t w in in n a t e m ar t ia l sou ls.
In t h e b egin n in g, t h e jad e-gr een ligh t s w er e m er ely st r an d s of st r in g t h at

cover ed h is sp in e, st er n u m , an d r ib s. As t im e p assed , h ow ever , t h ese st r an d s of
jad e-gr een ligh t st ar t ed gr ad u a lly exp an d in g an d w id en in g, cr eat in g an ou t lin e
of H u o Yu h ao’s en t ir e sk elet on .
T h e p ain H u o Yu h ao felt b egan t o ch an ge yet again . T h e p r eviou sly sp asm in g

p ain gr ad u ally t r an sfor m ed , an d an alt er n at in g feelin g of ext r em e cold an d
ext r em e h ot b egan t o sp r ead t h r ou gh ou t all of t h e b on es in H u o Yu h ao’s t or so.
T h at w as t r u ly an am algam at ion of ice an d fir e! T h e fir st m om en t w ou ld b e so

cold as t o m ak e h im sh iver , b u t t h e m om en t r igh t aft er t h a t w as so h ot t h at it
evap or at ed all t h e ice b ead s off h is b od y. T h e q i an d b lood in h is b od y w as
st ar t in g t o su r ge lik e a t id e. Du r in g t h e ext r em e cold , h is en t ir e b od y w ou ld
fr eeze u p ; d u r in g t h e ext r em e h eat , t h e b lood w it h in h is b od y w ou ld b oil u p ,
cau sin g t in y b ead s of b lood t o for m on h is sk in .
T h e ext r em e cold ch an ged t o ext r em e h eat , an d t h e ext r em e h eat ch an ged t o

ext r em e cold . T h e v iolen t ch an ges in H u o Yu h ao’s b od y t em p er at u r e m ad e it
seem lik e it w as b ein g sm elt ed . Alt h ou gh h is w illp ow er w as ext r em ely st r on g, h e
gr ad u ally b egan t o h allu cin at e. T h is w as en t ir ely d iffer en t fr om t h e
u n ad u lt er a t ed p ain h e’d gon e t h r ou gh ear lier . T h is w as as if h e h ad b een t h r ow n
off an ext r em ely t all b u ild in g b efor e b ein g violen t ly sm ash ed on t o t h e gr o u n d .
H e w as sim p ly u n ab le t o w it h st an d t h is feelin g.
It cou ld b e said t h at H u o Yu h ao w as b asically t h e p er son w h o’d en d u r ed t h e

m ost violen t b ou t s of p ain d u r in g fu sio n w it h a sou l b on e, even in t h e en t ir e
h ist or y of h u m an it y. On e r eason b eh in d t h is w as d u e t o h is excessively low
cu lt ivat ion , an d an ot h er r eason w as d u e t o t h e over ly h igh qu alit y h is sou l b on e
h ad .
Even if t h e Ice Em p r ess w as alr ea d y con t r ollin g it t o t h e b est of h er ab ilit y,

h er sou l b on e w as st ill an exist en ce old er t h an t h r ee h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s!
Sh e h ad sealed an over w h elm in g m ajor it y of h er p ow er w it h in it , b u t it st ill h ad
an ext r em ely lar ge effect on t h e st ill-d evelop in g H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao w as even st ar t in g t o b ecom e som ew h at m u d d le-h ea d ed . No

m at t er h ow st r on g h is w illp ow er w as, h e w as st ill u n ab le t o con t in u e r esist in g
su ch violen t b ou t s of p ain . At t h is exact m om en t , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s
sp ir it u al p ow er su r ged in t o h is b od y, r ou sin g h im b ack t o h is sen ses. At t h e
sam e t im e, h e sh ield ed H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al or igin , r ed u cin g t h e p ain h e w as
su ffer in g b y a sligh t am ou n t .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w ish ed t o t em p er H u o Yu h ao’s w illp ow er , b u t h e

w ou ld n ever ju st st a n d id ly as h e w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e p at h of r u in a t ion . Sen sin g
t h at H u o Yu h ao w as ab ou t t o r each h is lim it , h e m a d e a m ove im m ed ia t ely t o
give h im a b u ffer .
T h ou gh H u o Yu h ao h ad b een t or t u r ed t o t h e p oin t w h er e even d yin g w as

p r efer ab le, h e im m ed iat ely an d acu t ely sen sed t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s act ion s.
H e w as n ow ext r icat ed fr om t h e ext r em e p ain h e h ad b een feelin g, an d t h ou gh
t h e alt er n a t in g h ot an d cold feelin gs w er e st ill t h er e, h e w as n ow feelin g m u ch
b et t er . Com p osin g h im self, h is n ear ly-collap sed sp ir it u al p ow er im m ed iat ely
b egan t o gat h er .
By t h e t im e h e’d ga t h er ed n ea r ly all of h is sp ir it u a l p ow er , t h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m ’s p r ot ect ion d isap p ear ed . T h e ext r em e level of p ain b egan t o d escen d
u p on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y again .
H u o Yu h ao in w ar d ly let ou t a sor r ow fu l r oar , Br ot her Sk ydr eam , ar e you

pl ayi ng w i t h m e?!
A l on g t i m e passed, but H uo Yuh ao w as si m pl y un abl e t o even t h i n k .

W h en ever h i s m i n d w as about t o col l apse, t h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m w oul d appear
i n a t i m el y m an n er an d r el i eve h i m of h i s pai n t o a cer t ai n ext en t .
Com par at i vel y, t h i s m ade i t som ew h at easi er f or H uo Yuh ao t o en dur e i t .
I f t h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m h ad m ade h i s m ove at t h e begi n n i n g, l ow er i n g t h e

pai n H uo Yuh ao h ad t o w i t h st an d, t h en t h e am oun t of pai n he w i t h st ood w oul d
h ave been m ai n t ai n ed at a cer t ai n basel i n e f r om t h e st ar t t i l l t h e en d. H ow ever ,
t h at di dn ’ t m ean t h at h e w oul dn ’ t col l apse. An d i f h e di d col l apse, t h e Sk ydr eam
I cew or m ’ s h an ds w oul d h ave been t i ed. Even i f h e w as abl e t o per sever e i n a
si t uat i on l i k e t h at , m ai n t ai n i n g on e’ s m i n d at a con si st en t l evel of pai n w oul d do
h i m n o good at al l .
H ow ever , t h e cu r r en t sit u a t ion t h ey w er e in w as sligh t ly d iffer en t . T h ou gh h e
w ou ld su ffer an even gr eat er am ou n t of p ain , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m on ly act ed
as a b u ffer w h en ever h e m ad e a m ove, r elaxin g H u o Yu h ao. At t h e ver y least ,
H u o Yu h ao w ou ld b e ab le t o r ecover a cer t ain am ou n t of st r en gt h d u r in g t h is
b u ffer p er iod .
Aft er goin g t h r ou gh t h is cycle of p ain a n d r elief for a few t im es, H u o Yu h ao

u n d er st ood w h at w a s goin g on . H is Br ot h er Sk yd r eam w as clear ly u sin g t h is as
an op p or t u n it y t o t em p er h is w illp ow er ! If t h is w er e an y or d in ar y p er son , t h ey
m igh t b e u n ceasin gly w ait in g for t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s h elp . H ow ever , H u o
Yu h ao w as d iffer en t fr om t h em . T r ain in g in Sh r ek Acad em y for a year h ad
cu lt ivat ed a ‘w h en t h e goin g get s t ou gh , t h e t ou gh get s goin g’ k in d of m en t alit y
in H u o Yu h ao. H e clear ly u n d er st ood t h at t h e m or e h e w or k ed d u r in g
cu lt ivat ion , t h e m or e h e w ou ld get in r et u r n .
Becau se of t h is, even t h ou gh t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s p r ot ect ion gave h im a

cer t ain am ou n t of sa fet y w h en h e n eed ed it , it also gave h im a n ext r a am ou n t of
con fid en ce. As h is b od y con t in u ed t o w it h st an d t h e p ain , h is w illp ow er
con t in u ed t o in cr ease. T h e gap of t im e b et w een t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s ever y
act ion got in cr easin gly lon ger , an d H u o Yu h ao’s w illp ow er b ecam e in cr easin gly
st r on ger as w ell.
T h is d iscover y in volu n t a r ily st u n n ed t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice

Em p r ess. A feelin g of ad m ir at ion t ow ar d s a sm all h u m a n lik e H u o Yu h ao h ad
ar isen in t h ese t w o p in n acle exist en ces. Even con su m m at e-level sou l b east s lik e
t h em m igh t n ot b e ab le t o p er sever e u n d er su ch an in t en se level of p ain .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o w as ab le t o d o so. W it h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s lim it ed
h elp , h e h ad act u ally p er sist ed t h e w h ole t im e.
Day b ecam e n igh t , an d n igh t b ecam e d a y again . T h e jad e-gr een ligh t on H u o
Yu h ao’s b od y w as becom in g in cr easin gly in t en se, an d t h e alt er n at in g color s of
r ed an d w h it e on t h e su r face of h is sk in b egan t o w eak en m or e an d m or e.
H ow ever , t h e q i an d b lood w it h in H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as m u ch , m u ch st r on ger
t h an w h en h e h ad or igin ally st a r t ed t h e fu sion p r ocess.
T h ou gh t h e Ice J ad e Em p r esss Scor p ion h ad on ly fu sed an ext r em ely
m in iscu le p ar t of h er en er gy w it h H u o Yu h ao’s q i an d b lood , it w as an ext r em ely
b en eficial su p p lem en t t o h im . T h a t w as t h e or igin en er gy of an Em p r ess w h ose
cu lt ivat ion n ea r ed fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s!
T h r ou gh t h is n ou r ish m en t , a t r an sfor m at ion st a r t ed t o occu r in H u o Yu h ao’s

m u scles, b on es, an d in t er n a l or gan s. Even if h e d id n ’t r eceiv e an y lim b or sk u ll
b on es, H u o Yu h ao’s p h ysiqu e w as com p r eh en sively st r en gt h en ed at t h is
m om en t . Follow in g t h e st r en gt h en in g of h is p h ysiqu e, t h e a m ou n t of p ain h e
su ffer ed n ow gr ad u a lly d ecr eased .
Cu r r en t ly, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m n o lon ger n eed ed t o m ak e a m ove

an ym or e. H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ow w it h st a n d t h e p ain cau sed b y t h e alt er n at in g
h eat an d cold b y r elyin g on h is ow n w illp ow er . H e cou ld even sen se h is q i an d
b lood st r en gt h en in g in cr easin gly, an d h is b od y b ecom in g m or e an d m or e
st u r d y. As h is sou l p ow er w as st u ck a t t h e b ot t len eck of Ran k 20 , h e w as u n ab le
t o d et er m in e h ow m u ch h is sou l p ow er h ad in cr eased . H ow ever , t h er e w as n o
d ou b t t h at w it h h is cu r r en t ly w eak cu lt ivat ion , t h e am ou n t h e w ou ld b e
st r en gt h en ed b y w ou ld d efin it ely n ot b e sm all, even if t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad
sealed h er ow n p ow er . At t h e ver y least , t h er e w ou ld b e n o p r ob lem w it h h im
in cr easin g h is sou l p ow er b y on e or t w o r an k s.
“Yu h ao, you h ave t o b e car efu l n ow . Righ t n ow , t h e fu n d a m en t als of you r

fu sion w it h t h e sou l b on e h ave b een com p let ed . T h e on ly t h in g t h at ’s left is t h e
com p let e fu sion b et w een it an d you r b on es. I’m goin g t o seal t h e p ow er of t h e
sou l b on e in you r sk elet on , allow in g you t o p r ogr essively ab so r b it in secr et . It ’s
ver y p ossib le t h at t h e p ain you ’ll su ffer d u r in g t h is last st ep w ill exceed t h at of
t h e p r eviou s p ar t s of t h e fu sion . You ’ll h a ve t o p er sever e. Even Sk yd r eam m igh t
n ot b e ab le t o give you an y h elp d u r in g t h is p r ocess, an d it ’ll t ak e t w o h ou r s or
so. If you can en d u r e it , you ’ll b e ab le t o p ossess t h is sou l b on e I’m givin g you .”
T h e Ice Em p r ess’ voice h ad b ecom e m u ch gen t ler . T h e w ay sh e ad d r essed H u o

Yu h ao h ad ch an ged sligh t ly as w ell, an d h er exh au st ion cou ld b e h ear d in t h e
t on e of h er voice. Aft er all, sh e w as fu sin g h er ow n b od y w it h H u o Yu h ao’s! T h is
w as equ ivalen t t o r ip p in g ou t h er ow n b on es an d fu sin g t h em w it h H u o Yu h ao’s
b od y. T h ou gh h er cu lt ivat ion w as im m en sely st r on g, t h e a m ou n t of p ain sh e
h ad w it h st ood w as d efin it ely n ot less t h an H u o Yu h ao’s. On ly, t h e am ou n t of
w illp ow er sh e’d ob t ain ed aft er cu lt ivat in g for sever al h u n d r ed s of t h ou san d s of
year s far exceed ed an yt h in g t h a t H u o Yu h ao cou ld even com p ar e t o.
H u o Yu h ao t ook a d eep , d eep b r eat h . As h e con t in u ed t o en d u r e t h e p ain

com in g fr om t h e fu sion , h e n o lon ger sp ok e. Righ t n ow , all h e cou ld d o w as
con vey a st u b b or n an d r esolu t e con vict ion t ow ar d s t h e Ice Em p r ess.
W as t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m t r u ly u n ab le t o p r o t ect H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u a l

sea? T h e an sw er w as n at u r ally a d efin it e n o. T h e Ice Em p r ess on ly said t h is in
or d er t o st r en gt h en H u o Yu h ao’s w illp ow er b y an ot h er level. On ly in a sit u a t ion
w it h n o w ay ou t w ou ld h e b e ab le t o st im u lat e h is p ot en t ial t o it s gr eat est
p ossib le ext en t .
H ow ever , t h e ver y in st an t t h e last b ou t of p ain st ar t ed , H u o Yu h ao’s b od y

su d d en ly jolt ed . H is sp ir it u al sea su r ged violen t ly, n ear ly collap sin g in an
in st an t .
H e w as ab le t o en d u r e p ain , an d h e w as also ab le t o w it h st an d t h e alt er n at in g

h ot an d cold . At t h is m om en t , h ow ever , w h at h e su ffer ed w a s a k in d of p ain h e
w as n ear ly u n ab le t o w it h st an d . T h a t w as, an it ch .
T h e in st an t t h e Ice Em p r ess m ad e h er m ove, H u o Yu h ao felt a violen t it ch

com e fr om ever y p ar t of h is t or so. It w as as if t h er e w er e an in n u m er ab le
n u m b er of an t s t h a t w er e cr aw lin g ab ou t h is vein s an d b on es. T h is it ch d u g all
t h e w ay t o t h e b on e, an d it w as om n ip r esen t .
In t h at in st an t , H u o Yu h ao’s on ly t h ou gh t w as t o t h or ou gh ly d est r oy h is ow n
b od y an d scr at ch it fer ociou sly, st op p in g t h is b ou t of p ain .
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as con vu lsin g an d sh ak in g violen t ly, b u t h e w as sim p ly

u n ab le t o con t r ol it . T h is acu t e b ou t of p ain w as cau sin g t h e b on es in h is en t ir e
b od y t o u n ceasin gly r elease sou n d s of cr ack in g.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as solem n ly lyin g in w ait ; h e h ad a lr ead y p r ep ar ed
t o m ak e a m ove at a n y t im e. On ce H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea sh ow ed an y sign s of
collap se, h e w ou ld n ot h esit a t e t o in t er ven e.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m clear ly u n d er st ood t h at at t h is m om en t , t h e Ice

Em p r ess w as also en d u r in g t h e sam e p ain t h at H u o Yu h ao w as. Even t h e
sp ir it u al p ow er of on e of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ’s T h r ee Em p er or s w as sh iver in g
an d flu ct u at in g violen t ly. Fr om t h is, it cou ld b e seen h ow in t en se t h is p ain w as.
H ow ever , t h e fou n d at ion s of it s t r an sfor m at ion s w ou ld on ly b e com p let ed aft er
H u o Yu h ao fin ish ed fu sin g w it h t h e Ice Em p r ess’ sou l b on e. It w asn ’t h ar d for
h er t o b ecom e H u o Yu h ao’s m ar t ial sou l an d sou l r in g, b u t m ain t a in in g h er
con sciou sn ess an d all of h er in t elligen ce w as a d ifficu lt t ask .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m d id n ’t w or r y ab ou t t h e Ice Em p r ess; t h e on ly t h in g

h e w or r ied ab ou t w a s H u o Yu h ao n ot b ein g ab le t o p er sever e!
H u o Yu h ao’s p ale gold sp ir it u al sea su r ged violen t ly, occasio n ally t r em b lin g,
occasion ally r u m b lin g lik e a sea w ave. H is jad e-gr een b on es gr ad u ally t u r n ed
d ar k -gr een , t h en w en t b ack t o jad e-gr een . Du r in g t h is con t in u ou s p r ocess of
t r an sfor m at ion an d fu sion , h e felt t h e m ost violen t b ou t s of p ain .
It ’s it ch y, t h is it ch is k illin g m e. H u o Yu h ao felt as t h ou gh h e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le
t o con t in u e en d u r in g t h is p ain an ym or e. T h is in h u m an a m ou n t of p ain w as
t r u ly st r on ger t h an t h e t w o p r eviou s t or t u r es h e’d p r eviou sly exp er ien ced .
In t h e en d , a few cr ack s st ar t ed t o ap p ear in H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u a l sea. If

t h ese cr ack s con t in u ed t o gr ow lar ger , t h ey w ou ld d efin it ely cau se an exp losion
in t h e en d . T h e in st a n t h is sp ir it u al sea w as t h or ou gh ly d est r oyed , H u o Yu h ao’s
b r ain w ou ld d ie.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m u n h esit a t in gly m ad e a m ove, cau sin g an in t en se

gold en ligh t t o r ap id ly su r ge t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea .
H ow ever , it w as at t h is exact m om en t w h en H u o Yu h ao’s n ear ly h yst er ica l
voice su d d en ly r an g ou t in t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s m in d . “Don ’t h elp m e! I can
d o it , I can d o it !”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as left st ar in g b lan k ly for a m om en t . H e cou ld h ear

t h e st u b b or n n ess in H u o Yu h ao’s voice. On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o Yu h ao’s r oar
seem ed t o sign al h is cou n t er -at t ack . T h e cr ack s t h at d en sely cover ed h is
sp ir it u al sea m ir acu lou sly st ar t ed t o close.
Chapt er 44.1: Per fect Fusion, The Red Soul Ring
“Yu h ao, you ’ve gr ow n … u p . You m u st … b ecom e… an u n r ivalled h er o… lik e…

you r fat h er . Bu t , m ot h er … m igh t n ot b e ab le… t o see t h at d ay… com e. M om
h as… t o go, an d you … h ave t o t ak e… car e of you r self… Good ch ild … d on ’t cr y…
M ot h er ’s goin g t o h eaven , an d … I’ll alw ays… b e w at ch in g you . I d on ’t … h at e
you r fat h er , t r u ly. If… t h er e’s a sin gle p er son … I d on ’t h at e w it h in t h is W h it e
T iger Du k e’s M an sion … it ’s act u ally… on ly h im …”
“M om … w asn ’t lu ck y, I h ad … n o w ay… t o con t in u e… livin g on … w it h you r …

fat h er . I… w ish t h at … I cou ld h ave… st ayed b y h is sid e… an d seen h im
ever yd ay… lik e h ow it … w as in t h e p ast ! M ayb e… I n ever h ad a sp ot … in h is
h ear t … b u t … I d on ’t r egr et it . Yu h ao… you look … a lot lik e m e… If you can ’t …
b ecom e a… sou l m ast er … in t h e fu t u r e, t h en … lear n a cr aft . As lon g as you ’r e
safe… you r m om can also… sm ile… in t h e u n d er w or ld …”
“M om , m om ——” Yu h ao h ow led in w ar d ly. A st u b b or n con vict ion su d d en ly

r ose u p in h is h ear t , an d in t h is in st an t , it w as cover ed b y t h e lon gin g an d gr ief
h e felt . M om , t her e w i l l be a day w hen I ’l l com pl et e your w i sh. I w i l l m ak e t hat
m an k neel i n f r ont of your gr ave and beg you f or f or gi veness.
M om , f or m om , I m ust becom e st r ong, I have t o becom e st r ong. No m at t er

w hat , I have t o hol d on. I ’ m not a cow ar d, I ’ m H uo Yuhao. I ’ m m y m om ’ s son,
and f or m om , I m ust br avel y l i ve on. I can’ t becom e a per son l i k e t he W hi t e
T i ger Duk e, I have t o sur pass h i m !
T h i s i n w ar d h ow l becam e an i n descr i babl e en er gy t h at sudden l y expl oded

w i t h i n h i s spi r i t ual w or l d. Al l t h e cr ack s t h at h ad appear ed due t o h i m
appr oach i n g h i s l i m i t w er e h eal i n g at an ast on i sh i n g r at e, an d h i s spi r i t ual sea
w as r e-coal esci n g. T h ough i t w as st i l l un dul at i n g vi ol en t l y due t o t h e pai n h e
w as f eel i n g, i t s cor e w as abn or m al l y st ur dy. I t w as m uch st ur di er t h an i t
pr evi ousl y w as.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as u t t er ly ast on ish ed . H u o Yu h ao h ad act u ally
en d u r ed t h e p ain t h at even t h e Ice Em p r ess fou n d d ifficu lt . J u st h ow m u ch
w illp ow er d id h e n eed t o d o t h is?! In t h is in st an t , n ot on ly d id t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m feel ad m ir at ion t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, h e even felt a t r ace of fear . H e
k n ew t h a t h e h ad ch osen t h e r igh t p er son , b u t t h is sm a ll H u o Yu h ao m igh t n ot
b e som eon e h e cou ld con t r ol in t h e fu t u r e. H e m igh t on ly b e ab le t o ser ve as h is
in t elligen t sou l r in g.
T w o agon izin g h ou r s slow ed p assed , an d t h e alt er n a t in g ja d e-gr een an d d ar k -

gr een gr ad u ally st ab ilised . Fin ally, t h e color of H u o Yu h ao’s b on es en d ed u p an
ab st r u se jad e-gr een t h at w as id en t ical t o t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s t ail.
H ow ever , an ear t h -sh ak in g, h eaven -flip p in g t r an sfor m at ion h ad also occu r r ed
in H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
Nou r ish ed b y a lar ge am ou n t of n u t r ien t s, H u o Yu h ao’s b on es h ad gr ow n

n ot iceab ly. H is sh ou ld er s h ad w id en ed som ew h at , an d h e h a d gr ow n b y a lit t le
b it . Fu r t h er m or e, h is m u scles, t en d on s, fascia, vein s, an d in t er n al or gan s h ad
b ecom e m u ch st u r d ier . A jad e-lik e lu st er h ad ap p ear ed on h is sk in , r ad iat in g a
n ob le au r a w it h in t h is sn ow y w or ld .
H is eyes h ad b een op en t h e w h ole t im e, an d n ow t h e jad e-gr een ligh t w it h in

t h em fad ed slow ly. H is d eep b lu e p u p ils h a d b ecom e even m or e ab st r u se
follow in g t h is.
If you w er e t o u se a w or d t o d escr ib e t h e cu r r en t H u o Yu h ao, t h en

‘m et am or p h osed ’ cou ld n ’t b e an y m or e fit t in g.
W h en h e h a d left t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s M an sion in t h e b egin n in g, h e h a d

on ly b een a low -r an k ed sou l m ast er w it h an or d in ar y am ou n t of t alen t w h o
w asn ’t t au gh t b y a t each er . You sim p ly cou ld n ’t see an y p r osp ect s fr om h im .
H ow ever , h e w as n o w a fu ll-fled ged su p er -gen iu s w h o h a d t h e n u m b er on e t or so
b on e in t h e w or ld . Fu r t h er m or e, h e w as ab ou t t o b ecom e a you n g sou l m ast er
w h o h ad t w in in n at e m ar t ial sou ls.
As t h e p ain gr ad u ally fad ed , H u o Yu h ao’s b od y loosen ed u p . T h e Ice J ad e
Em p r ess’ t ail w h ich w as st ab b ed in t o h is sp in e slow ly p u lled b ack , p lacin g H u o
Yu h ao on h er b ack .
T h e ab st r u se ligh t in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes gr ad u ally b ecam e on e of exh au st ion .

H avin g b een d evast at ed b y p ain for su ch a lon g t im e, h is b od y an d m in d h a d
alr ead y r each ed t h eir lim it . T h e on ly t h in g k eep in g h im u p w as t h e st u b b or n
con vict ion w it h in t h e d ep t h s of h is h ear t . Now t h at h is fu sion w it h t h e sou l
b on e h ad en d ed , t h e m ost im p or t an t fou n d at ion s h ad b een la id . Follow in g t h at ,
a st r on g w a ve of exh au st ion sw ep t t ow a r d s h im , an d a sleep y feelin g over cam e
h im . J u st lik e t h a t , H u o Yu h ao fell in t o a d eep sleep w h ile st ill on t h e Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s b ack .
Aft er n ear ly a fu ll h ou r h ad p assed , t h e Ice Em p r ess’ exh au st ed voice r an g o u t

slow ly, “Sk yd r eam .”
“I’m h er e. H ow ar e you feelin g?” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ask ed , d eep ly

con cer n ed .
T h e Ice Em p r ess sn or t ed , “I’m fin e. Alt h ou gh a fella lik e you is a p iece of

t r ash , you h ave good eyesigh t .”
“H eh e.” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as alr ead y u sed t o b ein g scold ed b y t h e Ice

Em p r ess, “T o t ell t h e t r u t h , I d id n ’t t h in k t h at Yu h ao w ou ld b e t h is st r on g. H e
w as ab le t o p er sist d u e t o t h e st u b b or n con vict ion s h e h old s in h is h ear t . T h is
exp er ien ce h as op en ed u p a b r illian t r oa d for h is fu t u r e gr ow t h . Let ’s q u ick ly
st ar t fu sin g you r m ar t ial sou l w it h h is b od y. Now t h at you ’ve d iscar d ed t h e
m ost im p or t an t or igin of you r b od y, you r sp ir it u a l or igin w ill get d am aged if w e
w ast e t oo m u ch t im e.”
“En . Pr ot ect m e.” T o H u o Yu h ao, t h e cr u cial m om en t h a d alr ead y p assed .

Aft er fu sin g w it h t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s t or so b on e, h e h ad cr ossed a
d ifficu lt level. W it h t h e t or so b on e as a fou n d at ion , h is com in g fu sion w it h t h e
Ice J ad e Em p r ess’ m ar t ial sou l an d sou l r in g w ou ld b e m u ch easier . T h is w ou ld
m ain ly r ely on t h e Ice Em p r ess an d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s st r en gt h in or d er
t o seal h er en er gy a n d fu se it w it h H u o Yu h ao. T h u s, t h e m ost im p or t an t t ask
for t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad ju st b egu n . Fu sin g h er m ar t ial sou l w it h H u o Yu h ao
w h ile p r ot ect in g h er sp ir it u al or igin in or d er t o n ot h ave it com p let ely
assim ila t ed w it h H u o Yu h ao so sh e cou ld m ain t ain h er in t elligen ce w as t h e
fou n d at ion of h er p lan t o cr eat e God a n d at t ain im m or t a lit y. Sh e h ad n ever
t h ou gh t ab ou t a sit u at ion lik e t h is b efor e, an d it w as sim p ly im p ossib le for h er
t o h ave d on e an y exp er im en t s in t h e p ast . It w ou ld b e a lie t o say t h at sh e w asn ’t
n er vou s. If sh e d id an yt h in g w r on g, sh e w ou ld lose h er sen se of self, an d h er
con sciou sn ess w ou ld d isap p ear et er n ally.
“Don ’t w or r y, I’ll h elp you ou t . Ice Em p r ess, I t r u ly d o lik e you . Don ’t w or r y,

for t h e sak e of m y ow n h ap p in ess, I’ll d o all I can t o h elp you . Com e, let ’s st ar t .”
St r an gely, t h e Ice Em p r ess d id n ’t m ak e a r et or t t h is t im e ar ou n d . Righ t aft er

t h at , a t h ick h a lo of w h it e ligh t b lossom ed fr om H u o Yu h ao ’s b od y, sw eep in g
u p w ar d s an d cover in g h is b od y w it h in it . T h e cr yst al-lik e sp h er e on t h e Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s b od y d issolved q u iet ly, t u r n in g in t o t h r ead s of icy m ist t h a t
en t er ed H u o Yu h ao’s b od y t h r ou gh h is sk in .
H u o Yu h ao w as in t oo d eep of a sleep . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m

h ad alr ead y r esp on sib ly gu ar d ed h is sp ir it u al sea, en su r in g t h at h e r em ain ed in
h is sleep in g st at e so as t o n ot w ak e h im u p . T h e p r eviou s even t s h ad a lr ead y
t em p er ed h im en ou gh , an d t h e follow in g st ages of t h e fu sion n eed ed t o b e
com p let ed b y h im an d t h e Ice Em p r ess.
H u o Yu h ao’s p r esen ce qu ick ly va n ish ed w it h in t h e icy m ist . In ad d it ion t o

t h at , t h e Ice Em p r ess u n d er n eat h h im also van ish ed w it h ou t a t r ace.
If an or d in ar y h u m an w er e t o h ave w it n essed t h is scen e, t h ey w ou ld

d efin it ely h ave assu m ed t h at t h e Ice Em p r ess’ b od y h ad m elt ed . T o t h e Ice
Em p r ess, h ow ever , t h is w asn ’t a m elt in g, b u t an com b u st ion of h er ow n b od y.
On ly b y b u r n in g t h e or igin of h er b od y cou ld sh e cr eat e an effect lik e t h is.
Ot h er w ise, w it h t h e t ou gh n ess of h er b od y, even t h e st r on gest w eap on s in t h e
en t ir e w or ld cou ld n ’t d am age h er easily.
A gold en h alo of ligh t ap p ear ed n oiselessly, d r aw in g t h e w h it e h alo of ligh t
in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as act u ally d oin g all h e cou ld
t o h elp t h e Ice Em p r ess. W h ile p r ot ect in g H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u a l sea, h e even
p r ot ect ed t h e Ice Em p r ess’ sp ir it u a l or igin . Fu r t h er m or e, h e w as even h elp in g
t h e Ice Em p r ess su p p r ess h er ow n p ow er . H e w as m u lt it ask in g, d oin g all t h r ee
t h in gs at on ce. Du e t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s p ow er fu l sp ir it u al p ow er , t h e
Ice Em p r ess’ fu sion w it h H u o Yu h ao w en t m u ch m or e sm oot h ly. H ow ever , t h is
p r ocess st ill t ook a lon g t im e.
……
T h e cold w in d w as st ill as b it in gly cold as ever . Lar ge sn ow flak es cover ed

ever yt h in g as far as t h e eye cou ld see w it h in t h e icy p lain .
Su d d en ly, a soft ‘Pu ’ r an g ou t . An a r m ju t t ed ou t fr om t h e t h ick sn ow , an d

r igh t aft er t h at , a co m p let ely n ak ed b od y cr aw led slow ly u p fr om u n d er n ea t h .
T h e con t ou r s of h is b od y w er e ext r em ely w ell-d efin ed , an d alt h ou gh h is

m u scles w er en ’t esp ecially b ig, t h ey w er e flaw less. Aft er h is w h it e, gem -lik e sk in
d u g ou t fr om t h e sn ow , it r ad iat ed w it h a u n iq u e lu st er d u e t o t h e p ar allelism
cr eat ed b y t h e su r r ou n d in g w h it e.
As h e slow ly op en ed h is eyes, t w o d iffer en t color s in st an t ly flash ed t h r ou gh

h is d eep b lu e p u p ils. It w as gold at fir st , b u t t h en it t u r n ed jad e-gr een b efor e
set t lin g on a som ew h at t er r ifyin g w h it e t h at com p let ely cover ed t h e or igin al
b lu e.
A st r an ge scen e t h en occu r r ed . T h e fallin g sn ow flak es su d d en ly m oved aw ay

fr om a t h r ee-feet r ad iu s a r ou n d h is b od y t h e m om en t t h ey ap p r oach ed h im .
Un exp ect ed ly, a clean p at ch of ear t h ar ou n d h im h ad ap p ear ed w it h in t h e w or ld
of ice an d sn ow .
As t h e w h it e w it h in h is eyes slow ly fad ed aw ay, an ab st r u se d ar k -b lu e

gr ad u ally r esu r faced w it h in t h em . H is p u p ils h a d ch an ged color t h r ee t im es;
t h is w as q u it e m ir acu lou s.
H e clen ch ed h is fist s t igh t ly, an d im m ed iat ely, h is t a u t m u scles r eleased a
sen sat ion filled w it h p ow er . H e su d d en ly leap t in t o t h e air , r each in g an
ast ou n d in g t w en t y feet . W h en h e r each ed t h e p eak of h is ju m p , h e let ou t a lon g,
r esou n d in g r oar t ow ar d s t h e sk y.
T h e r u m b lin g sou n d w aves cau sed b y h is r oar r ever b er at ed t h r ou gh t h e air ,

scat t er in g t h e fallin g sn ow flak es. H is b r eat h in g im m ed iat ely b ecam e
u n h in d er ed , an d u n d er t h e cir cu la t ion of h is sou l p ow er , h e w as ab le t o clear ly
see t h at h is st er n u m , r ib s, an d sp in e w er e em it t in g a jad e-gr een glow .
T h is scen e seem ed b eau t ifu l, yet t er r ifyin g. A p er son ’s b on es w er e su d d en ly

em it t in g a ligh t t h a t cou ld b e seen t h r ou gh t h e sk in ; t h is w as som ew h at st r an ge.
At t h is m om en t , h ow ever , a h alo of jad e-gr een ligh t su d d en ly sp r ead ou t fr om
h is b od y, cover in g a t en -m et er d iam et er ar ou n d h im in a jad e-gr een ligh t . It
seem ed as t h ou gh t h e sn ow flak es w it h in t h is ar ea h ad in cr eased in w eigh t ,
cau sin g t h em t o fall t o t h e gr ou n d w it h a cr ash . T h e m om en t t h ey fell on t o t h e
p iled -u p sn ow , t h ey cu t ou t t in y h oles, as if t h ey w er e t in y k n ives.
H ow ever , t h at jad e-gr een ligh t on ly r em a in ed for an in st an t b efor e van ish in g

qu iet ly. Follow in g t h at , h is b od y collap sed t o t h e gr ou n d .
A sou l r in g t h at flick er ed w it h a d azzlin g ligh t r ose u p fr om t h e you t h ’s feet .

T h is sou l r in g w as sim p ly t oo b izar r e; it sh on e w it h a t er r ifyin g b lood -r ed ligh t .
T h is n ob le, cold sou l r in g t h at sh on e w it h a lu st er r esem b lin g a b lood y sea
em it t ed a b ou n d less am ou n t of m igh t fr om it . T h er e w er e also fou r gold en
p at t er n s w h ich w er e fain t ly d iscer n ib le on t h e b lood -r ed sou l r in g. T h e
in t er w oven color s of r ed an d gold w er e ext r em ely d azzlin g am id st t h e sn ow y
p lain s of ice. T h e in st an t t h is sou l r in g ap p ear ed , a su d d en ly t r an sfor m at ion
occu r r ed t o t h e you t h ’s au r a. A d esolat ion t h at seem ed t o com e fr om t h e an cien t
t im es ap p ear ed on h is b od y.
T h er e w er e n o ob viou s ch an ges t o h is b od y, b u t t h er e w as n ow an en or m ou s
t at t oo on h is b ack . T h er e w as a p air of p in cer s t h at flick er ed w it h a d azzlin g
ligh t , an d a cap t iva t in g, jad e-gr een t a il. W as t h at n ot t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess
Scor p ion ?
T h is t at t oo w as ext r em ely lar ge, p r act ically cover in g h is en t ir e b ack . It s six

lim b s h u gged h is r ib s, an d it s p in cer s w er e locat ed on t h e b ack of h is sh ou ld er s.
It s lon g t ail w as follow ed h is sp in e, con t in u in g all t h e w a y t ill h is b ack b on e
b efor e it slan t ed t o t h e r igh t , en d in g on h is r igh t b u t t ock .
Ot h er t h an t h e en or m ou s t at t oo, t h e you t h ’s gr eat est t r an sfor m at ion w as in

h is h an d s. H is h an d s w er e n ow cover ed in a layer of ext r em ely d et ailed
d iam on d -lik e h exagon s, w h ich w er e ab ou t t h e size of a b ean . If you look ed at
h im as a w h ole, t h e r esp len d en t lu st er com in g fr om h is a r m s also b r igh t en ed t h e
en or m ou s t a t t oo on h is b ack . Nat u r ally, all of t h ese ch an ges, ot h er t h an t h e on e
t h at h ad occu r r ed t o h is h an d s, w ou ld b e h id d en if h e h ad clot h es on .
“I’ve su cceed ed .” T h e you t h m u r m u r ed t o h im self. At t h is m om en t , t ear s

w er e flow in g u n con t r ollab ly fr om h is eyes. H e h ad en d u r ed far , far t oo m u ch
p ain for t h e sak e of su cceed in g. Aft er fin ish in g ever yt h in g, h ow cou ld h e n ot let
t ear s of joy ou t ? Som et h in g t h a t w as n ot easily ob t ain ed w ou ld m ak e on e
ch er ish it m or e. Aft er sen sin g t h e p ow er fu l feelin gs t h at w er e u n ceasin gly
sp r ead in g t h r ou gh ou t h is b od y, h e n ear ly cou ld n ’t con t r ol h is em ot ion s.
Righ t , t h is you t h w a s H u o Yu h ao. H u o Yu h ao, w h o h ad fin ally com p let ed h is

fu sion w it h t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ’s T h r ee
Em p er or s.
T h e b lood -r ed sou l r in g flick er in g w it h fou r gold en p at t er n s w as t h e fir st sou l

r in g of h is Ice Em p r ess m ar t ial so u l. It w a s a sou l r in g t h a t h a d r each ed t h e fou r
h u n d r ed t h ou san d year r an k .
Yes, fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s, n ot t h r ee h u n d r ed an d n in et y n in e

t h ou san d n in e h u n d r ed year s! Du r in g t h e fu sion p r ocess, t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m h ad u sed h is or igin en er gy t o h elp t h e Ice Em p r ess ou t . Du e t o t h is, sh e
w as ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh h er b ot t len eck d u r in g t h e fu sion an d st r en gt h en h er
sou l r in g in t o a fou r h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year on e. Alt h ou gh it w a s on ly a
d iffer en ce of a h u n d r ed year s, it w as a qu alit at ive d iffer en ce t h a t w as as
d iffer en t a s t h e sk y a n d t h e ear t h . T h at also r ep r esen t ed t h e d iffer en ce b et w een
a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g w it h t h r ee gold en p at t er n s an d on e w it h fou r
gold en p at t er n s!
“W e’ve fin ally su cceed ed . All of m y h ar d w or k w asn ’t w ast ed aft er all.” T h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s exh au st ed , yet r elieved voice r an g ou t .
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam .” H u o Yu h ao yelled ou t . T ear s st a r t ed t o sp r in g ou t fr om

h is eyes, “T h an k you .” H e n at u r ally k n ew t h at fr om t h is m om en t on , h e w as n o
lon ger t h e w eak , b ot t om -feed er sou l m a st er fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w h o cou ld
on ly r ely on h is h ar d w or k t o b ar ely cat ch u p w it h ever yon e else w h ile h a vin g
n o at t ack in g sou l sk ills at all. Ever yt h in g h e h ad at t h is m om en t h ad b een given
t o h im b y t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ! T h u s, h ow cou ld h e n ot feel m oved ?
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ch u ck led . “It ’s good t h at you ’ve su cceed ed . W e’ve

cr ossed t h e m ost su b st an t ial st ep n ow . W it h t h e t or so b on e t h e Ice Em p r ess’
given you , t h e st r en gt h of you r b od y h as in cr eased b y at least fivefold . You r
en d u r an ce h as also in cr eased b y a lar ge am ou n t , so you ’r e n ow ab le t o
w it h st an d t h e sou l r in g of a t h r ee t h ou san d year sou l b east at t h e ver y least .
T h is is also t h e m ain r eason w h y I got you t o fu se w it h t h e Ice Em p r ess b efor e
get t in g you you r secon d sou l r in g. T h e Ice Em p r ess h as for m ally b ecom e t h e
m ain sou l r in g of you r secon d m ar t ia l sou l, as w ell as t h e m ain p ar t of you r
secon d m ar t ial sou l. Sh e’s st r en gt h en ed you b y a lar ge am ou n t , so m u ch so t h at
it ’s even m or e t h an w h at I’ve d on e. You r cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion is st ill w eak , so you
can on ly u se a ver y sm all p ar t of h er p ow er . H ow ever , as you r cu lt iva t ion
con t in u es t o in cr ease, t h e p ow er sh e’s given you w ill d efin it ely give you a n ice
su r p r ise.”
“At fir st , I gave you fou r sou l sk ills a n d a m ar t ial sou l. T h ou gh t h e Ice
Em p r ess’ cu lt ivat ion is in fer ior t o m in e, t h e legacy of h er r ace is m u ch m or e
p ow er fu l t h an m in e. Fu r t h er m or e, accor d in g t o t h e st r en gt h of a h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l b east , sh e’ll also give you fou r m or e sou l sk ills in ad d it ion t o
t h e t or so b on e w h ich h as alr ea d y fu sed p er fect ly w it h you r b od y. T h e r eason
w h y you ’r e r eceivin g fou r sou l sk ills is b ecau se h er sou l r in g w ill give you t w o
sk ills, a n d h er sou l b on e w ill give you a n ot h er t w o. T h ou gh t h e fu sion u sed u p
t h at Secr et Law Sou l you or igin ally h ad , it ’s ab solu t ely w or t h it . W it h ou t t h e
Secr et Law Sou l, t h e p ain you r eceived w ou ld ’ve in cr eased b y at least 20 %, an d
t h e fu sion m igh t n ot h ave b een t h is p er fect .”
I t w oul d’ ve i ncr eased by 20%? H ear i n g t h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m ’ s w or ds, H uo

Yuh ao coul dn ’ t h el p but sh i ver . T h ough h e’ d al r eady en dur ed i t , h e di dn ’ t w an t
t o even r em em ber t h e f usi on . T h i s w as especi al l y so f or t h e l ast t w o h our s; t h e
m om en t h e t h ough t about i t , h e f el t h i s body i t ch i n com par abl y.
“ Four soul sk i l l s, an ot h er f our soul sk i l l s!” Exuber an t , H uo Yuh ao ask ed

i m pat i en t l y, “ Br ot h er Sk ydr eam , w h at soul sk i l l s di d t h e I ce Em pr ess gi ve m e?
H ow i s sh e n ow ? W as sh e abl e t o r et ai n h er con sci ousn ess?”
An i n t el l i gen t soul r i n g w as m uch st r on ger t h an a r egul ar soul r i n g t h at on l y

gave h i m som e st r en gt h . Let al on e t h at , w i t h t h e I ce Em pr ess’ st at us i n t h e
Ext r em e Nor t h an d h er i n t el l i gen ce, an yt h i n g H uo Yuh ao w an t ed t o do h er e
w ou ld b e m u ch sim p ler . On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o Yu h ao’s secon d m ar t ial sou l
w as Ice. As a r esu lt of t h at , it w as p r ob ab le t h at h e w ou ld h ave t o r et u r n h er e in
or d er t o ob t ain m o r e sou l r in gs. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad d on e
ever yt h in g sh e cou ld for h im . If sh e cou ld n ’t r et a in h er sp ir it u al or igin , t h a t
w ou ld b e ext r em ely r egr et fu l.
“T h e Ice Em p r ess is fin e. On ly, sh e’s ju st fu sed w it h you r b od y. Sh e h a d m y

p r ot ect ion , b u t sh e w as st ill ext r em ely exh au st ed . Righ t n ow , sh e’s in a d eep
sleep . Aft er all, t h is w as d iffer en t fr om m y fu sion w it h you . W h en I fu sed w it h
you , I d id n ’t r ea lly h ave m u ch of m y sou l p ow er left . It w as a sim p le fu sion w it h
m y sp ir it u al or igin . M or eover , I’m a sp ir it u a l-t yp e so u l b east , m ak in g it m u ch
easier . H ow ever , t h e sit u at ion w as ver y t r ou b lesom e w it h h er . For t u n at ely, w e
su cceed ed . Sh e’ll w ak e u p in a w h ile.” T h e m om en t h e sp ok e ab ou t t h e Ice
Em p r ess, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as evid en t ly p leased .
“T h en w h at ab ou t t h e fou r sou l sk ills? W h at ar e t h ey?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed

again .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sm iled m isch ievou sly, “I d on ’t k n ow eit h er ! I’m n ot

t h e Ice Em p r ess. Yo u ’ll slow ly u n d er st an d w h at t h ey a r e. Go, h ead t ow ar d s t h e
east an d w e’ll go fin d you r secon d sou l r in g.”
H u o Yu h ao w as ext r em ely h ap p y. Now t h at h e t h ou gh t ab ou t it , h e w as st ill a

Sou l M ast er . H is sou l p ow er w as st ill lim it ed t o Ran k 20 . T h er e w as n ot h in g h e
cou ld d o ab ou t it . T h ou gh h e’d ob t ain ed an ot h er sou l r in g, it w as st ill t h e fir st
sou l r in g of h is secon d m ar t ial sou l! T h u s, h e w as st ill a on e-r in ged sou l m ast er .
If h e w an t ed t o con t in u e t o in cr ea se h is cu lt ivat ion , h e h ad t o ob t ain an ot h er
sou l r in g.
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , sh ou ld I get an ot h er sou l r in g for m y Sp ir it Eyes or t h e

Ice Em p r ess’ m ar t ia l sou l?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed . Bot h of h is m ar t ial so u ls w er e
on e-r in ged on es, an d h e w a s faced w it h a ch oice n ow . W ou ld h e ch oose t o
con t in u e st r en gt h en in g t h e Sp ir it Eyes or t h e Ice Em p r ess’ m ar t ial sou l? T h ese
w er e u n d ou b t ed ly t w o d iffer en t p at h s.
Nor m ally, sou l m ast er s p ossessin g t w o m ar t ial sou ls w ou ld n ’t ob t ain so u l
r in gs for b ot h of t h eir m ar t ial sou ls at on ce, b ecau se t h at w ou ld er ase t h e
gr eat est ad van t age o f h avin g t w o m ar t ial sou ls. T h e t r u ly p ow er fu l t w in -sou led
sou l m ast er s w ou ld d o t h eir b est t o in cr ease t h eir so u l p ow er w h ile cu lt ivat in g
an d ad d in g sou l r in gs t o a sin gle m ar t ial sou l. W h en t h ey cu lt ivat ed t o a cer t ain
level, t h ey w ou ld b egin t o a d d sou l r in gs t o t h eir secon d m ar t ial sou l. T h is w ay,
it w as ver y lik ely t h at a sit u at ion in w h ich t h eir secon d m ar t ial so u l w as filled
w it h h igh -r an k ed sou l r in gs w ou ld occu r . In t h a t case, t h ey w ou ld b e m u ch
st r on ger t h an t h e ot h er sou l m ast er s of t h eir r an k .
H ow ever , t h is r eq u ir ed a p r ocess. Nor m ally, t w in -so u led sou l m ast er s w ou ld

ad d sou l r in gs t o t h eir m ar t ia l sou l w h en t h ey w er e at t h e seven -r in ged r an k , a t
t h e ver y least .
For exam p le, Xiao Xiao. Sh e h ad h ad n o ch oice b u t t o ad d a sou l r in g t o h er

secon d m ar t ial sou l in or d er t o claim a p lace in Sh r ek Acad em y an d give h er a
cer t ain ad va n t age over t h e ot h er st u d en t s. T h is w as w h y sh e h ad ch osen t o ad d
a sou l sk ill t o h er secon d m ar t ia l sou l. Ot h er t h an giv in g a so u l sk ill, a so u l r in g
w ou ld also in cr ease t h e com p r eh en sive p h ysical ab ilit y of a sou l m ast er . Aft er
m u ch con sid er at ion , an d w ish in g t o in cr ease h er cu lt iva t ion as q u ick ly as
p ossib le, Xiao Xiao d ecid ed t o ad d a sou l r in g t o h er Nin ep h o en ix W or sh ip p in g
Flu t e. H ow ever , t h a t w as on ly h er fir st sou l r in g. Befor e r each in g t h e seven -
r in ged r an k , sh e w ou ld d efin it ely n ot ad d an y m or e sou l r in gs t o h er
Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e.
If H u o Yu h ao d ecid ed t o con t in u e a d d in g sou l r in gs t o h is Sp ir it Eyes, h e

w ou ld w alk t h e p at h of a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er for a ver y lon g t im e; if h e
ch ose t o ad d sou l r in gs t o t h e Ice Em p r ess, h e w ou ld sw it ch t o t h e p at h of an
assau lt -t yp e sou l m a st er . T h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at h e w ou ld d efin it ely b ecom e
t h e n u m b er on e at t ack -t yp e gen iu s in Sh r ek Acad em y if h e ch ose t o sw it ch t o
t h e p at h of an assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er , h avin g a fou r h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d yea r
sou l r in g. T h er e w as ab solu t ely n o n eed t o d ou b t t h is. H ow ever , h ow w ou ld h e
exp lain t h e ap p ear an ce of a fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g?
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “Yu h ao, I’m gu essin g t h a t you ’r e alr ead y
t h in k in g ab ou t it . It ’s t r u e t h at t h e Ice Em p r ess is ver y p ow er fu l, b u t fr om m y
exp er ien ce, you ’ll h ave t o h id e you r ab ilit ies as m u ch a s p ossib le if you w an t t o
live for a lon g t im e. M or eover , even if you ch oose t o cu lt iva t e t h e Ice Em p r ess,
you ’ll h ave t o fin d a secon d sou l r in g for you r Sp ir it Eyes r igh t n ow . It ’s b ecau se
t h e fir st sou l r in g of you r Ice Em p r ess is t oo eye-cat ch in g. You h ave t o con ceal it ,
ot h er w ise you ’ll ju st b e st u d ied in a r esear ch lab .
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed in agr eem en t , “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , I’ve m ad e a d ecision .

I’m goin g t o con t in u e cu lt ivat in g m y Sp ir it Eyes. On ce m y cu lt ivat ion ’s h igh
en ou gh , I’ll con t in u e t o ad d sou l r in gs t o m y Ice Em p r ess m ar t ial sou l. In t h e
fu t u r e, I’ll d o m y b est t o n ot u se t h e Ice Em p r ess. T h is w ay, ot h er p eop le w on ’t
b e ab le t o see h ow sp ecial m y sou l r in g is.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sm iled m isch ievou sly, “W h y w on ’t you u se it ? If you

d on ’t u se it , h ow ar e w e goin g t o go aw e t h e ot h er s? T h at Sh r ek Acad em y of
you r s isn ’t sim p le! If you w an t t o st an d st ab ly, you ’ll h ave t o sh ow off som e of
you r st r en gt h . If you ’r e goin g t o u se t h e Ice Em p r ess, you d on ’t n ecessar ily n eed
t o b e ver y su b t le ab ou t it .”
H u o Yu h ao w as at a loss. “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , I d on ’t u n d er st a n d .”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied in a m yst er iou s t on e, “You ’ll n at u r ally

u n d er st an d on ce yo u ’ve got t en you r secon d sou l r in g. Now t h en , d o you r eally
t h in k you look t h at good b u t t -n ak ed ? Qu ick ly clot h e you r self so t h at w e can get
goin g. T im e’s n ot m ovin g an y slow er w h ile you ’r e st an d in g h er e. You sh ou ld
p r ob ab ly k n ow t h at you r sch ool’s ab ou t t o r e-op en . In fact , I’m n ot p ar t icu lar ly
clear as t o h ow lon g w e act u ally h ave left u n t il it d oes. I lost of t r ack of t im e in
t h e ou t sid e w or ld w h ile I w as h elp in g t h e Ice Em p r ess fu se w it h you .”
W h en h e h ear d t h is, H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely b ecam e ast on ish ed . Accor d in g

t o h is calcu lat ion s, m or e t h an fift een d ays sh ou ld ’ve p assed sin ce t h e h olid ays
h ad st ar t ed . It w ou ld t ak e h im q u it e a w h ile t o get b ack as w ell, t h u s h e cou ld n ’t
affor d t o n ot r u sh .
A p ale gold ligh t flash ed t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s eyes as h e w it h d r ew t h e Ice

Em p r ess an d r eleased h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . H ow ever , h e n ear ly ju m p ed fr om
sh ock t h e m om en t h e r eleased h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .
As h is cu lt iva t ion h ad in cr eased in t h e acad em y, t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it u al

Det ect ion h ad also con t in u ed t o in cr ea se. W h en h e’d left , it h ad su r p assed
eigh t y m et er s in all d ir ect ion s. If h e w er e t o focu s it in a sin gle d ir ect ion , it cou ld
su r p ass t w o h u n d r ed m et er s.
H ow ever , t h e m om en t t h a t h e r elea sed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , H u o Yu h ao

im m ed iat ely felt h is eyes r elease an in d escr ib ab le flow of air . Im m ed iat ely
aft er w ar d s, t h e gr ou n d in a t w o h u n d r ed m et er r ad iu s ar ou n d h im —in clu d in g a
m et er d eep in t o t h e sn ow an d som e p ar t s of t h e m u d u n d er n eat h —w er e
en cap su lat ed w it h in t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . As soon as it d id , a
lar ge am ou n t of in for m at ion su r ged in t o h is m in d . H ow cou ld t h e lar ge in cr ease
in t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion an d t h e am ou n t of in for m at ion h e
r eceived n o t ast on ish h im ?
“H ow ... h ow cou ld t h is h ave h ap p en ed ? ” H u o Yu h ao ask ed b lan k ly, h avin g

m an aged t o fin d t h e n ear b y T w en t y Fou r M oon lit Br id ges u sin g h is Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion .
“You d id n ’t ju st su ffer t h at p ain for n ot h in g. H aven ’t you r ealized t h at you r

sp ir it u al sea h as n ea r ly d ou b led in size? If you ’d follow ed t h e u su a l r o u t in e of
ob t ain in g you r secon d sou l r in g, you r sp ir it u al sea w ou ld o n ly b e t h is b ig on ce
you r each ed t h r ee r in gs. H ow ever , you r elied on you r ow n w illp ow er t o
w it h st an d t h at p ain . As su ch , you r sp ir it u al sea h as evolved . Of cou r se, I’ve also
u sed m y sp ir it u al or igin t o h elp you ou t a b it . Con gr at u lat ion s. As of n ow , you
can r elease p ow er eq u ivalen t t o t h at of a five t h ou san d year sou l r in g, w h ile
you r b od y’s en d u r a n ce n ow p er m it s you t o b ot h ob t ain an d p er fect ly ab sor b a
t h r ee t h ou san d year sou l r in g.”
W h en h e h ear d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s w or d s, a sin gle em ot ion w as left in

H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t : H ap p in ess.
Aft er exp er ien cin g su ch an ext r em e am ou n t of p ain , a few sh ad ow s h ad b een

left in h is h ear t . At t h is m om en t h ow ever , t h e p ain an d b it t er n ess w er e over ,
w h ile t h e r ew ar d s h e’d gain ed w er e ju st b egin n in g t o sh ow t h em selves. H e
fin ally felt t h a t ever yt h in g w as w or t h it . Aft er r eceivin g t h e p r op er
r ecip r ocat ion for h is effor t s, t h e sh ad ow s in h is h ear t n at u r ally sh r u n k b y a
lar ge am ou n t .
H e t ook a set of clot h es ou t of t h e T w en t y Fou r M oon lit Br id ges, b u t d ecid ed

t o on ly w ear a r egu la r sh ir t , as h e d id n ’t feel cold at all.
W h at a jok e. W it h an exist en ce su ch as t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion

con n ect ed t o h im , t h e n u m b er of t h in gs in t h e en t ir e w or ld t h at cou ld even
m ak e h im feel cold w as p r act ically zer o. H is ow n b od y w as b asically a
r ep r esen t a t ion of ext r em ely cold ice!
“Go!” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sh ou t ed , jolt in g a cer t ain p er son w h o w as
foolish ly gigglin g t o h im self b ack t o t h eir sen ses. T h is cer t ain som eon e t h en
h u r r ied ly scr am b led t o h is feet .
T h e or igin ally-cold clim at e w as n o lon ger a p r ob lem t o H u o Yu h ao, as t h e

sou l r in g an d sou l b o n e h e’d ob t ain ed fr om t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion m ad e
it so t h at t h e q u alit y of h is p h ysiq u e n ow far exceed ed w h a t it h ad p r eviou sly
b een . H e w ild ly r u sh ed t h r ou gh t h e sn ow , leavin g on ly a few sh allow t r aces
b eh in d h im . In fact , h e w asn ’t h in d er ed b y t h e sn ow at all an ym or e.
T h e sou l p ow er in h is b od y con t in u ed t o cir cu lat e, b u t it d id n ’t seem lik e it

w as b ein g d r a in ed a t all. Righ t n ow , H u o Yu h ao w as u n exp ect ed ly r elyin g on ly
on h is p h ysical st r en gt h t o m an eu ver t h r ou gh t h e sn ow . H e d id n ’t k n ow h ow
lon g it h ad b een sin ce h e’d eat en or d r an k an yt h in g, yet h e d id n ’t feel h u n gr y or
t h ir st y at all. At t h is ver y m om en t , h e on ly felt t h at ever yt h in g w it h in t h e
b ou n d less, vast p lain s of ice w as ext r em ely b eau t ifu l.
……
W it h in Sh r ek Acad em y.
T h e st ar t of t h e n ew t er m h ad n ow ar r ived , w h ich w as t h e m ost im p or t an t

p er iod of t im e ever y year . A la r ge st r ea m of p eop le h ad a lr ead y ar r ived ou t sid e
of Sh r ek Acad em y by d aw n . Besid es t h e r et u r n in g st u d en t s, t h er e w as also an
over w h elm in g n u m b er of p ar en t s w h o’d b r ou gh t t h eir ch ild r en t o r egist er for
t h e n ew com er ’s assessm en t .
No m at t er w h at b ack gr ou n d you h ad , or w h o you w er e r efer r ed b y, you ’d st ill

h ave t o go h om e if you d id n ’t p ass t h e n ew com er ’s assessm en t .
A few of t h e u p p er classm en w er e ou t sid e t h e sch ool gat es, h elp in g t h e

t each er s con d u ct t h e assessm en t . Alt h ou gh t h ey w er e on ly st u d en t s, t h ey w er e
st ill ab le t o r ep r esen t Sh r ek Acad em y, as t h ey w er e all at least at t h e t h r ee-
r in ged Sou l Eld er r an k . Sin ce t h ey’d r ea ch ed t h e r an k of Sou l Eld er , t h ey h eld
con sid er ab le st at u s w it h in t h e con t in en t . T h e low est r equ ir em en t for a st u d en t
t o gr ad u at e fr om Sh r ek Acad em y’s ou t er cou r t yar d w a s t o b ecom e a fou r -r in ged
Sou l An cest or . If you w er en ’t ab le t o b ecom e a Sou l An cest or , you w ou ld n ’t b e
ab le t o b ecom e a Year 6 st u d en t . In t h e en d , you ’d on ly b e elim in at ed d u r in g t h e
assessm en t .
T w en t y-eigh t d ays of t h e vacat ion h ad p assed b y, an d t h e n ew sch ool year

w ou ld b egin in ju st t w o d ays. Even t h ou gh t h e n ew com er s w er e r u sh in g t o
p ar t icip at e in t h e acad em y’s en t r an ce t est , t h e old er st u d en t s w er en ’t ju st lazin g
ab ou t ; t h eir ad van cem en t assessm en t s w er e ab ou t t o st ar t t oo. T h ey w ou ld on ly
b e ab le t o t r u ly ad van ce t o a h igh er year gr ou p on ce t h ey’d p assed t h eir
ad van cem en t assessm en t s. If t h ey d id n ’t , t h ey’d h ave t o d o t h e exact sam e t h in g
t h at t h e n ew com er s w h o w er en ’t ab le t o p ass t h e en t r an ce exam h ad t o—r et u r n
h om e.
At least t w o-t h ir d s of t h e old er st u d en t s in t h e acad em y h ad r et u r n ed b y t h ise

p oin t . T h ey h ad n ’t d ar ed t o r elax at a ll d u r in g t h eir vaca t ion p er iod . Seein g t h at
sch ool w as ab ou t t o st ar t , t h ey’d n at u r ally com e b ack ear lier in or d er t o ask
t h eir t each er s ab ou t t h e con t en t s of t h eir var iou s a ssessm en t s. In a d d it ion t o
t h is, t h ey’d also ask ed t h eir t each er s for ext r a p oin t er s. St u d en t s w h o w er e
st r on g en ou gh n at u r ally w er en ’t scar ed of t h e assessm en t s; on t h e con t r a r y,
t h ey en joyed t h em . T h r ou gh t h em , t h ey cou ld t r u ly t est t h e fr u it s of t h eir
cu lt ivat ion . H ow ever , ever y sin gle assessm en t w ou ld b e an ext r em ely d ifficu lt
b ar r ier t o t h e vast m ajor it y of st u d en t s. T h u s, w h y w ou ld n ’t t h ey gr asp ever y
op p or t u n it y t h ey h a d ?
A figu r e r u sh ed p ast t h e Sea God ’s Lak e’s lak esid e p at h w it h ast on ish in g
sp eed , an d q u ick ly p assed t h r ou gh Sh r ek Plaza. W h en h e ar r ived at t h e Yea r 1
d or m s, h e m u t t er ed t o h im self, “Aih , I’m lat e, I’m lat e. H e’s d efin it ely com e
b ack ear ly an d is p r ob ab ly w ait in g im p at ien t ly for m e. Aih , it ’s all m y fau lt !
W h y’d I h ave t o go an d go all-ou t ! W h a t ever , I’ll d efin it ely give t h at gu y a b ig
su r p r ise, h ah a.”
W it h t h at , t h e you t h ar r ived at t h e d oor t o t h e d or m . T h e eld er t h at w as

alw ays p r esen t b y t h e d or m s w as st ill lyin g on h is r eclin er in an easygoin g
m an n er w h en , givin g off an in d escr ib ab le sen se of leisu r elin ess w h en h e
ar r ived .
“Gr an d p a, h ello.” T h e you t h excit ed ly b lu r t ed ou t as h e r u sh ed in t o t h e

d or m it or y.
A fu n n y look ap p ear ed on t h e eld er ’s face, b u t h e q u ick ly r et u r n ed t o n or m al.

Squ in t in g h is eyes, h e com for t ab ly im m er sed h im self in a h alf-sleep st a t e.
“Pen g, p en g, p en g.” T h e you t h r u sh ed b ack t ow ar d s h is r oom , t h en for cefu lly

k n ock ed on t h e d oor , cau sin g d u st t o fall off of it .
“Eeh ?” T h e you t h h u r r ied ly d u ck ed aw ay fr om t h e d u st . Feelin g t h a t

som et h in g w as off, h e said , “H u o Yu h ao, qu ick ly op en t h e d oor . J u st look at
h ow lazy you ’ve b ecom e! You t r u ly on ly k n ow h ow t o cu lt iva t e. T h er e’s alr ead y
en ou gh d u st on t h e d oor t o b u r y som eon e, yet you h aven ’t even clean ed it .”
Righ t , t h e you t h w h o h ad h ast ily r u sh ed over w as W an g Don g. H e d id n ’t

seem t o h ave ch an ged m u ch com p ar ed t o on e m on t h ago. H e w as st ill w ear in g
t h e Year 1 u n ifor m s, b u t h is sh or t , p in k ish -b lu e h air h ad gr ow n sligh t ly. H is
lar ge, b r igh t eyes w er e also sligh t ly livelier , an d w er e filled w it h excit em en t ,.
T h ey’d b een sep ar at ed for alm ost an en t ir e m on t h , h ow ever W an g Don g h ad

b een h eld u p b ecau se of a few issu es on h is w ay b ack . H e’d on ly m an aged t o
ar r ive t h r ee d ays b efor e sch ool st ar t ed w it h gr eat d ifficu lt y, w h ich w as m u ch
lat er t h an t h e t im e t h at h e an d H u o Yu h ao h ad p r eviou sly agr eed on . H e
t h ou gh t t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld d efin it ely h ave ar r ived ea r lier . Aft er all, t h e
q u ick est w ay t h ey cou ld cu lt ivat e w as b y b ein g t oget h er . H a vin g r et u r n ed la t e,
h e w as ext r em ely ap ologet ic. H e w as ju st ab ou t t o ap ologize t o H u o Yu h ao an d
say a few good w or d s t o h im ; t h at w as w h y h e h ad n ’t u sed h is ow n k ey t o u n lock
t h e d oor an d en t er on h is ow n .
No r esp on se? W an g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t b e d azed w h en t h e d or m

r em ain ed silen t .
“H ey, d on ’t b e p et t y. Ar e you st ill an gr y at m e? I d id n ’t com e b ack lat e on
p u r p ose. I w as h eld u p b y som et h in g.” W an g Don g k n ock ed on t h e d oor again ,
h ow ever t h er e w as st ill n o r esp on se.
“H u o Yu h ao, you lit t le m iser . If you d on ’t op en t h e d oor , I’m goin g t o op en it

m yself.” W an g Don g said fier cely.
T h er e w as st ill n o r esp on se.
At t h at m om en t , W a n g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel st u n n ed . H e felt t h at , even

t h ou gh h e’d ar r ived lat e, w it h t h e r elat ion sh ip b et w een h im an d H u o Yu h ao,
com b in ed w it h H u o Yu h ao’s ch ar act er , h e w ou ld n ’t st oop so low as t o ign or e
h im lik e t h is!
W an g Don g t ook ou t h is k ey an d u n lock ed t h e d oor .
T h e d or m w as q u iet on t h e in sid e. Ever yt h in g w as id en t ical t o w h en t h ey’d

left ; t h er e w er en ’t a n y ch an ges at all. W an g Don g’s m at t r ess h ad b een r olled u p
an d cover ed in a w h it e b ed sh eet t o sh ield it fr om d u st . On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o
Yu h ao’s b ed w as st ill em p t y. A layer of d u st h ad alr ea d y ap p ear ed on t h e gr ou n d
an d t h e t ab le, as if n ob od y h ad r ecen t ly b een in t h e r oom at all.
W an g Don g r u sh ed in t o t h e d or m r oom . Aft er look in g a t h is ow n b ed a n d

t h en H u o Yu h ao’s b ed , h e felt h is h ear t sin k w it h a “t h u n k ”. H is face
im m ed iat ely t u r n ed som ew h at p ale.
H e di dn’ t com e back . H e act ual l y hasn’ t com e back yet . W an g Don g i n st an t l y
f el t a w ave of goosebum ps t r avel f r om h i s f eet t o h i s h ead. H e w oul d’ ve
pr ef er r ed t o h ave H uo Yuh ao w ai t i n g f or h i m i n advan ce t o scol d h i m t h e
m om en t h e saw h i m r at h er t h an t h e scen e i n f r on t of h i m . T h e f eel i n g of h i s
h ear t bei n g em pt i ed caused h i s br eat h i n g t o becom e r ush ed al l of a sudden .
“ H ow i s i t possi bl e t h at h e h asn ’ t com e back yet ? Di dn ’ t h e say t h at t h er e w as

a t each er w ai t i n g f or h i m out si de t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est ? H e on l y l ef t t o get
h is secon d sou l r in g; t h er e w as even a t each er accom p an yin g h im . W h y h asn ’t
h e r et u r n ed aft er so lon g? H e’s an or p h an , w h er e else cou ld h e h ave gon e?”
W an g Don g im m ed iat ely b ecam e an xiou s. H e violen t ly t ook in a few d eep

b r eat h s of som ew h at d ir t y air fr om t h e d or m r oom , t h en su d d en ly t u r n ed
ar ou n d an d r u sh ed b ack t ow ar d s t h e d or m en t r an ce.
W h en h e r each ed it , h e in st an t ly k n eeled b esid e t h e r eclin in g eld er .

“Gr an d p a, h ave you seen H u o Yu h ao? H e’s livin g in a r oom w it h m e; h e’s t h e
gu y w h o alw ays com es b ack w it h m e.”
T h e old m an squ in t ed h is eyes an d sh ook h is h ead .
W an g Don g b it h is low er lip an d st ood u p . Aft er w ar d s, h e im m ed iat ely d ash ed

t ow ar d s t h e facu lt y b u ild in gs.
On ce h e r each in g t h e facu lt y b u ild in gs, h e h ead ed d ir ect ly t ow ar d s Zh ou Yi’s

office. T h e d oor t o h er office w as w id e op en , an d in sid e a few st u d en t s w er e
t alk in g t o h er .
W an g Don g w as ext r em ely an xiou s, t h u s h e d id n ’t even b ot h er t o k n ock on

h er d oor . Lik e a gu st of w in d , h e r u sh ed in sid e. “T each er Zh ou , T each er Zh ou .”
T h e st u d en t s st an d in g in fr on t of Zh ou Yi’s d esk w er e a ll fir st year st u d en t s,

an d t h ey w er e all jolt ed b y W an g Don g’s h u r r ied en t r an ce. T h ey w er e all aw ar e
of t h e fact t h at Zh ou Yi h a t ed st u d en t s w h o b r ok e t h e r u les t h e m ost . Even
t h ou gh W an g Don g w as a class m on it or , h e w as st ill act in g t oo gu t sy.
H ow ever , t h ey w er e ast on ish ed b y t h e fact t h at n ot on ly h ad Zh ou Yi n ot

flow n in t o a r age w h en sh e saw W an g Don g, sh e’d even st ood u p . T h e t w o of
t h em t h en sp ok e in a n im p at ien t voice at t h e exact sam e t im e.
“W h er e’s H u o Yu h a o?”
“T each er Zh ou , h ave you seen H u o Yu h ao?”

T h e in st an t t h ey fin ish ed sp eak in g, b ot h of t h em sim u lt an eou sly b ecam e
st u n n ed . Aft er w ar d s, t h ey sp ok e at t h e exact sam e t im e again , “You ’r e also
look in g for H u o Yu h ao?”
Book 8: Ad van cin g t o t h e Secon d Year
Chapt er 45.1: You'r e St ill Alive?
T h e seem in gly t acit u n d er st an d in g b et w een Zh ou Yi an d W an g Don g sen t t h e

st u d en t s st an d in g in fr on t of Zh ou Yi’s d esk in t o a d aze. T h ey h ad n o d iea w h at
h ad h ap p en ed .
Zh ou Yi w aved t ow a r d s t h em , “You gu ys can go b ack an d p r ep ar e fir st .”
“Yes.” T h ou gh t h e t h r ee st u d en t s w er e ver y cu r iou s as t o w h at h ad occu r r ed ,

t h ey d id n ’t d ar e t o st ay b eh in d . T h ey h u r r ied ly left Zh ou Yi’s office, clever ly
closin g t h e d oor as t h ey d id so.
W an g Don g sp ok e im p at ien t ly. “T each er Zh ou , h as H u o Yu h ao n ot com e b ack

yet ? If you h aven ’t seen h im eit h er , w h y d on ’t w e go over t o t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t an d ask t h em ab ou t it ?”
Zh ou Yi fu r r ow ed h er b r ow s, an d a h in t of an ger ap p ear ed in h er eyes, “No

n eed . I’ve alr ea d y gon e t h er e t o ask t h em ab ou t it . J u st w h at is t h a t b r at H u o
Yu h ao d oin g? H e t old m e t h at t h e t each er s fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t w er e
accom p an yin g h im t o get a sou l r in g, b u t w h en I ask ed Fan Yu ab ou t it , h e said
t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad t old h im t h at t h e t each er s fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t w er e t ak in g h im t o get a sou l r in g. Isn ’t h e ju st lyin g t o b ot h
p ar t ies? In t h e en d , n ob od y w en t w it h h im . Don ’t t ell m e t h is b r at ju st en t er ed
t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est alon e?”
H ear in g h er w or d s, W an g Don g im m ed iat ely b ecam e even m or e an xiou s, “No

w ay. H e d oesn ’t even h ave an y at t ack in g sou l sk ills, so h ow in t h e w or ld is h e
goin g t o go h u n t a sou l b east b y h im self? T h at ’s t oo d an ger ou s. No w ay, n o w ay.
W h y w ou ld h e b e t h at d u m b ? W h en w e left each ot h er , h is m ood w as st ill ver y
n or m al!”
Zh ou Yi sp ok e in a low voice, “H e’s d efin it ely h id in g som et h in g fr om u s. Let ’s
d o t h is. Im m ed iat ely go t o t h e u p p er classm en ’s d or m s an d b r in g Bei Bei an d
T an g Ya over h er e. If t h ey’r e n ot h er e eit h er , t h en t h a t ’s w h at m u st ’ve
h ap p en ed . H u o Yu h ao b elon gs t o t h e T an g Sect , so t h ey m igh t k n ow w h at
h ap p en ed . If Bei Bei an d T an g Ya follow ed h im t o t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est ,
t h en it ’s exp lain ab le.”
“Ok ay.” W an g Don g t u r n ed aw ay an d left . Righ t n ow , h e w as on ly p r ayin g

t h at Bei Bei an d T an g Ya w er en ’t b ack yet . T h ey m u st ’ve follow ed H u o Yu h ao t o
h elp h im get h is sou l r in g.
H ow ever , r ealit y w ou ld n ’t ju st ch a n ge d u e t o a p er son ’s w illp ow er . W it h in a

few m om en t s, Bei Bei an d T an g Ya ap p ear ed in sid e Zh ou Yi’s office. T h ou gh
t h ey’d ju st a r r ived , t h ey’d t r u ly r et u r n ed !
Aft er h ear in g t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t r et u r n ed , t h ey w er e b ot h ast on ish ed .

Bei Bei said , “T each er Zh ou , ou r lit t le ju n ior b r ot h er w as st ill fin e t h e last t im e
w e saw h im . H e ca n ’t p ossib ly h a ve gon e t o h u n t a sou l b east b y h im self.
T h ou gh w e saw h im k ill a sou l b east t h e fir st t im e w e saw h im , h e w as in ju r ed .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e sou l b east h e k illed w as of t h e t en yea r r an k . T h is t im e
ar ou n d , h e’s look in g for h is secon d sou l r in g. W it h h is com b at st r en gt h , even
w it h a low -r an k ed Sou l T ool an d t h e m ar t ial ar t s of ou r T an g Sect , it ’s st ill goin g
t o b e ver y d ifficu lt for h im t o t ak e on a h u n d r ed year sou l b east . Aft er all, h is
cu lt ivat ion ’s st ill t oo low . Ou r lit t le ju n ior b r ot h er ’s ver y sm ar t , so w h y w ou ld
h e act so foolish ly?”
T h ey all look ed at each ot h er . No m at t er h ow t h ey t h ou gh t ab ou t it , t h ey ju st

cou ld n ’t u n d er st an d w h y H u o Yu h ao h ad lied t o ever yon e w h en h e left t h e
acad em y.
H e h ad n ’t r et u r n ed , an d t h er e w as n o u se in p an ick in g. Zh ou Yi w as an xiou s,
b u t Fan Yu w as even m or e an xiou s t h an sh e w as.
It h ad b een so h ar d for h im t o fin d su ch a good d iscip le w h o even r evealed

su ch an a st on ish in g am ou n t of t alen t in t h e field of sou l t ool cr eat ion . H ow ever ,
h e h ad act u ally h at ch ed su ch a w ick ed p lan . It ’d b e st r a n ge if h e w asn ’t feelin g
an xiou s. Lik e t h e ot h er s, h e w asn ’t com p let ely su r e as t o w h y H u o Yu h ao w as
d oin g t h is. H ow ever , w it h h is u n d er st a n d in g of H u o Yu h ao, h e k n ew t h at h e
w asn ’t an u n r eliab le p er son ! H e d efin it ely h ad a p r ed icam en t t h at gave h im n o
ch oice b u t t o d o t h is.
Ever y p er son w h o w as close t o H u o Yu h ao h ad t h eir ow n d iffer en t t h ou gh t s.

Som e of t h em w er e an gr y, som e w er e r em or sefu l, an d som e w er e p u zzled .
H ow ever , n on e of t h em cou ld t h in k of t h e t r u e r eason w h y H u o Yu h ao h ad
h id d en t h e t r u t h fr om t h em . Bu t , t im e d id n ’t st op for an yon e.
W it h in t h e b lin k of an eye, on e d ay p assed .
W it h in an ot h er b lin k of an eye, t h e secon d d ay en d ed .
It w as fin ally t im e t o r e-en r oll in Sh r ek Acad em y. T h e st u d en t s fr om t h e

var iou s year gr ou p s w er e all r ep or t in g in an d r egist er in g t h eir n am es. T h e
en t r an ce exam s h ad alr ead y en d ed , an d t h e n ew com er s h ad a lr ead y en t er ed t h e
sch ool. H ow ever , t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e ot h er year gr ou p s w er e st ill w ait in g for
t h e com in g ad van cem en t t est .
T h e r egist r at ion p er iod st ar t ed in t h e m or n in g an d w en t on all t h e w ay t ill t h e

aft er n oon b efor e en d in g.
W an g Don g h ad alr ead y com p let ed h is r e-en r ollm en t . Aft er t h at , h e an xiou sly
st ood b y t h e en t r an ce t o Sh r ek Acad em y an d gazed ou t w ar d s, w ait in g.
W hy? W hy hasn’ t he com e back yet ? W hy?
Sh r ek Academ y’ s r ul es w er e ver y st r i n gen t . I f you w er en ’ t abl e t o r egi st er i n

t i m e, you w oul d be f or ced t o l eave t h e sch ool !
T h e sk y gr adual l y dar k en ed, but h e st i l l h adn ’ t r et ur n ed yet .
As W an g Don g l ook ed t ow ar ds t h e di st an ce, h i s gaze w as al r eady som ew h at

dazed. H e w as on l y t w el ve t h i s year , an d h e w as sl i gh t l y youn ger t h an H uo
Yu h ao. Du r in g h is t w elve year s of life, t h is w as t h e fir st t im e h e’d t h ou gh t so
m u ch ab ou t an yon e.
H is legs h a d alr ea d y gon e n u m b aft er st an d in g for so lon g, b u t scen es of h is

act ivit ies an d st u d ies w it h H u o Yu h ao in t h e sam e d or m r oom d u r in g t h e p ast
year float ed u p in h is m in d u n ceasin gly. T h ey h ad gon e t o class t oget h er ,
cu lt ivat ed t oget h er , p ar t icip at ed in t h e fr esh m en assessm en t t oget h er , b ecom e
ch am p ion s t oget h er , eat en r oast ed fish t oget h er , an d com p let ed t h eir fir st year
in Sh r ek Acad em y t o get h er .
I ’ ve al r eady com e back , so w her e ar e you?
T h e sk y gr adual l y t ur n ed dar k , an d t h e sun set l ef t a pal e r ed at t h e edge of t h e

h or i zon . T h e gl ow of t h e sun set w as ver y beaut i f ul , but i t w as un abl e t o
i l l um i n at e t h e h aze i n W an g Don g’ s h ear t .
Lat e, he’ s al r eady l at e. H e’ s al r eady gone past t he r egi st r at i on t i m e. H e w on’ t

m ak e i t , he w on’ t m ak e i t !
Bei Bei , T an g Ya, an d Xi ao Xi ao h ad al so w al k ed over t o t h e academ y’ s

en t r an ce. T h ei r expr essi on s dar k en ed as t h ey l ook ed t ow ar d t h e gr adual l y
di m m i n g sk y.
W an g Don g di dn ’ t even k n ow h ow h e’ d r et ur n ed t o h i s dor m . By t h e t i m e h e

got back , t h e out si de sk y w as com pl et el y bl ack . I n t h e en d, H uo Yuh ao h adn ’ t
m an aged t o m ak e i t back i n t i m e f or h i m t o r egi st er . At t h i s m om en t , h ow ever ,
W an g Don g di dn ’ t bl am e h i m at al l .
As l ong as you can com e back al i ve, t hat ’ s f i ne!
T h e t h i n g h e w as m ost scar ed of w as H uo Yuh ao bei n g bur i ed i n t h e Gr eat

St ar Dou For est ! I f t h at occur r ed, h e w oul dn ’ t even h ave a cor pse t o bur y.
W h i l e t h i n k i n g, W an g Don g sl ow l y sat on H uo Yuh ao’ s bed, w h i ch w as st i l l

cover ed w i t h dust . At t h i s m om en t , h e seem i n gl y f or got about h i s ow n
m ysoph obi a.
H u o Yu h ao, ar e you st ill alive? W an g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t clen ch h is fist s
t igh t ly. H is eyes gr ad u ally r ed d en ed , an d an an xiet y t h at cou ld d r ive on e m ad
ap p ear ed in h is h ear t .
At t h is ver y m om en t , t h e sou n d of r u sh ed foot st ep s sou n d ed ou t fr om t h e

ou t sid e. T h is w as a ccom p an ied b y t h e sou n d s of a p er son ’s som ew h at h eavy
b r eat h in g.
W an g Don g r aised h is h ead , som ew h at st u n n ed . Righ t aft er t h at , a p er son

su d d en ly ch ar ged in sid e w it h a b an g.
“I’m scr ew ed , I’m scr ew ed ! I’m lat e! I r a n over as qu ick ly as I cou ld , b u t I w as

st ill lat e. H ow in t h e w or ld is t h is su p p osed t o b e good !?” T h e you t h w h o r u sh ed
in h ad an an xiou s look on h is face as h e m u t t er ed gloom ily t o h im self. Raisin g
h is h ead t o look at W an g Don g, h e sm iled , “You ’r e b ack ! Is t od ay t h e d ay w h en
r egist r a t ion en d s? I’m scr ew ed , I’m lat e. T h is w on ’t d o, I h a ve t o q u ick ly fin d
T each er Zh ou an d t h in k of a w ay t o go abou t t h is d u r in g t h e n igh t .”
W it h t h at , t h e you t h t u r n ed ar ou n d , ab ou t t o leave.
“H u o-- Yu -- H ao!!!” An ext r em ely lou d scr eech su d d en ly r an g ou t , cau sin g t h e

leavin g H u o Yu h ao t o feel h is b ack sin k . H e felt a lar ge for ce st r ik e h im ,
im m ed iat ely slam m in g h im t o t h e gr ou n d . T h en , h is b ack w a s st r u ck b y a ser ies
of t yp h oon -lik e fist s.
Righ t . W as t h e you t h w h o’d r u sh ed in t o t h e r oom n ot t h e ow n er of t h e em p t y

b ed , H u o Yu h ao? T h ou gh h e’d exh au st ed all of h is en er gy, h e h ad st ill ar r ived
lat e. H e’d sim p ly w ast ed t oo m u ch t im e fu sin g w it h t h e Ice Em p r ess, an d h e
d id n ’t even k n ow h ow m u ch t im e h e h ad act u ally w ast ed . Aft er t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m h elp ed h im ob t ain h is secon d sou l r in g, h e left t h e icy p lain s. Aft er
ask in g som eon e w h at t im e it w as, h e w as st r u ck d u m b . H e d id all h e cou ld t o
r u sh b ack , b u t h e w a s st ill lat e b y a d ay.
“Uh h …” H u o Yu h ao w r ap p ed h is h a n d s ar ou n d h is h ead , feelin g som ew h at

d azed aft er b ein g b eat en u p b y W an g Don g. H e felt t w o soft lu m p s of m eat on
h is b u t t m ovin g n on -st op , cau sin g h is w ear y b u t t ock s t o feel a sen se of
r elaxat ion t h a t d id n ’t feel b ad at all...
“You st ill r em em b er ed t o com e b ack ? You b ast ar d , you st ill r em em b er ed t o

com e b ack ?” A st r eam of t ear s fell fr om W an g Don g’s eyes. T h is w as t h e fir st
t im e h e’d act u ally w or r ied ab ou t som eon e ot h er t h an h is fam ily. T h e in st an t h e
saw H u o Yu h ao, h e felt som et h in g in h is h ear t sh at t er . T h is cau sed h is r ep r essed
em ot ion s t o exp lod e ou t u n con t r ollab ly.
H is fist s gr ad u ally lost t h eir p ow er , an d h e su d d en ly st ar t in g cr yin g w h ile

sit t in g on H u o Yu h a o’s b ack .
H u o Yu h ao w as or igin ally feelin g som ew h at gloom y aft er b ein g b eat en u p b y

W an g Don g, b u t n ow h e w as st r u ck d u m b b y t h e lat t er ’s cr yin g. As h e w as b ein g
p r essed d ow n on t o t h e gr ou n d , h e w asn ’t ab le t o get u p even if h e w an t ed t o. For
a p er iod of t im e, H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel t h at h e w as at a com p let e
loss.
“W an g Don g, w h at ar e you cr yin g for ! W h y’r e you act in g lik e a gir l?” H u o
Yu h ao w as ver y sp eech less.
“Bast ar d , d on ’t you k n ow h ow w or r ied ever yon e is? I even t h ou gh t t h at you ’d

t u r n ed in t o a p ile of sh it fr om a sou l b east in t h e Gr eat St a r Dou For est . W h y’d
you h ave t o lie t o u s an d t ell u s t h at a t each er w as accom p an yin g you t o go k ill
sou l b east s? W h y’d you go b y you r self?”
W an g Don g w as sit t in g on H u o Yu h ao, h is h an d s h old in g on t o h is sh ou ld er s

fir m ly as h e sp ok e an gr ily.
“T h is… t h e t each er s can ’t h ave fou n d ou t , r igh t ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed

som ew h at gu ilt ily.
“W h at a load of r u b b ish . You d id n ’t even com e b ack . Is it even p ossib le for

t h em t o n ot h ave fou n d ou t ?” W an g Don g gn ash ed h is t eet h w it h an ger , it ch in g
t o b it e H u o Yu h ao a few t im es t o ven t h is an ger .
H u o Yu h ao sm iled b it t er ly. “I say, w h y d on ’t you get u p b efor e w e st ar t
t alk in g. You ’r e n ot h eavy, b u t you can ’t ju st k eep p r essin g d ow n on m e lik e
t h at .”
On ly t h en d id W an g Don g r eact . As if h e’d b een elect r ocu t ed , h e sh ot st r a igh t

u p , h is face alr ead y b lu sh in g.
H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed over an d got u p . Lookin g at t h e t ear -filled W an g Don g, h e

k n ew t h a t t h e la t t er h ad b een w or r ied ab ou t h is safet y. H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel
m oved . Scr at ch in g h is h ea d , h e sa id ap ologet ically, “I’m sor r y! I’ve m ad e you
w or r y. I d id n ’t t h in k t h at I’d t ak e t h is lon g. It ’s act u ally b ecau se I lost t r ack of
t im e.”
Aft er w ip in g off h is t ear s, W an g Don g glar ed at h im fier cely. “You lied t o all
of u s. If you d on ’t give m e a logical exp lan at ion t o t h is, w e’r e n ot set t led .”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled m isch ievou sly. “J u st look at you , you look lik e a lit t le
w eep in g w om an . J u st w h er e d id t h e im p osin g m igh t of an assau lt -t yp e sou l
m ast er go t o!”
W an g Don g w as ast on ish ed . T h e t on e of h is voice im m ed iat ely t u r n ed d eep .

“J u st w h o d id you call a lit t le w om an ? Ar en ’t you goin g t o look for T each er
Zh ou ? Qu ick ly go. I’ll follow you . T each er Zh ou ’s also ver y an gr y. You ’d b et t er
p r ay for lu ck .” W h ile sp eak in g, h e p u sh ed H u o Yu h ao o u t t h e d oor in a
som ew h at im p at ien t m an n er .
H u o Yu h ao w as t r u ly an xiou s t o fin d a t ea ch er an d exp lain t h e sit u a t ion . Aft er

all, h e d id n ’t w an t t o get exp elled ju st lik e t h is! T h u s, h e d id n ’t n ot ice h ow
em b ar r assed W an g Don g w as.
Aft er leavin g t h eir d or m , W an g Don g fin ally calm ed d ow n . T h e d im ligh t of

t h e n igh t w as ever yw h er e, an d h e su d d en ly felt p eace of m in d as h e look ed at
H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as in fr on t of h im . At t h is m om en t , all of h is w or r ies h ad
van ish ed fr om t h e face of t h e ear t h . T h e r elease of t h e b aggage fr om h is h ear t
even cau sed h im t o feel t ir ed .
“J u st w h at in t h e w or ld w er e you d oin g? You even lied t o a t each er .” T ak in g

t w o st ep s for w ar d , h e cau gh t u p t o H u o Yu h ao. W an g Don g t h en w alk ed alon g
w it h h im sid e b y sid e.
H u o Yu h ao sm iled b it t er ly, “It ’s h ar d t o exp lain ever yt h in g. I’ll t alk ab ou t it

on ce w e fin d T each er Zh ou . I can ’t exp lain ever yt h in g r igh t n ow .”
W an g Don g said , “In an y case, b e a b it m or e car efu l. I feel t h at b ein g la t e

w on ’t b e m u ch of a p r ob lem . T h ou gh t h e acad em y’s r u les a r e q u it e st r in gen t ,
t h ey’r e m u ch m or e r elaxed for cor e d iscip les lik e u s. In an y case, you ’r e a cor e
d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . Pr ob lem is, you ’ll n ow h ave t o exp lain t h e
r eason w h y you w er e lyin g t o t h e t each er s in or d er t o st op t h em fr om p u r su in g
t h e m at t er . As lon g as T each er Fan Yu an d T each er Zh ou ar e w illin g t o p r ot ect
you , t h er e w on ’t b e an y b ig p r ob lem s. I’m su r e you ’r e aw ar e of T each er Zh ou ’s
t em p er . T each er Fan Yu h asn ’t said an yt h in g ab ou t it , b u t h e’s d efin it ely ver y
w or r ied .”
H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y t h ou gh t of a p lan d u r in g h is jou r n ey b ack . Nod d in g,

h e said , “I’ve t r u ly got a sp ecial r eason for w h y I d id w h at I d id . I b elieve t h ey’ll
d efin it ely u n d er st an d it .”
As t h e t w o con t in u ed t o sp eak , t h ey ar r ived at t h e t each er ’s office ar ea. T h e
t each er s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d w er e livin g w it h in t h e office b lock . T h e low er
floor s w er e t h e office b lock s, w h ile t h e h igh er floor s w er e t h e t each er ’s h om es.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad n ever b een t o Zh ou Yi’s h ou se.

T h u s, t h ey cou ld on ly t r y t h eir lu ck at t h e office.
T h eir lu ck w asn ’t b ad at all; t h e ligh t in Zh ou Yi’s office w as st ill on .
Befor e t h ey’d even r each ed t h e d oor t o Zh ou Yi’s office, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g

Don g h ear d t h e sou n d s of Zh ou Yi’s r oar in g...
“Fan Yu , w h at t h e h eck d id you ju st say t h at b r at H u o Yu h a o w an t ed t o d o?

W e’ve d on e all w e cou ld t o cu lt iva t e h im , b u t h e act u ally lied t o u s an d r an
aw ay. H e h asn ’t even r et u r n ed yet . J u st w h at r eason d o you t h in k h e h a d t o lie
t o u s? Don ’t t ell m e t h at a t each er h elp in g h im t o ob t ain a sou l r in g w on ’t b e
u sefu l t o h im ? I r eally d id n ’t t h in k t h at I’d act u a lly m ak e a m ist ak e. Or igin ally, I
t h ou gh t t h a t h e w as an ext r em ely h on est st u d en t w h o w as w illin g t o w or k h ar d .
I d id n ’t t h in k t h a t h e’d b e an u n gr at efu l b r at lik e t h is. T h is r eally p isses m e off.
Don ’t let m e see h im again . If I d o, I’m goin g t o flay all of h is sk in off.”
H ear in g Zh ou Yi’s w or d s, H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sh iver in st in ct ively.

H e felt h is scalp go n u m b . W it h a som ew h at p lead in g look on h is face, h e look ed
t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
W an g Don g look ed t ow ar d s h im w it h a sm ile t h at w asn ’t a sm ile, t h en m ad e a

gest u r e t h a t said ‘You ’r e on you r ow n n ow ’. Just w ho ask ed you t o l i e t o
ever yone her e? W ho ask ed you t o com e back t oo l at e? Ser ves you r i ght !
Br aci n g h i m sel f , H uo Yuh ao car ef ul l y sh i f t ed t ow ar ds Zh ou Yi ’ s of f i ce. At t h i s

m om en t , Fan Yu’ s voi ce r an g out .
“ Ok ay, st op bei n g so an gr y. Do you t h i n k I ’ m an y l ess an xi ous t h an you?

Don ’ t you k n ow h ow h ar d i t i s t o f i n d an i n h er i t i n g di sci pl e? Yuh ao i s m or e
t al en t ed t h an Cai t ou. Don ’ t you k n ow h ow m uch h ope I ’ ve pl aced on h i m ? Now
t h at h e’s lost , I’m even m or e w or r ied t h an you . Bu t , I feel t h at you ’ve said
som et h in g in cor r ect . Aft er b ein g in con t act w it h h im for so lon g, I u n d er st an d
h im q u it e w ell. T h ou gh h e’s m ad e a lot of p lan s, h e’s a ver y k in d an d st ead y
p er son . H e d efin it ely w on ’t d o an yt h in g silly. Sin ce h e’s lied t o u s in or d er t o go
b y h im self, I b elieve t h at h e d efin it ely h as a r eason for d oin g so. Now , w e ca n
on ly w ait for h im t o com e b ack . T h at w ay, I b elieve t h at h e’ll give u s a logical
exp lan at ion .”
Zh ou Yi u n h ap p ily said , “H e’s alr ead y lat e, so w h at d am n u se is t h er e for h im

t o com e b ack ? W on ’t h e get exp elled an yw ay?”
Fan Yu said , “T h at m igh t n ot b e t h e case. As lon g as h e h as a r eason ab le

exp lan at ion , w e can r eveal t h e fact t h a t h e’s a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t t o let h im r em ain in t h e aca d em y. H is t r ea t m en t as a cor e d iscip le
of you r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t is alr ea d y com in g t o an en d , so h e’ll d efin it ely
b e st r ip p ed of h is p r ivileges if h e can ’t give an ast on ish in g p er for m an ce d u r in g
t h e assessm en t . Sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, w e can ju st r eveal it . In an y case, Dean
Qian ’s alr ead y fallen for ou r t r ick .”
H u o Yu h ao felt m oved as h e list en ed t o t h e h u sb an d -an d -w ife d u o. H e h ad

lied t o h is t each er s, b u t t h ey w er e st ill w or r ied ab ou t h im . An in t en se sen sa t ion
of gu ilt flood ed h is h ear t , an d h e w an t ed t o r eveal t h e t r u t h t o t h em r igh t t h er e.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s fain t voice r an g ou t in h is m in d , “If you d on ’t w an t

t o b e u sed as a gu in ea p ig, you ’d b et t er con t r ol you r m ou t h .”
H u o Yu h ao im m ed ia t ely r egain ed h is sen ses aft er list en in g t o t h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m ’s r em in d er . Righ t ! No m at t er w h at , h e cou ld n ’t r eveal t h e t r u t h . A
m illion year sou l b east , in ad d it ion t o on e of t h e T h r ee Em p er or s of t h e Ext r em e
Nor t h , h a d b ecom e h is in t elligen t sou l r in g. T h is sit u at io n cou ld n ’t even b e
d escr ib ed u sin g t h e w or d ‘ast on ish in g’ an ym or e.
Clen ch in g h is t eet h , H u o Yu h ao q u ick en ed h is foot st ep s, r ea ch in g Zh ou Yi’s

office d oor .
Zh ou Yi’s office d oor w asn ’t sh u t , an d t h er e w as n o lon ger an yb od y left
w it h in t h e t each er ’s office b u ild in gs a t t h is t im e. H u o Yu h ao p eek ed h is h ead in
ju st in t im e for h im t o see an ext r em ely gen t le scen e.
Zh ou Yi d id n ’t h a ve h er m ask on , an d h er b eau t ifu l face w as filled w it h r age.

H ow ever , sh e w as sit t in g on Fan Yu ’s t h igh , w h ile h er h an d s w er e cr ad lin g Fan
Yu ’s n eck . Fan Yu ’s ar m s w er e w r ap p ed a r ou n d h er w aist .
“Cou gh , cough. T each er , T each er Zh ou, I ’ m back .”
Fan Yu an d Zh ou Yi w er e bot h st un n ed by H uo Yuh ao’ s appear an ce. Zh ou Yi

subcon sci ousl y jum ped up f r om Fan Yu’ s t h i gh .
W an g Don g w as r i gh t beh i n d H uo Yuh ao, an d h e w as st un n ed t o t h e poi n t of

bei n g f l abber gast ed by t h i s scen e. T h ough h e’ d h ear d about Zh ou Yi ’ s m ask
f r om H uo Yuh ao, t h i s w as st i l l t h e f i r st t i m e h e’ d seen T each er Zh ou’ s t r ue
appear an ce. Fur t h er m or e, t h i s h ad h appen ed i n a si t uat i on w h er e sh e h adn ’ t
con ceal ed h er sel f at al l .
“ H uo Yuh ao, you st i l l k n ow h ow t o com e back !” Zh ou Yi sh ot t ow ar ds h i m

an gr i l y.
I t h ad t o be sai d t h at H uo Yuh ao w as t r ul y l uck y. T h e f l abber gast ed W an g

Don g subcon sci ousl y bl ur t ed out , “ T each er Zh ou, you’ r e r eal l y pr et t y.”
T h e over bear i n g Zh ou Yi w as st un n ed f or a br i ef m om en t . I n an i n st an t , t h e
f l am es of an ger w i t h i n h er h ear t di m i n i sh ed by over 30%. Pausi n g h er f oot st eps,
sh e gl ar ed f i er cel y at H uo Yuh ao, “ Fol l ow m e i n an d cl ose t h e door .”
At t h i s m om en t , H uo Yuh ao com pl et el y un der st ood w h y Zh ou Yi n or m al l y

h ad t o k eep h er ol d gr an dm a m ask on h er f ace. Not on l y w as sh e beaut i f ul , h er
f aci al f eat ur es w er e ext r em el y gen t l e an d sof t . T h ough sh e w as cur r en t l y f i l l ed
w i t h an ger , i t w as si m pl y t oo h ar d f or h er t o k eep a det er r en t ef f ect up f or t h e
ot h er st uden t s. On t h e con t r ar y, t h e ot h er s w oul d t h i n k t h at sh e w as a beaut y
w h o w as t h r ow i n g a t an t r um .
Fan Yu sat t h er e u n m ovin g, h is gaze fixed on H u o Yu h ao. T h ou gh h e h ad ju st
exon er at ed t h e d iscip le h e w as p r ou d of, cou ld h e t r u ly b e n ot an gr y at all?
Low er in g h is gaze, H u o Yu h ao ob ed ien t ly en t er ed Zh ou Yi’s office. On t h e

ot h er h an d , W an g Don g sh u t t h e d oor aft er en t er in g.
H u o Yu h ao w alk ed u p t o Fan Yu , fallin g t o h is k n ees w it h a “p u t on g”,

“T each er , I’ve d on e w r on g.”
Fan Yu ’s h ear t w as or igin ally filled w it h t h e flam es of an ger . H u o Yu h ao h a d

r et u r n ed , an d h e w a s w ait in g for t h e d iscip le h e w as p r ou d of t o give h im an
exp lan at ion w it h an ext r em ely st er n look on h is face. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao
h ad n ’t given a r ea son t o exon er at e h im self. In st ead , h e’d im m ed iat ely fallen t o
h is k n ees in or d er t o ad m it h is w r on gd oin g. T h e st iff lin es of Fan Yu ’s face
im m ed iat ely soft en ed sligh t ly.
It h ad t o b e said t h a t an y t each er w ou ld b e sligh t ly m or e len ien t t ow ar d s t h e

st u d en t s t h ey w er e fon d of. Zh ou Yi an d Fan Yu w er en ’t an excep t ion t o t h at
case. Zh ou Yi w as ext r em ely st r ict t ow ar d s h er st u d en t s, b u t sh e d id n ’t u t t er a
w or d w it h Fan Yu t h er e. In st ea d , sh e st ood b eh in d Fan Yu , givin g t h e in it iat ive
t o h er h u sb an d .
“W h y?” Fan Yu said in d iffer en t ly.
H u o Yu h ao r aised h is h ead , givin g a r ep ly filled w it h gu ilt , “T each er , I’ve

d on e w r on g. I sh ou ld n ’t h ave lied t o you an d T each er Zh ou . H ow ever , I- I w as
scar ed t h a t you ’d b e w or r ied ab ou t m e. T h at w as w h y I h ad t o con coct a lie
b efor e I cou ld leave. T h is w as b ecau se I w asn ’t even su r e w h et h er I w ou ld b e
ab le t o com e b ack w h en I left .”
H e’d alr ead y t h ou gh t of m an y w ays h e cou ld give t h is ap ology. W it h t h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s h elp , t h er e w er e b a sically n o h oles in h is excu se. H is gu ilt -
filled t on e w asn ’t fa k e, b u t h e cou ld n ’t t ell t h e t r u t h . Regar d less of w h et h er it
w as for h im or h is t w o t each er s, t ellin g t h e t r u t h m igh t n ot n ecessar ily b e a
good t h in g!
“H u h ?” H ear in g H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s, Fan Yu , Zh ou Yi, an d W an g Don g’s
in t er est w er e p iq u ed .
Zh ou Yi cou ld n ’t h elp b u t say, “Is t h er e a n yt h in g t h e acad em y can ’t h elp you

set t le? Did you ab solu t ely h ave t o d o t h is b y you r self? Ar e you t ellin g m e t h at
w e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o h elp you if you ’d t old u s t h e t r u t h ?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead soft ly, “You w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o h elp m e. A

p r ob lem cam e u p w it h m y m ar t ial sou l. T each er Zh ou , d o you r em em b er ?
Du r in g T each er W an g’s class, h e t old u s t h at t h e m ost t er r ifyin g t h in g t o a sou l
m ast er w as t h e sh at t er in g of t h eir m ar t ia l sou l.”
Zh ou Yi w as gr eat ly ast on ish ed , “W h at ? You r m ar t ial sou l…”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed , “W h en t h e sch ool year h ad ju st en d ed , I n ot iced a

p r ob lem w it h m y m ar t ial sou l. I occasion ally felt ab sen t -m in d ed w h en I w as
u sin g m y Sp ir it Eyes, an d t h er e w er e even sign s of m y m ar t ial sou l fr act u r in g.
At t h at t im e, I t h ou gh t ab ou t w h a t T each er W an g said . H e said t h at if a m ar t ial
sou l d id n ’t h ave en ou gh t alen t , an d if a p er son w h o h ad r elat ively low in n at e
sou l p ow er t r ied t o for cefu lly cu lt ivat e, t h er e w as a ver y sm all ch an ce t h at a
m ar t ial so u l cou ld sh at t er . M or eover , t h e sh at t er in g of a m ar t ial sou l w as a
cat ast r op h e t o a sou l m ast er . If t h ey w er e lu ck y, t h ey w ou ld lo se all of t h eir sou l
p ow er , an d t h eir m ar t ial sou l w ou ld sh at t er an d d isap p ear ; if t h ey w er e
u n lu ck y, it cou ld even en d an ger t h eir lives.”
At t h is m om en t , even Fan Yu ’s exp r ession h ad ch an ged . If H u o Yu h ao’s

m ar t ial sou l w as t r u ly sh at t er in g, t h en t h er e w as t r u ly n ot h in g t h at cou ld save
h im . Even a T it led Dou lu o w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o d o an yt h in g.
A m ar t ial sou l w as t h e in t er n al cor e of ever y sou l m ast er . If an y p r ob lem s

ar ose w it h in t h a t in t er n al cor e, t h en n ot even h eaven ly t r easu r es cou ld d o
an yt h in g ab ou t it . T h at w as equ ivalen t t o a d eat h sen t en ce!
“Yu h ao, t h en , you …” Righ t n ow , Fan Yu d id n ’t even car e ab ou t h ow an gr y h e

felt an ym or e; h is voice w as filled w it h co n cer n .
Zh ou Yi said u n h a p p ily, “Sin ce h e’s a b le t o p r op er ly k n eel h er e, t h er e’s
clear ly n ot h in g w r on g an ym or e. Yu h ao, con t in u e.”
H u o Yu h ao said , “Du r in g t h e few d ays b efor e t h e acad em ic year en d ed , t h ose

feelin gs w er e get t in g in cr easin gly clea r er . I w as st ar t in g t o b e afr aid . I w as
afr aid for m y m ar t ial sou l, an d I w as afr aid t h at I’d b e u n ab le t o live u p t o t h e
love you t w o h ave sh ow n m e. I t h ou gh t ab ou t it car efu lly, an d I d ecid ed n ot t o
t ell you t w o ab ou t it . If m y m ar t ial sou l t r u ly sh a t t er ed , t h en t alk in g ab ou t it
w ou ld b e of n o u se; if it d id n ’t sh at t er , I’d d efin it ely com e b ack . T h u s, I lied t o
b ot h of you . I d id n ’t w an t you t o w or r y ab ou t m e.”
“You … w h at can I even say ab ou t you !?” Fan Yu sigh ed . Ben d in g d ow n , h e

p laced h is h an d s u n d er H u o Yu h ao’s ar m p it s an d p r op p ed h im u p . T h is ch ild
w as sim p ly t oo t h ou gh t fu l.
T h e an ger t h at w as or igin ally b et w een Zh ou Yi’s b r ow s h ad eased b y a lar ge

am ou n t . On ly, W an g Don g’s an ger d id n ’t d ecr ease in t h e sligh t est . H e in w ar d ly
t h ou gh t t o h im self, T hi s bast ar d. H e l i ed, and he’ s l yi ng agai n .
H uo Yuh ao’ s l i es coul d get past Zh ou Yi an d Fan Yu, but t h ey coul dn ’ t t r i ck

W an g Don g. T h ey h ad a per f ect m ar t i al soul f usi on , an d t h ey h ad cul t i vat ed
t oget h er just bef or e H uo Yuh ao h ad l ef t t h e academ y. I f an yt h i n g h ad h appen ed
t o h i s m ar t i al soul , W an g Don g w oul d’ ve sen sed i t i m m edi at el y. H ow ever , h e
h adn ’ t f el t an yt h i n g!
At t h i s m om en t h ow ever , W an g Don g coul dn ’ t expose H uo Yuh ao’ s l i es. H e

coul d on l y bur y h i s doubt s i n t h e bot t om of h i s h ear t .
Zh ou Yi sai d, “ T h en h ow ar e you f eel i n g n ow ? Di d t h e si gn s of your m ar t i al

soul sh at t er i n g di sappear ?”
H uo Yuh ao n odded.
Zh ou Yi f ur r ow ed h er br ow s t i gh t l y, “ T h at ’ s al so a pr obl em . Not on l y di d you

ar r i ve l at e, you di dn ’ t even obt ai n a secon d soul r i n g. I ’ m af r ai d t h at t h e
academ y w i l l …”
H uo Yuh ao bl i n k ed, “ T each er Zh ou, I ’ ve got t en m y secon d m ar t i al soul !”
“ H uh ?” Zh ou Yi l ook ed t ow ar ds h i m , ast on i sh ed. Fan Yu i n t er ject ed, “ Let

Yuh ao f i n i sh w h at h e h as t o say.”
H u o Yu h ao said , “W h en I left t h e aca d em y, I felt t h at I d id n ’t r eally h ave
m u ch h op e an ym or e. In ad d it ion t o t h a t , t h er e seem ed t o b e an u n seen for ce
t h at w as gu id in g m e t ow ar d s t h e n or t h . T h e ab sen t -m in d ed n ess fr om m y
m ar t ial sou l w as get t in g in cr easin gly st r on ger , an d I cou ld sen se t h a t m y Sp ir it
Eyes w er e r eleasin g t r aces of ice. It seem ed t o b e gu id in g m e t ow ar d s t h e n or t h .
Un d er an ab sen t -m in d ed st at e lik e t h is, I d id n ’t even k n ow lon g I’d w alk ed for ,
b u t I u n exp ect ed ly ar r ived at a w or ld of ice an d sn ow . T h at p lace w as ver y, ver y
cold , an d I felt t h at I w as goin g t o b e fr ozen alive. H ow ever , t h e sen sat ion of
sh at t er in g com in g fr om m y m ar t ial sou l w as b ecom in g in cr easin gly in t en se, as
t h ou gh it cou ld sh at t er at an y t im e. I d id n ’t r eally k n ow w h a t w as goin g on , b u t
I fain t ed in t h at icy lan d . J u st b efor e I fain t ed , I felt t h at I w asn ’t goin g t o b e
ab le t o w ak e u p again . I d id n ’t k n ow h ow lon g I fain t ed for , b u t it w a s b ecau se of
t h is t h at I cam e b ack lat e.”
Fan Yu an d Zh ou Yi glan ced at each ot h er . T h ou gh t h e ar ea Sh r ek Acad em y

w as in w as get t in g ch illy, it w as st ill lat e sp r in g. If h e sp ok e ab ou t a w or ld of ice
an d sn ow , w asn ’t t h at t h e d esolat e an d u n in h ab it ed Ext r em e Nor t h ?
Un exp ect ed ly, H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t gon e t o t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est ; h e’d gon e
t o a p lace t h at w a s t h at far aw ay. Fu r t h er m or e, it w as even u n d er a sit u a t ion in
w h ich h is m ar t ial sou l t h a t h ad sign s of sh at t er in g w as gu id in g h im . T h is w as
sim p ly t oo fan t ast ica l.
H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed , “By t h e t im e I w ok e u p , it w as st ill d a yt im e. I d id n ’t

k n ow h ow m u ch t im e h ad p assed , b u t m y b od y w as alr ead y bu r ied in t h e sn ow .
W h en I op en ed m y eyes, m y vision w as filled w it h a d ar k w h it e ob ject . I t h ou gh t
t h at I w as alr ead y d ead , b u t I r ealized t h at som et h in g w a sn ’t r igh t aft er a
m om en t . T h e con d it ion of m y b od y w as st ill ver y n or m al, an d I cou ld even sen se
t h e flow of m y sou l p ow er . Fu r t h er m or e, m y Sp ir it Eyes h ad com p let ely
st ab ilised ; t h ey n o lon ger h ad an y p r ob lem s.”
“I clim b ed ou t fr om t h e sn ow , ast on ish ed . On ly t h en d id I r ealise t h at I w as

st ill in m y or igin al locat ion . M or e ast on ish in gly, an ext r a b u r st of p ow er seem ed
t o b e w it h in m y b od y. I fou n d a d ead scor p ion t h at w as lon ger t h an a m et er n ear
m y b od y. It s en t ir e b od y w as p u r e w h it e, w h ile it s t a il w as jad e-gr een . T h er e
w er e m an y cr yst allin e ob ject s on t h e su r face of it s sh ell, an d t h ou gh it w as
alr ead y d ead , I cou ld st ill sen se h ow p ow er fu l it w a s.”
“An Ice J ad e Scor p ion ?” Zh ou Yi t ook a d eep b r eat h , w h ile Fan Yu ’s eyes w er e
filled w it h ast on ish m en t .
W an g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask , “T each er Zh ou , w h a t ’s an Ice J ad e

Scor p ion ?”
Zh ou Yi said , “It ’s a n ext r em ely st r on g sou l b east t h at lives in t h e Ext r em e

Nor t h . T h ey h ave an en or m ou s p op u lat ion , an d t h ey’r e t h e t r u e r u ler s of t h at
b it t er ly cold lan d . T h ey p ossess an u lt im a t e ice at t r ib u t e, an d n or m ally
sp eak in g, t h ey on ly live w it h in t h e cor e r egion s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . Even t o
u s sou l m a st er s, t h a t ar ea is a for b id d en p lace. It is a t r u ly for b id d en ar ea t o
h u m an s. Even T it led Dou lu o-r an k ed exp er t s w ou ld n ’t d a r e t o easily t r ead
w it h in t h at ext r em ely cold p lace. Yu h ao, you w er e act u ally ab le t o su r v ive aft er
en cou n t er in g an Ice J ad e Scor p ion .”
Or igin ally, Zh ou Yi an d Fan Yu st ill h ad som e d ou b t s t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s

w or d s. H ow ever , t h eir su sp icion s im m ed iat ely d r op p ed b y a lar ge am ou n t aft er
H u o Yu h ao d escr ib ed t h e ap p ear an ce of t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion . T h ou gh t h er e
w er e a lar ge n u m b er of sou l b east s w it h in t h e Ext r em e N or t h , h u m a n sou l
m ast er s w ou ld r ar ely h ave t h e ch an ce t o en cou n t er t h em . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e
ou t er cou r t yar d h ad n ever t au gh t t h em an yt h in g ab ou t t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion
fr om Year 1 t o Year 6. If h e h ad n ’t t r u ly seen an Ice J ad e Scor p ion , h ow w ou ld
H u o Yu h ao b e ab le t o d escr ib e a sou l b ea st lik e it ?
H u o Yu h ao said , “I d on 't k n ow h ow I d id it , b u t w h en I d iscover ed som e

en er gy in sid e of it s b od y, I t r ied t o in t er act w it h it u sin g m y sou l for ce. In t h e
en d ...”
W it h t h at , H u o Yu h ao slow ly r aised h is h an d s. A t r ace of w h it e ligh t fla sh ed

t h r ou gh h is or igin a lly d eep -b lu e eyes, a n d t h e t em p er at u r e in Zh ou Yi’s office
d r op p ed r igh t aft er t h at .
T h e st r on g ch illin ess cau sed even W an g Don g t o in volu n t ar ily sh iver
in st in ct ively. Fan Yu an d Zh ou Yi clear ly saw a t r an slu cen t an d sp ar k lin g lu st er
on H u o Yu h ao’s h an d s, as if h e w as w ear in g a set of d iam on d gloves t h at h ad a
m ovin g r ad ian ce t o t h em . T h e t em p er at u r e w it h in t h e office d r op p ed su d d en ly.
Fan Yu cou ld n o lon ger sit ; h e su d d en ly st ood u p . As h e look ed at H u o Yu h ao,

h e u n con sciou sly w id en ed h is eyes. Righ t aft er t h a t , t h e t w o of t h em saw a
p u r p le sou l r in g slow ly r ise fr om H u o Yu h ao’s feet . It w as a h alo t h at flick er ed
w it h a n ob le p u r p le, an d it slow ly u n d u lat ed r h yt h m ica lly ar ou n d H u o Yu h ao’s
b od y.
“A t h ou san d year sou l r in g!” W an g Don g cr ied ou t im m ed iat ely.
Pu r p le, d id n ’t t h at r ep r esen t a t h ou san d year sou l r in g? H ow ever , h ow w as

t h at p ossib le? J u st w h at sit u at ion w as t h is!?
H u o Yu h ao qu ick ly t ook off h is jack et an d r em oved h is sh ir t , r evealin g h is

n ak ed u p p er b od y.
“Ah --” Becau se W a n g Don g w as st an d in g r igh t b eh in d h im , h e w as ab le t o

in st an t ly see t h e sp a r k lin g t at t oo of t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion . T h e v ivid
an d lifelik e p or t r ayal of t h e en or m ou s scor p ion gave h im a ju m p .
H u o Yu h ao slow ly t u r n ed ar ou n d , sh ow in g h is b ack t o Fan Yu an d Zh ou Yi.
Du r in g t h e jou r n ey b ack , w h en h e a n d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad got t en t o

t h is p oin t , H u o Yu h ao h ad ask ed h im w h et h er t h e t each er s w ou ld n ot ice t h at
t h e Ice Em p r ess’ t at t oo w as d iffer en t w h en com p ar ed t o or d in ar y Ice J ad e
Scor p ion s.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m t h en r ep lied u sin g t h e sim p lest w or d s it co u ld ,

“Ot h er t h an you , ever y h u m an w h o h as seen t h e Ice Em p r ess h as d ied !”
“T h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion , it ’s r eally t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion ! Yu h ao, you , you ,
t h is… t h is is im p ossib le!” Zh ou Yi’s eyes w er e filled w it h a look of
in con ceivab ilit y, as w as Fan Yu . T h e h u sb an d -a n d -w ife d u o look ed at H u o
Yu h ao as if t h ey w er e look in g at a m on st er .
Aft er p u t t in g h is clot h es b ack on , H u o Yu h ao w it h d r ew h is m ar t ial sou l an d

st ood t h er e ob ed ien t ly, “T each er , T each er Zh ou , I d on ’t u n d er st an d w h at
h ap p en ed eit h er . Can t h e t w o of you exp lain t h is d ou b t of m in e? In an y case,
I’m n o lon ger afr aid of t h e cold aft er I ob t ain ed t h is p ow er . It seem s a s t h o u gh
I’ve alr ead y b ecom e a p ar t of t h at w or ld of ice an d sn ow .”
Su d d en ly, Zh ou Yi’s eyes lit u p . Sh e look ed t ow ar d s Fan Yu , “Do you t h in k it ’s

r elat ed t o h is Bod y Sou l? Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes sh ou ld b e a Bod y Sou l. I’ve h ear d
T each er W an g Yan say t h at p ow er fu l Bod y Sou l sou l m ast er s w ill h ave a secon d
aw ak en in g of t h eir m ar t ial sou l. If t h at ’s t r u ly t h e case, alt h ou gh t h e sit u at ion
h e’s in r igh t n ow seem s ext r aor d in ar y, it isn ’t fu lly u n exp lain ab le. W h y d on ’t I
go fin d W an g Yan n ow an d ask h im ab ou t it ?”
Zh ou Yi w as alw ays t h e t yp e of p er son w h o w ou ld act im m ed iat ely. J u st as

sh e said t h at sh e w a s ab ou t t o leave, Fan Yu gr ab b ed h er b y t h e ar m , “No, you
can ’t go. Qu iet d ow n a lit t le. If you let W an g Yan k n ow ab ou t t h is, d o you t h in k
t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t w ill let Yu h ao go?”
Zh ou Yi w as st u n n ed . As sh e look ed t ow ar d s t h e d et er m in ed gaze in Fan Yu ’s

eyes, sh e im m ed iat ely u n d er st ood w h at h e m ean t . Sh e r em ain ed silen t aft er
t h at .
Fan Yu sat b ack d ow n , t h en look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h a o, “Yu h ao, t h is

sit u a t ion t h at ’s occu r r ed t o you is an ext r em ely r ar e occu r r en ce am on g u s sou l
m ast er s. T h is is t h e fir st t im e w e’ve en cou n t er ed a sit u at ion lik e t h is. T h er efor e,
w e’r e u n ab le t o give you a fu ll exp lan at ion . H ow ever , accor d in g t o ou r
est im at ion s, it sh ou ld b e som et h in g r elat ed t o you r m ar t ia l sou l. Bo d y Sou ls
h ave alw ays b een an ext r em ely m yst er iou s exist en ce. T h er e’s a m yst er iou s sect
w it h in t h e con t in en t called t h e Bod y Sect , an d t h ey’ve alw ays b een d oin g t h eir
b est t o collect a n d cu lt ivat e sou l m ast er s w h o p ossess Bod y Sou ls. Per h ap s
t h ey’r e t h e on ly p eop le w h o cou ld u n d er st an d w h a t ’s h ap p en ed t o you r b od y.
T each er can t ell you t h at t h is isn ’t a b ad t h in g. Fr om w h at you ’ve sh ow n u s, you
sh ou ld h ave a seco n d m ar t ial sou l n ow . M or eover , t h is m ar t ial sou l h as a
t h ou san d year sou l r in g. It cou ld ’ve b een given t o you b y t h e d ead Ice J ad e
Scor p ion you fou n d b esid e you . As for w h y you w er e ab le t o ob t ain an Ice J ad e
Scor p ion as you r secon d m ar t ia l sou l, w e can ’t exp lain t h is. H ow ever , t h is is
ab solu t ely a good t h in g for you . T h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion r an k s a m on g t h e ap ex of
assau lt -t yp e m ar t ial sou ls b elon gin g t o t h e ice at t r ib u t e, a n d it ’ll h ave ext r em ely
lar ge b en efit s t ow ar d s you r fu t u r e cu lt ivat ion . Do you u n d er st an d w h at I’m
sayin g?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed , “T each er , t h en w h at sh ou ld I d o n ow ?”
Fan Yu said , “Let m e set t le t h e issu e of you b ein g lat e. I’ll for m ally an n ou n ce
t h e fact t h a t you ’r e a cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . In ad d it ion
t o t h at , I’ll give a r ep or t t o t h e acad em y t h at t h e r eason w h y you w er e lat e w as
b ecau se you w er e h elp in g m e com p let e a t ask I assign ed t o you . H ow ever , if w e
d o it lik e t h is, you w on ’t b e ab le t o b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial So u l
Dep ar t m en t in t h e fu t u r e. T each er isn ’t w illin g t o for ce you , so you ’ll h ave t o
m ak e a ch oice b y yo u r self. H ow ever , I can gu ar an t ee you t h at t h e m om en t t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t d iscover s t h at you ’r e a t w in -sou led sou l m ast er w h o
h as a t h ou san d year sou l r in g as you r secon d m ar t ial sou l’s fir st sou l r in g, t h ey
w on ’t exp el you . Becau se of t h is, you h ave t o d ecid e b y you r self w h et h er you
w an t t o st u d y alon gsid e m e or r em a in in t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t as a cor e
d iscip le.”
“As for you r fu t u r e cu lt ivat ion , I p er son ally b elieve t h at you sh ou ld focu s on
you r Sp ir it Eyes r egar d less of w h et h er you st ay in t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t
or fu lly t r an sfer t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . T h e gr ea t est ad van t age of t w in
m ar t ial sou ls lies in t h e fact t h a t you can ad d sou l r in gs t o you r secon d m ar t ia l
sou l on ce you r cu lt ivat ion ’s st r on g en ou gh . At t h at t im e, t h e ad van t age of a
t w in -sou led sou l m a st er can b e fu lly d isp layed . H ow ever , you ’ve alr ead y w alk ed
t h e p at h of you r Sp ir it Eyes, so it ’d b e bet t er for you t o n ot easily ch an ge you r
st yle of figh t in g. Ea r lier , you said t h at you ’d ob t ain ed a secon d sou l sk ill for
you r Sp ir it Eyes. Sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, you sh ou ld con t in u e t o cu lt iva t e you r
Sp ir it Eyes, an d n ot t h is n ew m ar t ial sou l you ’ve ju st ob t ain ed . It ’s st r an ge h ow
you ob t ain ed t h is n ew m ar t ia l sou l, so w e sh ou ld ob ser ve it for a b it m or e b efor e
d oin g an yt h in g. Let u s see you r secon d sou l r in g fir st .”
Chapt er 46.1: The Spir it Eyes' Second Soul Skill
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed . A p ale gold en ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh h is eyes as h e

r eleased h is Sp ir it Eyes. W h en h e d id , a w h it e an d p u r p le sou l r in g r ose u p fr om
h is feet .
Ast on ish m en t on ce again ap p ear ed on Fan Yu , Zh ou Yi, a n d W an g Don g’s

faces,
A t h ou san d year sou l r in g, an ot h er t h ou san d year sou l r in g. T h e secon d sou l

r in g of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes w as act u ally an ot h er t h ou san d year sou l r in g.
J u st w h at h a d h e d on e d u r in g t h e p ast m on t h !? Un d er a sit u at ion in w h ich h e
d id n ’t even h ave a sin gle at t ack in g sou l sk ill, h e’d act u a lly ob t ain ed a t h ou san d
year sou l r in g. T h is w as sim p ly t oo in con ceivab le.
“A t h ou san d year sou l r in g? You , h ow d id you r b od y en d u r e it ?” A p u zzled

look filled Zh ou Yi’s face, “If it w as alr ead y som ew h at fish y t h at you w er e ab le
t o ob t ain a sou l r in g for you r secon d m ar t ial sou l, ju st h ow in t h e w or ld d id you
get t h at t h ou san d year sou l r in g for you r Sp ir it Eyes? Don ’t t ell m e t h a t you also
got it aft er sleep in g for a w h ile. If t h at ’s t h e case, I’ll go r u n t o t h e Nor t h an d
sleep t h er e ever y d ay.”
Som ew h at em b ar r assed , H u o Yu h ao said , “I d id n ’t get it ju st b y sleep in g. I

k illed a sou l b east , t h en d iscover ed t h at it h ad a sp ir it u al a t t r ib u t e t o it . Aft er
t h at , I ab sor b ed it s sou l r in g. I d id n ’t even k n ow t h at it w as a t h ou san d year sou l
r in g. As for w h y I cou ld en d u r e it , it seem s t o b e b ecau se I’ve ob t ain ed a so u l
b on e…”
T h e t r io’s facial m u scles t w it ch ed sim u lt an eou sly.
T w o t h ou san d year sou l r in gs an d a sou l b on e? Did H u o Yu h ao fall in t o a

t r easu r y?
Fan Yu said , “Car efu lly exp lain ever yt h in g t o u s. J u st w h a t in t h e w or ld
h ap p en ed ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed ob ed ien t ly. “I r eally got t h at sou l b on e aft er w ak in g u p . It

seem s t o b e r elat ed t o t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion ; it ’s a t or so bon e. I d iscover ed t h at
aft er I p ou r sou l p ow er in t o m y b ack bon e, I can em it an ext r em ely in t en se
ch illin ess. H ow ever , t h is can on ly b e m ain t ain ed for a ver y sh or t t im e b efor e m y
sou l p ow er ’s fu lly d r ain ed . Aft er k illin g t h at sou l b east , I d ir ect ly st ar t ed t o
ab sor b it . T h is w a s b ecau se I d id n ’t k n ow it w as a t h ou san d year on e. By t h e
t im e I n ot iced t h at t h e sou l r in g com in g fr om it s b od y w as a p u r p le on e, it w as
t oo lat e. In t h e en d , I fin ish ed ab sor b in g it w it h ou t feelin g m u ch p ain . Cou ld it
b e b ecau se t h e sou l b on e st r en gt h en ed m y p h ysiqu e?”
Zh ou Yi n od d ed . “It ’s p ossib le. T ell u s t h e im p or t an t p ar t of t h is st or y; t ell u s

h ow you k illed t h at t h ou san d year sou l b east . Even t h r ee-r in ged st u d en t s m igh t
n ot b e ab le t o easily k ill a t h ou san d year sou l b east , b u t you w er e on ly a on e-
r in ged Sou l M ast er a t t h at t im e.”
H u o Yu h ao said , “T h e sou l b east I en cou n t er ed w as ver y st r an ge. W h en I fir st

b u m p ed in t o it , it w as a fier ce, sn ow -w h it e t iger . It seem ed ext r aor d in ar ily
st r on g, an d I k n ew t h at it w asn ’t som et h in g t o b e t r ifled w it h at fir st glan ce. I
d id n ’t even h ave an y t h ou gh t s of figh t in g w it h it ! T h u s, I t u r n ed ar ou n d an d r an
aw ay. Aft er I r an a lon g d ist an ce aw ay, I t u r n ed ar ou n d . I d iscover ed t h at it
h ad n ’t ch ased aft er m e; it w a s on ly look in g at m e. At t h at t im e, I felt t h a t it w a s
ver y st r a n ge, as t iger -t yp e sou l b east s ar e ext r em ely aggr essive. T h is p oin t w as
esp ecially em p h asized d u r in g ou r classes. H ow ever , w h y d id n ’t it t ak e t h e
in it iat ive t o at t ack m e? Becau se of t h a t , I m u st er ed som e cou r age t o qu iet ly
r et u r n an d ob ser ve it . In t h e en d , I d isco ver ed t h a t t h e t iger w as st ill look in g at
m e, b u t it d id n ’t h a ve an y in t en t ion s of m ak in g a m ove. T h en , I t r ied u sin g a
lon g-r an ge sou l t ool t o at t ack it . Bu t , w h o w ou ld ’ve p r ed ict ed t h at t h e t iger ’s
b od y w ou ld su d d en ly t u r n illu sor y, cau sin g m y at t ack t o m iss? Righ t aft er t h at ,
it ch ar ged t ow ar d s m e.”
“At t h at t im e, I felt t h at I w as d efin it ely scr ew ed . I d id n ’t even h ave en ou gh
t im e t o r egr et m y act ion s, an d I r an aw a y again . H ow ever , t h at t iger w as m u ch
fast er t h an m e. W it h in a few m om en t s, it cau gh t u p t o m e an d p ou n ced t ow ar d s
m e viciou sly. Pan ick ed , I r eleased t h at Scor p ion m ar t ial sou l a n d b lock ed it w it h
m y h an d . M y b od y san k , an d I fell d ow n . Becau se I t h ou gh t t h at I w as fin ish ed , I
su b con sciou sly gr ab b ed t h e t h r oat of t h at t iger . T h a t w h it e t iger also at t ack ed
m e, an d it even r eleased a sp ir it u al at t ack . H ow ever , I h ad m y Sp ir it Eyes!
T h ou gh I felt w aves of d izzin ess fr om it s sp ir it u al at t ack , I d id n ’t su ffer an y r eal
in ju r ies. By t h e t im e I w ok e u p fr om it s sp ir it u al at t ack , I d iscover ed t h at t h e
sou l b east I’d gr ab b ed w as act u a lly n ot t h e w h it e t iger ; in st ead , it ’d t u r n ed in t o
an en or m ou s w or m . It w as a fu ll m et er lon g, an d it s en t ir e b od y w as sn ow -w h it e
an d t r an slu cen t . Oh , r igh t . It w as ju st lik e an esp ecially lar ge silk w or m . Aft er
u sin g t h a t Scor p ion m ar t ial sou l, I felt t h at I’d b ecom e ext r aor d in ar ily st r on g.
T h at lar ge silk w or m seem ed t o h ave b een cr u sh ed t o d ea t h b y m e. I d id n ’t t h in k
m u ch of it t h en . Aft er all, sp ir it u a l-t yp e sou l b east s ar en ’t easy t o fin d in t h e
fir st p lace. Sin ce I w as ab le t o b u m p in t o on e, I h u r r ied ly ab sor b ed it . T h en , I
ob t ain ed t h is t h ou sa n d year sou l r in g.”
W an g Don g ask ed , su sp iciou s, “W h at you ’r e sayin g is t oo far fet ch ed . W h y

w as it a t iger , t h en a lar ge silk w or m all of a su d d en ?”
H u o Yu h ao gave a m yst er iou s sm ile, “Or igin ally, I t h ou gh t t h e sam e as you .

H ow ever , I u n d er st o od ever yt h in g aft er t r yin g ou t t h e n ew sou l sk ill I ob t ain ed .
T each er s, p lease t ak e a look at t h is.”
W it h t h at , t h e h in t of gold en ligh t in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes su d d en ly in t en sified .

In st an t ly, t h e p u r p le sou l r in g ar ou n d h im b lossom ed w it h a d azzlin g ligh t . H e
q u ick ly t ook a st ep b ack w ar d s, ar r ivin g n ext t o W an g Don g. Righ t aft er t h at ,
Fan Yu an d Zh ou Yi ast on ish ed ly d iscover ed t h at t h er e w er e u n exp ect ed ly t w o
W an g Don g’s in fr on t of t h em ; t h er e w as n o lon ger a H u o Yu h ao.
T u r n in g t ow ar d s t h e ‘W an g Don g’ b esid e h im , W an g Don g w as im m ed iat ely

gob sm ack ed , “T h is, w h at is t h is sk ill?”
A d ist or t ed h alo of ligh t flick er ed sligh t ly on ‘W an g Don g’s b od y, an d h e
t u r n ed b ack in t o H u o Yu h ao. Righ t aft er t h a t , H u o Yu h ao r evealed an ot h er
ast on ish in g scen e. T h e r h yt h m ica lly u n d u la t in g sou l r in gs ar ou n d h is b od y
t r an sfor m ed yet again .
T h e or igin ally w h it e an d p u r p le sou l r in gs in st an t ly t r an sfor m ed in t o t w o

b lood -r ed sou l r in gs w h ich w er e filled w it h a t er r ifyin g au r a . T h e p r essu r e t h a t
su d d en ly ap p ear ed cau sed even Fan Yu an d Zh ou Yi t o su b con sciou sly r elease
t h eir ow n sou l r in gs w h ile qu ick ly r et r eat in g b ack w ar d s.
“H u n d r ed , h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs?” W an g Don g b lu r t ed ou t

in volu n t ar ily. H is r eact ion w asn ’t as violen t as t h ose of t h e t w o t each er s. T h e
m ar t ial sou l fu sion t h at h e h ad w it h H u o Yu h ao cau sed h im t o b e u n ab le t o
sen se an y d an ger fr om t h e t w o h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs.
T h e ligh t s ch an ged yet again , an d t h e t w o t er r ifyin g b lood -r ed sou l r in gs

t r an sfor m ed again . T h is t im e ar ou n d , t h ey t u r n ed in t o a w eak w h it e color t h at
r ep r esen t ed t h e w h it e of a t en year sou l r in g.
T h e gap b et w een a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g an d a t en year sou l r in g

w as qu it e lar ge.
H u o Yu h ao sm iled m isch ievou sly. “T h is is m y all-n ew sp ir it u al-t yp e sk ill; m y

t h ou san d year sou l sk ill: Im it at ion . By u sin g m y sp ir it u al u n d u lat ion s, it can
b en d sp ace an d allow m e t o im it at e var iou s sh ap es. H ow ever , t h e r an ge of m y
Im it at ion can ’t exceed a d iam et er of t h r ee m et er s. Im it at ion gives m e an ot h er
sp ecial ab ilit y--t h a t is, t h e ab ilit y t o ch an ge t h e color of m y sou l r in g as I w ish .
T h ou gh it d oesn ’t p ossess an y at t ack in g ab ilit ies, it sh ou ld b e q u it e u sefu l if I
u se it w ell.”
Righ t , t h is w as t h e secon d sou l sk ill of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes. T h e st or y

h e’d ju st t old w asn ’t a fu ll lie; t h e w ay h e’d ob t ain ed t h is secon d sou l r in g
w asn ’t m u ch d iffer en t fr om h ow h e’d n ar r at ed it . On ly, t h e Icew or m h e’d k illed
h ad b een fou n d b y t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m . M or eover , it w as t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m w h o’d exp osed t h e ot h er Icew or m ’s illu sor y im it at ion .
T h e r ace t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as m ost fam iliar w it h w as u n d ou b t ed ly h is
ow n r ace! T h is Im it at ion sk ill seem ed p ow er less, b u t it w as t h e Icew or m ’s b est
life-p r ot ect in g m easu r e. T h is sk ill w as esp ecially im p or t an t t o t h e cu r r en t H u o
Yu h ao. W it h h is Im it at ion , h e cou ld ar b it r ar ily ch an ge t h e color s of h is sou l
r in gs, allow in g h im t o r eveal t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s fir st sou l sk ill
w it h ou t b ein g scar ed of an yt h in g. T h is w as also w h y t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess
Scor p ion ’s sou l r in g h ad b een p u r p le w h en it h ad ap p ear ed ear lier .
“Nice, n ice im it a t ion .” In w h at w as p r act ically an in st an t , Fan Yu ’s eyes lit

u p . As a p ow er fu l sou l en gin eer , h e im m ed iat ely t h ou gh t of a few effect ive u ses
of t h is sk ill w it h in t h e d om ain of sou l en gin eer s. M or e im p or t an t ly, h e cou ld
con ceal H u o Yu h ao’s ab ilit ies t o an even gr eat er d egr ee w it h t h is sk ill!
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao w as ast on ish ed as w ell. T h is w as b ecau se of t h e

n u m b er of sou l r in gs su r r ou n d in g T each er Fan Yu .
T h er e w er e t w o yellow r in gs, t w o p u r p le r in gs, an d fou r b lack r in gs, t o t allin g

eigh t sou l r in gs. T h e m er ely for t y-or -so year -old t each er w as u n exp ect ed ly a
p ow er fu l Sou l Dou lu o, an eigh t -r in ged Sou l Dou lu o! W it h h is t each er ’s age, it
w asn ’t an im p ossib ilit y for h im t o ch ar ge t ow ar d s t h e T it led Dou lu o r ealm .
Fan Yu sp ok e w it h a low voice. “Yu h ao, T each er n eed s you t o give m e an

an sw er r igh t n ow . W ill you ch oose t o r em ain in t h e M ar t ial So u l Dep ar t m en t , or
w ill w e an n ou n ce t h at you ar e a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ?”
W it h ou t an y h esit at ion at all, H u o Yu h a o k n elt d ow n again . Resp ect fu lly, h e

said , “A t each er for on e d ay, a fat h er for ever . T each er , I am w illin g t o con t in u e
st u d yin g sou l t ools w it h you .”
“Good , good .” Fan Yu w as over joyed . St ep p in g for w ar d , h e p r op p ed H u o

Yu h ao u p . “Good ch ild . Sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, you r t each er h as t o issu e you a
com m an d . Sin ce yo u h ave t h is sou l sk ill, you sh ou ld u se it . Fr om n ow on ,
r egar d less of w h et h er you ar e p ar t icip a t in g in t h e acad em y’s assessm en t s or
in t er act in g w it h t h e ot h er st u d en t s, you h ave t o u se you r Im it at ion t o ch an ge
t h e color of you r sou l r in gs t o w h it e.” W it h t h at , t h e h in t of a n au gh t y sm ile
ap p ear ed in h is eyes.
Zh ou Yi said u n h a p p ily, “Ar e you t each in g h im h ow t o eat a t iger b y

d isgu isin g h im self as a p ig?”
Fan Yu sm iled sligh t ly, “Is t h er e an yt h in g b ad ab ou t t h at ? T h ose old fellas

fr om you r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ar e each sh r ew d er t h an t h e ot h er . If t h ey
w er e t o lear n t h e t r u t h , w ou ld t h ey n ot t r y t o st eal h im fr om u s?”
Zh ou Yi ask ed , d ou b t fu l, “Did n ’t Dean Qian w in h is b et w it h Dean Yan ?

W ou ld Dean Qian r en ege on h is d eal?”
Fan Yu lau gh ed cold ly. “Is t h er e an yt h in g h e w on ’t d o? In fr on t of an

ou t st an d in g st u d en t , w h at d o b et s cou n t for ? Even if Dean Yan alw ays h as a
solem n ap p ear an ce, h e can t w ist h is w or d s fr om b lack t o w h it e for t h e sak e of
t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s st r en gt h . You ’ve alw ays t h ou gh t t h at Dean Qian
w as ver y cr aft y, r igh t ? Bu t , Dean Qian is st ill a w ays off fr om Dean Yan . Cau t ion
is alw ays t h e p at h t o safet y. W an g Don g, you h ave t o k eep t h is a secr et as w ell.
Ot h er w ise, you ’ll b e m ak in g en em ies, even w it h in ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
Let ’s d o it t h is w ay; you t w o can go b ack t o you r d or m s fir st , an d let m e t ak e
car e of t h is m at t er . Yu h ao, you ’ll h ave t o r em ain in t h e M ar t ia l Sou l
Dep ar t m en t an d lea r n som e fou n d at ion al k n ow led ge u n t il you gr ad u at e fr om
Year 3, at t h e ver y least . Becau se of t h is, even if I an n ou n ce t h e fact t h at you ’r e a
cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , you can ’t b e ar r ogan t . You h a ve t o
con t in u e lear n in g in a st ead fast m an n er in t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t .”
“Yes, T each er .”
T h is or d eal cou ld b e con sid er ed t o h ave b een cr ossed . H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t

h elp b u t in w a r d ly let ou t a lon g sigh .
Fan Yu r u sh ed ou t t h e d oor , w h ile Zh ou Yi b r ou gh t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g

Don g b ack t o t h eir d or m r oom an d t old t h em t o r ep or t t o Year 2’s Class 1
t om or r ow m or n in g t o t ak e t h e ad van cem en t t est . It d id n ’t m at t er h ow Fan Yu
h an d led t h in gs; H u o Yu h ao w ou ld st ill h ave t o t ak e t h e ad va n cem en t t est . If a
st u d en t w asn ’t ab le t o p ass t h eir ad van cem en t t est , n ot even t h e d ean w ou ld b e
cap ab le of allow in g t h at st u d en t t o r em ain ; t h e r u les w er en ’t so easily ch an ged .
On ce Zh ou Yi left , H u o Yu h ao let ou t a sigh of r elief. H e’d r u sh ed t h e en t ir e

w ay t o t h e acad em y, an d w as ext r em ely t ir ed . H e d id n ’t even w ip e h is b ed off
b efor e h e laid d ow n on it an d st r et ch ed h is b od y.
W an g Don g an gr ily said , “H u o Yu h ao, get u p .”
“W h at d o you w an t !? You can ’t b e d iligen t en ou gh t o t h e p oin t t h at you ’ll

d r ag m e in t o cu lt ivat in g w it h you as w ell, r igh t ? J u st for get ab ou t it for t od ay,
I’m exh au st ed . Let m e sleep .” Aft er sp eak in g, h e r olled over , an d alm ost
in st an t ly b egan t o sn or e.
W an g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t b e st ar t led w h en h e saw t h is. H ow coul d t hi s

guy just f al l asl eep l i k e t hi s?
Despi t e w h at h e’ d sai d, h e’ d st i l l com e back i n t h e en d, an d h ad even becom e

a t w i n -soul ed soul m ast er i n t h e pr ocess. H ow ever , a m i st seem ed t o sur r oun d
h i m ; w h at sor t of per son w as H uo Yuh ao?
Or i gi n al l y, H uo Yuh ao h ad just been an or ph an t o W an g Don g, but n ow i t

seem ed t h at H u Yuh ao h ad ch an ged. An ai r of m yst er y sur r oun ded h i m . H i s
st or y w as ext r em el y bi zar r e an d n i gh un bel i evabl e, but t h e f act s st i l l st ood: H e
n ow h ad t w i n m ar t i al soul s an d t w o t h ousan d year spi r i t r i n gs. W i t h t h ese f act s
bef or e t h em , h i s bi zar r e st or y r eal l y di dn ’ t seem t o h ave an y f l aw s at al l . T h e
on ly p er son w h o k n ew h e w as lyin g w as W an g Don g; t h er e w as n o w ay t h a t h is
sou l w ou ld sh ow sign s of sh at t er in g! Cou ld it b e t h at h e h ad n ’t n ot iced it
b ecau se h e w as h allu cin at in g?
In t h e en d , even t h ou gh h is m in d w as fu ll of d ou b t , W an g Don g st ill d ecid ed

n ot t o w ak e H u o Yu h ao. H e sat d ow n on h is b ed , st ill cover ed w it h a fu r m at ,
an d t h ou gh t , For get i t , doesn’ t ever yone have a f ew secr et s? Am I not t he sam e?
W hy shoul d I be so i nqui si t i ve? At l east t he si ncer i t y he show s t ow ar ds m e
hasn’ t changed, an d t hat ’ s enough f or m e.
On ce h i s t h ough t s r each ed t h i s poi n t , W an g Don g coul dn ’ t h el p but r eveal

si gn s of f at i gue on hi s f ace. Even t hi s vi l l ai n i s asl eep. W hy shoul d I cul t i vat e i f
he’ s sl eepi ng? I ’ m goi ng t o sl eep as w el l ! H e qui ck l y l ay dow n an d pul l ed t h e
qui l t over h i m . H ow ever , h e soon got up, t ook an ot h er qui l t f r om h i s st or age
soul t ool , an d cover ed H uo Yuh ao w i t h i t .
“ W h en I get up t om or r ow , I n eed t o w ash t h ese sh eet s… H m ph , your bed’s

cover ed i n dust . I ’ l l gi ve you t h e m at l at er .” W h en h e cam e back , h e’ d m ade sur e
t o br i n g an ot h er set of beddi n g w i t h h i m .
Af t er doi n g t h i s, W an g Don g cl i m bed back i n t o h i s bed an d soon f el l asl eep.

T h i s w as t h e f i r st t i m e t h at h e’ d m an aged t o sl eep soun dl y i n t h e l ast f ew days.
H uo Yuh ao w ok e up ear l y t h e n ext m or n i n g. H e l ook ed t ow ar ds W an g Don g,

w h o w as st i l l asl eep i n h i s bed, an d coul dn ’ t h el p but sm i l e.
I t sur e f el t good t o be back !
T h e day h ad just st ar t ed as h e car ef ul l y open ed h i s w i n dow w i t h out m ak i n g a

soun d. Af t er w ar ds, h e gazed i n t o t h e di st an t east er n sk y.
W h en l i gh t gr adual l y began t o appear over t h e h or i zon , H uo Yuh ao t ook a

deep br eat h an d i m m edi at el y began t o cul t i vat e t h e Pur pl e Qi f r om t h e East .
H i s Spi r i t Eyes f i n al l y h ad t h ei r secon d soul r i n g, t h us bot h h i s m ar t i al soul

an d eyesi gh t h ad i n cr eased i n st r en gt h . T h e f our soul sk i l l s h i s f i r st soul r i n g
gave h im h ad also in cr eased in p ow er d u e t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ; ever y
sin gle on e of t h em n ow h ad t h e p ow er of a t h ou san d year sou l r in g. Even t h ou gh
h e w as on ly a t w o-r in ged Sou l Gr a n d m ast er , in t er m s of b ot h h is ab ilit y an d
n u m b er of sk ills, h e cou ld m at ch a t h r ee or even a fou r r in ged sou l m ast er .
H is Pu r p le Dem on Eyes h ad also b een st r en gt h en ed alon gsid e h is Sp ir it Eyes.

Pu r p le ligh t w ou ld n ow ap p ear w h en H u o Yu h ao u sed h is Sp ir it u a l Sh ock , ak iu
t o w h en h e’d u sed it b efor e, w it h t h e h elp of W an g Don g an d t h eir H aod on g
Pow er .
H is t r ip t o t h e n or t h h ad gon e ju st as t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad said it

w ou ld ; H u o Yu h ao’s over all p ow er h ad in cr eased , an d h e fin ally h ad a cer t ain
d egr ee of figh t in g ab ilit y.
Pu r p le ligh t r ip p led in h is eyes as h e cu lt ivat ed , w h ich h e d id u n t il t h e sk y

ou t sid e h ad b ecom e q u it e b r igh t .
H u o Yu h ao p at t ed W an g Don g a few t im es t h r ou gh h is qu ilt an d said , “H ey,

lazy p an t s, it ’s t im e t o get u p .”
“Don ’t b e n oisy, let m e sleep a b it m or e.” W an g Don g cover ed h is h ead w it h

h is qu ilt an d r efu sed t o get u p .
H u Yu h ao m isch ievou sly sm iled , t h en r ea ch ed in t o t h e q u ilt . H e p r oceed ed t o

t ou ch W an g Don g’s n eck an d act ivat e h is ice m ar t ial sou l.
“Ah !” W an g Don g sh ou t ed an d a lm ost ju m p ed ou t of h is b ed . A p air of slen d er

legs w er e r evealed as h is qu ilt flew off of h im .
“Bast ar d , you alm ost fr oze m e t o d ea t h ! I’ll figh t you t o t h e d ea t h H u o

Yu h ao!” T h e cold n ess h e’d felt on h is n eck h ad ca u sed h im t o im m ed iat ely w ak e
u p . W h en h e saw H u o Yu h ao st an d in g over h im w it h a m isch ievou s sm ile, h e
im m ed iat ely k n ew w h at h ad h ap p en ed , a n d p ou n ced on H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t ju st w ait for h im . H e u sed h is Gh ost Sh ad ow

Per p lexin g T r ack t o qu ick ly r u n aw ay. Sin ce h is b od y h ad b een im p r oved b y t h e
Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion , it w as n ow even even st r on ger t h an W an g Don g’s,
an d in t u r n h is sp eed w as m u ch fast er t h an b efor e. H e r et r eat ed st r aigh t ou t t h e
d oor of t h eir r oom .
“I’m gon n a w ash u p fir st , t h en w e can eat b r eak fast t oget h er .”
“So cold …” W an g Don g t ou ch ed h is n eck an d sh iver ed . H e look ed t ow ar d s t h e

d oor an d cou ld n ’t h elp b u t lau gh . “H u o Yu h ao, ju st you w ait !”
H ow ever , W an g Don g n ever got h is r even ge, as b efor e t h ey even r each ed t h e

cafet er ia for b r eak fast , T an g Ya, Bei Bei, an d Xiao Xiao all com e look in g for
t h em .
W h en t h e five of t h em m et , t h in gs n at u r ally b ecam e ver y lively. H u o Yu h ao

r ecou n t ed t h e even t s of last n igh t again , b u t h e d id n ’t m en t ion h ow old h is n ew
sou l r in gs w er e, as h e w as st ill w ait in g for n ew s fr om h is t each er Fan Yu .
“Sin ce t each er Fan Yu h as d ecid ed t o h elp you st ay, it seem s w e can r elax.
Lit t le Yu h ao… if you d o t h is again lit t le Yu h ao, I’ll k ick you ou t t h e d oor !” Even
t h ou gh T an g Ya’s w or d s w er e fier ce, t h e w or r y in h er eyes sh ow ed h er t r u e
feelin gs.
H u o Yu h ao ap ologized , “T each er T an g Ya, sen ior b r ot h er , I p r om ise t h a t I

w on ’t d o t h is again . If I h ave an y issu es, I’ll d iscu ss t h em w it h you gu ys fir st
fr om n ow on .”
Bei Bei look ed at h im w it h a m ean in gfu l look as h e p at t ed h is sh ou ld er , t h en

said , “J u n ior b r ot h er , t h ou gh t h is is a good t h in g… As b r ot h er s, I sh ou ld n ’t
n eed t o say an y m or e. You sh ou ld fir st focu s on p assin g you r a d van cem en t t est .”
“Yes, sen ior b r ot h er .” H u Yu h ao r esp ect ed Bei Bei even m or e t h an T an g Ya.
Bei Bei ch u ck led an d said , “Let ’s go eat br eak fast t oget h er .” T h er e w er e on ly

t w o cafet er ias in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , b ot h d ivid ed b y year : on e for t h e t h e
M ar t ial So u l Dep ar t m en t an d on e for t h e Sou l En gin eer in g Dep ar t m en t . Sin ce
t h ey w er e all cu r r en t ly in t h e sam e d ep ar t m en t , t h ey all at e in t h e sam e
cafet er ia.
Bein g p r om ot ed fr o m Year 1 t o Year 2 m ean t t h a t t h e b u ild in g H u Yu h ao

st u d ied in w ou ld ch an ge as w ell. Or igin ally, t h ey’d b een fir st year s, an d t h u s
h ad st u d ied in t h e w h it e b u ild in g m ea n t for Year 1 st u d en t s. Now t h ey’d b e
st u d yin g in t h e yellow b u ild in g m ean t for Year 2 an d Year 3 st u d en t s. H u o
Yu h ao h ad n ’t com e t o r egist er yest er d ay, b u t b ot h W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao
k n ew w h er e t o go. T h u s, t h e t h r ee of t h em ar r ived b efor e t h e yellow sch ool
b u ild in g, t h en w alk ed d ir ect ly t ow ar d s t h e Year 2 Class 1 classr oom .
As t h ey w alk ed , t h ey m et t h r ee p eop le t h at t h ey k n ew .
Dai H u ab in seem ed t o h ave gr ow n t aller , w h ile h is or igin al cold d em ean or

seem ed t o h ave b ecom e m or e gloom y. H e d id n ’t look lik e a t w elve or t h ir t een
year -old t een ager at all an ym or e. Rat h er , h e seem ed far m or e m at u r e t h a n h is
fellow p eer s.
Next t o Dai H u ab in w as Zh u Lu ; h er b od y h ad b egu n t o m at u r e as w ell. Gir ls

d evelop ed ear lier t h an b oys, an d sh e w a s n ow alm ost as t all as Dai H u ab in . Sh e
p ossessed t h e Net h er w or ld Civet b east sou l, t h u s sh e m a d e n o sou n d w h en sh e
w alk ed .
T h e t h ir d p er son w it h t h em w as n at u r ally t h e you n g gir l w h o ow n ed t h e

Nin et a iled Fox sou l, Cu i Yajie. Com p ar ed t o Dai H u ab in —w h o w as an Assau lt
Syst em Sou l M ast er —an d Zh u Lu —w h o w as an Agilit y Syst em Sou l M ast er —sh e
w as d iffer en t . H er ab ilit ies w er e a b it m ixed , as h er Ch ar m w as con sid er ed a
con t r ol t yp e ab ilit y, w h ile h er secon d sk ill, t h e Foxt ail Need le, w as con sid er ed t o
b e b et w een t h e assau lt an d agilit y syst em s. W h en Dai H u ab in an d Zh u Lu h ad
b een sen t t o Class 2, sh e’d follow ed t h em . Aft er all, t h ey’d b een a gr ou p d u r in g
t h e fr esh m en assessm en t .
H u o Yu h ao’s gr ou p of t h r ee saw t h em , t h u s Dai H u ab in ’s gr ou p n at u r a lly also

saw t h em . T h e six of t h em st ood facin g on e an ot h er .
W h en h e saw H u o Yu h ao’s gr ou p , Dai H u ab in ’s exp r ession san k . T h e t w o
gr ou p s cou ld b e con sid er ed t o h ave a feu d w it h each ot h er . Fir st , H u o Yu h ao h ad
b eat en t h em d u r in g t h e fr esh m an assessm en t . Aft er w ar d s, Dai H u ab in an d Zh u
Lu h ad b een exp elled b y Zh ou Yi sim p ly b ecau se H u o Yu h ao r an for class
r ep r esen t a t ive.
Dai H u ab in cou ld en d u r e losin g t h eir b at t le in t h e fr esh m en assessm en t ; aft er

all, it h ad b een d ir ect or Du W eilu n ’s d ecision in t h e en d . No m at t er w h a t
ob ject ion s h e h ad , h e cou ld on ly en d u r e. At t h e sam e t im e, h e also b elieved t h at ,
in t er m s of in d ivid u al st r en gt h , h e w as st ill ab ove b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g
Don g.
H ow ever , t o b e exp elled fr om Class 1 b y Zh ou Yi w as a h u ge d isgr ace t o h im .

Dai H u ab in h ad n ever exp er ien ced t h is sor t of h u m iliat ion in h is life. As t h e son
of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e, n ot on ly h ad h e r eceived a st r ict ed u cat ion , h e’d also
d evelop ed a t em p er am en t lik e h e w as a b ove ot h er s. If h e h ad n ’t , h e w ou ld n ’t
h ave or d er ed som eon e t o b eat H u Yu h ao u p w h en h e’d b lock ed t h e r oad at su ch
a you n g age, an d t h u s cau sed a t r aged y for H u o Yu h ao an d h is m ot h er .
As t h e son of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e, Dai H u ab in n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t b e so

sh ock ed b y t h is h u m iliat ion t h a t h e w ou ld st ay d ow n for ever . In fact , it in st ead
st im u lat ed h is m or ale. Not on ly h ad h e b ecom e t h e class r ep r esen t at ive of Class
2 t h r ou gh h is ow n effor t s, h e’d also sp en t a lot of effor t cu lt ivat in g d u r in g t h e
p ast year . H is d iligen ce h ad n ’t b een an y less t h an H u o Yu h a o’s, an d h is effor t s,
on t op of t h e fact t h at h e w as alr ea d y a gift ed p er son , h ad a llow ed h is cu lt ivat ion
t o t ak e gr ea t st r id es. H is sou l for ce w as n ow Ran k 36. H e w as d efin it ely t h e
st r on gest am on gst t h e Year 2 st u d en t s; t h er e w as n o on e w h o cou ld m at ch h im .
It w as ju st lik e t h e sa yin g: ‘W h en en em ies m eet , t h eir eyes t u r n r ed ’. Zh u Lu ’s

eyes b ecam e cold , an d sh e m ock in gly said , “Isn ’t t h is H u o Yu h ao? Oh w ait , I
h ear d t h at you d id n ’t r egist er yest er d a y. H ave you com e t o w r on g p lace, or
d on ’t you k n ow t h at t h e r u les of t h e sch ool st at e t h at st u d en t s w h o d on ’t
r egist er on t im e w ill d ir ect ly b e exp elled .”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled , h is eyes st ill lock ed on t o Dai H u ab in , an d r ep lied , “W h at
d oes t h is h ave t o d o w it h you ?”
“Of cou r se t h is h as som et h in g t o d o w it h m e,” Zh u Lu said , “as a st u d en t of

Sh r ek Acad em y, I n at u r ally m u st d efen d t h e r u les of t h e acad em y. T h is isn ’t a
p lace you sh ou ld b e in , so get t h e h ell ou t of h er e.”
T h e r elat ion sh ip b et w een t h e t w o gr ou p s h ad alr ead y b ecom e ir r econ cilab le,

an d n ow t h at sh e h a d an excu se, sh e d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t b e p olit e.
W an g Don g r ep lied d isd a in fu lly, “W h o d o you t h in k you ar e? W h at m ak es

you t h in k t h a t you can t ak e t h e p lace of t h e acad em y in or d er t o u p h old it s
r u les? If you t w o h ad n ’t r elied on you r st at u ses as cor e d iscip les, you b ot h
w ou ld ’ve scr ew ed off alr ead y.”
W an g Don g h ad p r ick ed Dai H u ab in ’s soft sp ot . An an gr y glin t flash ed

t h r ou gh h is eyes, an d h e sn or t ed cold ly. “You ’r e cou r t in g d eat h .” H e t ook a st ep
for w ar d an d sen t a p alm st r ik e st r a igh t t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
At t h at m om en t , a b all of b lack ligh t su d d en ly ap p ear ed b et w een t h e t w o

p ar t ies. It w as Xiao Xiao’s T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on .
Dai H u ab in d id n ’t st op h is a t t ack , an d allow ed h is p alm t o slam in t o t h e

T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on . At t h is m om en t , t h e gap in t h eir cu lt ivat ion s
fu lly m an ifest ed it self. W it h a m u ffled n oise, t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on
flew u n con t r ollab ly t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
At t h at m om en t , Xia o Xiao on ly h ad t w o ch oices: sh e cou ld eit h er w it h d r aw

h er m ar t ial sou l an d exp ose W an g Don g t o Dai H u ab in , or sh e cou ld allow h er
T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on t o car een u n con t r ollab ly t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
W h ile Xiao Xiao w as h esit at in g, a figu r e flew for w ar d s an d gr ab b ed on t o t h e

T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on , st op p ed it , an d p laced it on t h e gr ou n d . T h is
t h en sep ar at ed t h e t w o p ar t ies.
T h e p er son w h o’d m ad e a m ove w asn ’t W an g Don g, b u t H u o Yu h ao.
Dai H u ab in h ad n ’t act ivat ed h is m ar t ial sou l, n or h ad H u o Yu h ao. Even

t h ou gh Dai H u ab in h ad on ly u sed a sin gle h an d , an d t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao h ad
u sed b ot h of h is h an d s, h e w as st ill ab le t o st op t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh
Cau ld r on in an ext r em ely st ab le m an n er .
Dai H u ab in w as in w ar d ly ast on ish ed . H e’d fou gh t H u o Yu h ao p r eviou sly, an d
h is im p r ession of H u o Yu h ao fr om t h en w as t h at , even t h ou gh h e w as ext r em ely
cr aft y, an d even t h ou gh h is m ar t ial sou l w as som ew h at u n p r ed ict ab le, h e
d efin it ely w asn ’t on p ar w it h h im in t er m s of p h ysical st r en gt h . Dai H u ab in ’s
p h ysical st r en gt h w as con sid er ab ly ast on ish in g; if it w asn ’t , h e w ou ld n ’t h ave
b een ab le t o sw at Xiao Xiao’s T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Ca u ld r on aw ay lik e h e h ad .
H ow ever , h e’d b een st op p ed b y H u o Yu h ao t h is easily. In ot h er w or d s, even
t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t h is eq u al in st r en gt h , h e w asn ’t t h at far off. H ow
cou ld t h is b e?
Xiao Xiao w as sim ilar ly ast on ish ed . T h ou gh sh e’d h ear d t h e b izar r e st or y of

h ow H u o Yu h ao’s secon d m ar t ia l sou l h a d aw ak en ed , sh e st ill t h ou gh t t h a t H u o
Yu h ao w as a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er . Sh e’d n ever exp ect ed h im t o b e t h is
st r on g.
H u o Yu h ao in d iffer en t ly said , “Dai H u ab in , if you w ish t o figh t , w e’ll glad ly

w elcom e you in t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a at an y t im e. H ow ever t h is is a sch ool
b u ild in g. Don ’t you k n ow t h e sch ool r u les?” On ce h e fin ish ed sp eak in g, h e
m ot ion ed for Xiao Xiao t o w it h d r aw h er T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on .
Aft er a b r ief m om en t of r age, Dai H u ab in r egain ed h is com p osu r e. H e cold ly

r ep lied , “T h er e’s n o n eed t o w ait for u s t o go t o t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea H u o
Yu h ao. W e’r e ab ou t t o st ar t t h e ad van cem en t t est . Do you d ar e t o m ak e a b et
w it h m e?”
“W h at ' b et ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed .
Dai H u ab in r ep lied in a low voice, “W e’ll b et on t h e r esu lt s you t h r ee get

com p ar ed t o t h e r esu lt s t h at w e t h r ee get in ou r ad van cem en t t est .”
W an g Don g ask ed in an ar r ogan t t on e, “St ak es?”
Dai H u ab in r ep lied , “If you lose, I w an t t h e p r ize t h at you w on d u r in g t h e

fr esh m en assessm en t .”
T h e m om en t h e fin ish ed sp eak in g, t h e exp r ession s on all t h r ee of H u o
Yu h ao’s t r io ch an ged . Ot h er t h an t h e p r ivilege t o ask t h e aca d em y t o h elp t h em
ob t ain a sou l r in g, t h e m ost im p or t a n t r ew ar d t h ey’d ob t ain ed fr om t h e
fr esh m en assessm en t w as t h e left leg b on e of t h e Em p t yb r igh t Devil Leop ar d ,
w h ich Xiao Xiao h ad alr ead y fu sed w it h .
Sou l b on es w er en ’t lik e sou l r in gs t h at co u ld on ly follow a sin gle sou l m ast er ;

w h en a sou l m ast er d ied , t h eir sou l r in gs w ou ld n at u r ally d issip at e. H ow ever ,
sou l b on es cou ld b e p assed on . As lon g a s t h e sou l b on e it self w asn ’t b r ok en , it
cou ld st ill b e r e-ab sor b ed b y an ot h er p er son if it s or igin al ow n er h ad p assed on ,
or if t h ey’d h ad t h e lim b p ossessin g t h e sou l b on e b r ok en .
T h ou gh H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est d id n ’t k n ow w h et h er or n ot Dai H u ab in t r u ly
k n ew w h at t h e r ew a r d t h ey’d ob t ain ed fr om t h e fr esh m en assessm en t w a s, t h is
st ak e w as equ ivalen t t o b r eak in g off Xiao Xiao’s leg!
W h en Zh u Lu saw t h e ch an ge in t h e t r io’s exp r ession , sh e b ecam e ver y

p leased an d said , “W h at ? Scar ed ? If you ’r e scar ed , ju st scr ew off w it h you r t ails
b et w een you r legs.”
“Bet , t ak e t h e b et .” Xiao Xiao said as sh e flew in t o a r age. Even t h ou gh sh e

n or m ally h ad a d ecen t t em p er am en t , h ow cou ld sh e en d u r e b ein g coer ced b y
t h eir op p on en t s lik e t h is?
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o sh ook h is h ead . H e look ed t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in an d said ,

“Ch an ge t h e st ak es.”
“I d on ’t w an t t o,” Dai H u ab in said cold ly, “you can eit h er b et or scr am .”
A fier ce ligh t fla sh ed t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s eyes. “If you lose, t h en w h a t w ill

you d o?”
Dai H u ab in r ep lied , “If w e lose, w e’ll n at u r ally b r in g ou t som et h in g of

eq u ivalen t valu e.”
H u o Yu h ao t ook a d eep b r eat h , t h en sa id in a low voice, “Fin e. T h en , I’ll ju st
con fir m t h e st ak es o f t h is b et ; T h e r ew ar d w e got fr om t h e fr esh m en assessm en t
w as a sou l b on e, a left leg b on e. Xiao Xiao’s alr ead y fu sed w it h it . If w e lose, t h en
w e’ll follow you r r equ est an d cu t off Xiao Xiao’s left leg an d give you h er sou l
b on e. On t h e ot h er h an d , if you lose, I w an t on e of you r legs an d a sou l b on e of
t h e sam e r an k . T h is sh ou ld n ’t b e t oo excessive. As lon g as you can b r in g ou t a
sou l b on e of eq u ivalen t valu e, w e’ll b et w it h you .”
At t h is m om en t , t h e exp r ession s of Dai H u ab in ’s t r io ch an ged . T h ey h ad n ’t

k n ow n w h at H u o Yu h ao’s t r io h a d got t en as a p r ize fr om t h e fr esh m en
assessm en t . It w as n o w on d er t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad ask ed h im t o ch a n ge t h e
st ak es; t h is u n exp ect ed ly in volved t h e sever in g of a lim b . H ow ever , a fer ven t
look ap p ear ed in Dai H u ab in ’s eyes w h en h e h ear d t h e w or d s ‘sou l b on e’.
“Fin e, I…”
“Sh u t you r m ou t h !” J u st as Dai H u ab in w as ab ou t t o r ep ly, a sh ou t su d d en ly

r an g ou t , in t er r u p t in g h im .
W an g Yan ch ar ged over an gr ily an d sh ou t ed in a d eep voice, “J u st w h at ar e

you lot d oin g?! You ’r e all so you n g, yet you ’r e act u ally u sin g you r b od ies for a
jok e lik e t h is! Dai H u ab in , w h y h aven ’t you r egist er ed a t Cla ss 2 yet ? J u st w h at
d o you t h in k you ’r e d oin g b y b lock in g t h is cor r id or ? Ar e you t r yin g t o get
d iscip lin ed ?”
H u o Yu h ao n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t t ak e an y ch an ces d u e t o a som et h in g as sim p le

as a m om en t ar y im p u lse; t h is w as Xiao Xiao’s leg! H e’d d elib er at ely t r ap p ed Dai
H u ab in w h en h e n ot iced W an g Yan ap p r oach in g t h em . Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d
p u r p osefu lly sp ok en in a ver y lou d voice so t h at W an g Yan w o u ld h ea r h im .
“T each er W an g, Dai H u ab in is b lock in g ou r w ay, t h u s r en d er in g u s u n ab le t o

en t er t h e cla ss an d r egist er . Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey’ve in sist ed on m ak in g a b et w it h
u s; t h ey w er e also t h e on es w h o su ggest ed t h is b et . W e h ad n o ch oice b u t t o t ak e
on t h eir ch allen ge, p lease for give u s.” H u o Yu h ao r esp ect fu lly said t o W an g Yan ,
salu t in g as h e d id so.
W an g Yan sn or t ed cold ly. “I d on ’t ob ject t o you u sin g t h e r esu lt s of you r
ad van cem en t t est as a b et , as it ca n ser ve m ak e you w or k h ar d er . H ow ever , I
ab solu t ely d on ’t agr ee t o t h e st ak es of t h is b et . Even if you d on ’t car e ab ou t
you r selves, h ave you even t h ou gh t ab ou t you r fam ilies? If you sever you r leg,
w h at sor t of fu t u r e w ou ld you even h ave left ? I’ll b e t h e w it n ess t o t h is b et for
you gu ys. T h e loser of t h is b et w ill h ave t o b ow d ow n t o t h e w in n er , ap ologize t o
t h em , an d ad m it t h at t h ey w er e w r on g.”
“Bow in g w on ’t d o; t h at ’s t oo soft ! You n eed t o m ak e t h em k ow t ow an d ad m it

t h at t h ey w er e w r on g!” Zh u Lu scr eech ed .
W an g Yan w as ju st ab ou t t o r ep ly, b u t W an g Don g q u ick ly follow ed u p , “Fin e

t h en . You w er e t h e on e w h o su ggest ed it . If w e lose, w e’ll k ow t ow an d a d m it
t h at w e w er e w r on g. W h at ab ou t if you gu ys lose?”
Aft er b ein g su p p r essed b y W an g Yan , Dai H u ab in alr ea d y felt som ew h at

d eject ed . W it h ou t a n y h esit a t ion a t all, h e r ep lied , “W e’ll k ow t ow an d a d m it
t h at w e w er e w r on g as w ell.”
“It ’s set t led t h en .” H u o Yu h ao r aised h is h an d an d slap p ed h is p alm again st

Dai H u ab in ’s t h r ee t im es. T h eir b et w as n ow con sid er ed t o h ave b een p r op er ly
m ad e. Even if W an g Yan w an t ed t o ch an ge it , it w as n ow t oo lat e.
T h ou gh k ow t ow in g w ou ld n ’t m u t ila t e an yb od y, t h er e w as n o d ou b t t h a t ,
r egar d less of w h o w on , a lar ge gr u d ge h ad b een for m ed b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies.
Bot h p ar t ies h a d cor e d iscip les of t h e M a r t ial So u l Dep ar t m en t , b u t en m it y lik e
t h is w a s clear ly d et r im en t al t ow ar d s t h e u n it y of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s
fr esh m en . As su ch , W an g Yan cou ld n ’t h elp b u t fu r r ow h is b r ow s sligh t ly.
H ow ever , t h e sit u a t ion h ad alr ead y r each ed t h is p oin t . Bot h p ar t ies h ad alr ea d y
agr eed on t h e b et , t h u s h e cou ld on ly let it go on lik e t h is.
Dai H u ab in ’s t r io op en ed u p a p a t h for t h em , an d H u o Yu h a o follow ed W an g

Yan t o Class 1 b esid e W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao.
T h e st u d en t s of Class 1 cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel gr ea t ly ast on ish ed w h en t h ey
saw H u o Yu h ao r et u r n . T h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t con sid er ed t oo st r on g in t h e
eyes of a lar ge m ajor it y of st u d en t s, h is m at ch w it h W u Fen g h ad left a lon g-
last in g im p r ession on ever yon e p r esen t . Fu r t h er m or e, even t h ou gh h e w as t h e
class m on it or , h e’d act u ally m issed t h e r egist r a t ion d at e yest er d ay. H ow ever ,
h e’d st ill r e-ap p ear ed t od ay. Som e of t h e st u d en t s w h o w er e fr ien d lier w it h H u o
Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel w or r ied for h im , w h ile som e of t h e st u d en t s w h o
h ad en m it y t ow ar d s h im felt sch a d en fr eu d e.
H u o Yu h ao sat d ow n in t h e sam e seat h e’d or igin a lly sat in d u r in g Year 1.

H ow ever , ju st as h e w as sit t in g d ow n , Zh ou Sich en , w h o w as sit t in g in t h e r ow
b eh in d h im , ask ed cu r iou sly, “Boss H u o, w h y’d you com e back ? Rep or t in g in
lat e is ver y t r ou b lesom e.”
T h e p er son w h o’d b een left in t h e m ost w r et ch ed st at e aft er H u o Yu h ao’s

m at ch w it h W u Fen g h ad b een Zh ou Sich en . H e’d lost alm ost t w en t y t h ou san d
gold sou l coin s in on e go aft er b et t in g w it h W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao. Even h e
cou ld n ’t affor d t o t a k e ou t t h at m u ch m on ey in on e go!
Aft er t h at d ay, Zh ou Sich en an d Cao J in xu an h ad b een con sid er ed fr ien d s

w it h H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao. T h ey’d also m ain t a in ed a
r elat ively d ecen t r elat ion sh ip w it h H u o Yu h ao’s gan g. W h en Dai H u ab in , Zh u
Lu , an d H u an g Ch u t ian w er e exp elled fr om Class 1, t h e m ost con sp icu ou s
st u d en t s in Class 1 h ad n a t u r ally b een H u o Yu h ao’s t r io, in ad d it ion t o Zh o u
Sich en , Cao J in xu an , an d t h e Lan sist er s. M or eover , Lan Su su an d Lan Lu olu o
w er e ext r em ely fr ien d ly t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s t r io. T h ese p ow er fu l st u d en t s
w er e all am icab le t ow ar d s on e an ot h er , t h u s, in ad d it ion t o t h e coh esiven ess of
t h e or igin a l st u d en t s of Class 1, it n a t u r a lly r esu lt ed in t h e Year 1’s Class 1 b ein g
ext r em ely u n it ed . On ly a sm all n u m b er of en viou s st u d en t s h ad d isassocia t ed
t h em selves fr om t h e r est . H ow ever , t h er e w as d efin it ely a lim it t o t h e n u m b er
of accom p lish m en t s en viou s p eop le cou ld ach ieve. It w as st ill h a r d t o say
w h et h er or n ot t h ey cou ld p ass t h e ad van cem en t t est .
H u o Yu h ao w h isp er ed , “Let ’s ju st list en t o ou r t each er ’s ar r an gem en t s. T h er e
sh ou ld n ’t b e t oo b ig a p r ob lem if w e d o.”
Zh ou Sich en lau gh ed m isch ievou sly. “T h at ’s fin e. In t h e even t t h a t you ’r e

scr ew ed , you ’ll ju st en d u p h elp in g t h at b r at su r n am ed Cao.”
Righ t ! Am on gst t h e con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er s, d isr egar d in g H u o Yu h ao w h o’d

p er son ally b een ap p oin t ed b y Zh ou Yi, Cao J in xu an w as t h e st r on gest in d ivid u al
in t er m s of p er son al st r en gt h . T h ou gh t h e Lan sist er s h ad a fu sion sk ill, t h ey
w er e st ill t w o sep ar at e in d iv id u als. If H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t b een t h er e, it w as
ext r em ely lik ely t h at t h e class m on it or in ch ar ge of t h e con t r ol syst em w ou ld ’ve
b een Cao J in xu an .
Cao J in xu an w as seat ed b esid e Zh ou Sich en . W h en h e h ea r d w h at w as said ,

h e im m ed iat ely b ecam e an gr y. “Zh ou Sich en , r et u r n t h e m on ey you ow e m e!
W h en ar e you goin g t o r et u r n t h e t w o h u n d r ed gold sou l coin s t h at you ow e m e?
You act u ally d ar e t o in su lt m e, d esp it e k n ow in g t h a t you ow e m e m on ey? Pay
m e b ack r igh t n ow , in t er est t oo!”
“Ah ! I for got .” Zh ou Sich en ’s exp r ession im m ed iat ely ch an ged w h en h e h ear d
t h is. W it h a faw n in g look on h is face, h e t u r n ed t ow ar d s Cao J in xu an . “Br ot h er
Cao, com e n ow . W h at sor t of r ela t ion sh ip d o u s b r ot h er s h ave!? I w as ju st
k id d in g! I w as on ly p r aisin g you ! If it w er en ’t for you r st r en gt h , h ow cou ld you
su cceed Boss H u o’s p osit ion ?”
“You ’r e ju st t r yin g t o d r ive a w ed ge b et w een u s. Cu t t h e cr a p an d r et u r n m y

m on ey!” Cao J in xu an ju m p ed u p an d gr ab b ed Zh ou Sich en b y t h e n eck .
W h en t h ey saw t h e t w o b u ffoon s h or sin g ar ou n d , H u o Yu h a o, W an g Don g,

an d Xiao Xiao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t lau gh . Even t h ou gh t h ey w er e fier cely ar gu in g
w it h each o t h er , t h e t w o of t h em w er e act u ally ver y close fr ien d s w it h each
ot h er . T h ey, alon g w it h Lon g Xian gyu e w h o’d gon e t o Class 2, h ad all gr ow n u p
t oget h er . T h ey h ad a r elat ion sh ip t h a t w as essen t ially fam ilial.
Chapt er 47.1: The Badge of a Class 2 Soul Engineer
“T each er Zh ou ’s com in g!” Xiao Xiao sh ou t ed . W h en Cao J in xu an an d Zh ou

Sich en h ear d t h is, t h ey im m ed iat ely b ecam e fr igh t en ed . T h ey b ot h sh iver ed ,
t h en q u ick ly r et u r n ed t o t h eir seat s an d qu ick ly sat d ow n . H ow ever , it w as
u n k n ow n w h et h er or n ot Xiao Xiao h ad r eally gain ed t h e ab ilit y t o see t h e
fu t u r e, as b efor e sh e h ad t h e ch an ce t o m ak e fu n of t h em , Zh ou Yi act u a lly
w alk ed in t o t h e r oom .
Zh ou Sich en an d Ca o J in xu an cou ld n ’t h elp b u t t u r n t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao an d

give h er a t h u m b s u p .
“T h is…” Xiao Xiao, w h o’d on ly in t en d ed t o t ease t h em , d id n ’t k n ow w h et h er

t o lau gh or cr y.
Zh ou Yi w alk ed in w ear in g t h e m ask sh e alw ays w or e, sh ow in g t h e sam e

exp r ession . Sh e sw ep t t h e r oom w it h h er cold gaze. For get ab ou t t h e st u d en t s,
even t each er W an g Yan felt a ch ill on h is b ack .
W an g Yan qu ick ly w alk ed u p t o Zh ou Yi an d w h isp er ed , “T each er Zh ou , H u o

Yu h ao cam e t od ay.”
Zh ou Yi glan ced t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, t h en w h isp er ed , “T each er W an g, w h a t

d o you t h in k w e sh ou ld d o?” Sh e n at u r ally w ou ld n ot ad m it t o t h e fact sh e
alr ead y k n ew w h at w as goin g on .
W an g Yan fr ow n ed an d r ep lied , “Qu it e a few p eop le alr ead y k n ow t h at H u o

Yu h ao w asn ’t h er e yest er d ay. At t h e sam e t im e, H u o Yu h ao’s gr ou p h ad a ver b al
clash w it h Dai H u ab in ’s gr ou p t h is m or n in g. At t h is p oin t , it ’s im p ossib le for u s
t o cover t h is u p . W e’ll ju st h ave t o sh ou ld er t h e r esp on sib ilit y for it . T h e t w o of
u s w ill sim p ly h ave t o w or k t oget h er ; n o m at t er w h at , w e ca n ’t allow Yu h ao t o
b e exp elled . Even t h ou gh t h e acad em y’s r u les ar e st r ict , Yu h ao d id en joy t h e
t r eat m en t of a cor e d iscip le b efor e t h is. If b ot h of u s in sist t h at h e st ay, t h e
acad em y w ill d efin it ely h ave t o con sid er ou r op in ion s.”
Zh ou Yi cou ld n ’t h elp b u t r eveal a look of ad m ir at ion aft er h ear in g h im say

t h is. W an g Yan d id n ’t even k n ow w h y H u o Yu h ao h ad b een lat e, yet t h e fir st
t h in g h e’d d on e w a s t r y t o t h in k of a w ay t o p r even t H u o Yu h ao fr om b ein g
exp elled . H e’d d on e t h is w it h ou t even ask in g an y qu est ion s! Even Zh ou Yi felt
som ew h at ash am ed w h en sh e com p ar ed h er self t o W an g Yan on t h is m at t er .
On ce sh e d id so, sh e cou ld n ’t b ear t o h id e t h e t r u t h fr om h im an ym or e. Sh e
w h isp er ed , “T each er W an g, w er e you aw ar e of Yu h ao t ak in g elect ive classes at
t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t last year ?”
W an g Yan n od d ed a n d r ep lied , “I’m aw ar e. H ow ever , I’m n ot su r e h ow h is

st u d ies t h er e ar e goin g.”
Zh ou Yi said , “H is gr ad es ar e ver y good . In fact , Fan Yu h as alr ead y t ak en h im

on as h is d iscip le. Fan Yu d ecid ed t o t ak e h im in as a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t , t h u s you d on ’t h ave t o w or r y, Yu h ao w on ’t b e exp elled .”
“W h at ?!” W an g Yan ’s p it ch im m ed iat ely elevat ed as h e excla im ed , “H ow can

t h is b e?”
Ear lier , w h en t h ey’d ju st b een w h isp er in g t o on e an ot h er , t h e st u d en t s h ad n ’t

b een ab le t o h ear t h em . H ow ever , w h en W an g Yan r aised h is voice, h e ca u gh t
t h e at t en t ion of all t h e st u d en t s.
W an g Yan r ea lized t h at h e’d lost con t r ol of h is voice for a m om en t an d said ,

“T each er Zh ou , let ’s t alk o u t sid e.” H e qu ick ly left t h e cla ssr oom on ce h e’d
fin ish ed sp eak in g.
Zh ou Yi let ou t a sigh . Sor r y T eacher W ang. I di d al l of t hi s f or m y husband.

Al l I can do i s not l i e t o you. W h en h er t h ough t s r each ed t h i s poi n t , sh e t ur n ed
an d l ook ed at t h e sh ock ed st uden t s, t h en pr oceeded t o f ol l ow W an g Yan out of
t h e cl assr oom .
“T each er Zh ou , w h at ’s goin g on ? H ow com e I d id n ’t h ear of t h is? I k n ow t h at
you ’r e Fan Yu ’s w ife, b u t d on ’t for get t h at you ’r e st ill a t each er for t h e M ar t ial
Sou l Dep ar t m en t ! T h is isn ’t p ossib le, it ab solu t ely can ’t b e p ossib le! I w on ’t
allow it !” W an g Yan w as som ew h at agit at ed .
Zh ou Yi let ou t a sigh , t h en said , “T each er W an g, p lease d on ’t get so w or k ed

u p . Please, list en t o m e fir st . In ou r eyes, Yu h ao is an ext r em ely good st u d en t .
H e can even b e d escr ib ed w it h t h e w or d s ‘u n lim it ed p ot en t ial’. H ow ever , d o t h e
h igh er -u p s of t h e acad em y see h im lik e t h is? W h et h er it ’s Dean Yan , Dir ect or
Du , or even old Xu an , w h o you fou n d t o exam in e h im …n on e of t h em t h in k t h a t
Yu h ao h as en ou gh fu t u r e p r osp ect s t o b e w or t h in vest in g in . As su ch , t h ey
r efu sed t o give h im t h e p osit ion of a cor e d iscip le. W h at sor t of t h ou gh t s d o you
t h in k h e h ad ? H e w as t h e t eam lead er of t h e t eam t h at w on t h e fr esh m en exam ,
yet h e w asn ’t even given t h e p osit ion of a cor e d iscip le in t h e M a r t ia l Sou l
Dep ar t m en t . If you w er e t h e sam e age as h im , an d t h e sam e t h in g h ap p en ed t o
you , w ou ld you r h ear t b e at p eace?”
W h en h e h ear d h er q u est ion , W an g Yan im m ed iat ely b ecam e silen t . Zh ou Yi’s

w or d s m ay h ave b een t h e t r u t h , b u t Dir ect or Du also h ad h is r eason s.
Zh ou Yi con t in u ed , “If t h at h ad b een t h e on ly t h in g, it w ou ld n ’t h ave b een t oo

b ig of a d eal. W it h t h e t w o of u s t ak in g car e of h im , I b elieve t h at , w it h Yu h ao’s
t alen t an d d iligen ce, h e d efin it ely w ou ld ’ve h ad t h e ch an ce t o sh ow case h is
ab ilit ies in t h e fu t u r e. In a few year s, h e cou ld ’ve st ill b ecom e a cor e d iscip le,
an d m ayb e even an in n er cou r t yar d d iscip le. H ow ever , h e d ecid ed t o st u d y sou l
t ools. I’ve h ear d fr om m y h u sb an d t h a t h is p er for m an ce w it h in t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t can on ly b e d escr ib ed as ast on ish in g. H is t alen t even m an aged t o
cat ch t h e at t en t ion of Dean Qian . In fact , Dean Qian h as p er son ally ap p r oved
H u o Yu h ao b ecom in g a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .”
W an g Yan w as st ill a b it an xiou s an d r ep lied , “T h at ’s im p ossib le. H e’s on ly

b een in con t act w it h t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t em en t seven t o eigh t m on t h s, r igh t ?
Nor m ally. on ly Year 4 st u d en t s or h igh er can b ecom e cor e d iscip les of t h e Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t ! Besid es a h an d fu l of st u d en t s w h o w er e sp ecially r ecr u it ed b y
t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , t h er e’s n ever b een an excep t ion t o t h is! Yu h ao’s on ly
b een goin g t h er e t o st u d y aft er sch ool; h ow gr eat cou ld h is ach ievem en t s t r u ly
b e?”
Zh ou Yi let sigh ed yet again an d said , “W an g Yan , you k n ow m y p er son alit y.

It ’s t r u e t h at I favor Fan Yu in m y h ear t ; h e is, aft er all, m y m an . H ow ever , w h at
you ’ve said is cor r ect : I’m st ill a t each er of t h e M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t . If ou r
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t h ad p aid en ou gh at t en t ion t o Yu h a o, I n ever w ou ld ’ve
agr eed t o Fan Yu ’s r eq u est for Yu h ao t o b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t . H ow ever , w h at h as ou r M a r t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t d on e t o h im ? W e
b r ok e t h at ch ild ’s h ear t . Do you k n ow h ow h ar d Yu h ao h as w or k ed ? Ever y d ay,
in ad d it ion t o h is classes, h e sp en t t w o h ou r s st u d yin g at t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t , r ain or sh in e. Look , I w on ’t lie t o you . Befor e t h e sch ool year en d ed
last year , b efor e Yu h ao even h ad h is secon d sou l r in g, h e’d alr ead y m an aged t o
b ecom e a Class 2 sou l en gin eer . You k n ow h ow st r ict Fan Yu is, yet it w as Fan Yu
w h o p er son ally r at ed h im as a Class 2 sou l en gin eer . H e at t ain ed t h is in eigh t
m on t h s. Even at Yu h ao’s you n g age, h e on ly n eed ed eigh t m on t h s t o b ecom e a
Class 2 sou l en gin eer . H e’s set a n ew r ecor d w it h in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
Do you r eally t h in k t h at t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t w ou ld n ’t b e in a r u sh t o
accep t h im as a cor e d iscip le in t h is sor t of sit u at ion ?”
On ce h e h ear d t h is, W an g Yan su d d en ly b ecam e sp eech less. T h e M ar t ia l Sou l

Dep ar t m en t w as t h e on e t h at h ad r efu sed t o give H u o Yu h ao a cor e d iscip le
p osit ion . In ad d it ion t o t h is, H u o Yu h a o h ad d isp layed an am azin g am ou n t of
t alen t in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . As su ch … w h at r eason d id h e h ave t o st op
h im ? H e clear ly r em em b er ed t h e p ow er fu l sa d n ess a n d d isap p oin t m en t t h at h ad
ap p ear ed in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes w h en h e r ealized t h at h e h a d n ’t b een an n ou n ced
as a cor e d iscip le. Aft er t h in k in g b ack t o t h at m om en t , h e d id n ’t k n ow h ow t o
r efu t e Zh ou Yi’s w or d s.
It w as also at t h is m om en t t h a t , on Sea God ’s Islan d , t w o cr aft y old m en w er e

d iscu ssin g a sim ilar t op ic.
Qian Du od u o sat d ow n on a lar ge leat h er cou ch an d said t o Yan Sh aozh e, w h o
w as cu r r en t ly b eh in d a lar ge d esk , “Old Yan ! You can p ay m e b ack for t h e b et
you lost n ow .”
Yan Sh aozh e p laced a h an d on t h e d esk an d lean ed sligh t ly for w ar d . H e

r evealed a sh ock ed exp r ession as h e said , “I lost a b et again st you ? W h at b et ?
H ow com e I d on ’t r em em b er t h is?”
“W h at ? You for got ?” Qian Du od u o’s eyes su d d en ly w id en ed , “Old Yan , d o you

st ill h ave an y face? You ’r e t oo t h ick -sk in n ed . Last year , d u r in g t h e fr esh m en
exam , w e b et on w h ich t eam w ou ld w in in t h e en d . H ave you for got t en ab ou t
h ow you lost t o m e? Do you r eally b elieve t h at I w on ’t t u r n t h is p lace u p sid e
d ow n t o r em in d you ?”
Yan Sh aozh e look ed t ow ar d s Qian Du o d u o, w h o look ed lik e som eon e h ad

st ep p ed on h is t ail, an d said w it h a sm ile, “Fin e, fin e. H ow ever , d id you r eally
n eed t o p er son ally com e all t h e w ay h er e for su ch a sm all m at t er ? I’m ext r em ely
b u sy, t h u s w h y sh ou ld I r em em b er su ch a t r iflin g m a t t er ? Sp eak , w h ich st u d en t
of m y M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t h as cau gh t you r eye? I m u st r em in d you , ou r
agr eem en t w as t h a t you cou ld n ’t t ak e an y cor e d iscip les. T h ose st u d en t s ar e
p r eciou s t o t h is d ean , so d on ’t even t h in k ab ou t it .”
Qian Du od u o sat b ack d ow n on t h e sofa an gr ily w h en h e saw Yan Sh aozh e

ow n u p t o t h e b et a n d said , “As lon g as you r em em b er . You ’r e su ch a m iser . If I
r eally t r ied t o t ak e a cor e d iscip le fr om you , w ou ld n ’t you figh t m e t o t h e d ea t h ?
Don ’t w or r y, it ’s on ly an or d in ar y st u d en t .”
Yan Sh aozh e su d d en ly b ecam e m or e vigilan t . T h e m or e in d iffer en t Qian

Du od u o act ed , t h e st r an ger h e felt . “Old Qian , d on ’t u se you r n ick n am e t o
d escr ib e m e. I’m d efin it ely n ot as st in gy as you . You r So u l T o ol Dep ar t m en t h as
so m u ch m on ey, yet you st ill h aven ’t for got t en t o exp loit m e. T ell m e, w h o d id
you d iscover w it h you r exp er t eyes?”
Qian Du od u o look ed h elp less as h e said , “W h at d o you m ean ‘d iscover w it h

you r exp er t eyes’?! W h en you say it lik e t h is, I feel som ew h a t d ep r essed . T h is is
an in t er n al m at t er o f you r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , b u t it seem s t h at I’ll h ave
t o u se t h is b et t h at I fin ally w on again st you . It seem s t h at I’ve lost b ig t im e t h is
t im e.”
“Oh ?” W h en h e h ear d Qian Du od u o say t h is, Yan Sh aozh e b ecam e som ew h at

in t er est ed an d ask ed , “W h at ’s goin g on ?”
Qian Du od u o r ep lied , “You k n ow Zh ou Yi fr om you r M ar t ia l Sou l

Dep ar t m en t ? T h at gir l w h o alw ays m ak e h er self look lik e an old w om an ? Sh e’s
Fan Yu ’s w ife, an d t h er e’s a st u d en t in h er class t h at sh e lik es w h o w as lat e in
r egist er in g for h is classes. Accor d in g t o t h e acad em y r u les, t h at st u d en t w ou ld
n or m ally b e exp elled . You k n ow Du W eilu n ’s sh it t y p er son a lit y; h e t r eat s t h e
acad em y r u les lik e t h ey’r e h is fat h er , t h u s it ’s im p ossib le t o d iscu ss t h is m at t er
w it h h im . Zh ou Yi, t h at gir l, w en t h om e last n igh t an d com p lain ed ab ou t it . Fan
Yu or igin ally d id n ’t in t en d t o d eal w it h t h is m at t er , b u t h e cou ld n ’t h an d le t h e
fact t h at h is w ife w ou ld n ’t let h im sleep in h is ow n b ed ! As su ch , h e cam e t o m e.
H e w an t ed m e t o u se t h e b et t h at I w on again st you t o b r in g t h at k id over an d
m ak e h im a cor e d iscip le of ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . You k n ow t h at Fan Yu is
t h e can d id a t e t o b e t h e n ext Dean , an d as su ch , I can ’t sim p ly ign or e h is r equ est .
In an y case, sin ce it ’s b een a w h ile sin ce I w on ou r b et , if I don ’t m ak e you p ay
u p n ow , you r eally m igh t n ot b e ab le t o p lay in t h e fu t u r e. T h at ’s w h y I cam e
over .”
Yan Sh aozh e look ed t ow ar d s Qian Du od u o w it h a p u zzled exp r ession . “A lat e

st u d en t is en ou gh for you an d Fan Yu t o m ak e su ch a fu ss? W h at ’s t h is st u d en t ’s
n am e?”
Qian Du od u o sin cer ely r ep lied , “H is n am e is H u o Yu h ao.”
Yan Sh aozh e’s eyes flick er ed . “I seem t o r em em b er t h at n am e.”

Qian Du od u o sm iled cu n n in gly. “H e’s a b r at fr om t h e ch am p ion t eam of last

year ’s fr esh m en assessm en t . H is t eam m a t es ar e cor e d iscip les n ow , an d h e’s t h e
on ly on e w h o’s n ot becau se of h is t en year sou l r in g. W h en Fan Yu cam e look in g
for m e ju st n ow , I felt t h at h e w as som ew h at u n d eser vin g of b ecom in g a cor e
d iscip le. H ow ever , aft er I t h ou gh t ab ou t it , t h is b r at st ill d id h elp m e b eat you in
a b et . Beat in g you in a b et isn ’t easy for t h is d ad d y! If I’m ab le t o see t h is k id in
m y Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , I’ll r em em b er h ow I b eat you . T h at ’d feel r eally
good . T h u s, I r elu ct an t ly agr eed . I ju st cam e over t o say h i t o you . I d on ’t car e
ab ou t t h e sp ecifics of t h is even t ; I’ll let Fan Yu h an d le it . W h at ever , I’m goin g
b ack . I st ill h ave a lot of t h in gs t o d o.”
W it h t h at , h e st ood u p an d left , slap p in g h is b u t t as h e d id so.
Yan Sh aozh e u sed h is eyes t o follow Qian Du od u o as h e left , in w ar d ly feelin g

t h at som et h in g w asn ’t r igh t . Pick in g u p a m icr op h on e-t yp e sou l t ool fr om h is
t ab le, h e p r essed a b u t t on an d p ou r ed h is sou l p ow er in t o it .
“W eilu n ?” Yan Sh aozh e sp ok e in a low voice.
Du W eilu n ’s voice r a n g ou t fr om t h e t elep h on e, “Dean Yan , it ’s m e.”
Yan Sh aozh e said , “H elp m e ch eck som et h in g. Is t h er e a st u d en t called H u o

Yu h ao w h o r egist er ed lat e?”
Som ew h at ast on ish ed , Du W eilu n said , “W h at a coin cid en ce. T h er e w er e a

few st u d en t s w h o ju st m ad e a com p lain t t o m e, sayin g t h at t h is H u o Yu h ao
en t er ed t h e classr oo m in a gr a n d iose m a n n er even t h ou gh h e cam e in lat e. I w as
ju st ab ou t t o t ak e car e of t h is m at t er .”
Yan Sh aozh e said , “T ell m e w h at you kn ow of t h is H u o Yu h ao. W h at ’s h is

t alen t lik e?”
Du W eilu n said , “H e h as a b it of t alen t . Last year , h e w as on e of t h e
ch am p ion s of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , alon g w it h W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao.
H is m ar t ial sou l is called t h e Sp ir it Eyes, an d h is sou l sk ill sh ou ld b e som et h in g
sim ilar t o a sp ir it u al at t ack . H is ab ilit ies can b e con sid er ed t o b e or d in ar y, b u t
h e h as t h e sign s of p ossessin g a Bod y Sou l. Becau se h e w as on e of t h e ch am p ion s
of t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , h e w as ab le t o en joy t h e t em p or ar y t r eat m en t of a
cor e d iscip le last year . H ow ever , it ’s b een w it h d r aw n fr om h im t h is year . H is
b ein g lat e h as viola t ed t h e acad em y’s r u les, so h e w ill b e exp elled .”
Yan Sh aozh e said , “If m em or y ser ves m e r igh t , h e on ly h as a t en year sou l

r in g. Am I r igh t ?”
Du W eilu n said , “Righ t . H e w as ab le t o en t er t h e aca d em y d u e t o t h e T an g

Sect sp ecially in vit in g h im , an d n ot b ecau se h e w as ab le t o p ass t h e en t r an ce
exam . Rep or t ed ly, h is sou l p ow er w as on ly at Ran k 13 w h en h e en t er ed t h e
acad em y. Righ t n ow , it isn ’t clear as t o w h et h er h e’s r each ed Ran k 20 . It ’s ver y
p ossib le t h at h e h a sn ’t r each ed it . An d if t h at ’s t h e case, h e’ll b e exp elled
an yw ay. As for h is Bod y Sou l, W an g Yan w en t over t o Eld er Xu an , w h o
p er son ally in sp ect ed t h is st u d en t . In t h e en d , Eld er Xu an w as ver y d isap p oin t ed .
H e said t h at t h is st u d en t h ad n o t alen t , an d t h at h e w asn ’t w or t h cu lt ivat in g.
Aft er t h at , t h is st u d en t w as ab le t o r eveal a fu sion sk ill w it h W an g Don g d u r in g
t h e fr esh m en assessm en t ; t h is is h is on ly st r on g p oin t . Becau se of t h is, W an g
Yan w en t over t o Eld er Xu an again . Aft er t ak in g an ot h er look at h im , Eld er
Xu an ver ified t h at t h er e w as n o ch an ce h e cou ld aw ak en h is Bod y Sou l. Aft er
t h at , w e d id n ’t p ay m u ch at t en t ion t o t h is st u d en t .”
H er ain g Du W eilu n ’s w or d s, Yan Sh aozh e im m ed ia t ely r evealed a h in t of a

sm ile. Du W eilu n ’s ab ilit ies w er e st ill w or t h y of r ecogn it ion . H u o Yu h ao w as
su ch an or d in ar y st u d en t , b u t h e w a s ab le t o im m ed iat ely sp eak ab ou t h is
ab ilit ies in ad d it ion t o a few of h is exp er ien ces aft er en t er in g t h e acad em y. H e
w as d efin it ely qu alified t o b e t h e Dir ect or of St u d ies.
“Fin e, t h en let ’s d o it t h is w ay. You d on ’t h ave t o t ak e car e of t h is m at t er

an ym or e. Ear lier , Qian Du od u o cam e over t o t alk t o m e. H e w an t s t o u se t h a t
t im e I lost t o h im t o b r in g t h is st u d en t called H u o Yu h ao in t o h is Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t . Su p p osed ly, Zh ou Yi r equ est ed t h is fr om Fan Yu , w h o t h en
b r ou gh t it u p w it h h im . Sin ce t h is st u d en t ’s so or d in ar y, let ’s ju st give h im t o
t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . I can st op Qian Du od u o fr om bot h er in g m e ab ou t
t h is.”
“Qian Du od u o w an t s a st u d en t fr om you ? T h is is t r u ly so m ew h at st r an ge.

W h y d on ’t w e w ait u n t il t h e ad van cem en t t est s t o ver ify h is ab ilit ies?” Du
W eilu n ask ed cau t iou sly.
Yan Sh aozh e said , “W h at ever . It ’s h ar d t o say w h et h er h e’ll even b e ab le t o

p ass t h e ad van cem en t t est . Even if h e h as t h e st r en gt h of a t w o-r in ged Sou l
Gr an d m ast er , w it h h is sp ir it u al at t r ib u t e, h is secon d sou l sk ill w on ’t b e t oo
st r on g. H is fir st sou l r in g’s on ly a t en year on e, so h e isn ’t w or t h t r ain in g. Let ’s
ju st give h im t o Qian Du od u o t o st op h im fr om n aggin g m e n ext t im e. Ou r
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t h as t o sh ow a b it of m agn an im it y. Let ’s ju st d o it t h is
w ay.”
“Yes, Dean .” Du W eilu n r ep lied , an d t h e t w o sim u lt an eou sly h u n g u p .
J u st as Yan Sh aozh e d id n ’t a t t ach m u ch im p or t an ce t o H u o Yu h ao, n eit h er

d id Du W eilu n . T h er e w er e m an y ou t st a n d in g gen iu ses in Sh r ek Acad em y, an d
t h e ab ilit y H u o Yu h ao h ad r evealed on t h e su r face w asn ’t en ou gh t o at t r act t h eir
at t en t ion .
H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t k n ow t h at Qian Du od u o h ad im m ed ia t ely er u p t ed in t o

u p r oar iou s lau gh t er aft er leavin g t h e Sea God ’s Islan d t o go b ack t o t h e Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t ’s ou t er cou r t yar d . A p leased look filled h is face, so m u ch so
t h at it even exceed ed t h e exp r ession h e’d sh ow n w h en h e’d b eat en Yan Sh aozh e
in t h eir p r eviou s b et .
“Old Yan , Old Yan . I r eally feel b ad for you ; you ’ve b een t r ick ed again . I d id n ’t
t h in k t h at m y Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t w ou ld act u ally h ave a d ay w h en w e’d get a
t w in -sou led st u d en t . T h is H u o Yu h ao r ea lly is m y lu ck y st ar ; h e’s allow ed m e t o
t ak e ad van t age of Old Yan again . H e t ook eigh t m on t h s t o b ecom e a Class 2 sou l
en gin eer , h as t w in m ar t ial sou ls, an d a t op -r an k ed Ice J ad e Scor p ion , w h ich is at
t h e p in n acle of t h e ice at t r ib u t e. Per fect ion , p er fect ion . W ah a h ah a…”
H u o Yu h ao h ad n o id ea t h at h e h ad b een qu ib b led over b y t h e Sou l T ool

Dep ar t m en t an d t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . At t h is m om en t , h e w as ser iou sly
list en in g t o Zh ou Yi exp lain t h e r u les of t h e ad van cem en t t est . Ot h er t h an t h e
fr esh m en w h o’d ju st en t er ed t h e acad em y, t h e ad van cem en t t est w a s of u t m ost
im p or t an ce t o ever y sin gle st u d en t of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . If t h ey cou ld n ’t p ass
it , t h ey’d h ave t o p ack t h eir b ags an d leave. Even cor e d iscip les w er en ’t an
excep t ion t o t h is. N at u r ally, t h e sit u at io n of a cor e d iscip le failin g t o p ass t h e
ad van cem en t t est h a d n ever occu r r ed in t h e p ast .
Zh ou Yi st ood b eh in d t h e p od iu m as sh e sp ok e, “T h e ad van cem en t t est for

Year 1 st u d en t s en t er in g Year 2 is r elat ively easy. W h en com p ar ed t o t h e
ad van cem en t t est s t h e u p p er year gr ou p s h ave, you r t est is m u ch m or e sim p le.
T h e t est w e’ll b e u n d er goin g is id en t ical t o Class 2’s t est . As for Classes 3 an d 4 ,
t h ey’ll h ave a d iffer en t t est d u e t o t h e st r en gt h s of t h eir m a r t ial sou ls.”
“Ou r t est w ill b e h eld in t h e acad em y’s Beast Du ellin g Ar ea. I’m su r e t h at
m an y of you st ill d o n ’t k n ow w h er e t h at is. Now , I’ll t ell you gu ys w h er e it is.
T h e Beast Du ellin g Ar ea is t o t h e sou t h of t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea, w it h in t h e
t all, cast le-lik e gr ay w alls. T h e Beast Du ellin g Ar ea con t ain s m an y d iffer en t -
r an k ed sou l b east s t h at h ave b een cap t u r ed b y t h e acad em y t h r ou gh ou t t h e
year s. It ’s sp ecia lised in h elp in g t h e u p p er year gr ou p s cu lt ivat e. If you ’r e ab le t o
en t er Year 4 in t h e fu t u r e, you ’ll b e ab le t o t r ain you r selves in t h e Beast Du ellin g
Ar ea. T h e live com b at classes t h at ar e h eld t h er e w ill b e t h e m ost im p or t an t
t est s you gu ys w ill t a k e for t h e sak e of you r fu t u r e accom p lish m en t s.”
“For t h e ad van cem en t t est t h is t im e, you ’ll h a ve t o figh t again st a sou l b east
in t h e Beast Du ellin g Ar ea. At t h e sam e t im e, you ’ll also b e ab le t o ch oose t h e
sou l b east you ’ll b e figh t in g again st . Differ en t sou l b east s w ill h ave d iffer en t
p oin t s assign ed t o t h em , an d t h e st r on ger t h e sou l b east you ch allen ge, t h e
h igh er t h e ch an ce you ’ll b e ab le t o ob t ain a h igh scor e in t h e t est . T h is t est w ill
b e gr ad ed b y t each er s fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s u p p er year gr ou p s.
It ’ll h ave a m axim u m scor e of a h u n d r ed , an d t h e p eop le w h o ar e ab le t o ob t ain
m or e t h an sixt y p oin t s w ill b e ab le t o p ass t h e ad van cem en t t est .”
“Now , I h ave a few t h in gs I w an t t o w a r n you gu ys ab ou t . Nu m b er on e, d on ’t

b e t oo cau t iou s. If t h e sou l b east you ch oose is t oo w eak , you m igh t n ot b e ab le
t o p ass even if you ’r e ab le t o d efeat it . Nu m b er t w o, d on ’t b e over ly im p et u ou s.
If t h e sou l b east you ch oose is t oo st r on g, in t h e even t t h e p r oct or can ’t m ak e it
in t im e t o save you d u r in g a figh t , t h en …”
W it h t h at , a cold ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh Zh ou Yi’s eyes, cau sin g t h e st u d en t s

p r esen t t o feel a sh iv er u p t h eir b ack s. T h ey h ad all seen sou l b east s in t h e p ast ,
b u t n ot ever yon e h a d faced a sou l b east in sin gle com b at . T h ey w er e st ill you n g,
an d p r act ically all of t h em h ad h ad t h e assist an ce of t h eir t each er s w h en t h ey
h ad ob t ain ed t h eir sou l r in gs. A p r od igy lik e H u o Yu h ao, w h o h ad ob t ain ed h is
r in gs t h r ou gh h is ow n p ow er , cou ld n ’t b e seen ever yw h er e.
“Nu m b er t h r ee, you h ave t o k eep in m in d t h at losin g t h e b at t le d oesn ’t

au t om at ically elim in at e you . If t h e sou l b east you ’r e figh t in g is st r on g en ou gh ,
an d you r p er for m an ce d u r in g t h e b at t le is w or t h y of p r aise, you r fin al scor e
m igh t n ot n ecessar ily b e low . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e st an d ar d s r equ ir ed for con t r ol-
t yp e an d assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s ar e d iffer en t . Du r in g a 1v1 t est lik e t h is,
assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s w ill h ave h igh er r eq u ir em en t s; you r aim w ill b e t o
d efeat t h e sou l b east you ch a llen ge. On t h e ot h er h an d , con t r ol-t yp e sou l
m ast er s w ill a im t o con t r ol t h e sou l b east . H ow lon g you ’r e ab le t o k eep figh t in g
w ill d et er m in e h ow m an y m ar k s you ob t ain .”
H u o Yu h ao w as list en in g ver y ser iou sly; h e h ad t o list en ser iou sly! Aft er all,
t h ey h ad m ad e a b et again st Dai H u ab in . T h e st ak es of t h is b et w er e for t h e
losin g p ar t y t o k ow t ow an d ad m it t h at t h ey w er e w r on g. Alt h ou gh t h is on ly
in volved a m a t t er of face t o ot h er p eop le, t h is h ad a com p let ely d iffer en t
m ean in g t o h im . If h e w er e ab le t o m ak e Dai H u ab in k n eel in fr on t of h im an d
k ow t ow , it w as equ ivalen t t o h im h avin g com p let ed a t in y p ar t of h is r even ge.
T h er efor e, h e h ad t o w in t h is b et n o m at t er w h at .
Righ t at t h is m om en t , t h e sou n d of k n ock in g on t h e d oor b ein g su d d en ly r an g
ou t .
Nor m ally, d isr u p t ion s w ou ld n ’t occu r d u r in g cla ss t im e u n less t h e acad em y

h ad cer t ain sp ecia l ar r an gem en t s. W an g Yan an d Zh ou Yi w er e st u n n ed . W an g
Yan , w h o w as st an d in g b y t h e d oor , t u r n ed t o op en it .
A t each er st ood ou t sid e t h e classr oom . Sh e w as a ver y u n fam iliar p er son t o

t h e st u d en t s, an d even H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow t h at it w as t h is t each er w h o’d
given h im t h e Secr et Law Sou l. Righ t , t h e t each er w h o’d com e w as exact ly t h e
T each er M u J in w h o ’d lost a b et again st Zh ou Yi. Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w er e t w o
t each er s in ch ar ge of t h e T each in g Dep ar t m en t st an d in g b eh in d h er .
Zh ou Yi’s face san k . “T each er M u , w h y ar en ’t you t each in g in you r Class 2?

W h at ar e you t r yin g t o d o b y com in g t o ou r Class 1?”
It w as u n k n ow n w h et h er sh e w as d elib er at ely set t in g h er self u p again st Zh ou

Yi, b u t aft er Zh ou Yi b ecam e t h e t each er in ch ar ge of Year 1’s Class 1, M u J in
b ecam e t h e t each er in ch ar ge of Class 2.
M u J in lau gh ed in d iffer en t ly. “I’d h ear d t h at t h er e w as a st u d en t fr om you r

class w h o t u r n ed u p lat e, b u t st ill cam e in for class. I sp ecially cam e over t o see
w h o it w as. I d id n ’t com e over t o fin d you ; it w as t h ese t w o t each er s fr om t h e
T each in g Dep ar t m en t w h o w er e look in g for you .”
A cold ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh Zh ou Yi’s eyes as sh e w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e d oor .

T h e t w o t each er s fr om t h e T each in g Dep ar t m en t h a d alr ea d y w alk ed in t o t h e
class, an d t h e m id d le-aged m ale t each er on t h e left said , “T each er Zh ou , T each er
W an g, w e r eceived t h e st u d en t r ep or t s. A st u d en t called H u o Yu h ao fr om you r
class d id n ’t m an age t o r egist er yest er d ay, b u t h e t u r n ed u p t o class t od ay. You
t w o sh ou ld k n ow t h e acad em y’s r u les as w ell. W e n ow h ave t o t ak e t h is st u d en t
aw ay an d h an d le h is leavin g p r oced u r es.”
W an g Yan look ed t ow ar d s Zh ou Yi, w h o lau gh ed in d iffer en t ly. “T each er Li,
T each er Lu . W h at you say is in d eed t h e ca se. H ow ever , t h is st u d en t , H u o Yu h ao,
is a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . T h ou gh h e r ep or t ed in la t e, h e
w as com p let in g a t a sk assign ed t o h im b y t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . T h e Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t w ill exp lain t h is m at t er t o you .”
T h e t w o t each er s fr om t h e T each in g Dep ar t m en t w er e st u n n ed . “A cor e

d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ?” T each er Lu ask ed d isb elievin gly.
M u J in w as alr ead y it ch in g t o in t er ject . “Zh ou Yi, if you ’r e goin g t o m ak e u p

excu ses, at least m ak e u p r ealist ic on es. Sin ce w h en h as ou r acad em y h ad a cor e
d iscip le fr om t h e So u l T ool Dep ar t m en t w h o’s on ly b een a Year 1 st u d en t ? W h o
d oesn ’t k n ow t h at t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t on ly t ak es in cor e d iscip les on ce
t h ey’ve com p let ed t h eir Year 3 ad van cem en t t est s in t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t ? W h o d o you t h in k you ’r e foolin g w it h su ch an excu se!?”
T h e t w o t each er s fr om t h e T each in g Dep ar t m en t w er e b r iefly st u n n ed .

T each er Lu t h en t u r n ed t o M u J in an d sa id , “T each er M u , w e’ll t ak e car e of t h is
m at t er . You sh ou ld r et u r n t o Class 2 an d look aft er you r st u d en t s.” Zh ou Yi’s
excu se w as so in con ceivab le t h a t t h ey a ct u ally su sp ect ed it t o b e t h e t r u t h . At
t h e sam e t im e, h avin g M u J in fan t h e flam es of con flict w ou ld clear ly b e
d et r im en t al t o t h e h ar m on y b et w een t each er s.
M u J in sn or t ed r esen t fu lly. “I h op e t h e acad em y w ill n ot ify m e of t h e r esu lt s

on ce ever yt h in g h as b een set t led .”
“I’ll t ell you t h e t h e r esu lt s r igh t n ow . H u o Yu h ao is m y d iscip le an d h e’s also

a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .” A t all figu r e ap p ear ed b y t h e d oor
t o t h e classr oom , it w as Fan Yu w h o w as even accom p an ied b y Dir ect or Du
W eilu n .
“Dir ect or .” T h e t w o t each er s fr om t h e T each in g Dep ar t m en t h u r r ied ly

gr eet ed Du W eilu n .
Du W eilu n en t er ed t h e classr oom an d sp ok e w it h a solem n voice, “W it h t h e

ap p r oval of b ot h Dean Yan Sh aozh e an d Dean Qian Du od u o, H u o Yu h ao w ill n o
lon ger r em ain a t em p or ar y cor e d iscip le. In st ead , h e w ill n ow for m ally assu m e
t h e r ole of a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . T h e r eason for h is
t ar d in ess w as d u e t o a t ask assign ed t o h im b y T each er Fan Yu . H en ce, t h is
m at t er con clu d es h er e. H u o Yu h ao w ill st ay in Class 1 an d co n t in u e t o lear n t h e
var iou s t yp es of fou n d at ion al k n ow led ge in t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t u n t il
Year 3, at w h ich p oin t h e w ill t r a n sfer t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .”
Up on h ear in g Du W eilu n ’s an n ou n cem en t , t h e ot h er t each er s r em a in ed

silen t . M u J in ’s eyes w er e filled w it h an in cr ed u lou s look . Fr om h er p er sp ect ive,
even if Fan Yu h ad w an t ed t o h elp Zh ou Yi ou t , h e w ou ld n ever h ave u sed a
m et h od lik e t h is! Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d act u a lly m an aged t o con vin ce Du W eilu n .
“No, t h is ca n ’t b e r igh t . Dir ect or Du , w h ich of t h e q u a lificat ion s t o b ecom in g

a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t d oes H u o Yu h ao m eet ? Becom in g a
cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t r equ ir es on e t o b e ext r em ely t alen t ed
an d exp er ien ced in t h e var iou s asp ect s of sou l t ool cr eat ion !” M u J in said ,
u n w illin g t o con ced e.
Fan Yu sn or t ed cold ly, t h en sh ou t ed , “H u o Yu h ao, st an d u p an d com e h er e.”
H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely st ood u p an d st r od e for w ar d s. Alt h ou gh h e w as

con fu sed as t o w h y M u J in w as t ar get in g h im , h e w asn ’t n er vou s in t h e sligh t est
w h en facin g so m an y t each er s. On t h e con t r ar y, h e felt in w ar d ly w ar m . Zh ou Yi,
W an g Yan , an d Fan Yu w er e all p r ot ect in g h im , cau sin g h im t o b e filled w it h
con fid en ce.
Fan Yu flip p ed h is w r ist , ca u sin g a oct ago n al b lu e b ad ge t o ap p ear in h is p alm .

T h e b ad ge h ad t w o d iam on d -lik e st ar s em b ed d ed w it h in it .
“H u o Yu h ao h as lea r n t t h e ar t of sou l t ool cr eat ion u n d er m e ever sin ce t h e

fr esh m en assessm en t en d ed . Aft er eigh t m on t h s, h e w as ab le t o p ass t h e t est
r eq u ir ed t o b ecom e a Class 2 sou l en gin eer u n d er m y gu id a n ce. In accor d an ce
w it h t h e acad em y’s st at u s w it h in t h e w or ld of sou l en gin eer s, I ask ed Vice-Dean
Qian Du od u o fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t for h elp . W it h h is con fir m at ion , I
aw ar d ed h im t h e b a d ge of a Class 2 sou l en gin eer . All it t o ok h im w as eigh t
m on t h s of t im e t o ad van ce fr om an or d in ar y sou l m ast er t o a Class 2 sou l
en gin eer . T h is lev el of t alen t h as alr ead y cr eat ed h ist or y w it h in Sh r ek
Acad em y’s Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . T h u s, h ow cou ld w e n ot t ak e h im in as a cor e
d iscip le?”
At t h is m om en t , even Du W eilu n w as ast on ish ed . H e h ad n ’t k n ow n a t h in g

ab ou t H u o Yu h ao’s in volvem en t in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t !
H e h ad on ly t ak en eigh t m on t h s t o b ecom e a Class 2 sou l en gin eer ? Even t h e

w or d ‘gen iu s’ w as in su fficien t t o d escr ib e t h is level of t alen t . Aft er all, H u o
Yu h ao w as st ill on ly t w elve year s old ! Even in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e, w h ich
h igh ly valu ed sou l en gin eer s, a t w elve-year -old Class 2 sou l en gin eer w as an
in cr ed ib ly r ar e exist en ce.. H ow w as t h is p ossib le?
H ow ever , it w as alr ead y t oo lat e for h im t o t r y t o st op t h e Sou l T ool

Dep ar t m en t fr om t a k in g H u o Yu h ao as a cor e d iscip le, t h ey h ad ju st an n ou n ced
it t o t h e w or ld . Du W eilu n w as cer t ain t h at Fan Yu cou ld n ’t h ave m ad e a ll t h is
u p . Bu t t h e m or e h e b elieved t h is st or y, t h e m or e d ep r essed h e felt . H e cou ld
on ly con sole h im self w it h t h e fact t h at t h at H u o Yu h ao w as on ly t alen t ed in t h e
m at t er of sou l t ools No w on d er Dean Qian h ad p er son a lly gon e t o fet ch Dean
Yan ; t h er e w as act u ally a for esh ad ow in g lik e t h is! A m ist ak e, t h ey h ad m ad e a
lar ge m ist ak e! If t h ey h ad k n ow n ab ou t t h is ear lier , t h ey w ou ld ’ve t old Dean
Yan ab ou t it ear lier . Even if h e st ill agr eed t o H u o Yu h ao b ecom in g a cor e
d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , h e m igh t h ave a t least b een ab le t o ob t ain
a few m or e ad van t ages fr om Dean Qian .
Even if Sh r ek Acad em y’s M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t h ad a st at u s t h at far

su r p assed t h at of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , t h eir fin an cia l st at e w as in cr ed ib ly
p at h et ic. Oft en t im es, t h e M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t h ad t o r ely on t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t in or d er t o in cr ease t h e fu n d in g t h ey got .
Zh ou Yi cold ly sw ep t h er eyes t ow ar d s M u J in , “Dir ect or Du , M u J in is t h e

t each er in ch ar ge of Class 2, b u t n on et h eless sh e h as com e over t o m y Class 1 t o
st ir u p t r ou b le. Doesn ’t t h is seem in ap p r op r iat e?”
Du W eilu n im m ed iat ely w ok e u p fr om h is r egr et . Sin ce t h e sit u at ion h a d
alr ead y r each ed t h is p oin t , t h er e w as n o lon ger an y u se for r egr et . H e sp ok e in a
solem n voice, “T each er M u , r et u r n t o you r class im m ed ia t ely. You w ill n ot
r eceive a secon d w ar n in g.”
M u J in look ed a t Zh ou Yi h at efu lly, t h en glan ced at t h e exp r ession less Fan Yu

b efor e fin ally st am p in g h er foot an d leavin g.
Zh ou Yi said in d iffer en t ly, “Dir ect or Du , I h on est ly feel t h a t T each er M u ’s

at t it u d e isn ’t t oo su it ab le for a t each er in ch ar ge of a class. W e w ou ld n ’t w an t
h er w ast in g t h e t im e of t h ose ou t st an d in g st u d en t s.”
Du W eilu n fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s, “T h is is a m at t er for t h e acad em y t o d ecid e.

Ok ay, you can con t in u e w it h you r class. T h e ad van cem en t t est w ill st ar t in t h e
aft er n oon , an d I sh a ll p er son ally at t en d an d ob ser ve h ow t h e t est goes for you r
Year 2.” W it h t h at , h e n od d ed t ow ar d s Fan Yu an d left alon g w it h t h e t w o
t each er s fr om t h e T each in g Dep ar t m en t .
Fan Yu p at t ed H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er b efor e follow in g Du W eilu n aw ay. H e’d

fin ally b een ab le t o an n ou n ce t h at H u o Yu h ao w as a cor e d iscip le, an d h e h ad
even d on e t h is w it h t h e ap p r oval of Dean Yan Sh aozh e. T h is m at t er w as alr ead y
set t led an d n ow t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t cou ld n ’t r en ege on t h eir w or d s
even if t h ey w an t ed t o. Aft er leavin g t h e classr oom , t h e h in t of a fain t sm ile
ap p ear ed on t h e cor n er s Fan Yu ’s m ou t h . Even if t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t
w asn ’t ab le t o h ave a r ise t o glor y in h is gen er at ion , it w ou ld d efin it ely b e ab le t o
d o so in H u o Yu h ao a n d H e Cait ou ’s gen er at ion .
Un d er t h e aw est r u ck gazes of t h e ot h er st u d en t s, H u o Yu h ao sat b ack d ow n in

h is or igin al sea t . Ot h er t h an Xiao Xia o an d W an g Don g, w h o’d k n ow n in
ad van ce, t od ay’s even t s h ad h ad st u n n ed t h e en t ir e class.
H avin g st u d ied t oget h er for a year , ever yon e k n ew t h at H u o Yu h ao w as an

or p h an w h o d id n ’t h ave an y b ack gr ou n d t o r ely u p on . H ow ever , it seem ed as
t h ou gh h e’d b een t r eat ed gen er ou sly b y ever yon e ever sin ce h e h ad en t er ed
Sh r ek Acad em y. Fir st , Zh ou Yi h ad n ’t h esit at ed t o exp el t w o cor e d iscip les for
h im . T h is t im e ar ou n d , t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t h ad t ak en h im in as a cor e
d iscip le an d h ad even given h im t h e b a d ge of a Class 2 sou l en gin eer . J u st w it h
h is qu alificat ion s as a Class 2 sou l en gin eer , H u o Yu h ao w ou ld b e ab le t o b e
h ir ed for a gen er ou s salar y in an y cou n t r y on t h e con t in en t . A sou l en gin eer w as
a t alen t t h at w a s d esp er at ely r equ ir ed b y ever y cou n t r y, so m u ch so t h a t t h ey
cou ld b e r efer r ed t o as st r at egic r esou r ces.
……
“W h at ?! A Class 2 sou l en gin eer ?” Yan Sh aozh e look ed d isb elievin gly a t Du
W eilu n . Var iou s t h ou gh t s flash ed t h r ou gh h is m in d an d h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
fu r r ow h is b r ow s for a m om en t .
Aft er leavin g Class 1, Du W eilu n h ad im m ed iat ely r u sh ed b ack t o r ep or t t o

h im .
“Dam m it , w e w er e t r ick ed . W e w er e t r ick ed b y t h at old b ast ar d Qian

Du od u o.” Yan Sh aozh e sm ack ed h is t ab le violen t ly, a look of r egr et on h is face.
Du W eilu n said , “Dean Yan , it isn ’t t h at ser iou s. If t h at k id H u o Yu h ao’s on ly

t alen t ed in t h e field of sou l t ools, allow in g h im t o b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t can b e con sid er ed t o b e m ak in g fu ll u se of ou r r esou r ces.”
Yan Sh aozh e w aved h is h an d . “No, it can ’t b e t h at sim p le. You ’ve for got t en
som et h in g; if it ’s ju st as you said , w h y w ou ld t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t b e so
im p at ien t t o t ak e h im ? It w ou ld b e fin e for t h em t o ju st an n ou n ce t h at t h ey’r e
t ak in g h im as a cor e d iscip le b y t h e t im e h e r each es Year 4 . A st u d en t w h o’s
ou t st an d in g in t h e field of sou l t ool cr eat ion d efin it ely w on ’t at t r act ou r
at t en t ion . As for w h y h e w as lat e t h is t im e, Zh ou Yi an d Fan Yu cou ld ’ve fou n d
an ot h er excu se t o set t le t h is m at t er . H ow ever , Qian Du odu o p er son ally cam e
over t o d ea l w it h t h is m at t er w it h m e, an d h e even u sed t h e b et t h a t I lost t o h im
last t im e. H aven ’t you r ealised w h at t h is m ean s?”
Du W eilu n w as ast on ish ed as w ell, “You ’r e sayin g t h at , ot h er t h an t h e st r on g
p oin t s t h e So u l T ool Dep ar t m en t valu es h igh ly, h e also h as a few ar eas w h ich w e
of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t valu e?”
Yan Sh aozh e n od d ed , “T h at ’s d efin it ely t h e case. Ot h er w ise, Qian Du od u o

w ou ld n ’t h ave com e over t o look for m e st r aigh t aw ay. It ’s n o w on d er I felt
som et h in g w as off. I d id n ’t t h in k t h at I’d b e sch em ed again st b y t h at
ch eap sk at e.”
Du W eilu n sm iled b it t er ly. “Dean , t h e m at t er ’s a lr ead y d on e an d d u st ed . T h e

Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t h as alr ead y an n ou n ced t h at h e’s on e of t h eir cor e
d iscip les, so w e ca n on ly ack n ow led ge t h at . In t h e en d , h e’s on ly a sin gle
st u d en t . T h er e ar e m an y ou t st an d in g t alen t s am on g t h eir gen er at ion , so w e
sh ou ld ju st p ay a b it m or e at t en t ion in t h e fu t u r e so as t o n ot b e t ak en ad van t age
of b y t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .”
“Yu p .” Yan Sh aozh e n od d ed , “Let ’s d o it t h is w ay. T h is aft er n oon , p ar t icip at e

in t h e en t ir et y of t h eir ad van cem en t t est . Ot h er t h an ch eck in g u p on a few cor e
d iscip les, p ay sp ecial at t en t ion t o t h is H u o Yu h ao. In t h e even t h e r eally
p er for m s excep t ion ally, let m e k n ow im m ed iat ely. Righ t , w e can ’t r en ege on ou r
d eal via n or m al m ean s, b u t w h at if t h is k id r en eges on it b y h im self an d ch ooses
t o leave t h e So u l T ool Dep ar t m en t ?”
W it h t h at , Yan Sh aozh e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t r eveal t h e h in t of a cr aft y sm ile on

h is face. I can ’t d ir ect ly t ak e h im in as a cor e d iscip le, b u t w h at if h e t ak es t h e
in it iat ive t o r equ est it fr om u s? T h en t h at ’s a d iffer en t st or y. T h is m at t er isn ’t
som et h in g t h a t ’s com p let ely n on -m an ip u lab le!
……
For on ce, t h e aft er n oon class en d ed b efor e t h e b ell r an g. Aft er exp lain in g t h e
var iou s im p or t an t t op ics r egar d in g t h e aft er n oon ’s ad van cem en t t est , Zh ou Yi
d ism issed t h e class. T h is w as t o allow t h em t o go b ack an d p r ep ar e, ad ju st in g
t h e con d it ion s of t h eir b od ies t o t h eir m ost op t im u m st a t es for t h e sak e of
t ak in g t h eir t est in t h e Beast Du ellin g Ar ea in t h e aft er n oon .
Placin g t h e b ad ge of a Class 2 sou l en gin eer on h is sh ir t , H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t
h elp b u t feel a st r on g feelin g of su ccess in h is h ear t . T h e w or k m an sh ip of t h e
b lu e, oct agon al b ad ge w as ext r em ely exqu isit e, an d t h e t w o d iam on d s em b ed d ed
on it w er e even m or e b r illian t .
“St op sh ow in g it off sh am elessly.” W an g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t t ease h im ,

“You ’r e gr in n in g fr om ear t o ear .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led , “Su p p osed ly, h avin g t h is t h in g is con sid er ed t o b e t h e

sam e as r eceivin g t h e ap p r oval of t h e Sou l En gin eer in g Associat ion . You ’ll b e
ab le t o get a d ecen t job w h er ever you go w it h t h is. At t h e ver y least , I w on ’t
h ave t o w or r y ab ou t food an d clot h in g in t h e fu t u r e.”
W an g Don g u n h ap p ily said , “J u st look a t h ow m u ch you ’r e b r aggin g. Let ’s go

b ack an d cu lt ivat e n ow .”
H u o Yu h ao h ad an a m azed look on h is face. “H as t h e su n r isen fr om t h e w est ?

W h en h ave you b ecom e t h is h a r d -w or k in g?”
W an g Don g sn or t ed , “I’ve alw ays b een ver y h ar d -w or k in g, alr igh t ?”

Chapt er 48.1: A Ter r ifying Det er r ence!
H u o Yu h ao st ifled a sm ile. “Righ t , you ’r e so h ar d w or k in g. In fact , you ’r e so

h ar d w or k in g t h at you cover you r h ead w it h you r b lan k et ever y d ay so as t o n ot
get u p in t h e m or n in g. I w on d er w h o t h is ‘h ar d w or k in g p er son ’, t h e on e w h o’s
ask ed m e n ot t o w ak e h im u p ever y m or n in g, is.”
“H u m p h !” W an g Don g sn or t ed an d p u sh ed H u o Yu h ao aw ay as h e t ook lar ge

st r id es t ow ar d s t h e d or m s. H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed as h e h u r r ied aft er h im . W h en
t h ey ar r ived b ack at t h eir d or m it or y, t h ey gr eet ed t h e old m an w h o w as
r eclin in g n ear t h e en t r an ce, t h en h ead ed t o t h eir r oom .
“Com e h er e, let m e t ak e a look . Let m e see ju st h ow m u ch you r cu lt iva t ion ’s

in cr eased n ow t h at you ’ve ob t ain ed you r secon d sou l r in g a n d a secon d m ar t ia l
sou l.” W an g Don g said as h e p lop p ed h im self d ow n on h is b ed .
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed . “You ’r e so an xiou s. Cou ld it b e t h at you ’r e t r yin g t o

p r ep ar e for t h e b et t h at w e h ave in t h e aft er n oon ? Sin ce it ’s a scor e-b ased t est , I
r eck on t h at w e’ll a d d all of ou r scor es t oget h er an d com p et e again st t h eir
com b in ed scor e. Don ’t t ell m e t h at you ’r e n ot con fid en t in you r self?”
W an g Don g glan ced at h im . “Of cou r se I’m con fid en t in m yself. I’m ju st n ot
con fid en t in a p er son w h o’s h old in g u s b ack lik e you .”
H u o Yu h ao w as left sp eech less w h en h e h ear d t h is. H e im m ed iat ely t ook off

h is sh oes an d sat d ow n on W an g Don g’s b ed in a cr oss-legged p osit ion . “H er e,
I’ll let you exp er ien ce ju st h ow aw esom e t h is b r ot h er of you r s r eally is.” Aft er
h ear in g t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m r efer t o h im self as h is b r ot h er ever yd ay d u r in g
t h eir jou r n ey, H u o Yu h ao h ad lear n ed t o u se t h e p h r ase as w ell.
W an g Don g u n h ap p ily sp at , “Did n ’t I give you a set of b ed d in g? W h y’r e you

sit t in g on m y b ed ?”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “Com e on , st op t h at b ad h ab it of you r s. H u r r y u p .”
W an g Don g d id n ’t p r ess t h e issu e. H e t u r n ed t o face H u o Yu h ao, t h en p r essed

h is p alm s again st H u o Yu h ao’s. Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, a look of ast on ish m en t
ap p ear ed on b ot h of t h eir faces.
T h ey w er e b ot h ab le t o sen se t h at t h eir sou l p ow er fu sion h ad for m ed a

p ow er fu l sou l p ow er , w h ich h ad in t u r n su b st an t ially in cr eased b ot h of t h eir
sou l p ow er . Fu r t h er m or e, it w asn ’t a sim p le q u an t it at ive ch an ge; it w as su ch a
su b st an t ial im p r ovem en t t h a t it cou ld b e con sid er ed a q u alit a t ive ch an ge. W h en
t h ey’d sep ar at ed on e m on t h ago, t h eir H aod on g Pow er cou ld b e d escr ib ed as a
t in y b r ook . T h eir fu sed sou l p ow er n ow h ow ever , w as p r act ically ak in t o a sm all
r iver . As t h e t u r b u len t sou l p ow er flow ed t h r ou gh ou t t h eir b od ies, t h ey b ot h
w er e ab le t o clear ly sen se t h at t h eir sou l p ow er w as cir cu lat in g at 150 % it s
or igin al sp eed .
T h e m ajor it y of w h at H u o Yu h ao felt w as t h e exp losive in cr ease in W an g

Don g’s sou l p ow er , b u t W an g Don g felt som et h in g d iffer en t ; h e d iscover ed t h at
n ot on ly h ad H u o Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er in cr eased b y a su b st an t ial am ou n t , b u t t h e
w id t h of h is p assagew ays h ad d ou b led as w ell. T h e am ou n t of H aod on g Pow er
t h e t w o h ad cr eat ed w as r elat ively en or m ou s, yet it w asn ’t in h ib it ed at all w h en
it cir cu lat ed t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s p assagew ays. It m an aged t o com p let e an
en t ir e r evolu t ion w it h ou t an y d ifficu lt y at all. In fact , H u o Yu h ao’s cir cu la t ion
sp eed even exceed ed W an g Don g’s. It w as as if a h eaven ly t r easu r e h a d b een
u sed on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, cau sin g an ast on ish in g t r an sfor m at ion t o occu r t o it .
W h en t h e H aod on g Pow er h ad fin ish ed flow in g t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s b od y,
W an g Don g sen sed a for m id ab le b u r st of p ow er fr om h is b od y.
T h ou gh t h e t w o felt ast on ish ed , t h ey’d alr ead y st ar t ed cu lt ivat in g. As su ch ,

t h ey d id n ’t d ar e t o b e car eless at all. T h ey h u r r ied ly gu ar d ed t h eir m in d s an d
gr ad u ally en t er ed a m ed it at ive st at e.
T h ey cu lt ivat ed all t h e w ay u n t il lu n ch t im e b efor e st op p in g. W h en t h ey

fin ally slow ly w it h d r ew t h eir p alm s an d op en ed t h eir eyes, b ot h of t h em h ad a
som ew h at st r an ge ga ze in t h eir eyes as t h ey look ed at on e an ot h er .
T h ey’d on ly cu lt iva t ed for t w o h ou r s, yet t h ey b ot h felt t h at t h eir sou l p ow er
h ad d ist in ct ly in cr eased . W it h t h is sor t of cu lt iva t ion sp eed , t h ey cou ld
p ot en t ially r aise b ot h of t h eir sou l p ow er s b y a sin gle r an k in less t h an a m on t h !
T h is cu lt ivat ion sp eed w as sim p ly t oo ast on ish in g.
“You ’r e sim p ly a fr eak !” W an g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t b lu r t ou t .
H u o Yu h ao u n h ap p ily r et or t ed , “T h en w h at ab ou t you ? Ar en ’t you on e as

w ell? T h is w as a com b in at ion of m e b ein g w ell-p r ep ar ed an d m y good for t u n e.”
W an g Don g sm iled m isch ievou sly. “It ’s n o w on d er t h at you w er e so con fid en t

w h en you m ad e t h at b et w it h Dai H u ab in . Don ’t w or r y, as lon g as you r scor e in
t h e ad van cem en t t est is h igh er t h an Zh u Lu ’s or Cu i Yajie’s, ou r ch an ces of
w in n in g w ill b e ext r em ely h igh . I’ll d efin it ely w or k h ar d in or d er t o b eat Dai
H u ab in ’s scor e.”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed , t h en ask ed , “Ar e you sayin g t h at t h e p r oct or w ill b e ab le

t o n ot ice if w e ch eat ?”
T h eir m in d s w er e p r act ically con n ect ed a t t h is p oin t , as W an g Don g n at u r ally

u n d er st ood w h at h e w as t h in k in g. “I’m afr aid t h at it ’ll b e ext r em ely d ifficu lt .
H ow ever , I can sen se t h at you r con t r ol h as in cr eased b y a su b st an t ial am ou n t ,
so it sh ou ld b e fin e if you ’r e car efu l. W e h ave t o m ak e Dai H u ab in an d t h e r est
k ow t ow b efor e u s. Let ’s see w h et h er h e’ll d ar e t o b e so u n b r id led aft er t h a t .”
W h en h e an d W an g Don g r each ed t h e ca n t een , t h ey lea r n ed t h at H u o Yu h ao’s

lu n ch qu alit y h ad n ’t d r op p ed , d esp it e h im b ein g st r ip p ed of h is p r ivileges as a
cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . A t h ir t y-or -so-year -old ch ef w as
alr ead y w ait in g for t h em ou t sid e. W h en h e saw H u o Yu h a o, h e im m ed iat ely
ap p r oach ed t h em .
“You ’r e H u o Yu h ao?”
“An d you ar e?” H u o Yu h ao cou ld gu a r an t ee t h at t h is w a s h is fir st t im e

m eet in g t h is m an .
T h e m id d le-aged m an w h o w as d r essed as a ch ef sm iled . “I’m M ast er Fan Yu ’s
p er son al ch ef. Fr om h er e on ou t , I’ll p er son ally b e b r in gin g you you r food .”
On ce h e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g, h e h an d ed H u o Yu h ao t h e box of food h e w as
h old in g.
H u o Yu h ao st ar ed b lan k ly. On ce h e cam e b ack t o h is sen ses, a w ar m feelin g

im m ed iat ely sp r ead t h r ou gh h is h ear t ; h is t each er w as t r u ly t oo t h ou gh t fu l. H e
t h an k ed t h e ch ef an d accep t ed t h e b ox of food . On ce h e h ad , h e an d W an g Don g
en t er ed t h e can t een t oget h er .
W an g Don g said , “You ’r e r eally gr ea t ! You even h ave som eon e t o d eliver food
t o you . T h e cor e d iscip les of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ar e t r u ly t r eat ed in an
ext r aor d in ar y m an n er .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “Go an d or d er you r food .”
W h en H u o Yu h ao op en ed t h e b ox of food h e’d r eceived an d saw t h e food

in sid e of it , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel ast on ish ed . T h is m ea l w as sim p ly t oo
su m p t u ou s!
T o H u o Yu h ao, t h e food t h at t h e cor e d iscip les of t h e M ar t ial Sou l

Dep ar t m en t h ad b een ab le t o eat h ad a lr ead y b een of t h e b est qu alit y. H ow ever ,
t h e food t h at Fan Yu ’s p er son al ch ef h ad given h im exceed ed t h at b y m or e t h an
a sin gle level.
In sid e of t h e b ox w er e t w o d ish es, a b ow l of sou p , an d lar ge b ow l of r ice. T h ey

seem ed ext r em ely sim p le at a glan ce, b u t t h e in gr ed ien t s t h a t h ad b een u sed t o
m ak e t h em cou ld b e d escr ib ed as p r eciou s t r easu r es.
T h er e w as a p iece of p ap er t h at lab eled t h e food in sid e of t h e b ox as w ell, w it h

in st r u ct ion s w r it t en on it t h at d et ailed w h ich food sh ou ld b e eat en in w h ich
or d er so as t o ob t ain m axim u m efficacy fr om t h e in gr ed ien t s a s w ell.
Fir st ly, h e n eed ed t o d r in k t h e sou p t h at h ad b een m ad e fr om a h u n d r ed year

jad e gin sen g st ew ed t oget h er w it h t h e essen ce of a gast r od ia elat a. H u o Yu h ao
w as n o lon ger t h e p r eviou sly ign or an t k id t h at h e h ad b een ; aft er en joyin g t h e
b en efit s of a cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t for an en t ir e year , h e
h ad a cer t ain level of u n d er st an d in g t ow ar d s t h ese t op -lev el in gr ed ien t s. H e
cou ld also r ou gh ly calcu lat e t h a t t h e cost of t h is b ow l of sou p alon e exceed ed
fift y gold sou l coin s.
T h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s can t een ser ved a sim ilar d ish , b u t it con t ain ed
a m er e t en year jad e gin sen g in st ea d of a h u n d r ed year gin sen g. As su ch , it s
in gr ed ien t s w er e ver y in fer ior w h en com p ar ed t o t h e d ish in fr on t of h im . T h is
b ow l of sou p cou ld n ou r ish t h e b r ain an d b od y, an d w as con sid er ed an
excep t ion ally good t yp e of n ou r ish m en t .
Of t h e t w o d ish es, on e of t h em con t ain ed t h e sim m er ed m u scles of a h u n d r ed

year Ear t h Dr agon . T h ese Ear t h Dr agon m u scles h ad b een ob t ain ed fr om a
gen u in e Ear t h Dr agon . T h e com b at st r en gt h of a h u n d r ed year Ear t h Dr agon
w as ab solu t ely at t h e p in n acle of h u n d r ed year sou l b ea st s, as it w as t h e
r ep r esen t a t ive of p ow er -t yp e sou l b east s. It s m u scles cou ld n ou r ish b ot h t h e
m u scles an d b on es o f a h u m an b ein g, t h u s it s b en efit s w er e esp ecially gr eat for a
t een ager lik e H u o Yu h ao.
W h en H u o Yu h ao op en ed t h e d ish , h e fou n d ou t t h at t h e Ear t h Dr agon

m u scles h ad u n exp ect ed ly b een t u r n ed in t o a soft st ew . It w ou ld ’ve h a d t o h ave
b een cook ed for at least t h r ee fu ll d ays t o r each t h is d egr ee of soft n ess! Not on ly
w as it in cr ed ib ly d eliciou s, it w as also in cr ed ib ly b en eficial t o eat .
T h e ot h er d ish con t ain ed t h e m ar r ow of an Azu r e Bir d , an d w as ser ved w it h

b ean sau ce. T h e Azu r e Bir d su p p osed ly h ad a t r ace of t h e Ph oen ix b lood lin e, an d
n ot on ly w as it s m ar r ow d eliciou s, it w as also ext r em ely n ou r ish in g t o t h e b on es
of a h u m an b ein g.
T h ese t h r ee d ish es alt oget h er cou ld b e r efer r ed t o as t h e Dr agon M u scle

Ph oen ix M ar r ow J a d e Gin sen g, an d r egar d less of if you w er e t alk in g ab ou t it s
n ou r ish in g effect s or it s p r ice, all t h r ee of t h em w er e fir st -class d ish es.
Even t h e r ice w a s sp ecial; it w as k n ow n as Cr yst a l W h it e J ad e Rice an d it
seem ed t o b e filled w it h t in y p ear ls. It cou ld r ep len ish on e’s Qi an d w ou ld
n ou r ish on e’s b od y, t h u s in cr easin g on e’s p h ysical st r en gt h .
T h e m at er ial p r ice a lon g for t h is m ea l su r p assed a h u n d r ed an d fift y gold so u l

coin s!
W h en W an g Don g r et u r n ed fr om or d er in g h is food , h e t ook a look at h is ow n

food , t h en look ed b ack at H u o Yu h ao’s. A st r an ge ligh t ap p ear ed in h is eyes on ce
h e d id so. “Yu h ao, I’m jealou s n ow . I w a n t t o go t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t as
w ell. W h en d id t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ’s food b ecom e t h at good ? I h ear d t h at
t h e food t h at t h eir cor e d iscip les eat in t h eir can t een is far in fer ior t o w h at w e of
t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t get ! H ow ever , it seem s lik e t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t n eed s m or e n u t r it iou s food .”
W an g Don g’s in for m at ion w asn ’t w r on g, b u t t h at on ly ap p lied t o or d in ar y

cor e d iscip les of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . W as H u o Yu h ao or d in ar y? Not on ly
w as h e Fan Yu ’s d ir ect d iscip le, h e w as also t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ’s fir st -
ever cor e d iscip le w it h t w in m a r t ia l sou ls. T h e Sou l T ool Dep a r t m en t h ad p laced
all of t h eir h op e on h im , b u t even H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow t h is.
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led , t h en p u sh ed som e of h is food t ow ar d s W an g Don g.

“H er e, w e’ll sp lit it fift y-fift y. Give m e h alf of you r food . W e can t ast e m an y
d iffer en t t h in gs t h is w ay.” H e d id n ’t even w ait for W an g Don g t o r ep ly b efor e h e
im p olit ely sh oved a lar ge am ou n t of W an g Don g’s food on t o h is p lat e an d b egan
t o eat it w it h la r ge m ou t h fu ls.
W an g Don g silen t ly gazed at h im w h en h e saw t h is. H ow ever , in t h e en d , h e

d id n ’t r efu se H u o Yu h ao’s offer . T h u s, h e an d H u o Yu h ao a t e t h e t w o d iffer en t
d ish es availab le for t h e cor e d iscip les of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t a n d t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t t oget h er .
------
T h e Beast Du ellin g Ar ea.

As t h e lar gest sp ecia lised a r ea w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y, it w as also t h e lar gest
b u ild in g w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y. T h e sp ace t h at t h e Beast Du ellin g Ar ea
occu p ied w as as lar ge as all of t h e b u ild in gs an d d or m s w it h in t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t , in clu d in g Sh r ek Plaza, com b in ed .
W it h in t h e en t ir e Dou lu o Con t in en t , aca d em ies t h at cou ld u se t h eir p ow er t o

act u ally cap t u r e an d r aise sou l b east s w er e as few an d far b et w een as p h oen ix
feat h er s an d qilin h or n s. Of t h em , Sh r ek Acad em y w as t h e on e a n d on ly
acad em y t h at cou ld ach ieve su ch a sca le as t h e Beast Du ellin g Ar ea; even t h e
r oyal fam ilies of t h e var iou s em p ir es w er e u n ab le t o d o som et h in g cr ea t e
som et h in g lik e it . Cap t u r in g a n d r aisin g sou l b east s w asn 't easy. On e h a d t o
m ain t ain t h e w ild n at u r e of a sou l b east w h ilst k eep in g t r a ck of t h e d iffer en t
d iet s an d h ab it s d iffer en t sou l b east s h a d . At t h e sam e t im e, on e also h ad t o
en su r e t h eir ow n safet y w h ilst or d er in g t h em ab ou t . In vest in g in som et h in g t h is
h u ge w as som et h in g t h at or d in ar y sou l m ast er acad em ies sim p ly w ou ld n ’t d ar e
t o even d r eam of.
T h e t axes ob t ain ed fr om Sh r ek Cit y ever y year all w en t t o Sh r ek Acad em y.

An d of t h is en or m ou s su m of m on ey, an en t ir e t h ir d of it w en t in t o t h e Beast
Du ellin g Ar ea. It w a s ob viou s w h a t sor t of in vest m en t t h e Beast Du ellin g Ar ea
n eed ed .
St u d en t s w h o’d ju st en t er ed t h e aca d em y w ou ld gen er ally feel t h at t h e sch ool

fees alon e w er e exp en sive, b u t st u d en t s w h o m an aged t o en t er t h e Beast
Du ellin g Ar ea w ou ld n ’t h a ve t h is feelin g. T h e am ou n t of m on ey t h ey p aid a s
sch ool fees com p ar ed t o t h e in vest m en t s t h at Sh r ek Acad em y m ad e w as ak in t o
com p ar in g t h e glow of a fir efly t o t h e r ad ian ce of t h e m oon .
Ot h er t h an t h e t axes r eceived fr om Sh r ek Cit y, an ot h er for m of in com e t h a t

Sh r ek Acad em y r eceived cam e fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . Ever y year , t h e
sou l t ools cr eat ed b y t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t w ou ld b e sold ou t sid e of t h e
acad em y. H ow ever , t h ese sales w er e lim it ed t o t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e, t h e
Dou Lin g Em p ir e, an d t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e; t h ey d id n ’t in clu d e t h e Su n M oon
Em p ir e. T h is w as also t h e r ea son t h a t Yan Sh aozh e h ad said t h at Qian Du od u o
w as r ich .
T h e Beast Du ellin g Ar ea also h ad an u n d er gr ou n d p or t ion . Or igin ally, r igh t

aft er it h ad b een b u ilt , t h er e w er e also m or e t h an a h u n d r ed sou l en gin eer s
h elp in g t h e ar t isan s an d sm it h s. T h an k s t o var iou s p ow er fu l Sou l T ools, t h ey
w er e ab le t o r est r ict t h e va r iou s sou l b east s in sid e cages. H ow ever , p ow er fu l
sou l m ast er s an d sou l en gin eer s w er e r equ ir ed t o gu ar d t h e p lace year -r ou n d .
Accor d in g t o t h e r u m or s, t h er e w er e even som e t en t h ou sa n d year sou l b east s
im p r ison ed as w ell. H ow ever , t h er e w er en ’t an y h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l
b east s cap t u r ed . Alt h ou gh cap t u r in g a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east alive
w as ext r em ely d ifficu lt , it w asn ’t im p ossib le. H ow ever , a h u n d r ed t h ou san d
year sou l b east w as equ ivalen t t o an u n im agin ab le am ou n t of w ealt h t o an y sou l
m ast er . It w ou ld n ’t b e an exagger at ion t o say t h at ju st on e h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d
year sou l b east cou ld in st an t ly cau se a sou l m ast er t o soa r in t o t h e sk y. A
h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g an d sou l b on e w ou ld p r ovid e fou r sou l sk ills
t oget h er ! J u st h ow t er r ifyin g w as t h a t ?
At t h e sam e, t h er e w as st ill t h e Beast Du elin g Ar en a. It w as sp ecially p r ovid ed

t o t h e st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y in or d er t o allow t h em t o con d u ct com b at
t r ain in g, as w ell as t o assess t h eir ab ilit ies. Cu r r en t ly, t h e Year 1 st u d en t s h ad
ju st en t er ed t h e Beast Du elin g Ar en a in or d er t o t ak e t h eir fin al t est .
T h e Beast Du elin g Ar en a w as an ova l-sh ap ed b u ild in g; it s lon gest sid e h a d a

d iam et er of r ou gh ly 190 m et er s, it s sh or t est sid e h ad a d iam et er of r ou gh ly 160
m et er s, an d it w as a p p r oxim at ely 60 m et er s t a ll. If on e w er e t o look at it fr om
t h e ou t sid e, t h ey w o u ld see t h at it w as d ivid ed in t o fou r layer s. T h e fir st t h r ee
layer s w er e b u ilt in a m u lt i-ar ch ed st yle, an d ever y sin gle ar ch ed en t r yw ay h ad
st on e colu m n s on b ot h sid es t h at act ed as su p p or t s. On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e
fou r t h layer h ad a d ecor at ed r am p ar t t h at faced fou r n ar r ow p at h s w it h fou r
gr eat ar ch ed en t r an ces, w h ich led d ir ect ly t o t h e sp ect at or ’s st an d in sid e of t h e
Beast Du elin g Ar en a. T h e sp ect at or ’s st an d in sid e of t h e Beast Du elin g Ar en a
w as also d ivid ed u p in t o fou r sect ion s, a n d u n d er sp ecial cir cu m st an ces, Sh r ek
Acad em y cou ld con d u ct sp ecia l ar ea d iffer en t iat ion s. T h e b u ild in g look ed
ext r em ely gr an d , an d cou ld b e d escr ib ed as b ot h glor iou s an d m agn ificen t .
T h e en or m ou s Beast Du elin g Ar en a w as cap ab le of accom m od at in g u p t o t en

t h ou san d sp ect a t or s, t h ou gh a lar ge p ar t of it s en or m ou s sp ace w as t ak en u p by
t h e in t er ior of t h e Beast Du elin g Ar en a. Lik e t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar ea, on e cou ld
b ot h figh t again st a sin gle sou l b east or again st sever al sou l b east s
sim u lt an eou sly. Sen ior st u d en t s of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t w er e d efin it ely
fam iliar w it h t h e Bea st Du elin g Ar en a, as st u d en t s w it h a h igh er cu lt ivat ion b ase
w ou ld oft en com e t o it in or d er t o h on e t h eir com b at sk ills. At t h e sam e t im e, it
w as a n igh t m ar e t o t h ose w it h low er cu lt ivat ion b ases.
Aft er t h e fou r t h year , ever y sin gle class w ou ld com e t o t h e Beast Du elin g
St age on ce a w eek for a lesson , t h e cu m u lat ive r esu lt s of w h ich w ou ld in flu en ce
t h e scor e of t h e st u d en t s’ fin al t est .
W h en H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao w alk ed in t o t h e gr eat Beast

Du elin g Ar en a t oget h er , t h ey alm ost cou ld n ’t b elieve t h eir eyes. Desp it e
w h at ever b ack gr ou n d t h ey h ad , t h e b u ild in g in fr on t of t h em w as d efin it ely t h e
m ost m agn ificen t co n st r u ct ion t h ey’d ev er seen .
“Yu h ao.” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice su d d en ly ech oed in sid e of H u o

Yu h ao’s m in d . Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao h ad b ecom e u sed t o Br ot h er Sk yd r eam
ap p ear in g an d d isap p ear in g on a w h im , h e w as st ill n ear ly fr igh t en ed t o d eat h
b y h is su d d en ap p ear an ce.
“W h at ’s t h e m at t er , Br ot h er Sk yd r eam ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “You w an t t h at b oy t o k ow t ow in fr on t of you

an d ad m it t h a t h e w as w r on g, r igh t ? I’ll t each you t h e easiest w ay t o d o so. T h is
w ill also b ecom e on e of you r fu t u r e figh t in g st yles.”
W h en h e h ear d t h is, H u o Yu h ao b ecam e ver y h ap p y. “T ell m e,” h e r ep lied .

T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m b egan t o exp lain , “Alr igh t , you h ave t o…”
-------
All of t h e Year 1 st u d en t s n eed ed t o r et r ieve t h eir for m s for t h eir fin al t est
fir st , w h ich w ou ld in t u r n t ell t h em t h e or d er t h ey’d n eed t o follow t o go on
st age. Places for t h eir scor es an d t h eir r a n k w er e also on t h e for m t h ey r eceived .
Ever yon e lin ed u p t o r eceive t h eir for m . W h ile t h ey w er e d oin g so, W an g

Don g look ed ar ou n d for Dai H u ab in , u n t il h e n ot iced h im st a n d in g a sh or t w ays
aw ay fr om t h em . H e n u d ged H u o Yu h a o w it h h is elb ow an d said , “Look , Dai
H u ab in an d t h e ot h er s ar e h er e.”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed , t h en w a lk ed over t o w h er e Dai H u ab in w as cu r r en t ly
st an d in g.
W an g Don g w as d u m b fou n d ed . W hat i s Yuhao t r yi ng t o pul l ? H ow coul d he

be so i m pul si ve? H ow ever , h e an d Xi ao Xi ao di dn ’ t w ast e an y t i m e t r yi n g t o
guess H uo Yuh ao’ s m ot i ve; t h ey bot h i m m edi at el y f ol l ow ed beh i n d h i m .
Dai H uabi n h ad al so been payi n g at t en t i on t o t h em , t h us h e n at ur al l y n ot i ced

w h en H uo Yuh ao sudden l y appr oach ed t h em . H e di dn ’ t r eveal an y w eak n esses
as h e si m pl y gave H uo Yuh ao a col d l ook as h e appr oach ed.
T h e ot h er st uden t s t h at w er e i n l i n e di dn ’ t k n ow about t h e bet bet w een t h em ,

but t h ey di d k n ow t h at t h ese t w o gr oups h ad w er e t h e f i n al con t en der s dur i n g
t h e f r esh m en t est . At t h e sam e t i m e, Dai H uabi n an d Zh u Lu’ s expul si on w as
al r eady w i despr ead. I t w as cl ear t h at t h e t w o gr oups h el d a gr udge agai n st on e
an ot h er . T h us, t h e si x of t h em h ad becom e t h e f ocus of ever y si n gl e st uden t .
H uo Yuh ao st opped ar oun d t h r ee m et er s f r om Dai H uabi n , an d af t er pausi n g

br i ef l y, h e sai d, “ Dai H uabi n , t oday i s t h e day of our bet . I w an t t o k n ow , do you
r egr et m ak i n g t h e bet ?”
Dai H uabi n i n st an t l y becam e speech l ess w h en h e h ear d t h i s, t h en t h ough t ,

T hi s H uo Yuhao m ust have gone cr azy … Af t er t h i n k i n g t h i s, h e col dl y r epl i ed,
“I, Dai H u ab in , h ave n ever gon e b ack on m y w or d . T od ay, ou r t w o p ar t ies of
t h r ee w ill p ar t icip at e in t h e sever a l p h a ses of t h e fin al t est ; t h e p ar t y t h a t h as
t h e low est cu m u la t ive scor e w ill k ow t ow an d ad m it t h eir fau lt t o t h e ot h er .”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “Good , t h en I ask ever yon e p r esen t t o act a s a

w it n ess for t od ay’s b et . W h a t d o you t h in k , Dai H u ab in ?”
Dai H u ab in su b con sciou sly r ep lied , “T h at ’s fin e. H ow ever , if you r egr et

d ecision , you an d W an g Don g b et t er k ow t ow an d ad m it you r m ist ak es r igh t
n ow . Xiao Xiao’s a gir l h ow ever , so I can m ak e an excep t ion for h er .”
H u o Yu h ao sn eer ed an d said , “I’ll w ait for you h er e on ce t h e t est is over .” H e

t u r n ed ar ou n d as soon as h e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g an d left .
T h e con ver sat ion b et w een t h em at t r act ed t h e at t en t ion of t h e st u d en t s fr om

b ot h t h e fir st an d secon d classes of Year 1, w h o w er e in t h e p r ocess of r eceivin g
t h eir fin al t est for m s. T h ey im m ed iat ely b egan t o gossip in low voices, w h ich
cau sed Dai H u ab in ’s com p lexion t o b ecam e u glier an d u glier , u n t il h e cold ly
st at ed , “You on ly h ave you r self t o b lam e for in vok in g t h is d isast er . Sin ce you
w an t t o lose even m or e face, I’ll b e m or e t h an h ap p y t o h elp you d o so.” T h e w ay
h e saw it , H u o Yu h a o h ad p u r p osely said t h ose w or d s in fr on t of so m an y p eop le
sim p ly b ecau se h e’d w an t ed t h e en t ir et y of Year 1 t o kn ow ab ou t t h e b et
b et w een t h em . Now t h at h e’d d on e so, t h e loser of t h e b et w ou ld for ever b e
u n ab le t o lift t h eir h ead in sid e of t h e aca d em y. W h er e d id h is con fid en ce com e
fr om ? Even t h ou gh h e k n ew t h at H u o Yu h ao p r ob ab ly h ad a few t r ick s u p h is
sleeve, Dai H u ab in h ad com p let e con fid en ce in h is ow n ab ilit ies. H e’d t r ain ed
ext r em ely h ar d over t h e p ast year !
On ce ever yon e h ad r eceived t h eir for m s, t h e st u d en t s follow ed t h eir

r esp ect ive t each er s in t o t h e gr eat Beast Du elin g Ar en a on e aft er an ot h er .
Sin ce t h ey h ad t o t ak e t h e fin al t est , t h ey d id n ’t h ead t ow ar d s t h e sp ect at or ’s

st an d s. In st ea d , t h ey lin ed u p in sid e of t h e Gr eat Beast Du elin g Ar en a’s Beast
Du elin g Ar en a in an or d er ly fash ion as t h ey w ait ed for t h eir t u r n t o t ak e t h eir
t est .
T h e t ot al n u m b er of Year 1 st u d en t s t h a t w er e p r esen t t o t ak e t h e t est equ a led
over a h u n d r ed . Fu r t h er m or e, as it w as t h eir fir st t im e t ak in g a t est in t h e Gr ea t
Beast Du elin g Ar en a, t h e acad em y h ad at t ach ed a lot of im p or t an ce t o t h eir
safet y. As su ch , t w en t y t each er s w er e w ait in g for t h e st u d en t s w h en t h ey
ar r ived . T h ey w er e in ch ar ge of t ak in g car e of t h e sou l b ea st s, p r ot ect in g t h e
st u d en t s, a n d assessin g t h eir ab ilit ies. T h e n u m b er of p ar t icip an t s w as q u it e
h igh , b u t in t h e in t er est of let t in g ever yon e fam iliar ize t h em selves w it h t h e w ay
t h at t h in gs w er e d on e, t h e Gr ea t Beast Du elin g Ar en a h ad n ’t b een d ivid ed in t o
sep ar at e ar en as; t h e st u d en t s w ou ld t ak e t h e t est on e a t a t im e. Doin g it t h is w ay
w ou ld allow t h e t each er s t o see t h in gs m or e clear ly, an d in t u r n w ou ld let t h em
assign gr ad es m or e a ccu r at ely.
Du W eilu n h a d also com e, an d w ou ld b e t h e h ead exam in er t od ay. H e, alon g

w it h t h e ot h er fou r t each er s in ch ar ge of gr ad in g t h e st u d en t s, w er e all sit t in g
at op a t all p lat for m t h at t h ey cou ld clear ly ob ser ve t h e Beast Du elin g Ar en a
fr om .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g, as Class 1’s t w o w ell-k n ow n lead er s, n at u r ally

st ood in t h e fr on t , w h ile in Class 2’s gr ou p , t h e on es st an d in g in fr on t w er e Dai
H u ab in an d Xie H an yu e. T h er e w asn ’t m u ch of a d iffer en ce b et w een Xie H an yu e
an d Dai H u ab in ’s cu lt iva t ion s, b u t t h e for m er ’s d efen sive ab ilit y w as ext r em ely
st r on g—it w as a t t h e p oin t w h er e H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er s cou ld on ly t ak e
n ot es.
As M u J in st ood b esid e Dai H u ab in , sh e gazed t ow ar d s Zh ou Yi w it h an icy

gaze fu ll of evil in t en t ion s.
Zh ou Yi w h isp er ed , “Yu h ao, you ’ve alr ead y b een accep t ed as a cor e d iscip le of
t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . J u st t r y you r b est h er e. M ak e su r e n ot t o ch oose a
sou l b east t h at ’s t oo st r on g t o b e you r op p on en t ; you sh ou ld sim p ly m axim ize
you r ch an ce of vict or y. H ow ever , you also d on ’t n eed t o h old b ack . You ’ve
alr ead y seen t h e or d er in w h ich you ’ll p ar t icip at e. In or d er t o give t h e st u d en t s
som e en cou r agem en t , t h e acad em y h as d ecid ed t o h ave t h e lead er s of t h e t w o
classes b e t h e fir st t o go on st age. On ce ou r class h as sen t a p er son t o t ak e t h e
t est , Class 2 w ill sen d t h eir lead er t o t ak e t h e t est . W an g Don g, it w ill b e you r
t u r n in a sh or t w h ile. You ab solu t ely h ave t o b e su ccessfu l. If you ’r e con fid en t , I
ad vise you t o ch oose t h e sou l b east w it h t h e h igh est r an k . T h is w ay, even if you
lose, as lon g as you m an age t o r esist for a lon g en ou gh p er io d of t im e, you r scor e
w on ’t b e t er r ib le.”
“I u n d er st an d . You d on ’t n eed t o w or r y, t each er .” W an g Don g m ad e a gest u r e

w it h h is som ew h at d elicat e fist .
“H old on , T each er Zh ou . Let m e go fir st ,” H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly said .
“H m ? Yu h ao… T h is w ill affect t h e r ep u t a t ion of ou r class.” Zh ou Yi said aft er

a p au se.
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed . “T each er Zh ou , I w on ’t d isap p oin t you .”
W h en sh e saw t h e r esolu t e look in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, sh e h esit at ed for a

m om en t , t h en gr it t ed h er t eet h an d n od d ed . “Good , you can go fir st .” Even
t h ou gh sh e w an t ed t o exceed M u J in , sh e st ill w asn ’t w illin g t o ext in gu ish t h e
en t h u siasm of h er d iscip les.
Du W eilu n ’s voice su d d en ly ech oed fr om t h e t all p lat for m , “T h e t est is

st ar t in g. Year 1 Class 1 w ill sen d it s st u d en t ou t fir st . Aft er w ar d s, Class 2 w ill
sen d ou t a st u d en t fr om t h eir class.”
H u o Yu h ao gr asp ed h is t est for m as h e en t er ed t h e Beast Du elin g Ar ea w it h

lon g st r id es. H e im m ed iat ely got an in d escr ib ab le feelin g—as if all t h e b lood in
h is b od y h ad su d d en ly b egu n t o seet h fr om excit em en t . M a yb e it w as b ecau se
t h er e h a d b een m a n y, m an y b at t les in t h is p lace. Com in g h er e p r od u ced an
in t en se figh t in g d esir e in ever y st u d en t of Sh r ek Acad em y. On ly b y figh t in g
cou ld on e t r u ly u n d er st an d w h a t t h ey’d st u d ied . T h is w as a lso w h y t h e Beast
Du elin g Ar en a exist ed , an d w as a lso w h y t h e st u d en t s t h at h ad gr ad u a t ed fr om
Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld b ecom e ou t st an d in g sou l m ast er s t h at ever y gr eat em p ir e
w ou ld figh t over .
On ce H u o Yu h ao h ad h an d ed h is for m over t o t h e t each er in ch ar ge, t h e
t each er p laced it at op t h e ascen d in g p lat for m r igh t b elow t h e J u d ge’s St an d .
H u o Yu h ao’s assessm en t for m alm ost im m ed iat ely ar r ived in Dir ect or Du
W eilu n ’s h an d s.
T h e fir st exam in ee t h at Du W eilu n h ad t o assess w a s exact ly H u o Yu h ao. Du

W eilu n im m ed iat ely focu sed ; h e w as im p at ien t t o see h o w ou t st an d in g t h is
st u d en t —som eon e w h o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t h ad n ’t b een ab le t o w ait t o
t ak e u n d er t h eir b an n er —w as. Figh t in g sou l b east s an d figh t in g ot h er st u d en t s
fr om t h e acad em y w er e t w o com p let ely d iffer en t t h in gs. Sou l b east s w er e
in n at ely h ost ile t ow ar d s h u m an b ein gs; t h ey w ou ld n ’t sh ow an y m er cy w h en
t h ey fou gh t . As su ch , t h is w ou ld give t h e st u d en t s t h e feelin g of a life an d d eat h
cr isis. H u o Yu h ao w a s on ly 12 year s old . W ou ld h e r eally b e ab le t o go all-ou t ?
H u o Yu h ao ar r ived in t h e m id d le of t h e st age. T w o t each er s w ou ld act as

r efer ees h er e, in or d er t o assu r e t h e com p let e safet y of t h e st u d en t s.
T h e r efer ee on t h e left ask ed h im , “W h at d o you cu lt iva t e in ?”
H u o Yu h ao r esp ect fu lly r ep lied , “T h e Con t r ol Syst em .”
T h e r efer ee con t in u ed , “Ch oose t h e sou l b east t h a t you w ou ld lik e t o t ak e t h e

t est w it h . Rem em b er , a Con t r ol Syst em Sou l M ast er h as t o d o t h eir b est t o focu s
on t h e w or d ‘con t r ol’. You ’ll on ly h ave a sin gle ch an ce t o assess you r ab ilit ies.
Don ’t w ast e it . Sou l b east s ar e d iv id ed in t o h u n d r ed year in t er vals, r an gin g
fr om a h u n d r ed year sou l b east t o a t h ou san d year sou l b east .” T h e st u d en t s
fr om b ot h Class 1 an d Class 2 w er e focu sed on H u o Yu h ao, w h o w ou ld b e
figh t in g a sou l b east alon e. For m ost of t h em , it w ou ld b e t h eir fir st t im e
figh t in g a sou l b east on t h eir ow n , t h u s t h ey w ou ld b e lyin g if t h ey said t h ey
w er en ’t n er vou s. Of cou r se, t h ey all h op ed t o gain som e valu ab le exp er ien ce
fr om t h ose w h o w ou ld b e t ak in g t h e t est b efor e t h em . T h is fin al t est w ou ld
d ecid e w h et h er or n ot t h ey cou ld k eep st u d yin g at t h e acad em y!
A r ay of ligh t fla sh ed t h r ou gh H u o Yu h a o’s eyes as h e said in a low voice, “I

ch oose a h u n d r ed year sou l b east .”
“A h u n d r ed year sou l b east ? Ar e you su r e?” T h e t each er in ch ar ge of assessin g

h is sk ills t h ou gh t h e h ad m ish ear d h im ; t h e fir st st u d en t s t o go on st age w er e
u su ally t h e m ost ou t st an d in g of t h e b u n ch , b u t ch oosin g a m er e h u n d r ed year
sou l b east … t h is w as a b it t oo st r an ge. Even if h e w as a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er ,
h e sh ou ld n ’t h ave m ad e a ch oice lik e t h is!
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “Yes, I ch oose a h u n d r ed year sou l b east .” H is

voice w as ver y lou d ; all t h e t each er s an d st u d en t s, even t h e on es st an d in g far
aw ay, cou ld h ear h im .
Zh ou Yi felt ever yt h in g in fr on t of h er goin g b lack , an d w on d er ed in h er

h ear t , ‘W h at is H u o Yu h ao t r yin g t o d o?’
On t h e ot h er h an d , M u J in h a d t h e look of som eon e t ak in g p leasu r e in

an ot h er ’s m isfor t u n e. Dai H u ab in , w h o w as at fir st t ak en a b ack , im m ed iat ely
r egain ed h is sen ses, sh ow in g a d isd ain in g look .
Un d er H u o Yu h ao’s in sist en ce, t h e r efer ee n od d ed an d said , “T h en w e’ll

ch oose a h u n d r ed year sou l b east t o con d u ct you r t est . Ar e you r ead y?”
“I’m r ead y,” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied w it h ou t t h e t in iest b it of h esit at ion .
“T h e t est w ill n ow com m en ce.” T h e r efer ee gest u r ed t ow ar d a d ist an t p lace,

im m ed iat ely givin g r ise t o a m ech an ica l sou n d . In t h e d ist a n ce, a h u ge h yd r au lic
gat e w as slow ly op en in g, an d t h e sou n d of som et h in g d a sh in g ab ou t m ad ly
cou ld b e h ear d fr om t h e p it ch -b lack cor r id or b eh in d it . All t h e st u d en t s t h a t
w er e b u sy lau gh in g at H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely w en t silen t . It w as t h eir fir st
t im e b ein g in t h is k in d of sit u at ion , an d t h ey st ar t ed t o feel an in d escr ib ab le
p r essu r e w eigh in g d ow n on t h em .
A st r eak of gr een ligh t b u r st ou t fr om t h e d ep t h s of t h e cor r id or . It s sp eed w as

in cr ed ib ly fast , an d it t r aveled d ozen s of m et er s in an in st a n t , d ir ect ly p ou n cin g
t ow ar d H u o Yu h ao.
It s b od y w as t w o m et er s lon g an d on e m et er t all. It h a d gr een fu r t h at sw ayed

in t h e w in d , an d a p a ir of p ale-b r ow n eyes t h at w er e fu ll of excit em en t . T h is w as
a ver y com m on agilit y-t yp e sou l b east , t h e W in d Sp ir it w olf.
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao’s b od y h ad a su d d en ch an ge. Un d er t h e
ast on ish ed gazes of t h e su r r ou n d in g p eop le, t w o b lood -r ed r in gs of ligh t
su d d en ly em er ged fr om u n d er h is feet , b ot h w it h fou r p ale-gold glit t er in g lin es
on t h em . W h en t h ey ap p ear ed , even H u o Yu h ao’s eyes ch an ged t o a cr im son
r ed .
It seem ed as if a t er r ifyin g au r a fr om a n cien t t im es h a d su d d en ly ap p ear ed .

Ever yon e ar ou n d h im saw a b lood -r ed ligh t sp r ea d in g fr om t h e cen t er of H u o
Yu h ao’s b od y. At t h is m om en t , t h ey fou n d h is sm a ll b od y t o b e as fr igh t en in g as
a d em on fr om an cien t t im es.
“Aw oo–––” T h e W in d Sp ir it w olf called ou t p it ifu lly; t h at b od y t h at w as

d ash in g ab ou t m ad ly su d d en ly st op p ed in m id air . Aft er t h a t , it r olled on t h e
gr ou n d lik e a gou r d , lyin g w eak ly on t h e floor . Even excr em en t an d u r in e cou ld
b e seen h er e an d t h er e.
At t h e sam e t im e, a lar ge n u m b er of yells cou ld b e h ear d fr om t h at far aw ay

cave in sid e t h e gr ea t Beast Du elin g Ar en a.
W h at d id a r ed sou l r in g r ep r esen t ? It r ep r esen t ed a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year

sou l b east , it w as t h e sou l r in g of a fir st -class sou l b east . Ever y h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l r in g w as a r ar e exist en ce; for get t h e st u d en t s, even t h e
t each er s p r esen t on t h e scen e d id n ’t h ave on e.
An d at t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao h ad n ot on ly d isp layed a r ed sou l r in g, b u t
t w o of t h em . No m at t er if it w as t h e visu al im p act or t h e t er r ifyin g au r a, u n d er
t h at op p r essive p ow er , ever y p ar t of t h e gr eat Beast Du elin g Ar en a w as
sh r ou d ed in a d ea d ly silen ce.
Bu t t h ose caged sou l b east s in sid e t h e gr eat Beast Du elin g Ar en a w er e n ot t h e

on ly on e t o b e affect ed . Even t h e st u d en t s an d t h e t each er s w er e gr eat ly
affect ed . It w as as if t h ey w er e facin g a t er r ifyin g w ild b east t h at h a d n o eq u al.
Un d er t h is fear fu l au r a, t h ey u n con sciou sly r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls,
im m ed iat ely assu m in g a d efen sive p ost u r e.
A cer t ain n u m b er of n ot -so-cou r ageou s fem ale st u d en t s st ar t ed t o cr y

cop iou sly, an d even t h e t each er s’ faces w en t p ale fr om fr igh t w h en t h ey saw
t h at silh ou et t e in t h e m id d le of t h e st age t h at w as n eit h er b ig n or t all.
Du W eilu n h a d st ood u p fr om h is seat lon g ago, t h e r ad ian ce of eigh t sou l

r in gs em an a t in g fr om h is b od y. Facin g t h e au r a of a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l
b east , h e w as n o excep t ion t o t h e cr ow d ; h e h ad im m ed iat ely r eleased h is
m ar t ial sou l.
“I… Im p ossib le. H e’s ju st 12 year s old , h ow can h e h ave a h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d

year sou l r in g? Bu t t h is au r a… is p r ecisely t h at of a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l
b east ! M or eover , t h a t b u r st of au r a ju st n ow … w as m u ch st r on ger t h an t h at of
t h e h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l b east s I’ve seen in t h e p ast . J u st h ow d id h e d o
it ?”
T h e r ed ligh t slow ly st ar t ed t o d isap p ear . Fir st it w as t h e r ed color in h is eyes,

t h en t h e t w o r ed sou l r in gs on h is b od y. T h en , t h e t er r ifyin g au r a also slow ly
d isap p ear ed w it h ou t a t r ace, an d ever yt h in g fin ally r et u r n ed t o n or m al. T h e
op p r essive au r a em a n at in g fr om H u o Yu h ao’s b od y h ad n ’t sp r ead t oo far ; it h ad
on ly affect ed t h ose in sid e t h e gr eat Beast Du elin g Ar en a.
A b ad sm ell st a r t ed t o sp r ead in ever y d ir ect ion fr om t h at far aw ay d ar k cave,

a st en ch t h at got st r on ger as t im e p assed .
H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed t ow ar d t h e t w o t each er s t h at w er e st ill d u m b fou n d ed , an d
said w h ile r esp ect fu lly b ow in g, “T each er s, I’ve fin ish ed m y t est .”
In d eed , t h e t est h a d con clu d ed . T h at W in d Sp ir it w olf w as n ot h in g b u t a

h u n d r ed year sou l b east , an d it h ad t ak en t h e t er r ifyin g p r esen ce of a h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l b east h ead -on , w h ile b ein g t h e sole t a r get of it s w r at h .
T h er efor e, it w as n ot on ly so scar ed t h a t it h ad w et it self, b u t it w as also lyin g on
t h e gr ou n d , t w it ch in g, w it h foam com in g ou t of it s m ou t h . W h at figh t in g sp ir it
w ou ld it even h ave left ?
“T -t h is…” T h e r efer ee w as sp eech less. H e h ad assessed t h e ab ilit ies of god -

k n ew -h ow m an y st u d en t s in t h is fin al t est in t h e a r en a, b u t t h is w as h is fir st
t im e d ealin g w it h som et h in g lik e t h is.
Alt h ou gh Sh r ek Acad em y w as fam ou s for p r od u cin g m on st er s, t h ey st ill

sh ou ld n ’t b e t h is m on st r ou s! A Year 2 st u d en t w it h a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year
sou l r in g? An d t w o of t h em t o b oot ?
Aft er t h e in it ial gr ea t sh ock h a d p assed , ever yb od y’s fir st t h ou gh t w as clea r ly,

‘W h at h ad h ap p en ed ?’ T h e on ly excep t ion s w er e Zh ou Yi an d W an g Don g,
b ecau se t h ey h ad a lr ead y b een sh ock ed last n igh t , b u t last n igh t ’s sh ock w as
n ow h er e n ear com p ar ab le t o t h e im p act cr eat ed b y t h e scen e ju st n ow .
Alt h ou gh Zh ou Yi h ad h ear d Fan Yu sayin g t h at H u o Yu h ao’s im it at ion sk ill

cou ld d o w on d er s… n ever w ou ld sh e h a ve exp ect ed it t o h a ve su ch a t er r ifyin g
effect . H e h ad n ’t even h ad t o u se h is t w in m ar t ial sou ls t o w in t h is b at t le.
T h at ’s r igh t , H u o Yu h ao’s op p on en t w as a sou l b east t h at h ad cu lt iva t ed for

m er ely a h u n d r ed year s. H ow ever , h e h a d n ’t m oved fr om st a r t t o en d , an d h a d
w on t h is b at t le ju st b y r eleasin g h is m ar t ial sou l. H ow cou ld t h is r esu lt b e
con sid er ed b ad ? T h is w as sim p ly t h e p in n acle of con t r ol! Now , Zh ou Yi w as
fin ally clear on w h y H u o Yu h ao h ad select ed a h u n d r ed year sou l b east in st ea d
of a st r on ger on e. H e w an t ed t o h ave com p let e assu r an ce. H ad t h at sou l b east
b een st r on ger , w ou ld h e h ave b een ab le t o m ak e it lose it s figh t in g cap acit y w it h
ju st t h e a u r a of a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g? Even if h e cou ld , it w ou ld n ’t
h ave h ad as gr eat of a r eact ion as t h e h u n d r ed year sou l b east b efor e t h em .
T h e visu al an d m en t al im p act of H u o Yu h ao’s d isp lay h a d r eally b een t oo

st r on g. As a r esu lt , n ot on ly w er e t h e t w o classes sh ock ed , even all of t h e
t each er s w er e sh ock ed ! At t h is m om en t , ever yon e in t h e Beast Du ellin g Ar en a
w as d ead silen t , look in g st u p id ly at H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as r et u r n in g t o h is p lace
w it h t h e ot h er Class 1 st u d en t s.
Zh ou Sich en sw allow ed a m ou t h fu l of saliva an d w h isp er ed , “Old H u o, t h at

isn ’t t h e r ein ca r n at ion of som e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east or som et h in g,
r igh t ? T h at w as ju st t oo t er r ifyin g. I alm ost w et m yself.”
Cao J in xu an said , ill-h u m or ed , “I alm ost sh at m yself t oo.”
Aft er t h at sh or t m om en t of su r p r ise, t h e r efer ee in t h e m id d le of t h e ar en a, as

w ell as t h e ot h er m em b er s of t h e com m it t ee on t h e t a ll p lat for m , all look ed
t ow ar d Dir ect or Du W eilu n . T h e m ean in g of t h eir look s w as ver y clear : ‘W h a t
sh ou ld w e d o n ow ?’
Exact ly! W h at sh ou ld t h ey d o n ow ? T h is sit u at ion w as ou t of t h e or d in a r y, t o

say t h e least . H ow sh ou ld t h ey p r oceed ? No m at t er h ow u n b elievab le it seem ed ,
a st u d en t h ad u sed t w o h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs t o scar e a h u n d r ed
year sou l b east t o d eat h . H u o Yu h ao h ad n at u r ally p assed t h e t est , b u t h ow
sh ou ld t h ey d ecid e t h e scor e?
Bu t r igh t at t h is m om en t , sever al for m s su d d en ly em er ged fr om t h e sid e d oor

of t h e gr eat Beast Du elin g Ar en a’s b east cage. In fr on t of t h em w as an old m an
w it h a r ed face, a t all st at u r e an d an even m or e eye-cat ch in g h ead of r ed h air .
Ru sh in g for w ar d , h e h ow led , “W h at h ap p en ed ? W h o t h e h ell d id it ? All sou l
b east s u n d er t en t h o u san d year s w er e so scar ed t h at t h ey sh at t h em selves, an d
all of t h em ar e in cr ed ib ly w eak r igh t n o w . Du W eilu n , w as t h is you r d oin g?”
Du W eilu n for ced a sm ile an d sa id , “Old Gon g, it w asn ’t m e.” W h ile sp eak in g,
h e d escen d ed fr om t h e t all p lat for m , la n d in g n ear t h a t old m an an d exp lain in g
w h at h ad ju st h ap p en ed t o h im in a low voice.
T h is old m an w it h r ed h air w as n am ed Gon g Ch an glon g, an d h e w as t h e

p er son in ch ar ge of t h is gr eat Beast Du elin g Ar en a. H e h ad a h igh st at u s in sid e
Sh r ek Acad em y, an d h is r esear ch r egar d in g sou l b east s w as ver y t h or ou gh . Even
Du W eilu n h ad t o b e p olit e t o som eon e lik e h im .
“H m ? Som et h in g lik e t h at h ap p en ed ? Im p ossib le. Ab solu t ely im p ossib le. No

m at t er w h a t k in d of n at u r a l t a len t h e h a s, or h ow m an y h ea ven ly t r easu r es h e
r elies on , it ’s im p ossib le for a 12-year -old t o assim ila t e a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year
sou l r in g. W h ich b oy d id you say it w as? Call h im an d b r in g h im h er e, I n eed t o
t ak e a look at h im .” Gon g Ch an glon g w as a h ot -t em p er ed gu y, an d h e
im m ed iat ely st ar t ed sh ou t in g ou t lou d .
Som ew h at em b ar r assed , Du W eilu n said , “Old Gon g, w e’r e in t h e m id d le of

t h e fin al t est , I w as w on d er in g if you cou ld w ait for t h e t est t o b e over t o…”
Gon g Ch an glon g in t er r u p t ed h im w it h ill-h u m or an d said , “T est , m y ass.

W er e you even list en in g t o m e? All t h e sou l b east s u n d er t en t h ou san d year s old
sh at t h em selves fr om fr igh t , an d all t h ose u n d er a t h ou san d year s sh ar ed t h e
sam e fat e. H ow exact ly ar e you p lan n in g t o con t in u e you r t est ? T h ese sou l
b east s n eed a t least t w o or t h r ee d ays of r est t o r ecover . Do you h ave an y id ea
h ow lon g it w ill t ak e for m y m en t o clean u p t h is aw fu l st en ch ? It w as so
d ifficu lt for u s t o t r a in t h em t o n ot sh it w h er ever t h ey w an t ed t o, b u t n ow , all
ou r effor t s h ave b een w ast ed .”
Even Du W eilu n h ad n ’t exp ect ed t h in gs t o b ecom e ser iou s t o t h is d egr ee.

Righ t n ow , t h ey w er e u n ab le t o con t in u e t h e fin al t est . T h is seem in gly
u n im p or t an t affair w ou ld act u ally h ave an im p act on t h e st u d en t s’ st u d ies.
“Fin e, old Gon g. I’ll give ever yon e a sh or t exp lan at ion . W ait a m om en t .”
Du W eilu n t u r n ed ar ou n d an d ar r ived n ear t h e st u d en t s of t h e t w o classes.
Aft er p au sin g for a m om en t , h e said , “Du e t o cer t ain cir cu m st an ces, t od ay’s
fin al t est w ill b e su sp en d ed . T h e t each er s w ill n ow b r in g t h e st u d en t s b ack t o
t h eir classr oom s t o t ak e lesson s.”
Zh ou Yi q u ick ly ask ed , “Ch air m an Du , w h at ab ou t H u o Yu h a o’s t est ?”
Du W eilu n fr ow n ed an d said , “Let ’s sa y t h at h e p assed . H u o Yu h ao, com e

w it h m e.” Aft er fin ish in g h is sen t en ce, h e t u r n ed an d r et u r n ed t o old Gon g.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o d id n ’t im m ed iat ely follow b eh in d h im . In st ead , h e w en t

t ow ar d t h e fr on t of Class 2, look ed cold ly t ow ar d Dai H u ab in an d said ,
“Rem em b er t o w ait for m e ou t sid e. If I’m n ot m ist ak en , accor d in g t o ou r b et ,
t h e on e w it h t h e h igh er scor e w ill b e t h e w in n er . You ’ve lost , I’ll b e w ait in g for
you t o k ow t ow an d ad m it t h at you w er e w r on g!”
Chapt er 49.1: The Claw of t he Ice Empr ess
“I’ll b e w ait in g for you t o k ow t ow an d ad m it t h at you w er e w r on g!” T h ese

w or d s st r u ck Dai H u ab in lik e a h am m er b low an d left h im st u n n ed . H is alr ead y
ice-cold cou n t en an ce t u r n ed even p aler as t h e b lood seem ed t o d r ain ou t of h is
face.
H e r em em b er ed n ow t h at ju st b efor e t h ey’d en t er ed t h e lar ge Beast Du ellin g

Ar en a, H u o Yu h ao h ad sp ecifically em p h asized t h at t h eir b et w ou ld b e set t led
t od ay. H ow ever , n ever in h is w ild est d r eam s w ou ld Dai H u ab in h ave exp ect ed
H u o Yu h ao t o act u ally p ass t h e ad van cem en t t est w it h su ch an over b ear in g
m et h od . As if t h a t w asn ’t en ou gh , H u o Yu h ao h ad also r evealed h is d u al
h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs.
No m at t er h ow m u ch h e t r ied t o d en y it , t h e fact s w er e r igh t in fr on t of h im !

Fu r t h er m or e, t h e p r esen ce of t h e h u n d r ed or so st u d en t s fr om t h e t w o classes
alon g w it h t h e p r esen ce of T each er W an g Yan m ad e it d ifficu lt for h im t o r en ege
on h is b et .
For a m om en t , Dai H u ab in felt as t h ou gh t h er e w as a m ou t h fu l of air st u ck in

h is ch est . H is t h r oa t t ast ed sw eet an d w it h a ‘w a’, h e sp at ou t a m ou t h fu l of
fr esh b lood .
H e w as sim p ly t oo com p et it ive. H ow ever , t h e m or e com p et it ive on e w as, t h e

h ar d er it w ou ld b e for on e t o b ear losses o r h u m iliat ion .
Zh u Lu let ou t an a st on ish ed cr y an d h u r r ied ly r u sh ed over t o su p p or t h im

on ly t o b e r ou gh ly sh oved asid e b y Dai H u ab in . T r aces of b lood h ad alr ead y
ap p ear ed in h is eyes as h e glar ed fier cely at H u o Yu h ao w h o h ad alr ead y left
alon gsid e Du W eilu n . Su d d en ly, h e d r op p ed t o h is k n ees an d sh ou t ed ou t lou d ,
“I w as w r on g!” As h e said t h is, h e fier cely sm ash ed h is h ead in t o t h e gr ou n d .
T h en , h e st ood u p an d r an aw ay.
H u o Yu h ao p au sed h is foot st ep s w h en h e h ear d Dai H u ab in ’s lou d voice. H is
gaze w as som ew h at d azed , b u t h is n ose ach ed .
M om , di d you hear t hat ? Dai H uabi n adm i t t ed he w as w r ong. H e’ s t he son of

t hat m an an d t hat w om an. And t hi s i s just t he begi n ni ng, I w i l l def i ni t el y m ak e
t hem pay f or t he el even year s t hey m ade you suf f er .
H uo Yuh ao di dn ’ t t ur n back t o l ook at Dai H uabi n . Af t er pausi n g f or a br i ef

m om en t , h e st r ode f or w ar d an d con t i n ued f ol l ow i n g Du W ei l un t o m eet w i t h
Gon g Ch an gl on g.
Dai H uabi n cr aw l ed t o h i s f eet an d r an aw ay i m m edi at el y w h i l e Zh u Lu an d

Cui Yaji e h ur r i edl y ch ased af t er h i m . H uo Yuh ao’ s t ar get w as on l y Dai H uabi n ,
so n at ur al l y W an g Don g an d Xi ao Xi ao w oul dn ’ t go over t o t r oubl e t h e t w o gi r l s.
T h i s t i m e, n ot on l y h ad t h ey w on but t h ey h ad don e so by usi n g an
i n con cei vabl e m et h od t h at h ad ast on i sh ed t h e en t i r e audi en ce.
Du W ei l un w al k ed over t o Gon g Ch an gl on g w i t h H uo Yuh ao i n t ow , “ El der

Gon g, I ’ ve br ough t t h e per son over . Look …”
Bef or e h e coul d f i n i sh h i s sen t en ce Gon g Ch an gl on g l et out a col d sn or t .

Sudden l y, h i s body f l ash ed an d h e sen t a pal m f l yi n g st r ai gh t t ow ar ds H uo
Yuh ao’ s h ead.
I n st i n ct i vel y, H uo Yuh ao’ s body f l ash ed as h e m oved back w ar ds usi n g t h e

Gh ost Sh adow Per pl exi n g T r ack . H ow ever , t h e en or m ous at t r act i ve f or ce t h at
sudden l y cam e f r om Gon g Ch an gl on g’ s f an -l i k e pal m f or ci bl y h al t ed h i s
m ovem en t , causi n g h i s body t o st um bl e f or w ar d as h i s f oot st eps becam e
ch aot i c. Fur t h er m or e, a t er r i f yi n g w ave of h eat appear ed w i t h i n t h e f or ce of
at t r act i on , causi n g w at er -l i k e r i ppl es t o i n st an t l y f or m i n t h e ai r ar oun d H uo
Yuh ao’ s body.
Du W ei l un di dn ’ t st op h i m si n ce h e k n ew t h at Gon g Ch an gl on g w as on ly
t r yi n g t o t est H uo Yuh ao. I n r eal i t y, h e w as ext r em el y cur i ous t oo an d i f i t
w asn ’ t f or t h e si t uat i on occur r i n g i n f r on t of h i m , h e w oul d’ ve ver i f i ed H uo
Yu h ao’s ab ilit ies h im self. A m ilk y-w h it e ligh t su d d en ly flash ed acr oss H u o
Yu h ao’s eyes as h e for cefu lly st ood h is gr ou n d w it h a st am p . A sp ot less w h it e
sou l r in g in st an t ly r ose fr om h is feet , sin ce h e cou ld n ’t evad e Gon g Ch an glon g’s
b low h is on ly op t ion w as t o t ak e it on for cefu lly. As if h e w as su p p or t in g t h e
h eaven s, h e m oved h is p alm s t o b lock Gon g Ch an glon g’s p alm .
Even t h ou gh it w as cu r r en t ly t h e m id d le of t h e d ay an d t h er e w as st ill am p le
su n ligh t . W h en H u o Yu h ao r aised h is h a n d s t o b lock Gon g Ch an glon g’s p alm ,
t h e n ear b y t each er s cou ld clear ly see t h at h is p alm s w er e flick er in g w it h a
d azzlin g ligh t alm ost as if h e w as w ear in g a p air of d iam on d gloves. At t h e sam e
t im e, all of t h em su d d en ly felt an in t en se ch ill sp r ead t h r ou gh t h em . T h e ar r ival
of t h is ch illin ess w as n ot on ly su d d en b u t also fer ociou s, it w as so p ow er fu l t h at
it seem ed t o h ave t h e ab ilit y t o p ier ce in t o on e’s b on es. T h is d en se cold au r a
even cau sed som eon e of Du W eilu n ’s cu lt ivat ion t o in st in ct ively sh iver . T h e
t h r ee p alm s con n ect ed an d Gon g Ch an glon g’s r igh t p alm su d d en ly t u r n ed fier y-
r ed as if it w as a b u r n in g h ot p iece of coal. A ‘ch ich i’ sou n d r a n g ou t t h e in st an t
h e collid ed w it h H u o Yu h ao’s p alm s. Lar ge b illow in g w aves of w h it e m ist b u r st
for t h fr om t h e p oin t w h er e t h e t w o collid ed , so m u ch so t h a t t h eir en t ir e b od ies
w er e h id d en w it h in t h e m ist .
T h e clash cau sed H u o Yu h ao t o r et r eat a few st ep s b efor e fallin g on t o t h e

gr ou n d w it h a t h u m p . Alt h ou gh , h is b u t t h ad lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d an d h e h ad a
som ew h at ast on ish ed exp r ession on h is face. H is ap p ear an ce clear ly sh ow ed
t h at h e h a d n ’t su ffer ed an y in ju r ies.
Gon g Ch an glon g’s ast on ish ed face w as clear ly seen on ce t h e w h it e m ist h as

d isp er sed . “W h at a good b r at ,” h e said , “You p ossess t h e Ult im at e Ice at t r ib u t e
w h ich allow ed you r m ar t ial sou l t o su p p r ess t h is old m a n ’s. W h at b ot h er s m e
h ow ever , is h ow a on e-r in ged Sou l M ast er lik e you p ossesses sou l p ow er
com p ar ab le t o t h at of a Ran k 20 Sou l Gr an d m ast er ? Also, w h er e’s t h e h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l r in g you w er e su p p osed t o h ave?” No on e saw t h is b u t
d esp it e d isp er sin g r a p id ly, an icy m ist st ill lin ger ed ab ou t t h e r igh t h an d h e h id
b eh in d h is b ack .
H u o Yu h ao st ood u p . H e n at u r ally u n d er st ood t h at t h is eld er w as on ly t r yin g
t o t est h is cu lt ivat io n . H e r ep lied r esp ect fu lly, “T each er , I d on ’t h ave a h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l r in g. T h a t w as on ly a sp ecial sou l sk ill of m in e. As for m y
sou l p ow er b ein g ab ove Ran k 20 , t h at is b ecau se I h ave t w o m ar t ial sou ls. M y
fir st m ar t ial sou l h as t w o sou l r in gs. Ear lier , I sen sed t h at you h ad a fir e-
at t r ib u t e m ar t ia l sou l an d sin ce it ju st so h ap p en s t h at m y secon d m ar t ial sou l is
an ice-at t r ib u t ed on e. I d ecid ed t o u se it in t h e h op e t h a t I’d b e ab le t o r et aliat e
b et t er . ”
Du W eilu n w as alr ead y w id en in g h is eyes w h en H u o Yu h ao r evealed h is ice-

t yp e m ar t ial sou l. Esp ecially aft er h e saw t h at sin gu lar w h it e sou l r in g ap p ear .
Up on also h ear in g H u o Yu h ao p er son ally say t h at h e h ad t w in m ar t ial sou ls, h e
felt ever yt h in g in fr on t of h im go b lack . Dep r ession t ook h im over an d h e n ear ly
sp at ou t b lood lik e Dai H u ab in .
Even if H u o Yu h ao’s Class 1 h ad b ot h h im an d Xiao Xiao t h at p ossessed t w in

m ar t ial sou ls, in r ea lit y, t h ey w er e t h e on ly on es in t h e en t ir e ou t er cou r t yar d
w h o h ad t w in m ar t ial sou ls! Peop le w it h t w in m ar t ial sou ls w er e ab solu t ely
gift ed an d t alen t ed exist en ces. Even in t h e ext r em ely h ar sh Sh r ek Acad em y, all
t h e p r eviou s st u d en t s w it h d u a l m ar t ial sou ls h ad b ecom e cor e d iscip les an d
en t er ed t h e in n er co u r t yar d .
T h e t h in g t h at d ep r essed Du W eilu n t h e m ost w as t h e fact t h at h e t h ou gh t

t h at H u o Yu h ao h a d w ast ed h is t w in m ar t ial sou ls! As a st u d en t of Sh r ek
Acad em y, a t en year sou l r in g w as alr ead y a d isgr ace an d H u o Yu h ao h ad a t en
year sou l r in g on n ot on e b u t b ot h of h is m ar t ial sou ls. Sp eak in g of w h ich ,
h ad n ’t h e m en t ion ed t h a t t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g h e h ad r evealed
ear lier w a s a sk ill? T h e cu r iosit y in h is h ear t w asn ’t on e b it less t h an Gon g
Ch an glon g’s.
Gon g Ch an glon g n od d ed ser iou sly. “Ver y good , it ’s a ver y p ow er fu l sk ill. Bot h
it s p ow er an d a t t r ib u t e h ave r each ed t h e p in n acle. If I’m n ot m ist ak en , you
d efin it ely h ave a sou l b on e w it h in you . M or eover , it ’s a p ow er -t yp e sou l b on e.
T h er e is n o ot h er w a y for you t o h ave b een ab le t o b u r st ou t w it h so m u ch p ow er
ot h er w ise.
Ear lier , h e h a d b een ext r em ely fu r iou s t ow ar d s t h e p er son w h o’d sen t h is sou l
b east s in t o a m ess. It w as d u e t o t h is an ger t h at h e h ad b een p r ep ar ed t o
d iscip lin e H u o Yu h a o u sin g t h at p alm at t ack of h is. Aft er sen sin g H u o Yu h ao’s
sou l p ow er , t h e st r en gt h con t ain ed w it h in h is p alm sh o u ld ’ve easily sen t h im
flyin g accor d in g t o com m on sen se. At t h e ver y least , h e sh ou ld ’ve t u m b led h ead
over h eels acr oss t h e gr ou n d . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao h ad on ly r et r eat ed a few
st ep s b ack w ar d s an d lan d ed on h is b u t t , as if n ot h in g ser iou s h ad occu r r ed t o
h im .
Chapt er 49.2: The Claw of t he Ice Empr ess
T h is w asn ’t ju st t h e m igh t of sou l p ow er , b u t t h e m an ifest a t io n of h is p h ysical

st r en gt h . Gon g Ch an glon g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel ast on ish ed b y t h is. Aft er all, it
h ad t o b e k n ow n t h at h e w as on e of t h e t op t en exp er t s in Sh r ek Acad em y as
cu lt ivat ion r a n k w en t .
H u o Yu h ao said , “Yes. T h an k s t o a for t u n at e en cou n t er , I ob t ain ed a t or so

b on e.”
Du W eilu n felt lik e h e w as goin g t o go b lin d ; ever yt h in g in fr on t of h im w as

goin g d ar k again ! A t or so bone? T hey’ d onl y had a one m ont h hol i day, but he
w ent an d got hi m sel f a t or so bone? Si nce w hen w er e t or so bones t hi s
i nexpensi ve? Di dn’ t he say t hat he w as an or phan? T he Soul T ool Depar t m ent ,
i t m ust ’ ve been t hem ! T he Soul T ool Depar t m ent act ual l y i nvest ed so m uch i n
hi m ? W ai t , Gong Changl ong pr ai sed t he sk i l l t hat cam e f r om t hat t en year soul
r i ng of hi s?
Du W ei l un coul dn ’ t h ol d i n h i s cur i osi t y an ym or e, “ H uo Yuh ao, just w h at i n

t h e w or l d h appen ed t o you? Just w h at soul sk i l l di d you use ear l i er t o m ak e al l
t h e soul beast s w i t h i n t h e Beast Duel i n g Ar en a go l i m p f r om f r i gh t ? Don ’ t you
k n ow h ow h ar d i t i s t o t r ai n t h ese soul beast s? Ei t h er you t el l us w h at h appen ed
or you’ l l h ave t o com pen sat e us f or our l oss.”
Gon g Ch an gl on g’ s f ace san k . “ Li t t l e Du, w h at ar e you doi n g? H e’ s just a k i d

an d an an out st an di n g st uden t on t op of t h at . You’ r e cal l ed H uo Yuh ao, r i gh t ?
T el l m e, t h i s ol d m an i s al so ver y cur i ous about you.”
I n such a si t uat i on , H uo Yuh ao n at ur al l y w oul dn ’ t t r y t o con ceal an yt h i n g. H e

r epl i ed obedi en t l y, “ M y f i r st m ar t i al soul i s m y Spi r i t Eyes, an d i t s secon d soul
r i n g gi ves m e a sk i l l cal l ed ‘ I m i t at i on ’ . T h i s I m i t at i on sk i l l can l et m e ch an ge t h e
sh ape of m y body t o i m i t at e var i ous t h i n gs, an d can f ak e t h e age of m y soul r i n gs
as w ell. Ear lier , I m ad e b ot h m y sou l r in gs im it a t e t h e sh ap e an d au r a of
h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs. H ow ever , I w asn ’t ab le t o fu lly im it a t e t h eir
au r as d u e t o m y lack in g cu lt iva t ion . Ot h er w ise, it s effect s w ou ld ’ve b een even
b et t er .”
H e w asn ’t t r yin g t o b oast . H e h ad b een t r yin g t o im it at e t h e au r a of t h e Ice

Em p r ess an d if a fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year old sou l b east h ad su d d en ly
ap p ear ed in fr on t of a gr ou p of sou l b east s w h o h ad far in fer ior cu lt ivat ion s, ju st
t h e p r essu r e fr om it s au r a w ou ld h ave b een en ou gh t o flat t en t h em all.
Aft er h ear in g H u o Yu h ao’s exp lan at ion , Du W eilu n an d Gon g Ch an glon g

su d d en ly u n d er st ood ever yt h in g. Gon g Ch an glon g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t r eveal a
st r an ge ligh t in h is eyes, “Good , good , t h is is an in t er est in g sou l sk ill. T h is
Im it at ion is r eally good ! If you h ad t h is sk ill in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , you
w ou ld h a ve b een ab le t o avoid a la r ge n u m b er of con flict s. T h is w ou ld t h en b e
ext r em ely u sefu l w h en you ’r e h u n t in g sou l b east s. T h is old m an ’s called Gon g
Ch an glon g also k n ow n as t h e Beast Kin g. I h ave an ot h er qu est ion for you .
W h at ’s you r secon d m ar t ial sou l? I k n ow t h at it ’s ad visab le for you t w in -sou led
sou l m ast er s t o k eep you r secon d m a r t ial a secr et a n d so t h is old m an w on ’t
exp ect you t o r eveal you r secr et for fr ee. H ow ab ou t t h is? I’ll p r om ise t o d o
ever yt h in g in m y p ow er t o h elp you ob t ain a sou l r in g in t h e fu t u r e if you ’r e
w illin g t o t ell m e ab ou t you r secon d m a r t ial sou l. Do w e h ave a d eal? ”
H u o Yu h ao w as over joyed . A sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l b east w as sim p ly t oo r ar e a n d

t h is t each er w as ev id en t ly in ch ar ge of t h e Gr eat Beast Du ellin g Ar en a. H is
assist an ce w ou ld u n d ou b t ed ly save H u o Yu h ao a lot of t im e an d effor t .
H e n od d ed h u r r ied ly an d r ep lied r esp ect fu lly, “T each er Gon g, I’m w illin g t o

t ell you ab ou t m y secon d m ar t ial sou l.”
Du W eilu n an d t h e ot h er t each er s b y t h e sid e all h a d cu r iou s exp r ession s on

t h eir faces b u t H u o Yu h ao clear ly w asn ’t p lan n in g t o sat isfy t h eir cu r iou s
m in d s. A gold en ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh h is eyes as h e im m ed iat ely act ivat ed h is
A t h r ee-d im en sion a l im age of t h e su r r ou n d in g 10 0 m et er s im m ed iat ely
ap p ear ed in Gon g Ch an glon g’s b r ain , a n d t h en im age q u ick ly focu sed on H u o
Yu h ao’s b ack . It en t er ed h is sh ir t , an d t h e t at t oo on h is b ack ap p ear ed fu lly in
Gon g Ch an glon g’s m in d .
T h is w as also Gon g Ch an glon g’s fir st t im e exp er ien cin g t h e w on d r ou s

Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , an d h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t click h is t on gu e in w on d er , “W h at
a good sk ill! Even am on g t h e w or ld of t w in -sou led sou l m ast er s, you r
com b in at ion of m ar t ial sou ls is ab solu t ely at t h e p eak . Ver y good , ver y good . So,
you r secon d m ar t ial sou l is t h at t h in g. It ’s n o w on d er you r ice at t r ib u t e is at
su ch an Ult im at e level. T h e acad em y’s t r u ly p ick ed u p a t r easu r e t h is t im e.
Don ’t w or r y, t h is old m an w ill k eep t h is secr et for you . I’d n ever t h ou gh t t h at I
cou ld see a m ar t ial sou l lik e t h is w it h in m y lifet im e.”
T h e m or e Gon g Ch an glon g sp ok e ab ou t it , t h e m or e cu r iou s Du W eilu n

b ecam e. H ow ever , t h e secon d m ar t ia l sou l of an y t w in -sou led sou l m ast er w as
an ext r em ely im p or t an t secr et ; t h ey w ou ld n ’t easily d iv u lge it u n less it w as
ab solu t ely n ecessar y. Du e t o Xiao Xiao’s Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e b ein g a
T ool Sou l, it w as t oo easy for it t o b e exp osed . T h u s, sh e d id n ’t b ot h er
con cealin g it . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao’s secon d m ar t ial so u l clear ly w asn ’t ea sily
d ist in gu ish ab le. H ow ever , Gon g Ch an glon g h ad said t h a t it w as an Ult im at e
m ar t ial sou l. T h u s, it ab solu t ely w asn ’t b a d at all.
Fu r t h er m or e, an ot h er qu est ion h a d p op p ed u p in Du W eilu n ’s m in d . H u o

Yu h ao’s secon d sou l sk ill w as h is Im it at ion . T h en , w as t h e sou l r in g h e’d
u n leash ed fr om h is ice-t yp e m ar t ial sou l a r eal on e? W as t h e sou l sk ill even
Gon g Ch an glon g p r aised a m er e t en year sou l sk ill? Even if h e w as b eat en t o
d eat h , h e w ou ld n ’t b elieve it !
H u o Yu h ao said ob ed ien t ly, “T each er Gon g, Dir ect or Du , if t h er e’s n ot h in g

m or e t o say, I’ll b e goin g b ack fir st .”
Gon g Ch an glon g n od d ed , “You can go b ack . If you h ave an y sp ar e t im e in t h e

fu t u r e, you can com e over h er e an d p lay for a b it . H ow ever , I’m for b id d in g you
fr om im it at in g a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g h er e. Ot h er w ise, I’m goin g t o
m ak e you go an d clean u p t h e b east cages.”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled m isch ievou sly an d r an off.
Du W eilu n d id n ’t st op h im . W h at good w ou ld st op p in g h im d o? H e w as
alr ead y a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ! T h e cu r r en t Dir ect or Du
on ly felt ever yt h in g in fr on t of h is eyes goin g b lack . Even in h is w ild est d r eam s,
h e’d n ever t h ou gh t t h at h e’d let t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t p ick u p su ch a good
d eal. Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w as som et h in g t h at h e an d t h e Dean h ad for sak en .
In r ealit y, Du W eilu n cou ld n ’t r eally b e b lam ed . H u o Yu h ao’s p r eviou s

p er for m an ces h ad sim p ly b een n ot h in g sp ect acu lar . H ow ever , h is t r ip t o t h e
Ext r em e Nor t h h a d cau sed h is st r en gt h t o exp er ien ce a qu alit a t ive leap .
Aft er b id d in g far ew ell t o Gon g Ch an glon g, Du W eilu n left h u r r ied ly. T h e

ad van cem en t t est of t h e secon d year st u d en t s h ad n ’t gon e sm oot h ly, an d h e h ad
t o go b ack an d r ear r an ge it . At t h e sam e t im e, h e h ad t o r ep or t t h e d ay’s even t s
t o Yan Sh aozh e.
Aft er H u o Yu h ao w alk ed ou t of t h e Gr eat Beast Du ellin g Ar en a, h e w as

in st an t ly su r r ou n d ed b y a lar ge n u m b er of st u d en t s.
“Boss H u o, exp lain you r self clear ly. J u st w h at in t h e w or ld h ap p en ed w it h

t h at h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l r in g of you r s?” Lan Su su called ou t , st a n d in g
b y t h e sid e.
“Yeah . Boss H u o, you h ave t o com p en sat e m e for m y t r ou ser s. I alm ost p issed
m yself b ecau se of you .” Zh ou Sich en st ood b y t h e sid e, fan n in g t h e flam es.
Im m ed iat ely, h e cau sed h is fellow st u d en t s t o er u p t in t o lau gh t er .
“T h en you d id n ’t p iss in t h e en d , r igh t ? If you t ak e a p iss in fr on t of ever yon e

h er e, I’ll p ay you b ack .” H u o Yu h ao said u n h ap p ily.
Zh ou Sich en w as im m ed iat ely for ced t o sh u t u p .

H u o Yu h ao sp ok e in a lou d voice, “I’m su r e t h at ever yon e can gu ess t h at t h ose
h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs of m in e w er e d efin it ely fak e. I can on ly say
t h at it ’s a n ew sou l sk ill I’ve ob t ain ed t h a t d oesn ’t h ave a n y ot h er p r act ical u ses.
I w on ’t t alk ab ou t an y fu r t h er d et ails! Let m e k eep a few secr et s.”
T h e ad van cem en t t est h ad ju st st ar t ed a n d w ou ld n ’t ju st en d d u e t o su ch a

m at t er . J u st as H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er st u d en t s w er e r et u r n in g t o t h eir
classes in a lively m an n er , Dai H u ab in st ood in a sh ad ow y cor n er n ot far aw ay
fr om t h em . As h e w ip ed aw ay t h e b lood st ain s at t h e cor n er s of h is m ou t h , a
cr u el ligh t ap p ear ed in h is eyes.
“H u ab in , ar e you ok ay?” Zh u Lu ask ed w or r ied ly.
Dai H u ab in r ep lied cold ly, “H elp m e r equ est T each er M u for a leave of
ab sen ce. I’m goin g ou t for a b it .”
“W h at ar e you goin g t o d o?”
“M in d you r ow n b u sin ess” Dai H u ab in sa id cold ly. W it h t h at , h e t u r n ed aw ay

an d left .
Chapt er 50.1: Ancest or Tang San...
Du e t o t h e ad van cem en t t est b ein g can celled , Class 1 an d Class 2’s st u d en t s

h ad t o r et u r n t o t h eir r esp ect ive classr oo m s t o t ak e lesson s.
Aft er a sh or t d iscu ssion , W an g Yan an d Zh ou Yi called H u o Yu h ao over t o ask

h im a few q u est ion s. Aft er w ar d s, t h ey fin ally b egan t h eir aft er n oon class.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t r et u r n t o h is seat . In st ead , h e w as t old go t o an d
st an d on a n ear b y p lat for m . T h en , Zh ou Yi w as called over b y t h e t each er s of t h e
T each in g Dep ar t m en t , as Dir ect or Du W eilu n w as h old in g a m eet in g.
“Du e t o sp ecial cir cu m st an ces, t h e ad va n cem en t t est w ill b e d elayed for t w o

t o t h r ee d ays,” W an g Yan t old t h e st u d en t s of Class 1, “T h is w ill give you a b it
m or e t im e t o t r ain . T od ay, you all saw t h e b at t le b et w een Yu h ao an d t h e W in d
Sp ir it w olf. Sou l b east s ar e n ot affect ed b y em ot ion s, an d t h e fir st t h in g you n eed
t o d o t o figh t t h em is m ain t ain you r com p osu r e. You m u st d isp lay ever yt h in g
you ’ve lear n ed . Sou l b east s ar en ’t scar y. M ost of t h e t im e, t h ey on ly figh t b y
r elyin g on t h eir n at u r al in st in ct s. Fir st ly, you ’ll h ave t o over com e t h at
p sych ological b lock in you r m in d , as fear w ill w eak en you r com b at st r en gt h b y a
lar ge am ou n t . Let go of you r h esit at ion . On ly t h en w ill you b e ab le t o give it
you r all.” H e glan ced at t h e st u d en t s. “Ask you r selves, w er e you scar ed w h en
t h at W in d Sp ir it w olf ap p ear ed ?”
A lar ge n u m b er of st u d en t s im m ed iat ely low er ed t h eir h ead s in sh am e.
W an g Yan con t in u ed , “It d id n ’t h ap p en b ecau se you w er e w eak ; it h ap p en ed

b ecau se you d on ’t h ave an y exp er ien ce figh t in g sou l b east s. If you w er e t o figh t
again st a fellow classm at e w it h t h e sam e st r en gt h , w ou ld you st ill b e afr aid ? Of
cou r se you w ou ld n ’t . T h at ’s b ecau se you b elieve t h at you r fellow classm at es
w on 't act u ally h u r t you . T h en , d o you t h in k sou l b east s or w e sou l m ast er s ar e
st r on ger ? I can give you a d efin it e an sw er t o t h is. Un d er a sit u at ion in w h ich
b ot h p ar t ies h ave id en t ical cu lt iva t ion s, w e sou l m ast er s w ill d efin it ely com e ou t
on t op .”
H e r aised h is h an d a n d p oin t ed t ow ar d h is h ead . “T h at ’s b ecau se w e h u m an

b ein gs p ossess w isd om . You fear sou l b east s b ecau se t h ey h av e low in t elligen ce.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey w on ’t t h in k t w ice b efor e k illin g. H ow ev er , ju st w ait t ill you
get u sed t o t h e figh t in g st yle of t h ose sou l b east s. At t h a t p oin t , you ’ll d iscover
t h at t h e on es t h a t a r e t r u ly for m id ab le ar e u s sou l m a st er s. W e can u se ou r
m ar t ial sou ls an d sou l sk ills t o com e u p w it h m an y d iffer en t k in d s of t act ics. Bu t
you h ave t o r em em b er t h is: n o m at t er h ow ou t st a n d in g t h e t act ic, or h ow
p ow er fu l t h e sou l sk ill, on ly t h ose w h o h ave cou r age w ill b e ab le t o sh ow t h eir
t r u e p ow er . T h is ad van cem en t t est w ill d ecid e if you ’ll b e ab le t o k eep st u d yin g
at t h e acad em y. In a cer t ain w ay, you can say t h at it w ill also d ecid e you r fu t u r e.
T od ay, w e’ll h ave a last m in u t e lesson t o im p r ove you r cou r age. Yu h ao h as t h e
ab ilit y t o ch an ge t h e color an d au r a of h is sou l r in gs. I ask ever yon e t o n ot
u n con sciou sly r elease you r m ar t ial sou ls. No m at t er h ow st r on g t h e p r essu r e
you ’r e feelin g is, t r y t o k eep you r calm . Yu h ao, you can st ar t .”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed , an d a gold en ligh t flick er ed in h is eyes. At t h e sam e t im e,

t w o w h it e sou l r in gs slow ly em er ged fr om u n d er h is feet . T h ey seem ed t o b e t en
year sou l r in gs.
J u st n ow , w h en W an g Yan h ad p u lled h im asid e t o ask h im a few qu est ion s, it

w as ab ou t t h is; w h et h er h e w as w illin g t o u se t h is m et h od t o h elp t h e ot h er
st u d en t s. H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y b r iefly exp lain ed h ow h is sou l sk ill w or k ed .
Ot h er w ise, W an g Ya n w ou ld n ’t h ave ask ed h im som et h in g lik e t h is. H u o Yu h ao
d id n ’t h esit at e, an d im m ed ia t ely com p lied . H e w as t h e class lead er , aft er all.
T h u s, h e w as w illin g t o h elp h is fellow classm at es. M or eover , at t h is p oin t , h e
w as u n ab le t o con ceal h is im it a t ion sk ill. T h u s, t h er e w as n o n eed t o h old b ack .
H e h ad m an aged t o scar e m an y sou l b east s t o d ea t h b y r elyin g on t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ’s in st r u ct ion s. In ad d it ion , t h is h ad allow ed H u o Yu h ao t o exp er ien ce
som e of t h e m yr iad p ossib le var iat ion s of t h is sk ill.
T h ese w h it e t en yea r sou l r in gs w er en ’t goin g t o h ave a gr eat effect on t h e
n ear b y st u d en t s. T h eir color qu ick ly ch an ged fr om w h it e t o yellow .
Look in g at t h e sou l r in gs t h at h ad su d d en ly ch an ged color , t h e st u d en t s of

Class 1 w er e ast on ish ed ; t h is sk ill w as r eally m yst er iou s! It r eally cou ld ch an ge
t h e color of H u o Yu h ao’s sou l r in gs at w ill.
W an g Yan sa id in gr ave t on e, “T h e w h it e color r ep r esen t s a t en year sou l r in g.

It ’s t h e low est r an k ed sou l r in g t h at w e sou l m ast er s can fu se w it h . T h e yellow
color r ep r esen t s a h u n d r ed year sou l r in g. T h e color of a sou l r in g w ill ch an ge
accor d in g t o it s age, d o you k n ow w h y t h at is? Becau se t h er e is a gr eat am ou n t
of en er gy com p r essed in sid e it . An d ev er y sou l sk ill w ill u se t h is en er gy in a
d iffer en t w ay. T h er efor e, it ’s n ot a given t h at a low er r an k ed sou l r in g w ill
d efin it ely h ave a b ad effect .”
T h e yellow sou l r in gs t h en ch an ged in t o p u r p le on es. As t h ese p u r p le

t h ou san d year sou l r in gs each m ad e t h eir ap p ear an ce. H u o Yu h ao’s b od y st ar t ed
t o em it an in visib le p r essu r e, m ak in g t h e Class 1 st u d en t s so m ew h at n er vou s.
Aft er all, t h e on ly on e t h at w as k n ow n t o p ossess a t h ou san d year sou l r in g in
t h e class w as W an g Don g.
“Ever yon e, b e car efu l.” H u o Yu h ao said lou d ly. T h e t w o t h ou san d year sou l
r in gs on h is b od y t r an sfor m ed on ce again , t h e p u r p le color su d d en ly b ecom in g
d ar k er , u n t il it slow ly ch an ged t o b lack .
T h is classr oom w asn ’t as b ig as t h e gr eat Beast Du elin g Ar en a. T h e

ap p ear an ce of t w o t en t h ou san d year sou l r in gs im m ed iat ely cr eat ed a h eavy
op p r essive feelin g t h at sp r ead ever yw h er e fr om H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. At t h is t im e,
H u o Yu h ao w as d r aw in g su p p or t fr om t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion 's au r a. It
w as a ver y fer ociou s sou l b east , an d w h en H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly ch an n eled it s
au r a t h r ou gh t h ose t w o t en t h ou san d year sou l r in gs in su ch t igh t qu a r t er s, it s
t yr an n ical au r a gave t h e st u d en t s t h e feelin g of b ein g cr u sh ed in t o sm it h er een s.
Im m ed iat ely, t h e st u d en t s w it h a w eak cu lt ivat ion b ase felt t h eir sou l r in gs

com e ou t of t h eir b od ies. Even t h eir ap p ear an ces b ecam e p ale.
W an g Yan fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s as h e t old H u o Yu h ao, “No n eed t o in cr ea se t h e
ou t p u t fu r t h er . J u st k eep t h is level of in t en sit y.” H e h ad t h e feelin g t h at all
t h ese st u d en t s w ou ld w et t h em selves if H u o Yu h ao w er e t o r elease t h e p ow er of
a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g in t h is sm all an d n ar r ow p lace. An d h e
ab solu t ely d id n ’t w a n t t h at ; k eep in g t h e level of in t en sit y at t en t h ou san d year s
w as t h e b est t h in g for t h e st u d en t s.
“Aft er cu lt iva t in g for t en t h ou san d year s, sou l b east s w ill exp er ien ce a
qu alit a t ive leap . Gen er ally sp eak in g, if a h u m an b ein g w an t s t o d eal w it h a t en
t h ou san d year so u l b east alon e, h e w ill n eed t h e st r en gt h of at least six r in gs. If
h e w an t s t o d eal w it h a t h ir t y t h ou sa n d year sou l b east , h e w ill n eed t h e
st r en gt h of seven or m or e r in gs; an d even t h en it w ou ld on ly b e som et h in g h e
cou ld t r y aft er ob t a in in g a m ar t ia l sou l t r u e b od y. Ear lier , I said t h at sou l
m ast er s w ou ld gen er ally b e st r on ger t h an sou l b east s of t h e sam e r an k .
H ow ever , in t h e h ist or y of ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t , t h er e is on ly on ce in st an ce of
t h e st r on gest sou l m ast er su r p assin g t h e st r on gest sou l b east . T h at h ap p en ed
w h en t h e fir st gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s w as st ill ar ou n d . T h e b est
exam p le am on g t h em is exact ly t h e fou n d er of t h e T an g Sect , t h e Asu r a T an g
San . Excep t for t h at p er iod of t im e w h er e ou r h u m an r ace w as st r on ger t h an t h e
sou l b east s, w e h ave alw ays b een u n ab le t o con t en d w it h t h e st r on gest sou l
b east s.”
“As for sou l b east s t h at h ave cu lt ivat ed for a h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year s, even a

T it led Dou lu o w ou ld fin d it h ar d t o figh t again st t h em alo n e. T h at ’s b ecau se
sou l b east s w h o a r e a b le t o cu lt ivat e for a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s w ill d efin it ely
h ave a p ow er fu l in h er it ed b lood lin e. An d t o su p p r ess a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year
sou l b east , on e w ill n eed t o b e at least a T it led Dou lu o of t h e 95t h r an k or p ossess
a su fficien t n u m b er of sou l b on es.”
“A t id e of sou l b east s on ce em er ged fr om t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , at t ack in g

ou r Sh r ek Acad em y. T h at t im e, t h e acad em y su ffer ed sever e losses. In sid e t h e
Gr eat St ar Dou For est w er e som e sou l b east s w h o h ad even exceed ed t h e
h u n d r ed t h ou san d year r an k . T h e h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year r a n k isn ’t act u ally t h e
lim it for sou l b east s. T h er e ar e som e sou l b east s t h at ar e p ar t icu la r ly gift ed b y
t h e h eaven s, an d b y r elyin g on t h eir cu lt iva t ion , t h ey can b r eak t h r ou gh t h e
lim it of t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year r an k , r each in g a com p let ely n ew r ealm .
T h ese sou l b east s t h at can su r p ass t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year r an k ar e called
t r an scen d en t sou l b east s. I can gu ar an t ee you t h at t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est st ill
h id es som e t r an scen d en t sou l b east s. For u s sou l m ast er s, a h u n d r ed t h ou san d
year sou l b east is a fir st -class t r easu r e. It w ill give u s a h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year
sou l r in g an d a sou l b on e, t ot allin g fou r sou l sk ills. H ow ever , t r an scen d en t sou l
b east s ar e ak in t o a calam it y. Even if w e p ay a h u ge p r ice t o k ill t h em , it w ill b e
ver y d ifficu lt t o ob t ain som et h in g valu a b le fr om t h eir b od ies. T h is is b ecau se
t h e sou l r in g p r od u ced b y a t r an scen d en t sou l b east is n ot som et h in g w e can
ab sor b so easily. T h e b od y of t h e sou l m ast er t h a t t r ies m igh t b e u n ab le t o
w it h st an d it s p ow er .”
Zh ou Sich en cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask , “T each er W an g, even T it led Dou lu o can ’t

ab sor b it ? Did n ’t you say t h at aft er su r p assin g t h e 90 t h r an k an d b ecom in g a
T it led Dou lu o, on e’s b od y w ill u n d er go a q u alit a t ive leap ?”
Aft er h e fin ish ed h is sen t en ce, h is exp r ession ch an ged , an d h e p aled sligh t ly.
H u o Yu h ao w as con t in u ou sly r eleasin g t h e op p r essive au r a of a t en t h ou san d
year sou l b east , an d t h is au r a w as in cessan t ly at t ack in g t h e m in d s of t h e
st u d en t s. T h ey n eed ed t o k eep t h eir con cen t r at ion u p ; on ly t h en t h ey w ou ld b e
ab le t o su p p r ess t h e fear in t h eir h ear t s.
W an g Yan r ep lied ill-h u m or ed ly, “You ar e goin g again st com m on sen se w it h

t h ese q u est ion s. H a d t h is b een t h e ad va n cem en t t est , t h ey w ou ld h ave sen t you
h om e alr ead y. T ell m e, h ow m an y r in gs d oes a T it led Dou lu o h ave?”
Zh ou Sich en p r om p t ly r ep lied , “Nin e r in gs! Ah …” Aft er sp ea k in g, h e fin a lly

u n d er st ood .
Exact ly, a T it led Dou lu o alr ead y h ad n in e r in gs. T h ey w er e exist en ces of t h e

h igh est level. H ow cou ld t h ey h ave an ot h er sou l r in g?
W an g Yan sa id w it h fain t sm ile, “You fin ally u n d er st an d you r m ist ak e. If you
d o you r b est an d m an age t o r esist t h is fear in sid e you r h ear t s, t each er w ill t ell
you a secr et . T h is secr et is ab ou t t h e t op -r an k ed sou l r in g.”
T h e st u d en t s w er e a t t r act ed b y W an g Ya n ’s w or d s, an d t h e fear in sid e t h eir

h ear t s d im in ish ed a b it . T h e st u d en t s t h at h ad alr ead y r eleased t h eir m ar t ial
sou ls also m ad e an effor t t o w it h d r aw t h em .
W an g Yan said in a gr ave t on e, “W h at Zh ou Sich en said ju st n ow w as again st

com m on sen se. H ow ever , I’ll t ell you t h is: in t h e h ist o r y of ou r Dou lu o
Con t in en t , it ’s n ot lik e t h er e h aven ’t b een sou l m ast er s w it h t en r in gs. T h is
secr et p iece of in for m at ion w as r ecor d ed in ou r Sh r ek Acad em y.”
T en r in g? Aft er h ear in g t h ose w or d s, a ll t h e st u d en t s w er e sh ock ed . T h e fear

in t h eir h ear t s w as also r ed u ced a lit t le m or e.
W an g Yan said , “T h e m ain su b ject s of m y r esear ch ar e m a r t ial sou ls a n d sou l

r in gs. Aft er d oin g a lot of r esear ch , I can gu ar an t ee you t h at it is p ossib le t o h ave
t en r in gs, an d h avin g t en sou l r in gs alm ost equ at es t o b ecom in g a God . In t h e
r ecor d s of ou r acad em y, t h er e w as som e in for m at ion ab ou t a p er son p ossessin g
t en sou l r in gs; a God -r an k ed p ow er h ou se. An d t h is p er son is exact ly t h e on e I
m en t ion ed a w h ile ago, t h e fou n d er of t h e T an g Sect --An cest or T an g San .
Am on g h is t w in m a r t ial sou ls, h is m ain m ar t ial so u l, t h e Blu e Silver Em p er or ,
p ossessed t en so u l r in gs. Resear ch er s fr o m lat er gen er at ion s d ecid ed t o call it a
God -r an k ed sou l r in g.”
Of all t h e of st u d en t s in t h e class, W a n g Don g w as t h e p er son w h o h ad t o face

t h e least am ou n t of p r essu r e. H e w as ext r em ely fam iliar w it h H u o Yu h ao, an d
t h e t w o of t h em w er e ab le t o fu se t h eir m ar t ial sou ls! It d id n ’t m at t er w h at
ab ilit y H u o Yu h ao u sed , h e w ou ld n ’t feel t oo gr eat of a t h r eat fr om an y of t h em .
W h en h e h ear d W a n g Yan ’s w or d s, h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask , “T each er W an g,
t h en w h at color a r e God -r an k ed sou l r in g?”
W an g Yan r ep lied , “Even I d on ’t t r u ly k n ow . Based on h ist o r ical d ocu m en t s,

t h e n in t h sou l r in g of An cest or T an g San ’s Blu esilver Em p er or w as b lu ish -gold .
H is secon d m ar t ial sou l—t h e Clear Sk y H am m er —also h ad a d iffer en t color ed
n in t h sou l r in g; it w as d ar k -gold . It ’s ver y p ossib le t h at it w as also a God -r an k ed
sou l r in g. Based on t h is, w e can d ed u ce t h at God -r an k ed sou l r in gs w ill all h av e
d iffer en t , u n iq u e ap p ear an ces.”
W an g Don g ask ed , “Did n ’t you ju st say t h at on e’s t en t h sou l r in g w ou ld b e a

God -r an k ed on e? H ow w as An cest or T an g San ’s n in t h sou l r in g ab le t o b ecom e a
God -r an k ed on e?”
W an g Yan sm iled sligh t ly. “W e’ll fir st h ave t o t alk ab ou t a legen d ar y sou l
b east t h at on ce exist ed on ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t . Even am on g t h e t each er s
w it h in t h e aca d em y, on ly a few of t h em k n ow ab ou t t h is secr et . T h is legen d a r y
sou l b east w as k n ow n as t h e Deep Sea Devilw h ale Em p er or , an d it s cu lt iva t ion
h ad su p p osed ly n ear ed t h e m illion -year r an k . H ow ever , n ob od y is clear as t o
w h et h er or n ot it act u ally su r p assed a m illion year s of cu lt iva t ion . Accor d in g t o
ou r h ist or ical d ocu m en t s, h ow ever , on ce An cest or T an g San ab sor b ed it s sou l
r in g, it fu sed w it h so m e sor t of en er gy in h is b od y, w h ich cau sed it t o b ecom e a
d ar k -gold God -r an k ed sou l r in g. An cest or T an g San h a d alr ea d y b r ok en t h r ou gh
t h e p in n acle of cu lt ivat ion at t h is p oin t , m ean in g t h a t h is sou l p ow er h a d
r each ed Ran k 10 0 a n d t h a t h e’d b ecom e a God . On ly w it h t h e h elp of h is m a in
m ar t ial sou l’s t en t h sou l r in g—t h e Blu esilver Em p er or —w as h e ab le t o k ill t h e
Deep Sea Devilw h ale Em p er or .”
W h en W an g Yan fin ish ed sp eak in g ab ou t An cest or T an g San ’s God -r an k ed

sou l r in g, H u o Yu h a o w as left in a d aze. Aft er h ear in g ab ou t t h e p ossib ilit y of a
m illion -year sou l b east w h o m igh t h ave ap p ear ed in t h e p ast , h e w as st u n n ed
sp eech less.
At t h at m om en t , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask , “T each er W an g, d id t h e Deep Sea

Devilw h ale Em p er or r eally r each a m illio n year s of cu lt iva t io n ?”
W an g Yan sh ook h is h ead . “W h a t r ea lly h ap p en ed is m or e com p licat ed .

Accor d in g t o t h e lar ge am ou n t of r esear ch con d u ct ed over t en s of t h ou san d s of
year s b y p ow er fu l sou l m ast er s, a sou l b east is n or m ally lim it ed t o a h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year s of life. W h en t h ey h it t h is lim it , t h ey’ll en cou n t er a calam it y of
sor t s, at w h ich p oin t t h ey’ll h ave t o ch oose b et w een at t em p t in g t o b r eak
t h r ou gh t h is lim it , or t r an sfor m in g in t o a h u m an . Ear lier , I said t h at so u l b east s
ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h is lim it ar e k n ow n as t r an scen d en t sou l b east s.
H ow ever , all of t h em w ill st ill h ave t o face a calam it y lik e t h is ever y h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year s. On ce t h ey b r eak t h r ou gh t en calam it ies, t h ey’ll b ecom e
exist en ces close t o t h at of a God . If t h ey can leap t h r ou gh t h e gold en gat e an d
t r an sfor m fr om a car p t o a d r agon , t h ey’ll b e ab le t o b ecom e t r u e God s. As far as
I k n ow , h ow ever , a sou l b east h as n ever b een ab le t o com p let e t h is st ep . Even
t h e Deep Sea Devilw h ale Em p er or w asn ’t an excep t ion . As su ch , r egar d less of
w h et h er or n ot it w as ab le t o r each a m illion year s of cu lt iva t ion , it w ou ld st ill
on ly r em ain a t r an scen d en t sou l b east so lon g as it w asn ’t ab le t o b ecom e a God .
Of cou r se, on ly a God can for ce t h ese t er r ifyin g t r a n scen d en t sou l b east s t o
su r r en d er . If on e d oesn ’t h ave as m u ch a s p ow er as som eon e lik e An cest or T an g
San , even som eon e w it h t h e ab ilit y t o k ill a t r an scen d en t sou l b east lik e t h e
Deep Sea Devilw h ale Em p er or w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o com p let ely ab sor b it s sou l
r in g an d sou l b on e.”
H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “T each er W an g. Befor e An cest or T an g Sa n b ecam e a God
an d left ou r w or ld , d id h e h ave an y ot h er m a r t ia l sou ls t h an h is Blu esilver
Em p er or an d h is Clear Sk y H am m er ?”
W an g Yan sh ook h is h ead . “T h er e sh ou ld n ’t h ave b een a n y m or e. W h en

An cest or T an g San h ad h is last b at t le w it h t h e M ar t ial Sou l H all, t h e t w o
op p on en t s h e faced w er e b ot h God -r an k ed exp er t s. Accor d in g t o t h e h ist or ica l
d ocu m en t s at least , a sit u at ion in w h ich An cest or T an g San p ossessed t h r ee
m ar t ial sou ls d id n ’t ap p ear . Yu h ao, w h y w ou ld you ask som et h in g lik e t h is?”
H u o Yu h ao scr a t ch ed h is h ead . “I w as ju st casu ally ask in g som et h in g r an d om .

T h e God r an k is sim p ly t oo far aw ay fr om u s, t h u s I w as ju st w on d er in g w h et h er
or n ot w e’d ob t ain a t h ir d m ar t ial sou l if w e r each ed t h e Go d r an k .”
W an g Yan sm iled sligh t ly. “You r t r ain of t h ou gh t is ver y good . Ou r r esear ch

in t o t h e field of m ar t ial sou ls is p r ecisely b ecau se w e w an t t o exp lor e m or e of
t h eir secr et s. On e sh ou ld d efin it ely m a k e b old h yp ot h eses an d ver ify t h em
car efu lly. Alr igh t , let ’s st op for n ow .”
H is last sen t en ce w as d ir ect ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. T h e ot h er st u d en t s

in st an t ly felt t h eir b od ies loosen u p , w h ich im m ed ia t ely cau sin g t h e sou l p ow er
in t h eir b od ies t o u n d u lat e in t en sely, an d in t u r n ca u sed t h em t o feel an d
in cr ed ib le sen se of r elaxat ion . On ly t h en d id t h ey r ecall t h e t h e p r essu r e t h at
H u o Yu h ao h ad b een r eleasin g sin ce h e’d im it at ed t h e au r a of a t en t h ou san d
year sou l r in g.
W h en W an g Yan sa w t h e st u d en t s act as if t h ey’d b een r elieved of a lar ge

b u r d en , h e sm iled sligh t ly. “T h e m en acin g au r a t h at a sou l b east em it s an d t h e
p r essu r e t h a t a sou l m ast er em it s ar e act u ally ju st t w o d iffer en t t yp es of
in t im id at ion of you r sp ir it . As lon g as you r sp ir it u al p ow er is st ab le en ou gh ,
you ’ll b e ab le t o st a n d u n m ov in g lik e a r eef n ear t h e seasid e n o m at t er h ow
in t en se t h e p r essu r e is. Ear lier , you r m in d s w er e cap t iva t ed b y m y st or y, t h u s
you com p let ely for got ab ou t t h e p r essu r e Yu h ao w as em it t in g. H ead b ack an d
h ave a good r est . Aft er w ar d s, p r ep ar e you r selves as b est as you can for t h e
ad van cem en t t est . W e’ll en d class h er e. T om or r ow , w e’ll con t in u e t o t r ain in
t h e sam e w ay.”
Ever y sin gle st u d en t w it h in t h e classr oom —in clu d in g H u o Yu h ao—h ad

r esolu t e look s in t h eir eyes as t h ey look ed t ow ar d s W an g Ya n . In d eed , Zh ou Yi
cou ld n ’t com p ar e t o a sch olar ly t each er su ch as W an g Yan w h en it cam e t o
t h eor et ica l k n ow led ge. H ow ever , Zh ou Yi w as m u ch b et t er t h a n h im a t
con t r ollin g h er st u d en t s. Sin ce t h ey w er e b ot h sim u lt an eo u sly in ch a r ge of t h e
class, t h ey even co m p lim en t ed each ot h er . At t h e ver y lea st , Class 1 n o lon ger
h ad a sin gle st u d en t u n d er t h e t w o-r in ged r an k aft er t h e p ast year ’s w or t h of
st u d y.
At t h is m om en t , t h er e w as st ill a p er iod of t im e b efor e d in n er t im e. As su ch ,

H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g d ecid ed t o h ead d ir ect ly t ow ar d s t h eir d or m . At H u o
Yu h ao’s st r on g b eh est , t h ey b egan t o cu lt ivat in g as soon as t h ey ar r ived .
H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t t r u ly t r yin g t o b e h a r d w or k in g t od ay, h ow ever , h e h a d a

few q u est ion s for t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m . T h e on ly w ay h e cou ld h ave a
con ver sat ion w it h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m cu r r en t ly w as b y en t er in g a st a t e of
cu lt ivat ion w it h W a n g Don g an d calm in g d ow n .
As t h e H aod on g Pow er cir cu la t ed t h r ou gh t h eir b od ies, t h e d en se u n d u lat ion s

of sou l p ow er t h ey em it t ed st r en gt h en ed at a r ap id r at e. Bot h of t h em h ad
exp er ien ced a qu a lit at ive leap in t h eir cu lt ivat ion s d u r in g t h eir vacat ion , t h u s
t h e ad van t age t h ey h ad in t er m s of cu lt ivat ion sp eed sin ce t h ey’d fu sed t h eir
sou l p ow er w as b ecom in g m or e an d m or e d ist in ct .
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , Br ot h er Sk yd r eam .” On ce h e’d en t er ed a m ed it at ive

st at e, H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely b egan t o cir cu la t e h is sou l p ow er in a con t r olled
m an n er w h ile ca llin g ou t t o t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r esp on d ed t o h im q u it e q u ick ly. It s lazy voice r an g

ou t , “W h at ’r e you d oin g? Is t h is ab ou t t h at Deep Sea Devilw h ale Em p er or ?”
H u o Yu h ao said , “Yeah ! Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , w as t h a t Deep Sea Devilw h ale
Em p er or r eally a m illion year sou l b east ? ”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sm iled m isch ievou sly. “Don ’t you alr ead y h ave an
an sw er t o t h is?”
Yes, t h e r eason t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad ask ed W an g Yan if An cest or T an g San

h ad h ad a t h ir d m a r t ial sou l w as p r ecisely t o ver ify w h et h er or n ot t h e Deep Sea
Devilw h ale Em p er or w as a m illion year sou l r in g.
H u o Yu h ao said , “Sin ce you ’ve an sw er ed m e lik e t h is, it t r u ly w asn ’t on e?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “I’ve alr ead y t old you : I’m t h e on ly sou l
b east on t h e con t in en t w h o’s b een ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t o t h e m illion year
r an k . T h e m om en t I b r ok e t h r ou gh t h e b ou n d ar y of t h e m illion year r an k , I felt
som et h in g d eep in m y h ear t . It ’s im p ossib le t o d escr ib e w h at t h at feelin g w as,
b u t I in st in ct ively k n ew t h at I w as t h e fir st sou l b east t o r each t h is level. T h er e
h asn ’t b een an yon e else ab le t o. T h e n u m b er of sou l b east s t h at r esid e in t h e
ocean ou t n u m b er t h e sou l b east s on t h e con t in en t , t h u s it isn ’t su r p r isin g fo r
p ow er fu l sou l b east s t o ap p ear t h er e. H ow ever , I can gu ar an t ee t h at t h er e ar e n o
m illion year sou l b east s am on g t h eir r an k s.”
H u o Yu h ao said , “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam t h en , t h en … sh ou ld n ’t you b e a God ?”

H e st ill h ad a n en or m ou s am ou n t of d ou b t w it h in h is h ear t . On ce h e’d ob t ain ed
h is secon d sou l r in g for h is Sp ir it Eyes, h e’d im m ed iat ely d iscover ed a secr et .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad alw ays d isgu ised t h e t r u e color of h is Sp ir it Eyes’
fir st so u l r in g. Lazy as h e w as h ow ever , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad im m ed ia t ely
d elegat ed t h is t ask t o H u o Yu h ao on ce h e’d ob t ain ed t h e ab ilit y t o con ceal h is
ab ilit ies. In t r u t h , t h e fir st sou l r in g t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad given
h im —h is in t elligen t sou l r in g—w as an im p r essive gold color . It w as com p let ely
d iffer en t fr om t h e r egu lar w h it e, yello w , p u r p le, b lack , an d r ed color ed sou l
r in gs. W h en T each er W an g Yan h ad t alk ed ab ou t An cest or T an g San ’s God -
r an k ed sou l r in g, a t h ou gh t h a d im m ed iat ely p op p ed in t o H u o Yu h ao’s m in d .
W asn ’t t h e fir st sou l r in g of h is Sp ir it Eyes a God -r an k ed sou l r in g as w ell?
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m u n h ap p ily r ep lied , “St op d r eam in g. If I’d t r u ly
b ecom e a God , w ou ld I r eally h ave b een b u llied b y t h ose fellas in t h e Gr eat St a r
Dou For est ? T r u e, t h e sou l r in g t h a t I gave you h as t h e fou n d at ion s of a God -
r an k ed sou l r in g, b u t it ab solu t ely isn ’t on e. It ’s cu r r en t ly lack in g t w o t h in gs:
On e, it n eed s a God ly Im p r in t t h at b elon gs t o you . On ly w h en you ’ve ob t ain t h e
cu lt ivat ion of a God an d h ave b r an d ed it w it h you r im p r in t w ill it t r u ly b ecom e
a God -r an k ed sou l r in g. T h e ot h er t h in g you r equ ir e is a God ly Seat . Do you
r eally t h in k t h a t it ’s so easy t o b ecom e a God ? It ’s d efin it ely im p ossib le t o
su cceed w it h ou t exp er ien cin g in n u m er a b le t r ials. H ow ever , it ’s st ill t oo ear ly
for you t o b e t h in k in g ab ou t t h ese t h in gs. All you n eed t o k n ow is t h at t h is
Br ot h er is a u n iqu e a n d gen u in e m illion year sou l r in g in t h e t r u est sen se of t h e
w or d . Un d er st ood ?”
“Oh ,” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , d on ’t go b ack t o sleep yet . I

st ill h ave a n ot h er q u est ion t o ask you . Ea r lier t od ay, I u sed on e of t h e sou l sk ills
t h at t h e Ice Em p r ess gave m e. W h y w as I su d d en ly so en or m ou sly p ow er fu l?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m im m ed ia t ely flew in t o a r age, “Ar en ’t you ju st fu ll of

cr ap n ow ! W h o d o you t h in k t h e Ice Em p r ess is?! Sh e’s on e of t h e m ost p ow er fu l
sou l b east s w h o cu r r en t ly exist s. You ’ve r eceived h er sou l r in g an d sou l b on e,
an d even t h ou gh you on ly ab sor b ed a ver y sm all am ou n t of h er p ow er , you r
p h ysiq u e w as st r en gt h en ed b y an en or m ou s am ou n t . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e t w o sou l
sk ills t h a t sh e gave you ar e b ot h p ow er -t yp e sk ills. T h ese t w o t h in gs—h er
t er r ifyin g am ou n t of p ow er an d h er Ult im at e Ice at t r ib u t e—cu lm in a t ed in t o t h e
sou l sk ill you r eleased ear lier : T h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer . H ow ever , you h ave t o
r em em b er t h at t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer can on ly b e u t ilised at it s m axim u m in a
close-com b at sit u at ion . On t h e ot h er h an d , you h ave t o t r y you r b est n ot u se t h e
t w o sk ills h er t or so b on e gave you . T h ey sim p ly r eq u ir e t oo m u ch sou l p ow er ;
you w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o en d u r e it . Oh , r igh t . W h en you ’ve fu sed you r sou l p ow er
w it h t h is lit t le fella in fr on t of you , you sh ou ld b e ab le t o b ar ely r elease a t r ace of
t h e p ow er t h ose t w o sk ills p ossess. In r ealit y, you sh ou ld feel p r ou d of you r self.
T h e p er son w h o t est ed you ju st n ow is on e of t h ose p eop le you h u m an s call a
‘T it led Dou lu o’.”
H u o Yu h ao w as ast on ish ed . “Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , you ’r e sayin g t h at T each er
Gon g is a…”
“M y in t u it ion is n ev er w r on g,” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “W h at ever , if

you h ave n ot h in g else t o say, Br ot h er is goin g t o sleep . Con t in u e cu lt ivat in g
d iligen t ly.”
Aft er h avin g a con v er sat ion w it h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , t h e d ou b t s in H u o

Yu h ao’s m in d h ad clear ed u p . H avin g gon e t h r ou gh t od ay’s affair s, h is self-
con fid en ce h ad in cr eased even m or e.
New s of H u o Yu h a o’s st u n n in g p er for m an ce in t h e Gr eat Beast Du ellin g

Ar en a q u ick ly sp r ead t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir et y of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . H ow ever ,
u n d er t h e con ject u r es of a few b r ain y p eop le, t h e ot h er st u d en t s w er e ab le t o
su r m ise t h at h e h ad u sed an au r a-im it at ion sk ill. Becau se of t h at , h e d id n ’t cau se
t oo lar ge a r u ck u s.
T h e ad van cem en t t est for t h e Year 2 st u d en t s w as p ost p on ed for t w o d ays.

Fu r t h er m or e, Zh ou Yi b r ou gh t an ot h er p iece of n ew s t o H u o Yu h ao aft er t h e
m eet in g t h e t each er s h ad . T h e acad em y’s T each in g Dep ar t m en t h ad r eq u est ed
t h at h e r et ak e t h e ad van cem en t t est w it h ou t u sin g h is Im it at ion t h is t im e
ar ou n d . T h ey gu ar a n t eed t h at h e w ou ld ob t ain t h e m in im u m m ar k s r equ ir ed t o
p ass, b u t t h ey st ill h op ed t h at h e w ou ld d o all h e cou ld t o d isp lay h is ow n
st r en gt h in or d er t o ob t ain even h igh er m ar k s.
Du W eilu n w asn ’t w illin g t o r esign h im self t o t h e t r u t h ! Aft er t h e

ad van cem en t t est h ad en d ed , h e h ad or gan ised a m eet in g w it h t h e ot h er
t each er s b efor e goin g over t o see Dean Ya n Sh aozh e. Yan Sh aozh e t h en gave h im
a sin gle or d er --t h a t w as, for h im t o clar ify w h at H u o Yu h ao’s secon d m ar t ial
sou l w as, in ad d it ion t o h is sou l sk ill.
……
“Secon d you n g m ast er , t h is is t oo r isk y. Sh r ek Acad em y is t h e con t in en t ’s
n u m b er on e acad em y, an d exp er t s ar e ext r em ely com m on t h er e. T h e n u m b er of
T it led Dou lu o t h ey h ave exceed t h at of ou r em p ir e. Rash ly k illin g som eon e
w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y w ill b e ext r em ely in con ven ien t for t h e Du k e.”
“T h en w h at if it ’s ou t sid e Sh r ek Acad em y?”
“If it ’s su fficien t ly far aw ay fr om Sh r ek Acad em y, w e can t r y. Secon d you n g

m ast er , you h ave t o calm d ow n . If you r eally can ’t t ak e it an ym or e, you can ask
t h e eld est you n g m ast er for gu id an ce.”
“No n eed , I’ve alr ea d y t h ou gh t it t h r ou gh . I w as clou d ed b y m y an ger . I’ll

t h in k of a w ay by m yself fir st . If I r eally can ’t d o an yt h in g ab ou t it , I’ll d r aw
t h em ou t for t h e sak e of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s h on or . At t h a t t im e, you ar e n ot
allow ed t o d issu a d e m e an ym or e.”
“Yes.”
……
“H ah a, t h at old fella Yan Sh aozh e m u st b e foam in g w it h an ger in h is office.

H ow d eligh t fu l, it ’s r eally so sat isfyin g!” Qian Du od u o w as lyin g on h is w id e
sofa, h is m igh t y b od y t ak in g u p alm ost h alf t h e sp ace of t h e sofa, w h ich cou ld
n or m ally fit t h r ee p eop le. H e h ad a p leased look on h is face.
Fan Yu , w h o w as sit t in g op p osit e h im , said sin cer ely, “Dean Qian , t h an k

you .” H e w as t r u ly gr at efu l t o Qian Du od u o. H e h a d m a d e a t im ely m ove,
allow in g t h em t o t h or ou gh ly b r in g H u o Yu h ao over t o t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t at t h e m ost cr u cial m om en t . M or eover , Yan Sh aozh e cou ld n ’t d o
an yt h in g at all n ow .
Qian Du od u o w aved h is h a n d , “W h a t ’r e you t h an k in g m e for ? T h is is all for

ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . H ow ever , t h at old fella Yan Sh aozh e is ver y cr aft y.
W e st ill h ave t o b e aler t .”
Fan Yu w as st u n n ed . “Be aler t for w h at ? Yu h ao’s alr ead y a cor e d iscip le of ou r
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t !”
Qian Du od u o said , “You can ’t t h in k t h is w ay. I u n d er st an d t h at old fella Yan

t oo w ell; h e’s n ot a p er son w h o gives u p easily. H e w on ’t d o som et h in g lik e
t h r eat en u s, b u t h e’s ext r em ely good at t em p t in g som eon e. You st ill n eed t o
h ave a good con ver sat ion w it h t h at lit t le fella Yu h ao so h e w on ’t b e fooled b y
an y m ean s. T ell Yu h ao t h at ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t can give h im an yt h in g
t h at Yan Sh aozh e offer s. I sim p ly d on ’t b elieve t h at Old Ya n w ill ju st let m e
sn at ch aw ay t h e m eat I’ve ob t ain ed . H u m p h . T w o m ar t ial sou ls, h ah ah a. I ju st
n eed t o im agin e Old Yan ’s cu r r en t exp r ession t o feel ext r em ely h ap p y.”
Fan Yu sm iled sligh t ly. “I d on ’t t h in k t h at you n eed t o w or r y. Aft er

in t er act in g w it h t h is ch ild Yu h ao for so lon g, I h ave con fid en ce in h im . I can
gu ar an t ee you on e t h in g--as lon g as h e get s h is r an k as a sou l m ast er u p t o t h e
r equ ir ed r an k , h e’ll d efin it ely b ecom e a sou l en gin eer of t h e sam e class. W it h in
five year s, b efor e h e gr ad u at es fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , I’ll w or k h ar d t o m ak e
h im a Class 5 sou l en gin eer . W h en h e t h en en t er s t h e in n er cou r t yar d , w e’ll b e
ab le t o h ave h im an d Cait ou im p lem en t t h e Ult im a t e Sold ier p lan .”
“T h e Im it at ion sk ill t h at Yu h ao’s ju st ob t ain ed h as elim in a t ed a lar ge ob st acle

t o ou r Ult im at e Sold ier p lan . T h is sk ill h as n o offen sive u ses, b u t it ’s ab solu t ely
t h e st r on gest ab ilit y t h at a p er son can u se t o con ceal t h em selves! T h e h eaven s
ab ove ar e t r u ly t h in k in g ab ou t ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . Yu h ao’s p r act ically
m ad e for ou r Ult im a t e Sold ier p lan .”
Qian Du od u o n od d ed . “Fan Yu , I h ave a p r op osal. T h is k id Yu h ao h as an

ext r aor d in ar y am ou n t of t alen t as a sou l en gin eer , an d w e ca n ’t r est r ict h im t oo
m u ch u sin g con ven t ion al w ays. I feel t h at H e Cait ou sh ou ld n ’t con t in u e b ein g
cu lt ivat ed for t h e Ult im at e Sold ier p lan . If H u o Yu h ao can b ecom e t h e Ult im at e
Sold ier w e n u r t u r e, t h en H e Cait ou can b e t h e Ar m or y of t h e Ult im at e Sold ier .”
Som ew h at con cer n ed , Fan Yu said , “Bu t Dean , isn ’t t h is t oo r isk y? In t h e

even t w e fail…”
T h e sm ile on Qian Du od u o’s face van ish ed , an d h e sp ok e in a gr ave voice,
“T h er e isn ’t an ‘in t h e even t ’. If a p er son w it h t w in m ar t ial so u ls can ’t m ak e ou r
p lan su cceed , t h en t h at on ly p r oves t h at ou r p lan d oesn ’t h old an y w at er . If w e
go w it h t h e m en t alit y of st ak in g it all on on e p er son , ou r ch an ces of su ccess ar e
m u ch gr eat er .”
Fan Yu fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s. “T h en I’ll h ave t o t h in k ab ou t it for a w h ile. I

n eed t o ask Cait ou for h is op in ion on t h is as w ell.”
Qian Du od u o sm iled . “Yu p . T h is issu e isn ’t u r gen t . T h ey’r e st ill you n g, so w e

h ave t o est ab lish t h eir fou n d at ion s w ell. Righ t , w h en is H u o Yu h ao com in g
over ?”
Fan Yu said , “T h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s h avin g t h eir ad van cem en t t est .
I’ll get h im t o com e over aft er h is t est .”
Qian Du od u o said , “H e’s alr ead y a cor e d iscip le of ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t
n ow . Aft er t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s ad van cem en t t est en d s, b r in g h im
over an d let h im p ar t icip at e in ou r ad va n cem en t t est as w ell. I w an t t o see h is
cap ab ilit ies in live com b at .”
“Ok ay,” Fan Yu r ep lied , filled w it h con fid en ce. H e h ad ab solu t e con fid en ce in
t h e d iscip le h e w as p leased w it h .
T w o d ays lat er .
T h e Gr eat Beast Du ellin g Ar en a. Ou t sid e t h e Ar en a.
“H u o Yu h ao, d o you d ar e t o m ak e an ot h er b et ?” Dai H u ab in b lock ed H u o

Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s p at h s.
W it h ou t even w a it in g for H u o Yu h ao t o op en h is m ou t h , W an g Don g

in t er ject ed , “W h at ? You can ’t accep t it ? T h e on ly r eason w h y you ’ve d ar ed t o
com e again is b ecau se you ’r e fu lly aw ar e t h at H u o Yu h ao’s b een r est r ict ed fr om
u sin g h is sou l sk ill. Losin g is losin g, an d you ’ve alr ead y for got t en t h e p ain t h at
cam e fr om t h at scar of you r s, eh ? You ’ve alr ead y k ow t ow ed an d ad m it t ed t h a t
you w er e w r on g.”
A cold ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh Dai H u ab in ’s eyes, “W h at ’s w r on g w it h seizin g

an op p or t u n it y? I lost , an d I ad m it t ed it . I’m on ly ask in g as t o w h et h er you d ar e
t o m ak e an ot h er b et w it h m e. T h is t im e, I’ll b et again st you t w o b y m yself. I’m
b et t in g t h a t I’ll b e ab le t o exceed t h e t ot al of you r scor es b y m yself.”
T h e m om en t h e sp ok e, W an g Don g im m ed iat ely r aised h is b r ow , “Dai

H u ab in , you ’r e b ein g t oo ar r ogan t .”
Dai H u ab in said icily, “Do you d ar e, or d o you n ot ?”
W an g Don g said an gr ily, “Sin ce you w an n a b et , w e’ll b et . W e’ll u se t h e sam e

st ak es as b efor e. T h e losin g p ar t y w ill k ow t ow an d ad m it t h at t h ey w er e w r on g,
b u t t h r ee t im es t h is t im e.”
Dai H u ab in t u r n ed t ow ar d s t h e silen t H u o Yu h ao, “W h at d o you say?”
H u o Yu h ao said in d iffer en t ly, “Seein g t h at you w er e w illin g t o accep t you r

loss last t im e, fin e. W e’ll t ak e you r b et .”
Dai H u ab in sq u in t ed h is eyes. Aft er cold ly sw eep in g h is gaze over t h e t w o, h e

t u r n ed aw ay an d left .
As W an g Don g look ed on at Dai H u ab in ’s leavin g figu r e, h e su d d en ly let ou t a

lau gh . Keep in g h is voice low , h e t u r n ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, “Su r e en ou gh , it ’s
exact ly as you p r ed ict ed . T h at fella h as w ell-d evelop ed lim b s, b u t t h e b r ain of a
m or on . H e act u ally d ar ed t o m ak e a b et lik e t h is for t h e sak e of r even ge. H e’s
r eally t h in k in g t oo h igh ly of h im self, an d h e’s look in g d ow n on u s t oo m u ch .”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled sligh t ly. “Act u a lly, h e’s n ot look in g d ow n on u s. It ’s ju st

t h at w e h ave t oo m a n y secr et s t h a t t h e ot h er s d on ’t k n ow ab ou t . If h e m ak es a
d ecision b ased on com m on sen se, it ’s n a t u r al for h im t o b e fooled b y u s.”
T h e H aod on g Pow er w as t h eir gr eat est secr et . W it h ou t t h e H a od on g Pow er , it
w ou ld ’ve b een im p ossib le for t h eir cu lt iva t ion t o in cr ease so q u ick ly. H u o
Yu h ao even h ad t w o m ar t ial so u ls in ad d it ion t o t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s
t or so b on e an d sou l r in g. T h ese w er en ’t t h in gs t h a t ot h er s w ou ld k n ow ab ou t .
Ot h er t h an t h at , h e st ill h a d an even gr eat er secr et , a secr et t h a t even t h e

t each er s d id n ’t k n ow ab ou t .
Ear lier t h is m or n in g, W an g Don g h ad fin ally t est ed H u o Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er

aft er t h ey h ad cu lt ivat ed at an a st on ish in g p ace for t w o con secu t ive d ays. In t h e
en d , h e w as st u n n ed all t h e w ay fr om b r eak fast t ill t h ey r each ed t h e Gr eat Beast
Du ellin g. It w as b ecau se H u o Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er h ad alr ead y r each ed Ran k 26.
W h en H u o Yu h ao h ad en t er ed Sh r ek Acad em y at t h e ver y b egin n in g, h e h ad

on ly b een at Ran k 13. On e year lat er , h e w as n ow Ran k 26. It cou ld b e said t h a t
w it h in t h e en t ir e acad em y, H u o Yu h ao’s leap in p ow er w as som et h in g t h at t h e
ot h er st u d en t s w er e com p let ely u n ab le t o com p ar e w it h .
Sou l p ow er cou ld n ’t b e m easu r ed u sin g sim p le n u m b er s. If t h e sou l p ow er

n eed ed t o b r in g som eon e u p fr om Ran k 0 t o Ran k 13 w as con sid er ed on e u n it ,
t h en t h e sou l p ow er n eed ed t o b r in g som eon e fr om Ran k 13 t o Ran k 26 w as at
least five u n it s. In ot h er w or d s, H u o Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er h ad q u in t u p led w it h in
a year ! T h is w as com p let ely in con ceivab le!
Even am on g t h e st u d en t s of Class 1, h is cu r r en t sou l p ow er p laced h im in t h e

t op t en of t h e class. H ow ever , on ly W an g Don g k n ew ab ou t t h is secr et .
M or eover , W an g Don g h im self h ad secr et s! Fu r t h er m or e, it w asn ’t ju st lim it ed
t o a sin gle secr et ...
T h e p r ocess of t h e a d van cem en t t est w as id en t ical t o t h at of t w o d ays ago; Du

W eilu n p er son a lly cam e over t o over see t h e t est again . Fu r t h er m or e, it w asn ’t
ju st Du W eilu n w h o’d com e over t h is t im e. T h e p r oct or an d t h e r efer eein g
t each er w er e b ot h st u n n ed b y t h e fact t h at t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s Dean
Yan Sh aozh e h ad act u ally com e in p er son . Fu r t h er m or e, h e h ad r ep laced Du
W eilu n as t h e m a in ju d ge.
J u st w h en w as an ad van cem en t t est of a low er year gr ou p b elon gin g t o t h e
ou t er cou r t yar d ab le t o m ove an im p or t an t p er son lik e t h e Dean ? An d yet ,
n ob od y w ou ld 've gu essed t h at Yan Sh aozh e h ad act u ally com e for a sin gle
st u d en t .
As t h e Dean of Sh r ek Acad em y’s M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , Yan Sh aozh e h ad

an est eem ed st a t u s. If h e w as w illin g t o h old a p ost in an y cou n t r y, h e w ou ld
d efin it ely r eceive t h e t r eat m en t of a st at e ad visor . H ow ever , Yan Sh aozh e h a d
alw ays r em ain ed w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y. T h e t h in g h e en joyed m ost w as seein g
m an y ou t st an d in g gen iu ses b ein g n u r t u r ed b y h im self, m ak in g Sh r ek Acad em y
even m or e p ow er fu l.
Fr om t h e ot h er s’ p oin t of view , a sin gle st u d en t w asn ’t w or t h h im ap p ear in g

in p er son . Fr om Ya n Sh aozh e’s p oin t of view , h ow ever , t h is w as ext r em ely
w or t h it . T h is w as a n ext r em ely r ar ely seen t w in -sou led sou l m ast er !
Not on ly h ad h e com e, h e h ad ar r ived ext r em ely ea r ly. Befor e t h e

ad van cem en t t est h a d b egu n , h e h ad fou n d t h e Beast Kin g Gon g Ch an glon g an d
h ad a sim p le con v er sat ion w it h h im for a p er iod of t im e. T h ou gh Gon g
Ch an glon g h ad n ’t r evealed w h at H u o Yu h ao’s m ar t ial sou l w as, h e said t h e
w or d ‘Ult im at e’ t o Yan Sh aozh e. T h is w or d solid ified Yan Sh aozh e’s con fid en ce
even m or e. A ser ies of p lan s h ad alr ead y for m ed in h is h ear t .
Seein g t h e st u d en t s w h o h ad alr ead y en t er ed t h e ar en a, a fain t sm ile ap p ear ed

on t h e cor n er of Dean Yan Sh aozh e’s m ou t h . Qian Du od u o, ah Qian Du od u o, I
w an t t o see w h ich of t h e t w o of u s w ill h a ve t h e last lau gh .
Chapt er 51.1: The But t er fly Goddess Slash and t he
Ber ser k Whit e Tiger
“Year 2, Class 1. W an g Don g.” W an g Don g st r od e for w ar d a n d h an d ed h is t est

for m t o t h e r efer ee.
T h at ’s r igh t . T h is t im e W an g Don g w as t h e fir st t o t ak e t h e field in st ea d of

H u o Yu h ao. H ow ever , t h e ot h er st u d en t s h ad all exp ect ed t h is sor t of ch an ge.
Aft er all, H u o Yu h ao h ad p r eviou sly u sed h is sp ecial sou l sk ill t o in t im id a t e t h e
sou l b east , n ot h a r m it . T h is t im e ar o u n d , h is sou l sk ill h ad b een r est r ict ed .
T h u s, h e n at u r ally cou ld n ’t b e Class 1’s op en in g act . Cla ss 1 n eed ed a n op en in g
t h at w ou ld st u n t h eir op p on en t s.
In Dai H u ab in ’s eyes, h ow ever , H u o Yu h ao w as a cow ar d . T h e t h ou gh t of h im

k ow t ow in g an d ack n ow led gin g h is m ist ak e t o H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed t h e in t en se
h u m iliat ion h e felt in t o b it t er r esen t m en t , w h ich w r eck ed h avoc in h is m in d .
Revenge. I w ant r evenge! I w i l l f i r st t r am pl e t hem beneat h m y f eet , t hen f i nd an
oppor t uni t y t o er adi cat e t hem al l . No, I w ant t o see t hem k neel bef or e m e,
w ai l i ng and beggi ng m e f or m er cy! Onl y t hen w i l l I k i l l t hem !
Dai H uabi n , w h o w asn ’ t even t h i r t een year s ol d, h ad l on g si n ce seen

bl oodsh ed. T h er e w as al r eady a m er ci l ess l ook i n h i s eyes!
“ I ch oose a t h ousan d year soul beast .” W an g Don g’ s voi ce dr ew Dai H uabi n

out of h i s r ever i e. H e coul dn ’ t h el p but be t ak en aback w h en h e h ear d W an g
Don g’ s sel ect i on . Despi t e h i s t h ousan d year soul sk i l l , W an g Don g’ s cul t i vat i on
w as on l y t h at of a Soul Gr an dm ast er . H e act ual l y dar ed t o ch oose a t h ousan d
year soul beast , t h e h i gh est r an k ed oppon en t i n t h i s exam i n at i on ?
T h e t w o r ef er ees w er e al so sh ock ed.

T w o d ays ago, H u o Yu h ao h ad sh ock ed t h em . H e’d b een t h e fir st t o t ak e t h e
field , an d h ad ch osen a sou l b east w it h a cu lt ivat ion of a h u n d r ed year s. T h is
w as a sou l b east r ea r ed in t h e Gr eat Bea st Du ellin g Ar en a, yet H u o Yu h ao h ad
m an aged t o scar e it w it less w it h t h e au r a of t w o h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l
r in gs, an even t w h ich h ad st u n n ed ever yon e p r esen t . T h is t im e ar ou n d , Class 1
h ad sen t ou t som eo n e else, w h o’d im m ed iat ely ch osen a t h ou san d year sou l
b east . W er e t h ese k id s r ea lly in t en d in g t o cor r ob or at e Sh r ek Acad em y’s slogan ,
t h at t h ey on ly b r ed m on st er s?
H ow ever , t h e r efer ee d id n ’t d ar e t o d ela y t h e m at t er an y fu r t h er w it h Dean

Yan Sh aozh e in t h e a u d ien ce. “W an g Don g, ar e you r ead y?”
“I’m r ead y.” W an g Don g n od d ed w it h a ser iou s exp r ession on h is face as

b r illian t b lu e r ays of ligh t en velop ed h im . H e d id n ’t w ast e an y t im e in r eleasin g
h is m ar t ial sou l. Even h e w asn ’t su r e of h im self w h en it cam e t o con fr on t in g a
t h ou san d year sou l b east .
“Ah !” Cr ies of su r p r ise r an g ou t as all of t h e st u d en t s an d even sever al

t each er s b ecam e gob sm ack ed b y w h at t h ey saw .
T h ey w er en ’t t ak en ab ack b y W an g Don g’s m ar t ial sou l, t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly

God d ess, b u t r at h er b y t h e t h r ee sou l r in gs t h a t h ad gr a d u ally r isen fr om
b en eat h h is feet . T h at ’s r igh t . T h er e w er e n ow t h r ee sou l r in gs. T h is w as W an g
Don g’s secr et .
W h en t h ey’d h a d t o r ep or t b ack t o t h e acad em y, H u o Yu h ao h ad b een lat e,

w h ile W an g Don g h ad r u sh ed b ack w it h on ly t w o d ays t o sp ar e! J u st w h at h ad
h e b een u p t o? In t h e sh or t sp an of ju st a m on t h , h e’d su cceed ed in b r eak in g
t h r ou gh h is cu lt iva t ion b ot t len eck of Ra n k 30 w it h t h e h elp of h is clan an d h ad
even m an aged t o ob t ain h is t h ir d sou l r in g.
Yan Sh aozh e’s eyes sh on e as h e sa t on t h e Sp ect at or ’s St an d . W it h a sligh t

n od of h is h ead , h e said , “Good . H e h as on e yellow sou l r in g a n d t w o p u r p le sou l
r in gs. T h is k id ’s t alen t an d m ar t ial sou l h as far su r p assed t h ose of h is p eer s.
H e’s d efin it ely goin g t o b e a gr eat asset in t h e fu t u r e. H ow ever , t h e Rad ia n t
Bu t t er fly God d ess…” A h in t of a p layfu l sm ile lift ed t h e cor n er s of h is lip s w h en
h e m en t ion ed t h at p oin t .
W an g Don g’s t h ir d sou l r in g w as a lso a p u r p le sou l r in g, w h ich m ean t t h at it

w as a t h ou san d year sou l r in g. T h u s, t h e Sou l Eld er -r an k ed W an g Don g alr ead y
h ad t w o t h ou san d year sou l r in gs.T h ese w er en ’t im it at ion sou l r in gs b u t t h e
gen u in e ar t icle.
Dai H u ab in w ou ld n ever h ave t h ou gh t t h at W an g Don g w ou ld give h im su ch a

h u ge “su r p r ise.” T h at ’s r igh t , h is cu lt iv at ion in sou l p ow er w as t r u ly st r on ger
t h an W an g Don g’s b y a lar ge m a r gin . Bu t t h ey w er e b ot h Sou l Eld er s w ield in g
t h r ee sou l r in gs! On t op of t h at W an g Don g over p ow er ed h im in t er m s of t h e
r an k s of t h eir sou l r in gs. T h is m ean t t h a t if t h ey w er e t o com p et e p u r ely b ased
on t h eir sou l sk ills, W an g Don g w ou ld st ill b e ab le t o h old t h e u p p er h an d in
t h eir b at t le. T h u s, t h e gap b et w een t h eir cu lt ivat ion s w ou ld b e closed .
Dai H u ab in ’s face san k an d t h e exp r ession on h is face im m ed iat ely t u r n ed

vile, h ow ever , h is co n fid en ce d id n ’t w aver . Fr om h is p oin t of view , H u o Yu h ao
d id n ’t h ave t h e ab ilit y t o d ir ect ly in ju r e sou l b east s w it h o u t u sin g h is secon d
sou l r in g an d cou ld on ly r ely u p on h is sp ir it u al sh ock of h is. Dai H u ab in
b elieved t h at H u o Yu h ao cou ld on ly follow h is t each er ’s ad vice an d p ass t h e
exam in at ion b y accu m u lat in g t h e m in im u m am ou n t of p oin t s r eq u ir ed . H e also
b elieve d t h a t h e w ou ld p er for m even b et t er t h an W an g Don g. H ow ever , h e
cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel n er vou s d esp it e h is com p let e con fid en ce in h im self.
At t h is m om en t , a t yr an n ical a u r a seep ed ou t fr om t h e op en m et al gat es

locat ed som e d ist an ce aw ay fr om W an g Don g. A t all figu r e slow ly w alk ed ou t of
t h e b east p en .
Even t h ou gh it d id n ’t h ave t h e sp eed of t h at W in d sp ir it W olf H u o Yu h ao h ad

fou gh t t h e last t im e, t h e p r essu r e it s au r a em it t ed w as far su p er ior .
T h e sou l b east w as t h r ee m et r es t all a n d w alk ed o u t on it s h in d legs lik e a

h u m an . T h er e w as a fain t fish y sm ell com in g fr om it s ligh t b r ow n fu r . On it s
ch est w as a h u ge p at ch of w h it e fu r in t h e sh ap e of a ch eck m ar k t h at r esem b led
t h e vein ed p at t er n s on t h e w in gs of W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
T h e sh eer size of t h e b ear w as t r u ly im p r essive.
T h e m ost eye-cat ch in g feat u r e of t h is m assive b ear w as it s eyes. It h a d fain t ly

r ed eyes t h at w er e filled w it h callou sn ess t ow ar d s it s p r ey.
Even if t h ey w er e all sim ila r ly aged t h o u san d year sou l b east s, t h e n at u r al

st r en gt h t h at gn u s, goat s, an d cow s p ossessed cou ld n ot b e com p ar ed t o t h at of
lion s, t iger s, leop ar d s, an d b ear s. M or eover , t h e p r ob ab ilit y of t h ese car n ivor ou s
sou l b east s h av in g cu lt iva t ed for over a t h ou san d year s w as also ver y h igh .
T h e t h ou san d year sou l b east t h a t W an g Don g w as goin g t o face off again st

w as called t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear , a p ow er fu l ear t h at t r ib u t ed sou l b east .
W an g Don g sp r ead h is w in gs an d t ook fligh t t h e m om en t h e saw h is

op p on en t ’s ap p ear an ce. H ow ever , an en or m ou s for m less p r essu r e im m ed ia t ely
p u sh ed h im d ow n t o t h e gr ou n d b efor e h e cou ld fly m or e t h a n five m et er s in t o
t h e air . T h e r efer ee’s voice r an g ou t in h is ear , “You ar e n ot allow ed t o fly m or e
t h an five m et er s ab ove t h e gr ou n d in t h is ad van cem en t t est .”
T h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear d id n ’t ap p ear t o b e ver y fast as it slow ly w alk ed

t ow ar d s W an g Don g on it s h in d legs a n d w it h an om in ou s glin t in it s eyes.
H ow ever , t h e st iflin g au r a t h at cam e alon g w it h it secr et ly st ar t led W an g Don g.
T h is w as h is fir st t im e facin g a t h ou san d year sou l b east alo n e, b u t n ever t h eless
h e w as st ill con fid en t in h is st r en gt h .
It w as a lso at t h is t im e t h at a t h r ee-d im en sion al im age q u iet ly ap p ear ed in h is

m in d . H u o Yu h ao sat n ot far off at t h e ed ge of t h e ar en a, w it h a fain t gold en
glow alr ead y visib le in h is eyes.
If it w asn ’t for t h e b et w it h Dai H u ab in , h e d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave ch osen t o

ch eat . Bu t t h is t im e t h e st ak es w er e h igh an d h e cou ld n ’t lose t o on e of h is
en em ies t h at h ad b een t h e cau se of h is m ot h er ’s d eat h . In an y case, h e cou ld also
b et t er p r ot ect W a n g Don g w it h h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , so t h at n o h ar m cam e
h is w ay.
W an g Don g r aised h is sh ou ld er s, clasp in g h is fr on t w in gs t oget h er as h e
sim ilar ly m oved for w ar d s. H e on ly t ook sm all st ep s a s ad van ced in t h e
Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s d ir ect ion . J u st lik e t h e b ear , h e w asn ’t q u ick at all.
Rat h er , h is st ep s w er e ext r em ely st ead y a n d r eflect ed t h e ca lm st at e of h is m in d .
T h e t w o w er e slow ly ap p r oach in g on e an ot h er . T h e t w o r efer ees w er e also

at t en t ively ob ser vin g t h eir m ovem en t s fr om a close van t age p oin t . T h ey n eed ed
t o im m ed ia t ely t ak e act ion if t h ey felt t h at W an g Don g’s st r en gt h h ad b een
d ep let ed t oo far . Aft er all, h u m an s w er e n ot lik e sou l b east s. It w asn ’t as t h ou gh
t h er e w er en ’t a n y casu alt ies fr om su ch even t s. T h ey’d seen W an g Don g’s t est
for m ju st n ow an d h as n ot iced h is st a t u s as a cor e d iscip le. T h at fact alon e m ad e
it all t h e m or e im p or t an t t h at t h ey n ot lose h im in an accid en t .
T h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear look ed a lit t le st u p id as it st ood u p an d w alk ed

lik e a h u m a n . Not on ly w as it slow , b u t it w as also sw ayin g u n st ab ly. H ow ever ,
w h en it w as ab ou t t h ir t y m et r es aw ay fr om W an g Don g, it s fr on t lim b s su d d en ly
d r op p ed d ow n . Now , all fou r of it s lim b s w er e t ou ch in g t h e gr ou n d .
T h e su d d en ch a n ge sh ock ed W an g Don g, an d h e u n con sciou sly st op p ed in h is

t r ack s. H e t h en m ov ed a few m et r es t o t h e sid e in a n t icip at ion .
T h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear con t in u ed ap p r oach in g h im as t h ou gh n ot h in g

h ad h ap p en ed . A m ock in g exp r ession even seem ed t o p eek t h r ou gh it s fain t r ed
eyes. W h en a sou l b east r each ed a t h ou sa n d year s of cu lt ivat ion , it w ou ld ob t ain
som e lim it ed for m of in t elligen ce. It w as on ly w h en sou l b east s r each ed a
cu lt ivat ion of t en t h ou san d year s or m or e t h at t h ey d evelop ed in t elligen ce n ot
in fer ior t o t h at of h u m an s an d so w er e also ab le t o in t er act in h u m an sp eech .
W an g Don g h esit at ed at t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s ap p ear an ce, an d it

w as in t h at m om en t of h esit at ion t h at t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear su d d en ly
sp ed u p . A t h ick layer of b lood y ligh t sh r ou d ed it s w h ole b od y, m ak in g it look
lik e a r ed clou d as it sp r in t ed in W an g Don g’s d ir ect ion . It m oved so q u ick ly t h at
for a m om en t it s sp eed w as com p ar ab le t o t h at of t h e W in d sp ir it W olf t h at H u o
Yu h ao h ad fou gh t t h e ot h er d ay.
T h e ch an ges in it s sp eed alon g w it h t h e su d d en u t ilisa t ion of all fou r lim b s,
t h ese w er e all classic st r at egies u sed in p sych ological w ar far e! It w as n o w on d er
t h ou san d year sou l b east s w er e exp er t s am on g t h e sam e r an k . T h e st r en gt h
d isp layed b y t h is t h o u san d year Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear cou ld n ’t b e com p ar ed
t o a h u n d r ed year so u l b east at all.
In t h e t im e it t ook t o t ak e t w o b r eat h s, t h e b ear h ad alr ead y closed t h e

d ist an ce b et w een t h em an d w a s n ow w it h in t h ir t y m et r es of W an g Don g. W an g
Don g seem ed b e st an d in g t h er e in a d aze as t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear sw u n g
it s h u ge p aw at h im w it h a b all of b lood y ligh t t r ailin g b eh in d it s m ovem en t s.
T h e ju d ges h ad b een w ait in g for som e act ion aft er t h e slow m ovem en t s fr om
t h e t w o of t h em . T h e ju d ges sit t in g in t h e Sp ect at or ’s St a n d cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
fr ow n t oo. T h ey h a d ear lier b een p leasan t ly su r p r ised b y a Year 2 Sou l Eld er
st u d en t w h o h ad t h r ee sou l r in gs an d w as also a cor e d iscip le. H ow cou ld h is
exp er ien ce in r eal com b at b e so b ad t h at h e w as t er r ified t o t h e p oin t of
u selessn ess?
W as W an g Don g t er r ified ? Ob viou sly n ot . Seein g t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on

Bear ’s h u ge p aw alr ead y in fr on t of h im , h e su d d en ly slid d ow n on on e foot an d
m ad e a h alf t u r n . T h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s slap seem ed t o b r u sh
d an ger ou sly close t o h is b od y b u t W an g Don g w as alr ead y b eh in d t h e
Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear .
H e u n fu r led h is fr on t w in gs an d m ad e a cr iss-cr oss scissor in g m ovem en t as h e

sw ep t t h em acr oss t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s n eck .
T h e t h ou sa n d year Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear w as an excep t ion al b east . It h ad

im m ed iat ely sen sed t h at som et h in g w as am iss t h e m om en t it s p aw cam e in
con t act w it h n ot h in g b u t air . T h e b lood y ligh t su r r ou n d in g it s b od y gr ad u ally
t u r n ed yellow an d it s ligh t b r ow n fu r in st an t ly t u r n ed as h ar d as st eel.
T h e in st an t W an g Don g’s Gu illot in e W in g gr azed it s t ou gh fu r , a ser ies of

sp ar k s flew ou t alon g w it h an ear -p ier cin g scr eech .
Bein g an ear t h a t t r ib u t e sou l b east , t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear w as
n at u r ally ext r em ely good at d efen d in g. Un for t u n at ely, it h a d st ill b een a h alf
b eat t oo slow in r esp on d in g t o t h e sit u at ion . T h e b ear t h ou gh t t h at W an g Don g
h ad b een d u p ed b y t h e p sych ological w ar far e it h ad u sed again st h im .
T h er efor e, t h e b ear h ad p ou n ced r at h er ab r u p t ly u n d er su ch cir cu m st an ces. Bu t
n ow , alt h ou gh it h a d b een ab le t o r eact in t im e, W an g Don g h ad t ak en a h u ge
ch u n k of m eat fr om it s n eck w it h h is Gu illot in e W in gs.
W h o d id n ’t k n ow h ow t o w age p sych ological w ar far e again st t h eir op p on en t ?

W an g Don g let ou t a cold lau gh . H is a t t ack h ad h it t h e m ar k b u t h e d id n ’t follow
u p on it . W it h a flap of h is w in gs, h is b od y su d d en ly r et r eat ed five m et r es b ack ,
d od gin g t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s fr an t ic cou n t er at t ack .
W it h ou t H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g, h e w ou ld ’ve gain ed q u it e

an ad van t age even if h e h ad n ’t b een d u p ed b y t h e b ear . H ow ever , t h e Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion cou ld h elp h im clear ly id en t ify t h e b lood vessels an d cir cu la t ion of
sou l p ow er w it h in t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s b od y, as w ell as it s at t ack
p at t er n s. H ow cou ld h e n ot u t ilise t h is gr eat op p or t u n it y?
Su r e en o u gh , a st u n n ed look cr ossed t h e eyes of all t h e ju d ges sit t in g in t h e

Sp ect at or ’s St an d aft er w it n essin g t h is at t ack fr om W a n g Don g. In clu d ed
am on gst t h em w er e Dean Yan Sh aozh e an d Dir ect or Du W eilu n .
W an g Don g h ad r em ain ed calm in t h e fa ce of t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s

at t ack an d h ad even u sed h is op p on en t ’s st r a t agem again st h im . H is calm
d em ean or as h e fou gh t again st a t h ou san d year sou l b east in su ch close
p r oxim it y im p r essed t h e ju d ges. T h e ju d ges h ad n ’t even seen su ch h igh level
b at t le t act ics fr om st u d en t s in h igh er year gr ou p s!
T h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear r oar ed in b ot h p ain an d an ger as it r ose u p on

it s h in d legs. It s p ale-r ed eyes fla sh ed w it h a b lood y ligh t as it s im m en se fr am e
sw elled w it h p ow er an d b egan t o em it a savage au r a. T h is w a s t h e b east 's in n at e
sk ill, Blood t h ir st .
T h e r eason it w as called t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear w as d u e t o t h e

exist en ce of t h is in n at e sk ill. On t op of t h at , it s ear t h a t t r ib u t e an d b lood lin e
sk ill fu r t h er b oost ed it s st r en gt h .
Even t h e fu r on it ’s b od y w as st ain ed w it h a r ed layer on ce it act ivat ed

Blood t h ir st . An in t en se st en ch of b lood b egan t o em an at e fr om it s b od y an d it
p ou n ced t ow ar d s W a n g Don g, it s fr on t claw s r eleasin g an in t en se yellow ligh t .
W an g Don g u n fu r led h is w in gs an d for cefu lly w aved t h em for w ar d , w h ich

cau sed h is ow n b od y t o slid e b ack w ar d s. It seem ed lik e h e w a s t r yin g t o in cr ease
t h e d ist an ce b et w een h im self an d t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear .
H ow ever , t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s sp eed h ad exp losively in cr eased

aft er act ivat in g Bloo d t h ir st . M or eover , W an g Don g’s r et r ea t w as h alf a secon d
t oo slow . Alt h ou gh it s fr on t claw s d id n ’t st r ik e h im , t h ey d ea lt a h eavy b low t o
t h e gr ou n d in fr on t of h im . Im m ed iat ely, an in t en se yello w ligh t b lossom ed
fr om t h e p oin t of im p act .
T h is w as t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s ear t h -t yp e sk ill, Seism ic W ave.
T h er e w as a n ot ab le d iffer en ce b et w een t h e ab ilit ies of t h ou san d year sou l

b east s an d h u n d r ed year sou l b east s. W h ile t h er e w as on ly a p ossib ilit y for
h u n d r ed year sou l b east s t o p ossess lon g-r an ge at t ack in g ab ilit ies, t h ou san d year
sou l b east s w ou ld u n d ou b t ed ly p ossess lon g-r an ge or ar ea of effect -t yp e sou l
sk ills.
Seism ic W ave w as t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s sp ecialt y. T h e sk ill w ou ld

n ot on ly cau se it s op p on en t lose t h eir b alan ce d u e t o t h e st r on g vib r at ion s, b u t
w ou ld also cau se t h em t o feel d izzy t o a cer t ain ext en t . As lon g as t h e effect s of
it s Seism ic W ave r em ain ed act ive, t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear w ou ld savagely
d evast at e it s op p on en t s soon aft er .
Becau se of t h at , t h e t w o r efer ees qu ick ly ap p r oach ed W an g Don g as soon as

t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear r eleased t h e Seism ic W ave. T h ey w er e r ead y t o
in t er r u p t t h e m a t ch t h e m om en t t h ey felt t h a t W an g Don g w as t r ap p ed w it h in
it s Seism ic W a ve.
Oft en t im es d u r in g a b at t le b et w een a sou l m ast er an d a sou l b east , t h e

ou t com e of t h e m at ch w ou ld h in ge on a sin gle sou l sk ill. T h e sit u a t ion in w h ich
a sin gle sou l sk ill w as ab le t o ch an ge t h e sit u at ion of t h e en t ir e m a t ch aft er
lan d in g w as in cr ed ib ly com m on .
W an g Don g’s r ear w in gs r ose u p t h e in st an t t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s

p aw s st r u ck t h e gr ou n d an d r eleased t h e Seism ic W a ve. Sim u lt a n eou sly, h e
t ilt ed h is fr on t w in gs d ow n w ar d s as h is secon d sou l r in g lit u p .
H e’d flap p ed h is w in gs for w ar d p r eviou sly, w h ich h ad cr eat ed a b ack w ar d s

st r eam of air . H ow ever , h e n ow on ly adju st ed h is act ion s b y a h air ’s b r ead t h ,
w h ich im m ed iat ely cau sed h is r et r eat in g b od y t o fly u p in t o t h e air b y
b or r ow in g t h e st r ea m of air , r esu lt in g in h im in st an t ly r isin g t h r ee m et er s in t o
t h e air . Fu r t h er m or e, h is b od y r em ain ed p ar allel t o t h e gr ou n d an d w as t h u s
ab le t o d od ge t h e r u m b lin g Seism ic W av e ju st in t im e. As if t h at w asn ’t en ou gh ,
t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear w h o’d st r u ck t h e gr ou n d w as cu r r en t ly r igh t
b elow W an g Don g, it s st u r d y b ack com p let ely exp osed .
All of t h e gold en p at t er n s on t h e d azzlin g b lu e w in gs of h is Rad ian t Bu t t er fly

God d ess m ar t ial sou l in st a n t ly lit u p . A ser ies of t er r ifyin g exp losion s
im m ed iat ely r an g ou t am id st t h e flick er in g gold en ligh t s.
T h is w as W a n g Don g’s secon d sou l sk ill, h is t h ou san d year sou l sk ill - t h e
Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess.
T h e t yr an n ica l yellow ligh t fr om t h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess

m er cilessly r ain ed d ow n w it h ou t p au se on t o t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear ’s
b ack . Even t h e sou n d s t h a t r an g ou t d u e t o t h e violen t exp losion s w er e p ain fu l!
T h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear h ad ju st r eleased it s at t ack w h ich h ad left it s b od y
sligh t ly slu ggish for a b r ief p er iod . T h u s, it w asn ’t ab le t o d od ge W an g Don g’s
at t ack . Fr om t h e m om en t it w as st r u ck b y t h e fir st b all of gold en ligh t , it cou ld
on ly t r y it s b est t o cu r l u p an d u se it s t h ick b ack t o en d u r e t h e b om b ar d m en t
fr om t h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess.
T h e violen t exp losion s last ed for a fu ll t h r ee secon d s b efor e t h ey fin ally

en d ed . W an g Don g slow ly float ed u p w ar d s as h is d azzlin g b lu e w in gs su d d en ly
t u r n ed an in t en se gold en color . H e m oved h is h an d s b ack t o h is ch est an d h is
p alm s t ou ch ed h is ch est . Follow in g w h ich , h is t h ir d sou l r in g r eleased a lar ge
am ou n t of ligh t .
A b all of p u r e gold en ligh t ap p ear ed b et w een W an g Don g’s p alm s an d t h en

st ar t ed t o exp an d at an ast on ish in g r at e am id st t h e ligh t su r r ou n d in g h im . In
t h e b lin k of an eye, t h e b all w as alr ead y a foot w id e. T h e b all of gold en ligh t w a s
su r r ou n d ed b y gold en elect r icit y t h a t illu m in at ed W an g Don g’s en t ir e b od y.
T h e gold en w in gs on W an g Don g’s b ack u n ceasin gly flick er ed as t h ey r eleased

cu r ved gold en sh ad ow s t h at fu sed w it h t h e p u r e gold b all of ligh t , cau sin g it s
volu m e t o fu r t h er in cr ease.
Un d er t h e ser ies of exp losion s cau sed b y W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly
God d ess, t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bea r w as alr ead y sp r aw led on t h e gr ou n d .
Alt h ou gh it h a d gon e p u t ever yt h in g in t o it s d efen se, h ow cou ld a t h ou san d year
sou l sk ill b e so easily d efen d ed again st ? T h e flesh on it s b ack h ad b een lacer at ed
an d it s en t ir e b ack w as st ain ed w it h fr esh b lood . T h e d am age h as b een so sever e
t h at even it s Blood t h ir st h a d b een in t er r u p t ed .
As an ear t h -t yp e t h o u san d year sou l b east , h ow ever , t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on
Bear ’s d efen sive ab ilit ies w er e ext r em ely p ow er fu l. Desp it e t h e violen t b ou t s of
p ain com in g fr om it s b ack d u e t o t h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess, it h ad n ’t
yet lost all of it s com b at st r en gt h . Bu t sin ce t w o of W an g Don g’s b low s h ad
st r u ck on e of it s r ear legs, it s sp eed h a d d r op p ed a lar ge m ar gin w h ich h a d
gr eat ly r ed u ced it s a b ilit y t o m ove.
Sen sin g t h e t er r ifyin g au r a ab ove it , t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear for ced

it self t o t u r n ar ou n d . It cou ld n ’t h elp b u t let ou t a lam en t w h en it saw t h e
t er r ifyin g gold en b a ll of ligh t in fr on t of W an g Don g’s ch est . Raisin g it s fr on t
lim b s, it m an aged t o b ar ely con geal a b all of yellow ligh t in W an g Don g’s
d ir ect ion . T h e yellow ligh t t h en t u r n ed in t o a sm all sh ield t h at b ar ely p r ot ect ed
it s b od y.
“Alr igh t , t h e t est is over . W an g Don g, w it h d r aw you r sou l sk ill.” Du W eilu n ’s

voice r an g ou t fr om t h e t all st age.
H ow ever , a sou l sk ill w asn ’t easy t o w it h d r aw . W an g Don g h u r r ied ly m oved

h is h a n d s ou t w ar d s an d t h e gold en b all of ligh t in fr on t of h is ch est r ose in t o t h e
air . Sin ce t h e Gr eat Beast Du elin g Ar en a w as locat ed ou t d oor s, t h e gold en b all of
ligh t sh ot a h u n d r ed m et er s in t o t h e air b efor e n u m er ou s gold en cr escen t m oon -
lik e sh ad ow s b lossom ed ou t fr om it . T h ey look ed ju st lik e t h e p et als of a flow er
as t h ey flew in t o t h e air an d t u r n ed in t o m ot es of gold en ligh t b efor e t h ey fin ally
exp lod ed , in st an t ly cr eat in g a sp ect acu lar scr een of gold en ligh t .
T h e t w o r efer ees sim u lt an eou sly m ad e a m ove an d su b d u ed t h e Blood t h ir st y

Bear b efor e t h ey d eclar ed t h e en d of t h is r ou n d of t h e ad van cem en t t est .
T h er e w as sim p ly n o n eed for t h e ju d ges t o sp eak . All t h e st u d en t s u n d er st ood

t h at W an g Don g h ad p assed t h e t est w it h t h e h igh est p ossib le scor e.
Aft er r eleasin g h is t h ir d sou l sk ill, W an g Don g’s b od y sw ayed sligh t ly an d h is

face w as clear ly p ale t oo. If it w er en ’t for t h eir b et w it h Dai H u ab in , h e w ou ld
h ave n o n eed t o u se h is t h ir d sou l sk ill in t h is t est . H ow ever , h is aim r igh t n ow
w as t o d o ever yt h in g in h is p ow er t o obt ain t h e h igh est p ossib le scor e h e w as
cap ab le of.
H is t h ir d sou l sk ill w as called t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess Slash . It look ed lik e a b all
of ligh t , b u t w as act u ally a slash t h a t con t ain ed a h u n d r ed a n d eigh t b lad es of
ligh t w it h in it . T h e m om en t it st r u ck it s t ar get , t h e h u n d r ed an d eigh t b lad es
w it h in it w ou ld b u r st ou t w ar d an d r ip t h eir t ar get t o sh r ed s.
T h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess w as a n ar ea of effect at t ack an d t h o u gh it

w as ver y p ow er fu l, it lack ed exp losive p ow er . H ow ever , t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess
Slash w as d iffer en t . It sacr ificed t h e lock -on ab ilit y an d r an ge t h at a lon g-
d ist an ce a t t ack w o u ld n or m ally h ave for u n p ar alleled a t t ack p ow er . T h e
Bu t t er fly God d ess Slash h ad n o w ay of lock in g on t o a t ar get an d t h e b lad es of
ligh t con t a in ed w it h in it w ou ld au t om at ically st ar t t o leak ou t on ce t h e a t t ack
w as m or e t h an five m et er s aw ay fr om t h e u ser u n t il it w as com p let ely d ep let ed
of p ow er . T h is w as also t h e r eason b eh in d t h e m ar velou s scen e t h a t h ad
occu r r ed ear lier .
A m ajor r eason w h y W an g Don g h ad ch osen t h is sk ill as h is t h ir d so u l sk ill

w as b ecau se of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g. On ly w h en h e h a d t h e
assist an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion cou ld h e u n leash t h e fu ll m igh t of
t h is sk ill.
Aft er t alk in g t o each ot h er for a b it , Du W eilu n an d Yan Sh a ozh e com p let ed

t h eir eva lu at ion s.
Du W eilu n sp ok e in a solem n voice, “W an g Don g, w h o ch ose t o face t h e

h igh est -r an k ed t h ou san d year sou l b east for h is t est h as ob t ain ed a h u n d r ed
m ar k s for h is b ase scor e. Con sid er in g t h e at t ack p ow er of h is fin al sou l sk ill,
t h er e w as a 70 % ch a n ce t h at t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear w ou ld ’ve b een k illed
in st an t ly. T h u s, h e h as ob t ain ed fu ll m ar k s for h is fou n d at ion s. H is
p er for m an ce d u r in g t h e b at t le can b e con sid er ed p er fect a n d for t h at h e h a s
ob t ain ed t h e fu ll fift y m ar k s for b at t le t ech n iqu e.”
Du r in g t h e ad van cem en t t est , d iffer en t ly r an k ed sou l b east s w ou ld give
d iffer en t b ase scor es. T h e low est -r an k ed h u n d r ed year sou l b east w ou ld on ly
give t en m ar k s, an d on ly b y d isp layin g an ext r aor d in ar y am ou n t of b at t le
t ech n iq u e an d d efeat in g it w ou ld a st u d en t b e ab le t o p ass t h e ad van cem en t t est .
H ow ever , t h e t h ou san d year sou l b east W an g Don g h ad ch osen gave a h u n d r ed
m ar k s as it s b ase scor e. In ad d it ion t o t h e fift y m ar k s h e h ad b een given for h is
b at t le t ech n iq u e, h e h ad ob t ain ed a t ot al of a h u n d r ed an d fift y m ar k s. In
com p ar ison , t h e ad van cem en t t est for t h e Year 2 st u d en t s on ly r equ ir ed t h ir t y
m ar k s for on e t o p ass. In ot h er w or d s, even if h e h ad n ’t b een ab le t o d efeat t h e
Blood t h ir st y Dem on Bear , h e w ou ld ’ve b een ab le t o easily ob t ain over t h ir t y
m ar k s.
W an g Don g w as over joyed t o lear n t h at h e h ad ob t ain ed a p er fect scor e. H u o

Yu h ao d id n ’t even n eed t o in t er ven e for t h em t o w in t h e b et . H e h ad ob t ain ed
fu ll m ar k s b y h im self, w h ich m ean t t h at Dai H u ab in cou ld n ’t even p u t u p a figh t
again st t h em an ym or e.
H ow ever , b efor e h e cou ld r ejoice, Du W eilu n ’s n ext w or d s sh ot h im d ow n .
“H ow ever , t h e Bloo d t h ir st y Dem on Bear is a n ear t h -t yp e sou l b east . It s

d efen sive ab ilit ies r an k am on gst t h e t op w it h in t h ou san d year sou l b east s,
w h ich m ean t t h at it st ill h a d a 30 % ch an ce of b lock in g you r fin al at t ack .
M ean w h ile, you r sou l p ow er w as alm ost com p let ely d r a in ed aft er r eleasin g t h at
at t ack . Un d er su ch cir cu m st an ces, t h er e w ou ld h ave b een n o w ay for you t o
con t en d again st it again . If t h a t h ad h ap p en ed , you cou ld ’ve b een in ju r ed b y it s
last -d it ch at t ack or m ayb e even h ave b een k illed . As a sou l m ast er , car elessly
st ak in g ever yt h in g on a sin gle a t t ack is a n u n w ise d ecision . Aft er t alk in g t o Dean
Yan , w e h ave d ecid ed t o d ed u ct fift y m ar k s fr om you r scor e. T h is p u t s you r fin al
scor e for t h is t est at a h u n d r ed m ar k s. You p ass t h e ad van cem en t t est .”
“Ah ?” W an g Don g w as flab b er gast ed , “T h at ’s w ay t oo m an y p en alt ies. Aft er

all, I b eat a t h ou san d year sou l b east !”
Yan Sh aozh e r ep lied w ar m ly, “As an ou t st an d in g sou l m ast er , you r fir st

p r ior it y in a b at t le m u st b e you r ow n safet y. On ly aft er you h ave gu ar an t eed
you r safet y sh ou ld you t h in k of h ow t o beat you r op p on en t . H ow lon g h ave you
cu lt ivat ed for ? If you en d u p exch an gin g you r life for t h e d eat h of ju st a sin gle
sou l b east , w h at m ea n in g w ou ld you r cu lt ivat ion h ave? T h e r eason
w e d ed u ct ed fift y m ar k s fr om you is b ecau se you ’r e a cor e d iscip le of t h e

acad em y. Cor e d iscip les r eceive b et t er t r eat m en t t h an or d in a r y st u d en t s, b u t at
t h e sam e t im e t h ey h ave t o fu lfill m u ch m or e st r in gen t r eq u ir em en t s. Do you
W an g Don g w as ext r em ely d eject ed , b u t t h er e w asn ’t m u ch h e cou ld d o. H e

h ad n o ch oice b u t t o st ep d ow n fr om t h e st age w it h h is h ead low er ed . Desp it e
h is d isap p oin t m en t h ow ever , 10 0 p oin t s in t h e a d van cem en t t est w as a lr ead y an
ext r em ely h igh scor e. Not m an y st u d en t s r eceived su ch a scor e, even fr om
p r eviou s year s. On t op of t h is, h e’d d efeat ed a t h ou san d year sou l b east ! In d eed ,
Yan Sh aozh e an d Du W eilu n h ad b een sever e on t h e su r face, b u t t h ey w er e st ill
ver y p leased in t h eir h ear t s. T h ey h ad on ly d ed u ct ed so m an y p oin t s fr om W an g
Don g’s scor e b ecau se t h ey d id n ’t w an t h im t o b ecom e t oo ar r ogan t .
W an g Don g r et u r n ed t o H u o Yu h ao’s sid e, t h en said w it h a d eject ed look ,

“T h at w as t oo u n fair . I can ’t b elieve t h ey act u ally d ed u ct ed so m an y p oin t s fr om
m y scor e.”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied in a low voice, “For get it . You r scor e is m or e t h an en ou gh

t o gu ar an t ee t h at w e w on ’t lose t h e b et . Leave t h e r est t o m e; d on ’t w or r y ab ou t
a t h in g. M or eover , it w asn ’t r eally t h at u n fair . W h at d o you t h in k you r ch an ces
of vict or y w ou ld ’ve b een if you h ad n ’t h ad m y Sp ir it u al Det ect ion ?”
W an g Don g st u ck h is t on gu e ou t at H u o Yu h ao, t h en said , “Pr ob ab ly less t h an

30 %. T h at b ig fellow w asn ’t ju st d ifficu lt t o d eal w it h , h e w as also ext r em ely sly.
H m p h , you on ly n eed 30 p oin t s t o p ass t h is t est . In ot h er w or d s, Dai H u ab in w ill
h ave t o get a scor e of at least 130 p oin t s in or d er t o h a ve a sh ot a t vict or y. I
r efu se t o b elieve t h at h e’ll b e so m u ch b et t er t h an m e.”
On e m u st k n ow t h at Dai H u ab in d id n ’t h ave som eon e lik e H u o Yu h ao t h at

cou ld secr et ly aid h im ! W an g Don g also k n ew t h at , in a on e-on -on e figh t , h e w as
n o m at ch for Dai H u ab in . Fr om an ot h er p oin t of view , h is Rad ian t Bu t t er fly
God d ess m a r t ial sou l w as a com b in at ion o f t h e assa u lt an d agilit y syst em s, w h ile
Dai H u ab in ’s W h it e T iger m ar t ial sou l w as b ot h t h e p u r est an d t h e st r on gest
assau lt t yp e m ar t ial sou l. In a d ir ect figh t , u n less h e h a d som et h in g su ch as H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion Sh ar in g t h at cou ld h elp h im for esee h is en em y’s
act ion s, h e w ou ld n ’t st an d a ch an ce.
Of t h e fr esh m en t h is year w it h t h e h igh est b at t le p r ow ess… Dai H u ab in —t h e

son of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e—w as cer t ain ly on e of t h e m ost t alen t ed .
“Year 2 Class 2, Dai H u ab in .” Dai H u ab in ’s p ow er fu l voice su d d en ly ech oed

ou t w ar d s. T h e ad van cem en t t est h a d yet t o b egin , yet h is b od y h ad alr ead y
b egu n em it t in g a fir m , st eely au r a. As su ch , h e seem ed lik e a volcan o ab ou t t o
er u p t .
Yan Sh aozh e’s eyes lit u p u p w h en h e saw t h is. H e said t o t h e n ear b y Du

W eilu n , “Is t h is t h e st r on gest st u d en t in Year 2?”
Du W eilu n n od d ed an d r ep lied , “T h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s p ost er it y is t r u ly

ou t st an d in g. H is n a t u r al t alen t is act u ally even a b it h igh er t h an h is old er
b r ot h er ’s, w h o d id n ’t h ave t h is level of cu lt ivat ion a t h is age. Fu r t h er m or e, I’ve
h ear d fr om M u J in t h at h e’s p u t m u ch m or e effor t in t o cu lt ivat in g t h an h is
p eer s. Based on h is cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion sp eed , it ’s ext r em ely lik ely t h at h e’ll
b r eak t h r ou gh t o t h e Sou l An cest or level in on e t o on e-an d -a-h alf year s. If t h a t
r eally d oes h ap p en , h e’ll go d ow n in h ist or y w it h in t h e acad em y.”
“It ’s n ot t h at ea sy t o b ecom e a Sou l An cest or ,” Yan Sh aozh e said w it h a fain t

sm ile, “h ow ever , t h is ch ild t r u ly is o u t st a n d in g. Let ’s k eep an eye on h is
p er for m an ce.”
Dai H u ab in d id n ’t w ait for t h e r efer ee as h e an n ou n ced , “I ch oose a t h ou san d

year sou l b east .”
Based on W an g Don g’s p r eced en t , t h e r efer ees w er en ’t su r p r ised b y Dai

H u ab in ’s ch oice. On ce t h ey’d ask ed Dai H u ab in if h e w as r ead y, t h ey
im m ed iat ely sen t ou t h is op p on en t .
Coin cid en t a lly, Dai H u ab in ’s op p on en t w as ext r em ely sim ilar t o h is m ar t ial
sou l.
A low r oar ech oed as a n im b le, t w o m et er -lon g, t iger -lik e sou l b east leap t ou t
of t h e b east cage.
On ce it h ad leap t ou t of t h e ir on cage a n d lan d ed , it b egan t o car efu lly ob ser ve

t h e n ear b y Dai H u a b in . It s b od y w as p ale-yellow , an d h a d lon g, d ar k -gr een
st r ip es r u n n in g t h r ou gh it s fu r . It s figu r e w as a b it sm a ller t h an t h e Flam in g
Dem on T iger t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad seen , b u t it ap p ear ed t o b e m or e agile. It s t w o
eyes em it t ed a d ar k -gr een r ad ian ce as it ob ser ved Dai H u ab in . It w as a W in d
T iger —on e of t h e fast est am on gst w in d -at t r ib u t ed t iger -t yp e sou l b east s.
T h e W in d T iger seem ed t o r ealize t h at t h er e w as a d an ger ou s au r a com in g

fr om Dai H u ab in ’s bod y, as it d id n ’t m ove for w ar d , b u t in st ead b egan t o m ove
lat er ally. It w as ob viou sly p lan n in g t o u se it s sp eed in or d er t o p r ob e it s en em y’s
ab ilit ies an d st r en gt h . It s fou r p aw s t r ailed alon g t h e gr ou n d as if it w er e cot t on ;
t h ey d id n ’t m ak e a sin gle sou n d .
T h e d an ger ou s au r a em an at in g fr om Dai H u ab in ’s b od y su d d en ly lessen ed ,

w h ich cau sed t h e W in d T iger t o ch ar ge. H ow ever , Dai H u ab in d id n ’t even
r elease h is W h it e T iger m ar t ial so u l w h en h e saw t h is. T h is act ion left t h e
r efer ees su r p r ised . W h at w as t h is st u d en t t r yin g t o d o?
Aft er gau gin g t h e sit u at ion , t h e t h ou sa n d year W in d T iger ju d ged t h at t h e

t h r eat r ep r esen t ed b y Dai H u ab in w asn ’t all t h at gr eat . A gr een ligh t flick er ed
t h r ou gh it s eyes as it s fou r p aw s w er e su d d en ly p r essed flat a gain st t h e gr ou n d .
Aft er w ar d , it s b od y su d d en ly acceler at ed t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in lik e an ar r ow . It
look ed lik e a gr een b olt of ligh t n in g as it p ou n ced t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in , as it s
sp eed w as m u ch fast er t h an ot h er , sim ilar ly w in d -at t r ib u t ed sou l b east s.
Need less t o say, it s at t ack p ow er w as also m an y t im es st r on ger as w ell. W olves
an d t iger s w er e alr ead y on t w o d iffer en t levels, let alon e a h u n d r ed year sou l
b east an d a t h ou san d year on e.
T h e d ist an ce b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies w as alm ost in st an t ly r ed u ced . T h e
W in d T iger ’s t w o fr on t p aw s op en ed in m id air as it flash ed for w ar d s, w h ich
r evealed it s sh ar p claw s. T h e t iger sh ot p r oceed ed t o sh oot t en foot -lon g b lad es
of w in d t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in as it sh ot t o w ar d s h im . It s t r ailed b eh in d t h e b lad es
it h ad sen t t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in , as it s b od y w as t h e st r on gest w eap on it h ad a t
it s d isp osal. T h e sh a r p claw s at t h e en d of t h e t iger ’s p alm s glit t er ed w it h gr een
glin t as it ap p r oach ed Dai H u ab in as w ell, w h ich cau sed a lar ge am ou n t of w in d -
t yp e sou l p ow er t o flu ct u at e as t h ey cu t t h r ou gh t h e air . T h is in t u r n m ad e it s
claw s gain even m or e p en et r at in g p ow er .
Desp it e b ein g faced w it h t h e at t ack of a t h ou san d year W in d T iger , Dai

H u ab in st ill d id n ’t evad e. In st ea d , t h e r oar of a t iger su d d en ly ech oed ; h e h ad at
last r eleased h is W h it e T iger m ar t ial sou l. On ce h e h ad , h e im m ed iat ely at t ack ed
t h e W in d T iger fear lessly. H is figh t in g st yle w as d iffer en t fr om W an g Don g’s,
h ow ever . W h at h e r elied on w asn ’t sk ill, b u t ab solu t e st r en gt h , as b ot h h is fir st
an d t h ir d sou l r in gs sim u lt an eou sly lit u p .
Dai H u ab in ’s b od y su d d en ly b egan t o em it t h e au r a of a W h it e T iger n ow t h at

h e’d r eleased h is m a r t ial sou l, w h ich ca u sed t h e t h ou san d year W in d T iger t o
in volu n t ar y sh ow a p an ic-st r ick en exp r ession . T h e W h it e T iger st ood at t h e
ap ex am on gst t iger -t yp e sou l b east ; w ild W h it e T iger s w er e con sid er ed k in gs
am on gst t iger -t yp e sou l b east s. T h is W in d T iger , h ow ever , w as n ow in m id air .
Even if it w er e fast er , it st ill w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o d od ge in it s cu r r en t sit u at ion . It
w ou ld h ave t o w ait u n t il t h e en d of it s at t ack t o d isp lay it s su p er ior sp eed .
Dai H u ab in ’s t h ou sa n d year sou l sk ill ca u sed h is b od y t o su d d en ly exp an d ; it

r each ed it s p eak con d it ion in st an t an eou sly. Un d er n or m al cir cu m st an ces, w h en
h e u sed h is t h ir d sou l sk ill, h e w ou ld r eq u ir e a cer t ain am ou n t of t im e in or d er
t o com p let e t h is t r an sfor m at ion . Desp it e t h is, h e h ad r ed u ced t h at t im e t o t h e
m in im u m ; on e cou ld im agin e w h at k in d of t oll t h is h ad on h is b od y. If on e w er e
t o look at h is ou t w ar d exp r ession h o w ever , t h ey w ou ld n ’t n ot ice an yt h in g
am iss.
Dai H u ab in 's W h it e T iger Sh ield b egan t o em it a layer of w h it e ligh t n ow t h at
h e’d act ivat ed h is W h it e T iger Vajr a T r a n sfor m at ion , w h ile h is t iger -lik e claw s
t u r n ed gold en .
T h e sp ect at or s all t h ou gh t t h at Dai H u ab in sh ou ld ’ve fir st t r ied t o r esist t h e

t h ou san d year W in d T iger ’s at t ack b efor e h e at t em p t ed t o cou n t er a t t ack . H e
d id n ’t p lan on d oin g t h at h ow ever . W h a t h e p lan n ed t o d o w as som et h in g t h at
t h e aver age p er son w ou ld n ever at t em p t .
Dai H u ab in d id n ’t p ay an y at t en t ion t o t h e t en w in d b la d es a p p r oach in g h im .

H e also ign or ed t h e t w o p ow er fu l t iger claw s filled w it h d est r u ct ive p ow er
closin g in on h im . In st ead , h e aim ed at t h e W in d T iger ’s h ead w it h b ot h of h is
claw s. If on e w er e t o see t h is, on e w ou ld sim p ly t h in k t h at it w as su icid al!
Even t h e w id ely-exp er ien ced Yan Sh aozh e an d Du W eilu n w er e gr eat ly

su r p r ised b y h is act ion s. W as t h is r eally t h e figh t in g st yle of a t w elve-year -old ?
H e look ed even m or e fer ociou s t h an a sou l b east !
At t h is p oin t , t h e W in d T iger h ad alr ead y b een in flu en ced b y t h e W h it e

T iger ’s au r a r eleased b y Dai H u ab in . Becau se of t h is, it h ad b ecom e som ew h at
scar ed .
T h e w in d b lad es it h ad flu n g t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in st r u ck h is b od y on e aft er

an ot h er . Even t h ou gh t h e W h it e T iger Sh ield h ad b een st r en gt h en ed b y t h e
W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion , it w asn ’t ab le t o com p let ely n u llify t en
su ccessive st r ik es fr om a t h ou san d year sou l b east . Blood st ain s ap p ear ed on Dai
H u ab in ’s sh ou ld er s an d ch est , yet t h is d id n ’t even ca u se h im t o flin ch ; it w as as
if h e cou ld n ’t feel an y p ain . Aft er t h ey w er e w eak en ed by h is W h it e T iger
Sh ield , t h e W in d T iger ’s w in d b lad es w er e on ly ab le t o leave a few su p er ficial
w ou n d s on h is b od y.
Bot h Dai H u ab in an d t h e W in d T iger ’s claw s closed in on each ot h er at t h e

sam e sp eed . H ow ev er , b ased on t h e t im e t h ey’d at t ack ed an d t h eir ar m ’s
len gt h s, it seem ed lik e t h e W in d T iger ’s claw s w ou ld r each Dai H u ab in fir st .
T h is w as a b at t le of b r u t e for ce! W h o w ou ld w in ?
W h en t w o t iger s m eet each ot h er , t h e m ost valian t w ill w in !
T h e W in d T iger w as alr ead y som ew h at scar ed . W h en it saw t h at it w as ab ou t

t o collid e w it h Dai H u ab in , it p r om p t ly r et r act ed it s claw s an d t r ied t o gr ab
ah old of h is ar m s; It w an t ed t o st op it s op p on en t ’s at t ack .
H ow ever , Dai H u ab in h ad alr ea d y d isp layed t h is sor t of r eck less figh t in g

st yle. H ow cou ld h e p ossib ly b e scar ed ? H e su d d en ly r elea sed a d eafen in gly lo u d
r oar . T h is r oar con t a in ed t h e d ign it y of t h e k in g of t h e b east s, an d if on e w er e t o
look in t o t h e W in d T iger ’s eyes, t h ey w ou ld n ot ice t h at it s p u p ils h a d
in st an t an eou sly w id en ed . Un d er t h e effect of h is m en t al cou n t er at t ack , t h e
sp eed of it s claw s im m ed iat ely slow ed d ow n b y a b it . At t h e sam e t im e, Dai
H u ab in su d d en ly in fu sed h is legs w it h st r en gt h , w h ich cau sed h is b od y t o sh oot
for w ar d s lik e an ar r ow .
By d oin g t h is, h e m ad e it so t h at t h e W in d T iger ’s claw s w ou ld on ly h it h is

sh ou ld er s, w h ile a t t h e sam e t im e m ak in g it so t h at h is ow n claw s w ou ld gain
even m or e sp eed .
“Pen g––” T h e W in d T iger ’s claw s sm ash ed in t o Dai H u ab in ’s sh ou ld er s. At

t h e sam e t im e, it s p u p ils sh r a n k as Dai H u ab in ’s t w o gold en claw s r u t h lessly
sm ash ed t ow ar d s t h e W in d T iger ’s h ead fr om b ot h sid es.
At t h at m om en t , t h eir fear fu l figh t h ad r each ed it s p eak . T h e W in d T iger ’s

m u ffled gr oan ech oed ou t w ar d s. T h e m om en t it w as ab ou t t o b e h it , it su d d en ly
op en ed it s jaw s w id e in a last d it ch at t em p t t o b it e Dai H u ab in ’s p alm s.
H ow ever , Dai H u ab in w as d et er m in ed t o w in ; w ou ld t h is r eally m ak e h im

st op ? H e r eck lessly sm ash ed h is claw s in t o t h e W in d T iger ’s m ou t h , r ip p in g
ap ar t t h e W in d T iger ’s ch eek m u scles, t h e W in d T iger ’s sh ar p t eet h p ier cin g h is
p alm s in t h e p r ocess. Desp it e t h is, h e m a n aged t o gr ab h old of t h e W in d T iger ’s
lon g, sh ar p t eet h an d b r eak it s jaw so t h at it cou ld n ’t close it s m ou t h .
At t h is t im e, h is secon d sou l r in g su d d en ly lit u p , w h ich cau sed a b all of w h it e
ligh t t o r u t h lessly exp lod e in sid e of t h e W in d T iger ’s op en m ou t h . T h is w as t h e
W h it e T iger ’s Fier ce Ligh t W ave!
“St op .” Du W eilu n ’s voice ech oed fr om at op t h e h igh p lat for m . T h e t w o h ad

fou gh t for on ly a sh or t t im e, yet t h e vict or an d t h e loser w er e alr ead y clear .
H ow ever , Dai H u ab in w as alr ead y b r im m in g w it h k illin g in t en t . In h is m in d ,

w h at h e w as figh t in g w asn ’t t h e W in d T iger , b u t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g.
H e t ook ad van t age o f t h e fact t h at t h e W in d T iger w as st ill in a d aze in or d er t o
ar ch h is b od y b ack w ar d s an d cu t op en it s soft ab d om en , w h ile at t h e sam e t im e,
h e u sed h is claw s t o t ear t h e t iger ’s low er jaw ap ar t w it h a cr ack in g sou n d . It s
st om ach w as cu t op en at t h e sam e in st an t as h e t or e ap ar t it s jaw .
As t h e W in d T iger ’s b od y lay at op of Dai H u ab in w it h it s b elly cu t op en , Dai

H u ab in im m ed iat ely b ecam e d r en ch ed in b lood .
Chapt er 52.1: The Ice Empr ess' Ar mor
T h e r efer ees h a d ar r ived in t h e ar en a, b u t t h er e w asn ’t an yt h in g t h ey cou ld

d o at t h is p oin t . T h e b at t le h ad alr ead y en d ed , an d as if t o m ock t h em , a p u r p le
r in g of ligh t r ose fr om t h e W in d T iger ’s b od y.
A k ill!
T h er e h ad on ly b een a sin gle collision b et w een Dai H u ab in an d t h e W in d

T iger , yet Dai H u ab in h ad savagely over w h elm ed t h e W in d T iger —a t h ou san d
year sou l b east —w it h b r u t e for ce, an d h ad t or n it s b od y in h alf. Dai H u ab in ’s
b od y w as d r en ch ed in t h e W in d T iger ’s b lood . T h e st u d en t s fr om b ot h Class 1
an d Class 2 h a d all b ecom e p ale-faced , w h ile som e fem ale st u d en t s cou ld n ’t even
b ear t o con t in u e look in g.
On ly Zh u Lu h ad a n ext r aor d in ar y sp len d or in h er eyes. Aft er all, t h is w as t h e

m an w h om sh e m ost ad m ir ed ! Sh e loved t o see h ow valian t Dai H u ab in w as.
“Dai H u ab in , d id n ’t you h ear m e t ell you t o st ay you r h an d ?” Du W eilu n ’s

an gr y voice r an g ou t . T h e d eat h of a t h ou san d year sou l b east w asn ’t exact ly a
sm all loss t o t h e aca d em y. It w a sn ’t easy for t h em t o cap t u r e a t h ou san d year
sou l b east an d d om est icat e it , n or w as it easy t o soot h e Gon g Ch an glon g.
Dai H u ab in in d iffer en t ly r ep lied , “A b at t le b et w een sou l m ast er s an d sou l

b east s is alw ays on e of life an d d eat h . Sin ce it w an t ed t o k ill m e, w h y cou ld n ’t I
k ill it ? Besid es, I cou ld n ’t st ay m y h an d . If I h a d , it s cou n t er at t ack cou ld ’ve
in ju r ed m e. In or d er t o ob t ain fu ll m ar k s, I n eed ed t o avoid t h e er r or t h at W an g
Don g m ad e. I d id n ’t h ave t h e 30 % ch a n ce of failu r e t h at h e d id . As for t h e
acad em y’s loss, I’m w illin g t o com p en sat e t h e acad em y for it .”
Du W eilu n fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s t igh t ly. Even t h ou gh Dai H u ab in w as

p ow er fu l, h e w as st ill t oo viciou s. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e p er son a lit y of a r eb ellio u s
st u d en t lik e h im w ou ld gr ow st r on ger an d st r on ger as h is p ow er in cr ea sed ,
w h ich w ou ld m ak e it h ar d er t o con t r ol h im .
Du W eilu n glan ced t ow ar d s Yan Sh aozh e, w h o n od d ed sligh t ly an d w h isp er ed

a few w or d s t o h im .
Du W eilu n sat b ack d ow n an d sp ok e in a low voice, “Dai H u ab in , you h ave

ob t ain ed a h u n d r ed m ar k s as you r b ase scor e for ch oosin g a t h ou san d year sou l
b east d u r in g t h e ad van cem en t t est . T h e w ay you m et for ce w it h for ce also
em b od ied t h e st r on g p oin t s of an assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er . H ow ever , you r
t ech n iq u e w as som ew h at lack in g. You ’ve ob t ain ed 4 5 m ar k s for you r b at t le
t ech n iq u e. You w ill also h ave t o com p en sat e t h e aca d em y’s loss w it h in t en d ays.
If you d on ’t , t h e acad em y w ill st r ip you of you r st at u s as a cor e d iscip le.”
“Yes.” Dai H u ab in h ad som ew h at r egain ed h is com p osu r e b y t h is p oin t . H e

n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t go again st Du W eilu n ’s w or d . H e b ow ed sligh t ly, salu t ed ,
t h en w alk ed b ack t ow ar d s h is class w it h lar ge st r id es.
H e’d ob t ain ed a t o t al of a h u n d r ed a n d for t y five m ar k s! T h is w a s an

ou t st an d in g r esu lt t h at n ear ed p er fect ion ! A scor e lik e t h is h ad n ever ap p ear ed
w it h in t h e Year 2 ad van cem en t t est in t h e p ast —at least in W an g Yan , Zh ou Yi,
an d M u J in ’s m em or ies.
In r ealit y, Dai H u ab in ’s p er for m an ce t r u ly h ad n ear ed p er fect ion . T h ou gh h is

h an d s h ad b een in ju r ed , h e’d r et a in ed h is figh t in g st r en gt h . M or eover , h e’d
valian t ly k illed a t h ou san d year sou l b east in b at t le d esp it e b ein g on ly t w elve
year s old ! H avin g su ch a cu lt iva t ion at h is age w as ext r em ely r ar e, even in t h e
h ist or y of Sh r ek Acad em y; t h is w as t h e m ain r eason t h at Dean Yan Sh aozh e h a d
st ill given h im su ch a h igh scor e.
Yan Sh aozh e cou ld t ell t h a t a st u d en t lik e Dai H u ab in w as d iffer en t fr om

W an g Don g: T h ou gh h e h ad a st ead fast p er son alit y, Dai H u ab in cou ld b r eak t oo
easily. H e cou ld n ’t t r y t o con t r ol h im b y givin g h im a set b ack lik e h e h ad w it h
W an g Don g. H e cou ld on ly gu id e h im slow ly. Givin g h im a h igh scor e w ou ld
b en efit h is con fid en ce in h im self. T h at , an d Yan Sh aozh e w as con fid en t t h at h e
cou ld con t r ol h is r eb elliou sn ess. Aft er all, h e’d t a u gh t m a n y ot h er st u d en t s
w h o’d b een even m or e r eb elliou s. Fu r t h er m or e, Sh r ek Acad em y w as p r ou d of
it s ab ilit y t o t r ain m on st er s. It w asn ’t w or r ied ab ou t p eop le w it h b ad
p er son alit ies; it w as on ly w or r ied t h at t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave t h e ab ilit y t o b ack
said p er son alit y u p .
W h en M u J in saw t h e b lood -d r en ch ed Dai H u ab in w alk in g t ow ar d s t o h er ,

sh e fu r r ow ed h er b r ow s. “H u ab in , h ea d b ack an d clean you r self u p . You ’ve
alr ead y p assed .”
H ow ever , Dai H u ab in sh ook h is h ead . H e t ow ar d s Class 1, t h en r aised h is r igh t

h an d ’s in d ex fin ger a n d p oin t ed a t H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao w as cu r r en t ly gazin g st r aigh t at h im . At t h at m om en t , Dai H u ab in

r ealised t h at H u o Yu h ao’s gaze w as ext r em ely calm —so calm t h at it alm ost icy.
H e d id n ’t seem t o h ave an y in t en t ion s of cow er in g in fr on t of h is b lood -
d r en ch ed , savage ap p ear an ce. On t h e con t r ar y, h e d id n ’t r elen t at all w h en t h eir
gazes m et .
H u o Yu h ao k n ew t h a t Dai H u ab in w as t ellin g h im , ‘It ’s you r t u r n n ow .’
“In d eed , it ’s m y t u r n n ow .” H u o Yu h ao clen ch ed h is fist s t igh t ly on ce h e’d

fin ish ed sp eak in g. H e n od d ed t ow ar d s W an g Don g, t h en st r od e t ow ar d s t h e
ar en a w it h lar ge st r id es.
It t ook a few m in u t es for t h e ar en a t o b e clean ed u p . On ce it h ad b een , t h e

r efer ee sen t H u o Yu h ao’s t est for m t o t h e t all st age.
“Class 1, H u o Yu h ao.” H u o Yu h ao r ep or t ed h is n am e calm ly. As h e d id so, h e

st ood t all an d st r aigh t . No t on ly w as h e m u ch m or e r ob u st com p ar ed t o a m on t h
ago, h e w as also q u it e a b it t aller . Su d d en ly, t h e r efer ee n ot iced t h at h e w as
som ew h at sim ilar t o Dai H u ab in . W as it in h is ap p ear an ce? T h ey seem ed t o b e
sligh t ly sim ila r . H ow ever , it h ad m or e t o d o w it h t h e co n fid en ce t h ey b ot h
exu d ed ; t h e con fid en ce t h at t h ey w ou ld d efin it ely w in .
“Ar e you st ill goin g t o ch oose a h u n d r ed year sou l b east ? ” T h e r efer ee’s
im p r ession of h im w as st ill fr esh in h is m in d ; t h is w a s t h e st u d en t w h o’d aler t ed
even t h e Beast Kin g t w o d ays ago.
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead . “I ch oose a t h ou san d year sou l b ea st .”
“A t h ou san d year sou l b east ?” T h e r efer ee w as st u n n ed . “H u o Yu h ao, you

n eed t o car efu lly t h in k ab ou t t h is. You ’r e on ly a t w o-r in ged Sou l Gr an d m a st er ; a
t h ou san d year sou l b east is st ill a b it t o o m u ch p r essu r e for you . You saw w h at
ju st h ap p en ed ! Even if w e w an t ed t o h elp you ou t , in a close-com b at figh t lik e
t h is, it ’d st ill t ak e t im e for u s t o r each you .”
Desp it e h is w ar n in g, H u o Yu h ao con fir m ed h is d ecision u n h esit a t in gly.

“T each er , I’ve d ecid ed t o t ak e on t h e t est ’s h igh est -r an k ed op p on en t , a
t h ou san d year sou l b east .”
H e sp ok e ver y lou d ly, t h u s t h ose at op t h e t all st age, as w ell as t h e ot h er

st u d en t s, w er e a ll ab le t o h ear h im clear ly.
Dai H u ab in ’s p u p ils con t r act ed as a t r a ce of ast on ish m en t ap p ear ed in h is

eyes. H e’ s choosi ng a t housand year soul beast ? W hat coul d h e be r el yi ng on? H e
can’ t even use hi s second soul sk i l l … i s he just r el yi ng on hi s Spi r i t ual Shock ?
T hat sk i l l ’ s not t oo bad, but i t ’ s now her e near enough t o t ak e on t he l i k es of a
t housand year soul beast . Coul d he even m anage t o br eak i t s def ences i f i t w er e
t o si m pl y l i e dow n and l et hi m at t ack i t ?
H e’ s cour t i ng deat h ! Does he t hi nk t hat t hey’ r e pushover s because W ang

Dong and I w er e abl e t o def eat t hem ?
Dai H uabi n h ad obt ai n ed 145 m ar k s, w h i l e W an g Don g h ad obt ai n ed 100

m ar k s. I n ot h er w or ds, H uo Yuh ao just n eeded t o obt ai n m or e t h an 45 m ar k s t o
w i n t h e bet . At t h e sam e t i m e, t h e academ y h ad r equest ed t h at h e n ot use h i s
secon d soul sk i l l dur i n g t h e t est . I n exch an ge, t h ey h ad guar an t eed t h at h e
w oul d scor e at l east 30 m ar k s i n or der t o en sur e t h at h e passed t h e advan cem en t
t est .
Du W eilu n h a d u n d ou b t ed ly m ad e a d ecision lik e t h is in o r d er t o see w h a t h e
w as cap ab le of. If h e h ad n ’t , H u o Yu h ao w ou ld b e ab le t o p ass t h e t est solely b y
r elyin g on h is Im it at ion , ju st lik e h is p er for m an ce t h e ot h er d ay!
“Let h im .” Du W eilu n ’s voice r an g ou t fr om at op t h e t all st age.
“Alr igh t .” T h e r efer ee r esp on d ed . T h e a r en a h ad alr ea d y b een fu lly clean ed

u p b y t h is p oin t .
“H u o Yu h ao, ar e you r ead y?” T h e r efer ee ask ed .
H e n od d ed .
T h e r efer ee gest u r ed t ow ar d s t h e ar en a, t h en r em in d ed h im , “Pay at t en t ion t o

you r safet y. If you d on ’t t h in k t h a t you can b eat you r op p on en t , d o you r b est t o
p r ot ect you r self.”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed sligh t ly, b u t h e d id n ’t r eveal an y em ot ion s on h is face, as

h e w as cu r r en t ly fu lly con cen t r at ed on t h e u p com in g b a t t le. As su ch , h e
cou ld n ’t even sp ar e t h e effor t r equ ir ed t o say a w or d of t h an k s.
H e w as ju st a t w o -r in ged Sou l Gr an d m ast er aft er all. Fu r t h er m or e, h e

cou ld n ’t even u se h is secon d sou l sk ill. In a sit u a t ion su ch as t h is, t h e d ifficu lt y
of t ak in g on a t h o u san d year sou l b east cou ld b e im agin ed . Of cou r se, h e
n at u r ally u n d er st ood t h at h e w as som ew h at in fer ior t o W an g Don g an d Dai
H u ab in in t er m s of d ir ect figh t in g st r en gt h . T h e on ly r eason h e d ar ed t o t ak e on
a t h ou san d year sou l b east w as b ecau se of h is con fid en ce in h is Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion an d t h e Ice Em p r ess’ t w o sou l sk ills.
A p ale gold en ligh t flick er ed as t w o sou l r in gs r ose fr om b en eat h h is feet .
W an g Don g an d Dai H u ab in ’s t h r ee r in gs h ad n ’t su r p r ised a n y of t h e ot h er

st u d en t s, b u t t h e st u d en t s fr om Class 2 im m ed iat ely cr ied ou t in su r p r ise t h e
m om en t h is sou l r in gs ap p ear ed .
Bot h of t h em w er e w h it e, w h ich r ep r esen t ed t w o t en year sou l r in gs! Yet ,
w ou ld an yon e t r u ly d ar e t o u n d er est im a t e t h ese t en year sou l r in gs? T w o d ays
ago, t h ey h ad b ot h b een b lood -r ed . At t h is p oin t , alm ost n o on e w h o cou ld t ell
w h at r an k h is sou l r in gs t r u ly w er e.
Yan Sh aozh e’s gaze w as fixed on h is b od y, an d h is eyes flick er ed sligh t ly. Even
t h ou gh h e d id n ’t h a ve a m ar t ial sou l lik e t h e Sp ir it Eyes t h a t cou ld en h an ce h is
eyesigh t , h is sp ir it u a l p er cep t ion an d vision w er en ’t an y less t h an H u o Yu h ao’s
w h en h e w as u sin g h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect io n d u e t o h is cu lt iva t ion .
“W h at a st r an ge sk ill. W h en h e act ivat es it , even I can ’t sen se t h e in t en sit y of

t h e au r a fr om h is sou l r in gs. Is h is secon d sou l r in g t r u ly a t en year sou l r in g?”
Du W eilu n fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s.
Yan Sh aozh e sh ook h is h ea d . “T h er e’s n o w ay it ’s a t en year sou l r in g. W e’ve

seen t h ou san d s u p on t h ou san d s of sou l r in gs. H ow cou ld a sou l r in g t h a t ’s
cap ab le of im it at in g t h e au r a of a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g p ossib ly b e a
t en year sou l r in g? If it w er e on ly a t en year sou l r in g, cou ld h e r eally h ave
scar ed h u n d r ed or t h ou san d year sou l b east s? If I w er e t o m ake a gu ess, it ’s ver y
lik ely t h at h is sou l r in g is a t h ou san d year on e, ju st lik e W an g Don g’s.”
Du W eilu n w as st u n n ed . “T h at can ’t b e r igh t . H is fir st sou l r in g’s on ly a t en

year on e; h ow cou ld h is secon d on e b e a t h ou san d year on e? H is b od y sh ou ld n ’t
h ave b een ab le t o w it h st an d ab sor b in g on e.”
Yan Sh aozh e sh ook h is h ead . “Don ’t for get t h at h e h as t w in m ar t ial sou ls.
Fu r t h er m or e, it ’s ext r em ely lik ely t h a t h is secon d m a r t ial sou l h ad a lat e
aw ak en in g. T h ou gh t h is occu r s ver y r a r ely, it cou ld ’ve ch a n ged h is p h ysiqu e.
H ow ever , you m en t ion ed t h at h e left t h e acad em y by h im self, an d t h at h e’s an
or p h an . T h er e’s alm ost n o ch an ce t h a t h e’ll b e ab le t o k ill a t h ou san d year sou l
b east b y h im self. Is t h er e an yon e ou t sid e t h e acad em y w h o cou ld h elp h im ou t ?”
At t h at p oin t , t h eir con ver sat ion st op p ed for t h e t im e b ein g, as H u o Yu h ao’s

op p on en t h ad ap p ear ed .
Su r r ou n d ed b y an in t en se au r a of h eat , a fir e-w r eat h ed lion ch ar ged ou t fr om
t h e b east cage.
It w as n o w on d er t h ey w er e t h e h igh est -r an k ed op p on en t s a st u d en t cou ld

ch allen ge d u r in g t h e ad van cem en t t est . Not on ly w er e t h e sou l b east s W an g
Don g, Dai H u ab in , an d H u o Yu h ao faced t h ou san d year on es; t h ey w er e all
t yr an n ical exist en ces su ch as lion s, leop ar d s, an d b ear s t oo.
H u o Yu h ao felt som ew h at st r an ge w h en h e saw t h e Flam in g Lion Kin g. H e

t h ou gh t b ack t o h is m at ch w it h W u Fen g. It w as t h at m at ch t h at h ad r esu lt ed in
h im ob t ain in g st ab le foot in g in Class 1 an d in sen d in g W u Fen g t o Class 2.
W u Fen g, w h o st ood n ear Dai H u ab in , gazed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, h er eyes

filled w it h an ger . Sh e cou ld n ’t u n d er st an d w h y a sen se of fear t ow ar d s h im h ad
w elled u p in h er h ea r t aft er t h eir m at ch , d esp it e h im clea r ly b ein g m u ch w eak er
t h an h er . It w as b ecau se of t h is feelin g t h at , d u r in g t h e m on t h s t h at follow ed
t h eir m a t ch , sh e h ad n ’t issu ed h im a n ot h er ch allen ge.
W u Fen g d id n ’t k n o w w h y t h is h ad h ap p en ed , b u t t h e u n yield in g look in H u o

Yu h ao’s eyes w ou ld fr equ en t ly p op u p in h er m in d .
H e’ s act ual l y goi ng agai nst t he Fl am i ng Li on Ki ng. T hi s i s gonna be a ni ce

show t o w at ch . Vi ci ous t h ough t s popped up i n W u Fen g’ s m i n d. I t ’ d be good i f i t
bur ned h i m t o ci n der s.
T h e Fl am i n g Li on Ki n g ch ar ged out of t h e beast cage an d r oar ed t ow ar ds t h e

sk y. T h e l i on ’ s di st i n ct i ve m an e spr ead out w ar ds an d i t s f i r e-r ed f ur l ook ed even
m or e f or m i dabl e due t o t h e f i r e sur r oun di n g i t .
I t w as m uch m or e r obust t h an t h e W i n d T i ger t h at Dai H uabi n h ad f aced; i t s

body w as a f ul l t h r ee m et er s l on g an d i t s sh oul der s w er e on e an d-a-h al f -m et er s
w i de. I t s m uscl es w er e out l i n ed di st i n ct l y an d i t s l i gh t br ow n eyes h ad a gr i m
l ook t o t h em . Af t er l et t i n g out a r oar , i t sh ot t h r ough t h e ai r t ow ar ds H uo
Yuh ao.
T h e f l am es ar oun d i t s body r ose un ceasi n gl y as i t ch ar ged t ow ar ds H uo

Yuh ao. T h e f l am es w er e so h ot t h at t h ey began t o di st or t t h e ai r ar oun d t h em .
Coul d H uo Yuh ao r eal l y t ak e on a t h ousan d year Fl am i n g Li on Ki n g? I t w as

even st r on ger t h an t h e Bl oodt h i r st y Dem on Bear an d W i n d T i ger t h at W an g
Don g an d Dai H uabi n h ad f aced.
Dai H u ab in d id n ot n ot b elieve for a secon d t h at su ch a m ir acle w ou ld occu r .
In h is op in ion , H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ’t even b e ab le t o t ak e a sin gle b low fr om it .
H u o Yu h ao st ood u n yield in gly as h e faced t h e Flam in g Lion Kin g’s ch a r ge. H e

r eleased h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion an d lock ed it on t o it s b od y. Desp it e h avin g faced
a t h ou san d year sou l b east in t h e p ast , it w ou ld b e a lie t o say t h at h e w asn ’t
n er vou s. T h is w as st ill h is fir st t im e facin g a sou l b east of it s level b y h im self.
H ow ever , h e let ou t a m en t al sigh of r elief on ce h e sen sed h is op p on en t ’s
at t r ib u t e.
By t h is t im e, it h ad a lr ead y r each ed w it h in fift y m et r es of H u o Yu h ao. A lar ge

m ajor it y of t h e au d ien ce w as n ow focu sed on it s b od y. Yet , d u e t o t h eir focu s on
t h e Flam in g Lion Kin g, t h ey d id n ’t n ot ice t h at a ch an ge h ad occu r r ed t o H u o
Yu h ao’s sou l r in gs.
T h is t im e, t h e ch an ge w asn ’t t h e color of h is sou l r in gs, b u t r at h er t h e

n u m b er of t h em . H is t w o sou l r in gs h ad su d d en ly b ecom e a sin gle on e, t h ou gh
t h ey st ill r em ain ed w h it e.
T h at sin gle w h it e sou l r in g em it t ed a w eak an d feeb le ligh t as a layer of

t r an slu cen t cr yst a ls silen t ly cover ed h is b od y. Ever y cr yst al w as ab ou t t h e size of
a fin ger n ail, an d d id n ’t h in d er h is m ovem en t s even t h ou gh t h ey h ad cover ed h is
en t ir e b od y. On t h e con t r ar y, t h ey for m ed a su it of ar m or m ad e of ice.
T h ese cr yst als of ice w er e all h exagon al a n d m u lt ifacet ed . T h u s, an y ligh t t h a t

sh on e on t h ese ice cr yst als w ou ld r esu lt in d azzlin g r eflect ion s.
Aft er t h e cr yst a ls of ice cover ed H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, t h e Flam in g Lion Kin g

su d d en ly st op p ed . T h e b lazin g flam es ar ou n d it s b od y con ver ged an d t u r n ed
in t o a fier y ligh t id en t ical t o it s b od y w h ich t h en sh ot st r aigh t t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao.
T h is w as t h e Flam in g Lion Kin g’s in n at e sk ill, Flam in g Clon e St r ik e.

T h e fier y ligh t su r r ou n d in g it s b od y van ish ed as soon as it r eleased t h is
at t ack . H ow ever , t h e sp eed of it s ch ar ge d id n ’t d im in ish in t h e sligh t est as it
con t in u ed t o ch ar ge t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
T h e r efer ee h ad b een follow in g t h e en t ir e sit u at ion closely. H e felt som ew h at

su r p r ised w h en t h e layer of ice cr yst a ls ap p ear ed on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. J u st
w h at w as h is m a r t ia l sou l? Fu r t h er m or e, t h e au d ien ce h ad ju st n ot iced t h a t h is
t w o sou l r in gs w er e n ow ju st a sin gle sou l r in g.
T h is st r an ge p h en om en on sen t t h e t w o r efer ees in t o a daze for a b r ief

m om en t . Na t u r a lly, t h is w a st ed som e of t h eir t im e; b y t h e t im e t h ey cam e b ack
t o t h eir sen ses an d r ealised t h a t H u o Yu h ao m igh t n ot b e ab le t o w it h st an d t h e
Flam in g Lion Kin g’s at t ack , it h a d alr ead y r each ed h im .
Du W eilu n h ad alr ead y r isen t o h is feet w it h h is r igh t h an d p oin t ed

d ow n w ar d s. H e cou ld n at u r ally see t h a t t h e t w o r efer ees w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o
m ak e it in t im e t o h elp H u o Yu h ao.
Yan Sh aozh e flick ed h is sleeve an d b lock ed Du W eilu n ’s h an d . H e sm iled

sligh t ly an d said , “N o n eed .”
At t h at m om en t , t h e Flam in g Clon e St r ik e h ad alr ead y st r u ck H u o Yu h ao.
Ast on ish ed cr ies b egan t o r in g t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e st ad iu m , b ot h Zh ou Yi

an d W an g Yan r u sh ed in t o t h e a r en a sim u lt an eou sly. H ow ever , t h ey su d d en ly
st op p ed aft er t ak in g t h r ee st ep s; t h ey h ad ju st w it n essed a m ir acu lou s scen e.
Righ t w h en t h e lion ’s Flam in g Clon e St r ik e h ad collid ed w it h H u o Yu h ao’s

b od y, a layer of w h it e m ist su r ged fr om h is b od y. Im m ed iat ely aft er t h at , a n
illu sor y sh ad ow fla sh ed b eh in d h is b od y. Follow in g w h ich , t h e lion ’s sk ill
van ish ed w it h ou t a t r ace. It w as as t h ou gh it h a d n ever occu r r ed in t h e fir st
p lace.
Aft er t h e w h it e m ist d isap p ear ed , H u o Yu h ao’s b od y r et u r n ed b ack t o it s
n or m al st at e. H e clasp ed h is h a n d s b eh in d h is b ack an d glar ed at t h e lion cold ly.
“Scr am !” h e sh ou t ed w it h a st er n voice.
T h e h u ge lion h ad u n exp ect ed ly sh iver ed b efor e it t u r n ed ar ou n d an d r an

aw ay w it h it s t ail b et w een it s legs. It s t er r ified ap p ear an ce w a s as t h ou gh it h a d
seen som et h in g ext r em ely t er r ifyin g. Yet , it w as on ly H u o Yu h ao w h o st ood
t h er e, w it h a com p let ely n on ch alan t a t t it u d e.
T h e t w o r efer ees w er e left d u m b st r u ck . Last t im e, a h u n d r ed year sou l b east

h ad b een p ar alyzed fr om fear an d t h is t im e, a t h ou san d year sou l b east h ad b een
scar ed t o t h e p oin t of fleein g. Fu r t h er m or e, h e h ad w it h st ood it s at t ack w it h ou t
r eleasin g a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g!
J u st w h at h a d h ap p en ed ? All t h e t each er s w it h in t h e ar en a w er e b affled .
Yan Sh aozh e slow ly r ose t o h is feet , t u r n ed t ow ar d s Du W eilu n a n d sp ok e,

“I’m goin g t o h ead b ack n ow . H u o Yu h ao get s fu ll m ar k s for h is ad van cem en t
t est . I w a n t t h is k id .”
W it h t h at , h e t ook a st ep for w ar d an d left t h e t all st age. T h en , h e flash ed

t h r ou gh t h e sk y an d d isap p ear ed .
Of all t h e sp ect at or s ob ser vin g t h e m at ch , t h e on ly p er son w h o h ad clear ly

seen w h at H u o Yu h a o h ad d on e w as Yan Sh aozh e.
Aft er h e w as st r u ck b y t h e lion ’s Flam in g Clon e St r ik e, a w h it e m ist h ad

p ou r ed fr om H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. At t h e sam e t im e, t h e cr yst allin e ice ar m or h e
w or e h ad t u r n ed jad e-gr een . Fu r t h er m or e, an illu sor y im age h ad ap p ear ed
b eh in d h im as t h e w h it e m ist float ed u p w ar d s.
It w as a m et er -an d -a -h alf t all scor p ion a n d Yan Sh aozh e h ad clear ly seen t h e

scor p ion cold ly glar e at t h e Flam in g Lion Kin g w it h it s cr yst al-yellow eyes. At
t h at exact m om en t , t h e lion … h ad p issed it self...
T h is w asn ’t t h e sen se of fear cau sed b y h is Im it at ion sk ill, b u t a t r u e
in t im id at ion cau sed b y t h e at t r ib u t e of h is m ar t ia l sou l. It w as ju st lik e t h e
in t im id at ion Dai H u ab in ’s W h it e T iger r eleased t ow ar d s t h e W in d T iger .
Yan Sh aozh e’s em ot ion s su r ged v iolen t ly as h e h u r r ied ly left . It h ad a lr ead y

b een 76 year s sin ce h e’d en t er ed Sh r ek Acad em y, b u t t h is w as t h e fir st Ult im at e
elem en t m ar t ial sou l h e’d seen .
Ult im at e Ice, t h is w a s t h e Ult im at e Ice a t t r ib u t e!
T h e fir e-t yp e Flam in g Lion Kin g w as fr igh t en ed t o t h e p oin t of fleein g b y H u o

Yu h ao’s Ult im at e Ice-t yp e m ar t ial so u l. T h is w as t h e ab solu t e su p p r ession t h at
st em m ed fr om t h eir at t r ib u t es!
On ly Yan Sh aozh e h ad b een ab le t o see t h r ou gh ever yt h in g clear ly an d h e h ad

m ad e m an y d ecision s as a r esu lt . T h e sk ill H u o Yu h ao h a d ju st r eleased w as
called t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Ar m or , an d it w as t h e ot h er sk ill t h a t t h e Ice Em p r ess’
fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g h ad given h im . T h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer
an d t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Ar m or w er e ab solu t e god ly sk ills. On ly, t h e cu r r en t H u o
Yu h ao w asn ’t ab le t o r eveal t h eir t r u e st r en gt h . H ow ever , t h e st r en gt h r eq u ir ed
t o sen d a fir e-t yp e op p on en t fleein g t h r ou gh elem en t al su p p r ession p osed n o
p r ob lem t o h im .
Yan Sh aozh e h ad left ear lier b ecau se h e h ad seen w h at h e h ad com e t o see.

Now , all h e n eed ed t o d o w as figu r e ou t a w ay t o m ak e H u o Yu h ao st ay in t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t w it h ou t losin g face.
A sl i gh t si n i st er sm i l e appear ed on Yan Sh aozh e’ s f ace. Qi an Duoduo, ah, Qi an

Duoduo. I w as t ak en i n by your schem e t hi s t i m e, but l et ’ s see w ho get s t he l ast
l augh. M y M ar t i al Soul Depar t m ent i s t he t r ue num ber one depar t m ent on t he
cont i nent and w e have cer t ai n t hi ngs t h at your Soul T ool Depar t m ent doesn’ t .
I f t hi s Dean doesn’ t hesi t at e t o spar e no expense, hehe… i t ’ s al l w or t h i t f or an
Ul t i m at e el em ent !
T h e silen ce in t h e ar en a van ish ed follow in g Yan Sh aozh e’s d ep ar t u r e, an d t h e
sp ect at or s all flew in t o an u p r oar .
J u st w h at in t h e w or ld h ad occu r r ed ?
Dai H u ab in ’s ear lier feat of k illin g a t h ou san d year sou l b east w as a lr ead y
en ou gh t o ast on ish t h em , b u t H u o Yu h a o h ad n ’t even m ad e a m ove. Yet , h e’d
sen t h is op p on en t fleein g b y m er ely w it h st an d in g a sin gle b low fr om it . T h is
w as even m or e st u n n in g t h an a d ir ect k ill!
Bu t , ju st w h a t d id h e u se t o ach ieve t h is? Aft er all, h e w asn ’t allow ed t o u se

h is Im it at ion !
Dai H u ab in ’s con fid en t eyes t u r n ed som ew h at d azed . H e m u t t er ed t o h im self,

“J u st h ow cou ld t h is h ap p en , h ow cou ld t h is…?”
At t h is m om en t , Du W eilu n ’s voice b oom ed acr oss t h e ar en a, “H u o Yu h ao’s

t est is over . Accor d in g t o t h e Dean ’s evalu at ion , H u o Yu h a o h as ob t ain ed 150
m ar k s. H e p asses w it h fu ll m ar k s.”
“Ah ” T h e ast on ish ed cr ies of var iou s st u d en t s im m ed iat ely r an g ou t . T h ey

d id n ’t even k n ow t h at t h e Dean h a d b een w at ch in g t h is r ou n d of t h e
ad van cem en t t est . W it h ou t a d ou b t , Du W eilu n ’s an n ou n cem en t of H u o Yu h ao’s
scor e h ad b een m ad e even m or e p er su asive w it h h is u se of t h e Dean ’s n am e.
H u o Yu h ao slow ly w alk ed b ack t o t h e ar ea w h er e t h e r est of t h e Class 1

st u d en t s w er e w ait in g. In r ealit y, even h e d id n ’t k n ow t h a t a sit u at ion lik e t h is
w ou ld occu r . It h ad n ’t even b een h is ow n in t en t ion t o yell ou t t h e w or d ‘Scr am ’;
in t h at in st an t , t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad aw a k en ed . T h e Ice Em p r ess h ad u r ged h im
t o yell t h at o u t a n d as a r esu lt t h e gr an d Flam in g Lion Kin g w as act u ally scar ed
w it less…. T h e m igh t of t h e Ice Em p r ess J ad e Scor p ion w as t r u ly t er r ifyin g.
W it h ou t even w ait in g for H u o Yu h ao t o r et u r n , W an g Yan in st in ct ively r an

u p t o h im . T h ou gh h is eyesigh t w asn ’t as good as Yan Sh aozh e’s, h is r esear ch in
t h e field of m ar t ial sou ls w as ext r em ely p r ofou n d . M or eover , h e m or e-or -less
u n d er st ood H u o Yu h ao’s ab ilit ies w h ich r esu lt ed in h im ob t ain in g a few id eas as
t o w h at h ad r ea lly h ap p en ed .
“Yu h ao, you , ju st n ow , t h e sou l sk ill you u sed ju st n ow , w h at h ap p en ed ? You r

t w o r in gs b ecam e a sin gle r in g… d on ’t t ell m e you h ave t w o m ar t ial sou ls? You r
secon d m ar t ia l sou ls b elon gs t o t h e Ice elem en t ?”
W an g Yan ’s w or d s r an g ou t lik e a st r in g of can n on sh ot s.
H u o Yu h ao m igh t ’v e b een ab le t o con ceal t h e t r u t h fr om ot h er p eop le, b u t

W an g Yan h ad alw ays t r eat ed h im ext r em ely w ell. Fu r t h er m or e, h e h ad alw ays
b een ext r em ely con cer n ed ab ou t H u o Yu h ao’s gr ow t h . T h e h ear t felt r esp ect
t h at H u o Yu h ao h eld t ow ar d s T each er W an g w as n o less t h an t h e r esp ect h e
h eld for Fan Yu an d Zh ou Yi. H e n od d ed soft ly, affir m in g W an g Yan ’s gu ess.
W an g Yan ’s eyes lit u p . “T h is… w er e you w er e lat e b ecau se of you r secon d

m ar t ial so u l? Is it b ecau se it ju st aw ak en ed ? Com e, follow m e. T h er e ar e som e
q u est ion s I’d lik e yo u t o an sw er for m e.” H e gr ab b ed H u o Yu h ao’s ar m as soon
as h e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g an d left . Zh ou Yi h ad an od d exp r ession on h er face
w h en sh e saw h im leave, b u t sh e cou ld n ’t leave sin ce h e h ad ! In or d er t o gu id e
t h eir st u d en t s t h r ou gh t h e ad van cem en t t est , a t each er w as r equ ir ed t o b e
p r esen t at all t im es.
H u o Yu h ao h ad b een d r agged aw ay, b u t W an g Don g w as st ill t h er e! Even

t h ou gh h e h ad b een ju st as su r p r ised b y H u o Yu h ao’s p er for m an ce, H u o Yu h ao
w as st ill h is m ar t ial sou l fu sion com p an ion . T h e st r on ger H u o Yu h ao w as, t h e
st r on ger t h eir com b in ed com b at st r en gt h w ou ld b e. T h u s, alt h ou gh h e w as
st u n n ed , h e w as also gr eat ly excit ed . H e t u r n ed an d look ed t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in
w it h a look of d isd a in , w h ose face h ad b egu n t o alt er n a t e b et w een sh ad es of
gr een an d w h it e. H e r id icu led , “H ow ab ou t it , M r . Dai? It seem s t h at you w er e
fu ll of sh it t h is t im e ar ou n d . W h ad d aya m ean ‘t ak in g on b ot h of u s b y you r self’.
H u o Yu h ao’s scor e alon e is en ou gh t o b eat you r s. Rem em b er t o h on or you r
p r om ise lat er . Aih , t h e feelin g of look in g d ow n on you fr om ab ove t r u ly feels
good .”
“You —!” W h en h e h ear d t h is, Dai H u a b in b ecam e so an gr y t h at h is en t ir e

b od y b egan t o sh iver . H is b lood -d r en ch ed b od y cau sed h im t o look even m or e
sin ist er . Zh u Lu alm ost r u sh ed t ow ar d s W an g Don g, w h ile Xie H u an yu e sim p ly
h ad an ast on ish ed lo ok on h is face.
Dai H u ab in gr ab b ed ah old of Zh u Lu ; h e’d u n exp ect ed ly m an aged t o calm

h im self d ow n aft er su ch a sh or t am ou n t of t im e. H e look ed t ow ar d s W an g Don g
an d said in d iffer en t ly, “Sin ce I w as w illin g t o m ak e a b et w it h you , I’m also
w illin g t o ad m it m y d efeat . I’ll n at u r ally h on or m y p r om ise w h en I see H u o
Yu h ao lat er .” Aft er h e said t h is, h e t u r n ed t ow ar d s M u J in . “T each er M u , I’m
h ead in g b ack t o clean m yself u p fir st .” W it h t h at , h e let go of Zh u Lu an d
glan ced t ow ar d s h er w it h a d eep look b efor e leavin g.
T h e r an cor an d k illin g in t en t w it h in Dai H u ab in ’s eyes su r ged ou t lik e a

w at er fall as h e left t h e Gr eat Beast Du ellin g Ar en a.
W an g Don g lip s cu r led as h e w a t ch ed Dai H u ab in ’s d ist a n t figu r e. “H e’s

act u ally q u it e a m an ; h e st ill k n ow s h ow t o p ay u p w h en h e loses.” H ow ever , h e
d id n ’t r ealize t h at Dai H u ab in ’s loss t od ay h ad t h or ou gh ly t r an sfor m ed h im in t o
a cr azy m ad m an w h o w ou ld d isr egar d t h e con sequ en ces of h is act ion s.
W an g Yan d r agged H u o Yu h ao all t h e w ay t o h is office, t h en sh u t t h e d oor

on ce t h ey’d en t er ed . As soon as h e’d sh u t t h e d oor , h e im p at ien t ly in qu ir ed ,
“Yu h ao, d id you ju st aw ak en you r secon d m ar t ial sou l?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed , t h en p r oceed ed t o give W an g Yan t h e sam e exp lan at ion

h e’d given t o Zh ou Yi an d Fan Yu .
W an g Yan b ecam e som ew h at t on gu e-t ied as h e list en ed t o h is st or y. On ce

h e’d fin ish ed list en in g, h e ask ed , p u zzled , “W h y w ou ld t h is h ap p en ? J u st w h at
in t h e w or ld cou ld cau se t h is!? T h is can ’t b e r igh t ! Even if you r Bod y Sou l w er e
t o h ave a secon d aw ak en in g, a b r an d n ew m ar t ial sou l sh ou ld n ’t h ave ap p ear ed .
T w in m ar t ia l sou ls a r e b or n at t h e sam e t im e; h ow in t h e w o r ld cou ld a secon d
on e ap p ear aft er t h e fir st ? W as you r secon d m ar t ia l sou l h id d en fr om t h e ver y
b egin n in g? H ow ever , a sit u at ion lik e t h is h as n ever occu r r ed in t h e an n als of
h ist or y…”
T h e cu r r en t T each er W an g w as a com p let ely fan at ical sch olar . H e con t in u ed

t o p on d er u n ceasin gly as h e t alk ed t o h im self.
“Yu h ao, w h at exact ly is you r secon d m ar t ial sou l?” W an g Ya n look ed t ow ar d s

h im , an u r gen t t on e in h is voice.
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “I h ear d T each er Zh ou say t h at it ’s t h e Ice J ad e
Scor p ion .”
W an g Yan sh ar p ly in h aled w h en h e h ear d t h is. Per h ap s t h e ot h er t each er s

w ou ld n ’t r ecogn ize t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion , b u t h e d id . H e h a d alw ays d evot ed h is
effor t s t o t h e r esear ch of m ar t ial so u ls, t h u s h e h ad n at u r ally d on e r esear ch on
sou l b east s t h a t solely b elon ged t o t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . H e n at u r ally k n ew ab ou t
t h e t er r ifyin g exist en ces t h at lived in t h a t p lace.
“I u n d er st a n d , I u n d er st an d .” W an g Yan ’s eyes lit u p . “No w on d er t h at

Flam in g Lion Kin g r an w it h it s t ail b et w een it s legs. You r secon d m ar t ial sou l is
act u ally an ext r em ely r ar e Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou l! H eaven s… it ’s act u ally a n
Ult im at e m a r t ial sou l!”
H u o Yu h ao scr a t ch ed h is h ead . “T each er W an g, I t h in k I’ve h ear d T each er

Fan Yu m en t ion t h is as w ell. W h at d oes a n ‘Ult im at e m a r t ial sou l’ m ean ?”
Cu r r en t ly, W an g Yan w as look in g at H u o Yu h ao t h e sam e w ay h e’d look at a

lover in a d r eam . H u o Yu h ao felt som ew h at gu ilt y w h en h e sa w t h is.
“W h at is an Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou l? H ow sh ou ld I exp lain t h is t o you … Let ’s

p u t it t h is w ay. As you k n ow , t h er e ar e var iou s r a n k s w it h in t h e w or ld of sou l
m ast er s.”
W an g Yan con t in u ed , “W it h in t h ese r an k s, it ’s ap p r op r iat e t o say t h at t w in -

sou led sou l m ast er s ar e exist en ces w h o st an d at t h e t op of t h e p yr am id .
Regar d less of w h at t h eir m a r t ial sou ls ar e, t h ey’r e d efin it ely m u ch st r on ger
t h an or d in ar y sou l m ast er s, d u e t o t h e fact t h at t h ey can ad d sou l r in gs t o t h eir
secon d m ar t ia l sou l aft er t h ey r each a cer t ain level of st r en gt h . H ow ever , t w in -
sou led sou l m ast er s ar e ext r em ely r ar e. You ’r e on e of t h em , an d Xiao Xiao is t oo.
It ’s t h e fir st t im e in t h e ou t er cou r t ya r d ’s h ist or y t h at t w o t w in -so u led sou l
m ast er s h ave ap p ear ed at t h e sam e t im e.
“Besid es a u n iq u e sit u at ion su ch as t h is h ow ever , t h er e ar e cer t ain d iffer en ces
b et w een m ar t ia l sou ls. T h er e a r e Beast Sou ls, an d t h en t h er e ar e T ool Sou ls. All
m ar t ial sou ls h a ve ch ar act er ist ics t h a t b elon gs t o t h em a lon e; it s exist en ce is
w or t h som et h in g as lon g as sou l p ow er ap p ear s w h en it aw ak en s. Du e t o t h is
fact , it ’s oft en ver y h ar d t o d iffer en t iat e st r on g an d w eak m ar t ial sou ls. Un d er
d iffer en t cir cu m st a n ces, or p er h ap s I sh ou ld say, ‘d iffer en t d om ain s’, t h er e
w on ’t b e ju st on e ‘st r on gest ’ m ar t ial sou l. H ow ever , even t h ou gh t h at ’s
n or m ally t h e case, t h er e ar e a few m ar t ial sou ls p u b licly r ecogn ised as ext r em ely
p ow er fu l on es.
“T h e fir st of t h ese ar e Bod y Sou ls. Bod y Sou ls ar e ext r em ely p ow er fu l d u e t o

t h e fact t h at t h ey’r e a p ar t of a sou l m ast er ’s b od y. A sou l m ast er ’s t r ain ed b od y
is n at u r ally m or e accom m od at in g t o t h eir w ish es w h en com p ar ed t o a m a r t ial
sou l cr eat ed aft er it s aw ak en in g. Fu r t h er m or e, a secon d aw ak en in g can occu r in
a Bod y Sou l. T h is secon d aw ak en in g can b ot h occu r d u r in g t h e in it ial
aw ak en in g of t h e Bod y Sou l, or at h igh er r an k s. I’ve b een p ayin g a lot of
at t en t ion t o you r Sp ir it Eyes, in t h e h op es t h at I w ou ld b e ab le t o see it u n d er go
a secon d aw ak en in g. A Bod y Sou l w ill exp er ien ce a q u alit a t ive leap w h en it
u n d er goes it s secon d aw ak en in g, an d w ill b ecom e an exist en ce t h at lor d s over
or d in ar y m ar t ial sou ls. It ’s ju st lik e a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east t h at ’s
b r ok en t h r ou gh it s lim it s; w e can u se t h e w or d ‘t r an scen d en t ’ t o d escr ib e
m ar t ial sou ls t h at h a ve ach ieved t h is.
“W h en a m ar t ial so u l can b e r efer r ed t o as t r an scen d en t , it ’s ob viou s t h at it

w ill d efin it ely b e m u ch st r on ger t h an a n or m al m ar t ial sou l. Besid es Bod y Sou ls
t h at h a ve u n d er gon e t h eir secon d aw ak en in g, t h er e is an ot h er t yp e of m ar t ial
sou l t h a t can b e classified as a t r an scen d en t m ar t ial sou l: Ult im at e m ar t ia l sou ls.
An exam p le of t h is w ou ld b e you r secon d m ar t ial sou l.”
H u o Yu h ao con scien t iou sly list en ed t o W an g Yan ’s exp lan at ion . H e’d n ever
exp ect ed Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou ls t o b e evalu at ed t h is h igh ly.
T h e m or e W an g Yan sp ok e, t h e m or e excit ed h e got . H is face t u r n ed sligh t ly

r ed as h e con t in u ed , “T h e st r en gt h of Ult im at e m ar t ial sou ls is r eflect ed in t h e
w or d ‘Ult im at e’. T h er e ar e sever al d iffer en t t yp es of Ult im at e m ar t ial sou ls, an d
t h ey can b elon g t o an y elem en t . H ow ever , for a m ar t ial sou l t o r each t h e
p in n acle of an y elem en t is easier said t h a n d on e. If it ’s lack in g even a lit t le b it , it
can ’t b e con sid er ed t o h ave r each ed t h e p in n acle. You ’ve seen W u Fen g’s Red
Dr agon ; it ’s a r elat ively t op -r an k ed m ar t ial sou l w it h in t h e fir e elem en t .
H ow ever , h er fir e isn ’t Ult im at e Fir e. In fact , t h er e’s a lar ge gap b et w een h er
fir e an d Ult im at e Fir e. Becau se of t h at , w e say t h at h er m ar t ial sou l is a Fir e
Dr agon , n ot a T r u e Fir e Dr agon . W h en a T r u e Fir e Dr agon ap p ear s, it ’s cap ab le
of scor ch in g ever yt h in g w it h in a t h ou san d m iles. H ow ever , you r Ice J ad e
Scor p ion is a t r u e Ult im at e Ice m a r t ia l sou l! Ice J ad e Scor p ion s ar e sou l b east s
t h at live w it h in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . T h e Ext r em e Nor t h is an ar ea t h at w e
h u m an s sim p ly can n ot en t er ; sou l b east s ar e t h e ab solu t e m a st er s of t h at p lace.”
“Accor d in g t o t h e legen d s, t h er e ar e t h r ee ext r em ely p ow er fu l ice-t yp e r aces

w h o live w it h in t h at ext r em ely fr igid w or ld . T h ey ar e k n ow n as, r esp ect ively,
t h e T it an Ice Devils, t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion s, an d t h e Sn ow Lad ies. T h e k in gs of
t h eir r esp ect ive r aces ar e k n ow n as t h e T h r ee Em p er or s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . I
can gu ar an t ee t h at t h ese Em p er or s ar e t r an scen d en t sou l b east s.”
A sen se of ad m ir at ion sp on t an eou sly ar ose in H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t w h en h e

h ear d W an g Yan say t h is. H is d escr ip t ion of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h w as id en t ical t o
w h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad sa id . In a sit u at ion w h er e t h er e w as n o w ay for
t h em t o collect an y in for m at ion fr om t h at p lace, T each er W an g som eh ow
p ossessed t h is m u ch k n ow led ge ab ou t it . T h e am ou n t of d ed icat ion h e’d p u t
t ow ar d s t h e r esear ch of sou l b east s cou ld b e seen fr om t h is. Even t h e n ew ly
aw ak en ed Ice Em p r ess cou ld n ’t h elp b u t p r aise t h at h e w as som ew h at
k n ow led geab le.
W an g Yan n at u r ally d id n ’t k n ow w h at H u o Yu h ao w as t h in k in g. H e
con t in u ed excit ed ly, “T h e Sn ow Lad ies ar e su p p osed ly t h e st r on gest r ace w it h in
t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . Nob od y’s clear ab ou t t h eir or igin s, b u t I st r on gly su sp ect
t h at t h ey h ave h u m an b lood ; t h eir ap p ear an ce r esem b le t h ose of h u m an s as
w ell. T h ey’r e d efin it ely Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou ls. Ot h er t h an t h e Sn ow Lad ies,
t h er e’s t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion s, w h o h ave also r each ed t o t h e p in n acle of t h e ice
elem en t . H ow ever , t h e T it an Ice Devils, w h o ar e lik ew ise on e of t h e t h r ee
st r on gest r aces in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h , can ’t b e con sid er ed t o h ave ach ieved
t r an scen d en ce in t er m s of t h eir elem en t . As far as I k n ow , I’ve n ever h ear d of a
Sn ow Lad y or an Ice J ad e Scor p ion ap p ear in g as a h u m an ’s m ar t ial sou l. I d id n ’t
t h in k t h a t I’d act u a lly b e ab le t o see on e d u r in g m y lifet im e. Fu r t h er m or e, it
even t u r n ed ou t t o b e on e of m y st u d en t s.”
H u o Yu h ao w as som ew h at em b ar r assed . “T each er W an g, I’m n ot even clea r

as t o w h at h ap p en ed m yself.”
W an g Yan r ep lied , “Ult im at e m ar t ial sou ls ar e ext r em ely r ar e. T h e acad em y’s

en t r an ce con t ain s t h e scu lp t u r es of t h e fir st gen er at ion Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s.
T h ey w er e ext r em ely p ow er fu l. Even t h e fou n d er of you r T an g Sect —An cest or
T an g San —w as on e of t h em . H ow ever , n on e of t h em h ad an Ult im at e elem en t .
In t h e t en t h ou san d year h ist or y of ou r acad em y, an Ult im a t e elem en t m a r t ia l
sou l h as on ly ap p ear ed t h r ice b efor e. T h ey w er e, r esp ect ively, Ult im at e W in d ,
Ult im at e Fir e, an d Ult im at e W ood . T h is is t h e t h e fir st t im e t h e Ult im at e Ice
elem en t h as ap p ear ed . In t h e p ast , t h e t h r ee of t h em all m an aged t o ach ieve
ext r em e fam e am on gst t h eir con t em p or ar ies. Of t h em , t h e m ost fam ou s is t h e
p ossessor of t h e Ult im at e Fir e m ar t ial so u l. It w as u n d er h is lead er sh ip t h a t t h e
t h r ee or igin al em p ir es of ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t w er e ab le t o d efeat t h e Su n
M oon Em p ir e. Lat er on in h is life, h e cr eat ed an ext r em ely p ow er fu l clan .
H ow ever , t h e m a r t ia l sou ls t h a t h is d escen d an t s in h er it ed d id n ’t h ave t h e w or d
‘Ult im at e’ at t ach ed t o t h em .
“Do you k n ow w h y Ult im at e m a r t ial sou ls ar e so r ar e?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead b lan k ly.
W an g Yan con t in u ed , “It ’s b ecau se it ’s ext r em ely h ar d for ou r b od ies t o

en d u r e an Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou l. T h in k ab ou t it . Regar d less of w h et h er it ’s you r
Ult im at e Ice or t h at an cest or ’s Ult im a t e Fir e, t h e ext r em e am ou n t of p ow er t h at
ap p ear s on ce it aw ak en s cou ld easily b low a sou l m ast er ’s b od y ap ar t . W it h ou t
an u n u su al am ou n t of in n at e t alen t , a p er son sim p ly cou ld n ’t w it h st an d it .
Becau se of t h is, t h e ch an ces t h at an Ult im at e elem en t w ill ap p ear on t h e
con t in en t ar e m in iscu le; t h ey’r e exp on en t ially r ar er t h an Bod y Sou ls. Based on
w h at you ’ve said , I’m goin g t o m ak e a n ou t r ageou s h yp ot h esis: You r secon d
m ar t ial sou l h ad alr ead y ap p ear ed w h en you fir st aw ak en ed you r m ar t ial sou l,
b u t a m u t at ion occu r r ed an d it gain ed a sh r ed of in t elligen ce. It s elem en t w as
t oo t yr an n ical, t h u s it m u st ’ve r est r ain ed it self.”
Chapt er 53.1: Ir r efut able Benefit s?
“In or d er t o w it h st a n d it , you r sou l p ow er m u st ’ve n eed ed t o r each at least

r an k 20 ; on ly t h en d id it fu lly aw ak en . Now t h at it h a s, you r b od y sh ou ld b e ab le
t o b ear it s load . I k n ow t h at w h at I’m sayin g r igh t n ow m igh t sou n d
in con ceivab le, b u t I t h in k t h a t t h is is t h e b est w ay t o exp lain you r sit u at ion .”
It m igh t sou n d in con ceivab le? H u o Yu h ao felt lik e h is b ack h ad b ecom e

d r en ch ed in cold sw eat w h en h e h ear d T each er W an g’s exp lan at ion . T each er
W an g w as ju st t oo am azin g… sim p ly t oo am azin g! H is Ice Em p r ess m ar t ia l sou l
ob viou sly h ad n ’t ap p ear ed w h en h e’d a w ok en h is Sp ir it Eyes, b u t b esid es t h a t ,
t h er e h ad n ’t b een a sin gle m ist ak e in w h at W an g Yan h ad said ! H is m ar t ial sou l
t r u ly w as sen t ien t !
W an g Yan t ook a d eep b r eat h . “Yu h ao, let m e give you a p iece of ad vice. Even
t h ou gh you ’ve b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , you ’r e st ill
som eon e w h o h as an Ult im at e m a r t ial sou l. As su ch , t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t is t h e b est p lace for you t o st u d y. On ly in t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t w ill you b e ab le t o p r op er ly r aise you r Ult im at e m ar t ial so u l. T o t ell
t h e t r u t h , you r in n at e t alen t is t h e h igh est I’ve ever seen . I n ever cou ld ’ve
im agin ed t h at , n ot ju st t w in m a r t ial sou ls, b u t b ot h a Bod y Sou l an d an Ult im at e
m ar t ial sou l cou ld coexist in sid e of t h e sa m e p er son .”
“You ar en ’t t h a t st r on g r igh t n ow . H ow ever , given en ou gh t im e an d assu m in g

you con t in u e t o cu lt ivat e p r op er ly, you r st r en gt h w ill con t in u e in cr easin g at an
ext r em ely fast p ace. At t h e sam e t im e, you r Sp ir it Eyes m ar t ial sou l can st ill
aw ak en t w ice! H eaven s! I’m alr ead y in cap ab le of im agin in g t h e h eigh t s you ’ll
r each in t h e fu t u r e. H ow ever , you ’ll h ave t o p ay close at t en t ion t o you r
cu lt ivat ion . An Ult im at e elem en t is ext r em ely st r on g, b u t even an Ult im at e
m ar t ial sou l h as it s d isad van t ages, w h ich is r elat ed t o t h e sp eed of you r
cu lt ivat ion . Accor d in g t o t h e aca d em y’s r ecor d s, t h e t h r ee an cest or s w h o
p ossessed t h e Ult im at e elem en t all felt t h eir cu lt iva t ion sp eed s d r op
d r am at ically on ce t h ey r each ed Ran k 30 .”
H u o Yu h ao w as st ar t led . “A d r op in cu lt ivat ion sp eed ? T o w h at ext en t is t h is

d r op ?”
“You d on ’t n eed t o w or r y,” W an g Yan said w it h a fain t sm ile, “even t h ou gh

you r cu lt ivat ion sp eed w ill d r op b y a lar ge m ar gin , a so u l m ast er w it h an
Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l w ill st ill b e m u ch st r on ger t h an ot h er sou l m ast er s of t h e
sam e r an k . Fu r t h er m or e, a slow er cu lt ivat ion sp eed is d efin it ely accep t ab le
w h en it ’s for t h e sak e of st r en gt h en in g b ot h you r b od y an d you r Ult im a t e
elem en t . Aft er all, it ’s n ot lik e you w on ’t m ak e an y p r ogr ess at all. Act u ally,
p r ogr essin g slow ly isn ’t n ecessa r ily a b ad t h in g for an Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l; you
w on ’t en cou n t er an y b ot t len eck s sin ce you h ave an Ult im at e elem en t .”
On ce H u o Yu h ao h ad fin ish ed list en in g t o W an g Yan ’s exp lan at ion , h e

r ealized ju st h ow m u ch of an ad van t age h is m ar t ial sou l gr an t ed h im . M or eover ,
W an g Yan d id n ’t k n ow t h at h e also h a d b ot h a m illion year in t elligen t sou l r in g
an d a fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year in t elligen t sou l r in g in sid e o f h is b od y.
J u st lik e W an g Yan h ad said , H u o Yu h a o w as w eak r igh t n ow . At t h e sam e

t im e h ow ever , h is p r osp ect s w er e lim it less.
“So, w h at d o you t h in k ? You sh ou ld ser iou sly con sid er t r an sfer r in g t o t h e

M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . If you ’r e w illin g t o, I’ll p er son ally n ot ify t h e Dean .
H e’ll su r ely give you t h e p osit ion of a cor e d iscip le t h is t im e. Fu r t h er m or e, I can
assu r e you t h at , w it h you r level of t alen t , you ’ll d efin it ely ad van ce t o t h e in n er
cou r t yar d .”
H u o Yu h ao fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s sligh t ly. H ow ever , in t h e en d , h e sh ook h is

h ead . “T h an k you , T each er W an g. I ap p r eciat e you r good in t en t ion s. H ow ever ,
w h en I w as in a p in ch , it w as t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t t h at accep t ed m e. Now
t h at I’ve b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h a t d ep ar t m en t , I can ’t go b ack on m y
w or d .”
W an g Yan sigh ed . “T h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t is also at fau lt for b ein g so
sh or t -sigh t ed ! W h en you an d W an g Don g p laced fir st in t h e fr esh m en
assessm en t , I w en t a h ead an d ask ed Eld er Xu an t o t ak e an ot h er look at t h e t w o
of you . H ow ever , t h ey…” W an g Yan sigh ed again . “An Ult im at e m ar t ial so u l
can ’t b e w ast ed . Yu h ao, even if d ecid e t o sp ecialize in sou l t ools in t h e fu t u r e,
you ab solu t ely can ’t n eglect t h e cu lt ivat ion of you r m ar t ia l sou l. I’ll d o m y b est
t o con vin ce t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t t o h elp you ob t ain you r fu t u r e sou l
r in gs. You d efin it ely m u st cu lt ivat e t h is Ult im at e elem en t of you r s p r op er ly.”
H u o Yu h ao’s eye sock et s b ecam e som ew h at r ed w h en h e h ea r d t h is. “T each er

W an g, I’ll r em ain yo u r d iscip le for ever . You d on ’t h ave t o w or r y ab ou t m e. I’ll
d efin it ely cu lt ivat e d iligen t ly an d live u p t o you r exp ect at ion s.”
W an g Yan p at t ed h im on t h e sh ou ld er an d said , “You sh ou ld h ea d b ack t o

you r d or m r oom an d r est for n ow . T h e ad van cem en t t est w ill con t in u e for t h e
r est of t h e d ay; t h er e ar en ’t an y m or e cla sses t od ay. I’ll go an d look for t h e Dean ;
h e sh ou ld ’ve seen you r p er for m an ce ju st n ow as w ell. In fact , I b et h e’s alr ead y
p ayin g q u it e a b it of at t en t ion t o you . H ow ever , you d on ’t n eed t o b e in a h u r r y
t o ch oose. Dean Yan is alw ays look in g for p eop le w it h ou t st a n d in g t alen t . Now
t h at h e’s fou n d som eon e lik e you , t h er e’s n o w ay t h at h e’ll give u p on you .”
“H m .” H u o Yu h ao n od d ed , t h en t u r n ed t o leave.
W h en h e d id so, a gen t le voice su d d en ly ech oed fr om all d ir ect ion s. “T each er

W an g, you live u p t o you r r ep u t at ion of b ein g on e of t h e m ost ou t st an d in g
t each er s in ou r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . I h ave t o t h an k you for all t h e w or k
you ’ve d on e for t h e acad em y. T h er e’s n o n eed t o look for m e, as I’ve d ecid ed t o
com e of m y ow n volit ion . Plea se op en t h e d oor .”
T h is gen t le voice w a s lik e a w ar m b r eeze; it w as ext r em ely p leasin g t o t h e ear .

W h en h e h ear d it , H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely felt h is sp ir it u al sea flu ct u a t e
sligh t ly.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion b ot h
sim u lt an eou sly excla im ed fr om in sid e of H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it sea, “T h is h u m an is
ext r em ely p ow er fu l!”
W an g Yan b ecam e d eligh t ed w h en h e h ear d t h ese w or d s, an d im m ed ia t ely

m oved t o op en t h e d oor t o h is office. T h e p er son w ait in g ou t sid e w as t h e Dean
of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , Yan Sh a ozh e.
Dean Yan h ad h eld a m eet in g w it h all of t h e cor e t each er s w h en h e’d r et u r n ed

t o t h e in n er cou r t ya r d . Aft er a sim p le d iscu ssion , h e’d left on ce again an d h ad
r et u r n ed t o t h e t est ar ea t o look for H u o Yu h ao as fast as h e cou ld . H e t h en
h ear d t h at h e’d b een led aw ay b y W an g Yan . W h en h e’d lear n ed t h is, h e d ecid ed
t o com e t o p lace d ir ect ly. W it h h is cu lt iv at ion , h e cou ld h ear t h e sou n d m ad e b y
flies an d m osqu it os flap p in g t h eir w in gs fr om sever al k ilom et er s aw ay; list en in g
in on t h e con t en t s of W an g Yan ’s sp eech h ad b een a p iece of cak e for h im .
“Dean .” W an g Yan gr eet ed Yan Sh aozh e r esp ect fu lly. H e a d m ir ed Dean Yan
fr om t h e b ot t om of h is h ear t .
Yan Sh aozh e sm iled fain t ly. “T each er W an g, I h ear d w h at you said . In m y

cap acit y as Dean , I t h an k you on b eh alf of t h e acad em y. You ’ve d on e you r b est
t o con vin ce t h is t alen t ed you t h t o en t er ou r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . No
m at t er w h at , on ce H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er s gr a d u at e fr om t h eir class in t h e
ou t er cou r t yar d , you ’ll b e allow ed t o t each in t h e in n er cou r t yar d . If I’m n ot
m ist ak en , you ’ve a lw ays w an t ed t o r ead t h e b ook s h eld w it h in t h e secr et
lib r ar y. Look for m e w h en you ’ve en t er ed t h e in n er cou r t yar d . I’ll give you
clear an ce t o en t er t h e secr et lib r ar y.”
W an g Yan w as over joyed . “T h an k you , Dean . T h is is in cr ed ib le! Really… t h is

is ju st in cr ed ib le!” If it w er en ’t for t h e fact t h at Yan Sh aozh e w as t h er e, h e
w ou ld ’ve im m ed ia t ely b egu n t o ju m p for joy. Becom in g a t each er of t h e in n er
cou r t yar d an d b ein g ab le t o r ead b ook s fr om t h e secr et lib r ar y… t h ese w er e
t h in gs t h at W an g Ya n h ad alw ays h op ed for ! H e h ad n 't exp ect ed t h a t h is lifet im e
goal w ou ld b e ach ieved ju st lik e t h is. H ow cou ld h e n ot b e h ap p y?
Yan Sh aozh e st ep p ed in t o W an g Yan ’s office. On ce h e h ad , t h e d oor t o t h e
office closed of it s ow n accor d .
H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as n ear W an g Yan , also h u r r ied t o gr eet h im r esp ect fu lly.
Yan Sh aozh e ar r ived in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao an d said w it h a fain t sm ile,

“St u d en t H u o Yu h a o, I cam e sp ecifically t o t alk t o you t h is t im e. Fir st t h in gs
fir st , I w ou ld lik e t o ap ologize t o you on b eh alf of t h e en t ir e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t .” On ce h e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g, on e of t h e t r u e m em b er s of Sh r ek
Acad em y—t h e m ajest ic Dean w h o p ossessed an en or m ou s am ou n t of p r est ige
w it h in t h e w or ld of sou l m ast er s—b ow ed sligh t ly t o H u o Yu h a o.
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t st op h im ; h e’d b een in a d aze fr om t h e m om en t t h at Yan

Sh aozh e h ad en t er ed t h e r oom .
T h e m om en t t h at Yan Sh aozh e h ad ap p ear ed , h e’d alr ea d y gu essed t h at h e’d

com e h er e for h im , in t h e h op es t h at h e’d en t er t h e M a r t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t .
H u o Yu h ao h ad p lan n ed t o r eject h is offer , b u t h e h ad n ’t exp ect ed Yan Sh aozh e
t o u se a t r ick lik e t h is.
Let alon e H u o Yu h ao, even t h e n ear b y W an g Yan h ad b ecom e so sh ock ed t h at

h is m ou t h w a s w id e op en . H e’d n ever seen Dean Yan b ow t o an yon e.
T h er e h ad on ce b een a t im e w h en a k in g h ad com e t o visit t h e acad em y. Yet ,

t h is k in g h ad b een t h e on e t o b ow in fr on t of Dean Sh aozh e! T h is w as b ecau se
t h e k in g in q u est ion h ad st u d ied at t h e acad em y on ce. Even t h ou gh h e h ad n ’t
b een ab le t o gr ad u at e fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d an d h ad b een d ism issed fr om t h e
sch ool, h e’d st ill b een fu ll of r esp ect for t h e acad em y. T h is w as m or e t h a n
en ou gh t o sh ow w h a t level of au t h or it y t h e acad em y h eld .
An d yet , Dean Yan Sh aozh e, on e of t h e t w o lead er s of t h e acad em y, w as

cu r r en t ly b ow in g t o a t w elve-year -old secon d year st u d en t . If t h is m at t er w er e
t o b e p u b licized , it w ou ld sh ock ever y sin gle sou l m ast er on t h e con t in en t .
Aft er b ow in g, Yan Sh aozh e st r aigh t en ed h is b ack . H e w as st ill sm ilin g lik e
b efor e, an d d id n ’t seem t o b e even t h e sligh t est b it em b ar r assed . H e gen t ly said ,
“St u d en t H u o Yu h a o, b ecau se of ou r n egligen ce, t h e M a r t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t
n ear ly lost som eon e as t alen t ed as you . I sin cer ely ap ologize for t h is. T h e b lam e
r est s w it h u s; w e w er e u n ab le t o p r op er ly assess you r sk ills. W e alm ost lost a n
ou t st an d in g st u d en t .”
H u o Yu h ao w as on ly ab le t o r eact n ow : H is sm all face h ad b ecom e en t ir ely

r ed , an d gest u r ed again an d again . H ow ever , h e cou ld n ’t say an yt h in g.
T h e d iffer en ce b et w een h im an d Yan Sh aozh e w as com p ar ab le t o t h a t of

h eaven an d ear t h . Yan Sh aozh e h ad u n exp ect ed ly b ow ed t o h im ; t h is a lon e h ad
left h im d u m b fou n d ed ! H is m in d h ad b een t h r ow n in t o con fu sion , t h u s h e
d id n ’t k n ow h ow t o r ep ly. H e h a d alr ead y for got t en t h e w or d s h e’d p r ep ar ed in
or d er t o r efu se h is offer .
Yan Sh aozh e con t in u ed , “I saw you r m ar t ial sou l t od ay. W h en you u sed you r
sou l sk ill, you r m ar t ial sou l also m an ifest ed it self. If I’m n ot m ist ak e, it sh ou ld
b e an Ice J ad e Scor p ion , r igh t ? An Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l of t h e ice elem en t . I
k n ow t h at you ’ve alr ead y b ecom e a d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
H ow ever , t h is isn ’t a p r ob lem . I can go an d h ave a t alk w it h t h eir d ep ar t m en t . If
you w er e t o sp ecialize in sou l t ools w h ilst b ein g t h e ow n er of an Ult im at e
m ar t ial sou l… I can on ly say t h at it w ou ld b e a h u ge w ast e. I d ar e say t h at ,
t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir et y Dou lu o Con t in en t , t h e on ly sou l m ast er s cap ab le of
p r ovid in g t h e p r op er gu id an ce t o som eon e w it h an Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou l ar e
t h ose of ou r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . If you ’r e w illin g, fr om t od ay on w ar d s
you ’ll b ecom e a d iscip le of t h e in n er cou r t yar d of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t .
I’ll t each you p er son ally, an d w ill b eco m e you r acad em ic a d visor . Given you r
in n at e t alen t … even w it h you r cu lt iv at ion sp eed slow ed b y you r Ult im at e
m ar t ial sou l, I’m con fid en t t h at you ’ll b ecom e a T it led Dou lu o in less t h an 4 0
year s u n d er m y t u t elage. A T it led Dou lu o w it h an Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou l, d o you
k n ow w h at t h at m ea n s?”
H u o Yu h ao u n con sciou sly sh ook h is h ead .

Yan Sh aozh e sm iled fain t ly. T h en , h e con t in u ed in a fir m t on e, “It m ean s t h at
you ’d b e in vin cib le a n d u n m a t ch ed in t h e w or ld .”
T h ese w or d s sp ok en b y Yan Sh aozh e w er e lik e a b om b . H u o Yu h ao’s b od y

sw ayed , an d h e h ad t o t ak e a st ep back . Lu ck ily, h is w ill w as m u ch st r on ger t h a n
t h at of t h e aver age p er son ’s. If it w er en ’t , h e m igh t ’ve fallen d ow n , w h ich
w ou ld ‘ve cau sed h im t o lose a lar ge am ou n t of face.
Yan Sh aozh e said , “Sou l T ools h ave b een r ap id ly d evelop in g d u r in g t h ese p ast
few year s. H ow ever , t h e p ow er of sou l m ast er s st ill lies d eep w it h in ou r selves. If
you lik e sou l t ools, it ’d b e fin e for you t o t r y t h em ou t w h en you r each t h e r an k
of a T it led Dou lu o in t h e fu t u r e. I h op e t h at you ’ll t h in k ab ou t t h is car efu lly an d
w on ’t let t h is ch a n ce slip b y. If you ’r e w illin g t o join ou r M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t you ’ll r eceive a lar ge am ou n t of r esou r ces fr om t h e in n er
cou r t yar d . At t h e sa m e t im e, I can p led ge t h r ee t h in gs t o you , t o com p en sat e for
ou r p ast m isju d gem en t .”
“T h e fir st is r egar d in g W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao. W an g Don g can fu lly u t ilise

you r fu sion sk ill, an d h as w or k ed t oget h er w it h you t h is en t ir e t im e. Xiao Xiao
h as also w or k ed t oget h er w it h you , an d is also a sou l m ast er w h o p ossesses t w in
m ar t ial sou ls. I can gu ar an t ee t h at t h ey’ll d efin it ely b ecom e in n er cou r t yar d
d iscip les of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t lik e you in t h e fu t u r e. You n eed t o
r ealize t h a t cor e d iscip les an d in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les a r e en t ir ely d iffer en t .
Not all cor e d iscip les can d efin it ely en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d . Fu r t h er m or e,
you ’d get m or e r eso u r ces fr om t h e aca d em y if you b ecom e an in n er cou r t yar d
d iscip le ah ea d of t im e.”
“Secon d ly, w it h m y p osit ion as Dean of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , I can

assu r e you t h a t t h e acad em y w ill d o ever yt h in g in it s p ow er t o give you a
com p let e set of sou l b on es. I’ll d o m y b est t o give you sou l b on es of t h e h igh est
q u alit y t o en su r e t h at you h ave t h e h igh est p ossib le fu sion r at e w it h t h e sou l
b on es. I can a lso gu ar an t ee t h at t h er e w ill b e at least on e sou l b on e fr om a
h u n d r ed t h ou san d year old sou l b east in clu d ed w it h in t h is set .
T h ir d ly, I can gu ar a n t ee t h at you ’ll b e given a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year old so u l

r in g, at t h e ver y least .”
W an g Yan b ecam e d u m b fou n d ed w h en h e h ear d ever yt h in g t h at Yan Sh aozh e
h ad t o say. H is fir st r eact ion t o t h e Dean ’s p r op osal w as t h at t h e Dean h ad gon e
cr azy...
Even t h ou gh Sh r ek Acad em y w as ext r aor d in ar ily w ealt h y, t h e t h r ee t h in gs

t h at Yan Sh aozh e h ad p r om ised H u o Yu h ao w er e all sim ilar ly ext r aor d in ar y
t h in gs! A h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g an d a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l
b on e m ean t t h at t h e p ow er h ou ses fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld h ave t o set ou t t o
k ill a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east ju st for H u o Yu h ao! T h ese r ew ar d s w er e
u n p r eced en t ed in t h e h ist or y of t h e acad em y. Not t o m en t ion t h e fact t h at Yan
Sh aozh e h ad ad d ed a com p let e set of sou l b on es t o t h e d eal!
Yan Sh aozh e w as esp ecially cu n n in g h ow ever , as h e’d a lso p r op osed let t in g

W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d t oget h er w it h H u o Yu h ao.
W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao w er e b ot h H u o Yu h ao’s b est fr ien d s. W it h t h is
con d it ion p r esen t , Yan Sh ozh e w as cer t a in t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ’t r eject h im
w it h ou t a good r eason .
If it w asn ’t for t h e com p et it ion w it h t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , or if t h e

M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t h ad d iscover ed t h e t a len t k n ow n as H u o Yu h ao ear lier
on , Yan Sh aozh e w ou ld n ’t h ave h ad t o p r om ise su ch t h in gs so ear ly on , even if
h e’d w an t ed t o go all ou t an d sn at ch h im over . H ow ever , t h in gs w er e d iffer en t
n ow ; H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t , an d on e of Fan Yu ’s p er son al d iscip le. Yan Sh aozh e t h u s
u n d er st ood t h at h e n eed ed t o p r esen t r eal b en efit s if h e t r u ly w an t ed H u o Yu h ao
t o ch an ge h is m in d . M or e im p or t an t ly, h e n eed ed t o car r y ou t h is over t p lot t o
st eal H u o Yu h ao over t o t h eir sid e in a ju st an d h on or ab le m an n er so t h e Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o say an yt h in g.
T h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t m igh t b e w ealt h y, b u t cou ld t h ey fin d a t op -

r an k ed sou l b on e? Cou ld t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t h elp H u o Yu h ao h u n t d ow n
a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east ? It w as evid en t t h at b ot h of t h ese t h in gs
w ou ld b e im p ossib le t o t h em !
Yan Sh aozh e h ad r et u r n ed t o t h e in n er cou r t yar d b efor e h e’d com e over an d
h ad h ad a d iscu ssion w it h a few of t h e t each er s in ch ar ge of t h e cor e d iscip les. In
t h e en d , t h ey’d d ecid ed t h at t h ey d efin it ely h ad t o k eep H u o Yu h ao in t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , n o m at t er t h e cost .
If som eon e w er e t o ask h im if H u o Yu h ao w as w or t h t h is in cr ed ib le cost , Yan

Sh aozh e’s an sw er w ou ld b e t h at h e d efin it ely w as.
T h at ’s r igh t , t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t w as goin g t o h u ge len gt h s ju st for

t h e sak e of ob t ain in g H u o Yu h ao. H ow ever , w h en H u o Yu h ao b ecam e an ad u lt ,
Sh r ek Acad em y’s p osit ion a s n u m b er on e on t h e con t in en t w ou ld d efin it ely b e
solid ified for at least t h e n ext t h r ee h u n d r ed year s w it h h im ar ou n d .
It w as n or m a l for a p er son w h o’d cu lt ivat ed t o t h e r a n k of a T it led Dou lu o t o

live for t h r ee, or even five h u n d r ed year s. Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w as alr ea d y
con sid er ab le veiled cr it icism t ow ar d s Sh r ek Acad em y cir cu lat in g d u e t o t h eir
in flu en ce. T h ese cr it icism s h a d r each ed b ot h t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e, an d even
t h e t h r ee or igin a l em p ir es of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t . T h is w as evid en t d u e t o t h e
fact t h at t h e t h r ee em p ir es n o lon ger sen t ch ild r en fr om t h e r oyal fam ily t o
Sh r ek Acad em y t o st u d y.
Yan Sh aozh e saw t h e p ot en t ial in H u o Yu h ao. T h er e w as a p ossib ilit y t h a t h e

w ou ld b ecom e a p o w er fu l lea d er in Sh r ek Acad em y in t h e fu t u r e. H u o Yu h ao
w ou ld n ’t n ecessar ily r em ain in Sh r ek Acad em y, b u t so lon g as h e w as ab le t o
n u r t u r e h im in t o a for m id ab le p ow er h ou se, Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld d efin it ely b e
ab le t o st an d t all in t h e face of an y ad ver sit y it faced .
W h at cou ld t h eir in vest m en t n ow am ou n t t o, w h en faced w it h a few h u n d r ed

year s of h on or for Sh r ek Acad em y? Besid es, an acad em y w as an in st it u t ion
w h er e st u d en t s w er e t au gh t ; a p lace t h at sou gh t ou t t alen t ed in d ivid u als. W as it
t r u ly t h at easy t o com e acr oss an Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l? T h is en cou n t er w as a
fir st for b ot h W an g Yan an d Yan Sh aozh e!
T h at d id n ’t m ean t h at h is Ult im at e m a r t ial sou l w as d efin it ely t h e st r on gest

m ar t ial sou l cu r r en t ly, b u t it d id m ean t h at it h ad t h e p ossib ilit y t o at least
b ecom e on e of t h e st r on gest . Fu r t h er m o r e, H u o Yu h ao p ossessed t w in m ar t ial
sou ls.
T h ese elem en t s com b in ed w er e en ou gh for Yan Sh aozh e t o com e t o h is

cu r r en t d ecision . H en ce, h e’d gon e t o look for H u o Yu h ao at t h e fir st p ossib le
m om en t .
W h en h e h ear d w h at Yan Sh aozh e h ad t o say, H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow h ow t o

r ep ly—t h e w eigh t of h is w or d s w er e ju st t oo m u ch t o b ear . No m at t er h ow sm ar t
or calm h e w as, H u o Yu h ao w as st ill a t w elve-year -old ch ild . As t h e Dean of t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , Yan Sh aozh e’s au r a w as ju st t oo p ow er fu l. For a
m om en t , H u o Yu h ao act u ally felt a lit t le b it sp eech less.
At t h at m om en t , a h u r r ied sh ou t su d d en ly r an g ou t . It w as so su d d en t h a t
b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Yan t r em b led in sh ock .
“Yan Sh aozh e, h ave you n o sh am e?”
“Ban g——” Som eon e for cib ly p u sh ed t h e office d oor op en . Qian Du od u o

im m ed iat ely t ook lar ge st r id es in t o t h e r o om w it h a fu r iou s lo ok on h is face, Fan
Yu t r ailin g closely b eh in d h im .
Yan Sh aozh e h ad b een ob ser vin g t h e ad van cem en t t est , b u t h ad left on ce h e’d
given H u o Yu h ao a p er fect scor e on h is t est . Zh ou Yi h ad felt t h at som et h in g w as
am iss w h en W an g Yan p u lled H u o Yu h a o aw ay aft er w ar d s. T h u s, w h ile t h e t est
w as st ill goin g on , sh e’d w r it t en a n ot e for W an g Don g t o give t o Fan Yu .
W h en Fan Yu saw t h e n ot e, h e im m ed iat ely k n ew w h at w a s goin g on . For

w h at r eason h ad Yan Sh aozh e p er son ally ob ser ved t h e ad van cem en t t est ? It w as
u n d ou b t ed ly for H u o Yu h ao’s sak e! W h en h is t h ou gh t p r ocess h ad r each ed t h is
p oin t , h e h ad n ’t d ar ed w ast e an ot h er secon d ; h e im m ed iat ely b egan sear ch in g
for Qian Du od u o.
Act u ally, t h ey h ad a lr ead y ar r ived a few m in u t es ago. Yan Sh aozh e h ad also

r ealized t h is w h en w as st an d in g in sid e of t h e r oom . As su ch , it w as on ly n at u r al
t h at t h ey’d h ear d w h at Yan Sh aozh e h ad said a m om en t ago. A flu r r y of ver b al
ab u se r ap id ly left Qian Du od u o’s m ou t h as b ot h an ger an d sh ock in t er m in gled
in sid e of h im .
Yan Sh aozh e sm iled an d r ep lied , “Old Qian , h ow ’d you m an age t o get en ou gh

fr ee t im e t o com e over t o t h e M a r t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s office b u ild in g?”
Qian Du od u o exasp er at ed ly said , “Yan Sh aozh e, d o you st ill w an t you r face?

Ah ? W h at d id w e agr ee on ? You p r om ised t o give H u o Yu h ao t o t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t —for h im t o b e a cor e d iscip le. T h is is w h at w as agr eed u p on w h en I
w on t h e b et at t h at t im e!”
Yan Sh aozh e r ep lied , “In d eed , I d id p r om ise t h at . H ow ever , even I am

h u m an , an d h u m an s w ill alw ays h ave t im es w h er e t h ey m ak e m ist ak es, r igh t ?
T h er e’s an old sayin g: ‘On e can on ly r efor m on eself aft er r ecogn isin g on e’s
m ist ak es.’. Am I n ot cor r ect in g m y m ist ak es r igh t n ow ?”
Qian Du od u o b ecam e fu r iou s. “Ru b b ish ! Ar e you sayin g t h at you can sh ove
sh it b ack in sid e aft er you ’ve excr et ed it ? ! If you d ar e t o st ea l h im fr om m e, I’ll
h ave t o figh t you .”
Yan Sh aozh e exp r ession r em ain ed b eam in g as h e r ep lied , “You w an n a figh t ?!

Su r e! W e fou gh t a lot w h en w e w er e you n ger . Now t h at w e’r e old … it r eally h as
b een a lon g t im e sin ce w e’ve lear n ed figh t in g t ech n iq u es fr om each ot h er ! Su r e,
let ’s go an d fin d a p lace t o figh t at . If I w in , H u o Yu h ao st ays in sid e of m y
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , an d you can ’t figh t m e over h im an ym or e.”
Qian Du od u o alm ost fain t ed fr om an ger . “Yan Sh aozh e, I’ve m et sh am eless

p eop le. H ow ever , I’ve n ever seen you b eh ave so sh am elessly b efor e. You d on ’t
k eep you r w or d . You ’r e sh am eless!”
Yan Sh aozh e felt lik e h e’d b een w r on gly a ccu sed , an d it sh ow ed on h is face. “I
d id n ’t k eep m y w or d ? H ow so? H ow am I sh am eless t oo? I d id w h at I p r om ised
you ! H u o Yu h ao is alr ead y a cor e d iscip le of you r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . I d id n ’t
st op t h at fr om h ap p en in g, r igh t ? I’m on ly p r op osin g som et h in g t o h im n ow . If
h e ch ooses t o ab an d on t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t an d r et u r n t o t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t , t h en I‘ll n at u r ally n eed t o w elcom e h im b ack w h oleh ear t ed ly. T h is
isn ’t ab ou t m e n ot k eep in g m y w or d . Yu h ao, you sh ou ld m ak e you r d ecision
soon . I can t ell you w it h u t m ost cer t ain t y t h at t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t can ’t
ach ieve all of t h ese p r om ises t h a t I’ve m a d e t o you . On e can ’t ju st k ill a h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l b east ju st b ecau se t h ey say t h ey can . If you ’r e n ot a T it led
Dou lu o r an k ed 95 an d ab ove, it ’s d efin it ely im p ossib le for you t o k ill a h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year so u l b east . H ow ever , it ju st so h ap p en s t h at I’ve cu lt ivat ed t o
r an k 95. You ’ll u n d er st an d w h at I m ean b y t h is w h en I give you an exam p le. If I
w er e t o sw ap p oin t er s w it h t h e vice-d ean of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , t h is Qian
Du od u o st an d in g b efor e you w ou ld n ’t st a n d a ch a n ce again st m e, even if I w er e
t o let h im m ak e t h e fir st m ove in a on e-on -on e b at t le. H e’s also a T it led Dou lu o
lik e m e. You can ask h im w h et h er or n ot h e h as t h e ab ilit y t o k ill a h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l b east you r self.”
Qian Du od u o felt lik e h is lu n gs w er e goin g t o exp lod e. Yan Sh aozh e h ad

alw ays over p ow er ed , ever sin ce t h ey w er e you n g. T h is fact h ad r em ain ed t r u e
t h is t im e ar ou n d t oo. H ow ever , h e t r u ly w ou ld n ’t b e Yan Sh a ozh e’s op p on en t if
t h ey en d ed u p figh t in g. Even t h ou gh Yan Sh aozh e’s w or d s w er e h ar sh , h e’d
on ly sp ok en t h e t r u t h . H ow ever , Qian Du od u o b ecam e even an gr ier t h an b efor e
b ecau se of t h is. It h ad n ever occu r r ed t o h im t h at Yan Sh aozh e w ou ld p er son ally
look for H u o Yu h ao, n or t h at h e w ou ld p led ge so m an y con d it ion s in or d er t o
st eal H u o Yu h ao aw a y fr om h im .
H ow ever , h e cou ld n ’t ar gu e w it h Yan Sh aozh e, t h u s h e t u r n ed t ow ar d s H u o

Yu h ao. “H u o Yu h ao, you ’r e alr ead y a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ,
as w ell as Fan Yu ’s d ir ect d iscip le. Fan Yu w ill b e t h e Dean of t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t in t h e fu t u r e. You ’r e also ext r em ely t alen t ed at m ak in g sou l t ools.
You ’r e w ell aw ar e of h ow t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t t r ea t s you . As su ch , I h op e
t h at you ’ll con sid er t h is m at t er car efu lly.”
Consi der ? Consi der w hat ? H uo Yuh ao’ s m i n d h ad becom e a st i ck y m ess; h e’ d

l ost al l of h i s abi l i t y t o t h i n k .
T h e h on or ab le Dean of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t st ood on on e sid e, w h ile
t h e vice-d ean of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t st ood on t h e ot h er . Bot h of t h em
w er e T it led Dou lu o p ow er h ou ses, w it h Dean Yan Sh aozh e b ein g a T r an scen d en t
T it led Dou lu o w h o’s sou l p ow er w as r an k 95. H u o Yu h ao w as on ly a st u d en t !
W h at cou ld h e even say in su ch a sit u at ion ? H e w ou ld n ’t d a r e t o offen d eit h er
p ar t y!
Fan Yu look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d saw t h at h e h ad b ecom e com p let ely

flu sh ed an d cou ld n ’t say a w or d . H e im m ed iat ely r u sh ed t o H u o Yu h ao’s sid e
an d p at t ed h im on t h e sh ou ld er in a com for t in g m an n er . H e t h en sa id , “Dean s,
you sh ou ld n ’t b ot h er Yu h ao an ym or e. Dean Yan , you ’r e t r u ly t h e on e in t h e
w r on g r egar d in g t h is m at t er ; Yu h ao h as alr ead y b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . In or d er t o m ain t ain t h e u n it y of b ot h d ep ar t m en t s,
p lease let sleep in g d ogs lie.”
Yan Sh aozh e’s at t it u d e ch an ged as h e faced Fan Yu . H e said in d iffer en t ly,

“Fan Yu , you sh ou ld alr ead y k n ow t h at H u o Yu h ao h as an Ult im at e elem en t . Do
you t h in k you r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t can n u r t u r e an Ult im at e elem en t b et t er
t h an ou r M ar t ia l So u l Dep ar t m en t ? Do you k n ow w h at an Ult im at e sou l m ast er
m ean s t o ou r acad em y? Du r in g t h e p ast t en t h ou san d year s, ou r Sh r ek Acad em y
h as b ecom e t h e con t in en t ’s n u m b er on e acad em y b y t ak in g on e st ep at a t im e.
Ot h er t h an t h e ext r em e leap w e exp er ien ced u n d er t h e lead er sh ip of An cest or
T an g San an d t h e or igin al Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s, ou r acad em y h as h ad t h r ee
glor iou s b at ch es. T h ose t h r ee b at ch es w er e all cr eat ed t h r ou gh t h e lead er sh ip of
an Ult im a t e Dou lu o. T h is w as h ow w e so lid ified ou r st a t u s. T h u s, H u o Yu h ao’s
Ult im at e elem en t h a s gr eat sign ifican ce t o u s. Un d er or d in ar y cir cu m st a n ces, I
w ou ld n ’t h ave u sed a m et h od lik e t h is t o r equ est t h a t h e r et u r n t o t h e M ar t ial
Sou l Dep ar t m en t . H ow ever , t h is m at t er is n o lon ger n egot ia b le. I’d r at h er n ot
b e so t h ick -sk in n ed b u t w e h ave t o m ak e h im st ay in t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t for t h e sak e of t h e acad em y’s glor y.”
Fan Yu t igh t ly fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s. H e d id n ’t t h in k t h at Yan Sh aozh e w ou ld

b e t h is st u b b or n an d t r ou b lesom e.
“Yan Sh aozh e, sh ou ld n ’t you ask m e fir st b efor e st ealin g on e of m y

st u d en t s?” A clear a n d m elod iou s voice r an g ou t as an ot h er p er son w alk ed in t o
t h e r oom , m ak in g W an g Yan ’s office m u ch m or e con gest ed .
T h e r age on Qian Du od u o’s face im m ed iat ely d issip at ed t h e m om en t h e saw

t h is p er son . “Lin ’er , I’m glad you fin ally cam e. Ot h er w ise, I’d d ie fr om an ger
d u e t o t h is old b ast ar d .”
T h e n ew com er w as a w om an , ab ou t 1.7m t all. Sh e look ed lik e sh e w as in h er

ear ly fift ies. H er sk in w as w h it e, h er b la ck h air w a s n eat ly b u n d led u p , an d h er
gild ed clot h es m ad e h er look ext r em ely exp er ien ced . T h ou gh sh e w as aged , on e
cou ld st ill t ell t h at sh e w as d efin it ely an ab solu t e b eau t y in h er you t h .
Fan Yu b en t d ow n t o H u o Yu h ao’s ear an d w h isp er ed , “T h is is ou r Dean , Xian

Lin ’er .”
H u o Yu h ao h ad calm ed d ow n m u ch m or e w it h Fan Yu b y h is sid e. H e k n ew

t h at r em ain in g silen t at t h is m om en t w as for t h e b est . W h en t h e god s w er e
figh t in g, it w as b et t er for a low ly st u d en t lik e h im t o st ay ou t of t h e w ay.
Yan Sh aozh e fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s u p on seein g Xian Lin ’er , “Lin ’er , you ’r e…”
Xian Lin ’er said icily, “W h en w e w er e you n g, you n ever k ep t you r w or d . Now
t h at w e’r e over eigh t y year s old , you ’r e st ill t h e sam e. You ’r e b u llyin g m y m en
t o t h eir b r eak in g p oin t . Did n ’t you say t h at you w er e ver y good at figh t in g?
Com e on , I’ll d u el you r igh t n ow . Let ’s go t o t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a.”
Yan Sh aozh e, w h o p r eviou sly h ad a clear ad van t age over Qian Du od u o an d

Fan Yu , h ad an em b ar r assed look on h is face n ow . “Lin ’er ,” h e said , “w h y ar e
you d oin g t h is? I t r u ly r egr et w h at I’ve d on e r egar d in g t h is m at t er . H ow ever ,
you sh ou ld u n d er st a n d w h at an Ult im a t e sou l m ast er m ean s for t h e fu t u r e of
ou r acad em y. T h is isn ’t som et h in g t h a t a sim p le b et can ch an ge. I’ve alr ead y
t alk ed it over w it h t h e t each er s fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d ; H u o Yu h ao m u st st ay
in m y M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t .”
Xian Lin ’er said icily, “An d w h at ar e you r elyin g on in or d er t o p u ll t h is off? Is

it ju st b ecau se you r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t is t h e t op -r an k ed on e in t h e
con t in en t ? Does t h a t m ean t h a t ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t h as t o give you ou r
cor e d iscip les? H ow d o you k n ow t h at t h is ch ild w on ’t b ecom e som eon e
ou t st an d in g b y st ayin g in ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ? I ad m it t h at w h a t you ’ve
said isn ’t w r on g; if you r M ar t ial So u l Dep ar t m en t n u r t u r es h im w ell, it ’s ver y
lik ely t h at h e’ll b ecom e you r d ep ar t m en t ’s fu t u r e p illar , an d in t u r n w ill allow
you t o m ain t ain you r p osit ion as t h e n u m b er on e m ar t ial sou l d ep ar t m en t on
t h e con t in en t . H ow ever , you h aven ’t t h ou gh t ab ou t w h a t h ap p en s if ou r Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t m an ages t o n u r t u r e h im w ell, h e m igh t b e ab le t o b r in g ou r
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t t o t h e n u m b er on e sp ot in t h e en t ir e con t in en t , allow in g
u s t o b e fr ee fr om t h e su p p r ession of t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e? I’ve exp licit ly
st at ed t h at you w on ’t b e ab le t o sn at ch an y st u d en t fr om m y d ep ar t m en t . You
d on ’t n eed t o for ce t h is ch ild eit h er ; h e b elon gs t o m y Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
You w er e t alk in g ab ou t a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east ? W h en t h e t im e
com es, I’ll h elp h im h u n t on e. If w or st com es t o w or st , I’ll ju st h an d m y life over
t o t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est . T h en , I’ll h ave b een for ced t o d eat h b y you .”
Qian Du od u o’s exp r ession b ecam e som ew h at st r an ge. H e w as sligh t ly

em b ar r assed an d yet n ot . H ow ever , t h e an ger on h is face h ad com p let ely
van ish ed .
T h is t im e ar ou n d , Yan Sh aozh e’s face alt er n at ed b et w een s sh ad es gr een an d

w h it e. H e h a d a m yr iad of for m s of sop h ist r y, yet h e cou ld n ’t u se an y of t h em in
fr on t of Xian Lin ’er . H e h ad a gu ilt y con scien ce r egar d in g h er , d u e t o cer t ain
t h in gs h e’d d on e d u r in g h is you t h . H ow ever , an Ult im a t e t w in -sou led sou l
m ast er w as som et h in g t h at m igh t n ot even occu r on ce in a m illen n iu m for t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . T h u s, as t h e Dean of t h e M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t , h e
cou ld n ’t sim p ly give u p b ecau se of h is p er son al feelin gs.
Yan Sh aozh e t ook a d eep b r eat h . “Lin ’er , h er e’s h ow I see it . T h is m at t er h as

alr ead y r each ed t h e p oin t w h er e w e can ’t set t le it t h r ou gh a sim p le
con ver sat ion . W h y d on ’t w e d ecid e it w it h a m eet in g in t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion ?
W h at d o you t h in k ?”
Xian Lin ’er d id n ’t h esit at e t o r ep ly, “Fin e. A m eet in g at t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion
it is. I’m ju st afr aid t h at you w on ’t sh ow u p . No m at t er w h at w ay you w or d it ,
ou r sid e’s m or e logical. Com e, w e’ll go an d gat h er t h e eld er s fr om t h e H all of
Con secr at ion an d st ar t t h e m eet in g. I w an t t o see h ow w h y you t h in k you ca n
st eal m y st u d en t .”
Yan Sh aozh e fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s t igh t ly, t h en t u r n ed t o H u o Yu h ao an d

r evealed a w ar m sm ile. “H u o Yu h ao, t h is m a t t er is also r elat ed t o you r ow n
in t er est s. You sh ou ld con sid er it car efu lly. As for u s, w e’ll h ave t o d iscu ss t h e
m at t er fir st .” W it h t h at , h e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d left .
Xian Lin ’er ’s exp r ession t u r n ed gr ave as sh e t u r n ed t o fa ce H u o Yu h ao.
“Ch ild , ign or e h im . You d on ’t n eed t o p ay t h is m at t er t oo m u ch at t en t ion .
Con t in u e t o cu lt ivat e d iligen t ly; t h e acad em y w ill m ak e ever yt h in g clear soon .”
W it h t h a t , sh e left as w ell. Qian Du od u o h u r r ied ly ch a sed aft er h er , leavin g Fan
Yu an d W an g Yan in t h e office.
W an g Yan w as som ew h at sp eech less. “It seem s t h a t t h is m at t er ’s got t en

n oisy. Aih …”
Fan Yu p at t ed H u o Yu h ao on t h e sh ou ld er . “Yu h ao, h ead b ack an d r est fir st .

Dean Xian ’s r igh t ; you d on ’t n eed t o w or r y t oo m u ch ab ou t t h is m at t er , n or
sh ou ld you feel an y m en t al b u r d en s over it . No m at t er w h at t h e Acad em y
d ecid es, in t h e en d , it w on ’t b e a b ad t h in g for you . W or k h ar d an d con t in u e
cu lt ivat in g. In cr easin g you r cu lt ivat ion is t h e m ost im p or t an t t h in g for you
r igh t n ow .”
On ce t h e Dean s h a d left , t h e p r essu r e t h at H u o Yu h ao felt in h is h ear t

lessen ed b y a lar ge am ou n t . H e h u r r ied ly n od d ed an d r ep lied , “Yes, t each er .”
T h e sm ar t est t h in g h e’d d on e t h r ou gh ou t t h e sit u a t ion w as t o n ot sh ow w h er e
h e st ood on t h e m at t er . T h ou gh h is h ear t w as n at u r ally in clin ed t ow ar d s t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , it w ou ld b e a lie if h e said t h at W a n g Yan an d Dean Yan
Sh aozh e’s w or d s h ad n ’t m oved h im .
T h e t h in g t h at h a d m oved h im m ost h a d n ’t b een Yan Sh aozh e’s p r om ises, as

h e alr ead y h ad t w o ext r em ely p ow er fu l an d in t elligen t sou l r in gs. H e w asn ’t
w or r ied ab ou t h is ch an ces of ob t ain in g p ow er fu l sou l r in gs a n d sou l b on es in t h e
fu t u r e eit h er . W h at W an g Yan h ad said ab ou t t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t
b ein g b est qu alified t o t each a st u d en t w it h an Ult im at e m a r t ial sou l, h ow ever ,
h ad m oved h im . Fu r t h er m or e, Yan Sh a ozh e h ad ap ologised t o h im w it h h is
st at u s as a Dean , an d h ad even p r om ised t o allow W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao t o
d ir ect ly en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d . Even if h e d id n ’t t h in k ab ou t h im self, it
w asn ’t as if h e cou ld sim p ly n ot car e for h is com p an ion s. For h im t o m ak e su ch a
d ecision r igh t n ow w as sim p ly t oo d ifficu lt for h im . As su ch , h e’d sim p ly
d ecid ed t o r em ain silen t an d allow t h e acad em y t o m ak e t h e d ecision for h im .
H e’d alr ead y t h ou gh t it t h r ou gh ; n o m at t er w h at t h e acad em y’s fin al d ecision
w as, h e’d fu lly com p ly w it h it . In t h e d eep est r ecesses of h is h ear t h ow ever , h e
d id n ’t t r u ly w ish t o give u p on eit h er sid e, n or w as h e ab le t o.
W h en left t h e facu lt y b u ild in g, h e saw W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao w ait in g for

h im . T h ey im m ed ia t ely r u sh ed over t o h im t h e in st an t t h ey sa w h im .
W an g Don g sp ok e in a low voice, “W h at ’s t h e sit u at ion ? W h at d id T each er

W an g call you over for ?”
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t con ceal an yt h in g in fr o n t of t h em . H e r ecou n t ed t h e even t s

t h at h ad occu r r ed in T each er W an g Yan ’s office. Bot h W an g Don g an d Xiao
Xiao’s eyes w en t w id e w h en t h ey h ear d t h at t h e t h r ee Dea n s h ad fou gh t over
h im .
W an g Don g w as ast on ish ed as h e said , “T r u ly cap ab le! You ’ve b ecom e so

p op u lar so q u ick ly. Dean Yan seem s r eally sin cer e, t oo! H ow ever , t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t ’s t r ea t ed you w ell. W h at d o you t h in k ?”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled b it t er ly. “W h at ’s t h er e t o t h in k ab ou t ? T h er e’s n ot h in g I

can ch an ge; I’m m er ely a st u d en t . Do you r eally t h in k t h at I get t o d ecid e
an yt h in g? I’ll ju st com p ly w it h t h e acad em y’s ar r an gem en t s. Dean Yan , Dean
Xian , an d Dean Qian h ave all left t o h ave a m eet in g. I r eck on t h at t h ey’ll h ave a
r esu lt sh or t ly. H ow ever … I’d p r efer t o n ot give u p on eit h er sid e.”
Xiao Xiao w as som ew h at w or r ied . “W ou ld n ’t you n ot get an yt h in g good fr om

b ot h p ar t ies t h en ? Yu h ao, you d on ’t h ave t o w or r y ab ou t u s. I’m con fid en t t h at
I’ll b e ab le t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d w it h m y ow n h ar d w or k . It ’s fin e if you
m ak e you r ow n ch oice.”
H u o Yu h ao w as gr eat ly m oved w h en h e h ear d h er w or d s. H e look ed at h er

sm all, p r et t y face an d sin cer ely said , “T h an k s, Xiao Xiao.”
W an g Don g’s exp r ession t en sed u p , b u t t h en qu ick ly r elaxed . “Let ’s h ead b ack
fir st . You ’r e r igh t , it ’d b e b est for t h e acad em y t o m ak e t h e d ecision .”
H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly ask ed , “Righ t , Xiao Xiao. H ow ’d you d o in you r t est ?”
Xiao Xiao giggled . “110 m ar k s. I’m a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er , an d I also ch ose
a t h ou san d year sou l b east . Even t h ou gh t h e sou l b east an d I fou gh t for qu it e a
w h ile, it cou ld n ’t d o an yt h in g t o m e u n t il m y sou l p ow er h ad b een fu lly d r ain ed .
T h e ju d ges gave m e a h igh scor e w h en t h ey saw t h is.”
W an g Don g said , “Righ t , t h at Dai H u ab in lost t o u s again . W h en w ill w e set t le

ou r b et ?”
H u o Yu h ao t r u ly w a sn ’t in t h e m ood t o d eal w it h Dai H u ab in . Fu r t h er m or e,

h e felt som ew h at r egr et fu l. If it h a d n ’t b een for t h eir b et , h e w ou ld n ’t h ave h ad
t o r eveal h is ab ilit ies d u r in g t h eir ad van cem en t t est . If n ot for t h at , h e n at u r ally
w ou ld n ’t h a ve t o d ea l w it h t h e p r ed icam en t h e w as cu r r en t ly in .
“W e’ll ign or e h im for n ow ,” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “let ’s ju st h ead b ack t o ou r

d or m r oom s an d w ait for t h e acad em y’s d ecision . It ’d b e b est t o sim p ly b e a b it
m or e ob ed ien t for t h e t im e b ein g.”
W an g Don g n od d ed . “T h at ’s t h at t h en . Let ’s h ead b ack an d cu lt ivat e.”
“It ’s r ar e for you t o b e t h is d iligen t !” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied jok in gly.
W an g Don g sn or t ed . “H ow cou ld I n ot feel en d an ger ed n ow t h at you ’ve

b ecom e so p op u lar ? Sp eak in g of w h ich , t h at Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l of you r s is
r eally m agical. Even a t h o u san d year so u l b east w as scar ed t o t h e p oin t t h at it
t r ied t o flee fr om it .”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “I w as sim p ly r elyin g on m y elem en t a l ad van t age. If it

w er e a t r u e 1v1, you an d Dai H u ab in ar e m u ch st r on ger t h a n I am . I’m d efin it ely
n ot a m at ch for you gu ys. Righ t , Xiao Xiao, w h at sou l r an k ar e you at n ow ?”
Xiao Xiao said , “I’m at Ran k 28 n ow ! I r eck on t h at I’ll b e ab le t o r each Ran k 30

b y t h e en d of t h e year .” W h en sh e’d fir st en t er ed t h e acad em y, h er sou l r an k
h ad b een at ar ou n d W an g Don g’s level. H ow ever , sh e d id n ’t h ave t h e H aod on g
Pow er t h at W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao h ad . As su ch , t h e d iffer en ce in t h eir
cu lt ivat ion sp eed w as ap p ar en t n ow .
“Let ’s h ead b ack ,” H u o Yu h ao said “t h e m ost im p or t an t t h in g w e h ave t o d o

r igh t n ow is t o w or k h ar d an d in cr ease ou r st r en gt h . W e’ll b e con sid er ed t o h ave
est ab lish ed ou r selves in t h e acad em y on ce w e b ecom e d iscip les of t h e in n er
cou r t yar d .”
------------
Sea God ’s Islan d .
Sea God ’s Islan d h ad sever al b u ild in gs on it , b u t on e a m on g t h em w as

u n q u est ion ab ly t h e t allest an d gr an d est . T h is b u ild in g w as t h e Sea God ’s
Pavilion , sit u a t ed in t h e h ear t of t h e islan d .
Sea God ’s Pavilion w as six floor s t all, an d ever y floor w as m or e t h an t en

m et er s h igh , w h ich r esu lt ed in an ext r em ely gr an d st r u ct u r e. In t u r n , t h e m ist
t h at p er va d ed t h e islan d year -r ou n d m ad e it so t h at Sh r ek Acad em y’s ou t er
cou r t yar d w as u n ab le t o see it clea r ly.
Sea God ’s Pavilion w as t h e m ost im p or t an t p lace w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y, as

t h e H all of Con secr at ion w as locat ed w it h in it . T h e secr et lib r ar y t h at Yan
Sh aozh e h ad sp ok en t o W an g Yan ab ou t w as also locat ed h er e. T h er e w er e also a
few secr et s n ot k n ow n t o an yon e locat ed h er e as w ell. T h u s, t h er e w as n o lack of
ext r em ely valu ab le t r easu r es h er e.
Chapt er 54.1: M eet ing at t he Sea God's Pavilion
Of cou r se, a p lace t h at h eld t r easu r es w ou ld alw ays at t r act t h ieves. Nu m er ou s

ar r ogan t exp er t s w h o’d t h ou gh t h igh ly of t h em selves h a d secr et ly t r ied t o
in filt r at e Sea God ’s Islan d in t h e p ast , in h op es of st ealin g t h e it em s w it h in .
H ow ever , n on e h ad ever b een ab le t o lea ve on ce t h ey en t er ed t h e isla n d .
M eet in gs w ou ld b e h eld at Sea God ’s Islan d ever y t im e a m ajor even t

h ap p en ed w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y. T h ese m eet in gs w er e of t h e h igh est
im p or t an ce t o t h e acad em y. On ly t h e Dean s an d Vice Dean s of t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t an d So u l T ool Dep ar t m en t , alon g w it h t h e r esid en t eld er s of t h e
H all of Con secr at ion , h ad t h e r igh t t o t ak e p ar t in t h ese m eet in gs. Im p or t an t
m at t er s w ou ld b e r esolved t h r ou gh a sh ow of h an d s.
T h e Dean an d Vice Dean of b ot h d ep ar t m en t s h ad on e vot e each in t h ese

m eet in gs.
Cu r r en t ly, t h e gr an d con fer en ce h all w as com p let ely silen t . In sid e of t h e

r oom , t en p eop le sat ar ou n d a lon g oval t ab le. A r eclin er h ad b een p laced at t h e
in n er m ost sect ion , w h er e t h e h ead of t h e lon g t ab le sat . T h e ligh t ar ou n d t h e
r eclin er w as ext r em ely d im ; on e cou ld on ly fain t ly see t h at a p er son seem ed t o
b e lyin g on it . Com p ar ed t o t h e t en p eop le sit t in g ar ou n d t h e r ou n d t ab le, h is
p ost u r e cau sed h im t o ap p ear p ar t icu lar ly u n u su al.
Xian Lin ’er an d Qia n Du od u o sat on t h e r igh t h an d sid e of t h e lon g t ab le, at

t h e ver y en d , w h ile Yan Sh aozh e an d a w om an w h o look ed t o b e ar ou n d fift y
year s old sat at t h e en d of t h e t ab le on t h e left h an d sid e. T h e w om an look ed lik e
sh e’d b een ext r em ely b eau t ifu l w h en sh e w as you n g. T h ou gh t h ey w er e b ot h
w om en , sh e d id n ’t even glan ce in Xian Lin ’er ’s d ir ect ion . Sh e in st ea d
m ain t ain ed a st er n ap p ear an ce as sh e sat n ext t o Yan Sh aozh e. J u st lik e Qia n
Du od u o, t h ey sat op p osit e on e an ot h er .
Besid es t h e fou r of t h em , t h e six p eop le w h o w er e sit t in g closer t o fr on t of t h e
t ab le w er e all Eld er s. Ever y sin gle on e of t h em w er e old , gr ay-h air ed in d ivid u als.
Of cou r se, t h eir for m s w er e d iffer en t , a fact t h at cou ld b e seen t h r ou gh t h e w ay
each of t h em sat .
Xian Lin ’er , Qian Du od u o, Yan Sh aozh e, an d t h a t w om an t h at look ed fift y

year s old sat in a com p ar at ively p r op er m an n er , w h ile t h e Eld er s all sat in
var iou s p ost u r es. Pr esen t am on gst t h em w as t h e Eld er t h a t W an g Yan h ad called
Eld er Xu an . H e w as seat ed n ear t h e fr on t of t h e t ab le an d t o t h e r igh t of t h e
ch air p er son . T h is also m ean t t h at h e w as cu r r en t ly seat ed in t h e fir st seat at Yan
Sh aozh e’s en d of t h e t ab le.
At t h at m om en t , Eld er Xu an h ad a d r u m st ick in h is left h an d an d a w in e

calab ash in h is r igh t . H e look ed ext r em ely r elaxed as h e con t in u ed t o eat an d
d r in k a t t h e t ab le.
“Now t h at ever yon e h as ar r ived , let ’s b egin t h e m eet in g. Sh aozh e, t ak e

ch ar ge of t h e m eet in g.” A gen t le voice r a n g ou t . H ear in g t h is voice w ou ld ca u se
on e t o feel as if t h eir sou l an d m in d h ad b een clean sed , yet it w asn ’t en ou gh t o
d iscer n t h e ow n er ’s age. T h is voice cam e fr om t h e h ead of t h e t ab le—fr om t h e
on e lyin g on t h e r eclin er t h at w a s h id d en w it h in t h e d a r k n ess.
“Yes, t each er .” Yan Sh aozh e st ood an d b ow ed t ow ar d s t h e p er son sit t in g at

t h e h ead of t h e t ab le.
If an y ou t sid er s w er e t o h ear t h e w ay Yan Sh aozh e ad d r essed t h at p er son ,

t h ey w ou ld ju m p in sh ock . On e h ad t o r ealize t h at Yan Sh aozh e w as fam ou s for
b ein g over sixt y year s old , b u t in r ea lit y, h e w as over n in et y year s old .
Fu r t h er m or e, h is t each er w as act u ally st ill alive an d in good sh ap e! T h is w as
r eally sh ock in g n ew s!
Even Eld er Xu an p u t h is d r u m st ick an d w in e calab ash d ow n w h en h e h ear d

t h e gen t le voice r a n g ou t . H e r u b b ed h is oily p alm s on h is clot h es, t h en
p r oceed ed t o sit r elat ively st r aigh t . T h e ot h er r esid en t Eld er s also assu m ed
r at h er p r op er sit t in g p osit ion s; on ly t h e p er son lyin g d ow n k ep t t h eir p ost u r e.
Yan Sh aozh e b ow ed sligh t ly t ow ar d t h e Eld er s in fr on t . “T each er an d fellow
r esid en t eld er s, Lin ’er an d I h ave gat h er ed ever yon e h er e t od ay an d in it ia t ed a
Sea God ’s Islan d m eet in g for a m at t er t h at w ill d ecid e w h et h er or n ot ou r
acad em y w ill con t in u e t o p r osp er in t h e cen t u r ies t o com e.”
“Ban g!” Xian Lin ’er violen t ly slam m ed h is h an d d ow n on t h e t ab le. “Cu t t h e

ch it ch at a n d st op t r yin g t o scar e p eop le Yan Sh aozh e. Get t o t h e p oin t .”
T h e eld er s b ecam e som ew h at sh ock ed w h en sh e slam m ed h er h an d d ow n on

t h e t ab le. T h e look s in t h eir eyes t u r n ed som ew h at st r an ge as w ell. T h e old
w om an w h o w as sit t in g t o t h e r igh t of t h e ch air p er son fr ow n ed an d said ,
“Lin ’er , t h is is a m eet in g on Sea God ’s Islan d . If you ’r e goin g t o m ak e a r u ck u s,
get ou t .”
T h er e w as a sligh t ch an ge in Xian Lin ’er ’s exp r ession w h en sh e h ear d t h is.

Sh e sn or t ed , b u t d id n ’t say an yt h in g else.
T h e old w om an ’s h air w as as w h it e as sn o w , b u t t h er e w er en ’t m an y w r in k les

on h er face. An ext r em ely gen t le glow w as also p r esen t w it h in h er eyes. No
m at t er w h a t w ay on e look ed at it , sh e lo ok ed lik e an am iab le old gr an d m ot h er .
Sh e t h en t u r n ed t ow ar d s Yan Sh aozh e, gave h im a sm all sm ile, an d said ,
“Sh aozh e, con t in u e.”
“Yes, Eld er Lin .” Yan Sh aozh e look ed t ow ar d s Xian Lin ’er . Even t h ou gh a
som ew h at ap ologet ic look w as p r esen t in h is eyes, h is d et er m in at ion sh on e
t h r ou gh even m or e. As t h e Dean of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , h e d efin it ely
cou ld n ’t let h is p er son al feelin gs affect h is d ecision s.
Xian Lin ’er t u r n ed h er h ead t o t h e sid e, r efu sin g t o look h im in t h e eyes.
Yan Sh aozh e low er ed h is voice an d sa id , “T o all t h e r esid en t eld er s, t h e

m at t er is a s follow s…” As h e sp ok e, h e d id n ’t con ceal t h e t r u t h . H e b egan w it h
t h e b et h e’d m ad e w it h Qian Du od u o, t h en n ar r at ed H u o Yu h ao’s p er for m an ce
w it h ou t m issin g a sin gle d et ail.
“...W h en t h is st u d en t r et u r n ed fr om t h e h olid ays, n ot on ly d id h e h ave a
secon d m ar t ial sou l, it w as also an Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l. Even t h ou gh h is fir st
m ar t ial sou l isn ’t t h at good , as a n Ult im at e t yp e sou l m a st er , h e’s b ou n d t o
b ecom e a p illar for t h e acad em y in t h e fu t u r e—if h e’s n u r t u r ed w it h car e.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h is ch ild is a n or p h an . T h er e’s a p ossib ilit y t h at w e cou ld a lso
figh t for h im t o st ay w it h in t h e acad em y.
“I lost t h e b et w it h Dean Qian , b u t it m u st b e st at ed t h a t on ly t h e M ar t ial So u l

Dep ar t m en t h as t h e exp er ien ce t o p r op er ly r aise an d t each som eon e w it h an
Ult im at e elem en t . It ’s also t h e on ly w ay h e’ll r each h is fu ll p ot en t ial.”
Yan Sh aozh e’s w or d s w er e sim p le, b u t h e sp ok e in a ver y n a t u r al m an n er a s

h e exp osed t h e w ay t h at Qian Du od u o h ad laid a t r ap b y u sin g a st r at agem in
or d er t o en su r e t h a t H u o Yu h ao cou ld b ecom e a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t .
W h en t h ey h ear d w h at h e h ad t o say, su r p r ised look s on all of t h e r esid en t

eld er ’s faces. Eld er Xu an in p ar t icu lar h a d k n it h is eyeb r ow s closely t oget h er —as
if h e cou ld n o lon ger see t h e d r u m st ick b efor e h im .
T h er e w er e t w o w ays a Sea God ’s Islan d m eet in g cou ld b e h eld . On e w as t h e

p er iod ic m eet in g t h at w as h eld an n u ally, w h ile t h e ot h er w as an in t er im
m eet in g. T h e p er iod ic m eet in gs w er e n or m al, b u t w h en an in t er im m eet in g w as
h eld , it im p lied t h at som et h in g m ajor h ad h ap p en ed in t h e acad em y. T h e few
t im es t h at an in t er im m eet in g h ad b een h eld t h r ou gh ou t t h e cou r se of h ist or y
h ad d ecid ed t h e d ir ect ion t h a t t h e con t in en t w ou ld h ead t ow a r d s.
It w as d efin it ely w or t h h ost in g a in t er im m eet in g for an Ult im at e at t r ib u t e

sou l m ast er . H ow ev er , w h en t h e r esid en t eld er s r ea lized t h at t h e M ar t ia l Sou l
Dep ar t m en t an d t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t w er e figh t in g over t h e st u d en t , t h eir
exp r ession s r elaxed qu it e a b it . T h is w as an in t er n a l p r ob lem ; it sh ou ld b e
r elat ively easy t o set t le com p ar ed t o ot h er m at t er s.
As soon as Yan Sh aozh e h ad fin ish ed sp eak in g an d h ad sat d ow n , Qian

Du od u o im m ed iat ely st ood u p .
“Fellow eld er s, I d on ’t com p let ely agr ee w it h Dean Yan ’s n ar r at ion . Su r e, w e
m ad e a b et . H ow ever , w h en w e d id so, even t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t d id n ’t
k n ow t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld gain a secon d m ar t ial sou l. It goes w it h ou t sayin g
t h at t h is is an ext r a or d in ar ily r ar e occu r r en ce. An yw ay, w h at w e saw in h im
w as h is t alen t t ow ar d s sou l t ools.
“H u o Yu h ao h ad b een for m ally d eclar ed as Fan Yu ’s d iscip le. In t h e sh or t

sp an of eigh t m on t h s, h e’s gon e fr om a n or m al sou l en gin eer —som eon e w h o’d
n ever on ce t ou ch ed a sou l t ool in h is life—t o a Class 2 sou l en gin eer . T h is r at e of
im p r ovem en t is a n ew r ecor d in t h e acad em y’s h ist or y. T h is ch ild is b ot h
h ar d w or k in g an d en d u r es h ar d sh ip . H e h as n o sm all am ou n t of Fan Yu ’s p r aise.
W h en w e lear n ed of t h is, w e h ad alr ead y d ecid ed t o t ak e h im in as a cor e
d iscip le; h ow cou ld w e let su ch a t alen t slip t h r ou gh ou r fin ger s? Fu r t h er m or e,
t h e M a r t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ch ose n ot t o m ak e h im a cor e d iscip le, d esp it e h im
lead in g h is t eam t o w in t h e fr esh m en t est . H ow ever , ju st as lu ck w ou ld h ave it ,
Dean Yan d iscover ed h is secon d m ar t ial sou l, t h u s h e is n ow figh t in g u s over
h im . W h at h ap p en ed t o t h e aca d em y’s r u les? I st an d h er e as a r ep r esen t a t ive of
t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t : No m a t t er w h at h ap p en s, t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t
ab solu t ely w on ’t giv e u p on su ch a t alen t ed p er son . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t h as a lr ead y d ecid ed t o p u t a ll of ou r r esou r ces in t o n u r t u r in g t h is
ch ild . W e sh all st r ive t o n u r t u r e h im in t o Sh r ek Acad em y’s fir st Class 9 sou l
en gin eer w it h in t h ir t y year s.
“In or d er t o n u r t u r e H u o Yu h ao, Dean Xian , Fan Yu , an d I h a ve t alk ed t h in gs

over . W e’ve d ecid ed t h at t h e Ult im a t e Sold ier Plan w ill r est on h is sh ou ld er s. As
su ch , H e Cait ou —w h o w as or igin ally t ask ed w it h car r yin g ou t t h is p lan —w ill
act as an au xilia r y sou l en gin eer an d w ill h elp ed u cat e h im .
“Fellow r esid en t eld er s, I can u n d er st an d Dean Yan ’s feelin gs; an Ult im a t e-

t yp e m ar t ial sou l is in d eed ext r em ely im p or t an t t o t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t .
H ow ever , is it n ot im p or t an t t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t as w ell? T h eir
d ep ar t m en t h a s alr ead y b ecom e t h e n u m b er on e m ar t ial sou l d ep ar t m en t on t h e
con t in en t , yet ou r s h asn ’t . W e’r e alw ays st r ivin g t o d o ou r b est in t h e h op es t h at
w e’ll m ak e a b r eak t h r ou gh . Yet , w h at d o w e lack t h e m ost ? T alen t ! Fellow
r esid en t eld er s, p lease t h in k t h is t h r ou gh . Ever sin ce ou r d ep ar t m en t w as
est ab lish ed , w h en h ave w e n ot accep t ed t h e r eject s of t h e M a r t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t ? H ow ar e w e su p p osed t o com p et e w it h t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e
u n d er su ch cir cu m st an ces? W e ar en ’t lack in g in m on ey, n or ar e w e lack in g in
r esou r ces n ow . W h at w e ar e lack in g in is t alen t ! H u o Yu h ao h as d isp layed
ext r aor d in ar y t a len t s t ow ar d s b ein g a sou l en gin eer . Fu r t h er m or e, h e n ow h as
t w in m ar t ial sou ls, on e of w h ich is an Ult im a t e at t r ib u t e. I’m ab solu t ely
con fid en t t h at I can n u r t u r e h im in t o an ext r em ely p ow er fu l sou l en gin eer . As
su ch , w e d efin it ely w ill n ot , an d ar e n ot w illin g t o, p ar t w it h t h is st u d en t .”
Qian Du od u o w en t st r aigh t t o t h e p oin t w it h ou t b eat in g ar ou n d t h e b u sh . H is

w or d s w er e far m or e d ir ect t h an Yan Sh aozh e’s h ad b een . In r ealit y, t h e Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t w as act u ally b ein g r eason ab le ab ou t t h is m a t t er .
Xian Lin ’er said , “Dean Qian ’s in t en t ion s ar e m y in t en t ion s. T h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t is w illin g t o st ak e ever yt h in g on t h is ch ild . If h e’s u n ab le t o fu lfill
t h e Ult im at e Sold ier Plan , I’m w illin g t o r esign fr om m y p osit ion as Dean of t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .”
Yan Sh aozh e an d t h e w om an sit t in g b esid e h im w er e sh ock ed w h en t h ey

h ear d h er say t h is. T h is w as t oo cr u el! Xian Lin ’er r eally w as b ein g r u t h less
w h en sh e m ad e t h is m ove.
It w as t r u e t h a t t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t h ad h eld ab solu t e d om in an ce

w it h in t h e acad em y ever sin ce Sh r ek Acad em y h ad b een fou n d ed . H ow ever ,
w h en b ot h d ep ar t m en t s w er e align ed sid e b y sid e, Xian Lin ’er an d Qian Du od u o
w er e on p ar w it h t h em in sou l r an k . Even t h ou gh m ost of t h e r esid en t eld er s
w er e fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , t h ey cou ld n ’t d isr egar d t h e op in ion s of
b ot h Dean s fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . T h is w as even m or e t r u e sin ce t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t w er e act u ally b ein g r eason ab le ab ou t t h e m at t er .
For a m om en t , Yan Sh aozh e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel t h at t h in gs r ea lly h a d

b ecom e m or e d ifficu lt for h im . If t h ey con t in u ed t o figh t lik e t h is, t h e con flict
b et w een b ot h p ar t ies w ou ld r eally sp ir al t ow ar d s an all-o u t exp losion . T h is
w asn ’t w h at h e h op ed t o see.
Eld er Xu an fin ally sp ok e u p . H e cou gh ed sligh t ly b efor e h e said , “I u n d er st an d

you r in t en t ion s, a n d I exam in ed t h is st u d en t H u o Yu h ao in t h e p ast . At t h a t
t im e, t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t d id n ’t w an t h im m ain ly b ecau se of h is t en
year sou l r in g. M or eover , it ’ll b e ext r em ely d ifficu lt t o ob t ain sou l r in gs for h is
Sp ir it Eyes in t h e fu t u r e as it ’s a sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial so u l. T h u s, it ’ll b e h ar d
for h im t o p er for m t o h is fu llest p ot en t ial. T h ou gh it w as a Bod y Sou l, I
in vest igat ed h is b od y’s con d it ion . Fr om t h e st at e of h is b od y at t h at t im e, I saw
t h at t h e p ossib ilit y of h im aw ak en in g h is Bod y Sou l a secon d t im e w as ver y
sm all.”
“As w e all k n ow , t h e m or e im p or t an t t h e locat ion of a Bod y Sou l is, t h e

st r on ger it is. H ow ever , t h is on ly ap p lies aft er t h e secon d aw ak en in g. T h e m or e
im p or t an t t h e locat ion of a Bod y Sou l, t h e sm aller t h e ch an ces of it aw ak en in g a
secon d t im e. T h e eyes ar e t h e w in d ow t o t h e sp ir it , m ak in g t h em t h e st r on gest
sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l am on g Bod y Sou ls. T h is m ean s t h at it w ill b e t oo
h ar d for h im t o aw ak en it a secon d t im e. I’ve n ever h ea r d of a Bod y Sou l on t h is
level, even w it h in t h e Bod y Sect . T h u s, I can gu ar an t ee t h at t h e or igin s of h is
secon d m ar t ia l sou l a r e u n r elat ed t o h is Bod y Sou l.”
“T h is is som ew h at st r an ge. W h er e d id h is secon d m ar t ial so u l com e fr om ? I

feel t h at it ’d b e b et t er for u s t o d ig in t o t h is a lit t le d eep er .”
Eld er Lin w h o w as seat ed op p osit e Eld er Xu an sm iled sligh t ly. “Eld er Xu an ,

you ’r e st r ayin g fr om t h e t op ic at h an d . W e can in vest igat e t h is ch ild ’s sit u at ion
lat er , b u t ou r cu r r en t m eet in g is b ein g h eld t o d ecid e t h e p at h of h is fu t u r e
cu lt ivat ion .”
Eld er Xu an lau gh ed m isch ievou sly. “N at u r ally, it ’d b e b et t er for h im t o

r em ain w it h ou r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . Regar d less of w h er e h is secon d
m ar t ial sou l cam e fr om , as lon g as it ’s t r u ly an Ult im a t e on e, st ayin g in t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t is clea r ly t h e b est op t ion for h im . W e h ave p r eced en t
in t r a in in g sou l m ast er s w it h Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou ls, an d w e’r e st ill lack in g a
few m en .”
Eld er Lin sh ook h er h ead . “T h is isn ’t p r op er . W h at Qian Du od u o said m ak es

sen se; t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t h as alw ays b een ext r em ely lack in g in t alen t .
T h at ch ild ’s alr ead y a cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . M ak in g su ch a
ch an ge in t h e acad em y’s p olicy isn ’t con for m in g t o t h e acad em y’s r u les.”
Eld er Xu an cu r led h is lip s, “W h at isn ’t con for m in g t o t h e a cad em y’s r u les?

Let m e ask you t h is: w h er e d oes t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t r ecr u it st u d en t s
fr om ? At t h e ver y least , fr om t h e t h ir d year s in t h e M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t .
Bu t , w h at ab ou t t h is H u o Yu h ao? H e’s ju st en t er ed Year 2. T h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t ’s t h e on e w h o h as b r ok en t h e r u les in t h e fir st p lace.”
Yan Sh aozh e w as over joyed . H e in w ar d ly t h ou gh t t o h im self, T h e old er

gen er at ion is st ill m or e exp er ien ced t h an t h e you n ger on e! Even if Eld er Xu an
w as n or m ally d r u n k , h e w ou ld n ’t b e vagu e in t h e least d u r in g im p or t an t
m om en t s.
T h e eld er seat ed b esid e Eld er Lin sh ook h is h ead . “Eld er Xu an , w h at you ’r e

sayin g d oesn ’t h ave an y m ean in g at all. I u n d er st an d sou l en gin eer s b et t er t h an
you , an d t h is is t h e fir st t im e I’ve h ear d of a p er son b eco m in g a Class 2 sou l
en gin eer w it h in eigh t m on t h s. I’m afr aid t h a t even t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e
d oesn ’t h ave a st u d en t on t h is level. Fu r t h er m or e, all of u s ap p r oved of t h e
Ult im at e Sold ier Pla n d u r in g a m eet in g h er e. Now t h at Xian Lin ’er an d Qian
Du od u o ar e t r yin g t o r ealise t h is p lan t oget h er , w e sh ou ld b e en cou r agin g t h em .
In an y case, t h is st u d en t is st ayin g in ou r acad em y, so goin g t o t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t gives t h e sam e r esu lt s.”
Eld er Xu an sn or t ed . “T h e sam e? H ow can it even b e t h e sam e? Leavin g h im in

t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t is an u t t er w ast e of h is t alen t .”
Xian Lin ’er b ecam e an gr y, an d st ood u p . “Eld er Xu an , w h y is leavin g h im in

m y Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t a w ast e? T h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t k eep s
r ep eat in g over an d over again t h at t h ey h ave exp er ien ce in t r ain in g a sou l
m ast er w it h an Ult im at e m ar t ia l sou l, b u t fr om w h at I r ecall, H u o Yu h ao h as an
Ice-t yp e Ult im at e m a r t ial sou l. Do you h ave exp er ien ce in n u r t u r in g an Ult im at e
Ice m ar t ial sou l? M or eover , you ’r e an eld er . You sh ou ld n ’t b e favou r in g t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep a r t m en t . Sin ce you k eep sid in g w it h t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t , is t h er e an y p oin t in ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t exist in g?”
Eld er Xu an b ecam e an gr y as w ell. “You gir l! I’m b iased b ecau se a m ar t ial sou l
is t h e r oot of a sou l m ast er , as w ell as t h e r oot of ou r Sh r ek Acad em y. T h e Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t is in d eed im p or t an t , an d I d on ’t w an t t o k eep h elp in g t h e
M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t in t h is d isp u t e eit h er . W h y d on ’t w e d o t h is? Sh aozh e,
ch oose t en cor e d iscip les fr om t h e M a r t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t an d let Lin ’er
ch oose t h r ee of t h em for an exch an ge. T h is sh ou ld b e fin e.”
Yan Sh aozh e’s eyes lit u p , Righ t ! T h is w as a good p lan . Did n ’t you r Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t say t h at you w er e lack in g t alen t s? T h en , I’ll u se t alen t s t o b ar t er
w it h you .
H e h u r r ied ly d eclar ed h is p osit ion , “T h is isn ’t a p r ob lem . W h y d on ’t w e u se

five cor e d iscip les of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t an d t r a d e t h em for H u o
Yu h ao? T h is can b e con sid er ed t o b e u s h avin g ver y good fait h . It ’s t r u e t h at ou r
M ar t ial So u l Dep ar t m en t h asn ’t b een su p p or t in g t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t
en ou gh d u r in g t h ese year s. W h y d on ’t w e d o t h is? Dean Xian , Dean Qian ,
t h ou gh w e’r e in ch a r ge of d iffer en t d ep ar t m en t s, w e all h a ve t h e sam e goals;
t h at is, t o d evelop an d st r en gt h en ou r Sh r ek Acad em y even m or e. Righ t h er e,
I’ll p r om ise you t w o t h at fr om n ow on , ou r M a r t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t w on ’t
ch oose ou r cor e d iscip les b efor e t h ey en t er Year 3. Aft er Year 3, w e’ll ch oose
t h em alon g w it h you gu ys, allow in g t h ese st u d en t s t o ch oose t h e fu t u r e p at h of
t h eir cu lt ivat ion s. T h is w ay, I’m con fid en t t h at w e w on ’t even n eed t en year s
for t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t t o d evelop at a r ap id p ace.”
T h e exp r ession s of t h e or igin ally fu r iou s Xian Lin ’er an d Qian Du o d u o

soft en ed im m ed iat ely aft er list en in g t o Yan Sh aozh e’s w or d s. T h ey h ad n o
ch oice b u t t o ad m it t h at h e w as a m an w h o m ad e ver y p r om p t d ecision s.
Fu r t h er m or e, h is p r om ise t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t w ou ld b e of t r em en d o u s
b en efit t ow ar d s t h eir fu t u r e d evelop m en t . At t h e sam e t im e, t h is r evealed h is
d et er m in at ion t o ob t ain H u o Yu h ao. Qia n Du od u o’s st in gin ess w as in t h e for m
of m on ey, b u t Yan Sh aozh e’s st in gin ess w as in t h e for m of t a len t s. T h e fact t h at
h e cou ld m ak e a con cession lik e t h at t r u ly sign ified t h at h e w as ext r em ely
sin cer e.
Eld er Lin , w h o w as seat ed on t h e fir st sea t on t h e r igh t sid e of t h e lon g t ab le,

t u r n ed t ow ar d s Xian Lin ’er , “Lin ’er , w h at d o you t h in k ?”
Xian Lin ’er r evealed a p on d er in g ligh t in h er eyes, b u t Qian Du od u o st ood u p

slow ly. “Dean Yan , Dean Cai, var iou s eld er s. I’m d eclar in g m y p osit ion on
b eh alf of m yself. W it h r egar d s t o m e alon e, I’m n ot w illin g t o accep t t h is t r ad e.
No m at t er h ow m an y fin e h or ses you give u s, it w on ’t b e w or t h a sin gle
T h ou san d M ile Colt . A lar ge n u m b er of t alen t s com in g in t o ou r Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t w ill t r u ly give u s an op p or t u n it y, b u t it is ver y lik ely t h at a sin gle
H u o Yu h ao can d ir ect ly m ak e u s flou r ish . At t h at t im e, w ill w e h ave an y lack of
t alen t s? W it h t h e cu r r en t sit u at ion of ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , it ’s m or e
su it ab le for u s t o p ool all o u r r esou r ces on a sin gle p er son . I’m ver y gr at efu l for
Dean Yan ’s sin cer it y, b u t I p er son ally h op e t h at w e can k eep H u o Yu h ao.”
Xian Lin ’er slow ly st ood u p aft er list en in g t o h is w or d s. “I agr ee w it h Dean

Qian ’s w or d s. Ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t r efu ses t h e t r ad e. H e’s alr ead y on e of
ou r cor e d iscip les, an d w e w ill ab solu t ely n ot give in .”
Yan Sh aozh e’s exp r ession b ecam e gr ave. H e’d alr ead y m ad e su ch a lar ge
con cession , b u t Xian Lin ’er an d Qian Du od u o w er e st ill u n w illin g t o give in t o
h im . H is h ear t su r ged w it h flam es of an ger .
“As t h e Dean of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , I’ll d eclar e w h er e I st an d . T h e

ap p ear an ce of an Ult im at e sou l m ast er occu r s less t h an on ce in a t h ou san d
year s, an d ou r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t can n ot give u p on a t a len t lik e t h is. I am
d et er m in ed t o ob t ain H u o Yu h ao. Sin ce w e’ve con ven ed h er e t od ay, w e’ll p u t it
t o a vot e t o d et er m in e h is fin al d est in at ion .”
T h e lad y b esid e h im w h o h ad n ’t sp ok en yet slow ly r ose t o h er feet , “I su p p or t
Dean Yan . An Ult im at e elem en t m u st st a y in ou r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t .”
Sh e w as t h e Vice-Dean of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , a p er son called Cai

M ei’er , w h o n or m ally r em ain ed w it h in t h e in n er cou r t yar d .
Bot h p ar t ies w er en ’t w illin g t o give w ay t o each ot h er , an d t h e var iou s eld er s

h ad aw k w ar d exp r ession s on t h eir faces. Regar d less of h ow t h ey set t led t h is
m at t er in t h e en d , t h ey w ou ld leave on e p ar t y u n h ap p y. Fu r t h er m or e, t h is
m at t er w ou ld d efin it ely cau se an en or m ou s con flict b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies.
Even if t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t h eld an ab solu t e ad van t age, t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t w as st ill an ir r ep laceab le p ar t of t h e aca d em y. If t h ey w er e t o su ffer
a set b ack again , it w ou ld b e over ly d et r im en t al t o it s d evelop m en t . T h er e w as
even a h igh p ossib ilit y t h at an ou t flow of t alen t w ou ld occu r .
Becau se of t h at , t h e var iou s eld er s w er e ext r em ely cau t iou s in t h eir act ion s;
n on e of t h em t ook t h e in it iat ive t o d eclar e w h er e t h ey st ood .
“All of you , sit d ow n .” T h e w ar m voice com in g fr om t h e p er son seat ed a t t h e

h ead of t h e t ab le r a n g ou t on ce again . Aft er h ear in g t h is voice, b ot h op p osin g
p ar t ies im m ed iat ely cu r b ed t h em selves a b it . T h ey r esp ect fu lly sat b ack in t h eir
or igin al p osit ion s.
T h e w ar m voice said in d iffer en t ly, “You ’ve b ot h exp ou n d ed on you r

r eason in g ver y clear ly. H ow ever , h aven ’t you all t h ou gh t of a sin gle p ossib ilit y?
Let m e ask you t h is--w h en ou r Sh r ek Acad em y w as fou n d ed a t t h e ver y
b egin n in g, w h at w as ou r or igin al ob ject iv e?’
“T o n u r t u r e t alen t ed sou l m ast er s w h o ar e m on st er s. Sh r ek Acad em y on ly

t r ain s m on st er s, n ot or d in ar y p eop le.” Yan Sh aozh e r ep lied r esp ect fu lly.
T h e w ar m voice said , “Cor r ect , w e on ly t r ain m on st er s, n ot or d in ar y p eop le.

Sin ce t h a t ’s t h e ca se, w h y d on ’t w e b e a b it m or e b old an d t r ain a t r u e m on st er ?
T h is ch ild H u o Yu h ao h as m et t h e r eq u ir em en t s t o b e con sid er ed a ver y gift ed
p er son . H e’s an or p h an , an d t h is m ean s h e w on ’t b e in clin ed t ow ar d an y
p ar t icu la r em p ir e in t h e fu t u r e. At t h e sam e t im e, it ’s ver y lik ely t h at h e’ll
r em ain in t h e acad em y. Qian Du od u o.”
“Pr esen t .” Qian Du od u o st ood u p h u r r ied ly, t h en said r esp ect fu lly, “Eld er
M u .”
T h e w ar m voice said , “I ask you t h is: d u r in g t h e eigh t m on t h p er iod in w h ich

H u o Yu h ao t r ain ed t o b ecom e a sou l en gin eer , w er e h is st u d ies in t h e M ar t ial
Sou l Dep ar t m en t in t er r u p t ed at an y t im e?”
“Never .” Qian Du od u o r ep lied im m ed ia t ely, “H e t r ain ed for fou r h ou r s w it h

Fan Yu ever y n igh t . It ’s b ecau se of t h is exact r eason t h at I called h im a gen iu s!
Even w h en h e w as d ist r act ed w it h h is st u d ies in t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ,
h e w as ab le t o b ecom e a Class 2 sou l en gin eer w it h in a m er e eigh t m on t h s.”
“Good . T h en let m e ask you all t h is: d u r in g t h e p r ocess in w h ich H u o Yu h ao

b ecam e a Class 2 sou l en gin eer , w er e h is st u d ies in t h e M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t
in t er r u p t ed ? Did h is cu lt ivat ion sp eed d ecr ease?”
Yan Sh aozh e said , “No. H is secon d m ar t ial sou l’s aw ak en ed , a n d w h en I m ad e

a m ove ear lier , I w a s ab le t o t ell t h a t h is sou l p ow er w as ar ou n d Ran k 25. I’v e
in vest igat ed t h is as w ell. T h is ch ild w as on ly at Ran k 13 w h en h e fir st en t er ed
t h e acad em y, b u t h e w as ab le t o in cr ease h is sou l p ow er b y 12 r an k s w it h in a
sh or t year . Regar d less of w h et h er h e’s in n at ely t alen t ed or lu ck y, t h e fact s ar e
b efor e u s. T h u s, you r d iscip le t h in k s t h at h e’s m or e su it ed t o st ay in ou r M a r t ial
Sou l Dep ar t m en t . Ev en if h is cu lt iva t ion sp eed d r op s aft er h e r each es Ran k 30 , a
t alen t on t h is level sh ou ld n ’t b e affect ed b y it t oo m u ch .”
T h e w ar m voice su d d en ly lau gh ed , an d h is lau gh t er w as sligh t ly coar se.

“You ’r e all con fu sed b y t h e sit u at ion at h an d . Sin ce t h is k id w as ab le t o st u d y in
t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t an d t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t at t h e sam e t im e for
an en t ir e year w it h ou t let t in g h is st u d ies fall, an d in st ead d isp layin g a gen iu s-
level p er for m an ce, w h at ar e you figh t in g over ? W h y d on ’t you ju st let h im st u d y
in b ot h field s a t on ce?”
“Ah ?” Yan Sh aozh e, Cai M ei’er , Xian Lin ’er , Qian Du od u o w er e all st u n n ed .
On e n eed ed t o r ealize t h at t h e p er son in t h e r eclin in g ch air w as Sh r ek

Acad em y's r eal b oss. At t h e sam e t im e, h e w as also Xian Lin ’er an d Yan
Sh aozh e’s t each er . T h is m an w as t h e M ast er of t h e Sea God 's Pavilion ; h is w or d
w as ab solu t e w it h in t h e acad em y. Even old vet er an s lik e Eld er Lin an d Eld er
Xu an w er e low er t h an h im in sen ior it y. T h er e h ad n 't b een a sin gle p er son t h a t
h ad d ar ed t o ob ject t o h is d ecision s in t h e p ast .
Xian Lin 'er cou ld n 't b ear it an ym or e an d said , “T each er ! It d oesn ’t m at t er

w h et h er it ’s ou r So u l T ool Dep ar t m en t or t h e M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t ; t h e
m or e on e st u d ies a su b ject , t h e m or e en er gy on e n eed s t o r ea ch a h igh er level in
it . St u d yin g in b ot h d ep ar t m en t s at t h e sam e t im e w ill h a ve a n egat ive im p act
on t h e st u d en t ! H e’ll h ave a b r oad er r a n ge of k n ow led ge, b u t h e w on 't b e an
exp er t in eit h er of t h em . Isn 't t h is t h e sa m e as w ast in g h is t alen t ?”
T h e M ast er of t h e Sea God 's Pavilion fain t ly sm iled , t h en said , "W h y ar e you
so su r e t h a t h e w on 't b e ab le t o st u d y b ot h su b ject s p r op er ly? Act u ally, all of you
h ave m ad e a m ist ak e. All of you t h in k t h a t t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t an d t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t 's fu n d am en t als ar e op p osed t o each ot h er . H ow ever , let
m e ask you a q u est ion : Can eit h er of you r d ep ar t m en t s d o w it h ou t sou lfor ce or
m ar t ial sou ls? T h e on ly d iffer en ce b et w een t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t an d
t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t lies in t h e m et h od s u sed t o at t ack a n d d efen d on eself;
t h eir fu n d am en t als a r e st ill t h e sam e. T h u s, you d on 't r eally n eed t o t h in k ab ou t
t h is t h at m u ch ."
"Lin 'er . If you t r u ly h op e for H u o Yu h ao t o b ecom e a fir st -cla ss sou l en gin eer ,
you m u st r ealize t h a t h e’ll also h ave t o b ecom e a fir st -class m ar t ial sou l m ast er
as a p r er eq u isit e. H ow w ill h e cr eat e a n d con t r ol p ow er fu l sou l t ools w it h ou t
en ou gh sou lfor ce if h e d oesn ’t ? At t h e sam e t im e, t h e r at e at w h ich h is sou lfor ce
in cr eases w ill d r op d r ast ically on ce h e get s p ast Ran k 30 , d u e t o t h e fact t h at h e
p ossesses an Ult im a t e m ar t ia l sou l. T h u s, if h e lack s a p r op er t ech n iq u e fr om
t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t t o cu lt iva t e h is Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou l, w on 't h is
gr ow t h b e im p act ed ?
"Sh aozh e, t h e sam e goes for you . As you can see, H u o Yu h ao is ext r em ely
t alen t ed at cr eat in g sou l t ools. H e can cr eat e p ow er fu l w eap on s t o p r ot ect
h im self b ecau se of t h is. A sou l m ast er w on ’t b ecom e st r on g in ju st a year or t w o,
b u t at t h e sam e t im e, you can 't t r u ly st a y b y h is sid e all t h e t im e, r igh t ? W h en
you en cou n t er som et h in g d an ger ou s, r elyin g on you r self t o su r vive is t h e b est
op t ion . T h is b ein g t h e case, w h y d on 't you let h im b ecom e a sou l en gin eer t oo?
Besid es, ou r Sh r ek Acad em y cu r r en t ly lack s a fir st -class sou l en gin eer .
Now t h en , I’ve d ecid ed t o let t h is ch ild cu lt ivat e in b ot h sch ools an d t o t r eat

h im as a sp ecial exist en ce in sid e of t h e acad em y. You sh ou ld n 't for ce t h e ch ild t o
ch oose. Rat h er , you sh ou ld cr ea t e a com for t ab le en vir on m en t w it h in t h e
acad em y in or d er t o let h im cu lt ivat e in p eace. All of you h ave ign or ed an
im p or t an t fact : W h a t ’r e H u o Yu h ao’s t h ou gh t s? Aft er all, h e's on ly t w elve year s
old . If you p r essu r e h im t oo m u ch , it ’ll on ly h ave a n egat ive im p act on h is fu t u r e
gr ow t h .
"T h e b est t h in g t o d o—at least for n ow —is t o leave t h in gs t h e w ay t h ey ar e.

Let h im k eep st u d yin g as h e w as b efor e. T h e t w o d ep ar t m en t s w ill sp en d an
eq u al am ou n t of r esou r ces on h im . As for t h e fu t u r e, w e'r e n ot r eally in a r u sh .
If h e con t in u es t o r eceive excellen t m ar k s in b ot h d ep ar t m en t s’ t est s, t h en w e’ll
h ave t r u ly t r ain ed a n excep t ion al 'm on st er ': An Ult im at e Sold ier t h at ’s close t o
p er fect ion !"
On ce t h ey h ea r d t h e M ast er of t h e Sea God 's Pavilion , all of t h e vet er an s

n od d ed on e aft er an ot h er . T h eir com p lexion s b ecam e m u ch b et t er as w ell.
Xian Lin 'er said , "T each er , w h at sh ou ld w e d o if H u o Yu ah ao's gr ad es st ar t

d r op p in g?"
T h e M ast er of t h e Sea God 's Pavilion sm iled fain t ly an d said , "Isn 't it ob viou s?
If t h at h ap p en s, sim p ly let h im ch oose a d ep ar t m en t . H e'll join t h e d ep ar t m en t
h e lik es t h e m ost . If t h at h ap p en s, w e w on 't n eed t o d o an yt h in g else. H ow ever ,
Eld er Xu an , d on 't in q u ir e ab ou t t h e b oy's secon d m ar t ial sou l. T h ou gh I’m
cu r iou s as w ell, I can say for su r e t h at t h is ch ild h as a ver y k in d an d r esolu t e
h ear t . As su ch , n o m at t er w h at h is secon d m ar t ial sou l is, t h er e’s n o n eed for u s
t o p r y in t o t h is secr et ."
"I u n d er st an d , Pavilion M ast er ." Eld er Xu an n od d ed in assen t .
Yan Sh aozh e an d Xian Lin 'er look ed at each ot h er , t h eir t en se exp r ession s
n ow m u ch looser t h an t h ey h ad b een . Sin ce b ot h p ar t ies h ad b een in a d ead lock ,
t h is ou t com e seem ed t o b e t h e b est on e.
T h e M ast er of t h e Sea God 's Pavilion said , "If t h er e ar e n o fu r t h er ob ject ion s,

t h is m eet in g can b e con sid er ed over . Sh aozh e, Lin 'er , you t w o sh ou ld n 't get in
t ou ch w it h t h a t b oy again . At h is age, it 's b est if h is h ear t is focu sed on d iligen t ly
cu lt ivat in g. T h e less h e's d ist r act ed b y t h e ou t sid e w or ld , t h e b et t er ."
“Yes.”
As far as Sh r ek Acad em y w as con cer n ed , t h is m eet in g h ad set t led ever yt h in g.

H u o Yu h ao's fat e h ad also b een d ecid ed .
H u o Yu h ao r eceived t h e n ew s fr om Fan Yu soon aft er w ar d s: T h e acad em y h ad

d ecid ed t h a t H u o Yu h ao w as n ow b ot h a cor e d iscip le of t h e M ar t ia l Sou l
Dep ar t m en t an d t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . W it h t h is, h e’d b ecom e t h e fir st
p er son in t h e h ist or y of t h e acad em y t o b ecom e t h e cor e d iscip le of b ot h
d ep ar t m en t s.
As for Yan Sh aozh e's ot h er p r om ise, h e d ecid ed t o n ot b r in g it u p . Fan Yu

u r ged Yu h ao t o k eep cu lt ivat in g w it h d ed icat ion . Aft er a ll, h e n ow h ad t o at t en d
class in t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t d u r in g t h e d ay, t h en st u d y in t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t in t h e even in g. H e also r em in d ed h im t h at t om or r ow even in g h e
h ad t o go an d t ak e t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t 's ad van cem en t t est .
T h is ou t com e gave H u o Yu h ao som e b r eat h in g r oom . Not h avin g t o ch oose
w as t h e b est ch oice for h im .
T h e ad van cem en t t est for t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t 's Year 2 st u d en t s

h ad n 't en d ed yet . Aft er all, t h e st u d en t s of b ot h classes com b in ed am ou n t ed t o
m or e t h an a h u n d r ed . It w ou ld t ak e qu it e a w h ile, con sid er in g t h e fact t h at t h ey
h ad t o b e t est ed on e at a t im e.
H u o Yu h ao w as h ap p ily cu lt iva t ed in t h e d or m it or y w it h W an g Don g t h e n ext

d ay. T h ey cu lt iva t ed t h e en t ir e m or n in g.
Aft er lu n ch , t h ey t ook a sh or t b r eak . Aft er w ar d s, b efor e t h e aft er n oon b ell

r an g, Yu h ao h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e exp er im en t al ar ea of t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t .
H e n ot iced fr om a far t h at H e Cait ou w as w ait in g at t h e gat e t o t h e

exp er im en t al ar ea, w avin g t ow ar d s h im .
"Sen ior b r ot h er H e." H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied over t o w h er e H e Cait ou st ood .
H e Cait ou lau gh ed a s h e h u gged H u o Yu h ao an d an d t w ir led h im ar ou n d h im

on ce. "I've h ear d t h a t you 've b ecom e t h e acad em y’s cen t er of at t en t ion Yu h ao! It
seem s t h at sever al d ean s alm ost got in t o a figh t b ecau se of you . Not b ad , n ot
b ad !"
H u o Yu h ao w as su r p r ised . "Sen ior ap p r en t ice, h ow d id you k n ow ?"
H e Cait ou giggled . "T each er t old m e. I w as for b id d en fr om r evealin g it t o

an yon e else t h ou gh ."
H u o Yu h ao r elaxed a b it . H e d id n ’t w an t ever yon e t o k n ow ab ou t w h at h ad

h ap p en ed . If t h ey d id , h e’d b e cr it icized b y ever yon e in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . H is
on ly w ish w as t o cu lt ivat e in p eace, n ot h in g m or e.
"Com e, let 's h ead in sid e. T h e t each er said t h at you 'r e goin g t o t ak e ou r Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t 's a d van cem en t t est . Ar e you r ead y?" H e Cait ou t h r ew an ar m
over H u o Yu h ao's sh ou ld er s an d p u lled h im in sid e.
H u o Yu h ao ask ed , "Sen ior b r ot h er , w h at ’s t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ’s

ad van cem en t t est ab ou t ?"
H e Cait ou r ep lied , "It ’s a b at t le as w ell! W e h ave t o agr ee w it h t h e M a r t ia l

Sou l Dep ar t m en t on t h is: On ly act u al co m b at can p r op er ly assess ou r ab ilit ies.
T h e t each er h as a lr ead y p r ep ar ed ever yt h in g. As for t h e d et a ils of you r t est , I'm
n ot q u it e su r e."
As t h ey sp ok e, t h e t w o of t h em en t er ed t h e exp er im en t al ar ea. T h ey soon

ar r ived a t t h e 12t h la b or at or y.
T h e lab or at or y w asn 't as p eacefu l as it u su a lly w as. T h er e w er e cu r r en t ly

ar ou n d t w en t y st u d en t s in sid e, all ar ou n d t h e t h e sam e as H e Cait ou . M ost of
t h em w er e old er t h a n fou r t een , w it h som e even b ein g eigh t een or n in et een .
T h e t est in g ar ea w as in sid e of t h e b at t le ar ea, w h ich cu r r en t ly h eld t w o

st u d en t s in t h e m id st of b at t le.
It w as com p let ely d iffer en t fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s ad van cem en t

t est . T h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ’s ad van cem en t t est w as m ain ly b ased on t h e
u sage of sou l t ools. T h e st u d en t s’ b od ies w er e w r ap p ed in a layer of r ad ian t
ligh t , w h ich seem ed lik e it w as com in g fr om som e sor t of d efen sive-t yp e sou l
t ool. T h e t w o w er e at t ack in g each ot h er w h ile w r ap p ed in t h is ligh t . T h e sk y
w as also lit t er ed w it h sever al b alls of ligh t ; it look ed lik e t h ey w er e k eep in g an
eye on t h e st u d en t s b elow .
T h e cu r r en t H u o Yu h ao w asn 't t h e ign or an t you t h fr om b efor e w h o d id n 't

k n ow an yt h in g ab ou t sou l t ools; h e w as aw ar e t h at t h e b alls of ligh t su sp en d ed
in t h e sk y w er e also a t yp e of sou l t ool. T h ey w er e Por t ab le Sou l Sh ield s, w h ich
w er e a t yp e of d efen sive sou l t ool t h at cou ld b e con t r olled fr om a d ist an ce. On e
n eed ed t o b e at least a sou l m ast er of t h e fou r t h r an k t o con t r ol t h is sor t of sou l
t ool. It d efin it ely w asn ’t som et h in g t h at t h ese st u d en t s cou ld ach ieve. T h e
fu n ct ion of t h ese sou l t ools w as p r et t y ob viou s: If t h e d efen se of t h e st u d en t s
w h o w er e figh t in g w er e t o b e b r each ed , t h ese Por t ab le Sou l Sh ield s w ou ld
im m ed iat ely fly in t o act ion t o p r ot ect t h em fr om an y on com in g at t ack s. T h ey
w er e p r esen t in or d er t o gu ar an t ee t h e sa fet y of t h e st u d en t s.
W h en H u o Yu h ao an d H e Cait ou en t er ed , t h e b at t le b et w een t h e t w o st u d en t s
h ad alr ead y r each ed a cr it ical ju n ct u r e. Beam s of ligh t h ad in t er t w in ed in t h e
sk y an d w er e em it t in g a d azzlin g r ad ian ce.
H u o Yu h ao u n con sciou sly act ivat ed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect io n . H ow ever , h e

d id n 't even h ave t im e t o ob ser ve t h e b eam s b efor e t h e b at t le h ad en d ed .
"Pen g––" T h e sh ield of t h e st u d en t on t h e left b r ok e an d sh at t er ed in t o a

m yr iad of ligh t s t h at filled t h e sk y. W h en it d id , t h e Por t ab le Sou l Sh ield
im m ed iat ely ap p ear ed in fr on t of h im an d b lock ed t h e ot h er st u d en t ’s
r em ain in g at t ack s.
"Zi Fen g h as d efeat ed M o Ke. T h eir scor e h as b een in cr eased b y 1 m ar k ." A

t each er st an d in g t o on e sid e of t h e t est in g ar ea said as t h ey n ot ed som et h in g
d ow n .
"Next ." T h e t each er h in t ed for t h e n ext cou p le of st u d en t s t o st ep for w ar d .
"W ait a m om en t ." Fan Yu 's h eavy voice ech oed ou t . H e w alk ed over fr om
an ot h er sid e of t h e t est in g ar ea an d sa id , "Yu h ao, com e h er e. You 'r e n ext ." H e’d
b een t h e on e con t r ollin g t h e Por t ab le Sou l Sh ield s in t h e p r eviou s b at t le. H e w as
ab le t o m ak e t h em r eact in t h e sh or t est t im e p ossib le con sid er in g h is cu lt ivat ion
level. M or eover , h e’d b een con t r ollin g all of t h e Por t a b le Sou l Sh ield s
sim u lt an eou sly. Becau se of t h is, h e’d b een ab le t o k eep an eye on t h e st u d en t s
fr om all d ir ect ion s.
"Oh !" H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d h u r r ied over .

At t h at m om en t , t h e st u d en t s t h at h ad b een p lan n in g t o t ak e t h e
ad van cem en t t est saw H u o Yu h ao. A su r p r ised look ap p ear ed in t h eir eyes w h en
t h ey saw h im . H e w as n or m ally alw ays st u d yin g w it h Fan Yu , t h u s t h is w as t h e
fir st t im e t h ey’d seen h im . H ow ever , t h is gu y look ed lik e h e w as on ly t w elve or
t h ir t een year s old , yet h e w asn 't even a st u d en t of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t !
W h y w as T each er Fan Yu let t in g h im t ak e t h e ad van cem en t t est ?
Fan Yu said , "T h is t est is ver y sim p le: You ju st h ave t o figh t . Ever yon e w ill
h ave t h eir sou l t ools car efu lly exam in ed b y t h e t each er s, w h ich m u st b e self-
m an u fact u r ed . As lon g as you m an age t o d est r oy you r op p on en t ’s d efen ses,
you 'll h ave w on . I’m u sin g t h ese Por t ab le Sou l Sh ield s t o p r ot ect ever yon e."
H u o Yu H ao p on d er ed for a b it , t h en ask ed , "T each er , is it p ossib le t o figh t

w it h ou t t h e p r ot ect ion of a Por t ab le Sou l Sh ield ?"
Fan Yu w as su r p r ised w h en h e h ear d t h is. "H m ?"
H u o Yu h ao said , "Sin ce t h is is su p p osed t o b e a r eal b at t le, h avin g a Por t ab le

Sou l Sh ield w ill im p act m y p er for m an ce. Fu r t h er m or e, I'm su r e t h at I w on 't
in ju r e m y op p on en t ."
Fan Yu ask ed , "An d w h at ab ou t you r ow n safet y?"
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied w it h ou t t h e sligh t est h esit a t ion , "T each er , I h ave fait h in

m y ab ilit ies."
Fan Yu sm iled fain t ly, t h en said , "Fin e. W it h t h is b ein g t h e case, w e'll d o

t h in gs as you lik e. Rem em b er t o call for h elp if you can 't b lo ck t h e at t ack . W it h
you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , you 'll su r ely b e ab le t o t ell if you can ’t . Now t h en , go
ah ead an d t ak e t h e t est ."
"Yes." H u o Yu h ao en t er ed t h e t est in g ar ea w it h lar ge st r id es. As h e d id so, h e

b egan t o ad ju st t h e sou l t ool h e’d p er son a lly m an u fact u r ed .
At t h at t im e, t h e st u d en t s of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t fin ally n ot iced t h e
b ad ge on H u o Yu h ao's ch est t h a t sh o w ed h is st at u s as a secon d r an k sou l
en gin eer .
W as t h is for r eal? H e w as r eally a secon d r an k sou l en gin eer ?

Chapt er 55.1: A Soul Engineer ! Huo Yuhao's Tr ue
St r ong Point
Fan Yu h ad a k in d look in h is eyes as h e w at ch ed H u o Yu h a o en t er t h e field .

Aft er all, a t each er w ou ld alw ays h op e for t h eir d iscip les t o b e ou t st a n d in g. It
w as h ar d t o fin d a good t each er , b u t fin d in g a gen iu s st u d en t w as ju st as h ar d !
Regar d less of w h et h er h e w as t alen t ed or d iligen t , t h e st r ict Fan Yu w as
ext r em ely p leased . Even if h e’d sp en t a lon ger p er iod of t im e t each in g H e
Cait ou , H u o Yu h ao’s st at u s in Fan Yu ’s h ear t h ad a lr ead y exceed ed H e Cait ou ’s.
H e cou ld t ell t h a t H u o Yu h ao’s fu t u r e ach ievem en t s w ou ld far su r p ass H e
Cait ou ’s.
“Ye Can yin g, T an g Su ifen g, Lin g Xu e.” Fan Yu t u r n ed a r ou n d an d called for

t h e n ext b at ch of exam in ees.
T w o m ale an d on e fem ale st u d en t w a lk ed u p h u r r ied ly an d r esp ect fu lly

gr eet ed Fan Yu .
Fan Yu said , “You t h r ee, go u p t oget h er . You r ob ject ive is t o d efeat h im . If you
can d efeat h im , you ’ll p ass t h is year ’s ad van cem en t t est .”
T h e t h r ee st u d en t s w er e all ar ou n d fift een t o sixt een year s old . T h ey cou ld n ’t

h elp b u t look at each ot h er in con fu sion an d d ism ay aft er w h at t h ey ju st h ear d ,
Ye Can yin g b lu r t ed , “T each er Fan Yu , ar e you su r e? T h is fellow classm an …”
Fan Yu fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s t igh t ly. “Did you n ot h ear m e?”
Fan Yu w as a sp ecial t each er in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . Aft er t h e t w o

Dean s, h e p ossessed t h e gr eat est a u t h or it y w it h in t h e d ep ar t m en t . T h ou gh t h e
t h r ee st u d en t s w er e b ew ild er ed , t h ey d id n ’t d ar e t o say an yt h in g m or e. T h ey
im m ed iat ely en t er ed t h e T est in g Ar ea w it h t h eir sou l t ools fu lly eq u ip p ed .
T h e p r oct or r evea led a d ou b t fu l look in h is eyes an d sh ot a n in q u ir in g gaze
t ow ar d s Fan Yu .
Fan Yu w alk ed over t o h im , t h en w h isp er ed , “T h at ’s m y in h er it in g d iscip le. I

w an t t o t est h is cu r r en t lim it s. Don ’t w or r y, t h is is ap p r op r ia t e. St ar t .”
“Ok ay.” T h e p r oct or n at u r ally d id n ’t a r gu e w it h Fan Yu ’s d ecision . “Bot h

sid es, p r ep ar e you r selves.”
H u o Yu h ao w as st ar t led w h en h e h ea r d Fan Yu sen d t h r ee st u d en t s in t o t h e

T est in g Ar ea. H e cou ld t ell b y t h eir a ges t h at t h ey w er e at least t h ir d year
st u d en t s an d m ayb e even fou r t h year s. Alt h ou gh a p or t ion of t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t s st u d en t s w er e t h ose w h o h ad b een elim in a t ed fr om t h e M ar t ial
Sou l Dep ar t m en t , t h ey con sist ed m ain ly of au xilia r y-t yp e sou l m a st er s.
H ow ever , t h is w as st ill Sh r ek Acad em y! T h er e w er e n o w ea k st u d en t s am on g
t h ose w h o h ad b een ab le t o last t ill Year 3 or 4 . H u o Yu h ao felt lik e h is t each er ’s
con fid en ce in h im w as sligh t ly excessive.
T h ou gh h e w as in w a r d ly ast on ish ed , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t p la n on r et r eat in g. H e

closely ob ser ved t h ese t h r ee st u d en t s as h e b egan t o for m u lat e a p lan .
All t h r ee st u d en t s all b or e b ad ges sign ifyin g t h eir sou l en gin eer r an k s, t h ey

w er e all Class 2 sou l en gin eer s ju st lik e h im .
“St ar t !”
Follow in g t h e t each er ’s sh ou t , t h e t h r ee st u d en t s facin g h im m ad e a m ove

sim u lt an eou sly, an d t h eir sou l r in gs r ose fr om t h eir feet . T h e eld est of t h e t h r ee,
Ye Can yin g, h ad t h r ee yellow sou l r in gs, w h ilst t h e ot h er t w o h ad t w o yellow
sou l r in gs each . T h ey qu ick ly r aised t h eir ar m s as t h ey r eleased t h eir m ar t ia l
sou ls an d a flash of ligh t er u p t ed as t h ey a ct ivat ed t h eir sou l t o ols.
In h is cu r r en t sit u at ion w h er e h e w as figh t in g again st a t eam of t h r ee

p eop le—w h ich in clu d ed a Sou l Eld er —b y h im self, H u o Yu h ao w on d er ed
w h et h er h e h a d an y ch an ce at all. In a sit u at ion lik e t h is, h e cou ld on ly w in if h e
h ad t h e elem en t of su r p r ise.
T w o w h it e sou l r in gs su d d en ly r ose fr om h is feet , an d h is secon d sou l r in g

flick er ed sligh t ly. Aft er w ar d s, h is b od y n oiselessly b ecam e som ew h at illu sor y,
b u t t h e t h r ee st u d en t s h e w as facin g d id n ’t n ot ice. Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, a
scen e t h at ast on ish ed t h em occu r r ed .
A b lack , on e-an d -a-h alf m et er -lon g m et allic t u b e ap p ear ed on H u o Yu h ao’s

sh ou ld er , t h en in st a n t ly sh ot ou t an in t en se r ay of w h it e ligh t .
Not t o m en t ion t h e t h r ee st u d en t s H u o Yu h ao w as facin g, even t h e p r oct or

w as st u n n ed b y t h e scen e in fr on t of h im . H e w as ab ou t t o call for t h em t o st op ,
b u t Fan Yu p laced h is h an d on h is sh ou ld er , cau sin g h im t o sw allow t h e w or d s
h e’d b een ab ou t t o sa y.
W h at w as t h e m et a l t u b e? All of t h e st u d en t s in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t

h ad seen it b efor e, b u t n on e of t h em h ad u sed it b esid es H e Cait ou . It w as a
st at ion ar y sou l can n on ! St at ion ar y sou l t ools w er e r en ow n ed for t h eir m igh t ,
an d t h ou gh t h ey d id n ’t n eed t oo m u ch sou l p ow er t o b e act ivat ed , it w as
ext r em ely h ar d t o con t r ol t h em . Becau se of t h is, even t w o-r in ged Sou l
Gr an d m ast er s w er e ab le t o u se t h em , alb eit w it h d ifficu lt y. H ow ever , each
can n on sh ell w as ext r em ely exp en sive; a sin gle sh ot cost over a h u n d r ed gold
sou l coin s. T h e aca d em y h ad n ’t even im p lem en t ed a cou r se for u sin g it .
H ow ever , even if a p er son h ad n ever ea t en p or k b efor e, t h ey st ill w ou ld ’ve

seen a p ig in r eal life in t h e p ast . W h en st u d en t s en t er ed t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t , t h e fir st lesson t h ey h ad t o at t en d in volved ob ser vin g t h e m igh t of
a st at ion ar y sou l t ool.
T h e st at ion ar y sou l can n on t h at h a d ap p ear ed on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as

id en t ical t o t h e on e t h ey’d seen in t h e p ast . T h ey st ill clear ly r em em b er ed t h e
t er r ifyin g t en m et er lon g, t h r ee m et er d eep d it ch t h a t h ad d est r oyed t h e gr ou n d
w h en t h e can n on h a d b een fir ed . Aft er w ar d s, t h eir t each er h ad exp lain ed t h at
sou l m ast er s w h o p ossessed less t h an six r in gs w ou ld d efin it ely d ie if t h ey
r eceived a h ea d -on b low fr om a st at ion ar y sou l can n on .
As su ch , h ow cou ld t h e t h r ee of t h em n ot b e st u n n ed w h en t h ey saw t h e w h it e
r ay of ligh t fr om t h e b lack t u b e? T h e w h it e b u r st of ligh t sign ified t h e fir in g of
t h e st a t ion ar y sou l can n on ; it w as som et h in g ir r ever sib le! T h is w asn ’t
som et h in g t h a t t h e Por t ab le Sou l Sh ield cou ld b lock . Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey h ad n ’t
even seen t h eir Por t a b le Sou l Sh ield s ap p ear !
T h e on ly t h in g t h a t t h ey cou ld d o n ow w as give u p on t h eir assau lt an d r u n

aw ay. T h ey also k n ew t h e p r ob lem s t h a t st at ion ar y sou l t ools p ossessed : T h ey
h ad t o b e m an u ally aim ed b y som eon e, t h ey cou ld n ’t au t om at ically lock on t o an
en em y.
T h e t h r ee of t h em sim u lt a n eou sly r an in t h r ee d iffer en t d ir ect ion s. At t h is

p oin t in t im e, t h ey n o lon ger car ed t h at t h ey w er e u n d er goin g t h eir
ad van cem en t t est . T h eir lives w er e m or e im p or t an t t h an t h a t !
T h e q u ick est of t h e t h r ee w as T an g Su ifen g. H is secon d sou l r in g flick er ed as a

sh ad ow su d d en ly ap p ear ed b esid e h im . Im m ed iat ely aft er w a r d s, h e sp ed u p an d
cr ossed t h e d ist an ce of t en m et er s w it h a sin gle leap .
A fain t sm ile ap p ear ed on H u o Yu h ao’s face w h en h e saw t h is. Ben ea t h t h e

ast on ish ed gazes of t h e sp ect at in g st u d en t s, t h e st at ion ar y sou l t ool t h at h ad
clear ly b egu n it s fir in g seq u en ce sou n d lessly d isap p ear ed . Aft er w ar d s, h e slid
for w ar d s in a sp ect er -lik e m an n er t ow ar d s t h e q u ick T an g Su ifen g. T w o b lu e
ligh t s ap p ear ed on h is an k les as h e sp ed u p , cau sin g h is sp eed t o q u ick ly r each
T an g Su ifen g’s.
T an g Su ifen g su d d en ly t h r ew h im self t o t h e gr ou n d an d cu r led h im self in t o a

b all. H e t h en p u sh ed h is sou l p ow er t o t h e lim it , cau sin g a layer of ligh t t o
en velop h im ; t h is w as t h e Por t ab le Sou l Sh ield h e’d p er son ally cr eat ed in or d er
t o d efen d h im self.
H ow ever , t h e exp losion h e’d exp ect ed d id n ’t ar r ive, leav in g h im ast on ish ed .
Ever yt h in g b eh in d h im seem ed t o b e com p let ely silen t .
T an g Su ifen g w as st u n n ed . Just w hat w as t hat ? W hy di dn’ t t he st at i onar y

soul cannon m ak e any noi se? At t h at m om en t , h e subcon sci ousl y r ai sed h i s h ead
i n or der t o see w h at h ad h appen ed. As soon as h e di d so h ow ever , h e saw a w ar m
an d sm i l i n g f ace i n f r on t of h i m .
T h ough t h e def en si ve abi l i t i es of t h e Por t abl e Soul Sh i el d w asn ’ t bad, i t w as

bet t er sui t ed t ow ar ds l on g-r an ge at t ack s; i n ot h er w or ds, i t w as bet t er used t o
def en d agai n st soul pow er . I t s def en si ve capabi l i t i es agai n st ph ysi cal at t ack s
w er en ’ t ver y good.
A dagger t h at f l i ck er ed w i t h an i n can descen t l i gh t n oi sel essl y pen et r at ed

T an g Sui f en g’ s sh i el d. T h e i n st an t h e f i n i sh ed r ai si n g h i s h ead, t h e bl ade of t h e
k n i f e r each ed h i s eyes an d sof t l y t apped h i s h ead.
Af t er w ar ds, t h e sm i l i n g f ace di sappear ed.
“ T an g Sui f en g, el i m i n at ed.” T h e pr oct or ’ s voi ce r an g out . T h i s w as just t h e

w ay i t w as. I f H uo Yuh ao h ad t ak en advan t age of t h e oppor t un i t y h e’ d h ad t o
at t ack h i m , h e w oul d’ ve been cl ean l y st abbed by t h e W h i t e T i ger ’ s Dagger .
W h en t h ey h ear d t h at T an g Sui f en g h ad been el i m i n at ed, t h e ot h er t w o k n ew

t h at t h ey’ d been duped.
As st uden t s of Sh r ek Academ y, t h ey’ d t r ai n ed i n t h e academ y f or m an y year s.

T h ei r bat t l e exper i en ce w as r el at i vel y pl en t i f ul , t h us t h ey di dn ’ t bot h er t o t h i n k
about h ow H uo Yuh ao h ad t r i ck ed t h em . On t h e con t r ar y, t h ey si m ul t an eousl y
l aun ch ed at t ack s t ow ar ds h i m .
T h e soul t ool s t h ey used t o at t ack h i m w er e bot h pl aced on t h ei r ar m s, an d

w er e bot h si m i l ar . T h er e w as a gol den box on each of t h ei r ar m s, w h i ch w h en
act i vat ed, t h r ee t h i n , gol den t ubes w oul d si m ul t an eousl y spi t out a r ay of w h i t e
l i gh t .
T h is w as a Class 2 sou l t ool k n ow n as t h e Sou l Ligh t Ray. T h e p r in cip le
b eh in d it w as t o com p r ess t h e u ser ’s so u l p ow er via t h e u se of t h e for m at ion
locat ed w it h in t h e cor e of t h e sou l an d t h en fir e it ou t . It h a d a r elat ively d ecen t
am ou n t of d est r u ct iv e p ow er .
T h er e w er e m an y w ays t o exam in e t h e st r en gt h of a sou l t ool, b u t t h e m ost

im p or t an t fact or s t a k en in t o con sid er a t ion w er e it s d est r u ct ive p ow er , at t ack
r an ge, an d at t ack r a d iu s.
T h e Class 2 So u l Ligh t Ray’s at t ack cou ld r each a h u n d r ed m et er s, an d it s

d est r u ct ive p ow er w as r ou gh ly equ al t o t h at of a lon g-r an ge sou l sk ill fr om a
Sou l Gr an d m ast er .
Ye Can yin g an d Lin g Xu e sim u lt a n eou sly m ad e t h eir m ove as t h ey fir ed six
ligh t r ays each . T h ou gh t h ey w er en ’t ver y w ell coor d in a t ed w it h each ot h er ,
t h ey w er e b ot h ext r em ely fam iliar w it h t h ey w ay a sou l en gin eer fou gh t . T h e
t w elve ligh t r ays en cap su lat ed an ext r em ely lar ge ar ea an d sealed off H u o Yu h ao
fr om evad in g t h eir a t t ack s.
H ow ever , t h e in st an t t h ey fir ed t h eir Sou l Ligh t Rays, t h ey felt t h em selves go

ab sen t -m in d ed for a b r ief m om en t . T h is cau sed t h eir at t ack s t o d evia t e fr om
t h eir in t en d ed t ar get s sligh t ly.
At t h is m om en t , t h ey w er e ab ou t t h ir t y-or -so m et er s aw ay fr om H u o Yu h ao.

T h ou gh t h eir at t ack s h ad on ly d eviat ed b y sligh t am ou n t , it exp on en t ially
in cr eased t h e t im e t h ey t ook t o r each h im .
H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely act ivat ed t h e Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack s,

w h ich ca u sed h is figu r e t o flash sligh t ly. H e accu r at ely fou n d a p lace w h er e t h e
t w elve ligh t r ays w ou ld n ’t r each h im , t h u s cau sin g t h eir a t t a ck s t o h ar m lessly
p ass h im .
At t h e sam e t im e, H u o Yu h ao r aised h is ar m s. T h e sou l t ools on h is ar m s w er e

id en t ical t o t h ose of Ye Can yin g an d Lin g Xu e; t h ey w er e b ot h b lack , w r ist gu ar d -
lik e p ieces of m et al t h at h ad b een fast en ed t o h is ar m s. T h e m et al b oxes op en ed
follow in g h is m u scle-m ovem en t s, w h ich cau sed t h r ee t in y t u b es t o r eveal
t h em selves on each of t h e t w o w r ist gu ar d s.
Yan Can yin g an d Lin g Xu e’s im m ed iat ely r eleased t h eir Class 2 Por t ab le Sou l
Sh ield s in or d er t o d efen d t h em selves. On ce a Sou l Ligh t Ray h ad b een fir ed , it
w ou ld en t er a sh or t coold ow n p er iod t h at w ou ld p r even t it fr om b ein g fir ed
r ep eat ed ly.
St r ong Point
H ow ever , ju st lik e t h e st at ion ar y sou l can n on t h at h ad n ’t cau sed an exp losion

t o r in g ou t , H u o Yu h ao’s Sou l Ligh t Ray-lik e sou l t ools d id n ’t cau se an y r ays of
ligh t t o ap p ear . On t h e con t r ar y, t h ey r eleased an ear -p ier cin g scr eech .
Six b olt s of ligh t n in g sh ot t ow ar d s Ye Can yin g an d Lin g Xu e. H ow ever , t h ey

d id n ’t h ave t r ails of ligh t follow in g t h em .
W h en t h e six w h it e st r eak s of ligh t st r u ck t h eir sh ield s, an ast on ish in g scen e

occu r r ed : W h it e r ip p les b egan t o ap p ear on t h eir sh ield s, u n t il im m ed iat ely
aft er w ar d s som et h in g act u ally d r illed t h r ou gh t h em . T h e t w o of t h em felt t h eir
ar m s sh ak e b efor e t h e h an d s t h ey’d r aised w er e su d d en ly for ced aw ay. At t h e
sam e t im e, t h ey h ea r d a sn ap , follow ed b y a gr ay m ist t h at cover ed t h eir eyes
an d b lock ed t h eir lin e of sigh t .
J u st w h at sor t of sou l t ool w as t h is? Ye Can yin g an d Lin g Xu e w er e

sim u lt an eou sly flab b er gast ed . H ow ever , a s sou l m ast er s, t h ey d id n ’t ju st p ossess
sou l t ools; t h ey also h ad t h eir ow n sou l sk ills.
Lin g Xu e h u r r ied ly r et r eat ed w h ile sim u lt an eou sly r elea sin g a lar ge p at ch of
sn ow fr om h er b od y t h at b ot h b lock ed H u o Yu h ao’s lin e of sigh t an d d isp er sed
t h e gr ay m ist ar ou n d h er .
H er m ar t ial sou l w as Sn ow . Sn ow w a s d iffer en t fr om ice in t h at ice’s

t ou gh n ess m a d e it so t h at a sou l m ast er w h o p ossessed it cou ld b ecom e a b at t le
sou l m ast er , w h ile sn ow cou ld on ly b e u sed for assist an ce. As su ch , Lin g Xu e w as
con sid er ed an au xiliar y-t yp e sou l m ast er . H er sp ecialt y w as u sin g h er Sn ow t o
ch an ge t h e en vir on m en t an d h id in g h er self, t h en u sin g h er sou l t ools t o at t ack .
It w as on ly b ecau se h er m ar t ial sou l h ad b een su it ed t ow ar d s let t in g h er b ecom e
a sou l en gin eer t h at sh e’d join ed t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
Ye Can yin g’s r eact ion w asn ’t slow eit h er . H is secon d sou l r in g lit u p , w h ich
cau sed h is b od y t o sh ak e an d t h r ee sh ad ow clon es t o ap p ear . H is m ar t ial sou l
w as h is Sh a d ow .
T h eir ar m s h ad b een k n ock ed aw ay, t h u s t h ey cou ld n ’t fir e t h eir Sou l Ligh t

Rays for a b r ief p er iod of t im e. Fu r t h er m or e, t h eir Sou l Sh ield s h ad b een
b r ok en . Becau se of t h at , t h ey ch ose t o d efen d t h em selves w h ile t h ey at t em p t ed
t o con fu se t h eir op p on en t .
In t h e sp an of t h eir sh or t collision , H u o Yu h ao h ad act u ally m an aged t o

d om in at e t h e en t ir e field , d esp it e b ein g p laced in a 1v3 scen a r io. W h o w ou ld ’ve
exp ect ed t h is b efor e t h e t est h ad st ar t ed ?
T h e ligh t b en ea t h H u o Yu h ao’s feet lit u p again , w h ich cau sed h im t o sh oot

for w ar d . At t h e sam e t im e, a b all of ligh t on h is b ack lit u p , w h ich cau sed t h e
ligh t b en eat h h is feet t o gr ow m or e in t en se.
A Class 2 T h r u st er cou ld in st a n t ly in cr ease a sou l m ast er ’s sp eed in a sin gle

d ir ect ion for a b r ief m om en t , an d t h e sou l t ool b elow h is feet w as a Sp eed -
var yin g T h r u st er .
H e h ad n ’t even b een a sou l en gin eer for a fu ll year yet . In fact , h e’d m ain ly
d ir ect ed h is effor t s t ow ar d s cr eat in g sou l t ools t h a t in cr eased h is sp eed in or d er
t o com b in e t h em w it h h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . Becau se of t h is, t h e sou l t ool on
h is w r ist d id n ’t h ave su fficien t a t t ack p ow er .
At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao t ook a d van t age of t h e fa ct t h a t h is t w o

op p on en t s w er e cu r r en t ly goin g all-ou t t o b ot h d efen d t h em selves an d d od ge h is
at t ack s t o r u sh ou t a t fu ll sp eed . At t h e sam e t im e, t h e t w o sou l r in gs a r ou n d h is
b od y su d d en ly ch an ged t o a sin gle on e.
T h e Sp eed -var yin g T h r u st er h e w or e h a d a r elat ively low p r op u lsion for ce. H e
cou ld u se it t o sp eed u p , b u t t h e ext en t t o w h ich h e cou ld sp eed u p w asn ’t lar ge;
it s ad van t age lay in t h e fact t h at h e cou ld u se it t o q u ick ly ch an ge d ir ect ion s.
T h e Class 2 T h r u st er , on t h e ot h er h an d , w as t h e sou l t ool h e u sed t o lar gely
in cr ease h is sp eed in a sin gle d ir ect ion . T h ou gh h e cou ld on ly m in or ly ch an ge
w h at d ir ect ion h e w as h ead ed t ow ar d s w h ile u sin g it , t h e sh or t -d ist an ce
exp losiven ess it gave h im allow ed h im t o cat ch u p w it h t h e all-ou t sp r in t of a
t h r ee-r in ged agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er .
T h e t w o p ar t ies h ad or igin ally h ad a d ist an ce of t h ir t y m et er s b et w een t h em ,

yet H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o ap p ear r igh t in fr on t of t h em in t h e b lin k of an eye
u sin g t h is exp losive b u r st of sp eed .
Ye Can yin g an d Lin g Xu e h ad b een p u t in t o a som ew h at sor r y st at e b y H u o

Yu h ao’s gr ay m ist . Befor e t h ey w er e ab le t o van ish com p let ely am id st Lin g Xu e’s
sn ow , h e’d alr ead y r each ed t h em .
T h e t w o w er e gr eat ly ast on ish ed w h en h e ap p ear ed in fr on t of t h em ,

r evealin g t h e w eak n ess t h a t w as t h eir u n fam iliar coop er a t ion . Ye Can yin g
h u r r ied ly d ash ed t o t h e left , w h ile Lin g Xu e q u ick ly r et r ea t ed b ack w ar d s. T h ey
w er e in st a n t ly sep ar at ed b ecau se of t h is.
All of t h e sn ow flak es t h at Lin g Xu e h a d r eleased in st a n t ly fell t o t h e gr ou n d

w it h ou t an y p r ior w ar n in g, ast on ish in g h er . As a r esu lt , t h e b ar r ier b et w een h er
an d H u o Yu h ao com p let ely van ish ed . At t h e sam e t im e, t h e fu ll-sp eed H u o
Yu h ao ap p ear ed in fr on t of h er an d r each ed for h er w it h h is cr yst allin e,
d iam on d -lik e h an d s t h at sh on e w it h sp len d or .
Lin g Xu e su b con sciou sly lift ed h er h an d s. In h er m om en t of p an ic, sh e w as

on ly ab le t o r elease h er Sou l Ligh t Ray.
Six r ays of ligh t sh ot im m ed iat ely sh ot t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao lik e b olt s of

ligh t n in g.
At t h at m om en t , a st r an ge scen e occu r r ed . T h e six b lazin g b eam s of ligh t fr om
Lin g Xu e’s Sou l Ligh t Ray u n exp ect ed ly scat t er ed in fou r d iffer en t d ir ect ion s.
As it t u r n ed ou t , h is h an d s h a d b een in ju st t h e r igh t p lace t o b lock Lin g Xu e’s

Sou l Ligh t r ays; t h e six r ays of ligh t h ad in st an t ly b een r eflect ed t h e m om en t
t h ey’d com e in t o con t act w it h h is h an d s.
Aft er w ar d s, H u o Yu h ao gr ab b ed Lin g Xu e’s h an d s.
A sp ot less sh ad e of w h it e in st a n t ly sp r ead ou t w ar d s fr om Lin g Xu e an d H u o

Yu h ao lou d ly sh ou t ed , “T each er , cat ch !” As soon as h e’d fin ish ed , h e sen t Lin g
Xu e soar in g t h r ou gh t h e air . Ast on ish in gly, h er b od y w as n ow cover ed in a
w h it e layer of fr ost . W h en Fan Yu cau gh t h er , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sh iver
in st in ct ively.
H u o Yu h ao in st an t ly t u r n ed ar ou n d on ce h e’d t h r ow n Lin g Xu e in t o t h e a ir ,
ju st in t im e for h im t o see a w h it e ligh t ap p ear on Ye Can yin g’s ch est , w h o’d
sp lit in t o t h r ee sh a d ow clon es. H e fir ed a w h it e, p alm -sized b all of ligh t fr om a ll
t h r ee of h is ch est s t o w ar d s H u o Yu h ao fr om t h r ee d iffer en t d ir ect ion s.
Con cen t r at ed Sou l Can n on !
T h is w as t h e st r on gest sou l t ool availab le t o low -r an k in g sou l en gin eer s. Aft er

focu sin g t h eir sou l p ow er in t o a for m at ion ar r ay for a sh or t p er iod of t im e, a
sou l en gin eer cou ld r elease a p ow er fu l a t t ack . Un lik e t h e Sou l Ligh t Ray, t h e
Con cen t r at ed Sou l Can n on h ad a sip h on in g effect . In ot h er w or d s, it w ou ld
exp ed it e t h e ab sor p t ion of a sou l m ast er ’s sou l p ow er . T h u s, t h ou gh it w a s
p ow er fu l, it s sou l p ow er con su m p t ion w as ju st as lar ge. N or m ally sp eak in g, a
sin gle sh ot fr om t h e Con cen t r at ed Sou l Can n on w ou ld d r ain a sou l m ast er b y a
t h ir d of h is sou l p ow er at t h e ver y least .
T h e Con cen t r at ed Sou l Can n on h ad a sin gle d isad van t age, w h ich lay in t h e
fact t h at it h a d a sh or t at t ack r an ge. It cou ld on ly n or m ally on ly lock on t o an
op p on en t w it h in a t en m et er r an ge. If t h ey w er e an y fu r t h er aw ay, b ot h it s
st r en gt h an d accu r acy w ou ld p r ogr essively d et er ior at e.
Ye Can yin g’s m ar t ial sou l w as h is sh a d ow , w h ich m ad e it an ext r em ely
st r an ge m ar t ial sou l. A m ar t ial sou l lik e h is w as r elat ively d ecen t at assist in g
h im as a sou l en gin eer , b u t it w as u n for t u n at e t h at h is op p on en t w as H u o
Yu h ao, w h o’s m ar t ia l sou l p er fect ly cou n t er ed h is.
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes’ Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w ou ld cau se all illu sion s t o

van ish . H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t even b ot h er w it h t h e Con cen t r at ed Sou l Can n on sh ot s
t o h is left an d fr on t . H e im m ed iat ely ch ar ged t ow ar d s Ye Can yin g w it h h is r igh t
h an d r a ised , t h en gr ab b ed t h e gen u in e Con cen t r at ed Sou l Ca n n on sh ot w it h h is
r igh t h an d .
Aft er w ar d s, Ye Can yin g u n exp ect ed ly lost con t r ol of t h e left can n on sh ot . It

d id n ’t exp lod e, b u t r at h er w as flu n g b y H u o Yu h ao t ow ar d s h im . Fu r t h er m or e,
h e’d even u sed t h e T an g Sect ’s Ar r ow T h r ow in g T ech n iqu e.
St u n n ed , Ye Can yin g w as on ly ab le t o act ivat e h is Class 2 So u l Sh ield in t im e

t o b lock H u o Yu h ao’s at t ack . At t h e sam e t im e, h e r eleased h is t h ir d sou l sk ill,
cau sin g a b lack sh a d ow t o em er ge fr o m h is b od y an d at t em p t t o h elp h im
w it h st an d t h e Con cen t r at ed Sou l Can n on sh ot .
Desp it e t h is, Ye Can yin g’s b od y w as flu n g aw ay w it h a violen t exp losion , b u t

w as cau gh t m id a ir b y t h e p r oct or . T h e in t en se vib r at ion s t h at cam e fr om t h e
at t ack cau sed H u o Yu h ao t o r et r eat a few st ep s b ack w ar d s b efor e h e w as ab le t o
r egain h is foot in g.
H u o Yu h ao w as in w ar d ly ast on ish ed . T hi s Concent r at ed Soul Cannon’ s so

pow er f ul …i t seem s t hat I shoul d m ak e one f or m ysel f . Ye Can yi n g h ad cl ear l y
sen t out a sh adow cl on e t o bl ock t h e bl ow i n addi t i on t o h i s Cl ass 2 Soul Sh i el d,
yet h e’ d st i l l been sen t f l yi n g. Fur t h er m or e, h e’ d un expect edl y f ai n t ed as soon as
t h e pr oct or caugh t h i m . T h e m i gh t of t h i s at t ack w as com par abl e t o t h e al l -out
bl ow of an assaul t -t ype Soul El der .
H uo Yuh ao w as so ast on i sh ed by t h e pow er of t h e at t ack t h at h e h ar dl y

r eal i zed t h at t h e spect at i n g st uden t s w er e al l l ook i n g at h i m w i t h f l abber gast ed
expr essi on s on t h ei r f aces.
J u st h ow h ad a t w elve or t h ir t een -year -old st u d en t p u lled t h is off? H e w as
on ly a Sou l Gr an d m ast er , an d h e w as st ill a Class 2 sou l en gin eer . H e w asn ’t
even t h at m u ch st r on ger t h an h is op p on en t s! H ow ever , h e’d st ill b een ab le t o
d efeat all t h r ee of t h em b y h im self. Not on ly h ad h e w on , h e’d d on e it in a
sp ect acu lar m an n er . T h e en t ir e b at t le h ad gon e sm oot h ly, an d h e’d seem in gly
m ad e n o er r or s; t h is h ad clear ly b een a fla w less vict or y.
Even Fan Yu h ad n ’t exp ect ed H u o Yu h ao t o d eliver su ch a p er fect

p er for m an ce in h is t est .
In r ealit y, a Class 2 sou l en gin eer ’s p ar t icip at ion in t h e a d van cem en t t est w as
a m er e for m alit y. T h eir r egu lar t est s—in ot h er w or d s t h e cr eat ion of t h eir sou l
t ools—w er e m or e im p or t an t t o t h em . T h is w as esp ecia lly t r u e for t h eir
ach ievem en t s in t h e field of for m at ion ar r ay car vin g.
It h ad b een a 1v3 m a t ch , yet h e’d ach ieved a flaw less vict or y. H e’d st ar t ed t h e
m at ch off b y u sin g h is Im it at ion t o fak e t h e act ivat ion of a st at ion ar y sou l t ool,
h ad su p p r essed Lin g Xu e’s Sn ow , t h en b lock ed t h e Sou l Ligh t Ray u sin g t h e
t yr an n ical Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer , b efor e fin ally fr eezin g an d r eflect in g Ye
Can yin g’s Con cen t r at ed Sou l Can n on b ack t ow ar d s h im . Regar d less of w h et h er
it w as h is ach ievem en t s in com b at , h is d ecision -m ak in g sk ills, or h is u sage of h is
m ar t ial sou l an d sou l t ools, H u o Yu h ao w as t r u ly flaw less. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e
sou l t ools t h at h e’d fir ed fr om h is ar m s h ad cau sed Fan Yu t o sm ile sligh t ly.
W h en H u o Yu h ao h ad fir st m ad e it , h e’d given Fan Yu a b ig su r p r ise d u e t o t h e
b r an d -n ew p h ilosop h y of sou l t ool cr eat ion t h at h e h ad cr ea t ed . T h e sou l t ools
on h is ar m s t h at r esem b led Sou l Ligh t Rays w er e act u ally m in iat u r e St at ion ar y
Sou l Cr ossb ow s h e’d m ad e. T h e r ea son h e’d b een ab le t o sh a t t er a Class 2 Sou l
Sh ield w as act u ally ext r em ely sim p le: H e’d u sed an at t ack t h a t w as h alf p h ysical
an d h alf en er gy. T h is allow ed h im t o fir e t h em u sin g h is sou l p ow er . Beca u se
t h is h ad on ly b een a n ot e-com p ar in g session , h e’d fir ed b all b ear in gs in st ead of
cr ossb ow b olt s. T h e b all b ear in gs t h at h a d b een r eleased b y bot h cr ossb ow s h ad
st r u ck Ye Can yin g an d Lin g Xu e’s ar m s an d r eleased a gr ay m ist t h a t b lock ed
t h eir lin e of sigh t . T h is sor t of m ove h ad ab solu t ely r each ed t h e p in n acle of
accu r acy.
H u o Yu h ao’s r eason in g w as act u ally ver y sim p le. W h y d id a St at ion ar y Sou l
T ool alw ays h ave t o r elease a p ow er fu l can n on sh ell? Doin g it t h at w ay w ou ld
in d eed gen er a t e a p ow er fu l at t ack , b u t it s p r od u ct ion cost s w ou ld b e ext r em ely
h igh . If h e cou ld co m b in e t h e cr eat ion t ech n iq u es of sou l t ools an d t h e T an g
Sect ’s h id d en w eap on s t o cr eat e a St at ion ar y Sou l Cr ossb ow , h e’d b e ab le t o
in cor p or at e b ot h t h e d r ivin g for ce of a sou l t ool an d t h e m ech an ics of a
cr ossb ow in t o h is at t ack s. Doin g t h is w o u ld allow h im t o fu se m at er ial at t ack s
an d en er gy-b ased at t ack s t oget h er , an d w ou ld let h im u se d iffer en t a r r ow s b ased
on t h e sit u at ion . W ou ld n ’t t h at m ak e h is at t ack s m u ch m or e flexib le?
H is lin e of r eason in g w as ext r em ely b en eficial t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .

T h is w as also t h e r eason t h at Fan Yu lik ed h im so m u ch , an d w as also t h e m ain
r eason w h y t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t w as as ad am an t as t h ey w er e on h avin g
h im st ay w it h t h em . H e w as sim p ly t oo t alen t ed in t h e field of sou l t ool cr eat ion .
St r ong Point
T h e b iggest p r ob lem w it h t h e T an g Sect ’s h id d en w eap on s d id n ’t r ea lly lay in

t h eir p ow er . T h er e w er e som e t h at t r u ly h ad ext r em ely p ow er fu l at t ack s. T h e
m ain r eason t h ey’d d eclin ed over t h e cou r se of t im e w as t h eir sh or t at t ack
r an ge. H ow ever , if you w er e ab le t o ad d t h e at t ack r an ge of a sou l t ool t o t h e
at t ack p at t er n of a h id d en w eap on , w ou ld n ’t you cr eat e a b r a n d -n ew sou l t ool?
H u o Yu h ao h ad d esign ed t h is m in iat u r e St at ion ar y Sou l Cr ossb ow b ased on t h is
id ea. It d id n ’t con su m e t oo m u ch sou lfor ce, b u t it w as st ill q u it e p ow er fu l. Lik e
a Sou l Ligh t Ray, it s at t ack r an ge w as a h u n d r ed m et er s. Fu r t h er m or e, it co u ld
even b r eak a Cla ss 2 Sou l Sh ield . Bu t it s m igh t w asn ’t t h e m a in p oin t ; it s b iggest
ad van t age lay in it s h igh flexib ilit y. At t h e sam e t im e, ju st h ow m an y d iffer en t
k in d s of sou l t ools cou ld b e r esear ch ed w it h t h e h elp of t h is p r ot ot yp e? T h is w as
a w or ld -sh ak in g m at t er for Sh r ek Acad em y’s Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . Of cou r se,
t h ey ob viou sly n eed ed m an y m or e t h eor et ical an d p r act ical exp er im en t s t o
fu r t h er r esear ch t h is su b ject . Bu t w it h t h is p r ot ot yp e, t h ey at least k n ew w h ich
d ir ect ion t o go in !
Fan Yu gazed at H u o Yu h ao, w h o’d ar r ived in fr on t of h im , a n d cou ld n ’t h elp

b u t sin cer ely say, “Kid , you ’r e t r u ly t h e h op e of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ! Er ,
r at h er , I m ean t t o say t h at t h e coor d in a t ion b et w een you r sou l t ools a n d you r
m ar t ial sou l w er e ab solu t ely p er fect . You p ass t h e t est .”
Lin g Xu e w as st ill sh iver in g in Fan Yu ’s em b r ace w h en h e said t h is. Even

t h ou gh sh e’d on ly b een in con t act w it h t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer for a sh or t
m om en t , t h e ext r em e cold h ad a lm ost t u r n ed h er in t o a b lock of ice. T h e ice
cr yst als on h er b od y m ad e it im p ossib le for h er t o m ove for t h e t im e b ein g. Sh e
d id h er b est t o r evolve h er sou lfor ce. W it h Fan Yu ’s h elp , sh e m an aged t o r egain
h er st r en gt h . Sh e gazed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, an d b esid es cu r iosit y, fear w as
p r esen t in h er eyes. T h is w as t h e fir st t im e sh e’d ever felt su ch a t er r ifyin g cold .
Sh e felt lik e h er sn o w cou ld alm ost b e con sid er ed w ar m com p ar ed t o it .
T h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer w as a p ow er fu l sou l sk ill t h at t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess

Scor p ion h ad b est o w ed on t o H u o Yu h a o. Even t h ou gh h e cou ld n ’t d isp lay it s
fu ll m igh t , t h e sp ecial ch ar act er ist ics of t h e sk ill w er e st ill p r esen t .
T h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer ’s p r im ar y effect w ou ld st r en gt h en b ot h of h is h an d s

an d for ear m s, m ak in g t h em as h ar d as a t en t h ou san d -year -old b lock of t h ick
ice. In ad d it ion t o t h is, t h e d iam on d -lik e ice cr yst als on h is b od y h ad a p ow er fu l
r efr act ive ab ilit y. T h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer s t h em selves cou ld b e r egar d ed a s a
p ow er fu l w eap on . On e n eed t o r ealize t h at t h e st r on gest p ar t s of t h e Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s b od y w er e h er p in cer s an d h er t ail! T h e Sou l Ligh t Ray
h ad n ’t b een ab le t o h ar m H u o Yu h ao for t h is exact r eason ; it h ad b een r eflect ed
b y t h e cr yst als.
Besid es m ak in g h is b od y ext r em ely st u r d y, t h e sk ill also gr an t ed h im gr eat

st r en gt h . T h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer also h ad t h e ab ilit y t o in cr ease H u o Yu h ao’s
ar m st r en gt h b y a ext r em ely lar ge m ar gin , t o t h e p oin t t h at it w asn ’t on e w h it
in fer ior t o Dai H u a b in w h en h e w as u n d er t h e in flu en ce of h is W h it e T iger
m ar t ial sou l.
At t h e sam e t im e, t h ese t w o sk ills w er e ver y sim ilar t o t h e M yst er iou s J ad e

H an d s fr om t h e T an g Sect . As su ch , t h ey cou ld com p lem en t each ot h er .
An yb od y t h at m ad e t h e m ist ak e of t r eat in g t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer s as a r egu la r
fir st -r in g sou l sk ill w ou ld en d u p exact ly lik e Lin g Xu e an d Ye Can yin g.
Asid e fr om t h ese t w o sp ecial ch ar act er ist ics, t h er e w as also t h e ext r em e cold .

As an Ult im at e ice m ar t ial sou l, t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion h ad also
b est ow ed an at t r ib u t e of ‘ext r em e cold ’ t o ever y sin gle sk ill H u o Yu h ao
p ossessed . T h is ext r em e cold h ad in -t u r n in h er it ed t h e over b ear in gn ess of t h e
Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion . M or eover , it s p ow er w ou ld in cr ease alon g w it h H u o
Yu h ao’s cu lt ivat ion an d h is b od y’s cap ab ilit ies.
Lin g Xu e also h ad an ice elem en t m ar t ial sou l. H ow ever , as it w as
in com p ar ab le t o t h e Ice Em p r ess’ m ar t ial sou l, it h ad im m ed iat ely b een
su p p r essed . H u o Yu h ao’s Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer even h ad t h e ab ilit y t o in st an t ly
fr eeze en er gy, w h ich h ad allow ed h im t o t h r ow b ack t h e Con cen t r at ed Sou l
Can n on sh ot . It cou ld b e im agin ed w h at k in d of p ow er it h eld fr om t h is. If h e’d
w an t ed t o, h e cou ld ’ve b r ok en Lin g Xu e’s n eck at t h at t im e.
Aft er t h is b at t le, all of t h e st u d en t s of t h e M a r t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t w er e

ext r em ely cu r iou s ab ou t H u o Yu h ao. W as t h is r eally t h e p ow er of a st u d en t w it h
a m er e t en year w h it e sou l r in g? M or eover , fr om b egin n in g t o en d , h is sou l t ool
h ad d on e n ot h in g ot h er t h an in cr ease h is sp eed !
Fan Yu look ed t ow ar d s t h e st u d en t s an d said , “All of you sh ou ld ’ve seen t h e

figh t ju st n ow . Ye Can yin g, T an g Su ifen g an d Lin g Xu e, even t h ou gh t h e t h r ee
of you lost , H u o Yu h ao’s cir cu m st an ces ar e also a b it sp ecial. T h er efor e, you ’ll
b e given an op p or t u n it y t o r et ak e t h e t est la t er , an d you r scor e w ill b e r eset .
Now t h en , let m e give you a b r ief in t r od u ct ion .”
Fan Yu t h en p u lled H u o Yu h ao in fr on t of h im an d con t in u ed , “H is n am e is

H u o Yu h ao, an d h e’s m y p er son al d iscip le, ju st lik e H e Cait ou . Fu r t h er m or e,
h e’s excep t ion ally t alen t ed at cr ea t in g sou l t ools. For t h is r eason , h e’s also a cor e
d iscip le of ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . H ow ever , d u e t o sp ecial cir cu m st an ces,
h e’ll st ill b e st u d yin g at t h e M ar t ial So u l Dep ar t m en t for n ow . Yu h ao, all of
t h ese st u d en t s ar e t h e sam e as you , Class 2 sou l en gin eer s.”
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly b ow ed an d gr eet ed t h em , “Ever yon e, I’m p leased t o

m eet you .”
T h e st u d en t s a lso gr eet ed h im on e aft er an ot h er . T h ose t h at w er e jealou s of

h im far su r p assed t h ose t h at ad m ir ed h im , m ain ly d u e t o h is you n g age. Fr om
t h e b at t le ju st n ow , t h ey’d d iscover ed t h at h e w as t h e st r on gest am on gst all of
t h e Class 2 sou l en gin eer s. Even a Sou l Eld er h ad n ’t b een h is m at ch .
T h is b at t le ju st n ow h ad also b een a gr eat in sp ir a t ion for H u o Yu h ao. Sou l

t ools cou ld gr eat ly h elp h im over com e h is sh or t com in gs. Deep in h is h ear t , h e
t h ou gh t t h a t , if h e h ad en ou gh t im e t o cr eat e som e Class 2 sou l t ools, h e
w ou ld n ’t even n eed t o b e afr aid of facin g som eon e lik e Dai H u ab in in a on e-on -
on e b at t le.
At t h at m om en t , h e’d also b egu n t o r ea lize t h e m igh t of t h e fou r sk ills t h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad b est ow ed u p on h im .
On fir st sigh t , t h e fou r sp ir it u a l-t yp e sk ills h e’d r eceived seem ed ver y

or d in ar y. H ow ever as h is cu lt ivat ion r o se, t h ese sk ills h ad also b egu n t o sh ow
t h eir m igh t . T h e easiest an d m ost u sefu l on e w as su r ely t h e Sp ir it u al Det ect ion ,
w h ile n ext w as t h e Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce. A m om en t ago, h e’d r elied on h is
Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce t o avoid t h e en em y’s cr ossfir e w h en h e’d b een en cir cled
b y t h r ee of t h em . T w o sp ir it u a l sk ills t h at cou ld com p lem en t each ot h er w it h
sou l t ools; t h is w as b asically t h e b est t h in g h e cou ld ask for ! Fu r t h er m or e, h e
cou ld alr ead y u se a St at ion ar y Sou l T ool w it h h is cu r r en t cu lt ivat ed level. If h e
w er e t o com b in e h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion w it h a St at ion a r y Sou l T ool, h e w as
con fid en t t h a t h e cou ld h old h is ow n again st a sou l m ast er w it h fou r , or even
five sou l r in gs! Of cou r se, t h at w as on ly if h e h ad en ou gh am m u n it ion an d t h er e
w as a gr eat en ou gh d ist an ce b et w een t h em .
T h e m or e h e st u d ied an d u sed sou l t ools, t h e m or e H u o Yu h ao cou ld feel h ow

m u ch m or e ad van ced t h ey w er e t h an t h e T an g Sect ’s h id d en w eap on s.
If you w er e t o com p ar e t h em , on e h ad t h e p ow er of a p u r ely m ech an ical

d evice; it w as p r ecise an d accu r at e, ju st lik e a p iece of ar t . On t h e ot h er h an d ,
sou l t ools w er e p ow er ed b y sou lfor ce, w h ich w as a m or e ad van ced t yp e of
en er gy. M or eover , it cou ld b e u sed in con ju n ct ion w it h for m at ion ar r ays.
No m at t er w h at m a t er ials w er e u sed , t h e p ow er of a m ech an ical d evice w ou ld

alw ays b e lim it ed . H ow ever , sou lfor ce w as d iffer en t , as sou lfor ce w ou ld in cr ease
alon gsid e t h e cu lt ivat ion of t h e so u l m ast er . As su ch , t h e p ow er of sou l t ools
w ou ld also k eep in cr easin g. Fu r t h er m or e, w it h t h e in cr ease of on e’s sou lfor ce,
t h e p r ocess in volved in t h e d esign a n d cr eat ion of sou l t ools w ou ld also ch an ge
accor d in gly, w h ich w ou ld cau se t h e p ow er of t h e sou l t ool t o b ecom e gr eat er
an d gr eat er . T h is w a s also on e of t h e r eason s t h at fir st -class sou l en gin eer s w er e
su ch t er r ifyin g exist en ces.
H ow ever , even if a Class 9 sou l en gin eer cou ld d om in at e a Ran k 9 T it led

Dou lu o in a lon g d ist an ce b at t le, t h e sam e cou ld n 't b e said of a sh or t -r an ge
b at t le. At t h e sam e t im e, t h er e h ad n ever b een a Class 9 sou l en gin eer w h o’d
su r m ou n t ed Ran k 95. Becau se of t h is, sou l m ast er s w er e st ill r ecogn ized as t h e
st r on gest exist en ces on t h e con t in en t . T h is w as a lso on e of t h e r ea son s t h at
Sh r ek Acad em y h ad su ch a h igh st at u s.
Aft er in t r od u cin g h im , Fan Yu let H u o Yu h ao go. H e also gave h im a d ay of

r est . T h ey w ou ld m eet t h e d ay aft er t om or r ow in t h e even in g, w h er e t h ey w ou ld
con t in u e st u d yin g t oget h er in t h e T est in g Ar ea.
Aft er b id d in g Fan Yu an d H e Cait ou far ew ell, H u o Yu h ao r et u r n ed t o h is

d or m r oom . As soon as h e op en ed t h e d oor , h e saw W an g Don g look in g at
som et h in g w it h a ver y excit ed look on h is face.
“W h at ’s u p ? H ow com e you ’r e so h ap p y?” H u o Yu h ao m oved closer .
W an g Don g r aised h is h ea d an d sh ot Yu h ao a look . “Did you p ass t h e Sou l

T ool Dep ar t m en t ’s ad van cem en t t est ?”
H u o Yu h ao giggled as h e said , “Of cou r se I d id . In fact , I d iscover ed t h a t

figh t in g w it h a sou l t ool is m u ch easier t h an w it h ou t on e. T h e con su m p t ion of
sou lfor ce is also sm aller com p ar ed t o p u r ely u sin g sou l sk ills. W h at ’r e you
look in g at ?”
H e m oved closer w h en h e w as d on e sp ea k in g, t h en sn a t ch ed a b r on ze-lik e r ed

p ap er fr om W an g Don g’s h an d .
“T r easu r e Ap p r eciat in g Au ct ion ? W h at ’s t h at ?” H u o Yu h ao glan ced over t h e

r ed p ap er . On it , H u o Yu h ao saw t h at Sh r ek Acad em y’s cor e st u d en t s w er e
in vit ed t o t h e T r easu r e Ap p r eciat in g Au ct ion t o t ak e a look at t h e good s t h at
w ou ld b e on d isp lay.
W an g Don g sm iled , t h en t u r n ed an d sat d ow n . H e excit ed ly exp lain ed , “I d id
som e r esear ch . T h is T r easu r e Ap p r eciat in g Au ct ion is som et h in g t h at w as
cr eat ed for ou r Sh r ek Acad em y. H ow ever , it ’s b een d ivid ed in t o d iffer en t
cat egor ies. For exa m p le, t h is sect ion is sp ecifically aim ed t ow ar d s u s cor e
d iscip les.”
H u o Yu h ao ill-h u m or ed ly r ep lied , “Exp lain you r self clear ly. I d id n ’t

u n d er st an d a n yt h in g you ju st said .”
W an g Don g st ar ed at h im b lan k ly an d said , “T h at ’s b ecau se you ’r e st u p id .

T h is T r easu r e Ap p r eciat in g Au ct ion is a r u n b y a b ig m er ch a n t or gan izat ion in
Sh r ek Cit y. Isn ’t ou r Sh r ek Cit y a h u ge b u sin ess cen t er ? It ’s n ot u n com m on for
m er ch an t s of d iffer en t n at ion s t o com e h er e t o car r y ou t t r an sact ion s. W h en t h e
m er ch an t s livin g in Sh r ek Cit y get ah old of som et h in g good , t h ey’ll au ct ion it at
ou r Sh r ek Acad em y’s T r easu r e Ap p r eciat in g Au ct ion . T o p u t it b lu n t ly, w e get
t o ch oose fir st , an d t h e left over s w ill b e a u ct ion ed off lat er on .”
H u o Yu h ao w as su r p r ised as h e ask ed , “For r eal? Do t h ose m er ch an t s even

gain an yt h in g fr om t h is? It ’s n ot lik e ever yon e in ou r acad em y is r ich .”
W an g Don g sn or t ed an d r ep lied , “Of cou r se t h ey gain som et h in g. T h ey gain

t h e acad em y's good w ill! Not ever yon e in t h e acad em y is r ich , yet h ow d o you
t h in k Sh r ek Cit y cam e t o exist ? It w as all t h an k s t o ou r Sh r ek Acad em y. Ou r
acad em y isn ’t on ly t h e n u m b er on e aca d em y on t h e con t in en t —it a lso h as a
t er r ifyin g m ilit ar y for ce. As lon g as Sh r ek Acad em y is h er e, Sh r ek Cit y w ill
n ever fall. Even if all t h e n at ion s on t h e con t in en t w er e t o w a ge w ar again st each
ot h er , n on e of t h em w ou ld d ar e t o w age w ar h er e. Becau se of t h is, b u ild in g a
good r elat ion sh ip w it h ou r Sh r ek Acad em y is in t h e b est in t er est of t h ose
m er ch an t s.”
H u o Yu h ao’s in t er est w as ar ou sed w h en h e h ear d t h is. “So w h at k in d of good

t h in gs ar e a u ct ion ed at t h is T r easu r e Ap p r eciat in g Au ct ion ?”
W an g Don g said , “T h e T r easu r e Ap p r eciat in g Au ct ion is m ain ly d ivid ed in t o

t h r ee cat egor ies. T h e fir st on e is d ir ect ly r eser ved for t h e acad em y. For exam p le,
if you r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t n eed s som e r ar e m et als, t h ey can b u y t h em
d ir ect ly fr om t h er e. T h e sam e goes for t h e t each in g ar t icles of t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t . T h e acad em y can also or d er t h in gs su ch as p r eciou s in gr ed ien t s.
H ow ever , t h ese ar e ju st a few exam p les. Asid e fr om t h e t h in gs sold t o t h e
acad em y an d t h e t ea ch er s, t h er e w on ’t b e m an y ot h er h igh qu alit y good s.”
“Aft er w ar d s, t h er e a r e t h e ot h er t w o cat egor ies. T h ese cat egor ies ar e r eser ved
for u s, t h e st u d en t s, an d you can fin d sever al good t h in gs h er e. On e of t h ese
cat egor ies is aim ed at in n er cou r t yar d st u d en t s, an d t h e good s t h er e ar e p r et t y
h igh q u alit y. Accor d in g t o t h e r u m or s, sou l b on es ar e sold t h er e all t h e t im e.
H ow ever , on ly in n er cou r t yar d st u d en t s ar e q u alified t o en t er t h at au ct ion .
T h er e’s n ot r eally an yt h in g w e can d o ab ou t it . Aft er t h at , t h er e’s t h e p lace
w r it t en on t h is in vit at ion let t er . On ly t h e cor e d iscip les of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d
ar e allow ed t o en t er .”
Book 9: Escape
Chapt er 56.1: The Tr easur e Appr eciat ion Auct ion
“T h e T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion for t h e cor e d iscip les w ill com m en ce
t on igh t . Even t h ou gh t h is T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion of ou r s isn ’t as good as
t h e in n er cou r t yar d ’s au ct ion , I’ve h ear d t h at t h er e a r e m an y good it em s t h er e.
For exam p le, m ed icin e p ills, h er b s an d even cu st om -m ad e so u l r in gs! T h er e ar e
also sou l t ool-r elat ed it em s. In an y case, all of t h e it em s t h er e ar e all h igh q u alit y
good s. Ar e you goin g?”
H u o Yu h ao let ou t a b it t er lau gh an d said , “I’m n ot goin g. I b ar ely h ave an y

m on ey so w h at ’s t h e u se in goin g? Sin ce t h er e ar e on ly goin g t o b e good it em s
t h er e, t h ey’r e n at u r ally goin g t o b e exp en sive. It w ou ld b e ok ay if I d id n ’t fan cy
an yt h in g, b u t ju st in case I d o fan cy som et h in g, w ou ld n ’t I ju st b e b r in gin g
su ffer in g u p on m yself?”
W an g Don g felt p leased as h e r ep lied , “I’m su r e you d on ’t k n ow t h is, b u t

d id n ’t you m en t ion a m om en t ago t h at n ot all of ou r sen ior s ar e r ich ? W h a t
m ean in g w ou ld t h is T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion h ave t h en ? T h e t r u t h is t h at
w e can b u y t h e it em s on cr ed it . T h is is also t h e r eason w h y t h e au ct ion is n ot
op en t o n or m al st u d en t s.”
H is cu r iosit y p eak ed , H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “Bu yin g on cr ed it ? T ell m e m or e

ab ou t t h is.”
W an g Don g said , “Don ’t look d ow n on ou r id en t it y as cor e d iscip les. T h e

p r ob ab ilit y of a cor e d iscip le fr om t h e o u t er co u r t yar d gr ad u at in g is ab ove 95
p er cen t . M or eover , each an d ever y st u d en t cap ab le of gr ad u at in g fr om t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d is an ou t st an d in g t alen t in ext r em e d em an d , r egar d less of cou n t r y or
in d u st r y. T h at ’s b ecau se t h e m ain r eq u ir em en t in or d er t o gr ad u at e fr om t h e
ou t er cou r t yar d is b ecom in g a Sou l An cest or !”
“T h er efor e, w h at t h ese b u sin esses ar e d oin g is in vest in g in u s an d ou r
p ot en t ial. T h ey’ll ar r an ge a d at e for u s t o sign an agr eem en t w it h t h em . W e
w ou ld t h en r ep ay t h em in year ly in st allm en t s. W e can even d efer r ep ayin g t h em
t ill aft er w e gr ad u at e, b u t in t h at case t h ey’ll collect a sm all am ou n t of in t er est
fr om u s.”
“I k n ow you d on ’t u n d er st an d h ow t h ey b en efit fr om t h is, d o you ? Fir st , sin ce

w e ar e in t h eir d eb t ; if t h ey h ave som et h in g t o ask of you or if t h ey en cou n t er
som et h in g p r ob lem at ic, h ow cou ld you n ot h elp t h em ? If t h ey w an t t o em p loy
you , cou ld you r eject t h em ? T ak in g a st ep b ack , t h er e’s n o h ar m in for m in g a
good r elat ion sh ip w it h a p ow er fu l Sou l An cest or is t h er e? In an y case, at t h e
ver y least t h ey ca n b oost t h e ch an ces of you sh op p in g in t h eir st or e. You m ay
n ot h ave m on ey n ow b u t t h at d oesn ’t m ean you ’ll alw ays b e p oor in t h e fu t u r e.”
“T h ese b u sin esses ar e ver y sh r ew d an d w ou ld n ever con d u ct t r an sact ion s t h a t

w ou ld en d in a loss for t h em . If w e cor e d iscip les can en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d ,
t h e p aym en t w ill in cr ease fu r t h er , an d all t h e in t er est on t h e loan w ou ld b e
w aived off. All w e’d n eed t o d o is r ep ay t h e cap it al w it h in t h e d ead lin e via on e of
t h e m an y r ep aym en t sch em es.”
Aft er h is t h or ou gh exp lan at ion , H u o Yu h ao fin ally saw t h e ligh t , “T h er e ar e

act u ally so m an y w ays of d oin g t h in gs h er e. T h en d oes t h at m ean w e can also
b u y t h in gs on cr ed it ?”
W an g Don g n od d ed an d said , “Bu t of cou r se! W e’r e cor e d iscip les, aft er all!
M or eover , you ’r e a cor e d iscip le of t w o d ep ar t m en t s. If t h ey h ear d ab ou t t h is,
I’m su r e t h ey’d give you an even gr eat er d iscou n t .”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead an d r ep lied , “T h er e’s n o n eed for t h at . I’d h ave t o

r et u r n t h e favor if I accep t ed t h eir d iscou n t s. W e’d b et t er n ot d o t h at u n less w e
h ad n o ot h er ch oice.”
W an g Don g w as excit ed , “Of cou r se! Desp it e b ein g in t h e aca d em y for so lon g
h ave you b een t o Sh r ek Cit y?”
H u o Yu h ao n at u r ally h ad n ’t b een t o Sh r ek Cit y. Fr om h is p oin t of view , t h e
b iggest h u r d le w as h is fir st year in t h e acad em y. Du r in g t h at t im e, h e k n ew t h at
h e cou ld b e exp elled at an y t im e. Ot h er t h an givin g it h is all in cu lt ivat in g, h ow
cou ld h e h ave t h e t im e an d en er gy t o go w in d ow sh op p in g?
“You ’ve n ever b een ou t t h er e, r igh t ? W e’r e goin g t o st ar t lesson s ver y soon .
It ’s su ch a r a r e occu r r en ce t h at w e’ve got fr ee t im e, so let ’s t ak e a st r oll. Even if
w e d on ’t b u y an yt h in g, w e can in cr ease ou r k n ow led ge. W e can ’t alw ays ign or e
w h at ’s goin g on in t h e w or ld ou t sid e even if w e w an t t o.”
H u o Yu h ao saw h ow excit ed h e look ed an d cou ld n ’t b r in g h im self t o say n o t o

h im . H e felt sligh t ly h elp less as h e r ep lied , “It ’s t on igh t , r igh t ? T h en b efor e w e
fin ish eat in g, you h ave t o accom p an y m e in cu lt ivat ion . You ’r e n ot allow ed t o
slack off.”
W an g Don g sm iled a s h e r ep lied , “Deal!”
T h ey t h en sp en t t h e r em ain in g h ou r s cu lt iva t in g. H u o Yu h a o h ad or igin a lly

b een u n d er t h e assu m p t ion t h at h is sou l p ow er w as in cr easin g r ap id ly an d t h at
h e h ad alr ead y cau gh t u p t o m ost of t h e ot h er st u d en t s. H ow ever , h e st ar t ed t o
p an ic w h en h e h ear d T each er W an g Yan an d Dean Yan m en t ion t h a t t h e sp eed
at w h ich a p er son w it h an Ult im at e m ar it al sou l cou ld cu lt iva t e w ou ld d ecr ease
aft er Ran k 30 . M or eover , h e w as d iffer en t fr om t h e ot h er st u d en t s. As p er t h e
acad em y’s in st r u ct ion s, h e h ad t o m om en t ar ily m ain t a in h is p osit ion as a cor e
d iscip le of t w o d ep ar t m en t s. H e h ad t o m u lt it ask an d st u d y in b ot h d ep ar t m en t s
at t h e sam e t im e. T h is w asn ’t an easy feat . H en ce, h e d id n ’t d ar e t o r elax for a
sin gle m om en t d esp it e h avin g alr ea d y est ab lish ed h im self in t h e acad em y. On
t h e con t r ar y, h e h a d t o w or k even h ar d er .
H u o Yu h ao also h ad h is ow n op in ion s on t h e sit u at ion . H is p lan of

sin gleh an d ed ly seek in g r even ge on t h e Du k e’s Resid en ce w as a p ip e d r eam . Even
if h e h ad t h e ab ilit y t o d o so in t h e fu t u r e, h ow m an y year s w ou ld h e h ave t o
w ait ? T w en t y, t h ir t y, or m ayb e even fift y year s? At t h at t im e, t h in gs w ou ld
r em ain t h e sam e, yet p eop le w ou ld ’ve ch an ged . W h at w ou ld b e t h e p oin t of
seek in g r even ge an ym or e? T h e t ar get h e gave h im self t o com p let e h is r even ge in
w as t w en t y year s. T h is r eq u ir ed h im t o b e even st r on ger an d even m or e
p ow er fu l t h an h e w as cu r r en t ly. Sh r ek Acad em y w as u n d ou b t ed ly t h e b est p lace
for h im t o t ak e fligh t . T h u s, h e h ad t o d o h is b est an d lear n as m u ch as h e cou ld
so w h ile h e w as h er e so h e cou ld b ecom e st r on ger .
T im e alw ays p assed ver y qu ick ly w h en cu lt ivat in g. T h e sk y w as alr ead y

d ar k en in g b y t h e t im e t h e t w o fin ish ed cu lt ivat in g. Aft er t h ey fin ish ed eat in g a
t op -n ot ch , scr u m p t iou s m eal, t h ey t ook t h e in vit at ion let t er an d qu iet ly left t h e
sch ool.
Nat u r a lly, t h ey w er en ’t t h e on ly t w o t o r eceive t h e in vit at ion let t er . T h e cor e

d iscip les in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d w er e sp r ead acr oss all year gr ou p s. For exam p le,
Dai H u ab in , Zh u Lu , Zh ou En ch en an d Ch ao J in xu an fr om t h eir year h ad also
r eceived in v it at ion s. H ow ever t h ey w ou ld all go a t d iffer en t t im es as t h ey h a d
b een t ak in g t h eir exam s for t h e p ast t w o d ays.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g set off con sid er ab ly lat er t h an t h e ot h er s. As t h ey

w alk ed ou t of t h e acad em y’s gat es, H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly st op p ed in h is t r ack s.
“W h at ’s w r on g?” W an g Don g ask ed , p u zzled .
H u o Yu h ao an sw er ed , “Do you k n ow h ow t o get t o t h e T r easu r e Assem b ly

Pavilion ? I’ve n ever b een t o Sh r ek Cit y b efor e. You ’ve n ever b een t h er e eit h er ,
r igh t ?”
W an g Don g r aised h is h an d an d k n ock ed H u o Yu h ao on h is h ead . “St u p id ,

look at t h e b ack of you r in vit at ion let t er .”
As a cor e d iscip le, H u o Yu h ao h ad n at u r a lly r eceived h is ow n in vit at ion let t er .

H e t ook it ou t an d flip p ed it over . Su r e en ou gh , t h er e w as a d et ailed m ap
st am p ed in gold w h ich in d ica t ed t h e loca t ion of t h e T r easu r e Assem b ly Pavilion
w it h in Sh r ek Cit y.
Alt h ou gh Sh r ek Acad em y w as locat ed w it h in Sh r ek Cit y, t h ey w er en ’t
con n ect ed t o on e a n ot h er . T h is also m ean t t h at t h er e w asn ’t a b ack d oor
con n ect in g t h e aca d em y t o t h e cit y.
As a r esu lt of t h at , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad t o w alk ou t of t h e

acad em y, h ead r ou n d t o eit h er t h e sou t h or n or t h gat e of t h e cit y an d t h en en t er
t h r ou gh t h at gat e. T h e T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Pavilion seem ed t o b e closer t o
t h e n or t h ga t e on t h e m ap , so t h ey n at u r a lly h ead ed t o t h at gat e.
Sh r ek Cit y w as ver y lar ge so t h e d u o st a r t ed t o r u n as soon as t h ey left t h e

acad em y. T h ey on ly st ep p ed t h r ou gh t h e n or t h gat e aft er r u n n in g for close t o an
h ou r .
As on e of t h e b u siest cit ies an d m ost in t egr al cit ies on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ,

Sh r ek Cit y w as t h e liveliest in t h e even in g. On ce t h ey p assed t h r ou gh t h e cit y
gat es, t h ey w er e gr eet ed b y a n oisy p lace t h at w as b u st lin g w it h act ivit y. H u o
Yu h ao w as sh ock ed b y w h at h e saw sin ce n eit h er h ad h e ever b een t o su ch a b ig
cit y,n or h ad h e seen so m an y p eop le b efor e in h is life.
Chapt er 56.2: The Tr easur e Appr eciat ion Auct ion
Ever yt h in g as far as t h e eye cou ld see w as filled w it h a d en sely p ack ed st r eam

of p eop le en t er in g or leavin g t h e cit y. On t op of t h at , t h e sou n d s of ven d or s
p ed d lin g t h eir good s m ad e ever yt h in g even m or e ch aot ic.
“T h er e ar e so m an y p eop le h er e!” H u o Yu h ao said , ast on ish ed .
W an g Don g said , “T h at ’s ob viou s. As on e of t h e m ost flou r ish in g econ om ic

cen t er s on t h e con t in en t , Sh r ek Cit y is ext r em ely b u st lin g. T h e cit y b oast s a
p op u lat ion of n ear ly five m illion p eop le, t h at ’s alm ost as m u ch as som e em p ir es.
H ey, d on ’t t ell m e t h at you ’ve n ever b een in a cit y b efor e?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed , “Yeah ! T h is is t h e lar gest cit y I’ve ever b een in .”
W h ile look in g ar ou n d cu r iou sly, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w alk ed t h r ou gh

t h e w id e cit y gat es. Sh r ek Cit y’s m ain r oad s w er e ext r em ely w id e an d allow ed
eigh t car r iages t o r id e t h r ou gh t h em a t t h e sam e t im e. T h e vast at m osp h er e
w it h in t h e cit y m ad e H u o Yu h ao gasp in su r p r ise as h e felt h is w or ld view w id en .
“H ow ab ou t it ? Ou r t r ip w as n ot in vain w as it ?” W an g Don g sm iled . H e h ad a

sim ilar cu r iou s exp r ession on h is face; aft er all, t h is w as also h is fir st t im e
en t er in g Sh r ek Cit y.
T h e d escr ip t ion s of Sh r ek Cit y on t h e m ap w er e ext r em ely accu r at e an d it s

r oad s w er e ext r em ely or d er ly. As a r esu lt , it w asn ’t h ar d t o n avigat e ar ou n d t h e
cit y. Aft er w alk in g for ab ou t fift een m in u t es or so, t h ey ar r ived at t h e T r easu r e
Gat h er in g Pavilion .
T h e T r easu r e Ga t h er in g Pavilion w as a lar ge st or e t h at d ealt w it h it em s

r elat in g t o sou l m ast er s an d sou l en gin eer s. If look ed u p on fr om afar , on e cou ld
see t h a t it w as an en or m ou s fou r -floor ed b u ild in g t h at w as over t w en t y m et er s
t all. T h e b u ild in g it self t ook u p a lar ge am ou n t of sp ace. It w as a d azzlin g sigh t
t o b eh old fr om t h e ou t sid e, as it r esem b led a cor n u cop ia.
A b u ild in g t h is lu xu r iou s h ad a lr ead y exceed ed H u o Yu h ao’s r an ge of

u n d er st an d in g. An d so, h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t w id en h is eyes w h en h e saw t h e
fou r ch eon gsam -w ear in g gir ls st an d in g b esid e t h e d oor t o t h e T r easu r e
Gat h er in g Pavilion .
T h e gir ls w h o w er e in ch ar ge of r eceivin g cu st om er s of t h e T r easu r e

Gat h er in g H all w er e on ly seven t een or eigh t een year s old , t h ey h ad sw eet
ap p ear an ces an d slen d er b od ies. T h eir fair sk in s look ed even m or e ch ar m in g
w h en con t r ast ed w it h t h e d azzlin g T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion . H u o Yu h ao w as
im m ed iat ely flab b er gast ed .
“Ou ch . W an g Don g, w h at ’r e you p in ch in g m e b efor e?” An acu t e sen sa t ion of

p ain b r ou gh t H u o Yu h ao b ack t o h is sen ses. H e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d saw t h a t
W an g Don g w as glar in g at h im fier cely.
“W h at ’r e you look in g at ? Be car efu l of gr ow in g a st y if you look at som et h in g

you ’r e n ot su p p osed t o.” W an g Don g said an gr ily.
H u o Yu h ao p u t an in n ocen t exp r ession on h is face as h e look ed in t o W an g

Don g’s lar ge b eau t ifu l eyes. “Bein g at t r act ed t o som eon e b eau t ifu l is on ly
h u m an . I’m ju st t ak in g a look . T h ese old er sist er s ar e r ea lly p r et t y.”
“H m p h ! Ver y p r et t y?” W an g Don g h ad a look of d isd ain on h is face. H e w as

som ew h at h esit an t t o r esp on d , b u t h e m a n aged t o n ot say an yt h in g.
H u o Yu h ao r u b b ed h is ach in g w aist an d said h elp lessly, “W h at ever , I w on ’t

look . You d on ’t even lik e look in g at p r et t y w om en , you ’r e st ill su ch a ch ild .”
W an g Don g ign or ed h im an d st r od e t ow ar d s t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion

as H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly ch ased aft er h im .
Befor e t h ey cou ld r each t h e d oor lead in g t o t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion ,

on e of t h e eigh t gir ls w h o w er e st an d in g b y t h e d oor w alk ed over t o t h em w it h a
fain t sm ile on h er face. “Ar e you t w o sou l m ast er s com in g t o p ar t icip at e in t h e
T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion ?” sh e in q u ir ed r esp ect fu lly,
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g h ad b ot h w or n t h eir Sh r ek Acad em y u n ifor m s,

w h ich m ad e t h em st an d ou t in t h e cr ow d . As a r esu lt , t h ey h ad r eceived a lar ge
n u m b er of glan ces on t h eir jou r n ey h er e.
T h e t w o of t h em t ook ou t t h eir in vit a t ion let t er s an d h an d ed t h em over t o

h er . T h e sm ile on t h e gir l’s face im m ed iat ely b ecam e m u ch m or e gen t le w h en
sh e saw t h eir in vit a t ion let t er s, “Sou l m a st er s, p lease follow m e.” sh e said a s sh e
led t h e w ay
Even am on g t h e cor e d iscip les of Sh r ek Acad em y, t h er e w er e ver y few

st u d en t s ar ou n d H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s age w h o cou ld at t en d t h e
T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion . H en ce, t h ey r eceived cu r iou s look s as t h ey
w alk ed p ast t h e gr ou p of gir ls b esid e t h e d oor .
W an g Don g w as st ill fin e, b u t H u o Yu h ao’s face w as com p let ely flu sh ed .
Aft er en t er in g t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion , a lu xu r iou s at m osp h er e

im m ed iat ely assau lt ed all of t h eir sen ses. T h e gold en h a ll w as ext r em ely
ext r avagan t an d w as illu m in at ed b y a cr yst al ligh t t h at h u n g fr om t h e ceilin g.
T h e t w o sid es of t h e h all w er e sim ilar ly lin ed w it h t w o r ow s o f w om en .
W h en com p ar ed t o t h e eigh t ch eon gsam -w ear in g gir ls w h o w er e on t h e

ou t sid e, t h e you n g lad ies w it h in t h e h all w h o w or e sh or t gold en sk ir t s w er e
even m or e eye-cat ch in g. T h ese you n g lad ies w er e sligh t ly you n ger an d t h e
m at er ial u sed in t h eir sk ir t s w as ext r em ely t h in , r evealin g t h eir fair slen d er legs.
All of t h eir ap p ear an ces w er e st u n n in g an d t h eir b od ies w er e ext r em ely
b eau t ifu l. A p er son w ou ld feel as if h e h ad w alk ed in t o h ea ven on ear t h aft er
en t er in g t h is gold en h all.
“W e w elcom e ou r d ist in gu ish ed gu est s.” T h e you n g lad ies in t h e h all b ow ed

an d gr eet ed t h em , im m ed iat ely st ar t lin g H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g. T h ey
cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel b ew ild er ed as t h ey look ed at t h e gir ls w h o w er e all b ow in g
t ow ar d s t h em .
H u o Yu h ao w as st ill you n g an d d id n ’t k n ow m u ch of t h e d iffer en ces in t er m s

of st at u s an d w ea lt h t h at d iffer en t p eop le h ad . H ow ever , h e b egan t o slow ly
u n d er st an d t h at con cep t . W ou ld an or d in ar y p er son b e gr an t ed en t r y t o su ch a
lu xu r iou s p lace?
At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt h is vision go d ar k ; h is eyes h ad

b een cover ed . W an g Don g’s voice r an g ou t , “You ’r e n ot allow ed t o look . I
w ou ld n ’t h ave b r ou gh t you h er e if I’d k n ow n t h at it w as gon n a b e lik e t h is. I
w on ’t let you b e cor r u p t ed b y b ad t h in gs lik e t h is.”
H u o Yu h ao w as filled w it h h elp lessn ess. “W h y w ou ld I b e cor r u p t ed b y t h e

sigh t s h er e? Ar en ’t you seein g t h em as w ell? Doesn ’t t h a t m ean t h at you ’ll b e
cor r u p t ed t oo?”
W an g Don g su b con sciou sly ju st ified h is act ion s, “I’m d iffer en t , I…” H e
su d d en ly st op p ed an d con t in u ed in a fier ce voice, “In an y case, you sh ou ld ju st
close you r eyes an d n ot look at an yt h in g h er e.” W it h t h at , h e m oved h is h an d s
off H u o Yu h ao’s eyes.
As t h e t w o sp ok e, t h ey p assed t h e cor r id or filled w it h b eau t ifu l w om en . T h e

w h it e-clot h ed you n g lad y gu id ed t h em u p a gold en fligh t of st air s t o t h e secon d
floor of t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pav ilion .
T h e secon d floor w a s m u ch q u iet er t h an t h e fir st floor . It seem ed ext r em ely

m essy on t h e in sid e b u t ever yt h in g w as ar r an ged in an ext r em ely logical
m an n er . Exh ib it ion b oot h s w er e all in st alled in t h e m ost eye-cat ch in g p ar t s of
t h e r oom an d each b oot h w as cover ed w it h an en or m ou s p iece of cr yst al-glass.
Ever y b oot h h ad a w id e var iet y of d iver se an d u n iqu e it em s.
T h e w h it e-clot h ed lad y st op p ed . “Gr eet in gs t o t h e t w o d ist in gu ish ed gu est s

w h o ar e at t en d in g t h e T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion h eld w it h in t h e T r easu r e
Gat h er in g Pavilion . Please h ead t ow ar d s t h e w est er n ar ea t o r egist er you r selves.
You can get a cr ed it evalu at ion if you w ish t o b u y t h in gs on cr ed it . T h e r esu lt s of
t h is evalu at ion w ill d et er m in e t h e d iscou n t s availab le t o you as w ell as you r
cr ed it lim it s.”
Chapt er 57.1: The Golden Left Ar m Bone
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g glan ced at each ot h er w h en t h e w h it e-h air ed gir l

h ad fin ish ed . H u o Yu h ao t h en t u r n ed b ack t ow ar d s h er an d ask ed , “Ar e t h er e
d iffer en t cr ed it lim it s? If so, w h at ar e t h e d iffer en t lim it s?”
T h e w h it e-clot h ed gir l sm iled . “If I’m n ot m ist ak en , t h is sh ou ld b e t h e fir st

t im e you ’ve visit ed t h e T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion . It ’s lik e t h is: Ou r
T r easu r e Ga t h er in g Pavilion w ill set d iffer en t cr ed it lim it s b ased on t h e p er son al
sit u a t ion s of t h e d ist in gu ish ed gu est s w h o p ar t icip at e in t h e T r easu r e
Ap p r eciat in g Au ct ion . W e m a in ly ju d ge you r cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion , age, sou l r an k ,
an d a few ot h er fact or s in or d er t o for m a com p r eh en sive evalu at ion . Don ’t
w or r y, ou r T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pav ilion w ill m ain t ain a level of secr ecy over t h is
in for m at ion ; w e ab solu t ely w on ’t r eveal an y of you r secr et s. At t h e sam e t im e,
w e w on ’t ask w h at you r b ack gr ou n d is. You r cr ed it lim it is b ased off of you r
ab ilit y alon e. As su ch , w e h ave a set of d et ailed con fid en t ial m easu r es. Sin ce it ’s
you r fir st t im e com in g t o t h e au ct ion , I r ecom m en d t h a t you go an d r eceive an
evalu at ion fir st . T h a t w ay, w e’ll b e ab le t o con fir m you r cr ed it lim it s, a n d you ’ll
also h ave a good est im at e as t o w h a t you ’ll b e ab le t o b u y in sid e ou r T r easu r e
Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion . If t h e t w o of you w ish it , I can t ak e you t h er e r igh t n ow .”
H u o Yu h ao glan ced in q u isit ively t ow ar d s W an g Don g, w h o n od d ed . “T h at ’s

fin e. It seem s I’ll h av e t o t r ou b le you t o evalu at e u s.”
As t h e w h it e-clot h ed gir l lead t h e t w o of t h em t o t h e east , t h ey w er e

occasion ally d r aw n t o t h e exh ib it ion b oot h s n ear t h em .
W an g Don g su d d en ly t u gged on H u o Yu h ao’s sleeve an d p oin t ed t ow ar d s a

b oot h ; im p r essively, t h er e w a s a sou l b on e w it h in t h e b oot h . T h e sou l b on e w as
r ed d ish -gold , an d it w as su r p r isin gly float in g w it h in t h e b oot h . It look ed t o b e
an ar m b on e, it s five d elica t e d igit s p oin t ed u p w ar d s. Each of it s fin ger t ip s
r eleased a fain t , r ed d ish -gold ligh t . It w asn ’t ju st t h em ; alm ost ever yon e w h o
w alk ed p ast it w ou ld fin d t h eir gazes d r aw n t o it . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e b oot h t h at
t h e sou l b on e w as locat ed w it h in w as at least t w ice t h e size t h at of t h e ot h er
b oot h s. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e en or m ou s cr yst al cover on it cau sed it s r ed d ish -gold en
ligh t t o glist en an d cover t h e en t ir e r oom .
T h er e w as a sign u n d er n eat h t h e sou l b on e w it h a few w or d s on it , b u t t h e

t w o of t h em cou ld n ’t clear ly see w h at t h e w or d s on it sin ce t h ey w er e w er e st ill
w alk in g.
H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed t o look t ow ar d s W an g Don g, on ly t o see an in t en se

b r illian ce in t h e lat t er ’s eyes. W an g Don g w as also look in g at h im , an d h e
w h isp er ed , “I can sen se t h at it su it s m e.”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed . “H ow ever , it s p r ice…”
A r esolu t e ligh t flash ed t h r ou gh W an g Don g’s eyes. “W e’ll t alk ab ou t it lat er .”
Nat u r a lly, t h er e w ou ld n ’t ju st b e on e good t h in g w it h in t h e a u ct ion . J u st lik e

W an g Don g h ad seen t h e sou l b on e, H u o Yu h ao h ad seen qu it e a few t r easu r es
t h at h ad filled h is h ear t w it h t h ir st .
W an g Don g m ain ly p aid at t en t ion t o t h in gs t h at w er e r elat ed t o a sou l

m ast er ’s cu lt iva t ion , b u t H u o Yu h ao also car ed ab ou t cer t ain p r eciou s m et als
an d t h in gs t h at w er e r elat ed t o sou l en gin eer in g. For exam p le, h e’d seen a set of
sch em at ics t h at h ad b een cr eat ed b y a Class 7 sou l en gin eer . T h ou gh h e d id n ’t
k n ow w h at k in d of sou l t ool it w as for , t h e w or d s ‘Class 7’ w er e alr ead y
su fficien t .
Even t h ou gh h is t each er w as a p ow er fu l Class 8 sou l en gin eer w h o w as as r ar e

as p h oen ix feat h er s an d qilin h or n s am on g sou l en gin eer s, t h e lat t er h a d t old
h im t h at ever y sin gle sou l en gin eer h a d a d iffer en t in clin at ion w it h in t h eir
r esear ch —ever y sin gle sou l en gin eer w h o’d r each ed Cla ss 6 w ou ld d efin it ely
h ave t h eir ow n sp ecialt ies. It w ou ld b e ext r em ely b en eficial for a low -r an k ed
sou l en gin eer t o see t h e b lu ep r in t s of a h igh er -r an k ed on e. T h er e w er e m an y
com m on alit ies b et w een d iffer en t b lu ep r in t s, b u t n o h igh -r an k in g sou l en gin eer
w ou ld easily let an ot h er p er son see h is or h er sch em at ics. If t h ey w er e t o d o so,
it w ou ld b ecom e h igh ly lik ely t h at cer t ain feat u r es w it h in t h eir b lu ep r in t s
w ou ld b e leak ed . If t h at h ap p en ed , t h e exp er ien ce t h ey’d gain ed aft er
r esear ch in g for m an y year s w ou ld b e fr ee t o st u d y b y ot h er sou l en gin eer s.
For t h is r eason , m ost h igh -r an k in g sou l en gin eer s w ou ld on ly r ar ely give

t h eir b lu ep r in t s t o som eon e t h at w asn ’t t h eir in h er it in g d iscip le.
Un for t u n at ely, H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t even n eed t o ask t o k n ow t h at t h at set of

sch em at ics w ou ld ver y lik ely b e com p ar ab le t o a sou l b on e in p r ice. T h at set of
sch em at ics w asn ’t ju st som e b asic on e w r it t en b y a Class 7 sou l en gin eer —it w as
a car efu lly w r it t en on e; it w as a sch em at ic for a self-cr eat ed Class 7 sou l t ool.
A Class 7 sou l en gin eer m igh t n ot n ecessar ily b e ab le t o cr eat e a Class 7 sou l
t ool. Up on r each in g Class 7, t h e r est r ict ion s t h at lim it ed a sou l en gin eer w ou ld
in cr ease d r am at ica lly. Oft en t im es, a Class 7 sou l en gin eer w o u ld on ly b e ab le t o
cr eat e a set of b lu ep r in t s for a Class 7 sou l t ool on ce in t h eir en t ir e lives.
A h igh ly r an k ed sou l t ool w ou ld con t a in sp ecial ch ar act er ist ics of t h e sou l

en gin eer w h o’d cr eat ed it , b u t t o cr eat e a sou l t ool su ch as t h is w as en or m ou sly
d ifficu lt . For exam p le, a sou l t ool cr eat ed b y a Class 9 sou l en gin eer w ou ld
t yp ically b e an exist en ce r an k ed as a st r a t egic w eap on t o an y cou n t r y. T h er e w as
a ch an ce t h at even it s cr eat or w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o act ivat e it . As su ch , t h e m ain
r eason sou l en gin eer s w er e st ill in fer ior t o sou l m ast er s w as b ecau se t h er e w er e
sim p ly t oo few h igh -r an k in g sou l en gin eer s. Class 7, on t h e ot h er h an d , w as t h e
b asic t h r esh old r eq u ir ed for a sou l en gin eer t o call h im self a h igh -r an k in g on e.
T h ou gh t h e t w o of t h em h ad alr ead y p r ed ict ed t h at t h er e w ou ld b e r ela t ively

p r eciou s t r easu r es h er e even b efor e a r r ivin g, t h ey r ealised t h at t h ey’d st ill
u n d er est im a t ed t h e p ow er of t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion on ce t h ey saw t h e
exh ib it ion s p r esen t .
In r ealit y, it w asn ’t easy for t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion t o gat h er so

m an y it em s. H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t k n ow t h at . T h ou gh a T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion
Au ct ion on t h is level w as st ill in fer ior t o t h ose t h a t d iscip les of t h e in n er
cou r t yar d cou ld p ar t icip at e in , it w a sn ’t t oo far off. T h e t w o it em s t h at t h ey’d
seen h ad p r eviou sly ap p ear ed w it h in a T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion h eld
w it h in t h e in n er cou r t yar d , b u t t h e p r ice of a t r easu r e of t h is level w as n at u r ally
h igh … Becau se of t h is, n o on e h a d b een ab le t o affor d it , an d it h ad t h u s
ap p ear ed w it h in t h is au ct ion for t h em t o ad m ir e.
Aft er w alk in g for n ear ly a h u n d r ed m et er s, t h ey fin ally cam e t o t h e en d of t h e

w est er n ar ea. T h er e w as a ligh t gr oove u n d er t h e lon g d esk s w h ich flick er ed
w it h a cr yst al-yellow ligh t ; t h e gen t le r ays of ligh t com in g fr o m it w er en ’t gau d y
in t h e lea st , b u t filled w it h a sen se of r ealism .
T h e w h it e-clot h ed gir l b r ou gh t t h e t w o of t h em t o t h e left sid e of t h e fr on t

d esk , an d a gir l b eh in d it r ose t o h er feet im m ed ia t ely an d said r esp ect fu lly,
“Gr eet in gs t o t h e t w o sou l m ast er s. I’ll h ave t o t r ou b le t h e t w o of you t o fill in
t h is evalu at ion for m . W e’ll b e ab le t o calcu lat e you r cr ed it lim it w it h in a few
m in u t es.”
T w o evalu at ion for m s, alon g w it h d elicat e in k b r u sh es, w er e given t o t h em .

T h e con t en t s of t h e for m w er en ’t com p licat ed in t h e least .
Nam e an d su r n am e, gen d er , age, sou l r an k , m ar t ial sou l, an d p ast

ach ievem en t s.
T h er e w er e on ly t h ese six sim p le it em s t h at w er e r eq u ir ed ; t h e age of t h eir

sou l r in gs w a sn ’t r eq u ir ed a t all.
Becau se of t h is, t h ey felt m u ch m or e a t ease w h ilst fillin g in t h ese for m s. H u o

Yu h ao on ly gave h is Sp ir it Eyes for t h e ‘m ar t ial sou l’ field , a n d n ot h is Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion . Even in Sh r ek Acad em y, t h e n u m b er of p eop le w h o k n ew
t h at h e p ossessed t h e Ice Em p r ess w er e few in n u m b er .
Aft er fillin g in t h eir r esp ect ive for m s, t h ey h an d ed t h em in . Qu ick ly, t h eir
evalu at ion s w er e r eleased .
T h e gir l w h o w as in ch ar ge of r egist r at ion an d calcu lat in g cr ed it lim it s w as
som ew h at st u n n ed . T h e w h it e-clot h ed gir l w h o’d b r ou gh t t h e t w o t o t h e d esk
w h isp er ed t o h er , “Lit t le Red , q u ick ly.”
T h e lad y b eh in d t h e d esk h ad a r ou n d , ch ar m in g face alon g w it h a p air of

sm all eyes, b u t h er facial feat u r es w er e cu t e, m ak in g h er look seven t een o r
eigh t een . T h e in st a n t sh e w as u r ged on b y t h e w h it e-clo t h ed gir l, sh e look ed
t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w it h a com p let ely d iffer en t look in h er
eyes; a som ew h at in t en se ligh t h ad ap p ear ed in t h em .
H u o Yu h ao h ad seen t h is k in d of gaze in t h e p ast ; h e w ou ld fr equ en t ly see t h e

fem ale st u d en t s in t h e acad em y look t ow ar d s W an g Don g w it h a look lik e t h is in
t h eir eyes. J u st w h o m ad e h im m or e d elicat e an d p r et t ier t h a n a gir l? H ow ever ,
t h e gir l ca lled Lit t le Red w asn ’t look in g t ow ar d s W an g Don g t h is t im e ar ou n d ;
h er in t en se gaze w as u n exp ect ed ly d ir ect ed t ow ar d s t h e t w elve-year -old H u o
Yu h ao.
Sh e u sed an ext r em ely r esp ect fu l an d gen t le voice t o sp eak t o h im , “Resp ect ed
Sir H u o, I w ou ld lik e t o w elcom e you t o ou r T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion . I ju st
d id a q u ick in vest iga t ion , an d you d o n ot h ave a cr ed it lim it w it h in o u r au ct ion .”
“Ah ?” H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed , “W h y?” H e b ar ely h ad an y m on ey h im self,

an d if h e cou ld n ’t u se cr ed it t o p u r ch ase it em s h er e, h e’d h ave t o lea ve em p t y-
h an d ed .
Lit t le Red co u ld n at u r ally see h ow h e’d m isu n d er st ood h er , an d said

h u r r ied ly, “M r H u o, p lease d on ’t b e w or r ied . You ’ve b een u p gr ad ed t o a t op -
r an k ed VIP in ou r T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion , so you d on ’t n eed a lim it .
Accor d in g t o you r cu r r en t lim it , you ’ll h ave t h e qu alificat ion s t o t ak e aw ay a
sin gle it em fr om t h e T r easu r e Ap p r ecia t ion Au ct ion ever y year w it h ou t p ayin g
an yt h in g.”
“T h is…” H u o Yu h a o w as im m ed iat ely st u n n ed . H e glan ced t ow ar d s W an g

Don g, clu eless as t o w h at h ad ju st occu r r ed .
T h e w h it e-clot h ed gir l also h a d a look of ast on ish m en t on h er face. Lit t le Red
ign or ed h er , an d in st ead w h isp er ed a few w or d s t o t h e gir l b esid e h er . T h a t gir l,
in t u r n , h u r r ied ly r ose t o h er feet an d w a lk ed t ow ar d s t h e b ack .
Lit t le Red h ad alr ea d y p laced t w o car d s on t h e t ab le. On e of t h em w as r ed ,

an d t h e ot h er w as p u r p le.
Lit t le Red h an d ed t h e p u r p le car d t o W a n g Don g. “M r W an g, you r cr ed it is a

h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d gold sou l coin s. You can on ly u se it on ce t h is year , an d you ’ll
h ave t o go t h r ou gh an ot h er evalu at ion n ext year . At you r cu r r en t age, a p u r p le
evalu at ion is alr ead y t h e h igh est you can r eceive. You w ill r eceive a 10 %
d iscou n t on an y it em s you p u r ch ase, an d ou r p r ices h er e ar e ch eap er t h an w h a t
you can fin d in t h e ou t sid e w or ld , so t h ey’r e alr ead y ext r em ely low .”
W an g Don g t ook t h e car d an d n od d ed , b u t h e w as st ill ext r em ely st u n n ed

w it h r egar d s t o H u o Yu h ao’s sit u a t ion . Accor d in g t o com m on sen se, even if t h e
lat t er h ad p er for m ed ext r aor d in ar ily aft er r et u r n in g, h e sh ou ld n ’t h ave a st at u s
t h at exceed ed h is ow n ! Aft er all, h e w as a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m a st er . H ow ever , h e
cou ld t ell t h a t t h a t w as p r ecisely t h e case fr om t h e gir l’s exp r ession .
T h e r ed car d h a d a gold en st r eak on it , an d H u o Yu h ao u n exp ect ed ly felt a

fain t w ar m t h com e fr om it aft er r eceivin g it . It w a s ext r em ely com for t ab le t o
h old it .
T h is is...
Red Sp ir it -w ar m in g J ad e? T h is is t oo ext r avagan t !
H u o Yu h ao h ad a look of ast on ish m en t on h is face as h e look ed at t h e car d in

h is h an d . On ly a sm a ll p iece of Red Sp ir it -w ar m in g J ad e w as n eed ed for a p er son
t o w it h st an d t h e h ar sh w in t er . Nat u r ally, t h is r efer r ed t o or d in ar y w in t er , an d
n ot t h e on e t h a t exist ed w it h in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . M or e im p or t an t ly, it w as an
ext r em ely st ab le gem . Usin g it t o car ve a for m at ion ar r ay w as en ou gh t o t h e
w it h st an d sou l p ow er of an yon e b elow a Class 6 sou l en gin eer . It w as a r elat ively
u n com m on m at er ia l t h at w a s u sed for for m at ion ar r ays. T h ou gh t h e car d
w asn ’t lar ge, it w a s w or t h a h u n d r ed gold sou l coin s at t h e ver y least .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w as on ly an ext r em ely sm all q u an t it y of Red Sp ir it -w ar m in g
J ad e in exist en ce!
T h e car d h ad t h e w or d s ‘T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion ’ en gr aved on it , b u t it

w as ot h er w ise u n ad o r n ed .
Lit t le Red gazed at t h e r ed car d in H u o Yu h ao’s h an d w it h jealou sy. Sh e t h en

said , “M r H u o, t h is VIP car d allow s you a 4 0 % d iscou n t w it h in ou r Pav ilion ,
w h ich is t h e h igh est d iscou n t w e can give an yon e. Fu r t h er m or e, you can also
r ed eem an y it em yo u w ish fr om ou r T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion on ce a year
w it h it .”
W an g Don g ask ed cu r iou sly, “H ow m an y car d s lik e t h is d oes you r p avilion

h ave?”
Lit t le Red sh ook h er h ead . “I’m sor r y, b u t I’m n ot ver y clear w it h r egar d s t o
t h at . Ever y sin gle p er son in p ossession of a t op -r an k ed VIP ca r d is an ext r em ely
h on ou r ed gu est of ou r p avilion . M or eov er , all VIP car d s h av e sligh t d iffer en ces.
For exam p le, t h is is t h e fir st t im e I’ve ever h ear d of som et h in g lik e M r . H u o’s
p r ivilege, w h er e h e’s allow ed t o ch oose a sin gle t r easu r e for fr ee ever y year .”
Su d d en ly, a w ar m voice r an g ou t in H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s ear s,

“T h er e’s n o n eed for you t o feel ast on ish ed . Go an d p ick w h at you n eed . T h e
T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion is a p ar t of t h e acad em y, t h u s it ’s n at u r ally aw ar e
of you r sit u at ion s. T h e acad em y w as t h e on e w h o ch ose t o give H u o Yu h ao a
t op -r an k ed VIP car d . H ow ever , you t w o h ave t o k eep t h is a secr et ; you can ’t
r eveal t h e r elat ion sh ip b et w een t h e acad em y an d t h e p avilion t o ot h er s, n or can
you r eveal you r VIP r an k s. If you d o, you ’ll b e st r ip p ed of you r p r ivilege t o en t er
t h is p lace.”
T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h ey’d ever h ear d t h is voice, yet t h ey felt an im m en se

sen se of p r essu r e a s soon as t h ey d id . J u st t h is p er son ’s voice h ad b een n igh
u n b ear ab le for t h e t w o of t h em . T h ey n at u r ally d id n ’t d ar e t o ask an y m or e
q u est ion s an d h u r r ied ly t u r n ed t o lea ve t h e fr on t d esk .
A figu r e slow ly ap p ear ed in fr on t of t h e fr on t d esk soon aft er t h e t w o of t h em

h ad left . T h e w or k er s p r esen t all b ow ed r esp ect fu lly w h en t h ey saw h im .
T h e n ew com er w as an old w om an w h o h ad a h ead of w h it e h air an d a r u d d y

com p lexion . Sh e’d r ecen t ly a t t en d ed t h e con fer en ce h eld in t h e Sea God ’s
Pavilion . Sh e w as Eld er Lin , w h o’d sat n ext t o Xia n Lin ’er , an d w as also t h e
Pavilion M a st er of t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion .
Sh e h ad n ’t lied w h en sh e’d sa id t h at t h e T r easu r e Ga t h er in g Pavilion w as a

p ar t of acad em y, as t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion w as st ill a b u sin ess t h a t
b elon ged t o Sh r ek Acad em y. H ow ever , sh e’d in t en t ion ally left ou t on e t h in g:
t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion d id n ’t b elon g t o t h e acad em y it self; r a t h er , t h is
act ion w as on e of t h e p oin t s t h at h ad b een d iscu ssed d u r in g t h e con fer en ce h eld
at t h e Sea Go d ’s Pa vilion . Sh e w ou ld n or m ally b e t h e on ly p er son w h o w o u ld
con t r ol ever yt h in g w it h in t h e p avilion .
It w as of cou r se n or m al for a st u d en t lik e H u o Yu h ao—som eon e w h o cou ld

t r igger a con fer en ce at t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion —t o ob t ain a t op -r an k ed VIP car d
fr om t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pav ilion . T h is w as also d elu d ed b y t h e con fer en ce.
T h e acad em y d id n ’t say an yt h in g on t h e su r face, b u t t h ey n at u r ally h op ed t h at
H u o Yu h ao w ou ld r ap id ly m at u r e an d b e of u se t o t h e academ y. T h e acad em y
w ou ld ab solu t ely n ot b e m iser ly t o a t alen t on t h is level. T h is w as also a r eason
w h y Sh r ek Acad em y, n ot on ly h ad ou t st a n d in g st u d en t s, b u t a gr ou p of
p ow er fu l eld er s an d t each er s. Pr act ically all of t h em h ad gon e t h r ou gh t h e sam e
p r ocess t h at H u o Yu h ao w as n ow goin g t h r ou gh . On ly, t h e t r eat m en t s t h ey’d
r eceived a t h is age w er en ’t as h igh as t h is.
Givin g h im h elp via t h e Sea God ’s Pa vilion w a s eq u ivalen t t o con cealin g

ever yt h in g fr om t h e ot h er st u d en t s w it h in t h e acad em y. Aft er all, on ly t h e t op -
level figu r es w h o cou ld p ar t icip at e in t h e m eet in g h eld w it h in t h e Sea God ’s
Pavilion k n ew of t h e r elat ion sh ip b et w een t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion an d
Sh r ek Acad em y. T h is w ay, even if t h e acad em y t r ied t o r op e in an d h elp H u o
Yu h ao, it w ou ld n ’t give r ise t o d issat isfact ion fr om cor e d iscip les of t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d , or even st u d en t s of t h e in n er cou r t yar d . T h u s, w h y w ou ld n ’t t h ey d o
it t h is w ay?
H ow ever , Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld n ’t b et all of it s r esou r ces on a sin gle st u d en t .

Regar d less of h ow sp ecial a st u d en t w as, h e w ou ld on ly b e a p iece of t r ash if h e
lost h is am b it ion an d d r ive. Becau se of t h at , H u o Yu h ao w ou ld on ly r eceive a
sin gle fr ee it em each year . Yet , h e sim p ly h ad t oo m an y t r easu r es h e n eed ed as a
p er son w h o d u al-cu lt ivat ed in t h e M ar t ia l Sou l an d Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t s. T h e
ch oice of t h is it em w ou ld b e left u p t o h im , b u t h e w ou ld h ave t o r ely on h is ow n
h ar d w or k if h e w ish ed t o ob t ain an y m or e it em s.
“Let ’s go an d t ak e a look at t h at sou l b on e.” W it h ou t an y h esit at ion at all, h e

h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e sou l b on e t h at W an g Don g h ad seen ear lier .
W an g Don g h u r r ied ly t u gged at h is sleev e. “Yu h ao, you d on ’t n eed t o. I can

b u y it m yself.” H e n at u r ally u n d er st ood H u o Yu h ao’s in t en t ion s. T h er e w as n o
d ou b t t h at h e w as goin g t o u se h is p r ivileges t o h elp W an g Don g get t h at sou l
b on e.
H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed ar ou n d an d look ed at W an g Don g in a ver y ser iou s

m an n er .
W an g Don g gr ad u ally felt som ew h at aw k w ar d u n d er h is gaze. “W h at ’r e you

look in g at m e for ?”
H u o Yu h ao said , “W an g Don g, d o you st ill r em em b er w h en T each er Zh ou

gave m e t h at sou l b on e? I u sed it , b u t I d id n ’t fu se w it h it . In st ead , I u sed it as a
m ed iu m t o fu se w it h an ot h er h igh -r an k ed sou l b on e. I can ’t t ell you h ow I got
t h at sou l b on e, b u t I d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o fu se w it h it w it h ou t
t h e u se of t h e Secr et Law Sou l. Xiao Xiao an d I alr ead y h ave sou l b on es, b u t t h e
at t ack -t yp e sou l m ast er in ou r t eam , you , d oesn ’t h ave on e. It ’s d efin it ely in t h e
t eam ’s b est in t er est s t h at you b e ou r fir st ch oice w h en w e get a n ot h er on e.”
W it h t h at , h e p au sed for a m om en t b efor e con t in u in g, “M or eover , t h e
fr ien d sh ip b et w een u s d efin it ely can ’t b e m easu r ed u sin g a n y b en efit s or m on ey
w h at soever . W e’r e p ar t n er s w h o ca n u se a fu sion sk ill! Fr om an ot h er
st an d p oin t , t h e t w o of u s ar e a sin gle en t it y. If you get st r on ger , ou r st r en gt h as
a w h ole w ill sim ila r ly in cr ease. If you t h in k of m e as a b r ot h er , d on ’t say
an yt h in g else. Go.”
As h e sp ok e, h e w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e sou l b on e w h ile h old in g on t o W an g

Don g’s h an d .
T h e r ed d ish -gold en sou l b on e h ad at t r a ct ed a lot of at t en t ion . An yon e w h o

cou ld p ar t icip at e in t h e T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion w as a cor e d iscip le of t h e
ou t er cou r t yar d , an d t h er e w er e m an y of t h em t h a t t h e t w o of t h em r ecogn ized .
“Sen ior b r ot h er .” H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely saw t h e gen t le an d cu lt u r ed Bei

Bei, b u t h e d id n ’t see T an g Ya b esid e h im . Evid en t ly, T an g Ya w asn ’t a cor e
d iscip le of t h e acad em y. H ow ever , t h e p er son st an d in g b esid e h im w as som eon e
t h at t h ey b ot h r ecogn ised ; it w as Xu San sh i, w h o p ossessed t h e Xu an w u T u r t le.
H e w as cu r r en t ly sp eak in g t o Bei Bei w it h a h an d on h is sh ou ld er .
T h e t w o of t h em sim u lt an eou sly look ed u p aft er h ear in g H u o Yu h ao’s cr y. It

t u r n ed ou t t h ey w er en ’t look in g at t h e sou l b on e, b u t an ot h er it em b esid e it .
“J u n ior s, you ’ve com e as w ell.” Bei Bei w alk ed u p t o t h em w it h a sm ile on h is

face.
Xu San sh i’s eyes im m ed iat ely lit u p aft er h e saw H u o Yu h ao. W it h a look of
fau x-an ger on h is face, h e said , “Yu h ao, I h aven ’t ea t en you r r oast ed fish for a
lon g t im e. I’ve h ear d t h at you ’ve b een sh in in g ext r aor d in ar ily for a w h ile, an d
even Dean Yan w an t s you . Bu t w h y’d you r u n over t o t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t ?”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “Big Br ot h er Xu , you ask t oo m an y q u est ion s. I d on ’t

k n ow h ow t o an sw er all t h is at on ce. In an y case, n ot h in g h as ch an ged ; I’m
t r ain in g in b ot h t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t an d t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t .
Xu San sh i said , “It ’s good t h at you t w o h ave com e. H elp give t h is gu y som e
ad vice. I’ve ju st t old Bei Bei t h at I’ll d efin it ely join t h e T an g Sect as lon g as you
gu ys can get J ian g Nan n an t o join . H ow a b ou t it ?”
T h e t w o of t h em w er e b ot h ast on ish ed aft er h ear in g t h at . Lik e Bei Bei, Xu

San sh i w as a cor e d iscip le. M or eover , Xu San sh i w as alr ea d y a sixt h year st u d en t
w h o w asn ’t far aw ay fr om Bei Bei in t er m s of cu lt ivat ion . In r ealit y, h e w as even
you n ger t h an Bei Bei as a r esu lt of h avin g en t er ed t h e acad em y at a you n g age.
T h e Xu an w u T u r t le w as a t op -r an k ed d efen sive m ar t ial sou l, an d t h ou gh it

w asn ’t as p ow er fu l a s an Ult im a t e on e, it cou ld b e con sid er ed at t h e p eak of t h e
d efen se syst em . Fu r t h er m or e, Xu San sh i d efin it ely h ad som e sor t of b ack gr ou n d
sin ce h e h ad b een ab le t o in h er it a m ar t ial sou l lik e t h is. All of t h is w ou ld
d efin it ely b e of en or m ou s u se t o t h e T an g Sect .
Yet , Bei Bei t u r n ed a b lin d eye t o t h is. “W h at d o you t h in k t h e T an g Sect is? A

t ool t o h elp you ch ase aft er gir ls? Go aw a y.”
In st ead of b ecom in g an gr y, Xu San sh i lau gh ed m isch ievou sly. “W h o ask ed

Nan n an t o b e on su ch good t er m s w it h you r Lit t le Ya? J u st go an d ask Lit t le Ya
t o get Nan n an t o com e h er e. A p er son w it h Nan n an ’s p er son alit y w on ’t easily
leave t h e T an g Sect aft er sh e en t er s it . At t h at t im e, I’ll com e in . W on ’t m y
ch an ces b e m u ch b et t er t h en ?”
Bei Bei sigh ed ligh t ly. “Alt h ou gh you ’r e n ot a good fella, I h a ve t o ad m it t h at

you ’r e p r act ically in fat u at ed . For t h e sak e of J ian g Nan n an , you ’ve act u ally
st ayed in Year 5 an d r efu sed t o en t er Year 6. If it w er en ’t for t h e fact t h at you
w er e a cor e d iscip le, you w ou ld ’ve alr ead y b een exp elled fr om t h e acad em y.”
Xu San sh i m a d e a lon g face. “I h ave n o ch oice! W h o ask ed h er t o b e m y fir st

love? I’m w illin g t o d o an yt h in g for h er .”
Xu San sh i h ad act u ally d ecid ed t o st ay b eh in d for J ian g Nan n an ’s sak e? Sh r ek

Acad em y act u ally h ad a p er son as st r an ge as t h is.
“Even t h is is p ossib le?” H u o Yu h ao b lu r t ed .
Xu San sh i sm iled cu n n in gly. “W h y w ou ld n ’t it b e p ossib le? It w as even Bei

Bei w h o in sp ir ed m e t o d o it . W h y d o you gu ys t h in k h e’s in a year low er t h an
m in e even t h ou gh h e’s old er t h an m e? Isn ’t it all for t h e sa k e of st ayin g w it h
Lit t le Ya? Did you gu ys t h in k h e w as p r aisin g m e? H e w as clear ly p r aisin g
h im self. T h at ’ll b e good ; Lit t le Ya, Bei Bei, Nan n an an d I w ill all b e in t h e sam e
class. H ow ever , Bei Bei, you r Lit t le Ya isn ’t in a good p osit ion ! Look in g at h er
cu lt ivat ion , sh e’ll h ave som e d ifficu lt y gr ad u at in g fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ,
m u ch less en t er in g t h e in n er cou r t yar d .”
Bei Bei sigh ed . “Sh e’s alr ead y b een w or k in g h ar d t h ese t w o year s. Bu t you
k n ow h ow h ar d it is t o cu lt ivat e Blu esilver Gr ass. Aft er all, sh e d oesn ’t h ave t h e
Blu esilver Em p er or lik e t h e T an g Sect ’s An cest or . Sh e can on ly d o h er b est . I’ve
alr ead y t h ou gh t it t h r ou gh ; if Lit t le Ya can ’t en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d , I w on ’t
en t er eit h er . I’ll follow h er t r avellin g ar o u n d t h e con t in en t .”
Xu San sh i im m ed ia t ely felt n ot h in g b u t r esp ect for h im . “Good ! You ’r e

w or t h y of b ein g called a m an t h at I, Xu San sh i, h ave w it n essed it ! You ’r e
r igh t eou s in you r love.”
“You … scr am .” Bei Bei said u n h ap p ily, an d st am p ed h is foot .
Bei Bei clear ly h ad n ’t u sed m u ch for ce, b u t Xu San sh i let ou t a m iser ab le

sh r iek , an d h e flew ou t w ar d s fier cely. J u st as H u o Yu h ao a n d W an g Don g felt
ast on ish ed , t h ey sa w J ian g Nan n a n ap p ear in t h e d ir ect ion t h at Xu San sh i h ad
flow n t ow ar d s.
J ian g Nan n an w or e t h e b lack u n ifor m t h at fift h year st u d en t s w or e, m ak in g

h er b eau t ifu l cu r ves even m or e m ovin g. Sh e w as calm an d com p osed as sh e
look ed at Xu San sh i, w h o w as su d d en ly flyin g t ow ar d s h er . W it h an icy look on
h er face, sh e fier cely r aised h er r igh t foot an d sm ash ed in d ow n in a cu t t in g
m ot ion t ow ar d s h im .
“Ah !” Xu San sh i w as t r u ly sen t flyin g t h is t im e ar ou n d . H is b od y d ir ect ly
m oved five m et er s h or izon t ally, an d h e flip p ed ar ou n d an d st ab ilised h im self b y
p lacin g h is h an d s on t h e gr ou n d .
“Nan n an , you ’r e r eally h ear t less! Did n ’t you see Bei Bei k ick m e? It w ou ld
h ave b een fin e if you d id n ’t h elp m e, b u t you even k ick ed m e.” Xu San sh i h ad a
m ou r n fu l look on h is face.
H ow ever , J ian g Nan n an d id n ’t even sp ar e h im a glan ce. Sh e w alk ed d ir ect ly

t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao’s gr ou p of t h r ee w it h a sm ile an d n od d ed at t h em ; it w as as
if Xu San sh i d id n ’t even exist in h er eyes.
Xu San sh i also h u r r ied ñ y m ad e h is w ay over . H ow ever , J ian g Nan n an

su d d en ly t u r n ed ar ou n d , r evealin g a m u r d er ou s look . “If you k eep follow in g
m e, I’ll leave Sh r ek Acad em y.”
“Ah …” Xu San sh i im m ed iat ely st op p ed . It seem ed t h at h e h ad r eally n o

ch an ces of con qu er in g J ian g Nan n an .
Look in g at J ian g Nan n an ’s d isap p ear in g silh ou et t e, Bei Bei exclaim ed ,

“J u n ior b r ot h er , you h ave a lon g w ay t o go!”
Xu San sh i h a d an u gly com p lexion as h e said , “Bei Bei, you ’r e m y sen ior
b r ot h er . Can you t ea ch t h is ju n ior b r ot h er a few t r ick s? I’ve t r ied ever yt h in g in
m y p ow er , b u t sh e w on ’t give m e a sin gle ch an ce.”
Bei Bei w as also cu r iou s as h e said , “I’m su r p r ised t oo. If w e con sid er look s,
t alen t an d st r en gt h , you ’r e act u a lly qu it e good am on g t h e st u d en t s. If J ian g
Nan n an w an t s t o look for som eon e st r on ger t h an you in ou r gr ad e, it w on ’t b e
easy! Of cou r se, I’m an excep t ion . An d I’m alr ead y b ook ed an yw ay. By t h e w ay,
w h y is sh e so u n w illin g t o t alk t o you ? Look in g at t h e t w o of you , you sh ou ld
h ave k n ow n each ot h er b efor e com in g t o t h e acad em y. An d aft er all t h ese year s,
you ’r e st ill lik e t h is. W h at exact ly h ap p en ed b et w een t h e t w o of you b efor e you
cam e h er e?”
“Ah …” Xu San sh i h ad an aw k w ar d exp r ession . H is face w a s st ill a b it r ed

w h en h e said , “I can ’t say it , I ab solu t ely can ’t say it . I’m goin g t o t ak e a st r oll
n ow .” Aft er sayin g t h ese w or d s, h e q u ick ly slip p ed aw ay.
Bei Bei sh ook h is h ead h elp lessly. H e h ad alw ays b een cu r io u s ab ou t w h at h a d
h ap p en ed b et w een Xu San sh i an d J ian g N an n an .
“J u n ior b r ot h er s, w h at ar e you goin g t o b u y? T h er e ar e m an y good t h in gs at

t h e T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion . T h e t w o of you sh ou ld t ak e a look ar ou n d ,
I’ll also go for a w alk .” Sayin g t h is, h e also left .
W an g Don g said h ea r t ily, “As I see it , Sen ior Br ot h er Xu Sa n sh i is a ver y good

p er son . H e’s ver y d ed icat ed an d r esolu t e w h en it com es t o h is feelin gs. I d on ’t
u n d er st an d w h at Sen ior Sist er J ian g d islik es ab ou t h im . You sh ou ld lear n fr om
t h em .”
H u o Yu h ao w as d u m b fou n d ed . “Lear n w h at ? I d on ’t even k n ow w h at

h ap p en ed b et w een t h em .”
W an g Don g sn or t ed as h e said , “Excep t for cu lt iva t in g, w h at can you even

t h in k of? You ’r e a com p let e b lock h ead .”
H u o Yu h ao scr at ch ed h is h ea d . “W e’r e st u d en t s, w h a t sh ou ld w e t h in k of
b esid es st u d yin g p r op er ly? An yw ay, t ak e a look at t h is sou l b on e an d t ell m e if
it ’s su it ab le for you or n ot .”
As h e sp ok e, h e ar r ived b esid e t h e gold en -r ed ar m b on e an d in sp ect ed it

ear n est ly.
W an g Don g k ick ed t h e air b eh in d h is b ack w h en h e left . T h en , h e r esen t fu lly

follow ed b eh in d h im .
T h e ar m b on e w as com p let ely en sh r ou d ed in it s ow n r ed d ish -gold r ad ian ce.

Un d er n eat h it w as a p lat e w it h a d et ailed d escr ip t ion .
Gold en Left Ar m Bon e.
T h is ar m b on e h ad com e fr om a t en t h ou san d year Gold en Ear t h Dr agon Kin g

t h at h ad an affin it y w it h t h e ligh t elem en t . It w as sp ecu lat ed t h at it cou ld u se
ligh t -t yp e at t ack s. T h is b on e w as ver y su it ab le for sou l m ast er w it h an affin it y
for t h e ligh t elem en t . An d t h e sk ill t h at cam e w it h it w as lik ely t o b e an assau lt -
t yp e sk ill.
Alt h ou gh a b it d ilu t ed , t h e Gold en Ear t h Dr agon Kin g st ill p ossessed t h e p u r e

b lood lin e of t h e ligh t d r agon r ace. M or eover , t h a t w as n ow con cen t r at ed
com p let ely in t h is sou l b on e. T h is ar m b on e con t ain ed t h e essen ce of a t en
t h ou san d year Gold en Ear t h Dr agon Kin g. T h e w or d ‘p u r e’ w as t h e k ey h er e,
b ecau se, alt h ou gh d ilu t ed , it h ad st ill in h er it ed m or e ch ar act er ist ics of t h e ligh t
d r agon r ace t h an t h ose w it h m ixed b loo d lin es. It w as a p it y t h at it h ad b een
k illed w h en it w as on ly t en t h ou san d year s old . H ad it r each ed t h e h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year r an k , it w ou ld h ave b ecom e an exist en ce ak in t o a k in g of b east s.
T h e sou l b on e w as p r iced at 9.5 m illion Gold Sou l Coin s.
W h en H u o Yu h ao a n d W an g Don g saw t h is p r ice, t h eir p u p ils im m ed iat ely

sh r an k .
As t im e p assed , t h e w or t h of Gold Sou l Coin s also k ep t in cr easin g. For

exam p le, t h e exp en ses of a fam ily of t h r ee am ou n t ed on ly t o a few d ozen Gold
Sou l Coin s p er year . So w h at cou ld you d o w it h 9.5 m illion Gold en Sou l Coin s?
You cou ld t ak e t en t h ou san d cavalr ym en an d ar m t h em t o t h e t eet h , h or ses
in clu d ed .
As exp ect ed , sou l b on es w er e on e of t h e m ost exp en sive t h in gs on t h e

con t in en t . M or eover , it w asn ’t even a h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l b on e. H a d it
b een a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b on e, it w ou ld n ’t even h a ve a p r ice, b ecau se
it w ou ld t r u ly b e a p r iceless t r easu r e. H ow ever , a sou l b on e of t h at r an k h ad
n ever b een au ct ion ed or t r a d ed b y an yon e, b ecau se t h ey w er e t r easu r es t h at
w ou ld at t r act even T it led Dou lu o. Even sh op s lik e t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g
Pavilion , w h ich d a r ed t o exh ib it a t en t h ou san d year sou l b on e, w er e ext r em ely
few in n u m b er . T h is w as b ecau se t h ey h ad con fid en ce in b ein g ab le t o p r ot ect
t h eir good s.
H u o Yu h ao sm iled b it t er ly an d said t o W a n g Don g, “Can you st ill affor d it ?”

“W h y is it so exp en sive?” W an g Don g said , ast on ish ed , “Fr om w h at I
r em em b er , alt h ou gh exp en sive, t h e p r ice of a sou l b on e w ill r ar ely su r p ass 3
m illion Gold Sou l Coin s!”
H u o Yu h ao said , “I r eck on it ’s so exp en sive d u e t o t h at ‘p u r e’ w or d . A sou l

b on e w it h a p u r e d r a gon b lood lin e can ’t b e ch eap , r igh t ? T h e st u ff h er e is r eally
good , b u t t h e p r ices ar e also ver y h igh . I w on d er if I can get it t h r ou gh m y VIP
car d . T h is sou l b on e is p r ob ab ly t h e m ost exp en sive t h in g in t h is T r easu r e
Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion . No w on d er it ’s st ill h er e an d n o on e’s b ou gh t it , t h e p r ice
is ju st t oo h igh .”
W an g Don g t u r n ed h is h ead an d look ed t o H u o Yu h ao, “Yu h ao, it ’s t oo

exp en sive. I t h in k I u n d er st an d w h a t t h e acad em y w an t s. T h e acad em y’s givin g
you t h ese p r ivileges b ecau se you h ave gr eat t alen t a n d a n Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l.
T h e m or e p r eciou s t h e t h in g you t ak e fr om h er e is, t h e m or e you ’ll feel in d eb t ed
t o t h e acad em y. An d in t h e fu t u r e, you ’ll su r ely n eed a lot of t h ese t h in gs. W it h
t h at , you ’ll b e t ied d ow n t o t h e acad em y. Yu h ao, if you w an t t o b e fr ee, you
can ’t t ak e t h in gs fr om h er e as you w ish .”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead ligh t ly as h e said , “W h en I h ea r d t h at voice ju st

n ow , I w as alr ea d y clear ab ou t t h e sit u at ion . H ow ever , you also k n ow t h at I
d on ’t h ave a ch oice. Accor d in g t o w h at T each er Zh ou said , n o m at t er if it ’s a
sou l m ast er or a sou l en gin eer , t h e on ly w ay t h ey h ave t o get st r on ger is b y
r elyin g on a h u ge a m ou n t of r esou r ces. W it h ou t en ou gh m on ey, h ow ar e you
goin g t o b u y sou l b on es? H ow ar e you goin g t o b u y t h ose p r eciou s m at er ials t o
b u ild sou l t ools? Even if a sou l m ast er ca n get st r on ger b y h im self, t h e r oad h e’ll
h ave t o w alk w ill b e m or e d ifficu lt , an d h e w ill h ave a gr eat er ch an ce of m eet in g
h ar d sh ip s t h a t w ill b r eak h is w ill. If I d id n ’t h ave t h is en m it y t h a t I b ear ,
p er h ap s I w ou ld h ave ch osen t h at p at h . Bu t t h e cu r r en t m e can on ly r ely on t h e
acad em y… An yw ay, it ’s st ill b et t er t h an r elyin g on cou n t r ies or p ow er fu l
fam ilies. Also, I lik e ou r acad em y. For t h e fir st t im e aft er m y m ot h er d ied , I felt
t h e w ar m t h of h om e b y st ayin g h er e. T od ay, I’ll r eceive som et h in g fr om t h e
acad em y. Bu t in t h e fu t u r e, I’ll b e su r e t o r ep ay it .”
W an g Don g look ed car efu lly at H u o Yu h ao. H e k n ew t h at t h is gu y t h at
seem ed n ot h in g m or e t h an a b lock h ead w as act u ally m or e m at u r e t h an h is
p eer s. Un d er t h at gen t le face, h e h ad a b lazin g h ear t .
W an g Don g fin ally gave u p an d r ep lied , “Fin e, I’ll t ak e t h is sou l b on e. You can
go an d m ak e t h e exch an ge; I st ill w an t t o t ak e an ot h er look at it .”
A sm ile im m ed iat ely b lossom ed on H u o Yu h ao’s face. H e p at t ed h is sh ou ld er

an d w alk ed t ow ar d t h e cou n t er on t h e w est er n sid e.
W an g Don g look ed at h is b ack , an d h is exp r ession t u r n ed gen t le. “W h at you

said is r igh t . T od ay, I’ll r eceive som et h in g fr om you . Bu t in t h e fu t u r e, I’ll b e
su r e t o r ep ay it .”
T h e d eal w as sealed m or e q u ick ly t h an h e h ad im agin ed . Aft er a sh or t w h ile,

H u o Yu h ao r et u r n ed t o W an g Don g’s sid e. H e w h isp er ed in h is ear , “Let ’s go!
T h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion w ill k eep t h e id en t it y of t h e b u yer secr et . Aft er
a w h ile, t h is sou l b on e w ill b e p ick ed u p an d d eliver ed d ir ect ly t o t h e acad em y.
It ’s n ot safe t o t ak e som et h in g so p r eciou s w it h u s.”
W an g Don g said , “Do you w an t t o b u y som et h in g? I can st ill b u y t h in gs on

cr ed it . If you n eed so m et h in g, I’ll b u y it for you .”
H u o Yu h ao w as ab ou t t o sh ak e h is h ea d w h en h e su d d en ly h ear d t h e cold
voice of t h e Ice Em p r ess. “You ab solu t ely can ’t m iss t h at t h in g on t h e t h ir d
st an d t o you r left .”
H u o Yu h ao w as su r p r ised . H e said t o W a n g Don g, “Let ’s t ak e a look ar ou n d .”

W it h t h at , h e m oved t ow ar d t h e t h ir d st an d on t h e left as t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad
t old h im .
T h e ar t icle d isp layed on t h is st an d h a d n ’t at t r act ed t h eir at t en t ion ear lier

b ecau se it w as r eally t oo u n r em ar k ab le. It w as ju st a b lack cr yst al. It s su r face
w as u n even , an d t h e color w as d im an d lack ed an y lu st er . Com p ar ed t o t h at
Gold en Left Ar m Bon e fr om b efor e, t h er e w as a d iffer en ce b et w een h eaven an d
ear t h .
Ab ove it , t h er e w as also a d escr ip t ion , “T h ou san d Year W h ale Ru b b er . W h ale

Ru b b er is a sp ecial m at er ial t h at is on ly p r od u ced in t h e b r ain s of w h ale-t yp e
sou l b east s. It ’s a ver y good t on ic for sou l m ast er s. It can st r en gt h en t h e b od y,
en h an ce t h e m u scles an d b on es, an d also in cr ease t h e cap acit y of on e’s
m er id ian s. T h is p iece of W h ale Ru b b er w as b ou gh t b y t h e p avilion in t h e p ast ,
an d accor d in g t o t h e seller , it cam e fr om a t h ou san d year Dev ilw h ale. Gen er ally
sp eak in g, t h e W h ale Ru b b er of a t h ou sa n d year Devilw h ale sh ou ld b e gold en ,
an d w or t h a lot . T h is am ou n t of W h ale Ru b b er is cap ab le of t h or ou gh ly
r em ou ld in g a sou l m ast er ’s b od y. H ow ever , t h is p iece of W h a le Ru b b er is b lack .
An d accor d in g t o t h e p avilion ’s an alysis, it d ecayed over t im e, an d w as p ar t ially
r u in ed . It ca n st ill b e u sed as b efor e, b u t t h e effect m igh t b e som ew h at w eak er .”
T h e p r ice of t h is T h ou san d Year W h ale Ru b b er w asn ’t h igh ; it w as on ly six

t h ou san d Gold Sou l Coin s.
Som ew h at p u zzled , W an g Don g said , “Yu h ao, ar e you r eally in t er est ed in t h is

t h in g? I’ve seen T h ou san d Year W h ale Ru b b er b efor e. It w as b r igh t gold , an d
look ed lik e a gold en cr yst al. T h at w as som e r eal h igh -q u alit y W h ale Ru b b er .
Su ch a la r ge p iece of W h ale Ru b b er sh ou ld b e w or t h at least fift y t h ou san d Gold
Sou l Coin s. If t h ey’r e sellin g t h is on e for on ly six t h ou san d , it sh ou ld n ’t b e ver y
h igh -qu a lit y.”
“Oh ? You k n ow ab ou t W h a le Ru b b er ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed cu r iou sly.
W an g Don g n od d ed an d said , “W h ale Ru b b er is a ver y p r eciou s m at er ial.

H ow ever , you can on ly con su m e it aft er m elt in g it over a fla m e w it h a ver y h igh
t em p er at u r e. Eat in g it w ill im p r ove a sou l m ast er ’s b od y. For exam p le, r igh t
n ow , you can ab sor b at m ost t h e sou l r in g of a t h ou san d year sou l b east .
H ow ever , if you eat a b ig p iece of W h ale Ru b b er , you r b od y’s cap acit y for sou l
r in gs w ill in cr ease b y at least five h u n d r ed year s. Or at least , t h a t ’s h ow it ’s
su p p osed t o w or k . W h ale Ru b b er is in d eed b en eficia l for u s sou l m ast er s, b u t
t h er e ar e som e p r ob lem s. Aft er all, w e ca n ’t ju d ge a sou l b east ’s cu lt ivat ion w it h
ab solu t e p r ecision , n or can w e ju d ge w h et h er or n ot a p ar t icu lar p r od u ct is
su it ab le t o ab sor b . M or eover , if you m eet a sou l b east t h at ’s su it ab le for you ,
you ’ll h ar d ly ch eck if it s age is ab ove t h e lim it or n ot . T h er efor e, alt h ou gh good ,
W h ale Ru b b er ’s w or t h is som ew h at in fer ior t o it s p r ice. An d I’m n ot even
t alk in g ab ou t t h is low -q u alit y W h ale Gel. If you eat t h is, you ’d b e lu ck y t o n ot
get d iar r h ea…”
H u o Yu h ao w as at a loss. H ow ever , h e st ill h u r r ied ly said , “W an g Don g, h elp

m e b u y t h is p iece of W h ale Gel. Qu ick .”
Chapt er 58.1: The Boundar y Bet ween Life and
Deat h
“Do you r eally w an t t o b u y t h a t T h ou san d Year W h ale Ru b b er ?” W an g Don g

look ed at H u o Yu h ao, feelin g p u zzled b y h is d ecision .
H u o Yu h ao lean ed over an d w h isp er ed in h is ear , “Qu ick ly. T h er e w on ’t b e a

secon d ch an ce. T h is d efin it ely isn ’t T h ou san d Year W h ale Ru b b er , b u t T en
T h ou san d Year W h ale Ru b b er . T h at ’s w h y it ’s b lack . Qu ick ly, p ay u p ! If
som eon e else n ot ices t h is it em , w e w on ’t h ave a ch an ce t o b u y it an ym or e!”
W an g Don g w as st u n n ed . H e n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t qu est ion H u o Yu h ao fu r t h er

w it h t h e m u t u al t r u st t h ey b ot h h ad w it h on e an ot h er . H e im m ed iat ely t u r n ed
ar ou n d an d p aid u p a t t h e sales cou n t er locat ed at t h e w est er n en d of t h e r oom .
T h at ’s r igh t , t h is W h ale Ru b b er w as t en t h ou san d year s old ju st as H u o Yu h ao

h ad said . Na t u r ally, it w as im p ossib le for h im t o d iscer n t h is w it h h is ow n
exp er ien ce an d k n ow led ge. T h e Ice Em p r ess w as t h e on e w h o h ad t old h im t h e
an sw er .
T h r ou gh ou t t h e cou r se of h u m an h ist or y, T en T h ou san d Year W h ale Ru b b er

h ad b een ext r em ely r ar e. T h u s, it w as n o w on d er t h at n o on e in t h e T r easu r e
Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion r ecogn ised t h is it em .
T h e sea w as an ot h er h aven for sou l b east s. Ru m or h ad it t h a t t h e n u m b er of

sou l b east s in t h e sea w as m or e t h an t en t im es t h ose on lan d . M or eover , t h e sou l
b east s in t h e sea w er e r an k ed as w ell an d w h ale-t yp e sou l b east s w er e
u n q u est ion ab ly on e of t h e over lor d s am o n g sea sou l b east s.
W h en h u m an s en t er ed t h e sea, t h ey w er e p r act ically lik e m eat on a ch op p in g

b oar d . No h u m an h ad d ar ed ven t u r e in t o t h e d ep t h s of t h e sea. As a r esu lt of
t h at , t h ou gh it w as st ill p ossib le t o k ill a t h ou san d -year sou l b east if on e
d ep en d ed on a p ow er fu l sou l m ast er . T h e d evilw h ales w er e m or e t h a n t en
t h ou san d year s old a n d lived in t h e d eep sea. On t op of t h at , ever y sin gle on e of
t h em w as ext r em ely p ow er fu l. W h o w ou ld d ar e t o m ak e con t act w it h t h eir
p oison ou s h ead s?
H ow ever , as lu ck w ou ld h ave it , t h is W h a le Ru b b er cam e fr om a t en t h ou san d

year d evilw h a le. W h ile n or m ally T en T h ou san d Year W h ale Ru b b er w as d ar k
yellow , t h is on e w as b lack . T h e d iffer en ce in color w as d u e t o lon g-t er m ch a n ges
in t h e w eat h er . T h a t w as w h y n o on e h ad r ecogn ised it for w h at it r ea lly w as.
T o H u o Yu h ao, t h is W h ale Ru b b er w as p r act ically t h e b est t h in g h e cou ld

h ave fou n d h er e. H is b iggest p r ob lem n ow w as h is b od y’s cap acit y t o w it h st an d
m or e p ow er fr om t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion an d Sk yd r ea m Icew or m .
Even t h ou gh t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion cou ld n ’t com p let ely t r an sfer h er
h u n d r ed s of t h ou sa n d s of year s of cu lt ivat ion in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, sh e h ad
m an aged t o com p r ess an d seal t h e m ost qu in t essen t ial b it of h er p ow er in h im .
As lon g as H u o Yu h ao’s b od y h ad en ou gh st r en gt h t o w it h st an d it , sh e cou ld
h elp H u o Yu h ao acceler at e h is cu lt iva t ion effor t s.
T h e Ice Em p r ess w as an xiou sly look in g for w ar d t o t h e d ay w h en H u o Yu h ao

b ecam e p ow er fu l, so sh e n at u r ally cou ld n ’t let su ch a good it em a s t h is T en
T h ou san d Year W h a le Ru b b er slip t h r ou gh h er fin ger s.
W an g Don g qu ick ly r et u r n ed aft er p ayin g, an d on ly t h en d id H u o Yu h ao sh ow

a r elaxed look on h is face. T h e W h ale Ru b b er w as n ot as eye-cat ch in g as t h e sou l
b on e. A m em b er of t h e st aff fr om t h e T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Pavilion r et r ieved
t h e W h ale Ru b b er fr om t h e d isp lay st an d an d h a n d ed it t o W a n g Don g. W h en h e
got it , W an g Don g im m ed iat ely sh oved it in t o H u o Yu h ao’s h an d s.
“I h op e w e r eally d id n ’t m ak e a m ist ak e w it h t h is.” W an g Do n g cou ld n ’t h elp

b u t t h in k t h a t t h ey’d lost ou t as h e look ed at t h at b lack gooey it em . T h is b lack
W h ale Ru b b er w asn ’t fr agr an t at all. It w as t r u ly d ifficu lt for on e t o b elieve t h at
it h ad com e fr om a t en t h ou san d -year -old d evilw h ale.
H u o Yu h ao la u gh ed m isch ievou sly an d said , “Let ’s go. W e’ve alr ead y got t en
t h e it em s w e w an t ed . W h en I get b ack , I’ll get T each er Zh ou t o fin d a t each er
w it h a fir e at t r ib u t e m ar t ial sou l t o h elp u s. W e’ll au t om at ica lly k n ow w h et h er
it w as w or t h it or n ot on ce w e’ve eat en it .”
W an g Don g sh ook h is h ead . “If you w an t t o eat it , you can d o so you r self. I’m
n ot goin g t o ea t su ch a st ick y t h in g. I h ave eat en a lot of t h is w h en I w as you n ger
b ecau se I w as for ced t o d o so b y m y fam ily. Aft er I fu sed w it h a t h ou san d -year
sou l r in g, I sw or e t h at I w ou ld n ever eat t h is st ick y t h in g for t h e r est of m y life.”
H u o Yu h ao felt a ligh t b u lb go off in h is h ead an d said , “It ’s n o w on d er you r

secon d sou l r in g is a t h ou san d year s old ! You r fam ily is r eally r ich !”
T h e t w o ch at t ed as t h ey h ead ed ou t . W h en t h ey p assed Bei Bei, t h ey gr eet ed

t h eir sen ior m ar t ia l b r ot h er . Bei Bei ask ed t h em t o h ead b ack fir st sin ce h e
w an t ed t o w ait for Xu San sh i w h o w as st ill n aggin g J ian g Nan n an in ever y
p ossib le w ay h e cou ld .
……
Sea God ’s Islan d , Sh r ek Acad em y.
“W h at ? It w as t h at sm all gu y, H u o Yu h ao?” M a Xiaot ao look ed at Yan

Sh aozh e w it h an in cr ed u lou s look on h er face.
Yan Sh aozh e n od d ed an d r ep lied , “T h at ’s r igh t . It is h igh ly lik ely t h at t h e

cold sou l p ow er sh ock you r eceived a t t h at t im e cam e fr om H u o Yu h ao.
H ow ever , it ’s also p ossib le t h a t h e d id so u n con sciou sly. H is secon d m ar t ial sou l
w as st ill h id d en at t h e t im e, so I r eck on it p r ot ect ed it s h ost of it s ow n accor d
w h en it felt t h e at t ack fr om you r Evil Ph oen ix Fir e.”
W it h excit em en t w r it t en all over h er fa ce, M a Xiaot ao said , “T h at ’s gr eat !

T h is is r eally gr eat ! T each er , t h e d em on ic fir e in sid e of m e is d r ivin g m e cr azy.
Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s M ar t ia l T u r t le is aft er all on ly w at er -at t r ib u t e an d n ot
an ice-at t r ib u t e t ech n iq u e, so t h e effect s ar e n at u r ally w or sen in g. W it h H u o
Yu h ao’s Ult im at e ice-at t r ib u t e, w on ’t I b e ab le t o b r eak fr ee fr om m y cu r r en t
p r ed icam en t ? If t h a t ’s t h e case, I can r ep r esen t t h e acad em y an d at t en d t h e
Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t , r igh t ?”
Yan Sh aozh e n od d ed w it h a fain t sm ile an d said , “It ju st so h ap p en s t h at

you ’r e n ot yet over t w en t y year s old . If you can st ab ilise you r m ar t ial sou l,
you ’ll d efin it ely b e t h e w in n er in t h is year ’s acad em y com p et it ion . I h ave n o
d ou b t ab ou t it .”
“T h at ’s gr eat ! I can fin ally p ar t icip a t e! I m u st look for H u o Yu h ao n ow an d

m ak e h im su p p r ess t h e d em on ic fir e in sid e m y b od y.” As sh e sp ok e, M a Xiaot ao
t u r n ed ar ou n d an d r an ou t sid e.
Yan Sh aozh e lau gh ed an d sa id , “You r ascal, slow d ow n . H u o Yu h ao ou gh t t o

h ave gon e t o Sh r ek Cit y t o at t en d t h e T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion t od ay.”
“I k n ow .” Befor e h er voice cou ld b e h ear d , M a Xiaot ao’s silh ou et t e h a d

alr ead y d isap p ear ed in t o t h e n igh t sk y.
Yan Sh aozh e sh ook h is h ead as h e felt a lit t le h elp less. “It r eally is im p ossib le
t o ch an ge you r im p et u ou s t em p er am en t . W h o’s goin g t o b e d ar in g en ou gh t o
cou r t h er in t h e fu t u r e?! T h er e ar e so m an y ou t st an d in g d iscip les in t h e in n er
cou r t yar d an d yet n ot a sin gle on e d a r es t o w oo h er . Ot h er t h a n Le Xu an ,
Xiaot ao is t h e m ost gift ed st u d en t am on gst t h e fem ale st u d en t s. I h op e t h at
Yu h ao’s Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l can gr ad u ally q u ell t h e d em on ic fir e in sid e h er
b od y an d allow h er t o b ecom e a t r u e fir e p h oen ix, lik e h er an cest or s.”
……
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g left Sh r ek Cit y feelin g r at h er p leased . Even

t h ou gh t h ey d id n ’t k n ow w h at sou l sk ill W an g Don g w ou ld get fr om t h e gold en
r igh t ar m b on e, t h ey cou ld clear ly see t h at t h is w as an im p r essively p ow er fu l
sou l b on e fr om it s p r ice!
It h ad cost t h em a w h op p in g 9.5 m illion gold sou l coin s. H u o Yu h ao h ad b een
som ew h at n er vou s w h en h e’d p aid for it as h e h ad n ’t exp ect ed h is t r an sact ion
w it h t h e T r easu r e Gat h er in g Pavilion w ou ld b e t h is easy. T h e favor h e ow ed
t h em t h is t im e w as t oo gr eat . Even W an g Don g ow ed t h e acad em y a lar ge favor
n ow .
H u o Yu h ao alw ays m ad e su r e t o clear ly r em em b er t h e favor s an d in su lt s h e

r eceived . H e’d n ever for got t en for a secon d t h e d eb t h e ow ed Sh r ek Acad em y.
“Fu se w it h t h at W h ale Ru b b er t on igh t w h en you get b ack . I’ll p r ot ect you

w h en I get t h e sou l b on e t om or r ow . W it h t h is sou l b on e, I’m n ow con fid en t t h a t
I com p et e w it h Dai H u ab in on even foot in g even if I w er e t o face h im alon e.”
W an g Don g w aved h is fist as h e sp ok e. H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sm ile w h en
h e saw W an g Don g in su ch h igh sp ir it s.
H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao w er e all cu r r en t ly gr ow in g at an

ast on ish in g sp eed . On ce W an g Don g fu sed w it h h is sou l b on e, t h eir collect ive
st r en gt h w ou ld t ak e an ot h er h u ge st ep for w ar d . At t h at t im e, t h ey w ou ld r eally
d eser ve t h e t it le of b ein g t h e st r on gest gr ou p in Year 2.
W it h r egar d s t o Dai H u ab in , H u o Yu h a o h ad alr ea d y gr ad u ally b u r ied h is

h at r ed t ow ar d s t h e ot h er p ar t y. Dai H u ab in h ad b een d efea t ed t w ice an d h ad
b een m ad e t o k ow t o w , ack n ow led gin g h is d efeat . T h at h a d gon e a lon g w ay t o
lib er at in g t h e st iflin g feelin g h e h ad in h is h ear t .
At t h at m om en t , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice r an g ou t w it h in H u o Yu h ao’s

m in d , w ar n in g h im of d an ger . “Yu h ao, t h er e’s a m u r d er ou s au r a d ir ect ed
t ow ar d s you .”
Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w as st ill you n g, h e’d accu m u lat ed a con sid er ab le

am ou n t of com b at exp er ien ce. H en ce, h e d id n ’t r eact in a n ob viou s m an n er
aft er h e h ear d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s w ar n in g. It w as at t im es lik e t h ese t h a t
h e h ad t o r em ain calm .
H e d id n ’t ch an ge h is w alk in g sp eed an d even r et a in ed t h e sm ile h e h ad on h is
face. T h e on ly d iffer en ce w as t h a t h e h ad alr ead y qu iet ly sp r ead h is Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion Sh ar in g t o W an g Don g.
W an g Don g w as sligh t ly st ar t led at fir st b u t im m ed iat ely u n d er st ood

som et h in g w as am iss d u e t o t h e t acit u n d er st an d in g h e h ad w it h H u o Yu h ao. H e
st op p ed t alk in g for a m om en t an d glan ced at H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao qu ick ly r eleased h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t o it s m axim u m r an ge.

Su r e en ou gh , h e felt a h id d en k illin g in t en t n ot far aw ay fr om h im . H ow ever ,
t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w asn ’t gr eat en ou gh an d t h u s h e w asn ’t ab le
t o accu r at ely d et er m in e w h o h is op p on en t s w er e.
H u o Yu h ao t ook t h e in it iat ive an d p u lled W an g Don g’s h an d b ack . H e t igh t ly

clasp ed W an g Don g’s h an d w h ich w as soft er an d m or e t en d er t h an t h at of a
fem ale’s. W h en h e d id so, t h e H aod on g Pow er im m ed ia t ely con n ect ed in t h eir
b od ies.
H u o Yu h ao’s exp r ession d id n ’t ch an ge, b u t h e sp ok e u n d er h is b r eat h , “T h er e

ar e p eop le in fr on t w h o ar e w ait in g t o am b u sh u s. W e a r e fu r t h er fr om t h e
acad em y t h an w e ar e Sh r ek Cit y, so w h en I cou n t t o t h r ee, w e’r e goin g t o t u r n
ar ou n d an d r u n b ack t ow ar d s Sh r ek Cit y as fast as w e can . Un d er st an d ?”
W an g Don g sp ok e in a low t on e, “Do you h ave an y id ea w h o t h ey m igh t b e??”
“I d on ’t k n ow , b u t t h ey’r e em it t in g a m u r d er ou s au r a. Let ’s h id e in Sh r ek
Cit y fir st an d d iscu ss it lat er . Get r ead y.”
T h e k illin g in t en t gr ew in cr easin gly d en se as t h ey w alk ed for w ar d . H u o

Yu h ao car efu lly sen t h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t ow ar d s t h e r oot of t h e k illin g
in t en t an d im m ed iat ely in cr eased t h e r an ge of h is d et ect ion . T w o h u n d r ed
m et er s aw ay fr om t h em , a gr ou p of six p eop le w as q u iet ly lyin g in w ait . Fr om
t h e t h ick sou l p ow er on t h eir b od ies, H u o Yu h ao cou ld t ell t h a t t h ey w er e
op p on en t s t h at t h e t w o of t h em cou ld n ot go u p again st .
“On e!” H u o Yu h ao sp ok e in a low t on e, b u t h e d id n ’t slow d ow n . At t h is
m om en t , h e d efin it ely cou ld n ’t let t h e en em y d iscover t h e ch an ges in t h eir
m ovem en t s.
“T w o…”
“T h r ee! Ru n !”
H u o Yu h ao let ou t a low r oar an d ab r u p t ly car r ied W an g Don g as h e r an in t h e

op p osit e d ir ect ion . At t h e sam e t im e, h e q u ick ly p laced a m et al p lat e on h is
b ack . A b all of d azzlin g w h it e ligh t lit u p an d H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e
im m ed iat ely p r op elled for w ar d s. T h ey w er e ju st lik e a w h it e sh oot in g st a r as
t h ey m ad e a b eelin e for t h e n or t h er n gat e of Sh r ek Cit y.
It w as evid en t t h at t h e six p eop le w h o h a d b een fu lly p r ep ar ed t o am b u sh t h e

d u o h ad n ever exp ect ed t h e t w o of t h em t o su d d en ly t ak e a d et ou r . Seein g t h eir
p r ey get t in g aw ay, t h e six w er e t ak en ab ack . It w as in t h is sh or t t im e sp an t h a t
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g d ash ed far in t o t h e d ist an ce w it h all t h eir m igh t . A
gor geou s m ixt u r e of b lu e an d gold fr om t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess’ w in gs
b u r st for t h in t h e sk y. In t h a t m om en t , t h e scen e h a d alr ead y ch an ged t o on e in
w h ich H u o Yu h ao w as h u ggin g W an g Don g’s legs.
Deat h
H ow ever , t h e t h r u st er h e’d eq u ip p ed w as on ly a Class 1 sou l t ool. It in st an t ly

over h eat ed w h en it w as act ivat ed w it h t h eir com b in ed H aod on g Pow er . Desp it e
t h e t h r u st er r each in g it s m axim u m p ossib le sp eed , t h ey w er e st u ck in a n
em b ar r assin g sit u at ion w h er e it w ou ld exp lod e aft er con t in u ed u se. H u o Yu h ao
h ad n o ch oice b u t t o st op . W an g Don g, on t h e ot h er h a n d , t ook t h e op p or t u n it y
t o u n fu r l h is w in gs an d fly in t o t h e air w it h t h e su p p or t of H u o Yu h ao’s sou l
p ow er .
T h eir six assailan t s r eact ed , t h en b r ok e cover . Sou l r in gs lit u p on all six of

t h eir b od ies, an d five of t h e six h ad five sou l r in gs on t h em , w h ile t h e sixt h w as
act u ally a six-r in ged Sou l Em p er or . T h r ee of t h em in st an t ly r ose in t o t h e air ,
r eleasin g t h eir r esp ect ive flyin g t ech n iq u es, an d all six of t h em r ap id ly ch ased
aft er W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao.
T h e d isp ar it y in st r en gt h b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies w as sim p ly t oo gr eat .

T h ou gh t h e t w o of t h em h ad t ak en a su d d en h ea d st ar t b y t ak in g ad van t age of
t h eir u n aw ar en ess, t h e d ist an ce b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies r ap id ly closed as t h eir
assailan t s sp ed u p .
T h eir H aod on g Pow er w as ext r em ely p ow er fu l, b u t it cou ld on ly allow t h eir

fu sed st r en gt h t o r each t h e t h r ee-r in ged level of st r en gt h at m ost . T h ey sim p ly
h ad n o ch an ce of w in n in g again st t h eir a ssailan t s in a d ir ect con fr on t at ion .
T h eir t h r ee en em ies t h at h ad t ak en fligh t w er e r ap id ly ap p r oach in g, an d all

t h r ee of t h em w er e five-r in ged Sou l Kin gs. H ow ever , W an g Don g h ad alr ead y
flow n fift y or so m et er s in t o t h e air , so it w ou ld n ’t b e easy fo r t h eir en em ies t o
at t ack t h em a t t h is d ist an ce. Fu r t h er m or e, W an g Don g’s cu r r en t sp eed w asn ’t
m u ch slow er t h an t h at of t h e p eop le w h o w er e ch asin g t h em on t h e gr ou n d .
T h ey w er e cu r r en t ly sever al t h ou san d m et er s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y’s
n or t h er n gat e.
H u o Yu h ao r aised h is h an d , cau sin g a b all of r ed ligh t t o soar sever al h u n d r ed

of m et er s in t o t h e sk y b efor e exp lod in g an d t u r n in g in t o cou n t less r ed d ish -gold
d ot s t h a t sp r ead t h r ou gh t h e sk y.
T h e six-r in ged Sou l Em p er or im m ed iat ely h ad a ch an ge in exp r ession . T h ey

w er e all d r essed in b lack , an d t h eir faces w er e all cover ed . H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
let ou t a low r oar aft er seein g t h is r ed d ish -gold en ligh t . “Did n ’t h e say t h ey w er e
ju st cor e d iscip les? T h is is clear ly Sh r ek Acad em y’s in n er cou r t yar d ’s d ist r ess
sign al. Qu ick , h u r r y u p an d k ill t h em . W e’r e leavin g im m ed ia t ely!” H is last r oar
w as am p lified b y h is sou l p ow er .
T h ou gh t h is w as t h e ou t sk ir t s of Sh r ek Cit y, Sh r ek Cit y’s fou n d at ion w as

Sh r ek Acad em y!
J u st w h o w er e in Sh r ek Acad em y? As lon g as a sin gle on e of t h ose p eak

exist en ces cam e ou t , t h ey cou ld easily cr u sh t h em all t o d eat h . T h ey sim p ly h ad
n o t im e t o w ast e h er e.
On e of t h e t h r ee m id air assailan t s im m ed iat ely act iva t ed a p o w er fu l sou l sk ill

aft er h ear in g h is r oa r .
Of h is five sou l r in gs, on e w as w h it e, t w o w er e yellow , an d t w o w er e p u r p le.

H e’d act ivat ed h is fou r t h sou l r in g, w h ich w as a t h ou san d year p u r p le sou l r in g.
A d en se p u r p le ligh t sh on e fr om h is w in gs, an d h e su d d en ly flap p ed t h em an d

sp ed u p , ch ar gin g t o w ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g lik e a m et eor .
H e w as con fid en t in h is ab ilit y t o k ill t h e t w o of t h em in on e st r ik e a s lon g as

h e w as ab le t o cat ch u p t o t h em .
H ow ever , h e w as sim p ly t oo over con fid en t . H u o Yu h ao a n d W an g Don g w er e

you n g, b u t t h ey w er e st ill cor e d iscip les of Sh r ek Acad em y! Fu r t h er m or e, t h e
for m er w as even a r ar ely-seen st u d en t w h o’d cau sed a m eet in g in Sea God ’s
Pavilion .
T h e en em y w as r ap id ly ap p r oach in g t h em , b u t t h er e w as on ly a sin gle p er son .

In a sit u at ion lik e t h is, t h e t w o of t h em com p let ely r elied on t h eir in st in ct s t o
w or k t oget h er . W an g Don g con t in u ed flyin g for w ar d at fu ll sp eed , w h ile H u o
Yu h ao con t in u ed t o clim b u p h is legs t o h is b od y. H e u sed h is left h an d t o h u g
W an g Don g t igh t ly, w h ile p oin t in g h is r igh t t ow ar d s t h eir assailan t s.
T h ey w er e sim p ly in t oo gr eat of a r u sh , an d H u o Yu h ao cou ld on ly equ ip a

m in iat u r e St at ion ar y Sou l Cr ossb ow in t im e.
Aft er h e r aised h is r igh t h an d , t h e t h r ee t u b es on it s su r face im m ed ia t ely

cam e ou t . H e p ou r ed h is sou l p ow er in t o t h em , cau sin g t h r ee b olt s of ligh t n in g
t o sh oot ou t .
T h ese t h r ee cr ossb ow b olt s w er e p it ch -b lack , an d t h ey w ou ld n ’t r eflect ligh t

in t h is d ar k n ess. Fu r t h er m or e, Fan Yu h ad sp ecially t au gh t h im h ow t o in st all a
silen cer d u r in g t h eir cr eat ion . Beca u se of t h at , t h ey d id n ’t m ak e an y n oise a s
t h ey flew t h r ou gh t h e d ar k n igh t .
T h is w as an ot h er a d van t age of a st at ion ar y sou l t ool. An or d in ar y sou l t ool

w ou ld d ir ect ly em it t h e ligh t of sou l p ow er , w h ich w ou ld p r act ically b e a
lam p p ost in t h e d ar k n igh t . On ly a st at ion ar y sou l t o ol cou ld r elease a
com p let ely t r aceless at t ack .
H ow ever , it w as evid en t t h a t n ob od y else w ou ld b e ab le t o aim a st at ion ar y

sou l t ool in a sit u a t ion lik e t h is. On ly H u o Yu h ao, b y r elyin g on h is Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion , cou ld d o t h is.
W an g Don g’s m id air figu r e p au sed sligh t ly; h e’d com p let ed t h e t r an sfer of
sou l p ow er b et w een h im an d H u o Yu h ao.
A p u r p lish -gold ligh t sh ot ou t fr om h is eyes; for t h e sak e of su r vival, h e’d h eld
n ot h in g b ack in t h is at t ack . Aft er r eleasin g h is at t ack , h e im m ed iat ely
t r an sfer ed h is sou l p ow er b ack t o W an g Don g, w h o con t in u ed sp eed in g u p .
T h eir assailan t h a d clear ly n ever p r ed ict ed t h at t h e t w o of t h em w ou ld

act u ally p au se t o r elease an at t ack at h im . H e’d r each ed t h e Sou l Kin g r an k , b u t
h e w asn ’t a p in n acle Sou l Kin g lik e t h ose t h at Sh r ek Acad em y p r od u ced . H is
st r on gest sou l r in g w as m er ely a t h ou san d year on e, an d h e d id n ’t h ave an y
ou t st an d in g p oin t s in t h e field of sp ir it u a l p ow er .
W h en H u o Yu h ao h ad b een a on e-r in ged Sou l M ast er , h is com b in ed Sp ir it u al

Sh ock w it h W an g Don g h ad even affect ed M a Xiaot ao for a br ief p er iod of t im e.
H ow ever , t h eir cu r r en t st r en gt h h a d exp er ien ced a q u alit at ive leap .
T h e acceler at in g Sou l Kin g felt h is h ea d collid e w it h a r igid w all, an d h e

im m ed iat ely let ou t a m u ffled gr oan . H e st ar t ed b leed in g fr om h is n ose an d
m ou t h , r esu lt in g in h im b ein g u n ab le t o con t r ol h is flyin g b od y. T h e sou l sk ill
t h at h ad a llow ed h im t o acceler at e w as a lso in t er r u p t ed .
At t h is exact in st a n t , t h r ee p it ch -b lack t er r or s ar r ived in fr on t of h im

sou n d lessly. W it h a ‘p en g’, t h ey exp lod ed sim u lt an eou sly. Im m ed iat ely, a w ave
of b lack m ist cover ed h im , b lock in g h is en t ir e lin e of sigh t .
H u o Yu h ao k n ew t h at even if h e w er e t o st r ik e a Sou l Kin g h ead -on , h e w ou ld

b e u n ab le t o cau se r eal d am age w it h h is Class 1 sou l t ool. Beca u se of t h at , h e h a d
ch osen t o in t er fer e w it h h im .
T h e Sou l Kin g p au sed for a m om en t , ca u sin g t h e d ist an ce b et w een t h e t w o

p ar t ies t o in cr ease som ew h at . Fu r t h er m or e, H u o Yu h ao h ad in st r u ct ed W a n g
Don g t o n ot on ly fly for w ar d s, b u t u p w ar d s in or d er t o in cr ease t h e d ist an ce
b et w een t h em a n d t h e t h r ee exp er t s on t h e gr ou n d . Aft er a ll, t h er e w as a Sou l
Em p er or com m an d in g t h em d ow n t h er e.
H ow ever , t h eir air b or n e assailan t s w er e st ill five-r in ged Sou l Kin gs! Even if
t h eir com b in at ion of sou l r in gs w as su b p ar , t h ey w er e st ill at t h e Sou l Kin g
r an k . T h e t w o Sou l Kin gs w h o h ad in it ially b een left b eh in d q u ick ly cau gh t u p
t o t h e st u n n ed Sou l Kin g, an d t h e t h r ee of t h em acceler at ed t oget h er , d ecr easin g
t h e cu r r en t d ist an ce b et w een t h em an d t h e d u o t o fift y m et er s.
“W an g Don g, fly st r aigh t u p !” H u o Yu h a o sh ou t ed . At t h e sa m e t im e, h is t w o

sou l r in gs t r an sfor m ed in t o a sin gle on e, an d t h e en or m ou s cr yst allin e an d
gr een t at t oo on h is b ack slow ly em er ged w it h an in com p ar ab ly t yr an n ical au r a .
W an g Don g, w h o h ad t h e h elp of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , cou ld

n at u r ally sen se t h e sp eed t h at t h eir p u r su er s w er e m ovin g at . H e w as alr ead y
som ew h at d esp air in g.
Aft er all, t h er e w as sim p ly t oo lar ge a gap b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies. T h ey h ad

on e p er son w it h t w o sou l r in gs, an d an ot h er on e w it h t h r ee. Even if t h ey w er e
even m or e t alen t ed t h an t h ey alr ead y w er e, t h er e w as n o ch an ce t h ey cou ld go
again st t h r ee five-r in ged exp er t s. M or eover , t h ey w ou ld im m ed iat ely face even
m or e en em ies on ce t h ey fell t o t h e gr ou n d . T h e acad em y w ou ld sen d som e m en
ou t aft er r eceivin g h is d ist r ess sign a l, b u t t h er e w as n o w ay t h ey cou ld ar r ive in
t im e at su ch sh or t n ot ice. At t h is m om en t , t h ey w er e st ill t w o t h ou san d m et er s
fr om Sh r ek Cit y.
It w as p r ecisely b eca u se h e w a s com p let ely b lan k , an d b ecau se h e t r u st ed H u o

Yu h ao, t h at h e u n h esit at in gly follow ed t h e lat t er ’s w or d s. H e su d d en ly flap p ed
h is w in gs d ow n w ar d s, t h en sh ot st r aigh t in t o t h e air . For t h e sak e of r isin g even
h igh er , h e aim ed t h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess d ow n w ar d s in or d er t o
p r od u ce a t h r u st in g for ce. At t h is exact m om en t , t h e coold ow n of H u o Yu h ao’s
t h r u st er h ad en d ed , an d h e in st an t ly fir ed it d ow n w ar d s. T h e t w o of t h em
m oved sim u lt an eou sly, cau sin g t h eir sp eed t o in st an t a n eou sly r each t h e level of
t h eir assailan t s. T h ey flew st r aigh t u p , r esu lt in g in t h em r isin g a h u n d r ed
m et er s in t o t h e air in t h e b lin k of an eye.
At t h is m om en t , t h ey h ad alr ead y r isen m or e t h an t h r ee h u n d r ed m et er s in t o

t h e air . Fr om t h eir cu r r en t p osit ion , t h ey cou ld see a p at ch of ligh t w h en t h ey
look ed t ow ar d s Sh r ek Cit y.
H ow ever , W an g Don g w as som ew h at exh au st ed aft er b r ea k in g t h r ou gh t h e
t h r ee h u n d r ed m et er b ar r ier . H u o Yu h a o’s t h r u st er h ad a lso over h eat ed again ,
cau sin g t h eir sp eed t o d ecr ease d r am at ica lly.
“Un fu r l you r w in gs h or izon t ally.” H u o Yu h ao com m an d ed W an g Don g.
W an g Don g w as st u n n ed . W on’ t spr eadi ng m y w i ngs hor i zont al l y decr ease

m y speed even f ur t h er ? I ’ l l onl y be abl e t o f l oat i n t he ai r !
T h e absol ut e con f i den ce t h at t h e t w o of t h em h ad i n each ot h er f i n al l y

sh ow ed i t s use at t h i s m om en t . T h ough W an g Don g h ad som e doubt i n h i s
h ear t , h e st i l l t r ust ed H uo Yuh ao’ s w or ds un con di t i on al l y. H e un f ur l ed h i s
w i n gs, causi n g t h e speed of h i s ascen t t o dr op dr ast i cal l y. At t h i s exact m om en t ,
t h e t h r ee Soul Ki n gs bel ow t h em w er e appr oach i n g qui ck l y.
“ Fi ve, f our , t h r ee, t w o, on e…” H uo Yuh ao i n w ar dl y coun t ed t o h i m sel f , an d

W an g Don g sudden l y di scover ed t h at t h ei r f used H aodon g Pow er w as pour i n g
t ow ar ds t h e f or m er at an i n cr edi bl e r at e.
Not h i n g seem ed st r an ge on t h e sur f ace, but W an g Don g coul d t el l t h at t h e

cur r en t H uo Yuh ao w as l i k e a f i l l ed bal l oon t h at w as com pr essi n g un ceasi n gl y.
W hat ’ s he doi ng?
T h ei r t h r ee en em i es w er e n ow on l y t w en t y m et er s aw ay f r om t h em , an d t h ei r
soul r i n gs h ad l i t up.
Fi f t een m et er s. T h ei r soul sk i l l s w er e al r eady l ock ed an d l oaded, but t h e

f r equen cy an d w ays t h ey at t ack ed w er e al l en capsul at ed w i t h i n H uo Yuh ao’ s
Spi r i t ual Det ect i on .
Just as t h e t h r ee Soul Ki n gs w er e about t o r el ease t h ei r at t ack s, t h ey sudden l y

f el t som et h i n g st r an ge. T h e t ar get s i n f r on t of t h em h ad sudden l y l i t up.
A jade-gr een l i gh t sudden l y appear ed w i t h i n t h e pi t ch -bl ack sk y. T h i s l i gh t

t ook t h e f or m of a si n gl e l i n e w h i ch i n st an t l y spr ead out w ar ds, out l i n i n g t h e
figu r e of a p er son , in clu d in g h is sp in e, r ib s, an d st er n u m , as w ell as all t h e b on es
w it h in h is t or so.
T h e em er ald jad e-gr een ligh t w as en ch an t in g, b u t t h is allu r in g sen sat ion on ly

last ed for an in st an t . Righ t aft er t h a t , an eye-p ier cin g jad e-gr een ligh t sp r ead
ou t w ar d s, t r ap p in g t h em w it h in it .
Deat h
An ext r em e cold n ess.
T h e t h r ee Sou l Kin gs in st an t ly felt t h e t er r ifyin g effect s of t h e Ult im at e Ice

elem en t . For a m om en t , t h ey felt as t h ou gh t h e b lood in t h eir vein s h ad fr ozen .
T h ey lost com p let e con t r ol over t h eir b od ies an d w er e su sp en d ed m id air in t h eir
p r eviou s p osit ion s as t h ey t r ied t o m ak e t h eir m ove.
H ow ever , t h ey w er e su sp en d ed t h r ee h u n d r ed m et er s ab ove t h e gr ou n d . An d
on ce air b or n e, if you d on ’t go u p , you fall d ow n . T h er efor e, t h e t h r ee Sou l Kin gs
soon b egan t o fall fr om t h e sk y lik e m et eor s aft er r em ain in g su sp en d ed for a b it .
T h e gr een ligh t h ad on ly flick er ed t h r ou gh t h e sk y for a m om en t , b u t as soon

as it d isap p ear ed t h e Sou l Kin gs b egan t o fall. At t h e sam e t im e, H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g’s exp r ession s t u r n ed p ale.
Even t h ou gh t h e gr een ligh t r eleased fr om H u o Yu h ao’s b od y h ad n ’t t ar get ed

W an g Don g, ju st b ein g n ear it h ad cau sed W an g Don g t o b e afflict ed w it h a
t er r ifyin g feelin g of cold n ess. H e st ill felt h is w in gs go som ew h at n u m b d esp it e
n ot b ein g in d ir ect con t act w it h it . Lu ck ily, h is w in gs w er e alr ead y w id e op en
w h en h e w as h it b y t h e t er r ifyin g cold n ess. As su ch , t h ey k ep t flyin g st r aigh t .
On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o Yu h ao’s face h ad t u r n ed p ale d u e t o h is excessive

con su m p t ion of sou l p ow er . At t h e sam e t im e, h is b od y h ad t o w it h st an d t h e
b u r d en of all t h a t sou l p ow er . H ow ever , h e cou ld n ’t r elax yet . H e k n ew t h a t ,
even t h ou gh it w as st r on g, t h at at t ack ju st n ow w as n ow h er e n ear en ou gh t o
d eal w it h som eon e as st r on g as a Sou l Kin g. Fu r t h er m or e, a fall fr om t h eir
h eigh t w asn ’t en ou gh t o k ill t h em eit h er .
T h e t h r u st er in h is r igh t h an d t u r n ed jad e gr een in color . Aft er w ar d s, it b egan
t o em it a d azzlin g r ed ligh t as h e p ou r ed h is r em ain in g sou l p ow er in t o it . W h en
h e d id so, it r eleased a st r eak of w h it e flam es an d t h ey w er e im m ed iat ely
p r op elled t ow ar d s Sh r ek Cit y fr om t h eir cu r r en t alt it u d e of t h r ee h u n d r ed
m et er s.
H u o Yu h ao h ad b egu n t o p lan h ow t o r u n aw ay as soon as t h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m h ad t old h im ab ou t t h e en em ies lyin g in am b u sh . Lu ck ily h e’d b een
w ar n ed ah ead of t im e, t h u s h e’d h ad a lot of t im e t o t h in k .
T h ey w ou ld n or m a lly d ie for su r e again st p eop le as p ow er fu l as t h eir

op p on en t s. As su ch , figh t in g t h em h ead -on h ad n ’t b een an op t ion . T h u s, t h ey
cou ld on ly r ely on som et h in g ou t of t h e or d in ar y.
H u o Yu h ao’s p lan h a d st ar t ed t h e m om en t t h ey’d t u r n ed ar ou n d t o r u n aw ay.

H e’d sin ce d on e ever yt h in g in h is p ow er t o ach ieve t h eir cu r r en t st a t e.
Now t h at t h ey w er e flyin g at an alt it u d e of t h r ee h u n d r ed m et er s, even a Sou l

Em p er or —so lon g a s t h ey cou ld n ’t fly—w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o easily r each t h em
w it h an at t ack fr om t h e gr ou n d .
It w asn ’t t h at a h igh -r an k ed sou l m ast er cou ld n ’t fly, b u t on e st ill n eed ed t o

b e at least a Sou l Sage t o d o so. On ly t h en w ou ld on e b e ab le t o u se t h eir
p ow er fu l sou l p ow er t o fly for a sh or t am ou n t of t im e. As su ch , a Sou l Em p er or
st ill fell sh or t in t h is field .
Becau se of t h is, t h ey w ou ld on ly b e r elat ively safe at a h igh alt it u d e. H ow ever ,

t h ey st ill n eed ed t o b e lu ck y; if t h at Sou l Em p er or also h ad a sou l sk ill t h at
en ab led h im t o fly, t h ey w ou ld n ’t st an d a ch an ce. H ow ever , at t h is cr it ical
m om en t , t h e god d ess of lu ck h ad favor ed t h em .
J u st as H u o Yu h ao h ad p r ed ict ed , t h e t h r ee Sou l Kin gs t h a t fell fr om t h e sk y

w er e on ly ab le t o r ecover fr om t h eir fr ozen st at e on ce t h ey’d d escen d ed over a
h u n d r ed m et er s. T h ey op en ed t h eir w in gs w it h gr eat d ifficu lt y an d slow ed t h eir
fall. Even t h ou gh t h ey w er e flu st er ed , t h ey’d st ill b een ab le t o r egain t h eir
com p osu r e b efor e t h ey h it t h e gr ou n d . H ow ever , t h ey w er e n ow u n ab le t o r each
t h eir t w o t ar get s t h a t w er e st ill soar in g t h r ou gh t h e sk y.
T h e Sou l Em p er or , w h o w as in h ot p u r su it , su d d en ly in cr eased h is sp eed an d

h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e p lace w h er e H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w ou ld lan d . At t h is
p oin t , h e k n ew t h at h is ch an ces of su ccess w er e alr ead y qu it e low ; h is m ission
w ou ld en d in failu r e if h e cou ld n ’t cat ch a n d k ill t h em b efor e t h ey en t er ed Sh r ek
Cit y. H ow ever , h e st ill w an t ed t o m ak e on e fin al at t em p t . If h e w asn ’t ab le t o
su cceed aft er t h is, h e w ou ld h ave t o flee as fast as p ossib le.
T h e sp eed t h a t a Sou l Em p er or cou ld ach ieve w asn ’t som et h in g t h at H u o

Yu h ao an d W an g Don g cou ld even im a gin e w it h t h eir sh a llow cu lt iva t ion s.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e sixt h sou l r in g of t h is Sou l Em p er or w as an aw e-in sp ir in g t en
t h ou san d year b lack sou l r in g.
T h e Sou l Em p er or r an as fast as h e cou ld u n t il h e r each ed t h e Sh r ek Cit y’s

n or t h er n gat e. H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e st ill ar ou n d t w o h u n d r ed
m et er s fr om t h e cit y w alls w h en h e r each ed t h e gat e. As soon as h e r each ed t h e
gat e, h e p u t t h e t ip of h is foot in t o t h e cit y w all an d b egan t o clim b it at a n
ast on ish in g sp eed . It on ly t ook h im an in st an t t o r each t h e t op .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad con su m ed m ost of t h eir sou l p ow er b y t h is

p oin t . Fu r t h er m or e, W an g Don g’s w in gs w er e st ill u n d er t h e effect of t h e gr een
ligh t t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad r eleased a w h ile ago, an d W an g Don g d efin it ely w asn ’t
a Sou l Kin g! M ost of h is qi an d b lood h a d b een fr ozen , t h u s h e cou ld n ’t r elease
an y m or e p ow er t o fly u p w ar d s. T h u s, t h ey cou ld on ly h elp lessly w at ch as t h e
Sou l Em p er or st an d in g at op t h e cit y w alls soar ed in t o t h e sk y an d ch ar ged
d ir ect ly t ow ar d s t h em .
T h e Sou l Em p er or su d d en ly lift ed h is r igh t h an d in m id a ir ; h e w as p oin t in g a

b r oad sw or d en sh r ou d ed in p it ch -b lack flam es at t h em . T h e p it ch -b lack flam es
seem ed t o or igin at e fr om h is t en t h ou sa n d year sou l r in g. T h er e w as n o d ou b t
t h at it w ou ld b e im p ossib le for H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g t o d efen d again st
t h is k in d of at t ack .
At t h is t im e, t h r ee for m s w er e r u n n in g at an in cr ed ib le sp eed at op t h e cit y’s
w alls. T h e on e in fr on t w as Bei Bei; h is b od y w as alr ead y cover ed w it h d r agon
scales, an d h is Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon m ar t ial sou l w as on fu ll d isp lay.
Follow in g h im w er e Xu San sh i an d J ian g Nan n an .
T h e n u m b er of sou l r in gs on Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i’s b od ies w asn ’t t h r ee, b u t

fou r . T w o of t h eir sou l r in gs w er e yellow , w h ile t h e ot h er t w o w er e p u r p le. T h is
clear ly m ean t t h at t h ey h ad b ot h alr ead y b ecom e Sou l An cest or s.
H ow ever , even w h en t h e p air saw t h em , W an g Don g felt t h at t h ey w er e so

close, an d yet so far . T h ey w ou ld n ’t m ak e it in t im e…
“W an g Don g!”
H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly sh ou t ed . Aft er w ar d s, h e h u gged W an g Don g t igh t ly in

h is ar m s. H is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g h ad also su d d en ly d isap p ear ed . W an g
Don g w as im m ed iat ely st ar t led aw ak e, as t h e H aod on g Pow er in t h eir b od ies
h ad b egu n seet h in g w it h excit em en t .
T h e ar ea t en m et er s ar ou n d t h em t h en b egan t o ligh t u p , as it h ad b een

p er m eat ed w it h a ver y p ecu liar r a d ian ce fr om t h eir b od ies.
T h is r ad ia n ce w as ext r em ely st r an ge. It var ied b et w een b lu e, p u r p le, an d gold

in color . M or eover , m an y st r an ge an d d iffer en t flu ct u at ion s of sou l p ow er w er e
b len d in g in sid e of t h e in t en se ligh t .
A h u ge for m ap p ear ed b eh in d W a n g Don g’s b ack : It w as a com p let e an d

ab solu t ely m agn ificen t Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e im age of a lar ge, ver t ically-p u p iled eye ap p ear ed

b eh in d H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. T h e eye w as p ale gold , b u t it s p u p il em it t ed a fain t
p u r p le r ad ian ce.
T h ose t w o h u ge for m s t h en p r oceed ed t o over lap in m id air . As soon as t h ey

d id , t h ey b egan t o m er ge t oget h er .
T h e m an ifest at ion o f H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes w as b ecom in g m or e an d m or e
p r ofou n d . It h ad b ecom e a p u r p lish -b lu e color , w h ile t h e gold en color it h ad
p r eviou sly h ad h ad com p let ely d isap p ear ed .
On t h e ot h er h an d , W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess m an ifest a t ion

b egan t o b u r n w it h gold ish -b lu e flam es as it ap p r oach ed H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eye.
As it b u r n ed , t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess op en ed h er b eau t ifu l w in gs an d

slow ly w r ap p ed t h em ar ou n d m an ifest a t ion of t h e Sp ir it Eyes. H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g w er e also h eld t oget h er a n d p r ot ect ed in it s em b r ace.
T h e h u ge Sp ir it Eye seem ed ext r em ely m yst er iou s; if you w er e t o look in t o it ,

it w ou ld alm ost seem as if t h er e w er e a n en d less w or ld in sid e. As soon as t h e
Sou l Em p er or got w it h in t h ir t y m et er s of t h em , b lu e, p u r p le, an d gold en b olt s of
ligh t n in g sh ot t ow ar d h im .
T h ese st r eak s of ligh t seem ed alm ost illu sor y; t h e p laces t h at t h e ligh t p assed
t h r ou gh w er e illu m in at ed b y a r ad ian ce t h at seem ed t o h ave com e fr om an cien t
t im es. It left a d im a n d t w ist ed , yet d azzlin g lu st er b eh in d .
Bot h t h e Sou l Em p er or an d Sou l Kin gs w er e sh ock ed w h en t h ey saw t h is.

Even t h e r ap id ly a p p r oach in g Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, an d J ian g Nan n an w er e
sh ock ed .
T h e scen e in fr on t of t h em w as ju st t oo m agn ificen t ! T h e illu sor y r ad ian ce

h ad left a gold en r oad in t h e sk y.
T h e sk ill d isp layed ju st n ow h ad b een H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s m igh t y

m ar t ial sou l fu sion , an d w as also t h eir fin al t r u m p car d .
T h e Gold en Road Am id st W it h er in g Resp len d en ce!
T h e last t im e t h ey’d d isp layed t h is sk ill, H u o Yu h ao h ad h ad on e r in g, w h ile

W an g Don g h ad h ad t w o. Bu t n ow , t h ey b ot h h ad t w o an d t h r ee r in gs
r esp ect ively. Bot h t h eir cu lt iva t ion an d t h e st r en gt h of t h eir b od ies w er e m u ch
st r on ger t h an last t im e. W h en t h ey’d d isp layed t h eir m ar t ia l sou l fu sion sk ill,
t h ey’d t h ou gh t t h a t t h e sou l p ow er in sid e of t h eir b od ies w as d ep let ed .
H ow ever , t h ey st ill m an aged t o squ eeze ou t som e lat en t en er gy an d fin ally
execu t e t h eir st r on gest m ove.
T h e p it ch -b lack fla m es on t h e Sou l Em p er or ’s w ar b lad e b egan t o b u r n even

m or e fer ven t ly n ow . H e w asn ’t b lin d , an d h e cou ld easily t ell t h eir cu lt iva t ion
fr om t h eir sou l r in gs. Even if t h e scen e b efor e h is eyes w as m agn ificen t , in h is
m in d , on e h it fr om h is sw or d w ou ld b e en ou gh t o p u t an en d t o t h is ligh t , H u o
Yu h ao, an d W an g Don g.
H ow ever , h e qu ick ly r ealized h is m ist a k e. As soon as h is b lack sw or d cam e

in t o con t act w it h t h e d azzlin g ligh t , t h e Sou l Em p er or ’s m in d w en t b lan k .
T h e feelin g h e got w as m ar velou s; h e d id n ’t feel an y p ain . In fact , h e felt lik e

som eon e d ir t y st ep p in g in t o t h e b at h r oom an d t h en b ein g t h r ow n in t o a p ool
aft er t h ey’d b een st r ip p ed n ak ed .
It seem ed lik e ever yt h in g in h is p ossession h ad d isap p ear ed . H is p ow er fu l

sou l r in gs, sw or d , an d sou l sk ills w er e all gon e. T h e on ly t h in g left w as h is b od y,
w h ich n ow r esem b led a gold en st a t u e. H ow ever , it im m ed iat ely fell fr om t h e
sk y t ow ar d s t h e cit y w alls.
Never t h eless, t h e Sou l Em p er or co u ld st ill m ove. H ow ever , h e felt as if h is

su r r ou n d in gs w er e su d d en ly cover ed in a gold en h u e. H is sou l p ow er w as
n or m al, b u t h e felt a b u r n in g sen sat ion a ll over h is b od y, as if h e w er e ab ou t t o
m elt . M or eover , h e’d u n exp ect ed ly lost con t act w it h h is m ar t ial sou l.
Act u ally, h e sh ou ld con sid er h im self lu ck y, as h e w as t h e fir st en em y t h at h ad

w it h st ood t h e p ow er of an all-ou t Gold en Road .
T h e p ow er of t h e Gold en Road w asn ’t en ou gh t o k ill a Sou l Em p er or .

H ow ever , it s t er r ifyin g r est r ict ive ab ilit y h ad st ill b een ab le t o m om en t ar ily st op
h im . In fact , t h is r est r ict ive ab ilit y w as act u ally t h e d ep r iva t ion of h is m ar t ial
sou l.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s r em ain in g st r en gt h h ad also b een
com p let ely con su m ed w h en t h ey lau n ch ed t h is fin al a t t ack . T h eir sou l p ow er
w asn ’t even en ou gh t o m ain t a in t h eir sou l r in gs. H avin g lost t h e su p p or t of t h e
Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess, t h ey also fell fr om t h e sk y t ow a r d s t h e w alls of t h e
cit y.
H ow ever , a fier y r ed figu r e su d d en ly d ash ed t ow ar d s t h em fr om a ver y

d ist an t p lace. It s sp eed w as so fast t h a t it left d ozen s of aft er im ages in t h e sk y. It
ar r ived an d seized t h e t w o of t h em b efor e H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g cou ld
r each t h e gr ou n d , a n d b efor e t h e Sou l Kin gs cou ld ca t ch u p t o t h em . As soon as
it d id , it t h r ew t h e t w o of t h em t ow ar d s Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, an d J ian g Nan n an ,
w h o’d ju st ju m p ed d ow n fr om t h e cit y w alls.
“I r eally w an t t o see w h o’s so bold as t o at t ack t h e st u d en t s of m y Sh r ek

Acad em y!” A fier ce voice su d d en ly ech oed ou t w ar d s fr om t h e r ed figu r e. M a
Xiaot ao w as w r eat h ed in flam es an d r esem b led a fir e god d ess as t w o p h oen ix
w in gs st r et ch ed b eh in d h er b ack . Sh e look ed on w it h d isd ain t ow ar d s t h e cr ow d
of en em ies b efor e h er .
Chapt er 59.1: The Ber ser k Flamedevil M a
Xiaot ao!
Righ t , M a Xiaot ao h ad ar r ived . Sh e’d left t h e acad em y fr om Sh r ek Cit y’s

n or t h er n gat e t h e m om en t sh e saw H u o Yu h ao r elease t h e in n er cou r t yar d
d iscip le d ist r ess sign al. W it h h er level of sp eed , sh e w as ab le t o m ak e it ju st in
t im e t o save H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g.
T h ou gh t h er e w er e a t ot al of six en em ies, M a Xiaot ao w asn ’t afr aid in t h e

least . Desp it e b ein g a gir l, sh e gave off t h e air of a gen er al as sh e st ood t h er e.
Bei Bei cau gh t H u o Yu h ao w h ile t h e sp eed ier J ian g Nan n an cau gh t W an g

Don g. T h e lat t er w as act u ally a fou r -r in ged Sou l An cest or m ak in g h er
cu lt ivat ion n o less t h an Bei Bei’s an d Xu San sh i’s. T h is su r p r ised H u o Yu h ao
som ew h at . No w on d er sh e w as a cor e d iscip le of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .
“J u n ior d iscip le, ar e you ok ay?” Bei Bei ask ed in a low voice.
T h is w as t h e fir st t im e H u o Yu h ao saw a fier ce k illin g in t en t in h is sen ior

b r ot h er ’s eyes; t h er e w as a t r u e fir e in h is eyes. If M a Xiaot ao h ad n ’t m ad e it in
t im e w h en t h ey’d fallen fr om t h e sk y ear lier , t h ey w ou ld ’ve su ffer ed sever e
in ju r ies, if n ot d ied .
“W e’r e fin e sen ior b r ot h er . W e ju st over exer t ed ou r selves a lit t le.” H u o

Yu h ao w h isp er ed .
Bei Bei n od d ed an d gen t ly p laced h im on t h e gr ou n d . Over on t h e ot h er sid e,

J ian g Nan n an w as also p u t t in g W an g Don g d ow n .
T h eir six op p on en t s w er e all gat h er ed t oget h er . T h e gold en ligh t on t h e Sou l

Em p er or w h o’d b een st r u ck b y t h e Gold en Road h ad fin ally d isap p ear ed b y n ow
b u t h is clot h es w er e b u r n t ap ar t an d h is facial exp r ession w as ext r em ely
u n sigh t ly.
W it h in t h e b lin k of an eye, h e w as for ced t o w ast e over t h ir t y p er cen t of h is

sou l p ow er in or d er t o t ak e on t h e Gold en Road . H e w as a Sou l Em p er or ! H e’d
act u ally b een p u t in t o su ch an em b ar r assin g p osit ion b y t h e t eam w or k of a Sou l
Gr an d m ast er an d a Sou l Eld er . H ow cou ld h e n ot b e an gr y?
H id d en w it h in h is a n ger , h ow ever , w as fear . A d eep sen se of fear .
Sur e enough, t hey’ r e w or t hy of bei ng cal l ed cor e di sci pl es of Shr ek Academ y!

A Soul El der and a Soul Gr andm ast er w er e act ual l y abl e t o escape w i t h t hei r
l i ves f r om an enci r cl em ent consi st i ng of a Soul Em per or and f i ve Soul Ki ngs. I f
t hi s w er e t o be l eak ed out publ i cal l y, w ho’ d bel i eve i t ? T hat gol den l i ght i s
pr obabl y a m yst er i ous f usi on sk i l l .
Al t h ough h e w as i n w ar dl y f ur i ous, t h e Soul Em per or al r eady h ad t h ough t s of

r et r eat i n g. M a Xi aot ao an d t h e ot h er st uden t s beh i n d h er w oul dn ’ t be abl e t o
t ak e t h em on , but at t h e en d of t h e day t h ey w er e st i l l st uden t s of Sh r ek
Academ y. I t w oul dn ’ t be possi bl e t o def eat al l of t h em w i t h i n a sh or t per i od of
t i m e. On t op of t h at , Sh r ek Academ y w as so cl ose t o t h em and i n t h e even t on e
of t h ei r exper t s cam e...
W i t h t h at , t h e com m an der m ade a pr om pt deci si on . H e sudden l y w aved h i s

r i gh t h an d, t ur n ed ar oun d an d r an of f w i t h h i s subor di n at es.
“ You w an t t o r un ? I f I l et even on e of you escape, t h i s m om m a can ’ t be cal l ed

t h e Ber ser k Fl am edevi l M a Xi aot ao!” T h e m om en t sh e n ot i ced t h at t h ey w er e
about t o f l ee, M a Xi aot ao i m m edi at el y f l ew i n t o a r age. I n t h e past h un dr ed
year s, n obody h ad been pr esum pt uous en ough t o k i l l a di sci pl e of Sh r ek
Academ y w h i l e bei n g t h i s cl ose t o Sh r ek Ci t y. As a di sci pl e of t h e academ y’ s
i n n er cour t yar d, h er sen se of pr i de t ow ar ds t h e academ y w as ext r em el y i n t en se.
M or eover , sh e h ad w an t ed t o f i n d H uo Yuh ao t o h el p h er do som et h i n g i n t h e
f i r st pl ace, so i t w as n at ur al t h at sh e w oul d spar e n ot h i n g t o h el p h er
un der cl assm en .
M a Xiaot ao sh ou t ed , “Xu San sh i, p r ot ect t h ese t w o st u d en t s! Bei Bei a n d J ian g
Nan n an , you t w o fla n k m e on t h e r igh t ! If w e let even a sin gle on e escap e, I’ll
h old you p er son ally accou n t ab le!”
W it h t h at , t h e six sou l r in gs ar ou n d M a Xiaot ao’s b od y sh on e w it h a b r igh t

ligh t . Of t h ese, h er secon d an d t h ir d sou l r in gs lit u p sim u lt an eou sly. An in t en se
gold en -r ed flam e exp lod ed ou t fr om h er b od y lik e a geyser as sh e flap p ed t h e
w in gs b eh in d h er fier cely, w h ich t h en p r op elled h er b od y t ow ar d s t h e six lik e a
fier y m et eor .
Sh e w as clear ly t r yin g t o t ak e on six en em ies b y h er self!
W as t h is fier ce? Yes, t h is w as d efin it ely fier ce! H ow ever , t h is w as also a

sym b ol of st r en gt h .
T h ey w er e b ot h Sou l Em p er or -r an k ed exp er t s, b u t M a Xiaot a o’s six sou l r in gs

w er en ’t or d in a r y! T w o yellow r in gs, t w o p u r p le r in gs, an d t w o b lack r in gs, t h is
w as t h e op t im u m com b in at ion for a sou l m ast er . On t h e ot h er h an d , h er
op p on en t h ad t h r ee yellow r in gs, t w o p u r p le r in gs, an d on e b lack r in g. T h is w as
a r elat ively d ecen t com b in at ion am on g n or m al sou l m ast er s b u t h e w as st ill
com p let ely ou t classed b y t h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip le M a Xiaot ao.
H er six op p on en t s w er e ver y q u ick b u t M a Xiaot ao w as st ill q u ick er t h an

t h em aft er u sin g h er secon d sou l sk ill, Ph oen ix Bap t ism , a n d h er t h ir d sk ill,
Soar in g Ph oen ix. Fu r t h er m or e, sh e’d a ct ivat ed an ot h er sou l sk ill t h e in st an t
sh e’d flow n ou t t o in t er cep t h er op p on en t s. Alt h ou gh it w as m or e accu r at e t o
say t h at t h ey w er e t w o sou l sk ills b u t n o t sk ills t h a t cam e fr om a sou l r in g.
M a Xiaot ao’s legs lit u p an d r ed d ish -gold en p at t er n s st ar t ed t o r evolve ar ou n d

t h em . Follow in g w h ich , r ed d ish -gold en flam es sh ot ou t fr om h er legs.
Du e t o h er r ap id acceler at ion , a ser ies of exp losion s an d w h ist les er u p t ed

b eh in d h er as sh e m oved .
Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h a o an d W an g Don g w er e som ew h at t ir ed , t h ey w er e st ill
ext r em ely clear -h ea d ed an d cou ld n ’t h elp b u t w id en t h eir eyes at t h is scen e.
T h ey n at u r ally k n ew t h at d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d w er e st r on g, b u t

n ow t h ey fin ally u n d er st ood ju st h ow st r on g t h ey w er e fr om t h is b at t le. Sh e’d
act u ally u sed fou r sou l sk ills in a r ow t o ch ase aft er an op p on en t . T h e sp eed
sh e’d r each ed w asn ’t som et h in g t h ey even d ar ed t o t h in k ab ou t . Even seven or
eigh t -r in ged exp er t s w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o com p ar e w it h h er cu r r en t sp eed .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e last t w o sk ills sh e’d u n leash ed h a d com e fr om h er sou l b on es.
In ot h er w or d s, sh e h ad fu sed h er legs w it h sou l b on es. T o b e p r ecise, an
id en t ical set of sou l b on es.
T h e w h ist lin g an d r u m b lin g M a Xiaot ao sh ot viciou sly in t o h er en em ies lik e

an ar t iller y sh ell. On ly t w o or t h r ee secon d s h ad p assed sin ce sh e’d act iva t ed h er
Ph oen ix Bap t ism an d Soar in g Ph oen ix t o sp eed u p an d h er sou l b on e’s sk ills t o
exp losively acceler at e. Sh e in st an t ly in t o t h eir for m at ion an d d id n ’t leave t h em
an y t im e t o r eact , ca u sin g t h em t o b e cau gh t com p let ely off gu ar d .
M a Xiaot ao’s t ar get w as t h e en or m ou s w ar b lad e-w ield in g Sou l Em p er or an d

sh e sh ot st r aigh t t ow ar d s h im .
T h e Sou l Em p er or ’s p er cep t ion n at u r ally exceed ed t h at of t h e Sou l Kin gs

b esid e h im . Bu t at t h at m om en t h e felt som et h in g off an d t u r n ed ar ou n d t o fin d
t h at M a Xiaot ao w as alr ead y in fr on t of h im .
W h en facin g a life-a n d -d ea t h cr isis, t h e fir st r eact ion of an over w h elm in gly

lar ge m ajor it y of p eop le w ou ld b e self-p r eser va t ion an d t h is Sou l Em p er or
w asn ’t an excep t ion t o t h at r u le. H e t r ied h is b est t o lea n t o t h e sid e w h ile h e
ch ar ged for w ar d in o r d er t o d od ge M a Xia ot ao’s at t ack .
T h e sp ect acu lar au r a com in g fr om h er at t ack sim p ly w asn ’t som et h in g h e

cou ld t ak e h ea d -on .
H ow ever , it n o lon ger m at t er ed if h e d od ged or n ot sin ce M a Xiaot ao h ad

alr ead y for cefu lly en t er ed t h e n u cleu s of t h eir for m at ion .
“H on g”
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g on ly saw M a Xiaot ao ch ar ge in t o t h e en em y

for m at ion an d r elease a t er r ifyin g exp losion . H er gold en -r ed d ish flam es for m ed
an en or m ou s p illar of flam e t h at w as over t en m et er s h igh an d r eleased a
son or ou s p h oen ix cr y. T h e figu r e of a fier y p h oen ix cir cled ar ou n d t h a t
en or m ou s p illar of flam e.
Fou r figu r es sim u lt a n eou sly flew ou t in fou r d iffer en t d ir ect ion s. T h e in st an t
t h e p illa r of flam e van ish ed , on ly t h ese fou r of t h eir six op p on en t s r em ain ed .
H u o Yu h ao sw allow ed a m ou t h fu l of saliva an d m u m b led , “W an g Don g, I’m

ver y su sp iciou s as t o h ow w e escap ed fr om t h is sen ior sist er of ou r s at t h at
t im e…”
W an g Don g cou ld n ’t even r ep ly.
Xu San sh i, w h o w as r esp on sib le for t h em , sm iled b it t er ly. “T h at ’s b ecau se

sen ior Xiaot ao’s b een su p p r essin g t h e d em on ic fir e w it h in h er , so sh e w on ’t u se
all of h er st r en gt h in a n or m al sit u at ion . T od ay, h ow ever , sh e’s t r u ly en r aged .
T h at ’s w h y sh e’s u sin g all of h er st r en gt h . Sen ior Xiaot ao’s a gir l, b u t w h er e’d
you t h in k t h e t it le of ‘Ber ser k Flam ed evil’ cam e fr om …”
Du r in g t h e sh or t p er iod of t im e in w h ich t h eir con ver sat ion occu r r ed , M a

Xiaot ao’s figu r e r ea p p ear ed . H er fou r sou l sk ills h ad n ’t b een u sed ju st t o allow
h er t o ch ase aft er h er op p on en t s b u t h ad t h e a d d ed p u r p ose of r aisin g h er
st r en gt h t o t o it s lim it s. H er p r eviou s at t ack w as alr ead y com p ar ab le t o t h at of a
seven -r in ged Sou l Sa ge.
As a st u d en t of Sh r ek Acad em y, sh e n ot on ly p ossessed en or m ou s st r en gt h b u t
also an ext r em ely r efin ed am ou n t of co n t r ol over h er sou l sk ills. T h er e w er e
m an y d iffer en t w ays of u sin g sou l sk ills t h at w er e secr et s of Sh r ek Acad em y an d
on ly st u d en t s w h o’d sign ed con fid en t ialit y agr eem en t s w ou ld b e ab le t o lear n
t h em .
T h e fou r en em ies w h o’d b een sen t flyin g in clu d in g t h e Sou l Em p er or all h ad
r ed d ish -gold en flam es en sh r ou d in g t h eir b od ies. T h eir b od ies sw ayed an d
collap sed t o t h e gr ou n d as t h ey h ad a ll b een sim ila r ly affect ed b y h er at t ack .
M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t im m ed iat ely follow u p sin ce h er p r ev iou s at t ack h a d

d r ain ed h er sou l p ow er b y a lar ge am ou n t . Sh e look ed t ow ar d s t h e sk y an d t h en
sp r ead h er ar m s an d w in gs w id e.
Sh e t ook a d eep b r eat h as a lar ge n u m b er of fain t r ed d ot s of ligh t

im m ed iat ely b egan t o gat h er t ow ar d s h er at a n ot iceab le r at e. Sh e w as act u ally
r ecover in g h er sou l p ow er d u r in g b at t le.
At t h is m om en t , Bei Bei an d J ian g Nan n a n h ad ju st cau gh t u p t o h er . T h e t w o

of t h em sim u lt an eou sly m ad e a m ove, t ak in g on an en em y Sou l Kin g each .
T h e h igh er on e’s cu lt ivat ion w as, t h e fast er on e’s r a t e of r ecover y w ou ld b e.

T h e en em y Sou l Em p er or w as alr ead y filled w it h ast on ish m en t , w as sh e even
h u m an ? A sin gle Sou l Em p er or h a d in st a n t ly ob t ain ed an over w h elm in g
ad van t age again st six op p on en t s. H e n o lon ger d ar ed t o even t r y t o r esist t h e
t er r ifyin gly h ot flam es t h at su r r ou n d ed h er b od y an d sou l p ow er .
W it h ou t even d a r in g t o w ast e a n y m or e t im e, h e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d fled . At

t h is m om en t , h e n o lon ger car ed ab ou t h is t eam m at es. H e k n ew t h at Sh r ek
Acad em y st u d en t s w er e ver y p ow er fu l b u t h ad n ever exp ect ed t h em t o b e t h is
st r on g. All of t h em h ad n ’t even b een ab le t o face a sin gle Sou l Em p er or .
M a Xiaot ao’s eyes h ad b y n ow t u r n ed a fier y r ed . A t r ace of d isd a in ap p ear ed

at t h e cor n er s of h er m ou t h as sh e saw t h e fleein g Sou l Em p er or . Sh e flap p ed
h er w in gs on ce m or e, cau sin g h er b od y t o m ove h or izon t ally. H er t ar get w asn ’t
t h e Sou l Em p er or b u t t h e ot h er livin g So u l Kin g w h o Bei Bei an d J ian g Nan n an
h ad n ’t t ak en on .
Xiaot ao!
T h e Sou l Kin g w as ast on ish ed an d sp ar ed n o cost t o act iva t e a sou l sk ill in

or d er t o b lock M a Xiaot ao. H ow ever , h er fier y w in gs su d d en ly van ish ed an d
w er e r ep laced b y a r ed ligh t t h a t sever ed t h e sk y b efor e van ish in g w it h ou t a
t r ace. Su d d en ly b ot h t h e Sou l Kin g’s b od y an d h is so u l sk ill fr o ze in m id air .
M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t ev en sp ar e h im a glan ce. H er slen d er b od y r ose in t o t h e a ir

w h ile a son or ou s p h oen ix cr y r an g ou t . A cou n t less n u m b er of m agn ificen t
feat h er s h ad ap p ear ed on h er b od y b efor e for m in g a b eam of r ed ligh t w it h a n
in com p ar ab ly b eau t ifu l t a il t h at sh ot t ow ar d s t h e Sou l Em p er or as it left b eh in d
d ot s of r ed d ish -gold en st ar ligh t in t h e sk y.
At t h at m om en t , h er last b lack sou l r in g fin ally lit u p w it h a d azzlin g ligh t ,
T h e gold en -r ed d ish ligh t d evou r ed ever yt h in g an d t h e Sou l Em p er or an d h is

fallin g com r ad es w er e n o excep t ion . H e w as u n ab le t o p u t u p a figh t again st M a
Xiaot ao d esp it e t h em b ot h b ein g Sou l Em p er or s.
Over on t h e ot h er sid e, Bei Bei an d J ian g Nan n an h ad n ’t d isap p oin t ed h er .
W h en a Sou l An cest or fou gh t again st a Sou l Kin g, t h e for m er w ou ld n or m ally

b e su p p r essed b y t h e lat t er . H ow ever , t h e t w o of t h em w er e b ot h cor e d iscip les
of Sh r ek Acad em y. It w ou ld b e h ar d t o d et er m in e t h e vict or even if t h e t w o
p ar t ies w er e at t h eir p eak con d it ion s, let alon e w h en t h e t w o Sou l Kin gs h ad
alr ead y b een in ju r ed b y M a Xiaot ao’s at t ack . W h en Bei Bei a n d J ian g Nan n a n
r u sh ed over , t h e Sou l Kin gs h a d n ’t even r ecover ed t h eir st r en gt h yet .
Bei Bei w as an exp losive assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er w h ile J ian g Nan n an w as an
exp losive agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er . T h e r esu lt s of t h eir r esp ect ive m a t ch es w er e
ob viou s.
By t h e t im e M a Xia ot ao fin ish ed h er m at ch , on e of t h e t w o Sou l Kin gs h ad
b een elect r ocu t ed t ill h e w as a b lock of coal w h ile t h e ot h er h ad b een sen t flyin g
t en m et er s in t o t h e air b y J ian g Nan n an ’s at t ack b efor e b ein g st om p ed on in
m id air .
On ly a m in u t e h ad p assed sin ce M a Xiaot ao h ad st a r t ed h er on slau gh t w h en it

en d ed ; all six of t h eir en em ies h ad fallen in t h is sh or t p er iod of t im e.
W h en sh e r ea lized t h at all of t h em h ad b een k illed , M a Xiaot ao scr at ch ed h er

h ead som ew h at em b ar r assed ly. “I for got t o leave som eon e alive…”
Bei Bei a n d J ian g N an n an cou ld on ly st ar e at h er h elp lessly. Kn ow in g h ow

fier ce sh e w as, Bei Bei an d J ian g Nan n an n at u r ally h ad t o go all-ou t t h e m om en t
sh e said t h at sh e ‘w ou ld n ’t let a sin gle on e escap e’. T h eir op p on en t s w er e Sou l
Kin gs, so t h ey n at u r ally h ad t o b e viciou s.
“W h at ever . I’ll let t h e acad em y’s gu ar d ian t eam exam in e t h eir cor p ses on ce
w e’r e b ack . I’m su r e t h ey’ll b e ab le t o fin d a few h in t s.” M a Xiaot ao w aved h er
h an d an d b r u sh ed off h er m ist ak e.
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g’s eyes w er e filled w it h n ot h in g b u t ad m ir at ion

t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao; M a Xiaot ao’s ear lier p er for m an ce cou ld on ly b e d escr ib ed
u sin g t h e p h r ase ‘as sw ift as w in d , as aggr essive as fir e’.
Even t h ou gh t h ey w er e b ot h sou l m ast er s, M a Xiaot ao’s six sou l r in gs seem ed

t o h ave com e alive. T h ey’d flick er ed on e aft er an ot h er , a n d w h en ever sh e’d
alt er n at ed b et w een t h em , sh e’d a lw ays u sed t h e sou l sk ill m ost su it ab le t o t h e
sit u a t ion . H u o Yu h a o an d t h e r est cou ld b ar ely u se t h eir sou l sk ills t h is q u ick ly
w it h a sin gle sou l r in g, yet sh e’d seem ed en t ir ely u n in h ib it ed b y t h e n u m b er of
sou l r in gs sh e h ad !
T h is w as t h e m ain r eason t h at h er op p on en t h ad h ad n o ch a n ce again st h er ,

d esp it e t h em b ot h b ein g Sou l Em p er or s.
Of cou r se, M a Xiaot ao w as also an ext r a or d in ar ily t alen t ed sou l m ast er w h o
p ossessed t h e Evil Ph oen ix. H er p ow er fu l m ar t ial sou l an d sou l b on es alr ead y
m ad e h er m u ch st r on ger t h an an or d in ar y six-r in ged Sou l Em p er or .
By t h is p oin t , seven or eigh t p r om in en t figu r es h ad ap p ear ed at op Sh r ek

Cit y’s cit y w alls, an d a lar ge n u m b er of sold ier s st ood b eh in d t h em r esp ect fu lly.
Eld er Lin a n d Yan Sh aozh e w er e in clu d ed in t h is gr ou p of seven or eigh t

p eop le.
T h e d ist r ess sign al of an in n er cou r t yar d d iscip le w as an ext r em ely im p or t an t

m at t er t o Sh r ek Aca d em y. In t r u t h , t h ey’d alr ead y a r r ived ea r lier on ; w it h t h eir
cu lt ivat ion levels, it w as n at u r a l t h at t h ey’d ar r ive ear lier t h an M a Xiaot ao.
H ow ever , as t each er s, t h ey h ad n ’t in st an t ly m ad e a m ove, as t h ey w an t ed t o

see w h at t h eir st u d en t s w er e cap ab le of.
An d t h eir st u d en t s h ad n ’t d isap p oin t ed t h em . T h e w or d ‘r em ar k ab le’ cou ld

b e u sed t o d escr ib e ever yt h in g t h at h ad h ap p en ed , r egar d less of w h et h er it w as
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g’s escap e, or if it w as M a Xiaot ao, Bei Bei, J ian g
Nan n an , an d Xu San sh i’s t im ely r escu e. T h e in t r u d er s h a d all fallen , w it h t h eir
on ly m ist ak e b ein g t h at t h ey h ad n ’t left a n yon e alive.
Yan Sh aozh e w as som ew h at sp eech less. “T h is Xiaot ao gir l is t oo exp losive.

Sh e b ecom es an en t ir ely d iffer en t p er son t h e m om en t sh e en t er es com b at .”
Eld er Lin sm iled sligh t ly. “T h ou gh t h at ’s m ain ly d ict at ed b y h er

t em p er am en t , it ’s also b ecau se of h er m ar t ia l sou l. H o w ever , t h is ch ild ’s
cu lt ivat ion h as in cr eased b y qu it e a lar ge am ou n t . In fact , I r eck on t h at sh e’ll b e
ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h e seven -r in ged st age w it h in t h r ee yea r s.”
Yan Sh aozh e ch u ck led . “Eld er Lin . I d id n ’t h ave an y assu r a n ce of m y p lan

b ack t h en . H ow ever , it seem s t h at I ca n n ow give a d efin it e an sw er t o you r
q u est ion b ecau se of H u o Yu h ao’s ap p ear an ce. H aven ’t you sen sed t h at t h e m ost
ast on ish in g p ar t of t h is en t ir e even t w as t h eir escap ad e?”
T h ey n at u r ally h ad n ’t seen ever yt h in g t h at h ad occu r r ed . H ow ever , t h e
p er son w h o’d b een closest t o t h e b at t le h ad b een Eld er Lin . T h e in st an t sh e’d
ap p ear ed at op t h e cit y w alls aft er d iscover in g t h e d ist r ess sign al h ad b een t h e
sam e in st an t t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad u n leash ed t h e jad e-gr een ligh t t h at h ad cau sed
t h e t h r ee Sou l Kin gs t o lose t h eir ab ilit y t o m ove.
Even t h ou gh Yan Sh aozh e h ad b een som ew h at lat e, h e d id n ’t ar r ive fr om t h e

cit y. Becau se of t h is, h is lin e of sigh t h ad n ’t b een ob st r u ct ed , w h ich h ad allow ed
h im t o vagu ely w it n ess t h at scen e. T h e level of sp eed t h at t h ese con su m m at e-
level exp er t s h ad co u ld n ’t b e com p ar ed t o t h at of or d in ar y sou l m ast er s. T h eir
escap e h ow ever , com b in ed w it h t h e st u n n in g Gold en Road t h at t h ey’d fir ed off,
h ad given t h ese t w o m em b er s of t h e acad em y’s u p p er ech elon —an d t h e exp er t s
b esid e t h em —a d eep im p r ession .
M a Xiaot ao’s p er for m an ce h ad ad m it t ed ly b een ou t st an d in g, b u t sh e w as

alr ead y a d iscip le of t h e in n er cou r t yar d . T h u s, t h er e sim p ly h ad n ’t b een an y
su sp en se in h er v ict or y over h er six-r in ged op p on en t . H ow ever , it w as a
d iffer en t case for H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g. A Sou l Gr an d m ast er an d a Sou l
Eld er h ad act u ally m an aged t o escap e fr om a for m at ion of five Sou l Kin gs an d a
Sou l Em p er or . T h is w as en ou gh t o illu st r at e t h e d ou b t s t h ey h ad .
If M a Xiaot ao h ad n ’t m ad e it in t im e, t h ou gh t h ey st ill w ou ld ’ve b een b r u ised

fr om t h eir fall, t h e p ossib ilit y of t h eir d eat h w as ext r em ely sm all. At t h a t t im e,
Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, an d J ian g Nan n a n h ad alr ea d y ar r ived , at w h ich p oin t
t em p or ar ily st ayin g alive w ou ld ’ve p osed n o p r ob lem t o t h em . It cou ld b e said
t h at t h eir escap e h a d b een en t ir ely su ccessfu l.
Yan Sh aozh e an d Eld er Lin w er e b ot h m em b er s of t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion , yet

t h ey cou ld n ’t fin d an y fau lt s w it h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s ear lier
p er for m an ce.
“Sh aozh e, w er e you ab le t o see w h at sk ill H u o Yu h ao u sed w h en h e w as b ein g

ch ased in t h e air ?” Eld er Lin sm iled sligh t ly.
Yan Sh aozh e w as st ill som ew h at st u n n ed b y w h at h e’d seen , t h u s h e sh ook h is
h ead . “I w as t oo far aw ay fr om t h em , t h u s I w asn ’t ab le t o see it clear ly. Eld er
Lin , you m u st ’ve seen it . J u st w h at sor t of sou l sk ill d id h e u se? It w as act u ally
ab le t o cau se t h r ee Sou l Kin gs t o lose t h eir ab ilit y t o fly.”
Eld er Lin sm iled . “M y h ear t w as st ill ach in g aft er t h ose t w o fellas t ook aw ay a
p r eciou s sou l b on e fr om m y p avilion , b u t I n ow t h in k t h at it w as ext r em ely
w or t h it n ow t h at I’ve seen t h is sk ill. If I’m n ot m ist ak en , h e u sed a d om ain -t yp e
sk ill, w h ich sh ou ld ’ve com e fr om h is sou l b on e. Per h ap s t h is sou l b on e of h is is
r elat ed t o t h e aw ak en in g of h is secon d m ar t ial sou l.”
Yan Sh aozh e w as flab b er gast ed . “Eld er Lin , ar e you su r e t h at it w as a d om ain -

t yp e sk ill?!”
Eld er Lin glan ced at h im , b u t d id n ’t r ep ly. Sh e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d w alk ed in t o

t h e cit y as sh e u n h u r r ied ly said , “Som eon e h ad a lot of gu t s. T o t h in k t h a t h e’d
b u lly on e of ou r st u d en t s all t h e w ay u n t il t h ey r each ed t h e acad em y… d o as you
w ish .”
Yan Sh aozh e k n ew t h at it w as a slip of t h e t on gu e. H e b ow ed t ow ar d s Eld er

Lin , t h en st ood b ack u p , h is eyes filled w it h k illin g in t en t . H e t u r n ed t ow ar d s
som eon e b esid e h im an d said , “T ak e all of t h e cor p ses b ack t o t h e acad em y.
Sp ar e n o exp en ses; d iscover ju st w h o d ar ed t o at t ack on e of ou r st u d en t s in
Sh r ek Acad em y’s t er r it or y.”
“Yes.”
----------
W it h in t h e cit y.
“T h an k you , sen ior sist er .” Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad

over d r aft ed t h eir sou l p ow er , t h er e w asn ’t an yt h in g w r on g w it h t h eir p h ysical
b od ies. T h ey r esp ect fu lly b ow ed t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao, t h eir eyes fu ll of
ad m ir at ion .
M a Xiaot ao w aved t h em off. “You d on ’t n eed t o t h a n k m e. T h ese fellas
m u st ’ve b een t ir ed o f livin g. T o t h in k t h ey’d d ar e t o cau se a r u ck u s in ou r Sh r ek
Acad em y… h ave you offen d ed an yon e r ecen t ly?”
“No!” T h e m om en t H u o Yu h ao said t h is, h ow ever , h e su d d en ly t h ou gh t of

som et h in g, an d im m ed iat ely t u r n ed t ow a r d s W an g Don g.
W an g Don g w as also look in g at h im . Bot h of t h em felt a sen se of ch illin ess in

t h eir h ea r t s w h en t h eir gazes m et .
T h er e w as on ly a sin gle p er son t h at t h ey cou ld h ave offen d ed r ecen t ly: Dai

H u ab in . Dai H u ab in h ad lost t o t h em t w ice in a r ow , w h ich h ad r esu lt ed in h im
h avin g t o k ow t ow t o t h em . H e w as fr om t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s M an sion , an d
w as t h er efor e cap ab le of m ob ilisin g sever al p eop le t o ser ve h im . A Sou l Em p er or
an d five Sou l Kin gs w er en ’t for ces t h a t or d in ar y p ow er s w ou ld p ossess.
Befor e H u o Yu h ao cou ld even sp eak , Bei Bei w alk ed u p t o h im . “T w o ju n ior

b r ot h er s, t h is p lace isn ’t safe. Let ’s h ead b ack t o t h e acad em y b efor e w e
con t in u e t h is con ver sat ion .”
In r ealit y, t h er e w as n o w ay t h ey cou ld b e in d an ger an ym or e. H u o Yu h ao’s

d ist r ess sign al h ad d ir ect ly su m m on ed t h e t op p ow er s of Sh r ek Acad em y. Aft er a
b r ief m om en t , even Fan Yu ar r ived .
T h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at H u o Yu h ao’s d ist r ess sign al h a d b een given t o h im

b y Fan Yu , w h o’d ad d ed som et h in g sp ecial t o t h e sign al fla r e so t h at h e’d also
k n ow t o im m ed iat ely r u sh over t h e m om en t H u o Yu h ao r elea sed it .
Becau se of t h is, even t h ou gh on ly H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad or igin ally

gon e t o t h e au ct ion , t h eir r et u r n in g p ar t y t u r n ed w as m u ch lar ger . T h e cor p ses
left b eh in d w er e all t ak en aw ay b y Yan Sh aozh e’s m en .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g w er en ’t ab le t o sleep w ell t h at n igh t . T h ey w er e

on ly allow ed t o r et u r n t o t h eir d or m s ea r ly in t h e m or n in g a ft er t h e acad em y’s
u n ceasin g in t er r oga t ion . Alt h ou gh t h e acad em y h ad n ’t given t h em a d efin it e
an sw er , t h ey clear ly h ad t h eir ow n con ject u r es.
H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t w or r ied ab ou t h ow t h e acad em y w ou ld d eal w it h t h is

m at t er . H e an d W an g Don g h ad t r u ly b een t oo car eless t h is t im e. T h ey’d n ever
t h ou gh t t h a t Dai H u ab in w ou ld u se a t act ic lik e t h is in an ar ea so close t o Sh r ek
Acad em y.
T h e cor p ses gave t h em n o lead s. T h ey h ad in d eed b een sen t over b y Dai

H u ab in , b u t t h ey’d w ip ed aw ay all t r aces of t h eir id en t it ies b efor e goin g t o
am b u sh H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g. T h is w asn ’t d on e ju st t o avoid an yt h in g
t r ou b lesom e for Dai H u ab in , b u t also t o p r even t an y su sp icio n fallin g u p on t h e
W h it e T iger Du k e’s M an sion !
Xiaot ao!
T h e fu r y of Sh r ek Acad em y w as som et h in g t h at even t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s

M an sion , w h o con t r olled over t en t h ou san d m en in t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e,
cou ld n ’t en d u r e.
T h e acad em y d id n ’t escalat e t h e sit u at ion d u e t o t h e lack of p r oof, b u t t h ey

w er e on ly su p p r essin g t h eir an ger for t h e t im e b ein g.
T h e n ext m or n in g. Dai H u ab in ’s exp r ession gr eat ly ch an ged w h en h e saw t h e

som ew h at d isp ir it ed H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g com e t o class, b u t h e w as st ill a
son of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e. T h ou gh h e w as gr eat ly ast on ish ed , h e qu ick ly
m ask ed an y over t ch an ges on h is face.
H e h ad n ’t r eceived an y in for m at ion as t o w h at h ad occu r r ed last n igh t an d

h ad h op ed t h at t h e fin al ou t com e w ou ld n ’t b e t oo m essy. As lon g as h is m en
h ad n ’t b een in ju r ed , all w ou ld b e fin e. Ot h er w ise, h e w ou ld n ’t even b e ab le t o
exp lain h im self t o h is fat h er !
Cold sw eat im p er cep t ib ly b egan t o d r en ch t h e b ack of Dai H u ab in ’s sh ir t . A

Sou l Em p er or an d five Sou l Kin gs t oget h er w er e n ot en ou gh t o k ill t h e t w o of
t h em . Rem or se b egan t o b lossom in t h e d ep t h s of h is h ear t .
“Dai H u ab in .” H u o Yu h ao’s eyesigh t w as ext r em ely good , an d t h u s h e w a s

ab le t o in st an t ly see Dai H u ab in , w h o h ad b een st ar in g at t h em w it h a
b ew ild er ed look in h is eyes. H e t h en p u lled W an g Don g alon g w it h h im an d t ook
lar ge st r id es t ow ar d s h im .
Dai H u ab in ’s face w as som ew h at p ale. At t h e en d of t h e d ay, h e w as on ly a

you t h ar ou n d t h e age of t en an d t h u s cou ld n ’t con ceal h is em ot ion s ver y w ell.
W an g Don g’s eyes t u r n ed cold as h e sa w Dai H u ab in an d w as ju st ab ou t t o
ch ar ge st r aigh t t ow a r d s h im w h en H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly h eld on t o h im .
“W h at d o you w an t ? ” Dai H u ab in ask ed cold ly.
As h e t igh t ly h eld on t o W an g Don g so a s t o n ot let h im fly in t o a r age, H u o

Yu h ao sp ok e in a d eep voice. “Did n ’t you lose t h at b et w e m ad e t h e ot h er d ay?
Com e on , fu lfill you r p r om ise n ow .”
It w as n ow t im e for st u d en t s t o go t o class, an d so t h er e w as an en d less st r eam

of st u d en t s w alk in g p ast t h eir classr oom . T h ey w er e all secon d year st u d en t s
an d w er e n at u r ally aw ar e of t h e gr u d ges b et w een H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d
Dai H u ab in . A lar ge n u m b er of st u d en t s h ad alr ead y st op p ed b y t h e sid e t o
w at ch t h e p r oceed in gs.
Dai H u ab in gr it t ed h is t eet h an d clen ch ed h is fist s t igh t ly, m ak in g t h e vein s

on h is for eh ead p op ou t .
Zh u Lu w alk ed ou t fr om Class 2 an d st ood in fr on t of Dai H u ab in as sh e yelled ,

“H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g, d on ’t b e t oo excessive!”
W an g Don g r ep lied icily, “W e’r e b ein g excessive? Go ask h im w h at h e d id last

n igh t . I’m ju st n ot su r e w h et h er or n ot h e’ll h ave t h e gu t s t o r eveal w h at h e
d id .”
Dai H u ab in gr it t ed h is t eet h a s h e r esp on d ed , “I d on ’t k n ow w h at you ’r e

t alk in g ab ou t .”
W an g Don g sn or t ed d isd a in fu lly. “I k n ew you w er e a scar ed y-cat . Regar d less

of w h et h er or n ot you ad m it t o w h at you d id . You h ave t o k ow t ow t ow ar d s u s
n ow sin ce you lost , m an u p an d ad m it you r loss.”
Zh u Lu w as ab ou t t o con fr on t t h em b u t sh e w as sh oved fr om b eh in d b y t h e
flu st er ed Dai H u ab in . H e d id n ’t d ar e t o con fir m w h et h er or n ot h is m en h a d
b een exp osed . T h is m at t er w as sim p ly t oo im p or t an t an d w as even r elat ed t o t h e
W h it e T iger Du k e’s M an sion . No m at t er w h at , h e ab solu t ely cou ld n ’t r eveal t h at
h e w as gu ilt y. Ot h er w ise, it w ou ld affect t h e r elat ion sh ip b et w een Sh r ek
Acad em y an d t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s M an sion an d m igh t even cau se h ost ilit y
b et w een t h e for m er an d t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e.
H e t ook a d eep b r eat h as sh oved t h e r an cor an d h u m iliat ion h e felt in t o t h e

d ep t h s of h is h ear t . H e ab r u p t ly d r op p ed t o h is k n ees an d k ow t ow ed t h r ee t im es
t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w h ile sh ou t in g, “I w as w r on g.” Follow in g
w h ich , h e st ood u p an d r et u r n ed t o h is class.
T h e r an cor in Zh u Lu ’s eyes w as n o less t h an in Dai H u ab in ’s. Aft er all, t h e

p er son w h o’d b een h u m iliat ed w as h er fu t u r e b oyfr ien d ! Sh e p oin t ed h er
sligh t ly t r em b lin g fin ger t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, “You ju st w ait ,
ju st w ait …”
H u o Yu h ao act ed as if h e’d h ear d n ot h in g as t h en t u r n ed b ack t o Class 1 alon g

w it h W an g Don g. Righ t n ow , h e w asn ’t feelin g elat ed b u t vigilan t . H e’d m ad e
Dai H u ab in k ow t ow in fr on t of so m an y st u d en t s b u t t h e lat t er st ill h ad n ’t flow n
in t o a r age. An en em y lik e t h is w a s m u ch m or e t er r ifyin g, esp ecially so given
Dai H u ab in ’s r ela t ively ast on ish in g gr ow t h . Un for t u n at ely, h e d id n ’t su ffer an y
sor t of p u n ish m en t a ft er t h e am b u sh h e’d p lan n ed .
W h at H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow , h ow ever , w as t h e fact t h at Dai H u ab in h ad

b een p u t on t h e acad em y’s b lack list d u e t o t h e am b u sh h e’d set u p . T h ou gh t h ey
d id n ’t h ave an y con cr et e p r oof, ju st w h o w as Sh r ek Acad em y h ave? Fr om t h e
m er e scr ap s t h ey h ad , t h ey w er e ab le t o d ed u ce a lot of t h in gs. H ow ever , t h ey
w er e st ill afr aid of t h e con seq u en ces o f t h eir act ion s; m a k in g t h e St a r Lu o
Em p ir e an en em y for t h e sak e of t w o st u d en t s w as clear ly an u n w ise d ecision .
Fu r t h er m or e, w h en all w as said an d d on e, t h is w as som et h in g t h at ’d b een
or gan ised b y Dai H u ab in alon e. Becau se of t h is, t h e ext r aor d in ar ily t alen t ed Dai
H u ab in w as d est in ed t o n ot en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d t h e in st an t h e failed t o k ill
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g.
T h e ad van cem en t t est h ad alr ea d y en d ed , an d ever y sin gle p er son w h o cou ld

con t in u e goin g t o class h ad p assed it . St u d en t s w h o h ad n ’t p assed cou ld r et ak e
t h e t est t h r ee d ays lat er b u t t h ey w ou ld b e for ced t o leave t h e acad em y if t h ey
failed t h a t t est t oo.
T h e class t h at W an g Yan an d Zh ou Yi t au gh t , Class 1, h ad an ast on ish in g 95%

p ass r at e. T h e fact s h ad sh ow n t h at p u t t in g t h e t w o of t h em t oget h er w as
Zh ou Yi cou ld m an age h er st u d en t s w ell w h ile W an g Yan h ad a vast am ou n t

of k n ow led ge an d a w ar m t each in g st yle. Com b in ed w it h t h e t r u ly ou t st an d in g
b at ch of st u d en t s t h at cam e t h is year , t h er e w er e on ly a few p eop le w h o w er en ’t
ab le t o p ass t h e a d va n cem en t t est . M or eover , t h ey st ill h ad t h e ch an ce t o r et ak e
t h e exam .
Com p ar at ively, t h er e w er e far m or e st u d en t s fr om t h e ot h er classes w h o h ad

b een elim in at ed .
“Yu h ao, w h y d id n ’t you let m e set t le m y gr u d ges w it h h im ?” W an g Don g

ask ed H u o Yu h ao fu r iou sly.
H u o Yu h ao said , “T h e acad em y d id n ’t d eliver a ver d ict , so w h at can w e d o

ou r selves? W e’r e all in t h e acad em y so t h er e w on ’t b e a con clu sion t o t h is
m at t er even if w e t r y t o set t le ou r gr u d ges w it h h im . Let ’s ju st st ay qu iet an d
k eep a w at ch on h im . It ’s st ill m or e im p or t an t for u s t o w or k h ar d an d in cr ease
ou r st r en gt h . W h en w e can r each sen ior sist er Xiaot ao’s level of st r en gt h , w e
w on ’t n eed t o b e afr aid of an y am b u sh es an ym or e.”
T h e b at t le yest er d ay h ad st im u lat ed h im gr eat ly, b u t it clear ly w asn ’t p ossib le

for h im t o in cr ease h is cu lt ivat ion b y a lar ge am ou n t w it h in a sh or t p er iod of
t im e. H ow ever , sou l t ools cou ld in cr ease h is su r vivab ilit y. T h u s, h e h ad alr ead y
p lan n ed t o u se t h e n ext few d ays t o m od ify h is set of sou l t ools. At t h e ver y least ,
h e w an t ed t o m ak e su r e t h at all of t h em w er e Class 2 t ools. If h e an d W an g Don g
h ad p ossessed a Class 2 t h r u st er w h en t h ey w er e am b u sh ed , t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave
b een left in su ch a m iser ab le st a t e.
“W ah , I r eally can ’t h elp b u t t h in k a b ou t it !” W an g Don g st ar ed at t h e
classr oom d oor .
H u o Yu h ao su b con sciou sly follow ed h is gaze t o see a r ed -clot h ed M a Xiaot ao

st an d in g ou t sid e t h e classr oom an d w avin g t o h im .
M a Xiaot ao’s p h ysical st at e d id n ’t seem r igh t . H er ch ar m in g face w as flu sh ed

r ed an d t h er e w as even a fain t r ed ligh t sh in in g fr om h er b od y.
H u o Yu h ao q u est ion in gly p oin t ed t ow ar d s h im self an d M a Xiaot ao n od d ed

b efor e t u r n in g ar ou n d an d leavin g.
T h er e w as st ill som e t im e b efor e class b egan so H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly t u r n ed

t ow ar d s W an g Don g, “If I com e b ack lat e, h elp m e ou t . I’m goin g t o see w h y
sen ior sist er Xiaot ao’s look in g for m e.”
“Oh .” W an g Don g also felt t h at som et h in g ab ou t M a Xiaot ao w asn ’t qu it e

r igh t . If t h is w as b efor e yest er d ay, h e d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave allow ed H u o
Yu h ao t o go alon e. H ow ever , h e w asn ’t w ar y t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao sin ce sh e h ad
saved t h em yest er d a y.
H u o Yu h ao q u ick ly left t h e class. T h e m om en t h e w alk ed ou t of t h e d oor , h e

felt a w ave of r ed ligh t su r ge t ow ar d s h im . Regar d less of h ow p r ecise h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as, h e w asn ’t ab le t o d od ge it at all. A w ave of h eat
im m ed iat ely en gu lfed h is en t ir e b od y.
T h e sou r ce of t h at h eat w as M a Xiaot ao’s b od y.
T h e t w en t y-or -so-year -old M a Xiaot ao w as at t h e m ost b eau t ifu l p er iod of h er

life, an d sh e w as also ext r em ely b eau t ifu l fr om t h e st ar t . At t h is m om en t , h er
flu sh ed ch eek s m ad e h er even m or e of a r ad ian t b eau t y.
Sh e let ou t a sw eet m oan as sh e h u gged H u o Yu h ao,, “H u o Yu h ao, I can ’t ... I

can ’t h old it an ym or e. Qu ick ly.”
H er voice w as r ela t ively lou d an d n ot on ly d id t h e st u d en t s w h o w er e p assin g
b y h ear h er b u t even t h e st u d en t s fr om Class 1 d id as w ell. Fu r t h er m or e, H u o
Yu h ao w as cu r r en t ly in fr on t of t h e cla ssr oom d oor . As h e w as h u gged b y t h e
fier y M a Xiaot ao, it w as ab solu t ely im p ossib le for h im t o st r u ggle fr ee.
A r ed ligh t flick er ed an d M a Xiaot ao su d d en ly acceler at ed a n d d isap p ear ed

fr om t h e en d of t h e cor r id or w it h H u o Yu h ao in t ow .
W an g Don g im m ed iat ely felt t h a t som et h in g w as off. H e h ast ily r an ou t sid e,

b u t h e cou ld on ly see t h e b ack of M a Xiaot ao’s b od y by t h e t im e h e got t h er e.
T h er e w er e st ill a few st u d en t s in t h e cor r id or w h o w er e look in g at each

ot h er .
W an g Don g’s exp r ession b ecam e p ale. H e w as ju st ab ou t t o ch ase aft er t h em ,

b u t an ar m su d d en ly st op p ed h im t h e m om en t h e t ook a st ep for w ar d .
“Un h an d m e!” W an g Don g flew in t o a r age. H ow ever , h e w as im m ed iat ely

sen t in t o a d aze w h en h e t u r n ed ar ou n d . T h e p er son w h o’d gr ab b ed h im w a s
Zh ou Yi.
“W h at ’s t h e m at t er ? W h y’r e you b ein g so im p at ien t ?” Zh ou Yi sp ok e in a low

voice. T h ou gh sh e lik ed t h e t w o of t h em , in accor d a n ce w it h h er p h ilosop h y of
t each in g, sh e d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t allow h er st u d en t s t o go again st h er .
W an g Don g said u r gen t ly, “T each er Zh ou , H u o Yu h ao h as b een t ak en aw ay b y

M a Xiaot ao. Please go r escu e h im qu ick ly! I feel t h at t h er e’s som et h in g w r on g
w it h h er . In t h e even t h e’s h ar m ed b y h er …”
Zh ou Yi p u lled h im b ack t o t h e classr oom , “Don ’t w or r y. Not h in g w ill

h ap p en . Dean Yan h as alr ead y n ot ified m e of t h is. M a Xiaot ao’s m ar t ial sou l is
r at h er sp ecial, an d Yu h ao’s secon d m ar t ial sou l can h elp h er cu lt ivat ion .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w ill b e som ew h at u sefu l for h im . Go b ack t o you r seat , w e’r e
ab ou t t o st ar t class.”
W it h t h at , Zh ou Yi sh u t t h e d oor t o t h e classr oom .

W an g Don g’s sen se of u r gen cy d id n ’t su b sid e as a r esu lt of Zh ou Yi’s
exp lan at ion . On t h e con t r ar y, it b ecam e even m or e in t en se. H e n at u r ally k n ew
t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ’t b e in ju r ed b y M a Xiaot ao b u t t h e w or r y h e felt
in t en sified exp on en t ially w h en h e saw t h e im age of M a Xia ot ao h u ggin g H u o
Yu h ao in h is m in d .
At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao’s m in d w as b lan k . H e n a t u r a lly k n ew t h at M a

Xiaot ao w ou ld n ’t h u r t h im , an d m or eover , h e h a d seen h er b er ser k ap p ear an ce
b efor e. On ly, h e w as som ew h at em b ar r assed d u e t o t h e b ig b eau t y h u ggin g h im
ou t of t h e b lu e.
M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t h ave an y p er fu m e on h er , b u t sh e n on et h eless sm elled

r at h er r efr esh in g. Sh e sm elled lik e su n -d r ied b lan k et s, r elaxin g an d clean .
Un for t u n at ely, sh e w asn ’t w ar m lik e a b lan k et b u t som ew h at scald in g in st ea d .
M a Xiaot ao w as ext r em ely slen d er an d sh e con t in u ed t o r u n as sh e h u gged

H u o Yu h ao. T h e lat t er on ly saw t h e scen er y ar ou n d h im alt er n at in g u n ceasin gly
w h ile t h e b la n k feelin g h e felt in h is h ear t on ly gr ew st r on ger .
W it h in t h e b lin k of an eye, t h ey’d left t h e sch ool b u ild in g. M a Xiaot ao r u sh ed

t ow ar d s Sea God ’s Lak e w it h H u o Yu h ao in t ow w h er e sh e fin ally t ook a
b r eat h er . “Yu … H ao… qu ick ly… h elp m e. I… can ’t h old it a n ym or e… I n eed …
you r Ice elem en t … h elp … m e su p p r ess… m y Evil Fir e… Qu ick ly…” sh e
st am m er ed .
Chapt er 60(???)
T h e fu r y of Sh r ek Acad em y w as som et h in g t h at even t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s

M an sion , w h o con t r olled over t en t h ou san d m en in t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e,
cou ld n ’t en d u r e.
T h e acad em y d id n ’t escalat e t h e sit u at ion d u e t o t h e lack of p r oof, b u t t h ey

w er e on ly su p p r essin g t h eir an ger for t h e t im e b ein g.
T h e n ext m or n in g. Dai H u ab in ’s exp r ession gr eat ly ch an ged w h en h e saw t h e

som ew h at d isp ir it ed H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g com e t o class, b u t h e w as st ill a
son of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e. T h ou gh h e w as gr eat ly ast on ish ed , h e q u ick ly
m ask ed an y over t ch an ges on h is face.
H e h ad n ’t r eceived an y in for m at ion as t o w h at h ad occu r r ed last n igh t an d

h ad h op ed t h at t h e fin al ou t com e w ou ld n ’t b e t oo m essy. As lon g as h is m en
h ad n ’t b een in ju r ed , all w ou ld b e fin e. Ot h er w ise, h e w ou ld n ’t even b e ab le t o
exp lain h im self t o h is fat h er !
Cold sw eat im p er cep t ib ly b egan t o d r en ch t h e b ack of Dai H u ab in ’s sh ir t . A

Sou l Em p er or an d five Sou l Kin gs t oget h er w er e n ot en ou gh t o k ill t h e t w o of
t h em . Rem or se b egan t o b lossom in t h e d ep t h s of h is h ear t .
“Dai H u ab in .” H u o Yu h ao’s eyesigh t w as ext r em ely good , an d t h u s h e w a s

ab le t o in st an t ly see Dai H u ab in , w h o h ad b een st ar in g at t h em w it h a
b ew ild er ed look in h is eyes. H e t h en p u lled W an g Don g alon g w it h h im an d t ook
lar ge st r id es t ow ar d s h im .
Dai H u ab in ’s face w as som ew h at p ale. At t h e en d of t h e d ay, h e w as on ly a

you t h ar ou n d t h e age of t en an d t h u s cou ld n ’t con ceal h is em ot ion s ver y w ell.
W an g Don g’s eyes t u r n ed cold as h e sa w Dai H u ab in an d w as ju st ab ou t t o

ch ar ge st r aigh t t ow a r d s h im w h en H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly h eld on t o h im .
“W h at d o you w an t ? ” Dai H u ab in ask ed cold ly.
As h e t igh t ly h eld on t o W an g Don g so a s t o n ot let h im fly in t o a r age, H u o

Yu h ao sp ok e in a d eep voice. “Did n ’t you lose t h at b et w e m ad e t h e ot h er d ay?
Com e on , fu lfill you r p r om ise n ow .”
It w as n ow t im e for st u d en t s t o go t o class, an d so t h er e w as an en d less st r eam

of st u d en t s w alk in g p ast t h eir classr oom . T h ey w er e all secon d year st u d en t s
an d w er e n at u r ally aw ar e of t h e gr u d ges b et w een H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d
Dai H u ab in . A lar ge n u m b er of st u d en t s h ad alr ead y st op p ed b y t h e sid e t o
w at ch t h e p r oceed in gs.
Dai H u ab in gr it t ed h is t eet h an d clen ch ed h is fist s t igh t ly, m ak in g t h e vein s

on h is for eh ead p op ou t .
Zh u Lu w alk ed ou t fr om Class 2 an d st ood in fr on t of Dai H u ab in as sh e yelled ,

“H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g, d on ’t b e t oo excessive!”
W an g Don g r ep lied icily, “W e’r e b ein g excessive? Go ask h im w h at h e d id last

n igh t . I’m ju st n ot su r e w h et h er or n ot h e’ll h ave t h e gu t s t o r eveal w h at h e
d id .”
Dai H u ab in gr it t ed h is t eet h a s h e r esp on d ed , “I d on ’t k n ow w h at you ’r e

t alk in g ab ou t .”
W an g Don g sn or t ed d isd a in fu lly. “I k n ew you w er e a scar ed y-cat . Regar d less

of w h et h er or n ot you ad m it t o w h at you d id . You h ave t o k ow t ow t ow ar d s u s
n ow sin ce you lost , m an u p an d ad m it you r loss.”
Zh u Lu w as ab ou t t o con fr on t t h em b u t sh e w as sh oved fr om b eh in d b y t h e
flu st er ed Dai H u ab in . H e d id n ’t d ar e t o con fir m w h et h er or n ot h is m en h a d
b een exp osed . T h is m at t er w as sim p ly t oo im p or t an t an d w as even r elat ed t o t h e
W h it e T iger Du k e’s M an sion . No m at t er w h at , h e ab solu t ely cou ld n ’t r eveal t h at
h e w as gu ilt y. Ot h er w ise, it w ou ld affect t h e r elat ion sh ip b et w een Sh r ek
Acad em y an d t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s M an sion an d m igh t even cau se h ost ilit y
b et w een t h e for m er an d t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e.
H e t ook a d eep b r eat h as sh oved t h e r an cor an d h u m iliat ion h e felt in t o t h e

d ep t h s of h is h ear t . H e ab r u p t ly d r op p ed t o h is k n ees an d k ow t ow ed t h r ee t im es
t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w h ile sh ou t in g, “I w as w r on g.” Follow in g
w h ich , h e st ood u p an d r et u r n ed t o h is class.
T h e r an cor in Zh u Lu ’s eyes w as n o less t h an in Dai H u ab in ’s. Aft er all, t h e

p er son w h o’d b een h u m iliat ed w as h er fu t u r e b oyfr ien d ! Sh e p oin t ed h er
sligh t ly t r em b lin g fin ger t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, “You ju st w ait ,
ju st w ait …”
H u o Yu h ao act ed as if h e’d h ear d n ot h in g as t h en t u r n ed b ack t o Class 1 alon g

w it h W an g Don g. Righ t n ow , h e w asn ’t feelin g elat ed b u t vigilan t . H e’d m ad e
Dai H u ab in k ow t ow in fr on t of so m an y st u d en t s b u t t h e lat t er st ill h ad n ’t flow n
in t o a r age. An en em y lik e t h is w a s m u ch m or e t er r ifyin g, esp ecially so given
Dai H u ab in ’s r ela t ively ast on ish in g gr ow t h . Un for t u n at ely, h e d id n ’t su ffer an y
sor t of p u n ish m en t a ft er t h e am b u sh h e’d p lan n ed .
W h at H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow , h ow ever , w as t h e fact t h at Dai H u ab in h ad

b een p u t on t h e acad em y’s b lack list d u e t o t h e am b u sh h e’d set u p . T h ou gh t h ey
d id n ’t h ave an y con cr et e p r oof, ju st w h o w as Sh r ek Acad em y h ave? Fr om t h e
m er e scr ap s t h ey h ad , t h ey w er e ab le t o d ed u ce a lot of t h in gs. H ow ever , t h ey
w er e st ill afr aid of t h e con seq u en ces of t h eir act ion s; m a k in g t h e St a r Lu o
Em p ir e an en em y for t h e sak e of t w o st u d en t s w as clear ly an u n w ise d ecision .
Fu r t h er m or e, w h en all w as said an d d on e, t h is w as som et h in g t h at ’d b een
or gan ised b y Dai H u ab in alon e. Becau se of t h is, t h e ext r aor d in ar ily t alen t ed Dai
H u ab in w as d est in ed t o n ot en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d t h e in st an t h e failed t o k ill
T h e ad van cem en t t est h ad alr ea d y en d ed , an d ever y sin gle p er son w h o cou ld

con t in u e goin g t o class h ad p assed it . St u d en t s w h o h ad n ’t p assed cou ld r et ak e
t h e t est t h r ee d ays lat er b u t t h ey w ou ld b e for ced t o leave t h e acad em y if t h ey
failed t h a t t est t oo.
T h e class t h at W an g Yan an d Zh ou Yi t au gh t , Class 1, h ad an ast on ish in g 95%
p ass r at e. T h e fact s h ad sh ow n t h at p u t t in g t h e t w o of t h em t oget h er w as
Zh ou Yi cou ld m an age h er st u d en t s w ell w h ile W an g Yan h ad a vast am ou n t

of k n ow led ge an d a w ar m t each in g st yle. Com b in ed w it h t h e t r u ly ou t st an d in g
b at ch of st u d en t s t h at cam e t h is year , t h er e w er e on ly a few p eop le w h o w er en ’t
ab le t o p ass t h e a d va n cem en t t est . M or eover , t h ey st ill h ad t h e ch an ce t o r et ak e
t h e exam .
Com p ar at ively, t h er e w er e far m or e st u d en t s fr om t h e ot h er classes w h o h ad

b een elim in at ed .
“Yu h ao, w h y d id n ’t you let m e set t le m y gr u d ges w it h h im ?” W an g Don g

ask ed H u o Yu h ao fu r iou sly.
H u o Yu h ao said , “T h e acad em y d id n ’t d eliver a ver d ict , so w h at can w e d o

ou r selves? W e’r e all in t h e acad em y so t h er e w on ’t b e a con clu sion t o t h is
m at t er even if w e t r y t o set t le ou r gr u d ges w it h h im . Let ’s ju st st ay qu iet an d
k eep a w at ch on h im . It ’s st ill m or e im p or t an t for u s t o w or k h ar d an d in cr ease
ou r st r en gt h . W h en w e can r each sen ior sist er Xiaot ao’s level of st r en gt h , w e
w on ’t n eed t o b e afr aid of an y am b u sh es an ym or e.”
T h e b at t le yest er d ay h ad st im u lat ed h im gr eat ly, b u t it clear ly w asn ’t p ossib le

for h im t o in cr ease h is cu lt ivat ion b y a lar ge am ou n t w it h in a sh or t p er iod of
t im e. H ow ever , sou l t ools cou ld in cr ease h is su r vivab ilit y. T h u s, h e h ad alr ead y
p lan n ed t o u se t h e n ext few d ays t o m od ify h is set of sou l t ools. At t h e ver y least ,
h e w an t ed t o m ak e su r e t h at all of t h em w er e Class 2 t ools. If h e an d W an g Don g
h ad p ossessed a Class 2 t h r u st er w h en t h ey w er e am b u sh ed , t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave
b een left in su ch a m iser ab le st a t e.
“W ah , I r eally can ’t h elp b u t t h in k a b ou t it !” W an g Don g st ar ed at t h e

classr oom d oor .
H u o Yu h ao su b con sciou sly follow ed h is gaze t o see a r ed -clot h ed M a Xiaot ao
st an d in g ou t sid e t h e classr oom an d w avin g t o h im .
M a Xiaot ao’s p h ysical st at e d id n ’t seem r igh t . H er ch ar m in g face w as flu sh ed

r ed an d t h er e w as even a fain t r ed ligh t sh in in g fr om h er b od y.
H u o Yu h ao q u est ion in gly p oin t ed t ow ar d s h im self an d M a Xiaot ao n od d ed

b efor e t u r n in g ar ou n d an d leavin g.
T h er e w as st ill som e t im e b efor e class b egan so H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly t u r n ed

t ow ar d s W an g Don g, “If I com e b ack lat e, h elp m e ou t . I’m goin g t o see w h y
sen ior sist er Xiaot ao’s look in g for m e.”
“Oh .” W an g Don g also felt t h at som et h in g ab ou t M a Xiaot ao w asn ’t q u it e

r igh t . If t h is w as b efor e yest er d ay, h e d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave allow ed H u o
Yu h ao t o go alon e. H ow ever , h e w asn ’t w ar y t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao sin ce sh e h ad
saved t h em yest er d a y.
H u o Yu h ao q u ick ly left t h e class. T h e m om en t h e w alk ed ou t of t h e d oor , h e

felt a w ave of r ed ligh t su r ge t ow ar d s h im . Regar d less of h ow p r ecise h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as, h e w asn ’t ab le t o d od ge it at all. A w ave of h eat
im m ed iat ely en gu lfed h is en t ir e b od y.
T h e sou r ce of t h at h eat w as M a Xiaot ao’s b od y.
T h e t w en t y-or -so-year -old M a Xiaot ao w as at t h e m ost b eau t ifu l p er iod of h er

life, an d sh e w as also ext r em ely b eau t ifu l fr om t h e st ar t . At t h is m om en t , h er
flu sh ed ch eek s m ad e h er even m or e of a r ad ian t b eau t y.
Sh e let ou t a sw eet m oan as sh e h u gged H u o Yu h ao,, “H u o Yu h ao, I can ’t ... I

can ’t h old it an ym or e. Qu ick ly.”
H er voice w as r ela t ively lou d an d n ot on ly d id t h e st u d en t s w h o w er e p assin g

b y h ear h er b u t even t h e st u d en t s fr om Class 1 d id as w ell. Fu r t h er m or e, H u o
Yu h ao w as cu r r en t ly in fr on t of t h e cla ssr oom d oor . As h e w as h u gged b y t h e
fier y M a Xiaot ao, it w as ab solu t ely im p ossib le for h im t o st r u ggle fr ee.
A r ed ligh t flick er ed an d M a Xiaot ao su d d en ly acceler at ed a n d d isap p ear ed
fr om t h e en d of t h e cor r id or w it h H u o Yu h ao in t ow .
W an g Don g im m ed iat ely felt t h a t som et h in g w as off. H e h ast ily r an ou t sid e,

b u t h e cou ld on ly see t h e b ack of M a Xiaot ao’s b od y by t h e t im e h e got t h er e.
T h er e w er e st ill a few st u d en t s in t h e cor r id or w h o w er e look in g at each

ot h er .
W an g Don g’s exp r ession b ecam e p ale. H e w as ju st ab ou t t o ch ase aft er t h em ,

b u t an ar m su d d en ly st op p ed h im t h e m om en t h e t ook a st ep for w ar d .
“Un h an d m e!” W an g Don g flew in t o a r age. H ow ever , h e w as im m ed iat ely

sen t in t o a d aze w h en h e t u r n ed ar ou n d . T h e p er son w h o’d gr ab b ed h im w a s
Zh ou Yi.
“W h at ’s t h e m at t er ? W h y’r e you b ein g so im p at ien t ?” Zh ou Yi sp ok e in a low

voice. T h ou gh sh e lik ed t h e t w o of t h em , in accor d a n ce w it h h er p h ilosop h y of
t each in g, sh e d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t allow h er st u d en t s t o go again st h er .
W an g Don g said u r gen t ly, “T each er Zh ou , H u o Yu h ao h as b een t ak en aw ay b y

M a Xiaot ao. Please go r escu e h im qu ick ly! I feel t h at t h er e’s som et h in g w r on g
w it h h er . In t h e even t h e’s h ar m ed b y h er …”
Zh ou Yi p u lled h im b ack t o t h e classr oom , “Don ’t w or r y. Not h in g w ill

h ap p en . Dean Yan h as alr ead y n ot ified m e of t h is. M a Xiaot ao’s m ar t ial sou l is
r at h er sp ecial, an d Yu h ao’s secon d m ar t ial sou l can h elp h er cu lt ivat ion .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w ill b e som ew h at u sefu l for h im . Go b ack t o you r seat , w e’r e
ab ou t t o st ar t class.”
W it h t h at , Zh ou Yi sh u t t h e d oor t o t h e classr oom .
W an g Don g’s sen se of u r gen cy d id n ’t su b sid e as a r esu lt of Zh ou Yi’s

exp lan at ion . On t h e con t r ar y, it b ecam e even m or e in t en se. H e n at u r ally k n ew
t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ’t b e in ju r ed b y M a Xiaot ao b u t t h e w or r y h e felt
in t en sified exp on en t ially w h en h e saw t h e im age of M a Xia ot ao h u ggin g H u o
Yu h ao in h is m in d .
At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao’s m in d w as b lan k . H e n a t u r a lly k n ew t h at M a

Xiaot ao w ou ld n ’t h u r t h im , an d m or eover , h e h a d seen h er b er ser k ap p ear an ce
b efor e. On ly, h e w as som ew h at em b ar r assed d u e t o t h e b ig b eau t y h u ggin g h im
ou t of t h e b lu e.
M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t h ave an y p er fu m e on h er , b u t sh e n on et h eless sm elled

r at h er r efr esh in g. Sh e sm elled lik e su n -d r ied b lan k et s, r elaxin g an d clean .
Un for t u n at ely, sh e w asn ’t w ar m lik e a b lan k et b u t som ew h at scald in g in st ea d .
M a Xiaot ao w as ext r em ely slen d er an d sh e con t in u ed t o r u n as sh e h u gged

H u o Yu h ao. T h e lat t er on ly saw t h e scen er y ar ou n d h im alt er n at in g u n ceasin gly
w h ile t h e b la n k feelin g h e felt in h is h ear t on ly gr ew st r on ger .
W it h in t h e b lin k of an eye, t h ey’d left t h e sch ool b u ild in g. M a Xiaot ao r u sh ed

t ow ar d s Sea God ’s Lak e w it h H u o Yu h ao in t ow w h er e sh e fin ally t ook a
b r eat h er . “Yu … H ao… qu ick ly… h elp m e. I… can ’t h old it a n ym or e… I n eed …
you r Ice elem en t … h elp … m e su p p r ess… m y Evil Fir e… Qu ick ly…” sh e
st am m er ed .
Chapt er 61.1: Icy Domain and t he Golden Light
Cor e d iscip les w er e en t it led t o a su m p t u ou s b r eak fast . Fu r t h er m or e, H u o

Yu h ao w as n ow a cor e d iscip le of b ot h t h e M ar t ia l Sou l Dep ar t m en t an d t h e Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t at t h e sam e t im e.
Nor m ally, h e’d on ly eat t h e food su p p lied b y t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , as it

w as m or e exqu isit e a n d p r eciou s t h an t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s. H ow ever ,
h e w as ext r em ely fam ish ed t od ay, an d h is b od y w as in d ir e n eed of a lar ge
q u an t it y of n u t r ien t s. As su ch , h e d evou r ed b ot h of t h e b r eak fast s h e w as
p r ovid ed w it h t od ay.
J u st as h e w as ab ou t t o fin ish h is m eal, W an g Don g w alk ed in in a d isp ir it ed

an d d ow n cast m ood . T h e m om en t h e w alk ed t h r ou gh t h e d oor s, W an g Don g
sp ot t ed H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as p iggin g ou t . W h en h e saw h im , h e im m ed iat ely
b egan t o t ak e lar ge st r id es t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
“Yu h ao, ar e you alr igh t ? M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t d o an yt h in g t o you , r igh t ?” W an g

Don g r an over t o h im an d qu est ion ed h im im p at ien t ly.
H u o Yu h ao k ep t a n at u r al exp r ession on h is face as h e r ep lied , “I’m alr igh t ! In

fact , I’m d oin g qu it e w ell. I sim p ly accom p an ied sen ior sist er Xiaot ao t o
cu lt ivat e. You sh ou ld k n ow ju st h ow ext r aor d in ar y t h e n at u r e of h er m ar t ial
sou l is. W it h m y h elp , sh e’s m an aged t o su p p r ess t h a t d em on ic fir e of h er s.”
W h en h e’d left t h e Sea God ’s Islan d an d r et u r n ed t o t h e lak esid e, h e’d fir m ly

m ad e u p h is m in d : No m at t er w h o it w as t h at qu est ion ed h im , h e w ou ld n ’t say
w h at h ad r eally h ap p en ed , even if h e w as b eat en t o d eat h . It w as t oo
em b ar r assin g!
W an g Don g gazed at h im an d felt a b it ap p r eh en sive. H is n ose t w it ch ed an d

h e ask ed , “W h at ’s t h at fr agr an ce?”
As a p er son w h o cou ld n or m ally con t r ol h is d esir e ver y w ell, H u o Yu h ao w as
u sed t o con t r ollin g ever yt h in g t o t h e b est of h is ab ilit y. As su ch , h e’d alr ead y
t h ou gh t of a cou n t er m easu r e for t h is sit u at ion a lon g t im e ago. W it h ou t t h e
sligh t est b it of h esit at ion , h e sigh ed an d r ep lied , “It ’s b ecau se it w as ext r em ely
exh au st in g w h en I cu lt ivat ed w it h sen ior sist er Xiaot ao. T h at p h oen ix flam e of
h er s is r eally st r on g, t h u s I en d ed u p sw eat in g all over . W h en I w as d on e, I
b or r ow ed h er w ash in g liq u id t o w ash m y clot h es. I n ever exp ect ed h er t o u se
su ch a fr agr an t w ash in g liqu id w it h t h at fier ce p er son alit y of h er s.”
W an g Don g cou ld n ’t fin d a sin gle m ist a k e in w h at H u o Yu h ao said , t h u s h e

gr ad u ally h ea ved a sigh of r elief. H ow ever , h e st ill b or e a lit t le r esen t m en t an d
said , “You act u a lly n eed ed a w h ole d ay t o cu lt iva t e. M a Xiaot ao is t oo
over b ear in g! W h at h ap p en s if it en d u p in t er fer in g w it h you r st u d ies? Oh r igh t ,
T each er Zh ou ask ed for u s t o see h er in h er office t od ay b efor e class st ar t s. It
seem s lik e t h er e’s so m et h in g goin g on , as w e w er en ’t t h e on ly on es called . All of
t h e cor e d iscip les h ave t o go an d see h er . It seem s t h at t h ey’r e givin g u s sp ecial
at t en t ion n ow .”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “T h is is a good t h in g! W h at w as Dai H u ab in

r eact ion ?”
W an g Don g sh ook h is h ead an d r ep lied , “Not h in g. I h aven ’t even seen t h a t

fellow sin ce b ack t h en . Gosh , ar e you a p ig? H ow m u ch h ave you eat en ?!” H e’d
on ly ju st n ow n ot iced t h at t h e t ab le h a d b een filled w it h em p t y p lat es.
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed sh eep ish ly an d sa id , “I exh au st ed qu it e a b it of en er gy

cu lt ivat in g yest er d ay. H ow ever , w h at sen ior b r ot h er Xu San sh i said at b ack t h en
w as cor r ect . Even t h ou gh it ’s p ain fu l t o cu lt ivat e w it h sen ior sist er M a, t h e
in cr eased sp eed of cu lt ivat ion I get is p r et t y good . I even ask ed h er t o h elp m e
m elt t h a t W h a le Ru b b er so t h at I cou ld eat it . Oh r igh t , h as you r sou l b on e
ar r ived yet ?”
W an g Don g im m ed iat ely b ecam e excit ed w h en h e m en t ion ed t h e Gold en

Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e, an d n od d ed r ep eat ed ly as h e sa id , “Yep , it ’s alr ead y
ar r ived . Can you p r ot ect m e t on igh t so t h at I can fu se w it h it ? I’ve alr ead y
got t en p er m ission fr om T each er Zh ou for a leave of ab sen ce. It w on ’t b e a
p r ob lem even if it t a k es m e m or e t h an a d ay t o fu se w it h t h e sou l b on e.”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d r ep lied , “T h en I’ll ask T each er Fa n Yu for som e

m at er ials t on igh t so t h at I can r em od el m y sou l t ool in ou r d or m r oom w h ile I’m
w at ch in g over you .”
On ce h e’d fin ish ed h is b r eak fast , H u o Yu h ao r et u r n ed t o t h e d or m it or y t o

fr esh en u p . Aft er w a r d s, h e ch an ged in t o a n ew sch ool u n ifor m b efor e h ead in g
off t o fin d Zh ou Yi w it h W an g Don g.
It w as st ill b ot h ext r em ely su n n y an d clou d less t od ay. M or eover , a n ew sch ool

t er m h ad b egu n in Sh r ek Acad em y. St u d en t s fr om ever y year gr ou p w er e all
facin g d iffer en t lev els of p r essu r e. T h e n ew st u d en t s h ad t h e Fr esh m en
Exam in at ion , w h ile st u d en t s fr om h igh er year gr ou p s h ad b ot h t h eir
Ad van cem en t Exam in at ion an d cou r ses t o st u d y for .
H u o Yu h ao ligh t ly k n ock ed on t h e office d oor a few t im es.
“En t er .” Zh ou Yi’s ever ice-cold voice r a n g ou t .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g p u sh ed op en ed t h e d oor an d en t er ed .
T h e r oom w as alr ea d y fu ll of cor e d iscip les fr om Class 1. Besid es H u o Yu h ao

an d W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, Lan Su su , Lan Lu olu o, Ch ao J in xu an an d H u an g
Ch u t ian , w h o h a d officially b ecom e a cor e d iscip le, w er e all p r esen t in t h e r oom .
As su ch , t h er e w er e a t ot al of eigh t p eop le fr om t h eir class p r esen t .
Zh ou Yi in t en t ion ally glan ced t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. W h en sh e saw t h a t h is

exp r ession w as n or m al, sh e d id n ’t ask an y qu est ion s. W it h a cou gh , sh e d ir ect ed
ever yon e’s lin e of sigh t t ow ar d s h er self. “T h e r eason I called you gu ys h er e
t od ay is b ecau se I h ave a sp ecial sit u at ion t h at I n eed t o in for m you gu ys ab ou t :
In t h r ee d ays t im e, t h e ou t er co u r t yar d w ill b e or gan izin g a cor e d iscip le
qu alificat ion m at ch . Or igin ally, it d id n ’t h ave an yt h in g t o d o w it h secon d year s,
b u t t h e acad em y su d d en ly d ecid ed t o let t h e Year 2 cor e d iscip les p ar t icip at e in
t h e m at ch as w ell. As a r esu lt of t h is, you gu ys w ill n eed t o p r ep ar e you r selves.”
Feelin g som ew h at cu r iou s, Zh ou Sich en ask ed , “T each er Zh ou , w h at ’s t h is

qu alificat ion m at ch for ?”
Zh ou Yi r ep lied , “H ow ever , you gu ys d on ’t n eed t o b e t oo w or r ied ab ou t it .

T h er e w on ’t b e an y sor t of p u n ish m en t if you lose t h is q u alificat ion m a t ch .
T h ose p ar t icip at in g ar e all cor e d iscip les fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d w h o ar e
fift een year s old an d u n d er . Peop le fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t w ill also b e
at t en d in g. Accor d in g t o m y calcu lat io n s, t h er e ar e a r ou n d t h ir t y p eop le
p ar t icip at in g in t h e m at ch . W e’ll b e ch oosin g seven fr om t h is gr ou p t o t ak e p ar t
in a m ission . As for w h at sor t of m ission it is, on ly t h e st u d en t s w h o w in w ill
k n ow w h at sor t of m ission it is. It ’s w or t h n ot in g t h at t h ese p laces w ou ld
n or m ally b elon g t o st u d en t s fr om t h e t h ir d , fou r t h , an d fift h year s. H ow ever ,
you gu ys ar e lu ck y t o b e ab le t o p ar t icip at e in t h is m at ch . You gu ys sh ou ld d o
you r b est . W e h ave eigh t cor e d iscip les fr om ou r class; at least t r y n ot t o b e
com p let ely w ip ed ou t .”
H ear in g Zh ou Yi sp eak as t h ou gh sh e d id n ’t t h in k of t h e m at t er as ver y

im p or t an t , ever yon e im m ed iat ely h eaved a sigh of r elief. T h ey’d even silen t ly
cu r sed a t t h e acad em y in t h eir h ear t s for h avin g a b it t oo m an y exam in at ion s.
T h e Ad van cem en t Exam in at ion h ad ju st en d ed ! W h at w as t h e d eal w it h a Cor e
Discip le Exam in at ion n ow ?
“Alr igh t , you gu ys h ead b ack t o t h e classr oom fir st . H u o Yu h ao, st ay b eh in d

for aw h ile. T h e r est of you can h ead b ack fir st .”
“Yes.” Ever yon e u n ifor m ly r ep lied . As t h ey left , Zh ou Sich en sh ot H u o Yu h ao

a glan ce t h at said t h at h e w as r ejoicin g in h is d em ise. Aft er w ar d s, h e t ook t h e
lead an d left t h e office w it h Cao J in xu an .
W an g Don g said in a low t on e, “Xiao Xiao an d I w ill w ait for you ou t sid e.”
On ce t h e ot h er s h ad left t h e r oom , H u o Yu h ao ob ed ien t ly closed t h e d oor . H e
t h en t u r n ed a r ou n d an d faced Zh ou Yi as h e ask ed , “T each er Zh ou , d o you st ill
h ave som et h in g t o t ell m e?”
Zh ou Yi in d iffer en t ly r ep lied , “I’m on ly r elayin g a m essage fr om Dean Yan

an d Dean Xian . Bot h of t h em m en t ion ed t h at it w ou ld b e fin e, even if t h e ot h er s
d on ’t en t er t h e t op seven . H ow ever , t h ey said t h at if you fail t o d o so, you ’ll
su ffer t h e con seq u en ces.”
“Um …” W h en h e h ear d h er say t h is, H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt t h at t h e

p r essu r e w eigh in g d ow n on h im w as as gr eat as a m ou n t ain ! “T each er Zh ou ,
t h at ’s im p ossib le! If t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d w er e t o com p et e w it h
t h e cor e d iscip les in t er m s of st r en gt h alon e, I w ou ld d efin it ely b e r an k ed
am on gst t h e t op ! H ow ever , t h er e w ill b e sen ior st u d en t s p a r t icip at in g in t h is
m at ch as w ell!”
A h in t of a sm ile ap p ear ed in Zh ou Yi’s eyes w h en sh e h ear d t h is. Sh e st ood u p

an d r ep lied , “It ’s u seless t o t alk t o m e ab ou t t h is, as I’m sim p ly r elayin g t h eir
m essage t o you . If you h ave t h e gu t s t o d o so, r eason it ou t w it h Dean Yan an d
Dean Xian . Now t h en , get goin g, you st ill h ave a class t o at t en d .”
“I…” H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely b ecam e cr est fallen . Even t h ou gh h e felt

con fid en t ab ou t h is ab ilit ies, t h at st ill d ep en d ed on t h e cir cu m st an ces! H e‘d b e
com p et in g again st a b u n ch of sen ior cor e d iscip les; h ow cou ld it b e t h at easy?!
Disr egar d in g t h e ot h er st u d en t s, Bei Bei, Xu San sh i an d J ian g Nan n an alon e
w er e b ou n d t o b e w it h in t h e fift een -year -old cat egor y, alon g w it h t h e m an y cor e
d iscip les h e’d n ever seen b efor e. All t h r ee of t h em h ad fou r sou l r in gs! H e
d efin it ely d id n ’t t h in k t h at h e cou ld figh t again st h is sen ior s w it h fou r sou l
r in gs—even if h e d id h ave an Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou l.
On ce h e left t h e r oom , h e n ot iced W a n g Don g an d Xiao Xiao w ait in g for h im .
“W h y d id T each er Zh ou ask you t o st ay b eh in d ?” W an g Don g ask ed cu r iou sly.

T h is w asn ’t som et h in g t h at h e cou ld h id e, t h u s H u o Yu h ao t old t h em w h at
Zh ou Yi h ad t old h im w it h a d ep r essed look on h is face. By t h e t im e h e’d
fin ish ed , W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t look at each ot h er in
d ism ay. T h ey t h en sim u lt an eou sly p at t ed h im on t h e sh ou ld er . “You ’d b est r ely
on you r self, r at h er t h an on u s.”
H u o Yu h ao w as fu ll of lam en t an d r esen t fu ln ess as h e r ep lied , “Ar e you gu ys

even h u m an ?! You ’r e n ot even com for t in g m e!”
W an g Don g lau gh ed m isch ievou sly an d said , “W h o ask ed you t o b ecom e a

cor e d iscip le of t w o d ep ar t m en t s? W h o ask ed you t o sh ow su ch an ou t st an d in g
p er for m an ce in t h e Ad van cem en t Exam in at ion , an d t o even h ave an Ult im at e
m ar t ial sou l?! W e’ll ch eer for you . Oh r igh t , I k eep for get t in g t o ask you . W h at
w as t h e sk ill you u sed t h e ot h er d ay called ? T h e on e t h at su ck ed all of ou r sou l
p ow er aw ay an d r eleased t h at d ar k gr een ligh t .”
T h e r eason t h a t b ot h of t h em h a d b een ab le t o escap e t h eir p r ed icam en t t h a t

d ay w as b ecau se H u o Yu h ao h ad d ecisively u sed t h at m ove. It w as m ain ly
b ecau se h e’d u sed t h at sk ill in t h e n ick of t im e, w h ich h a d p r even t ed t h e t h r ee
flyin g Sou l Kin gs fr om p u r su in g t h em . T h ey’d t h en ab le t o escap e t o Sh r ek
Cit y’s n or t h er n gat es an d h ad m an aged t o w ait it ou t u n t il M a Xiaot ao an d Bei
Bei cam e t o save t h em .
H u o Yu h ao sn or t ed an d r ep lied , “I’ll ju st let you gu ys r ejoice in m y

m isfor t u n e. T h is eld er b r ot h er isn ’t t ellin g you .” As soo n as h e fin ish ed
sp eak in g, h e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e sch ool b u ild in g.
Eld er Lin ’s gu ess t h at n igh t h ad b een sp ot on ; t h e sk ill h e’d u sed b ack t h en

b elon ged t o t h e d o m ain -t yp e. Dom ain -t yp e sk ills w er e ju st as u n com m on as
Ult im at e m ar t ial sou ls. A d om ain -t yp e sou l sk ill w as a sk ill t h at affect
ever yt h in g w it h in a cer t ain ar ea b ased on t h e u ser ’s d om ain . It cou ld also b e
r egar d ed as t h e h igh est r an k ed con t r ol-t yp e sou l sk ill.
H u o Yu h ao’s d om ain -t yp e sk ill cam e fr om t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s
t or so b on e. It w as on e of t h e sk ills sh e’d b est ow ed t o h im , w h ich w as k n ow n as
t h e ‘Dom ain of Per p et u al Ice’.
Based on H u o Yu h ao’s cu r r en t cu lt iva t ion , it w as st ill ext r em ely d ifficu lt for

h im t o p r op er ly u se t h e Dom ain of Per p et u al Ice. H e’d st ill on ly b een ab le t o u se
a fr act ion of t h e sk ill, d esp it e h avin g b or r ow ed W an g Don g’s p ow er t h at d ay. If
h e w an t ed t o fu lly u n leash t h e p ot en t ial of t h is sou l sk ill, h e’d h ave t o w ait u n t il
h e’d m an aged t o ob t ain seven sou l r in gs at t h e ver y least .
W h en t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion h ad b een k n ow n as t h e T yr an t of t h e

Ext r em e Nor t h , h er Dom ain of Per p et u al Ice cou ld fr eeze over a t h ou san d m iles
in an in st a n t . As su ch , it w as t h e on e of t h e h igh est r an k ed or igin sk ills. If H u o
Yu h ao w an t ed t o u se t h e sk ill at t h e sa m e level t h a t t h e Ice Em p r ess h a d , h e’d
h ave t o cu lt ivat e t o t h e st age t h at sh e h ad b een at .
H u o Yu h ao w as im m er sed in h is an xiet y t h e en t ir e d ay d u r in g h is classes.

Regar d less of h ow m u ch h e m u lled t h e m at t er over , h e cou ld n ’t t h in k of a w ay
t o r ise ab ove a b u n ch of cor e d iscip les. H ow ever , h e d id n ’t com p lain ab ou t
an yt h in g in h is st at e of d ep r ession . Besid es, h e’d r eceived p r efer en t ial t r eat m en t
fr om t h e acad em y d u r in g t h e T r easu r e Ap p r eciat ion Au ct ion ; h e cou ld n ’t say
an yt h in g, even if h e w as cu r r en t ly facin g p r essu r e!
In t h e en d , H u o Yu h ao cam e t o t h e con clu sion t h at h e’d ju st h ave t o st ak e it

all in t h e m at ch .
H ow ever , w h en h e w en t t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t in t h e even in g t o st u d y

w it h Fan Yu , h e fin a lly r eceived good n ew s. T h is t im e, t h e cor e d iscip les of t h e
M ar t ial an d Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t s w ou ld join t ly p ar t icip at e in t h e t est . In
ot h er w or d s, t h e t w o d ep ar t m en t s w ou ld n ’t b e sep ar at ed . In t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t , t h e n u m b er of cor e d iscip les u n d er t h e age of fift een w as scar ce.
T h e on ly on es t h at cou ld p ar t icip at e an d h ad som e h op e of b ein g select ed w er e
H e Cait ou a n d H u o Yu h ao. T h u s, Fan Yu h ad d ir ect ly r em oved all t h ose st u d en t s
t h at d id n ’t h a ve an y ch an ce of p assin g t h e p r elim in ar y r ou n d . W it h t h at , t h e
n u m b er of p ar t icip an t s h a d d r op p ed even m or e. An d sin ce h e w as a cor e d iscip le
of b ot h d ep ar t m en t s, H u o Yu h ao cou ld u se sou l t ools d u r in g t h e t est ! T h is w as a
gr eat b oost t o h is figh t in g cap ab ilit y.
Aft er con su lt in g w it h t h e p r ofessor s an d r eceivin g som e p oin t er s fr om Fan

Yu , H u o Yu h ao st ar t ed t o cr eat e a Class 2 sou l t ool t h a t w ou ld su it h im . H e h a d
on ly t h r ee d ays t o im p r ove h is equ ip m en t .
For t h e sak e of savin g t im e, as soon as h e fin ish ed h is class, h e d ecid ed t o

b r in g all t h e p ar t s b ack t o t h e d or m it or y. H e w as p lan n in g t o assem b le h is sou l
t ool w h ile act in g as a p r ot ect or for W an g Don g, w h o w ou ld absor b t h e sou l b on e
fr om t h e au ct ion in t h e m ean t im e.
As soon as h e op en ed t h e d or m it or y d oor , h e w as w elcom ed b y a b u r st of

w ar m an d com for t ab le gold en ligh t t h a t alm ost m ad e h im ju m p ou t of h is sk in .
H e qu ick ly closed t h e d oor b eh in d h im .
In t h e m id d le of t h eir d or m r oom , W an g Don g w as ear n est ly in sp ect in g t h e

Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e, w h ich w as h over in g in m id -air . H e seem ed
com p let ely en gr ossed b y it an d d id n ’t even sp ar e an y at t en t ion t o H u o Yu h ao’s
r et u r n .
H u o Yu h ao sat b esid e h im an d also car efu lly ob ser ved t h e b on e. W it h ou t t h e
b ar r ier of t h e st a ll, on e cou ld com p let ely exp er ien ce t h e aw esom en ess of t h is
b on e ju st b y b ein g n ear it .
It h ad n ’t b een p r iced at 9.5 m illion Gold Sou l Coin s for n ot h in g! It look ed lik e
an ar t ificial su n a s it h over ed in t h e m id d le of t h e r oom . It ’s w ar m t h filled ligh t
h ad sp r ead t o ever y cor n er of t h e r oom an d d isp er sed ever y sh ad ow fr om ever y
cor n er an d n ook . Ap ar t fr om it ’s w ar m t h , t h e gold en h alo a lso r ad iat ed a fain t
p r essu r e.
T h e m ost eye-cat ch in g p ar t s w er e t h e fin ger t ip s. T h ey w as a p u lsat in g st r an ge

r ed d ish -gold ligh t su r r ou n d in g t h em w h ich w as con t in u ou sly em it t in g a sh a r p
‘ch i ch i’ sou n d .
H u o Yu h ao ar r ived b eh in d W an g Don g an d p laced h is h an d s on h is vest . Aft er

t h at , h e slow ly p ou r ed h is sou l p ow er in t o W an g Don g, act ivat in g t h eir H aod on g
Pow er .
W an g Don g’s w h ole b od y sh ook as h e fin ally cam e b ack t o h is sen ses.
“I’m h er e. You can st ar t .” H u o Yu h ao w h isp er ed .
“Fin e.” W an g Don g d id n ’t w ast e t im e. H e r aised h is left ar m an d act iva t ed t h e

H aod on g Pow er .
H e h ad alr ead y exam in ed t h e Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e for m or e t h an t w o

h ou r s. T h e m or e h e look ed at it , t h e m or e in cr ed ib le it felt . T h e b on e also
seem ed t o h ave felt h is gaze. T h e en er gy w it h in it h ad st a r t ed t o r h yt h m ically
p u lse in syn c w it h W an g Don g’s b r eat h . T h is m ad e W an g Don g slow ly en t er a
st r an ge m ed it at ive st at e.
If h e h ad t o d escr ib e h is r ela t ion sh ip w it h t h is so u l b on e, t h e m ost ap t

d escr ip t ion w ou ld b e ‘lik e at t r act s lik e’.
W h en t h e sou l p ow er of h is left ar m ca m e in con t act t h e left ar m b on e, t h e

r ed d ish -gold ligh t r u sh ed t ow ar d h im an d st ar t ed t o t w in e ar ou n d h is a r m .
Im m ed iat ely, W an g Don g’s en t ir e b od y w as cover ed w it h t h e sh in in g r ed d ish -
gold ligh t . A r ich , d en se au r a of w ar m t h r ose an d su r ged a b ou t w h ile W an g
Don g exh aled d eep ly. Follow in g w h ich , h e closed h is eyes an d st ood t h er e
calm ly, en joyin g t h e fu sion .
At t h is p oin t in t h e fu sion p r ocess, t h e H aod on g Pow er w as ir r elevan t .

T h er efor e, H u o Yu h ao slow ly st op p ed p ou r in g h is sou l p ow er in t o h im . Aft er
st ep p in g ar ou n d in fr on t of W a n g Don g, h e look ed a t h is sat isfied face an d felt
t h at it w as som ew h a t u n fair .
T h ey h ad b ot h fu sed w it h a sou l b on e. Bu t w h y w as t h e d iffer en ce so b ig?
“Id iot . T h is is ca lled com p at ib ilit y. T h is sou l b on e h as a ver y h igh

com p at ib ilit y w it h h is b od y. T h er efor e, t h e fu sion w ill also b e ver y sim p le an d
q u ick . On t h e ot h er h an d , w h at w as you r cu lt iva t ion level w h en you m er ged
w it h m e? M or eover , I w as st ill alive w h en w e com b in ed . It ’s alr ead y a m ir acle
t h at you su cceed ed a t all.” T h e Ice Im p r ess said in a d issat isfied m an n er .
H u o Yu h ao w as st ar t led , “Ice Im p r ess! Sk yd r eam ! W h er e d id t h e t w o of you

go?! Did n ’t you h ear m e w h en I w as callin g you ear lier ? W h y d id t h e t w o of you
k eep ign or in g m e?”
Be it w h en h e an d W an g Don g w er e in d an ger or w h en h e w as in t h at
aw k w ar d sit u at ion w it h M a Xiaot ao, t h ese t w o in t elligen t sou l r in gs h ad act ed
as if t h ey d id n ’t exist .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said lazily, “If you r ely on u s for ever yt h in g, h ow ar e

you ever goin g t o b ecom e st r on g? W e can h elp you r aise you r st r en gt h b u t at t h e
en d of t h e d ay, t h e on e t h at h as t o m ak e t h e b r eak t h r ou gh s is you . M or eover ,
t h e m or e you r cu lt iv at ion r ises, t h e m or e you ’ll n eed t o r ely on you r self. If you
can r esolve t h e sit u at ion on you r ow n , w e’r e u n lik ely t o in t er ven e. An d you
h ave t o r em em b er t h at w e’r e on ly sou l r in gs, n ot you r b od ygu ar d s. Ou r st r en gt h
h as lon g sin ce m er ged in sid e you r b od y. If you en cou n t er a d a n ger ou s sit u at ion ,
w e’r e as p ow er less as you in d ealin g w it h it . In t h e w or st case, w e’ll d ie t oget h er
w it h you ! T h at ’s w h y you h ave t o r ely on you r ow n p ow er , an d n ot on u s.”
Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y left t h em ver y sat isfied , n on et h eless t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice Em p r ess k n ew t h at h e w ou ld h ave t o d o w ay
b et t er if h e w an t ed t o b ecom e st r on ger an d sh ock even t h em .
H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t r eally b lam ed t h em for t h eir act ion s. T h er efor e, h e

im m ed iat ely said in a som ew h at ash am ed m an n er , “I’m sor r y. I d id n ’t t h in k
t h at som eon e w ou ld am b u sh u s. I’ll b e m or e car efu l fr om n ow on .”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “W e h ave good n ew s for you . You d id n ’t su ffer

in vain yest er d ay. Alt h ou gh t h at gir l’s p h oen ix flam es w er en ’t ver y p u r e, t h eir
t em p er at u r e w as st ill q u it e good . In ad d it ion , t h e b en efit s you r b od y r eceived
fr om t h at T en T h ou san d Year W h ale Ru b b er w er e gr eat er t h an w h at w e h a d
im agin ed . T h er efor e, w e u n sea led som e m or e of ou r p ow er a n d m er ged it w it h
ou r sou l r in gs an d sou l b on es. You r so u l p ow er also in cr eased a b it t h an k s t o t h e
Ice Im p r ess givin g you a p ar t of h er p ow er . Accor d in g t o ou r calcu lat ion s, all of
you r sou l r in gs can n ow p u t ou t ar ou n d 4 20 0 year s of p ow er . T h e p ow er of you r
sk ills h as also sligh t ly in cr eased . H ow ever , you ’ll n eed t o t r ain even m or e n ow .
T h e st r on ger t h e sou l sk ill, t h e lar ger it s con su m p t ion of sou l p ow er . If you
d on ’t h ave en ou gh sou l p ow er , it w ill all b e for n au gh t .”
As exp ect ed , it w as ver y good n ew s. H u o Yu h ao w as ver y h ap p y. It w as also

t h e gr eat est b en efit t h at t h ese t w o sen t ien t sou l r in gs h a d b r ou gh t h im . M ayb e,
if h e k ep t cu lt ivat in g lik e t h is... on e d ay, h e w ou ld n ’t n eed t o u se h is im it at ion
sk ill t o h ave r ed sou l r in gs! No on e else cou ld r aise t h e st r en gt h of t h eir sou l
r in gs, b u t h e cou ld !
“Aw esom e, t h an k you ver y m u ch . I w on ’t slack off. H ow ever , I can ’t cu lt ivat e

t on igh t sin ce I n eed t o act as a p r ot ect or for W an g Don g.”
T h e fu sion b et w een W an g Don g an d t h e Gold Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e w en t m or e

sm oot h ly t h an h e h ad im agin ed . T h e en t ir e p r ocess fr om st ar t t o fin ish w as
com p let ed in less t h an six h ou r s. T h e p r ocess cam e t o a n en d as t h e last t h r ead
of r ed d ish -gold ligh t m er ged in t o h is left ar m .
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t sleep for t h e w h ole n igh t . W h ile act in g as a p r ot ect or for
W an g Don g, h e h ad also b een assem b lin g h is Class 2 sou l t oo l. Sin ce act in g a s a
p r ot ect or w as d ist r a ct in g, h e d id n ’t en gr ave t h e for m at ion ar r ays. H ow ever , h e
st ill m ad e a few accessor ies.
“H u u u u ” Aft er a lon g exh ale, W an g Don g slow ly op en ed h is eyes. T h e

r ed d ish -gold ligh t w asn ’t flick er in g t h r o u gh h is eyes an ym or e.
H u o Yu h ao felt t h at W an g Don g’s d isp osit ion h a d ch an ged a b it . Befor e, h e

h ad given off a gen t le an d r efin ed feelin g. Bu t n ow , h e seem ed som ew h a t
aggr essive. It w as r at h er sim ilar t o t h e feelin g M a Xiaot ao gave off.
“H ow is it ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed q u ick ly.
W an g Don g n od d ed an d r ep lied , “I’ve su cceed ed .”
“W h y d on ’t you t r y ou t you r sou l sk ill?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed cu r iou sly.
W an g Don g said , “Fir st , t ell m e ab ou t you r sou l sk ill. I’ll t r y m in e aft er w ar d .”
“You st ill r em em b er !” H u o Yu h ao said w it h a sm ile, “Fin e, I’ll t ell you . T h e

n am e of t h is sk ill is Dom ain of Per p et u al Ice. It can r ed u ce t h e t em p er at u r e
w it h in a cer t ain r an ge. T h at d ay, t h ose gu ys w er e fr ozen an d fell fr om t h e sk y as
a con seq u en ce of t h is sk ill. W h a t ab ou t you r s?”
W an g Don g glar ed at h im an d r esp on d ed , “It ’s b et t er if you look .” W it h t h a t ,

h e excit ed ly r aised h is left ar m . T h e w in gs of t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess t or e
t h e b ack of h is sh ir t an d slow ly sp r ead ou t . T h en , h is left ar m w as com p let ely
cover ed in a r ed d ish -gold r ad ian ce.
T h e r ed d ish -gold ligh t w as accom p an ied b y a d r agon ’s r oar as it p u sh ed

for w ar d s. Aft er w ar d s, a layer of r ed d ish -gold flam es st ar t ed t o cover h is w in gs.
It seem ed as if t h ose alr ead y b eau t ifu l w in gs n ow h ad an ad d it ion al ou t er
gar m en t , m ak in g t h em look even b igger . T h e en t ir e r oom w as filled w it h t h e
au r a of t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
“It ’s called ‘Gold en Ligh t ’, an d it ’s an au xiliar y-t yp e sk ill. It can b e u sed w it h
an y of m y sou l sk ills. I’m also u n aw ar e o f it s con cr et e ab ilit y. I’ll n eed t o t est it
ou t . Bu t it sh ou ld h a ve t h e ab ilit y t o in cr ease t h e d est r u ct ive p ow er of m y ligh t
elem en t .”
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes lit u p . “T h is sou l b on e sk ill can give you an over all p ow er
u p . I t h in k I’ve h ear d T each er W an g say t h at an ab ilit y lik e t h is w as ver y r ar e!”
W an g Don g, w h o w as r eleasin g t h e gold en ligh t , h ad an even m or e su r p r ised

look r igh t n ow . “T h e r est or at ion r at e of m y sou l p ow er seem s t o h ave in cr eased
as w ell. J u st lik e you can feel you r sou l p ow er slow ly r ed u cin g w h en you r elease
you r m ar t ial sou l, r igh t n ow , I can feel m y sou l p ow er slow ly in cr easin g.
Alt h ou gh it ’s n ot ver y clear , I can st ill feel it .”
H u o Yu h ao gr ab b ed W an g Don g’s h an d . T h eir sou l p ow er m ixed ,

t r an sfor m in g in t o H aod on g Pow er . Im m ed iat ely, H u o Yu h ao also felt a d en se
ligh t au r a en t er in g W an g Don g’s b od y, slow ly h elp in g h im r ecover h is sou l
p ow er . At t h is t im e, h is sou l p ow er w as ab u n d an t . T h er efor e, it w as d ifficu lt t o
feel t h e r ecover in g sou l p ow er clear ly.
H u o Yu h ao m an ip u lat ed h is sou l p ow er an d r eleased sever a l sk ills, su ch as

Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , Sp ir it u al Sh a r in g, Sp ir it u a l Sh ock , an d Sp ir it u al
In t er fer en ce, t o con su m e t h eir H aod on g Pow er .
Un d er t h ese cir cu m st an ces, t h e feelin g b ecam e clear er . T h at d en se ligh t au r a

st ar t ed t o q u ick ly p ou r in t o W an g Don g’s b od y. W h at m ad e t h em even m or e
su r p r ised w as t h at aft er on ce t h is ligh t en er gy h ad p ou r ed in t o h is b od y, n o
m at t er w h a t sk ill it w as, t h ey all h a d a n over all in cr ease in p ow er . T h e sou l
p ow er of H u o Yu h ao’s M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e w as fair ly calm an d d id n ’t
cau se an y t r ou b le eit h er . M or eover , aft er m ixin g h is p ow er w it h W a n g Don g’s
an d act ivat in g t h e H aod on g Pow er , W an g Don g w as also ab le t o d ir ect ly m ak e
u se of t h is p ow er . An d n ow , u n d er t h e effect of t h e Gold en Ligh t , t h ey cou ld
even r ecover t h eir H aod on g Pow er .
T h is su r p r ise w as sim p ly t oo p leasan t for t h em . Regar d less of h ow m u ch t h e

Gold en Ligh t am p lified W an g Don g’s offen sive cap ab ilit ies, t h e sim p le fact t h at
it cou ld sim u lt an eou sly r est or e t h eir sou l p ow er w as an en or m ou s gain for
t h em ! T h eir com b at st r en gt h in a p r olon ged b at t le w ou ld d r ast ically in cr ea se
n ow t h at t h ey h ad t h is. Coin cid en t ally, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad b r ou gh t u p
t h e issu e of h is sou l p ow er con su m p t ion in b at t le ear lier .
“T h is is gr eat n ew s!” H u o Yu h ao ch eer ed , t h en im m ed iat ely gave W an g Don g

a b ig h u g.
W an g Don g w as d u m b st r u ck w h en H u o Yu h ao h u gged h im . H is face

r ed d en ed , b u t h e d id n ’t r esist , n or d id h e h u g H u o Yu h ao b ack .
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t feel t h at it w as st r a n ge at all an d sm iled m isch ievo u sly.

“Qu ick , let ’s cu lt ivat e t oget h er t o see if t h is gold en ligh t h as an y effect on ou r
cu lt ivat ion .”
H ow ever , t h e fact s p r oved t h a t t h ey h a d n ’t b een p ossessed b y t h e God of

Lu ck . T h e gold en ligh t w as on ly cap able of h elp in g t h em r est or e t h eir sou l
p ow er ; it d id n ’t b en efit t h eir cu lt iva t ion w h at soever . Desp it e t h is, t h eir
excit em en t d id n ’t d im in ish in t h e sligh t est . T h e cor e d iscip les’ qu alificat ion
m at ch w ou ld b egin in t w o d ays, t h u s an y in cr ease t o W an g Don g’s st r en gt h
w ou ld b e in cr ed ib ly h elp fu l.
T h e follow in g t w o d ays w er e u n d ou b t ed ly b ot h t en se an d b u sy for H u o

Yu h ao. Besid es h is d aily cu lt ivat ion an d st u d ies, h e also h a d t o d ed ica t e all of h is
en er gy t o sou l t ool cr eat ion . For t h e sak e of h elp in g h im p r ogr ess fast er , Fan Yu
p er son ally h elp ed h im cr eat e a few sim p le yet t im e-con su m in g com p on en t s for a
few of h is sou l t ools. H ow ever , t h e for m at ion ar r ays of t h e sou l t ools w ou ld st ill
h ave t o b e p er son ally d on e b y H u o Yu h ao. Fan Yu w as ver y sp ecific on t h is
p oin t . Even t h ou gh h e favou r ed H u o Yu h ao, h e w as st ill a st r ict t each er .
Nob od y k n ew h ow t h e cor e d iscip les’ q u alificat ion m at ch w ou ld b e car r ied

ou t . Desp it e t h is, it w as in escap ab le for all of t h e cor e d iscip les. For t u n a t ely,
t h ey w ou ld n ’t r eceive a p u n ish m en t if t h ey lost t h is m a t ch .
“Din g—” T h e class b ell r an g, sign ifyin g t h at t h eir classes for t h e d ay h ad

en d ed . T h e st u d en t s fr om Class 1 im m ed iat ely b egan t o r elax w h en t h ey h ear d
t h e b ell.
In Sh r ek Acad em y, m an agin g t o r ise t o secon d year s fr om fr esh m en w as

equ ivalen t t o m an agin g t o p ass t h r ou gh a st r ict filt er ; ever y sin gle st u d en t left
w as of su fficien t st r en gt h . Fu r t h er m or e, n ow t h at t h ey’d fin ish ed t h eir st u d ies
as a fir st year st u d en t , t h ey t r u ly u n d er st ood ju st h ow h ar d t h ey’d h ave t o w or k
t o r em ain st u d en t s. Becau se of t h is, ever y sin gle st u d en t w as ser iou s ab ou t t h eir
st u d ies. If t h ey d id n ’t w or k h ar d , it w ou ld on ly sign ify t h eir exp u lsion .
Gr ad u at es fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w er e ext r em ely p op u lar on t h e con t in en t ,

h ow ever gr ad u a t in g fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w as easier said t h an d on e.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h is o n ly r efer r ed t o t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .
W an g Yan t id ied u p h is lesson p lan s, t h en said , “T h ose of you w h o ar e cor e

d iscip les st ay b eh in d . I n eed you all t o follow m e t o t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea for a
w h ile.”
I t ’ s com e! T h e spi r i t s of t h e cor e di sci pl es pr esen t w er e i n st an t l y ar oused.

T h ey al l k n ew t h at t h e qual i f i cat i on m at ch w as about t o st ar t . H ow ever , t h ey
h adn ’ t expect ed t h e t est t o be h el d af t er cl ass h ad en ded. Si n ce i t w as, t h ei r cl ass
t i m e h adn ’ t be w ast ed at al l .
T h e n um ber of cor e di sci pl es i n H uo Yuh ao’ s gen er at i on w as ext r em el y h i gh ;

i t w as sl i gh t l y h i gh er t h an t h e pr evi ous gen er at i on s. Cl ass 1 al on e h ad ei gh t ,
w h i l e Cl ass 2’ s Dai H uabi n , Xi e H uan yue, Zh u Lu, an d W u Fen g—as w el l as Cl ass
3’s Nin g Fen g—m ad e for a t ot al of t w elve cor e d iscip les. T h is w as an ext r em ely
r ar e sigh t in Sh r ek Acad em y’s ou t er cou r t yar d .
T h e com b in ed t ot al of t h ir d year an d fou r t h year cor e d iscip les w as ar ou n d

t h is n u m b er .
W h en t h ey left t h e classr oom , H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely saw Dai H u ab in , Xie

H u an yu e, Zh u Lu , an d W u Fen g leavin g t h eir class t oget h er as w ell. T h eir
t each er in ch ar ge, M u J in , lead t h em a s t h ey left .
Dai H u ab in n at u r a lly saw H u o Yu h ao as w ell, an d a cold ligh t flash ed t h r ou gh

h is eyes w h en h e d id . H e con cealed h is ow n em ot ion s ver y w ell h ow ever , as h e
sim p ly look ed aw ay fr om H u o Yu h ao as t h ey left . H e d id n ’t even sp ar e h im a
secon d glan ce. T h ou gh h is st at u s as a cor e d iscip le h ad n ’t ch an ged , h e’d st ill
r eceived a st r ict w a r n in g fr om t h e college. H e’d also ju st fou n d ou t t h at t h e
cor p ses of t h e six exp er t s w h o’d d ied in b at t le h a d b een sen t b ack t o t h e W h it e
T iger Du k e’s M an sio n . Fu r t h er m or e, t h is h ad a ll b een d on e in t h e p ast t w o d ays.
For t u n at ely, h is fat h er h ad n ’t r et u r n ed yet , t h u s h is m ot h er h ad b een ab le t o
k eep ever yt h in g u n d er con t r ol. If sh e h ad n ’t , h e’d h ave h a d t o su ffer h is fat h er ’s
w r at h .
Du e t o t h is, even t h ou gh t h e r an cor in h is h ear t h ad d eep en ed , h is on ly ch oice

w as t o h id e it in t h e d ep t h s of h is h ea r t a n d n ot r eveal an y of it . Sh r ek Acad em y
h ad alr ead y given t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s M an sion qu it e a b it of face, d esp it e
n ot p ossessin g an y con cr et e evid en ce. Con sid er in g t h e acad em y’s p ow er , d id t h e
fact t h at t h ey d id n ’t h ave an y con cr et e evid en ce r eally m a t t er ? At t h e ver y least ,
h avin g h im exp elled w ou ld n ’t t r ou b le t h e acad em y in t h e sligh t est .
Dai H u ab in w as sim ilar ly t er r ified on ce h e r ealized t h e con sequ en ces of h is

act ion s. H e cou ld n ’t affor d t o affect h is fu t u r e p r osp ect s ju st for t h e sak e of
som e p et t y r even ge.
Nin g T ian —w h o h ad n ’t b een seen in ages—glan ced at H u o Yu h ao t h e m om en t

sh e cam e ou t fr om Class 3 ju st lik e Dai H u ab in .
T h e t w elve cor e d iscip les of Year 2 left t h e t each in g b u ild in g a s t h ey follow ed
t h e t h r ee t each er s an d h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea.
H u o Yu h ao saw a few fam iliar faces w h en t h ey n ear ed t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea.
H is sen ior b r ot h er Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, an d J ian g Nan n a n ap p ear ed in h is lin e

of sigh t ; all of t h em w er e Year 5 cor e d iscip les. T h e m ost con sp icu ou s of t h em
w er e st ill t h e t w in st ar s, Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i. T h e cor e d iscip les of Year 5
n at u r ally w er en ’t lim it ed t o t h e t h r ee of t h em , b u t t h ey w er e t h e on ly on es w h o
h ad n ’t h ad t h eir fift een t h b ir t h d ay yet . T h ey w er e, w it h ou t a d ou b t , t h e
st r on gest am on gst t h e cor e d iscip les of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .
Sou l Eld er s w er e ver y com m on in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , b u t t h er e w er e ver y

few st u d en t s b elow Year 5 cap ab le of r each in g t h e fou r -r in ged r an k .
Ad van cin g fr om a Sou l Eld er t o a Sou l An cest or w as m u ch m o r e d ifficu lt t h an

ad van cin g fr om a Sou l Gr an d m ast er t o a Sou l Eld er . T h is p oin t alon e w as
en ou gh t o d em on st r at e Dai H u ab in ’s ext r aor d in ar y t alen t . H e h ad n ’t even
t u r n ed t h ir t een , yet h e’d alr ea d y r each ed Ran k 37. H e w a s ab solu t ely at t h e
for efr on t of Sh r ek Acad em y. T h is w as a lso on e of t h e m ain r eason s t h e acad em y
h ad n ’t b een w illin g t o give u p on h im so easily. H ow ever , h is p at h t o t h e in n er
cou r t yar d h a d t em p or ar ily b een sealed aw ay. It w ou ld d ep en d on w h et h er or
n ot h e cou ld exp lod e ou t w it h an even gr eat er am ou n t of st r en gt h , su ch t h a t it
m oved t h e acad em y’s u p p er ech elon , if h e w an t ed t o r eop en t h is p at h . Sh r ek
Acad em y w asn ’t ow n ed b y H u o Yu h ao, an d w h ile it w as t r u e t h at h is Ult im a t e
m ar t ial sou l h ad at t r act ed t h e acad em y’s at t en t ion , it w asn ’t as if t h e acad em y
w ou ld give u p on ot h er t alen t s b ecau se of h im . Of cou r se, Dai H u ab in st ill h ad t o
su ffer p u n ish m en t for d oin g som et h in g m aliciou s. As su ch , it h ad b ecom e m u ch
h ar d er for h im t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t ya r d .
In r ealit y, t h er e w er en ’t an y ot h er fou r -r in ged cor e d iscip les b esid es Bei Bei’s

gr ou p of t h r ee. T h e t h ir d an d fou r t h year cor e d iscip les b egan t o ar r ive in
su ccession , b u t H e Cait ou w as t h e on ly cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t t o ar r iv e. T h e fin al n u m b er of st u d en t s p ar t icip at in g in t h e m at ch
w as t w en t y-seven , b u t t h e secon d year st u d en t s occu p ied h a lf of t h ese sp ot s.
St u d en t s fr om d iffer en t classes st ood b eh in d t h eir t each er s in ch ar ge an d
w ait ed silen t ly. T h ou gh t h is t est h ad com e ab ou t som ew h at m yst er iou sly, an d
even t h ou gh t h er e w asn ’t an y p u n ish m en t if t h ey d id b ad ly in it , an yon e w h o
cou ld b ecom e a cor e d iscip le w as q u it e gift ed am on gst t h eir p eer s. Nat u r ally, t h e
m or e t alen t ed on e w as, t h e m or e con fid en t on e w ou ld b e. Non e of t h em w er e
w illin g t o give u p easily.
Dai H u ab in st ood t h er e, eager t o give it a go. H e’d r each ed Ran k 37, t h u s h e

w asn ’t r eally afr aid of t h e cor e d iscip les fr om t h e h igh er year gr ou p s. Fr om h is
p oin t of view , t h is w as an op p or t u n it y h e cou ld u se t o p r ove h im self. Even
t h ou gh t h e t each er s h ad n ’t exp lain ed t h e b en efit s t h ey’d r eceive if t h ey en t er ed
in t o t h e t op 7, t h e acad em y d efin it ely h ad it s ow n m ot ives.
At t h at m om en t , a sw ayin g figu r e slow ly w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e Sou l Du ellin g

Ar ea. H is sw ayin g a p p ear an ce gave t h e im p r ession t h at h e cou ld fall d ow n a t
an y t im e.
H u o Yu h ao r evealed a t r ace of ast on ish m en t on h is face w h en h e saw h im .

W asn ’t t h at Eld er Xu an ? Even t h ou gh a lar ge p or t ion of h is face w as cover ed b y
h is m essy h air , t h e sign at u r e calab ash of alcoh ol in h is left h a n d an d t h e ch ick en
leg in h is r igh t im m ed iat ely r evealed w h o h e w as. Besid es Eld er Xu an , H u o
Yu h ao h ad n ever seen a p er son w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y act lik e t h is.
Eld er Xu an u n st ead ily w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e gr ou p of st u d en t s, t h en r aised h is

h ead w it h a n in t oxicat ed look in h is eyes. “Lit t le W an g.”
“Eld er Xu an .” W an g Yan h u r r ied ly st ep p ed for w ar d an d b ow ed r esp ect fu lly.
“Is ever yon e p r esen t ?” Eld er Xu an ask ed .
W an g Yan r ep lied , “Ever yon e’s ar r ived . T h er e ar e a t ot al of t w en t y six cor e

d iscip les fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t b et w een Year 2 an d Year 5, w h ile
on ly a sin gle p er son h as com e fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .”
“Oh . Let ’s h ead in t h en .” W it h t h at , Eld er Xu an t u r n ed ar ou n d an d w ob b led
h is w ay in t o t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a.
M ost of t h e cor e d iscip les h ad n ever seen Eld er Xu an b efor e. Becau se of t h is, a
lar ge n u m b er of t h em h ad d ou b t s in t h eir h ear t . Dai H u ab in cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
w h isp er t o Xie H u an yu e, w h o w as b esid e h im , “W h o’s t h is d r u n k ar d ?”
Xie H u an yu e sh ook h is h ead , b u t d id n ’t r ep ly.
T h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a look ed lik e it u su ally d id , excep t for t h e fact t h at

t h er e w er e n o ot h er t each er s or st u d en t s p r esen t .
Eld er Xu an w alk ed all t h e w ay t o t h e m id d le of t h e Ar ea b efor e h e st op p ed .

T h e cor e d iscip les also st op p ed , alon g w it h t h eir t each er s.
Eld er Xu an sp ok e in a m u ffled voice, “List en u p you b r at s. T h e t est you ’r e

ab ou t t o t ak e is ext r em ely sim p le. I call it t h e Collect ive Ch aot ic Bat t le. It w ill b e
h eld in t h is Sou l Du ellin g Ar ea, an d you ’r e fr ee t o at t ack w h en ever an d h ow ever
you w ish . T h er e ar e n o r u les in t h is com p et it ion . If you su r r en d er or ar e r escu ed
b y a t each er , you ’ll b e elim in a t ed . T h e last seven p eop le w ill b e t h e vict or s of
t h is b at t le. Alr igh t , I’m d on e exp lain in g. T each er s, get r ead y. On ce t h is old m an
gives t h e sign al, you can st ar t figh t in g.”
“Even t h is sor t of t h in g is p ossib le?” T h e st u d en t s p r esen t cou ld n ’t h elp b u t

look at each ot h er in sh ock w h en t h ey t h ey h ear d Eld er Xu a n ’s w or d s. T h ey’d
n ever seen a t est lik e t h is b efor e. T h er e w er e t w en t y-seven p eop le h er e!
Fu r t h er m or e, ever yon e h er e h ad d iffer en t cu lt iva t ion s an d sp ecialt ies! H ow
w ou ld t h ey b e ab le t o t est an yt h in g on a ch aot ic b at t le lik e t h is?
T h e t each er s n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t d isob ey Eld er Xu an ’s or d er , t h u s t h ey left t h e

Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a on e b y on e.
Eld er Xu an d id n ’t w ait for t h e st u d en t s w it h in t h e Ar ea t o r eact as h e

su d d en ly r aised t h e b ot t le gou r d in h is h an d an d sh ou t ed , “Begin !”
W it h a ‘w h oosh ’, Eld er Xu an ’s figu r e va n ish ed , w h ich left on ly t h e t w en t y-
seven cor e d iscip les of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d in t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a
T h e su d d en ch an ge in even t s t r u ly h a p p en ed t oo fast , t h u s t h e st u d en t s
p r esen t m om en t ar ily p au sed w h en t h ey h ear d Eld er Xu a n ’s sh ou t . Im m ed iat ely
aft er w ar d s, all of t h em m ad e a d iffer en t d ecision .
H u o Yu h ao’s r eact ion w as ext r em ely q u ick : H e im m ed iat ely st r et ch ed h is

h an d s ou t an d gr ab b ed b ot h W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao’s h an d s. Aft er w ar d s, a
ligh t er u p t ed fr om h is b ack , an d h e sh ot t ow ar d s Bei Bei w it h t h e t w o of t h em in
t ow .
Chapt er 62.1: The Chaot ic Pr eliminar ies
H ow exact ly cou ld a ch aot ic b at t le in volvin g sever al t en s of p eop le b e

con d u ct ed ? Con sid er in g t h a t t h e p ar t icip an t s r an ged secon d - t o fift h -year
st u d en t s, t h er e w as in evit ab ly a lar ge gap in t h eir cu lt iva t io n s. T h is d iffer en ce
w asn ’t som et h in g t h at cou ld ju st b e m ad e u p w it h n u m b er s.
Even if five or six p eop le w er e t o sim u lt an eou sly at t ack Bei Bei, Xu San sh i,
an d t h e r est , t h ey st ill w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o t ak e t h em d ow n ! As su ch , alm ost
ever yon e b egan t o for m allian ces on ce t h e b at t le h ad st ar t ed .
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t for m a t eam w it h t h e ot h er Class 1 st u d en t s. Fir st off, t h ey

cou ld n ’t b e con sid er ed t o b e w ell coor d in at ed . Secon d , all of t h em w er e on ly
secon d year st u d en t s. In a ch aot ic b at t le su ch as t h is, t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave an y
ch an ce at w in n in g even if t h ey all t eam ed u p .
H u o Yu h ao’s fir st ch oice w as t o fin d h is sen ior b r ot h er , as it w as coolin g t o

r est u n d er a la r ge t r ee.
Bei Bei n at u r ally u n d er st ood H u o Yu h ao ’s in t en t ion , as h e gr ow led , “San sh i,

Nan n an , let ’s w or k t oget h er .” All t h r ee of t h em w er e fift h year st u d en t s w it h
fou r sou l r in gs; it w ou ld b e ext r em ely easy for t h em t o b e at t ack ed fr om all
sid es. Fu r t h er m or e, t h eir r elat ion sh ip w as ext r em ely su b t le. A lar ge n u m b er of
p eop le t h ou gh t t h at Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i w er e r iva ls, yet in r ealit y t h ey w er e
ext r em ely good fr ien d s. At t h e sam e t im e, even t h ou gh J ian g Nan n an d id n ’t
h ave a d eep con n ect ion w it h t h em , sh e n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t m ak e a b ad d ecision
con sid er in g t h eir sit u at ion . M or eover , sh e w as good fr ien d s w it h T an g Ya.
Ot h er t h an H u o Yu h ao’s gr ou p , w h o’d d ecid ed t o m ak e d o b y t h em selves, t h e

ot h er st u d en t s h ad all look ed for com p an ion s t h a t w er e n ear t h em . Dai H u ab in ,
Xie H u an yu e, an d Zh u Lu n at u r ally d ecid ed t o for m a t eam t oget h er .
Aft er w ar d s, t h ey d r agged t h eir classm at e W u Fen g an d t h e n ear b y Nin g T ian
in t o t h eir t eam in or d er t o for m a sm all, five-m an t eam .
T h e ot h er t h ir d an d fou r t h year st u d en t s for m ed t h eir ow n t eam s, w h ile t h e

Lan sist er s n at u r ally for m ed a t eam w it h H u an g Ch u t ian . On t h e ot h er h an d ,
Zh ou Sich en an d Ca o J in xu an d ecid ed t o follow H u o Yu h ao’s t r io, an d r u sh ed
t ow ar d s Bei Bei. T h e t w o of t h em w er e ext r em ely clever ; w h en t h ey’d w it n essed
H u o Yu h ao r evea l h is ast on ish in g am ou n t of t alen t , t h ey’d n a t u r ally u n d er st ood
t h at , at t h e ver y least , n o h ar m w ou ld com e fr om follow in g h im . Un for t u n a t ely,
t h ey w er en ’t h im , n or d id t h ey p ossess som et h in g lik e h is sou l t h r u st er . T h e t w o
of t h em w er e im m ed iat ely left b eh in d a s soon as h e acceler at ed w it h t h e u se of
h is sou l t h r u st er .
Of ever yon e p r esen t , t h e on ly p er son w h o h ad n ’t fou n d a t eam w as t h e t all

an d st u r d y H e Cait o u , w h o w as also t h e on ly cor e d iscip le fr om t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t p ar t icip at in g in t h e even t .
W h ile t h e ot h er s scr am b led t o for m t eam s, h e st ood t h er e lik e a st eel

m ach in e. A lar ge n u m b er of t u b e-sh ap ed p ieces of m et al b egan t o ap p ear all over
h is b od y, w h ich cau sed h im t o r esem b le an en or m ou s st eel h ed geh og. Desp it e
t h e m an y t u b es t h at h ad ap p ear ed , t h e m ost t er r ifyin g t h in gs on h is b od y w er e
st ill t h e t w o en or m ou s, t h igh -sized can n on s on h is sh ou ld er s. Even if som e of
t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t d id n ’t k n ow t h at t h ey w er e
st at ion ar y sou l t ools, t h ey w er e st ill ab le t o sen se a t er r ifyin g sen sat ion of cr isis
fr om t h em .
H e Cait ou h ad follow ed Fan Yu for a lon g p er iod of t im e, as Fan Yu w as t h e

w h o’d b r ou gh t h im t o Sh r ek Acad em y. T h e in st an t t h a t t h e lar ge n u m b er of
sou l t ools ap p ear ed all over h is b od y, t w o yellow an d t w o p u r p le sou l r in gs r ose
u p fr om b en eat h h im an d sim u lt an eou sly lit u p . Im p r essively, h e’d m an aged t o
b ecom e a Sou l An cest or -r an k ed exp er t .
Aft er all of t h e m et allic t u b es h ad em er ged fr om h is bod y, H e Cait ou

m er cilessly lau n ch ed a volley of at t ack s t ow ar d s t h e ar ea t h at h eld t h e lar gest
n u m b er of p eop le...
Over t w en t y b eam s of ligh t su d d en ly em er ged fr om h is b od y t ow ar d s h is
t ar get , an d t h e r ip p les of sou l p ow er t h at in st an t an eou sly exp lod ed ou t w ar d s
st u n n ed ever yon e p r esen t .
Zh ou Sich en an d Cao J ian xu an w er e t h e m ost u n lu ck y of t h ose h e’d t ar get ed ,

as t h ey h ad t o b ear t h e b r u n t of t h e t er r ifyin g volley of ligh t . T h e b ar r age of
at t ack s h e sen t t ow a r d s t h em cam e t oo su d d en ly, an d m oved t oo fast for t h em t o
d od ge. Fu r t h er m or e, as an at t ack la u n ch ed fr om a sou l t ool, it h a d n ’t h ad an y
st ar t in g sign s. T h is w as also t h eir fir st t im e facin g on e, t h u s t h ey w er e
som ew h at st u n n ed for a b r ief p er iod of t im e.
T h e m om en t t h ey w er e ab ou t t o b e h it , t h e t w o of t h em felt t h eir b od ies

su d d en ly ligh t en . Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, t h ey felt t h em selv es soar in t o t h e sk y
an d van ish fr om t h e b at t lefield .
“T h e t w o of you ar e elim in at ed .” T h e sm ell of alcoh ol assau lt ed t h eir n oses as

Zh ou Sich en an d Ca o J ian xu an ’s fou n d t h at , t o t h eir ast on ish m en t , t h ey w er e
n ow h over in g in t h e air b esid e Eld er Xu a n , an d a fain t h a lo of ligh t h ad cover ed
t h eir b od ies.
A lou d exp losion t h en r an g ou t fr om t h e gr ou n d b en eat h t h em .
T h e m igh t of t w en t y sou l t ools w as sim p ly ast on ish in g. Am id st t h e violen t

exp losion s, ever yon e ot h er t h an Zh ou Sich en an d Cao J ian xu an —w h o’d b een
d ir ect ly elim in a t ed —h ast ily d od ged t o t h e sid e.
H e Cait ou h ad n ’t lau n ch ed h is at t ack for n ot h in g. In fact , h e’d d on e it for t h e

sak e of h is lit t le ju n ior b r ot h er . If h e h ad n ’t , w h y w ou ld h is a t t ack h ave
p er fect ly collid ed w it h Zh ou Sich en an d Cao J in xu an ? H u o Yu h ao m ad e u se of
H e Cait ou ’s cover in g fir e t o sm oot h ly r each Bei Bei’s gr ou p of t h r ee w it h W an g
Don g an d Xiao Xiao.
“Sen ior b r ot h er H e, t h is w ay.” H u o Yu h ao w aved t ow ar d s H e Cait ou on ce

h e’d r each ed Bei Bei, t h en im m ed iat ely b egan t o r elease h is p ow er fu l au xiliar y
ab ilit ies.
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes lit u p w it h a fain t gold en color as h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion
Sh ar in g in st an t ly en velop ed W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, J ian g
Nan n an , an d H e Cait ou .
Of t h e six of t h em , Xu San sh i an d J ia n g Nan n an w er e t h e on ly on es w h o

h ad n ’t exp er ien ced H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion b efor e. As su ch , t h e t w o of
t h em w er e im m ed iat ely ast on ish ed w h en t h ey w er e en velop ed b y it .
It h a d t o b e k n ow n t h at h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w ou ld gr ow even st r on ger as

h is cu lt ivat ion in cr eased . Even t h ou gh it cou ld n ’t yet en velop t h e en t ir e
b at t lefield , it cou ld st ill cover a lar ge p o r t ion of it . A t h r ee-d im en sion a l im age
ap p ear ed in all of t h eir m in d s, aft er w h ich ever y sin gle act ion t h eir su r r ou n d in g
op p on en t s w er e t ak in g or w er e ab ou t t o t ak e w as t r an sm it t ed in t o t h eir m in d s
via t h e an alysis of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . T h is w on d er fu l sen sat ion of
t ot al con t r ol w as som et h in g t h at n o sou l m ast er w ou ld r efu se.
Bei Bei gave H u o Yu h ao a b ig t h u m b s u p , t h en t ook a lar ge st ep for w ar d . H e

st am p ed t h e gr ou n d w it h h is r igh t foot , w h ich cau sed a lou d ‘b oom ’ t o r in g ou t .
T h e son or ou s cr y of a d r agon r an g ou t fr om h is b od y as h e act ivat ed t h e m igh t y
Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon .
Xu San sh i also t ook a st ep for w ar d , an d a d en se flow of black air sw ir led

ar ou n d h is b od y as h e r aised h is en or m ou s Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le.
H ow ever , w h en h e d id so, h is exp r ession su d d en ly b ecam e st r an ge.
“Bei Bei, d id you u se t h is w h en you w on t h at M yst er iou s W at er Pill fr om m e?

I w as w on d er in g h o w you ’d b ecom e t h at fier ce. You w er e ch eat in g.”
Bei Bei sh ot a gla n ce t ow ar d s t h e in d ign an t Xu San sh i, t h en r ep lied

in d iffer en t ly, “Eit h er w ay, m y ju n ior b r ot h er h as alr ea d y ea t en it . W h at ’r e you
gon n a d o ab ou t it ?”
“I’ll set t le t h in gs w it h you on ce w e’ve fin ish ed t h is u p ,” Xu San sh i r et or t ed

an gr ily.
Next t o Bei Bei, w h o w as st an d in g in fr o n t alon gsid e Xu San sh i, st ood J ian g
Nan n an . On t h e ot h er h an d , H e Cait ou st ood b eh in d Bei Bei, w h ile Xiao Xiao
an d W an g Don g st ood n ext t o each ot h er b eh in d h im . T h e last in lin e w as H u o
Yu h ao.
“W e on ly h ave seven p eop le, ju st t h e r igh t am ou n t .” H u o Yu h ao’s qu iet voice

r an g t h r ou gh t h e ear s of ever yon e n ear h im . T h e m ean in g b eh in d h is w or d s w as
clear ; on ly seven p eo p le cou ld p ass, an d t h ey h ad seven p eop le in t h eir t eam . As
su ch , t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave t o d ist r act t h em selves w it h an y in figh t in g.
“M ak e you r m ove!” Bei Bei let ou t a low sh ou t , t h en t ook lar ge st r id es

for w ar d s. H e h a d a p len t ifu l am ou n t of b at t le exp er ien ce, an d it w ou ld b e
im p ossib le for t h e fou r Sou l An cest or s on t h eir t eam t o n ot at t r act an y
in t en t ion . As soon as t h e ot h er s n ot iced t h at t h ey’d t eam ed u p , t h ey’ld
u n d ou b t ed ly gat h er all of t h eir st r en gt h in or d er t o at t ack t h em . Righ t n ow w as
t h e b est t im e for t h em t o st r ik e in or d er t o gain t h e u p p er h an d .
H ow ever , ever y sin gle p ar t icip an t w as a cor e d iscip le. As su ch , n on e of t h em

w er e d u m b . T h e in st an t t h at Bei Bei t ook a st ep for w ar d , a fou r t h year cor e
d iscip le let ou t a lou d sh ou t , “Ever yon e, let ’s com b in e ou r st r en gt h s t o d eal w it h
t h at t eam of fou r -r in ged sen ior s!”
T h e w or d s ‘fou r -r in ged sen ior s’ w er e ext r em ely effect ive t ow ar d s get t in g t h e

ot h er eigh t een st u d en t ’s at t en t ion . W h en t h ey h ear d t h at p er son ’s r em in d er , all
of t h em im m ed iat ely cam e t o t h eir sen ses an d r ap id ly closed in on Bei Bei’s
t eam .
Seven ver su s eigh t een ? Ever yon e p r esen t w as a cor e d iscip le! Even t h ou gh Bei
Bei’s t eam h ad fou r Sou l An cest or s, H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao w er e
st ill sligh t ly w eak er t h an t h em . T h ey sim p ly d id n ’t h a ve an y ch an ce of w in n in g.
Bei Bei im m ed iat ely m ad e a q u ick d ecision , st op p ed h is ch ar ge, an d sh ot t o

t h e r igh t . W h en h e d id so, H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t r an sm it t ed Bei Bei’s
in t en t ion t o all of t h e m em b er s in t h eir t eam .
T h er e w er e a t ot al of six st u d en t s fr om t w o t eam s t o t h e r igh t , all of w h om
w er e t h ir d year st u d en t s. At t h a t m om en t , t h ey sim u lt an eou sly r eleased t h eir
m ar t ial sou ls. All of t h em w er e t h r ee-r in ged exp er t s, a n d a ll of t h em h ad an
op t im u m com b in at ion of t w o yellow sou l r in gs an d on e p u r p le sou l r in g.
T h eir r eact ion s w er e ext r em ely qu ick , a s each of t h em at t em p t ed t o r elea se

t h eir r esp ect ive sou l sk ills con cu r r en t ly. H ow ever , t h ey su d d en ly felt t h eir
m in d s go b lu r r y for a secon d , w h ich cau sed t h eir m ovem en t s t o slow b y h alf a
b eat .
T h ey cou ld n ’t t ell w h o’d m ad e a m ove, b u t H u o Yu h ao’s com p an ion s—w h o

w er e u n d er t h e effect of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh a r in g—cou ld sen se t h a t h e’d
r eleased a sou l sk ill.
Bei Bei t ook t h e lead an d ch ar ged m igh t ily in t o t h e six sou l m ast er ’s
for m at ion , b u t h e w as im m ed iat ely m et b y t w o assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s.
T h e lon g h air of t h e p er son on t h e left t u r n ed or an ge, an d h is b od y d ou b led in

size. H is m ar t ial sou l t u r n ed ou t t o b e t h e Kin g of t h e Beast s: T h e Lion .
Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, a p air of en or m ou s p alm s m et Bei Bei’s ch ar ge. T h e
m ar t ial sou l of t h e p er son on t h e r igh t w as a lan ce, w h ich t u r n ed in t o a r ay of
ligh t a s it sh ot t ow ar d s Bei Bei’s ch est lik e a vip er . Evid en t ly t h is w asn ’t t h eir
fir st t im e w or k in g t oget h er . W it h on e p er son st an d in g in t h e fr on t an d t h e ot h er
p er son at t ack in g fr o m b eh in d , t h ey w er e ext r em ely w ell coor d in at ed . T h e lan ce-
w ield in g sou l m ast er w h o w as in t h e b ack m ad e h is m ove last , b u t h is at t ack
ar r ived fir st ; h is sh a r p lan ce sh ot st r aigh t t ow ar d s Bei Bei’s b od y.
Bei Bei w asn ’t afr aid in t h e sligh t est as h e faced t h eir a t t ack s. H e let ou t a
sh ou t , an d cou n t less elect r ic ser p en t s su r ged fr om h is b od y. T h ey d id n ’t ju st
en velop t h e t w o sou l m ast er s in fr on t of h im , t h ey also en velop ed t h e ot h er fou r
sou l m ast er s b eh in d t h em .
At t h e sam e t im e, t h e p oign an t sou n d of a flu t e r an g ou t , w h ich cau sed t h e

sp eed of ever yon e t h at w asn ’t on H u o Yu h ao’s t eam t o d ecr ea se. Xiao Xiao h ad
ch osen t o r elease h er Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e at t h e m ost ap p r op r iat e
t im e.
Bei Bei gr ab b ed t h e sh ar p lan ce t h at w as ap p r oach in g h im w it h h is left d r agon

claw , w h ich cr eat ed an in t en se flu r r y of sp ar k s. H e t h en sw ep t ou t w it h h is r igh t
claw an d sen t t h e t h r ee-r in ged assau lt -t yp e m ast er w it h t h e Lion m ar t ial sou l
flyin g.
J ian g Nan n an ju m p ed in t o t h e air sou n d lessly as t h is h ap p en ed . Sh e w as

sim p ly t oo qu ick , su ch t h at even h er figu r e cou ld n ’t b e seen . Sh e ch ose t o m ak e
h er m ove, aid ed b y H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , at t h e p er fect t im e. T h e
in st an t t h at t h e sou l m ast er w h o p ossessed t h e Lion m ar t ial sou l flew in t o t h e
air , h is n eck w as cla m p ed b et w een h er legs. Sh e t h en t w ist ed h er w aist an d sen t
h im flyin g aw ay fr om t h eir t eam .
T h e m ost im p or t an t com b at an t am on g t h e six sou l m ast er s w as n at u r a lly t h e

on e w it h t h e Lion m ar t ial sou l. H e w as in ch ar ge of t ak in g on Bei Bei’s at t ack s in
or d er t o w in som e t im e for h is t eam m at es t o su r r ou n d t h em . H ow ever , h e d id n ’t
t h in k t h a t a gr ou p of Sou l An cest or s w ou ld b e t h is st r on g. H e’d b een sen t flyin g
aft er t r yin g t o u se ju st a sin gle sou l sk ill. M or eover , J ian g Nan n an h ad sh ow n
m er cy. Ot h er w ise, sh e cou ld ’ve easily sn ap p ed h is n eck d u e t o t h e d iffer en ce in
t h eir p ow er . Desp it e t h at , h e flew in t o t h e air an d join ed t h e r an k s of p eop le
st an d in g n ext t o Eld er Xu an aft er b ein g t h r ow n b y J ian g Nan n an .
Xu San sh i ch ose t h is m om en t t o m ak e h is m ove. H e en t er ed t h e fr ay fr om Bei

Bei’s ot h er sid e, an d h is en or m ou s Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le su d d en ly gr ew
in size an d sim u lt an eou sly b lock ed t h e sk ills of t w o agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er s an d
a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er . T h is w as d on e in or d er t o let Bei Bei focu s all h is
p ow er on at t ack in g.
At t h e sam e t im e, t h e ou t com e of t h e b at t le b et w een t h e lan ce-w ield in g Sou l

Eld er an d Bei Bei w a s r evealed . In fr on t of Bei Bei’s T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw ,
h is op p on en t cou ld on ly last for t h r ee secon d s b efor e b ein g for ced t o join h is
t eam m at e b y Eld er Xu an ’s sid e.
T h e sou l m ast er s in t h e r ea r n a t u r ally w ou ld n ’t ju st sit an d w at ch w h ile Bei

Bei an d t h e r est con t in u ed t h eir on slau gh t . An d ou t of t h em , t h e fier cest t eam
w as Dai H u ab in ’s t em p or ar y t eam .
T h e effect iven ess of Nin g T ian ’s Seven T r easu r es Glazed Pagod a r evealed
it self again . W it h h er su p p or t , t h e st r en gt h s of Dai H u ab in , Xie H u an yu e, W u
Fen g, an d Zh u Lu w er e all r aised b y a sin gle t ier . T h e fou r of t h em ch ar ged
sim u lt an eou sly, sh oot in g t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao lik e
an ar r ow , w it h Dai H u ab in an d Xie H u a n yu e sp ear h ead in g t h e at t ack w h ile W u
Fen g an d Zh u Lu flan k ed t h em .
H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est w er e all at t h e b ack , w h ile Bei Bei an d J ian g Nan n an
w er e cu r r en t ly figh t in g. As a r esu lt , a h ole h ad n at u r ally for m ed in t h e r ear of
t h eir for m at ion .
H u o Yu h ao p au sed , t h en r evea led a b r illian t sm ile t ow ar d s Dai H u ab in an d

t h e ot h er p eop le w h o w er e ch ar gin g t ow ar d s h im . Righ t t h en , sever al d ozen
r ays of in t en se w h it e ligh t sh ot ou t t o in t er cep t t h em .
W it h t h e accu r at e a im of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , ever y Sou l Ray

p er fect ly in t er cep t ed t h e m ovem en t s of Dai H u ab in an d t h e r est of h is t eam .
Am on g t h e r an k s of t h ese cor e d iscip les, t h e p er son w h o w as t h e st r on gest in

t er m s of com b at st r en gt h an d offen sive p ow er w asn ’t Bei Bei, n or w as it Xu
San sh i. Rat h er , it w as t h e p er son w h o’d ju st st ep p ed t h r ou gh t h e t h r esh old of a
Class 4 sou l en gin eer , H e Cait ou .
Un d er t h e Sou l Em p er or r an k , sou l en gin eer s w ou ld h a ve an ad van t age over

sou l m ast er s of t h e sam e r an k . M or eover , H e Cait ou w as Fan Yu ’s fir st
in h er it in g d iscip le a n d w as h en ce on e t h e b est am on g h is p eer s in t er m s of h is
at t ain m en t s in t h e field of sou l t ool cr ea t ion . T h is cou ld easily b e seen fr om t h e
m igh t of h is sou l t ools. H is sou l t ools w er e at least 20 % st r on ger t h an t h ose
m ad e b y sou l en gin eer s of t h e sam e r an k in b ot h offen sive an d d efen siv e
cap ab ilit ies.
Even Xu San sh i w asn ’t con fid en t t h a t h e cou ld su r v ive H e Cait ou ’s all-ou t

b ar r age of at t ack s h ead -on . W h en facin g a sou l en gin eer , a sim ilar ly r an k ed sou l
m ast er cou ld on ly d o on e t h in g, t h at w as, t o d o t h eir b est t o con su m e t h eir
op p on en t ’s sou l p ow er in or d er t o h ave a ch an ce of w in n in g.
T h e in st an t Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, an d J ian g Nan n an r eleased t h eir at t ack s, H e

Cait ou w as alr ead y aw ar e of t h em d u e t o H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion an d
h ad ch an ged h is st r at egy accor d in gly. Becau se of t h is, t h ey w er en ’t w or r ied
ab ou t t h e r ear of t h eir for m at ion at all. At t h e ver y least , for t h e t im e b ein g,
t h er e w as n o ch an ce of an ybod y b r eak in g t h r ou gh t h e b ar r age of H e Cait ou ’s
fir ep ow er .
Nat u r a lly, h e w asn ’t om n ip ot en t . W it h h is cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion , h e d id n ’t d ar e
t o r ash ly r elea se lon g-r an ge at t ack s. Ot h er w ise, t h e d r ain on h is sou l p ow er
w ou ld b e t oo lar ge. A sou l en gin eer w h o h ad n o sou l p ow er w as equ ivalen t t o a
t iger w it h n o fan gs.
A st at ion ar y sou l t ool w as n at u r ally an excep t ion t o t h is bu t if H e Cait ou

act u ally d ar ed t o u se on e of t h em in a t est , Fan Yu w ou ld d efin it ely n ot for give
h im .
“For m a lin e an d ch ar ge!” A fou r t h -year st u d en t m ad e a qu ick d ecision an d

sh ou t ed as h e t ook t h e lead . H e w as also a d efen se-t yp e Sou l Eld er , an d h e
p u sh ed h is ar m s for w ar d , cau sin g t h em t o im m ed iat ely exp an d an d b ecom e
u n u su ally t h ick . A p u r p le t h ou san d year sou l r in g ar ou n d h is b od y flick er ed ,
an d t h ick scales b egan t o for m on h is ar m s. H e st r od e for w ar d an d b lock ed H e
Cait ou ’s b ar r age of at t ack s.
T h ou gh t h is w as t h eir fir st t im e w or k in g t oget h er , t h ey w er e elit es of Sh r ek

Acad em y’s ou t er cou r t yar d . Even a sin gle w ar n in g w ou ld b e su fficien t t o m ak e
t h em ch an ge t h eir p lan s. T h e p an ick ed gr ou p of p eop le w h o h id b eh in d t h e
d efen se-t yp e Sou l Eld er for m ed an or d er ly lin e an d ch ar ged for w ar d .
T h is d efen se-t yp e Sou l Eld er n a t u r a lly w asn ’t com p ar ab le t o H e Cait ou , b u t

h e w as ab le t o t em p or ar ily b lock t h e lat t er ’s at t ack s b y r elyin g on h is d efen sive
sk ills. All h e n eed ed t o d o w as h elp t h e p eop le b eh in d h im ap p r oach H u o
Yu h ao’s gr ou p .
H e Cait ou r eact ed in a com p osed m an n er , an d p r oceed ed t o st op h is at t ack s in

a com p osed m an n er . As h e d id so, an en or m ou s cau ld r on b lock ed t h e p at h of t h e
d efen se-t yp e Sou l Eld er .
On e of t h e ad van t ages of ad van cin g in sin gle file w as t h e fact t h at t h e r an ge of

at t ack s a t eam h ad t o w it h st an d w ou ld b e gr eat ly d im in ish ed . Even if H e Cait ou
lau n ch ed an ar ced at t ack , t h e d est r u ct ive p ow er of t h at at t ack w ou ld b e gr eat ly
d ecr eased . H ow ever , ad van cin g in sin gle file h a d it s d isad va n t ages as w ell. For
exam p le, t h e sit u a t ion t h ey w er e in r igh t n ow . T h e m om en t t h e p er son at t h e
fr on t of t h e lin e w as b lock ed , ever yon e beh in d h im w ou ld h ave t o st op as w ell.
M or eover , a ch aot ic sit u at ion in volvin g collision s of t h e p eop le b eh in d h im
cou ld occu r .
T h e p eop le w h o ch a r ged for w ar d felt a sligh t am ou n t of d izzin ess flood t h eir

m in d s, an d it seem ed as t h ou gh t h eir su r r ou n d in gs h ad b ecom e som ew h at
illu sor y.
H u o Yu h ao h ad act iv at ed h is Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce on ce m or e.
Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce w as ab solu t ely n ot a u seless sk ill. Alt h ou gh it w asn ’t

esp ecially effect ive, t h e sligh t d izzin ess cau sed b y it cou ld oft en ch an ge t h e
sit u a t ion of a b at t le. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e gr eat est ad van t age of t h is sk ill lay in t h e
fact t h at t h e u ser w ou ld n ’t su ffer an y b ack lash n o m at t er w h a t .
An en or m ou s ver t ica l eye sou n d lessly ap p ear ed at t h e ot h er en d of t h e or d er ly

lin e an d b egan t o flash w it h a d azzlin g gold en ligh t . As t h e en or m ou s Rad ian t
Bu t t er fly God d ess em b r aced an d fu sed w it h t h e ver t ical eye, t h e gold en ligh t
b lossom ed ou t w ar d s.
T h e fu sion of b lu e, p u r p le, an d gold for m ed a h or izon t al h alo of d azzlin g ligh t

t h at left a b r illian t Gold en Road w h er ever it p assed t h r ou gh . Follow in g t h at a
fan t ast ic scen e occu r r ed , t h e or d er ly r ow of t w elve cor e d iscip les w er e in st an t ly
d yed gold as t h e gold en ligh t p assed t h r ou gh t h em .
Righ t , t h ey h ad fallen in t o H u o Yu h ao’s sch em es fr om t h e ver y st ar t . As a

sp ir it u al con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er , m er ely r eleasin g h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion
w asn ’t en ou gh , h e w as con t r ollin g t h e flow of t h e en t ir e m a t ch .
Regar d less of w h et h er it w as Dai H u ab in , Xie H u an yu e, W u Fen g, Nin g T ian

an d t h e ot h er s w h o w er e fam iliar w it h h im , or t h e t h ir d an d fou r t h -year
st u d en t s w h o w er e u n fam iliar w it h h im , ab solu t ely n on e of t h em h ad t h ou gh t
t h at t h e t w o-r in ged an d t h r ee-r in ged d u o w ou ld b e ab le t o p ose a t h r eat .
T h eir at t en t ion h ad b een d r aw n t ow ar d s t h e fou r Sou l An cest or s, H u o Yu h ao
h ad r elied on t h is, in ad d it ion t o H e Cait ou ’s p ow er fu l offen sive cap ab ilit ies, in
or d er t o lu r e t h em in t o a sin gle lin e. T h en , h e an d W an g Don g r eleased t h eir
p ow er fu l fu sion sk ill w it h ou t a n y h esit a t ion at all.
A Gold en Road Am id st W it h er in g Resp len d en ce.
Even t h e six-r in ged Sou l Em p er or w h o’d t r ied t o k ill t h em t h e ot h er d ay h ad

fallen in t o h is t r ap , so n at u r ally t h ese cor e d iscip les w h o h ad n ’t even r each ed
t h e fou r -r in ged r a n k d id n ’t st an d a ch an ce.
As t h e t w elve gold en st at u es st ood t h er e, som e of t h e st u d en t s w it h w eak er

cu lt ivat ion s su ch as t h e Lan sist er s an d H u an g Ch u t ian b egan t o fall in t o a
cr it ica l con d it ion .
T h e ast on ish ed Eld er Xu an d escen d ed fr om t h e air an d w aved h is r igh t h an d ,

cau sin g a p u r e-w h it e r ay t o en velop t h e b od ies of ever y fr ozen st u d en t . Ever y
st u d en t t h e r ay lan d ed on soft ly collap sed t o t h e gr ou n d on e b y on e.
T h e t h r ee-r in ged st u d en t s w er e com p ar at ively b et t er off as t h ey w er e on ly

left in an ext r em ely d ish eveled st a t e w it h t h eir clot h es cor r od ed an d t h eir
m ar t ial sou ls t em p or ar ily sealed . A lar ge am ou n t of t h eir so u l p ow er h ad b een
con su m ed b y t h e co r r od in g Gold en Road . H ow ever , t h e ot h er t w o-r in ged Sou l
Gr an d m ast er s h ad all fain t ed . If it w er en ’t for Eld er Xu an r eact in g in t im e, t h er e
w as a ch an ce t h at t h eir lives w ou ld ’ve b een at r isk .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g n ever t h ou gh t t h a t t h eir Gold en Road w ou ld b e

t h is effect ive an d w er e b r iefly st u n n ed b y it s effect s. Over on t h e ot h er sid e, Bei
Bei, Xu San sh i, an d J ian g Nan n an h ad also d ealt w it h t h eir six op p on en t s.
Im p r essively, t h e Sou l Du ellin g Ar en a w as on ly left w it h t h e seven of t h em .
H e Cait ou h ad h is m ou t h w id e op en fr om ast on ish m en t , an d so w as Bei Bei’s

gr ou p of t h r ee.
T h e fou r Sou l An cest or s h ad n ever t h ou gh t t h at t h e t est w ou ld act u ally en d
lik e t h is. T h e m ost d ecisive m ove in t h is b at t le h ad act u ally b een H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g’s.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w as even a p air of t w in s am on g t h eir op p on en t s w h o

cou ld r elease a fu sion sk ill. H ow ever , t h eir glor y h ad all b een over sh ad ow ed b y
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s ‘A Gold en Road Am id st W it h er in g Resp len d en ce’.
Dai H u ab in w as r en d er ed sp eech less.
Ever sin ce h e’d lost t o H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao in t h e fin als of
t h e fr esh m en assessm en t , h e felt ver y u n r esign ed . H e’d a lw ays felt t h at h e w as
m u ch st r on ger t h an t h e t h r ee of t h em .
H ow ever , on ly n ow d id t h ey r ealize t h at Du W eilu n ’s in it ia l evalu at ion aft er

b lock in g b ot h of t h eir fu sion sk ills h ad b een im p ar t ial. T h e Gold en Road for m ed
b y H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w as t r u ly som et h in g t h at t h eir Net h er w or ld
W h it e T iger w as u n ab le t o com p ar e again st . T h ou gh Dai H u ab in d id n ’t
u n d er st an d w h y t h is w as t h e case, h e st ill k n ew t h at h e h a d t h or ou gh ly an d
com p let ely lost aft er exp er ien cin g t h e eva p or at ion of h alf of h is sou l p ow er .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g glan ced at each ot h er . Ot h er t h an h ap p in ess,

w h at else cou ld t h ey see in each ot h er ’s eyes?
T h e st r en gt h of a fu sion sk ill w as in t im at ely r elat ed t o t h e syn er gy b et w een

t h e t w o p ar t ies. T h eir Gold en Road w asn ’t st r on ger t h an t h e Net h er w or ld
W h it e T iger in t er m s of t h e sou l sk ills u sed , b u t r at h er in t er m s of t h e
com p at ib ilit y r at e t h eir m ar t ial sou ls h ad . T h e r ar it y of a 10 0 % com p at ib le
fu sion sk ill w as even r ar er t h an an Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l! On ly, n ob od y h ad
ask ed t h em ab ou t it .
T h eir cu lt ivat ion s h ad b een st ead ily r isin g. Ever y sin gle on e of H u o Yu h ao’s
sou l r in gs h ad q u iet ly r isen t o t h e 4 20 0 year r an k w h ile W an g Don g h ad
ob t ain ed t h e Gold en Ligh t sou l b on e. W h en com p ar ed t o t h e d ay t h ey’d b een
am b u sh ed , t h eir cu lt ivat ion s h ad in cr eased b y an ot h er level. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e
coold ow n p er iod b et w een each u se of t h e Gold en Road h ad d ecr eased t o t h r ee
d ays. T h ou gh all of t h eir sou l p ow er w ou ld b e d r a in ed w it h ea ch u se of t h e sk ill,
t h e r ecover y ab ilit y of t h e Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e w as cu r r en t ly h elp in g
t h e t w o of t h em r eco ver t h eir sou l p ow er as t h ey h eld h a n d s.
W it h h is cu lt ivat ion , Eld er Xu an on ly n eed ed a glan ce t o assess t h e cu r r en t

st at e of affair s. W h en h e con fir m ed t h at n o on e h ad b een sever ely in ju r ed , h e
r elaxed . H e t h en w a ved t ow ar d s t h e p eop le on t h e ed ge of t h e st age.
W an g Yan , M u J in , an d r est of t h e t each er s im m ed iat ely cam e over .
All of t h e t each er s h ad w it n essed t h e b at t le ju st n ow . W h en t h ey gazed at H u o

Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, t h ey felt as if lik e t h ey w er e look in g at t w o m on st er s.
Even in t h is acad em y of m on st er s, t h er e sh ou ld n ’t b e som eon e so m on st r ou s.
On e of t h em h ad t w o r in gs, w h ile t h e ot h er h ad t h r ee. An d yet , som eh ow t h ey’d
b een ab le t o d efeat t w elve op p on en t s w h ose cu lt iva t ion w er en ’t in fer ior t o t h eir
ow n .
“T h ose t h at h ave b een elim in a t ed can h ead b ack . You seven , st ay b eh in d .”

Eld er Xu an t ook a b it e of h is ch ick en leg w h en h e’d fin ish ed . Beh in d t h e m ass of
ch aot ic h air t h at cover ed h is face, a st r an ge ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh h is eyes. H e
car efu lly ob ser ved H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g.
T h e st u d en t s t h a t h a d fain t ed w er e ab le t o r egain con sciou sn ess w it h t h e h elp

of t h e t each er s. M a n y of t h em r evealed d issat isfied exp r ession s on t h eir faces
w h en t h ey cam e t o. In d eed , m an y of t h em h ad n ’t even h ad en ou gh t im e t o
d isp lay t h eir fu ll p ot en t ial b efor e t h ey’d b een elim in at ed .
T h er efor e, even w h en t h ey h ear d Eld er Xu an ’s w or d s, n on e of t h em left .

In st ead , t h ey all silen t ly gazed at h im .
Eld er Xu an t ook an ot h er b it e fr om h is ch ick en leg, t h en sn or t ed an d said ,

“Ar e you all n ot con vin ced yet ? If you 'r e n ot con vin ced of som et h in g in t h e
fu t u r e, you ’d b et t er sh ow it w it h you r st r en gt h . Do you t h in k t h at t h is ch aot ic
b at t le w as u n fair ? Do you t h in k t h a t it w as u n fair t h a t you co u ld n ’t d isp lay all of
you r ab ilit ies am id st all t h ose p eop le, an d t h at you t h er efor e lost in an
in con ceivab le w ay?”
Non e of t h e cor e d iscip les r ep lied , b u t t h eir an sw er w as clear .
Eld er Xu an cu r led h is lip s an d con t in u ed , “W as it r ea lly t h at u n fair ? In a

ch aot ic b at t le, ever yon e h as t o figh t for t h em selves. W h en you ’r e on t h e
b at t lefield , d o you h ave t h e lu xu r y of p ick in g t h e n u m b er of op p on en t s you h ave
t o face, or t h e con d it ion s of t h e b at t le? No, you d on ’t . H ow ever , in a ch aot ic
b at t le lik e t h is, you all d o at least h ave t h e sam e st ar t in g p oin t . As su ch , you
w on ’t fin d you r self in an im m ed iat ely h op eless sit u a t ion . W it h you r cu r r en t
m in d set s, n on e of you ar e qu alified t o b ecom e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les. T o t ell
you t h e t r u t h , t h is ‘u n fair ’ ch aot ic b at t le is t h e b est w ay t o assess you r act u al
st r en gt h . In t h is sh or t ch aot ic b at t le, I w as ab le t o see h ow w ell each of you
collab or at es w it h ot h er s, you r in d iv id u al st r en gt h , an d even you r m or al
ch ar act er . T h e sayin g t h at ‘t h ose t h at act in accor d an ce t o ju st ice an d m or alit y
w ill b e w id ely su p p or t ed ’ is u t t er b u llsh it . If you w an t som eon e’s h elp , you ’ll
n eed t o h ave good r elat ion sh ip s w it h ot h er s. Of cou r se, you ’ll st ill n eed en ou gh
st r en gt h . H ow ever , a p er son w h o can ’t com m u n icat e is b ou n d t o b e
u n su ccessfu l.”
“A t est t h at con sist s of a ch aot ic b at t le is an ext r em ely com m on t h in g in t h e

in n er cou r t yar d . If you can ’t even ad ap t t o t h e sit u at ion , w h a t qu alificat ion s d o
you p ossess t o an in n er cou r t yar d d iscip le? Do you k n ow w h at t h e m ost d ifficu lt
sit u a t ion en cou n t er ed t h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les h ave faced is? On ce, t w elve
in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les en cou n t er ed a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east w h en
t h e t each er w a sn ’t p r esen t . Eigh t of t h em d ied in b at t le. H ow ever , t h e fou r t h a t
su r vived n ow st an d at t h e p eak am on gst t h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les. On e of
t h em even ob t ain ed t h e sou l r in g an d sou l b on e of t h at h u n d r ed t h ou san d year
sou l b east . Don ’t m ak e m ist ak en ly t h in k t h at ever yt h in g w ill b e fin e ju st
b ecau se you ’r e st u d yin g at Sh r ek Acad em y. If you w an t t o b ecom e st r on g, you ’ll
h ave t o face life a n d d ea t h sit u at ion s sever al t im es, even w h ile in sid e t h e
sch ool.”
Eld er Xu an ’s t on e w as ver y flat . H ow ever , h is w or d s con t ain ed a for m id ab le
am ou n t of sp ir it u al p ow er , w h ich p ou n d ed in t o t h e h ear t s of t h e cor e d iscip les
lik e a h am m er .
“You sh ou ld st op t h in k in g t h a t you ’ll b ecom e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les ju st

b ecau se you ’ve m an aged t o b ecom e cor e d iscip les of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . Even if
you d o m an age t o b ecom e on e, d on ’t t h in k of it as som et h in g gr eat , as t h at ’s ju st
t h e st ar t in g p oin t ; a st ar t in g p oin t t h a t can d ecid e you r life an d d eat h . Do you
k n ow w h at t h e fir st t h in g st u d en t s d o w h en t h ey b ecom e in n er cou r t yar d
d iscip les is? T h ey sign a con t r act of life an d d eat h . T h e on ly w ay you can
b ecom e cap ab le of m ak in g t h e im p ossib le p ossib le is b y t h r ow in g aw ay all
r egar d for you r life a n d you r d eat h . On ly t h en w ill you b e ab le t o b ecom e a t op -
level sou l m a st er . Regar d less of you r fam ily b ack gr ou n d , on ce you b ecam e an
in n er cou r t yar d d iscip le of t h e acad em y, you ’ll b ecom e a r ea l m em b er of Sh r ek
Acad em y. T h at m ean s t h at , for you r en t ir e life, you ’ll car r y Sh r ek Acad em y’s
m ar k . H ow ever , a t t h e sam e t im e, it also m ean s t h at you ’ll also face m or t al
d an ger ever y d ay. You m igh t lose you r life at an y t im e. W h ile you ’r e st ill in t h e
ou t er cou r t yar d , you r secu r it y can essen t ially b e gu ar an t eed . H ow ever , if you
m an age t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d , you ’ll face all k in d s of t er r ifyin g t est s.”
“Do you k n ow h ow Sh r ek Acad em y m an aged t o b ecom e t h e n u m b er on e

acad em y on t h e con t in en t an d h ow it m an aged t o n ot fall over t h e p ast t en
t h ou san d year s? It ’s all t h an k s t o t h e effor t s of t h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les. It ’s
ext r em ely r ar e for t h er e t o b e m or e t h a n fift y in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les. T h is is
b ecau se ever y year , som eon e d ies. Now t h en , d oes an yon e st ill h ave an y
q u est ion s?”
Eld er Xu an ’s voice h ad b ecom e even cold er t h an n or m al t ow ar d s t h e en d .

Based on h is sp eech , t h e cor e d iscip les of t h e ou t er cou r t ya r d h ad com e in t o
con t act w it h t h e w or ld of t h e in n er cou r t yar d for t h e fir st t im e. It d id n 't give
t h em h op e, b u t r a t h er som ew h at st ir r ed t h em u p an d gave t h em a solem n
feelin g w h en t h ey t h ou gh t ab ou t Sh r ek Acad em y's glor y.
All of t h eir p r eviou s r esen t m en t h a d van ish ed in t o t h in a ir . Aft er w ar d s, all of
t h e cor e d iscip les w h o’d b een elim in at ed low er ed t h eir h ea d s an d left t h e Sou l
Du elin g Ar ea on e aft er an ot h er . Ever y sin gle w or d said b y Eld er Xu an h ad b een
d eep ly en gr aved in t h eir h ear t s; t h ey w ou ld n ’t for get an y of t h em for t h e r est of
t h eir lives.
W an g Yan b ow ed d eep ly t ow ar d s Eld er Xu an an d sa id , “T h an k you for

t each in g t h ese d iscip les an im p or t an t lesson .”
Eld er Xu an t ook a sw ig of alcoh ol an d fain t ly said , “I on ly exp lain ed t o t h em

h ow t h e w or ld w or k s.” At t h at t im e, n o on e n ot iced t h a t h is eyes h ad t ear ed d u e
t o t h e m ass of ch aot ic h air t h a t cover ed h is face.
W h en t h ose t w elve d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d h ad faced t h a t h u n d r ed

t h ou san d year sou l b east alon e, h e h a d b een t h e t each er lead in g t h em ! Eigh t of
t h em h ad d ied in t h at b at t le. T h is w as b ot h on e of t h e sadd est an d on e of t h e
m ost h er oic m om en t s in Sh r ek Acad em y’s h ist or y. Even n ow , h e cou ld n ’t h elp
b u t b lam e h im self for t h e accid en t . Fr om t h at m om en t on , h e’d b egu n t o d r in k
h eavily, an d h ad giv en in t o d esp air . H e, w h o h ad on ce b een Sh r ek Acad em y’s
n u m b er on e gen iu s, h ad fallen in t o d esp air . Or igin ally, h e w as su p p osed t o t ak e
over t h e p osit ion s of Dean of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t an d M ast er of t h e Sea
God ’s Pavilion . H ow ever , given h is cir cu m st an ces, t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion h ad
r em ain ed u n d er Eld er M u ’s com m an d .
Even aft er so m an y year s h ad p assed , t h e p ain h e felt w as st ill b u r ied d eep ly in

t h e d ep t h s of h is h ea r t .
No on e b lam ed h im for t h e accid en t . H ow ever , h e sim p ly cou ld n ’t for give

h im self.
Cu r r en t ly, on ly H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, Bei Bei, H e Cait ou , Xu

San sh i an d J ian g Na n n an w er e left in sid e t h e Sou l Du elin g Ar en a.
T h e seven of t h em q u iet ly st ood in a r ow . Non e of t h em b ot h er ed Eld er Xu an ,
as t h ey’d all b een d eep ly affect ed by t h e sad at m osp h er e. Even t h ou gh t h ey’d
p r evailed over t h e ot h er s, t h eir h ear t s felt ext r em ely h eavy at t h e m om en t .
Up u n t il n ow , Sh r ek Acad em y’s glor y h ad n ever h ad an yt h in g t o d o w it h t h e

ou t er cou r t yar d d iscip les, w h ich a lot of p eop le felt w as st r an ge. H ow ever , t h ey
n ow r ealized w h y t h at glor y b elon ged exclu sively t o t h e in n er cou r t yar d : T h e
in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les h a d u sed t h eir b lood t o gain t h eir glor y. Cu r r en t ly, a
fir e h ad b egu n t o b u r n in t h eir h ea r t s. T h is w as t h e so-called ‘p assin g of t h e
t or ch ’. T h ey t oo h op ed t o in h er it a p or t ion of t h e in n er cou r t yar d ’s glor y.
Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, an d J ian g Nan n an —w h o w er e alr ead y Year 5 st u d en t s—

h ad all fallen d eep in t o t h ou gh t . Aft er a ll, t h ey w er e ver y close t o en t er in g t h e
in n er cou r t yar d .
Eld er Xu an slow ly t u r n ed ar ou n d an d said t o t h e seven , “Ever y on e of you

sh ou ld h ave h ear d a b ou t Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s, r igh t ? In t h e fr on t d oor of ou r
acad em y, you can fin d t h e scu lp t u r es of t h e fou n d er s of t h e acad em y, an d t h ose
of t h e or igin a l Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. Do you k n ow h ow t h e or igin al Sh r ek ’s
Seven M on st er s gain ed t h eir r ep u t at ion ? ”
At t h at t im e, n on e of t h em even t h ou gh t of in t er r u p t in g Eld er Xu an . T h ey
ch ose t o k eep list en in g in silen ce.
“At t h at t im e, t h e h ead of t h e Gold en Ir on T r ian gle, t h e Fou r -eyed Eaglecat

Flan d er s, h ad ju st est ab lish ed Sh r ek Acad em y,” Eld er Xu an said in a gr ave t on e,
“h ow ever , t h er e w er en ’t m an y t each er s, an d t h e n u m b er of st u d en t s w as even
few er t h an t h e n u m b er of t each er s. As su ch , Dean Flan d er s p r op osed t h at t h e
acad em y on ly accep t m on st er s, an d t h at t h ey sh ou ld d isr egar d t h e aver age
p er son . Lat er on , t h is b ecam e t h e aca d em y’s slogan . Non et h eless, fin d in g
m on st er s w asn ’t an easy t ask . It w as on ly w h en t h e or igin al Sh r ek ’s Seven
M on st er s ap p ear ed t h at t h e acad em y h ad t h e op p or t u n it y t o r ise.”
“T h ey gain ed t h e t it le of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s for sever al r eason s. On e of

t h em w as b ecau se t h ey w er e m on st r ou s gen iu ses t h at h ailed fr om Sh r ek
Acad em y. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey w er e also t h e on ly st u d en t s of t h e acad em y at t h e
t im e. H ow ever , t h e m ost im p or t an t r eason , an d also t h e r eason t h at cau sed ou r
acad em y t o b ecom e fam ou s, is b ecau se t h ey r ep r esen t ed t h e a cad em y at t h e Elit e
Con t in en t al Sou l M ast er T ou r n am en t . W h en t h e t ou r n am en t b egan , n ob ody
t h ou gh t m u ch of Sh r ek Acad em y. Back t h en , t h e acad em y w as st ill u n k n ow n .
H ow ever , Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s r elied on t h eir st r en gt h t o d efeat all of t h eir
op p on en t s an d t o b a r ge in t o t h e fin als. T h e op p on en t s t h ey faced in t h e fin als
cam e fr om t h e t h en -p ow er fu l M ar t ial Sou l H all. An d t h en , even t h ou gh t h ey
w er e w eak er t h an t h eir en em y, Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s st ill m an aged t o ob t ain
t h e fin al vict or y u n d er An cest or T an g Sa n ’s lead . T h at d ay, t h e fou n d at ion t h a t
w ou ld lead ou r aca d em y t ow ar d s b ecom in g t h e n u m b er on e acad em y on t h e
con t in en t w as fin ally laid d ow n . At t h e sam e t im e, t h e fir st gen er a t ion of
Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s b ecam e fam ou s.”
“T o t h an k t h e fir st gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s for t h eir

con t r ib u t ion s, t h e a cad em y ch ooses a n ew gr ou p of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s
ever y five year s. T h ese seven w ill t h en r ep r esen t t h e acad em y in t h e
Con t in en t al Ad va n ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t , w h ich is h eld ever y
five year s. T h e Elit e T ou r n am en t p ar t w a s ch an ged t o Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t
alon gsid e t h e ap p ear an ce of sou l t ools. H ow ever , t h is gr ea t even t h as a d iffer en t
m ean in g fr om t h e p ast .”
“Or igin ally, t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w as d efeat ed d u e t o t h e coalit ion of ou r

t h r ee gr ea t em p ir es. H ow ever , ou r t h r ee em p ir es also su ffer ed h eavy losses. For
sever al t h ou san d year s n ow , t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h as d on e it s b est t o r esear ch
an d d evelop n ew sou l t ools. As su ch , t h eir st r en gt h h as con t in u ou sly r isen as a
r esu lt . At t h e en d of t h e d ay, t h e t h r ee em p ir es ar e exact ly w h at t h eir n am es
im p ly: T h r ee d iffer en t em p ir es. T h e t h r ee of t h em ar en ’t of t h e sam e m in d . If
t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h asn ’t m ad e a n y m oves yet , it ’s b ecau se t h ey can ’t
com p let ely assu r e t h em selves t h at t h ey’ll w in . As lon g as o u r Sh r ek Acad em y
r em ain s st an d in g, t h ey w on ’t d ar e t o act r ash ly.”
“I'm ab solu t ely n ot b r aggin g w h en I say t h is. If t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e r eally

w an t s t o d om in at e t h e con t in en t , t h e on e t h ey’d n eed t o d eal w it h isn ’t t h e St ar
Lu o, H eaven ly Sou l, or Dou Lin g Em p ir e, b u t r a t h er ou r Sh r ek Acad em y. T h is is
b ecau se on ly ou r acad em y h as t h e p ow er t o r ally t h e t h r ee em p ir es t oget h er , an d
t o m ak e t h em r esist t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. On ly w e h ave en ou gh p ow er t o d ea l
w it h t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s t op -r an k ed sou l t ools.”
“T h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w ou ld n ’t d ar e lau n ch a fu ll-sca le w ar ju st t o t est ou r

st r en gt h eit h er . H o w ever , t h ey’r e con st an t ly t r yin g t o p r ob e it . An d t h e b est
m et h od for t h em t o d o so is exact ly t h r ou gh t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y
Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t . T h er efor e, ou r r eal op p on en t in t h is t ou r n am en t is
t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y.”
Book 10: Shr ek's Seven M onst er s
Chapt er 63.1: The Pr epar at or y Team
Aft er h ear in g t h e w or d s ‘Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’ Xu

San sh i b lu r t ed ou t , “Eld er Xu an , ar e you sayin g t h at you ’ll let u s p ar t icip at e in
t h e Con t in en t al Ad v an ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t ?”
Eld er Xu an sn or t ed . “W ill you b e ab le t o w in even if I let you go? T h e age

lim it for t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t is
t w en t y year s. You h ave t h e qu alificat ion s t o p ar t icip at e t h is t im e b u t t od ay’s
q u alificat ion m at ch w as u sed t o select a p r ep ar at or y t ea m . Ou r p r ep ar a t or y
t eam h as alw ays b een ch osen b efor e t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s go ou t t o
com p et e in t h e m ain com p et it ion .”
Righ t ! T h e m ain r eq u ir em en t for t h e q u a lificat ion m at ch h eld t od ay w as t h at

p ar t icip an t s n eed ed t o b e u n d er fift een . T h ey fin ally u n d er st ood w h y t h is w as
t h e case n ow ; t h e age r eq u ir em en t w as t h er e t o en su r e t h a t t h ey w ou ld n ’t t u r n
t w en t y in five year s, allow in g t h em t o p ar t icip at e in t h e n ext Con t in en t al
Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n a m en t .
Eld er Xu an said , “I’ve ch osen you lot for t w o r eason s. Fir st ly, t o b e t h e
p r ep ar at or y t eam , a n d secon d ly, t o b e t h e m ain t eam ’s su b st it u t es. Realist ically,
t h er e’s an ext r em ely m in iscu le ch an ce of you act u ally goin g o u t t o figh t , b u t a s
su b st it u t es, you w ill h ave t h e qu alifica t ion s t o w at ch t h e m at ch es fr om t h e fr on t
r ow . T h is w ill b e a n ext r em ely p r ecio u s exp er ien ce for you . H ow ever , t h is
qu alificat ion m at ch d oesn ’t d ecid e ever yt h in g. You w ill b e exam in ed
con t in u ou sly over t h e n ext five year s an d w ill on ly b e allow ed t o r ep r esen t t h e
sch ool if you ’r e st r on g en ou gh . In t h e m ean t im e, you ’ll h ave t o go t h r ou gh
m an y t est s. T h u s, if you w an t t o t r u ly r ep r esen t t h e sch ool, you h ave t o fir st
en su r e t h at you can en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d .”
Alt h ou gh Eld er Xu an h ad given t h em m an y r est r ict ion s, t h e seven of t h em

w er e st ill over joyed . Rep r esen t in g Sh r ek Acad em y t o go ou t an d figh t as t h e n ew
gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s w as u n d ou b t ed ly t h e h igh est h on or t h ey
cou ld ob t ain in t h e a cad em y!
Befor e t od ay, n on e of t h em w ou ld ’ve exp ect ed t h a t t h is seem in gly sim p le

qu alificat ion m at ch w ou ld b e t h e d ecid in g fact or for su ch an im p or t an t even t .
Eld er Xu an sa id , “T h e fact t h at you lot ar e t h e p r ep ar a t or y t eam is a secr et

w it h in t h e acad em y. H en ce you ’r e n ot allow ed t o r eveal it t o an yon e or else
you ’ll b e st r ip p ed of you r p r ivileges. Fr o m n ow on , you ’ll t r a in w it h m e on ce a
w eek . W e’r e st ill on e m on t h aw ay fr om t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y
Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t so in t h e m ean t im e I’ll b r in g you alon g t o t r ain w it h
t h e cu r r en t Seven M on st er s. I h op e t h at you ’ll seize t h is p r eciou s op p or t u n it y t o
st r en gt h en you r selv es as m u ch as p ossib le. Ok ay, all of you can go n ow . H u o
Yu h ao, W an g Don g, you t w o st ay b eh in d for a m in u t e.”
“Yes.” H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad excit ed look s in t h eir eyes. Aft er all, it

w as p u b lic k n ow led ge t h at am on g t h ese seven st u d en t s, t h e on es w h o w er e m ost
u n con for m in g w it h t h e r eq u ir em en t s n eed ed t o b ecom e a m em b er of t h e Seven
M on st er s w er e t h e t w o of t h em an d Xiao Xiao d u e t o t h eir you n g age. Even five
year s lat er t h ey w ou ld on ly b e seven t een year s old . At t h e ver y m ost , t h ey
w ou ld ’ve ju st en t er ed t h e in n er cou r t yar d . Un d er t h e age of t w en t y, a d iffer en ce
of t h r ee year s in cu lt ivat ion w as an en or m ou s gap . H ow ever , Eld er Xu an h ad
alr ead y d ecid ed t o t em p or ar ily allow t h em t o en t er t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam . T h is
m ean t t h at , at least for t h e t im e b ein g, t h eir p osit ion in t h e t eam w as r ela t ively
st ab le an d t h ey cou ld even r eceive p er son al p oin t er s fr om Eld er Xu an . Fr om t h e
t er r ifyin g am ou n t of st r en gt h t h a t h e h ad r eleased in m id -a ir , h ow cou ld t h ey
n ot see h ow p ow er fu l t h is seem in gly slop p y t each er w as?
Aft er Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, an d t h e r est left , Eld er Xu an w aved t ow ar d s H u o

Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, w h o qu ick ly r an u p t o h im .
“You r p er for m an ce t od ay h as st u n n ed m e. If I h ad t o ch oose t h e m ost

ou t st an d in g p ar t icip an t s in t od ay’s m at ch , I w ou ld n ’t ch oose Bei Bei, Xu San sh i,
J ian g Nan n an , or H e Cait ou b u t t h e t w o of you . You r fu sion sk ill is m ir acu lou s
b u t it h as a la r ge d r aw b ack t o it . It ’s ext r em e st r en gt h is lim it ed b y it s glar in g
flaw , t h e fact t h at it can on ly at t ack in a st r aigh t lin e. If you r op p on en t s ar e ab le
t o d od ge it in t im e, you ’ll h ave w a st ed a n en or m ou s am ou n t of sou l p ow er for
n ot h in g. Beca u se of t h at , h ow ever , you m an aged t o give m e an even b igger
su r p r ise. I ca r e n ot ab ou t t h e st r en gt h of you r sk ill, b u t r at h er , ab ou t t h e p er fect
t im in g you d isp layed . T ell m e, w as t h e fact t h at t h ey w er e lin ed u p t oget h er all
d u e t o lu ck or w as it b ecau se ever yt h in g w as w it h in you r co n t r ol? If it w as in
you r con t r ol, h ow d id you su ccessfu lly coor d in at e it w it h you r ot h er
t eam m at es?”
H u o Yu h ao w an t ed t o b e m od est b u t W a n g Don g sp ok e ou t , “Eld er Xu an , h e’s

t h e on e w h o p lan n ed an d con t r olled ever yt h in g d u r in g t h e b at t le. Ask h im .”
W an g Don g ‘sold ’ H u o Yu h ao ou t in a seem in gly u n loyal m a n n er .
Eld er Xu an lift ed t h e d ish eveled h air in fr on t of h is for eh ead an d r evea led a

p air of p it ch -b lack eyes t h at w er e com p let ely in con sist en t w it h h is age, “T ell
m e, H u o Yu h ao.”
H u o Yu h ao w as som ew h at b ash fu l. “It ’s n ot h in g r eally, Eld er Xu an . You ’ll

u n d er st an d ever yt h in g on ce I let you t r y it ou t .” W it h t h at , h e r eleased h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g an d exp an d ed it s r an ge ou t t o t h e m axim u m lim it .
Eld er Xu an w as sligh t ly st u n n ed w h en h e in it ially r eceived t h e sp ir it u al

u n d u lat ion s t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad t r an sm it t ed t o h im an d in st in ct ively r esist ed
t h em , cau sin g a la r ge b u r st of sp ir it u al for ce t o b lock H u o Yu h ao’s sk ill.
H ow ever , h e qu ick ly r ealised w h at H u o Yu h ao w as t r yin g t o d o, an d h en ce
h u r r ied ly con t r olled t h e sp ir it u al p ow er h e’d in st in ct ively r eleased . It w as on ly
t h en t h a t w as h e ab le t o t r u ly sen se H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .
T h ou gh Eld er Xu a n w as alr ead y aw ar e t h at H u o Yu h ao w as a sp ir it u al-t yp e

sou l m ast er , h e also k n ew t h at h is fir st sou l r in g w a s on ly a t en year on e.
Becau se of t h is, h e’d n ever p aid m u ch at t en t ion t o h im . It w as on ly w h en H u o
Yu h ao ob t ain ed an Ult im at e m a r t ial sou l t h at h e st ar t ed t o p a y at t en t ion t o h im .
On e of t h e m ost im p or t an t r eason w h y t h e secon d year cor e d iscip les h ad

b een allow ed t o p ar t icip at e in t od ay’s q u alificat ion m at ch w as b ecau se of H u o
Yu h ao, w h o p ossessed an Ult im at e m ar t ia l sou l. A sou l m ast er w h o p ossessed an
Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l cou ld n ’t b e view ed on t h e sam e level as an or d in ar y sou l
m ast er . Aft er all, t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep a r t m en t a n d t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t
h ad even cau sed a r u ck u s d u r in g t h e con fer en ce h eld w it h in t h e Sea God ’s
Pavilion for h is sak e. Fr om t h at m om en t on w ar d s, it w as p r act ically gu ar an t eed
t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld h ave a p lace am on g t h e n ew gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven
M on st er s. H e ju st d id n ’t k n ow it yet .
As an eld er of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , Eld er Xu an n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t

h ave an ab solu t e t r u st in H u o Yu h ao solely b ased on t h e con fer en ce h eld w it h in
t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion . T h is qu alificat ion m at ch w as a w ay for h im t o ju d ge
w h at level of st r en gt h t h e lat t er h a d r each ed w it h h is cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion .
In r ealit y, Eld er Xu a n h ad n ever exp ect ed t h at h e w ou ld b e ab le t o see H u o

Yu h ao d ist in gu ish h im self in t h is q u alificat ion m at ch . Aft er all, h e cou ld m ak e
t h is q u alificat ion m a t ch r ed u n d an t w it h ju st on e w or d .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o an d W an g Don g h ad given h im an en or m ou s su r p r ise.

W h en h e p er son ally exp er ien ced t h e vast ar ea t h a t t h e for m er ’s Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion en velop ed , h e w as st u n n ed . A m er e secon d year st u d en t fr om t h e
ou t er cou r t yar d h ad m an aged t o st u n h im .
W h en h e look ed b ack at H u o Yu h ao, Eld er Xu an ’s gaze com p let ely ch an ged .

H is or igin ally ap at h et ic gaze h ad b ecom e fier y an d p assion at e, w h ile h is
p r eviou sly sen t im en t al gaze w as n ow fu ll of ast on ish m en t .
Chapt er 63.2: The Pr epar at or y Team
H e m u t t er ed , “An in b or n Sou l Com m an d er ! Is t h is t h e sk ill of a t en year sou l

r in g? No, t h is is im p ossib le, ab solu t ely im p ossib le.”
Eld er Xu an look ed at H u o Yu h ao agit at ed ly, t h en r aised h is left h an d . W h en

h e d id so, H u o Yu h a o felt a b u r st of sou l p ow er en t er h is b od y, w h ich cau sed t h e
t w o w h it e sou l r in gs h over in g b en eat h h is b od y t o b ecom e even m or e eye-
cat ch in g.
W h en ever h e u sed h is Sp ir it Eyes, t h e color of H u o Yu h ao’s sou l r in gs w as

alw ays w h it e.
As Eld er Xu an ’s sou l p ow er en t er ed h is b od y, h is Im it at ion sk ill d issip at ed ,

w h ich cau sed h is secon d sou l r in g t o r eveal it s or igin al p u r p le color . H ow ever ,
h is fir st sou l r in g w a s st ill as w h it e as jad e.
“T ell m e, w h at ar e you r t w o sou l sk ills?” Eld er Xu an ask ed im p at ien t ly.
H u o Yu h ao t old h im t h e t r u t h . “T h e fir st sou l r in g of m y Sp ir it Eyes h as t h e

Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g sk ill w h ile t h e secon d on e h as t h e Im it at ion sk ill.”
“Eld er Xu an con t in u ed in a gr ave t on e, “If I’m n ot m ist ak en , you u sed t h e

Sp ir it u al Sh ock sk ill d u r in g t h e fr esh m en assessm en t . H ow d id you ob t ain t h at
sk ill?”
H u o Yu h ao w as st ar t led . Aft er all, h e cou ld n ’t t ell Eld er Xu an h is secr et .

Lu ck ily, h e h ad alr ea d y t h ou gh t of a w ay t o exp lain it .
“Eld er Xu an , I’m a d iscip le of t h e T an g Sect . T h er efor e, I p r act ice t h e T an g

Sect ’s Pu r p le Dem on Eyes t ech n iqu e. An d w h en I com b in e it w it h m y Sp ir it
Eyes, I can u se t h e Sp ir it u al Sh ock sk ill.”
Aft er list en in g t o h is w or d s, Eld er Xu an ’s exp r ession w as even m or e
b ew ild er ed , “Is t h is even p ossib le? T h e sk ill of a m er e t en year sou l r in g w as ab le
t o r each t h is d egr ee? J u st ... h ow ? So sou l sk ills can h ave m u t at ion s t oo?” Even
aft er r ack in g h is b r a in , h e w as st ill at a loss. H e w as fir m ly con vin ced t h a t H u o
Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h id e t h e color of h is sou l r in gs u n d er t h e p r ob in g of h is sou l
p ow er . An d even if h e w er e t o b an g h is h ead again st a w all, h e st ill w ou ld n 't
t h in k of t h e p ossib ilit y t h at H u o Yu h ao p ossessed a m illion year sou l r in g. Aft er
all, h ow cou ld h e k n ow t h at it s w h it e color w as also t h e sam e as t h at of a t en
year sou l r in g?
Aft er p on d er in g over it for a w h ile, h e st ill w asn ’t ab le t o fin d t h e a n sw er .

T h u s, h e said , “Fin e. You can go t oo. Or igin ally, even if t h ey w er e t o w in , secon d
year st u d en t s lik e you w ou ld n ’t b e allow ed t o join t h e com p et it ion as r eser ves.
H ow ever , you r p er for m an ce w as ju st t oo in cr ed ib le. Rem em b er , w h et h er or n ot
you can k eep t h is p osit ion in t h e com in g five year s w ill d ep en d on you r effor t s.
T h er e ar e m an y cor e d iscip les eyein g t h is p osit ion . W h ich m ean s t h at t h e
m om en t I see t h at you can ’t k eep u p w it h t h e com p et it ion , you ’ll b e sw it ch ed
ou t im m ed iat ely. Ar e w e clear ?”
“Yes.” H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g b ow ed r esp ect fu lly t o Eld er Xu an

follow in g w h ich t h ey t u r n ed a r ou n d an d left .
As h e gazed at t h eir d isap p ear in g silh ou et t es, a fain t sm ile ap p ear ed on h is

face, w h ich w as fu ll of vicissit u d es. “So w h at if t h ey’r e on ly secon d year
st u d en t s? T w o t w in m ar t ial sou ls, an Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l, an d a fu sion sk ill.
Five year s, h u h ? W h o d ar es t o claim t h at I can ’t for ge t h em in t o a t eam t h at w ill
b e u n m at ch ed am on g t h eir p eer s? I h op e you ’ll b r in g m e even m or e su r p r ises.”
Aft er leavin g t h e So u l Du elin g Ar ea, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g d iscover ed

t h at Bei Bei, H e Cait ou , Xu San sh i, J ian g Nan n an , an d Xiao Xiao w er e all st ill
w ait in g for t h em ou t sid e.
“Sen ior b r ot h er s! You h aven ’t left yet ? ” H u o Yu h ao d r agged W an g Don g

alon g as h u r r ied t o gr eet t h em .
“W e w er e w ait in g for you t w o. W e w an t ed t o t h an k you !” Bei Bei said w it h a
fain t sm ile.
“T h an k u s?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed , ast on ish ed .
Bei Bei n od d ed an d r ep lied , “In t h at ch a ot ic b at t le ju st n ow , st r en gt h alon e

w asn ’t en ou gh t o ob t ain vict or y. Aft er all, w e h ad fou r r in gs. Soon er or lat er , w e
w ou ld h ave r eceived a join t at t ack fr om t h e ot h er st u d en t s. It ’s all t h an k s t o t h e
t w o of you t h at w e w er e ab le t o w in so easily. You r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion an d
fu sion sk ill w it h W a n g Don g p r oved t o b e a cr u cial r ole in ou r vict or y.”
“Sen ior b r ot h er , ar en ’t w e a fam ily?” H u o Yu h ao said sh yly. “W it h ou t you ,

w e w ou ld n ’t h a ve b een ab le t o p ass t h e t est eit h er .”
“T h at ’s en ou gh .” Xu San sh i in t er ject ed , “You t w o b r ot h er s sh ou ld st op

flat t er in g each ot h er . Lit t le Yu h ao, w e st ayed b eh in d for a n ot h er r eason t oo.
Sin ce w e h ave b een select ed as Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s’ su b st it u t es, w e sh ou ld
give ou r all. Non e of u s is allow ed t o fall b eh in d . On ly t h en w ill w e b e ab le t o
r ep r esen t t h e acad em y at t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g
T ou r n am en t five yea r s fr om n ow .”
W h ile sp eak in g, h e secr et ly sh ot a gla n ce at t h e n ea r b y J ian g Nan n an . Righ t

n ow , sh e w as h an gin g h er h ead an d look in g at h er feet . Xu San sh i w as ver y
h ap p y t o h ave p assed t h e t est w it h J ian g Nan n an . Now , h e h ad fou n d t h e b est
excu se t o b e w it h h er .
“Lit t le Yu h ao, W an g Don g, w e d iscu ssed an ot h er t h in g w h ile you w er e aw ay.

Sin ce w e’r e goin g t o b e t h e n ew gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s, w e
sh ou ld d ecid e on an or d er , lik e t h e fir st gen er at ion d id . H ow o ld ar e you ?”
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g t old t h em t h eir ages in year s an d m on t h s.
T h ey t h en r an k ed t h em selves accor d in g t o age.

Bei Bei w as t h e old est . H e Cait ou , Xu Sa n sh i, an d J ian g Na n n an an d h im a ll
h ad a m on t h ’s d iffer en ce b et w een each ot h er , ju st lik e H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g,
an d Xiao Xiao.
Aft er Bei Bei, t h er e w as H e Cait ou . Aft er t h at w as Xu Sa n sh i, J ian g Nan n an ,

Xiao Xiao, H u o Yu h ao, an d fin ally W an g Don g, w h o w as t h e you n gest .
Xu San sh i sp ok e w it h a sm ile. “Pr eviou sly, w e u sed t o r efer t o each ot h er as

u p p er classm en . Bu t in t h e fu t u r e, w e can ju st r efer t o each ot h er as b r ot h er s an d
sist er s. W ah ah ah a! I’m r an k ed t h ir d , ju st lik e An cest or T an g San w as b ack
t h en .”
“H avin g t h e sam e r an k d oesn ’t m ean h avin g t h e sam e ab ilit y,” Bei Bei said ill-
h u m or ed ly, “It ’s n ot a p r ob lem t o call each ot h er b r ot h er s. H ow ever , if you
b ecom e p ar t of ou r T an g Sect , you ’ll h ave t o follow in h is foot st ep s.”
“Did n ’t I alr ead y t ell you m y con d it ion s for join in g you r sect ?” Xu San sh i said
w it h a sm ile. As h e sp ok e, h e look ed at J ian g Nan n an an d p u ck er ed h is lip s.
At t h is t im e, u n exp ect ed ly, H e Cait ou la u gh ed foolish ly an d said , “Bei Bei…

Uh , I m ean sen ior b r ot h er . Can I also join you r T an g Sect ?”
Bei Bei w as d u m b fou n d ed w h en h e h ear d t h a t b u t qu ick ly r egain ed h is

com p osu r e. Nat u r ally, h e w as over joyed aft er all H e Cait ou w as alr ead y a Class 4
sou l en gin eer as w ell as Fan Yu ’s in h er it in g d iscip le. In t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t , h is st at u s w as h igh er com p ar ed t o t h at of Bei Bei’s an d Xu San sh i’s
in t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . H e w as som eon e t h at w ou ld su r ely en t er t h e
in n er cou r t yar d of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
“Cait ou , can I ask w h y you w an t t o join ou r T an g Sect ?” Alt h ou gh h e w as ver y

h ap p y, Bei Bei st ill w an t ed t o m ak e t h in gs clear .
“Yu h ao u sed m a n y con cep t s r ela t ed t o t h e h id d en w eap on s of t h e T an g Sect

w h en cr eat in g h is sou l t ools.” H e Cait o u said w it h a sm ile, “I w as also t h in k in g
of st u d yin g t h em . Even if I’m a sou l en gin eer , I’m n ot r est r ict ed fr om en t er in g
an y sect . M or eover , w h at you said ear lier w as r igh t ! If I join ed t h e T an g Sect ,
callin g you sen ior b r ot h er w ou ld b e m or e fit t in g.”
Un d er t h ese cir cu m st an ces, h ow cou ld Bei Bei r efu se? H e im m ed iat ely agr eed .
Excep t for Xu San sh i an d J ian g Nan n an , t h e r est of t h e su b st it u t es for Sh r ek ’s
Seven M on st er s su b st it u t es w er e n ow all d iscip les of t h e T an g Sect .
Chapt er 64.1: The Ult imat e Soldier Plan
H e Cait ou ’s ch oice t o en t er t h e T an g Sect w as an ab solu t ely over joyou s even t

t o t h e p r eviou sly five-m an T an g Sect . Bei Bei h ad agr eed t o it , b u t T an g Ya w as
st ill t h e m ast er of t h e T an g Sect . H e im m ed iat ely gat h er ed ever yon e an d w en t t o
in for m h er of t h e good n ew s.
T an g Ya w as over joyed an d n at u r a lly agr eed . T h e T an g Sect h ad or igin ally

d eclin ed d u e t o t h e lar ge-scale ap p ear an ces of sou l t ools. As su ch , t h ey n eed ed t o
st ar t fr om t h e sam e field if t h ey w an t ed t o m ak e a com eb ack . Ou t st an d in gly
t alen t ed d iscip les cou ld give t h e T an g Sect a cer t ain am ou n t of figh t in g p ow er ,
b u t if t h ey t r u ly w an t ed t o r egain t h eir p ast glor y, t h ey n eed ed a sou r ce of
in com e. Coin cid en t a lly, sou l t ools cou ld n ot on ly give t h e T an g Sect a sou r ce of
in com e, t h ey cou ld a lso cau se t h eir st at u s on t h e con t in en t r ise on ce again .
T h e in t egr at ion of sou l t ools an d t h e T an g Sect ’s h id d en w eap on s w as

n at u r ally of t h e u t m ost im p or t an ce. Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao h ad b egu n t o
d isp lay h is t alen t w it h sou l t ools, h e w as st ill on ly a sin gle p er son . H e Cait ou , on
t h e ot h er h an d , w as alr ead y a Class 4 sou l en gin eer . At t h e sam e t im e, h e w as
also on e of Fan Yu ’s in h er it in g d iscip le. As su ch , t h e T an g Sect ’s st r en gt h cou ld
b e con sid er ed t o h ave gr ow n gr eat ly w it h h is ad d it ion .
Ever sin ce t h e T an g Sect h ad d eclin ed , ever yt h in g in it h a d b een con d u ct ed in

a r at h er sim p le m a n n er ; t h e in d u ct ion cer em on y t h at T an g Ya h eld for H e
Cait ou w asn ’t com p licat ed , an d ever yon e w as ab le t o en joy a celeb r at or y feast
on ce t h e cer em on y h ad en d ed . J ian g Nan n an an d Xu San sh i join ed t h e
fest ivit ies as w ell.
On ce ever yon e h ad fin ish ed t h eir m eal, H e Cait ou called ou t t o H u o Yu h ao,

w h o’d b een ab ou t t o h ead t o h is d or m r oom , “J u n ior b r ot h er , I’d lik e t o t alk t o
you alon e.”
“Ah ? Alr igh t !” H u o Yu h ao st op p ed w alk in g an d look ed t ow ar d s t h e seem in gly
w or r ied H e Cait ou w it h a som ew h at ast on ish ed look in h is eyes.
W an g Don g said , “I’ll h ead b ack fir st . You t w o can ch at .” W it h t h at , h e left .
H u o Yu h ao w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e seem in gly h esit an t H e Cait ou , t h en ask ed

“Sen ior b r ot h er H e, w h at ’s h ap p en ed t o you ?”
T h e sk y h ad alr ead y b ecom e d ar k , an d b r igh t st ar s cu r r en t ly d ot t ed t h e

clou d less sk y.
H e Cait ou look ed t ow ar d s t h e sk y. Aft er w ar d s, t h e n or m ally st r aigh t for w ar d

look on h is face gr ad u ally ch an ged in t o a gr ave on e. T h e blan k n ess t h at w as
u su ally p r esen t in h is eyes su b seq u en t ly d isap p ear ed , an d a clar it y t h at H u o
Yu h ao h ad n ever seen b efor e in H e Cait ou ’s eyes slow ly ap p ear ed .
At t h at m om en t , h e seem ed lik e h e’d b ecom e a com p let ely d iffer en t p er son .

H is t em p er am en t h a d com p let ely ch an ged , t o t h e p oin t t h at H u o Yu h ao alm ost
cou ld n ’t r ecogn ise h im .
H e su b con sciou sly t ook a st ep b ack , h is fa ce filled w it h ast on ish m en t . “Sen ior
b r ot h er , you …”
H e Cait ou look ed b ack t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. W h en h is gaze m et H u o Yu h ao’s,

t h er e seem ed t o b e som et h in g else b esid es t h e clar it y t h a t h ad ju st filled t h em .
“Yu h ao, you k n ow , I’m t r u ly en viou s of you r t alen t . If I h ad t h e sam e am ou n t

of t alen t as you d o, I’d w or k h ar d an d d o ever yt h in g t h at I cou ld t o get
ever yt h in g t h at I d eser ve r et u r n ed t o m e. H ow ever , I can ’t . Even if I d o
ever yt h in g t h at I can , I’m st ill lim it ed b y m y t alen t . M y fu t u r e accom p lish m en t s
w ill, at m ost , t ie w it h ou r t each er ’s. H o w ever , you ’r e d iffer en t : You h ave t w in
m ar t ial sou ls, w it h on e of t h em b ein g an Ult im a t e on e. You r fu t u r e is
im m easu r ab le. Even in a p lace lik e Sh r ek Acad em y, you r r ad ian ce w ill st ill
ou t sh in e ever yt h in g.”
H u o Yu h ao w as at a loss w h en h e h ear d H e Cait ou ’s w or d s. “Sen ior b r ot h er ,
w h at ar e you sayin g!?”
A p ain ed look ap p ear ed on H e Cait ou ’s face. “You k n ow , w e’ve alw ays h ad a

p lan in ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . It w as k n ow n as t h e ‘Ult im at e Sold ier Plan ’.”
“T h e ‘Ult im at e Sold ier Plan ’?” H u o Yu h a o ask ed , ast on ish ed .
H e Cait ou n od d ed . “It ’s also t h e m ost im p or t an t p lan t h at w e h ave. It w a s

cr eat ed in or d er t o allow u s t o com p et e w it h t h e sou l en gin eer s of t h e Su n M oon
Em p ir e on eq u al t er m s.”
“T h e so-called Ult im at e Sold ier Plan r efer s t o t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t

cr eat in g a sin gle p er son cap ab le of ch an gin g t h e ou t com e of an en t ir e b at t le b y
h im self. Som eon e t h at p ossess t h is level of st r en gt h w ou ld t h u s b e k n ow n as an
Ult im at e Sold ier .”
H u o Yu h ao ask ed , cu r iou s, “Sh ou ld n ’t a T it led Dou lu o b e ab le t o d o t h at ?

W h at d oes t h is h ave t o d o w it h ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ?”
H e Cait ou sh ook h is h ead . “No. In d eed , a T it led Dou lu o m igh t b e ab le t o

ch an ge t h e sit u at ion of a b at t le, b u t t h ey can ’t r ever se t h e ou t com e of a lar ge-
scale b at t le. W on ’t ou r en em ies h ave exp er t s on t h eir level as w ell? H ow ever ,
t h e Ult im at e Sold ier is d iffer en t . T h e Ult im at e Sold ier is an exist en ce t h at w ou ld
live for t h e sak e of w ar . It w ou ld n ’t ju st b e lim it ed t o st r en gt h alon e eit h er ; it
w ou ld b e sp ecialised in b ot h u sin g an d cr eat in g m an y d iffer en t t yp es of sou l
t ools, an d it w ou ld b e good at con cealin g it self, su b t er fu ge, an d d est r u ct ion . It
w ou ld b e sh ar p en ou gh t o fin d an y n od e on t h e b at t lefield , an d t h en cap ab le
en ou gh t o d est r oy t a r get s or t o p r ovid e a ssist an ce. T h e Ult im at e Sold ier isn ’t a
com m an d er , b u t a n ar t ist w h o can ch a n ge t h e ou t com e of a b at t le. A T it led
Dou lu o is st r on g in d ivid u a lly, b u t t h eir u se in a b at t le is far fr om p lan n ed p ow er
of t h e Ult im at e Sold ier . Or igin ally, I w as w or k in g h ar d as t h e focal p oin t of t h is
goal, an d ou r t each er alw ays r elied on m e t o r ealize t h is p lan . H ow ever ,
ever yt h in g ch an ged w h en you ap p ear ed . Not on ly ar e you m or e t alen t ed t h an
m e, you ’r e also st r on ger t h an m e in b ot h sou l t ool cr eat ion an d in d ivid u al
st r en gt h . Yest er d ay, ou r t each er t old m e t h at I w ou ld n ’t b e n u r t u r ed as t h e focal
p oin t of t h e Ult im at e Sold ier an ym or e. In st ead , I’m t o b ecom e an Au xiliar y
Sold ier t o h elp you . If w e’r e t o say t h a t you ’r e t h e fu t u r e Ult im at e Sold ier , t h en
I’ll b e you r p or t ab le ar m or y.”
H u o Yu h ao w as ast on ish ed w h en h e h ea r d t h is. H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t cr y ou t ,

“Sen ior b r ot h er H e, I—”
H ow ever , H e Cait ou p u t h is h an d u p t o st op h im fr om con t in u in g. “Yu h ao,

d on ’t p an ic. Let m e fin ish fir st .”
H u o Yu h ao t r u ly d id n ’t w ish for a sit u at ion lik e t h is t o occu r . Ever sin ce h e’d

b egu n t o follow in Fan Yu ’s foot st ep s, H e Cait ou h ad given h im ad vice in m an y
d iffer en t asp ect s, an d h ad selflessly p assed on h is exp er ien ces t o h im . T h e
r esp ect t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad for H e Cait ou w as n o less t h an t h e r esp ect h e h ad
for Bei Bei. H ow ever , h e’d n ever t h ou gh t t h a t h e’d b e t h e on e w h o’d r ob h is
sen ior b r ot h er of h is d r eam s. As su ch , h e felt gr eat ly p ain ed .
It w as p r ecisely b ecau se of t h e fact t h at h e’d lived in a h yp ocr it ica l p lace lik e

t h e Du k e’s M an sion t h at H u o Yu h ao valu ed r ela t ion sh ip s as m u ch as h e d id .
H e’d fin ally m an aged t o ob t ain b ot h w ar m t h an d fr ien d sh ip in sid e of Sh r ek
Acad em y, an d h e t r easu r ed t h ese feelin gs gr eat ly. At t h e m om en t , h is fir st
t h ou gh t w as t o give u p h is st u d ies in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
H e Cait ou p at t ed H u o Yu h ao on t h e sh ou ld er , an d t h e look on h is face b ecam e

a lit t le b it gen t ler . “Yu h ao, d on ’t p an ic. I d on ’t h ave an y in t en t ion s of b lam in g
you . If it w er e som eon e else, I’d d efin it ely b e u n w illin g t o accep t it . In fact , I’d
p r ob ab ly even r eb el again st t each er ’s ar r an gem en t s. H ow ever , I d on ’t feel
u n r esign ed at all, sin ce I k n ow t h at t h e p er son w h o’ll car r y ou t t h e Ult im at e
Sold ier Plan is you . On t h e con t r a r y, I feel qu it e h ap p y.”
“I k n ow w h er e m y flaw s lie. No m at t er h ow h ar d I w or k , I w on ’t b e a su it ab le
Ult im at e Sold ier . T h is is d u e t o t h e in n at e flaw s in m y m ar t ial sou l. Cat egor y
w ise, I’m a food -t yp e sou l m ast er . Even t h ou gh m y m ar t ial sou ls’s a u xilia r y
cap ab ilit ies a r en ’t b ad , m y p er son al co m b at st r en gt h is lim it ed ; I’m far fr om
com p ar ab le t o b at t le-t yp e sou l m ast er s lik e you . I’ve d on e all I can , b u t all I can
r ely on ar e sou l t ools. H ow ever , oft en t im es t h e effect iven ess of sou l t ools falls
sh or t of m ar t ial sou ls. I’ve w or k ed h ar d , b u t t alen t isn ’t som et h in g t h a t you can
get aw ay w it h b y r elyin g solely on h ar d w or k .”
“Do you st ill r em em b er t h e fir st t im e w e m et ? I’ve alw ays b een an ext r em ely
sim p le p er son in t h e acad em y. Fu r t h er m or e, b ecau se of h ow sp ecial m y n am e is,
ever yon e’s alw ays called m e a t u r n ip (Cait ou ), or som e o t h er n ick n am lik e
‘b lack ie’ or ‘m u sclem an ’. You ’r e t h e on ly excep t ion t o t h is. T h e fir st t im e you
m et m e, you called m e ‘sen ior b r ot h er ’. T h e look in you r eyes b ack t h en w as
ext r em ely clear , an d w as also ver y sin cer e. I r ecogn ised you as m y ju n ior
b r ot h er fr om t h en on .”
“On ce you b egan you r st u d ies, t h e t alen t t h at you r evealed ast on ish ed even
ou r fier ce t each er . I can u n d er st an d h ow h e feels; aft er all, w h o w ou ld n ’t w ish
for on e’s d iscip le t o exceed on eself? Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w ou ld n ’t b e t h e cu r r en t
‘m e’ w it h ou t o u r t ea ch er . T h u s, ju n ior b r ot h er , you d on ’t n eed t o feel b u r d en ed .
I’ve alr ead y t alk ed it over w it h t each er , a n d I’ll d o all I can t o su p p or t you as t h e
Ult im at e Sold ier . I’ll b e you r Por t ab le Ar m or y.”
T ear s b egan t o w ell u p in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes. “Sen ior b r ot h er , I r eally d id n ’t

w ish for t h is t o h ap p en . T h is isn ’t fair . W h y d on ’t I…?”
H e Cait ou st op p ed h im on ce m or e. “J u n ior b r ot h er , d on ’t sp eak n on sen se.

T h er e ar e som e t h in gs t h at sim p ly ca n ’t h ap p en . Fu r t h er m or e, I h ave m y ow n
selfish m ot ives for h elp in g you ou t at a ll cost s: I h op e t h at you ’ll h elp m e ou t
w it h on e sin gle t h in g in t h e fu t u r e. On ce you ’ve b ecom e su ccessfu l w it h you r
cu lt ivat ion in t h e fu t u r e, I w an t you t o h elp m e ou t . Of cou r se, on ly if it ’s w it h in
you r m ean s.”
“Sen ior b r ot h er , t ell m e.” H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly in q u ir ed .
A t r ace of d eep p ain ap p ear ed in H e Cait ou ’s eyes. “Yu h a o, you k n ow , in

r ealit y, even t each er Fan Yu d oesn ’t k n ow w h er e I’m fr om , or m y id en t it y. T h is
is b ecau se I d on ’t w an t t o b r in g h im t r ou b le, n or d o I w ish for h im t o feel
d ist u r b ed . Sin ce I’ve alr ead y t old you t h is m u ch t o d ay, I’ll go ah ead an d t ell you
all of it ; I’ve h eld b ack t oo m u ch p ain in m y h ear t over t h e p a st sever a l year s.”
“W h en t each er Fan Yu saved m e t h at year , I w as n in e. W h en h e fir st saw m e,

I w as cover ed w it h b lood , an d I w as com p let ely p ow er less. On ce h e’d saved m e,
h e in q u ir ed ab ou t m y or igin s. I t old h im t h at m y fam ily w er e b u sin essm en , an d
t h at all of t h em h a d b een k illed in an u n for t u n at e en cou n t er . I t old h im t h a t I
w as t h e on ly on e w h o’d escap ed , an d t h at I h ad alr ead y b ecom e an or p h an .
W h en I said t h is, I w as afr aid t h at I’d im p licat e h im . H ow ever , I’d n ever
exp ect ed t h at t h is w ou ld b ecom e m y or igin st or y.”
“W h en t each er b r ou gh t m e b ack t o t h e acad em y an d t a u gh t m e h ow t o

p r act ice sou l en gin eer , I cu lt iva t ed d iligen t ly, w h ich gr ad u a lly r evealed t h a t I
h ad a cer t ain am ou n t of t alen t t ow ar d s sou l t ool cr eat ion . H ow ever , I h id an
u n for get t ab le p iece o f h at r ed in t h e d ep t h s of m y h ear t .”
“H u o Yu h ao, I’m a p er son fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. T h e on ly p lace w h er e

you can fin d a p er son as d ar k as m e is in t h at p lace. Fu r t h er m or e, I’m a m em b er
of t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s im p er ial fa m ily. I’m t h e n ep h ew of t h e cu r r en t
Em p er or .”
“Ah ?” H u o Yu h ao w as gr eat ly ast on ish ed b y w h at h e’d ju st h ear d . Never in

h is w ild est d r eam s w ou ld h e h ave exp ect ed t h a t h is n or m ally st r aigh t for w ar d
an d sim p le sen ior b r ot h er H e w ou ld h av e su ch an im p r essive or igin . For a b r ief
m om en t , h e w as com p let ely flab b er gast ed .
H e Cait ou sm iled b it t er ly. “You ’r e su r p r ised , ar en ’t you ? It ’s n o w on d er , as

I’ve k ep t t h is m at t er b u r ied d eep in sid e m y h ear t for su ch a lon g t im e. M y fat h er
w as t h e p r eviou s em p er or of t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. In fact , I h ad seven old er
sist er s, an d m y m ot h er on ly gave b ir t h t o m e w h en m y fat h er h ad t u r n ed for t y-
eigh t . Back w h en m y fat h er w as st ill t h e cr ow n p r in ce, h is you n ger b r ot h er ,
w h o’s also m y u n cle, h ad alw ays t r ied t o sn at ch t h e t h r on e aw ay fr om h im .
H ow ever , gr an d fat h er k n ew ab ou t u n cle’s viciou s n a t u r e, an d k n ew t h at givin g
h im t h e t h r on e w ou ld ’ve on ly b r ou gh t t r ou b le t o t h e cou n t r y. Even t h ou gh
u n cle’s t a len t far su r p assed t h at of m y fat h er ’s in ever y field , m y gr an d fat h er
st ill d ecid ed t o d en y h im t h e t h r on e.”
“On ce h e’d in h er it ed t h e t h r on e, m y fat h er r u led t h e em p ir e in ea r n est . H e’d

give h is it h is all t o t ak e car e of n at ion al affair s, ever y d ay. As t im e w en t on , ou r
em p ir e b ecam e m or e an d m or e p r osp er ou s b en eat h h is r u le. A lar ge m ajor it y of
t h e officials w er e m oved b y h is ear n est n ess, t h u s t h ey p led ged t h eir loyalt y t o
h im .”
“Righ t b efor e h is d eat h , gr an d fat h er t old m y fat h er t o com p let ely st r ip aw ay

u n cle’s p ow er —on ly t h en w ou ld ou r cou n t r y r em ain p eacefu l. H ow ever , m y
fat h er w as t oo k in d -h ear t ed ; h e cou ld n ’t b ear t o t ak e aw ay h is you n ger b r ot h er ’s
p ow er . T h er efor e, h e d id n ’t fu lfill gr an d fat h er ’s last w ish , a n d t h u s left b eh in d
t h e r oot of all of t h e t r ou b les t h at follow ed .”
“Six year s ago, w h en m y fat h er w as in t h e p r im e of h is life, h e su d d en ly d ied

in t h e m id d le of t h e n igh t . M y m ot h er an d m y t h r ee u n m ar r ied eld er sist er s also
d ied t h at sam e n igh t . Lat er t h at sam e n igh t , m y u n cle led t h e ar m y an d b ar ged
in t o t h e cap it a l. Lat er , it w as fou n d ou t t h a t m y fat h er , m ot h er , an d eld er
sist er ’s food h ad all b een p oison ed . Ever yt h in g ch an ged fr om t h at n igh t on . I
st ill r em em b er t h at t er r ifyin g figu r e en t er in g t h e im p er ia l p alace an d m u r d er in g
ever yon e. I w as on ly ab le t o su r vive b eca u se m y m ot h er sh oved m e in t o a secr et
p assage.”
“W h en h e d id n ’t fin d m y b od y, u n cle sen t som e ou t som e p eop le t o fin d an d

k ill m e. At t h e sam e t im e, h e d eclar ed t o t h e cou n t r y t h a t ou r en t ir e fam ily h ad
d ied fr om food p oison in g. H e t h en t ook ad van t age of t h e sit u a t ion an d k illed a ll
of t h e su b or d in at es an d ser van t s in t h e p alace t h at w er e st ill loyal t o m y fat h er ,
an d t h en b u r ied t h em w it h h im . Aft er t h is gr eat p u r ge, an d d u e t o t h e fact t h at
h e w as t h e sole r em a in in g h eir t o t h e em p ir e, h e b egan t o r u le over t h e cou n t r y
w it h an ir on fist .”
H e Cait ou ’s eyes h ad b ecom e r ed as h e sp ok e, an d h e’d clen ch ed h is fist s

t igh t ly. H is u su ally k in d an d n aive face h ad also b ecom e ext r em ely sin ist er . H is
h ear t w as cu r r en t ly fu ll of h at r ed .
“M ayb e it w as t h an k s t o fat h er an d m ot h er w at ch in g over m e fr om t h e

h eaven s, b u t in t h e en d , I m an aged t o escap e. H ow ever , I—w h o’d on ce b een t h e
cr ow n p r in ce—h a d b een r ed u ced t o som eon e t h at w as in fer ior t o a b eggar . An d
yet , I st ill d id n ’t d ar e t o r et u r n ; I co u ld on ly k eep r u n n in g. Aft er w ar d s, I
m an aged t o r each t h e b or d er s of t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e, w h ich is w h er e
t each er saved m e. T h an k s t o t h at , I w as ab le t o su r vive. H ow ever , I cou ld n ’t
sim p ly for get t h e d eep h at r ed t h at ’s b u r ied in sid e of m y h ear t . Of cou r se, I w as
clear as t o w h at m y lim it s w er e. In t h e en d , I w as st ill a lon e, a n d m y p ow er w as
in sign ifican t b y it self. T h e Ult im a t e Sold ier Plan w as m y on ly h op e of
su cceed in g. H ow ever , I sim p ly d on ’t h ave en ou gh t alen t t o com p let e t h is p lan .”
H e look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, h is eyes r ed , an d con t in u ed , “Yu h ao. In t h e

fu t u r e, I r ea lly h op e t h at you ’ll b ecom e t h e Ult im at e Sold ier . An d on ce you d o, I
h op e t h at you ’ll h elp m e get m y r even ge. I k n ow t h at t h is r equ est m igh t b e t oo
m u ch . H ow ever , I’ll d o ever yt h in g in m y p ow er t o h elp you gr ow an d b ecom e
st r on ger . I d id n ’t join t h e T an g Sect t od ay ju st for it s h id d en w eap on s. It w as
also for t h e sak e of d eep en in g ou r r ela t ion sh ip as b r ot h er s. I w on ’t for ce you t o
d o som et h in g you d on ’t w an t t o d o. H ow ever , I can ’t get m y r even ge b y r elyin g
on m y p ow er alon e. T h er efor e, ar e you w illin g t o t r y you r b est t o h elp m e, so
lon g as it d oesn ’t en d an ger you r life?”
H u o Yu h ao look ed t ow ar d s H e Cait ou , h is exp r ession n ow som b er . “Sen ior

Br ot h er H e, I also car r y a d eep h at r ed w it h in m e. H ow ever , I can ’t give you a
d efin it e an sw er r igh t n ow , as I d on ’t h ave t h e qu alifica t ion s t o d o so. As of r igh t
n ow , I’m t oo w eak t o d eal w it h eit h er of ou r en em ies. H ow ever , I’ll alw ays b e
you r ju n ior b r o t h er . If t h er e’s som eon e t h at w an t s t o in ju r e you , I w on ’t let
t h em off.”
“Befor e I en t er ed Sh r ek Acad em y, m y h ear t w as fu ll of h at r ed . T h e on ly

t h ou gh t I h ad on m y m in d w as r even ge. H ow ever , w h en I ar r ived h er e, I
d iscover ed t h at I w as n ot h in g b u t a d r op in t h e ocean . In or d er t o get m y
r even ge, I r ea lized t h at I n eed ed t o t r ain h ar d er t h an I’d ever t r ain ed b efor e.
On ly on ce w e’ve b ecom e p ow er fu l p eop le in t h e acad em y w ill w e h ave t h e
q u alificat ion s t o t alk ab ou t r even ge. W e’ll b ot h h ave t o k eep ou r h at r ed s b u r ied
in sid e of ou r h ear t s u n t il w e’r e st r on g en ou gh . W h en t h e t im e com es, n ot on ly
w ill w e b e b r ot h er s, w e’ll also b e com r ad es-in -ar m s. At t h at t im e, I’ll figh t sid e
b y sid e w it h you .”
“Fin e.” H e Cait ou st r et ch ed o u t h is lar ge h an d t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. H is w h it e

p alm cr eat ed a sh ar p con t r ast w it h t h e t a n n ed sk in on t h e b ack of h is h an d . H u o
Yu h ao also st r et ch ed h is h an d ou t an d t igh t ly gr asp ed h is.
H e Cait ou said in a gr ave t on e, “J u n ior b r ot h er , let ’s t r y t o h elp each ot h er .

W e’ll get t h r ou gh t h is t oget h er . Even if w e t ak e ou r r even ge in t en year s, it
w on ’t b e t oo lat e. Righ t n ow , w e’r e b ot h st ill ver y w eak . Bu t w h at ab ou t t en
year s fr om n ow ?”
On ce h e’d b r ou gh t H u o Yu h ao b ack t o h is d or m it or y, H e Cait ou ch an ged b ack

t o t h e k in d an d p lain cor e d iscip le of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t h e’d a lw ays
b een . H u o Yu h ao h ad also gon e b ack t o n or m al; it w as as if n ot h in g h a d
h ap p en ed b et w een t h em . H ow ever , h e’d b u r ied H e Cait ou ’s secr et d eep in sid e of
h is h ear t . Un less t h ey h ad ab solu t e st r en gt h , it w ou ld b e p oin t less t o t alk ab ou t
r even ge.
On ce t h ey r eceived t h e st at u s of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s su b st it u t es, H u o
Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao d ed icat ed even m or e t im e t o t h eir st u d ies.
T h ey sp en t all of t h eir t im e aft er class cu lt ivat in g.
T h ey w er e h on or ed t o act as su b st it u t es. H ow ever , t h e p r essu r e w eigh in g

d ow n on t h em w as m u ch gr eat er at t h e sam e t im e. T h ey w an t ed t o p r eser ve
Sh r ek Acad em y’s h on or w it h all of t h eir st r en gt h . An d , sin ce t h ey w er e t h e
you n gest of t h e gr ou p , t h ey n eed ed t o exp en d even m or e effor t t o k eep u p w it h
t h e ot h er s a n d t o m a in t ain t h eir p osit ion .
In t h e b lin k of an eye, t w o w eek s h ad p assed . In t h a t t im e, Eld er Xu an h ad

h elp ed t h em w it h t h eir t r ain in g t w ice. H is t each in g m et h od s w er e ver y d ir ect
an d cr u d e. H e sim p ly m ad e t h em figh t w it h ou t a n y r eser vat ion s.
Ever y t im e, t h e sev en of t h em w ou ld b e d ivid ed in t o d iffer en t gr ou p s an d

m ad e t o figh t each ot h er . Eld er Xu an h ad also t old t h em n ot t o h old b ack . W it h a
p ow er fu l exp er t lik e h im as a su p er visor , t h ey w ou ld n ’t b e in an y d an ger . Un d er
Eld er Xu an ’s assid u ou s t r ain in g, H u o Yu h ao fou gh t w h ile p air ed w it h sever a l
d iffer en t t eam m at es. An d ever y sin gle t im e, h is t eam w ou ld en d u p on t h e
w eak er sid e.
As t h ey st u d ied an d cu lt iva t ed ear n est ly, H u o Yu h ao cou ld feel t h at h im self

im p r ovin g ever y d ay. M or eover , h e an d W an g Don g h ad got t en b et t er an d b et t er
at u sin g t h eir H aod on g Pow er . Aft er h alf a m on t h , H u o Yu h ao cou ld feel h is sou l
p ow er ap p r oach in g r an k 27. Soon , h e’d b r eak t h r ou gh again .
Bu t t h e on e t h at gav e t h em t h e b iggest su r p r ise w as Xiao Xiao. H er sou l p ow er

h ad m an aged t o r each r an k 29. J u st on e m or e level an d sh e’d b e ab le t o h u n t a
sou l b east an d b eco m e a r an k 30 Sou l Eld er .
T od ay w as on e of t h e d ays t h at Eld er Xu an w as t r ain in g t h em . W h en ever t h is

h ap p en ed , H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er s w ou ld sk ip t h eir classes an d com e t o t h e
Assessm en t Ar ea t o t ak e Eld er Xu an ’s lesson . T od ay w as n o d iffer en t .
H ow ever , as soon as t h ey en t er ed t h e Assessm en t Ar ea, t h ey saw som e
u n fam iliar faces.
Bei Bei, H e Cait ou , Xu San sh i, an d J ian g Nan n an h ad alr ead y ar r ived .

H ow ever , t h er e w er e also som e ot h er st u d en t s alon gsid e Eld er Xu an .
H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao felt t h eir h ea r t b ea t sp eed u p w h en

t h ey saw t h e seven st u d en t s, all of w h om w er e w ear in g b lood -r ed sch ool
u n ifor m s. T h is color m ean t t h at t h ey w er e st u d en t s of t h e in n er cou r t yar d .
H u o Yu h ao on ly k n ew on e of t h ose seven st u d en t s: M a Xiaot a o. H ow ever , h e

h ad n 't seen h er sin ce t h at d ay.
T od ay, h er lon g h air h ad b een p u lled u p in t o a p on yt ail; sh e lo ok ed ext r em ely

n eat . W h en sh e n ot iced H u o Yu h ao, t h e cor n er s of h er m ou t h lift ed t o r eveal a
p en sive sm ile.
H u o Yu h ao w as som ew h at em b ar r assed , an d h e im m ed ia t ely b lu sh ed . H e st ill

clear ly r em em b er ed t h e scen e fr om t h at d ay! M or eover , M a Xiaot ao w as t h e fir st
w om an t o h ave ever h ad su ch an in t im a t e r ela t ion sh ip w it h h im . As su ch , h e
r em em b er ed it even m or e clear ly.
Besid es M a Xiaot ao, t h er e w er e six ot h er p eop le p r esen t , fou r of w h ich w er e

m en , w h ile t h e ot h er t w o w er e w om en . T h eir age seem ed t o b e ab ou t t h e sam e
as h er s. Bei Bei an d t h e ot h er s h ad ar r ived a b it ear lier , an d t h ey h ad solem n
exp r ession s as t h ey st ood t h er e. Fr om t im e t o t im e, t h ey’d sh oot a glan ce a t t h e
in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les. Ap ar t fr om t h eir en vy, t h er e w as also ad m ir at ion a n d
r esp ect w it h in t h eir eyes.
T h ese r ed -clo t h ed d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d w er e t h e st r on gest st u d en t s

in t h e acad em y. It w as also t h an k s t o t h em t h at Sh r ek Acad em y cou ld m ain t ain
it s st at u s a s t h e n u m b er on e acad em y on t h e con t in en t .
H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao w alk ed t ow ar d Bei Bei an d t h e ot h er s;

t h ey t oo w er e ver y r eser ved . Aft er all, t od ay t h ey w er e in t h e p r esen ce of sever al
fellow p ow er fu l st u d en t s. In a d d it ion t o t h is, t h ey h ad m or e or less gu essed t h e
seven ’s id en t it ies.
Eld er Xu an n od d ed at t h eir ar r ival an d said , “You ’ve all ar r ived . T h e n ext

Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t w ill b egin in t en
d ays. Bot h of you r gr ou p s sh ou ld ’ve gu essed t h e id en t it y o f t h e ot h er . You r
gu esses ar en ’t w r on g. On on e sid e, w e h ave t h ose t h at w ill p ar t icip a t e in t h e
com p et it ion . On t h e ot h er sid e, w e h ave t h e r eser ves. Bot h of you ar e t h e old
an d n ew gen er at ion s of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. T h er e a r e t w o r eason s t h at
I’ve b r ou gh t you t o h er e t o m eet each ot h er t od ay: T h e fir st is t o get t o k n ow
each ot h er , w h ile t h e secon d is t o get you gu ys acqu ain t ed w it h each ot h er ’s
r esp ect ive ab ilit ies.”
W it h t h at , h e t u r n ed t ow ar d H u o Yu h a o an d t h e ot h er seven an d said , “You

cou ld n ’t h ave p ossib ly t h ou gh t t h a t you gu ys w ou ld ju st act as sp ect at or s, r igh t ?
On t h e con t r ar y, u n less som et h in g u n exp ect ed h ap p en s, all of you w ill p r ob ab ly
h ave t o figh t . W h en ever w e en cou n t er an op p on en t t h at ’s n ot t oo st r on g, it ’ll b e
you r t u r n t o go on st age. T h is w ay w e can p r op er ly h id e t h e m ain t eam ’s
ab ilit ies.”
W h en t h ey h ear d t h at t h ey w ou ld h ave a ch an ce t o go on st age, H u o Yu h ao

an d t h e ot h er s w er e p leasan t ly su r p r ised . At fir st , t h ey h ad r eally t h ou gh t t h at
t h ey w ou ld ju st b e p r esen t as sp ect at or s! T h ey h ad n ’t t h ou gh t t h at t h ey’d h ave
t h e op p or t u n it y t o r ep r esen t t h e acad em y! An d t h is w asn ’t ju st an y aca d em y
t h ey w ou ld b e r ep r esen t in g; it w a s Sh r ek Acad em y!
Eld er Xu an sn or t ed an d con t in u ed , “Don ’t get over excit ed . It ’s in evit ab le t h at

you ’ll h ave t o go on st age. H ow ever , you ’r e n ot allow ed t o lose. If on e of you
isn ’t car efu l an d m a n ages t o lose a m at ch … H eh e, you ’ll lear n t h e con sequ en ces.
So lon g as I’m alive, t h at p er son can for get ab ou t en t er in g t h e in n er cou r t yar d .
M or eover , you sh ou ld ad ju st you r m en t alit y. In t h is session , you ’ll act as a
su p p or t for t h e m ain gr ou p . You ’ll h ave t o ob ey t h eir ever y or d er . Do you
“Un d er st ood .” T h e gr ou p of seven an sw er ed in ch or u s. W it h t h eir cu r r en t

ages an d cu lt ivat ion s, b ecom in g t h e official su b st it u t es for t h e m ain t eam w as
alr ead y en ou gh t o fill t h em w it h h ap p in ess! Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey m igh t even get
t h e op p u r t u n it y t o go ou t an d figh t . An exp er ien ce su ch as t h is w as alr ead y q u it e
d ifficu lt t o com e b y, yet t h e acad em y h a d d on e all of t h is in or d er t o p r ep ar e
t h em t o b ecom e t h e n ext gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s.
Eld er Xu an n od d ed . “Alr igh t , ever yb od y in t r od u ce you r selves so t h a t you all

can get t o k n ow each ot h er . W e’ll st a r t w it h t h e p r ep ar a t or y t eam .”
Aft er con fir m in g h ow old t h ey w er e, t h er e w as n at u r ally n o p r ob lem

r egar d in g t h e or d er in w h ich t h e p r ep ar a t or y t eam st ar t ed sp eak in g. Bei Bei w as
t h e fir st t o w a lk ou t , “I’m Bei Bei, a fift h year st u d en t fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .
I’m a Ran k 4 2 assau lt -t yp e Sou l An cest or .”
H e Cait ou w as t h e n ext t o t ak e a st ep for w ar d . “H e Cait ou . Fou r t h year fr om

t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . I’m fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , an d I’m a Class 4 sou l
en gin eer .” As a st u d en t of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , h e evid en t ly h ad n o n eed
t o give ou t h is ow n cu lt ivat ion . On t h e con t r ar y, h e w ou ld u se h is Class t o r evea l
h is ow n st r en gt h .
Xu San sh i w as t h e t h ir d t o com e u p . “Xu San sh i. I’m a fift h year fr om t h e

ou t er cou r t yar d , an d I’m a Ran k 4 1 d efen se-t yp e Sou l An cest or .” In t er m s of sou l
p ow er , h e w as st ill sligh t ly w eak er t h a n Bei Bei.
T h e fou r t h in lin e w as J ian g Nan n an . T h ou gh sh e d id n ’t w an t t o st an d n ext

t o Xu San sh i an d list en t o h im gr u m b le on an d on again , t h ey w er e of a sim ilar
age. It w ou ld n ’t b e good t o r eveal h er t h ou gh t s at an im p or t an t even t lik e t h is.
“I’m J ian g Nan n an . I’m a fift h year fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , an d I’m a Ran k
4 1 agilit y-t yp e Sou l An cest or .”
T h e gazes of a few m ale st u d en t s fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d im m ed iat ely lit u p

aft er seein g h er . J ia n g Nan n an w as in d eed ext r em ely b eau t ifu l. Of t h e fem ales
p r esen t h er e, sh e w a s t h e m ost b eau t ifu l in t er m s of look s alon e; M a Xiaot ao, on
t h e ot h er h an d , h ad t h e b est p h ysiq u e. As for Xiao Xiao, sh e w as sim p ly t oo
you n g. As a r esu lt , sh e h ad n ’t d evelop ed m u ch of h er w om an ly ch ar m s.
Xu San sh i im m ed iat ely t en sed u p , an d h e look ed t ow ar d h is sen ior s in t h e

in n er cou r t yar d w it h a b lazin g look in h is eyes.
T h e fift h p er son t o st ep ou t w a s Xiao Xia o. “I’m called Xiao Xiao, gr eet in gs t o

m y sen ior u p p er classm en . I’m a secon d year fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , an d I’m a
Ran k 29 con t r ol-t yp e Sou l Gr an d m ast er .”
T h e d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d w h o w er e en r ap t u r ed b y J ian g Nan n an ’s

look s in volu n t ar ily w id en ed t h eir eyes at h ear in g t h e w or d s ‘Ran k 29’.
Ran k 29? Did t h ey h ear som et h in g w r on g? T h is w as t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam of

t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s, b u t t h er e w as act u ally a secon d year am on g t h em ?
It w as n o w on d er t h ey look ed so sm all. H eaven s! W h at w as Eld er Xu an t r yin g t o
d o?
T h e n ext -in -lin e aft er Xiao Xiao w as H u o Yu h ao. H e t ook a st ep for w ar d t o

Xiao Xiao’s sid e a n d said r esp ect fu lly, “Gr eet in gs t o m y sen ior u p p er classm en .
I’m H u o Yu h ao, an d I’m a secon d year of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . I’m a Ran k 26
con t r ol-t yp e sou l m a st er .”
Ran k , Ran k 26? Ot h er t h an M a Xiaot ao, t h e exp r ession s of t h e ot h er s in t h e

in n er cou r t yar d b ecam e som ew h at st r a n ge. H ow ever , seein g as t h ey w er e ab le
t o b ecom e d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d , t h ey h ad ext r em ely calm
t em p er am en t s. T h ou gh t h ey w er e ast on ish ed , t h ey d id n ’t r eveal an y lar ge
ch an ges on t h e ou t sid e.
T h e last in lin e w as W an g Don g. H e cou ld n at u r a lly see t h e a st on ish m en t t h a t
t h e sen ior s in t h e in n er cou r t yar d h a d , an d h en ce h e p r ou d ly r aised h is lit t le
ch est an d said , “W a n g Don g. Secon d year fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , an d a Ran k
31 assau lt -t yp e Sou l Eld er .”
Eld er Xu an n od d ed an d p oin t ed t ow ar d s t h e d iscip les fr om t h e in n er

cou r t yar d , “You r t u r n .”
T h e fir st on e t o w alk ou t fr om am on g t h e gr ou p of d iscip les fr om t h e in n er

cou r t yar d w as act u ally M a Xiaot ao. Sh e w as evid en t ly m u ch ca lm er t h an b efor e.
“In n er cou r t yar d , M a Xiaot ao. Ran k 67 assau lt -t yp e Sou l Em p er or .”
T h ou gh H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est k n ew t h at sh e w as p ow er fu l, t h ey cou ld n ’t
h elp b u t gasp aft er h ear in g h er say t h e w or d s ‘Ran k 67’.
T h e fact t h at sh e cou ld p ar t icip at e in t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y

Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t m ean t t h at sh e w asn ’t even t w en t y yet . H ow ever ,
h er cu lt ivat ion h ad alr ead y r each ed Ran k 67. T h is cou ld n ’t even b e d escr ib ed
u sin g t h e w or d ‘t er r ifyin g’.
A m ale st u d en t st ep p ed u p aft er M a Xiaot ao. H e w as ext r em ely t all, an d

st an d in g t oget h er w it h t h e slen d er M a Xiaot ao w as ext r em ely fit t in g. H u o
Yu h ao felt a few t r aces of fam iliar it y u p on seein g h im , b u t d id n ’t k n ow w h y t h is
w as t h e case. T h is m an h ad a solem n t em p er am en t , an d h is gaze w as as cu t t in g
as a b lad e. H e said in a low voice, “In n er cou r t yar d , Dai Yu eh en g. Ran k 64
assau lt -t yp e Sou l Em p er or .”
H u o Yu h ao fin ally cam e t o h im self aft er h ear in g t h e w or d s ‘Dai Yu eh en g’. H e

w as gr eat ly ast on ish ed , an d h is exp r ession ch an ged in volu n t a r ily. On t h e ot h er
h an d , Dai Yu eh en g sq u in t ed h is eyes as h e look ed at H u o Yu h ao, an d a fain t
ch illy ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh t h em .
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e h ad t w o son s. T h e eld est w as t h e p r in ce of t h e W h it e

T iger Du k e’s M an sion , an d also it s fu t u r e in h er it or ; h e w as ca lled Dai Yu eh en g.
Dai H u ab in ’s t alen t w as ver y ou t st an d in g, as sh ow n b y t h e fact t h at h e w as ab le
t o b ecom e a Ran k 37 Sou l Eld er b efor e even t u r n in g t h ir t een . H ow ever , h e st ill
h ad t o live u n d er t h e sh ad ow of h is eld er b r ot h er .
H u o Yu h ao h ad n ever exp ect ed t o see Dai Yu eh en g in a sit u at ion lik e t h is. H e

w as act u ally on e of t h e cu r r en t gen er at ion ’s Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. Fr om t h e
look in Dai Yu eh en g’s eyes, h e k n ew t h at h is gr u d ge w it h Dai H u ab in w as
d efin it ely k n ow n b y t h e for m er .
T h e p er son w h o cam e u p aft er Dai Yu eh en g w as an ot h er m ale st u d en t . H e

w asn ’t as st u r d ily b u ilt as Dai H u ab in , b u t h is b od y w as slen d er . H e car r ied t h e
t r ace of a w ar m sm ile on h is face. “In n er cou r t yar d , Ch en Zifen g. Ran k 57
assau lt -t yp e Sou l Kin g.”
T h ou gh t h e t w o p r eviou s Sou l Em p er or s w er e sh ock in g, a p er son w h o w as

ab le t o b ecom e a Sou l Kin g b efor e t h e age of t w en t y w as sim ilar ly ast on ish in g! It
w as ext r em ely d ifficu lt t o b ecom e a d iscip le of t h e in n er cou r t yar d , b u t h e w as
act u ally ab le t o st an d ou t fr om t h e m an y d iscip les in t h e in n er cou r t yar d t o go
ou t an d r ep r esen t Sh r ek Acad em y. T h eir excellen ce cou ld b e seen fr om t h is.
T h e fou r t h p er son w as an ot h er w om an . Sh e look ed ext r em ely n or m al, an d

h er figu r e w as also ext r em ely n or m al. M or eover , sh e even h ad sh or t h air . On
t h e su r face, sh e w as a you n g gir l w h o cou ld n ’t b e an y m or e n or m al. Even h er
voice w as so n or m al t h at it w as ast on ish in g.
“In n er cou r t yar d , Xi Xi. Ran k 56 agilit y-t yp e Sou l Kin g.” Sh e gave a sim ilar
in t r od u ct ion , b u t it d id n ’t r eally give a d eep im p r ession . T h e m om en t sh e sp ok e,
h er en t ir e p er son seem ed t o d im , as if sh e’d b een com p let ely over sh ad ow ed b y
t h e r ad ian ce of t h e p eop le in fr on t of h er .
T h e fift h p er son w as also a fem ale st u d en t , an d sh e w as m u ch p r et t ier t h an Xi

Xi. Un lik e M a Xiaot ao’s fier cen ess, sh e h ad a cool sor t of b eau t y. Sh e w as also
d iffer en t fr om J ian g Nan n an ’s gen t len ess; t h e cold an d aloof feelin g t h at cam e
fr om h er w ou ld easily give a p er son a d eep im p r ession . H er sk in w as ver y w h it e,
an d sh e seem ed com p let ely w eigh t less as sh e st ep p ed for w ar d .
“In n er cou r t yar d , Lin g Lu och en . Ran k 55 con t r ol-t yp e Sou l Kin g.” Fin ally, a
con t r ol-t yp e sou l m a st er cam e ou t aft er t h e ot h er assau lt an d agilit y-t yp e on es.
T h e sixt h p er son w a s a t h in b oy w h o w as on ly 1.6 m et er s or so t all. H e h ad a

t h in b od y, an d w as m u ch sh or t er t h an Lin g Lu och en , b u t h is eyes w er e b r igh t
an d filled w it h exp r ession .
“In n er cou r yt ar d , Yao H aoxu an . Ran k 55, con t r ol-t yp e Sou l Kin g.” It w as
an ot h er con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er , b u t w er e t h er e an y au xiliar y-t yp e on es?
T h e last d iscip le fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d h a d an elega n t set of facial

feat u r es. Righ t , t h e w or d w as ‘elegan t ’. T h ou gh h e w as clear ly a m ale st u d en t ,
h e h ad a slen d er b od y an d a jad e-lik e face. H is elegan t ap p ear an ce m ad e on e
in volu n t ar ily fall in love w it h h im , an d even h is voice w as soft , “In n er
cou r t yar d , Gon g Yan gm o. Ran k 59 au xiliar y-t yp e Sou l Kin g.”
T h e seven fr om t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam w ou ld n ever h ave t h ou gh t t h at t h e last

m em b er of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s w ou ld act u ally b e r a n k ed t h ir d in t er m s
of cu lt ivat ion . Secon d on ly t o M a Xiaot a o an d Dai Yu eh en g, h e w as at Ran k 59.
H e on ly n eed ed t o t a k e a sin gle st ep t o b ecom e a Sou l Em p er or -r an k ed exp er t .
Aft er h ear in g h is sen ior u p p er classm en in t r od u ce t h em selves, H u o Yu h ao

et ch ed t h eir n am es, sp ecialt ies, an d sou l r an k s in t o h is m in d . T h ou gh t h ey w er e
w er e on ly assist in g t h em in t h e act u al com p et it ion , t h er e w er e evid en t b en efit s
t o m em or isin g all of t h is.
Ot h er t h an t h e gloom y feelin g h e h ad aft er Dai Yu eh en g’s u n exp ect ed

ap p ear an ce, H u o Yu h ao felt ast on ish ed aft er m em or isin g t h e d et a ils of h is
sen ior s.
T h ese com p et it or s w er e all u n d er t h e a ge of t w en t y, b u t t h ey w er e all ab ove

Ran k 50 ! M or eover , t h er e w er e even t w o of t h em w h o w er e Sou l Em p er or s. W as
t h is act u ally som et h in g t h at cou ld b e ach ieved b efor e t h e age of t w en t y?
T h ou gh t h ey w er e d efin it ely con su m m at e exist en ces am on gst t h eir p eer s, sin ce
t h ey w er e st u d yin g in Sh r ek Acad em y’s in n er cou r t yar d , t h e fact t h at t h ey w er e
all Sou l Kin gs an d Sou l Em p er or s st ill m an aged t o st ar t le H u o Yu h ao. If h e w er e
ab le t o r each t h e So u l Kin g r an k b efor e t h e age of t w en t y, w ou ld n ’t t h at b e a
sigh t t o b eh old ?
It w ou ld n ’t b e an exagger at ion t o say t h at t h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les

st an d in g in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao w er e a lr ead y at t h e ver y t op am on gst t h eir
p eer s. W ou ld t h er e even b e a ch an ce of losin g in t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced
Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t w it h a t eam lik e t h is p ar t icip at in g?
Eld er Xu an n od d ed sligh t ly, “Ok ay, you all k n ow each ot h er a b it n ow . For t h e

sak e of get t in g you gu ys t o k n ow each ot h er m or e, you r fir st t r ain in g t ask t od ay
is a fr ien d ly m at ch . You sh ou ld t r y an d in cr ease you r fam iliar it y w it h each ot h er
in t od ay’s m at ch . You w on ’t ju st b e t eam in g u p w it h you r ow n t eam m at es; I can
sw it ch t h e m em b er s of you r t eam s an y t im e I w ish t o d u r in g t h e m at ch , so as t o
en su r e t h at w e can b e t h e fin a l ch am p ion s of t h e T ou r n am en t . M a Xiaot ao, Dai
Yu eh en g, you each t ak e a t eam . M a Xia ot ao, you r cu lt ivat ion ’s h igh er , so you
can on ly t ak e t w o official m em b er s for you r t eam . H ow ever , I’ll let you ch oose a
m em b er fr om t h e official an d p r ep ar at or y t eam s fir st . Dai Yu eh en g, you can
t ak e t h r ee official m em b er s alon g w it h som e p eop le fr om t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam .
H u o Yu h ao’s gr ou p of seven w er e st ill som ew h at b affled , b u t t h e seven fr om

t h e in n er cou r t yar d w er e clear ly fam iliar w it h Eld er Xu an ’s w ay of d oin g t h in gs.
M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g t ook a st ep for w ar d an d p u t som e d ist an ce

b et w een t h e t w o of t h em . T h e for m er said , “T h e fir st p er son I’ll ch oose fr om
t h e official t eam is Gon g Yan gm o.” Sh e h ad a t ot a l of t h r ee official m em b er s sh e
cou ld ch oose fr om , b u t t h e fir st p er son sh e ch ose w asn ’t t h e assau lt -t yp e Ch en g
Zifen g, b u t t h e p er son w h o h ad t h e h igh est cu lt ivat ion w it h in t h e official t eam
ot h er t h an h er an d Dai Yu eh en g, Gon g Yan gm o.
W it h t h a t , sh e p au sed , “T h e fir st p er son I’ll ch oose fr om t h e p r ep ar at or y

t eam is H u o Yu h ao.”
“H u h ?” T h e m om en t sh e sp ok e, b ot h t eam s w er e gr eat ly ast on ish ed , an d

even Eld er Xu an r ev ealed a st ar t led look on h is face.
M a Xiaot ao sn or t ed cold ly. “W h at ? Can I n ot ch oose h im ?”
W an g Don g b u m p ed H u o Yu h ao, w h o t h en glan ced b ack at h im . Un d er W an g

Don g’s sligh t ly in qu isit ive gaze, t h e for m er cou ld on ly r evea l a h elp less sm ile.
Gon g Yan gm o w alked elegan t ly over t o M a Xiaot ao an d sm iled sligh t ly.

“Xiaot ao, you t r u ly h ave good eyes.”
M a Xiaot ao r evealed a loat h fu l look an d said , “M ain t ain a five m et er d ist an ce

b et w een you an d m e. Ot h er w ise, d on ’t b lam e m e for b ein g im p olit e.”
Gon g Yan gm o w asn ’t an ger ed b y t h is; h e w alk ed five m et er s aw ay fr om h er

w it h a sm ile.
M a Xiaot ao w aved H u o Yu h ao over . “W h at ’r e you w ait in g for ? Qu ick ly, com e

h er e.”
“Oh .” On ly t h en d id H u o Yu h ao qu ick ly w alk over t o M a Xiaot ao’s sid e.
M a Xiaot ao r aised h er ch in t ow ar d s Dai Yu eh en g in a seem in gly p r ovocat ive

m an n er . “It ’s you r t u r n .”
Chapt er 65.1: M ix'n'M at ch Bat t le of t he Seven
M onst er s!
Dai Yaoh en g glan ced at M a Xiaot ao, feelin g a lit t le d u b io u s. In a low voice, h e
said , “Ch en Zifen g, Xu San sh i.”
Bot h of t h em im m ed iat ely ar r ived at Dai Yaoh en g’s sid e.
M a Xiaot ao im m ed ia t ely m ad e h er d ecisio n again , “Xi Xi, Bei Bei.”
H ear in g h er say t h is, H u o Yu h ao alm ost b u r st ou t lau gh in g. Com b in in g t h e

ch ar act er s fr om “Xi” an d “Bei”, w ou ld n ’t t h at for m t h e w or d for fak e good s?
As h e w as w alk in g over , Bei Bei evid en t ly t h ou gh t of t h at as w ell, b ecau se t h e

exp r ession on h is face w as a lit t le st r an ge. H e w an t ed t o la u gh , b u t h e h eld it in .
Dai Yaoh en g said , “Lin g Lu och en , Yao H aoxu an .” H e cou ld ch oose t h r ee

p eop le for t h e st ar t in g lin eu p . Aft er M a Xiaot ao m ad e t w o of h er select ion s, it
w as n at u r a lly im p or t an t t o d ecid e t h e n ext t w o can d id at es a t t h e fir st p ossib le
m om en t . T h e t eam w ou ld d efin it ely b e a lit t le st r on ger w it h a So u l Kin g
am on gst t h em , esp ecially sin ce t h eir op p on en t s w er e all in n er cou r t yar d
st u d en t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y.
M a Xiaot ao n at u r ally w en t ah ead an d ch ose t w o m or e p eop le. T h is t im e

ar ou n d , sh e ob viou sly ch ose t h e r eser ve m em b er s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , “H e
Cait ou , W an g Don g.”
Bot h p ar t ies h ad fin ish ed m ak in g t h eir d ecision s at t h is m o m en t in t im e. In

t h e en d , J ian g Nan n an an d Xiao Xiao n at u r ally w en t t o Dai Yu eh en g’s t eam ,
sin ce t h ey w er e t h e on ly t w o r em ain in g fr om t h e r eser ve t eam . On M a Xiaot ao’s
en d , t h e on es sh e ch ose w er e h er self, Gon g Yan gm o, H u o Yu h ao, Xi Xi, Bei Bei,
H e Cait ou an d W a n g Don g.
On t h e ot h er h an d , Dai Yu eh en g’s fin al d ecision w as t o go w it h Ch en Zifen g,
Lin g Lu och en , Xu San sh i, J ian g Nan n an an d Xiao Xiao.
T h er e w er e seven p eop le on each en d , b u t b ot h t eam s h ad alr ead y b een

com p let ely b r ok en u p .
T h is m at ch w as led b y M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yaoh en g w it h t h e in t en t ion t o

lear n fr om on e an ot h er . Even t h ou gh t h is m at ch w as p r im ar ily m ean t for b ot h
p ar t ies t o fier cely com p et e w it h each ot h er b ased on st r en gt h alon e, it w as
sim ilar ly t est in g t h eir ab ilit ies t o select t h eir t eam m em b er s as w ell. In a t eam
b at t le, on e w ou ld d isp lay d iffer en t com b at st r en gt h s w h en p u t in d iffer en t
gr ou p s.
Eld er Xu an h u gged h is h u ge alcoh ol calab ash an d la u gh ed m isch ievou sly. H e

t h en said , “Ver y w ell. Sin ce you gu ys h ave fin ish ed ch oosin g you r m em b er s, I
w ill give you t en m in u t es t o p lan you r t act ics. Aft er t en m in u t es, t h e m at ch w ill
st ar t . T h e losin g p ar t y… W ell… You can ju st scr eam t h is sen t en ce - ‘I am a p ig’
an d t h at ’ll b e fin e.”
Su r e en ou gh , t h is w as a p ecu liar p u n ish m en t , cau sin g W an g Don g t o b r eak

ou t in la u gh t er .
T h er e w er e seven p eop le on b ot h p ar t ies. T h e d ist an ce b et w een b ot h p ar t ies

n at u r ally gr ew as t h ey w en t t o st an d on each op p osit e en d s of t h e assessm en t
ar ea.
Gon g Yan gm o sp ok e t o M a Xiaot ao in a low voice, “Xiaot ao, w h y d id n ’t you

ch oose a Con t r ol Syst em Bat t le Sou l M a st er ? Did n ’t I say t h at you can ’t p u t Xi Xi
in ?! Bu t you a lso k n ow t h at if you d on ’t h ave a con t r ol-t yp e in a t eam b at t le, w e
w ill b e at a h u ge d isa d van t age. W e u su ally con d u ct d r ills t oget h er , so you sh ou ld
also b e ver y clear as t o h ow p ow er fu l Lin g Lu och en an d Yao H aoxu an ar e
t oget h er as con t r ol-t yp es. Even t h ou gh I can b ar ely act as a con t r ol-t yp e, I am
n ot a t r u e con t r ol-t yp e aft er all is sa id an d d on e.”
M a Xiaot ao glar ed at h im an d said , “Do I n eed you t o t each m e w h at t o d o?
You ju st n eed t o d o ever yt h in g you ca n t o assist ever yon e w h en t h e m at ch
st ar t s. I’ll t ak e car e of Dai Yaoh en g, b u t I can ’t fin ish h im off in a sh or t p er iod of
t im e. I can on ly d o m y b est an d h elp t h e r est of you . Xi Xi, I’ll h an d Ch en Zifen g
over t o you .”
Xi Xi fr ow n ed a lit t le. “Sh ou ld n ’t I t ak e ca r e of Lin g Lu och en fir st ?”
M a Xiaot ao sh ook h er h ead an d said , “Lin g Lu och en h a s Yao H aoxu an b y h is

sid e. You w ill b e at a d isad van t age b ecau se Yao H aoxu an ’s ab ilit y can r est r ain
you . Relax, I h ave a p lan . Bei Bei, follow Xi Xi w h en t h e t im e com es. Bot h of you
h ave ligh t n in g ab ilit ies, so you ’ll com p lem en t on e an ot h er . You gu ys n eed t o get
r id of Ch en Zih en g a t t h e qu ick est p ossib le m om en t , t h en you gu ys can focu s on
h elp in g t h e ot h er s. Sin ce w e ju st p u t t h ese t w o t eam s t oget h er , I k n ow t h er e
isn ’t goin g t o b e m u ch r ap p or t b et w een u s in t h e u p com in g con fr on t at ion . T h e
m ost it ’s goin g t o b e is a b at t le b et w een in d ivid u als. Cait ou , I k n ow t h at you ’r e a
ver y t alen t ed ou t er cou r t yar d st u d en t fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . You
d on ’t n eed t o h old b ack for lat er , an d can sh ow er t h em w it h om n i-d ir ect ion al
exp losive at t ack s.”
“Ok ay.” H e Cait ou r ep lied .
On ly t h en d id M a Xiaot ao sh ift h er gaze t o H u o Yu h ao. T h er e w as an od d

exp r ession on h er face as sh e ch u ck led . “Lit t le Yu h ao, eld er sist er d id n ot p ick
you b ecau se w e ar e p er son ally on good t er m s. Eld er Xu an on ly allow ed m e t o
ch oose t w o p eop le fr om t h e st ar t in g lin eu p . You ar e t h e k ey as t o w h et h er w e
can w in t h is b at t le or n ot , so you b et t er go all ou t . I’ll give you an d W an g Don g
t h e au t h or it y t o b at t le as you p lease. Let m e see ju st h ow far you can go.
M or eover , I’ll h an d t h e t eam ’s con t r ol over t o you . Even if you can ’t con t r ol
you r op p on en t s, t h e b est you can d o is con t r ol t h e p eop le on you r t eam . Can you
d o t h at ?”
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t aver t h is ga ze, seein g as t h er e w as som ew h at of

a p layfu l look in M a Xiaot ao’s eyes. H e h ad n o ch oice b u t t o n od an d say, “I’ll d o
m y b est .”
M a Xiaot ao sn or t ed an d said , “Doin g you r b est is ou t of t h e qu est ion . W e m u st
d efin it ely w in . If you let t h is old w om an scr eam t h at lin e as p u n ish m en t , t h en
you b et t er b e p r ep a r ed for t h e con sequ en ces.” Aft er sh e fin ish ed t alk in g, sh e
st r aigh t en ed h er b a ck an d alm ost k n ock ed in t o H u o Yu h a o. A valian t au r a
su d d en ly r ose ar ou n d h er as M a Xiaot ao t u r n ed ar ou n d a n d look ed at t h eir
op p on en t s in t h e d ist an ce, “Is Dai Yaoh en g n ot sat isfied t h at I got t o lead t h e
t eam w h en I r et u r n ed ? If so, t h en t h is old w om an w ill b eat h im u p t ill h e’s
sat isfied .”
“Eld er sist er Xiaot ao, I h ave a qu est ion .” W an g Don g su d d en ly sp ok e.
M a Xiaot ao glan ced at h im an d ask ed , “W h at ’s t h e qu est ion ?”
W an g Don g said , “I’ve h ear d t h a t t h er e n eed s t o b e a st u d en t fr om t h e Sou l

T ool Dep ar t m en t am on gst Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. Bu t … t h er e isn ’t on e
am on gst you r gr ou p .”
M a Xiaot ao in d iffer en t ly said , “W e or igin ally h ad on e, b u t h e w as elim in at ed

aft er I r et u r n ed . No on e is in d isp en sab le on t h is t eam ; if w e h ave t o get r id of
on e p er son , w e can d eal w it h n ot h avin g a Sou l T ool M ast er .”
H u o Yu h ao an d H e Cait ou fr ow n ed h ea r in g h er say t h at . Even t h ou gh M a

Xiaot ao d id n ’t in t en t ion ally d ir ect t h ose w or d s at t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , it
w as ext r em ely easy t o d iscer n fr om h er t on e t h at t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t
d id n ’t h ave a p osit ion in t h e in n er cou r t yar d .
T h e t en m in u t es w er e u p q u ick ly. Dai Yu eh en g h a d evid en t ly m ad e cer t ain

ar r an gem en t s on h is en d t oo. Bot h p ar t ies faced each ot h er fr om op p osit e en d s
of t h e assessm en t a r ea.
Eld er Xu an ’s voice r an g ou t on ce m or e. “Fr om n ow on , you ar e n ot st u d en t s,

b u t en em ies. I d on ’t n eed t o t ell you w h at t o d o t o figh t over t h e t it le of n ot
b ein g a p ig. All of you d on ’t n eed t o h old b ack . St ar t !”
Bot h p ar t ies w er e st ill ext r em ely far aw a y fr om each ot h er r igh t n ow . W h en
h e sh ou t ed “st ar t ”, b ot h t eam s im m ed iat ely m oved .
M a Xiaot ao w as t h e fir st t o r u sh ou t . On ce t h e t ip s of h er t oes t ou ch ed t h e

gr ou n d , sh e w as lik e an ar r ow , sh oot in g st r aigh t o u t at ligh t n in g sp eed . Fier y
feat h er s su d d en ly ap p ear ed , an d follow in g t h at , a r ad ian t glo w b u r n ed fier cely
in h er eyes.
A st r on g r ed d ish -gold flam e b u r st for t h , ligh t in g u p t h e w h ole field .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad p er son ally seen h ow M a Xiaot ao w as lik e

w h en sh e lau n ch ed an all ou t at t ack . W h en t h ey saw t h e flam es fr om h er Evil
Ph oen ix, t h ey w er e su d d en ly fir ed u p . T h ey h ad n ever exp ect ed t h at t h ey’d
act u ally get t o figh t alon gsid e M a Xiaot ao so soon .
H ow ever , M a Xiaot a o’s op p on en t w as Dai Yu eh en g’s t eam . As a r esu lt of t h at ,

sh e clear ly w asn ’t as fier ce an d qu ick com p ar ed t o w h en sh e w as w h en d ealin g
w it h t h ose sou l m ast er s w h o w an t ed t o k ill H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g last
t im e. Sh e in t en t ion ally con t r olled t h e sp eed at w h ich sh e w as ad van cin g, an d
m ain t ain ed t h e for m at ion sh e h ad w it h h er t eam m em b er s b eh in d h er .
Xi Xi also m ad e a m ove at t h e sam e t im e M a Xiaot ao ad van ced for w ar d s. Sh e

w as m u ch fast er t h a n t h e ou t er cou r t yar d st u d en t s an t icip a t ed , an d w as even
fast er t h an M a Xiaot ao. In a flash , sh e w a s r igh t b eh in d M a Xiaot ao. It seem ed as
t h ou gh h er w h ole b od y h ad alr ea d y fu sed in t o M a Xiaot ao’s flam es. H ow ever ,
t h e m om en t sh e d isap p ear ed , M a Xiaot ao’s b lazin g p h oen ix flam es seem ed
som ew h at cold er t h a n b efor e.
T w o m agn ificen t p air s of w in gs sim u lt a n eou sly ap p ear ed on t h e b at t lefield .

On e of t h em w as n at u r ally W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess. Rad ia n t
r ays of ligh t flick er ed in b lu e an d gold as h e u n fu r led h is w in gs. H ow ever , W an g
Don g d id n ’t t ak e fligh t , r at h er h e h eld H u o Yu h ao’s h an d as t h ey qu ick ly d a sh ed
for w ar d s w it h t h e h elp of h is w in gs.
T h e ot h er m agn ificen t p air of w in gs d id n ’t lose t o t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly
God d ess’ w in gs in t er m s of b eau t y. T h e ot h er p er son h ad h u ge w in gs w it h
feat h er s t h at com p r ised of all t h e colou r s of t h e r ain b ow . St ar t in g w it h r ed
feat h er s on t h e p er son ’s b ack , t h e color s sp r ead ou t t ill t h e t ip s of t h e w in gs
w er e p u r p le. Red , or an ge, yellow , gr een , b lu e, in d igo, violet . T h ose seven
colou r s w er e p u r e a n d sp ar k led in t h e ligh t . W h en h e t ook fligh t , it w as ju st as
t h ou gh a r ain b ow w as h over in g in t h e sk y.
T h is gor geou s p air of w in gs b elon ged t o t h e elegan t Gon g Yan gm o. In t h is

m om en t , h is lon g h air h ad sim ilar ly t u r n ed in t o t h e color s of t h e r ain b ow .
T h er e w as also w h it e scales on h is sk in . On t h e w h ole, it w as ju st lik e h e’d
t u r n ed in t o a h u ge color fu l b ir d . T h e on ly d iffer en ce b et w een h im an d b ir d s w as
t h at h is legs seem ed t o h ave t h ick en ed a b it , w it h scales fain t ly flash in g at h is
an k les.
W h at w as t h is m ar t ial sou l? T h e ou t er cou r t yar d d iscip les h ad also lea r n ed

ab ou t m an y m ar t ial sou ls, b u t t h ey h ad n ’t h ear d ab ou t a m ar t ial sou l lik e Gon g
Yan gm o’s b efor e. T h e r ar it y of said m ar t ial sou l cou ld b e com p ar ed t o t h e
Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
H e Cait ou w asn ’t fast , b u t on e sh ou ld n ’t for get t h at h e w as a Ran k 4 Sou l T ool

M ast er . Rays of ligh t su d d en ly sh on e on h is b ack , b r azen ly in d icat in g t h at t h e
p r op eller h ad b een act ivat ed . M or eover , h e’d d r agged Bei Bei alon g w it h h im
an d cau gh t u p t o M a Xiaot ao, n ot slow in g d ow n in t h e sligh t est .
At t h is m om en t , t h eir for m at ion w as as follow s: Gon g Yan gm o w as in t h e sk y.

M a Xiaot ao, Xi Xi, Bei Bei an d H e Cait ou w er e in fr on t w it h H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g b eh in d t h em .
On t h e ot h er en d , Dai Yaoh en g’s t eam sim ilar ly got in t o for m at ion . Dai
Yaoh en g t ook t h e lead an d r eleased t h e w h it e t iger m a r t ia l sou l u n iq u e t o t h e
W h it e T iger Du k e’s M an sion . A n et h er w or ld ly glin t sh on e in h is eyes t h at h ad
t w o p u p ils in t h em . T h ey w er e filled w it h an in t en se d esir e t o figh t .
Ch en Zifen g w as on h is left , w h er eas Xu San sh i w as on h is r igh t . J ian g
Nan n an on t h e ot h er h an d , w as b eh in d Dai Yaoh en g. T h r ee Con t r ol Syst em
Bat t le Sou l M ast er s w er e follow in g t h em fu r t h er b eh in d t h e gr ou p .
Lin g Lu och en , Yao H aoxu an an d Xiaoxiao w er e st an d in g n ext t o each ot h er .

T h e t r io r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls on e aft er t h e ot h er .
T h e seven on t h eir en d w er e ar r a n ged in a t h r ee-on e-t h r ee for m at ion .
Seven ver su s seven . A m at ch b et w een t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e in n er a n d ou t er

cou r t yar d as w ell as t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M o n st er s w as ab ou t t o b egin .
Am on gst ever yon e p r esen t on t h e b at t lefield , t h e con sp icu ou s on es w er en ’t

t h e t w o Sou l Em p er or s w h o w er e ch ar gin g for t h , ah ea d fr om ever yon e else in
t h eir ow n p ack . Rat h er , H u o Yu h ao w as t h e on e w h o cau gh t ever yon e’s eye as a
Sou l M ast er w it h on ly t w o sou l r in gs. H is t w o w h it e sou l r in gs w er e r eally t oo
st r ik in g!
W h en Gon g Yan gm o saw H u o Yu h ao’s w h it e sou l r in gs as h e flew in t h e sk y,

h e alm ost fell d ow n . H e r eally w an t ed t o qu est ion w h en t h e Sh r ek Acad em y h ad
a st u d en t w h o h ad t w o t en -year -old sou l r in gs. M or eover , t h is st u d en t cou ld
even b ecom e a cor e d iscip le. If t h at w asn ’t en ou gh , t h is st u d en t w as also p ar t of
t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er ’s r eser ve t eam . It seem ed as t h ou gh M a Xiaot ao
valu ed h im h igh ly t oo.
M onst er s!
As ever yon e else r eleased t h eir d azzlin g yellow , p u r p le, an d even b lack sou l
r in gs, H u o Yu h ao’s p air of p u r e-w h it e on es n at u r ally b ecam e t h e focu s of t h e
en t ir e field .
Sh r ek Acad em y’s assessm en t ar ea t ook u p a lar ge am ou n t of sp ace, an d

t h ou gh b ot h p ar t ies w er e m ovin g q u ick ly, it st ill t ook a w h ile for t h em t o
ap p r oach each ot h er . At t h is m om en t , t h ey w er e on ly a h u n d r ed m et er s aw ay
fr om each ot h er . H u o Yu h ao’s fir st sou l r in g w as t h e fir st t o ligh t u p .
T h e h alo cr eat ed b y t h e p u r e-w h it e sou l r in g w asn ’t lar ge, an d it w o u ld b e

h ar d t o at t r act an yb od y’s at t en t ion w it h it . H ow ever , in t h e sh or t p er iod of t im e
in w h ich t h e h a lo exp an d ed , t h e ot h er six p eop le in M a Xiaot ao’s t eam w er e all
ast on ish ed .
T h e su d d en feelin g of h avin g an ext r a b r ain h elp t h em calcu lat e an d d et ect

ever yt h in g ar ou n d t h em w as sim p ly t oo m ir acu lou s. T h ey d id n ’t even n eed t o
u se t h eir eyes t o feel ever yt h in g ar ou n d t h em . T h e ap p ear an ce of t h e t h r ee-
d im en sion a l im age cau sed a lar ge qu an t it y of d at a t o ap p ear in t h eir m in d s,
cau sin g t h em t o feel m u ch m or e con fid en t . T h ou gh t h eir op p on en t s h ad n ’t even
en t er ed t h e r an ge of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , it s su d d en an d p ow er fu l
effect st u n n ed t h e few m em b er s of t h e official t eam w h o w er en ’t fam iliar w it h
h im .
J u st w h y h ad M a Xia ot ao ch osen H u o Yu h ao? In r ealit y, sh e w asn ’t ver y clear

on H u o Yu h ao’s ab ilit ies, b u t h is Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l h a d left t oo d eep an
im p r ession on h er !
T h e gap b et w een h er cu lt iva t ion an d H u o Yu h ao’s cou ld n ’t even b e d escr ib ed
u sin g t h e p h r ase ‘as w id e as t h e d iffer en ce b et w een t h e h ea ven s an d t h e ear t h ’.
H ow ever , even in a sit u at ion lik e t h is, h e w as ab le t o r ely on h is w eak ab ilit y t o
com p let ely su p p r ess h er Evil Fir e w it h in a fu ll d ay. Aft er t h a t su p p r ession , M a
Xiaot ao cou ld n o lon ger feel t h a t evil in t en t b u r n in g h er an ym or e. T h ou gh sh e
k n ew t h at t h is w as t r eat in g t h e sym p t om s, an d n ot t h e r oot cau se of h er
p r ob lem , M a Xiaot ao k n ew t h at t h er e w ou ld b e n o ch an ce of a r elap se occu r r in g
even if sh e cu lt iva t ed an d b at t led for an en t ir e m on t h .
Com b in ed w it h t h at fact t h at sh e h ad p er son ally w it n essed H u o Yu h ao an d

W an g Don g escap e fr om t h e en cir clem en t of a Sou l Em p er or an d five Sou l
Kin gs, sh e k n ew t h at sh e cou ld n ’t t r ea t t h em lik e or d in ar y t w o-r in ged an d
t h r ee-r in ged sou l m ast er s. Eld er Xu an w a s ext r em ely p ick y, b u t h ad st ill allow ed
t h e t h r ee of t h em t o en t er t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam ; t h eir t alen t cou ld b e seen fr om
t h is fact alon e.
Becau se of t h is, M a Xiaot ao’s fir st p ick w asn ’t Bei Bei or Xu San sh i, b u t H u o
Yu h ao. Sh e h op ed t o b e su r p r ised b y h im .
An d t h e fact s h ad sh ow n t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad given h er , Xi Xi, an d Gon g

Yan gm o an ext r em ely lar ge sh ock . T h e om n id ir ect ion al Sp ir it u al Det ect ion
Sh ar in g w a s essen t ia lly a fu sion of a con t r ol-t yp e an d au xiliar y-t yp e sk ill, an d it s
accu r at e scou t in g ca p ab ilit ies im m ed ia t ely gave t h em t h e in it iat ive.
T h e m id air Gon g Yan gm o r evealed a look of su r p r ise, t h en r evealed h is

st r en gt h . Aft er all, h e cou ld n ’t fall b eh in d h is lit t le ju n ior d iscip les.
A d azzlin g seven -colou r ed ligh t lit u p , an d Gon g Yan gm o’s fir st an d secon d
h u n d r ed year sou l r in gs lit u p . H e flap p ed h is w in gs, cau sin g a r ed an d or an ge
r in g of ligh t t o sou n d lessly em er ge fr om h is b od y an d en velop h is allies b elow
h im .
Im m ed iat ely, an ast on ish in g scen e occu r r ed . A scar let -r ed a n d or an ge r in g of

ligh t ap p ear ed on t h e ot h er six p eop le led b y M a Xiaot ao, an d t h ey w er e ab le t o
sen se t h e st r en gt h of Gon g Yan gm o’s au xiliar y-t yp e sk ill.
T h e fir st b u ff t h ey w er e given w as an in cr ease in st r en gt h . It w as ad m it t ed ly
t r u e t h at sou l p ow er w as im p or t an t , b u t on e’s p h ysica l st r en gt h p layed a
sim ilar ly im p or t an t r ole. W h en t h e r ed r in g of ligh t ap p ear ed , t h e six of t h em
felt as if t h ey’d b een given a car d iac st im u lan t . T h is in cr eased t h eir st r en gt h b y
m or e t h an 50 %, t h u s in cr easin g t h eir sp eed as w ell.
H ow ever , t h e or an ge r in g of ligh t w as even m or e m ir acu lou s. Aft er it lan d ed

on M a Xiaot ao’s t eam , t h ey im m ed iat ely felt as if t h ey’d b ecom e a sou r ce of
en er gy. T h e elem en t al u n d u lat ion s in t h e air b ecam e m u ch clear er t o t h em ,
b efor e su r gin g in t o t h eir b od ies lik e a r iv er flow in g in t o a sea. T h is w as act u ally
an au xiliar y sk ill t h at cou ld r ecover a p er son ’s sou l p ow er .
A su p p lem en t ar y ab ilit y on t h is level cou ld b e con sid er ed t o b e an exp losive

in cr ease t o t h e over all st r en gt h of t h eir t eam . T h is w as t h e m ost im p or t an t u se
of an au xiliar y-t yp e sou l m ast er in a b at t le.
As an official m em b er of t h e cu r r en t p ar t icip at in g t eam , Gon g Yan gm o’s

cu lt ivat ion level cou ld b e im agin ed . T h e r eason w h y h e w as r an k ed last w asn ’t
b ecau se of a d eficien cy in h is sou l p ow er or h is m ar t ial sou l, b u t b ecau se h e w as
on ly an au xiliar y-t yp e t ool sou l m ast er w h o d id n ’t h ave an y com b at st r en gt h
h im self. Nor m a lly, a figu r e lik e h im w ou ld t en d t o b e r an k ed last in a t eam .
In t er m s of sim p le cu lt ivat ion , h ow ever , h e w as secon d on ly t o M a Xiaot ao

an d Dai Yu eh en g.
W h at H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est d id n ’t k n ow , h ow ever , w as t h at b ecau se M a

Xiaot ao h ad b een affect ed b y h er Evil Fir e, sh e h ad h ad t o t em p or ar ily leave t h e
Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s, an d h en ce n ot b e ab le t o r ep r esen t t h e sch ool. At t h a t
t im e, t h e cap t ain of t h e official t eam w as Dai Yu eh en g, w h ile t h e vice-cap t ain
w as Gon g Yan gm o, w h o w as r an k ed last .
Gon g Yan gm o’s m ar t ial sou l w as called t h e Rain b ow Dr agon . T h is w as a sou l

b east t h at act u ally exist ed , b u t w as ext r em ely r ar e. It s r a r it y w as ar ou n d t h a t of
W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
T h e Dr agon r ace h a d alw ays b een ver y p ow er fu l, an d t h e Rain b ow Dr agon
w asn ’t an excep t ion t o t h e case; aft er all, it h ad t h e w or d ‘Dr a gon ’ at t ach ed t o it s
n am e. W h en ever a Rain b ow Dr agon ap p ear ed , it w ou ld b e follow ed b y t h e m ost
p ow er fu l m em b er s of t h e Dr agon r ace, as t h e com p an ion of t h e Dr agon Kin g.
T h e Dr agon Kin g w h o w as t h e p ar t n er of t h e Rain b ow Dr agon w ou ld

gen er ally b e u n sh a k eab le. T h at w as p r ecisely b ecau se it h ad t h e t er r ifyin g
assist an ce of t h e Rain b ow Dr agon .
Pr act ically ever y sin gle m em b er of t h e Dr agon r ace w as p ow er fu l in b at t le,

b u t t h e Rain b ow Dr agon w as an excep t ion t o t h is r u le. It d id n ’t h ave a h igh level
of p h ysical st r en gt h , n or d id it h ave a t er r ifyin g in n at e so u l sk ill. H ow ever , it
h ad t h e h igh est am o u n t of m agical p ow er . Becau se of t h is, it w as also r efer r ed t o
as t h e M agic Dr agon .
Gon g Yan gm o w as an au xiliar y-t yp e t ool sou l m ast er , b u t h is m ar t ial so u l w as

act u ally a b east sou l.
Of t h e m an y au xiliar y-t yp e m ar t ial sou ls, t h e st r on gest of t h e t ool sou ls w as

t h e Seven T r easu r es Glazed Pagod a t h at Nin g T ian p ossessed . On ce it w as ab le t o
en t er t h e r ealm of N in e T r easu r es, it s au xiliar y cap ab ilit ies cou ld t er r ify even a
T it led Dou lu o.
Gon g Yan gm o’s Rain b ow Dr agon , on t h e ot h er h an d , w a s t h e st r on gest

au xiliar y-t yp e m ar t ial sou l w it h in t h e ca t egor y of b east sou ls; it w as com p ar ab le
t o t h e Seven T r easu r es Glazed Pagod a. H ow ever , lik e t h e for m er , h is Rain b ow
Dr agon su ffer ed a few lim it at ion s. On ce h e ach ieved t h e Seven Colou r ed Gam u t ,
or t h e seven -r in ged r an k in ot h er w or d s, t ak in g an ot h er st ep w ou ld b e
ext r em ely d ifficu lt for h im .
T h e Rain b ow Dr agon an d t h e Seven T r easu r es Glazed Pagod a each h ad t h eir

ow n sp ecialt ies. On a com p r eh en sive scale, t h er e w er e h a r d ly an y d iffer en ces
b et w een t h eir r esp ect ive st r en gt h s. Fr om t h is, it cou ld b e seen h ow st r on g t h e
p in n acle five-r in ged Gon g Yan gm o w as in t h e au xiliar y field . M a Xiaot ao h a d
t ak en h im as h er fir st p ick d u e t o t h e 30 % st r en gt h in cr ease h e w ou ld give t o t h e
en t ir e t eam , allow in g h er t o m ak e u p for t h e lack of an ext r a m em b er fr om t h e
official t eam .
J u st as H u o Yu h ao an d Gon g Yan gm o r eleased t h eir con t r ol an d au xiliar y-

t yp e sk ills, t h e seven -m an t eam led b y Dai Yu eh en g b egan t o r elease t h eir so u l
sk ills.
A h eaven -sh ak in g r oar r an g ou t . T h e p er son w h o m ad e t h e fir st m ove w as t h e

r elat ively u n r em ar k ab le m em b er of t h e official Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s, Yao
H aoxu an . H is ext r em ely p et it e b od y su d d en ly acceler a t ed , an d h e st om p ed h is
r igh t foot on t h e gr ou n d h eavily.
“Boom ——” A m u ffled , lou d sou n d sh ook t h e en t ir e Assessm en t Ar ea, as if an

Ear t h Dr agon w as r isin g t o it s feet . It w as ver y d ifficu lt t o im agin e h ow Yao
H aoxu an ’s p et it e b od y w as ab le t o r elease su ch an en or m ou s am ou n t of p ow er .
Righ t aft er t h a t , h e b or r ow ed t h e t yr an n ical am ou n t of for ce fr om h is st om p

t o sh oot in t o t h e air . T h en , H u o Yu h ao w it n essed a scen e t h at h e’d n ever seen
on a sou l m ast er b efor e.
Yao H aoxu an ’s p et it e b od y r eleased a sh at t er in g sou n d in m id air , t ear in g h is

sch ool u n ifor m t o b it s an d p ieces. As if h e k n ew t h is w a s goin g t o h ap p en , h e
w or e a d ar k -gold sh ir t u n d er h is u n ifor m . T h is sh ir t w as ext r em ely elast ic; it
d id n ’t h ave an y sign s of t ear in g even aft er h is b od y su d d en ly exp an d ed .
Nor m ally, a sou l m ast er w h o p ossessed a b east sou l w ou ld u n d er go a few

ch an ges w h en t h ey act ivat ed t h em . For exam p le, t h is w as t h e case for M a
Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g. H ow ever , am on gst t h e sou l m ast er s H u o Yu h ao h ad
seen b efor e, a p er son cou ld on ly d ou b le t h e size of h is b od y at m ost . H ow ever ,
t h e cu r r en t Yao H aoxu an h ad com p let ely over t u r n ed h is u n d er st an d in g.
W h ile h is b od y w as in m id air , Yao H aoxu an ext en d ed h is fou r lim b s. T h en ,

h is t er r ifyin g m u scles b u lged , an d w it h in t h e b lin k of an eye, h e b ecam e an
en or m ou s an d over -exagger at ed ad on is.
Ever y sin gle on e of h is m u scles sw elled , an d t h e su r face of h is sk in w as
cover ed in a k er at in an d leat h er -lik e su b st an ce. H is sk in t u r n ed a m et allic gr ay,
an d h is eyes t u r n ed d ar k gr een .
Yao H aoxu an , w h o or igin ally w asn ’t even as t all as Lin g Lu och en , w as n ow

over fou r m et er s t all as h e lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d w it h a cr ash . Righ t , fou r
m et er s. T h is w as a h eigh t t h a t or d in ar y h u m an s cou ld n ’t even gr ow t o.
T h e m or e t er r ifyin g fact w as t h at h is sh ou ld er s w er e t h r ee m et er s w id e. Aft er

lan d in g, h e b ecam e as t h ick as a sm all for t r ess. H e t ook a d eep , coar se b r eat h ,
t h en r aised h is p ect or als, w h ich w er e as lar ge as a ch op p in g b lock .
H e p ou n d ed h is ch est u sin g h is en or m ou s, h am m er -lik e fist s, an d t w o yellow

sou l r in gs lit u p .
“Boom , b oom , boom , b oom , boom , boom , b oom …” Am id st t h e m u ffled

b oom s, ever yon e cou ld see yellow r in gs of ligh t sp r ead ou t fr om Yao H aoxu an ’s
b od y. Ever y sin gle m em b er of t h e op p osin g t eam w as cover ed w it h a layer of
yellow ligh t , an d t h eir au r a s b ecam e evid en t ly sh ar p er . On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o
Yu h ao’s t eam b egan t o feel sligh t ly d izzy aft er h ear in g t h at m u ffled sou n d .
T h is w as t h e a u xilia r y an d con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er , Yao H a oxu an ! J u st w h at

m ar t ial sou l d id h e p ossess?
Follow in g Gon g Yan gm o’s ap p ear an ce, an ot h er m ar t ial sou l w h ich H u o

Yu h ao com p let ely d id n ’t r ecogn ise ap p ea r ed .
Con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er s w ou ld alw ays m ak e t h e fir st m ove in a t eam b at t le.
T h ey d id n ’t ju st con t r ol t h eir en em ies, b u t t h eir ow n t eam m at es as w ell if t h ey
w er e ab le t o. Con t r o l-t yp e sou l m ast er s w er e alw ays k n ow n as t h e com m an d er s
of t h e b at t lefield .
Becau se of t h is, Yao H aoxu an w asn ’t t h e on ly p er son fr om Dai Yu eh en g’s
t eam w h o m ad e a m ove; t h e con t r ol-t yp e Lin g Lu och en an d Xiao Xiao m ad e a
m ove as w ell.
M onst er s!
Xiao Xiao k n ew t h at h er cu lt ivat ion w as t oo low t o p lay a d ecisive r ole in t h e

b at t le. As su ch , sh e on ly u sed h er Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e. W h en sh e
d id , a ‘w u w u ’ sou n d ech oed t h r ou gh ou t t h e su r r ou n d in g ar ea, an d M a Xiaot ao’s
sp eed w as im m ed iat ely r ed u ced b y a sm a ll m ar gin .
Com p ar ed t o Xiao Xiao, t h e n ear b y Lin g Lu och en w as m u ch m or e p ow er fu l.

W h en sh e r eleased h er m ar t ial sou l, all five of h er sou l r in gs b egan t o m ove
r h yt h m ically, an d a layer of ice cr yst als cover ed h er en t ir e b od y. Im m ed iat ely
aft er w ar d s, t h e layer of ice cr yst als b egan t o sh in e as t h ey m er ged w it h h er
secon d sou l r in g, w h ich cau sed h er b od y t o b e en cased in ligh t b lu e ice a r m or .
W h en t h e ligh t fr om h er t eam m at es’ sou l r in gs sh on e o n it , t h e ligh t w as
r efr act ed an d gave b ir t h t o a b eau t ifu l an d r ad ian t d isp lay of color s.
H er fir st sou l r in g w as t h e n ext t o ligh t u p . Lin g Lu och en r aised h er r igh t

h an d w h en it d id , an d m ad e a gr ab b in g m ot ion . W h en sh e d id , a t w o m et er -lon g
m agical st aff m ad e of ice cr yst als m at er ia lized fr om a b lu e ligh t .
Un exp ect ed ly, b ot h of t h e sou l sk ills sh e’d u sed so far h ad n ot h in g t o d o w it h

‘con t r ol’. On e h ad cau sed a m agical st aff t o m at er ialize, t h e ot h er a su it of ice
ar m or . Desp it e t h is, n eit h er of t h ese ab ilit ies seem ed w eak !
H ow ever , Lin g Lu och en qu ick ly d isp layed h er st r en gt h . Sh e p oin t ed t h e st aff

t ow ar d s t h e sk y, an d a layer of ice-b lu e ligh t in st an t ly en velop ed t h e
su r r ou n d in g a r ea. Aft er w ar d s, t h e ice-b lu e air r u sh ed t ow ar d s t h e en em y t eam .
Sh e d id n ’t u se an y ot h er sou l sk ills.
As on e m igh t n ot ice, h er m ar t ial sou l w as n ot h in g b u t ‘ice’. Sh e h ad an

ext r em ely r ar e elem en t al m ar t ial sou l t h at let h er con t r ol ice.
M a Xiaot ao w as in t h e fr on t . T h er efor e, sh e w ou ld h ave b een t h e fir st on e t o
su ffer t h e effect s of t h e w ave of cold . Dai Yu eh en g an d t h e ot h er s t h ou gh t t h a t
sh e w ou ld u se h er p h oen ix flam es t o r esist t h e at t ack . H ow ever , sh e d id n ot h in g
of t h e sor t . Sh e ju st st op p ed .
Given h er cu lt iva t ion , Lin g Lu och en ’s ab ilit y t o con t r ol ice w asn ’t r eally a
t h r eat t o h er . H ow ever , ice cou ld r est r a in fir e. W it h Lin g Lu och en h er e, h er
p h oen ix flam es w ou ld b e w eak en ed , an d h er con su m p t ion of sp ir it u al p ow er
w ou ld also in cr ease.
Bu t su r p r isin gly en ou gh , t h e ir r it ab le M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t p u sh for w ar d . Sin ce

sh e h ad st op p ed , h er t eam m at es also qu ick ly cau gh t u p .
“H u o Yu h ao, r elease you r ice elem en t au r a an d su p p r ess h er .” M a Xiaot ao

sh ou t ed in a low voice. At t h is t im e, t h ey w er e less t h an fift y m et er s aw ay fr om
Dai Yu eh en g an d Ch en Zifen g. An d r igh t n ow , t h ey h ad alr ead y en t er ed t h e
r an ge of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . T h e con d it ion of t h eir sou l p ow er ,
t h eir sp eed , t h eir m ovem en t s, all t h e m oves t h ey w er e p lan n in g t o d o; n ot h in g
cou ld escap e H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o w as st ill a lit t le n er vou s. Aft er all, t h e op p osin g t eam

h ad fou r st u d en t s of t h e in n er cou r t yar d ! W h en M a Xiaot ao sh ou t ed t h a t
com m an d , h e m ist ook h er in t en t ion s.
Su p p r ess h er ? H ow exact ly can I su p p r ess h er ? If it w er e a Sou l Gr an d m a st er ,

m ayb e I w ou ld b e able t o su p p r ess h im . Bu t a Sou l Kin g? T h is is im p ossib le!
M a Xiaot ao w as m u ch m or e exp er ien ced t h an h im . T h er efor e, sh e ju st w an t ed

t o m ak e h im r elease h is Ult im at e ice elem en t m ar t ial sou l. Even if Lin g Lu och en
h ad a p ow er fu l elem en t al m ar t ial sou l, it w as st ill som ew h at lack in g com p ar ed
t o an Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l of t h e ice elem en t . J u st b y r elea sin g h is Ult im a t e ice
elem en t , h e w ou ld b e ab le t o p r ot ect h is t eam m at es fr om Lin g Lu och en ’s ab ilit y
t o con t r ol ice. Ot h er w ise, if t h ey w er e t o b e affect ed b y t h is cold , t h eir sp eed an d
p ow er w ou ld d r op d r ast ically.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o d id n ’t k n ow t h a t h is d u t y w as so easy. H e on ly h ad t o
r elease t h e m ar t ial sou l of t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion an d sp r ead h er au r a in
all d ir ect ion s. H e h a d t u r n ed a sim p le t ask in t o som et h in g ver y com p licat ed .
Si st er Xi aot ao, you’ r e ask i ng t oo m uch of m e! H ow shoul d I pr oceed now ?
W oul d h e al l ow t h em t o say t h at h e w as a cow ar d? Of cour se h e w oul dn ’ t . At

t h i s t i m e, H uo Yuh ao r ecal l ed t h e w or ds t h at M a Xi aot ao h ad l ef t on t h e gr oun d.
T h i s i m m edi at el y i gn i t ed h i s f i gh t i n g spi r i t . A gol den l i gh t f l i ck er ed t h r ough h i s
eyes. T h en , h i s secon d soul r i n g l i t up.
Si n ce M a Xi aot ao h ad st opped, ever yon e el se st opped t oo. T h ey al l h ear d t h e

or der sh e h ad gi ven t o H uo Yuh ao.
H uo Yuh ao t ook a st ep f or w ar d. At t h i s t i m e, h e w as st an di n g i n f r on t of h i s
t eam m at es. Af t er t h at , h e r el eased a pi er ci n g sh r i ek f r om h i s m out h , an d at t h e
sam e t i m e, h i s body al so di sappear ed com pl et el y.
At t h i s m om en t , Dai Yueh en g, Ch en Zi f en g, an d t h e ot h er s saw t h at M a

Xi aot ao h ad st opped. T h er ef or e, t h ey al so r educed t h ei r speed. I f you k now bot h
your sel f and your enem y, you w on’ t suf f er def eat . T h er e w as sur el y a r eason
beh i n d t h e ot h er par t y’ s st r an ge beh avi or .
T h en , t h ey saw t h e boy cal l ed H uo Yuhao t ak i n g a st ep f or w ar d. An d af t er

t h at pi er ci n g sh r i ek , t h ey saw h i s body di sappear com pl et el y. Al l t h ose r ays of
l i gh t con n ect ed t o h i s body al so l ost t h ei r l ust er .
At t h i s t i m e, t h e w ave of col d ar r i ved w h er e Yuh ao an d t h e ot h er s w er e

st an di n g. Except f or H uo Yuh ao, ever yon e el se f el t t h ei r bodi es becom e col d.
T h e t em per at ur e i n t h e sur r oun di n g ar ea al so dr ast i cal l y f el l .
M a Xi aot ao w as dum bf oun ded. Sh e w as just about t o cur se t h at i di ot i c H uo

Yuh ao w h en t h e sur r oun di n g scen er y ch an ged.
A st r an ge for m ap p ear ed w h er e H u o Yu h ao w as st an d in g. An d w h en it
ap p ear ed , it ca u sed t h e su r r ou n d in g air t o in st an t ly con geal. T h en , a b u r st of
an cien t , p ow er fu l an d over b ear in g au r a sp r ead fr om it s b od y.
Eld er Xu an , w h o w as over seein g t h e m a t ch fr om t h e sk y, low er ed h is h ead

an d sp u r t ed ou t t h e alcoh ol in h is m ou t h . H is eyes w er e w id e op en , an d alm ost
seem ed t o fall fr om h is eye sock et s. Aft er w ar d s, h e st ar t ed t o cou gh fier cely. T h e
alcoh ol h ad alm ost cau sed h im t o ch ok e.
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y h ad d isap p ear ed . An d a b eau t ifu l an d fear fu l for m h ad

ap p ear ed in h is st ead .
It w as a scor p ion . A ver y b eau t ifu l scor p ion .
It w as ar ou n d on e-an d -a-h alf m et er s lon g, an d it s b od y h ad t w o color at ion s.

On e p ar t h ad t h e sa m e color as ice, w h ile t h e ot h er w as a d eep gr een .
At it s fr on t , t h er e w er e fou r over lap p in g layer s. Each layer w a s sligh t ly lon ger

t h an 15 cen t im et er s, an d t h e h ea d w as sit u at ed on t h e fir st on e. It s silver -w h it e
m ou t h w as em it t in g a cold ligh t . M or eover , t h e fir st h alf of t h ese fou r layer s w as
cover ed w it h st r a n ge scales.
Each of t h ese scales w as h exagon al, an d each an d ever y on e of t h em w as

em it t in g a b r igh t ligh t , ju st lik e p r ot r u d in g d iam on d s. It s six p ow er fu l lon g legs
w er e also d en sely cover ed b y t h ese p r ot u b er an ces. Un d er t h e sn ow y r ad ian ce,
t h ey w er e em it t in g a b lin d in g ligh t . At t h is m om en t , it seem ed as if it s en t ir e
b od y h ad b ecom e a sou r ce of ligh t ; m yr iad d iffer en t ligh t sh ad es w er e r efr act ed
fr om it .
T h e t w o p in cer s in t h e fr on t w er e each a m et er lon g. T h e p in cer s w er e also

cover ed b y t h ose p r ot r u d in g d iam on d -lik e h exagon al scales. T h ey w er e sim ilar
t o it s m ou t h , em it t in g a silver -w h it e r ad ia n ce lik e t w o m ir r or s.
H ow ever , t h e m ost eye-cat ch in g p ar t w as it s t w o eyes. T h ese eyes w er e
yellow , an d sh in in g lik e a p air of cr yst als. T h ey also h ad a h exagon al sh ap e.
T h ey w er e em it t in g a b r igh t yellow r ad ia n ce, givin g off an u n u su al feelin g.
If you w er e t o t h in k t h at t h e fir st h alf w a s b r igh t en ou gh , you st ill h a d t o see

t h e lat t er h alf. A lon g an d d azzlin g t ail w as st ick in g u p fr o m it s b ack , an d t h is
w as t h e cor e of t h e r ad ian ce it w a s em an at in g.
Un lik e t h e m an y segm en t s of a n or m al scor p ion ’s, it s t ail on ly h ad five. Each

join t h ad a ch ar m in g d ar k gr een color . T h e glit t er in g d ar k gr een color alm ost
seem ed lifelik e. T h ese five join t s all h ad t h e sam e color , an d t h e closer t h ey w er e
close t o t h e b od y, t h e lar ger t h ey w er e. Lik ew ise, t h e far t h er t h ey w er e, t h e
n ar r ow er t h ey got . At t h e en d of t h e last join t w as a d iam on d -lik e st in ger t h at
w as st an d in g h igh u p in t h e sk y. T h e t ip of t h e st in ger w as also em it t in g a silver -
w h it e lu st er .
T h is sou l b east , w h o se en t ir e b od y r esem b led a sh in in g p r eciou s t r easu r e, w as

em it t in g an au r a cap ab le of m ak in g on e t er r ified .
Aft er all, it w as sou l b east t h at h ad m oved u n h in d er ed in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h

for n ear ly fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s! It w as r an k ed secon d am on g t h e t h r ee
em p er or s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h , t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion !
T h e six p eop le fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d w er en ’t r eally affect ed . Aft er all,

t h ey h ad n ’t ever en cou n t er ed a fir st -class sou l b east , an d t h ey d id n ’t k n ow w h at
t h e au r a of a fir st -class sou l b east look ed lik e. In t h eir eyes, t h is scor p ion w as
n ot h in g b u t a b eau t ifu l an d d an ger ou s b east .
H ow ever , t h e st u d en t s of t h e in n er cou r t yar d w er e d iffer en t ! Aft er en t er in g

t h e in n er cou r t yar d , t h eir classes w er e d iffer en t fr om t h ose of t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d . T h ey h ad a class t h at t ook p lace exact ly in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est .
As soon as t h e Ice J ace Em p r ess Scor p ion ap p ear ed , t h ey felt an im m en se fear . It
w as t h e p r essu r e of a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east .
T h e au r a of t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion exp lod ed ou t , an d a sen se of
cold n ess sp r ea d ever yw h er e. T h at w ave of cold im m ed iat ely st op p ed m id air ,
t h en b egan t o slow ly solid ify. It t u r n ed in t o a w h it e ligh t t h a t en velop ed t h e t ip
of t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s st in ger . T h ose t w o b r igh t yellow eyes w er e
d evoid of ever y em ot ion as t h ey look ed at t h e far aw ay Lin g Lu och en .
Lin g Lu och en felt h er b od y st iffen , an d sh e cou ld n ’t m ove fr om w h er e sh e

w as st an d in g. If on e w er e t o look car efu lly, t h ey w ou ld n ot ice t h at t h e ice ar m or
cover in g h er b od y h ad st ar t ed t o sh ow sign s of ab n or m ally h ar d en in g. In
ad d it ion , h er feet w er e glu ed t o t h e ear t h b y a layer of ice. Sh e cou ld n ’t m ove
an ym or e, an d h er b od y h ad st ar t ed t o fr eeze.
All of t h is h ap p en ed in an in st an t . W h ile ever yon e w as st ill d u m b fou n d ed d u e

t o H u o Yu h ao t u r n in g in t o t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion , Lin g Lu och en h ad
alr ead y b een com p let ely su b d u ed .
“Eld er Xu an , t h is is a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east .” M a Xiaot ao w as

ast on ish ed . Sh e q u ick ly r eleased h er m a r t ial sou l t o p r ot ect t h e p eop le b eh in d
h er .
“Sist er Xiaot ao, w h at ar e you d oin g? Qu ick , at t ack t h em !” A for m su d d en ly

flash ed . T h at t er r ifyin g Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion h ad d isa p p ear ed , an d H u o
Yu h ao h ad r eap p ear ed in h er st ea d . M or eover , h e w as im p at ien t ly p r essin g
for w ar d , u n aw ar e of t h e fact t h a t ever yon e w as ab ou t t o at t a ck h im . Even Eld er
Xu an w as p r ep ar in g t o figh t h im .
“St op !” Eld er Xu an sh ou t ed fr om m id air . H e d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y an d

ar r ived in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao. Aft er w ar d s, h e r aised h is r igh t h an d an d gr ab b ed
h im .
As for r esist in g it … it w as com p let ely u seless. H u o Yu h ao w as n ot h in g b u t a n

an t in fr on t of som eon e lik e Eld er Xu an .
Eld er Xu an ’s h an d h eld h is sh ou ld er . T h en , H u o Yu h ao felt a p ow er fu l sou l

p ow er en t er in g an d p r ob in g ever y cor n er of h is b od y.
T h e q u an t it y of sou l p ow er w as t oo lar ge. Bu t lu ck ily, H u o Yu h ao’s m er id ian s
h ad gon e t h r ou gh a lot t em p er in g, an d w er e qu it e st r on g r igh t n ow . An d w h at
su r p r ised h im t h e m ost w as t h at aft er exp er ien cin g Eld er Xu a n ’s sou l p ow er , h is
ow n sou l p ow er t h at h ad r each ed t h e p ea k of Ran k 26 su d d en ly b r ok e t h r ou gh ,
allow in g h im t o su ccessfu lly r each Ran k 27.
Chapt er 66.1: Vict or y! Swap!
Eld er Xu an ’s exp r ession t u r n ed st r an ge. Aft er look in g at H u o Yu h ao ser iou sly

for a w h ile, h e t u r n ed t ow ar d s t h e ot h er s, “St ay h er e an d d on ’t m ove. W ait for a
w h ile.”
Aft er t h at , h e gr ab b ed H u o Yu h ao an d d isap p ear ed w it h ou t a t r ace.
H u o Yu h ao h ad b een t ak en aw ay b y Eld er Xu an , leavin g W an g Don g

som ew h at an xiou s, “Sist er Xiaot ao, w h at ’s goin g on ?”
“T h er e’s n o u se ask in g m e an yt h in g,” M a Xiaot ao said u n h ap p ily, “you sh ou ld

q u est ion H u o Yu h ao in st ead . W h a t d id h e d o ju st n ow ?”
Dai Yu eh en g’s t eam w as cu r r en t ly su r r ou n d in g Lin g Lu och en . T h e ice on h er

b od y w as slow ly m elt in g, an d aft er a few m om en t s, t h e ar m or of ice
d isap p ear ed . Sh e h a d a p ale exp r ession on h er face, an d sh e n ear ly fell d ow n as
h er b od y sh ook .
Xiao Xiao r u sh ed u p t o cat ch u p , b u t sh e im m ed iat ely felt as t h ou gh sh e w as

t ou ch in g ice w h en sh e t ou ch ed h er b od y.
T h e u su ally cool Lin g Lu och en w as filled w it h ast on ish m en t at t h is m om en t .

Sh e d id n ’t k n ow w h at h ad ju st occu r r ed eit h er . Aft er t h a t st r an ge scor p ion h ad
look ed at h er , sh e im m ed iat ely felt as if t h e sou l p ow er in h er b od y h ad b een
fr ozen . T h is w as t h e fir st t im e sh e’d en cou n t er ed a sit u a t ion in w h ich sh e w as
com p let ely p ow er less t o even r esist . Even a T it led Dou lu o w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o
st r ip h er of h er com b at st r en gt h w it h a m er e glan ce! H ow ever , t h at scor p ion
h ad d on e ju st t h a t .
Eld er Xu an d id n ’t b r in g H u o Yu h ao an yw h er e far ; h e m er ely w en t t o a cor n er

of t h e Assessm en t Ar ea.
“J u st w h at h ap p en ed ju st n ow ? Exp lain ever yt h in g in m or e d et ail.” Eld er
Xu an ask ed , som ew h at p an ick ed . W h en H u o Yu h ao h ad t r a n sfor m ed in t o t h e
Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion , Eld er Xu an ’s r eact ion w as t h at t h e for m er w as a
t r an sfor m ed sou l b east . Or r a t h er , a sou l b east t h a t h ad d ecid ed t o r e-cu lt iva t e
in t o a h u m an .
Aft er r each in g a h u n d r ed t h ou san d yea r s of cu lt iva t ion , a sou l b east cou ld

ch oose t o r e-cu lt ivat e in t o a h u m an . H ow ever , t h is p at h w as ext r em ely d ifficu lt ,
b ecau se it w ou ld t h en h ave t o u n d er go a p er iod of w eak n ess. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e
au r a on it s b od y w ou ld st ill r em ain t h a t of a sou l b east . On ce it w as d iscover ed
b y a p ow er fu l sou l m ast er , t h e on ly r esu lt w as d ea t h . Fu r t h er m or e, it w ou ld
b ecom e t h at sou l m ast er ’s sou l r in g an d sou l b on e. On ly aft er r each in g t h e
seven -r in ged r an k cou ld a sou l b east t h or ou gh ly m ask it s au r a an d b ecom e a
t r u e h u m an . H ow ev er , h ow easy w ou ld t h is p r ocess b e? Becau se of t h is, ver y
few sou l b east s w ou ld ch oose t h is p at h . W it h t h e Ice Em p r ess’ level of p ow er ,
sh e w ou ld n ’t d ar e t o r isk h er life in t h is w ay.
Gr eat ly ast on ish ed , Eld er Xu an exam in ed H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. H ow ever , h e

q u ick ly calm ed d ow n . In h is h ear t , h e alr ead y k n ew t h at t h er e w as n o ch an ce of
H u o Yu h ao b ein g a sou l b east . T h e m ost p ow er fu l evid en ce a t t est in g t o t h is fact
w as h is t w in m ar t ia l sou ls. Re-cu lt ivat ed sou l b east s w ou ld d efin it ely m ain t ain
t h eir or igin al for m , an d t h u s t h er e w a s n o ch an ce of on e h avin g a secon d
m ar t ial sou l. T h e fact t h at t h er e w as n o t r ace of t h e au r a of a sou l b east on H u o
Yu h ao’s b od y m er ely fu r t h er ver ified t h at h e w as t r u ly a h u m a n .
W it h Eld er Xu an ’s cu lt ivat ion , n o m at t er h ow m an y b r illian t t r ick s a p er son

h ad , t h er e w as n o w ay t o con ceal an yt h in g fr om t h e for m er w h en h e w as
h old in g on t o you . H ow ever , Eld er Xu an w as cu r iou s! H e h a d n o id ea h ow H u o
Yu h ao h ad d on e w h at h e ju st d id . If it w as m er ely an illu sion , h ow d id Lin g
Lu och en in st an t ly fr eeze u p an d lose all o f h er figh t in g p ow er ?
“Ear lier , sist er Xiaot ao ask ed m e t o r elease m y Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l t o

su p p r ess sist er Lin g Lu och en .” H u o Yu h ao said ob ed ien t ly, “I figu r ed t h at
t h er e’d d efin it ely b e n o w ay for m e t o su p p r ess h er b y sim p ly r eleasin g m y
m ar t ial sou l, d u e t o t h e m assive gap in ou r cu lt ivat ion lev els. T h u s, I u sed
Im it at ion an d im it a t ed t h e for m of m y secon d m ar t ia l sou l. T h en , I sw it ch ed t h e
at t r ib u t e of t h at illu sion t o t h at of m y secon d m ar t ial sou l. I d id m y b est t o
r elease t h e a u r a of an Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou l. As for w h at h ap p en ed t o sist er Lin g
Lu och en , I d on ’t k n ow eit h er .”
H e t r u ly d id n ’t k n ow w h at h ad ju st occu r r ed . W h en t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess

Scor p ion h ad glan ced t ow ar d s Lin g Lu och en , H u o Yu h ao’s m in d h ad gon e in t o a
d aze for a b it . In r ealit y, t h e t r u e ch ar m of t h at gaze h ad com e fr om t h e Ice
Em p r ess.
Eld er Xu an scr at ch ed h is h ead an d fu r r o w ed h is b r ow . “Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l,

Ult im at e m a r t ial sou l… Ah ! I u n d er st an d . Ice, you b ot h h ave t h e Ice at t r ib u t e.
It ’s act u a lly an ab solu t e su p p r ession . T h is Ult im a t e m ar t ial sou l of you r s is t oo
t yr an n ical. Good , h a h ah ah a, ver y good ! I u n d er st an d . Go, go back .”
Eld er Xu an h ad t r u ly gu essed t h e ap p r oxim at e essen ce of t h e sit u at ion . T h is

w as ab solu t e su p p r ession !
T h e k ey t o t h e p r ob lem lay in t h e d iffer en ces in t h eir elem en t s. H u o Yu h ao

an d Lin g Lu och en w er e b ot h of t h e Ice elem en t , b u t H u o Yu h ao p ossessed
Ult im at e Ice. T h u s, h e h eld an ab solu t e elem en t a l su p er ior it y over Lin g
Lu och en . T h e m om en t h e im it a t ed t h e b od y of t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ,
t h e fu ll p ow er of h is Ult im at e m a r t ial sou l w as r eleased .
T h ou gh t h e t h r ee Em p er or s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h a ll b elon ged t o t h e ch illy

Ice elem en t , t h e Sn ow Em p r ess w as st ill t h e st r on gest in t er m s of ext r em ely low
t em p er at u r es. T h e Sn ow Em p r ess con t r olled t h e p ow er of Sn ow , w h ile t h e Ice
J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion con t r olled ab solu t e ice as t h e Ice Em p r ess. In t h e cu r r en t
Dou lu o Con t in en t , sh e w as com p let ely d eser vin g of t h e t it le ‘An cest or of Ice’.
In t er m s of cu lt ivat ion , H u o Yu h ao w as n at u r ally n ow h er e n ear Lin g

Lu och en . H ow ever , t h e p r ob lem lay in t h e fact t h at Lin g Lu och en h ad u sed t h e
p ow er of Ice, w h ile H u o Yu h ao h a d coin cid en t a lly im it at ed t h e au r a of t h e Ice
J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion .
T h e Ice Em p r ess w a s on e of h is in t elligen t sou l r in gs. T h u s, sh e w as alw ays
p ayin g at t en t ion t o h im . W h en H u o Yu h ao h ad im it at ed h er au r a, sh e w as ab le
t o sen se t h e exist en ce of a h ost ile in t en t t h a t or igin at ed fr om ice. H er
con cen t r at ed gaze w asn ’t d ir ect ed t ow ar d s Lin g Lu och en , bu t t h e ice sh e w as
con t r ollin g. Un less t h er e w as an ice u ser w h o w as even st r on ger t h an t h e Ice
Em p r ess, ever y ice elem en t w ou ld fall u n d er h er con t r ol in fr on t of h er au r a.
T h is w as an ot h er fa ct t h at sh ow ed h ow w eak H u o Yu h ao w as. If h e h ad t h e
sam e cu lt ivat ion level as Lin g Lu och en , h e w ou ld b e ab le t o p ossess a su fficien t
am ou n t of con t r ol over h is Ult im a t e Ice as lon g as t h e Ice Em p r ess w illed it .
T h en , h e w ou ld even b e ab le t o d ir ect ly en d Lin g Lu och en ’s life w it h h er ow n ice
if sh e d a r ed t o u se it again st h im . T h is w as on e of t h e t er r ifyin g asp ect s of t h e
An cest or of Ice, t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion . If t h e p ow er fu l fou r h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year -old Ice Em p r ess st ill h a d h er m ain b od y, sh e w ou ld b e a n
op p on en t w h o w as r ar ely seen on t h e con t in en t .
Eld er Xu an p at t ed H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er in a som ew h at st r an ge m an n er . “I

w as b ein g n ar r ow -m in d ed . I sh ou ld n ’t h a ve in t er r u p t ed you r m at ch .” T h is t im e
ar ou n d , h e h eld H u o Yu h ao b y t h e ar m p it s, an d r et u r n ed b ack t o M a Xiaot ao
an d t h e r est w it h a flash .
“Ever yt h in g’s n or m al. Lin g Lu och en , leave t h e b at t le for n ow . Ever yon e else,
con t in u e.” W it h t h a t , Eld er Xu an st ep p ed in t o t h e void an d r ose b ack in t o t h e
air t o sp ect at e t h e m at ch .
Bot h p ar t ies w er e so m ew h at b affled . T h e m em b er s of p r ep ar at or y t eam fr om

t h e ou t er cou r t yar d st ill h ad som e d ou b t s in t h eir h ear t s, b u t t h e d iscip les fr om
t h e in n er cou r t yar d w er e ver y fam iliar w it h Eld er Xu an ’s t em p er am en t . Even if
h e u su ally seem ed v er y er r at ic, h e w as a lw ays a fair p er son . Sin ce h e m a d e Lin g
Lu och en leave t h e m at ch , h e n at u r ally h a d a r eason for d oin g so.
At t h is m om en t , M a Xiaot ao h ad ap p r oxim at ely gu essed a t a h in t of t h e t r u t h .

Am on g t h e d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d , sh e w as t h e on ly on e w h o k n ew t h at
H u o Yu h ao p ossessed an Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l. H ow ever , sh e d id n ’t t h in k t h a t
it ’d b e t h is st r on g. W e can t al k about t he speci f i cs once t he m at ch i s over .
W i nni ng’ s m or e i m por t ant now .
M a Xi aot ao l et out a l on g h i ss, t h en st ar t ed h er assaul t agai n . T h i s t i m e

ar oun d, bot h par t i es w er e al r eady ver y cl ose t o each ot h er .
H uo Yuh ao r eact i vat ed h i s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on as t h ough n ot h i n g h ad

h appen ed. H e’ d con sum ed a cer t ai n am oun t of soul pow er w h i l e usi n g h i s
I m i t at i on ear l i er , but El der Xuan h ad acci den t al l y h el ped h i m br eak t h r ough a
bot t l en eck w h en h e w as pr obi n g t h e st at e an d aur a of h i s soul pow er . At t h i s
m om en t , h i s soul pow er w as r est or ed t o i t s peak st at e.
Gon g Yan gm o’ s Rain bow Dr agon f i n al l y sh ow ed i t s use n ow . T h e opposi n g

Yao H aoxuan ’ s auxi l i ar y an d w eak en i n g sk i l l h ad al r eady en ded, but t h e
f or m er ’ s auxi l i ar y sk i l l s w er e st i l l act i vat ed. T h i s w as t h e di f f er en ce i n t h ei r
m ar t i al soul s an d cul t i vat i on s.
H ow ever , a m er e hun dr ed year soul sk i l l di dn ’ t dr ai n m uch en er gy. As t h e

opposi n g t eam began t h ei r at t ack , Yao H aoxuan h ur r i edl y r e-r el eased t h e sk i l l
h e’ d pr evi ousl y used. Ri gh t n ow , bot h t eam s w er e about t o cl ash h ead-on .
T h e per son w h o m ade t h e f i r st m ove w as Ch en Zi f en g. H e h adn ’ t r el eased h i s

m ar t i al soul si n ce t h e begi n n i n g of Dai Yueh en g’ s assaul t , but just as t h e
opposi n g t eam st ar t ed t o m ak e t h ei r m ov e, h e f i n al l y r eveal ed i t .
An i n t en se, r ed l i gh t r ose f r om Ch en Zi f en g’ s body. I t w asn ’ t f i r e-t ype soul

pow er l i k e M a Xi aot ao possessed, but on e t h at w as pur el y bl ood-r ed i n col or .
Fol l ow i n g i t s appear an ce, H uo Yuh ao coul d sm el l a m oun t ai n of cor pses an d a
sea of bl ood com i n g f r om t h e f or m er ’ s body.
Ch en Zi f en g sudden l y r ai sed h i s h ead, an d t h e pr essur e com i n g f r om h i m

i n st an t l y r each ed a peak . H i s eyes t ur n ed bl ood-r ed, an d a f i er ce k i l l i n g i n t en t
em er ged f r om h i s body.
H e p oin t ed w it h t h e in d ex an d m id d le fin ger s of h is r igh t h an d , cau sin g a
b lood -r ed b olt of ligh t n in g t o sh oot ou t . T h e b lood -r ed sou l p ow er com in g fr om
h is b od y seem ed t o b e d r aw n t ow ar d s t h e b lood y ligh t , a n d act u ally fu sed w it h
it .
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao cou ld see a b lad e in Ch en Zifen g’s h an d ; a t h r ee

foot six in ch -lon g b lad e t h a t w as on ly a n in ch w id e. T h e slen d er b od y of t h e
sw or d h ad n o gu ar d on it , b u t t h er e w er e t h r ee b lood y gr ooves car ved in t o it .
M yst er iou sly, Ch en Zifen g’s five sou l r in gs d id n ’t u n d u lat e ar ou n d h is b od y. On
t h e con t r ar y, t h ey su r r ou n d ed t h is b lood -r ed sw or d .
Aft er p au sin g for a m om en t in m id air , t h e t h in sw or d sh ot t ow ar d s M a

Xiaot ao lik e a b lood -r ed r a in b ow . A b lood y w ou n d op en ed w h er ever t h e sw or d
p assed , an d t h er e w as alr ead y a st r on g sm ell of b lood fillin g t h e air even b efor e
t h e sw or d h a d ar r ived .
T h is w as Ch en Zifen g’s m ar t ial sou l, Sou lch asin g Sw or d .
M a Xiaot ao h ad a ser iou s exp r ession on h er face. Sh e sp r ead h er ar m s w id e as

t h e ligh t n in g-lik e sw or d flew t ow ar d s h er , cau sin g h er in t en se, gold en -r ed
p h oen ix flam es t o b lossom ou t . T h is w as h er secon d sou l sk ill, Ph oen ix Bap t ism .
T h is w as an om n id ir ect ion al at t ack . Ot h er t h an t h at , h er fir st sou l r in g

flick er ed as sh e sp it ou t a st r eak of fir e t h at w en t st r a igh t aft er t h e Sou lch asin g
Sw or d .
As t h ou gh it felt p r essu r ed , t h e b od y of t h e Sou lch a sin g Sw or d p au sed b r iefly

an d let ou t a b u zz. Righ t aft er t h at , an ext r em ely sh ar p b lood y ligh t fla sh ed . T h e
Sou lch asin g Sw or d sp at ou t t h r ee b olt s of sw or d ligh t . Ch en Zifen g’g fir st an d
secon d sou l r in gs lit u p , sh ovin g aw ay t h e st r eak of p h oen ix fir e t h at w as
ch asin g aft er h im . T h ou gh it w as slow ed som ew h at , it s t r aject or y d id n ’t ch an ge;
it w as st ill h ead ed t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao.
T h is w as Ch en Zifen g’s fir st sou l sk ill, Sh ar p n ess, an d h is secon d on e,
Dest r u ct ion . T h e t w o sou l sk ills h ar m on ized w it h each ot h er , fillin g h is
or igin ally sh ar p Sou lch asin g Sw or d w it h d est r u ct ive p ow er .
J u st as h e r eleased h is Sou lch asin g Sw or d , Ch en Zifen g slow ed d ow n . H e

st ood b eh in d Dai Yu efen g w it h h is r igh t sw or d fin ger on h is b lad e, gu ar d in g
again st at t ack s fr om t h e sk y.
At t h at m om en t , Dai Yu eh en g fin ally r each ed M a Xiaot ao. H ow ever , even

t h ou gh t h e lead er s of b ot h t eam s w er e ab ou t t o collid e, t h e lat t er w as st ill u n d er
t h e effect s of t h e Sou lch asin g Sw or d . In ot h er w or d s, sh e w as u n d er a t t ack fr om
t w o p eop le at on ce.
A d azzlin gly gold en ligh t su d d en ly ap p ear ed ab ove M a Xiaot ao’s h ead . On ce it

ap p ear ed , it sh ot ou t w ar d s, t h en t ar get ed t h e p er son b eh in d Dai Yu eh en g, Ch en
Zifen g. T h is gold en ligh t w as fr om W an g Don g, w h o’d r eleased h is secon d sou l
sk ill, Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess.
H e w as cu r r en t ly st an d in g a t op H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er s, t h e lat t er h old in g

on t o h is legs w it h h is h an d s in or d er t o m ain t ain t h e flow of t h eir H aod on g
Pow er .
T h e m om en t t h ey m ad e t h eir m ove, t h e b at t le fu lly er u p t ed .
A b olt of ligh t n in g su d d en ly flick er ed p a st M a Xiaot ao’s b od y. Dai Yu eh en g

st op p ed h is ch ar ge w h en h e saw t h is, t h en squ a t t ed d ow n an d ou t a m u ffled
r oar . Sh ar p b lad es a p p ear ed at op h is en or m ou s, t iger -lik e fin ger s as h e car efu lly
gu ar d ed h im self. Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, a ser ies of con secu t ive ‘d in g’s r an g
ou t . W h en t h ey st r u ck Dai Yu eh en g, h e b ecam e u n ab le t o m ove even h alf a st ep
for w ar d . On t h e con t r ar y, an elect r ic ligh t h ad w r ap p ed it self ar ou n d h is b od y
an d en t r ap p ed h im . Xi Xi h ad m ad e a m ove, b u t sh e sh e h ad sim p ly st r u ck t oo
qu ick ly. If H u o Yu h a o lock ed on t o h er w it h h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , h e w ou ld n ’t
h ave b een ab le t o see h er clear ly.
As st u d en t s t h at ’d b een ab le t o b ecom e official m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y’s

com p et in g t eam , n on e of t h em w er e or d in ar y; all of t h em h ad t h eir ow n
r esp ect ive sp ecialt ies.
T h e m om en t t h at Dai Yu eh en g slow ed d ow n , t h e com b in at ion at t ack h e’d
lau n ch ed w it h Ch en Zifen g w as n at u r ally b r ok en . M a Xia ot ao let ou t a cold
sn or t , t h en r u sh ed for w ar d s lik e a b olt of ligh t n in g. Sh e r each ed for t h e
Sou lch asin g Sw or d w it h h er h an d s as sh e u n fu r led h er w in gs, w h ich cau sed a
r ed ligh t t o r ise alon gsid e t h e b lack ligh t h er sixt h sou l r in g h ad b egu n t o em it .
T h e p at ch of sk y ar ou n d h er w as alm ost in st an t ly illu m in at ed b y a r ed ligh t .
M a Xiaot ao’s sixt h sou l sk ill w as u n d ou b t ed ly h er st r on gest on e.

Fu r t h er m or e, t h e float in g Gon g Yan gm o m ad e h is m ove con cu r r en t ly.
Even t h ou gh M a Xia ot ao t h ou gh t t h a t h e h ad a n ext r em ely vile a t t it u d e, t h e

t w o st ill h eld an ext r em ely good r elat ion sh ip . It w as a r elat ion sh ip ak in t o t h at
of t h e r elat ion sh ip b et w een sib lin gs. M a Xiaot ao h ad n ’t ju st ch osen h im d u e t o
h is st r en gt h , b u t also b ecau se of t h e r elat ively good syn er gy t h at t h ey alr ead y
h ad .
T h e m id air Gon g Yan gm o u n fu r led h is w in gs, an d h is fift h sou l r in g lit u p .

W h en h e r elea sed h is t en t h ou sa n d year sou l sk ill, a gr een ligh t accu r at ely sh ot
ou t fr om h is b od y t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao’s b ack .
H is an d M a Xiaot ao’s gr een an d r ed ligh t s fu sed t oget h er in t h at in st an t , as if

t h e w in d it self w er e h elp in g st ok e t h e fir e. T h e sk y w as t h en d yed r ed , an d
en or m ou s, m et er -lon g b alls of gold en -r ed fir e im m ed ia t ely b egan t o fall fr om
t h e sk y an d p ep p er t h e op p osin g t eam .
Regar d less of w h et h er it w as Dai Yu eh en g or Ch en Zifen g, n on e of t h e

op p osin g t eam h ad exp ect ed M a Xiaot ao t o lau n ch an all-ou t at t ack at t h e ver y
b egin n in g of t h e b at t le. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e m igh t of h er a lr ea d y-t er r ifyin g at t ack
h ad b een d ou b led d u e t o Gon g Yan gm o’s h elp ! Even t h ou gh t h is w as a n at t ack
t h at cover ed a lar ge ar ea, it s p ow er m ad e Dai Yu eh en g an d t h e r est ’s exp r ession s
ch an ge.
If Lin g Lu och en h ad st ill b e p r esen t , sh e w ou ld ’ve b een ab le t o r ely on h er ice

elem en t t o w eak en M a Xiaot ao’s at t ack . H ow ever , sh e’d alr ead y b een
elim in at ed ! Dai Yu eh en g’s t eam ’s on ly ch oice w as t o en d u r e t h e fu ll m igh t of M a
Xiaot ao’s st r ik e.
M a Xiaot ao’s h ead st r on g t em p er am en t w as u n d ou b t ed ly fu lly m an ifest ed in

h er at t ack . In fact , ever sin ce sh e’d r et u r n ed t o t h e official t eam , Dai Yu eh en g
h ad b een left in a som ew h at u n com for t ab le st at e. Aft er all, it w asn ’t easy for
h im t o accep t an ot h er p er son t ak in g over as t h e h ead of t h e t eam . Fi ne! Si nce
you’ r e not w i l l i ng t o accept i t , I ’ l l use m y st r engt h t o m ak e you do so!
Not on l y w as M a Xi aot ao pow er f ul , h er m i n d w as ext r em el y sh ar p. Sh e’ d

i m m edi at el y t h ough t of a st r at egy t o suppr ess h er oppon en t s usi n g br ut e f or ce
t h e m om en t t h at Li n g Luoch en w as el i m i n at ed. Sh e w an t ed t o def eat h er
oppon en t s i n t h e sh or t est possi bl e am oun t of t i m e, t h us sh e’ d i m m edi at el y used
h er st r on gest soul sk i l l t o si m pl i f y t h e si t uat i on on t h e bat t l ef i el d.
T h e bal l s of f i r e t h at w er e f al l i n g f r om t h e sk y r esem bl ed f i er y m et eor s as

t h ey f el l t ow ar ds t h e gr oun d. M or eover , ever y si n gl e on e of t h ese ‘ m et eor s’
seem ed t o h ave gr ow n eyes. Al l of t h em h ad t ar get ed on e of t h e si x peopl e on t h e
opposi n g t eam , w i t h m ost of t h em n at ur al l y t ar get i n g Ch en Zi f en g an d Dai
Yueh en g. Af t er t h at , t h ey h eaded t ow ar ds Yao H aoxuan , Xu San sh i , Ji an g
Nan n n an , an d Xi ao Xi ao.
T h i s w as t h e Ph oen i x M et eor Sh ow er , M a Xi aot ao’ s si xt h soul sk i l l !
W h en t h e f i er y m et eor s n ear ed t h ei r t ar get s, t h ey t r an sf or m ed i n t o t h e sh ape

of a ph oen i x an d l et out r ever ber at i n g ph oen i x cr i es, t h en i m m edi at el y
accel er at ed t ow ar ds t h ei r r espect i ve t ar get s.
Ji an g Nan n an an d Xi ao Xi ao w er e r em oved f r om t h e bat t l ef i el d by El der Xuan

st r ai gh t aw ay. W i t h t h i s, Dai Yueh en g’ s t eam h ad l ost an ot h er t w o m em ber s.
Even t h ough Dai Yueh en g an d Xi Xi w er e bot h Soul Em per or s, Dai Yueh en g

w as at a di sadvan t age agai n st t h e l at t er ’ s at t ack s. Cur r en t l y, h e coul d on l y do
h i s best t o pr ot ect h i m sel f ; h e di dn ’ t h ave an y t i m e t o car e about h i s t eam m at es.
Xu San sh i w as left in an even m or e m iser ab le st at e. W h en t h e Ph oen ix M et eor
Sh ow er h ad sh ot t ow ar d s t h em , h e h ad n ’t t h ou gh t of p r ot ect in g h im self. On t h e
con t r ar y, h e’d im m ed iat ely m oved t o h elp J ian g Nan n an . Becau se of t h at , h is
en or m ou s Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le w as sen t flyin g t o w ar d s h er w it h h is
fou r t h sou l sk ill act ivat ed . H ow ever , t h e su d d en acceler a t ion of t h e Ph oen ix
M et eor Sh ow er cau sed Eld er Xu an t o t ak e h er ou t im m ed iat ely, w h ich r esu lt ed
in h is d efen sive sh ield lan d in g on t h in a ir . Alm ost im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, h e
h im self w as r em oved fr om t h e b at t lefield . Now t h at h e’d lost h is sh ield , even a
d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er lik e h im w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o w it h st an d a fu ll r ou n d of
t h e st r en gt h en ed Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er !
It w asn ’t clear if Eld er Xu an h a d d on e t h is on p u r p ose, b u t Xu San sh i’s en t ir e

b ack h ad b een scor ch ed b y t h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er as a r esu lt of h im
ar r ivin g a b eat lat e. For t u n at ely, h e w as of t h e w at er elem en t . T h u s, even
t h ou gh h e let ou t a few m iser ab le w ails, h e h ad n ’t su ffer ed t oo m u ch d am age.
In r ealit y, even t h o u gh M a Xiaot ao w as ext r em ely p ow er fu l, sh e w ou ld n ’t

n or m ally h ave b een ab le t o t ak e ou t a t eam of p eop le ar ou n d t h eir level of
st r en gt h w it h ju st a sin gle at t ack . H ow ever , t h eir t ea m sim p ly w asn ’t
coor d in at ed en ou gh . All of t h e p eop le fr om t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam h ad b een
d isqu a lified in t h e b lin k of an eye.
In com p ar ison , t h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les’ st r en gt h h ad b een fu lly

r evealed . Ch en Zifen g h ad n ’t let M a Xiaot ao gr ab h old of h is Sou lch asin g Sw or d ,
an d t h e m om en t t h at t h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er w as r eleased , h e’d
im m ed iat ely called h is w eap on b ack t o h im in or d er t o d efen d h im self. W h en h e
d id so, M a Xiaot ao h ad n o w ay t o p u r su e h im , as sh e n eed ed t o b ot h m ain t ain
an d con t r ol h er sixt h sou l sk ill.
T h e Sou lch asin g Sw or d in fr on t of Ch en Zifen g con t in u ou sly car ved ou t

st ar t lin gly b lood y r ain b ow s as t h e sou l r in gs su r r ou n d in g it con t in u ed t o flick er
alt er n at in gly. Fir st ly, it easily sh r u gged off W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly
God d ess. Aft er w ar d s, it slash ed ap ar t t h e m et eor s t h at w er e aim ed at h im . At
t h e sam e t im e, Ch en Zifen g con t in u ed t o m ove ab ou t in an illu sor y m an n er . H e
flash ed ar ou n d at an u n u su ally q u ick sp eed in or d er t o d od ge a few of t h e fier y
m et eor s, b u t w h en h e d id , m or e con t in u ed t o accu r at ely h om e in on h im .
Ch en Zifen g h ad r ev ealed a valian t level of p ow er , b u t h e’d b ecom e in w ar d ly

p u zzled . J u st w h en h ad M a Xiaot ao r each ed t h is level of con t r ol w it h h er sixt h
sou l sk ill? T h e level of st r en gt h t h at t h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er h ad r evealed
on ce it ’d u n d er gon e Gon g Yan gm o’s au xiliar y-t yp e sk ill w as en t ir ely r eal, b u t
w h en it w as st r en gt h en ed lik e t h is, it w as n or m ally ext r em ely h ar d t o con t r ol it .
H ow ever , t h e m et eor s t h at h ad filled t h e sk y seem ed t o h ave gr ow n eyes.

Ever y sin gle on e of t h em h a d h om ed in on e on of t h em ; n on e of t h em w er e
sp ar ed . Even t h e m et eor s t h at h ad p r eviou sly b een sen t t ow ar d s Xu San sh i,
J ian g Nan n an , an d Xiao Xiao h ad im m ed iat ely ch an ged d ir ect ion s in m id a ir t h e
m om en t t h at t h e t h r ee of t h em w er e t ak en ou t . T h ey’d t h en im m ed iat ely b egu n
t o ch ase aft er Dai Yu eh en g, Yao H aoxu an , an d h im .
T h er e w asn ’t m u ch d iffer en ce in t h e cu lt ivat ion levels of t h e m em b er s of t h e

official t eam . T h e level of con t r ol t h at M a Xiaot ao cu r r en t ly h ad over h er
Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er d id n ’t sh ock Dai Yu eh en g an d t h e r est . In st ead , it
cau sed t h em t o feel t h at it w as st r an ge. T h is h a d clea r ly exceed ed t h e level of
con t r ol t h a t a Sou l Em p er or cou ld h ave!
T h e ar t of con t r ollin g a sou l sk ill m ain ly r elied on a com b in a t ion of sp ir it u al

p ow er an d sou l p ow er . Besid es sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l m ast er s, w h o w er e r ar ely
seen , t h er e w as p r act ically n o d iffer en ce in t h e sp ir it u al p ow er s of sou l m ast er s
of t h e sam e r an k . Sp ir it u al p ow er w ou ld gr ow alon gsid e so u l p ow er ; a sp ecial
sit u a t ion occu r w ou ld on ly occu r ver y r ar ely.
T h e w ay t h at Yao H a oxu an b lock ed t h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er cou ld on ly b e

d escr ib ed as st r an ge. H e p ou n d ed h is fist s again st h is ch est , w h ich cau sed h alos
of ligh t t o ap p ear an d assist h is t eam m a t es. H e t h en act ivat ed h is fift h sou l r in g,
w h ich cau sed h is h ead t o sw ell u p . Aft er w ar d s, h e op en ed h is m ou t h an d look ed
t ow ar d s t h e sk y. In t h at in st an t , h is m ou t h sw elled t o an u n im agin ab le d egr ee.
Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, h e sw allow ed an en t ir e M et eor , t h en sp at it ou t
t ow ar d s an ot h er . H e w as act u ally ab le t o b lock M a Xiaot ao’s at t ack b y r elyin g on
a m et h od lik e t h is.
Dai Yu eh en g b egan t o feel som ew h at p an ick ed w h en h e saw t h at t h r ee of h is

t eam m em b er s h a d b een elim in a t ed . H e let ou t a t iger -lik e r oar , t h en sw at t ed
aw ay a few m et eor s. Alt h ou gh flam es h ad b egu n t o ap p ear on h is b od y, h e d id n ’t
p ay t h em an y at t en t ion . H is fir st , t h ir d , an d fift h sou l r in gs sim u lt an eou sly lit
up.
A layer of gold en -w h it e ligh t t h en cover ed t h e su r face of h is b od y, w h ich

cau sed h is b od y t o exp an d . Aft er w ich , t h e w h it e fu r on h is b od y t u r n ed gold en .
H u o Yu h ao h ad seen Dai Yu eh en g’s t h ir d sou l sk ill, t h e W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a

T r an sfor m at ion , b efor e. H ow ever , t h e t r an sfor m at ion t h a t t h e lat t er h ad ju st
r eleased w as u n im agin ab ly st r on ger t h an Dai H u ab in ’s.
T h e en or m ou s im age of a w h it e t iger t h en ap p ear ed b eh in d Dai Yu eh en g. It s

eyes flash ed w it h a gold en ligh t , t h en it ch ar ged t ow ar d s t h e Ph oen ix M et eor
Sh ow er in a valian t m an n er . It op en ed it s p alm s, t h en eit h er sh at t er ed or
d eflect ed ever y m et eor t h at ap p r oach ed it . It s alw ays-in vin cib le au r a n ow h ad a
t r ace of d esp er at ion t o it .
H e on ly h ad on e aim —M a Xiaot ao, w h o w as cu r r en t ly m ain t ain in g h er sixt h

sou l sk ill. Sh e w as in an ext r em ely vu ln er ab le p osit ion n ow t h at sh e’d r eleased
h er om n i-d ir ect ion al sou l sk ill. As su ch , Dai Yu eh en g b elieved t h a t h e’d b e ab le
t o d efeat h is r em ain in g op p on en t s w it h h is Sou l Em p er or -r a n k ed cu lt iva t ion so
lon g as sh e w as d efea t ed .
M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t h ave an y in t en t ion s of r et r eat in g fr om Dai Yu eh en g’s

assau lt . Sh e sim p ly let ou t a low r oar , “Gold en Road .” Aft er w ar d s, sh e r u sh ed
for w ar d s t o m eet Dai Yu eh en g. Fu r t h er m or e, sh e con t in u ed t o m a in t ain t h e
Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er as sh e d id so.
T h e scen e of M a Xiaot ao acceler at in g w it h h er legs sp ou t in g fir e on ce again
r evealed it self t o H u o Yu h ao. W h en sh e acceler at ed lik e t h is, sh e collid ed w it h
Dai Yu eh en g in p r act ically an in st an t .
T h ey w er e b ot h six-r in ged assau lt -t yp e Sou l Em p er or s, an d t h ey w er e b ot h

in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les. Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w a s on ly a sligh t d iffer en ce in
t h eir cu lt ivat ion s.
H ow ever , t h eir st yles of at t ack w er e som ew h at d iffer en t . M a Xiaot ao r elied

on en er gy-b ased at t a ck s, w h ich w as som ew h at sim ilar t o W an g Don g. H ow ever ,
Dai Yu eh en g w as d iffer en t ; h e r elied on p u r e p h ysical p ow er .
As su ch , it w as M a Xiaot ao w h o got t h e sh or t en d of t h e st ick w h en t h ey m et

h ead -on .
Follow in g a t h u n d er ou s r oar , t h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er su d d en ly st op p ed ,

an d M a Xiaot ao’s b od y w as sen t r eelin g fr om t h e b ack lash .
Cu r r en t ly, Dai Yu eh en g h ad r eleased h is fir st , t h ir d , an d fift h so u l sk ills.

T h ese sk ills w er e, r esp ect ively, t h e W h it e T iger ’s Sh ield , t h e W h it e T iger ’s
Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion , an d t h e W h it e T iger ’s Devilgod T r an sfor m at ion , all of
w h ich h ad t h e ab ilit y t o st r en gt h en h is b od y.
H ow ever , M a Xiaot a o h ad n ’t su ffer ed a com p let e loss. W h en t h e t w o of t h em

h ad collid ed , sh e’d u sed h er fou r t h sk ill. T h u s, even t h ou gh sh e’d b een k n ock ed
b ack w ar d s an d sligh t ly w ou n d ed , h er fou r t h sk ill h a d m an aged t o in t er r u p t Dai
Yu eh en g’s st r on gest sk ill, h is sixt h sk ill. A fier y r ed r in g w as n ow r evolvin g
ar ou n d Dai Yu eh en g’s b od y. Aft er w ar d s, it sp r ea d ou t w ar d s an d can celled Yao
H aoxu an ’s b u ffs, w h ich m ad e Dai Yu eh en g’s b od y n u m b , an d also m ad e h im
in cap ab le of u sin g an y of h is sou l sk ills.
Of cou r se, t h is st at e on ly last ed a ver y sh or t t im e. Aft er all, h is b od y w as

cu r r en t ly u n d er t h e effect of t h r ee p ow er fu l b od y-st r en gt h en in g sk ills.
Bu t at t h a t m om en t , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s d azzlin g Gold en Road h it

t h eir t ar get w it h gr eat accu r acy.
T h e m om en t t h at M a Xiaot ao h ad b een k n ock ed b ack , a h u ge ver t ical eye h a d

q u iet ly ap p ear ed w h er e sh e’d b een st an d in g b efor e an d r eleasin g h er Ph oen ix
M et eor Sh ow er .
T h e gold en r ad ian ce it em it t ed im m ed iat ely cover ed an ar ea fift y m et er s

w id e, an d left a gold en t r ail b eh in d in t h e Assessm en t Ar ea.
Dai Yu eh en g, w h o w as in a w eak en ed st at e, h a d n o ch oice b u t t o m eet t h e
at t ack h ead -on . In an in st a n t , t h e gold en ligh t p assed t h r ou gh h im . M or eover ,
Yao H aoxu an , w h o w as st ill sw a llow in g t h e last of M a Xiaot a o’s Ph oen ix M et eor
Sh ow er an d h ad b een ab ou t t o sp it on e ou t , also ‘h ap p en ed t o b e’ d ir ect ly
b eh in d Dai Yu eh en g. As su ch , h e w as h it b y t h e Gold en Road as w ell. W h en t h e
Gold en Road st r u ck t h em , t w o gold en st at u es w er e left on t h e b at t lefield .
T h u n d er ou s exp losion s t h en p r oceed ed t o h ap p en on e aft er an ot h er . Bei Bei

r ou sed h is Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon m ar t ial sou l an d ch ar ged t ow ar d s
Ch en Zifen g’s Sou lch asin g Sw or d . If h e w er e t o on ly r ely on h im self, it w ou ld b e
ext r em ely d ifficu lt t o d eal w it h Ch en Zifen g. H ow ever cu r r en t ly, a ver y
d an ger ou s flash of ligh t n in g w as b esid e h im . Even som eon e lik e Dai Yu eh en g
w as fear fu l of Xi Xi’s at t ack s, n ot t o m en t ion Ch en Zifen g. An d cu r r en t ly, h e
cou ld n ’t avoid t h em .
“T i––” Am id st t h e cr y of a p h oen ix, M a Xiaot ao r olled u p w ar d s w h ile in

m id air . Im m ed ia t ely aft er w ar d s, sh e op en ed h er p h oen ix w in gs an d ch ar ged
t ow ar d s Dai Yu eh en g on ce again .
At t h e sam e t im e, d ozen s of d azzlin g ligh t s exp lod ed t ow ar d s t h e cu r r en t ly

gold en for m of Yao H aoxu an .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g’s Gold en Road h ad t h e d isa d va n t age of it on ly

b ein g ab le t o at t ack in a st r aigh t lin e. Desp it e t h is, it s gr eat est ad van t age w as it s
ext r em ely h igh d egr ee of p ow er .
Never t h eless, Dai Yu eh en g’s b od y r ever t ed b ack t o n or m al in less t h an t w o

secon d s. H ow ever , t h is on ly ap p lied t o h is ou t er ap p ear an ce! H is W h it e T iger
m ar t ial sou l w as st ill t em p or ar ily n eu t r alized .
Yao H aoxu an w as in t h e sam e sit u at ion . In fact , h e seem ed t o b e in an even

m or e m iser ab le st at e. H e Cait ou r et u r n ed t o h is n or m al for m fr om t h at of a fou r
m et er -t all gian t , t h en u sed all t h e p ow er in h is sou l t ool t o ch ar ge t ow ar d s Yao
H aoxu an .
T h e ou t com e cou ld b e im agin ed : T h is t im e, it w as Dai Yu eh en g t h at w as sen t
flyin g. Yao H aoxu an w as also cover ed in b r u ises on ce h e w as h it b y H e Cait ou ’s
sou l t ool h ea d -on ; h e w as d ir ect ly r em oved fr om t h e b at t lefield b y Eld er Xu an
t h e m om en t t h at H e Cait ou ’s at t ack s lan d ed .
M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t go so far as t o p u r su e an d at t ack Dai Yu eh en g again . Sh e

u n fu r led h er w in gs a n d look ed ar r ogan t ly d ow n at Ch en Zifen g. “Ad m it d efeat .”
Or igin ally, h e’d alr ead y b een at a d isad van t age u n d er t h e ‘Xi-Bei’ com b o.
H ow ever r igh t n ow , h e w as t h e on ly on e left fr om h is t eam . W h at w as t h e p oin t
in r esist in g? H e cou ld on ly h elp lessly r et r eat an d p u t a n en d t o t h e m at ch .
T h e figh t h ad con clu d ed , an d it cou ld b e on ly d escr ib ed as a n over w h elm in g

vict or y. No on e fr om M a Xiaot ao’s sid e h ad b een elim in at ed , yet Dai Yu eh en g’s
en t ir e t eam h ad b een an n ih ila t ed .
Non et h eless, Dai Yu eh en g h ad n ’t b een in ju r ed . M a Xiaot ao h ad sh ow n m er cy

w h en sh e’d sen t h im flyin g. H e h ad a gloom y an d su r p r ised exp r ession w h en h e
r ealized t h a t t h ey’d lost . H e t h en look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g,
b ot h p u zzled an d ast on ish ed .
H ow h ad t h ey lost ? T h ey’d clear ly h eld a h u ge ad van t a ge in t er m s of

in d ivid u al st r en gt h ! H ow h ad fou r m em b er s of t h e m ain t eam lost so p it ifu lly!
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e ca u se of t h eir loss h a d n ’t even b een t h e m ain m em b er s of t h e
en em y t eam . In fact , h e’d alr ea d y m ad e p lan s for t h e st r on gest of t h em , M a
Xiaot ao. H ow ever , W an g Don g, H u o Yu h ao, an d even Bei Bei an d H e Cait ou ’s
p ow er h ad su r p assed h is exp ect at ion s.
T h e fou r m em b er s of t h e p r ep ar at or y t ea m on M a Xiaot ao’s sid e h ad p layed a

gr eat r ole in t h is b at t le, w h ile t h e t h r ee r eser ves on h is t eam h ad h ad lit t le t o n o
im p act b efor e t h ey’d b een elim in a t ed . M or eover , Lin g Lu och en h ad n ’t even
b een ab le t o d isp lay h er ab ilit ies.
Eld er Xu an cam e d o w n fr om t h e sk y w it h t h e st u d en t s h e’d r escu ed . “Qu ick ,
t h e loser s sh ou ld accep t t h eir p u n ish m en t ,” H e said w it h a sm ile, “you ’ll h ave
an ot h er ch an ce la t er .”
“I’m a p ig!” Dai Yu eh en g sh ou t ed w it h o u t h esit at ion . H ow ever , h is face st ill

t w it ch ed , as h e h ad n ’t accep t ed t h is loss in h is h ear t !
Yao H aoxu an an d Ch en Zifen g h a d n o ch oice eit h er ; t h ey sh ou t ed t h e w or d s

as w ell. W h en Lin g Lu och en said t h em , sh e w as car efu lly scr u t in izin g H u o
Yu h ao.
Xiao Xiao also said it w it h ou t an y p r ob lem s. Even t h ese sen ior s ar e sh ou t in g

it . W ou ld I r eally lose face if I w er e t o sh ou t it ?
J ian g Nan n an also sa id in a low an d soft v oice, “I’m a p ig.”
Xu San sh i at t em p t ed t o fla t t er h er , “As you ’d exp ect fr om t h e w om an I lik e.

Sh e st ill look s so cu t e even w h en sh e’s ca llin g h er self a p ig.”
J ian g Nan n an glar ed at h im an d said , “Go aw ay.”
W an g Don g, w h o w as st an d in g n ear H u o Yu h ao, b u r st in t o lau gh t er .

H ow ever , h e qu ick ly t u r n ed h is h ea d aw a y. H u o Yu h ao’s face also t w it ch ed as h e
t r ied t o h old b ack h is lau gh t er . Sen ior b r ot h er Xu w as m a d ly in love w it h J ian g
Nan n an . Desp it e t h is, J ian g Nan n an w as t r yin g h er b est t o n ot p ay an y at t en t ion
t o h im . T h ey w er e t r u ly an in t er est in g cou p le.
Eld er Xu an said , “Good . You h ave a t w o h ou r b r eak . Aft er w ar d s, sin ce som e

of you st ill seem t o b e u n con vin ced , you ’ll figh t again .”
W h en t h ey h ear d t h at t h ey w ou ld figh t a gain , t h e seven d iscip les of t h e in n er

cou r t yar d im m ed iat ely sat d ow n an d b egan t o r ecover t h eir sou l p ow er . In t h e
figh t ju st n ow , ever yon e h ad u sed d iffer en t qu an t it ies of sou l p ow er . As t h ey
m ed it at ed , t h ey also w en t over t h e in for m at ion t h ey’d gain ed fr om t h e figh t ju st
n ow .
W h en t h ey saw t h is, H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er s also sat d ow n t o r ecover t h eir
sou l p ow er . Of ever yon e p r esen t , h e an d W an g Don g h ad con su m ed t h e gr eat est
am ou n t of sou l p ow er . M or eover , t h ey’d alr ea d y u sed t h eir Gold en Road ; t h ey
w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o u se it again if t h ey h ad t o b at t le in a sh or t w h ile.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e slow ly d iscover in g t h e p ecu liar it ies of t h e

Gold en Road n ow t h at t h ey’d u sed it in b at t le m u lt ip le t im es.
T h e Gold en Road it self p ossessed an in cr ed ib le am ou n t of d est r u ct ive p ow er .

H ow ever , it s lim it s w er e clear ly visib le w h en it w as u sed again st som eon e w it h a
h igh er cu lt ivat ion . It w as a p ow er fu l fu sion sk ill t h at com b in ed b ot h at t ack an d
con t r ol. Com b in ed w it h H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , m an y of it s flaw s
w er e cou n t er ab le. Cu r r en t ly, it w as w it h ou t a d ou b t t h eir st r on gest sk ill.
W it h ou t t h is sk ill, t h eir over a ll st r en gt h w ou ld d efin it ely d r op b y a lar ge

m ar gin . H ow ever , it w asn ’t lik e t h ey w er e com p let ely u seless w it h ou t it . H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as on e of t h e b est au xiliar y sk ills a sou l m ast er
cou ld h ave. M or eov er , t h ey b ot h also h ad a p ow er fu l t h ou san d year sou l sk ill,
an d H u o Yu h ao’s Ult im at e elem en t cou ld also su p p r ess Lin g Lu och en .
Cou n t er in g an en em y Sou l Kin g w as an ext r em ely u sefu l t h in g in a b at t le.
T h e figh t ju st n ow h ad left a ver y d eep im p r ession on H u o Yu h ao. Bein g ab le

t o figh t alon g t h ese sen ior sch oolm at es h ad b een of gr eat h elp t o h im , as h e
h ad n ’t n eed ed t o sh ow t h em t h e w ay. J u st b y b ein g in t h e r an ge of h is Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion , t h ey’d b e ab le t o u n d er st an d h ow t h ey sh ou ld p r oceed , an d w ou ld
d isp lay t h e r igh t a b ilit y at t h e r igh t m om en t . T h at h ad b een an ext r em ely
w on d r ou s feelin g.
Eld er Xu an casu ally ch ose a p lace t o sit d ow n . Aft er w ar d s, h e t ook a gr easy

ch ick en leg ou t of n ow h er e an d t ook a b it e fr om it . Cu r r en t ly, h is face t h at w as
h id d en b eh in d a m a ss of ext r aor d in ar ily m essy h air h eld a p en sive exp r ession .
No on e cou ld t ell w h at h e w as t h in k in g.
T w o h ou r s q u ick ly p assed , aft er w h ich t h ey w er e all b ack on t h eir feet .

Eld er Xu an a lso st ood u p . H e t ook a lar ge sw ig of alcoh ol, t h en said w it h a
sm ile, “Kid s, d on ’t b e im p at ien t . W h a t ’s t h e p oin t of figh t in g w it h t h e sam e
m em b er s on ce again ? T h er efor e… H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w ill sw it ch t eam s
w it h Yao H aoxu an an d J ian g Nan n an .”
Bot h sid es w er e su r p r ised w h en t h ey h ea r d Eld er Xu an ’s w or d s. T h e on es t h at

h ad t h e b iggest r ea ct ion w er e Dai Yu eh en g an d Ch en Zifen g. Bot h of t h em
fu r r ow ed t h eir b r ow s. On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e n or m a lly cold Lin g Lu och en h ad a
p en sive exp r ession .
J ian g Nan n an w as eager t o get aw ay fr om Xu San sh i. As su ch , sh e qu ick ly

m oved t ow ar d s t h e op p osit e p ar t y. Yao H aoxu an h ad a h ap p y exp r ession on h is
face as h e ask ed Eld er Xu an , “Eld er Xu a n , w ill t h e loser h a ve t o sh ou t t h e sam e
slogan as last t im e?”
Eld er Xu an im m ed ia t ely n od d ed an d sa id , “Of cou r se. I’m a lw ays fair , aft er

all.”
Ch en Zifen g cou ld n ’t r efr ain fr om ask in g, “Eld er Xu an , I d on ’t t h in k t h a t t h is

is fair . W e ju st lost t h e b at t le, yet you ’ve r ep laced ou r m em b er s w it h w eak er
on es…”
W h en Xiao Xiao h ear d Ch en Zifen g’s w or d s, sh e an gr ily r et or t ed , “Sen ior

sch oolm at e, h ow cou ld you con sid er H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w eak ? T h ey
p layed a d ecisive r ole in t h e p r eviou s b at t le!”
Ch en Zifen g r ep lied , “I’ll t ak e t h ose w or d s b ack if t h ey ca n st ill u se t h eir

fu sion sk ill.”
Xiao Xiao w as im m ed iat ely d u m b fou n d ed ; t h is w as st ill a p r ob lem ! Given

t h eir cu r r en t st r en gt h , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t b e ab le
t o u se t h eir Gold en Road again . W it h t h is, t h eir over all p ow er w ou ld b e gr eat ly
r ed u ced .
Eld er Xu an in d iffer en t ly said , “Silen ce. It w as an or d er . I w asn ’t ask in g for
you r op in ion . If you h ave som e sk ills, you b et t er u se t h em in t h e figh t . Befor e
cr it icizin g you r t ea m m at es, you sh ou ld m ak e su r e t o n ot act lik e a p ig you r self.
Now t h en , m ak e t h e ch an ges t h at I said .”
As Eld er Xu an sp ok e in a gr ave t on e, a b u r st of op p r essive au r a b egan t o

sp r ead over t h e ar ea . Non e of t h e st u d en t s d ar ed t o say an ot h er w or d an d t h ey
q u iet ly exch an ged m em b er s.
Besid es Ch en Zifen g, M a Xiaot ao w as also u n w illin g t o m ak e t h is exch an ge.

H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as ju st t oo u sefu l! W it h ou t h im , w ou ld t h ey
st ill b e ab le t o h ave a t acit u n d er st an d in g lik e b efor e?
W h en H u o Yu h ao a n d W an g Don g ar r ived at t h e op p osit e sid e, Yao H aoxu an

an d J ian g Nan n an a lso t ook t h eir p laces in t h e op p osit e p ar t y. J u st look in g at
t h eir lin e u p , M a Xiaot ao’s t eam seem ed t o h ave t h e ad van t age. Fou r of t h em
w er e m em b er s of t h e m ain t eam , w h ile t h e ot h er t h r ee m em b er s fr om t h e
p r ep ar at or y t eam w er e all Sou l An cest or s.
Chapt er 67.1: Ult imat e Tr ansfor mat ion!
At t r ibut e Amplificat ion!
T h e cor e st r en gt h of Dai Yu eh en g’s t eam w as com p r ised of Ch en Zifen g, Lin g

Lu och en , an d h im self. Am on g t h e ot h er fou r , Xu San sh i w as com p ar at ively
st r on ger in t er m s o f d ir ect com b at . T h e r em ain in g t h r ee con sist ed of H u o
Yu h ao, W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao.
T o t h em , t h e on ly a d van t age b r ou gh t a b ou t b y h avin g H u o Yu h ao on t h eir

t eam w as t h at Lin g Lu och en ’s ab ilit y sh ou ld n ’t b e r est r ict ed , b u t t h at w a s all.
Eld er Xu an in d icat ed for b ot h p ar t ies t o sp ace ou t , b u t h e d id n ’t give t h em

t im e t o fam iliar ise t h em selves w it h on e an ot h er t h is t im e ar ou n d . As soon as
b ot h p ar t ies w er e a h u n d r ed an d fift y m et r es ap ar t h e sou n d ed t h e com m an d for
t h em t o b egin .
Bot h sid es w er e closer t o on e an ot h er t h is t im e ar ou n d . As soon as Eld er Xu an

gave t h e sign a l t o b egin , t h e Con t r ol Syst em Bat t le Sou l M a st er s on b ot h sid es
im m ed iat ely act ivat ed t h eir sk ills.
Dai Yu eh en g, Ch en Zifen g, an d Xu San sh i w er e in fr on t , Lin g Lu och en w as in

t h e m id d le, an d W an g Don g, H u o Yu h ao, an d Xiao Xiao w er e in t h e b ack .
Lin g Lu och en r an a h ead of H u o Yu h ao, t h en t u r n ed h er h ea d b ack t o look at

H u o Yu h ao, h er cold gaze b ear in g a d egr ee of cu r iosit y an d aler t n ess.
H u o Yu h ao sh r u gged h is sh ou ld er s t ow ar d s h er . Aft er w a r d s, b ot h of h is
foolp r oof w h it e sou l r in gs of lit u p on ce m or e. J u st lik e b efor e, h is Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion Sh ar in g w as act ivat ed w h en t h e m om en t t h at h is fir st sou l r in g lit u p .
T h e p eop le in fr on t of h im sh u d d er ed all sim u lt an eou sly sh u d d er ed . If it
w er en ’t for t h e fact t h at t h ey w er e all w ell exp er ien ced in b at t le, t h ey w ou ld n ’t
h ave b een ab le t o k eep t h em selves fr om t u r n in g an d st a r in g a t H u o Yu h ao.
Dai Yu eh en g an d Ch en Zifen g fin ally u n d er st ood w h y M a Xiaot ao’s Ph oen ix

M et eor Sh ow er h ad b een so accu r at e b efor e. H ow ever , t h ey h ad n ’t even t h ou gh t
t h at it h ad b een d u e t o H u o Yu h ao. W er en ’t h is sou l r in gs ju st w h it e, t en year
on es? H ow cou ld h e h ave su ch a p ow er fu l sp ir it u a l-t yp e sou l sk ill?!
Fu r t h er m or e, h e’d p r eviou sly u sed an ice-at t r ib u t e m ar t ial sou l, r igh t ? As su ch ,
h ow h ad t h is sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l sk ill com e ab ou t ?
Bot h p ar t ies w er e ju st over a h u n d r ed m et r es aw ay fr om on e an ot h er . It

d id n ’t m at t er t h at Dai Yu eh en g, Ch en Zifen g, an d Lin g Lu och en h ad m isgivin gs
ab ou t t h is sou l sk ill in t h eir h ear t s, as t h ey h ad t o face t h eir op p on en t s fir st .
Lin g Lu och en w as also a Con t r ol Syst em Bat t le Sou l M ast er . T h e cold st r eam
t h at h ad p r eviou sly su r r ou n d ed h er r ose u p on ce m or e. As it d id , M a Xiaot ao
ap p ear ed d ir ect ly acr oss fr om h er . In t h a t m om en t , h er p h oen ix w in gs u n fu r led
again , an d w it h Gon g Yan gm o’s h elp , r agin g t or r en t ial fla m es ap p ear ed on ce
m or e. T h e t em p er at u r e in t h e assessm en t ar ea r ap id ly b egan t o in cr ease.
At t h at exact m om en t , Lin g Lu och en felt t w o w ar m p alm s su d d en ly p r ess

t h em selves again st h er b ack . Sh e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sh u d d er , w h ich n ea r ly
in t er r u p t ed h er sou l sk ill.
Lin g Lu och en w as m ysop h ob ic, qu iet , an d cold . Besid es h er close r elat ives,
sh e’d n ever let an yo n e fr om t h e op p osit e sex t ou ch h er b od y b efor e. Am on gst
t h e t h r ee p eop le st an d in g b eh in d h er , t h e on e d ir ect ly b eh in d h er w as H u o
Yu h ao. As su ch , t h is p air of h an d s u n d ou b t ed ly b elon ged t o H u o Yu h ao. Sh e w as
im m ed iat ely en r aged , b u t r igh t w h en sh e w as ab ou t t o t u r n a r ou n d an d lash ou t
at h im , sh e su d d en ly felt t h at som et h in g ab ou t h er sou l sk ill h ad ch an ged . It w as
d ifficu lt t o d escr ib e t h e fr igid air t h at h a d su d d en ly su r ged in t o h er b od y fr om
h er b ack : H er ab ilit y w as or igin a lly ice-b ased , t h u s t h is ext er n al for ce w asn ’t an
at t ack , b u t an assim ilat ion . Sh e felt t h at h er ice h ad t u r n ed in t o an exist en ce
t h at st ood on a com p let ely d iffer en t level t h an b efor e, w h ile h er en t ir e
t em p er am en t seem ed t o h ave su b sequ en t ly ch an ged b ecau se of t h at fr igid
feelin g.
As on e of Sh r ek Acad em y’s in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les, Lin g Lu och en w asn ’t

on ly st u b b or n ly st r on g, sh e w as also ext r em ely k n ow led geab le w h en it cam e t o
sou l m ast er s. Sh e im m ed iat ely b ecam e aw ar e of a p ossib ilit y t h at h ad b een
u n k n ow n t o h er u p u n t il t h is p oin t . W h en sh e t h ou gh t of t h is p ossib ilit y, sh e
im m ed iat ely u n d er st ood w h y sh e’d p r eviou sly lost t o H u o Yu h ao in su ch a
d u b iou s m an n er .
Ul t i m at e, i t ’ s act ual l y Ul t i m at e I ce. T hi s t i ny youngst er act ual l y has an

i nconcei vabl e m ar t i al soul l i k e Ul t i m at e I ce!
Bot h par t i es began t o n ear each ot h er as Li n g Louch en h ad t h i s r evel at i on .

Li n g Luoch en qui ck l y cal m ed dow n , t h en i m m edi at el y con f i r m ed t h at i t w as
H uo Yuh ao beh i n d h er . H ow ever , w h en sh e di d, sh e n ot i ced t h at h i s t w o soul
r i n gs h ad act ual l y t ur n ed i n t o a si n gl e soul r i n g. W an g Don g w as r i gh t beh i n d
H uo Yuh ao, an d h e‘d f i r m l y pl an t ed bot h h i s h an ds on H uo Yuh ao’ s back as
w el l . Sh e w as abl e t o see al l of t h i s because of H uo Yuh ao’ s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on .
H er i ce el em en t h ad t ur n ed i n t o an Ul t i m at e I ce el em en t ! T o Li n g Luoch en ,
t h i s f eel i n g w as bot h m agi cal an d w on der f ul . Even t h ough t h i s w oul dn ’ t t ur n
h er i n t o a t r ue Ul t i m at e I ce Soul M ast er , w h at H uo Yuh ao h ad don e w as
equi val en t t o am pl i f yi n g h er i ce at t r i but e f or a sh or t per i od of t i m e, such t h at
sh e coul d t em por ar i l y use t h e pow er of an Ul t i m at e I ce at t r i but e. Fur t h er m or e,
Ul t i m at e I ce t h at bor e t h e pow er of a Soul Ki n g.
Li n g Luoch en ’ s f i r st soul r i n g m et am or ph osed i n t o an i cy st af f , w h i ch sh e

t h en r ai sed over h er h ead. H ow ever , sh e di dn ’ t r el ease h er secon d soul r i n g an d
equi p h er i ce ar m or t h i s t i m e ar oun d. I n st ead, sh e poi n t ed h er i cy st af f t ow ar ds
t h e sk y. W h en sh e di d, an i cy bl ue h al o en cased h er w h ol e body i n a spl i t secon d,
w h i ch caused body t o be w r apped i n an i cy bl ue coat .
I m m edi at el y af t er w ar ds, an i cy bl ue pi l l ar of l i gh t soar ed i n t o t h e sk y. T h e

dr y h eat t h at h ad f i l l ed t h ei r sur r oun di n gs w as i m m edi at el y sw ept i n t o obl i v i on .
Not on ly t h at , b u t on ce t h e icy cold d r aft h ad r isen t en m et r es in t o t h e air , it
r ap id ly sp r ead lik e a t id e an d p r essed it self again st M a Xiaot ao’s p h oen ix flam es.
No m at t er h ow fir m Dai Yu eh en g’s r esolu t ion w as, h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t look

u p at t h e sk y. H e ju st so h ap p en ed t o see an icy b lu e layer over t ak e b ot h Ch en
Zifen g an d h im self at an ast on ish in g sp eed . T h at icy b lu e layer t h en r ap id ly
cam e in t o con t act w it h M a Xiaot ao’s m on st r ou s p h oen ix flam es.
W h en t h ey felt t h e ch illin ess b r ou gh t ab ou t b y t h e Ult im at e Ice, Dai Yu eh en g

an d Ch en Zifen g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sh iver , d esp it e b ein g h er t eam m at es. T h ey
exch an ged a glan ce, t h e ast on ish m en t t h ey felt clear ly p r esen t in t h eir eyes.
All of t h em w er e w it h in H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g, t h u s t h ey

cou ld n at u r ally t ell t h at H u o Yu h ao a n d W an g Don g w er e b ot h cu r r en t ly
su p p or t in g Lin g Lu och en . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e cold au r a t h at Lin g Lu och en h ad
r evealed h ad com p let ely su r p assed t h at of t h e on e sh e’d r evealed in t h e p ast .
T h e over w h elm in g p r essu r e b r ou gh t ab ou t b y it sh ock ed even a Sou l Em p er or
lik e Dai Yu eh en g!
M a Xiaot ao’s Red d ish -gold en flam es r ap id ly collid ed w it h t h e icy b lu e st r eam s

of cold .
T h e p eop le on M a Xiaot ao’s t eam w er e st ar t led t o fin d t h a t t h eir d ed u ct ion

w as w r on g: T h e on e cu r r en t ly w in n in g w asn ’t t h e Sou l Em p er or M a Xiaot ao,
b u t r at h er t h e Sou l Kin g Lin g Lu och en .
W h en t h e cold st r ea m s cam e in t o con t act w it h t h e scor ch in g p h oen ix flam es,

t h ey seem ed as t h o u gh t h ey’d su d d en ly en cou n t er ed a d ow n p ou r . T h e flam es
d issip a t ed in t h e face of t h e cold st r eam s, an d w er e con sequ en t ly r ep laced b y t h e
cold t or r en t ial st r ea m s. T h e cold st r eam s of air sh ock ed ever y sin gle p er son on
M a Xiaot ao’s t eam , an d cau sed t h em t o feel a lit t le slu ggish .
Yao H aoxu an h ad alr ead y t u r n ed in t o an ext r em ely b r aw n y fou r -m et r e t all

m an , an d h e b egan for cefu lly t h u m p in g h is ch est . T h at w as h is fir st sou l sk ill,
‘W ar far e’.
H ow ever , t h is yello w sou l sk ill of h is t h at st r en gt h en ed ever yon e on h is t eam
w asn ’t ab le t o n eu t r alize t h e ch illin ess t h ey felt . Con t r ar y t o h is exp ect at ion s, h e
even slow ed d ow n a lit t le.
It w as at t h is m om en t t h at Xiao Xiao’s Nin ep h oen ix W or sh ip p in g Flu t e

su d d en ly r an g ou t . Un d er h er p r ecise con t r ol, t h e sou n d w aves t h at ca u sed
p eop le t o slow d ow n flew p ast h er t eam m at es w it h ou t affect in g t h em , on ly
affect in g t h e seven p eop le on M a Xiaot ao’s t eam .
M a Xiaot ao’s t eam w as st r on g, b u t t h ey h ad a p r ob lem —t h ey d id n ’t h ave a

r eal Con t r ol Syst em Bat t le Sou l M ast er on t h eir t eam . T h eir op p on en t s, on t h e
ot h er h an d , h a d t h r ee of t h em .
Un d er t h e join t effor t s of Lin g Lu och en an d Xiao Xiao, t h eir seven -m an t eam

h ad n ow b ecom e sign ifican t ly slow er .
Dai Yu eh en g an d Ch en Zifen g b ecam e fir ed u p w h en t h ey saw t h is. T h ey

su d d en ly felt t h a t t h eir loss w asn ’t n ecessar ily cer t ain in t h is m at ch , an d b ot h
r eleased t h eir m a r t ial sou ls. T h ey t h en sim u lt an eou sly acceler at ed t ow ar d s M a
Xiaot ao. M a Xiaot ao w as in a com p let ely d iffer en t sit u a t ion t h is m at ch , n ow
t h at sh e d id n ’t h a ve H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g t o aid h er .
Fu r t h er m or e, Lin g Lu och en w as su p p r essin g h er p h oen ix flam es.
“Xi Xi, get r id of H u o Yu h ao!” M a Xiaot ao sh ou t ed ou t as sh e faced Dai

Yu eh en g an d Ch en Zifen g h ead -on w it h ou t a sh r ed fear in h er b od y. Bei Bei an d
H e Cait ou flan k ed h er fr om t h e sid es, b u t a flash of ligh t n in g im m ed iat ely
sp ar k ed p ast all of t h em , w h ich for m ed a r efr act ion at an alar m in g sp eed ; Xi Xi
h ad alr ead y r each ed H u o Yu h ao’s sid e on ly a secon d aft er M a Xiaot ao h ad
sh ou t ed .
Neit h er Lin g Lu och en ’s cold st r ea m s n or Xiao Xiao’s Nin ep h oen ix

W or sh ip p in g Flu t e w er e cap ab le of im p air in g Xi Xi’s sp eed b y a lar ge am ou n t .
Sh e w as Xi Xi: An or d in ar y-look in g gir l, yet a t r u e a ssassin -lik e Agilit y Syst em
Sou l M ast er !
“Don g—” Ligh t n in g sh ot ou t in all d ir ect ion s am id st t h e p r olon ged sou n d t h a t
w as p r od u ced fr om a collision . Xi Xi fin ally r evealed h er t r u e self fr om w it h in
t h e ligh t n in g.
In t h at m om en t , h er p u p ils w er e ver t ical, w h ile h er sk in h ad t u r n ed b lack ,

an d ligh t n in g w as cu r r en t ly coilin g ar ou n d b od y. T h at ’s r igh t , t h is w as h er
m ar t ial sou l—Ligh t n in g Leop ar d .
H ow ever , som eon e h ad b lock ed t h at at t ack of h er s, w h ich sh e’d u n lea sh ed

w it h t h e in t en t ion t o w in . It w as on ly n at u r al t h a t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g
w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o b lock h er su d d en at t ack h ead on , b u t t h er e w as
som eon e w h o cou ld : Xu San sh i.
H is h u ge Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le h ad lan d ed r igh t in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao,

w h ich h ad cau sed Xi Xi t o r eb ou n d fr om h er at t ack . Aft er h er at t ack st r u ck , Xu
San sh i p osit ion ed h im self h or izon t ally fr om h er .
At t h at m om en t , Dai Yu eh en g an d Ch en Zifen g w er e even m or e aw ar e of t h e

w on d er b r ou gh t ab ou t b y H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . T h ey w er e ab le t o
com p let ely gr asp t h e sit u a t ion on t h e b at t lefield in a t h r ee-d im en sion al for m at
all t im es d u e t o h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . N or m ally, a sp eed y assassin su ch as Xi Xi
w ou ld d ar t b eh in d t h eir op p on en t s an d am b u sh t h em w h er e t h ey k n ew t h ey’d
ap p ear . H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t m ak e a d et ou r t o d eal w it h Xi Xi t h is t im e ar ou n d .
Xu San sh i’s ob st r u ct ion h ad ap p ear ed in t h eir Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , t h u s all t h ey
n eed ed t o d o w as face t h eir op p on en t s h ead -on .
Bot h p ar t ies w er e ab ou t t o collid e w it h on e an ot h er , w h en Dai Yu eh en g

su d d en ly r evea led a som ew h at st r an ge sm ile on h is face. Follow in g t h a t , h is
fou r t h sou l r in g su d d en ly lit u p .
A b r igh t , gold en -w h it e p illar of ligh t soar ed in t o t h e sk y. A b r illian t , cr escen t -

m oon sh ap ed ligh t seem ed t o sh in e fr om w it h in t h e ligh t p illar . Sh or t ly
aft er w ar d s, t en s of b alls of ligh t ap p ear ed fr om at op t h e ligh t p illa r an d
d escen d ed in a flash . T h ey p assed M a Xiaot ao b y, t h en sp lit in t o t w o gr ou p s.
On e gr ou p h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e sk y-b ou n d Gon g Yan gm o, w h ile t h e ot h er
p or t ion r ap id ly d isp er sed an d sh ot t ow ar d s J ian g Nan n an an d H e Cait ou .
W ho doesn’ t k now h ow t o unl eash a m et eor show er ? You have your Phoen i x
M et eor Show er , I h ave m y W hi t e T i ger M et eor Show er . An eye f or an eye, a
t oot h f or a t oot h ! I t ’ s m y t ur n t o l and a cl ean hi t now t hat I have H uo Yuhao’ s
Spi r i t ual Det ect i on on m y si de!
I f t h ey w er e com pet i n g based pur el y on st r en gt h al on e, Dai Yueh en g

n at ur al l y w oul dn ’ t be abl e t o com par e t o M a Xi aot ao’ s si x-r i n ged soul sk i l l w i t h
just h i s f our -r i n ged on e. T h ey w er e bot h M et eor Sh ow er s, but h i s w as m uch
w eak er t h an h er s. H ow ever , h i s m et eor sh ow er h ad a m uch sm al l er am oun t of
m et eor s com par ed t o M a Xi aot ao, w h i ch caused ever y si n gl e m et eor of h i s t o be
m or e pow er f ul i n t h ei r ow n r i gh t . M or eover , t h e m ai n t ar get h e’ d ch osen
w asn ’ t t h e w eak est am on gst t h e t h r ee f r om t h e opposi n g t eam , but r at h er t h ei r
t eam ’ s m ai n at t ack er , Gon g Yan gm o. As l on g as h e w as abl e t o get r i d of Gon g
Yan gm o, t h e st r en gt h of M a Xi aot ao’ s t eam w oul d pl um m et .
Gon g Yan gm o h ad al r eady r el eased t h r ee soul sk i l l s at t h i s poi n t . T h e f i r st

soul sk i l l h e’ d used w as ‘ Scar l et St r en gt h ’ , t h e secon d w as ‘ Or an ge Soul ’ , an d
t h e t h i r d soul sk i l l w as ‘ Yel l ow Speed’ . T h ese t h r ee soul sk i l l s caused t h r ee h al os
t o appear at op t h e h eads of ever yon e on h i s t eam , w i t h Yao H aoxuan ’ s
am pl i f i cat i on t h en added on t o t h em . T h ei r par t y w as n ow m uch st r on ger , an d i f
on e w er e t o i sol at e t h ei r t eam an d l ook at each i n di vi dual ’ s cur r en t st at e t h ey’ d
cl ear l y be abl e t o see t h i s.
H ow ever , t h e m om en t t h at bot h par t i es w er e about t o en gage i n a cl ose-

quar t er s bat t l e, Li n g Luoch en sudden l y l et out an ot h er at t ack .
Lin g Lu och en ’s t h ir d sou l r in g in st an t ly lit u p as sh e p oin t ed h er icy st aff

for w ar d , w h ich cau sed an icy-b lu e r ay of ligh t t o st r ik e t h e t op of M a Xiaot ao’s
h ead .
T h e b lu e ligh t en velop ed h er an d in st an t ly en t r ap p ed h er w it h in an icy p r ison

. M a Xiaot ao’s ch ar ge im m ed ia t ely h a lt ed h er ch ar ge an d h er fier cely st r u ck t h e
icy p r ison w it h h er p h oen ix flam es.
H ow ever , t h e icy p r ison d id n ’t sh at t er lik e sh e’d exp ect ed it t oo; on ly a few

cr ack s h ad ap p ear ed . M a Xiaot ao’s fier y flam es h ad b een com p let ely su p p r essed
b y t h is icy p r ison .
Of t h e seven w it h in t h e official t eam , M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t ju st h ave a b ad

r elat ion sh ip w it h Da i Yu eh en g. H er r elat ion sh ip w it h Lin g Lu och en w asn ’t good
eit h er . Sh e w as of t h e fir e elem en t , w h ile Lin g Lu och en w as of t h e ice elem en t .
As su ch , t h eir d isp osit ion s n at u r ally clash ed w it h each ot h er . In t h e p ast , Lin g
Lu och en h ad r efu sed t o h elp M a Xiaot ao su p p r ess h er evil fir e. If sh e h ad n ’t , sh e
w ou ld n ’t h a ve h ad t o st oop t o fin d in g Xu San sh i.
H ow ever , M a Xiaot a o h ad alw ays su p p r essed Lin g Lu och en in t er m s of p u r e

cu lt ivat ion ; sh e d efin it ely d id n ’t w an t t o lose again st h er t h is t im e ar ou n d .
Op p or t u n it ies on t h e b at t lefield w er e b ot h t r an sien t an d fleet in g; a sin gle

m om en t ’s op p or t u n it y cou ld ch an ge t h e en t ir e sit u at ion of a b at t le.
Dai Yu eh en g h ad or igin ally p lan n ed t o figh t M a Xiaot ao in a d ir ect

con fr on t at ion . H ow ever , t h e m om en t t h at Lin g Lu och en h ad m ad e h er m ove
h e’d b een ab le t o figu r e ou t w h o h er t a r get w as d u e t o H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion . H is b od y su d d en ly flick er ed , a n d h is fir st , t h ir d , a n d fift h sou l r in gs
on ce again lit u p . T h is b r ou gh t h im t o t h e p eak of h is ab ilit ies, an d in an in st an t ,
h e fou n d Bei Bei.
W it h t h e assist an ce of Gon g Yan gm o’s Rain b ow Dr agon , Bei Bei w as ab le t o

b lock t h r ee of Dai Yu eh en g’s b low s. H ow ever , h e st ill r et r eat ed st ep b y st ep as
b lood d r ip p ed fr om h is m ou t h an d n ose. At t h e sam e t im e, Gon g Yan gm o w as
d oin g h is b est t o p r ot ect h im self fr om t h e W h it e T iger ’s M et eor Sh ow er . As a
r esu lt , h e w asn ’t ab le t o assist M a Xiaot ao. On t h e ot h er h an d , J ian g Nan n an
an d H e Cait ou on ly ch oice w as t o exh au st t h eir ab ilit ies in or d er t o p r ot ect
t h em selves fr om t h e W h it e T iger ’s M et eor Sh ow er . T h eir or igin ally or d er ly
for m at ion h ad cr u m b led in an in st an t .
W it h a flash of b lu e ligh t , Yao H aoxu an —w h o’d ju st sw allow ed a m et eor fr om

t h e W h it e T iger ’s M et eor Sh ow er an d sp at it ou t t o h elp Gon g Yan gm o—w as
su d d en ly t r ap p ed in an ot h er icy p r ison . At t h a t m om en t , M a Xiaot ao fin ally
b r ok e t h r ou gh t h e icy p r ison t h at h ad en t r ap p ed h er . H ow ever , Lin g Lu och en ’s
at t ack ar r ived at t h e sam e in st an t t h a t sh e b r ok e fr ee.
Sh e p oin t ed h er icy st aff for w ar d s an d h er in k -lik e fift h so u l r in g lit u p . A

d ar k -b lu e r in g of ice t h en float ed ou t w ar d s, t h e ext r em e cold it em an at ed
cover in g t h e en t ir e Assessm en t Ar ea in a layer of fr ost . M a Xiaot ao’s evil fir e
w as t h en su b sequ en t ly su p p r essed t o t h e p oin t w h er e it co u ld on ly act u ally
ap p ear in a t w o m et er d iam et er ar ou n d h er .
On t h e ot h er sid e of t h e b at t lefield , Xi Xi con t in u ed t o at t ack Xu San sh i

w ild ly. H ow ever , ev en t h ou gh sh e w as qu ick , h er at t ack s w er en ’t ver y st r on g.
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e Sou l An cest or -r an k ed Xu San sh i w as essen t ially a w ell-
gu ar d ed for t r ess. H e r elied on t h e accu r at e p r ed ict ive cap ab ilit ies of H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t o d efen d H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao in
a t im ely m an n er u sin g h is Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le.
Lin g Lu och en ’s d ar k -b lu e r in g of ice con t in u ed t o slow ly r ise, w h ile t h e b lu ish

ligh t on it cir cu lat ed an d r eleased t h r ee b lu e p illar s of ligh t t h at sh ot t ow ar d s
M a Xiaot ao, Gon g Yan gm o, an d Yao H aoxu an r esp ect ively.
As a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er , Lin g Lu och en ’s h eld an en or m ou s am ou n t of
con t r ol over h er Ice. W it h H u o Yu h ao’s elem en t al am p lifica t io n , sh e w as ab le t o
in st an t ly gain t h e in it iat ive w it h t h is at t a ck .
M a Xiaot ao gr it t ed h er t eet h . Sh e k n ew t h at if t h is at t ack w er e t o lan d , t h er e

w as a h igh p ossib ilit y t h at sh e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o t u r n t h in gs ar ou n d . Sh e
flap p ed h er w in gs fier cely, w h ich cau sed t h e sou l p ow er w it h in h er b od y t o
su d d en ly exp lod e ou t w ar d s. Am id st t h e son or ou s cr y of a p h oen ix, h er b od y
t u r n ed illu sor y. In t h at in st an t , sh e seem ed t o t r an sfor m in t o a gen u in e
p h oen ix. T h e gold en -r ed d ish ligh t on h er legs lit u p , an d sh e a cceler at ed t ow ar d
Lin g Lu och en as sh e act ivat ed h er fift h so u l r in g. If sh e w asn ’t ab le t o d eal w it h
Lin g Lu och en , sh e w ou ld n ’t h a ve an ot h er ch an ce t o t ak e b ack t h e in it iat ive.
H ow ever , h ow cou ld Lin g Lu och en , w h o w as t h e cor e con t r ol-t yp e sou l

m ast er of h er t eam , b e allow ed t o t ak e on M a Xiaot ao’s all-ou t b low ?
Dai Yu eh en g’s m u scu lar b od y su d d en ly ap p ear ed on t h e on ly p at h t h at M a

Xiaot ao cou ld t ak e. Am id st t h e r oar of a t iger , h is sixt h sou l r in g fin ally lit u p .
An en or m ou s ‘KILL’ t h at a lt er n at ed b et w een b lack an d w h it e ap p ear ed in

m id air an d collid ed w it h t h e ch ar gin g M a Xiaot ao, w h o’d b een assist ed b y h er
t w o leg sou l b on es.
“Boom —” A violen t u n d u lat ion of sou l p ow er in st an t ly sp r ea d ou t w ar d s fr om

t h e p oin t of t h eir collision , w h ich for ced ever yon e it t o b en d d ow n an d d efen d
t h em selves.
W h en t h e fier ce, fier y r ed ligh t collid ed w it h t h e gold en -w h it e t iger , t h ey sh ot

st r aigh t in t o t h e air . T h eir figu r es in st an t ly sep ar at ed on ce t h ey’d collid ed w it h
each ot h er .
Dai Yu eh en g w as sen t flyin g b ack w ar d s fr om t h e collision , an d t w o d eep

gr ooves h ad ap p ear ed on t h e gr ou n d b elow h im . W h en h e fin ally st op p ed , h e
w as alr ead y k n ee-d eep in t h e gr ou n d .
M a Xiaot ao w asn ’t feelin g an y b et t er . As sh e t u m b led on t h e gr ou n d , sh e w as
st r u ck b y Lin g Lu och en ’s icy r in g, an d w as fr ozen in t o a d ar k -b lu e p illa r of ice as
a r esu lt .
As for Gon g Yan gm o, even t h ou gh h is au xilia r y ab ilit ies w er e ext r em ely

st r on g, h e w asn ’t sp ecialised in com b at . H e Cait ou d id h is b est t o r escu e h im
w it h h is sou l t ools, b u t a t en t h o u san d year sou l sk ill t h at h eld t h e p ow er of
Ult im at e Ice w a sn ’t som et h in g t h a t a Class 4 sou l en gin eer cou ld w it h st an d . T h e
p ow er of Ice en velop ed h im , an d h e w a s fr ozen solid as w ell.
T h er e w as n o n eed t o even m en t ion Yao H aoxu an . Befor e h e cou ld d est r oy t h e

icy p r ison t h at h ad en t r ap p ed h im , Lin g Lu och en r ein for ced it . As a r esu lt , h is
m assive b od y w as sealed w it h in t h e icy p r ison . W it h H u o Yu h ao’s elem en t al
am p lificat ion , Lin g Lu och en ’s level of con t r ol over t h e b at t lefield h ad b een a t
least d ou b led .
T h e b lood -r ed Sou lch asin g Sw or d flick er ed p r ou d ly as it sh ot for w ar d s. It

sm ash ed in t o t h e solid p illar s of ice t h a t w er e M a Xiaot ao, Gon g Yan gm o, an d
Yao H aoxu an ’s b od ies, t h en flew t ow ar d s Bei Bei, H e Cait ou , a n d J ian g Nan n an .
Bei Bei h ad alr ead y b een in ju r ed , an d h e’d con su m ed an en or m ou s am ou n t of

sou l p ow er . H e Ca it ou ’s con su m p t ion of sou l p ow er h a d b een sim ila r ly
en or m ou s. J ian g Nan n an h ad alr ead y exp en d ed all of h er st r en gt h w h en sh e’d
d efen d ed h er self again st t h e W h it e T iger ’s M et eor Sh ow er . H ow cou ld t h e t h r ee
of t h em cu r r en t ly d efen d t h em selves again st Ch en Zifen g’s p ow er fu l
Sou lch asin g Sw or d ? W it h t h e h elp of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , t h e
b at t le en d ed in ju st t h r ee b r eat h s of t im e.
T h e b at t les goin g on on t h e ot h er sid e of t h e b at t lefield en d ed as w ell.
W h en Dai Yu eh en g clash ed again st M a Xiaot ao, a flaw fin ally ap p ear ed in Xu

San sh i’s d efen se. H ow cou ld Xi Xi give u p on an op p or t u n it y lik e t h is? Sh e
ch ar ged t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, w h o st ood b eh in d Lin g Lu och en , w it h a flash .
At t h at m om en t , h o w ever , H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly t u r n ed ar ou n d . T w o b olt s of
p u r p lish -gold en ligh t n in g sh ot o u t of h is eyes t ow ar d s Xi Xi’s.
Xi Xi on ly felt as if h er h ead h ad b een viciou sly sm ash ed b y a h am m er . An

in st an t an eou s p er io d of b lan k n ess over w h elm ed h er m in d .
Regar d less of h ow q u ick sh e w as, sh e w as st ill a Sou l Kin g. H u o Yu h ao h a d

fu sed h is Sp ir it u al Sh ock w it h h is Pu r p le Dem on eyes, an d h ad u t ilized t h e
sp ir it u al p ow er fr om t h e H aod on g Pow er ; even M a Xiaot ao w ou ld ’ve b een
m om en t ar ily st u n n ed b y h is at t ack .
H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t t h e on ly p er son w h o’d m ad e a m ove; Xiao Xiao, w h o’d

b een st an d in g t h er e an d p layin g h er flu t e b y h er self, fin ally m ad e h er a m ove as
w ell. H er en or m ou s p it ch -b lack cau ld r o n m igh t ily r u m b led for w ar d s as sh e
r eleased h er Na t ion al T r easu r e, Cau ld r on ’s Qu ak in g T r em b le. Sh e u sed h er
st r on gest sou l sk ill, t h en m an eu ver ed it r igh t in fr on t of Xi Xi’s b od y w it h t h e
h elp of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect io n . Even t h ou gh Xi Xi h ad on ly b een
st u n n ed for a sin gle secon d , t h at w as en ou gh t im e for h er .
W an g Don g’s ch ar ged -u p at t ack also fin ally ar r ived an d st r u ck Xi Xi. Even
t h ou gh sh e’d b een a b le t o qu ick ly r ecover fr om Xiao Xiao’s Cau ld r on ’s Qu ak in g
T r em b le w it h h er p ow er fu l cu lt ivat ion , it w asn ’t p ossib le for h er t o d od ge t h is
at t ack .
W an g Don g’s t h ou san d year sou l sk ill, t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess Slash .
Im m ed iat ely aft er t ou ch in g Xi Xi, t h e en or m ou s b all of ligh t in st an t ly

t r an sfor m ed in t o 10 8 b lad es of ligh t , w h ich cr isscr ossed a s t h ey st r u ck h er .
M or eover , t h is sk ill h ad b een st r en gt h en ed b y b ot h t h e H aodon g Pow er an d t h e
Gold en Ligh t . On ce t h is a t t ack h ad b een r eleased , h e an d H u o Yu h ao fell t o t h e
gr ou n d , p ow er less.
T h ese 10 8 b lad es of ligh t w er en ’t in fer ior t o a p ow er fu l at t ack lau n ch ed b y a

fou r -r in ged Sou l An cest or . Even if Xi Xi w as t h e qu ick est am on g ever yon e
p r esen t , sh e w as st ill flu st er ed w h en sh e w as st r u ck b y t h e a t t ack . Sh e’d n ever
exp ect ed t h e t h r ee of t h em t o b e ab le t o la y a t r ap for h er w it h ju st t h eir t w o an d
t h r ee-r in ged cu lt ivat ion s.
Sh e w en t all-ou t an d r eleased t h r ee con secu t ive sou l sk ills b efor e sh e w as ab le

t o d issolve t h e m igh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess Slash . H ow ever , sh e w a sn ’t ab le
t o d od ge t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le t h at st r u ck h er fr om b eh in d .
T h e ot h er b at t les h ad alr ead y en d ed , an d Xi Xi w as sen t flyin g b y t h e Sh ield of

t h e Xu an w u T u r t le. Now t h at h e’d t ak en a b r eat h er , Dai Yu eh en g st r u ck ou t
w it h h is p alm s an d cau gh t Xi Xi, w h o con t in u ed t o flick er w it h elect r icit y.
Desp it e h is h air st an d in g u p fr om h er elect r icit y, sh e st ill ga ve u p t h e m om en t
h e ext en d ed h is claw s.
T h e b at t le h ad en d ed , w it h t h e r esu lt of t h e b at t le st ill b ein g a p er fect vict or y.

H ow ever , t h e vict or s w er e evid en t ly d iffer en t .
Dai Yu eh en g, Ch en Zifen g, an d Lin g Lu och en w er en ’t joyou s t h e m om en t t h e

b at t le en d ed . In st ea d , t h ey im m ed iat ely t u r n ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as
sit t in g on t h e gr ou n d .
Ch en Zifen g h ad an ast on ish ed look on h is face. “T w in m ar t ial sou ls? An d

you , you also h ave t h em ?” T h e ot h er p er son h e w as r efer r in g t o w as n at u r ally
Xiao Xiao. H e fin ally u n d er st ood , at least t o som e ext en t , w h y Eld er Xu an
w an t ed t o m ak e t h em m em b er s of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam , d esp it e t h em b ein g so
you n g.
Lin g Lu och en ’s q u est ion w as on ly t ar get ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, “Ult im at e

Ice?”
W h at cou ld H u o Yu h ao d o excep t n od ?
Dai Yu eh en g t ook a few st ep s for w ar d s an d h elp ed H u o Yu h ao an d W an g

Don g st an d u p . A t r ace of a sm ile ap p ear ed on h is face. “W elcom e t o t h e
p r ep ar at or y t eam of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. I k n ow t h at you h ave a few
con flict in g view s w it h m y you n ger b r ot h er , b u t I’m n ot h im . You d on ’t h ave t o
m in d m e. In t h e fu t u r e, w e’ll all b e com p an ion s.”
T h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at Dai Yu eh en g’s w or d s w er e equ ivalen t t o

ack n ow led gin g H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao as m em b er s of t h e
p r ep ar at or y t eam .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t feel h ap p y in t h e least w h en h e h ear d Dai

Yu eh en g’s w or d s. On t h e con t r ar y, h e b ecam e ext r em ely vigilan t . Dai Yu eh en g’s
sm ile ap p ear ed t o b e gen u in e, b u t t h e m or e gen u in e it look ed , t h e cold er h e felt
in h is h ear t . W h en h e’d m et t h e for m er ear lier , t h e t r ace of k illin g in t en t t h at
h ad flash ed t h r ou gh h is eyes h ad n ’t escap ed H u o Yu h ao’s k een Sp ir it Eyes.
Fu r t h er m or e, Dai Yu eh en g w as on e of t h e son s of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e, H u o

Yu h ao’s gr eat est foe.
An en em y t h at cou ld h id e h is feelin gs w as u n d ou b t ed ly m u ch m or e d an ger ou s

t h an on e w h o w or e h is feelin gs on h is sleeve. As an u p p er classm an , Dai Yu eh en g
w as d efin it ely m or e t er r ifyin g t h an Dai H u ab in t o H u o Yu h ao. M or eover , h e w as
also h is eld er b r ot h er ! If it w er en ’t for t h e fact t h at H u o Yu h a o look ed m or e lik e
h is m ot h er , Dai Yu eh en g w ou ld ’ve n ot iced t h at som et h in g w as w r on g.
“T h an k s,” r ep lied H u o Yu h ao w it h a sm ile. H e w as ver y clever ; if Dai

Yu eh en g cou ld h id e h is em ot ion s, w h y cou ld n ’t h e? At t h e ver y least , Dai
Yu eh en g w ou ld n ’t d ar e t o m ak e a m ove again st h im w it h in t h e acad em y d u e t o
t h e lesson Dai H u ab in h ad r eceived .
“H ave you felt it ? A live b at t le is t h e b est w ay t o t est ever yt h in g ou t . H u o

Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao ar en ’t st r on g en ou gh b y t h em selves, b u t t h ey
h ave a r esp ect ab le a m ou n t of t alen t . T h u s, I’m givin g t h em t h is ch an ce. H u o
Yu h ao, fr om n ow on , you ’r e t h e m ain con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er of t h e
p r ep ar at or y t eam . Bei Bei, you ’ll b e it s lead er .”
A t eam lead er w as t h e h ead of a t eam , w h ile t h e m ain con t r ol-t yp e sou l

m ast er w as t h e b r ain s of a t eam . By r elyin g on h is p er for m an ce in t h e p r eviou s
t w o m at ch es, H u o Yu h ao w as w or t h y of b ecom in g t h e m ain con t r ol-t yp e sou l
m ast er in t h e p r ep a r at or y t eam even w it h h is t w o-r in ged cu lt iva t ion . Nob od y
ob ject ed t o t h is.
At t h is m om en t , t h e fr ozen M a Xiaot ao a n d t h e r est fin ally b r ok e fr ee of t h eir

b in d in gs. Sh iver in g som ew h at , M a Xiaot ao glar ed fier cely at H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao sh r u gged h elp lessly t ow ar d s h er . H e d id n ’t k n ow w h y, b u t h e

p r efer r ed M a Xiaot a o’s fau x-an ger over Dai Yu eh en g’s sm ile.
Eld er Xu an w as ver y p leased w it h t od ay’s m at ch es. H e u n d er st ood h ow st r on g

each m em b er of t h e official t eam w as. Aft er M a Xiaot ao r et u r n ed , t h er e w er e a
few voices of d issen t w it h in t h e t eam . Aft er t od ay’s m at ch es, h ow ever , sh e h a d
r evealed a p er su asiv e am ou n t of p ow er . T h ou gh t h ey’d lost t h e secon d m at ch ,
ever yb od y cou ld see t h at sh e w as sligh t ly st r on ger t h an Dai Yu eh en g over all.
Nat u r a lly, t h e sit u at ion cou ld b e d iffer en t in a life-an d -d ea t h m at ch . Aft er all,
t h is w as ju st a m ock b at t le. T h e m em b er s of t h e official t eam h ad n ’t u sed an y
r elat ively b r u t al t ech n iqu es.
H ow ever , Eld er Xu a n m ain ly w an t ed t o t est ou t t h e seven m em b er s of t h e

p r ep ar at or y t eam . Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, J ian g Nan n an , an d H e Cait ou ’s
p er for m an ces con for m ed t o h is exp ect at ion s. J ian g Nan n an w as an agilit y-t yp e
sou l m ast er , an d sh e h ad b een su p p r essed r ela t ively h eavily. T h u s, on e cou ld n ’t
b lam e h er for n ot b ein g ab le t o p er for m sp ect acu lar ly. H ow ever , Eld er Xu an w a s
su r p r ised b y H u o Yu h ao’s t r io.
T h ey h ad t h e low est cu lt ivat ion levels w it h in t h eir t eam , b u t t h ey w er e

ext r em ely w ell-coor d in at ed w it h each ot h er . H u o Yu h ao w as also ab le t o
st r en gt h en t h e com b at st r en gt h of h is en t ir e t eam b y r elyin g on h is p ow er fu l
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . W h en h e w as t eam ed u p w it h M a Xiaot ao, h e w as ab le t o
u se t h e Gold en Road at t h e r igh t m om en t in or d er t o set t le t h e en t ir e b at t le.
T h ou gh t h eir op p on en t s h ad u n d er est im at ed t h em d u e t o u n fam ilia r it y, t h e
effect iven ess of t h e Gold en Road w as evid en t .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e exist en ce of H u o Yu h ao w as equ ivalen t t o an ice-t yp e sou l

m ast er w h o cou ld r est r ict ever yt h in g. Lin g Lu och en w as alr ead y t h e m ost
ou t st an d in g ice-t yp e sou l m ast er w it h in t h e in n er cou r t yar d , b u t sh e w a s
com p let ely su p p r essed in fr on t of h is Ult im at e Ice. W h en sh e w or k ed t oget h er
w it h h im , sh e h ad a n all-ar ou n d b oost t o h er ab ilit ies. Evid en t ly, t h ey cou ld n ’t
b e allow ed t o b ecom e en em ies b efor e t h e t ou r n am en t st a r t ed . On ce t h e t w o of
t h em w or k ed t oget h er , Lin g Lu och en cou ld d efin it ely b ecom e t h e m ain con t r ol-
t yp e sou l m ast er w it h in t h e official t eam . T h e r eason w h y M a Xiaot ao h ad lost
w as b ecau se sh e h ad b een com p let ely su p p r essed !
H u o Yu h ao’s on ly p r ob lem w as h is lack of cu lt ivat ion . Ot h er w ise, Eld er Xu an

w ou ld ’ve even con sid er ed let t in g h im t r y t o b ecom e t h e m ain con t r ol-t yp e sou l
m ast er on t h e officia l t eam .
T h ese t w o m at ch es h ad solid ified t h e co n fid en ce in Eld er Xu an ’s h ear t . H e’d

secr et ly m ad e a d ecision ; w it h in t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam --w h ich w as t h e fu t u r e
gen er at ion of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s--H u o Yu h ao’s p osit ion a s t h e m ain
con t r ol-t yp e m ast er w ou ld n ever ch an ge.
Ch en Zifen g lau gh ed m isch ievou sly. “A few p eop le h ave t o p ay u p t h eir b et s!”
Aft er h ear in g h is r em in d er , t h e n ew ly cr ow n ed vict or s im m ed iat ely look ed

t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao w it h a sm ile.
T h e sad d est of t h e lot w er e u n d ou b t ed ly Yao H aoxu an an d J ian g Nan n an .

T h ey’d lost t w o con secu t ive m a t ch es.
M a Xiaot ao glar ed at H u o Yu h ao again , “You ju st w ait for m e. I’m a p ig.”
T h e ot h er s cou ld on ly h elp lessly r efer t o t h em selves as a cer t ain ch u b b y

an im al. Eld er Xu an lau gh ed as h e w at ch ed all t h is, feelin g joyou s in w ar d ly. H e
b elieved t h at H u o Yu h ao’s gen er at ion of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s w ou ld
d efin it ely b e st r on ger t h an t h e cu r r en t gen er at ion in five year s’ t im e.
“Ok ay, you can all go b ack . Pack u p you r t h in gs. Gat h er at t h e acad em y’s
en t r an ce t om or r ow m or n in g. W e’r e goin g t o St ar Lu o Cit y t o t ak e p ar t in a
com p et it ion .”
“St ar Lu o Cit y?” H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t cr y ou t aft er h ear in g t h ese

w or d s.
Eld er Xu an look ed t ow ar d s h im w it h a som ew h at p u zzled look in h is eyes. “Is

t h er e a p r ob lem ? T h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g
T ou r n am en t is h eld in a d iffer en t cou n t r y ever y year . T h is t im e ar ou n d , it ’s t h e
St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s t u r n . T h e n ext on e, w h ich is t h e on e you ’ll b e ab le t o
p ar t icip at e in as an official t eam m em b er , w ill b e h eld in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e.
It ’ll b e h eld in t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Aca d em y. T h u s, you ’ll
h ave t o w or k even h ar d er d u r in g t h ese n ext five year s.”
H ow cou ld H u o Yu h ao n ot r eveal a ch an ge in h is em ot ion s a ft er h ear in g t h e

w or d s ‘St a r Lu o Cit y’? H e’d n ever b een t o t h e cap it al of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e,
b u t St ar Lu o Cit y w as som et h in g h e’d h ear d t oo m an y t im es d u r in g h is you t h .
T h e Du k e’s M an sion h e’d gr ow n u p in w as on ly 25k m sou t h of St ar Lu o Cit y!
W h en t h e w eat h er w as good , h e w ou ld b e ab le t o fain t ly see t h e silh ou et t e of t h e
im p er ial cap it a l fr om t h e ou t sk ir t s of t h e Du k e’s M an sion .
H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t b eat in volu n t ar ily sp ed u p . H e’d n ever t h ou gh t t h at h e

w ou ld h ave t o go b ack t h is q u ick ly. Dai Yu eh en g w as a m em b er of t h e official
t eam , an d w ou ld n ’t h e b r in g ever yon e t o t h e Du k e’s M an sion ?
T h ou gh t h e t w o b r ot h er s n o lon ger r ecogn ised h im , h e w as st ill som eon e

w h o’d gr ow n u p in t h e Du k e’s M an sion . T h e ser van t s t h er e h ad seen h im m an y
t im es in t h e p ast . T h e m om en t h e t h ou gh t of r et u r n in g t o t h e p lace h e’d gr ow n
u p in , t h e p lace h e r esen t ed an d h at ed in com p ar ab ly, H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t w as
im m ed iat ely t h r ow n in t o d isor d er .
H u o Yu h ao low er ed h is h ead an d r ep lied , “It ’s n ot h in g. I ju st d id n ’t t h in k t h a t

w e’d h ave t o go t o t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e.”
Eld er Xu an d id n ’t t a k e it t o h ear t . “T h en you can all go b ack n ow .”
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g w alk ed all t h e w ay b ack t o t h e d or m it or ies.

Nob od y else h ad n ot iced an yt h in g st r an ge ab ou t H u o Yu h ao, b u t W an g Don g’s
sen ses w er e ver y acu t e. Aft er livin g w it h t h e for m er for m or e t h an a year , h e
w as r ela t ively fam iliar w it h h im . Fu r t h er m or e, h e k n ew t h e h at r ed t h a t exist ed
in h is h ea r t .
“Yu h ao, ar e you ok ay?” W an g Don g w h isp er ed .
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead . “I’m fin e. I ju st can ’t a d ap t t o su d d en ly goin g

b ack . I can ’t let Dai Yu eh en g k n ow of m y t r u e id en t it y.”
W an g Don g w as silen t for a m om en t , t h en w h isp er ed , “Yu h ao, h e sh ou ld b e

you r old er b r ot h er . You …”
St ir r ed u p , H u o Yu h ao in t er r u p t ed h im , “I d on ’t h ave an eld er b r ot h er , n or
d o I h ave an y r elat ives. M y m om is d ead , an d I’m on ly an or p h an .”
“Fin e, fin e, an or p h an it is.” W an g Don g h u r r ied ly p ar r ot ed h im .
“Sor r y.” H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ead gloom ily.
W an g Don g w alk ed over t o h im an d sat b esid e h im , “Don ’t t h in k t oo m u ch

ab ou t it . T h er e’ll alw ays b e a w ay t o get over t h is. Fu r t h er m or e, it ’s n o t
gu ar an t eed t h at som eon e w ill r ecogn ise you even if w e go b ack . H aven ’t you felt
t h at you ’ve ch an ged gr eat ly d u r in g t h is p ast year ? Even som eon e w h o
p r eviou sly r ecogn ised you m igh t n ot b e ab le t o t ell w h o you ar e n ow . I k n ow
t h at you ’r e p ain ed , b u t sin ce you ’ve ch osen t o face t h em an d seek r even ge, you
h ave t o b e st r on g. T h e op p on en t you ’r e goin g again st is ext r em ely st r on g!”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed . “H ave I ch an ged a lot ?”
W an g Don g k n ock ed h im on t h e h ead on ce, t h en p assed h im a m ir r or fr om

h is b ed sid e.
“T ak e a look for you r self.”
Righ t ! Usin g t h e w or d s ‘h eaven -sh ak in g an d ear t h -sh at t er in g’ t o d escr ib e H u o

Yu h ao’s t r an sfor m at ion over h is p ast year at Sh r ek Academ y w ou ld n ’t b e
in ap p r op r iat e. In t h e b egin n in g, h e w as on ly a b ash fu l, or d in ar y you t h w h o
even seem ed r u st ic. Over t h is p ast year , h ow ever , n ot on ly d id h e exp er ien ce a
t r em en d ou s gr ow t h in h is st r en gt h , h e even b ecam e a cor e d iscip le of t h e
acad em y. At t h e sam e t im e, an en or m ou s t r an sfor m at ion h ad occu r r ed t o h is
ou t er ap p ear an ce an d h is d em ean or .
St r en gt h w ou ld m ak e a p er son con fid en t . W it h h is t w o in t elligen t sou l r in gs,

an d esp ecially t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s sou l b on e, h e’d gr ow n m u ch
t aller .
W h en h e’d ar r ived at t h e acad em y, h e look ed som ew h at t h in an d w eak .

H ow ever , h e w as n ow as st r on g as a calf. H is or igin ally u n h ealt h y facial
ap p ear an ce n ow sh on e w it h a r osy gloss. M or eover , h e w as filled w it h t h e au r a
of t h e su n . W an g Don g w as cor r ect --d u r in g t h is p ast year , h e’d t u r n ed over an
en t ir ely n ew leaf. H e w as n o lon ger t h e ser van t -lik e H u o Yu h ao w h o’d lived in
t h e Du k e’s M an sion .
“Act u ally, you ’ve alr ead y set a t ar get for you r self. Sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, if w e
d o go t h er e, so b e it . W h y t h in k t oo m u ch ab ou t it ?” W an g Don g st ood u p an d
t ook t h e m ir r or b ack fr om H u o Yu h ao. T h en , h e t ook t h e in it ia t ive t o sit in a
cr oss-legged p osit io n an d ext en d ed h is h an d s t ow ar d s h im . “Com e, let ’s
cu lt ivat e. W e’r e st ill t oo far aw ay fr om ou r sen ior s in t er m s of cu lt ivat ion ! W e
h ave t o w or k h ar d .”
H u o Yu h ao fin ally r evealed a sm ile aft er seein g W an g Don g’s ser iou s
exp r ession , “Sin ce a lazy fella lik e you is act u ally ask in g m e t o cu lt iva t e, let ’s d o
it . I’m goin g t o su r p ass you soon er or lat er .”
W an g Don g feign ed su r p r ise as h e look ed t ow ar d s t h e w in d ow . “Eeeeh , w h y

ar e t h er e cow s flyin g in t h e sk y? Ah , I k n ow . It ’s b ecau se you ’r e sp ou t in g
b u llsh it .”
“Don ’t you d ar e lau gh at m e. I’ll sh ow you h ow aw esom e I am .” H u o Yu h ao

su d d en ly p ou n ced t ow ar d s W a n g Don g. Defen seless, t h e lat t er let ou t an
ast on ish ed cr y as h e im m ed iat ely t u m b led on t o t h e b ed .
H u o Yu h ao h eld on t o h is h an d s evilly, t h en sh ou t ed , “Ar e you gon n a

su b m it ?”
“No!” W an g Don g sh ou t ed p r ovok in gly.
“You ’r e r eally n ot gon n a su b m it ?” H u o Yu h ao slow ly p r essed d ow n on h im ,

an d t h e d ist an ce b et w een h is face an d W an g Don g’s b egan t o d ecr ease. H e h ad a
n au gh t y sm ile on h is face as h e look ed at t h e lat t er ’s p air o f b eau t ifu l, r ou n d
eyes.
As H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed t o get closer t o h im , W an g Don g cou ld feel h is

b r eat h in g on h is face. H e w as fin ally p an ick in g, an d h en ce sh u t h is eyes
su b con sciou sly. Bu t , h e st ill for ced ou t a few w or d s, “No! I w on ’t su b m it !”
H u o Yu h ao w as left in a d aze as h e look ed at W an g Don g’s lon g, t r em b lin g
eyeb r ow s. H e w as ju st a few in ch es aw ay fr om h im , an d h e cou ld sm ell t h e fain t
fr agr an ce com in g fr om h im . H e d id n ’t k n ow w h y, b u t h e sh iver ed
u n con t r ollab ly as h e look ed at W an g Don g, w h o w as b ein g for ced d ow n b y h im ,
so m u ch so t h at h e w as com p let ely h elp less.
H e h u r r ied ly let go of W an g Don g’s h an d s, t h en gr ab b ed h is p in k ish face an d

sq u eezed it . T h en , h e lau gh ed , “If you w on ’t su b m it , I’ll m a k e you look lik e a
p ig. H ey, you look r at h er good even as a p ig. Qu ick ly, st ick ou t you r m ou t h so
you ’ll look even m or e lik e on e.”
“H u o Yu h ao, I’m gon n a figh t you !”

Chapt er 68.1: Shr ek Guar dians
T w o sim ilar figu r es st ood t oget h er .
“Br ot h er , so h ow ab ou t it ? Is t h er e a ch an ce for you t o m ak e a m ove?” Dai

H u ab in ask ed r esen t fu lly.
Dai Yu eh en g sn or t ed cold ly. “You ’d b est give u p . T h er e’s n o ch an ce. H u o

Yu h ao’s even m or e t alen t ed t h an you . H e h as a sk ill called Sp ir it u al Det ect ion
t h at can b en efit ever y sin gle on e of h is t eam m at es. Fu r t h er m or e, it ’s ob viou s
t h at Eld er Xu an lik es h im a lot . T h e t w o con secu t ive m at ch es w e h a d w er e t o
sh ow off h is st r en gt h for ever yon e t o ap p r ove of h im . I d on ’t even n eed t o t ell
you w h at k in d of p er son Eld er Xu an is a gain . Also, m ot h er is ver y an gr y over
t h is in cid en t . For t u n at ely, fat h er ’s n ot h om e. Ot h er w ise, you ’d b e in for a lot of
t r ou b le.”
“M ot h er h as t old m e t o p ass on a p iece of n ew s t o you . If t h er e is a ‘n ext t im e’,

n ob od y is goin g t o h elp you . Do you k n ow h ow m u ch p r essu r e m ot h er su ffer ed
t o k eep t h is m at t er q u iet ? Even t h e r oyal fam ily d oesn ’t d ar e t o offen d t h e
acad em y. You w er e act u ally t h is r ash ?”
Dai H u ab in ’s eyes t u r n ed r ed . “Don ’t t ell m e t h a t you ’r e ju st goin g t o let t h is

go? Did ou r m en d ie for n ot h in g?”
“Bast ar d !” Dai Yu eh en g su d d en ly p u lled h is h an d b ack an d slap p ed Dai

H u ab in ’s face. T h e la t t er st agger ed , an d n ear ly fell t o t h e gr ou n d .
“H ow old ar e you alr ead y?” Dai Yu eh en g ask ed st er n ly, “Do you n ot k n ow t h e
d iffer en ce b et w een t h e clan ’s in t er est s an d you r p r ivat e gr u d ges? If t h is w er e a
sou l m ast er acad em y w it h in ou r cou n t r y, I’d h ave let you d o an yt h in g you
w an t ed . Bu t t h is is Sh r ek ! Don ’t you k n ow w h at t h e w or d ‘Sh r ek ’ m ean s? If you
w an t t o con t in u e st a yin g h er e, you ’d b et t er b ack d ow n . Is t h is a p lace w h er e you
can sim p ly d o as you w ish ?”
“As for t h at H u o Yu h ao, n ot on ly can w e n ot go again st h im , w e even h ave t o

r op e h im in . H e’s st ill ver y w eak n ow , b u t h e h as t h e sover eign ab ilit ies of a
t w in -sou led sou l m ast er an d an Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l. H e’s a p r eciou s t r easu r e
even in ou r Sh r ek Acad em y. Aft er t h e m at t er t h at you st a r t ed , t h e old fellas
fr om t h e acad em y w ill d efin it ely p r ot ect h im even m or e st r ict ly. If you can r op e
h im in t o ou r clan , d o you k n ow h ow m an y b en efit s w e’ll get ? H ave you
for got t en t h e t ask ou r m ot h er gave u s?”
Dai H u ab in t u r n ed silen t . T h ou gh h is eyes w er e st ill filled w it h r age, h e’d

calm ed d ow n .
Dai Yu eh en g’s exp r ession soft en ed sligh t ly. “Go b ack fir st . Don ’t t h in k t oo
m u ch ab ou t it . Even t h ou gh you can ’t t ak e H u o Yu h ao’s p osit ion , t h e ot h er
p osit ion s m igh t n ot b e as st ab le. W or d h ar d , an d you ’ll h ave a ch an ce t o b ecom e
on e of t h e Seven M on st er s. Aft er t h is t ou r n am en t , I’ll h ave t h e qu alifica t ion s t o
gr ad u at e fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d . I’ll r et u r n t o ou r clan fir st , an d p r ep ar e for
ou r m ajor p r oject u n d er ou r m ot h er ’s p la n s.”
“Ok ay.” Dai H u ab in n od d ed . Aft er h e t u r n ed aw ay an d left , h e sn eer ed

in w ar d ly, “Dai Yu eh en g, w er en ’t you ju st b or n a few year s befor e m e? T h er e’ll
b e a d ay w h en you w on ’t b e ab le t o st r u t ar ou n d in fr on t of m e. On ce I’m you r
age, I’ll d efin it ely b e ab le t o su r p ass t h e cu r r en t you .”
……
M or n in g. Am id st t h e m ist y gat es of Sh r ek Acad em y, a gr ou p of p eop le slow ly

w alk ed ou t . Fr om t h eir ages, it w as clear t h at t h ey w er e st u d en t s of Sh r ek
Acad em y. H ow ever , t h ey w er en ’t w ear in g t h eir u n ifor m s t od ay. Som e of t h e
st u d en t s w er e w ear in g clot h es m a d e of clot h , w h ile som e w er e w ear in g on es
w it h flow er y d esign s; all of t h em w or e d iffer en t t h in gs.
Flow er y clot h es w er en ’t n ecessar ily b eau t ifu l, an d on es m ad e of clot h d id n ’t
n ecessar ily r ep r esen t m ed iocr it y. T h e m ost ob viou s d elegat es of t h e t w o t yp es of
clot h es w er e Yao H aoxu an an d J ian g Nan n an .
As a r esu lt of h is sk in n y b od y, Yao H aoxu an look ed som ew h at w r et ch ed w it h

h is flow er y clot h es on . On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e clot h -w ear in g J ian g Nan n an
look ed in com p ar ab ly elegan t .
H u o Yu h ao n o lon ger w or e t h e set of clot h es h e’s b r ou gh t t o t h e aca d em y.

H ow ever , h e t r easu r ed t h e set of clot h es h is m ot h er h a d m ad e for h im , an d h ad
t h u s p laced t h em in t h e T w en t y Fou r M oon lit Br id ges. Cu r r en t ly, h e w as n o
lon ger t h e p oor you n g b oy w h o d id n ’t h ave a sin gle p en n y t o h is n am e. T h e
b lack set of w ar r ior ’s r ob es h e w or e m a d e h im look ext r em ely n im b le. Du e t o
t h e ch an ges t h a t h a d occu r r ed t o h is b od y, h e look ed fou r t een t o fift een year s
old , even t h ou gh h e w asn ’t even t h ir t een yet . T h e w ell-p r o p or t ion ed m u scles
u n d er n eat h h is r ob es seem ed t o con t ain an exp losive am ou n t of p ow er w it h in
t h em .
W an g Don g w as n o lon ger as t all as H u o Yu h ao, b u t h is slen d er b od y, elegan t

au r a, an d clever yet b eau t ifu l eyes w er e ext r em ely cap t iva t in g. If t h e p r et t iest
am on g t h e gir ls w as J ian g Nan n an , h e w as d efin it ely t h e m ost h an d som e of t h e
b oys. In t er m s of p u r e ap p ear an ce, h e w as com p ar ab le t o J ian g Nan n an .
T h e su n h ad ju st r isen fr om t h e east , b u t t h ey w er e alr ead y leavin g t h e

acad em y. T h is gr ou p of p eop le n at u r ally con sist ed of t h e official an d
p r ep ar at or y t eam s of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. Eld er Xu a n w asn ’t t h e on ly
p er son lead in g t h e gr ou p ; H u o Yu h ao’s t each er , W an g Yan , also t agged alon g
w it h t h em .
On ly n ow d id H u o Yu h ao k n ow t h at Eld er Xu an w as T each er W an g’s m ast er .

On ly, Eld er Xu a n w ou ld n ’t allow t h e for m er t o a d d r ess h im as su ch . Eld er Xu an
lik ed h is in h er it in g d iscip le ver y m u ch , even t h o u gh h e w asn ’t com p ar ab le t o
t h e ot h er H eaven ’s Ch osen in t er m s of cu lt ivat ion . W an g Yan cou ld t r avel far
alon g t h e p at h of r esear ch in t o m ar t ial sou ls, an d h e w ou ld b e ab le t o t each
w it h in t h e in n er cou r t yar d aft er t w o m or e year s of p r act ice.
T h e gr ou p of alm ost t w en t y p eop le p eop le w alk ed t oget h er in t w os an d
t h r ees, b u t Eld er Xu an w as st ill as m essy as ever , w it h h is b ot t le gou r d an d
ch ick en legs in h is h an d s. T h e food st u ffs h e at e seem ed t o alt er n at e b et w een
ch ick en legs an d ch ick en w in gs, an d h e d id n ’t seem t o ever get b or ed of eat in g
t h em .
Possib ly d u e t o t h e fact t h at h e w an t ed t o eat an d d r in k , Eld er Xu an d id n ’t

w alk esp ecially q u ick ly; h e w alk ed a t ar ou n d t h e p ace of an or d in ar y p er son .
T h is gave t h e en t ir e gr ou p a r elaxin g an d leisu r ely feelin g. W it h t h eir p h ysical
ab ilit ies, w alk in g at su ch a p ace w as sim p ly a t yp e of p leasu r e.
Com p ar ed t o w h en h e h a d ju st en t er ed t h e acad em y, H u o Yu h ao h a d
exp er ien ced an ear t h -sh at t er in g t r an sfor m at ion . H e’d en t er ed b y r elyin g on t h e
T an g Sect ’s sp ecial qu ot a, an d n ot on ly d id h e h ave a p it ifu l am ou n t of sou l
p ow er , h e d id n ’t even h ave a sin gle at t ack in g sk ill. H is b od y w as as fr ail as an
or d in ar y p er son ’s.
T h e fact t h at h e w as ab le t o com p let ely ch an ge ever yt h in g w it h in a sh or t year

cou ld n ’t b e fu lly at t r ib u t ed t o h is t w o in t elligen t sou l r in gs; h is p ain st ak in g h ar d
w or k cou ld n ’t b e ign or ed . It w ou ld n ’t b e an exagger at ion t o say t h at H u o Yu h ao
h ad p u t in m or e t h a n t w ice t h e am ou n t of effor t as t h e ot h er st u d en t s. H e d id n ’t
even h ave an y t im e t o r est .
Alt h ou gh h e n ow p ossessed t alen t t h at m ad e even t h e u p p er ech elon s of t h e

acad em y ap p r ove of h im , h e d id n ’t d a r e t o r elax at all. H e d eep ly r em em b er ed
w h at h is T each er W an g Yan h ad t old h im ; as a w ield er of a n Ult im a t e m ar t ial
sou l, h is cu lt ivat ion sp eed w ou ld d r ast ica lly d ecr ease aft er r ea ch in g Ran k 30 . At
t h at t im e, h is cu lt ivat ion sp eed w ou ld n ’t b e com p ar ab le t o t h at of an or d in ar y
sou l m ast er . H e cou ld cu lt ivat e a lon gsid e W an g Don g, b u t h e st ill p aid at t en t ion
t o t h is m at t er . M or eover , h e w as even d u al-cu lt ivat in g in t h e M ar t ial Sou l an d
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t s. T h u s, h e h ad t o w or k even h ar d er .
Aft er t h e ear n est con ver sat ion h e h a d h ad w it h H e Cait ou , H u o Yu h ao p aid

m u ch m or e at t en t io n t o t h e Ult im at e Sold ier Plan . If h e cou ld b ecom e a p er son
t h at cou ld ch an ge t h e en t ir e sit u at ion of a b at t lefield b y h im self, h e w ou ld h ave
t h e q u alificat ion s t o seek h is r even ge!
Du e t o h is cu r r en t m en t alit y, H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t w a n t t o w ast e an y t im e.
Seein g t h at t h ey w er en ’t w alk in g t oo qu ick ly, h e im m ed iat ely w h isp er ed t o
W an g Don g, “Let ’s cu lt ivat e for a w h ile.”
W an g Don g glar ed at h im u n h ap p ily. “I’m gon n a d ie of exh au st ion . W h at b ad

lu ck I h ave, h av in g a r oom m at e lik e you .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led , “H aven ’t you felt t h at you ’ve b een im p r ovin g so q u ick ly

w it h m e u r gin g you on ? You sh ou ld b e gr at efu l t o m e.”
W an g Don g sn or t ed , “I’d r at h er r est for a b it . Com e. You ’r e n ot allow ed t o u se

Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .”
W it h t h at , W an g Don g r an st r a igh t t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. H ow ever , in st ead of

collid in g w it h h im , h e flick er ed ar ou n d t h e lat t er ’s b od y at a r a p id r at e.
H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed t o slow ly follow t h e gr ou p , b u t t h ey w er e at t h e ver y

b ack of t h e gr ou p , an d t h u s w ou ld n ’t b e afr aid of an yon e n ot icin g t h em . H u o
Yu h ao r aised h is h an d , t h en st ar t ed t o m ak e p u sh in g an d p u llin g m ot ion s w it h a
r egu lar t em p o. A p ale, w h it e ligh t cou ld fain t ly b e seen at t h e t op s of h is h an d s.
W an g Don g im m ed iat ely slow ed d ow n . Evid en t ly, h e’d sen sed w h at H u o

Yu h ao w as d oin g. H ow ever , h e im m ed ia t ely acceler at ed u sin g h is sou l p ow er ,
d oin g h is b est t o m ain t ain h is cu r r en t lev el of sp eed .
W h ilst w alk in g t oget h er w it h Bei Bei, H e Cait ou t u r n ed ar o u n d . H e saw H u o

Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w it h a w eir d look in h is eyes an d w h isp er ed , “Sen ior
b r ot h er , isn ’t W an g Don g u sin g t h e Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack s? W h at ’s
H u o Yu h ao d oin g?”
Bei Bei n a t u r a lly sa w w h at t h e t w o of t h em w er e d oin g. H e r evealed a sin cer e

look of ad m ir at ion on h is face. “H u o Yu h ao’s u sin g an ot h er secr et t ech n iqu e of
ou r T an g Sect . It ’s called t h e Con t r ollin g Cr an e Cap t u r in g Dr agon , an d it s u ser
can u se t h eir sou l p ow er t o r elease a p u sh in g or p u llin g m ot ion w it h in a fixed
r an ge. It ’s a sk ill t h at ’s ext r em ely p r act ical in close-com b at . I’ll t each it t o you
lat er . Act u ally, even if you r m ar t ial sou l isn ’t a com b at -or ien t ed on e, you ’ll b e
ab le t o w ield a d ecen t am ou n t of st r en gt h in a close-com b at sit u at ion on ce
you ’ve fin ish ed t r ain in g in ou r t ech n iq u es.”
Xiao Xiao look ed t ow ar d s t h e t w o of t h em w it h a som ew h a t en viou s look in

h er eyes, t h en m ov ed closer t o Bei Bei, “Sen ior b r ot h er , let ’s t r y t h is ou t as
w ell.”
Bei Bei cou ld n ’t h elp b u t lau gh . “W e’r e n ot t oo su it ab le for w h at t h ey’r e

d oin g. T h e t r ain in g t h ey’r e d oin g n ow is m or e su it ab le for p eop le w h ose
cu lt ivat ion s ar e closer t o each ot h er . If I u se m y Con t r ollin g Cr an e Cap t u r in g
Dr agon on you , you w on ’t even b e ab le t o u se you r Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g
T r ack s.”
Xiao Xiao’s lip s p ou t ed , “T h ose t w o ar e so close t h at t h ey’r e lik e t h e sam e

p er son . I can ’t in t er r u p t t h em eit h er ! T h ey’r e b ot h gu ys, so w h y ar e t h ey so
in t im a t e w it h each ot h er ? H m p h !”
Sh e w as t r u ly som ew h at en viou s of t h e in t im at e r ela t ion sh ip t h at W an g Don g

h ad w it h H u o Yu h ao. In t h e p ast , sh e’d t h ou gh t t h at it w ou ld b e m u ch easier for
h er t o m ix a r ou n d w it h gu ys d u e t o t h e fact t h at sh e w a s a gir l! H ow ever , t h e
in t im acy t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad w it h W an g Don g w as evid en t ly m u ch d eep er t h a n
t h e fr ien d sh ip sh e h a d w it h t h em .
H e Cait ou gave a silly lau gh , “Sin ce t h e t w o of t h em can com p let e a fu sion

sk ill, t h ey’r e n at u r ally close t o each ot h er . H ow ever , a m ar t ial fu sion b et w een
t w o p eop le w h o d on ’t sh ar e t h e sam e b lood lin e is q u it e r a r e. Xiao Xiao, w h y
d on ’t I h elp you ou t ? I d on ’t k n ow h ow t o u se t h e Con t r ollin g Cr an e Cap t u r in g
Dr agon , b u t I can u se som e of m y w eak er sou l t ools t o h elp you t r ain you r Gh ost
Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack . H ow ab ou t t h at ?”
T h ou gh sh e felt t h at H e Cait ou ’s ext r em ely r u gged b od y an d b lack sk in look ed
som ew h at fier ce, Xiao Xiao w as alw ays a ver y k in d an d st r a igh t for w ar d p er son
in h er in t er act ion s w it h ot h er p eop le. T h u s, sh e n od d ed , “Su r e! I w an t t o t r ain
h ar d as w ell. Ot h er w ise, I’d d eser ve t o b e elim in at ed if I lagged b eh in d t h em .”
Eld er Xu an an d t h e seven m em b er s of t h e official t eam st ood at t h e ver y

fr on t , w h ile t h e sev en m em b er s of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam t r ailed b eh in d t h em .
Becau se of t h at , Xu San sh i an d J ian g Na n n an w er e ab le t o list en in on Bei Bei’s
con ver sat ion w it h t h e ot h er s.
It w asn ’t easy for Xu San sh i t o ob t ain a n op p or t u n it y t o go ou t w it h J ian g

Nan n an . Nat u r ally, h e w as t aggin g alon g w it h h er sh am elessly.
J ian g Nan n an w as sim p ly h elp less in fr on t of Xu San sh i. T h u s, sh e st r ict ly

for b ad e h im fr om en t er in g a on e m et er a r ea ar ou n d h er an d fr om h ar assin g h er .
Aft er Xu San sh i n od d ed lik e a b ab y ch ick eat in g r ice, sh e ign or ed h im .
Seein g t h at H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est w er e w or k in g h ar d , Xu San sh i

im m ed iat ely d evised a p lan . H e sm iled m isch ievou sly, “Nan n an , see h ow h a r d
t h ey’r e w or k in g. W h y d on ’t w e p r act ice as w ell? Look , m y h ar d an d t h ick sk in is
gr eat for you t o p r act ice you r t h r ow in g sk ills. Nat u r ally, I can t ak e on you r
gr ap p lin g sk ills as w ell.” H is t h ir st y face w as clear ly t ellin g J ian g Nan n an ,
gr ap p le m e, gr ap p le m e!
J ian g Nan n an t u r n ed ar ou n d an d look ed at h im w it h an icy look in h er eyes,

“It ’d b e b et t er for you t o scr am t h an an yt h in g else.”
Xu San sh i im m ed iat ely con t or t ed h is face an d said in d ign an t ly, “Nan n an , ju st

w h at can I d o t o m a k e you u n d er st an d m y h ear t !? I’m sin cer e t ow ar d s you . J u st
h ow can I m ak e you b e w illin g t o b e t oget h er w it h m e?!”
J ian g Nan n an st ar ed at h im h at efu lly, an d a t in t of r ed t h at ar ose fr om eit h er

b ash fu ln ess or a n ger fain t ly ap p ear ed on h er excep t ion ally b eau t ifu l face. “I
w on ’t b e t oget h er w it h t h e h ed on ist ic son of a r ich fam ily lik e you n o m a t t er
w h at . A b east ’s in t en t ion s st ill com e fr om a b east ’s h ear t . St op b ot h er in g m e.
Also, I’m called J ian g Nan n an . Plea se u se m y su r n am e w h ile r efer r in g t o m e.”
W it h t h a t , sh e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d sp ed u p , in cr easin g t h e d ist an ce b et w een

h er an d Xu Sa n sh i.
Xu San sh i cover ed h is face w it h h is h an d s an d cr ied ou t sor r o w fu lly, “J u st let

m e d ie, d ie, d ie.”
Bei Bei w a s alr ea d y n ext t o h im som eh ow . W it h a sm ile on h is calm face, h e

ask ed sin cer ely, “Do you n eed h elp ?”
Xu San sh i p u t h is h a n d s d ow n an d flew in t o a r age, “Ar e w e b r ot h er s? Ar e w e

st ill b r ot h er s? I ju st k n ew t h at you ’d b e a gu y w h o en joys sch ad en fr eu d e an d
k ick in g som eon e w h o’s d ow n . If Xiao Ya w er en ’t h er e, you ’d h ave r evealed you r
t r u e n a t u r e a lr ead y.”
Bei Bei h ad a look of su r p r ise on h is face. “You w an t t o t alk ab ou t b ein g

b r ot h er s n ow ? W h y d o I r ecall you sayin g t h at you ’d b e w illin g t o ‘st ab you r self
t w ice for t h e sak e of you r b r ot h er , b u t st ab you r b r ot h er for t h e sak e of a gir l’!”
Xu San sh i w as left em b ar r assed . H e r aised h is h ead h igh . “A gir l can give m e a

ch ild , can you ? A gir l can sleep w it h m e on a b ed , b u t can you ?”
Bei Bei gave a w ar m sm ile, “I can ’t d o t h e for m er , b u t I can d o t h e lat t er .”
Eld er Xu an , w h o w as w alk in g in fr on t , su d d en ly st agger ed m yst er iou sly.

T h en , h e violen t ly sp at ou t t h e m ou t h fu l of w in e h e h ad in h is m ou t h b efor e
glar in g fier cely at Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i.
T h e t w o of t h em st r a igh t en ed t h eir faces, n ot d ar in g t o say an yt h in g m or e.
“Ok ay! Com e over !” Eld er Xu an sp at ou t a m ou t h fu l of saliva, t h en u sed h is

d ir t y, gr easy sleeve t o w ip e h is m ou t h b efor e yellin g ou t u n h a p p ily.
T h e gr ou p of fou r t een h u r r ied ly st ep p ed for w ar d an d for m ed a cir cle ar ou n d
h im . Du e t o t h e fact t h at t h ey w er e ju st t r ain in g, H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d
Xiao Xiao w er e sligh t ly ou t of b r eat h .
Xu San sh i st ill b elieved t h a t it w as Bei Bei’s w or d s t h at h a d t r igger ed Eld er

Xu an . “J u st w ait for you r scold in g. H eh e.” H e w h isp er ed cold ly.
At t h is m om en t , Bei Bei d id n ’t h ave an y t r aces of a sm ile on h is face. H e h ad a

r u t h less look , an d h e m ou t h ed a few w or d s, “Sin ce I’m goin g t o get scold ed , I’m
gon n a t ell J ian g Nan n an t h at you act u ally lik e gu ys. You w er e on ly ch asin g h er
t o h id e you r r ea l sexu al or ien t at ion .”
“You r sist er …” Xu San sh i’s face r ed d en ed .
Bei Bei m ain t a in ed fu ll eye con t act w it h h im an d said , “I d on ’t h ave a sist er .”
Eld er Xu an su d d en ly r u ffled h is h air an d glar ed at t h e t w o of t h em , “If you

t w o sp ou t an ym or e b u llsh it , I’m gon n a b eat you t o t h e p oin t w h er e you w on ’t
even b e ab le t o t ak e car e of you r selves an ym or e.”
M a Xiaot ao lau gh ed , “Eld er Xu an , you ’r e in p er fect ly good con d it ion !

H ow ever , ou r p u b lic m or als ar e t r u ly d egen er at in g! T h ey’r e so you n g, b u t
t h ey’ve in clin at ion s lik e t h is. I su ggest t h at t h e acad em y h ave a r ect ifica t ion
cam p aign .”
“I’m p er fect ly st r aigh t !” Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i cr ied ou t t oget h er .
“Psh ——” M a Xiaot ao h ad a look of d isd ain on h er face, “W as I t alk in g ab ou t

t h e t w o of you ? I w as t alk in g ab ou t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g. W h at ’r e you
p an ick in g for ? T h er e’s n o gold h id d en h er e.”
Xu San sh i sm ack ed Bei Bei an d said in d ign an t ly, “I b lam e you for all of t h is!
M y r ep u t at ion !”
J ian g Nan n an sn or t ed an d w h isp er ed , “Did you even h ave a r ep u t at ion ?

You ’r e a…”
Xu San sh i’s h ea r in g w asn ’t b ad . “Nan n a n , it isn ’t lik e t h at ! T h at t im e, I…”
“You d ar e?” J ian g N an n an su d d en ly r aised h er h ead . H er gaze r esem b led t h at

of a d agger , an d it w as even t h at of an excep t ion ally sh ar p on e. Xu San sh i
sh iver ed in st in ct ively, t h en in st an t ly sh u t u p . H e p u t on a r igh t eou s ap p ear an ce,
givin g off t h e im p r ession t h at h e w ou ld n ’t say an yt h in g even if h e w as k illed .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e in w ar d ly lau gh in g t h em selves t o d eat h , b u t

ever yon e h er e w as an u p p er classm an . It w ou ld n ’t b e good for t h em t o lau gh ou t
lou d , so t h ey h eld in t h eir lau gh t er t o t h e p oin t w h er e t h eir st om ach s h u r t .
W an g Don g w h isp er ed , “Ad u lt er y. T h er e’s d efin it ely a d u lt er y b et w een

sen ior s Xu an d J ian g.”
Su d d en ly, ever yon e felt t h e t em p er at u r e su r r ou n d in g t h em d r op . T h e w or d s

‘k illin g in t en t ’ ar ose in volu n t ar ily in t h eir h ear t s, m ak in g all of t h em sh u t u p .
T h e k illin g in t en t t h at h ad ap p ear ed in st an t ly cau sed H u o Yu h ao, W an g

Don g, an d Xiao Xiao t o st iffen u p d u e t o t h eir low cu lt iva t io n s. For t u n a t ely, it
on ly last ed for a m om en t b efor e d isap p ear in g.
Eld er Xu an act ed as if h e’d h ear d an d d on e n ot h in g, an d sp ok e in a low voice,

“W e ar en ’t far fr om t h e acad em y, an d t h er e a few t h in gs t h a t I h ave t o say n ow .
You seven fr om t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam h ave t o list en ca r efu lly t o m e. T h is
con cer n s t h e fu t u r e d ir ect ion of you r p at h in t h e aca d em y.”
Eld er Xu an ’s u su al a t t it u d e w asn ’t t oo ca lm , b u t t h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h ey’d

seen h im act so ser iou sly. H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er six felt t h eir h ear t s go cold ,
an d t h ey im m ed iat ely cu r b ed t h eir p r eviou s lau gh t er . T h en , t h ey p aid fu ll
at t en t ion t o Eld er Xu an .
T h e seven fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d seem ed t o k n ow w h at Eld er Xu an w as

ab ou t t o say, b u t t h ey h ad solem n look s on t h eir faces. M or eover , t h ey r ad iat ed
a u n iq u e sor t of ar r o gan ce.
Eld er Xu an said , “Ou r Sh r ek Acad em y h as exist ed for over t en t h ou san d
year s. Nor m ally, a p ow er fu l sou l m ast er can live for t w o h u n d r ed year s at t h e
ver y least , w h ile som e can live even lon ger . M or eover , m or e an d m or e st u d en t s
en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d ever y year . H ow ever , t h e t ot al n u m b er of in n er
cou r t yar d d iscip les w h o cu r r en t ly r em ain w it h in t h e acad em y d oesn ’t even
r each a h u n d r ed . Do you k n ow w h y t h is is t h e case?”
Xu San sh i sa id , “It ’s b ecau se ou r sen ior s h ave gr ad u at ed , r igh t ?”
Eld er Xu an sh ook h is h ead , “You ’r e h a lf-r igh t . T h er e a r e a few d iscip les of t h e

in n er cou r t yar d w h o leave t h e acad em y a ft er gr ad u at in g, b u t I n ow w an t t o t alk
ab ou t t h e d iscip les w h o d on ’t gr ad u a t e.”
At t h is p oin t , Eld er Xu an ’s voice clear ly con t ain ed a few m or e t r aces of

sor r ow , “T h ey w er e all good k id s. T h ou gh t h ey w er en ’t ab le t o t r u ly gr ad u a t e,
t h eir n am es st ill exist w it h in t h e sch ool r egist er . T h ey t ook t h e id eals of t h e
acad em y as t h eir ow n id eals. It ’s n ot t h at t h ey d id n ’t h a ve t h e st r en gt h t o
gr ad u at e, b u t b ecau se t h ey d ied for t h e sa k e of t h e acad em y’s id eals.”
“In r ealit y, t h er e ar e m an y ot h er st u d en t s w h o h ave t h e qu alificat ion s t o

en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d . H ow ever , m a n y of t h em ch oose t o leave t h e acad em y
aft er gr ad u at in g fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . It ’s b ecau se en t er in g t h e in n er
cou r t yar d of Sh r ek Acad em y d oesn ’t ju st sign ify t h at you ’ll get b et t er t h in gs an d
b et t er t each in g. T h e w eigh t of t h e r esp on sib ilit ies you ’ll r eceive w ill b e sim ilar ly
lar ge. T h ose st u d en t s w h o ch oose n ot t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d a d m it t h at
t h ey ar en ’t ab le t o sh ou ld er t h is t ask . Aft er agr eein g t o k eep t h is a secr et , t h ey
leave.”
“T h e acad em y r esp ect s t h e ch oices of all of it s st u d en t s, b u t I w an t t o say t h at

ever y sin gle st u d en t w h o h as en t er ed t h e in n er cou r t yar d t o p u r su e t h eir st u d ies
is a h er o. Not a h er o of t h e acad em y, b u t a h er o of t h e en t ir e Dou lu o Con t in en t .”
T h e w or d ‘h er o’ w a s st ill ver y u n fam iliar t o t h e you n g H u o Yu h ao an d t h e

r est . H ow ever , t h is w or d car r ied an in d escr ib ab le w eigh t t o it w h en it cam e
fr om Eld er Xu an ’s m ou t h .
Eld er Xu an said solem n ly, “T h e t h in g t h at you ar en ’t a llow ed t o d isclose is t h e
fact t h at you ’ve alr ead y t ak en a st ep in t o t h e in n er cou r t yar d fr om t h e ver y
m om en t you gu ys b ecam e m em b er s of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam . H ow ever , it ’s ju st
b ecau se of t h is t h a t I h ave t o con fir m w h et h er you a r e w illin g t o sh ou ld er t h e
b u r d en s of t h e acad em y b efor e w e leave. If you ’r e n ot w illin g t o, I can r et u r n
you t o t h e acad em y, an d n ob od y w ill b lam e you . You w ill st ill com p let e you r
st u d ies an d gr ad u at e su ccessfu lly. Fu r t h er m or e, I h ave t o say t h at t h er e isn ’t
m u ch t h e in n er cou r t yar d h as t h at t h e ou t er cou r t yar d d oesn ’t . T h e r eason w h y
d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d ar e st r on g is lin k ed t o t h at r esp on sib ilit y I
m en t ion ed . If you ch oose t o go b ack , you ’ll h ave t o k eep t h e sam e secr et as t h e
st u d en t s w h o ch oose t o leave aft er gr ad u a t in g. Can you d o it ?”
H u o Yu h ao’s gr ou p of seven cou ld feel t h at t h e secr et s t h at Eld er Xu an w as

ab ou t t o r eveal w er en ’t t h at h u m on gou s. T h e seven r ep lied sim u lt an eou sly,
“Yes.”
Eld er Xu an said , “T h e Dou lu o Con t in en t w as or igin ally ext r em ely lar ge. Aft er
t h e collision an d fu sion it h ad w it h t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t , it b ecam e even
lar ger . Of t h e fou r gr eat em p ir es, t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e cover s t h e lar gest ar ea .
It s var iou s m in er al r esou r ces ar e ext r em ely p len t ifu l. H ow ever , t h ey’r e st ill
for eign er s t o u s. Even if sever al t h ou san d year s h ave p assed , t h ey ar en ’t
com p at ib le w it h t h e t h r ee em p ir es of ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t . W e ar en ’t ab le t o
t r u ly accep t t h eir exist en ces. T h is for m ed a m u t u al allia n ce w e h ave again st
t h em . Alt h ou gh t h er e isn ’t an y lar ge-scale w ar on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ,
d isp u t es alw ays exist . If t h is d isp u t e occu r s am on g t h e n or m al cou n t r yfolk , it
w on ’t cau se t oo m u ch d am age. H ow ever , a d isp u t e am on g sou l m ast er s is
d iffer en t .”
“Not all sou l m ast er s ar e k in d . A la r ge n u m b er of p eop le w ill h ave in fla t ed

egos d u e t o t h eir st r en gt h , an d t h ey’ll get an air of h au gh t in ess t h at m ak es it
seem as t h ou gh t h ey’r e t h e n u m b er on e exp er t u n d er t h e h eaven s. T h ey m ay
even h ave evil in t en t ion s as a r esu lt . T h ese p eop le w ill t h en b r in g ab ou t
en or m ou s casu a lt ies t o t h e or d in a r y folk . A sou l m ast er com m it t in g a n evil act is
a com m on occu r r en ce, an d it ’s get t in g h igh er as t h e d ays go on . Oft en t im es, t h e
m or e t alen t ed a n d st r on ger a sou l m ast er is, t h e h igh er t h e d est r u ct ive p ow er
h e’ll h ave aft er st ep p in g on t o t h e p at h of evil. T h er e w as on ce a Sou l Em p er or
w h o m assacr ed an en t ir e v illage ju st b ecau se t h e food t h ey ser ved h im w asn ’t u p
t o h is st an d ar d s. W h y is t h at t h e case? It ’s b ecau se sou l m ast er s far exceed
or d in ar y p eop le in t er m s of st r en gt h , an d also b ecau se t h ey lack r est r ict ion s a n d
con t r ol.”
“Ou r Sh r ek Acad em y d oesn ’t con sid er it self a r igh t eou s or gan isat ion , b u t w e
ar en ’t w illin g t o allow calam it ies lik e t h is occu r . Rou gh ly six t h ou san d year s
ago, t h e acad em y sp lit in t o t h e ou t er an d in n er cou r t yar d s…”
Eld er Xu an b ecam e even m or e solem n as h e said , “You m u st b e t h in k in g,

‘Police? Police w h a t ?’ W e ar en ’t t r yin g t o p olice t h e in ju st ices w it h in t h e
con t in en t , b ecau se t h at ’s r ealist ically im p ossib le. T h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ’s t oo
vast , an d t h er e ar e an u n cou n t ab le n u m b er of p eop le w it h in t h e fou r em p ir es.
T h er e ar e a lr ead y five m illion p er m an en t r esid en t s in ou r Sh r ek Cit y alon e.
M or eover , w e can ’t even p olice t h e d iscip les fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d . Becau se
of t h at , w e on ly p olice sou l m ast er s. W e t ar get p eop le, an d even gover n m en t
officials, b u t n ever an en t ir e cou n t r y. W e h ave ou r ow n sou r ces of in t elligen ce,
an d on ce som et h in g evil t h at a cou n t r y is u n ab le t o, or d oesn ’t w an t t o p olice
occu r s, or if a sou l m ast er t u r n s t o t h e p at h of evil, w e’ll sen d ou t d iscip les of t h e
in n er cou r t yar d t o d eal w it h t h e issu e. N ow , t h e d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d
ar e k n ow n as p olice, t h e Sh r ek Police. Ou r in n er cou r t yar d h as an ot h er n am e--
t h e Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s. Righ t n ow , I’m t h e cu r r en t vice-lea d er of t h e Sh r ek
Gu ar d ian s.”
“You m u st b e t h in k in g, h ow d o w e p olice ever yt h in g? T h e con t in en t ’s so vast ,

an d t h e n u m b er of evil act s com m it t ed a r e m an y. W e d on ’t even h ave a h u n d r ed
p eop le in t h e in n er cou r t yar d , so h ow d o w e d o t h is? I can t ell you t h is. Ever y
sin gle cou n t r y, even t h e lar gest Su n M oon Em p ir e, w ou ld n ever d ar e t o look
d ow n on ou r Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s. Alt h ou gh t h er e ar e on ly a r ou n d a h u n d r ed
d iscip les in t h e cu r r en t in n er cou r t yar d , w e h ave over t w en t y t h ou san d
gr ad u at es fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . At t h e sam e t im e, t h er e ar e n ear ly a
t h ou san d st u d en t s w h o h ave com p let ed t h eir ser vice as Gu ar d ian s. Casu a lt ies
ap p ear fr eq u en t ly w it h in t h e in n er cou r t yar d , b u t I d ar e t o sa y t h at ever y sin gle
p er son w h o st ep s ou t fr om Sh r ek Acad em y’s in n er cou r t yar d is an elit e of
h u m an it y as a w h ole. Fu r t h er m or e, ou r acad em y h as t h e m ost ou t st an d in g
t each er s w it h in t h e con t in en t , an d ever y sin gle t each er in t h e acad em y is a
Gu ar d ian .
“Ever y sin gle d iscip le of t h e in n er cou r t yar d is a Gu ar d ian , an d for t h em t o
gr ad u at e, t h ey h ave t o com p let e t h ir t y assign m en t s. T h ese assign m en t s n ot on ly
t est t h e st r en gt h of ou r d iscip les, b u t also t h eir h ear t s. Ou r Sh r ek Acad em y
d oesn ’t w an t t o n u r t u r e p lain exp er t s, b u t t r u e t alen t s w h o ar e w illin g t o p r ot ect
t h e p eace an d st ab ilit y of t h e con t in en t .”
“W h at I w an t t o t ell you is t h is--w e ar e Gu ar d ian s, an d also en for ces of t h e

law . Ever yt h in g t h at t h e Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s d eal w it h is p r ob lem at ic, an d
ext r em ely d an ger ou s. T h er e w as even on e occasion w h er e w e h ad t o d eal w it h a
T it led Dou lu o. A t h r eat t o you r life cou ld occu r at an y t im e. Becau se of t h is, t h e
fir st t h in g you h ave t o cau t iou sly con sid er is w h et h er you ’r e w illin g t o b ecom e a
Gu ar d ian .”
“Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e isn ’t an y com p en sat ion for a Gu ar d ian .” At t h at p oin t ,

Eld er Xu an ’s solem n t on e soft en ed m u ch m or e; h e saw t h e gazes in t h e eyes of
t h e seven m em b er s of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam . Non e of t h em h ad er r at ic look s in
t h eir eyes, b u t r at h er st au n ch an d st u b b or n on es. T h ey h ad u n d ou b t ed ly m ad e
t h eir d ecision s alr ea d y.
Dai Yu eh en g w alk ed u p t o Eld er Xu an ’s sid e an d sa id in a low voice, “J u n ior

b r ot h er s an d sist er s. I w ill t ell you t h a t , accor d in g t o m a n y of t h e sen ior s w h o
h ave gr ad u a t ed , b ecom in g a Sh r ek Gu a r d ian is t h e gr eat est h on or t h ey h ave
ever b een given . Even if t h ey’ve alr ead y gr ad u at ed , m an y of t h em st ill d o t h in gs
t h at a Gu ar d ian sh o u ld d o. T o evild oer s, w e ar e t h e b u t ch er ’s b lad e; t o t h e w eak
an d b u llied , w e ar e exist en ces on t h e level of God s of k in d n ess t o t h em . T h er e
ar e u n cou n t ab le n u m b er s of p eop le w h o h ave r eceived t h e h elp of t h e Sh r ek
Gu ar d ian s, an d t h e act of h elp in g t h em is t h e b est w ay w e can p er fect ou r
h ear t s. I’ve alw ays b elieved t h at d oin g good d eed s d oesn ’t h elp ot h er s, b u t
ou r selves. T h at feelin g of sat isfact ion is som et h in g t h a t ’s ir r ep lacab le.”
“I’m ver y p r ou d t o h ave com p let ed t w en t y-eigh t a ssign m en t s t o t h is p oin t .

I’m alr ead y n ot far fr om t h ir t y. Du r in g t h is p r ocess, I’ve k illed b an d it s w h o
r ap ed an d p illaged , an d gover n m en t officials w h o d id n ’t ca r e for t h eir cit izen s’
lives. I’ve r escu ed ch ild r en w h o w er e for ced in t o sla ver y. T h e in n er cou r t yar d
h as a m ot t o--w it h gr eat st r en gt h , com es gr eat r esp on sib ilit y, an d on e’s h ear t
t r avels alon g t h e sa m e p at h as t h e good d eed s on e p er for m s. I’m w illin g t o w or k
t oget h er w it h you gu ys.”
Dai Yu eh en g’s w or d s w er e ver y p lain , b u t t h ey con t ain ed a u n iqu e effect t o

t h em . Even M a Xia ot ao, w h o d id n ’t get alon g w ell w it h h im , h ad a solem n
exp r ession on h er face as h e r ecou n t ed h is exp er ien ces as a Gu ar d ian . Ot h er
t h an t h e p r id e on h er face, sh e h a d a u n iqu e sp len d or t o it as w ell. It w as as
t h ou gh t h ey w er e b a t h in g in t h eir glor y.
Eld er Xu an n od d ed . “Ok ay, you h ave t o give m e an an sw er n ow . En t er , or

leave.”
“En t er !” T h e seven sim u lt a n eou sly cr ied ou t . In t h a t in st an t , t h e t h ou gh t s of

t h e seven fr om t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam seem ed t o b e lin k ed . It w as on ly t h en t h at
t h ey u n d er st ood t h e m ission s an d r esp on sib ilit ies t h at a d iscip le of Sh r ek
Acad em y’s in n er cou r t yar d h a d t o sh ou ld er . At t h is p oin t in t im e, t h ey d id n ’t
feel an y of t h e glor y t h at cam e w it h b ein g a Sh r ek Gu ar d ian , b u t t h ey
u n h esit an t ly accep t ed t h is t ask .
Eld er Xu an sm iled a ver y h ap p y sm ile. “Ver y good . I w asn ’t m ist ak en w it h

you lot . Non e of you ar e cow ar d s. I’ll t ell you t h is--t h er e w as an ot h er r eason
b eh in d all t h is. It ’s b ecau se you ’r e ab ou t t o t ak e on you r fir st Gu ar d ian m ission
in a b it . Xiaot ao, you can exp lain ou r assign m en t t h is t im e. W an g Yan , give
t h em t h e eq u ip m en t of a Sh r ek Gu ar d ia n .”
“Yes.” W an g Yan n od d ed , t h en t ook a few r in gs fr om h is st or age t ool an d

p assed t h em t o ever y sin gle p er son t h er e.
T h e r in g w as ver y b eau t ifu l; t h e r in g it self w as m ad e of a silver y-w h it ish

m et al, an d a jad e-gr een gem t h e size of a fin ger n ail w as em b ed d ed on it . T h e
glist en in g gem sh on e w it h a b r igh t ligh t , an d t h e gr een on it w as filled w it h t h e
au r a of life. T h e t op of t h e r in g w as car ved in t o t h e sh ap e of a Sh r ek , m ak in g it
u n for get t ab le.
M a Xiaot ao said , “You ’d b et t er t ak e car e of t h is. T h is is t h e sym b ol of a Sh r ek
Gu ar d ian , an d on ly w e h ave it . Now , p u t a d r op of you r b lood on t h e su r face of
t h e r in g, so it ’ll con n ect w it h you r b lood lin e. As lon g as you ’r e on e of u s, you
can u se t h e Gu ar d ian Rin g t o ver ify t h e id en t it y of a Gu ar d ian in fr on t of you .
T h e r in g is also a st or age t ool, an d it con t ain s a com p let e set of equ ip m en t t h at
w e u se. You can t ak e a look at it n ow .”
“W e h ave ou r sp ecialised clot h in g, a m ask , a cloak , an d a d ist r ess sign a l.

Du r in g a m ission , w e can ’t let an yon e see ou r ap p ear an ces, so as t o p r even t
t h in gs fr om affect in g ou r lives. T h u s, w e n eed a m ask . M ost im p or t an t ly, w e
h ave a d ist r ess sign a l. T h is sign al is som et h in g t h at on ly w e h ave, an d aft er an y
Gu ar d ian r eleases it d u r in g a d an ger ou s even t , ever y st u d en t of Sh r ek Acad em y-
-ou t er cou r t yar d or in n er cou r t yar d --w ill im m ed ia t ely go over t o h elp you . It ’s
m u ch m or e effect ive t h an you t h in k .”
“Ou r assign m en t t h is t im e is t o h ead t ow ar d s a m ou n t ain r an ge t h at b or d er s

t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e an d t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e t o h u n t d ow n a gr ou p of b an d it s.
T h e Ad van ced Acad em y Con t in en t al Sou l Du ellin g Acad em y is goin g t o st ar t
soon , so w e h ave t o fin ish t h is in t h r ee or fou r d ays.”
“T h ese b an d it s ar e ext r em ely savage an d sly. T h ey sp ecialise in k illin g

m er ch an t s w h o p ass over t h e b or d er , an d t h ey leave n o su r vivor s. T h ey d o ever y
evil t h in g im agin ab le t o t h eir vict im s. T h e m ou n t ain ou s ar ea t h ey’r e h id in g in
h as som e com p licat ed t er r a in , an d it ’s p r ecip it ou s. M or eover , t h er e ar e m an y
caves t h ey can h id e t h em selves in , so it ’s d isad va n t ageou s for an ar m y t o at t ack
t h em . M or e d isgu st in gly, t h e ar ea w h er e t h ose b ast ar d s live in b elon gs p ar t ly t o
t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e an d t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e.”
“T h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h as n ever h ad a good r elat ion sh ip w it h ou r St ar Lu o

Em p ir e. In a sit u at ion lik e t h is, it ’s ver y h ar d for t h e t w o n at ion s t o coop er at e.
W h en ever a n em p ir e sen d s it s ar m y ou t , t h ose sly b ast ar d s w ill r u n over t o t h e
ot h er sid e. On ce, t h ey even st ar t ed a sm all scale w ar b et w een t h e t w o cou n t r ies.
H ow ever , t h ey’r e st ill livin g fin e n ow . N u m b er s w on ’t b e effect ive again st t h em .
T h er e ar en ’t even t h r ee h u n d r ed of t h ose b an d it s, b u t t h ey’r e fam iliar w it h t h e
t er r ain , an d t h ey h a ve m an y t r ick s. Becau se of t h is, a sm all t eam lik e u s is b et t er
eq u ip p ed t o d ea l w it h t h em .”
“T h ese b an d it s call t h em selves t h e En voys of t h e Deat h God , an d t h ey’r e

su p p osed ly h ead ed b y a r elat ively p ow er fu l evil sou l m ast er . Becau se of t h at , w e
can ’t b e car eless at all. A m ajor it y of you h aven ’t k illed a p er son b efor e, an d
you ’r e goin g t o h ave a b r an d -n ew exp er ien ce n ow . I h ave t o st r ess t h a t t h e
t ar get of ou r a ssign m en t t h is t im e is t o leave n o su r vivor s an d com p let ely
elim in at e t h em . T h er e ar en ’t an y eld er ly, w eak , w om en , or ch ild r en in t h is
gr ou p of b an d it s, an d n on e of t h em ar e k in d .”
Killin g som eon e? T h is t er m w as ext r em ely for eign t o H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est .

T h is w as esp ecially t r u e for H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao; aft er all,
t h ey w er e on ly t w elve. T h eir h ear t s st ar t ed b eat in g m or e r ap id ly aft er t h ey
h ear d t h e w or d s ‘k illin g som eon e’.
M a Xiaot ao sm iled a n d look ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, “W h at ? Scar ed ? Don ’t w et

you r self w h en t h e t im e com es, sin ce n ob od y’s goin g t o w ip e you r b u t t for you .”
H u o Yu h ao’s face im m ed iat ely r ed d en ed . “I’m n ot scar ed at all.”
H e r eally d id n ’t feel lik e h e cou ld lift h is h ead in fr on t of M a Xiaot ao. Aft er

t h e even t s of t h at d a y, a sh ad ow h ad b een cast over h is h ear t .
M a Xiaot ao lau gh ed m isch ievou sly. “It ’s good t h at you ’r e n ot scar ed . T h e

seven of u s w ill b e t h e m ain t eam d u r in g t h is m ission , an d you gu ys sh ou ld d o
you r b est t o p r ot ect you r selves w h ile h elp in g u s fr om t h e sid e. T h ese b an d it s ar e
ext r em ely u n b r id led ; t h ey’ve even t it led t h em selves t h e ‘H an d of Deat h ’.
W it h in t h at vast , m ou n t ain o u s ar ea, as lon g as you b r in g u p t h e n am es ‘H an d of
Deat h ’, or ‘En voy of t h e Deat h God ’, t h e folk t h er e w ill b e scar ed w it less.”
“T h is m ou n t ain o u s ar ea w as for m ed fou r t h ou san d year s ago as a r esu lt of t h e

collision b et w een t h e t w o con t in en t s. Becau se of t h at , it ’s ca lled t h e M in g Dou
M ou n t ain Ran ge. It h as an ext r em ely va st am ou n t of m in er a l r esou r ces, an d it
p r od u ces ext r em ely p r eciou s m in er als. Becau se of t h at , t h e St ar Lu o an d Su n
M oon Em p ir es h ave b een con t in u ou sly figh t in g over t h at m ou n t ain r a n ge for
m an y year s. T h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e can give u s a cer t ain am ou n t of h elp .”
Book 11: The Cont inent al Advanced
Academy Soul Dueling Tour nament
Chapt er 69.1: Evil Soul M ast er
“W e’ve alr ead y in for m ed t h e gu ar d s fr om t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e st at ion ed n ea r

t h e M in g Dou M ou n t ain s b efor e w e d ep a r t ed . T h ey’ll p r ovid e u s w it h a d et ailed
m ap an d accu r at e in for m at ion in d u e cou r se. If t h er e ar e n o fu r t h er q u est ion s,
w e h ave t o d ep ar t a t fu ll sp eed . Keep you r Gu ar d ian Rin gs p r op er ly. You can
on ly w ear t h em w h en you ’r e execu t in g a m ission .”
Ever yon e exp r essed t h at t h ey w er e r ea d y on e aft er t h e ot h er . M a Xiaot ao t h en

said , “T h e on es w it h low er cu lt ivat ion s w ill slow u s d ow n . T h er e’s n o w ay w e
can accom m od at e t o you gu ys, so w e’r e goin g t o d o t h in gs t h is w ay. I’ll t ak e H u o
Yu h ao alon g w it h m e. Dai Yu eh en g, you t ak e W a n g Don g. Lin g Lu och en , you
t ak e Xiao Xiao w it h you . Let ’s go.”
Ever sin ce M a Xiaot ao st ar t ed givin g h er p r esen t at ion r egar d in g t h e Gu ar d ian

m ission , Eld er Xu an h ad n ’t said an ot h er w or d - ever yt h in g w as in M a Xiaot ao’s
con t r ol. T h is w a s n ot on ly h is con fid en ce in M a Xiaot ao’s ab ilit y t o com m an d a
gr ou p , b u t it w as also a w ay for h er t o p o lish h er sk ills. It w ou ld b e n o good if a
d r agon lack ed a lea d er . T h is Gu a r d ian m ission w as also t h e fin al lear n in g cu r ve
for t h em all b efor e t h e t ou r n am en t st a r t ed .
“I w an t sen ior sist er M a t o t ak e m e w it h h er .” W an g Don g su d d en ly sp ok e

b efor e r u sh in g t o M a Xiaot ao’s sid e. H e con t in u ed t alk in g as h e sm iled w it h
ad m ir at ion , “Sen ior sist er M a, I ad m ir e you t h e m ost . Can you t ak e m e alon g
w it h you ?”
M a Xiaot ao w as st u n n ed for a m om en t b efor e sh e sm iled an d said , “Fin e, I’ll

t ak e you w it h m e. Dai Yu eh en g, you t ak e H u o Yu h ao w it h you . Let ’s go.” As sh e
sp ok e, sh e d r agged W an g Don g’s u n d er a r m u p w it h h er r igh t h an d an d leap t u p ,
t ak in g off on t h eir jou r n ey.
Dai Yu eh en g an d Lin g Lu och en also r eact ed in t h e sam e w ay, t ak in g H u o
Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao r esp ect ively as t h ey acceler at ed .
H u o Yu h ao w as silen t ly cu r sin g in h is h ear t . Sin ce w h en d id W a n g Don g

ad m ir e M a Xiaot ao? It act u ally seem ed as t h ou gh t h e in effab le h ost ilit y h e h ad
d ir ect ed t ow ar d sen ior sist er M a b efor e w as r eal. W h at w as t h at gu y d oin g?!
J u st b ecau se h e k n ew t h is d id n ’t m ean t h at M a Xiaot ao k n ew it t oo. W it h M a

Xiaot ao’s h elp , W an g Don g n ow h ad a con t en t ed look on h is face. H e w as
ext r em ely p leased w it h h im self for w h at h e’d d on e. On ly h e k n ew of t h e lit t le
sch em e h e’d con coct ed in h is h ear t .
T h is fu ll-scale acceler at ion r evealed h ow p ow er fu l t h e in n er cou r t yar d

d iscip les w er e. Bei Bei, Xu San sh i an d J ian g Nan n an w er e alr ead y goin g all-ou t ,
b u t t h ey w er e st ill fin d in g it ext r em ely t ou gh t o follow alon g. On t h e ot h er
h an d , H e Cait ou w a s in sligh t ly b et t er con d it ion t h an t h em b ecau se h e h a d an
acceler at or sou l t ool h elp in g h im . H e cou ld con t r ol h ow m u ch h e w ish ed t o
sp eed u p w it h a Ran k 4 acceler at or sou l t ool. Ad d in g on t o t h e fact t h at h e h ad a
r ob u st b od y, it w asn ’t t h at st r en u ou s for h im t o follow closely b eh in d M a
Xiaot ao.
Even t h ou gh M a Xiaot ao w as b r in gin g W an g Don g alon g w it h h er , sh e’d

r em ain ed at t h e for efr on t sin ce t h ey’d set off. Sh e even h ad t o slow d ow n fr om
t im e t o t im e an d w ait for t h ose b eh in d h er . T h e im m en se sp eed st em m in g fr om
h er t or r en t ial fir e p h oen ix sou l cou ld b e seen as clear as d ay.
H u o Yu h ao felt lik e h e w as r id in g on clou d s as Dai Yu eh en g p u lled h im alon g.

Dai Yu eh en g su p p or t ed H u o Yu h ao’s u n d er ar m w it h h is w id e an d p ow er fu l
p alm , ju st lik e a st ead y an d soft su p p or t . Dai Yu eh en g w ou ld cover m or e t h an
t en m et r es ever y t im e t h e t ip s of h is feet t ou ch ed t h e gr ou n d , d ar t in g for t h lik e
an ar r ow . W h en h e w as ju st ab ou t t o slow d ow n , t h e t ip of h is foot w ou ld
im m ed iat ely t ou ch t h e gr ou n d on ce m or e, cau sin g h im t o sp eed u p . As a r esu lt
of t h at , h e w as ext r em ely st ab le even t h ou gh t h ey w er e ad van cin g ver y qu ick ly.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t h ave t o d o an yt h in g, b u t cou ld st ill m ove for w ar d at su ch a
h igh sp eed t h an k s t o Dai Yu eh en g.
T h e scen er y on b ot h sid es of t h e r oad w as a b lu r . Even w it h h is Sp ir it Eyes,
H u o Yu h ao st ill felt r at h er d izzy at t h e sigh t .
“Yu h ao, I h ear d t h at t h in gs ar en ’t p leasan t b et w een you an d m y you n ger

b r ot h er ?” Dai Yu eh en g ask ed H u o Yu h ao as h e r an at fu ll sp eed .
H u o Yu h ao w as t ak en ab ack , n ot b ecau se of w h at Dai Yu eh en g said , b u t

b ecau se h e cou ld act u ally t alk w it h o u t t h e sligh t est h in t of a t r em b le in h is voice
w h ile r u n n in g at su ch a h igh sp eed . H e sp ok e ju st lik e h e w as h old in g a n or m al
con ver sat ion . Dai Yu eh en g w as r eally a p er son of for m id ab le ab ilit y!
“Yeah .” H u o Yu h en g am b igu ou sly sn or t ed ou t .
Dai Yu eh en g h a d a sin cer e look on h is fa ce as h e said , “Even t h ou gh I d on ’t

k n ow h ow you gu ys b ecam e en em ies, I t h in k H u ab in is in t h e w r on g. As h is
eld er b r ot h er , I’ll ap ologise on h is b eh alf. H u ab in ’s b een excep t ion ally t alen t ed
ever sin ce h e w as a k id , w h ich even t u ally for m ed t h e ar r ogan t at t it u d e h e h as
n ow . I’ve alr ead y r ep r im an d ed h im b efor e, an d even slap p ed h im acr oss t h e
face. Now t h at I t h in k ab ou t it , t h at w as t h e fir st t im e I’ve h it h im . Let b ygon es
b e b ygon es. W e’r e a ll in Sh r ek Acad em y t o cu lt ivat e. You ’r e n ow a m em b er of
t h e Gu a r d ian t eam , so w e’ll b e b r ot h er s-in -ar m s an d fellow sold ier s fr om n ow
on . I h op e you w on ’t h old an y m or e gr u d ges in you r h ear t , a n d sp eak u p if you
n eed h elp . I’ll r ep ay w h at H u ab in ow es you on h is b eh alf.”
Dai Yu eh en g w or d ed h is sen t en ces t oo b eau t ifu lly. If it w a sn ’t for t h e fact t h a t

H u o Yu h ao h ad t r u ly felt t h e m a liciou sn ess an d st r on g k illin g in t en t com in g
fr om Dai Yu eh en g b efor e, h e m igh t ’ve r eally felt em b ar r assed b y h is act ion s
b efor e b ecau se of w h at Dai Yu eh en g said . H ow ever , h e cou ld on ly sn eer at t h e
ot h er p ar t y in h is h ear t n ow . Is Dai Yu eh en g t r yin g t o r op e m e in ?
“Sen ior b r ot h er , I a m act u ally in t h e w r on g as w ell. You ’r e r igh t . Let b ygon es

b e b ygon es.” H u o Yu h ao r eally cou ld n ’t m ask h is exp r ession s lik e Dai Yu eh en g;
h e cou ld n ’t p u t su ch a sin cer e look on h is face. H e cou ld on ly t r y h is b est t o
r em ain calm . H ow cou ld a few ap ologet ic sen t en ces set t le t h e gr u d ge h e h eld
t ow ar d s t h em for k illin g h is m ot h er , alon g w it h t h e m iser ab le an d h a r d life t h at
h e’d faced sin ce h e w as a ch ild ? W h at ’s m or e, H u o Yu h a o’s p er cep t ion w as
sh ar p er t h an m ost p eop le’s. W it h t h e Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , H u o Yu h ao saw t h at
Dai Yu eh en g’s p u lse w as calm all t h r ou gh ou t w h en h e w as t alk in g a m om en t
ago, w it h n ot h in g o u t of t h e or d in ar y. T h at also m ean t t h a t h e w as in a st ab le
fr am e of m in d , w h ich w as in com p at ib le w it h h ow on e w ou ld u su ally b e a lit t le
excit ed w h en b ein g sin cer e.
Dai Yu eh en g w as sligh t ly m or e p leased w h en h e h ear d w h at H u o Yu h ao said .

H e cou ld see t h at H u o Yu h ao st ill h ar b ou r ed ill feelin gs in h is h ear t , b u t fr om
h is p oin t of view , H u o Yu h ao w as on ly a ch ild w h o d id n ’t r eveal h is em ot ion s
r egar d less of h ow t alen t ed h e w as. Con ver sely, it w as n or m al for h im t o sh ow
r elu ct a n ce an d h esit at ion in h is exp r ession . H ow ever , it w a sn ’t a b ad st a r t , sin ce
h e w as w illin g t o let t h e p r eviou s m at t er p ass. Fr om h is p oin t of view , it w asn ’t
t h at d ifficu lt t o r op e in a ch ild . M or eover , H u o Yu h ao’s sk ill w as qu it e good , b u t
h is level of cu lt iva t ion w as t oo low aft er all w as said an d d on e. At t h e m om en t ,
h is level of cu lt ivat ion w as st ill far fr om a level t h at cou ld t h r eat en h im . T h u s,
H u o Yu h ao w as far w or se t h an Dai H u a b in if h e w er e t o com p ar e t h e b ot h of
t h em .
Dai Yu eh en g sm iled fain t ly an d said , “T h at w ou ld b e for t h e b est . On ce w e

sp en d m or e t im e t oget h er , you ’ll get t o k n ow w h at k in d of p er son I am .”
If H u o Yu h ao h ad b een w h o h e w as b efor e h e en t er ed Sh r ek Acad em y, h e

m igh t n ot h ave b een ab le t o m ask h is em ot ion s, an d w ou ld d efin it ely h ave b een
at a loss w h en con fr on t in g Dai Yu eh en g. H ow ever , h e h ad m at u r ed a lot over
t h e p ast year . H e k n ew t h at it w a s d efin it ely n ot p ossib le for h im t o get h is
r even ge in su ch a sh or t t im e. Sin ce t h at w as t h e case, h e cou ld on ly feign
civilit y.
“Sen ior b r ot h er , I h ear d sen ior sist er M a m en t ion an evil sou l m ast er ju st
n ow . W h at ’s t h at ?” Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t at Dai Yu eh en g’s level of
cu lt ivat ion , h e h ar d ly n eed ed t o exp en d a gr eat d eal of effor t in r u n n in g n ow . As
a r esu lt of t h at , h e cou ld st ill u se sou l p ow er t o p r ot ect h is n ose an d m ou t h t o
sp eak .
Dai Yu eh en g ch u ck led an d said , “I k n ew you w er e goin g t o ask t h at q u est ion .
Evil sou l m ast er s ar e also sou l m ast er s, b u t t h ey’r e ver y scar y.” Even w it h h is
cu lt ivat ion an d self-con fid en ce, H u o Yu h ao act u ally cau gh t a sm u d ge of fear in
Dai Yu eh en g’s eyes w h en h e u t t er ed t h e w or d s ‘evil sou l m ast er ’. H u o Yu h ao
h ad or igin a lly ask ed t h is q u est ion w it h ou t t h in k in g it t h r ou gh . H ow ever , h e w as
secr et ly sh ock ed t h at an elit e of Sh r ek Acad em y lik e Dai Yu eh en g w as act u ally
afr aid of an evil sou l m ast er .
“Evil sou l m ast er s h ave b een in exist en ce sin ce lon g ago. It is said t h a t
An cest or T an g San , w h o w as p ar t of t h e fir st gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven Devils
en cou n t er ed a p ow er fu l evil sou l m ast er on e year . W h at ’s m or e, t h at in d ivid u al
w as also an evil Dou lu o. H e w as n ever t h eless ab le t o ob t a in a d om ain -t yp e
ab ilit y fr om t h e ot h er p ar t y. A so-called evil sou l m ast er is a sou l m ast er w h o
h as a few ver y excep t ion ally evil m ar t ia l sou ls.”
H u o Yu h ao w as sh ock ed w h en h e h ear d t h is an d said , “T h er e ar e evil m ar t ial

sou ls t oo?”
Dai Yu eh en g n od d ed an d said , “M ar t ia l sou ls can b e an yt h in g. T h er e’s n o

d ist in ct ion b et w een good an d evil if you view a m ar t ial so u l on it s ow n . Bu t
w h en t h e m ar t ia l sou l n eed s t o b e cu lt ivat ed t h r ou gh sp ecial m ean s, t h en t h a t
m ar t ial sou l m u st d efin it ely b e evil. You ’ll u n d er st an d w h en I give you an
exam p le.”
“M or e t h an six h u n d r ed year s ago, a p ow er fu l evil sou l m a st er ap p ear ed on

t h e con t in en t . H e even t u ally b ecam e a T it led Dou lu o p ow er h ou se, an d gr an t ed
h im self t h e t it le of Blood Bab y. H is cu lt ivat ion m et h od w as ext r em ely u n iq u e,
an d h is m ar t ial sou l on ly aw ak en ed w h en h e w as eigh t een year s old . Aft er h is
m ar t ial sou l aw ak en ed , h e h ad a cer t ain cr avin g for b ab ies. H e n eed ed t o su ck a
b ab y’s b r ain an d sw allow a b ab y’s h ear t b efor e h e cou ld cu lt ivat e. Don ’t you
t h in k t h is k in d of sou l m ast er is evil? H ow m an y b ab ies d id h e n eed t o k ill t o
cu lt ivat e fr om b ein g a n or m al sou l m ast er t o a T it led Dou lu o?”
H u o Yu h ao felt a sh iver r u n u p h is sp in e, all t h e w ay u p t o h is scalp . T h at
feelin g t h at r esem b led p in s an d n eed les alm ost m ad e h im cr y ou t in su r p r ise. H e
n ever t h ou gh t t h a t a sou l m ast er lik e t h at act u ally exist ed in t h is w or ld .
Dai Yu eh en g h ad a sam e look of fear in h is eyes, “T it led Dou lu o Blood Bab y

w as t yr an n ica lly st r on g. In a sh or t sp an of t w en t y year s, h e at t ain ed t h e r an k of
a T it led Dou lu o t h r ou gh t h at evil cu lt ivat ion m et h od of h is b efor e h e even
t u r n ed for t y. W h en h e w as u sin g h is so u l p ow er , a b lood b ab y w ou ld ap p ear ,
an d w it h it w ou ld com e in com p ar ab ly fr igh t en in g fir ep ow er an d cor r osive
ab ilit ies. Am on gst all of h is n in e sou l r in gs, t h e low est on e w as a t h ou sa n d year s
old , an d h e even h a d t w o t en t h ou san d -year sou l r in gs. Lat er on , t h e p r evio u s
com m an d er of t h e a cad em y’s Gu ar d ia n squ ad p er son ally u n d er t ook t h e t ask of
d isp osin g of h im . It t ook h im five w h ole year s t o fin d h im b efor e er ad icat in g
h im fr om t h e face of t h e ea r t h . Befor e t h at , h e h ad k illed t en s of t each er s an d
st u d en t s fr om ou r acad em y. W h at d o you say, isn ’t t h is evil sou l m ast er
fr igh t en in g?”
“Per h ap s evil sou l m ast er s w er en ’t b or n evil, b u t t h e st r en gt h an d p ow er of

ever y sou l m a st er is t h e sam e, an d so it is ver y easy for on e t o w alk t h e p at h of
d ar k n ess. W h o can r esist t h e t em p t a t ion of ob t ain in g su ch p ow er fu l an d r ea d ily
availab le p ow er ? In t h e en d , on e can on ly follow t h e d evil’s p at h an d fall fr om
gr ace. T h ese evil so u l m ast er s ar e t h e b iggest en em ies of t h e Gu ar d ian sq u ad ,
an d t h ey a r e also t h e m ost d ifficu lt for u s t o d ea l w it h . Bu t on ce w e r ealise t h at
an evil sou l m ast er h as ap p ear ed , w e m u st q u ick ly er ad ica t e t h em as fast as w e
can , b ecau se n ot on ly ar e t h ey ext r em ely d est r u ct ive, b u t t h eir gr ow t h is ver y
r ap id . Even t h ou gh it is ver y d ifficu lt for an evil sou l m ast er t o live t oo lon g a
life, t h ey can cau se m assive d est r u ct ion in t h e year s t h at t h ey w alk t h e face of
t h e ear t h .”
H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt en ligh t en ed , “So it ’s lik e t h a t ! T h an k you , sen ior

b r ot h er !” Even t h ou gh h e’d b een on h is gu ar d ar ou n d Dai Yu eh en g fr om t h e
st ar t , h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ad m it t h a t as an in n er cou r t yar d d iscip le, Dai
Yu eh en g’s k n ow led ge an d exp er ien ce w as far gr eat er t h an h is.
“Sen ior b r ot h er , I st ill h ave a qu est ion . Sen ior sist er M a said t h at w e h ave t o
com p let e t h is m issio n in t h r ee d ays. W e’ve b een p r ogr essin g ver y qu ick ly, b u t
ou r acad em y is in t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e, b or d er in g t h e cen t r al n or t h r egion
of St ar Lu o Em p ir e. On t h e ot h er h an d , M in g Dou M ou n t ain is t o t h e w est of
St ar Lu o Em p ir e, an d is m or e t h an a t h ou san d m iles aw ay. W e m igh t n ot b e ab le
t o h u r r y t h er e in t h r ee d ays even if w e w er e t o give it ou r all! Let ’s n ot even t alk
ab ou t k illin g t h e en em y!”
Dai Yu eh en g gave h im a m yst er iou s sm ile. “Don ’t b e im p at ien t , you ’ll k n ow

all ab ou t it in t h e aft er n oon . I b elieve t h at ever y sin gle m em b er of t h e
p r ep ar at or y t eam sh ar es t h e sam e d ou b t s as you . W e’r e ju st a n acad em y, b u t t h e
am ou n t of st r en gt h w e h ave h id d en is m u ch gr eat er t h an you can im agin e.
Regar d less of w h et h er w e’r e t alk in g ab ou t cu r r en t st u d en t s or on es w h o’ve
alr ead y gr ad u at ed , ever y sin gle p er son r elat ed t o t h e acad em y is a sou r ce of
w ealt h . T h is in clu d es m an p ow er , an d con n ect ion s.”
Aft er a sim p le con ver sat ion , H u o Yu h ao gr ad u ally got u sed t o t alk in g w it h Dai
Yu eh en g. At t h e sam e t im e, h e d id h is b est t o su p p r ess h is h a t r ed t o t h e d ep t h s
of h is h ear t . T h e t w o qu ick ly b ecam e fam iliar w it h each ot h er . Dai Yu eh en g
w asn ’t as ser iou s as h e look ed fr om t h e ou t sid e, an d u n lik e h is silen t b r ot h er Dai
H u ab in , h e w as m u ch m or e en t er t ain in g. Du r in g t h e jou r n ey, h e sh ar ed a few
in t er est in g st or ies ab ou t h is assign m en t s as a Gu ar d ian , op en in g H u o Yu h ao’s
eyes t o t h e la r ger w o r ld . Aft er all, t r avellin g t en t h ou san d m iles w as b et t er t h an
r ead in g t en t h ou san d b ook s. H u o Yu h ao b egan t o r ecogn ise t h at h e sim p ly k n ew
t oo lit t le ab ou t t h e w or ld . W h en com p ar ed t o t h e en t ir e Dou lu o Con t in en t , h e
w as st ill a p iece of w h it e p ap er w h ich on ly h ad an ou t lin e of a d r aw in g sk et ch ed
on it .
T h e sw ift jou r n ey la st ed all t h e w ay t ill m id d ay b efor e t h ey st op p ed t o r est .

T h e st u d en t s fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d all h ad n or m al exp r ession s, an d t h eir
b r eat h in g w as on ly sligh t ly h u r r ied at m ost . H ow ever , ot h er t h an H e Cait ou ,
w h o’d flow n t h e en t ir e jou r n ey w it h t h e a ssist an ce of a sou l t ool, t h e ot h er t h r ee
Sou l An cest or s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d w er e d r en ch ed w it h sw eat .
J ian g Nan n an w as a n agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er , an d sh e h a d a n im b le an d agile

b od y. As a r esu lt , sh e w as left in a sligh t ly b et t er st a t e. T h ou gh h er sw eat
d r ip p ed fr om h er b od y, h er clot h es w er en ’t d r en ch ed . H ow ever , t h e assa u lt -t yp e
Bei Bei an d t h e d efen se-t yp e Xu San sh i w er e left in a m iser ab le st at e. T h is w as
esp ecially t r u e for Xu San sh i. H e w as t h e h eaviest of t h e fou r , an d h e left a h u ge
m ar k of w at er w h en h e lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d .
“H u o Yu h ao, sh ow off som e of you r ab ilit ies.” M a Xiaot ao p u t W an g Don g

d ow n , t h en t u r n ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
“Ah ? Sh ow w h at off?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed , ast on ish ed .
M a Xiaot ao lau gh ed . “W h at else? Food , of cou r se! I d on ’t t h in k ever yon e h er e

k n ow s t h is, b u t at t h e ver y st ar t , h e sold r oast ed fish b y t h e en t r an ce t o t h e
acad em y ever y n igh t t o p ay off h is sch ool fees.”
“Righ t , r igh t . I ap p r ove. Yu h ao’s t h e b est at t h is.” Xu San sh i, w h o w as

p an t in g violen t ly on t h e gr ou n d , r aised h is h an d s an d feet . H is ap p ear an ce
look ed som ew h at com ical.
Bei Bei lau gh ed , “You r eally look lik e an over t u r n ed t or t oise. It ’s n o w on d er

you ’r e t h e Xu an w u T u r t le!”
“Psh …” J ian g Nan n an cou ld n ’t h elp b u t lau gh aft er h ear in g Bei Bei’s w or d s.
Xu San sh i w as ab ou t t o exp lod e, b u t h e im m ed iat ely ch an ged h is exp r ession

aft er h ear in g J ian g Nan n an ’s lau gh . H e said an gr ily, “Seein g as you am u sed t h e
god d ess in m y h ear t , I’ll for give you .”
At t h is m om en t , t h e gazes of ever yon e p r esen t w er e gat h er ed on H u o Yu h ao.

Even Eld er Xu an w asn ’t an excep t ion t o t h is. W h en ever yon e h ad b een
t r avellin g ear lier , t h er e w er e n o t r aces of h im t o b e seen . W h en ever yon e
st op p ed t o r est , h ow ever , h is alcoh ol-d r in k in g, ch ick en -eat in g figu r e
im m ed iat ely ap p ear ed .
Som ew h at em b ar r assed , H u o Yu h ao said , “Bu t , I h ave n o in gr ed ien t s.

Act u ally, I on ly k n o w h ow t o m ak e a few sim p le d ish es. I d on ’t k n ow h ow t o
m ak e an y com p licat ed on es. I on ly b r ou gh t a few season in gs.”
“Sim p le.” Eld er Xu a n su d d en ly ap p ear ed b y H u o Yu h ao’s sid e, an d t h e lat t er
w as st ar t led t h e m om en t h e op en ed h is m ou t h .
“Xiaot ao, you ’r e in ch ar ge of ligh t in g a fir e. Dai Yu eh en g, Ch en Zifen g, I’ll

give you a t ask . Go cat ch som e fish , t h e m or e t h e b et t er . Lin g Lu och en , Xi Xi, go
cat ch som e w ild gam e. Gon g Yan gm o, go follow t h em .”
Yao H aoxu an h u r r ied ly r aised h is ch est t o volu n t eer h im self. “Eld er Xu an ,

w h at ab ou t m e?”
Eld er Xu an glar ed at h im u n h ap p ily, “You ? J u st st ay t h er e ob ed ien t ly. Do you

t h in k t h is old m an w ill eat som et h in g t h a t a b ast ar d lik e you sp it s ou t ?”
“Ur p … act u ally, it ’s ver y clean .” Yao H aoxu an said flat t er in gly.
“If you d on ’t w an t t o st ay h u n gr y, qu ick ly get t o w or k . H u o Yu h ao, you ’r e t h e

ch ef t od ay. Ever yon e else, go fin d som e ch ar coal. Don ’t ju st laze ar ou n d .” As h e
sp ok e, Eld er Xu an sau n t er ed over t o H u o Yu h ao, t h en w h isp er ed , “Is t h e r oast ed
fish you m ak e r eally d eliciou s?”
H u o Yu h ao scr at ch ed h is h ea d . “It sh ou ld b e qu it e d ecen t .”
Eld er Xu an n od d ed , “T h en t h is old m an w ill st ay h u n gr y for a b it t o t r y you r

w or k . If I’m n ot sat isfied , h u m p h h u m p h , I’ll m ak e you w ear t in y sh oes in t h e
acad em y.”
“T h is…” H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow w h et h er t o lau gh or t o cr y at seein g Eld er

Xu an ’s exp r ession . T h e lat t er seem ed as t h ou gh t h e h eaven s an d t h e ear t h
d id n ’t m at t er com p ar ed t o food .
It h ad t o b e sa id t h a t t h e elit es of Sh r ek Acad em y w er e ab solu t ely im p r essive

at com p let in g t ask s. W it h in a m er e fift een m in u t es, a su fficien t am ou n t of
fir ew ood w as p laced in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao, w h o’d b u ilt a t em p or ar y st ove b y
u sin g t h e r ock s ar ou n d h im .
Aft er a few m or e m om en t s, Gon g Yan gm o, Xi Xi, an d Lin g Lu och en r et u r n ed
w it h t w o h ar es, t w o p h easan t s, an d even a p lu m p d eer in t ow .
“St ar t , st ar t .” Eld er Xu an w aved h is b ot t le gou r d at H u o Yu h ao, sign allin g for

t h e lat t er t o st ar t .
As H u o Yu h ao w at ch ed ast on ish ed ly, Lin g Lu och en r evealed a d elicat e u se of

sou l p ow er . Un d er t h e effect s of h er Ice elem en t , t h e five w ild an im als float ed
u p in t o t h e a ir . T h en , sh e st r ip p ed t h em , t id ied t h em u p , an d clean ed t h em as
t h ou gh sh e w as sk illfu lly car vin g a n ox. W it h in t h e b lin k of an eye, five clean ed
u p p ieces of fir st -r at e gam e ap p ear ed in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao.
W h at a p ow er fu l con t r ol of Ice! H u o Yu h ao sigh ed in w ar d ly in p r a ise.

Alt h ou gh h e h ad an Ult im at e Ice m ar t ial sou l, h e w as m u ch , m u ch w eak er t h an
Lin g Lu och en in t er m s of con t r ol.
Aft er p eelin g aw ay t h e ou t er layer of w ood fr om t h e ch ar coal, H u o Yu h ao

st ar t ed cook in g. Su r e en ou gh , h e’d b r ou gh t a few season in gs alon g w it h h im .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w er e q u it e a few t yp es of t h em .
Per h ap s it w as d u e t o h is d est it u t e ch ild h ood , b u t even t h ou gh h e h a d a fixed

am ou n t of savin gs a lr ead y, h e st ill b r ou gh t a few of t h ese t h in gs alon g w it h h im
w h en ever h e w en t ou t .
T h e am ou n t of oil t h at w as p r esen t in t h ese an im als t h at h a d gr ow n u p in t h e

w ild w as su fficien t , an d h en ce h e d id n ’t n eed t o ad d t oo m u ch oil. H ow ever , t h e
m ost im p or t an t t h in g w as st ill h is con t r o l of fir e. J u st lik e w h en h e w as r oast in g
fish in t h e p ast , H u o Yu h ao r u b b ed h is ow n season in gs on t h e st om ach s of t h e
an im als b efor e st ar t in g t o con t r ol t h e fir e. H is r oast in g t ech n iq u e w as act u ally
r at h er sim p le. Aft er ask in g M a Xiaot ao t o ign it e t h e ch ar coal, h e t ook a st ick of
d r y w ood an d occasion ally p r od d ed t h e ch ar coal w it h in t h e st ove. At t h e sam e
t im e, h e flip p ed t h e an im als on t h e st ove. T h e fact s h ad on ce again p r oven t h at
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as r at h er good w h en cook in g...
Aft er a w h ile, t h e fr a gr an t sm ell of m eat st ar t ed t o d iffu se ou t w ar d s. T h e w ild
an im als on t h e st ove h ad t u r n ed an even , gold en -yellow colou r , an d h issin g
sou n d s h ad b egu n t o r in g ou t fr om t h e st ove as a r esu lt of t h e fat d r ip p in g in t o
t h e fir e. H ow ever , it w as a t t h is exact m om en t t h a t t h e fr agr an ce of t h e m eat
w as at it s st r on gest .
Cu r r en t ly, Eld er Xu a n look ed lik e a glu t t on ou s ch ild . H e w asn ’t even d r in k in g

h is alcoh ol as h e sq u at t ed b esid e H u o Yu h ao, w ait in g an xiou sly. Fu r t h er m or e,
h e w ou ld even glar e viciou sly at t h e ot h er s w h o w er e sw allow in g t h eir saliva, as
if h e w er e claim in g t h e ar ea ar ou n d H u o Yu h ao as h is ow n .
At t h is m om en t , Dai Yu eh en g an d Ch en Zifen g r et u r n ed . Fr om a d ist a n ce, t h e

t w o of t h em w er e ab le t o sm ell t h e fr agr a n ce t h at cam e fr om H u o Yu h ao’s st ove.
T h ey w er e gr eat ly a st on ish ed at H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as b u sily w or k in g h is sk ill in
a fam iliar m an n er . H e’s on ly a secon d year st u d en t , w h ich m ean s t h at h e isn ’t
even t h ir t een . J u st h ow is h e t h is good at cook in g?
T h ey’d b r ou gh t b ack t h e fish , an d Ch en Zifen g h ad even fash ion ed h is ou t er

sh ir t in t o a p ock et t h at con t a in ed a clu m p of m u sh r oom s. T h e d elicat e
m u sh r oom s even con t ain ed a few t r aces of last n igh t ’s d ew , an d t h eir fr esh an d
t en d er su r face r esem b led t h e sk in of a you n g gir l.
T h e t w o of t h em w alk ed u p t o H u o Yu h ao, an d Dai Yu eh en g said , “Yu h ao,

w e’ve b r ou gh t t h e fish b ack .” T h e t w o of t h em h ad in d eed b r ou gh t b ack a lar ge
am ou n t of fish . T h e t w o of t h em h ad b r ou gh t b ack a t ot al of seven t o eigh t k ilos
w or t h of fish , an d t h ey’d t h r ead ed t h em t h r ou gh u sin g a st r in g. As a r esu lt , t h e
st r in g r esem b led a b r id ge t h at sep ar at ed h im an d Ch en Zifen g b y a t ot al of five
m et er s.
H u o Yu h ao look ed u p , t h en r evealed a look of h ap p in ess as h e look ed at t h e

m u sh r oom s in Ch en Zifen g’s b osom , “T w o sen ior s, I n eed a w ood en w ok . Sist er
Lin g, I’ll h ave t o t r ou b le you t o h elp clean t h ese fish es. You d on ’t h ave t o
d escale t h em , ju st clean in g t h eir in n a r d s is fin e.”
“Ok ay.” Lin g Lu och en n od d ed . Un exp ect ed ly, sh e r evealed a seld om sm ile as
sh e look ed at t h e ser iou s H u o Yu h ao. H er im p r ession of h er seem in gly-
om n ip ot en t ju n ior b r ot h er gr ew in cr easin gly d eep er , an d sh e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
t h in k of h er ow n n a u gh t y lit t le b r ot h er .
T h e p r ob lem of t h e w ood en w ok on ly n eed ed t w o m in u t es t o b e r esolved . Dai

Yu eh en g u sed b r u t e for ce t o over t u r n a lar ge t h r ee, t h en allow ed Ch en Zifen g’s
Sou lch asin g Sw or d t o car ve it u p . T h en , a p er fect ly r ou n d la r ge w ok ap p ear ed in
fr on t of H u o Yu h ao . H ow ever , Lin g Lu och en qu ick ly u sed h er Ice elem en t t o
clean it u p as a r esu lt of t h e b lood y sm ell com in g fr om t h e Sou lch asin g Sw or d .
At t h is m om en t , t h e five w ild an im als w er e n ear ly cook ed . T h e fir st of w h ich

t o b e fin ish ed w er e t h e t w o p ieces of ch ick en .
T h e m om en t H u o Yu h ao t ook t h em off t h e gr ill, h e in st an t ly felt h is h an d s

ligh t en . A figu r e h ad alr ead y r u n off in t o t h e d ist an ce w it h t w o ch ick en s in t ow ,
on ly leavin g b eh in d t h e w or d s “I’ll leave t h e r est t o you gu ys.”
Yao H aoxu an cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sigh a t t h is scen e. “A w ild ch ick en ’s st ill a

ch ick en ! Eld er Xu an sh ou ld b e called Eld er Ch ick en .”
“Ar e you t r yin g t o d ie?” An u n clear voice su d d en ly exp lod ed ou t lik e a b olt of
t h u n d er . Righ t aft er t h at , Yao H aoxu an w as sen t flyin g in t o t h e air , lan d in g in
t h e for k of a n ear b y t r ee as h e let ou t a m iser ab le w ail.
Xu San sh i let ou t a m u ffled la u gh w it h h is h an d cover in g h is m ou t h . “Sen ior

Yao act u ally called Eld er Xu an a gay d u d e. Isn ’t h e ju st w ait in g for a calam it y t o
b efall h im ?”
Bei Bei n od d ed in agr eem en t . “Righ t . T h e gay d u d e’s clear ly you .”
“Bu llsh it , t h is b r ot h er of you r s on ly lik es gir ls. I lik e gir ls w it h b ig b u t t s!” Xu

San sh i said in d ign a n t ly. H ow ever , h e d id n ’t exp ect t o see J ian g Nan n an ’s
m u r d er o u s eyes again aft er h e sp ok e. Sh e h u m p h ed an gr ily, t h en left t o t h e sid e.
“Fu ck ! Bei Bei, t h is old m an w an t s t o figh t w it h you .” Xu Sa n sh i r an t ow ar d s
Bei Bei, r ed in t h e face.
“T h en you ’d b et t er n ot t h in k of eat in g m y ju n ior b r ot h er ’s r oast ed m eat .” Bei

Bei said calm ly.
Xu San sh i’s h an d w a s ab ou t t o t ou ch Bei Bei’s b od y, b u t h e in st an t ly st op p ed .

H e an gr ily st ayed h is h an d . “I’m gon n a t ak e car e of you on ce I’m d on e eat in g.
Bei Bei, d o you k n ow w h at I h at e m ost ab ou t you ?”
Bei Bei sh ook h is h ead in a ver y ser iou s m an n er , “H ow is a m an su p p osed t o

k n ow w h at a p ig is t h in k in g?”
“You …” Xu San sh i h ad n o ch oice b u t t o st ay in d ign an t d u e t o Bei Bei’s t h r ea t ,

“T h is old m an h at es t h e fact t h at you k eep sp ou t in g b u llsh it w it h an in n ocen t
look on you r face. You ’r e clear ly an evil b ast ar d . I r eally d on ’t k n ow w h y Xiao
Ya lik es you .”
Bei Bei in st an t ly r ep lied , “Becau se m in e’s b igger !”
“Bu llsh it .” Xu San sh i im m ed iat ely r ose t o h is feet . “Is you r s as b ig as t h is

d ad d y’s?”
Bei Bei r aised h is in d ex an d m id d le fin ger s t ow ar d s Xu San sh i. “Fir st off, I

w on ’t com p ar e m yself t o sh elled p ean u t s.” Aft er w ar d s, h e p u t d ow n h is in d ex
fin ger , w h ich left on ly h is m id d le fin ger ext en d ed . “Secon d , I w as r efer r in g t o
m y age.”
“I can ’t t ak e it an ym or e!” Xu San sh i fin ally b ar ed h is fan gs an d p ou n ced

t ow ar d s Bei Bei. H ow ever , it w as a t t h at exact in st an t t h at H u o Yu h ao’s voice
d ist r act ed h im .
“T h e r ab b it ’s d on e.”
T o a h u m an , b ein g r ip p ed ap ar t b y five h or ses w as d efin it ely on e of t h e m ost

m iser ab le t or t u r es t h ey cou ld su ffer . H ow ever , t h e m ost ap p allin g t r aged y t h at
cou ld occu r t o t w o w ild r ab b it s w as b ein g d ivid ed am on gst t en or so p eop le.
T h e in st a n t t h at H u o Yu h ao sp ok e, t h e t w o r ab b it s w er e t or n ap ar t an d
scat t er ed . T h is w as a classic exam p le of t h er e b ein g t oo m an y w olves, yet t oo
lit t le m eat ! T h e fu n n iest t h in g t h at H u o Yu h ao t ook aw ay fr om t h is w as t h e fact
t h at h is sen ior s even h ad t o com p et e w it h each ot h er in t er m s of st r en gt h w h ile
eat in g...
M a Xiaot ao w as t h e st r on gest of t h e lot , an d w as also t h e qu ick est . As su ch ,

sh e w as also t h e fir st p er son t o m ak e h er m ove. Dai Yu eh en g w asn ’t m u ch
slow er t h an h er , t h u s t h e t w o w er e ab le t o sp lit on e of t h e r oast ed r ab b it s
am on gst t h em selves. T h e r est of t h em , on t h e ot h er h an d , h ad t o sp lit a sin gle
r ab b it am on gst t h em .
Xu San sh i w as on ce again t h e m ost m iser ab le of t h e lot . As an ext r em ely slow
d efen se-t yp e sou l m a st er , h e w as on ly ab le t o ob t ain a r ab b it h ead .
Of cou r se, t h er e w er e st ill a few p eop le w h o w er e a b it w or se off t h an h im .

W an g Don g an d Xia o Xiao, w h o h ad t h e low est cu lt ivat ion levels am on gst t h e
fou r t een , d id n ’t get an yt h in g. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao h ad m a n aged t o k eep t w o
r ab b it legs for t h em w h en M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g h ad gr ab b ed t h e fir st
r ab b it .
T h er e w er e t oo m an y w olves an d n ot en ou gh food . As su ch , H u o Yu h ao’s b u sy

job h ad ju st b egan . H e d id n ’t b egin r oast in g fish im m ed iat ely. In st ead , h e h ad
Lin g Lu och en fill t h e w ood en w ok w it h ice, t h en h a d M a Xia ot ao h eat it t ill t h e
ice h ad m elt ed an d b egu n t o b oil. Aft er w ar d s, h e ad d ed t h e m u sh r oom s t h at
Ch en Zifen g h ad b r ou gh t b ack , t h en t h r ew t w o fish in t o it .
M a Xiaot ao’s cu r r en t ap p ear an ce w as d efin it ely en ou gh t o over t u r n a

cou n t r y. In on e h an d , sh e h eld on e h alf of a r ab b it an d a t e it h ear t ily, w it h h er
ot h er h an d sh e h ea t ed u p t h e w ood en w ok u sin g h er p h oen ix flam es. H er
con t r ol over fir e w a sn ’t an y less t h an Lin g Lu och en ’s con t r ol over ice, t h u s t h e
w at er w it h in t h e w ood en w ok gr ad u ally b egan t o b oil. Du e t o h er m et icu lou s
con t r ol, on ly t h e ou t er layer of t h e w ok st ar t ed t o b lack en ; t h er e w er e n o sign s
of it b ein g b u r n t .
H u o Yu h ao w as even m or e sk illed at r oast in g fish t h an t h ey w er e at

con t r ollin g fir e. T h e st ove w as lar ge en ou gh for h im t o r oast fou r fish at on ce.
A fr agr an t sm ell soon b egan t o d iffu se ou t w ar d s. By t h is p oin t , t h e p lu m p

d eer h ad alm ost w as alm ost d on e.
Even T each er W an g Yan , w h o u su ally d id n ’t h ave m an y r equ ir em en t s

r egar d in g food , w as m oved b y t h e sm ell. H e r et r ieved a few leat h er b ags, each of
w h ich con t ain ed som e b lack -color ed food st u ffs, t h en p assed t h em t o ever yon e
p r esen t .
T h ese w er e t h e p r ep ack aged m eals t h at in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les u su ally at e
w h en t h ey w en t ou t on assign m en t s; t h ey w er e m ad e u sin g m or e t h an t en
d iffer en t t yp es of m ed icin al h er b s, alon gsid e sever a l r efin ed in gr ed ien t s t h a t
w er e h igh ly n u t r it iou s. T h ey h ad an ext r em ely h igh am ou n t of n u t r it ion al
con t en t , an d cou ld h elp on e r ecover t h eir p h ysical st r en gt h in an ext r em ely
sh or t p er iod of t im e; t h ey w er e ver y u sefu l t o in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les.
H ow ever , t h er e w as ju st on e p r ob lem w it h t h ese food st u ffs: T h ey d id n ’t t ast e
ver y good ...
Con sid er in g t h e fact t h at W an g Yan h a d t agged alon g t h is t im e, t h eir cu r r en t

m ission w as r elat ively d ifficu lt . Not on ly d id h e h ave t o ser ve as t h e lea d er of t h e
t eam for t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t , b u t h e
also h ad t o d ea l w it h t h e logist ics for t h e st u d en t s. Con sid er in g Eld er Xu an ’s
p er son alit y, w ou ld h e b e t h e sor t of gu y t o d o som et h in g lik e t h is? T h e
im p or t an ce of h is ap p ear an ce w as m or e t o act as a d et er r en t .
T h ey all at e lu n ch t oget h er , b eam in g w it h joy. T h ey h ad or igin ally p lan n ed t o

r est for on ly an h ou r or t w o, b u t in t h e en d , t h ey st ayed for over t h r ee h ou r s.
Ever yon e at e u n t il t h ey w er e filled t o t h e b r im . Bot h t h e fish ’s size an d H u o

Yu h ao’s cook in g t ech n iq u e w er e m or e t h an en ou gh t o sat e ever yon e’s ap p et it e.
On ce ever yon e h ad fin ish ed t h eir m eal, t h e seven sen ior s fr om t h e in n er
cou r t yar d an d t h e seven st u d en t s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d im m ed iat ely
gat h er ed t oget h er , w h ich cau sed t h eir r elat ion sh ip s t o im p r ove b y a d ecen t
am ou n t . T h is w as esp ecially t r u e for H u o Yu h ao, w h o h ad b ecom e t h e m ost
p op u lar of t h e b u n ch n ow .
T h e t h ick sou p t h a t h ad b een m ad e w it h m u sh r oom s a n d fish w as also

d eliciou s. H u o Yu h a o h ad on ly ad d ed a p in ch of salt , b u t t h e sou p t ast ed ver y
good . T h e fu n n iest t h in g w as t h a t , Eld er Xu an h a d n ’t b een ab le t o fin ish h is
sou p b ecau se h e’d alr ead y eat en t w o ch ick en s an d fou r fish . H ow ever , h e’d
t ak en ou t a lar ge ca lab ash an d p r oceed ed t o p ou r h a lf a w ok of t h e sou p in t o it ,
su p p osed ly t o fin ish it d u r in g t h eir jou r n ey. Ever yon e else cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
t h in k of t h e p h r ase ‘If you can ’t eat it all, you ’ll h ave t o t ak e it h om e’, b u t
n ob od y d ar ed t o say an yt h in g ab ou t it aft er w h at h ad h ap p en ed t o Yao H aoxu an .
“Yu h ao, I’ll car r y you t h is t im e. I’m n ot m u ch slow er t h an Dai Yu eh en g.” Yao
H aoxu an lau gh ed cu n n in gly.
“For get ab ou t it ,” Ch en Zifen g said u n h ap p ily, “it ’s alr ead y good t h at you can
k eep u p w it h t h e r est of u s. It ’d b e b est if an assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er lik e u s d id
it in st ead . J u n ior b r ot h er , follow in g you r b r ot h er Ch en can ’t go w r on g. Don ’t
w or r y, I’ll t ak e car e of an y in gr ed ien t s you n eed in t h e fu t u r e.”
“Ice is st ill m or e su it ed t o b e w it h Ice. I can also t ak e you alon g w it h m e.” T h e

n or m ally-cold Lin g Lu och en u n exp ect ed ly sp ok e u p . T h e m om en t h er w or d s
r an g ou t , t h e en t ir e p lace t u r n ed silen t . T h e Ice Lad y, w h o w as fam ou s in t h e
in n er co u r t yar d as su ch , h ad n ever sp ok en su ch n ice w or d s t o a m ale b efor e;
sh e’d n ever even b een t o a for m al m ar r iage in t er view h eld in t h e in n er
cou r t yar d ! Yet , sh e seem ed t o t r ea t H u o Yu h ao som ew h at d iffer en t ly.
In t h e en d , H u o Yu h ao en d ed u p con t in u in g on w ar d s w it h Dai Yu eh en g. H is
r eason in g w as su fficien t : On e, h is st r en gt h ; secon d ly, t o con t in u e w it h h is
ar r an gem en t s fr om t h e m or n in g.
T h e fou r t een st u d en t s w er e t r u ly qu it e q u ick . Even t h ou gh t h ey’d r est ed for

su ch a lon g t im e, t h ey’d st ill ob t ain ed a su fficien t am ou n t n u t r ien t s. T h ey
fin ally ar r ived a t t h e b or d er b et w een t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e an d t h e St ar
Lu o Em p ir e aft er t w o h ou r s. W h en t h ey ar r ived , a lar ge a r m y cam p b lock ed t h e
p at h in fr on t of t h em .
Dai Yu eh en g p u t H u o Yu h ao d ow n , t h en en t er ed t h e b ar r ack s b y h im self. H u o

Yu h ao r ap id ly lear n ed w h y Dai Yu eh en g h ad b een so secr et ive in t h e m or n in g.
T h ey d id n ’t en t er t h e b ar r ack s, yet Dai Yu eh en g b or r ow ed m or e t h an t en

m ilit a r y-gr ad e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools.
If a sou l m ast er w an t ed t o fly, t h e on ly w a y for h im t o d o so ot h er t h a n h avin g
a m ar t ial sou l t h at cou ld fly w ou ld b e t o w ait u n t il h e’d b ecom e a seven -r in ged
Sou l Sage. H ow ever , on e cou ld on ly r ely on p u r e sou l p ow er t o fly sh or t
d ist an ces at t h at r an k . On ly T it led Dou lu o-r an k ed su p er exp er t s w er e cap ab le of
flyin g ext en d ed d ist a n ces.
H ow ever , flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools fir st b egan t o ap p ear in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e

follow in g t h e r ap id d evelop m en t of sou l t ools. T h eir ap p ear an ce b r ou gh t ab ou t
en or m ou s t r ou b le t o t h e n eigh b ou r in g H eaven ly Sou l an d St ar Lu o Em p ir es.
T h e t w o cou n t r ies u sed alm ost all of t h eir st r en gt h t o ob t ain t h e b lu ep r in t s for
t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools, t h en m an u fact u r ed t h eir ow n .
A flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool cou ld n a t u r ally on ly b e u t ilised b y sou l m ast er s, an d it

also h ad a r elat ively h igh cost of p r od u ct ion . Nor m ally, on ly sou l m ast er s w it h
at least fou r sou l r in gs cou ld u se on e. T h e ar m y d id n ’t h ave m an y of t h ese sou l
t ools eit h er ; aft er all, fou r -r in ged sou l m a st er s w er e sim p ly t oo few in n u m b er !
Desp it e t h is, Dai Yu eh en g h ad m an aged t o b or r ow m or e t h an t en flyin g-t yp e

sou l t ools in on e go; t h is w asn ’t som et h in g t h at a n or m al p er son cou ld d o. T h is
m ad e all sor t s of feelin gs w ell u p in H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t . Righ t ! Dai Yu eh en g’s
fat h er w as t h e W h it e T iger Du k e—t h e com m an d er of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e. If h e
u sed h is id en t it y as t h e eld est son of t h e Du k e’s fir st w ife, w h at d id b or r ow in g a
few flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools am ou n t t o?
H u o Yu h ao clen ch ed h is fist s w h en h e t h ou gh t of t h at p er son . For t u n at ely, a

lar ge p ar t of h is a t t en t ion w as d r aw n t o t h e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools, t h u s h e d id n 't
lose h is com p osu r e in fr on t of ever yon e else.
T h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools w er e som ew h a t cu m b er som e.

T h e m ain b od y of t h e sou l t ool w as a m et er -lon g, h alf-m et er w id e, an d on e-foot
t h ick m et allic b ox. T h e t w o sid es of t h e b ox w er e con n ect ed t o a set of fold ed
w in gs, w h ich w ou ld h ave a fou r -m et er w in gsp an w h en t h ey w er e u n fu r led .
T h ese en su r ed t h a t t h e u ser w ou ld h ave en ou gh b u oyan cy in m id air .
T h is w asn ’t t h eir fir st t im e t h at t h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les h ad u sed a
flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool. H ow ever , Dai Yu eh en g p at ien t ly gave a sim p le t u t or ial t o
t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .
T h e m ost im p or t a n t st ep in u sin g a flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool w as t h e t ak e-off,

d u r in g w h ich t h e u ser h ad t o p ou r t h eir sou l p ow er in t o t h e sou l t ool an d sh oot
it t ow ar d s t h e gr ou n d . T h e u ser cou ld u n fu r l it s w in gs on ce t h ey’d r isen in t o t h e
air , t h en cou ld r ely on t h e t u r b u len ce in t h e air t o float . Aft er t h a t , t h ey on ly
n eed ed t o con ver t t h eir d ow n w ar d s p r o p u lsion in t o a p ar allel on e via t h e sou l
t ool t o b e ab le t o acceler at e in m id air .
H ow ever , t h er e w as a cer t ain d ifficu lt y in volved in t h e u sage of a flyin g-t yp e

sou l t ool. On ly a sou l m ast er w it h fou r or m or e sou l r in gs co u ld u se on e d u e t o
t h e am ou n t of sou l p ow er r equ ir ed t o r each an alt it u d e of a cer t ain level. If t h e
u ser w asn ’t t h at st r on g, t h ey w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o r each t h at h eigh t , w h ich in
t u r n m ean t t h a t t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave en ou gh b u oyan cy t o even float in t h e air ,
m u ch less fly.
At t h at m om en t , a p r ob lem ar ose d u e t o H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao

Xiao’s cu lt iva t ion levels. H ow ever , t h er e w as a m or e p r agm at ic solu t ion t o t h is,
w h ich w as r ela t ively sim p le. T h at solu t ion w as for t h em t o let som eon e else
b r in g t h em in t o t h e sk y, t h en let t h at p er son fly u sin g t h e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool.
Of cou r se, it w as som ew h at sim p ler for W an g Don g, as h e cou ld fly in t h e fir st
p lace! It w ou ld n ’t b e t oo h ar d for h im t o r ely on t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess’
w in gs t o r ise in t o t h e air , t h en fly for w ar d s w it h t h e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool. T h u s,
t h e r eal p r ob lem lay w it h H u o Yu h ao an d Xiao Xiao.
H e Cait ou d id n ’t u se t h e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool t h at Dai Yu eh en g h ad b r ou gh t

over , as h e’d b r ou gh t on e h im self. Fu r t h er m or e, h is on e w as m u ch m or e
com p act an d d elicat e. H is w as on ly h alf t h e size of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s, w h ile
it s w in gs w er e som ew h at sm aller . Desp it e t h is, it w as clea r ly m or e effect ive. Not
on ly h ad h e b r ou gh t on e for h im self, h e’d also b r ou gh t on e for H u o Yu h ao as
w ell.
W an g Yan said , “St u d en t s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , go p r a ct ice u sin g you r
flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools for a b it . St u d en t s fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d , you ’r e
r esp on sib le for t each in g an d p r ot ect in g t h em .”
Dai Yu eh en g h ad or igin ally p lan n ed t o h elp H u o Yu h ao, b u t h e n ow h ad n o

ch oice b u t t o ext in gu ish t h is t h ou gh t w h en h e saw H e Cait ou h elp in g t h e la t t er
get u sed t o t h e d elica t e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool m ad e b y t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
As H e Cait ou h elp ed H u o Yu h ao p u t on t h e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool, h e said ,

“Yu h ao, on ce you r each a h igh er level of cu lt iva t ion , ou r t each er w ill t each you
h ow t o m ak e a flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool. T h e sou l t ools m ad e b y ou r Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t on ly n eed t h eir u ser s t o h ave t h r ee or m or e sou l r in gs, an d t h ey’r e
m or e econ om ical w it h t h eir u se of sou l p ow er . H ow ever , t h ese ar en ’t t h e m ost
ad van ced t yp es of flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools on t h e m ar k et . Su p p osed ly, t h e Su n
M oon Em p ir e h as m an aged t o ad d a sp ecial gem t h at ’s cap ab le of st or in g an d
r ep len ish in g sou l p ow er t o t h eir flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools. Even a on e-r in ged sou l
m ast er is ab le t o u se t h em on ce it ’s st or ed en ou gh sou l p ow er .”
H u o Yu h ao w as ast on ish ed . “Can sou l p ow er even b e st or ed in a sou l t ool?”
H e Cait ou sm iled b it t er ly. “Exact ly. Cu r r en t ly, t h is is t h e gr eat est gap

b et w een u s an d t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. H ow ever , it isn ’t t h at easy t o com p let e
t h is p iece of r esear ch . T h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w an t s t o allow or d in ar y p eop le t o
u se sou l t ools, h ow ever if a d ay lik e t h at t r u ly com es, a gr eat w ar w ou ld b e
in evit ab le.”
Chapt er 70.1: Flying-t ype Soul Tool
H u o Yu h ao felt h is h ear t im m ed iat ely go cold . Righ t ! If or d in a r y p eop le cou ld

m ast er t h e u se of sou l t ools—even if it w as on ly t h e low est -r an k ed Sou l Ray—
t h en an ar m y of over t en s of t h ou san d sold ier s eq u ip p ed w it h sou l t ools cou ld b e
cr eat ed . H ow t er r ifyin g w ou ld su ch a t h in g b e!?
“Sen ior b r ot h er , t h en can you exp lain w h y ou r T an g Sect d eclin ed ? In an y

case, or d in ar y p eop le ar en ’t ab le t o u se sou l t ools yet . H ow ever , ou r m ech an ical
h id d en w eap on s d on ’t n eed sou l p ow er !
Bei Bei, w h o w as at t em p t in g t o fly, sigh ed w h en h e h ear d H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s.

“T h ey’r e t r yin g t o over com p en sat e. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e ar m y’s b est lon g d ist an ce
w eap on is st ill t h e b ow an d ar r ow . Ou r h id d en w eap on s h ave qu it e a sh or t r a n ge
of effect iven ess, w h ile t h eir cost of p r od u ct ion is ver y h igh d u e t o t h e qu alit y of
t h e m at er ia ls w e u se. As su ch , t h e ar m y n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t eq u ip it self w it h ou r
w eap on s. In t h e p ast , w e m ain ly sold ou r h id d en w eap on s t o lar ge-scale sect s.
H ow ever , t h ey’ve sin ce sw it ch ed t o sou l t ools.”
H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt a flash in sp ir at ion flit t h r ou gh h is m in d , b u t h e

w asn ’t ab le t o t ell ju st w h at t h is in sp ir at ion h ad b een ab ou t .
“Yu h ao, com e h er e. Let ’s t est ou t ou r flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools. T h e p r ocess
sh ou ld b e r ela t ively sm oot h . H er e, I’ll h elp you u p .” On ce h e’d fin ish ed , H e
Cait ou gr ab b ed H u o Yu h ao’s ar m , t h en r eleased t w o b eam s of w h it e ligh t fr om
t h e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool on h is b ack , w h ich p r op elled t h e t w o in t o t h e air .
T h e feelin g of on e’s feet leavin g t h e gr ou n d w as som ew h at m yst ical, yet w as

also t er r ifyin g; aft er all, t h is w a s H u o Yu h ao’s fir st t im e flyin g.
M a Xiaot ao’s h ad alr ead y b egu n t o h elp Xiao Xiao fly on t h e ot h er sid e, alb eit
w it h som e scr eech in g on Xiao Xiao’s p ar t .
T o u se a flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool, on e fir st h ad t o gat h er on e’s t h ou gh t s, t h en
n eed ed t o ch an n el t h eir sou l p ow er fr om t h eir b ack in t o t h e cor e for m at ion of
t h e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool in or d er t o p r od u ce a p r op u lsive for ce. T h e con t r ap t ion
h ad a few b u t t on s on it for t h e sak e of ad ju st in g it s w in gsp an . H ow ever , a lar ger
w in gsp an d id n ’t n ecessar ily m ean a t h at on e w ou ld fly fast er ; t h at w a s
d et er m in ed b ased off t h e ch an ge in on e’s t u r b u len ce. As lon g as t h e u ser w a s
ab le t o m ain t ain a h igh am ou n t of for w ar d s m om en t u m , t h ey w ou ld n ’t fall
d ow n .
As H u o Yu h ao w as a sou l en gin eer , con t r ollin g su ch a sou l t ool d id n ’t p ose a

ch allen ge t o h im . Righ t n ow , all h e n eed ed t o d o w as lear n h ow t o con t r ol h is
b alan ce.
H ow ever , h e cou ld n ’t r eally calm d ow n at t h e m om en t ; h e w as cu r r en t ly

d ist r act ed b y t h e ast on ish ed voices of b ot h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice
J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion , w h o w er e cu r r en t ly en gaged in a con ver sat ion in h is
m in d .
“T h e h u m an s act u a lly h ave som et h in g lik e t h is. Isn ’t t h is equ ivalen t t o

sim p ly p u t t in g on a set of w in gs?” T h e Ice Em p r ess ask ed , ast on ish ed .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “T h e r eason t h at h u m an s—n ot sou l b east s

lik e you an d I—ar e r u lin g t h e con t in en t , is m ain ly d u e t o t h e d isp ar it y in ou r
cr eat iven ess! W h en I w as in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , I saw even m or e
p ow er fu l sou l t ools. T h ose w eap on s w er e t r u ly t er r ifyin g; even h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l b east s d id n ’t d ar e t o t ak e t h em h ead -on .”
T h e Ice Em p r ess said in a som ew h at lon ely voice, “T h e life of a h u m an is t r u ly

m u ch m or e color fu l t h an t h at of a sou l b east s. I’ve lived for n ear ly fou r h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year s, yet I on ly h ave ice an d sn ow in m y m em or ies.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h u r r ied ly con soled h er , “Ar en ’t t h in gs d iffer en t

n ow ? Isn ’t t h is p r oof t h at you ’ve m ad e t h e r igh t d ecision ? W e’ll d efin it ely see
m or e in t er est in g t h in gs as w e w at ch Lit t le Yu h ao gr ow u p ! Un for t u n at ely, w e
can ’t ju st sp oil h im . If w e cou ld , I’d h ave con sid er ed m ak in g h im m or e p ow er fu l
qu ick er .”
T h e Ice Em p r ess sigh ed . “T h is is r a t h er good , I gu ess. On ly, I’m n ot t o su r e

h ow t h e Sn ow Em p r ess is far in g. H er sit u at ion isn ’t m u ch d iffer en t fr om m y
p r eviou s on e. Act u a lly, sh e m igh t b e in a n even m or e d an ger ou s p osit ion t h a n I
w as. I’m afr aid t h a t sh e w on ’t b e ab le t o m ak e it p ast h er n ext b ot t len eck !”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m r ep lied , “W h y d on ’t w e h ead b ack an d r et r ieve Sn ow

Em p r ess as w ell?”
“If you ’r e t r yin g t o d ie, d on ’t b r in g m e alon g,” T h e Ice Em p r ess u n h ap p ily

said , “d on ’t t ell m e t h at you t h in k you can p er su ad e h er . At t h at t im e, if it
w er en ’t for t h e fact t h at you ’d t r ap p ed m e an d t h r ea t en ed m y ver y exist en ce, d o
you t h in k t h at I’d h a ve ch osen t h is sor t of p assive r ou t e t h a t I can ’t con t r ol? T h e
Sn ow Em p r ess can con t r ol h er d esir es even m or e t h an I can . Fu r t h er m or e, sh e’s
t h e t r u e m ast er of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . It ’s im p ossib le for h er w illin g t o in a st at e
lik e t h is, w h er e sh e’d b e at t ach ed t o a h u m an .”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m lau gh ed m isch ievou sly. “T h at isn ’t com p let ely
im p ossib le! If sh e w er e t o fall in love w it h m e, sh e m igh t r isk ever yt h in g t o b e
t oget h er w it h m e.”
“H ave you n o sh am e!? Don ’t b lam e m e for n ot t ellin g you t h is! W h en t h e

T it an Sn ow Devil Kin g t r ied t o ask t h e Sn ow Em p r ess ou t , d o you k n ow w h at
h ap p en ed ? All of t h e b on es in h is b od y, in clu d in g h is sk u ll, w er e cr u sh ed b y h er !
It t ook h im over a t h ou san d year s t o r ecover h is st r en gt h . An d t h at ’s on ly
b ecau se t h e Sn ow Em p r ess d ecid ed t o leave h im a t r ace of h is life d u e t o t h e w isp
of t h e Ice God ’s b lood lin e h e p ossessed . If you w an t t o b e cr u sh ed in t o a gallon
of ju ice b y t h e Sn ow Em p r ess, you ’d b est get far aw ay fr om t h is p lace fir st .”
“Eep , I w as ju st jok in g, ju st jok in g! T h e on ly p er son I love is you . W h o car es

ab ou t som e Sn ow Em p r ess? Sh e’s ju st som e fleet in g clou d s, som e fleet in g
clou d s!” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said in an ext r em ely r esolu t e t on e.
T h e Ice Em p r ess sn or t ed cold ly. “Get you r evil sp ir it u al p ow er aw ay fr om m e.
T h e Sn ow Em p r ess can u n d er go a m et am or p h osis u t ilizin g h er in n a t e sk ill, an d
sh e’s alr ead y m an aged t o b r eak t h r ou gh var iou s calam it ies. If I’m n ot m ist ak en ,
sh e sh ou ld n ’t b e t o far fr om h er seven t h calam it y n ow . I h op e t h at sh e
su cceed s.”
W h ile t h ey sp ok e, H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y b egu n t o con t r ol h is flyin g-t yp e

sou l t ool. T h e om n i-assist in g Sp ir it u al Det ect ion on ce again p layed a w on d er fu l
r ole in t h is: H e w as ab le t o clear ly d et ect t h e ch an ges in t u r b u len ce in t h e air ,
an d accu r at ely r eact b y ch an gin g t h e an gle of h is w in gs. It on ly t ook h im a sh or t
w h ile of t est in g t o m ast er flyin g in a st r aigh t lin e. Aft er w ar d s, h e b egan
at t em p t in g t o glid e t h r ou gh t h e air . On t h e ot h er sid e, Xia o Xiao h ad alr ead y
fallen fr om t h e air t h r ice. If it w er en ’t for M a Xiaot ao, sh e w ou ld ’ve b een
sm ash ed in t o sever al p ieces alr ead y...
Even Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, J ian g Nan n an , an d t h e r est h ad t r em b led in fear

w h en t h ey’d fir st t r ied ou t t h eir flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools. Desp it e t h eir exp er ien ce,
t h ey st ill n eed ed a cer t ain am ou n t of t im e t o fam iliar ise t h em selves w it h it s
u sage.
Good t h in gs n at u r ally cou ld n ’t b e en joyed b y ju st a sin gle p er son . T h e ot h er s

w er e soon ab le t o en joy t h e aid of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . Aft er an
h ou r of p r act ice, ever yon e w as at least ab le t o st ay in t h e air . On ce ever yon e h ad
r each ed t h is p oin t , t h ey all n at u r ally en t er ed a st at e of m ed it at ion t o r ecover
t h eir sou l p ow er , t h en t ook fligh t again .
For t h e sak e of r eceivin g t h e h elp of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion , t h e

ou t er cou r t yar d d iscip les all gat h er ed b eh in d h im . W a n g Yan w as n ow ab ove
t h em , w h ile Eld er Xu an h ad d isap p ear ed off t o som e u n k n ow n p lace again . W it h
M a Xiaot ao in t h e lead , t h e seven fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d op en ed u p a p at h in
t h e sh ap e of a ‘V’ an d flew st r a igh t ah ead at fu ll sp eed .
T h e gr eat est ad van t age of flyin g w as t h e fact t h at on e w ou ld n ’t b e b lock ed b y

t h e t er r ain ; in st ead , on e cou ld t ak e t h e sh or t est p at h t o on e’s d est in at ion . H u o
Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow h ow h is sen ior s w er e ab le t o k eep t r ack of t h eir b ear in gs, b u t
all h e n eed ed t o d o r igh t n ow w as m a in t ain h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion in or d er t o
h elp ou t h is t eam m a t es ar ou n d h im .
At t h is m om en t , W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao w er e p r act ically in sep er ab le.

W an g Don g w as flyin g b en eat h h im , an d h ad u n fu r led h is flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool’s
w in gs. On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o Yu h ao h ad st r et ch ed h is h an d s ou t an d w as
cu r r en t ly h old in g on t o h is n eck .
T h e m om en t t h ey’d st ar t ed t o fly lik e t h is, t h ey’d su ffer ed qu est ion s fr om t h e

ot h er s. H ow ever , t h e t w o of t h em n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t t alk a b ou t t h e H aod on g
Pow er . As a r esu lt , t h ey b ot h sh ook t h eir h ead s m yst er iou sly at t h e ot h er s’
q u est ion s.
Chapt er 70.2: Flying-t ype Soul Tool
W it h t h e H aod on g Pow er cir cu lat in g t h r ou gh t h eir b od ies, t h eir fligh t sp eed

w asn ’t on e w h it in fer ior t o t h at of Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, J ian g Nan n an , or H e
Cait ou ’s. Un lik e Xiao Xiao, w h o h ad a r op e t ied t o h er w aist —w h ich m ad e h er
look lik e a k it e as sh e w as p u lled alon g b y M a Xiaot ao—t h ey w er e ab le t o fly b y
t h em selves.
T h e ot h er s w er e occasion ally ab le t o fain t ly see a fain t gold en ligh t

m om en t ar ily ap p ear on W an g Don g’s b od y. Aft er w ar d s, t h at fain t gold en ligh t
w ou ld gr ad u ally flow fr om h is b od y t o H u o Yu h ao’s.
----
T h ey w er e ab le t o fly a t ot al of five h u n d r ed m iles in t w o h ou r s, b u t t h is w as

t h eir lim it , d u e t o t h e ou t er cou r t yar d d iscip les w it h r elat ively low er cu lt ivat ion
levels. H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad act u ally b een ab le t o p er sist
w it h ou t t h e assist an ce of an y ou t sid e p a r t ies, m u ch t o t h e su r p r ise of t h e in n er
cou r t yar d d iscip les.
Du e t o t h eir ear lier h old -u p , t h e sk y h ad alr ead y b egu n t o d im b y t h e t im e

t h at t h ey lan d ed t o r est .
“T h is isn ’t good ; w e w on ’t m ak e it in t im e. T h is old m an w ill car r y you gu ys

for a w h ile.” Eld er Xu an ’s voice r an g o u t as h is leisu r ely figu r e m at er ialized
fr om t h e n ear b y for est , as if h e’d in st an t an eou sly t elep or t ed t h er e.
“H ow ever , b efor e w e set off, I’m a b it h u n gr y. You gu ys sh ou ld k n ow w h a t t o

d o!” Eld er Xu an w alk ed over t o H u o Yu h ao w it h a sm ile on h is face, t h en p at t ed
h is sh ou ld er w it h a som ew h at en cou r agin g look .
T h is t im e a r ou n d , t h ey d id n ’t n eed Eld er Xu an t o d ivid e t h em u p . Ever yon e
im m ed iat ely t ook u p t h eir p osit ion s, w h ile t h e cook , H u o Yu h ao, h ad t o en t er
t h e lim eligh t again b efor e h e’d even h ad t h e ch an ce t o r ecover h is sou l p ow er .
Besid es t h e H aod on g Pow er , a lar ge r ea son t h at h e an d W an g Don g h ad b een

ab le t o last for t w o h ou r s w as d u e t o t h e lat t er ’s Gold en Ligh t left ar m b on e. If it
w er en ’t for t h e fact t h at t h ey’d b een a b le t o con t in u ou sly r ecover t h eir sou l
p ow er t h r ou gh ou t t h e jou r n ey, t h ey w ou ld ’ve b een exh au st ed alr ead y.
T h ey w er en ’t ab le t o fin d an y fish for d in n er , b u t t h e sm ell of w ild gam e

cou ld n ’t b e an y easier for t h em t o t r ack . Com b in ed w it h a few m ou n t ain b er r ies
an d b am b oo sh oot s, t h ey on ce again en joyed an ot h er su m p t u ou s m eal. T h e
in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les w er e so p leased t h at t h ey p r aised H u o Yu h ao
in cessan t ly; w it h H u o Yu h ao p r esen t , it w as p r act ically lik e t h ey w er e on
vacat ion .
It t ook an ot h er t w o h ou r s for t h em t o fin ish d in n er , an d it a lso t ook qu it e a

w h ile for ever yon e t o r ecover t h eir sou l p ow er aft er w ar d s. T h e sk y h ad alr ead y
t u r n ed d ar k b y t h e t im e t h at ever yon e h ad fu lly r ecover ed . For t u n at ely, t h e
st ar s lit u p t h e even in g sk y, so t h eir sigh t w asn ’t im p ed ed .
H u o Yu h ao w as t h e p er son least affect ed b y t h e d ar k n ess. W it h t h e visu al

acu it y h is Sp ir it Eyes gr an t ed h im , t h er e w asn ’t m u ch d iffer en ce b et w een
n igh t t im e an d d ayt im e t o h im .
“H er e, fast en t h is t o you r w aist .” W an g Yan p assed a lon g len gt h of r op e t o

H u o Yu h ao. T h e r op e h ad a sp ecialised lock fash ion ed t o on e en d of it , su ch t h at
it cou ld b e fast en ed t o a p er son ’s w a ist an d t h igh . T h e en t ir e r op e w as over
t h ir t y m et er s lon g.
H u o Yu h ao t ook t h e r op e an d fast en ed it t o h im self. H e alr ead y k n ew t h at a

r op e su ch as t h is w a s m ean t t o b e u sed a lon gsid e a flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool. W h en
t h er e w er e sou l m ast er s w it h d iffer en t cu lt ivat ion levels, u sin g a r op e lik e t h is
w ou ld allow t h e sou l m ast er w it h t h e h igh er cu lt ivat ion lev el t o t ak e t h e on e
w it h a low er cu lt ivat ion level alon g w it h t h em , so as t o in cr ease t h e join t
d ist an ce flow n b y t h e t w o p eop le, t h u s a llow in g t h e t w o t o m ain t ain a q u ick er
flyin g sp eed .
H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t t h e on ly p er son t o r eceive a r op e; ever yon e else d id as w ell,

in clu d in g W an g Yan . On ce ever yon e h ad r eceived a r op e, t h e en d s t o all of t h em
w er e h an d ed t o Eld er Xu an .
“Lit t le fellas, you ’ll h ave t o d o you r b est t o p r ot ect you r selves in a b it . On ce
w e ascen d , ever yon e sh ou ld m ain t ain a for w ar d s-facin g p osit ion . On ce I give
you t h e sign al, act ivat e you r sou l p ow er t o p r even t you r selves fr om b ein g
in ju r ed b y t h e t u r b u len ce ar ou n d u s. Un d er st ood ?”
“Un d er st ood .”
El der Xuan’ s goi ng t o m ak e a m ove? H uo Yuh ao’ s m i n d sh ook . H e Cai t ou,

w h o w as beh i n d h i m , r ose i n t o t h e ai r w i t h h i m i n t ow .
Nobody coul d see w h at El der Xuan h ad don e, but a f l yi n g-t ype soul t ool t h at
w as h al f as t h i ck as H uo Yuh ao an d H e Cai t ou’ s h ad appear ed on h i s back . A set
of dar k -r ed w i n gs qui ck l y un f ur l ed un t i l t h ey w er e about t w o m et er s or so w i de,
w h i ch w asn ’ t con si der ed t oo w i de. H ow ever , t h er e w er e t w el ve t h r ust er s on t h e
en ds of h i s w i n gs. I t h ad t o be k n ow n t h at t h e m i l i t ar i sed ver si on s of t h e f l yi n g-
t ype soul t ool s, al on g w i t h even H uo Yuh ao an d H e Cai t ou’ s on es, on l y h ad t w o
t h r ust er s! Just w h at sor t of f l yi n g-t ype soul t ool w as t h i s?
H uo Yuh ao qui ck l y un der st ood w h at t h ese t w el ve t h r ust er s si gn i f i ed. On ce

ever yon e h ad got t en i n t o a f or w ar ds-f aci n g posi t i on i n t h e ai r , El der Xuan ’ s
voi ce r an g out , “ I s ev er yon e r eady? T h r ee, t w o, on e, l et ’ s go!”
Fol l ow i n g El der Xuan ’ s sh out , al l t w el ve t h r ust er s on h i s w i n gs

si m ul t an eousl y bur st i n t o l i f e w i t h bl azi n g w h i t e l i gh t . I m m edi at el y af t er w ar ds,
H uo Yuh ao f el t a l ar ge bur st of f or ce at h i s w ai st . Due t o t h e en or m ous t en si on
act i n g on h i m , t h e w i n gs on h i s back aut om at i cal l y sl i gh t l y w i t h dr ew .
Af t er w ar ds, h e w asn ’ t abl e t o cl ear l y see h i s sur r oun di n gs an ym or e.
At t h e sam e t im e, t h e ear -p ier cin g w h ist les com in g fr om t h e t u r b u len ce
ar ou n d h im affect ed h is h ear in g. Aft er on ly a few sh or t secon d s, h e fou n d it
som ew h at in t oler ab le. M er ely r elyin g on h is sou l p ow er t o p r ot ect h is b od y
d id n ’t seem t o b e su fficien t an ym or e.
W an g Don g w as st ill h old in g on t o h is legs fr om b elow , b u t h e w asn ’t in a

m u ch b et t er con d it ion eit h er . T h eir H a od on g Pow er cir cu lat ed at h igh sp eed
t h r ou gh t h eir b od ies, w h ile t h e gold en -r ed d ish color com in g fr om h is left ar m
flick er ed u n ceasin gly as it p r ot ect ed h is o w n b od y.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t d ar e t o b e n egligen t ; h e im m ed iat ely r eleased t h e Ice J ad e

Em p r ess Scor p ion , w h ich cau sed a r esp len d en t layer of cr yst allin e d iam on d s t o
cover t h e su r face of h is b od y. T h is w as t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Ar m or .
Su r e en o u gh , t h e p r essu r e t h at h ad en velop h im im m ed iat ely lessen ed t h e

m om en t t h at h e act ivat ed t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Ar m or . H u o Yu h ao also t r ied t o
r elease h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion in or d er t o ch eck h is su r r ou n d in gs, b u t t o q u ick ly
d iscover ed , t o h is a st on ish m en t , t h a t h e w asn ’t ab le t o r elease h is sou l sk ill
m or e t h an a foot aw ay fr om h im .
T h is… ju st w h at w as goin g on ?
“You ’r e t r avellin g t oo qu ick ly. As su ch , you r sp ir it u a l p ow er is b ein g sever ed

an d scat t er ed t h e m om en t it leaves you r b od y. Be a b it m or e ob ed ien t an d d on ’t
t r y t o d o an yt h in g else. T h at h u m an ’s r eally st r on g.” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m
gave H u o Yu h ao a t im ely r em in d er .
T h e Ice Em p r ess w as som ew h at u n r esign ed . “H e w ou ld n ’t even b e m y

op p on en t if it w as t h e p r eviou s m e.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m im m ed iat ely ch an ged h is t on e a n d said , “T h at ’s

b ecau se m y Bin g Bin g is aw esom e!”
“Sh u t u p !”
As h e w as on ly u sin g a d efen sive sou l sk ill, t h e d r ain on h is so u l p ow er w asn ’t
t oo lar ge. Aft er u sin g t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Ar m or for a p er iod of t im e, H u o Yu h ao
sw it ch ed over t o a Class 2 Sou l Sh ield , w h ich h a d a d ecen t am ou n t of d efen sive
cap ab ilit ies. At t h e ver y least , t h er e w ou ld n ’t b e a n y p r ob lem s w it h it p r ot ect in g
h is b od y fr om t h e t u r b u len t w in d .
T h e p in n acle level of sp eed t h at Eld er Xu an w as t r a vellin g at m ad e H u o

Yu h ao m ad e it so t h at h e w as on ly ab le t o sen se a p at ch of p it ch -b lack n ess. Even
r aisin g h is h ead t o see t h e st ar s an d m oon ligh t w as im p ossib le. As a r esu lt , h e
cou ld on ly d o h is b est t o p r ot ect h im self. T h is w as Eld er Xu an ’s st r en gt h !
An yb od y cou ld r em ain in equ ilib r iu m in m id -air u sin g a flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool,
an d t h e a ir d id n ’t n or m ally h ave m u ch r esist a n ce at all. H ow ever , Eld er Xu an
w as act u ally ab le t o t r avel at su ch a t er r ifyin g sp eed b y h im self w it h so m a n y
p eop le in t ow ! J u st h ow cou ld t h is b e exp lain ed u sin g t h e w or d ‘st r en gt h ’ alon e?
Pr eviou sly, t h ey’d t r avelled ar ou n d fou r t o five h u n d r ed m iles in a t im esp an

of t w o h ou r s. Now , if t h ey w er e t o t r avel for t w o en t ir e h ou r s, w ou ld t h ey r eally
ju st st op at a t h ou sa n d m iles?
Chapt er 71.1: Whit e Tiger Duke's M ansion
W est er n b or d er of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e.
It w as alr ea d y so d eep in t o t h e n igh t t h at you cou ld n ’t see t h e st a r s or t h e

m oon an ym or e. In fact , it w as so d ar k t h at , in t h e w ild er n ess, you cou ld n ’t even
see you r h an d if you w er e t o h old it u p in fr on t of you r face. T h is t im e of n igh t
w as t h e d ar k est p ar t of t h e n igh t , as it w a s r igh t b efor e t h e su n w ou ld r ise in t h e
far aw ay east , an d a n ew d ay w ou ld b egin .
Bu t at t h a t in st a n t , a w h it e ligh t cu t t h r ou gh t h e sk y, leavin g b eh in d a
m agn ificen t glow in g t ail; it seem ed as if t h e sk y h ad su d d en ly b een cleaved in
t w o.
T h is w h it e ligh t look ed lik e a m et eor t h at w as d escen d in g t ow ar d s t h e ea r t h .

H ow ever , it seem ed t o b e slow in g d ow n as it fell.
Su d d en ly, it gr ew lar ger , an d t h e w h it e ligh t t r an sfor m ed in t o a h u ge

p lat for m t h at w as d ozen s of m et er s in d iam et er . Aft er w ar d s, sever al b lack for m s
slow ly d escen d ed t o t h e ear t h fr om t h e p lat for m .
“Ou …”
“Ou —”
T h e sou n d of p eop le r et ch in g con t in u ou sly ech oed in t h e n igh t air . On ce t h e

w h it e ligh t h ad d isa p p ear ed , t h e d ozen -or -so figu r es t h a t h ad ap p ear ed w er e
eit h er st agger in g, squ at t in g on t h e gr ou n d , or lean in g a gain st t r ee t r u n k s.
Fu r t h er m or e, over h alf of t h em w er e in t h e p r ocess of vom it in g.
“You all h ave som e sk ills aft er all.” A h oar se voice ech oed . An old m an w it h
gr easy clot h es cam e for w ar d s, a lar ge calab ash in h an d . Aft er w ar d s, h e t ook a
lar ge sw ig of alcoh ol. T h is m an w a s on e of t h e eld er s of t h e sacr ed Sea God ’s
Pavilion of Sh r ek Acad em y, an d w as also t h e com m an d er of t h e Sh r ek
Gu ar d ian s, Eld er Xu an .
All of t h e p ale-faced figu r es w h o w er e cu r r en t ly p u k in g w er e ob viou sly t h e

st u d en t s h e’d b r ou gh t alon g.
Even t h e lik es of M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g w er e in a sor r y st at e; t h ey w er e

h avin g a h ar d t im e su p p r essin g t h eir gast r ic flu id s.
H e Cait ou an d Xu San sh i w er e in t h e w or st st at e of t h ose w it h a h igh er level

of cu lt ivat ion ; t h ey w er e alm ost u n ab le t o su p p r ess t h eir b ile. W h o t old t h em t o
h ave t h e lar gest b od ies am on gst t h e d iscip les of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ?
Xiao Xiao, H u o Yu h ao, an d W an g Don g all t h r ew u p sever a l t im es. Lu ck ily,

H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad t h e p r ot ect ion of t h e la t t er ’s Gold en Ligh t Left
Ar m Bon e, w h ich h a d su st ain ed it self w it h t h eir H aod on g Pow er t h a t t h ey h ad
con t in u ou sly cir cu lat ed d u r in g t h eir t u r b u len t jou r n ey. As su ch , t h ey w er e
sligh t ly b et t er off t h an t h e ot h er s.
H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d t h e ot h er s on t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam h ad t h ou gh t

t h at t h eir sch oolm at es w er e ext r em ely st r on g. Yet , com p ar ed t o Eld er Xu an ,
ever yon e fr om t h e official t eam w er e n ot h in g.
Eld er Xu an h ad ca r r ied t h e fift een of t h em h er e b y h im self; h e’d m ain t ain ed

t h at in cr ed ib le sp eed for over fou r h ou r s, cr ossin g w h at ap p ear ed t o b e over
150 0 m iles. Fu r t h er m or e, if you w er e t o com p ar e h is cu r r en t ap p ear an ce t o t h a t
of b efor e h e’d b egu n , you w ou ld n ’t fin d an y d iffer en ces. T h is m igh t h ave
som et h in g t o d o w it h h is flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool, b u t t h e m ain r eason w as d u e t o
Eld er Xu an ’s b ou n d less sou l p ow er ! Of cou r se, h is sou l t ool h ad b een an
im p or t an t fact or t oo; even if it w as Eld er Xu an , h e w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o
fly w h ilst ca r r yin g m or e t h an t en p eop le for so lon g w it h ju st h is p ow er alon e.
Fr om t h is, it sh ou ld b e seen ju st h ow im p or t an t sou l t ools w er e for t h e Dou lu o
Con t in en t .
“Lit t le Dai!” Eld er Xu an lazily called o u t .

Dai Yu eh en g’s face t w it ch ed , b u t h e st ill st ep p ed for w ar d an d r esp ect fu lly
said , “Eld er Xu an .”
Eld er Xu an said , “W h en I d escen d ed t o t h e gr ou n d ju st n ow , it cr ea t ed a lar ge

r u ck u s. T h e ar m y sh ou ld ’ve d iscover ed u s b y n ow . W e’r e cu r r en t ly on ly ab ou t
25 k ilom et er s aw ay fr om t h e w est er n ar m y of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e. T h ey’ll
p r ob ab ly sen d som eon e over h er e in soon . Go an d t ak e ca r e of it w h ile I t ak e a
n ap . You r b od y w ill b ecom e w eak w h en you r old lik e m e! Lu ck ily, t od ay’s food
w as q u it e good .” On ce h e’d fin ish ed sp ea k in g, h is m u t t er in g figu r e d isap p ear ed
w it h ou t a t r ace.
As exp ect ed , sever a l figu r es d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y n ot lon g aft er w ar d s.

T h ey w er e h ead ed t o w ar d s t h em .
Dai Yu eh en g r aised h is h an d t ow ar d s t h e sk y, t h en p u n ch ed t h e air .

Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, a b all of w h it e ligh t ap p ear ed ar ou n d t h r ee m et er s
ab ove h is h ead , t h en slow ly sp r ead u p w ar d s an d m or p h ed in t o a w h it e h alo.
T h e figu r es t h a t w er e d escen d in g fr om t h e sk y im m ed iat ely lock ed on t o t h eir

p osit ion , an d a t ot a l of t h ir t y m en cla d in t igh t -fit t in g b lack leat h er ar m or
lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d .
T h e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools t h ey w ear in g w er e also b lack , a lt h ou gh t h ey w er e

sligh t ly d iffer en t fr om t h e on es t h at Sh r ek ’s gr ou p h ad p r eviou sly r eceived fr om
t h e ar m y. T h eir q u alit y seem ed com p ar ab le t o t h e on e m an u fact u r ed b y H e
Cait ou .
W h en t h ey’d r each ed t h e gr ou n d , t h ey q u ick ly en cir cled Sh r ek ’s gr ou p . T h eir

lead er , an old m an w it h a cold exp r ession , t h en st ep p ed for w ar d .
“W h o ar e you an d w h y d id you u se a flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool t o ap p r oach ou r

ar m y?” Aft er h e’d said t h is, t h e old m an an d t h e sold ier s all r eleased t h eir
m ar t ial sou ls.
T h e su r r ou n d in g ar ea w as in st an t ly lit u p fr om t h e d azzlin g r ad ian ce of t h eir
sou l r in gs. W h a t w as su r p r isin g w as t h at t h e old m an in fr on t w as a Sou l Sage.
H e h ad t h r ee yellow sou l r in gs, t w o p u r p le, an d t w o b lack . Even t h ou gh it
w asn ’t t h e b est com b in at ion , it w as st ill q u it e in cr ed ib le.
All of t h e sou l m ast er s h e’d b r ou gh t alo n g all h ad a t least fou r sou l r in gs as

w ell. Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w er e also sever al Sou l Kin gs am on g t h em . H ow ever ,
t h e you n gest of t h em ap p ear ed t o b e in t h eir t h ir t ies.
T h e w h it e t iger ’s h ead en gr aved on t h eir leat h er a r m or gave off a p ale w h it e

glow b en eat h t h e r ad ian ce of t h eir sou l r in gs. It ’s h ead w as ver y la r ge, an d
cover ed t h e m ajor it y of t h e leat h er ar m or . It look ed lifelik e a n d w as qu it e aw e-
in sp ir in g.
T h ir t y m en , all of w h ich w er e at least Sou l An cest or s… t h is w as q u it e t h e

d isp lay of p ow er . It w asn ’t su r p r isin g t h at t h ey’d b een ab le t o ar r ive so q u ick ly
u sin g flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools.
“Old Du , you d on ’t r ecogn ize m e?” Dai Yu eh en g sm iled as h e st ep p ed

for w ar d .
T h e old m an w as im m ed iat ely t ak en ab a ck . H e sh on e h is sou l r in g’s ligh t on

Dai Yu eh en g’s face an d car efu lly scr u t in ized it . W h en h e con fir m ed w h o it w as,
h e w as sligh t ly su r p r ised . “Ah ! It ’s t h e you n g m ast er ! W h at a r e you d oin g h er e?
An d w h o ar e t h ese p eop le…?”
“T h ey’r e also st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y,” Dai Yu eh en g r ep lied w it h a fain t

sm ile, “I sen t a let t er t o fat h er ear lier . Is h e h er e r igh t n ow ?”
T h e old m an in fr on t of Dai Yu eh en g’s w as a m em b er of t h e W h it e T iger

Du k e’s M an sion k n ow n as Du Leisi. H e’d accom p an ied t h e W h it e T iger Du k e
t h r ou gh sever a l d iffer en t fr on t s, an d h a d ob t ain ed ou t st an d in g ach ievem en t s.
Besid es h is gr eat p o w er , h e also p ossessed t h e t it le of Viscou n t in t h e St ar Lu o
Em p ir e. T h e r eason h e’d called Dai Yu eh en g ‘you n g m ast er ’ r at h er t h an ‘you n g
d u k e’ w as d u e t o t h e Dai Fam ily’s st r ict r u les. For on e t o in h er it t h e d u k e’s t it le,
t h ey n eed ed t o b e t h e m ost ou t st an d in g ou t of all of t h e t h e Du k e’s
con san gu in eou s son s. T h er efor e, even t h ou gh h e’d alr ead y gr ow n u p , Dai
Yu eh en g st ill n eed ed t o r ely on h is ow n a b ilit y t o in h er it t h e t it le. T h is w as a lso
w h y t h e ot h er t w o son s of t h e Dai Fam ily w er e t r yin g so h ar d t o b ecom e
st r on ger , as t h ey w er e t h e on ly t w o son s of t h e Du k e’s m ain w ife. As for t h e son s
of con cu b in es, on ly H u o Yu h ao exist ed . H ow ever , at t h is p oin t , even t h e W h it e
T iger Du k e h im self m u st ’ve for got t en ab ou t h im .
Du Leisi r aised h is h an d , aft er w h ich all of t h e sold ier s w it h d r ew t h eir m ar t ial

sou ls. “I see. T h e com m an d er sh ou ld b e in t h e m ilit ar y cam p . H e sh o u ld alr ead y
b e u p for h is m or n in g exer cise. I’ll lea d you an d you r fr ien d s t o h im .”
Dai Yu eh en g sm iled b it t er ly. “J u st look at u s, d o you r eally t h in k t h at w e can

t r avel as w e ar e? Let u s r est a b it ; w e’ll see fat h er on ce w e’ve r ecover ed .”
Du Leisi said , “Fin e. I’ll sen d som eon e t o m ak e a r ep or t t o t h e Du k e,” t h en

called over a Sou l Kin g-r an k ed su b or d in at e an d t old h im a few t h in gs t o r elay.
T h e Sou l Kin g ju m p ed u p aft er Du Leisi h ad fin ish ed an d u sed h is flyin g-t yp e
sou l t ool t o r et u r n t o t h e m ilit ar y cam p .
Even t h ou gh h is in sid es w er e cu r r en t ly a m ess, w h en H u o Yu h ao h ear d t h e

d iscu ssion b et w een Dai Yu eh en g an d Du Leisi, H u o Yu h ao’s m ood ch an ged
d r ast ically. H is p ale face h ad b ecom e r ed d u e t o t h e excit em en t h e felt .
H e h ad n ’t im agin ed t h at h e’d b e ab le t o m eet t h a t p er son w h ilst p ar t icip at in g

in t h e Elit e Con t in en t al Sou l M ast er Aca d em y T ou r n am en t . W ou ld h e r eally b e
ab le t o see h im ?
H alf of h is life h ad com e fr om t h is m an . Yet , ever sin ce t h e d ay h e’d b een

b or n , h e’d n ever on ce seen t h is ‘fat h er ’ of h is.
H u o Yu h ao’s m em or y r egar d in g h im con sist ed of a sin gle p ict u r e: It w as t h e

p ict u r e of h im t h at h is m ot h er u sed t o d r aw on t h e gr ou n d w it h a t r ee b r an ch .
W h en sh e h a d , h is m ot h er ’s eyes w ou ld b ecom e fu ll of gen t len ess an d d evot ion
H u o Yu h ao r em em b er ed h is m ot h er say t h at t h e fact t h a t sh e’d b een ab le t o
st ay t oget h er w it h h im an d b ear h is son w er e t h e b est t h in gs t h at h ad h ap p en ed
in h er life. Sh e w ou ld n ’t r egr et h er act ion s, even if sh e w asn ’t ever ab le t o see
h im again .
W as he r eal l y such a gr eat per son? H uo Yuh ao cl en ch ed h i s f i st so t i gh t l y t h at

h i s n ai l s l ef t deep m ar k s i n h i s pal m s.
“ W i l l h e r ecogn i ze you?” W an g Don g gen t l y w h i sper ed i n t o H uo Yuh ao’ s ear .

On l y h e w as pr i vy t o H uo Yuh ao’ s back gr oun d. As such , h e w as a l i t t l e an xi ous
r i gh t n ow ; h e w as w or r i ed f or H uo Yuh ao.
H uo Yuh ao sh ook h i s h ead l i gh t l y. H ow coul d h e possi bl y r ecogn i ze h i m i f h e

h adn ’ t ever seen h i m ? I n si de of t h e Duk e’ s M an si on , h e w as n ot h i n g m or e t h an
a sm al l h an dym an i n f er i or t o even t h e dom est i c ser van t s. M or eover , h i s
appear an ce h ad gon e t h r ough an ear t h -sh ak i n g t r an sf or m at i on over t h e l ast
year .
W an g Don g coul d see t h at H uo Yuh ao’ s body w as as t aut as a w i r e. T h us, h e

r em i n ded h i m i n a l ow voi ce, “ W ai t i n g t en year s t o t ak e r even ge i sn ’ t t oo l on g
f or a w i se m an . Yuh ao, t r y t o cal m dow n a bi t .”
“ I k n ow .” H uo Yuh ao n odded. H e k n ew t h at h e h ad t o st ay cal m . H ow ever ,

doi n g so w as easi er sai d t h an don e!
Af t er t w o h our s of r est , t h ey’ d m or e or l ess r ecover ed f r om t h e af t er ef f ect s of

t h ei r f l i gh t . T h ei r com pl exi on s w er e st i l l ugl y, but t h ey’ d r ecover ed m ost of
t h ei r soul pow er an d ph ysi cal st r en gt h . Cur r en t l y, even i f a t r ue del i cacy w er e
pl aced f r on t of t h em , t h ey w oul dn ’ t even be abl e t o t ouch i t .
Dai Yueh en g i n f or m ed ever yon e of Du Lei si an d t h e ot h er soul m ast er s’

back gr oun d. T h ey w er e al l sol di er s w h o’ d been per son al l y ch osen by t h e W h i t e
T i ger Duk e, t h e W h i t e T i ger Bodyguar ds. T h ey on l y f ol l ow ed t h e Duk e’ s or der s,
an d al so r esi ded i n t h e Duk e’ s M an si on .
Of t h ose in t h e W h it e T iger b od ygu ar d s, ever yon e w as at least a Sou l Eld er .
M or eover , on e’s fam ilies n eed ed t o h ave h eld a p osit ion in sid e t h e Du k e’s
M an sion for a t least t h r ee gen er at ion b efor e on e w as eligib le t o b ecom e on e of
t h e W h it e T iger Bod ygu ar d s. T h er efor e, b esid es t h em b ein g ver y st r on g, t h ey
w er e also ext r em ely loyal.
T h e W h it e T iger Bod ygu ar d s h ad a t ot al of five h u n d r ed m em b er s an d w er e

t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s b iggest t r u m p car d . T h ey h ad sever al d iffer en t t yp es o f
sou l t ools, an d t h ey w er e alw ays p r esen t at t h e Du k e’s sid e. W h er ever h e w en t ,
t h ey w en t . Of cou r se, t h e t r eat m en t t h ey r eceived w as also t h e b est . Ever y sin gle
on e of t h em h ad t h eir ow n r esid en ces in sid e of t h e Du k e’s M an sion . As su ch , it
w as ob viou s h ow im p or t an t t h ey w er e t o t h e Du k e.
W h en h e’d lived in sid e of t h e Du k e’s M an sion , H u o Yu h ao h ad also seen t h e

W h it e T iger b od ygu ar d s a few t im es. Bu t b ecau se of h is st at u s at t h e t im e, it h ad
b een im p ossib le for h im t o even ap p r oach t h em .
Now t h at t h ey’d r ecover ed , ever yon e on ce again ascen d ed in t o t h e air . Aft er

b ein g t or m en t ed b y Eld er Xu an , t h ey all b egan t o en joy t h e feelin g of flyin g
slow ly. At t h e ver y least , t h eir com p lexion s im p r oved som ew h at fr om d oin g so.
If on e w er e t o u se Eld er Xu an ’s p r eviou s sp eed alon g w it h b ot h h is st r en gt h an d
h is flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool as r efer en ces, t h ey’d d b e ab le t o calcu lat e t h at Eld er
Xu an w ou ld b e ab le t o t r avel t o an y cor n er of t h e en t ir e Dou lu o con t in en t
w it h in a w eek . H u o Yu h ao w as gr ow in g m or e an d m or e cu r iou s ab ou t Eld er
Xu an ’s t r u e st r en gt h . T h e la t t er sh ou ld n ’t b e ju st a n y T it led Dou lu o; it w as
lik ely t h at even Dea n Yan Sh aozh e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o com p et e w it h Eld er Xu an
in cu lt ivat ion alon e.
At t h at m om en t , t h e sk y h ad a lr ead y b egu n t o b r igh t en ; t h e su n h ad r isen

fr om t h e east an d b a t h ed t h eir b od ies in a fain t gold en glow .
A lar ge m ilit ar y cam p slow ly ap p ear ed in fr on t of t h em . T h is cam p w as set u p

r igh t n ext t o t h e m ou n t ain s, w h ile a few m or e cam p s w er e v isib le in t h e M in g
Dou M ou n t ain Ran ge it self.
T h e w or d ‘m ilit ar y cam p ’ w as som ew h at in accu r a t e; t h e u n d u lat in g cot t on

w alls t o t h e w est of t h e cam p w er e over t h ir t y m et er s t all an d n ear ly fift y m et er s
w id e. J u st h ow lar ge of a p r oject w as t h is!?
Even t h ou gh it w asn ’t qu it e d ayt im e yet , an en d less n u m b er of m ilit ar y

car r iages t h at w er e car r yin g b lock s of st o n e aw ay fr om t h e m ou n t ain s cou ld st ill
b e seen .
At t h at m om en t , Dai Yu eh en g w as flyin g r elat ively close t o H u o Yu h ao. T h eir

r elat ion sh ip h ad d eep en ed sligh t ly aft er t h eir p r eviou s t alk . H e sm iled an d
ask ed , “Yu h ao, is t h is you r fir st t im e visit in g an ar m y cam p ?”
Seem in gly fam iliar w it h t h e m at t er , Dai Yu eh en g exp lain ed , “T h e sou t h er n ,

east er n , an d so u t h east er n r egion s of ou r St ar Lu o Em p ir e b or d er s t h e ocean .
W e’r e secon d on ly t o t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e in size. Ou r a r m y con sist s of t w o
su b -ar m ies: t h e East er n Ar m y an d t h e Nor t h er n Ar m y. Of t h ese, t h e East er n
Ar m y is t h e m ost im p or t an t , as it h as t o gu ar d again st t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. It s
t ot al m ilit ar y st r en gt h n u m b er s ar ou n d five h u n d r ed t h ou san d .”
“T h e M in g Dou M ou n t ain Ran ge h as t r each er ou s an d ever -ch an gin g t er r ain ,

m ak in g it ext r em ely h ar d for t r oop s t o m ar ch t h r ou gh . Fu r t h er m or e, ever y
cou n t r y n ow h as sp ecialised sou l m ast er s w h o scou t t h e m ou n t ain r an ge ever y
d ay. Bot h t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e a n d ou r em p ir e st at ion ou r t r oop s at a
r elat ively low -lyin g p ar t of t h e m ou n t ain r an ge t h at ’s ad van t ageou s for t h em , of
w h ich t h er e a r e on ly t h r ee in t h e en t ir e m ou n t ain r an ge. T h e m ou n t ain r an ge
it self sp r ead s t ow ar d s t h e sou t h , a n d t a k es u p a lm ost t w o-t h ir d s of t h e b or d er ;
t h e ot h er t h ir d is a sou l b east -con t ain in g for est t h at ’s ar ou n d h alf t h e size of t h e
Gr eat St a r Dou For est . T h is for est is k n ow n as t h e Gr eat M in g Dou For est , an d is
an ar ea p op u lat ed b y a var iet y of sou l b east s. It isn ’t as d a n ger ou s t o u s sou l
m ast er s as t h e Gr ea t St a r Dou For est , b u t it ’s even m or e d an ger ou s t h an t h e
for m er t o an ar m y. T h is is d u e t o t h e fact t h at t h e sou l b east s t h er e ar e even
m or e aggr essive t h a n t h e on es in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est . It ’s b ecau se of t h is,
t h at w e’ve st a t ion ed ou r t r oop s at r elat ively low -lyin g p ar t s of t h e M in g Dou
M ou n t ain Ran ge.
“Oh , r igh t . Yu h ao, I h aven ’t ask ed you t h is yet , b u t w h er e a r e you fr om ?”
H u o Yu h ao h ad or igin ally calm ed d ow n som ew h at w h en h e h ear d Dai

Yu eh en g’s exp lan at ion , b u t h is exp r ession ch an ged yet again w h en h e h ear d t h is
qu est ion . H e low er ed h is h ead an d said , “I’m also a cit izen of t h e St ar Lu o
Em p ir e.”
“Oh ? W h ich p ar t of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e? I d id n ’t t h in k t h a t w e’d b e fellow

cit izen s!” T h e sm ile on Dai Yu eh en g’s face gr ew m u ch lar ger .
“A sm all village n ea r St a r Lu o Cit y,” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “I’m su r e t h a t you
w ou ld n ’t h a ve h ear d of it .”
Dai Yu eh en g ch u ck led . “Even b et t er ! N ot on ly ar e w e fellow cit izen s, w e’r e

even fr om t h e sam e ar ea. I also gr ew u p n ear St ar Lu o Cit y!”
As t h e t w o con ver sed w it h each ot h er , t h ey ar r ived at t h e ar m y cam p .

H ow ever , t h e W h it e T iger Bod ygu ar d s w h o w er e lead in g t h e w ay d id n ’t
d escen d . Du Leisi, w h o’d led t h e p ack , r aised h is r igh t h an d an d r eleased
som et h in g sim ilar t o a flar e t h at r eleased a m u lt icolou r ed ar r ay of ligh t .
Aft er w ar d s t h ey con t in u ed for w ar d s u n ob st r u ct ed .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o t ell w it h h is visu al acu it y t h at a la r ge

n u m b er of d efen sive for t ificat ion s h a d im m ed iat ely r eact ed t h e m om en t t h ey’d
ap p r oach ed t h e b ar r ack s. A som b er at m osp h er e seem ed t o h ave p er vad ed t h e
en t ir e cam p . Even t h ou gh it w as st ill ea r ly in t h e m or n in g, a lar ge n u m b er of
sold ier s h a d alr ead y b egu n t h eir t r a in in g d r ills. Not on ly w er e t h ey or d er ly, b u t
t h ey also r eleased an aw e-in sp ir in gly m u r d er ou s air ; t h ey seem ed lik e a p ack of
ir on -b lood ed lion s.
“T h e East er n Ar m y h as t h e m ost elit e t r oop s w it h in t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e,” Dai

Yu eh en g p r ou d ly said . “T h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d m en fr om t h e Cen t r al Legion
you see in fr on t of u s ar e elit es am on gst elit es.”
Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t ever seen h is b iological fat h er b efor e, h e w as

st ill som ew h at aw ar e of t h e in n er w or k in gs of t h e W h it e T iger Du k ed om . As t h e
m ar sh al of t h e em p ir e, t h e W h it e T iger Du k e com m an d ed t h e East er n Ar m y. At
t h e sam e t im e, h e w as also t h e Legion Com m an d er of t h e East er n Ar m y’s
Cen t r al Legion . T h e am ou n t of t r u st t h a t t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e’s im p er ial fam ily
h ad in h im cou ld b e seen fr om t h is. Su p p osed ly, t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d m en in
t h e Cen t r a l Legion w er e en ou gh t o r ival t h e com b in ed figh t in g st r en gt h of all of
t h e ot h er sold ier s in t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e. Alt h ou gh t h is w a s som ew h at of an
exagger at ion , t h e st r en gt h of t h e Cen t r al Legion cou ld b e clear ly seen w it h a
sin gle glan ce.
T h ey flew p ast on e b ar r ack aft er an ot h er . On ce t h ey’d flow n for n ear ly fift een
m in u t es m or e, a lar ge, leat h er t en t ap p ear ed in t h eir field of v ision .
T h is leat h er t en t w a s m u ch lar ger t h an t h e ot h er ar m y t en t s. Fu r t h er m or e, it

w as h exagon al in sh ap e, an d w as m ad e en t ir ely of d ar k -b r ow n leat h er . T h er e
w er en ’t t oo m an y gu ar d s ar ou n d it . On ly t w o squ ad s of t h e W h it e T iger
Bod ygu ar d s, each of w h ich n u m b er in g ab ou t t h ir t y, p at r olled t h e p er im et er .
H u o Yu h ao’s gaze qu ick ly lan d ed on a sin gle p er son w h o w as st an d in g in

fr on t of t h e lar ge t en t . Alt h ou gh t h eir figu r e w as som ew h at u n clear , h e w as st ill
ab le t o sen se a st ar t lin g p r essu r e fr om t h em ; it w as t h e sor t of t yr an n ica l
p r essu r e t h at cam e fr om t h e com b in at ion of a p ow er fu l cu lt ivat ion an d an au r a
of slau gh t er . T h at p er son seem ed t o b e t r ain in g h is fist s, t h ou gh h e h ad n ’t
r eleased h is m ar t ia l sou l. H is m ovem en t s w er e sim p le an d su ccin ct , yet a
m u ffled exp losion of air w ou ld ap p ear w h en ever h e p u n ch ed ou t w ar d s.
Du Leisi, w h o’d b een flyin g in fr on t , slow ed d ow n , t h en d escen d ed a lon g w it h

ever yon e b eh in d h im . T h ey b egan t o sen se t h e violen t flu ct u at ion s in t h e air
w h en t h ey w er e a h u n d r ed or m et er s in t h e air .
H u o Yu h ao focu sed h is gaze an d w as ab le t o clear ly see t h e m an in fr on t of

t h em . H e w as cu r r en t ly facin g t ow ar d s t h em , h is gold en h a ir flu t t er in g fr eely
ab ou t in t h e w in d . H is u p p er b od y w as n ak ed , w h ich r evealed h is r u gged ,
cop p er -color ed m u scles. H is t all figu r e w a s alm ost t w o m et er s in h eigh t , an d on e
cou ld see ju st h ow st alw ar t h is ch iseled fa ce w as fr om t h e sid e.
H is seem in gly slow m ovem en t s h ad a ver y n at u r al an d flow in g t em p o t o

t h em . Ever y st ep h e t ook an d ever y p u n ch h e r eleased w er e follow ed b y a
m u ffled exp losion of air . T h e valian t u n d u lat ion s of q i an d b lood h e w as
r eleasin g h ad r each ed t h e ver y p in n acle, w h ich in t u r n cau sed H u o Yu h ao t o feel
h is b lood r oil ab ou t som ew h at as h e con t in u ed t o st ar e.
T h at m an slow ly p u lled b ack h is fist , t h en st ood u p st r aigh t a s if h e’d sen sed

t h eir a r r iva l. H e exh aled , in h a led d eep ly, t h en r eleased a lio n -lik e r oar . A gale
in st an t ly er u p t ed in t h e sever al h u n d r ed m et er s su r r ou n d in g t h e leat h er t en t ; it
t r u ly r esem b led t h e d escen t of an act u a l lion . T h e st er n au r a com in g fr om h im
cau sed ever y sin gle d iscip le of Sh r ek Acad em y t o feel t h eir h air st an d on en d .
T h e p r essu r e t h at M a Xiaot ao em an at ed d u r in g b at t le w as a lr ead y r elat ively

ast on ish in g, b u t sh e w as st ill q u it e a w ays aw ay fr om t h e t all m an in fr on t of
t h em .
I s t hat hi m ? H uo Yuh ao w as st un n ed, an d al l sor t s of m i xed f eel i n gs sudden l y

ar ose i n h i s h ear t . H e’ d n ever expect ed t o m eet h i s f at h er i n such a si t uat i on .
W as t h i s t h e m an t h at h i s m ot h er coul d n ever f or get ? T h e m an w h o sh e h el d n o
r egr et f or , even w h en sh e l ay on h er deat h bed?
As ever yon e sl ow l y l an ded, t h e f or em ost Du Lei si h ad al r eady st epped

f or w ar d. H e bow ed sl i gh t l y an d sai d, “ M ar sh al , t h e youn g m ast er an d peopl e
f r om Sh r ek Academ y h ave ar r i ved.”
Ever yon e w as abl e t o see h i s f ul l appear an ce at t h i s poi n t : H e di dn ’ t l ook a day

over t h i r t y, an d h i s f aci al f eat ur es w er e pr oper . H i s deep azur e eyes each
con t ai n ed f l i ck er i n g pupi l s. H e l ook ed som ew h at t h i n , yet h i s en t i r e body gave
of f a m et al l i c f eel i n g. T h i s w as especi al l y t r ue of h i s gaze, w h ich f l i ck er ed l i k e an
en or m ous bl ade as i t sw ept acr oss ever yon e, w h i ch caused t h em t o i n vol un t ar i l y
st op m ovi n g. H ow ev er , h i s gaze qui ck l y t ur n ed w ar m .
H an dsom e, st al w ar t , t al l , an d an i r on -bl ooded t em per am en t . W h en t h ey saw

h i m , even t h e H eav en ’ s Ch osen of Sh r ek Academ y f el t l i k e ser vi n g h i m . An
ext r aor di n ar y spl en dor r epeat edl y f l i ck er ed t h r ough M a Xi aot ao’ s eyes; a st eel -
l i k e m an l i k e t h i s w as just h er t ype.
Dai Yueh en g st epped out of l i n e, t h en t ook a f ew qui ck st eps f or w ar d. H e

k n eel ed dow n i n f r on t of t h at t al l m an , t h en sai d r espect f ul l y, “ Fat h er .”
T h er e w as n o doubt about i t —t h e t al l m an i n f r on t of t h em w as def i n i t el y t h e

cur r en t I r on -Bl ooded W ar God w h o st ood above ever ybody i n t h e St ar Luo
Em pi r e, Dai H ao. H e w as al so Dai Yueh en g an d Dai H uabi n ’ s f at h er , as w el l as
H uo Yuh ao’ s…
T h e m om en t Dai Yu eh en g said t h e w or d ‘fat h er ’, H u o Yu h ao felt all t h e b lood
in h is b od y su r ge t o w ar d s h is h ead . H is eyes in st an t ly t u r n ed r ed , an d h e w as
n ear ly u n ab le t o con t r ol t h e flood of em ot ion s h e felt .
I t ’ s hi m , i t ’ s hi m ! T hi s i s t he per son m y m ot her w as har m ed by, yet coul dn’ t

f or get . H e’ s t he f at h er I ’ ve never seen bef or e! I t ’ s t r ul y hi m …
H i s m ot h er ’ s sm i l i n g f ace i n st an t l y f i l l ed ever y cor n er of H uo Yuh ao’ s

spi r i t ual sea, an d h e n ear l y began t o cr y.
W an g Don g si l en t l y st epped t o t h e si de, bl ock i n g H uo Yuh ao f r om vi ew . At

t h e sam e t i m e, h e st r et ch ed h i s r i gh t h an d out , pl an n i n g t o sober h i m up by
gr abbi n g h i s sl eeve. H ow ever , h e di dn ’ t t h i n k t h at h i s h an d w oul d just so
h appen t o gr ab H uo Yuh ao’ s speci al ar ea.
W an g Don g’ s body st i f f en ed, an d h e i m m edi at el y l et go as i f h e’ d been

el ect r ocut ed. H i s pr et t y f ace i n st an t l y t ur n ed br i gh t r ed, but l uck i l y ever yon e
el se h ad been capt i vat ed by t h e W h i t e T i ger Duk e.
Oddl y en ough h ow ever , h i s gr ab w as i n cr edi bl y ef f ect i ve. H uo Yuh ao on l y f el t

h i s l ow er body t i gh t en up, an d h i s or i gi n al l y t ear y eyes van i sh ed. T h e m i xed
f eel i n gs i n h i s eyes subsequen t l y t r an sf or m ed i n t o t h ose of ast on i sh m en t . Even
t h ough W an g Don g h adn ’ t used m uch f or ce, t h e f eel i n g of bei n g assaul t ed
caused h i m t o w ak e w i t h a sh udder .
“ W h at ’ r e you doi n g?” H uo Yuh ao w h i sper ed ast on i sh ed.
W an g Don g act ed as i f n ot h i n g h ad h appen ed. “ W ak i n g you up a bi t .”
“ T h en do you w an t m e t o gr ab t h at par t of your body w h en I w ak e you up

n ext t i m e?”
“ Scr ew of f …”
Desp it e w h at h ad h ap p en ed , H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t h ad st ab ilised q u it e a b it aft er
t h is in t er r u p t ion . Fu r t h er m or e, h e an d W an g Don g w er e st an d in g in t h e b ack ,
w h ich h ad m a d e t h eir act ion s d ifficu lt t o n ot ice.
At t h at m om en t , Dai Yu eh en g st ood u p an d w h isp er ed a few w or d s t o t h e

W h it e T iger Du k e Dai H ao, w h o t h en t ook a few lar ge st r id es an d sm iled .
“Gr eet in gs t o T each er W an g Yan an d t h e var iou s t alen t ed st u d en t s fr om Sh r ek
Acad em y.”
“Gr eet in gs t o t h e lor d Du k e.” W an g Yan lead t h e in n er co u r t yar d d iscip les

an d ou t er cou r t yar d d iscip les b eh in d t h em in b ow in g t o t h e W h it e T iger Du k e.
T h e Du k e w asn ’t ju st t h e m ar sh a l; h e a lso st ood at t h e ap ex of n ob ilit y on t h e
en t ir e con t in en t . Na t u r ally, t h ey’r e m an n er s cou ld n ’t b e lack in g.
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e sh ook h an d s w it h W an g Yan , t h en said , “Ever yon e,

p lease st ep in sid e. Let t h is M ar sh a l act as a h ost n ow .”
W an g Yan sm iled , t h en r ep lied in a n eit h er ser vile n or over b ear in g m an n er ,

“T h er e’s n o n eed for Lor d Du k e t o b e so p olit e. W e’ve com e t h is t im e t o car r y
ou t ou r m ission . It ’ll b e en ou gh if Lor d Du k e can ju st give u s som e clu es t o h elp
u s ou t . W e k n ow t h a t you h ave a m u lt it u d e of p r ob lem s t o d eal w it h ever y d ay,
so w e w on ’t b ot h er you t oo m u ch .”
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e d id n ’t a t t em p t t o r em ain , h e sim p ly n od d ed sligh t ly.

“Sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, Eld er Du , you ’r e in ch ar ge of t ak in g car e of t h ese
d ist in gu ish ed gu est s. If an y of you w ish t o join t h e a r m y on ce you ’ve gr ad u at ed ,
t h e Cen t r al Legion of m y St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s W est er n Ar m y w ill a lw ays h ave it s
gat es’ op en t o you . You m igh t n ot get p aid ver y w ell h er e. H ow ever , t h is is t h e
b est ch oice for m en w h o w an t t o accom p lish som et h in g in life.”
M a Xiaot ao su d d en ly sp ok e u p , “Lor d Du k e, ar e you look in g d ow n on u s

w om en ?”
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e w as sligh t ly st u n n ed . H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t r eveal a

t r ace of ast on ish m en t on h is face w h en saw M a Xiaot ao; fr om h is p oin t of view ,
t h e you n g an d b eau t ifu l w om an in fr on t of h im h eld a w ild a u r a. Fu r t h er m or e,
sh e clear ly w asn ’t w eak .
“It ’s n ot t h at I’m look in g d ow n on you , b u t b ecau se t h er e ar e m an y
in con ven ien ces for w om en w it h in t h e b ar r ack s. H ow ever , you r cu lt ivat ion is
an ot h er cu p of t ea. If you ’r e w illin g t o follow t h is m ar sh al aft er gr ad u at in g, I’d
b e h on or ed t o accep t you .”
M a Xiaot ao r evealed a b r illian t sm ile, t h en r em ain ed silen t ; sh e look ed ver y

p leased .
W an g Yan w as som ew h at h elp less. Even t h ou gh h e w as t h e lead er of t h e

gr ou p in n am e, h e w as st ill in fer ior t o M a Xiaot ao w h en it cam e t o cu lt ivat ion .
Nat u r a lly, h e cou ld n ’t r est r ict a b r illian t st u d en t lik e h er . H e ap ologet ically said ,
“Lor d Du k e, w e w on ’t b ot h er you an ym or e t h en .”
“Alr igh t t h en . I h op e t h at I’ll h ave t h e ch an ce t o m eet a ll of you again .” On ce

h e’d said t h is, t h e W h it e T iger Du k e t u r n ed t ow ar d s t h e leat h er t en t an d
en t er ed it .
H u o Yu h ao felt lik e a h eavy w eigh t h ad b een lift ed fr om h is sh ou ld er s w h en

h e saw t h e W h it e T iger Du k e d isap p ear in t o t h e leat h er t en t . H e’d n ever felt t h is
n er vou s b efor e—n ot even d u r in g h is figh t again st W u Fen g w h en h e w as m u ch
w eak er . Cu r r en t ly, h e felt lik e h e w as ab ou t t o collap se.
Du Leisi led t h em t o an ot h er t en t , w h er e h e allow ed t h em t o r est aft er h e’d

ar r an ged for som e food t o b e b r ou gh t t o t h em . Aft er w a r d s, h e w en t t o ga t h er
t h e in for m at ion t h a t t h ey n eed ed . Befor e h e left , h e glan ced at H u o Yu h ao,
W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao w it h a som ew h at d ou b t fu l look in h is eyes.
W an g Yan said , “W e’ll r est for six h ou r s aft er w e fin ish ea t in g, t h en h ead in t o
t h e M in g Dou M ou n t ain Ran ge. I’m con fid en t t h a t w e’ll h ave t h e in for m at ion
w e n eed b y t h en .”
Ever yon e w as som ew h at exh au st ed aft er yest er d ay’s jou r n ey. T h eir cu r r en t
t ask w as t o en su r e t h at t h eir b od ies w er e in p eak con d it ion b efor e t h ey set ou t
for a figh t in t h e m ou n t ain s.
Xu San sh i cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask , “T each er W an g, sin ce t h e W h it e T iger
Bod ygu ar d s b en eat h t h e W h it e T iger Du k e ar e so st r on g, w h y h asn ’t t h e Du k e
sim p ly sen t t h em t o elim in at e t h e b an d it s?”
“H e h as,” Dai Yu eh en g r ep lied for W an g Yan , “h ow ever , if h e sen d s t oo m an y

p eop le, t h ey’ll cat ch w in d of it an d r u n aw ay. Con t r ar ily, if h e sen d s t oo few
p eop le, it w on ’t b e of m u ch u se. T h e b an d it s fr om t h e H a n d of Deat h ar e b ot h
r at h er st r on g a n d ext r em ely cr aft y. T h ey m igh t even h ave a few sp ies p la n t ed
w it h in t h e ar m y. Fat h er h as sen t sever a l p eop le in t h e p ast t o elim in at e t h em ,
yet t h ey’ve all r et u r n ed w it h ou t an y su ccess an d a lar ge n u m b er of losses. T h e
ar ea in w h ich t h e b an d it s h ave st at ion ed t h em selves is an ext r em ely sen sit ive
p ar t of t h e b or d er , t h u s t h e Cen t r al Legion can on ly en d u r e silen t ly, in or d er t o
p r even t a n eed less w ar . As st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y, w e’r e d iffer en t ; w e
ar en ’t r est r ict ed b y an y cou n t r ies. As su ch , w e m u st m ak e su r e t o t h or ou gh ly
w ip e t h em ou t t h is t im e.”
On ce t h ey’d fin ish ed eat in g, ever yon e im m ed iat ely b egan m ed it at in g an d

r ecu p er at in g. T h is w as alr ead y a fam iliar t ask t o t h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les,
w h ile Bei Bei, Xu Sa n sh i, H e Cait ou , an d J ian g Nan n an w er e r elat ively old er ,
t h u s t h ey w er e ab le t o t ak e ever yt h in g in som ew h at q u ick er . H ow ever , H u o
Yu h ao’s t r io w er e m er ely t w elve year s old . T h is t ask w as t r u ly a b it t oo ear ly for
t h em . Fr om an ot h er st an d p oin t , t h ey w er e ju st k id s.
H ow ever , t h is m at t er h ad b een d ecid ed b y Eld er Xu an , an d n ob od y p r esen t

cou ld ch an ge t h at . W an g Yan clear ly u n d er st ood t h at Eld er Xu an h ad n ’t d on e
t h is in or d er t o allow t h e p r ep er at or y t eam t o d ir ect ly p ar t icip at e in t h e
m assacr e. Rat h er , h e w an t ed t h em t o exp er ien ce w h at a m ission w as lik e fir st -
h an d , an d h ast en t h e gr ow t h of t h eir m en t al m at u r it y. No m at t er h ow good t h e
acad em y’s t est s an d live-com b at t r a in in g w as, it w as st ill in com p ar ab le t o t h e
im p r ovem en t s gain ed fr om a r eal b at t le in a sit u at ion lik e t h is. In r ealit y, t h e
m ain com b at an t s in t h is m ission w ou ld b e t h e seven fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d .
Eld er Xu an d id n ’t en t er t h eir b ar r ack s, as h e w asn ’t w illin g t o con cer n

h im self w it h gover n m en t officials. W it h h is st r en gt h an d st a t u s, h e alon e cou ld
r ep r esen t Sh r ek Acad em y. H ow ever , an old m an lik e h im w ou ld n ever lose t r ack
of h is st u d en t s. Fu r t h er m or e, h e w as con fid en t t h at h e cou ld car r y t h ese you n g
p eop le t h r ou gh a b at t le if n eed b e.
Aft er six h ou r s of m ed it at ion , ever yon e’s exh au st ion h ad b een sw ep t aw ay.
Noon h ad alr ead y p assed , an d aft er t h ey’d eat en t h e lu n ch t h at Du Leisi’s m en
h ad left for t h em , Du Leisi h im self b r ou gh t over t h e in for m at ion t h at t h e
Cen t r al Legion h ad gat h er ed over for t h em .
Accor d in g t o t h e in for m at ion h e’d gat h er ed , t h e H an d of Deat h m ain ly

car r ied ou t it s act ivit ies in an d ar ou n d t h e cen t r al r egion of t h e M in g Dou
M ou n t ain Ran ge. W h en t h ey h ad a d esign at ed t a r get , t h ey’d r u sh d ow n t h e
m ou n t ain an d p lu n d er t h em at t h e gr eat est p ossib le sp eed . T h e en t ir e b an d it
gr ou p n u m b er ed ar ou n d t h r ee h u n d r ed in t ot al, all of w h om w er e you n g m en in
t h e p r im e of t h eir lives. Of t h em , ab ou t a t en t h of t h eir en t ir e gr ou p w er e sou l
m ast er s. Un exp ect ed ly, n ob od y k n ew w h o t h e lead er of t h eir lead er w as; t h e
on ly t h in g t h ey k n ew w as t h at h e w as at t h e ver y least a Sou l Kin g. Nob od y
k n ew exact ly h ow st r on g h e w as.
T h e r eason w h y t h er e w as so lit t le in for m at ion ab ou t t h em w as b ecau se t h e

H an d of Deat h n ever left an y su r vivor s; t h eir m et h od s w er e ext r em ely b r u t al.
T h e m ost r ecen t p iece of in for m at ion w as fr om r ou gh ly h alf a m on t h ago:

T h ey’d fled in t o t h e M in g Dou M ou n t ain Ran ge aft er loot in g a gr ou p of
m er ch an t s. T h is r ep or t also in clu d ed t h e gen er al d ir ect ion in w h ich t h ey’d fled .
T h e ar m y on ly h ad t h is m u ch in for m at ion b ecau se t h er e w as a p ossib ilit y of a

q u ar r el if t h ey w er e t o en t er t h e d om ain of t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. As su ch , t h e
W est er n Ar m y cou ld n ’t h elp t h em ou t at all, t o t h e ext en t t h at t h ey cou ld n ’t
even b r in g t h e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools t h ey’d b een len t in t o t h e m ou n t ain s.
H ow ever , t im e w as of t h e essen ce; t h ey st ill h ad t o p ar t icip at e in t h e

Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n a m en t . H en ce, t h ey
im m ed iat ely set off on ce t h ey’d ob t ain ed a m ap . T h ey fir st flew t o t h e en t r an ce
t o t h e m ou n t ain s u n d er t h e gu id an ce of t h e W h it e T iger b od ygu ar d s, t h en
d escen d ed an d h an d ed b ack t h eir flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools. Aft er t h at , t h ey
im m ed iat ely en t er ed t h e M in g Dou M ou n t ain Ran ge an d b egan t o u t ilize t h e
m ap p r ovid ed b y t h e ar m y t o n avigat e t h e m ou n t ain s.
“M ain t ain you r for m at ion . Dai Yu eh en g, Ch en Zifen g, an d I w ill r em ain in

fr on t . Con t r ol-t yp e an d au xilia r y-t yp e sou l m ast er s w ill r em ain t en m et er s
b eh in d u s. H u o Yu h ao, com e over h er e. Follow m e, an d m ak e su r e t o k eep you r
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion u p . Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, you t w o k eep u p t h e r ear . Let ’s set
off!”
T h e p er son w h o’d sen t ou t t h eir com m an d s w as t h eir lea d er , M a Xiaot ao.

H u o Yu h ao felt ver y d ep r essed w h en h e w as exp r op r iat ed b y h er . T h u s, h e cou ld
on ly follow h er or d er s an d r elease h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion Sh ar in g.
H is om n i-p u r p ose sk ill on ce again h elp ed en or m ou sly. In com p licat ed t er r ain

su ch as a m ou n t ain ou s for est , t h e t h r ee-d im en sion al im age p r ovid ed b y h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as an en or m ou s b en efit . Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao cou ld
on ly ext en d it t en m et er s fr om h im , t h ese t en m et er s w er e st ill en ou gh t o allow
ever yon e t o en joy it s b en efit s.
W it h M a Xiaot ao’s t r io lead in g t h e w ay, t h ey t r avelled for w ar d s at an

ext r em ely r ap id p ace. T h e effect iven ess of Ch en Zifen g’s Sou lch asin g Sw or d w as
ext r em ely evid en t ; a s h e h old h is sw or d in fr on t of t h em , t h e b r am b les in fr on t
of t h em w er e all cu t ap ar t r at h er q u ick ly. Com b in ed w it h Dai Yu eh en g an d M a
Xiaot ao’s st r en gt h s, t h ey w er e easily a b le t o cu t a sm oot h p at h t h r ou gh t h e
foliage in fr on t of t h em . T h ey’d alr ea d y p en et r at ed d eep in t o t h e M in g Dou
M ou n t ain Ran ge b y t h e t im e t h at t h e sk y h ad b egu n t o d im .
W h en W an g Yan saw t h at t h e sk y w as b egin n in g t o d im , h e r em in d ed M a

Xiaot ao, “Let ’s let ever yon e t ak e a r est an d eat som et h in g.”
M a Xiaot ao n od d ed . “Ever yon e, let ’s r est w h er e w e ar e for n ow . Don ’t ligh t a

fir e, so t h at w e d on ’t aler t t h em in ad ver t en t ly. I’m afr aid t h at w e’ll h ave t o
con t in u e ou r sear ch t h r ou gh ou t t h e n igh t .”
T h e st u d en t s sat in a cir cle t o r est , b u t T each er W an g Yan sou n d lessly left . M a
Xiaot ao d id n ’t p ay a n y at t en t ion t o t h e fact t h at h e’d left . In st ead , sh e t u r n ed
t ow ar d s Dai Yu eh en g, w h o w as n ext t o h er , an d said , “Dai Yu eh en g, you r
fat h er ’s r at h er h an d som e.”
“W h en m y fat h er w as you n g, h e w as t h e n u m b er on e n ob le of ou r St ar Lu o
Em p ir e,” Dai Yu eh en g in d iffer en t ly r ep lied , “it w asn ’t b ecau se of h is look s, b u t
b ecau se of h is ab ilit y. H e d id n ’t en t er ou r Sh r ek Acad em y t o st u d y, b u t r at h er
follow ed h is fat h er on t o t h e b at t lefield at t h e age of t h ir t een . H e b egan a s an
or d in ar y sold ier , t h en w as ab le t o accu m u lat e en ou gh m er it s t o b e p r om ot ed t o
a sq u ad r on lea d er , t h en a t eam lead er , t h en a m id -t eam lea d er , t h en a lar ge-
t eam lead er , t h en a b at t alion com m an d er , t h en a r egim en t al com m an d er … all
t h e w ay u p u n t il h e m an aged t o b ecom e a Legion Com m an d er at t h e m er e age of
t w en t y-t h r ee. At t h a t t im e, n ob od y k n ew w h er e h e’d com e fr om . Aft er a lar ge
b at t le, m y fat h er ach ieved ou t st an d in g m er it s, an d w as called t o t h e im p er ial
cap it al t o h old a p ost . W h en h e accep t ed a r ew ar d fr om H is M ajest y, H is M ajest y
r ecogn ised h im d u e t o t h e sim ilar it ies in h is ap p ear an ce an d m y gr an d fat h er ’s.
Over joyed , H is M ajest y en t r u st ed t h e W est er n Ar m y’s Cen t r al Legion t o h im .
Fu r t h er m or e, h e even st at ed t h a t ‘w it h Dai H ao, t h e em p ir e w ill h ave n o w or r ies
for a h u n d r ed year s’ in fr on t of all of t h e m in ist er s.”
M a Xiaot ao’s eyes lit u p . “If you p u t it t h at w ay, is you r fat h er st ill a h er o?”
Dai Yu eh en g r evealed a t r ace of p r id e in h is eyes. “M y gr an d fat h er said t h a t

fat h er ’s t alen t is com p ar ab le t o t h at of ou r an cest or ’s, t h e lead er of t h e fir st
gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. Fat h er is n ow for t y-t h r ee year s old , an d
h e’s com m an d ed t h e ar m y for t w en t y year s alr ead y. H ow cou ld t h e n u m b er of
b at t les h e’s p ar t icip at ed in b e lim it ed t o ju st a t h ou sa n d ? You k n ow h ow st r on g
t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e is, b u t m y St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s w est er n b or d er h as alw ays
b een in vu ln er ab le t o at t ack . T h a t ’s all d u e t o t h e p r esen ce of m y fat h er ! If w e
w er e t o say t h at on ly on e p er son cou ld b e called a h er o in m y St ar Lu o Em p ir e,
t h en t h a t t it le d efin it ely d eser ves t o go t o m y fat h er !”
M a Xiaot ao’s eyes im m ed iat ely b r igh t en ed even m or e. “T h en h ow m an y
w ives d oes you r fat h er h ave?”
Dai Yu eh en g w as st u n n ed , an d h is ga ze im m ed iat ely t u r n ed som ew h at

st r an ge. “On ly m y m ot h er . In ou r gen er at ion , t h er e’s on ly m y b r ot h er H u ab in
an d I. M y fat h er ’s ext r em ely self-d iscip lin ed in t h e field of w om en . H e’s alw ays
said ‘if a m an ca n ’t con t r ol h is lu st t ow ar d s w om en , h e w on ’t h ave an y lar ge
accom p lish m en t s’. W h y d o you ask ?”
M a Xiaot ao st ar ed at h im , “Can ’t I ad m ir e h im ? A m an like you r fat h er is

d efin it ely a t r u e m an . You sh ou ld lear n fr om h im .”
A ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh Dai Yu eh en g’s eyes. “On ce w e’ve fin ish ed t h is t ask ,
I’ll h ave com p let ed t h ir t y Gu ar d ia n m ission s. On ce I’ve gr ad u at ed fr om t h e
acad em y, I’ll en t er t h e ar m y. H ow ever , I w on ’t st ay in t h e W est er n Ar m y; I’ll
h ead t o t h e Nor t h , even t h ou gh t h er e ar e few er w ar s t h er e. I w an t t o follow t h e
sam e p at h as m y fat h er : I w an t t o car ve ou t m y ow n p at h , solely r elyin g on
m yself.”
Chapt er 72.1: Hand of Deat h—Envoys of t he Deat h
God!
M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g h ow ever , d id n ’t r ealise t h a t H u o Yu h ao h ad

b u r ied h is fist s in t o t h e soil b en eat h h im .
Onl y one w i f e? H e’s ver y sel f -di sci pl i n ed w hen i t com es t o w om en? W hat
does m y m ot her count as, t hen? T h e h at r ed h e’ d suppr essed f or so l on g gr ew
even st r on ger w h en h e h ear d Dai Yueh en g. Per haps he i s a nat i onal her o, but
he’ s def i ni t el y not a qual i f i ed h usband or f at her . I f he’ d i nt er vened, m om
w oul d’ ve...
T h e sk y h ad al r eady di m m ed by t h i s poi n t , such t h at i t w as di f f i cul t t o even

see on e’ s ow n h an ds i n f r on t of t h em ben eat h t h e cover t h e f or est . At t h at
m om en t , W an g Yan r et ur n ed.
“ Ever yon e, com e h er e f or a m om en t .” W an g Yan w aved ever yon e t ow ar ds

him .
T h e st uden t s f r om t h e out er cour t yar d i m m edi at el y m oved t ow ar ds h i m ,

w h i l e t h e seven f r om t h e i n n er cour t yar d w er e som ew h at i m pat i en t . I n t er m s of
cul t i vat i on al on e, W an g Yan w as just a Soul Ki n g, w h i ch m ean t t h at h e w as
m er el y on par w i t h t h em . M or eover , h e w as m er el y a t each er f r om t h e out er
cour t yar d; as st uden t s f r om t h e i n n er cour t yar d, t h ey on l y r ecogn i sed st r en gt h .
As such , t h ey di dn ’ t t r ul y r espect a t each er l i k e W an g Yan , w h o w asn ’ t m uch
st r on ger t h an t h em . H ow ever , a t each er w as st i l l a t each er , t h us t h ey st i l l
deci ded t o gi ve h i m som e f ace.
“ I just f i n i sh ed scout i n g out t h e ar ea ar oun d us,” W an g Yan sai d i n a l ow

voi ce, “ com bi n ed w i t h t h e obser vat i on s w e m ade on our jour n ey h er e, I ’ ve m ade
a f ew di scover i es.
“I fou n d a few W ar m M ist T r ees n ea r u s. For t h ose of you w h o d on ’t k n ow , a
W ar m M ist T r ee is a r elat ively r ar e t yp e of t r ee w h ose cor e can b e u sed t o
p r od u ce m ed icin e. It s t r u n k is as h ar d as st eel, w h ich m ak es it ext r em ely
su it ab le t o b e u sed in var iou s t yp es of fu r n it u r e. Du r in g it s gr ow t h , it h as r at h er
st r in gen t oxygen r eq u ir em en t s; on ly ar eas t h at h a ve h igh levels of veget at ion
ar e su it ab le for t h em . An old b ook I on ce r ead st at ed t h a t W a r m M ist T r ees on ly
gr ow in ar eas t h a t ’r e at least fift y m iles d eep in t o a for est . Fu r t h er m or e, it st at ed
t h at t h ese t r ees lik e t h e cold n ess of Yin , t h u s t h eir cor es can h elp sou l m ast er s
w it h Yin -at t r ib u t ed m ar t ial sou ls.”
M a Xiaot ao fu r r ow ed h er b r ow s. “T each er W an g, w h at ’r e you t r yin g t o say?”
W an g Yan r ep lied , “W h at I m ean is t h at t h e ap p ear an ce of t h ese W ar m M ist

T r ees sign ifies t h at w e’ve en t er ed t h e cor e r egion of t h e M in g Dou M ou n t ain
Ran ge. At t h e ver y least , w e’ve r each ed it s b or d er . M or eover , b ased on t h e
in for m at ion w e’ve b een given , t h e lead er of t h e H an d of Deat h m igh t b e an evil
sou l m ast er . I fou n d t h is ju st n ow .”
H e t h en r et r ieved a t r ee t r u n k fr om h is st or age-t yp e sou l t ool. T h e t r ee t r u n k

ap p ear ed t o h ave b een sn ap p ed in h alf by som et h in g, an d a cylin d r ica l h ole w as
p r esen t w it h in it .
W an g Yan said , “T h is is t h e W ar m M ist T r ee. It s cor e is n or m ally d ar k -b lu e,

b u t as you can see, it ’s m issin g. In ot h er w or d s, it ’s b een r em oved b y som eon e.
Con sid er in g w h o ou r t ar get is t h is t im e, w e can m ak e a b old con ject u r e t h at t h is
w as d on e b y eit h er t h e lead er of t h e b an d it s or b y on e of h is su b or d in a t es, t h en
eat en b y t h e lead er . If t h is is r eally t h e case, t h en t h e lik elih ood of ou r en em y
b ein g an evil sou l m ast er is ext r em ely h igh . At t h e sam e t im e, t h at also m ean s
t h at w e’r e n ot far aw ay fr om ou r en em ies.”
“I can agr ee w it h t h e fir st p oin t ,” M a Xiaot ao said , “h ow ever , w h at b asis ar e

you r elyin g on t o say t h at w e’r e n ot far aw ay fr om ou r en em ies? Don ’t t h ese
W ar m M ist T r ees gr ow in ot h er ar eas?” W an g Yan h ad act u a lly ab le t o d ed u ce
su ch a lar ge am ou n t of in for m at ion w it h ju st a t in y clu e lik e t h is; t h e ot h er s
cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ad m ir e h im b ecau se of t h is. Becau se of t h is, M a Xiaot ao h ad
also sp ok en in a p olit e m an n er t h a t b efit a st u d en t .
W an g Yan sm iled con fid en t ly. “I m en t ion ed t h a t t h e W a r m M ist T r ee is a

r elat ively r ar e t yp e of t r ee, r igh t ? Sin ce it ’s r ar e, it ob viou sly d oesn ’t ap p ear
ver y fr eq u en t ly. I on ly m en t ion ed t h e en vir on m en t r eq u ir ed for it t o gr ow , b u t
in r ealit y, t h e n u m b er of p laces it gr ow s in is st ill ext r em ely few in n u m b er .
T h er e ar e a r elat ively low n u m b er of W ar m M ist T r ees h er e, an d t h e on e t h at I
fou n d w as t h e lar gest t r ee. T o sou l m ast er s w it h Yin -a t t r ib u t ed m ar t ial sou ls,
n ot on ly d oes it s cor e assist t h em , it ca n also in cr ease t h eir in t er n al or gan s’
r esist a n ce t o t h e cold n ess of t h eir ow n Yin at t r ib u t e. Su ch a t h in g is ver y h ar d t o
com e b y. If it w er e you , w ou ld you give u p on som et h in g lik e t h is? T h u s, I can
p r act ically gu ar an t ee t h at t h ey ar en ’t far aw ay fr om h er e, con sid er in g t h e fact
t h at t h ey’ve d iscover ed an d ext r act ed a cor e alr ead y. W e’r e qu it e lu ck y; w e w er e
ab le t o fin d ou r t ar get w it h ou t goin g ver y far . If w e h ad n ’t , con sid er in g h ow
lar ge t h is m ou n t ain r an ge is, w e w ou ld ’ve h ad t o scou t fr om t h e air t om or r ow .
If w e’d d on e t h at , w e d efin it ely w ou ld ’ve at t r act ed t h eir at t en t ion , an d t h u s
w ou ld ’ve h ad t o d efen d again st t h em .”
Ever yon e p r esen t cou ld n ’t h elp b u t gain a n ew level of r esp ect for W an g Yan
b y t h e t im e t h ey’d fin ish ed list en in g t o h im . Of t h e fou r t een st u d en t s p r esen t ,
h e’d on ly t au gh t H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao. H ow ever , t h e t h r ee of
t h em on ly k n ew t h at h e w as ver y k n ow led geab le an d er u d it e in t h e field of
m ar t ial sou ls; t h ey’d n ever t h ou gh t t h at h is exp er ien ce w it h t h e w ild er n ess
w ou ld b e ju st a s ab u n d an t .
“T each er W an g, w h at sh ou ld w e d o n ow ?” M a Xiaot ao ask ed su b con sciou sly,

“Sh ou ld w e ju st w ait for an op p or t u n it y t o p r esen t it self?”
W an g Yan sh ook h is h ead . “No, w e h ave t o t ak e t h e in it iat ive. W h en p eop le

m ove ab ou t in t h e for est , t h ey’ll alw ays leave a few t r aces b eh in d . Even t h ou gh
it ’s alr ead y d ar k an d I can ’t locat e t h ese t r aces b y m yself, w e h ave Yu h ao’s
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . T h u s, it w on ’t b e t oo h ar d for u s t o fin d t h em . Yu h ao,
follow m e; list en t o m y or d er s an d scou t ah ead .”
“Ok ay.” H u o Yu h ao qu ick ly w alk ed over t o W an g Yan . H e also w an t ed t o
lear n h ow t o locat e u n k n ow n en em ies w it h in a for est .
W an g Yan led t h em t h r ee h u n d r ed or so m et er s d eep er in t o t h e for est , t h en

st op p ed in fr on t of a W ar m M ist T r ee. “Ou t of all t h e d est r oyed W ar m M ist
T r ees I fou n d ea r lier , t h e t r ack s n ear t h is on e ar e t h e m ost r ecen t . In ot h er
w or d s, it w as d est r oyed last . Yu h ao, u se you r Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion t o sear ch t h e
t h ir t y m et er s ar ou n d u s.”
“Un d er st ood .” Now t h at H u o Yu h ao’s cu lt ivat ion h ad in cr eased , h e cou ld

sh ar e h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w it h a t ot al of t en p eop le. H ow ever , h e on ly sh ar ed
it w it h W an g Yan for t h e sak e of im p r ovin g t h e accu r acy of h is p r ob e.
A t h r ee-d im en sion al im age of t h eir su r r ou n d in gs im m ed iat ely ap p ear ed in

t h eir m in d s. H u o Yu h ao m an ip u lat ed h is sp ir it u al p ow er an d st op p ed h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion fr om in st an t ly en cap su lat in g t h e t h ir t y m et er s ar ou n d h im ;
in st ead , h e slow ly h a d it ext en d ou t w ar d s, on e m et er at a t im e. Doin g it t h is w ay
w ou ld m ak e it so t h at t h e in for m at ion w ou ld n ’t im m ed iat ely flood W an g Yan ’s
m in d . On t h e con t r ar y, it w ou ld ap p ear p r ogr essively, w h ich w as m or e
b en eficial for an alysis an d scou t in g.
W an g Yan gave H u o Yu h ao a t h u m b s u p . Of t h e m an y st u d en t s h e’d t au gh t in

t h e p ast , t h e on e h e lik ed t h e m ost w as t h e p er son in fr on t of h im . H u o Yu h ao
m igh t n ot b e t h e sm ar t est st u d en t h e’d ever t au gh t , b u t h e w as d efin it ely t h e
m ost m at u r e, st ead y, an d h a r d -w or k in g p er son am on g h is p eer s. Fu r t h er m or e,
h e w as also t h e m ost t alen t ed st u d en t h e’d ever t a u gh t .
“St op .” W an g Yan w h isp er ed , aft er w ich H u o Yu h ao’s d et ect ion r ad iu s

im m ed iat ely cam e t o a h alt .
W an g Yan m ot ion ed for h im t o st ay w h er e h e w as, t h en slow ly m oved t o t h e

r igh t an d sq u a t t ed d ow n t o a p at ch of u n d er gr ow t h . H e car efu lly ob ser ved it for
a w h ile, an d aft er ver ifyin g w h at h e’d seen w it h H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion , h e w aved t o t h e r est an d slow ly m oved in t h e d ir ect ion of t h e
u n d er gr ow t h .
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly follow ed b eh in d W an g Yan , m ak in g su r e t o k eep h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion act ivat ed . T h e ot h er s all follow ed b eh in d h im . M a Xiaot ao
an d Dai Yu eh en g fla n k ed t h e con t r ol-t yp e an d au xiliar y-t yp e sou l m ast er s in t h e
m id d le, w h ile t h e agilit y-t yp e Xi Xi an d J ian g Nan n an van ish ed in t o t h e n igh t ,
evid en t ly scou t in g t h eir su r r ou n d in gs. Ever yon e ad van ced in an or d er ly
m an n er , an d even t h ou gh t h ey w er en ’t qu ick , W an g Yan ’s p ace w as ext r em ely
st ab le.
At t h e sam e t im e, H u o Yu h ao sh ar ed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w it h M a Xiaot ao,

Dai Yu eh en g, an d W an g Don g. T h ey b egan t o r esp ect W an g Yan m or e an d m or e
as t h ey con t in u ed t o car efu lly ob ser ve t h eir su r r ou n d in gs.
W an g Yan w as ab le t o d iscover a few su b t le clu es w it h H u o Yu h ao’s h elp , su ch

as a few sn ap p ed b r an ch es, som e sh a llow foot p r in t s in t h e d ir t , p ieces of clot h
on t h e t r ees, an d a few b lood st ain s left on t h e b r am b les ar ou n d t h em .
T h ey gr ad u ally left t h e w ood s as t h ey con t in u ed t o t h ese clu es, an d ad van ced

at t h e sam e slow p ace for an h ou r .
“St op .” W an g Yan su d d en ly r aised h is h an d an d said . T h e st u d en t s t h at w er e

follow in g h im im m ed iat ely cr ou ch ed d o w n an d lean ed t ow ar d s h im .
“Ou r sear ch sh ou ld n ’t h ave b een w r on g,” W an g Yan w h isp er ed , “t h er e ar e a

lar ge n u m b er of m essy foot p r in t s in t h e ar ea in fr on t of u s. Evid en t ly, m an y
p eop le fr eq u en t ly p ass t h r ou gh h er e. Ou r en em ies sh ou ld n ’t b e far aw ay n ow .
Ever yon e, ad ju st you r con d it ion s. Pr ep ar e for b at t le.”
T h e t r ees in fr on t of t h em h ad b ecom e ext r em ely sp ar se, an d even M a Xiaot ao

an d Dai Yu eh en g w er e ab le t o clear ly n ot ice t h e t r ack s h e w as t alk in g ab ou t w it h
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . W an g Yan h ad clear ly d iscover ed t h e cor r ect
locat ion .
“T each er W an g, am azin g.” M a Xiaot ao p r aised h im in a low voice. T h e ot h er

st u d en t s clear ly r esp ect ed h im m u ch m or e n ow .
W an g Yan sm iled b it t er ly. “M y t alen t in cu lt ivat ion is q u it e p oor , t h u s I’ve
focu sed m ost of m y en er gy on t h ese sor t of m iscellan eou s t h in gs; it ’s n ot h in g
m u ch . On ce t h is t ou r n am en t is over , it ’s ver y lik ely t h at I’ll b ecom e a t each er in
t h e in n er cou r t yar d . If you ’r e in t er est ed , I can t each you all t h ese sk ills t h en .
Now t h en , Yu h ao, h ow far can you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion r each ?”
H u o Yu h ao p au sed for a m om en t . “If I d ir ect it in a st r aigh t lin e, it sh ou ld b e

ab le t o r each t w o h u n d r ed m et er s or so. H ow ever , I can ’t u se it t h a t w ay for ver y
lon g, as t h e d r ain on b ot h m y sp ir it u al p ow er an d sou l p ow er is ext r em ely
lar ge.”
W an g Yan n od d ed . “T h at ’s fin e. Scan t h e ar ea fr om ou r eleven o’clock t o

t h r ee o’clock an d see w h et h er you can fin d an yt h in g.”
“Ok ay.” H u o Yu h ao eyes focu sed , cau sin g t h e gold in h is p u p ils t o d eep en
som ew h at . H e im m ed iat ely sw it ch ed h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion fr om it s u su al
om n id ir ect ion al m od e t o it s u n id ir ect ion al m od e, t h en sen t it for w ar d s in t h e
d ir ect ion t h a t W an g Yan h ad t old h im t o. H is h ead sligh t ly sw ayed as h e
scan n ed t h e cir cu lar sect or p er W an g Yan ’s in st r u ct ion s.
“I can fain t ly sen se a h illsid e five h u n d r ed m et er s t o t h e left . T h ese foot st ep s

also seem t o lead t o t h e b ot t om of t h at h ill.” H u o Yu h ao q u ick ly gave an an sw er
as h e r et r act ed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . A d et ect ion lik e t h is h ad d r ain ed h im b y
qu it e a b i.
W an g Yan n od d ed . “Sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, ou r en em ies sh ou ld b e b en eat h t h at

h ill. If I’m n ot w r on g, t h e cave t h at t h ey’r e h id in g in is also t h er e. W h en w e
m ak e ou r m ove lat er , w e’ll h ave t o con fir m w h o t h ey ar e fir st . On ce w e’r e su r e
t h at t h ey’r e m em b er s t h e H a n d of Deat h , I d on ’t t h in k I n eed t o t ell you gu ys
w h at t o d o. T h e p r ep ar at or y t eam w ill b e w it h m e, an d t h ey’ll b e in ch ar ge of
assist in g you gu ys. Xiaot ao, w e’ll b e r elyin g on you t o at t ack t h em .”
Chapt er 72.2: Hand of Deat h—Envoys of t he
Deat h God!
“No p r ob lem , leave it t o u s.” A fier ce flam e seem ed t o h ave b een lit in M a
Xiaot ao’s p in k ish -r ed eyes. Now t h at t h ey’d fou n d t h eir t ar get , t h e on ly t h in g
left for t h em t o d o w as m ak e t h eir m ove.
W an g Yan said , “Ever yon e, ch an ge in t o you r ou t fit s. Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s,

p r ep ar e t o m ove ou t .”
As ever yon e b egan t o m ove H u o Yu h ao felt an in d escr ib a b le sen sat ion of

excit em en t fill h is b od y. W h en W an g Yan h ad said t h e w or d s ‘Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s’,
h e’d clear ly felt h is b lood b egin t o b oil. H e w asn ’t even t h ir t een , yet h e w as
ab ou t t o figh t for Sh r ek Acad em y!
Ever yb od y w as w ear in g a Gu a r d ian Rin g t h at b elon ged solely t o t h em , b u t t h e

sm aller a sou l t ool w as, t h e h ar d er it w as t o con t r ol it . H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t even
ab le t o t ell w h at class h is Gu ar d ian Rin g w as, b u t h e p u t it on t h e in d ex fin ger of
h is left h an d u n d er M a Xiaot ao’s in st r u ct ion s.
H e’d alr ead y b lood -b ou n d t h e r in g t o h im self d u r in g t h eir r est last n igh t .

W h en h e p u t it on , t h e r in g im m ed iat ely sh r u n k t o fit it self t o h is fin ger .
H e p ou r ed h is sou l p ow er in t o t h e r in g, a n d a b ew it ch in g layer of gr een ligh t

im m ed iat ely flash ed acr oss it s jad e-gr een su r face. H e t h en t ook ou t it s con t en t s
on e b y on e.
T h e fir st t h in g h e t ook ou t w as a set of ar m or t h at cover ed h is en t ir e b od y

fr om t o t oe; t h e on ly t h in gs it r evealed w er e h is eyes, n ose, a n d m ou t h . T h is set
of ar m or w as ext r em ely flexib le, an d w as m ad e fr om som e sor t u n k n ow n
m at er ial, w h ich m a d e it feel lik e a ver y t h in p iece of leat h er . It s t ext u r e
r esem b led t h at of sk in , yet it w as ext r em ely d u r ab le. Aft er t est in g it ou t for a
b it , H u o Yu h ao d iscover ed t h at h e w as on ly ab le t o sen d sou l p ow er ou t w ar d s;
h e w asn ’t ab le t o ab sor b an y fr om t h e ou t sid e w h ile h e h ad it on . T h e d efen sive
cap ab ilit ies of t h is set of ar m or cou ld b e seen w it h ou t a d o u b t ; a fain t layer of
t h in sca les w as even visib le at op t h e su r fa ce of t h e ar m or .
Du e t o t h e d iffer en ces b et w een m en an d w om en , ever yon e n at u r ally ch an ged

in t w o d iffer en t ar ea s accor d in g t o t h eir gen d er . H u o Yu h ao h ad p lan n ed t o d r ag
W an g Don g alon g t o ch an ge, b u t t h e lat t er sh ot st r aigh t in t o t h e w ood s an d
q u ick ly ch an ged b efor e h e cou ld .
Ot h er t h an ar m or , ever yon e h ad also b een p r ovid ed w it h a d ar k -gr een set of

w ar r ior r ob es an d a d ar k -gr een m ask , as w ell as a d ar k -gr een cloak .
T h r ee Gu ar d ian -sp ecialised fla r es w er e also st r ap p ed t o t h eir w aist s.
W h en ever yon e gat h er ed b ack t oget h er , t h ey felt an air of m yst er y w h en t h ey

look ed at each ot h er . T h eir cloak s cover ed b ot h t h eir h ead s an d b od ies, a n d
w er e ext r em ely t igh t -fit t in g; t h ey seem ed t o b e m ad e ou t of t h e sam e m at er ial as
t h eir ar m or . T h ey w er e ver y t h in , yet seem ed t o p ossess a sen se of t act ilit y an d
an ext r aor d in a r y am ou n t of d efen sive p ow er .
“Pr ep ar e t o m ak e a m ove,” W an g Yan w h isp er ed , “Xiaot ao, you ’ll lead t h e

figh t . I’ll b e in ch ar ge of com m an d in g t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam .”
“Alr igh t .” M a Xiaot ao im m ed iat ely r ep lied .
M a Xiaot ao b en t h er b od y sligh t ly, t h en leap t in t o t h e air fir st . Dai Yu eh en g

an d Ch en Zifen g im m ed iat ely fla n k ed h er on b ot h sid es, w h ile t h e ot h er fou r
in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les qu ick ly m oved ou t as w ell. T h ey m ain t ain ed a n eat
for m at ion as t h ey qu iet ly set ou t .
W an g Yan w aved h is h an d a few secon d s aft er t h ey’d left an d led t h e

p r ep ar at or y t eam u p as w ell.
Bei Bei t ook t h e lea d r ole of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam , w h ile Xu San sh i st ayed at

t h e ver y b ack . Aft er all, t h eir r ole w as m er ely t o assist t h eir sen ior s fr om t h e
in n er cou r t yar d ; t ak in g car e of t h em selves w as of t h e u t m ost im p or t an ce. Un d er
W an g Yan ’s com m an d s, H e Cait ou an d J ian g Nan n an flan k ed t h eir gr ou p on t h e
sid e. W an g Yan h im self, on t h e ot h er h an d , w as d ir ect ly b eh in d H u o Yu h ao’s
t r io; h e em p h asized p r ot ect in g t h e t h r ee p eop le w it h t h e low est level of
cu lt ivat ion in t h eir gr ou p .
M a Xiaot ao an d t h e r est w er e ext r em ely fast ; H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion

w as sim p ly u n ab le t o k eep u p w it h t h em . For t u n at ely, h e w as st ill ab le t o u se it
on h is com p an ion s in t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam an d on T each er W an g Yan .
T h ey r ap id ly ar r ived at t h e h illsid e t h a t H u o Yu h ao h ad sp ot t ed ear lier . T h er e

w er e n o t r aces of M a Xiaot ao’s h ep t et , b u t t h e ar ea w as com p let ely silen t .
“Let ’s h ead d ow n as w ell,” W an g Yan w h isp er ed , “Bei Bei, p r ep ar e for b at t le.”
“Ok ay.” Bei Bei d id n ’t d ar e t o b e n egligen t . H e q u ick ly r eleased h is Blu e

Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon , t h en d escen d ed fr om t h e h illsid e fir st . T h ey qu ick ly
sp ot t ed a cave t h at w as cover ed in a lar ge an d d en se am ou n t of vin es. T h is w as,
w it h ou t a d ou b t , t h e n est t h a t t h e b an d it s h ad st at ion ed t h em selves in .
T h er e w er e alr ea d y five or six fallen b a n d it s n ear t h e en t r an ce t o t h e cave.

Un d ou b t ed ly, t h eir st at u ses as m em b er s of t h e H an d of Deat h h ad b een
con fir m ed , as M a Xiaot ao an d t h e r est h a d alr ead y m ad e t h eir m ove.
At t h at m om en t , a m u ffled exp losion r an g ou t fr om in t h e cave. Im m ed iat ely

aft er w ar d s, n oisy sh ou t s b egan t o r in g ou t fr om t h e cave. Aft er t h at , t h er e w er e
ab le t o h ear som e m u ffled sou n d s an d sen se st r on g flu ct u a t io n s of sou l p ow er .
Bei Bei t u r n ed h is h ead t ow ar d s W an g Ya n , w h o said in a solem n voice, “H ead

in sid e. Yu h ao, r elease you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion all ar ou n d u s. Ever yon e, you
m u st b e car efu l.”
H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely r eleased h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t o t h e b est of h is

ab ilit y, w h ich cau sed t h r ee-d im en sion al im age in ever yb od y’s m in d s t o
im m ed iat ely w id en .
T h e en t r an ce t o t h e cave w asn ’t b ig, b u t it s in t er ior w as ext r em ely vast .
Besid es t h e cor p ses at t h e en t r an ce, t h ey on ly saw an ot h er cor p se aft er t h ey’d
ad van ced fift y m et er s.
T h e d en se sm ell of b lood assau lt ed t h eir sen ses as t h ey ad van ced . Bei Bei, Xu
San sh i, an d H e Cait ou w er e st ill som ew h at fin e, b u t t h e ot h er fou r h ad
som ew h at p ale exp r ession s.
“Ah —!” J ian g Nan n an su d d en ly scr eech ed , an d h er b od y violen t ly sh u d d er ed .

H u o Yu h ao, w h o’d or igin ally r eleased h is Sp ir it u al Det ect io n in a sin gle p lan e
p ar allel t o t h e gr ou n d , im m ed ia t ely in cr eased it s r an ge as h e look ed u p w ar d s
follow in g h er gaze.
T h e scen e aw ait in g t h em d id n ’t seem im p or t an t , b u t all of t h eir exp r ession s

in st an t ly ch an ged .
Un exp ect ed ly, t h er e w er e t en sh eet s of h u m an sk in h an gin g fr om t h e w alls.

T h er e w as even an in fan t ’s cor p se im p aled on a st alagm it e. Ear lier , J ian g
Nan n an h ad r a ised h er h ead w h en sh e felt t h e d r op s of b lood com in g fr om t h e
cor p se ab ove t h em .
“Bast ar d !” T h e u su a lly-sch olar ly Bei Bei an gr ily r oar ed . T h ese w er e t h e sin s

com m it t ed b y t h e H an d of Deat h b an d it gr ou p ! At t h at m om en t , ever yb od y
p r esen t felt t h eir eyes go b lood sh ot . T h ese b an d it s d id n ’t even let lit t le in fan t s
off! T h ey w er e sim p ly w or se t h an b east s.
As t h ey con t in u ed for w ar d , t h e n u m b er of cor p ses b egan t o gr ad u ally

in cr ease, w h ile t h e sou n d s of com b at b egan t o gr ow m or e in t en se. T h e b an d it s
w it h in t h e cave h ad d ied in all sor t s of st r an ge w ays, b u t n obod y gave t h em even
a sh r ed of sym p at h y. T h is w as b ecau se t h e t w o w a lls of t h e cave w er e en t ir ely
lin ed w it h sh eet s of h u m an sk in h an gin g fr om t h em . Fr om t h e t im e t h ey’d
en t er ed t h e cave t ill n ow , t h ey’d seen m or e t h an a h u n d r ed , som e of w h ich h a d
even b een d r ied b y t h e w in d .
“Rou se you r selves. T h ese ar e all evil m en ; k illin g on e of t h em is eq u ivalen t t o
savin g a cou n t less n u m b er of p eop le.” W an g Yan sh ou t ed , cau sin g H u o Yu h ao,
W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, an d J ian g Nan n an ’s h ear t s, w h ich w er e in an ext r em ely
n er vou s st at e, t o sh a k e.
T h e t er r ain in fr on t of t h em su d d en ly w id en ed , an d t h ey fin ally saw t h e t r u e

sit u a t ion of t h e b at t le t h a t w as h ap p en in g. T h e con st an t flick er in g fr om sou l
r in gs d azzled ever yon e’s eyes. M a Xiaot ao’s Evil Ph oen ix w as m ost n ot iceab le,
an d n on e of h er en em ies w er e sp ar ed fr om t h e b er ser k act iva t ion of h er
scor ch in g flam es. H er su r r ou n d in gs w er e lit t er ed w it h b an d it cor p ses.
Gon g Yan gm o st ood at t h e ver y cen t r e of t h e gr ou p , an d m u lt i-color ed r ays of

ligh t con t in u ou sly sh ot ou t fr om h is b od y an d lan d ed on h is com p an ion s. T h e
ot h er s h ad loosely su r r ou n d ed h im an d k ep t h im in t h e m id d le of t h em .
Yao H aoxu an h ad alr ead y t r an sfor m ed in t o h is m assive b od y, an d w as

con t in u ou sly p ou n d in g on h is ch est w it h h is fist s. H e p r ot ect ed Gon g Yan gm o’s
b ack , w h ile Lin g Lu och en t ook t h e ot h er sid e. T h e t h r ee of t h em d id n ’t
p ar t icip at e d ir ect ly in t h e figh t , b u t if an yb od y w er e t o assu m e t h at t h ey’d b e
easy t o d eal w it h , t h ey w ou ld b e w r on g.
T h e b an d it s t h at st ill h ad t h e ab ilit y t o figh t all h a d b lood sh ot eyes. A lar ge

n u m b er of t h em w er e sou l m ast er s, w it h som e of t h em even h avin g r elat ively
st r on g cu lt ivat ion s; t h er e w er e even t h r ee Sou l Kin gs. H ow ever , t h ey w er e st ill
for ced t o r et r eat st ep -b y-st ep b y t h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les of Sh r ek
Acad em y.
W aves of b an d it s con t in u ed t o su r ge for t h fr om t h e d ep t h s of t h e cave t o

p ar t icip at e in t h e b at t le, b u t M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, Ch en Zifen g, an d Xi Xi
all m an aged t o cover ver y lar ge ar eas.
Gon g Yan gm o’s p ow er fu l au xiliar y ab ilit ies r evealed t h eir t r u e cap ab ilit ies at
t h at m om en t . T h er e w as n o n eed t o m en t ion t h e t w o w h o w er e alr ead y Sou l
Em p er or s, b u t t h e Sou l Kin g-r an k ed Ch en Zifen g an d Xi Xi w er en ’t t h e least b it
in fer ior t o Sou l Em p er or s w it h h is assist a n ce.
“Roar —” Dai Yu eh en g t or e an en em y Sou l Kin g ap ar t , cau sin g h is b lood t o
sp lash ever yw h er e. Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, h e sen t ou t a d azzlin g W h it e
T iger ’s M et eor Sh ow er in an at t em p t t o b last aw ay t h e en em ies at t em p t in g t o
lau n ch a sn eak a t t ack on Gon g Yan gm o’s t r io.
M a Xiaot ao’s b at t le w as even m or e sp ect acu lar . Nob od y k n ew w h at sh e’d

d on e, b u t h er fier y p h oen ix w in gs w er e n ow m or e t h an t h r ee m et er s lon g. H er
w in gs w er e t h e m ost t er r ifyin g w eap on sh e h ad a t h er d isp osal; t h ey w ou ld
eit h er in ju r e or k ill an yb od y t h ey t ou ch ed . T h er e w as a Sou l Kin g in fr on t of
h er , yet h e sim p ly d id n ’t even d ar e t o ap p r oach h er . H e cou ld on ly p u t on a false
sh ow of b r avad o fr om afar .
Accor d in g t o t h e in for m at ion t h ey’d b een given , t h e lea d er of t h e b an d it

t r ou p e w as a Sou l Kin g. Evid en t ly, h e w as on e of t h e t h r ee in fr on t of t h em .
W h en h e saw t h a t t h e sit u at ion seem ed t o b e set t led , W an g Yan w aved h is h an d .
“Ever yon e, m ove. Don ’t let a sin gle on e go. W e can ’t leave a n y fu t u r e t r ou b les
for ou r selves.”
T h e op p on en t s in fr on t of t h em w er en ’t ver y p ow er fu l. T h e st r on gest
m em b er s of t h eir t r ou p e h ad b een b lock ed b y t h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les,
w h ile t h e r em ain in g few w er e on ly Sou l Gr an d m ast er s an d Sou l Eld er s. Som e of
t h e b an d it s w er en ’t even sou l m ast er s; t h ey w er e ju st or d in ar y h u m an s.
Bei Bei let ou t a sh ou t an d r u sh ed for w a r d . T h e ot h er s follow ed b eh in d , an d

W an g Don g r eleased h is d azzlin g Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess. In r ealit y, h e w a s
st ill som ew h at n er vou s. T h e m om en t h e m oved , h e lau n ch ed a Ligh t of t h e
Bu t t er fly God d ess t ow ar d s an ar ea t h at h ad a com p ar at ively lar ge n u m b er of
b an d it s.
Sever al d ozen b r igh t gold en b alls w er e r eleased , w h ich w er e t h en am p lified

b y h is Gold en Ligh t sou l b on e. T h is w a s on ly a t h ou san d year sou l sk ill, b u t
ab solu t ely n on e of t h ese b an d it s h ad a t h ou san d year sou l sk ill of t h eir ow n .
M or eover , W an g Don g’s sk ill w as b ein g b oost ed b y H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion an d h is ow n Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e.
T h e b an d it s fr an t ica lly r eleased t h eir ow n sou l sk ills in an at t em p t t o d efen d
t h em selves again st W an g Don g’s at t ack , b u t t h ey w er e st ill left in a com p let e
m ess an d let ou t b loo d cu r d lin g scr eech es as t h ey w er e st r u ck .
On ce h e’d su cceed ed w it h h is fir st a t t ack , t h e p an ic t h at W an g Don g felt

d r ast ically d ecr ea sed . Even if h e d id n ’t d ar e t o at t ack a n yon e n ear h im ,
w ou ld n ’t lon g-r an ge at t ack s w or k ?
Xiao Xiao h ad alr ead y r eleased h er T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on , an d t h e

t h r ee la r ge cau ld r on s for m ed a “品” sh ap e as t h ey p r ot ect ed t h e t r io. Xiao Xiao
h ad clear ly assu m ed a d efen sive st an ce. For a sm all gir l lik e h er t o k ill som eon e
w as sim p ly t oo d ifficu lt .
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t get excit ed b y t h e t h r ill of t h e h u n t w h en h e saw

W an g Don g su cceed . Of t h e t w o w h it e-co lor ed sou l r in gs b en eat h h im , t h e fir st
in st an t ly lit u p as h e look ed t ow ar d s a on e-r in ged b an d it w it h h is p ale gold eyes.
Lik e h im , t h at b an d it ’s lon ely fir st sou l r in g w as on ly a w h it e-color ed on e.
Chapt er 72.3: Hand of Deat h—Envoys of t he
Deat h God!
A gold en r ad ian ce im m ed iat ely sh on e fr om H u o Yu h ao’s eyes as t h e com b in ed

for ce of b ot h h is Pu r p le Dem on Eyes an d Sp ir it u al Sh ock sou l sk ill b u r st for t h .
T h e b od y of t h e b an d it H u o Yu h ao h ad t ar get ed sh ook fier cely. H ow ever , t h e

scen e t h at follow ed com p let ely sh ock ed h im : t h e b an d it ’s h ead exp lod ed lik e a
w at er m elon . Br igh t r ed b lood , w h it e b r ain flu id s, an d ot h er st r an gely-color ed
t h in gs flew in all d ir ect ion s, w h ich in st a n t ly fr igh t en ed t h e b an d it s ar ou n d h im
an d m ad e t h em d isp er se. T h ey’d yet t o u n d er st an d h ow t h eir com p an ion h ad
d ied .
H u o Yu h ao w as d u m b fou n d ed . H e h ad n ’t exp ect ed h is Sp ir it u al Sh ock t o b e

so p ow er fu l. W h en h e saw t h e h ea d less cor p se fall t o t h e gr ou n d , h e
im m ed iat ely t h r ew u p . T h at p er son h ad b een alive ju st a m om en t ago!
H e w asn ’t t h e on ly on e t o t h r ow u p ; t h e n ear b y Xiao Xiao also p u k ed . Sh e’d

b een h old in g it b ack sin ce t h ey’d fir st en t er ed t h e cave, b u t aft er t h is last scen e,
sh e cou ld n ’t b ear it a n ym or e.
At t h at m om en t , a sh ar p voice ech oed for t h fr om t h e d ep t h s of t h e cave,

“W h o d ar es t o op p ose t h e En voy of t h e Deat h God ? All of you w ill d ie an d
b ecom e cor p ses u n d er m y con t r ol.”
T h e b an d it s w er en ’t r elieved w h en t h ey h ear d h is voice. Rat h er , t h ey all

b egan t o t r em b le an d q u ick ly r et r eat ed .
“Be car efu l!” H u o Yu h ao r oar ed as soon as h e’d fin ish ed t h r ow in g u p . T h an k s

t o h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion , h e’d d iscover ed t h at t h e cor p ses on t h e gr ou n d h ad
b egu n t o sw ell at an ast on ish in g sp eed ; t h ey’d also b ecom e fain t ly r ed in color .
“Boom , b oom , b oom …” T er r ifyin g exp losion s b egan t o ech o t h r ou gh ou t t h e
en t ir e cave. Flesh an d b lood w as scat t er ed all over t h e ca ve follow in g each
exp losion .
T h e seven m em b er s of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam h ad ju st ar r ived , an d sin ce all of

t h em w er e w it h in t h e r an ge of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , t h ey w er e ab le
t o r eact q u ick ly. All of t h em r an t ow ar d s t h e cor p se-fr ee a r eas of t h e cave a s
q u ick ly as t h ey cou ld in or d er t o avoid t h e exp losion s.
H ow ever , t h e seven d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d —w h o h ap p en ed t o b e in

t h e m id st of t h e cor p se-r id d en b at t lefield —w er en ’t so lu ck y. T h ey fou n d
t h em selves at t h e cen t er of t h e exp losion s!
Lu ck ily, t h ey w er e a b le t o q u ick ly er ect som e d efen ses sin ce t h ey’d h ear d H u o

Yu h ao’s w ar n in g. H ow ever … t h e p ow er w r ou gh t b y t h e d et on at in g cor p ses w as
ju st t oo m u ch . Bon es, m u scles, an d even b lood vessels h a d b ecom e w eap on s
b ecau se of t h e exp losion s. T h e st r on ger t h e cor p se h ad b een w h en it w as alive,
t h e st r on ger t h e exp losion it cau sed . T h e cor p se of t h e Sou l Kin g t h at Dai
Yu eh en g h ad k illed cau sed a p ar t icu la r ly ear t h -sh ak in g exp losion w h en it
d et on at ed .
T h ese exp losion s con t in u ed for ab ou t t en secon d s or so b efor e t h ey st op p ed .

T h e Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s h ad n ’t t h ou gh t t h a t t h ey’d fin d t h em selves in t h is sor t of
sit u a t ion . H ow cou ld t h ey h ave exp ect ed a gr ou p of b an d it s led b y a Sou l Kin g t o
h ave su ch a p ow er fu l sk ill? Fu r t h er m or e, t h e p ow er of t h is ab ilit y w as
in cr ed ib ly h igh . It s p ow er h ad far exceed ed t h eir im agin at ion , an d w as t h e m ain
r eason t h at t h ey t ook su ch a b ig h it .
T h e old m an w it h m essy h air t h a t w as sit t in g ou t sid e of t h e cave d r in k in g

alcoh ol w as su r p r ised w h en h e h ear d t h e sou n d of exp losion s. H e im m ed iat ely
t u r n ed in t o a st r eak of ligh t as h e sh ot in t o t h e cave.
Eld er Xu an h ad b een follow in g t h eir gr ou p sin ce t h e b egin n in g. H e’d ch eck ed

t h e au r as of t h e p eop le in t h e cave as soon as h e’d ar r ived an d d et er m in ed t h at
t h e st r on gest on e w as on ly a Sou l Kin g. T h ou gh t h er e w as m or e t h an on e Sou l
Kin g p r esen t , h e d id n ’t give it t oo m u ch t h ou gh t . T h ese b an d it s d id n ’t r eally
seem t o h ave a ch an ce again st t h e elit e d iscip les of Sh r ek Acad em y.
Fu r t h er m or e, som eon e as exp er ien ced as W an g Yan w as in ch ar ge of t h e
m ission . As su ch , h e’d d ecid ed t o st ay ou t sid e an d d r in k alcoh ol. Aft er all,
n ob od y lik ed t h e fou l st en ch of b lood .
Even h e h ad n ’t exp ect ed su ch a su d d en ch an ge in t h eir sit u at ion . T h e p ow er

fr om t h e exp losion ju st n ow h ad exceed ed t h at of a Sou l Kin g or Sou l Em p er or .
“Gaga, gagaga… Did you all lik e t h e exp lod in g cor p ses fr om t h is en voy? Even
if you all w er e st r on ger , you ’d st ill d ie w h en faced b y m y con secu t ive cor p se
exp losion s. Fu r t h er m or e, even if you w er e su r v ive t h e exp losion s, you ’d d ie
fr om t h e p oison !”
T h e en t ir e cave w as n ow p er m eat ed w it h a t h ick sm ell of b lood . M or eover ,

ever yon e felt lik e t h ey w er e w et d u e t o t h e t h ick layer of b lood cover in g t h eir
b od ies. Ever y sin gle p r eviou sly d ea d b an d it s h ad h ad t h eir cor p se exp lod ed .
T h e exp losion s h ad n ’t d ist in gu ish ed b et w een fr ien d an d foe. As su ch , t h ey

d id n ’t on ly st r ik e t h e st u d en t s of t h e Sh r ek Acad em y; even t h e b an d it s t h at w er e
st ill alive h a d b een h it b y t h e exp losion s. Desp it e t h is, t h e b an d it s h a d b een
som ew h at p r ep ar ed . Som e of t h em h ad been ab le t o qu ick ly h id e in d ep r ession s
in t h e gr ou n d t o d o d ge t h e exp losion s.
H ow ever , t h e scar iest t h in g w as act u ally t h e liq u id a lon gsid e t h e exp losion ; it
h ad t h e sam e p ow er fu l cor r osive p r op er t ies as a st r on g acid . T h e ‘ch i ch i’ sou n d
of t h in gs b ein g cor r od ed ech oed t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e cave. Besid es t h e cor p ses
exp lod in g, t h e h id d en sou l m ast er h ad even m ad e t h em r elease a d ead ly p oison .
It w as an ext r em ely vile an d cr u el t act ic.
Ever yon e h ad d on e t h eir b est t o p r ot ect t h em selves t h e m om en t t h ey’d h ear d

H u o Yu h ao’s w ar n in g. H ow ever , con sid er in g t h e fact t h at t h ey all h ad d iffer en t
m ar t ial sou ls, t h eir d efen sive cap ab ilit ies w er e all d iffer en t fr o m on e an ot h er .
M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g w er e sen t flyin g fr om t h e exp losion , an d t h ey
b ot h sp at ou t som e b lood . Desp it e t h eir in ju r ies h ow ever , t h eir sou l sk ills’
p r ot ect ed t h em fr om b ein g con t am in at ed b y t h e p oison ou s b lood . M a Xiaot ao
lan d ed in a p lace t h a t n ot t oo far off fr om H u o Yu h ao’s p osit ion .
Lin g Lu och en ’s en t ir e b od y w as p r ot ect ed b y a layer of ice, b u t sh e w as st ill

sen t flyin g r egar d less. H ow ever , con sid er in g t h at sh e’d b een in t h e r ear , an d
t h at sh e’d m a n aged t o r aise h er d efen ses in t im e, sh e d id n ’t en d u p in a b ad
st at e. Sh e sp at ou t som e b lood lik e M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g h ad , b u t sh e
d id n ’t r eceive an y ext er n al in ju r ies.
On t h e ot h er h an d , Ch en Zifen g w asn ’t as lu ck y as t h em . H e w as also an

assau lt syst em b at t le sou l m ast er , an d co n sid er in g t h e n u m b er of sou l r in gs h e
h ad , h e exceed ed b ot h M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g in p u r e offen sive p ow er .
H ow ever , h ow w as h e su p p osed t o p r ot ect h is en t ir e b od y w it h ju st h is
Sou lch asin g Sw or d ? H e cou ld on ly r ely on h is sou l p ow er an d p r ot ect ive ar m or
t o w it h st an d t h e exp losion .
On ce t h e exp losion s h ad fin ish ed , h e w as lyin g sp r aw led on h is sid e. H is r igh t

leg h ad d isap p ear ed , an d h e’d b egu n t o scr eam p it ifu lly d u e t o t h e cor r osion of
t h e d ead ly p oison an d loss of h is lim b .
H ow ever , h e w asn ’t t h e on ly on e t h a t h ad b een sever ely in ju r ed . Gon g

Yan gm o w asn ’t m u ch st r on ger t h a n h im ; even if h e w as t h e u lt im a t e au xiliar y-
t yp e sou l m ast er , h e d efin it ely w asn ’t sp ecialized in d efen se! M or eover , t h e
cor p ses h ad exp lod ed w it h ou t m u ch w a r n in g at all. Desp it e Lin g Lu och en ’s
assist an ce, h is ch est , ab d om en , an d legs h ad all b een b ad ly m an gled . Sm ok e w as
st ill r isin g fr om h is w ou n d s, an d h e’d lost con sciou sn ess.
Yao H aoxu an h ad m et a t r agic fat e. As h is b u ild w as t h e b iggest , h e’d h ad t o

face t h e b r u n t of t h e exp losion s. H alf of h is b od y h ad sim p ly d isap p ear ed —h e
ob viou sly h ad n ’t b een ab le t o su r vive t h e exp losion .
Xi Xi h ad it sligh t ly b et t er off. H er t h u n d er an d ligh t n in g h a d p r ot ect ed h er
b od y, w h ile t h an k s t o h er fast sp eed , on ly h er b ack h ad b een st r u ck . H ow ever ,
sh e’d st ill su ffer ed sever e w ou n d s a n d w a s lyin g on t h e gr ou n d in agon y.
Regar d less of t h e in t en sit y of t h eir in ju r es, t h e seven d iscip les of t h e in n er

cou r t yar d h ad all su ffer ed h eavy in ju r ies, w h ile on e of t h em h ad even d ied . Even
t h ou gh t h ey’d or igin ally h eld t h e a d va n t age, t h ey w er e n ow in an ext r em ely
p it ifu l st at e.
All of t h is h ad h ap p en ed t oo q u ick ly; t h e d iscip les of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d

d id n ’t su ffer an y d a m age sin ce t h ey w er e on t h e p er ip h er y, b u t t h ey w er e st ill
sh ak en b y t h e ou t co m e.
“Bast ar d !” A h oar se voice su d d en ly ech oed , cau sin g t h e en t ir e cave t o

t r em b le. An in t en se w h it e ligh t im m ed ia t ely cover ed ever y cor n er of t h e cave,
aft er w ich all of t h e d ead ly cor r osive p oiso n d isap p ear ed .
T h e for m of a sloven ly old m an im m ed iat ely b ecam e visib le. Eld er Xu an

r aised h is r igh t h an d , t h en m ad e a gr ab b in g m ot ion t ow ar d s t h e d ep t h s of t h e
cave. A t er r ifyin g a t t r act ive for ce er u p t ed fr om h is p alm , cau sin g a figu r e t o
r ap id ly fly t ow ar d s h im fr om t h e in t er ior of t h e cave.
T h e w or d ‘an ger ’ w asn ’t en ou gh t o d escr ib e Eld er Xu an ’s cu r r en t st at e of

m in d . H is st u d en t s h ad b een in ju r ed t o t h is ext en t , d esp it e b ein g u n d er h is
su p er vision . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e on es t h at h ad r eceived h a r m w er e m em b er s of
t h e cu r r en t Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s! T h ey w er e su p p osed t o r ep r esen t t h e
acad em y at t h e Elit e Con t in en t al Sou l M ast er Acad em y T ou r n am en t in a few
d ays, yet n ow , on e of t h em h ad d ied , an d t h e ot h er s w er e all sever ely in ju r ed !
T h e for m t h at w as yan k ed t ow ar d s Eld er Xu an w as sh r ou d ed in a b lack r ob e.

H e h ad a slen d er b u ild , an d h is facial feat u r es w er e h id d en . On ly t h e r ad ian ce of
five sou l r in gs, t h r ee of w h ich yellow a n d t w o of w h ich p u r p le, w er e visib le.
T h is p er son r ea lly w as ju st a Sou l Kin g, yet h e’d cr eat ed su ch a t er r ifyin g
t r aged y!
H e let ou t a t er r ified scr eam as soon as h e w as yan k ed aw ay b y Eld er Xu an . H e
t r ied h is b est t o st r u ggle fr ee, b u t h ow cou ld h e st r u ggle a gain st som eon e as
p ow er fu l as Eld er Xu an ? H e cou ld on ly w at ch h elp lessly as h e w as p u lled closer
an d closer t o Eld er Xu an .
At t h at m om en t , t h e r em ain in g h alf of Yao H aoxu an ’s b od y su d d en ly b egan t o

sw ell.
“Eld er Xu an , b e car efu l!” H u o Yu h ao called ou t in a lar m .
Eld er Xu an ’s p er cep t ion w asn ’t w eak , an d h is st u d en t s w er e m u ch m or e

im p or t an t t h an t h is evil sou l m ast er ! T h e acad em y h ad alr ead y su ffer ed su ch a
h u ge loss; h ow cou ld h e let m or e p eop le b e in ju r ed ?
H e r aised b ot h of h is h an d s, an d a b all of w h it e ligh t im m ed iat ely en velop ed

Yao H aoxu an ’s cor p se. At t h e sam e t im e, h e flick ed h is fin ger , w h ich cau sed t h e
Sou l Kin g t o feel a s if h e’d b een st r u ck b y a h u ge h am m er . H ow ever , som et h in g
st r an ge h ap p en ed . All five of h is sou l r in gs sim u lt an eou sly sh on e an d h e
ch an ged in t o a w isp of sm ok e. H ow ever , h e d id n ’t r u n aw ay. In st ead , h e
p ou n ced t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
H is sp eed w as so fast t h a t H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t r eact even w it h h is Sp ir it u al

Det ect ion act ive. Aft er w ar d s h e felt t h e w or ld sp in , t h en h ear d Eld er Xu an ’s
an gr y yell. T h er e w asn ’t an yt h in g u n d er h is feet ; t h ey in st a n t ly san k t h r ou gh
t h e gr ou n d .
A p ow er fu l exp losion ech oed t h r ou gh t h e cave. Yao H aoxu an ’s b od y exp lod ed ,

an d even h is sk elet on w as vap or ized . T h e exp losion w as con t ain ed b y Eld er
Xu an , b u t it w as b ecau se of t h is t h at h e ar r ived a m om en t t oo lat e t o save H u o
Yu h ao; h is h an d s on ly gr ab b ed a n ew ly-cr eat ed slab of st on e. H u o Yu h ao an d
t h e evil sou l m ast er h ad d isap p ear ed w it h ou t a t r ace.
“Bast ar d !” Eld er Xu an an gr ily h ow led . H e w as n ow t h or ou gh ly en r aged . H e

im m ed iat ely p u n ch ed t h e gr ou n d , in st an t ly p u lver izin g t h e n ew ly-cr eat ed slab
of st on e t o. H ow ever , h e d id n ’t d ar e t o u se t oo m u ch sou l p ow er ou t of fear t h a t
h e’d h ar m H u o Yu h a o, w h o m igh t h ave b een b elow it . As t h is h ap p en ed , a ser ies
of exp losion s ech oed fr om t h e cor r id or b en eat h t h em , cau sin g it collap se. A
cr aft y p er son alw ays h ad sever al w ays ou t of a p r ed icam en t . T h at p er son w as,
w it h ou t a d ou b t , t h e lead er of t h e gr ou p of b an d it s k n ow n as t h e H an d of Deat h .
Chapt er 73.1: Thir d M ar t ial Soul? Necr omancy?
“Yu h ao!” H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y d isap p ear ed w it h ou t a t r ace b y t h e t im e

W an g Don g r eact ed . W h en h e t h ou gh t b ack t o t h e exp lod in g cor p ses fr om
b efor e, W an g Don g felt h is m in d b lan k ou t .
T h e scen e h a d t r u ly ch an ged t oo qu ick ly, su ch t h at n o on e h ad b een ab le t o

r eact in t im e.
Eld er Xu an ab r u p t ly flou r ish ed h is lar ge sleeve, an d sw ep t a ll t h e on com in g

p eop le aw ay. “W an g Don g, q u ick ly, h elp t h e ot h er s. I’ll save H u o Yu h ao.” As h e
sp ok e, Eld er Xu an r eleased h is m ar t ial so u l in fr on t of t h e st u d en t s for t h e fir st
t im e ever .
Eld er Xu an ’s aged b ack su d d en ly ar ch ed u p w ar d s, an d h is oil-st ain ed , t at t er ed

clot h in g im m ed ia t ely sp lit op en . T h e m u scles on h is b ack sw elled u p at sh ock in g
sp eed , an d in t h e b lin k of an eye, h e b u lk ed u p t o at least t w ice h is p r eviou s size.
T h e st r an gest t h in g w as t h at on e lon g, scr ew -sh ap ed h or n also gr ew fr om eit h er
sid e of h is h ea d . In t h at m om en t t h a t h e r eleased h is m ar t ial sou l, it seem ed as
t h ou gh all t h e air in t h e cave w an t ed t o fr eeze over .
Nin e sou l r in gs sh on e an d ascen d ed w it h a d azzlin g b r illian ce - t w o yellow ,

t w o p u r p le, fou r b lack an d on e r ed . Eld er Xu an ’s m essy b ed of h air h ad t u r n ed
com p let ely ligh t b r ow n . H e ab r u p t ly t u r n ed h is h ead an d look ed t ow ar d s t h ose
r em ain in g b an d it s. An in com p ar ab ly fr igh t en in g a u r a t h at w as lik e a r agin g
st or m su d d en ly su r ged t ow ar d s t h em . In t h e b lin k of an eye, an exp losion
occu r r ed on ce m or e, b u t t h is t im e ar ou n d , in st ead of t h e cor p ses, t h e livin g
exp lod ed .
H e st om p ed w it h h is r igh t foot , an d a h u ge cr evice su d d en ly op en ed u p in t h e

gr ou n d . Eld er Xu an b en t h is m ajest ic b od y d ow n an d d u g in t o t h e gr ou n d at a
sh ock in g sp eed w it h lar ge h an d s t h at w er e lik e p alm -leaf fan s. H e d isap p ear ed
in t o t h e gr ou n d w it h ou t a t r ace in ju st t h e m om en t t h at it t ook t o b r eat h e.
T h e h eavy fish y fu m es m ad e H u o Yu h ao feel n au seou s. H e w as r eally t oo

u n lu ck y. T h e r eason w h y t h e en voy of t h e Deat h God h ad gr abb ed h im w as fir st ,
t o get a h ost age, an d secon d , t h e m or e im p or t an t r eason , w as b ecau se t h e
p osit ion t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad p r eviou sly occu p ied w as at t h e en t r an ce t o t h e
t u n n el. T h is w as r eally a m isfor t u n e on h is p ar t .
A cold , t h r ea t en in g a u r a su r ged m ad ly in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y fr om t h e en t it y

in fr on t of h im . T h at icy feelin g w as com p let ely d iffer en t fr om h is ice-at t r ib u t e.
T h is w as cold , filled w it h evil in t en t , an d accom p an ied b y a h or r ib le st en ch .
T h at cold an d d ar k feelin g w as lik e cou n t less vip er s b or in g t h eir w ay in t o H u o
Yu h ao’s b od y.
T h e En voy of t h e Deat h God w as r u n n in g d ow n t h e t u n n el at a sh ock in g

sp eed . H e con t in u ou sly slap p ed t h e w alls as h e d ash ed m ad ly ah ead , d et on a t in g
t h e exp losives h e’d b u r ied in t h em .
H e h ad b een ab le t o lead t h e H an d of Deat h gan g fr om t h e w ar p in g a n d

w in d in g M in g Dou M ou n t ain Ran ge, n ot on ly d u e t o h is ab ilit y as an evil sou l
m ast er , b u t m or e im p or t an t ly d u e t o h is cau t iou s n at u r e. T h is w asn ’t t h e fir st
t im e h e’d en cou n t er ed su ch a sit u at ion , b u t as lon g as h e d id n ’t d ie, it w ou ld n ’t
t ak e lon g b efor e a b r an d n ew b an d it gr ou p w ou ld r ise u p on ce m or e.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t r esist . H e w as n ow in a far m or e d an ger ou s sit u a t ion t h an

h e h ad b een b efor e, b u t con t r ar y t o exp ect at ion s, h e’d ca lm ed d ow n . T h is
ch ar act er ist ic w a s u n iqu e t o sp ir it -t yp e sou l m ast er s. H is m en t al st r en gt h far
su r p assed t h a t of n or m al h u m a n s, so h e cou ld r em a in clear -h ead ed m or e t h an a
n or m al sou l m ast er cou ld .
H u o Yu h ao k n ew t h at t h e t w o w h it e sou l r in gs h e’d p r eviou sly r evealed

m u st ’ve d efin it ely fooled h is op p on en t s. M or eover , w h en t h e En voy of t h e
Deat h God h ad a t t a ck ed , h e h ad n ’t sh ow n an y sign s of r esist in g at all. Bu t h e
r eally cou ld n ’t d o so, h avin g b een cau gh t off-gu ar d . T h e en em y m u st ’ve r eally
look ed d ow n on h im , b u t t h a t w as fin e, b ecau se t h is w as h is on ly ch an ce t o flee
for h is life.
W h at am I goin g t o d o? T h er e m igh t on ly b e on e ch an ce for h im t o escap e, so

h e d efin it ely cou ld n ’t act b lin d ly w it h ou t t h in k in g it t h r ou gh . As a r esu lt of
t h at , H u o Yu h ao cou ld on ly for ce h im self t o cir cu lat e h is M yst er iou s H eaven
T ech n iq u e t o p r ot ect h is in t er n al or gan s. H e w as figh t in g again st t h at evil sou l
p ow er su r gin g in t o h is b od y, b u t h e d id n ’t t r y t o u n leash a cou n t er at t ack . As a
m at t er of fact , h is op p on en t ’s sou l p ow er far su r p assed h is ow n . It w ou ld n ’t b e
easy for h im t o r et aliat e eit h er .
“Eld er b r ot h er Sk yd r eam , Ice Em p r ess, w h at ar e you gu ys d oin g?” H u o Yu h ao

soft ly called ou t t o t h em in h is Sp ir it u al Sea.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as ext r em ely ser iou s w h en h e sp ok e. “Yu h ao, d on ’t

fr et . W e ar e also t h in k in g of a w ay. In a secon d , t h e Ice Em p r ess m igh t
t em p or ar ily t ak e con t r ol of you r b od y. It ’s r eally a lit t le t r ou b lesom e t h is t im e.
T h is fellow ’s sou l p ow er h as a sp ecia l q u alit y t h a t r eek s w it h b lood . T h e
d isp ar it y b et w een you r cu lt ivat ion an d h is is far t oo gr eat . If Ice Em p r ess
su d d en ly u ses t h e p ow er sh e sealed w it h in you r b od y, I’m afr aid you ’ll su st ain
in ju r ies b ecau se of t h at . You m u st b e m en t ally p r ep ar ed .”
H u o Yu h ao w as ver y calm as h e ask ed , “T h at also m ean s t h at at t ack in g h im

isn ’t act u ally t h at d ifficu lt , b u t t h e k ey t o t h is is w h et h er I can b ear t h e
b u r d en ?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as silen t for a m om en t b efor e h e sp ok e, “T h e Ice

Em p r ess’s ab ilit y is ext r em ely over b ear in g. W e’r e afr aid t h at it ’ll in ju r e t h e
sou r ce of you r sp ir it .”
H u o Yu h ao in h aled d eep ly, t h en said , “Eld er Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , Ice Em p r ess.

T h e t w o of you d on ’t n eed t o car e ab ou t m e. Kill h im an d aven ge t h ose w h o’ve
d ied . T h is b ast ar d d efin it ely can n ot b e allow ed t o live. H e’s k illed so m an y
p eop le, in clu d in g Sen ior Br ot h er Yao H a oxu an .”
“Su r e, you ’r e ver y b r ave. I’ll d o m y b est t o p r ot ect you . Don ’t fr et . W h en t h e
op p or t u n it y ar ises, you m u st st r ik e h im in on e m ove.” T h er e w as a b it of p r aise
in t h e Ice Em p r ess's ch illy voice. Sh e im m ed iat ely fell silen t aft er sp eak in g,
evid en t ly t r yin g t o fin d an op en in g in t h eir op p on en t ’s gu ar d .
J u st at t h is m om en t , an aged voice su d d en ly r an g ou t . “Big b u g, lit t le

scor p ion . Let t h is old m an t ak e ch ar ge, sin ce you gu ys d on ’t h ave t h e con fid en ce
t o d o so. I am ver y fam iliar w it h t h is d eat h ly au r a.”
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sea su b sequ en t ly t u r n ed gr ey. T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m

an d t h e Ice Em p r ess felt a p r essu r e t h a t even t h ey fear ed . T h at w as an sou l
r an k ed on a com p let ely d iffer en t level t h an t h ey w er e.
“You ar e…”
T h e cave ah ead su d d en ly op en ed u p in t o a w id e clear in g. T h e En voy of t h e

Deat h God h ad b r ou gh t H u o Yu h ao ou t of t h e t u n n el, cau sin g t h e air ar ou n d
t h em t o b e fr esh an d clean . T h is im m ed ia t ely clear ed H u o Yu h ao’s m in d .
H ow ever , t w elve silh ou et t es w er e qu iet ly st an d in g b y t h at exit ou t of t h e

t u n n el.
T h ose t w elve h u m a n s, w h ich d id n ’t seem t o b e b r eat h in g at all, im m ed iat ely

k n elt d ow n on on e k n ee, r esp ect fu lly salu t in g t h e En voy of t h e Deat h God on ce
t h ey saw h im em er ge fr om t h e t u n n el.
“Rise, m y cor p ses. You gu ys w er e left b eh in d for m e t o u se as m y p r ot ect ion .

W e’ve r eally r u n in t o h u ge t r ou b le t h is t im e. I’m afr aid t h at gu y’s a T it led
Dou lu o b ased on t h e au r a h e’s em it t in g. H m p h , d on ’t fr et . Even T it led Dou lu o
w ill on ly b e ab le t o p r ost r at e t h em selves b efor e m e in t en year s’ t im e, at b est .”
At t h is m om en t , an aged voice su d d en ly r an g ou t , “I’m afr aid you d on ’t even

h ave t en year s left .”
T h e En voy of t h e Deat h God p au sed an d qu ick ly look ed a r ou n d . “W h o is it ?!”

H e sh ou t ed in a st er n voice, “Com e ou t !”
“I’m r igh t h er e. W h er e d o you w an t m e t o go?” An od d , yet p u r e sm ell of
d eat h su d d en ly su r ged fr om h is left h an d . T h e En voy of t h e Deat h God
su b con sciou sly loosen ed h is gr ip on t h e p er son in h is h an d , a n d t u r n ed h is b od y
ar ou n d at t h e sam e t im e t o look at w h o it w as. H e w as im m ed iat ely t ak en ab ack
b y w h at h e saw .
H e’d b een h old in g a p er son d r essed com p let ely in d ar k gr een gar b w it h t w o
w h it e sou l r in gs. Bu t n ow , t h at p er son su d d en ly sh on e w it h a n in cr ed ib le ligh t .
Beh in d t h e m ask , t h e eyes t h at w er e or igin ally a fain t gold en color h ad t u r n ed

gr ey. It w as a k in d of gr ey t h at w as filled w it h t h e vicissit u d es of life, as t h ou gh
t h e ow n er cou ld t h or ou gh ly u n d er st an d ever yt h in g in t h e w or ld . W h at w as
even st r an ger w as t h at a gr ey sou l r in g w as slow ly r isin g fr om b en eat h h is feet .
As t h at gr ey sou l r in g r ose u p , a st r in g of fr agm en t ed sh a d ow follow ed su it . On e
cou ld n ’t clear ly t ell w h et h er it w as on e sh ad ow or m an y sh ad ow s.
T h e en voy of t h e Deat h God felt an in exp licab ly st iflin g feelin g as h e look ed at

t h at gr ey layer , su b con sciou sly cau sin g h im t o t ak e a st ep b ack .
“Y-you ’r e also an evil sou l m ast er ?” T h er e w as a sh ock ed look on t h e En voy of

t h e Deat h God ’s face w h en h e ask ed t h is qu est ion . T h e m an t le on h is face h ad
b een lift ed as h e w as r u n n in g ju st n ow , r evealin g a face t h at r esem b led a sk u ll.
On ly a film of sk in seem ed t o b e cover in g h is face. H is eyes, w h ich w er e glow in g
w it h a ligh t gr een ligh t , w er e filled w it h sh ock .
“Evil sou l m ast er ? W h at ’s t h at ? I’ve n ever h ear d of t h at b efor e.” T h er e w as a

b it of ast on ish m en t in t h at aged voice.
T h e En voy of t h e Deat h God sn or t ed an d said , “Ever y sin gle evil sou l m ast er is
an exist en ce w or t h y of t h e gr eat est ad m ir at ion . I am a sp ok esp er son for t h e
Deat h God , t h e En vo y of t h e Deat h God . You ar e clear ly you n g, sin ce you d ar e t o
d eceive t h e p eop le in fr on t of m e. If you r eally ar e an evil sou l m ast er , you
sh ou ld m ak e you r id en t it y k n ow n , an d m ayb e t h en w e m igh t st ill h ave a ch an ce
t o coop er at e w it h each ot h er . Bu t you n eed t o t ell m e som et h in g fir st . W h y is
you r sou l r in g gr ey? ”
“En voy of t h e Deat h God ? You m u st b e jok in g. Even t h ou gh I can ’t r em em b er
m ost t h in gs fr om t h e p ast , I fain t ly r em em b er t h at I cou ld h ave b een a Deat h
God if I h ad w an t ed t o b e on e. You ’r e alr ead y sacr ificin g you r flesh , h avin g ju st
r ecen t ly b r u sh ed ov er t h e ed ge of Necr om an cy. A Necr om an cer lik e you is
w or t h y of b ein g called an En voy of t h e Deat h God ? A Deat h God ’s ab ilit y is t o
p u r ify, n ot t o su m m on sou ls an d m ess ar ou n d w it h cor p ses. T h er e’s n o ch an ce
of you b ecom in g a Dem on ic Sh am an , an d yet you ’r e h er e b oast in g in fr on t of
t h is old m an . It ’s r ea lly fu n n y.”
T h e En voy of t h e Deat h God st u m b led over h is w or d s h ear in g t h e aged voice.

“W h at Necr om an cy? W h at Necr om an cer ? Dem on ic Sh am an ? I am an evil sou l
m ast er w or t h y of ad m ir at ion . You act u a lly d ar e t o b lasp h em e t h e Deat h God ?
You ’r e cou r t in g d eat h !”
As h e sp ok e, h e r aised h is h an d an d p oin t ed in fr on t of h im . T h e t h ir d sou l

r in g on h is b od y abr u p t ly lit u p , act iva t in g t h e p u r p le sou l r in g w it h a few
st r eam s of b lack . T h e t w elve p eop le ar ou n d t h em w h o w er e em it t in g cold au r as
im m ed iat ely m oved an d p ou n ced t ow ar d H u o Yu h ao at ligh t n in g sp eed .
“It ’s a ver y fam iliar au r a. T h ou gh it is sligh t ly d isgu st in g, I st ill h ave a b it of

affect ion left in m e.” T h e aged voice sigh ed , b u t d id n ’t m ove as h e lift ed h is
fin ger .
A fain t ly gr ey b all of fir e w as b u r n in g on t h e t ip of h is fin ger . W h en t h ose

cor p ses t h at t h e en voy of t h e Deat h God h ad con ver t ed in t o h u m an s cam e
w it h in t h r ee m et r es of h is b od y, t h ey im m ed iat ely st op p ed t h eir v iolen t
t r em b lin g.
“Big b u g, I n eed t o b or r ow a b it of you r sealed p ow er ,” T h e aged voice said

in d iffer en t ly, “I st ill can ’t r ecall a n yt h in g fr om t h e p ast , b u t I r em em b er m y
ow n n am e. A t in y Cor p se Sh am an act u a lly d ar es t o sh ow off w it h t h is k in d of
u n p op u lar Necr om a n cy in fr on t of m e, t h e Calam it y Necr om an cer Elect r olu x
w h o p ossesses t h e Divin e Law of Necr om an cy. T h en , I’ll let you p lay w it h fir e!”
As h e sp ok e, t h e flam e at op h is fin ger su d d en ly b u r n ed b r igh t er . Sh or t ly aft er
t h at , t h at gr ey h alo on h is b od y w as ab r u p t ly act ivat ed , en casin g t h e t w elv e
cor p ses w it h in it .
T h e t w elve cor p ses st op p ed t r em b lin g, an d slow ly r aised t h eir h ead s on e aft er

t h e ot h er . On e cou ld see t h at t h eir sk in w as n ow a m et allic gr ey - a color t h at
on ly d ead p eop le w ou ld h ave. T h eir eyes w er e em p t y an d lifeless; t h eir n ails
w er e st r an gely an d in com p ar ab ly lon g, an d ap p ear ed t o b e d a r k p u r p le in color .
A fou l r ot t in g sm ell also seep ed ou t fr om ever y in ch of t h eir b od ies.
T h e En voy of t h e Deat h God d iscover ed —t o h is ast on ish m en t —t h at h e w asn ’t

ab le t o con t r ol h is cor p se slaves an ym or e. H e h u r r ied ly in cr eased t h e ou t p u t of
h is sou l p ow er an d a ct ivat ed h is va r iou s sou l sk ills, yet t h ey st ill d id n ’t r eact ; h e
cou ld n ’t even m ak e t h em self-d est r u ct .
Gr ad u ally, a p ale ligh t b egan t o ap p ear in t h e cor p se sla ves’ eyes. T h is ligh t
w as act u ally a w h it ish flam e, an d as t h e flam e p r ogr essively ap p ear ed in t h e eyes
of ever y sin gle cor p se slave, it also b ega n t o cir cu la t e t h r ou gh ou t t h eir b od ies.
Un exp ect ed ly, em ot ion s b egan t o ap p ear on t h eir p r eviou sly r igid faces:
su ffer in g, h at r ed , an d b ou n d less r an cor . T h ey t h en t u r n ed t ow ar d s t h e En voy of
t h e Deat h God an d im m ed iat ely sh ot t ow ar d s h im in a fr en zy.
“No, t h is can ’t b e p ossib le… t h is is im p ossib le!” T h e voice of t h e En voy of t h e

Deat h God w as filled w it h d isb elief. H e q u ick ly t u r n ed ar ou n d t o scu t t le aw ay.
At t h at m om en t h ow ever , a p u r p lish -gold en ligh t sh ot ou t fr om H u o Yu h ao’s

eyes. T h e En voy of t h e Deat h God felt as if h is h ead h ad su d d en ly b een st r u ck b y
an en or m ou s h am m er . T h is, com b in ed w it h t h e p an ic h e felt , cau sed h im t o
im m ed iat ely t u m b le h ead -fir st t o t h e gr ou n d .
All of t h e cor p se slaves h e’d r efin ed h ad b een cr eat ed u t ilizin g t h e b od ies of

sou l m ast er s. Not o n ly w er e t h ey ext r a or d in ar ily qu ick , b u t t h ey w er e also
im p er viou s t o b lad es, an d p ossessed ext r aor d in ar y st r en gt h . T h ese t w elve
cor p se slaves h ad t ak en m or e t h an h alf of h is st r en gt h t o r efin e, an d t h ey w er e
h is h id d en t r u m p car d . H ow ever , at t h is m om en t , t h ese cor p se slaves seem ed t o
h ave r egain ed a p or t ion of t h eir for m er con sciou sn ess; h ow cou ld t h ey let h im
off?
All t w elve of t h e cor p se slaves lau n ch ed fr en zied at t ack s t ow ar d s t h e En voy of

t h e Deat h God , w h o’d b een t em p or ar ily st u n n ed b y H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l
Sh ock . In fact , t h ey at t ack ed in fr en zied m an n er t h at t h ey d id n ’t even seem t o
t ak e t h eir ow n safet y in t o accou n t .
Elect r olu x’s voice r an g ou t fr om H u o Yu h ao’s m ou t h again an d said , “A t r u e

n ecr om an cer con t r o ls sp ir it s, n ot b od ies. Even if you b ecom e st r on ger , a cor p se
sh am an lik e you w h o can ’t even t ou ch u p on t h e m yst er ies of sou l con t r ol w ill
n ever b ecom e a t r u e n ecr om an cer ,” H e t h en d ir ect ed h is voice t ow ar d s t h e
cor p se slaves, “sin ce h e’s k illed you , t h is old m an w ill give you an op p or t u n it y t o
gain r even ge. On ce you ’ve com p let ed you r r even ge, you r sou ls w ill su b seq u en t ly
b e p u r ified .
“I d on ’t k n ow h ow lon g it ’s b een sin ce I’ve u sed n ecr om an cy. It ’s so fam iliar ,

yet u n fam iliar a t t h e sam e t im e! Bu t … I lik e t h is feelin g. T h er e seem s t o h a ve
b een an u n for get t ab le h at r ed car ved d eep in t o m y h ear t in t h e p ast , yet I feel
on ly t r an qu ilit y n ow . M y sp ir it u al im p r in t seem s t o h ave b een st im u la t ed again .
Lit t le Yu h ao, b ig w or m , lit t le scor p ion , it seem s I’ll h ave t o en t er an ot h er p er iod
of slu m b er . Oh , t h er e’s on e last t h in g I h ave t o t ell you all b efor e I go: Pow er can
b e u sed for good , b u t if you u se you r p ow er in an evil w ay on t h e p r et ext t h a t
you ’r e on ly d oin g it t o an evild oer is in h er en t ly ev il a s w ell. Lit t le Yu h ao, I h op e
t h at you ’ll b e ab le t o w ash aw ay you r h at r ed b y t h e n ext t im e I w ak e u p . W h en
you r h ear t is fr ee of h at r ed , an d w h en you feel on ly joy an d b en evolen ce, I w ill
t r u ly b ecom e you r t h ir d m ar t ia l sou l. On ly t h en w ill you h a ve t h e q u alificat ion s
t o in h er it m y ar t of n ecr om an cy.”
T h e gr ayn ess ar ou n d t h em van ish ed , as d id t h e gr ay ligh t in H u o Yu h ao’s

eyes. T h e gr ay sou l r in g ar ou n d h im also d issip a t ed an d d isap p ear ed . H is b od y
sw ayed a b it , t h en h e collap sed t o t h e gr ou n d .
In t h is sh or t p er iod of t im e, t h e En voy of t h e Deat h God w as r ip p ed ap ar t b y

h is t w elve cor p se slaves. H is w r et ch ed scr eam s cou ld b e h ear d fr om sever al
h u n d r ed s of m et er s a w ay.
H is sin fu l life h ad fin ally en d ed as a d ir ect r esu lt of h is ow n sin s; a p er son w h o

p layed w it h fir e w ou ld d efin it ely b e b u r n ed t o d eat h . As an ev il sou l m ast er , h is
d eat h h ad com e at t h e h an d s of h is ow n cr im es.
On ce t h e evil sou l m ast er h a d d ied , t h e cor p se slaves slow ly fell t o t h e gr ou n d
on e aft er an ot h er . As t h ey d id , st r an d s of w h it e m ist r ose fr om t h eir h ea d s an d
fain t ly r esem b led h u m an faces. H ow ever , t h eir cu r r en t exp r ession s d id n ’t
con t ain an y r an cor ; on ly r elief an d ap p r eciat ion w as left w it h in t h em . T h ey
st ar ed a t t h e fallen H u o Yu h ao as t h ey gr ad u ally van ish ed in t o t h e air , t h eir
exp r ession s m u ch m or e p eacefu l.
On ce t h e im p r ison ed sou ls h a d b een p u r ified , t h e cor p se sla ves b egan t o r ot

an d d isap p ear at a n ast on ish in g r at e. In t h e b lin k of an eye, on ly b on es w er e left .
“Boom —” A violen t exp losion r an g ou t . Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, a figu r e

soar ed st r a igh t in t o t h e air , t h en lan d ed m igh t ily, r evea lin g Eld er Xu an ’s
p ow er fu l figu r e.
Eld er Xu an ’s n ak ed u p p er b od y r evealed h is b r on ze-color ed m u scles, an d t h e

t er r ifyin g au r a h e w as cu r r en t ly em an at in g sh ot st r aigh t in t o t h e air on ce h e
ap p ear ed , cau sin g t h e w eat h er it self t o ch an ge. T h is w as esp ecially so for t h e
t w o sp ir allin g h or n s on h is h ead , w h ich sh on e w it h an in d escr ib ab ly m yst er iou s
lu st er . Nin e t yp es of ligh t seem ed t o flick er t h r ou gh t h em b efor e t r an sfor m in g
in t o a jad e-w h it e color .
W it h a flash , Eld er Xu an ap p ear ed in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao’s eyes. T h e cu r r en t

sit u a t ion , h ow ever , qu elled t h e fu r y w it h in h is h ea r t ; t h e En voy of t h e Deat h
God h ad van ish ed , an d h ad on ly left a lar ge p at ch of b on es on t h e gr ou n d .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w as even a r ot t en sm ell p r esen t . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao h ad
b een t h r ow n t o t h e sid e.
Eld er Xu an h a d or igin ally t h ou gh t t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad en cou n t er ed a

calam it y; aft er all, h e w as on ly h u m an . H ow ever , h e d id n ’t t h in k t h at h e’d st ill
b e p er fect ly alr igh t . W it h h is level of cu lt ivat ion , h e d id n ’t even n eed t o t ou ch
h im t o ver ify h is st at u s. H e cou ld t ell t h at , even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s b r eat h in g
w as som ew h at w ea k , it w a s st ill p r esen t . H is h ear t b eat w as st ill ext r em ely
h ealt h y, an d h is sign s of life w er e w ell-evid en t .
Desp it e t h is, t h er e w er e n o ot h er sign s of life in t h e su r r ou n d in gs b esid es H u o
Yu h ao. Eld er Xu an ’s face r evealed a t r ace of d ou b t , t h en h e car efu lly p ick ed H u o
Yu h ao u p an d p ou r ed h is sou l p ow er in t o h im .
H e qu ick ly d iscover ed t h at H u o Yu h ao’s fain t in g h ad n ’t b een d u e t o p h ysica l

t r au m a; h e’d m er ely over d r aw n h is sp ir it u al p ow er . Fu r t h er m or e, h is sou l
p ow er h ad n ’t even b een over d r aw n t h at m u ch .
Eld er Xu an w as an xiou s t o lear n ab ou t t h e w h er eab ou t s of t h e En voy of t h e

Deat h God , t h u s h e t ook ou t a sm all b ot t le m ad e of w h it e jad e an d p laced it
b en eat h H u o Yu h ao’s n ose.
“Ach oo!” H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly aw ok e w it h a sn eeze. A sp icy sm ell h ad ca u sed

h im t o gr ad u ally aw ak en , b u t h e st ill felt as if h is h ead w as q u it e h eavy. H is
b r ain w as also d izzy, an d h e cu r r en t ly w asn ’t even ab le t o u se h is Sp ir it Eyes t o
see ever yt h in g in fr on t of h im clear ly.
“Yu h ao, w h at h ap p en ed ? W h at h ap p en ed t o t h at d esp icab le evil sou l

m ast er ?” Eld er Xu an ask ed im p at ien t ly.
H u o Yu h ao w as left b lan k . Aft er calm in g h im self d ow n , im ages of w h at h ad

h ap p en ed b egan t o ap p ear w it h in h is m in d . H e’d b een com p let ely sob er w h en
h e’d b een p ossessed b y Elect r olu x; m or eover , h e clear ly u n d er st ood w h at h a d
h ap p en ed ear lier . H ow ever , h e d id n ’t k n ow w h at exact ly Elect r olu x h a d d on e.
H e’d b ot h u sed h is sp ir it u al p ow er , an d h ad even seem in gly u sed t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ’s sp ir it u al p ow er . It w as b ecau se of t h is t h at h e h a d n ’t even b een ab le
t o sp eak u p ear lier . Even t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice Em p r ess w er e st ill
in a st at e of sh ock .
Follow in g t h e r ecover y of h is m em or ies, a sp ir it u al im p r in t t h a t t h e aged

Elect r olu x h ad left in h is m in d gr a d u ally b egan t o ap p ear . H u o Yu h ao
su b con sciou sly follow ed t h e in st r u ct ion s left on t h at sp ir it u al im p r in t an d
r ep lied t o Eld er Xu a n , “I… I d on ’t k n ow eit h er . Aft er t h e En voy of t h e Deat h
God b r ou gh t m e h er e, h e or d er ed h is cor p se slaves t o b r in g u p t h e r ear an d
p lan n ed t o u se m e as a h ost age t o r u n aw ay. W h en I h ear d h im , I k n ew t h at I
w as r u n n in g ou t of t im e. T h u s, I u sed a ll of m y st r en gt h t o r elease a Sp ir it u a l
Sh ock . H e in st an t ly fell in t o a sh or t d aze, an d b ot h h is m ou t h an d n ose b egan t o
b leed . At t h at in st an t , I t ook t h e op p or t u n it y t o r oll t o t h e gr ou n d . W h en I d id , I
h ear d h im let ou t a lou d scr eech , t h en I felt m y h ead go d izzy. H e seem ed t o h ave
lost con t r ol of h is cor p se slaves, w h ich p r oceed ed t o at t ack h im an d t ear h im t o
p ieces. W h en h e d ied , t h ose cor p se slaves also fell t o t h e gr ou n d . Aft er t h at , I
seem t o h ave fain t ed .”
An en ligh t en ed look ap p ear ed in Eld er Xu an ’s eyes w h en h e h ear d H u o

Yu h ao’s w or d s. “An evil b ack lash ! Ser v es h im r igh t . H e got left off ligh t ly.
Alr igh t , w e’ll t a lk ab ou t t h is m or e lat er .”
At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao som ew h at cam e b ack t o h is sen ses. W it h a

som ew h at h azy look in h is eyes, h e ask ed , “Eld er Xu an , w h at ’s an evil
b ack lash ?”
Eld er Xu an car r ied H u o Yu h ao t h r ou gh t h e cave h e’d for cefu lly cr eat ed

ear lier as h e exp lain ed , “All evil sou l m ast er s h ave p ow er fu l an d evil p ow er s.
For exam p le, t h e b ast ar d you saw ear lier h ad t h e ab ilit y t o con t r ol cor p ses.
H ow ever , oft en t im es t h e p ow er s t h ey u se exceed t h at of w h at t h eir b od ies ca n
w it h st an d . On ce t h is b alan ce is b r ok en , t h er e’s a ch an ce of a b ack lash occu r r in g.
You r Sp ir it u al Sh ock ear lier m u st ’ve t em p or ar ily b r ok en t h e con n ect ion h e h ad
w it h h is cor p ses, in t u r n cau sin g h im t o in st an t ly exp er ien ce a b ack lash . I d id n ’t
t h in k t h at it ’d b e you w h o’d k ill h im .”
Eld er Xu an w as d efin it ely w or t h y of b ein g called on e of t h e p eak exp er t s of

t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ; h is an alysis w as fu n d am en t ally cor r ect . Even t h ou gh
Elect r olu x’s t ech n iq u e w er en ’t t h at sim p le, t h e over all r esu lt s an d effect s it h ad
ach ieved w er e st ill m or e or less t h e sam e. T h e on ly d iffer en ce w as t h at h e’d p aid
m or e at t en t ion t o p u r ifyin g t h e sou ls of t h e d ead .
“Oh .” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , t h en san k b ack in t o a m u d d led st at e.

Eld er Xu an qu ick ly r et u r n ed t o t h e ca ve t h at t h e H an d of Deat h h ad st ayed in
w it h H u o Yu h ao in t ow . T h e sm ell of b lood in t h e cave h ad b ecom e even
st r on ger sin ce h e’d left .
T h e ser iou sly in ju r ed st u d en t s fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d h ad a ll b een gat h er ed

t oget h er on ce h e got b ack . Besid es t h e n ow -d eceased Yao H aoxu an , t h e p eop le
w h o w er e in t h e w or st con d it ion w er e Gon g Yan gm o an d Ch en Zifen g. T h e t w o
of t h em w er e cu r r en t ly lyin g on t h e gr ou n d , u n con sciou s, b u t t h eir b od ies w er e
b ad ly m an gled . Even t h ou gh Xi Xi w as also u n con scio u s, h er in ju r ies w er e st ill
som ew h at ligh t er t h an t h eir s.
Alt h ou gh M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, an d Lin g Lu och en w er e cu r r en t ly

b leed in g fr om t h eir n oses an d m ou t h s d u e t o t h eir h eavy in ju r ies, t h ey w er e st ill
ab le t o m ain t ain t h eir con sciou sn ess.
Com p ar ed t o t h e d esp er at e st at e t h a t t h e seven fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d w er e

in , t h e d iscip les fr om t h e ou t er cou r t ya r d w er e com p let ely u n h ar m ed . T h ey’d
or igin ally h ad t h e h elp of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , an d h ad b een a
d ecen t d ist a n ce aw a y fr om t h e cen t er of t h e exp losion s. T h e m om en t t h ey’d felt
t h at som et h in g w as off, t h ey’d b een ab le t o r eact .
Xu San sh i h ad su ccessfu lly u sed h is Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le t o p r ot ect

J ian g Nan n an , w h o h ad t h e w eak est d efen se of t h e lot . Bei Bei h ad in t u r n
r eleased a la r ge am ou n t of t h u n d er an d ligh t n in g, b lock in g t h e p oison ou s flesh
t h at h ad b een sen t flyin g t ow ar d s t h em fr om t h e exp losion s. Xiao Xiao’s
T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on h ad also p layed an im p or t an t r ole in b lock in g a
lar ge am ou n t of t h e exp losion .
“Yu h ao.” T h e m om en t h e saw Eld er Xu an r et u r n w it h H u o Yu h ao in t ow ,

W an g Don g im m ed iat ely p ou n ced t ow ar d s h im . T h e ot h er s fr om t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d also q u ick ly su r r ou n d ed h im .
“I’m fin e.” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied som ew h at w eak ly. In sp it e of ever yt h in g,

W an g Don g h u gged h im , h is t ea r s su r gin g u n con t r ollab ly.
W h en t h e En voy of t h e Deat h God h a d cap t u r ed H u o Yu h a o ear lier , W an g
Don g in st an t ly felt as t h ou gh t h e m ost im p or t an t t h in g in h is h ear t h ad b een
r ip p ed aw ay. At t h at m om en t , h e’d b een sen t in t o a foolish st u p or . Befor e h e’d
com e t o, Eld er Xu a n h ad alr ead y left in p u r su it . H e’d w a n t ed t o ch ase aft er
t h em , b u t h e’d b een st op p ed b y W an g Ya n . At t h at t im e, h e’d felt h is b r ain sp ace
ou t . H e’d t h ou gh t in w ar d ly, I t ’ s f i ni shed, ever yt hi ng’ s over . Yuhao def i ni t el y
w on’ t be abl e t o escape now t hat he’ s been capt ur ed by such a t er r i f yi ng f el l ow .
H e di dn ’ t t h i n k t h at H uo Yuh ao w oul d act ual l y be br ough t back by El der Xuan
so qui ck l y.
Eld er Xu an left H u o Yu h ao in W an g Don g’s car e, “H e’s fin e. H e h as ju st

over d r aw n h is sp ir it u al p ow er . Let h im r est .”
W an g Don g d id n ’t even h ear t h ose w or d s; h e h eld H u o Yu h ao t igh t ly an d

st ar t ed cr yin g.
H u o Yu h ao w an t ed t o say som et h in g t o com for t h im . H ow ever , h e w as ju st

t oo t ir ed aft er exh au st in g h is sp ir it u al p ow er . H e on ly m an a ged t o fr act ion ally
r aise h is h an d an d w asn ’t ab le t o say an yt h in g else.
“H ow is t h e sit u at ion ?” Eld er Xu an , w h o st ill h a d h is m a r t ial sou l act ive,

t u r n ed t ow ar d s W an g Yan an d ask ed w it h a ver y gloom y exp r ession . Aft er t h at
in cid en t in t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est , w h er e t h e d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d
h ad en cou n t er ed a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east an d su ffer ed h eavy
casu alt ies, t h is w as t h e secon d t im e t h a t t h er e h a d b een so m an y losses u n d er
h is lead er sh ip . An or d in ar y p er son w ou ld n ever b e ab le t o u n d er st an d t h e p ain
h e w as feelin g r igh t n ow .
W an g Yan said fu ll of gr ief, “Yao H aoxu an d ied in b at t le. I t r ied m y b est t o

p iece t h e r em ain s of h is sk elet on t oget h er , b u t aft er b ein g u sed b y t h at evil sou l
m ast er , h is cor p se w as con t am in at ed b y t h e d ead ly p oison an d cor r od ed . W e
w on ’t b e ab le t o b r in g b ack h is com p let e sk elet on .”
Eld er Xu an p ain fu lly closed h is eyes, “H ow ar e t h e ot h er s? W h at ’s t h e st at e of

t h eir in ju r ies? Ar e t h ey in m or t al d an ger ? ”
W an g Yan r ep lied , “Ch en Zifen g lost on e leg, b u t t h e on e t h at su ffer ed t h e

w or st in ju r ies w as Gon g Yan gm o. H is ch est an d ab d om en h ave su ffer ed
im m en se d am age fr om t h e exp lod in g t oxic flesh an d b lood . T h er efor e, h is
in t er n a l in ju r ies ar e n ot on ly ext r em ely sever e b u t p oison ou s t oo. Xi Xi’s
in t er n a l in ju r ies ar e less ser iou s, b u t t h e p oison sh e w as in fect ed w it h is st ill
ver y d an ger ou s. As, t h e t h r ee of t h em h ave alr ead y d evelop ed a h igh fever I gave
t h em som e p ills t o r est r ain t h e p oison an d low er t h e fever , b u t t h is is on ly a
t em p or ar y m easu r e. W e n eed t h e b est p ossib le t r eat m en t t o save t h eir lives. M a
Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g w er e in t h e ep icen t er of t h e exp losion s W h ile t h ey
w er e ab le t o b lock t h e t oxic b lood an d flesh r eleased b y t h e exp losion d u e t o
t h eir h igh cu lt ivat ion s, t h e sh ock w aves left t h em w it h in t er n al in ju r ies. T h ey’ll
n eed som e t im e t o h eal. Lu ck ily, n eit h er t h ey n or Lin g Lu och en w er e
con t am in at ed b y t h e p oison ou s flesh an d b lood . W it h t h e aca d em y’s m ed icin al
p ills, t h ey sh ou ld b e ab le t o r ecover in h alf a m on t h . W h at a b ou t t h e En voy of
t h e Deat h God ?”
Eld er Xu an h eaved a d eep sigh an d t old W an g Yan ever yt h in g t h at Yu h ao h ad

t old h im . Aft er h ear in g t h e st or y, W an g Yan g’s cold an d st er n exp r ession
t h aw ed a lit t le, “Good , good . At least H aoxu an w as aven ged . Even t h at En voy of
t h e Deat h God cou ld n ’t h ave exp ect ed t o d ie at Yu h ao’s h an d s.”
Eld er Xu an op en ed h is eyes again , a r esolu t e look w it h in t h em . H e h ad

alr ead y m ad e u p h is m in d an d said in a d eep voice, “W an g Yan , you ’ll h ave t o
b ear t h e b u r d en of t h is d ifficu lt t ask . Br in g t h em b ack t o t h e m ilit a r y cam p , an d
on ce Xiaot ao an d t h e ot h er t w o ar e st ab le, m ak e h ast e t ow ar d s St ar Lu o Cit y an d
join t h e t o u r n am en t . I’ll b r in g Gon g Yan gm o, Ch en Zifen g, an d Xi Xi b ack t o t h e
acad em y t o get t r eat ed . W e can ’t affor d t o w ast e an y t im e an d m u st m ove
im m ed iat ely.”
H avin g said t h a t , Eld er Xu an p oin t ed h is b ig h an d s t ow ar d t h e t h r ee p eop le

t h at w er e lyin g u n con sciou s on t h e gr ou n d . Den se w h it e sou l p ow er w r ap p ed
t h em u p in a m an n er r em in iscen t of a gian t cocoon , p r ot ect in g t h em .
Eld er Xu an t ook a d eep b r eat h an d t h en look ed at at t h e seven fr om t h e ou t er

cou r t yar d as h e sp ok e in a gr ave t on e, “T h e sit u a t ion h as n ow ch an ged , an d t h e
r esp on sib ilit y lies w it h m e. I’m afr aid t h er e isn ’t en ou gh t im e t o sen d for n ew
t eam m em b er s fr om t h e acad em y an ym or e. W e ca n on ly r ely on you lot for t h e
t im e b ein g. At t h e ver y least , you ’ll h ave t o h old on u n t il M a Xiaot ao an d t h e
ot h er s h a ve r ecover ed . Ch ild r en , t h e acad em y can on ly r ely on you t o p r eser ve
it s glor y. If you w in , t h e h on or w ill b e you r s. If you lose, I’ll p er son ally b ear all
t h e sh am e.”
Aft er t h at , Eld er Xu a n r aised h is h ead , t r yin g t o h old b ack t h e t ear s w ellin g u p

in h is eyes. H e t h en b r ou gh t t h e t h r ee p eop le w r ap p ed in h is sou l p ow er ou t of
t h e cave b efor e h e a ct ivat ed h is flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool an d h ead ed t ow ar d Sh r ek
Acad em y at fu ll sp eed . It w as of t h e u t m ost im p or t an ce t o cu r e an d save t h e
t h r ee st u d en t s t h at h ad b een in ju r ed an d p oison ed . Aft er h ear in g Eld er Xu an ’s
w or d s, H u o Yu h ao also su n k in t o a d eep slu m b er .
By t h e t im e h e r egain ed con sciou sn ess, t h e su n w as alr ead y h igh in t h e sk y; it

w as h igh n oon . T h e st en ch of b lood h ad also d isap p ear ed a n d h ad b een r ep laced
b y t h e fr esh m ou n t ain air .
H e d iscover ed t h at h is h ea d w as lean in g again st som et h in g soft an d elast ic.

T h e h eigh t w as ju st r igh t , an d it w as ver y com for t ab le. A fin e an d slen d er h an d
w as lyin g on h is ch est , an d t h ose sam e lon g an d slen d er fin ger s w er e also r igh t
in fr on t of h is eyes.
H e d id n ’t even n eed t o r aise h is h ead t o gu ess w h o t h ey b elon ged t o, b ecau se

h e h ad alr ead y h eld t h is h an d in n u m er a b le t im es, t h ou gh t h is w as h is fir st t im e
seein g t h em u p close.
W an g Don g’s h an d s w er e r eally b eau t ifu l! Alt h ou gh t h ey w er e m u ch sm aller

t h an h is, t h e len gt h of t h eir fin ger s w as ab ou t t h e sam e. T h ey t r u ly r esem b led
t h e h an d s of a gir l.
Aft er h is n ap , t h e d izzin ess fr om b efor e h ad alr ea d y d isa p p ear ed . All t h e

m em or ies of w h at h ad h ap p en ed p r eviou sly n ow slow ly st ar t ed t o r esu r face in
h is m in d . Even t h ou gh it h ad b een a w h ile, h e st ill felt h is h ear t sk ip a b ea t
w h en ever h e t h ou gh t of w h at h ad h ap p en ed .
T h e Divin e Law of N ecr om an cy, t h e Sp ect er of Calam it y, Elect r olu x. T h is w as

t h e t r u e id en t it y of t h e gr ay b all of ligh t slu m b er in g in h is Sp ir it u a l Sea!
At t h e t im e, w h en Elect r olu x h a d t em p or ar ily t ak en con t r ol o f h is b od y, H u o
Yu h ao h ad n ’t b een ab le t o op p ose h im in t h e sligh t est . H e cou ld st ill feel t h e
ou t sid e w or ld an d r et ain ed all five sen ses, b u t h e h ad n o con t r ol over h is b od y.
T h is w asn ’t t h e fir st t im e t h at som eon e h ad t ak en con t r ol of h is b od y. T h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad also d on e it on ce b efor e. H ow ever at t h at t im e, h e
h ad n ’t b een aw ar e of w h at w as h ap p en in g in t h e ou t sid e w or ld an d h ad
r em ain ed in h is Sp ir it u a l Sea as a sp ect at or . T h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m w as a
m illion year sou l b east , an d even if it w as d oom ed t o n ever b ecom e a god d u e t o
it s sp ecial cir cu m st a n ces, it w as st ill a m illion year sou l b east w h ich sp ecialized
in t h e sp ir it u al field ! Did t h is m ean t h at h e w as in fer ior t o a m er e sp ir it u al
im p r in t left b eh in d b y Elect r olu x? J u st w h o w as t h is Elect r olu x? M or eover , h e
said t h at h e cou ld h ave b ecom e t h e Deat h God lon g ago if h e h ad w ish ed t o. All
of t h is com b in ed w as ju st t oo scar y.
H e h ad said t h at h e w as fr om an ot h er w or ld . W h at w as t h is w or ld lik e? An d
w h at w as t h is n ecr om an cy of h is? It seem ed som ew h at sim ilar t o t h e p ow er of
t h at evil sou l m ast er . H ow ever , h e d id n ’t get an evil feelin g fr om it . In st ead , it
felt p u r e an d h oly.
“It ’s n ot t h at m y sp ir it u al p ow er is in fer ior t o h is. It ’s ju st t h at I’m n ot as

k n ow led geab le as h im w h en it com es t o t h e h u m an Sp ir it u a l Seas.” T h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m ad m it t ed u n w illin gly.
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam .” H u o Yu h ao h ast en ed t o say, “Eld er Elect r o…”
“Don ’t m en t ion it ,” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , d ep r essed , “T h at gu y

sh ou ld b e a h u m an lik e you , b u t is far fr om b ein g com m on as evid en ced b y h is
in cr ed ib le p ow er . I su sp ect t h at h e m et a p ow er fu l op p on en t t h at d est r oyed b ot h
h is b od y an d sou l, leavin g b eh in d on ly a sm all fr agm en t of t h e lat t er . W h en w e
fu sed t oget h er , w e cr eat ed a st r an ge celest ial p h en om en on , an d t h at sou l
fr agm en t w as assim ilat ed in t h e p r ocess. T h at gu y sh ou ld feel gr at efu l. If it
w er en ’t for t h is b r ot h er , t h at sou l fr agm en t m igh t ’ve a lr ead y d isp er sed .”
“St op m ak in g excu ses. If you ’r e in fer ior , you ’r e ju st in fer ior . Let alon e you ,
even I am w ell b elow h im in r egar d s t o sp ir it u al st r en gt h . H e r eally w asn ’t
exagger at in g w h en h e said t h at if h is sou l fr agm en t w er e com p let e, h e m igh t
h ave alr ead y b ecom e a god .” T h e Ice Em p r ess said . Sh e w asn ’t d ep r essed as t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m , an d h er voice even car r ied a h in t of ad m ir at ion .
T h e Ice Em p r ess con t in u ed , “Yu h ao, d on ’t w ast e t im e w or r yin g ab ou t t h is.

Eld er Elect r o’s st r en gt h m ain ly lies in h is k n ow led ge an d sou l level w it h t h e
lat t er b ein g in cr ed ib ly h igh . H ow ever , h e h as su ffer ed a lot of d am age, an d w it h
b u t a fr agm en t left , t h er e’s n ot m u ch h e can d o. In h is cu r r en t con d it ion , h e
can n ot even au gm en t you r st r en gt h . W h en h e d isp layed h is p ow er ear lier , h e
u sed you r b od y as a m ed iu m an d Sk yd r eam ’s sealed p ow er as an en er gy sou r ce.
H e st op p ed u s fr om t ak in g act ion w it h h is h igh er u n d er st an d in g of you r
Sp ir it u al Sea. Sin ce w e w er e u n su r e of w h at t o d o an d felt t h at act in g r ash ly
m igh t cau se d am age t o you r Sp ir it u al Sea , w e h ad n o ch oice b u t t o r ely on h im .
Eld er Elect r o’s st r en gt h lies exact ly in h is k n ow led ge. T h e p ow er fu l m agic h e
u sed sh ou ld also or igin at e fr om h is w or ld , You sh ou ld lear n it sh ou ld t h e
op p or t u n it y ever ar ise. ”
“H ow ever , Eld er Elect r o’s p ow er an d t h at of t h e ev il sou l m ast er …” H u o

Yu h ao said som ew h a t an xiou sly.
T h e Ice Em p r ess said , “Don ’t w or r y. Eld er Elect r o an d t h at gu y w er e on t w o

com p let ely d iffer en t p lan es. Eld er Elect r o gave m e a feelin g of p u r it y an d
sim p licit y. H is sou l h as alr ead y r each ed a r ealm w h er e t h e w or d s ‘good ’ or ‘evil’
ar en ’t su it ab le t o d escr ib e t h e it s au r a. Fr om an ot h er st an d p oin t , h e sh ou ld b e
an exist en ce ab ove t h is w or ld of ou r s. T h er efor e, h is p ow er is u n lik ely t o
in flu en ce you r d isp osit ion . An d fr om h is w or d s, it seem s lik e it w on ’t b e easy for
you t o lear n fr om h im d u e t o h is exceed in gly h igh r equ ir em en t s t ow ar d s you r
m or al ch ar act er . If I’m n ot m ist ak en , Eld er Elect r o’ s a t t r ib u t e sh ou ld b e t h e
sam e as you r s; a ligh t at t r ib u t e. An d even if h is ligh t at t r ib u t e w as ver y w eak , it
w as t h e p u r est I h ad ever seen .”
“T h en , w h at sh ou ld I d o?” H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t even t h ir t een yet . T h er efor e, it
w as n or m al for h im t o r ely on t h e Ice Em p r ess or t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w h en
h e w as in a d ilem m a.
“You d on ’t n eed t o d o an yt h in g.” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “All you h ave

t o d o is k eep cu lt ivat in g an d get t in g st r on ger . T h at sou l fr agm en t w ill st ill n eed
sever al year s t o r est or e it self an d b ecom e self-su fficien t . An d u n t il t h en , h e
w on ’t com e ou t easily, b ecau se h e w ou ld b e d on e for if t h is on ly fr agm en t w er e
t o b e d am aged . M or eover , you can on ly lear n fr om h im if you h ave en ou gh
st r en gt h an d sp ir it u al p ow er . T h er efor e, k eep cu lt iva t in g.”
“I u n d er st an d .” H u o Yu h ao h ad n ow calm ed d ow n a b it . Even t h ou gh t h ey
h ad n ’t com p let ely d isp elled t h e d ou b t s in h is h ear t , t h e Ice Em p r ess an d
Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s exp lan at ion s h ad p u t h im a t ease.
Aft er set t lin g t h is m at t er , h e op en ed h is eyes. T h en , h e gen t ly m oved W an g

Don g’s h an d aw ay an d sat u p .
T h is sligh t m ovem en t cau sed W an g Do n g t o sh ak e an d call ou t in alar m ,

“Yu h ao, you ’r e aw ak e.”
W h en h e sat u p , H u o Yu h ao saw t h at h is fellow st u d en t s w er e all n ear b y.

T h ey w er e sit t in g in t h e m id d le of t h e w ood s in d eep m ed it at ion , t r yin g t o
r ecover t h eir en er gy. Bu t w h en t h ey h ea r d W an g Don g’s voice, t h ey b egan t o
w ak e u p on e aft er an ot h er .
Fr om t h e m ain t eam , on ly M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g an d Lin g Lu och en w er e

left . T h eir com p lexion s w er e st ill p ale d u e t o b ein g sever ely in ju r ed . At t h is
t im e, even t h ey op en ed t h eir eyes.
Chapt er 74.1: The Taot ie Douluo and t he Dr agon
God Douluo
Un t il n ow , W an g Don g h ad b een lean in g again st a t r ee w it h h is t h igh s act in g

as H u o Yu h ao’s co m for t ab le p illow . N ow , w it h ou t even givin g H u o Yu h ao a
ch an ce t o sp eak , W an g Don g h u gged h im fier cely an d said , “Yu h ao, d o you
k n ow t h at you scar ed m e t o d eat h ? I t h ou gh t t h a t you w ou ld b ecom e lik e t h ose
cor p ses…” A sob b in g t on e cr ep t in t o h is voice as h e said t h ese w or d s.
Xu San sh i, w h o w as st an d in g n ext t o Bei Bei, ch u ck led an d sa id , “Look , t h eir

b r ot h er ly feelin gs r eally r u n d eep .”
Bei Bei’s lip s t w it ch ed , an d h e r et or t ed , “In an y case, t h ey’r e m u ch st r on ger

t h an a n at u r ally cold -h ear t ed gu y lik e you .”
Xu San sh i im m ed iat ely flar ed u p in an ger , “Bu llsh it ! H ow can you claim t h a t I
am n at u r ally cold -h ear t ed ?! I ju st d on ’t w an t t o b e t oo com p assion at e t ow ar d s
ot h er s! H u m p h !”
J ian g Nan n an fu r r ow ed h er b r ow s sligh t ly, “H ow old ar e you t w o t o st ill b e

ar gu in g lik e ch ild r en ?”
Aft er h ear in g h er com m en t , Xu Sh an sh i im m ed iat ely b egan t o b eh ave. T h at

com m en t w as far m or e effect ive t h an even con su m in g m ed icin e w ou ld h ave
b een . W it h a r igh t eo u s look on h is face, h e d id n ’t b ot h er Bei Bei an ym or e.
H u o Yu h ao p at t ed W an g Don g’s b ack as h e sp ok e, “It ’s alr igh t . I’m a lr igh t

n ow . Aft er all, on e w h o su r v ives a gr eat d isast er is d est in ed t o h ave good for t u n e
for ever aft er .”
W an g Yan also w alk ed over t o H u o Yu h a o’s sid e. “All’s w ell if you ’r e alr igh t .
You b et t er r est u p t oo, t h en w e ca n get b ack on t r ack an d r et u r n t o t h e
n or t h w est er n ar m y b ar r ack s. Aft er w e r est u p a b it an d get ou r selves
r eor gan ised , w e’ll im m ed iat ely h ead st r aigh t for St ar Lu o Cit y.”
H e Cait ou cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask , “T each er W a n g, you ’r e n ot r eally goin g t o

d ep loy u s t h is t im e ar ou n d , a r e you ?” T h is qu est ion w a s on e t h at t h e seven
st u d en t s fr om t h e o u t er cou r t yar d w er e m ost con cer n ed ab ou t . W an g Don g let
go of H u o Yu h ao, an d t h ey b ot h look ed at W an g Yan t oget h er .
W an g Yan sm iled b it t er ly an d said , “I’m afr aid t h er e is n o ot h er ch oice. T h e

Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Gr an d T ou r n am en t w ill go on for a
m on t h , w h ich is a ver y lon g t im e. M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g an d Lin g Lu och en
w ill n eed a t lea st h alf a m on t h t o r eco ver com p let ely. All w e can d o n ow is
en t r u st you gu ys t o r ep r esen t t h e acad em y in b at t le.”
“T each er W an g, ar e w e u p for it ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed .
Rep r esen t in g Sh r ek Acad em y in b at t le w asn ’t som et h in g t o b e t ak en ligh t ly!

It m ean t t h at t h ey w er e r ep r esen t in g t h e acad em y’s h on or !
Sh r ek Acad em y w as k n ow n as t h e n u m b er on e acad em y in t h e con t in en t

b ecau se it n u r t u r ed n u m er ou s ou t st an d in g p eop le of t alen t an d sk ill. H ow d id it
d isp lay t h is st r en gt h ? T h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Gr an d
T ou r n am en t w as t h e b est st age t o d o so.
Sh r ek Acad em y h ad alr ead y m on op olised t h e p osit ion of ch am p ion for w h o-

k n ow s-h ow m an y year s con t in u ou sly. As for t h e ot h er acad em ies, t h ey cou ld
on ly vie for t h e p osit ion of r u n n er -u p . Befor e t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h ad ap p ear ed , t h er e h ad n ’t
b een an op p on en t t h at cou ld com p et e w it h Sh r ek Acad em y.
H ow ever , t h is w a s d ir ect ed at t h e m ain t eam m em b er s! T h ey h ad h ad a p eak

p ow er h ou se lik e Eld er Xu an as t h eir com m an d in g officer , an d t h eir op p on en t s
h ad on ly b een Sou l Kin gs. Yet , w h o w ou ld ’ve t h ou gh t t h a t t h ey w ou ld h ave
su st ain ed su ch h eavy losses d u r in g t h eir op er at ion t h is t im e ar ou n d ? As if on e
d eat h w asn ’t en ou gh , t h r ee ot h er s w er e so h eavily in ju r ed t h at t h ey cou ld n ’t
p ar t icip at e in b at t le. T h e r em ain in g t h r ee h ad also su st ain ed sign ifican t
in ju r ies. In ju st a sh or t m om en t , all seven m ain t eam m em b er s h ad lost t h eir
figh t in g st r en gt h .
T h e t eam h ad or igin ally con sist ed of t w o Sou l Em p er or s an d five Sou l Kin gs.
Now , it w as m ad e u p of fou r Sou l An cest or s, on e Sou l Eld er an d t w o Sou l
M ast er s.
T h is w as a lar ge d iffer en ce in t er m s of st r en gt h .
All t h is p r essu r e fell on t h e seven r eser ve st u d en t s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .

T h e eld est w as ju st fift een year s old , an d t h e you n gest w as on ly t w elve year s
old . It w as ob viou s w h at t h ey m u st b e goin g t h r ou gh at t h at m om en t .
W an g Yan w as sligh t ly at a loss as t o h ow h e sh ou ld r esp on d t o H u o Yu h ao.

H e sigh ed an d r ep lied , “T h e r esp on sib ilit y for t h e set b ack s d u r in g t h is m issio n
r est s on m y sh ou ld er s. I failed t o com m an d t h e t eam p r op er ly an d w h en w e
r et u r n t o t h e acad em y, I w ill d efin it ely b eg t h e sch ool’s h igh est officials for
for given ess. As for t h e Gr an d T ou r n am en t , you gu ys sh ou ld n ’t h old b ack at all. I
b elieve t h at t h e p r elim in ar y r ou n d s sh ou ld n ’t b e h ar d w it h you r ab ilit ies. If
Eld er Xu an can r u sh b ack in t im e, t h e a cad em y m igh t b e ab le t o sen d an ot h er
t eam of in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les as r ein for cem en t s b efor e t h e Gr an d
T ou r n am en t st ar t s. W it h Eld er Xu an ’s flyin g sp eed , I b elieve t h er e’s a
p ossib ilit y t h a t h e’ll b e ab le t o m ak e it in t im e.”
Up on r em em b er in g Eld er Xu an ’s t er r ifyin gly q u ick m an n er of flyin g,

ever yon e im m ed iat ely b ecam e m u ch m or e r elaxed .
Bei Bei st ood u p an d , ju st as b efor e, sp oke w it h a sm ile on h is face. “T each er

W an g is r igh t . At t h e en d of t h e d ay, w e ar e ju st r eser ves. M or eover , t h e
Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Gr an d T ou r n a m en t d oesn ’t h a ve a
k n ock ou t syst em Eld er Xu an or igin ally m en t ion ed t h at w e w er e m ean t t o t ak e
t h e st age r egar d less, t o p olish ou r ab ilit ies an d t o ser ve as a sh ield for t h e m ain
t eam m em b er s. W e can st ill p r oceed accor d in g t o t h a t p lan . Regar d less of t h e
ou t com e, ever yt h in g w ill w or k ou t if w e t r y ou r b est . Besid es, w e can st ill t r ick
ou r op p on en t s. I r eck on r ein for cem en t s w ill ar r ive b efor e w e h ave t ak e on m or e
t h an a few m at ch es. Ou r acad em y isn ’t t h at far fr om St a r Lu o Cit y. T h e m ost
it ’ll t ak e t h e acad em y t o select p eop le an d d ep loy t h em is ar ou n d t h r ee t o five
d ays. So, in r ealit y, w e on ly n eed t o h old u p for a few d ays.”
“T h at ’s r igh t , w e’r e n ot w eak er t h an t h e ot h er s. I’ve h ear d t h a t t h e

con t est an t s fr om t h e p ar t icip a t in g aca d em ies n or m ally h ave t h e st r en gt h of
t h r ee or fou r r in ged Sou l M ast er s; w e’r e Sh r ek Acad em y’s elit e st u d en t s! W h at
d o w e h ave t o fear ?! T h e m ain for ce m igh t n ot even n eed t o m ak e a m ove,
b ecau se w e w ou ld ’ve alr ead y ad van ced cou r ageou sly an d st or m ed st r aigh t t o t h e
fin als!” Xu San sh i exclaim ed , filled w it h figh t in g sp ir it .
J ian g Nan n an r olled h er eyes at h im , “Su ch d evelop ed lim b s, an d yet su ch a

sim p le m in d .”
Xiao Xiao w as sit t in g r igh t b esid e J ian g Nan n an an d cou ld n ’t h elp b u t st ifle a
ch u ck le u p on seein g t h e d eflat ed look on Xu San sh i’s face.
A h in t of a sm ile fou n d it s w ay on t o W an g Yan ’s face t oo. H e n od d ed an d

r ep lied , “Bei Bei is r igh t . W e sh ou ld d o ou r b est .” As h e sp ok e, h is gaze
su b con sciou sly fell on M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g an d Lin g Lu och en .
T h e t h r ee of t h em d id n ’t u t t er a w or d . W an g Yan sigh ed in h is h ear t an d

t h ou gh t t o h im self, Do your best , and ever yt hi ng w i l l go accor di ng t o t he w i l l of
t he heavens.
H ow ever , H uo Yuh ao st i l l h el d suspi ci on i n h i s h ear t , because h e coul d cl ear l y

r em em ber ed w h at El der Xuan h ad sai d bef or e h e l ef t . T he academ y’ s r eput at i on
can onl y r est on your shoul der s now . T h i s cl ear l y w asn ’ t som et h i n g t h at h e h ad
sai d w i t h out t h i n k i n g! M or eover , H uo Yuh ao al so bel i eved t h at h i s m en t al l y
dext er ous sen i or br ot h er coul d n ot h ave f ai l ed t o n ot i ce t h ose w or ds. But t h en ,
w h y w as h e t al k i n g l i k e t h i s n ow ? Coul d i t be t o bol st er ever yon e’ s h ear t s?
W i t h t h ese t h ough t s r un n i n g t h r ough h i s m i n d, H uo Yuh ao n at ur al l y

coul dn ’ t expose h i s sen i or br ot h er . Al l h e coul d do w as do h i s best t o go al on g
w it h Bei Bei. It w asn ’t easy t o r aise ever yon e’s m or ale, so h ow cou ld h e say
som et h in g again st h im ?
On ly W an g Yan an d t h e t h r ee r em ain in g in n er cou r t yar d st u d en t s k n ew t h a t

t h er e w er en ’t m an y st u d en t s in t h e in n er cou r t yar d . T h er e w er e ext r em ely few
st u d en t s u n d er t w en t y w h o w er e su fficien t ly cap ab le. On t op of t h at , m ost of
t h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les con d u ct ed m ission s ou t sid e as Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s.
T h u s, it w as p r act ically im p ossib le for t h e acad em y t o gat h er an ot h er gr ou p of
Sh r ek ’s Seven Devils fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d . Sad ly, t h er e w asn ’t m u ch h op e
for t h ose in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d eit h er . Bei Bei, Xu San sh i an d J ian g Nan n an
w er e ou t st an d in g in d ivid u als fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , b u t even if t h ey cou ld
gat h er a few m or e st u d en t s w it h fou r sou l r in gs, w ou ld t h ey r eally b e st r on ger
t h an H u o Yu h ao, Xia o Xiao an d W an g Don g?
As a r esu lt of t h a t , t h ey cou ld on ly cou n t on t h em selves d u r in g t h is

Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M a st er Acad em y Gr an d T ou r n am en t .
T h e n ext d ay in Sh r ek Acad em y.
Eld er Xu an w as sit t in g on a fligh t of st air s w it h a b ed of m essy h air as h e

p ou r ed alcoh ol in t o h is m ou t h . T h e sou n d of foot st ep s r a n g ou t fr om b eh in d
h im , an d an old m an clad in w h it e w alk ed over t o h im .
“W h at ’s t h e sit u a t ion ?”
T h e old m an cla d in w h it e st ood r esp ect fu lly b eh in d Eld er Xu an an d sa id ,

“T h e sit u at ion h as a lr ead y st ab ilized . It ’s cor p se p oison . T h an k fu lly, t h is is on ly
a sim p le k in d of p oison an d you b r ou gh t t h em b ack ju st in t im e. T h eir lives ar e
ou t of h ar m ’s w ay n ow . T h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t h as alr ead y t ak en a look at
Ch en Zifen g’s leg, an d d ed u ced t h at it ’s n ot goin g t o b e p r ob lem t o m ak e a
p r ost h et ic for h im . Even t h ou gh h is m ovem en t s w ill b e affect ed a lit t le, it
sh ou ld n ’t affect h is st r en gt h t oo m u ch .”
Eld er Xu an sp at ou t a b r eat h fu ll of t h e sm ell of alcoh ol an d sigh ed , “T h at ’s

good .”
At t h is m om en t , som eon e w alk ed in fr om ou t sid e t h e cou r t yar d . T h at p er son
w as t h e d ean of Sh r ek Acad em y’s M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t - Yan Sh aozh e.
“Eld er Xu an , t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion con fer en ce t h at you p r op osed t o h old h as

b een p r ep ar ed . You …”
“Let ’s go.” Eld er Xu an st ood u p an d w alk ed ou t . H is silh ou et t e clear ly seem ed

a lit t le lon ely.
Yan Sh aozh e follow ed b eh in d Eld er Xu a n , sigh in g in h is h ear t . It h ad b een

m an y year s sin ce t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion con fer en ce h ad b een h eld so fr equ en t ly.
“Eld er Xu an , t h is m at t er isn ’t you r fau lt . You sh ou ld n ’t b la m e you r self t oo

m u ch .” Yan Sh aozh e ad vised in a low voice.
Eld er Xu an d id n ’t sp eak , an d on ly r esp on d ed b y sh ak in g h is h ead .
Sea God ’s Pavilion .
T h in gs w er en ’t so d iffer en t fr om t h e last Sea God ’s Pavilion con fer en ce h eld

h er e, b u t t h e a t m osp h er e su r r ou n d in g t h e w h ole p lace w as som ew h at h eavier
t h an b efor e. Eld er M u , w h o w as seat ed at t h e h ead of t h e t ab le, w as st ill lyin g on
h is r eclin er , t h e sh ad ow s ob scu r in g h is b od y.
T h e on es sea t ed b esid e h im w er e Eld er Lin an d Eld er Xu an . T h e fou r d ean s

an d vice-d ean s fr om t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t a n d t h e So u l T ool
Dep ar t m en t w er e st ill r esp ect fu lly seat ed at b ot h en d s of t h e t ab le.
Eld er M u ’s gen t le voice r an g ou t . “Sp eak , d ear Xu an . W h y h ave you p r op osed

t h is Sea God ’s Pavilion con fer en ce?”
Eld er Xu an n od d ed , slow ly got u p an d b egan t o sp eak in a low t on e,

“Ever yon e alr ead y kn ow s w h at h ap p en ed t h is t im e. T h is isn ’t t h e fir st t im e a
p r ob lem h as ar isen fr om m y lead er sh ip . As t h e on e w h o w as lead in g t h e gr ou p , I
am t h er efor e b ou n d b y an u n sh ir k ab le r esp on sib ilit y. H en cefor t h , I h ave
d ecid ed t o r esign fr om m y p osit ion a s v ice-com m an d er of t h e Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s.
M or eover , I w ill leave Sea God ’s Pavilion an d b e an id ler w it h in t h e acad em y.”
On ce Eld er Xu an sp ok e, ever yon e in t h e r oom w as alar m ed . On e h ad t o k n ow

t h at h e h eld an ext r em ely h igh p ost in t h e acad em y, secon d on ly t o Eld er M u
lyin g on t h e r eclin er . H e w as t h e acad em y’s eld er , an d h a d an ext r em ely st r on g
cu lt ivat ion , h ar d ly all t h at d iffer en t fr om Eld er M u ’s. Eld er M u w as t h e
com m an d in g officer of t h e Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s, an d t h er e w as on ly on e vice-
com m an d er - Eld er Xu an . Over t h e cou r se of n ear ly 50 year s, all of t h e m ost
ou t st an d in g in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les w h o h ad r ep r esen t ed t h e sch ool in t h e
Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Gr an d T ou r n a m en t h ad b een led
b y Eld er Xu an . For h im t o su d d en ly b r in g u p t h e t op ic of h is r esign at ion fr om all
of h is d u t ies, h ow cou ld it n ot sh ock t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion ’s con fer en ce?
Yan Sh aozh e w as so sh ock ed t h a t h is face t u r n ed p ale. “Eld er Xu an , h ow can

t h is b e? No on e can gu ar an t ee t h at som et h in g w on ’t go w r on g. Besid es, t h is
r esp on sib ilit y can n ot com p let ely r est o n you r sh ou ld er s. Car elessn ess on t h e
p ar t of Xiaot ao an d t h e ot h er s also p layed a h u ge p ar t in t h is m at t er , alon g w it h
t h e u n u su al ab ilit ies of t h at evil sou l m ast er . H e cou ld act u a lly u n leash an all-
ou t at t ack com p ar able t o t h at of a Sou l Sage. T h is can on ly illu st r at e t h e d ir ect
cor r elat ion b et w een t h e d est r u ct ive p ow er of h is sk ill an d t h e n u m b er of cor p ses
h e r ose. Eld er Xu a n , you ar e on e of t h e m ain p illar s of t h e acad em y. T h e
acad em y can n ot lose you !”
Eld er Xu an sigh ed a n d said , “Sh aozh e, d on ’t say an yt h in g an ym or e. I h ad

ear lier w a n t ed t o t ak e r esp on sib ilit y for m y m ist ak e in t h e Gr eat St a r Dou For est
t h at t im e an d r esign . Bu t t h at gir l, Le Xu an , st u b b or n ly k n elt in fr on t of m e an d
I d id n ’t h ave t h e h ea r t t o h u r t t h at ch ild ’s h ear t , so I st ayed on …”
God Douluo
“H ow ever , w e h ave on e d ead an d six h eavily in ju r ed st u d en t s t h is t im e. If I

k eep st ayin g b y t h eir sid e, w ou ld an ot h er t h in g lik e t h is h ap p en again ? M y
m ar t ial sou l h as gu ar an t eed t h a t I’m n ot su it ed t o b e t h e vice-cap t ain of t h e
Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s. I’ve alr ead y m ad e m y d ecision . Yao H aoxu an d oesn ’t even
h ave a cor p se I can b u r y. I feel ver y p ain ed , let alon e t h e fact t h at t h ey’ll h ave t o
r ep r esen t t h e sch ool t o t ak e p ar t in t h e Con t in en t a l Ad va n ced Sou l Du ellin g
Acad em y n ow . Now t h at a lar ge m ist ak e lik e t h is h a s occu r r ed , t h e sch ool’s
h on or as t h e n u m b er on e acad em y in t h e con t in en t m ay b e d est r oyed . T h is
r esp on sib ilit y can on ly b e t ak en on b y m e.”
T h e Dean of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , Xian Lin ’er , sp ok e u p , “Eld er Xu a,

p lease st ay you r m ou t h . Alt h ou gh you r God ly T aot ie Bu ll r eq u ir es you t o eat
t h in gs for lon g p er iod s of t im e, t h is d oesn ’t affect you r cap ab ilit ies! Ever yon e
can clear ly see t h e con t r ib u t ion s you ’ve m ad e t o t h e acad em y d u r in g t h ese
year s. W e’r e all sad for t h e d eat h of an in n er cou r t yar d d iscip le, b u t w e can ’t
st op eat in g for fear of ch ok in g. If you leave, t h at ’ll b e t h e acad em y’s gr eat est
loss.”
Eld er Xu an sh ook h is h ead b it t er ly. “W er e it n ot for t h e fact t h a t w e w er e

lu ck y t h is t im e, H u o Yu h ao w ou ld ’ve d ied t h er e. W er e it n ot for t h e fact t h at h is
Sp ir it u al Sh ock coin cid ed w it h t h e b ack lash of t h at evil sou l m ast er w h en h e
w as cap t u r ed , t h e h o p e of t h e acad em y w ou ld ’ve b een r u in ed in m y h an d s. W it h
a m ist ak e lik e t h is on m y h an d s, h ow w ou ld I h ave t h e face t o con t in u e st ayin g
in t h e Sea God ’s Pav ilion ? You d on ’t h a ve t o t r y an d p er su ad e m e; I’ve alr ead y
m ad e m y d ecision . Yao H aoxu an ’s fam ily h as a r elat ively d ecen t am ou n t of
in flu en ce, so I’m goin g t o go t ak e a t r ip t o h is clan an d d o m y b est t o h elp d isp el
t h eir sor r ow s. Ever yon e, I’m goin g t o say good b ye h er e.”
W it h t h at , h e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d w a lk ed t ow ar d s t h e d oor .
“Com e b ack .” A calm , yet im p osin g voice t h at con t ain ed a for m less p r essu r e
r an g ou t . T h ese t w o w or d s w er e sp ok en in a ver y calm m an n er , b u t t h ey m ad e
Eld er Xu an , w h o’d st ar t ed w alk in g, for cefu lly st op m ovin g.
“Eld er M u , I t r u ly d o n ot h ave t h e face t o r em ain an ym or e.” Eld er Xu an h ad

h is b ack t ow ar d s t h e ot h er s, h is b od y t r em b lin g sligh t ly. On ly h e k n ew ju st h ow
m u ch p ain h e w as en d u r in g in h is h ear t .
“I’m allow in g you t o com e b ack . Do you n ot h ear m e?” Eld er M u ’s voice
b ecam e ser iou s.
Eld er Xu an ’s b od y t r em b led . J u st h ow m an y year s h ad it b een sin ce h e’d last

h ear d Eld er M u get em ot ion al w h ile sp eak in g? Eigh t y? Or w as it a h u n d r ed
year s?
Alt h ou gh h e w as ext r em ely u n w illin g, h e st ill t u r n ed b ack an d sat b ack in h is

seat . Even t h e ot h er p eop le h ad su b con sciou sly st r aigh t en ed t h eir b ack s aft er
sen sin g t h e an ger in Eld er M u ’s voice. T h ey w er e all silen t ou t of fear , n ot
d ar in g t o u t t er a sin gle w or d .
Am on g ever yon e seat ed w it h in t h e h all, t h e m ost sen ior of t h e eld er s w er e

Eld er Xu an an d Eld er Lin . H ow ever , even t h ey w er e sligh t ly ju n ior t o Eld er M u .
Eld er M u w as t h e last d iscip le of Eld er Xu an ’s m ast er , an d also h is you n gest
d iscip le. In ot h er w or d s, Eld er M u w as act u ally Eld er Xu an ’s ju n ior u n cle-
m ast er . In t er m s of age, Eld er M u w as on ly t en year s old er t h an Eld er Xu an .
H ow ever , t h e con t r ib u t ion s h e’d m ad e t ow ar d s t h e acad em y an d h is st r en gt h
p laced h im as t h e t r u e n u m b er on e figu r e in Sh r ek Acad em y.
Eld er M u , w h o’d b een r eclin in g on h is seat , slow ly r ose t o h is feet . H is

ap p ear an ce cou ld fin ally b e seen clear ly.
Eld er M u h ad a ver y or d in ar y ap p ear an ce, an d h e w asn ’t ver y t all eit h er . H e

even gave off t h e feelin g t h a t h e alr ea d y h ad on e foot in t h e gr ave. If H u o Yu h ao
an d W an g Don g w er e h er e, t h ey w ou ld d efin it ely b e st u n n ed . T h is eld er , w h o
w as ab le t o m ak e t h e d et er m in ed Eld er Xu an t u r n b ack w it h a ju st sligh t ly an gr y
t on e of voice, an d silen ce t h e u p p er ech elon s of Sh r ek Acad em y, w as act u ally
t h e old m an w h o t h ey alw ays saw lyin g d ow n ou t sid e t h eir d o r m it or ies.
Righ t , h e w as t h e Eld er M u w h o’d sh ak en t h e en t ir e con t in en t b efor e. H e w as

n ow over t w o h u n d r ed an d fift y year s old , an d h e w as t it led as t h e Dr agon God
Dou lu o, M u En . T w o h u n d r ed year s ago, h is n am e h ad b een fam ou s t h r ou gh ou t
t h e con t in en t . Now , p er h ap s ever yon e m igh t ’ve for got t en ab ou t h im . M an y
p eop le assu m ed t h at Sh r ek Acad em y’s st r on gest exp er t w as t h e T aot ie Dou lu o,
Xu an Zi, b u t in r ealit y, t h e Dr agon God , Eld er M u , w as u n d ou b t ed ly t h e n u m b er
on e figu r e in t h e acad em y.
W h o w ou ld ’ve t h ou gh t t h at t h e or d in a r y old m an w h o look ed lik e a secu r it y

gu ar d for t h e d or m it or ies w ou ld act u ally b e t h e t r u e n u m b er on e figu r e of Sh r ek
Acad em y? Eld er M u st ayed t h er e ever y d ay, as h e en joyed w a t ch in g t h e st u d en t s
fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , an d t h e d yn am ism t h at t h ey em an a t ed .
On ly t h is w ou ld h elp d ilu t e t h e lon elin ess h e felt in h is h ear t .
Eld er M u r evealed a r ar ely-seen ch illin ess in h is gen t le eyes a n d said in a low

voice, “W h y is a t w o h u n d r ed -year -old m an lik e you st ill b ein g so im p at ien t ? If
ever yon e else h ad left t h e acad em y aft er m ak in g a m ist ak e, ou r Sh r ek Acad em y
w ou ld ’ve closed d ow n alr ead y. You ’r e in d eed n o lon ger su it a b le t o b e t h e vice-
cap t ain of t h e Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s, so st a y b eh in d in t h e acad em y an d h elp m e
t each a few st u d en t s.”
Eld er Xu an im m ed ia t ely b ecam e som ew h at an xiou s, “Eld er M u , p lease let m e

go. I feel ver y p ain ed , an d I d on ’t even k n ow h ow I’ll b e ab le t o face t h ese k id s
an ym or e.”
“If you w an t t o leave, fin e.” Eld er M u said in d iffer en t ly, “If you h ave t h e
ab ilit y, go fin d a w ife an d m a r r y h er . T h en , leave you r b lood lin e of t h e God ly
T aot ie Bu ll b eh in d . If you can d o t h at , I’ll let you go; if you can ’t , st op t alk in g. If
you con t in u e sp ew in g b u llsh it , I’ll d iscip lin e you on b eh alf of m y d eceased
sen ior b r ot h er .”
“I…”
T h e ot h er eld er s w h o w er e p ar t icip at in g in t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion ’s

con fer en ce r evealed st r an ge sm iles as t h ey list en ed t o Eld er M u . Eld er Lin , w h o
sat op p osit e t h e t w o, d ir ect ly lau gh ed .
H u m ilia t ed , Eld er Xu an said , “Lin H u iq u n , w h at ’r e you lau gh in g at ?”
Eld er Lin d id n ’t fea r h im in t h e least . Sh e sm iled sligh t ly, “Nat u r ally, I’m
w on d er in g w h et h er you ’ll even h ave t h e ch an ce t o p ass d ow n you r b lood lin e
an ym or e.”
“H ah ah ah a…” T h e ot h er eld er s im m ed iat ely la u gh ed in u n ison . T h e fou r

eld er s cou ld n ’t h elp b u t lau gh , an d Xian Lin ’er even cover ed h er face w it h h er
h an d .
Eld er Xu an ’s aged face im m ed iat ely t u r n ed b r igh t r ed , an d h is h u m iliat ion

t u r n ed t o an ger as h e slap p ed t h e t ab le an d yelled , “No lau gh in g, n o lau gh in g!”
H is ou t b u r st sou n d ed ser iou s, b u t t h e ot h er eld er s seat ed ar ou n d h im lau gh ed

even lou d er t h an b efor e; even Eld er M u r evealed t h e t r ace of a sm ile on h is face.
“Ok ay.” Eld er M u gen t ly t ap p ed t h e t ab le w it h h is h an d , silen cin g t h e ot h er

eld er s. H ow ever , t h e st r an ge look s in t h eir eyes d id n ’t ch an ge in t h e lea st .
“Ever sin ce t h e Gu a r d ian s w er e est ab lish ed , ever y sin gle st u d en t w h o join ed

w as alr ead y p r ep ar ed t o m ak e a sacr ifice.” Eld er M u said in d iffer en t ly, “T h is
sit u a t ion w as sp ecial. Not on ly w er e w e facin g an evil sou l m a st er , w e w er e even
facin g on e w h o h ad t h e ver y r ar e ab ilit y t o con t r ol cor p ses. T h e lar ge n u m b er of
m assacr es h e cau sed w it h t h e b an d it s w er e for t h e sak e of ob t ain in g m or e
cor p ses so h e cou ld cu lt ivat e in t h e t ech n iqu es b elon gin g t o h is evil sect . T h e
fact t h at you w er e a b le t o er ad icat e h im is alr ea d y a good d eed . I also feel ver y
p ain ed b y Yao H aoxu an ’s sacr ifice, b u t t h e d ead ar e a lr ead y d ead . Ou r Sh r ek
Gu ar d ian s, h ow ever , h ave t o con t in u e on . You r God ly T aot ie Bu ll m ak es you
glu t t on ou s, an d you w er en ’t w r on g in t r u st in g Xiaot ao an d t h e r est . T h is
t r aged y can b e even m or e of a r em in d er for u s t o b e car efu l in t h e fu t u r e. You
follow ed t h em t h is t im e, b u t w h at w ou ld ’ve h ap p en ed if you h ad n ’t ? Per h ap s
t h ey w ou ld ’ve su ffer ed even gr eat er losses. Also, w ill an eld er alw ays t ag alon g
in ever y m ission t h e Gu ar d ian s u n d er t ak e? It ’d b e b et t er for you t o t r ain even
m or e an d b et t er Gu a r d ian s r at h er t h an b lam e you r self. Lin ’er .”
“Pr esen t .” Xian Lin ’er h u r r ied ly st ood u p an d r ep lied r esp ect fu lly.
“I’m goin g t o en d t h is n ow .” Eld er M u said in a low voice, “Aft er t h is

con fer en ce en d s, ever y sin gle d iscip le fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d w ill h ave t o go
over t o you an d h a ve a set of cu st om -m ad e flyin g-t yp e an d d efen se-t yp e sou l
t ools m ad e. An yb od y w h o d ar es t o go again st m e w ill leave t h e college.” Xia n
Lin ’er im m ed iat ely r evealed a d eligh t ed look on h er face, “Yes.” H ow ever , Dean
Yan Sh aozh e fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s.
Fr om t h e ver y b egin n in g, t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t an d t h e Sou l T ool

Dep ar t m en t h ad b een op p osin g p ar t ies, w it h t h e for m er p ossessin g t h e ab solu t e
ad van t age. T h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t h ad
also in h er it ed it s ar r ogan ce. Becau se of t h at , t h ey h a d all ch osen n ot t o u se sou l
t ools; t h ey b elieved t h at t h is w ou ld m ain t ain t h e legacy of Sh r ek Acad em y.
H ow ever , t h e d ecision Eld er M u m a d e t od ay w ou ld u n d ou b t ed ly t ell t h e M ar t ial
Sou l Dep ar t m en t t h a t t h ey w ou ld n eed t h e h elp of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t .
“T each er , d on ’t you n eed t o con sid er t h is a b it m or e?” Yan Sh aozh e ask ed

p r ob in gly.
Eld er M u glar ed at h im an d said solem n ly, “Do you w an t a few m or e d ea t h s t o

ch an ge you r m in d ? Even if t h is h ad n ’t h ap p en ed , I w ou ld ’ve or gan ised a
con fer en ce in Sea God ’s Pavilion t o t alk ab ou t t h ese im p or t an t m at t er s. Ou r
gen er at ion k eep s ad van cin g, an d sou l t ools w er e or igin ally a cr eat ion of
societ y’s ad van cem en t in t h e fir st p lace. An in d iv id u a l ca n b e st r on g, b u t
w or k in g w it h a sou l t ool can on ly im p r ove on e’s st r en gt h even fu r t h er . If you
k eep st ick in g t o you r old -fash ion ed w ays, you d on ’t h ave t o b e a Dean an ym or e.
I’ve alr ead y m ad e a d ecision . T h e in n er cou r t yar d of t h e M ar t ial So u l
Dep ar t m en t w ill h ave t o p u r ch ase t h e sou l t ools fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t
u sin g it s ow n fu n d s, an d you ’r e n ot allow ed t o d r op b eh in d in you r p aym en t s.”
Seein g as Eld er M u w as get t in g an gr y, Yan Sh aozh e d id n ’t d ar e t o r efu t e h im

even if h e w a s in w ar d ly d issat isfied . T h u s, h e assen t ed r esp ect fu lly. On t h e
ot h er h an d , Xian Lin ’er h ad a vict or iou s sm ile on h er face.
T h e vice-Dean , Cai M ei’er , h u r r ied ly t r ied t o m ed ia t e t h e sit u at ion w it h Yan

Sh aozh e, “Eld er M u , t h en w h a t sh all w e d o ab ou t t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced
Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t ? T h e in n er cou r t yar d on ly h as t en or so
d iscip les n ow , an d on ly t w o of t h em can qu alify for it . H ow ever , t h ey’r e
som ew h at w eak er . Sh all w e t ak e t h e p r eviou sly-elim in at ed st u d en t fr om t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t an d sen d h im a lon g w it h t h ose t w o st u d en t s?”
Eld er Xu an t u r n ed a w k w ar d ly an d n od d ed , “If I fly t h em over , w e sh ou ld b e

ab le t o m ak e it in t im e.”
Eld er M u sh ook h is h ead . “No. W e d on ’t n eed t o aid t h em a n y fu r t h er . Let ’s

let t h em sh ow off t h eir sk ills.”
“Ah ?” T h e var iou s eld er s p r esen t w er e all ast on ish ed . Of w h ich , on e eld er
b lu r t ed ou t , “Eld er M u , t h is m at t er r ela t es t o t h e h on or of t h e acad em y.”
Eld er M u la u gh ed calm ly, “Righ t ! H on or . H aven ’t you felt t h at w e’ve b een

t ied u p b y t h is ‘h on or ’ for t h e p ast few year s? Losin g isn ’t sca r y; t h e t r u ly scar y
t h in g is com p lacen cy. A few p eop le h ave alr ead y assu m ed t h at t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t is u n p ar alleled u n d er t h e h eaven s, an d it ’s t im e for a w ak e-u p call.
Du r in g t h e p ast t h ir t y year s, w e’ve b een seein g n ew d evelop m en t s in t h e field of
sou l t ools p r act ically ever y d ay. H ow ever , w h at ab ou t t h e d evelop m en t of ou r
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ? If w e com p ar e ou r selves t o t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e, w e’r e
n ot lack in g b y ju st a t in y b it . As societ y p r ogr esses, w e h a ve t o con t in u ally
im p r ove ou r w ay of t h in k in g. Even if w e sen d ext r a h elp , w ou ld t h ey d efin it ely
b e b et t er t h an t h ose k id s?”
Yan Sh aozh e n at u r a lly u n d er st ood t h a t h is t each er w a s r efer r in g t o h im . H e
cou ld n ’t h elp b u t low er h is h ead , an d h is aged face t u r n ed sligh t ly r ed . If
an yb od y else w er e t o sp eak of t h e im p or t an ce of sou l t ools, h e cou ld d isap p r ove;
h ow ever , t h e p er so n sp eak in g w as t h e t each er w h o h e r esp ect ed m ost . H e
cou ld n ’t ju st n ot p ay at t en t ion t o h is w or d s.
“Alt h ou gh ou r official t eam can ’t p ar t icip at e t h is t im e, you sh ou ld n ’t for get

t h at ou r p r ep ar at or y t eam t h is t im e is ou r acad em y’s st r on gest -ever . Sin ce t h e
H eaven s h ave d ecid ed t o give t h em som e ear ly p r act ice, w h y d on ’t w e h elp t h em
su cceed ?”
God Douluo
“It ’s t oo soon t o t alk ab ou t d efeat . An d even if w e lose, w e can u se t h is

op p or t u n it y t o t em p er t h e seven ch ild r en of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam , an d t u r n
t h em in t o an ou t st an d in g gen er at ion of ou r Sh r ek Acad em y. In t h at case, even if
w e lose, it w ill b e st ill w or t h w h ile. For t h e t im e b ein g, let t h em d o as t h ey w ish .
Lin ’er , aft er t h e t ou r n am en t en d s, sen d a r equ est t o t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y on b eh alf of ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t an d ap p ly for a
st u d en t exch an ge p r ogr am . Let ’s sen d t h e st u d en t s of ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t
t o t h eir em p ir e t o st u d y.”
Xian Lin ’er w as st u n n ed . “Eld er M u , w ill t h ey agr ee? An d even if t h ey agr ee,
I’m afr aid t h at ou r st u d en t s…”
“T h e ob ject ive isn ’t t o sen d t h em t h er e t o lear n ,” Eld er M u said w it h a fain t

sm ile, “I w an t t h em t o go t h er e t o gain exp er ien ce. I w an t t h em t o h ave a look at
t h e n u m b er on e sou l en gin eer in g acad em y of t h e con t in en t , a n d see w h at t h eir
sou l t ools look lik e for t h em selves. As for t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y, t h ey w ill agr ee. T h ey’ve alr ead y sen t a r equ est t o ap p ly
for a st u d en t exch an ge w it h ou r M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t . So t ell t h em t h at as
lon g as t h ey agr ee t o accep t ou r st u d en t s fir st , t h ey’r e allow ed t o sen d t en
st u d en t s of t h eir ow n t o st u d y h er e.”
“Yes.” Xian Lin ’er r ep lied .
Eld er M u said , “T alk t h in gs over car efu lly. W it h in five year s, I w an t t h e

M ar t ial Sou l an d Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t s t o u n d er go a p ar t ial fu sion . Ad d a
w eek ly cou r se on sou l en gin eer in g for t h e st u d en t s of t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t . Even if t h ey d on ’t lear n h ow t o m an u fact u r e sou l t ools, t h ey m u st
k n ow h ow t o u se t h em . Sh aozh e, M ei’er , Lin ’er an d Du o Du o, you m u st
r em em b er t h is: t h e ad ven t of sou l t ools can n ot b e st op p ed . W e’r e u n ab le t o
p r ed ict t o w h at d egr ee t h ey w ill d evelop in t h e fu t u r e. T h er efor e, w e m u st gain
an ad van t age w h ile t h er e is st ill t im e. Ou r Sh r ek Acad em y h as n ever h ad a lack
of t alen t s, an d in t h e fu t u r e, sou l m ast er s w ill figh t w h ile co m b in in g b ot h t h eir
m ar t ial sou ls an d t h eir sou l t ools.”
Per p lexed , Yan Sh aozh e ask ed , “T each er , ar en ’t w e r u sh in g t h in gs? Even if

sou l t ools ar e d evelop in g q u ick ly, sou l en gin eer s ar en ’t com p ar ab le t o sou l
m ast er s t h at h ave su r p assed t h e Sou l Sage r an k .”
“Ar en ’t you n eglect in g t h e r eal p r ob lem an d con cen t r a t in g on ly on d et ails?”

Eld er M u said cold ly, “An yw ay, you ’r e m ist ak en . Not t oo lon g ago, I p er son ally
w en t t o t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e, an d t h e t h in gs I saw t h er e w er e ab le t o sh ock
even m e. T h e gr ow t h of sou l t ools in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h as alr ead y exceed ed
you r im agin at ion . I even saw a h u ge sou l t ool t h at n eed ed m an y p eop le t o
con t r ol it , an d t h at sou l t ool w as cap ab le of t h r eat en in g even m y life. Som et h in g
lik e t h a t h as t h e p ow er t o ch an ge t h e cou r se of an en t ir e w a r . Ever yt h in g I said
t od ay w asn ’t w it h ou t cau se. If you k eep on w it h t h is m en t alit y an d r efu se t o
ch an ge, Sh r ek Acad em y w on ’t last for lon g.”
“W h at ?” Yan Sh aozh e w as d u m b fou n d ed . H e w as aw ar e of h ow st r on g h is

t each er w as. Even if h e w as a p ow er fu l T it led Dou lu o t h at h ad r each ed Ran k 95,
in fr on t of h is Eld er M u , h e w as on ly a t in y exist en ce. An d n ow , h is t each er said
t h at t h er e w as a sou l t ool cap ab le of t h r eat en in g h is life. J u st h ow p ow er fu l w as
t h is sou l t ool?
“An d if w e look at t h in gs fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s p er sp ect ive, t h ey

sh ou ld b e u n w illin g t o r em ain in t h e sh a d ow s an ym or e. If a w ar b r eak s ou t , you
t h in k ou r acad em y can sh u t it self u p in a n ivor y t ow er ? W it h t h in gs as t h ey ar e
n ow , w e m igh t even b e t h e r eal ob ject ive of t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s at t ack .”
Aft er h ear in g t h ese w or d s, t h e exp r ession s of t h e n ea r b y eld er s t u r n ed

solem n .
“It ’s b een a lon g t im e sin ce I h ave p r op osed som et h in g. “Eld er M u said in a
gr ave t on e, “Now , let ’s vot e for w h at I’ve p r op osed t od ay.” Aft er t h a t , h e r aised
h is h an d fir st .
Given h is p osit ion a s M ast er of t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion , n o on e h ad ever gon e

again st Eld er M u ’s p r op osit ion s in t h e p ast , let alon e n ow t h at h is w or d s h ad
m oved t h e eld er s. Ev er yon e vot ed in favor .
Eld er M u n od d ed an d said , “T h e acad em y n eed s t o su p p or t t h e d evelop m en t

of sou l t ools. H u iq u n , you r d ep ar t m en t w ill r eceive a lit t le m o r e fu n d in g.”
Eld er Lin n od d ed .
Eld er M u said , “T h at Fan Yu fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t isn ’t b ad . W h at

ab ou t m ak in g h im t h e vice-d ean ?”
On ce again , ever yon e vot ed in favor .
“H e’ll b e in ch ar ge of r esear ch in g an d d evelop in g sou l t ools,” Eld er M u said t o

Xian Lin ’er , “h e d oesn ’t n eed t o t each an yon e else excep t h is t w o in h er it in g
d iscip les. M or eover , h e’ll b e t h e on e lea d in g t h e st u d en t s in t h e exch an ge w it h
t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y.”
“Yes.”
……
T an g Ya w as sit t in g in t h e d or m it or y an d gazin g ou t t h e w in d ow . H er p r et t y
face w as a b it p ale.
“I w on d er h ow Bei Bei an d t h e ot h er s ar e d oin g. Eld er sist er Le Xu an said t h a t

t h e d iscip les of t h e in n er cou r t yar d w er e ser iou sly in ju r ed d u r in g t h is m ission .
On e of t h em d ied in b at t le, an d t h e ot h er six w er e w ou n d ed . Even if Bei Bei an d
t h e ot h er s a r e alr igh t , I’m afr aid t h ey’ll h ave t o p ar t icip at e in t h e com p et it ion .”
“Even Lit t le Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao ar e t h er e. On t h e ot h er h an d ,
I’m q u it e u seless. Ev en if I’m t h e h ead of t h e T an g Sect , I d on ’t seem t o h a ve a
b r igh t fu t u r e. It ’s alr ead y b een a year sin ce I b r ok e t h r ou gh t h e t h ir d r in g
b ot t len eck , an d u p t il n ow , m y sou l p ow er h as on ly r each ed Ran k 33; it ’s get t in g
h ar d er a n d h ar d er t o ad van ce. As of n ow , even t h at Dai H u ab in fr om t h e secon d
year h as su r p assed m e. I’m alr ead y in m y fift h year , an d I’m st ar t in g t o w on d er
h ow I’ll b e ab le t o gr ad u at e on ce I’m in t h e sixt h gr ad e! Br eak in g t h r ou gh t h e
fou r t h r in g seem s so d ifficu lt .”
T h e alw ays-b r igh t T an g Ya w as t alk in g t o h er self. H er b eau t ifu l face w as q u it e

gloom y r igh t n ow .
“Fat h er , m ot h er , t h e b ot h of you d ied in su ch a t r agic w ay, an d yet , t h er e is

n o on e t h at ca n r ea lly h elp u s. T en t h ou san d year s h ave p assed , an d a ll t h e
fr ien d sh ip s fr om b ack t h en h ave st ar t ed t o w an e. In an y case, Sh r ek Acad em y
st ill r em em b er s t h e con t r ib u t ion s of An cest or T an g San an d gave m e a p lace t o
st ay. Bu t t h e Clear Sk y Clan ? I w en t t o look for t h em , b u t t h ey said t h a t t h ey
w ou ld h elp t h e st ar vin g b u t n ot t h e p oor . T h e d eclin e of t h e T an g Sect seem s
u n avoid ab le. No, I r efu se t o b elieve it ! I m u st r eb u ild t h e sect , an d even if I h ave
t o p ay a gr eat p r ice, I can ’t sh r in k b ack !”
T ear s w er e st r eam in g d ow n T an g Ya’s t en d er ch eek s. Aft er all, sh e w as on ly a

fift een -year -old gir l, b u t sh e h ad so m an y r esp on sib ilit ies alr ea d y.
T h e T an g Sect h ad r ecr u it ed Bei Bei, H u o Yu h ao, Xiao Xiao, W an g Don g, an d

H e Cait ou . T h is h a d given t h e T an g Sect som e h op e. H ow ever , h er t alen t w as
t h e w or st am on g t h em . H ow w as sh e su p p osed t o lead t h em in t h e fu t u r e?
Aft er w ip in g h er t ea r s, T an g Ya st ood u p an d clen ch ed h er d elicat e fist s. “I

w an t t o b ecom e st r on ger . I’ll d o ever yt h in g t o m ak e t h e T an g Sect gr eat again .
Fat h er , m ot h er , for give m e. I’m afr aid t h at you r Lit t le Ya w ill h ave t o go St ar
Lu o Cit y.”
In r egar d s t o t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, St ar Lu o Cit y w as w or t h y of b ein g called
t h e n u m b er on e cit y. It w as t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s p olit ical, cu lt u r al, an d
econ om ic cen t er . It a lso h ad t h e t it le of ‘T h e Un d efeat ed Im p er ial Cap it al’.
St ar Lu o Cit y’s cit y w alls r each ed a h eigh t of h u n d r ed m et er s, an d

u n exp ect ed ly, t h eir w id t h w as also a h u n d r ed m et er s. T h ese w alls w er e m ad e of
a ver y d u r ab le st on e. T h e ar ea it en cir cled su r p assed a t h ou san d sq u ar e
k ilom et er s; it su r p assed fift y k ilom et er s in b ot h len gt h an d b r ead t h .
T h e cor e of t h e cit y, t h e so-called in n er cit y, w as ob viou sly sit u at ed in t h e

cen t er of St ar Lu o Cit y. T h e in n er cit y h ad a len gt h of 960 m et er s an d a w id t h of
750 m et er s, an d t h e in n er cit y w alls ar ou n d it w er e 20 m et er s h igh —it w as a cit y
w it h in a cit y. T h e Im p er ial Palace w as alr ead y com p let e t h an k s t o t h e W h it e
T iger Du k e’s lin eage an d t h e Im p er ial Fam ily. Ever y t im e it w as r eb u ilt , it got
b igger in scale an d m or e m agn ificen t .
St ar Lu o Cit y’s p op u lat ion exceed ed 8 m illion in h ab it a n t s, an d cou ld h old u p

t o 20 m illion p eop le if on e w er e t o ad d t h e for eign er s.
H ow ever , even su ch a b ig cit y h ad st ar t ed t o b ecom e cr ow d ed as of lat e. T h e

n u m b er of visit or s h ad r ap id ly in cr eased in a sh or t h a lf-m on t h , an d all t h e
h ot els w er e fu ll. T h er efor e, t h e officer s h ad t o t ak e over t h e r esid en ces of a few
com m on er s an d op en t h eir h ou ses u p t o t h e visit or s. T h e n u m b er of t r oop s
in sid e t h e cit y h ad also in cr eased q u it e a lot d u e t o secu r it y r eason s.
T h er e w as on ly on e r eason for su ch a h u ge ch an ge: t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced

Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t t h a t w as h eld ever y five year s. An d n ow ,
t h e t ou r n am en t w as t ak in g p lace in St ar Lu o Cit y.
T h er e w er e fou r gr eat em p ir es on t h e con t in en t , an d t h e va r iou s cap it als of

t h e em p ir es w ou ld t ak e t u r n s t o h ost t h e t ou r n am en t . T h er efor e, St ar Lu o Cit y
w ou ld n eed t o w ait an ot h er t w en t y yea r s t o h old it again . H ow cou ld su ch a
gr an d occasion n ot a t t r act a ll t h e r esid en t s of t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e?
T h e t ou r n am en t w a s goin g t o b e h eld in St ar Lu o Plaza, in fr on t of t h e in n er
cit y. St ar Lu o Plaza w as ver y b ig, an d cou ld h old m an y sp ect at or s. T h er e w er e
t h ir t y t h ou san d sold ier s t a sk ed w it h k eep in g or d er in t h e cit y, an d t en t h ou san d
of t h em w er e st at ion ed at St a r Lu o Plaza.
Not far fr om t h e ea st sid e of t h e St ar Lu o Plaza w as a b ig h ot el w it h seven

st or ies. T h is w as t h e Im p er ial St ar Gr a n d H ot el, an d it b elon ged t o t h e r oyal
fam ily. Cu r r en t ly, it w as b ein g u sed t o w elcom e t h e var iou s h igh -r an k ed sou l
m ast er s an d sou l en gin eer s com in g fr om t h e ot h er cou n t r ies t o p ar t icip at e in
t h e t ou r n am en t .
Du e t o t h e fact t h at t h ey w er e t h e r eign in g ch am p ion s fr om t h e n u m b er on e

acad em y on t h e con t in en t , t h e m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y w er e sit u at ed in t h e
m ost lu xu r iou s r oom on t h e h igh est floor . Ever yon e h ad t h eir ow n b ed r oom ,
an d in a d d it ion , t h ey also h ad a m eet in g r oom t h at t h ey cou ld u se as t h ey
w ish ed .
At t h is t im e, t h e t en m em b er s of t h e t eam an d t h eir lead in g t each er , W an g

Yan , w er e in t h e m id d le of t h e m eet in g r oom , t alk in g t h in gs over b efor e t h e
st ar t of t h e m a t ch .
T h ey h ad on ly ar r ived in St a r Lu o Cit y yest er d ay. T h ey w er e qu it e la t e

com p ar ed t o t h e ot h er acad em ies p ar t icip at in g in t h e t ou r n a m en t . H ow ever , in
t h eir eyes, it w as ju st Sh r ek Acad em y act in g ar r ogan t ly b ecau se t h ey w er e t h e
d efen d in g ch am p ion s an d t h e n u m b er on e acad em y on t h e con t in en t .
W an g Yan sat in t h e p lace of h on or . On h is left w er e M a Xiaot ao, Dai

Yu eh en g, an d Lin g Lu och en ; all t h r ee of t h em h ad p ale com p lexion s. T h eir
in t er n a l or gan s w er e st ill d am aged . Even if t h ey h ad r eceived m ed ical t r eat m en t
an d t r ied t o r ecu p er at e t h eir st r en gt h w it h t h eir ow n m et h od s, t h ey h ad r u sh ed
h er e in gr eat h ast e w it h t h e aid of a flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool. T h is h ad t ak en qu it e a
t oll on t h em , an d h ad act u ally aggr avat ed t h e st a t e of t h eir in ju r ies. T h e t im e
t h ey w ou ld n eed t o r ecu p er at e w as goin g t o b e h igh er t h an t h e p r ev iou s
est im at es.
Given t h e sit u at ion , it w ou ld b e st r an ge if W an g Yan h ad a good com p lexion .
T h e r egist r at ion s w ou ld en d t od ay. W a n g Yan g h ad alr ead y d iscu ssed t h in gs

w it h t h e or gan izer s of t h e t ou r n am en t a n d sign ed u p t h e cu r r en t st u d en t s, b u t
t h e r ein for cem en t s fr om t h e acad em y w er e yet t o b e seen . T h e com p et it ion
w ou ld st a r t t om or r o w , an d at t h is p oin t , t h ey cou ld on ly r ely on t h em selves.
W an g Yan t r ied t o calm d ow n , an d sh ow ed a sligh t sm ile on h is face as h e

said , “Did you h ave a p r op er r est yest er d ay? T h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s h osp it alit y
isn ’t h alf b ad .”
Bei Bei, w h o w as t h e fir st on h is r igh t , said , “W e h a d a good r est . H ow ever ,

t od ay is t h e last d a y for t h e r egist r a t ion , an d t h ose r ein for cem en t s fr om t h e
acad em y…”
W an g Yan w aved h is h an d an d said , “Don ’t w or r y. I’ve alr ead y r eceived a

let t er fr om t h e acad em y. It t ak es som e t im e t o gat h er st u d en t s t h at w er e aw ay.
M or eover , ou r acad em y h as a cer t ain p r ivilege… t h u s, w e m u st figh t for Sh r ek ’s
glor y! I r eally w on d er h ow far t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam can go.”
Chapt er 75.1: The St ar t of t he Tour nament
“Pr ivilege?” T h e d iscip les fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d look ed at W an g Yan in

ast on ish m en t .
W an g Yan n od d ed . “Righ t ! Don ’t for get , ou r Sh r ek Acad em y r eign s as t h e

n u m b er on e acad em y acr oss t h e en t ir e con t in en t . W h en w er e w e n ot t h e
ch am p ion s of a t ou r n am en t ? Becau se of t h at , w e’ll b e ab le t o com p let e ou r
r egist r a t ion s r egar d less of w h en w e a r r ive. H ow ever , t h e in n er cou r t yar d
d iscip les ar e also Gu ar d ian s, an d m an y o f t h em ar e car r yin g ou t assign m en t s in
t h e ou t sid e w or ld , so t h ey’ll d efin it ely n eed som e t im e t o r u sh over . W e w on ’t
m eet an y st r on g op p on en t s in t h e fir st few m at ch es, so I’m con fid en t t h er e’ll b e
n o p r ob lem w it h you r st r en gt h . Now , I’ll exp lain t h e r u les of t h e Con t in en t al
Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t .”
Aft er p u t t in g t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d a t ease, W an g Yan

exp lain ed calm ly, “T h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g
T ou r n am en t is t h e u lt im a t e com p et it ion for t h e var iou s acad em ies ar ou n d t h e
w or ld . It h as fair an d equ it ab le r u les t h at t est t h e t ot al st r en gt h of each
acad em y’s st u d en t s.”
“Becau se of t h at , t h e m an n er s in w h ich w e com p et e ar e ext r em ely p len t ifu l

an d lively. I’m goin g t o exp lain som e of t h em t od ay. T h er e ar e a t ot al of a
h u n d r ed an d t h ir t y t h r ee ad van ced sou l m ast er an d sou l en gin eer in g acad em ies
w h o’ve com e t od ay, an d all of t h em ar e st ayin g in t h is h o t el. T h e fir st r ou n d of
t h e p r elim in ar ies is a d ir ect elim in at ion m at ch . In ot h er w or d s, t h e losin g p ar t y
w ill b e d ir ect ly elim in at ed . T h e fir st r ou n d w ill b e a 7v7 t eam figh t . T h e lot -
d r aw in g for w h ich w ill b e car r ied ou t t om or r ow . I r eck on t h at it ’ll t ak e t h r ee
d ays for t h e fir st r ou n d t o b e fin ish ed .”
“On ce t h e fir st r ou n d is fin ish ed , w e’ll b e sp lit in t o gr ou p s. Each gr ou p w ill

h ave eigh t or n in e t eam s, an d w ill u n d er go a r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t . T h e
r u les for each of t h e r ou n d -r ob in m at ch es w ill b e r a n d om ly ch osen fr om on e of
t h r ee sit u at ion s: Fir st ly, Sin gle Elim in a t ion . Secon d ly, a 3-m an , 2-m an , an d 2-
m an Coor d in at ion M at ch . An d la st ly, a 7v7 T eam Figh t . T h is w ill t est t h e
com p r eh en sive st r en gt h of ever y t eam . Ever y m at ch w ill h ave a lot -d r aw in g
p r eced in g t h e m at ch , an d t h is w ill d et er m in e w h ich sit u a t ion w ill b e u sed for
t h at m at ch . T h is is t h e b est w ay t o t est you r st r en gt h as a w h ole.”
“I’ll exp lain t h e sp ecifics of t h ese m at ch es aft er you get t h r ou gh t h e fir st

r ou n d . Righ t n ow , you ’ll h ave t o face you r op p on en t s in t h e fir st r ou n d . Aft er
you fin ish t h at , w e’ll b e ab le t o get in t o t h e elim in at ion r ou n d an d w ait for ou r
b ack u p . Xiaot ao an d t h e r est w on ’t b e ab le t o m ak e it in t im e, so w e can on ly
r ely on you gu ys t o w in t h is n o m at t er w h at . Aft er t h e elim in at ion r ou n d , you
w on ’t h ave t o b e so n er vou s ab ou t t h e lat er m at ch es. Fu r t h er m or e, w e cou ld
h ave ou r b ack u p s com in g at an y t im e. Even if t h ey ar en ’t ab le t o m ak e it in t im e,
Xiaot ao an d t h e r est w ill b e ab le t o r ecover t h eir st r en gt h w it h in h alf a m on t h ,
at t h e ver y m ost . An d aft er all, w e’r e st ill t h e n u m b er on e t eam .”
T h e m om en t t h ey h ear d t h at t h e fir st r ou n d w as an elim in at ion r ou n d ,

ever yon e’s faces clear ly t u r n ed ser iou s. If Sh r ek Acad em y w er e t o t ak e t h eir
leave in t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e Con t in en t a l Ad van ced Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t ,
t h ey w ou ld b ecom e a jok e.
Yet , W an g Yan w as ext r em ely con fid en t . W it h ou t r evea lin g a n y w or r y at all,

h e sm iled sligh t ly. “W h at ar e you gu ys d oin g? Ar e you n er vou s? You d on ’t n eed
t o b e n er vou s at a ll. Aft er t h e t ou r n a m en t st a r t s, you ’ll r ealise t h at you r
op p on en t s ar e far far w eak er t h an w h a t you w er e exp ect in g. You ’ve for got t en
on e t h in g; you ’r e t h e elit es w h o’ve b een ch osen fr om Sh r ek Acad em y. Even if
you ’r e t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam , t h e fact t h at you ’ve b een ch osen t o r ep r esen t
Sh r ek Acad em y on t h is p lat for m h a s p r oved t h at you ’ve got en ou gh st r en gt h .
M or eover , t h is st r en gt h is som et h in g t h a t t h e ot h er acad em ies w ill n ever b e ab le
t o com p ar e again st . You can ’t assu m e t h at you r op p on en t s fr om t h e Con t in en t a l
Ad van ced Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t w ill b e as st r on g as t h e p ow er fu l en em ies
you ’ve faced d u r in g you r ad van cem en t t est s!”
Ever yon e p r esen t w a s sligh t ly st u n n ed , Ri ght ! T eacher W ang w as r i ght . T hey
w er e t he di sci pl es of t he num ber one academ y on t he cont i nent . T hey coul dn’ t
use t hei r f el l ow peer s t o judge t he st r engt h of t hei r opponent s.
W an g Yan l ean ed back i n h i s ch ai r com f or t abl y, “ Ot h er t h an Yuh ao, al l of you

h ave opt i m um soul r i n g com bi n at i on s; ever y si n gl e on e of you h as a t h ousan d
year soul r i n g. W h at about your oppon en t s? Do you t h i n k t h ousan d year soul
beast s ar e t h at easy t o h un t ? I can t el l you t h at even Soul Ki n gs ar e r ar e i n m an y
of t h e advan ced soul m ast er academ i es. Al t h ough your oppon en t s ar e al l ar oun d
t w en t y, i t ’ s al r eady qui t e h ar d f or t h em t o guar an t ee t h at t h ei r w h ol e t eam w i l l
be f i l l ed w i t h soul m ast er s w h o h ave t h r ee or m or e r i n gs. Four -r i n ged soul
m ast er s ar e ext r em el y r ar e. I dar e say t h at un l ess you m eet t h e Sun M oon
I m per i al Soul En gi n eer i n g Academ y, you w on ’ t m eet a Soul Ki n g. W h at
cul t i vat i on s does our t eam possess? W e h ave f our Soul An cest or s, an d t w o
peopl e w i t h t w i n m ar t i al soul s; w e even h ave an Ul t i m at e m ar t i al soul . Your
oppon en t s sh oul d be t h e n er vous on es. Ok ay, go r est . Pr eser ve your en er gy an d
go beat t h em up t om or r ow . Let t h e ot h er academ i es see t h at t h ey w on ’ t h ave
an y ch an ce agai n st us, even i f w e sen d out our r eser ve t eam . Oh , r i gh t . I h ave t o
r em i n d you t h at w e’ l l def i n i t el y be goi n g out on t h e f i r st day of t h e el i m i n at i on
r oun d. As t h e r ei gn i n g ch am pi on s, w e’ l l be t h e f i r st on es out .”
Som ew h at ast on i sh ed, Xu San sh i ask ed, “ T each er W an g, ar e you n ot goi n g t o

m ak e an y st r at egi es f or us?”
W an g Yan sn or t ed un h appi l y. “ W h at do you n eed a st r at egy f or ? Ar e you

t r yi n g t o h um i l i at e m e, or your sel ves? Do you even n eed a st r at egy agai n st t h ese
t ypes of oppon en t s? Go. Xi aot ao, you t h r ee st ay beh i n d f or a m om en t . I ’ m goi n g
t o get som e m edi ci n e f or you.” T h e seven f r om t h e pr epar at or y t eam al l
r et ur n ed t o t h ei r r oom s an d r est ed. Af t er W an g Yan ’ s speech, t h ey h ad becom e
m uch l ess n er vous. Ri ght ! W e’ r e t he el i t es of Shr ek Academ y! So w hat i f w e’ r e
f r om t he pr epar at or y t eam ? W e’ r e not w eak er t han anyone el se.
On ce t h e seven left , W an g Yan r ose t o h is feet an d sh u t t h e d oor t o t h e
con fer en ce r oom . T h e r elaxed look on h is face in st an t ly van ish ed as h e let ou t a
lon g sigh . On ce h e sa t b ack d ow n , t h e look on h is face t u r n ed ext r em ely ser iou s.
Dai Yu eh en g sigh ed , “T each er W an g, is t h er e a n eed for you t o con sole t h em

lik e t h is? Alt h ou gh n ot h in g you said w as w r on g, t h e st u d en t s w h o ar e
r ep r esen t in g t h eir r esp ect ive acad em ies ar e t h e m ost elit e exist en ces am on g
t h eir p eer s as w ell. Alt h ou gh t h er e m igh t b e a few w eak er on es, t h e
over w h elm in gly lar ge m ajor it y of ou r op p on en t s ar e at t h e Sou l An cest or r an k
on aver age. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e acad em y w e’r e figh t in g again st in t h e elim in at ion
r ou n d t om or r ow w ill d efin it ely go all-ou t .”
M a Xiaot ao said , “W h at T each er W an g d id w as r igh t . W er e it n ot for h im ,

t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave an y m or ale at all; t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave even n eed ed t o figh t if
t h at w as t h e case. All w e can d o n ow is t r u st t h em com p let ely. Can you or I even
m ove n ow ?”
“I ask ed you t h r ee t o st ay b eh in d t o t ell m e h ow lon g you ’ll n eed t o r ecover

fr om you r in ju r ies an d figh t ,” W an g Yan said solem n ly, “I n eed an accu r at e
t im esp an .”
M a Xiaot ao said , “If I go all-ou t cu lt iva t in g t o r ecu p er at e, I’ll n eed fift een
d ays.”
Dai Yu eh en g said , “M y cu lt ivat ion isn ’t as good as Xiaot ao’s, so I m igh t n eed a
b it m or e t im e. I r eck on seven t een d ays or so.”
W an g Yan ’s h ear t b ecam e in cr easin gly h eavy. T h is w as h is fir st t im e t ak in g a

t eam t o a t ou r n am en t an d h e w asn ’t con fid en t in h im self at all!
Lin g Lu och en g said , “M y in ju r ies ar e r elat ively ligh t er , so t en d ays or so

sh ou ld b e good .”
T h er e w as fin ally a r at h er good p iece of n ew s. Aft er d oin g a few calcu lat ion s,
W an g Yan con t in u ed , “In ot h er w or d s, you ’ll b e ab le t o figh t in t h e t h ir d or
fou r t h m at ch of t h e k n ock -ou t t ou r n am en t if ever yt h in g goes w ell.”
Aft er sin k in g in t o con t em p lat ion for a w h ile, W an g Yan n od d ed . “W e can

on ly h op e t h at t h ey’ll w in t h eir fir st m at ch . W e’ll on ly h ave t h e ch an ce t o
con t in u e on if w e’r e ab le t o get in t o t h e k n ock ou t st age. You h ave t o k eep t h e
fact t h at w e d on ’t h ave a b ack u p t ea m a secr et . T h eir con fid en ce h as t o b e
est ab lish ed via vict or y, an d I b elieve t h at t h ey’ll h ave t h e st r en gt h t o m ain t ain
t h e glor y of ou r Sh r ek Acad em y.”
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g bot h r et u r n ed t o t h e for m er ’s r oom .
Aft er sh u t t in g t h e d oor , W an g Don g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask , “Yu h ao, d o you

t h in k w h a t T each er W an g said w as t h e t r u t h ?”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled sligh t ly. “Regar d less o f w h et h er it ’s t r u e or n ot , w e h ave t o

assu m e t h at h e’s b ein g h on est , b ecau se w e sim p ly d on ’t h ave an y ot h er ch oices.
Com e, let ’s st a r t cu lt iva t in g. Aft er t h e lot -d r aw in g for t h e k n ock ou t r ou n d
t om or r ow , t h e t ou r n am en t w ill officially st ar t . T h e on ly t h in g w e can d o n ow is
m ak e ou r selves m or e con fid en t . T h er e ar e n o alt er n at ives.”
“Righ t .” W an g Don g sat d ir ect ly op p osit e H u o Yu h ao, an d t h e t w o p laced

t h eir p alm s again st each ot h er an d st ar t ed cu lt ivat in g t h eir H aod on g Pow er .
Sh r ek Acad em y w asn ’t t h e on ly aca d em y t h at w a s h old in g a m eet in g; a t t h is

m om en t , all of t h e p ar t icip at in g acad em ies w er e t r yin g t o b oost t h e m or ale of
t h eir st u d en t s. T h e Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y t h at w as on
t h e sam e level as Sh r ek Acad em y w as also d oin g t h e sam e.
T h ey w er e alw ays secon d p lace in p r act ically ever y sin gle t ou r n am en t , so

t h er e w as p r act ically n o d iffer en ce b et w een t h e t r eat m en t t h at t h ey an d Sh r ek
Acad em y r eceived in t h e Im p er ial St ar Gr an d H ot el. T h ey on ly h ad a sin gle
t ar get , t h a t w as, t o b ecom e ch am p ion s.
T w o eld er s sa t at t h e h ead of t h e t ab le w it h in t h e con fer en ce r oom , an d a t ot al
of fou r t een st u d en t s w er e sat b y t h eir sid es. T h e st u d en t s seat ed on t h e left w er e
evid en t ly old er , an d t h e st u d en t s sea t ed on t h e r igh t w er e sligh t ly you n ger .
Clear ly, t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y h ad also sen t a n
official t eam an d a p r ep ar at or y t eam for t h e t ou r n am en t t h at w as t o b e h eld five
year s lat er .
T h e eld er w h o sat on t h e left h ad a st r a igh t n ose, an d a squ ar e m ou t h . H is

facial feat u r es w er e m ajest ic, an d h e w a s w r in k led lik e a d a t e. As h e sat t h er e
w it h h is w id e sh ou ld er s, h e gave off an ext r em ely st u r d y feelin g. H e sp ok e in a
low voice. “Accor din g t o ou r in vest igat ion s, Sh r ek Acad em y h as act u ally
b r ou gh t on ly t en p eop le t h is t im e. Fu r t h er m or e, t h r ee of t h em look you n ger
t h an t w elve. T h e ot h er s ar e a b it old er . W e’ve u sed a few m en w h o’ve in filt r at ed
t h e in n er p ar t s of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, an d w e’ve ob t ain ed accu r at e
in for m at ion . W h en t h ey r egist er ed , on ly t h ose t h r ee w er e n in et een . T h e ot h er
seven w er e a ll u n d er fift een . In ot h er w or d s, Sh r ek Acad em y d id n ’t even m ak e
an official t eam of seven t o p ar t icip at e in t h is t ou r n am en t . Ou t of t h e seven
fr om last t im e’s p r ep ar at or y t eam , on ly t w o of t h em sh ow ed u p . It ’s t h e fir st
t im e w e’ve seen t h a t n in et een -year -old gir l sh ow u p . Do you k n ow w h at t h is
m ean s?”
T h e fou r t een st u d en t s w er e all som ew h at d ou b t fu l.
T h e eld er seat ed b y t h e r igh t h ad a cu r ly b ear d an d w as sim ilar ly t all an d b ig.

H is sh or t w h it e h air r esem b led st eel n eed les, an d t h e h air s on h is t em p les, alon g
w it h h is cu r ly b ear d m ad e h im seem im p r essively t er r ifyin g.
H e p ou n d ed t h e t ab le violen t ly, an d st ood u p , sayin g, “It m ean s t h a t t h ey’r e

look in g d ow n on u s! T h ey t h in k t h ey ca n d efeat u s ju st w it h t h eir p r ep ar at or y
t eam ! T h is is lik e get t in g a slap in t h e face; d o you u n d er st a n d t h at ? T h is is t h e
m ost d ir ect w ay t h ey cou ld u se t o slap u s in t h e face. Accor din g t o t h e r u les of
t h e t ou r n am en t , t h e r egist r a t ion s w ill en d t od ay. T h er efor e, t h ey’r e p lan n in g t o
r ely on t h at t eam t o figh t u s. M a Ru lon g.”
“H er e.” A m ale st u d en t sit t in g in t h e p la ce of h on or on t h e r egu lar t eam ’s sid e

st ood u p . H is face w as som ew h at sim ilar t o t h e an gr y old m an ’s. H e h ad a lar ge
st at u r e an d sh or t h a ir w it h cu r ly sid eb u r n s. Bot h h is eyes w er e b r igh t , an d h is
en t ir e b od y w as em it t in g a b ou n d less p ow er .
“If w e m an age t o lose again st su ch a lin eu p , you w ill b e k ick ed ou t of t h e

Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H a ll.”
“Yes.” M a Ru lon g r ep lied w it h on e w or d ju st lik e b efor e, b u t h is voice w as

alr ead y filled w it h m u r d er ou s in t en t .
“Eld er M a, d on ’t b e an xiou s. I d on ’t t h in k t h in gs a r e so sim p le.” Sit t in g in

fr on t of M a Ru lon g w as t h e cap t ain of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam ; h e w as less t h an
fift een , an d look ed v er y p r et t y an d d elicat e. H e h ad b ig b r igh t b lu e eyes, an d a
t all an d slen d er b u ild . H is h an d s, w h ich w er e n ow p laced on t h e t ab le, w er e a lso
as w h it e as ja d e a n d ver y d elicat e. Even a gir l w as u n lik ely t o h ave su ch
b eau t ifu l h an d s. H e seem ed t o lik e h is h an d s ver y m u ch . Ev en w h ile t a lk in g t o
Eld er M a, h e w as st ill gazin g at t h em as if look in g at t h e m ost b eau t ifu l p iece of
ar t in t h e w or ld .
Eld er M a fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s sligh t ly an d ask ed , “W h at ’s n ot so sim p le?”

T h e d elicat e you t h w as st ill look in g at t h is h an d s as h e said , “Sh r ek Acad em y
isn ’t m ad e of fools. H ow can t h ey n ot k n ow t h at t h ose t h r ee ar en ’t en ou gh t o
st op u s? I h ave gr ea t con fid en ce in Big Br ot h er Ru lon g, b u t as I see it , Sh r ek
Acad em y m u st h ave r u n in t o som e k in d of p r ob lem . Did n ’t t h ey alw ays at t ach
gr eat im p or t an ce t o u s? It ’s st r an ge t h a t t h ey w ou ld get car eless at t h is t im e.”
Aft er h ear in g t h ese w or d s, Eld er M a’s face b ecam e sligh t ly r ed . H e h ad also

su sp ect ed t h a t som et h in g lik e t h is m igh t h ave h ap p en ed , b u t h e h ad st ill sa id
t h ose w or d s t o r ally t h e st u d en t s.
“T h at w ou ld b e b et t er . Xiao H on gch en , you sh ou ld u se all t h is en er gy t o d eal

w it h t h ose st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y t h at ar e u n d er fift een year s old . T h ey’ll
b e you r op p on en t s in t h e n ext t ou r n am en t .”
T h e you t h n am ed Xiao H on gch en fin ally r aised h is h ea d an d sm iled . T h is

sm ile w as ju st lik e t h at of a b eau t ifu l w om an . T h en , h e said , “Eld er M a, on ly I
can b e m y op p on en t .”
M a Ru lon g, w h o w as sit t in g on t h e ot h er sid e, gave h im a su p er ciliou s look as

h e said , “Xiao H on gch en , if you h ave som et h in g t o say, ju st sa y it .”
Xiao H on gch en p u t on a h ap p y face. “Big Br ot h er M a, I’ve a lr ead y said it . You

sh ou ld t r y you r b est , b ecau se if you fail t o d efeat t h e cu r r en t m em b er s sen t b y
Sh r ek Acad em y, you ’ll b e k ick ed ou t of t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all ju st lik e Eld er
M a said . T h a t w ou ld b e a p it y, w ou ld n ’t it ?”
“You …” A h in t of an ger im m ed iat ely ap p ear ed in M a Ru lon g’s eyes.
Eld er M a glar ed at h im an d sa id in a gr ave t on e, “Sit d ow n . I’ll n ow ch oose

t h ose t h at w ill p ar t icip at e in t h e fir st r ou n d .”
Even if h e w as on ly t h e cap t ain of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam , b ot h t h e lead er of t h e

m ain t eam M a Ru lon g an d t h e old m an t h at w as lead in g t h em seem ed t o d r ead
h im . Beh in d Xiao H on gch en ’s sm iled w as h id d en an ar r oga n ce t h at seem ed t o
p lace h im ab ove ever y ot h er livin g t h in g.
Ear ly m or n in g. J u st as t h e fir st r ays of su n ligh t st a r t ed t o sh in e over St ar Lu o
Cit y, t h e cap it al of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e w as sh r ou d ed in a so lem n at m osp h er e.
All t h e r oad s lea d in g t o St ar Lu o Plaza w er e b lock ed b y sold ier s in sh in in g

ar m or . T h e Im p er ial St ar Gr an d H ot el w as even m or e w ell-gu ar d ed . M or e t h an
a t h ou san d sold ier s w er e st at ion ed ar ou n d it , a n d all t h e r oad s lead in g t o St ar
Lu o Plaza fr om t h er e w er e u n d er st r ict su p er vision .
On ly t h e m em b er s of t h e var iou s acad em ies t h at w er e p ar t icip at in g in t h e

t ou r n am en t cou ld get t h r ou gh t h e en cir clem en t .
T h e locat ion w h er e t h e t ou r n am en t w ou ld t ak e p lace w asn ’t t h e m id d le of

St ar Lu o Plaza. It w a s in st ea d goin g t o t ak e p lace in fr on t of t h e in n er cit y gat e.
T h is w ay, t h e em p er or cou ld w at ch t h e sh ow w it h h is civil an d m ilit a r y
m in ist er s fr om t h e t op of t h e w alls of t h e in n er cit y. Not on ly w as t h e view ver y
good , b u t it w as also ver y safe.
T h e p lat for m t h at w ou ld b e u sed for t h e m at ch es h ad a len gt h an d b r ead t h of

10 0 m et er s a n d a h eigh t of 5 m et er s. M or eover , t h er e w er e 10 8 p illar s of m et al
on t h e p er ip h er y of t h e p lat for m . T h ese p illar s w er en ’t t h er e as an or n am en t ,
b u t w er e in st ead a d efen sive-t yp e sou l t ool. Aft er t h e st a r t of t h e t ou r n am en t ,
t h ese p illar s w ou ld b e con t r olled b y 10 8 sou l m ast er s, cr eat in g a d efen sive
for m at ion ar ou n d t h e p lat for m t h a t w ou ld st op t h e leak age of sou l sk ills. T h is
w as t o avoid d est r oyin g t h e in n er cit y an d cau sin g casu a lt ies.
T h e p lat for m h ad co st a lar ge am ou n t of m on ey t o con st r u ct . M or eover , t h ey

w ou ld h a ve t o co m p en sat e t h e 10 8 sou l m ast er s t h at w ou ld op er at e t h e
d efen sive-t yp e sou l t ools for t h e d u r at ion of t h e t ou r n am en t , w h ich w ou ld go on
for m or e t h an a m on t h . It w as d ifficu lt t o ach ieve all of t h is w it h ou t t h e p ow er
of an em p ir e.
At t h is t im e, excep t for t h e far off sold ier s, t h er e w asn ’t a sin gle sou l in t h e
w id e St a r Lu o Plaza.
T h e p r eviou s t im e t h e t ou r n am en t h ad b een h eld in t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e,
t h er e w as an in cid en t w h er e p eop le h ad t r am p led on each ot h er . T h er efor e, t h e
r oyal fam ily h ad d ecid ed t o at t ach gr ea t im p or t an ce t o t h is m at t er . Not on ly
t h ey d isp a t ch t h e ar m y t o k eep or d er t h is t im e, t h ey also fou n d ot h er w ays t o
avoid p r ob lem s.
T h er e w er e m an y ir on b ar s in t h e p laza. T h ese ir on b ar s w er e ar ou n d 1.5

m et er s h igh , an d w ou ld n ’t cover t h e lin e of sigh t for m ost of t h e au d ien ce. T h eir
p u r p ose w as t o d ivid e t h e p laza in t o d iffer en t zon es. T h e au d ien ce h ad t o en t er
an d exit t h e p laza fr om d iffer en t p laces; t h is m ad e t h e sold ier s’ w or k m u ch
easier . Ever y ar ea co u ld on ly h old a cer t a in n u m b er of sp ect at or s.
T h e in n er cit y w as locat ed on t h e n or t h er n sid e of St a r Lu o Cit y, facin g sou t h ,

an d a lu xu r iou s r est in g ar ea w as b u ilt on t h e east er n sid e of t h e p lat for m . It h ad
b een sp ecially b u ilt for t h e m em b er s of t h e va r iou s aca d em ies t h a t w ou ld b e
p ar t icip at in g in t h e t ou r n am en t . H ow ever , t h er e w as on ly sp ace for ar ou n d
seven t y acad em ies in t h is r est in g ar ea. T h is m ean t t h at t h er e w asn ’t sp ace for
t h e acad em ies t h at w ou ld b e elim in at ed in t h e fir st r ou n d . W it h t h a t , t h er e
w ou ld b e n o w ast e of sp ace, an d t h e st u d en t s w ou ld b e m or e m ot ivat ed .
Aft er t h e t ou r n am en t h ad ch an ged it s syst em t o t h e cu r r en t on e, excep t for

t h e fin al st age, t h e t h or n iest on e w as exact ly t h is fir st r ou n d of elim in at ion s.
Bot h it s aw esom en ess an d h ar sh n ess exceed ed t h at of t h e r ou n d -r ob in t h at
w ou ld com e lat er .
T h er e w as st ill p lace for t act ics in t h e r o b in -r ou n d st age, an d you cou ld even

m ak e u se of t act ical d efeat s. H ow ever , t h e fir st r ou n d w ou ld lead t o a d ir ect
elim in at ion . Losin g t h e m at ch w ou ld m ean t h at you w er e ou t of t h e
t ou r n am en t , an d ever y t eam h a d t o go t h r ou gh t h is fir st r ou n d . Even t h e
d efen d in g ch am p ion s of Sh r ek Acad em y w er e n o excep t ion . W h en d r aw in g lot s,
t h er e w as a p ossib ilit y of a t eam ob t a in in g a b ye. H ow ever , n on e of t h e
acad em ies cou ld en joy it s p r ivileges d ir ect ly.
T h e t each er s lead in g t h e r esp ect ive aca d em ies h a d ar r ived at t h e in n er cit y

ver y ear ly in t h e m or n in g. T h ey r eceived a n u m b er p lat e b ased on t h e t im e t h ey
h ad r egist er ed , an d aft er w ar d , t h ey st ar t ed t o d r aw lot s. At t h is t im e, t h e lo t s
h ad alr ead y b een d r aw n . An official of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e h ad t h e d u t y of
an n ou n cin g t h e r esu lt s of t h e lot s. On ce t h e or d er of t h e m at ch es w as d ecid ed ,
t h e fin al p r ep ar at ion s for t h e ear ly p h ase of t h e t ou r n am en t cou ld b e con sid er ed
com p let e.
T h e su n slow ly r ose fr om t h e far aw ay east . An d St ar Lu o Cit y, w h ich w as

locat ed in t h e m id d le of t h e con t in en t , w a s en gu lfed in w ar m t h .
On t h e cit y w alls of t h e in n er cit y w as a m id d le-aged m an w it h h is h an d s

cr ossed b eh in d h is b ack an d an im p er ial gold en cr ow n on h is h ead . H e w a s
w ear in g a lon g b r igh t yellow gow n , an d w as st an d in g exact ly on t op of t h e m ain
en t r an ce t o t h e in n er cit y. T h is also h ap p en ed t o b e t h e b est p lace fr om w h er e t o
w at ch t h e m at ch .
At h is sid e w as a b eau t ifu l w om an w ear in g fin e at t ir e t h at b elon ged t o a

p alace lad y; sh e w as st an d in g r esp ect fu lly an d q u iet ly b esid e h im . A few st ep s
b eh in d h er w er e t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s civil an d m ilit ar y officer s.
“You r M ajest y.” An old m an w ear in g t h e r ed clot h es of a civil officer t ook a

st ep for w ar d an d b ow ed r esp ect fu lly aft er ar r ivin g at t h e m an ’s sid e. On h is lon g
gow n w as em b r oid er ed a p yt h on ; t h is sign ified t h at h is st at u s w as ver y h igh . H e
w as w or t h y of h old in g t h e h igh est p osit ion .
“Pr im e m in ist er , h o w ar e t h e ar r an gem en t s goin g?” T h e em p er or ask ed w it h

a sm ile.
T h e p r im e m in ist er r esp ect fu lly said , “Ever yt h in g is r ea d y. T h e lot s w er e

d r aw n , an d t h e or d er of t h e m at ch es h as b een d ecid ed . T h er e ar e n o p r ob lem s in
t h e p er ip h er y eit h er . W e can allow t h e cit izen s t o en t er t h e ar en a.”
T h e em p er or of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e n od d ed an d sa id w it h a sm ile, “Good ,
p ass m y or d er d ow n . Clear t h e im p or t an t p assages, an d allow t h e p eop le t o
en t er t h e ar en a. M a k e t h em en t er in a slow an d or d er ly fash ion . If t h er e ar e
p r ob lem s, t h e on es in ch ar ge of t h e ar ea in volved w ill b e p u n ish ed sever ely.”
“Yes.” T h e p r im e m in ist er r et r ea t ed sever al st ep s b efor e t u r n in g an d leavin g.
T h e em p er or sp ok e t o t h e b eau t ifu l w om an b esid e h im . “Em p r ess, w e h ave

w ait ed t w en t y year s for t h is gr an d occasion . It r em in d s m e of w h en I w as you n g!
If t h e r oyal fam ily d id n ’t h ave so m an y cu st om s, I w ou ld h ave p ar t icip at ed
m yself.”
“T h e em p er or h as alw ays h ad t h e h ear t of a sold ier ,” t h e em p r ess said w it h a

fain t sm ile.
“Look ,” T h e em p er or said w it h a sm ile of h is ow n , “t h e st u d en t s of t h e

var iou s aca d em ies ar e alr ead y en t er in g t h e ar en a. H ow ever , n ot all of t h em w ill
b e ab le t o m ak e u se of t h e r est in g ar ea. On ly t h ose t h at ach ieve vict or y w ill h ave
t h is p r ivilege. It seem s t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h as on ly sen t t en p eop le t h is t im e,
an d t h eir age is qu it e you n g. On e of t h e lead in g st u d en t s is Dai H ao’s eld est son .
I t h ou gh t of callin g h im b ack an d let t in g h im w at ch t h e t ou r n am en t . Aft er all,
it ’s som et h in g t h at ou r cou n t r y can h ost on ly ever y t w en t y year s. Bu t in t h e
en d , I d ecid ed again st it ; t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e is get t in g m or e an d m or e
r est less. If h e is t h er e gu ar d in g t h e w est er n b or d er , I’ll feel m or e at ease.”
T h e em p r ess list en ed qu iet ly an d d id n ’t say an yt h in g. As t h e fir st la d y of t h e

n at ion , sh e w a sn ’t allow ed t o in t er fer e w it h p olit ics. Esp ecia lly w h en t h er e w er e
m an y civil an d m ilit ar y officer s ar ou n d t h em . Ever y on e of t h ose m ilit ar y
officer s w as a p ow er fu l sou l m ast er . T h eir h ear in g w as ver y k een .
At t h is t im e, t h e cr ow d st ar t ed t o en t er St ar Lu o Plaza u n d er t h e lea d of t h e
ar m y; t h e lon g lin es con ver ged in sid e t h e p laza.
You cou ld n ’t w at ch t h e t ou r n am en t for fr ee. H ow ever , t h e ad m ission cost

w asn ’t t oo h igh eit h er ; it w as on ly t w o gold sou l coin s. An d even if a lim it ed
n u m b er of p eop le cou ld en t er t h e p laza, t h er e w a s en ou gh sp ace t o
accom m od at e m or e t h an t w en t y t h ou sa n d sp ect a t or s. T w o gold sou l coin s w as
t h e b ase p r ice. T h e n ear er you w er e t o t h e p lat for m , t h e h igh er t h e p r ice. You
h ad t o p ay a h u n d r ed gold sou l coin s t o en t er t h e ar ea t h a t w as n ear est t o t h e
p lat for m .
For t h e com m on er s, it w as a lot of m on ey. Bu t for ar ist ocr a t s an d m er ch a n t s,
it w asn ’t t h at m u ch .
T h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e w as t r eat in g all t h e sp ect at or s fair ly. T h e m or e you p aid ,

t h e n ear er you w ou ld b e t o t h e p lat for m . Bu t a sid e fr om t h is, ever yon e w as
t r eat ed t h e sam e. T h er e w er en ’t an y seat s, an d you cou ld w at ch on ly w h ile
st an d in g. T h is w as so t h at t h ey cou ld accom m od at e m or e p eop le.
T h is sim p le en t r an ce fee t h ey collect ed w ou ld ear n t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e t w o

m illion or so gold sou l coin s ever y d ay. W it h in a sin gle m on t h , t h ey cou ld ear n a
t ot al of sixt y m illion gold sou l coin s. Aft er d ed u ct in g t h e m ilit a r y an d ot h er
var iou s cost s, t h e em p ir e w ou ld st ill ear n a lar ge su m . T h is w as on e of t h e m ain
r eason s w h y t h e fou r em p ir es w er e ver y w illin g t o h ost t h e Con t in en t al
Ad van ced Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t . It h ad t o b e k n ow n t h at a year ’s w or t h of
r even u e fr om St ar Lu o Cit y w asn ’t far fr om t h is n u m b er !
J u st as t h e sp ect at or s b egan t o fill t h e ar en a, H u o Yu h ao an d h is com p an ion s

w er e st an d in g in t h e p ar t icip an t ’s a r ea.
T od ay, t h e p eop le fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w er e d r essed in t h eir t r ad it ion al,

d ar k -gr een sch ool u n ifor m s; t h ese w er e t h e st an d a r d color s of t h e acad em y.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey st ood at t h e ver y fr on t of all of t h e ot h er acad em ies.
H ow ever , t h er e w er e n o ob ject ion s t o t h is. T h is w as t h e glor y t h at Sh r ek
Acad em y h ad accu m u lat ed t h r ou gh t h eir st r en gt h for over a t h ou san d year s.
H ow ever , t h e ot h er p ar t icip an t s w h o st ood b eh in d t h em in volu n t ar ily

r evealed a look of ast on ish m en t as t h ey look ed at t h eir lin eu p .
It w ou ld h ave b een fin e if on ly t en p eop le h ad t u r n ed u p , b u t an

over w h elm in gly lar ge m ajor it y of t h e t en d id n ’t seem lik e t h ey w er e an yw h er e
n ear t w en t y year s old . T h ey w er e ab le t o see h ow you n g t h ey w er e w it h ou t even
u sin g a b on e t est . On ly t h e t h r ee w h o st ood at t h e ver y fr on t seem ed lik e t h ey
w er e of an ap p r op r iat e age. H ow ever , t h ey all w or e cloak s t h at con cealed t h eir
facial feat u r es.
A lar ge m ajor it y of t h e acad em ies w er e in w ar d ly p r ayin g t h a t t h ey w ou ld n ’t

m eet Sh r ek Acad em y or t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y in
t h eir fir st m at ch . Ot h er w ise, it w as p r act ically an n ou n cin g t h at t h ey w ou ld b e
elim in at ed .
T h e p ar t icip an t s fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y

st ood b eh in d Sh r ek Acad em y, allow in g t h em t o get an even b et t er view of t h e
st u d en t s fr om t h e lat t er .
T h e you n gest st u d en t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w er e H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g,

an d Xiao Xiao. H u o Yu h ao w as sligh t ly b et t er t h an t h e ot h er t w o; aft er fu sin g
w it h t h e Ice Em p r ess’ t or so b on e, h is st at u r e h ad ch an ged gr eat ly. H e cou ld n ow
p ass for a fou r t een or fift een -year -old you t h . H ow ever , W a n g Don g an d Xiao
Xiao’s faces st ill look ed som ew h at in fan t ile. T h is w as esp ecially t r u e for Xiao
Xiao. Sh e w as r at h er sh or t , an d look ed lik e sh e w as on ly a you n g gir l. At t h is
m om en t , even t h e p r ou d Xiao H on gch en w as filled w it h d ou b t . J u st w h at w as
Sh r ek Acad em y t r yin g t o d o b y sen d in g ou t a lin eu p lik e t h is?
It t ook a fu ll h ou r for t h e sp ect at or s t o en t er t h e ar en a; t h er e w er e sim p ly t oo

m an y p eop le.
T h e or igin ally-em p t y St ar Lu o Plaza w as n ow p ack ed w it h p eop le.

For t u n at ely, t h e p lace d id n ’t seem t oo ch aot ic d u e t o t h e ir on fen ces
p ar t it ion in g it , in ad d it ion t o t h e ar m y m ain t ain in g or d er .
It w as n ow 9am .
“Silen ce.” A lou d voice su d d en ly sp r ead t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e field . Aft er

h ear in g t h is voice, ever y sold ier in t h e a r m y st ood p er fect ly st r aigh t an d r aised
t h e lan ces in t h eir h a n d s.
Im m ed iat ely, as t h e solem n voice cover ed t h e en t ir e field , t h e or igin a lly-

clam or ou s St ar Lu o Plaza p r om p t ly w en t silen t .
“H is M ajest y, t h e Em p er or , ar r ives!”
W it h a cr ash , t h e p op u lace im m ed iat ely k n elt d ow n in lar ge n u m b er s. Sever a l
h u n d r ed s of t h ou san d s of p eop le sim u lt an eou sly m ad e t h e sam e, or d er ly
m ovem en t s, cr eat in g a t r u ly sp ect acu lar scen e.
T h e sold ier s on ly k n elt d ow n on on e k n ee, b u t t h e p ar t icip at in g acad em ies

h ad b een given sp ecial p er m ission t o n ot k n eel. H ow ever , t h ey h ad t o give a
n in et y-d egr ee b ow t o sh ow t h eir r esp ect t o t h e em p er or .
“Su b ject s, you m ay r ise.” T h e voice of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s em p er or w as

m agn ified w it h a lou d sp eak er -t yp e sou l t ool. On ly t h en d id t h e p op u lace get t o
t h eir feet , a n d t h e p ar t icip at in g st u d en t s su b sequ en t ly st r aigh t en ed t h eir b ack s.
T h e gazes of ever yon e p r esen t w er e cast t ow ar d s t h e t op of t h e im p er ial cap it al’s
w alls.
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or w as alr ead y st an d in g at t h e ver y fr on t of t h e cit y w alls,

alon g w it h t h e em p r ess an d h is civ il an d m ilit a r y officials. H is gen t le gaze d id n ’t
lose an y of it s gr an d eu r as h e su r veyed h is p eop le.
“T h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t is t h e m ost

im p or t an t occasion on ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t . T h is t im e, it ’s ou r St ar Lu o
Em p ir e’s t u r n t o h o st it , an d I’m ver y h ap p y. Now , on b eh alf of t h e St ar Lu o
Em p ir e, I w elcom e each an d ever y acad em y w h o h as t r avelled far t o com e h er e.
I w ish t h at you ’ll b e ab le t o r eveal t h e elegan ce you sh ou ld h ave in t h e
t ou r n am en t on e m on t h fr om n ow .
“T h an k you , you r m ajest y.” T h e lead er s an d st u d en t s fr om t h e h u n d r ed an d

t h ir t y-t h r ee acad em ies b ow ed again .
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or n od d ed an d sm iled sligh t ly in t h eir d ir ect ion .
“Ok ay, I n ow an n ou n ce t h at t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l

Du ellin g T ou r n am en t h as for m ally b egu n !” T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or ’s lou d
d eclar at ion op en ed t h e cu r t a in s t o t h is gr an d occasion .
“Lon g live t h e k in g, lon g live t h e k in g, lon g live t h e k in g!” T h e m asses all
ch eer ed in ch or u s. T h e at m osp h er e in t h e p laza seem ed t o h ave b een ar ou sed
in st an t ly.
“Boom , b oom , b oom , b oom , b oom , b oom , boom ….” Gu n salu t es r an g ou t

fr om t h e cit y w alls, an d r an g ou t a h u n d r ed an d eigh t t im es b efor e st op p in g.
St ar Lu o Plaza h ad alr ead y t r an sfor m ed in t o an ocean of excit em en t an d ch eer s.
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or r et r eat ed sligh t ly w it h h is gen er als, t h en t ook a seat

alon gsid e t h e em p r ess in a ch air t h at w a s alr ead y p r ep ar ed for h im . H e w aved
t ow ar d s t h e p r im e m in ist er b esid e h im , w h o t h en ob eyed h is com m an d an d
or d er ed a su b or d in a t e t o st ar t t h e t ou r n a m en t .
T h e son or ou s voice t h at h a d p r ev iou sly sp ok en im m ed ia t ely r an g ou t again ,

“Accor d in g t o t h e r u les of t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g
T ou r n am en t , t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e t ou r n am en t w ill b e a k n ock ou t r ou n d . T h is
year , t h er e h ave b een a t ot al of a h u n d r ed an d t h ir t y-t h r ee acad em ies w h o h ave
r egist er ed so far . Aft er d r aw in g som e lot s, t h er e w ill b e a sin gle t eam w h o h as a
b ye. A t ot al of sixt y-six m at ch es w ill b e con d u ct ed . T h e fir st r ou n d w ill b e a
k n ock ou t r ou n d , an d t h e loser w ill h ave t o en d h is jou r n ey in t h is t ou r n am en t .
Now , t h e fir st m at ch w ill b egin . T h e fir st t eam con sist s of t h e p ar t icip an t s fr om
t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y, w h ile t h e ot h er is t h e con t in en t ’s
n u m b er on e acad em y, t h e acad em y t h at h as cou n t less feat s of glor y t o it s n am e,
t h e acad em y t h a t h a s w on ever y sin gle t ou r n am en t for t h e p ast t h ou san d year s,
Sh r ek Acad em y!”
Follow in g t h e an n ou n cer ’s d eclar a t ion , t h e at m osp h er e in St ar Lu o Plaza

im m ed iat ely r each ed it s b oilin g p oin t .
“Sh r ek , Sh r ek , Sh r ek …”
T h e sh ou t s for Sh r ek Acad em y t h or ou gh ly cover ed ever y sin gle cor n er of t h e

p laza.
T h e seven fr om t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam w er e left st ar in g b lan k ly as t h ey
w at ch ed t h e scen e u n fu r lin g in fr on t of t h em . T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h ey’d
seen som et h in g lik e t h is, an d t h eir faces w er e som ew h at p ale for a b r ief
m om en t . T h is w as a cr ow d of sever al h u n d r ed s of t h ou sa n d s! If t h ey w er e t o
lose t h is m at ch , lead in g t o Sh r ek Acad em y’s d isq u alificat ion , t h ey sim p ly
cou ld n ’t im agin e w h at w ou ld h ap p en .
“Ever yon e, d on ’t p an ic. T h is is t h e glor y t h at b elon gs t o ou r Sh r ek Acad em y,

an d also t h e glor y t h at w ill soon b elon g t o you . Du r in g t h e last t ou r n am en t , w e
t oo faced a scen e lik e t h is. I can t ell you t h at ou r op p on en t s w ill d efin it ely b e t en
t im es m or e n er vou s an d p an ick ed t h an u s, b ecau se w e’r e Sh r ek Acad em y.” M a
Xiaot ao’s voice r an g ou t in t h e ear s of ever y sin gle m em b er of t h e p r ep ar at or y
t eam .
A scen e lik e t h is w a s a fir st even for W a n g Yan , w h o w as lead in g t h e gr ou p !

On ly M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, an d Lin g Lu och en , w h o’d p r eviou sly
r ep r esen t ed Sh r ek Acad em y as t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam in t h e last t ou r n am en t ,
w ou ld ’ve seen som et h in g lik e t h is. At t h is m om en t , M a Xia ot ao’s w or d s w er e
n at u r ally m ost p er su asive t o t h em .
Dai Yu eh en g im m ed iat ely con t in u ed , “Xiaot ao’s cor r ect . T h ese ch eer s ar e for
u s, an d for t h e glor y of Sh r ek Acad em y. Righ t n ow , w e n eed you t o b u r st for t h
an d st ep u p . Use you r st r en gt h t o p r ove h ow p ow er fu l ou r Sh r ek Acad em y is.
Go. Raise you r ch est s, an d p u t on you r m ost en t h u siast ic face t o t h an k t h ese
su p p or t er s.”
W it h t h e m or ale b oost fr om t h e t w o sen ior s, t h eir in cessan t ly excit ed h ear t s

calm ed d ow n sligh t ly. H ow ever , t h eir p alm s w er e st ill sw ea t y. T h ey n at u r ally
d id n ’t k n ow t h at Sh r ek Acad em y’s p r ep ar at or y t eam h ad n ever ap p ear ed in t h e
fir st r ou n d b efor e. T h is w as b ecau se t h e fir st m at ch r ep r esen t ed t h e face of
Sh r ek Acad em y. Fu r t h er m or e, t h eir h ear t s w ou ld d efin it ely b e affect ed aft er
facin g su ch a p assion at e cr ow d for t h e fir st t im e. T h u s, t h e m ain t eam w ou ld go
ou t in fu ll for ce d u r in g t h e fir st r ou n d .
H ow ever , t h ey sim p ly h ad n o ot h er ch oice n ow !

Righ t at t h is m om en t , t h e an n ou n cer ’s voice r an g ou t . “M ay t h e t eam
m em b er s fr om t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y t ak e t h e field .”
A gr ou p of you n g, p ale-faced st u d en t s w alk ed ou t fr om t h e far sid e of t h e

con t est an t ’s ar ea. As t h ey w alk ed ou t , even t h eir foot st ep s w er e som ew h a t
u n st ab le. M a Xiao t ao giggled , an d t u r n ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est ,
“Look , t h ese ar e you r op p on en t s. H ave you n ot iced ? Som e of t h em ar e sh ak in g
all over . T h e r ep u t at ion of Sh r ek Acad em y is in d eed a lar ge r esp on sib ilit y an d a
h eavy b u r d en on yo u , b u t ou r glor y is also on e of t h e m ost effect ive w eap on s
you h ave. Br in g ou t you r cou r age an d st r en gt h . Sh r ek , w in .”
W it h t h at , M a Xiaot ao st r od e t ow ar d s Bei Bei an d ext en d ed h er r igh t h an d .

T h e ot h er s t h en st ep p ed for t h , an d eleven r igh t h an d s w er e p laced at op each
ot h er .
W an g Yan w h isp er ed , “H u o Yu h ao, you ’r e in ch ar ge of com m an d in g t h e t eam

aft er w e’r e u p . T h e r est of you h ave t o follow an d m an eu ver accor d in g t o h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . Yu h ao, u se you r secon d sou l sk ill ca r efu lly, if p ossib le.”
H u o Yu h ao’s m in d h ad or igin ally st ill b een som ew h at b lan k , b u t h e w as

su d d en ly en ligh t en ed aft er h ear in g W a n g Yan ’s r em in d er an d t h e w or d s t h at
M a Xiaot ao h ad said . H is Sp ir it Eyes im m ed iat ely lit u p , a n d h e n od d ed h eav ily.
“T each er W an g, I u n d er st an d . Sen ior s, d on ’t w or r y. W e w on ’t lose an y of
Sh r ek ’s face. Sh r ek , w in .”
As t h ey look ed at t h e d et er m in a t ion in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes as h e said t h e w or d

‘Sh r ek ’, ever y sin gle m em b er of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam felt t h eir b lood b oilin g.
Righ t , t h ey w er e st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y, r ep r esen t in g t h e t en t h ou san d s
year s of glor y it h ad h eld . T h eir op p on en t s w ou ld on ly feel fear t ow ar d s t h em .
W h at t h ey h ad t o d o w as b eat ever y sin gle op p on en t w h o st ood in fr on t of t h em .
T h ey n o lon ger h ad an escap e, n or d id t h ey n eed t o r et r eat . T h ey n eed ed t o

u n ceasin gly ad va n ce, ad van ce, an d ad van ce!
“Ok ay, t h e m em b er s of t h e T ia n Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y h ave st ep p ed
u p . Un d er t h e eyes of t h e cr ow d , let u s n ow h ave t h e con t in en t ’s n u m b er on e
acad em y, t h e t r u e k in g of acad em ies, Sh r ek Acad em y, t ak e t h e field !”
T h e an n ou n cer ’s r esou n d in g voice im m ed iat ely r each ed it s p eak , an d St ar

Lu o Plaza in st an t ly b ecam e a sea of voices t h at ch eer ed for Sh r ek . Even t h e St ar
Lu o Em p er or , w h o sat on t h e cit y w alls, cou ld n ’t h elp b u t st an d u p an d r eveal a
look of excit em en t on h is face. W h o w ou ld ’ve im agin ed t h at h e’d st u d ied in
Sh r ek Acad em y d u r in g h is you t h u sin g a p seu d on ym ? Even n ow , h e st ill d eep ly
loved a p er son , t h e p er son w h o et er n a lly st ood gu ar d w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y’s
in n er cou r t yar d ...
Chapt er 76.1: I come fr om Shr ek, and fr om t he
Tang Sect !
All of t h eir h an d s t r em b led a b it w h en t h ey h ear d t h em selves called u p . W h en

Bei Bei r aised h is h ead , t h e lazy sm ile t h at w as n or m ally p r esen t on h is face h ad
van ish ed . Resolu t e d et er m in at ion n ow filled h is face as h e t ook lar ge st r id es
t ow ar d s t h e st age.
H e Cait ou follow ed im m ed iat ely aft er Bei Bei, w h ile Xu San sh i, J ian g
Nan n an , Xiao Xiao, H u o Yu h ao, an d W a n g Don g all t r ailed b eh in d h im .
Righ t . As of t h is m om en t , t h e seven of t h em w er e n ow r ep r esen t in g Sh r ek

Acad em y. As of t h is m om en t , t h ey w er e t h e cu r r en t gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven
M on st er s. T h e h alo of t h eir an cest or s seem ed t o en velop t h eir b od ies, alon gsid e
t h e h alo of t h e T an g Sect !
T h e r ad ian ce of t h e T an g Sect a n d Sh r ek Acad em y seem ed t o ign it e w it h in

t h em at t h e sam e t im e, an d w h en it d id , t h eir em ot ion s r each ed an
u n p r eced en t ed level of excit em en t .
T h eir b r eat h in g h a d b ecom e som ew h at r u sh ed am id st t h e ch eer s t h at h a d

en com p assed t h em , an d t h eir faces h ad b ecom e flu sh ed . T h eir sou l p ow er h ad
also b egu n r ap id ly cir cu lat in g t h r ou gh ou t t h eir b od ies d u e t o t h eir excit em en t .
As a r esu lt , t h ey all felt as if t h ey h a d an u n lim it ed am ou n t of en er gy.
Fin ally, t h ey n ear ed t h e t all st age t h at t h ey’d b e p ar t icip at in g u p on . H ow ever ,

w h en t h ey d id so, Bei Bei d id n ’t r u sh t o st ep on t o it . In st ead , h e t u r n ed t ow ar d s
h is com p an ion s a n d said in a low voice, “W e can ’t ju st w in t h is m at ch ; w e h ave
t o d o so over w h elm in gly. W e h ave t o sh ow t h e glor y t h at b elon gs t o Sh r ek
Acad em y. Yu h ao, w e’ll b e r elyin g on you .”
H u o Yu h ao for cefu lly n od d ed . H e n at u r ally u n d er st ood w h at h is sen ior
b r ot h er w as im p lyin g.
On ly w h en h e saw t h is d id Bei Bei t u r n ar ou n d an d t ak e lar ge st r id es t ow ar d s

t h e t all st age in fr on t of h im .
T h e seven m em b er s of each t eam gat h er ed at t h eir r esp ect ive cor n er s of t h e

st age an d look ed t ow ar d s on e an ot h er . W h en t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e T ian Lin g
Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y saw t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h ad act u ally sen t ou t su ch a
you n g lin e-u p , t h ey w er e in volu n t ar ily st u n n ed . H as Sh r ek Academ y sent i t s
pr epar at or y t eam up? But , but t h i s i s t he k nock out r oun d! Ar en’ t t hey scar ed
t hat t hey’ l l l ose?!
A si m i l ar quest i on appear ed i n al l of t h e spect at or ’ s m i n ds as w el l , i n cl udi n g

t h ose of t h e par t i ci pat i n g academ i es. Even t h e Sun M oon I m per i al Soul
En gi n eer i n g Academ y w as l ef t dum bst r uck .
At t h i s m om en t , even Xi ao H on gch en w as doubt f ul of h i s ow n judgem en t .

W asn ’ t Sh r ek Academ y bei n g t oo br azen? Regar dl ess of h ow st r on g t h ey w er e,
w oul d t h ey be abl e t o beat a t eam of soul m ast er s w h o w er e n ear t w en t y year s
ol d w i t h a t eam t h at h ad an aver age age of f i f t een ? On e t h at even h ad a f ew
m em ber s t h at l ook ed el even t o t w el ve year s ol d? T h er e w er e n o secon d ch an ces
i f t h ey w er e t o l ose!
T h e St ar Luo Em per or al so h ad a st un n ed l ook on h i s f ace. H e ask ed

doubt f ul l y, “ Just w h at i s Sh r ek Academ y doi n g? W h y ar en ’ t t h ey sen di n g out
t h ei r m ai n f or ce? W h y i sn ’ t Dai H ao’ s son com i n g up on st age?”
H ow ever , a com pet i t i on w as a com pet i t i on . No m at t er h ow doubt f ul t h ey

w er e, t h e com pet i t i on st i l l h ad t o go on .
T h e r ef er ee sen t by t h e St ar Luo Em pi r e h ad al r eady t ak en h i s posi t i on . H e

m ot i on ed f or bot h par t i es t o st ep f or w ar d.
T h e seven st u d en t s fr om b ot h t eam s gat h er ed in t h e cen t er of t h e ar en a. T h e
closer t h ey got t o each ot h er , t h e m or e t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s w er e ab le t o
see t h e u n sigh t ly faces of t h eir op p on en t s. Cou n t less year s of h ist or y b efor e
t h em h ad alr ead y p r oven t h is; t h e r esu lt of m eet in g Sh r ek Acad em y in t h e fir st
r ou n d w as ob viou s.
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e in t er est of t h e st u d en t s fr om T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l

Acad em y w er e p iq u ed b y H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao as t h ey got
closer . W h at ’s m or e, Bei Bei an d t h e r est w er e clea r ly ver y you n g! T h is w as
u n d ou b t ed ly t h eir p r ep ar at or y t eam . Fu r t h er m or e, it w as a p r ep ar at or y t eam
t h at h a d an aver age age t h at w as low er t h an fift een . Su r e en ou gh , Sh r ek
Acad em y w as com p let ely d eser vin g of it s n ick n am e of an academ y for m on st er s.
J u st w h at w er e t h ey t r yin g t o d o?
“T h e fir st r ou n d of t h e k n ock ou t r ou n d is a t eam figh t .” T h e r efer ee said

solem n ly, “Bot h p ar t ies can u se a lar ge m ajor it y of t h eir sou l t ools d u r in g t h e
figh t . H ow ever , if on e p ar t y ad m it s d efeat d u r in g t h e cou r se of t h e figh t , t h e
ot h er p ar t y can n ot con t in u e a t t ack in g. Sou l en gin eer s can n ot u se st a t ion ar y
sou l t ools w h ich h ave a h igh d egr ee of k illin g p ow er . Do you u n d er st an d ?”
“Un d er st ood .” Bei Bei calm ly t ook t h e in it iat ive t o r esp on d .
T h e lead er of t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y’s t ea m w as a slen d er

you t h w h o look ed ar ou n d t w en t y. Am on g t h e seven t h ey w er e p it again st , h is
exp r ession w as r at h er or d in ar y. H e r esp on d ed as w ell, follow in g Bei Bei.
Alt h ou gh t h ey w er e on ly figh t in g again st Sh r ek Acad em y’s p r ep ar at or y t eam ,

it w as ju st as M a Xiaot ao h ad said . Sh r ek ’s r ep u t a t ion in it self w as a p ow er fu l
w eap on . As t h ey look ed at t h e m en acin g gazes of H u o Yu h ao’s seven , t h e
st u d en t s fr om t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y felt even w eak er .
T h e r efer ee n od d ed , “Good . Bot h p ar t ies, m ove b ack t o you r cor n er s. On ce I

give t h e com m an d , t h e b at t le w ill st ar t . Befor e I an n ou n ce t h e st a r t of t h is
m at ch , you ar e n ot a llow ed t o r elease an y m ar t ial sou ls. Ot h er w ise, you w ill b e
p u n ish ed .”
Bot h p ar t ies st ar t ed t o slow ly w id en t h e d ist a n ce b et w een t h em . As t h ey
r et r eat ed , H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed ar ou n d a n d w h isp er ed , “Lat er , ever yon e st an d
accor d in g t o m y ar r an gem en t s. Aft er t h at , figh t b y follow in g m y Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion .”
H u o Yu h ao h ad n o con fid en ce in com m an d in g t h e t eam m em b er s of t h e

official t eam . H ow ever , h e w as closely r elat ed t o a lar ge p or t ion of t h e
p r ep ar at or y t eam . T h e t eam lead er , Bei Bei, w as h is sen ior b r ot h er ; t h e secon d
eld est of t h e lo t , H e Cait ou , w as also h is sen ior b r ot h er . T h er e w as n o n eed t o
even m en t ion W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao. H e’d got t en closer t o Xu San sh i an d
J ian g Nan n an over t h ese p ast few d ays, b u t m or e im p or t an t ly, ever yon e w as
con vin ced b y h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion .
Over on t h e ot h er sid e, t h e T ian Lin g Em p ir e w er e t ak in g a ver y d efen sive

for m at ion . Qu ick ly, b ot h p ar t ies ar r ived at t h e ed ges of t h e a r en a.
T h e r efer ee w h o st o od at t h e cen t er of t h e ar en a slow ly r aised h is r igh t h an d .

At t h is m om en t , t h e St ar Lu o Plaza filled w it h sever al h u n d r ed s of t h ou sa n d s of
p eop le in st an t ly q u iet ed d ow n . Ever y sin gle sp ect a t or w as st ar in g a t t h e
sp aciou s st age w it h t h eir eyes w id e.
T h is w as t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e t ou r n a m en t , as w ell as t h e fir st k n ock ou t

r ou n d . M or eover , it w as a m at ch t h at h ad t h e con t in en t ’s n u m b er on e acad em y
p ar t icip at in g! Sh r ek Acad em y’s p ar t icip an t s w er e ver y you n g, b u t t h ey st ill
car r ied t h e glor y of Sh r ek w it h t h em . Ever yb od y w ish ed t o see w h at t h ey cou ld
d o.
As t h e r efer ee r aised h is h an d , b ot h p ar t ies im m ed ia t ely t ook t h eir p osit ion s.

At t h e sam e t im e, t h e h u n d r ed an d eigh t sou l m ast er s fr om t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e
p r essed t h eir h an d s t o t h e m et al p illar s in fr on t of t h em .
T h e h u n d r ed an d eigh t m et al p illa r s lit u p sim u lt an eou sly, cau sin g r ays of

w h it e ligh t t o su r ge in t o t h e sk y. T h ey car ved ou t a r cs as t h ey gat h er ed in
m id air , t w en t y m et er s ab ove t h e st age.
W h en t h e h u n d r ed an d eigh t r ays of ligh t w er e gat h er ed t oget h er , a w h it e
cu r t ain of ligh t r ain ed d ow n , cover in g t h e en t ir e field . T h e p r ot ect ive b ar r ier
h ad b een com p let ed , sign ifyin g t h at t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l
Du ellin g T ou r n am en t w as ab ou t t o b egin .
Over on t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y’s sid e, t h e seven p eop le
qu ick ly ar r an ged t h em selves in t o a t r a d it ion a l b at t le for m at ion . T h r ee so u l
m ast er s st ood at t h e ver y fr on t of t h e for m at ion , an d t h e fact t h at t h ey w er e
eit h er assa u lt or d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er s cou ld b e seen w it h a glan ce. T h e t w o
sou l m ast er s w h o st ood sligh t ly b eh in d t h em sh ou ld b e agilit y-t yp e sou l
m ast er s. T h e last of t h e sou l m ast er s st o od in a sin gle lin e, on e in fr on t an d on e
in t h e b ack , an d accor d in g t o t h e t r ad it ion al layou t , it w as clear t h at t h ey w er e
r esp ect ively con t r ol-t yp e an d au xiliar y-t yp e sou l m ast er s.
T h is w as t h e b est seven -m an for m at ion t h at h ad b een d evised aft er cou n t less

b at t les. If t h ey w er e focu sed on a t t ack in g, t h e t h r ee p eop le in fr on t w ou ld b e
assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s; if t h ey w er e focu sed on d efen se an d st ab ilit y, t h er e
w ou ld b e on e or t w o d efen se-t yp e sou l m a st er s.
A t r ad it ion al for m at ion lik e t h is on e w as called t h e 3-2-1-1 for m at ion .
H ow ever , n ot m an y p eop le w er e cu r r en t ly look in g at t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced

Sou l Acad em y t eam . Pr act ically ever yon e w as focu sed on Sh r ek . Fu r t h er m or e,
t h ey in volu n t ar ily cr ied ou t in su r p r ise d u e t o t h e scen e in fr on t of t h em . T h e
on es w h o cr ied o u t t h e lou d est w er e act u ally t h e h u n d r ed -p lu s Ad van ced
Acad em ies t h at w er e p ar t icip at in g in t h e t ou r n am en t . T h is w as b ecau se Sh r ek
Acad em y h ad r evealed a for m at ion t h at t h ey w er e sim p ly u n ab le t o
com p r eh en d .
H u o Yu h ao st ood at t h e ver y fr on t of t h e for m at ion , an d h is st ill-in fan t ile face

w as cu r r en t ly filled w it h an ar r ogan t look . On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e six p eop le
b eh in d h im m ain t ain ed a fan -sh ap ed for m at ion b eh in d h im , m ak in g it seem as
t h ou gh t h e st a r s w er e cu p p in g t h em selves ar ou n d t h e m oon . As a r esu lt , h e w as
m ad e t h e m ost p r om in en t of t h e lot .
W h at w as t h is for m a t ion even called ?
T h e Ad van ced Acad em ies t h at cou ld p ar t icip at e in t h is t ou r n am en t all h a d a

cer t ain am ou n t of r ep u t at ion w it h in t h e con t in en t . T h ey h ad each con d u ct ed
r esear ch in t o m ilit a r y st r at egy w it h r egar d s t o sou l m ast er s, b u t n ot a sin gle
acad em y h ad ever cr eat ed a for m at ion lik e t h is on e.
A for m at ion lik e t h is m ad e it seem as t h ou gh t h e ot h er six w er e ju st t h er e t o

ch eer for H u o Yu h ao, as if t h ey w er e let t in g h im go ou t an d figh t b y h im self.
T h is w as an in com p r eh en sib le scen e! Aft er sen d in g ou t it s p r ep ar at or y t eam ,
Sh r ek Acad em y w as givin g ever yon e an ot h er su r p r ise.
Even t h e r efer ee w a s som ew h at d u m b st r u ck . T h e fact t h at h e w as ab le t o

b ecom e a r efer ee of t h e t ou r n am en t sh ow ed t h at h e w as n at u r ally a h igh -
r an k in g sou l m ast er w h o h ad b een sp ecia lly ch osen b y t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e.
T h e h ost of ever y sin gle t ou r n am en t w as an em p ir e, an d t h is w as also a t im e

w h er e t h e var iou s cou n t r ies w er e a b le t o r eveal t h eir st r en gt h t o t h e
ou t st an d in g elit es com in g fr om t h e var iou s acad em ies. Nat u r ally, t h ey w ou ld d o
ever yt h in g t o t h e b est of t h eir ab ilit ies. H ow ever , even t h is r efer ee h ad n ever
seen a for m at ion lik e t h is in a t eam figh t b efor e! H e even for got t o p u t d ow n t h e
r igh t h an d t h a t h e h ad lift ed ea r lier .
“Refer ee, w e can st ar t n ow .” H u o Yu h ao said t o t h e r efer ee in an ext r em ely

u n p er t u r b ed m an n er .
H e w asn ’t old , a n d even h is voice w as in t h e m id st of cr ack in g. T h u s, h is

p u er ile voice w as som ew h at coar se. H ow ever , h e w as n ow t h e m ain focu s of t h e
en t ir e cr ow d aft er st an d in g in fr on t .
On ly t h en d id t h e r efer ee com e b ack t o h is sen ses. H e sw u n g d ow n h is r igh t

h an d , t h en sh ou t ed , “M at ch , st ar t !” No m at t er w h at for m at ion t h ey w er e u sin g,
all h e n eed ed t o d o w as en su r e t h at t h e m at ch w en t sm oot h ly.
Follow in g t h e r efer ee’s sh ou t , b ot h p a r t ies sim u lt an eou sly r eleased t h eir
m ar t ial sou ls.
T h e seven fr om t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y cou ld n ’t b e con sid er ed
w eak at all; t h eir sou l r in gs w er e m ain ly com p r ised of yellow an d p u r p le on es,
an d flash ed w it h d a zzlin g ligh t . Of t h e seven , five of t h em h ad fou r sou l r in gs,
w h ile t h e ot h er t w o h ad t h r ee sou l r in gs. T h e fou r sou l r in gs of t h e you t h w h o
led t h e p ack flick er ed d azzlin gly. Clear ly, h e h ad alr ea d y r each ed t h e lat er st ages
of t h e Sou l An cest or r an k . Reach in g a st age lik e t h is at t h e m er e age of t w en t y
w as r elat ively d ecen t .
H ow ever , sim p ly n ob od y w ou ld p ay at t en t ion t o t h e st a t e of t h e T ian Lin g

Ad van ced So u l Acad em y at t h is m om en t . All of t h e sp ect at or s w er e focu sed on
Sh r ek Acad em y’s sid e. M or e accu r at ely, t h ey w er e all focu sed on H u o Yu h ao,
w h o w as t ak in g lar ge st r id es for w ar d .
At t h is exact m om en t , an in d escr ib ab le yet t er r ifyin g au r a im p r essively

ap p ear ed on t h e t all st age.
In t h at in st an t , a b lood -color ed ligh t lit u p t h e en t ir e t ou r n am en t st age. Filled

w it h icy, cr u el, slau gh t er in g, b er ser k , an d ot h er t yp es of t er r ifyin g au r as, it
su d d en ly exp lod ed ou t ...
Tang Sect !
On e, t w o, t h r ee, fou r , five, six… a fu ll six b lood -r ed sou l r in gs h ad ap p ear ed

b en eat h t h e seem in gly t h ir t een or fou r t een -year -old H u o Yu h a o.
Red . W h at d id t h a t r ep r esen t ? It r ep r esen t ed t h e p in n acle of sou l r in gs, a

t er r ifyin g level of p ow er . It r ep r esen t ed … a h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l r in g!
Six h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l r in gs sim u lt a n eou sly ap p ear in g on a sin gle

p er son w as som et h in g t h at or d in ar y p eop le w ou ld n ever d ar e t o im agin e. Cr ies
of su r p r ise an d ala r m r an g ou t fr om t h e m ou t h s of sever al h u n d r ed s of
t h ou san d s of p eop le lik e a r agin g w ave. T h e ear -sp lit t in g sen sat ion com in g fr om
H u o Yu h ao w as sim p ly t oo st r on g. Even t h e em p er or of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e
h im self, as w ell as h is em p r ess an d officials, sim u lt an eou sly st ood u p fr om
sh ock .
T h e fir st t h ou gh t t h at ap p ear ed in t h eir m in d s w as t h a t t h is w as im p ossib le.

It w as com p let ely im p ossib le for a sit u at ion lik e t h is, in w h ich a sou l m ast er w a s
com p let ely filled w it h h u n d r ed t h o u san d year sou l r in gs, t o occu r , let alon e in
su ch a you n g ch ild . H ow ever , t h e au r a of h is h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs
w as st ill so t er r ifyin g, an d so r ea l. Fu r t h er m or e, Sh r ek Acad em y w as alr ead y an
exist en ce ak in t o t h a t of a legen d in m an y of t h eir h ear t s!
On e of t h e six b lood -color ed sou l r in gs su d d en ly lit u p , an d t h e seven st u d en t s

fr om t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y let ou t a m u ffled gr oan at
p r act ically t h e sam e t im e.
T h e su d d en ap p ear an ce of six h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs w as a lr ead y

ast on ish in g t o t h e sp ect at or s b elow t h e st age, let alon e t o t h e or igin ally n er vou s
st u d en t s fr om t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y w h o w er e st an d in g on t h e
st age it self.
T h e m om en t t h ey felt t h a t com p let ely h o r r ifyin g au r a, p r act ically all of t h em

r et r eat ed h u r r ied ly. As a r esu lt , t h ey w er e all b u n ch ed u p t oget h er . H ow ever ,
H u o Yu h ao’s m yst er iou s Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce ap p ear ed at t h is exact m om en t .
T h e st u d en t s fr om t h e T ian Lin g Ad va n ced Sou l Acad em y w er e or igin ally

t en sed u p . Com b in ed w it h t h e v isu al st im u lat ion cau sed b y H u o Yu h ao’s sou l
r in gs, t h eir m in d s w er e on ly a fin e lin e aw ay fr om collap se. Aft er r eceivin g
an ot h er t in y st im u lat ion , t h ey w er e lik e st ar t led b ir d s; t h eir r eact ion t o h is
Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce w as m u ch gr eat er t h an h e h ad im agin ed . Look s of t er r or
sim u lt an eou sly ap p ear ed in t h eir eyes, an d t h eir b od ies w er e d ir ect ly fr ozen b y
h is Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce.
At t h is exact m om en t , an en or m ou s p a ir of b lu ish -gold en w in gs ap p ear ed

b eh in d t h e d azzlin gly b r igh t H u o Yu h a o. T h e color s of b lu e an d gold fu sed
p er fect ly w it h each ot h er , r eleasin g a b eau t ifu l gold en flar e. W it h in t h e b lin k of
an eye, it w as t h e focu s of t h e en t ir e ar en a.
T h e t w o figu r es in st an t ly m er ged t oget h er , an d t h e b lood -co lor ed so u l r in gs

in st an t ly van ish ed . In st ead , an en or m ou s, ver t ical gold en slit r ep laced it .
T h e r esp len d en t colo r s of b lu e, p u r p le, an d gold cover ed h alf t h e ar en a w it h in

t h e b lin k of an eye. T h e r ay of ligh t st r u ck t h e seven fr om t h e T ian Lin g
Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y w h o w er e b u n ch ed u p t oget h er p er fect ly.
An in st an t a n eou s feelin g of p an ic ap p ear ed in t h e h ea r t s of ever y sin gle

p er son w h o saw t h at gold en ver t ically-slit t ed eye. Righ t aft er t h at , t h e ar en a
seem ed t o b e cleaved in h alf b y t h at d azzlin g r ay of ligh t .
T h is r ay of ligh t n ea r ed seven t y m et r es in len gt h , an d w as t h r ee m et r es w id e.

Aft er b u r st in g for t h , t h e t h r ee d iffer en t ly-color ed h alos of ligh t slow ly r ose in t o
t h e air . Non e of t h e seven fr om t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y w er e ab le
t o d od ge it . W h en t h e t r icolor ed fla r e fin ally van ish ed , a lon g, t w o foot -d eep
Gold en Road t h at flick er ed w it h a r esp len d en t gold en ligh t h ad b een left on t h e
ar en a.
Of t h e seven fr om t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y, t w o t h r ee-r in ged

sou l m ast er s im m ed iat ely fell t o t h e gr o u n d . T h e var iou s p r ot ect ive sou l t ools
t h at t h ey w er e w ear in g h ad exp lod ed , cau sin g a ser ies of ligh t s t o b low u p . T h e
b od ies of t h e ot h er five h ad b een fu lly d yed gold , t r a n sfor m in g t h em in t o gold en
st at u es. T h eir sou l r in gs h ad van ish ed com p let ely, an d t h eir m ar t ial sou ls h a d
b een sealed .
T h e gold en eye van ish ed , cau sin g t h e six d azzlin g b lood -color ed r in gs of ligh t
t o r eap p ear . Not on ly t h at , b u t an ot h er p er son h ad ap p ear ed n ext t o H u o Yu h ao;
t h is w as a you t h w h o h ad u n fu r led t h e d azzlin g w in gs of t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly
God d ess. H e look ed even you n ger t h an H u o Yu h ao, b u t t w o yellow , t w o p u r p le,
an d t w o b lack sou l r in gs flick er ed ar o u n d h is b od y. Six d azzlin g sou l r in gs
su r r ou n d ed h is b od y as w ell.
H u o Yu h ao clasp ed h is h an d s b eh in d h is b ack , h is eyes filled w it h an a r r ogan t

look . H e look ed in d iffer en t ly t ow ar d s t h e com p let ely flab b er gast ed r efer ee a n d
said , “T h is m at ch is over .”
“Ah ?” On ly t h en d id t h e r efer ee r eact t o t h e scen e in fr on t of h im . T h e

st u d en t s fr om T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y h ad alr ead y gr ab b ed t h e t w o
fallen t h r ee-r in ged sou l m ast er s b efor e ju m p in g d ow n fr om t h e st age. T r aces of
gold en ligh t st ill r em ain ed on t h eir b od ies, an d as t h ey ju m p ed off t h e st age, t h e
h u n d r ed an d eigh t sou l m ast er s w h o w er e in ch ar ge of p r ot ect in g t h e a r en a
can celled t h e u sage o f t h eir sou l p ow er . Clear ly, t h e m at ch h a d alr ead y en d ed .
T h e p laza filled w it h sever al h u n d r ed s of t h ou san d s of sp ect at or s, in clu d in g

t h e im p er ial fam ily of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e an d it s civil an d m ilit ar y officer s,
alon g w it h m or e t h an a h u n d r ed a d van ced sou l m ast er an d sou l en gin eer in g
acad em ies, w as com p let ely silen t at t h is m om en t .
T h e p eop le w h o h ad p r eviou sly b een som ew h at d ou b t fu l t ow ar d s t h e
p r ep ar at or y t eam t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h ad sen t ou t w er e n ow left st ar in g w id e-
eyed as t h ey st ar ed at t h e d eep , gold en r a vin e t h a t w as n ow on t h e ar en a floor .
T h ey w er e alm ost u n ab le t o b r eat h e, an d even sw allow in g t h eir saliva w as

h ar d for t h em .
Pr act ically ever yon e w as in w a r d ly scr ea m in g t h e p h r ase ‘T h is is im p ossib le!’

at seein g t h ese six h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs. H ow ever , t h e w or d
‘im p ossib le’ n ow h ad h esit at ion , ast on ish m en t , an d a t er r ifyin g an d h yst er ical
excit em en t t o it .
Sh r ek . T h is w as Sh r ek . T h e con t in en t ’s n u m b er on e, com p let ely u n p ar alleled

Sh r ek .
H u o Yu h ao slow ly t u r n ed ar ou n d , t h en look ed t ow ar d s t h e sou t h er n

sp ect at or s in St a r Lu o Plaza. H e sh ou t ed in a solem n voice, “Rem em b er . I com e
fr om Sh r ek Acad em y, an d t h e T an g Sect !”
W it h t h a t , t h e six icy, b lood -color ed so u l r in gs t h at m ad e b r eat h in g it self

d ifficu lt in st an t ly va n ish ed . H e slow ly w alk ed d ow n fr om t h e st age, r et u r n in g t o
Sh r ek Acad em y’s ar ea alon g w it h t h e Seven M on st er s. H e d id n ’t even w ait for
t h e r efer ee t o an n o u n ce t h e r esu lt s of t h e b at t le. T h e a r r ogan ce h e p ossessed
on ce again st u n n ed t h e en t ir e a r en a.
H e cam e fr om Sh r ek ! H e cam e fr om t h e T an g Sect !
At t h is ver y m om en t , t h e m ost em ot ion ally st ir r ed p er son b eh in d H u o Yu h ao

w as Bei Bei. H e for cefu lly su p p r essed t h e t ear s t h a t w er e ab ou t t o d r ip fr om h is
eyes, an d t h ou gh t t o h im self, Lit t le Ya, h ow good it w ou ld ’ve b een if you w er e
ab le t o b e h er e t od ay t o w it n ess t h is scen e. Righ t , w e d on ’t ju st com e fr om
Sh r ek . W e com e fr om t h e T an g Sect !
W an g Yan t ook t h e in it iat ive t o w alk u p t o H u o Yu h ao. W h en h e w alk ed
for w ar d , t h eir eyes seem ed t o con ver se w it h each ot h er in st an t an eou sly. W an g
Yan u sed a seem in gly r eb u k in g t on e t o sp eak t o h im , “You w er e t oo viciou s.”
H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y u n d er st ood som et h in g fr om W an g Yan ’s gaze. H e

r ep lied cold ly, “I w as alr ead y sh ow in g t h em som e m er cy b y t em p or ar ily sealin g
t h eir m ar t ial sou ls. If t h eir m en w er en ’t ab le t o save t h em in t im e, t h ey
w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o w alk d ow n fr om t h at st age a live.” H is voice w as ver y
lou d , allow in g t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Aca d em y an d t h e ot h er
acad em ies b eh in d it t o h ear h is w or d s.
At t h is m om en t , M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g an d Lin g Lu och en w er e som ew h at

flab b er gast ed . T h ey’d n ever t h ou gh t t h at t h is m at ch w ou ld en d in su ch a
d r am at ic fash ion . Alt h ou gh t h ey w er e ab le t o d et er m in e t h at H u o Yu h ao’s seven
w ou ld b e ab le t o w in fr om t h e m om en t t h eir op p on en t s r eleased t h eir m ar t ia l
sou ls, t h ey’d n ever exp ect ed t h a t t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam w o u ld w in in su ch a
m an n er .
W an g Yan an d H u o Yu h ao w alk ed b ack , sid e b y sid e. T h e for m er t ou ch ed H u o

Yu h ao’s left h an d seem in gly b y accid en t , an d h is gaze flick er ed sligh t ly. “Do you
w an t t o st ay b eh in d an d w at ch t h e ot h er m at ch es?”
H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed p u t t in g on a cool look an d said cold ly, “W h at ’s t h er e t o

look at ? Is t h er e an yt h in g w or t h seein g? Let ’s go b ack .” W it h t h at , h e d ir ect ly
w en t ou t sid e.
W h en h e w alk ed p a st t h e r ep r esen t at ive t eam s fr om t h e va r iou s acad em ies,

H u o Yu h ao sw ep t h is glan ce acr oss t h em in a seem in gly u n in t en t ion al m an n er .
Un exp ect ed ly, n ob od y d ar ed t o m eet h is gaze. T h e cu r r en t H u o Yu h ao w as lik e a
k in g exam in in g h is cit izen s. T h e ot h er s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y all follow ed
b eh in d h im , an d t h ey all left ju st lik e t h a t aft er t h e fir st m at ch h ad en d ed . T h ey
d id n ’t even gr eet t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s im p er ial fam ily.
“W h o is t h a t p er son ? W h y h ave I n ever h ear d h is n am e b efor e? Go fin d ou t .

Go fin d ou t w h at h is n am e is, an d d o so at an y cost .” T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or ’s
gaze follow ed H u o Yu h ao all t h e w ay ou t . Sh r ek Acad em y’s im m ed iat e exit
follow in g t h e en d of t h e b at t le cau sed t h e en t ir e t ou r n am en t t o p au se for sever al
secon d s or so, an d t h eir exit at t r act ed t h e gazes of ever yon e p r esen t .
A fer ven t look gr ad u ally ap p ear ed in ever y sin gle p air of eyes in t h e ar en a.
Righ t ! T h is w a s Sh r ek . T h is w as t h e n u m b er on e acad em y u n d er t h e h eaven s,
t h e exist en ces ak in t o god s in t h eir eyes! T h is w as Sh r ek Acad em y’s st r en gt h .
On e of t h eir st u d en t s even h ad h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs! T h at
seem in gly t h ir t een or fou r t een year -old -you t h w as act u ally Sh r ek Acad em y’s
t r u e lea d er in t h is t o u r n am en t .
T h e m ost st u n n ed of t h e lot w as st ill t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g

Acad em y. T h ey cu r r en t ly h ad h id eou s look s on t h eir faces. Even t h e ext r em ely
ar r ogan t Xiao H on gch en h ad an ash en look on h is face as h e clen ch ed h is fist s
t igh t ly. A voice r an g ou t u n ceasin gly in h is m in d .
H ow cou ld t h is b e? H ow cou ld t h is b e? H ow cou ld t h er e b e a p er son even

m or e t alen t ed t h an I am ? No, ab solu t ely n ot . H e’s a fak e, a fak e, a fak e!
H e w as n at u r a lly a fak e.
H u o Yu h ao m ain t a in ed h is cold exp r ession as h e led t h e st u d en t s of Sh r ek

Acad em y all t h e w ay b ack t o t h e Im p er ial St ar Gr an d H ot el, a n d u n t il h e op en ed
t h e d oor . Aft er st an d in g in h is r oom for a few secon d s, t h e exp r ession on h is
face su d d en ly ch an ged .
W it h ou t an y p r ior sign s at all, h is b od y w en t lim p , an d h e fell st r aigh t t o t h e

gr ou n d . It w asn ’t ju st h im ; W an g Don g, w h o w as b eh in d h im , d id t h e sam e as
t h e t w o t u m b led d o w n t oget h er .
For t u n at ely, W an g Yan h ad alr ea d y p r ep ar ed h im self for t h is. On e in each

h an d , h e cau gh t t h em b y t h e ar m s. J ian g Nan n an an d Xu San sh i h elp ed su p p or t
W an g Don g, w h ile W an g Yan h u gged H u o Yu h ao an d car efu lly set h im d ow n on
t h e sofa.
T h e p r eviou sly m on ar ch -lik e H u o Yu h ao w as n ow as p ale as a ch ild ; h e’d
alr ead y fallen in t o a d eep sleep .
J u st w h y w ou ld W an g Yan h ave ask ed w h et h er h e w an t ed t o con t in u e

sp ect at in g? W h en h e h ad t ou ch ed H u o Yu h ao’s h an d ear lier , h e h ad n ot iced t h a t
t h e la t t er ’s h an d w as cold an d t r em b lin g. H e k n ew t h at h e w as d efin it ely in an
ext r em ely w eak st at e. Su r e en ou gh , H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely agr eed t o b r in g
ever yon e b ack t h e m om en t h e a sk ed for h is op in ion . By r elyin g on h is st u r d y
w illp ow er , h e m ad e it all t h e w ay t ill t h e h ot el b efor e collap sin g.
W an g Yan look ed t ow ar d s Bei Bei a n d ask ed , “J u st h ow d id you gu ys p lan it ?”
Righ t ! J u st h ow h a d t h ey p lan n ed it all ou t ? T h is w as also t h e q u est ion in M a

Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, an d Lin g Lu och en ’s m in d s. T h ey’d seen t h e st r en gt h of
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s fu sion sk ill b efor e, b u t t h er e w as st ill a lim it t o
t h eir cu lt ivat ion s! It w as sim p ly in con ceivab le t h at t h eir at t ack h ad su cceed ed
again st t h e elit es of t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y… an d t h ey h ad
d r aw n fir st b lood ! H ow ever , w asn ’t t h er e som e d an ger in t h is? W ou ld t h eir lat er
op p on en t s b e so easily t ak en in ?
Tang Sect !
Bei Bei look ed car efu lly at t h e u n con sciou s H u o Yu h ao w h o w as n ow lyin g on

t h e sofa as h e said , “Ou r ju n ior b r ot h er is r eally t alen t ed . Back t h en , ou r m ood s
h ad alr ea d y ch an ged . As w e b at h ed in Sh r ek Acad em y’s glor y, all ou r an xiet y
left u s an d w e w er e on ly left w it h excit em en t . I t old h im t h a t in t h e fir st b at t le
u n d er h is com m an d ou r ob ject ive w asn ’t ju st t o w in b u t t o w in b y a lan d slid e. In
or d er t o accom p lish t h at , ou r ju n ior b r ot h er m ad e a ser ies of ar r an gem en t s an d
b r ou gh t ab ou t a n ou t com e t h at w as b eyon d ou r exp ect at ion s. Even Yu h ao m u st
n ot h ave exp ect ed t h at ou r op p on en t s w ou ld b e t h at p it ifu l. T h e m ain r eason for
t h eir loss w as fear . Sen ior sist er M a w as r igh t , ou r Sh r ek Acad em y’s st r on gest
w eap on is ou r r ep u t a t ion .”
“Accor d in g t o Yu h ao’s or igin al p lan , all of u s h ad h ad a r ole t o p lay. H e w as

su p p osed t o st ar t b y u sin g h is Im it at ion Sk ill t o scar e ou r op p on en t s an d follow
t h at u p b y h it t in g t h em w it h t h e fu sion sk ill. On ce t h eir m ar t ial sou ls w er e
sealed , t h e r est of u s w er e su p p osed t o r u sh in an d im m ed iat ely con clu d e t h e
b at t le w it h ou r st r on gest sou l sk ills. Bu t w h o w ou ld h ave t h ou gh t t h at t h ose
st u d en t s fr om t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y w er e su ch cow ar d s? W h en
Yu h ao u sed h is Im it at ion Sk ill t o sim u la t e six h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l r in gs,
t h ey w er e so scar ed t h at t h ey even for got t o d od ge. Up on b ein g b ein g h it b y
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s fu sion sk ill, t h ey u n exp ect ed ly ju m p ed d ow n fr om t h e
p lat for m , w h ich d ir ect ly gave u s t h e vict or y. I t h in k t h ey w er en ’t ab le t o u se
even 10 % of t h eir r ea l p ow er an d it w ou ld n ’t b e an exagger at ion t o say t h at t h ey
d id n ’t figh t at all. T h e fir st m at ch of t h e t ou r n am en t w as su ch an easy vict or y.”
W an g Yan w as m ild ly con fu sed , w er e t h in gs r eally as sim p le as Bei Bei’s

exp lan at ion ? H e w as in cr ed ib ly exp er ien ced r egar d in g sou l m a st er s. At t h e t im e,
h e h ad also w it n essed Yu h ao r elease all t h ose sou l sk ills on e aft er an ot h er an d
p er for m t h e m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill w it h W an g Don g. H ow ever , even if t h ey
w er e scar ed t o d ea t h , t h ose st u d en t s fr om t h e T ian Lin g Ad van ced So u l
Acad em y sh ou ld h av e b een ab le t o r eact w h en at t ack ed !
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g’s Gold en Road Am id st W it h er in g Resp len d en ce

w as on e of t h e m ost m yst er iou s fu sion sk ills W an g Yan h ad ever seen . It s p ow er
w as in cr ed ib le, b u t it s d isad van t ages w er e also clear ly ev id en t . It cou ld on ly b e
u sed t o at t ack in a st r aigh t lin e. T h er efor e, u n less t h e op p on en t w as u n ab le t o
m ove, t h er e w as n o w ay it cou ld h it seven p eop le lik e t h at !
“It ’s n ot t h at sim p le.” Dai Yu eh en g su d d en ly said . H is w or d s at t r act ed

ever yon e’s at t en t ion .
H e con t in u ed , “Did n ’t you n ot ice? Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s fu sion sk ill h as

got t en st r on ger t h a n b efor e. H ow ever , n eit h er h as t h eir cu lt iva t ion in cr ea sed
n or h ave t h ey b r ok en t h r ou gh an y b ot t len eck s. T h is m ean s t h at t h ey p u sh ed
t h em selves t o t h e ext r em e an d u sed som e sp ecial m ean s t o m axim ise t h e p ow er
of t h eir fu sion sk ill. T h is is h ow t h ey w er e ab le t o d efea t t h e op p on en t s in on e
m ove. Facin g su ch a m ove, t h e en em y m u st h ave t h ou gh t t h at t h ey w ou ld su ffer
ser iou s in ju r ies. T h is t h ou gh t scar ed t h em so m u ch t h at t h ey d ir ect ly ju m p ed
d ow n fr om t h e p lat for m .”
Bei Bei n od d ed an d said , “Classm at e Dai’s w or d s ar e r eason a b le. Given t h eir

cu r r en t st r en gt h , t h e m igh t of t h eir fu sion sk ill sh ou ld b e p r et t y h igh .”
W an g Yan st ood u p , h is face sligh t ly flu sh ed as h e sm iled . H is gaze p assed

acr oss Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, J ian g Nan n an , Xiao Xiao an d H e Cait ou as h e sp ok e,
“T h ey p r eser ved Sh r ek Acad em y’s h on or , it d oesn ’t m at t er h ow t h ey d id it . In
fact , I d ar e claim t h at t h is is t h e m ost sat isfyin g vict or y t h at h as ever b een
ob t ain ed b y Sh r ek Acad em y sin ce t h eir fir st p ar t icip a t ion in t h e Con t in en t al
Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t . You let ever yon e exp er ien ce
Sh r ek Acad em y’s p ow er , an d silen ced all t h ose w h o w er e qu est ion in g you . I
sin cer ely t h an k all of you on b eh alf of t h e acad em y.”
W it h t h at , W an g Don g b ow ed t ow ar d Bei Bei’s five an d H u o Yu h ao an d W an g
Don g t h at w er e sleep in g on t h e sofa.
T h is vict or y w as in cr ed ib ly im p or t an t for Sh r ek Acad em y! W it h t h is w in ,

t h ey h ad n ’t b een elim in at ed in t h e fir st r ou n d an d h ad secu r ed a p lace in t h e
follow in g elim in a t ion r ou n d . Now on ly t im e w ou ld t ell h ow t h ey w ou ld
con t in u e t o far e, b u t M a Xiaot ao an d t h e ot h er t w o w er e b ou n d t o r ecover in
m id d le of t h e elim in at ion p h ase. Ad d it ion ally, w it h t h e st r en gt h t h ey h ad
exh ib it ed t od ay, n o m at t er w h ich acad em y t h ey w ou ld figh t n ext , t h eir
op p on en t s w ou ld su r ely b e scar ed .
Bei Bei t ook a d eep b r eat h an d said in a d eep voice, “T each er W an g, d on ’t

w or r y. As w e w ait for r ein for cem en t s fr om t h e acad em y an d t h e r ecover y of ou r
t eam m at es, w e’ll t r y ou r ver y b est t o w in ever y m at ch .”
W an g Yan n od d ed . “Fir st go p u t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g on t h e b ed an d

let t h em h ave a good r est . T h ey d id ver y w ell t od ay. I’ll elab or at e a st r at egy
b ased on t od ay’s r esu lt s. As lon g as you cap it alize on t h is op p or t u n it y, you
sh ou ld h a ve it easy in t h e n ext m at ch .”
Ever yon e t h ou gh t lit t le of it , b u t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g en d ed u p

sleep in g t oget h er in t h e sam e b ed on ce again ...
Aft er r ecover in g fr om t h e sh ock of t h e fir st m at ch , t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced

Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t a d van ced in fu ll sw in g. H ow ever , H u o
Yu h ao’s p er for m an ce in t h e fir st m at ch w as st ill d eep ly en gr aved in t h e m in d s
of t h e au d ien ce an d t h e ot h er com p et it or s, alon g w it h h is over b ear in g last
sen t en ce. T h e n am es ‘Sh r ek Acad em y’ an d ‘T an g Sect ’ h ad b ecom e h ot t op ics in
St ar Lu o Cit y over n igh t .
W h en H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w ok e u p , it w as alr ea d y even in g.
T o b e m or e accu r at e, W an g Don g w ok e u p fir st , an d H u o Yu h ao w as st ar t led

aw ak e as a con seq u en ce.
W h en h e w ok e u p , W an g Don g d iscover ed t h at an ot h er p er son w as sleep in g
w it h h im , an d h is fir st r eact ion w as t o k ick t h at p er son !
T h en , Yu h ao’s t r aged y b egan . H ow cou ld h e n ot w ak e u p on ce h e fell t o t h e

gr ou n d on h is b u t t ?
“W h at ar e you d oin g?” H u o Yu h ao exclaim ed an gr ily as h e clim b ed b ack on t o

t h e b ed .
Up on seein g it w as H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g r ep lied som ew h at em b ar r assed ly,

“I d id n ’t k n ow it w as you ! An d w h y ar e you in m y r oom an yw ay?”
H u o Yu h ao w as st ar t led . H e look ed ar ou n d as h e h u gged t h e q u ilt close t o h im

an d r esp on d ed w it h even m or e in d ign at ion , “Non sen se! T h is is clear ly m y
r oom . Not on ly d id you sleep in m y b ed , b u t you also d ar ed t o k ick m e d ow n . Do
you n ot h ave a con scien ce?!”
“Ugh … I h ave n o id ea h ow I en d ed u p h er e!” Aft er a b r ief m om en t of

aw k w ar d n ess, W an g Don g op en ed h is eyes w id e an d exclaim ed , “W h at ar e you
yellin g for ? It ’s n ot lik e you ’r e goin g t o d ie fr om fallin g of a b ed , an d you even
w an t t o b e in t h e r igh t aft er sleep in g w it h m e!”
“It ’s n ot lik e I w an t t o b e r igh t ; I am r igh t . An d so w h at if w e slep t t oget h er ?

It ’s n ot lik e t h is is t h e fir st t im e.”
“You …”
W an g Don g d iscover ed t h at h e cou ld n ’t w in t h is ar gu m en t again st H u o

Yu h ao. H e qu ick ly t u r n ed h is b od y an d p r essed Yu h ao b en eat h h im w h ile
sep ar at ed b y t h e q u ilt . H e r elied on h is su p er ior sou l p ow er t o h old h is sh o u ld er s
d ow n an d sit on h is b od y.
“Do you su r r en d er or n ot ?” W an g Don g ask ed w ick ed ly.
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed . “Of cou r se n ot . W h a t ar e you goin g t o d o ab ou t it ?”

W an g Don g w as st ar t led w h en h e r ealised t h at h e r eally cou ld n ’t d o m u ch t o
H u o Yu h ao. W h ile h e w as in a d aze, H u o Yu h ao qu ick ly t ook ad van t age of t h e
op p or t u n it y. H is sh ou ld er s w er e h eld d ow n , b u t h e co u ld st ill m ove h is
for ear m s! H is sm a ll ar m d r illed ou t of t h e q u ilt an d gen t ly p o k ed W an g Don g’s
w aist .
W an g Don g r et r eat ed as if h e h ad r eceived an elect r ic sh ock an d st ar t ed

lau gh in g. H ow cou ld Yu h ao let go of t h is op p or t u n it y? H e p u lled h is ar m fr ee
an d t u r n ed ar ou n d , p r essin g W an g Don g d ow n .
Even t h ou gh t h e qu ilt w as st ill sep ar at in g t h em , H u o Yu h ao cou ld st ill feel

W an g Don g’s soft b od y. H e sm iled w ick ed ly as h e sp ok e, “You r b od y is ver y soft
an d even w or k s w on d er s as a p illow . Do you su r r en d er or n ot ?”
W an g Don g cop ied H u o Yu h ao’s p r eviou s ap p ear an ce an d r ep lied , “Of cou r se

n ot . W h a t ar e you goin g t o d o ab ou t it ?”
H u o Yu h ao’s gaze st ar t ed t o w an d er fr om h is face t o t h e r est of h is b od y, an d

a cr aft y look flash ed t h r ou gh h is eyes. W an g Don g b ecom e a lit t le n er vou s as h e
ask ed , “W -W h a t ar e you goin g t o d o?”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled . “If I’m n ot m ist ak en , som eon e is ver y t ick lish .” As h e sa id

t h at , h is h an d s t h a t w er e h old in g W an g Don g d ow n w en t low er , p ok in g at h is
w aist .
“H ah ah a…”
Im m ed iat ely, W an g Don g st ar t ed t o la u gh , an d h is b od y ar ch ed lik e a d r ied

sh r im p .
“I su r r en d er , I su r r en d er . Let m e go. I w on ’t ar gu e w it h you again . I’m d yin g.

H ah ah a…”
H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly st op p ed an d look ed at W an g Don g in a d aze.

W an g Don g gasp ed for b r eat h as h e p u sh ed Yu h ao aw ay fr om h im , “J -J u st
w ait an d see! A gen t lem an can w ait t en year s t o t ak e r even ge!”
H ow ever , it seem ed lik e H u o Yu h ao h a d n 't h ea r d h is t h r ea t . H e su d d en ly

r aised h is h an d an d said , “W an g Don g, h ow com e you r voice ch an ged ju st n ow ?”
H u o Yu h ao d iscover ed t h at w h en h e w a s t ick lin g W a n g Don g, h is voice h ad

su d d en ly ch an ged an d b ecom e ver y p leasan t t o h ear , r em in iscen t of t h e sw eet
sou n d of a silver b ell. T h is w as com p let ely d iffer en t fr om h is u su al voice. H u o
Yu h ao h ad k n ow n h im for m or e t h an a year an d d u r in g t h at year t h ey w er e
alw ays t oget h er . H en ce, h e w ou ld im m ed iat ely n ot ice even t h e sm allest
ir r egu la r it ies,
W an g Don g w as st ar t led , a h in t of fear t h at w as ver y d ifficu lt t o n ot ice fla sh ed

t h r ou gh h is eyes. H e qu ick ly said , “Non sen se. H ow is t h at even p ossib le? You
p r ob ab ly m ish ear d . M or eover , I cou ld n ’t even b r eat h e p r op er ly d u e t o you ; it ’s
on ly n or m al t h a t m y voice b ecam e st r a n ge. You d on ’t r eally t h in k I’m som eon e
else, r igh t ?”
Yu h ao n od d ed ser iou sly an d r ep lied , “T h at ’s also t r u e. It w o u ld b e d ifficu lt t o

im it at e a st in k y b r at lik e you .”
“Bu llsh it . I’m sh ow er in g ever y d ay. M y sk in sm ells r eally good ! You ’r e t h e

st in k y on e!”
W h en h e saw t h at W an g Don g w as b egin n in g t o get a n gr y, H u o Yu h ao

h u r r ied ly ch an ged t h e t op ic, “Fin e, let ’s st op ar gu in g. W e st ill h ave a m a t ch t o
w in t om or r ow !”
W an g Don g w as m om en t ar ily at a loss. H e r ecalled t h e scen e w h er e t h e en t ir e

n at ion w as w at ch in g t h em . In p ar t icu lar , t h e H u o Yu h ao t h at h ad p r ou d ly
fou gh t in fr on t of h u n d r ed s of t h ou san d s of p eop le... w as t h is r eally t h e sam e
p er son t h at w as b u llyin g h im r igh t n ow …? H ow w ou ld t h e r est of t h e
com p et it ion go?
Chapt er 77.1: This Daddy has a Rough Cigar !
Desp it e n ot even b ein g t h ir t een yet , H u o Yu h ao h ad st ill ap p ear ed t all an d

m igh t y w h en h e’d b een on st age ear lier . H e’d b een filled w it h h ot -b lood ed vigor ,
alon g w it h a seem in gly ast on ish in g am ou n t of ar r ogan ce; som e of t h at
ar r ogan ce w as of cou r se fak ed h ow ever . Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e h ad also b een h is
six b lood -r ed sou l r in gs. All of t h ese t h in gs h ad b een d eep ly br an d ed in t o W an g
Don g’s m in d ; h e cou ld n ’t for get an y of t h em .
“W h y d id I h ave six sou l r in gs w h en I w as n ext t o you ?” W an g Don g ask ed .
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “M y Im it at ion sou l sk ill allow s m e t o co n t r ol ever yt h in g

w it h in a t h r ee m et r e r ad iu s ar ou n d m e—t h at ’s w h y I w ait ed for you t o get close
t o m e b efor e I r elea sed it . T h e r ea son t h at you h ad six sou l r in gs is t h at six
h u n d r ed t h ou san d sou l r in gs is t h e lim it of w h at ou r op p on en t ’s m in d s cou ld
w it h st an d . Usin g m y Im it at ion t o m ak e it seem as t h ou gh w e w er e b ot h Sou l
Em p er or s w as d efin it ely alr ead y en ou gh t o fr igh t en t h em . H ow ever … I d id n ’t
t h in k t h at t h ey’d b e t h at w eak . Alon g w it h t h e sh ock r eceived b y ou r sou l r in gs,
t h ey w er e also sen t in t o a d aze for a m om en t w h en I u sed m y Sp ir it u al
In t er fer en ce on t h em . In ad d it ion t o t h at , u sin g you r Gold en Ligh t t o ign it e ou r
H aod on g Pow er w as q u it e effect ive; even t h ou gh it d id n ’t in cr ease t h e st r en gt h
of ou r Gold en Road , it s at t ack r an ge w as clear ly in cr ea sed b y qu it e a b it . It seem s
t h at you r left a r m b on e syn er gises q u it e w ell w it h ou r fu sion sk ill.”
W an g Don g sh r u gged h is sh ou ld er s. “H ow ever , u sin g an all-ou t at t ack lik e

t h at in st an t ly exh au st ed all of ou r H aod on g Pow er . J u st h ea d in g b ack w as h ar d
on u s. Even t h ou gh t h is figh t w as sat isfyin g, w e r evealed ou r m ost p ow er fu l
at t ack . H aven ’t w e lost m or e t h an w e gain ed ?”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “You can ’t look at it t h a t w ay. T h is m at ch w as ver y

sign ifican t t o u s, an d ju st b ecau se it w a s ou r fir st m a t ch . Fu r t h er m or e, it w as
also t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e k n ock ou t r ou n d . Righ t n ow w e r ep r esen t t h e glor y of
Sh r ek Acad em y, an d ever yon e w at ch in g w as ab le t o see h ow old w e w er e. If t h is
h ad b een a n or m al figh t , w e w ou ld ’ve h ad t o r eveal ever yon e’s t r u e st r en gt h s.
H ow ever , w e d id it d iffer en t ly t od ay. T h e t w o of u s d on ’t even look fift een , yet
w e d isp layed Sou l Em p er or -r an k ed cu lt ivat ion s. W ou ld n ’t t h at a st on ish
ever yon e? Now t h at w e’ve ast on ish ed ever yon e, t h ey’ll over est im at e ou r
cap ab ilit ies. As su ch , t h ey’ll feel n er vou s w h en t h ey figh t u s in t h e fu t u r e, an d
w e’ll b e ab le t o t ak e ad van t age of t h eir n er vou sn ess t o w in . Becau se of t h is, ou r
ch an ces of get t in g t h r ou gh t h e r ou n d -r ob in r ou n d b efor e ou r sen ior s r ecover
h ave b ecom e m u ch h igh er . At t h e sam e t im e, r evealin g ou r st r en gt h allow ed u s
t o con ceal t h e st r en gt h of t h e ot h er s! T h e m ost im p or t an t t h in g w e n eed t o
focu s on is efficien cy. Even t h ou gh ou r Gold en Road n eed s t h r ee d ays t o
r ech ar ge b efor e w e can u se it again , w e u sed it on d ay on e in or d er t o con t r ol ou r
en em ies. As su ch , w e’ll b e ab le t o u se it at an y t im e t h r ou gh ou t t h e r ou n d -r ob in
r ou n d s. As you can see, w e’ve ach ieved q u it e a few t h in gs in on e m ove.”
“Fr om t h is m at ch , I’ve t r u ly com e t o u n d er st an d h ow im p or t an t Sh r ek

Acad em y’s r ep u t at ion as t h e n u m b er on e acad em y in t h e con t in en t is. If it
w er en ’t for t h e fact t h a t ou r aca d em y’s fam e t er r ified t h em , ou r m a t ch
d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave b een so easy!”
W an g Don g m u t t er ed in r esp on se, “H ow ever , w e st ill w ou ld ’ve r evealed it

soon er or lat er . Ou r m at ch es lat er on w ill d efin it ely n ot b e t h at easy eit h er .
Fu r t h er m or e, you r six h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l r in gs w er e t oo fak e. I feel
t h at if you ’d on ly m ad e you r last sou l r in g a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year on e, it
w ou ld ’ve b een m u ch m or e b elievab le. You u sed t h eir k n ow led ge of sou l r in gs t o
fool t h em , b u t on ce t h ey act u a lly t h in k it over , t h ey’ll r ealise t h at you m u st ’ve
u sed som e sor t of sp ecial m et h od t o fool t h em . A Sou l Em p er or w h o isn ’t even
fift een is alr ead y ast on ish in g en ou gh , b u t on e w it h six h u n d r ed t h ou san d year
sou l r in gs is an o t h er st or y. T h at ’s som et h in g t h at vast ly exceed s com m on
sen se.”
“Uh … you ’r e r igh t .” H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead . “M y b lood r u sh ed t o m y

h ead t h en ; I w as ju st t r yin g t o m ak e Sh r ek Acad em y look even m or e p ow er fu l.
Becau se of t h at , I m ad e all of t h em h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs. Now t h a t
I t h in k ab ou t it , I w as d efin it ely a b it foolish . Bu t w h at ’s d on e is d on e; I can ’t d o
an yt h in g ab ou t it n ow . Let ’s ju st let t h em t h in k w h a t ever t h ey w an t t o t h in k .”
W an g Don g p laced h is h an d s b eh in d h is h ead an d lay b ack d ow n on t h e b ed .

H e st ar ed u p a t t h e ceilin g an d said , “H on est ly, w e d on ’t n eed t o t h in k ab ou t it
t oo m u ch . Let ’s ju st d o ou r b est t o w in . In an y case, it ’s d efin it ely im p ossib le for
u s t o b ecom e ch am p ion s b y ou r selves. Ever y sin gle m at ch cou n t s.”
H u o Yu h ao lay b esid e h im an d p laced h is h an d s b eh in d h is h ead as w ell.

“T h at ’s t r u e. Do you t h in k w e’ll h ave a ch an ce at b ecom e ch a m p ion s on ce sist er
Xiaot ao an d t h e r est h ave r et u r n ed ?”
W an g Don g n u d ged h im w it h h is elb ow . “M ove a b it fu r t h er aw ay fr om m e.

An d h ow am I su p p osed t o k n ow t h e an sw er t o t h at ? W e m igh t h ave a ch an ce.
Eit h er w ay, M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g ar e b ot h Sou l Em p er or s. H m p h , callin g
h er sist er Xiaot ao is q u it e an affect ion a t e t er m ! I d id n ’t t h in k t h at you ’d h ave an
Oed ip u s com p lex.”
“You ’r e t h e on e w h o h as an Oed ip u s com p lex,” H u o Yu h ao u n h ap p ily r ep lied ,

“I ju st d on ’t u n d er st an d w h y you ’r e so h ost ile t ow ar d s h er .”
W an g Don g t u r n ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d h it h im on t h e for eh ead . “Don ’t

for get , w e alm ost d ied b ecau se of h er last t im e! A fellow lik e you t r u ly for get s all
of h is loyalt ies w h en h e’s lu st fu l.”
H u o Yu h ao clu t ch ed h is p ain fu l for eh ead an d gr u m b led , “H ey, I’m on ly

t w elve! W h a t d o you m ean b y ‘lu st fu l’! J u st w h at sor t of t h ou gh t s is you r b r ain
filled w it h ? T h ey m u st all b e u n h ealt h y t h ou gh t s. At ou r a ge, w e sh ou ld ju st
st u d y h ar d an d aim for t h e sk y. Don ’t t h in k t oo m u ch ab ou t t h in gs,
W an g Don g sn or t ed . “It ’d b e good if t h at r eally w er e t h e case. I’m h ead in g

b ack t o m y r oom .” W it h t h at , h e sa t u p t o get off t h e b ed .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao gr ab b ed h is h an d . “Don ’t go b ack .”

W an g Don g h u r r ied ly r et r act ed h is h an d , t h en h u gged h is qu ilt an d st ar ed
b ack at h im vigilan t ly. “W h at d o you in t en d t o d o?”
H u o Yu h ao r olled h is eyes. “You ’r e fu ll of sh it . Cu lt ivat e of cou r se!”
Becau se t h ey’d com p let ed t h eir k n ock ou t r ou n d on t h e fir st d a y of t h e r ou n d -

r ob in r ou n d it self, t h e st u d en t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w er e ab le t o get a ver y
good r est d u r in g t h e follow in g t w o d ays. H ow ever , t h er e w er e n o t r aces of t h e
b ack u p t eam t h ey w er e look in g for w ar d t o d u r in g t h ese t w o d ays.
T h e b u siest p er son of t h em all d u r in g t h ese t w o d ays w as d efin it ely W an g

Yan , w h o en t er ed an d exit ed t h e h ot el d aily. H e seem ed t o ap p ear at on e
m om en t , t h en w ou ld d isap p ear t h e n ext .
On t h e t h ir d n igh t of t h e t o u r n am en t , h e gat h er ed all of t h em t oget h er in a

con fer en ce r oom an d h eld a m eet in g.
“Xiaot ao, h ow ar e you r in ju r ies look in g?” W an g Yan ’s gaze fell on M a

Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, an d Lin g Lu och en .
M a Xiaot ao r ep lied , “Sin ce w e w er e ab le t o p eacefu lly r ecu p er at e d u r in g t h e

p ast few d ays, ou r r ecover ies h ave gon e qu it e w ell. I sh ou ld b e ab le t o m ak e a
com p let e r ecover y in ab ou t h a lf a m on t h . If I h ave t o for cefu lly en t er t h e
t ou r n am en t , t en d ays sh ou ld b e su fficien t . H ow ever , I’m afr a id t h at t h at w ou ld
w or sen m y in ju r ies.”
An in t er n al in ju r y w as t h e m ost ser iou s in ju r y a sou l m ast er cou ld su st ain . An

at t ack t o on e’s in t er n al or gan s cou ld ca u se a t r an slocat ion , w h ich b r ou gh t ab ou t
a ser ies of in ju r ies in su ccession . For t u n at ely, t h e t h r ee of t h em h a d n ’t b een
p oison ed w h en t h ey’d b een in ju r ed . If t h ey h ad , t h is w ou ld n ’t h ave b een a
p r ob lem t h at co u ld b e r esolved w it h in a m er e h alf a m on t h . For exam p le, t h e
ot h er s—w h o’d b een sen t b ack t o t h e acad em y t o r ecover —w ou ld n ’t m ak e a fu ll
r ecover y for at least t h r ee m on t h s. Even n ow , M a Xiaot ao’s t r io st ill felt
som ew h at in d ign a n t t ow ar d s t h e even t s t h at h ad occu r r ed w it h in t h e M in g Dou
M ou n t ain Ran ge. T h at evil sou l m ast er ’s ab ilit y h ad sim p ly b een t oo evil!
T h ey’d n ever seen a sk ill su ch as h is, t h a t w ou ld gr ow m or e p ow er fu l t h e lar ger
t h e n u m b er of cor p ses p r esen t . T h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave su ffer ed su ch a lar ge loss
ot h er w ise.
Chapt er 77.2: This Daddy has a Rough Cigar !
Dai Yu eh en g said , “T h e sam e goes for m e.”
Lin g Lu och en also n od d ed an d said , “I’m r ecover in g as exp ect ed .”
“T h at ’s good ,” W an g Yan said . H e t h en look ed t ow ar d s t h e seven m em b er s of

t h e p r ep ar at or y t ea m , w h o w er e led b y Bei Bei. “In you r fir st m at ch , you sh ow ed
you r op p on en t s ju st h ow p ow er fu l Sh r ek Acad em y is. T o b e m or e accu r at e, you
in cr eased Sh r ek ’s r ep u t at ion even fu r t h er . I’ve b een ob ser vin g t h e ot h er
acad em ies’ m at ch es d u r in g t h e p ast few d ays, an d list en in g t o t h e r eact ion s
b r ou gh t ab ou t b y you r fir st b at t le; t h e effect s you all ach ieved w er e m u ch b et t er
t h an w e cou ld ’ve exp ect ed . Ou r Sh r ek Acad em y h as b ecom e t h e m an ifest a t ion
of ‘m yst er iou s an d p ow er fu l’ in t h e eyes of t h e ot h er acad em ies. T h ey h ave n o
id ea w h at ou r t r u e st r en gt h is, w h ile H u o Yu h ao d efin it ely b ecam e t h e cen t er of
at t en t ion . Fu r t h er m or e, t h an k s t o t h e sh ow or ch est r at ed b y Yu h ao an d m yself
t h at d ay, h e’s b ecom e t h e lead er of t h e t eam in all of t h eir eyes.”
“T o u s, it ’s alr ead y lik e t h at !” Bei Bei said w it h a sm ile.
H u o Yu h ao b lu sh ed as h e said , “Sen ior b r ot h er , p lease st op jok in g. As w eak as

I am , h ow cou ld I b e t h e lead er ?”
“Even t h ou gh st r en gt h is d efin it ely t h e m ost im p or t an t a t t r ib u t e in t h is

t ou r n am en t , n ot ever yt h in g d ep en d s on it ,” Bei Bei r esolu t ely r ep lied , “w asn ’t
you r p er for m an ce in t h e fir st m a t ch ab solu t ely in cr ed ib le? W h o am on g t h ose
seat ed t h er e cou ld ’v e d on e a b et t er job t h an you ? I d on ’t t h in k t h a t even t h e
t h r ee st u d en t s of t h e in n er cou r t yar d cou ld h ave d efeat ed t h em w it h a sin gle
m ove lik e you d id .”
M a Xiaot ao sm iled a n d said , “W h at Bei Bei says is r igh t . Yo u r p er for m an ce

t h at d ay w as sim p ly am azin g. Even t h ou gh you r cu lt ivat ion isn ’t t h a t h igh , even
w e h ave t o ad m it t h at t h at sou l sk ill of you r s is r eally q u it e in cr ed ib le—
esp ecially w h en you u se it p lay t r ick s.”
H u o Yu h ao w ou ld alw ays get em b ar r a ssed w h en ever h e w as faced b y M a

Xiaot ao. H ow ever , t h e n ear b y W an g Don g d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t b e. “Sen ior sist er
M a, h ow cou ld you say t h at Yu h ao p layed t r ick s? W asn ’t w h at h e d id for t h e
sak e of let t in g t h e acad em y w in ?”
M a Xiaot ao sm iled in r esp on se, b u t d id n ’t say an yt h in g. Sh e ju st look ed

am b igu ou sly t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g.
W an g Yan w aved h is h an d an d m ot ion ed for ever yon e t o k eep qu iet . H e t h en

con t in u ed , “Du r in g t h ese p ast t w o d ays, I’ve car efu lly exam in ed t h e m at ch es
b et w een t h e ot h er acad em ies. T h is fir st elim in at ion r ou n d can on ly b e d escr ib ed
as ‘fier ce’. Non e of t h e ot h er acad em ies w on as easily as w e d id . Even t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y st r u ggled a b it w it h t h eir op p on en t s;
it t ook t h em ar ou n d t en m in u t es t o con clu d e t h eir b at t le. T h is m ean s t h at w e’ll
d efin it ely h ave en ou gh t im e t o con ser ve an d st r en gt h en ou r en er gy. T h e r ou n d -
r ob in p h ase of t h e t ou r n am en t w ill b egin t om or r ow . In fact , t h e list m at ch u p s
for t h e r ou n d -r ob in is alr ead y ou t . It seem s t o h ave b een com p iled b ased on t h e
or d er of t h e t eam s t h at p assed t h is elim in at ion r ou n d . M y n ext ob ject ive is t o
com e u p w it h a p lan for t om or r ow ’s m at ch .”
Aft er t h eir exp er ien ce w it h t h e H an d of Deat h an d h avin g h ear d h is

in st r u ct ion s b efor e t h e fir st m at ch of t h e t ou r n am en t , even t h e t h r ee st u d en t s
fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d h ad com p let ely accep t ed W an g Yan as t h e lead in g
t each er of t h e t eam .
W an g Yan said , “H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao ar e all m y st u d en t s,

as su ch I k n ow q u it e a b it ab ou t t h eir ab ilit ies. H ow ever , I d on ’t k n ow t oo m u ch
ab ou t you fou r . I h o p e t h at you all can t ell m e ab ou t you r so u l sk ills, as it w ill
h ave an im p act on t h e p lan t h at I’m goin g t o ar r an ge for t h e m at ch .”
Nor m ally, sou l sk ills w er e a sou l m ast er ’s b iggest secr et . H ow ever , t h e

sit u a t ion w asn ’t t h e sam e in sid e t h e acad em y, let alon e n ow t h at t h ey w er e on
t h e eve of an im p or t an t m at ch . T h er efor e, it w as n or m al for W an g Yan t o ask
t h is q u est ion .
Bei Bei n od d ed an d w en t fir st in or d er t o set an exam p le as t h eir t eam lead er .

H e said in a gr ave t on e, “I h ave a t ot al of fou r sou l sk ills: T h u n d er ou s Dr agon
Claw , Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt , T h u n d er ou s Fu r y, an d T h u n d er ou s Dr agon
H ead .”
Aft er w ar d s, h e car efu lly exp lain ed b ot h t h e ch ar act er ist ics o f h is sou l sk ills
an d t h eir u sage. T h en , it w as Xu San sh i a n d J ian g Nan n an ’s t u r n .
Xu San sh i w as con sid er ed t h e n u m b er on e st u d en t in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d

alon gsid e Bei Bei, an d h is fou r sou l sk ills b r oad en ed ever yon e’s h or izon s. As for
J ian g Nan n an , h er sou l sk ills w er e also q u it e good . In p ar t icu lar , if sh e w er e t o
u se t h em in a on e-on -on e figh t , t h ey w o u ld su r ely leave a d eep im p r ession on
h er op p on en t s.
At last , it w as H e Cait ou ’s t u r n . H e w as also a Sou l An cest or lik e t h e ot h er s.
“Cait ou , con sid er in g t h e fact t h a t you ’r e a sou l en gin eer , t h er e w ou ld u su ally

b e n o n eed t o in qu ir e ab ou t you r sou l sk ills. H ow ever … t h e cu r r en t sit u at ion is a
b it sp ecial. W e h ave t o m ak e u se of ever yt h in g at ou r d isp o sit ion . If p ossib le,
cou ld you p lease t ell u s ab ou t you r m ar t ia l sou l?” W an g Yan ask ed H e Cait ou .
H e Cait ou n od d ed , b u t h e h ad an em b a r r assed exp r ession on h is face as h e

said , “Act u ally, even m y m ar t ial sou l h as a cer t ain u se. Bu t I’m su r e t h at n on e of
you w ill b e w illin g t o u se it . T h at ’s w h y I d id n ’t b ot h er t o sh o w it .”
W h en H u o Yu h ao h ear d t h ese w or d s, h e su d d en ly r ecalled t h e t im e w h en

h e’d seen H e Cait ou w it h a lon g an d b la ck ob ject in h is m ou t h . H is exp r ession
im m ed iat ely b ecam e som ew h at st r an ge.
W an g Yan sm iled an d said , “It ’s alr igh t , ever yt h in g h as it s u se. Com e on , let
u s see you r u n iqu e m ar t ial sou l.”
H e Cait ou look ed a r ou n d a n d , lack in g self-con fid en ce, said , “You ar en ’t
allow ed t o lau gh .”
M a Xiaot ao n od d ed ser iou sly an d r ep lied , “Fin e. W e w on ’t lau gh at you . Now

q u ick , d on 't w ast e a n ym or e t im e. Com e on an d sh ow u s t h is sou l sk ill of you r s.”
H e Cait ou d ar k face b lu sh ed as h e said , “T h is d ad d y h as a t h ick cigar .”
M a Xiaot ao w as d u m b fou n d ed , an d sh e im m ed iat ely got an gr y. “W h at d id you

ju st say?”
H ow ever , sh e d id n ’t even h ave t h e ch a n ce t o r elease h er a n ger , w h en fou r

sou l r in gs, t w o yellow an d t w o p u r p le, su d d en ly ap p ear ed fr om b en eat h H e
Cait ou ’s b od y. H is fir st sou l r in g lit u p , an d t h at b lack an d lon g t h in g t h at H u o
Yu h ao h ad on ce seen r eap p ear ed in Cait ou ’s h an d ...
T h e r oom im m ed iat ely w en t q u iet . H e Cait ou look ed ar ou n d , an d —save for

H u o Yu h ao—ever yon e w as d u m b fou n d ed . H e qu ick ly r em ar k ed , “You ’r e n ot
allow ed t o lau gh ! You p r om ised t h at you w ou ld n ’t !”
“Pfff—” T h e en t ir e r oom im m ed iat ely exp lod ed in t o lau gh t er . Ever yon e

b egan t o lau gh ; even W an g Yan w as n o excep t ion .
Yes, it w as in d eed t r u ly u n iqu e! H e Cait ou ’s m ar t ial sou l w as u n iq u e t o t h e

p oin t t h at n o on e h ad exp ect ed it .
T h ey lau gh ed so h ar d t h at t h e sou n d cou ld even b e h ear d in t h e cor r id or

ou t sid e. T h eir lau gh t er h ap p en ed t o b e h ear d b y t h e lea d er of t h e Su n M oon
Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s m ain t eam , M a Ru lon g, w h o h ap p en ed t o
b e p assin g t h r ou gh t h e cor r id or . H is exp r ession im m ed iat ely ch an ged w h en h e
h ear d t h em . W h y w er e t h ese gu ys fr om Sh r ek Acad em y lau gh in g so h ar d ? T h e
r ou n d -r ob in w ou ld b egan t om or r ow !
H e Cait ou b ecam e a n gr y fr om t h e sh am e h e felt . H e st r u ck b ack fier cely b y

im m ed iat ely st u ffin g t h e lon g cigar h e w as h old in g in t o Xu San sh i’s w id e op en
m ou t h .
Xu San sh i’s sm ilin g face im m ed iat ely st iffen ed . T h en , a b u r st of flam es
ap p ear ed ou t of n ow h er e on t h e t ip s of H e Cait ou ’s fin ger s t h at w er e h old in g t h e
gam e, w h ich ign it ed t h e ot h er en d of t h e cigar ...
Chapt er 78.1: A Genius Food-t ype Soul M ast er ?
“Cou gh , cou gh …” Xu San sh i st ar t ed t o cou gh as h e w as alm ost ch ok ed b y t h e

sm ok e.
H e Cait ou sn or t ed a n d said , “I h ad sp ecifically t old ever yon e t h at I d id n ’t

w an t t o t alk ab ou t it , b u t you gu ys st ill for ced m e t oo. Ad d it ion ally, all of you
said you w ou ld n ’t la u gh , b u t n on e of you k ep t you r p r om ise.”
Ever yon e st op p ed lau gh in g w it h gr eat d ifficu lt y. T h ey h ad lau gh ed so h ar d

t h at even t h eir b ellies h ad b egu n t o h u r t , esp ecially M a Xia ot ao. At fir st , sh e
t h ou gh t t h at H e Cait ou w as cu r sin g h er , b u t w h o w ou ld h a ve t h ou gh t t h at it
w as ju st h is sou l in ca n t at ion .
“H e Cait ou , t ell m e t h is! W h at ca t egor y d oes you r m ar t ia l sou l b elon g t o?” M a

Xiaot ao ask ed w h ile t r yin g t o h old b ack h er lau gh t er . Aft er ask in g h er q u est ion ,
sh e cou ld n ’t b ear it a n ym or e an d st ar t ed t o lau gh again .
H e Cait ou w as in d ign an t an d r ep lied an gr ily, “You ’r e a sen ior st u d en t fr om

t h e in n er cou r t yar d , an d d esp it e t h a t , you d on ’t even k n ow su ch b asic
in for m at ion ? On ly food -t yp e m ar t ial sou ls n eed a sou l in ca n t at ion t o ap p ear .
T h er efor e, I’m a food -t yp e sou l m ast er .”
J u st as H e Cait ou w as exp lain in g t h in gs, Xu San sh i cr ied ou t in su r p r ise. H e

t ook t h e t h ick cigar ou t of h is m ou t h . Next , t o ever yon e’s su r p r ise, h e b r ou gh t it
t o h is m ou t h again an d t ook a d eep b r eat h , exh alin g a m ou t h fu l of sm ok e
aft er w ar d . T h e m eet in g r oom w as im m ed iat ely filled w it h t h e sm ell of t ob acco.
“T h is t h in g is n ot b ad ! M y m in d h as b ecom e clear er aft er ju st sm ok in g it

t w ice, it feels r eally p leasan t .
T h e n ear b y Bei Bei lau gh ed as h e in t er ject ed , “Su r e! H old in g Cait ou ’s t h ick

cigar in you r m ou t h m u st su r ely feel good , r igh t ?”
H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao w er en ’t t oo clear ab ou t t h e m ean in g
of h is r em ar k , b u t ever yon e else b u r st ou t lau gh in g. Xu San sh i’s face
im m ed iat ely t u r n ed r ed an d t h e n ear b y J ian g Nan n an low er ed h er h ead ; h er
face even r ed d er t h a n Xu San sh i’s.
Xu San sh i st om p ed fu r iou sly t ow ar d s Bei Bei an d t r ied t o p u sh t h e cigar in t o

h is m ou t h , “Sin ce you k eep r ep eat ed ly t alk in g ab ou t m e, yo u sh ou ld a lso get a
t ast e of it b efor e sp eak in g!”
Bu t Bei Bei w asn ’t p lan n in g t o op en h is m ou t h even if t h e alt er n at ive w as

d eat h an d so, h e st r u ggled w it h a ll h is m igh t . As t h e t w o of t h em w er e even ly
m at ch ed in st r en gt h Xu San sh i h a d n o w a y t o p in h im d ow n .
W an g Yan also st op p ed lau gh in g w it h gr eat d ifficu lt y an d said , “Alr igh t .

Don ’t b e n oisy. Cait ou , w h at ’r e t h e effect s of you r food -t yp e m ar t ial sou l?”
H e Cait ou sn or t ed cold ly an d d id n ’t r esp on d .
W an g Yan lau gh ed an d said , “Fin e. I p r om ise t h at n o on e w ill lau gh at you ,

b u t you can ’t b lam e u s eit h er . You r sou l in can t at ion w as ju st t oo st r an ge, w e
cou ld n ’t h elp b u t la u gh ! An yw ay, you sh ou ld t ell u s. It m igh t b e im p or t an t
w h en figh t in g ou r en em ies t om or r ow .”
H e Cait ou r ep lied som ew h at u n w illin gly. “T h e on e I u sed ju st n ow w as m y

fir st sou l sk ill. It ’s called M in d St im u lat in g T h ick Cigar . Each cigar can st ay lit
for ar ou n d t w en t y m in u t es. W h en sm o k ed , it w ill st r en gt h en b ot h t h e u ser ’s
m in d an d sp ir it u al p ow er . T h is t yp e of sou l sk ill is r at h er fit t in g for som eon e
lik e Yu h ao. If h e sm ok es t h e cigar , I can assu r e t h at h is sp ir it u al-t yp e so u l sk ills
w ill exp er ien ce an a m p lificat ion of at lea st 10 %.”
Aft er h ear in g h is exp lan at ion , all t h e sm ilin g p eop le in t h e r oom look ed at
each ot h er in d ism a y. T h eir sm ilin g exp r ession s d isap p ear ed an d w er e slow ly
r ep laced w it h sh ock .
W an g Yan w as t h e m ost su r p r ised . “It can st r en gt h en sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l
sk ills? An d it can am p lify h is sk ills b y at least 10 %?”
H e Cait ou n od d ed a n d said , “Yes. Isn ’t it q u it e n or m al for food -t yp e sou l

m ast er s? H ow ever , in t h e en d , w e ar e n ot as good as au xilia r y-t yp e sou l m ast er s.
I’ve h ear d t h a t t h er e is a m em b er of t h e Nin e T r ea su r es Clan in t h e secon d year
w h ose sou l sk ills h ave an ast on ish in g level of am p lificat ion .”
W an g Yan said , “Gr a n t ed , b u t sh e n eed s t o con t in u ou sly con su m e sou l p ow er

t o m ain t ain t h e effect . On t h e ot h er h an d , you d on ’t h ave t o exp en d an y
ad d it ion al sou l p ow er aft er cr eat in g t h e cigar . An d on t op of t h at , food -t yp e sou l
sk ills r equ ir e t h e least am ou n t of sou l p ow er . As if t h at w asn ’t en ou gh , w on ’t
you r sou l sk ill also get st r on ger as you r cu lt ivat ion p r ogr esses?”
H e Cait ou t h ou gh t a b ou t it for a b it an d said , “T h at ’s t r u e. M y con su m p t ion

of sou l p ow er isn ’t h igh . H ow ever , sin ce I u su ally u se m ost of m y sou l p ow er on
sou l t ools, I h ave n ever p aid m u ch at t en t ion t o t h is u seless am p lificat ion sk ill.
T h e m ain u se of m y sou l r in gs is t o in cr ease t h e r an k of m y sou l p ow er , an d
b et w een m y fou r sou l sk ills, t h e on ly on e I u se r egu lar ly is t h e fir st on e. An d
t h at ’s on ly b ecau se it h as t h e ab ilit y t o in cr ease m y accu r acy w h en u sin g sou l
t ools. Sin ce t h e ot h er t h r ee ar en ’t of an y u se t o m e, all I h ave is a vagu e id ea
ab ou t t h eir effect s.”
W an g Yan look ed at t h e cr ow d an d ask ed in a gr ave t on e, “Ar e you t h in k in g

w h at I’m t h in k in g?”
Dai Yu eh en g r ep lied , “It seem s t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t h as m issed ou t

on a ver y t alen t ed food -t yp e sou l m ast er .”
W an g Yan n od d ed in agr eem en t . “Exact ly”
“Ah ?” H e Cait ou w as b ew ild er ed , “Ar e you t alk in g ab ou t m e?”
W an g Yan sm iled b it t er ly, “W h o else cou ld w e b e t alk in g ab ou t ? Cait ou ,

you ’r e aw ar e t h at t h er e w as a food -t yp e sou l m ast er am on g t h e fir st gen er at ion
of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s, r igh t ? H is m ar t ial so u l w as a sau sa ge, an d n ow t h at I
t h in k ab ou t it , h e w as sim ila r t o you in m an y w ays. H is sou l in can t at ion w as
also ver y fu n n y. Bu t in t h e en d , h e st ill m an aged t o b ecom e a p ow er h ou se an d
m ar r y t h e su ccesso r of t h e Nin e T r easu r es Clan . At t h at t im e, h e also
st r en gt h en ed An cest or Ron g Ron g’s Seven T r easu r es Glazed Pagod a an d t u r n ed
it in t o t h e Nin e T r ea su r es Glazed Pagod a. You h ave t o u n d er st an d t h at food -t yp e
sou l m ast er s ar e in n o w ay u seless. If w e con sid er Bei Bei a s t h e lea d er of t h e
gr ou p , an d H u o Yu h ao as it s fu t u r e b r ain , t h en you ar e t h e cr u cial b ack b on e of
t h e t eam w it h you r food -t yp e m ar t ial sou l.”
H e Cait ou look ed at W an g Yan in d isb elief. Up t ill n ow , h e h ad b elieved t h a t

h is m ar t ial sou l w as com p let ely u seless a sid e fr om t h e t im es h e w as p r act icin g.
Even Fan Yu d id n ’t p ay t oo m u ch at t en t ion t o h is m ar t ial sou l on ce h e
d iscover ed t h at it w as a food -t yp e on e a n d on ly t r ain ed h im in t h e field of sou l
t ools. In ad d it ion , t h at sou l in ca n t at ion w as q u it e w eir d an d w as p r on e t o
cau sin g m isu n d er st an d in gs. T h er efor e, h e d id n ’t u se h is m ar t ial sk ills t oo
m u ch . T od ay, or r at h er , n ow t h at W an g Yan h ad r evealed t h e m yst er y of h is
m ar t ial sk ills, h e d iscover ed t h a t even h e cou ld b ecom e a p ow er fu l sou l m ast er .
At t h is m om en t , H e Cait ou h ad t h e feelin g t h at t h e H ea ven s w er e lau gh in g at

h im . H is b r a in w en t b lan k , an d h e d id n ’t k n ow w h at t o say.
“No n eed t o d ou b t you r ow n ab ilit ies,” W an g Yan said , “On ce I’m d on e

exp lain in g t h in gs, ever yt h in g w ill b ecom e clear . Do you k n ow w h ich t yp e of
sou l m ast er is t h e m ost d em an d ed b y an ar m y? It ’s p r ecisely a food -t yp e sou l
m ast er . W h a t you ’ve h ear d is cor r ect . It ’s n ot t h e assau lt -t yp e, d efen se-t yp e,
agilit y-t yp e, con t r ol-t yp e, n or t h e a u xiliar y-t yp e, b u t it ’s t h e r ar ely seen a n d
h ar m less food -t yp e sou l m ast er .”
“W h y?” W an g Yan ask ed r h et or ically, t h en an sw er ed h is ow n qu est ion .

“T h at ’s b ecau se a food -t yp e sou l m ast er can act as b ack lin e su p p or t for an ar m y,
an d can even in cr ea se t h e over all st r en gt h of t h e t r oop s. If you ’r e a b at t le sou l
m ast er , t h e ar m y can eit h er look at you an d act as sp ect at or s, or w or k as can n on
fod d er . Bu t if you ’r e a food -t yp e t ool sou l m ast er , you can in t egr a t e w it h t h e
sold ier s. For exam p le, t h is t h ick cigar ca n in cr ease sp ir it u al p ow er b y 10 %. If w e
com p ar e it t o an au xiliar y-t yp e sou l sk ill, it is in d eed n ot w or t h m en t ion in g.
H ow ever , you ’r e con sid er ed a t alen t am on gst t alen t s if w e'r e t alk in g ab ou t food -
t yp e sou l m ast er s!”
“I-I d on ’t u n d er st an d ,” H e Cait ou r ep lied , st ar t led .
W an g Yan said , “Let m e ask you t h is. Given su fficien t t im e, h ow m an y cigar s

can you cr eat e w it h you r cu r r en t level of sou l p ow er ?”
H e Cait ou r ep lied , “A lot of t h em . At t h e ver y least a t h ou san d , I t h in k .

H ow ever , if t h ey ar e n ot u sed w it h in t w o d ays, t h ese ciga r s w ill exp ir e an d
w on ’t h ave an y effect .”
W an g Yan ’s eyeb r ow s sh ot u p . “T w o d ays? You ’r e sayin g t h at t h e cigar s

cr eat ed b y you r sou l sk ill can last for t w o d ays b efor e goin g b ad ?”
H e Cait ou r ep lied a s if it w er e ob viou s, “Yes! H ow ever , if w e com p ar e t h em t o

n or m al cigar s, t h ey exp ir e r eally q u ick ly.”
W an g Yan h ow led an gr ily aft er a m om en t of r eflect ion , “Qu ick , you r ass! Do
you k n ow t h at u su ally, t h e t h in gs p r od u ced b y ot h er food -t yp e sou l m ast er s can
on ly last for a few h ou r s? A p r eser vat ion t im e of m or e t h an t h r ee h ou r s is
alr ead y con sid er ed a m ajor feat . If it can last for 12 h ou r s, t h e sou l m ast er can b e
con sid er ed a gen iu s. An d you , w h o can p r eser ve h is cr eat ion s for a w h ole 4 8
h ou r s, ar e sp eak in g of it as if it w er e som et h in g com p let ely or d in ar y?! If w e
m ak e fu ll u se of you r ab ilit ies, you r sou l sk ill cou ld allow an ar m y of a t h ou san d
sold ier s t o in cr ease t h eir st r en gt h w it h you r cigar s over a p er iod of sever al
h ou r s. Do you u n d er st an d ? An d w h en it com es t o you r t eam m at es, you can
d efin it ely p r ovid e t h em w it h on e or m or e set s of cigar s b efor e ever y b at t le.
W h en t h ey sm ok e t h em d u r in g t h e b at t le, t h ey’ll r eceive a b oost fr om you r sk ill.
H ow ever , you w ou ld h ave alr ead y r ecover ed t h e sou l p ow er u sed t o cr ea t e t h e
cigar lon g b efor e t h e m at ch . In ot h er w or d s, it ’ll b e as t h ou gh t h er e w as a n
ad d it ion al sou l m a st er on ou r t eam .”
H e Cait ou scr at ch ed h is h ea d an d sa id , “Is it r eally t h at im p r essive? T h e
effect s of m y ot h er sou l sk ills m igh t b e even b et t er .”
W an g Yan slam m ed t h e t ab le an d got u p . “W h at a r e you w ait in g for ? Qu ick ly,

t ell u s ab ou t you r ot h er t h r ee sou l sk ills. Let ’s see w h at b om b you ’r e goin g t o
d r op t h is t im e.”
At t h is m om en t , W a n g Yan felt h is h ear t b eat sp eed u p . All t h is t im e, h e h ad

t h ou gh t t h at t h e b iggest sh or t com in g of t h is t eam w as t h e la ck of an au xiliar y-
t yp e sou l m ast er . W it h ou t an au xiliar y-t yp e sou l m ast er , t h e t eam w ou ld n ’t
h ave an op p or t u n it y t o exp losively in cr ease it s over all p ow er d u r in g a m at ch .
An d n ever w ou ld h e h ave exp ect ed t h at a su p er t alen t ed food -t yp e sou l m ast er
lik e H e Cait ou w ou ld b e h id d en in p lain sigh t . H ow cou ld h e r em ain calm aft er
su ch a r evelat ion ?
W an g Yan ’s p r eviou s exp lan at ion h ad on ly m en t ion ed som e of t h e ad van t ages

of h avin g a food -t yp e sou l m a st er . Alt h ou gh au xiliar y-t yp e sou l m ast er s cou ld
am p lify ab ilit ies t o a lar ger d egr ee, t h e am p lificat ion w o u ld n ’t last for t oo lon g.
For a lon g d r aw n ou t t eam b at t le, a food -t yp e sou l m ast er w ou ld su r ely b e m or e
u sefu l t h an an au xiliar y-t yp e on e. Desp it e t h e au xilia r y-t yp e sou l m ast er ’s sh or t -
t er m ad van t age, am on g t ool sou l m ast er s, b ot h of t h em h ad t h eir st r on g p oin t s.
“T h is d ad d y h as a la r ge cigar !”
“T h is d ad d y h as a lo n g cigar !”
“T h is d ad d y h as a t h in cigar !”
Am id st ever yon e’s violen t ly t w it ch in g fa ces, H e Cait ou act iv at ed all t h r ee of

h is sou l sk ills, cau sin g t h r ee cigar s t o im m ed iat ely ap p ear in h is h an d . T h e for m
an d t h e color w er e t h e sam e as t h e fir st cigar . H ow ever , all of t h em d iffer ed in
size.
“Alr igh t ,” H e Cait ou said in an ob ed ien t m an n er , “m y lar ge cigar , er , n o, m y

secon d sou l sk ill, is called t h e St r en gt h Am p lifyin g Lar ge Cigar . I h aven ’t u sed it
m u ch , so I d on ’t k n ow h ow m u ch it ca n in cr ease som eon e’s st r en gt h b y; you
gu ys ar e fr ee t o t est it ou t . As for m y t h ir d so u l sk ill, it ’s called t h e Defen se
Am p lifyin g Lon g Cigar , an d is a t h ou san d year sou l sk ill. Con sid er in g w h at level
it is, I r eck on t h a t it ’s m or e effect ive t h an m y fir st an d secon d sou l sk ills.
Fin ally, m y last sou l sk ill is called t h e So u l Pow er Am p lifyin g T h in Cigar . It h as
n o u se t o m e, t h u s I h aven ’t u sed it yet .”
W an g Yan for cefu lly sw allow ed a m ou t h fu l of saliva an d st ar ed w id e-eyed a t

H e Cait ou . “In ot h er w or d s, you r fou r cigar s can st r en gt h en sp ir it u al p ow er ,
st r en gt h , d efen se, an d sou l p ow er ? H ea ven s! Fan Yu , t h a t b ast ar d ! H e act u ally
let a gen iu s food -t yp e sou l m ast er lik e you b ecom e a sou l en gin eer ? I… I r eally
w an t t o go b eat h im u p n ow !”
“You ar en ’t allow ed t o cu r se at m y t each er ,” H e Cait ou an gr ily r et or t ed . Fan

Yu ’s p lace in h is h ear t w as ak in t o t h at of a fat h er ’s; even t h ou gh h is u su a l
st r aigh t for w ar d n ess cover ed u p m ost of t h in gs h id d en in t h e d eep er r ecesses of
h is h ear t , n ot h in g cou ld r ep lace t h e r esp ect h e h eld for Fan Yu . W it h ou t h im , h e
p r ob ab ly w ou ld ’ve d ied at t h e h an d s of h is assailan t s lon g ago.
“I’m sor r y, I ju st got a b it t oo excit ed ,” W an g Yan h u r r ied ly said , "h ow ever , I

ju st cou ld n ’t h elp b u t get a b it excit ed over you r sou l sk ills! Com e on , let ’s n ot
t alk ab ou t t h is for n ow . I or d er you t o cr eat e t en of each of you r cigar s r igh t
n ow , as a t r ial.”
“T each er W an g, can I n ot p ar t ak e?” Bei Bei ask ed b it t er ly.
“No w ay,” W an g Yan r esolu t ely r ep lied , “ever y sin gle on e of you h as t o t r y
t h em ou t . If you h ave Cait ou ’s sou l sk ills su p p or t in g you , you r com p r eh en sive
st r en gt h s w ill b e in cr eased b y at least 10 %! Fu r t h er m or e, even t h ou gh h is cigar s
can ’t b e u sed sim u lt an eou sly, all of you can ch oose on e accor d in g t o you r
sp ecialt y. Com b in ed w it h t h e fact t h at t h ese cigar s ar e good for t w o d ays, t h ey’ll
b e essen t ial t ools for you gu ys on t h e b at t lefield .”
T h e ad van t ages gain ed fr om h avin g t h e su p p or t of a food -t yp e sou l m ast er

w er e qu ick ly r evealed ; if H e Cait ou h ad ju st b een an au xilia r y-t yp e sou l m ast er ,
h e d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o u se an y of h is sou l sk ills t en t im es in a
r ow lik e r igh t n ow . H ow ever , H e Cait ou w as ab le t o d o so for all of h is so u l sk ills
easily. T h e con fer en ce r oom t ab le w as r ap id ly filled w it h a p ile of cigar s.
T h er e w er e t h ick on es, t h in on es, lar ge on es, an d lon g on es. T r u ly, ever yt h in g

t h at t h ey n eed ed w as t h er e!
Xu San sh i sm iled m isch ievou sly at Bei Bei. “Com e, b r ot h er , t h er e’s n o n eed t o
b e p olit e! Act u ally, t h ey t ast e q u it e good . J u st t h in k of it a s u s en joyin g ou r
b lessin gs t oget h er . Ever yon e, let ’s all en joy Cait ou ’s cigar s t oget h er .”
“Nob od y w ill t h in k t h at you ’r e m u t e if you d on ’t sh u t u p !” J ian g Nan n an

su d d en ly flew in t o a r age as sh e look ed t ow ar d s t h e t ab le fu ll of cigar s in fr on t of
h er . H er ch a r m in g face h ad b ecom e som ew h at p ale.
On ly t h en d id Xu Sa n sh i r ealise t h a t h is w or d s h ad b een a b it t oo h ar sh . H e
im m ed iat ely sh u t u p d u e t o t h e em b ar r assm en t h e felt .
Desp it e t h is, W an g Yan d id n ’t even seem t o n ot ice t h e r esen t m en t on J ian g

Nan n an ’s face. H e im m ed iat ely lit on e of t h e Sp ir it St im u lat in g T h ick Cigar ,
t h en p laced it in h is m ou t h an d in h aled d eep ly fr om it .
T h e t h r ee d iscip les fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d w er e clea r ly m u ch m or e

r esist a n t t ow ar d s H e Cait ou ’s sou l in can t at ion , as even M a Xiaot ao lit u p a cigar
an d in h aled fr om it w it h ou t givin g it t oo m u ch t h ou gh t .
T h u s, t h e ot h er m em b er s of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam h ad n o ch oice b u t t o
u n w illin gly ligh t t h eir ow n cigar s.
H u o Yu h ao h eld a t h ick cigar in h is m ou t h , w h ich H e Cait ou p er son ally
h elp ed ligh t it . H ow ever , h is eyes h eld a som ew h at ch eek y glin t in t h em as h e
d id so. W h en H u o Yu h ao fin ally in h aled , t h e st r on g t ast e of sm ok e cau sed h is
t h r oat t o im m ed iat ely d r y u p . H e in volu n t ar ily b egan t o cou gh , an d h e felt as if
all of h is ap er t u r es h ad in st an t ly b een filled w it h t h e d en se sm ell of sm ok e.
Desp it e t h is, it r eally d id n ’t t ast e t oo b ad .
At t h at exact m om en t , H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt h is sp ir it u al sea sh u d d er

sligh t ly. Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, an in d escr ib ab le sen se of r elaxat ion sp r ead
t h r ou gh ou t h is b od y. W h en it d id , h is Sp ir it Eyes act u ally lit u p in volu n t ar ily.
T h is feelin g w as u n exp ect ed ly joyfu l. T o h is ast on ish m en t , H u o Yu h ao

d iscover ed t h a t h is sp ir it u al p ow er h a d n ’t ju st b een st r en gt h en ed b y a m er e
10 %. Cu r r en t ly, h is sp ir it u al p ow er w as a t least 15% st r on ger t h an u su a l.
“Dam n , h ow r elaxin g. J u st w h a t is t h is feelin g?” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m

seem ed t o h ave b een alm ost im m ed iat ely r ou sed fr om it s slu m b er .
At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao su b con sciou sly in h aled an ot h er p u ff fr om t h e

cigar .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m b ecam e in fat u at ed w it h t h e feelin g. “W ah , w ah ,

w ah … h ow com for t ab le! It feels lik e all t h e p or es on m y b od y h ave op en ed u p !
T h is feels t o gr eat . W h at sor t of sou l sk ill is t h is!?”
T h e Ice Em p r ess’ ch illy voice im m ed iat ely at t ack ed h im , “Does a lar ge b u g

lik e you even h ave a n y p or es?”
“Icy, d on ’t you t h in k t h at t h is feelin g is ext r em ely com for t ab le t oo?” T h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m ask ed , in fat u a t ed . “T h is sen sa t ion h as a gr eat n ou r ish in g
effect on ou r sou ls. T h er e t r u ly isn ’t an yt h in g m or e r elaxin g. It ’s even m or e
r elaxin g t h an sleep in g!”
T h e Ice Em p r ess sn or t ed . “Besid es eat in g, all you d o is sleep . Do you even

k n ow h ow t o d o an yt h in g b esid es t h ose t w o t h in gs? I’m t oo lazy t o even car e
ab ou t you . H ow ever , Yu h ao, t h is sor t of t h in g t r u ly is qu it e b en eficial for you . I
su ggest t h a t you u se it as oft en as you can over a lon g p er iod of t im e. It ’ll h elp
im p r ove you r level o f con t r ol over you r sp ir it u al p ow er .”
T h e fact s p r oved t h at H e Cait ou ’s cigar s h ad m u ch b et t er effect s t h an w h at

h e’d said ear lier .
H u o Yu h ao h ad felt a lar ge in cr ease in t h e st r en gt h of h is sp ir it u al p ow er . On

t h e ot h er sid e of t h e r oom , w h en Xu San sh i t r ied ou t t h e Defen se Am p lifyin g
Lon g Cigar , h e ju m p ed u p excit ed ly, a n d im m ed iat ely t old ever yon e t h at h is
b od y felt as h ar d as a r ock . H e felt t h a t h is d efen sive cap ab ilit ies h ad in cr eased
b y 15 t o 20 % at t h e ver y least .
Aft er con t in u ou s t est in g b y ever yon e p r esen t , t h ey d iscover ed t h at id en t ica l

cigar s act u ally h ad d iffer en t effect s b ased on t h e p er son t h a t u sed it .
For exam p le, t h e t h ick cigar —w h ich w ou ld am p lify a p er son ’s sp ir it u al

p ow er —w as m ost su it ed for t h e sp ir it u al-t yp e H u o Yu h a o, w h ile t h e lon g
cigar —w h ich w ou ld am p lify a p er son ’s d efen se—w as m ost su it ed for Xu San sh i.
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e lar ge cigar w as m ost su it ed for Bei Bei, sin ce it am p lified
a p er son ’s st r en gt h . T h e fou r t h cigar on t h e ot h er h an d , w h ich b oost ed a
p er son ’s sou l p ow er , t u r n ed ou t t o b e su it ed for ever yon e. W h en t h ey u sed it ,
t h e sou l p ow er r eq u ir ed for t h em t o act ivat e t h eir sou l sk ills w a s act u a lly
r ed u ced . T h is w as equ ivalen t t o t h eir t ot a l p ool of sou l p ow er b ein g in cr eased b y
t h e sam e am ou n t !
W h en t h ey r ea lized ju st h ow effect ive H e Cait ou ’s cigar s w er e, t h ey gr ad u ally

b ecam e n u m b t o t h e em b ar r assin g sou l in can t at ion s t h a t h e h ad t o r ecit e. In an y
case, h is sou l sk ills last ed for t w o d ays, t h u s t h ey w ou ld n ’t n eed t o list en t o h is
in can t at ion s w h en h e u sed t h em m ost of t h em . H ow ever , d esp it e t h e evid en ce
of t h eir u sefu ln ess, t h er e w er e st ill a few p eop le w h o w er e st ill som ew h a t
u n w illin g t o u se h is cigar s.
T h e p er son w h o w a s m ost op p osed t o it w asn ’t J ian g Nan n an or Xiao Xiao,

w h o w er e gir ls, b u t w as act u ally W an g Don g. No m at t er w h at , W an g Don g
ab solu t ely r efu sed t o t est t h e effect s of H e Cait ou ’s cigar s. H u o Yu h ao t r ied t o
p er su ad e h im for an ext r em ely lon g t im e, b u t h e w asn ’t w illin g t o r elen t n o
m at t er w h a t .
Even t h ou gh Xiao Xiao an d J ian g Nan n a n w er e u n w illin g, t h ey st ill accep t ed a

set of cigar s.
H elp less, H u o Yu h ao cou ld on ly k eep an ext r a set of cigar s as a r eser ve.
W an g Yan gazed at t h e st ead fast W an g Don g w it h a som ew h at h elp less look

on h is face. “It ’s fin e if you ’r e sim p ly u n w illin g t o t r y t h em . H ow ever , I su ggest
t h at you k eep a set o n you , ju st in case.”
W an g Don g sh ook h is h ead for cefu lly. “N o!”
W an g Yan fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s, b u t on ly said , “Alr igh t t h en . Now t h en , let ’s

com e u p w it h a few p lan s for t h e u p com in g r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t . Ear lier , I
said t h at t h er e w ou ld b e t h r ee t yp es of com b at d u r in g t h e r ou n d -r ob in sect ion of
t h e t ou r n am en t . Con sid er in g t h e level of st r en gt h w e r evealed d u r in g t h e fir st
r ou n d , t h er e’s n o d ou b t t h at ou r gr ou p w ill on ly con t ain eigh t t eam s. At least
fr om t h e ot h er s t ea m s’ st an d p oin t s, t h ey’ll on ly b e figh t in g for a q u alifyin g sp ot
in t h e t ou r n am en t . T o t h em , w e’r e gu ar an t eed t o qu alify. W e can u se t h is
m in d set of t h eir s aga in st t h em in or d er t o m ak e ou r t act ics m or e flexib le.”
“T h er e w ill b e a t ot al of sixt y-seven t ea m s p ar t icip at in g in t h e r ou n d -r ob in

t ou r n am en t , w h o w ill b e sp lit in t o a t ot al of eigh t gr ou p s. Of t h ese, t h r ee gr ou p s
w ill h ave n in e p ar t icip at in g t eam s, w h ile t h e r em ain in g five gr ou p s w ill h ave
eigh t t eam s. In ot h er w or d s, w e’ll h ave t o figh t seven m at ch es in ou r gr ou p . If
w e w in a m at ch , w e’ll get t w o p oin t s, if w e lose a m at ch , w e w on ’t get an y
p oin t s, an d if w e d r a w , each t eam w ill r eceive on e p oin t . Fou r gr ou p s w ill h ave a
m at ch ever y d ay, t h u s a cycle of m at ch es w ill b e com p let ed ever y t w o d ays.
Aft er seven cycles an d t h e r em a in in g m at ch es fr om t h e gr ou p s w it h n in e t eam s
ar e com p let ed , t h e r ou n d -r ob in sect ion w ill b e d on e. I r eck on t h at t h e r ou n d -
r ob in p or t ion of t h e t ou r n am en t w ill last for fift een t o sixt een d ays. Lin g
Lu och en sh ou ld b e r ecover ed b y t h e fou r t h cycle or so, an d if t h eir r ecover y goes
sm oot h ly, M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g sh ou ld b e r ecover ed b y ar ou n d t h e sixt h
cycle. W h en t h a t h ap p en s, ou r st r en gt h t eam ’s st r en gt h w ill in cr ease
d r am at ically.”
“W e’ll k n ow w h ich gr ou p w e’ve b een p laced in t o—alon g w it h w h o ou r

op p on en t s ar e—t om or r ow m or n in g. W it h ou r r ep u t a t ion , w e’ll m ost lik ely b e
t h e fir st on es u p d u r in g t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t a s w ell. T h e m ost
im p or t an t t h in g you all h ave t o d o is en su r e t h at Yu h ao d oesn ’t m ak e a m ove.”
W h en h e saw t h e ast on ish m en t p r esen t in ever yon e’s eyes, W an g Yan

con t in u ed , “Du r in g t h e fir st r ou n d , Yu h a o an d W an g Don g r evealed cu lt ivat ion s
at t h e So u l Em p er or r an k . Yu h ao even u sed h is Im it a t ion sk ill t o give t h em t h em
six h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs. T h at w as t r u ly ext r ava gan t , an d or d in a r y
sou l m ast er s w ou ld im m ed iat ely b e ab le t o t ell t h at t h is is sim p ly im p ossib le.
H ow ever , w e ar e Sh r ek Academ y. Som e of t h e ot h er academ i es t h at don ’ t
un der st an d us t oo w el l w i l l h ave m i sun der st an d. At t h e ver y l east , t h ey’ l l t h i n k
t o t h em sel ves, W h at i f t hose yout hs f r om Shr ek r eal l y have si x hundr ed
t housand year soul r i ngs? W hat w i l l w e do t hen? T h i s w ay, so l on g as Yuh ao an d
W an g Don g don ’ t m ak e an y m oves dur i n g t h e r oun d-r obi n t our n am en t , t h ey
w on ’ t be exposed, and t h e f ear i n t h ei r h ear t s w i l l per si st . T h i s w i l l be ext r em el y
ben ef i ci al i n our f i gh t s as a w h ol e.
“ I n accor dan ce w i t h your cul t i vat i on s an d t h e un der st an di n g t h at I h ave of

each you, I ’ ve di vi ded you i n t o som e si m pl e gr oups. T h er e’ s n o n eed t o m en t i on
t h e t eam f i gh t ; Yuh ao w i l l si m pl y com m an d you w i t h h i s Spi r i t ual Det ect i on . I f
w e dr aw t h e 1v1 el i m i n at i on f i gh t , you’ l l st ar t by goi n g up based on your age,
f r om t h e ol dest t o youn gest .
“ T h e 1v1 el i m i n at i on f i gh t i sn ’ t just f ough t by a si n gl e per son . On t h e

con t r ar y, t h e l oser of t h e f i gh t st eps dow n , w h i l e t h e w i n n er con t i n ues f i gh t i n g.
T h i s goes on un t i l al l seven m em ber s of a t eam h ave been com pl et el y def eat ed.
Because of t h i s, you m ust be w ar y of en em y soul en gi n eer s. I f w e dr aw a 1v1
f i gh t , I ’ l l do as m uch as I can t o cr eat e t h e best l i n eup possi bl e based on t h ei r
abi l i t i es. You al l w i l l just h ave t o do your best .
“T h e last m od e of com b at is t h e 2-2-3 figh t . Nor m a lly, t w o 2v2 m at ch es w ill
b e h eld b efor e t h e 3v3 m at ch . If w e w in b ot h 2v2s, w e w on ’t even n eed t o figh t
t h e t h ir d m at ch . Becau se of t h a t , I’ve t en t at ively p u t Bei Bei a n d J ian g Na n n an
on on e t eam , an d Xu San sh i an d Cait ou on t h e ot h er t eam for t h e t w o t eam s t h at
w ill go ou t in t h e 2v2 m at ch es. H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao w or k
ext r em ely w ell t oget h er , b u t w e ca n ’t let t h em go ou t an d figh t . Becau se of t h at ,
t h ey’ll b e t h e p ar t icip an t s for t h e 3v3 m a t ch .”
Xu San sh i h ad a gloom y exp r ession on h is face as h e said , “T each er W an g,

w h y d id n ’t you p u t J ian g Nan n an an d m e in a t eam t oget h er ? T h e t w o of u s
k n ow each ot h er w ell, t h u s w e’ll d efin it ely w or k w ell t oget h er as a t eam .”
J ian g Nan n an alm on d -sh ap ed eyes w id en ed . “W h o’s t h e on e t h at ’s fam ilia r

w it h you ? St op t r yin g t o w or m you r w ay in t o b ein g in t im at e w it h m e.”
W an g Yan in t er ject ed , “T h is is a com p et it ion , n ot t h e p lace for you t w o t o

m u r m u r en d ear m en t s t o on e an ot h er . T h e r eason t h at I’ve p laced you all
t oget h er lik e I h ave is b ecau se you r ab ilit ies ar e m u ch m or e com p at ib le w it h
Cait ou ’s; you r focu s is on d efen se, w h ile h is is on at t ack . As for J ian g Nan n an ,
h er qu ick -w it t ed n ess is b et t er su it ed w h en com b in ed w it h Bei Bei’s st r on g
at t ack s. If sh e w er e t o t eam u p w it h you , I’m afr aid t h at sh e w ou ld n ’t even b e
ab le t o exh ib it t h ir t y p er cen t of h er t r u e st r en gt h .”
J ian g Nan n an , w h o u su ally d id n ’t t alk m u ch , im m ed iat ely n od d ed w it h ou t a

sh r ed of h esit at ion a n d said , “T each er W an g is w ise.”
Xu San sh i’s exp r ession im m ed iat ely san k at , b u t sin ce t h is h ad t o d o w it h

t h eir ar r an gem en t s in t h e com p et it ion , h e d id n ’t t h in k t h at it w ou ld b e
ap p r op r iat e t o h ar p on ab ou t t h is m at t er .
W an g Yan said , “T h e b asic ar r an gem en t s w ill t h u s b e lik e t h is. Now t h en , t h e

m ost favor ab le st yles of com p et it ion for u s ar e act u ally t h e 1v1 an d 2-2-3 figh t s.
On t h e ot h er h an d , t eam b at t les w ill t h e easiest for u s t o r eveal flaw s t o ou r
op p on en t s in . I h ave t o em p h asise t h is p oin t on ce again : Du r in g t h e
com p et it ion , all of you m u st p ay at t en t ion t o you r op p on en t ’s sou l t ools, a s
com p et it or s ar e allow ed t o u t ilise sim p le sou l t ools in b at t le. Yu h ao d efin it ely
can ’t r ep eat h is at t a ck p at t er n aft er w h a t h ap p en ed in t h e fir st r ou n d , b u t t h e
d et er r en t effect you r t eam h as is st ill p r esen t . Fu r t h er m or e, Yu h ao, you can ’t
h old b ack w it h you r sp ir it u a l d et ect ion eit h er w h ile t h e ot h er s ar e com p et in g.
W e h ave t o d o ever yt h in g in ou r p ow er t o em er ge vict or iou s an d en su r e t h a t w e
u p h old t h e acad em y’s glor y. W h en t h e t im e com es, I’ll b e com m an d in g you gu ys
on t h e field . I h op e t h at you gu ys can car r y ou t m y com m an d s at t h at t im e.”
“Yes.” T h e seven t eam m em b er s fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d r ep lied in u n ifor m .
W an g Yan fin ally st ood u p an d said , “M ak e su r e t o get som e r est t on igh t

ever yon e; you all n eed t o en su r e t h a t you ’r e in p eak con d it ion for t om or r ow .
Non e of you ar e allow ed t o leave t on igh t . Dism issed .”
On ce W an g Yan h ad fin ish ed sp eak in g, ever yon e st ood u p an d left t h e

con fer en ce r oom . As H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e w alk in g t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao’s r oom t oget h er t o cu lt ivat e, H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly sen sed som et h in g. H is
gaze in st an t ly lan d ed on t h e ot h er en d of t h e cor r id or aft er w a r d s.
A h an d som e you n gst er t h at ap p ear ed t o b e ar ou n d fou r t een or fift een year s

old st ood at t h e ot h er en d of t h e cor r id or , an d w as cu r r en t ly b u r n in g h oles
t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao as h e st ar ed at h im .
H u o Yu h ao’s gaze im m ed iat ely fr oze over . H e w as im m ed iat ely ab le t o t ell,

b ased on t h e w h it e, sk in -t igh t clot h in g t h at t h e ot h er p ar t y w as w ear in g, as w ell
as fr om t h e d ir ect ion t h at t h e ot h er p er son h ad ap p ear ed fr om , t h at t h e ot h er
p ar t y w as a st u d en t fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y.
“You ’r e k n ow n as H u o Yu h ao, r igh t ? Rem em b er m y n am e: I’m Xiao

H on gch en . I’ll d efin it ely d efeat you !” T h e h an d som e you n gst er t h en m ad e a
t h u m b s d ow n sign t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
“You …!” A cold glin t flash ed t h r ou gh W an g Don g’s eyes, b u t H u o Yu h ao

im m ed iat ely st op p ed h im fr om m ovin g b y p lacin g h is h an d fir m ly on W an g
Don g’s sh ou ld er .
H u o Yu h ao r aised h is r igh t h an d , t h en h ook ed h is t h u m b an d m id d le fin ger

t oget h er an d flick ed h is ow n clot h es. H e fr ow n ed an d said , “W h er e d id t h is flea
com e fr om ? It ’s so h at efu l! W h at ever , I’ll m ak e su r e t o cr u sh it t o d ea t h soon er
or lat er .”
On ce h e’d fin ish ed , h e op en ed t h e d oor t o h is r oom an d en t er ed w it h W an g

Don g.
H u o Yu h ao’s voice h ad b een ver y lou d , w h ile t h e acou st ics in t h e Gr an d

Im p er ial St ar H ot el w er e also p r et t y d ecen t . T h ese t w o t h in gs cau sed Xiao
H on gch en ’s face t o t w it ch sligh t ly as h e squ in t ed h is eyes. H ow ever , h e d id n ’t
seem an gr y; in st ead , a t h ou gh t fu l look h ad ap p ear ed on h is face. H is st r en gt h
w asn ’t t h e on ly r eason t h at h e’d b een ab le t o b ecom e t h e n ew com m an d er of t h e
Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s t eam . H e also h ad a b r ain .
“W h y d id you st op m e?” W an g Don g su d d en ly ask ed on ce t h ey’d en t er ed t h e

r oom .
H u o Yu h ao for cefu lly sm iled an d said , “W h at w ou ld you h av e d on e if I d id n ’t

st op you ? Did you p lan t o su ffer t h e con sequ en ces? I act ivat ed m y sp ir it u al
d et ect ion t h e m om en t I saw t h at p er son , w h ich h e seem ed t o n ot ice r igh t aw ay.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e sou l p ow er flu ct u a t ion s t h at h is b od y w as em an at in g far
su r p ass ou r s. Based on h is sou l p ow er flu ct u a t ion s, I’m afr aid t h at h e h as five
sou l r in gs.”
“W h at ?” W an g Don g w as in st an t ly t ak en ab ack . “No w ay! H e d oesn ’t even

seem t h at m u ch old er t h an u s. H e ou gh t t o b e a r eser ve m em b er of t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y, b u t a Sou l Kin g at t h at ? It can ’t b e
t h at h e also d isgu ised h is sou l p ow er lik e you d id , r igh t ?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead an d said , “Is it r eally t h at easy for som eon e t o

m ask t h e flu ct u a t ion s of on e’s sou l p ow er ? An yw ays, h e h ad n ’t even r eleased h is
m ar t ial sou l yet .”
W an g Don g fr ow n ed sligh t ly, an d a w o r r ied exp r ession em er ged in h is lar ge

p in k ish -b lu e eyes. “J u st t h e r eser ve t ea m is lik e t h at … It seem s t h at t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y is m u ch st r on ger t h an w e cou ld ’ve
im agin ed . T h an k fu lly, w e sh ou ld n ’t m eet t h em in t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t ,
con sid er in g t h e fact t h at t h ey w er e t h e r u n n er s-u p last year .”
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes t w in k led . “Act u ally, t h e t h in g t h at w e h ave t o b e m or e

w or r ied ab ou t is t h em b ein g ou r op p on en t s w h en w e b ecom e official m em b er s
of t h e t eam in five year s an d com p et e again st t h em in t h e Elit e Con t in en t al Sou l
M ast er Acad em y T ou r n am en t ! H e’s a Sou l Kin g n ow , b u t w h at ab ou t in five
year s, con sid er in g h is cu r r en t cu lt iva t ion sp eed ?”
W an g Don g in d ign a n t ly exclaim ed , “Bu t w e’r e st ill you n g!”
“T h e t ou r n am en t st ill gives all of u s t h e sam e am ou n t of t im e,” H u o Yu h ao

r et or t ed . “Com e on , w e h ave t o w or k h ar d er . Ou r t r u e st r en gt h act u ally lies in
ou r H aod on g Pow er . As you k n ow , m y cu lt iva t ion sp eed w ill m ost lik ely b ecom e
slow er on ce I get m y t h ir d sou l r in g, d u e t o t h e r est r ict io n s of m y Ult im at e
Xiao H on gch en ’s ap p ear an ce r eally d id give t h em a sen se of u r gen cy. T h e d u o

im m ed iat ely sat d ow n on t h e b ed , t h en p laced t h eir h an d s again st each ot h er ’s
an d b egan cir cu la t in g t h eir H aod on g Pow er .
W an g Don g h ad b ecom e less an d less m ysop h ob ic t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao as t h ey

sp en t m or e t im e t oget h er .
T h e w ar m M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e in t er t w in ed w it h W an g Don g’s

ligh t -a t t r ib u t ed sou l p ow er , t h en qu ick ly gat h er ed t o for m t h eir t or r en t ia l
H aod on g Pow er . On ce it h ad , it b egan t o cir cu la t e t h r ou gh ou t t h eir b od ies.
Follow in g W an g Don g’s b r eak t h r ou gh t o Ran k 30 , H u o Yu h ao h ad also

b r ok en t h r ou gh t o Ran k 27. Cu r r en t ly, w h en t h ey join ed h a n d s an d cir cu la t ed
t h e H aod on g Pow er in or d er t o u t ilise a sou l sk ill, t h e t r u e m igh t of t h eir at t ack
cou ld com p ar e t o t h at of a Sou l An cest or . T h is w as a m assiv e am p lificat ion in
t er m s of m ar t ial sou l fu sion .
T h eir cu lt ivat ion w as also close t o each ot h er ’s; t h e h igh er t h eir cu lt iva t ion
level, t h e st r on ger t h e cir cu lat ion of sou l p ow er , an d in t u r n , t h e sp eed of t h eir
cu lt ivat ion . Usin g t h eir H aod on g Pow er t o cu lt ivat e w as equ ivalen t t o t h em
cu lt ivat in g w it h t h e sam e sp eed as a Sou l An cest or ; t h eir cu lt iva t ion w as
ad van cin g b y leap s an d b ou n d s.
H u o Yu h ao h ad on ly b r ok en t h r ou gh t o Ran k 27 ar ou n d t en d ays ago, yet h e

alr ead y felt lik e h is sou l p ow er w as n ear in g t h e m id d le st age of Ran k 27. If h e
con t in u ed at t h is cu lt iva t ion sp eed , it w ou ld n ’t b e a d r eam for h im t o b r eak
t h r ou gh at a sp eed of on e r an k p er m on t h u n t il h e r each ed Ran k 30 !
W an g Don g w asn ’t left in t h e d u st b y H u o Yu h ao’s sp eed , as h is b od y seem ed

t o b e ab le t o su p p or t m or e sou l p ow er t h an even H u o Yu h a o’s, w h o h ad t w in
m ar t ial sou ls. H e felt n o sen se of b lock age w h en ever h e cir cu la t ed h is sou l
p ow er , an d h e also felt as if h e w as gr ow in g st r on ger ever y d ay. In t h e few
m on t h s sin ce sch ool h ad st ar t ed , h e’d alr ead y b r ok en t h r ou gh t o Ran k 32, yet h e
w as alr ead y ch ar gin g st r aigh t ah ead t ow ar d s t h e Ran k 33 b ot t len eck . W it h t h e
h elp of t h eir cu r r en t H aod on g Pow er , it w as p ossib le t h at h e m igh t b r eak
t h r ou gh t o t h e Sou l An cest or st age w it h in a year an d h alf.
Cu r r en t ly, Dai H u ab in w as u n qu est ion a b ly t h e secon d year ou t er cou r t yar d

d iscip le w it h t h e st r on gest sou l p ow er , as h e w as cu r r en t ly at Ran k 37. H ow ever ,
W an g Don g w as b egin n in g t o feel m or e an d m or e con fid en t t h at h e cou ld
su r p ass h im in t w o year s’ t im e.
On t h e ot h er h an d , Xiao Xiao’s cu lt ivat ion w as sligh t ly slow er t h an t h e t h eir s.

Desp it e t h is, t h is w as on ly b ecau se sh e w as ab ou t t o b r eak t h r ou gh h er Sou l
Eld er b ot t len eck .
On ce t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e k n ock ou t com p et it ion s fin a lly en d ed , t h e

sp ect at or s t h a t h ad b een w at ch in g t h e m at ch in St a r Lu o Cit y w er e all r id in g on
an em ot ion ally-d r iv en h igh . Du e t o t h is, t h er e w ou ld b e p eop le qu eu ein g u p
d eep in t o t h e n igh t ever y d ay of t h e t ou r n am en t . Even t h ou gh St ar Lu o Plaza
h ad an ext r em ely lar ge su r face ar ea, t h er e w er e st ill som e lim it at ion s as t o h ow
m an y p eop le it cou ld con t ain ; it cou ld n ’t sat isfy t h e n eed s of t h e m asses.
T h e gover n m en t officials fr om t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e n at u r ally in cr eased t h e
en t r an ce fee in or d er t o r egu lat e t h e q u eu e an d t o en su r e t h at it w asn ’t t oo
con gest ed . Becau se of t h is, t h e em p ir e m ad e an en or m ou s am ou n t of p r ofit , t h u s
it w as on ly n at u r al for t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e t o con t r ib u t e t o t h e r ew ar d s for t h e
t ou r n am en t . It w as t h e sam e ever y year , h ow ever t h e r ew ar d s w er e n ever
exp r essly st ip u lat ed . As n o cou n t r y w ou ld ever w an t t o lose face, t h ey’d alw ays
p r esen t ver y good t h in gs as r ew ar d s.
W h y d id t h e com p et it ion r u les st ip u lat e t h at t h e fir st cycle h ad t o b e a

k n ock ou t com p et it ion ? Besid es t h e sim p le fact t h at it r ed u ced t h e n u m b er of
acad em ies p ar t icip at in g in t h e la t er m a t ch es, it w as also in or d er t o m ak e t h e
com p et it ion m or e excit in g!
T h e Elit e Con t in en t al Sou l M ast er Acad em y T ou r n am en t h ad b ecom e t h e

m ost im p or t an t com p et it ion on t h e en t ir e con t in en t , an d w as t h u s con d u ct ed b y
t h e officials of ever y sin gle cou n t r y T h e r eason t h at t h is com p et it ion w as so
p op u lar ever y year w as also d u e t o t h ese excit in g m a t ch es. It w as on ly n at u r al t o
u se var iou s m ean s in or d er t o en su r e t h at t h is gr an d occasion , w h ich w as on ly
h eld ever y five year s, w ou ld r u n b et t er t h an t h e last each t im e.
T h e k n ock ou t t ou r n am en t m ad e t h e en t ir e com p et it ion ext r em ely excit in g.

Even t h ou gh t h e t ou r n am en t officials t r ied t h eir b est t o p r even t an y in ju r ies,
close t o t w o h u n d r ed st u d en t s p ar t icip at in g in t h e m at ch w ou ld su st ain var iou s
d egr ees of in ju r ies each t im e ar ou n d . T h er e w er e even sever al t en s of st u d en t s
w h o’d d ied d u e t o excessive in ju r ies. T h e b at t lefield w as d r en ch ed in b lood , t h u s
it n at u r a lly d r ew in m or e view er sh ip . Of cou r se, it also m ean t t h at an y sch ool
w h o’s st u d en t u n exp ect ed ly d ied w ou ld also r eceive a b ou n t ifu l com p en sat ion .
H ow ever , t h e k n ock ou t r ou n d w as n ow over , an d t h e secon d p h ase—t h e

r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n a m en t —w as n ext . Even t h ou gh t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t
w asn ’t as in t en se a s t h e k n ock ou t m a t ch es, t h e for m er st ill h ad it s p er k s, w h ich
m ain ly lay in t h e va r iet y of r u les t h at t h e com p et it ion h a d . T h er e w er e t h r ee
w ays t h at m at ch es cou ld b e h eld , an d w h ich ever on e t h e st u d en t s w ou ld
com p et e w it h w as d ecid ed t h r ou gh d r aw in g lot s. On e cou ld say t h at ever y sin gle
m at ch h ad it s ow n excit in g asp ect s.
M or eover , aft er t h e fir st elim in at ion cycle, t h e r em ain in g t eam s w ou ld b e

m u ch st r on ger , an d t h u s t h e m at ch es w ou ld get b ot h m u ch m or e excit in g an d
m or e var ied . As su ch , it w as ext r em ely d ifficu lt t o get ah old of a t ick et t o w at ch
t h is m at ch in St a r Lu o Plaza, d esp it e it b ein g cap ab le of accom m od at in g m or e
t h an t w o h u n d r ed t h ou san d p eop le. T h e en t ir e p laza w ou ld b e p ack ed t o t h e
b r im ever y d ay, w h ile t h ose w h o w er en ’t ab le t o get in t h at d a y w ou ld n ’t leave.
T h ey w ou ld con t in u e w ait in g in lin e all t h e w ay u n t il t h e n ext d ay; it w as
im p ossib le for t h ose w h o’d qu eu ed u p on t h e fir st d ay an d w at ch ed t h e
com p et it ion t o also w at ch it t h e secon d d ay, b e it civilian s, or t h e r ich an d
p ow er fu l. T h is act u a lly en su r ed t h a t ever yon e w as t r eat ed fair ly.
W h en faced w it h su ch a sit u at ion , t h e Im p er ial fam ily of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e

n at u r ally w asn ’t ab le t o con ceal t h eir h ap p in ess. Not on ly d id t h ey d ep loy five
t h ou san d sold ier s in or d er t o m ain t ain or d er t h r ou gh ou t t h e cit y, t h ey also
b egan t o sell official m at ch r ep or t s d esp it e h avin g t r ou b le d ea lin g w it h so m an y
p eop le. T h ey w ou ld r elease a n ew m at ch r ep or t w ou ld ap p ear ever y d ay, w h ich
w ou ld on ly cost a few cop p er coin s. T h er e w ou ld b e also b e a d et a iled r ep or t
r eleased aft er ever y m at ch t oo, w h ich ser ved as an ot h er for m of in com e.
H ow ever , t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e k n ew h ow t o con d u ct t h em selves w ell. T h ey

w ou ld cover all t r avellin g an d lod gin g exp en ses for t h e acad em ies t h at h ad b een
elim in at ed , an d even gave t h em a set am ou n t of su b sid ies. T h ey also p r ovid ed
m ed ical t r ea t m en t for t h ose t h at h ad b een in ju r ed , an d p r ovid ed fin an cia l
su p p or t t o r ela t ives of t h ose w h o’d d ied in t h e m at ch es. In a d d it ion t o t h a t , all
of t h e p ar t icip at in g acad em ies w er e h igh ly p r aised d u r in g t h e even t . T h e w ay
t h at t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e h ad d ealt w it h t h e lively cr ow d in su ch an or d er ly
m an n er ju st t h r ee d ays in t o t h e t ou r n a m en t … it cou ld b e said t h a t t h ey w er e
ear n in g a p r ofit at t h e sam e t im e as in cr easin g t h eir r ep u t at ion .
T od ay w as t h e fou r t h d ay of t h e t ou r n a m en t , an d scr eam s fr om t h e sp ect at or s
h ad b een con st an t ly r ever b er at in g t h r ou gh ou t St ar Lu o Plaza sin ce ear ly in t h e
m or n in g. T h er e w as on ly on e r eason for t h is: an d t h a t w as b ecau se t h e t eam
r ep r esen t in g Sh r ek Acad em y w as fin ally goin g t o ap p ear on t h e field again .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey w ou ld b e ap p ear in g in t h e fir st m at ch . Even t h e em p er or of
t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e, w h o w ou ld on ly occasion ally gr ace t h e cit y w it h h is
p r esen ce t o sp ect a t e, h ad m ou n t ed t h e lead p osit ion in t h e im p er ial cit y a t fir st
ligh t , an d w a s cu r r en t ly qu iet ly w ait in g for t h e m at ch t o b egin . For t h e em p er or
t o d o su ch a t h in g, h e w as givin g Sh r ek Acad em y q u it e a lot of face.
Chapt er 79.1: The Cheeser in t he Round-Robin
Round—Xu Sanshi!
T h e w eat h er w asn ’t gr eat , b ein g gloom y an d som ew h at op p r essive, b u t t h e

clou d s in t h e sk y w er en ’t d ar k . H ow ever , t h e su n w asn ’t ou t b u t for t u n at ely, t h e
air w as st ill fr esh an d clean , an d t h er e w as n o r ain eit h er .
T h e st ar t of t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n a m en t sign ified t h e op en in g of t h e
p ar t icip an t s’ r est ar ea. T h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t t od ay w as on ly t h e fir st
p ar t of t h e t ou r n am en t an d fou r of t h e eigh t gr ou p s w ou ld m ak e an ap p ear an ce
t od ay. H ow ever , all sixt y-seven t eam s w h o q u alified fr om t h e k n ock ou t r ou n d
w er e sit t in g w it h in t h e r est ar ea w it h n o excep t ion s.
T h ey w er e h er e t o sp ect at e t h e t ou r n am en t . M or e accu r a t ely, t h ey w an t ed t o

on ce again exp er ien ce t h e sh ock t h a t occu r r ed on t h e fir st d ay of t h e
t ou r n am en t . T h ey w an t ed t o see t h e you t h w h o cam e fr om Sh r ek an d t h e T an g
Sect an d see w h et h er h e r eally h ad six h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs.
Sh r ek w as Sh r ek , t h e Sh r ek t h at h ad t en t h ou san d year s of glor y. Pr act ically

ever y sin gle acad em y h ad u n con sciou sly set it as t h eir t ar get , yet d eep ly r ever ed
it . Even t h e Su n M o on Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y w asn ’t an excep t ion
t o t h is.
W h en t h e d ar k -gr een clad t eam fr om Sh r ek ap p ear ed in t h e p ar t icip an t s’

en t r an ce t u n n el, t h e at m osp h er e of t h e en t ir e St ar Lu o Pla za st ar t ed b oilin g.
Lou d ch eer s for Sh r ek b egan r in gin g ou t fr om t h e ar eas closest t o t h e en t r an ce
t u n n el.
H u o Yu h ao w alk ed exp r ession lessly a t t h e ver y fr on t of t h e t eam . Sin ce t h ey

w an t ed t o assu m e an air of p ow er t o t er r ify t h eir op p on en t s, t h ey w ou ld
n at u r ally h ave t o go all-ou t . M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, an d Lin g Lu och en sim p ly
d id n ’t b ot h er t u r n in g u p ; t h ey ch ose t o st ay in t h e h ot el t o r ecu p er at e an d m ak e
t h eir r ecover y as fast as p ossib le.
Sh r ek Acad em y’s r est in g ar ea w as locat ed t h e fu r t h est n or t h , m ak in g it

n ear est t o t h e cit y w alls. Fu r t h er m or e, t h eir r est in g a r ea w as clear ly lar ger t h an
t h at of t h e ot h er acad em ies. T h e en t ir e a r ea h ad a t ot al of t w en t y sofas an d w as
st affed b y an at t en d an t . A t ab le b esid e t h e sofas w as filled w it h food , fr u it s, an d
d r in k s in or d er t o ca t er t o an y n eed s t h e p ar t icip an t s m igh t h ave. J u st h ow w as
t h is a t o u r n am en t ? It w as p r act ically a VIP sp ect at or ar ea.
In r ealit y, t h e ot h er acad em ies w er en ’t t r eat ed m u ch d iffer en t ly t h an t h em .

H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t h ave an y at t en d an t s. Bu t m or e im p or t an t ly, t h eir ar eas
w er e m u ch sm aller t h an Sh r ek ’s. Ever y r est in g a r ea on ly h a d seven sea t s m ean t
for t h e official t eam ; t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam or su b st it u t es cou ld on ly st an d
b eh in d t h e ot h er s.
At t h is m om en t , t h e h ost w as alr ead y b u ild in g u p t h e t en sion in t h e ar en a. H e

fir st an n ou n ced t h e n am es of t h e acad em ies t h at h ad alr ea d y p assed t h r ou gh t h e
fir st r ou n d of t h e t ou r n am en t an d t h en p r oceed ed t o in t r od u ce each t eam in
m or e d et ail.
It w as ju st as W an g Yan h ad p r ed ict ed , t h e gr ou p t h at Sh r ek b elon ged t o on ly

h ad a t ot al of eigh t p ar t icip at in g t eam s. Sh r ek Acad em y w as n at u r ally t h e m ost
p op u lar t eam in t h e en t ir e t ou r n am en t , over sh ad ow in g an y an d all ot h er t eam s
in t h e sam e gr ou p . Aft er all, n ob od y h a d ever seen Sh r ek Acad em y p u t in t o an
aw k w ar d sit u at ion w h er e t h ey h ad t o p u t on a false st r on g fr on t .
Ot h er t h an t h e p ar t icip an t s’ r est in g ar ea, t h er e w er e also w ait in g ar eas

locat ed b y eit h er sid e of t h e en or m ou s t ou r n am en t st age t h a t w er e u sed b y t h e
d elegat ion s of t h e va r iou s acad em ies w h o w ou ld b e figh t in g on st age.
Aft er sp ou t in g a load of b u llsh it t h at st ir r ed t h e em ot ion s of t h e cr ow d , t h e

an n ou n cer u sed h is m ost im p assion ed voice t o cr y ou t , “Now , let u s h ave t h e
con t in en t ’s n u m b er on e acad em y, t h e r ep r esen t at ive t eam fr om Sh r ek
Acad em y, in ad d it io n t o t h eir op p on en t s, t h e r ep r esen t a t ive t eam fr om t h e St ar
Lu o Em p ir e’s Clou d Lu o Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y, en t er t h e w ait in g ar ea. M ay
t h e lead er s fr om b ot h t eam s p lease st ep on t o t h e st age t o con fir m t h e m od e of
b at t le.”
T h e d iffer en ce b et w een t h e t w o acad em ies cou ld b e seen fr om t h eir

in t r od u ct ion s. W h en t h e an n ou n cer in t r od u ced Sh r ek Acad em y, h e d id n ’t
m en t ion t h e cou n t r y it w as locat ed in . H ow ever , h e w ou ld d o t h is for t h e ot h er
acad em ies. T h is w a s b ecau se n o cou n t r y w ou ld d ar e t o claim t h a t Sh r ek
Acad em y b elon ged t o it . Even t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e, w h ich Sh r ek
t ech n ically b elon ged t o, w asn ’t an excep t ion t o t h is.
Sh r ek Acad em y h ad it s ow n Sh r ek Cit y, t h e st at u s of w h ich w as so in cr ed ib ly

h igh t h at ever y cou n t r y h ad t o give it an ext r em ely h igh am ou n t of r esp ect .
W h en com p ar ed t o Sh r ek Acad em y, t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g

Acad em y w as also com p ar ab ly p ow er fu l. H ow ever , it h a d a m u ch w eak er
fou n d at ion . Becau se of t h at , t h ey cou ld on ly com p ar e t h em selves again st Sh r ek
d u r in g t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y T ou r n am en t , an d u se t h at t o
st im u lat e t h e exp losive gr ow t h of t h eir st u d en t s.
Bei Bei st ood u p an d w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e st age aft er W an g Yan m ot ion ed for

h im t o d o so. T h e lead er of t h e Clou d Lu o Ad van ced Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y’s t eam w as a b u ff Ad on is w h o w as p r act ically n o d iffer en t fr om H e
Cait ou . H e h ad a h ead fu ll of sh or t , gold en h air , an d t h e ou t lin es of h is t h ick
m u scles cou ld b e seen b elow h is w h it e sch ool u n ifor m .
T h e t w o w alk ed u p t o t h e st age t oget h er . T h e lot -d r aw in g p r ocess w as ver y

sim p le; t h e r efer ee t ook a cylin d r ical lot -d r aw in g t u b e an d allow ed t h e lead er s of
b ot h t eam s t o in sp ect it .
T h e lot -d r aw in g t u b e w as t r an sp ar en t t o p r even t an y p ossib le ch eat in g. On e

of t h e t u b e’s sid es h ad a sm all, r ou n d h ole in it . T h e r efer ee t ook t h r ee sm all
b alls t h a t r ep r esen t ed t h e t h r ee m od es of com b at an d sh oved t h em in t o t h e
sm all h ole, t h en t u r n ed t h e en t ir e t h in g u p sid e d ow n . Aft er t h at , h e allow ed
each on e of t h em t o h old a sid e of t h e lar ge sp h er e.
T h e r efer ee sh ou t ed , “T h r ee, t w o, on e!”
Bei Bei an d t h e op p osin g t eam lead er sim u lt an eou sly exer t ed for ce, t h r ow in g
t h e lar ge sp h er e in t o t h e air . If n o sm all b alls d r op p ed ou t fr om t h e lar ger b all
d u r in g t h is p r ocess, t h e r efer ee w ou ld t u r n it over aft er cat ch in g it . T h e b all
w h ich d r op p ed ou t t h en w ou ld b e t h eir m od e of com b at . If a sm all b all d r op p ed
ou t w h ile t h e lar ger b all w as in t h e air , t h at w ou ld r ep r esen t t h eir m od e of
com b at .
T h is w as t h e r ou n d -r ob in t o u r n am en t ’s fir st lo t -d r aw in g, an d it w as
ext r em ely su ccessfu l. W h en t h e t w o lead er s t h r ew t h e lar ge b all t w en t y m et er s
in t o t h e air , a sm all b all d r op p ed ou t .
T h er e w er e t h r ee sm all b alls, each w it h t h eir ow n d ist in ct ive color . T h ey

w er e r ed , yellow , an d b lu e r esp ect ively.
Red r ep r esen t ed t h e t eam figh t , yellow r ep r esen t ed t h e 1v1 figh t , an d b lu e

r ep r esen t ed t h e 2-2-3 figh t . T h is t im e ar ou n d , a sm all yellow b all d r op p ed ou t of
t h e lar ge b all.
T h e r efer ee cau gh t t h e sm all b all as h e r et r ieved t h e la r ger b all, w h ich w as

fallin g b ack t o t h e gr ou n d . Aft er allow in g b ot h lead er s t o t ak e a look at t h e
sm aller b all, h e look ed t ow ar d s t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or , w h o w as seat ed a t t h e t op
of t h e cit y w alls. T h e lat t er gave a sign al, an d t h e an n ou n cer u sed t h e sou l
lou d sp eak er t o m ak e an an n ou n cem en t .
“Sh r ek Acad em y’s figh t again st Clou d Lu o Acad em y w ill b e con d u ct ed via t h e
1v1 k n ock ou t m od e. M ay b ot h p ar t ies p lease sen d ou t a sin gle m em b er t o t ak e
p ar t in t h e com p et it ion .”
1v1? Aft er h ear in g t h at t h e com p et it ion w as t o b e con d u ct ed in su ch a

m an n er , t h e au d ien ce’s eyes lit u p . Ever y sin gle m em b er of t h e a u d ien ce w h o
cou ld see h im , in ad d it ion t o t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e var iou s acad em ies w h o h ad
H u o Yu h ao in t h eir lin e of sigh t , cast t h eir gazes t ow ar d s h im . T h ey all h op ed
t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld b e t h e fir st p er son t o com e ou t an d w ou ld com p let e a 1v7.
W ou ld n ’t t h at b e t h e m ost sa t isfyin g ou t com e t h ey cou ld w at ch !? W h o w ou ld n ’t
w an t t o feel t h e excit em en t an d t h r ill t h at cam e fr om t h e ap p ear an ce of six
h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs again ?
Bot h lead er s glan ced at each ot h er , t h en st ep p ed d ow n fr om t h e st age. Bei Bei

h ad alr ead y r eceived in st r u ct ion s fr om W an g Yan b efor e t h e lot -d r aw in g. W an g
Yan h ad t old h im t o com e b ack d ow n aft er t h e lot -d r aw in g, r egar d less of t h e
for m at of t h e com p et it ion .
Bei Bei h u r r ied ly r et u r n ed t o t h e w ait in g ar ea, t h en cast an in q u isit ive gaze

t ow ar d s W an g Yan . “T each er W an g, I’ll go.”
H ow ever , W an g Yan sh ook h is h ea d a n d sp ok e in a p r em ed it at ed m an n er .

“W e sh ou ld h ave a cer t ain am ou n t of assu r an ce in t h is m at ch . Ou t of t h e fou r
em p ir es, t h e em p ir e t h at h as t h e st r on gest sou l en gin eer in g acad em y is t h e Su n
M oon Em p ir e. H ow ever , t h e sou l en gin eer in g acad em ies of t h e ot h er t h r ee
em p ir es d on ’t lag b eh in d b y m u ch . Alt h ou gh ou r acad em y’s Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t isn ’t t h e st r on gest , w e’r e d efin it ely b et t er t h an t h ose fr om t h e
H eaven ly Sou l, Dou Lin g, an d St ar Lu o Em p ir es. T h is Clou d Lu o Ad van ced Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y com es fr om t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, n ot t h e Su n M oon
Em p ir e. As a w h ole, I’m cer t ain t h ey w on ’t b e t oo st r on g. Fu r t h er m or e, sin ce
t h ey’r e sou l en gin eer s, I gu ar a n t ee t h at t h ey w on ’t h ave an y Sou l Kin g-r an k ed
st u d en t s. I’m su sp ect in g t h at t h ey w on ’t even h ave t oo m an y Sou l An cest or s.
Assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s w ill b e p u t at a d isad van t age again st sou l en gin eer s,
an d w e d on ’t h a ve a n y su b st it u t es. T h u s, w e n eed t o gu ar an t ee t h at n on e of you
su ffer an y in ju r ies. Ot h er w ise, w e r u n t h e r isk of you n ot b ein g ab le t o r ecover
d u r in g t h e on e d ay of r est t h at w e h ave. T ak in g all t h is in t o con sid er at ion , Xu
San sh i, you ’r e u p for t h e fir st r ou n d .”
As h e sp ok e, W an g Yan p oin t ed at Xu San sh i an d w h isp er ed , “A d efen se-t yp e

sou l m ast er is m ost su it ed t o r est r a in a sou l en gin eer , esp ecially a low -r an k ed
on e. Rem em b er , d o you r b est t o con t r ol t h e con su m p t ion of you r sou l p ow er .
Last a few r ou n d s o n t h e st age. T h e lon ger you en d u r e an d t h e la t er w e r eveal
ou r st u d en t s, t h e b et t er . Go.”
T h e m om en t Xu San sh i h ear d t h at h e w as goin g t o go ou t fir st , h e
im m ed iat ely st ood u p excit ed ly. Ben d in g h is r igh t ar m , h e flexed h is m u scles
an d said p r ou d ly, “J u st w a t ch m e.” W it h t h at , h e t ook lar ge st r id es t ow ar d s t h e
st age.
Bei Bei t u r n ed t ow ar d s H e Cait ou an d ask ed , “Don ’t you t h in k h e’s a b it

t h ick ?”
H e Cait ou lau gh ed n au gh t ily. “A b it .”
J ian g Nan n an sn or t ed , “Ext r em ely t h ick .”
Xu San sh i, w h o h ad n ’t w alk ed far , st u m b led an d n ear ly fell d ow n , b u t h e

clen ch ed h is t eet h an d w alk ed u p t o t h e st age.
T h e fir st st u d en t sen t ou t b y t h e Clou d Lu o Acad em y w asn ’t t all, b u t h is

sh ou ld er s w er e ver y w id e; h e w as even som ew h at fat . H is n er vou sn ess w as
visib le on h is face as h e faced t h e t all Xu San sh i, b ead s of sw eat cou ld alr ea d y b e
seen on h is for eh ead .
An y acad em y w ou ld b e n er vou s w h ile fa cin g Sh r ek Acad em y, t h is w as t o b e

exp ect ed .
At su ch a you n g age, H u o Yu h ao h ad r evealed su ch a p r od igal am ou n t of

st r en gt h . W ou ld n ’t t h e som ew h at old er p er son in fr on t of h im b e st r on ger t h an
h is ju n ior ? T h is seem ed esp ecially t r u e w h en h e look ed at Xu San sh i’s fier ce
ap p ear an ce. H e b egan t o feel w eak in sid e! H e su b con sciou sly w ip ed h is sw ea t
w it h h is sleeve, cau sin g t h e sp ect at or s t o b u r st in t o lau gh t er .
H u o Yu h ao n ot com in g u p t o t h e st age h ad d isap p oin t ed a lar ge n u m b er of

p eop le. Bu t t h is w as st ill on e of Sh r ek Acad em y’s m at ch es an d t h ey q u ick ly go t
excit ed again , p r ep ar ed an d cu r iou s t o see h ow st r on g Xu San sh i, w h o w as
d ecen t -look in g in t er m s of p ow er , w as.
T h e r efer ee called t h e t w o of t h em t o h im an d said in a low voice, “T h e r u les

of t h e 1v1 k n ock ou t r ou n d st at e t h at t h e loser h as t o im m ed iat ely st ep d ow n
fr om t h e st age, w h ile t h e w in n er can ch oose t o eit h er con t in u e figh t in g or
sw it ch ou t . Each p ar t y h as seven p eop le, an d t h e com p et it ion w ill go on u n t il all
seven p eop le fr om on e sid e ar e d efeat ed . Un d er st an d ?”
“Un d er st ood .” Xu Sa n sh i r ep lied in a ver y st r aigh t for w ar d m an n er . H ow ever ,

h is op p on en t w as st a m m er in g. “Un -u n d er st ood .”
T h e r efer ee said , “Ok ay. Bot h p ar t ies, r et u r n t o you r sid es. T h e m at ch w ill
b egin w it h m y call. You ’r e n ot allow ed t o u se st at ion ar y sou l t ools or an y sou l
t ools t h at h a ve a h igh d egr ee of k illin g p ow er .”
As h e sp ok e, t h e r efer ee b egan t o st ep back . H ow ever , t h e st u d en t fr om t h e

Clou d Lu o Acad em y sq u eezed ou t a sm ile an d said t o Xu San sh i, “I-I’m called M a
Yin gju n . Sen ior , p lea se go easy on m e.”
T h e cor n er of Xu San sh i’s m ou t h t w it ch ed as h e sa id p r ou d ly, “Ar e you as

h an d som e as m e?”
M a Yin gju n h u r r ied ly sh ook h is h ead t o t h e p oin t w h er e h is b r ain sh ook lik e a

d r u m . “No, n o.”
Sat isfied , Xu San sh i n od d ed . “Fin e. I’ll go a lit t le easy on you .”
Yingjun means handsome.

Round—Xu Sanshi!
Oh !” M a Yin gju n r et r eat ed w it h a d eligh t ed exp r ession on h is face. It alm ost

seem ed as if h e h ad r eceived t h e b iggest gift of h is life.
Non e of t h em w as u sin g a sou n d am p lifyin g sou l t ool. T h er efor e, t h e au d ien ce

cou ld n ’t h ear w h at t h ey w er e sayin g. Bu t fr om w h at t h ey cou ld see, it seem ed
t h at t h e st u d en t fr om Clou d Lu o Acad em y w asn ’t t oo eager t o figh t !
An d in t h is case, t h ey w er en 't m ist ak en . W h en Clou d Lu o Acad em y

d iscover ed t h at Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld b e t h eir op p on en t in t h e r ou n d -r ob in ,
an d in t h e fir st m at ch on t op of t h at , t h ey d ecid ed t o con ser ve all t h e st r en gt h
t h ey cou ld . At t h e sa m e t im e, t h ey d ecid ed t o n ot p u t u p t oo m u ch of a figh t t o
k eep a fr ien d ly r elat ion sh ip w it h Sh r ek Acad em y.
Accor d in g t o W an g Yan ’s in fo, Clou d Lu o Acad em y w asn ’t ver y st r on g. T h ey

h ad p aid qu it e t h e p r ice ju st t o get t h r ou gh t h e fir st r ou n d . As a r esu lt , m an y of
t h eir st r on gest st u d en t s w er e in ju r ed . As if t h at w asn ’t en ou gh , t h ey h ad n ow
en cou n t er ed t h e st r on gest acad em y on t h e con t in en t . It w a s n o w on d er t h at
t h eir figh t in g sp ir it w as so low ! An yw ay, even if t h ey lost t o Sh r ek Acad em y
d u r in g t h is r ou n d -r o b in , it w a sn ’t som et h in g t o b e a sh am ed of. T h er efor e, t h ey
d ecid ed t o go on st age an d d o t h eir b est , leavin g t h e r est t o fat e.
T o t ell t h e t r u t h , t h ey w er en ’t t oo h ap p y t h at it h a d t u r n ed in t o a 1v1 figh t .

T h ey w ou ld h ave p r efer r ed t o go in as a gr ou p an d get over w it h it as soon as
p ossib le.
T h e fir st m at ch of t h e r ou n d -r ob in p h ase st ar t ed u n d er su ch p r em ises.
Xu San sh i ar r ived in fr on t of t h e p lat for m an d p u t a t h in cigar in h is m ou t h .

Aft er w ar d , h e u sed a sm all ligh t er -t yp e sou l t ool t o ligh t t h e cigar an d st ar t ed t o
sm ok e, h old in g it cr ook ed ly in h is m ou t h . Fr om h is ap p ear an ce, h e d id n ’t r eally
seem lik e a good p er son .
Even t h e a u d ien ce w en t in t o an u p r oar aft er seein g h is b eh avior . Clou d Lu o

Acad em y w as also an ger ed . T h is gu y w a s ju st t oo ar r ogan t . H e even p u lled ou t a
cigar ju st as t h e m a t ch w as ab ou t t o st ar t . W a s Sh r ek Acad em y so lax w h en it
cam e t o t h eir st u d en t s?
T h e r efer ee also fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s. Never t h eless, h e d id n ’t t ak e act ion .

Fir st , t h er e w asn ’t a r u le t h at for b ad e a st u d en t t o sm ok e. Secon d , h e d id n ’t
w an t t o offen d Sh r ek Acad em y.
“T h e m at ch can com m en ce!” T h e r efer ee sh ou t ed as h e r et r eat ed t o t h e ed ge

of t h e p lat for m .
Clou d Lu o Acad em y’s M a Yin gju n h ad b een w ait in g for t h ese scar y w or d s all
alon g. W h en t h e r efer ee gave t h e sign al, h is sh or t an d st ou t b od y qu ick ly
r eact ed . H e lift ed h is ar m s, an d t h r ee m et al p ip es as t h ick as t h u m b s cam e ou t of
t h em . T w o m et al p ip es as t h ick as h is ar m s cam e ou t of each sh ou ld er . T h e
w in gs on h is b ack also qu ick ly u n fu r led , a n d h is t w o st ou t legs also p r od u ced six
m et al p ip es. On h is ch est w as a sou l t ool t h at r esem b led a h ear t -p r ot ect ive
m ir r or . It w as ob viou sly a sh ield -t yp e sou l t ool. It w asn ’t an exagger at ion t o say
t h at h e w as ar m ed t o t h e t eet h r igh t n ow .
Xu San sh i’s b od y d id n ’t ch an ge d r ast ically lik e t h at . A som ew h at

u n r em ar k ab le b lack t or t oise sh ell ap p ear ed in h is r igh t h a n d . At t h e sam e t im e,
fou r sou l r in gs, t w o yellow an d t w o p u r p le, st ar t ed t o sh in e.
Fou r sou l r in gs?
T h e sp ect at or s w er e q u it e d isap p oin t ed . H e h ad on ly fou r r in gs! M an y of

t h em w er e look in g for w ar d t o seein g som e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year old sou l
r in gs!
Am on g t h e sp ect at or s, t h e r a t io of sou l m ast er s w as less t h a n 1:10 0 0 ! M ost of
t h em w er e on ly t h er e for fu n . Ver y few k n ew ju st h ow p r eciou s a h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l r in g w as.
T h e d iffer en ce b et w een Xu San sh i’s sou l r elease an d H u o Yu h ao’s in cr ed ib le

p er for m an ce fr om yest er d ay w as t h e sam e as h eaven an d ear t h . T h er efor e, it
w as n o w on d er t h at t h e sp ect at or s w er e d isap p oin t ed . Bu t at t h is t im e, Xu
San sh i d id som et h in g ver y u n exp ect ed .
H e st ar t ed t o r u n .
W as h e r u n n in g t ow ar d h is op p on en t ? No! H e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d r an in t h e
op p osit e d ir ect ion , ju st lik e a d eser t er leavin g h is p ost . H e w as r u n n in g t ow ar d
t h e ed ge of t h e p lat fo r m .
At t h is t im e, t h a t d efen sive sou l t ool m ad e ou t of 10 8 p illar s w as act ive. Bu t

t h e d efen sive b ar r ier gen er at ed b y t h e sou l t ool w asn ’t d ir ect ly at t ach ed t o t h e
r in g; t h er e w as ap p r oxim at ely a t h r ee m et er d ist an ce b et w een t h em . Accor d in g
t o t h e r u les of t h e t o u r n am en t , if on e w er e t o fall fr om t h e r in g, t h ey w ou ld b e
d isq u a lified ; t h at w a s t h e p u r p ose of t h e d ist an ce of t h ose t h r ee m et er s.
M a Yin gju n h ad alr ead y m ad e u p h is m in d b efor e goin g on st age. T h e t act ic

h e w as goin g t o d ep loy w as ver y sim p le: st r u ggle an d con su m p t ion . Even if t h e
flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool on h is b ack cou ld n ’t allow h im t o fly t o o h igh , it w as st ill
good for d od gin g. As lon g as h e cou ld con su m e som e of Xu San sh i’s sou l p ow er ,
h e w ou ld b e sat isfied .
Bu t w h en t h e m at ch st ar t ed , h e saw Xu San sh i t u r n ar ou n d a n d st ar t r u n n in g
in t h e op p osit e d ir ect ion . M a Yin gju n w as left sp eech less, an d t h ou gh t t o
h im self , Boss, w hy ar e you r unni ng aw ay?! Di dn’ t you just say t hat you w oul d
go easy on m e? W hat ’ s t he m eani ng of al l t hi s?!
No on e k n ew w h at Xu San sh i w as t h i n k i n g. On l y h i s good f r i en d Bei Bei , w h o

quar r el ed w i t h h i m ever y day, guessed h i s i n t en t i on s cor r ect l y.
Bei Bei cu r led h is lip s an d u n in t en t ion ally r evealed a st r an ge sm ile. “T h is gu y
seem s in t h e m ood t o p lay d ir t y t r ick s.”
As soon as h e fin ish ed sp eak in g, Xu San sh i ar r ived at t h e ed ge of t h e p lat for m .

Next , h e u n exp ect ed ly ju m p ed ou t sid e t h e p lat for m !
It goes w it h ou t sayin g, t h e au d ien ce im m ed iat ely called ou t in alar m . Even

t h e em p er or of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e w as sh ock ed .
Accor d in g t o t h e r u les of t h e com p et it ion , if you r feet w er e t o lan d ou t sid e t h e

p lat for m , you w ou ld b e d isqu alified !
Let alon e Xu San sh i, w h o w as fr om Sh r ek Acad em y, even st u d en t s of lesser

k n ow n acad em ies h a d n ’t ever d on e an yt h in g lik e t h is! Ad m it t in g d efeat w it h ou t
even t r yin g? W h a t k in d of sit u a t ion w as t h is?
In d eed , w h a t k in d of sit u a t ion w as t h is? Xu San sh i h ad a cr aft y exp r ession on

h is face. Next , t h e fou r t h sou l r in g on h is b od y lit u p .
T h e r ad ian ce of h is p u r p le t h ou san d yea r sou l r in g cover ed t h e ar en a. T h e

sp ect at or s w er e st ill callin g ou t in ala r m w h en a st r an ge scen e p layed ou t in
fr on t of t h eir eyes.
Xu San sh i’s b lack t or t oise sh ell em it t ed a p ale r ad ian ce. Soon aft er t h at , t h e
on e t h at w as ju m p in g ou t sid e t h e r in g an d w as ab ou t t o collid e w it h t h e
d efen sive b ar r ier w a sn ’t h im an ym or e, b u t M a Yin gju n .
In ot h er w or d s, Xu San sh i an d M a Yin gju n h ad sw ap p ed p laces.
M a Yin gju n , w h o h a d b een look in g at Xu San sh i ju m p in g ou t sid e t h e p lat for m

w it h a st u p id exp r ession on h is face, su d d en ly fou n d h im self in m id air . H e
st ar t ed t o fall on t h e gr ou n d soon aft er , w h ile Xu San sh i w as n ow st an d in g in h is
p r eviou s p osit ion .
Even if M a Yin gju n w asn ’t t oo b r igh t , h e w as st ill an elit e st u d en t ch osen b y

Clou d Lu o Acad em y t o p ar t icip at e in t h e t ou r n am en t ! If t h ey sen t h im fir st , it
m ean t t h at h e w asn ’t t h at w eak . Aft er all, h e t oo h ad d isp layed fou r sou l r in gs,
t h r ee yellow an d on e p u r p le. An d ju st as h e w as ab ou t t o u se h is flyin g-t yp e sou l
t ool on h is b ack t o r ise u p in t o t h e air ...
Xu San sh i, w h o w as st ill st an d in g at h is p r eviou s p osit ion , t ook t h e cigar ou t

of h is m ou t h an d sh ou t ed , “Com e for t h , h u n d r ed t h ou san d yea r sou l r in g!”
“Pen g——”
M a Yin gju n w as ju st t oo p it ifu l. J u st as h e w as ab ou t t o act ivat e h is sou l t ool,

h e w as scar ed t o d eat h b y Xu San sh i’s su d d en yell. H e d ir ect ly fell t o t h e gr ou n d .
A h eavy sou l t ool cover ed h is w h ole b od y. T h er efor e, w h en h e fell fr om a

h eigh t of five m et er s, h e w ou ld b e st ill r ed u ced t o a m ess even if h ad t h ick sk in
an d st r on g b on es!
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, w h o w er e n ow in t h e w a it in g ar ea, w er e
com p let ely st u n n ed . T h ey look ed at each ot h er an d sa id alm ost at t h e sam e
t im e, “It en d ed lik e t h is?”
W h en M a Yin gju n cr ash ed t o t h e gr ou n d , t h e sp ect at or s su d d en ly w en t ver y

q u iet . If t im e w er e t o st op r igh t n ow , on e w ou ld n ot ice t h at at least a h u n d r ed
t h ou san d of t h em h ad t h eir m ou t h s w id e op en . Even t h e em p er or w as n o
excep t ion .
H u o Yu h ao h ad b een p lan n in g t o u se h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g t o h elp

Xu San sh i, b u t ju st a s h e w as w on d er in g if it cou ld b yp ass t h e d efen sive b ar r ier ,
t h e m at ch w as alr ea d y over .
T h e r efer ee w as also at a loss. It h ad b een less t h an t h r ee secon d s sin ce h e h ad

sh ou t ed ‘t h e m at ch can com m en ce’. An d n ow , it w as alr ead y over .
Xu San sh i h eld t h e b lack t or t oise sh ell in h is r igh t h an d an d u sed t h e left on e

t o st u ff t h e t h in cigar b ack in t o h is m ou t h . Aft er w ar d , h e calm ly said , “Next .”
T h e p u r p ose of t h is cool p ose w as t o im it at e H u o Yu h ao, b u t t h e effect h e
ob t ain ed w as com p let ely d iffer en t .
Aft er t h at sh or t t im e of silen ce, t h e au d ien ce w en t in t o an u p r oar on ce again .

Over 90 % of t h em h ad n o id ea w h at h ad ju st h ap p en ed .
W as t h is Sh r ek Acad em y’s m yst er iou s p ow er ?
St an d in g b esid e t h e p lat for m , Bei Bei exp lain ed w h at h ad h ap p en ed t o h is

t eam m at es, “San sh i’s fou r t h so u l sk ill is ca lled M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld
Rep lacem en t . W it h t h is sk ill, h e can in st a n t an eou sly sw ap p osit ion s w it h p eop le
in a cer t a in r an ge. T h is sk ill is qu it e good , an d am on gst d efen se-t yp e sou l
m ast er s, it can b e con sid er ed alm ost god ly. H ow ever , w h en u sed b y h im , it
act u ally look s so lam e. T h e w ay h e u ses h is M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld
Rep lacem en t leaves m e sp eech less. I a lm ost feel lik e cr yin g.”
H e Cait ou w as st u p efied as h e said , “Br ot h er San sh i is r eally sh am eless!”
As t he sayi ng goes, w hi l e t he l aym en w at ch f or f un, on l y pr of essi onal s

under st and t he w or k i ngs. T h e st uden t s of t h e Sun M oon I m per i al Soul
En gi n eer i n g Academ y, w h o w er e seat ed n ot t oo f ar of f f r om Sh r ek Academ y,
di dn ’ t f eel l i k e l augh i n g at Xu San sh i . T h ey h ad m or e or l ess guessed t h e ef f ect s
of t h i s soul sk i l l .
W h en h e w en t on st age an d sh ow ed h i s f our soul r i n gs, t h ey h ad br eat h ed a

si gh of r el i ef . Som eon e w i t h f our soul r i n gs sh oul d on l y be a m em ber of Sh r ek ’ s
pr epar at or y t eam . But af t er seei n g t h e sh i el d i n h i s r i gh t h an d an d t h e t r i ck h e
h ad used, t h e st uden t s of t h e Sun M oon I m per i al Soul En gi n eer i n g Academ y
st ar t ed t o becom e an xi ous on ce agai n .
T h e capt ai n of t h e m ai n t eam , M a Rul on g, sai d i n a ser i ous t on e, “ As you

w oul d expect f r om Sh r ek Academ y, t h ey ar en ’ t sh or t of t al en t ed peopl e.”
W h en Xu San sh i sw agger in g b ack t o h is or igin al p osit ion , t h e r efer ee fin ally
r eact ed . H e q u ick ly w en t t o t h e ed ge of t h e p lat for m t o ch eck on M a Yin gju n ,
w h o h ad cr ash ed t o t h e gr ou n d an d w as n ow a m ess.
Xu San sh i also cam e over , an d sp ok e w h ile st ill h old in g t h e cigar in h is

m ou t h , “Lit t le b r ot h er , ar e you alr igh t ?”
M a Yin gju n su b con sciou sly r ep lied , “I feel p ain ever yw h er e a ft er fallin g. H ow
d id I even en d u p h er e?”
“Did n ’t I say I w ou ld go easy on you ?” Xu San sh i said w it h a st er n exp r ession ,

“T h er efor e, I u sed t h e easiest w ay t o m ak e you fall fr om t h e p lat for m . An yw ay,
n o n eed t o t h an k m e. You can go n ow .” W it h t h at , h e w aved h is h an d t o M a
Yin gju n .
M a Yin gju n also u n con sciou sly w aved h is h an d an d w en t t ow ar d h is t eam ’s

w ait in g ar ea.
W h at cou ld t h e r efer ee even say at t h is p oin t ?
T h e w in n er of t h e fir st m at ch of t h e 1v1 elim in at ion p h ase is… Sh r ek

Acad em y!”
M a Yin gju n ar r ived at h is t eam ’s w ait in g ar ea. Aft er p on d er in g for a b it , h e

con fu sed ly said t o h is t eam cap t ain , “Cap t ain , w as I ju st t r ick ed ?”
T h e cap t ain of Clou d Lu o Acad em y’s t eam h it h im on t h e h ead an d h ow led ,

“Id iot ! T h e acad em y com p let ely lost it s face t h an k s t o you ! Sh an g Yu e, you ’r e
n ext .”
“Yes.” A gir l im m ed iat ely st ood u p fr om Clou d Lu o Acad em y’s t eam , q u ick ly
clim b in g u p t o t h e p lat for m .
Round—Xu Sanshi!
“Beau t ifu l!” Xu San sh i’s eyes lit u p as h e st ar ed at t h e m ilit ar y-look in g gir l in
fr on t of h im .
Xu San sh i ou t w a r d ap p ear an ce w asn ’t t oo b ad ; h e h ad a sq u ar e face an d a

n or m al-sh ap ed n ose an d m ou t h . Even t h ou gh h e w asn ’t as elegan t an d sch olar ly
as Bei Bei, h e cou ld st ill b e con sid er ed good -look in g. H ow ev er , h is at t it u d e w a s
com p let ely d iffer en t t h an w h at h e look ed lik e.
Sh an g Yu e, w h o st oo d op p osit e h im , w as a 1.7 m et er -t a ll lad y w h o ap p ear ed t o

b e ab ou t eigh t een or n in et een year s old . Even t h ou gh sh e w asn ’t a p eer less
b eau t y, sh e st ill h ad an ext r em ely slen d er figu r e; t h is w as esp ecially so for h er
lon g p air of legs, w h ich st ood ou t .
H er for m -fit t in g r ob es fu r t h er ser ved t o accen t u at e h er excep t ion ally

b eau t ifu l figu r e.
A p er ver t su ch as Xu San sh i w ou ld st a r t ob ser ve t h e lad y in fr on t of h im fr om

t h e b ot t om u p w ar d s. T h u s, t h e fir st t h in g h e saw w as h er slen d er , r ou n d t h igh s.
W h en h is sigh t r each ed h er p er k y ch est , h is p u p ils in st a n t ly w id en ed . H is
m ou t h w id en ed sligh t ly, an d it seem ed lik e h e w as ab ou t t o st a r t d r oolin g.
For t u n at ely, h e k n ew t h at J ian g Nan n an w as st ill look in g at h im . T h u s, h e

for ced h is p er ver t ed gaze aw ay fr om Sh an g Yu e’s ch est an d for cefu lly sw allow ed
t h e saliva t h at h ad gat h er ed t o t h e sid e of h is m ou t h .
Ch an g Yu e w asn ’t m u ch old er t h an Xu Sa n sh i, b u t sh e d id h ave a b oyfr ien d .
Sh e h ad clear ly seen Xu San sh i’s ‘p er for m an ce’ ju st n ow , t h u s sh e

im m ed iat ely r aised h er eyeb r ow s an d ask ed , “W h at ’r e you look in g at ?”
Xu San sh i alm ost su b con sciou sly r ep lied , “St eam ed b u n s.”
“You …!” Ch an g Yu e im m ed iat ely flew in t o a r age, t h en sh ot st r aigh t t ow ar d s

h im .
Per h ap s d u e t o t h e fact t h at t h e r efer ee cou ld n ’t b ear t o con t in u e w at ch in g a

cer t ain p er son ’s v u lgar d isp lay, h e im m ed iat ely sh ou t ed ‘st a r t ’, t h en r et r eat ed
b ack w ar d s.
Ch an g Yu e’s figh t in g st yle w as com p let ely d iffer en t fr om M a Yin gju n ’s. Sh e
h ad a p air of lon g b lad es sh eat h ed on h er b ack , w h ich sh e p r oceed ed t o
u n sh eat h e t h e m om en t t h at h er b od y sh ot for w ar d s. As sh e h eld on e b lad e in
each h an d , t h e t w o fou r foot -lon g b lad es im m ed iat ely lit u p w it h a b r illian t
w h it e ligh t . Aft er w a r d s, t w o t h r ee foot -lon g b eam s of sw or d -ligh t sh o t st r a igh t
t ow ar d s Xu San sh i.
W an g Yan , w h o w as in fr on t b en eat h t h e st age, su d d en ly b lu r t ed ou t , “A

close-com b at sou l t ool! Pay at t en t ion t o it . M ost of t h e t im e, sou l en gin eer s w h o
u se close-com b at sou l t ools ar e ext r em ely for m id ab le in close-com b at . T h eir
sou l sk ills m igh t b e som ew h at w eak , b u t t h eir close-com b at figh t in g ab ilit ies ar e
st ill r ela t ively st r on g. T h e b est w ay t o d ea l w it h t h em is t o n ot get close t o t h em .
If you d o, you ’ll h ave a b ig p r ob lem on you r h an d s.”
H u o Yu h ao's gaze r em ain ed fixat ed on Ch an g Yu e's close-com b at sou l t ool as

h e b egan t o r em in isce ab ou t h is ow n sou l t ool. It w as t h e on ly r em n an t h e h ad
left t o r em em b er h is m ot h er b y—t h e W h it e T iger 's Dagger .
W h en h e’d fou gh t a gain st t h e W in d Bab oon , it w as p r ecisely b ecau se of t h e

W h it e T iger Dagger ’s sp ecial effect t h at h e’d b een ab le t o escap e b ein g k illed b y
t h e fir st sou l b east h e’d ever m et in h is life.
“Clan g, clan g—”
On st age, Ch an g Yu e’s lon g b lad es viciou sly st r u ck Xu San sh i’s Sh ield of t h e

Xu an w u T u r t le, w h ich cau sed w h it e sp ar k s t o im m ed ia t ely fill t h e su r r ou n d in g
air . At t h a t m om en t , Ch an g Yu e’s sou l r in gs w er e on fu ll d isp lay. J u st lik e M a
Yin gju n , sh e h a d t h r ee yellow an d on e p u r p le r in g. Fu r t h er m or e, h er m ar t ial
sou l w as som ew h at st r an ge, as h er h ead w as t h e m ost affect ed b y h er m ar t ia l
sou l; h er or igin ally gold en h air h ad b egu n t o t u r n gr ay, sh e’d gr ow n m u ch
t aller , an d h er m u scles w er e n ow so b ig t h at t h ey w er e b u lgin g. H er eyes h ad
also t u r n ed a cr yst a llin e yellow . H er lip s w er e ju t t in g o u t sligh t ly, r evealin g
w h at seem ed t o b e can in e t eet h .
A dog-t ype m ar t i al soul ? Fur t her m or e, t hi s seem s t o be a ver y st r ong one.
A m ar t i al soul l i k e t h i s w as r el at i vel y decen t , as i t st r en gt h en ed i t s user by a

l ar ge am oun t . Con si der i n g Ch an g Yue’ s abi l i t y as a cl ose-com bat soul en gi n eer ,
i t coul d be sai d t o be com pl em en t h er ver y w el l . T h e on l y f l aw of a m ar t i al soul
l i k e t h i s w as t h at h er aest h et i cs w oul d be r ui n ed w h en sh e act i vat ed i t .
W h en h e saw t h i s, Xu San sh i evi l l y cr i ed out as h e bl ock ed Ch an g Yue’ s at t ack

w i t h h i s sh i el d, “ Gh ost !”
H i s cr y m ade t h e al r eady-seet h i n g Ch an g Yue i m m edi at el y l aun ch a st or m of

sw or d-beam s t ow ar ds h i m as sh e sl ash ed m adl y at h i m . Al t h ough Xu San sh i
t al k ed a l ot of sh i t , h e seem ed t o si m pl y be an ai r bag at t h i s m om en t . T h e on l y
t h i n g h e di d w as un ceasi n gl y adjust t h e posi t i on of h i s Sh i el d of t h e Xuan w u
T ur t l e as h e cow er ed beh i n d i t , w h i ch m ade i t seem as i f h e h ad n o i n t en t i on s of
at t ack i n g.
T h e vi ol en t boom s com i n g f r om t h e st age, al on gsi de t h e scen e of Xu San sh i

bei n g com pl et el y t r ash ed on ce agai n , caused bot h an upr oar an d a gen er al sen se
of puzzl em en t t o spr ead am on gst t h e spect at or s. Fr om t h ei r poi n t of vi ew , H uo
Yuh ao an d Xu San sh i w er e bot h f r om t h e sam e academ y. But i f t h at w as so, w hy
w as t h er e be such a l ar ge gap bet w een t h em ?
T h e act i vat i on of a soul t ool dr ai n ed qui t e a bi t of soul pow er . Fur t h er m or e,

t h e dr ai n on on e’ s soul pow er w as di r ect l y pr opor t i on al t o t h e m i gh t of t h e
cl ose-com bat soul t ool bei n g used. Ch an g Yue’ s pai r of bl ades w er e a Cl ass 3
cl ose-com bat soul t ool , t h us t h ey w er e r el at i vel y ext r aor di n ar y i n t er m s of
st r en gt h . As sh e r elen t lessly p ou r ed d ow n p ow er fu l b low s w it h n o r egar d for
h er sou l p ow er , Xu San sh i gr ad u ally r et r eat ed , st ep b y st ep .
H ow ever , d esp it e h er p ow er fu l cu lt iva t ion , sh e st ill even t u ally r an ou t of

en er gy. Aft er yet a n ot h er flu r r y of b low s, sh e b egan t o feel t h at sh e w as
over exh au st in g h er sou l p ow er . Xu San sh i, on t h e ot h er h an d , w as st ill t en or so
m et er s aw ay fr om t h e ed ge of t h e st age, d esp it e h is con st an t r et r eat in g.
It w asn ’t as if Ch a n g Yu e h ad n ’t at t em p t ed t o fin d a fla w in Xu San sh i’s

d efen se. H ow ever , t h e lat t er ’s u se of t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le w as
ext r em ely clever . N o m at t er w h a t w ay sh e t r ied t o at t ack h im , h e w as alw ays
ab le t o b lock it in t im e. M or e im p or t an t ly, w h en ever sh e t r ied t o at t ack h im
fr om an ot h er d ir ect ion , t h e r et r eat in g Xu San sh i w ou ld in st ead st ead y h is
foot st ep s, t h en r et r eat in an ot h er d ir ect ion . T h is w ay, Ch an g Yu e
su b con sciou sly ch ose t o at t ack h im in a fr on t al m an n er .
Du e t o t h e over exh a u st ion of h er sou l p ow er , Ch an g Yu e’s b lad es b egan t o

slow d ow n .
At t h at m om en t , t h e cor n er of Xu San sh i’s m ou t h cu r led in t o a sm ile. “Ah ,

ah … I can ’t h old it a n ym or e! Qu ick , b e m or e for cefu l, b e m or e for cefu l!”
“Bast ar d !” Ch an g Yu e’s lar ge eyes w en t r ou n d , t h en sh e fier cely in h aled a

lar ge m ou t h fu l of air . Sh e for cefu lly gat h er ed t h e sou l p ow er in h er b od y, t h en
r e-in t en sified t h e p ow er of t h e b lad es sh e w as h old in g as sh e on ce again for ced
Xu San sh i t o r et r ea t b ack w ar d s.
T en m et er s, n in e m et er s, eigh t m et er s… five m et er s, t h r ee m et er s, on e
m et er … Fin ally, u n d er Ch an g Yu e’s u n r elen t in g assa u lt , Xu San sh i w as fin ally
for ced t o t h e ed ge of t h e st age. Cu r r en t ly, h e w ou ld fall off if h e t ook ju st a
sin gle st ep b ack w ar d s.
Ch an g Yu e’s fou r sou l r in gs h ad con t in u ou sly flick er ed d u r in g h er p r eviou s

at t ack , b u t sh e h a d n ’t seem ed t o u se a n y sou l p ow er on t h e su r face. T h is w as
on e of t h e u n iqu e ch ar act er ist ics of a sou l en gin eer : W h en sh e’d ch osen h er sou l
r in gs, Ch an g Yu e h a d ch osen on es t h at w ou ld in cr ease h er st r en gt h an d sp eed .
T h is w ay, sh e cou ld m ak e u p for t h e d eficien cies t h a t h er m ar t ial sou l h a d .
Fu r t h er m or e, h er com b in ed figh t in g p ow er aft er u sin g a sou l t ool w ou ld b e
m u ch gr eat er t h an w h at it w ou ld ’ve b een if sh e’d r em ain ed a sim p le sou l
m ast er .
Righ t w h en sh e w as ab ou t t o su cceed an d w in t h e figh t , h er la st t w o sou l r in gs

sim u lt an eou sly lit u p , w h ile h er t w in b lad es t h a t h ad p r ev iou sly em it t ed w h it e
ligh t n ow h ad a fain t , gr een lu st er t o t h em . T h e st r on g sou l p ow er u n d u lat ion s
t h ey w er e em it t in g cau sed even t h e su r r ou n d in g air t o d ist or t . H er b lad es t h en
flash ed for w ar d s as st r u ck t ow ar d s Xu Sa n sh i w it h an all-ou t at t ack .
She’ s w on!
W h en Ch an g Yue st r uck t ow ar ds Xu San sh i w i t h h er t w o sw or ds, ever y si n gl e

st uden t f r om Cl oud Luo Academ y, i n cl udi n g h er , t h ough t t h i s exact ph r ase.
T h ey al l k n ew h ow st r on g sh e w as; i f sh e w er e t o l aun ch an al l -out at t ack ,

even a Soul Ki n g-r an k ed exper t w oul dn ’ t be abl e t o t ak e a di r ect bl ow f r om h er ,
l et al on e Xu San sh i , w h o h ad n o pat h of r et r eat .
H ow ever , r i gh t w h en t h ese t h ough t s of vi ct or y popped i n t o t h ei r m i n ds, t h ey

i n st an t l y t r an sf or m ed i n t o t h ough t s of ast on i sh m en t .
Just bef or e Ch an g Yue’ s bl ades st r uck Xu San sh i ’ s Sh i el d of t h e Xuan w u

T ur t l e, Xu San sh i ’ s body sudden l y f l i ck er ed t o t h e si de. At t h e sam e t i m e, h e
sl an t ed t h e an gl e of h i s sh i el d, w h i ch caused Ch an g Yue’ s t w i n bl ades t o
pr act i cal l y sl i de acr oss t h e sur f ace of h i s sh i el d.
I t w as t r ue t h at Xu San sh i h ad been f or ced i n t o t h e cor n er of t h e ar en a, but at

t h e sam e t i m e, Ch an g Yue h er sel f h ad al so been f or ced i n t o t h at cor n er as w el l !
W h en sh e f el t h er sw or ds st r i k e essen t i al l y t h i n ai r , t h e m om en t um car r yi n g
h er i m m edi at el y caused h er t o f l y of f t h e st age!
H er gr eat est m ist ak e w as fallin g for Xu San sh i’s p lan ; h er d ecision -m ak in g
sk ills h ad clea r ly b een affect ed w h en sh e b ecam e an ger ed b y h im . Com b in ed
w it h t h e st r in g of at t ack s t h a t h ad given h er t h e ab solu t e ad van t age in t h eir
b at t le, sh e’d for got t en t h e m ost im p or t a n t t h in g: Even t h ou gh Xu San sh i w as a
d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er , h e d id n ’t h av e t o b lock ever yt h in g; h e cou ld also
d od ge an at t ack !
Xu San sh i h ad n ’t d od ged an y of h er at t ack s w h en sh e’d gon e on t h e offen sive,

yet h e’d su d d en ly ch an ged h is m ovem en t s at t h is cr u cial m om en t … Ch an g Yu e
sim p ly d id n ’t h ave t h e t im e t o r eact .
T h e m om en t t h at sh e p assed Xu San sh i, Ch an g Yu e im m ed ia t ely cam e t o h er

sen ses. H ow ever , it w as alr ead y t oo lat e for h er t o t h r u st h er b lad es in t o t h e
gr ou n d t o st ab ilize h er self.
Xu San sh i n im b ly t u r n ed t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le in h is h an d ar ou n d ,
t h en ligh t ly sm ack ed t h e flat of it again st Ch an g Yu e’s p r ot r u d in g b u t t ock s. A
cr isp ‘p a’ r an g ou t . Com b in ed w it h t h e m om en t u m t h at Ch an g Yu e h ad fr om
w h en sh e’d ch ar ged for w ar d , t h is w as t h e st r aw t h a t b r ok e t h e cam el’s b ack ;
Ch an g Yu e im m ed iat ely fell off t h e st age an d r olled for w ar d s.
T h is w as t h e secon d m at ch in a r ow w h er e a d r am at ic ch an ge h ad occu r r ed !
Xu San sh i h ad t ak en a b eat in g fr om Ch an g Yu e fr om t h e ver y b egin n in g; in fact ,
h e seem ed lik e h e’d collap se at an y m om en t , yet h e w as st ill ab le t o t u r n d efeat
in t o vict or y. W as t h is r eally ju st a flu k e?
Aft er fallin g off t h e st age, Ch an g Yu e fa ce h ad t u r n ed ash en . H ow ever , sh e

w as st ill som ew h at d r ain ed fr om u sin g all of h er st r en gt h ea r lier .
On t h e st age, Xu San sh i k ep t an in n ocen t look on h is face as h e look ed

t ow ar d s h er . H e sh r u gged h is sh o u ld er s, t h en said , “You ca n ’t b lam e m e. It ’s
ju st t h at you w er e so b ou n cy t h at you got you r self b ou n ced ou t . A m ist ak e, t h at
w as d efin it ely a m ist ak e.” H ow ever , h is gaze w as fixat ed on Ch an g Yu e’s
p r ot r u d in g b u t t ock s t h e en t ir e t im e h e sp ok e. W or se, on ce h e’d fin ish ed
sp eak in g, h is gaze t u r n ed t ow ar d s J ian g Nan n an , w h o w as seat ed w it h in t h e
r est in g ar ea .
J ian g Nan n an ’s exp r ession b ecam e fr ost y, an d sh e t u r n ed t o r et r ieve a p air of

scissor s fr om som ew h er e u n k n ow n . Sh e t h en gr ab b ed an elon gat ed fr u it fr om
t h e t ab le in fr on t of h er .
Sni p.
Xu San sh i i n st an t l y f el t a cer t ai n ar ea of h i s body t i gh t en up, an d h e

i m m edi at el y t ur n ed ar oun d. H e n ow h ad a r i gh t eous l ook on h i s f ace as h e sai d
t o t h e r ef er ee, “ I ’ ve w on . Let ’ s m ove on t o t h e n ext m at ch .”
T h e r ef er ee’ s gaze t ow ar ds h i m becam e som ew h at st r an ge; h e’ d n ever seen

such a st r an ge com pet i t i on i n h i s l i f e.
At t h at m om en t , t h e l eader of Cl oud Luo Advan ced Soul En gi n eer i n g

Academ y’ s t eam t ook t h e st age an d t ook l ar ge st r i des t ow ar ds Xu San sh i .
Fr om t h e vi ew poi n t of t h e spect at or s, t h i s l eader sh oul d’ ve been an gr y an d

l ash ed out at Xu San sh i due t o h i s pr evi ous act i on s. H ow ever , t h e f act t h at h e
di dn ’ t do so ast on i sh ed even t h e r ef er ee som ew h at .
Al t h ough h e h ad a som ew h at ch i l l y an d st er n expr essi on on h i s f ace as h e

f aced Xu San sh i , h e di dn ’ t f l y i n t o a r age as h e spok e. I n st ead, h e bow ed sl i gh t l y
t o Xu San sh i , t h en sai d, “ Cl oud Luo Advan ced Soul En gi n eer i n g Academ y, Si t u
Yu.”
Xu San sh i seem ed t o h ave f el t som et h i n g as w el l . T h e r el axed l ook on h i s f ace

van i sh ed sl i gh t l y, “ Sh r ek , Xu San sh i .”
Chapt er 80.1: The Et er nal Defense, Xu Sanshi
“I k n ow t h at you h ave yet t o u se you r r eal st r en gt h ,” Sit u Yu said in a gr ave

t on e, “t h u s, as t h e cap t ain of t h e Clou d Lu o Acad em y t eam , I h op e t o h ave a fair
m at ch w it h you . I w an t t o see t h e r eal d iffer en ce b et w een t h e t w o of u s. If you
m an age t o b eat m e, t h en t h er e w on ’t b e a n eed t o figh t t h e r em ain in g m at ch es.
As su ch , I h op e t h at you ’ll u se you r act u a l st r en gt h t o w in m y r esp ect .”
Xu San sh i n ar r ow ed h is eyes. Even t h ou gh h e w as on ly fift een year s old , t h e

en vir on m en t h e’d gr ow n u p in h ad allow ed h im t o m at u r e m u ch fast er t h a n h is
p eer s. Even if Sit u Yu w as old er t h an h im , it d id n ’t m ean t h at h e w as m or e
exp er ien ced .
“As you w ish .” Xu San sh i said aft er p on d er in g for a m om en t . H e t h en sm iled

as h e h ad b een p r eviou sly; h e w ou ld n ’t let h is op p on en t in flu en ce h is m ood .
T h e r efer ee st ep p ed for w ar d at t h is p oin t an d said in a gr ave t on e, “Bot h of

you , r et r eat .”
Sit u Yu b ack ed u p w h ile gazin g car efu lly at Xu Sa n sh i. H is eyes b ecam e fier cer
an d fier cer as h e r et r eat ed . A sh ar p , t h r eat en in g au r a w as n ow em an at in g fr om
h is b od y. H ow cou ld som eon e t h at w as ab le t o lea d Clou d Lu o Acad em y t h r ou gh
t h at t er r ifyin g fir st elim in at ion r ou n d , an d lead t h em t o t h is r ob in -r ou n d p h ase,
n ot b e p ow er fu l? Sit u Yu w as b ot h t h e ca p t ain an d t h e cor e of t h eir gr ou p !
Xu San sh i also slow ly r et r eat ed . M or e t h an h alf of t h e t h in cigar in h is m ou t h

h ad d isap p ear ed b y t h is p oin t . H ow ever , h e st ill h ad a lazy exp r ession on h is face
as h e w it h d r ew . It seem ed t h at h e d id n ’t at t ach t oo m u ch im p or t an ce t o h is
op p on en t .
In t h e w ait in g ar ea.
W an g Yan h a d a r ela xed exp r ession on h is face. Sin ce t h ey w er e qu it e n ear t h e
p lat for m , t h ey h ad h ear d t h e con ver sat ion b et w een t h e t w o of t h em .
H u o Yu h ao, on t h e ot h er h an d , felt a b it d ep r essed . Aft er sever al at t em p t s,

h e’d d iscover ed t h at h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion cou ld in d eed get p ast t h e p r ot ect ive
b ar r ier . Never t h eless, t h e sp ir it u al p ow er r equ ir ed t o d o so w as en or m ou s; t h e
con su m p t ion r at e of u sin g t h e AOE Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t h r ou gh t h e b ar r ier w as
t h e sam e as w h en h e focu sed it in a sin gle d ir ect ion n or m ally. If h e w er e t o u se it
t o assist on e of t h em , h is sou l p ow er w ou ld r ap id ly d ep let e. As su ch , it w as
im p ossib le for h im t o k eep it act ive all t h e t im e.
H ow ever , Xu San sh i d id n ’t seem t o b e in t r ou b le. H en ce, h e d ecid ed n ot t o

t ak e an y act ion . Even H u o Yu h ao h ad yet t o exp er ien ce Xu Sa n sh i’s r eal p ow er .
Asid e fr om W an g Yan , Bei Bei w as also calm . H ow ever , t h e n ear b y J ian g

Nan n an w as cu r r en t ly st ar in g at t h e p lat for m , t h e scissor s in h er h an d
con t in u ou sly sn ip p in g. At t h is m om en t , h er b eau t ifu l face w as exp r ession less,
an d n o on e k n ew w h at sh e w as t h in k in g.
On t h e p lat for m , Xu San sh i an d Sit u Yu h ad alr ead y r et r eat ed t o t h eir

r esp ect ive sid es of t h e ar en a.
T h e r efer ee look ed at b ot h of t h em , t h en sh ou t ed , “St a r t !”
Sit u Yu , w h o h ad b een st an d in g st ill a m om en t ago, su d d en ly ap p ear ed t o

gr ow a t h ou san d h a n d s in t h e b lin k of an eye, w h ile h is b od y b egan t o em it
sever al lou d m ech an ical sou n d s. T h e scen e t h a t p layed ou t w as sim ilar t o H u o
Yu h ao an d H e Cait ou ’s fir st en cou n t er : A lar ge n u m b er of m et allic p ip es
em er ged fr om h is b od y. Sit u Yu ’s b od y alm ost d ou b led in size in ju st a few
b r eat h s’ w or t h of t im e.
H is st ou t an d p ow er fu l legs n ow h ad t h r ee su p p or t -lik e m et al sh ap es each .

T h ese t h r ee fin ger n a il-lik e ob ject s w er e a s t h ick as a sm all a r m , ver y sh ar p , an d
aft er p op p in g ou t , im m ed iat ely b u r r ow ed in t o t h e gr ou n d t o for m a ver y st ab le
b ase. Aft er w ar d s, a lar ge n u m b er of assau lt -t yp e sou l t ools b egan t o em er ge
fr om h is calves.
H u o Yu h ao w as con t in u ou sly m on it or in g t h e sit u at ion on t h e p lat for m , t h u s

w h en t h ese sou l t oo ls w er e r eleased , h e d iscover ed t h at six p laces on Sit u Yu ’s
b od y h ad b egu n em an at in g d iffer en t t yp es of ligh t s. Next , a la r ge n u m b er of sou l
t ools b egan t o p op u p all over h is b od y.
T h ese sou l t ools h a d n ’t b een in st alled on h is b od y b efor eh an d , b u t in st ead

w er e act ivat ed ju st n ow .
T h r ee sh or t m et allic p ip es p r oceed ed t o t h en gr ow ou t of Sit u Yu ’s calves. At

t h e sam e t im e, a t h ick an d h eavy m et allic sh ell w r ap p ed h is b od y; h e n ow
look ed lik e a for t r ess. H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o see at least t h ir t y m et allic p ip es on
h is b od y. T h e lar gest n u m b er w er e con cen t r at ed on h is ch est , w h ich w er e
em it t in g a p ale d ar k -gold ligh t ; it w as a con cen t r at ed sou l can n on w it h m or e
t h an a 1.5 m et er calib r e.
Righ t n ow , Sit u Yu look ed even scar ier t h an t h e fu lly ar m ed H e Cait ou t h at

H u o Yu h ao h ad seen . In fact , h e look ed lik e a k illin g m ach in e. T h ose p ip es m a d e
of p u r e m et al gave off a cool feelin g. Fou r sou l r in gs, t w o yello w an d t w o p u r p le,
h ad also ap p ear ed b en eat h h is feet . A w h it e ligh t also ap p ear ed b eh in d h is b od y,
t h en ch an ged in t o a h u ge fan . It alm ost seem ed as if h e w er e car r yin g t h e h u ge
fan on h is b ack .
H e Cait ou m oved n ext t o H u o Yu h ao, t h en said in a low voice, “J u n ior

b r ot h er , t ak e a good look . T h at ’s t h e for t r ess for m at ion : T h e p in n acle of at t ack
an d d efen se am on gst u s sou l en gin eer s.”
“T h e for t r ess for m at ion ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed , som ew h at con fu sed .
H e Cait ou n od d ed a n d said , “Yeah , t h at ’s t h e for t r ess for m at ion , also k n ow n

as t h e sou l t ool for t r ess. An ar m or -t yp e sou l t ool is cu r r en t ly p r ot ect in g h is
b od y, w h ich sh ar p ly in cr eases h is d efen se. Fu r t h er m or e, sever al m or e sou l t ools
ar e eq u ip p ed all over h is b od y. Am on gst t h ese, t h er e ar e also som e au xiliar y sou l
t ools t o r ecover sou l p ow er . Con sid er in g all of t h is, b ot h t h e d efen se an d at t ack
of a sou l en gin eer w ill sk yr ock et . T h ey’ll b e ab le t o u t ilize a gr eat d eal of p ow er
for a sh or t w h ile. Ben eat h seven r in gs, a sou l m ast er w ill h ar d ly b e a m at ch for
som eon e of t h e sam e r an k u sin g a sou l t o ol for t r ess.
“W h y d id n ’t t each er t ell m e ab ou t t h is?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed , su r p r ised .
H e Cait ou lau gh ed a n d said , “T h e sou l t ool for t r ess con su m es a lar ge q u an t it y

of sou l p ow er ; on ly a ft er ob t ain in g you r t h ir d r in g w ill you b e ab le t o com p let ely
d isp lay it s p ow er . You r cu r r en t level of sou l p ow er is t oo low ; you can ’t u se it
q u it e yet . Fu r t h er m or e, ou r t each er d oesn ’t lik e t h is sor t of t h in g ver y m u ch .”
H u o Yu h ao eyes w id en ed an d h e ask ed , “W h y?”
H e Cait ou r ep lied , “J u n ior b r ot h er , ju st t h in k ab ou t it . Asid e fr om t h e gr eat

offen sive an d d efen sive p ow er , w h a t ot h er feelin gs d o you gain fr om t h is
for t r ess?”
H u o Yu h ao t h ou gh t for a b it , t h en said , “It ’s r eliab le an d st ab le.”
“Bu t it lack s m ob ilit y,” H e Cait ou con t in u ed , “a sou l t ool for t r ess h as t o
d isp lay a lot of sou l t ools, in clu d in g t h e for m at ion s t o r ecover on e’s sou l p ow er .
As su ch , t h e w eigh t an d volu m e of you r equ ip m en t w ill gr ea t ly in cr ease. T h u s,
if you w an t t o eq u ip t h e sou l t ool for t r ess an d d isp lay it s fu ll p ow er , you ’ll h ave
t o sacr ifice you r m ob ilit y. In t im es of w ar , it is in d eed ext r em ely u sefu l, b u t if
you lose you r m ob ilit y in a 1v1 figh t , yo u ’ll ju st b e p assively b eat en . H ow ever ,
it ’s n ot t oo b ad h er e, as t h e con t est an t s can on ly act w it h in t h e b ou n d s of t h e
p lat for m . T h e Ult im at e Sold ier Pla n , d evelop ed b y ou r Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ,
w ill n ot m ak e u se of t h is k in d of ap p r oach ; aft er all, it isn ’t som et h in g t h at can
last for ver y lon g. T h e r ad ian ce you see em an at in g fr om h is ar m s, legs, n eck ,
an d ch est b elon g t o h is st or ed u p sou l t o ols. H ow ever , it ’s ver y d ifficu lt for sou l
en gin eer s sp ecia lized in t h is figh t in g st yle t o ad van ce. J u st t h in k ab ou t it ; if you
w an t t o u p gr ad e so m an y sou l t ools, it w ou ld t ak e you at least on e year ’s w or t h
of t im e. H ow w ou ld t h ey even h ave t h e t im e t o in cr ease t h eir sou l p ow er ?
Fu r t h er m or e, t h at lar ge fan on Sit u Yu ’s b ack sh ou ld b e h is m ar t ial sou l. I’m
su r e t h at it d oesn ’t h ave an y p ar t icu lar sk ill. All sou l en gin eer s sp ecialized in
t h is sor t of st yle all h op e t h at t h eir sou l sk ills w ill h ave t h e ab ilit y t o in cr ease
t h eir sou l p ow er an d let t h em d isp lay t h e com p let e st r en gt h of t h e sou l t ool
for t r ess.”
H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o com p r eh en d m an y t h in gs aft er H e Cait ou ’s

exp lan at ion , an d w as en ligh t en ed . T h is t im e, a h u ge p r essu r e w as w eigh in g
d ow n on t h eir sh ou ld er s, b u t t h ey w er e con st an t ly lear n in g n ew t h in gs fr om
t h ese r eal b at t les. Aft er seein g Sit u Yu st an d on t h e p lat for m equ ip p ed w it h a
sou l t ool for t r ess, H u o Yu h ao b ecam e lost in h is t h ou gh t s. T h e w or ld of sou l
t ools w as fu ll of m yst er ies!
W h ile t h ese t w o w er e t alk in g, t h e b at t le on t h e p lat for m h ad also b egu n .
Com p ar ed t o Sit u Yu , Xu San sh i seem ed ext r em ely fr ail. H e w as m er ely

h old in g t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le in h is h an d an d w as lazily st an d in g
st ill. H e h ad n ’t even r eleased an y of h is sou l sk ills w h en t h e r efer ee h ad
an n ou n ced t h e st ar t of t h e m at ch . H e ad van ced w it h lar ge st r id es w h ile st ill
h old in g t h e t h in cigar in h is m ou t h an d qu ick ly r ed u ced t h e d ist an ce b et w een
h im an d Sit u Yu .
Sit u Yu r aised b ot h h is ar m s, t h en p r essed h is elb ow s again st h is r ib s. T h e

m et al ju n ct ion s b egan t o com b in e w h en h e d id so. On ce t h ey’d con n ect ed , t h e
six m et al p ip es on each of h is ar m s b egan t o em it a st r on g w h it e ligh t . At t h e
sam e t im e, h is fou r sou l r in gs b egan t o glit t er in an alt er n at in g p at t er n . T h e
h u ge fan on h is b ack also r eleased sever al layer s of w h it e ligh t at t h e sam e t im e.
Cou n t less b alls of w h it e ligh t in st an t ly sh ot ou t w ar d s fr om h im . Each b all of

ligh t w as b ig en ou gh t o b e a t h r eat . In t h e n ext in st an t , all of t h em m ad ly
ch ar ged t ow ar d Xu San sh i.
It w as t h e six-b ar r elled m in ia t u r e sou l can n on . T h is gad get w as ext r em ely

p ow er fu l am on gst sou l t ools of t h e fou r t h r an k , an d w as excellen t at layin g
d ow n su p p r essin g fir e. It w as on e of t h e p r efer r ed sou l t ools of ar m ies, as even if
t h er e w er e on ly t en Class 4 sou l en gin eer s equ ip p ed w it h a six-b ar r elled
m in iat u r e sou l can n on , t h ey w ou ld st ill b e ab le t o su p p r ess sever al t h ou san d s of
sold ier s in a cer t ain ar ea.
H ow ever , t h e st r on g an d w eak p oin t s of t h is gad get w er e ver y clear . T h e

st r on g p oin t s lay in exp losive st r en gt h , w id e cover age, an d h igh at t ack p ow er .
H ow ever , t h er e w a s on ly on e n ot ab le flaw , w h ich w as a cr it ical on e: it
con su m ed a lar ge am ou n t of sou l p ow er .
A Class 4 sou l en gin eer cou ld u se a six-b ar r elled m in iat u r e sou l can n on for
five m in u t es at m ost b efor e t h ey h ad t o st op t o r ecover t h eir sou l p ow er .
Facin g t h is at t ack , Xu San sh i u sed t h e m ost sim p le w ay t o d eal w it h it . Facin g

an all-ou t at t ack fr om a six-b ar r elled m in iat u r e sou l can n on , t h e on ly w ay ou t
for m ost Sou l An cest or s w as t o r u n as far aw ay as fast as p ossib le. T h e sou l
can n on cou ld n ’t a t t a ck fr om t oo far aw ay; it s at t ack r an ge w as m or e or less on ly
ab ou t a h u n d r ed m et er s. T h er efor e, if t h er e w as a cer t ain d ist an ce b et w een you
an d t h em , you w ou ld n ’t b e in gr eat d an ger . H ow ever , r igh t n ow , t h ey w er e on a
p lat for m , an d t h er e w er en ’t r eally an y p laces t o h id e. Fu r t h er m or e, even if h e
st ar t ed r u n n in g, Xu San sh i w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o ou t r u n ar t iller y sh ells m ad e of
sou l p ow er .
H e sim p ly r aised h is Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le an d p laced it in fr on t of h is

b od y. Aft er w ar d s, h e squ at t ed d ow n an d sh r an k b eh in d it , com p let ely h id in g
h im self b eh in d h is sh ield .
Pow er fu l exp losion s con t in u ou sly st r u ck t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le; at

t h e sam e t im e, a b la ck h alo sp r ead ou t fr om it . Xu San sh i seem ed t o h ave fallen
in t o a p assive st at e; h e d id n ’t b u d ge fr o m h is or igin al p osit ion . H ow ever , t h e
Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le look ed lik e an im p r egn ab le for t r ess; t h er e w asn ’t
even a scr at ch on it .
Sh an g Yu e, w h o h ad r each ed h er w ait in g ar ea, op en ed h er eyes w id e an d

cu r sed , “Bast a r d !” Sh e w as ab solu t ely fu r iou s! T h e at t ack p ow er of t h e six-
b ar r elled m in iat u r e sou l can n on w as even h igh er t h an t h a t of h er d u a l b lad es. In
p ar t icu la r w h en all t h e at t ack s w er e h it t in g t h e t a r get lik e in t h is sit u at ion .
H ow ever , even u n d er t h is b ar r age, Xu Sa n sh i d id n ’t b u d ge. T h er efor e, w h en h e
w as r u n n in g aw ay fr om h er b efor e, it h ad ju st b een b ait .
W h at in cr ed ib le d efen sive p ow er !
Sit u Yu ’s p u p ils sh r an k as h e felt a gr eat p r essu r e w eigh in g d ow n on h im .

T h ey w er e b ot h Sou l An cest or s, h e sh ou ld h ave h a d a d ist in ct ad van t age w h en
figh t in g on t h e p lat for m w it h h is sou l t o ol for t r ess. Accor d in g t o con ven t ion al
w isd om , a sou l m ast er sp ecialized in d efen se sh ou ld h ave b een com p let ely
su p p r essed an d d efeat ed . Bu t even w it h t h is cr azy b ar r age, h e w asn ’t even ab le
t o m ak e Xu San sh i r et r eat .
Of cou r se, t h is w asn ’t t h e lim it of Sit u Yu ’s sk ills. T h r ee t h ick m et al p ip es

cam e ou t of h is sh ou ld er s an d q u ick ly ad ju st ed t h eir p osit ion t h an k s t o h is
m u scles. Next , sever al fist -sized w h it e b a lls soar ed t ow ar d t h e sk y w it h a ‘p u ff’
sou n d . T h ese b alls w er e m ovin g slow ly in a con cen t r at ed clu st er . T h ey assu m ed
a p ar ab olic t r aject or y, aim in g at Xu San sh i, w h o w as h id in g b eh in d t h e sh ield .
On e cou ld n ’t at t ack for t oo lon g w h en u sin g t w o p ow er fu l sou l t ools

sim u lt an eou sly. Soon er or la t er , even Sit u Yu w ou ld h ave t o st op . Xu San sh i
t ook ad van t age of t h is p au se an d st ood u p .
At t h is m om en t , h e cou ld n ’t r ely on H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .

T h er efor e, h e t ook act ion w h en h e felt t h at n o at t ack s w er e h it t in g t h e sh ield .
H e d ash ed for w ar d a s soon as h e st ood u p , an d h is secon d sou l r in g also lit u p .

If t h ose six w h it e b alls in t h e air h ad k ep t follow in g t h eir or igin al t r aject or y,
t h ey w ou ld h ave co m p let ely m issed Xu San sh i. H ow ever , it seem ed t h at t h ey
h ad lock ed on t o t h eir t ar get . Now t h at Xu San sh i w as n ow leavin g t h em b eh in d ,
t h ey ch an ged t h eir t r aject or y an d st a r t ed t o p u r su e h im . Bu t Xu San sh i, w h o
w as r u sh in g for w ar d h ad n ’t yet r ealized a n yt h in g.
I w on !
W h en ever Sit u Yu w ou ld en cou n t er t h is sit u at ion , h e h a d alw ays ob t ain ed

vict or y. All t h e m et al p ip es for m in g h is sou l t ool for t r ess su d d en ly lit u p . H is
en t ir e b od y w as so b r igh t ly lit u p t h at it seem ed t o b e en gu lfed in w h it e flam es.
Dozen s of w h it e ligh t s exp lod ed an d sh ot t ow ar d Xu San sh i.
At t h is t im e in t h e w ait in g ar ea, Bei Bei su d d en ly said t o H u o Yu h ao in a low

voice, “Look car efu lly.”
H is voice h ad yet t o fad e w h en som et h in g u n exp ect ed h a p p en ed on t h e

p lat for m .
Facin g t h is sim u lt an eou s at t ack fr om t h e fr on t an d r ea r , Xu San sh i seem ed t o

b e at a d ead en d . If h e w er e t o u se h is sh ield t o b lock t h e at t ack fr om t h e fr on t ,
h e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o d efen d t h e at t ack fr om b eh in d p r op er ly. T h e st r en gt h of
t h e w h it e b alls cou ld b e easily d ed u ced b y h ow con cen t r at ed t h ey w er e.
W h at cou ld on e d o in t h is sit u at ion ?
Xu San sh i gave t h e a n sw er .
H e d ou b led h is sp eed in an in st an t . T h e sp ect at or s on ly saw a flash , an d h is

b od y d isap p ear ed . H e left b eh in d d ozen s of aft er im ages, an d t w o-t h ir d s of t h e
ligh t b eam s an d ar t iller y sh ells com in g fr om t h e fr on t m issed . In ad d it ion , fou r
of t h e w h it e b alls b eh in d h im w er e d est r oyed b y t h e at t ack h e h ad ju st d od ged .
T h at w asn ’t all. T h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le ‘b r ok e’ an d sp lit in t o m an y

sm all sh ield s t h e size of a p alm as t h ey scat t er ed in all d ir ect ion s. Ever y sh ield
accu r at ely p r ot ect ed h im fr om t h e at t ack s h e cou ld n ’t d od ge. T h e t w o w h it e
b alls at t h e r ear w er e n o excep t ion .
T h u n d er ou s exp losion s w er e ech oin g ar ou n d h im , an d yet , n ot a sin gle at t ack

h it h is b od y. W it h t h is su d d en acceler at ion , Xu San sh i h ad d od ged t h e h eavy fir e
an d ar r ived in fr on t of Sit u Yu .
Sit u Yu w as ext r em ely su r p r ised . H ow co u ld a d efen se-t yp e so u l m ast er m ove

so qu ick ly? Bu t h e w as st ill Clou d Lu o Acad em y’s cap t ain , d esp it e b ein g
su r p r ised , h e d id n ’t for get t o at t ack w it h h is sou l t ool for t r ess.
T h at Ran k 4 con cen t r at ed sou l can n on lit u p . H e h ad n ’t u sed it b efor e d u e t o

it s excessive con su m p t ion of sou l p ow er . Bu t at t h is t im e, it h ar d ly m at t er ed . H e
m u st er ed all t h e sou l p ow er in h is b od y, w h ich w as am p lified b y t h e m ar t ia l sou l
b eh in d h is b ack , an d p ou r ed it in sid e t h e con cen t r at ed sou l ca n n on .
Ever yon e cou ld see t h e m ou t h of t h e can n on st ar t in g t o ligh t u p . T h e w h it e

ligh t com in g ou t of t h e can n on su d d en ly b egan t o t u r n d a r k en . At t h e sam e
t im e, t h e air on t h e p lat for m st ar t ed t o b ecom e r est less.
Sit u Yu h ad a fr en zied exp r ession on h is face. At last , h e at t ack ed .
At t h is m om en t , if on e cou ld see Xu San sh i’s exp r ession fr om close u p , t h ey

w ou ld n ot ice t h at h is car efr ee exp r ession h ad d isap p ear ed . In st ead , a cold ligh t
w as flash in g t h r ou gh h is eyes.
All t h e sm all scat t er ed sh ield s r eu n it ed on ce again in t o t h e Sh ield of t h e

Xu an w u T u r t le. T h en , w h en t h e Ran k 4 con cen t r at ed sou l ca n n on fir ed , h e t ook
a qu ick st ep t o h is left .
T h is sin gle st ep ch an ged ever yt h in g. T h e con cen t r at ed sou l can n on cou ld

lock on t o an en em y, b u t w it h t h is m ove, Xu San sh i w ou ld n ’t t ak e t h e h it h ead -
on , b u t fr om a slan t ed an gle. At t h e sam e t im e, t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le
r eleased a b lack ligh t as it m or p h ed in t o a sh in in g m ir r or .
T h e t er r ifyin g at t a ck of t h e con cen t r at ed sou l ca n n on h it t h e sh ield .
H ow ever , it d id so at an an gle. T h is cau sed t h e b lazin g w h it e ligh t t o b e r eflect ed
t ow ar d s t h e p r ot ect ive b ar r ier ab ove t h e p lat for m .
Xu San sh i’s feet w er e lik e t w o h u ge b ou ld er s as h e st ood fir m ly in p lace. Bu t

h e w asn ’t d on e yet . Aft er r eflect in g t h e at t ack , h e p ou n ced for w ar d lik e a lion
an d r u t h lessly sm ash ed in t o Sit u Yu ’s sou l t ool for t r ess fr om t h e sid e.
W it h a t h u n d er o u s b oom , Sit u Yu , w h o w as n ot far fr om t h e ed ge of t h e r in g,

w as sen t flyin g. T h e b ase h e h ad d u g in t o t h e ear t h w as also u p r oot ed . Sit u Yu
slam m ed again st t h e ligh t scr een of t h e p r ot ect ive b ar r ier an d collap sed t o t h e
gr ou n d .
Aft er u sin g t h e sou l t ool for t r ess, Sit u Yu ’s w eigh t h ad su r p a ssed 250 k gs. Bu t
w h en Xu San sh i h it h im , h e w as im m ed iat ely sen t flyin g w it h ou t t h e sligh t est
r esist a n ce.
It w as t r u ly a b eau t ifu l collision , a sh ow d ow n of p u r e b r u t e for ce.
Xu San sh i, w h o w as st an d in g at t h e ed ge of t h e p lat for m , h ad t h at car efr ee

sm ile on h is face on ce again . H e look ed at Clou d Lu o Acad em y’s w ait in g ar ea
an d said t o t h e d u m b fou n d ed M a Yin gju n , “I d id n ’t t r ick you . I w en t easy on
you .”
“Yes, yes.” M a Yin gju n n od d ed r ep eat ed ly. T h er e w as n ot h in g else h e cou ld

d o an yw ay.
Xiao Xiao said in a low voice, “Sen ior Xu w as act u ally t h is st r o n g.”
T ill n ow , Xu San sh i h ad n 't left a d eep im p r ession on t h e ot h er m em b er s.

Aft er all, h e w as a d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er . You w ou ld n ’t exp ect h im t o h ave
an y exp losive or p ow er fu l sk ills, an d on t op of t h at , h e sp en t m ost of h is t im e
p est er in g J ian g Nan n an . On ly t od ay, aft er h e d efeat ed t h r ee op p on en t s in a r ow ,
w as ever yon e ab le t o see h is r eal p ow er .
H e d efeat ed a Class 4 sou l en gin eer w h ile b ein g a Sou l An cest o r w it h fou r sou l
r in gs. T h is alon e w a s en ou gh t o m ak e h is st r en gt h clear . Not t o m en t ion t h a t h e
h ad easily d efeat ed t h r ee op p on en t s in a r ow .
Bei Bei sm iled fain t ly an d said , “Sin ce h e alw ays act s sh am efu lly, you gu ys
m u st h ave for got t en t h at w h en you en t er ed t h e acad em y, h e w as alr ead y in t h e
sixt h year . If you t h in k ab ou t it , h e sh ou ld h ave alr ea d y en t er ed t h e in n er
cou r t yar d b y n ow . H ow ever , h e w as so dead set on Nan n an t h at h e low er ed h is
gr ad es on p u r p ose. I r em em b er t h at h is t each er s w er e so an gr y t h at t h ey n ear ly
sp at b lood . M or eover , h e is t h e m ost t alen t ed d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er I’ve ever
seen . An yon e w ou ld p ay t h e p r ice for look in g d ow n on h im . Am on gst ou r gr ou p
of seven , h e r an k s fir st w h en it com es t o cu lt ivat ion level. Aft er all, you can ’t
m easu r e t h e st r en gt h of Sh r ek Acad em y’s st u d en t s w it h t h e n u m b er of sou l
r in gs alon e, r igh t ?”
Bei Bei w as sp eak in g t h e t r u t h . You cou ld n ’t p r op er ly m easu r e t h e st r en gt h of

t h e st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y ju st b y look in g at t h e n u m b er of sou l r in gs t h ey
h ad .
Xu San sh i h ad en t er ed t h e acad em y w h en h e w as ver y you n g, an d w h en h e

w as fift een , h e cou ld h ave gr ad u at ed fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d an d t ak en t h e
t est t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d . On e cou ld im agin e h ow h igh h is cu lt ivat ion
w as. H ow cou ld som eon e t h at w as h ailed as t h e n u m b er on e gen iu s of t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d t oget h er w it h Bei Bei b e so sim p le? W h en m ak in g a p r op er
evalu at ion , you h ad t o t ak e n at u r al t alen t , st r en gt h , figh t in g cap acit y, an d ot h er
var iou s asp ect s in t o con sid er at ion .
Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s Xu an w u T u r t le m ar t ial sou l w as on e of t h e st r on gest

d efen se-t yp e m ar t ia l sou ls in h is gen er at ion . T h is m ar t ial sou l allow ed t h e
ow n er t o p ossess an et er n al an d ever last in g d efen se. In all t h ese year s, Bei Bei
h ad n ever h ear d of an y fellow st u d en t b ein g ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh Xu San sh i’s
d efen se.
“Br ot h er , you sh ou ld k eep you r w or d .” Xu San sh i t old Sit u Yu . Sit u Yu h a d

fallen fr om t h e p lat for m an d w as slow ly get t in g u p w it h gr eat d ifficu lt y.
W h at Sit u Yu fear ed t h e m ost w as exact ly w h at h ad h ap p en ed . T h e sou l t ool
for t r ess cover ed h is w h ole b od y, an d m a n y sou l t ools h ad b een d am aged aft er
t h e fall. H is ow n b od y h ad also r eceived q u it e t h e sh ock as h e w as b leed in g fr om
b ot h n ose an d m ou t h . W it h t h e h elp of h is t eam m at es, h e w a s fin ally ab le t o get
ou t of t h e m ou n t ain of sou l t ools.
H e car efu lly r aised h is h ea d an d look ed at Xu San sh i. T h en , h e n od d ed an d

said , “I lost , an d I’m sin cer ely con vin ced . Ou r Clou d Lu o Acad em y ad m it s
d efeat .”
Xu San sh i lau gh ed h ear t ily, “You act u ally k ep t you r w or d . You ’r e a r eal m an .
You r offen sive p ow er is n ot h a lf b ad . H ow ever , I ad vise you t o join t h e ar m y.
You w on ’t b e ab le t o ach ieve m u ch w it h t h is t ech n iqu e in 1v1 m at ch es.”
As soon as h e fin ish ed sp eak in g, h e look ed t ow ar d h is ow n w ait in g ar ea an d

r aised h is h an d s.
Sh r ek Acad em y h ad ob t ain ed vict or y in t h eir fir st m at ch . J u st lik e la st t im e,

t h ey h ad on ly u sed on e p er son . H ow ever , t h e sit u a t ion w as a b it d iffer en t fr om
last t im e. T h is t im e, t h ey h ad sen t ou t a d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er w it h fou r sou l
r in gs.
T h is sou l m ast er h a d sin gle-h an d ed ly d efeat ed a sou l en gin eer in g acad em y.

Even if h e h ad on ly faced t h r ee op p on en t s, an yon e cou ld t ell t h ey w er e Clou d
Lu o Acad em y’s st r on gest st u d en t s. T h e r em ain in g t eam m em b er s w er e m er ely
Sou l Eld er s w it h t h r ee sou l r in gs a n d h ad n o w ay of ach ievin g vict or y.
Un d er t h ese cir cu m st an ces, on e cou ld sa y t h at Xu San sh i h ad d efeat ed a t eam

of seven p eop le alon e!
“T h e w in n er is… Sh r ek Acad em y!”
As soon as t h e r efer ee an n ou n ced t h e w in n er , t h e au d ien ce exp lod ed in

ch eer s. T h e d isap p oin t ed m asses h ad co m p let ely ch an ged t h eir at t it u d e. Even if
Xu San sh i h ad r esor t ed t o t r ick er y in t h e fir st t w o m at ch es, h e h ad fou gh t fair
an d sq u a r e in t h e la st on e! Alt h ou gh t h ey d id n ’t k n ow w h a t k in d of ab ilit y h e
h ad u sed , t h e fact t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h ad ob t ain ed vict or y w it h ju st a sin gle
p ar t icip an t w as u n d en iab le.
No on e sit t in g in Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s r est in g a r ea

d ar ed t o u t t er a w or d . W h en t h ey saw t h at t h e st u d en t sen t b y Sh r ek Acad em y
w as ju st a Sou l An cest or , t h ey d id n ’t t ak e h im t oo ser iou sly. H en ce, t h ey
r eceived a h u ge p sych ological b low w h en t h ey saw h is d om in eer in g
p er for m an ce.
Xiao H on gch en fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s; n o on e k n ew w h a t h e w as t h in k in g.
T h en , t h e you n g gir l sit t in g b esid e h im , w h o h ad a ver y sim ilar face, w h isp er ed ,
“Eld er b r ot h er , w h a t ar e you t h in k in g a b ou t ? If w e w er e t o t ak e h is p lace, w e
w ou ld b e ab le t o d o it t oo, r igh t ?”
Xiao H on gch en sh ook h is h ead an d said , “I d on ’t k n ow . W e ar e b ot h sou l

m ast er s an d sou l en gin eer s. W h en figh t in g, w e’ll con t in u ou sly con su m e ou r
sou l p ow er . In t h e 1v1 m at ch es of t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l
Du ellin g T ou r n am en t , t h er e is n o t im e t o t ak e b r eak s. Do you r eally t h in k you
can d efeat seven op p on en t s d esp it e con t in u ou sly con su m in g you r sou l p ow er ?”
T h e you n g gir l said som ew h at u n w illin gly, “Bu t h e d id n ’t d efeat seven
op p on en t s eit h er . H e on ly fou gh t t h r ee!”
Xiao H on gch en said , “Bu t h e st ill m an aged t o w in . Did you see t h e foot w or k
h e u sed ju st n ow ?”
T h e you n g gir l w as st ar t led . Sh e sh ook h er h ea d an d r ep lied , “It w as t oo

su d d en . I w asn ’t ab le t o see.”
Xiao H on gch en sigh ed an d said , “Neit h er cou ld I. An d alt h ou gh h e w asn ’t

ab le t o com p let ely d od ge t h e at t ack w h en h e u sed t h at foot w or k , it sen t ch ills
d ow n m y sp in e. M o r eover , d u r in g h is t h r ee m at ch es, h e on ly u sed t w o sou l
sk ills. T o b e p r ecise, h is secon d an d fou r t h sk ills. H e d id n ’t even n eed t o u se t h e
r em ain in g t w o. Fr om st ar t t o en d , h e gave t h e im p r ession of d oin g t h in gs h a lf-
h ear t ed ly, b u t d esp it e all t h a t , h e st ill m an aged t o w in . A p er son of gr eat
w isd om oft en seem s slow -w it t ed . T h a t gu y is m ost d efin it ely a t op -level d efen se-
t yp e sou l m ast er . Fiv e year s lat er , w e’ll h ave t o face t h is p ow er fu l op p on en t !”
T h e you n g gir l p ou t ed h er lip s, st ill u n w illin g t o accep t w h at h e said .
Xiao H on gch en sigh ed on ce again . “Sh r ek Acad em y is r eally Sh r ek Acad em y.

Bot h in t h is an d t h e p r eviou s b at t le, t h ey m an aged t o d eal a h u ge b low t o m y
m or ale.”
T h e you n g gir l ch u ck led an d said , “Give m e a b r eak . You r m or ale r eceived a

h u ge b low ? I d on ’t t h in k you r m or ale h as ever w aver ed . No m at t er w h o you r
op p on en t is, you ’ve alw ays b een con fid en t in you r ow n vict or y.”
Xiao H on gch en lau gh ed , “Alr igh t . You ’r e n ot w r on g. I r eally w an t t o h ave a

good figh t n ow . I w on d er w h at t h e r eal st r en gt h of t h at b oy fr om t h e fir st m at ch
is.”
T h e you n g gir l sn or t ed an d said , “T h at b oy can ’t r eally h ave six h u n d r ed -

t h ou san d year sou l r in gs, r igh t ?”
“W h at d o you t h in k ? ” Xiao H on gch en asked w it h a sm ile.

T h e you n g gir l st u ck ou t h er t on gu e an d said , “I t h in k it ’s im p ossib le!”
Xu San sh i r et u r n ed t o h is fr ien d s w it h a sat isfied exp r ession on h is face.

Ever yon e w ar m ly con gr at u lat ed h im . Aft er all, it w as t h eir fir st w in in t h e
r ou n d -r ob in p h ase.
“Sen ior Xu , I d id n ’t exp ect you t o b e so st r on g!” Xiao Xiao look ed at Xu San sh i
excit ed ly. “Lat er , you h ave t o give m e a few p oin t er s ab ou t d efen se. Even if m y
T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on is a con t r ol-t yp e m ar t ia l sou l, it excels t h e m ost
at d efen se.”
“Su r e. I’m alw ays h a p p y t o h elp m y fellow st u d en t s.” Xu San sh i said sm u gly.
W an g Yan st ood u p an d p at t ed Xu San sh i’s sh ou ld er , “Com e, let ’s go.”

Follow in g w h ich , h e led t h e t eam ou t sid e.
Sh r ek Acad em y’s m em b er s on ce again left St ar Lu o Plaza u n d er t h e gazes of

t h e m asses.
On t h e cit y w alls of t h e in n er cit y, t h e em p er or also st ood u p . H e h ad a fain t

sm ile on h is face as h e m u t t er ed , “So it w as t h is b oy. I k n ow w h o h e is, an d h e
r eally h as h u ge gu t s! Desp it e em b ar r a ssin g m e lik e t h a t , h e st ill cam e t o
p ar t icip at e in t h e com p et it ion . An yw ay, w h at a p it y…”
Aft er m u m b lin g t o h im self, t h e em p er or h ead ed t ow ar d t h e in n ar d s of t h e

in n er cit y. It seem ed t h at h e t oo h ad n o in t er est in w at ch in g t h e n ext m at ch es.
Ou t sid e St ar Lu o Pla za, H u o Yu h ao ar r ived b esid e W an g Yan an d ask ed in a

low voice, “T each er W an g, sh ou ld n ’t w e look at t h e n ext m at ch es? At t h e ver y
least , w e sh ou ld w at ch Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s m at ch .
T h ey ar e in t h e secon d gr ou p an d w ill also b e figh t in g t od ay.”
W an g Yan sh ook h is h ead an d r ep lied , “In st ead of w ast in g t im e h er e, you

sh ou ld go b ack an d cu lt ivat e. I alon e am en ou gh t o ob ser ve t h e ot h er t eam s.
Righ t n ow , you sh ou ld p r eser ve you r st r en gt h an d st ay in t op con d it ion . Xu
San sh i d id a gr eat job t od ay. H e allow ed u s t o w in t h e fir st m at ch w h ile
sim u lt an eou sly h id in g ou r t r u e st r en gt h eit h er . W e’ll h ave t o m ain t ain t h is
secr ecy for a few m or e m at ch es. Aft er Xiaot ao an d t h e ot h er s r ecover , t h in gs
w ill b e easier .”
H u o Yu h ao h ad a w eir d exp r ession on h is face. H e felt t h at t h er e w as

som et h in g w r on g w it h t h e cu r r en t sit u a t ion . It felt a s if W an g Yan w as h id in g
som et h in g fr om t h en , h is sixt h sen se as a sp ir it -t yp e sou l m ast er w as t ellin g h im
t h is.
Aft er r et u r n in g t o t h e Gr an d Im p er ial St ar H ot el, W an g Yan m ad e t h em

r et u r n t o t h eir r esp ect ive r oom s t o r est . H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w en t t o t h e
for m er ’s r oom . Up on en t er in g t h e r oom , H u o Yu h ao fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s.
Su d d en ly, a gold en r ad ian ce flash ed t h r ou gh h is eyes. H e gest u r ed t o W an g
Don g t o st ay silen t , t h en t u r n ed h is b od y, facin g t h e d oor of t h e r oom .
Pow er fu l sp ir it u al w aves sp r ead t h r ou gh t h e air . T h en , t h at gold en r ad ian ce

q u ick ly d isap p ear ed fr om H u o Yu h ao’s eyes.
“As exp ect ed , t h er e is som et h in g w r on g.” H u o Yu h ao said qu iet ly.
“Yu h ao, w h at ’s w r on g?” W an g Don g asked cu r iou sly.
H u o Yu h ao said , “Don ’t you t h in k t h at t h at T each er W an g is p u r p osely n ot

allow in g u s t o w at ch t h e ot h er m a t ch es?”
W an g Don g n od d ed an d r ep lied , “Bu t d id n ’t w e agr ee on t h at b efor eh an d ? W e

n eed t o save as m u ch t im e as p ossib le t o p r act ice an d m u st also con t in u e t o
m ain t ain ou r aloof st at u s in ever yon e else’s eyes.”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead an d said , “No, it ’s n ot t h at sim p le. W h y can ’t w e

ju st w at ch t h e m a t ch es? Now t h at w e’r e in t h e r ou n d -r ob in p h ase, m at ch es w ill
b e fou gh t 1v1. At t h e ver y least , h e sh ou ld h ave let u s see t h e n ext t h r ee m at ch es
in or d er t o gau ge t h e ab ilit ies of ou r n ext op p on en t s. H ow ever , T each er W an g
m ad e u s r et u r n t o t h e h ot el in a h u r r y. If t h in gs w er e r eally lik e h e said , w h y d id
h e im m ed ia t ely r u sh over t o t h e p laza aft er d eliver in g u s h er e?”
W an g Don g w as st ar t led as h e said , “W er e you sp yin g on T each er W an g ju st
n ow ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “T each er W an g said t h at h e alon e w ou ld b e

en ou gh t o ob ser ve t h e m at ch es. T h er efor e, h e cou ld h ave st ayed b ack , t h er e w as
n o n eed for h im t o accom p an y ever yon e t ill t h e h ot el. On t op of t h at , h e w as
w alk in g ver y q u ick ly, an d h is m ood seem ed som ew h at u n st ab le. T h e r eason h e
accom p an ied u s t o t h e h ot el w as t o m ak e u s leave St ar Lu o Plaza an d n ot let u s
see t h e ot h er m a t ch es.”
“T h en …” aft er h ear in g t h ese w or d s, W a n g Don g seem ed t o h ave t h ou gh t of

som et h in g, “W e’r e n ot fam iliar w it h t h e n am es d r aw n t h r ou gh t h e lot s. Aft er
all, t h is is ou r fir st t im e p ar t icip at in g in t h e t ou r n am en t . Even if w e k n ow t h a t
ou r op p on en t is fr om a cer t ain acad em y, w e w on ’t k n ow w h at t h eir t r u e
st r en gt h is. W h ich m ean s t h at T each er W an g w as p lan n in g t o con ceal t h e
st r en gt h of ou r op p on en t s? T h at seem s lik e t h e on ly p ossib le exp lan at ion ...”
T h ey look ed at each ot h er an d said a t t h e sam e t im e, “T h e t ea m s w e w ill h ave

t o face in t h is r ou n d -r ob in p h ase m u st b e r eally st r on g.”
Aft er sp eak in g t h eir m in d , t h ey b ot h fell silen t . If t h is w as r eally t h e case,

W an g Yan ’s act ion s w er e r eason ab le. H is p u r p ose w as ver y sim p le, t o p r ot ect
t h em fr om h avin g t h eir figh t in g sp ir it cr u sh ed .
If t h ey w an t ed t o get p ast t h e r ou n d -r ob in p h ase, t h ey n eed ed t o ob t ain five

or m or e vict or ies. W it h six v ict or ies, t h ey w er e gu ar an t eed t o p ass. T h ey w ou ld
h ave t o w ait for t w o m or e m at ch es for Lin g Lu och en t o r ecover . An d fou r
m at ch es for M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g. T h u s, if t h eir op p on en t s in t h e n ext
few m at ch es w er e ver y st r on g, t h ey w ou ld b e u n d er a lot of p r essu r e.
“Let ’s go an d t ak e a look .” H u o Yu h ao p u lled W an g Don g alon g an d left t h e

r oom .
W an g Don g qu ick ly st op p ed h im an d said . “W e can ’t . St ar Lu o Plaza is u n d er

t h e p r ot ect ion of t h e ar m y. If t r y t o d isgu ise ou r selves, w e w on ’t b e ab le t o
en t er . An d if w e go b ack w it h ou t a d isgu ise, w ou ld n ’t w e r u in ou r r ep u t a t ion ?
W e can n ot d est r oy t h e m yst er y t h at su r r ou n d s u s.”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead an d said , “I’m n ot p lan n in g t o go b ack t o St ar Lu o

Plaza. J u st follow m e.” W it h t h at , h e b r ou gh t W an g Don g ou t of t h e r oom . Aft er
con fir m in g t h a t t h er e w as n o on e ar ou n d , h e p u lled h im t ow a r d s t h e w in d ow at
t h e en d of t h e cor r id or .
Aft er op en in g t h e w in d ow , h e p oin t ed u p w ar d an d said , “Fly, an d t ak e m e t o

t h e r oof.”
W an g Don g’s eyes lit u p . H e h a d alr ea d y u n d er st ood w h a t H u o Yu h ao w as

p lan n in g, “Bu t isn ’t it t oo far ?”
H u o Yu h ao said , “T h e Gr an d Im p er ial St a r H ot el is t h e t allest b u ild in g ar ou n d

St ar Lu o Plaza. W e sh ou ld h ave a fair ly d ecen t van t age p oin t . Even if it ’s a b it
far , it sh ou ld n ’t b e a p r ob lem . Don ’t for get ab ou t t h e p r op er t ies of m y m ar t ial
sou l. Let ’s give it a t r y.”
“Alr igh t .” W an g Don g r ep lied . H e low er ed h is h ead an d exit ed t h e w in d ow .

T h e w in gs of t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess u n fu r led , an d h e st ar t ed t o float in
m id -air .
Next , H u o Yu h ao p ou n ced t ow ar d h im a n d w r ap p ed h is ar m s ar ou n d h im .
“Oi, w h y ar e you clin gin g t o m e lik e t h a t ? You ’r e h eavy.” Aft er b ein g h u gged
b y H u o Yu h ao, it w as u n k n ow n w h et h er it w as b ecau se h e w as flu st er ed or
b ecau se Yu h ao w as r eally t h at h eavy, b u t W an g Don g’s bod y p lu n ged . It t ook
h im a few m om en t s b efor e h e w as ab le t o st ab ilize h im self.
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied sou r ly, “Non sen se. If I d on ’t clin g t o you , I’ll fall. An yw ay,
you k eep sayin g t h at you ’r e a m an , b u t w h y is you r b od y so soft ? It feels lik e a
w om an ’s b od y.”
W an g Don g got an gr y. “If you k eep w it h t h at n on sen se, d o you b elieve I w on ’t

fly u p an d t h r ow you d ow n ?”
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed , “Let ’s go t o t h e r oof.”
W an g Don g flap p ed h is w in gs an d p r oceed ed t ow ar d t h e r oof. Sin ce t h ey w er e

r esid in g on t h e t op floor , t h ey alr ead y w er en ’t ver y far fr om t h e r oof. Bu t as
soon as t h ey got t h er e, t h ey w er e d u m b fou n d ed .
“Cait ou , is t h is gad get even w or k in g? I can ’t see clear ly!” Bei Bei w as st an d in g
on t h e r oof an d h old in g som et h in g in h is h an d w h ile look in g t ow ar d s St ar Lu o
Plaza.
Besid e h im w er e Xu San sh i, J ian g Nan n a n , an d Xiao Xiao. T h e r oof w as q u it e

cr ow d ed .
Chapt er 81.1: Hidden St r engt h...
“You gu ys…” W an g Don g look ed at ever yon e in sh ock as h e p laced H u o Yu h ao

on t h e r oof.
Bei Bei p u t t h e t elescop ic sou l t ool d ow n an d r ep lied , “T each er W an g m ay b e

u n m at ch ed w h en it com es t o r esea r ch in g m ar t ial sou ls, h ow ever h e’s ver y
in exp er ien ced w h en it com es t o con cealin g h is em ot ion s. ”
“T h en w h y d id n ’t you gu ys call u s?” W an g Don g said r esen t fu lly.
“T h at ’s b ecau se ju n ior b r ot h er clear ly saw t h r ou gh it ! You gu ys h ave t o

r em em b er n ot t o b e t oo exp r essive. Ot h er w ise, a n yon e w it h a sh r ed of
in t elligen ce w ou ld b e ab le t o d iscer n you r t h ou gh t s. ” said Bei Bei.
W an g Don g felt gloom y as h e said , “Ar en ’t you on ly im p lyin g t h at I’m

d u m b er t h a n you gu ys?”
Xiao Xiao w eak ly r aised h er h an d an d sa id , “M e t oo. Sen ior b r ot h er t old m e

t h er e’s a good sh ow goin g on an d b r ou gh t m e u p h er e.”
T h ose w h o cou ld b e a p ar t of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s w er e p r od igies in

t h eir ow n r igh t . H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t t h e on ly on e w h o r ecogn ised W an g Yan ’s
p r ob lem . Bei Bei, Xu San sh i an d H e Cait ou w er e a lso aw ar e of it . J ian g Nan n an
an d Xiao Xiao w er e t h e on ly on es t h at h a d b een called u p .
“Nan n an , can I t ak e a look ?” Xu San sh i in ch ed over t o J ian g Nan n an ’s sid e,

faw n in g all over h er . W h er e h ad t h e p ow er fu l au r a h e h ad p ossessed d u r in g t h e
t ou r n am en t gon e t o?
H e Cait ou h ad b r ou gh t t w o t elescop ic sou l t ools alon g w it h h im . H e’d given

on e t o Bei Bei an d h an d ed t h e ot h er over t o Xu San sh i. For ap p ear an ce’s sak e,
Xu San sh i h a d im m ed iat ely h an d ed it t o J ian g Nan n an .
J ian g Nan n an ign or ed h im an d said , “T h e t ou r n am en t ’s st ar t in g.”
T h e Gr an d Im p er ial St ar H ot el an d St ar Lu o Plaza w er e sep ar at ed b y a few

k ilom et er s, w h ich w as ext r em ely far for t h e eye t o see. Fr om t h is d ist a n ce, t h e
m assive t ou r n am en t p laza w as b u t a ver y sm all squ a r e. It w as m or e or less
im p ossib le for on e t o ob ser ve t h e on goin gs clear ly. Even H e Cait ou w it h t h e
t elescop ic sou l t ool cou ld n ’t see w h at w as goin g on t oo clear ly.
H u o Yu h ao said , “Sen ior b r ot h er , let m e t est ou t t h at t elescop ic sou l t ool.”
Bei Bei h a n d ed t h e t elescop ic sou l t ool t h at look ed lik e a m et al b ox over t o

H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao t ook t h e t elescop ic sou l t ool an d p eer ed t h r ou gh t h e t r an sp ar en t

con vex-sh ap ed cr yst al, look in g in t o t h e d ist an ce t h r ou gh t h e en lar gem en t
d evice in st alled w it h in . On e on ly h a d t o p ou r a b it of t h eir sou l p ow er in t o t h e
t elescop ic sou l t ool t o u se it . It w as a ver y sim p le au xiliar y sou l t ool. Sin ce t h er e
w er en ’t m an y sou l t ool m ast er s w illin g t o p u t m u ch effor t in t o t h is asp ect , t h ey
w er e on ly Ran k 1 sou l t ools. Na t u r ally, it cou ld n ’t en lar ge t h e im age in t h e
d ist an ce b y a lar ge a m ou n t .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao’s eyesigh t w as excep t ion ally sh ock in g. H is eyes w er e h is

m ar t ial sou l, an d h e’d also b een cu lt iva t in g t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes all alon g.
Nat u r a lly, ever yt h in g w ou ld b e m u ch clear er t o Bei Bei if h e cou ld u se t h e
Pu r p le Dem on Eyes t oo. Even w it h ou t t h e h elp of t h is t elescop ic sou l t ool, h e
w ou ld on ly n eed t o u se a b it of sou l p ow er if h e w an t ed t o clear ly see w h at w as
goin g on a few k ilom et er s aw ay on a good d ay.
H u o Yu h ao exp an d ed h is Sp ir it u al Sh ar in g as h e w at ch ed w h at w as goin g on
on t h e t ou r n am en t st age. It w asn ’t t h at h e cou ld n ’t u se h is Sp ir it u al Sh a r in g
on ly w h en h e u sed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect io n . H e cou ld u se it on a n or m al b asis t oo,
ju st lik e w h at h e w a s d oin g n ow . H u o Yu h ao sh ar ed w h at h e cou ld see w it h h is
fr ien d s t h r ou gh h is Sp ir it u a l Sh ar in g. T h e fou r sou l sk ills t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m gave h im d id n ’t seem t o b e ver y p ow er fu l at fir st glan ce, b u t all of
t h em w er e in com p ar ab ly m yst ical in t h eir ow n r igh t .
T h e r eser ve t eam of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s on ly h ad t o close t h eir eyes for
t h e scen es H u o Yu h a o saw t o ap p ear in t h eir m in d s.
T h e m at ch h eld in St ar Lu o Plaza w asn ’t t h e fir st m at ch h eld sin ce t h ey left ,

b u t r at h er a 1-vs-1 sh ow d ow n .
H e’d ju st clear ly seen w h at w as h ap p en in g on t h e t ou r n am en t st age w h en a

sh iver r a n d ow n H u o Yu h ao’s sp in e. T h e ot h er s also t r em b led on ce t h ey b ecam e
aw ar e of w h at w as h ap p en in g on t h e st age u n d er t h e con d it ion s of h is Sp ir it u al
Sh ar in g. T h ey at m osp h er e su d d en ly b ecam e ver y t en se.
T h e r eason for t h is w as b ecau se t h e t w o in d ivid u als cu r r en t ly com p et in g

act u ally h ad five sou l r in gs each . M or eover , t h ey w er e a com b in at ion of t w o
yellow sou l r in gs a n d t h r ee p u r p le sou l r in gs. Even if t h ese t w o Sou l Kin gs
d id n ’t h ave t h e b est r at io of t en -t h ou sa n d -year sou l r in gs b et w een t h em , t h e
w or d s ‘Sou l Kin g’ p r essed h eavily lik e m o u n t ain s in ever yon e’s h ear t s.
Sou l Kin gs h ad act u a lly ap p ear ed aft er t h eir m at ch .
T h e t w o Sou l Kin gs w er e b ot h sou l m a st er s w h o d id n ’t u se an y sou l t ools

eit h er . T h eir b at t le w as ext r em ely in t en se, cau sin g st r on g r ays of ligh t t o
exp lod e fr om t h e t ou r n am en t st age fr om t im e t o t im e. Sin ce t h ey w er e ver y far
fr om t h e p laza, it w as im p ossib le for H u o Yu h ao t o see ever y m in u t e d et ail
r egar d less of h ow good h is eyesigh t w as.
M or eover , h e cou ld n ’t clear ly see t h e sp ecific d et ails on t h e st age w h en t h e

r ays of ligh t flick er ed fr om t h e in t en se so u l p ow er .
“It look s lik e T each er W an g w as r igh t . H e r eally w as afr aid of cr ack in g d ow n

on ou r con fid en ce in t h e t ou r n am en t .” Bei Bei said w it h sligh t d ifficu lt y.
Xu San sh i sn or t ed a n d said , “So w h at if t h ey’r e Sou l Kin gs? Bei Bei, you ’r e
d ish ear t en ed ju st lik e t h at ?”
Aft er t h e scen e sh e saw t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sh ar in g, J ian g

Nan n an p u t t h e t elescop ic sou l t ool d ow n . Sh e seld om sp ok e, b u t n ow sh e
con t in u ed w it h , “It ’s n or m al for Sou l Kin gs t o ap p ear in t h e ear lier p ar t s of t h e
k n ock ou t t ou r n am en t . T h e acad em ies t h at can p ass t h e fir st cycle of t h e
k n ock ou t t ou r n am en t can ’t b e esp ecially w eak in an y w ay. Per h ap s t h e Clou d
Lu o Ad van ced Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y w e faced off again st t od ay w as t h e on e
w it h t h e w eak est con st it u t ion . Even t h o u gh t h ese t w o acad em ies sen t ou t Sou l
Kin gs for t h e p r esen t m at ch , it m igh t ver y w ell st em fr om t h e r eason in g of
let t in g t h e Sou l Kin gs em er ge vict or iou s in a few m at ch es t o d ep let e t h e
op p on en t 's st r en gt h as b est as t h ey can .”
“Even t h ou gh you p u t it t h at w ay, w h at d o you t h in k is im p lied w it h t h em

h avin g Sou l Kin gs as t h eir com m an d in g officer s?” Bei Bei ask ed .
H u o Yu h ao su b con sciou sly an sw er ed , “It m ean s t h er e’s a ver y h igh p ossib ilit y
t h at t h eir t eam is m a d e u p en t ir ely of Sou l An cest or s.”
Bei Bei n od d ed an d said , “J u n ior b r ot h er is r igh t . I’m afr aid w e h ave an

ar d u ou s b at t le ah ea d of u s fr om n ow on . W e also d efin it ely h ave t o r eveal ou r
t r u e st r en gt h . W it h t eam m em b er s com p osed of Sou l An cest o r s w it h a Sou l Kin g
as t h eir lead er , t h eir st r en gt h su r p asses ou r s com p let ely as a w h ole. W e
d efin it ely can ’t d u p licat e w h at h ap p en ed in t h e fir st m a t ch . Ever yon e m u st b e
m en t ally p r ep ar ed . Ou r vict or y in t h e fir st t w o m at ch es w as d u e t o ou r
op p on en t s b ein g w eak alon g w it h a sm all b it of lu ck . T h e la t t er m at ch es w ill b e
m or e d ifficu lt . I’m a fr aid T each er W an g on ly lied t o u s a lit t le. T h er e r eally ar e
q u it e a n u m b er of t w en t y-year -old Sou l Kin gs t h is t im e a r ou n d .”
Xu San sh i sh r u gged an d said , “It d oesn ’t m at t er , Bei Bei. Aft er all, w e can
h ave Sou l Kin gs in ou r t eam in t h e n ext t w o m at ch es. Sen ior Sist er Lin g is a
Con t r ol-t yp e So u l Kin g. W it h h er d ep loyed in b at t le, w e w on ’t h ave a p r ob lem
an ym or e.”
Bei Bei glar ed a t h im an d said , “St op t alk in g n on sen se! Don ’t t h in k I d on ’t

k n ow w h at you ’r e h id in g. W e’r e com p et in g in t h is t ou r n am en t , w h ich m ean s
t h at w e’r e r ep r esen t in g Sh r ek Acad em y’s h on or . At t h e ver y least , w e’r e
en joyin g t h e t r ea t m en t of b ein g cor e d iscip les in t h e acad em y. Now it ’s t im e for
u s t o p r ot ect t h e aca d em y’s h on or . Even if w e u se t h e last sh r ed of ou r en er gy, I
w ill n ot p er m it m yself t o lose on st age. Xu San sh i, you b et t er get you r act
t oget h er . W e m u st d efin it ely w in t h e n ext t w o m at ch es. W e h ave t o give it
ever yt h in g w e’ve got b efor e ou r sen ior b r ot h er s an d sist er s r et u r n .”
Bei Bei h it t h e n ail on t h e h ead w it h t h is on e, exu d in g a m igh t y p ow er t h at

h e’d n ever h a d b efor e alon g w it h h is w or d s.
H is m ar t ial sou l w as t h e Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon . By n at u r e, h e h a d t h e

t yr an n n ical au r a of a k in g b u t t h e on ly d iffer en ce w as t h at h e n or m ally h id it
ext r em ely w ell. Un less it w as u n d er t h e con d it ion s of a figh t , n o on e cou ld feel
t h at au r a ar ou n d h im .
T h is w as t h e fir st t im e H u o Yu h ao h a d seen Bei Bei look so ser iou s. H e

im m ed iat ely felt a sh iver r u n d ow n h is sp in e.
Xu San sh i fr ow n ed . “Bei Bei, isn ’t it t oo ear ly? You ou gh t t o k n ow t h at t h is

t ou r n am en t d oesn ’t act u ally b elon g t o u s. If w e r eveal ou r t r u e ab ilit ies t oo
ear ly, ou r op p on en t s ar e su r e t o p u r su e cou n t er m easu r es again st u s in five
year s.”
Bei Bei low er ed h is voice an d said , “Bu t w e can ’t w ait . San sh i, d o you h ave
su ch lit t le fait h in w h at ’s t o com e in five year s? Five year s is a ver y lon g t im e t o
u s.”
Xu San sh i gazed d eep ly at Bei Bei an d sa id , “If you w an t t o go all in , I’ll go

alon g w it h you .”
Bei Bei said in an u n h ap p y t on e, “Can you n ot say it in su ch a sexu al w ay? I

d on ’t h ave t h e sligh t est b it of in t er est in you at all. I u n d er st a n d you r con cer n s.
Ou r ab ilit ies ar e b asically fixed . On ce w e r eveal ou r t r u e st r en gt h , ou r
fou n d at ion s w on ’t ch an ge, alt h ou gh t h ey’ll con t in u e t o in cr ease over t h e n ext
five year s. Bu t you ’ve for got t en som et h in g. Even t h ou gh ou r ab ilit ies ar e fixed ,
Yu h ao, W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao ar e at t h e st age w h er e t h eir ab ilit ies h aven ’t
b een fixed yet . Yu h ao in p ar t icu lar . H is Im it at ion ab ilit y is ver y effect ive at
con fu sin g h is op p on en t s. W e n eed t o su p p or t t h e t eam n ow . Also, t h ey ar e t h e
t r u e cor e d iscip les com e five year s’ t im e.”
“W ait a m om en t . Sen ior b r ot h er , Sen ior Xu , ar e you gu ys sayin g t h at you ’ve

alw ays b een h id in g you r st r en gt h all t h is w h ile?” H u o Yu h ao in t er r u p t ed .
“Uh … You can p u t it t h at w ay.” Bei Bei ga ve a sligh t n od as h e r ep lied .
T h e ot h er five exch a n ged glan ces w it h p u zzled look s on t h eir faces.
Bei Bei look ed at Xu San sh i, w h o im m ed iat ely h ad a look on h is face t h a t sa id

“It ’s n on e of m y b u sin ess”. T h e m ean in g b eh in d h is look w as ver y clear - if you
b r in g u p a t op ic, you ’ll n at u r ally h ave t o r esolve an y q u est ion t h at ar ise alon g
w it h it .
Bei Bei felt h elp less as h e look ed at t h e cu r iosit y in t h eir eyes. “T h e t r u t h is…
W ell, sin ce you gu ys ar e n ow p ar t of t h e r eser ve t eam , it ’s n o b ig d eal if w e t ell
you gu ys. Not lon g aft er San sh i an d I en t er ed t h e acad em y, w e b ecam e cor e
d iscip les lik e you gu ys. As ou r cu lt iva t ion in cr eased , w e gr ad u ally gain ed t h e
ap p r oval of t h e acad em y. W e t h en u n officially got ch osen t o b e t h e n ext
gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. W e w er e t h e on ly t w o w h o got ch osen
fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d . T o p u t it sim p ly, w e ar e sligh t ly m or e valu ab le
com p ar ed t o t h e cor e d iscip les. T h e acad em y is sligh t ly m or e b iased t ow ar d s u s
in t er m s of n u r t u r in g u s an d p r ovid in g u s w it h t h e n ecessar y r esou r ces.
H ow ever , t h at w as on t h e p r econ d it ion t h at w e w ou ld h ave t o sit for t h e in n er
cou r t yar d exam in a t ion aft er w e gr ad u at ed fr om t h e ou t er cou r t yar d .
Fu r t h er m or e, w e h a ve t o b ecom e Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s for at least five year s.”
“Gen er ally sp eak in g, u n officially d eclar in g som eon e t o b e a p ar t of Sh r ek ’s

Seven M on st er s is a ver y r ar e occu r r en ce. For exam p le, n o on e w as u n officially
d eclar ed as a m em b er of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s in Sen ior sist er M a’s
gen er at ion . T h e aca d em y on ly t h in k s h igh ly of u s b ecau se San sh i a n d I h ave
r at h er u n u su al ab ilit ies. Na t u r ally, t h er e’s som eon e am on gst you gu ys w h o also
h as t h at qu alificat io n , an d t h at is Yu h ao. T h is m at t er h as b een d elayed b ecau se
t h e t ou r n am en t ca m e t oo soon , an d also b ecau se Yu h ao is n ow cu lt iva t in g in
b ot h t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t an d Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . H ow ever , b ot h
d ep ar t m en t s ar e n u r t u r in g h im t o t h e b est of t h eir ab ilit ies, m ak in g h is
t r eat m en t equ al t o ou r s.”
“W e’r e st ill you n g, so t h e acad em y m ain ly w an t ed u s t o p ar t icip at e in t h e

n ext t ou r n am en t . Becau se of t h at , t h ey ask ed u s n ot t o u se all ou r st r en gt h
u n d er n or m al cir cu m st an ces. Bu t for t h e sak e of t h e acad em y’s h on or , I feel t h at
w e can n o lon ger con t in u e t o h id e. Du r in g t h e follow in g t w o m at ch es, it ’ll b e
ver y h ar d for u s t o w in if w e h ave t o face an y Sou l Kin gs.”
Ever yon e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t look at each ot h er aft er h ear in g h is w or d s. Su r e

en ou gh , t h e fact t h a t h e h a d b een ch osen b y t h e acad em y m ean t t h a t h e w a sn ’t
som eon e easily d ealt w it h !
W an g Don g look ed t ow ar d s Xu San sh i, “Sen ior Xu , can I ask a qu est ion ?

Du r in g ou r m at ch t od ay, h ow m u ch st r en gt h d id you u se?”
Xu San sh i t h ou gh t a b ou t it for a m om en t . “Ab ou t t h ir t y or for t y p er cen t . In

r ealit y, T each er W an g’s est im at ion s w er e w r on g. I on ly can r elease m y fu ll
st r en gt h w h en I w or k t oget h er w it h Bei Bei. W e w er e a cou p le in t h e fir st p lace.”
“Don ’t b e so fu ll of air w h en you sp eak ,” Bei Bei said gloom ily, “W h o’s a
cou p le w it h you ? W e’r e p ar t n er s. Exp lain it clear ly.”
“Ch e…” Xu San sh i cu r led h is lip s, “Cou ld it b e t h at you d on ’t k n ow w h o I

lik e? T h is b r ot h er ’s or ien t at ion s ar e p er fect ly n or m al.” W it h t h at , h is gaze
im m ed iat ely lan d ed on J ian g Nan n an ’s b od y.
H ow ever , J ian g Nan n an d id n ’t even sp ar e h im a glan ce. Sh e t h ou gh t lessly

w alk ed over t o Xiao Xiao’s sid e, an d w it h a flick of t h e w r ist , t h e p air of scissor s
t h at h ad p r eviou sly ap p ear ed d u r in g t h e m at ch on ce again ap p ear ed .
T h ir t y t o for t y p er cen t of h is st r en gt h ? T h ey w er e a ll fou r -r in ged sou l

m ast er s, b u t ju st h ow st r on g w as Xu Sa n sh i? Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w as also Bei
Bei, w h o h ad sim ilar ly h id d en h is st r en gt h .
Su d d en ly, H u o Yu h a o felt as if t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam h e w as in w asn ’t as w eak
as t h ey seem ed on t h e su r face!
H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “Sen ior Bei, d oes T each er W an g k n ow t h at you h ave b een

u n officially d eclar ed a m em b er of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s?”
Bei Bei sh ook h is h ead . “T each er W an g d oesn ’t k n ow . T h is is a h igh -level

secr et in t h e aca d em y. On ly t h e t w o Dean s of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t a n d
t h e eld er s of t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion k n ow of it . T h e Sea God ’s Pavilion is t h e
h igh est level of com m an d t h a t ou r acad em y h as, an d it ’s b ased on Sea God ’s
Islan d . Accor d in g t o t h e st or ies, t h e m ast er of t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion is t h e t r u e
n u m b er on e exp er t ou r acad em y h as. On ly, h e k eep s w at ch fr om Sea God ’s
Islan d , an d even w e h ave n ever seen w h a t h e look s lik e.”
“H e’s even st r on ger t h an Eld er Xu an ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed ast on ish ed ly. Fr om

h is r ecollect ion s, Eld er Xu an w as alr ea d y a n ear -om n ip ot en t su p er -exp er t d u e t o
t h e t er r ifyin g sp eed at w h ich h e’d flow n alon gsid e t h em , an d t h e cat ast r op h ic
level of st r en gt h t h a t h e’d r eleased w h en h e’d flow n in t o a r age.
Bei Bei sh r u gged . “H asn ’t Eld er Xu an a lr ead y said it b efor e? H e’s t h e vice-
cap t ain of ou r Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s. Sin ce t h er e’s a vice-cap t ain , t h er e’s n at u r ally a
cap t ain . Ou r cap t a in is t h e m ast er of t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion . On ly, n ob od y h as
ever seen h im m ak e a m ove.”
Aft er list en in g t o Bei Bei, H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao fin ally
u n d er st ood ever yt h in g. T h eir u n d er st a n d in g of t h e acad em y w as sim p ly t oo
lack in g. Un exp ect ed ly, t h er e w as even a p lace lik e Sea Go d ’s Islan d w it h in t h e
in n er cou r t yar d . Fu r t h er m or e, fr om w h at Bei Bei said , t h is Sea God ’s Islan d h ad
a m u ch gr eat er level of in flu en ce even w h en com p ar ed t o t h e Dean s.
Bei Bei said , “T h er e’s n o n eed for you gu ys t o t h in k t oo m u ch over it .

Alt h ou gh w e’ve h id d en som e of ou r st r en gt h , w e d id n ’t h id e t oo m u ch . Aft er all,
w e’r e st ill at t h e Sou l An cest or level of st r en gt h . You ’ll see it d u r in g t h e
t ou r n am en t . Let ’s ju st follow T each er W an g Yan ’s t act ics an d ar r an gem en t s.
H ow ever , if w e get p u t in t o a 2-2-3 m at ch , t h er e’s a h igh ch a n ce t h at San sh i an d
I w ill b e p u t in t o a t eam t o figh t again st t h eir st r on gest exp er t s. On t h e ot h er
h an d , t h er e m ay b e ch an ges in t h e ot h er t eam s. Nan n an , w h at w ou ld h ap p en if
you w er e p laced w it h Cait ou ?”
W it h ou t an y h esit at ion at all, J ian g Nan n an r ep lied , “Ot h er t h an a cer t ain

p er son , I’m fin e w it h p air in g u p w it h an yb od y else.”
Xu San sh i im m ed iat ely in t er r u p t ed h er , “I k n ow , you ’r e n ot w illin g t o b e

t oget h er w it h a ser iou s-look in g p er son lik e Bei Bei. Bei Bei, I t h in k it ’s st ill
b et t er for m e t o w or k t oget h er w it h Nan n an . You can ju st w or k w it h som eb od y
else.”
J ian g Nan n an flew in t o a r age. “St op p layin g d u m b . T h e cer t ain p er son I’m
t alk in g ab ou t is you . St ay aw ay fr om m e, ot h er w ise d on ’t b lam e m e for b ein g
im p olit e t o you .” As sh e sp ok e, sh e w aved t h e scissor s in h er h an d t h r ou gh t h e
air .
Xu San sh i im m ed iat ely fell silen t . Clea r ly, h e w as act in g as t h ou gh h e h ad

fallen silen t ou t of fear , an d ever yb od y cou ld see t h at h e n ear ly cou ld n ’t h elp b u t
fly in t o u p r oar iou s lau gh t er .
Bei Bei said , “T h en , w e’ll t em p or ar ily p u t you w it h Cait ou . Yu h ao, w e’ll leave
you r p ar t n er s as W a n g Don g an d Xiao Xiao. If w e can ’t d eal w it h ou r en em ies
d u r in g t h e fir st t w o m at ch es, you w on ’t h ave t o t r y t oo excessively d u r in g t h e
last m at ch . You sh o u ld d o you r b est t o h id e you r secr et s. Pr efer ab ly, it ’d b e
b et t er for you t o lose r at h er t h an r eveal som e of you r secr et s. Un d er st an d ? Aft er
all, w e can st ill w in even if w e lose a sin gle m at ch in t h e r ou n d -r ob in
t ou r n am en t . Fu r t h er m or e, it ’s im p ossib le for u s t o b e p u t in t o a 2-2-3 figh t
ever y r ou n d .”
“Yes.” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied im m ed iat ely. H e h ad n ot h in g b u t u t m ost t r u st for

h is sen ior b r o t h er .
A ligh t flick er ed acr oss Bei Bei’s eyes. “Fin e. Ever yb od y, go b ack . W e d on ’t
h ave t o st ay h er e an ym or e. T each er W an g Yan w ill d efin it ely m ak e a few
ar r an gem en t s for u s b ased on ou r op p on en t ’s st r en gt h s. Ever yb od y, go get a
good r est an d m ain t a in you r con d it ion s.”
Aft er r et u r n in g t o t h eir h ot el r oom , H u o Yu h ao called W an g Don g t o h is r oom

t o cu lt ivat e.
W an g Don g closed t h e d oor an d sa id , “I d id n ’t t h in k t h at sen ior b r ot h er an d

Xu San sh i w ou ld ’ve h id d en t h e fact t h at t h ey w er e u n official m em b er s of
Sh r ek ’s Seven Devils. W e sh ou ld h ave a figh t in g ch an ce n ow .”
H u o Yu h ao said , “It ’s h ar d t o t ell. If w e’r e in a 1v1 elim in a t ion r ou n d or a

t eam figh t , ou r sen ior s w ill b e ab le t o u t ilise t h eir st r en gt h s op t im ally. H ow ever ,
if w e r eally d o get in t o a 2-2-3 m at ch lik e sen ior b r ot h er said , w e’ll b e in a b it of
t r ou b le. Aft er all, t h e on ly st r on g t eam m at es w e h ave ar e t h e t w o of t h em .”
W an g Don g w as som ew h at u n r esign ed . “You ’r e u n d er est im at in g u s t oo

m u ch . Do w e n ot h ave en ou gh st r en gt h t o w in a sin gle b at t le? Don ’t for get , w e
can n ow u se ou r Gold en Road again .”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled b it t er ly. “Ou t of ever yon e w h o can p ar t icip at e in t h e

Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t , t ell m e, w h o isn ’t a r eal elit e?
Sin ce w e’ve alr ead y u sed t h e Gold en Road on ce, ou r op p on en t s w ill b e cau t iou s
of it . It s gr eat est fla w is t h e fact t h at it ’s an at t ack t h a t on ly t ar get s a sin gle
d ir ect ion . As lon g as ou r op p on en t s m ak e a few p r ep ar at ion s again st it , ou r
ch an ces of su cceed in g w ill b e m u ch low er . Ou t of t h e t h r ee of u s, t w o of u s h ave
t w o r in gs, w h ile you h ave t h r ee r in gs. If a ll of ou r op p on en t s a r e Sou l An cest or s,
w e p r act ically h ave n o ch an ce of w in n in g.”
W an g Don g fell silen t , as t h ou gh h e w er e p on d er in g som et h in g.
H u o Yu h ao p at t ed h is sh ou ld er . “Com e, let ’s go cu lt iva t e. Ev er y sin gle lit t le

b it cou n t s. No m at t er w h at , w e sh ou ld d o ou r b est . W e ab solu t ely can n ot let t h e
glor y of Sh r ek Acad em y an d t h e T an g Sect b e t ar n ish ed b ecau se of u s.”
“Righ t .”
T h e m at ch es of t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t w er e h eld on alt er n at e d ays. For
exam p le, ever y t eam in Gr ou p A w ou ld h ave t o u n d er go seven m at ch es. If a
t eam w an t ed t o qu alify, t h ey w ou ld h ave t o b eat five t eam s at t h e ver y least t o
st an d a ch an ce. On ly b y w in n in g six m at ch es w ou ld a t eam b e ab le t o gu ar an t ee
t h em selves a sp ot in t h e n ext r ou n d .
Aft er t w o d ays p assed , t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t en d ed .

W h en com p ar ed t o t h e elim in at ion r ou n d , t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t w as
m u ch m or e p eacefu l. Ever y sin gle t eam con t in u ou sly r evised t h eir b at t le t act ics,
an d t h e st r at egies u sed in ever y sin gle r ou n d of t h e t ou r n am en t w er e m or e
d et ailed t h an t h e last . H ow ever , it w asn ’t as cr azy as t h e elim in at ion r ou n d .
T h e fir st r ou n d of t h e elim in at ion r ou n d w as st ill affect in g t h e r ou n d -r ob in

t ou r n am en t ; t h e t ea m s w h ose m ain for ces h ad b een in ju r ed w er e u sin g t h e fir st
r ou n d of t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t t o ad ju st t h eir t eam ’s con d it ion . Becau se
of t h at , t h e fir st r ou n d w asn ’t over ly excit in g. It w asn ’t yet t im e for ever yon e t o
b r in g ou t t h eir st r on gest p ow er s.
H ow ever , a p er sp eciou s p er son cou ld t ell t h at t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e r ou n d -

r ob in t ou r n am en t w as t h e calm b efor e t h e st or m . M an y of t h e t eam s cou ld n ’t
affor d t o lose t h e com in g m at ch es an ym or e.
Nigh t .
“T each er W an g Yan , w h er e ar e w e goin g?” Bei Bei ask ed , p u zzled .
On e d ay h ad p assed sin ce t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e t ou r n am en t , an d t h ey w ou ld

b e st ar t in g t h e secon d r ou n d of t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t t om or r ow .
H ow ever , W an g Yan w as b r in gin g t h e seven fr om t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam ou t of
t h e Gr an d Im p er ial St ar H ot el aft er d in n er .
In t h e fir st p lace, t h is w as t h e m ost b u st lin g p ar t of St ar Lu o Cit y. T h e

m om en t t h ey st ep p ed ou t t h e d oor , t h ey w er e en gu lfed b y a lar ge an d ch aot ic
n u m b er of p eop le.
W an g Yan sm iled sligh t ly. “I’m b r in gin g you t o a p lace. J u st follow m e.
Recen t ly, w e’d ju st fin ish ed ou r Gu ar d ian assign m en t b efo r e p ar t icip at in g in
t h is t o u r n am en t . You r m in d s h ave b een st r ain ed t h e w h ole t im e. It w on ’t b e
good if you ’r e lik e t h is t h e w h ole t im e. I’m b r in gin g you t o a p lace w h er e you
can r elax. Relaxat ion w ill h ave som e b en efit s for you r fu t u r e m at ch es.”
Relaxin g?
T h eir faces b ecam e som ew h at st r an ge. T h ey w er e alr ead y aw ar e of h ow

st r on g t h eir im m in en t op p on en t s w er e, b u t T each er W an g w as act u ally t ak in g
t h em ou t t o h elp t h em r elax? Cou ld an yon e even b elieve h im ? H ow ever ,
T each er W an g’s con cealm en t sk ills w er e m u ch b et t er t h an last t im e, at t h e ver y
least . Nob od y q u est ion ed h im , b ecau se ever yon e k n ew t h at w h er ever h e w as
goin g t o t ak e t h em w as d efin it ely for t h e sak e of ob t ain in g bet t er r esu lt s in t h e
t ou r n am en t .
Sin ce t h e st ar t of t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g

T ou r n am en t , t h e va st St ar Lu o Cit y h ad b ecom e ext r em ely con gest ed . It w as
ver y h ar d t o m ain t a in on e’s sp eed w it h in t h e cr ow d , esp ecially on t h e st r eet s
n ear St ar Lu o Plaza, w h ich w er e p er m an en t ly con gest ed .
Du r in g t h e p ast few d ays, W an g Yan seem ed t o h ave u n d er st ood t h e gen er al

ou t lin es of t h eir su r r ou n d in gs. Aft er b r in gin g t h em t h r ou gh a cr ow d ed p ar t of
t h e r oad , t h ey b r ok e t h r ou gh t h e m asses; t h er e w er e n ow m u ch few er p eop le
ar ou n d t h em .
Aft er p assin g t h r ou gh an ot h er few st r eet s, t h ey fin ally st op p ed at a p oin t ed -

look in g b u ild in g.
T h is b u ild in g w asn ’t t oo con sp icu ou s, an d alt h ou gh it w asn ’t t oo b ig

com p ar ed t o t h e ot h er t all b u ild in gs su r r ou n d in g it , it co u ld b e con sid er ed
p r om in en t . A sign w it h t h e d esign of a h am m er w as p laced ab ove it s d oor , an d
t h e im age of a gold en , vein ed t ab let op w as u n d er t h e h am m er .
Of t h e m em b er s of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam , on ly H u o Yu h ao r evealed a b lan k
look at seein g t h is sign ; t h e ot h er s all h a d a su d d en flash of en ligh t en m en t .
H u o Yu h ao w h isp er ed t o W an g Don g, “W h at is t h is p lace?”
W an g Don g said , “T h is is an a u ct ion . See t h e d esign of t h at sign ? T h at

elab or at ely car ved h am m er is t h e sym b ol of an au ct ion . On ly au ct ion s an d
b lack sm it h s u se a h a m m er as a sign , b u t t h e h am m er of a b lack sm it h t en d s t o b e
m u ch r ou gh er an d lar ger . As lon g as it ’s n ot t oo la t e, you sh ou ld b e ab le t o h ear
t h e sou n d s of h am m er in g n ear a b lack sm it h .”
“So t h at ’s t h e case.” H u o Yu h ao felt ash am ed . H e w as t r u ly clu eless in cer t ain

ar eas. As t h e sayin g w en t , r ead in g t en t h ou san d b ook s is n ot as u sefu l as
t r avellin g t en t h ou sa n d m iles. Na t u r a lly, h e w ou ld n ’t ch an ge. Aft er all, t h e m ost
im p or t an t t h in g h e h ad t o d o w as in cr ea se h is cu lt iva t ion .
T h e com p an ion s, sen ior s, op p on en t s, an d even t h e t each er s w h o t au gh t h im ,

ever y sin gle on e of t h ese p eop le gave h im t h e p r essu r e an d d r ive t h at m ad e h im
con t in u e a n u n en d in g jou r n ey. Du r in g t h is jou r n ey, t h e on ly w ay h e cou ld h ave
p eace of m in d w as b y exh au st in g all of h is st r en gt h .
T h is w as also an a d van t age of Sh r ek Acad em y. In an en vir on m en t lik e t h is,

H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er st u d en t s w ou ld ab solu t ely b e st im u lat ed in t o an all-
ou t st r u ggle as lon g as t h ey w er e m ot ivat ed . T h is w as all d on e so t h ey cou ld
r elease t h e p ot en t ial h id d en w it h in t h eir b od ies.
T h is w as also t h e r eason w h y Sh r ek Acad em y n ot on ly h ad t alen t s, b u t also a

gr ou p of t alen t s w h o cam e for t h in lar ge n u m b er s.
J u st w h at is T each er W an g b r in gin g u s t o an au ct ion for ? A few t r aces of

d ou b t r ose in H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t .
At t h e sam e t im e, W an g Yan gave t h em an exp lan at ion as h e t u r n ed t ow ar d s

t h e ot h er s, “Alt h ou gh you h aven ’t seen t h e ot h er acad em ies com p et e, I h ave t o
t ell you all t h at t h is t im e’s t ou r n am en t is ver y d iffer en t t h an t h e p r eviou s on es.
T h e d iffer en ce lies in t h e fact t h at t h er e ar e n ow ver y few p u r e sou l m ast er
acad em ies left . All of t h e ot h er acad em ies h ave b een gr ow in g in t h e d ir ect ion of
a fu sion b et w een sou l en gin eer s an d sou l m ast er s.”
“A fu sion ?” Bei Bei fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s sligh t ly, “T each er W a n g, w h at d o you

m ean b y ‘a fu sion ’?”
W an g Yan said , “T h er e ar e m an y t yp es of fu sion for som e or d in ar y
acad em ies. T h e sim p lest w ay t h ey can d o t h is is b y d iligen t ly t r ain in g t h e sou l
m ast er s t h ey h ave, t h en equ ip p in g t h em w it h sou l t ools. As lon g as t h eir
st u d en t s lea r n h ow t o u se t h ese sou l t ools, t h ey’r e fin e. Even if t h eir w ays of
u sin g sou l t ools ar en ’t as r efin ed as a sou l en gin eer ’s m et h od s, a sou l t ool can
st ill in cr ease t h eir figh t in g p ow er . Pu r e sou l m ast er s ar e b ecom in g r ar er an d
r ar er .”
“It ’s ju st lik e w h at w e saw d u r in g t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e elim in at ion r ou n d ,

w h en Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g act ivat ed t h eir Gold en Road . Ou r op p on en t s h ad a
few d efen sive-t yp e sou l t ools. W er e it n ot for t h em , t h ey cou ld ’ve b een ser iou sly
in ju r ed . H ow ever , sit u a t ion s lik e t h is ar e com m on p lace d u r in g t h is year ’s
t ou r n am en t . Pr act ically ever y st u d en t fr om a sou l acad em y h as a sou l t ool, an d
som e of t h e st r on ger acad em ies h ave even set u p t h eir ow n in d ep en d en t Sou l
T ool Dep ar t m en t s. Not on ly d oes t h is t r ain t h eir ow n sou l en gin eer s, b u t it also
allow s t h em t o cu st om -m ak e sou l t ools for t h eir ot h er sou l m ast er s t o give t h em
a d r am at ic in cr ease in over all st r en gt h . You ’ll u n d er st an d o n ce I give you an
exam p le. Let ’s say w e give a sp eed -in cr easin g sou l t ool t o an agilit y-t yp e sou l
m ast er lik e Nan n an . If sh e can u se it fr eely, w h at d o you t h in k w ill h ap p en ? At
t h e sam e t im e, say w e give h er a few lifesavin g d efen sive-t yp e sou l t ool t o gu ar d
again st h er w eak n ess in d efen se. W ou ld n ’t t h at b e en ou gh t o let h er u se all of
h er st r en gt h w it h ou t an y w or r y at all?”
“I n ever t h ou gh t t h at t h is t ou r n am en t w ou ld ch an ge t h is m u ch aft er five

year s. Act u ally, it ’s m or e accu r at e t o say t h at t h is st ar t ed sever al d ecad es ago.
On ly, an over w h elm in gly lar ge n u m b er of acad em ies w er e p r ou d of t h e fact t h at
t h ey w er e sou l acad em ies at t h at t im e. J u st lik e u s, t h ey felt t h at u sin g sou l t ools
w ou ld low er t h eir r ep u t at ion s. H ow ever , t h e t im es ch a n ge w h et h er w e lik e it or
n ot . Du r in g t h e last few t ou r n am en t s, acad em ies w h o u sed sou l t ools h ave b een
ob t ain in g b et t er an d b et t er r esu lt s. T h is u n en d in g ch an ge h as ch an ged t h e ot h er
sou l acad em ies’ w ay of t h in k in g . On ly, I d id n ’t t h in k t h a t t h ey’d fu lly exp lod e
d u r in g t h is year ’s t ou r n am en t . Fr om w h at I’ve seen d u r in g t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e
elim in at ion r ou n d , over 80 % of t h e p ar t icip at in g acad em ies h ave p r ep ar ed sou l
t ools. Fu r t h er m or e, w it h t h is exp er ien ce, I’m afr aid t h at ever y sin gle acad em y
w ill h ave eq u ip p ed t h eir st u d en t s w it h sou l t ools b y t h e n ext t ou r n am en t .”
Xu San sh i fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s. “T h ey’ve for got t en t h e h on or of b ein g a sou l

m ast er . Ar en ’t b at t les b et w een sou l m ast er s m ean t t o b e p u r e? T h e m ost r eliab le
t ool w e h ave at ou r d isp osal is t h e st r en gt h w e’ve cu lt ivat ed , an d it ’s ou r m ost
t r u st w or t h y t ool. Aft er all, a sou l t ool is a for eign ob ject .”
“You ’r e n ot w r on g,” W an g Yan said in a low voice, “Also, I ca n gu ar an t ee you

gu ys t h at San sh i’s w ay of t h in k in g is p r act ically id en t ical t o t h at of t h e u p p er
ech elon of a lar ge m ajor it y of acad em ies. It ’s t h is p r ecise r eason t h at h as
con st r ain ed t h e d evelop m en t of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . Aft er m y
ob ser vat ion s d u r in g t h is year ’s t ou r n am en t , h ow ever , I h ave t o say t h at w e’ve
r each ed an ir r ever sib le p oin t in t im e. Fu r t h er m or e, t h is h a s t o b e act ed u p on
im m ed iat ely. On ce w e r et u r n t o t h e a cad em y aft er t h e t ou r n am en t , I w ill
im m ed iat ely p oin t t h is ou t t o t h e acad em y.”
“Sou l t ools w ill b ecom e t h e w eap on s of u s sou l m a st er s. T h is is a b yp r od u ct of

t h e t im es. If w e d o n ’t k eep u p w it h t h e p assage of t im e, t h er e w ill b e a t im e
w h en w e ou r selves ar e w ash ed aw ay. It ’s t r u e t h at ou r Sh r ek Acad em y h as a
d eep b ack gr ou n d , b u t h ow lon g w ill t h is d eep b ack gr ou n d let u s b e ext r avagan t ?
You gu ys ar e t h e n ext gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s, an d I h op e t h at w e
can cau se a ch an ge w it h you t ak in g t h e lead . I’ve b r ou gh t you h er e for t h at
r eason . It ju st so h ap p en s t h at t h er e’s a sou l t ool au ct ion in t h is au ct ion h ou se
t od ay, an d I h op e t h at you gu ys w ill b e ab le t o lead t h e acad em y w it h you r
exam p le. Nat u r ally, I w on ’t for ce you , n or d o I h ave t h e cap ab ilit y t o d o so. If
an yon e h er e isn ’t w illin g t o en t er , you can r et u r n n ow .” W it h t h at , W an g Yan ’s
gaze t u r n ed som ew h at ap p r eh en sive. H e n at u r ally u n d er st ood t h at t h e d eep -
r oot ed Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t of Sh r ek Acad em y h ad alr ead y b een est ab lish ed
for m an y year s, b u t h ad alw ays b een com p let ely su p p r essed b y t h e M ar t ial Sou l
d ep ar t m en t . As a r esu lt , it h ad sim p ly b een u n ab le t o t r u ly gr ow .
T h e in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t w er e elit es

am on g elit es, b u t w h at ab ou t t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t ? T h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t also h a d in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les, b u t t h ose exact d iscip les w er e
on ly m ed iocr e aft er gr ad u at in g, an d even n ow w er en ’t ab le t o cr eat e an y sor t of
r ep u t at ion for Sh r ek Acad em y’s Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t . T h is w as b ecau se of t h e
p r essu r e of t r a d it ion ! T h e p r essu r e of t r a d it ion h ad b ecom e t h e cu r r en t ly
r est r ain ed Sh r ek Acad em y’s gr eat est b ar r ier .
T h e seven of t h em all fell silen t , an d each an d ever y on e of t h em w as

p on d er in g in w ar d ly.
T h e on ly t h in g t h a t W an g Yan cou ld gu a r an t ee w as t h a t t h er e w ou ld b e t w o
p eop le w h o w ou ld agr ee w it h h im --t h at w as, t h e t w o p eop le w h o b elon ged t o
t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , H e Cait ou an d H u o Yu h ao.
Bu t w h at ab ou t t h e ot h er five? T h ey w er e all cor e d iscip les of t h e M ar t ia l Sou l

Dep ar t m en t ; t h eir elit es. If t h ey ch ose t o u se sou l t ools d u r in g t h e t ou r n am en t ,
t h is w ou ld b e equ ivalen t t o t h em m ak in g t h eir d ecision s. Alt h ou gh t h ese k id s
w er en ’t t oo old , t h ey w er e ab le t o st an d st ead ily w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y. W er e
an y of t h em n ot ou t st an d in g gen iu ses? W an g Yan ab solu t ely cou ld n ’t p r ed ict
t h eir w ay of t h in k in g b y com p ar in g t h em t o t h eir p eer s.
H ow ever , W an g Yan d id n ’t r egr et b r in gin g t h em t o t h is au ct ion h ou se a t all.

T h is w as h is fir st t im e t r yin g t o con vin ce t h em t o u se sou l t ools, b u t it w ou ld
d efin it ely n ot b e h is last . T h e m or e p r ofou n d h is r esear ch in t h e field of m ar t ial
sou ls b ecam e, t h e m or e k een ly h e sen sed t h e p r ob lem s t h at w ou ld st u n t t h e
fu t u r e gr ow t h of sou l m ast er s.
“Let ’s ju st st an d t h e sid e fir st .” W an g Yan b r ou gh t t h em t o a cor n er of t h e

au ct ion h ou se so as t o n ot b lock t h e ot h er gu est s w h o w er e at t en d in g t h e
au ct ion .
W an g Yan t ook a d eep b r eat h as h e look ed at t h e p eop le ar ou n d h im . “I k n ow .

All of you ar e t h in k in g d iffer en t t h in gs, b u t a lar ge n u m b er of you ar e again st
t h is. Let m e say t h is again . W h y d id w e fa ll in t o ou r cu r r en t p r ed icam en t d u r in g
t h is year ’s t ou r n am en t ? It w a s d u e t o a m ist ak e w e m ad e d u r in g ou r m ission .
T h e d eat h an d in ju r ies of t h e official t eam r esu lt ed in t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam
b ein g for ced t o t ak e p ar t in t h e t ou r n am en t . Bu t , h aven ’t you t h ou gh t ab ou t t h is
b efor e? W h at if t h e official t eam h ad sou l t ools w it h t h em ? W h at w ou ld ’ve
h ap p en ed t h en ?”
“T h e seven m em b er s of t h e official t eam w er e all Sou l Kin gs, or st r on ger . In

ot h er w or d s, t h ey cou ld ’ve eq u ip p ed Class 5, or even Class 6 sou l t ools. Let m e
b r in g u p an ext r em e exam p le. W h a t if all of t h em h a d d efen sive sou l t ools on
t h em ? Aft er all, ev er y sin gle on e of t h em w as alr ea d y su fficien t ly st r on g in
t er m s of com b at st r en gt h . T h e t h in g t h ey n eed ed m ost w as a w ay t o p r ot ect
t h em selves. Cait ou , you ’r e a st u d en t of gr eat ab ilit y fr om t h e Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t , an d a lso Fan Yu ’s d iscip le. T ell ever yon e t h is: d u r in g t h a t cor p se
exp losion , w h at if t h ey h ad h ad d efen sive sou l t ools? W ou ld t h e sit u at ion h ave
ch an ged ?”
H e Cait ou seem ed t o r ep ly w it h ou t an y h esit at ion at all, “It w ou ld ’ve

d efin it ely gon e d iffer en t ly. I can gu ar an t ee t h at t h at cor p se exp losion w ou ld n ’t
h ave b r ok en t h r ou gh a Class 6 d efen sive sou l t ool. M or eover , a Class 5 sou l t ool
w ou ld h ave en su r ed t h at t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave b een r en d er ed u n fit for com b at at
t h e ver y least . T h eir in ju r ies w ou ld ’ve b een r ed u ced b y m or e t h an 60 % as w ell.”
On ce h e sp ok e, ever yon e else w as st ir r ed em ot ion ally. Righ t ! If t h ey h ad h ad

d efen sive sou l t ools, t h at t r aged y m igh t n ot h ave occu r r ed . If t h at h ad b een t h e
case, w ou ld t h ey h av e b een in su ch a p r ed icam en t d u r in g t h e t ou r n am en t ?
W an g Yan t ook a d eep b r eat h an d said , “Ch ild r en . W it h m y age, I t h in k I can

u se t h is t o r efer t o you all. I h ave t o say t h at each an d ever y on e of you ar e t h e
acad em y’s m ost p r eciou s t r easu r es. At t h e sam e t im e, you a r e you r r esp ect iv e
fam ilies’ m ost p r eciou s gen iu ses. H ow ever , t h e fall of a gen iu s is m u ch , m u ch
easier t h an n u r t u r in g on e. W er en ’t Yao H aoxu an an d t h e r est gen iu ses as w ell?
T h ey all w er e. Yao H aoxu an even h ad a sw allow in g sk ill t h at cou ld allow h im t o
in st an t ly sw allow an op p on en t on e r an k ab ove h im , r en d er in g t h em p ow er less
for a cer t ain am ou n t of t im e. H e cou ld even b e said t o b e a gen iu s w it h in t h e
Con t r ol Syst em . At t h e sam e t im e, t h ey w er e t h e cu r r en t it er at ion of Sh r ek ’s
Seven M on st er s! H ow ever , w h at h ap p en ed in t h e en d ? No m at t er h ow t alen t ed
t h ey w er e, t h ey cou ld n ’t p r even t an a ccid en t fr om occu r r in g. H ow ever , t h e
exist en ce of a sou l t ool can d r am at ica lly r ed u ce t h e p ossib ilit y of an accid en t .”
“You ’ve alr ead y seen t h e u ses of a sou l t ool. W h at ab ou t t h ose flyin g-t yp e sou l
t ools? W it h ou t t h em , w ou ld you h ave b een ab le t o com e h er e aft er com p let in g
you r Gu ar d ian m ission w it h in su ch a sh or t p er iod of t im e? For t h e sak e of
ach ievin g h is m axim u m sp eed , even ou r acad em y’s Eld er Xu a n , w h o is a p er son
w h o r esid es at t h e t op of t h e p yr am id , b or r ow ed t h e u se of a flyin g-t yp e sou l
t ool. I can t ell you t h at t h e flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool t h at Eld er Xu an u sed w as on ly a
Class 8 on e. T h at is also t h e st r on gest so u l t ool w it h in ou r acad em y’s r eser ves
r igh t n ow . T h en , w h at ab ou t Class 9 an d 10 sou l t ools?”
Chapt er 82.1: The Fut ur e Development s and
Danger s of a Soul M ast er
“Also, on e t h in g I can r eveal t o you is t h at Xu an Lao’s cu lt ivat ion is cer t ain ly

m u ch m or e t er r ifyin g t h an w h at t h e m ajor it y of you p eop le im agin e it t o b e. H is
m ar t ial sou l, t h e God ly T aot ie Bu ll, is a n ext r em ely r a r e an d sp ecial t yp e t h at
can also b e called a m u t at ed m ar t ial sou l. T h e d r aw b ack of t h is t yp e of m ar t ial
sou l lies in t h e n eed for con st an t con su m p t ion of food an d d r in k , as t h e act of
con su m p t ion it self is a for m of cu lt iva t ion . H ow ever , Xu a n Lao’s cu lt ivat ion h as
alr ead y r each ed t h e n in et y-eigh t h r an k , an d h e is t h e T r an scen d en t T it led
Dou lu o of Glu t t on y. It ’s alm ost im p ossib le t o fin d an y b ein g in exist en ce on t h is
con t in en t t h at is st r on ger t h an t h at eld er in a d u el.”
Even t h ou gh t h ey alr ead y h ad ver y h igh est im at ion s of Xu an Lao’s

cu lt ivat ion , t h e seven of t h em st ill d r ew a collect ive gasp w h en W an g Yan sp ok e
t h e n u m b er ‘n in et y-eigh t ’. W h a t a t h in g t o con sid er , t h at r an k n in et y-eigh t !
All sou l m ast er s w h o w er e r an k n in et y or h igh er w er e T it led Dou lu o, b u t

ever y in cr ease in cu lt ivat ion aft er t h e n in et iet h r an k cam e w it h exp on en t ial
gr ow t h . T h is w as p ar t icu la r ly t h e case for t h e r an k s p a st n in et y-five, as
at t ain in g t h at r an k m ad e on e w or t h y of b ein g called a T r an scen d en t Dou lu o.
For exam p le, if a n ew ly-p r om ot ed r a n k n in et y T it led Dou lu o w er e t o

en cou n t er a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east , h is on ly op t ion w ou ld b e t o t u r n
an d flee. Un less h e h ad a su fficien t ly p ow er fu l m ar t ial so u l an d sou l r in g, h e
w ou ld n ot h ave t h e cap ab ilit y t o b at t le su ch a sou l b east .
H ow ever , if h is cu lt iva t ion w as som ew h er e ar ou n d r an k n in et y-t w o or

n in et y-t h r ee, t h en h e w ou ld st an d a fair ch an ce again st t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d
year sou l b east , as lon g as it w asn ’t on t h e level of a Beast Kin g.
An d if h is cu lt ivat ion w as a t r an k n in et y-five, t h at of a T r a n scen d en t T it led
Dou lu o, t h en t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east w ou ld b e t h e on e d oin g t h e
fleein g. Not even t w o h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s w h o h ad b r ok en p ast
t h eir lim it s w er e lik ely t o h ave t h e gu t s t o b at t le a r an k n in et y-five T it led
Dou lu o.
An d t h en t h er e w as Eld er Xu an , w h o b elon ged t o a t ier eq u ivalen t t o t h e Ice

J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion am on g sou l b east s. It w as t h e cr èm e d e la cr èm e, an d t h e
t er r or of t er r or s.
On ly t h en d id H u o Yu h ao u n d er st an d w h y h e h ad felt su ch an over p ow er in g
p an ic in h is h ear t w h en Xu an Lao w as en r aged . Even Sk yd r eam an d t h e Ice
Em p r ess h ad r em ain ed silen t w it h in h is sp ir it u al sea, n eit h er com m u n icat in g
an yt h in g t o h im or cau sin g an y st r on g sp ir it u al w aves. T h e m igh t of Eld er
Xu an ’s cu lt ivat ion h ad sim p ly b een t oo t er r ifyin g.
“If t h is w as set sever al h u n d r ed year s in t h e p ast , I’d say t h a t Xu an Lao w as

alm ost w it h ou t p ar allel. Bu t is t h a t r eally t h e case t od ay?” W an g Yan w en t on .
“I can t ell you all w it h cer t a in t y t h a t Xu an Lao r em ain s u n r iva lled in sin gle
com b at . H ow ever , t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h as sever a l Class 9 sou l en gin eer s w h o
ar e cap ab le of figh t in g h im on even gr ou n d , t o t h e p oin t of p osin g a t h r eat t o h is
life. T op t ier sou l en gin eer s w h ose exist en ces a r e ju st as t er r ifyin g. T h eir
en t ir ely d iffer en t figh t in g st yle en ab les t h em t o u se all of t h eir sou l sk ills t o
in cr ease t h eir sou l p ow er b efor e lau n ch in g an at t ack t h r ou gh a p ow er fu l so u l
t ool. An ot h er t h in g you m u st n ot for get is t h at Class 9 is n ot t h e u lt im at e lim it
of sou l en gin eer s. If t h e d ay com es w h en a Class 10 sou l en gin eer ap p ear s in t h e
Su n M oon Em p ir e, t h en … h ow ar e w e t o face t h at ?”
At t h is p oin t , W an g Yan h ad alr ead y got t en h im self q u it e w or k ed u p .

“T h er e’s on e m or e t h in g. It m ay n ot b e m u ch of an issu e in you r gen er at ion , b u t
as t h e t im e goes b y, t h is p r ob lem t h at I’ve d iscover ed is b ou n d t o affect all sou l
m ast er s: t h e p r ob lem of sou l b east s.”
“Sou l b east s?” t h ey ech oed , p u zzled b y t h e ap p ar en t n on sequ it u r .

W an g Yan n od d ed v igor ou sly, t h en elab or at ed , “W h at I’m r efer r in g t o is t h e
n u m b er of sou l b east s. All of you h ave lear n ed d u r in g you r t im e in t h e acad em y
t h at sou l b east s h ave exist ed sin ce t im e im m em or ial on ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t ,
as w ell as t h e fact t h at , a gr eat m an y year s ago, t h er e w er e n o h u m an s h er e. On e
cou ld say t h at ou r en t ir e con t in en t is a w or ld b elon gin g t o sou l b east s… you
cou ld in d eed say su ch a t h in g. T h e h u m an r ace it self is t h e r esu lt of t h e
evolu t ion of sou l b ea st s, an d w e ar e a for m of in t elligen t sou l b east .”
“Over t h e p assage of t im e, w e h u m an s b egan t o ap p ear , ar ou n d t en s or even

h u n d r ed s of m illen n ia ago. In t h e b egin n in g, t h e h u m an r ace w as w eak , an d
on ly ser ved as food for t h e sou l b east s. H ow ever , sin ce h u m a n s d id exist , t h er e
w as a r eason for ou r exist en ce. Ou r p h ysical cap ab ilit ies m ay b e w eak , b u t w e
h ave ou r st r en gt h s: ou r fecu n d it y, an d ou r ab ilit y t o lear n .”
“H u m an in t elligen ce w as gr ad u a lly d evelop ed as w e evolved t h r ou gh t h e ages,

an d ou r r ep r od u ct ive cap ab ilit ies en su r ed t h a t w e d id n ot su ffer ext in ct ion even
w h en w e w er e p r eyed u p on b y sou l b east s. An d w h en w e d evelop ed t o su ch a n
ext en t t h a t t h e in t elligen ce of an or d in ar y h u m an w as on p ar w it h t h a t of a t op
t ier sou l b east , ear t h -sh ak in g ch an ges b egan t o h ap p en on t h e con t in en t .
“W it h ou r in t elligen ce, h u m an s b egan cr eat in g t ools, t r ap s an d w eap on r y. W e

u sed t h e w eat h er an d geogr ap h y t o ou r ad van t age in b at t lin g sou l b east s. W e
lear n ed t o coop er at e, t o gr ou p t oget h er an d at t ack a sin gle sou l b east . W e
gr ad u ally b egan t o p ossess t h e ab ilit y t o h u n t an d k ill sou l b east s, in st ead of
b ein g h u n t ed an d k illed b y t h em . N u t r it ion b ecam e r ich er , an d h u m an s
con t in u ed t o gr ow .”
“Follow in g t h e evolu t ion of ou r in t elligen ce, an ot h er ch an ge cam e ab ou t w it h

t h e ap p ear an ce of sou l m ast er s. T h e fir st sou l m ast er cam e t o b e w h en t h e fir st
h u m an w it h a p r od igiou s level of in n at e sou l p ow er accid en t ally d r ew t h e sou l
r in g of a slain sou l b east in t o h is ow n b od y. Aft er t en s of t h ou san d s of year s of
ch an ge an d r esear ch , h u m an s gr ad u ally gr asp ed t h e t ech n iqu es r equ ir ed t o
b ecom e sou l m ast er s. In t h e m ean t im e, w e also b egan t o u n d er go a p op u lat ion
exp losion . Ou r in t elligen ce allow ed u s t o st ar t lear n in g h ow t o b u ild , t o st ar t
h avin g ou r ow n h om es an d cit ies. T h e n u m b er of sou l m ast er s, alon g w it h t h eir
p ow er s, con t in u ed t o in cr ease.”
“Sou l b east s r em ain ed p ow er fu l as t h ey alw ays w er e, b u t in t h e face of ou r

in t elligen ce an d lea r n in g cap ab ilit ies, t h ey gr ad u ally lost t h e ab ilit y t o p ose an y
r eal t h r eat . Fin ally, h u m an s r u led t h e con t in en t , an d sou l m ast er s in d u b it ab ly
b ecam e t h e m ost p ow er fu l an d m ost im p or t an t occu p at ion on t h is con t in en t .”
W an g Yan ’s n ar r at io n of t h e p r ocess of h u m an evolu t ion w a s ver y sim p le, b u t

cap t u r ed t h e few m ost im p or t an t ch an ges. At t h is p oin t , h is t op ic su d d en ly t ook
a turn .
“H ow ever , h er e’s t h e t h in g you k id s m ay n ever h ave t h ou gh t of: w h at

ch an ges w ou ld h ap p en t o sou l b east s a lon gsid e ou r h u m an r a ce’s d evelop m en t .”
“In d eed , sou l b east s m ay h ave b een ar ou n d for t en s of m illen n ia, an d t h e

p r op or t ion of sou l m ast er s am on gst h u m an s is on e in t h ou san d s - it ’s n ot t h a t
m u ch . Bu t t h e fact r em ain s t h a t w e a r e en cr oach in g u p on t h e sou l b east s’
h ab it at s, an d slayin g t h em for ou r so u l r in gs. M or e an d m or e h igh level sou l
b east s h ave b een h u n t ed a n d k illed b y p eop le lik e u s - lik e all of you h er e, w h o
all b ear t h ou san d -year sou l r in gs. T h ose on ly com e abou t in sou l b east s t h a t
h ave cu lt ivat ed for a t h ou san d year s. An d ju st lik e t h eir sou l r in gs, t h ese h igh -
level sou l b east s ar e also lim it ed in n u m b er s!”
“T en t h ou san d year s ago on t h is con t in en t , t h e over a ll p ow er of sou l b east s

w as st ill gr eat er t h a n t h a t of h u m an s. Bu t t od ay, aft er t en t h ou san d year s h ave
p assed , I can say w it h cer t ain t y t h a t t h e collect ive p ow er of sou l b east s is n o
lon ger com p ar ab le t o ou r s. T h e r eason for t h at is t h at t oo m an y h igh -level sou l
b east s h ave b ecom e ou r sou l r in gs. So let m e ask you : w h at h ap p en s aft er
an ot h er t en t h ou san d year s? W h at ch an ges w ill h ap p en t o t h e con t in en t in t h at
t im e? W ill w e st ill b e ab le t o go t o t h e for est an d slay so u l b east s as w e p lease? I
can give you a d efin it e an sw er : t en t h ou san d year s fr om n ow , even a t en -year
sou l r in g w ill b e an ar t icle of lu xu r y. T h e fin al fat e of sou l b east s is ab solu t e
d ep en d en cy u p on h u m an s as t h ey ar e con fin ed b y u s lik e livest ock .”
“By t h at t im e, it ’s ver y lik ely t h at all sou l m ast er s w ill on ly b e ab le t o u se t en
year sou l r in gs, an d even h u n d r ed year on es w ill b ecom e u n at t ain ab le. W h en
t h at t im e com es, w h at w ill w e u se t o in cr ease ou r ow n p ow er ? As t im e p asses,
sou l t ools ar e b ou n d t o b ecom e t h e t r u e sou r ce of h u m an st r en gt h . T h at is t h e
in evit ab le r esu lt of t im e. I can d o n ot h in g t o ch an ge t h is p r o gr ession of even t s,
an d n eit h er can an y of you . W h at you m u st d o in st ead , at t h is m om en t , is accep t
t h e t r u t h . In t h e fu t u r e, t h e on ly w ay ou r d escen d en t s can b ecom e st r on ger t h an
u s is t h r ou gh t h e u sa ge of sou l t ools. An d all of you , r igh t n ow , st an d at a cr u cial
m om en t in t h e t r an sfor m at ion of an er a. On ly t h r ou gh t h e p er fect fu sion of
on e’s ab ilit ies w it h a sou l t ou l can you b ecom e st r on g en ou gh n ot t o b e left
b eh in d in ob solescen ce.”
T h ose w or d s h ad b een h eld w it h in W a n g Yan ’s m in d for m u ch lon ger t h an

ju st a d ay or t w o. Fin ally u n leash ed , t h e effect t h ey h ad u p on t h e seven w as ak in
t o st ir r in g t h e d eaf an d en ligh t en in g t h e b lin d . All of t h em felt d eep ly sh ak en .
H u o Yu h ao an d Cait ou , b ein g st u d en t s of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , w er e less

affect ed t h an t h e ot h er five, w h o h ad alw ays h ad som e m easu r e of aver sion t o
sou l t ools. An d yet , r igh t t h en an d t h er e, cou ld t h ey r eally k eep feelin g t h at
w ay?
Som e of w h at W an g Yan h ad said felt d ist an t t o t h em , b u t som e of it h ad

evid en t ly in st illed in t h em a sen se of u r gen cy. It w as an u n co m for t ab le feelin g,
an d d isr u p t ed h ow t h ey n or m ally t h ou gh t ab ou t t h in gs.
All of t h em k n ew fair ly w ell t h at W an g Yan ’s sp eech w as in t en d ed t o

con vin ce t h em t o accep t sou l t ools an d u se t h em in t h e t ou r n am en t . Bu t it w as
also far fr om b ein g t h at sim p le, an d h ad a gr eat im p act on t h em all.
W an g Yan said n o m or e, sim p ly w at ch in g t h ose ch ild r en , w h o w er e st ill at

su ch a t en d er age. H e look ed at t h e fu t u r e h op e of Sh r ek Acad em y, silen t ly
w ait in g as t h ey t h ou gh t t h in gs over . H e k n ew t h ey n eed ed t im e.
W an g Yan ’s eyes b et r ayed t r aces of sor r ow as h e r aised h is h ead t o glan ce at

t h e alr ea d y p it ch -d a r k sk y. W h a t w ou ld t h e con t in en t b ecom e in t en t h ou san d
year s? At t h at t im e, w ou ld Sh r ek Acad em y st ill m ain t ain it s cu r r en t p osit ion a s
t h e for em ost acad em y on t h e con t in en t ?
I t w i l l , i t def i ni t el y w i l l . W an g Yan un con sci ousl y cl en ch ed h i s h an ds i n t o

f i st s.
Shr ek Academ y m ade m e w hat I am t oday. No m at t er w hat h appens, I w i l l do

al l I can t o ensur e t hat i t r em ai ns gr eat , t hat no one ever sur passes i t , t hat Shr ek
Academ y w i l l al w ays be t he st r ongest .
At t h at t h ough t , W an g Yan f el t h i s h ear t set af i r e, an d h ot bl ood cour se

t h r ough h i s vei n s. H e sudden l y f el t t h at i t w asn ’ t en t i r el y a bad t h i n g f or t h e
st ar t i n g l i n eup t o suf f er such a h eavy bl ow . At l east i t r an g t h e w ar n i n g bel l s t o
t h e seven t h at w er e t h e academ y’ s f ut ur e h ope, t h e n ext gen er at i on of Sh r ek ’ s
Seven M on st er s. I f t h ey coul d accept w h at h e w as suggest i n g, t h en i t w oul d
h ave a h uge ef f ect on t h e f ut ur e of t h e academ y w h i l e al so l eadi n g t h e academ y
dow n t h e r i gh t t r ack . Or , at l east , t h e r i gh t t r ack h e h ad di scover ed.
Per h ap s t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y m ay alr ead y h ave
exceed ed Sh r ek in t h is field . W e can on ly ch ase aft er t h em in fu ll p u r su it ,
r elyin g on t h e t en t h ou san d year s of Sh r ek Acad em y’s r oot s t o d o so. Sh r ek w ill
n ever lose t o an yon e.
J u st as W an g Yan w as p on d er in g t o h im self, a p er son su d d en ly sp ok e u p . T h e

fir st p er son t o fin ish h is p on d er in g w as Bei Bei.
“I agr ee w it h w h at T each er W an g said . I’m w illin g t o t r y w or k in g w it h a so u l

t ool.” Bei Bei’s voice w as ver y st ead fast ; h e w as n ever som eon e w h o h esit a t ed
m u ch . H is w ar m cou n t en an ce cou ld n ’t con ceal h is st r on g h ear t , an d h e w as a
p er son w h o d id h is all aft er set t in g h is m in d t o som et h in g, ju st lik e w h en h e h a d
en t er ed t h e T an g Sect for T an g Ya’s sak e.
Sen sin g t h e ast on ish ed gazes of h is fellow t eam m at es, Bei Bei said in a low
voice, “Ou t of t h e seven p eop le h er e, five of u s b elon g t o t h e T an g Sect --t h a t is,
ever yon e b esid es Sa n sh i an d Nan n an . Ever yon e k n ow s ab ou t t h e h ist or y of t h e
T an g Sect . Pr eviou sly, w e w er e t h e m ost glor iou s of exist en ces on t h e en t ir e
con t in en t . At t h at t im e, t h e glor y of t h e T an g Sect w as even gr eat er t h an t h a t of
Sh r ek Acad em y. H o w ever , w h y d id ou r glor y fad e aw ay? It ’s t r u e t h a t t h er e
w er e som e r eason s b eh in d t h is, b u t t h e m ost im p or t an t on e w as t h e fact t h a t w e
w er e w ash ed ou t b y t h e p assin g of t im e.”
“T h e em er gen ce of sou l t ools d ir ect ly affect ed ou r r even u e st r eam s--t h is w as

t h e m ain r eason b eh in d t h e fall of t h e T a n g Sect . I’m su r e ever yon e k n ow s t h at
ver y few of ou r h id d en w eap on s a r e u sed in t h e m ilit a r y a n ym or e, so m u ch so
t h at I can even say t h at t h ey ar en ’t u sed at all. W e can ’t st op t h e p assage of t im e,
an d on ly b y ad ap t in g t o it can w e allow t h e T an g Sect t o r ise again .”
W it h t h at , h is gaze lan d ed on H u o Yu h ao. “W h en m y ju n ior b r ot h er fir st
en t er ed t h e T an g Sect , Xiao Ya an d I h ad a d iscu ssion . T h e fu t u r e gr ow t h of t h e
T an g Sect w ill on ly occu r if w e m er ge ou r h id d en w eap on s w it h sou l t ools. If w e
su cceed , it ’ll b e b ecau se of sou l t ools; if w e fail, it ’ll b e b ecau se of sou l t ools. W e
w ill cr aw l u p fr om w h er e w e fell. T h is is a lso ou r on ly p at h goin g for w ar d .”
“As a sou l m ast er , an assau lt -t yp e on e, m y h ear t t ells m e t o r eject a for eign

sou r ce of p ow er lik e a sou l t ool. H ow ever , t h is is r eject in g t h e ch an ges t h at go
w it h t im e. As t h e eld est of all of u s, an d also t h e sen ior b r ot h er of t h e T an g Sect ,
I w an t t o st ar t b y ch an gin g m yself. W h en w e get b ack , I w ill ask t h e acad em y t o
allow m e t o st u d y in t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t in ad d it ion m y cu r r en t st u d ies.
Even if I d on ’t cr eat e t h em , I w ill a t least lear n h ow t o u se t h em .”
Bei Bei’s w or d s w er e p ow er fu l an d r eson at in g, an d even W an g Yan ’s em ot ion s

w er e st ir r ed . H e w as over joyed .
T h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at Bei Bei’s w or d s car r ied a lar ge am ou n t of w eigh t

w it h in t h e n ew gen er at ion of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. W it h h is ap p r oval,
con vin cin g t h e ot h er s w ou ld b e m u ch easier .
Xu San sh i n od d ed , “T each er W an g, w h at you an d Bei Bei said m ak es sen se. I

can also u n d er st an d w h er e you ’r e com in g fr om . H ow ever , I st ill h ave a few
q u est ion s I w an t t o ask you for gu id a n ce. It ’s ver y lik ely t h at t h e st r on gest
exp er t s in t h e fu t u r e w ill b e sou l en gin eer s, b u t w it h ou r cu r r en t levels of
st r en gt h , it ’s alr ead y im p ossib le for u s t o b ecom e sou l en gin eer s. In ot h er
w or d s, w e w on ’t b e ab le t o ch an ge ou r cu r r en t sou l sk ills t o on es t h at can
am p lify sou l p ow er , lik e sou l en gin eer s. Sin ce t h is is t h e case, w ill w e alw ays b e
b eh in d ever yon e else? Fu r t h er m or e, it ’s ver y d ifficu lt for u s t o lear n h ow t o
cr eat e sou l t ools; w e can on ly lear n h ow t o u se t h em . H ow ever , w e w ill n ever b e
as good at u sin g t h em as t h e sou l en gin eer s. H ow w ill w e con t en d again st t h em ?
I t r u ly d o n ot w ish t o m ak e a d ecision w h ile m y h ear t is a t a loss.”
W an g Yan said , “W ell said . I u n d er st a n d w h at you ’r e w or r ied ab ou t , an d

you ’r e r igh t . If you in t en d t o p u r ely p u r su e t h e field of sou l t ools, a p er son w h o
st ar t ed off as a sou l m ast er w ill n ever b e ab le t o ca t ch u p w it h a sou l en gin eer .
H ow ever , you ’ve for got t en you r ow n ad van t ages! If t h er e com es a d ay w h en yo u
can b ecom e a T it led Dou lu o, you ’ll d efin it ely b e ab le t o get a p ow er fu l sou l sk ill.
T h ese sou l sk ills a r en ’t in fer ior t o an y Class 9 sou l t ools. Also, can you r
p h ysiq u es even b e com p ar ed t o sou l en gin eer s w h o’ve ch osen sou l p ow er -
am p lifyin g sou l r in gs? Im p ossib le. Fu r t h er m or e, you r p h ysiq u es as a sou l
m ast er w ill b e st r on g en ou gh t o allow you t o w it h st an d st r on ger sou l r in gs. If
you get a m or e p ow er fu l sou l r in g, w on ’t you get m or e sou l p ow er ? Sou l
en gin eer s w ill n ever b e ab le t o com p et e again st sou l m a st er s in t er m s of
p h ysiqu e. You m er ely h ave t o fin d a com p at ib le sou l t ool; aft er all, a sou l t ool is
on ly you r w eap on . On t h e ot h er h an d , a sou l t ool is a sou l en gin eer ’s ever yt h in g.
Du e t o t h ese d iffer en ces, a sou l m a st er on ly n eed s t o u se a sou l t ool as lon g a s h e
h im self is st r on g en ou gh . W h en com p ar ed t o a p u r e sou l en gin eer , you ’ll
d efin it ely p ossess a few ad van t ages, esp ecially w h en you con sid er t h e fact t h a t a
sim p le sou l en gin eer w ill n ever b e ab le t o r each Class 10 .”
“W h at ar e t h e r eq u ir em en t s of a Class 10 sou l en gin eer ? T o b ecom e on e, you

n eed t o cr eat e a t er r ifyin g Class 10 sou l t ool w h ile b ein g ab le t o con t r ol it . T h at
r eq u ir es t h e cu lt iva t ion of a T r an scen d en t T it led Dou lu o, w h ich m ean s t h a t
you ’ll n eed t o b e Ran k 95 or h igh er . You ’r e all sou l m ast er s, an d I’m su r e you ’r e
all aw ar e of t h e fact t h at t h e m or e you cu lt ivat e, t h e h ar d er it get s. Even on t h e
en t ir e con t in en t , h o w m an y p u r e sou l en gin eer s ar e ab le t o r each t h e T it led
Dou lu o r an k ? I can cou n t t h em on on e h an d , I’ll give you t h at . H ow m an y of
t h em ar e ab le t o b ecom e T r an scen d en t T it led Dou lu o? I can also t ell you t h at
t h er e a r e exact ly zer o p eop le w h o h ave b een ab le t o d o so. Becau se of t h at , t h e
p in n acle exp er t s of t h e con t in en t w ill d efin it ely b e p eop le w h o focu s on t h eir
st r en gt h s as sou l m ast er s w h ile sim u lt a n eou sly st u d yin g in t h e field of sou l
t ools. Even if a t r u e Class 10 sou l en gin eer w er e t o ap p ear , it ’d b e ver y h ar d for
t h at p er son t o figh t again st a T r an scen d en t T it led Dou lu o w h o p ossesses a Class
9 sou l t ool.”
A look of en ligh t en m en t filled Xu San sh i’s eyes. “Righ t ! T each er W an g,

you ’r e t r u ly a p er son w h o can en ligh t en som eon e else. A p u r e sou l en gin eer w h o
on ly t r ain s h is sou l p ow er w ill fin d it m u ch h ar d er t o im p r ove w h en com p ar ed
t o u s. I u n d er st an d , I u n d er st an d .”
W an g Yan ’s con fid en ce im m ed iat ely in cr eased as h e saw Xu San sh i b ecom e
con vin ced b y h is w or d s. A look of self-con fid en ce flash ed t h r ou gh h is eyes as h e
said , “Du r in g t h ese p ast few d ays, I’ve been ob ser vin g h ow t h e ot h er acad em ies
figh t . I’ve n ot iced t h at t h e acad em ies w it h d eep er b ack gr ou n d s h a ve b een
p u r su in g a fu sion of sou l m ast er s an d sou l t ools. H ow ever , a lar ge m ajor it y of
t h ose acad em ies ar e st ill t r yin g t o fin d t h e p er fect level of fu sion . On t h e o t h er
h an d , I’ve n ot iced t h e m ost t h in gs fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y. Alt h ou gh t h ey’ve n ever t r ied t o h id e an yt h in g, I’ve
n ot iced t h at p r act ically ever y m em b er of t h eir p r ep ar a t or y t eam h as an
ext r aor d in ar y m ar t ial sou l. Even t h ou gh n ot all of t h em h ave t ak en t h e st age, I
can see t h at t h eir w a y of t h in k in g coin cid es w it h m in e fr om t h is p oin t alon e. By
focu sin g on a sou l m ast er ’s cu lt iva t ion , t h ey’ll b e ab le t o gu ar an t ee t h at t h eir
st u d en t s w ill b ecom e p ow er fu l sou l m ast er s. T h en , t h ey can u se p ow er fu l sou l
t ools. Now , d o you st ill h ave an y qu est ion s?”
Xu San sh i said , “T each er W an g, you ’ve con vin ced m e. I’m w illin g t o t r y it
ou t , b ot h for t h e sak e of t h e acad em y an d for m y ow n sak e.”
H e Cait ou ch u ck led , “I n at u r ally h ave n o p r ob lem s w it h it . H ow ever , t h e sad

t h in g is t h at I’m a food -t yp e sou l m ast er .”
“Can a fift een -year -old fou r -r in ged food -t yp e Sou l An cest or lik e you say
an yt h in g m or e?” W an g Yan said u n h ap p ily, “You r t alen t b ein g over look ed d u e
t o you r m ar t ia l sou l h as b een on e of t h e lar gest m ist ak es t h e M a r t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t h as m ad e in r ecen t year s. W it h t h e h elp of you r sou l sk ills, it ’s ver y
p ossib le t h at you ’ll b e on e of t h e st r on gest sou l en gin eer s am on g you seven .
Aft er all, you can focu s on cu lt ivat ion a lon e. I can say t h at you r m ar t ia l sou l
m ak es you t h e m ost su it ab le p er son on t h e en t ir e con t in en t t o b ecom e a p u r e
sou l en gin eer .”
W an g Yan ’s gaze t u r n ed t o J ian g Na n n an , w h o h esit a t ed sligh t ly for a

m om en t b efor e sayin g. “Bu t , it ’ll t ak e m on ey t o b u y a few sou l t ools lat er . Also,
t h ey seem t o b e ver y exp en sive.”
Aft er h ear in g h er som ew h at st r a n ge w or d s, ever yon e p r esen t w as left
st u n n ed . H u o Yu h ao r eact ed m ost p r ofou n d ly t o t h is; h e st ill r em em b er ed t h e
fir st t im e h e h ad m et J ian g Nan n an ; t h e n u m b er on e b eau t y of t h e ou t er
cou r t yar d h a d act u a lly t r ied t o n egot iat e w it h h im , as if sh e w as ver y st in gy w it h
h er m on ey.
“I’ll p ay for you !” Xu San sh i sa id in st an t ly.
As if sh e’d t h ou gh t of som et h in g, sh e im m ed iat ely fu r r ow ed h er b r ow s an d

flew in t o a r age, “Scr ew off!”
“Uh …” As if h e’d t h ou gh t of som et h in g, Xu San sh i u n exp ect ed ly ob ed ien t ly

low er ed h is h ead aft er b ein g yelled a t . Ot h er t h an feelin g som ew h at w r on ged ,
h e d id n ’t look t oo d issat isfied .
H is ap p ear an ce gave t h e im p r ession as t h ou gh h e w as a p er son w h o w as

get t in g b u llied .
“Nan n an , you d on ’t h ave t o w or r y ab ou t t h is,” W an g Yan sa id w ar m ly, “T h e

acad em y w ill set t le t h e issu e of m on ey. At t h e ver y least , you w on ’t h ave t o
w or r y ab ou t t h is b efor e gr ad u at in g. You ’r e alr ead y a cor e d iscip le of t h e
acad em y, an d t h e acad em y w ill even give you a gen er ou s am ou n t of m on ey for
livin g exp en ses if you ’r e ab le t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d . Even m or eso,
com p let in g gu ar d ian m ission s w ill give you p r ize m on ey. St u d en t s of ou r Sh r ek
Acad em y h ave n ever b een t r ou b led b ecau se of m on ey.”
J ian g Nan n an ’s eyes lit u p , an d sh e im m ed iat ely said , “T h en I h ave n o

p r ob lem s as w ell.”
It w as fin ally H u o Yu h ao’s t u r n . W h en h e an d W an g Yan ’s eyes m et , h e

alr ead y h ad an an sw er .
“T each er W an g, I on ly h ave a sin gle p r ob lem . I d on ’t seem t o h ave an y sou l

t ools t h at I can b u y.” H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed b it t er ly.
“No, t h er e’s som et h in g you can b u y,” H e Cait ou said su d d en ly.

“H u h ?” H u o Yu h ao look ed t ow ar d s H e Cait ou , p u zzled .
H e Cait ou ch u ck led an d r u b b ed h is b ald h ead , “On ce you en t er t h e au ct ion

h ou se, you ’ll u n d er st an d . Pr act ically ever y sin gle a u ct ion h ou se t h at sells sou l
t ools w ill h a ve t h at t h in g.”
Xiao Xiao said , “I also h ave n o p r ob lem s. In t h e fir st p lace, I w as p lan n in g t o

go b ack an d cu lt ivat e d iligen t ly t o b u y t h at flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool as a t oy aft er I
b ecom e a Sou l An cest or . It ’s r eally t oo con ven ien t .”
W an g Yan let ou t a lon g sigh aft er seein g t h at t h e sit u at ion w as set t led . H e
ch u ck led , “T h at ’s for t h e b est t h en . W an g Don g, w h at ab ou t you ? You sh ou ld n ’t
h ave an y p r ob lem s, r igh t ? Let ’s go in an d p ar t icip at e in t h e a u ct ion t h en ."
Su r p r isin g ever yon e p r esen t , t h e silen t W an g Don g su d d en ly r aised h is h ea d

an d r evealed a st u b b or n look as h e said r esolu t ely, “No, I h ave a p r ob lem . I’m
n ot w illin g t o u se a sou l t ool. You gu ys can go ah ead , I’m goin g b ack fir st .” W it h
t h at , h e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d t ook lar ge st r id es in t h e d ir ect ion of t h e Im p er ia l
Gr an d St ar H ot el.
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly ch ased aft er W an g Don g, “W h at ’s w it h you , W an g

Don g?” Even h e h ad n ’t sen sed a n yt h in g w r on g w it h h im , an d t h is su d d en
ch an ge h ad left h im at a com p let e loss. Lik e t h e ot h er s, h e d id n ’t t h in k t h a t
W an g Don g w ou ld h ave an y p r ob lem s. H e’d n ever h ear d W an g Don g r eb u k e
sou l t ools so st r on gly in t h e p ast . M or eover , T each er W an g Yan h ad ju st given a
lon g exp lan at ion t h a t w as filled w it h t r u e in for m at ion .
W an g Don g p au sed , low er in g h is h ead sligh t ly. “Yu h ao, I’m fin e. I h ave n o
id ea w h at ’s h ap p en ed , b u t m y h ear t d oesn ’t w an t t h is, n or is it w illin g t o u se a
sou l t ool. You gu ys can go fir st , I’ll b e w ait in g in t h e h ot el.”
H u o Yu h ao w an t ed t o sp eak fu r t h er , b u t W an g Don g r aised h is h an d t o st op

h im . “No n eed t o p er su ad e m e an y fu r t h er . I’m r eally fin e. I ju st d on ’t r eally
w an t t o u se a sou l t ool t o in cr ease m y ow n st r en gt h . I m igh t b e fin e w it h it lat er ,
b u t I can ’t accep t it ju st yet . I u n d er st an d t h e logic b eh in d w h at T each er W an g
said , b u t I st ill n eed t o go b ack an d t h in k it over a lit t le.”
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t t r y p er su ad in g h im an y fu r t h er , b ecau se h e clear ly
u n d er st ood t h a t it w ou ld b e ver y d ifficu lt t o t r y ch an gin g h is b est fr ien d ’s m in d
w h en h e h ad d ecid ed on som et h in g.
Aft er seein g W an g Don g off, H u o Yu h ao r et u r n ed t o t h e gr ou p . “H e’s fin e. H e

ju st d oesn ’t fan cy u sin g sou l t ools. T each er W an g, let ’s go.”
W an g Yan n od d ed an d sm iled sligh t ly. “It ’s fin e. You all h ave you r ow n
asp ir at ion s, an d I d id n ’t t h in k I’d b e ab le t o con vin ce all of you in t h e fir st p lace.
I’m ver y sat isfied t h at t h e six of you ar e w illin g t o t r y t h em ou t . Let ’s go, t h e
au ct ion is ab ou t t o st ar t .”
H u o Yu h ao h ad or igin ally t h ou gh t t h at t h is w as goin g t o b e a ver y sm all
au ct ion . Aft er all, t h e b u ild in g d id n ’t look t oo b ig fr om t h e ou t sid e. H ow ever , h e
en t er ed a com p let ely d iffer en t w or ld aft er t r u ly en t er in g it . T h e au ct ion w a s
locat ed m ost ly u n d er gr ou n d , an d t h e b u ild in g w as on ly it s en t r an ce.
Aft er w alk in g in t o t h e au ct ion h ou se, t h ey w er e m et w it h a five m et er w id e

st air case t h at w as laid w it h a r ed car p et as it h ead ed d ow n w ar d s. Yet , t h ey
d id n ’t see an y w or k er s t o gu id e t h em in sid e.
T h ey con t in u ed h ead in g d ow n w ar d s. Aft er t w en t y m et er s or so, t h ey fin ally

r each ed t h e r egist r at ion ar ea. W an g Yan h ad alr ead y com p let ed a few
com p licat ed p r oced u r es b efor e com in g h er e in ad d it ion t o giv in g each an d ever y
p er son a n u m b er p lat e. Becau se of t h is, t h e r ed ch eon gsam -clad gir l t ook t h em
in sid e.
Aft er p assin g t h r ou gh a sim p le w ood en d oor , t h e scen er y su d d en ly ch an ged .

A p at ch of gold filled t h eir vision , t h e d ecor at ion s of t h e w id e, d azzlin g cor r id or
su r p assin g even t h e Im p er ial Gr an d St a r H ot el H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est h ad
st ayed in in t er m s of lu xu r y.
T h e cor r id or w as ov er t en m et er s w id e, a n d t h e gr ou n d w as la id w it h p r eciou s
w h it e jad e. T h er e w as a p air of b eau t ifu lly p at t er n ed p illar s t h at w er e car ved
fr om t h e sam e m at er ial ever y t en m et er s, an d t h e w a lls seem ed t o h ave b een
p ap er ed w it h gold leaf. T h e car vin gs on t h e w all w er e com p licat ed an d
b eau t ifu l. H u o Yu h a o u sed h is sigh t , t h a t w as far st r on ger t h a n t h at of or d in ar y
folk , t o look at t h e w alls in d et ail, an d w a s ast on ish ed b y h ow m et icu lo u s it w as.
It h ad t o b e k n ow n t h at t h is w as on ly a w all u sed for d ecor at ion !
Lu xu r iou s cr yst al la m p s h u n g fr om t h e t op of t h e ceilin g, b u t t h ey d id n ’t give

off a st iflin g feelin g, as t h e cor r id or w as a fu ll five m et er s t all. T h e lam p gave off
a gen t le yellow ligh t , an d it s con t r ast again st t h e gold en w alls m ad e it seem as if
t h ey w er e in a w or ld of gold . T h is w as en ou gh t o leave an yb od y d azzled .
W an g Yan w h isp er ed , “Don ’t u n d er est im at e t h is p lace ju st b ecau se it ’s

u n r em ar k ab le on t h e ou t sid e. In r ealit y, t h is is St ar Lu o Cit y’s lar gest au ct ion
h ou se. It isn ’t easy t o ob t ain a p ass t o at t en d t h is au ct ion . Not on ly d o you n eed
t o p r ove you r asset s, you even h ave t o go t h r ou gh an evalu a t ion . If w e follow ed
t h e n or m al r o u t es, it ’d t ak e at least h alf a m on t h for u s t o get in h er e. W e w er e
on ly ab le t o sm oot h ly en t er t h is p lace w it h Dai Yu eh en g’s h elp . Un for t u n at ely, I
w as u n ab le t o p er su ad e t h e t h r ee of t h em . T h ey’ve st ayed in t h e M ar t ial Sou l
Dep ar t m en t for m an y year s, an d t h eir com b at st yles ar e alr ead y fixed . H ast ily
givin g t h em so u l t oo ls w on ’t d o t h em an y good eit h er .”
As W an g Yan sp ok e, t h ey en t er ed a la r ge d oor , gu id ed b y t h e you n g lad y. It

w as ver y ob viou s t h at t h is w asn ’t t h e en d of t h e cor r id or ; t h er e w as st ill a d oor
sim ilar t o t h e p r eviou s on e in fr on t of t h em . In ad d it ion , t h er e w as a fligh t of
st air s t h at h ea d ed d ow n w ar d s at t h e en d of t h e cor r id or .
Bei Bei seem ed t o b e accu st om ed t o t h is p lace. Un lik e H u o Yu h ao, Xiao Xiao,

an d J ian g Nan n an , h e d id n ’t look ever yw h er e con st an t ly. H e t u r n ed t ow ar d s
t h e gir l w h o’d op en ed t h e d oor for t h em an d ask ed , “I’ll h ave t o t r ou b le you t o
give u s a sim p le exp lan at ion of t h e r u les of t od ay’s au ct ion .”
“Un d er st ood ,” T h e gir l said r esp ect fu lly, “T od ay’s au ct ion sp ecializes in t h e
sale of sou l t ools, an d w ill on ly sell sou l t ools r an k ed Class 6 or b elow . Beca u se of
t h at , t h er e a r e r ela t ively lax r u les. Accor d in g t o t h e w ay w e classify au ct ion s,
t h is au ct ion can on ly b e con sid er ed a Gr ad e 4 au ct ion . Ou r St ar ligh t Au ct ion
sep ar at es au ct ion s fr om Gr ad e 1 t o Gr a d e 5, w it h Gr ad e 1 h avin g t h e st r ict est
r u les. On ly Gr ad e 1 au ct ion s w ill b e h eld in t h e m ain au ct ion h all. T h is is H all 12,
an d it can accom m od at e a t o t al of t w o h u n d r ed p eop le. It ’s u sed for Gr ad e 4
au ct ion s.”
Bei Bei n od d ed , “T h an k you .”
Aft er en t er in g H all 12, t h e ligh t in g su d d en ly d im m ed . T h is w as b ecau se on ly

t h e w alls su r r ou n d in g t h em h ad w all lam p s on t h em . Aft er en t er in g t h e au ct ion
h all, ever y sin gle p er son w ou ld r eceive a b eau t ifu l m a sk . Fu r t h er m or e, t h ese
m ask s w er e d iffer en t iat ed b y color . H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est r eceived w h it e
m ask s, b u t t h ey d id n ’t k n ow w h at t h ese color s sign ified . Ot h er t h an w h it e,
t h er e w er e also yellow , p u r p le, b lack , r ed , gold , an d ot h er t yp es of m ask s.
T h e d ecor at ion s in t h e au ct ion h all gave off a sim p le, r efin ed , b u t lu xu r iou s
feelin g w it h ou t losin g an y sen se of w ar m t h . On ly, on e w ou ld feel ver y
com for t ab le aft er en t er in g h er e. T h er e w er e a t ot al of t w o h u n d r ed lar ge, com fy
ch air s w h ich w er e cover ed b y d ar k -b lu e sw an clot h ; t h ese ch air s w er e cu r ved .
Per h ap s it w as d u e t o Dai Yu eh en g’s in flu en ce, b u t H u o Yu h a o an d t h e r est w er e
p laced on t h e fir st r ow , w h ich w as also t h e r ow closest t o t h e au ct ion st age.
W an g Yan r em in d ed ever yon e, “Ever yon e, p u t you r m ask s on . It ’s ver y

p ossib le t h at var iou s p r ob lem s w ill ar ise if you p ar t icip at e in t h is au ct ion .
Becau se of t h is, t h e au ct ion h ou se h as p r ovid ed m a sk s t o cover you r
ap p ear an ces. T h is is all d on e t o p r even t an y p r ob lem s fr om ar isin g. T h e color s
of t h ese m ask s ar e a lso u sed t o d iffer en t iat e t h e r an k s of t h e gu est s h er e, an d
t h eir r an k in g is id en t ical t o t h at of sou l r in gs. T h e low est r an k ed m ask is t h e
w h it e on e, a n d it goes u p fr om t h er e. On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e gold en m ask ,
w h ich is r an k ed ab ove t h e r ed m ask , is for t h e au ct ion ’s m ost d ist in gu ish ed
VIPs. Nor m ally, a p er son lik e t h at w ill n ever ap p ear in an au ct ion lik e t h is.”
On ly t h en d id H u o Yu h ao u n d er st an d t h e d iffer en ces b et w een t h e m ask s.

T h is w as h is fir st t im e at t en d in g an au ct ion , an d h e w as cu r iou s ab ou t
ever yt h in g. T h e ch a ir h e sat on w as ver y com for t ab le, an d t h is w as on e of t h e
r ar e occasion s t h a t h e w as ab le t o r est .
At t h is m om en t , t h e au ct ion h a ll w as alr ead y filled w it h sixt y t o seven t y

p er cen t of it s at t en d ees. A w ait er cam e over t o ask w h at b ever ages t h ey w an t ed ,
an d H u o Yu h ao ask ed for a glass of p lain w at er .
“Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, w elcom e t o o u r St ar ligh t Au ct ion . Ou r au ct ion is ab ou t

t o st ar t , so I w ou ld lik e t o ask a ll of you t o t ak e a seat .” T h e gr acefu l an d
p leasan t voice of a w om an r an g ou t fr om all d ir ect ion s, cau sin g t h e au ct ion h all
t o qu iet d ow n . T h e or igin ally d im ligh t s in t h e h all gr a d u ally t u r n ed even
d ar k er , b u t t h e ligh t s on t h e au ct ion st age gr ew b r igh t er .
A p u r p le ch eon gsa m -clad gir l clim b ed u p t o t h e st age fr om a sid e of t h e

au ct ion h all. Sh e look ed t h ir t y or so, an d h ad a d ign ified an d b eau t ifu l
ap p ear an ce. H er face car r ied a fain t ly d iscer n ib le sm ile, an d as sh e w alk ed , h er
p er fect ly fit t in g ch eo n gsam sk et ch ed t h e ou t lin e of h er p er fect ly m at u r e b od y.
Xu San sh i’s eyes im m ed iat ely t u r n ed t ow ar d s h er , an d h is t h r oat m oved

sligh t ly as h e in volu n t ar ily gu lp ed .
Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i w er e sa t b y eit h er sid e of H u o Yu h ao. At t h is m om en t ,

Bei Bei low er ed h is m ou t h t o H u o Yu h a o’s ear an d w h isp er ed , “J u n ior b r ot h er ,
t h is sh ou ld b e t h e au ct ion eer . W h en ch oosin g an au ct ion eer for an or d in ar y
au ct ion or a lar ge-scale au ct ion h all lik e t h is on e, t h e fir st t h in g con sid er ed is a
p er son ’s ap p ear an ce. T h ey can ’t ju st b e good -look in g; a m ale au ct ion eer h as t o
h ave an u p r igh t -look in g ap p ear an ce, w h ile a fem ale on e h as t o b e d ign ified an d
b eau t ifu l. T h is w ay, t h ey’ll in st ill a sen se of t r u st in t h e p eop le p ar t icip a t in g in
t h e au ct ion . If I’m n ot m ist ak en , t h e a u ct ion eer s in t h is a u ct ion h all ar e also
sep ar at ed b y r an k s accor d in g t o t h e color of t h eir clot h es, ju st lik e h ow w e’r e
d iffer en t ia t ed b y ou r m ask s. T h is au ct ion eer sh ou ld b e a low er -m id d le r an k ed
on e. Act u ally, I’m ver y cu r iou s as t o h ow t h e gold -r a n k ed a u ct ion eer s in t h is
p lace look .”
At t h is m om en t , t h e p u r p le-clot h ed au ct ion eer w a s alr ead y b eh in d t h e

au ct ion t ab le w it h a sm ile on h er face. H er gen t le voice r ever b er at ed t h r ou gh ou t
h all 12, b or r ow in g t h e assist an ce of t h e sou n d -am p lifyin g sou l t ool on t h e t ab le.
“Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, good even in g t o you all. I am a p u r p le-r an k ed

au ct ion eer of t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion , Qin g Ya. T od ay, I w ill b e h ost in g t h is
au ct ion .”
W it h t h a t , sh e w alk ed ou t fr om t h e au ct ion t ab le an d b ow ed w it h a sm ile on

h er face. T h is im m ed iat ely w on h er a r ou n d of ap p lau se.
Aft er r et u r n in g t o t h e au ct ion t ab le, Qin g Ya sm iled . “T od ay’s au ct ion w ill

sp ecialise in t h e sellin g of sou l t ools. Ou r good s w ill all b e so u l t ools w h ich ar e
r an k ed Class 6 an d b elow . T h ey ar e su it ab le for sou l m ast er s an d en gin eer s
b elow t h e Sou l Kin g r an k . In ad d it ion , w e h ave p r ep ar ed a secr et , b ig it em t o
m ak e you r t r ip s w or t h w h ile. Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, d on ’t m iss it for all t h e
w or ld . Ou r au ct ion w ill n ow st ar t , so can a st aff m em b er p lease b r in g u p t h e
fir st it em t h a t w ill b e au ct ion ed off t od ay.”
T w o r ed -clot h ed gir ls p u sh ed a car t t h at w as cover ed w it h a p u r p le clot h on t o

t h e au ct ion st age. Aft er p u sh in g t h e car t all t h e w ay t o t h e cen t er of t h e st age,
t h ey r em oved t h e clot h fr om t h e car t .
A b lack sou l t ool ap p ear ed on t h e car t . T h is sou l t ool w as r ect an gu lar , an d it

w as ab ou t a foot lon g. It h ad com p lica t ed car vin gs on it .
H u o Yu h ao w as n ot on ly a sou l en gin eer , b u t h e also p ossessed a p air of Sp ir it

Eyes t h at or d in ar y folk cou ld n ever h op e t o ob t ain . H is eyes m oved sligh t ly, an d
h e w as ab le t o clear ly see t h e car vin gs of t h e sou l t ool on t h e st age. H e
w h isp er ed , “T h is sh ou ld b e an offen sive sou l t ool t h at goes on you r ar m . It
sh ou ld b e ar ou n d Class 3 or so. W an g Don g sh ou ld b e ab le t o u se it .”
A sou l m ast er n eed ed t h e cor r esp on d in g level of cu lt ivat ion t o fu lly r elease
t h e p ow er of a sou l t ool. If a p er son ’s cu lt ivat ion w as low er t h an t h e m in im u m
r equ ir em en t s of a sou l t ool, h e w ou ld b e u n ab le t o r elease it s st r en gt h ; if h is
cu lt ivat ion w as h igh er t h an it s m axim u m p ow er , it w ou ld b e u n ab le t o in cr ease
h is com b at st r en gt h effect ively.
Qin g Ya sm iled sligh t ly. “Ou r fir st au ct ion ed good is a Class 3 at t ack -t yp e sou l
t ool, a r ela t ively r ar e Sou l ligh t Ray. An or d in ar y it em lik e t h is sh ou ld n ever b e
ab le t o b e au ct ion ed in an a u ct ion lik e o u r s, b u t t h is Class 3 Sou l Ligh t Ray t h a t
can b e p laced on a p er son ’s r igh t ar m h as b een cr aft ed b y a Class 6 sou l
en gin eer . It ’s a sp ecial it em , an d qu it e r ar ely seen . An or d in ar y it em lik e t h is
w as t u r n ed in t o a com p licat ed on e in t h e h an d s of a gr an d m a st er lik e h im , an d
it s cor e for m at ion h a s given it a sp ecial effect .”
Chapt er 83.1: The Ranked Car ving Knife
“T h is r ay h as a p ar alysis effect , so it s r eal n am e ou gh t t o b e Par alysis Ray.

T h ose r an k ed Sou l Kin g an d b elow sh ou ld b e affect ed aft er b ein g h it b y t h e r ay.
H ow m u ch it affect s t h e sou l m ast er is d ep en d an t on t h e in d ivid u al’s
cu lt ivat ion .”
“W e’ve alr ead y t est ed it . W h en u sed on a Sou l Kin g, t h is Pa r alysis Ray is so

effect ive t h at it can n u m b t h em for a secon d . T h is is on t h e p r econ d it ion t h a t
t h e r ay m u st h it a d efen celess Sou l Kin g w h o is n ot p r ot ect ed b y sou l sk ills or
sou l t ools. W h en u sed on a Sou l An cest or , t h e r ay can n u m b t h em for m or e t h an
t w o secon d s, w it h t h e sam e p r econ d it ion as b efor e. M or eover , it can n u m b a
sou l m ast er w it h t h r ee sou l r in gs of t h e sam e r an k for at least t h r ee t o fou r
secon d s.”
“H on ou r ed gu est s, p lease n ot e t h at w e t est ed t h e r ay on assau lt -t yp e sou l

m ast er s. T h e effect s w ill d efin it ely b e d iffer en t w h en u sed on ot h er t yp es of so u l
m ast er s.”
“T h e r equ ir em en t t o u se t h is Par alysis Ray is low , b u t it ’s ext r em ely p r act ical.

It ’s a q u alit y p r od u ct am on gst Class 3 sou l t ools. T h e st ar t in g b id is a t h ou san d
gold en sou l coin s, w it h ever y in cr ease n ot b ein g low er t h a n fift y gold en sou l
coin s. T h e b id st ar t s n ow !”
Som eon e im m ed iat ely r aised t h eir au ct ion b oar d w h en Qin g Ya fin ish ed
t alk in g. “On e t h ou sa n d t h r ee h u n d r ed gold en sou l coin s.”
J u st as Au ct ion eer Qin g Ya said , it w a s ver y r ar e t o see a Class 6 m ast er

m ak in g a Class 3 sou l t ool. On e sh ou ld n ’t look d ow n on t h e fact t h at t h is sou l
t ool w asn 't of a h igh class b ecau se it w as ext r em ely p r act ical. Sou l An cest or s
w ou ld fin d it qu it e u sefu l. In ad d it ion t o t h at , t h e low r eq u ir em en t for u sin g t h is
t ool w as it s b iggest a sset .
As a r esu lt of t h at , t h e au ct ion p r ice for su ch it em s w as a lw ays on t h e h igh
sid e. Soon , t h e p r ice sh ot p ast t h e t w o t h ou san d gold en sou l co in s m ar k .
On e h ad t o k n ow t h at t h e m a t er ials u sed t o m ak e t h is sou l t ool w er en ’t ver y

ou t st an d in g ot h er t h an it s in gen iou s d esign an d t h e elab or at e m an u fact u r in g of
t h e for m at ion ar r ays. It w as a Class 3 sou l t ool aft er all. It w a s a r elat ively h igh
p r ice t o p ay for a so u l t ool of said class. Nor m al Class 3 sou l t ools w ou ld go for
h u n d r ed s of gold en sou l coin s on ly.
J u st as exp ect ed , t h e b id d in g p au sed aft er it p assed t h e t w o t h ou san d m ar k . A

few of t h ose figh t in g t o b id at t h e st ar t w er e h esit a t in g n ow . T h is w as b ecau se
ever yon e h ad lim it ed am ou n t s of m on ey in t h eir h an d s. M or eover , t h is w as on ly
t h e fir st au ct ion it em .
“T w o t h ou san d five h u n d r ed gold en sou l coin s.” At t h is m om en t , W an g Yan

su d d en ly r aised t h e b oar d in h is h a n d .
Au ct ion eer Qin g Ya’s eyes sh on e, an d sh e sm iled sw eet ly at W an g Yan , w h o

w as w ear in g a m ask . “H on ou r ed gu est n u m b er 166 h as b id t w o t h ou san d five
h u n d r ed gold en sou l coin s. Is an yon e goin g t o go h igh er ?”
T h e Au ct ion eer ’s so u r ce of in com e cam e t h r ou gh com m ission s fr om sellin g

au ct ion it em s. For exam p le, if an it em t h at cost on e h u n d r ed gold en sou l coin s
w as sold for t w o h u n d r ed , t h e au ct ion h ou se w ou ld d ed u ct 10 % fr om t h e t ot al
su m as t h eir cu t . Au ct ion eer s w ou ld get 0 .1% of t h e am ou n t ab ove t h e cost of t h e
au ct ion it em .
On e sh ou ld n ’t look d ow n on su ch a sm all valu e of 0 .1%. It w as ver y n or m al

for a Class 4 au ct ion t o exceed a h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold en sou l coin s in p r ofit a t
t h e en d of t h e d ay. Sin ce t h is w as St a r Lu o Cit y, an d even t h e lar gest au ct ion in
t h e w h ole St a r Lu o Em p ir e, t h ey p r act ically h ad t o or gan ise cou n t less au ct ion s
ever y d ay. A few h igh level au ct ion eer s u su ally on ly ap p ear ed on ce a m on t h , b u t
cou ld ear n a lot t h r ou gh com m ission s.
As a r esu lt of t h at , w h en Qin g Ya saw W a n g Yan ad d five h u n d r ed t o t h e b id ,
h er h ear t n at u r ally leap t w it h joy. As a p u r p le-r an k ed au ct ion eer , sh e
u n d er st ood ver y clear ly t h at t h e fir st p r ice r each ed in t h e a u ct ion w ou ld oft en
d et er m in e t h e d ir ect ion of p r ices in t h e w h ole au ct ion . Even t h ou gh t h is fir st
it em w asn ’t ver y exp en sive, it w ou ld d efin it ely b e a good st ar t if t h e p r em iu m
w as su fficien t ly h igh en ou gh .
On ce t h e b id for t w o t h ou san d five h u n d r ed w as m ad e, t h e au d ien ce fell

silen t . T h e com p et it or s w h o w er e st ill h esit at in g ju st a m om en t ago n o lon ger
p on d er ed t h e m at t er an y fu r t h er . T h is p r ice w as clear ly far m or e t h an t h ey
cou ld affor d .
“T w o t h ou san d five h u n d r ed gold en sou l coin s, goin g on ce.” Aft er Qin g Ya

q u est ion ed t h e au d ien ce a few m or e t im es an d d id n ’t get a r esp on se, sh e st ar t ed
t h e closin g call for t h e b id .
T h is m om en t w as w h en a fir st -r at e au ct ion r evealed it s au r a. A n or m al sm all

au ct ion w ou ld d elay t h e closin g call of t h e b id for as lon g a s t h ey cou ld , b u t Qin g
Ya sh ow ed n o sign of d oin g so.
Ban g! Dow n fell t h e h am m er on t h e t ab le. “Deal. T h e Par alysis Ray is sold t o

gu est n u m b er 166. T h an k you for you r gen er osit y.” Qin g Ya sh ot W an g Yan
an ot h er sw eet sm ile, t o w h ich h e r esp on d ed w it h a ligh t n od .
“W h o’s goin g t o u se t h is sou l t ool?” W an g Yan t u r n ed h is h ea d an d ask ed h is

gr ou p .
H e Cait ou w a s t h e fir st t o in t er ject . “T ea ch er W an g, give t h is Par alysis Ray t o

ju n ior b r ot h er . T h e effect of t h is sou l t ool is ver y r a r e. I r eck on t h e
m an u fact u r er of t h is for m at ion ar r ay h as con cealed som et h in g w it h in it w h ich
is ver y d ifficu lt t o em u lat e. Even t h ou gh ju n ior b r ot h er h asn ’t cu lt ivat ed t h r ee
sou l r in gs, h is sou l p ow er h as alr ea d y r ea ch ed Ran k 27. H e m igh t fin d it d ifficu lt
t o u se it , b u t h e can st ill u se it b efor e h e r each es Ran k 4 0 . “
H ear in g h im say t h is, t h e ot h er s n at u r ally sh u t t h eir m ou t h s. In r ealit y, t h e
p er son m ost su it ed t o u sin g t h e Par alysis Ray ou gh t t o b e Xiao Xiao. T h is w as
b ecau se sh e w as closer t o Ran k 30 t h an H u o Yu h ao w as, an d w ou ld
b r eak t h r ou gh at an y t im e.
H ow ever , it w as clear t h at H e Cait ou h ad h is r eason s for sayin g t h is.

Relat ively sp eak in g, t h is Par alysis Ray w as even m or e su it ed t o H u o Yu h ao’s
figh t in g st yle.
H u o Yu h ao n ever t h ou gh t t h at h e’d act u ally get t h e fir st a u ct ion it em as a

r eser ve sou l en gin eer .
As t h e au ct ion con t in u ed , t h er e w er e r ea lly m an y good it em s for sp ecialisin g

in sou l t ools. T h e over w h elm in g m ajor it y of sou l t ools w er e fr om Class 3 t o Class
5. W an g Yan con t in u ou sly b id for t h e it em s, an d p u r ch ased m or e t h an t en sou l
t ools, d ist r ib u t in g t h em t o ever yon e.
“T h e follow in g is t h e secon d t o last it em for t od ay. Aft er t h is it em is

au ct ion ed off, w e’ll com e t o ou r gr an d fin ale. I b elieve t h e au d ien ce w ill
d efin it ely b e p leasan t ly su r p r ised .”
T h e you n g gir l w h eeled ou t t h e p en u lt im at e au ct ion it em for t h e d ay. Fr om

t h e sh ap e of t h e cloak an d h ow it w as p r act ically st ick in g t o t h e t r olley, on e
cou ld see t h at t h is it em w asn ’t b ig.
Qin g Ya w alk ed t o t h e fr on t of t h e car t w it h a sou n d am p lifica t ion sou l t ool in

h er h an d . Sh e sm iled an d said , “I’m su r e ever yon e seat ed in t h e au d ien ce w h o’s
d on e in -d ep t h r esear ch in t o sou l t ools w ill d efin it ely b e ver y fam iliar w it h t h is
it em . It also oft en ap p ear s in sou l t ool au ct ion s as w ell. It h as a n am u sin g n am e -
M ilk ’s Bot t le.”
Sh e lift ed t h e fab r ic off t h e it em as sh e sp ok e, sim u lt an eou sly t ak in g t h e

au ct ion it em fr om t h e car t .
T h e it em w as a silver n eck lace, an d on it h u n g a m et al p en d an t in t h e sh ap e of
a m ilk b ot t le, ab ou t t h e size of a gr ow n p er son ’s t h u m b .
H e Cait ou ’s eyes sh on e as h e w h isp er ed t o H u o Yu h ao. “J u n ior b r ot h er , t h is is

w h at I w as t ellin g you ab ou t . You n eed t h is t h e m ost n ow . Look in g at t h e t yp e of
M ilk Bot t le sh e’s h old in g, it look s lik e a Class 4 sou l t ool.”
H u o Yu h ao h ad a w ave of m isgivin gs in h is h ear t , w h ile sim u lt an eou sly

feelin g ash am ed . H e’d lear n ed h ow t o m ak e sou l t ools for alm ost a year , b u t
t h er e w er e st ill m an y t h in gs h e d id n ’t k n ow w it h in t h e r ealm s of sou l t ools.
Au ct ion eer Qin g Ya sm iled an d said , “As t h e n am e im p lies, a m ilk b ot t le is

n at u r ally u sed t o d r in k m ilk . H ow ever , t o eit h er a sou l en gin eer or a sou l
m ast er , t h eir m ilk b ot t le is u sed t o r ep len ish t h eir sou l p ow er . Nat u r ally, I h ave
t o m en t ion t h at b r ea st feed in g is st ill t h e b est .”
T h e au d ien ce im m ed iat ely er u p t ed in lau gh t er aft er h ea r in g t h is jok e, an d

even Qin g Ya h er self w as lau gh in g. T h e m ou n t ain s on h er ch est s w er e
som ew h at fit t in g t o t h e b r east feed in g sh e w as t alk in g ab ou t .
“Back t o t h e t op ic at h an d , t h e scien t ific n am e of t h is m ilk b ot t le ou gh t t o b e

en er gy r est or at ion sou l t ool. Bot h sou l m ast er s an d sou l en gin eer s can u se t h is
it em . T h e m ilk b ot t le can b e a sou l t ool of an y class, b u t on ly sou l m ast er s r an k 3
an d ab ove can m ak e it h ave a given effect . It ’s ver y com m on am on gst sou l t ools,
b u t a h igh -class M ilk Bot t le is ext r em ely exp en sive. I r em em b er seein g a Class 7
M ilk Bot t le ap p ear on ce in ou r fir st -r at e St ar ligh t Au ct ion . It r eally cau sed a
com m ot ion at t h e t im e. In t h e en d , a d eal w as m ad e for seven m illion gold en
sou l coin s, set t in g a n ew r ecor d for all M ilk Bot t les.”
“Nat u r ally, t h e m ilk b ot t le is u sed t o r ep len ish sou l p ow er , r egar d less of t h eir
r esp ect ive r an k . On e on ly h as t o fill it w it h sou l p ow er b efor e u sin g it for it t o
w or k . T h is sou l t ool h as it s lim it at ion s as w ell. W h en u sin g it , on e h as t o st op
an d ab sor b t h e sou l p ow er w it h all t h eir m in d an d sou l. If on e d oes n ot focu s,
t h ey w ill fail t o gu id e t h e sou l p ow er in t o t h eir b od y. As su ch , I h ave t o w ar n t h e
au d ien ce in ever y au ct ion n ot t o u se t h e m ilk b ot t le in b at t le. Alr igh t , I b elieve
t h at t h e a u d ien ce u n d er st an d s t h e m ilk b ot t le ver y w ell. I w on ’t b lat h er on an y
lon ger . T h e st ar t in g b id is six t h ou san d gold en sou l coin s, w it h ever y in cr easin g
b id n ot low er t h an a h u n d r ed gold en sou l coin s.”
W h en Qin g Ya p r oclaim ed t h at t h e b id for t h e M ilk Bot t le w as op en , H e

Cait ou also exp lain ed it s ch ar act er ist ics in far gr eat er d et ail t o H u o Yu h ao.
“Yu h ao, t h is sou l t ool is t h e m ost com p licat ed sou l t ool in it s class in t er m s of
it s m ak e, an d also h as t h e h igh est m at er ial r equ ir em en t s. T h e r eason for t h at is
b ecau se it h as t o st or e a h u ge am ou n t of sou l p ow er . In ad d it ion t o t h at , t h e
M ilk Bot t le can ’t let t h e sou l p ow er leak ou t at t h e sam e t im e, n or can it
com p r ess sou l p ow er t ill it cau ses an exp losion . As su ch , t h e r eq u ir em en t s for
t h e for m at ion ar r a ys an d m at er ials in m an u fact u r in g a M ilk Bot t le ar e
ext r em ely h igh . T h er e is on ly on e cr it er ion for su ccessfu lly m ak in g a M ilk
Bot t le, an d t h a t is st ab ilit y. Aft er t h e M ilk Bot t le is filled w it h sou l p ow er , it
m u st b e st ab le. If n ot , it ’ll t u r n in t o a b om b t h at can exp lod e at an y t im e.”
“T h is au ct ion eer ’s w ar n in g is ver y accu r at e. Gen er ally sp eak in g, on e

d efin it ely can ’t u se t h e M ilk Bot t le w h ile in b at t le. T h is is b ecau se w h en t h e so u l
m ast er is ab sor b in g t h e sou l for ce fr om t h e M ilk Bot t le, a lot of sou l p ow er w ill
b e r eleased . In t h e p r ocess of r eceivin g sou l p ow er fr om t h e M ilk Bot t le, t h e sou l
m ast er ’s b od y w ill d efin it ely b e d ea d lock ed . T h is w ou ld b e ext r em ely fat al for a
sou l m ast er in b at t le. M or eover , t h er e ar e t im es w h en it ’s ver y d ifficu lt t o
con t r ol t h e M ilk Bot t le. It w ill n or m ally ab sor b all of a sou l m ast er ’s so u l p ow er ,
or fill a p er son ’s sou l p ow er t o t h e b r im .”
“A h igh level M ilk Bot t le is exp en sive b ecau se it ’s ver y d em a n d in g in t er m s of

t h e m at er ials it n eed s. It ’s also far t oo t r ou b lesom e t o m ak e on e. T h e d ifficu lt y
of m ak in g a Class 7 M ilk Bot t le can even su r p ass t h at of a n or m al Class 8 sou l
t ool. At t h e ver y least , a Class 8 sou l t ool m ast er is n eed ed t o m ak e it . Even I can
on ly m ak e a Class 3 M ilk Bot t le a t t h is p oin t . T h a t in it self d oesn ’t m ea n
an yt h in g, b u t it t ak es t oo lon g t o m ak e it . I on ly t r ied m ak in g on e on ce, an d
w ou ld n ’t d o it again !”
“Yu h ao, t h in gs ar e d iffer en t w it h you b ecau se you r in n at e ab ilit y is sp ir it -
b ased . You r sp ir it u a l p ow er is p ow er fu l en ou gh t o b e ext r em ely effect ive in
con t r ollin g t h e M ilk Bot t le. T h at w ay, it ’s m or e con ven ien t for you t o con t r ol
h ow m u ch sou l p ow er you ab sor b .”
“Fu r t h er m or e, you ’r e a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er . Du r in g a t eam figh t , you

can st ay b eh in d t h e t eam t h e w h ole t im e an d r ecover you r sou l p ow er u sin g t h e
M ilk Bot t le. H ow ever , you m igh t en cou n t er a sit u at ion w h er e you r eceive t oo
m u ch sou l p ow er w h ile u sin g t h is Class 4 M ilk Bot t le. W ill you r b od y b e ab le t o
en d u r e it ? Aft er all, it ’ll b e a h u ge su r ge of sou l p ow er .”
H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t t r em b led an d h e im m ed iat ely r esp on d ed , “T h at w on ’t b e a

p r ob lem .” A Class 4 M ilk Bot t le w asn ’t som et h in g t o b e t ak en ligh t ly b u t h e st ill
h ad h is fu sion p ar t n er ! W h en h e an d W an g Don g fou gh t w it h each ot h er , t h ey
cou ld p r od u ce H aod on g Pow er in t h eir bod ies. An d if t h ey w er e t o u se t h is M ilk
Bot t le aft er r eleasin g t h e Gold en Road , w ou ld n ’t t h at im m ed iat ely r ep len ish
t h eir d ep let ed sou l en er gy? T h is M ilk Bo t t le w as t r u ly a good r ep len ish in g sou l
t ool for t h em .
As t h e t w o of t h em w er e t alk in g, t h e p r ice of t h e Class 4 M ilk Bot t le h a d

alr ead y r each ed eleven t h ou san d gold so u l coin s.
On e w ou ld n ever h a ve t o w or r y ab ou t sellin g a M ilk Bot t le d u r in g an a u ct ion ;

t h is w as t r u e r egar d less of w h at class t h e M ilk Bot t le w as. T h is w as b ecau se it
w as sim p ly t oo p r act ical. It cou ld even b e said t o b e essen t ial for a h igh -r an k in g
sou l en gin eer . An d n ow , even sou l m ast er s w er e ver y w illin g t o u se t h em .
Alt h ou gh a M ilk Bot t le w ou ld ap p ear at p r act ically ever y sin gle au ct ion , t h e
d ifficu lt y in volved in it s cr ea t ion m a d e it so t h at it s su p p ly w ou ld n ever ca t ch u p
t o d em an d . Nat u r ally, it s p r ice w ou ld in cr ease m or e an d m or e as t im e w en t on ,
t o t h e ext en t t h at M ilk Bot t les w er e n ow on e of t h e m ost d em an d ed sou l t ools on
t h e m ar k et .
W an g Yan w as ju st a b le t o list en in t o t h eir con ver sat ion w h en H e Cait ou h ad

sp ok en ear lier . As t h ey ch at t ed w it h each ot h er , H u o Yu h ao su b con sciou sly
glan ced at W an g Yan , w h o n od d ed b ack at h im .
Ear lier , W an g Yan h ad alr ead y sp en t n ear ly seven t y t h ou san d gold sou l coin s.
T h is w asn ’t a sm all n u m b er . Nob od y k n ew h ow m u ch m on ey t h e acad em y h ad
allow ed h im t o t ak e alon g w it h h im .
Bei Bei w h isp er ed , “T each er W an g, d o you h ave en ou gh m on ey? If you d on ’t ,

I h ave som e t oo. T h is M ilk Bot t le is q u it e good , an d all of u s can u se it . Also, it
isn ’t as if w e can ’t u se it at all d u r in g a figh t .”
W an g Yan sm iled . “Don ’t w or r y, I d on ’t r eally h ave t o sp en d an y m on ey. I

h ave t h e cr ed it cer t ificat e t h a t t h e acad em y issu ed . No m at t er h ow m u ch m on ey
w e sp en d , t h e acad em y w ill n at u r ally set t le t h e b ill for u s.”
Bei Bei’s eyes lit u p , “T h e acad em y act u ally issu ed a cr ed it cer t ificat e for u s?”
A cr ed it cer t ificat e w asn ’t m on ey, b u t a gu ar an t ee t h at w as b ased off t r u st

t h at cou ld b e u sed t o claim m on ey fr om an or gan isat ion . Na t u r ally, on ly cr ed it
issu ed b y p in n acle exist en ces w ou ld b e effect ive an d h eld in h igh r egar d . For
exam p le, t h e im p er ial fam ilies of t h e var iou s aca d em ies an d t op -r an k ed
acad em ies. On ly p in n acle exist en ces lik e t h ese w ou ld issu e cr ed it cer t ificat es
w it h n o lim it s on t h em . Un d ou b t ed ly, Sh r ek Acad em y w as on e of t h ese
exist en ces.
T h e fact t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h ad given t h em a cr ed it cer t ificat e for t h eir t r ip

t h is t im e ar ou n d sign ified t h e ab solu t e t r u st t h e acad em y h ad in t h em . T h is w a s
b ecau se t h e cr ed it cer t ificat e t h ey p ossessed h ad n o u p p er lim it on it ; t h is m ean t
t h at t h e acad em y w ou ld h ave t o foot t h e b ill n o m at t er w h a t t h ey b ou gh t . T h e
St ar ligh t Au ct ion w ou ld ju st h ave t o set t le it s p aym en t s w it h Sh r ek Acad em y t o
com p let e it s t r an sact ion s.
“T w en t y t h ou san d .” W an g Yan p laced a b id , on ce again u sin g a h igh b id t o

cr u sh t h e sp ir it s of t h e ot h er p ar t icip an t s in t h e h a ll.
W an g Yan h ad m a d e h is m ove m an y a t im e ea r lier , an d h e h ad cr u sh ed

ever yon e else u sin g p u r e w ealt h p r act ically ever y sin gle t im e. Becau se of t h is,
t h e ot h er s w er en ’t w illin g t o let p r ices r each excessively h igh levels. On ce h e
m ad e a m ove, a lar ge m ajor it y of t h e ot h er b id d er s im m ed iat ely d r op p ed ou t of
t h e b id d in g.
Nat u r a lly, t h er e w er e som e p eop le w h o w er e feelin g u n r esign ed . Aft er all,

t h is Class 4 M ilk Bot t le h ad a t r u e p r ice of t w en t y t h ou san d gold sou l coin s or so.
“T w en t y-on e t h ou sa n d .” A low voice r an g ou t fr om t h e b ack .
W an g Yan r ep lied w it h an u n flin ch in g face, “T w en t y-five t h ou san d .”
At t h is m om en t , t h e en t ir e h a ll qu iet ed d ow n again .
Aft er t h is r ou n d of b id d in g, Qin g Ya’s gaze t ow ar d W an g Yan st ar t ed t o

ch an ge fr om a r egu lar , p r ofession al on e t o a m or e in t en se on e. Aft er all, n ob od y
w ou ld n ’t lik e a p er son w it h m on ey. M or eover , W an g Yan ’s voice w asn ’t t oo
lou d . Alt h ou gh h e w or e a m ask , t h e au r a of a sch olar st ill leak ed ou t fr om h im .
“T w en t y-five t h ou san d goin g on ce, t w en t y-five t h ou san d goin g t w ice,

t w en t y-five t h ou san d goin g t h r ice. Don e!”
Qin g Ya’s h am m er in g sp eed w as ext r aor d in ar ily qu ick , as if sh e w an t ed t o

leave a good im p r ession on W an g Yan . T h ey h ad ob t ain ed t h e M ilk Bot t le.
T h is t im e a r ou n d , H u o Yu h ao w as som ew h at excit ed . H e w as t r u ly cu r iou s

ab ou t t h is sou l t ool t h at cou ld r ep len ish h is sou l p ow er .
Aft er p u sh in g t h e ca r t d ow n t h e st age, Qin g Ya w alk ed t o t h e ver y fr on t of t h e

au ct ion st age. H er ch ar m in g face w as n ow sligh t ly flu sh ed , an d sh e sa id in a
m u ch q u iet er voice, “Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, ou r m yst er y gift is ab ou t t o t ak e t h e
st age. T h is is also t h e fin al it em w e ar e au ct ion in g t on igh t . T h is w asn ’t su p p osed
t o ap p ear h er e or igin ally, b u t w it h t h e p er m ission of ou r ch ief au ct ion eer , w e
h ave d ecid ed t o r ev eal t h is it em t o t h a n k ou r va r iou s d ist in gu ish ed gu est s for
su p p or t in g ou r St ar ligh t Au ct ion . Alt h ou gh it is ext r em ely va lu ab le, I t r u st t h a t
ever y sin gle p er son h er e w ill b e ab le t o t ell it s t r u e w or t h . Now , I w ou ld lik e ou r
cer em on ial lad y t o p u sh ou r m yst er y gift on t o t h e st age.”
A p u sh car t on ce again ascen d ed t h e st age fr om t h e sid e. Un lik e t h e p r eviou s
it em s, t h is p u sh car t w asn ’t ju st b igger ; t h e clot h on it w a s act u ally ch an ged t o a
con sp icu ou s r ed on e.
All m at t er s con d u ct ed w it h in t h e St a r ligh t Au ct ion w er e d iffer en t iat ed b y

color , w it h gold b ein g t h e m ost h on or ab le color . Aft er t h at w ou ld b e r ed , t h e
color of a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g.
Fr om t h is, it cou ld b e seen t h at t h is m yst er y gift w as ext r em ely

ext r aor d in ar y.
It w as qu ick ly p u sh ed t o t h e cen t r e of t h e st age, b esid e Qin g Ya.
Fr om t h e gen er al ou t lin e of t h e clot h cover in g it , t h is it em d id n ’t look t oo

sm all.
H u o Yu h ao squ in t ed h is eyes, q u iet ly r eleasin g h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . Aft er

ob t ain in g Im it at ion , h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion h ad b ecom e even m or e cover t . As
lon g as h e w illed it , h e cou ld com p let ely con ceal all of h is sou l r in gs so t h ey
w ou ld n ot ap p ear d u r in g t h e act ivat ion of an y of h is sou l sk ills.
H ow ever , as H u o Yu h ao q u iet ly sw ep t h is sp ir it u al p ow er acr oss t h e r ed clot h

an d t h e it em w it h in it , h is b od y su d d en ly t r em b led violen t ly. H e q u ick ly
cover ed h is eyes w it h h is h an d s, an d h is en t ir e b od y st ar t ed t o sp asm .
H e Cait ou an d Bei Bei w er e b ot h st ar t led , an d t h e t w o b ot h b lu r t ed ou t in

u n ison , “Yu h ao, w h at ’s h ap p en ed t o you ?”
H u o Yu h ao p au sed for a few secon d s b efor e com in g b ack t o h is sen ses. W h en

h e p u lled h is h an d s d ow n , h ow ever , H e Cait ou an d Bei Bei cou ld clea r ly see t h e
glin t in h is eyes.
“W h at a sh ar p feelin g.”
W h en h e h ad scan n ed t h e r ed clot h u sin g h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t o fin d ou t

w h at t h e it em in sid e w as, h e h a d felt an in d escr ib ab le sen se of sh ar p n ess. T h a t
sh ar p n ess h ad in st a n t ly t or n t h r ou gh h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion , goin g so far as t o
p ier ce t h r ou gh even h is sp ir it u al or igin . T h is h ad scar ed H u o Yu h ao t o t h e p oin t
w h er e h e h a d q u ick ly can celled h is sou l sk ill. Alt h ou gh t h is w as t h e case, h is
sou l sk ills w er e st ill ch an n elled t h r ou gh h is Sp ir it Eyes. As a r esu lt , t h ey w er e
st ill gr eat ly ir r it a t ed , t o t h e p oin t w h er e t ear s st ar t ed flow in g fr om h is eyes.
Qin g Ya h ad alr ead y st ar t ed h er in t r od u ct ion on t h e st age of t h e 12t h H all.
“Ever yon e h er e m u st r eally w an t t o k n ow w h at ou r m yst er y gift is. It ’s

get t in g la t e alr ea d y, an d Qin g Ya d oesn ’t w an t t o sp oil t h e clim ax. T h is m yst er y
gift is ver y or d in ar y, b u t it ’s also a so u l en gin eer ’s m ost in sep ar ab le fr ien d ;
ever y sou l en gin eer m u st h ave on e of t h ese. H ow ever , t h e last it em w e’r e
au ct ion in g is com p let ely d iffer en t . It isn ’t a sou l t ool--w h ich is w h y I said t h at it
sh ou ld n ’t h ave b een h er e in t h e fir st p lace. H ow ever , it ’s t oo closely r elat ed t o a
sou l en gin eer . Befor e I r em ove t h is clot h , let m e say on e last t h in g: t h is it em ’s
r ar it y an d valu e is en ou gh for it t o b e au ct ion ed off in on e of ou r St ar ligh t
Au ct ion ’s t op -r an k ed au ct ion s. Ever yon e, p lease t ak e a look .”
Ever yon e’s gazes w er e d r aw n t ow ar d s t h e st age t h e m om en t Qin g Ya lift ed

t h e clo t h fr om t h e car t . H ow ever , t h e d azzlin g or excep t io n ally b r illian t it em
t h at t h ey w er e exp ect in g d id n ’t ap p ear . W h at ap p ear ed in it s p lace w as a n it em
t h at cou ld n ’t b e an y m or e or d in ar y. It w as ju st as Qin g Ya h a d said --t h is w as a n
it em t h at an y sou l en gin eer w ou ld b e fam iliar w it h , as w ell as som et h in g t h ey
cou ld n ’t go w it h ou t .
T h e r eason b eh in d t h e t all clot h cover in g t h e car t w asn ’t d u e t o t h e size of t h e

it em it self. In st ea d , it w as b ecau se t h e it em w as p laced on a sh ow case, an d t h e
m ass cover ed b y t h e clot h w as n at u r ally t h e sh ow case it self. T h e it em it self w as
ver y sm all, ar ou n d h alf a foot lon g or so, an d w as as t h ick as a fin ger . It seem ed
t o gr ow n ar r ow er an d n ar r ow er fr om t h e b ot t om t o t h e t op , an d t h e ver y t op of
t h e it em w as an ext r em ely sh ar p -p oin t ed t ip . On t h e ot h er h a n d , it s b ot t om w as
a h alf-in ch w id e b la d e. It h a d a sim p le, d ar k look t o it , an d fain t ly d iscer n ib le
car vin gs cou ld b e seen on it . T h ey em it t ed a fain t ly an cien t , yet gloom y au r a.
A lar ge n u m b er of p ar t icip an t s let ou t d issat isfied sigh s. Clea r ly, t h ey d id n ’t
t h in k t h a t t h is m yst er y gift h ad su r p r ised t h em at all. H ow ever , t h e p u p ils of a
sm all n u m b er of p eop le w er e r ap id ly con t r act in g. T h e ap p ear an ce of t h is it em
h ad ast on ish ed t h em .
A car vin g k n ife. Righ t , t h is w as a car vin g k n ife t h a t a sou l en gin eer cou ld u se
t o car ve a cor e for m at ion . Bot h en d s of a car vin g k n ife w er e u sefu l t o a sou l
en gin eer , w h o cou ld u se t h em d iffer en t ly w h ile car vin g d iffer en t cor e
for m at ion s. Sou l en gin eer s cou ld n ’t lack a car vin g k n ife; t h is w as a b asic
r eq u ir em en t t o car ve a sou l t ool.
H u o Yu h ao also h ad a car vin g k n ife, given t o h im b y Fan Yu . It w as a

r elat ively d ecen t car vin g k n ife, m ad e ou t of a h ar d m et al t h at m ad e it sh ar p ,
st u r d y, an d st ab le. It w as ver y su it ab le for h im t o u se it . Fan Yu h a d also t old
h im t h at h e w ou ld h elp h im fin d an ot h er , m or e ou t st an d in g car vin g k n ife aft er
h e b ecam e a Class 4 sou l en gin eer . Aft er all, t h e h igh er t h e r a n k a sou l en gin eer
w as, t h e m or e p r eciou s an d t ou gh t h e m et als h e w ou ld u se. If a sou l en gin eer ’s
car vin g k n ife w asn ’t good en ou gh , h ow w ou ld h e b e ab le t o car ve a cor e
for m at ion ? Fu r t h er m or e, a good car vin g k n ife cou ld let a so u l en gin eer ach ieve
t w ice t h e r esu lt s w it h h alf t h e effor t w h ile cr eat in g a sou l t ool.
H u o Yu h ao an d H e Cait ou w er e b ot h st u n n ed u p on seein g t h is car vin g k n ife.

At t h e ver y least , t h ey w er en ’t ab le t o t ell w h er e it s ou t st an d in g p oin t s w er e on
t h e su r face. H ow ev er , H u o Yu h ao p laced a gr eat d eal of t r u st in h is ear lier
feelin g. T h e sh ar p sen sat ion t h a t h ad p ier ced t h r ou gh even h is Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion w as d efin it ely n ot fak e, an d t h is car v in g k n ife w as d efin it ely n ot
n or m al.
Qin g Ya’s voice r an g ou t fr om t h e cr ow d of d issat isfied voices, “In all

lik elih ood , a few of ou r d ist in gu ish ed gu est s h ave b een d eceived b y it s ou t er
ap p ear an ce. T h en , I can on ly t ell you w it h m u ch r egr et t h at you ar e all w r on g.
M issin g t h is m yst er y gift w ill b e you r life’s gr ea t est r egr et . Now , let m e
in t r od u ce t o you all t h is seem in gly or d in ar y car vin g k n ife t h at is d efin it ely n ot
or d in ar y.”
“A car vin g k n ife is a n ecessit y for a sou l en gin eer . M or eover , a good car vin g
k n ife is t h e m ost im p or t an t t h in g t h at a h igh -r an k in g sou l en gin eer can h ave.
Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, t h e car v in g k n ife you see in fr on t of you can ’t b e d escr ib ed
u sin g t h e w or d ‘sim p le’ alon e. Callin g it an excep t ion al car vin g k n ife w ou ld n ’t
b e an exagger at ion at all. Fir st ly, let m e give a q u ick exp la n at ion . T h er e’s a
r an k in g for ca r vin g k n ives w it h in t h e w or ld of sou l en gin eer s, an d t h e t op -
r an k in g on es ar e all in t h e h an d s of t h e b est sou l en gin eer s in t h e w or ld . I’m
su r e t h at ever yon e h er e h as h ear d of t h e t er m ‘r an k ed car vin g k n ife’. It ’s a t er m
u sed t o d escr ib e car v in g k n ives t h at h ave r each ed t h e lead er b oar d .”
“Ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t ’s Car vin g Kn ife Lead er b oar d list s t h e t op h u n d r ed

car vin g k n ives in t h e w or ld . Regr et fu lly, over t w o-t h ir d s of t h ose k n ives b elon g
t o t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. T h is is on e of t h e m ain r eason s w h y t h er e ar e so
m an y, an d so p ow er fu l, sou l en gin eer s in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. An d t h e it em
you see b efor e you is on e of t h e h u n d r ed car vin g k n ives on t h e Lead er b oar d . In
ot h er w or d s, it ’s on e of t h e r an k ed car vin g k n ives t h a t I’ve ju st sp ok en ab ou t .”
T h e cr ow d b elow t h e st age im m ed iat ely flew in t o an u p r oar t h e m om en t Qin g

Ya u t t er ed t h e w or d s ‘r an k ed car vin g k n ife’. T h e p r eviou s sigh s of
d issat isfact ion im m ed iat ely van ish ed , an d H e Cait ou closed h is eyes h elp lessly.
If Qin g Ya h ad n ’t exp lain ed ever yt h in g, h e h ad b een p lan n in g t o k eep

ever yt h in g t o h im self. As on e of Fan Yu ’s d iscip les, h e h ad n ot iced a few
ab n or m alit ies r egar d in g t h is car vin g k n ife aft er m ak in g a close ob ser vat ion .
M or eover , as a sou l en gin eer h im self, h is d esir e for a r an k ed car vin g k n ife
w ou ld n ever b e lack in g. T h er e w er e on ly t w o r an k ed car vin g k n ives w it h in
Sh r ek Acad em y, w h ich r esp ect ively b elon ged t o Dean Xian Lin ’er an d Fan Yu .
Righ t n ow , a r an k ed car vin g k n ife h ad ju st ap p ear ed b efor e t h em . T h is h ad an

ext r em ely im p or t an t sign ifican ce t o t h em , an d even Sh r ek Acad em y as a w h ole.
Alt h ou gh W an g Ya n d id n ’t k n ow m u ch ab ou t car vin g k n ives, h e w as
in st an t ly excit ed aft er h ear in g t h e w or d s ‘r an k ed car vin g k n ife’. H e u n d er st ood
t h at t h is w as som et h in g t h a t h e h ad t o b r in g b ack t o Sh r ek Acad em y n o m at t er
w h at . Even if it h ad a h igh p r ice, t h e aca d em y w ou ld st ill r ew ar d h im for it . Ou t
of t h e p r eciou s t h in gs t h at t h e acad em y w as look in g for , a r an k ed car vin g k n ife
h ad b een r an k ed am on g t h e t op for a lon g t im e! T h is w as esp ecially t r u e for t h e
Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , for even Vice-Dean Qian Du od u o w a sn ’t ab le t o u se a
r an k ed car vin g k n ife.
T h e fer ven t at m osp h er e b elow t h e st age in st an t ly cau sed a b r illian t sm ile t o

ap p ear on Qin g Ya’s ch ar m in g face. Sh e w asn ’t im p at ien t a t all--aft er w ait in g
for a fu ll five m in u t es, t h e p ar t icip an t s of t h e au ct ion gr ad u a lly calm ed d ow n .
“Au ct ion ess Qin g Ya. W h at ’r e you st ill w ait in g for ? Qu ick ly st ar t t h e
b id d in g.” T h er e w er e alr ead y a few p eop le w h o cou ld n ’t h old in t h eir
excit em en t an ym or e.
Qin g Ya sm iled , “Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, p lease d o n ot b e so im p at ien t . I’m su r e

t h at ever yon e h er e k n ow s t h at ou r St ar ligh t Au ct ion h as alw ays b een sin cer e
an d h on est t o all of ou r cu st om er s. W e h a ve alw ays gu ar a n t eed t h e qu a lit y of a ll
good s t h at a r e sold w it h in ou r a u ct ion s, an d w e w ill n ever allow a fau lt y or
p r ob lem at ic good t o b e given t o ou r d ist in gu ish ed gu est s. Becau se of t h is, I
w ou ld lik e ever yon e t o allow m e t o fin ish sp eak in g.”
W h ilst sp eak in g, Qin g Ya look ed r egr et fu lly at t h e an cien t car vin g k n ife in
fr on t of h er an d sigh ed ligh t ly. “If t h is w er e an or d in ar y r an k ed car vin g k n ife, it
w ou ld n ever h ave ap p ear ed h er e. Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, I’m su r e t h at you ar e all
aw ar e of t h is. A r an k ed car vin g k n ife is on e of t h e m ost valu ab le it em s w it h in
t h e w or ld of sou l en gin eer s. It ’s even m or e valu ab le t h an cer t ain p r eciou s
m at er ials. T h e r eason w h y t h is r an k ed car vin g k n ife h as ap p ear ed as t h e last
it em in t od ay’s Class 4 au ct ion is b ecau se it h as a p ar t icu lar p r ob lem .”
“It ’s r an k ed 99t h on t h e Car vin g Kn ife Lead er b oar d , b u t w it h it s st r en gt h , it

sh ou ld n ’t b e r an k ed t h at low . In fact , it sh ou ld b e w it h in t h e t op 30 . H ow ever ,
t h e m ain r eason w h y it ’s r an k ed so low is b ecau se it ’s a cu r sed car vin g k n ife.”
H e Cait ou su d d en ly cr ied ou t , “Is t h at t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife t h a t
cou n t er -d evou r s it s ow n er s?”
Sh r ek Acad em y w as seat ed in t h e fir st r ow of t h e au ct ion , an d h is voice

w asn ’t soft eit h er . Qin g Ya w as n at u r ally ab le t o h ear h is w or d s, an d a t r ace of
ast on ish m en t im m ed iat ely ap p ear ed on h er ch ar m in g face w h er eu p on sh e
an sw er ed , “W e act u ally h ave a k n ow led geab le gu est . Cor r ect , t h is car vin g k n ife
is t h e 99t h r a n k ed Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife t h at ’s k n ow n as t h e Viciou s
Kn ife.”
“T h is Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife h as h ad over t h r ee t h ou san d year s of

h ist or y. T h r ee t h ou san d year s ago, it ap p ear ed in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. It s
cr eat or w as an ab solu t ely excep t ion a l sou l en gin eer w h o su p p osed ly b ecam e a
Class 9 sou l en gin eer . Fu r t h er m or e, h e w asn ’t ju st a sou l en gin eer , b u t a sou l
m ast er as w ell; a t er r ifyin g evil sou l m ast er . T h r ee t h o u san d year s ago, h e
b r ou gh t ab ou t a st or m of car n age an d t er r or t o t h e con t in en t .”
At t h at p oin t , t h e p ar t icip an t s in t h e au ct ion qu iet en ed d ow n . T h e

exp r ession s of m an y p eop le t u r n ed gr a ve as w ell.
“T h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife w as cr eat ed b y t h a t evil sou l m ast er

d u r in g h is la t er year s. Accor d in g t o t h e st or ies, h e en cou n t er ed a m or t al en em y
n ot lon g aft er cr eat in g t h is car vin g k n ife. H e w as a gen iu s in h is gen er a t ion , b u t
also a m on st er . H e su b sequ en t ly fell, b u t d id n ’t car r y t h e Om in ou s Sou l-
Devou r in g Kn ife b y h is sid e w h en h e d ied . Follow in g t h e p assage of t im e, t h is
viciou s k n ife en d ed u p in t h e m or t al w or ld .”
“W h en ou r St ar ligh t Au ct ion m ad e an in vest igat ion in t o it s p ast , w e fou n d

t h at t h is viciou s k n ife h as h ad a t ot al of t h ir t y-seven ow n er s. H ow ever , ever y
sin gle on e of t h ese t h ir t y-seven p eop le h ave d ied violen t ly. Of w h ich , n in e of
t h em b ecam e evil sou l m ast er s. Accor d in g t o t h e legen d s, t h is Om in o u s So u l-
Devou r in g Kn ife con t ain s a t r ace of t h at t alen t ed evil sou l m a st er ’s sou l. Becau se
of t h at , it st eer s it s ow n er s t ow ar d t h e p at h of evil. If you ar e n ot st r on g-w illed ,
you w ill n ot b e ab le t o u se it . Fu r t h er m or e, it ab solu t ely can n ot b e u sed
fr equ en t ly. T h u s, it fell an d fell in t h e r an k in gs u n t il it fin a lly r each ed a sp ot
w h er e it cou ld n ’t fall an y fu r t h er . Du e t o it s p r eviou s glor y, it h as n ever b een
st r ick en fr om t h e Car vin g Kn ife Lead er b oar d . Peop le w h o lik e it h a ve alw ays
b een h op in g t h at it can fin ally fin d a t r u e m ast er , b u t w e h op e t h at it s ow n er
p ossesses t h e at t r ib u t e of Ligh t . T h is w ay, it ’ll b e ver y h ar d for h im t o b e
cor r u p t ed . Nat u r ally, w e d on ’t h ave a com p let e u n d er st an d in g of t h is car vin g
k n ife. T h u s, w e a d vise t h at ou r d ist in gu ish ed gu est s b e cau t iou s w h en
p u r ch asin g t h is it em . W e can gu ar a n t ee t h at as lon g as you d on ’t p ou r sou l
p ow er in t o it , you w on ’t b e cou n t er -d evou r ed . Fu r t h er m or e, w it h it s st at u s as a
r an k ed car vin g k n ife, t u r n in g it in t o an h eir loom is q u it e good .”
Aft er list en in g t o Qin g Ya’s lon g exp lan at ion , ever yon e p r esen t fin ally
u n d er st ood w h y a r a n k ed car vin g k n ife h ad ap p ear ed in a Cla ss 4 au ct ion . M an y
p ar t icip an t s w h o w er e or igin ally eager t o b u y it w er e n ow silen t .
T h is Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife w o u ld ab solu t ely n ot h a ve an excessively

low valu e d u e t o it s st at u s as a r an k ed car vin g k n ife. H ow ever , n o m at t er h ow
good it w as, it cou ld n ’t b e com p ar ed t o on e’s life! If a p er son b ou gh t su ch a
p r eciou s it em an d d id n ’t u se it , w ou ld n ’t it b e a w ast e? In t h e en d , t h is w as ju st a
Class 4 au ct ion , an d m an y of t h e p ar t icip an t s w er en ’t ver y r ich . Becau se of t h is,
h esit at ion b egan t o ap p ear in t h eir h ear t s.
H e Cait ou sigh ed an d sh ook h is h ead , “You can ’t b u y t h is viciou s k n ife. I’ve

h ear d m y t each er t alk ab ou t it b efor e. T h e cou n t er -d evou r in g of t h is viciou s
k n ife isn ’t as sim p le as w h at t h a t au ct ion eer said . You sh ou ld b e ab le t o see t h is
fr om w h at h ap p en ed t o t h e ow n er s w h o d id n ’t d ie. Aft er all, it ’s a r an k ed
car vin g k n ife! If w e b u y it an d b r in g it b ack , w ill w e b e ab le t o r esist n ot u sin g
it ? If I’m n ot m ist ak en , m y t each er said t h a t sou l t ools p r od u ced b y t h is
Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife w ill h av e t w o ad d it ion al effect s, m ak in g t h em
t er r ifyin g exist en ces. It ’s t r u ly a p it y.”
Nob od y w ou ld t ak e t h eir ow n lives as a jok e. W h en H e Cait ou fin ish ed

sp eak in g, W an g Yan r evealed a d isap p oin t ed look in h is eyes. H e w as alr ead y
p r ep ar ed t o give u p o n t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife.
“T h e st ar t in g p r ice of t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife is on e h u n d r ed
t h ou san d gold sou l coin s, an d each in cr ease can n ot b e low er t h an five t h ou san d
gold sou l coin s. W e can st ar t t h e au ct io n n ow .” Qin g Ya sp ok e w it h a sm ile on
h er face. In r ealit y, sh e w asn ’t excit ed at all. Sh e w as ab le t o t ell w it h h er n ea r ly
t en year s of exp er ien ce as an au ct ion eer t h at t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife
w ou ld b e left u n sold yet again .
In r ealit y, t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife h ad ap p ear ed in on e of t h e

St ar ligh t Au ct ion ’s t op -r an k ed au ct ion s sh or t ly aft er t h e or gan izat ion h ad
ob t ain ed it . It s st a r t in g p r ice w asn ’t a h u n d r ed t h ou san d , b u t t h r ee h u n d r ed
t h ou san d . It h ad b een acqu ir ed b y ch an ce, an d it w as st ill a r a n k ed car vin g k n ife
n o m at t er w h at w a s said !
H ow ever , w h o cou ld ’ve p r ed ict ed t h at it s in fam y w as so w id esp r ead ? Even

t h e h igh -r an k in g gu est s of t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion w er en ’t w illin g t o p ossess it ,
even as an h eir loom . J u st w h o w ou ld d ar e t o k eep it w it h t h e d an ger s of an evil
sou l m ast er ’s sou l r esid in g w it h in it ?
T h e Viciou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife h ad a h ist or y t h at cou ld on ly b e d escr ib ed

u sin g t h e w or d ‘sava ge’. Non e of it s p r eviou s ow n er s, in clu d in g it s cr eat or s, h ad
b een ab le t o live for m or e t h an t en year s aft er com in g in t o p ossession of it .
Becau se of t h is, it h ad sp en t a lar ge m ajor it y of it s t h r ee t h ou san d year s of
exist en ce lyin g u n u sed .
H elp less, t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion ’s ow n er cou ld on ly let it ap p ear oft en w it h in

var iou s a u ct ion s. Fu r t h er m or e, h e p r om ised t o give a com m ission of 1% t o t h e
au ct ion eer w h o w as ab le t o sell it off. H ow ever , t h in gs t u r n ed ou t con t r ar y t o
t h e w ay h e w ish ed . T h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife h ad ap p ear ed in sever al
t en s of au ct ion s, b u t n ob od y h ad b een w illin g t o b u y it . Du e t o t h is, it s p r ice fell
an d fell yet again u n t il it w as n ear t h e p r ice t h at t h e au ct ion h ad p u r ch ased it
for .
I f i t ’ s not goi ng t o sel l , so be i t . Qi n g Ya h adn ’ t h ad t oo m uch h ope i n t h e f i r st

pl ace.
A som ew h at you n g voice su d d en ly r an g ou t fr om t h e seat in g ar ea at t h is
m om en t , “On e h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold sou l coin s.”
A sign con t ain in g t h e n u m b er 333 w as su d d en ly r aised .
Qin g Ya w as left d u m b st r u ck . T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at a p er son h ad b id on

t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife! Sh e w as com p let ely over joyed aft er a b r ief
m om en t of ast on ish m en t . It h a d t o b e k n ow n t h at t h e 1% com m ision of it s p r ice
of a h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d gold sou l coin s w as on e t h ou san d gold sou l coin s! Even if
a p er son sq u an d er ed h is m on ey, it w ou ld b e en ou gh for t h at p er son t o su r viv e
for a few year s. It w as alr ead y qu it e good for Qin g Ya t o b e ab le t o ob t ain t en s t o
h u n d r ed s of gold sou l coin s d u r in g each au ct ion sh e h ost ed . Aft er all, sh e w as
on ly a p u r p le-r an k ed au ct ion eer . If sh e w as ab le t o sell t h e Om in ou s Sou l-
Devou r in g Kn ife, sh e cou ld b e p r om ot ed t o a b lack , or even h igh er r an k ed
au ct ion eer .
Qin g Ya even for got t o sp eak for a b r ief m om en t d u e t o t h e exu b er an ce sh e

felt .
“I’m b id d in g on e h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold sou l coin s.” T h at you n g voice r an g

ou t on ce again .
“Ah ! Ok ay, gu est n u m b er 333 h as b id on e h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold sou l coin s.

Ar e t h er e an y m or e gu est s w h o w ish t o b id ?” Qin g Ya cam e t o h er sen ses an d
sp ok e h u r r ied ly. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e h op e sh e felt sp ik ed d r am at ically. If on e
p er son w as w illin g t o b id for it , w h y w ou ld n ’t t h er e b e a secon d ? Even if t h e b id
w as in cr eased b y five t h ou san d , sh e w ou ld t ak e aw ay fift y m or e gold sou l coin s.
Book 12: T h e St r en gt h of t h e Pr ep ar at or y T eam
Chapt er 84.1: The Gold of Life
H u o Yu h ao w as t h e o n e w h o h ad p laced t h e op en in g b id .
Ever yon e fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w as sh ock ed t o h ear H u o Yu h ao b id for t h e

it em . Peop le lik e Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i w h o d id n ’t r eally k n ow ab ou t sou l t ools
cou ld get a sen se of t h is car vin g k n ife's p r ob lem fr om Au ct ion eer Qin g Ya’s
exp lan at ion an d t h e silen ce fr om t h e au d ien ce. Yet , H u o Yu h ao h ad p laced a b id
w it h ou t even con su lt in g t h em ab ou t it . H e…!
“J u n ior b r ot h er , you …” Bei Bei fr ow n ed . H is ju n ior b r ot h er w asn ’t an

im p u lsive p er son fr om h is u n d er st an d in g of t h e b oy!
H u o Yu h ao glan ced at h is sen ior b r ot h er w it h a sligh t ly ap ologet ic look in h is

eyes. H e t h en lean ed t ow ar d s W an g Yan a n d said in a low voice, “T each er W an g,
I u sed m y Sp ir it u al Det ect ion a m om en t ago, an d d et er m in ed t h e sou r ce of t h is
Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g car v in g k n ife’s p r ob lem . I’ve got a w ay t o con t r ol t h e
d r aw b ack fr om u sin g it . Let ’s b id for t h is fir st . If I’m n ot m ist ak en , t h is car v in g
k n ife ou gh t t o h ave b een for ged fr om an ext r em ely p r eciou s an d m yst er iou s
m et al called t h e Gold of Life. It ju st so h ap p en s t h at I can u n d o t h e r em n an t s of
t h e cu r se con t ain ed w it h in t h e ca r vin g k n ife w it h m y sp ir it u a l p ow er an d
Ult im at e Ice. T h er e d efin it ely w on ’t b e a p r ob lem .”
W an g Yan fr ow n ed a n d said , “Yu h ao, d on ’t b e h ast y. You r life an d fu t u r e is at

st ak e! I can ’t let an yt h in g h ap p en t o you .”
H u o Yu h ao m u t t er ed ir r esolu t ely t o h im self for a b it b efor e con t in u in g,

“T each er W an g, w h y d on ’t you look at it t h is w ay: let ’s b id for it fir st . If I can ’t
u se t h e car vin g k n ife, I’ll get t h e Dean of t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t an d T each er
Fan Yu t o su p er vise m e in u n d oin g t h e cu r se on t h is sou l-d evou r in g car vin g
k n ife w h en w e get back t o t h e acad em y. I w ill on ly u se it on t h e con d it ion t h at
t h e cu r se h as d efin it ely b een lift ed . If n o t , I w ill give u p an d leave it t o collect
d u st in t h e aca d em y. I’ll d efin it ely r ep ay t h is su m of m on ey t o t h e acad em y in
t h e fu t u r e. Do w e h ave a d eal?”
W an g Yan felt a lit t le r eassu r ed aft er h ear in g w h at H u o Yu h ao said . T h e

r an k ed car vin g k n ife w as on ly goin g for a h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold en coin s. If
H u o Yu h ao cou ld r eally u se t h e car vin g k n ife r egar d less of h ow p r ob lem at ic it
w as, t h en t h is w as a h u ge st eal!
A r an k ed car vin g k n ife ap p ear in g in a fir st -r a t e au ct ion w as a r ar it y b ecau se

sou l t ool en gin eer s w h o ow n ed a r an k ed car vin g k n ife w ou ld t r eat t h em as
t r easu r es. T h ese r a n k ed car v in g k n ives w ou ld b e p assed on fr om on e gen er at ion
t o an ot h er ; on ly w ast r els w ou ld p u t it u p for au ct ion .T h e h igh est b id in h ist or y
for a r an k ed car v in g k n ife h ad am ou n t ed t o t en s of m illion s of gold en sou l coin s!
T h at h ad b een for a car vin g k n ife r an k ed in t h e t op t w en t y.
It w ou ld n ’t b e a b ad t h in g t o sp en d a h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold en sou l coin s if it

m ean t t h e acad em y w ou ld h ave t h r ee r a n k ed car vin g k n ives.
W h en h e t h ou gh t t o t h is p oin t , W an g Yan n od d ed at H u o Yu h ao. H e h ad

an ot h er r eason for agr eein g t o t h is b id . H ow cou ld an yon e com p ar e t o Sh r ek
Acad em y in t er m s of p eop le w it h r ep u t ab le b ack gr ou n d s? T h ey h ad a few
esp ecially p ow er fu l ligh t -at t r ib u t e sou l m ast er s. If Sh r ek Acad em y cou ld n ’t
con t r ol t h is m u r d er ou s car vin g k n ife, t h en t h er e w as r eally n o on e in t h is w or ld
w h o cou ld d o so at p r esen t .
Even t h ou gh t h e cr eat or of t h is car vin g k n ife w as an evil sou l m ast er , h e t oo

w as a Class 9 sou l t ool en gin eer . H ow ever , n o exist en ce w asn ’t u n p ar alleled in
t h e face of Sh r ek Acad em y. M or eover , W an g Yan fain t ly h ad t h e im p r ession
t h at t h e Sh r ek Gu a r d ian s seem ed t o h ave gon e on a ver y im p or t an t m ission
t h r ee t h o u san d year s ago. Aft er p ayin g a h eavy p r ice, t h ey h ad m an aged t o k ill a
p ow er fu l sou l m ast er .
In an y case, h e h ad t o follow t h r ou gh w it h it sin ce H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y b id

for it !
Qin g Ya r ep eat ed ly q u est ion ed t h e au d ien ce, yet t h er e w as n o r esp on se fr om
t h em . No on e w as w illin g t o b id for t h is m u r d er ou s car vin g k n ife b ecau se t h ey
k n ew t h at on ce t h ey b id for it , a d eal w ou ld r eally b e for m ed .
“A h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold en sou l coin s, goin g on ce!” Qin g Ya h ad n o ch oice

b u t t o st ar t t h e fin al call t o close t h e a u ct ion .
“A h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold en sou l coin s, goin g t w ice!”
“A h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold en sou l coin s, goin g t h r ice! Sold !”
T h e m allet fell w it h a b an g, an n ou n cin g t h at t h is excep t io n ally m u r d er ou s

car vin g k n ife n ow b elon ged t o Sh r ek Acad em y. At t h e ver y least , it d id n ’t
b elon g t o H u o Yu h ao yet .
Seein g as h e h ad w on t h e b id for t h is sou l-d evou r in g car vin g k n ife, H u o

Yu h ao’s face w as b eam in g w it h h ap p in ess as h e h eaved a h u ge sigh of r elief.
“Yu h ao, w h at ’s t h e Gold of Life?” H e Cait ou ask ed in a low voice.
H u o Yu h ao h ast ily r ep lied , “I r ead ab ou t it in an an cien t t ext in t h e lib r ar y.

T h e Gold of Life is a sp ecial k in d of m et al t h at ’s ext r em ely r ar e. T h is m et al
ap p ear s t o h ave a life, b u t d oesn ’t p ossess in t elligen ce. It ca n seem in gly b r eak
d ow n all m et als an d or es k n ow n t o m an . It ’s ver y r ar e. Fr om w h at w as w r it t en
in t h e an cien t t ext , t h e Gold of Life seem s t o h old t r em en d ou s p ow er , b u t n o on e
h as com p let ely gr asp t h e m ean s of u sin g t h e Gold of Life t o d at e.”
H e Cait ou scr at ch ed h is h ead an d said , “It look s lik e I n eed t o r ead m or e

b ook s. I d id n ’t even k n ow t h at a t r ea su r e lik e t h is exist ed .”
H u o Yu h ao sigh ed t o h im self. It w as on ly n at u r al t h at h e h ad n ’t r ead ab ou t it

fr om som e an cien t t ext . Som et h in g lik e t h e Gold of Life m igh t n ot even b elon g
t o t h is w or ld ! T h is w as b ecau se t h e d escr ip t ion of t h is m et al cam e fr om
Calam it y Necr om an cer Elect r olu x - t h e en t it y fr om an ot h er sp ace t h at h ad
h elp ed h im k ill an evil sou l m ast er .
W h en t h e sou l-d evou r in g car vin g k n ife cou n t er ed H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al
p ow er , t h e alm igh t y b ein gs in h is m in d sen sed t h at h is sp ir it u al sea w as in
d an ger an d w ok e u p at t h e sam e t im e.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as t h e m ost sen sit ive t o ch an ges in sp ir it u al p ow er ,

so h e t oo w as t h e fir st t o aw ak en . H e on ly look ed at t h e sou l-d evou r in g car vin g
k n ife an d t old H u o Yu h ao h e sh ou ld n ’t car elessly p lay ar ou n d w it h it b ecau se a
h u ge t h r ea t r esid ed in t h at t oy. T h e Ice Em p r ess h ad ot h er t h ou gh t s ab ou t t h is
m at t er . In a sligh t ly m or e d isd ain fu l m a n n er , sh e com m en t ed t h at t h ou gh t h is
car vin g k n ife w as cu r sed , H u o Yu h ao h ad an Ult im at e Ice a r m or . Ad d ed on t o
t h e fact t h at h e h a d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s t r em en d ou s sp ir it u a l p ow er , an d
t h e cu r se sh ou ld n ’t h ave t oo m u ch of an effect on h im . H ow ever , it on ly m ad e
sen se if h e cou ld n ’t u se t h is ca r vin g k n ife.
As t h ey w er e b ot h a r gu in g w it h each ot h er , a sou n d of b ew ild er m en t cam e

fr om Calam it y Necr om an cer Elect r olu x. H e h ad n ’t b een su r p r ised for w h o-
k n ow s-h ow lon g, b u t h e w as r eally ast on ish ed w h en h e saw t h is car vin g k n ife.
T h e w or d s “t h e Gold of Life” t h en sp illed fr om h is lip s.
H u o Yu h ao exp lain ed ever yt h in g t h a t Elect r olu x h ad t old h im t o H e Cait ou ..

T h e r eason w h y H u o Yu h ao h ad im p u lsively p laced a b id w it h ou t solicit in g
W an g Yan ’s op in ion on t h e m a t t er w as b ecau se Elect r olu x t old h im h e d efin it ely
h ad t o get t h is car vin g k n ife at all cost s.
H ow ever , Elect r olu x fell silen t on ce t h e car vin g k n ife w as in h is h an d s. H u o

Yu h ao on ly sen sed t h at t h e m yst er iou s old m an w as act u ally p leasan t ly
su r p r ised , an em ot io n t h at w as r ar e t o h im .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice Em p r ess b ot h h eld som ew h at of a

r est r ain in g fear t ow ar d s Elect r olu x. As su ch , t h ey h ad n ’t op p osed h im yet . Aft er
all, Elect r olu x h ad p r eviou sly p r oven h is good in t en t ion s w it h act ion s. If it
w er en ’t for h im , H u o Yu h ao m igh t h a ve d ied in t h e face of t h e En voy of t h e
Deat h God . T h e sou l b east s b elieved in t h e cr eed t h a t t h e st r on gest w as d eem ed
k in g. Elect r olu x h ad u sed h is st r en gt h t o sh ow t h em h ow p ow er fu l h e w as, so
t h ey h ad n o ch oice b u t t o accep t h is exist en ce.
Chapt er 84.2: The Gold of Life
“Yu h ao, t h is car vin g k n ife m ad e fr om t h e Gold of Life isn ’t sim p le at all. On ce
you get it , I’ll b e able t o r esolve it s issu es, w h er eu p on you ’ll b e ab le t o easily
solve som e of t h e p r ob lem s you ’ll h ave t o face in t h e fu t u r e w it h it . I w on ’t h ave
t o w or r y ab ou t m y st r an d of d ivin e sen se b ein g ext in gu ish ed eit h er .”
Elect r olu x san k b ack in t o silen ce aft er u t t er in g t h ese w or d s. H ow ever , on ly

H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o list en t o h im sp ea k ; even t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e
Ice Em p r ess w er e scr een ed ou t b y h is m yst er iou s p ow er s.
Sh r ek Acad em y h ad ob t ain ed a p len t ifu l h ar vest fr om t on igh t ’s au ct ion , b u t

t h ey h ad sp en t a lot of m on ey t o acqu ir e it . W a n g Yan d ecid ed t o set t le t h e issu e
of p aym en t an d t h e collect ion of t h e it em s b y h im self, allow in g t h e ot h er s t o go
b ack an d r est . As for t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife t h a t H u o Yu h ao h ad
b ou gh t , W an g Yan w ou ld b e ab le t o r et r ieve it w it h H u o Yu h ao’s p ar t icip an t
sign .
W an g Yan ’s r an k in g w it h in t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion h ad in cr eased fr om t h e

in it ial w h it e t o p u r p le w it h t h is exch a n ge. Su b sequ en t ly, h e n ow h ad t h e
qu alificat ion s t o p ar t icip at e in a u ct ion s t h at w er e of a h igh er class. H ow ever ,
on ly b lack -r an k ed a n d ab ove cu st om er s w er e allow ed t o p ar t icip at e in t h e
St ar ligh t Au ct ion ’s t op -r an k ed au ct ion s.
T h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife h ad left a ver y d eep im p r ession on H u o

Yu h ao. T h is w as esp ecially so aft er Elect r olu x’s w or d s, w h ich m ad e h im
over joyed . H is sen ses as a sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l m ast er w er e ext r em ely acu t e.
Alt h ou gh h is sp ir it u al p ow er w as far , far w eak er t h an p in n acle exp er t s lik e
Elect r olu x, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , an d t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion , h e h ad a
ver y st r on g ab ilit y t o d iffer en t ia t e b et w een good an d evil. H e cou ld sen se p u r e
good w ill fr om Elect r olu x’s d iv in e sen se, b u t t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice
Em p r ess st ill h ad som e r eser vat ion s t ow ar d s h im . H ow ever , t h ese r eser vat ion s
b egan t o gr ad u ally d ecr ease as t h ey follow ed h is im p r ovem en t s in cu lt iva t ion .
Aft er all, t h ey n o lon ger h ad an y p at h of r et r eat .
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t h ead st r a igh t b ack t o h is r oom aft er r et u r n in g t o t h e

Im p er ial Gr an d St ar H ot el. In st ea d , h e w en t t o W an g Don g’s r oom an d k n ock ed
on h is d oor .
“W h o is it ?” W an g Don g’s voice r an g ou t fr om w it h in .
“It ’s m e, I’m b ack .”
T h e d oor op en ed , r evealin g a som ew h at st u p efied W an g Don g.
H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t p olit e at all as h e en t er ed W an g Don g’s r oom b efor e

closin g t h e r oom ’s d oor . H e ask ed , con cer n ed , “W an g Don g, w h at ’s w it h you ?”
W an g Don g sh ook h is h ead an d fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s sligh t ly, “You m igh t n ot

b elieve m e, an d even I d on ’t u n d er st an d w h at ’s goin g on . W h en I h ear d
ever yon e t alk in g ab ou t u sin g sou l t ools, I felt an in d escr ib ab le sen se of vexat ion
in m y h ear t . T h er e seem s t o b e an ot h er con sciou sn ess in m y m in d t h at ’s
r eject in g t h e u se of sou l t ools. T h is feelin g’s k in d a st r a n ge, b u t it ’s n ot
com for t ab le at all. H ow ever , I d on ’t seem t o b e ab le t o r eject it . I ch ose t o com e
b ack b ecau se of t h a t . Act u ally, I u n d er st an d w h a t T each er W an g Yan ’s sayin g,
an d I b elieve t h at w h at h e’s sayin g is cor r ect . H ow ever , it seem s lik e I can ’t u se
sou l t ools at all.”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed . “J u st w h at is t h is? Is t h er e a p r ob lem w it h you r

sp ir it u al sea?” H e im m ed iat ely t h ou gh t b ack t o h is ow n sit u at ion . Did W a n g
Don g h ave ot h er sou ls livin g w it h in h is sp ir it u al sea? H e st ill r em em b er ed w h at
t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad t old h im --W an g Don g also h ad t h r ee m ar t ial sou ls,
lik e h im . H is t h r ee m ar t ial sou ls w er e alr ead y set t led n ow . H is Sp ir it Eyes w er e
h is m ain m ar t ial sou l w it h ou t a d o u b t , w h ile h is secon d m a r t ial so u l w as t h e
p ow er fu l Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion . H is t h ir d m a r t ia l sou l w as ver y lik ely t o b e
on e t h at h e cou ld n ’t ad d an y sou l r in gs t o--t h e Divin e Law of Necr om an cy, t h e
Calam it y Necr om an cer Elect r olu x w h o seem in gly p ossessed t h e p ow er s of a evil
sou l m ast er d esp it e b ein g m u ch m or e p u r e-h ear t ed t h an m an y ot h er p eop le.
H ow ever , w h at ab ou t W an g Don g? W h at w er e h is t h r ee m ar t ial sou ls? H u o

Yu h ao b elieved t h a t t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s ju d gem en t cou ld n ’t h ave b een
in cor r ect .
“W an g Don g, d o you t r u st m e?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed ser io u sly, h is h an d s on

W an g Don g’s sh ou ld er s.
W an g Don g w as st u n n ed for a m om en t . H e im m ed iat ely n od d ed

su b con sciou sly, “Nat u r ally. W h y w ou ld n ’t I t r u st you ?”
H u o Yu h ao said in a low voice, “You k n ow t h at I’m a sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l

m ast er . T h e b iggest d iffer en ce w e sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l m ast er s h ave fr om
or d in ar y sou l m ast er s lies in h ow w ell w e can con t r ol ou r sp ir it u al p ow er . I h ave
m u ch m or e sp ir it u a l p ow er t h an or d in a r y sou l m ast er s, an d m y sp ir it u a l p ow er
is st or ed in an ar ea called m y sp ir it u a l sea. I feel lik e I k n ow som et h in g sim ilar
t o w h at you ’ve ju st t old m e, so I’d lik e t o ch eck you r sp ir it u al sea for a b it . Is
t h at ok ay? T h er e w ill b e n o p r ob lem s as lon g as you h ave com p let e t r u st in m e.
At t h e ver y least , w e’ll b e ab le t o figu r e ou t w h et h er t h er e’s a p r ob lem w it h you r
sp ir it u al sea.”
W an g Don g look ed d eep ly in t o H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, “I t r u st you . Bu t , w h at d o

w e d o if t h er e r ea lly is a p r ob lem w it h m y sp ir it u a l sea?”
“T h en w e’ll solve t h at p r ob lem .” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied u n h esit at in gly. H e h ad

n o con fid en ce in ot h er ar eas, b u t h e w as cer t ain of h is ab ilit ies w it h r egar d s t o
sp ir it u al p ow er . Aft er all, h e h ad t h e su p p or t of an exist en ce lik e t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ! T h er e w as an ext r em ely m in iscu le ch an ce of a p r ob lem ar isin g w it h
t h e assist an ce of h is Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , w h o h ad a m illion year s’ w or t h of
exp er ien ce in con t r o llin g sp ir it u al p ow er . M or eover , h e even h ad a p ow er lik e
t h e Ice Em p r ess su p er visin g h im .
Seein g H u o Yu h ao’s con fid en ce, W an g Don g n od d ed . “Ok ay. W h at d o I h ave
t o d o?”
H u o Yu h ao said , “You h ave t o close you r eyes an d st op m ovin g. No m at t er

w h at h ap p en s, n o m at t er w h a t you feel, d on ’t b e ast on ish ed . Do you r b est t o
calm you r m in d . I’m goin g t o car efu lly p eer in t o you r sp ir it u a l sea w it h m y
sp ir it u al p ow er .”
“Ok ay.” W an g Don g n od d ed , “Do w e st ar t n ow ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed b ack , “W e’ll st ar t n ow . Pr ep ar e you r self.”
W an g Don g slow ly sh u t h is eyes an d r elaxed h is b od y. H e an d H u o Yu h ao

w er e close p ar t n er s w h o w er e ab le t o fu se t h eir m a r t ial sou ls. As a r esu lt , t h ey
h ad alr ead y est ab lish ed an u n b r eak ab le level of t r u st .
H u o Yu h ao t ook a d eep b r eat h an d calm ed h im self as m u ch as p ossib le. At t h is

m om en t , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice Em p r ess w er e b ot h aw ak e. T h ey
w er e m on it or in g H u o Yu h ao’s con t r ol of h is sp ir it u al p ow er at h is r eq u est , an d
t h ey w ou ld m ak e a m ove if an y p r ob lem s w er e t o ar ise.
H u o Yu h ao m oved h is h an d s fr om W an g Don g’s sh ou ld er s t o t h e b ack of h is

h ead , t h en low er ed h is h ead slow ly. Aft er t h at , h e p laced h is for eh ead again st
W an g Don g’s for eh ead . T h e t w o of t h em cou ld even h ear each ot h er ’s
b r eat h in g.
W an g Don g’s b od y sh iver ed sligh t ly. H is lon g eyelash es sh ook , b r u sh in g

again st H u o Yu h ao’s eyes.
“Don ’t m ove, r elax. I’m ab ou t t o st ar t .” H u o Yu h ao u r ged q u iet ly.
W an g Don g r egain ed h is com p osu r e, b u t h is face w as som ew h at r ed .
A gen t le w ave of sp ir it u al p ow er car efu lly flow ed ou t fr o m H u o Yu h ao’s

for eh ead an d in t o W an g Don g’s b od y fr om t h e p oin t at w h ich t h eir for eh ea d s
w er e t ou ch in g.
Sou l m ast er s con sid er ed t h e a r ea b et w een t h e eyes, t h e b r ow s, t h e for eh ead ,
an d t h e n ose t h e sp ir it u al r oot of H eaven an d Ear t h . It w a s t h e p lace w h ich
con t ain ed t h e sp ir it , t h e an cest r a l cavit y, an d t h e an cest r al Qi. At t h e sam e t im e,
it w as w h er e t h e sp ir it u a l sea r esid ed . Placin g t h eir sp ir it u al seas n ext t o each
ot h er w as n at u r ally t h e easiest w ay in w h ich H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o easily
t r an sfer h is sp ir it u a l p ow er t o W an g Don g.
T h eir sou l p ow er w as alr ead y h ar m on iou s d u e t o t h eir m ar t ial sou l fu sion .

M or eover , W an g Don g t r u st ed h im fu lly. H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al p ow er w as ab le
t o qu iet ly en t er W an g Don g’s sp ir it u al sea w it h ou t an y t r ou b le.
Chapt er 85.1: Twin M ist r esses of Fir e and Ice,
Thousandst r ike Lance
H u o Yu h ao h ad sp en t m or e t h an a year cu lt ivat in g w it h h is b lood , sw eat an d

t ear s. In a d d it ion t o Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s gu id an ce, h e w as get t in g m or e an d
m or e p r oficien t in con t r ollin g h is sp ir it u al p ow er . Even t h o u gh h e st ill d id n ’t
h ave a sp ir it u a l sea t h at w as su fficien t ly lar ge en ou gh , it w as com p ar at ively
elab or at e en ou gh u n d er h is su b t le con t r o l over h is sp ir it u al p ow er .
As a r esu lt of t h at , it ap p ear ed as t h ou gh h is en t r an ce in t o t h e sp ir it u al sea in

W an g Don g’s b od y w as excep t ion ally gen t le w h en h e d id so fr om h is t em p le.
W an g Don g felt a b u r st of w ar m t h fr o m h is t em p le. Follow in g w h ich , h e

seem ed t o b e in a sligh t ly d azed st a t e, as t h ou gh ever yt h in g w asn ’t r ea l
an ym or e. Im m ed iat ely aft er t h at , h e st r on gly felt as t h ou gh som eon e w as
op en ly sp yin g on h im .
H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al p ow er en t er ed W an g Don g’s sp ir it u al sea w it h ou t a

h it ch . T h e fir st t h in g h e saw w as a fain t gold en field , n ot h in g t oo d iffer en t
com p ar ed t o h is sp ir it u al sea. T h e on ly d iffer en ce w as t h at W an g Don g’s
sp ir it u al p ow er w as m u ch w eak er t h a n h is ow n .
I succeeded! H uo Yuh ao w as el at ed. For a con n ect i on bet w een spi r i t ual seas t o
w or k , bot h par t i es h ad t o be ext r em el y in syn c. I f on e w er e t o f or cef ul l y en t er
an ot h er ’ s spi r i t ual sea, i t w as ver y l i k el y t o cause dam age t o ei t h er par t i es’ soul
sea. At t h e ver y l east , t h e con n ect i on h appen i n g at t h i s m om en t pr oved t h e
absol ut e t r ust W an g Don g h ad i n h i m .
T h e spi r i t ual sea coul d be sai d t o be t h e m ost m yst er i ous pl ace i n t h e h um an

body. Even t i l l t oday, n o on e h ad r eal l y been abl e t o gr asp t h e m yst er i es of t h e
sp ir it u al sea. As a r esu lt of t h at , H u o Yu h ao w as excep t ion ally car efu l as st ar t ed
d elvin g in t o t h e d ep t h s of W an g Don g’s sp ir it u al sea.
Bu t at t h is ver y m om en t , an in d escr ib ab ly t er r ifyin g au r a su d d en ly su r ged ou t

of W an g Don g’s sp ir it u al sea.
T h at in com p ar ab ly im p osin g au r a w as lik e a m ou n t ain . W h en faced w it h su ch

t er r ifyin g m igh t , H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al p ow er w as as sm all as a d r op in t h e
ocean .
“Ru n !” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s st ar t led voice su d d en ly r an g ou t in H u o

Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al w or ld . A m assive su ct ion for ce cam e fr om b eh in d . Righ t
b efor e t h at t er r ifyin gly for m id ab le p ow er cam e in con t act w it h h im , H u o
Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al p ow er h ad alr ea d y b een com p let ely st r ip p ed b ack t o h is
or igin al b od y.
Even t h ou gh t h a t w as t h e case, H u o Yu h ao st ill felt t h a t t h e sigh t b efor e h is

eyes h ad t u r n ed in t o a gold en w or ld . Aft er t h at , h is w h ole b od y flew b ack w ar d s
in a com p let ely u n con t r ollab le m an n er , viciou sly st r ik in g t h e w all. It w a s as
t h ou gh h e’d b een b r an d ed t h er e for a good cou p le of secon d s. On ly aft er t h at d id
h e slow ly slid e d ow n w h ile h is ow n sp ir it u al sea st a r t ed vib r at in g violen t ly.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m b ar ely k ep t H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea in t act as it

r eleased it s sealed , p ow er fu l sp ir it u a l p ow er . Even so, H u o Yu h ao w as u n ab le t o
r egain h is sen ses for a lon g t im e. H is face w as com p let ely p ale as h e sat list lessly
on t h e gr ou n d .
H is m in d d r ew a b lan k . Aft er a good t en or so secon d s p assed , H u o Yu h ao

gr ad u ally r egain ed con sciou sn ess, an d t h e scen e b efor e h is eyes w as p la in on ce
m or e.
H e clear ly saw W a n g Don g st an d in g t h er e w it h h is eyes st ill closed as h is b od y

slow ly ab sor b ed a ligh t gold en ligh t . H e w as em it t in g a feelin g of d ivin it y.
W -w hat ’ s goi ng on? H uo Yuh ao w as i n a st at e of sh ock w h en h e f el t a w et
puddl e on h i s back . I t w as n o sur pr i se h e w as af r ai d. Just a m om en t ago, h e h ad
cl ear l y f el t as t h ough h i s spi r i t ual w or l d w as about t o be com pl et el y dest r oyed i f
t h e Sk ydr eam I cew or m h adn ’ t pul l ed h i s spi r i t ual pow er back i n t o h i s spi r i t ual
sea!
T h at pow er w as r eal l y t oo t er r i f yi n g, t o t h e poi n t w h er e t h e Sk ydr eam

I cew or m an d t h e I ce Em pr ess w er e a l i t t l e sl uggi sh . T h ey w er e r en der ed
t em por ar i l y un abl e t o an sw er H uo Yuh ao’ s quest i on . Just w h at exact l y w as
h i dden i n W an g Don g’ s spi r i t ual sea t h at h ad st un n ed t h e t w o pow er h ouses i n
h i s m i n d?
“ El der El ect r ol ux, w h at exact l y i s t h at pow er ? H ow can i t be so pow er f ul ?”

H uo Yuh ao ask ed, f eel i n g h or r i f i ed.
“ Si n ce t h e pr ocess w as t oo br i ef , I can ’ t det er m i n e w h at i t i s f or sur e ei t h er . I

coul d on l y f ai n t l y f eel t h at t h er e’ s som et h i n g seal ed w i t h i n h i s body. T h i s seal i s
ext r em el y pow er f ul , so un i m agi n abl y pow er f ul . Even w h en I w as at m y
st r on gest i n m y pr evi ous l i f e, I ’ m af r ai d I coul dn ’ t even com par e t o t h i s seal .
T h i s seal seem s t o be seal i n g som et h i n g on W an g Don g’ s body, or put t i n g i t
an ot h er w ay, som et h i n g i n h i s con sci ousn ess. But at t h e sam e t i m e, i t ’ s al so
pr ot ect i n g h i s spi r i t ual sea so t h at i t doesn ’ t cor r ode. I n an y case, you sh oul dn ’ t
t r y i t agai n . Just a st ep l at er , an d your body an d soul w oul d’ ve been obl i t er at ed.
T h an k f ul l y, t h e bi g w or m ’ s sen si t i ve t o spi r i t ual pow er , an d w as abl e t o save
you i n t i m e,” El ect r ol ux spok e w i t h a h eavy t on e.
Nat ur al l y, H uo Yuh ao di dn ’ t dar e t o t r y agai n . H i s l apel s w er e com pl et el y

dr en ch ed f r om t h e back . H e n ever w oul d’ ve t h ough t t h at t h e out com e w oul d be
l i k e t h i s. T h i s w as just as El der El ect r ol ux sai d. H e h ad al m ost gon e t o t h e dogs!
“ El der El ect r ol ux, w oul d t h i s si t uat i on cause h ar m t o W an g Don g?” H uo

Yuh ao ask ed ur gen t l y.
“ No, i t sh oul dn ’ t . T h i s si t uat i on i s act ual l y ver y r ar e, but i t ’ s n ot l i k e

som et h i n g l i k e t h i s h asn ’ t appear ed am on gst h um an s bef or e. T h er e ar e a ver y
few sit u a t ion s in t h e h u m an w or ld t h at w ill ca u se h u m an s t o h ave god lik e t r ait s,
ju st lik e t h is on e. T o p u t it sim p ly, a d eit y exist s in you r fr ien d ’s b od y,”
Elect r olu x said .
“God s w er e n ot h in g b u t illu sion s in t h e w or ld I cam e fr om . On ce on e b r ok e

t h r ou gh t h at r ea lm , t h ey h ad t o give u p t h eir cor p or eal b od y an d ever yt h in g
t h ey h ad . A d eit y exp an d s it self all acr oss t h e w or ld a n d con t r ols ever yt h in g, yet
con t r ols n ot h in g at t h e sam e t im e. T h is is m ain r ea son w h y p eop le fr om m y
w or ld w er en ’t w illin g t o b ecom e god s. W h en god s ap p ear ed , t h eir sou ls w ou ld
sp r ead acr oss t h e w or ld . If a n ew life gr aced t h e w or ld w h en t h at h ap p en ed , t h e
n ew b or n ’s vit a lit y m igh t ver y w ell ca u se a sh r ed of t h e d eit y’s sou l t o en t er t h eir
b od y. T h is is ver y b en eficial t o h u m an s b ecau se, it w ou ld en d ow t h at ch ild w it h
t alen t s. M or eover , t h is d eit y w ou ld n ’t a ffect t h e n ew b or n ’s b od y, an d w ou ld
gr ad u ally d isap p ear as t h e h u m an aged . T o p u t it in ot h er t er m s, it ’s called
lu ck .”
“T h ose w h o p ossess d eit ies in t h em ar e lu ck y in d ivid u a ls. Don ’t you gu ys

h ave t h at sayin g w h er e lu ck y p eop le d on ’t h ave an y w or r ies in life?”
Aft er h ear in g Elect r olu x’s exp lan at ion , H u o Yu h ao gen t ly exh aled .
Ever yt h in g w as fin e as lon g as W an g Don g w as ok ay. Nat u r ally, h e w ou ld n ’t t r y
an d p r y in t o h is sp ir it u al sea an ym or e in t h e fu t u r e. H is exp er ien ce fr om a
m om en t ago w as r eally t oo scar y.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice Em p r ess d id n ’t give h im an y ot h er

exp lan at ion . Aft er all w as said an d d on e, t h ey w er e sou l b east s, an d t h eir
u n d er st an d in g of t h e h u m an w or ld w asn ’t as p r ofou n d as t h at of Elect r olu x.
M or eover , t h e d eit y t h at w as lik e a seal r eally d id n ’t h ar b or an y ill in t en t
t ow ar d s W an g Don g. It on ly silen t ly p r ot ect ed W an g Don g’s sou l. As a r esu lt of
t h at , t h eir con clu sive op in ion w as t h e sam e as Eld er Elect r olu x’s, an d t h ey felt
t h at ever yt h in g w ou ld b e fin e as lon g as H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t p u r p osely go an d st ir
u p t r ou b le for h im self.
W an g Don g seem ed t o h ave w ok en u p at t h is m om en t . H e slow ly op en ed h is

eyes, an d w as t ak en ab ack w h en h e saw H u o Yu h ao collap sed on t h e gr ou n d .
“Yu h ao, w h at h ap p en ed t o you ?” H e qu ick ly st r od e for w ar d an d len t H u o Yu h ao
an ar m .
H u o Yu h ao sm iled b it t er ly an d said , “It ’s n ot h in g. I ju st p r ied in t o you r

sp ir it u al sea ju st n ow , an d it con su m ed t oo m u ch of m y sp ir it u al p ow er . T h a t ’s
all. You r st at u s is ver y n or m al, an d t h er e’s n ot h in g w r on g w it h you . I r eck on
it ’s a p sych ological b u r d en fr om w h en you cu lt ivat ed you r m ar t ial sou l a s a
ch ild . Don ’t m in d it t oo m u ch . You d on ’t h ave t o u se sou l t ools if you d on ’t lik e
t h em . You h ave m e, aft er all. Com e, let ’s cu lt ivat e for aw h ile. I con su m ed q u it e
a lot of m y sp ir it u al p ow er ju st n ow , so you n eed t o h elp m e ou t . Ar e w e goin g t o
st ay h er e, or ar e w e goin g over t o you r sid e?”
W an g Don g saw h is p ale face an d qu ick ly said , “W h y t or t u r e you r self? W e’ll

st ay h er e.” As h e sp ok e, h e h elp ed H u o Yu h ao t o t h e b ed . T h e t w o of t h em
p r essed t h eir p alm s again st t h e ot h er ’s, an d t h e gen t le flu ct u a t ion s of sou l
p ow er con ver ged in t o H aod on g Pow er , st ar t in g t o cir cu lat e w it h in t h eir b od ies.
On ly t h en d id H u o Yu h ao feel som ew h at st r on ger t h an b efor e.
A t h ou san d m iles aw ay...
A m assive cast le b u ilt at op t h e p eak of a m ou n t ain . T h e gr ey cast le w as filled

w it h an ar ch aic au r a, m ak in g it seem as t h ou gh it h ad r each ed t h e p in n acle of
exist en ce.
In t h e cast le, t w o m id d le-aged m en w er e d r in k in g w in e in a sp aciou s h all.
T h ey w er e ext r em ely t all. T h ey st ill exu d ed a m ajest ic au r a even as t h ey sat

t h er e.
T h e m id d le-aged m an sit t in g at t h e h ead of t h e t ab le h ad lon g gr een h air

d r ap ed over h is im p r essively w id e sh ou ld er s. H is eyes w er e act u ally gr een t oo!
As h e closed an d op en ed h is eyes, t h er e w as an in effab ly sp ecial sen se of r ealism
t o h is sim p le an d u n ad or n ed eyes. It w as as t h ou gh t h ey w er e fain t ly r evealin g
t h e t yr an n ical au r a t h at h is b od y cou ld n ’t su p p r ess.
W h it e sk in t igh t gar m en t s en velop ed h is t all figu r e. H e h eld a h u ge w in e cu p
in h is h a n d s, let t in g fin e am b er w in e en t er h is syst em .
A m id d le-aged b r aw n y m an w h ose b od y w asn ’t in fer ior t o h is sat in t h e seat

n ext t o t h e h ead of t h e t ab le. T h is p er son h ad fin e, sh or t h air t h a t r esem b led
st eel n eed les. H e h a d a m ajest ic ap p ear a n ce, w it h a ch iseled , r esolu t e face. H is
eyes w er e ligh t b r ow n , an d sh on e fain t ly w it h a gold en glow .
T h ese t w o p eop le w er e on ly sit t in g t h er e, b u t t h e feelin g t h ey exu d ed w as an

ext r em ely m ajest ic on e. T h at st r on g au r a d efin it ely cou ld n ’t b e fu lly con cealed
even if t h ey w er e t o su p p r ess it .
T h ese t w o m en h a d or igin ally b een d r in k in g w in e w h en t h eir b od ies sh ook at

t h e sam e t im e ou t of t h e b lu e. Soon , a look of t er r or ap p ear ed in t h eir eyes. W it h
a sw oosh , t h ey im m ed iat ely st ood u p .
At t h is m om en t , fou r b olt s of ligh t n in g seem ed t o h ave su d d en ly filled t h e

h all. T w o of t h em w er e t h e color of jad e, w h ile t h e ot h er t w o w er e ligh t b r ow n .
T h e p alace-lik e h all cr eak ed , failin g t o w it h st an d t h e su d d en t er r ifyin g au r a t h a t
h ad exp lod ed ou t in t h e r oom .
“It ’s W an g Don g. W h at ’s t h e m a t t er ?” T h e b lack -h air ed b r a w n y m an r oar ed ,

a savage glin t in h is eyes. H e r aised h is r igh t h an d , cau sin g a p ow er fu l gold en
ligh t t o sh oot ou t fr om h is p alm . Righ t aft er t h a t , n in e con secu t ive r in gs of ligh t
in st an t ly r ose fr om h is feet .
If a sou l m ast er w er e t o see t h e color s of h is n in e sou l r in gs, h e w ou ld

d efin it ely h ave fain t ed . H is n in e sou l r in gs w er e act u ally as p it ch -b lack as in k .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e b lack em an at in g fr om h is sou l r in gs seem ed t o b e d iffer en t
fr om or d in ar y t en t h ou san d year sou l r in gs; t h ey gave off a p r ofou n d an d
m igh t y au r a.
Nin e t en t h ou sa n d year sou l r in gs?
T h e sh or t -h air ed m an ’s sixt h sou l r in g lit u p , an d h e qu ick ly sk et ch ed ou t a

few gold en lin es in fr on t of h im , for m in g w h at seem ed t o b e a p at t er n .
“W ait a m om en t .” T h e lon g-h air ed m a n r aised h is h an d a n d gr ab b ed t h e

sh or t -h a ir ed m an , su p p r essin g t h e lat t er ’s au r a.
“Big b r ot h er , Lit t le Don g m igh t b e in d an ger .” T h e sh or t -h air ed m an let ou t a

low r oar , som ew h at d iscon t en t .
H is lon g-h air ed cou n t er p ar t sh ook h is h ead . “It ’s fin e. T h er e sh ou ld n ’t b e

an yt h in g w r on g w it h h im . M y sen ses ar e n ever w r on g. W e can ’t over t ly
in t er fer e in Lit t le Don g’s gr ow t h .”
T h e sh or t -h air ed m a n w as u n r esign ed , as if h e w er e a fier ce t iger p r ot ect in g

it s you n g, “No. I can ’t b e car eless. W h y d on ’t w e go over t o Sh r ek Acad em y an d
follow h im ? W e’ll b e ab le t o avoid m ost of ou r p r ob lem s t h en . If an yt h in g d oes
h ap p en , I w on ’t b e ab le t o w it h st an d t h e con sequ en ces.”
T h e lon g-h air ed m an sh ook h is h ead sligh t ly. “You ! T h e m or e you car e ab ou t
h im , t h e m or e t r ou b le you ’ll cau se. Let ’s d o it t h is w ay: let ’s get t h e sect t o sen d
a few p eop le t o p r ot ect h im fr om t h e sh ad ow s. Secon d b r ot h er , w h en w ill you r
sh or t -t em p er ed p er son alit y ever ch an ge? ”
“H m p h ! W h at ’s t h er e t o ch an ge? Ever sin ce… w h at ever , I’m n ot goin g t o t a lk

an ym or e. J u st w h ose fau lt w as it t h a t w e d id n ’t h ave t h e ab ilit y? Let ’s d r in k ,
d r in k .” As h e sp ok e, h e r a ised an en or m ou s cu p of fin e liqu or an d d ow n ed it all
in on e gu lp .
T h e lon g-h air ed m a n sh ook h is h ea d h elp lessly as h e w at ch ed h is sib lin g.

“You !”
T h e sh or t -h air ed m an p u t h is w in e cu p d ow n . T h e valian t look on h is face

h ad t u r n ed in t o on e of w or r y. “Big b r ot h er , is h e r eally fin e?”
T h e lon g-h air ed m a n p u t h is ow n w in e cu p on t h e sm a ll t ab le b esid e h im an d

m oved h is ar m s a b it . Im m ed iat ely, a ser ies of p op s an d cr ack s ech oed fr om h is
b od y.
“I k n ow w h at you ’r e t h in k in g. Let ’s d o it t h is w ay: as lon g as you can b eat m e,

I w on ’t car e ab ou t you ; I’ll let you d o w h at ever you w an t . H ow ab ou t it ?”
“Nop e… you ’r e ju st t r yin g t o u se m e t o get you r k ick s. I’m n ot goin g t o b e

fooled b y you .” T h e sh or t -h a ir ed m an said r esen t fu lly.
“Com e, let ’s d o it on ce?” T h e lon g-h air ed m an r ep lied m isch ievou sly.
“Big b r ot h er , I feel lik e you sh ou ld go fin d a w om an . T h er e ar e t r u ly m an y

good w om en ou t t h er e. Can you n ot look at m e lik e t h at ?”
St ar Lu o Cit y.
Sh r ek Acad em y w as all gat h er ed t oget h er at d aw n . T od ay, t h e secon d m at ch
of t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n a m en t ’s r ou n d -r ob in
sect ion w ou ld b e com m en cin g.
Dai Yu eh en g, M a Xiaot ao, an d Lin g Lu och en w er e st ill r ecover in g fr om t h eir

in ju r ies. At t h e ver y least , Lin g Lu och en w ou ld st ill n eed a few d ays t o r ecover
fr om h er in ju r ies.
Alon g w it h t h e r est of Sh r ek Acad em y w h o w er e fu lly equ ip p ed w it h t h e sou l

t ools t h ey h ad b ou gh t yest er d ay, W an g Yan w alk ed st r a igh t t ow ar d s St ar Lu o
Plaza.
H e h ad alr ead y given t h e su it ab le sou l t ools t o t h e m em b er s of Sh r ek

Acad em y, w it h t h e ob viou s excep t ion of t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife. H e
h ad p er son ally h elp ed fill H u o Yu h ao’s Class 4 M ilk Bot t le b efor e givin g it t o
h im .
T h eir op p on en t s for t od ay w er e alr ead y d et er m in ed , b u t t h e t ou r n am en t

for m at h ad t o b e ch osen t h r ou gh b y lot s. W an g Yan p r ayed t h at t h ey w ou ld n ’t
get a 1v1 figh t --aft er all, t h at w as t h e m ost u n favou r ab le for m at for Sh r ek
Acad em y. T h is w as b ecau se t h eir op p on en t s w ou ld h ave a Sou l Kin g. In a 1v1
figh t , a Sou l Kin g w ou ld com p let ely su p p r ess t h eir t eam , t h er eb y d r ast ically
r ed u cin g t h eir ch an ces of w in n in g. St ar Lu o Plaza w as as fer ven t as alw ays, an d
t h is w as esp ecia lly t r u e w h en t h e m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y st ep p ed ou t fr om
t h e sold ier -p r ot ect ed con t est an t ’s p assagew ay. T h e cr ow d im m ed iat ely flew in t o
an u p r oar .
Sh r ek Acad em y’s p r eviou s t w o m at ch es h ad left an ext r em ely d eep

im p r ession in t h e m in d s of t h e au d ien ce. J u st h ow w ou ld Sh r ek Acad em y
su r p r ise t h em again ? All of t h em w an t ed t o k n ow t h e an sw er t o t h is qu est ion .
W an g Yan h ad given t h em an in t r od u ct ion t o t h e op p on en t s t h ey w ou ld b e

facin g t od ay d u r in g b r eak fast . Un lik e t h eir p r eviou s m at ch es, t h ey w ou ld b e
facin g a sou l aca d em y t od ay. T h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y
or igin at ed fr om t h e Dou Lin g Em p ir e, an d it w as an ext r em ely fam ou s acad em y
w it h in t h e em p ir e it self. It w as r an k ed in t h e t op t h r ee m ost ou t st an d in g
acad em ies w it h in t h e Dou Lin g Em p ir e, an d it h ad p r ovid ed a lar ge n u m b er of
ou t st an d in g t a len t s for t h e em p ir e.
H u o Yu h ao m ain t ain ed an in d iffer en t look on h is face as h e w alk ed in t o t h e

r est in g ar ea, su r r ou n d ed b y h is com p an ion s. H e h ad t o con t in u e assu m in g t h e
air s of an exp er t u n t il h e w as exp osed , aft er all.
H e h ad fu lly r ecover ed h is sp ir it u a l p ow er t h r ou gh yest er d ay’s cu lt ivat ion .

M or eover , h is en er gies w er e n ow at t h eir p eak con d it ion d u e t o t h e H aod on g
Pow er .
T w o figh t s. T h ey h a d t o p er sist for t w o figh t s, at w h ich t im e Lin g Lu och en

w ou ld r et u r n . T h eir follow in g m at ch es in t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t w ou ld
b e m u ch m or e r elaxed w it h a Sou l Kin g over seein g t h em . Aft er all, a Sou l Kin g
w as alr ead y a p in n acle exist en ce w it h in t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y
Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t .
T h e on ly acad em y w it h a so-called ‘sp ecial p r ivilege’ w it h in t h e en t ir e

t ou r n am en t w as u n d ou b t ed ly Sh r ek Acad em y. T h ey w er e st ill p ar t icip at in g in
t h e fir st m at ch of t h e d ay, an d t h is h ad b een ch osen b y Sh r ek t h em selves.
8 a.m . It w as n ow t im e for t h e m at ch t o st ar t . T h e Em p er or of t h e St ar Lu o
Em p ir e sat ab ove t h e cit y w alls, in t en d in g t o sp ect at e t h e m at ch . T h er e w as n o
d ou b t ab ou t it --h e w as m ost in t er est ed in Sh r ek ’s p er for m an ce.
T h e r efer ee w alk ed t o t h e cen t r e of t h e t ou r n am en t st age, t h en u sed a sou n d -

am p lifyin g sou l t ool t o lou d ly an n ou n ce, “Bot h p ar t ies, en t er t h e w ait in g ar ea.
T eam lead er s, p lease t ak e t h e st age t o con d u ct t h e lot -d r aw in g.”
T h e m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y r ose t o t h eir feet an d en t er ed t h e w a it in g

ar ea clad in d ar k gr een . W an g Yan n od d ed t o Bei Bei, w h o gla n ced at Xu San sh i
b efor e clim b in g u p t o t h e st age w it h lar ge st r id es.
H is cou n t er p ar t fr om t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Sou l Acad em y w as also a m a le
w h o look ed ar ou n d t w en t y or so. T h is p er son h ad a slim b od y an d a st er n face,
givin g t h e im p r essio n t h at h e w as a javelin . H e r em a in ed exp r ession less as h e
faced Bei Bei.
Lot d r aw in g, st ar t !
Ever yon e p r esen t w as in t er est ed in t h e r esu lt s of t h e lot -d r aw in g. An y m at ch

t h at Sh r ek Acad em y p ar t icip at ed in w ou ld b e ext r em ely in t er est in g, r egar d less
of w h ich for m at w as ch osen . Righ t n ow , t h e au d ien ce on ly w ish ed for t h eir
op p on en t s t o last a lit t le lon ger , so t h ey cou ld w at ch an even m or e in t er est in g
figh t .
W an g Yan ’s p r ayer s w or k ed --t h e r esu lt of t h e lot -d r aw in g w as w h at h e

w an t ed m ost .
“Sh r ek Acad em y vs T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y, t eam figh t .” t h e r efer ee

lou d ly an n ou n ced t h e r esu lt of t h e lot .
T h e t eam figh t w as w it h ou t a d ou b t t h e for m at t h at con t ain ed t h e m ost

in t en se an d com p r eh en sive figh t s t h at t est ed t h e over all st r en gt h of b ot h t eam s.
T h e lead er s fr om b ot h t eam s h ad n o ob ject ion s t o t h is.
“Bot h t eam s, t ak e t h e field .” T h e r efer ee’s voice b oom ed .
H e Cait ou , Xu San sh i, J ian g Nan n an , Xiao Xiao, H u o Yu h ao, an d W an g Don g

all r ose t o t h eir feet . On e b y on e, t h ey ascen d ed t o t h e st age u n d er W a n g Yan ’s
su p p or t in g gaze.
W an g Yan h ad p r ep ar ed m ost for t h e t eam figh t in t h e m or n in g. H e alr ea d y

h ad all t h eir st r at egies in p lace, an d all Sh r ek n eed ed t o d o w as execu t e t h em .
Bot h p ar t ies st ood op p osit e each ot h er on t h e st age. Bei Bei an d Xu Sa n sh i

st ood at t h e ver y fr on t , w h ile J ian g Nan n an an d H e Cait ou st ood b eh in d t h em .
T h is w as follow ed b y W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao flan k in g H u o Yu h ao, w h o st ood
in b et w een t h em .
H u o Yu h ao p laced h is h an d s in fr on t of h is st om ach an d closed h is eyes, as if
h e w as ju st t ak in g a r est . On t h e con t r ar y, t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e T h ou san d
Sp ir it s Sou l Acad em y w er e all st ar in g at h im .
Ever y sin gle acad em y h ad con d u ct ed an an alysis on H u o Yu h ao’s st r en gt h

aft er t h e fir st d ay’s elim in at ion r ou n d . Alt h ou gh n ob od y t h ou gh t t h a t h e w as a
t er r ifyin g exist en ce w h o w as ab le t o p ossess six h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l
r in gs, t h ey h ad h igh exp ect at ion s of h im .
Aft er all, t h e d u o’s Gold en Road Am id st W it h er in g Resp len d en ce h ad left an

ext r em ely d eep im p r ession on t h eir h ear t s. T h ey h ad w on w it h a sin gle st r ik e!
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t look old fr om t h e ou t sid e; h e w as fou r t een or fift een at

m ost . H ow ever , t h e ot h er acad em ies h ad t ak en h im t o b e a Sou l Kin g, or even a
Sou l Em p er or -r an k ed exp er t .
T h e javelin -lik e lead er of t h e T h ou sa n d Sp ir it s Sou l Acad em y w as n ow

focu sed on H u o Yu h ao. Flick er in g t h r ou gh h is eyes w as n ot fear , b u t a st r on g
w ill t o figh t . Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam for m at ion w as m u ch m or e or d in ar y
com p ar ed t o t h e cu r ved for m at ion t h ey h ad t ak en d u r in g t h eir fir st t eam figh t .
H ow ever , t h eir op p on en t s h a d assu m ed a som ew h at u n exp ect ed for m at ion .
T h e lead er of t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Sou l Acad em y d id n ’t st an d at t h e ver y

fr on t of h is t eam ; in st ead , fou r p eop le d id . T h is w as som ew h at u n exp ect ed , b u t
t h eir for m at ion con sist ed of fou r p eop le st an d in g in fr on t . T h ese fou r w er e all
t all an d b r aw n y m ale st u d en t s, for m in g w h at seem ed t o b e a w all as t h ey st ood
t h er e.
T h eir javelin -lik e lead er st ood b eh in d t h e fou r , w h ile t w o you n g gir ls st ood
b eh in d h im .
T h ese t w o gir ls w er e ver y easily d iffer en t iat ed --on e of t h em w as r ed -h air ed ,

w h ile t h e ot h er w as b lu e-h air ed , m ak in g t h em r at h er eye-cat ch in g. All seven of
t h em look ed t o b e a r ou n d t w en t y-or -so year s old , an d t h e for m at ion t h ey h a d
t ak en m ad e it seem a s t h ou gh t h ey w er e an in vu ln er ab le for t r ess.
H u o Yu h ao qu ick ly t h ou gh t b ack t o W an g Yan ’s in t r od u ct ion of t h e
T h ou san d Sp ir it s So u l Acad em y. Ever y sin gle acad em y h ad a m ain for ce an d a
b at ch of r eser ve st u d en t s, an d W an g Yan w as ab le t o accu r at ely d et er m in e t h e
seven m em b er s of t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Sou l Acad em y’s m ain t eam aft er car efu l
ob ser vat ion . T od ay, t h e seven p eop le w h o cam e ou t w er e id en t ical t o W an g
Yan ’s p r ed ict ion s.
W an g Yan h ad d eliv er ed an ext r em ely t h or ou gh an alysis on t h e en em y t eam ,

even t alk in g ab ou t t h eir in d ivid u a l sp ecialt ies.
T h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Sou l Acad em y’s cu r r en t for m at ion cou ld b e easily

d escr ib ed u sin g a sin gle sen t en ce: T h e fou r sh ield s for m an in vu ln er ab le
for t r ess, w h ile t h e T w in M ist r esses of Fir e an d Ice at t ack alon gsid e t h e
T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce.
T h e fou r st u d en t s st an d in g at t h e ver y fr on t of t h e en em y t eam w er e called

Yan g M in g, Son g H u , Bai Ch en , an d Ye M ao. Accor d in g t o W an g Yan ’s
d ed u ct ion s, t h e fou r of t h em h ad com e fr om t h e sam e p lace. In ot h er w or d s,
t h ey cam e fr om t h e sam e sect . T h is w as b ecau se t h ey sh ar ed a n id en t ical m ar t ial
sou l--t h e d efen se-t yp e Sp ir it Rh in ocer os’ Sh ield , an u p p er -m id d le t ier d efen sive
m ar t ial sou l.
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e st er n javelin -lik e lead er of t h e T h o u sa n d Sp ir it s Sou l

Acad em y’s t eam w as called Sh en Ce. H e w as t h e t r u e cor e an d t h e m ain a t t ack er
of t h e t eam , an d h is T h ou san d st r ik e La n ce allow ed h im t o sp ecialise in b ot h
lon g an d sh or t -r an ge at t ack s.
T h e b lu e-h air ed gir l st an d in g in t h e b ack w as called An Len gye an d h ad t h e

Fr ost Bear as h er m ar t ial sou l, w h ile t h e r ed -h air ed gir l n ext t o h er w as called
Fei Yu yan an d p ossessed t h e Blaze T iger . T h e r eason for t h eir n ick n am e ‘T w in
M ist r esses of Fir e an d Ice’ w as b ecau se t h ey w er e b ot h con t r ol-t yp e sou l
m ast er s.
T h ey h ad n ’t u sed an y sou l t ools d u r in g t h eir p r eviou s m at ch , t h u s t h er e w as

n o w ay t o k n ow w h et h er or n ot t h ey w ou ld d o so in t h is m at ch . H ow ever , t h e
com p r eh en sive st r en gt h of t h e T h ou san d s Sp ir it s Sou l Acad em y w as
in com p ar ab le t o t h e Clou d Lu o Acad em y t h ey’d faced in t h e p r eviou s r ou n d .
Sh en Ce w as at t h e five-r in ged Sou l Kin g level of p ow er . Accor d in g t o W an g

Yan ’s p r ed ict ion s, h e w as ar ou n d Ran k 53 or 54 . H ow ever , t h e ot h er six
m em b er s of h is t eam w er e fou r -r in ged Sou l An cest or s. W an g Yan est im at ed t h a t
t w o of t h em w er e ab ove Ran k 4 5.
T h is m at ch w ou ld ab solu t ely n ot b e a p u sh over t o H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est .
“M at ch , st ar t !” Bot h p ar t ies sim u lt an eou sly r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls

follow in g t h e r efer ee’s sh ou t . T h er e w as on ly a sin gle excep t ion t o t h is, an d t h a t
w as H u o Yu h ao.
In r ealit y, h e h ad alr ead y r eleased h is m a r t ial sou l. On ly, h is Im it at ion m ad e

it so t h a t n o on e else w as ab le t o see h is so u l r in gs.
H u o Yu h ao k ep t h is h an d s over h is st om ach as h e r em ain ed m ot ion less, w h ile

W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao st ood b y h is sid e w it h n o in t en t ion s of m ovin g eit h er .
T h e t w o of t h em h ad r eleased six sou l r in gs each , an d t h ey b ot h h ad t h e
op t im u m com b in at ion of sou l r in gs.
T w o yellow , t w o p u r p le, an d t w o b lack r in gs. T h is w a s t h e op t im u m
com b in at ion of sou l r in gs for a six-r in ged Sou l Em p er or .
T h e easiest w ay t o d ist in gu ish t h e st r en gt h of an op p on en t w as b y look in g at

on e’s sou l r in gs w h en b ot h p ar t ies r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls. T h eir op p on en t s
fr om t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y w er e clear ly st u n n ed w h en W an g Don g an d
Xiao Xiao r eleased t h eir r esp ect ive six r in gs. A for m less p r essu r e w as n ow act in g
lik e a lar ge h an d t h at w as cr u sh in g t h eir ch est s, cau sin g t h eir b r eat h in g t o
su b con sciou sly b ecom e r u sh ed .
Nat u r a lly, on ly t h e t h r ee of t h em st ayed u n m ovin g. Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, J ian g

Nan n an , an d H e Cait ou m ad e t h eir m oves sim u lt an eou sly.
Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i b ot h h eld cigar s in t h eir m ou t h s. T h e for m er w as

p u ffin g t h e St r en gt h Am p lifyin g Lar ge Cigar , w h ile t h e lat t er p u ffed t h e Defen se
Am p lifyin g Lon g Cigar . T h e fou r of t h em sim u lt a n eou sly r eleased t h eir sou l
r in gs, an d Bei Bei t ook t h e in it iat ive t o ch ar ge t ow ar d s t h eir op p on en t s w it h
lar ge st r id es. Xu San sh i st ayed b y h is sid e, w h ile J ian g Nan n an ’s b od y flick er ed
an d van ish ed . H o w ever , t h is w as on ly fr om t h e p oin t of view of t h eir
op p on en t s. In r ealit y, sh e w as h id d en b eh in d Bei Bei.
H e Cait ou follow ed close b eh in d as h e t ook lar ge st r id es for w a r d as w ell.
At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao’s t r io slow ly ad van ced for w ar d .
Sh r ek Acad em y’s lin eu p cou ld b e d escr ib ed u sin g t h e w or d ‘for m at ion -less’,

so m u ch so t h at t h ey even seem ed som ew h at scat t er ed . It seem ed as t h ou gh t h ey
w er e each figh t in g t h eir ow n b at t les.
Com p ar ed t o t h em , t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y w as clea r ly m u ch m or e

or gan ised .
A d ar k -yellow layer of ligh t r ose fr om t h e b od ies of Yan g M in g, Son g H u , Bai

Ch en , an d Ye M ao as t h ey r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls. Righ t aft er t h at ,
t r an sfor m at ion s b egan t o occu r on t h eir b od ies as a r esu lt of t h e r elease of t h eir
m ar t ial sou ls.
T h eir or igin ally-t a ll b od ies b ecam e even m or e m u scu lar , a n d t h eir yellow
sk in b ecam e even t h ick er . T h e m ost n ot iceab le p ar t of t h eir t r an sfor m at ion
occu r r ed t o t h eir r igh t ar m s, as t h eir for ear m m u scles st ar t ed t w ist in g violen t ly.
Aft er t h at , sh ield s st ar t ed t o sp r ou t fr om t h eir r igh t ar m s.
T h e layer s of k er at in on t h eir d ar k yellow sh ield s m a d e t h em seem as t h ick as

ar m or . T h e Sp ir it Rh in ocer os’ Sh ield w as a m u t at ion of t h e Rh in ocer os, an d t h e
fou r of t h em p ossessed it . T h e fou r m et er -lon g sh ield s m ad e it seem as t h ou gh a
w all w as p r ot ect in g t h e t h r ee p eop le b eh in d t h em . T h ese fou r sou l m ast er s each
h ad fou r sou l r in gs, con sist in g of t w o yellow an d t w o p u r p le r in gs. T h ey gave off
a t h ick an d solid feelin g as t h ey st ood t h er e. W er e it n ot for t h e for m less an d
ch ok in g p r essu r e com in g fr om t h e d ist an t W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, an d H u o
Yu h ao, t h e layer of d efen se t h ey’d cr eat ed w ou ld ’ve b een even m or e p er fect .
T h eir lead er , Sh en Ce, n at u r ally st ood b eh in d t h e fou r of t h em .
Sh en Ce’s m ar t ial sou l look ed som ew h at sp ecial as it w as r eleased . H e r aised

h is ar m s in t o t h e air , cau sin g h is b od y t o give off a layer of silver ligh t . H e
look ed t ow ar d s t h e sk y an d m ot ion ed in a w ay t h at m ad e it seem as t h ou gh h e
w as t r yin g t o h u g t h e h eaven s. Righ t aft er t h at , a silver ligh t in st an t ly sh ot ou t
fr om h is b ack an d in t o t h e sk y b efor e b ou n cin g b ack in t o h im aft er com in g in t o
con t act w it h t h e d efen sive b ar r ier su r r ou n d in g t h e ar en a. T h is silver ligh t t h en
float ed in fr on t of h im .
T h is silver ligh t w as act u ally an ext r em ely sh ar p an d lon g la n ce. It s t w elve-

foot -lon g b od y sh on e a b r illian t silver , a n d fain t car vin gs cover ed it s su r face. An
in t en se au r a of sh ar p n ess im m ed iat ely su r ged fr om t h e lan ce t h e m om en t it
ap p ear ed in Sh en Ce’s h an d s, cr eat in g a d ist in ct ju xt ap osit ion w it h t h e fou r
Sp ir it Rh in ocer os Sh ield s in fr on t of h im .
T h is w as Sh en Ce’s m ar t ial sou l, t h e T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce! H e gave off a

som ew h at fam iliar feelin g t o t h e seven m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y, b ein g an
assau lt -t yp e sou l m a st er w h o u sed a t ool sou l. T h ey h ad p r eviou sly en cou n t er ed
t h is exact feelin g fr om on e of t h e official m em b er s of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven
M on st er s w h o w as also an assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er , Ch en Zifen g.
Did n ’t Ch en Zifen g’s Sou lch asin g Sw or d also p ossess a t er r ifyin g au r a of

sh ar p n ess lik e t h is as w ell? Ch en Zifen g’s au r a h ad b een su p p r essed b y M a
Xiaot ao d u r in g t h eir p r eviou s figh t , r esu lt in g in h is ab ilit ies n ot b ein g r evealed .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est h a d sen sed ju st h ow t er r ifyin g t h at sh ar p n ess
w as.
T h e T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce flick er ed w it h t w o yellow an d t h r ee p u r p le sou l

r in gs. T h er e w as n o d ou b t t h a t t h e Sou l Kin g-r a n k ed Sh en Ce w as in com p ar ab le
t o Ch en Zifen g. H ow ever , h is ab ilit ies w er e ext r em ely sim ilar , an d h is at t ack
p ow er w as u n d ou b t ed ly ext r aor d in ar y. H is fift h p u r p le sou l r in g gave off an
ext r em ely p r ofou n d feelin g, an d alt h ou gh it w asn ’t a t en t h ou san d year sou l
r in g, it w as an eigh t t h ou san d year sou l r in g at t h e ver y least .
J u st as Sh en Ce r eleased h is T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce, t w o en t ir ely con t r ast in g

ligh t s ap p ear ed b eh in d h im , act in g as a back d r op t o h is act ion s. On t h e left w as
a b lu e-color ed Ice, w h ile on t h e r igh t w as a r ed -color ed Fir e.
T h ese w er e t h e m ar t ial sou ls t h at An Len gye an d Fei Yu yan h ad r eleased .
T h e m ar t ial sou ls t h ese t w o sou l m ast er s p ossessed w er e ver y d ist in gu ish ab le.
T h ey w er e b ot h p ossessor s of b east sou ls, b u t t h eir b east sou ls d id n ’t cau se an y
ch an ges t o t h eir b od ies. In st ead , t h ey a p p ear ed as im ages of ligh t in fr on t of
t h em .
An en or m ou s, t h r ee-m et r e b ear t h at w a s d ar k -b lu e in color ap p ear ed in fr on t

of An Len gye, em it t in g an in t en se au r a of ice. On t h e con t r a r y, a t w o-an d -a -h alf-
m et er lon g t iger ap p ear ed in fr on t of Fei Yu yan , it s r ed b od y in t er w oven w it h
b lack st r ip es.
H u o Yu h ao h ad lear n ed ab ou t t h in gs lik e t h is in Sh r ek Acad em y. W h at An

Len gye an d Fei Yu ya n p ossessed w er e called m ar t ial sou l m im icr ies. If t h e fir st
sou l r in g t h at a sou l m ast er ob t ain ed w as id en t ical t o t h eir m ar t ial sou l, t h er e
w as a ch an ce t h at h e or sh e cou ld cu lt ivat e a m ar t ial sou l p r oject ion .
A m ar t ial sou l p r oject ion w ou ld n ’t give t oo m u ch of a p ow er -u p t o a sou l

m ast er ; it m a in ly ch an ged a sou l m ast er ’s figh t in g st yle. An or d in ar y b east sou l
m ast er w ou ld u se t h eir m ar t ial sou l t o st r en gt h en a p ar t icu lar ar ea of t h eir
p h ysical b od y, t h en figh t u sin g t h at . On t h e con t r ar y, a sou l m ast er w h o h ad a
m ar t ial sou l p r oject ion w ou ld com m an d t h eir p r oject ion s t o figh t for t h em . T h e
com p ar at ive load on t h eir b od ies w ou ld b e ligh t er , an d t h is m ad e it easier for
t h eir com p an ion s t o p r ot ect t h em . H ow ever , t h er e w er e ver y glar in g flaw s t o
t h is figh t in g st yle--t h eir p h ysical b od ies w ou ld b e com p ar at ively w eak er . T h u s,
it w as n ecessar y for a sou l m ast er t o car efu lly com m an d t h eir p r oject ion t o
p r ot ect t h em selves.
An Len gye, w h o p ossessed t h e Fr ost Bea r , an d Fei Yu yan , w h o p ossessed t h e

Blaze T iger , sh ou ld ’ve b een assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s. H ow ever , t h e fact t h at
t h ey w er e gir ls an d t h eir clan s w er e r elat ively p ow er fu l m ad e it so t h a t t h ey
ch ose t o cu lt iva t e a m ar t ial sou l p r oject ion d u r in g t h e ear liest p ar t s of t h eir
cu lt ivat ion . T h is a llow ed t h em t o b ecom e con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er s in st ead .
T h is w as t h e ‘T w in M ist r esses of Fir e an d Ice’ t h at W an g Yan h ad sp ok en ab ou t .
Un lik e Sh r ek ’s ch a r gin g assau lt , t h e seven m em b er s of t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s

Acad em y d id n ’t m a k e a m ove aft er r eleasin g t h eir m ar t ia l sou ls. T h e fou r
w ield er s of t h e Sp ir it Rh in ocer os’ Sh ield s cam e t oget h er , p r ot ect in g t h e ot h er
t eam m em b er s b eh in d t h em . At t h e sam e t im e, t h e fou r of t h em sim u lt an eou sly
r eleased t h eir fir st sou l sk ill, Sh ield W all!
Cou n t less d ar k yellow sh ad ow s b lossom ed fr om t h e Sp ir it Rh in ocer os

Sh ield s, an d t h e fou r sh ield s in st an t a n eou sly t r an sfor m ed in t o a t h ou san d
sh ield s t h a t b lock ed t h e lin e of sigh t an d p at h of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s.
Un for t u n at ely, t h ey d id n ’t k n ow t h at H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion h ad

b een act ivat ed sin ce t h e st a r t of t h e m at ch . Sh r ek ’s t eam sim p ly d id n ’t n eed t o
u se t h eir eyes t o see w h at w as goin g on b eh in d t h e Sh ield W all.
T h e elegan t -look in g An Len gye an d Fei Yu yan sim u lt an eou sly r eleased t h eir
sou l sk ills in a car efu l m an n er . An Len gye’s sou l sk ill act iva t ed fir st , an d t h e
Fr ost Bear st r u t t ed for w ar d w it h it s h ea d h eld h igh . Aft er r each in g t h e Sh ield
W all, it vigor ou sly t h u m p ed it s ow n ch est . At t h e sam e t im e, An Len gye’s fir st
sou l r in g lit u p .
An in t en se, icy-b lu e w ave of ligh t in st a n t ly sp r ead ou t fr om t h e Fr ost Bear ,

an d t h e or igin ally-yellow Sh ield W all w as im m ed ia t ely en ca sed in an icy-b lu e
ligh t . T h is w as An Len gye’s fir st sou l sk ill, Fr ost Sh ield .
H er Fr ost Sh ield com b in ed w it h t h e Sp ir it Rh in ocer os Sh ield s, cau sin g t h e

lat t er ’s d efen sive cap ab ilit ies t o in st an t ly t r ip le.
T h e p er son w h o h ad t h e h igh est cu lt ivat ion r an k aft er Sh en Ce w it h in t h e

T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y w as An Len gye, w h o w as a Ran k 4 5 sou l m ast er .
T h e Fr ost Bear ’s ab ilit ies w er en ’t lim it ed t o ju st t h at . Aft er t h u m p in g it s

ch est , it su d d en ly r aised it s en or m ou s p a w s an d p ou n d ed t h e gr ou n d h ea vily. An
ice-b lu e w ave of ligh t sp r ead ou t fr om t h em , clever ly m an eu ver in g ar ou n d t h e
fou r Sp ir it Rh in ocer os Sh ield s b efor e exp an d in g ou t w ar d s. T h e icy au r a
gen er at ed fr om it im m ed iat ely ca u sed t h e t em p er at u r e on t h e t ou r n am en t st age
t o d r op d r ast ically. T h is w as An Len gye’s secon d sou l sk ill, Fr o st Seal!
Affect ed b y t h e icy a ir , t h e ch ar gin g Bei Bei, Xu Sa n sh i, J ian g Nan n an , an d H e

Cait ou w er e slow ed d ow n d r am at ically. Fu r t h er m or e, a layer of fr ost st ar t ed t o
r ap id ly cover t h e floor of t h e t ou r n am en t st age; t h e n ow -sm o ot h su r face cau sed
t h eir foot in g t o b eco m e som ew h at u n st a b le.
An Len gye’s con t r ol of Ice w as ext r em ely st r on g, w h ile t h e fou r Sp ir it

Rh in ocer os Sh ield s seem ed im p en et r ab le. H ow ever , t h ey w er en ’t at t ack in g, b u t
d efen d in g. If t h a t w a s t h e ca se, h ow w as t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y goin g t o
w in ?
A b lazin g fir e r ap id ly sp r ou t ed fr om Fei Yu yan ’s Blaze T iger , an d h er fir st ,

secon d , an d t h ir d sou l r in gs flick er ed alt er n at ely.
T h e Blaze T iger for m ed an in t en se b all of fir e in it s m ou t h , t h en sp at it
d ir ect ly at Sh en Ce’s feet .
A fier y r ed r in g of ligh t im m ed ia t ely ap p ear ed , d yein g Sh en Ce’s en t ir e b od y a

scar let -r ed .
Fei Yu yan ’s fir st sou l sk ill, Ragin g Flam e Rin g, im b u ed it s t ar get w it h t h e fir e
at t r ib u t e, alon g w it h a st r on g r esist an t t o fir e. At t h e sam e t im e, it gave it s
t ar get t h e ab ilit y t o at t ack an d d efen d u sin g t h e p ow er of Fir e b y im b u in g t h e
elem en t of fir e in t o t h eir sou l sk ills. T h is w as a p ow er fu l Fir e-t yp e au xilia r y
sk ill. Un for t u n a t ely, it w as on ly a sin gle-t ar get sk ill.
Chapt er 86.1: The Or igin of Dest r uct ion, He
Cait ou
Aft er b ein g p ow er ed u p b y t h e Ragin g Flam e Rin g, Sh en Ce’s T h ou san d st r ik e

Lan ce w as d yed w it h a layer of r ed . A glin t fla sh ed t h r ou gh h is eyes, an d t h e
T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce’s t h ir d sou l r in g su d d en ly lit u p . T h is t h ou san d year sou l
r in g im m ed ia t ely cau sed t h e w eap on t o t u r n som ew h at illu sor y. Not on ly t h at ,
b u t a flar e of ligh t ap p ear ed b eh in d t h e T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce, cau sin g it t o
b ecom e in cr easin gly b r igh t er . As a r esu lt , it s glar in g ligh t su p p r essed even t h e
r ed d ish lu st er t h at cam e fr om Fei Yu yan ’s Ragin g Flam e Rin g.
Clear ly, Sh en Ce an d Fei Yu yan h ad n ’t ju st w or k ed t oget h er for a d ay or t w o.

J u st as t h e for m er r eleased h is t h ir d sou l sk ill, t h e lat t er sim u lt an eou sly
act ivat ed h er secon d an d t h ir d sou l sk ills. H ow ever , h er secon d sou l sk ill w as
u sed on t h e Blaze T iger .
Blazin g W in gs.
A fou r m et er -w id e p air of flam in g w in gs ap p ear ed on t h e b ack of t h e Blaze

T iger , ju st lik e t h e p h r ase ‘givin g a set of w in gs t o a t iger ’. W it h t h e st r en gt h
in cr ease given b y t h e Blazin g W in gs, t h e au r a of Fir e com in g fr om t h e Blaze
T iger sp ik ed , an d t h e or igin ally scar let -r ed flam es on it s b od y st ar t ed t o t u r n a
b lu ish -w h it e.
Aft er t h at cam e Fei Yu yan ’s t h ir d sk ill, w h ich cau sed a layer of b lu ish -w h it e
flam es t o em er ge fr o m t h e b od y of t h e Blaze T iger . T h e Blaze T iger it self w as an
im age of ligh t , an d it h a d r eleased so m et h in g sim ilar t o it , yet even m or e
illu sor y. T h is cau sed it s m ain b od y t o t h in som ew h at .
T h e b lu ish -w h it e Blaze T iger d id n ’t p au se w h at soever . Flap p in g it s w in gs, it

leap t st r a igh t in t o t h e in cr easin gly b r igh t T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce.
Im m ed iat ely, an in t en se, b lu ish -w h it e flam e ap p ear ed on t h e b od y of t h e
T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce. M ixed w it h in it w as t h e low cr y of a t iger , cau sin g t h e
m em b er s of t h e au d ien ce b elow t o in volu n t ar ily h old t h eir b r eat h .
T h is w as p r act ically an u n r ivaled u se of st r en gt h en in g so u l sk ills! By r elyin g

on fou r d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er s t o act as a d efen sive w all, an d t h e u se of An
Len gye’s con t r ol of Ice t o st r en gt h en t h eir d efen sive cap ab ilit ies w h ile r ed u cin g
t h eir op p on en t s’ sp eed , t h ey w er e ab le t o give Sh en Ce an d Fei Yu yan t h e ch a n ce
t o join h an d s an d r elease a d ead ly at t ack . T h is w as t h e st r at egy t h at t h e cu r r en t
T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y w as u sin g. M or eover , t h is figh t in g st yle h ad n ever
ap p ear ed in an y of Sh r ek ’s p r eviou s m a t ch es b efor e.
T h eir op p on en t s d u r in g t h e elim in a t ion r ou n d sim p ly w er en ’t st r on g en ou gh .

M or eover , t h eir fir st figh t d u r in g t h e r ou n d -r ob in r ou n d h ad b een a 1v1 d u el. Up
t ill n ow , an or igin al yet ext r em ely p ow er fu l st r at egy lik e t h is h ad n ever
ap p ear ed on t h e b at t lefield . T h is w as som et h in g t h at even W an g Yan h ad b een
u n ab le t o p r ed ict b efor eh an d .
W ou ld Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s b e ab le t o en d u r e a cr u sh in g b low lik e t h is?
T h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y h ad a ver y sim p le goal--r ely on a sp ecial

st r at egy lik e t h is t o com b in e t h eir st r o n gest ab ilit ies, t h en elim in at e a few of
t h eir op p on en t s. Aft er t h a t , t h ey cou ld t ak e ad van t age of a few m ist ak es t h eir
op p on en t s m ad e t o ach ieve vict or y. T h is w as also t h e st r at egy t h ey h ad d evised
t o u se again st st r on g t eam s t h ey w er e figh t in g again st .
Or igin ally, t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y h ad n ’t p lan n ed t o figh t again st

Sh r ek Acad em y. Aft er all, t h e la t t er w as a ch am p ion t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir et y of
h ist or y! T h e T h ou sa n d Sp ir it s Acad em y d id n ’t h ave t h e fou n d at ion t o ch allen ge
Sh r ek Acad em y. H o w ever , t h ey h ad lost t h eir p r eviou s 1v1 m at ch , p u sh in g t h em
t o t h e ed ge of d isqu alificat ion . If t h ey w er en ’t ab le t o b eat Sh r ek Acad em y, t h ey
w ou ld b e elim in a t ed fr om t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g
T ou r n am en t .
H en ce, t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y h ad a ver y sim p le st r at egy--t h ey sp ar ed
n ot h in g in t h eir figh t . Even if t h ey lost , t h ey h ad t o lose b r illian t ly so t h at
ever yon e cou ld see t h e t r u e m igh t of t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y. T h ey
w ou ld n ’t b e losin g face eit h er if t h ey lost t o Sh r ek Acad em y.
J u st as W an g Yan an d t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s w er e h op in g for a t eam

figh t , t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y w as also h op in g for t h e sam e ou t com e; t h is
w as b ecau se t h ey b elieved t h at t h ey w ou ld b e ab le t o r elease a ll of t h eir st r en gt h
in a t eam figh t . In t h e en d , b ot h p ar t ies w er e sa t isfied . H ow ever , cou ld t h e
cu r r en t Sh r ek ’s Sev en M on st er s w it h st a n d t h e m igh t of t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s
Acad em y?
“Go!” Sh en Ce let ou t a low r oar , t h en st r et ch ed ou t b ot h h an d s. H e w as ab ou t

t o flin g h is T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce t h at flick er ed w it h a b lu ish -w h it e flam e
ou t w ar d s.
At t h e sam e t im e, t h e fou r w ield er s of t h e Sp ir it Rh in ocer os Sh ield s su d d en ly

m oved . T h e ver y cen t er of t h e Sh ield W all sh ift ed t o t h e sid e, r evealin g a h ole.
Un d er t h e effect s of An Len gye’s Fr ost Seal, Bei Bei, H e Cait ou , Xu San sh i, an d

J ian g Nan n an w er e t en m et er s aw ay fr om t h e Sh ield W all.
Descr ib in g all of t h is t ook a lot of t im e, b u t in r ealit y, ever yt h in g occu r r ed

w it h in a few secon d s. Sh en Ce w asn ’t t h e on ly p ow er fu l p er son w it h in t h e
T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y; t h e coop er at ion an d sp eed in volved in t h e sou l sk ills
u sed b y t h e T w in M ist r esses of Fir e an d Ice h ad r each ed an ext r em e level of
sk ill.
T h e fou r p eop le fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w h o w er e cu r r en t ly lead in g t h e ch ar ge

h ad b lan k look s on t h eir faces. At t h is exact m om en t , a w h it e m ar k ap p ear ed on
Bei Bei’s b od y. T h is m ar k w as in t h e sh a p e of a cr oss, an d it ap p ear ed r igh t on
h is ch est .
H ow ever , an in d iffer en t sm ile float ed b y t h e cor n er of Bei Bei’s m ou t h a t t h is

exact m om en t . T h is w as a sm ile of self-co n fid en ce.
T h e m em b er s of t h e au d ien ce w h o cou ld clear ly see w h a t w as goin g on ,
in clu d in g t h e Em p er or h im self, h eld t h eir b r eat h s at t h is m om en t . W ou ld Sh r ek
Acad em y su ffer a h eavy b low at t h e ver y b egin n in g of t h e m at ch ?
At t h is exact m om en t , t h ey w it n essed a n ot h er b izar r e scen e. T o p u t it m or e

accu r at ely, it w as a n ast on ish in g scen e.
Nob od y w ou ld ’ve t h ou gh t t h at t h e fir st of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s t o

r elease a sou l sk ill w ou ld b e H u o Yu h ao. M or eover , h e h ad n ’t even r eleased h is
sou l r in gs.
W it h ou t an y p r ior w ar n in g at all, H u o Yu h ao’s eyes sh ot ou t t w o p u r p lish -

gold en r ays of ligh t , each m or e t h an a foot lon g.
T h is w as p r ecisely w h en Sh en Ce w as ab ou t t o m ak e a m ove.
Sh en Ce let ou t a m u ffled gr oan , an d t h e cr oss-sh ap ed m a r k t h at w as on Bei

Bei’s b od y in st a n t ly van ish ed . H ow ever , t h e T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce h ad alr ea d y
b een r eleased . On ly, it h ad n ow d iver ged fr om it s or igin al t r aject or y...
Op p or t u n it ies w er e t h in gs t h a t w er e given eq u ally t o b ot h p ar t ies.
T h e p ow er fu l effect of t h e p er fect com b in at ion of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al

Det ect ion an d Sp ir it u al Sh ock w as on ce again u n veiled in a t eam figh t . If it w as
t h e fir st t im e a p er son en cou n t er ed t h is com b in at ion of sp ir it u al sou l sk ills, t h ey
w ou ld u n d ou b t ed ly su ffer a loss.
Even as h is cu lt ivat ion con t in u ou sly in cr eased , H u o Yu h ao’s gr eat est

im p r ovem en t w as in h is sp ir it u a l p ow er . H is sp ir it u a l p ow er h ad b een
con t in u ou sly st r en gt h en ed at a t er r ifyin g r at e w it h t h e h elp of t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m , an d h is fir st sou l r in g h ad r ea ch ed t h e level of a t h ou san d year sou l
r in g. Even if h is over all cu lt ivat ion h ad n ’t r each ed t h e level of a t h r ee-r in ged
Sou l Eld er , h e h ad t w o t h ou san d year sou l r in gs b y h is sid e in r ealit y. M or eover ,
t h ese w er en ’t ju st or d in ar y t h ou san d yea r sou l r in gs…
H e h ad b een ab le t o in st an t ly sen d M a Xiaot ao in t o a d aze u sin g h is Sp ir it u al
Sh ock w h en h is cu lt ivat ion w as far w eak er . Now , h is cu lt ivat ion h ad in cr eased
d r am at ically, an d h is op p on en t w asn ’t even as st r on g as M a Xiaot ao.
W h y w as Bei Bei la u gh in g? T h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y w as u n d er t h e

im p r ession t h at t h eir Sh ield W all h ad co n cealed t h eir m ovem en t s, b u t w it h H u o
Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , t h ey cou ld n ’t h id e an yt h in g fr om Sh r ek ’s Seven
M on st er s; t h ey w er e even ab le t o clear ly see t h e cir cu la t ion of Sh en Ce’s sou l
p ow er w h en h e m ad e h is m ove.
H u o Yu h ao m ad e h is m ove t h e in st an t Sh en Ce h ad n o ch oice b u t t o r elease

h is d r aw n b ow st r in g. As t h e m ain con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er of h is t eam , h is
en t ir e t eam ju m p ed in t o act ion in accor d a n ce w it h h is t im in g.
A su d d en ch an ge occu r r ed t o t h e seem in gly r elaxed Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s.

W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao st ayed b y H u o Yu h ao’s sid e, u n m ovin g, b u t t h e fou r
p eop le in fr on t of t h em r u sh ed for w ar d lik e fier ce b east s. Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w as
com b in ed w it h t h e exp losion cau sed b y Sh en Ce’s T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce.
Sh en Ce h ad b een fu lly con cen t r at ed on h is con t r ol over t h e T h ou san d st r ik e

Lan ce, b u t h e h ad b een st r u ck b y H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sh ock . T h u s, n ot on ly
w as t h e an gle of h is t h r ow sk ew ed , b u t h e also su ffer ed h ea vy in ju r ies t o h is
m in d ; h e st ar t ed t o b leed fr om h is m ou t h an d n ose. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e n ew
t ar get of h is ligh t n in g-fast T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce w as n ow h is t eam ’s Sh ield
W all.
As t h e sayin g w en t , a for t r ess w as m ost easily d est r oyed fr om w it h in . T h is

w as som et h in g t h at m ad e a lot of sen se.
W h en t h e fou r of t h em h ad for m ed t h e Sh ield W a ll, n ob od y cou ld see an y

h oles or w eak sp ot s fr om t h e ou t sid e. Yan g M in g, Son g H u , Bai Ch en , an d Ye
M ao w er e con st an t ly sh ift in g t h eir p osit ion s t o m ain t ain t h e over all b alan ce of
t h e Sh ield W all’s d efen se. H ow ever , t h ey w er e t r yin g t o d efen d again st ext er n al
at t ack s, n ot in t er n a l on es!
St r en gt h en ed b y Fei Yu yan ’s sou l sk ills, Sh en Ce’s fu ll-p ow er lan ce fu lly
st r u ck t h eir Sh ield W all fr om w it h in .
W it h a violen t b oom , t h e cou n t less sh ield im ages w er e b last ed ap ar t fr om

w it h in . T h e b lu ish -w h it e flam es in st an t ly m elt ed t h e Fr ost Sh ield , an d even
b u r n t Yan g M in g, w h o w as closest t o t h e w all.
T h e t er r ifyin g im p act cau sed b y t h e T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce b lew t h e left sid e

of t h e Sh ield W all ap ar t . Yan g M in g an d Son g H u w er e sen t flyin g, an d t h ey let
ou t a w r et ch ed cr ies d u e t o t h e flam es b u r n in g t h em . T r aces of b lood cou ld n ow
b e seen on t h eir r igh t ar m s t h a t h ad t r an sfor m ed in t o sh ield s.
Sh en Ce’s all-ou t at t ack again st Bei Bei h ad st r u ck h is ow n sid e. For t u n at ely,

t h e T h ou san d st r ik e Lan ce h ad n ’t flow n st r aigh t t ow ar d s h is ow n t eam m at es.
Ot h er w ise, t h eir in ju r ies w ou ld ’ve b een even m or e sever e.
As t h ese violen t b oom s con t in u ed t o r in g ou t , Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i

sim u lt an eou sly let ou t a r oar . Alt h ou gh t h ey h ad b een p r eviou sly slow ed d ow n
b y t h e Fr ost Seal, t h ey su d d en ly sp ed u p . W it h a flash , Xu Sa n sh i m ad e h is w ay
t h r ou gh t h e b r ok en Sh ield W a ll. On t h e ot h er h an d , Bei Bei slam m ed
t yr an n ically in t o t h e r em ain in g h alf of t h e Sh ield W all.
H e Cait ou su d d en ly st op p ed m ovin g, as if h e w er e a sit t in g t iger . Aft er

sm ok in g on e of h is Sou l Pow er Am p lifyin g T h in Cigar s, t h e r u m b lin g sou n d s of
m et al r an g ou t fr om h is b od y.
A few d ays ago, Xu San sh i h a d en cou n t er ed a st at ion ar y sou l can n on w h ile

figh t in g again st t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e Clou d Lu o Ad van ced Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y. H ow ever , t h e p er son w h o w as u sin g it t od ay w as H e Cait ou .
H u o Yu h ao h ad st u d ied t h e ar t of sou l t ools u n d er Fan Yu for a ver y sh or t

p er iod of t im e. Fan Yu h ad est ab lish ed a good fou n d at ion for h im , w h ile
im p ar t in g a fou n d a t ion al k n ow led ge of m ost sou l en gin eer s as w ell. On t h e
ot h er h an d , w h en H u o Yu h ao w as lear n in g h ow t o cr eat e sou l t ools, Fan Yu h ad
p r ior it ised h is fou n d at ion over ever yt h in g else.
H ow ever , H e Cait ou h ad alr ea d y st u d ied u n d er Fan Yu for over five year s. H e
w asn ’t as slow as h e seem ed on t h e su r face. H ow cou ld h is five year s of h ar d
w or k b e com p ar ed t o t h e lead er of t h e Clou d Lu o Ad van ced Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y t h at Xu San sh i h ad p r eviou sly fou gh t again st ? H is u n leash in g of a
st at ion ar y sou l t ool w as p r act ically a t r an sfor m at ion t o h is b od y.
T h er e w as a qu alit at ive d iffer en ce b et w een t h e sou l t ool for t s t h at H e Cait ou

an d Sit u Yu set u p . T h e p ed est al of Sit u Yu ’s for t h ad on ly ext en d ed t ow ar d s h is
legs, b u t H e Cait ou ’s on e cou ld t r u ly b e called a for t .
Am id st t h e con cen t r at ed sou n d s of m et al, a cir cu la r p ed est a l ap p ear ed b elow

H e Cait ou ’s feet , fu lly cover in g h is feet .
Cait ou
T h is w as a gen u in e for t ; it w as im p ossib le t o leave t h e or igin a l locat ion on ce it

w as set u p . T h e p la ce t h at H e Cait ou h ad ch osen w as also r at h er p ecu lia r . H e
h ad ch osen a p lace in t h e m id d le of t h e ar en a, sligh t ly t ow a r d s t h e T h ou san d
Sp ir it Acad em y’s sid e. On ce t h e p ed est al w as fin ish ed , sever al m et al p ip es—b ot h
t h ick an d t h in —em er ged fr om h is b od y.
W h en Sit u Yu , t h e cap t ain of t h e Clou d Lu o Acad em y, h ad r eleased m or e t h an

t h ir t y m et al p ip es t o for m h is sou l t ool for t r ess, h e’d alr ead y exceed ed t h e
aver age n u m b er of p ip es for a sou l t ool for t r ess. Gen er ally sp eak in g, as lon g as
on e h ad 24 at t ack -t yp e sou l t ools alon g w it h a st ab le p ed est al, an d an en or m ou s
cor e for m at ion t h at cou ld con ser ve sou l p ow er , t h ey’d h ave su ccessfu lly for m ed
a sou l t ool for t r ess.
H ow ever , if on e w er e t o exam in e H e Cait ou ’s b od y closely, t h ey w ou ld see

t h at t h er e w er en ’t 24 sou l t ools, b u t r at h er t oo m an y t o cou n t . T h e n u m b er of
p ip es h ad p r ob ab ly su r p assed 50 .
H u o Yu h ao b r ok e in t o a cold sw eat w h en h e saw h is valian t sen ior b r ot h er . At

t h e sam e t im e, h e t h ou gh t t o h im self: I s t hi s t he r eason t hat al l soul engi neer s
have such st r ong bodi es? So t hat t hey can cont r ol a l ar ger num ber of soul t ool s?
I t seem ed t h at h e’ d h ave t o gr ow st r on ger t oo! I f h e di dn ’ t , h e def i n i t el y
w oul dn ’ t be abl e t o bear t h e bur den of al l t h ose m et al w eapon s!
H e Cai t ou h ad a t ot al of 64 w eapon s on h i s body. Am on g t h em , t h e st r on gest

w as t h e gun -bar r el on h i s r i gh t sh oul der . T h i s dar k -col or ed gun -bar r el w as t w o
m et er s l on g an d as t h i ck as an aver age per son ’ s t h i gh . Cur r en t l y, i t w as
em an at i n g a m et al l i c l i gh t an d gi vi n g of f a t er r i f yi n g aur a. H ow ever , t h i s gun
b ar r el w as b an n ed fr om t h e t ou r n am en t , as it w as a st r en gt h en in g-t yp e
st at ion ar y sou l t ool.
On ce h is for t r ess h a d b een fin ish ed , t h e m u scles on H e Cait ou ’s face t w it ch ed

sligh t ly. It w as d ifficu lt t o d escr ib e h ow h e w as feelin g r igh t n ow . H e sm iled
t ow ar d s t h e en em y t eam w h ile h old in g t h e cigar in h is m ou t h , b u t h is sm ile w as
fu ll of k illin g in t en t . Aft er w ar d s, in st an t ly t u r n ed in t o a b all o f b lazin g ligh t t h at
w as n ear ly as b r igh t as t h e su n .
Cu r r en t ly, Bei Bei w as fier cely at t ack in g t h e r em n an t s of t h e Sh ield W all in an

at t em p t t o d est r oy t h em . Bu t at t h at m om en t , h e felt a w ave of h eat com in g
fr om b eh in d h im , follow ed b y a t h u n d er ou s exp losion t h at lan d ed n ot t oo far
aw ay fr om h is h ead . T h is exp losion w as r eally q u it e scar y. T h e p ow er fu l
sh ock w aves cau sed h im t o sq u at d ow n , an d h e h ad t o u se all t h e sou l p ow er in
h is b od y t o p r ot ect h im self. H e even h ad t o u se t h e d efen sive sou l t ool t h at h e’d
ob t ain ed yest er d ay.
Aft er w ar d s, h e saw var iou s fr agm en t s fa llin g fr om t h e sk y. H e t h en r ealized

t h at t h e sh ield s t h at ’d b een b lock in g h is w ay w er e n ow gon e.
“H oly sh it .” T h e alw ays-elegan t Bei Bei—at least , t h at ’s h ow h e look ed fr om

t h e ou t sid e—u n con sciou sly cu r sed as h e st ood b ack u p .
All of t h e fr agm en t s t h at w er e fallin g fr om t h e sk y b elon ged t o t h e Sp ir it

Rh in ocer os Sh ield ! H e saw t h a t t h e p r ot ect ive b ar r ier ou t sid e of t h e a r en a w as
fu ll of r ip p les, an d t h at a lar ge n u m b er of h alos w er e r ap id ly flu ct u at in g. H e
t h en n ot iced t h at t h er e w as a p er son am id st t h ose h alos, an d t h at t h is p er son
w as t h e cap t ain of t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y, Sh en Ce.
At t h is m om en t , h is b od y w as glit t er in g w it h m an y color s, an d h is five sou l

r in gs lit u p on e aft er an ot h er . H ow ever , n o m at t er w h a t h e d id , h e w as st ill
b ein g su p p r essed b y a t er r ifyin g p ow er , an d w as u n ab le t o m ove a sin gle fin ger .
Bei Bei w asn ’t t h e on ly on e w h o w as su r p r ised . T h e ot h er m em b er s of t h e
T h ou san d Sp ir it s Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y w er e also su r p r ised b y t h is, as all
fou r of t h eir d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er s h a d b een in ju r ed fr om t h at exp losion !
W h en t h e T h ou san d -st r ik e Sp ear h ad in ju r ed t h em , Yan g M in g an d Son g H u

h ad t h o u gh t t h at t h ey’d b een u n lu ck y. Bu t w h en t h ey saw Bai Ch en an d Ye
M ao’s cu r r en t con d it ion , t h ey w er e a lit t le h ap p y t h a t t h eir Sh ield W all h a d
alr ead y b een d est r oyed .
Of t h e 64 at t ack -t yp e sou l t ools in st a lled on H e Cait ou ’s b od y, 63 h ad

sim u lt an eou sly b egu n t o glit t er , w h ich h ad b een w h y h is b od y h ad seem in gly
ch an ged in t o a b lazin g su n . All of t h em h ad t h en sim u lt an eou sly r eleased t h eir
st r en gt h in t h e sam e d ir ect ion . Not on ly h ad t h ey im m ed ia t ely d est r oyed t h e
Sh ield W a ll, b u t t h ey h ad also fier cely b om b ar d ed Sh en Ce, w h o h ad yet t o
r ecover fr om H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Sh ock . Even t h ou gh Sh en Ce’s sk ill w er e
m ean t for d efen se, w h en faced w it h t h at t er r ifyin g p ow er , h e’d b een d ir ect ly
p r essed again st t h e b ar r ier ou t sid e t h e r in g.
J u st w h at k in d of p ow er w as t h at ?! Even if t h e Sh ield W all h ad b een

p r eviou sly d am aged b y an in t er n al st r ik e fr om t h e T h ou san d -st r ik e Sp ear , it
w as st ill a d efen se t h at h ad b een er ect ed b y t w o d efen se-t yp e Sou l An cest or s
w it h all t h eir m igh t . Yet , in fr on t of H e Cait ou ’s sou l t o ol for t r ess, it h a d
collap sed in st an t ly!
Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i, w h o w er en ’t t oo far aw ay fr om each ot h er , b ot h look ed

at each ot h er an d saw saw t h e sh ock in each ot h er ’s eyes. T h e t w o of t h em
w er en ’t t h e on ly on es h id in g t h eir st r en gt h ; H e Cait ou h ad b een as w ell!
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e st r en gt h t h at H e Cait ou h ad b een h id in g w as ext r em ely lar ge!
Even Xu San sh i w a sn ’t en t ir ely su r e if h e cou ld b lock t h a t fu ll-p ow er at t ack
fr om b efor e.
Ben eat h t h e Sou l Sa ge r an k , a sou l en gin eer h eld a d efin it e ad van t age over a
sou l m ast er of eq u a l r an k . M or eover , h ow cou ld H e Cait ou b e com p ar ed t o a
n or m al Class 4 sou l en gin eer ? If it w asn ’t for H u o Yu h ao, h e w ou ld b e t h e
n u m b er on e st u d en t of Sh r ek Acad em y’s Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , an d also t h e
on ly can d id a t e for t h e Ult im at e Sold ier Plan . H ow ever , t h e cu r r en t H u o Yu h ao
cou ld n ’t h op e t o m a t ch h is a t t ain m en t s in r egar d s t o sou l t ools. Fu r t h er m or e,
H e Cait ou h ad u sed t h e sou l t ool for t r ess, t h e st r on gest for m at ion at t h e d isp osal
of a sou l en gin eer . T h er efor e, h is fu ll-p o w er at t ack h ad im m ed iat ely sh ow n it s
t er r ifyin g effect s.
T h e t act ic u sed b y t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y w asn ’t b ad ,

b u t it h a d a fat al flaw : It w as t oo p assive. It w asn ’t ab le t o p r essu r e on t h eir
op p on en t s.
H e Cait ou h ad alr ea d y b egu n p r ep ar in g t h e m om en t h e’d st ep p ed for w ar d . In

t h at b r ief p er iod of t im e, h e’d com p let ed t h e set u p of h is sou l t ool for t r ess w it h
u sin g h is m u scles. On ly t h r ee secon d s h ad p assed b et w een w h en h e b egan t o
for m in g h is for t r ess an d w h en h e lau n ch ed h is at t ack . T h is sp eed sh ock ed t h e
m em b er s of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y so m u ch t h at all
of t h em st ood u p . Even am on g t h em , n on e of t h em cou ld er ect a sou l t ool
for t r ess in su ch a sh or t p er iod of t im e, let alon e su ch a com p licat ed an d
p ow er fu l Class 4 sou l t ool for t r ess.
By r elyin g on h is gr eat n u m b er of sou l t ools, H e Cait ou w as a b le t o r elease t h e

st r en gt h of a Class 5 sou l t ool for t r ess w h ile u sin g a Class 4 on e. H ow ever , h e
h ad n ’t u sed t h is for m id ab le st r en gt h of h is w h en h e’d com p ar ed n ot es w it h h is
fellow st u d en t s.
Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i, w h o w er e t h in k in g of goin g all-o u t , r egain ed t h eir

sen ses aft er a sh or t m om en t of su r p r ise, an d r ealized t h at t h e b lin d in g ligh t
fr om H e Cait ou ’s sou l t ools w er e also fad in g.
W h en t h e ligh t fad ed , Sh en Ce u sed t h e p r ot ect ive b ar r ier b eh in d h im as a

su p p or t t o ju m p t ow ar d s t h e r in g w it h gr eat d ifficu lt y. T h e st u r d y clot h es h e’d
b een w ear in g h a d a lr ead y b een t u r n ed in t o r ags a n d h a d r evealed a layer of
ar m or b en eat h t h em .
“Clan g—” T h e ar m or b r ok e, an d t h e in st an t it fell on t h e gr ou n d , Sh en Ce’s
b od y look ed t h in an d m eager . H e im m ed iat ely op en ed h is m ou t h t o gasp for
b r eat h , an d u sed h is T h ou san d -st r ik e Sp ear t o su p p or t h im self.
H e Cait ou sp at ou t w h at r em ain ed of h is t h in cigar an d cu r led h is lip s. “Not

b ad . You h a d a Class 5 d efen se-t yp e sou l t ool. No w on d er you m an aged t o b lock
m y at t ack . You ’r e t h e fir st Sou l Kin g t h a t w as ab le t o t ak e t h e fu ll b r u n t of m y
sou l t ool for t r ess h ea d -on w it h ou t goin g d ow n . Com e, b r in g it on .”
Aft er w ar d s, h is r ou n d p ed est a l r ot at ed . H is 64 at t ack -t yp e sou l t ools also

m oved r h yt h m ically. T h is for t r ess of h is cou ld u n exp ect ed ly r ot at e 360 °!
Fu r t h er m or e, h e on ly n eed ed t o m ak e som e sm all ad ju st m en t s t o h is aim in
or d er t o t ar get Fei Yu yan , w h o w as st ill st an d in g on t h e p lat for m . Or r at h er , t o
b e m or e p r ecise, h e w as aim in g at t h e Blaze T iger m ar t ial sou l sh e’d r eleased .
“Br ot h er s, w h at ar e you w ait in g for ?” H e Cait ou sh ou t ed . W h en ever yon e

t h ou gh t t h at h e w ou ld n eed a lit t le b it of r est aft er t h at a ll-ou t at t ack fr om
b efor e, t h e gu n b ar r els b egan t o ligh t u p again .
Fei Yu yan im m ed iat ely b ecam e scar ed a n d d ir ect ly ju m p ed on t o h er Blaze

T iger in or d er t o r u n aw ay. Sh e d efin it ely d id n ’t h ave a Class 5 d efen se-t yp e sou l
t ool t o p r ot ect h er self!
“Keep you r cool! H e can ’t p ossib ly u se t h at sor t of p ow er fu l at t ack t w o t im es

in a r ow !” At t h at m om en t , Sh en Ce sh ow ed h is w or t h a s a t eam cap t ain . Not
on ly w as h is cu lt iva t ion h igh , b ot h h is k n ow led ge an d b at t le exp er ien ce w er e
also q u it e good .
W h at h e said w as cor r ect . In t h e en d , H e Cait ou w a s on ly a Sou l An cest or .

Even if h e w er e st r on ger an d cou ld act u ally k ill a Sou l Kin g w it h an all-ou t
at t ack , t h er e w as n o w ay t h at h e’d b e ab le t o r elease su ch a n at t ack t w ice in a
r ow .
Bu t it w as on ly n a t u r al for h u m an b ein gs t o feel fear . Even w it h Sh en Ce’s

t im ely r em in d er , t h e d et er r en t b r ou gh t ab ou t b y t h ose gu n b ar r els on H e
Cait ou ’s b od y w as ju st t oo st r on g. T h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Ad van ced Sou l
Acad em y’s t eam m em b er s h ad alr ea d y b een t h r ow n in t o con fu sion .
At t h at m om en t , a t a ll an d slen d er figu r e q u iet ly ar r ived b eh in d Yan g M in g.
Yan g M in g su d d en ly felt h is b od y sin k , as t h ou gh it s w eigh t h ad in cr ea sed b y

sever al t im es. As soon as h e t r ied m ove, h is b od y su d d en ly fr oze. Aft er w ar d s, h e
felt a b u r st of p ow er t r an sm it t ed in t o h im fr om h is b ack . T w o slen d er h an d s
t h en seized h is t h r oa t , an d a h ar d ob ject p r essed again st h is b ack .
In t h e n ext in st an t , ever yon e saw Yan g M in g’s b od y su d d en ly fly t ow ar d s t h e

ou t sid e of t h e r in g.
J ian g Nan n an h a d m ad e h er m ove, a n d u t ilized h er secon d sk ill, Gr av it y

Con t r ol, alon gsid e h er fir st sk ill, W aist Bow .
Even if h e’d b een in h is n or m al st at e, it w asn ’t cer t ain if Yan g M in g w ou ld b e

ab le t o d od ge t h is a t t ack , let alon e n ow t h at h e w as in ju r ed .
“I’m com in g!” A t en d er voice ech oed . A p er son su d d en ly st ep p ed for w ar d s

fr om t h e t eam m em b er s of t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it Acad em y t h at w er e cu r r en t ly in
d isar r ay. Ear lier , sh e h ad also b een sh ock ed , b u t con sid er in g h er cap acit y as t h e
vice-cap t ain of t h eir t eam , sh e n eed ed t o sh ow h er st r en gt h n ow . T h is p er son
w as An Len gye, t h e ow n er of t h e Fr ost Bear .
T h e Fr ost Bear im m ed iat ely t ook lar ge st r id es for w ar d u n d er h er or d er s, t h en

m ad e a gr ab b in g m ot ion t ow ar d s t h e a ir an d cau gh t Yan g M in g, w h o’d b een
ab ou t t o fall off t h e st age fr om J ian g Nan n an ’s at t ack . H ow ever , t h at w asn ’t a ll.
An Len gye’s fou r t h sou l r in g t h en lit u p , an d t h e Fr ost Bear h ow led an gr ily. A
b u r st of cold air sp r ead t h r ou gh t h e su r r ou n d in g ar ea, an d An Len gye’s lon g
b lu e h air im m ed iat ely t u r n ed w h it e. Even h er t w o eyes t u r n ed an icy w h it e
color , an d b egan t o em it a ch illy au r a. T h e cold w in d in t h e air t h en m or p h ed
in t o a t or n ad o t h at sw ep t t h r ou gh t h e a r en a. Aft er h old in g Bei Bei, Xu San sh i
an d J ian g Nan n an in p lace, it sw ep t t ow a r d s H e Cait ou ’s p osit ion .
Cait ou
A sou l t ool for t ’s offen sive ad van t ages w er e b lat an t ly ob viou s as sh ow n b y H e

Cait ou ’s ab ilit y t o lau n ch om n id ir ect io n al at t ack s. H ow ever , in exch an ge for
su ch fir ep ow er , it w as n igh im p ossib le for h im t o m ove an d so h e w as sim p ly
u n ab le t o d od ge An Len gye’s at t ack .
An Len gye’s at t ack w as a su r p r ise at t ack t h at w as lau n ch ed w it h p er fect

t im in g. Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion cover ed t h e en t ir e ar en a, t h at
d id n ’t m ean it w as om n iscien t ; t h er e w er e st ill a few in st an ces, su ch as t h is on e,
t h at cou ld exceed h is sen ses.
“Sh e h as a sou l b on e—a sk u ll b on e.” H u o Yu h ao u sed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion

Sh ar in g t o t r an sm it h is t h ou gh t s t o h is t eam m at es’ sp ir it u al seas.
T h er e w as n o d ou b t ab ou t it —t h is w as t h e st r en gt h of An Len gye’s r eleased

sou l b on e, st r en gt h t h at allow ed h er fou r t h sou l sk ill, Fr ost T or n ad o, t o su r p ass
t h e level of a Sou l An cest or . On ly t h en w as sh e ab le t o st op t h e m em b er s of
Sh r ek fr om ad van cin g. Ot h er w ise, if Xu San sh i an d Bei Bei ch ar ged over , an d H e
Cait ou w as allow ed t o r ecover an d st ar t at t ack in g again , t h e m at ch w ou ld ’ve
b een set t led .
T h e m igh t of An Len gye’s am p lified a t t ack h ad alr ead y r each ed t h e level of a

Sou l Kin g. Bei Bei fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s gr eat ly, t h en p laced h is h an d s in fr on t of
h is b od y an d qu ick ly m oved h or izon t ally. H e r eleased a d en se clou d of ligh t n in g
t o p r ot ect h is ow n b od y, b u t h e w as st ill for ced b ack w ar d s b y An Len gye’s
p ow er fu l at t ack . H o w ever , h is foot w or k p laced h im r igh t in fr on t of H e Cait ou .
Sin ce h is op p on en t s w er e ab le t o sp ot t h e p r ob lem s of a sou l t ool for t , w h y
w ou ld n ’t h e b e ab le t o, as t h e lead er of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s?
Righ t aft er t h at , h ow ever , Bei Bei su d d en ly felt t h e p r essu r e on h im ligh t en .
Layer s of b ar r ier s h ad ap p ear ed b eh in d h im , b lack b ar r ier s t h at r ip p led lik e
w at er .
Xu San sh i t u r n ed b ack an d sm iled n au gh t ily at h im . H is seco n d sou l r in g w as

flick er in g, an d h e d id n ’t seem t o exer t an y for ce at all as h e t ook on t h e
st r en gt h en ed Fr ost T or n ad o.
T h is w as Xu San sh i’s secon d sou l sk ill, M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Sh ield .
On t h e su r face, it w as a sou l sk ill sim ila r t o t h e Sh ield W all. H ow ever , t h e

d efen sive p ow er of Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Sh ield w as far su p er ior
com p ar ed t o Sh ield W all.
T h is w as esp ecially t r u e for t h e ice-t yp e sk ill h e w as cu r r en t ly d efen d in g

again st . A p or t ion of t h e at t ack in g ice m elt ed u p on con t act w it h Xu San sh i’s
w at er b ar r ier , d ep let in g m ost of t h e at t ack b efor e it cou ld st r ik e Bei Bei. On e
cou ld t ell fr om t h e sm ile t h at Xu San sh i gave Bei Bei t h at t h is at t ack w asn ’t
p r essu r in g h im .
Alt h ou gh t h e st r en gt h of t h e Fr ost T or n a d o h ad b een b oost ed t o t h e level of a

Sou l Kin g, sh e faced t h e sam e p r ob lem as H e Cait ou . In t h e en d , An Len gye w as
st ill a Sou l An cest or an d cou ld n ot p r op er ly con t r ol t h e sk ill. Fu r t h er m or e, h er
at t ack w as on e t h at t ar get ed a lar ge ar ea. It s d est r u ct ive p ow er w as far fr om t h e
T h ou san d -st r ik e Lan ce, w h ich focu sed all it s p ow er on a sin gle t ar get .
H ow ever , An Len gye’s act ion s h a d given t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y

en ou gh t im e.
T h e fou r p ossessor s of t h e Sp ir it Rh in ocer os Sh ield q u ick ly r egr ou p ed .

Alt h ou gh t h ey w er e all in ju r ed , w it h Bai Ch en an d Ye M ao’s sh ield s h avin g b een
b low n ap ar t an d t h eir r igh t ar m s b leed in g. T h ey w er e st ill d efen se-t yp e sou l
m ast er s. As a r esu lt , t h ey cou ld st ill d efen d t h em selves an d w er en ’t fu lly
d r ain ed of t h eir figh t in g st r en gt h .
W h en An Len gye lau n ch ed h er all-ou t at t ack , t h ey h ad r egr ou p ed an d q u ick ly
st ood in fr on t of h er . Sh en Ce w as also a b le t o r ecover t o som e ext en t t h an k s t o
t h e t im e An Len gye h ad b ou gh t t h em , w h ile t h e r ed -faced Fei Yu yan q u ick ly got
b ack t o h er p osit ion b y r id in g t h e Blaze T iger .
Sh e h ad or igin ally com p et ed again st An Len gye for t h e p osit ion of vice-
cap t ain , b u t n ow , sh e fin ally u n d er st ood t h at t h e gap b et w een t h em w as t oo
sim p ly t oo vast .
Sh en Ce sh ou t ed ou t , “Let m e d o t h is!” At t h is m om en t , n ot on ly w as h e filled

w it h t h e in t en t t o figh t at t h is m om en t , b u t h e also felt gr ief an d in d ign at ion .
Fr om h is p oin t of view , t h e m at ch w as goin g t o b e d ecid ed w it h ou t h is
op p on en t ’s t h r ee st r on gest m em b er s h avin g m ad e a sin gle m ove. As t h e sayin g
w en t , an ar m y b u r n in g w it h r igh t eou s in d ign at ion w as b ou n d t o w in . At t h is
m om en t , h e w as p r ep ar ed t o p u t ever yt h in g at st ak e for t h is figh t .
A cold glin t flick er ed t h r ou gh h is eyes as t h e T h ou san d -st r ik e Lan ce’s fift h

sou l r in g lit u p . H e let ou t a sh ou t as h e flu n g h is w eap on ou t .
T h is t im e, h e h ad fu lly con cen t r at ed h is sp ir it u al p ow er t o d efen d again st

H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sh ock .
By n ow , Fei Yu yan fin ally u n d er st ood t h e r ole sh e n eed ed t o p lay in t h is figh t ,

an d h er st r en gt h -a m p lifyin g sou l sk ill ap p ear ed on ce again . Ad d it ion ally, sh e
r od e t h e Blaze T iger t o st an d in fr on t of Sh en Ce an d p r ot ect h im fr om p ot en t ial
sn eak at t ack s.
Sh en Ce’s t ar get w asn ’t an yon e else b u t t h e p er son w h o’d d isr u p t ed h is

at t ack in g st r at egy, t h e sam e p er son w h o’d cau sed t h e t r aject or y of t h e
T h ou san d -st r ik e La n ce t o sw er ve t ow ar d s h is ow n t eam m at es—H u o Yu h ao.
Desp it e k n ow in g h e h ad n o h op e of vict or y, h e st ill at t ack ed t o see h ow st r on g
h is ext r em ely m yst er iou s an d ext r em ely p ow er fu l en em y w as.
T h e Fr ost T or n ad o b lock ed n ot on ly Bei Bei’s assau lt b u t also H u o Yu h ao’s

Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . As a r esu lt , t h e Blaze T iger -b oost ed T h ou san d -st r ik e Lan ce’s
in can d escen t glow on ly ap p ear ed in H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t h e
m om en t it left t h e Fr ost T or n ad o.
“Not good !” Bei Bei cr ied ou t in volu n t ar ily.
H ow w as H u o Yu h ao som e k in d of m yst er iou s exp er t ?! H is r eal st r en gt h w as

on ly t h at of a t w o-r in ged Ran k 27 Sou l Gr an d m ast er .
T h er e w ou ld on ly on e ou t com e if h e w er e t o face t h e Sou l Kin g-r an k ed Sh en

Ce’s T h ou san d -st r ik e Lan ce t h a t h ad b een ad d it ion ally b oost ed b y a fir e-
at t r ib u t e con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er —Deat h !
Bei Bei’s exp r ession ch an ged , alon g w it h t h ose of H e Cait ou , J ian g Nan n an ,
W an g Don g, an d Xiao Xiao.
W an g Don g m oved h or izon t ally, w an t in g t o st an d in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao.

H ow ever , h e w as st o p p ed b y t h e lat t er ’s left h an d . In or d er t o h old on t o W an g
Don g, H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t h esit a t e t o u se t h e en or m ou s st r en gt h of t h e Ice
Em p r ess’ Pin cer
T h e look s on five p eop le’s faces ch an ged w h ile t h e ot h er t w o of t h em h ad

or d in ar y exp r ession s on t h eir faces—t h ese t w o p eop le w er e H u o Yu h ao an d Xu
San sh i.
A b lack ligh t flash ed an d H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly van ish ed , a t a ll figu r e t ak in g

h is p osit ion . T h e figu r e r aised a st u r d y sh ield , an d t h e im a ge of an en or m ou s
b lack t u r t le ap p ear ed b eh in d h im . T h e ligh t of h is fou r t h sou l r in g van ish ed as it
w as r ep laced b y t h e ligh t h is t h ir d sou l r in g.
In an in st an t , t h e in t en se b lack ligh t t r a n sfor m ed in t o an ice-cold w ave. T h e

air st ar t ed t o t w ist violen t ly, cau sin g d ist or t ion s t o su r r ou n d t h e b lack w ave.
T h e alr ead y en or m ou s Sh ield of t h e Xu a n w u T u r t le su d d en ly d ou b led in size

as a t r ia n gu lar p oin t ap p ear ed u n d er n eat h it . T h e in st an t t h e T h ou san d -st r ik e
Lan ce ar r ived , it st ab b ed fier cely in t o t h e gr ou n d . T h is sh ield w as d ir ect ly
affixed t o Xu San sh i’s sh ou ld er , an d it s su r face w as slan t ed !
Boom !
T h e violen t b oom s for ced Xu San sh i an d h is Sh ield of t h e Xu a n w u T u r t le b ack

seven or eigh t m et er s b efor e h e w as ab le t o st op . An d t h is w as w it h t h e h elp of
Xiao Xiao’s T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on .
In t h a t in st an t , W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao b ot h felt a p ow er fu l, m ou n t ain -lik e

feelin g fr om t h eir u su ally lech er ou s sen ior w h o alw ays clu n g t o J ian g Nan n an .
In t h at in st an t , Xu San sh i’s eyes b ecam e filled w it h a gr ave an d st ead y look ,
alon g w it h an u n r iva lled exp r ession of h au gh t in ess!
W h en a d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er faced an assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er of t h e

sam e r an k , n or m ally, n eit h er w ou ld gain an ad van t age.
At t h is m om en t , h ow ever , Xu San sh i h ad over t u r n ed ever yon e’s w ay of

t h in k in g. H e w as ab le t o r ely on h is d efen sive cap ab ilit ies t o n ot on ly b lock t h e
at t ack of a Sou l Kin g w h o n ot on ly h a d on e m or e sou l r in g t h an h im b u t w as also
b ein g b oost ed b y an ot h er fir e-t yp e Sou l An cest or . H is cu r r en t d efen sive p ow er
cou ld b e con sid er ed t o b e at t h e ver y p eak of t h e Sou l An cest or r an k .
T h e b lack ligh t van ish ed , r evealin g Xu San sh i’s st r aigh t figu r e. T h e Sh ield of
t h e Xu an w u T u r t le in h is h an d s h a d alr ead y r et u r n ed t o it s n or m al size. H e u sed
h is h an d t o com b h is h air for a b it b efor e h e said in d iffer en t ly, “H ow r elaxin g!”
W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao, w h o w er e or igin ally filled w it h ad m ir a t ion ,

su d d en ly slip p ed an d n ear ly fell t o t h e gr o u n d .
W h y w as H u o Yu h ao n ot w or r ied at all? T h is w as b ecau se Xu San sh i h ad an

ab ilit y t h a t d id n ’t seem t o h ave an y offen sive or d efen sive cap ab ilit ies, an d yet
w as a d efen se-t yp e sou l sk ill t h at cou ld t r an sfor m in t o som et h in g m agical—t h e
M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t .
H e w as ab le t o in st an t an eou sly sw ap p la ces w it h H u o Yu h ao b y r elyin g on t h e

M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t , t ak in g H u o Yu h ao’s p lace t o b lock Sh en
Ce’s all-ou t b low . H o w ever , H u o Yu h ao w as sw it ch ed t o t h e locat ion of t h e Fr ost
T or n ad o t h at Xu San sh i w as or igin a lly in .
T h e m igh t of t h e Fr ost T or n ad o w as alr ead y r each in g it s en d . H en ce,

alt h ou gh it w as st ill ver y p ow er fu l, it w a sn ’t life-t h r ea t en in g t o H u o Yu h ao. At
t h e ver y least , it w o u ld b e m u ch b et t er t h an b ein g p ier ced b y t h e T h ou san d -
st r ik e Lan ce.
Fu r t h er m or e, Bei Bei w as ab le t o im m ed iat ely r u sh over t h e in st an t H u o

Yu h ao w as d isp laced d u e t o t h e lat t er ’s Sp ir it u al Det ect io n . H e p u lled H u o
Yu h ao b eh in d h im , u sin g h is b ack t o w it h st an d t h e last b it s of t h e Fr ost
T or n ad o’s m igh t .
At t h is exact m om en t , H u o Yu h ao’s eyes lit u p w it h an eye-p ier cin g r ed glow

as h e r aised h is r igh t h an d an d p oin t ed a fin ger t ow ar d s t h e sk y.
T h e six b lood -color ed sou l r in gs on ce again d escen d ed u p on t h e field . T h e

t er r ifyin g au r a of a h u n d r ed t h ou san d yea r sou l b east ca u sed even t h e p r ot ect ive
b ar r ier set u p b y t h e h u n d r ed an d eigh t sou l m ast er s t o t r em b le violen t ly.
T h is d esolat e au r a filled w it h a d esolat e m igh t cau sed t h e air su r r ou n d in g

H u o Yu h ao t o seem in gly solid ify, an d a ligh t im age flick er ed b eh in d h is b ack .
On ly H e Cait ou an d J ian g Nan n an , w h o w er e d oin g t h eir b est t o h old on , w er e
ab le t o see t h at t h e ligh t im age w as act u ally t h at of a scor p ion .
“Ice, I am you r m ast er !” A low voice p assed t h r ou gh a p r eviou sly p r ep ar ed

sou n d am p lifyin g sou l t ool an d r eson at ed t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e St ar Lu o Plaza.
Ever y sin gle sp ect at or w h o w as w it n essin g t h is ast on ish in g scen e su d d en ly

felt as if t h eir h ear t s w er e b ein g cr u sh ed a s t h ey h ear d t h is voice.
T h e au d ien ce t h en w it n essed a scen e t h at t h ey w ou ld n ever b e ab le t o for get

for t h e r est of t h eir lives. T h e Fr ost T or n ad o t h at w as or igin ally w r eak in g h avoc
ab r u p t ly p au sed in m id -air . Follow in g t h at , it in st an t ly r ose in t o t h e air an d
t u r n ed b ack t ow ar d s t h e st u d en t s of t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t st op t h er e eit h er , an d p oin t ed a fin ger fr om h is r igh t h an d
t ow ar d s t h e Fr ost Bear . T h e lat t er look ed as if it h ad seen t h e m ost t er r ifyin g
cr eat u r e in t h e w or ld , cau sin g it s b od y t o sh u d d er v iolen t ly. Aft er w ar d s, it
sh at t er ed w it h a p en g in t o m ot es of ligh t t h at filled t h e sk y b efor e d issip at in g.
An Len gye let ou t a m u ffled gr oan an d sp at ou t a m ou t h fu l of fr esh b lood

b efor e collap sin g. T h e last t h in g sh e saw b efor e fain t in g w as H u o Yu h ao’s
em ot ion less an d lifeless b lood -color ed eyes st ar in g at h er .
Chapt er 87.1: Cr azy for Shr ek
T h e fou r sh ield w ield er s h ad r esist ed w it h all of t h eir m igh t , yet h ad on ly

b ar ely m an aged t o b lock t h e p ow er of t h e Fr ost Dr agon ’s Fist . At t h is p oin t , all
of t h eir figh t in g sp ir it h ad b een exp en d ed . All of t h em st ar ed , d u m b st r u ck , at
t h e god -lik e you t h b efor e t h em , as b lood d r ip p ed fr om t h eir w ou n d s.
Aft er w ar d s, t h ey t u r n ed t o look at t h eir t eam lead er , Sh en Ce.
As H u o Yu h ao st ood t h er e, t h e r ed h u e gr ad u ally fad in g fr om h is eyes. H is

t eam m at es left t h e st age, w h ich cau sed h im t o ap p ear as an all-d om in at in g god
as h e r em ain ed on t h e t ou r n am en t st age.
T h is w as h is secon d t im e m ak in g an ap p ear an ce at t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced

Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t . T h e fir st t im e, h e’d b een w it h W an g Don g.
T h is t im e h ow ever , h e’d b een on h is ow n .
T h e con clu sion of Sh r ek Acad em y’s fir st t ou r n am en t m at ch —w h en h e’d fir st

ap p ear ed —h ad h ad a sob er in g effect on all of t h e t h e ot h er acad em ies. All of
t h em im m ed ia t ely at t em p t ed t o in vest igat e H u o Yu h ao, w h o seem ed t o p ossess
six h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs; n ot on ly b ecau se of t h e ap p ear an ce of h is
in con ceivab le sou l r in gs, b u t also b ecau se Sh r ek Acad em y r ep r esen t ed t h e
st r on gest , m ost a d va n ced sou l m ast er s on t h e con t in en t .
H ow ever , n on e of t h e acad em ies, in clu d in g t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l

En gin eer in g Acad em y, w er e ab le t o com e u p w it h a sat isfact or y an sw er . Righ t
n ow , Sh r ek Acad em y w as lik e a d en se clou d of fog t o t h em .
H ow cou ld a you t h w h o w as ob viou sly n ot yet fift een year s old h ave b ecom e a
Sou l Em p er or ? M or eover , h ow cou ld h e p osses six h u n d r ed t h ou san d year So u l
Rin gs? T h is w as an exist en ce t h at d efied t h e h eaven s. Alm ost ever yb od y r ealized
t h at it w as a d iver sion ; it w as ju st t h at n ob od y k n ew h ow t h is d iver sion w as
b ein g u sed .
As su ch , t h ey w er e all w ait in g for H u o Yu h ao’s n ext m ove; t h e fir st m at ch h ad
sim p ly b een fin ish ed t oo su d d en ly, b u t it w as im p ossib le for ever y m at ch t o b e
fin ish ed as fast as t h e fir st .
Su r e en ou gh , t h is m yst er iou s you t h fin ally m ad e an ot h er ap p ear an ce d u r in g

Sh r ek Acad em y’s t h ir d m a t ch . H ow ever , h e yet again sh ock ed t h e en t ir e
au d ien ce.
An Len gye's at t ack t h at h ad b een act ivat ed u sin g t h e p ow er of h er sk u ll b on e

h ad r each ed ar ou n d t h e Sou l Kin g level of p ow er . Yet , w h en h e casu ally
d est r oyed it alon g w it h h er m ar t ia l sou l p r oject ion , all of t h e au d ien ce's d ou b t s
im m ed iat ely t u r n ed in t o ast on ish m en t .
Sou l Em p er or or n ot , h e sh ou ld n ’t h ave h ad su ch an easy t im e. H ow ever , t h e

k ey issu e w as t h a t n o b od y h ad b een ab le t o t ell w h at sou l sk ill h e’d u sed .
J u st lik e h ow t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y m em b er s w an t ed t o d escr ib e

h im as ‘d om in at in g’, h e h ad d om in at ed t h e t ou r n am en t as soon as h e’d
ap p ear ed .
Cou ld it b e t h at h e w as t r u ly a Sp ir it Em p er or ? On e w it h six h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year Sou l Rin gs? Sever al aca d em ies b egan t o d ou b t t h eir p r evio u s
ju d gem en t s. If t h is you t h h ad r eally at t ain ed t h a t r an k , w h o w ou ld b e ab le t o
com p et e again st Sh r ek Acad em y in t h is t ou r n am en t ? An d w h at ab ou t t h e n ext
on e?
Bei Bei t u r n ed h is n ose u p at Sh en Ce, w h o w as seat ed acr oss fr om h im , an d

said in a low voice, “Sh all w e con t in u e?”
Sh en Ce look ed at h is b u r n ed -ou t com r a d es b esid e h im , t h en look ed at t h e

u n con sciou s An Len gye w h o w as cu r r en t ly lyin g on t h e gr ou n d . H e sigh ed , t h en
said , “W e con ced e.”
H u o Yu h ao h a d alm o st en t ir ely ou t sh on e h is t eam m at es. As for Sh en Ce, even

t h ou gh h e h a d lon g ago p r ep ar ed t o figh t an d w as st an d in g in fr on t of t h em , h e
w as ab le w h at h is sit u at ion w as clear ly. As t h in gs st ood r igh t n ow , even if h e
w er e t o exp lod e ou t w it h t h e p ow er of a sou l k in g, h e st ill w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o
r esist H e Cait ou an d h is sou l t ool for t . No r w ou ld h e b e ab le t o r esist Xu San sh i,
w h o’d u sed t h e p ow er of a Sou l An cest or t o for cefu lly b lock t h e all-ou t a t t ack of
a Sou l Kin g an d a fir e-t yp e Sou l An cest or w or k in g t oget h er .
As for t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y’s sid e, t h ey’d lost t h e figh t in g st r en gt h

of t h eir d ep u t y t ea m lead er , An Len gye. Sh en Ce h im self h ad n ear ly exp en d ed
h im self w ell. Even if t h at m yst er iou s you t h d id n ’t m ak e a m ove, t h ey’d st ill lost
all ch an ce of vict or y. It w as com p let ely p oin t less t o figh t an ym or e.
“Sh r ek Acad em y w in s!”
T h e seven m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y t eam st ood in a lin e w h en t h ey h ear d

t h e r efer ee’s an n ou n cem en t . Aft er givin g a sligh t b ow t o t h eir op p on en t s, t h ey
w alk ed off t h e st age on e aft er an ot h er . On ce H u o Yu h ao h ad st ep p ed off t h e
st age, h e p r essed h is p alm t o An Len gye. T h e air t w ist ed sligh t ly, t h en sh e gave a
gloom y gr oan as sh e r egain ed con sciou sn ess. H ow ever , w h en sh e saw H u o
Yu h ao, h er eyes filled w it h fear .
Sh en Ce h u r r ied ly m oved for w ar d s t o h elp An Len gye st an d u p . “Len gye, ar e

you alr igh t ?”
“H ow t er r ifyin g, h ow ver y t er r ifyin g. T h at w as d efin it ely a r eal h u n d r ed

t h ou san d year Sou l Rin g, I sw ear it . I’v e felt t h at t er r ifyin g ice-t yp e p r essu r e
som ew h er e b efor e.”
“W h at ?” Sh en Ce w as gob sm ack ed . As h e h elp ed h er u p , h e w h isp er ed , “Ar e

you su r e?”
An Len gye, face w as d evoid of color as sh e n od d ed . Sh e said , “W h en I w as

sixt een , I w en t w it h Gr an d fat h er t o t h e Ext r em e Nor t h in or d er t o fin d a
su it ab le t h ir d Sou l Rin g. H ow ever , w e accid en t ally w en t t oo far , an d in t h e
d ist an ce, w e su d d en ly saw a d ar k gr een silh ou et t e flash b y. T h e sp eed of t h at
silh ou et t e w as t er r ifyin gly fast , an d Gr an d fat h er ’s on ly r eact ion at t h e t im e w as
t o p u sh m e t o t h e gr ou n d an d p r ot ect m y b od y w it h h is ow n . A fu ll fift een
m in u t es p assed b efor e Gr an d fat h er slow ly st ood b ack u p . It w as on ly t h en t h at I
r ealised t h at a layer of fr ost b it e h ad for m ed on a p or t ion of Gr an d fat h er ’s b ack .
“At t h at t im e, Gr an d fat h er t old m e t h a t w e’d m et on e of t h e m ost t er r ifyin g

exist en ces in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . T h at w as d efin it ely a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year
sou l b east . Aft er t h a t , Gr an d fat h er gr ab b ed m e an d w e sw ift ly left t h e r egion .
W h en w e got b ack , it t ook h im over a year for h im t o r ecover fr om t h e fr ost b it e
h e’d r eceived . Ever sin ce t h en , Gr an d fat h er h as n ever m en t ion ed an yt h in g
ab ou t t ak in g m e t o t h e Ext r em e Nor t h t o h u n t for Sou l Beast s.”
“Even t h ou gh sever al year s h ave alr ead y p assed , I’ll n ever for get t h at so u l
b east ’s au r a; it ’s t h e sam e on e t h at t h at you t h ’s Fr ost Bear gave off. Back t h en ,
on ce I’d r et u r n ed w it h Gr an d fat h er , h e said t o m e t h at t h e r eason w e w er e ab le
t o r et u r n alive w asn ’t b ecau se t h at h u n d r ed t h ou san d year Sou l Beast h ad n ’t
n ot iced u s, b u t r at h er b ecau se w e w er e t oo w eak , an d t h at it d id n ’t car e t o
b ot h er w it h u s. W e’r e lu ck y t o b e alive.”
Sh en Ce in h a led a b r eat h of cold air , t h en t u r n ed t o gaze at H u o Yu h ao’s b ack ,

w h o w as cu r r en t ly w alk in g aw ay fr om t h e w ait in g ar ea. W it h ou t a h in t of
d iscon t en t m en t on h is face, h e said , “Com e on , let ’s go. W e can t alk ab ou t t h is
on ce w e get b ack . Sh r ek Acad em y is in d eed an exist en ce t h at w e can ’t even
d r eam of b eat in g! I r eally r egr et n ot h avin g at t en d ed Sh r ek Acad em y’s en t r an ce
exam s b ack in t h e d a y.”
H e d id n ’t h ar b or even an in k lin g of d ou b t t ow ar d s w h a t An Len gye h ad said ,

as n ot on ly w a s sh e h is gir lfr ien d , b u t also b ecau se sh e w as u su ally q u it e q u iet
an d r eser ved . T h is w as t h e fir st t im e h e’d seen h er say so m u ch in on e go. Fr om
t h is, it w as ob viou s t h at t h a t m yst er iou s you t h fr om Sh r ek Acad em y h ad given
h er a gr eat sh ock .
H ow ever , u n b ek n ow n st t o t h em , ever yb od y at Sh r ek Acad em y w as b r eat h in g

a sigh of r elief.
Based on over all st r en gt h , Sh r ek Acad em y’s cu r r en t Seven M on st er s w er en ’t
act u ally st r on ger t h an t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y’s t ea m . Of W an g Don g,
Xiao Xiao, an d H u o Yu h ao, t w o h ad t w o Sou l Rin gs, w h ile on ly on e of t h em h ad
t h r ee. T h ey w er e u seless in t eam b at t les at su ch a level, t h u s t h e r eason t h at
Xiao Xiao an d W an g Don g h ad n ’t act ed w asn ’t b ecau se t h ey h ad n ’t w an t ed t o,
b u t r at h er b ecau se t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave h ad m u ch of an im p act even if t h ey h ad .
It w as b et t er for t h em t o act as a d et er r en t at t h e r ear .
If on e w er e t o ob ser ve t h em closely, t h ey w ou ld n ot ice t h at w h en H u o Yu h ao

an d Xu San sh i h ad sw ap p ed p laces w it h Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld
Disp lacem en t . W h en t h ey’d d on e so, W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao h ad b ot h qu iet ly
w it h d r aw n t h eir six Sou l Rin gs. At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao h ad b een
ext r em ely w or r ied , as t h e sp ear h u r t lin g t ow ar d s h im h ad t h e p ot en t ial t o b e
fat al. Fu r t h er m or e, sin ce h e ap p ear ed t o h ave six h u n d r ed t h ou san d year Sou l
Rin gs, even t h e r efer ee w ou ld n ’t st ep in t o save h im . It cou ld b e said t h at Xu
San sh i h ad saved h is life. Even if h e’d som eh ow st ill b een ab le t o avoid it on h is
ow n , H u o Yu h ao w ou ld ’ve b een eq u ally st r essed .
Goin g b ack t o t h e begin n in g of t h e m at ch , if it h ad n ’t b een for H e Cait ou

exp loit in g t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y’s p assive figh t in g st yle in or d er t o
r ap id ly con st r u ct a sou l t ool for t an d b r eak t h e en em y’s d efen se in on e go, as
w ell as d ir ect ly su p p r ess t h eir st r on gest op p on en t —Sh en Ce, as w ell as H u o
Yu h ao’s p ossession of t h e Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion an d Sp ir it u al Sh ock , t h en it
w ou ld ’ve in d eed b een d ifficu lt t o d et er m in e w h o t h e vict or w ou ld ’ve b een .
All fou r of t h e sh ield w ield er s’ in d ep en d en t d efen sive a b ilit y w er e even

w eak er t h an t h a t of Xu San sh i. H ow ever , w h en t h ey w or k ed t oget h er , even Xu
San sh i, as t alen t ed as h e w a s, cou ld n ’t com p ar e. Bu t in t h is m at ch , Sh r ek
Acad em y h ad n ’t w on t h r ou gh sh eer for ce alon e. T h ey’d w on t h r ou gh su p er ior
t act ics, as w ell as b ecau se of t h eir su p er io r focu sin g of t h eir ab ilit ies.
In t h e en d , H u o Yu h ao h ad r ep laced h is t eam m at es at t h e fr on t , an d h is
su p p r ession of An Len gye’s ice at t r ib u t e h ad sealed t h e d eal. If An Len gye h ad n ’t
b een an ice-t yp e Sou l M ast er , t h en it w as lik ely t h at t h e m at ch w ou ld ’ve
con t in u ed . Even if t h ey w ou ld ’ve st ill w on , it w ou ld n ’t h ave b een as H u o Yu h ao
h ad m ad e it seem .
As su ch , it cou ld b e said t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h ad yet again ach ieved a lu ck y

vict or y. Not on ly h ad t h ey w in , b u t t h ey’d m ain t ain ed t h eir p r eviou s d egr ee of
m yst er iou sn ess, as t h ey’d k ep t each of t h eir t r u e st r en gt h s, a secr et , an d a m ajor
ad van t age in u p com in g m at ch es. H ow ever , W an g Yan w as b egin n in g t o w or r y -
t h at T h ou sa n d Sp ir it s Acad em y w asn ’t t h e st r on gest op p on en t in t h e r ou n d -
r ob in t ou r n am en t . H ow lon g w ou ld t h eir lu ck h old ou t ?
Lik e t h e p r eviou s t w o m at ch es, t h e m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y d id n ’t lin ger ;

t h ey left alm ost im m ed iat ely. H u o Yu h ao calm ly w alk ed in t o t h e cen t er . No
m at t er h ow lou d ly t h e au d ien ce ch eer ed , n o m at t er h ow in t en t ly t h ey st ar ed at
h im , h e sh ow ed n o sign s of r esp on d in g. T h an k s t o t od ay’s m at ch , h is
m yst er iou sn ess w ou ld cau se an y op p on en t facin g h im t o b e t er r ified .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o w asn ’t feelin g excit ed , b u t r at h er qu it e w or r ied . Pr ior

t o t od ay’s m at ch , W an g Yan h ad w ar n ed t h em t h at t h eir n ext op p on en t w ou ld
b e t h e st r on gest on e t h ey’d face in t h e t ou r n am en t . On t h at t eam , t h er e w er e a
t ot al of t h r ee five Sou l Kin gs w h o h ad en t er ed t h e t op eigh t in t h e p r eviou s
t ou r n am en t .
An op p on en t lik e t h is n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t am ou n t t o m u ch in fr on t of t h e
or igin al m em b er s of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s, b u t t h ey w er e a fat al ob st acle t o
t h e cu r r en t it er at ion . If t h ey lost t h is m at ch , t h eir t r u e st r en gt h s w ou ld
u n d ou b t ed ly b e r evealed t o ever yon e. H ow ever , d id t h ey r eally p ossess t h e
cap ab ilit ies t o w in t h is m at ch ? T h is w as esp ecially so con sid er in g t h ey d id n ’t
even k n ow t h e for m at of t h eir m at ch . Regar d less of w h ich for m at t h ey h ad t o
figh t in , t h ey w ou ld b e at an ab solu t e d isad van t age d u e t o t h e d isp ar it y in
st r en gt h . W an g Yan w as alr ead y con sid er in g for feit in g t h is m at ch ; aft er all, t h is
w as t h e r ou n d -r ob in st age, an d losin g h er e w ou ld n ’t m ean t h ey w ou ld b e
elim in at ed fr om t h e over all t ou r n am en t . As lon g as t h ey w er e ab le t o w in t h eir
n ext m at ch , Lin g Lu och en w ou ld b e ab le t o m ak e a com eb ack . W it h an ice-t yp e
Sou l Kin g lik e h er w or k in g t oget h er w it h H u o Yu h ao’s Ult im a t e Ice, t h ey w ou ld
h ave a m u ch easier t im e facin g t h eir r em ain in g op p on en t s in t h e r ou n d -r ob in
st age. Aft er t h r ee m or e m at ch es at m ost , M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g w ou ld b e
ab le t o r et u r n as w ell. T h e ar r ival of t w o Sou l Em p er or s w ou ld t r u ly gr an t Sh r ek
t h e st r en gt h n eed ed t o t ak e t h e ch am p ion sh ip .
H ow ever , W an g Yan w as m et w it h t h e st r on g op p osit ion of t h e cu r r en t

Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s t h e m om en t h e su ggest ed for feit in g t h e n ext m at ch .
T h ey w er e n o lon ger h ow t h ey w er e w h en t h ey h ad ju st ar r ived ; n ow t h at t h ey
h ad w on t w o m at ch es w h ile b ein g b at h ed in Sh r ek Acad em y’s glor y, h ow cou ld
t h ey ju st let t h is glor y b e t ar n ish ed w it h ou t a figh t ?
T h u s, all seven of t h em w er e d et er m in ed t o figh t . Even if t h ey lost t h e m a t ch ,

t h ey st ill w an t ed t o give it t h eir all. Fu r t h er m or e, it w asn ’t a s t h ou gh t h ey h a d
n o ch an ce at all. Aft er all, alt h ou gh t h eir cu lt ivat ion s w er en ’t st r on g, ever y
sin gle on e of t h em w as a b r eat h t ak in g gen iu s. T h e levels of coor d in at ion t h ey
cou ld b r in g ou t cou ld p ossib ly d efeat t h e over all st r en gt h of t h eir op p on en t s. In
t h e en d , W an g Yan agr eed t o t h eir r equ est . T h is w as b ecau se h e u n d er st ood t h at
t h er e w as a ver y h igh ch an ce of leavin g a sh ad ow on t h eir h ear t s if t h ey w er e t o
for feit t h is m a t ch t o p r eser ve t h eir st r en gt h s; h e ab solu t ely d id n ’t w an t a
sit u a t ion lik e t h is t o occu r .
At t h is m om en t , t h e r eason w h y H u o Yu h ao w as feelin g so w or r ied w as d u e t o

t h e figh t t h ey h ad ju st gon e t h r ou gh . T h is figh t m ad e h im u n d er st an d t h a t t h er e
w er e n o w eak lin gs am on g t h e acad em ies w h o w er e ab le t o p ar t icip at e in t h e
Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t . T h ey h ad alr ea d y
gain ed m an y ad van t ages in t h eir p r eviou s m at ch es, esp ecially Sh en Ce losin g
con t r ol of h is T h ou san d -st r ik e Lan ce at t h e ver y st ar t of t h e m at ch . Even in a
sit u a t ion lik e t h is, h ow ever , t h eir fin a l vict or y h ad n ’t b een ob t ain ed so easily.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w as on ly a t eam t h at p ossessed a sin gle Sou l Kin g. If t h at

w as t h e case, w h at w ou ld h ap p en t h e d ay aft er ? W h at t h ey h ad t o face w as a
t eam t h at h ad t h r ee Sou l Kin gs, a t eam w h ose over all st r en gt h w as gr eat er t h an
t h at of t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y by m or e t h an a sin gle level. W h at w ou ld
t h e sit u at ion b e t h en ?
Du r in g t h e fir st r ou n d of t h e r ou n d -r ob in segm en t , t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s

Acad em y h ad faced t h eir u p com in g op p on en t . W an g Yan h ad p er son ally seen
t h e r esu lt s of t h at m at ch ; t h is w as also t h e m at ch t h a t t h ey h ad w it n essed fr om
t h e r ooft op of t h e Gr an d Im p er ial St ar H ot el. At t h at t im e, t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it s
Acad em y h ad b een com p let ely cr u sh ed ; t h ey h ad h ad n o ch an ce at all. T h a t
m at ch h ad b een a 1v1 figh t , an d t h eir op p on en t ’s t h ir d m em b er h ad alr ead y
d ecim at ed t h e t h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y. Fu r t h er m or e, on ly t w o of t h eir Sou l
Kin gs h ad m ad e an ap p ear an ce. T h is h ad occu r r ed w it h ou t t h eir t eam lead er
m ak in g a m ove.
T h ey cou ld n ’t lose, b u t h ow cou ld t h ey w in ? T h is w as t h e q u est ion t h at w as

cu r r en t ly st u ck in H u o Yu h ao’s m in d . H e w as in w ar d ly q u est ion in g h im self for
w ays t o r aise h is cu lt ivat ion w it h in a sh or t p er iod of t im e. At t h e ver y least , h e
w an t ed t o b r in g h im self t o a level w h er e h e cou ld figh t again st h is op p on en t s for
t h e n ext r ou n d .
H u o Yu h ao h ad an accu r at e ju d gem en t of h is ow n st r en gt h . Fr om an ot h er
st an d p oin t , ever y sin gle on e of h is sou l sk ills, w it h ou t an y excep t ion , w er e
ext r em ely p ow er fu l. T h is w as also t h e case for h is au xiliar y-t yp e sou l sk ills.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e ab u n d an ce of sou l sk ills h e p ossessed w as som et h in g t h a t even
a fou r -r in ged Sou l An cest or cou ld n ’t d efeat .
H u o Yu h ao h ad an ext r em ely accu r at e evalu at ion of h im self. Alt h ou gh h e w as

st ill a t w o-r in ged Sou l Gr an d m ast er , h e w ou ld n ’t lose t o an y t h r ee-r in ged
op p on en t s; h e h ad t h e con fid en ce t o d efeat Sou l Eld er s. If h e w er e t o face fou r -
r in ged Sou l An cest or s, h ow ever , h e p r act ically h ad n o ch an ce at all. At t h e ver y
m in im u m , h e h a d a ver y r em ot e ch an ce of w in n in g. H e h a d an ad van t age over
Sou l An cest or s in t er m s of sou l sk ills, b u t t h er e w as t oo lar ge a gap in t er m s of
sou l p ow er . T h is w a s also t h e case even if h e h a d t h e M ilk Bot t le. Du r in g t h e
t ou r n am en t , w h at good w ou ld a p ow er fu l sou l sk ill d o if h e d id n ’t h ave en ou gh
sou l p ow er t o u t ilise it ?
Becau se of t h at , H u o Yu h ao k n ew t h a t h e w ou ld b e ab le t o d efeat a t h r ee-

r in ged Sou l Eld er a t m ost in a 1v1 figh t . M or eover , h e k n ew t h at h e w ou ld
act u ally b e m or e effect ive in a t eam figh t .
If h e w er e t o en co u n t er an ice-t yp e or fir e-t yp e op p on en t in a t eam figh t , h e

cou ld u se h is Ult im at e Ice t o im p ose a b solu t e su p p r ession on h is op p on en t ’s
ab ilit ies. T h is w as esp ecially t h e case for ice-t yp e sou l m ast er s. Even if t h ey w er e
Sou l Kin gs, h e h ad t h e con fid en ce t o su p p r ess t h em , ju st lik e h e h ad d on e
ear lier . T h is w as p er fect elem en t al su p p r ession . Even if h is cu lt ivat ion w as
w eak , h e w as st ill t h e Sover eign of Ice. N o m at t er h ow st r on g or d in ar y ice w as,
h ow cou ld it r eb el again st t h e Sover eign ? T h er e w as n o w ay for h is op p on en t t o
st op t h is u n less t h er e w as t oo gr eat a d iffer en ce in t er m s of cu lt ivat ion b et w een
b ot h p ar t ies.
Aft er t h at , t h er e w a s t h e assist an ce t h a t h is Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion Sh ar in g gave

t o t h e en t ir e t eam . It s accu r a t e d ecision -m ak in g cap ab ilit ies cou ld even p r ed ict
t h eir op p on en t ’s n ext m ovem en t s; t h at w as t h e m ain r eason w h y t h ey h ad
d efeat ed t h eir op p on en t s t od ay.
I f t he next m at ch i s a t eam f i ght , I m i ght be abl e t o be a bi t m or e usef ul . At t he
ver y l east , W ang Dong and I can r est r ai n Soul Ki ngs by usi n g our Gol den Road.
T hen w e’ l l have a sl i ght chance.
W h at t h e st uden t s of Sh r ek di dn ’ t k n ow , h ow ever , w as t h at t h e st uden t s f r om

t h e Sun M oon I m per i al Soul En gi n eer i n g Academ y got t o t h ei r f eet an d l ef t af t er
t h e f or m er ’ s m at ch h ad en ded. T h ei r n ext m at ch w asn ’ t goi n g t o be h el d t oday
i n t h e f i r st pl ace. T h e on l y r eason w h y t h ey h ad com e w as t o spect at e Sh r ek
Academ y’ s m at ch .
T h e t w o academ i es w h i ch w er e at t h e ver y t op of t h e l adder w al k ed back t o

t h e Gr an d I m per i al St ar H ot el at w h at w as pr act i cal l y t h e sam e t i m e.
“ Let ’ s go t o t h e con f er en ce r oom .” T h ese w er e t h e w or ds ut t er ed by t h e t w o

t each er s w h o w er e l eadi n g t h ei r r espect i ve academ i es.
W an g Yan l ook ed t ow ar ds t h e Sh r ek ’ s Seven M on st er s w h o w er e si t t i n g

ar oun d h i m , t h en t ook a deep br eat h an d sai d si n cer el y, “ Ch i l dr en , t h an k you
al l . T o put i t t r ut h f ul l y, even I di dn ’ t t h i n k t h at you’ d be able t o w i n t h ese f ew
m at ch es i n a r ow . You guys h ave al r eady t r i ed your h ar dest t o pr ot ect t h e gl or y
of t h e academ y. T h e or i gi n al r eason w h y you guys cam e h er e as m em ber s of t h e
pr epar at or y t eam w as t o gai n som e exper i en ce, but you’ ve n ow becom e
m ai n st ays. T h e academ y an d I w on ’ t dem an d t oo m uch f r om you.”
Bei Bei sm i l ed, “ T each er W an g, you n eed n ot say an ym or e. Si n ce t h i s i s an

exper i en ce, l et ’ s just t r eat i t as a m or e t h or ough exper i en ce. Pl ease ar r an ge our
st r at egi es, w e al l t r ust i n your abi l i t y.”
W an g Yan l ook ed at t h em deepl y, “ You guys h ave t r ul y com e t o a deci si on ?”
W i t h Bei Bei t ak i n g t h e l ead, Sh r ek ’ s Seven M on st er s st ood up

si m ul t an eousl y. T h ey l ook ed at W an g Yan w i t h a r esol ut e l i gh t i n t h ei r eyes,
an d n on e of t h em w er e t i m i d at al l . Even Xi ao Xi ao, w h o w as t h e w eak est of t h e
l ot i n t er m s of over al l st r en gt h , w as n o except i on t o t h i s.
“Good . You all ar e w or t h y of b ein g called elit es of Sh r ek Acad em y. I am p r ou d
of you all.” W an g Yan ’s eyes w er e t ear in g u p a b it , an d h is face w as sligh t ly r ed .
Righ t n ow , h e on ly felt t h a t t h e k id s in fr on t of h im w er e t oo cu t e. T h e acad em y
t r u ly h a d n ’t m a d e a m ist ak e in ch oosin g t h em as m em b er s of t h e p r ep ar at or y
t eam . Du r in g t h e m ost cr u cial m om en t of t h eir cu r r en t or d eal, n on e of t h em
w er e t im id ; ever y sin gle on e of t h em w as r esolu t e an d st u b b or n . It h ad t o b e
k n ow n t h at t h ese w er e seven k id s w h ose aver age age w asn ’t even fou r t een !
“Ch ild r en , I d ar e sa y t h at as lon g as w e can r et u r n safe an d sou n d t h is t im e,

you w ill d efin it ely b ecom e t h e m ost ou t st an d in g t alen t s ou r Sh r ek Acad em y h as
h ad in t h e p ast sever al h u n d r ed year s. All of you . Good , I w on ’t b e
u n r eason ab le. Let ’s st ar t m ak in g ou r st r at egies.”
W an g Yan p u sh ed h is h an d s d ow n , m ot ion in g for ever yon e t o sit d ow n .
“Ou r u p com in g op p on en t is ver y st r on g. Du r in g t h e last t ou r n am en t , t h ey

w er e ab le t o r each b ecom e on e of t h e t op eigh t t eam s. T h ey lost t o t h e Su n M oon
Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y in t h e q u ar t er fin als last t im e. In t er m s of
over all st r en gt h , it ’s p ossib le t h at t h ey’ve im p r oved en ou gh t o give t h em t h e
st r en gt h n eed ed t o r each t h e t op fou r . T h er e ar e t h r ee Sou l Kin gs an d fou r Sou l
An cest or s in t h eir lin eu p of seven . Befor e com in g t o t h is t ou r n am en t , I on ly d id
r esear ch on t h e t op 8 acad em ies. T h is w a s b ecau se of t h e st r en gt h of ou r or igin al
t eam . I’ve d on e som e d eep r esear ch in t o t h is t eam , an d I h a ve t o t ell you t h at
t h eir t eam lead er h a s b een r efer r ed t o as a gen iu s seen on ce in a t h ou san d year s
b y t h eir acad em y. If h e w as in ou r acad em y, t h er e’s a ch an ce t h at h e w ou ld ’ve
b een ch osen t o r ep r esen t u s as w ell. Eld er Xu an p er son ally gave h im an
evalu at ion in t h e p ast . At t h at t im e, h e said t h at t h is st u d en t w ou ld h ave
d efin it ely b een ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t o b ecom e a Sou l Em p er or b efor e t h e age
of t w en t y if h e w as in Sh r ek . Un for t u n a t ely, it seem s h e’s b een d elayed a b it .”
T h e exp r ession s of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s t u r n ed even m or e gr im as t h ey

list en ed t o W an g Yan ’s w or d s. Alt h ou gh t h ey k n ew t h at t h eir u p com in g
op p on en t w ou ld b e ver y st r on g, t h ey d id n ’t k n ow t h ey’d be t h at st r on g. For
exam p le, h ow m u ch con fid en ce w ou ld t h ey h ave if t h ey h ad t o figh t an
op p on en t lik e Dai Yu eh en g or M a Xiaot ao?
W an g Yan said in a low voice, “T h is is t h e r eason w h y I k ep t su ggest in g t h at

w e for feit . Ou r ch a n ces ar e sim p ly t oo m in iscu le w it h h im an d t h e ot h er t w o
Sou l Kin gs t h er e. I d on ’t k n ow w h at level h is cu lt ivat ion ’s r each ed , b ecau se h e
h asn ’t ap p ear ed d u r in g t h e p r eviou s t w o m at ch es t h ey’ve h ad . H ow ever , I
r eck on fr om h is au r a t h at h e h asn ’t b ecom e a Sou l Em p er or yet . W h en a sou l
m ast er ob t ain s h is sixt h r in g, h is p h ysical b od y an d au r a w ill u n d er go a
t r an sfor m at ion ; it s a sign t h at a p er son h as en t er ed t h e u p p er ech elon of
cu lt ivat or s. H ow ever , alt h ou gh h e’s st ill som e w ays fr om t h er e, h e sh ou ld n ’t b e
t oo far fr om Ran k 60 .”
“Accor d in g t o m y r esear ch , t h is p er son is ext r em ely w ild . Becau se of t h is, h is

figh t in g in t en t w ill on ly in cr ease w h en h e’s figh t in g again st u s; h e w on ’t r et r ea t
at all. In a sit u a t ion lik e t h is, ou r ch an ces of w in n in g ar e even low er .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e’s d efin it ely n o w ay w e’ll b e lu ck y en ou gh for h im n ot t o
com e ou t . T h ey’ll d efin it ely go all-ou t again st u s t o t est t h eir st r en gt h .”
“Aft er m u ch con sid er at ion , I on ly h ave a sin gle id ea r igh t n ow . T h at is, w e

gam b le. W e gam b le t h at w e’ll b e ab le t o get a t eam figh t n ext m at ch . A t eam
figh t is t h e on ly w ay w e h ave a sliver of a h op e of w in n in g.”
Ever yon e w as con cen t r at ed ly list en in g t o W an g Yan ’s exp lan at ion . T h e

cu r r en t W an g Yan h ad alr ead y en t er ed a t r an ce, “Ou r ch an ces of w in n in g in t h e
t eam figh t com e fr om a sin gle on e of you . T h at ’s Xu San sh i.”
“It ’s ju st as I’ve said . Ou r op p on en t ’s t ea m lead er is t h e st r on gest m em b er of

t h eir t eam , so you can go t h in k ab ou t it for a m om en t . As a gen iu s seen on ly
on ce in a t h ou san d year s, you can im agin e h ow h igh h is p osit ion is in h is t eam .
H ow ever , h avin g su ch a h igh p osit ion can b ot h b e a good t h in g an d a b ad t h in g.
T h is is b ecau se h is t eam m at es w ill b ecom e ext r em ely d ep en d en t on h im .
Becau se of t h at , ou r ch an ces of w in n in g t h is m at ch w ill b e gr eat er t h an 4 0 % if
w e’r e ab le t o t ak e t h e in it iat ive an d t ak e h im ou t .”
Xu San sh i h a d a b it t er look on h is face as h e said , “I u n d er st an d , T each er

W an g. You w an t m e t o t r ad e m e for h im !”
W an g Yan sm iled sligh t ly. “If w e d o it ab r u p t ly, it m igh t n ot b e a on e for on e

t r ad e. I’m con fid en t t h at it w on ’t b e easy for t h em t o t ak e you ou t , seein g t h at
you ’r e a d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er in ad d it ion t o t h e p ow er fu l d efen sive
cap ab ilit ies you sh ow ed in t h e last m a t ch . W e can say t h a t you ’ll b e t h e t r u e cor e
of ou r n ext figh t if w e’r e lu ck y en o u gh t o get t h e t eam figh t . Not on ly w ill you
h ave t o u se you r M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Su b st it u t ion t o b r in g t h eir t eam lead er
over t o ou r sid e so w e can b eat h im u p , b u t you ’ll a lso h ave t o d o all you can t o
st all t h eir h elp er s.”
“W e can p r ep ar e for you t o sw it ch p osit ion s w it h t h e en em y t eam lead er , b u t

t h ey w on ’t b e ab le t o im m ed ia t ely at t ack you sin ce t h ey’ll b e cau gh t
u n p r ep ar ed . At t h at t im e, it ’ll all d ep en d on you r ow n ab ilit y.”
Xu San sh i st a r ed a t W an g Yan w it h w id en ed eyes. “T each er W an g, you can ’t

b e ser iou s. T h is t ask is sim p ly t oo ar d u ou s.”
Bei Bei p at t ed h is sh ou ld er an d said , “Ok ay, st op fak in g. You ’r e m or e afr aid of

d eat h t h a n an yon e h er e. Even if t h e ot h er s d on ’t k n ow ab ou t t h is, d o you t h in k
t h at I d on ’t ? You h ave so m an y life-savin g t ech n iq u es. Let ’s d o it t h is w ay: if you
can h old on an d w e w in in t h e en d , I’ll get Nan n an t o get you a r ew ar d . H ow
ab ou t it ?”
“Really?” Xu San sh i’s eyes im m ed iat ely lit u p . At t h is m om en t h ow ever ,

J ian g Nan n an ’s exp r ession su d d en ly ch an ged . Sh e said in a cold voice, “T h is is
som et h in g b et w een t h e t w o of you , so d on ’t d r ag m e in t o it . I’m n ot a
b ar gain in g ch ip , n or som e it em t h a t you can b ar t er w it h .” W it h t h at , sh e st ood
u p an d st a r t ed t o lea ve.
J ian g Nan n an ’s su d d en an ger st ar t led even Bei Bei. In r ealit y, h e h ad on ly

said t h is as a jok e; h e d id n ’t t h in k t h at J ian g Nan n an w ou ld r eact t o it t h is
ser iou sly. H e cou ld on ly for ce an aw k w ar d sm ile for a b r ief m om en t .
W an g Yan flash ed a look at Xiao Xiao, w h o q u ick ly got u p a n d left . Aft er all,
t h ey w er e t h e on ly t w o gir ls on t h e t eam .
Xu San sh i sm iled b it t er ly. “You see. Sh e t r eat s m e lik e t h is. Aih , w h at a w ast e
of all m y h ar d w or k ! Bei Bei, you ’ve scr ew ed m e over .”
“Xu San sh i, d o you h ave a p r ob lem or n ot ?” W an g Yan ask ed in a low voice.
Xu San sh i su d d en ly r aised h is h ead an d said in a low voice, “No p r ob lem s.

T each er W an g, leav e it t o m e.” At t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao cou ld see a t r ace of
h au gh t in ess in t h e d ep t h s of Xu San sh i’s eyes, t h e h au gh t in ess t h at h ad
ap p ear ed w h en h e h ad b lock ed t h e T h ou san d -st r ik e Lan ce. J u st w h at k in d of
h ear t w as h id d en b en eat h Xu San sh i’s u n b r id led ap p ear an ce?
W an g Yan n od d ed an d said , “Xu San sh i w ill b e of t h e u t m ost im p or t an ce

d u r in g ou r u p com in g t eam figh t . Now , let ’s p lan h ow you ’ll gan g u p an d t ak e
ou t t h e op p on en t ’s t eam lea d er . You r over all st r en gt h is st ill som ew h at
in su fficien t , b u t w e’ll w in if w e t ak e t h em b y su r p r ise. You m u st m ak e
p r ep ar at ion s t o la u n ch you r all-ou t at t ack s on h im . H u o Yu h a o, W an g Don g…”
J u st as Sh r ek Acad em y w as d evisin g it s t act ics an d st r at egies for it s n ext

m at ch , t h e st u d en t s of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y h ad
n ow r et u r n ed t o t h e h ot el as w ell. Lik ew ise, t h ey w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e ot h er en d
of t h e cor r id or an d en t er ed t h e con fer en ce r oom t h a t b elon ged t o t h em . On ly,
t h ey w er en ’t r esea r ch in g an y t act ics, b u t Sh r ek Acad em y it self.
“Let ’s t alk ab ou t it . H ow d id you feel aft er w at ch in g t od ay’s m at ch ?” T each er

M a said in a low voice.
Ever yon e fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Aca d em y w as silen t .

A st u d en t fr om t h e official t eam cou ld n ’t h elp b u t u t t er , “T each er M a, is t h at
m yst er iou s you t h fr om Sh r ek ’s r ep r esen t at ive t eam r eally a six-r in ged Sou l
Em p er or ? Bu t , all six of h is sou l r in gs w er e h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year on es! Cou ld
t h is b e a r esu lt of Sh r ek Acad em y’s lat est r esear ch ?”
“Id iot . Is t h at w h a t you saw ?” T each er M a said an gr ily, “H ave you h ear d of
an y r esear ch t h at ca n let a sou l m ast er ’s sou l r in gs a ll b ecom e h u n d r ed t h ou san d
year on es? M or eover , h ow old is h e? I ob ser ved h im car efu lly ear lier , an d
alt h ou gh t h a t you t h can b e con sid er ed qu it e t all, I can t ell t h a t h e’s on ly ar ou n d
t h ir t een or so fr om t h e in exp er ien ce b et w een h is b r ow s. Even if h e st ar t ed
cu lt ivat in g in h is m ot h er ’s w om b , h e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o b ecom e a Sou l
Em p er or at t h at age. Sh r ek Acad em y m u st ’ve u sed a sp ecial t ech n iqu e t o cover
ever yt h in g u p .”
T h e st u d en t fr om t h e official t eam w as som ew h at u n r esign ed . “T h en h ow

w as h e ab le t o m ak e an ice-t yp e Sou l An cest or in st an t ly lose h er p ow er ? A Sou l
Kin g d efin it ely d oesn ’t h ave t h e p ow er t o d o t h a t , an d even an or d in ar y Sou l
Em p er or m igh t n ot b e ab le t o.”
“It sh ou ld b e d u e t o elem en t al su p p r ession .” T h e t eam lead er , M a Ru lon g,

sp ok e u p . H e said in a low voice, “T ea ch er M a is r igh t . T h at you t h can ’t b e a
Sou l Em p er or , so t h e on ly exp lan at ion w e h ave is t h at elem en t al su p p r ession
occu r r ed . Accor d in g t o m y calcu lat ion s, t h at you t h ’s t r u e cu lt ivat ion sh ou ld b e
at t h e Sou l An cest or r an k at m ost . T h is is alr ead y ext r em ely ast on ish in g at h is
age. Fu r t h er m or e, I can on ly t h in k of on e t h in g t h at ca n ju st ify w h y h e’s so
st r on g--h e h as t w in m ar t ial sou ls.”
T h e lead er of t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam , Xiao H on gch en , w h o w as seat ed op p osit e
M a Ru lon g, cou ld n ’t h elp b u t r aise h is h ead . H e n od d ed sligh t ly at t h e lat t er , a
few t r aces of ad m ir at ion in h is eyes. It w as r elat ively r ar e for an ar r ogan t p er son
lik e h im t o h ave a gaze lik e t h is in h is eyes.
M a Ru lon g r evealed an in d iffer en t sm ile as h e n ot iced Xiao H on gch en ’s gaze

on h im , “I b elieve t h at alt h ou gh t h at you t h is q u it e ou t st an d in g, h e st ill can ’t b e
com p ar ed t o ou r Xiao H on gch en . H ow ever , h is t w in m ar t ial sou ls sh ou ld b e
r elat ively p ow er fu l. H is gr eat est w eak n ess is h is age.”
Xiao H on gch en ’s b r ow fu r r ow ed . “T eam lead er , ar e you sayin g t h a t I

w ou ld n ’t b e h is op p on en t if w e w er e at t h e sam e age?”
“W h at d o you t h in k ab ou t it ?” M a Ru lon g ask ed in d iffer en t ly.
Xiao H on gch en ’s b r ow s fu r r ow ed even m or e as h e r ep lied , “It ’s h ar d t o say

for su r e. H ow can I m ak e an accu r a t e ju d gem en t w it h ou t figh t in g w it h h im ?
Even if h e h as t w in m ar t ial sou ls, I d u al cu lt iva t e as a sou l m ast er an d a sou l
en gin eer . If w e’r e o f t h e sam e age, h e m igh t n ot b e ab le t o cu lt ivat e h is sou l
p ow er t o m y level.”
M a Ru lon g w aved h is h an d an d said , “Let ’s n ot t alk ab ou t t h is for n ow . I’ll

con t in u e w it h m y an alysis.”
“Accor d in g t o m y calcu lat ion s, t h is m yst er iou s you t h can on ly b e at t h e So u l

An cest or r an k at m ost . M or eover , h is t w in m ar t ial sou ls sh ou ld b e of t h e r ar ely
seen sp ir it u al-t yp e a n d ice-t yp e. Ou t of h is sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l sk ills, h e m u st
h ave on e t h at allow s h im t o d ir ect ly lau n ch a sp ir it u al at t ack . T od ay, t h e
T h ou san d Sp ir it s Acad em y’s Sh en Ce w a s affect ed b y t h is sk ill, r esu lt in g in h im
m ak in g an er r or in h is fir st at t ack . Fr om t h er e on , it led t o h is fin al d efeat .
T h en , I b elieve t h at t h e ice-t yp e m ar t ial sou l h e u sed t o con t r ol An Len gye w as
h is m ain m ar t ia l sou l. I’m n ot clear as t o h ow h e w as ab le t o su b d u e t h e Fr ost
Bear , b u t h is ice-t yp e m ar t ial sou l m u st b e ver y p ow er fu l. T h e p u r it y of it s Ice
m u st ’ve b een far su p er ior t o An Len gye’s, w h ich w as w h y h e w as ab le t o
su p p r ess h is op p on en t w h en t h ey b ot h h ad sim ilar cu lt ivat io n levels. Alt h o u gh
h e look ed qu it e ast on ish in g w h en h e m ad e a m ove t h en , d id n ’t you gu ys n ot ice
t h at An Len gye’s Fr ost T or n ad o h ad r each ed it s fin a l p h ase? It d id n ’t h ave m u ch
at t ack p ow er left . Even t h at la st at t ack w as b lock ed b y Bei Bei in st ead of h im .”
“Let ’s t h in k ab ou t it fr om an ot h er a n gle. If t h is you t h r eally h as t h e

cu lt ivat ion of a Sou l Em p er or , w ou ld Xu San sh i h ave n eed ed t o sw it ch p laces
w it h h im ? I n ot iced t h at t w o st r an ge t h in gs h ap p en ed w h en Sh en Ce u sed h is
T h ou san d -st r ik e Lan ce for t h e last t im e: on e, t h e ot h er t w o you n g t eam m at es b y
t h e sid e of t h at m yst er iou s you t h h ad p an ick ed an d sh ock ed look s on t h eir faces.
T w o, all six of t h e sou l r in gs on t h ose t w o you t h s d isap p ear ed aft er t h a t
m yst er iou s you t h w as sw it ch ed w it h Xu San sh i. W h at d oes t h is m ean ? It m ean s
t h at t h eir six r in gs ar e fak e as w ell. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ese fa k es com e fr om t h at
you t h ’s sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l. Ou t of h is sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l sk ills, h e
d efin it ely h as on e t h at allow s h im t o cr eat e illu sion s. H e w as ab le t o cr eat e t h is
au r a of m yst er y ar ou n d h im b y r elyin g on t h ese t h in gs.”
Bot h t h e official an d p r ep ar at or y t eam s of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l

En gin eer in g Acad em y felt t h eir eyes w id en as t h ey list en ed t o M a Ru lon g’s
an alysis. T each er M a also h ad a sm ile on h is face as h e k ep t n od d in g.
M a Ru lon g h ad n ’t b ecom e t eam lead er d u e t o h is st r en gt h alon e; t h e m or e

im p or t an t fact or w a s h is m et icu lou s lin e of t h in k in g. W er e it n ot for t h e ab r u p t
r ise of t h e Xiao sib lin gs, M a Ru lon g w ou ld h ave h a d a com p let e ch an ce of
b ecom in g t h e m ost ou t st a n d in g st u d en t t h at t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y h ad seen in a h u n d r ed year s.
M a Ru lon g con t in u ed con fid en t ly, “T o su m m ar ise ever yt h in g, I h ave a r a t h er

accu r at e con clu sion . I b elieve t h at som et h in g m u st ’ve h ap p en ed t o Sh r ek
Acad em y. Alt h ou gh t h e t eam t h ey sen t t o p ar t icip at e in t h e t ou r n am en t is ver y
ou t st an d in g, t h ey seem m or e lik e a p r ep ar at or y t eam t h an an official on e. T h er e
w er e a few p eop le w h o t u r n ed u p on t h e fir st d ay, b u t d id n ’t com e aft er . T h ey
ar en ’t ju st h id in g t h eir st r en gt h ; som et h in g m u st ’ve h ap p en ed t o t h em . I d ar e t o
gu ar an t ee t h at ou r ch an ce h as fin ally com e t h is year .”
“If t h at ’s t h e case, it ’s t oo good for u s.” T h e fem ale st u d en t sit t in g n ext t o M a
Ru lon g w aved h er fist ar ou n d . T h eir Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y h ad b een su p p r essed b y Sh r ek Acad em y for over t h r ee t h ou san d year s.
T h ey h ad p ar t icip at ed in ever y sin gle Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l
Du ellin g T ou r n am en t sin ce t h e st a r t , b u t t h ey h ad n ever b eat en Sh r ek .
M a Ru lon g sigh ed sligh t ly. “Act u a lly, I w an t ed t o face t h e m ost p ow er fu l

for ce t h at Sh r ek cou ld m u st er , even t h ou gh I k n ow t h at ou r ch an ces w ou ld n ’t
b e t oo gr eat t h en . H ow ever , I t r u ly w ish t o go all-ou t in a figh t w it h ou r m ost
p ow er fu l op p on en t .”
“W h y w ou ld n ’t ou r ch an ces b e gr eat ? Xiao H on gch en said in d iffer en t ly, “Ou r

acad em y h as b een con st an t ly im p r ovin g t h ese few year s. Sh r ek Acad em y h as
b een lim it in g it self b y look in g d ow n on ou r sou l t ools, so t h er e w ill b e a d ay
w h en t h ey w ill su ffer a loss d u e t o t h at . Even if w e can ’t b eat t h eir official t eam
t h is t im e, w e’ll d efin it ely b e ab le t o w in n ext t im e.”
Chapt er 88.1: A Decisive Bat t le
M a Ru lon g h ad a calm sm ile on h is face, b u t d id n ’t r efu t e w h a t Xiao

H on gch en h ad said . T each er M a an d t h e ot h er t each er s sim ilar ly d id n ’t say
an yt h in g.
A cold glin t flash ed in Xiao H on gch en ’s eyes as h e low er ed h is voice a n d said ,

“T each er M a, d o you k n ow t h at m yst er iou s b oy’s n am e?”
“I’ve alr ead y in vest igat ed t h a t b oy. H e’s called H u o Yu h ao, b u t t h a t ’s all I
k n ow . H e d oesn ’t exist in t h e d at a w e h ave on Sh r ek Acad em y.”
Xiao H on gch en n od d ed an d la u gh ed cold ly b efor e sp eak in g. “It ’s h ar d t o say

w h et h er Sh r ek Aca d em y can en t er t h e fin als w it h t h eir p r esen t sit u at ion .
Lead er , I’m afr aid w e w on ’t b e ab le t o b eat su ch a r u b b ish t ea m if t h ey con t in u e
d ep loyin g t h eir p r ep ar at or y t eam on ly!”
M a Ru lon g’s face san k . “Xiao H on gch en , sh u t you r b lood y m ou t h . I’m st ill t h e
cap t ain of Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s r ep r esen t at ive t eam .
You can in su lt you r self, b u t b efor e you t r u ly b eat Sh r ek ’s st r on gest
r ep r esen t a t ive t eam , you h ave n o r igh t t o in su lt you r op p on en t .”
A p ow er fu l au r a su d d en ly su r ged ou t fr om M a Ru lon g’s b od y. Xiao H on gch en

st agger ed b ack as h e felt t h e op p r essive au r a. H is you n ger sist er im m ed iat ely
st ood u p , b r azen ly exu d in g a sever ely sh ar p au r a. Sh e w as ab ou t t o cou n t er M a
Ru lon g w it h for ce.
Xiao H on gch en st r et ch ed h is ar m ou t a n d b lock ed h is you n ger sist er . A h in t of

a sm ile for m ed on h is face. “Yes, lead er . I w as in t h e w r on g. Bu t I w ill p r ove
ever yt h in g t o you w it h m y act ion s in t im e. I w ill t ak e you r p lace, an d t h at of all
t h e sen ior s fr om p r eviou s gen er at ion s w h o w an t ed t o d efeat Sh r ek Acad em y in
t r am p lin g t h em u n d er m y feet .”
……
Sea God ’s Pavilion , Sh r ek Acad em y.
“Eld er M u , ar e w e r eally n ot sen d in g an yon e over ? T h ey h ave t o face t h r ee

Sou l Kin gs as t h eir op p on en t s t om or r ow .” T h e on e st an d in g b efor e Eld er M u
w as t h e vice-d ean of t h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t , Cai M ei’er .
Eld er M u sm iled sligh t ly an d said , “Is t h is w h at you w an t ed t o ask m e, or d id

Sh aozh e ask you t o p ose t h is q u est ion ?”
“Sh aozh e m ean t for m e t o ask you ,” Cai M ei’er r ep lied h on est ly.
Eld er M u ch u ck led . “I k n ow it ’s h im . H e’s n ot h ap p y ab ou t t h is. I’ve seen all

t h e m essages h e sen t t o m e b efor e. T h ose k id s ar e d oin g ver y w ell. Xu an n ie h as
ver y good for esigh t . Not a sin gle on e am on g t h em is a u seless scou n d r el. Ar en ’t
t h in gs goin g w ell t h e w ay t h ey ar e n ow ? W h y m u st w e em er ge as ch am p ion s? If
w e sen d p eop le over t o t h em , w ill t h ese ch ild r en b e en t iced t o give it t h eir all?
Go b ack an d t ell Sh aozh e t h at t h ese seven ch ild r en w it h H u o Yu h ao as t h eir
lead er w ill b e Sh r ek ’s glor iou s p ion eer s in t h e year s t o com e. Ask h im t o set h is
sigh t s a lit t le fu r t h er . I sen t t h em off t o t h e t ou r n am en t for t h em t o gain
exp er ien ce. Sin ce t h e h eaven s h ave d ecid ed on t h e ou t com e, w e d on ’t h ave t o
t r y t o figh t it . Let t h e w ill of t h e h eaven s d ecid e w h a t t h eir fa t e is. W h o can say
w h at w ill h ap p en ? Is it im p ossib le for t h em t o con t in u e cr eat in g m ir acles? W h at
w e n eed t o d o n ow is b elieve in t h ese ch ild r en . Aft er t h ey r et u r n fr om t h e St ar
Lu o Em p ir e, you an d Sh aozh e, alon g w it h Lin ’er an d Du od u o, sh ou ld p er son ally
con gr at u lat e t h em .”
“T h ey’r e figh t in g for Sh r ek ’s glor y. W e m u st h ave fait h in t h em . It t ak es t en

year s t o p olish a sw or d . W e n eed at least t en year s t o let t h ese seven ch ild r en
b ecom e Sh r ek ’s fu t u r e. T h ey w ill b e t h e on es sit t in g in t h e Sea God ’s Pav ilion in
t h e fu t u r e.”
“Eld er M u , you act u ally view t h em in su ch h igh r egar d ?” Cai M ei’er w as
sh ock ed . As far as sh e cou ld r em em b er , Eld er M u h ad n ever p r aised an yon e lik e
t h is b efor e, n ot even h is In h er it in g Discip le, Yan Sh aozh e.
Eld er M u sm iled fain t ly. “T h at ’s b ecau se I u n d er st an d t h em b et t er t h an you

d o. You ’ll u n d er st an d in t h e fu t u r e. Go.”
“Yes.”
……
Ear ly in t h e m or n in g.
T h e p r ep ar at or y t eam assem b led in t h e con fer en ce r oom aft er b r eak fast .

T h ey w er e all fu ll of sp ir it an d en er gy aft er r est in g u p yest er d ay. T h eir en er gy,
sp ir it an d Qi w er e all at t h eir p eak . H o w ever , t h eir faces d id n ’t b ear r elaxed
exp r ession s, b u t r a t h er on es t h at w er e sligh t ly gr ave.
T h eir m at ch t od ay w ou ld in evit ab ly b e t h eir t ou gh est m at ch in t h e

Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t so far . T h ey h ad t o
con fr on t a st r on g t eam led b y t h r ee Sou l Kin gs w it h ou t a sin gle Sou l Kin g on
t h eir t eam . T h ey d id n ’t even h ave an yon e ab ove Ran k 4 5 on t h eir t eam !
W an g Yan look ed at Bei Bei, H e Cait ou , Xu San sh i, J ian g Na n n an , Xiao Xiao,

H u o Yu h ao, an d W an g Don g, w h o w er e all sit t in g in a r ow . H is gaze sw ep t fr om
t h e fir st in d ivid u al t o t h e ver y last p er son in t h e r ow .
“Dear est ch ild r en , t h e cr u cial b at t le is a b ou t t o b egin . I d id n ’t t ell Xiaot ao an d

t h e r est h ow d ifficu lt t h is m at ch w as goin g t o b e so t h at t h ey can r ecu p er at e
w it h ou t w or r y w eigh in g on t h eir m in d . I’ll em p h asise t h is for t h e last t im e.
Even if you gu ys lose t h is t ou r n am en t , you gu ys d efin it ely sh ou ld n ’t feel lik e
you ’r e a d isgr ace t o t h e Acad em y, b ecau se all of you aver age ou t t o on ly 14 year s
old . I b elieve t h at it ’s im p ossib le for a n y ot h er acad em y t o h ave st u d en t s t h at
ar e su p er ior t o you gu ys at t h is age. W h at w e n eed t o d o n ow is p r ay t h at lu ck is
st ill on ou r sid e, t h at t h e n ext m a t ch w ill b e a t eam b at t le again . I sim ilar ly h ave
b u t on e r eq u est for you all t h at you m u st accom p lish at all cost s, an d t h at is you r
safet y. I k n ow you r h ear t s m u st d efin it ely b e b u r st in g w it h en er gy t o w in t h is
m at ch . H ow ever , vict or y is n ot h in g com p ar ed t o you r safet y.”
“I h op e I can b r in g ever y sin gle on e of you b ack in on e p iece, t h e sam e w ay I

b r ou gh t you gu ys h er e. Ever y sin gle on e of you is t h e m ost valu ab le t r easu r e t o
t h e acad em y. H u m a n s on ly h ave on e ch an ce at life, an d w e can ’t r egen er at e ou r
lim b s eit h er . Sin ce t h at ’s t h e case, I h op e you gu ys w on ’t figh t w it h you r lives
on t h e lin e, or t o t h e p oin t w h er e you becom e cr ip p led in you r effor t s t o st ak e
ever yt h in g on t h is m at ch . W e d on ’t n eed t o you t o d o som et h in g lik e t h at . You
gu ys h ave alr ea d y d o n e you r b est . In a n y even t , you d on ’t n eed t o feel p r essu r ed
b ecau se of ever yt h in g t h e ou t sid e w or ld says ab ou t u s. T h e t ou r n am en t st age is
n ot h in g b u t a st age for you gu ys t o d isp lay you r selves, an d n ot h in g else. You
gu ys ar e on ly goin g on a r elaxin g jou r n ey.”
W an g Yan sp ok e ever y w or d w it h t h e u t m ost sin cer it y. H e w as m or e

em ot ion ally ch ar ged n ow , p air ed w it h t h e w or r y h e h eld t ow ar d s t h em . H e w as
en t ir ely cer t ain t h at ot h er t each er s accom p an yin g t h eir t eam s t o t h e
Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t d efin it ely w ou ld n ’t
t ell t h eir st u d en t s n ot t o b e afr a id of losin g. Nor w ou ld t h ey t a k e t h e in it iat ive t o
b r in g t h eir st u d en t s’ figh t in g sp ir it d ow n . Yet , W an g Yan w as d oin g ju st t h a t
n ow .
H ow ever , h e cou ld clear ly see t h e r agin g flam es b u r n in g in ever yon e’s eyes.
T h ese ch ild r en h ad com e far fr om t h eir ap p r eh en sion t ow ar d t h e t ou r n am en t

at t h e st ar t , p r ogr essin g t o t h e r esolu t ion t h ey h ad sh ow n lat er an d en d in g w it h
t h e p r id e t h ey n ow h ad t o u p h old Sh r ek ’s glor y. T h at p r id e h ad alr ead y filled
t h eir h ear t s w it h t h e in t en t ion t o figh t . H ow cou ld t h ey p ossib ly give u p on t h e
t ou r n am en t n ow an d let t h e con secu t ive vict or ies Sh r ek Acad em y h eld for m an y
year s en d w it h t h em ?
W an g Yan in ah led d eep ly an d st ood u p b efor e sp eak in g in a low t on e. “Let ’s

go, ch ild r en . It ’s t im e w e r elax.”
At t h at , h e feign ed a r elaxed lau gh an d w as t h e fir st t o leave. H ow ever , w h en
h e t u r n ed ar ou n d , h e su d d en ly h ad a gr a ve exp r ession on h is face. As t h e t each er
in ch ar ge, t h e p r essu r e h e w a s sh ou ld er in g w as even h eavier ! Ad m it t ed ly, Sh r ek
Acad em y’s lon g-h eld glor y w as n ot on ly a d r ivin g for ce for t h e st u d en t s, b u t w as
sim ilar ly an im m en se p r essu r e t h ey h ad t o face t oo. W an g Yan d id n ’t even d ar e
t o im agin e w h at it w ou ld b e lik e for a r ep r esen t a t ive t eam t o ap p ear in Sh r ek
Acad em y aft er a loss. H e d id n ’t k n ow h ow h e w as goin g t o fa ce t h e aca d em y if
t h ey d id lose. Even if t h e fau lt d id n ’t lie w it h h im , W an g Yan an d t h ese ch ild r en
b eh in d h im w ou ld b e t h e on es w h o h ad d isgr aced t h e acad em y. T h e m at t er h e
w as even m or e w or r ied ab ou t w as t h e ser iou s m en t al b u r d en t h ese ch ild r en
w ou ld h ave t o b ear fr om t h at p oin t on w ar d s, affect in g t h eir d evelop m en t for all
t h eir lives. As a r esu lt of t h at , h e w as alw ays ad visin g t h em in t h e h op es t h at
t h ey cou ld r elax. H ow ever , t h e ou t com e w as n ot id eal, for h e on ly saw a st r on g
w ill t o figh t in t h em .
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow h ow t h e ot h er s felt . All h e k n ew w as t h at h is b lood

w as b u r n in g in h is b od y. T h er e w as n o fear or w or r y in h im , for h e on ly w ish ed
t o figh t for Sh r ek Acad em y, an d w ou ld d o an yt h in g h e cou ld t o u p h old t h eir
glor y. If b u r n in g h is b lood cou ld in cr ease h is st r en gt h , h e w ou ld d o it w it h ou t
givin g it a secon d t h ou gh t .
It ’d b een m o r e t h an a year sin ce h e’d en t er ed Sh r ek Acad em y. H e’d for m ed

fr ien d sh ip s h e h a d n ever h ad in h is life b efor e, an d r eceived t en d er lovin g car e
fr om t h e w h ole aca d em y. On e cou ld sa y t h at h e h ad lear n ed m or e in t h is year
t h an h e h ad in h is last d ecad e. H e’d alr ead y fallen d eep ly in love w it h t h is
acad em y an d ever y sin gle on e of h is com r ad es b y h is sid e.
H e w ou ld d o an yt h in g h e cou ld for t h e acad em y. T h at w as h is lifelon g h op e,

ju st lik e h ow h e h ad n ’t h esit at ed in m ak in g h is d ecision t o b ecom e a gu ar d ian .
H e n eed ed t o d efen d Sh r ek Acad em y’s glor y n ow . In h is h ear t , t h is in it self w as
alr ead y a glor y in it s ow n r igh t . H ow cou ld W an g Yan ’s w or d s d isp el h is figh t in g
sp ir it for t h is glor y an d Sh r ek ’s glor y? H is h ear t w as b u r n in g, an d h is b lood w as
b oilin g. T h er e w as n o sen se of failu r e in h is h ear t , on ly t h e glor y accom p an yin g
vict or y.
T h e ot h er s all h ad t h e sam e exp r ession in t h eir eyes as H u o Yu h ao. T h e m at ch
t od ay w as in evit ab ly goin g t o b e t h e m ost d ifficu lt on e, yet it w as sim ilar ly t h e
on e t im e t h eir coh esion w as t h e st r on gest . T h e seven m on st er s w er e all of on e
h ear t . At t h is m om en t , t h ey t r u ly con sid er ed t h em selves t o b e Sh r ek ’s Seven
M on st er s.
T h ey left t h e Gr an d Im p er ial St a r H ot el an d h ead ed t ow ar d St ar Lu o Plaza.

T h ey cou ld feel t h e fir m n ess of t h e ear t h w it h ever y st ep t h ey t ook , ju st lik e t h e
u n yield in g con vict ion t h ey h ad at t h is ver y m om en t .
T h ey h ad t o w in , w in , w in !
T h e at m osp h er e in St ar Lu o Plaza w as st ill as r iled u p a s b efor e. Sh r ek

Acad em y w as goin g t o ap p ear again t od a y. W h at su r p r ises w ou ld t h ey b r in g t o
t h e au d ien ce?
In all of t h e t h r ee m at ch es Sh r ek Acad em y h ad ap p ear ed in b efor e, on e cou ld

say t h at ever y m at ch h ad b r ou gh t d iffer en t st u n n in g su r p r ises t o t h e au d ien ce.
H u o Yu h ao w as m yst er iou s, Xu San sh i h ad an im p eccab le d efen ce, an d t h e
seem in gly-d isor d er ly t eam act u ally h ad gor geou s coor d in at ion . An d n o on e
cou ld for get h ow H e Cait ou h ad fou gh t w it h h is Sou l T ool For t r ess. Ever y sin gle
b at t le h ad left a last in g im p r ession on t h e au d ien ce.
Even t h ou gh t h e au d ien ce also fou n d it ver y st r an ge t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h ad

d ep loyed so m an y st u d en t s w h o on ly h ad fou r sou l r in gs, t h ey d id n ’t give it t oo
m u ch t h ou gh t , sin ce Sh r ek h ad a lw ays em er ged vict or iou s.
Sh r ek Acad em y w as on ce again t h e fir st t eam t o t ak e t h e st age. On t h e ot h er

h an d , t h eir u p com in g op p on en t s h ad easily ob t ain ed t h eir vict or ies so far
d u r in g t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t , a n d t h is even in clu d ed t h e T h ou san d
Sp ir it s Acad em y t h at t h e Sh r ek ’s t eam h ad faced p r eviou sly. Aft er all, t h is t eam
w as on e t h at h ad en t er ed t h e p r eviou s q u ar t er fin als.
Ever yon e in t h e a u d ien ce t h ou gh t t h is m at ch w ou ld b e a p ow er fu l

con fr on t at ion b et w een t h e t w o t eam s d u e t o t h eir p r eviou s p er for m an ces.
Nat u r a lly, t h er e w er e d iffer en ces even am on g t h e st r on g. In t h e eyes of
ever yon e p r esen t , Sh r ek w asn ’t on t h e sam e level as a ll of t h e ot h er acad em ies
p r esen t ; it w as a n exist en ce ak in t o t h at of a sover eign . H ow ever , t h ey all w ish ed
for Sh r ek ’s op p on en t s t o b e a lit t le st r on ger , so as t o allow t h em t o w at ch a m or e
in t er est in g figh t .
Sh r ek ’s seven com b at an t s w er e n ow a t t h eir p eak con d it ion as t h ey en t er ed

t h e r est in g ar ea. Now , all t h ey n eed ed t o d o w as w ait for t h e st ar t of t h e m at ch .
T h e m em b er s of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y on ce

again ar r ived in t h e ar en a. T h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at t h ey w er e st ill t r yin g t o
ob ser ve Sh r ek ’s over all st r en gt h .
M u Ru lon g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t fu r r ow h is b r ow s as h e saw t h e sam e seven

p eop le fr om Sh r ek w alk ou t . H e w as ver y con fid en t in h is ow n ju d gem en t , b u t
w as Sh r ek goin g t o for feit t h is com p et it ion ? If h is p r ed ict ion s w er e w r on g, h ow
w ou ld t h ey t ak e o n t h eir p ow er fu l op p on en t t od ay? Or p er h ap s, w er e h is
p r ed ict ion s all w r on g?
A ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh h is eyes, an d M a Ru lon g w as n ear ly lost con fid en ce

in h im self.
W an g Yan ’s cu r r en t exp r ession w as evid en t ly som ew h at u n sigh t ly. It w ou ld
b e a lie t o say t h at h e w asn ’t feelin g n er vou s r igh t n ow . H e cou ld n ’t fat h om
im agin in g h ow t h e au d ien ce w ou ld r eact if Sh r ek lost t h is m at ch t h at w as b ein g
w at ch ed b y su ch a lar ge cr ow d . At t h at t im e, t h e p r essu r e of losin g w ou ld all b e
for ced on t o t h e b od ies of t h e ch ild r en in fr on t of h im ! Cou ld t h ey en d u r e it ?
H ow ever , h e cou ld n ’t for feit of h is ow n accor d , as d oin g som et h in g lik e t h a t
w ou ld b e even m o r e d isast r o u s. T h e alw ays-w ise W an g Yan n ow h ad h is
t h ou gh t s in a w h ir l. Even if t h ey w er e t o follow t h e st r at egy for t h e t eam figh t
t h at t h ey h ad p lan n ed , t h eir ch an ces of w in n in g w ou ld n ’t b e t oo gr eat . T h er e
w as n o n eed t o even m en t ion w h et h er lu ck w ou ld b e on t h eir sid e t h en .
As t im e p assed secon d b y secon d , t h e su n h a d alr ea d y r isen h igh fr om t h e

east .
T h e Em p er or of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e cam e t o t h e cit y escor t ed b y h is

m in ist er s. H e d id n ’t sit d ow n , b u t in st ead ch ose t o w alk d ir ect ly t ow ar d s t h e
r est in g ar ea t o sp ect at e t h e m at ch .
W h en h e saw t h at Sh r ek ’s t eam st ill con sist ed of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s

t h at h ad com e fr om t h e p r ep ar at or y t ea m , h e w as sligh t ly st u n n ed . Ast on ish ed ,
h e m u t t er ed t o h im self, “W as m y ju d gem en t in cor r ect ? T h at can ’t b e! J u st w h at
is Sh r ek t r yin g t o d o? W h y d id t h ey p ar t icip at e in t h is t ou r n a m en t w it h a lin eu p
lik e t h is? I h ave t o see w h et h er t h ese you n gst er s ar e r eally t r u e t alen t s lat er . I
h op e t h at t h ey’r e t r u ly t alen t s w h o fear n o t r ials.”
As h e sp ok e, h e seem ed t o r ecall a few t h in gs, an d m u t t er ed t o h im self, “H u o

Yu h ao, t w elve year s old . W an g Don g, t w elve year s old . Xiao Xiao, t w elve year s
old . Non e of t h e ot h er s ar e old er t h an fift een eit h er . It ’s n o w on d er t h ey’r e lit t le
m on st er s t h a t com e fr om Sh r ek ! H ow ever , w h at ab ou t t h eir official t eam ?
W h er e d id t h ey go?”
It w as ext r em ely ea sy for h im t o look in t o a few t h in gs a s t h e em p er or . H e h ad

b een gr eat ly in t er est ed b y Sh r ek ’s p r ep ar at or y t eam , an d h e t oo w an t ed t o see
ju st h ow far t h ese you n g k id s cou ld go, an d w h at t h ey cou ld d o.
T h e r efer ee t ook t h e st age, an d u sed t h e sou n d am p lifyin g so u l t ool t o car r y
h is voice ou t w a r d s.
“T h is is t h e fir st m at ch of t h e t h ir d r ou n d of t h e r ou n d -r ob in t ou r n am en t .
Bot h sid es, t ak e you r p osit ion s. M ay t h e r ep r esen t at ive t eam s of Sh r ek Acad em y
an d J u st sk y Acad em y en t er t h eir w ait in g ar eas. T eam lead er s, com e u p t o t h e
st age t o d r aw you r lot s for t h e t ou r n am en t for m at .”
T h at w as r igh t . T od a y, Sh r ek Acad em y h a d t o face t h e J u st sk y Ad van ced So u l

Acad em y. J u st sk y Acad em y w as id en t ical t o Sh r ek Acad em y in t h e sen se t h at
t h ey b ot h cam e fr om t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e, b u t u n lik e Sh r ek , w h ich d id n ’t
b elon g t o an y em p ir e, J u st sk y Acad em y w as a fam ou s acad em y fr om t h e
H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e t h at h a d p r od u ced a lar ge n u m b er of t a len t s.
T h e Em p ir e t h at in sist ed m ost on m ain t ain in g t r ad it ion a l sou l m ast er s an d

r eject in g sou l en gin eer s w it h in t h e con t in en t ’s fou r em p ir es w as t h e H eaven ly
Sou l Em p ir e. Becau se of t h at , J u st sk y Acad em y w as act u ally even m or e in sist en t
t ow ar d s p u r e sou l m ast er s t h an Sh r ek Acad em y. T h ey sim p ly d id n ’t even h ave a
d ivision for sou l en gin eer s; t h ey on ly n u r t u r ed sou l m ast er s. Regar d less of
w h et h er t h ey w ou ld b e w ash ed aw ay in t h e fu t u r e, J u st sk y Acad em y w as
cu r r en t ly st ill a n ot a b le acad em y t h at w as con sid er ed p ow er fu l t h r ou gh ou t t h e
con t in en t .
T h e t eam lead er of J u st sk y Acad em y w as a you t h of ar ou n d t w en t y or so, an d

h is h an d som e look s w er e com p ar ab le t o even t h ose of W an g Don g. Nat u r ally,
W an g Don g w as st ill you n g n ow , an d h e h ad yet t o m at u r e.
W an g Yan h ad t alk ed ab ou t t h is ver y t eam lead er of J u st sk y Acad em y, an d h e

h ad h ad a ver y h igh op in ion of h im . T h is p er son h ad n ever m ad e an ap p ear an ce
sin ce t h e st ar t of t h e t ou r n am en t , an d as a r esu lt W an g Yan h ad on ly b een ab le
t o ob t ain a b it of in for m at ion ab ou t h im a ft er m u ch h ar d w or k .
Ye W u qin g, n in et een . A ver y t alen t ed p er son fr om J u st sk y Acad em y, an d t h e

lead er of t h eir r ep r esen t at ive t eam . H is m ar t ial sou l w a s t h e Gold en Leaf, an d h e
w as a Ran k 58 assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er w h o w as ext r em ely p ow er fu l. H e h ad
alr ead y r ep r esen t ed J u st sk y Acad em y as a m em b er of t h e official t eam in t h e
last t ou r n am en t , an d n ow h e w as t h e cor n er st on e of h is cu r r en t t eam .
If it ju st so h ap p en ed t h a t h e h ad t u r n ed t w en t y t h is year , t h er e w ou ld ’ve
b een a ver y h igh ch an ce of h im b r eak in g t h r ou gh t o Ran k 60 , b ecom in g J u st sk y
Acad em y’s fir st -ever Sou l Em p er or t o p a r t icip at e in t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced
Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t .
If t h at h ad b een t h e case, J u st sk y Acad em y w ou ld ’ve for m ally join ed t h e

r an k s of t h e t op -r an k ed acad em ies.
Ye W u qin g’s p h ysiq u e w asn ’t t oo d iffer en t fr om Bei Bei’s. Un lik e Bei Bei’s
sch olar lin ess, h ow ever , h e h ad a m u ch cold er d isp osit ion . A cold ligh t flick er ed
t h r ou gh h is eyes as h e look ed at Bei Bei.
T h e au r a Bei Bei em an at ed w as com p ar a t ively w eak er t h an Ye W u qin g’s. It

w asn ’t ju st a m at t er of cu lt ivat ion , b u t d u e t o t h eir ages. Aft er all, t h e n in et een -
year -old Ye W u q in g h ad alr ead y m at u r ed , w h ile t h e fift een -year -old Bei Bei w as
st ill a you t h .
Bei Bei h ad a sm ile on h is face as t h eir gazes m et , b u t h is eyes w er e ext r em ely

r esolu t e an d focu sed ; Ye W u q in g’s gaze w as lik e a sh ar p b la d e t h a t w an t ed t o
fin d a h ole in h is b od y an d p ier ce t h r o u gh it .
T h e r efer ee said in a low voice, “Lot -d r a w in g, st ar t . M ay b ot h p ar t ies act as a

w it n ess t o t h is.”
W an g Yan w as alr ead y n er vou sly clu t ch in g h is ar m r est s a s h e sat in t h e

w ait in g ar ea. H e in w ar d ly p r ayed for a t eam figh t . On e cou ld say t h at all of h is
p lan s h ad b een b ased ar ou n d a t eam figh t . Fu r t h er m or e, t h at w as t h e on ly w ay
t h ey h ad a ch an ce of w in n in g! Con ver sely, t h ey w ou ld n ’t h ave a sin gle ch an ce if
t h ey d id n ’t get a t ea m figh t !
W h ile ever yon e w ait ed for t h e r esu lt s of t h e lot -d r aw in g w it h b at ed b r ea t h s,

t h e ou t com e of t h e lot -d r aw in g fin ally ca m e ou t at t h is m om en t .
Even Bei Bei, w h o w as b u r n in g w it h figh t in g in t en t , in st an t ly h ad a ch an ge in
exp r ession aft er seein g t h e ou t com e of t h e lot -d r aw in g. T h is t im e, lu ck h ad n ’t
sid ed w it h Sh r ek ; t h is r esu lt w as w h at t h ey d id n ’t w ish t o see t h e m ost .
T h e r efer ee said in a lou d voice, “T h e m at ch b et w een Sh r ek Acad em y an d

J u st sk y Acad em y w ill b e h eld as a 2-2-3 m at ch . In ot h er w or d s, w e w ill h ave t w o
2v2 m at ch es b efor e a 3v3 m a t ch . T w o ou t of t h r ee vict or ies is su fficien t t o w in
t h e w h ole m at ch , so if a sid e w in s b ot h of t h e 2v2 m at ch es, t h e 3v3 m at ch w ill b e
can celled . M ay b ot h t eam lead er s st ep d ow n an d m ak e t h eir p r ep ar at ion s.”
W an g Yan felt h is h ead b u zz for a m om en t b efor e goin g b lan k t h e in st an t h e

saw t h at t h ey h ad d r aw n t h e 2-2-3 lot .
H ow w ou ld t h ey figh t t h is 2-2-3 m at ch ? T h ey p r act ically h ad n o ch an ce at all

w h en facin g J u st sk y Acad em y, w h ich h ad t h r ee Sou l Kin gs! Over , ever yt h in g
w as over . W an g Yan , w h o h ad or igin ally h ad som e sem b lan ce of w ish fu l
t h in k in g, w as n ow left com p let ely d isap p oin t ed . It seem ed a s t h ou gh all of t h e
en er gy fr om h is b od y w as su ck ed d r y as h e sat in h is ch air .
Bei Bei’s foot st ep s w er e clear ly st iffer as h e w alk ed b ack . T h e exp r ession s of

t h e ot h er six of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s b ecam e gloom y. T h er e w as alr ead y n o
u se for t h e p r ep ar at ion s t h ey h ad m ad e b efor e t h e m at ch . T h e r eason w h y W an g
Yan h ad n ’t m ad e an y p r ep ar at ion s for t h e ot h er t w o t ou r n a m en t for m at s w as
b ecau se t h ey sim p ly h ad n o ch an ce of w in n in g in t h em at all.
“Ch ild r en , list en t o m e.” W an g Yan gr it t ed h is t eet h an d st ood u p , a sin cer e

look in h is eyes as h e look ed a t t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s in fr on t of h im .
“Let ’s ad m it d efeat . At t h e ver y least , t h is can b e con sid er ed a st r at egic d efeat .
Let ’s m ak e it so t h at ou r op p on en t s w on ’t b e ab le t o fu lly u n d er st an d ou r
con d it ion .”
“No.” Bei Bei let ou t a r esolu t e, low sh ou t , “If w e r u n w it h ou t a figh t , w e can ’t

b e con sid er ed st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y. T each er W an g, n o m at t er w h a t , let
u s give it a t r y. Even if w e lose, w e h ave t o lose con t en t ed ly. W e’ll lose w it h ou t
an y r egr et s. T each er W an g, you ’ve alr ead y d on e a lot for u s. Now , it ’ll all r ely
on u s. Fr om n ow on , can you let m e lead t h e t eam ?”
At t h is m om en t , Bei Bei’s sch olar ly au r a su d d en ly t u r n ed in t o a p ow er fu l on e;

it seem ed as if h e co u ld con t r ol ever yon e seat ed in t h e w ait in g ar ea. H is cu r r en t
gaze w as clear ly m u ch m or e con cen t r at ed t h a n u su al, a n d a n y t r aces of lazin ess
h ad com p let ely van ish ed . It w as as t h o u gh a sleep in g lion t h at w as filled w it h
u n r iva lled t yr an n y h ad b een aw ak en ed .
W an g Yan n od d ed p r act ically in st an t ly, b ecau se h e k n ew t h at p er su asion

w ou ld n ’t w or k at all. H e su d d en ly felt t h a t Bei Bei’s eyes w er e ver y t er r ifyin g, as
if t h ey cou ld sw a llow a m an w h ole. H e cou ld even see t h e figh t in g in t en t t h a t
w as b u r n in g t h r ou gh h is eyes.
“J u n ior b r ot h er s, ju n ior sist er s, let m e ask you a sin gle q u est ion : ar e you
w illin g t o ju st lose a n d t h r ow aw ay Sh r ek ’s glor y?” Bei Bei ask ed in a low voice,
h is fist s clen ch ed t igh t ly.
H u o Yu h ao h ad n ever seen h is sen ior b r ot h er act so ser iou sly. T h e six of t h em

p r act ically sim u lt an eou sly r ep lied , “W e’r e n ot w illin g.” At t h is m om en t , a fier y
b laze seem ed t o h ave ign it ed fr om t h eir h ead s. T h is w as clea r ly t h e st r en gt h of
con vict ion t h at cam e fr om a u n it y of w ills!
“Good !” Bei Bei said solem n ly, “Now , I’ll ar r an ge t h e or d er in w h ich w e’ll go
ou t . I’ll leave you gu ys t o p lan you r ow n st r at egies. I b elieve t h at w e h ave t h e
st r en gt h t o figh t aga in st ou r op p on en t s an d w in in t h e en d . W e n eed t o b u r n ,
b u r n ou r so u l p ow er , b u r n ou r ow n b od ies, an d even b u r n ou r ow n lives for t h e
sak e of Sh r ek ’s glor y. T od ay, w e n eed t o figh t , t o figh t for w h at w e can call ou r
fu t u r e. T h e on ly w a y w e can st an d st r a igh t an d call ou r selves Sh r ek ’s Seven
M on st er s is b y w in n in g t od ay. W e w on ’t lose an y face for t h e t it le ‘Sh r ek ’s
Seven M on st er s’!”
Bei Bei sp ok e in a ver y d eep yet p ow er fu l voice. H is gaze fell on h is close

b r ot h er , Xu San sh i fir st .
“San sh i, you ’r e u p fir st .”
Xu San sh i n od d ed . At t h is m om en t , h e aw ak en ed t h e d om in eer in g at t it u d e h e
n or m ally k ep t h id d en , set t in g it ab laze a s h is w ill t o figh t . H e sq u in t ed h is eyes
sligh t ly, a cold glin t sh in in g in t h em . “I w ill d efin it ely w in t h e fir st m at ch .
Eit h er t h ey’ll b eat m e t ill I can ’t get u p an ym or e, or I’ll em er ge vict or iou s.
W h o’s p ar t en er in g u p w it h m e? You ?”
Bei Bei sh ook h is h ead an d said , “No. If w e b ot h ap p ear in t h e fir st r ou n d , t h e

follow in g m at ch es w ill b e ver y d ifficu lt for t h e t eam even if w e w in . I n eed t o
st ay b eh in d an d over see t h e t eam .”
H is gaze sh ift ed t o J ian g Nan n an st an d in g b esid e h im . T h er e w as a d eep an d

sin cer e look in h is eyes as h e said , “Nan n an , I d on 't k n ow w h at h ap p en ed
b et w een you an d San sh i in t h e p ast for you t o look d ow n on h im so. Non e of
t h at is im p or t an t t o ou r p r esen t for m at ion . I h op e you can p u t d ow n all p er son al
gr u d ges for t h e m om en t . You m u st figh t w it h h im . T h e b est ou t com e w ill on ly
occu r w h en you b ot h w or k t oget h er . Aft er t h is m a t ch en d s, I’ll b eat h im u p for
you if you w an t . Bu t n ow , I’m ask in g an d or d er in g you as you r cap t ain t o figh t
t h e fir st m at ch w it h San sh i. W ill you d o it or n ot ?”
J ian Nan n an w as st u n n ed . Sh e h ad r ea lly n ever exp ect ed Bei Bei t o p air h er

w it h Xu San sh i. Fr om h er p oin t of view , H u o Yu h ao sh ou ld b e t h e on e figh t in g
w it h Xu San sh i, n ot h er . Bu t on ce h er eyes m et Bei Bei’s h on est gaze, an d feelin g
h er com r ad es’ gazes on h er , J ian g Nan n an on ly gr it t ed h er t eet h an d said , “Fin e,
I’ll go.”
Bei Bei n od d ed for cefu lly at h er . “T h an k you . Now go. Let t h em see t h e p ow er
of Sh r ek ’s Seven M o n st er s.”
“Yes.” J ian g Nan n a n n od d ed ligh t ly. W it h ou t even glan cin g in Xu San sh i’s
gen er al d ir ect ion , sh e w alk ed ou t of t h e w ait in g ar ea in a flash an d h ead ed u p t o
t h e st age fir st .
Xu San sh i qu ick ly ch ased aft er h er . W h en h e w alk ed p assed Bei Bei, h e st u ck

h is t h u m b u p . “Bei Bei, I love you .”
“Scr am !” Bei Bei h u ffed u n h ap p ily. “If you can ’t w in even lik e t h is, d on ’t
com e b ack !”
“I’ll cast r at e m yself if I d on ’t w in .” Xu San sh i st r od e u p o n st age aft er h e

t h r ew t h ose w or d s ou t .
T h e five ot h er m em b er s of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s r ealised t h at aft er h e said

t h at , h is w h ole d em ean or su d d en ly u n d er w en t an ear t h -sh a t t er in g ch an ge.
W an g Yan ’s m ood r ecover ed a lit t le at t h is m om en t u n d er t h e in flu en ce of t h e

in t en se w ill t o figh t com in g fr om Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. H e t em p or ar ily let go
of h is w or r ies an d sp ok e t o Bei Bei in a low voice. “Bei Bei, w h y d id you p air
J ian g Nan n an an d Xu San sh i t oget h er ? W it h Xu San sh i’s d efen sive ab ilit ies,
w ou ld n ’t it b e b e b et t er t o p air h im w it h H e Cait ou ’s exp losiv e fir ep ow er ?”
Bei Bei sh ook h is h ead an d said , “T each er W an g, you d on ’t u n d er st an d

San sh i. W h a t h e n eed s isn ’t fir ep ow er , b u t r a t h er som et h in g t o ar ou se all of h is
p ow er . T h er e’s n o on e m or e su it ed for t h is t h an J ian g Nan n an . J ian g Nan n an
w ill b e t h e d et on at or t o set h im on fir e. J u st w ait an d see. San sh i’s st r en gt h is
n ot h in g com p ar ed t o w h at it w as b efor e. H e w ill r eveal h is t r u e cu lt ivat ion t o
u s. I b elieve h e can w in t h is m at ch !”
W an g Yan n od d ed ligh t ly. Sin ce h e’d h a n d ed over t h e r igh t t o com m an d t h e

t eam t o Bei Bei, h e cou ld n ow on ly give h im h is u n con d it ion al t r u st . M or eover ,
t h ey w er e in a d esp er at e sit u at ion w h er e an yt h in g goes, aft er all. T h er e w as on e
p oin t Bei Bei m ad e t h at h e h igh ly ap p r oved of. T h ey w er e t w o r em ar k ab le
p eop le livin g in t h e sam e p er iod . Did t h ey lack st u d en t s w it h fou r sou l r in gs in
t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ? No! W h y w er e t h ey b lossom in g w it h t h e m ost r esp len d en t
ligh t ? T h er e m u st d efin it ely b e a r eason b eh in d t h at .
For t h e fir st t im e, W an g Yan felt as t h ou gh h e h ad a lit t le con fid en ce in t h e

t eam again .
Aft er J ian g Nan n an w en t on st age, sh e st ood t o t h e sid e w it h ou t con su lt in g

an yon e. Aft er Xu Sa n sh i follow ed h er u p on st age, h e d id som et h in g ou t of J ian g
Nan n an ’s exp ect at ion s. H e d id n ’t gr eet h er , n or d id h e say an yt h in g. H e on ly
st ood in fr on t of h er in a ver y n at u r al m a n n er .
J ian g Nan n an look ed at Xu San sh i’s b r oa d sh ou ld er s, an d a d u ll look su d d en ly

ap p ear ed in h er eyes. In t h is m om en t , h e seem ed t o h ave ch a n ged in t o a p er son
filled w it h m ascu lin it y. T h er e w as an in t en se con fid en ce oozin g ou t of h im t h at
sh e cou ld n ’t m ak e sen se of. W it h ou t r elea sin g t h e sligh t est b it of h is sou l p ow er ,
Xu San sh i m ad e on e feel as t h ou gh h e w as a m assive sh in in g en t it y. H e look ed
lik e a volcan o t h at cou ld er u p t at an y t im e.
W h at ’s w r on g w it h h im ? Is it b ecau se of m e? T o J ian g Nan n an ’s su r p r ise,

su ch a t h ou gh t act u ally for m ed in h er m in d . Sh e qu ick ly sh ook h er h ead
for cefu lly t o exp el su ch d ist r act in g t h ou gh t s fr om h er m in d . Sh e look ed at Xu
San sh i st an d in g in fr on t of h er again a n d felt t h a t h e w asn ’t as h at efu l as h e
u su ally w as in t h is k in d of sit u at ion , t o say t h e least . If it w asn ’t b ecau se of t h a t
t im e… m ayb e sh e w ou ld r eally b e at t r act ed t o h im ?
J u st as J ian g Nan n a n let h er im agin at ion r u n w ild , J u st sk y Acad em y’s fir st

2v2 t eam t ook t h e field .
T h eir p air w as also com p r ised of a b oy an d a gir l, w it h figu r es t h at w er e even

a lit t le sim ilar t o Xu San sh i an d J ian g Nan n an . T h e gir l w as ver y b eau t ifu l.
Un for t u n at ely, lu ck w as n ot on h er sid e in t h is r ou n d , as sh e h ad en cou n t er ed
t h e on e k n ow n as t h e n u m b er on e b eau t y in t h e ou t er cou r t yar d of Sh r ek
Acad em y - J ian g Nan n an . Un d er J ian g Nan n an ’s sh in in g b eau t y, sh e seem ed t o
b e a lit t le d r ab a n d d u ll. Even t h e b oy st an d in g n ext t o h er cou ld n ’t con t r ol h is
gaze as it fell on J ian g Nan n an fir st .
“Xu San sh i. Sh e’s J ian g Nan n an ,” Xu San sh i said in a low voice.
A 2v2 b at t le cou ld n ’t com p ar e t o a t eam b at t le. T eam w or k w as m ost

im p or t an t in t eam b at t les, an d t h er e w asn ’t a ch an ce t o d ist in gu ish t h e
m em b er s ap ar t fr om on e an ot h er . W an g Yan h ad given t h em a r u n d ow n on
ever y on e of t h eir op p on en t s, b u t t h ey’d n ever seen t h eir op p on en t s b efor e, n or
h ad t h ey p aid at t en t ion t o t h em , so it w asn ’t easy t o t ell w h o w as w h o. T h u s,
t h ey in t r od u ced t h em selves fir st so t h a t t h ey cou ld see w h o t h eir op p on en t s
w er e as t h u s b e ab le t o act on W an g Yan ’s in for m at ion .
“I’m Yan g Yifan ,” said t h e you t h fr om J u st sk y Acad em y.
T h e gir l glan ced a t J ian g Nan n an w it h a sligh t ly en viou s look in h er eyes t h a t

w as d ir ect ed at t h e ot h er p ar t y’s for look in g im m at u r e, yet b ein g r em ar k ab ly
b eau t ifu l. “Yu M en gd i.”
It ’s t h ese t w o. Xu Sa n sh i su d d en ly k n ew w h at w as goin g on . Su r e en ou gh , on e
of t h em w as a Sou l Kin g. It seem ed lik e t h eir op p on en t s a lso d id n ’t p lan on
st ak in g all t h eir st r en gt h on on e t h r ow .
Seein g as b ot h p ar t ies h ad in t r od u ced t h em selves, t h e r efer ee called ou t in a

low voice, “Bot h p ar t ies fall b ack an d get r ead y.”
Bot h p ar t ies sim u lt a n eou sly b ack ed aw ay fr om on e an ot h er . It w as a m u st t o

cr eat e d ist an ce b et w een b ot h p ar t ies r egar d less of w h et h er it w as a t eam b at t le,
sin gles or d ou b les. T h is w as so t h at all t yp es of sou l m ast er s cou ld fr eely d isp lay
t h eir ab ilit ies.
Xu San sh i sp ok e t o J ian g Nan n an in a low voice as h e b ack ed aw ay. “Nan n an ,

I’ll cr eat e an op en in g for you . W e’ll w in as lon g as w e get r id of Yu M en gd i. You
d on ’t n eed t o b ot h er w it h t h e ot h er on e. I w on ’t give h im a ch an ce t o at t ack you .
You ’ll h ave t o w ait , t h en go all-ou t in you r at t ack w h en I t ell you t o. Befor e t h at ,
ju st focu s on w h at I’m d oin g.”
“Ok ay,” J ian g Nan n an m u t t er ed in agr eem en t . Sin ce sh e h ad t o coop er at e

w it h h im in t h is m at ch , sh e cou ld n ’t flar e u p at t h is t im e r egar d less of h ow
m u ch sh e h a t ed Xu San sh i.
Xu San sh i w as ecst a t ic. H e su d d en ly felt h is h ear t b ein g t ick led w h en J ian g

Nan n an said t h is. It w as r ar e for h er t o be so gen t le an d agr eeab le, so m ayb e h e
felt t h at w ay b ecau se sh e’d scold ed h im t oo m u ch on a d aily b asis.
W h en b ot h p ar t ies r each ed t h e ed ge of t h e t ou r n am en t st age, t h e r efer ee

sh ou t ed ou t , “St ar t !”
W it h ou t a d ou b t , r eleasin g m ar t ial sou ls w as k ey in a figh t . Bot h p ar t ies

fin ish ed t h is p r ocess in t h e b lin k of an eye. Xu San sh i d id n ’t ap p ear t o b e lazy
t h is t im e ar ou n d . H e h eld t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le in h is h an d s as h e
ch ar ged u p in b ig st r id es. J ian g Nan n a n flash ed an d b ou n ced ligh t ly b eh in d
h im .
Sin ce Xu San sh i w a s r elat ively r ob u st com p ar ed t o t h ose in h is age gr ou p ,

J ian g Nan n an w as p r act ically in visib le fr om t h e fr on t as sh e h id b eh in d h im .
On t h e ot h er en d , Yan g Yifan an d Yu M en gd i r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls t oo.

Yan g Yifan ’s m ar t ial sou l w as a lon g d a gger . In r ealit y, h e w as an agilit y-t yp e
sou l m ast er d esp it e h is t all p h ysiq u e. H is b od y flash ed as h e m oved ar ou n d an d
over t o t h e ot h er sid e.
Yu M en gd i’s m a r t ia l sou l w asn ’t t h at sim p le. On ce sh e r eleased h er m ar t ial

sou l, m u ch of t h e feelin g of b ein g st u n n ed w as som ew h at sim ilar t o w h en W an g
Don g r eleased h is Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess for t h e fir st t im e.
A p air of sp ot lessly w h it e w in gs sh in in g w it h st r on g gold en r ays of ligh t

u n fu r led fr om h er b ack . Yu M en gd i w as su d d en ly cover ed in a soft layer of gold .
T h e sain t ly au r a sh e em it t ed m a d e on e feel as t h ou gh t h ey w an t ed t o w or sh ip
h er .
H er h an d flash ed w it h gold en ligh t , an d a lon g gold en sw or d ap p ear ed w it h in

it . T h is w asn ’t a sou l t ool, b u t r at h er a w eap on con d en sed com p let ely ou t of sou l
p ow er . Five sou l r in gs for m ed of t h e b est p r op or t ion s, t w o yellow , t w o p u r p le,
an d on e b lack , sim u lt an eou sly ap p ear ed on h er .
A b lack sou l r in g m ean t t h at a t en -t h ou sa n d -year sou l r in g h a d ap p ear ed . T h is

w as t h e fir st t im e Sh r ek Acad em y h ad en cou n t er ed an op p on en t w h o h ad a t en -
t h ou san d -year sou l r in g in t h is t ou r n am en t .
J u st sk y Acad em y valu ed t h is fir st m at ch a lot . Am on g t h e t h r ee Sou l Kin gs,

Yu M en gd i’s cu lt ivat ion w as r an k ed secon d , an d sh e w as on ly secon d t o Ye
W u qin g. H er m a r t ial sou l w as t h e An gel. Even if it w as on ly a t w o-w in ged An gel
n ow , it w as alr ead y a con sid er ab ly p ow er fu l m ar t ial sou l. If h er cu lt ivat ion
cou ld r each t h e r an k of a sou l m ast er w it h seven sou l r in gs, t h en sh e w ou ld h ave
fou r w in gs. If sh e w as ab le t o b ecom e a T it led Dou lu o w it h n in e sou l r in gs, sh e
w ou ld h ave six w in gs. Ever y ad d it ion al p air of w in gs w as eq u ivalen t t o an
evolu t ion of h er m a r t ial sou l. T h is w as closest t o t h e st r on gest b od y sou l in
exist en ce.
As a r esu lt of t h at , Yu M en gd i w asn ’t w eak er t h an Ye W u qin g in t h e sligh t est

in t er m s of h er p ot en t ial t o gr ow . T h ey w er e b ot h d et er m in ed t o w in t h is
m at ch .
T h e au d ien ce cou ld n ’t see t h e p r ob lem Sh r ek Acad em y h ad . H ow ever , a few

in d iv id u als fr om ot h er acad em ies w h o h ad d iscer n in g eyes cou ld see m a n y
p r ob lem s w it h Sh r ek Acad em y’s p er for m an ce fr om t h eir p r eviou s m a t ch es.
J u st sk y Acad em y w as am on g t h ose w h o h ad seen t h r ou gh t h em .
As a r esu lt of t h at , h e w as filled w it h excit em en t r a t h er t h an fear as h e faced

Sh r ek Acad em y t od a y.
Chapt er 89.1: The Xuanwu's Awakening
J u st sk y Acad em y r ealized t h at t h is w asn ’t Sh r ek Acad em y’s st r on gest p air .

Even so, t h ey st ill r ep r esen t ed Sh r ek Acad em y. As lon g as t h ey cou ld d efeat
t h em , t h at w ou ld m ak e t h em t h e fir st t eam t o d efeat Sh r ek Acad em y in t h e last
few t h ou san d year s! Su ch a vict or y an d it s glor y w ou ld b e in v alu ab le t o J u st sk y
Acad em y’s.
T h is w as w h y J u st sk y Acad em y h ad w or k ed h ar d t o p r ep ar e for t h is m at ch .
T h e cir cu m st an ces m ot ivat in g t h em an d m ak in g t h em d et er m in ed t o w in t h is
m at ch .
W h en Yu M en gd i sa w t h at Sh r ek h ad on ly d ep loyed t w o Sou l An cest or s w it h

fou r sou l r in gs, sh e calm ed d ow n . Fr om h er p oin t of view , t h ey alr ead y h ad t h is
m at ch in t h e b ag. It w as a m at ch w it h Sou l Kin gs again st Sou l An cest or s,
ad d it ion ally. sh e h a d h er p ow er fu l An gel sou l. Sh e h ad ab solu t e con fid en ce in
h er ab ilit ies!
Yu M en gd i flap p ed h er w in gs, su d d en ly in cr easin g h er sp eed . H er m ovem en t

r em in iscen t of a gold en m et eor as sh e sh ot st r aigh t at Xu San sh i.
Sim u lt an eou sly, Ya n g Yifan , w h o clear ly seem ed t o b e w ell coor d in at ed w it h
h er , also m oved . H is b od y flash ed as h e p ou n ced t ow ar d s Xu San sh i fr om
an ot h er d ir ect ion . T h ey act ed as t h ou gh t h ey d id n ’t see J ian g Nan n an a t all,
m ak in g it clear t h a t t h eir t ar get w a s Xu San sh i. Fr om t h e look s of it , t h ey
w an t ed t o en d t h is m at ch w it h ju st on e a t t ack .
Xu San sh i d id n ’t p a n ic even as t h e t w o p ow er h ou ses sim u lt an eou sly at t ack ed

h im . H e slow ed d ow n an d low er ed h is voice, “Nan n an , you d on ’t h ave t o
in t er fer e. J u st w ait for m y sign al.” T h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le in h is
h an d s as h e sp ok e.
Yu M en gd i an d Yan g Yifan w er e ext r em ely w ell-coor d in at ed w it h each ot h er .
Yan g Yifan ’s d agger seem ed t o ap p r oach Xu San sh i fr om t h e sid e at n ear ly t h e
sam e t im e t h at Yu M en gd i lan d ed r igh t in fr on t of h im . T h e t w o of t h em
in st an t ly an d sim u lt an eou sly r eleased t h eir sou l sk ills.
Yu M en gd i’s fir st sou l r in g w as a lr ead y glow in g as sh e r elea sed h er gold en

sw or d s. H er secon d sou l r in g su b seq u en t ly lit u p as w ell, an d h er p air of gold en
sw or d s im m ed ia t ely for m ed a p er fect cr oss in t h e sk y. Sh e sp r ead h er w in gs ou t ,
r eleasin g gold en r ays of ligh t in t o t h e cr oss.
A b eau t ifu l an d m elod iou s sin gin g voice r an g ou t fr om t h e cr oss. Br igh t r ays
of gold en ligh t accom p an ied b y a h oly au r a p r essed in Xu Sa n sh i’s d ir ect ion .
Yu M en gd i r evealed h ow su p er ior h er An gel w as w it h ju st t h is at t ack . H er

fir st sou l sk ill w as a p ecu liar w eap on -t yp e sk ill called Divin e Du alsw or d . Aft er
equ ip p in g t h is sou l sk ill, an y ot h er sou l sk ill sh e u sed w o u ld b e r eleased t h r ou gh
h er fir st sou l sk ill.
Or d in ar y sou l m ast er s h ad t o b e ver y sk illed in or d er t o r elease st ack ed sou l

sk ills. T h e m or e sou l sk ills t h at w er e st ack ed at op on e an ot h er , t h e m or e
d ifficu lt it w as.. Not on ly d id t h e u ser h ave t o sk illfu lly con t r ol t h e sou l sk ills
b u t t h e sou l sk ills t h em selves also n eed ed t o coor d in at e w it h each ot h er . T h is
w as a h igh -en d t ech n iq u e even for Sh r ek 's in n er cou r t yar d d iscip les. Yu
M en gd i’s m ar t ial sou l h ad t h e ad van t age of n at u r ally b ein g ab le t o r elease at
least on e m or e sou l sk ill alon g w it h h er fir st sou l sk ill.
Sacr ed glor y Cr u cifix. T h at w as t h e at t ack sh e w as u sin g n ow . It w as an at t ack

t h at p ossessed all t h e effect s of a h oly at t ack . It w as n ot on ly a p ow er fu l at t ack
b u t w as also on e t h at b u r n ed w it h a p er sist en t h oly flam e. H er An gel r eally w as
t h e b est m ar t ial sou l t o r est r a in evil sou l m ast er s.
Yan g Yifan ’s at t ack w asn ’t w eak eit h er . As an agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er , h is
st r en gt h sh on e t h r ou gh in h is p ow er fu l at t ack s. H is secon d sou l r in g lit u p a s a
t w o-m et er lon g sw or d -sh ap ed glow ext en d ed ou t fr om h is d agger , p ier cin g
t ow ar d Xu San sh i’s r ib s lik e ligh t n in g.
Ever yon e h ad alw ays p aid at t en t ion t o Sh r ek Acad em y d u r in g t h e
t ou r n am en t . T h ey’d all w at ch ed Xu San sh i’s p r eviou s m at ch es, an d h is st r on g
d efen sive ab ilit ies p a ir ed w it h h is Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le h ad left a last in g
im p r ession on ever y sin gle on e of t h em .
T h is w as w h y t h e p air h ad com m en ced t h eir at t ack on a st r on g n ot e in an

at t em p t t o d est r oy Xu San sh i’s d efen se in t h e sh or t est t im e p ossib le. Nat u r ally,
J ian g Nan n an w as of lit t le im p or t an ce t o t h em , as sh e’d sh ow n h er self t o b e a
m ed iocr e con t est an t t h r ou gh ou t t h e t ou r n am en t .
Xu San sh i d id n ’t seem t o b e p an ick in g at all w h en faced w it h t h eir at t ack s.

In st ead , h e ab r u p t ly st op p ed in h is t r ack s, q u ick ly d isp ellin g t h eir a t t ack s w it h a
ver y sim p le m ove.
H is fou r t h sou l r in g glow ed , sign alin g t h at h e h ad act ivat ed h is M yst er io u s

Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t .
In t h e b lin k of an eye, Xu San sh i sw it ch ed p osit ion s w it h Yan g Yifan . Yan g

Yifan w as or igin ally st ab b in g h is d agger at Xu San sh i b u t w as n ow st ab b in g Yu
M en gd i. On t h e ot h er h an d , Yu M en gd i’s Sacr ed glor y Cr u cifix w as fallin g
st r aigh t on Yan g Yifan .
It w as in sit u a t ion s lik e t h is t h at t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t

cou ld sh ow case it s t r u e p ow er . T h e ab ilit y t o ch an ge t h e cou r se of an y b at t le at
t h e m ost cr u cial m om en t .
H ow ever , t h is w asn ’t t h e fir st t im e Xu San sh i h ad u sed t h is m ove in t h is

t ou r n am en t . H ow cou ld h is op p on en t s n ot p r ep ar e for it w h en h e h ad u sed t h is
p ow er fu l sou l sk ill n u m er ou s t im es?
Yu M en gd i h a d a d isd a in fu l look on h er face w h en Xu San sh i u sed t h e

M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t . Sh e r aised t h e h oly sw or d in h er h an d s
an d t h e Sacr ed glor y Cr u cifix flew p ast Yan g Yifan ’s h ead , h ead in g st r aigh t for
J ian g Nan n an , w h o w as n ow exp osed aft er Xu San sh i’s d od ge. Yan g Yifan d id n ’t
w it h d r aw h is d agger eit h er , b u t r a t h er , seized t h e op p or t u n it y t o flop on h is
b ack t o avoid Yu M en gd i’s a t t ack . T h e r eflect ion fr om t h e d agger car ved a
cr escen t m oon acr oss t h e sk y as h e slash ed t ow ar d s J ian g Nan n an , w h o w as n ow
b eh in d h im . T h e t ea m w or k b et w een t h em b ot h cou ld b e sa id t o b e im p eccab le
in ever y asp ect , w h et h er it w as ad ap t in g t o ch an ges or t h eir con t r ol over t h eir
t ech n iq u es.
T h e join t at t ack s in it ially d ir ect ed at Xu San sh i w er e r ed ir ect ed t o J ian g

Nan n an .
T h e on ly t h in g t h ey fou n d a lit t le st r an ge w as t h at J ian g Nan n an d id n ’t m ove

an in ch fr om w h er e sh e w as st an d in g w h en faced w it h t h eir join t at t ack . Bu t it
d efin it ely w asn ’t b ecau se sh e w as sh ock ed t o t h e b on e. H er gaze fell on Xu
San sh i at t h is m om en t , a m ock in g exp r ession on h er exqu isit ely st u n n in g face.
Sh e seem ed t o b e ask in g Xu San sh i w h et h er t h is w a s h is w ay of p r ot ect in g h er .
Xu San sh i h a d n ever exp ect ed t h eir op p on en t s t o b e so p er fect ly in syn c w it h

on e an ot h er . Even t h ou gh h e h ad gu essed t h at t h ey w ou ld t ak e cou n t er m easu r es
again st t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t , h e assu m ed t h at t h ey w ou ld
at least b e flu st er ed sin ce t h ey w er e a lr ead y at t ack in g h im . H ow ever , h e’d h a d
t h e t ab les t u r n ed on h im as t h e p air m an a ged t o b eat h im at h is ow n gam e.
T h e m ock er y in J ian g Nan n an ’s eyes seem ed t o ligh t a fir e w it h in Xu San sh i

an d h is eyes im m ed iat ely r ed d en ed .
“Scr am !” A cr azy r oar b u r st for t h fr om Xu San sh i as h e sm ash ed t h e Sh ield of

t h e Xu an w u T u r t le in t o t h e gr ou n d . A p ow er fu l b lack h alo in st an t ly ext en d ed
fr om t h e sh ield , for m in g a d om e t h at en velop ed sp an n in g m or e t h an t en sq u ar e
m et er s. As t h is occu r r ed , a r u m b lin g sou n d cou ld b e h ear d .
A p ow er fu l t r em or sen t J ian g Nan n an ’s b od y flyin g ou t of t h e d om e an d at

t h e sam e t im e en velop ed h er op p on en t s w it h in t h e d om e. Ya n g Yifan ’s d agger
failed t o st r ik e it s t ar get , b u t Yu M en gd i’s Sacr ed glor y Cr u cifix w as st ill em it t in g
an in t en se gold en ligh t . It seem ed a s t h ou gh it w as ab ou t t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h e
en closu r e.
Bu t it w as also at t h is ver y m om en t t h at t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le in
Xu San sh i’s h an d s lit u p t h e w h ole st age. A st r an ge ligh t st ar t ed w ar p in g t h e
su r face of t h e sh ield . T h e feelin g it exu d ed w as on e t h at r esem b led t h e
m ovem en t of a h u m an ’s m u scles. Aft er t h a t , t h e w h ole su r face of t h e sh ield
ch an ged .
A d ar k gr een sn ak e w it h r ed eyes ap p ear ed on t h e t h ick , in t r icat ely-d esign ed

sh ield . Follow in g it s ap p ear an ce, t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e t h at w as
or igin ally b lack su d d en ly t u r n ed d ar k gr een . An in t en se b last t h at sou n d ed ju st
lik e a h u ge exp losion h ad occu r r ed r an g ou t in t h e en closed ar ea . T h e
Sacr ed glor y Cr u cifix t h at w as or igin ally goin g t o b r eak t h r o u gh t h e en closu r e
w as sw allow ed u p in t h e b lin k of an eye. An d t h at w asn ’t t h e en d . Yan g Yifan
b or e t h e b r u n t of t h e at t ack ; h is w h ole b od y sh ook violen t ly t ill h e fell on t h e
gr ou n d .
Yu M en gd i w as a Sou l Kin g an d w as m u ch st r on ger t h a n Yan g Yifan . Even so,

sh e lost h er b alan ce an d fell fr om t h e sk y. Sh e cr ossed t h e Div in e Du alsw or d s in
fr on t of h er ch est an d r eleased h er t h ir d sou l sk ill. T h e an gel w in gs on h er b ack
cu r led a r ou n d h er b od y p r ot ect ively, t u r n in g in t o an oval ligh t cocoon . On ly
t h en w as sh e ab le t o b lock t h at d ar k gr een ligh t .
Offst age, W an g Yan ’s m ou t h d r op p ed op en as h e w at ch ed t h is scen e. “T -t h is

is…” h e squ eak ed o u t .
Bei Bei sm iled an d said , “Alt h ou gh h e d oesn ’t h ave an Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l,
h is m ar t ial sou l far t r an scen d s r egu lar m ar t ial sou ls. If t h er e is on e p er son
am on gst t h e seven of u s w h o can com p ar e t o ju n ior b r ot h er ’s Ult im at e m ar t ia l
sou l, it ’d b e San sh i. H ow ever , h is m ar t ia l sou l is sealed an d h e can ’t b r eak t h e
seal on h is ow n w it h ou t a st r on g st im u lu s. Lu ck ily, h e seem s t o h ave su cceed ed
t h is t im e. Bu t t h is m ean s t h at d efin it ely can ’t p ar t icip at e in t h e n ext m at ch .
Aft er all, h e w on ’t b e ab le t o u n d er st an d t h e t r u e m ean in g of h is m ar t ial sou l
b efor e h e gain s seven sou l r in gs.”
Su r p r ised , H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “Sen ior b r ot h er , ju st w h at is Big Br ot h er Xu ’s

m ar t ial sou l?”
Bei Bei’s eyes sh on e as h e said , “T h e b lood lin e of a God b east , Xu an w u . H is
God b east b lood lin e is even p u r er t h an Sen ior Sist er Xiaot ao’s Evil Ph oen ix.
Nor m ally h is m ar t ia l sou l is sealed an d on ly ever b u r st s ou t w h en h e’s in an
ext r em ely d an ger ou s sit u at ion . T h is is w h en h e is at h is st r on gest an d all of h is
sou l sk ills w ill b ear t h e God b east st igm a.”
As op p osed t o t h e joy on t h e Sh r ek Acad em y’s en d , t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e Su n

M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y w er e st a r in g b la n k ly at t h e st age.
Xiao H on gch en , w h o h ad b een ar r ogan t u p t ill t h is p oin t , also w id en ed h is eyes
in sh ock . “No, t h is is im p ossib le. H ow ca n h e p ossib ly h ave a God b east b lood lin e
t h at ’s com p ar ab le t o m in e? Ar en ’t God b east b lood lin es su p p osed t o b e so d ilu t ed
an d r ar e t h at t h ey’r e ab ou t t o d isap p ear ? Even in m y case, it ’d b e im p ossib le for
m e t o h ave t h e au r a of a God b east if n ot for m y m ar t ial sou l m u t at ion . An d t h is
b lood lin e… is t h is Xu an w u ?”
H avin g b r ok en t h r ou gh t h e seal on h is m ar t ial so u l, Xu San sh i flew acr oss t h e

st age an d st ood in fr on t on J ian g Nan n an again as h e r elea sed h is Xu an w u in
fr on t of h im .
Aft er b r eak in g t h e seal on h is m ar t ia l sou l, Xu San sh i’s b od y h ad gon e

t h r ou gh som e sligh t ch an ges. H e w as t aller an d b igger t h an b efor e; h is p h ysiqu e
sim ilar t o t h a t of an ad u lt ’s. On t op of t h at , t h er e seem ed t o b e a fain t jad e ligh t
com in g fr om h is sh or t h air . H is m u scles h ad sw elled u p , giv in g h im t h e a u r a of
an im m ovab le m ou n t ain as h e st ood t h er e.
“I t old you I’d p r ot ect you .” Xu San sh i’s d eep voice h ad d r op p ed a few oct aves
an d t h e som ew h at fr ivolou s feelin g h is voice u sed t o h ave w as n ow r ep laced
w it h a m agn et ic ch ar m .
Exp ect in g t o h ave t o d efen d h er self, J ian g Nan n an ’s t h ir d sou l r in g w as

or igin ally sh in in g b u t even sh e w as sh ock ed b y su ch a su d d en ch an ge. Sh e n ever
k n ew t h is sh am eless scou n d r el w as act u ally h id in g su ch st r en gt h in h im . Even
t h ou gh h e w as st ill a Sou l An cest or , t h e a u r a su r r ou n d in g t h e p r esen t Xu San sh i
w as far b eyon d h is r an k .
T h e effect of t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e h ad ju st com p let ely
d isap p ear ed . Yan g Yifan , w h o h ad act u ally collap sed t o t h e gr ou n d , w as
com p let ely d azed . At t h is m om en t , h e cou ld n ’t cr aw l u p n o m at t er h ow h ar d h e
t r ied .
Xu San sh i let ou t a r oar t ow ar d s t h e sk y, cau sin g t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u

T u r t le in h is h an d s t o sh in e w it h a jad e ligh t . T h e ligh t r eson a t ed w it h h is b od y,
en lar gin g h is en t ir e b od y t o t h e p oin t w h er e h is jack et b egan t o r u p t u r e d u e t o
h is st u r d y m u scles. An in t en se d ar k gr een ligh t b u r st for t h , cau sin g t h e air
w it h in t h e t ou r n am en t st age t o t u r n viscou s. Follow in g t h a t , h is t h ir d sou l r in g
lit u p . T h e cu r r en t h im w as n o lon ger lik e a sou l m ast er , b u t a savage sou l b east .
H is t h ir d sou l sk ill, M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld For ce, cau sed t h e st r en gt h of h is

b od y t o in st a n t ly d ou b le aft er b ein g am p lified b y h is Xu an w u b lood lin e.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld For ce h e act ivat ed w it h in h is cu r r en t
st at e d id n ’t ju st st r en gt h en h is ow n b od y; it even affect ed a ver y lar ge ar ea
ar ou n d h im . T h e w ave-lik e viscosit y t h at m ad e it seem as t h ou gh on e w as
t r ap p ed w it h in a w a ve w as p r ecisely b ecau se h is M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld For ce
h ad in st an t ly gat h er ed a lar ge am ou n t of t h e w at er elem en t s a r ou n d h im .
Yan g Yifan m om en t ar ily lost all of h is com b at st r en gt h , b u t Yu M en gd i

d id n ’t . Sh e im m ed ia t ely felt t h a t som et h in g w as w r on g aft er t h e effect s of t h e
M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e d issip at ed . T h is w asn ’t t h e st r en gt h t h a t a fou r -
r in ged Sou l An cest or sh ou ld p ossess, an d t h is w as esp ecially evid en t aft er sh e
w it n essed t h e en or m ou s ch an ges t h a t h ad occu r r ed t o Xu San sh i’s b od y.
Alt h ou gh sh e d id n ’t fu lly u n d er st an d w h at w as goin g on , sh e m ad e a p r om p t
d ecision an d im m ed iat ely ch ose t h e cor r ect an sw er t o t h e sit u at ion --a n d t h at
w as t o at t ack !
Sh e n eed ed t o give Yan g Yifan a m om en t t o r ecover . T h e or igin al self-

con fid en ce sh e p ossessed h ad alr ea d y b een gr eat ly r ed u ced , an d sh e cou ld n ’t
gu ar an t ee t h e ou t co m e of t h is b at t le if h er op p on en t s w er e w or k in g t oget h er .
W it h h er Divin e Du a lsw or d s h eld ab ove h er h ead , h er t h ir d sou l r in g lit u p . A

gold en flar e of ligh t qu ick ly r ose ab ove h er b od y, an d t h e im age of a six-w in ged
An gel fain t ly ap p ear ed b eh in d h er . H er b od y w as in st an t ly d yed gold follow in g
t h e ap p ear an ce of t h is An gel--t h is w as h er t h ir d sou l sk ill, An gelic Pr ot ect ion .
T h is w ou ld d ou b le t h e at t ack p ow er of h er n ext at t ack .
Righ t aft er t h a t , h er fift h sou l r in g lit u p . T h e b lack sou l r in g t h at r ep r esen t ed

t h e st r en gt h of t en t h ou san d year s in st a n t ly lit u p , cau sin g t h e d ist a n t au d ien ce
t o in volu n t ar ily h old in t h eir b r eat h s a n d w id en t h eir eyes. T h is w as t h e fir st
ap p ear an ce of a t en t h ou sa n d year sou l sk ill d u r in g t h is t ou r n am en t , an d
ever yb od y w an t ed t o see ju st h ow st r on g it w ou ld b e.
“An gelic… God sealin g Slash !” A ch ar m in g voice r an g ou t fr om Yu M en gd i’s

voice. T h is w asn ’t ju st a sim p le callin g ou t of on e’s ow n sk ill. Ever y sin gle on e of
t h e w or d s sh e called ou t con t ain ed d iffer en t m u sica l n ot es, an d h er Divin e
Du alsw or d s em it t ed a clear b u zzin g w it h each n ot e. W h en sh e yelled ou t t h e
w or d ‘slash ’, t h e Divin e Du alsw or d s m er ged in t o on e an d for m ed a sh ar p sw or d
ligh t t en m et er s lon g an d t h r ee m et er s w id e t h at slash ed t ow a r d s Xu San sh i.
T h e r efer ee on t h e st age im m ed iat ely ch ar ged over qu ick ly t h e m om en t h e

saw t h is a t t ack . H e a b solu t ely d id n ot t h in k t h at Xu San sh i w ou ld b e ab le t o t ak e
t h is b low .
Yu M en gd i’s a t t ack cou ld b e said t o b e a fu sion of h er fir st , t h ir d , a n d fift h

sou l sk ills. Com b in ed w it h t h e st r en gt h of h er An gel sou l, t h e m igh t of t h is
at t ack of h er s w as com p ar ab le t o t h at of a Sou l Em p er or ’s! An at t ack lik e t h is
cou ld on ly b e r eleased b y t h e ver y st r on gest of Sou l Kin gs, even in a n acad em y
lik e Sh r ek Acad em y.
T h e p r essu r e cau sed b y Xu San sh i’s aw ak en ed Xu an w u m ad e Yu M en gd i

u n h esit an t ly u se h er fu ll p ow er . No m a t t er w h a t , J u st sk y Acad em y w ou ld n ’t
ju st give u p t h is ext r em ely r ar e ch an ce t o b eat Sh r ek Acad em y.
“Nan n an , I’ll give you t h r ee secon d s. Is t h at en ou gh ? ” W ield in g t h e

M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Sh ield t h at h a d alr ead y evolved in t o t h e Xu an w u
Sh ield , Xu Sa n sh i r evealed n o fear at a ll as h e faced t h e en or m ou s p r essu r e in
fr on t of h im .
“T h at ’s en ou gh .” J ian g Nan n an said in a low voice.
As h e sp ok e, Xu San sh i lift ed h is sh ield . Aft er t h at , ever yb od y cou ld see h is

fir st t h r ee sou l r in gs ligh t u p . M or e ast on ish in gly, t h ese t h r ee sou l r in gs
in st an t ly m er ged t o get h er an d for m ed a b lack sou l r in g t h at em it t ed a b r illian t
ligh t .
T h e d ar k gr een sn ak e on t h e Xu an w u Sh ield seem ed t o aw ak en . It r aised it s

t on gu e sligh t ly, an d a r ed ligh t b egan t o b lossom fr om it s eyes as an en or m ou s
im age of a t u r t le-sn a k e r ose b eh in d Xu Sa n sh i’s b ack .
T h is w as t h e fu sion of a god b east b lood lin e an d m u lt ip le so u l r in gs.
T h e t h r ee sou l sk ills t h at Xu San sh i w a s cu r r en t ly u sin g w er e r esp ect ively, t h e

M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e, M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Sh ield , an d M yst er io u s
Un d er w or ld For ce.
At t h is m om en t , h is t h r ee sou l sk ills fu sed in t o on e, r eleasin g t h e aw esom e

m igh t of a t en t h ou san d year sou l sk ill. H ow ever , if on e w er e close en ou gh t o see
Xu San sh i, w h o w a s cu r r en t ly su r r ou n d ed b y jad e-gr een ligh t , t h ey w ou ld
d iscover t h at h is face h ad t u r n ed in com p ar ab ly w h it e t h e in st an t h is t h r ee sou l
sk ills h ad fu sed t oget h er .
T h e b lack ligh t w r ea t h in g t h e Xu a n w u Sh ield in st an t ly en lar ged t o t h e p oin t

w h er e it h ad a d iam et er of t h r ee m et er s. T h e en or m ou s sh ield slan t ed for w ar d s,
b lock in g t h e m igh t of t h e An gelic God sealin g Slash .
T h e in st an t t h e t w o t en t h ou san d year sou l sk ills collid ed , an ear p ier cin g

gr oan sp r ead t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e t ou r n am en t st age. T h e ou t er p r ot ect ive
b ar r ier em it t ed a p ier cin g b r igh t ligh t , cau sin g t h e d ist an t sp ect at or s t o b e
m om en t ar ily u n ab le t o see w h at w as goin g on on t h e st age.
Yu M en gd i w ou ld n ever h ave t h ou gh t t h at sh e w ou ld en cou n t er a sit u at ion

lik e t h is. T h e in st a n t h er An gelic God sealin g Slash lan d ed on t h e Xu an w u
Sh ield , sh e felt as if h er at t ack h ad b een sw allow ed b y a vast sea. Aft er t h a t , a
violen t b oom r an g ou t . Fu r t h er m or e, h er sou l p ow er h ad b een gr eat ly
w eak en ed , w h ile h er t h ir d sou l sk ill in st a n t ly van ish ed .
A low r oar su d d en ly sp r ead t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e ar en a at t h is m om en t . T h is

r oar t h at r esem b led t h e aw ak en in g of a god b east cover ed an en t ir e h alf of t h e
t ou r n am en t st age, an d ever yon e--in clu d in g t h e r efer ee, w h o w as a seven -r in ged
Sou l Sage--felt t h eir m in d s go b lan k fr om t h at t er r ifyin g r oar . T h eir b od ies
seem ed t o h ave b een sw allow ed b y t h e m ost viscou s sw am p , r en d er in g t h em
u n ab le t o m ove.
“Nan n an , n ow .” Xu San sh i’s som ew h at h oar se voice r an g ou t b y J ian g

Nan n an ’s ear .
At t h is m om en t , J ian g Nan n an ’s b od y van ish ed . Cover ed b y t h e in t en se ligh t

gen er at ed b y t h e collision b et w een t h e Xu an w u Sh ield an d t h e An gelic
God sealin g Sla sh , n ob od y w as ab le t o see h ow sh e van ish ed , n or h ow sh e
ap p ear ed b eh in d Yu M en gd i.
J ian g Nan n an h a d ap p ear ed r igh t b eh in d Yu M en gd i. Sh e gen t ly leap t u p ,

t h en lan d ed a k ick on Yu M en gd i’s low er b ack .
Xu San sh i h ad fu sed t h r ee of h is sou l sk ills in t o a t en t h ou sa n d year on e--t h e

Xu an w u Roar . At t h is m om en t , Yu M en gd i w as st ill p ar alysed as a r esu lt of t h at
sou ls sk ill, cau sin g h er t o b e u n ab le t o r esist J ian g Nan n an . Xu San sh i’s
est im at ion of h er st r en gt h w as ver y accu r at e. T h r ee secon d s, sh e cou ld n ’t d o
an yt h in g for t h r ee secon d s. Even t h e good -h ear t ed r efer ee w as d elayed for a fu ll
secon d b y h is Xu an w u Roar b efor e h e w as ab le t o r et u r n t o h is sen ses.
Aft er b ein g k ick ed in t h e b ack b y J ian g Nan n an , Yu M en gd i’s b od y w as

im m ed iat ely t h r ow n for w ar d in t h e sh ap e of a cr escen t . In b at t le, J ian g Nan n an
w asn ’t as k in d as sh e look ed on t h e ou t sid e. W it h h er r igh t h an d p u llin g on Yu
M en gd i’s h air , J ian g Nan n an lock ed h er legs on t o h er n eck . Aft er t h at , sh e
flip p ed ar ou n d in m id air , cau sin g Yu M en gd i’s b od y t o fly ou t w eigh t lessly a n d
fier cely collid e w it h t h e d ist an t p r ot ect iv e b ar r ier b efor e slid in g t o t h e gr ou n d
an d off t h e t ou r n am en t st age. T h is en t ir e p r ocess t ook on ly t h r ee secon d s, an d
Yu M en gd i felt h er en t ir e b od y ach e w h en sh e cam e t o h er sen ses. H ow ever , sh e
w as n ow b elow t h e st age. Fu r t h er m or e, som e of h er im p or t a n t vein s h ad b een
cr u sh ed , an d t h e in t en se b u r st s of d izzin ess an d n au sea r esu lt in g fr om t h at
cau sed h er t o r em ain on t h e gr ou n d for a lon g w h ile b efor e sh e w as ab le t o
r ecover .
T h er e w as n o n eed t o even t alk ab ou t Yan g Yifan . W it h ou t even n eed in g

J ian g Nan n an t o m a k e a m ove again st h im , Xu San sh i h ad alr ead y w alk ed u p t o
h im an d k ick ed h im st r aigh t off t h e t ou r n am en t st age lik e a b u r lap sack . Even
Yu M en gd i h ad b een d azed for t h r ee secon d s; aft er h e w as slam m ed in t o t h e
gr ou n d b y t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e, h e d id n ’t get b ack u p . T h at w a s
fair ly t r agic.
In r ealit y, even if Xu San sh i w er e ab le t o u n seal t h e St r en gt h of t h e Xu an w u ,

h e w ou ld n ’t b e a m a t ch for Yu M en gd i in a on e-on -on e figh t . Aft er all, h e lack ed
m ean s of at t ack in g. Fu r t h er m or e, h is sou l p ow er an d p ot en t ial w ou ld b e
d r ain ed at an ast on ish in g r at e aft er r eleasin g t h e St r en gt h of t h e Xu an w u . As an
agilit y-t yp e sou l m a st er h ow ever , J ian g N an n an w as ab le t o coor d in at e p er fect ly
w it h h im . Xu Sa n sh i’s in com p ar ab ly p ow er fu l d efen sive ab ilit ies p er fect ly
com p lem en t ed h er sp eed an d close-com b at ab ilit ies.
In a sit u at ion w h er e an yon e w it h a d iscer n in g eye w as ab le t o t ell t h at t h ey

w er en ’t in a favou r ab le p osit ion , t h ey w er e act u a lly ab le t o p u ll off an
u n exp ect ed fir st vict or y for Sh r ek Acad em y.
“W e’ve w on .” Xu San sh i’s b od y t r em b led sligh t ly, an d t h e d ar k gr een ligh t on

h is b od y fad ed aw ay. At t h is m om en t , J ian g Nan n an fin ally d iscover ed t h at h is
face w as as p ale as a sh eet of p ap er , an d h is b od y w as t ot t er in g. Blood w as even
seep in g fr om h is m ou t h an d n ose.
Alt h ou gh h e h ad r eleased t h e St r en gt h of t h e Xu an w u , h ow cou ld Yu

M en gd i’s An gelic God sealin g Sla sh t h at w as com p ar ab le t o an at t ack r eleased b y
a Sou l Em p er or b e so easily b lock ed ? Aft er for cefu lly b lock in g t h at at t ack , Xu
San sh i h a d su ffer ed h eavy in ju r ies. H is b od y w as sw ayin g fr om sid e t o sid e, an d
h e w as ab ou t t o colla p se on t h e gr ou n d .
J ian g Nan n an su b con sciou sly t ook a few st ep s for w ar d an d su p p or t ed h im b y
t h e ar m .
“You … h ow ar e you ?” J ian g Nan n an w h isp er ed .
Xu San sh i look ed h er in t h e face. Alt h ou gh h e h ad an u gly exp r ession on h is

face, h is eyes w er e st ill filled w it h h ap p in ess, “I’m feelin g ver y good . I’ll alw ays
b e h ap p y figh t in g w it h you . If an yon e w an t s t o h u r t you , t h ey’ll h ave t o st ep
over m y d ead b od y. Nan n an , d o you k n ow ? If it w er en ’t for you , I w ou ld n ever
h ave b een ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h e seal on m y m ar t ial sou l an d r elease it s t r u e
p ow er .”
At t h is p oin t , h is ch est st ar t ed t o u n d u lat e violen t ly. Aft er let t in g ou t an ot h er

m u ffled gr oan an d sp it t in g ou t a m ou t h fu l of fr esh b lood , h is b od y fell st r aigh t
t ow ar d s J ian g Nan n an .
St ar t led , J ian g Nan n an h u r r ied ly h elp ed h im u p . Xu San sh i w asn ’t m u ch

t aller t h a n h er , an d so sh e cou ld on ly p u t h is ar m over h er sh ou ld er an d w alk
b ack t o t h e w ait in g a r ea.
Below t h e st age, Sh r ek Acad em y w as alr ead y in gr eat ju b ilat ion . T h ey h ad

w on t h eir fir st m at ch . T h is m ean t t h a t t h ey h ad t ak en a st u r d y st ep for w ar d
t h r ou gh an im p ossib le p ass. On ly Bei Bei’s m ou t h t w it ch ed for a m om en t as h e
w h isp er ed , “T h is ch eap p er son r eally w on ’t give u p on a sin gle ch an ce!”
A cer t ain som eon e w h o w as p lacin g h is en t ir e w eigh t on a soft an d fr agr an t -

sm ellin g p er son felt h is n ose it ch . H e felt h is eyeb r ow s m ove sligh t ly, an d h e
r esist ed a sn eeze.
“T h e fir st r ou n d of t h e 2-2-3 m at ch goes t o Sh r ek Acad em y.” W h en t h e

r efer ee an n ou n ced t h e r esu lt s of t h e com p et it ion , h is voice con t ain ed a few
t r aces of ast on ish m en t .
Righ t ! Disr egar d in g h im , even t h e m a n y h igh -r an k in g so u l m ast er s, sou l

en gin eer s, an d t each er s p r esen t h a d n ever seen som eon e’s m ar t ial sou l in b at t le
b efor e! Not m en t ion su ch a lar ge in cr ease in t h at p er son ’s p ow er follow in g said
evolu t ion . Fu r t h er m or e, Xu San sh i h ad act u ally over com e t h e d iffer en ce
b et w een r an k s! It h ad b e r ealized t h at , even t h ou gh Yi M en gd i w as on ly Ran k
53, h er An gelic m ar t ial sou l w as st r on g en ou gh t o allow h er t o figh t again st
p eak -r an k Sou l Kin gs! Yet , sh e’d st ill lost Xu San sh i an d J ia n g Nan n an . Even
t h ou gh t h e for m er a p p ear ed t o h ave su ffer ed h eavy in ju r ies t h ou gh , if t h is h ad
b een a t r u e b at t le t o t h e d eat h , t h e ou t com e w as qu est ion ab le. H ow ever , in t h e
en d , a Sou l An cest or h ad act u a lly m an a ged t o b eat a Sou l Kin g in b at t le! T h is
h ad n ’t b een a t eam figh t eit h er , b u t a 2v2 figh t .
Ever yon e at J u st sk y Acad em y, fr om Ye W u qin g t o t h e or d in ar y st u d en t s, h a d

gloom y exp r ession s. T h ey’d or igin ally b een filled w it h h op e t h at t h ey’d b e ab le
t o b eat Sh r ek Acad em y, b u t t h is loss h ad b een ak in t o a b u ck et of ice w at er .
W it h in Sh r ek Acad em y’s w ait in g ar ea.
“Good . Now t h en , d on ’t get t oo excit ed ever yon e. W e’ve st ill got m or e

p r ed icam en t s t o over com e.” Bei Bei clap p ed , d r aw in g t h e ever yon e’s at t en t ion
t o h im .
“Even t h ou gh w e’ve w on t h e fir st m at ch , San sh i d efin it ely w on ’t b e ab le t o

m ak e it t o ou r n ext m at ch . As h e’s in ju r ed h is vit alit y, I’m n ot su r e h ow lon g
h e’ll t ak e t o r ecover . Pr eviou sly, h e t old t h at if an yt h in g cau sed h im t o
for cefu lly b r eak h is seal, h e’d t em p or a r ily b ecom e st r on ger , b u t t h at h e’d
h eavily in ju r e h is b od y an d d r ain h is p ot en t ial in d oin g so. N an n an , is it p ossib le
for you t ak e h im b ack t o r ecover ? T h is p lace isn ’t su it ab le.”
If t h is w as an y ot h er t im e, J ian g Na n n an d efin it ely w ou ld ’ve ou t r igh t
r eject ed Bei Bei w it h ou t h esit at ion . H ow ever , w h en sh e t h ou gh t of t h e last few
w or d s Xu San sh i h a d u t t er ed t o h er , sh e u n exp ect ed ly n od d ed , p u t h is ar m over
h er sh ou ld , an d left .
W h at sh e d id n ’t see, h ow ever , w as t h e ‘u n con sciou s’ Xu San sh i give Bei Bei a

sligh t t h u m b s u p t h a t on ly h e w as ab le t o n ot ice.
T h e cor n er of Bei Bei’s m ou t h r ose sligh t ly, an d h e lau gh ed w h ile in w ar d ly

t h in k in g, You’ ve ear ned t h i s w i t h your ow n har d w or k .
“ W i l l t h e par t i ci pan t s of t h e secon d r oun d pl ease t ak e t h e st age.” T h e

r ef er ee’ s w or ds dr ew t h e at t en t i on of Sh r ek ’ s t eam back t o t h e com pet i t i on ,
w h i l e t h e audi en ce i m m edi at el y t en sed up agai n . T h at ’ s r i gh t , t h er e w er e st i l l
t w o m at ch es l ef t ! Fur t h er m or e, t h ei r oppon en t s st i l l h ad t w o Soul Ki n gs on
t h ei r t eam , on e of w h om w as t h ei r m ost pow er f ul m em ber an d t eam l eader .
Ever yon e, i n cl udi n g W an g Yan , t ur n ed t o l ook at Bei Bei . Sh r ek ’ s f i r st l i n eup

h ad al r eady pr oven Bei Bei ’ s w or t h i n t h ei r eyes.
Bei Bei al r eady seem ed t o h ave a pl an i n m i n d as h e w h i sper ed, “ Si n ce w e w on

t h e f i r st m at ch , w e’ ve gai n ed t h e i n i t i at i ve. W h at w e’ r e h opi n g f or t h e m ost i s
t h at t h ey’ l l i m pul si vel y sen d out bot h of t h ei r Soul Ki n gs, or t h at t h ey at l east
sen d t h ei r t eam l eader out . Cai t ou, Xi ao Xi ao, you t w o ar e up f i r st . You don ’ t
n eed t o f eel an y pr essur e; just do your best t o k eep your sel ves saf e. I h ad
or i gi n al l y pl an n ed f or W an g Don g an d Xi ao Xi ao t o go out , but si n ce W an g Don g
an d H uo Yuh ao h ave a f usi on sk i l l , i t w i l l be k ey i n t h e r oun d t h at w e’ l l w i n .”
H e Cai t ou’ s eyes m et Xi ao Xi ao’ s, an d t h ey bot h i m m edi at el y un der st ood

w h at Bei Bei ’ s i n t en t i on s w er e; h e w as cl ear l y sayi n g t h at h e al r eady pl an n ed t o
gi ve up on t h ei r secon d r oun d. T h e on l y r eason t h ey w er e bein g sen t out w as i n
or der t o w ast e t h ei r oppon en t ’ s Soul Ki n gs. Bei Bei ’ s pl an w as un doubt edl y spot
on ; t h e m or e people Sh r ek sen t out al on gsi de H uo Yuh ao an d h i s Spi r i t ual
Det ect i on , t h e gr eat er t h ei r ch an ces of w i n n i n g w oul d becom e.
Desp it e t h is, t h e figh t in g in t en t in H e Cait ou an d Xiao Xiao’s h ear t s w as n o
less t h an t h at of t h eir com p an ion s! T h e in st an t t h at t h eir gazes m et , t h ey w er e
b ot h ab le t o see t h e in t en se u n w illin gn ess in each ot h er ’s eyes.
Bei Bei gr ab b ed H e Cait ou ’s sh ou ld er , t h en p laced h is h an d on Xiao Xiao’s. H e

solem n ly said , “I k n ow t h at you t w o feel u n r esign ed , b u t t h er e alw ays h ave t o b e
a few p eop le w h o d o cer t ain t h in gs for t h e sak e of vict or y. You gu ys h ave t o
r em em b er t h a t t h is isn ’t t h e last r ou n d of t h is t ou r n am en t ; San sh i can ’t join u s
for t h e n ext m at ch an ym or e, so you gu ys h ad b est com e b ack h ealt h y n o m at t er
w h at ; w e st ill n eed you for t h e m at ch es aft er t h is. Un d er st ood ?”
H e Cait ou ’s exp r ession w as som ew h at gr ave as h e look ed Bei Bei in t h e eye,

b u t h e st ill n od d ed .
Xiao Xiao’s r esp on se w as som ew h at h alf-h ear t ed , b u t sh e m an aged t o r esist

t h e u r ge t o r efu t e h im .
“Good lu ck you t w o. Sh r ek ’s glor y b elon gs t o all of u s t oget h er .”
H e Cait ou an d Xiao Xiao p r oceed ed t o w alk on t o t h e st age t oget h er . T h e

in st an t t h at t h ey’d left , Bei Bei t u r n ed ar ou n d t o face H u o Yu h ao an d W an g
Don g, t h en solem n ly said , “T h e fin al vict or s of t od ay’s m at ch w ill b e d ecid ed in
t h e t h ir d r ou n d . I on ly h ave on e t h in g t o say: Use ever y last b it of st r en gt h you
h ave. No m at t er w h o w in s, in t h e en d , w e’ll h ave at least d isp layed ou r st r en gt h .
“San sh i’s vict or y in t h e fir st r ou n d w a s ext r em ely d an ger ou s. If Nan n an

d id n ’t h ave a t elep or t at ion sk ill, t h at Sou l Kin g w it h t h e an gelic m ar t ial
w ou ld ’ve in st an t ly b een ab le t o t u r n t h e t ab les on ce sh e w o k e u p . As su ch , w e
d on ’t h ave an y m or e ch an ces. Ou r op p on en t s w ill d efin it ely b e m or e car efu l
fr om h er e on ou t . T h er e’s n o w ay for u s t o w in b y a flu k e n ow t h a t t h ey’r e
figh t in g w it h all of t h eir st r en gt h . Alr igh t , you t w o n eed t o r est u p —p r ep ar e
you r self for ou r n ext m at ch .”
H u o Yu h ao w as n ow in w ar d ly afr aid ; t h e excit em en t h e’d p r eviou sly felt h ad

b een r ep laced b y a h eavy sen se of p r essu r e.
Pr essu r e w ou ld h av e en t ir ely d iffer en t effect s d ep en d in g on t h e p er son : A
w eak -n at u r ed p er so n cou ld even collap se b en eat h h eavy p r essu r e an d b ecom e
even w eak er . H ow ever , a p er son w h o w as fu ll of figh t in g sp ir it cou ld cou ld b e
w illin g t o give h is all for h is glor y an d id eals. T h e gr eat t h e p r essu r e, t h e gr eat er
t h e r eb ou n d . At t h e sam e t im e, t h e d r ivin g for ce b eh in d t h e p r essu r e w ou ld
b ecom e even m or e ab u n d an t .
T h e cu r r en t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e ju st lik e t h is: W a n g Don g

t igh t ly clen ch ed h is fist s, a fier ce flam e of r esolve r ose in h is eyes. As for H u o
Yu h ao, h e sq u in t ed h is eyes as a b r igh t ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh t h e b ot t om of h is
eyelid s. H e t h en r ea ch ed over , gr ab b ed W an g Don g’s fist , a n d lean ed over t o
w h isp er som et h in g t o h im .
A ligh t sm ile ap p ear ed on Bei Bei’s face w h en h e saw t h is. T h e r eason t h at

h e’d allow ed t h em t o sh ou ld er an even gr eat er am ou n t of p r essu r e w as b ecau se
h e w as so fam iliar w it h h is ju n ior b r ot h er s. T h ey w er e t h e k in d of p eop le t h at
w ou ld sq u eeze ou t even m or e of t h eir p ot en t ia l u n d er gr eat p r essu r e.
W an g Yan w at ch ed fr om t h e sid elin es a s t h is h ap p en ed . H e w as filled w it h

gr at ificat ion as h e w at ch ed Bei Bei’s calm lead er sh ip , an d su d d en ly felt t h at
losin g t od ay w ou ld n ’t n ecessar ily b e a b ad t h in g. At t h e ver y least , t h e
p sych ological t r au m a h e’d b een w or r ied ab ou t w ou ld n ’t a p p ear w it h a t eam
lead er lik e Bei Bei.
Even t h ou gh t h e aw ak en ed Xu San sh i w as st r on ger t h an Bei Bei in t er m s of

over all st r en gt h , b u t t h er e w as a lar ge gap b et w een h im an d Bei Bei in t er m s of
t h eir ab ilit y t o look at t h e b ig p ict u r e an d t ak e com m an d . I t seem s t hat Bei Bei i s
even m or e t han I am t o l ead ever yone her e. I ’ l l just l et t hem do as t hey w i sh.
M aybe t hese k i ds r eal l y can cr eat e a m i r acl e f or Shr ek .
Bei Bei gr adual l y f ur r ow ed h i s br ow s as h e st ar ed at t h e t our n am en t st age.

H i s f ace gr ew i n cr easi n gl y gr ave, f or h e’ d just di scover ed t h at t h ei r oppon en t s
w oul d be t ough er t h an h e’ d i m agi n ed; t h e l eader of Just sk y Academ y h adn ’ t
appear ed dur i n g t h e secon d r oun d.
It h ad t o b e k n ow n t h at J u st sk y Acad em y w ou ld lose t h e m at ch if t h ey w er e
t o lose t h eir secon d r ou n d . In a sit u a t ion lik e t h is, Ye W u q in g h ad act u ally
m an aged t o r em ain p at ien t , w h ich d efin it ely exceed ed Bei Bei’s p r ed ict ion s.
T h is m ean t t h at Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld h ave an even h ar d er t im e in t h e t h ir d
r ou n d if t h ey lost t h e secon d r ou n d .
H e Cait ou an d Xiao Xiao slow ly m ad e t h eir w ay u p on t o t h e st age. T h e

st r aigh t for w ar d Cait ou im m ed iat ely d id t h e sam e t h in g t h at Xu San sh i h ad
d on e, an d lou d ly said t o t h e t w o m em b er s of J u st sk y Acad em y in fr on t of h im ,
“Sh r ek Acad em y, H e Cait ou .”
Xiao Xiao im m ed iat ely follow ed u p , “Xiao Xiao.”
T h e t w o st u d en t s fr om J u st sk y Acad em y h ad p ecu liar exp r ession s w h en t h ey

saw H e Cait ou —h is d ar k sk in w as n or m ally on ly seen in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e.
H ow ever , a p er son lik e h im h a d ap p ea r ed on Sh r ek ’s t ea m . Desp it e t h is, H e
Cait ou ’s su p p r ession of t h e Sou l Kin g-r a n k ed Sh en Ce w it h a sou l t ool for t w as
st ill fr esh in ever yon e’s m in d s.
“J u st sk y Acad em y, T an g Xiaolei.”
“J u st sk y Acad em y, Xu e Lan g.”
T h e t w o st u d en t s im m ed iat ely r ep lied w it h t h eir ow n n am es. T an g Xiaolei

h ad a t all an d st r aigh t figu r e, b u t h e w asn ’t t oo m u scu lar . H ow ever , h is eyes
w er e ext r aor d in a r ily lively, an d a p u r p le ligh t seem ed t o flick er t h r ou gh t h em .
T h is w as t h e fir st con t est an t t h a t H e Cait ou h a d seen b esid es H u o Yu h ao w h o
p ossessed su ch a solid p air of eyes.
Xu e Lan g w as sligh t ly sh or t er t h an T an g Xiaolei, b u t h e w as m u ch st u r d ier ;

t h e w id t h of h is sh ou ld er s an d t h e t h ick n ess of h is ar m s w er e com p ar ab le t o H e
Cait ou ’s. Of cou r se, t h is w as a com p ar ison b et w een t h e t w en t y year -old T an g
Xiaolei an d t h e fift een year -old H e Cait ou .
T an g Xiaolei an d Xu e Lan g w er e on ly sligh t ly flab b er gast ed w h en t h ey look ed
at H e Cait ou , b u t t h ey w er en ’t sim p ly ast on ish ed w h en t h eir gazes lan d ed on
Xiao Xiao.
T h ey’d b ot h seen Xiao Xiao’s p r eviou s m at ch es w h ile t h ey w er e in t h e r est

ar ea. H ow ever , sh e h ad n ’t d on e m u ch d u r in g eit h er of t h e t w o occasion s t h at
sh e’d ap p ear ed . T h u s, n ob od y k n ew w h at h er t r u e ab ilit ies w er e.
Xiao Xiao w asn ’t even t w elve yet ; sh e w as on ly a few d ays old er t h an H u o

Yu h ao. Com b in ed w it h h er h ow sm all sh e w as, sh e look ed lik e a sm all ch ild ; a
few p eop le w ou ld ’ve b elieved t h at sh e w asn ’t even t en yet . T h e ju xt ap osit ion
b et w een t h e t w o w as sim p ly t oo st r on g.
Even t h ou gh T an g Xiaolei an d Xu Len g w er e an xiou s t o ob t a in vict or y in t h is

m at ch , t h ey cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel t h at som et h in g w as off w h en t h ey saw Xiao
Xiao. T h eir eyes t h en sim u lt an eou sly lan d ed on H e Cait ou ’s b od y. As for t h e six
sou l r in gs t h a t Xiao Xiao h ad p r eviou sly r evealed , t h e t w o on ly felt d isd ain in
t h eir h ear t s. If a sm all gir l lik e h er w as t r u ly a Sou l Em p er or , t h en t h ey co u ld
ju st go d ir ect ly com m it su icid e.
T h e t w o of t h em h ad for got t en a sin gle t h in g, h ow ever : Desp it e Xiao Xiao’s

ext r em ely b afflin g ap p ear an ce, an d n o m at t er h ow old sh e look ed , sh e w as st ill a
st u d en t fr om Sh r ek Acad em y—sh e w as st ill som eb od y t h at Sh r ek h ad ch osen t o
sen d t o t h is t ou r n am en t .
T h e r efer ee felt so m ew h at u n w illin g w h en h e saw Xiao Xiao, b u t t h e

com p et it ion w as st ill a com p et it ion . H e m ot ion ed b ot h p ar t ies t o t h eir
r esp ect ive sid es of t h e ar en a, t h en r aised h is r igh t h a n d an d sh ou t ed , “M at ch ,
st ar t !”
Bot h p ar t ies in st an t ly r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls, an d Xiao Xiao’s t w o yellow
h u n d r ed year sou l r in gs fin ally ap p ear ed on t h e t ou r n am en t st age sp ect at ed b y
over t en t h o u san d p eop le.
Chapt er 90.1: The Desper at e Super Fusion Cannon
“Ah —!” T h e cr ow d im m ed iat ely flew in t o an u p r oar w h en t h ey saw Xiao

Xiao’s t w o yellow sou l r in gs.
Not even t h e w eak est t eam w ou ld sen d ou t a t w o-r in ged st u d en t t o p ar t icip at e

in a t ou r n am en t lik e t h is!
T h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t r eq u ir ed t h at

it s p ar t icip an t s b e u n d er t h e age of t w en t y. If a p er son cou ld n ’t b r eak t h r ou gh t o
t h e Sou l Eld er r an k b y t h e age of t w en t y, cou ld h e even b e con sid er ed an
ou t st an d in g st u d en t ? T h is w as a t ou r n am en t for h igh -r an k in g sou l m ast er an d
sou l en gin eer in g acad em ies. A t w o-r in ged sou l m ast er ap p ear in g on t h e
t ou r n am en t st age h a d n ever occu r r ed for an ext r em ely lon g p er iod of t im e.
At t h is m om en t , h o w ever , t h ey w er e p er son ally w it n essin g t h is exact scen e.

Yet sin ce t h is w as su ch a r ar e occu r r en ce t h at it d id n ’t feel r ea l.
For exam p le, T an g Xiaolei an d Xu e Lan g. T h e t w o of t h em w er e in volu n t ar ily

st u n n ed for a m om en t b y Xiao Xiao’s t w o r in gs, t o t h e ext en t t h at t h eir
m ovem en t s slow ed b y a b it . Sh e h ad p r eviou sly r evea led six r in gs, b u t n ow sh e
on ly h ad t w o of t h em . J u st w h at w as Sh r ek Acad em y d oin g?
T h ey w er e st u n n ed for a m om en t , b u t H e Cait ou w asn ’t .
T h e m om en t t h e r efer ee an n ou n ced t h e st ar t of t h e m at ch , h e t ook a lar ge

st ep for w ar d . J u st a s ever yon e w as t h in k in g t h at h e w as goin g t o u se a valian t
st r at egy lik e t h e sou l t ool for t , H e Cait ou d id n ’t . H e en t er ed a h alf-squ a t t in g
p osit ion , an d an en or m ou s b lack t w o-m et er ca n n on ap p ear ed on h is r igh t
sh ou ld er . It s ap p ear an ce w as ver y sim ilar t o t h at of a st at ion ar y sou l can n on .
T h e r efer ee w as fir st st u n n ed at seein g t h is, b u t h e q u ick ly w ip ed aw ay all

t h ou gh t s of in t er fer in g. T h is w as b ecau se a w h it e ligh t --w h ich w as clear ly a sign
of sou l p ow er b ein g gat h er ed -- b egan t o flick er fr om t h is m ou t h of t h e ca n n on .
Fr om t h is, h e cou ld t ell t h a t t h is w asn ’t a st at ion ar y sou l can n on , b u t an en er gy-
gat h er in g sou l can n on .
H ow ever … d id a n en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on n eed t o b e t h is lar ge?
T h e r efer ee w as filled w it h d ou b t , b u t T a n g Xiaolei an d Xu e Lan g d id n ’t t h in k

t h e sam e. T h e in st a n t H e Cait ou sh ow ed t h at en or m ou s en er gy-gat h er in g sou l
can n on , t h ey su d d en ly felt a t er r ifyin g w ave of p r essu r e fr om h im . It seem ed as
t h ou gh t h is can n on w ou ld b e ab le t o t h r eat en t h eir ver y lives if it w er e t o b e
act ivat ed .
Nor m ally, a sou l en gin eer w h o d id n ’t w alk t h e ver y ed ges of t h e p at h w ou ld

eq u ip h im self w it h an en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on d u e t o it s for m id ab le
m igh t . Alt h ou gh it d r ain ed a lot of sou l p ow er , it w ou ld ser ve as a t r u m p car d at
cr u cial m om en t s.
An en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on w as also called a for ce-gat h er in g sou l

can n on b ecau se it w as a sou l t ool t h at con d en sed an d com p r essed sou l p ow er
b efor e lau n ch in g it in a p ow er fu l all-ou t at t ack . It s m ain fau lt lay in t h e p r ocess
of gat h er in g sou l p ow er , w h ile it s m ain b en efit w as it s p ow er fu l at t ack p ow er . It
w ou ld n or m ally ap p ear on a sou l en gin eer ’s ch est , b u t it w ou ld ab solu t ely n ot b e
as t er r ifyin gly lar ge as t h e on e H e Cait ou h ad on h im n ow .
M ost ot h er sou l m ast er s w er e at a loss t ow ar d s t ools lik e t h e en er gy-gat h er in g

sou l can n on s t h at H e Cait ou w as cu r r en t ly u sin g; on ly t r u ly p ow er fu l sou l
en gin eer s w ou ld u n d er st an d w h at t h is t h in g w as.
T h e r est in g ar ea of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y.
“T h at , t h at is? T h a t can ’t b e. A su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on ? Sh r ek

Acad em y h as act u ally d evelop ed a su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on ? Bu t ,
h e’s a fou r -r in ged Sou l An cest or . Can h e even u se a sou l t ool lik e t h is?” M a
Ru lon g w as ast on ish ed .
T each er M a fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s t igh t ly an d m u t t er ed t o h im self, “It seem s
lik e w e’ve alw ays b een u n d er est im at in g Sh r ek Acad em y’s Sou l T ool
Dep ar t m en t . T h eir r esear ch cap ab ilit ies ar en ’t as w eak as t h ey seem on t h e
su r face.”
Righ t , t h e t h in g eq u ip p ed on H e Cait ou ’s sh ou ld er w as som et h in g t h a t

com p let ely sh ou ld n ’t h ave ap p ear ed w it h in t h is com p et it ion . T h is sou l t ool w as
fir st d evelop ed in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e, an d it w a s called t h e su p er en er gy-
gat h er in g sou l can n on ; it w as also a sou l en gin eer ’s sin gu lar m ost p ow er fu l
w eap on .
T h e sim p le u se of t h is su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on w ou ld d r ain

alm ost all of a Sou l Kin g’s sou l p ow er . T h at w as t h e on ly w ay t o r elease m ost of
it s m igh t .
H e Cait ou n at u r ally d id n ’t h ave t h e st r en gt h of a Sou l Kin g, b u t t h e su p er

en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on h e w ield ed w asn ’t act u ally a com p let e on e; t h e
cor e for m at ion w it h in it h ad b een m od ified sligh t ly, t h ou gh it seem ed id en t ica l
t o t h e or igin al on t h e su r face. On ce h e b ecam e a Class 5 sou l en gin eer an d
m od ified it again , h e w ou ld b e ab le t o r elease t h e st r en gt h of a p r op er su p er
en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on .
Alt h ou gh it w asn ’t a com p let e on e, t h e sou l p ow er w it h in H e Cait ou ’s b od y

st ar t ed t o p ou r in t o t h e su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on at an ast on ish in g
r at e.
Righ t , h e h a d a ver y sim p le p lan —h e w an t ed t o fin ish ever yt h in g w it h a

sin gle st r ok e. H e w as ver y clear t h at figh t in g a Sou l Kin g an d a Sou l An cest or
w it h h is an d Xiao Xiao’s st r en gt h s w ou ld yield p r act ically n o ch an ces for h im a t
all. If h e w an t ed t o w in , h e h a d t o st ak e ever yt h in g. Becau se of t h at , h e d ecid ed
t o t ak e ou t t h is in com p let e su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on .
H e Cait ou d id h is u t m ost t o in h ale t h e T h in Cigar in h is m ou t h as h e sq u eezed

ou t ever y sin gle b it of h is sou l p ow er an d p ou r ed it in t o t h e can n on . T h e T h in
Cigar act u ally t u r n ed in t o ash w it h in t h r ee p u ffs d u e t o h is fu r iou s in h alin g.
Xiao Xiao st ood b y h is sid e, im m ed ia t ely r ep lacin g t h e T h in Cigar for h im
accor d in g t o t h e p lan t h at t h ey h ad set u p b efor eh an d . Fu r t h er m or e, sh e even
h elp ed ligh t it for h im .
T h e t w o en d s of t h e t ou r n am en t st age w er e sep ar at ed b y a d ist an ce of a

h u n d r ed m et r es. T h is w as an ext r em ely sh or t d ist an ce for sou l m ast er s; on e
cou ld ch a r ge t h r ou gh t h a t en t ir e d ist an ce w it h in t h r ee b r eat h s of t im e at m ost .
H ow ever , H e Cait ou d id n ’t d ar e t o b e car eless at a ll. H e k n ew fr om W an g Yan
t h at on e of t h eir t w o op p on en t s w as a sou l m ast er w h o sp ecialised in lon g-r a n ge
at t ack s.
H ow ever , h e h ad n o ot h er op t ion s. T h ey cou ld on ly st ak e it all, as d oin g so

w ou ld it last give t h em a sliver of h op e; n ot st ak in g it all w o u ld gu ar an t ee t h eir
d efeat . T h ey w er e or igin ally p lan n in g t o u se t h e st r at egy of T ian J i in t h e h or se
r ace, so alt h ou gh t h ey k n ew t h at t h eir op p on en t s w er e sp ecialised in lon g-r an ge
at t ack s, H e Cait ou h ad n o ot h er ch oice b u t t o car r y ou t h is p lan .
T an g Xiaolei an d Xu e Len g w er e ast on ish ed b y Xiao Xiao’s sou l r in gs,

r esu lt in g in t h em b lu n d er in g aw ay a b it of t im e. H ow ever , t h ey q u ick ly
r et u r n ed t o t h eir sen ses d u e t o t h e m igh t of t h e su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l
can n on .
Xu e Lan g r oar ed w ild ly, an d h e exer t ed st r en gt h in h is legs t o d ash ou t lik e

ligh t n in g. A violen t t r an sfor m at ion occu r r ed t o h is b od y as h e ch ar ged for w ar d ;
silver y-gr ey fu r st ar t ed gr ow in g w ild ly on h is b od y, an d h is m u scles an d b on es
gr ew at an ast on ish in g sp eed . T h e b iggest ch an ge occu r r ed t o h is h ead ; h is
m ou t h st ar t ed p r ot r u d in g ou t w ar d s, r evealin g a p air of sh ar p t eet h . H is legs
b ecam e ext r aor d in ar ily t h ick , an d h is ar m s t u r n ed in t o a p air of sh ar p claw s. At
t h e sam e t im e, h is fir st sou l r in g w as alr ead y flick er in g.
Xu e Lan g’s m ar t ial sou l w as t h e W olf, t h e Sou lw olf. H is m a r t ial sou l in an d of

it self w asn ’t con sid er ed t oo p ow er fu l, b u t t h e r eason w h y h e w as ab le t o en t er
J u st sk y Acad em y’s official t eam w as d u e t o a few r ela t ively p ow er fu l sou l sk ills
h e h ad got t en h is h a n d s on .
For exam p le, t h er e w as h is fir st sou l sk ill t h at h e w as cu r r en t r eleasin g: W olf
W h en a sou l m a st er w h o h ad a Beast Sou l r eleased t h eir m a r t ial sou l, t h eir

st r en gt h w ou ld b e d et er m in ed b y h ow closely t h eir t r an sfor m at ion r esem b led
t h at of t h eir m ar t ial sou l. T h is W olf T r an sfor m at ion of h is w as a self-
st r en gt h en in g sk ill, an d it s effect s w er e ak in t o a w eak en ed ver sion of Dai
Yu eh en g’s W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion .
T h is sk ill gave Xu e Lan g an all-r ou n d in cr ease in sp eed , p ow er , an d sou l

p ow er , cau sin g h is com b at st r en gt h t o in st an t ly in cr ease.
Xu e Lan g w as an agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er , b u t h e w as ab le t o t ak e on an

assau lt -t yp e sou l m a st er t o a cer t ain ext en t aft er u sin g h is W olf T r an sfor m at ion .
In con t r ast t o Xu e Lan g’s r ap id ch ar ge for w ar d , T an g Xiaolei’s b r igh t eyes

in st an t ly t u r n ed b r igh t p u r p le, as t h ou gh a p u r p le flar e w as b ein g r eleased fr om
h is eyes. H e r aised h is left h an d , cau sin g a lar ge b ow t o ap p ear w it h in h is p alm .
H e w as on e of t h e t h r ee Sou l Kin gs w h o h ad ap p ear ed in t h is m at ch , an d h is t w o
yellow an d t h r ee p u r p le sou l r in gs flick er ed b r igh t ly.
Ye W u qin g clear ly h ad a lot of t r u st in T an g Xiaolei, seein g t h at h e d ar ed t o

sen d h im ou t in st ead of goin g h im self in t h is secon d r ou n d .
T an g Xiaolei r aised t h e lon gb ow in h is left h an d an d p laced h is r igh t on t h e

b ow st r in g, a p u r p le ligh t flick er in g t h r ou gh h is eyes as h e d id so. Im m ed ia t ely,
t h e en er gies ar ou n d h is b od y b egan t o su r ge a t an a st on ish in g r at e. In a n
in st an t , t h e su p p r essive au r a t h at h e gen er at ed w as act u ally n ot in fer ior t o t h e
su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on t h a t H e Cait ou h ad .
T h e lon gb ow in T an g Xiaolei’s h an d s w as 1.8 m et er s lon g; it s en t ir e b od y w as

b r igh t p u r p le, an d t h e lu xu r iou s p at t er n s on it sh on e w it h a p u r p le h alo. It w as
called t h e Pu r p leflow er Bow , an d T an g Xiaolei h a d alw ays t h ou gh t t h at h is
m ar t ial sou l w as u n iqu e an d u n m a t ch ed . Ot h er t h an t h e fact t h at it w asn ’t
su it ed for gr ou p b at t les, it w as in com p ar a b le am on g m ar t ial so u ls sp ecia lisin g in
lon g-r an ge at t ack s.
Alt h ou gh t h is w as som et h in g t h at on ly h e con sid er ed , t h is in d ir ect ly p r oved

h ow p ow er fu l h is lon g-r an ge m ar t ial sou l w as.
T an g Xiaolei’s w r ist seem ed t o sh ak e sligh t ly as h e d r ew t h e Pu r p leflow er

Bow w it h ligh t n in g sp eed . In an in st an t , a yellow b eam of ligh t sh ot ou t an d
p r act ically in st an t ly r each ed H e Cait ou . T h e b eam d id n ’t t ar get H e Cait ou
h im self, b u t t h e su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on on h is sh ou ld er .
T h e sp eed of t h is ar r ow w as sim p ly t oo q u ick . Com b in ed w it h t h e fact t h at it

gave off n o sign s b efor eh an d , an d t h e en t ir e p r ocess cou ld on ly b e d escr ib ed
w it h t h e p h r a se ‘ligh t n in g qu ick ’. W h a t w as m or e u n u su al, h ow ever , w as t h e
fact t h at t h e five sou l r in gs t h at h ad or igin ally su r r ou n d ed T an g Xiaolei h ad
d ecr eased t o a t ot al of fou r aft er h e fir ed t h is ar r ow . H e d id n ’t h ave an y ar r ow s,
so w h at h e fir ed w as act u ally h is ow n sou l r in gs.
T h e h air s on Xu e La n g’s sk in st ood u p in volu n t ar ily t h e m om en t t h is a r r ow of

ligh t b r u sh ed p ast h im . Even if h e k n ew t h at t h is w as an at t ack lau n ch ed b y h is
p ar t n er , a t r ace of fear st ill flash ed p ast h is eyes. T h is w as b ecau se h e k n ew t h e
m igh t of t h e Pu r p leflow er Bow .
If on e w er e t o ask w h o t h e p er son w h o h ad t h e st r on gest su p p r essive an d

in st an t -at t ack ab ilit ies w it h in J u st sk y Acad em y w as, t h e an sw er t o t h is
w ou ld n ’t b e Ye W u q in g or Yu M en gd i, b u t t h e Pu r p leflow er Bow -w ield in g lon g-
r an ge sou l m ast er w h o w as also a self-p r oclaim ed assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er , T an g
Xiaolei.
T an g Xiaolei’s m ar t ial sou l h ad m an y flaw s. Nam ely, h is Pu r p leflow er Bow

r eq u ir ed h im t o u se h is sou l r in gs as ar r ow s t o b e fir ed . Fu r t h er m or e, h is sou l
p ow er w ou ld b e fu lly d r ain ed t h e m om en t h e fir ed all of h is ar r ow s. H e h ad t o
m ed it at e p at ien t ly t o r ecover h is sou l p ow er , an d on ly w h en t h e con d it ion of h is
sou l p ow er r et u r n t o it s p eak w ou ld h e b e ab le t o r elease h is sou l r in gs again .
In ot h er w or d s, h e cou ld on ly sh oot a t ot al of five a r r ow s in a b at t le. Aft er
sh oot in g t h ose five a r r ow s, h e w ou ld b e a s good as d ead .
A flaw lik e t h is w ou ld b e fat al t o an y sou l m ast er , b u t h e w as st ill ab le t o

r ep r esen t J u st sk y Acad em y t o t u r n u p for t h is t ou r n am en t in fr on t of m or e t h an
t en t h ou san d p eop le. T h is w as n at u r ally b ecau se h is ad van t ages w er e ab le t o
m ak e u p for h is d isa d van t ages; m ain ly, h is t er r ifyin g at t ack p ow er .
A t er r ifyin g con su m p t ion of sou l p ow er t h at lim it ed h im t o ju st a few at t ack s

m ad e it so t h at h e p ossessed a t er r ifyin g am ou n t of at t ack p ow er . Fu r t h er m or e,
h e d id n ’t n eed t o gat h er h is en er gy lik e H e Cait ou ’s su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l
can n on . Becau se of t h at , w h en com p ar in g n ot es w it h each ot h er , even Yu
M en gd i an d Ye W u q in g h ad t o b e car efu l of T an g Xiaolei w h en h e st ill h ad sou l
r in gs on h is b od y. T h e on ly w ay t h ey cou ld h ave a ch an ce of w in n in g w as b y
m ak in g h im w ast e all of h is sou l r in gs.
Sending weak contenders to fight the opponent's strong contenders, then strong against
their weak.
Chapt er 90.2: The Desper at e Super Fusion
Cannon
At t h is m om en t , t h e ligh t n in g-lik e b olt of yellow ligh t w as ju st ab ou t t o

ar r ive. H ow ever , H e Cait ou w asn ’t fin ish ed w it h h is en er gy-ch ar gin g yet . H e
sim p ly cou ld n ’t m ov e, n or cou ld h e d od ge t h e at t ack t h at w a s com in g t ow ar d s
h im . On t h e ot h er h an d , Xu e Lan g h ad cr ossed over fift y m et r es in h is w ild
ch ar ge; h e w ou ld en t er h is at t ack in g r an ge w it h in on e m or e b r eat h of t im e.
At t h is exact m om en t , t h e you n g, t w o-r in ged gir l st ep p ed ou t , u n b ek n ow n st

t o T an g Xiaolei or Xu e Lan g.
A lar ge, p it ch -b lack cau ld r on ap p ear ed n ot far aw ay fr om H e Cait ou ’s b od y

w it h ou t a n y p r ior w ar n in g. T h e in st an t t h at yellow ar r ow of ligh t w as ab ou t t o
h it H e Cait ou , t h e ca u ld r on t ook t h e in it iat ive t o let ou t a r u m b le. It s en or m ou s
b od y ob st r u ct ed t h e ar r ow at an an gle, as t h ou gh it h ad gr ow n a p air of eyes.
A d azzlin g b u r st of sp ar k s an d an ear -p ier cin g b oom er u p t ed fr om t h e lar ge

cau ld r on , an ast on ish in g gor ge h avin g been cu t in t o it s su r face. Aft er t h at , t h e
yellow ar r ow of ligh t w as d eflect ed sligh t ly, p r act ically scr ap in g p ast H e
Cait ou ’s sh ou ld er as it flew t ow ar d s t h e p r ot ect ive b ar r ier .
“Sk r ee—” A sh r ill w h ist le r an g ou t . M or e ast on ish in gly, a sm all h ole h a d

act u ally ap p ear ed on t h e p r ot ect ive b ar r ier for m ed b y a h u n d r ed an d eigh t sou l
m ast er s, cau sin g it t o r in g w it h a w eir d sou n d . Alt h ou gh it w as in st an t ly
r ep air ed , t h at yellow ar r ow h ad com p let ely d isap p ear ed . H ow ever , t h e h ole h ad
clear ly exist ed ; t h e p en et r at ive p ow er of T an g Xiaolei’s ar r ow s cou ld b e seen
fr om t h at .
“Eeh ! W h at accu r at e ju d gem en t .” T an g Xiaolei w as sligh t ly ast on ish ed as h e
look ed at Xiao Xiao. H e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t sq u in t h is eyes as h e saw h er flick er in g
secon d sou l r in g, t h e p u r p le glin t in h is eyes b r igh t en in g u p even m or e.
Righ t , t h is h ad b een Xiao Xiao’s ow n ab ilit y t o ju d ge. H u o Yu h ao d efin it ely

cou ld n ’t sp en d a lar ge am ou n t of h is sp ir it u al p ow er t o h elp t h em ou t b ecau se of
t h e t h ir d m at ch h e h ad t o p ar t ak e in , so t h is w as all cau sed b y Xiao Xiao h er self.
T h at w as a w on d er fu l feelin g for h er . Alt h ou gh h er eyes cou ld n ’t k eep u p w it h
t h e sp eed of T an g Xiaolei’s ar r ow , sh e w as ab le t o in st an t a n eou sly act iva t e h er
Cau ld r on Sw eep t o for cefu lly ch an ge t h e d ir ect ion of t h at ar r ow .
H ow ever , T an g Xiaolei h ad alr ead y d r aw n h is Pu r p leflow er Bow for t h e

secon d t im e. H is ar r ow w as st ill yellow t h is t im e, b u t it gav e off a com p let ely
d iffer en t feelin g.
Ear lier , h e h ad u sed t h e sw ift Sp eed Ar r ow . H ow ever , h is cu r r en t ar r ow w as

filled w it h a cr azy for ce of op p r ession .
Xu e Lan g h ad cr ossed an ot h er t en or so m et r es a t t h is m om en t , b u t h is sp eed

w as st ill in cr ea sin g,
“W u u u --” A m ou r n fu l t u n e su d d en ly r an g ou t . It w as evid en t ly som ew h at

sh ar p an d p ier cin g, b u t T an g Xiaolei an d Xu e Lan g felt t h eir m in d s jolt w h en
t h ey h ear d it . At t h e sam e t im e, t h ey slow ed d ow n for an in st a n t .
On e sh ou ld n ’t u n d er est im a t e t h e effect s of t h is in st an t an eou s d ecr ease in

t h eir sp eed . T h is exa ct in st a n t m ad e Xu e Lan g, w h o w as alr ead y r ead y t o at t ack
Xiao Xiao an d H e Cait ou , ju m p in t o t h e a ir , w h ile d elayin g T a n g Xiaolei’s ar r ow
for an ot h er m om en t . T h u s, it w a s ab le t o w in m or e t im e for H e Cait ou .
Just w hat w as t hat ? A soul t ool ? T an g Xi aol ei an d Xue Lan g w er e dr aw n

t ow ar ds t h e l on g f l ut e i n Xi ao Xi ao’ s h an ds.
No, t h at cl ear l y w asn ’ t a soul t ool . T h e t w o soul r i n gs sur r oun di n g Xi ao Xi ao

h ad ch an ged i n t o a si n gl e on e.
In t h at in st an t , ever y sin gle p er son fr om t h e au d ien ce an d t h e ot h er
r ep r esen t a t ive t eam s fin ally u n d er st ood w h y Sh r ek ACad em y w ou ld sen d ou t a
w eak , you n g gir l t o t h e Con t in en t a l Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g
T ou r n am en t . T h is w as b ecau se t h is you n g gir l w as act u ally a t w in -sou led sou l
m ast er w h o h ad in fin it e p ot en t ial! Cou ld an y of t h e acad em ies p r esen t h er e even
b r in g ou t a t w in -sou led sou l m ast er ?
So w h at if sh e on ly h ad t w o sou l r in gs? T h e fact t h at sh e h ad t w in m ar t ial

sou ls sign ified t h at sh e h ad a b ou n d less fu t u r e. For a b r ief p er iod of t im e,
n ob od y d ar ed t o u n d er est im at e Xiao Xiao an ym or e; t h eir gazes on h er even
b ecam e fer ven t . T h is w as esp ecially so for t h e t each er s in ch ar ge of t h e var iou s
t eam s. T h ey all h ad a sin gle t h ou gh t : ‘H ow good w ou ld it b e if sh e w as in ou r
acad em y!’
Aft er Xu e Lan g w as slow ed d ow n for a m om en t , h e d id n ’t im m ed iat ely sp eed

u p t o close t h e fin a l t w en t y m et r es t h at w er e sep ar at in g t h e t w o p ar t ies. In st ead ,
h e an gled h is b od y d ow n w ar d s as t h ou gh h e w as sw allow in g a m an w h ole.
T h is w as coor d in at ion , t h e coor d in at ion b et w een h im an d T an g Xiaolei. T h is

w as b ecau se T an g Xiaolei’s secon d ar r ow h ad fin ally ar r ived a t t h is m om en t .
T h e sh ar p w h ist le com in g fr om t h is a r r ow w as m u ch m or e in t en se t h an t h e
p r eviou s on e. Fu r t h er m or e, it w asn ’t ju st a b eam of ligh t lik e t h e p r eviou s on e,
b u t a b all of ligh t t h a t w as as lar ge as a w a t er m elon .
If an yon e p r esen t w as ab le t o clear ly see t h e yellow ar r ow in fligh t , t h at

p er son w ou ld im m ed iat ely see t h at it w as a cr yst al-yellow ar r ow w h ich w as
r ap id ly r ot at in g in m id -air .
T h is w as T an g Xiaolei’s secon d sou l sk ill, Dest r u ct ion Ar r ow ; a sp ir allin g

ar r ow .
It s p en et r at ive p ow er w asn ’t a s h igh as t h e p r eviou s ar r ow , b u t it s d est r u ct ive

p ow er far su r p assed it . T h is w as esp ecially so d u e t o t h e ext r em ely ast on ish in g
exp losive for ce t h at cam e alon g w it h it .
Nob od y w ou ld ever h ave t h ou gh t t h at Xiao Xiao w ou ld act u ally ab an d on H e
Cait ou an d r u sh ou t . No, sh e cou ld n ’t b e con sid er ed t o b e ab an d on in g h im .
In st ead , sh e u sed h er b od y t o b lock H e Cait ou an d r u sh ed t ow a r d s Xu e Lan g.
T h e b lack cau ld r on t h at h ad p r eviou sly a p p ear ed w as n ow gon e. T h r ee r ays of

b lack ligh t sh on e fr o m Xiao Xiao’s b od y as sh e ch a r ged for w ar d , for m in g a h or n
for m at ion .
Alt h ou gh sh e w as a t w in -sou led sou l m ast er w h o p ossessed in fin it e p ot en t ial,

sh e w as cu r r en t ly st ill a t w o-r in ged Sou l Gr an d m ast er ! Sh e w as st ill ext r em ely
w eak in fr on t of T an g Xiaolei an d Xu e Lan g. H ow ever , sh e st ill d ecid ed t o ch ar ge
for w ar d w it h ou t t u r n in g b ack .
H e Cait ou ’s eyes in st an t ly t u r n ed r ed . Befor e Xiao Xiao h ad r u sh ed ou t , sh e

soft ly w h isp er ed t o h im , “Sen ior b r ot h er H e, I can on ly d o t h is m u ch . I’ll
d ep en d on you for ever yt h in g else.”
H e Cait ou w as t h e p h ysically lar gest p er son am on g Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s,

w h ile Xiao Xiao w as t h e sm allest . On e co u ld im agin e h ow h e w as feelin g, seein g
t h at a lit t le gir l w as st an d in g in fr on t of h im t o face a Sou l Kin g an d a Sou l
An cest or . At t h at exact in st an t , t h e im a ge of t h e lit t le gir l h e h ad n ever p aid
sp ecial at t en t ion t o w as n ow b r an d ed in t h e soft est p ar t s of h is h ear t . H e w ou ld
n ever for get h er r esolu t e eyes w h en sh e look ed at h im , an d h er sm all, t en d er
cu t e face.
Xi ao Xi ao!
H e Cai t ou cl en ch ed h i s t eet h , usi n g al l of h i s st r en gt h t o r el ease h i s soul

pow er . H i s bl ood vessel s suf f er ed an i n t en se bl ow due t o t h e over l y qui ck r el ease
of h i s soul pow er i n t o t h e super en er gy-gat h er i n g soul can n on , an d t i n y beads of
bl ood st ar t ed t o seep f r om t h e sur f ace of h i s sk i n . H i s vei n s w er e com pl et el y
r eveal ed on h i s f or eh ead, an d i t seem ed as t h ough h i s body coul d expl ode f r om
h i s ow n soul pow er at an y t i m e.
Xiao Xiao’s sm all face look ed som ew h at ch illy, b u t h er eyes w er e filled w it h a
r agin g w ill t o figh t . Even if sh e clear ly k n ew t h at an y of t h e t w o op p on en t s in
fr on t of h er co u ld ea sily d efeat h er , or even p u lver ise h er if t h ey w ish ed t o, sh e
st ill d ecid ed t o ch a r ge for w ar d w it h ou t t u r n in g b ack .
Sh r ek ’s glor y d id n ’t ju st b elon g t o t h eir sen ior s; it sim ilar ly b elon ged t o h er ,

t o H u o Yu h ao, an d t o W an g Don g. It b elon ged t o t h e w eak est t r io as w ell.
H u o Yu h ao h ad con t r ib u t ed en ou gh as t h e t eam lead er d u r in g t h e p r eviou s

m at ch es, an d even W an g Don g h ad con t r ib u t ed b y r eleasin g t h e Gold en Road
alon gsid e h im . T h e on ly p er son w h o h ad n ’t d on e an yt h in g w as h er ; sh e h a d
n ever con t r ib u t ed a n yt h in g t o t h e t ea m b efor e. Sh e w as on ly a b ack gr ou n d
figu r e in t h e eyes of t h e ot h er s--t h a t w as w h at Xiao Xiao felt in h er h ear t .
T h is w as esp ecially so w h en Bei Bei sen t h er o u t a lon g w it h H e Cait ou . T h is

feelin g in Xiao Xiao’s h ear t in t en sified even fu r t h er ; sh e w as b ein g u sed t o lu r e
h er op p on en t ’s m ost p ow er fu l for ces aw ay an d w ast e t h em . Xiao Xiao h ad
alw ays b een filled w it h a r r ogan ce as a t w in -sou led sou l m ast er , an d so sh e h ad
alr ead y d ecid ed t o d o w h at ever sh e cou ld in t h is m a t ch , r egar d less of w h et h er
sh e w ou ld lose or n ot .
T h u s, sh e r u sh ed ou t at t h is cr u cial m om en t . T h e feelin g of p r ed ict ion in h er

h ear t h ad b ecom e in cr easin gly p ow er fu l, an d sh e d iscover ed t h at sh e cou ld even
sen se t h e t im e n eed ed for H e Cait ou t o fin ish ch ar gin g u p h is su p er en er gy-
gat h er in g sou l can n on . Fu r t h er m or e, sh e k n ew t h at sh e h a d t o figh t for m or e
t im e for h im t o fin ish ch ar gin g it .
T h e d ow n w ar d -slan t in g Xu e Lan g felt p alp it at ion s in h is h ear t as h e saw Xiao

Xiao r u sh t ow ar d s h im .
T h e you n g gir l in fr on t of h im w as clea r ly m u ch w eak er t h an h im , b u t h er

ch ar m in g face seem ed t o b e r ad iat in g w it h ligh t . By ch a r gin g r eck lessly lik e
t h at , d id sh e n ot w a n t h er life? W as T an g Xiaolei’s ar r ow so easily b lock ed ? W as
sh e m ad ?
At t h is exact m om en t , Xu e Lan g w as act u ally con sid er at e t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao.
T h e you n g lad y in fr on t of h im w as n ot on ly p r et t y, b u t h er st au n ch at t it u d e
an d b r aver y h ad alr ead y in fect ed h im t o t h e p oin t w h er e h e h ad n o p lan s of
t ak in g t h e in it iat ive t o at t ack .
“Xiao Xiao!” Below t h e st age, H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, Bei Bei, an d T each er

W an g cou ld n ’t h elp b u t cr y ou t . T h is w as or igin ally a m at ch t h at t h ey h ad
p lan n ed t o t h r ow ! H ow ever , Xiao Xiao h ad n o p lan s on givin g u p .
As t h e Dest r u ct ion Ar r ow n ear ed , even T an g Xiaolei h im self w as in fect ed b y

Xiao Xiao’s fear lessn ess in t h e face of d eat h . H ow ever , h e cou ld n ’t r et r ieve an
ar r ow t h at h e h ad fir ed . M or eover , t h is w as an issu e t h at w as r elat ed t o J u st sk y
Acad em y’s glor y. T h u s, h e h ad t o clen ch h is t eet h an d r elease h is at t ack n o
m at t er w h a t . Bu t , h is eyes su b con sciou sly d r ift ed t ow ar d s t h e r efer ee.
Righ t , t h e r efer ee. T h e r efer ee h ad alr ea d y ch ar ged over , an d h e w asn ’t even

t h ir t y m et r es aw ay fr om t h e ar ea w h er e b ot h p ar t ies w ou ld collid e. H ow ever ,
even a seven -r in ged Sou l Sage cou ld n ’t in st an t an eou sly t elep or t t h ir t y m et r es!
At t h is exact in st an t , Xiao Xiao’s eyes lit u p . An in t en se w h it e ligh t su d d en ly

r ose fr om h er b od y, an d h er t w o yello w sou l r in gs b lossom ed w it h b eau t ifu l
ligh t , as t h ou gh t h ey w er e b u r n in g. T h e t h r ee cau ld r on s in fr on t of h er m er ged
t oget h er , t h en flew st r aigh t t ow ar d s Xu e Lan g.
T h is w as Xiao Xiao’s m ost p ow er fu l at t ack : Nat ion al T r easu r e, Cau ld r on ’s

Qu ak in g T r em b le.
Xu e Lan g’s m ovem en t s w er e slu ggish , t o t h e ext en t t h at h e w as som ew h at

lat e w h en r eleasin g h is sk ill.
An en or m ou s m igh t t h a t com p let ely su r p assed h is im agin at ion s su d d en ly

b lossom ed ou t w ar d s as t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on ’s Cau ld r on ’s q u ak in g
t r em b le w as com p let ely focu sed on h im ; h e w as t em p or ar ily p ar alyzed .
Chapt er 90.3: The Desper at e Super Fusion
Cannon
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on flew r igh t in t o t h e p a t h of

t h e Dest r u ct ion Ar r ow . Xiao Xiao w as n ot on ly t em p or ar ily b lock in g Xu e Lan g
w it h t h e gr eat est am ou n t of p ow er sh e cou ld m u st er , b u t sh e w as also st op p in g
T an g Xiaolei’s fat al b low .
“Boom —”
A violen t b oom r an g ou t , sh ak in g t h e en t ir e t ou r n am en t st age.
Sin ce T an g Xiaolei’s fir st ar r ow w as ab le t o p u n ct u r e a sm a ll h ole in t o t h e

p r ot ect ive b ar r ier , h ow cou ld h is secon d ar r ow --w h ich focu sed on d est r u ct ion --
b e an y w eak er ?
A t er r ifyin g exp losive for ce p r act ica lly in st an t ly sh at t er ed Xiao Xiao’s

T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on . Aft er u sin g Cau ld r on ’s Qu a k in g T r em b le, t h e
Cau ld r on sim p ly h a d n o en er gy left t o b lock t h e d est r u ct ive p ow er of t h e
Dest r u ct ion Ar r ow . H ow ever , it act ed as a d et on at or t h a t cau sed t h e Dest r u ct ion
Ar r ow t o exp lod e p r em at u r ely.
T h e r em n an t s of t h e exp losion d ir ect ly sp r ead t ow ar d s Xu e Lan g, w h o w as in

a t em p or ar ily p au sed st at e.
T h e in st an t t h a t t er r ifyin g exp losive for ce d escen d ed u p on Xu e Lan g, h e

u n u su ally d id n ’t feel an y an ger at all. W h ile u sin g all of h is sou l p ow er t o d efen d
h im self, h e on ly felt ad m ir at ion t ow ar d s t h e cou r ageou s gir l in fr on t of h im .
Righ t , sh e h ad alr ead y d on e h er b est . A you n g gir l, w h ose cu lt ivat ion h ad n ’t

even r each ed t h at o f a t h r ee-r in ged So u l Eld er , h ad for cefu lly b lock ed a Sou l
An cest or an d h u r t h im u sin g t h e st r en gt h of h is ow n com p an ion b y r elyin g on
h er ow n st r en gt h . M or eover , sh e h ad sim u lt an eou sly b lock ed t h e at t ack of a
Sou l Kin g. W h o cou ld ask h er for m or e?
A m ar t ial sou l w as t h e fou n d a t ion of ever y sin gle sou l m a st er . Xiao Xiao’s
en t ir e b od y seem ed t o b e st r u ck b y an en or m ou s h am m er in t h e in st an t t h e
T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on sh a t t er ed . Sh e w ild ly sp at ou t a m ou t h fu l of
fr esh b lood , an d h er ad van cin g b od y fell st r a igh t t o t h e gr ou n d w it h b lood
seep in g fr om h er sev en ap er t u r es. Sh e h ad fallen com p let ely in t o a d eep com a.
“Ah --” H e Cait ou ’s eyes w en t r ed as h e let ou t a m ad r oar . In an in st an t , a

clou d of b lood y m ist er u p t ed fr om h is b od y. T h e ch ar gin g p r ocess, w h ich h a d
or igin ally n eed ed five t o t en m or e secon d s t o com p let e, w as act u ally com p let ed
in st an t ly.
T h e su p er en er gy-ch ar gin g sou l can n on in st an t ly t u r n ed in t o a w h it e b laze,

an d an in d escr ib ab le, yet t er r ifyin g feelin g p er vad ed t h e en t ir e t ou r n am en t
st age.
T h e h u n d r ed an d eigh t sou l m a st er s in ch ar ge of m ain t ain in g t h e p r ot ect ive

b ar r ier su b con sciou sly p ou r ed t h eir sou l p ow er in t o t h e gold en p illar s in fr on t
of t h em , t u r n in g t h e p r ot ect ive b ar r ier d a r k yellow .
Aft er t h e T h r eelives Sou lcr u sh Cau ld r on sh at t er ed , Xiao Xiao fell st r aigh t t o

t h e gr ou n d w it h n o sign s of w ak in g u p . T an g Xiaolei’s sou l w as st ir r ed b y t h e
scen e, b u t h e w as st ill a Sou l Kin g-r an k ed exp er t , an d t h is m at ch w as ju st t h at
im p or t an t t o J u st sk y Acad em y. H e ad ju st ed h is m en t al st a t e in an in st an t , t h en
r aised t h e Pu r p leflow er Bow in h is h a n d s.
T im e n o lon ger p er m it t ed h im t o h old b ack an ym or e. T h e d a n ger h e felt fr om

H e Cait ou ’s su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on w as sim p ly t oo gr eat .
T h r ee b eam s of p u r p le ligh t w er e p u lled b ack in t o a sin gle lin e, a gr ad u al

ch an ge occu r r in g t o t h em . T h e fir st ar r ow w as t h e ligh t est sh ad e of p u r p le,
w h ile t h e last w as t h e d eep est . W h en t h e last ar r ow left h is b ow , t h e
Pu r p leflow er Bow in T an g Xiaolei’s h an d s t u r n ed it in t o a p u r p le flar e t h at r ose
in t o t h e air . Im m ed iat ely, a p u r p le b laze st ar t ed t o r ise fr om t h e t h r ee ar r ow s,
t w ist in g t h e a ir in fr on t of t h em . By t h e t im e t h e t h r ee ar r ow s cr ossed h alf of t h e
t ou r n am en t st age, H e Cait ou u n lea sh ed h is su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on .
At t h is m om en t , ever y m em b er of t h e au d ien ce--in clu d in g t h e var io u s

r ep r esen t a t ive t eam s an d t h e p ar t y su r r ou n d in g t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or --h eld
t h eir b r eat h s. T h ey h ad com p let ely for got t en t h at t h e m at ch t h ey w er e
sp ect at in g h ad Sh r ek Acad em y p ar t icip a t in g in it . Ever y sin gle p er son p r esen t
h ad b een in fect ed b y t h e d esp er at ion felt b y Xiao Xiao as sh e r esolu t ely u sed h er
st r en gt h as a t w o-r in ged Sou l Gr an d m ast er t o st op t w o op p on en t s w h o vast ly
ou t classed h er .
Ever yon e felt as t h o u gh t h ey w er e b ein g ch ok ed ; t h a t feelin g w as com p let ely

in d escr ib ab le. In t h eir eyes, t h e you n g gir l w h o fell d ow n sp it t in g b lood w as ju st
t h at st ead fast an d b r ave, yet so st u b b or n an d cu t e. Even if sh e h ad alr ead y fallen
w h ile sp it t in g b lood , sh e w as st ill an u n con cealab le b ein g of ligh t w h o d r ew t h e
at t en t ion of ever yon e p r esen t .
A vast r ay of w h it e ligh t ap p ear ed on t h e t ou r n am en t st age. T h is w asn ’t a

p illar of ligh t , b u t a b all of ligh t . T h e in st an t it w as r eleased , H e Cait ou w as
m ar k ed w it h a cr oss-sh ap ed sym b ol. N o m at t er h ow h e m oved , t h is sym b ol
w ou ld follow h im .
W h en t h e w h it e b all of ligh t left t h e su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on , t h e

en t ir e t ou r n am en t st age m yst er iou sly st a r t ed t o d ist or t . Fr om t h e p er sp ect ive of
t h e au d ien ces, t h e sit u a t ion on t h e t ou r n am en t st age seem ed t o h a ve
in st an t an eou sly t u r n ed b lu r r y, m ak in g t h em u n ab le t o d iscer n an yt h in g.
H ow ever , Xu e Lan g, T an g Xiaolei, an d t h e seven -r in ged Sou l Sage w h o w as t h e
r efer ee felt sp ace sh at t er in g in st an t ly. M or eover , t h ey felt t h eir b od ies
sh at t er in g alon g w it h t h e sp ace, m ak in g t h em n ear ly vom it b lood .
T an g Xiaolei’s gaze ch an ged in t h e n ext m om en t , an d h e w as in st an t ly

t er r ified . H e w as or igin ally ab solu t ely co n fid en t in h is ow n a t t ack , b u t h e n ow
d iscover ed t h at t h e t ar get h e h ad p laced on H e Cait ou h ad van ish ed follow in g
t h e d ist o r t ion of sp ace. In ot h er w or d s, t h e t h r ee st r on gest ar r ow s h e h ad
r eleased h a d lost t h eir m ar k .
Righ t , t h e t h r ee r ays of p u r p le ligh t h ad su d d en ly sp lit in t o t h r ee as t h ey flew

t h r ou gh t h e d ist or t ed sp ace. As a r esu lt , t h ey sim u lt an eou sly sp lit u p an d flew
t ow ar d s t h r ee d ir ect ion s, ak in t o t h at of a t r ian gle. M or eover , H e Cait ou w as
r igh t in t h e m id d le of t h at t r ian gle.
Aft er t h at , T an g Xiaolei saw t h e w h it e b laze gr ow b igger an d b igger as it

ap p r oach ed h im . T h e b all of ligh t w as on ly a foot or so w id e, b u t h e felt as
t h ou gh h e cou ld n ’t b r eat h e.
H is sou l p ow er w a s com p let ely d r ain ed aft er r eleasin g t h e five ar r ow s,

m ak in g it so t h at h e h ad n o st r en gt h t o r esist at all. H e w as or igin ally h op in g for
h is t h r ee ar r ow s t o in t er r u p t H e Cait ou ’s at t ack b efor e d efeat in g h im , b u t w h o
w ou ld ’ve gu essed t h at t h e lat t er ’s su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on w as ab le
t o t w ist t h e sp ace ar ou n d h im ?
At t h is m om en t , t h e ast on ish ed r efer ee fin ally p layed h is assign ed r ole.
Follow in g a r oar , on e w h it e, t w o yellow , t h r ee p u r p le, an d on e b lack sou l r in g

ap p ear ed . T h e seven -r in ged r efer ee t h en sp ed u p exp losively, h is seven t h sou l
r in g flick er in g.
Am id st a low r oar , a m ou n t ain -lik e figu r e flew st r aigh t ou t an d st ood in fr on t

of T an g Xiaolei.
T h is figu r e w as act u ally an en or m ou s elep h an t t h at w as sh r ou d ed b y a t h ick

layer of ar m or . Sou l r in gs seem ed t o fa in t ly ligh t u p ar ou n d t h e b od y of t h e
en or m ou s elep h an t as it for m ed a ear t h en -yellow scr een of ligh t t h at fier cely
collid ed w it h t h e su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on .
“Kab oom —”
A p er son w h o h ad n ever seen t h e m igh t of a su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l

can n on w ou ld d efin it ely n ot b e ab le t o im agin e h ow t er r ifyin g it w as.
In t h e fir st p lace, a w eap on lik e t h is sh ou ld n ot h ave a p p ear ed on t h e
t ou r n am en t st age. T h is w as b ecau se a su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on
sim p ly t ook t oo lon g t o ch ar ge u p , w h ile a t ou r n am en t h eld a m on g sou l m ast er s
h ad an ext r em ely q u ick t em p o. H e Cait ou h ad sp ar ed n o cost s, in ju r ed h is ow n
b od y an d u r ged all of h is sou l p ow er t o r ed u ce t h e ch ar gin g t im e of t h e w eap on
b y a h alf, b u t it st ill t ook so lon g t o ch ar ge u p . If t h is w er e a n or d in a r y figh t , h e
w ou ld ’ve lost god -k n ow s h ow m an y t im es alr ead y.
Alt h ou gh it h ad a lon g ch ar gin g t im e, it s m igh t w as sim ila r ly t er r ifyin g. It

w as eq u ivalen t t o t ak in g t h e sou l p ow er of a sou l m a st er w it h in a cer t a in ar ea
an d u n ceasin gly com p r essin g an d con d en sin g it u sin g an en or m ou s an d
com p licat ed for m at ion ar r ay b efor e focu sin g it in on e p oin t an d r eleasin g it
u sin g t h e m ou t h of t h e can n on .
T h e ar m y w as p r ovid ed w it h a few su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on s, b u t

it w asn ’t given t oo m an y. T h is w as d u e t o it s lim it ed at t ack r an ge, w h ich w as
on ly ar ou n d five h u n d r ed m et r es or so at m axim u m . T h u s, a ver y p ow er fu l
god ly ar ch er cou ld d efin it ely affect it s ch ar gin g. Fu r t h er m or e, each u sage of it
w ou ld ign it e a m in iat u r e su n w it h in t h e ar m y w h ich w as u sin g it ; it w ou ld b e
st r an ge if t h eir op p on en t d id n ’t p r ior it ise t ak in g it d ow n fir st .
“I’ve d on e it . Xiao Xiao, d id you see it ? I’ve d on e it .” T h e lou d sou n d s of an

exp losion d id n ’t ju st r in g ou t in fr on t of t h em ; t h r ee t er r ifyin g exp losion s
sim ilar ly r an g ou t b eh in d H e Cait ou . On ly, t h e sou n d s of t h ese t h r ee exp losion s
w er e m ask ed b y t h e exp losion in fr on t .
H e Cait ou felt a lar ge for ce st r ik e h is b ack am id st t h e violen t b oom s, t h r ow in g

h im for w ar d . H e t h en sm ash ed violen t ly in t o t h e t ou r n am en t st age, an d t h e
p lace h e lan d ed w a s ju st b esid e Xiao Xiao.
T h e cu r r en t t ou r n a m en t st age w as n ow a p at ch of b eau t y if look ed at fr om

afar . T h e d ar k yello w p r ot ect ive b ar r ier su r r ou n d in g t h e t ou r n am en t st age w a s
n ow gold , an d t h e h u n d r ed an d eigh t sou l m ast er s m ain t ain in g it n ow h ad gr ave
exp r ession s on t h eir faces.
Differ en t ly color ed ligh t s st ar t ed exp lod in g on eit h er en d of t h e t ou r n am en t
st age. On e of t h e en d s of t h e st age sh on e w it h an in t en se w h it e b laze, w h ile t h e
ot h er sh on e w it h p u r p le.
T h e t ou r n am en t st a ge h ad su ffer ed a m assive am ou n t of d est r u ct ion d u e t o

t h e r elease of t h ese t w o t er r ifyin g for ces. T h e ear -d eafen in g n oises com in g fr om
t h e st age cou ld even b e h ear d in p laces ver y far aw ay fr om St ar Lu o Plaza.
H ow ever , t h e cu r r en t sit u at ion w as a q u iet w or ld t o a cer t ain som eon e. T h is

cer t ain som eon e w as p r ecisely H e Cait ou .
H e Cait ou felt as t h ou gh h is en t ir e b od y h ad b een em p t ied ou t as h e lay on t h e

gr ou n d . T h e st r on g t ast e of a cigar con t in u ed t o u n ceasin gly slice h is t h r oat lik e
t in y k n ives.
H e w as alr ea d y som ew h at d esen sit ised t o t h e violen t b ou t s of p ain

over com in g h im . No w , h e w as t r yin g t o look t ow ar d s Xiao Xiao’s d ir ect ion fr om
h is fallen st at e.
T h e in com p ar ab ly qu iet Xiao Xiao d efin it ely cou ld n ’t h ear a n y of t h e violen t

exp losion s t h at w er e com in g fr om t h e ou t sid e w or ld at t h is m om en t . H er face
w as ver y p ale, an d h er t h in lip s w er e st ill t igh t ly p u r sed t oget h er . As sh e
fu r r ow ed h er b r ow s, fain t t r aces of b lood cou ld b e seen flow in g fr om h er seven
ap er t u r es. Not on ly d id sh e look m iser ab le, b u t sh e also gave off an
in d escr ib ab le sen se o f h ear t ach e.
T h e cu r r en t Xiao Xiao w as ju st t h at cu t e in H e Cait ou ’s eyes. T h e

con ver sat ion t h a t on ly t h e t w o h ad h ear d on t h e st age ear lier w as n ow
r esou n d in g in h is m in d .
“Br ot h er H e, d o you h ave an y esp ecially st r on g sou l t ools t h at ar en ’t

r est r ict ed ?”
“I h ave on e, b u t it n eed s a ver y lon g t im e t o ch ar ge u p .”

“T h en , h ow ab ou t w e st ak e it all? I ca n h elp you st all for som e t im e. I can ’t
gu ar an t ee t h at I’ll b e ab le t o give you en ou gh t im e, b u t I’ll d o m y b est . W e’r e
also st u d en t s of Sh r ek Acad em y, so for t h e sak e of Sh r ek ’s glor y, w e can ’t ju st
easily for feit . Ou r yo u t h isn ’t an excu se.”
“Xiao Xiao. Bu t …”
“Don ’t ‘b u t ’ m e, b r ot h er H e. If w e d on ’t u se all of ou r st r en gt h t o st ak e it all,

w e’ll d efin it ely r egr et it for ou r en t ir e lives. If a gir l lik e m e isn ’t scar ed , d on ’t
t ell m e t h at you ar e.”
“I’m n at u r ally n ot scar ed , b u t I’m w or r ied for you .”
“T h er e’s n o n eed t o w or r y ab ou t m e. I’m a m em b er of Sh r ek ’s r ep r esen t at ive

t eam , n ot ju st a lit t le gir l. Let ’s ju st d o it t h is w ay!”
Righ t . It w as t h is exact con ver sat ion t h at h ad sealed t h eir st r at egy on t h e

t ou r n am en t st age, an d also t h e p at h t h at t h e m at ch w ou ld follow . At t h is
m om en t , H e Cait ou d id n ’t even k n ow w h et h er h e w as feelin g an y r egr et in h is
h ear t .
St r u gglin g, h e d id h is b est t o cr aw l over t o Xiao Xiao. H e b en t h is b od y, t h en

u sed h is w id e b ack as a su p p or t t o car r y Xiao Xiao’s b od y w h ile en d u r in g t h e
fallin g gr avel t h at ca m e fr om t h e b low n u p t ou r n am en t st age.
“Lit t le gir l, I w ill n ever let you p r ot ect m e in t h e fu t u r e aga in . I sh ou ld b e t h e

on e w h o’s p r ot ect in g you !” H e Cait ou felt h is m in d go d izzy. H e con t in u ou sly
en d u r ed t h e p ain of t h e fallin g gr avel lan d in g on h is b ack , b u t even in t h e
in st an t h e fain t ed , h e con t in u ed t o u se h is elb ow s an d k n ees t o su p p or t h is ow n
b od y t o p r ot ect t h e b r ave lit t le gir l u n d er h is b ack fr om t h e fallin g r ock s.
Chapt er 91: Shr ek's Glor y!
T h e ligh t on t h e t ou r n am en t st age fin ally van ish ed . T h e p u r p le ligh t s

w eak en ed fir st , b u t t h ey st ill for cefu lly car ved ou t t h r ee h oles on t h e p r ot ect ive
b ar r ier . For t u n at ely, t h e b ar r ier su r r ou n d in g t h e st age w as st ill solid . Alt h o u gh
a p ar t of it h a d b een b r ok en t h r ou gh , n ot t oo m u ch of t h e en er gy h ad leak ed ou t
an d affect ed t h e a u d ien ce.
T h e w h it e b laze on t h e ot h er sid e van ish ed gr ad u ally, r evea lin g t h e b od y of

t h e en or m ou s elep h a n t .
T h er e w as n o d ou b t ab ou t it —t h is en or m ou s elep h an t w as t h e M ar t ia l Sou l
T r u e Bod y cr eat ed b y t h e Sou l Sage-r an k ed r efer ee. It w as p r ecisely h e w h o h ad
t ak en t h e p lace of T an g Xiaolei t o b lock t h at fat al b low .
Even t h e r efer ee’s M ar t ial Sou l T r u e Bod y w as cover ed in a la yer of soot n ow .

An en or m ou s, fan -sh ap ed ar ea of t h e t ou r n am en t st age in fr on t of h im h ad b een
d est r oyed . T h e w id est p ar t of t h e ar ea w as n ear ly for t y m et r es w id e, an d t h e
d eep est p ar t of t h e d est r oyed ar ea w as five m et er s d eep . Ext r em ely lar ge cr ack s
h ad even ap p ear ed in t h e ar ea su r r ou n d in g t h e d est r oyed ar ea. T h is m iser ab le
sigh t w as t r u ly ast on ish in g!
T h is w as t h e m igh t of a su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on , an d it w asn ’t

even a com p let e on e.
W h en t h e su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on w as fir st d evelop ed , it w as

claim ed t h at even a Sou l Sage w ou ld n ot b e ab le t o w it h st an d it in a d ir ect
collision . T h is w as t h e m ost p ow er fu l asp ect of a sou l t ool--even a five-r in ged
Sou l Kin g w ou ld b e ab le t o t h r ea t en a Sou l Sage b y r elyin g on a sou l t ool lik e
t h is. In r ea lit y h ow ever , w ou ld a Sou l Sa ge give a Sou l Kin g t h e op p or t u n it y t o
ch ar ge u p t h e r eq u ir ed en er gy an d aim it at h im ?
T h is r efer ee w as u n lu ck ily t h e fir st sou l m ast er t o h ave t ak en a b low fr om a
su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on w it h t h e b od y of a Sou l Sage. Fu r t h er m or e,
h e w as st ill u n ab le t o cou n t er at t ack w h en h e w a s b lock in g t h e a t t ack . T h e
for t u n at e t h in g for h im w as t h at h e w a s a d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er . Esp ecially
aft er r eleasin g h is M ar t ial Sou l T r u e Bod y, h is d efen sive cap a b ilit ies w er e t r u ly
ast on ish in g.
T h e yellow ligh t van ish ed , r evealin g t h e d ir t -cover ed face of t h e r efer ee, w h o

h ad w it h d r aw n h is M ar t ial Sou l T r u e Bod y. H ow ever , h is eyes con t ain ed n o
t r aces of an ger at all. As h e look ed at H e Cait ou , w h o b lock ed t h e fallin g r ock s
fr om h it t in g Xiao Xiao, h e t r u ly w an t ed t o give a b ig t h u m b s u p t o t h e t w o
st u d en t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y!
T an g Xiaolei w alk ed exp r ession lessly ou t fr om b eh in d t h e r efer ee. H e w as

com p let ely u n ab le t o im agin e w h at w ou ld ’ve h ap p en ed if t h at at t ack h ad lan d ed
on h is b od y. Fu r t h er m or e, alt h ou gh h is t h r ee ar r ow s w er e ver y p ow er fu l, h e
cou ld gu ar an t ee t h a t t h er e w ou ld h ave on ly b een a sin gle ou t com e if t h ey h ad
collid ed w it h t h e m igh t of t h e su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l ca n n on --t h at w as, an
exp losion . M or eover , h is t h r ee a r r ow s w ou ld sim p ly h ave b een u n ab le t o p ier ce
t h r ou gh t h e sou l can n on .
T h e r efer ee t u r n ed t ow ar d s h im an d sa id in d iffer en t ly, “You w er e alr ead y

elim in at ed fr om t h e com p et it ion t h e m om en t I h elp ed b lock you r op p on en t ’s
at t ack .”
T an g Xiaolei sh iver ed in st in ct ively, an d on ly t h en d id h e r ea lise t h at h e w as

st ill in a t ou r n am en t . H e h u r r ied ly said r esp ect fu lly, “M an y t h an k s for you r
k in d n ess in savin g m y life. H ow ever , t h e ou t com e of t h is m at ch …”
At t h is exact m om en t , a som ew h at lim p in g figu r e clim b ed o u t fr om a p ile of

b r ok en r ock s an d d u st . H is st u r d y b od y w as filled w it h p ow er , an d h is
ap p ear an ce seem ed t o m ak e t h e en t ir e a u d ien ce t h in k t h at t h is w as a t h eat er .
T h is p er son w as Xu e Lan g.
Aft er b ein g fr ozen b y Xiao Xiao’s Cau ld r on ’s Qu ak in g T r em b le an d t ak in g on
t h e sh ock w aves of t h e Pu r p leflow er Bow ’s secon d ar r ow , Xu e Lan g h ad b een
sligh t ly in ju r ed . H ow ever , H e Cait ou an d T an g Xiaolei h a d st ar t ed fir in g at each
ot h er b efor e w ait in g for h im t o clim b u p .
T h in k ab ou t it --on e p ar t y h ad sh ot t h r ee d ead ly ar r ow s over , w h ile t h e ot h er

h ad r eleased a su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on . Nob od y else w ou ld ’ve d ar ed
t o clim b b ack u p in a sit u a t ion lik e t h is! Xu e Lan g cou ld on ly cu r l h is b od y u p
an d r elease h is st r o n gest d efen sive sou l sk ill an d exer t h is sou l p ow er t o h u g
h im self am id st t h ose t er r ifyin g exp losion s.
M or eover , it w as ju st b y d oin g t h is t h at h e w as ab le t o b ecom e t h e m at ch ’s

last r em ain in g p er son .
T h e r efer ee leap t acr oss t h e gian t p it in fr on t of h im an d exa m in ed H e Cait ou

an d Xiao Xiao’s b od ies, t h en sh oved a m ed icin al p ill in t o t h eir m ou t h s b efor e
st an d in g b ack u p . H e an n ou n ced in a low voice u sin g t h e sou n d -am p lifyin g sou l
t ool, “I sh ou ld n ’t fa vou r an y p ar t icu la r t eam as a r efer ee. H ow ever , I m u st say
t h at m y b lood w as ign it ed b y b ein g a p ar t icip an t in t h is m at ch . M y life’s gr eat est
r egr et is n ot b ecom in g a m em b er of Sh r ek .”
“H ow ever , I h ave t o an n ou n ce t h at t h e last r em ain in g st u d en t in t od ay’s

m at ch is J u st sk y Acad em y’s Xu e Lan g. T h u s, J u st sk y Acad em y w in s t h is r ou n d .
T h e cu r r en t scor e of t h e 2-2-3 m a t ch is 1:1, an d so t h e vict or of t h is m a t ch w ill b e
d ecid ed in t h e 3v 3 r ou n d . Sh r ek Acad em y, p lease sen d som e p eop le u p t o collect
you r m em b er s.”
T h e r efer ee’s voice w as som ew h at low , h is gaze n ot leavin g H e Cait ou an d

Xiao Xiao’s b od ies as h e m ad e t h e an n ou n cem en t . T h e in st an t h e fin ish ed h is
sp eech , W an g Yan , Bei Bei, H u o Yu h ao, an d W an g Don g sim u lt an eou sly leap t u p
t o t h e st age an d su r r ou n d ed t h eir t eam m at es.
W an g Yan also t ook ou t m or e m ed icin al p ills an d sh oved t h em in t o H e Cait ou

an d Xiao Xiao’s m ou t h s. T h en , h e m ot ion ed for t h e ot h er s t o car efu lly t ak e
t h em d ow n fr om t h e st age.
Aft er t h e r efer ee an n ou n ced t h e r esu lt s of t h is r ou n d , t h e au d ien ce fell in t o a
t em p or ar y silen ce.
Nob od y k n ew w h o m ad e t h e fir st clap , b u t sou n d s of ap p lau se st ar t ed t o

gr ad u ally r in g ou t . T h ese sou n d s w er e r at h er sp ar se at t h e ver y b egin n in g, b u t
t h ey gr ad u ally gr ew lou d er as m or e an d m or e p eop le cam e t o t h eir sen ses.
Righ t , Sh r ek Acad em y h ad lost . T h e Sh r ek Acad em y t h a t h ad n ever lost h a d

lost a sm all m a t ch . H ow ever , w as Sh r ek Acad em y’s glor y affect ed at all?
No, n at u r a lly n ot . In t h e eyes of t h e au d ien ce, at t h e ver y lea st , Sh r ek ’s glor y

h ad on ly gr ew even m or e.
Alt h ou gh t h ey d id n ’t k n ow w h y Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld sen d ou t a Sou l

An cest or an d a Sou l Gr an d m ast er , t h is t eam h ad n ear ly d efeat ed on e con sist in g
of a Sou l Kin g a n d a Sou l An cest or . It w a s ju st t h at a Sou l Kin g w h o sp ecialised
in lon g-r an ge at t ack s h ad com p let ely sh u t t h em d ow n .
T h in k ab ou t it : w h a t h ad t h at b r ave gir l d on e? Sh e w as a t w in -sou led sou l

m ast er w h o in fect ed ever y sin gle p er son in t h e cr ow d w it h h er p er sever an ce an d
st u b b or n n ess. Did sh e lose? No, sh e h ad n ’t lost . Sh e w as st ill t h at you n g, an d
sh e h ad a b ou n d less fu t u r e!
At m ost , t h e au d ien ce on ly t h ou gh t t h at Sh r ek Acad em y w as b ein g h ear t less.

Non e of t h em t h ou gh t t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h ad lost it s glor y; it w as t h e exact
op p osit e--t h is figh t h ad p r oved t h e m ir acles t h at Sh r ek Acad em y cou ld cr eat e.
Righ t , t h is w as a m at ch of m ir acles!
Xu e Lan g an d T an g Xiaolei n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t t h in k t h at t h e au d ien ce w as

ch eer in g for t h em . T h e t w o of t h em glan ced h elp lessly at each ot h er , t h en
look ed b ack at t h eir op p on en t s w h o w er e b ein g car r ied d ow n w it h a look of
ad m ir at ion . T h is ad m ir at ion h ad sp r u n g u p in volu n t ar ily; t h ey h ad w on t h eir
m at ch , b u t t h eir op p on en t s h ad w on t h e r esp ect of ever yon e else h er e.
H e Cait ou w as left in a som ew h at b et t er con d it ion . H e h ad over exer t ed h is
b od y, an d h is m er id ian s h a d su ffer ed t oo lar ge of an im p act d u e t o h is sou l
p ow er . H ow ever , h e w as st ill old er t h an Xiao Xiao. M or eover , h is cu lt ivat ion
w as d eep er t h an h er s, an d h is p h ysiqu e w as m u ch st r on ger t h an t h at of an
or d in ar y p er son . Aft er eat in g a m ed icin al p ill, h e r ecover ed som ew h at .
H ow ever , Xiao Xiao w as left in a less op t im ist ic st at e. Dam age t o a m ar t ial

sou l w ou ld r esu lt in an in ju r y t o a sou l m ast er ’s or igin . As a r esu lt , sh e w as st ill
left in a d eep com a even aft er t ak in g m ed icin e.
For t u n at ely, t h e sou l m ast er s fr om t h e m ed ical d ep ar t m en t ar r an ged b y t h e

St ar Lu o Em p ir e h a d qu ick ly r u sh ed over t o t r eat t h e t w o of t h em . T h u s, t h eir
in ju r ies w er e soon st ab ilised .
T h e t ou r n am en t st a ge w as st ill b u sy. Aft er b ein g violen t ly d est r oyed , t h e

t ou r n am en t clear ly cou ld n ’t b e con t in u ed im m ed ia t ely. T h er e w er e alr ead y
ear t h -t yp e sou l m ast er s w h o h ad qu ick ly en t er ed t h e t ou r n am en t st age an d
b egu n t o r ep air it b y u sin g r ock s t h at h a d b een t r an sp or t ed over . H ow ever , t h is
p r ocess w ou ld st ill t a k e a b it of t im e.
“I ow e Xiao Xiao m y life.” T h is w a s t h e fir st t h in g H e Cait ou said aft er w ak in g

u p . H is em ot ion s w er e ver y com p licat ed n ow , an d an u n u su ally w ar m gaze
ap p ear ed in h is eyes as h e look ed at Xiao Xiao.
Bei Bei gr ab b ed t h e st u r d y m u scles on h is sh ou ld er , for cefu lly p r even t in g t h e

t ear s in h is eyes fr om fallin g, “You ar e all good p eop le. You ar e h er oes of Sh r ek .
Sh r ek ’s glor y w ill n ot b e lost fr om ou r h an d s. No m at t er h ow st r on g ou r
op p on en t s ar e, w e w ill p r ot ect t h is h on or even if w e h ave t o b u r n ever y last
d r op of ou r b lood . You can go b ack an d p at you r ow n sh ou ld er s as you t ell
ever yon e t h at you ar e a m em b er of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s. You ’ve d on e it .
Good job , Cait ou . Leave t h e r est t o u s.”
H e Cait ou n od d ed a n d sh ook Bei Bei’s h an d . “Bei Bei, w e’ll leave t h e r est t o

you .”
Bei Bei sq u in t ed h is eyes, a flash of ligh t n in g seem in gly flick er in g t h r ou gh
t h em . T h e cu r r en t h im w as ju st lik e a volcan o t h at cou ld exp lod e at an y t im e.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g im m ed iat ely st ood u p aft er t ak in g a look at t h e

st at e of Xiao Xiao’s in ju r ies. T h ey cou ld n ow see m an y, m an y m or e em ot ion s
w it h in each ot h er ’s eyes.
Xiao Xiao w as t h eir t eam m at e! T h e t h r ee of t h em h ad fou gh t t oget h er b efor e,

b u t t h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h ey’d seen Xiao Xiao r eveal su ch a st r on g figh t in g
in t en t . W h y w as t h is t h e case? T h is w as b ecau se t h ey w er e st u d en t s of Sh r ek ,
an d m em b er s of t h e T an g Sect .
W an g Don g said cold ly, “W e ab solu t ely w ill n ot lose, even if w e h ave t o d ie.”
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t u t t er a w or d , b u t a m et allic glin t h ad ap p ear ed w it h in h is

ligh t -gold Sp ir it Eyes.
“Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , Ice Em p r ess, h elp m e! Even if I h ave t o d ie, I d on ’t w an t

t o lose!”
“Good lu ck .” T h e Sk yd r eam an d Icew or m d id n ’t t r y t o p er su ad e h im

ot h er w ise, b u t t h e t w o gr eat sou l b east s sim u lt an eou sly said som e w or d s of
en cou r agem en t . Ev en t h ey h ad b een in fect ed b y t h e scen e t h at h ad ju st
u n fold ed . Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey n ow in cr easin gly u n d er st ood w h y t h e in n at ely-
w eak h u m an s w er e ab le t o r elease so m u ch p ot en t ial t o b ecom e t h e m ast er s of
t h e con t in en t .
W an g Yan d id n ’t sa y m u ch . Alt h ou gh h e k n ew t h at sen d in g Bei Bei, H u o

Yu h ao, an d W an g Don g ou t t o figh t in t h eir cu r r en t st at es cou ld lead t o a few
u n k n ow n issu es, h e cou ld n ’t say an yt h in g t o st op t h em ; t h e em ot ion s of t h e
Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s h ad b een in fect ed .
T h ey h ad given sim p ly t oo m u ch for t h e sak e of Sh r ek ’s glor y. Cou ld h e even

m ak e t h em give u p at t h is p oin t ? W an g Yan cou ld n ’t --h e felt lik e h e d id n ’t h a ve
t h e q u alificat ion s t o d o so. Even if t h e Dean w as in h is p lace, h e w ou ld n ’t h ave
t h e q u alificat ion s t o st op t h ese cu t e ch ild r en eit h er .
T h e r ep air s t o t h e t ou r n am en t st age w er e fin ish in g u p , an d t h e r efer ee h ad

sw it ch ed in t o a n ew set of clot h es b efor e com in g b ack u p .
T h e Em p er or of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e w as alr ead y seat ed on t h e d ist an t cit y

w alls t o sp ect at e t h e t ou r n am en t gr ou n d s. H e w as u sin g h is act ion s t o sh ow h is
r esp ect an d a d m ir at ion for Sh r ek Acad em y.
At t h is m om en t , even t h e ar r ogan t Xiao H on gch en fr om t h e Su n M oon

Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g h a d n o sm iles or ot h er em ot ion s on h is face. T h er e
w as on ly ast on ish m en t in t h e d ep t h s of h is eyes.
H e h ad n ever t h ou gh t t h at Sh r ek Acad em y w as m u ch st r on ger t h an t h e Su n

M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y. Bu t aft er w a t ch in g t h ese t w o
m at ch es an d seein g t h e t h r ee p eop le w h o seem ed t o b e b u r n in g w it h a fier ce
b laze as t h ey cam e ou t , h e gr ad u ally u n d er st ood w h er e t h e d iffer en ce b et w een
t h e t w o acad em ies la y.
Glor y. W h at t h ey w er e lack in g w as t h e glor y t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h ad

accu m u lat ed for over t en t h ou san d year s!
Nob od y k n ew w h y Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld sen d a lin eu p lik e t h is t o a

t ou r n am en t , b u t t h ey w er e st ill ab le t o w in ever yon e’s r esp ect . Righ t , t h ey h ad
w on t h e r esp ect of ever yon e p r esen t !
T h e r efer ee w aved t ow ar d s t h e t w o t eam s w it h in t h e t w o w ait in g r oom s fr om

t h e st age ab ove.
J u st sk y Acad em y’s fin al t h r ee m em b er s slow ly w alk ed u p t o t h e t ou r n am en t

st age.
Bei Bei t u r n ed t ow a r d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g an d sa id in a som ew h at

sp ecial voice, “It ’s goin g t o b e all on u s n o w .”
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g sim u lt an eou sly sh ou t ed , “W e h ave t o w in !”
Chapt er 92.1: The Decisive 3v3 Bat t le!
T h er e w er e t h r ee p eop le an d t h r ee h u r r ican es of figh t in g in t en t .
Bei Bei, H u o Yu h ao, an d W an g Don g t ook lar ge st r id es u p t o t h e t ou r n am en t

st age.
T h ey cou ld n ’t for get t h e fallen Xu Sa n sh i, n or t h e h eavily in ju r ed Xiao Xiao,

or t h e fu lly-d r ain ed H e Cait ou .
Ever yt h in g h a d b een d on e for Sh r ek ’s glor y. At t h e sam e t im e, t h is w as glor y

t h at b elon ged t o t h e T an g Sect ! Ot h er t h a n Xu San sh i an d J ia n g Nan n an , w h o’d
t ak en p ar t in t h e fir st m at ch , t h e r em ain in g five p eop le w h o w en t ou t b elon ged
t o b ot h Sh r ek Acad em y an d t h e T an g Sect . T h e lat t er w as t h e sect t h at h ad b een
for got t en b y cou n t less p eop le, yet h ad con t r ib u t ed m u ch t o t h e w or ld of sou l
m ast er s. It w as t h e T an g Sect t h at h ad t r ied t o d esp er at ely figh t again st a cr azy
t id e, t h e T an g Sect t h at h ad b een flou r ish in g for a p er iod of t im e.
Bei Bei w as t h e old est am on g t h e seven , as w ell as t h e sen ior b r ot h er of t h e

T an g Sect . As a r esu lt of t h is, h e h a d t o t h in k ab ou t t h in gs m u ch m or e t h an
ot h er p oep le.
T h e op p or t u n it y t o com e t o t h is t ou r n am en t w as or igin ally m ean t t o b e a

for m of t em p er in g for t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam t o b ecom e t h e m ain t eam in t h e
fu t u r e. H ow ever , t h ey w er e ab le t o fu lly st im u lat e t h eir p ot en t ia l aft er b ein g
for ced in t o t h e h ea r t of t h e st r u ggle. Bei Bei d eep ly b elieved t h at ever yon e
p r esen t w ou ld r eceiv e u n im agin ab le b en efit s as lon g as t h ey w er e ab le t o clen ch
t h eir t eet h an d p er sist . Or d in ar y lea r n in g an d cu lt iva t ion w ou ld b e com p let ely
u n ab le t o st im u la t e t h eir m in d s an d p ot en t ial in t h e w ay t h a t t h is h a d .
Fu r t h er m or e, h e r egar d ed t h e t it le of ‘Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s’ a s a ver y

im p or t an t t h in g. H ow cou ld h e ju st r eceive it w it h ou t d oin g a n yt h in g? T h e t r u e
cor e of t h e fir st gen er at ion w as T an g San , an d t h e Seven M on st er s fr om t h at
gen er at ion h ad all b ecom e m em b er s of t h e T an g Sect . Sin ce t h is m at ch h a d an
ext r aor d in ar y am ou n t of sign ifican ce t o Sh r ek Acad em y, h ow cou ld it n ot b e t h e
sam e for t h e T an g Sect ?
W e’ l l def i ni t el y succeed . T h i s w as t h e on l y t h ough t t h at w as i n Bei Bei ’ s m i n d

r i gh t n ow . T h e scen e of h i m m eet i n g T an g Ya f or t h e f i r st t i m e h ad i n expl i cabl y
appear ed i n h i s m i n d.
T h e T an g Ya at t h at t i m e l ook ed so h el pl ess, an d h er eyes l ook ed so h azy.

H ow ever , Bei Bei h ad al so seen an un f or get t abl y f i r m an d st ubbor n l ook i n h er
eyes.
T h e cur r en t T an g Ya w as n or m al l y a m er r y per son , but on l y Bei Bei k n ew

h ow h eavy t h e bur den s w i t h i n t h e dept h s of h er h ear t w er e. On l y Bei Bei k n ew
t h at t h e h ar d w or k t h at T an g Ya n or m al l y put i n w as n o l ess t h an w h at H uo
Yuh ao di d. T h e l i m i t at i on s of h er n at ur al t al en t s w er e t h e r eason w h y sh e w as
un abl e t o com pet e w i t h t h e ot h er st uden t s w h o h ad ext r aor di n ar y t al en t s. T an g
Ya h ad n ever com pl ai n ed about an yt h i n g, but i n r eal i t y, t h e ar r ogan ce t h at
cam e f r om h er bel on gi n g t o t h e T an g Sect h ad n ever decr eased.
Bei Bei h ad n ever t ol d t h i s t o T an g Ya, but al t h ough h e w as on l y f i f t een year s

ol d, h e r eck on ed t h at h e w as a m an w h o coul d h ol d up t h e h eaven s f or h er .
Si n ce h e h ad ch osen T an g Ya, h e w oul d do ever yt h i n g h e coul d f or t h e
r eem er gen ce of t h e T an g Sect . M or eover , t h er e w er e even deeper r eason s f or
t h i s. T h e dedi cat i on h e gave t o t h e T an g Sect w asn ’ t just f or T an g Ya al on e.
Four of Just sk y Academ y’ s seven of f i ci al t eam m em ber s h ad al r eady st epped

out , an d t h e r em ai n i n g m em ber s w er e n at ur al l y Ye W uqi n g an d t h e ot h er t w o
m em ber s h e l ed. T h i s w as al so t h e f i r st t i m e t h at Ye W uqi n g h ad st epped on t o
t h e t our n am en t st age.
Ye W uqi n g w asn ’ t especi al l y t al l , but h e w as ext r em el y w el l -sh aped. H i s w el l -

f i t t i n g set of w ar r i or r obes sh ow ed t h at h i s body w asn ’ t t oo di f f er en t f r om t h at
of an or di n ar y per son , n or w as h e especi al l y h an dsom e. H i s on l y def i n i n g
feat u r e w as h is face, w h ich h ad n ever r evealed an y em ot ion s. Even h is eyes w er e
in d iffer en t , m ak in g it seem as t h ou gh ever yt h in g t h at h ad ju st occu r r ed h ad n ’t
affect ed h im at all.
Nob od y cou ld b e b or n w it h a d isp osit ion lik e t h is. T h e am ou n t of in for m at ion

t h at W an g Yan h ad on Ye W u qin g w as sp ar se t o t h e p oin t w h er e it cou ld b e
called p it ifu l. Aft er a ll, J u st sk y Acad em y h ad n ever p osed an yt h in g r esem b lin g a
t h r eat t o Sh r ek Acad em y’s or igin al official t eam .
A m an an d a w om an st ood b esid e Ye W u qin g. T h e m an h ad a som ew h at u gly

face, a d r oop in g n ose, a p air of sm all eyes, t h ick lip s, an d a b elow -aver age
h eigh t . Even h is h air w as som ew h at t h in ly sp r ead . T h e fact t h at h e w as ab le t o
p ar t icip at e in t h is t ou r n am en t m ean t t h a t h e w a s t w en t y at m ost , b u t h e look ed
m u ch old er t h an h is act u al age.
H is n am e w as Sh an ggu an Can , an d h e w as an au xiliar y con t r ol-t yp e t ool sou l

m ast er . Am on g t h e st u d en t s of J u st sk y Acad em y w h o h ad p ar t icip at ed in t h e
fir st r ou n d of t h e elim in at ion t ou r n am en t , h e w as t h e on e w h o h ad left t h e
d eep est im p r ession on W an g Yan . H is cap ab ilit ies in t h e field of au xiliar y
con t r ol cou ld b e seen fr om t h is fact .
T h e fem ale st u d en t st an d in g b esid e Ye W u qin g w as m u ch p r et t ier . H er lon g,

fir e-r ed h air w as d r ap ed over h er sh ou ld er s, an d h er ch ar m in g feat u r es cou ld
even b e con sid er ed p leasan t . Alt h ou gh sh e w asn ’t an ab solu t e b eau t y lik e J ian g
Nan n an , sh e w as st ill filled w it h t h e au r a of you t h . H er b od y w as ext r em ely
w ell-d evelop ed , givin g a feelin g of d esir e t o all on look er s.
Sh e w as called Yan ’er , an d sh e w as an assau lt -t yp e b at t le sou l m ast er w h o

sp ecialised in lon g-r an ge at t ack s. Sh e w as som ew h at sim ilar t o t h e w ield er of
t h e Pu r p leflow er Bow , T an g Xiaolei, in t er m s of ab ilit ies, b u t sh e d id n ’t h ave t h e
exp losive p ow er t h at t h e lat t er h ad . H ow ever , sh e w as m u ch b et t er t h an h im in
a d r aw n -ou t figh t .
Sh an ggu an Can an d Yan ’er w er e b ot h fou r -r in ged Sou l An cest or s, b u t t h eir
cu lt ivat ion s h ad r each ed Ran k 4 6. On t h e ot h er h an d , Ye W u q in g w as a Ran k 58
assau lt -t yp e Sou l Kin g.
Alt h ou gh t h ey h a d n ’t sen t ou t t h e st r on gest p ossib le lin eu p of t h r ee Sou l

Kin gs, Ye W u qin g w as st ill ab le t o leave t h is gr o u p for t h e la st m at ch . In t er m s
of w illp ow er an d t h e con vict ion t o w in , t h ey w er e n ot in fer ior t o Sh r ek
Acad em y .
T h is w as a ch an ce for J u st sk y Acad em y t o m ak e h ist or y. If t h ey w er e ab le t o

b ecom e t h e fir st acad em y t o d efeat Sh r ek Acad em y, w h ich h ad b een u n d efeat ed
for sever al t h ou san d year s, t h e glor y t h ey w ou ld gain w ou ld b e ab le t o let t h e
seven m em b er s of J u st sk y Acad em y b e r esp ect ed for t h eir en t ir e lives.
Bot h p ar t ies w alk ed over t o t h e cen t er of t h e t ou r n am en t st a ge, t h en look ed

each ot h er in t h e eye. Sin ce b ot h t eam lead er s k n ew w h o t h eir cou n t er p ar t s
w er e, Bei Bei d id n ’t sp eak u p . On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e fir st p er son t o sp eak u p
w as act u ally Ye W u q in g.
“Sh r ek is st ill Sh r ek . Alt h ou gh I d on ’t k n ow w h y Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld sen d

you gu ys t o p ar t icip at e in t h is t ou r n am en t , you h ave u sed you r st r en gt h t o w in
ou r r esp ect . Even if you lose, you w ill n ot lose an y face for Sh r ek Acad em y. I am
called Ye W u q in g, an d I am t h e t eam lead er of J u st sk y Acad em y.”
“I’m called Bei Bei,” Bei Bei said in d iffer en t ly, “As for vict or y or d efeat , w e’ll
ju st h ave t o see aft er t h e m at ch .”
Ye W u qin g n od d ed h is h ead ligh t ly. “It ’s p r ecisely b ecau se of t h e r esp ect w e

h ave for you t h at w e w ill b e goin g all-ou t . You h ave t h e glor y t h at b elon gs t o
Sh r ek Acad em y, an d w e sim ilar ly h av e t h e glor y t h at b elon gs t o J u st sk y
Acad em y. W e w ill d efin it ely w in t h is m a t ch .”
T h e cor n er of Bei Bei’s m ou t h t w it ch ed . “You sp eak a lot of n on sen se.”

Ye W u q in g’s cold eyes flick er ed for a b it . H e ext en d ed h is r igh t t h u m b , t h en
slow ly t u r n ed it d ow n w ar d s.
H ow ever , Bei Bei st ar t ed t o lau gh . “It ’s alw ays p eop le lik e you w h o act lik e
ever yon e ow es you m on ey so t h at ot h er p eop le d on ’t act u ally k n ow t h at you ’r e
t r yin g t o p u ll on e ou t . I’ll q u ick ly sen d you off t h e st age t o sa ve you t h e t r ou b le
of b ein g em b ar r assed . It ’s n o t em b ar r assin g t o h ave con st ip at ion , r eally.”
Xu San sh i w as a p er ver t ed p er son , b u t h e w as far fr om Bei Bei’s level at t r ash -

t alk in g, let a lon e a p er son lik e Ye W u q in g, w h o b it t er ly cu lt iv at ed all d ay lon g.
Ye W u qin g’s calm face st ar t ed t o flu sh r ed , an d t h e facial m u scles of h is t w o

t eam m at es t w it ch ed as t h ey t r ied t o n ot lau gh . Clear ly, t h ey d id n ’t lik e Ye
W u q in g’s et er n ally exp r ession less face eit h er .
T h e r efer ee in t er r u p t ed t h e t w o p ar t ies w h o w er e q u ib b lin g w it h each ot h er

b efor e t h e m at ch . “Get b ack . Pr ep ar e for t h e m at ch .”
Ye W u qin g p oin t ed h is fin ger at Bei Bei, t h en m oved b ack w ar d s.
Bei Bei m u t t er ed t o h im self, “I ju st h at e p eop le w h o p oin t fin ger s at m e t h e

m ost . I’ll d efin it ely b r eak it la t er .”
Bot h p ar t ies r et r eat ed , q u ick ly r each in g t h e en d s of t h e n ew ly r ep air ed

t ou r n am en t st age. T h e figh t in g in t en t of all six com p et in g st u d en t s w as b u r n in g
lik e a fier ce b laze, an d t h e sm ell of gu n p ow d er h ad alr ead y filled t h e b at t lefield
b efor e t h e m at ch h ad even st ar t ed . T h is w as a m at ch t h at n eit h er p ar t y cou ld
affor d t o lose.
W an g Yan , w h o w as or igin ally p lan n in g t o for feit t h e m at ch , w as cu r r en t ly

clen ch in g h is fist s. H e p r ayed in h is h ear t u n cea sin gly: Ki ds, you’ ve al r eady
got t en t o t h i s poi nt . You’ r e al r eady t he best . H ow ever , you m ust w i n t h i s m at ch !
You ar e t he pr i de of Shr ek .
A Soul Ki n g an d t w o Soul An cest or s w er e f aci n g a t eam of a Soul An cest or , a

Soul El der , an d a Soul Gr an dm ast er .
T h er e w as a lar ge d isp ar it y b et w een b ot h p ar t ies, b u t Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s
h ad n ’t b een a t a d isad van t age d u r in g t h eir p r eviou s m at ch es w it h sim ilar
sit u a t ion s. W h o w ou ld d ar e t o say t h at t h ey w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o cr eat e a m ir acle
d u r in g t h is m at ch ?
Righ t , t h ey n eed ed a m ir acle t o h ave a ch an ce of w in n in g. H ow ever , t h e

m on st er s of Sh r ek Acad em y w er e alw ays good at cr eat in g m ir acles.
T h e r efer ee gave at Sh r ek Acad em y’s t r io a d eep look , t h en t ook a d eep b r eat h

an d sh ou t ed , “M at ch , st ar t !”
T h e t en s of t h o u san d s of p eop le in in St ar Lu o Plaza w er e all focu sed on t h is

sin gle t h in g. T h e au d ien ce h ad even for got t en h ow t o b lin k , so scar ed w er e t h ey
t h at t h ey w ou ld m iss a sin gle t h in g.
T h is m at ch w as sim p ly t oo excit in g. T h ey h ad alr ead y for got t en t h e glor y of

Sh r ek Acad em y; r igh t n ow , on ly t h e st au n ch an d u n yield in g Sh r ek exist ed in
t h eir m in d s.
Over on t h e cit y w a lls, even t h e Em p er or cou ld n ’t h elp b u t p r ess h is h an d s

in t o h is ch a ir as h e w at ch ed in t en t ly. W ou ld a m ir acle t r u ly occu r ? Accor d in g t o
t h e in vest igat ion s h e h ad con d u ct ed , Sh r ek Acad em y st ood n o ch an ce of
w in n in g t h is m at ch . H ow ever , t h ey h ad a lr ead y u sed t h eir act ion s t o p r ove t h at
t h eir Sou l An cest or s w ou ld n ’t b e afr aid of an y Sou l Kin gs, t o t h e ext en t t h at
even a t w o-r in ged Sou l Gr an d m ast er h a d d ar ed t o for cefu lly clash w it h a Sou l
Kin g. J u st h ow valia n t w as t h is?!
Follow in g t h e d eclar at ion of t h e st ar t of t h e m at ch , b ot h p ar t ies r eleased t h eir

r esp ect ive m ar t ial sou ls.
Accom p an ied b y a w ave of ligh t n in g, d r agon scales b egan t o cover h alf of Bei
Bei’s b od y as h e r eleased h is T yr an n ical Blu e Ligh t n in g Dr agon . H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g t h en r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls w h ile h old in g h an d s in a ver y
n at u r al m a n n er .
H ow ever , t h e b lood -r ed sou l r in gs d id n ’t ap p ear as p er t h e au d ien ce’s
an t icip at ion s. W h at ap p ear ed w as act u ally w h it e--t h e w h it e t h at r ep r esen t ed a
t en year sou l r in g.
Cu r r en t ly, t h er e w er e on ly t w o sim p le w h it e sou l r in gs ar o u n d H u o Yu h ao

an d W an g Don g’s b od ies.
“T h is, t h is can ’t b e p ossib le, r igh t ?”
T h e su d d en an d en o r m ou s con t r ast b et w een t h e ext r em ely p ow er fu l h u n d r ed

t h ou san d year sou l r in gs an d t h e ext r em ely w eak t en year sou l r in gs t h r ew Ye
W u qin g’s t r io in t o a d aze for a m om en t . T h e au d ien ce h a d also flow n in t o an
u p r oar . Even if t h e t w o-r in ged Xiao Xiao h ad ap p ear ed in t h e p r eviou s m a t ch , a
st u d en t fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld n ever on ly h ave t w o w h it e sou l r in gs!
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g sim p ly d id n ’t t ak e an y of t h at in t o con sid er at ion .

At t h is m om en t , t h eir h ear t s w er e in t er lin k ed , t h eir sou l p ow er s com b in ed .
Bor r ow in g t h e for ce of H u o Yu h ao’s t u g, W an g Don g w as n ow b eh in d h im . H e
w as alr ead y p r ep ar ed t o act as a b ack gr ou n d figu r e in t h is m at ch . H u o Yu h ao
an d W an g Don g sim p ly d id n ot t h in k ab ou t su ch m at t er s. At t h is ver y m om en t ,
t h eir h ear t s w er e lin k ed , an d t h eir sou l p ow er w as com bin ed . W an g Don g
d u ck ed as h e p u lled H u o Yu h ao b eh in d h im . H e w as alr ead y com p let ely
p r ep ar ed t o p lay t h e r ole of t h e su p p or t in g cast in t h is b at t le.
Regar d less of w h et h er it w a s h im or H u o Yu h ao, t h ey w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o t ak e

on a p ow er fu l op p on en t b y t h em selves. H ow ever , t h e fa ct t h a t t h ey w er e
com p an ion s w it h a on e h u n d r ed p er cen t com p at ib ilit y r at e cou ld n ’t b e
for got t en ! T h e t w o of t h em cou ld r ival even a Sou l An cest or if t h ey w or k in g
t oget h er . Neit h er h im n or H u o Yu h ao w ou ld b e ab le t o con t en d again st t h e
en em y b efor e t h em alon e, h ow ever , on e m u st n ever for get t h at t h ey w er e
com p an ion s t h at p ossessed a on e h u n d r ed p er cen t m ar t ial sou l fu sion r at e!
T h eir com b in ed m igh t w as alr ea d y en ou gh t o m at ch a Sou l An cest or .
W an g Don g st u ck t o H u o Yu h ao’s b ack in a ver y n at u r al m a n n er . As h e h eld

on t o t h e lat t er ’s w aist , h e r eleased h is Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.
Fr om t h e fr on t , W an g Don g look ed as if h e h ad alr ead y d isap p ear ed . It w as a s

if H u o Yu h ao h a d gr ow n a p air of d azzlin g w in gs, w h ose b lu ish -gold en ligh t
r ad iat ed t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e ar en a.
W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess w asn ’t t h e st r on gest m ar t ia l sou l
t h at h ad ap p ear ed in t h e t ou r n am en t , b u t u p t ill n ow , t h er e w as d efin it ely n o
ot h er on e t h at cou ld b e com p ar ed t o it in t er m s of b eau t y.
As t h e H aod on g Pow er cir cu lat ed t h r ou gh h is b od y, H u o Yu h ao t ook a st ep
for w ar d an d r each ed Bei Bei. Aft er ‘fu sin g’ w it h W an g Don g, h e w an t ed t o r ely
on t h eir com b in ed st r en gt h t o h elp h is sen ior b r ot h er figh t .
“Sen ior b r ot h er , w e’ll figh t alon gsid e you .” H u o Yu h ao’s voice w as clear ly
som ew h at low . At t h is m om en t , a gold en ligh t flick er ed t h r ou gh h is eyes, an d a
few sh ad es of jad e-gr een w er e h id d en w it h in t h em .
“Ok ay!” Bei Bei sh ou t ed , t ak in g t h e in it iat ive t o ch ar ge t ow ar d s h is

op p on en t s. W an g Don g u n fu r led h is w in gs, allow in g H u o Yu h ao t o follow h is
sen ior b r ot h er b y flyin g in a m an n er t h at seem ed as t h ou gh h e w as glid in g over
t h e floor .
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion h ad alr ead y en velop ed t h e en t ir e st age.
W it h Ye W u q in g lea d in g t h e t eam , t h e t h r ee st u d en t s fr om J u st sk y Acad em y

r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls. T h eir m ar t ial sou ls cou ld b e said t o b e som ew h at
u n iqu e, an d on e h ad n o ch oice b u t t o ad m it t h a t J u st sk y Acad em y--w h ich r elied
on t h e cu lt ivat ion of m ar t ial sou ls w h ile r eject in g t h e u se of sou l t ools--w as
som ew h at u n iq u e w h en select in g an d n u r t u r in g st u d en t s.
Sh an ggu an Can sh u t h is eyes, cau sin g a fain t layer of m ist t o d iffu se fr om h is

b od y. T h is m ist w asn ’t w h it e, b u t fain t b lu e.
T h is fain t b lu e m ist coiled ab ou t an d r ose in t o t h e air , m ak in g h is b od y fain t ly

d iscer n ib le an d fillin g h is p er son w it h an au r a of m yst er y.
Follow in g a ser ies of cr isp b ell r in gs, an an cien t b ell ap p ear ed in h is r igh t
h an d . T h is b ell w as ver y lar ge, an d it s w ood en h an d le alon e w as alr ead y m or e
t h an a foot lon g. T h e fr on t sect ion of t h e b ell w as d ar k b lu e, an d t h er e w er e
t h r ee m agica l b lu e b alls w it h in it . T h e collision b et w een t h ese b alls an d t h e b ell
it self w as w h a t cau sed t h e r in gin g sou n d s.
T h e r eason w h y it w as called m agical w as b ecau se t h ese t h r ee b alls w er e

act u ally flick er in g w it h ligh t as t h ey r ock ed ab ou t w it h in t h e b ell. T h ey
r esem b led t h r ee sm all eyes t h at con t in u ou sly op en ed an d closed . On e of t h e
b alls w as cold , t h e ot h er w as h ot , an d t h e last w as d em on ic. It w as t r u ly an
ext r em ely p ecu liar m ar t ial sou l.
T w o yellow an d t w o p u r p le sou l r in gs st ar t ed t o u n d u lat e ab ou t h is b od y. As

h e t ook a few st ep s b ack , Sh an ggu an Can squ in t ed h is eyes, gazin g at H u o
Yu h ao’s b od y.
Over at t h e ot h er sid e, t h e gir l k n ow n as Yan ’er h ad a m a r t ia l sou l t h at r elat ed

t o fir e, as h er n am e im p lied . H er cu r r en t ap p ear an ce w as even m or e p ecu liar . At
t h is m om en t , sh e w as float in g in t h e air , h eld u p b y a h alf-m et er -w id e fir eb all.
H er h an d s w er e ou t st r et ch ed fr om h er b od y, an d h er ar m s w er e sligh t ly b en t .
Sh e h eld a p alm -sized fir eb all in each of h er h an d s. T h er e w a s n o d ou b t ab ou t it -
-h er m a r t ial sou l w a s a Fir eb all. It w asn ’t an elem en t al m ar t ial sou l lik e t h e on e
Lin g Lu och en p ossessed , b u t it w a s a m a t er ial elem en t a l m ar t ial sou l t h at w as
sligh t ly in fer ior t o h er s.
In con t r ast t o t h em , Ye W u qin g’s m ar t ia l sou l w asn ’t t oo p ecu liar . A lon g an d

n ar r ow gold leaf h a d qu iet ly float ed in fr on t of h im , an d h is sou l r in gs also
su r r ou n d ed h im . H e t h en r aised h is r igh t h an d , u sin g h is in d ex an d m id d le
fin ger s t o h old t h is leaf.
T h is w as Ye W u q in g’s m ar t ial sou l, t h e Gold en Leaf. H ow ever , h e w as an

assau lt -t yp e sou l m a st er .
Yan ’er w as t h e fir st p er son on t h e b at t lefield t o m ak e a m ove. As sh e p r essed

h er h an d s t oget h er , sh e sh ou t ed , “Go!”
Im m ed iat ely, t h e t w o fir eb alls in h er p alm s fu sed t oget h er . T h is fu sion d id n ’t

look t oo im p or t an t , b u t a foot -w id e fir eb all su d d en ly flew t ow ar d s Bei Bei.
Follow in g t h at , Yan ’er ’s fir st sou l r in g lit u p .
W h ile Yan ’er m ad e h er m ove, Sh an ggu a n Can w asn ’t slack in g ab ou t eit h er .

H e gen t ly sh ook h is Sou lsu ck in g Bell, cau sin g a ser ies of jin gles t o r in g ou t .
W aves of t w it ch in ess flood ed Bei Bei, H u o Yu h ao, an d W an g Don g’s m in d s, an d
t h ey b ecam e ab sen t -m in d ed for an in st an t .
Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce?
T h e cor n er of H u o Yu h ao’s m ou t h t w it ch ed for a m om en t . Alt h ou gh h e d id n ’t

k n ow t h e cor r ect n a m e of h is op p on en t ’s sou l sk ill, h e cou ld gu ar an t ee t h a t t h is
w as som et h in g ak in t o h is Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce.
“Pip e d ow n a lit t le!” H u o Yu h ao sh ou t ed cold ly as h e cou n t er a t t ack ed w it h ou t

an y t r aces of p olit en ess at all. A p u r p lish -gold en ligh t in st an t ly sh ot ou t fr om h is
eyes, t ar get t in g Sh an ggu an Can ’s Sou lsu ck in g Bell.
If H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e t r u ly t w o-r in ged Sou l Gr an d m ast er s, t h e

for m er ’s st r en gt h in sp ir it u a l-t yp e sk ills w ou ld n ’t b e t oo gr eat . M or eover ,
w h at ever sk ill h e cou ld r elease w ou ld b e w eak en ed b y h is fir st w h it e sou l r in g--
t h is w as w h at Sh an ggu an Can t h ou gh t . H e w as an au xiliar y con t r ol-t yp e sou l
m ast er , m ak in g h im som ew h at sim ilar t o Xiao Xiao. H e w as called an au xiliar y-
t yp e sou l m ast er , b u t h e d id n ’t st r en gt h en h is t eam m at es; h e w eak en ed h is
op p on en t s. For exam p le, h is fir st sou l sk ill w ou ld affect t h e m in d s of all
op p on en t s w it h in a cer t ain r an ge, an d can cel t h e lock -on effect s of an y ot h er
sou l sk ills. Sh an ggu a n Can cou ld b e con sid er ed t o b e q u it e sk illfu l in it s u se.
H ow ever , h e w ou ld n ever h ave t h ou gh t t h at h e w ou ld en cou n t er a p u r e

sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l m ast er lik e H u o Yu h ao. Sh an ggu an Can st ill n eed ed t o r ely
on h is Sou lsu ck in g Bell t o u n leash h is sou l sk ills, b u t H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u a l-t yp e
ab ilit ies w er e p u r ely r elian t on t h e u se of h is eyes. A b od y sou l w as n a t u r ally
m u ch st r on ger t h an h is t ool sou l.
W it h H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sh ar in g, losin g lock -on effect s sim p ly w ou ld n ’t

b ot h er an y of h is t ea m m at es. Fu r t h er m o r e, w ou ld n ’t H u o Yu h ao st ill b e ab le t o
h it h is op p on en t u sin g h is Sp ir it u al Sh ock ?
Becau se of t h at , Sh a n ggu an Can w as som ew h at u n p r ep ar ed w h en facin g H u o

Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sh ock .
On e sh ou ld n ’t assu m e t h at H u o Yu h ao w as w eak ju st b ecau se of h is t w o sou l
r in gs. Even a Sou l Kin g-r an k ed exp er t lik e Sh en Ce h a d t o su ffer a loss fr om h is
Sp ir it u al Sh ock .
W it h W a n g Don g’s h elp an d t h e am p lificat ion p r ovid ed b y t h e H aod on g

Pow er , H u o Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er w as su fficien t t o st ep in t o t h e t h r esh old of fou r -
r in ged Sou l An cest or s. Alt h ou gh h e h ad few er sou l r in gs, all of t h em w er e
equ ivalen t t o t h ou san d year sou l r in gs in t er m s of p ow er , an d h is Sp ir it u al
Sh ock w as fu r t h er st r en gt h en ed b y h is Pu r p le Dem on Eyes.
Aft er b ein g st r en gt h en ed , h is sou l sk ill w as alr ead y su fficien t ly p ow er fu l t o

t ak e on an yon e b elow t h e Sou l Em p er or r an k . On ly if h is op p on en t w as
p r ep ar ed , or h is sp ir it u a l p ow er w as n ot p ow er fu l en ou gh , w ou ld h e su ffer a
lar ge b ack lash .
A p u r p lish -gold en ligh t in st an t ly sh ot ou t , an d Sh an ggu an Can felt an

ir r esist ib le, sh ar p sp ir it u al p ow er r u sh in t o h is m in d . H e felt lik e h is h ead h ad
b een fier cely sm ash ed b y a m et al h am m er , an d t w o jet s of fr esh b lood in st an t ly
sh ot ou t fr om h is n ose. H e st u m b led an d n ear ly fell d ow n , cau sin g h is fir st sou l
sk ill t o im m ed ia t ely en d .
W hat a pow er f ul spi r i t ual -t ype at t ack sk i l l ! Ast on i sh ed, Sh an gguan Can
vi ol en t l y sh ook t h e Soul suck i n g Bel l i n h i s h an d. An ear -pi er ci n g ji n gl e br ough t
about a pow er f ul soun d w ave, causi n g H uo Yuh ao’ s t r i o t o f eel as t h ough t h ei r
h eads w er e expl odi n g. T h i s w as especi al l y t r ue f or H uo Yuh ao, w h o h ad just
suf f er ed a back l ash af t er usi n g h i s Spi r i t ual Sh ock . H i s f oot st eps sl ow ed dow n a
bi t , an d h e l et out a m uf f l ed gr oan .
T h i s w as t h e Soul suck i n g Bel l ’ s secon d soul sk i l l , Soul deat h .
At t h i s exact m om en t , Yan ’ er ’ s Fi r ebal l f i n al l y r each ed Bei Bei .
Bei Bei r ai sed h i s r i gh t h an d, sen di n g a cl aw -sh aped bol t of pur pl i sh -bl ue

l i gh t n i n g f or w ar d. T h i s bol t of l i gh t n i n g col l i ded w i t h t h e f i r ebal l i n m i dai r ,
cau sin g a violen t b oom t o r in g ou t . Bei Bei w asn ’t st op p ed at all, b u t h is
T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw h ad b een d r ain ed b y t h e Fir eb all.
Bei Bei clear ly h ad a b et t er m ar t ia l sou l, b u t h e w as sligh t ly in fer ior t o Yan ’er

in t er m s of sou l p ow er . W h en b ot h p ar t ies u sed t h eir fir st sou l sk ills, t h ey en d ed
u p b ein g equ al.
Yan ’er let ou t a r ela xed sigh aft er seein g t h e r esu lt s of t h eir clash . Sin ce t h eir
op p on en t w as an a ssau lt -t yp e sou l m a st er w h o w asn ’t even h er equ al in
cu lt ivat ion , h ow cou ld t h ey h ave an y ch a n ce of d efeat in g h er sid e?
Ye W u qin g m ad e a m ove as w ell. H is st yle of at t ack in g w as som et h in g t h at n o

on e p r esen t w ou ld ’ve exp ect ed . H e flu n g ou t t h e leaf h e h eld b et w een h is
fin ger s, h is secon d sou l r in g ligh t in g u p as h e d id so. H ow ever , t h e ver y d azzlin g
Gold en Leaf d id n ’t seem t o p ossess a n y p ow er as it w a s flu n g ou t . M or e
m yst er iou sly, it seem ed as t h ou gh Ye W u qin g h a d m ad e a m ist ak e. T h e leaf’s
lan d in g p oin t w as st ill t w o t o t h r ee m et r es aw ay fr om Bei Bei an d H u o Yu h ao,
cr eat in g a seem in gly p ow er less p ar ab ola.
Ye W u qin g h ad ch o sen an ext r em ely good t im e t o at t ack ; t h is w as ju st as

Sh an ggu an Can h ad r eleased h is Sou ld eat h .
Affect ed b y Sh an ggu an Can ’s Sou ld eat h , H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion

Sh ar in g t u r n ed slu ggish for a b r ief m om en t . At t h at m om en t , t h e Gold en Leaf
lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d .
“Din g—” T h e Gold en Leaf lan d ed , cau sin g a cr isp p eal t o r in g ou t . Righ t aft er
t h at , it u n exp ect ed ly r icoch et ed . Fu r t h er m or e, it s or igin ally yellow -gold su r face
su d d en ly t u r n ed p u r e gold as it t r ip led in sp eed an d sh ot t ow ar d s Bei Bei.
H ow ever , t h e Gold en Leaf d id n ’t lan d on Bei Bei. A sm all t h r ow in g k n ife

seem ed t o coin cid en t ally, yet ext r em ely accu r at ely, st r ik e t h e Gold en Leaf m id -
fligh t .
T h e t w o it em s collid ed , an d t h e Gold en Leaf w as slow ed d ow n m om en t ar ily.
Aft er t h at , t h e t h r ow in g k n ife, w h ich w as of r elat ively d ecen t q u alit y,
u n exp ect ed ly m elt ed . T h en , a violen t b oom r an g ou t , t u r n in g in t o a p u r e-gold
flar e of ligh t t h a t sw ir led ever yw h er e.
T h e p er son w h o’d t h r ow n t h e t h r ow in g k n ife w as H u o Yu h ao. Alt h ou gh h is

Sp ir it u al Sh ar in g h ad b een affect ed t em p or ar ily, h is ow n Sp ir it u al Det ect io n
st ill w or k ed . As t h e u ser of t h e sk ill, h is sp ir it u al p ow er w as t h e st r on gest of t h e
six p eop le p ar t icip at in g in t h is m at ch . Becau se of t h at , h e h ad st ill gr asp ed t h e
t r aject or y of t h e Gold en Leaf. At t h e cr it ical m om en t , H u o Yu h ao h ad u sed t h e
T an g Sect ’s t ech n iq u e of con t r ollin g h id d en w eap on s t o sen d a t h r ow in g k n ife
t o w ast e t h e p ow er o f t h e Gold en Leaf.
H e h ad alr ead y felt t h at som et h in g w as off t h e in st an t t h e Gold en Leaf left Ye

W u q in g’s h an d s, b ecau se h e clear ly sen sed t h at t h e Gold en Leaf con t ain ed an
en or m ou s, yet u n st a b le sou l p ow er . T h is sou l p ow er im m ed ia t ely cir cu lat ed in a
p ecu liar fash ion t h e in st an t it w as t h r ow n ou t . As a r esu lt , it w ou ld b e st r an ge if
t h is t h in g w as ju st t h at sim p le. Aft er all, t h is w as som et h in g r eleased b y an
exp er t w h o w as n ear t h e Sou l Em p er or r a n k of cu lt iva t ion .
Alt h ou gh Bei Bei’s r eact ion s w er e a b it slo w , h e st ill h ad t h e t h r ow in g k n ife t o

h elp h im b lock t h e at t ack . Com b in ed w it h H u o Yu h ao’s w a r n in g, h e st ill h ad
en ou gh t im e t o ch an ge t h e d ir ect ion h e w as m ovin g in an d k eep fr om b ein g
b u r n ed b y t h a t ligh t flar e. Bu t even t h ou gh t h is w as t h e case, h e st ill felt as
t h ou gh a r agin g st or m of m et al w as t r yin g t o sw allow h im u p .
J u st w h at w as t h is sou l sk ill? Bei Bei w as st u n n ed . T h is Ye W u q in g seem ed t o

h ave a ver y sp ecial m ar t ial sou l. Even for a st u d en t of Sh r ek Acad em y lik e h im ,
t h is w as t h e fir st t im e h e’d seen a m ar t ial sou l lik e t h is.
Ye W u qin g w as sligh t ly st u n n ed at seein g h is Gold en Leaf get in t er cep t ed .

H ow ever , t h e secon d leaf q u ick ly ap p ea r ed in h is h an d s. W it h a flash of gold en
ligh t , it flew ou t as h is fir st sou l sk ill again . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e Gold en Leaf h ad
an ext r em ely sw ayin g t r aject or y t h is t im e; h e h ad flu n g it st r aigh t in t o t h e air .
At t h is m om en t , t h e st r en gt h of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion m an ifest ed

it self. H u o Yu h ao an d Bei Bei sim p ly d id n ’t n eed t o car e ab ou t t h e Gold en Leaf
as t h ey con t in u ed for w ar d . Bei Bei su d d en ly acceler at ed , closin g t h e d ist an ce
b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies t o t h ir t y m et er s. On t h e ot h er h an d , H u o Yu h ao
r eleased a t im ely Sp ir it u a l In t er fer en ce.
Sin ce Sh an ggu an Can ’s Sou lsu ck in g Bell cou ld in t er fer e w it h t h em , t h ey

cou ld n at u r ally d o t h e sam e t o t h eir op p on en t s as w ell.
Ye W u q in g’s t r io w er e sligh t ly st u n n ed b y H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al

In t er fer en ce; Yan ’er even t h ou gh t t h at Sh an ggu an Can h ad m ist ak en ly aim ed
h is Sou lsu ck in g Bell t ow ar d s t h em , an d su b con sciou sly look ed t ow ar d s h im .
T h e Gold en Leaf su d d en ly fell t ow ar d s Bei Bei, b u t a t h r ow in g k n ife ap p ear ed
in a t im ely m an n er t o b lock it s p at h . Ye W u q in g’s Gold en Leaf w as cer t ain ly
ver y p ow er fu l, b u t w h at good w ou ld it d o if it w as u n ab le t o st r ik e it s t ar get ?
If t h e fir st t im e w as a coin cid en ce, t h e secon d t im e clear ly cou ld n ’t b e

exp lain ed as som et h in g as sim p le as a coin cid en ce.
J u st sk y Acad em y’s t r io con sist ed of on e au xiliar y sou l m ast er an d t w o lon g-

r an ged on es, an d so, d ist an ce w as n at u r a lly a r ela t ively im p or t an t r esou r ce for
Bei Bei, H u o Yu h ao, an d W an g Don g.
H u o Yu h ao also sp ed u p , b u t h e d id n ’t d o t h is b y r elyin g on t h e b u r st of
en er gy p r ovid ed b y h is sou l p ow er . In st ead , t h e sou l t h r u st er s on h is b ack an d
feet su d d en ly lit u p . T h is w as t h e fir st t im e h e w as u sin g a sou l t ool in t h is
t ou r n am en t .
H e w or e sp eed -var yin g sou l t h r u st er s b elow h is feet , an d a Class 2 sou l

t h r u st er on h is b ack , allow in g h im t o su d d en ly acceler at e. In st an t ly, h e cr ossed
t h e t h ir t y m et er d ist an ce b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies. W it h W an g Don g’s sou l
p ow er su p p or t in g h im , h e w ou ld b e ab le t o con t r ol even a Class 3 sou l t ool, let
alon e a Class 2 on e. T h e on ly t h in g w or t h p oin t in g ou t w as t h at , w h en h e
act ivat ed t h e t h r u st er s on h is b ack , W an g Don g st ar t ed h old in g on t o h is
sh ou ld er s in st ea d of h is w aist . T h is a llow ed h im t o fly h or izon t ally t h r ou gh t h e
air w h ile k eep in g p a r allel w it h t h e gr ou n d . T h is p r even t ed h im fr om su ffer in g
an y k n ock b ack effect s fr om t h e sou l t h r u st er s, w h ile allow in g h im t o n ot affect
H u o Yu h ao’s ad van ce.
J u st sk y Acad em y w as ext r em ely cau t iou s t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao. Aft er all, h e

h ad p er for m ed ast on ish in gly w ell d u r in g t h e p r eviou s m at ch es, an d a
m yst er iou s p er son w as t h e m ost t er r ifyin g t h in g in t h e w or ld . Up t ill n ow ,
n ob od y h ad clear ly gu essed w h a t H u o Yu h ao’s act u al st r en gt h w as.
H u o Yu h ao’s t a r get w as Sh a n ggu an Ca n , an d a t t h is m om en t , h e w a s ju st

ab ou t t o r each h im .
T h e sou n d com in g fr om Sh an ggu an Can ’s Sou lsu ck in g Bell su d d en ly b ecam e
sh ar p as h e act ivat ed h is t h ir d so u l sk ill. T h at p ier cin g t oll of t h e b ell m ad e it
seem as t h ou gh t h er e w er e cou n t less n eed les t h at w er e ir r it a t in g on e’s
ear d r u m s. It w asn ’t ju st u n p leasa n t t o h ear , b u t it even gave off an in d escr ib ab le
sen se of jit t er in ess.
Sou lp ier cin g! T h is w as Sh an ggu an Can ’s t h ir d sou l sk ill. If on e’s cu lt ivat ion
w as far w eak er t h an h is, on e w ou ld feel ext r em ely ir r it at ed d u e t o t h is sou l sk ill.
T h er e w as even a ch an ce t h at on e w ou ld d ir ect ly fall in t o a com a. Fu r t h er m or e,
t h is sou l sk ill cover ed an ext r em ely lar ge ar ea.
T h e ch ar gin g Bei Bei w as d ir ect ly affect ed , an d W an g Don g lik ew ise; on ly H u o

Yu h ao act ed as if h e h ad n ’t h ea r d an yt h in g at all. Befor e h e r each ed Sh an ggu an
can , a som ew h at t w ist ed r ay of w h it e ligh t h ad alr ead y sh ot t ow ar d s t h e la t t er
lik e ligh t n in g.
Ye W u qin g an d Yan ’er w ou ld n at u r ally n ot ju st st an d id ly b y w h ile

Sh an ggu an Can w a s b ein g at t ack ed . T h e au r a ar ou n d Yan ’er su d d en ly ch an ged ,
an d t h e lar ge fir eb all sh e w as st an d in g on sh ot ou t . T h e la r ge fir eb all sp lit in t o
five sm aller on es in m id air , a n d t w o of t h em sh ot t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, w h ile t h e
ot h er t h r ee b lock ed Bei Bei.
Not on ly t h a t , b u t sh e p u t h er p alm s t oget h er in fr on t of h er ch est , an d h er

t h ir d sou l r in g lit u p , cau sin g an en or m ou s p u r p le fir eb all t o con geal in fr on t of
h er . In st an t ly, t h e air w it h in t h e t ou r n a m en t st age st ar t ed t o h eat u p as a r esu lt
of t h is p u r p le flam e.
A Gold en Leaf accu r at ely b lock ed H u o Yu h ao’s ligh t r ay, ju st lik e h ow h e h ad

d on e t h e sam e u sin g h is t h r ow in g k n ives ear lier . Ye W u qin g h ad m ad e a m ove;
h e n at u r ally w ou ld n ot allow h is au xiliar y-t yp e sou l m ast er t o b e st r u ck ju st lik e
t h at .
H ow ever , a m yst er iou s scen e occu r r ed t h e in st an t t h at Gold en Leaf sliced

t h r ou gh t h e sou l ligh t ’s b eam of ligh t .
T h e Gold en Leaf p assed st r aigh t t h r ou gh it , as t h ou gh it h ad n ot en cou n t er ed
an y r esist an ce a t all.
Ye W u qin g w as or igin ally p lan n in g t o u se h is Gold en Leaf t o b lock H u o

Yu h ao’s at t ack , cau sin g it t o exp lod e an d gen er at e an exp losive for ce fr om t h e
m et allic st or m it w ou ld cr eat e. H e w a s con fid en t in st op p in g H u o Yu h ao’s n ext
m ove b efor e u sin g an even st r on ger sou l sk ill on h im an d Bei Bei.
H ow ever , h e h ad m a d e a m ist ak e.
On ce t h e seem in gly ext r em ely p ow er fu l Gold en Leaf t ou ch ed t h e r ay of ligh t ,

it u n exp ect ed ly p assed st r a igh t t h r ou gh it , as t h ou gh it h ad collid ed w it h
n ot h in g at all. At t h is m om en t , it w as flyin g st r aigh t t ow ar d s Sh an ggu an Can .
Sh an ggu an Can w as ver y, ver y fam iliar w it h t h e st r en gt h of Ye W u qin g’s

Gold en Leaf! Aft er let t in g ou t a cr y, h e cou ld n ’t b e b ot h er ed w it h t h e con t in u ed
act ivat ion of h is Sou lsu ck in g Bell as h e fier cely leap t t o t h e sid e lik e a fish .
On t h e ot h er h an d , t h at r ay of ligh t su d d en ly cu r ved in m id air , t h en

accu r at ely st r u ck Ye W u qin g.
Ye W u qin g on ly felt h is en t ir e b od y go n u m b as h e fell in t o a st at e of

p ar alysis.
Righ t , H u o Yu h ao h ad u sed t h e sou l p ar alysis r ay h e h ad b ou gh t at t h e sou l

t ool au ct ion .
T h e sou l p ar alysis r ay n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t cu r ve a r ou n d in m id air , an d it

w ou ld d efin it ely h ave cau sed Ye W u qin g’s Gold en Leaf t o exp lod e if it h ad t r u ly
collid ed w it h it . H ow ever , w h y d id t h e Gold en Leaf ju st b r u sh p ast it ?
Fu r t h er m or e, w h y d id it for ce Sh an ggu a n Can in t o su ch a m iser ab le st at e?
T h is w as t h e effect of H u o Yu h ao sim u lt a n eou sly u sin g h is t w o p ow er fu l sou l

sk ills. H e h ad d on e t h is b y u sin g h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion t o accu r at ely d et er m in e
t h e m ovem en t s of h is op p on en t s, an d h is Im it at ion t o cr eat e a d eviat ion in w h at
h ad act u ally h ap p en ed an d w h at h is op p on en t s saw .
H u o Yu h ao clear ly k n ew of t h e d ifficu lt ies in volved in t h is m a t ch . Du e t o t h is
p r essu r e, h is p ot en t ial w as fu lly u n leash ed , n ot ju st in st r en gt h , b u t also in h is
w isd om . T h e m ost in gen iou s p ar t of h is at t ack w as r igh t h er e. H is Im it at ion
allow ed h im t o m ak e m in u t e t r an sfor m at ion s t o t h e t h in gs ar ou n d h im , an d t h e
m or e m in u t e t h ese t r an sfor m at ion s w er e, t h e h ar d er it w ou ld b e t o t ell t h a t
t h ey w er e fak e. T h e en t ir e p r ocess of ch ar gin g t ow ar d s Sh an ggu an Can w as r eal;
t h e on ly t h in g t h at w as fak e w as t h e sou l p ar alysis r ay. T h e r eason w h y it h ad
cu r ved w as b ecau se it h ad left t h e r an ge of h is Im it at ion . No m at t er h ow st r on g
Ye W u q in g w as, h e w ou ld d efin it ely b e u n ab le t o d od ge a st r a n ge m ove lik e t h is!
Ye W u q in g h ad b een p ar alysed , w h ile Sh an ggu an Can h ad b een for ced in t o

r et r eat in g in a sor r y st at e. At t h is m om en t , Bei Bei, H u o Yu h a o, an d W an g Don g
on ly h ad t o face a sin gle p er son --Yan ’er .
Sh e h ad lau n ch ed five lar ge fir eb alls, b u t Bei Bei h ad n o p lan s of allow in g t h e

t w o fir eb alls d ir ect ed t ow ar d H u o Yu h ao fr om st r ik in g t h eir t ar get .
Cou n t less ligh t n in g sn ak es sh ot ou t sim u lt an eou sly, t h en t r an sfor m ed in t o

cou n t less a r r ow s of ligh t n in g t h at exp losively b last ed ever yt h in g.
T h is w as Bei Bei’s secon d sou l sk ill, Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt .
T h e t yr an n ical n et of ligh t n in g collid ed w it h t h e five fir eb alls, fillin g t h e sk y

w it h sp ar k s. T h e t er r ifyin g im p act com in g fr om t h at collision w as so gr eat t h at
even t h e p ar alysed Ye W u q in g w as for ced t o st agger a few st ep s b ack w ar d s.
At t h is m om en t , t h e m ost p ow er fu l u se of W an g Don g’s w in gs w as r evealed .

As h e flap p ed h is w in gs, H u o Yu h ao ch an ged d ir ect ion s, allow in g h im t o n ot
on ly d od ge t h e aft er effect s of t h e Gold en Leaf’s exp losion , b u t also allow in g h im
t o soar in t o t h e air . H e flew p ast Bei Bei’s h ead , b r in gin g H u o Yu h ao st r aigh t
t ow ar d s Yan ’er .
Righ t . Fr om t h e ver y st ar t , H u o Yu h ao a n d Bei Bei’s t ar get w asn ’t Ye W u q in g

or Sh an ggu an Can .
As an au xiliar y-t yp e sou l m ast er , alt h ou gh Sh an ggu an Can w asn ’t w eak , h e
cou ld n ’t p r ovid e t oo m u ch assist an ce t o h is t eam m at es d u e t o H u o Yu h ao’s
Sp ir it Eyes. M or eov er , Ye W u qin g w as st r on g t o t h e p oin t w h er e even if H u o
Yu h ao’s t r io w er e t o t ak e h im on 1v3, t h ey m igh t n ot b e ab le t o d efeat h im
d ir ect ly.
Becau se of t h at , t h eir t ar get fr om t h e ver y st ar t w as Yan ’er . On ly, t h ey h ad

con cealed all of t h is in an ext r em ely in gen iou s m an n er d u r in g t h eir p r eviou s
collision . At t h is m om en t , t h ey su d d en ly exp lod ed ou t .
Yan ’er ’s on ly st r en gt h w as t h e en or m ou s p u r p le fir eb all t h at sh e h ad for m ed

in fr on t of h er . T h e h igh t em p er at u r es com in g fr om it scor ch ed t h e air , cau sin g
r ip p le-lik e d ist or t ion s t o ap p ear in t h e air su r r ou n d in g h er b od y.
At t h e sam e t im e, sh e w as com p let ely d eser vin g of b ein g a st u d en t ch osen for

J u st sk y Acad em y’s official t eam . Even w h en facin g a d isad va n t ageou s sit u at ion
lik e t h is, sh e d id n ’t seem flu st er ed at all. Sh e qu ick ly r et r eat ed , p r even t in g t h e
d ist an ce b et w een h er an d Ye W u q in g fr om in cr easin g as sh e d id so. At t h e sam e
t im e, sh e d id n ’t u se t h e p u r p le fir eb all cr eat ed fr om h er t h ou san d year sou l
sk ill. In st ea d , sh e k ep t it in fr on t of h er , r ead y t o b lock at t ack s fr om h er
op p on en t s at an y t im e.
T h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at sh e w as m ak in g t h e r igh t ch oice. T h e on ly t h in g sh e
h ad t o d o r igh t n ow w as p er sever e a n d n ot fall u n d er t h e a ll-ou t at t ack s of t h e
t h r ee op p on en t s in fr on t of h er u n t il Ye W u qin g r ecover ed fr om h is p ar alysed
st at e.
H ow ever , sh e qu ick ly d iscover ed t h at sh e h ad st ill m ad e a m iscalcu lat ion .
T h e or igin ally-scor ch in g t em p er a t u r es on t h e t ou r n am en t st age su d d en ly

d r op p ed , as t h ou gh a cold st r eam h a d p ou r ed in t o it . T h e size of p u r p le fir eb all
in fr on t of Yan ’er ’s b od y w as in st an t ly r ed u ced b y a t h ir d , a n d sh e w as sim p ly
u n ab le t o r elease t h e p ow er of it s h eat .
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes h ad b ecom e com p let ely jad e-gr een . Alt h ou gh h e st ill h ad
t w o sou l r in gs in fr on t of h im d u e t o h is Im it at ion , h e h a d act u ally sw it ch ed h is
m ar t ial sou l t o t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion .
T h is w as a m ar t ial sou l t h at p ossessed Ult im at e Ice, a m ar t ia l sou l t h at cou ld

cau se Sh r ek Acad em y’s Sea God ’s Pavilion t o h old a m eet in g! Even t h e gr eat
p ow er s w it h in Sh r ek Acad em y w er e over joyed b eyon d b elief w h en d iscover in g
t h e exist en ce of H u o Yu h ao’s Ult im at e Ice. Fr om t h at , t h e p ow er of h is Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion cou ld b e seen .
H is sou l p ow er w asn ’t u p t o p ar , b u t h is m ar t ial sou l an d sou l r in gs w er e

u n r iva led exist en ces.
H u o Yu h ao’s gaze t u r n ed ser iou s, an d t h e sou l t h r u st er on h is b ack flick er ed

w it h ligh t as h e sh ot t ow ar d s Yan ’er lik e a b olt of ligh t n in g. Un exp ect ed ly, h e
u sed h is h an d s t o d ir ect ly sw at at Yan ’er ’s p u r p le fir eb all.
Chapt er 93.1: Br eaking Thr ough t he Pr ison,
Domain of Per pet ual Ice
H e w as lik ely t h e fir st t o ever t ak e on t h e p ow er fu l sou l sk ill of a Sou l

An cest or as a Sou l Gr an d m ast er . H ow ever , h e w as su ccessfu l.
H u o Yu h ao’s h an d s fir st t u r n ed t h e color of jad e, b efor e n u m er ou s

r esp len d en t d iam on d gr ain s sw ift ly ap p ear ed an d cover ed h is h an d s. T h is p air
of h an d s w as ak in t o a w or k of ar t .
At t h is m om en t t h ou gh , Yan ’er w as n ot in t h e m ood t o ap p r eciat e t h is w or k

of ar t . Sh e cou ld feel t h a t h er fir e t yp e sou l p ow er w as gr ea t ly affect ed b y t h e
ice-cold au r a fr om t h at p air of h an d s, givin g h er t h e im p r ession t h at it w as b ein g
com p let ely for ced b ack .
H ow w as t h is p ossib le? H ow w as t h is p ossib le?
Yan ’er fin ally cou ld n ’t h old on an y lon ger . T h e t w o h an d s p u sh ed for w ar d

an d sw ift ly ap p r oach ed t h e p u r p le fir eb all t h at w as h ea d in g t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao.
It w as clear est t o t h e au d ien ce. For get t h e fact t h at t h e or igin ally m a ssive
p u r p le fir eb all su d d en ly sh r an k for n o r eason w h ile it w as flyin g t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao, b u t n ow it w as act u ally con t in u in g t o con t r act at an ast on ish in g sp eed .
W h en it ar r ived in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao, it w as n ot even h alf a foot in size.
W it h h is r igh t h an d d ir ect ly cu t t in g in t o it , t h ick w h it e sm ok e r ose fr om H u o

Yu h ao’s r igh t h an d . Qu ick ly, w it h t h e effect of sou l t h r u st er , h e b r ok e t h r ou gh
t h e w h it e sm ok e an d ar r ived in fr on t of Yan ’er .
T h e r eason w h y h e h ad t ar get ed Yan ’er w as h igh ly r elat ed t o h is elem en t .
H u o Yu h ao’s Ult im at e Ice w as m ost effect ive again st t h e ice elem en t , aft er
w h ich w as t h e fir e elem en t .
Un d er t h e effect of t h e H aod on g Pow er fr om h is fu sion w it h W an g Don g, h e

cou ld alr ead y exh ib it t h e p ow er of t h e Sou l An cest or level. T h is w as also
eq u ivalen t t o p ossessin g Sou l An cest or -level Ult im a t e Ice. Again st an ot h er Sou l
An cest or of t h e fir e elem en t , Yan ’er , H u o Yu h ao w ou ld clear ly gain t h e u p p er
h an d ! T h u s, w h at h e n eed ed t o d o w as t o fir st sn ap h is op p on en t ’s w in gs.
Yan ’er w as in d eed p an ick in g som ew h a t . T h e su p p r essive effect t h at H u o

Yu h ao’s Ult im at e Ice h ad on h er exceed ed even h is or igin al est im at ion . T h e
ab solu t e su p p r ession of elem en t s m ad e Yan ’er w an t t o t u r n ar ou n d an d r u n
aw ay.
In t h at b r ief m om en t , Ye W u q in g fin ally r ecover ed fr o m h is p ar alysis.

Sh an ggu an Can , w h o h ad b ar ely avoid ed t h e Gold en Lea f’s exp losion , also
cr aw led u p .
T h ey n ever im agin ed t h at t h er e w ou ld b e su ch an elem en t a l su p p r ession as

t h ey w at ch ed Yan ’er b ein g op p r essed b y H u o Yu h ao.
Un for t u n at ely, t h ey w er e cu r r en t ly u n ab le t o m ove t o for w ar d an d assist

Yan ’er , b ecau se Bei Bei w as st ill in fr on t of t h em .
W h en H u o Yu h ao h a d leap t over h is h ead an d p ou n ced at Yan ’er , Bei Bei h ad

also lu n ged for w ar d . H ow ever , h is t ar get w as n ot Yan ’er , b u t Ye W u qin g. T h u s,
t h e m om en t Ye W u q in g w as r eleased fr om h is p ar alysis, h e im m ed iat ely saw Bei
Bei ch ar gin g t ow ar d s h im . W h at h e n eed ed t o d o n ow w as p r ot ect h im self, an d
t h u s h e w a s u n ab le t o save h is com p an ion s.
T h is scen e w as som ew h at sim ila r t o t h e p r eviou s r ou n d w h er e Xiao Xiao

b lock ed t h eir op p on en t s t o allow H e Cait ou t o b u ild u p p ow er . H ow ever , t h er e
w as n o d ou b t t h a t Sh r ek Acad em y’s cu r r en t sit u at ion w as m u ch b et t er .
Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt . Bei Bei u n leash ed h is ar ea of effect sk ill at close
p r oxim it y w it h ou t h esit at ion . En or m ou s b olt s of ligh t n in g d evast at ed t h e sk y,
for m in g a gian t ligh t n in g n et . Ye W u q in g cou ld n ot sen d ou t a Gold en Leaf even
if h e w an t ed t o.
T h e t w o w h o h ad clash ed w it h w or d s ear lier n ow st ood face t o face. As Ye

W u q in g w at ch ed t h e en or m ou s ligh t n in g p ou n ce at h im , h is eyes su d d en ly
t u r n ed gold en . It w a s as if t w o gold en lea ves w er e cover in g h is eyes.
At t h e sam e t im e, t h e fir st an d t h ir d sou l r in gs on h is b od y sim u lt an eou sly lit

up.
At least a d ozen gold en leaves sh ot ou t fr om h is h an d s, in st an t ly t u r n in g in t o

a gold en n et in t h e air t h at b r azen ly flew t ow ar d s Bei Bei’s Vigor ou s
T h u n d er b olt .
Du e t o t h e p ow er fu l exp losive for ce t h e Gold en Leaf h ad d isp layed p r eviou sly,

Bei Bei in volu n t ar ily p au sed . H e d id n ot w an t t o b e su r r ou n d ed an d b last ed b y
so m an y gold en leaves.
H ow ever , h e q u ick ly r ealised t h at h e h a d m ad e a m ist ak e, b ecau se alt h ou gh

t h ey w er e st ill t h e sa m e gold en leaves, t h eir ab ilit y w as d iffer en t .
Each Gold en Leaf w as ak in t o a sh ar p b lad e. T h e leaves for cib ly sliced h is

Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt ap ar t b efor e sw eep in g t ow ar d s h is b od y lik e a w ild st or m .
T h is w as Ye W u qin g’s fir st sou l sk ill, Leaf Blad e, an d t h ir d sou l sk ill, Leaf
For m at ion . It w as t h is offen sive st yle t h at h e w as m ost p r oficien t w it h . Un d er
h is con t r ol, sh ar p gold en leaves h ead ed st r aigh t for Bei Bei.
At t h is ver y m om en t , Bei Bei h ad a cer t ain feelin g. If h e w er e t o t o b e t r ap p ed

w it h in t h is Leaf For m at ion , h is en t ir e b o d y w ou ld b e r ip p ed t o sh r ed s.
H ow ever , cou ld h e r et r eat at su ch a t im e?
Im p ossib le!
Even a lit t le gir l lik e Xiao Xiao h ad d on e ever yt h in g sh e cou ld in t h e face of
p ow er fu l en em ies, a n d even h eavy in ju r ies h ad b een u n ab le t o d et er h er as sh e
st op p ed h er op p on en t s; h ow cou ld h e d o ot h er w ise?
A som ew h at evil sm ile ap p ear ed on t h e cor n er s of Bei Bei’s lip s at t h is cr u cia l

ju n ct u r e. H e d id n ot b ack aw ay, b u t in st an t ly d ash ed for w ar d in st ea d , ch ar gin g
st r aigh t at Ye W u qin g.
All of t h is h ap p en ed in t h e b lin k of an eye. On t h e ot h er sid e, H u o Yu h ao h ad

alr ead y ach ieved d ecisive r esu lt s. Bot h of h is h an d s h ad ar r ived in fr on t of
Yan ’er .
T h e Ult im at e Ice’s su p p r ession cau sed Yan ’er ’s h ear t t o b e filled w it h p an ic.
W h en a w om an fell in t o su ch a h yst er ica l st at e, sh e w ou ld b e m u ch cr azier t h an
a m an . T h e cu r r en t Yan ’er w as n o excep t ion . Sh e r et r eat ed in a flu st er ed
m an n er as sh e d esp er at ely sh ot fir eb all aft er fir eb all a t H u o Yu h ao.
H ow ever , in t h e face of H u o Yu h ao’s m agical h an d s, an y fir eb alls t h at lock ed

on t o h im w er e alr ea d y gr eat ly w eak en ed b y h is Ult im at e Ice b y t h e t im e t h ey
n ear ed h is b od y, an d cou ld on ly r ap id ly d issip at e. H is Sou l T h r u st er allow ed
H u o Yu h ao’s sp eed t o gr eat ly su r p ass Ya n ’er ’s. In t h e en d , h e ar r ived in fr on t of
h er .
T w o h an d s at t ack ed at t h e sam e t im e. T h eir t ar get s w er e Yan ’er ’s sh ou ld er s.
H ow ever , Yan ’er su d d en ly st op p ed m ovin g at t h is m om en t . T h e p an ic on h er

p r et t y face w as clean ly sw ep t off as t h e cor n er s of h er m ou t h lift ed t o for m an
en ch an t in g sm ile.
“You ’ve b een d u p ed , lit t le Br ot h er . Flam e Pr ison Cage. Com e d ow n w it h m e.”
As sh e sp ok e, an en or m ou s fier y ligh t ab r u p t ly r ose fr om t h e gr ou n d ,

en velop in g H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g an d Yan ’er . H u o Yu h ao’s h an d s d id lan d on
Yan ’er ’s sh ou ld er s, in st an t ly fr eezin g h er en t ir e b od y. H ow ever , t h e h u ge Flam e
Pr ison Cage w as alr ead y com p let e. M o r e im p or t an t ly, w it h h er fin al b it of
w illp ow er , a p air of gian t flam e h a n d s ap p ear ed in t h e Flam e Pr ison Cage an d
p u sh ed in t h e op p osit e d ir ect ion , cau sin g t h e t h r ee of t h em t o t u m b le off t h e
com p et it ion st age.
On ly at t h is m om en t d id H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g r ealise t h at Yan ’er h ad

u n k n ow in gly ar r ived at t h e ed ge of t h e com p et it ion st age. M or eover , t h e Flam e
Pr ison Cage sh e h ad u n leash ed w as h er fou r t h sou l sk ill.
T h is w as t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t . For

J u st sk y Acad em y, t h is w as an im p or t an t b at t le t h at w ou ld affect it s h ist or y an d
glor y. H ow cou ld t h ey b e u n p r ep ar ed ?
T h e m om en t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g lu n ged at Yan ’er , sh e h ad alr ead y

r ealised t h at t h e sit u at ion w as n ot op t im al. H ow ever , su ch a sit u a t ion w as st ill
w it h in t h eir exp ect at ion s.
T h is w as n ot t h e fir st t im e H u o Yu h ao’s Ult im a t e Ice p ow er h ad seen u se.

Fu r t h er m or e, w h ile J u st sk y Acad em y w as r esear ch in g Sh r ek Acad em y, t h ey
con clu d ed t h at alt h ou gh H u o Yu n h ao’s st r en gt h cou ld n o t p ossib ly b e at t h e
Sou l Em p er or level, h e w as st ill t h e op p on en t t h ey n eed ed t o p ay t h e m ost
at t en t ion t o. T h is w a s b ecau se h e w as a m yst er y.
In t h eir an alysis of H u o Yu h ao, h e p ossessed ver y p ow er fu l Sp ir it u al Pow er ,

b u t Sk y Acad em y d id n ot b elieve t h a t h is M a r t ia l Sou l w a s of t h e sp ir it u al
elem en t . It sh o u ld b e t h e ice elem en t in st ead . M or eover , it sh ou ld b e a ver y
st r on g ice elem en t .
T h is w as d u e t o t h e fact t h at H u o Yu h a o h ad d ir ect ly t ak en con t r ol of t h e

Fr ost Bear , An Len gye’s sou l sk ill, d u r in g t h a t r ou n d of t h e com p et it ion .
Alt h ou gh it w as close t o t h e en d of t h e so u l sk ill, h ow cou ld o n e d o t h is w it h ou t
st r on g ice con t r ollin g p ow er s?
T h e r eason w h y Yan ’er h ad b een d isp at ch ed d u r in g t h e fin al m at ch w as

b ecau se Ye W u q in g h ad p r ed ict ed t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld also ap p ear in t h e fin al
m at ch . A p ow er fu l ice elem en t w ou ld su r ely b e ab le t o su p p r ess t h e fir e elem en t .
Sin ce t h at w a s so, it w as ver y easy for Ye W u q in g t o gu ess t h at H u o Yu h ao
w ou ld t ar get Yan ’er .
It w as ju st t h at t h eir or igin al p lan d id n ot accou n t for t h e fa ct t h at h e co u ld

b r in g su ch p ow er fu l su p p r essive ab ilit es t o b ear . Yan ’er ’s fir eb all m ar t ial so u l
w as u lt im at ely u n ab le t o w it h st an d H u o Yu h ao’s Ult im at e Ice. Even h er fou r t h
sou l sk ill, Flam e Pr ison ’s Cage, w as u n ab le t o t h r eat en H u o Yu h ao.
H ow ever , t h is com p et it ion w as n ot a d eat h m at ch , b u t a m at ch on t h e

com p et it ion st age. Sin ce it w as a m at ch , on e h ad t o com p ly w it h t h e r u les, an d it
w as also r eason ab le t o m ak e u se of t h e r u les.
In t h is fin a l m om en t , t h e d eb u t of h er Flam e Pr ison Cage m ad e Yan ’er sm ile

r at h er h ap p ily. T h is w as b ecau se sh e h a d b een ab le t o r em ove t w o op p on en t s
fr om t h e st age. On e of t h em w as even t h eir op p on en t ’s m ost m yst er iou s
you n gst er . W it h ou t t h is d u o’s h elp , Sk y Acad em y fu lly b elieved t h at t h e
com b in at ion of t h eir cap t ain , t h e p ow er fu l Gold en Leaf Sou l M ast er Ye W u q in g,
an d Sh an ggu an Can w ou ld d efin it ely d efeat Bei Bei.
T h is w as b asically a t r ap . T h is w as t h e sam e t h ou gh t t h a t em er ged in H u o

Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s h ear t s t h e m om en t t h eir b od ies w er e b r ou gh t t u m b lin g
d ow n fr om t h e st age.
Yes. T h is w as in d eed a t r ap , an d t h ey h ad alr ead y fallen in t o it .
W h at H u o Yu h ao u sed at t h is m om en t w as t h e Ice Em p er or ’s Pin cer .

H ow ever , even h is Ice Em p er or ’s Pin cer cou ld n ot p ossib ly b r eak t h e Flam e
Pr ison Cage b eh in d h im w it h in a sh or t p er iod of t im e an d b r in g W an g Don g
b ack on t o t h e st age. T h is w a s, aft er all, a level for t y-six So u l An cest or ’s fin al
fu lly-p ow er ed sou l sk ill!
It ’s over ! T h is w as t h e on ly t h ou gh t in W an g Don g’s h ear t at t h is m om en t .

Never in h is w ild est d r eam s d id h e im agin e t h at h e an d H u o Yu h ao w ou ld
act u ally b e b eat en off t h e st age in su ch a su llen m an n er .
H ow ever , it w as a lr ead y t oo lat e fr om t h em t o r elease a n y sou l sk ills even if
t h ey w an t ed t o at t h is m om en t . T h e H aod on g Pow er h e an d H u o Yu h ao h ad
con d en sed w as u n d er H u o Yu h ao’s con t r ol. Fu r t h er m or e, n o m at t er w h at sou l
sk ill h e u sed , h e cou ld n ot in st an t ly b r eak t h is Flam e Pr ison Cage. On ly b y
in st an t ly b r eak in g t h e cage w ou ld it b e p ossib le t o ch an ge ever yt h in g.
W as it t r u ly over ?
As h e look ed at t h e sm ile on Yan ’er ’s face, H u o Yu h ao’s eyes fain t ly

n ar r ow ed . In t h e t w in k le of an eye, Yan ’er saw a layer of d ar k gr een .
A d ar k gr een lu st er er u p t ed fr om H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, an d t h e Flam e Pr ison

Cage w as in st an t ly w ip ed ou t , d isap p ea r in g com p let ely. W a n g Don g’s Rad ian t
God d ess Bu t t er fly w in gs b r ou gh t H u o Yu h ao b ack on t o t h e st age, w h ile Yan ’er
w as ak in t o a h eavy ice st at u e as sh e sm ash ed r u t h lessly t o t h e gr ou n d ,
p r od u cin g a lou d ‘b a n g’. For t u n at ely, t h is ice st at u e w as h ar d en ou gh . Or else,
Yan ’er ’s b od y w ou ld b e com p let ely sh at t er ed lik e a p iece of ice...
On ly an ext r em ely sm all h an d fu l of p eop le w er e ab le t o t r u ly see w h at h a d

h ap p en ed a m om en t ago.
In t h at m om en t , W a n g Don g on ly felt a st r on g ch ill sw eep p ast h is b od y in t h e

b lin k of an eye. W h en h e an d H u o Yu h a o u sed t h e H aod on g Pow er , it w as as if
t h ey w er e of t h e sam e b od y. H en ce, t h at t er r ifyin g ch ill d id n ’t p er m eat e in t o h is
b od y, b u t r at h er r a p id ly flow ed ou t of h is b od y. T h e on ly t h in g W an g Don g
cou ld clear ly see w as a d ar k gr een ligh t sh in in g fain t ly in t h e sh ap e of a b r igh t
scor p ion on H u o Yu h ao’s b ack . H u o Yu h ao’s t or so b on e sh on e w it h t h e
st r on gest jad e ligh t .
T h e cold st r eam on ly last ed for a b r ief m om en t . H ow ever , t h e H aod on g Pow er

in t h eir b od ies w as close t o b ein g com p let ely d ep let ed w h en H u o Yu h ao an d
W an g Don g r et u r n ed t o t h e st age. T h eir com b in ed sou l for ces w er e on p ar w it h
t h at of a Sou l An cest or . T h a t w as com p let ely d ep let ed t h e in st an t t h ey
u n leash ed t h a t b u r st of t h eir sou l for ce.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t h ave an y ot h er ch oice. H e h ad fallen in t o h is op p on en t s’

t r ap . If h e d id n ’t u t ilise t h is p ow er fu l sk ill, h e an d W an g Don g w ou ld b e
t er m in a t ed in b at t le r igh t t h is in st an t . T h ey’d st ill h ave a ch an ce t o con t in u e
figh t in g if t h ey d ep let ed t h eir sou l p ow er , b u t if t h ey fell off st age, t h ey
w ou ld n ’t h a ve an y r igh t t o u p h old Sh r ek ’s glor y an ym or e.
T h is w as on e of t h e t w o sou l sk ills fr om t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s fou r

h u n d r ed t h ou san d year t or so b on e, Dom ain of Per p et u al Ice.
Non e t h e m em b er s p ar t icip at in g in t h is Con t in en t a l Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l

Du elin g T ou r n am en t w er e a m at ch for H u o Yu h ao b ased solely on t h is sou l sk ill.
T h e fou r sou l sk ills t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad given h im st ill n eed ed t o
u n d er go cou n t less evolu t ion s b efor e t h ey cou ld b e u p gr ad ed , b u t t h e Ice J ad e
Scor p ion Em p r ess d ir ect ly gave h im h er fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g
an d sou l b on e. H e h ad su ch a p ow er fu l sou l r in g an d sou l b on e t h a t even if h e
b ecam e a Ran k 95 Dou lu o in t h e fu t u r e, or even an Ult im at e Dou lu o, t h e sou l
sk ills t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion Em p r ess h ad given h im w ou ld st ill b e t h at of an
u lt im a t e ch am p ion .
H ow ever , a sim ilar p r ob lem exist ed in t h e sen se t h at on e h ad t o h ave

for m id ab le st r en gt h t o su p p or t a p ow er fu l sou l sk ill. T h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer
an d t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Ar m ou r w er e sligh t ly b et t er in t h e sen se t h at t h eir p ow er s
w ou ld ad ju st accor d in g t o t h e sou l p ow er h e in ject ed in t o t h em .
T h e Dom ain of Per p et u al Ice w as d iffer en t . T h is w as a d om a in -t yp e sou l sk ill

t h at even Eld er M u , t h e Dr agon God Dou lu o, an d Eld er Xu an , t h e T aot ie Dou lu o,
en vied . M or eover , t h is w as an Ult im at e Ice d om ain -t yp e sou l sk ill. If H u o Yu h ao
cou ld cu lt ivat e t o t h e level of Eld er M u a n d Eld er Xu an , it w a sn ’t im p ossib le for
h im t o fr eeze over a t h ou san d m iles w it h t h is t er r ifyin g sou l sk ill.
H en ce, it w a s ver y d ifficu lt for H u o Yu h ao t o ach ieve t h e low est r eq u ir em en t

n ecessar y t o act ivat e t h is sou l sk ill. H e cou ld on ly b ar ely r elease it n ow , even
w h en h e b or r ow ed W an g Don g’s p ow er .
It w as im p ossib le for t h e Flam e Pr ison Cage t o r esist t h e Dom ain of Per p et u al

Ice, sin ce t h e la t t er com p let ely d om in a t ed t h e for m er in t er m s of at t r ib u t e,
an n ih ila t in g t h e Fla m e Pr ison Cage in an in st an t . T h e a u d ien ce seem ed t o
w it n ess t h e r et u r n of t h at Sou l Em p er or w it h six sou l r in gs w h en t h ey felt t h e
t yr an n ical au r a H u o Yu h ao exu d ed in t h a t m om en t .
W an g Don g gr ab b ed H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er s an d r u sh ed b ack t o t h e st age

aft er b r eak in g t h r ou gh t h e Flam e Pr ison Cage. T h eir legs h ad n ’t com e in con t act
w it h t h e gr ou n d , so t h ey n at u r ally cou ld con t in u e p ar t icip at in g in t h e
t ou r n am en t .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t m ove an in ch aft er h e lan d ed fir m ly on t h e
gr ou n d as h e sq u in t ed h is eyes. If on e w er e t o t ak e a closer look , t h ey w ou ld
r ealise t h a t t h e r ays of ligh t su r r ou n d in g h is b od y w er e sligh t ly d ist or t ed . It w as
ob viou s t h at h e w as u sin g Im it at ion again w it h t h e r em n an t s of h is sou l p ow er .
H ow ever , t h er e d id n ’t seem t o b e an y ch an ges h ap p en in g a r ou n d h is b od y on
t h e su r face. W h at w as h e t r yin g t o h id e?
T h e t h in g h e w as t r yin g t o h id e w er e t h e r ip p les of silver ligh t t h at b elon ged

t o h is Class 4 M ilk Bot t le flow in g ou t fr o m h is ch est .
H ow cou ld h e con t in u e figh t in g if h e p r act ically h ad n o sou l p ow er left ?
H e w as h id in g t h is silver ligh t w it h h is Im it at ion ! Per h ap s H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t

t h e fir st t o u se a M ilk Bot t le d u r in g a t ou r n am en t , b u t h e w as t h e on e w h o h id it
b est . H im r ecover in g h is sou l p ow er w as eq u ivalen t t o r est o r in g b ot h h is an d
W an g Don g’s sou l p ow er t oget h er . T h e sou l p ow er cou r sin g in t o h is b od y
q u ick ly t r a n sfor m ed in t o on e t h at b elon ged t o t h e b ot h of t h em .
T h at w as w h y t h e M ilk Bot t le w as p r iced so h igh . Ot h er t h an b ein g ab le t o

st or e an d com p r ess sou l p ow er , t h er e w as an ot h er ver y im p or t an t p oin t , an d
t h at w as t h e p u r ificat ion of sou l p ow er . An y sou l m ast er cou ld u se t h e M ilk
Bot t le aft er h avin g an ot h er sou l m ast er in ject sou l p ow er in t o it . T h at w as
b ecau se aft er t h e so u l p ow er en t er ed t h e M ilk Bot t le, it w ou ld go t h r ou gh a
r ou n d of filt er in g in t h e M ilk Bot t le’s cor e, w h ich w ou ld r em ove an yt h in g
r elat ed t o t h e so u l p ow er ’s at t r ib u t e or p ow er . T h e en d p r od u ct w ou ld b e t h e
p u r est for m of sou l p ow er . On ly t h en cou ld ot h er s or t h e ow n er ab sor b it , an d at
a r ap id sp eed t oo.
T h e M ilk Bot t le H u o Yu h ao h ad ob t ain ed fr om t h e a u ct ion w as u n d ou b t ed ly

an exq u isit e Class 4 p r od u ct . H e felt an en d less st r eam of sou l p ow er feed in g
in t o h is b od y, r ap id ly r efillin g h is d r ied u p m er id ian s.
Nat u r a lly, t h e d ow n sid e of u sin g t h e M ilk Bot t le w as t h at h e cou ld n ’t figh t or

m ove. H e h a d t o calm ly st an d w h er e h e w as an d con cen t r a t e on ab sor b in g t h e
sou l p ow er fr om t h e M ilk Bot t le. It w as con sid er ab ly d ifficu lt for H u o Yu h ao t o
u se Im it a t ion w h ile ab sor b in g t h e ext er n al sou l p ow er . H is d ext er ou s con t r ol
w as all t h an k s t o h im b ein g a sp ir it -t yp e sou l m ast er .
H u o Yu h ao h ad fin a lly m an aged t o k eep h is st r on g op p on en t s u n d er con t r ol

aft er goin g t h r ou gh a ser ies of d an ger ou s at t ack s, fin ally r ed u cin g t h eir
op p on en t s b y on e. J u st as h e m an aged t o d o so, t h e b at t le on t h e ot h er sid e of
t h e field h ad r each ed it s clim ax t oo.
Bei Bei also felt it w h en H u o Yu h ao w as in d an ger , b u t h e w as t oo p r eoccu p ied

w it h Ye W u qin g’s Gold en Leaf For m at ion .
Bei Bei d id n ’t b ack aw ay w h en h e w as faced w it h t h a t in com p ar ab ly sh ar p

Gold en Leaf For m at ion , b u t in st ead , h e ch ar ged on w ar d s an d faced it h ead -on .
At t h is m om en t , h e seem ed t o b e d eep ly con n ect ed w it h Ye W u qin g as t h e b ot h
of t h em h ad a sm all sm ile p layin g on t h eir lip s.
T h e d iffer en ce w as t h at t h e sm ile on Ye W u qin g’s face w as on e of d isd ain . Do

you t hi nk your scal es can bl ock m y ever -changi ng Gol den Leaves?
On t h e ot h er h an d, Bei Bei ’ s sm i l e w as a l i t t l e cr af t y an d evi l . Do you t h i n k

such pun y l eaves can bl ock m y pat h ?
Bei Bei h ad al r eady pen et r at ed t h e Gol den Leaf For m at i on w h en bot h of t h em

h el d t h ese t h ough t s i n t h ei r m i n ds.
A scen e t h at sh ock ed Ye W uqi n g appear ed. Bei Bei sudden l y becam e an

i l l usi on , an d h i s f oot st eps seem ed t o becom e di sor der l y as h e m oved on w ar ds
l i k e a gr een w i sp of sm ok e. T h e Gol den Leaves ch ased af t er h i s body, but t h ey
m i ssed t h ei r t ar get by a h ai r ’ s br eadt h . Bei Bei w or m ed h i s w ay out of t h e
Gol den Leaf For m at i on l i k e a l oach i n t h e bl i n k of an eye, appear i n g r i gh t i n
f r on t of Ye W uqi n g.
At t h i s dan ger ous m om en t , H uo Yuh ao h ad st opped usi n g h i s Spi r i t ual

Det ect i on Sh ar i n g w i t h Bei Bei si n ce h e w as r el easi n g t h e Dom ai n of Per pet ual
I ce. Af t er al l , i t w as i m possi bl e f or h i m t o con t r ol t w o di f f er en t soul sk i l l s f r om
t w o m ar t ial sou ls an d m ak e su r e t h a t t h ey w er e b ot h effect ive in su ch a
d an ger ou s sit u a t ion .
Bei Bei h ad com p let ely r elied on h is ow n ab ilit ies t o p ass t h r ou gh t h e Gold en
Leaf for m at ion . Bei Bei w as n ot on ly a d iscip le of t h e Sh r ek Acad em y, b u t also a
Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr a n t Dr agon sou l m ast er . Bu t even m or e so, h e w as a sen ior
b r ot h er of t h e T an g Sect ! H e w as t h e b est w ield er of t h e T an g Sect Secr et
T ech n iq u es in t h is gen er at ion .
T h e T an g Sect sp ecia lised in h id d en w eap on s!
Ye W u qin g’s Gold en Leaf w as ext r em ely sim ilar t o a h id d en w eap on t o som e
ext en t . T an g San , t h e fou n d er of t h e T an g Sect , w ou ld b e la u gh in g if h e saw Ye
W u q in g p layin g w it h h id d en w eap on s in fr on t of a h id d en w eap on s exp er t .
Bei Bei h ad alr ead y h ad a p lan w h en h e saw Ye W u q in g’s m ar t ial sou l. H e w as

w ait in g for an op p or t u n it y lik e t h e on e b efor e h is eyes r igh t n ow .
H e saw t h r ou gh t h e fact t h at t h is Gold en Leaf For m at ion w as d iffer en t fr om

t h e on e Ye W u qin g h ad u sed b efor e w it h in H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . Bu t
Bei Bei st ill r et r ea t ed t o con fu se h is op p on en t an d d elu d e Yu W u q in g in t o
t h in k in g t h at h e w as afr aid . H e’d silen t ly en d u r ed t h r ou gh t h e p r eviou s
m om en t t o r elease t h is exp losive at t ack n ow .
Fr om t h e st ar t of t h e m at ch t ill n ow , on e cou ld say t h at ever y sin gle p er son

on t h e field w as con st an t ly p lot t in g again st t h eir op p on en t s. Even t h ou gh
J u st sk y Acad em y w as d ist in ct ly st r on ger t h an Sh r ek Acad em y, t h ey w er e
sim ilar ly filled w it h ap p r eh en sion .
In t h eir eyes, ever yon e fr om t h e Sh r ek Acad em y w as a m on st er . Xu San sh i

cou ld aw ak en h is Xu an w u God b east a t t h e eleven t h h ou r . Xiao Xiao h ad t w in
m ar t ial sou ls. H e Cait ou w ield ed t h at t er r ifyin g su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l
can n on . On ly t h e h eaven s k n ew w h at ot h er sh ock in g ch an ges t h ese r em ain in g
t h r ee w ou ld sh ow . T h at w as w h y J u st sk y Acad em y h ad h eld b ack a lit t le at t h e
b egin n in g, b u t even t h en ever yt h in g h ad b een w it h in a ser ies of set calcu lat ion s.
H ow ever , t h ey h ad n ever exp ect ed t h at H u o Yu h ao cou ld r elease su ch a
t er r ifyin g sou l sk ill lik e t h e Dom ain of Per p et u al Ice an d r ed u ce t h eir n u m b er s
b y on e in an in st an t .
It d id n ’t m at t er h ow st r on g Ye W u q in g w as b ecau se h e w as an exp er t in lon g-

r an ged at t ack s. Even t h ou gh t h er e w a sn ’t m u ch d iffer en ce b et w een t h eir
cu lt ivat ion s, Bei Bei w as an exp er t in close-r an ged at t ack s as a sou l m ast er w it h
t h e Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon !
J u st at t h is exact m om en t , a ch im e fr om t h e Sou lsu ck in g Bell r an g ou t in an

at t em p t t o h in d er Bei Bei’s ad van cem en t . Bu t t h e ch im e on ly last ed for a few
secon d s b efor e com in g t o a su d d en st op .
A d u ll h u m r an g ou t , an d fr esh b lood flew ou t of Sh an ggu an Can ’s n ost r ils

b efor e h e st agger ed d ow n t o t h e gr ou n d . T h e p u r p lish gold en ligh t in sid e H u o
Yu h ao’s eyes slow ly d isap p ear ed as h e st ood n ot far off.
H ow cou ld h e sit id ly b y an d w at ch h is sen ior b r ot h er st r u ggle t o figh t alon e?

W h en t h e M ilk Bot t le r ep len ish ed a cer t ain am ou n t of h is sou l p ow er , h e
im m ed iat ely at t ack ed Sh an ggu an Can , w h o w as at t em p t in g t o in t er fer e w it h Bei
Bei’s at t ack s. H e elim in at ed t h e Sou lsu ck in g Bell’s t h r ea t w it h ju st a sin gle
sp ir it u al sh ock . Aft er w h ich , h e r eact iva t ed t h e M ilk Bot t le again an d con t in u ed
r ep len ish in g b ot h h is an d W an g Don g’s sou l p ow er .
Bei Bei’s t h ick an d solid r igh t ar m w as cover ed in b lu ish p u r p le d r agon scales

as it sp ar k ed w it h ligh t n in g. H e sw at t ed it r igh t in fr on t of Ye W u q in g as all t h e
Gold en Leaves ch ased h im fr om b eh in d . Even so, Bei Bei seem ed t o b e
com p let ely d isr egar d in g t h em .
It d id n ’t m at t er h ow st r on g a Sou l Kin g’s at t ack w as, b ecau se all w ou ld b e

fu t ile if t h e at t ack d id n ’t lan d on t h eir op p on en t .
Ye W u qin g w as st ill exp r ession less, b u t h e d id n ’t r et r ea t . H e su d d en ly r aised

h is left h an d w h en faced w it h Bei Bei’s a t t ack , clen ch in g it as h e faced Bei Bei’s
d r agon claw u p fr on t .
Ban g! Ye W u q in g b lock ed h is T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw w it h h is fist , st ar t lin g
Bei Bei. Ye W u qin g t u r n ed h is left lan d an d gr ab b ed ah old of Bei Bei’s d r agon
claw . T h e m er id ian s in Ye W u q in g’s left h an d su d d en ly b ecam e b igger in a sp lit
secon d , an d a lar ge qu an t it y of ven at ive vein s d azzled in gold . H is w h ole h an d
t u r n ed com p let ely gold en as h is fou r t h sou l r in g lit u p .
W as a lon g-r an ge so u l m ast er r eally t h at w eak ? Ye W u qin g’s act ion s p r oved t o
ever yon e t h at t h at m igh t n ot n ecessar ily b e t h e case.
T h is w as h is fou r t h sou l sk ill: t h e Gold en Left H an d .

T h at ’s r igh t , t h is sou l sk ill on ly am p lified h is left h an d . If h is Gold en Left

H an d u n leash ed a n ot h er Gold en Leaf, it s p ow er w ou ld d ou b le. T h e Gold en Left
H an d w as also im m en sely p ow er fu l, an d h eld a st r on g d efen sive ab ilit y.
Bei Bei h ad alr ead y u sed all h is en er gy t o u n leash h is Vigor o u s T h u n d er b olt .

Bu t even so, h e cou ld n ’t elect r ocu t e h is op p on en t w it h t h e Gold en Left H an d
su p p r essin g h im . H is op p on en t h a d co m p let ely over p ow er ed h im w it h h is
fou r t h sou l sk ill p ow er ed b y h is Ran k 58 sou l p ow er .
“Bast ar d !” Bei Bei r oar ed ou t an d u n leash ed h is t h ir d sou l sk ill -- T h u n d er ou s

Fu r y, t h e p ow er fu l t h ou san d -year so u l sk ill.
A Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon sou l m ast er w ou ld b e in a b er ser k st at e for a

set p er iod of t im e w h en t h e T h u n d er ou s Fu r y w as act ivat ed . T h e p ow er of t h e
u ser ’s t h u n d er w ou ld d ou b le, w h ile h is or h er sou l p ow er w ou ld in cr ease b y h alf
of w h at it or igin ally w as.
On e cou ld say t h a t Bei Bei w as on ly t h e st r on gest w h en h e u sed h is

T h u n d er ou s Fu r y.
H is p ow er t h at h ad p r eviou sly b een su p p r essed st ab ilized in a flash . T h e

t er r ifyin g t h u n d er b olt also b r ok e t h r ou gh t h e Gold en Left H an d ’s con t r ol an d
sp r ead over Ye W u q in g. H ow ever , it w a s at t h is m om en t t h at Bei Bei saw t h e
cold look in Ye W u q in g’s eye, w h ich cau sed h im t o cu r se ou t in h is h ear t .
W it h ou t t h e sligh t est h in t of h esit at ion , Bei Bei con t in u ou sly r eleased h is

secon d sou l sk ill, Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt . H is t r em en d ou s t h u n d er b olt s
im m ed iat ely t u r n ed in t o a t h ick elect r ica l n et t h at sh r ou d ed h is w h ole b od y.
Ye W u q in g p r ot ect ed h im self w it h in t h e elect r ical n et w it h a ligh t sh ield
m ad e of h is d en se w h it e sou l p ow er . Even t h ou gh h e w as r ap id ly d ep let in g h is
sou l p ow er , h e d id n ’t face a d ir ect at t ack fr om t h e Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt in t h e
en d . T h is w as t h e d isp ar it y in sou l p ow er . If b ot h p ar t ies w er e at t h e sam e level
of cu lt ivat ion , it w ou ld d efin it ely b e im p ossib le for h im t o d o t h is.
Ye W u qin g h ad n ’t d on e an yt h in g else all t h is w h ile. W h at w a s h e w ait in g for ?

H e w as w ait in g for h is Gold en Leaf.
H is fir st sou l sk ill, Leaf Blad e, w as in syn c w it h h is t h ir d sou l sk ill, Leaf

For m at ion . W it h h im d elayin g Bei Bei w it h h is left h an d , h o w cou ld Bei Bei st ill
d od ge w it h t h e T an g Sect ’s Secr et T ech n iqu e, Gh ost Sh a d ow Per p lexin g T r ack ?
T h e Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt cou ld on ly b lock t h ose sh ar p leaf b lad es for ju st a

m om en t even aft er h avin g it s p ow er am p lified b y t h e T h u n d er ou s Fu r y. T h is
fu r t h er r eflect ed t h e d isp ar it y b et w een a Sou l Kin g an d a Sou l An cest or .
H ow ever , Bei Bei w a s eq u ally as ou t st an d in g. H e cou ld act u ally r esp on d t o h is

op p on en t u n d er su ch d isa d van t ageou s cir cu m st an ces. H is T h u n d er ou s Dr agon
Claw er u p t ed again an d , am p lified w it h t h e effect s of h is T h u n d er ou s Fu r y,
for cib ly sh ock ed Ye W u qin g aw ay. H e w r u n g h is b od y ar ou n d at t h e sam e t im e
an d faced t h e Gold en Leaf For m at ion . T h e au d ien ce t h en sa w a h u ge clu m p of
silver t h r ea d s sh oot ou t fr om h is ch est , en com p assin g a lar ge su r face ar ea. It
w as so lar ge t h at it cou ld act u ally en velop a lar ge p ar t of t h e Gold en Leaf
For m at ion .
A ch ain of clan k s r an g ou t . Ye W u q in g’s Gold en Leaves b r ok en in t o p ieces

b efor e h is eyes. It w as t r u ly an u n b eliev ab le sigh t t o h im . N ot on ly t h a t , b u t Bei
Bei su d d en ly t r an sfor m ed in t o a b ein g t h at r esem b led Gu an yin w it h a t h ou san d
h an d s w h ile h e w as b lock in g t h e Gold en Leaf For m at ion . Nu m er ou s h id d en
w eap on s r esem b lin g t h r ow in g k n ives, d ar t s an d flyin g n eed les flew ou t . H e
d id n ’t even n eed t o look as h e d id so, a im in g w it h fr igh t en in g p r ecision . Not
on ly d id t h at a t t ack d eal w it h Ye W u qin g, b u t it also en velop ed Sh an ggu an Can ,
w h o w as st an d in g far off. Sh an ggu an Can h ad ju st st ood u p a m om en t ago, b u t
t h is at t ack scar ed h im so m u ch t h at h e d id n ’t even h ave t im e t o r in g h is Sou l
Ab sor b in g Bell.
T h at ’s r igh t . T h ese w er e t h e T an g Sect ’s H id d en W eap on s. Even if t h e T an g

Sect h ad d eclin ed , w h o w ou ld d ar e t o say t h at T an g Sect ’s H id d en W eap on s
w er e u seless, for t h ey h ad on ce b een p op u lar on t h e con t in en t .
Ye W u qin g r ap id ly sw u n g h is Gold en Left H an d ou t , an d h is secon d sou l r in g

sh on e. Gold en leaves r ap id ly fell t o t h e gr ou n d an d exp lod ed in t o in t en se b alls
of ligh t , for m in g a h u ge gold en st or m . It n eu t r alised all t h ose h id d en w eap on s,
b u t it also m ad e h im m iss t h e ch an ce t o flan k Bei Bei.
Bei Bei d id n ’t r elax eit h er . In t h e en d , h e d id n ’t d est r oy all t h e gold en leaves.

T w o gold en r ays of ligh t flash ed p ast h is b od y. On e gr azed h is r igh t sh ou ld er ,
sen d in g a st r in g of sp ar k s in it s w ak e. T h e d r agon scales on h is r igh t sh ou ld er
w er e m u ch t h ick er w h en h e w as in h is T h u n d er ou s Fu r y st a t e, so t h e at t ack w as
u n ab le t o slice t h em op en .
H ow ever , an ot h er gold en leaf flit t ed acr oss h is ch est an d left a sm all gash
ab ou t h alf a m et er lon g in it s w ak e. Blo od sp lash ed ou t an d d yed Bei Bei’s lap el
r ed in t h e b lin k of an eye. T h e sh ar p gold en leaf h ad cu t h is p ect or al m u scles
an d cau sed h is flesh t o r oll b ack , m ak in g for an ext r em ely h or r ifyin g sigh t .
Ye W u qin g fin ally d id n ’t h old b ack an ym or e. H is op p on en t w as on ly a Sou l

An cest or , b u t h e w as m u ch m or e t r ou b lesom e t h an h e h ad im a gin ed .
T h e w h ole au r a ar ou n d Ye W u q in g ch an ged w h en h is fift h b lack sou l r in g lit

u p . H e slow ly r aised h is Gold en Left H an d an d w aved h is h an d at t h e sk y.
Look in g at h im , it look ed as t h ou gh h e w an t ed t o t ear t h r ou gh t h e sk y. Sp eck s of
gold en ligh t sh on e on t h at b lack sou l r in g. T h e sm all gold en sp eck s of ligh t
r ap id ly float ed ou t an d en com p assed h is b od y, for m in g a gold en ligh t can op y.
T h er e w er e on ly t en s of leaves in t h e p r eviou s Leaf For m at ion , b u t n ow t h er e

w er e h u n d r ed s or even t h ou san d s of Gold en Leaves. T h e leaves r ap id ly w h ir led
ar ou n d w it h h is b od y as t h eir cen t er . T h e w h ole st age im m ed iat ely sp ar k led
w it h a b r illian t gold en ligh t .
T h is w as t h e d iffer en ce b et w een a t en t h ou san d year sou l sk ill an d a t h ou san d

year sou l sk ill. Ye W u q in g on ce again sh ow ed ever yon e h ow t er r ifyin g a t en
t h ou san d year sou l sk ill w as, w it h t h is b ein g t h e secon d t im e on e h ad ap p ear ed
in t h is year ’s t ou r n a m en t .
At t h is m om en t , Bei Bei t u r n ed ar ou n d w it h m u ch d ifficu lt y, sin ce h e’d ju st

su st ain ed in ju r ies. N ow , h e h ad t o face Ye W u q in g’s t er r ifyin g Gold en Leaf t h a t
w as ju st lik e a t or n a d o.
Ye W u qin g cold ly sa id , “T h is is m y fift h sou l sk ill -- Gold en Leaf Dan ce. You
gu ys b et t er ad m it d efeat if you d on ’t w an t t o t u r n in t o p ieces of m eat .”
Sh an ggu an Can h ad alr ead y st ood u p , an d w as st an d in g n ot t oo far b eh in d Ye

W u q in g. H e d id n ’t even t r y t o r in g t h e Sou l Ab sor b in g Bell a s a look of vict or y
ap p ear ed on h is face.
J u st sk y Acad em y w as ab ou t t o t r iu m p h over Sh r ek Acad em y. H e w as on e of

t h e ver y last p ar t icip an t s r em ain in g on st age w h o w as ab ou t t o b ear w it n ess t o
t h is ver y m om en t . H ow cou ld h e n ot feel excit ed ?
Bei Bei p u r sed h is lip s an d r aised h is r igh t h an d , gest u r in g at Ye W u q in g w it h

t h e in d ex fin ger of h is d r agon claw . H is sign at u r e r efin ed sm ile ap p ear ed on h is
face. “Don ’t t h in k you ’ve w on .”
Ye W u qin g r ealised t h at h e r eally cou ld n ’t con t r ol h im self in fr on t of t h is

fellow . H e h at ed h ow t h e ot h er p ar t y ap p ear ed t o b e gen t le an d r efin ed , yet
sp ou t ed fou l w or d s a t h im .
T h e t er r ifyin g Gold en Leaf Dan ce ascen d ed an d en gu lfed Bei Bei lik e a

p ow er fu l gold en cu r r en t . H e w as so exp er ien ced t h at h e k n ew b ot h H u o Yu h ao
an d W an g Don g w er e sp en t , an d h ad con su m ed t oo m u ch of t h eir sou l p ow er . As
lon g as h e got r id of Bei Bei, it w ou ld d efin it ely b e p ossib le for h im t o t r iu m p h
over t h ose t w o.
Sh an ggu an Can also seized t h e op p or t u n it y an d t ook u p a sm all M ilk Bot t le as

h e st ood t h er e, r ep len ish in g h is sou l p ow er . H is M ilk Bot t le w as a b r acelet , an d
d id n ’t seem t o b e a s m et icu lou s as t h e on e H u o Yu h ao h a d , b u t it s r ecover y
sp eed w asn ’t slow at all. It w as ver y clear t h at h e w asn ’t goin g t o b e car eless
even if vict or y w as in t h eir h an d s.
A h in t of d esp air ap p ear ed on H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s faces. Even if t h ey

u sed t h e Gold en Road Am id st W it h er in g Resp len d en ce, it w ou ld b e im p ossib le
for t h em t o st op ever yt h in g t h at w as h ap p en in g b efor e t h eir eyes. It w as
im p ossib le for t h eir op p on en t n ot t o d od ge, an d w h en t h ey d id d od ge, t h eir sk ill
w ou ld b e in effect iv e. Cou ld t h ey st ill in t er r u p t t h a t com p let ed Gold en Leaf
Dan ce?
“Lit t le ju n ior b r ot h er , get r ea d y t o b ack m e u p .” Bei Bei st ill d id n ’t b ack aw ay

as h e faced t h e Gold en Leaf Dan ce. T h e sm ile an d gen t len ess in h is eyes
gr ad u ally b ecam e d om in eer in g.
Bei Bei n at u r ally k ep t h is t r u e ab ilit ies u n d er lock an d k ey. Aft er all, h e w as

called t h e Gem in i of t h e ou t er cou r t yar d , an d h ad b een u n officially d eclar ed as
t h e n ext gen er a t ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s a lon g w it h Xu San sh i.
A violen t r oar r an g ou t fr om Bei Bei’s m ou t h . Soon aft er , t h e ligh t n in g

su r r ou n d in g h is b o d y t u r n ed gold an d sh on e b r igh t ly, for m in g a gold en eye-
cat ch in g b all ab ove h is h ead .
Soon aft er , d r agon scales r ap id ly ext en d ed fr om Bei Bei’s r igh t sh ou ld er w h ile

h e w as st ill in h is T h u n d er ou s Fu r y st at e. T h ey cover ed h is w h ole b od y in t h e
b lin k of an eye, an d t h e au r a ar ou n d h im com p let ely ch an ged . H e n ow h ad a
loft y, t yr an n ical an d an in d escr ib ab ly p ow er fu l an d k in gly au r a ar ou n d h im .
Bei Bei’s Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon w as p ow er fu l m ar t ia l sou l. H ow ever ,
t h e cu r r en t Bei Bei w as alr ead y m iles a h ead of w h at h e h a d b een b efor e. Even
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t t h in k h e cou ld su p p r ess t h at h or r ib ly t yr an n ical au r a .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice J ade Em p r ess Scor p ion seem ed t o sp eak

u p in H u o Yu h ao’s m in d at t h e sam e t im e. “Gold en H oly Dr agon .”
Bei Bei’s vigor h a d r each ed it s p eak . H e st ep p ed ou t w it h h is left foot an d

sh ou t ed , “T yr an t Kin g, T h u n d er ou s Dom ain !”
Below t h e st age, W a n g Yan h ad alr ead y b u r ied h is face in h is h an d s. H e felt

d ep r essed as h e t h ou gh t , J u st h ow m an y t h in gs ar e t h ese lit t le on es h id in g fr om
m e?!
Gold en ligh t t h a t r esem b led a w h ir lw in d of an gr y w aves b u r st for t h . Sin ce t h e

gold en ligh t w as m a d e ou t of r ays of ligh t n in g, a gold en color filled t h e a ir an d
fu lly cover ed a 20 -m et er r ad iu s ar ou n d h im .
W h at w as even scar ier w as t h at t h e an gr y gold en w aves soar ed an d cr eat ed a

t r em en d ou s at t r act ive for ce u n d er Bei Bei’s con t r ol, ab sor b in g an d t ear in g t h e
Gold en Leaf Dan ce t o p ieces.
T h e sk ills b ot h p ar t ies u sed w er e gold en . Ever y p iece of Gold en Leaf t u r n ed t o

fin e d u st in t h is exp losive gold en b at t le. T h ey in st an t ly van ish ed in a p u ff of
sm ok e.
Bei Bei clasp ed h is h an d s in fr on t of h is ch est an d m a d e t h e h an d m ovem en t s

for Con t r ollin g Cr an e Cap t u r in g Dr agon t h at H u o Yu h ao w as ver y fam iliar w it h .
H e t h en p u sh ed h is h an d s ou t in fr on t of h im , an d t h at gold en T h u n d er ou s
Dom ain su r ged t ow a r d s Ye W u qin g, en velop in g h im in t h e p r ocess.
Ye W u qin g also b ellow ed ou t , an d gold en r ays of ligh t sh on e fr om h im . T h e

in t en se r u m b le com in g fr om h im for m ed a con t in u ou s gold en st or m ,
con t en d in g w it h Bei Bei’s T h u n d er ou s Dom ain .
H ow ever , t h e p ow er of Bei Bei’s ab ilit y h ad far su r p assed h is ju d gem en t . H is
T h u n d er ou s Dom ain gr ad u ally for ced it s w ay over t o Ye W u qin g t ill it w as r igh t
in fr on t of h im .
“Lit t le ju n ior b r ot h er , n ow !” Bei Bei r oa r ed ou t a n d st om p ed w it h h is r igh t

leg. H is T h u n d er ou s Dom ain r u sh ed for t h , b u t gr ad u ally w eak en ed t ill it
d isap p ear ed at t h e sa m e t im e. Ye W u q in g’s w h ole b od y w as en velop ed w it h in it ,
com p let ely cover ed w it h gold en ligh t n in g. H e w as p ar alysed .
H u o Yu h ao n a t u r a lly u n d er st ood w h at h is sen ior b r ot h er m ean t . H e

im m ed iat ely t u r n ed ar ou n d an d w as ab ou t t o h u g W an g Don g w h en h e h ear d a
clear jin gle r in g ou t at t h e sam e t im e. H e su b con sciou sly st o p p ed w h at h e w as
ab ou t t o d o an d look ed over fr om t h e cor n er of h is eye. T h e scen e t h a t gr aced
h is eyes t ook h im b ack b y su r p r ise.
Sh an ggu an Can , w h o’d p r eviou sly b een r ep len ish in g h is sou l p ow er w it h a

M ilk Bot t le, ap p ear ed on ce again . H e r an g h is Sou lsu ck in g Bell again , b u t w h at
w as d iffer en t fr om b efor e w as t h at h is exp r ession h ad b ecom e t r em en d ou sly
ser iou s an d d ign ified . T h at w as d efin it ely n ot an exp r ession a p er son w h o w ou ld
n or m ally b e r elu ct a n t t o su ccu m b t o ot h er s w ou ld h ave.
Chapt er 94.1: The Ice Empr ess Awakens
An evil, d ar k -r ed ligh t em er ged fr om h is Sou lsu ck in g Bell, w h ich t h en

t r an sfor m ed in t o a ser ies of h a los. T h ey im m ed iat ely slam m ed st r u ck Bei Bei,
w h o’d ju st fin ish ed u sin g t h e T yr an n ica l Em p er or ’s T h u n d er ou s Dom ain .
Bei Bei’s en t ir e b od y t r em b led violen t ly w h en h e w as st r u ck , an d h is eyes

t u r n ed b lan k . Sh an ggu an Can t h en p oin t ed t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d W an g
Don g, an d Bei Bei u n exp ect ed ly t u r n ed ar ou n d an d sh ot st r aigh t t ow ar d s t h em .
A spi r i t ual con t r ol -t ype soul sk i l l ? Shangguan Can act ual l y has a soul sk i l l l i k e
t hi s?
Con si der i n g h ow pow er f ul Bei Bei ’ s m ar t i al soul w as, h i s spi r i t ual pow er
def i n i t el y w asn ’ t w eak ! Yet , Sh an gguan Can h ad st i l l been abl e t o t em por ar i l y
t ak e con t r ol of h i s m i n d. T h i s gr eat l y st ar t l ed bot h H uo Yuh ao an d W an g Don g.
For t un at el y, t h e h ypn ot i zed Bei Bei w as on l y abl e t o f ol l ow h i s i n st i n ct s; h e

coul dn ’ t di spl ay t h e f i n esse h e usual l y possessed w h en h e f ough t cl ear -h eaded.
Fur t h er m or e, h e w as cur r en t l y i n a w eak en st at e f r om usi n g t h e T yr an n i cal
Em per or ’ s T h un der ous Dom ai n .
H uo Yuh ao sudden l y st opped i n m i dai r as W an g Don g f l apped h i s w i n gs,

w h i ch caused h i m t o f l y back w ar ds a f ew m et er s, Bei Bei i n t ow . H uo Yuh ao an d
W an g Don g t h en h ugged each ot h er t i gh t l y.
On t h e on e h an d, you h ad H uo Yuh ao, w h ose Spi r i t Eyes began t o em i t a

f ai n t -gol d col or , w h i l e on t h e ot h er , you h ad W an g Don g, w hose beaut i f ul w i n gs
h ad been en t i r el y un f ur l ed as h e r el eased h i s Radi an t But t er f l y Goddess.
W h en t h ey h ugged each ot h er an d r el eased t h ei r m ar t i al soul s, t h e t en or so

m et er s ar oun d t h em l i t up as a speci al sor t of l i gh t bl ossom ed f r om t h ei r bodi es.
As b lu e, p u r p le, an d gold ligh t b egan t o fill t h eir su r r ou n d in gs, an d W an g
Don g’s com p let e an d gor geou s Rad ia n t Bu t t er fly God d ess fold ed it s w in gs
for w ar d s in a h u ggin g m ot ion .
At t h e sam e t im e, a n en or m ou s, fain t -gold ver t ical eye ap p ear ed b eh in d H u o

Yu h ao, it s p u p il filled w it h b ou n d less p u r p le ligh t .
W an g Don g’s Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess violen t ly ign it ed w it h a b lu ish -
gold en flar e of ligh t as it ap p r oach ed t h e Sp ir it Eye. W h en t h e t w o im ages of
ligh t fin ally fu sed in m id air , t h ey su d d en ly sw u n g d ow n w ar d s.
T h e Gold en Road Am id st W it h er in g Resp len d en ce.
T h e fu sed color s of blu e, p u r p le, an d gold in st an t ly cu t ou t a flat p at h at op t h e

t ou r n am en t st age.
T h e p er son w h o b or e t h e b r u n t of t h eir b low w as Bei Bei. Aft er w ar d s, t h e r ay

of ligh t con t in u ed for w ar d , an d st r u ck t h e p ar alysed Ye W u qin g. H ow ever ,
Sh an ggu an Can h ad sen sed an op p or t u n it y t o flee ou t of t h e a t t ack ’s r an ge.
H u o Yu h ao h a d n o ot h er ch oice b u t t o d o t h is, as Bei Bei h ad alm ost u sed h is

T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw again st t h em . If t h ey w er e d elayed b y Bei Bei, Ye
W u q in g w ou ld b e a b le t o r ecover fr om h is p ar alysis, an d t h ey w ou ld h ave n o
ch an ce of w in n in g t h is m at ch at all. T h u s, h e cou ld on ly ch oose t o d o t h is. T h e
p u r p ose b eh in d W a n g Don g’s sh ift in locat ion h ad b een t o m ak e su r e t h at Bei
Bei an d Ye W u qin g w er e in a st r aigh t lin e.
Bei Bei let ou t a m u ffled gr oan as h is b od y w as t r an sfor m ed in t o a gold en

st at u e. H is Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon in st an t ly collap sed , as w as also t h e
case for t h e d ist an t Ye W u q in g. H ow ever , h e w as ab le t o sn ap ou t of h is
p ar alysis at t h is m om en t .
Aft er r eleasin g h is fu sion sk ill, H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t d ar e t o w ast e an y m or e

t im e. H e t ook a su d d en st r id e for w ar d , t h en u sed h is r igh t h an d t o p at Bei Bei
b efor e sh oot in g st r aigh t t ow ar d s Ye W u qin g. At t h is m om en t h ow ever , W an g
Don g d id n ’t con t in u e t o follow h im . T h e r em n an t sou l p ow er t h at t h ey h a d left
w as n ow in W an g Don g’s b od y, an d b efor e h e left , H u o Yu h ao r em oved t h e M ilk
Bot t le fr om h is n eck an d sh oved it in h is h an d .
As h is sou l t h r u st er act ivat ed , H u o Yu h a o sh ot st r aigh t t ow ar d s h is op p on en t

lik e a b olt of ligh t n in g. T h er e w as on ly Ye W u q in g in h is eyes n ow .
A Sou l Kin g w h o h ad lost t h e u se of h is m ar t ial sou l w as m er ely a sou l m ast er

w h o p ossessed sligh t ly m or e p ow er fu l sou l p ow er . T h u s, h ow w ou ld h e b e ab le
t o w it h st an d H u o Yu h ao’s Ult im at e Ice? M or eover , t h e on ly w ay t h ey cou ld w in
t h is m at ch w as t o d efeat Ye W u q in g fir st b efor e d oin g an yt h in g else.
Aft er b ein g t ou ch ed b y H u o Yu h ao, t h e t r aces of gold on Bei Bei’s b od y

r eced ed . H ow ever , h e im m ed iat ely fell st r aigh t t ow ar d s t h e gr ou n d .
T h e Gold en Road cou ld cau se on e’s m ar t ial sou l t o colla p se, b u t it also
p ossessed a p ow er fu l er osive effect . Aft er u sin g h is T yr an n ical Em p er or ’s
T h u n d er ou s Dom ain t o b lock Ye W u q in g’s m ost p ow er fu l at t ack w h ile d r a in in g
as m u ch of h is sou l p ow er as h e cou ld , Bei Bei w as lik e a lam p w h ose oil w as
n ear ly ext in gu ish ed . Ot h er w ise, h e w ou ld n ’t h ave b een so easily con t r olled b y
Sh an ggu an Can . Righ t aft er t h a t , h e h a d t o su ffer t h e cor r osive effect s of t h e
Gold en Road . Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao h ad q u ick ly d isp elled t h e effect s of t h e
fu sion sk ill, Bei Bei d ir ect ly fain t ed d u e t o over exer t ion . As W a n g Don g h eld t h e
M ilk Bot t le in h is h an d s, h e look ed t o w ar d s t h e ch a r gin g H u o Yu h ao w it h a
com p licat ed look in h is eyes. At t h is m om en t , h e w as in w ar d ly scr eam in g a
sin gle p h r ase: You can’ t , you can’ t use a soul t ool !
Ye W uqi n g cur r en t l y r esem bl ed a gol den m an . Al t h ough h e h ad Ran k 58 soul

pow er , h e h ad dr ai n ed an ut t er l y en or m ous am oun t of i t dur i n g h i s bat t l e w i t h
Bei Bei . H ow coul d h e n ot pan i c af t er l osi n g t h e use of h i s m ar t i al soul ? H e
w oul d n eed a per i od of t i m e t o di spel t h e n egat i ve ef f ect s of t h e Gol den Road.
At t h i s m om en t , H uo Yuh ao ar r i ved i n f r on t of h i m .
“Even if I d on ’t h ave a m ar t ia l sou l, ca n a Sou l Gr an d m ast er lik e you t h r eat en
m e?” Ye W u qin g said ar r ogan t ly. H e sen t h is r igh t fist flyin g t h r ou gh t h e a ir t o
m eet H u o Yu h ao’s a t t ack . A b all of sou l p ow er con d en sed in t o a w h it e ligh t ,
w h ich t h en u sed h is fist as a con d u it as it flew ou t .
H u o Yu h ao on ce again u sed t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer as h e sen t h is p alm s

for w ar d t o m eet Ye W u q in g.
Aft er con t r ollin g Bei Bei, Sh an ggu an Can h ad seem in gly fallen silen t .
H ow ever , h e w as act u ally focu sed on ab sor b in g t h e sou l p ow er p r ovid ed b y a
M ilk Bot t le, an d h e p aid n o at t en t ion t o t h e cu r r en t sit u at ion of t h e b at t le.
“Pen g--” H u o Yu h ao’s b od y t u r n ed slu ggish . H is Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer b r ok e

t h r ou gh h is op p on en t ’s sou l p ow er , b u t t h e p ow er fu l im p act fr om t h at collision
for ced h im t o scr eech t o a su d d en st op . All of t h e sou l t ools h e h ad n ow h ad b een
u sed t o in cr ea se h is sp eed , an d even if t h at w asn ’t a case, a Class 2 at t ack -t yp e
sou l t ool w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o p ose a t h r eat t o a Sou l Kin g!
T h e sou l p ar alysis r a y? H u o Yu h ao n o lon ger h ad t h e su p p or t of t h e H aod on g

Pow er , an d h e d id n ’t h ave m u ch of h is sou l p ow er left . As a r esu lt , h e d id n ’t
d ar e t o u se it in an ext r avagan t m an n er !
Clen ch in g h is t eet h , H u o Yu h ao u sed t h e Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack t o

flash t ow ar d s Ye W u qin g in an illu sor y m an n er . A m ajor it y of h is h id d en
w eap on s t h en flew ou t r ap id ly.
Ye W u q in g w as im m ed iat ely over joyed aft er h e saw t h at H u o Yu h ao h ad b een

b lock ed b y h is at t ack . H e u r ged t h e sou l p ow er in h is b od y ou t w ar d , cau sin g a
layer of w h it e m ist t o p en et r at e h is b od y an d for m a p r ot ect ive b ar r ier . Aft er all,
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t p ossess a h igh en ou gh cu lt ivat ion , so h is h id d en w eap on s
w ou ld sim p ly b e u n a b le t o b r eak t h r ou gh h is d efen ses.
T h e gap b et w een Ran k 27 an d Ran k 58 w as sim p ly t oo la r ge. Even if Ye

W u qin g w as t em p or ar ily u n ab le t o u se h is m ar t ial sou l, a n d h is cu lt ivat ion
w asn ’t even a t h ir d of it s u su al p eak , H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o sh ak e h im
easily.
Seein g t h a t h is op p or t u n it y t o w in w as d isap p ear in g, H u o Yu h ao st ar t ed t o

p an ic. H e fin ally cou ld n ’t en d u r e it an y lon ger an d cr ied ou t , “Ice Em p r ess, h elp
m e!”
If t h is w er e a n or m al t im e, t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion w ou ld d efin it ely

h ave ign or ed H u o Yu h ao’s r eq u est . Bot h sh e an d t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m n eed ed
an exp er t w h o w ou ld b e ab le t o cu lt iva t e t h eir w ay t o b ecom in g a God .
T h is w as t h e on ly w ay t h at w ou ld allow t h em t o b r eak aw ay fr om t h e
r est r ain t s im p osed on t h em b y t h e w or ld . If t h ey w er e t o b lin d ly h elp h im w it h
ever yt h in g, h ow w ou ld h e t r u ly gr ow ?
H ow ever , t h is w as clear ly d iffer en t . Bot h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice

Em p r ess h ad b een in fect ed b y t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s’ at t it u d es of sp ar in g
n o cost for Sh r ek ’s glor y.
In t h e n ext m om en t , H u o Yu h ao’s au r a su d d en ly ch an ged .
H e d id n ’t u n d er go t h e violen t t r a n sfor m at ion or visu al d iffer en ces t h a t Xu

San sh i a n d Bei Bei h ad gon e t h r ou gh w h en t h ey r eleasin g t h eir h id d en p ow er s.
H ow ever , t h e cu r r en t H u o Yu h ao w as m u ch m or e t er r ifyin g in Ye W u qin g’s
eyes.
W h ile u sin g t h e Ice Em p r ess, H u o Yu h ao’s eyes w ou ld occasion ally flick er

w it h a jad e-gr een ligh t . T h is w as a n a t u r al p h en om en a cau sed b y t h e ap p ear an ce
of t h at p ar t icu lar m ar t ial sou l. At t h is m om en t , h ow ever , h is eyes t u r n ed a
p en et r at in g color of jad e, m ak in g it seem as t h ou gh h is eyes w er e p r eciou s gem s
t h at sp ar k led w it h ligh t .
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as in st an t ly t ak en over b y t h e Ice Em p r ess. T h e voice of

t h e lat t er r an g ou t in t h e d ep t h s of H u o Yu h ao’s sou l, “W at ch car efu lly. You
h ave t o b e ad ep t a t u sin g ever y b it of st r en gt h t h at you h ave, an d you n eed t o
d iligen t ly t r ain you r con t r ol over you r st r en gt h . If you w an t t o d efeat t h e st r on g
w h ile b ein g w eak , t h e on ly t ech n iq u e you can u se is con t r ol.”
T h e Ice Em p r ess d id n ’t u se t h e Gh ost Sh ad ow Per p lexin g T r ack ; sh e sh ot

d ir ect ly for w ar d , an d t h e t a t t oo of t h e Ice Em p r ess on H u o Yu h ao’s b ack t u r n ed
ext r aor d in ar ily b r igh t an d clea r . H ow ever , h is b od y em it t ed n o t r aces of
ch illin ess at a ll.
Ye W u qin g felt h is h ear t t h u m p as h e sen sed t h e su d d en ch an ges in H u o

Yu h ao. At t h is exact m om en t , t h e effect s of t h e Gold en Road van ish ed .
Over joyed , Ye W u q in g’s fir st r eact ion w as t o on ce again r elease h is m ar t ial

sou l t o b lock H u o Yu h ao. As h e r eleasin g it , h e d id n ’t for get t o sen d a p u n ch ou t ,
cau sin g an even m o r e con d en sed b all of sou l p ow er t o st op t h e ad va n cin g H u o
Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao r aised h is r igh t h an d ; t o p u t it m or e accu r at ely, t h e Ice Em p r ess

r aised H u o Yu h ao’s r igh t h a n d . Sh e p oin t ed a sin gle fin ger t ow ar d s t h e
in com in g b all of sou l p ow er , t h en gen t ly t ap p ed it .
T h e w h it e b all of sou l p ow er p au sed d ist in ct ly for a m om en t , t h en slow ed

d ow n . T h e Ice Em p r ess t h en u sed t h e b a ck of H u o Yu h ao’s h an d t o sw ip e a t it ,
cau sin g it t o u n exp ect ed ly fly aw ay. H ow ever , t h e sp eed of H u o Yu h ao’s ad van ce
d id n ’t slow in t h e lea st .
Ult im at e Ice w asn ’t ju st ab le t o fr eeze h u m an s; it w as also a b le t o fr eeze sou l

p ow er ! It w as ju st a s t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad said --ever yt h in g d ep en d ed on on e’s
level of con t r ol.
T h e sp eed of Ye W u q in g’s m ovem en t s w asn ’t slow eit h er . W it h a flash of

ligh t , h is sou l r in gs st ar t ed t o r ise fr om h is feet .
At t h is m om en t , h ow ever , H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt h is en t ir e b od y go d ar k .
Righ t aft er t h at , h e cou ld n ’t see an yt h in g else as h e d ir ect ly fell in t o a d eep
sleep .
Fr om t h e p oin t of view of t h e au d ien ce an d t h e t w o t eam s w it h in t h e w ait in g
ar ea, a st r an ge t r an sfor m at ion h ad su d d en ly occu r r ed in H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. A
jad e-gr een p illar of ligh t t h a t w as as t h ick as an ar m su d d en ly sh ot ou t fr om h is
ch est . T h e in st an t t h is p illar of ligh t sh ot ou t , ever yon e w as ab le t o see t h a t H u o
Yu h ao’s ver t eb r ae, st er n u m , an d r ib s w er e em it t in g an in t en se jad e-gr een ligh t ,
even t h ou gh h is b od y w as cover ed b y h is clot h es.
In t h e n ext in st an t , t h is jad e-gr een ligh t fell on Ye W u q in g.
T h e jad e-color ed ligh t flash ed an d d isap p ear ed r igh t aft er t h at .
Ye W u qin g w as a Ran k 58 Sou l Kin g! At t h is m om en t , h ow ever , h is face on ly

h ad sh ock on it . Aft er t h at , H u o Yu h ao’s ch ar gin g figu r e st r u ck h is b od y.
Ye W u qin g d id n ’t r esist at all as h is en t ir e b od y w as for cefu lly k n ock ed

b ack w ar d s. J u st lik e Yan ’er , h e d ir ect ly fell off t h e t ou r n am en t st age w it h a
cr ash . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao also fell d ow n . Un lik e Ye W u q in g, w h o fell off t h e
st age, h ow ever , t h e p lace h e fell w as st ill a p ar t of t h e st age.
T h is w as t h e Ice J a d e Em p r ess Scor p io n ’s fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l

sk ill, Ice Em p r ess’ W r at h .
H u o Yu h ao h ad n ever u sed t h is sk ill in t h e p ast ; t o u se t h is sou l sk ill, on e h ad

t o at least b e a Sou l Kin g. T h is w as a lso t h e sk ill w it h t h e h igh est at t ack p ow er
am on g t h e fou r sou l sk ills t h at t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion h ad given h im .
Aft er ad ju st in g all of t h e r em ain in g sou l p ow er in H u o Yu h ao’s b od y an d

u sin g h er ow n or igin t o p r ot ect h is b od y, t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion u sed a
w eak en ed ver sion of t h e Ice Em p r ess’ W r at h .
H ad it b een t h e or igin al ver sion of t h e Ice Em p r ess’ W r a t h , even T it led

Du olu o w ou ld h ave felt t h e w r a t h of t h e Fr ost Seal im m ed ia t ely. T h en , on ly t h e
Ice Em p r ess w ou ld ’v e b een ab le t o r em ove t h e seal. H ow ever , h er W r at h cou ld
b ar ely even d eal w it h Ye W u qin g, w h o on ly h ad a lit t le sou l p ow er left an d w as
lim it ed b y T h e Gold en Road an d w h ose m ar t ial sou l h ad yet t o fu lly r ecover .
Befor e t h e con sciou sn ess of t h e Ice Em p r ess r et u r n ed t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, it
w as gr eat ly aggr ieved , an d alr ead y t h ou gh t t o u r ge H u o Yu h ao t o qu ick ly
en h an ce h is st r en gt h on ce it r et u r n ed .
Un for t u n at ely, at t h is m om en t , H u o Yu h ao h ad p assed ou t . H ad h e b een

con sciou s, h e w ou ld su r ely h ave p r ot est ed ; aft er all, h e w as b ar ely t h ir t een year s
old !
H u o Yu h ao’s h ar d w or k en su r ed t h at Bei Bei’s sacr ifice w as n ot w ast ed .

J u st sk y Acad em y’s st r on gest m em b er , Ye W u q in g h ad fin a lly b een b eat en , an d
w as ou t of t h e com p et it ion .
In t er m s of n u m b er s, Sh r ek Acad em y h ad t h r ee p eop le left , w h ile t h eir

op p on en t ’s t eam on ly h ad Sh an ggu an Can left . H ow ever , cou ld Sh r ek Acad em y
r eally w in ?
W an g Don g h ad alr ead y r u sh ed ou t w h en H u o Yu h ao w as u n con sciou s, an d
Sh an ggu an Can also st op p ed r ecover in g h is sou l p ow er w it h t h e M ilk Bot t le. A
sin ist er sm ile cr ep t over Sh an ggu an Can ’s face as h e w at ch ed W a n g Don g,
look in g con fid en t of w in n in g.
Pr eviou sly, w h en H u o Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er h ad b een com p let ely su ck ed aw ay,

W an g Don g h ad b een u n ab le t o even u t ilize h is m ar t ia l sou l. Now , h e look ed lik e
a h elp less ch ild . Cer t ain ly, W an g Don g w as u n ab le t o m ak e Sh an ggu an Can feel
t h r eat en ed .
“In t h e en d , I’m st ill t h e on e w h o h as t o p u t an en d t o t h is com p et it ion .”

Sh an ggu an Can said as h e w alk ed slow ly t ow ar d s W an g Don g, Sou lsu ck in g Bell
in h an d . W an g Don g—w h o’d b een r u n n in g as fast a s p ossib le t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao—st op p ed in h is t r ack s.
Beh in d W an g Don g lay a lon g-u n con sciou s Bei Bei, w h ose ch est w as st ill
b leed in g. In fr on t of W an g Don g, H u o Yu h ao lay sim ilar ly u n con sciou s, w it h h is
lip s p u lled t en sely t oget h er . Seein g t h is, t h e look in W an g Don g’s eyes t u r n ed
fier ce.
“I su ggest you b r in g t h e t w o of t h em d ow n , an d t h en leave you r self. You can

on ly p ass t w o r ou n d s; I’m a fou r -r in ged Sou l An cest or , you d on ’t st an d a
ch an ce.” Sh an ggu an Can said , sn igger in g at W an g Don g.
W an g Don g r esp on d ed cold ly, “You ’r e ju st a a u xiliar y-t yp e Sou l An cest or .

W h at m ak es you so su r e you can b eat m e?”
“Even t h ou gh I’m a n au xilia r y-t yp e sou l m ast er , I’m st ill a Sou l An cest or !
Not w it h st an d in g h ow m u ch m or e sou l p ow er I h ave com p ar ed t o you , ju st t h is
Sou lsu ck in g Bell in m y h an d w ou ld b e su fficien t t o d efeat you . H u r r y u p k id , I
d on ’t w an t t o w ast e an ym or e t im e w it h you .”
Sh an ggu an Can got in cr easin gly excit ed as h e sp ok e, as h is h ear t b eat fast er

an d fast er .
W h en h e left t h e com p et it ion w it h t h e u lt im at e vict or y, Sh an ggu an Can
w ou ld h a ve m ad e h ist or y, an d h is n am e w ou ld su r ely b e w r it t en in t o t h e an n a ls
of J u st sk y Acad em y’s h ist or y. Aft er t h is, h is t it le w ou ld h ave t o in clu d e t h e fact
t h at h e w as t h e fir st t o d efeat Sh r ek Acad em y in t h e Elit e Con t in en t al Sou l
M ast er Acad em y T o u r n am en t . Regar d less of t h e st an d a r d s of t h e t eam fr om
Sh r ek Acad em y, t h ey w er e st ill r ep r esen t at ives of Sh r ek .
I w on, I w on. I t ’ s t r ul y unexpect ed t hat I w oul d ul t i m at el y w i n t hi s

com pet i t i on. Sh an gguan Can coul d h ar dl y h i de t h e joy i n h i s h ear t , an d w as
sm i l i n g un con t r ol l abl y as h e t h ough t about h i s i m pen di n g vi ct or y.
“ Sen i or Br ot h er Bei Bei on ce sai d, don ’ t assum e vi ct or y pr em at ur el y.” W an g

Don g sai d as h e t ook l on g st r i des t ow ar ds Sh an gguan Can .
Sh an gguan Can coul d h ave act i vat ed h i s f our t h soul sk i l l at t h i s m om en t an d

con t r ol l ed W an g Don g’ s spi r i t , but h e w asn ’ t i n a h ur r y at al l . Sh r ek Academ y’ s
m em ber s al w ays put up such a st r on g f r on t , an d t h at on l y m ade h i m m or e
det er m i n ed t o cr ush t h ei r per si st en ce.
“ I t ’ s f ut i l e, do you st i l l n ot un der st an d t h at , k i d? Your soul pow er i s so

depl et ed n ow t h at even your m ar t i al soul pr obabl y can ’ t r el ease an y pow er .
H ow ar e you goi n g t o f i gh t m e? Just gi ve up qui ck l y, t h en I w on ’ t h ur t you.”
Sh an gguan Can sai d w i t h a sm i l e. W h at h e w an t ed t o see m ost w as Sh r ek
Academ y’ s m em ber s bow i n g dow n i n f r on t of h i m .
W an g Don g w al k ed even f ast er , an d sai d col dl y, “ Ar e you cer t ai n t h at m y

m ar t i al soul i s i n capabl e of r el easi n g an y pow er ?”
Bot h par t i es w er e n ow w i t h i n f or t y m et er s of each ot h er .
Sh an gguan Can seem ed speech l ess f or a m om en t , bef or e h e r et or t ed, “ So

w h at i f you can st i l l r el ease pow er f r om your M ar t i al Soul ? I ’ m sur e t h e best you
can do i s just r el ease your m ar t i al soul . I can f eel t h e w eak n ess i n your soul . St op
act i n g br ave; f r om your m ar t i al soul , i t seem s t h at t h e bat t l e st yl e t h at you
speci al i se i n i s f ocused on r el easi n g en er gy, w h i ch i s on e of t h e st yl es t h at
r eq u ir es t h e m ost sou l p ow er fr om u s sou l m ast er s. You ob viou sly can ’t r elea se
an y sou l sk ills n ow , so st op p r et en d in g, it ’s u seless.”
W an g Don g t ook a d eep b r eat h , t h e look in h is eyes gr ow in g cold er . “W h o

t old you t h at you ca n ’t b e d efeat ed w it h ou t sou l sk ills?” A flash of ligh t p assed
t h r ou gh h is b od y as h e sp ok e, an d a layer of b lack ligh t seem ed t o flash p ast , b u t
n ot a sin gle Sou l Rin g ap p ear ed . A sim p le an d u n sop h ist icat ed jet -b lack h am m er
ap p ear ed in h is h an d . T h e h am m er w as en velop ed b y a b all of b lack ligh t . On ce
t h e h am m er ap p ear ed , a st r on g, t h ick feelin g ar ose.
Sh an ggu an Can gasp ed w it h ast on ish m en t , sayin g, “You Sh r ek s ar e all fr eak s,

b u t you d on ’t st an d a ch an ce.” H e d id n ’t d ar e t o h esit at e an y lon ger , an d st ar t ed
t o sh ak e t h e Sou lsu ck in g Bell in h is h an d for cefu lly as h e sp ok e. H e also
act ivat ed h is fou r t h sou l sk ill, Sp ir it u al Con t r ol, on W an g Don g. M u lt ip le r in gs
flew t ow ar d s W an g Don g.
A m ock in g sm ile ap p ear ed on W an g Don g’s u p t u r n ed lip s, a n d h e con t in u ed

ch ar gin g for w ar d , ign or in g t h e t h e sp ir it -con t r ollin g h alos t h at su r r ou n d ed h is
b od y.
At t h at m om en t , a ligh t ap p ear ed b et w een W an g Don g’s eyeb r ow s, an d t h e

b all of gold en ligh t exp an d ed at an ast o n ish in g sp eed , gr ow in g t o a r ad iu s of
ab ou t t en m et er s, em it t in g a b lin d in g ligh t .
Sh an ggu an Can scr eam ed , h is m ou t h sp ew in g fr esh b lood . H e felt lik e h is

b r ain w as ab ou t t o sp lit op en , an d t h e Sou lsu ck in g Bell in h is h an d w as
sh at t er ed t o p ieces.
T h e h am m er in W a n g Don g’s h an d flew ou t of h is h an d at t h is m om en t ,

d r aw in g a b eau t ifu l an d st r on g ar c in t h e air as it flew st r aigh t t ow ar d s
Sh an ggu an Can ’s ch est .
A figu r e ap p ear ed in fr on t of Sh an ggu an Can ’s bod y ju st in t im e. T h e st r on g

b od y b lock ed t h e p at h of t h e h am m er , an d a “p in g” sou n d cou ld b e h ear d as t h e
h am m er h it t h e b od y. T h e figu r e st ep p ed t w o st ep s b ack t o st ead y h im self fr om
t h e im p act of t h e h a m m er , an d r em ar k ed b r eat h lessly, “W h at a st r on g for ce.”
T h e b lack ligh t con v er ged , an d b efor e an yon e cou ld see t h e h am m er t h at w as

ab ou t t o em er ge fr om t h e b lack ligh t , it d isap p ear ed .
W an g Don g’s b od y sh ook a lit t le, b u t h e st ood h is gr ou n d .
W asn ’t t h at t h e Sou l Sage ju d ge w h o ju st b lock ed t h e a t t ack for Sh an ggu an

Can ? T h e ju d ge’s ap p ear an ce m ean t t h a t t h is com p et it ion h ad fin ally en d ed .
“T h ey r eally w on .” W an g Yan w at ch ed , d u m b st r u ck , as W a n g Don g lim p ed

t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, h is lip s t r em b lin g. W an g Yan w as r en d er ed sp eech less. H e
cou ld n ever h ave gu essed t h at t h is t eam m ad e u p of fou r Sou l An cest or s, on e
Sou l Eld er an d t w o Sou l Gr an d m a st er s cou ld h ave d efeat ed a st r on g t eam of
t h r ee Sou l Kin gs an d fou r Sou l An cest or s.
Yes, even Sh r ek cou ld n ’t b elieve it .
H e Cait ou w as also st u p efied . W h en h e h ad lost t h e r ou n d , h e h ad t h ou gh t

t h at it w as t h e en d . Aft er all, t h e op p osin g t eam h ad st ill h ad a Ran k 58 Sou l
Kin g t h a t h ad n ot en t er ed t h e ar en a.
Yet , a m ir acle h ap p en ed again . Alt h ou gh Sh r ek Acad em y p aid for t h eir

vict or y w it h b lood , t h ey d id n ot lose t h e glor y t h at b elon ged t o t h e Sh r ek
Acad em y. T h ey w on m at ch --Sh r ek Acad em y h ad em er ged vict or iou s again !
T h e w h ole m at ch cou ld on ly b e d escr ib ed as im m en sely t r agic. Fr om t h e fir st

r ou n d , Xu San sh i w as alr ead y b ad ly in ju r ed . Alt h ou gh h e lat er exagger at ed h is
in ju r ies, Bei Bei h a d ver ified t h at t h e sou r ce of h is in ju r y w as gen u in e.
In t h e secon d r ou n d , H e Cait ou h ad u sed all h is p ow er , an d Xiao Xiao h ad

su st ain ed m ajor in ju r ies--even h er m ar t ial sou l w as cr u sh ed b y h er op p on en t . If
n ot for t h e fact t h at sh e w as b or n w it h t w o M ar t ial Sou ls, t h is w ou ld h ave b een
a b low ser iou s en ou gh t o for ce h er d ep ar t u r e fr om t h e com p et it ion .
T h e t h ir d r ou n d d id n ’t en d a n y b et t er , w it h Bei Bei u n con sciou s aft er sever e
in ju r ies, an d H u o Yu h ao on t h e gr ou n d , exh au st ed . Sh ock in gly, t h e fin al vict or y
w as ach ieved b y W an g Don g, w h ose sou l p ow er h ad alr ead y b een com p let ely
d ep let ed .
In t h e t h r ee r ou n d s of t h is m at ch , it cou ld b e said t h at ever y on e of Sh r ek ’s

Seven M on st er s h ad t r ied t h eir ver y b est , an d u t ilised ever y p ossib le t r ick t h ey
h ad u p t h eir sleeves. T h ey h ad w on t h r ou gh sh eer p er sever an ce an d w ill,
d esp it e b ein g a m u ch w eak er t eam t h an t h eir op p on en t , gain in g t h e fin al
vict or y.
T h is vict or y w as h ar d -ear n ed , b u t t o t h e Sh r ek Acad em y t eam an d Sh r ek ’s

Seven M on st er s, it w as u n d ou b t ed ly glor iou s. An u n p ar alleled glor y.
T ear s st ar t ed t o cou r se u n con t r ollab ly d ow n W an g Yan ’s ch eek s as h e

st r u ggled t o u n d er st an d h ow W an g Don g h ad su m m on ed a secon d M ar t ial Sou l,
an d t h e p ow er w it h w h ich H u o Yu h ao h a d van qu ish ed h is op p on en t .
T h e on ly t h ou gh t t h at occu p ied h is h ead w as vict or y. T h ey h ad ach ieved t h e

fin al vict or y. Sh r ek h ad w on .
Vict or y for Sh r ek Acad em y in t h e Elit e Con t in en t a l Sou l M ast er Acad em y

T ou r n am en t h ad n ’t b een so d ifficu lt for at least a few t h ou san d year s. T h is
com p et it ion h ad cer t ain ly b een d ifficu lt , b u t in W an g Yan ’s h ear t , t h is w as m or e
m ean in gfu l t h an an easy vict or y by Sh r ek Acad em y’s r egu lar m em b er s. H e
cou ld see seven st ar s gr ad u ally r isin g. In t h e n ear fu t u r e, t h ese Seven M on st er s
w ou ld d efin it ely b ecom e st r on g p illar s of Sh r ek Acad em y.
Far aw ay, b eyon d t h e Im p er ial Cit y an d t h e b at t lem en t s, t h e St ar Lu o

Em p er or h ad alr ead y t ak en off h is cr ow n .
H e Cait ou , w h o b y t h is t im e h ad r ecover ed sligh t ly, r u sh ed u p t o t h e st age an d

h elp ed W an g Yan h old h is t eam m at es. H e Cait ou w as a p er son w h o look ed
sim p le an d st r aigh t for w ar d on t h e ou t sid e, b u t act u ally h ar b or ed a d eep h at r ed
in h is h ea r t . At t h is m om en t , t h e m ost ou t st an d in g st u d en t fr om Sh r ek
Acad em y’s Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t cou ld n ’t r ein in h is t ear s an y lon ger .
W an g Yan t em p or a r ily p assed t h e t h r ee p eop le in h is h an d s t o H e Cait ou ,

t h en st ood u p . H e w as n o lon ger ab le t o con t r ol t h e em ot ion s in h is h ea r t
an ym or e, an d h e h ad t o st an d in t est im on y for t h e ven er ab le an d ad or ab le k id s
h e w as a t each er of. H e t ook lar ge st r id es for w ar d an d said a few w or d s t o t h e
r efer ee, w h o n od d ed b ack at h im an d p assed t h e sou n d -am p lifyin g sou l t ool over
t o h im .
W an g Yan t ook a d eep b r eat h , t h en u sed t h e sou n d -am p lifyin g sou l t ool as a
m ed iu m t o say lou d ly, “Ever yon e, p lease qu iet d ow n a lit t le. I’m t h e t each er in
ch ar ge of Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam , W an g Yan , an d I h ave a few w or d s t o say.”
T h e at m osp h er e in St ar Lu o Plaza n ow w as ast on ish in gly fr en zied , b u t it

in st an t ly qu iet ed d ow n u p on h ear in g W a n g Yan ’s an n ou n cem en t .
T h e gazes of t h e au d ien ce w er e all d r aw n t ow ar d s t h e t ear -filled W an g Yan .
“Fellow fr ien d s, t each er s, an d st u d en t s fr om t h e va r io u s p ar t icip at in g

acad em ies. You all saw w h at ju st h ap p en ed . For t h e sak e of d efen d in g ou r
acad em y’s glor y, m y ch ild r en fr om Sh r ek Acad em y h ave fou gh t a lon g, b lood y
b at t le t o ob t ain a fin al vict or y.”
“I k n ow . A lot of you ar e ask in g: w h y h as Sh r ek Acad em y su d d en ly b ecom e so

w eak ? W h y w as it so d ifficu lt for Sh r ek Acad em y t o w in ? T h ese k id s h ave d on e
all t h ey cou ld t o fin ally cr eat e a m ir acle. T h is w as sim p ly an u n w in n ab le m at ch !
T h ey r elied on t h eir ow n w illp ow er t o p er sever e u n d er all t h is, b u t w h y w ou ld a
sit u a t ion lik e t h is occu r ?”
“T h is is a st or y k n ow n on ly t o a few p eop le in t h e acad em y, an d I sh ou ld n ’t

say an yt h in g ab ou t it . H ow ever , I can ’t h old it in an ym or e; I h ave t o st an d in
p lace of t h ese ven er a b le, ad m ir ab le, an d a d or ab le ch ild r en of m in e t o t est ify.”
“Ou r Sh r ek Acad em y is k n ow n as t h e con t in en t ’s n u m b er on e acad em y b y

ever yon e h er e, an d w e m ad e am p le p r ep ar at ion s for t h is yea r ’s t ou r n am en t lik e
ever yon e else. H ow ever , n on e of t h e p ar t icip at in g st u d en t s you see in fr on t of
you w er e official m em b er s; t h ey w er e p r ep ar at or y t eam m em b er s w h o cam e
h er e t o gain som e exp er ien ce. T h ey ar en ’t r ep r esen t in g ou r acad em y t o t ak e
p ar t in t h is t ou r n am en t b ecau se w e d ecid ed t o give t h em t h is m u ch exp er ien ce;
it ’s b ecau se w e h ad n o ot h er ch oice.”
At t h is p oin t , t h e va r iou s r ep r esen t at ive t eam s fr om t h e var iou s acad em ies,

t h e p op u lace, an d even t h e Em p er or , w h o w as or igin ally p lan n in g t o leave t h e
cit y w alls, felt cu r iosit y in t h eir h ear t s.
“Befor e w e cam e t o St ar Lu o Cit y t o p ar t icip at e in t h is t ou r n am en t , ou r

acad em y’s official a n d p r ep ar at or y t ea m s w er e assign ed t o d o som et h in g else.
W e w er e t o elim in at e a gr ou p of b an d it s t h at w er e led b y an evil sou l m ast er in
t h e M in g Dou M ou n t ain Ran ge. T h ey w er e a gr ou p of ban d it s w h o w an t on ly
k illed , r ob b ed , an d com m it t ed ever y im agin ab le evil act . For t h e sak e of t h e
safet y of t h e m er ch an t s an d com m on p eop le w h o live in t h e M in g Dou
M ou n t ain Ran ge, ou r Sh r ek Acad em y d ecid ed t o t ak e it u p on ou r selves t o solve
t h is p r ob lem . Fin ally, w e fou n d t h ose b an d it s an d t h eir lea d er in a cave. W e
com p let ely d om in at ed t h em in t er m s of st r en gt h , b u t t h at evil sou l m ast er u sed
an evil sk ill t o d et on at e t h e cor p ses of h is fellow b an d it s. Du e t o t h e lar ge
n u m b er of d ead b an d it s, t h a t d et on at ion cau sed sever e in ju r ies t o ou r official
t eam m em b er s. On e of w h ich d ied , an d t h e ot h er six r eceived in ju r ies t o
d iffer en t ext en t s. Of w h ich , w e’ve sen t a few b ack t o t h e acad em y t o r ecu p er at e.
T h e acad em y d id n ’t h ave en ou gh t im e t o sen d m or e p eop le, an d t h u s w e cam e
h er e w it h a d isjoin t ed t eam . A few of ou r official t eam m em b er s w h o h ave
ligh t er in ju r ies ar e st ill r est in g in t h e h ot el, an d t h e on ly p eop le w e h ave w h o
can com e u p ar e t h ese p r ep ar at or y t eam m em b er s.
“In r ealit y, even t h e fir st m at ch t h at w e p ar t icip at ed in w as ext r em ely t ou gh

for u s. T h is t eam w a s on ly ab le t o slow ly get t o t h is st age b y d iligen t ly w or k in g
t oget h er . For t h e sak e of Sh r ek ’s glor y, t h ey h ave alr ead y given all t h ey can , an d
as a t each er of Sh r ek Acad em y, I am p r ou d of t h em . T h ey w ill a lw ays b e Sh r ek
Acad em y’s m ost d azzlin g st u d en t s.”
“T h e r eason w h y I ch ose t o st an d in fr on t of all of you t od ay is b ecau se I w ish

for ever yon e h er e w h o h as p laced t h eir h op es on Sh r ek Acad em y t o n ot cr it icise
t h ese k id s t oo h ar sh ly. Of t h e seven of t h em , t h er e ar e even t h r ee w h o ar e on ly
t w elve year s old ! T h e ot h er fou r ar en ’t even fift een yet . W h at m or e can w e ask
of t h em ? Even if w e lose t h is t ou r n am en t , in m y h ear t , t h ey h ave w on . T h at is
all. T h an k you , ever yon e.”
W it h t h a t , W an g Ya n h an d ed t h e sou n d -am p lifyin g sou l t ool t o t h e r efer ee,

an d b ow ed d eep ly t ow ar d s t h e au d ien ce. On ly t h en d id h e r et u r n t o H e Cait ou ’s
sid e an d b r in g t h e t h r ee u n con sciou s p eop le d ow n fr om t h e st age. T h e au d ien ce
r em ain ed silen t for a few secon d s. Nob od y ch eer ed , b u t w h at r ep laced it w as t h e
sou n d of in t en se cla p p in g. It st ar t ed ou t soft , b u t it in fect ed t h e en t ir e ar en a.
Even Sh r ek ’s op p on en t s an d t h e Em p er or an d h is m in ist er s a b ove t h e cit y w alls
w er e clap p in g for Sh r ek Acad em y.
T h e en igm a b eh in d Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam w as fin ally solved . It w as exact ly

t h is t h at st u n n ed ev er yon e p r esen t . T h is w as esp ecially t r u e for W an g Yan ’s last
w or d s; t h er e w er e act u ally t h r ee of t h ese k id s w h o w er e on ly t w elve year s old !
As t h eir op p on en t s, J u st sk y Acad em y felt lik e t h ey cou ld n ’t r aise t h eir h ea d s

at all. T h ey h ad lost . Not on ly h ad t h ey lost t o Sh r ek Acad em y’s p r ep ar at or y
t eam , b u t t h ey h ad lost t o su ch you n g op p on en t s.
Nat u r a lly, t h er e w er e t w o excep t ion s t o t h is. Ye W u q in g an d Yan ’er w er e st ill

st u ck in H u o Yu h a o’s Fr ost Seal, an d n o m at t er h ow h ar d t h e m ed ical sou l
m ast er s sen t b y t h e t ou r n am en t ’s or ga n isat ion al com m it t ee t r ied , t h ey w er e
u n ab le t o m elt t h e ice t h at cover ed t h em .
Pr ot ect ed b y a lar ge n u m b er of m ed ical p er son n el an d sou l m ast er s fr om t h e

em p ir e, Sh r ek Acad em y on ce again left t h e a r en a. On ly, t h eir d ep ar t u r e w as
filled w it h a m ovin g an d t r agic air . T h e au d ien ce w asn ’t even su r e w h et h er or
n ot t h ey cou ld p ar t icip at e in t h e n ext m at ch .
T h ey t r u ly d id n ’t w ish for t h is t ou r n a m en t t o lose t h e p r esen ce of Sh r ek

Acad em y. T h ey w er en ’t ju st t h e con t in en t ’s n u m b er on e aca d em y, b u t on e t h at
cou ld m ak e it s st u d en t s go cr azy t o d efen d it . W it h ou t t h em , t h is t ou r n am en t
w ou ld d efin it ely lose it s lu st er .
Chapt er 95.1: The Top 10 Savage Beast s
Xiao H on gch en exch an ged a look w it h h er you n ger sist er , M en g H on gch en ,

t h en la u gh ed b it t er ly. “Sh r ek … w h a t an Acad em y. Did you h ear ? T h ose lit t le
fellow s ar e on ly 12 year s old ; over 2 year s you n ger t h an u s! T h ey w ill b e ou r
r ivals in 5 year s.”
M en g H on gch en w a s st ill u n con vin ced . “So w h at ? T h ey’ll n ever r ival ou r

ab ilit ies.”
Xiao H on gch en for ced a lau gh . “Bu t I’m fear fu l. Not b ecau se o f t h eir p r ow ess,
n or b ecau se of t h eir t w in m a r t ia l sou ls, b u t b ecau se of t h eir u n w aver in g an d
in t im id at in g sp ir it , som et h in g t h a t ’s u n iq u e t o Sh r ek Acad em y. As for u s, w e
lack of all t h ese.”
M en g H on gch en ch ew ed on h er w or d s, an d aft er a m om en t of silen ce, sh e

low er ed h er voice a n d said , “Br ot h er , can you u n d er st an d w h y ar e t h ey so
st u b b or n ? Is it w or t h it ? T h is is on ly a com p et it ion ! Ar e t h ey n ot w or r ied t h at
t h ey w ill en d u p su st ain in g cr it ical in ju r ies t h at w ill lead t o a r egr ession in t h eir
ab ilit ies, or even p er m an en t d isab ilit y?
M a Ru lon g ap p ear ed b esid e t h em su d d en ly an d said in a d eep voice, “W e ar e

u n aw ar e b ecau se w e ar e n ot m em b er s of Sh r ek . Yest er d ay, w e r eceived n ew s
fr om t h e acad em y t h at Sh r ek Acad em y sen t u s in vit a t ion s. T h ey cor d ially in vit e
m em b er s of ou r acad em y over for an exch an ge. T h e acad em y h as alr ead y ch osen
t h e t w o of you t o lead t h e gr ou p , an d w e h op e t h a t t h e t w o of you can sat isfy
you r t h ir st for k n ow led ge an d fin d w h at you seek in Sh r ek Acad em y.”
Xiao H on gch en ’s eyes b et r ayed a look of ob viou s ast on ish m en t . Sh e n od d ed

h er h ead aft er a m o m en t of st u p efact ion an d said , “Ok ay.”
W h en H u o Yu h ao r egain ed con sciou sn ess, h e felt in t en se p ain p u lsin g
t h r ou gh h is b od y. T h e p ain seem ed t o or igin at e fr om h is b on e m ar r ow , an d
fr om t h er e t o h is sk elet on , h is p assagew ays, h is or gan s, an d even h is b r ain .
Ever y sin gle p ar t of h is b od y w as t h r ob b in g in agon y.
H e gr oan ed fr om t h e acu t e d iscom for t . For t u n at ely, h is m in d w as clear . H e

r elied on h is r esolu t e d et er m in at ion an d gr ad u ally r ep r essed t h ese p ain fu l
sen sat ion s, even t u a lly ad ap t in g t o t h em .
H e d id n ot r u sh t o look ou t sid e as h e closed h is eyes. T h e soft an d com for t ab le

m at t r ess t old h im t h at h e w as alr ead y b ack in t h e h ot el. H is fir st ob ser vat ion
w as t h e st at e of h is p h ysical b od y. H e w as ab le t o acu t ely sen se t h e ch an ges in
ever y p ar t of h is b od y w it h on ly h is im m en se sp ir it u a l p ow er an d w it h ou t u sin g
an y sk ills at a ll.
Up on closer in sp ect ion , H u o Yu h ao r ea lized t h at t h er e w as n ot h in g am iss

w it h h is b od y. Even h is sou l p ow er h ad r egen er at ed on it s ow n , t o ar ou n d 20 %
of it s fu ll st r en gt h . H e also h a d n o id ea w h y h is b od y ach ed so m u ch , esp ecially
t h e sw ellin g p ain in t h e t r u n k of h is b od y an d in h is p assagew ays. H e cou ld n ’t
h elp b u t r ecall t h e t im e w h en h e h ad fu sed w it h t h e b on es an d essen ce of t h e Ice
J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ; h e d id n ’t ju st feel p ain , h e a lso h ad t o en d u r e an in t en se
it ch – t h at w as t h e m ost u n b ear ab le feelin g.
T h e b on es of t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ? H u o Yu h ao h ad a su d d en

ep ip h an y. Yes, it m u st b e b ecau se t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad ch a n n eled t h e p ow er of
h er b on es, an d h e h im self h ad act u ally u sed a fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l
b on e’s p ow er t w ice in a r ow w it h in a sh or t p er iod of t im e. It w as n o w on d er h is
b od y w as r eb ellin g; it w as alr ea d y a m ir a cle t h at h is p assagew ays an d h is b on es
w er e n ot m ajor ly affect ed .
W it h t h at in m in d , H u o Yu h ao im m ed ia t ely con cen t r at ed on ch an n elin g t h e

sou l p ow er in h is b od y accor d in g t o t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e. T h e
t ech n iq u e it self h ad r eju ven at in g qu alit ies in an d of it self, an d w as t h u s t h e
m ost op t im al ch oice.
In d eed , on ce h is sou l p ow er cir cu lat ed t h r ou gh h is b od y, h e began t o feel cool
sen sat ion s cou r sin g t h r ou gh h is b od y, an d h is p ain w as in st an t ly r ed u ced
con sid er ab ly.
As t h e p ain r eced ed , h is m in d b ecam e clear er an d m or e lu cid . T h e fir st

q u est ion h e t h ou gh t of w as, “Did w e w in ?”
T h er e w as n o w ay h e cou ld an sw er h is ow n qu est ion . All h e cou ld r em em b er

w as t h at h e seem ed t o call for aid fr om t h e Ice Em p r ess, an d w h en t h e Ice
Em p r ess m ad e h er m ove, h e b lack ed ou t , an d ever yt h in g t h at cam e aft er t h at
w as u n k n ow n t o h im .
H e h ad sacr ificed w ay t oo m u ch for t h is com p et it ion . H ow cou ld h e n ot b e

con cer n ed ab ou t t h e ou t com e? H e m u r m u r ed u n d er h is b r eat h even b efor e h e
op en ed h is eyes, “Did w e w in ?”
“Don ’t w or r y, vict or y is ou r s. W e d efen d ed t h e h on or an d glor y of Sh r ek ,” a

t en d er voice r an g ou t fr om b esid e h is ear s. On ce h e h ear d t h ese w or d s, a w ave of
in d escr ib ab le r elief flow ed t h r ou gh h is en t ir e b od y. H e felt h is en t ir e b od y r elax
as h e w as b at h ed in t r an q u ilit y.
W e w on , w e w on . W e m an aged t o p r ot ect t h e h on or an d d ign it y of Sh r ek .
Aft er a t in y m om en t of exh ilar at ion w it h t h at r ep ly in m in d , h e w an t ed t o

op en h is eyes. H ow ever , h e even t u ally fell in t o a d eep sleep – t h e t oll on h is b od y
w as sim p ly t oo gr eat , an d h e n eed ed som e t im e t o r ecu p er at e.
“You gu ys ar e so p ow er fu l!” T h e p er son t h at w as sit t in g b esid e H u o Yu h ao’s

b ed , an d w h o h ad con veyed t h e n ew s of t h eir vict or y t o h im w as t h e ap p oin t ed
gr ou p lead er of t h e squ a d sen t for t h t o p ar t icip at e in t h e com p et it ion , M a
Xiaot ao.
T h e com p et it ion w a s over , an d H u o Yu h ao an d all t h e ot h er s w er e eit h er

in ju r ed or exp en d ed . W an g Don g’s con d it ion w as t h e m ost p osit ive, b u t even h e
h ad gon e ou t lik e a ligh t an d fain t ed in t h e en d . On ly J ian g Nan n an w as ab le t o
r et ain h er con sciou sn ess.
Un d er su ch a cir cu m st an ce, h ow cou ld W an g Yan cop e on h is ow n ? H e cou ld

on ly in for m M a Xia ot ao, w h ose in ju r ies h ad r ecover ed sign ifican t ly b y n ow , as
w ell as Dai Yaoh en g an d Lin g Lu och en . As for t h e sit u at ion w it h t h e
com p et it ion , h e cou ld n o lon ger con ceal t h e t r u t h , an d n eit h er d id h e w an t t o d o
so an ym or e.
Aft er list en in g t o W an g Yan ’s r ecou n t in g of w h at h ad h ap p en ed , M a Xiaot ao

an d t h e t w o ot h er s fell in t o a d eep silen ce. Alon g w it h W an g Yan , t h ey b or e t h e
h eavy r esp on sib ilit y of t ak in g car e of H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er s.
W an g Yan accom p an ied t h e t h er ap ist s sen t for t h b y t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e t o

car e for Xiao Xiao an d Bei Bei, w h o w er e b ot h h eavily in ju r ed . Dai Yaoh en g w as
r esp on sib le for H e Cait ou , w h ile Lin g Lu och en t ook car e of W an g Don g. M a
Xiaot ao w as n at u r ally w at ch in g over H u o Yu h ao.
J ian g Nan n an h a d t o t ak e car e of Xu San sh i (t h at lu ck y ch ap !); n o m at t er h ow

r elu ct a n t sh e w as, a s sh e cou ld n ’t ju st leave h im t o d ie. T h er e w as n ob od y else
left , an d in ligh t of h is h eavily d am aged vit alit y an d ou t st an d in g p er for m an ce,
sh e t ook it u p on h er self t o t ak e car e of Xu San sh i.
T h is w as t h e n igh t aft er t h e com p et it ion , an d H u o Yu h ao w ok e u p

m om en t ar ily in a d a ze. W an g Don g w as ju st as exp en d ed a n d exh au st ed , b u t for
som e r eason , h e w as st ill st u ck in a d eep sleep . H e Cait ou w as n at u r a lly
st r on ger , an d w as in a m u ch b et t er st at e a ft er a ser ies of t r ea t m en t s.
Even Bei Bei, w h o w as m or e h eavily in ju r ed , w as aw ak e b y n ow . On ly Xiao

Xiao, w h o w as in a far m or e d ir e st a t e, r em ain ed u n con sciou s, t h ou gh h er
in ju r ies h ad st ab ilized – it w as h ar d t o say h ow lon g sh e w ou ld n eed t o fu lly
r ecover .
T h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e d ep loyed t h eir b est m ed ical r esou r ces t o aid t h em in

t h eir r ecover y.
M a Xiaot ao d r ew a b lan k et over H u o Yu h ao an d car essed h is h air . H er face
w as ext r em ely ser en e an d en d ear in g as sh e w h isp er ed , “Yu h ao, d o you k n ow ?
Do you k n ow t h at I am an gr y, an d I’m an gr y w it h m yself? I a m t h e gr ou p lea d er ,
an d all t h is sh ou ld ’ve b een m y r esp on sib ilit y, b u t I gave it all t o you gu ys
in st ead . Rest a ssu r ed , w e w ill soon b ear t h e m an t le of d efen d in g Sh r ek ’s glor y,
an d I w ill let ever yon e k n ow t h at Sh r ek Acad em y w ill n ot b e b u llied or
d isgr aced .”
H er voice w as soft a n d gen t le, b u t on e cou ld see a cold fog of in t h e d eep est
r ecesses of h er eyes.
H er loss of gr ou n d a gain st t h e Evil Sou l M ast er h ad h eavily affect ed h er . In

t h is com p et it ion , H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er s’ p er for m an ce also m ad e h er
ext r em ely agit at ed . Sh e h ad n ever felt su ch b elliger en ce b efor e.
T h e n ext t im e H u o Yu h ao cam e t o, it w as alr ead y t h e n ext m or n in g. H is

p h ysiq u e h ad u n d er gon e a d r ast ic ch an ge aft er t h e in fu sion of t h e Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s b on es. T h is t im e, h is exh au st ion d id n ot ju st st em fr om t h e
exp en d it u r e of h is sou l p ow er ; m or e su b st an t ially, it cam e fr om w h en t h e Ice
Em p r ess w as m an ip u lat in g h is b od y an d ch an n eled t h e t r u e p ow er of t h e b on es
– h is b od y w as n ear ly u n ab le t o w it h st an d t h e p r essu r e.
Aft er a d ay an d n igh t of r ecu p er at ion , in ad d it ion t o t h e n at u r al r egen er at ive

ab ilit ies of h is b on es an d b od ily fu n ct ion s, h e felt a lot b et t er t h an b efor e.
M a Xiaot ao d r ift ed in t o h is sigh t t h e m om en t h e op en ed h is eyes.
M a Xiaot ao w as n ot clad in r ed lik e sh e u su ally w as. In st ead , sh e w as w ear in g

a cascad in g w h it e d r ess an d w as ju st qu iet ly sit t in g t h er e, w it h h er flow in g p in k
h air h an gin g loosely b eh in d h er b ack . T h er e w as an en ch an t in g b eau t y an d
t r an q u ilit y ab ou t h er .
“Sist er Xiaot ao,” H u o Yu h ao sh ou t ed in sh ock .
M a Xiaot ao gr in n ed an d said , “W h a t ? Ar e you feelin g b et t er ? ”

H u o Yu h ao sen sed t h e st at e of h is b od y. H is so u l p ow er w as alm ost fu lly
r ep len ish ed , an d even t h ou gh h e cou ld feel t h r ob b in g ach es all over h is b od y,
h is p assagew ays w er e in t act . T h e sen t en ce sp ok en b y t h e Ice Em p r ess w h en sh e
t ook over h is b od y float ed in t o h is m in d .
Cont r ol – you m ust be abl e t o cont r ol ever y si ngl e ounce of pow er i n your
body w i t h m et i cul ous accur acy, and onl y t hen can you def eat a st r onger
opponent .
T h e t r ue pow er of t h e I ce Em pr ess w as n ot som et h i n g t h at h i s cur r en t body

coul d h an dl e. H ow ever , af t er t h e f i r st ch an n el i n g of h er pow er , t h e r eason w h y
h i s body w as h ur t but n ot dam aged w as due t o t h e I ce Em pr ess’ per f ect con t r ol !
T h e i m peccabl e m an i pul at i on w as si m pl y spect acul ar an d br eat h t ak i n g t o h i m .
“ I ’ m f eel i n g a l ot bet t er .” H uo Yuh ao st r uggl ed t o get up, an d h i s bl an k ed

sl i pped dow n f r om h i s sh oul der s. H e sudden l y r eal i zed t h at t h er e w asn ’ t a si n gl e
t h r ead on h i s body as h e gasped an d r ef l exi vel y h ugged h i m sel f acr oss h i s ch est .
“ H ah a.” M a Xi aot ao ch uck l ed as sh e w at ch ed h i s aw k w ar d di spl ay of

em bar r assm en t . “ Ser i ousl y? I t ’ s n ot as i f I h aven ’ t seen your l i t t l e ‘ pean ut ’
bef or e.”
H uo Yuh ao’ s m out h h un g agape as h e f el t h i s f ace f l ush w i t h h ot bl ood. H i s

ch eek s w er e r ed an d puf f ed out as h e excl ai m ed on ce agai n , “ I t ’ s n ot a pean ut !”
M a Xi aot ao coul dn ’ t con t r ol h er am usem en t an y l on ger as sh e l augh ed

h ear t i l y. H er act i on s w er e f ai n t l y el egan t as sh e sai d, “ I guess i t ’ s t r ue t h at n o
m at t er h ow ol d you ar e, m al es w i l l al w ays h ave an un r i val ed ego about t hat
t hi ng. Al r i gh t , I w on ’ t t ease you an ym or e. Si n ce t h er e’ s n ot h i n g you n eed t o do,
go w ash up an d gr ab a bi t e. T h en you w i l l r est ,” sh e st ood up as sh e spok e an d
st r et ch ed h er back l azi l y.
Sh e h ad been w at ch i n g over H uo Yuh ao f or an en t i r e n i gh t . No m at t er h ow

pow er f ul h er abi l i t i es w er e, sh e h adn ’ t f ul l y h eal ed f r om h er ow n i n jur i es, an d i t
w as i n evi t abl e t h at sh e f el t a l i t t l e exh aust ed. H er st r et ch i n st an t l y pl aced h er
p er fect an d even sligh t ly exagger at ed cu r ves in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao, an d cau sed
h is lit t le gu y t o flu sh even m or e.
At t h is m om en t , t h e d oor op en ed , a n d som eb od y w alk ed in . Fr om t h a t

p er son ’s p er sp ect ive, h e ju st w it n essed M a Xiaot ao st r et ch in g h er b ack , an d t h e
h alf-n ak ed H u o Yu h ao, w h ose ch eek s w er e flu sh ed w it h em b ar r assm en t .
“You … you gu ys…” W an g Don g gasp ed as h e st ood at t h e d oor w ay, st u n n ed a t

t h e sigh t b efor e h is eyes, w h ich st ar t ed t o gr ow r ed .
M a Xiaot ao st r et ch ed on ce m or e b efor e sh e sau n t er ed t o t h e d oor an d cam e

u p in fr on t of W an g Don g. Sh e t ap p ed h im ligh t ly on t h e h ead . “Don ’t t h in k
ab ou t all t h is n on sen se at su ch a you n g age. I t h in k h e’s fin e, an d you look lik e
you ’ve r ecover ed as w ell. Go gr ab a b it e t oget h er ,” sh e said as sh e p u sh ed t h e
d oor op en an d st ep p ed ou t .
T h is ligh t t ap on t h e h ead k n ock ed W an g Don g t o h is sen ses a n d h e in st an t ly

r eor ien t ed h im self. H e scr at ch ed h is h ead an d lau gh ed at h im self – yes! W e’r e
on ly t w elve year s old .
“H ow ar e you , Yu h ao? You look lik e you w er e ju st violat ed ,” W an g Don g

sn ap p ed .
H u o Yu h ao d ove r igh t b ack u n d er h is b lan k et . “Xiaot ao w as r igh t – you r h ead

is ju st fu ll of n on sen se w it h all t h at t alk of violat ion . Sh e sa id w e w on , so p lease
t ell m e, h ow d id w e w in ?”
W an g Don g gr u n t ed an d sat d ow n on t h e sam e st ool t h a t M a Xiaot ao h ad ju st

got t en u p fr om . “Of cou r se it w as d on e w it h a sin gle h am m er st r ok e fr om m y
Sou l Eld er t h at silen ced t h em all.”
H u o Yu h ao w as a lit t le con fu sed , an d ask ed cu r iou sly, “W as I n ot t h e on e t h a t

d ealt t h e w in n in g b low ?” Even t h ou gh h e d id n ’t k n ow w h at h ad h ap p en ed , h e
h ad ab solu t e fait h in t h e p ow er s of t h e Ice Em p r ess.
W an g Don g r ecou n t ed t h e fin al scen es of t h e b at t le in d et a il, in clu d in g t h e

p ar t w h er e h e t h r ew ou t t h e h am m er .
“A h am m er ? T r u ly a m ast er st r ok e! T h a t m u st b e you r secon d M a r t ial Sou l.
W h at ’s it called ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed cu r iou sly.
W an g Don g w at ch ed h is face of p lain calm n ess an d a sk ed w it h am u sed

im p er t in en ce, “Ar en ’t you su r p r ised t h a t I h ave t w o M ar t ial Sou ls?”
H u o Yu h ao gr u n t ed an d an sw er ed , “W h at ’s so su r p r isin g ab ou t t h at ? I’ve
k n ow n t h at all alon g.”
“Eh ?” W an g Don g glar ed an d op en ed h is eyes w id e. “No w ay! I’ve n ever

r evealed m y secon d M ar t ial Sou l b efor e!”
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed m isch ievou sly an d said , “Bu t ou r M a r t ial Sou ls h ave

fu sed b efor e. Don ’t you k n ow t h e r eq u ir em en t s for a M ar t ial Sou l Fu sion Sk ill?
T each er W an g Yan said it b efor e – even t h ou gh a M ar t ial Sou l Fu sion Sk ill
d oesn ’t r eq u ir e b ot h p ar t ies t o h ave t h e sam e M ar t ial Sou ls, t h ey h ave t o b e
com p at ib le w it h each ot h er . T h e st r en gt h of t h e M ar t ia l Sou l Fu sion is also
in t r icat ely con n ect ed t o ou r com p at ib ilit y, an d ou r com p at ib ilit y r a t e w as so
h igh t h at even T each er W an g said it w a s ext r em ely r ar e. H ow can it b e t h at I
h ave t w o m ar t ial sou ls an d you on ly h ave on e? I w ill n ever b elieve t h at ! So, even
t h ou gh I d on ’t k n ow w h at it is, I’ve alw ays k n ow n you h ad a secon d m ar t ia l
sou l.”
“T h en w h y h ave you n ever ask ed ?” W an g Don g m u r m u r ed as h e low er ed h is

h ead .
H u o Yu h ao sh r u gged . “W h y w ou ld I? Ever yb od y h as t h eir ow n secr et s. Even

t h ou gh w e ar e t h e b est of fr ien d s, p r ob in g in t o ot h er s’ secr et s is n ot a good
t h in g. Ever yb od y n eed s p er son al sp ace, n o?”
W an g Don g r aised h is h ead on ce again as h e glan ced at H u o Yu h ao w it h a look

of ast on ish m en t . “T h at m ean s t h at you h ave a secr et t h at I d on ’t k n ow ab ou t !
Qu ick , sp ill it !”
H u o Yu h ao ch or t led an d said w it h r esolu t e r igh t eou sn ess, “Over m y d ead
b od y!”
A cu n n in g look cam e over W an g Don g’s face. “So you w on ’t say it u n less I
b eat you t ill you ’r e d ead ?” H e p ou n ced on H u o Yu h ao as h e sp ok e.
“H elp !” H u o Yu h ao scr eam ed as t h ey fou gh t in t o a b u n d le w it h t h e b lan k et

sep ar at in g t h em .
W an g Don g t u gged on t h e b lan k et a n d H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as h id in g

u n d er n eat h it , w as in st an t ly com p let ely exp osed …
“Ah …”A sh r ill cr y cam e ou t fr om W an g Don g’s m ou t h as h e saw t h e said

“lit t le p ean u t ” t h a t M a Xiaot ao w as ju st t alk in g ab ou t .
H u o Yu h ao sn at ch ed t h e b lan k et b ack an d glar ed at W an g Don g w it h fu r iou s

eyes. “You gan gst er – you even w an t t o p eep at p eop le of t h e sam e gen d er ?”
W an g Don g r ecover ed at t h e sam e t im e an d sh ot b ack , “So you ’ve p eep ed at

p eop le of t h e op p osit e gen d er ?”
“I… Of cou r se I h aven ’t !” H u o Yu h ao d en ied , b u t t h e glor iou s im ages of h is

t r yst w it h M a Xiaot ao in sid e Sea God ’s Lak e slow ly d r ift ed in t o h is h ead . For
you n g m en , it is n or m al t o h ave su ch fan t asies as lon g as on e d oesn ’t lose
con t r ol.
W an g Don g leap t d ow n fr om t h e b ed w it h p u ffy ch eek s an d said , “Alr igh t , go

w ash u p an d get d r essed n ow so w e can eat . I cam e t o see you as soon as I w ok e
u p , so I’m fam ish ed . I h aven ’t eat en an yt h in g sin ce t h e com p et it ion yest er d ay.”
As h e sp ok e, h e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d st r olled over t o t h e sofa on t h e sid e an d

closed h is eyes as h e t u r n ed aw ay fr om H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao got ou t of b ed as w ell an d st r et ch ed h is b od y, feelin g sor e all over .

H ow ever , aft er a n igh t ’s r est an d t h e n a t u r al h ealin g ab ilit ies of t h e M yst er io u s
H eaven T ech n iq u e, h is m ob ilit y w as n ot affect ed .
“You ’r e r igh t , it ’s t im e t o gr ab a b it e. W e sh ou ld con t in u e t r ain in g an d
h ealin g on ce w e’r e d on e eat in g. M y over d r aft fr om t h e com p et it ion is ser iou s,
an d m y p assagew ays ar e sw ellin g w it h d iscom for t . W e st ill h ave an ot h er r ou n d
of t h e com p et it ion t om or r ow , so w e h ave t o t r y ou r b est t o r ecover t od ay. W e’ve
on ly clear ed a sin gle ch allen gin g h u r d le – eh ? W h o’s t h at ?”
As t h ey w er e sp eak in g t o each ot h er , H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt an om in ou s

t in ge of ala r m flash b y in h is h ead as h e glan ced t ow ar d s t h e w in d ow
su b con sciou sly.
Follow in g t h e con t in u ou s r ise in h is ab ilit ies an d h is t r ain in g of t h e sp ir it u al

sea, H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al aw ar en ess w a s a lot sh ar p er t h an b efor e. In ad d it ion
t o t h at fact , t h e ar r ivin g p ar t y h ad n o in t en t ion t o m ask h im self or h er self, so
H u o Yu h ao d et ect ed t h e in t r u d er at t h e fir st p ossib le in st an ce.
In a flash , a sin gle p er son ap p ear ed b efor e H u o Yu h ao. For t u n at ely, h e w as

p r op er ly d r essed a t t h is p oin t , an d h is “lit t le p ean u t ” w asn ’t exp osed .
T h e p er son w h o cam e w as an eld er , w h o w as scr aggy an d of aver age h eigh t .

H ow ever , h e seem ed t o b e b r im m in g w it h en er gy. On t h e su r face, h e ap p ear ed
t o b e ar ou n d 60 year s old , an d h is sh or t h air w as d ar k -b r ow n . H is gaze w as filled
w it h p assion an d vigor as it lan d ed on H u o Yu h ao. An in visib le p r essu r e b or e
d ow n on H u o Yu h ao an d st ifled h im in st a n t ly.
W an g Don g, w h ose eyes w er e or igin ally sh u t , im m ed iat ely b ou n ced u p u p on

h ear in g H u o Yu h ao’s voice an d st ood b esid e h im . T h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at t h e
eld er ly m an w h o h ad com e in t h r ou gh t h e w in d ow d id n ’t h ar b or good
in t en t ion s.
T h e eld er ly m an d id n ot r esp on d . As h e r aised h is r igh t h an d , H u o Yu h ao an d

W an g Don g felt t h eir eyes go d ar k a s t h e su r r ou n d in g ligh t d im m ed . A
fr igh t en in g sou l p ow er t h at left t h em fet id p er m eat ed t h e en t ir e r oom in a n
in st an t .
At t h is p oin t , t h ey felt lik e t h ey w er e t r ap p ed in a cage, w it h ou t even a ch an ce
t o st r u ggle an d r esist .
As h e w at ch ed t h e eld er ly m an , H u o Yu h ao w as b ew ild er ed . H e h ad n ever

seen t h is m an b efor e an d n eit h er d id h e k n ow w h at h e w as h er e for .
“Eld er , w h o ar e you ? Ar e you h er e t o fin d m e?” H u o Yu h ao p osed t h e sam e

qu est ion again . At t h e sam e t im e, h e lift ed h is h an d t o p r ot ect W an g Don g, w h o
w as b eh in d h im .
Bot h h e an d W an g Don g d id n ot u n leash t h eir m ar t ial sou ls at t h is m om en t ,

as t h ey cou ld sen se t h e im m en se gap b et w een t h em a n d t h is eld er ly m an in
fr on t of t h em . H e w as n ot som eon e t h at cou ld b e r esist ed easily even if t h ey
t eam ed u p t oget h er again st h im . Sin ce t h is w as t h e case, u n leash in g t h eir
m ar t ial sou ls cou ld h ave t h e u n d esir ab le effect of p r ovok in g t h e eld er ly m an . At
t h e ver y least , t h ey h ad t o clar ify t h e sit u a t ion fir st .
T h e eld er ly m an sn or t ed as h e cast h is p ier cin g an d vigor ou s gaze on H u o

Yu h ao’s face. H e sa id in d iffer en t ly, “T ell m e, w h ich h u m an for m of t h e T en
Gr eat Savage Beast s ar e you ? W h ile you h ave con cealed you r self w ell, you can ’t
fool m e, even t h ou gh you m igh t fool ot h er s.”
H u o Yu h ao w as in cr ed u lo u s as h e r ep lied , “W h at d o you m ean , T en Gr eat

Savage Beast s? Eld er , I h ave n o id ea w h at you ar e t alk in g ab ou t .”
“You h ave n o id ea w h at I am t alk in g a b ou t ? St op p r et en d in g; it ’s u seless.

Don ’t even t h in k of t r yin g t o escap e. W it h you r cu r r en t ab ilit ies, you d on ’t
st an d a ch an ce again st m e. I h ave alr ea d y sealed t h is p lace w it h m y sou l p ow er .
Neit h er you r voice n or you r bod y w ill h ave a sin gle sh r ed of a ch an ce of
escap in g.”
H u o Yu h ao fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s. “Eld er , I h ave ser iou sly n o id ea w h at you ’r e

t alk in g ab ou t or w h y you ar e h er e.”
T h e eld er ly m an gu ffaw ed an d seem ed t o b e ver y p r ou d of h im self, “Ver y
w ell, sin ce you ’r e n ot goin g t o ad m it an yt h in g, I sh all exp ose you t h en . I sh all let
you d ie con vin ced .”
As h e sp ok e, t h e eld er ly m an st ep p ed for w ar d an d h is a u r a er u p t ed , for cin g

H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g t o r et r eat u n con t r ollab ly. T h ey even fell b ack on t o
t h e sofa.
“I am Ch en g Gan g, t h e Pr ot ect or Dou lu o of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e. On t h a t d ay,

h ow d id you m an age t o em er ge vict or iou s over you r op p on en t d u r in g t h e
com p et it ion b et w een Sh r ek Acad em y an d J u st sk y Acad em y?”
Aft er h ear in g h is w or d s, H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t cou ld n ot h elp b u t sk ip a b eat , as

h e u n d er st ood w h at t h e eld er ly m an w as t alk in g ab ou t . W h ile H u o Yu h ao w as
n ot excep t ion ally sm ar t , h e h ad b ecom e m u ch m or e in t elligen t aft er h e fu sed
w it h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m . Not on ly w as h e m u ch m or e m a t u r e t h an ot h er s of
t h e sam e age, h e w as also m or e p en sive. H e n ow u n d er st ood t h at t h e eld er ly
m an cou ld h ave sen sed t h e au r a of t h e Ice Em p r ess, w h ich exp lain ed t h e m an ’s
p r eviou s q u est ion . T h e eld er ly m an h ad t ak en h im for t h e h u m an for m of a
h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east !
As Ch en g Gan g look ed at t h e st u n n ed H u o Yu h ao, h e assu m ed t h a t H u o

Yu h ao w as feelin g gu ilt y over w h at h e sa id an d ad d ed , “Du r in g t h e com p et it ion ,
you w er e for ced t o u se you r or igin p ow er , am I r igh t ? At t h at m om en t , you
in evit ab ly r evea led t h e au r a t h at you or igin ally p ossessed . T o ot h er s, t h ey m igh t
n ot h ave n ot iced , b u t you can ’t escap e m y sh ar p eyes. M y M ar t ial Sou l con t ain s
a sp ir it u al sen se t h a t is ext r em ely sen sit ive. At t h e ver y fir st m om en t , I h a d
alr ead y felt you r au r a.”
“Let m e t h in k , am o n g t h e T en Gr ea t Sa vage Beast s, on ly t w o of t h em b elon g

in t h e ice-t yp e cat egor y. On e of t h em is t h e Sn ow Lad y, w h o is r an k ed t h ir d , an d
t h e ot h er is t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion , w h o is r an k ed eigh t h . W h ich of
t h em ar e you ?”
H u o Yu h ao w as t r u ly st u n n ed b y t h e ju d gm en t of t h e eld er ly m an n ow .
Besid es t h e fact t h at h e w as n ot t h e h u m an for m of a Sou l Beast , t h is eld er ly
m an ’s ju d gm en t w as flaw less.
W h ile t h e eld er ly m an r efer r ed t o h er b y a d iffer en t n am e, H u o Yu h ao cou ld

t ell t h at t h e Sn ow Lad y t h at t h e eld er ly m an w as t alk in g ab ou t w as act u ally t h e
Sn ow Em p r ess, as t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion called h er . As for t h e Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion , w ou ld n ’t it b e r efer r in g t o t h e Ice Em p r ess h er self?
W h at w as it w it h t h ese T en Gr ea t Savage Beast s? T h e T it an Sn ow Devil Kin g,

r an k ed last am on g t h e T h r ee H eaven ly Kin gs in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h , w as n ot
even in clu d ed . As for t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion , sh e w as even on ly r an k ed
eigh t h am on g t h e T en Savage Beast s. T h e r an k in gs w er e in d eed fr igh t en in g an d
ast on ish in g!
“Alr igh t , you d on ’t h ave t o act foolish an ym or e. You w on ’t st an d a ch an ce. I

n ever exp ect ed m y lu ck t o b e so good – t h at I w ou ld m an age t o cat ch on e of t h e
T en Gr eat Savage Beast s t od ay. W h et h er you ar e t h e Sn ow Lad y or t h e Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion Kin g, m y r ew ar d w ill b e an en t ir e set of t r an scen d en t sou l
b on es. H ah a, h ah ah ah a.”
As h e sp ok e, t h e eld er ly m an ext en d ed h is h an d t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao, t r yin g t o

gr ab h old of h im .
H u o Yu h ao d id n ot r esist , as b ot h h e an d W an g Don g w er e com p let ely

h elp less again st t h e eld er ly m an . T h e im m en se T it led Dou lu o-level ab ilit ies of
t h e eld er ly m an allow ed h im t o su m m on h is sou l p ow er t o su p p r ess t h eir
act ion s.
On ce h e gr ab b ed h old of H u o Yu h ao, t h e eld er ly m an t igh t en ed h is gr ip on

H u o Yu h ao’s n eck u sin g h is ot h er h an d . A gu sh of vast sou l p ow er su r ged
in st an t ly in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
At t h is p oin t , H u o Yu h ao felt h is b od y sw ellin g u p lik e a b alloon . Regar d less

of w h et h er it w as t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , t h e Ice Em p r ess or Elect r olu x, t h ey
d id n ot r eact . Again st an in vin cib le op p on en t , n on e of t h em cou ld save h im w it h
t h is d im in u t ive figu r e of h is.
H u o Yu h ao felt t h a t t h e w h ole sit u at ion w as ab su r d . Am I ju st goin g t o

r id icu lou sly d ie lik e t h at ? It w as on ly h is fir st t im e seein g Ch en g Gan g!
Fu r t h er m or e, h e w as n ot even an y for m of Sou l Beast .
“Oh ? Som et h in g’s n ot r igh t .” Ch en g Gan g w as su d d en ly d azed , an d t h e sou l

p ow er t h at h e h ad in ject ed in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y su d d en ly st alled . Follow in g
t h at , h e sw ift ly r u sh ed t o t h e b ed sid e an d flu n g H u o Yu h ao on t o t h e b ed . Aft er
t h at , b ot h of h is h an d s slap p ed H u o Yu h ao’s b od y r ap id ly.
T h is t im e, t h e su r ge of sou l p ow er w as con sid er ab ly less t h an b efor e. H u o

Yu h ao cou ld on ly feel a n u m b in g sen sat ion or igin at in g fr om t h e b on es all
ar ou n d h is b od y. H e cou ld n ot t ell w h et h er h e w as com for t ab le or feelin g aw fu l
as t h is sen sat ion cou r sed t h r ou gh h is en t ir e b od y. Bu t Ch en g Gan g’s d en se sou l
p ow er d id agit at e t h e cir cu lat ion of b lood in h is vein s, w h ich allevia t ed t h e
over b ear in g p ain cau sed b y t h e Ice Em p r ess.
As Ch en g Gan g in cr eased t h e fr equ en cy of h is slap s on H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w it h

h is p alm s, h is exp r ession b ecam e m or e an d m or e d ism a l t oo.
Fin ally, h e w r en ch ed H u o Yu h ao fr om t h e b ed an d d r agged h im in fr on t of

h im , b ellow in g, “Ar e you n ot t h e r eb ir t h of a savage b east ?”
H u o Yu h ao st ar ed a t h im cold ly, “Sin ce w h en d id I t ell you t h at I am t h e

r eb ir t h of a savage b east ? I am a t r u e, livin g h u m an b ein g!”
Ch en g Gan g r eact ed t o h is w or d s lik e a d eflat ed b alloon an d t h r ew H u o Yu h ao

on t o t h e b ed violen t ly. T h en , h e said d ep r essin gly, “H ow is t h is p ossib le, h ow is
t h is p ossib le? I clear ly sen sed t h e au r a of a savage b east ! I ca n ’t b e w r on g. On ly
ext r em ely p ow er fu l savage b east s w ill p ossess su ch a st r on g u n d u lat ion of life
for ce!”
Un d er t h e su p p r ession of h is sou l p ow er , H u o Yu h ao w as im m ob ile. H ow ever ,

h e cou ld st ill sp eak , “T h at ’s b ecau se of you r ow n gr eed . T h er e’s n o h ar m in
t ellin g you , m y Ice M ar t ial Sou l is in d eed t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion .”
Ch en g Gan g’s face w as st r u ck w it h a look of r evelat ion . “So t h at ’s t h e case. So

t h at ’s t h e case… It ’s ju st t h at ... h ow ar e you ab le t o m ak e t h e au r a of t h e m ar t ial
sou l of you r Ice J ad e Scor p ion ap p ear w it h t r aces of t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess
Scor p ion ? T h is is im p ossib le! M or eover , h ow d id t h e m ar t ial sou l of t h e Ice J ad e
Scor p ion ap p ear ? I h ave n ever h ear d of an yon e w h o p ossesses su ch a m ar t ial
sou l.”
W it h r egar d s t o t h is T it led Dou lu o eld er w h o h ad ap p ear ed so ab r u p t ly, H u o

Yu h ao w as ext r em ely r iled u p , an d h e b ellow ed in r age, “H ow sh ou ld I k n ow ?
Ar en ’t you t h e T it led Dou lu o h er e? You sh ou ld k n ow b et t er t h an I d o. Bu t you
cam e h er e t o gr ab m e b efor e even clar ifyin g t h e sit u at ion ?”
“For get it , Yu h ao. T h is eld er is n ot b ein g d elib er a t e h er e eit h er .” W an g Don g
fin ally sp ok e, an d h is voice in a n u n u su al, t en d er t on e. H e even cou p led t h e
sm ile on h is face w it h ad u la t ion . “Peop le can n ot avoid m ak in g m ist ak es. Eld er
Ch en g m igh t b e a su p er exp er t , a T it led Dou lu o, b u t it ’s in ev it ab le t h a t h e w ill
m ak e m ist ak es t oo. H e’s n ot d oin g t h is on p u r p ose, an d h e d id n ’t ca u se you an y
r eal h ar m eit h er . J u st for get it .”
As h e said t h a t , W an g Don g even sh ot a look at H u o Yu h ao.
T h ey h ad b een p ar t n er s for su ch lon g t im e, t o t h e p oin t w h er e t h ey w er e

p r act ically t elep at h ic. H u o Yu h ao felt h is h ea r t sk ip a b eat as h e in st an t ly
u n d er st ood w h a t W an g Don g w as t r yin g t o d o an d scow led at h im self – h e
w asn ’t as calm as W a n g Don g in su ch a cr u cial m om en t !
On ly t h e t h r ee of t h em w er e in sid e t h e r oom at t h is m om en t , an d t h e en t ir e
r oom h ad b een sealed off. If t h is T it led Dou lu o w an t ed t o cover u p w h at h ad ju st
t r an sp ir ed , or if h e su d d en ly felt m u r d er ou s an d w an t ed t o silen ce t h em for ever ,
t h en n ob od y cou ld save t h em !
H ow ever , a su d d en ch an ge in at t it u d e w a sn ’t t h e w ay t o go eit h er . H u o Yu h ao
gr u n t ed on ce an d st op p ed t alk in g en t ir ely.
Ch en g Gan g gr ow led , “It ’s ju st m y b ad lu ck . You t w o lit t le k id s b et t er w at ch

you r m ou t h s.”
W an g Don g in qu ir ed , “I h aven ’t ask ed – w h at is you r t it le?”
Ch en g Gan g sn or t ed in d iffer en t ly an d said , “Neit h er of you ar e w or t h y of

k n ow in g it .” As h e sp ok e, h e w aved h is r igh t h an d an d w it h d r ew t h e sou l p ow er
in t h e r oom . W it h t h at , h e leap t t h r ou gh t h e w in d ow , an d h is figu r e van ish ed .
On ly w h en t h ey cou ld n ’t feel t h a t in t en se p r essu r e an ym or e d id W an g Don g

an d H u o Yu h ao h ea ve a h eavy sigh of r elief at t h e sam e t im e. T h ey cou ld sen se
h ow close t h ey h ad been t o d eat h in fr on t of p ow er as r eal as w h at h ad ju st st ood
b efor e t h em .
H u o Yu h ao w alk ed u p t o close t h e w in d ow on ce again . H e clen ch ed h is fist s
t igh t ly an d t u r n ed t o W an g Don g. “W e w er e b u llied an d h u m iliat ed ju st b ecau se
w e’r e w eak . I w ill r em em b er h is h u m ilia t ion b y h ear t , an d I w ill aven ge it .”
W an g Don g d id n ’t r esp on d d ir ect ly, in st ead ch an gin g t h e su b ject . “W ash u p ,

let ’s go eat .”
“Alr igh t .” H u o Yu h ao ack n ow led ged an d st ep p ed in t o t h e b at h r oom . At t h is

m om en t , h e felt as if t h e d or m an t Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d Ice J ad e Em p r ess
Scor p ion h ad ju st w ok en fr om t h eir slu m b er .
“T h er e ar e t r u ly m an y t alen t ed in d ivid u als h id in g in p la in sigh t . I on ly

r eleased a sin gle st r an d of m y au r a t h at d ay, an d I w as in st an t ly d iscover ed .
H ow d an ger ou s. H o w ever , it w a s on ly a w eak T it led Dou lu o. W h o k n ew t h at a
d ay lik e t h is w ou ld com e, w h en a p er son w it h ab ilit ies as w eak as h is cou ld
st om p ar ou n d a r r ogan t ly b efor e m e. Back in t h e d ay, I w ou ld h ave t u r n ed h im
in t o an ice st at u e.”
T h e Ice Em p r ess’ voice w as filled w it h fu r y an d exasp er at ion .
H u o Yu h ao sigh ed a n d ask ed , “Ice Em p r ess, w h at ar e t h e T en Gr eat Savage

Beast s?”
T h e Ice Em p r ess k n ew t h at h e w as feelin g a lit t le d esp on d en t , an d t h u s

exp lain ed p at ien t ly, “T h e T en Gr eat Savage Beast s is a t er m u sed b y h u m an s t o
r efer t o t h e t en m ost p ow er fu l Sou l Beast s on t h e m ain la n d . It ’s on ly a r an k in g
given t o t h e few t h at t h ey k n ow . T h at gu y is an id iot – on ce w e b r eak t h r ou gh
t h e t w o h u n d r ed t h ou san d year m a r k , w e can n ot b e r eb or n in t o a h u m an
an ym or e. T h e w eak est of t h e T en Gr eat Savage Beast s h ave alr ead y h ad m or e
t h an t h r ee h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s t o r each m ast er y – h ow can t h ey t ak e
h u m an for m s? H e d id n ’t even con sid er t h at .”
H u o Yu h ao w as d ist r act ed b y t h is d iscu ssion ab ou t t h e T en Savage Beast s.

“W h o is on t h e list ? I d id n ’t k n ow t h a t t h er e w er e so m an y T r an scen d en t Sou l
Beast s.”
T h e Ice Em p r ess an sw er ed , “You w ou ld n ’t k n ow even if I t old you . H ow ever ,
t h e T en Savage Beast s m ay n ot b e t h e m ost p ow er fu l so u l b east s. Pu t sim p ly, t h e
old er a so u l b east is, t h e m or e p ow er fu l it b ecom es. H ow ever , t h e list cu r at ed b y
h u m an s d oesn ’t in clu d e t h e ocean ic sou l b east s. Even if t h e list on ly in clu d ed
t h e sou l b east s on lan d , it d oesn ’t in clu d e en t it ies lik e Sk yd r eam , w h o t r ain
t h r ou gh h ib er n at ion , an d ot h er p ow er fu l en t it ies w h o h aven ’t b een d iscover ed
b y you h u m an s.”
“Ocean ic sou l b east s? Ar e t h ey p ow er fu l?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed in ast on ish m en t .
T h e Ice Em p r ess r ep lied w it h ou t h esit a t ion . “Of cou r se t h ey ar e p ow er fu l.

H ow ever , t h e t r u ly p ow er fu l on es all r esid e in t h e d eep est a b yss of t h e ocean .
Fu r t h er m or e, h u m a n s h ave lim it ed ab ilit ies t o ven t u r e in t o t h e sea, so t h e
ocean ic sou l b east s ar en ’t d ist u r b ed b y h u m an s as m u ch as t h e sou l b east s on
lan d . T h u s over all, t h ey ar e collect ively m or e p ow er fu l t h an t h e sou l b east s on
lan d . H ow ever , t h e com p et it ion for su r v ival in t h e ocean is a lot cr u eler , so t h e
var iou s b r eed s of sou l b east s in t h e ocean ar e a lot lar ger t h an t h ose on lan d .
T h er efor e, even p ow er fu l ocean ic sou l b east s r u n t h e r isk of d eat h if t h ey m eet
an even m or e t er r ifyin g sp ecies of sou l b east . T h is is t h e r eason w h y I can n ot
con fir m w h et h er ocean ic sou l b east s ca n r ival t h e m ost p o w er fu l sou l b east on
lan d .”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed in ack n ow led gem en t an d ask ed , “W h o’s t op p in g t h e list of

T en Savage Beast s? W h at ’s h is p ow er lik e?”
“I’m n ot t oo su r e m yself,” T h e Ice Em p r ess an sw er ed , “You sh ou ld ask t h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m , m ayb e h e’ll k n ow . All I k n ow is t h at t h e lead er of t h e T en
Savage Beast s r esid es in t h e Gr eat St a r Dou For est . H ow ever , I d on ’t t h in k h e’s
m or e p ow er fu l t h an t h e Sn ow Em p r ess.”
“Righ t , Br ot h er Sk yd r eam , h ow cou ld I for get ab ou t you ? You h ave a m illion

year s of sou l p ow er – you sh ou ld b e con sid er ed on e of t h e savage b east s,
sh ou ld n ’t you ?”
“H im ? A savage b east ?” Befor e t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m cou ld r esp on d , t h e Ice
Em p r ess d ism issed h is com m en t . “H e’s ju st a glu t t on ou s b u g, h e can ’t b e
con sid er ed a savage b east . If n ot for h is ‘con t r ib u t ion s’ t o t h e Gr eat St a r Dou
For est , t h er e w ou ld n ’t h ave b een so m an y p ow er fu l sou l b east s t h er e.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as in d ign an t an d r et or t ed , “Isn ’t you r b lood lin e

b et t er ? If you h a d ju st p layed n ice an d follow ed m e, w e w ou ld h ave b een ab le t o
com b in e ou r p ow er s as h u sb an d an d w ife, an d w e w ou ld h ave r eign ed su p r em e
over t h e w or ld !”
T h e Ice Em p r ess lau gh ed cold ly an d said , “H u sb an d an d w ife? Ar e you even

w or t h y? I t h in k you ’r e on ly w or t h y en ou gh t o b e m y food . If you h ad ju st let m e
gob b le you u p b ack t h en , I m igh t h a ve act u ally b ecom e t h e m ost p ow er fu l
in d ivid u al on t h e m a in lan d .”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m d id n ot flat t er t h e Ice Em p r ess as m u ch as b efor e

an ym or e. Per h ap s it w as d u e t o h is r ealizat ion t h at h is ch a n ces w it h t h e Ice
Em p r ess w er en ’t t oo gr eat an yw ay, b u t h e h ad d ecid ed t o t ou gh en u p . “Eat , all
you k n ow t o d o is eat . Ar e you a scor p ion or a p ig?”
“Do you w ish t o d ie? ” t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion m u t t er ed d ar k ly.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m fear lessly exclaim ed , “Com e! Bit e m e! Sin ce w e’r e all
locu st s on t h e sam e st r in g, Yu h ao w ill d ie if I d ie, an d you w ill b e gon e if h e d ies.
H m p h .”
“Ok ay, st op ar gu in g. Let ’s ju st go t o sleep .” H u o Yu h ao t ap p ed h im self on t h e

h ead as h e felt a h ea d ach e com in g on .
T h e Ice Em p r ess said , “Yu h ao, you r b od y is slow ly r ecover in g. You sh ou ld

w or k h ar d t o b r eak t h r ou gh t o Ran k 30 ; t h en you ’ll b e ab le t o con t r ol m y
p ow er s m or e sm oot h ly – at least , you ’ll b e ab le t o p r ot ect you r self m u ch b et t er .”
“Yes,” H u o Yu h ao an sw er ed .
At t h is p oin t , t h e fr a il old voice of Elect r olu x r an g ou t . “Ob t a in t h at Om in ou s
Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife as qu ick ly as you can . It h old s gr eat m ean in g for
you , an d for m e as w ell. W it h it , m y con sciou sn ess w ill n o lon ger r u n t h e r isk of
d issip a t in g.”
“Ok ay.” Com p ar ed t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice Em p r ess, H u o

Yu h ao w as m or e d efer en t ial t ow ar d s t h e Elect r olu x, an d even t r u st ed h is w or d s
m or e. H e w asn ’t ju st calm an d com p osed . H e u sed t o b e a h u m an h im self!
On ce h e fin ish ed w ash in g u p , H u o Yu h ao w en t ou t for a m eal w it h W an g

Don g. Neit h er of t h em m en t ion ed an yt h in g ab ou t w h at h a d ju st t r an sp ir ed –
even t h ou gh t h eir op p on en t h ad b een a T it led Dou lu o, it h a d st ill b een a gr ea t
h u m iliat ion . Fu r t h er m or e, t h eir t eam w er e t h e on ly m em b er s of Sh r ek
Acad em y in sid e St a r Lu o Cit y, as t h ey w er e t h e con t est p ar t icip an t s, an d t h e
lead er of t h e en t ir e gr ou p w as T each er W an g Yan , w h o w as on ly a Sou l Kin g.
W h o cou ld seek ju st ice for t h em ? T h at gu y w as a T it led Dou lu o fr om t h e St ar
Lu o Em p ir e! T h is h u m iliat ion w ou ld b e for ever im p r in t ed in t h eir h ea r t s.
Chapt er 96.1: A Bat t le Bet ween Tit led Douluos
Ch en g Gan g, t h e Pr ot ect or Dou lu o, left t h e Gr an d Im p er ial St ar H ot el. T h er e

w as n o n eed t o even m en t ion h ow d ep r essed h e w as feelin g.
T h e in st an t h e h ad sen sed t h e au r a of t h e savage , h e h ad felt as if t h e b lood in

h is b od y w as b oilin g. As a T it led Dou lu o, h e w as n at u r ally aw ar e t h at w h en a
sou l b east r each ed a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s of cu lt ivat ion , it cou ld ch oose t o
r e-cu lt iva t e t o b ecom e a h u m an . Ot h er w ise, it cou ld at t em p t t o b r eak t h r ou gh
t h e exceed in gly p er ilou s b ot t len eck . Aft er t w o h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s of
cu lt ivat ion , a sou l b east cou ld n o lon ger cu lt ivat e t o b ecom e a h u m an an ym or e.
H ow ever , h e h ad in d eed sen sed t h e a u r a t h at h ad com e fr om H u o Yu h ao’s

b od y! Sp u r r ed b y h is ow n gr eed , h e cou ld n ot h elp b u t p on d er h ow h u m an s d id
n ot fu lly com p r eh en d sou l b east s. Per h ap s t h er e w as som e sp ecial cir cu m st an ce?
M ayb e sou l b east s h a d r esear ch ed a sp ecia l m et h od of u n d er goin g cu lt ivat ion ?
W it h su ch a m in d set , h e h ad gon e look in g for H u o Yu h ao t h is m or n in g w it h

an elevat ed h ea r t b eat . Bu t w h o k n ew t h at t h in gs w ou ld t u r n ou t t o b e t h e
com p let e op p osit e of w h at h e h ad exp ect ed ? Aft er in sp ect in g H u o Yu h ao’s b od y,
h e h ad glean ed n ot h in g fr om it . Even if a sou l b east t u r n ed in t o a h u m an , t h e
con d it ion of t h e sou l b east ’s b od y w ou ld b e st ar k ly d issim ilar fr om t h at of a t r u e
h u m an b ein g. In p ar t icu la r , t h e m et h od of cir cu lat in g sou l p ow er w as
som et h in g t h a t cou ld n ot escap e t h e eyes of a p ow er fu l in d ivid u al, a T it led
Dou lu o, lik e h im . H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao b od y clear ly r eflect ed h is id en t it y as a
r eal h u m an .
As h is h op es h ad b een d ash ed , it w as n o w on d er t h a t Ch en g Gan g w as

cu r r en t ly cr est fallen .
W it h h is cu r r en t st a t u s in t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, it w as r elat iv ely easy for h im

t o ob t ain a Sou l Bon e. W h ile sou l b on es w er e r ar e, t h er e w er e st ill som e t h at
cou ld b e acqu ir ed . H ow ever , Ch en g Gan g w as a con ceit ed m an . H e h ad b een
sear ch in g for t h e m ost su it ab le an d ou t st an d in g sou l b on e for h im self. Or d in ar y
sou l b on es h ar d ly cau gh t h is eye. Desp it e t h is, h e h ad yet t o p r ocu r ed a sou l
b on e for h im self even t h ou gh h e h ad cu lt ivat ed t o t h e level of a T it led Dou lu o.
Aft er all, w h en t op -q u alit y sou l b on es ap p ear ed on t h e m ar k et , t h eir p r ices w er e
ast r on om ical. Even t h ou gh t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e su p p or t ed h im , t h ey w ou ld n ’t
go t o su ch an ext en t for h im .
“W h at lu ck , d am n it . I h op e t h ose r ascals h a ve som e t act . Ot h er w ise,

offen d in g Sh r ek Aca d em y for n o valid r eason w on ’t b e good for m e. Bu t t h en , I
d id n ’t r eally d o an yt h in g eit h er .”
“You sh ou ld b e glad t h at you d id n ’t d o a n yt h in g t o h ar m t h em .” A cold voice

sou n d ed in h is m in d .
“W h o is t h a t ?” It w as st ill in t h e aft er n oon , an d t h e su n w as st ill b ear in g

d ow n . W it h Ch en g Gan g’s cu lt iva t ion , ever yt h in g w it h in a t h ou san d -m et er
r ad iu s w ou ld b e w it h in h is r an ge of sen sat ion . H ow ever , h e h ad n ot r ea lized t h e
p r esen ce of t h e p er so n w h ose voice h e h a d ju st h ear d .
“I am you r d ad d y. You r d ad d y is w ait in g for you ou t sid e t h e w est gat e.

Ob ed ien t ch ild , com e over n ow .” T h at cold voice st ar t ed t o sou n d w eir d an d
p ier cin g all of a su d d en .
“Bast ar d , you d a r e t o u se a sou l t ool t o m ak e a fool of m e.” Ch en g Gan g’s

figu r e flash ed , an d h e m ad e h is w ay t ow ar d s t h e d ir ect ion of t h e w est gat e as if
h e w er e a p u ff of sm ok e. T o h im , if even a T it led Dou lu o cou ld n ot d et ect t h e
p r esen ce of t h e ot h er p ar t y, t h en t h e ot h er p ar t y m u st cer t a in ly b e u sin g som e
for m of p ecu liar sou l t ool t o avoid d et ect ion .
H e h ad alw ays b een a ver y d ir ect p er son , an d ver y p assion at e t ow ar d s m ar t ial

ar t s. Ot h er w ise, h e w ou ld n ’t h ave gon e t o cap t u r e H u o Yu h ao. H e w as st ill
w it h in St ar Lu o Cit y an d cou ld w a it for Sh r ek Acad em y t o leave b efor e m ak in g a
m ove. Bu t r igh t n ow , h e w as ext r em ely d ow n , an d t h u s h e d id n ’t d elib er a t e
b efor e m ak in g h is w ay t o t h e w est gat e u n d er t h e p r om p t in g of t h e voice h e h ad
h ear d .
Aft er leavin g t h e cit y t h r ou gh t h e w est gat e, Ch en g Gan g b ecam e calm er . H e

sq u in t ed h is eyes, a n d a w eir d ch an ge st ar t ed t o d evelop in h is p u p ils. Bot h h is
eyes st ar t ed t o t u r n p u r e b lack , as all sem b lan ce of w h it e d isap p ear ed . Follow in g
t h at , t h e p u r e b lack color in h is eyes sp lit in t o sm all p u p ils at an alar m in g r at e.
Un d er su ch con d it ion s, h is sen sit ivit y in cr eased sever alfold . Alt h ou gh h e d id
n ot p ossess t h e sou l sk ill of sp ir it u al d et ect ion lik e H u o Yu h ao, h is d et ect ion
ab ilit ies w er e sim ilar t o t h at of sp ir it u al d et ect ion at t h is p oin t . Alm ost
ever yt h in g w it h in h is vision cou ld b e sen sed b y h im at t h is m om en t .
H ow ever , h e d iscover ed n ot h in g.
Ou t sid e t h e w est gat e, t h er e w as n o on e a m on g t h e b u st lin g cr ow d t h at cau gh t

h is at t en t ion . Ever yt h in g seem ed t o b e as n or m al as ever . H ow ever , t h e m or e it
w as lik e t h a t , t h e m or e u n easy Ch en g Gan g felt . H e k n ew t h at som et h in g w as
am iss.
“Con t in u e t o p r oceed w est .” At t h is p oin t , t h e voice fr om b efor e sou n d ed

again .
As h e focu sed on sen sin g h is su r r ou n d in gs, Ch en g Gan g w as sh ock ed w h en h e

h ear d t h e voice. At t h e sam e t im e, a ch ill d evelop ed in h is h ear t . W h a t for m of
sou l t ool w as it t h at cou ld escap e h is d et ect ion ?
A sh r ed of d iscom for t cau sed h im t o r et r eat on e st ep su b con sciou sly.
“Ar e you t r yin g t o escap e? Ar e you n ot afr aid t h at I w ill t ea r d ow n St ar Lu o

Cit y?” A w ave of m igh t su d d en ly sw ep t acr oss h im . W it h Ch en g Gan g’s
cu lt ivat ion , h e felt a s if h is b lood w as solid ifyin g alon g w it h t h is su d d en m igh t
t h at sw ep t acr oss.
It w as p er t in en t t o n ot e t h at h e w as a T it led Dou lu o! Ever sin ce h e h ad

b ecom e on e, h e h ad n ever felt su ch fear b efor e. H ow ever , t h e p r essu r e t h at w as
b ein g exer t ed on h im n ow w as ver y ob viou s. W h a t left h im even m or e st u p efied
w as t h e fact t h at ever yon e ar ou n d h im d id n ot seem t o r eact at all. T h is m ean t
t h at t h e fr igh t en in g p r essu r e b ein g exer t ed on h im w as on ly t ar get ed t ow ar d s
h im .
T h is w as t h e m ost t er r ifyin g p ar t . T o be ab le t o con t r ol on e’s m igh t t o t h is

st an d ar d , even Ch en g Gan g cou ld n ot d o so.
“W h o exact ly ar e you ?” Ch en g Gan g r ep lied t o t h e ot h er p ar t y t h r ou gh t h e

com m u n icat ion b r id ge in t h eir sp ir it s t h a t t h e ot h er p ar t y h ad set u p .
“I’ll b e w ait in g for you in t h e w est . If you d on ’t com e, I w ill m ak e m y m ove on

St ar Lu o Cit y. I sh all give you 3 secon d s t o con sid er . 1, 2…”
“Fin e, I’ll go.” As t h e Pr ot ect or Dou lu o of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, Ch en g Gan g

n at u r ally cou ld n ot allow t h is u n k n ow n , yet p ow er fu l in d ivid u al t o m ak e a
m ove on t h e cit y. W h en a T it led Dou lu o u n leash ed all h is p ow er , h e h ad t h e
d au n t in g ab ilit y of cau sin g m ass d est r u ct ion ! Fu r t h er m or e, t h r ou gh h is
in t er act ion w it h t h is m yst er iou s in d ivid u al, h e cou ld clear ly sen se t h e fu r y t h at
t h is p er son con t ain ed , alt h ou gh h e h ad n o k illin g in t en t .
Ch en g Gan g d id st a ll an y fu r t h er , an d p r oceed ed w est im m ed iat ely. T h a t

voice d id n ot ap p ear an ym or e. At t h is p oin t , h e d id n ot r eck on t h at t h e ot h er
p ar t y w as u sin g an y for m of sou l t ool an ym or e. W h en t h e m igh t of t h e ot h er
p ar t y h ad sw ep t over h im ju st n ow , h e h ad r ealized t h a t t h e ot h er p ar t y w as an
ou t st an d in g T it led Dou lu o ju st lik e h im . H ow ever , h e w as fear less. H e year n ed
for com p et it ion again st t h ose at t h e sam e level as h im . H e b elieved t h at t h is w as
t h e on ly w ay t h at h e cou ld im p r ove h im self. W h ile t h e ot h er p ar t y p ossessed a
m igh t y st at u r e, Ch en g Gan g w as aw ar e t h at som e u n u su al m ar t ial sou ls
sp ecialized in r eflect in g su ch m igh t y st a t u r e. T h is d id n ’t m ean t h at t h e ot h er
p ar t y w as n ecessar ily m or e p ow er fu l t h an h im .
Aft er ad van cin g for r ou gh ly 10 m iles, Ch en g Gan g st op p ed in h is t r ack s. H e

d id so b ecau se h e saw som eon e sit t in g in t h e m id d le of t h e r oad n ot far aw ay
fr om h im . It w as an eld er ly m an w h o ap p ear ed t o b e gr easy fr om h ead t o t oe,
an d w h o h ad u n k em p t h air . In h is left h a n d , t h er e w as a ch ick en d r u m st ick , an d
in h is r igh t h a n d , h e h eld a w in e gou r d .
Ch en g Gan g sen sed t h at t h e eld er ly m an w as on ly an or d in ar y p er son .

H ow ever , t h is eld er ly m an w as en joyin g h is food an d w in e in t h e m id d le of t h e
r oad .
“Com e over !” T h e eld er ly m an gn aw ed on t h e last fr agm en t of m eat on t h e

ch ick en d r u m st ick a s h e lift ed h is h ea d t ow ar d s Ch en g Gan g an d look ed at h im .
Ch en g Gan g sh iver ed w it h fear . H is a b ilit y t o h id e h is a u r a w as r a t h er

excep t ion al! “W h o ar e you ? W h y d id you lead m e h er e?”
T h e eld er ly m an lea p t u p fr om t h e gr ou n d , “I called you over so t h at I can

w allop you .” As h e sp ok e, t h e d r u m st ick b on e w as alr ead y flu n g t ow ar d s Ch en g
Gan g.
Ch en g Gan g sq u in t ed b ot h h is eyes. As h e w h ip p ed h is r igh t h an d u p , h e

d eflect ed t h e ch ick en b on e aw ay.
“Sn ap -----” T h e ch ick en b on e w as t u r n ed in t o p ow d er , b u t Ch en g Gan g w as

for ced on e st ep b ack t oo. H e felt an agon izin g p ain in h is r igh t p alm , an d t h e
b ack of h is h an d even sh ow ed w it h a r ed m ar k .
W h at p ow er fu l sou l p ow er !
Neit h er p ar t ies h ad even r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls, b u t Ch en g Gan g’s
op p on en t w as ab le t o for ce h im b ack ju st b y u sin g a ch ick en b on e. H is
cu lt ivat ion m u st b e ver y im m en se!
“I r ecall t h a t you r t it le is Im m en se. Com e, sh ow m e h ow p ow er fu l you ar e. As

lon g as you ar e ab le t o w it h st an d 10 at t ack s of m in e, I w ill let you off.”
In t h e face of t h is u n p r ed ict ab le eld er ly m an , Ch en g Gan g r em ain ed calm as

h e said in a d eep voice, “Eld er , ar e you fr om Sh r ek Acad em y?”
T h e eld er ly m an sn o r t ed , “You ’r e n ot d u m b . Do you r eally t h in k t h at Sh r ek
Acad em y is su ch an easy t ar get t o b e b u llied ?” W h o else fr om Sh r ek look ed lik e
t h at ? It w as n at u r ally t h e T aot ie Dou lu o, Eld er Xu an .
Eld er Xu an h ad n ’t even sen t b y Sh r ek Acad em y. Aft er b ein g r ep r im an d ed b y

Eld er M u , h e h a d r u n ou t on h is ow n . H e cou ld n ’t st op w or r yin g ab ou t t h e lit t le
fellow s!
As for t h e com p et it ion b efor e, h e h ad b een w at ch in g it secr et ly. W h en W an g

Don g su p p or t ed H u o Yu h ao an d Bei Bei t o seize vict or y, h e h ad b een so
em ot ion al t h at h e h a d t ear ed u p , even t h ou gh h e h ad n ’t b een so im p assion ed for
a lon g t im e. At t h at p oin t in t im e, h e even h ad t h e u r ge t o b u r st u p t o t h e ar en a
t o com p et e h im self!
T od ay, h e h ad w it n essed t h e en t ir et y of Ch en g Gan g’s act ion s. H e h ad

w at ch ed fr om t h e sid e. If Ch en g Gan g h ad h ad t h e m u r d er o u s in t en t ion t o k ill
b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, h e a n d even t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e w ou ld n ’t
h ave b een sp ar ed .
Ch en g Gan g lam en t ed in h is h ear t . Fr om w h at h e k n ew , Sh r ek Acad em y’s

t each er t h a t h ad com e t h is t im e sh ou ld h ave on ly b een in t h e Sou l Kin g level!
“I w as a lit t le r eck less. H ow ever , if a sou l b east con ver t s in t o a h u m an t o

cu lt ivat e, it w ill p ose a h u ge t h r ea t t o t h e h u m an r ace. T h a t ’s w h y I…”
“Sh u t you r t r ap .” Eld er Xu an b ellow ed in an ger , “Cu t you r flow er y w or d s

w it h m e. Ar e you n o t ju st b ein g selfish ? Let ’s n ot even t alk a b ou t t h e fact t h at a
sou l b east can ’t t u r n in t o a h u m an . Even if a sou l b east cou ld , it w ou ld ju st
b ecom e a h u m an aft er it su cceed s in it s cu lt ivat ion . W h at h as t h at got t o d o w it h
you ? Ar e you n ot eyein g t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g an d sou l b on e?
St op t r yin g t o sp ou t n on sen se t o m e. On accou n t of t h e fact t h at you d id n ot
at t em p t t o k ill t h em , I sh all on ly t each yo u a lesson t od ay. Rem em b er it .”
Ch en g Gan g w as t h e Pr ot ect or Dou lu o of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, an d it ’d b een a
lon g t im e sin ce h e h ad b een ad m on ish ed lik e t h is. H is face t u r n ed r ed , an d h e
r et or t ed in fu r y, “Com e on t h en , sh ow m e w h at you h ave t o t each m e.”
As h e said t h at , h is left leg st ep p ed for w ar d sligh t ly. Follow in g t h at , a b eam of

glow in g con cen t r at ed b lack em an at ed fr om w it h in h is b od y. W h en t h is b lack
glow ap p ear ed , it h ad an ear t h -sh ak in g effect . T h e en t ir e ear t h seem ed t o
t r em b le sligh t ly.
Ch en g Gan g’s b od y b egan t o sh ow ob viou s ch an ges. T o a Beast Sou l M ast er ,

t h e h igh er h is cu lt ivat ion , t h e gr eat er t h e ch an ges h is b od y w ou ld exp er ien ce
w h en h e u n leash ed h is m ar t ial sou l. Righ t n ow , t h is w as t h e case w it h Ch en g
Gan g. H is sk in t u r n ed d ar k an d glim m er ed w it h ligh t , as if it w er e a cr u st acean
t h at w as coat ed w it h a layer of b lack . T h e m ost in t r igu in g ch an ge t h at h e
exp er ien ced w er e in h is b r ow s. Bot h sid es of h is eyeb r ow s gr ew lon ger a t t h e
sam e t im e b efor e t h ey cu r led u p . Even t u ally, t h ey r each ed over 20 cen t im et er s
in len gt h , as if t h ey w er e t w o t en t acles t h at w er e p oin t ed u p w ar d s…
T w o yellow , t h r ee p u r p le, fou r b lack . A t ot al of n in e r in gs ap p ear ed on h is

b od y. Follow in g t h e r h yt h m of t h e sou l r in gs, t h e fr igh t en in g au r a of a T it led
Dou lu o b u r st for t h ceaselessly.
T h e ear t h -sh ak in g sen sat ion b ecam e st r on ger an d st r on ger . It seem ed t o h ave
b een in flu en ced b y Ch en g Gan g’s m ar t ial sou l. T h is w as t h e p r essu r e of a T it led
Dou lu o. A T it led Dou lu o w h o cou ld cau se m ass d est r u ct ion ! Becau se of t h e
p r esen ce of T it led Dou lu o, a sou l en gin eer h ad alw ays b een u n ab le t o su r p ass a
sou l m ast er .
As h e h ow led , Ch en g Gan g st ep p ed for w ar d ab r u p t ly. At t h e sam e t im e, t h e

ear t h in fr on t of h im u n d u lat ed an d r ose m or e t h an 10 m et er s t all lik e a t id al
w ave. Follow in g t h a t , t h e p lot of ear t h t h at r ose u p st ar t ed t o slam d ow n on
Eld er Xu an .
T h is w asn ’t an y ear t h -t yp e p ow er , b u t a p u r e for ce. Ch en g Gan g w asn ’t even

u sin g a sou l sk ill r igh t n ow .
Eld er Xu an sn or t ed , an d st ep p ed for w ar d w it h h is r igh t leg t oo.
“Boom —"
J u st t h at sim p le st ep cau sed a h u ge im p act , as if a m et eor it e h ad cr ash ed or an

ear t h d r agon h ad r isen fr om t h e gr ou n d . T h e ear t h t h a t Ch en g Gan g h ad lift ed
w as in st an t an eou sly cr u sh ed . Not on ly t h at , b u t t h e fr igh t en in g for ce w as
con ver t ed in t o a fa n -sh ap ed yellow sh ock w ave t h at w as con d u ct ed t ow ar d s
Ch en g Gan g’s feet .
Ch en g Gan g cou ld o n ly feel a w ave of ir r esist ib le for ce b ein g t r an sm it t ed t o

h im fr om b en eat h h is feet . W h en h e w an t ed t o u se a sou l sk ill, h e d iscover ed t o
h is sh ock t h at h is so u l p ow er h ad b een r ep r essed . Aft er t h at , h e w as h eaved in t o
t h e air .
As Eld er Xu an st om p ed w it h h is r igh t foot , h e ap p ear ed in fr on t of Ch en g

Gan g in a flash .
“T h e for t e of t h e An t Em p er or is it s st r en gt h . Let t h is old m a n see h ow st r on g

you ar e.” As h e sp ok e, Eld er Xu an ’s h an d w as alr ead y p r essin g on Ch en g Gan g’s
sh ou ld er .
Fr om t h e m om en t h e leap t fr om t h e gr ou n d t o t h e in st an t t h at h e p r essed on
Ch en g Gan g’s sh ou ld er , on ly a b r ief p er iod of t im e h ad p assed . H ow ever , Ch en g
Gan g felt t h at t h is b r ief p er iod of t im e w a s as lon g as a cen t u r y.
W h en Eld er Xu an ’s figu r e flash ed , Ch en g Gan g m u st h a ve h ad t h ou gh t of at

least five w ays t o escap e h is op p on en t ’s con t r ol. H ow ever , h e w as u n ab le t o
p er for m an y of t h em . As t h ey w er e p u lled closer , a st ar t lin g p r essu r e w as
exer t ed on h im . H e w as st ifled b y t h is p r essu r e, an d cou ld n ot even u se a sin gle
sou l sk ill. H e fr oze in m id -air .
Sin ce h e h a d b ecom e a T it led Dou lu o, an d even sin ce h e h a d b ecom e a sou l

m ast er , h e h ad n ever exp er ien ced su ch a sit u at ion in all h is yea r s!
Ch en g Gan g w as com p let ely ou t of sor t s n ow . H e h ad n ever t h ou gh t t h a t

som eon e so p ow er fu l exist ed in t h is w or ld . It w as also at t h is p oin t t h a t t h e
fr igh t fu l m om en t u m d isap p ear ed . Bot h Ch en g Gan g an d Eld er Xu an lan d ed on
t h e ear t h again . Eld er Xu an ’s h u ge h an d w as st ill p r essin g on Ch en g Gan g’s
sh ou ld er .
“Com e. I w ill n ot u se m y sou l p ow er , b u t on ly m y p u r e st r en gt h . W h at ever

you h ave t o d o, I w ill let you off if you can sh r u g m y h an d off you r sh ou ld er .”
Eld er Xu an look ed at Ch en g Gan g in d isd a in .
As a T it led Dou lu o, Ch en g Gan g w as n or m ally an ar r ogan t p er son .

Fu r t h er m or e, t h e st r on g su it of h is m ar t ial sou l w as it s st r en gt h !
An an t m igh t b e m in u t e, b u t it w as ab le t o lift h eavy ob ject s u p t o h u n d r ed
t im es it s w eigh t . M or eover , Ch en g Gan g’s sou l sk ills w er e t ar get ed t ow ar d s
in cr easin g h is st r en gt h st ill fu r t h er . H e cou ld b e con sid er ed a p u r e st r en gt h -t yp e
T it led Dou lu o. H is op p on en t ’s sou l p ow er w as im m en se, an d h e k n ew t h at h e
cou ld n ot r esist it , b u t h e d id n ot b elieve t h at h e cou ld n ot m at ch u p in t er m s of
st r en gt h .
T h er efor e, Ch en g Gan g exp en d ed all h is st r en gt h an d u sed a ll t h e sou l sk ills

h e h ad w h ich cou ld in cr ease h is ow n st r en gt h . H e st r u ggled m igh t ily.
T h e fr igh t en in g st r en gt h cau sed t h e ear t h b en eat h h im t o cr ack , an d fissu r es

ext en d ed t h r ou gh t h e ear t h for sever al t h ou san d m et er s ar ou n d t h em . It w a s as
if an ear t h d r agon w as r eally goin g t o r ise fr om t h e gr ou n d .
H ow ever , t h e h an d t h at w as p r essin g on h is sh ou ld er w as ver y st r on g. No

m at t er h ow h ar d h e t r ied , h e co u ld n ot sh r u g it off.
Ch en g Gan g’s vein s w er e alr ead y p op p in g ou t . H e h ad alr ead y t r ied h is b est ,

b u t h e w as st ill u n ab le t o fr ee h im self.
No, t h at ’s im p ossib le. T h at ’s im p ossib le. Ch en g Gan g w as u n w illin g t o b elieve

it n o m at t er w h a t . As a T it led Dou lu o, h e cou ld n ot even st r u ggle again st t h is
op p on en t of h is w h o h ad yet t o even u n leash h is m ar t ia l sou l, an d w h o w as n ot
even u sin g h is sou l p ow er r igh t n ow . T h is w as u n t h in k ab le.
H is con fid en ce w as slow ly b ein g cr u sh ed , an d h is d ign it y w as gr ad u ally b ein g

d egr ad ed . H e st r u ggled less an d less as t im e p assed . Even t u a lly, t h er e w as on ly a
look of d eject ion left on Ch en g Gan g’s face.
Eld er Xu an p ick ed h is b r ow s an d ask ed , “Can you d o it ?”
Ch en g Gan g sh ook h is h ead h elp lessly.
Eld er Xu an r et r act ed h is r igh t h an d , “T h is is a lesson t o you . As a T it led

Dou lu o, you n eed t o p ossess t h e ego an d p r id e t h at b elon gs t o a T it led Dou lu o.
As som eon e w it h n in e r in gs, you w en t t o b u lly t h ose t w o k id s w it h on ly t w o or
t h r ee r in gs. T h is is a h u m ilia t ion for you . I d on ’t w an t you r life eit h er . For get
t h is m at t er aft er you ’ve slap p ed you r self a h u n d r ed t im es. I also d on ’t w an t t o
d ir t y m y h an d s b y b eat in g you u p .”
Ch en g Gan g’s b od y sh iver ed . H e’d r at h er d ie t h an slap h im self. H ow ever ,

ever yon e w as scar ed of d eat h . H e w as n ot an excep t ion eit h er . In St ar Lu o
Em p ir e, h e p ossessed gr eat au t h or it y. H ow cou ld h e b e w illin g t o d ie? In fr on t of
t h is eld er ly m an , h e h ad n o ot h er ch oice, as h e w as h elp less again st h im . H e w as
filled w it h r egr et n ow ! As h e h ad b een b lin d ed b y gr eed , h ow cou ld h e h ave
t h ou gh t of t h e p r id e an d ego of a T it led Dou lu o? H ow ever , it w as t oo lat e for
r egr et s n ow .
“Piak —” H e slap p ed h im self h ar d , “Piak , p iak , p iak …”
As h e saw Ch en g Gan g slap p in g h im self, Eld er Xu an cou n t ed ever y slap

ser iou sly. Aft er m or e t h an 10 slap s, Ch en g Gan g’s face h a d alr ead y sw elled u p .
W it h Eld er Xu an ar ou n d t o scr u t in ize h im , h e d id n ot d ar e t o let h im self off
ligh t ly.
As Ch en g Gan g sla p p ed h im self, Eld er Xu an ’s face b ecam e m u ch m or e

ap p eased . H e h ad fin ally d on e som et h in g for t h ose lit t le fellow s.
It d id n ot t ak e lon g for Ch en g Gan g t o slap h im self a h u n d r ed t im es. Ver y

soon , Ch en g Gan g h ad com p let ed t h is h u m ilia t in g t ask . Righ t n ow , h is ch eek s
w er e alr ea d y sw ollen lik e t w o h u ge p each es. Blood flow ed d ow n fr om t h e ed ges
of h is lip s con t in u ou sly.
Eld er Xu an n od d ed a n d said , “En ou gh . Scr am n ow .”
“Eld er , ar e you an Ult im at e Dou lu o?” Ch en g Gan g ask ed in a b lu r . T h e

p h ysical p ain t h at h e felt w as n ot com p ar ab le t o t h e agon y h e felt in h is h ear t .
A lon g t im e ago, Ch en g Gan g alr ead y k n ew t h at t h er e w er e h u ge gap s b et w een

t h e cu lt ivat ion s of T it led Dou lu o. Bu t aft er h e b ecam e a T it led Dou lu o, h e
r eck on ed t h a t h is ow n ab ilit ies w er e ver y p ow er fu l an d for got t h is. W h en h e
w as slap p in g h im self ear lier , h e h a d b ecom e m u ch clear er in h is m in d t oo.
Ever y m ajor level of a sou l m ast er w a s d ivid ed in t o t en d iffer en t r an k s. W h en

t h e low est sou l sch olar r each ed Ran k 10 , h e cou ld b ecom e a sou l m ast er aft er
ob t ain in g a sou l r in g. Becau se of t h at so u l r in g, a sou l m ast er w as m u ch m or e
p ow er fu l t h an a sou l sch olar . In t h e so u l m ast er level, ever y in cr ease in r an k
w ou ld in cr ea se on e’s sou l p ow er b y at least 10 %. At t h e st age of a sou l
gr an d m ast er , t h e ga p s b et w een t h e r an k s w ou ld b ecom e even gr eat er .
H ow ever , t h e gap in sou l p ow er b et w een T it led Dou lu o w as t h e gr eat est . T h is

w as aft er 90 r an k s.
On ly aft er ob t ain in g a sou l r in g cou ld on e’s sou l p ow er t r an scen d Ran k 90 an d

r each Ran k 91 t h r ou gh t h e p ow er of t h e sou l r in g. Bet w een Ra n k 91 an d 92, t h er e
w as a t w ofold in cr ea se in sou l p ow er .
Of cou r se, t h e p ow er s of a sou l m ast er cou ld n ot ju st b e d et er m in ed u sin g sou l

p ow er . T h e st r en gt h of on e’s sou l sk ill, t h e effect iven ess of t h e sou l r in gs on
on e’s b od y an d even d iffer en ces in sou l b on es cou ld m ak e u p for t h e d iffer en ces
in cu lt ivat ion b et w een t w o d iffer en t p eop le. H en ce, a Ran k 92 sou l m ast er m igh t
n ot fin d it p ar t icu lar ly easy t o d efeat a Ran k 91 sou l m ast er .
H ow ever , t h er e w as d efin it ely a gap in sou l p ow er . Ever y t im e on e’s

cu lt ivat ion in cr eased a r an k , t h e d iffer en ce w ou ld in cr ease t oo. W h en Ran k 95
w as r each ed , t h er e w ou ld b e a h u ge b ot t len eck . A Ran k 95 T r an scen d en t T it led
Dou lu o p ossessed a cu lt ivat ion t h a t cou ld r esist 10 low er r an k ed T it led Dou lu o.
If a T it led Dou lu o’s cu lt ivat ion cou ld r ea ch Ran k 99, h e w ou ld b e r ecogn ized as
an Ult im at e Dou lu o.
In t h e en t ir e h ist or y of t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t , t h er e h a d b een ver y few

Ult im at e Dou lu o. T h e p er iod of t im e w h en t h er e w as t h e gr ea t est con cen t r at ion
of Ult im at e Dou lu o w as d u r in g t h e gen er at ion of T an g San of t h e T an g Sect . Not
on ly d id Ult im at e Dou lu o ap p ear t h en , b u t T an g San an d h is w ife, as w ell as
t h eir r ivals, even b ecam e God s.
H ow ever , ver y few Ult im at e Dou lu o h a d ap p ear ed on t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t
sin ce t h en .
“I’m n ot .” Eld er Xu an sh ook h is h ead an d d en ied Ch en g Gan g’s w or d s.
“You ar e n ot ? Can you t ell m e you r t it le t h en ?” Ch en g Gan g con t in u ed t o ask

in d ign an t ly.
Eld er Xu an t w ist ed h is m ou t h an d said , “H ow d id you r ep ly t o t h ose lit t le

fellow s? I sh all r ep ly you in t h e sam e w ay. You ar e st ill n ot fit t o ask w h at m y
t it le is. You d on ’t h ave t h e r igh t t o. Scr am n ow .” As h e sa id t h at , h e k ick ed
Ch en g Gan g in t h e t or so. Ch en g Gan g felt as if h e w a s flyin g ab ove t h e clou d s a s
h e w as k ick ed ou t . Bu t t h is k ick w asn ’t im p or t an t . W h en h e con t r olled h is b od y
t o cu sh ion h is lan d in g on t h e gr ou n d , t h e sloven ly eld er h a d alr ead y
d isap p ear ed .
W h ile h is face w as flu sh ed , h is h ear t w as cold at t h is p oin t .
H e sh ook h is h ead an d w ip ed t h e b lood off h is lip s. Ch en g Gan g m u t t er ed

b it t er ly, “I am a fr og in a w ell. I am r eally a fr og in w ell! Aft er I b ecam e a T it led
Dou lu o, I t h ou gh t t h at I w as t h e m ost ou t st a n d in g. Bu t I d id n ’t exp ect t h at I’d
b e n ot h in g again st som eon e w h o is t r u ly p ow er fu l. Sh r ek Acad em y, w h at a
Sh r ek Acad em y! I h a ve t o sh u t m yself in an d cu lt ivat e again .”
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g d id n ot k n ow t h at Eld er Xu an h ad aven ged t h em .

Aft er eat in g, t h ey w en t t o visit Xiao Xiao.
H ow ever , t h e t w o of t h em on ly r em ain ed at t h e en t r an ce of t h e r oom t o t ak e a

look at h er sit u at ion . T h ey d id so b ecau se it w as n ot t oo ap p r op r iat e for t h em t o
en t er , given t h e sit u at ion in sid e.
Xiao Xiao’s r oom d oor w asn ’t sh u t a n d w as h alf-op en ed . Fr om t h e op en in g of

t h e d oor , H u o Yu h a o an d W an g Don g cou ld see a b u r ly figu r e sit t in g at t h e
b ed sid e. T h is p er son w as m et icu lou sly feed in g Xiao Xiao p or r id ge w it h a sm all
sp oon .
“Cait ou sim m er ed t h e p or r id ge h im self. Aft er sim m er in g it for h alf a n igh t ,

h e on ly scoop ed u p t h e r ice oil on t h e su r face, w h ich w as t h e essen ce of t h e
p or r id ge. I d id n ’t k n ow t h at h e’s act u ally so m et icu lou s u n d er n ea t h t h a t
clod d ish ap p ear an ce of h is.” T each er W an g Yan com m en t ed aft er h e ap p ear ed
b eh in d H u o Yu h ao a n d W an g Don g su d d en ly.
“Br ot h er Cait ou is su ch a n ice p er son !” W an g Don g com p lim en t ed .
W an g Yan ch u ck led an d said , “W h en all of you r et u r n ed , all of you con k ed

ou t , so you d id n ’t see w h a t Cait ou w as lik e. H e m u t t er ed on e sen t en ce
r ep eat ed ly. H e said t h at n o m at t er w h at h ap p en s in t h e fu t u r e, h e w ou ld n ’t let
Xiao Xiao b e h u r t b ecau se of h im . H e sw or e t o p r ot ect h er . Let ’s go, it ’s fin e
sin ce Cait ou is h er e t o t ak e car e of Xiao Xiao. Xiao Xiao h as also ju st aw ok en , so
let ’s n ot d ist u r b h er .” As h e said t h at , h e gen t ly sh u t t h e d oor an d d r agged b ot h
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g t o h is ow n r oom . H e h ad m an y d ou b t s in h is m in d ,
an d n eed ed t o in t er r ogat e b ot h of t h em .
Aft er t h ey ar r ived in W an g Yan ’s r oom , W an g Yan gest u r ed for b ot h of t h em

t o t ak e a seat on t h e sofa. Follow in g t h at , h e st a r ed at t h em w it h a ser iou s
exp r ession on h is face w it h ou t op en in g h is m ou t h for a w h ole m in u t e.
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g b egan t o d evelop ch ills on t h eir sk in aft er b ein g

eyeb alled b y W an g Yan . W an g Don g got t ot p oin t w h er e h e cou ld n o lon ger b ear
it , an d ask ed , “T each er W an g, w h y ar e you st ar in g at u s?”
W an g Yan sigh ed sligh t ly b efor e r ep lyin g, “I h ave b een cu lt ivat in g sin ce m y

you t h . On ly w h en I r each ed 20 d id I r ealize t h at I’m n ot in n at ely t alen t ed . T h en ,
I t u r n ed m y at t en t ion t o t h e r esear ch of m ar t ial sou ls. I t oiled , an d even t u a lly
cem en t ed m y p lace in Sh r ek Acad em y t od ay. I am 4 1 year s old t h is year , an d I’ve
b een st u d yin g m ar t ial sou ls for a good 35 year s n ow . In Sh r ek Acad em y, t h er e’s
n ever a lack of t alen t s. H ow ever , m y u n d er st an d in g of w h at a ‘t alen t ’
con st it u t es h a s b een r ed efin ed r ep eat ed ly w h en it com es t o you r b at ch . I h ave
even seen t h e occu r r en ce of m an y sit u at ion s t h at h ave u n t il n ow on ly ap p ear ed
in m yt h s an d legen d s.”
“In it ially, I b elieved t h at Dai H u ab in w a s t h e m ost ou t st an d in g am on g you r

b at ch of st u d en t s. Alt h ou gh h e’s on ly 13 year s old , h e p ossesses sou l p ow er u p t o
Ran k 37. It ’s alm ost con ceivab le t h at h e can r each t h e cu lt ivat ion of Sou l
Em p er or w h en h e’s 20 year s old , u n d er t h e m et icu lou s gu id an ce of t h e
acad em y.”
“M ayb e t h e b ot h of you ar e u n aw ar e, b u t w e’ve som et h in g k n ow n as ‘seed s’

in t h e acad em y. T h ey r efer t o st u d en t s w h ose cu lt ivat ion can r each 6 r in gs even
b efor e t h ey’r e 20 year s old . Righ t n ow , t h er e a r e on ly 4 ‘seed lin g’ st u d en t s
r em ain in g in t h e en t ir e acad em y. T h ey in clu d e M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yaoh en g,
w h om t h e t w o of you h ave seen b efor e. Ach ievin g 6 r in gs b efor e t h e age of 20 is
also p u b licly r ecogn ized in t h e con t in en t as t h e cr it er ia t o b e called an u n r iva led
t alen t .
“I u sed t o t h in k lik e t h at in t h e p ast t oo. H ow ever , aft er I got t o k n ow t h e

b ot h of you b et t er , I h ave b een r em in d ed t h r ou gh you r act ion s t h at t h is t h eor y
is fallaciou s. T h e class of on e’s sou l p ow er is n ot ever yt h in g. T h er e ar e even
m or e cr u cial com p on en t s an d sit u at ion s ap ar t fr om t h e class of on e’s sou l
p ow er . Let m e exp lain t o t h e b ot h of you . Yu h ao, I sh all t alk ab ou t you fir st .”
“You ar e t h e on e w h o su r p r ises m e t h e m ost . In t er m s of d iligen ce, you ar e

am on g t h e t op 3 of all t h e st u d en t s t h a t I’ve seen . As for you r t alen t , you ar e t h e
on ly on e w it h an u lt im at e m ar t ial sou l t h at I h ave ever seen . W h at ’s even m or e
u n b elievab le is t h at it ’s a t w in m ar t ial so u l. You r secon d m ar t ial sou l aw ak en ed
aft er t h e fir st . T h ese few con d it ion s of you r s ar e all su it ab le t o b e t h e su b ject of
m y r esear ch . Even t ill n ow , I h ave n ot gr asp ed som e of you r m yst er ies. As for
you r w ill an d r esilien ce, you ar e w it h ou t a d ou b t t h e t ou gh est p er son I h ave
seen am on g t h ose in you r sam e age b r ack et . I am cer t ain t h at you r ach ievem en t s
w ill b e ab ove Dai H u ab in ’s in t h e fu t u r e. In t h e com p et it ion yest er d ay, you
d isp layed t w o ab ilit ies at t h e en d . Don ’t t ell m e t h at t h ey w er e sk ills d er ived
fr om you r fir st sou l r in g. If I am n ot r ecallin g w r on gly, you r fir st sou l sk ill w as
you r sou l b on e sk ill, w h ich is a p ow er fu l sou l sk ill t h a t r esem b les t h e p ow er of a
d om ain . Logically sp eak in g, w it h you r co n d it ion , you sh ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le
t o p ossess su ch a sk ill. An d w h en you d isp layed t h a t sk ill at t h e en d w h ich
for ced Ye W u q in g off t h e ar en a, I cou ld feel t h e fr igh t en in g au r a of t h at sou l
sk ill even t h ou gh I w asn ’t even in t h e ar en a. Fu r t h er m or e, Ye W u qin g h ad
alr ead y fr eed h im self fr om t h e r est r ain t of t h e Gold en r oad . W it h h is cu lt ivat ion
as a Sou l Kin g, you cou ld n ’t h ave b eat en h im sim p ly b y con solid at in g you r sou l
p ow er . At t h at p oin t in t im e, I felt t h at you r con t r ol of sou l p ow er b ecam e m u ch
gr eat er . Can you exp lain t o m e h ow you w er e ab le t o d o t h at ? ”
In t h e face of W an g Yan ’s d ou b t s, H u o Yu h ao gr oan ed in w ar d ly. T each er

W an g w as in d eed ver y ast u t e in h is ob ser vat ion s, as h is q u est ion s w er e all on
p oin t .
H ow ever , W an g Ya n d id n o t p r ess h im t o an sw er im m ed ia t ely. Rat h er , h e

t u r n ed t o W an g Don g, “W h at ab ou t you t h en ? You r sit u at ion is even m or e
in t er est in g. T w in m ar t ial sou ls, am I r igh t ? If I’m cor r ect , t h at b lack ligh t of
you r s t h at w as sh ap ed as a h am m er sh ou ld b elon g in t h e st r en gt h -t yp e cat egor y.
T h at m ean s t h a t you r b od y con t ain s a secon d m ar t ial sou l t h a t ’s in t h e st r en gt h -
t yp e cat egor y. You h ave con cealed it qu it e w ell! Alt h ou gh I’m sh ock ed , I can st ill
accep t it . H ow ever , I am in t er est ed t o k n ow t h e m et h od t h at you u sed t h at led t o
Sh an ggu an Can ’s fou r t h sou l sk ill losin g effect iven ess an d even t r igger in g su ch
an in t en se b ack lash . You r vict or y w as n ot d et er m in ed b y t h at last
h am m er st r ok e of you r s, b u t t h r ou gh t h e in st an t an eou s b ack fir in g m ech an ism
t h at you in it iat ed . You act u ally r ep elled t h e sou l sk ill t h at even Bei Bei w as
con t r olled b y. H ow d id you d o t h at ?”
“Er r …”
W an g Don g w as sim ilar ly sp eech less. J u st lik e H u o Yu h a o, h e h ad h is ow n

secr et s, an d m or e t h an ju st a few !
As h e look ed at t h e b ot h of t h em , W an g Yan ch or t led . “Alr igh t , I w on ’t p u t
t h e t w o of you on t h e sp ot . I’m ju st p oin t in g ou t t h e m yst er iou s con d it ion s b ot h
of you h ave. Ever yon e h as t h eir ow n secr et s, esp ecially for sou l m ast er s lik e u s.
H on est ly sp eak in g, I h ave d evelop ed a sen se of su r r ealism t ow ar d s t h e w or d of
sou l m ast er s b eca u se of you r ap p ear an ces. Sin ce w h en d id t w in m a r t ial sou l
b ecom e so r ead ily a vailab le, su ch t h at t h er e ar e t h r ee of t h em n ow ? M or eover ,
each on e of t h em is gr eat er t h an t h e p r eced in g on e. All of you ar e in d eed
p h en om en al! H ow ev er , I r em em b er a p h r ase sh a r ed b y t h e d ean t h a t I con cu r
w it h . If t h in gs go w r on g, t h er e m u st b e som et h in g st r an ge. Ou r acad em y is
b lessed w it h t h r ee t w in m a r t ial sou ls at t h e sam e t im e. Per h ap s a h eavy
r esp on sib ilit y w ill la n d u p on t h e sh ou ld er s of t h e few of you . H en ce, I h op e t h at
t h e few of you w on ’t w ast e t h is gift t h a t you h ave b een b lessed w it h . Pu t t in g
effor t in t o you r cu lt ivat ion t o ach ieve t h e sp ecial ab ilit ies t h at t h e few of you
w er e m ean t t o h ave w ill b e t h e b est ch oice t h at t h e few of you can m ak e.”
“As you r T each er , I w on ’t qu est ion you r com m it m en t s. Bu t m y p u r p ose in

callin g t h e b ot h of you h er e t od ay w as t o t ell t h e b ot h of you t h at you can feel
fr ee t o ap p r oach m e if you h ave an y d ou b t s. Aft er all, I am m or e exp er ien ced ,
an d I k n ow m or e t h an t h e b ot h of you . W it h t h e t en t h ou sa n d year s of h er it age
t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h as, m y k n ow led ge is b ou n d t o b e r ich er t h an t h e b ot h of
you . I can aid you in sk ip p in g som e u n n ecessar y b en d s alon g t h e w ay. If it
in volves you r secr et s, I can gu ar an t ee w it h m y ch ar act er t h at I w ill p r eser ve
t h em .”
As t h ey saw t h e sin cer e exp r ession on W an g Yan ’s face, b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d

W an g Don g ap p ear ed m u ch m or e r elaxed .
H u o Yu h ao said , “T each er W an g, I d o h ave som e qu est ion s t h at I w ou ld lik e

t o ask you .”
“Sh oot .” W an g Yan n od d ed h is h ead t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao said , “T each er W an g, you h ave seen b ot h ou r m ar t ial sou ls, w h ich

ar e vast ly d iffer en t fr om each ot h er . M y fir st m a r t ia l sou l is t h e sp ir it u al-t yp e
Sp ir it Eyes, w h er eas m y secon d m ar t ial sou l is t h e u lt im at e ice m ar t ial sou l, t h e
Ice J ad e Scor p ion . As for W an g Don g, h is fir st m a r t ia l so u l is t h e ligh t -t yp e
Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess, an d h is seco n d m ar t ial sou l is of a st r en gt h t yp e. I
can fair ly say t h at t h ese fou r m ar t ial sou ls t h a t w e p ossess ar e com p let ely
d issim ilar . H ow ever , h ow ar e ou r m ar t ia l sou ls so com p at ib le w it h on e an ot h er ,
su ch t h a t w e w er e even ab le t o exh ib it a m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill?”
“I r em em b er t h a t you t au gh t u s b efor e t h at com p at ib ilit y b et w een m ar t ial

sou ls h ap p en s ver y r ar ely. It ’s even r ar er t o w it n ess a h igh d egr ee of
com p at ib ilit y b et w een m ar t ial sou ls. Gen er ally sp eak in g, com p at ib ilit y b et w een
m ar t ial sou ls is ach ieved if t h ey ar e of t h e sam e t yp e, or if t h eir car r ier s w er e of
t h e sam e sp ecies. For exam p le, Lan Su su an d Lan Lu olu o m an aged t o ach ieve
m ar t ial sou l fu sion t h r ou gh over lap p in g t h eir en t ir ely sim ilar m ar t ial sou ls
b efor e ach ievin g com p at ib ilit y t h r ou gh t h eir id en t it ies as t w in s. T h e sam e goes
for t h e fu sion b et w een Dai H u ab in & Zh u Lu , t h e W h it e T iger a n d t h e
Net h er w or ld Civet . At least t h eir m ar t ial sou ls b ot h b elo n g t o t h e Felid ae
fam ily. Fu r t h er m or e, on e r ep r esen t s p osit ive en er gy, w h ile t h e ot h er r ep r esen t s
n egat ive en er gy. T h is m ean s t h at it m ak es sen se t h a t t h ey ar e com p at ib le. Bu t
b et w een t h e b ot h of u s, w h er e d oes t h e com p at ib ilit y or igin a t e fr om ?”
T h is p r ob lem h ad b een b u ggin g H u o Yu h ao for som e t im e. In t h e p ast , h e h a d

n ot k n ow n w h at W a n g Don g’s secon d m ar t ial so u l w as. H e even assu m ed t h a t
t h eir secon d m a r t ia l sou ls h ad som e for m of con n ect ion . Bu t n ow , h e r ealized
t h at t h e secon d m ar t ial sou ls t h e t w o of t h em p ossessed w er e com p let ely
u n con n ect ed . Desp it e t h is, t h er e w as st ill a h igh d egr ee of com p at ib ilit y b et w een
t h eir m ar t ial sou ls, t o t h e p oin t w h er e t h ey h ad even ob t ain ed t h e H aod on g
Pow er . w h ich w as a for ce t h at cou ld b e u sed t o cu lt ivat e a n d im p r ove t oget h er .
W an g Yan lau gh ed b it t er ly. “It ’s in d eed t ou gh for m e t o an sw er you r

q u est ion . I h ave b een p on d er in g it t oo. Regar d in g t h is, I’ve p or ed over a lot of
m at er ials in t h e acad em y. H ow ever , I’m st ill u n ab le t o give you a p r ecise
an sw er .”
“T h e fu sion of t w in m ar t ial sou ls h a s n ever ap p ear ed b efor e in t h e r ecor d s of

t h e acad em y over t h e p ast t en t h ou san d year s. I can even say t h at t h er e’s n o
r elevan t in for m at ion r egar d in g t h is in t h e en t ir e h ist or y of t h e con t in en t . T h u s,
n o on e can b e su r e ab ou t w h at ’s goin g on w it h t h e fu sion of b ot h of you r m ar t ial
sou ls. W e can on ly gu ess.”
“I t h ou gh t ab ou t it last n igh t , an d cam e u p w it h a few p ossib ilit ies. T h e fir st

p ossib ilit y r ela t es t o t h e qu an t it y of m ar t ial sou ls. W h ile it ’s t r u e t h a t b ot h you r
m ar t ial sou ls ar e d iffer en t , it ’s also cr u cial t o u n d er st an d t h a t you r m ar t ial sou ls
ar e b ot h t w in m ar t ia l sou ls. T w in m ar t ial sou ls ar e ver y r ar e. For t w o t o ap p ear ,
an d even ach ieve com p at ib ilit y lik e t h e b ot h of you r s, is even r ar er . You r t w o
t w in m ar t ial sou ls r ep r esen t on e sim ilar it y b et w een t h e b ot h of you .”
“T h e b ot h of you m u st b e w on d er in g w h y Xiao Xiao can ’t fu se w it h you . T h is

r elat es t o m y secon d p ossib ilit y, w h ich is also t h e m ost p r ob ab le r eason . T h e
t w o of you ar e com p lem en t each ot h er .”
“For t w o m ar t ial so u ls t o fu se t oget h er even t h ou gh t h ey ar e u n con n ect ed t o

each ot h er h as h ap p en ed b efor e. T h e r eason w h y t h ey can fu se t oget h er is d u e t o
t h eir com p lem en t ar y exist en ce. As b ot h m ar t ial sou ls com p lem en t each ot h er ,
t h ey w ill fu se t oget h er , ju st lik e Yin an d Yan g, d evelop in g a m ar t ial sou l fu sion
sk ill in t h e p r ocess.”
“H u o Yu h ao’s t w o m ar t ial sou ls of t h e sp ir it u a l t yp e an d ice t yp e. As for W an g

Don g, you r m ar t ial sou ls b elon g t o t h e ligh t -t yp e an d st r en gt h -t yp e cat egor ies.
All fou r of you r m ar t ial sou ls ar e d iffer en t , b u t n o on e can b e su r e w h et h er t h ey
ar e com p lem en t ar y t o on e an ot h er . M ayb e, for som e r eason , you r m ar t ia l sou ls
fu sed t oget h er b ecau se t h ey ar e com p lem en t ar y.”
Chapt er 97.1: The Conject ur e Regar ding M ult iple
Fusion Skills
“M y last gu ess, w h ich I t h in k is h igh ly p r ob ab le, is t h at t h er e’s h im in you

an d you in h im .”
Aft er h e said t h is, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e st u n n ed . T h ey look ed at

each ot h er , an d H u o Yu h ao h ad a w eir d look in h is eyes. W an g Don g sh ift ed h is
gaze aw ay t h e m om en t t h eir eyes m et . H is t en d er face b lu sh ed a lit t le.
“Don ’t m isin t er p r et w h at I’m sayin g.” W an g Yan sn ap p ed at t h em , “I’m

t alk in g ab ou t you r m ar t ial sou ls, n ot t h e b ot h of you . You k id s n ow ad ays h ave
su ch fer t ile im agin a t ion s.”
“You w er e t h e on e b ein g am b igu ou s,” W an g Don g r et or t ed .
W an g Yan ign or ed h im an d con t in u ed , “T h e h im in you an d you in h im t h at I

m en t ion ed r efer s t o t h e fact t h at t h er e m ay b e som e for m of co-exist en ce
b et w een you r m ar t ial sou ls in t er n ally, even t h ou gh t h ey seem t o b e
u n con n ect ed on t h e su r face. It ’s a lit t le a w k w ar d t o p u t it t h is w ay. I’ll give you
an exam p le t o clar ify t h in gs.”
“For exam p le, t h e Sp ir it Eyes an d Rad ia n t Bu t t er fly God d ess d o n ot seem t o

b e con n ect ed t o each ot h er . H ow ever , w h at if Yu h ao’s Sp ir it Eyes con t ain t h e
p ow er of ligh t ? T h is m ean s t h at Yu h ao’s m ar t ial sou l con t ain s a ch ar act er ist ic of
W an g Don g’s m ar t ial sou l. Let ’s sh ift ou r at t en t ion t o t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion an d
W an g Don g’s st r en gt h -t yp e m ar t ia l sou l. I’ve ch eck ed , an d fou n d ou t t h at t h e
st r en gt h of t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion is r at h er p ow er fu l. T h is m ean s t h a t an Ic,e
J ad e Scor p ion p ossesses st r en gt h . T h is m ay b e a k ey p oin t w h y b ot h of you r
m ar t ial sou ls cou ld fu se t oget h er . H ow ever , I w ill st ill n eed t o r esear ch t h e
d et ails fu r t h er .”
Aft er h ear in g W an g Yan ’s w or d s, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g p on d er ed t h em
car efu lly, an d t h eir faces gr ad u ally sh ow ed look s of ad m ir at ion . Yes! T h e
sit u a t ion d escr ib ed b y T each er W an g d id exist in t h eir b od ies, b u t t h ey h ad n ’t
t h ou gh t of h is p oin t b efor e. In t h is w ay, it d id n ’t seem t oo u n exp ect ed t h at t h eir
m ar t ial sou ls h ad fu sed .
W an g Yan gr in n ed , an d h is eyes w er e filled w it h fan at icism as h e said ,

“W h at ever t h e r eason for t h e fu sion of you r m ar t ial sou ls, t h ey h ave alr ead y
fu sed . I w ill con t in u e t o r esear ch fu r t h er , b u t t h is is n ot t h e m ain p oin t . Aft er
all, w h at ’s su p p osed t o h ave fu sed h as alr ead y fu sed . W h at I r eally w an t t o
r esear ch is t h e d iffer en ce b et w een t h e fu sion of you r t w in m ar t ial sou ls an d t h a t
of a sin gle m ar t ial sou l.
“Bot h of you h ave su ch a h igh d egr ee of com p at ib ilit y. T h is p r od u ced t h e

Gold en Road , a p ow er fu l m ar t ial so u l fu sion sk ill in t er m s of con t r ol. T h en , d id
t h e b ot h of you r ea lize t h a t t h is is on ly a fu sion b et w een you r fir st m ar t ial
sou ls!? Sin ce t h is is t h e case, w ill 4 d iffer en t fu sion s occu r ? As t h e t w o of you
h ave t w o m ar t ial sou ls each , t h is allow s for 4 d iffer en t p er m u t a t ion s.
T h eor et ically sp eak in g, t h er e’s t h e p ossib ilit y of 4 m ar t ia l sou l fu sion sk ills.”
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g st ar ed at each ot h er an d saw t h e sh ock in each

ot h er ’s eyes. 4 m a r t ial sou l fu sion sk ills? W h at k in d of con cep t w as t h at ? If t h ey
cou ld p ossess 4 d iffer en t sk ills a n d u se t h em at t h e sam e t im e, t h ey m igh t b e
ab le t o ch allen ge a sou l k in g w it h t h eir cu r r en t ab ilit ies!
W an g Yan lean ed in t o t h e sofa an d w at ch ed t h eir sh im m er in g eyes.

“H ow ever , d on ’t b e t oo op t im ist ic. Besid es t h e fact t h at it ’s alm ost im p ossib le
for fou r m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ills t o ap p ear , you w on ’t h ave t h e ab ilit y t o u se all
fou r m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ills in b at t le even if t h ey ap p ear . T h at ’s b ecau se t h e
p ow er of t h e m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ills w ill r ise alon g w it h you r cu lt ivat ion s. At
t h e sam e t im e, you r sou l p ow er w ill b e d ep let ed m u ch qu ick er u p on u sin g t h em .
I est im at e t h at t h e t w o of you w ill on ly b e ab le t o u se t w o m ar t ial sou l fu sion
sk ills in a b at t le, u n less som e u n p r eced en t ed sit u a t ion occu r s. Of cou r se, b ot h of
you r fu t u r es w ill b e ver y b r igh t if m or e m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ills ap p ear .
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask , “T each er W an g, is it r eally p ossib le? T h en
w h at sh ou ld w e d o?”
W an g Yan r ep lied , “I’m n ot su r e if it ’s r ea lly p ossib le. I m en t io n ed b efor e t h at

su ch a sit u at ion h as n ever ap p ear ed in t h e h ist or y of sou l m ast er s. T h e r eason
w h y I’m p r op osin g t h is is b ecau se I h op e for t h e b ot h of you t o t r y it ou t . W h at
you h ave t o d o is ver y sim p le. It ’ll st ill b e a fu sion of m ar t ia l sou ls. H ow ever , I
h op e t h at b ot h of you can su m m on a d iffer en t m ar t ial sou l d u r in g t h e fu sion
p r ocess. T h at m ean s b ot h of you sh ou ld t r y t o su m m on t h e sin gle m ar t ial sou l.
T h er e m ay b e a p ossib ilit y of su ccess.”
“So it ’s t h at sim p le!” W an g Don g said .
W an g Yan ch u ck led , “W h at else d id you t h in k you h ad t o d o? For

in com p at ib le m ar t ia l sou ls, ever yt h in g w ill st ill b e fu t ile even w it h t en t h ou san d
at t em p t s. Bu t for t h ose lik e you , w h o se m ar t ia l sou ls ar e com p at ib le, t h is
p r ocess is n ot d ifficu lt . Based on t h e u se o f t h e m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill t h a t b ot h
of you p ossess n ow , I b elieve t h at t h e ot h er t h r ee m ar t ial so u l fu sion sk ills can
b e u n leash ed on ce ever y 3 d ays if you ar e ab le t o su cceed at you r ot h er 3 fu sion s.
T h u s, I sh all give you b ot h 9 d ays. W it h in 9 d ays, you ’ll h ave t o com p let e all t h e
exp er im en t s. W an g Don g, can you t ell m e w h at you r secon d m ar t ial sou l is?”
W an g Don g h esit at ed for a m om en t b efor e n od d in g h is h ead . T h en , h e said ,

“M y secon d m ar t ial sou l is t h e Clear Sk y H am m er .”
Aft er h ear in g t h e w or d s ‘Clear Sk y H am m er ’, W an g Yan st ood u p in sh ock

fr om t h e sofa b efor e H u o Yu h ao even h ad a ch an ce t o r eact . “W h at , t h e Clear
Sk y H am m er ? It ’s a ct u ally t h e Clea r Sk y H am m er . You ar e fr om t h e Clear Sk y
Sect ?”
W an g Don g n od d ed h is h ead an d r ep lied , “Yes! W h y?”
W an g Yan lau gh ed b it t er ly. “No w on d er . T h e Clear Sk y Sect w as on ce t h e t op

sect on t h e con t in en t ! Com e t o t h in k of it , it h as a r at h er close yet com p licat ed
r elat ion sh ip w it h ou r acad em y. Bu t as t h e T an g Sect fell, t h e Clear Sk y Sect h id
it self fr om t h e w or ld again . If I’m n ot w r on g, a d ir ect d iscip le sh ou ld h ave t h e
su r n am e T an g! W h y is you r su r n am e W a n g t h en ?”
W an g Don g sn or t ed an d said , “T h is is m y secr et . I can ’t t ell t h e b ot h of you .

W h at ’s w r on g if m y su r n am e is W an g? In h er it in g t h e Clear Sk y H am m er m ean s
t h at I’m a p ar t of t h e Clear Sk y Sect . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e Clea r Sk y Sect d id n ot
r eally h id e it self fr om t h e w or ld .”
“No w on d er ,” W an g Yan m u t t er ed , “Yu h ao’s secon d m ar t ial sou l is Ult im a t e

Ice. You ar e com p at ib le w it h h im b ecau se you h ave t h e m ost p ow er fu l offen sive
t ool on t h e con t in en t . I am r eally look in g for w ar d t o t h e ot h er m ar t ia l sou l
fu sion sk ills t h at can b e cr eat ed b et w een t h e b ot h of you . I su ggest t h at t h e b ot h
of you t r y t o fu se t h e Clear Sk y H am m er an d Ice J ad e Scor p ion fir st . T h ese ar e
t w o m ar t ial sou ls t h at h ave n ot b een u sed in you r cu r r en t m ar t ial sou l fu sion
sk ill. Aft er t h is, t h e t w o of you sh ou ld t r y fu sin g t h e Clear Sk y H am m er an d
Sp ir it Eyes, as w ell a s t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion an d Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess.”
“T each er W an g, is it p ossib le for 3 or even all 4 m ar t ial sou ls t o fu se t oget h er

at t h e sam e t im e?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed su d d en ly.
W an g Yan ju m p ed in sh ock , an d h u r r ied ly said , “No. Don ’t ever at t em p t t h at ,

at least n ot n ow . It ’s n ot easy t o t ell w h a t w ill ar ise fr om t h at k in d of sit u at ion .
H ow ever , a m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill cau ses a gr eat d ep let ion of p ow er . On ce you
at t em p t a fu sion of su ch a d egr ee, b ot h of you r p ow er s m ay b e d ep let ed even if
you su cceed . T o b e safe, on ly con sid er su ch an at t em p t w h en you r cu lt ivat ion s
r each six r in gs. As lon g as you su cceed w it h on e of t h e t h r ee com b in at ion s t h a t I
p r op osed , t h er e w ill b e ext r a ch an ges in you r st r at egy for t h e lat t er st ages of t h e
t ou r n am en t .”
“3 r ou n d s h ave alr ead y b een com p let ed in t h e r ou n d r ob in st age. W e h ave

also m et ou r st r on gest com p et it or in ou r sm all gr ou p , w h ich w as t h e J u st sk y
Acad em y. T h e r em ain in g 4 r ou n d s w on ’t b e t oo d ifficu lt for u s eit h er . Esp ecially
for t om or r ow ’s com p et it ion , sin ce Lin g Lu och en h as alr ea d y r ecover ed fr om h er
in ju r ies an d can p ar t icip at e. Aft er on e m or e r ou n d , M a Xiaot a o an d Dai Yu eh en g
w ill also r ecover . W it h t h e r et u r n of t h ese 3 official t eam m em b er s, it w on ’t b e
t oo d ifficu lt for u s, a t least d u r in g t h e r ou n d r ob in st age. T h e t w o of you sh ou ld
t h in k on h ow you ca n u n leash a b r an d n ew m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill.”
H u o Yu h ao said , “T each er W an g, w e w ill d o ou r b est . H ow ever , p lease k eep

t h is a secr et for u s.”
W an g Yan n od d ed a n d said , “Nat u r ally. I m ay n ot even let you u se you r n ew

m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill even if you su cceed . Aft er all, you w ill car r y t h e
r esp on sib ilit y of h an d lin g t h e Sh r ek Acad em y T ou r n am en t in 5 year s’ t im e.
H u o Yu h ao said , “T each er W an g, can you give m e t h at Sou l-Devou r in g

Car vin g Kn ife? I am a sp ir it u al-t yp e sou l m ast er . W h en I b id for t h at car vin g
k n ife, I h ad a feelin g t h at it h ad som e sor t of sp ecial con n ect ion t o m e. I’m su r e
it w on ’t h ar m u s.”
W an g Yan sh ook h is h ead an d said , “No, I can ’t . T h e t w o of you ar e t h e p r id e

of ou r acad em y. Even if t h er e’s on ly a sligh t d an ger , I st ill m u st k eep you aw ay
fr om it . It ’s n ot t oo lat e for you t o t r y u sin g it u n d er t h e gu id an ce of you r
t each er fr om t h e sou l t ool d ep ar t m en t w h en w e r et u r n t o t h e acad em y. You
can ’t p ossib ly m ak e a sou l t ool r igh t n ow .”
“I…” H u o Yu h ao w a s h elp less, an d cou ld on ly for get h is w ish t o ob t ain t h e

Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife.
Aft er b id d in g good b ye t o W an g Yan , H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g r et u r n ed t o

H u o Yu h ao’s r oom excit ed ly. H ow ever , t h ey cou ld n ’t p ossib ly t r y a n ew m ar t ial
sou l fu sion sk ill r igh t n ow . T h ey h ad ju st u n leash ed t h e Gold en Road yest er d ay,
an d t h eir b od ies h a d n ot yet r ecover ed fu lly. If t h ey w er e n ot at t h eir p eak
st at es, it w as less lik ely for t h eir m ar t ial sou l fu sion t o su cceed . Fu r t h er m or e,
H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y exp en d ed all h is en er gy. H en ce, t h eir p r ior it y n ow w as
t o r ecover .
As t h e H aod on g Po w er w as in it iat ed , t h ey en t er ed a st at e of cu lt iva t ion ver y

q u ick ly. In t h eir h ear t s, t h ey w er e year n in g for t h e cr eat ion of a n ew m ar t ial
sou l fu sion sk ill.
W an g Yan ’s w or d s seem ed t o h ave op en ed a d oor for t h em . Even t h ou gh t h ey
h ad n ot at t em p t ed it yet , t h e t w o of t h em h ad t h e feelin g t h at t h ey w ou ld
su cceed .
Gloom y clou d s filled t h e sk y. Rou n d s aft er r ou n d of t h e Con t in en t al

Ad van ced Sou l Du ellin g T ou r n am en t con t in u ed . As of yest er d ay, t h e t h ir d
r ou n d of t h e t ou r n am en t h ad alr ea d y en d ed . T h er e w er e on ly 1 or 2 t eam s t h at
m an aged t o en su r e p er fect w in n in g st r ea k s in each sm all gr ou p .
W it h t h e r esu lt s of t h e fir st 3 r ou n d s o f com p et it ion in , t h e sit u at ion w as

m u ch clea r er . T h e t r ad it ion al p ow er h ou ses p u lled aw ay fr om t h e r est , a n d t h e
t eam t h a t evok ed t h e m ost d eb at e w as st ill t h e t op acad em y of t h e con t in en t ,
Sh r ek Acad em y!
Fusion Skills
T od ay sh ou ld m ar k Sh r ek Acad em y’s fou r t h ap p ear an ce in t h e r ou n d r ob in

st age of t h e t ou r n am en t . H ow ever , n ob od y k n ew w h et h er t h ey w ou ld
p ar t icip at e t od ay, an d if t h ey d id , w h et h er t h ey w ou ld em er ge vict or iou s in t h e
en d .
Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s h ad r elied u p on t h eir in cr ed ib le p er sever an ce an d

d et er m in at ion , as w ell as t h eir ext r a or d in ar y t alen t , t o over com e st r on ger
op p on en t s d u r in g t h eir last b at t le. T h eir lin eu p h a d b een com p osed of fou r sou l
an cest or s, on e sou l eld er an d t w o sou l gr a n d m ast er s, b u t t h ey st ill d efeat ed t h eir
op p on en t s, J u st sk y Acad em y, w h o h ad h ad t h r ee sou l k in gs an d fou r sou l
an cest or s in t h eir lin eu p . Desp it e t h eir vict or y, t h ey h ad p aid a p ain fu l p r ice for
it . Six of t h em h a d h it t h e d eck t h e m om en t t h eir b at t les en d ed , an d som e of
t h em w er e sever ely in ju r ed . It w a s h ar d t o say w h et h er or n ot Sh r ek Acad em y
h ad en ou gh p eop le for t h e n ext r ou n d .
Fu r t h er m or e, cou ld t h ey r ecr eat e t h e sa m e m ir acle if t h ey w en t on t o t h e n ext

r ou n d ? Cou ld t h ey w in t od ay’s con t est w it h an exh au st ed an d w ou n d ed t eam ?
All t h e sp ect at or s h ad alr ead y ar r ived on scen e w ay b efor e t h e ap p oin t ed

t im e, an d t h ey w er e all silen t ly st an d in g in w a it w it h t h ese d ou b t s in m in d .
T h ey eit h er w an t ed t o see an ot h er p h en om en al p er for m an ce fr om Sh r ek
Acad em y, or Sh r ek Acad em y’s exasp er at ed an d h elp less d efeat .
It w as alr ead y m id d ay, b u t d ar k clou d s w er e m ovin g aim lessly in t h e sk y an d

t h e h eaven s seem ed a lit t le gloom y. A ligh t d r izzle h a d b egu n as m in iscu le
r ain d r op s d r ift ed d o w n w ar d s. T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h er e h ad b een r ain sin ce
t h e b egin n in g of t h e com p et it ion , an d t h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at t h e t eam s w ou ld
car r y on t h e con t est in t h e r a in .
“H er e t h ey com e!” Som eb od y sh ou t ed in t o t h e air as t h e au d ien ce, t h e
p ar t icip an t s an d t h e ot h er st u d en t s t u r n ed t ow ar d s t h e en t r y t u n n el.
In d eed , t h e t r ou p e of p ar t icip an t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w er e h er e, clad in

t h eir d ar k gr een sch ool u n ifor m s.
Bei Bei, as t h e t eam lead er , led t h e en t ir e com p an y. H e Cait ou , J ian g Nan n an ,

H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g an d an ot h er you n g gir l w h o look ed lik e sh e w as ar ou n d
t w en t y year s of age follow ed closely b eh in d in t h a t or d er . Nob od y h ad seen t h is
gir l b efor e in t h is com p et it ion .
T h is you n g gir l w as elegan t an d p r et t y, b u t h er exp r ession w a s ice-cold . T h eir

t each er in ch ar ge, W an g Yan , w as b eh in d h er . T h is m ean t t h at on ly six p eop le
w ou ld r ep r esen t Sh r ek Acad em y in t od a y’s con t est – Xiao Xiao an d Xu San sh i
w er e b ot h ab sen t , as Xiao Xiao h ad b een h eavily in ju r ed , an d Xu San sh i’s vit alit y
h ad b een d am aged .
Xu San sh i n eed ed t o r ecu p er at e aft er b r u isin g h is vit alit y. Even t h ou gh Xiao

Xiao’s in ju r ies h ad b een st ab ilized , t h er e w as n o w ay sh e cou ld p ar t icip at e in t h e
com p et it ion for t h e t im e b ein g. T h er e w as a silver lin in g t o h er in ju r ies – sh e
w as n ow at t h e b ot t len eck of Ran k 30 , an d w as on t h e b r in k of b ecom in g a sou l
eld er on ce sh e b r ok e t h r ou gh . All sh e h ad t o d o w as gain an ot h er sou l r in g.
T h er efor e, it cou ld b e said t h at Xiao Xiao h ad r em ain ed at t h e h ot el t o r ecover

an d cu lt ivat e at t h e sam e t im e. T h e gir l w it h t h e ch illy exp r ession t h at w alk ed
b eh in d ever y ot h er p ar t icip an t w as Lin g Lu och en , w h o w as a con t r ol syst em
b at t le sou l m ast er w it h an ice-t yp e m ar t ia l sou l.
Even if t h er e w er e p eop le w h o w er e fam iliar w it h t h e p ar t icip an t s fr om Sh r ek

Acad em y in t h e p r eviou s com p et it ion , t h ose w h o r ecogn ized Lin g Lu och en w er e
few an d far b et w een . Pu b er t y cou ld ch an ge a gir l’s look s in all k in d s of w ays,
an d Lin Lu och en w a s b u t fou r t een or fift een year s old five year s ago. Sh e w as
n ear in g t w en t y n ow , an d t h er e h ad b een m an y t r an sfor m at ion s in h er p h ysical
ap p ear an ce sin ce t h e last t im e sh e h a d com p et ed . Fu r t h er m or e, sh e h ad n ever
m ad e an ap p ear an ce for Sh r ek Acad em y w h en sh e w a s on ly a r eser ve
p ar t icip an t . T h is w a s t h e r eason w h y n ob od y w as fam iliar w it h h er ab ilit ies.
T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s t eam h ad t h e b iggest

r eact ion u p on seein g h er ap p ear an ce. M a Ru lon g’s eyeb r ow s cr eased as h e
m u t t er ed u n d er h is b r eat h , “Ar e t h ey fin ally sen d in g ou t m em b er s of t h e official
t eam ? If I r em em b er cor r ect ly, t h eir t eam at t h is com p et it ion con sist s of t en
p eop le. T h is is t h e fir st ap p ear an ce of som eon e ou t sid e of t h e r eser ve t eam .”
W an g Yan d id n ’t a r r an ge an y t act ics or st r a t egy w h en t h ey en t er ed t h e

r est in g lou n ge. Du e t o Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s’ ou t st an d in g p er for m an ce in t h e
last r ou n d , W an g Yan h ad com p let ely let go of h is au t h or it y an d h an d ed it over
t o Bei Bei.
Bei Bei w asn ’t sever ely in ju r ed , an d w as b u t a lit t le exh au st ed . H e h ad alr ead y

r ecover ed aft er t w o d ays of r est , an d w it h t h e h elp of h is Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t
Dr agon m ar t ial sou l an d t h e p h ysiq u e of a Gold en H oly Dr agon sou l m ast er .
In st ead of sit t in g d ow n , Bei Bei st ood b efor e h is com r ad es an d said , “Ou r

op p on en t s t od ay ar e fr om t h e Lon gp eace Acad em y of St ar Lu o Cit y. It can b e
said t h a t t h ey’r e b at t lin g u s on t h eir h om e gr ou n d . Even t h ou gh t h eir st r en gt h
can n ot b e com p ar ed t o J u st sk y Acad em y’s, t h ey’r e n ot t h at w eak , an d t h ey h a ve
a sou l k in g am on gst t h eir r an k s. I w ill d ecid e on t h e or d er of b at t le aft er
d r aw in g lot s.”
T h e ju d ge sw ift ly ar r ived on st age an d t h e an n ou n ced t h e d r a w in g of lot s. Bei

Bei d isp layed h is u n n at u r ally lu ck y t ou ch , an d it w as clear t h at lu ck w as on
Sh r ek ’s sid e t od ay. In ligh t of t h e fact t h at t h ey w er e a m an d ow n , a gr ou p b at t le
gave t h em t h e b est ed ge, an d t h e r esu lt of t h e b allot w as as su ch .
Bei Bei w as ab ou t t o st ep off of t h e st age aft er t h e b allot w as d r aw n w h en t h e

t eam lead er fr om Lon gp eace Acad em y exclaim ed , “It seem s t h e t ask of d efeat in g
Sh r ek Acad em y h as fallen t o u s.”
H e w as b ig an d t all, w it h a cen t er p ar t in g t o h is h air . T h er e w as a t in ge of
ar r ogan ce in h is eyes, an d h e look ed a t Bei Bei as if h e w as look in g at an
op p on en t t h at h e h a d alr ead y d efeat ed .
Bei Bei glan ced at h im fr om t h e cor n er of h is eye an d cu r led h is m ou t h a lit t le.

“J u st lik e t h e b am b oo sh oot s in t h e m ou n t ain s. A sh ar p m ou t h an d t ou gh sk in –
b u t em p t y in sid e.” As h e sp ok e, h e h ad alr ead y st ep p ed off t h e st age.
Lon gp eace Acad em y’s t eam lead er w a s b oist er ou s in sp eech , a n d h e h ad b een

lou d en ou gh for t h e ot h er m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y, w h o h ad alr ead y en t er ed
t h e w ait in g ar ea, t o h ear h im .
H e Cait ou w as in d ign an t . “Seem s lik e ever yb od y w an t s t o b u lly Sh r ek

Acad em y. W e w ill su r ely t each t h em a lesson lat er .”
At t h is m om en t , Lin g Lu och en st ood u p a n d st ep p ed over t o Bei Bei’s sid e. Sh e

low er ed h er voice an d said , “Do t h ey r ea lly t h in k w e h ave n o d ep t h ? Leave t h is
gr ou p b at t le t o m e, Bei Bei. Let H u o Yu h ao an d I t ak e t h is r ou n d . I w ill m ak e
t h em p ay t h e p r ice for t h eir ou t r ageou sn ess.”
Bei Bei h esit at ed . “J u st t h e t w o of you ? Sen ior sist er , t h is…”
Lin g Lu och en low er ed h er voice again an d said , “I n ever jok e ab ou t Sh r ek

Acad em y’s h on or an d glor y.”
Bei Bei con t em p lat ed h is op t ion s for a m om en t , t h en n od d ed h is h ead .

“Alr igh t . Do b e car efu l.”
Lin g Lu och en gest u r ed t o H u o Yu h ao a n d w h isp er ed som et h in g in h is ear .

H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ead r ep eat ed ly b efor e h e follow ed Lin g Lu och en on t o
t h e com p et it ion st age.
All seven m em b er s Lon gp eace Acad em y’s t eam h ad m oved sw ift ly t o t h e st age
aft er t h e con clu sion of t h e b allot . Even t h ou gh t h ey h ad n ’t st ep p ed b ack in t o
t h eir cor n er , t h eir con e for m at ion w as set u p , an d t h e p er son st an d in g at t h e
for efr on t w as t h eir o u t r ageou s t eam lead er .
T h e ju d ge w as a lit t le con fu sed as h e on ly saw t w o m em b er s fr om Sh r ek
Acad em y on st age. “T h is is a gr ou p b at t le, Sh r ek Acad em y. It ’s n ot a t w o-t w o-
t h r ee figh t or a n yt h in g – p lease get t h e ot h er m em b er s on st age. If n ot , t h ey’ll b e
con sid er ed t o h ave for feit ed t h is r ou n d .”
Lon gp eace Acad em y’s t eam lead er la u gh ed con d escen d in gly. “Sh r ek Acad em y
is t r u ly d isap p oin t in g! M ak in g su ch a lo w -level m ist ak e w h en u n d er st r ess.” H e
sigh ed , “W h at b ad n ew s for t h e r ep u t at ion of t h e n u m b er o n e acad em y on t h e
con t in en t . Let ’s get r ead y, b oys. W e w ill n ot lose t h is r ou n d d u e t o a m om en t ’s
lap se in con cen t r at ion .”
Lin g Lu och en said p lain ly, “W e on ly n eed t w o p eop le for t h is gr ou p b at t le.”

Sh e h ad n ’t even loo k ed at h er op p on en t s on ce as sh e t ook H u o Yu h ao t o t h e
ot h er cor n er of t h e com p et it ion st age.
T h e ju d ge w as sligh t ly t ak en ab ack , an d cou ld n ’t h elp b u t p r ess t h e issu e.

“W ill it r eally ju st b e t h e t w o you ?”
Lin g Lu och en n od d ed h er h ead w it h ou t even t u r n in g b ack as sh e sau n t er ed

aw ay.
Lon gp eace Acad em y w as a lit t le p er p lexed as w ell. “Ar e t h ey t oo ar r ogan t , or

ar e t h ey p r ep ar in g t o ad m it d efeat ?”
On e of t h e p ar t icip a n t s b esid e h im sa id , “I t h in k it ’s m or e lik ely t h ey’r e t r yin g

t o ad m it d efeat . T h ey ar e t oo d ep let ed fr om t h e la st r ou n d , an d t h ey b ar ely
m an aged t o b r in g six p eop le h er e t od ay. I’ve n ever seen t h is gir l b efor e. T h ey
on ly h ave t w o p eop le on st age – w h at else can it b e, b u t at t em p t in g t o ad m it
d efeat ? T h is is a k in d of self-assu r an ce, as losin g a b at t le t o seven p eop le w h en
t h ey’r e on ly t w o isn ’t em b ar r assin g at all. H ow ever , a loss is a loss, an d Sh r ek
Acad em y w ill st ill h a ve lost t h is b at t le.”
All seven m em b er s of Lon gp eace Acad em y’s t eam seem ed t o agr ee w it h t h is

ar gu m en t . T h is w a s t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l
Du elin g T ou r n am en t , an d t h ey r efu sed t o b elieve t h at t h ese t w o p eop le on st age
w er e ab ou t t o ch allen ge t h em in an y w ay.
T h e ju d ge h ear d t h eir flagr an t d iscu ssion , an d h is eyeb r ow s fu r r ow ed . H e said

w it h a ser iou s voice, “St ep b ack , all of you . Get r ea d y for b at t le.”
H e d isagr eed w it h t h eir assessm en t . As a p ow er fu l sou l sage, h e cou ld feel t h e

fear som e r ip p les of sou l p ow er com in g fr om Lin g Lu och en ’s b od y. It w as clear
t h at sh e w as a t least a sou l k in g – a sou l k in g fr om Sh r ek Acad em y. As su ch , sh e
w as at least t h ir t y p er cen t st r on ger t h an t h e sou l k in gs fr om ot h er acad em ies.
W it h a p ar t icip an t of h er level, h ow cou ld Sh r ek Acad em y ju st b e a d m it t in g
d efeat ?
Lin g Lu och en h ad alr ead y r et r eat ed t o t h e ed ge of t h e st age. Sh e t ook p oin t ,

w h ile H u o Yu h ao st ood b eh in d h er . H er exp r ession w as t yp ically ch illy, b u t
r igh t n ow h er face w as so icy t h at it w as fr igh t en in g. It w as ev en a lit t le p ale.
Sh e w as a m em b er of t h e official t eam fr om Sh r ek Acad em y. Sh e d id n ’t h ave

an exp losive t em p er lik e M a Xiaot ao, b u t t h e p r id e d eep w it h in h er h ear t w as n o
d iffer en t fr om t h e sam e p r id e sh ar ed b y t h e ot h er m em b er s of Sh r ek . Sh e w ou ld
n ever sw allow an y h u m ilia t ion su ffer ed b y Sh r ek Acad em y.
Follow in g t h e low er in g of h is r igh t h an d , all of t h e m em b er s of Lon gp eace

Acad em y’s t eam im m ed iat ely r eleased t h eir r esp ect ive m ar t ial sou ls. It w as h ar d
t o d en y t h e r eason b eh in d t h eir ou t r ageou sn ess – b esid es t h eir t eam lead er , w h o
w as a sou l k in g, t h e ot h er six w er e sou l an cest or s. Fu r t h er m or e, t h eir t eam
lead er h a d t h e op t im al com b in at ion of t w o yellow , t w o p u r p le an d on e b lack
sou l r in g. T h is w as t h e or igin of h is ar r ogan ce.
Lin g Lu och en u n lea sh ed h er m ar t ial so u l as w ell – sh e also h ad t w o yellow ,

t w o p u r p le an d on e b lack sou l r in g. H u o Yu h ao h ad t w o w h it e sou l r in gs b eh in d
h er , as u su al. Nob od y k n ew t h e t r u e level of h is so u l r in gs, an d t h is in clu d ed
W an g Don g an d h is ot h er fr ien d s, let alon e h is op p on en t s.
Lin g Lu och en r a ised h er r igh t h an d an d exclaim ed , “Begin .” Follow in g t h e
flick er s of h er fir st sou l r in g, t h e Icy St aff ap p ear ed in h er h an d s, an d t h e
su r r ou n d in g air in st an t ly b ecam e fr eezin g cold .
Sh e w as n a t u r ally sp eak in g t o H u o Yu h ao. H u o Yu h ao st ep p ed for w ar d an d

closed h is eyes as h e p r essed b ot h of h is h an d s t o Lin g Lu och en ’s b ack .
Im m ed iat ely, Lin g Lu och en ’s eyes t u r n ed even cold er as an in exp licab le au r a

st ar t ed t o em an at e fr om h er b od y. In t h e n ext m om en t , sh e d ir ect ly ch an n eled
h er fift h sou l r in g – t h e b lack on e – an d sh e b egan t o r a d iat e a p r essu r izin g
effu lgen ce as t h e b r illian t color ext en d ed ou t w ar d s.
Fusion Skills
T h e seven p eop le fr om Lon gp eace Acad em y w h o h ad ju st r eleased t h eir

m ar t ial sou ls im m ed iat ely felt t h at som et h in g w as am iss, b eca u se t h ey cou ld feel
a r ap id fall in t em p er at u r e. T h en t h ey saw t h e icy-b lu e h alo of ligh t op p osit e
t h em st ar t in g t o exp an d .
“T h at cr azy w om an is u sin g h er t en t h ou san d year sou l sk ill st r aigh t aw ay.

Ever yon e, b e car efu l,” t h eir t eam lead er cu r sed in a low voice. H e im m ed iat ely
r eleased h is sou l sk ill as h e p r ep ar ed t o r esist ca r efu lly. Fr om h is p er sp ect ive, a
sou l sk ill w it h su ch a lar ge ar ea-of-effect cou ld n ot b e t oo p ow er fu l. If t h ey cou ld
w it h st an d it , t h ey w ou ld cou n t er -at t ack . Aft er all, t h er e w as st r en gt h in
n u m b er s.
H ow ever , h e soon saw som et h in g t h at m ad e h is gaze p au se. In h is field of

vision , t h e ju d ge of t h e com p et it ion , w h o w as sw ift ly m ovin g aw ay fr om t h e
cen t er of t h e ar en a, su d d en ly st u m b led .
T h en , t h is u n lu ck y ju d ge t u r n ed in t o an ice st at u e. H e w as fr ozen in a
r et r eat in g p osit ion .
W h at w as goin g on ?
Befor e t h e p eop le fr om Lon gp eace Acad em y cou ld r eact , t h ey all felt an

im m en se, fr igid ch ill at t h e sam e t im e. It ap p ear ed t o b e com in g st r aigh t for
t h em . T h en , t h eir vision st ar t ed t o b lu r . W h ile t h ey w er e st ill con sciou s, t h eir
m ar t ial sou ls, sou l p ow er , an d even t h eir sou l sk ills w er e fr ozen in t h e ice an d
sn ow .
In an in st an t , t h er e w er e eigh t scu lp t u r es in t h e a r en a.
Lin g Lu och en r et r act ed h er st aff an d t u r n ed t o H u o Yu h ao an d said , “Go, k ick
t h em all d ow n . Rem em b er , u se on ly you r legs an d n ot you r h an d s. T h ese fou l-
m ou t h ed scou n d r els d on ’t w ar r an t su ch r esp ect .”
H u o Yu h ao’s h ear t m issed a b eat . H e t h ou gh t , “T h e sen ior s fr om t h e in n er

cou r t yar d ar e so st r o n g!”
T h e st r at egy t h at Lin g Lu och en h ad ju st u sed w as ver y sim p le. W it h t h e h elp

of H u o Yu h ao, h er ice-elem en t a l at t ack h ad t u r n ed in t o Ult im at e Ice, an d t h en
sh e h ad u sed h er fift h sou l sk ill, t h e Iceb r illian t H alo.
W h ile it w as Ult im a t e Ice, w it h h er p ow er fu l con t r ol of m agic an d elem en t al

m ast er y, sh e w as ab le t o fr eeze h er op p on en t s for a w h ile. Cou p led w it h H u o
Yu h ao’s Ult im a t e Ice, even if h er op p on en t w er e a Sou l Kin g, h e w ou ld b e
u n ab le t o escap e for at least t en m in u t es.
T h is w as t h e t er r ifyin g asp ect of an Ult im at e m ar t ial sou l. If aid ed b y t h e

sam e elem en t , t h e p ow er of Ult im at e Ice w ou ld b ecom e ab n or m ally t er r ifyin g.
T h e au d ien ce an d r ep r esen t at ives fr om t h e var iou s sch ools w er e all

d u m b fou n d ed .
T h e m om en t H u o Yu h ao w alk ed p ast t h e u n for t u n a t e ju d ge, t h e ice cr ack ed ,

an d t h e ju d ge w as a b le t o b r eak fr ee fr om it . H ow ever , h is en t ir e b od y sh iver ed
for a w h ile b ecau se of t h e cold . H e seem ed t o h ave som et h in g t o say, b u t in t h e
en d , h e sw allow ed h is w or d s, w h ich w er e lik ely a w ar n in g again st b eat in g t h e
ju d ges.
If a Sou l Sage cou ld b e fr ozen for a p er iod of t im e, w h at w a s t h er e t o say ab ou t

a Sou l Kin g?
Su b seq u en t ly, t h e ‘b at t le’ ch iefly b eca m e a scen e w h er e all H u o Yu h ao d id

w as k ick t h e seven ice scu lp t u r es t h at en closed t h e m em b er s of Lon gp eace
Acad em y’s t eam . T h e t each er in ch ar ge of t h e acad em y w as d eat h ly afr aid t h at
h is t eam w ou ld b e in ju r ed fr om t h e im p act s, an d r u sh ed d ow n t o cat ch h is
st u d en t s as H u o Yu h ao k ick ed t h em ou t of t h e ar en a. For t u n at ely, H u o Yu h ao
w as gen er ou s en ou gh t o give t h a t t each er en ou gh t im e t o cat ch each of h is
st u d en t s.
T h e ju d ge h a d r eco ver ed fr om h is sh iver s t oo. In sh ock , h e st ar ed at Lin g

Lu och en , w h o h ad alr ead y w it h d r aw n h er m ar t ia l sou l, an d p r oclaim ed ,
“W in n er , Sh r ek Acad em y.”
T h e en t ir e a u d ien ce w as st u n n ed .
J u st as ever yon e t h ou gh t t h at Sh r ek Acad em y w as ou t of t h e figh t , Lin g

Lu och en u sed h er p ow er fu l ice-m an ip u lat ion sk ills t o t ell t h em t h at Sh r ek
Acad em y w as st ill n u m b er on e in t h e con t in en t ! T h ey w er e t h e in vin cib le Sh r ek
Acad em y!
T h e faces of t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g

Acad em y ap p ear ed t o h ave fr ozen over . T h ey seem ed t o h ave lost t h eir ab ilit y t o
t h in k .
In t h e ear lier r ou n d s of t h e com p et it ion , n o m at t er h ow excit in gly Sh r ek

Acad em y b at t led , n o m at t er h ow st r on g t h eir w ill, t h ey w ou ld sh ow t h em
r esp ect at m ost , an d n ever cau t ion . Aft er all, a p r ep ar at or y t eam w as u lt im at ely
a p r ep ar at or y t eam . If t h ey h ad so m u ch d ifficu lt y r esist in g t h e on slau gh t fr om
J u st sk y Acad em y, w h at m or e cou ld b e sa id ab ou t t h em ? Even M a Ru lon g, t h eir
cap t ain , b elieved t h a t vict or y w ou ld u lt im at ely b e t h eir s.
H ow ever , ju st as t h eir h ear t s w er e filled w it h h op e, Lin g Lu och en ap p ear ed

t od ay. Sh e w as ab le t o con t r ol all h er op p on en t s in t h e b lin k of an eye. T h is w as
n ot en ou gh t o sh ock ever yon e fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y. Aft er all, t h ey h ad b een car eless w h en d ealin g w it h h er . W h at
sh ock ed t h em w as t h at t h e ju d ge, a Sou l Sage, w as fr ozen b y h er t oo. Even
t h ou gh t h e ju d ge w as on ly fr ozen for five secon d s, an d h e h a d n ot r eleased h is
m ar t ial sou l, it w as a t est am en t t o Lin g Lu och en ’s p ow er fu l t en t h ou san d year
sou l sk ill.
W h o d ar ed t o say t h at t h ey w ou ld n ot b e im m ob ilized b y h er p ow er fu l sou l
sk ill? In a b at t le, even if on e w as im m ob ilized for a sin gle secon d , t h e
con seq u en ces on t h e ou t com e of t h e b at t le w ou ld b e d ir e! Sh r ek Acad em y on ly
d ep loyed a sin gle So u l Kin g, b u t w as ab le t o st u n ever yon e w it h h er p r ow ess.
T h is w as t est am en t t o t h e aw e of Sh r ek Acad em y.
W h en Lin g Lu och en an d H u o Yu h ao left t h e ar en a, t h e ot h er s fr om Sh r ek

st ar ed a t each ot h er . T h ey k n ew t h e p ow er of t h is icy-cold sou l m ast er , w h o w as
also a m em b er of t h e official t eam .
Lin g Lu och en w as ab le t o m axim ize h er ow n elem en t al p ow er s w it h t h e h elp

of H u o Yu h ao’s Ult im at e Ice. H ow ever , t h e p ow er of h er t en t h ou san d year sou l
sk ill w as equ ally t er r ifyin g t oo! Sk ills w it h an ar ea-of-effect cover age w er e t h e
h ar d est t o con t r ol. Yet , t h ey w er e ab le t o see t h at w h en t h e Iceb r illian t H alo
ap p ear ed , it d id n ot sp r ead ou t in all fou r d ir ect ion s, b u t in st ead w en t st r aigh t
for h er op p on en t s. T h is w as en ou gh t o illu st r a t e h er m ast er y over ice, w h ich sh e
cou ld con t r ol a s w ell as an y ot h er p ar t of h er b od y.
W an g Yan exh aled , an d h is b od y evid en t ly r elaxed . W it h t h e r et u r n of Lin g

Lu och en , Sh r ek Aca d em y r egain ed it s st at u s as a p ow er fu l t eam . As t h e t each er
in ch ar ge of t h is t eam , t h e p r essu r e on h im h ad b een gr eat ly r ed u ced . M a
Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g w ou ld soon r et u r n t oo. T h e u p com in g r ou n d s w o u ld
b e easier for t h em .
Ever sin ce h e h ad b r ou gh t t h e t eam h er e, h e h a d b een u n d er a h u ge am ou n t of

p r essu r e. T h e r esp on sib ilit y on h is sh ou ld er s w as h eavier t h an t h at on t h e
sh ou ld er s of h is st u d en t s. At t h is p oin t , h e cou ld t r u ly t ak e a b r eat h er .
Lik e b efor e, t h e t eam fr om Sh r ek Acad em y d id n ot lin ger lon g. Aft er t h e

com p et it ion , t h ey q u ick ly r et u r n ed t o t h eir h ot el t o r est . Ever yon e w h o st ayed
b eh in d w er e fr om t h e ot h er acad em ies, w h o w er e d iscu ssin g Lin g Lu och en ’s
elem en t al con t r ol w it h gr ea t in t er est . T h e h ot t op ic of t h e d ay w as h ow t o
cou n t er h er .
T h e r ou n d r ob in p or t ion of t h e com p et it ion en t er ed it s fou r t h r ou n d , w h ich
w as also it s m id -p h ase. Sh r ek Acad em y w as in t h e fir st gr ou p , w h ich w a s
com p r ised of eigh t ot h er t eam s. Ever y t eam h ad t o t ak e p ar t in seven r ou n d s of
com p et it ion t o com p let e a cycle.
In t h e n ext t h r ee r ou n d s, Sh r ek Acad em y d id n ot m eet an y op p on en t w h o

p osed a ser iou s t h r eat t o t h em . T h ey w er e on a w in n in g st r eak . Aft er t w o
r ou n d s con sist in g of a on e-on -on e d eat h m at ch an d a gr ou p b at t le, t h ey w er e
ab le t o d efeat t h eir op p on en t s. Fin ally, t h ey w er e ab le t o em er ge vict or iou s in
t h eir gr ou p w it h zer o losses, d r aw in g clo ser t o t h e cr u el elim in at ion r ou n d .
Un exp ect ed ly, t h e ot h er t eam t h at w as ab le t o p r ogr ess t o t h e n ext r ou n d

fr om t h eir gr ou p w as J u st sk y Acad em y, w h o h ad cau sed so m u ch t r ou b le for
t h em b efor e.
As t h e ot h er gr ou p s h ad n in e t eam s each , t h ey w er e ab le t o ob t ain t h r ee fu ll

d ays of r est aft er t h is r ou n d -r ob in cycle en d ed .
M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g h ad b y n ow fu lly r ecover ed fr om t h eir in ju r ies.

H ow ever , t h ey d id n ot p ar t icip at e in t h e r ou n d r ob in p or t ion of t h e
com p et it ion . T h ey d id n ot even go d ow n t o t h e ar en a. T h is w as p ar t of W an g
Yan ’s st r at egy. Con cealin g t h eir t r u e p ow er w ou ld b e im m en sely b en eficial t o
t h e su b seq u en t r ou n d s of t h e com p et it ion .
In t h ese few d ays, Sh r ek Acad em y r eceived a lot of good n ew s. Xiao Xiao h ad

m or e or less r ecover ed com p let ely, an d aft er t h at d ifficu lt b at t le, sh e w as ab le t o
b r eak t h r ou gh h er Ran k 30 b ot t len eck . All sh e n eed ed w as a t h ir d so u l r in g.
Aft er exp er ien cin g m an y ar d u ou s b at t les an d r elen t less session s of

cu lt ivat ion , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g b ot h exp er ien ced an in cr ease of a sin gle
r an k in sou l p ow er . W an g Don g's sou l p ow er w as n ow a t Ran k 32, w h ile H u o
Yu h ao's w as at Ran k 28, b r in gin g h im a st ep closer t o Ran k 30 .
W h at w as even m or e d eligh t fu l w as t h eir exp er im en t at ion w it h t h e m ar t ial

sou l fu sion sk ill. H ow ever , t h ey d id n ot k n ow w h at t h eir r at e of su ccess w as.
On ly W an g Yan k n ew t h at . At lea st , t h ey h ad exp er im en t ed w it h t h e ot h er t h r ee
com b in at ion s, an d t h ey h ad b een ab le t o ach ieve b r eak t h r ou gh s as t h ey t r ied
ou t t h ese t h r ee com b in at ion s.
Xu San sh i r em ain ed in b ed for five d ays b efor e Bei Bei fin ally k ick ed h im ou t
of it . H e w as sh am eless in d eed . T o r eceive J ian g Nan n an ’s car e, h e h ad
r em ain ed p er sist en t ly in b ed as h e m oan ed ab ou t h is p r ed ica m en t n on -st op . H e
t h ou gh t t h at t h is w ou ld im p r ove J ia n g Nan n an ’s at t it u d e t ow ar d h im , b u t
ever yon e k n ew t h at it w as a on e-sid ed affair . J ian g Nan n an st ill t r ea t ed h im
cold ly.
As ever yon e r ecover ed fr om t h eir in ju r ies, Sh r ek Acad em y r et u r n ed t o p eak

con d it ion . T h eir p ow er m igh t n ot yet b e com p ar ab le t o t h e or igin al official
t eam , b u t it w as n ot t oo far off.
Aft er all, t h e t w o Sou l Em p er or s an d m ain con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er of t h e

or igin al official t ea m w er e st ill p r esen t . Cou p led w it h Bei Bei, w h ose m ar t ial
sou l cou ld evolve in t o t h e Gold en H oly Dr agon , an d Xu San sh i, w h ose m ar t ial
sou l cou ld evolve in t o a Xu an w u , a p ow er fu l Sou l An cest or , a n d t h e excep t ion al
p ow er s of t h e r est , t h eir over all st r en gt h w as st ill t er r ifyin g.
“T h e p air in g for t h e elim in at ion r o u n d is ou t ,” W an g Yan said in a d eep voice.

H e h ad ju st r et u r n ed fr om t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s p alace, w h er e h e h ad d r aw n
lot s. Aft er w ar d s, h e gat h er ed ever yon e for a b r iefin g.
“For t h e Rou n d of 16, ou r op p on en t is a fam iliar on e. T h ey ar e t h e p r em ier

acad em y fr om t h e Dou Lin g Em p ir e, t h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l Acad em y.”
W h en t h ey h ear d t h e n am e ‘Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l Acad em y’, a look cr ossed

t h e faces of M a Xiaot ao, Lin g Lu och en an d Dai Yu eh en g.
M a Xiaot ao ar ch ed h er b r ow s an d ask ed , “W h y d id w e m eet t h em so ear ly

on ?”
Xiao Xiao ask ed cu r iou sly, “H ow p ow er fu l is t h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l
Acad em y?”
M a Xiaot ao said , “T h ey w er e in t h e t op fou r in t h e p r eviou s t ou r n am en t ,

t h at ’s h ow p ow er fu l t h ey ar e. T h ey ar e m u ch st r on ger t h an t h e J u st sk y
Acad em y w h o you m et ear lier on . T each er W an g, h ow p ow er fu l ar e t h e
m em b er s of t h eir d elegat ion t h is t im e?”
W an g Yan said , “T h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l Acad em y’s official t eam is
com p r ised of five Sou l Kin gs an d t w o Sou l An cest or s. T h ey ar e p ow er fu l in d eed .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey ar e n ot in flexib le in t h eir ap p r oach . W h ile t h ey ar e an
ad van ced sou l aca d em y, t h ey ar e also t h e p r em ier sou l en gin eer in g aca d em y.
T h r ou gh m y ob ser vat ion s, I h ave r ea lized t h a t ever y sin gle on e of t h eir
d elegat ion p ossesses a sou l t ool, an d t h ey ar e ab le t o w ield t h em efficien t ly in
b at t le. At lea st t w o of t h em ar e sou l en gin eer s, w h ich m ean s t h at t h ey ar e Sou l
Kin gs w it h sou l t ools. T h is is a d ifficu lt op p on en t .”
Chapt er 98.1: A Top-r anked Auct ion
“T each er W an g, w e q u alified fr om t h e r ou n d -r ob in r ou n d in fir st p lace, an d

w it h t h eir st r en gt h , t h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l Acad em y sh ou ld ’ve d on e t h e
sam e as w ell. If t h a t ’s t h e case, w h y ar e w e figh t in g t h em ? Ar en ’t t h e n u m b er
on e t eam s su p p osed t o on ly get t h e secon d p lace t eam s in t h e r ou n d of 16?” Dai
Yu eh en g ask ed su sp iciou sly.
W an g Yan said , “In t er m s of over all st r en gt h , t h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Acad em y

sh ou ld ’ve b een fir st p lace in t h eir gr ou p . H ow ever , t h at w asn ’t t h e case. A b lack
h or se w h ich also h a d a st r eak of con secu t ive w in s a n d n o losses ap p ear ed in
t h eir gr ou p . Yet , t h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Acad em y for feit ed t h eir m at ch w it h t h a t
b lack h or se for n o r eason . T h at ’s w h y t h ey qu alified in secon d p lace. I d id n ’t
t h in k t h at w e’d m eet t h em .”
“W as t h er e a p r ob lem ?” M a Xiaot ao asked , “T h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Acad em y

is also a w ell-k n ow n sch ool. T h ey m u st ’ve k n ow n t h e im p or t an ce of t h e gr ou p
m at ch es, an d w h at fir st p lace sign ifies. J u st w h at w ou ld m ak e t h em give u p t h a t
fir st p lace sp ot ? Ar e t h ey t r yin g t o p r eser ve t h eir st r en gt h for a sin gle at t ack ?”
W an g Yan r ep lied , “I’ve also t h ou gh t ab ou t t h is. T h e on ly d iffer en ce b et w een

fir st an d secon d p la ce in t h e q u alifier r o u n d s lies in t h e r ou n d of 16. It d oesn ’t
h old an y sign ifican ce aft er t h is m at ch . T h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l Acad em y
m u st ’ve d on e t h is for a r eason , an d t h ey m u st ’ve con cealed it w ell. W e’ll on ly b e
ab le t o see w h y in t h e m at ch . For t u n at ely, w e’ve k ep t t h e fact t h at you an d
Yu eh en g ar e p ar t icip at in g in t h is m at ch a secr et as w ell. W it h you gu ys lead in g
t h e t eam , t h er e sh ou ld n ’t b e t oo b ig of a p r ob lem . Ok ay, I’m goin g t o exp lain t h e
r u les of ou r n ext elim in at ion r ou n d .”
“Over t h e t en t h ou san d year s t h at t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l Du ellin g

T ou r n am en t h a s b een h eld , it s r u les h a ve n ever ch an ged . T h is is esp ecially so
for t h e fin al elim in at ion r ou n d s. T o m ake t h e t ou r n am en t m or e in t er est in g, as
w ell as t o b et t er d isp lay t h e com p r eh en sive st r en gt h s of t h e p ar t icip at in g
acad em ies, t h e t ou r n am en t for m at w ill ch an ge sligh t ly fr om p r eviou s m at ch es.
T h e elim in a t ion r ou n d s w on ’t b e d ecid ed u sin g lot -d r aw in g as p er p r eviou s
m at ch es. Each m a t ch w ill b e h eld over t w o d ays, an d b ot h a t eam b at t le an d an
in d ivid u al k n ock ou t r ou n d w ill b e h eld . W in n in g t h e t eam figh t d oesn ’t m ean
t h at you ’ll d efin it ely p r oceed t o t h e n ext r ou n d ; if you can d efeat all seven of
you r op p on en t s u sin g on ly t h r ee m em b er s, you ’ll b e ab le t o over t u r n t h e
ou t com e of t h e t eam m at ch . On t h e ot h er h an d , t h e t eam t h at w in s t h e t eam
figh t can gu ar an t ee t h eir ad van ce in t o t h e n ext st age b y d efeat in g t h r ee of t h eir
op p on en t s u sin g sev en t eam m em b er s.”
“T h ese t ou r n am en t r u les b ot h illu st r at e t h e im p or t an ce of a t eam ’s over all

st r en gt h an d give a ch an ce t o t eam s w h ich h ave st r on g in d ivid u als. For
exam p le, ou r t eam h as Sou l Em p er or s lik e M a Xiaot ao an d Da i Yu eh en g. Even if
w e lose t h e t eam figh t , t h ey m igh t b e ab le t o sh in e in t h e in d ivid u a l m at ch es an d
d efeat all seven of t h eir op p on en t s b y t h em selves. In t h a t case, w e cou ld st ill
w in t h e elim in at ion r ou n d . Becau se of t h at , alt h ou gh t h e elim in at ion r ou n d
t est s ou r st r en gt h as a com p let e w h ole, it gives a gr ea t ch an ce t o st r on g
in d ivid u als. T r u ly p ow er fu l acad em ies w ill d efin it ely t r y ext r em ely h ar d t o
n u r t u r e t h eir b est st u d en t s, an d on e r eason for t h at is t o allow t h em t o t u r n t h e
t id es in t h e elim in at ion r ou n d ’s in d iv id u a l m at ch es.”
T h e fact t h at t h e elim in at ion r ou n d w as act u ally h eld in a w ay lik e t h is w as

som et h in g t h a t n ob od y h ad im agin ed . H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “T each er W an g, t h en
w h at h ap p en s in t h e 1v1 figh t s if a t ea m m em b er is in ju r ed or over -exh au st ed
fr om t h e t eam figh t ? ”
W an g Yan r ep lied , “T h en it ’ll d ep en d on t h e st r en gt h of t h at t eam ’s b en ch .

Ever y acad em y t h at ’s p ar t icip at in g in t h is t ou r n am en t h as t o h ave a p r ep ar at or y
t eam , ju st lik e w h at you gu ys or igin ally w er e. If som et h in g lik e w h at you ’ve ju st
said occu r s t o an official t eam m em b er , a m em b er fr om t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam
w ill h ave t o t ak e t h eir p lace.”
“Bei Bei, Xu San sh i. T h e t w o of you sh ou ld ’ve r ecover ed alr ea d y. W ou ld it b e
p ossib le for t h e t w o of you t o u se you r ab ilit ies if you w er e t o p ar t icip at e in t h e
elim in at ion r ou n d ?”
W an g Yan w as n at u r ally r efer r in g t o Bei Bei’s Gold en H oly Dr agon an d Xu

San sh i’s Xu an w u .
Bei Bei n od d ed . “I sh ou ld b e ab le t o. M y m ar t ial sou l d oesn ’t get st r en gt h en ed

as m u ch as Xu San sh i’s. H ow ever , it all d ep en d s on w h et h er I can m ak e it com e
ou t . Aft er u sin g it on ce, I’ll h ave t o w ait t h r ee d ays t o u se it again , ju st lik e t h e
fu sion sk ill m y ju n ior b r ot h er s u se. Also, I’ll on ly h ave t h e p ow er t o u n leash a
sin gle at t ack . I’ll on ly b e ab le t o st ab ilise t h is p ow er on ce I b ecom e a seven -
r in ged Sou l Sage.”
Xu San sh i h ad a b it t er look on h is face as h e said , “I can ’t say for su r e, b ecau se

I can ’t con t r ol it . A var iat ion lik e t h at o n ly occu r s t o m y m ar t ial sou l w h en I
r eceive an esp ecially in t en se st im u lat ion . H ow ever , I’m t h e sam e as Bei Bei.
On ce I b ecom e a Sou l Sage, ever yt h in g w ill b e fin e.”
W an g Yan n od d ed sligh t ly. “I u n d er st an d . Now , I’ll m ak e ar r an gem en t s for

t h e t eam m em b er s w h o ar e p ar t icip at in g in t om or r ow ’s m a t ch . On ce w e en t er
t h e elim in at ion r ou n d , w e can ’t b e slop p y at all. Ou r u p com in g op p on en t s w er e
w it h in t h e t op 4 of t h e last t ou r n am en t , an d so w e’ll d efin it ely h ave t o go all-
ou t . M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, Lin g Lu och en , Bei Bei, Xu Sa n sh i, H u o Yu h ao,
an d W an g Don g. T h e seven of you ar e p ar t icip at in g in t h e t ea m figh t t om or r ow .
Lin g Lu och en an d H u o Yu h ao w ill b e t h e m ain con t r oller s in t h e t eam , an d
ever yon e else w ill lau n ch fr on t a l at t ack s t o sm a sh ou r op p on en t s w it h ou r
st r en gt h . Cait ou , you ’ll h ave t o go m ak e a few cigar s an d d ist r ib u t e t h em t o
ever yon e so t h ey’ll b e ab le t o u se t h em d u r in g t h e m a t ch .”
“Yes.” H e Cait ou an sw er ed .
Xiao Xiao cu r led h er lip s an d sa id , “It ’s got n ot h in g t o d o w it h m e t h en .”

W an g Yan sm iled sligh t ly. “Seein g t h a t w e’r e n ear t h e en d of t h e t ou r n am en t ,
n ob od y can gu ar an t ee t h at w e w on ’t su ffer an y in ju r ies. As ben ch w ar m er s, you
gu ys ar e also im p or t an t . You all h ave alr ead y p er for m ed ver y w ell d u r in g t h e
ear lier p ar t s of t h e t ou r n am en t . You , Nan n an , an d Cait ou also h ave t o m ak e
p r ep ar at ion s t o go ou t an d figh t at an y t im e. Now , I’ll t alk ab ou t t h e st r at egies
w e’ll u se in t om or r ow ’s t eam figh t . No m at t er w h at t h at Dou Lin g Im p er ial
Acad em y h as p r ep ar ed , w e’ll h ave t o give t h em a sh ow of st r en gt h .”
W it h t h e r et u r n of t h e t w o Sou l Em p er or s, t h e cu r r en t W an g Yan w as filled

w it h con fid en ce t o w in . T h ey st ill h a d t o go t h r ou gh fou r m or e elim in at ion
r ou n d s t o secu r e t h eir sp ot as ch am p ion s, an d alt h ou gh t h e follow in g m at ch es
w ou ld b e ver y t ou gh , it w ou ld n ’t b e as t ou gh as t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam facin g off
again st J u st sk y Acad em y.
At t h is exact m om en t , som eon e su d d en ly k n ock ed on t h e d oor t o t h e

con fer en ce r oom .
W an g Yan fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s an d sh ou t ed in a low voice, “Did n ’t w e t ell t h e

ser vice st aff t o n ot d ist u r b u s?”
A p leasan t , fem ale voice r an g ou t fr om ou t sid e t h e d oor . “Sor r y for t h e

in t er r u p t ion s. I’m n ot a m em b er of t h e ser vice st aff; I’ve com e fr om t h e
St ar ligh t Au ct ion .”
T h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion ? W an g Yan cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel st u n n ed for a b r ief

m om en t aft er h ear in g t h is som ew h at fam iliar voice. T h e p er son w h o w as
n ear est t o t h e d oor --Bei Bei--st ood u p a n d sh ot W an g Yan a qu est ion in g look .
Aft er seein g W an g Yan give h im a n od of assu r an ce, h e w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e d oor
an d op en ed it .
A w om an w ear in g a b lack ch eon gsam w as st an d in g ou t sid e t h e d oor . Bein g

t w en t y-eigh t t o t w en t y-n in e year s old , sh e p ossessed a m at u r e ch ar m an d an
occasion al air of you t h .
H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est all r ecogn ised h er ; sh e w as t h e au ct ion eer w h o h ad
h eld t h e au ct ion t h ey’d p ar t icip at ed in t h at d ay, Qin g Ya.
Qin g Ya’s gaze d ir ect ly lan d ed on W an g Yan as sh e sm iled an d gr eet ed h im ,

“H ello, T each er W an g Yan . I h ave t o ap ologise for t ak in g t h e lib er t y t o d ist u r b
you .”
W an g Yan ’s gaze soft en ed som ew h at as h e saw t h at t h e in t r u d er w as Qin g Ya.

H e ask ed in a low voice, “Do you h ave som et h in g for u s, au ct ion eer Qin g Ya?
Also, h ow d id you fin d u s h er e?”
Chapt er 98.2: A Top-r anked Auct ion
Qin g Ya ap ologised , “W h en you cam e t o t h e au ct ion last t im e, you u sed Sh r ek

Acad em y’s accou n t t o set t le t h e b ill. T h u s, w e n at u r ally gu essed at you r or igin s.
Aft er m ak in g a few in q u ir ies, w e w er e ab le t o fin d w h er e you w er e. Ou r
St ar ligh t Au ct ion is h ost in g a t op -r an k ed au ct ion t on igh t , a n d an au ct ion lik e
t h is w ill on ly b e h eld on ce or t w ice a year . On ly ou r m ost r esp ect ed h on or ab le
gu est s r eceive a n in vit at ion fr om u s t o at t en d . Last t im e, w e d id n ’t k n ow t h a t
you cam e fr om t h e con t in en t ’s n u m b er on e acad em y--Sh r ek Acad em y--an d t h u s
w e m ist ak en ly n eglect ed you . Ou r au ct ion ’s b oss h as ask ed m e t o d eliver t h is
in vit a t ion ca r d t o you . If all of you h ave som e fr ee t im e t on igh t , you ar e
w elcom e t o p ar t icip at e in ou r au ct ion . I b elieve t h at t h er e w ill d efin it ely b e a
few in t er est in g t h in gs at t on igh t ’s au ct ion .”
As sh e sp ok e, sh e p laced an in vit at ion car d on t h e t ab le. T h en , sh e h eld h er

sm ile as sh e b ow ed an d said , “T h en , I w on ’t d ist u r b all of you an ym or e. On ce
again , I ap ologise.” W it h t h a t , sh e slow ly m oved b ack w ar d s an d closed t h e d oor
aft er h er .
W an g Yan squ in t ed h is eyes as h e saw t h e b eau t ifu l, gold en in vit a t ion let t er ,
“T h is St ar ligh t Au ct ion is im p r essive. Eleven in vit at ion let t er s, an d n ot on e less.
T h ey w er e even ab le t o ign or e t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s b lock ad e ar ou n d t h is h o t el
t o d eliver t h is let t er . T h ey’r e t r u ly sk illed !”
Dai Yu eh en g t ook an in vit a t ion let t er an d glan ced over it . “It ’s act u ally a t op -
r an k ed au ct ion . T h a t au ct ion eer w asn ’t w r on g--an au ct ion lik e t h is is on ly h eld
on ce or t w ice a year . In t h e p ast , even I d id n ’t h a ve t h e qu alificat ion s t o
p ar t icip at e in it . On ly m y d ad , t h e m em b er s of t h e r oyal fam ily, lar ge
b u sin essm en , an d t op -r an k ed sou l m ast er s an d en gin eer s w er e allow ed t o
p ar t icip at e in t h em . T h er e d efin it ely w o n ’t b e a lack of good t h in gs sold t h er e,
b u t t h ey’r e ext r em ely exp en sive. T h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion sh ou ld ju st b e t r yin g t o
est ab lish a good r elat ion sh ip w it h ou r acad em y; t h ey sh ou ld n ’t h ave an y
u lt er ior m ot ives. T each er W an g, w h at d o you t h in k ab ou t t h is?”
W an g Yan look ed b r iefly at ever yon e, an d saw a h op efu l ligh t in a ll of t h eir

eyes. T h ey w er e in d eed t h e m ost ou t st an d in g sou l m ast er s am on g t h eir p eer s,
b u t t h ey w er e st ill a b u n ch of k id s. T h ey w er e sim ila r ly in t er est ed in n ew
t h in gs. M or eover , a t op -r an k ed au ct ion lik e t h is cou ld n ’t b e ea sily en t er ed !
“Ok ay. Sin ce ever yon e’s b een com p et in g all t h is w h ile, w e sh ou ld r elax for a
b it . H ow ever , w e sh ou ld k eep ou r eyes op en an d ou r m ou t h s sh u t t o avoid
t r ou b le. T om or r ow ’s m at ch is of t h e u t m ost im p or t an ce. On ce t h e au ct ion en d s,
w e’ll im m ed ia t ely h ead b ack t o t h e h ot el t o r est .”
“Lon g live T each er W an g!” Xiao Xiao w as t h e fir st p er son t o ju m p t o h er feet .

H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g, an d t h e ot h er s all h ad excit ed exp r ession s on t h eir
faces.
T h ey h ad b een filled w it h cu r iosit y t h e last t im e t h ey h ad gon e t o t h e

St ar ligh t Au ct ion . M or eover , t h e last a u ct ion t h ey h ad at t en d ed w as m er ely a
low -r an k ed on e w h ich on ly sold a sin gle sou l t ool. T h e au ct ion t h ey w er e ab ou t
t o at t en d w as d iffer en t ; it w as a t op -r a n k ed on e. W h at k in d s of good s w ou ld
ap p ear in it ? T h ey con t r ar ily h ad n o h op es of ob t ain in g an yt h in g fr om t h is
au ct ion , an d w ish ed t o p ar t icip at e m er ely t o gain som e k n ow led ge.
W an g Yan ch id ed t h em w it h a sm ile, “You r ascals! Get you r m in d s b ack t o t h e

t op ic at h an d . I’m goin g t o or gan ise ou r st r at egy for t om or r ow ’s m at ch .”
T h e st r at egic p lan n in g t h ey u n d er w en t d id n ’t t ak e t oo m u ch t im e. Aft er t h a t ,

t h ey r et u r n ed t o t h eir r esp ect ive r oom s t o cu lt iva t e all t h e w ay t ill d in n er t im e,
w h en t h ey sw it ch ed in t o a set of or d in a r y clot h es. W it h t h e in vit at ion let t er s
fr om t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion in h an d , t h e eleven of t h em w en t b ack t o t h e a u ct ion
h ou se, w it h W an g Yan lead in g t h em .
Ast on ish in gly, au ct ion eer Qin g Ya w as alr ead y w ait in g for t h em b y t h e
en t r an ce. Clot h ed in a b lack ch eon gsam , sh e look ed even m or e elegan t an d
n ob le u n d er t h e n igh t ligh t s. H er ch a r m in g face w as filled w it h a w ar m sm ile.
W an g Yan m et h er gaze, t h en n od d ed sligh t ly. “H ello, au ct ion eer Qin g Ya. W e

m eet again .”
Qin g Ya h ad a d eligh t ed look on h er face as sh e said , “Dist in gu ish ed gu est s,

w elcom e.”
“H ow d id you k n ow t h at w e’d d efin it ely com e?” W an g Yan ask ed .
Qin g Ya sh ook h er h ead . “I d id n ’t , b u t I w as t ask ed t o r eceive all of you .

Regar d less of w h et h er you t u r n ed u p , I w ou ld ’ve w ait ed h er e u n t il t h e au ct ion
for m ally st ar t ed . Gu est s, p lease follow Qin g Ya.”
W it h t h at , sh e sh ot a sw eet sm ile t ow ar d s W an g Yan an d elegan t ly led t h em

for w ar d .
Xu San sh i, w h o w as st an d in g b eh in d t h em , w h isp er ed t o Bei Bei w it h a q u iet

lau gh in g, “If t h is la d y au ct ion eer sm iles a t T each er W an g a few m or e t im es, I’m
afr aid t h at h is sou l w ill b e t ak en aw ay b y h er . Sh e t r u ly h as a ver y m at u r e
ch ar m !”
Bei Bei glan ced a t h im . “St u p id .”
As t h e t w o of t h em sp ok e, t h ey h ad alr ead y en t er ed t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion .
T h e in t er ior of t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion w as id en t ical t o t h eir p r eviou s visit .

T h er e w as n o in for m at ion ab ou t t od ay’s t op -r an k ed au ct ion t h at h ad sp r ead t o
t h e p u b lic. Led b y Qin g Ya, t h ey w alk ed t ow ar d s it s in n er p ar t s, q u ick ly p assin g
b y t h e au ct ion h all t h ey h ad en t er ed last t im e.
Aft er r each in g t h e en d of t h e cor r id or , t w o you n g lad ies w h o w er e cla d in

gold en ch eon gsam s w alk ed u p t o t h em . T h ey bow ed in W an g Yan ’s d ir ect ion
an d gr eet ed h im , t h en exch an ged a few w or d s w it h Qin g Ya . Aft er t h at , a gir l
t u r n ed t ow ar d t h e w all an d p r essed on it w it h h er r igh t h an d .
Im m ed iat ely, a b izar r e scen e occu r r ed . W ave-lik e r ip p les st ar t ed t o ap p ear on

t h e w all, an d a few la yer s of ligh t gr ad u a lly st ab ilised on it .
As t h e gir l p r essed h er h an d on t h e w all, a p at t er n of ligh t sw ep t h or izon t ally

acr oss it . Aft er t h a t , t h e w all slow ly sp lit in t o t w o w it h a b u zz, r evealin g a p at h
w it h in .
Un lik e t h e d azzlin g gold ou t sid e, t h is p a t h w as p u r e w h it e. It d id n ’t h ave t h e

cold n ess of w h it e, b u t a u n iq u e feelin g t h at w as filled w it h soft n ess an d r ealism .
T h e floor , r oof, an d w alls w er e t iled w it h a sem i t r an slu cen t w h it e jad e, b elow

w h ich cou ld b e seen fain t ly h id d en p at t er n s. H ow ever , t h ese h id d en p a t t er n s
cou ld n ’t b e seen clea r ly. Yet , t h is r oom w as clear ly m u ch m or e r efin ed t h an t h e
ou t sid e p assage.
T h e soft , w h it e ligh t p er m eat ed t h e cor r id or fr om a ll d ir ect ion s, w h ile t h e

t w o sid es of t h e r oom h ad h alos of b lu e ligh t t h a t con ver ged t o for m a lin e.
Qin g Ya exp lain ed soft ly, “T h is is t h e Nu m b er On e au ct ion t h at w e u se t o

con d u ct t op -r an k ed au ct ion s. On ly ou r m ost d ist in gu ish ed gu est s w ill b e in vit ed
h er e t o p ar t ak e in a n au ct ion . I’m on ly h er e b ecau se of you d ist in gu ish ed gu est s.
Ot h er w ise, t h er e’s n o w ay t h at I’d h ave t h e qu alifica t ion s t o en t er t h is p lace
w it h m y au ct ion eer r an k .”
W an g Yan d id n ’t b at an eyelid as h e said , “Look in g at w h at you ’r e w ear in g

n ow , it seem s lik e yo u ’ve b een p r om ot ed !”
Qin g Ya sm iled . “I also h ave t o t h an k all of you for t h at . I w as ab le t o

accu m u lat e en ou gh m er it s t o b ecom e a b lack -r an k ed a u ct ion eer b y sellin g t h e
Om in ou s Sou l-Devo u r in g Kn ife last t im e. Ever yon e, p lease com e in sid e.” W it h
t h at , sh e slow ly led t h e w ay. T w o gir ls in gold en ch eon gsam s, w h o look ed t o b e
ar ou n d eigh t een or n in et een , cam e u p t o gr eet t h em .
Aft er w alk in g a sh or t d ist an ce for w ar d , d oor s st ar t ed t o ap p ear on eit h er sid e
of t h e w alls. Qin g Ya t ook t h em in t o on e t h at w as n u m b er ed seven .
Chapt er 99.1: Top Qualit y Goods & The Pr incess
T h is w as a r oom t h at w as r ou gh ly t w o h u n d r ed squ ar e m et er s in su r face ar ea,

an d t h e d ecor at ion s w er e as p osh an d ext r avagan t as t h ey cou ld b e. T h er e w er e
exot ic w ood an d jad e st on es, a lon g w it h ot h er fu r n it u r e an d d ecor at ive it em s
t h at p eop le cou ld t ell w it h on e look w er e h igh ly valu ab le. T h e or n am en t s
ar ou n d t h e r oom w er e filled w it h gar ish n ess, yet t h ey gave off a feelin g of
elegan ce t h at on e sim p ly cou ld n ’t h elp b u t p r aise.
T h is w as in sid e t h e fir st au ct ion h all o f t h e gr eat St a r ligh t Au ct ion , in t h e

seven t h r oom , an d it w as ost en t at iou s.
T h e en t ir e r oom w as r ect an gu lar , an d t h e lon ger sid e of t h e w all w as cr yst al

clear w it h a r a d ian t w h it e h u e. T h is w as t h e on ly w all w it h ou t a sin gle
d ecor at ive elem en t .
T h e sp r aw lin g sofa w as m ad e fr om t h e sk in of an u n k n ow n b east , an d t h e

lon g w h it e fu r w as in cr ed ib ly soft an d t en d er . An yon e sit t in g on t h e sofa w ou ld
en joy t h e com for t ab le feelin g of sin k in g in t o t h e w h ole t h in g, an d yet t h er e w as
en ou gh su p p or t .
T h e sofa w as lar ge en ou gh t o accom m od at e t w elve p eop le. T h er e w er e also all

k in d s of r efr esh m en t s an d con d im en t s laid ou t on t h e jad e t ab le st an d at t h e
sid e. H u o Yu h ao q u ick ly r ealized t h at h e h ad n ever even seen t h e t h in gs laid ou t
on t h e t ab le b efor e, n ot even a sin gle k in d of fr u it .
Ever yb od y w as ju st com for t ab ly sp r ead in g ou t on t h e lon g sofa. Qin g Ya, t h e

au ct ion eer , an d t h e t w o ot h er you n g gir ls clad in flow in g gold en d r esses st ayed
b ack . Qin g Ya w as st an d in g b y t h e sid e of t h e sofa an d gr in n ed as sh e said , “I
w ill exp lain t h e r u les of ou r t op -r an k ed au ct ion .”
As sh e sp ok e, sh e sign aled t o t h e t w o you n g gir ls b esid e h er .

On e of t h e gir ls st ep p ed over t o t h e sm oot h w all an d t ap p ed ligh t ly on it s
su r face. In st an t ly, a layer of gen t le ligh t st ar t ed t o r ad iat e fr o m t h e en t ir e w all,
w h ich gr ad u ally b ecam e st r on ger u n t il t h e en t ir e w all even t u ally t r an sfor m ed
in t o an en or m ou s scr een .
All t h is fell in t o H u o Yu h ao’s eyes as h e t u r n ed t ow ar d s H e Cait ou w it h an

ast on ish ed look . H e Cait ou w as t h e fir st t o sp eak as h e cou ld n ’t h elp b u t ask , “Is
t h is a sou l t ool?”
Qin g Ya n od d ed h er h ead an d r ep lied , “T h is is a cu st om -m ad e sou l ligh t

scr een t h a t w e sp ecially ob t ain ed fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. It can d isp lay
im ages via an esot er ic m et h od , b u t it s for m at ion ar r ays ar e n ot act ivat ed b y sou l
p ow er – in st ead , t h ey’r e act ivat ed b y a k in d of or e fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e.”
It w asn ’t ju st H u o Yu h ao an d H e Ca it ou w h o r eact ed in sh ock at h er

st at em en t – t h e ot h er m em b er s of Sh r ek sh ar ed t h e sam e con fou n d m en t .
W h at d id u sin g or es t o act ivat e sou l t ools su ggest ? It im p lied t h a t sou l

en gin eer s n o lon ger n eed ed t o exp en d an y sou l p ow er t o u se sou l t ools! T h e
valu e of t h is t o t h e w or ld of sou l t ools w as sim p ly t oo gr eat .
Qin g Ya w as ad ep t at r ea d in g p eop le’s em ot ion s, an d it w as on ly n at u r al t h at

sh e p ick ed u p on t h e b efu d d lem en t fr om h er au d ien ce, b ecau se sh e qu ick ly t r ied
t o exp lain . “Don ’t b e t oo h ast y ever yon e, an d w ait for m e t o fin ish m y
exp lan at ion . Even t h ou gh t h is ligh t -d ir ect in g scr een is act ivat ed b y or e, t h is
k in d of or e em an at es an ext r em ely w eak an d gen t le en er gy, an d t h er e’s n o w ay
it can act ivat e offen sive or d efen sive sou l t ools. All it can d o is car r y ou t t h e
ligh t er t ask s of w eak sou l t ools.”
Qin g Ya gave a m ost logical an d sen sib le exp lan at ion , b u t t h e con fu sion an d
b ew ild er m en t in t h e h ear t s of h er au d ien ce h ad n ot b een fu lly d isp elled yet .
Per h ap s it w as t r u e t h at t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h ad yet t o d iscover a m et h od t o

act ivat e sou l t ools w it h ou t u sin g Sou l p ow er . H ow ever , t h is sou l ligh t scr een
w as evid en ce of h ow ad van ced t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w as in t er m s of t h e
d evelop m en t of so u l t ools. W an g Yan ’s sp eech ab ou t t h e fu t u r e d r ift ed t o t h e
for efr on t of ever yon e’s m in d s, an d ever yon e st ar t ed t o feel h eavy in t h eir
h ear t s. T im es w er e ever -ch an gin g, civilizat ion w as alw ays ad van cin g, an d so u l
t ools w er e con t in u o u sly b ein g d evelop ed as w ell. T h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h ad
n ever b een t oo k een ab ou t in t er act in g w it h ot h er n at ion s, so n ob od y r eally
k n ew t h e exact ext en t t o w h ich t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h ad m ad e ad van cem en t s
in t h eir r esea r ch on sou l t ools. Befor e lon g, t h ey w ou ld b e facin g t h e Su n M oon
Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y.
T h e Ligh t -T r an sm it t in g Scr een w a s b ecom in g clear er . Som e im ages w er e

d isp layed on eit h er sid e, w h ile an a u ct io n st at ion w as p r esen t ed in t h e m id d le.
T h e au ct ion d id n ’t seem ver y b ig, b u t w a s p r esen t ed on t h e scr een w it h ext r em e
clar it y.
Qin g Ya con t in u ed , “In or d er t o p r ot ect t h e p r ivacy of t h e p ar t icip an t s of t h is

t op -r an k ed a u ct ion , all valu ed gu est s w ill h ave t h eir ow n d esign at ed r oom s, ju st
lik e t h e on e ever yon e is in r igh t n ow . All view in g an d t h e con t est for it em s u p
for au ct ion w ill b e car r ied ou t in sid e t h is r oom , an d I w ill b e r esp on sib le for
in t r od u cin g t h e it em s u p for au ct ion in d et ail. T h ese t w o gir ls w ill r ep or t t h e
q u ot at ion s d u r in g t h e au ct ion .”
“All you h ave t o d o is q u ot e t h e p r ice. Ever yt h in g in h er e – t h e food an d

r efr esh m en t s – a r e com p lim en t ar y. Aft er t h e a u ct ion , t h e it em s w ill b e sen t in t o
t h e r oom as soon as p ossib le an d w ill b e set t led w it h a fin al over all b ill at t h e
en d of ever yt h in g. As ou r gu est s, you can gr ab som et h in g t o eat b efor e w e
officially b egin t h e au ct ion .” Ever yb od y h ad ju st h ad a m eal n ot t oo lon g ago,
an d n ob od y w as t oo in t er est ed in t h e food st u ffs. H ow ever , t h e allu r in g d r in k s
w er e t oo t em p t in g t o r esist , an d som e of t h em r each ed ou t t o t r y t h em .
T h e t op -r an k ed St a r ligh t Au ct ion w as w or t h y of it s n am e. T h e d r in k s w er e
n ot on ly d eliciou s, t h ey w er e as n u t r it iou s as t h e food p r ovid ed t o t h e cor e
d iscip les of Sh r ek Acad em y it self. H u o Yu h ao on ly h ad a sin gle glass of fr u it
p u n ch an d h e cou ld alr ead y feel a com for t ab le w ar m t h cou r sin g t h r ou gh h is
b od y.
W an g Yan said t o Qin g Ya, “Au ct ion eer Qin g Ya, p lease h ave a seat as w ell.”
Qin g Ya d id n ’t r eject t h is offer , an d aft er t ilt in g h er h ea d w it h a w id e sm ile on

h er face, t ook a seat b esid e h im . W an g Yan h u r r ied ly sh ift ed t o t h e sid e t o cr eat e
som e sp ace b et w een t h e t w o of t h em b efor e h is face flu sh ed r ed . H e w asn ’t
you n g an ym or e, b u t h e d id n ’t yet h ave a fam ily, an d h e h ad n ever r eally
in t er act ed w it h gir ls b efor e – h is h ear t a n d sou l w er e d ed icat ed t o t h e r esear ch
an d d evelop m en t of sou l m ast er s. At t h is m om en t , t h er e w as a m at u r e an d
en ch an t in g b eau t y sit t in g so close t o h im an d t h is m ad e h im a lit t le u n easy.
Qin g Ya cover ed h er m ou t h a s sh e giggled at t h e sigh t of h is r eact ion . Yet ,

in st ead of t easin g h im , sh e a sk ed soft ly, “Is t h is you r fir st t im e in St a r Lu o
Cit y?”
W an g Yan sh ook h is h ead an d r ep lied , “I’ve b een h er e b efor e, b u t ever y t r ip

w as com p let ed in a h u r r y.”
Qin g Ya said , “You m u st b e ver y b u sy w it h you r w or k at Sh r ek Acad em y.”
W an g Yan an sw er ed , “It ’s b et t er if I’m b u sy w it h m y w or k . If it ’s ju st n or m a l

t each in g, it w on ’t b e so t ir in g. Aft er all, t h e m em b er s of ou r acad em y ar e all
ou t st an d in g st u d en t s, an d t h ey d on ’t n eed t oo m u ch w or r yin g fr om u s
t each er s.” As h e said t h is, a look of p r id e flash ed acr oss h is face, an d t h is w as
n at u r ally d u e t o Year 2’s Class 1.
H e h ad said b efor e, m or e t h an on ce, t h at Year 2’s Class 1 w as t h e m ost

t alen t ed class h e h ad ever t au gh t . T h is w as also ext r em ely com p at ib le w it h h is
t each in g st yle, w h ich w as p u r ely sk ill-b ased , an d h e w as a lso st r ict an d fir m
w it h h is st u d en t s.
H is st u d en t s w er e n ot on ly p r od igiou s, on e w as m or e h ar d w or k in g t h an t h e
ot h er . Accor d in g t o h is ow n est im at ion s, w h en t h ey ascen d ed t o Year 3, t h e
en t ir e class cou ld r each t h e t h ir d r in g in m ast er y. H ow im p r essive w ou ld t h at
st at ist ic b e? H is gr eat est w ish a t t h is m om en t w as t o h ave t h e h on or of t ak in g
h is en t ir e t r ou p e of st u d en t s t o t h e en d , an d t o en su r e t h a t ever yb od y
su ccessfu lly gr ad u at ed fr om t h e acad em y.
Qin g Ya sm iled fain t ly an d said , “On e look , an d I can t ell you ’r e a gr eat
t each er . T h e m om en t you m en t ion you r st u d en t s, t h er e is an ob viou s
exh ilar at ion in you r em ot ion s.”
All t h is sm all t a lk cau sed W an g Yan t o u n w in d a lit t le, an d h is em ot ion s

b ecam e a lot less t en se. “It ’s b ecau se m y st u d en t s ar e t oo cu t e. In r ealit y, as a
t each er , m y gr eat est w ish is t o see m y st u d en t s su cceed . As of n ow , m y st u d en t s
h aven ’t d isap p oin t ed m e.”
Qin g Ya b ow ed h er h ead a lit t le an d said , “I h op e you can p r od u ce even m or e

ext r aor d in ar y st u d en t s.”
“M an y t h an k s.” W an g Yan r et u r n ed h er w ell-w ish es p olit ely, b u t h e failed t o

d et ect t h e sligh t u n n at u r al sp ar k le in Qin g Ya’s eyes as sh e st ar ed at h im .
Qin g Ya giggled as sh e ask ed , “T each er W an g, t h e St a r ligh t Au ct ion w ish es t o

exp an d ou r b u sin ess in t o Sh r ek Cit y. W h at su ggest ion s d o you h ave for m e?”
W an g Yan w as sligh t ly t ak en ab ack . “T h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion w an t s t o go t o

Sh r ek Cit y as w ell? T h at ’s a good t h in g! H ow ever , t h er e seem t o b e m u lt ip le
au ct ion s in Sh r ek Cit y alr ead y, an d t h u s t h e com p et it ion is b ou n d t o b e p r et t y
vigor ou s.”
Qin g Ya ch u ck led an d r ep lied , “T h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion h a s n ever b een afr aid of

com p et it ion , as w e b elieve in ou r ow n st r en gt h s. If w e ever h ave a ch an ce t o
ven t u r e in t o Sh r ek Cit y, I w on d er if I can con t act you ?”
“Of cou r se you can .” W an g Yan an sw er ed h er qu est ion a lm ost

su b con sciou sly.
Qin g Ya r aised h er h an d an d p r od u ced a sm all gold b ox. “Do accep t t h is gift

fr om m e t h en . T h is is a sou n d -am p lifyin g sou l t ool, an d t h ey ar e p r od u ced in
p air s, so I h ave on e as w ell. As lon g as w e ar e w it h in fift y k ilom et er s of each
ot h er , w e can com m u n icat e u sin g t h is. If you n eed an yt h in g fr om m e d u r in g
you r st ay in St a r Lu o Cit y, feel fr ee t o con t act m e!”
W an g Yan accep t ed t h is lit t le gift an d glan ced at Qin g Ya. H e su d d en ly

n ot iced t h at Qin g Ya w as st ar in g a t h im w it h a p ier cin g gaze, an d it in st an t ly
gave h im m ixed feelin gs, so h e h u r r ied ly n od d ed an d p u t t h e sou n d -am p lifyin g
sou l t ool aw ay.
Righ t at t h is m om en t , t h e en t ir e r oom w as ab r u p t ly p lu n ged in t o a layer of

gold en ligh t , an d ever yb od y t u r n ed t ow ar d t h e sou l scr een .
A gen t le gold en ligh t t h at w asn ’t h u r t fu l t o t h e eyes em an at ed fr om t h e

scr een t h a t h ad p r ev iou sly b lock ed ever yon e’s field of view . Pale r ays of gold en
ligh t also sh on e fr om t h e ever y cor n er of r oom , an d t h e calm an d com for t ab le
at m osp h er e w as in st an t ly t r an sfor m ed in t o som et h in g m or e d ign ified an d
elegan t .
Qin g Ya an n ou n ced , “M y h on or ab le gu est s, ou r au ct ion is ab ou t t o b egin .”
T h e gold en ligh t com in g fr om t h e scr een gr ad u ally r eced ed as a ch ar m in g

voice r an g ou t fr o m w it h in . “W elcom e t o t h e t op -r a n k ed St ar ligh t Au ct ion .
T od ay, w e ar e p lacin g n in e exot ic it em s u p for au ct ion . T h ese it em s w ill b e
sh ow n t o you , ou r h on or ab le gu est s, b y t h eir valu e fr om t h e low est t o t h e
h igh est . W e d o h op e you w ill en joy you r selves.”
T h e sou l scr een clea r ed u p again , an d t h e p lat for m t h a t h a d ap p ear ed b efor e

w as n ow cover ed w it h an ot h er layer of p ale w h it e ligh t . In t h e m id d le of t h e
p lat for m w as a you n g gir l clad in a len gt h y r ed d r ess.
T h is gir l ap p ear ed t o b e n o m or e t h an eigh t een , an d sh e w as en ch an t in gly

p r et t y – t o t h e p oin t w h er e sh e r ivaled even t h e look s of J ian g Nan n an .
Fu r t h er m or e, sh e w as a few year s old er t h an J ian g Nan n an , an d h er b od y w as
m u ch m or e m at u r e. T h e com b in at ion of h er flow in g r ed d r ess an d h er p ale
w h it e sk in gave on look er s a feelin g of p er fect ion – t h e on ly st r an ge t h in g w as
t h at t h e au ct ion st at ion h ad yet t o ap p ear on t h e p lat for m .
“Gr eet in gs, valu ed gu est s. I am t od ay’s au ct ion eer , an d m y n am e is J iu J iu . I
am h on or ed t o b e h er e t od ay t o h ost t h is t op -r an k ed a u ct ion . You r t im e is
valu ab le t o u s, so w e sh all b egin t h e au ct ion r igh t aw ay. Su b seq u en t ly, d o feast
you r eyes u p on t h e fir st it em of t h e d ay.”
As sh e sp ok e, sh e flash ed a glam or ou s sm ile an d m ad e an ext r em ely exqu isit e

gr eet in g as sh e gest u r ed w it h h er r igh t h an d . T h e scen e sw it ch ed r igh t aw ay,
an d t h e sou l scr een on t h e w all p r esen t ed t h e fir st it em u p for au ct ion .
No w on d er t h er e w a sn ’t an a u ct ion st a t ion – t h e it em it self w as a m agn ified

p r oject ion ! It w as d isp layed acr oss t h e t en -m et er -lon g w all, d ow n t o it s m ost
in t r icat e d et ails.
Dai Yaoh en g ask ed in qu isit ively, “W h y is t h is au ct ion eer follow in g t h e

for m alit ies of t h e r oyal p alace of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e?”
Qin g Ya glan ced at Dai Yu eh en g w it h a look a of fain t sh ock an d an sw er ed ,

“Fin e eyes you h ave, valu ed gu est . Au ct ion eer J iu J iu is t h e lead au ct ion eer of
t h e St ar Lu o Au ct ion , an d it s on ly gold -r a n k ed au ct ion eer . H ow ever , on ly w h en
t h e valu e of t h e it em is over h u n d r ed s of m illion s of gold coin s w ill sh e d on t h e
gold en au ct ion eer ’s u n ifor m . At t h e sam e t im e, Au ct ion eer J iu J iu is t h e
you n gest sist er of t h e cu r r en t em p er or of t h e Em p ir e. Sh e h as r em ar k ed t h at h er
st at u s in t h e a u ct ion is as an au ct ion eer , w h ich is t h e r ea son w h y w e d on ’t
ad d r ess h er as ‘You r H igh n ess’.”
Ever yb od y exch an ged look s w it h each ot h er , as t h is w as su r r eal for t h em .

Even t h ou gh t h ey h ad alr ea d y gu essed t h a t t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion h ad an
ext r aor d in ar y b ack gr ou n d , t h ey n ever t h ou gh t it w ou ld r each su ch a level.
A p r in cess fr om t h e r oyal p alace as an a u ct ion eer . W h a t d id t h is m ean ? T h is

m ean t t h at t h e en t ir e St ar ligh t Au ct ion p r ob ab ly b elon ged t o t h e r oyal fam ily of
t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e.
St ill, w h ile t h ey w er e b oggled b y w h at t h ey h ad ju st d iscover ed , ever yb od y’s

at t en t ion w as d iver t ed t o t h e it em t h a t w as p r esen t ed b efor e t h em , an d Pr in cess
J iu J iu ’s voice cou ld b e h ear d .
T h e T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb lad e is a Class 8 close-com b at sou l t ool. It s

com p on en t s ar e ext r em ely valu ab le, in clu d in g t h e r igh t a r m b on e of a t en
t h ou san d year T yr a n n ical T iger . It also con t ain s a sou l b on e sk ill ca lled t h e
T yr an n ical Slash . At t h e sam e t im e, it can b oost t h e offen sive p ow er s of
com p at ib le sou l sk ills b y fift y p er cen t .”
“Do t ak e n ot e, h on or ab le gu est s, t h a t ever y st r ik e u sin g t h is p r eciou s close-

com b at sou l t ool w ill p r od u ce t h e effect of a T yr an n ical Sla sh , an d t h is effect
w ill ad d on t o t h e effect s of an y r elat ed sou l sk ills. At t h e sam e t im e, t h r ou gh t h e
sop h ist icat ed w or k in gs an d d ir ect ion of t h e for m at ion ar r ays, an d in ad d it ion t o
t h e in h er en t en er gies con t ain ed w it h in t h e sou l b on e, t h e am ou n t of sou l p ow er
r equ ir ed t o u se t h e T yr an n ical Slash is on ly a t h ir d of w h at it n or m ally is.”
“Last ly, t h e T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb la d e or igin at es fr om t h e Su n M oon

Em p ir e’s Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all. I t h in k t h ese t h r ee w or d s – Illu st r iou s Vir t u e
H all – ar e en ou gh t o p r ove it s qu alit y. Seven -r in ged Sou l Sages can u se t h is
w eap on , an d t h ey w ill b e ab le t o ch allen ge a Sou l Dou lu o. You w ill h ave five
m in u t es t o in sp ect t h e it em .”
On ce Pr in cess J iu J iu com p let ed h er in t r od u ct ion , d eep b r eat h s cou ld b e

h ear d b ein g d r aw n a cr oss t h e r oom – t h is w as on ly t h e fir st it em u p for au ct ion !
It w as a Class 8 sou l t ool, an d even t h ou gh b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d H e Cait ou

w er e fr om t h e Sou l T ool Dep ar t m en t , t h ey h ad n ever seen t h is b efor e. Sever al
sim p le an d cr isp sen t en ces w er e en ou gh t o b r in g ou t t h e m ost p ow er fu l an d
at t r act ive asp ect s of t h is it em .
Even t h e m or e exp er ien ced M a Xiaot a o, Dai Yaoh en g an d Lin g Lu och en

b et r ayed look s of am azem en t . T h ey h ad seen Class 8 sou l t ools in p ast au ct ion s
t h at t h ey h ad p ar t icip at ed in b efor e, b u t t h ey w er e few an d far b et w een .
Nor m ally, t h e ap p ear an ce of a Class 6 sou l t ool in an au ct ion w as alr ead y a r ar e
sigh t . On ce in a b lu e m oon , a Class 8 sou l t ool w ou ld b e r evealed , b u t even t h en ,
t h ey w ou ld b e t h e a n ch or in g it em t o close off t h e en t ir e au ct ion . T od ay, t h e fir st
it em w as alr ea d y a Class 8 sou l t ool, an d it w as t h e it em w it h t h e low est valu e in
t h e list of it em s t h a t w er e in st or e – h ow cou ld all t h is n ot over w h elm t h em w it h
b ew ild er m en t an d excit em en t ?
On e cou ld n ’t u n d er est im at e t h e T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb lad e ju st b ecau se it
w as a close-com b at sou l t ool. In r ealit y, for h igh level sou l m ast er s, close-
com b at sou l t ools w er e m or e im p or t an t t h an lon g-r an ge sou l t ools an d
st at ion ar y sou l t ools, as t h ey w er e m or e com p lem en t ar y t o t h eir sk ills.
T h e st u d en t s w er e u n ab le t o h elp t h em selves as t h ey got u p fr om t h e com for t

of t h eir seat s a n d st ep p ed u p t o t h e scr een t o in sp ect t h is eigh t h -r an k ed w ar
b lad e.
T h er e w as a com p r eh en sive d escr ip t ion of t h e it em on t h e scr een . T h e

T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb lad e w as fou r feet six in ch es lon g, w h ile t h e b la d e it self
w as at least an in ch w id e. It w as m od eled lik e a sab er , t h e h ilt ext en d in g t o t h e
h an d gu ar d , an d it w as sh ap ed lik e a b on e. T h e h an d gu a r d it self w as t en
cen t im et er s w id e, a n d w as a car icat u r e of a t iger ’s h ead – t h er e w as n o d ou b t
t h at t h is sou l t ool’s for m at ion ar r ays w er e locat ed t h er e. T h e t iger ’s h ead
r ad iat ed w it h a cr yst al yellow h u e, an d seem ed t o h ave b een m ad e fr om a sp ecial
jew el.
H e Cait ou w as t h e m ost k n ow led geab le am on gst t h e en t ir e gr ou p r egar d in g

sou l t ools. H e t ook b u t a few glan ces b efor e a look of aw e cam e over h is face.
“T h ese… n ot on ly d o t h ese for m at ion a r r ays d r aw fr om t h e p ow er of t h e sou l
b on e, b u t t h e en t ir e b od y is m ad e fr om Am b er Gold ! Su ch ext r avagan ce!
Besid es, it ’s qu it e a lar ge p iece of Am b er Gold ! No w on d er t h ey can solid ify t h e
en er gy fr om t h e sou l b on es. It em s p r od u ced in t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all a r e
in d eed ext r aor d in ar y.”
H u o Yu h ao w as b esid e H e Cait ou , an d h e t oo w as ob ser vin g it in t en t ly. Even

t h ou gh it w as ju st an im age, h e cou ld feel a fain t au r a of fer ocit y d r aft in g
t ow ar d s h im . T h e b r oad b lad e seem ed t o sh im m er w it h a t er r ifyin g layer of
b lood .
H u o Yu h ao low er ed h is voice an d ask ed , “Sen ior b r ot h er , w h at k in d of p lace

is t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all?”
Befor e H e Cait ou cou ld r esp on d , W an g Yan low er ed h is voice as w ell an d
an sw er ed , “T h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all h a s con n ect ion s w it h Sh r ek t h at r u n ver y
d eep , an d t h ey h old t h e h igh est st at u s in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. Pu t m or e
accu r at ely, t h ey ar e a p ar t of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y.
M u ch lik e ou r ow n in n er cou r t yar d , on ly t h e m ost ou t st an d in g st u d en t s fr om
t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y ar e allow ed t o en t er for
cu lt ivat ion an d st u d ies. At t h e sam e t im e, t h ey ar e t h e car d in al au t h or it y in
for gin g an d m an u fact u r in g sou l t ools. All t h e sou l t ools p r od u ced b y t h e
Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H a ll over flow w it h excessive d em an d t h e m o m en t t h ey h it t h e
m ar k et . T h u s, t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all is also a su b st it u t e r ep r esen t at ion of a
sou l t ool’s qu alit y.”
Qin g Ya sm iled fain t ly an d ch im ed in . “T each er W an g is r igh t . T h er e ar e

m or e t each er s t h an st u d en t s w it h in t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all, an d t h e m ost
p ow er fu l sou l en gin eer s ar e con cen t r at ed t h er e as w ell. Over t h e year s, m ost of
t h e ep och -m ak in g sou l t ools or igin at ed fr om t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all. On e can
w ell say t h a t t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all is lik e t h e m ost im p or t an t ivor y t ow er of
t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. T h eir t ech n ologies r egar d in g t h e d evelop m en t of sou l
t ools ar e also t h e m ost ad van ced on t h e con t in en t .”
Bei Bei ap p ear ed b eh in d H u o Yu h ao lik e a gh ost . H e w as also list en in g

at t en t ively t o Qin g Ya’s exp lan at ion as h e t ap p ed H u o Yu h ao on t h e sh ou ld er
an d w h isp er ed , “Keep it u p , lit t le ju n ior .”
On ly five sim p le w or d s fell in t o H u o Yu h ao’s ear s, b u t it in st illed in h im a n

over flow in g feelin g of h op e. H u o Yu h ao t h ou gh t t o h im self – h ow in cr ed ib le
w ou ld it b e if t h e T a n g Sect cou ld on e d a y r eceive su ch exalt in g p r aise?
H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t been so sen sit ive b ack w h en h e w as st ill cu lt ivat in g an d

st u d yin g in sid e t h e acad em y, b u t follow in g h is exp ed it ion ou t of t h e acad em y
an d in t o St a r Lu o Cit y for t h e com p et it ion , h e h ad p ick ed u p an d lear n ed so
m an y t h in gs in t h e p r ocess t h a t h e w ou ld n ever h ave b een exp osed t o in t h e
acad em y. H e gr ad u ally b egan t o u n d er st an d t h e su b st a n t ial im p or t an ce of sou l
t ools, an d t h a t t h e m an u fact u r in g of sou l t ools b y t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w er e
far gr eat er t h an t h at of ot h er n at ion s – m or e t h an h e h ad im a gin ed .
T h e t h in g t h at st agger ed H u o Yu h ao t h e m ost w asn ’t t h e Cla ss 8 T yr an n ical

T iger Sou lb la d e b efor e h im , b u t t h e sou l scr een t h at cou ld b e op er at ed w it h ou t
t h e in ject ion of sou l p ow er , in sp it e of Qin g Ya’s p r eviou s exp lan at ion ab ou t t h e
w eak n ess of t h ese ext er n al so u r ces. H ow ever , t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h ad alr ead y
p r od u ced a sou l t ool t h at d id n ’t r eq u ir e sou l p ow er t o b e act ivat ed – in t h at case,
w h at w as t h e d iffer en ce b et w een t h e w eak an d t h e p ow er fu l? It w ou ld n ’t t ak e
m or e t h an a few year s b efor e t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w ou ld b e ab le t o p r od u ce
sou l t ools w it h offen sive an d d efen siv e cap ab ilit ies t h at cou ld b e act ivat ed
w it h ou t con su m in g sou l p ow er . W h en t h at d ay ar r ived , t h e st r u ct u r e of t h e
en t ir e con t in en t w ou ld ch an ge d r ast ica lly.
“I h ave t o w or k h ar d er an d b ecom e st r on ger ,” H u o Yu h ao m ad e a m en t al n ot e

t o h im self.
“T im e’s u p . T h e T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb lad e’s op en in g p r ice is six h u n d r ed

t h ou san d gold en sou l coin s, an d ever y b id can n ot b e less t h an five t h ou san d
gold en sou l coin s. All of you , m y h on or ab le gu est s, ar e exp er ien ced w it h t h is,
an d I t r u st t h a t w e w on ’t n eed J iu J iu t o exp lain t oo m u ch . If a b id is
u n an sw er ed aft er a m in u t e, t h e d eal is d on e – let ’s b egin .”
T h e scr een st ar t ed t o t r an sfor m in t o a p ale w h it e color . T h e im age of t h e

T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb lad e gr ad u ally gr ew m or e ob scu r e as it fad ed in t o t h e
b ack gr ou n d , w h ile a gian t n u m b er t h at r ead “six h u n d r ed t h ou san d ” flash ed on
t h e su r face of t h e scr een .
“Six h u n d r ed an d fift y t h ou san d .” Dai Yu eh en g w as t h e fir st t o b id , b efor e h e

t u r n ed t ow ar d s W an g Yan . “T each er W an g, t h is is m y p er son al d ecision .”
W an g Yan d id n ’t say an yt h in g, an d sim p ly n od d ed in h is d ir ect ion .
T h e st u d en t s in t h e in n er cou r t yar d of Sh r ek Acad em y h ad n ever h ad an y

issu es w it h t h eir fin an ces, an d t h ey w ou ld also b r in g t h eir savin gs w it h t h em
w h en car r yin g ou t sim ilar t ask s. Dai Yaoh en g h im self w as t h e eld est son of t h e
W h it e T iger Du k e, w h o h ad b een p assin g d ow n t h e p osit ion for at least t en
t h ou san d year s – t h is n at u r a lly m ean t t h at t h e am ou n t of m on ey h e cou ld u se
w as p len t ifu l.
T h e m om en t h e q u ot ed h is b id , t h e gold en -r ob ed ser van t gir l im m ed ia t ely

execu t ed a sim p le act ion on t h e sou l scr een , an d t h e gian t n u m b er s on t h e
scr een su b seq u en t ly ch an ged t o six h u n d r ed an d fift y t h ou san d .
T h e r eason w h y Dai Yu eh en g w as so m oved w as t h at t h is Class 8 sou l t ool h ad

som et h in g t o d o w it h t h e t iger , an d cou ld b e u sed b y a Sou l Sage. Dai Yaoh en g
w asn ’t t oo far fr om h is seven t h r in g, an d h e cou ld p r ob ab ly b r eak t h r ou gh t o
t h at level in t h e n ext t h r ee t o five year s. Fu r t h er m or e, a Class 8 sou l t ool su ch as
t h is t h at w as com p lem en t ar y t o h is ab ilit ies d id n ’t com e ar ou n d t oo oft en .
M a Xiaot ao sn ap p ed at on ce. “You t h in k you ’r e b ig ju st b ecau se you ’r e r ich ?”
Dai Yu eh en g w asn ’t an gr y at all. H e flash ed h er a fain t sm ile an d said , “You

ar e st r on ger t h a n m e, Xiaot ao, an d you w ill d efin it ely ad va n ce t o t h e seven t h
r in g b efor e I can . H ow ab ou t t h is – w h en you b ecom e a sou l sage, you can u se
t h e T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb lad e fir st an d r et u r n it t o m e on ce I r each t h e seven t h
r in g. H ow ’s t h a t ? If n ot , it w ill ju st b e r ot t in g in m y p ossessio n an yw ay.”
M a Xiaot ao sh ot h im a look an d said , “W h y d o I n eed you r st u ff? Besid es, it ’s

st ill u n cer t ain w h et h er you can w in t h e b id in t h e en d .”
In d eed , t h e n u m b er s on t h e scr een w er e alr ead y st ar t in g t o flick er .
H u o Yu h ao w as a lit t le p er p lexed . W h en h e w as at t h e T r easu r e-Ap p r eciat ion

Con fer en ce at t h e T r easu r e Pavilion w it h W a n g Don g, W an g Don g’s Gold en
Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e h ad b een valu ed a t n in e m illion five h u n d r ed t h ou san d
gold en sou l coin s. T h is Class 8 sou l t ool’s op en in g p r ice w as on ly six h u n d r ed
t h ou san d gold en sou l coin s, an d it even in clu d ed a t iger -t yp e r igh t ar m sou l
b on e – h ow cou ld t h e p r ice d isp ar it y b e so gr eat ?
W an g Don g u n d er st ood h im ver y w ell, an d in st an t ly d et ect ed t h e d ou b t s in
h is m in d . H e low er ed h is voice a n d said , “Ar e you t h in k in g ab ou t t h e Gold en
Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e? T h at ’s in com p ar ab le. Even t h ou gh sou l b on es ar e all
p r eciou s, a t in y d ist in ct ion in q u alit y ca n lead t o vast ly d iffer en t valu es. T h e
d escr ip t ion of t h is b lad e’s p ow er seem s fin e, b u t it p r ob ab ly m ean s t h at t h e
qu alit y of t h e sou l b on e in fu sed w it h in it isn ’t t oo gr eat – ot h er w ise, w h y w ou ld
it b e u sed t o for ge a sou l t ool? A sou l m ast er cou ld ju st a b sor b it . As for t h e
Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e, it gives m y ab ilit ies a n over all b oost . Fu r t h er m or e,
I can feel t h at t h e r eason w h y it s effect s on m e ar e st ill lim it ed is b ecau se m y
level of m ast er y isn ’t h igh en ou gh , ju st lik e you r sou l sk ills. Ot h er w ise, it w ou ld
b e b ecau se I am n ot yet fam iliar w it h h an d lin g it . Do r em em b er t h at t h e
p r esen ce of t h e b on e en h an ces ou r cu lt ivat ion sp eed w h en w e u se t h e H aod on g
Pow er . You h ave t o k n ow t h at an in cr ea se of even t en p er cen t in ou r cu lt ivat io n
sp eed is alr ead y d ifficu lt t o gau ge w it h m on ey. Besid es, t h is Class 8 sou l t ool’s
op en in g p r ice m ay on ly b e six h u n d r ed t h ou san d , b u t w h o k n ow s h ow m u ch it s
fin al p r ice w ill b e?”
“Alt h ou gh m y Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e can ’t com p ar e t o a h u n d r ed

t h ou san d year sou l b on e, it ’s st ill a r at h er for m id ab le p r esen ce am on g sou l
b on es. It w as also t h e it em w it h t h e h igh est valu e at t h e T r ea su r e Ap p r eciat ion
Au ct ion h eld in t h e T r easu r e Pavilion . W h ile t h er e ar e m an y it em s in t h is
St ar ligh t Au ct ion h ou se, n ot all of t h em can su p er sed e it in t er m s of valu e in
su ch a t op -r an k ed au ct ion .”
As t h e t w o of t h em sp ok e, t h e n u m b er on t h e sou l scr een h a d alr ead y ch an ged

r ap id ly.
T h e gold en sou l coin figu r e soar ed an d cr ossed t h e 1 m illion m ar k ver y

q u ick ly. H ow ever , t h e figu r e in cr eased at a slow er r at e u p on cr ossin g t h e 1
m illion m ar k .
Qin g Ya said , “Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, t h is T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb lad e h as a

r ou gh valu e of six h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold en sou l coin s b ased on it s ow n q u alit y
an d w it h ou t con sid er at ion of t h e cr aft m an sh ip of t h e sou l en gin eer . T h is is
accor d in g t o car efu l an alysis b y ou r au ct ion p lace. T h is is also t h e r eason w h y w e
r aised t h e st ar t in g b id for t h is it em . A con ser vat ive est im at e of it s act u al valu e
w ou ld b e at least 1.3 m illion gold en sou l coin s. T h at p iece of T yr an n ical T iger
sou l b on e fr om w h ich it w a s car ved h as a sligh t flaw , b u t t h e Class 8 sou l
en gin eer t h at p r od u ced it h as alr ead y r em oved t h is flaw d u r in g t h e p r ocess of
car vin g t h e b la d e. If t h at p iece of sou l b on e w er e p er fect , t h is b lad e m igh t h ave
b een even b e m or e p ow er fu l. H ow ever , t h is w ou ld also m ean t h at it s p r ice
w ou ld h ave b een even m or e ast r on om ical. Per son ally, I feel t h at t h e p r ice of t h is
T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb lad e is ver y r eason ab le.”
H ow m an y of t h ose w h o cam e t o t h is t op -r an k ed au ct ion w er e fools? J u st lik e

Pr in cess Xin gyu n sa id , t h ey w er e all con n oisseu r s, a n d w er e clear ly aw ar e of t h e
r igh t p r ice of t h e it em s. T h e au ct ion h ou se d id n ot over p r ice t h e st ar t in g b id s,
b u t it w as a lso alm ost im p ossib le for an yon e t o ob t ain an y it em at a st eal.
Dai Yaoh en g even t u ally m ad e u p h is m in d an d u sed 1.56 m illion gold en sou l

coin s t o b id for t h is T yr an n ical T iger So u lb lad e.
T h e p r ice of t h e b lad e d id n ’t ch an ge for a m in u t e. Aft er t h e b id d in g en d ed ,

gold en ligh t s in t h e en t ir e r oom b u r st in t o b r igh t fir ew or k s. T h is sign ified a
su ccessfu l b id .
Dai Yaoh en g w as also feelin g t h e p in ch in h is h ear t . Aft er b ein g a m em b er of

t h e Sh r ek Gu ar d ian s for su ch a lon g t im e, h is p er son al savin gs w er e b ar ely over
a few h u n d r ed t h ou san d gold en sou l coin s. H ow ever , St ar Lu o Cit y w as h is
h ead q u ar t er s. T h u s, it w as n ot t oo d ifficu lt for h im t o r a ise t h is su m of m on ey.
Pr in cess J iu jiu , w h o w or e a lon g r ed d r ess, ap p ear ed on t h e scr een on ce again .

Sh e sm iled sw eet ly as sh e b ow ed sligh t ly. Sh e said , “I’d lik e t o t h an k t h e gu est
w h o w on t h e b id for t h e T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb lad e for h is su p p or t of ou r
au ct ion t od ay. Below , w e sh all p r esen t t h e secon d au ct ion it em n ow . Alt h ou gh
t h ey can on ly b e exp en d ed on ce, t h ey ar e ver y r ar e. It ’s n ot easy t o gat h er t h is
en t ir e set . Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, p lease t a k e a look .”
T h e sou l t ool scr een ch an ged on ce again , an d t h e scr een on t h e w all w as

d ivid ed in t o 12 sect ion s. T h e it em s in ea ch of t h e 12 sect ion s look ed ver y sim ilar
t o on e an ot h er .
T h ey w er e all cylin d r ical ob ject s. On e en d w as con e-sh ap ed , a n d t h e ot h er en d

w as t h e b ase of t h e cylin d er . T h is ap p lied t o all 12 it em s. T h e on ly d iffer en ce
t h at t h ey h a d w er e in t er m s of t h eir color . T h ey seem ed t o b e car ved fr om
d iffer en t t yp es of m et al.
“St at ion ar y sou l can n on sh ells.” H e Cait ou m u t t er ed alm ost in st an t an eou sly,
h is voice filled w it h sh ock .
Pr in cess J iu jiu ’s voice ech oed w it h in t h e r oom , “T h ese 12 st at ion ar y sou l
can n on sh ells ar e p r od u ct s of t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all. It t ook u s q u it e som e
effor t t o gat h er t h em . Each of t h em h as a d iffer en t effect an d t h eir sizes ar e
accor d in g t o t h e st a n d ar d for m at . W h en u sed ap p r op r iat ely, t h ese 12 sh ells h ave
t h e p ow er t o t h r ea t en t h e life of a Sou l Dou lu o.”
“Usin g t h e class of a sou l t ool t o m easu r e t h em , each on e of t h em con t a in s a

p r ecise for m at ion ar r ay. T h e for m at ion ar r ays ar e n ot in fer ior t o a Class 6 sou l
t ool in t er m s of com p lexit y. T h eir elem en t s in clu d e w at er , fir e, ear t h , w in d ,
ligh t , d ar k n ess, p oison , ligh t n in g, fr ost , m et al, exp losion an d p ar alysis. At least
a Class 6 st at ion a r y sou l can n on is n eed ed t o fir e t h em . For r ep eat ed fir in g, at
least a Class 7 st at ion ar y sou l can n on is n eed ed . I sh all give all of you 5 m in u t es
t o ap p r eciat e t h is set of 12 it em s.”
Befor e sh e h ad even fin ish ed sp eak in g, H e Cait ou h ad alr ea d y leap t for w ar d

qu ick ly. H u o Yu h a o follow ed closely b eh in d h im . Alt h ou gh t h ey h ad n ot
en cou n t er ed a sou l t ool of t h is class, it w as st ill good if t h ey cou ld ju st ad m ir e it !
T h is w as esp ecially so for H e Cait ou , as h e h ad u sed a st at ion ar y sou l t ool

b efor e. H e w as m or e aw ar e of t h e im p or t an ce of a st at ion ar y sou l can n on sh ell.
T h in k in g ab ou t it , t h e effect of t h e st at ion ar y sou l t ool in b at t le m u st b e ver y
im m en se given t h at even t h e Con t in en t a l Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l
Du elin g T ou r n am en t d id n ot p er m it t h e u se of it b y it s p ar t icip an t s.
Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s d escr ip t ion w as n ot exagger at ed . If t h ese sh ells w er e all at

t h e Class 6 level, t h ey cou ld cer t ain ly t h r eat en t h e life of a Sou l Dou lu o, an d
even cau se p r ob lem s for a T it led Dou lu o.
“T h ey’r e t oo exq u isit e. Lit t le ju n ior b r ot h er , t h e for m at ion a r r ays ar e a t t h e

t ails of t h e can n on sh ells. T h er e ar e acceler at or cir cu it s on t h e su r face of t h e
for m at ion ar r ays, t o o. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ese cir cu it s ar e so h u ge. On ce t h e ca n n on
sh ell is r eleased , it s sp eed w ill b e fr igh t en in g. No w on d er a Class 6 an d ab ove
st at ion ar y sou l can n on is r eq u ir ed t o fir e t h em , so as t o p r even t t h e b or e fr om
exp lod in g.”
H e Cait ou look ed at t h ese sh ells an d ju m p ed ar ou n d in excit em en t .
W an g Yan w alk ed b esid e h im an d ask ed soft ly, “Cait ou , d o you k n ow t h e

valu e of t h ese sh ells? ”
H e Cait ou n od d ed h is h ead w it h ou t an y h esit at ion an d sa id , “Of cou r se. I’ve

r esear ch ed t h em ver y h eavily! T each er W an g, w e m u st get t h em . T h ese few
year s, ou r sou l t ool d ep ar t m en t h as focu sed ou r r esear ch on st at ion ar y sou l
t ools. T h e m igh t of a st at ion a r y sou l can n on is a h u ge p r ob lem t h at h as st u m p ed
u s. Righ t n ow , ou r a cad em y can on ly p r od u ce st a t ion ar y sou l can n on sh ells t h at
ar e Class 5, at m ost . T h is it em is p r icey an d exp en d ab le, b u t t h ey’r e som et h in g
w e h aven ’t b een a b le t o p r od u ce. T h ese sh ells, w ill b e ver y u sefu l in ou r
r esear ch of h igh er class sh ells.”
“Alr igh t , I u n d er st an d .” W an g Yan n od d ed h is h ea d .
Qin g Ya r em in d ed t h em soft ly, “Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, t h ese can n on s ar e all

equ ip p ed w it h t h e en cr yp t ed for m at ion sch em at ic of t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all.
If an y of you is b u yin g t h em for r esea r ch p u r p oses, p lease t ak e d u e car e. If t h e
en cr yp t ed for m at ion is t ou ch ed , it m ay in d u ce an exp losion .”
“Of cou r se I k n ow t h at .” H e Cait ou said w it h ou t an y h esit at ion , “No m at t er

w h o cr eat ed su ch a h igh -level sou l t ool, t h e sam e logic ap p lies. H ow ever , w e can
r eap som e in for m at ion ju st b y look in g at t h e clu es on t h eir su r faces…”
H e w an t ed t o con t in u e on , b u t W an g Yan cou gh ed an d b lock ed ou t h is w or d s.

H e Cait ou also r ea lized t h at h e w as get t in g t oo excit ed , an d q u ick ly r efr a in ed
fr om sp eak in g fu r t h er .
T h e p r ice of t h ese 12 sh ells w as in d eed ast on ish in g, an d w er e t r u e t o t h e id ea

t h at ever y su cceed in g au ct ion it em w as m or e exp en sive t h an t h e p r eced in g
it em . T h e st ar t in g p r ice for t h ese 12 sh ells w as act u ally 650 ,0 0 0 gold en sou l
coin s.
“Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, I d on ’t t h in k t h a t t h is set of can n on sh ells fr om t h e
Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H a ll is t oo exp en sive for all of you . Not on ly can t h ey b e u sed
in b at t le, t h ey can also b e k ep t as sou ven ir s. It ’s also n ot easy for t h e Illu st r iou s
Vir t u e H all t o p r od u ce su ch a set lik e t h is. T h e m ost im p or t an t t h in g is t h at t h ey
ar e ver y r ar e. T h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion h ou se can gu ar an t ee t h at t h is is t h e fir st
t im e a set of Class 6 st at ion a r y sou l can n on sh ells fr om t h e Illu st r io u s Vir t u e
H all h as ap p ear ed in ou r au ct ion h ou se.”
T h e b id d in g st ar t ed . W an g Yan d id n ot r u sh t o m ak e a b id , an d on ly w at ch ed
t h e scr een q u iet ly.
It w as n ot h is fir st or secon d t im e t ak in g p ar t in an au ct ion . Even for t h e m ost

sp ecific au ct ion s, n ot all t h e a u ct ion it em s w ou ld b e ab le t o b e au ct ion ed ou t
su ccessfu lly. T h er e w ou ld b e sit u at ion s w h er e a secon d au ct ion w ou ld b e h eld .
Per h ap s t h e valu e of t h ese 12 sh ells m igh t b e gr eat er t h an t h e T yr an n ical

T iger Sou lb lad e ear lier . H ow ever , t h at w as at t r ib u t ed m or e t o t h eir r ar it y.
T h er e w er e ver y few w h o w er e w illin g an d ab le t o u se t h ese sh ells.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e p r ice of t h e en t ir e set of 12 sh ells w as t oo h igh . T h ey w er e n ot
lik e close-com b at sou l t ools or lon g-r an ge sou l t ools. On ce t h e sh ells w er e u sed ,
t h ey cou ld n o lon ger b e u sed an ym or e.
In d eed , W an g Yan ’s st ead in ess w as r ew ar d ed . T h e figu r e of 650 ,0 0 0 gold en

sou l coin s d id n ot in cr ease. No on e w as w illin g t o m ak e a b id .
Aft er a m in u t e, Pr in cess J iu jiu r egr et fu lly said , “It seem s lik e t h ese 12 sh ells
w ill n ot h ave an ow n er t od ay. I sh all cou n t d ow n t h e last 20 secon d s. If n o on e
m ak es a b id , t h is a u ct ion it em w ill b e p u t for u p for a secon d au ct ion .”
W an g Yan t w ist ed h is h ead t ow ar d s Qin g Ya an d ask ed in a low voice, “H ow

m an y secon d s d oes it t ak e t o m ak e a b id ?”
“Bid s ar e p r ocessed in st an t ly.” Qin g Ya r ep lied .

W an g Yan n od d ed h is h ead sligh t ly, an d h is eyes flash ed w it h a w ise an d far -
sigh t ed r ad ian ce.
“5, 4 , 3, 2, 1.”
W h en t h e cou n t d ow n r each ed 2 secon d s, W an g Yan sh ou t ed , “I w ill b id

655,0 0 0 gold en sou l coin s.” T h e sm a llest r aise w as 50 0 0 gold en sou l coin s. H e
d id n ot b id t h e st ar t in g p r ice, b u t ad d ed 50 0 0 gold en sou l coin s.
T h e p r ice w as en t er ed in im m ed ia t ely. At t h e ver y last secon d , t h e illu sor y

650 ,0 0 0 figu r e ju m p ed t o 655,0 0 0 in st a n t ly aft er it fr oze.
Qin g Ya w as st u n n ed as sh e cover ed h er sm all m ou t h . Follow in g t h at , sh e

r aved , “T each er W a n g, you ar e b r illian t !”
H u o Yu h ao also u n d er st ood w h at h ad h a p p en ed . At t h e ver y last m om en t , it

w as n ot on ly W an g Yan w h o h ad m ad e a b id . H ow ever , t h e ot h er p er son h a d
offer ed t h e st ar t in g p r ice. Un d er su ch a cir cu m st an ce, t h e in cr ease t h a t W an g
Yan h ad ad d ed t o h is b id h ad a d ecisive im p act .
W an g Yan sm iled b efor e sayin g, “I w as ju st t ak in g p r eca u t ion s. I’m lu ck y t o

h ave ob t ain ed t h is set of st at ion ar y sou l can n on sh ells b y b id d in g a lit t le
h igh er .”
Qin g Ya lau gh ed sligh t ly as sh e con gr at u lat ed h im ; sh e seem ed elat ed t oo. T h e

Sh r ek Acad em y t h at sh e w as in ch ar ge of h ost in g m an aged t o su cceed in t h eir
b id for t w o au ct ion it em s con secu t ively. Not on ly w ou ld sh e gain a com m ission ,
b u t it w ou ld also gr eat ly h elp h er assessm en t scor e in t h e au ct ion h ou se.
H ow ever , Sh r ek Acad em y d id n ot b id on an y of t h e n ext 5 au ct ion it em s. T h ey

in clu d ed a left ar m b on e, a r igh t ar m b on e, a r igh t leg b on e, a p iece of r ar e m et al
an d a lon g-r an ge Cla ss 8 sou l t ool.
W h at w as w or t h m en t ion in g w as t h e lon g-r an ge Class 8 sou l t ool. As a Class 8
sou l t ool, it r equ ir ed a T it led Dou lu o t o u se it . It s n am e w as t h e H eaven sp lit t in g
Can n on , an d it also cam e fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. H ow ever , it w as n ot a
p r od u ct of t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all. It w as m ad e b y a Class 9 sou l en gin eer .
Chapt er 100.1: A High Qualit y Ice Bomb
T h e p ow er fu l H eaven sp lit t in g Can n on w as sim ilar t o t h e su p er sou l can n on

t h at H e Cait ou u sed . H ow ever , it w as m u ch m or e p ow er fu l, an d cou ld on ly b e
u sed on ce p er d ay. It s fu ll p ow er w as t h e equ ivalen t of a fu ll-for ce b low fr om a
Ran k 95 T r an scen d en t Dou lu o.
T h e on ly r eason w h y it w as ju d ged t o b e a Class 8 sou l t ool an d n ot a Class 9

on e w as b ecau se it w as m ad e fr om in fer ior m at er ials. T h is lim it ed t h e am ou n t
of t im es on e cou ld u se t h e H eaven sp lit t in g Can n on t o on ly on ce p er d ay. At t h e
sam e t im e, it n eed ed a lon g t im e t o r ech a r ge, an d cou ld on ly h it a sin gle t ar get .
In a b at t le b et w een com b at an t s of t h e sam e class, it w as r at h er u seless. In t h e
w or d s of Pr in cess J iu J iu , it w as a Cla ss 8 sou l t ool t h at p ossessed Class 9
for m at ion ar r ays.
In t h e en d , t h is H ea ven sp lit t in g Can n on w as b ou gh t b y som e ot h er b u yer at

t h e h igh p r ice of 7 m illion gold en sou l coin s.
It w as n ot t h at W an g Yan d id n ot w an t t o in t er ven e. H ow ever , at p r ices lik e

t h e on es on d isp lay, h e d id n ot d ar e t o m ak e t h e call w it h ou t ser io u s
con sid er at ion . Aft er all, h is p ow er w it h in t h e acad em y w as lim it ed . As for t h e
st u d en t s, n on e of t h em cou ld u se t h is it em , n eit h er d id t h ey h ave t h e m on ey t o
b u y it . All t h ey cou ld d o w as sp ect at e.
Ot h er t h an t h e fir st t w o it em s, t h e r est of t h e it em s in t h e au ct ion w er e sold at

in cr easin gly h igh er p r ices. Sin ce t h ey w er e n ot p ar t icu lar ly en t h r alled w it h
t h ese it em s, t h ey d ecid ed t o k eep silen t .
Qin g Ya, t h e au ct ion eer , d id n ot p r ovid e an y ad d it ion al p r om p t s. All sh e d id

w as fair ly an d im p ar t ially exp lain t h e fu n ct ion s an d ab ilit ies o f ever y sin gle it em
u p for au ct ion .
Pr in cess J iu J iu ap p ear ed for t h e eigh t h t im e on t h e scr een as sh e said w it h a
sm ile, “T h e follow in g t w o it em s w ill b e t h e m ain st ar s of t od ay’s au ct ion . I
b elieve t h at ever y sin gle on e of you w ill b e in t er est ed in t h em , so seize t h is
ch an ce. You m ay on ly see t h ese it em s on ce, an d you m ay n ot fin d a secon d
ch an ce t o see t h em on t h e en t ir e con t in en t . Ou r eigh t h a u ct ion it em is on e su ch
exam p le. W h ile it ’s st ill a sou l b on e, it is d iffer en t fr om t h e r est . Please, t ak e a
look .”
Ligh t flash ed , an d t h e im age of a sou l b on e, w h ich w as m axim ized m an y

t im es over , ap p ear ed on t h e sou l scr een .
T h is sou l b on e w as com p let ely em er ald gr een . An em er a ld gr een h alo sw ir led

an d p u lsed ar ou n d it , as if it w er e filled w it h em er ald -gr een liq u id .
Fr om it s ext er n al ap p ear an ce, it ap p ear ed t o b e a left ar m b on e. On t op of it s

em er ald gr een b od y, it gave off a fain t , w h it e m ist .
As it h ad b een m agn ified m an y t im es over , ever yon e cou ld feel t h at it w as

som et h in g sp ecia l. T h e su r face of t h is jad e gr een b on e ap p ear ed t o b e d ot t ed
w it h sm all cr yst als. T h ese cr yst als w er e clear , an d t h ey look ed as if t h ey h ad
b een car ved fr om so m e p r eciou s m et al. T h e ot h er sou l b on es t h at h ad ap p ear ed
ear lier p aled in com p ar ison t o t h is on e. Evid en t ly, t h ey w er e n ot in t h e sam e
cat egor y. Even W an g Don g’s Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e m igh t n ot b e as
p ow er fu l as t h is on e, su p er ficially.
“H ow is t h is p ossib le…?”
“Bast ar d !”
T w o voices r an g ou t sim u lt an eou sly in H u o Yu h ao’s b r ain . T h e fir st on e

b elon ged t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , an d t h e secon d on e n a t u r ally b elon ged t o
t h e Ice Em p r ess.
H u o Yu h ao w as st ar t led b y t h eir su d d en r eact ion , p ar t icu lar ly t h at of t h e Ice

Em p r ess. H e cou ld feel h er r age.
“W h at ’s t h e m at t er , Ice Em p r ess?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed qu ick ly.
T h e Ice Em p r ess d id n ot r esp on d . H u o Yu h ao cou ld feel h er r age in cr easin g

exp on en t ially.
At t h is m om en t , Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s allu r in g voice r an g ou t . Com p ar ed t o

b efor e, it w as a b it d eep er an d m or e m ovin g. T h e allu r e in h er voice w as
st r on ger t oo. “H on or ed gu est s, I am p r ou d t o in t r od u ce t h is sou l b on e t o
ever yon e. Ever yon e k n ow s t h at , t o a sou l m ast er , t h e m ost valu ab le it em is
eit h er a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s sou l r in g, or a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l
b on e. It is ext r em ely r ar e for t h ese t w o it em s t o ap p ear at t h e sam e t im e d u r in g
an au ct ion . Even for ou r St ar ligh t Au ct ion , su ch p r em iu m it em s h ave yet t o
exist . Aft er all, n o m at t er w h o p ossesses t h ese it em s, h e or sh e w ill n ot ch oose t o
au ct ion t h em off, b u t in st ead u se t h em t o cr eat e an elit e.”
“T h e b on e t h at is b efor e ever yon e is t h e m ost p r em iu m b on e t o h ave ap p ear ed

in ou r St ar ligh t Au ct ion in r ecen t year s. Aft er w e ob t ain ed it , w e p lan n ed on
k eep in g it . Or igin a lly, w e d id n ot p lan t o au ct ion it off, b ecau se it w as t oo
p r eciou s an d t oo r ar e.”
“I b elieve t h at ever yon e can see t h at t h is sou l b on e is an ice-t yp e b on e. Befor e

I elab or at e an y fu r t h er on it s p r os, I w a n t t o in t r od u ce t o ever yon e t o it s con .
Som e gu est s m ay b e cu r iou s: w h y w ou ld w e in t r od u ce t h e con s of an ob ject as
au ct ion eer s? T h is is b ecau se t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion valu es t r u st ab ove ever yt h in g
else. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e d ow n sid e of t h is ob ject can also b e said t o b e a st r en gt h .”
“T h e m ost im p or t an t d ow n sid e of t h is so u l b on e is t h at it ’s a n ice-t yp e b on e.

Ever yon e k n ow s t h at m ost sou l b on es d o n ot h ave elem en t al r equ ir em en t s.
M ost of t h em can b e u sed b y all sou l m ast er s. T h eir accom p an yin g sou l sk ill w ill
ch an ge accor d in g t o on e’s m ar t ial sou l. T h is ap p lies even t o h u n d r ed t h ou san d
year sou l b on es. T h is t yp e of sou l b on e is m ain st r eam am on g sou l b on es. Ot h er
t h an t h ese m ain st r eam sou l b on es, t h er e ar e som e sp ecia l excep t ion s. T h ese
t yp es of sou l b on es h ave elem en t al r equ ir em en t s, an d sou l m ast er s t h at d o n o t
fit t h ese elem en t a l r eq u ir em en t s can n ever fu se w it h t h em . For cin g it w ill h u r t
on eself, w h ich can even b e fat al. H en ce, of t h e eigh t it em s u p for au ct ion t od ay,
t h is b on e is on e su ch ob ject . H en ce, it s fir st d ow n sid e is it s elem en t al
r equ ir em en t . On ly ice-t yp e sou l m ast er s can u se it .”
W h en t h e au ct ion r each ed it s eigh t h it em , Pr in cess J iu J iu b ecam e evid en t ly

m or e vocal. H er vo ice, p er fect in it s in t on at ion an d p it ch , w as even m or e
allu r in g. Na t u r ally, m an y w er e d r aw n b y h er d escr ip t ion of t h e ob ject .
“T h e ice-t yp e elem en t al r eq u ir em en t is alr ead y ver y r est r ict ive. Aft er all, less
t h an 1% of all sou l m ast er s sp ecialize in t h e ice elem en t . H en ce, I m u st say t h at
w h ile t h is sou l b on e is good , it is on ly good for t h ose w h o can m eet it s
r eq u ir em en t s.”
“It s secon d flaw is ver y clear t oo. H ow ever , I b elieve t h at it ’s act u ally on e of
it s st r en gt h s. It s sou l sk ill is set . T h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion h as in vit ed m an y sou l
b on e sp ecialist s t o ver ify it , an d ou r con clu sion is t h at t h e so u l sk ill of t h is sou l
b on e is set . No m at t er w h at t h e m ar t ia l sou l of t h e ice-t yp e sou l m ast er t h at
fu ses w it h it is, it s sou l sk ill w ill n ever ch an ge. T h is is a st r on g lim it at ion .”
“As for it s fin al flaw , it ’s it s age. Accor d in g t o ou r an alysis, t h is sou l b on e is

b et w een 50 , 0 0 0 t o 70 , 0 0 0 year s old . T h is is on e of it s st r en gt h s, b u t at t h e sam e
t im e, p lease d on ’t t r y t o fu se w it h it if you d o n ot p ossess t h e calib r e. If n ot , you
w ill lik ely d ie fr om it . So t h ese ar e it s t h r ee flaw s.”
“Ar e t h ese r eally flaw s?” W an g Yan 's t h ou gh t s w er e evid en t fr om h is

t w it ch in g face.
W h at flaw s? T h ese w er e evid en t ly it s st r en gt h s. W h ile it w as t r u e t h at it s

elem en t al r eq u ir em en t w as a sever e lim it at ion , all sou l b on es w it h elem en t al
r eq u ir em en t s w er e m or e p ow er fu l t h an t h ose w it h ou t t h ese r equ ir em en t s. On ce
a sou l m ast er fu sed w it h on e, it s effect s w ou ld vast ly exceed t h ose of on e
w it h ou t elem en t a l r equ ir em en t s.
For exam p le, W an g Don g’s Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e w as on ly so valu ab le
b ecau se it cou ld on ly fu se w it h a ligh t -t yp e sou l m ast er . Aft er fu sion , it s effect s
w er e vast ly su p er ior t o an y or d in ar y sou l b on e.
As t o it s secon d ‘w eak n ess’, t h e fact t h at it s sou l sk ill w as set w as a
h u m on gou s ad van t a ge. On ly excep t ion ally p ow er fu l sou l b on es w ou ld h ave set
sou l sk ills!
As for it s fin al flaw , w h en h ad t h e age of a sou l b on e ever b een a flaw ? W it h a

few sen t en ces, Pr in cess J iu J iu w as ab le t o elu cid a t e ever y sin gle st r en gt h of t h is
em er ald ice t yp e sou l b on e u n d er t h e gu ise of list in g it s ‘flaw s’.
“Now t h at w e ar e d on e w it h it s flaw s, w e sh all n ow t alk ab ou t it s st r en gt h s,”

Pr in cess J iu J iu said as h er voice t u r n ed sin cer e in an in st an t .
“As t h e m ain au ct ion eer of t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion , an d as a p r in cess of t h e

Im p er ial H ou seh old of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, I give m y solem n w or d t h at
ever yt h in g I say is t r u e. Fir st ly, I w an t t o say t h at t h is sou l b on e is t h e m ost
p er fect on e I h ave seen . It s r ar it y can b e com p ar ed t o a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year
sou l b on e b ecau se it d id n ot or igin a t e fr om ou r con t in en t or an y p ar t icu lar
cou n t r y. In st ea d , it com es t h e Ext r em e Nor t h , an ar ea for b id d en t o u s h u m an s.
Fu r t h er m or e, it com es fr om t h e cor e r egion s of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h . T h e ow n er
of t h is sou l b on e is a t r an scen d en t sou l b east of t h e b it t er ly cold ext r em e n or t h ,
t h e Ice J ad e Scor p io n .”
T h e m om en t Pr in cess J iu J iu said t h e t h r ee w or d s ‘Ice J ad e Scor p ion ’,

ever yon e’s gaze fell on t o H u o Yu h ao. Ever yon e look ed su r p r ised , as t h ey all
k n ew w h at H u o Yu h ao’s secon d m ar t ia l sou l w as. No on e, h ow ever , t h ou gh t
t h at t h e eigh t h it em u p for au ct ion w ou ld b e t h e sam e as H u o Yu h ao’s m ar t ial
sou l. Dou b t lessly, if H u o Yu h ao ob t ain ed t h e sou l b on e, h e w o u ld b e it s b est fit .
H u o Yu h ao w as st r u ck b y a su d d en r ealizat ion . No w on d er t h e Sk yd r eam

Icew or m w as sh ock ed , an d t h e Ice Em p r ess w as filled w it h r age. T h is left ar m
b on e cam e fr om h er fellow t r ib esm en !
Pr in cess J iu J iu con t in u ed , “T h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion m ay n ot b e a fam iliar

n am e for ever yon e h er e. H ow ever , I b elieve t h at ever yon e is fam iliar w it h
som et h in g else. T h e lead er of t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion s is t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion
Kin g, ot h er w ise k n ow n as t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion . Am on g t h e T en Gr ea t
Savage Beast s, it is r an k ed eigh t h . An y b east t h at cou ld en t er t h e r an k s of t h e
T en Gr eat Savage Beast s is t op class. Even if w e d on ’t t ak e in t o accou n t it s age,
t h e Ice J ad e Scor p io n is at t h e t op of t h e p eck in g or d er am on g all sou l b east s.”
“T h is sou l b on e com es fr om an Ice J ad e Scor p ion . As t h ey live in gr ou p s, it ’s a

m ir acle t h a t som eon e cou ld k ill on e fr om a p ack of t h em . T h is is m or e d ifficu lt
t h an k illin g a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east fr om t h e Gr eat St a r Dou For est .
W h at m ak es t h is feat even m or e d ifficu lt w as t h at t h e slayer ob t ain ed a sou l
b on e aft er k illin g an Ice J ad e Scor p ion .”
“Accor d in g t o t h e an cien t r ecor d s, t h e p ow er of ice is d et er m in ed b y it s

t em p er at u r e. T h e low er t h e t em p er at u r e of ice, t h e scar ier an d t ou gh er it is. T h e
Ice J ad e Scor p ion Kin g is r ecogn ized as t h e on e w h o p ossesses ice of t h e low est
t em p er at u r e in t h e w or ld . Alt h ou gh it s clan m em b er s ar e n ot as ou t st an d in g as
it is, t h er e ar e ver y few ot h er s w h o ar e ab le t o m at ch u p t o t h em in t h e d om ain
of ice. H en ce, I w ou ld lik e t o t ell all of you t h at on ce t h is left ar m b on e is
in fu sed , t h er e w ill b e an elem en t al am p lificat ion of t h e m ar t ial sou l of ice-t yp e
sou l m ast er s. Regar d less of w h at sou l sk ill is em p loyed , t h e t em p er at u r e w ill b e
low er t h a n b efor e. T h is is b asically a m ajor b en efit , an all-r o u n d am p lificat ion .
It ’s n ot t oo m u ch t o claim t h is as t h e fir st ad van t age of t h is p iece of Ice J ad e
Scor p ion Left Ar m Bon e, is it ?”
“Secon d ly, t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion is n a t u r ally p ow er fu l b eyon d m easu r e. Aft er

ob t ain in g t h is left ar m b on e, t h e st r en gt h of t h e left ar m of t h e sou l m ast er w ill
in cr ease sign ifican t ly. As for t h e m agn it u d e of in cr ease, I’m u n su r e. T h is ca n
on ly b e t est ed b y t h e for t u n at e, d ist in gu ish ed gu est t h at r eceives it .”
“Next is t h e t h ir d b en efit of in fu sin g t h is p iece of sou l b on e. On ce it ’s in fu sed ,

t h e solid ified sk ill of t h is sou l b on e w ill also b e p ossessed b y t h e sou l m ast er . I
sh all n ot b eat ar ou n d t h e b u sh an y fu r t h er . T h is solid ified sk ill is called Ice
Exp losion . I m en t ion ed ear lier t h a t t h e solid ified sk ill is it s w eak n ess an d lack s
ch an ges. H ow ever , I also m u st clar ify t h at t h is is also it s gr eat est ad van t age.
Even t o t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion , t h is sk ill cou ld b e con sid er ed a d ivin e sk ill. As
lon g as t h er e’s ice, t h e m igh t of t h e Ice Exp losion w ill exist .”
“I h ave clear ly st at ed all t h r ee h u ge w eak n esses an d a d van t a ges. An ice-t yp e

sou l m ast er w ill n ot r egr et p ossessin g it . Now , I sh all give all of you 10 m in u t es
t o ap p r eciat e it .”
Aft er sp eak in g for so lon g, ever yon e w as st u n n ed as Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s voice
d isap p ear ed . On ly W an g Yan r em ain ed sob er an d in fu ll com m an d of h is sen ses.
H e t u r n ed h is h ea d r ap id ly t o look at Qin g Ya, ask in g, “Qin g Ya, ar e t h er e m an y
ice-t yp e sou l m ast er s am on g t h ose w h o ar e h er e t o b id ?”
Qin g Ya’s p r et t y face flash ed w it h a t in ge of aw k w ar d n ess. H ow ever , sh e d id

n ot d en y h is w or d s, an d n od d ed h er h ea d sligh t ly, “Ap ologies, it ’s n ecessar y for
ou r au ct ion h ou se t o d o t h is. T h e it em s for au ct ion in t h is t op -r an k ed au ct ion
ar e t r easu r es. T h u s, t h ey ar e n a t u r a lly allocat ed t o t h e d ist in gu ish ed gu est s t h at
n eed t h em t h e m ost . In fact , t h e fir st 7 it em s on au ct ion ar e lik e t h e ap p et izer s,
w h ile t h e last t w o it em s ar e t h e m ain cou r se of t h is au ct ion . W h ile ou r au ct ion
h ou se d oes h ave ou r ow n st r at egy, t h er e w as n o exagger at ed con t en t in J iu J iu ’s
in t r od u ct ion . T h is sou l b on e is in d eed t h e m ost exqu isit e it em .”
W an g Yan n od d ed sligh t ly as h e t w ist ed h is h ead t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao an d

Lin g Lu och en . T h en , h e said in a d eep voice, “T h er e’s on ly on e sou l b on e. If t h e
t w o of you can ach ieve a con sen su s, I can give it a sh ot for t h e b ot h of you .”
H u o Yu h ao an d Lin g Lu och en n at u r ally u n d er st ood w h at W an g Yan m ean t .

For su ch a t op -r an k ed ice-t yp e sou l b on e, it w as n o lon ger abou t m on ey. It w as
an it em t h at w as ext r em ely d esir ab le b u t d ifficu lt t o ob t ain ! No m at t er h ow
m an y gold en sou l coin s on e h ad , t h ey w er e ju st ir r elevan t n u m b er s w it h ou t t h e
it em s t h at on e w an t ed t o get .
T h er e w as n o n eed t o d ou b t t h e valu e of t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion Left Ar m Bon e

t o H u o Yu h ao. Bu t sim ilar ly, it car r ied im m en se valu e for Lin g Lu och en t oo. It
w as even fair t o say t h at Lin g Lu och en ’s p ow er s w ou ld b e ab le t o r ise a level if
sh e p ossessed it . Sh e cou ld t h en r each t h e level of b ot h M a Xiaot ao an d Dai
Yu eh en g. It w ou ld also b e id eal for h er fu t u r e p r ogr ess.
An ice exp losion sou n d ed ver y sim p le. H ow ever , as a sou l m ast er , h ow cou ld
Lin g Lu och en n ot u n d er st an d it s sign ifican ce? Sim p ly p u t , t h is ice exp losion
w as com p ar ab le t o t h e cor p se exp losion u n leash ed b y t h at En voy of t h e Deat h
God t h at t h ey h ad m et . T h is Ice Exp losion m igh t even b e m or e p ow er fu l. T o an
ice-t yp e sou l m ast er , it w a s n ot h in g t o con ju r e a lit t le b it of ice. If t h is Ice
Exp losion m ove w as con t r olled w ell aft er it w as set t o exp lod e, it s m igh t w ou ld
r en d er it a d ivin e sk ill!
H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea w as a m ess. Aft er a b r ief m om en t of r esen t m en t ,

t h e Ice Em p r ess d em an d ed t h at H u o Yu h ao ob t ain t h at sou l b on e b y h ook or b y
cr ook u p on h ear in g t h e w or d s ‘Ice Exp losion ’. T h e r ea son w a s ver y sim p le, b u t
n ot even t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion H ou se k n ew ab ou t it . T o t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion
clan , t h is Ice Exp losion sk ill w as r ar ely seen . Even As t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion
Kin g, t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion d id n ot p ossess su ch a sk ill am on g h er gift s.
H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely u n d er st ood w h en t h e Ice Em p r ess exp lain ed t h e

st r en gt h of t h is sk ill u sin g on e sen t en ce. T h e Ice Em p r ess said t h at sh e cou ld
ch allen ge t h e lead er of t h e T h r ee H eaven ly Kin gs if sh e p ossessed t h is sk ill.
H ow ever , cou ld H u o Yu h ao r eally say so? H e cou ld n ’t .
As h e saw t h e r ad ian ce of h op e in Lin g Lu och en ’s eyes t h at w as ver y d ifficu lt

t o m ask , H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s st u ck in h is t h r oat .
T h is sou l b on e w as com p ar ab le t o a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b on e t o an

ice-t yp e sou l m ast er . No on e w ou ld b e ab le t o give it u p so r ead ily! Lin g Lu och en
d efin it ely w an t ed it . W it h ou t a d ou b t , t h is sou l b on e m u st b e ext r em ely cost ly.
Besid es it s p r ice, H u o Yu h ao w as also u n w illin g t o let t h e m ood of h is sen ior
ch an ge b ecau se of h im . T h ey w er e com r ad es, an d st ill n eed ed t o figh t alon gsid e
each ot h er in t h e follow in g com p et it ion .
Aft er sen sin g H u o Yu h ao’s h esit at ion , t h e Ice Em p r ess gr ad u ally calm ed d ow n
as w ell. “Id iot , ju st give it t o h er fir st .”
“W h at ?” H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed , “Did n ’t you ask m e t o ob t ain t h is sou l b on e

at all cost s?”
T h e Ice Em p r ess lau gh ed cold ly an d said , “I w as feelin g gloom y ju st n ow , an d

m y t h ou gh t s w er e n ot clear . Do you t h in k t h at t h e sou l b on es p r od u ced b y Ice
J ad e Scor p ion s can b e ab sor b ed so r ead ily b y an yon e? Ever yt h in g in t h at
au ct ion eer ’s in t r od u ct ion w as ju st con ject u r e. H ow is an yon e clear er t h an m e
ab ou t t h e sp ecial ch ar act er ist ics of Ice J ad e Scor p ion s? Alt h ou gh sh e’s r igh t in
m ost of h er d escr ip t ion , t h er e ar e som e p ar t s t h at w er e w r on g t oo. T h is is also
w h y t h is sou l b on e is a gr eat p r ob lem t o or d in ar y sou l m ast er s. H er m ist ak e lay
in h er claim t h a t fu sin g w it h t h is sou l b on e can in cr ease t h e ice-t yp e p ow er of
on e’s b od y. Do you k n ow w h y sh e’s w r on g?”
H u o Yu h ao la u gh ed b it t er ly. “You ar e m ak in g m e an xiou s. Look at Sen ior

Lin g’s eyes. St op b eat in g ab ou t t h e b u sh .”
T h e Ice Em p r ess sn or t ed b efor e sayin g a few w or d s t o H u o Yu h ao.
“W h at ? So t h is is it ?” H u o Yu h ao w as ap p alled . Follow in g t h at , h e b ecam e

m u ch m or e r elaxed fr om h is in it ial u n easin ess an d said , “T h is is m u ch easier
t h en .”
“Qin g Ya, I h ave a qu est ion .” H u o Yu h ao d id n ot look at Lin g Lu och en ’s

sh in in g gaze, b u t in st ead look ed t ow ar d s Qin g Ya.
Qin g Ya sm iled an d n od d ed at h im w it h o u t d esp isin g h im at a ll. T h ey h ad d u g

d eep in t o t h e p r ofiles of all t h e st u d en t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w h o w er e h er e t o
com p et e. Am on g all t h e st u d en t s, H u o Yu h ao w as on e of t h e few t h at t h ey
m on it or ed closely. Qin g Ya w as fu lly aw ar e of h is b r illian t p er for m an ces d u r in g
t h e com p et it ion . W it h t h e st r en gt h of h is ice-t yp e m ar t ia l sou l, h e h ad r elied on
h is st r en gt h as a t w o-r in ged Sou l Gr a n d m ast er t o ach ieve d ecisive im p act s
d u r in g t h e com p et it ion . H e w as also t ou t ed as t h e fu t u r e h op e an d st ar of Sh r ek
Acad em y.
“Please feel fr ee t o ask , m y d ist in gu ish ed gu est .”
H u o Yu h ao said in a d eep voice, “Can you h alt t h is au ct ion t em p or ar ily?

T h er e’s som et h in g w r on g w it h you r au ct ion it em .”
Aft er h e sp ok e, ever yon e p r esen t w as st u n n ed . T h ey d id n ot exp ect h im t o
r aise h is su sp icion s w it h t h e au ct ion h ou se in st ead of d iscu ssin g h ow t h ey
sh ou ld sh ar e t h e sp oils if t h ey ob t ain ed t h e sou l b on e w it h Lin g Lu och en .
Qin g Ya cr eased h er eyeb r ow s sligh t ly a n d r ep lied , “M y d ist in gu ish ed gu est ,

t h at ’s im p ossib le. All ou r a u ct ion it em s h ave b een t h r ou gh st r in gen t ch eck s an d
t est s. T h ey ar e all p r ob lem -fr ee for su r e. W h ich a u ct ion it em ar e you r efer r in g
t o an yw ay?”
H u o Yu h ao said , “I’m r efer r in g t o t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion Left Ar m Bon e t h at

w as ju st p r esen t ed . I’m also d oin g t h is for t h e n am e of you r au ct ion h ou se. If
su ch an it em is a u ct ion ed ou t for an exor b it an t p r ice, it w on ’t d o an y good for
t h e r ep u t a t ion of you r au ct ion h ou se. If you can ’t m ak e a decision , p lease ask
som eon e w h o h as t h e au t h or it y t o com e ou t n ow .”
Qin g Ya fu r r ow ed h er b r ow s even fu r t h er an d t u r n ed t o W a n g Yan , as if sh e

w as look in g for h is h elp .
W an g Yan lau gh ed gen t ly an d said , “Qin g Ya, you d on ’t h ave t o look at m e. I

t r u st in t h e ju d gem en t of m y st u d en t s. Fu r t h er m or e, if t h er e’s an yon e w h o h as
t h e r igh t t o claim t h at t h is 8t h au ct ion it em is flaw ed , it ’s h im . W e w on ’t p u t
you on t h e sp ot eit h er . Yu h ao, p lease let Qin g Ya t ak e a look at you r m ar t ial
sou l.”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d t u r n ed ar ou n d . H e st r ip p ed h is jack et off an d p assed

it t o W an g Don g. Aft er t h at , h e r em oved h is t op an d r evealed h is fir m u p p er
b od y.
As h is sou l p ow er su r ged , a w h it e sou l r in g r ose fr om b en eat h h is feet . T h e

t em p er at u r e in t h e en t ir e r oom d ip p ed at an alar m in g r at e. Follow in g t h at , a
t at t oo of a h u ge scor p ion ap p ear ed on h is b ack .
T h is t a t t oo w as t oo b ig, su ch t h at t h e cu r led p ar t of t h e scor p ion ’s t ail w as

h id d en u n d er n ea t h h is p an t s. H ow ever , m ost of t h e t a t t oo cou ld b e seen on h is
b ack . W asn ’t it t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ?
Of cou r se, it w as n eed less t o say t h a t Qin g Ya w as u n ab le t o t ell w h at t h e
t at t oo w as. Even for W an g Yan , w h o h a d d eca d es of exp er ien ce in t h e r esear ch
of m ar t ial sou ls, h e cou ld n ot d iffer en t iat e b et w een t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess
Scor p ion an d an Ice J ad e Scor p ion .
“T h is, t h is is…” Qin g Ya w as st u n n ed a s sh e look ed at H u o Yu h ao’s b ack .
W an g Yan said , “Qin g Ya, t h e m ar t ial sou l of t h is st u d en t of m in e is t h e r ar e

Ice J ad e Scor p ion . It or igin at es fr om t h e sam e sou l b east as t h e sou l b on e t h at is
on au ct ion . H en ce, I b elieve h is ju d gm en t w h en h e says t h a t t h is so u l b on e is
flaw ed . For t h e sak e of t h e r ep u t at ion of t h is au ct ion h ou se, I t h in k it ’s b est for
you t o ask for ad vice fr om you r su p er ior s.”
Qin g Ya d id n ot h esit at e an y fu r t h er , a n d n od d ed h er h ead . Sh e said , “All

d ist in gu ish ed gu est s, p lease w ait for a m om en t .” Aft er sh e fin ish ed sayin g t h at ,
sh e t u r n ed an d w alk ed ou t . It w as n o lon ger u n d er h er a u t h or it y t o m ak e an y
d ecision s if t h er e w er e p r ob lem s w it h t h e au ct ion it em s. Aft er H u o Yu h ao
r evealed h is m a r t ial sou l, sh e w as con vin ced , b u t n eed ed som e t im e t o seek
ad vice fr om h er su p er ior s.
Aft er less t h a n a m in u t e, Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s voice r an g ou t on t h e b ig scr een

again , “Du e t o t h e valu e of t h is au ct ion it em , ou r au ct ion h ou se h as d ecid ed t o
ext en d t h e t im e for it ’s ap p r eciat ion b y a fu r t h er 10 m in u t es. T h is w ill allow all
of you t o m ak e a m or e in for m ed ch oice.”
Lin g Lu och en w alk ed u p t o H u o Yu h ao an d w h isp er ed , “Is t h er e r eally

som et h in g w r on g w it h t h is sou l b on e?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ead sligh t ly an d said a few w or d s t o h er in a low

voice. Lin g Lu och en w as d azed for a m om en t . Follow in g t h at , h er exp r ession
ch an ged . Fin a lly, sh e sigh ed in exasp er at ion an d m u m b led , “W h at ’s m ea n t t o b e
you r s w ill b e you r s. W h at ’s n ot m ean t t o b e you r s w on ’t be you r s. W e can ’t
for ce t h in gs.”
H u o Yu h ao com for t ed h er , “Sen ior , I am n ot 10 0 % con fid en t eit h er . If w e ar e

ab le ob t ain t h is sou l b on e, you can t r y it fir st . If it d oesn ’t w or k ou t for you , you
can t h en p ass it t o m e.”
Lin g Lu och en sh ook h er h ead an d t ou ch ed H u o Yu h ao’s h ead . Sh e said ,

“T h er e’s n o n eed t o. I w as ju st b ein g gr eed y. I b elieve you r w or d s. If p ossib le,
you can cu lt iva t e a few t im es w it h m e in t h e fu t u r e w h en you h ave t h e t im e.”
Befor e H u o Yu h ao even op en ed h is m ou t h , W an g Don g for ced h is jack et

t ow ar d s h im . “Pu t it on . W h at ar e you t r yin g t o ach ieve b y b ein g n ak ed ? Do you
w an t ou r eyes t o su ffer ?”
As h e in t er r u p t ed , t h ey d eviat ed fr om t h e su b ject t h a t t h ey w er e on .
At t h is m om en t , t h e d oor op en ed , an d Qin g Ya r et u r n ed t o t h e r oom . W h at

w as u n exp ect ed w as t h at t h e p er son w h o follow ed h er w as Pr in cess J iu J iu , t h e
ch ief au ct ion eer of t h e St ar ligh t a u ct io n H ou se, w h o st ill w or e h er lon g, r ed
d r ess.
Up on seein g h er , ever yon e st ood u p . As sh e w as a p r in cess an d t h is w as t h e

St ar Lu o Em p ir e, ever yon e h ad n o ch oice b u t t o accor d h er t h e r esp ect sh e
d eser ved .
At close r an ge, t h e b eau t y of t h is p r in cess w as ast on ish in g. H er alm ost

flaw less face left ever yon e d izzy. For t u n a t ely, t h is r oom alr ea d y h ad a r avish in g
b eau t y in J ian g Nan n an , w h ich r elieved a lit t le of t h e am azem en t t h at ever yon e
felt .
Pr in cess J iu J iu b ow ed sligh t ly t o ever yon e, t h en ask ed an xiou sly, “W h o is

t h e d ist in gu ish ed gu est t h a t claim s t h a t ou r Ice J ad e Scor p ion Left Ar m Bon e is
flaw ed ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed a n d said , “It ’s m e.”
Pr in cess J iu J iu sized h im u p for a m om en t b efor e sayin g, “W h at ’s t h e

p r ob lem ? You ar e an Ice J ad e Scor p ion sou l m ast er ?”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ead an d sa id , “Yes. T h er e’s n ot h in g w r on g w it h t h is

sou l b on e.”
“Oh ?” Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s h u ge b eau t ifu l eyes flash ed w it h a ch ill, an d sh e said

in a low voice, “W h y is t h er e n ot h in g w r on g w it h it again ?”
H u o Yu h ao said , “I am r efer r in g t o t h e sou l b on e w h en I sa y t h at n ot h in g is

w r on g. T h e p er son ab sor b in g t h e sou l b on e is t h e on e w it h t h e p r ob lem . T h is
sou l b on e can ’t b e ab sor b ed b y ju st an yon e.”
As t h e r oyal p r in cess an d ch ief au ct io n eer , Pr in cess J iu J iu w as a ver y

r est r ain ed p er son . Bu t n ow t h at sh e w as p r essed for t im e, a n d t h is con cer n ed
t h e su ccess of t h e au ct ion , sh e cou ld n ot h elp b u t feel an xiou s. H er t on e
h ar d en ed . “I k n ow t h at n ot ever yon e ca n ab sor b t h is sou l b on e. On ly ice-t yp e
sou l m ast er s an d t h ose w it h a cu lt ivat ion cap ab le ab sor b in g sou l b on es of 50 ,0 0 0
year s an d ab ove can t r y. Ar e you p oin t in g ou t t h is p r ob lem ?”
H u o Yu h ao said , “T h e lim it at ion s of t h is sou l b on e d on ’t en d t h er e. I b elieve

t h at You r H igh n ess d oesn ’t r eally u n d er st an d t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion clan . As t h e
st r on gest sp ecies in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h , t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion s h ave alw ays b een
ver y p r ou d . Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey cu r r en t ly p ossess t h e st r on gest ice a vailab le.
H en ce, t h er e is alw ays a sp ecial r equ ir em en t in or d er t o ab sor b ever yt h in g t h at
t h ey p r od u ce, in clu d in g sou l r in gs an d sou l b on es.”
As h e sp ok e t ill t h is p oin t , H u o Yu h ao r eview ed w h a t t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad said
t o h im ea r lier , “T o ab sor b t h e sou l b on es of u s Ice J ad e Scor p ion s, you h u m an s
w ill n eed Ult im at e Ice, r egar d less of w h a t t yp e of sou l b on e you w an t t o ab sor b .
W it h ou t t h e Ult im at e Ice p h ysiq u e, it ’s im p ossib le t o ab sor b a sou l b on e
p r od u ced b y an Ice J ad e Scor p ion . T h is is t h e p r id e of t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion s!”
H e h ad also r elat ed t h is r eason in g t o Lin g Lu och en , w h ich h ad d isp elled h er

d esir e for t h is sou l b on e.
“W h at is t h e sp ecia l r eq u ir em en t ?” Pr in cess J iu J iu calm ed d ow n . Befor e

en t er in g, sh e h ad a lr ead y k n ow n w h o w as in sid e t h e r oom . T h e m em b er s of
Sh r ek Acad em y n ever sp ok e w it h ou t t h in k in g.
H u o Yu h ao said in a d eep voice, “Ult im at e Ice. W it h ou t an Ult im a t e Ice

p h ysiqu e, it ’s im p ossib le t o ab sor b t h is so u l b on e.”
“T h at 's im p ossib le.” Pr in cess J iu J iu r eact ed alm ost in st an t ly, “Sin ce w h en

h ave t h e r eq u ir em en t s for a sou l b on e b een so h igh ? Doesn ’t t h is m ean t h at n o
on e can ab sor b it ?”
H u o Yu h ao calm ly said , “T h is is t h e p r id e of t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion s.

Fu r t h er m or e, it d oesn ’t m ean t h at n o on e can ab sor b it ju st b ecau se it ’s d ifficu lt
t o. I’m sayin g all t h is ou t of good w ill, a s I d on ’t w an t t h e cr ed ib ilit y of you r
au ct ion h ou se t o b e u n d er m in ed . W h et h er you b elieve m e or n ot is u p t o you . I
h ave said m y p iece. You r H igh n ess, you can con t in u e w it h t h e au ct ion .”
Pr in cess J iu J iu cr ea sed h er b r ow s an d clen ch ed h er fist s su b con sciou sly. On e

cou ld see h er in t er n a l st r u ggle at t h is p oin t .
It w as t r u e t h a t H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s w er e on e-sid ed . H ow ever , Qin g Ya d id

m en t ion t o h er t h at H u o Yu h ao’s m ar t ial sou l w as an Ice J ade Scor p ion . It w as
n or m al t h at h e w ou ld k n ow a lot ab ou t t h e sou l b on e of an Ice J ad e Scor p ion .
H ow ever , t h is w ou ld sp oil h er or igin al p lan . M or eover , it w ou ld b e a m ajor flaw
in t h is t op -r an k ed au ct ion .
Not for get t in g h er st at u s as t h e ch ief au ct ion eer , sh e t ook in a d eep b r eat h
an d calm ed d ow n . Aft er gr eet in g H u o Yu h ao w it h a p alace for m alit y, sh e said ,
“T h an k s for t ellin g m e all t h is. T im e is t igh t , an d I w ill d ea l w it h t h is m at t er
im m ed iat ely. If I’m b ein g r u d e, I h op e t h at ever yon e can for give m e.” Aft er sh e
fin ish ed , sh e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d left in a h u r r y.
Qin g Ya on ly r et u r n ed t o t h e r oom aft er seein g Pr in cess J iu J iu ou t . Sh e w or e

a gloom y exp r ession .
W an g Yan sm iled an d t r ied t o com for t h er . “Qin g Ya, t h is h a s n ot h in g t o d o

w it h you . Don ’t fr et t oo m u ch .”
Qin g Ya sh ook h er h ead an d sa id , “T h is con cer n s t h e cr ed ib ilit y of ou r au ct ion

h ou se! It ’s also a ver y b ig t h in g. T h e st a r t in g b id for t h is sou l b on e w as in it ially
goin g t o b e set at over 10 m illion gold en sou l coin s. T h er e h a s n ever b een a case
of an yon e h avin g an y p r ob lem s w it h ou r au ct ion it em s t h at cr oss t h e 10 m illion
m ar k .”
W an g Yan r ep lied , “It ’s b et t er t o d iscover ear lier t h an n ot t o d iscover it at all.

At least t h er e’s st ill r oom t o r ect ify t h e p r ob lem , sin ce it ’s yet t o b e au ct ion ed
ou t ,.”
On t h e ot h er sid e, Pr in cess J iu J iu w en t fu r t h er in aft er sh e exit ed t h e

p r eviou s r oom . Sh e cam e b efor e a d oor t h at w as n u m b er ed 1 at t h e ver y en d of
t h e h allw ay. W it h ou t even k n ock in g on t h e d oor , sh e p u sh ed w it h h er r igh t
h an d , an d t h e d oor slid op en t o on e sid e. Sh e w alk ed in h u r r ied ly.
“Br ot h er , w e h ave a n issu e.”
T h er e w as on ly on e m an seat ed in t h is r oom . H e w as t all an d u p r igh t , an d h e

w or e a lon g, b lack r ob e. Besid es h im , t h er e w er e n o ot h er p eop le ar ou n d , n ot
even m aid s. H ow ever , if on e saw t h e ap p ear an ce of t h is m an , h e w ou ld b e
h or r ified . T h at ’s b ecau se t h is m an w as t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or .
Aft er h e saw Pr in cess J iu J iu en t er in g t h e r oom , t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or said in
a low voice, “I k n ow t h at som et h in g h as gon e w r on g. Ot h er w ise, you w ou ld n ’t
h ave ext en d ed t h e t im e for t h e gu est s t o ap p r eciat e t h e it em . W h at ’s w r on g?”
Pr in cess J iu J iu r ep eat ed H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s t o h im .
Aft er h ear in g h er w or d s, t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sh ook h is h ead an d lau gh ed

aft er a m om en t ar y d aze. “I st ill w an t ed t o d eliver t h em a favor , b u t w h o k n ew
t h at t h is favor w ou ld b e lack in g? Go an d set t le it . In a w h ile, I w ill go t o m eet
t h em , an d d eliver t h is favor p r op er ly.”
Pr in cess J iu J iu n od d ed as sh e u n d er st ood h is h in t . “Br ot h er , ar e t h ey w or t h

it ? If w e d o it t h is w a y, t h e au ct ion h ou se w ill su st ain con sid er ab le losses.”
“Of cou r se t h ey ar e. W e can even k ill t w o b ir d s w it h on e st on e. It ’s n ecessar y

t o im p r ove ou r t ies w it h Sh r ek Acad em y. In r ecen t t im es, t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e
h as n ot b een ver y at t u n ed t o p eace. T h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all h as also
p r od u ced it em s t h a t h ave in vok ed a sen se of cr isis w it h in m e. On ce t h er e’s
m ovem en t b y t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e, w e’ll b e t h e fir st on t h e r eceivin g en d .
W h en t h at t im e com es, Sh r ek Acad em y w ill b e t h e fir st t o b e ab le t o h elp u s.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e you t h t h at I n ot iced even on ce sp ar k ed a con fer en ce w it h in
t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion . H e h as t w in m ar t ial sou ls an d an u lt im at e ice m ar t ia l
sou l. Doesn ’t t h a t m ak e it n ecessa r y for u s t o b u ild u p ou r t ies w it h h im ? M or e
im p or t an t ly, h e is u n d er t h e r u le of ou r em p ir e as in d icat ed in h is r egist r at ion
in for m at ion in Sh r ek Acad em y. For su ch a t alen t , I b elieve t h at h e’ll gr ow closer
t o u s even if w e d on ’t u se h im . Go, w e d on ’t h ave m u ch t im e left .”
“Alr igh t .” Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s eyes flash ed w it h r a d ian ce, an d h er m in d float ed

w it h t h e im age of H u o Yu h ao’s con fid en ce ear lier . Sh e cou ld n ’t b elieve t h a t h e
w asn ’t even 13 year s old . Bu t h e w as ver y calm ear lier !
Aft er t h e 20 m in u t es of ap p r eciat ion t im e w as u p , H u o Yu h ao w as su r p r ised

t h at t h e au ct ion w as n ot affect ed b y h is w or d s ear lier . It con t in u ed t o b e h eld .
T h e st ar t in g p r ice of t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion Left Ar m Bon e r each ed over 12
m illion . Ever y in cr ease h ad t o b e n o less t h an 50 ,0 0 0 gold en sou l coin s. For su ch
a h igh p r ice, ever yon e fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w as st u n n ed .
Aft er W an g Yan gr it t ed h is t eet h an d m ad e 2 b id s, h e cou ld n ’t car r y on

an ym or e, an d h ad t o give u p . W h ile Sh r ek Cit y w as w ealt h y, t h e t axes t h at it
collect ed in a year w as on ly a m er e few h u n d r ed m illion gold en sou l coin s. For
su ch a t r easu r e t h at w as p r iced in t h e m illion s, it cou ld b e t h e t r easu r e of a cit y.
T h e am ou n t of m on ey in volved m ean t t h at W an g Yan w a s n ot exact ly in a
p osit ion t o m ak e an y calls.
T h e gr eat est sou r ce of m on ey for Sh r ek Acad em y d id n ot com e fr om t h e t axes

collect ed fr om Sh r ek Cit y. T h ey cam e fr om t h e m on et ar y r ew ar d s ob t ain ed
w h en t h e p ow er fu l in d ivid u als fr om Sh r ek Acad em y car r ied ou t m ission s or
h u n t ed sou l b east s ou t sid e. For exam p le, if t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion in Sh r ek
Acad em y w as w illin g t o act , it w as n ot d ifficu lt t o h u n t a n d k ill a h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l b east . T h e va lu e of a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east w as
ver y d ifficu lt t o m ea su r e in t er m s of m on ey.
H ow ever , in t h e p ast t h ou san d year s, Sh r ek Acad em y h ad t on ed d ow n t h is

asp ect of t h eir w or k . T h e m ost im p or t an t r eason for d oin g so w as b ecau se t h ey
d id n ot w an t t o r ile u p t h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est . If it d id , t h e sit u at ion w ou ld
b e d ir e. Even if Sh r ek Cit y cou ld b e p r eser ved , t h e su r r ou n d in gs cit ies an d
villages ar ou n d t h e Gr eat St a r Dou For est w ou ld st ill b e d est r oyed . H en ce, Sh r ek
Acad em y d id n ot h u n t an d k ill sou l b east s in t h e Gr eat St a r Dou For est even
t h ou gh it w as lu cr at ive. T h ey w ou ld on ly d o so t o h elp in cr ease t h e sou l r in gs of
t h eir st u d en t s if t h ey n eed ed on e.
T h e p r ice of t h e sou l b on e soar ed . It in d eed at t r act ed a lot of at t en t ion . W h en

t h e p r ice of t h e sou l b on e r each ed 15 m illion , t h e su d d en sh ou t of a figu r e cau sed
ever yon e t o b e ap p alled .
30 m illion !
T h e n u m b er 30 m illion h ad ap p ear ed on t h e sou l scr een . W h o said n u m b er s
w er e sim p le? By look in g at t h is fr igh t en in g n u m b er , all of t h e Sh r ek ’s Seven
M on st er s st a r t ed t o b r eat h e m or e an xiou sly. T h is figu r e w a s en ou gh t o b u y a
m id -sized cit y! T h e n u m b er r efer r ed t o gold en sou l coin s t oo, an d n ot silver or
b r on ze sou l coin s. T h e p u r ch asin g p ow er of a gold en sou l coin w as en ou gh t o
b u y 150 loaves of b r ead . It w as n ot sim p le for even a cou n t r y t o for k ou t su ch a
su m , b u t r igh t n ow , t h is figu r e w as u sed t o b id on a sou l b on e. W h o cou ld b e so
w ealt h y?
Chapt er 101.1: The Embr yo Of A Hundr ed
Thousand Year Soul Beast
“T each er W an g.” In a r ar e occu r r en ce, Lin g Lu och en sp ok e. Sh e ap p ear ed t o

b e ir r it a t ed . “Isn ’t t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion H ou se b ein g d eceit fu l, k n ow in g t h at t h e
sou l b on e t h ey ar e au ct ion in g is flaw ed ?” Sh e h ad b een m oved b y H u o Yu h ao’s
w or d s ear lier t oo. Sh e w as w on d er in g a b ou t t h e p r osp ect of b ein g ab le t o fu se
w it h t h is sou l b on e. If t h is sou l b on e w as flaw ed , it w ou ld b e in t h e b est in t er est
of t h e St ar ligh t Au ct ion H ou se t o sell it t o t h em . Aft er all, H u o Yu h ao p ossessed
an u lt im at e ice m ar t ial sou l, w h ich w as ver y u n com m on .
W an g Yan w aved t ow ar d s h er an d said , “Don ’t fr et .”
Qin g Ya cam e t ow ar d s W an g Yan an d w h isp er ed a few w or d s t o h im .
W an g Yan lau gh ed sligh t ly an d said , “I’ve gu essed t h at it ’d b e lik e t h is

alr ead y. W e’ll w ait h er e. Isn ’t t h er e a la st au ct ion it em ? Let u s t ak e a look at it
an d see w h at can b e m or e valu ab le t h an t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion Left Ar m Bon e.”
Up on seein g W an g Yan ’s exp r ession , M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yaoh en g w er e b ot h

r elieved . T h ey seem ed t o h ave u n d er st ood som et h in g t oo. Bei Bei, H e Cait ou an d
Xu San sh i all gr in n ed t oo. Xu San sh i ev en t ook t h e in it iat iv e t o an sw er J ian g
Nan n an ’s d ou b t s.
W an g Don g w as in it ially as ir r it a t ed as Lin g Lu och en . On ly w h en H u o Yu h ao

m u t t er ed a few w or d s in t o h is ear d id h e seem ed t o b e en ligh t en ed . Xiao Xiao
w as at a loss t h ou gh . Lin g Lu och en con t in u ed t o fu r r ow h er b r ow s, b u t d id n ot
say an yt h in g.
As t h is Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g

T ou r n am en t con t in u ed , W an g Yan w as gain in g fu r t h er r ecogn it ion fr om h is
st u d en t s b ased on h is p r ofou n d k n ow led ge an d h ar d w or k .
“Next , w e h ave ou r fin al au ct ion it em .”
T h e im age on t h e sou l scr een t u r n ed gold en . As t h e gold en ligh t r eced ed ,

Pr in cess J iu J iu ap p ear ed on t h e scr een w ear in g a lon g, gold en sk ir t .
H er m ilk y-w h it e sk in d id n ’t lose it s b eau t y an d elegan ce w h en p air ed w it h t h e

gr acefu l an d lu xu r iou s gold en p alace sk ir t . T h e t a ilor in g of t h e sk ir t fit t ed h er
b od y t o a t ee, an d even m an aged t o accen t u at e h er cu r ves.
Qin g Ya h ad alr ead y said b efor e t h at w ear in g t h e gold en au ct ion at t ir e

sign ified t h at t h e a u ct ion it em t h at w as ab ou t t o b e p r esen t ed n ext cou ld
p ot en t ially ach ieve a b id of over 10 0 m illion gold en sou l coin s.
Alt h ou gh n o on e k n ew w h at t h at au ct ion it em w as goin g t o b e, t h ey w er e

excit ed u p on seein g Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s ch an ge of at t ir e. In t h is t op -r an k ed
au ct ion , sh e w as in d eed cap ab le of get t in g ever yon e t o t h eir feet !
“Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, w e can t ell h ow va lu ab le t h is fin al a u ct ion it em w ill b e

ju st b y look in g at Pr in cess J iu jiu ’s d r ess. H on est ly sp eak in g, it ’s also m y fir st
t im e seein g t h is au ct ion it em in m y en t ir e life. Fr om m y view p oin t , t h e valu e of
t h is it em can n o lon ger b e ju d ged u sin g m on ey.”
Pr in cess J iu jiu sh ow ed som e m in or ch an ges again aft er ch an gin g in t o t h is

gold en sk ir t . Sh e w as d iffer en t fr om h er p r eviou s self, w h ich ap p ear ed t o b e
m or e sed u ct ive. Righ t n ow , h er t on e of voice w as m or e ser iou s. H er exp r ession
w as also m or e ser iou s. J u st b y sayin g a few w or d s, ot h er s cou ld sen se h er
sin cer it y. T h ey even cou ld n ot h elp b u t b elieve ever y sin gle w or d t h a t sh e said .
“I sh all n ot r eveal t h e n am e of t h is a u ct ion it em yet . I sh all give a b r ief

in t r od u ct ion of w h at it s effect s ar e. T h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion Left Ar m Bon e ea r lier
w as alr ead y ver y sca r ce an d r ar e. As for t h is fin al au ct ion it em , it ’s even m or e
u n iqu e. It s p r ice is even im m easu r ab le u sin g m on ey.”
“It ’s an it em t h at ca n on ly exp en d ed on ce. M or e sp ecifically, it ’s m ed icin a l in

n at u r e, an d t h er e’s on ly on e of it . Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, p lease t ak e a look .” As
sh e sp ok e, Pr in cess J iu jiu w aved h er r igh t h an d , an d a ch a n ge occu r r ed on t h e
sou l scr een . T h er e w as on e m or e w h it e t r ay t h a t ap p ear ed on t h e scr een . On
t h at t r ay, t h er e w a s an ot h er w ood en t r ay. T h is w ood en t r ay w as em b ed d ed w it h
at least a h u n d r ed jew els of var iou s color s. Ab ove t h is aver age-sized w ood en
t r ay, a b all of flow in g gas su r ged sligh t ly.
T h is b all of flow in g gas r evealed it self t o b e w h it e. T h e t en d er w h it en ess of it

u n d er m in ed it s st r en gt h . Fu r t h er m or e, it on ly ap p ear ed t o b e a b all of flow in g
gas fr om t h e scr een . It w as d ifficu lt t o sen se h ow m ir acu lou s it w as t h r ou gh
on e’s vision alon e.
H ow ever , t h is b all of flow in g gas w as ver y con d en sed , an d d id n ot d isp er se.

Su b t ly, it seem ed t o b e st r u gglin g, an d at t em p t in g t o escap e som e for m of
en cir clem en t . T h e w ood en t r ay b en eat h t h e b all of flow in g gas even em an at ed a
layer of d im gold en ligh t t h at en gu lfed t h e gas as t h e gas st r u ggled . T h is st op p ed
t h e gas fr om escap in g.
“All of you m u st b e ver y cu r iou s. W h a t exact ly is t h is it em ? W h en I saw it for

t h e fir st t im e, I w as also u n ab le t o con fir m w h at sor t of p r esen ce it is exact ly.
H ow ever , w e h ave con fir m ed it s d et ailed for m t h r ou gh cou n t less r esear ch
at t em p t s. Never u n d er est im a t e t h is b all of flow in g gas. It ’s even a b lessin g ju st
t o see it t od ay. Alt h ou gh it ’s a lit t le d isr esp ect fu l t o say t h is as an au ct ion eer , I
can ’t t h in k of an ot h er w ay t o d escr ib e h ow valu ab le an d r ar e it is ot h er t h an
u sin g t h is m et h od .
“All of you sh ou ld b e aw ar e t h a t in t h e w or ld of sou l b east s, t h er e’s a

sit u a t ion . Aft er a sou l b east r each es 10 0 ,0 0 0 year s of cu lt ivat ion , it w ill h a ve a
ch oice. If it con t in u es t o cu lt iva t e, it h as t o r ely on it s p ow er fu l in n at e t alen t t o
ch allen ge t h e b ot t len eck t h at cou ld p ot en t ially d issip at e it s sou l. If t h e
b ot t len eck is over com e, w e w ou ld t h en n am e it a t r an scen d en t sou l b east u n t il it
r each es 20 0 ,0 0 0 year s of cu lt ivat ion . Am on g t r an scen d en t sou l b east s, w e call
t h e m ost p ow er fu l t en of t h em t h e T en Gr eat Savage Beast s. It ’s fair t o say t h at
t h ey ar e t h e elit es a m on g t h e sou l b east s.”
“H ow ever , n ot all sou l b east s w ill ch oose t h is p at h aft er t h ey r each 10 0 ,0 0 0
year s of cu lt ivat ion . T h er e’s an ot h er ch oice t h at t h ey can m ak e. T h ey can r e-
cu lt ivat e t o b ecom e h u m an . T o car r y t h is ou t , t h ey m u st con ver t t h em selves
in t o t h e m ost p r im it ive for m of h u m an s. T h ey m u st exist in t h e for m of an
em b r yo fir st b efor e con t in u in g t o cu lt ivat e in or d er t o in cr ea se t h eir cu lt ivat ion .
As lon g as t h ey ca n cu lt ivat e all t h e w ay t ill t h e 7t h r in g, t h ey w ill b e ab le t o
b ecom e t r u e h u m an s. For su ch sou l b east s, t h ey ar e alm ost cer t ain ly ab le t o
r each t h e level of T r an scen d en t Dou lu o. H ow ever , it ’s m or e u n com m on for sou l
b east s t o ch oose t h is p at h com p ar ed t o t h e p r eviou s on e. W h y?”
“T h at ’s b ecau se it ’s equ ivalen t t o t h em for sak in g all t h eir p r eviou s

cu lt ivat ion on ce t h ey ch oose t o b e r eb or n . Besid es r et ain in g t h eir sou l sk ills an d
r elievin g t h em selves of t h e n eed t o k ill a sou l b east t o r ep len ish t h em selves,
t h eir b od ies w ill b e as w eak as t h e b od ies of h u m an s. Regar d less of w h et h er it ’s
t h e sou l b east s t h em selves or t h e m ost p ow er fu l h u m an sou l m ast er s, t h ey can
also sen se t h e d iffer en ce b et w een t h ese sou l b east s an d h u m an s. Su ch sou l
b east s w it h 10 0 ,0 0 0 year s of cu lt ivat ion ar e t h e p r im e t ar get s t o b e h u n t ed an d
slain b y h u m an sou l m ast er s. If w e say t h at 1 ou t of 10 sou l b east s su r vive b y
ch oosin g t h e p r eviou s p at h , it ’s fair t o say t h at n on e of t h em w ill su r vive if t h ey
ch oose t h is p at h . As a r esu lt , t h er e h ave b een few er an d few er sou l b east s w h o
w ill m ak e su ch a ch oice. T h is is u n less if t h ey ar e ab le t o cu lt iva t e t ill 10 0 ,0 0 0
year s b ased on lu ck , or if t h eir lin eage is ext r em ely p oor .”
“Aft er sayin g so m u ch , I r eck on t h at som e of you w ill b e t h in k in g t h at I am

sayin g st u ff t h at a ll of you ar e alr ead y aw ar e of, an d t h er e’s n o n eed for m e t o
r em in d all of you of t h is. H ow ever , I m u st clar ify t h at w h a t I’m sayin g is n ot
gib b er ish . W h at I’m sayin g is closely r elat ed t o t h is, t h e fin al it em of t od ay’s
au ct ion . T h is b all of flow in g gas is a sou l b east w it h 10 0 ,0 0 0 year s of cu lt ivat ion
t h at w as cap t u r ed b y som eon e p ow er fu l aft er it r each ed it s b ot t len eck an d
d ecid ed t o r e-cu lt iv at e in t o a h u m an . Aft er t h at , it w as t r ap p ed in a Class 9
God sealin g Alt ar .
Aft er h ear in g J iu J iu ’s w or d s, t h e en t ir e r oom w en t silen t , in clu d in g W an g

Yan . Ever yon e w as ast ou n d ed .
H u o Yu h ao w as st ill im m er sed in h is exp ect at ion s for t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion
Left Ar m Bon e, b u t h e op en ed h is m ou t h w id e in sh ock w h en h e h ear d Pr in cess
J iu J iu ’s w or d s.
A sou l b east w as cap t u r ed an d t r ap p ed in t h e p r ocess of t u r n in g in t o a h u m an ,

w h en it w as in it s em b r yon ic st at e. W h at d id t h is m ean ? T h is m ean t t h a t a
10 0 ,0 0 0 year sou l b east cou ld b e easily slain . As a r esu lt , a h u n d r ed t h ou san d
year sou l r in g an d sou l b on e cou ld b e ob t ain ed . Bu t at t h e sam e t im e, t h is
sign ified im m en se cr u elt y t oo!
Un d ou b t ed ly, t h is Class 9 sou l en gin eer m u st h ave com e fr om t h e Su n M oon

Em p ir e. T h at ’s b eca u se on ly t h e Su n M o on Em p ir e p ossessed a sou l en gin eer of
su ch a level.
T h is w as in d eed a t r easu r e! A h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g an d sou l b on e

w er e in d eed t h e m ost valu ab le t r ea su r es cu r r en t ly in t h e w or ld . It w as
t r em en d ou sly ar d u ou s t o ob t ain t h em , n ot t o even m en t ion cap t u r in g a 10 0 ,0 0 0
year sou l b east . T h e t em p t at ion t o get ah old of t h is em b r yo w as ver y gr eat . No
w on d er Pr in cess J iu J iu h ad d on n ed t h e gold en au ct ion eer in g clot h es.
An it em w or t h 10 0 m illion gold en sou l coin s w as u n d ou b t ed ly a st agger in g

figu r e. Bu t com p ar ed t o a 10 0 ,0 0 0 year sou l b east , t h er e w er e t h ose w h o w er e
w illin g t o for k ou t t h is su m of m on ey!
H ow ever , t h is w as n ot t h e en d of t h e sh ock for ever yon e.
Pr in cess J iu J iu b eam ed w it h a sm ile an d said , “Dist in gu ish ed gu est s, am I

r igh t t h at a ll of you ar e st u n n ed n ow ? I sh ou ld n ’t b e w r on g. H ow ever , t h er e a r e
even m or e ast on ish in g t h in gs t h a t I h aven ’t r evealed yet . Accor d in g t o t h e
r esear ch in for m at io n p r ovid ed b y t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e r egar d in g t h is em b r yo,
t h is 10 0 ,0 0 0 year sou l b east em b r yo’s m em or y w as also sealed w h en it w as
solid ified in t o t h is st at e. Besid es t h e fact t h at it can p r ovid e a h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d
year sou l r in g an d sou l b on e, t h is m ea n s t h at it can b e easily ab sor b ed . Of
cou r se, t h e p ow er s of t h e Class 9 God sealin g Alt ar h a ve t o b e t ap p ed in t o d u r in g
t h e p r ocess of ab sor p t ion . M or eover , t h e p r ob ab ilit y of it b ein g ab sor b ed
d ir ect ly m igh t n ot b e h u ge. H ow ever , an en t ir e m ar t ial sou l cou ld b e ob t ain ed
b y t h e p er son ab sor b in g it if it ’s su ccessfu l, an d all t h e p ow er s of t h e sou l b east
cou ld b e ab sor b ed . If t h is is t r u e, a m ar t ial sou l t h at can b e ad d ed w it h 9 sou l
r in gs is m u ch su p er ior t h an a sou l r in g or a sou l b on e.”
Silen ce. Not on ly w as t h e r oom t h at H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est w er e in silen t , all

t h e p ar t icip an t s of t h e au ct ion w er e also com p let ely h u sh ed . H ow ever , t h eir
b r eat h in g b ecam e h eavier an d h ea vier .
If t h ey h ad t h ou gh t t h at Pr in cess J iu J iu w as exagger at in g w h en sh e d escr ib ed

t h at au ct ion it em , t h eir m in d set ch an ged im m ed iat ely a t t h is m om en t . If w h at
Pr in cess J iu J iu said w as t r u e, t h en t h is h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east w as
in d eed a p r iceless t r easu r e!
“Is it r eally p ossib le?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice

Em p r ess.
T h e Ice Em p r ess said n ot h in g, b u t sh e felt as if sh e w as ab ou t t o b low u p an y

m om en t . T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m d id n ot t r y t o p r ovok e h er t h is t im e, b u t
in st ead t r ied t o calm t h e Ice Em p r ess d ow n .
“It is r eally p ossib le. Un b elievab ly, you h u m an s m an aged t o cat ch t h e em b r yo

of a h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l b east t h at w as ab ou t t o t u r n in t o a h u m an . All I
can say t h at t h e lu ck r equ ir ed for som et h in g is lik e t h is is in cr ed ib le.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e p er son w h o cau gh t h is em b r yo p r ob ab ly p r ep ar ed for it for
qu it e som e t im e. W h en a sou l b east t r ies t o t u r n in t o a h u m an , it w ill b e at it s
w eak est . On e h as t o b e ext r em ely car efu l. For t h e cap t or t o r em ain u n d et ect ed
m ean s t h a t h e h a d som e p ow er fu l con cealm en t ab ilit y. If t h e em b r yo cou ld b e
for cib ly fu sed , it m a y b ecom e a m ar t ial sou l. H ow ever , it w ill n ot coop er at e as
seam lessly as you an d I. If it w er e t o b ecom e a m ar t ial sou l, t h e em b r yo of t h e
sou l b east w ou ld st ill p r eser ve a b it of it s con sciou sn ess. T h in k ab ou t it ; w ill it
b e w illin g t o b e fu sed ? W h ile it m ay n ot n ecessar ily cr ea t e p r ob lem s, it is su r ely
n ot a good t h in g.”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed h is h ead an d sigh ed in h is h ear t . H e h a d n o ch an ce of

ob t ain in g t h is it em . In clu d in g Elect r olu x, h e h ad t h r ee m ar t ial sou ls alr ead y.
Fu r t h er m or e, as h e look ed at t h e st r eam of gas t h at w as act u ally t h e em b r yo of a
sou l b east , h e cou ld n ot m ak e h im self w a n t it .
W h en h u m an s k illed m at u r e sou l b east s, it w a s su r vival of t h e fit t est . W h en

h u m an s w on , t h ey w ou ld ob t ain sou l r in gs. W h en t h ey w er e k illed , h u m an s
w ou ld b ecom e food for t h e sou l b east s. H ow ever , n o on e w ou ld p ick on t h e
you n ger h u m an s an d sou l b east s. It w as as if t h e t w o sid es h ad com e t o a t acit
agr eem en t t h a t h ar m in g a you n glin g w as som et h in g sh am efu l.
Pr in cess J iu J iu w as n ot yet fin ish ed w it h h er in t r od u ct ion . Sh e sm iled an d

con t in u ed , “H on or ed gu est s, p lease d on ’t w or r y excessively. If on e fails at fu sin g
w it h it , t h en t h e sou l b east w ill su r ely d ie. At t h at t im e, t h e sou l r in g an d t h e
sou l b on e w ill n at u r ally ap p ear . I w an t t o r em in d all gu est s t h at w h oever w ish es
t o t r y fu sin g w it h it m u st p ossess t h e p ow er of an Sou l Dou lu o. If n ot , w h en t h e
b east d ies u p on failu r e an d p r od u ces it s h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g an d
sou l b on e, you w ill n ot b e ab le t o ab sor b it b ecau se you w on ’t b e st r on g en ou gh .
Op t im ally, on e m u st b e an Sou l Dou lu o. T h en , r egar d less of w h et h er you
su cceed or fail, n o p r ob lem w ill ar ise.”
“Of cou r se, if you ar e n ot p ow er fu l, it ’s fin e t oo. T h e God sealin g Alt ar is

p ow er fu l en ou gh t o seal t im e an d sp ace. W it h it , as lon g as on e d oes n ot op en it
w it h som e sp ecial sp ell, t h e h u n d r ed t h o u san d year sou l b east w ill st ill b e in sid e.
Even aft er a t h ou san d year s, or even t en t h ou san d year s, it w ill n ot b e d am aged .
H ow ever , t h is cr ea t es a p r ob lem u n t o it self t oo. W h oever b u ys t h e h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l b east m u st also b u y t h is Class 9 sou l t ool, as it is n ecessar y t o
p r eser ve t h is em b r yo.”
“Now , w e w ill give ou r h on or ed gu est s 30 m in u t es t o r est a n d ad m ir e t h is

ob ject . Aft er 30 m in u t es, w e w ill st a r t t h is au ct ion . H er e, w e allow ou r gu est s t o
ob t ain som e cash b y offer in g collat er al. W e w ill a ssess each ob ject offer ed t h u s
ob ject ively, b u t w e w ill t ak e a 20 % com m ission fee for each exch an ge. T h is is a
on ce-in -a -lifet im e op p or t u n it y, as t h is ob ject is u n p r eced en t ed in h ist or y. W it h
it , on e’s p ow er w ill su r ely in cr ea se im m en sely. Don ’t m iss t h is ch an ce.”
T h e God sealin g Alt a r in t h e im age w as b low n u p m an y t im es, an d t h e b all of
fain t , gold en ligh t b ecam e clear er . If on e look ed at it car efu lly, on e w ou ld see
t h at t h e b all of gas w it h in t h e God sea lin g Alt ar look ed lik e a h u m an b ab y.
W an g Yan ar ch ed h is eyeb r ow s t igh t ly as h e sat on t h e sofa. T h is t r easu r e w as

at t r act ive, n o d ou b t . H ow ever , t h e p eop le fr om Sh r ek a ll h a d a look of
h elp lessn ess in t h eir eyes.
Becau se of t h e valu e of t h is t r easu r e, it s p r ice w ou ld su r ely b e t er r ifyin gly

h igh t oo. Even if Sh r ek Acad em y w ish ed t o p u r ch ase it , it w ou ld p u t a h u ge d en t
in t h eir fin an ces. Fu r t h er m or e, w it h t h eir cu r r en t set u p , t h ey m igh t n ot even b e
ab le t o b r in g it b ack .
At t h is t im e, M a Xia ot ao fin ally p layed h er r ole as t h e t eam lead er . “Pa! Pa !

Pa!” Sh e clap p ed h er h an d s an d a t t r act ed ever yon e’s gaze t o h er .
“It ’s fin e gu ys, t h er e’s n o n eed for Sh r ek Acad em y t o ow n ever y sin gle good ie.
No d ou b t t h is it em is good , b u t it ’s w ay t oo exp en sive. T o m e, t h is it em is
over valu ed . W it h so m u ch m on ey, w h y d on ’t w e ju st ask som e fr eak s fr om
Sh r ek Acad em y t o ca t ch som e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b ea st s? Fu r t h er m or e,
t h e d escr ip t ion com es solely fr om t h e au ct ion eer , an d w e d on ’t k n ow m u ch
ab ou t an y sp ecific d et ails eit h er . It s au ct ion p r ice is su r ely b ased on t h e valu e of
a secon d m ar t ial sou l, p r od u ced u p on su ccessfu l fu sion . W h at if t h e fu sion fails?
Let ’s ju st en joy t h e sh ow , sh all w e?”
Dai Yu eh en g r egain ed h is sen ses t oo as h e n od d ed h is h ead a n d said , “Xiaot ao

is r igh t . T h is is a t r easu r e t h at w e m igh t en cou n t er , b u t m ay n ot p ossess. Even if
w e en cou n t er it , t h is is n ot som et h in g t h at w e can b u y w it h ou r cu r r en t
fin an cial ab ilit y. W h at a sh am e.” W h ile t h at w as w h at h e said , a d ar k exp r ession
st ill cr ossed h is eyes. If t h e p eop le b eh in d t h e St a r ligh t Au ct ion w er e n ot t h e
Im p er ial Fam ily, h e w ou ld su r ely d o som et h in g. H at r ed b r ew ed in h is h ear t . For
a t r easu r e lik e t h is, even h is fat h er d id n ot k n ow t h e d et ails. If h e d id …
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes w er e clear . H e h ad n o d esir e for t h e em b r yo of t h is h u n d r ed

t h ou san d year sou l b east . W it h ou t d esir e, h is h ear t w as m u ch calm er t oo. H e
t u r n ed h is h ead t o look at W an g Don g. W h at sh ock ed h im w a s t h at W an g Don g
w as eat in g a fr u it fr om t h e t ab le. H e w as act in g even m or e n a t u r ally t h a n h im .
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ot h elp b u t say in a low voice, “W h at ? Don ’t you h ave t h e

sligh t est d esir e for it at all?”
W an g Don g sh ook h is h ead an d sa id , “No.”
W h en M a Xiaot ao h ear d t h eir exch an ge, sh e cou ld n ot h elp b u t ch id e, “T h e

t w o of you ar e alr ead y t w in -sou led sou l m ast er s, w h at d esir e can you p ossib ly
h ave? H ow ever , d o you k n ow h ow m an y t w in -sou led sou l m ast er s ar e t h er e in
t h e con t in en t ? I can cou n t t h em w it h on e h an d . Even for ou r sch ool, w e h ad n ot
seen on e for over 4 0 0 year s. Now , t h r ee a p p ear all at on ce.”
At t h is m om en t , a k n ock cam e fr om t h e d oor . Qin g Ya st ood u p an d sh ot a

look at W an g Yan , as if seek in g h is p er m ission .
W an g Yan n od d ed . On ly t h en d id Qin g Ya op en t h e d oor .
T h e d oor op en ed , an d t h e fir st t o en t er w as Pr in cess J iu J iu , w h o w as st ill

clad in h er gold en , r egal r ob es. T h e p er son b eh in d h er w as n on e ot h er t h an t h e
Em p er or of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e.
W h en sh e saw w h o t h ey w er e, Qin g Ya w as sh ock ed . Sh e r et r eat ed a few st ep s

an d k n elt on on e k n ee. T h e t w o m aid s n ext t o h er k n elt on b ot h k n ees.
T h e p eop le fr om Sh r ek h ad all seen t h e em p er or in St ar Lu o Plaza. Now ,

w h en t h ey look ed at h im u p -close, all of t h em w er e d u m b fou n d ed . On ly Dai
Yu eh en g leap t u p fr om t h e sofa an d k n elt on on e k n ee a s h e said r esp ect fu lly,
“You r M ajest y.”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or r aised h is h an d s an d said , “Rise. T h is is an au ct ion ,

an d you ar e gu est s. I am t h e h ost . T h er e’s n o n eed for for m alit ies. In fact , I
sh ou ld p r op er ly ext en d m y h osp it alit y t o you as t h e h ost . Yu eh en g, you r fat h er
is m y b ig b r ot h er . You sh ou ld call m e u n cle. W h y ar e you act in g so for m al?”
On ly t h en d id t h e t eam fr om Sh r ek get over t h eir in it ial sh ock . T h ey all got
u p an d p aid t h eir r esp ect s t o h im , b u t in st ead of k n eelin g, t h ey sim p ly b ow ed .
Aft er all, t h ey b elon ged t o Sh r ek Acad em y, w h ose d ean ’s p osit ion r iva lled t h at
of em p er or s. It w ou ld b e w r on g t o sh ow t oo m u ch d efer en ce.
Aft er W an g Yan b ow ed , h e exclaim ed in su r p r ise, “You r M ajest y, w h at ar e

you d oin g?” By com in g, t h e em p er or h ad r evealed h is st a t u s a s t h e for ce b eh in d
t h e au ct ion . T h is sh ock ed h im .
T h e em p er or sm iled an d said , “I am h er e t o look at you all. I w an t ed t o t ak e a

look at t h e h igh -calib er st u d en t s of Sh r ek for a ver y lon g t im e. I h ave seen you
com p et e in ever y sin gle r ou n d . Even t h ou gh t h er e w er e som e m ish ap s
con cer n in g Sh r ek Acad em y's official t eam , you r r esolu t e d isp lay of b ot h for ce
an d t alen t h as left a d eep im p r ession on m e.”
“Please sit , You r M ajest y,” W an g Yan said as h e gest u r ed w it h h is h an d s.
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sh ook h is h ead an d said , “No, t h an k you . All of you

h ave seen h ow sh ock in g t h is ob ject is. I st ill n eed t o b e t h er e, t o gu ar d again st
t h ose w h o m ay h ar b ou r ill in t en t . Sp eak in g of t h is ob ject , I r eally can ’t b ear t o
au ct ion t h is it em ou t . H ow ever , t h e em p ir e’s exp en ses ar e r a t h er h igh , an d all I
can d o is give u p w h at I love. T od ay, ot h er t h an t ak in g a look at you t alen t ed
p eop le, I also w an t t o t h an k you for you r w ar n in g d u r in g t h e au ct ion of t h e Ice
J ad e Scor p ion ’s left ar m b on e. T h is h as h elp ed t o p r eser ve ever yon e’s t r u st in
t h e au ct ion .”
Pr in cess J iu J iu said , “J u st n ow , u n d er m y m ed iat ion , w e b ou gh t t h e Ice J ad e

Scor p ion ’s left ar m b on e b ack ou r selves. H ow ever , t o p r even t an ym or e t r u st
issu es fr om ar isin g, t h is it em can n o lon ger b e sold . T o t h an k Sh r ek Acad em y
for you r t im ely r em in d er , w e h ave d ecid ed t o give t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion ’s left
ar m b on e aw ay as a gift . If Sh r ek Acad em y can b ecom e t h e ch am p ion s of t h e
in au gu r a l Elit e Con t in en t al Sou l M ast er Acad em y T ou r n am en t , t h en w e sh all
give t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion ’s left ar m b on e t o you r sch ool as an a d d it ion a l
r ew ar d . Of cou r se, w e d o h op e t h at you can k eep t h is m at t er a secr et .”
Even if Pr in cess J iu J iu d id n ot say it h er self, ever yon e cou ld gu ess t h at t h e
au ct ion eer s w er e t h e on es w h o h ad bou gh t b ack t h e it em at a p r ice of 30 m illion .
Usin g t h is m et h od , t h ey w er e ab le t o st op ot h er s fr om r ealizin g t h at t h e au ct ion
it em w as u n ab le t o live u p t o it s h yp e.
“T h is…” W an g Yan an d ever yon e fr om t h e Sh r ek Acad em y w er e sh ock ed .

W h ile t h ey k n ew t h at t h e p r ice for t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion ’s left ar m b on e w a s
clear ly n ot in d icat ive of it s va lu e, it w a s st ill an im m en sely valu ab le ob ject .
W h ile ot h er s m igh t n ot b e ab le t o u se it , it w as p r iceless t o H u o Yu h ao! It s valu e
su r p assed W a n g Don g’s Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e. 10 m illion w as t oo ch eap a
p r ice for it ! It w as p ossib le t h at t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e h ad d ecid ed t o gift it ou t
on ly b ecau se of t h e ab sor p t ive ab ilit y of Ult im at e Ice. T h is d eb t of gr at it u d e w as
im m en se in d eed , t o t h e p oin t w h er e W an g Yan d id n ot even d ar e t o accep t it .
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sim p er ed at H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as st a n d in g a t t h e sid e,

an d said , “M y Pr ot ect or Dou lu o t old m e t h at it is lik ely t h at you p ossess an ice-
t yp e m ar t ial sou l w it h Ult im a t e Ice, so t h is sou l b on e is su it ab le for you , ju st lik e
h ow a h er o d eser ves an exot ic sw or d . Besid es, I d on ’t t h in k you can fin d a
secon d p er son in t h e en t ir e w or ld w it h Ult im at e Ice. Sin ce t h a t ’s t h e case, I sh all
gift it t o som eon e in st ead of let t in g it collect d u st som ew h er e in a cor n er . Of
cou r se, t h e ch am p ion ’s t it le is a p r er equ isit e – even t h ou gh t h is sou l b on e
cou ld n ’t fet ch a h igh p r ice, it n eed s t h e r esp ect an d d ign it y it d eser ves.”
“T h an k you , you r m ajest y.” T h is w as H u o Yu h ao’s fir st en cou n t er w it h t h e

em p er or of a n at ion , so it w as im p ossib le for h im n ot t o feel a lit t le n er vou s as
h e b ow ed t im id ly on ce m or e.
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or con t in u ed , “You r n am e is H u o Yu h ao. Fr om w h at I can

see ab ou t you r p lace of b ir t h in you r r egist r at ion , you ar e fr om m y cou n t r y,
aft er all – w e can ’t give t h e good st u ff t o ou t sid er s, eh ? T h e gat es t o St ar Lu o
Cit y w ill alw ays b e op en t o you . Let ’s ju st leave it lik e t h is fir st . I w ish t o
con t in u e w it h t h e h igh ligh t of t h is au ct ion , an d it ’s h igh ly lik ely t h at t h e last
it em w ill fet ch an exor b it an t p r ice. So you gu ys can w it n ess a m ir acle b efor e
you r d ep ar t u r e.” W it h t h at , t h e Em p er or t ilt ed h is h ead t o h is au d ien ce b efor e
h e t u r n ed an d left .
H u o Yu h ao’s fir st im p r ession of h im w a s t h at h is au r a of m ajest y an d p r est ige

w asn ’t over flow in g, yet h e w a s ext r em ely u n r u ffled at t h e sam e t im e. T h er e
seem ed t o b e a feelin g of ab solu t e con t r ol h id d en w it h in h is in d iffer en t sm iles,
an d h e ap p ear ed t o b e ab le t o con vin ce ot h er p eop le for n o ot h er r eason t h an it
w as h e w h o h ad sp ok en .
“H e’s r eally givin g it t o u s for fr ee?” Xiao Xiao w as a lit t le t ak en ab ack .
W an g Yan sh ook h is h ead an d r ep lied , “N ah . Pu t m or e accu r a t ely, it ’s a gift t o

H u o Yu h ao of Sh r ek Acad em y. T h e Em p er or is t r u ly w ell-in fo r m ed .”
As h e sp ok e, h e su r v eyed t h e r est of h is st u d en t s, an d ever yb od y cou ld see t h e

su d d en ch an ge in h is eyes. Ever yon e in st a n t ly sealed t h eir m ou t h s an d ceased t o
d iscu ss t h e m at t er . In t h e en d , Qin g Ya a n d t h e ot h er t w o ser van t gir ls w er e st ill
in t h e r oom .
On ce h e w as ou t of t h e seven t h gu est r oom , t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sm iled as

h e m u t t er ed u n d er h is b r eat h , “I d o h op e t h is k id w on ’t let m e d ow n . T h e
b eacon of t r u st an d fr ien d sh ip h as b een sen t ou t – I w on d er w h at r esp on se Sh r ek
w ill give. J iu J iu – aft er t h e con clu sion of t h e com p et it ion , st r en gt h en ou r
r elat ion sh ip w it h Sh r ek Acad em y. W aive t h e t axes for m er ch an t s an d b u sin ess
d elegat ion s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y d oin g b u sin ess in ou r cou n t r y b y fift y
p er cen t .”
“Yes, b r ot h er . Som et h in g’s h ap p en in g,” Pr in cess J iu J iu w h isp er ed .
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or n od d ed h is h ead fain t ly, b u t ask ed n ot h in g, an d

in st ead st r olled b ack in t o t h e fir st au ct ion r oom t h at h e w as in it ia lly in as
Pr in cess J iu J iu follow ed b eh in d h im . On e cou ld see u p on closer in sp ect ion t h a t
t h er e w as a w h it e-co lor ed ear p lu g in h er r igh t ear , an d sh e m ad e gest u r es t h a t
su ggest ed sh e w as list en in g closely t o som et h in g.
On ce t h e d oor w as closed , on ly t h e t w o of t h em w er e left in t h e fir st gu est

r oom .
“You can sp eak n ow ,” t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sign aled t o Pr in cess J iu J iu .
Pr in cess J iu J iu an sw er ed , “T h e t ar get h as t ak en t h e b ait an d h as b egu n

sellin g sou l t ools t o u s for t h e ap p r op r iat e am ou n t of cash . W h en w e p r op osed t o
r ed u ce t h e p r ocessin g fee for p r od u ct s m an u fact u r ed b y t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e
H all b y t en p er cen t acr oss t h e b oar d , t h ey h ad a b r ief d iscu ssion an d t ook ou t a
p or t ion of t h e sou l t ools fr om t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all t o sell u s. W h at a
su ccess!”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sm iled a n d said , “T h is is w it h in ou r est im at ion s. T h e

Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H allm ast er ’s gr ea t -gr an d ch ild is t h e m ost p r od igiou s
in d iv id u al in t h e h ist or y of t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. If t h ey ca n fin ish t h e fu sion
of t h e em b r yo, it w ill b e lik e t h e ch er r y on t h e cak e. H ow can t h ey let go of su ch
an op p or t u n it y? In t er m s of fin an cial p ow er , t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all ca n b e
con sid er ed t o b e n u m b er on e on t h e con t in en t . Ever y sin gle sou l t ool ob t ain ed
fr om t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H a ll sh all b e im m ed iat ely sen t t o t h e r esear ch lab .”
“Yes,” t h er e w as a t in ge of cr aft in ess in Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s eyes as sh e said ,

“Let ’s h op e t h ey sear ch for t h at Class 9 sou l m ast er w h en t h ey go b ack . H eh e.”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or said , “T h is p lan can b e said t o b e seam less. St a r t t h e

clock aft er t h e con clu sion of t h e au ct ion – t h r ee m on t h s lat er , an n ou n ce a qu est
t o st eal t r easu r es fr om t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all t o t h e Ad ven t u r er ’s
Associat ion , an d t h a t t h e r ew ar d u p on com p let ion w ill b e on e h u n d r ed m illion
gold en sou l coin s. No m at t er h ow t alen t ed t h e gr ea t -gr an d ch ild of t h e
Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H a llm ast er is, it ’s h igh ly u n lik ely t h at h e w ill fin ish t h e fu sion
w it h in t en year s. T h is est im at e is a lso m a d e u n d er t h e assu m p t ion t h at t h ey w ill
u t ilize t h eir m ost exot ic h er b s an d w h at n ot . T en year s is en ou gh t o ch an ge
m an y t h in gs an d cr eat e a lot m or e var iab les.”
Pr in cess J iu J iu giggled an d t eased , “I r ealize t h at you ’r e b ecom in g m or e an d

m or e sch em in g, b r ot h er .”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or ’s eyes gr ew a lit t le d u ll. “W h y w ou ld w e h ave t o

em p loy su ch m et h od s if w e h ad en ou gh p ow er ? Accor d in g t o ou r in t elligen ce,
t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all’s r esear ch on sou l t ools h as h a d m u lt ip le con t in u ou s
b r eak t h r ou gh s. If w e d on ’t r est r a in t h em r igh t n ow , it w on ’t t ak e t en year s for
t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e t o t ak e som e d r ast ic act ion – a n d w e ar e far fr om
p r ep ar ed .”
Pr in cess J iu J iu a t t em p t ed t o con sole h er b r ot h er . “T h is isn ’t you r fau lt ,
b r ot h er . You ar e alr ead y t r yin g you r b est . T h e on ly d iffer en ce is t h at , in t er m s
of r esear ch in g an d d evelop in g sou l t ools, w e d on ’t h ave t h e r ich geogr ap h ical
an d n at u r al ad van t age t h at t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e p ossesses. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey
h ave b een on t h is jo u r n ey even b efor e t h ey clash ed w it h t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t .”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or w aved h is h an d s an d said , “Not h in g you can say can

alt er r ealit y, an d w e can on ly w or k w it h w h at ’s r eal. I w ill p ay a p er son al visit t o
Sh r ek Acad em y in t h e n ear fu t u r e. If t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e d ecid es t o t ak e som e
d r ast ic act ion , t h ey ar e t h e on ly allies t h at w e can cou n t on . W h at ar e t h e
r esp on ses fr om t h e o t h er p ow er fu l sect s? ”
Pr in cess J iu J iu r ep lied , “Ever yon e h as r esp on d ed , an d t w o of t h em ar e

clear er w it h t h eir in t en t ion s an d t h ey h a ve alr ea d y sold u s a gr eat m an y t h in gs.
A con ser vat ive est im at e of ou r d ir ect r even u e fr om t h is a u ct ion sh ou ld b e in
excess of fift y m illion gold en sou l coin s. T h is su m of m on ey is en ou gh t o
p u r ch ase p len t y of t h in gs fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e via ou r agen t s.”
A t r ace of ch illy ligh t flick er ed in t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or ’s eyes. “T r y t o

in st iga t e sp ar k s b et w een t h em , as m u ch as p ossib le.”
“Yes.”
T h ir t y m in u t es w as en ou gh t im e – en ou gh for m an y p eop le t o set t le a lot of

t h in gs.
T h e au d ien ce fr om Sh r ek Acad em y follow ed t h e in t en se con t est in t h e last

r ou n d of t h e au ct io n as ou t sid er s w h o w er e ou t of t h e p ict u r e, w h o sim p ly sat
b ack an d r elaxed .
T h e op en in g p r ice o f t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east em b r yo w as an

ou t r ageou s on e h u n d r ed m illion gold en sou l coin s. Pr in cess J iu J iu claim ed t h at
t h is op en in g p r ice w as u n p r eced en t ed in t h e St a r ligh t Au ct ion an d set a
h ist or ica l r ecor d .
T h e su b seq u en t even t s cou ld on ly b e d escr ib ed as cr u el an d fier ce. T h r ee
p ar t ies en t er ed t h e fr ay fr om t h e ver y b egin n in g. T h e p r ice r ose st ead ily, an d
sw ift ly r each ed on e h u n d r ed an d t h ir t y m illion gold en sou l coin s. T h e m om en t
t h is n u m b er w as r ea ch ed , t h e sp eed of t h e b id d in g b ecam e a lot m or e gr ad u al.
Aft er all, an yt h in g aft er a h u n d r ed m illion gold en sou l coin s w as a su m t h at

m ost p ar t ies w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o for k ou t .
At t h is ver y m om en t , t h e n u m b er ch an ged su d d en ly. “On e h u n d r ed a n d fift y

m illion gold en sou l coin s!” Som eon e h ad ad d ed t w en t y m illio n gold en sou l coin s
in on e go.
A you t h st ood b efor e t h e so u l scr een in t h e secon d gu est r oom w it h h is fist s

t igh t ly clen ch ed t oget h er . “I w an t t o see w h o w ill com p et e w it h m e n ow .”
T h er e w er e ab ou t a d ozen p eop le sit t in g on t h e sofa b eh in d h im , an d

ever yb od y’s exp r ession w as a lit t le d iffer en t . Som e look ed en viou s, som e h ad
in d iffer en t faces, an d som e w er e even jealou s, w h ile ot h er s w er e clear ly
d isp leased .
If t h e p eop le fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w er e h er e, t h ey w ou ld h ave r ecogn ized

t h eir id en t it ies in st an t ly. W er e t h ese p eop le n ot t h e st u d en t s fr om t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y, h er e t o p ar t icip at e in t h e
com p et it ion ? T h e you t h st an d in g at t h e for efr on t w as t h eir r eser ve t eam lea d er ,
Xiao H on gch en .
Eld er W u ’s b r ow s w er e t igh t ly k n it t ed t oget h er . “Don ’t you t h in k you r aised

t h e p r ice a b it t oo h igh ? T w en t y m illion gold en sou l coin s in on e b id …”
Xiao H on gch en sh ook h is h ead an d sn ick er ed , “T h is is m ean t t o fr igh t en m y

com p et it or s so t h a t t h ey’ll b e afr aid t o con t in u e b id d in g. If w e gr in d t h em d ow n
slow ly, t h e p r ice m a y en d u p b ein g even h igh er .”
M a Ru lon g low er ed h is voice an d said , “Is it r eally w or t h it t o sp en d so m u ch

m on ey on ju st on e t h in g?”
Xiao H on gch en ’s em ot ion s an d r at ion alit y w er e alr ead y in flu en ced b y t h e
h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l b east em b r yo, an d h e w as alm ost in a h yst er ical
st at e of m in d . H e d id n ’t sp ar e a secon d t h ou gh t an d said , “Of cou r se it ’s w or t h
it . I’m n ot sp en d in g t h e acad em y’s m on ey eit h er . I’ll b e ab le t o ob t ain t w in
m ar t ial sou ls, or a h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b on e an d sou l r in g w it h t h is sor t
of p r eciou s t r easu r e, t h u s ad van cin g m y sou l. T h is is an op p or t u n it y t h at com es
on ce in a b lu e m oon ; h ow can I let it slip t h r ou gh m y fin ger s?”
M a Ru lon g’s face in st an t ly t u r n ed even d ar k er , b u t Eld er M a glar ed at h im ,

an d h e said n ot h in g m or e.
In sid e t h e t h ir d gu est r oom .
“Lit t le b ast ar d . T ell m e w h o’s t h e on e r a isin g t h e p r ice – I’ll en d h im .” T h er e

w er e on ly t w o p eop le in sid e t h is r oom , an d t h ey b ot h look ed lik e t h ey w er e at
least for t y year s old . T h e p er son w h o sp ok e w as t all an d la n k y, an d t h e m ost
st r ik in g feat u r e ab ou t h im w as t h at h is r igh t ar m w as u n n at u r ally t h ick an d
b u r ly – at least t w ice as lar ge as h is left ar m . H is en t ir e b ein g seem ed t o em an at e
w it h an au r a t h at r esem b led t h at of a p r eh ist or ic b east .
T h e ot h er m an w as a lot sm aller an d sk in n ier , b u t h is h ea d w as esp ecially

lar ge, w h ich m a d e h im look lik e a b ig-h ead ed d oll. T h er e w er e b ar ely a few
st r an d s of h air on h is h ead a n d t h ey w er e all yellow in color , b u t h is eyes
sp ar k led as h e b lin k ed , as if t h ey w er e flick er in g ligh t s.
“I t h in k w e h ave t o fin d ou t w h o t h is is. If w e can ’t t ak e t h is it em b ack t o ou r

lit t le lor d r igh t aw a y, w e at least h ave t o fin d ou t w h er e w e h ave t o sn at ch it
fr om .”
As h e sp ok e, t h e b ig-h ead ed m an closed h is eyes in t o slit s, a n d t h e air w it h in

t h e en t ir e gu est r oom im m ed iat ely st ar t ed t o t w ist vigor ou sly. T h e sen sat ion
w as sim ilar t o t h at of a p er son in a d aze as h e w it n essed h eat r ip p les ab ove
r agin g flam es, an d t h e en t ir e r oom su d d en ly b ecam e ext r em ely su r r eal.
Ever y r oom w as h ost ed b y an au ct ion eer an d t w o ser van t gir ls. T h e fir st
p eop le t o feel t h e in t en sit y w er e t h e t h r ee gir ls w or k in g for t h e au ct ion . As t h eir
b od ies q u iver ed , t h eir eyes gr ew em p t y, an d t h ey ju st st ood t h er e, r oot ed t o t h e
gr ou n d , an d d id n ’t m ove a sin gle in ch .
T h e b ig-h ead ed m an san k b ack in t o t h e sofa an d gest u r ed t ow ar d s t h e b lack -

r an k ed au ct ion eer . “You , get over h er e.”
T h e b lack -r an k ed au ct ion eer st ep p ed u p h u r r ied ly an d st op p ed b efor e h im as

if sh e w er e in a st u p o r .
“Go ou t an d fin d ou t t h e id en t it y of t h e p er son w h o ju st r aised t h e p r ice t o a

h u n d r ed an d fift y m illion gold en so u l coin s.”
“Yes.” T h e b lack -r a n k ed au ct ion eer act u ally b ow ed r esp ect fu lly b efor e sh e
t u r n ed an d left t h e r oom .
If t h e Sou lsu ck in g Bell Sou l M ast er , Sh an ggu an Can , w h o h ad faced off

again st Sh r ek Acad em y d u r in g t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g
T ou r n am en t , w er e t o see t h is scen e, h is jaw w ou ld b e h an gin g slack – t h at b ig-
h ead ed m an h ad h yp n ot ized an d con t r olled t h e w illp ow er of sever al p eop le at a
w h im , w it h ou t even u n leash in g h is m ar t ial sou l. Even t h ou gh t h ey w er e ju st
sever al n or m al p eop le, t h is w as a m ir acu lou s an d in cr ed ib le occu r r en ce.
T h e t h ick -ar m ed m an w h isp er ed , “You ’r e so p ow er fu l, secon d sen ior b r ot h er .

W h y d on ’t w e ju st con t r ol t h e p eop le w or k in g for t h e au ct ion in st ead , an d
sim p ly st eal aw ay t h e it em ?” As h e sp ok e, m u r d er ou s em ot ion s flick er ed in h is
eyes, an d h is b u r ly r igh t ar m cr ack ed sever al t im es in a r ow . T h ese sou n d s
w er en ’t p r od u ced b y h is b on es – in st ea d , t h ey w er e t h e cr ack lin g sou n d s cr eat ed
b y a ch an ge in t h e air flow su r r ou n d in g h is ar m .
Chapt er 102.1: Team Dou Ling
T h e b ig-h ead ed m an sh ook h is h ea d . “No, w e can ’t . T h is St ar ligh t Au ct ion

H ou se is u n d er t h e con t r ol of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e. Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w ill
d efin it ely b e p eop le act in g as secu r it y for su ch a t op -r an k ed a u ct ion . I can feel a t
least fou r d iffer en t p ow er fu l au r as h er e. T h er e ar e fou r T it led Dou lu o h er e, d o
you w an t t o d ie? Un less ou r sect eld er s ar e h er e, w e w on ’t b e ab le t o ach ieve
an yt h in g good . Rela x, t h is h u n d r ed t h o u san d year sou l b east em b r yo is n ot so
easily ab sor b ed . So w h at if t h ey m an age t o w in t h e b id for it ? As lon g as w e can
id en t ify t h e r igh t t ar get , w e can alw ays get it b ack .”
Sim ilar sit u a t ion s t o t h is p layed ou t acr oss t h e sever al gu est r o om s. It w as ju st

t h e m et h od s t h ey u sed t o seek ou t in for m at ion t h at w er e d iffer en t . W it h t h e
secr et coop er at ion o f t h e St a r ligh t Au ct ion H ou se, h ow cou ld t h e id en t it ies of
t h e m em b er s of t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y r em ain a
secr et ?
T h e figu r e of 150 m illion gold en sou l coin s d id n ot con t in u e t o soar an y

fu r t h er . T h is ast r on om ical figu r e w as fr igh t en in g t o ever yon e, n o m at t er h ow
p ow er fu l t h ey w er e.
“As exp ect ed , t h ey’ve all b een scar ed b y m e.” In t h e secon d gu est r oom , Xiao
H on gch en sn or t ed an d t u r n ed h is h ead t ow ar d s Eld er M a. T h en , h e said , “Eld er
M a, t h is t r easu r e is a k n ot t y p r ob lem for u s. Ou r safet y can n ot b e gu ar an t eed
d u r in g t h e h an d over an d t ak eover p r ocess at t h is au ct ion . On ce t h e exch an ge is
d on e, b r in g it b ack t o ou r acad em y im m ed iat ely an d p ass it t o ou r an cest or .
On ce it en t er s t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all, let ’s see w h o’ll d ar e t o h ar b or an y ill
in t en t ion s.”
Eld er M a n od d ed an d said , “T h is sh ou ld b e t h e case. W e m u st st ill t r y ou r b est

t o r em ain low -p r ofile. It ’s r ar e t o see an au ct ion it em t h at ’s w or t h h u n d r ed s of
m illion s in t h e h ist or y of t h e con t in en t . I w ill r et u r n t h r ou gh t h e secr et
p assagew ay t h at t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H a ll h as in St ar Lu o Cit y.”
T h e fir st gu est r oom .
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or list en ed t o all t h e n ew s t h at w as b ein g con veyed t o

h im , an d t h e sm ile on h is face b ecam e b r igh t er an d b r igh t er .
“150 m illion . Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H allm ast er , I h op e you lik e t h is gift I’m giv in g
you .” Aft er h e fin ish ed sp eak in g, h e st ood u p slow ly, an d t h e sou l scr een in
fr on t of h im t or e in h alf. T h en , t h e figu r e of t h is St ar Lu o Em p er or d isap p ear ed
w it h in t h at secr et p a ssagew ay.
T h e secr et p assagew ay of ever y gu est r oom op en ed t o allow t h e gu est s t h at

h ad p ar t icip at ed in t h e b id d in g t o lea ve secr et ly. Sh r ek Acad em y w as n o
excep t ion .
W an g Yan d id n ot k eep t h ese t h in gs t o h im self t h is t im e. T h e T yr an n ical

T iger Sou lb lad e w as p aid for b y Dao Yaoh en g, b u t h e k ep t t h is r ar e, Class 8
close-com b at sou l t ool in h is p ock et . As for t h at en t ir e set of Class 6 st at ion ar y
sou l can n on sh ells, h e d ir ect ly p assed t h em t o H e Cait ou . Regar d in g sou l t ools,
n o on e in Sh r ek Acad em y w as as k n ow led geab le as h im . It w as b est for h im t o
h old on t o t h e it em s.
H e Cait ou p u t t h e 12 sh ells aw ay car efu lly. H e w as so excit ed t h at h is t an n ed

face sw elled w it h r ed . Even t h ou gh t h e sh ells w er e on ly Class 6, t h ey cou ld n ot
b e u n d er est im at ed . T h ey cou ld n ot b e m easu r ed b ased on or d in ar y sou l t ools. As
t h ey cou ld on ly b e u sed on ce, t h e p ow er of t h ese Class 6 sh ells w er e m or e
fr igh t en in g t h an Class 8 lon g-r an ge sou l t ools. Righ t n ow , t h e m ost p ow er fu l
sh ells t h at Sh r ek Acad em y k n ew of w er e on ly Class 8. A Class 8 sh ell cou ld cr u sh
a sm all-sized cit y, an d it w as on ly p r od u ced in lim it ed q u a n t it ies b y t h e Su n
M oon Em p ir e as a w eap on in b at t les.
W an g Yan sp ecially in st r u ct ed h im n ot t o u se t h em d u r in g t h e t ou r n am en t .
At t h is t im e, ever yon e h ad on ly ju st r et u r n ed t o t h e Gr an d Im p er ial St a r H ot el
q u iet ly. T om or r ow , t h ey w er e goin g t o face a t ou gh op p on en t !
Aft er r et u r n in g t o t h eir r oom s, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g st ar t ed t h eir

cu lt ivat ion a s u su al. As t h e H aod o n g Pow er w as su m m on ed an d w as
su p p lem en t ed b y t h e Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e, t h e t w o of t h em en t er ed a
st at e of m ed it a t ion .
H u o Yu h ao d id n ot k n ow t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d Ice Em p r ess w er e

com m u n icat in g t h r ou gh t h eir m in d s in h is sp ir it u al sea.
“H u m an s ar e b eco m in g m or e an d m or e evil. T h ey ar e alr ead y eyein g t h e

Ext r em e Nor t h . Ou r clan m em b er s…” T h e Ice Em p r ess said fu r iou sly.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sigh ed . “W h a t ’s t h e p oin t of get t in g an gr y? Can you

ch an ge an yt h in g b y b ein g lik e t h is? Fu r t h er m or e, fr om a cer t ain st an d p oin t , w e
can n o lon ger t r eat ou r selves as sou l b east s aft er w e fu sed w it h Yu h ao. W e ar e
n ow a p ar t of Yu h ao, an d p er h ap s a p ar t of t h e h u m an s t oo. T h is w or ld is ab ou t
t h e su r vival of t h e fit t est . H u m an s h ave k illed cou n t less so u l b east s. H ow ever ,
w h at h ap p en ed w h en t h er e w er e h u m an s t en s of t h ou san d s of year s ago, w h en
t h e con t in en t w as ju st cr eat ed ? T h ey w er e ju st food for u s sou l b east s.”
T h e Ice Em p r ess seem ed t o calm d ow n sligh t ly. “H u m an s ar e fr igh t en in g

cr eat u r es. T h er e ar e m an y p ow er fu l sou l b east s t h at h ave lived for t en s of
t h ou san d s of year s, su ch as t h e b ot h of u s. H ow ever , w e h a ve on ly r em ain ed as
sou l b east s for as lon g as t h e con t in en t h as exist ed . W h at w e h ave im p r oved ar e
on ly ou r p ow er s t oo. Bu t look at t h e h u m an s. T h ey cr eat ed cit ies an d in ven t ed
all sor t s of cu lt iva t ion t ech n iq u es. T h ey even h ave sou l t ools t h at ar e
in cr easin gly t h r ea t en in g t o ou r exist en ce. I am t r u ly w or r ied t h a t sou l b east s
w ill d isap p ear fr om t h e face of t h is w or ld in t im es t o com e.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said , “It ’s p ossib le. Ou r gr eat est fla w is t h at w e ar e

n ot u n it ed . T h e st r on ger a sou l b east , t h e m or e it ’ll act in t h is w ay. T ak e you for
an exam p le. W ou ld you r Ice J ad e Scor p ion clan b e w illin g t o t eam u p w it h t h e
T it an Sn ow Devils u n d er t h e T it a n Sn ow Devil Kin g? T h e h u m an s p ossess a
sign ifican t ad van t age over an y of ou r sp ecies. At t h e sam e t im e, h u m an s ar e
ad ep t in in ven t ion s an d t h in k in g. W e ar e u n ab le t o m at ch u p t o t h em in t h ese
asp ect s. T h ey ar e t h e d om in an t on es on t h e con t in en t n ow , an d t h ey w ill
con t in u e t o b e so in t h e fu t u r e.”
T h e Ice Em p r ess w as a lit t le st u n n ed a s sh e said , “I cou ld n ’t t ell! You ar e

r eally ab le t o t ell ever yt h in g clear ly.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m said p r ou d ly, “If n ot , d o you t h in k I’ve b een sleep in g

for t h ese few m illion year s t h at I’ve lived ?”
“W er en ’t you ?” T h e Ice Em p r ess r ep lied as sh e act ed st u n n ed .
“Of cou r se n ot .” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w as a lit t le cr oss as h e r et or t ed .
T h e Ice Em p r ess seem ed t o feel m u ch b et t er , an d sigh ed sligh t ly b efor e

sayin g, “Aft er losin g m y p ow er t h at co u ld con t r ol ever yt h in g ar ou n d m e, I’m
act u ally t h in k in g m or e t h an I d id in t h e p ast . Alt h ou gh t h e h u m an s ar e
p ow er fu l, u s sou l b east s w er e t h e r u ler s of t h is w or ld m u ch ear lier . Per h ap s
w e’r e n ot ver y u n it ed n ow . H ow ever , u s sou l b east s w ill r et aliat e again st t h e
h u m an s w h en t h eir exist en ce affect s ou r su r vival.”
“W h at ever goes,” T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an sw er ed lazily, “An yw ay, I’m

on ly ju st a sou l r in g n ow . As lon g as Yu h ao is fin e, I d on ’t car e ab ou t an yt h in g
else. Don ’t for ce Yu h ao eit h er . H e is a lr ead y w or k in g ver y h ar d . T h er e’s on e
p h r ase b y t h e h u m an s t h at ’s w ell-said – ever yt h in g h as t o be d on e ju st r igh t .
Com e, let ’s sleep t oget h er for a w h ile.”
“W h o’s sleep in g w it h you ?” T h e Ice Em p r ess said t em p est u ou sly.
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sn or t ed an d sa id , “W e d on ’t h ave b od ies n ow , an d

ar e sealed in Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea. If w e’r e n ot sleep in g t oget h er , t h en w h a t ’r e
w e d oin g? W h et h er you ’r e goin g t o ad m it it or n ot , can ’t I ju st visu alize it for
m yself? W ah ah ah a.”
“You r ascal.”
“Besid e m y favor it e lit t le scor p ion ! Sleep …”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w en t silen t , an d t h e Ice Em p r ess even t u ally lau gh ed

aft er b ein g cr oss for h alf t h e d ay, “Rascal, I w ou ld n ’t h ave let you t ak e
ad van t age of m e if I w asn ’t d est in ed t o fail in m y at t em p t t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h e
b ot t len eck . It ’s w eir d . W h y d id I feel a sen se of fam iliar it y w h en I saw t h at sou l
b east em b r yo t od ay? Don ’t t ell m e t h at it ’s a h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l b east
t h at com es fr om t h e ext r em e n or t h ? Bu t if it ’s on ly ju st a n ew h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year so u l b east t h at is p r ep ar in g t o b e r eb or n as a h u m an , w h y d id I
feel su ch a sen se of fam iliar it y?”
Ear ly t h e n ext m or n in g, t h e su n r ose over a clear d ay in St ar Lu o Plaza.
Aft er b r eak fast , t h e b u st lin g cr ow d in St ar Lu o Plaza cou ld b e clear ly seen

fr om afar if on e st ood at t h e cor r id or in fr on t of t h e w in d ow .
T h e r ou n d of 16 w as d ivid ed in t o 4 m at ch es ever y d ay for 4 d ays. As t h e

p r eviou s t it le h old er s of t h is t ou r n am en t , t h e Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld b e t h e fir st
t o com p et e. T h eir op p on en t w as t h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l Acad em y t h at h a d 5
sou l k in gs, an d w h ich w as t h e t op acad em y in t h e Dou Lin g Em p ir e.
W an g Don g p laced h is h an d s on H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er a n d ask ed , “W h a t ’r e

you t h in k in g of? Ar e you n er vou s, or excit ed ?”
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed ch eek ily an d said , “Neit h er . I w as ju st t h in k in g ab ou t

w h et h er w e’ll set a r ecor d as t h e you n gest t o b ecom e ch am p ion s if w e d o
b ecom e ch am p ion s.”
W an g Don g ch u ck led , “W h at a k id . W ait t ill you b ecom e t h e ch am p ion .”
H u o Yu h ao sn ap p ed at h im , “You d ar e t o lect u r e m e even t h ou gh you ar e

you n ger t h an m e? Ar e you t h at u n con fid en t ? Don ’t for get t h at w e h ave
alr ead y…”
“Don ’t say it .” W an g Don g cover ed h is m ou t h an d p u sh ed h is w or d s b ack
d ow n h is t h r oat .
H u o Yu h ao also u n d er st ood . H e scr at ch ed h is h ead an d w r en ch ed h is h an d s

aw ay, “I w as ju st a lit t le excit ed .”
W an g Don g sn or t ed an d said , “Do you t h in k t h a t I can ’t see t h at look of

com p lacen cy in you r eyes? Don ’t for get t h at n o m a t t er h ow p ow er fu l ou r sou l
sk ills ar e, ou r cu r r en t cu lt ivat ion s ar e n ot su fficien t yet . Lit t le k id , k n ow you r
p lace. W e ar e n ot t h e m ain for ces.”
H u o Yu h ao gu ffaw ed an d said , “Lit t le W an g Don g, you ar e in d eed m y m en t or .

T h an k s for t h e r em in d er . H on est ly sp eak in g, t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion Left Ar m
Bon e d id n ot m ak e m e lose m y calm . It ’s ju st t h at I can ’t r ep r ess m y excit em en t
fr om t h e su ccess o f ou r exp er im en t . It seem s lik e w e a r e d est in ed t o b e
t oget h er .”
W an g Don g t u r n ed r ed an d r et or t ed , “Non sen se. W h o’s d est in ed t o be

t oget h er w it h you ?”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied ch eek ily, “W h y ar e you b lu sh in g? You m u st b e t h in k in g of

som et h in g w ayw ar d . It ’s fin e if you ’r e you n g an d n ever lear n ed w h at ’s r igh t .
Bu t you r m in d is fu ll of d ir t y t h ou gh t s.”
“H u o Yu h ao, ar e you look in g t o b e w h ack ed ?” W an g Don g gr ab b ed h is

sh ou ld er . H u o Yu h a o t u r n ed h is b od y a n d d od ged . As t h e t w o of t h em h or sed
ar ou n d , W an g Yan coin cid en t ally w alk ed ou t of h is r oom . H u o Yu h ao d od ged
u n t il h e h it W a n g Yan in t h e b ack , an d W an g Don g d id n ot m an age t o gr ab h im
in t im e.
W an g Yan lau gh ed , “W h at ar e t h e b ot h of you d oin g?” T od ay, t h e Sh r ek

Acad em y w as ab ou t t o sen d it s st r on gest lin eu p fr om it s t eam for t h e
t ou r n am en t . H en ce, W an g Yan w as m u ch m or e r elaxed . W it h 2 sou l em p er or s
h old in g t h e for t an d h is ow n ar r an gem en t s an d st r at egy, su r ely vict or y w as
t h eir s?
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed an d said , “Not h in g. Som eon e is ju st exp er ien cin g

seizu r es.”
“You ar e t h e on e h avin g seizu r es.” W a n g Don g r ep lied in fu r y. H e ch ased

aft er H u o Yu h ao, b u t H u o Yu h ao d id n ot r u n aw ay t h is t im e. Aft er h e w as
cau gh t , h e im m ed ia t ely st r aigh t en ed h is look an d said , “St op p layin g, w e’r e
ab ou t t o com p et e soon . Rem ain in g calm w ill h elp u s k eep ou r selves in t h e b est
con d it ion .”
“You … com in g u p w it h t h is t r ick again .” W an g Don g t u gged h is ear s, an d H u o

Yu h ao scr eam ed in p ain . For t u n at ely, ever yon e else cam e ou t fr om t h eir r oom s
at t h is m om en t , an d gat h er ed t oget h er t o leave t h e h ot el. H u o Yu h ao m an aged
t o aver t a cr isis ju st lik e t h at .
H ow ever , t h er e w er e m or e coin cid en ces t od ay. W h en t h ey r each ed t h e

st air case, t h e m em b er s of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y
cam e ou t of t h eir r oom at t h e sam e t im e. Bot h t eam s d escen d ed t h e st a ir case
t oget h er .
T od ay, Eld er M a w asn ’t t h e on e lead in g t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l

En gin eer in g Acad em y . H e sm iled an d n od d ed t ow ar d s W a n g Yan . W an g Yan
r et u r n ed t h e for m alit y. Bu t t h e st u d en t s of b ot h acad em ies w er e n ot so cor d ia l
t ow ar d s on e an ot h er .
Xiao H on gch en sp ot t ed H u o Yu h ao a lm ost im m ed iat ely, an d h is face flash ed

w it h t h e sm ile of a vict or . H e sm iled , “T w in m ar t ia l sou ls. You ar e b r illia n t !”
Alt h ou gh W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao w er e d ist u r b in g each ot h er ear lier ,

W an g Don g st ood u p for H u o Yu h ao w it h ou t an y h esit at ion at t h is p oin t an d
said sar cast ically, “Un cle, w h o ar e you ?”
“Un … u n cle?” Xiao H on gch en op en ed h is eyes w id e as h e look ed at W an g
Don g. H e p oin t ed t o h is n ose an d said , “Ar e you callin g m e?”
W an g Don g seem ed in n ocen t an d u n affect ed as h e said , “Of cou r se I am !

Un cle.”
Xiao H on gch en w as n ot even 15 year s old . Alt h ou gh h e oft en seem ed ver y

ar r ogan t , h e w as n ot t h at old . T h e sh or t m ou st ach e ab ove h is lip s w as a sym b ol
of h is you t h . Bu t n ow , W an g Don g m ad e it seem ed lik e it w as a sym b ol of a
m id d le-aged m an .
“Am , am I so old ?” Xiao H on gch en w as sp eech less as h e st a r ed w id e-eyed a t

W an g Don g.
W an g Don g w as ver y ser iou s as h e n od d ed h is h ead an d said , “You ’r e n ot t h at

old . You m u st b e t h e t each er of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y, u n cle.”
“St op callin g m e u n cle.” Xiao H on gch en felt as if h e w as goin g t o go b er ser k .

Nor m ally, h e w as on e w h o lik ed t o flau n t h im self, su ch t h at n o on e ap ar t fr om
h is sist er M en g H on gch en w as w illin g t o h elp h im . In st ead , t h ey w an t ed t o
lau gh .
M en g H on gch en w a s an n oyed as sh e sa id , “Lit t le fellow , t ak e a car efu l look .

M y b r ot h er is on ly 14 year s old ; h e h as n ot even r each ed 15 year s. H e is n o
u n cle.”
W an g Don g t u r n ed t o M en g H on gch en , an d t h e look in h is eyes su d d en ly

ch an ged . It w as a w eir d look t h at ca r r ied 30 % ad m ir at ion , 60 % at t ach m en t an d
10 % year n in g. “Eld er sist er , you ar e a r avish in g b eau t y!”
M en g H on gch en w as st u n n ed as h e said t h at . It w as im p or t an t t o n ot e t h at
w h en W an g Don g h ad fir st en t er ed t h e acad em y, h e cau gh t t h e eyes of alm ost
t h e en t ir e b at ch of you n g gir ls, in clu d in g t h ose fr om h is class. H e h ad ch ar m in g,
b ig p in k ish -b lu e eyes, an d p in k ish -b lu e sh or t h air t h a t cover ed h is for eh ead . H is
sk in w as t en d er an d w h it e, w h ile h is d elicat e face h ad a p in k com p lexion . T o
ever y gir l, h e w as lik e a lad y-k iller .
Alt h ou gh M en g H on gch en w as old er t h a n W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao, it w as

on ly b y a year . Lookin g at t h is you n g m an w h o w as ar ou n d t h e sam e h eigh t as
h er an d so at t r act ive t oo, M en g H on gch en ’s face b lu sh ed as sh e w as
com p lim en t ed . Sh e m u t t er ed , “You ar e ver y h an d som e t oo.”
W an g Don g sm iled an d said , “So t h is u n cle is you r eld er b r ot h er ! Is h e you r

b iological b r ot h er ? W h y d o t h e b ot h of you look so d issim ilar ? Alt h ou gh t h e
b ot h of you com e fr om t h e sam e p ar en t s, t h e gap in look s is t oo st ar k .”
“Rascal, d o you w an t t o get b eat en u p ?” Xiao H on gch en cou ld n ot t oler at e it

an y fu r t h er . Not on ly d id W an g Don g call h im old , h e even im p lied t h at h e w as
u gly. H e cou ld n ot b ear it an y fu r t h er !
“Eld er b r ot h er , w h y ar e you so fier ce?” M en g H on gch en look ed at t h e fr an t ic

W an g Don g an d cou ld n ot h elp b u t p u ll h er b r ot h er aw ay.
“M en g, ar e you for r eal?” Xiao H on gch en w as st u n n ed as h e look ed at h is ow n

sist er . Righ t n ow , W an g Don g h ad alr ead y sh ot h im a p r ovocat ive look b efor e
leavin g t h e h ot el w it h H u o Yu h ao q u ick ly. As h e w alk ed , h e w aved good b ye t o
M en g H on gch en .
“W an g Don g, you ’r e good !” H u o Yu h a o w as sh ock ed as h e said , “I d id n ’t

exp ect t h at you w er e cap ab le of p ick in g u p gir ls t oo.”
W an g Don g sn or t ed an d said , “You d on ’t k n ow ab ou t t h is, b u t m an y you n g

lad ies h ave fallen in love w it h m e. T h er e ar e m an y w ays t o p ick u p gir ls, b u t it ’s
a p it y t h at …”
“W h at ’s t h er e t o p it y?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed casu ally.
W an g Don g glar ed a t h im an d said , “Not h in g. H u o Yu h ao, d o you k n ow w h at

t h e h igh est level of p ick in g u p gir ls is?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead ign or an t ly.
W an g Don g r ep lied ser iou sly, “It ’s t o m ak e t h em ch ase you on t h eir ow n !

H ah a.”
Bei Bei, w h o w as w alk in g in fr on t , h a d b een n ot icin g all t h e m ovem en t s

b eh in d h im . H e cou ld n ot h elp b u t lau gh , an d sh ook h is h ead as h e said , “T h ese
lit t le fellow s ar e r ea lly act ive!”
Xu San sh i w as b esid e h im , a n d h e said soft ly, “I t h in k W a n g Don g is ver y

gr eat ! Seem s lik e I sh ou ld lear n fr om h im .”
Bei Bei look ed at h im d isd ain fu lly an d an sw er ed , “W h a t n on sen se d o you

w an t t o lear n ? H is m et h od s of p ick in g u p gir ls ar e b u ild o n h is look s. Do you
h ave h is look s? If you w er e h alf as h an d som e as I am , you w ou ld n ’t b e in t h is
st at e.”
“You ar e t h e n on sen sical on e.” Xu San sh i r et or t ed . “I can ’t p ick u p gir ls

b ecau se… aiyo, w h o k ick ed m y b u t t ?” W h en h e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d saw J ian g
Nan n an ’s in fu r iat ed look , h e b ecam e h on est , an d slap p ed h im self. H e t r ied t o
ap p ease h er , “I w on ’t say. Rest assu r ed t h at I w on ’t t ell an yon e.”
J ian g Nan n an ign or ed h im , an d q u ick en ed h er st ep s t o over t a k e h im .
T h e sit u a t ion w as r at h er w eir d n ow . T h e m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y w er e

w alk in g in fr on t , w h er eas t h ose of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y follow ed b eh in d t h em . M an y of t h e ch am p ion s an d r u n n er s-u p of
r ecen t t ou r n am en t s st r eam ed in t o St ar Lu o Plaza.
Per h ap s t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e h ad allow ed m or e sp ect a t or s in , as t h e St ar Lu o

Plaza seem ed t o h ave a lar ger cr ow d t h an u su al. Peop le w er e p ack ed in
ext r em ely t igh t ly. As h ead s b ob b ed u p an d d ow n , t h a t w as all t h e m ajor it y of
p eop le w er e ab le t o see.
T h e r est in g ar ea for t h e t ou r n am en t felt ver y em p t y n ow . M ost of t h e t eam s

h ad b een elim in at ed , an d t h e 16 t eam s t h a t r em ain ed w er e t h e r ep r esen t a t ives of
t h e t op acad em ies on t h e con t in en t . T od ay, 4 m at ch es w ou ld b e h eld .
T om or r ow , an ot h er 4 m at ch es w ou ld b e h eld . Aft er t h at , t h er e w ou ld b e 2 m or e
d ays of in d ivid u a l com p et it ion again st t h e sam e op p on en t s. W h en all 4 d ays of
com p et it ion h ad en d ed , t h e r ou n d of 16 w ou ld con clu d e, an d t h e 8 fin alist s
w ou ld b e d ecid ed . Aft er each st age of t h e t ou r n am en t , t h er e w ou ld b e 1 r est d ay.
Follow in g t h at , t h e t ou r n am en t w ou ld con t in u e.
Bot h Sh r ek Acad em y an d t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y

w ou ld feat u r e in t od ay’s 4 r ou n d s, b u t t h e Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y’s m at ch w as in t h e aft er n oon , an d t h ey d id n ot h ave t o com e in t h e
m or n in g. H ow ever , t h ey st ill cam e t o w at ch h ow Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld
p er for m again st t h e 5 sou l k in gs of t h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l Acad em y.
Aft er set t lin g d ow n in t h e r est in g ar ea, W an g Don g d id n ot for get t o sm ile at

b ot h Xiao H on gch en an d h is sist er . Xiao H on gch en felt t h a t h e w as ob viou sly
b ein g p r ovocat ive. Bu t t o M en g H on gch en , W an g Don g’s b r igh t an d b eau t ifu l
sm ile m ad e h er h ear t b eat fast er .
H u o Yu h ao t u gged a t W an g Don g’s ar m an d said , “St op p layin g. Be car efu l of

goin g over b oar d .”
W an g Don g gr oan ed an d sa id , “W h a t ? Ar e you jealou s? Ar e you in t er est ed in

t h at gir l?”
H u o Yu h ao an sw er ed h im soft ly, “St op h ar b or in g d ir t y t h ou gh t s, w ill you ?”
W an g Don g lau gh ed cold ly an d said , “I w on d er w h o’s t h e on e w it h all t h e

d ir t y t h ou gh t s. Alr igh t , I w on ’t b ot h er you an ym or e. I’ll get r ead y t o figh t .” T h e
elim in at ion r ou n d s w ou ld b e h eld acr oss 2 d ays, an d t od ay w as t h e t eam
com p et it ion . T h e vict or of t h e t eam com p et it ion cou ld b e said t o b e on e foot
in t o t h e q u ar t er fin a ls of t h e t ou r n am en t . T h e in d ivid u al elim in at ion r ou n d s
w ou ld b e h eld t h e n ext d ay.
W an g Yan w as ser iou s as h e st ood in fr on t of ever yon e. “Act accor d in g t o ou r

st r at egy. T h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l Acad em y m u st h ave t h eir r eason s for
in t en t ion ally losin g fir st p lace in t h e q u alifier r ou n d , or t h ey m u st h ave som e
sp ecial p r ep ar at ion s. T h is r ou n d is cr it ical t o b ot h p ar t ies. H en ce, w e m u st n ot
give t h em an y sh r ed of op p or t u n it y.”
As h e saw M a Xiaot ao’s look of d isap p r oval, W an g Yan said in a low voice,
“Don ’t for get w h at t h e con sequ en ces w er e w h en w e w er e car eless in fr on t of t h e
En voy of t h e Deat h God . All t h ese year s, Sh r ek Acad em y h as b een t h e ch am p ion
of t h e Con t in en t a l Ad van ced So u l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t .
H ow ever , w e h ave also b ecom e ever yon e’s t ar get for t h at sam e r eason . I t h in k
it ’s fair t o say t h at ever y p ar t icip at in g acad em y w ill h ave d on e t h eir r esear ch on
u s. Follow in g t h e d evelop m en t of sou l t ools, t h er e ar e m or e an d m or e st r at egies
n ow . Do n ot u n d er est im a t e ou r op p on en t s. W h oever is n ot in t er est ed in
car r yin g ou t m y st r a t egy can for get ab ou t com p et in g in t h e n ext r ou n d .”
Up on r em em b er in g t h e En voy of t h e Deat h God t h at h ad h eavily h u r t t h e

official t eam m em b er s, ever yon e felt a ch ill in t h eir h ear t s. M a Xiaot ao look ed
u p t o W an g Yan . Alt h ou gh sh e w as a lit t le u n con vin ced , sh e w as less scor n fu l
t h an b efor e.
As t h e com p et it ion d r ew closer t o it s en d , t h e at m osp h er e also b ecam e m or e

an d m or e in t en se.
T h is w as an elim in at ion r ou n d . Fu r t h er m or e, it w as t h e r ou n d of 16
elim in at ion st age. If d efeat ed , it w ou ld m ean elim in at ion fr o m t h e t ou r n am en t .
For ever y r ou n d w on , on e’s r an k in g w ou ld in cr ease. Un d ou b t ed ly, all t h e
acad em ies t h at p ar t icip at ed in t h is t ou r n am en t w ou ld give t h eir all u n d er su ch a
cir cu m st an ce.
T h e m or e t h ey w at ch ed t h e t ou r n am en t , t h e m or e t h e sp ect a t or s ap p r eciat ed
it . T h e m ost in t en se b at t le w as ab ou t t o st ar t . H ow cou ld t h ey n ot b e eager t o
w at ch ? T h er e ap p ear ed t o b e m or e sp ect at or s t h an u su a l in St ar Lu o Plaza
t od ay. T h ey m an aged t o sq u eeze t h eir w ay in t h r ou gh d iffer en t for m s of
con n ect ion s an d t h r ou gh d iffer en t ch a n n els, as t h ey w an t ed t o see t h is excit in g
d u el! Esp ecially sin ce Sh r ek Acad em y w a s com p et in g in t h e m or n in g, an d t h eir
op p on en t h ad t ak en secon d p lace in t h e r ou n d -r ob in st age of t h e t ou r n am en t .
T h is at t r act ed m or e at t en t ion t h an u su al.
“T h e r ou n d of 16 t o qu alify for t h e q u a r t er fin als w ill n ow b egin . T h e fir st

m at ch w ill b e b et w een Sh r ek Acad em y an d t h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l
Acad em y. Com p et in g m em b er s, p lease en t er t h e w ait in g ar ea t o p r ep ar e for t h e
m at ch .”
On t h e st age, t h e r efer ee’s voice cau sed ever yon e t o ch eer lou d er an d lou d er .
T h e at m osp h er e r each ed a h igh in an in st an t . T h e p eacek eep in g ar m y t h at w as
in ch ar ge of m ain t ain in g or d er r aised t h eir aler t n ess t o gu ar d again st an y
u n p r eced en t ed sit u a t ion s.
As if n ot h in g h ad h ap p en ed , t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or cam e t o t h e t op of t h e cit y
w all ver y ea r ly on . W h en ever Sh r ek Acad em y com p et ed , h e w ou ld com e t o
w at ch .
Un d er W an g Yan ’s gu id an ce, M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, Lin g Lu och en , Bei

Bei, Xu San sh i, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g en t er ed t h e w ait in g ar ea.
W h en t h e com p et in g m em b er s of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g

Acad em y saw t h at M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g w er e p r esen t , t h ey im m ed ia t ely
r aised t h eir gu ar d .
In t h e p r eviou s t o u r n am en t , Dai Yu eh en g h ad ap p ear ed as t h e lead er of t h e

p r ep ar at or y t eam , an d M a Xiaot ao h ad n ot p ar t icip at ed . H en ce, Dai Yu eh en g
n at u r ally d r ew m or e at t en t ion t o h im self.
W an g Yan look ed at h is ow n t eam m em b er s. Aft er p u r sin g h is lip s, h e said in

a low voice, “It h asn ’t b een n ot easy for u s t o r each t h is st age. It w a s on ly
p ossib le b ecau se of a ll you r h a r d w or k a n d effor t . All of you m u st r em em b er n ot
t o allow an y m ist ak es t o r en d er all ou r h a r d w or k for n ot h in g. Sh r ek w ill w in .”
“Sh r ek w ill w in !” T h e 7 of t h em sh ou t ed at t h e sam e t im e. On ce t h ey sp ok e

t h ese few w or d s, all of t h em b ecam e focu sed , an d t h eir com p et it ive st r eak s r ose.
Com p et it ion w as t h e b est w ay for on e t o gr ow . Fr om t h e st ar t of t h e

t ou r n am en t t ill n ow , W an g Yan cou ld clear ly see t h e gr ow t h t h at t h e 7 st u d en t s
on t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam h ad exp er ien ced . T h eir st at e of m in d , em ot ion s, t h ir st
for com p et it ion an d live exp er ien ce h ad all im p r oved a t ala r m in g r at es. T h ey
w er e lik e d ep t h less sp on ges t h at k ep t on ab sor b in g elem en t s t h at w ou ld aid in
t h eir gr ow t h .
W an g Yan also k n ew ab ou t t h e ar r ival of Eld er Xu an , t h e T aot ie Dou lu o. Aft er

Eld er Xu an ar r ived , h e fou n d W an g Yan an d r elayed t h e d ecision of t h e
con fer en ce h eld w it h in t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion t o h im . W an g Yan h ad n ot
u n d er st ood at fir st . Bu t as t im e p assed , h e b ecam e con vin ced of t h e d ecision .
M ayb e t h is w o u ld d im t h e glor y of t h e Sh r ek Acad em y. H ow ever , w ou ld all t h e
glor y b e lost if t h is b at ch of t alen t ed k id s w as ab le t o m at u r e?
Not t o even m en t ion an yt h in g else, t h e sim u lt an eou s ap p ea r an ces of 3 t w in

m ar t ial sou ls in Sh r ek Acad em y w as alr ead y w or t h a w ager .
“Par t icip an t s of b ot h p ar t ies, p lease en t er t h e st age.” T h e r efer ee’s voice

d isr u p t ed W an g Yan ’s t h ou gh t s. M a Xia ot ao w as t h e fir st t o st an d u p , an d sh e
ad van ced w it h h u ge st ep s. Dai Yu eh en g, Lin g Lu och en , Bei Bei, H u o Yu h ao,
W an g Don g an d Xu San sh i follow ed b eh in d h im .
T h e 7 of t h em st r ea m ed on t o t h e st age.
On t h e ot h er sid e, t h e p ar t icip an t s of t h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l Acad em y

also w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e st age.
T h ey w er e sim ilar t o Sh r ek Acad em y in on e asp ect . Am on g t h eir 7 m em b er s,

2 w er e fem ale. W h ile it w as a t eam com p et it ion , ever yon e fr om Sh r ek Acad em y
u n d er st ood t h at t od ay’s m at ch w ou ld b e d iffer en t fr om an y of t h e ot h er
m at ch es t h ey h ad fou gh t b efor e.
A d im r ad ian ce flash ed , an d H u o Yu h a o sm iled gen t ly. H e t u r n ed t o look at

W an g Don g, an d n ot iced t h at W an g Don g w as also look in g at h im . As t h eir gazes
m et , t h ey saw t h e r esolve in each ot h er ’s eyes.
M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g st ood at t h e ver y fr on t . As for t h eir op p on en t s,
t h e p er son w h o st ood at t h e fr on t w as a you t h w h o seem ed t o b e ar ou n d t h e
sam e age as Dai Yu eh en g.
T h is you t h h ad a h u ge b on e st r u ct u r e, b u t h e w as ver y t h in . H is ch eek s even

ap p ear ed t o b e sh r iveled . H ow ever , h is eyes w er e filled w it h en er gy. As h e
ad van ced a few st ep s an d w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e r efer ee, h e said t o t h e ot h er s fr om
t h e Sh r ek Acad em y, “It ’s m y h on or t o sp ar w it h Sh r ek Acad em y. Please ad vise
u s.”
T h e p er son w h o st ep p ed for w ar d w as n ot M a Xiaot ao, b u t Dai Yu eh en g. Dai

Yu eh en g t ook a lar ge st ep for w ar d an d sm iled gen t ly, sayin g, “If I’m n ot w r on g,
you ar e called Gu Zh u jian . Am I r igh t ?”
Gu Zh u jian w as sligh t ly st u n n ed , an d r ep lied , “H ow d o you k n ow m y n am e? I

t h in k I saw you in t h e last t ou r n am en t .”
“I am Dai Yu eh en g.” Dai Yu eh en g in t r od u ced h im self. H e d id n ot b elieve t h at

t h e ot h er p ar t y d id n ot r ecogn ize h im . As t h e t eam lead er of t h e p r ep ar at or y
t eam of Sh r ek Acad em y t h e last t im e r ou n d , h e h ad b een a focal p oin t for m an y
of t h em .
Gu Zh u jian sq u eezed ou t a sligh t lau gh fr om h is sh r iveled ch eek s an d said , “I

h op e t o lear n n ew t h in gs t h r ou gh t h is com p et it ion w it h Sh r ek Acad em y.”
“You r w ish w ill b e gr an t ed ,” Dai Yu eh en g r ep lied .
Gu Zh u jian ’s eyes flash ed w it h a cold r ad ian ce. H e on ly lau gh ed w it h ou t

r ep lyin g t o Dai Yu eh en g. T h e ot h er p ar t icip an t s of Dou Lin g’s t eam w er e a lso
ver y con fid en t . It seem ed as if t h ey w er e p r et t y su r e of d efeat in g Sh r ek
Acad em y.
“Bot h p ar t ies, p lease st ep b ack an d p r ep ar e for t h e st ar t of t h e m at ch .” T h e

r efer ee t od ay look ed t o b e ar ou n d 60 year s old . Bu t h e seem ed t o b e m u ch m or e
com p osed com p ar ed t o t h e p r eviou s r efer ee. H is cu lt iva t ion also ap p ear ed t o b e
gr eat er . W it h h im at t h e cen t er , b ot h p ar t ies seem ed t o h ave b een sep ar at ed b y a
b ar r ier .
H u o Yu h ao’s m in d q u ick ly t h ou gh t over t h e d escr ip t ion s of t h e 7 p ar t icip an t s

on t h e op p osin g t eam t h at W an g Yan h a d r elat ed t o t h em .
T h e t eam lead er of Dou Lin g’s t eam w as Gu Zh u jian . H is m a r t ial sou l w as t h e

Pu r p leb r illian t Bam b oo, an d h e w as a Ran k 57 assau lt syst em sou l k in g. As an
assau lt syst em b at t le sou l m ast er , h is figh t in g st r en gt h w as ext r em ely t ou gh .
T h e Pu r p leb r illian t Bam b oo w as also ver y u n iq u e.
T h eir vice t eam lead er w as a you t h w h o st ood b esid e Gu Zh u jian an d seem ed

t o b e t w o sizes b igger t h an H e Cait ou . H is n am e w as Qian Yu an . H is m ar t ial sou l
w as a r ar e assau lt -t yp e m ar t ial sou l, t h e T er r or claw Bear . T h e T er r or claw Bear
w as ext r em ely p ow er fu l, an d it w as eq u a lly good at offen se an d d efen se. It cou ld
b e con sid er ed a t op -r an k ed m ar t ia l sou l. H is sou l p ow er w as a lso Ran k 53.
T h e cor e of Dou Lin g’s t eam w as a t h in you t h t h at w as st an d in g at t h e b ack .

H is n am e w as Xiao Fen g. H is m ar t ial sou l b elon ged in t h e r ar e sp ir it u al-t yp e
cat egor y ju st lik e H u o Yu h ao. H ow ever , h is w as n ot a b od y sou l, b u t w as
som et h in g called t h e M aze Pear l. H is sp ir it u al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l w as d iffer en t
fr om H u o Yu h ao’s. It d id n ot effect h is op p on en t s d ir ect ly b u t w as t ar get ed
t ow ar d s t h e en vir on m en t . It w as ext r em ely p ow er fu l, an d Xiao Fen g w as on e of
t h e 5 sou l k in gs. H is sou l p ow er w as on ly in fer ior t o Gu Zh u jian ’s an d h e w as a
r an k ab ove Qian Yu an at Ran k 54 .
T h e t h r ee of t h em w er e t h e ab solu t e cor e of t h is t eam . Besid es t h em , t h er e

w er e t w o m or e sou l k in gs. T h ey w er e Ch i H en gyu , a Ran k 52 d efen se-t yp e sou l
k in g, an d H an Lin g’er , a Ran k 51 agilit y-t yp e sou l k in g. H an Lin g’er w as on e of
t h e 2 fem ale m em b er s.
T h e r em ain in g 2 sou l an cest or s w er e T an g Niu n iu , w h o w as an au xiliar y

syst em sou l m ast er , an d Qin g Fen g w h o w as a con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er . T h e
t w o of t h em each h ad t h eir ow n sp ecial t r ait s. T h e p ow er s of t h eir en t ir e t eam
w er e ver y st r on g, an d w er e far su p er ior t o t h e J u st sk y Acad em y t h at h ad m ad e a
lot of t r ou b le for H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est .
As b ot h p ar t ies st ep p ed b ack , t h eir for m at ion s h ad alr ea d y st ar t ed t o ch an ge.
On Sh r ek Acad em y’s sid e of, M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g w er e n at u r ally t h e

on es in fr on t . Beh in d t h em w er e Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i, w h o st ood sligh t ly
d iagon ally ou t w a r d s. T h e 4 of t h em for m ed an ar c. In t h e cen t er a t t h e b ack ,
Lin g Lu och en w as t h er e. Beh in d Lin g Lu och en w er e b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g
Don g.
Du r in g t h e p r ocess of st ep p in g b ack , H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al d et ect ion sh ar in g

w as alr ead y u n leash ed , an d sh r ou d ed all of h is t eam m em b er s. T h e en t ir e st age
w as in st an t ly en velop ed b y h is sp ir it u al d et ect ion .
Even for t h e st r on gest M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g, t h ey felt a w ave of

com for t an d r elief as t h ey sen sed t h e all-r ou n d d et ect ion fr om t h e sp ir it u al
d et ect ion sh ar in g. In d eed , w it h su ch a p ow er fu l sp ir it u al sk ill, t h ey w ou ld b e
ab le t o con t r ol t h e r h yt h m of t h e m at ch .
On t h e ot h er sid e, Dou Lin g’s t eam also u n leash ed t h eir for m at ion as t h ey
st ep p ed b ack . H ow ever , a scen e t h at left Sh r ek Acad em y sh ock ed ap p ear ed . Gu
Zh u jian d id n ot ap p ear in fr on t of t h e t ea m even t h ou gh h e w as t h e t eam lead er
an d an assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er . Rat h er , h e st ood in t h e cen t er .
T h e on es w h o st ood in fr on t w er e Qian Yu an , t h e T er r or cla w Bear , an d Ch i

H en gyu , t h e Gian t Vajr a Sh ield .
H an Lin g’er , t h e agilit y-t yp e sou l k in g, con cealed h er self a sh or t d ist an ce

b eh in d t h e b ot h of t h em . T h e t w o con t r ol syst em b at t le sou l m ast er s st ood at
eit h er t w o sid e of h er , p r ot ect in g Gu Zh u jian in t h e cen t er , as w ell as T an g
Niu n iu , t h e a u xilia r y-t yp e sou l m ast er .
T h is for m at ion w as ver y w eir d . T h e assa u lt syst em b at t le sou l m ast er act u a lly
st ood at t h e p osit ion t h at t h e con t r ol syst em sou l m ast er sh ou ld b e st an d in g in .
W h at w er e t h ey t r yin g t o ach ieve?
In t h e face of su ch a sit u at ion , t h e r eact ion of Sh r ek Acad em y w as t o d o

n ot h in g. T h ey on ly w at ch ed t h eir op p on en t s car efu lly.
Seein g t h at b ot h p ar t ies w er e alr ea d y in p osit ion , t h e r efer ee gest u r ed t o t h e

t eam lead er s of b ot h p ar t ies an d sh ou t ed , “M at ch st ar t !” Befor e h e even fin ish ed
sp eak in g, t h e r efer ee q u ick ly left t h e cen t er of t h e st age. No on e k n ew if h e w as
fear fu l of t h e fr eezin g effect t h at Lin g Lu och en h ad exh ib it ed in Sh r ek ’s last
m at ch .
T h e sou l m a st er s of b ot h p ar t ies u n leash ed t h eir m ar t ial so u ls a t t h e fir st

in st an t . Lin g Lu och en d id n ot car r y ou t a n u lt im at e m ove lik e sh e d id in t h e last
r ou n d . Sh e on ly su m m on ed h er ow n ice st aff. H u o Yu h a o an d W an g Don g
w or k ed w ell w it h ea ch ot h er t o su p p or t h er . T h e ad h esive effect of h is u lt im at e
ice w as on d isp lay n ow .
T h ick p h oen ix flam es r ose in st an t ly on M a Xiaot ao’s b od y. Sh e cou ld n o t h old

it an y lon ger . Even t h ou gh W an g Yan h ad in st r u ct ed h er t o con ceal h er t r u e
ab ilit ies, h ow cou ld sh e list en t o h im ? T w o yellow , t w o p u r p le an d t w o b lack
sou l r in gs – a t ot a l of six sou l r in gs - w er e u n leash ed . Alon g w it h t h e b u r n in g
p h oen ix flam es, h er m igh t w as sh ow n .
H ow ever , sin ce H u o Yu h ao h ad sh ow n t o ever yon e t h at n ot ever yt h in g t h at

t h ey saw w as t h e t r u t h , n o-on e d id n ot b elieve t h at a sou l em p er or h ad ap p ear ed
even t h ou gh t h ey w er e st u n n ed .
Dai Yu eh en g also exu d ed t h e au r a of a sou l em p er or . As h e r oar ed , t h e W h it e

T iger p ossessed h is b od y, an d h is en t ir e b od y sw elled u p . H is au r a w as n ot
lack in g eit h er . T h e 2 sou l em p er or s of Sh r ek Acad em y’s official t eam h ad fin ally
ap p ear ed on t h e co m p et it ion st age of t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er
Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t for t h e fir st t im e.
Chapt er 103.1: Complet e Suppr ession
T h e Dou Lin g t eam ’s d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er , Ch i H en gyu , r eleased h is

gigan t ic Vajr a Sh ield . Fr om t h e look s of it , t h is Vajr a Sh ield seem ed t o b e m or e
eye-cat ch in g t h a n Xu San sh i’s Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le.
T h e u p p er p ar t of t h e Vajr a Sh ield w as r ect an gu lar in sh ap e, w h ile t h e b ot t om

p ar t w as t r ian gu lar . T h e sh ield w as over 2 m et er s t a ll, an d ar ou n d 1.5 m et er s
w id e. For su ch a gian t sh ield , even Ch i H en gyu h ad t o b en d h is b u r ly b od y t o lift
it off t h e gr ou n d .
Aft er t h e Vajr a Sh ield w as r eleased , Ch i H en gyu ’s fir st act ion w as t o h ar d ily

st ab t h e sh ield in t o t h e gr ou n d . Follow in g t h at , h is 5t h sou l r in g lit u p , an d an
in t en se w h it e ligh t flash ed w it h in t h e p u r p le glow em an at ed b y h is 5t h sou l
r in g. T h e sh ield exp an d ed fr om it s alr ea d y en or m ou s size, d ou b lin g in n u m b er
fr om 1 t o 2, 2 t o 4 an d t h en 4 t o 8. Alm ost in st an t an eou sly, it t u r n ed in t o a h u ge
sh ield w all t h at b lock ed ever yt h in g in fr on t of it . Ever y face of t h is exp an d ed
sh ield w as cover ed b y a b lin d in g w h it e ligh t . T h e t ou gh feelin g it gave off w as
su p er ior t o Xu San sh i’s sh ield .
T h is w as Ch i H en gyu ’s 5t h sou l sk ill, t h e Vajr a Sh ield . It w a s a d efen se-t yp e

sou l sk ill t h a t w as ext r em ely st r on g an d r esilien t .
At t h e sam e t im e, it w asn ’t on ly h im t h at m ad e a m ove. T h e con t r ol-t yp e so u l

an cest or called Qin g Fen g an d t h e au xiliar y-t yp e sou l an cest or called T an g
Niu n iu b ot h at t ack ed t oo.
T an g Niu n iu w as ext r em ely sm all in size. As h er b od y sw ayed , h er ear s gr ew

an d t w it ch ed in a ver y cu t e m a n n er , an d h er b od y b ecam e a lit t le fat t er . As h er
r ou n d lip s clasp ed t oget h er , h er 3r d sou l r in g lit u p . A st r ea k of st r aigh t gr een
ligh t sh on e on Qin g Fen g’s b od y. H er m ar t ial so u l w as a p u r e au xiliar y-t yp e
m ar t ial sou l, a r accoon .
Qin g Fen g’s 4 t h sou l r in g lit u p . A layer of d ir t -yellow r a d ia n ce sh on e fr om
b en eat h h is legs. Soon aft er t h at , t h e en t ir e com p et it ion st age st ar t ed t o sh ak e
t r em en d ou sly. Follow in g a lou d , r u m b lin g n oise, a h u ge d ir t w all sw ep t in t h e
d ir ect ion of t h e 7 p a r t icip an t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y lik e a w a ve. T h at w asn ’t all;
t h or n s ap p ear ed on Ch i H en gyu ’s Vajr a Sh ield , p oin t in g ou t w ar d s. Alon g w it h
t h e h elp of t h e d ir t w all, Ch i H en gyu ’s d efen se w as lik e a m et a l w all.
H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er s h ad exp er ien ced a sim ilar sit u at ion in t h e

t ou r n am en t b efor e. Back t h en , t h ey h ad b een p it t ed again st t h e T h ou san d
Sp ir it s Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y. T h eir op p on en t s h ad u sed 4 Sp ir it Rh in ocer os
Sh ield s as t h eir d efen se. Sh en Ce h ad b een su p p or t ed b y Fei Yu yan as t h ey
m ou n t ed an at t ack . H ow ever , t h ey h ad b een u n su ccessfu l again st H u o Yu h ao’s
sp ir it u al d et ect ion .
Bu t r igh t n ow , t h e Dou Lin g t eam look ed st ar k ly d iffer en t fr om t h e T h ou san d

Sp ir it s Ad van ced So u l Acad em y. Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey h ad n ot u sed su ch a st r a t egy
in t h e t ou r n am en t yet , accor d in g t o W an g Yan .
Of cou r se, t h e d efen sive p ow er of t h e Dou Lin g t eam r igh t n ow w as far

su p er ior t o t h e T h ou san d Sp ir it Ad van ced Sou l Acad em y b ack t h en . T h e st r on g
d efen sive lin e t h a t t h ey h ad left even t h e r efer ee in aw e, an d h e n od d ed sligh t ly.
H ow ever , h is n od d in g su d d en ly st op p ed . T h at w as b ecau se t h e sit u a t ion h ad

su d d en ly ch an ged .
T h e Dou Lin g t eam h ad d isp layed su ch a for m at ion r igh t fr o m t h e st a r t . T h eir

in t en t ion s w er e ver y ob viou s. T h ey m u st p ossess som e for m of p ow er fu l, sp ecial
offen sive ab ilit ies t h at t h ey n eed ed t o t im e t o p r ep ar e. Aft er t h a t , t h ey w ou ld
t ap in t o t h is offen sive p ow er t o com p let e w h at t h ey w an t ed t o d o. As for w h at
t h is offen sive ab ilit y w as, n o on e k n ew as of n ow . Bu t it w as clea r t h at t h is
st r at egy h ad b een p r ep ar ed for Sh r ek Acad em y.
H ow ever , as t h e t op acad em y on t h e con t in en t , w ou ld Sh r ek Acad em y n ot d o

an yt h in g? Of cou r se n ot . W h ile t h eir op p on en t s h ad t h eir st r at egy, t h ey h ad
t h eir ow n st r at egy t oo.
On Sh r ek Acad em y's sid e, som eon e h ad r eleased t h eir sou l sk ill w h ile t h eir
op p on en t s h ad b een b u sy m ou n t in g t h eir d efen se. It w as n eit h er M a Xiaot ao n or
Dai Yu eh en g, t h e 2 sou l em p er or s w it h t h e h igh est cu lt ivat ion , n or w as it Lin g
Lu och en . In st ea d , it w as Xu San sh i. J u st as t h e op p on en t w as er ect in g t h eir
t u r t le sh ell for m at io n , M a Xiaot ao sh ou t ed “act ion ” over at h er t eam m at es fr om
Sh r ek Acad em y.
T h eir or igin al for m a t ion exp er ien ced r ap id ch an ges. Ou t of t h e 7 of t h em , 6 of

t h em b u r st ou t an d for m ed a cir cu lar for m at ion , w h ile Xu San sh i st ep p ed in t o
t h e cen t er of t h is n ew for m at ion , an d h is 4 t h sou l r in g lit u p w it h b lin d in g
r ad ian ce.
T h is ch an ge in Sh r ek Acad em y’s for m at ion w as on e b eat slow er t h an t h a t of

t h e Dou Lin g t eam . W h en Xu San sh i u n leash ed h is sou l sk ill, t h eir op p on en t s
w er e m or e or less d on e m ou n t in g t h eir d efen se. T h is w as also t h e p oin t w h en
t h e r efer ee n od d ed h is h ead .
Bu t at t h is p oin t , t h e sit u a t ion exp er ien ced an ear t h -sh at t er in g ch an ge.
W h at w as Xu San sh i’s 4 t h sou l sk ill? M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t .

W h ile it seem ed or d in ar y, it cou ld b e con sid er ed a d ivin e sk ill for a d efen se-t yp e
sou l m ast er in a t ea m b at t le. Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w as cou p led w it h H u o Yu h ao’s
sp ir it u al d et ect ion sh ar in g.
W it h H u o Yu h ao ar ou n d , t h er e w a s n o fear t h at a t ar get cou ld n ’t b e fou n d .

J u st sen sin g t h em w as en ou gh . T h er e’s n o n eed for Xu San sh i t o even u se h is
eyes.
H en ce, t h e con fu sed an d sh ock ed t eam lead er of t h e Dou Lin g t eam , Gu

Zh u jian , in st an t ly sw it ch ed p osit ion s w it h Xu San sh i. H e ap p ear ed in t h e m id d le
of Sh r ek Acad em y’s for m at ion , su r r ou n d ed b y t h e ot h er 6.
“Dam n it …” Gu Zh u jian cu r sed , w id e-eyed . Alt h ou gh h e r ealized w h at h ad

h ap p en ed , h is m ood w as st ill ext r em ely u n p leasan t .
H e seem ed a lit t le w eir d at t h is p oin t . In b ot h h is h an d s, h e h eld a m et al cir cle
t h at seem ed lik e a m illst on e.
T h er e w er e m a n y h oles on t h e su r face of t h is m et al m illst on e, an d it w a s even

car ved w it h m an y m agn ificen t , flow er y p at t er n s. T h er e w as con cen t r at ed
ligh t n in g sh in in g fr om it , an d h e w as even d ow n on on e k n ee, as if h e w er e
p r esen t in g t h is slab of m et al.
Bei Bei sm iled an d a sk ed , “W h at is h e givin g u s? T h a n k s!” As h e said t h is, h e

slap p ed h is T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw d ow n .
Dai Yu eh en g’s 2n d sou l sk ill, t h e W h it e T iger ’s Fier ce Ligh t W ave, an d M a

Xiaot ao’s 1st sou l sk ill, t h e Ph oen ix Fir elin e, w er e also u n leash ed at t h e sam e
t im e. 3 assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s all t eam ed u p again st on e m em b er of t h e
op p osin g t eam . Am on g t h e 3 of t h em , t h er e w er e even 2 sou l em p er or s, w h er eas
t h eir op p on en t look ed t o b e en t ir ely u n p r ep ar ed .
T h is w as W an g Ya n ’s st r at egy. In r ealit y, t h is st r a t egy h ad b een t ar get ed

t ow ar d s J u st sk y Acad em y. H ow ever , t h ey w er e for t u n a t e n ot t o h ave got t en
in volved in a t eam b at t le. Ot h er w ise, Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld h ave u sed t h is
m et h od t o d efeat Ye W u q in g, t h eir t ea m lead er . W h ile Ye W u qin g w as ver y
p ow er fu l, t h e r am ificat ion s of w h at w ou ld h ap p en if h e h ad t o face t h e
en cir clem en t of an en t ir e t eam u n d er su ch a su d d en ch an ge w er e clear !
In ad d it ion , t h e 3 assau lt -t yp e sou l m a st er s w er e even su p p or t ed b y a con t r ol-

t yp e sou l k in g. T h e st aff in Lin g Lu och en ’s h an d p oin t ed ou t , an d Gu Zh u jian ’s
legs w er e fr ozen on t h e sp ot .
If on e p h r ase h ad t o b e u sed t o d escr ib e Gu Zh u jian ’s feelin gs n ow , it w as gr ief

an d fu r y. In h is m in d , h e t h ou gh t t h at h e w as t h e m ost sor r ow fu l lead er in t h is
en t ir e t ou r n am en t .
H ow ever , Gu Zh u jia n w as n ot easy t o d eal w it h a s t h e t eam lead er of a t eam

t h at h ad fin ish ed in t h e la st 4 in t h e p r eviou s t ou r n a m en t . Facin g t h e
en cir clem en t of Sh r ek Acad em y, a b all of gold en ligh t flash ed in fr on t of h is
ch est . A coat of gold en ligh t cover ed h is en t ir e b od y.
T h e sou l sk ill t h a t Lin g Lu och en h ad u sed t o fr eeze h is legs st ar t ed t o t ak e

effect . H ow ever , t h e sou l sk ills of t h e r est w er e b ein g b lock ed ou t sid e of t h e
gold en ligh t .
H u o Yu h ao r oar ed im m ed iat ely, “In vin cib le Bar r ier , a sou l t ool t h at can on ly
b e u sed on ce.
H e’s a sou l k in g. T h u s, t h is sh ield can on ly su r vive for 3 secon d s.”
Sou l t ools t h a t cou ld on ly b e u sed on ce u su ally h ad r at h er excep t ion al p ow er s,

an d t h is In vin cib le Bar r ier w as n o excep t ion . W it h t h ese 3 secon d s, Gu Zh u jian
cou ld k eep t h e h u ge slab of m yst er iou s m et al an d u n leash h is m ar t ia l sou l. H is
5t h t en t h ou san d year sou l r in g flash ed w it h a ligh t t h at t r ied t o get h im ou t of
Sh r ek Acad em y’s b lock ad e.
On t h e ot h er sid e, Xu San sh i h ad alr ea d y sw it ch ed p osit ion s. Gu Zh u jian h ad

or igin ally b een st a n d in g at t h e cen t er , a t t h e b ack of t h e for m at ion . H ow ever , all
of h is t eam m em b er s h ad b een facin g h im . T h er e w er e d iffer en t slab s of m et al of
d iffer en t sh ap es in all of t h eir h an d s. In it ia lly, t h ey h ad b een aim ed at Gu
Zh u jian . Bu t n ow , t h ey w er e aim ed at Xu San sh i.
Xu San sh i w a s n ot as u n p r ep ar ed a s Gu Zh u jian . T h e m om en t aft er t h e

M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t w as u sed , h e r eleased an ot h er sou l sk ill.
It w as h is 1st sou l sk ill, t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e.
T h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le w as sm ash ed h ar d in t o t h e gr ou n d . A b lack

glow in st an t ly em an at ed fr om h is sh ield an d cover ed t en s of squ ar e m et er s. It
w as lik e a can op y t h at st r et ch ed ou t . Du r in g t h is p r ocess, a lou d , r u m b lin g n oise
also follow ed . At t h is p oin t , ever yon e fr om t h e Dou Lin g t ea m gat h er ed w it h in
t h is ar ea an d w er e all affect ed . T h is w as t oo su d d en of an at t ack for t h em . As
t h ey w er e n ot p r ep ar ed , t h ey w er e jer k ed ou t of t h eir sen ses.
Xu San sh i gr in n ed , an d t h e b lack glow sh on e again . T h e M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t w as su m m on ed again . In t h e n ext in st an t , M a
Xiaot ao, w h o u n leash ed b u r n in g flam es fr om h er b od y, r ep laced h im . Sh e
ap p ear ed at t h e cen t er of t h e Dou Lin g t eam .
T h is ser ies of ch an ges w as ver y d azzlin g. Bu t t h e sp ect a t or s w h o cou ld see

ever yt h in g clea r ly also felt t h e sam e. Com p let ely su p p r essed .
Righ t n ow , t h e Dou Lin g t eam w as at an ab solu t e d isad van t age. An d w h at h ad

cau sed t h is w as n ot t h eir p ow er s, b u t t h e lim it a t ion s of t h eir st r at egy.
W it h ou t a d ou b t , t h is st r a t egy fr om Sh r ek Acad em y cou ld on ly ach ieve su ch

an effect t h e fir st t im e it w as u sed . Alt h ou gh n o on e k n ew w h at t h e Dou Lin g
t eam h ad b een t r yin g t o for m ear lier , it w as b ou n d t o b e ver y p ow er fu l. T h eir
in it ial p lan h ad b een t o u se t h eir d efen ses t o k eep Sh r ek Acad em y ou t . On t op of
t h eir p ow er fu l d efen sive sou l sk ills, t h ey w ou ld ad d t h e p ow er s of 5 sou l k in gs.
As lon g as t h ey cou ld h old on u n t il t h e m yst er iou s m et al it em t h ey h ad p r od u ced
d id it s job , t h ey sh ou ld h ave b een ab le t o w in t h is m at ch .
Bu t w h o k n ew t h a t t h eir t eam lead er —w h o w as h old in g t h e for m at ion ’s

cor e—w ou ld b e sw it ch ed ou t ? T h e p er son w h o h ad sw it ch ed w it h h im h a d
u n leash ed a cr ow d -con t r ol sk ill, an d w as a sou l em p er or . T h e m yst er iou s slab of
m et al cou ld n ’t assem b le t o r eceive it , an d t h er e w as on ly a h ead -on clash .
M a Xiaot ao w as t h e on ly on e w h o w as aw ar e of h ow d eject ed sh e felt . T h is

w as also h er fir st t im e p ar t icip at in g in t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er
Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t . H ow ever , sh e h ad b een h u r t even b efor e t h e
t ou r n am en t h ad st a r t ed . 3 official t eam p ar t icip an t s h a d b een cr it ically in ju r ed ,
an d 1 ot h er p er son h ad even b een k illed . As t h e t eam lead er , sh e r ecogn ized t h e
r esp on sib ilit y t h at sh e h ad t o t ak e. No m at t er h ow t ou gh h er p er son alit y w as,
sh e h ad b een filled w it h t or m en t aft er all of t h at w as over .
Sh e w as r esilien t en ou gh , h ow ever , an d con cealed t h is t or m en t sh e felt in t h e

d ep t h s of h er h ear t . Sh e h ad t r ied h er b est t o h eal t h is w ou n d of h er s, an d h op ed
t o t u r n h er sor r ow a n d fu r y in t o st r en gt h . Sh e w an t ed t o d o h er b est for Sh r ek
Acad em y in t h is t ou r n am en t .
H ow ever , h er in ju r ies w er e far m or e ser iou s t h an w h at sh e h a d im agin ed . Sh e

cou ld on ly w at ch as t h e you n ger p r ep ar at or y t eam m em b er s d id t h eir b est in
sever al r ou n d s of t h e t ou r n am en t . T h ey even p aid a h eavy p r ice as t h ey
su st ain ed gr ave in ju r ies.
M a Xiaot ao d id n ot say an yt h in g, b u t t h e d r ive t h at sh e r ep r essed in h er h ear t

left h er feelin g m u ch m or e t or m en t ed t h an t h e t im e sh e w a s b u r n t b y d em on ic
fir e.
It w as fin a lly h er t u r n t o com p et e t od ay. W an g Yan w a n t ed h er t o con ser ve

h er p ow er s, b u t h ow cou ld sh e su p p r ess h er self an y fu r t h er ?
T h u s, sh e w as t h e on e w h o w as sw it ch ed over b y t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld
Disp lacem en t r at h er t h an Dai Yu eh en g. T h is w as an op p or t u n it y t h at sh e h ad
ob t ain ed b y t h r eat en in g Xu San sh i.
“Gr r —” A b r igh t p h oen ix h ow l r ever b er at ed , an d b u r n in g p h oen ix flam es

su r ged in st an t ly. H u ge, flam in g w in gs flap p ed op en follow in g t h e flash in g of
h er 3r d sou l r in g. A r in g of in t en se, b r igh t -r ed fir e sp r ead ou t fr om h er . H er
figu r e also ju m p ed u p as sh e flap p ed h er flam in g w in gs.
It w as a p it y t h at T eam Dou Lin g’s d efen se w as p r oject ed t ow ar d s t h e fr on t ,

b u t t h eir op p on en t ap p ear ed in t h eir cor e. T h ey r eceived M a Xiaot ao’s at t ack
b efor e t h ey h ad a ch an ce t o st ead y t h em selves, as t h ey w er e st ill affect ed b y t h e
M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e.
T h e Dou Lin g t eam r eact ed qu ick ly t h ou gh . T h e r em a in in g 6 d ivid ed in t o 2

gr ou p s of 3. Ch i H en gyu , Qian Yu an an d H an Lin g’er w er e in fr on t , w h ile t h e
ot h er 3 w er e in t h e b ack . A yellow ish -gold en b ar r ier of ligh t lit u p b efor e t h e 3 in
fr on t . It w as t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier , a n ot h er sou l t ool t h at cou ld on ly b e
exp en d ed on ce.
T h is In vin cib le Bar r ier w as a sou l t ool t h at w as d evelop ed fr om a ver y r ar e

sou l sk ill. It r equ ir ed a sp ecial gold en cr yst al on ly p r od u ced b y t h e Su n M oon
Em p ir e as an in t er m ed iar y. T h e In v in cib le Bar r ier cou ld u n leash t h e p ow er s of
t h e gold en cr yst al w h en in it iat ed b y t h e cor e for m at ion , an d p r od u ce a
d efen sive b ar r ier of im m en se st r en gt h .
Of cou r se, in vin cib ilit y w as r elat ive. T h e low est class of t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier
w as a Class 5 sou l t ool. T h is also m ean t t h at at least a sou l k in g w as n eed ed t o
u se it . A Class 5 In vin cib le Bar r ier cou ld r esist an y sou l m ast er b elow an eigh t -
r in ged Sou l Dou lu o for 3 secon d s. A Class 6 In vin cib le Bar r ier cou ld even d efen d
again st a T it led Dou lu o for m or e t h a n 3 secon d s. Class 7 In vin cib le Bar r ier s w er e
ext r em ely r ar e.
A sou l t ool lik e t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier cou ld b e a life-savin g t r easu r e at cer t ain
t im es. H en ce, it w a s a sou l m ast er ’s favor it e sou l t ool, alo n g w it h t h e M ilk
Bot t le. H ow ever , it s d em an d w as far gr ea t er t h an it s su p p ly.
Bu t t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier h ad a flaw t h at w as ver y ob viou s. Fir st ly, it w as

ver y cost ly. A Class 5 In vin cib le Ba r r ier st ar t ed ou t at 10 0 ,0 0 0 gold sou l coin s,
b u t it s t r u e sale p r ice w as far ab ove t h is figu r e. W h ile it w as n ot t h at d ifficu lt t o
p r od u ce it , t h er e w er e ver y few gold en cr yst als p r od u ced . T h e h igh er t h e class
of t h e In vin cib le Ba r r ier , t h e h igh er t h e q u alit y of gold en cr yst als it r eq u ir ed .
M or e im p or t an t ly, t h e In vin cib le Ba r r ier cou ld on ly b e exp en d ed on ce, n o

m at t er it s class. T h e gold en cr yst al w it h in each In vin cib le Bar r ier w ou ld b low
ap ar t u p on u se, an d t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier it self w ou ld also b e d am aged . It w a s
n ot som et h in g t h at cou ld b e u sed b y an y or d in ar y sou l m ast er . Sou l en gin eer s
w h o ow n ed gold en cr yst als w er e all w ealt h y t oo.
If t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e d id n ot r est r ict t h e exp or t of sou l t ools, t h e em p ir e

w ou ld h ave b een even w ealt h ier .
T h e cu r r en t sit u at ion w as ver y ob viou s. All of T eam Dou Lin g’s sou l k in gs
w er e eq u ip p ed w it h t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier . T h is w as a fr igh t en in g in vest m en t
t h ey h ad m ad e! Not all acad em ies w er e as w ealt h y as Sh r ek Acad em y an d t h e
Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y.
T h e In vin cib le Bar r ier gr an t ed t h e Dou Lin g t eam som e t im e b y b lock in g t h e

flam es fr om M a Xiaot ao’s p h oen ix w in gs.
As t h e m ain con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er , Xiao Fen g lift ed h is h ead t ow ar d s M a

Xiaot ao, t h en flew u p an d for sook t h e h u ge slab of m et al in h is h an d . H is h an d s
for m ed a h ear t -lik e sh ap e, an d a w h it e p ear l t h at r eleased a d im p u r p lish fog
ap p ear ed ab ove h is p alm s.
H is t h ou san d year 4 t h sou l r in g flash ed , an d t h at p ear l em a n at ed a layer of

t h ick p u r p lish ligh t . T eam Dou Lin g’s r em ain in g 6 m em b er s an d t h e
su r r ou n d in g r egion w er e all en gu lfed w it h in t h is p u r p lish ligh t . W it h in t h e
b ou n d ar y of t h is p u r p lish ligh t , ever yt h in g b ecam e illu sor y an d less clear . T h er e
w er e even var yin g u n d u la t ion s of sou l p ow er t h at ap p ear ed a t ever y cor n er .
T h is w as t h e M aze Pear l, Xiao Fen g’s m ar t ial sou l. H e w a s a r ar e sp ir it u a l

con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er ju st lik e H u o Yu h ao. Bu t h is w as n ot a b od y sou l.
Rat h er , h e u sed t h e M aze Pear l t o r elease d iffer en t for m s of h yp n ot ic illu sion s t o
p r ot ect an d aid h is t eam m em b er s. At t h e sam e t im e, h e also u sed t h em t o t r ick
h is op p on en t s.
If M a Xiaot ao w er e t o look d ow n , sh e w ou ld on ly see a p u r p lish p at ch of

b lu r r in ess, w h er ein t h e Dou Lin g t eam ’s 6 m em b er s w er e sh ift in g p osit ion s
q u ick ly an d u n leash in g d iffer en t t yp es of sou l sk ills t a r get ed t ow ar d s h er .
H ow ever , M a Xiaot a o r evealed a sm ile on h er face r igh t n ow . Sh e t h ou gh t t o

h er self, “It feels good t o com p let ely su p p r ess t h em .”
M a Xiaot ao d ived d ow n w it h ou t h esit at ion as sh e w as w at ch ed b y t h e Dou

Lin g t eam ’s 6 r em ain in g m em b er s. H er 2n d , 3r d an d 4 t h sou l r in gs fla sh ed w it h
a b r igh t r ad ian ce a t t h e sam e t im e. H er b od y w as b lazin g w it h flam es r igh t n ow ,
an d sh e look ed lik e a t r u e fir e p h oen ix. H alf of t h e com p et it ion st age w as lit
w it h a r ed glow b ecau se of t h e p h oen ix flam es on h er b od y.
Ch i H en gyu h ad alr ead y r et r act ed h is Vajr a Sh ield , an d t h er e w as n o d ou b t

t h at h e h ad t o r esist t h e at t ack u sin g h is sh ield . As a d efen se-t yp e sou l k in g, h e
b lock ed t h e at t ack w it h ou t an y m isgivin gs. T h e Vajr a Sh ield w as lift ed
h or izon t ally, an d w as r ap id ly sh ift ed t o t h e p osit ion w h er e M a Xiaot ao w as
st r ik in g u sin g t h e M aze Pear l’s p u r p lish fog.
Qian Yu an also in ch ed closer t o Ch i H en gyu r ap id ly. As lon g as Ch i H en gyu

b lock ed M a Xiaot ao’s at t ack , h e w ou ld r et aliat e w it h all h is m igh t .
Qian Yu an ’s h eigh t h ad r each ed ab ove 3 m et er s aft er h e r eleased h is m ar t ial

sou l. H is im m en se b u ild w as sh ock in g, a n d t h er e w er e 5 en or m ou s, sh ar p claw s
t h at r each ed over h a lf a m et er lon g at t h e en d s of h is t h ick ar m s. H e h a d t o b en d
sligh t ly t o b e en gu lfed b y t h e M aze Pear l’s illu sion s.
H an Lin g’er w as con cealed som ew h er e fu r t h er aw ay. Sh e w a s an agilit y-t yp e
sou l k in g. H er st yle w as t o aw ait h er op p or t u n it y t o st r ik e p r ecisely.
T an g Niu n iu ’s au xiliar y-t yp e sou l sk ill la n d ed on Ch i H en gyu . H er aim w as

ver y sim p le – in cr ease Ch i H en gyu ’s d efen sive st r en gt h . As lon g as h e cou ld
w it h st an d M a Xiaot a o’s at t ack , it w ou ld b e t h eir t u r n t o r et a lia t e again st h er .
Qin g Fen g w as t h e on ly on e w h o d id n ot join in t o a t t ack M a Xiaot ao. H e

con t in u ed t o face t h e ot h er s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y. H is Ear t h en W ave h ad alm ost
r each ed h is op p on en t s, an d h e w as ab ou t t o get Gu Zh u jian b a ck .
“Boom —"
A lou d , b oom in g sou n d r eson at ed fr om b ot h sid es a t t h e sam e t im e. T h e Vajr a

Sh ield ’s d efen sive st r en gt h cou ld n ot b e d ou b t ed . As a sou l k in g, h e w as ab le t o
r esist a sou l em p er or ’s at t ack , m u ch m or e w it h t h e aid of h is com r ad es. Bu t t h e
p r ob lem w as t h at M a Xiaot ao’s at t ack h ad t o st r ik e ab ove h is sh ield b efor e h e
cou ld r esist it .
M a Xiaot ao d ove d ow n ext r em ely qu ick ly, as if sh e w er e st a k in g ever yt h in g

on t h is at t ack of h er s.
Sh e w as lan d in g a t t h e cor r ect t im e t oo. It w as at t h e exact in st an t w h en 3 of

t h e Dou Lin g t eam ’s In vin cib le Bar r ier s d isap p ear ed . M a Xiaot ao h ad alr ea d y
ar r ived ju st w h en t h eir In vin cib le Bar r ier s w er e st a r t in g t o cr ack .
T h is w as im p ossib le!
Alm ost t h e sam e t h ou gh t r ose in t h e m in d s of ever yon e fr om t h e Dou Lin g

t eam .
It w as alm ost im p ossib le t o accu r at ely p in p oin t t h is flaw u sin g h er n ak ed

eyes. W h at ’s m or e w as t h at Xiao Fen g h ad u sed h is 4 t h so u l sk ill, t h e Pu r p le
Illu sor y Dom ain .
H ow ever , t h is w as a fact . It w asn ’t p r oject ed b y som eon e u sin g h is w ill.
Am id st t h a t b oom in g sou n d , an in t en se, b r igh t -r ed fog cover ed t h e Dou Lin g
t eam on ce again . H o w ever , it n o lon ger p r od u ced t h e sam e m igh t as Xu San sh i’s
M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e.
Ch i H en gyu an d Qian Yu an w er e st r u ck t h e h eaviest , as t h ey w er e t h e closest .

T h e t w o of t h em on ly felt a w ave of h eat sw eep in g acr oss t h eir b od ies. T h e sou l
p ow er in t h eir b od ies seem ed t o b e on fir e, an d t h eir d evelop in g sou l sk ills w er e
d egr ad ed in an in st a n t . At t h e sam e t im e, t h eir b od ies t u r n ed st iff.
T h e r est w er e r ou gh ly affect ed t h e in t h e sam e m an n er , alt h ou gh t h e d egr ee

of t h eir in ju r ies w as low er .
Ph oen ix Sk yw h ist le, a ver y p ow er fu l cr ow d -con t r ol sou l sk ill t h at cou ld b e

u se t o at t ack an d d efen d . It w a s M a Xia ot ao’s 4 t h sou l sk ill. En h an ced b y t h e
Ph oen ix Bap t ism an d Soar in g Ph oen ix, it s m igh t w as d efin it ely n ot in fer ior t o
an y t en t h ou san d year sou l sk ill.
T an g Niu n iu ’s au xiliar y-t yp e sou l sk ill an d Xiao Fen g’s M a ze Pear l w er e all
in st an t ly b u r n ed aw ay b y t h e Ph oen ix Sk yw h ist le as it st r u ck .
T h er e w as n o lon ger an y su sp en se for t h e r est of t h e b at t le aft er t h e

in volvem en t of M a Xiaot ao’s Ph oen ix Sk yw h ist le. M a Xiaot ao sn or t ed , an d h er
p it ch -b lack , 6t h sou l r in g fla sh ed w it h a b r igh t r a d ian ce. At t h e sam e t im e, t h e
d efen sive b ar r ier su r r ou n d in g t h e com p et it ion st age t h a t w as for m ed b y 10 8
sou l m ast er s st a r t ed t o jer k t r em en d ou sly. Lar ge p at ch es of r ed solid ified w it h in
t h e d efen se b ar r ier , an d t h e t em p er at u r e ab ove t h e com p et it ion st age soar ed .
M a Xiaot ao’s st r on gest offen sive sou l sk ill, t h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er , w as

alr ead y in cu b at in g. Aft er t h ey w er e affect ed b y t h e Ph oen ix Sk yw h ist le, t h e Dou
Lin g t eam w as n o lon ger cap ab le of avoid in g or r esist in g an y fu r t h er a t t ack s.
W as sh e r eally a sou l em p er or ? T h is w as w h at ever y sp ect at or t h ou gh t . Sh e

w as also t h e fir st sou l em p er or t o ap p ear in t h is t ou r n am en t .
M an y of t h e sp ect at or s r aved in t h eir h ear t s. T h is w a s t h e p ow er t h at Sh r ek
Acad em y w as su p p osed t o h ave!
At t h is m om en t , t h e b at t le on t h e ot h er sid e h ad alr ea d y con clu d ed .

Qin g Fen g’s Ear t h en W ave st ill m an aged t o ach ieve a cer t a in effect . H ow ever ,
it w as a p it y t h at h e h ad m et Xu San sh i, w h o p ossessed t h e st r on gest d efen se
am on g sou l an cest or s.
Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le, Sh ield W all. T h e Ear t h en W ave w as b lock ed ou t

b y Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t , an d d id n ot fu lfil t h e
d esir ed effect of com in g t o Gu Zh u jian ’s a id .
M ean w h ile, Gu Zh u jian h ad m an aged t o h an g on for 3 secon d s w it h t h e h elp

of h is In vin cib le Ba r r ier , an d h e a lso u n leash ed h is 5t h sou l sk ill.
T h e Pu r p leb r illian t Bam b oo w as ar ou n d 3 m et er s in len gt h , a n d sh on e w it h a

p u r p le glow . T h er e w er e su b t le st r eak s an d p at t er n s of gold en ligh t on it . Gu
Zh u jian u t ilized t h e p r ot ect ion of t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier , an d st ab b ed h is
Pu r p leb r illian t Bam b oo in t o t h e gr ou n d b efor e h im . H e r eleased t h is 5t h sou l
sk ill t h e in st an t h is In vin cib le Bar r ier w en t d ow n .
H is p u r p ose w as ver y sim p le: H e w as look in g for an op p or t u n it y t o escap e.
It w as a p it y t h a t h e w as u p again st 5 p eop le fr om Sh r ek Acad em y!
A for m -fit t in g Ice Pr ison en gu lfed Gu Zh u jian p r ecisely a t t h e m om en t h is

In vin cib le Bar r ier d isap p ear ed . Fu r t h er m or e, t h is Ice Pr ison w as en t ir ely
flaw less.
H en ce, Gu Zh u jian ’s 5t h sou l sk ill t h at h e h ad p r ep ar ed for so lon g collid ed

in t en sely w it h t h e Ice Pr ison .
T h e Ice Pr ison w as Lin g Lu och en ’s 3r d sou l sk ill. Fu r t h er m or e, it w as on ly a

t h ou san d year sou l sk ill. W it h h er cu lt iv at ion as a sou l k in g t h at w as sim ilar t o
Gu Zh u jian ’s, sh e sh ou ld logically b e u n a b le t o r esist Gu Zh u jian ’s at t ack .
H ow ever , Lin g Lu och en w as n ot t h e on ly p er son figh t in g! Un d er t h e
com b in ed in ject ion of H aod on g Pow er b y H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, t h ey
in cr eased h er ice elem en t t o t h e level of u lt im a t e ice, an d even ad d ed a st r eak of
W an g Don g’s ligh t au r a. H en ce, t h e Ice Pr ison b ecam e n ear ly in d est r u ct ib le.
Ever yon e cou ld on ly see t h e Ice Pr ison t u r n p u r p le. Aft er t in y cr ack s st ar t ed

t o ap p ear , t h e p u r p le color t u r n ed d im .
T h e Ice Pr ison w a s cr ack ed op en as Lin g Lu och en r et r act ed h er ow n sou l sk ill.

Follow in g t h at , b efor e Gu Zh u jian h ad a ch an ce t o cat ch h is b r eat h , h e w as faced
w it h an at t ack fr om Dai Yu eh en g, w h o h ad u sed all t h r ee of h is 3 st r en gt h en in g
sk ills, t h e W h it e T iger ’s Sh ield , W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion an d W h it e
T iger ’s Devilgod T r an sfor m at ion .
T h er efor e, t h e r em ain in g p r ocess cou ld on ly b e d escr ib ed b y t h e w or d

‘d evast at ion ’. A d eva st at ion cau sed b y a sou l em p er or at t ack in g a sou l k in g.
T h e figh t w a s en d in g m u ch fast er t h an ever yon e h ad exp ect ed . M a Xiaot ao’s

Ph oen ix M et eor Sh o w er d id n ot fall in t h e en d , as t h e r efer ee st op p ed h er sou l
sk ill. Sh r ek Acad em y’s com p let e su p p r ession of t h e Dou Lin g t eam h elp ed t h em
at t ain v ict or y in t h is t eam com p et it ion .
Gu Zh u jian w as t h e m ost p at h et ic. As t h ey st ill h a d an in d ivid u al com p et it ion

t h e d ay aft er t om or r ow , t h e r efer eeh ad st op p ed M a Xiaot ao. Bu t t h e sly Dai
Yu eh en g d id n ot go easy on Gu Zh u jia n ; h is at t ack h ad cr u sh ed h is lim b s. Of
cou r se, h e cou ld r ecover , b u t n ot w it h in su ch a sh or t p er iod of t im e.
W h en t h e r efer ee r u sh ed over t o p u ll Gu Zh u jian ou t , h e seem ed t o im p ly t h e

r u t h lessn ess of Sh r ek Acad em y’s m em b er s w it h h is look .
Dai Yu eh en g claim ed in n ocen ce, as if h e w asn ’t t h e on e w h o laid t h at h eavy

b low on Gu Zh u jian . Gu Zh u jian w as alr ead y ver y for t u n at e t h at Dai Yu eh en g
d id n ot b r eak h is ‘5t h lim b ’!
M a Xiaot ao h ad b een r est r ain in g h er self gr eat ly, an d so d id h e. T h is w as also
d u e t o t h e fact t h at h e h ad gr eat ly su p p r essed t h e violen t in st in ct s w it h in h im .
T h e m em b er s of t h e Dou Lin g t eam ap p ear ed ver y fu r iou s a s t h ey look ed at

t h ose fr om Sh r ek Acad em y.
M a Xiaot ao sn ap p ed at t h em , “W h at a r e a ll of you look in g at ? W ou ld you h ave

h eld b ack if you w er e in ou r p osit ion ?”
Ou t of h u m an it ar ia n ism , Dai Yu eh en g h ad k n ock ed Gu Zh u jian ou t fir st

b efor e b r eak in g h is lim b s. T h u s, t h e lead er sh ip of t h e Dou Lin g t eam p assed t o
Xiao Fen g, w h o w as t h eir vice t eam lead er .
Xiao Fen g lift ed h is h an d s t o st op h is t eam m em b er s, w h o w an t ed t o d ash

for w ar d , an d said t o M a Xiaot ao in a low voice, “H ow d id you see t h r ou gh ou r
illu sor y w or ld ? Don ’t t ell m e t h at w as lu ck .”
M a Xiaot ao p u r sed h er lip s. “Can ’t I b e gift ed ? If you w an t t o t ak e r even ge,

w e’ll m eet at t h e in d ivid u al com p et it ion .” As sh e sp ok e, sh e gest u r ed an d led t h e
m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y d ow n fr om t h e com p et it ion st age w it h t h e flair of a
fem ale m ob b oss.
H ow d id sh e see p ast t h eir illu sor y w or ld ? W as t h er e even a n eed t o ask ? W it h

t h e sp ir it u al d et ect ion sh ar in g t h at cou ld com p let ely su p p r ess t h eir op p on en t s,
d id sh e st ill n eed t o see?
W h ile t h ey m igh t h ave seem ed t o w in t h is r ou n d of t h e com p et it ion easily,

t h ey h ad act u ally exer t ed p er fect con t r ol of t im e ever y t im e t h ey h ad st r u ck , an d
t h at w as all b ecau se of H u o Yu h ao.
Rat h er t h a n sayin g Lin g Lu och en w as t h e m ain con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er , it

w as b et t er t o claim t h at H u o Yu h ao w as t h e m ain con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er
in st ead . It ’s ju st t h at n o on e else k n ew . M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g’s lim eligh t
m ask ed t h e r est .
“T h is is Sh r ek . T h is is Sh r ek at it s b est . H ow ever , t h e Dou Lin g t eam w asn ’t
b ad eit h er . It ’s a p it y t h at t h ey m et t h e w r on g op p on en t .” T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or
com m en t ed .
Su n M oon Em p ir e Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y.
It w as r ar e t h at Xiao H on gch en d id n ot sh ow h is ar r ogan t sid e. On e h ad t o

w on d er w h et h er h e h ad b een p r ovok ed b y W an g Don g. H e st ood b esid e M a
Ru lon g an d said soft ly, “T eam lead er , w h at d id you see? T h e Dou Lin g t eam w as
n ot sim p le! T h ey w er e on ly u n for t u n a t e.”
M a Ru lon g n od d ed h is h ead sligh t ly. “No w on d er t h ey for sook fir st p lace. It ’s

b ecau se t h ey h a d su ch a p lan . If I’m n ot w r on g, t h ey m u st h ave p lan n ed t o
gr ou p t oget h er an d r elease t h e lar ge ver sion of t h e Gigan t ic Ligh t n in g Can n on .
T h e qu est ion is, h ow d id t h ey get t h e b lu ep r in t t o b u ild a Gigan t ic Ligh t n in g
Can n on ?”
Xiao H on gch en cr eased h er b r ow s an d said in a low voice, “If I’m n ot w r on g,

t h eir Gigan t Ligh t n in g Can n on m u st b e a r ep lica of ou r Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H a ll’s
m od el. It ’s ju st t h a t t h ey can ’t r ep lica t e t h e cr aft sm an sh ip of ou r Gigan t
Ligh t n in g Can n on , t h u s t h ey en lar ged it . T h is m ak es it easier t o p r od u ce t h e
can n on , w h ich r eq u ir es 7 of t h em t o op er at e t oo.”
M a Ru lon g n od d ed an d said , “T h is m u st b e t h e case. It seem s lik e t h a t t h e Dou

Lin g Em p ir e h as m ad e sign ifican t im p r o vem en t s in t h e p r od u ct ion of sou l t ools.
Bu t t h ey m u st n ot h ave exp ect ed t o m eet Sh r ek Acad em y so ear ly on , an d t h eir
st r at egy w as cu r b ed . If it w er e som e ot h er t eam , t h eir d efen se w ou ld n ot h ave
collap sed so qu ick ly. 5 of t h em h ad t h e p r ot ect ion of In vin cib le Bar r ier s. Alon g
w it h t h eir com b in ed d efen se an d illu sor y w or ld , it can on ly b e at t r ib u t ed t o lu ck
t h at t h ey lost , an d n ot b ecau se of a lack of ab ilit ies.”
Xiao H on gch en w as a lit t le ir r it a t ed as h e said , “Sh r ek Acad em y is a lit t le t oo

lu ck y. T h ey can on ly u se su ch a st r a t egy on ce, an d t h ey u sed it on t h eir m ost
su it ab le op p on en t . Ot h er w ise, t h ey w ou ld b e u n ab le t o r esist t h e p ow er fu l
offen sive st r en gt h of a Class 7 sou l t ool even w it h t w o sou l em p er or s.”
M a Ru lon g sm iled a n d said , “T h is is n o t a b ad t h in g eit h er . At least w e can see
t h e fu ll p r ow ess of Sh r ek Acad em y, r igh t ?”
Xiao H on gch en n od d ed h is h ea d an d r ep lied , “Yes.”
M a Ru lon g t w ist ed h is h ead t o look at h im an d said ser io u sly, “Xiao, you ar e

in d eed m or e t alen t ed t h an m e. In ou r em p ir e, p r ob ab ly n o on e can m at ch u p t o
you . H ow ever , you ar e t oo sh or t -t em p er ed b ecau se of you r t alen t . If you d on ’t
ch an ge, you w ill n ot h ave it w ell in t h e fu t u r e.”
Xiao H on gch en w as st u n n ed for a m om en t , “T eam lead er , I…”
M a Ru lon g lift ed h is h an d t o st op h im fr om sp eak in g an y fu r t h er . “I h op e t h a t

you b ecom e p ow er fu l for t h e em p ir e, Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all an d ou r acad em y. I
d on ’t w an t you t o d isap p oin t t h ose w h o h ave h igh h op es an d h ave sacr ificed
u n selfish ly for you . You ’r e alm ost 15 t oo. It ’s t im e t o gr ow u p .”
Xiao H on gch en look ed a lit t le u n h ap p y, b u t h e d id n ’t ar gu e again st M a

Ru lon g. H e slow ly w alk ed b ack t o h is p osit ion an d sa t d ow n . H e seem ed t o b e
t h in k in g of som et h in g.
It ’s n ot on ly t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y t h at h ad k een

eyes. W an g Yan an d t h e r est w h o w er e w at ch in g t h e com p et it ion w er e also
sh ock ed .
W h en Gu Zh u jian w as sw it ch ed over , an d w as h old in g t h e m yst er iou s slab of

m et al, h e h ad alr ea d y k n ow n w h at t h eir op p on en t s’ st r at egy w as. It w as n o
lon ger ju st a sch em e. It w as ver y easy for ever yon e t o see w h a t t h ey w er e d oin g.
Even if h e k n ew w h at t h ey w er e goin g t o d o, h e cou ld n ’t d o an yt h in g ab ou t it
eit h er .
All 5 sou l k in gs h ad b een equ ip p ed w it h In vin cib le Bar r ier s, an d t h ey h ad also

h ad su fficien t ly st r on g d efen se-t yp e sou l sk ills. All t h is h ad b een p r ep ar ed
b efor eh an d , an d n ot t ar get ed t ow ar d s Sh r ek Acad em y. It cou ld even b e said t o
h ave b een p r ep ar ed for t h e fin ale of t h is t ou r n am en t . Su ch a b r an d -n ew st r a t egy
h ad b een sp ar k ed fr o m t h e p ow er fu l sou l t ools t h ey h ad at t h eir d isp osal.
On t h e w ay b ack t o t h e Gr an d St ar Im p er ial H ot el, Dai Yu eh en g said , “I sh all

go fir st in t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d t h e d ay aft er t om or r ow .”
M a Xiaot ao st ar ed at h im b efor e sayin g, “W h at r igh t d o you h ave t o go fir st ?”
Dai Yu eh en g sm iled an d r ep lied , “Becau se I h u r t t h eir t eam lead er t od ay. If

t h ey see m e again , t h eir em ot ion s w ill b e u n st ab le. It ’s b est if I go fir st .”
M a Xiaot ao sn or t ed an d said , “Again st an ab solu t e p ow er , w h at ’s t h e u se of

su ch lit t le sch em es a n d t r ick s?”
W an g Yan op en ed h is m ou t h su d d en ly a n d said , “Xiaot ao, let ’s t alk b ack at

t h e h ot el.”
M a Xiaot ao b r ow cr eased , b u t d id n 't m ak e a sou n d .
Ver y soon , ever yon e r et u r n ed t o t h e h ot el. W an g Yan in st r u ct ed t h e r est t o

cu lt ivat e an d r est b ack in t h eir r oom s, w h ile h e b r ou gh t M a Xiaot ao in t o t h e
m eet in g r oom .
Aft er closin g t h e d oor , W an g Yan d id n ot r u sh t o say an yt h in g. H e p ou r ed a

glass of w at er for M a Xiaot ao fir st .
Look in g at t h e glass of w at er in fr on t of h er , M a Xiaot ao lift ed h er h ead t o

look at W an g Yan an d said , “T each er W an g, I k n ow w h at you ’r e goin g t o say. Is
it t h at I d id n ’t follow you r st r at egy t od a y in t h e com p et it ion ? T h e r esu lt w ou ld
h ave b een t h e sam e n o m at t er w h et h er it w as Yu eh en g or I t h at ch an ged over .”
W an g Yan sat op p osit e M a Xiaot ao an d look ed at h er calm ly.
“Xiaot ao, you ar e t h e t eam lead er of T eam Sh r ek in t h is t ou r n a m en t , r igh t ?”
“Of cou r se.” M a Xiaot ao said su b con sciou sly.

W an g Yan said , “T h en let m e ask you , w h at ’s you r gr eat est r esp on sib ilit y as
t h e t eam lead er ? Ar e you su p p osed t o ven t you r em ot ion s, or ar e you su p p osed
t o b e w or k in g t ow ar d s b ein g t h e ch am p ion sh ip b y lead in g you r t eam w it h all
you r m igh t ?”
M a Xiaot ao w as in a d aze. Sh e w as a clever p er son . Alt h ou gh sh e w as

n or m ally a sh or t -t em p er ed p er son , sh e w as an in t elligen t p er son . Sh e cou ld t ell
w h at W an g Yan w as im p lyin g.
W an g Yan gazed at h er d eep ly, an d said in a low voice, “Of t h e 10 p eop le w h o

cam e h er e, Bei Bei's t h e on e m ost su it ed t o b e t h e t eam lead er , n ot you . Even Dai
Yu eh en g is a st r on ger lead er t h an you . In fact , I t h in k t h at H u o Yu h ao is even
m or e su it ab le t o b e t h e t eam 's lead er t h a n you ar e.”
“You !” M a Xiaot ao st ar ed fu r iou sly at W a n g Yan .
W an g Yan ’s eyes w er e filled w it h r elen t lessn ess, “Ar e you feelin g in d ign an t ?
T h en , t ell m e, w h a t h ave you b een d oin g in t h is t ou r n am en t ? You w er e in ju r ed
an d cou ld n ’t p ar t icip at e, b u t n o on e is b lam in g you . H ow ever , w h at h ave you
d on e in t h is com p et it ion sin ce you ’ve r ecover ed ?”
Chapt er 104.1: Reaching t he Semifinals
“W h at d id I d o w r o n g? Ever yt h in g I d id w as for ou r t eam t o w in . W it h m y

ab ilit ies, I w as clea r ly m or e su it ab le t o figh t again st t h e op p osin g t eam t h an Dai
Yu eh en g. An d w e w on in t h e en d , d id n ’t w e? Easily at t h at .” M a Xiaot ao sp at ou t
u n cer em on iou sly.
“Easily?” W an g Yan sm ir k ed , “Su r e, w e w on t h at ver y easily. Bu t , let m e ask

you t h is, d on ’t you t h in k you r evealed you r ab ilit ies t oo ear ly? Ar e ou r fu t u r e
op p on en t s st r on ger or w eak er t h a n t h e Dou Lin g t eam ? J u st w h o d o you t h in k
ou r st r on gest op p on en t is?”
W an g Yan su d d en ly r aised h is voice a n d slam m ed t h e t ab le in fr on t of h im a s

h e st ood u p , p oin t in g ou t sid e. “Ou r st r on gest op p on en t is t h e Su n M oon
Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y! W h en ever w e’r e ou t t h er e com p et in g, t h ey
w at ch an d t ak e n ot e of all t h e ab ilit ies t h at ou r t eam d isp la ys, of all t h e t eam
m em b er s t h a t en t er t h e a r en a, an d of all t h e sou l sk ills t h at w e u se. T h ey
scr u t in ize ever yt h in g w e d o an d m em or ize ever y lit t le d et a il. Bu t ju st w h at d id
you go an d d ecid e d o? You ju st m agn an im ou sly r evealed all you r p ow er s t o t h e
op p on en t ’s t eam ! Ar e you w or r ied t h at you r op p on en t s w on ’t t ak e n ot e of h ow
st r on g you ar e?”
“Don ’t b ot h er even d en yin g it . T h a t ’s t h e t r u t h . You , Dai Yu eh en g, an d Lin g

Lu och en , t h e t h r ee o f you ar e ou r t eam ’s on ly p ow er h ou ses. An d sin ce you , M a
Xiaot ao, d id n ’t p ar t icip at e in t h e last t ou r n am en t , ou r op p on en t s ar e least
fam iliar w it h you . Can ’t you im agin e w h at w ou ld h ave h ap p en ed if you h ad ju st
h id d en you r fu ll cap ab ilit y u n t il t h e en d of t h e com p et it ion ? It w ou ld h a ve b een
a n ice b ig su r p r ise, a su r p r ise t h at w o u ld h ave led u s t o b ecom in g t h e fin al
ch am p ion s! Yet , w h at d id you d o? You cou ld n ’t w ait t o r eveal you r st r on gest
ab ilit ies, alm ost as if you w er e sca r ed t o n ot let you r op p on en t s k n ow ab ou t
t h em ! M a Xiaot ao, d on ’t for get t h at ou r r egu lar t eam isn ’t com p let e an ym or e,
an d t h a t ou r op p on en t s ar e st r on ger t h a n ever b efor e. Given ou r cu r r en t lin eu p ,
w h at m ak es you so cer t ain t h at w e w ill w in t h is t ou r n am en t ? ”
M a Xiaot ao w as r en d er ed sp eech less as W an g Yan r ep r im an d ed h er , an d sh e

w as u n ab le t o r eb u t h im . Sh e h ad alw a ys b een , b y n at u r e, a ver y h ead st r on g
in d iv id u al, an d ever sin ce sh e w as you n g, n o on e h ad ever scold ed h er lik e W an g
Yan w as d oin g. As su ch , h er face t u r n ed b r igh t r ed .
W an g Yan con t in u ed h ar sh ly, “T ak e t od ay’s com p et it ion , for exam p le. If n ot

for t h e fact t h a t Sa n sh i’s M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t h a d a u n iq u e
effect , w ou ld w e h a ve b een ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh ou r op p on en t ’s d efen ses?
Even if w e cou ld , ju st h ow lon g d o you t h in k it w ou ld h a ve t ak en ? Desp it e
k n ow in g w h o w e w er e, t h e op p on en t st ill ch ose t o u se t h at b at t le for m at ion .
H as it ever occu r r ed t o you w h y t h ey d id so? T h e on ly exp lan at ion is t h at t h ey
w er e con fid en t t h a t t h ey cou ld d efeat u s w it h t h eir for m at io n ! I am com p let ely
cer t ain t h a t t h e m yst er y m et al t h at t h ey w er e assem b lin g w as a t yp e of offen sive
sou l t ool, an d t h at n eit h er you n or Dai Yu eh en g w ou ld h ave b een ab le t o r eceive
it . You t h in k t h at ’s im p ossib le, d on ’t you ? You gu ys ar e Sou l Em p er or s; st r on g
Sou l Em p er or s w it h t en -t h ou san d -year sou l r in gs. W ell t h en , w er e you ab le t o
p r ed ict w h at h ap p en ed w h en you m et t h e En voy of t h e Deat h God ? Never
u n d er est im a t e you r op p on en t . You ’r e p r ou d of you r ab ilit ies- t h at ’s d efin it ely
n ot a b ad t h in g, b u t t h is p r id e n eed s t o b e b u ilt on t op of a fou n d at ion of assu r ed
vict or y. Fu r t h er m or e, you ’r e n ot figh t in g alon e. You ar e a t eam lead er , a t eam
lead er r ep r esen t in g Sh r ek Acad em y.”
“Look at t h ese k id s, w h at d id t h ey d o? W h en t h ey faced J u st sk y Acad em y in

b at t le, t h ey each p aid a h u ge p r ice, all for Sh r ek ’s glor y. Of t h e seven of t h em ,
five w er e k n ock ed u n con sciou s. Xiao Xiao su st ain ed m ajor in ju r ies, an d h asn ’t
even fu lly r ecover ed yet . Bu t w h y d id t h ey h ave t o face su ch a sit u at ion in t h e
fir st p lace? Beca u se of t h e car elessn ess of r egu lar m em b er s lik e you , d u r in g you r
su r veillan ce m ission . For Sh r ek , t h ey gave t h eir all. If, in t h e en d , Sh r ek
Acad em y loses t h is com p et it ion b ecau se you r car elessn ess, h ow w ill you ever
face t h em ? Su r e, in t er m s of ab ilit y, t h e t h r ee of you ar e cer t a in ly st r on ger t h an
t h e seven of t h em . Yet , in m y op in ion , at least u p t ill n ow , t h eir con t r ib u t ion s t o
t h is com p et it ion far su r p ases you r s.”
H avin g said so m u ch in on e go, W an g Yan w as t ir ed an d slu m p ed d ow n on h is

seat , h is face st ill r ed w it h agit a t ion .
M a Xiaot ao h ad w an t ed t o in t er r u p t in t h e m id d le, b u t as W an g Yan sh ow ed

n o sign s of st op p in g, sh e b ecam e lost for w or d s. On ly n ow d id sh e m an age t o
sligh t ly d efeat ed ly m u r m u r , “Bu t you r t act ics m igh t n ot n ecessar ily b e r igh t ,
eit h er .”
W an g Yan r aised h is h ead an d glar ed at h er , sayin g “M y t act ics ar e w r on g?

Ar e you r t act ics r igh t t h en ? Do you k n ow h ow t h e ch an ges on you r p ar t affect ed
t h e en t ir e t eam ? At least u sin g m y st r a t egy, you all w ou ld h a ve w en t in t o b at t le
as a w h ole. Bu t you r ch an ge of st r at egy cau sed t h e t eam t o b ecom e sep ar at ed
lik e loose san d . If n ot for Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh a r in g t h at con n ect ed
ever yon e, d o you t h in k w e cou ld h ave w on so easily t od ay?”
“I k n ow you look d o w n on m e b ecau se m y ab ilit ies ar e in fer ior t o you r s an d

Dai Yu eh en g’s. T h at ’s fin e, I d on ’t n eed you r ap p r oval. Bu t t h er e’s on e t h in g I
n eed you t o r em em b er , an d t h at ’s t h e fact t h at I am t h e t each er in ch ar ge of
Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam in t h is year ’s com p et it ion . If you can ’t h an d le t h e
r esp on sib ilit ies of a t eam lea d er , t h en d on ’t en t er t h e a r en a in t h e n ext
com p et it ion . I’ll assu m e fu ll r esp on sib ilit y.”
W an g Yan u su ally ga ve t h e im p r ession of b ein g a gen ial an d qu iet p er son , an d

h ad n ever h ad let ou t su ch an ou t b u r st b efor e. H e also alw ays sp ok e w it h
r eason . T h u s, even t h ou gh M a Xiaot ao w as an in n er cou r t yar d d iscip le, sh e
cou ld n ’t h elp b u t feel flu st er ed . If W a n g Yan r eally ch ose t o b ar h er fr om
en t er in g t h e ar en a, it w ou ld b ecom e a lifelon g d isgr ace for h er .
M a Xiaot ao low er ed h er h ead an d n o lon ger sp ok e. W an g Yan st ood u p an d

said “T h in k car efu lly ab ou t h ow t o b e a p r op er t eam lead er .” H e t h en p u sh ed
t h e d oor op en an d left .
Ou t sid e, W an g Yan let ou t a lon g sigh , an d sh ook h is h ea d , feelin g h elp less. In
t er m s of h ier ar ch y, h is p osit ion in t h e Acad em y w as low er t h an t h at of M a
Xiaot ao’s. T h u s, it h ad t ak en a gr ea t d ea l of cou r age t o say w h at h e h a d ju st said
t o h er , b u t W an g Ya n h ad n o r egr et s. H e w as n ot afr aid of offen d in g an yon e t o
w in t h e u lt im a t e ch a m p ion sh ip an d gu ar d t h is h on or for Sh r ek Acad em y. Sin ce
h e cou ld n ’t en t er t h e ar en a t o figh t for Sh r ek , W a n g Yan w as d et er m in ed t o
m ak e su r e t h at all off-field p r ob lem s w er e solved ou t sid e t h e ar en a. If M a
Xiaot ao r efu sed t o r ealize h er m ist ak es, h e w ou ld r a t h er h a ve h er sh e st ay ou t of
t h e com p et it ion . Even if t h at m ean t losin g t h e p ow er of a Sou l Em p er or , W an g
Yan cou ld n ’t let h er affect t h e ot h er s. A fu ll su p p r ession of b at t le t act ics lik e
t od ay w ou ld n ’t h ap p en all t h e t im e. T h e n ext t h r ee r ou n d s w ou ld each b e m or e
d ifficu lt t h an t h e last .
T h u s far , eigh t sch o ols h ave b een elim in at ed ou t of t h e in it ia l sixt een , a n d t h e

Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y h ad su ccessfu lly d efeat ed all
t h eir op p on en t s. In fact , even in t h e gr ou p r ou n d , t h eir t ea m lead er , t h e Sou l
Em p er or -level M a Ru lon g, h ad yet t o en t er t h e a r en a. T h ey h ad w on w it h ju st
six of t h e r egu lar m em b er s an d a r eser ve.
Up t ill n ow , t h r ee m em b er s of t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g

Acad em y t eam h ad yet t o en t er t h e ar en a - t eam lead er M a Ru lon g, r eser ve t eam
lead er Xiao H on gch en an d h is you n ger sist er , M en g H on gch en .
Du e t o t h e Sh r ek Acad em y t eam ’s in t er n al p r ob lem s, t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial

Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y h ad b ecom e t h e cr ow d ’s favou r it e t o w in t h e fin al
ch am p ion sh ip . Now , m an y w er e secr et ly p lacin g b id s on w h o t h e ch am p ion
w ou ld b e. Alt h ou gh Sh r ek Acad em y h ad t w o gr eat Sou l Em p er or s t h a t h ad yet
t o en t er t h e ar en a, t h eir od d s of w in n in g st ill lagged b eh in d t h at of t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y b y a few p oin t s.
Aft er a d ay of r est , t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d st ar t ed as p lan n ed on t h e t h ir d d ay.
Dai Yu eh en g h ad cau sed a p er fect am ou n t of d am age in t h e t eam b at t le,

cau sin g t h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l Acad em y t eam lead er , Gu Zh u jian , t o b e
u n ab le t o en t er t h e ar en a. Alt h ou gh h is b r ok en lim b s h ad b een set an d h ealed ,
h e st ill n eed ed t o r ecu p er at e for qu it e a w h ile b efor e h e cou ld figh t again .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g w ou ld n ot t ak e p ar t in t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d s, as
t h eir m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill w er e u seless if t h ey w er e alon e, an d t h eir
in d ivid u al figh t in g cap ab ilit ies w er e st ill r at h er w eak . T h u s, on ly Dai Yu eh en g,
M a Xiaot ao, Lin g Lu och en , Bei Bei, J ian g Nan n an , Xu San sh i an d H e Cait ou
w ou ld b e com p et in g in t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d .
H en ce, H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao h ad b ecom e on look er s.
Un d er W an g Yan ’s ar r an gem en t s, Dai Yu eh en g w as t h e fir st t o en t er t h e

ar en a, w h ile M a Xiaot ao w ou ld b e t h e la st .
Aft er get t in g r ep r im an d ed b y W an g Yan , M a Xiaot ao u lt im a t ely gave in an d

ap ologised t o W an g Yan , ad m it t in g h er m ist ak es. Sh e also exp r essed t h a t sh e
w ou ld fu lly coop er at e w it h W an g Yan an d follow h is ar r an gem en t s for t h e r est
of t h e com p et it ion , an d w ou ld n ot en gage in in d ivid u alist ic b eh aviou r an ym or e.
W an g Yan t ook w h at h e got an d ar r an ged for M a Xiaot ao t o b e t h e an ch or of t h e
t eam .
W h en Dai Yu eh en g w alk ed u p t o t h e com p et it ion st age r ep r esen t in g Sh r ek

Acad em y, t h e Dou Lin g t eam ’s eyes r ed d en ed .
T h eir t eam lead er ’s lim b s h ad all b een b r ok en , an d h is st r on gest sk ills h ad n ot

even b een d isp layed . T h ey h eld t h eir b r eat h , k n ow in g t h at t h e ch an ces of t h em
w in n in g t od ay’s com p et it ion w er e slim as w ell, b u t t h ey cou ld n ’t ju st give u p
n ow . T h ey h ad t o figh t t o t h e d eat h .
Du e t o Sh r ek Acad em y’s vict or y in t h e t eam b at t le, t h ey ju st n eed ed t o d efeat

t h r ee op p on en t s t od ay t o m ak e it t o t h e fin al eigh t .
As t h e losin g t eam in t h e t eam -b at t les, t h e Dou Lin g t eam n eed ed t o d efeat t h e

en t ir e Sh r ek Acad em y t eam of seven p eop le w it h ju st t h r ee m em b er s in or d er t o
en t er t h e t op eigh t . Faced w it h t w o st r on g assau lt -t yp e sou l em p er or s on t h e
Sh r ek Acad em y t ea m , it w as sim p ly u n r ealist ic for t h e Dou Lin g t eam t o w in .
Dai Yu eh en g’s fir st op p on en t w as Dou Lin g’s assau lt -t yp e Sou l Kin g Qian
Yu an .
Pr eviou sly, Qian Yu an h ad h ar d ly u sed h is T er r or claw Bear p ow er s b efor e h e

w as r est r a in ed b y M a Xiaot ao’s Ph oen ix Sk yw h ist le. Aft er w a r d s, t h e ju d ge h a d
en d ed t h e com p et it ion , cau sin g h im t o b u r n w it h fu r y.
Qian Yu an d id n ’t feel t h at h e w as in fer ior t o Dai Yu eh en g, an d h is t eam all

saw h ow Sh r ek Acad em y’s r eser ve t ea m over cam e t h e od d s in t h e p r eviou s
r ou n d s of t h e t o u r n am en t . M ayb e t h e Dou Lin g t eam , t oo, w ou ld ach ieve a
m ir acu lou s vict or y t od ay. T h u s, w h en Qian Yu an st ood on t h e st age, h is en t ir e
b ein g w as em it t in g a t h ir st for b at t le, a n d on ly on e t h ou gh t filled h is m in d - t o
seek r even ge for Gu Zh u q ian .
In com p ar ison t o h is op p on en t ’s aggr essive m an n er , Dai Yu eh en g seem ed

m u ch calm er , w ear in g a p eacefu l exp r ession as h e st ood on t h e com p et it ion
st age, b ow in g t o t h e ju d ges b efor e glan cin g at h is op p on en t .
Dai Yu eh en g h ad a r at h er lar ge fr am e, b u t com p ar ed t o Qian Yu an , h e st ill

ap p ear ed t o b e d w a r fed b y a t aller gia n t . In t er m s of size, Qian Yu an w as
sign ifican t ly b igger t h an Dai Yu eh en g.
Follow in g t h e ju d ge’s in st r u ct ion s, t h e t w o of t h em r et r eat ed t o t h eir

r esp ect ive h a lves of t h e ar en a. T h e m om en t t h e b at t le st ar t ed , t h e t w o Assau lt
Syst em Bat t le Sou l M ast er s r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls.
Qian Yu an r oar ed in t o t h e air , an d h is st u r d y fr am e st ar t ed t o exp an d r ap id ly.

H is t er r ifyin g m u scles r ip p ed h is clot h es, r evealin g a m et allic gr ey b od y of
m u scles. T w o m u scu lar an d t h ick ar m s exp an d ed fr om b ot h sid es of h is b od y,
an d fr om t h ose h an d s sh ar p claw s, t w o in ch es lon g, gr ew ou t . H is u p p er b od y
b en t over sligh t ly an d h is sh ar p claw s r each ed t h e gr ou n d . Scr ap in g gen t ly
acr oss t h e gr ou n d , h e w as ab le t o leave clear lin es on it .
Dai Yu eh en g also r eleased h is W h it e T iger m ar t ial sou l. W h ile it d id n ot look

as m u scu lar a n d st r on g as h is op p on en t ’s, it w as ext r em ely st r on g t oo. Ligh t
flash ed in h is d evilish p u p ils. T w o yellow , t w o p u r p le an d t w o b lack sou l r in gs
p u lsed r h yt h m ically ar ou n d h is b od y. H e w as n o w ay w eak er t h an h is op p on en t .
Qian Yu an r oar ed an d at t ack ed fir st . In t er m s of t yp e, b ot h Dai Yu eh en g an d

h e w er e t h e sam e t yp e of sou l m ast er . H is sou l sk ill sp ecialized in in cr easin g h is
ow n p ow er s, an d h e w as m ost ap t at close com b at . H ow ever , M a Xiaot ao, w h o
w as an Assau lt Syst em Bat t le Sou l M ast er t oo, w as st r on ger in t er m s of r an ged
at t ack s. In close com b at , M a Xiaot ao cou ld n ot com p ar e t o t h em .
T h e alm ost t h r ee m et er s t all T er r or claw Bear r oar ed low ly. As h is fir st sou l
r in g flash ed , a layer of gold ligh t cloak ed h is sk in . H is sh ou ld er s exp an d ed
ou t w ar d fr om h is b od y. Su d d en ly, h e lu n ged vigor ou sly p r op ellin g h im self
t ow ar d s Dai Yu eh en g.
W h ile Dai Yu eh en g h ad t iger claw s, h e w as st ill sm aller com p ar ed t o h is
op p on en t in ever y sin gle asp ect .
W h en t h e r oad w as n ar r ow , t h e b r aver of t h e t w o w ou ld w in . Dai Yu eh en g

d id n ot r et r ea t . A la yer of in t en se w h it e ligh t b u r st for t h fr om h is b od y, an d
ever y sin gle st r an d of h air on h is bod y st ood u p . H is sp eed in cr eased
exp on en t ially as h e t u r n ed in t o a r ay of w h it e ligh t an d flew st r aigh t t ow ar d s h is
op p on en t .
T h e t w o sid es ap p ear ed t o h ave clash ed in t h e cen t er of t h e ar en a.
Qian Yu an ’s t w o t h ick sh ou ld er s m oved in m id -air . H e st r et ch ed ou t w it h h is

claw s, seem in gly cover in g t h e ar ea b efor e h im , givin g Dai Yu eh en g n o ch an ce of
escap e.
H ow ever , in r ealit y, Dai Yu eh en g h ad n o in t en t ion of escap in g. T h e t ip s of h is

feet t ou ch ed t h e gr o u n d , an d h is sp eed slow ed b y a fr act ion of a secon d . H is t iger
claw s slash ed ou t , cr ash in g again st h is op p on en t ’s sh ar p claw s.
“Clan k , clan k !” T w o scr eech in g sou n d s exp lod ed . Sp ar k s flew fr om t h e ar en a.

Sh ock in gly, Dai Yu eh en g, w h o w as a sou l em p er or , w as at a d isad van t age.
Dai Yu eh en g’s b od y t r em b led for t h e b r iefest of in st an t s. T h e at t ack fr om

Qian Yu an ’s sh ar p claw s act u ally k n ock ed h im b ack . H e w as at a d isad van t age in
t er m s of st r en gt h .
Seizin g t h e in it iat iv e, Qian Yu an d id n ot r elen t . H e r oar ed on ce m or e, an d

in st an t ly ch ased st r aigh t aft er Dai Yu eh en g. T h is t im e, h is t h ir d an d fift h sou l
r in gs lit u p . H is b od y, w h ich h ad or igin ally sh on e w it h a gr ey m et allic ligh t ,
t u r n ed b r on ze-gr een , an d t h en silver y-w h it e. H is en t ir e b od y con t in u ed t o
exp an d . W h en h e r each ed Dai Yu eh en g, h e w as alr ead y m or e t h an 3.5 m et er s
t all. T h e m u scles on h is b od y m u t at ed cr azily. On e cou ld n o lon ger t ell t h at h e
w as or igin ally h u m a n .
W h ile Dai Yu eh en g ap p ear ed t o b e r et r eat in g, h is b od y w as ch an gin g t oo. H is
h air t u r n ed gold , lik e t h at of h is op p on en t ’s in it ially. H is fir st , t h ir d an d fift h
sou l r in gs st a r t ed t o sh in e. In qu ick su ccession , h e u sed h is W h it e T iger ’s Sh ield ,
W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion an d W h it e T iger ’s Devilgod
J u st as Qian Yu an r u sh ed b efor e h im , an d ju st as h is sh a r p , silver claw s w er e

ab ou t t o com e slash in g d ow n , an icy ligh t flash ed in Dai Yu eh en g’s eyes, an d h is
en t ir e b od y m yst er iou sly d isap p ear ed .
T h at ’s r igh t . In t h a t in st an t , h is en t ir e b od y d isap p ear ed com p let ely fr om

b efor e Qian Yu an , cau sin g Qian Yu a n ’s at t ack t o st r ik e n ot h in g b u t t h in a ir .
H ad Dai Yu eh en g u sed a sou l sk ill t h at allow ed h im t o t elep or t ? Of cou r se n ot !

As h is m ar t ial sou l w as t h e W h it e T iger , h e d id n 't h ave t h at ab ilit y. T h u s, h is
b od y n at u r ally h a d n 't d isap p ear ed , b u t h ad in st ead su d d en ly ch an ged d ir ect ion .
Righ t b efor e Qian Yu an cau gh t u p t o h im , h e jer k ed h is h ead d ow n w ar d
for cefu lly an d sp at a m ou t h fu l of w h it e ligh t on t o t h e gr ou n d . T h is allow ed h im
t o sen d h is b od y flyin g in t o t h e air w it h h is ow n p ow er s.
All of t h is h ap p en ed t oo qu ick ly. Qian Yu an h ad alr ead y at t a ck ed , an d cou ld

n o lon ger p u ll it b ack . T h e m om en t h is a t t ack lan d ed on t h in air , h e sen sed t h at
som et h in g w as w r on g. H ow ever , at t h at m om en t , Dai Yu eh en g w as alr ead y
ab ove h is h ead .
Dai Yu eh en g d id n ot u se h is t iger claw s t o st r ik e Qian Yu an d ir ect ly. In st ea d ,

as h e cam e cr ash in g d ow n , h e slam m ed h is k n ees in t o Qian Yu an ’s sh ou ld er .
“T h u d !” A low gr u n t cam e fr om Qian Yu an ’s m ou t h . H is legs w ob b led , an d

u n d er t h is h u m on gou s p r essu r e, h e alm ost fell.
A p air of gian t claw s lash ed u p w ar d as h e t r ied t o d ism em b er Dai Yu eh en g.

T h is t im e, Dai Yu eh en g d id n ot t r y t o d od ge.
H is t iger claw s la sh ed ou t t o h is left an d r igh t sid e, t r ap p in g h is op p on en t ’s
sh ar p claw s. H is p alm s w er e as st u r d y as a m on olit h . No m at t er h ow m u ch
st r en gt h Qian Yu an u sed , h e w as st ill im m ob ilized .
“You r st r en gt h is r em ar k ab le in d eed . If you w er e at t h e sam e level as m e, I

w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o m at ch you r st r en gt h . Un for t u n a t ely, I’m a sou l em p er or ,
an d you ar e ju st a sou l k in g. Fu r t h er m or e, w h ile you r m ar t ial sou l is st r on g, it is
n ot agile en ou gh . Even if you b ecam e a sou l em p er or , you w ou ld st ill d ie in a
d eat h m at ch b et w een you an d m e. If I w an t ed t o k ill you , you w ou ld alr ea d y b e
d ead .”
Dai Yu eh en g’s cold voice sou n d ed n ext t o Qian Yu an ’s ear . In t h e n ext

m om en t , h e slam m ed h is k n ees t oget h er on b ot h sid es of Qian Yu an ’s h ead .
Im m ed iat ely, T h e m u scles on Qian Yu an ’s h u m on gou s fr am e con t r act ed
in volu n t ar ily as h e fell t o t h e gr ou n d .
Dai Yu eh en g som er sau lt ed in t o t h e air as h e leap t off Qian Yu an ’s b od y.
T h is b at t le w as ext r em ely sh or t . W h ile it ap p ear ed t o b e a st r aigh t for w ar d

figh t , t h e d an ger in it cou ld b e felt b y b ot h t eam s. Regar d less of w h et h er it w as
Dai Yu eh en g’s t iger claw s or Qian Yu an ’s t er r ifyin gly sh ar p claw s, a d ir ect st r ik e
b y eit h er w ou ld h av e b een b e fat al. T h is h ad b een a figh t of p u r e p ow er , an d
Qian Yu an h ad lost . H e h ad lost in t er m s of h is cu lt ivat ion , a n d also in t er m s of
exp er ien ce. Dai Yu eh en g u sed t h e clean est an d m ost efficien t m et h od t o ob t ain
vict or y. H is vict or y w as set t h e m om en t h e w as ‘k n ock ed b ack ’ b y Qian Yu an . As
a sou l em p er or , an d as som eon e w it h t h e W h it e T iger m ar t ial sou l t h at
sp ecialized in p h ysical st r en gt h , h ow cou ld h e lose t o som eon e w eak er t h an
h im ? T r ick in g h is op p on en t in t o en t er in g a t r ap , an d t h en fin ish in g h im off
w it h a sin gle b low , t h is w as t h e p ow er of Sh r ek ’s In n er Cou r t yar d !
Befor e t h e ju d ge cam e over , Dai Yu eh en g h ad alr ead y lift ed t h e u n con sciou s

Qian Yu an . H e m ad e an ‘it ’s fin e’ gest u r e t o t h e ju d ge, an d t h en b r ou gh t Qian
Yu an over t o t h e w ait in g ar ea for con t est an t s, w h ich w as at t h e sid e of t h e
ar en a.
“Gu Zh u jian , t h e com p et it ion is ak in t o a b at t lefield . I m ay h ave u sed t oo
m u ch st r en gt h , b u t it w as t o ob t ain vict or y. I b elieve t h at if it w er e you , you
w ou ld h ave d on e t h e sam e. T h er e’s n ot h in g else t o say. Cat ch ,” Dai Yu eh en g
said as h e sen t Qian Yu an ou t . Na t u r a lly, t h e m em b er s of t h e Dou Lin g t eam
cau gh t h im .
A b it t er sm ile cr ossed Gu Zh u jian ’s face as h e said , “T h an k you for sh ow in g

m er cy, Sen ior Dai.” All of t h em w er e clear t h at t h e m om en t t h e Dai Yu eh en g
su d d en ly ap p ear ed a b ove Qian Yu an ’s h ead in t h e b lin k of an eye, Qian Yu an
h ad n o ch an ce of vict or y. If Dai Yu eh en g h ad u sed h is t iger claw s t o st r ik e h is
h ead , Qian Yu an w ou ld h ave d ied for su r e. H ow ever , Dai Yu eh en g d id n ot d o
t h at .
T h is w as t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g

T ou r n am en t , w h er e d eat h s an d in ju r ies w er e com m on p lace. H ow ever , Dai
Yu eh en g d id n ot even sever ely in ju r e h is op p on en t . H e h ad sh ow n m u ch m er cy
t h is t im e, w h ich h elp ed r ed u ce t h e h at r ed t h e Dou Lin g t eam t ow ar d s h im .
T h e secon d r ep r esen t at ive fr om t h e Dou Lin g t eam w as H an Lin g’er , an

Agilit y Syst em Sou l M ast er w h o w as also sou l k in g.
T h is r ou n d w ou ld b e a b at t le of sp eed ver su s st r en gt h .
H an Lin g’er ’s at t ack s w er e ext r em ely sh ar p , an d h er sp eed w as u n p ar alleled .

H er m ar t ial sou l w as k n ow n as t h e Ligh t n in g Sab le, an d am on g all Agilit y
Syst em Sou l M ast er s, sh e w as on e of t h e fast est . Ot h er t h an h er in ab ilit y t o fly,
ver y few sou l m ast er s cou ld m at ch h er sh or t , sp eed y b u r st s on lan d .
Faced w it h su ch an o p p on en t , Dai Yu eh en g ad op t ed a p assive ap p r oach . Faced

w it h h is op p on en t ’s at t ack s, all h e d id w as r em ain st at ion ar y in st ead of
r et alia t in g. Aft er a fu ll m in u t e, H an Lin g’er ’s sou l p ow er cou ld n ot k eep u p . As
h er sp eed d ecr eased , sh e w as for ced in t o a cor n er b y Dai Yu eh en g, an d h a d n o
ch oice b u t t o ad m it d efeat .
T h r ou gh t w o con secu t ive r ou n d s of com p et it ion , h e w as ab le t o b eat t w o sou l
k in gs. T h e cr ow d st ar t ed t o feel t h e p ow er of a sou l em p er or . Dai Yu eh en g’s
p er for m an ce in t h ese t w o r ou n d s cou ld b e su m m ar ized w it h t h r ee w or d s: h e
h eld b ack . T h is w as evid en t ly n ot h is fu ll st r en gt h .
T h er e w as n ot m u ch excit em en t ab ou t t h e r esu lt s of t h e t h ir d b at t le w h en Ch i
H en gyu , t h e sou l m ast er w it h t h e Vajr a Sh ield as h is m ar t ia l sou l, st ep p ed u p .
W h ile h is d efen sive ab ilit ies w er e im p r essive, Dai Yu eh en g t au gh t h im a lesson
in t er m s of r aw st r en gt h . Com p ar ed t o t h e secon d b at t le, t h e t w o sid es sw it ch ed
r oles. T h is t im e, Dai Yu eh en g at t ack ed w h ile Ch i H en gyu d efen d ed .
H ow ever , t h e r esu lt s w er e r ever sed t oo. Ear lier , Dai Yu eh en g h ad u sed h is

im m en se st r en gt h t o exp en d all of H an Lin g’er ’s sou l p ow er . T h is t im e, h is
at t ack s w er e lik e a flood as t h ey slam m ed in t o Ch i H en gyu ’s Vajr a Sh ield h ead -
on . Fin ally, h e w as ab le t o sen d h im off t h e ar en a.
Bat t le aft er b at t le, Dai Yu eh en g sh ow ed t h e im m en se p ow er h is W h it e T iger

m ar t ial sou l p ossessed . By ch allen gin g an d d efeat in g t h r ee op p on en t s, h e w as
ab le t o en d t h e in d ivid u al elim in at ion r ou n d w h ile sim u lt an eou sly en su r in g t h a t
Sh r ek Acad em y w as r an k ed am on g t h e t op eigh t . t h e Dou Lin g Im p er ial Sou l
Acad em y’s on ly op t ion w as t o p ack u p an d go h om e.
Aft er get t in g scold ed b y W an g Yan t h at d ay, M a Xiaot ao w as m u ch m or e w ell-

b eh aved . Off t h e ar en a, sh e w an t ed ver y m u ch t o act , b u t sh e k ep t h er silen ce.
Aft er t h is b at t le, t h e fam e of Sh r ek Academ y gr ew even m or e. Dai Yu eh en g

an d M a Xiaot ao, b ot h sou l em p er or s, h ad left a d eep im p r ession on ever yon e.
T h e cr ow d w as lik e t h is. T h ey w ou ld on ly lik e t h e st r on g on es. H u o Yu h ao,

w h ose p er for m an ce w as excep t ion al, w as gr ad u ally for got t en . So w h at if you
h ad t w in m a r t ia l sou ls? If you r cu lt ivat ion w as n ot en ou gh , n o on e w ou ld car e.
H u o Yu h ao d eligh t ed in t h is. Over t h e n ext few d ays, as lon g as h e h ad t im e,
h e w ou ld t r ain w it h W an g Don g. T h eir sou l p ow er in cr eased exp on en t ially w it h
t h e h elp of t h e H aod on g Pow er an d t h e Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e.
In t h e qu ar t er fin als, Sh r ek Acad em y w as for t u n at e en ou gh t o ob t ain an

excellen t p air in g. T h ey w er e select ed t o go again st t h e w eak est of t h e t op eigh t
t eam s, w h o w as n ot u n fam iliar t o t h em . T h e t eam w as fr om J u st sk y Acad em y,
w h o h ad on ce cr eat ed m u ch t r ou b le for H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est .
T h e fin al r esu lt s w er e t o b e exp ect ed . Even w it h ou t M a Xiaot a o, Dai Yu eh en g,

an d Lin g Lu och en , Sh r ek h ad b een ab le t o ob t ain vict or y. N ow , w it h t w o sou l
em p er or s an d a sou l k in g, t h er e w as n o q u est ion ab ou t t h e r esu lt s of t h is r ou n d .
J u st sk y Acad em y w as com p let ely t r ash ed , as Sh r ek t r am p led over t h em an d
en t er ed t h e t op fou r .
At t h is p oin t , t h e Con t in en t a l Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g

T ou r n am en t w as n ear in g it s en d , w h ich w as also it s h igh p oin t .
In t h e r oom , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e cu lt ivat in g t h r ou gh

m ed it at ion . T h ey w er e b ecom in g in cr easin gly sk illed at u sin g t h eir H aod on g
Pow er , an d t h e effect s of t h e Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e w er e fu r t h er am p lified
b y t h eir H aod on g Pow er .
T h e soot h in g yet va st H aod on g Pow er w ou ld fir st p ass t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s

b od y, an d t h en t h r ou gh t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e, it w ou ld en t er W an g
Don g’s b od y. T h e en t r y p oin t in t o W an g Don g’s b od y w as h is left ar m .
T h e Gold en Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e, u p on b ein g t r igger ed b y t h e H aod on g

Pow er , w ou ld im m ed iat ely give off a p ow er fu l ab sor p t ive en er gy. T h is allow ed
t h e elem en t of ligh t t o en t er W an g Don g’s b od y an d t h e H aod on g Pow er . T h en ,
as it p assed fr om W a n g Don g’s b od y, it w ou ld follow h is cu lt ivat ion m et h od an d
exit aft er cyclin g t h r ou gh h is b od y in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
T h e en t ir e p r ocess w as lik e t h e Yan gt ze River , slow b u t n ever on ce st op p in g.
W it h each cycle of cu lt ivat ion t h eir sou l p ow er com p let ed , t h eir cu lt ivat io n
w ou ld in cr ease.
As W an g Don g h ad su r p assed Ran k 30 , h is over all sou l p ow er w as m u ch

st r on ger t h an H u o Yu h ao’s. H en ce, h is sou l p ow er in cr eased m or e com p ar ed t o
H u o Yu h ao’s. Bot h of t h em cou ld feel t h a t if t h ey con t in u ed cu lt ivat in g lik e t h is,
t h eir sou l p ow er w ou ld cat ch u p t o Dai Yu eh en g’s in ju st on e or t w o year s.
As t h e H aod on g Pow er cir cu lat ed , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s b od ies w ou ld

em it a p ale, gold en glow . Ever sin ce t h e t w o of t h em h a d exp er ien ced t h e
var iou s com b in at ion s of t h eir m ar t ial sou ls, t h eir ab ilit y t o coop er at e as a t eam
w as fu r t h er p er fect ed . Now , as t h e H aod on g Pow er cir cu lat ed , it w as as if t h e
t w o of t h em h ad b ecom e on e.
“Kn ock , k n ock , k n ock .” Su d d en ly, a k n ock cou ld b e h ear d on t h e d oor , w h ich
jolt ed H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g fr om t h eir cu lt iva t ion .
W an g Don g fr ow n ed u n h ap p ily an d said , “W h o is it ? W h y h ave t h ey

d ist u r b ed ou r cu lt iva t ion ?”
H u o Yu h ao in h aled an d t oget h er w it h W an g Don g, h e r et r act ed h is sou l

p ow er . “I’ll t ak e a look ,” h e said . T h en , h e leap t off t h e b ed an d op en ed t h e
d oor .
It w as W an g Yan . T h e m om en t W an g Yan op en ed t h e d oor an d saw H u o

Yu h ao, h e w as st ar t led t oo. T h is w as b ecau se h e cou ld clear ly see t h at H u o
Yu h ao’s eyes sh on e w it h a clear gold en ligh t . Desp it e h im b ein g a sou l k in g, h e
felt as if h e H u o Yu h ao cou ld see t h r ou gh h im .
“Sor r y for d ist u r b in g you r cu lt iva t ion ,” W an g Yan ap ologized .
W h en H u o Yu h ao saw t h at it w as h im , h e r u sh ed t o t h e sid e an d said ,

“T each er W an g, p lease com e in .”
W an g Yan r ep lied , “T h er e’s n o n eed for t h at . Com e w it h m e, Yu h ao.” W it h
t h at , h e t u r n ed an d left .
W an g Don g n at u r ally h ear d t h e exch an ge b et w een t h e t w o of t h em . H e

ju m p ed off t h e b ed an d said cu r iou sly, “I w on d er w h y T each er W an g’s look in g
for you . Go w it h h im !”
“Ar en ’t you com in g?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed .
W an g Don g said , “T each er W an g saw m e ju st n ow , b u t h e on ly called you .

Evid en t ly, h e d oes n ot w an t m e ar ou n d . Go b y you r self, I’ll r est .”
T h e t w o of t h em exch an ged a gaze, an d an am u sed look cr ossed t h eir eyes.

Aft er cu lt iva t in g t oget h er for so lon g, t h e cam ar ad er ie b et w een t h e t w o of t h em
h ad b ecom e in cr easin gly ob viou s. Som et im es, t h ey k n ew w h at t h e ot h er w as
t h in k in g w it h on ly a sin gle glan ce.
H ow ever , b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g cou ld feel t h at t h er e w as a

for b id d en zon e in t h eir cou n t er p ar t ’s h ear t . No m at t er h ow close t h ey b ecam e,
t h ey cou ld n ever t ou ch on t h ese t ab oos.
H u o Yu h ao w aved t o W an g Don g an d left t h e r oom . W an g Yan w as w ait in g

for h im in t h e cor r id or . W h en h e saw h im , h e led h im t o h is r oom .
Aft er h e closed t h e d oor , W an g Yan su m m on ed H u o Yu h ao t o t h e st u d y t ab le

in t h e r oom an d t h en said in a low voice, “Look .”
On W an g Yan ’s st u d y t ab le, t h er e w as a car vin g k n ife et ch ed w it h an cien t

p at t er n s. Next t o t h e car vin g k n ife, t h er e w as a r in g t h at h ad alr ead y b een sliced
in h alf.
H u o Yu h ao h a d seen t h is r in g b efor e. Nor m ally, W an g Yan w or e it on h is

fin ger . T h is w as h is st or age-t yp e sou l t ool. H ow ever , r igh t n ow , it w as
com p let ely d est r oyed . H u o Yu h ao, w it h h is eyes of a sou l en gin eer , cou ld see
t h at it s for m at ion ar r ays h ad b een d est r oyed . As for t h e car vin g k n ife t h at w as
givin g off an icy au r a, w asn ’t it t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife t h at w as Ran k
99 on t h e Car vin g Kn ife Lead er b oar d ?
“T each er W an g, t h is…” H u o Yu h ao said in sh ock .
W an g Yan said , “M y st or age-t yp e sou l t ool w as a Ran k 4 sou l t ool. H ow ever , I

d id n ’t exp ect t h at it cou ld n ’t t ak e t h e p ow er of t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g
Kn ife. Ear lier , I cou ld feel a violen t au r a fr om t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife
com in g at m y st or age-t yp e sou l t ool, b u t I d id n ’t give it m u ch t h ou gh t .
H ow ever , t h is m or n in g, I fou n d it sp lit in h alf, com p let ely d est r oyed . T h e
car vin g k n ife con t in u ed t o give off a b r u t al, t er r ifyin g au r a. I felt a d ar k , gloom y
au r a en t er m y b od y w h en I t ou ch ed it . I w as on ly ab le t o exp el it aft er
cir cu la t in g m y sou l p ow er for h alf a d ay.”
W h en h e said t h a t , H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly u n d er st ood w h y W a n g Yan h ad su ch

a t er r ib le exp r ession . A Class 4 so u l t ool w as n ot ch eap ! No w on d er h e felt a p ain
in h is h ear t w h en h e saw t h a t it h ad b een d est r oyed . H ow ever , t h is Sou l-
Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife w as p ow er fu l in d eed , t ill t h e p oin t w h er e even a
st or age-t yp e sou l t ool cou ld n ’t t ak e it .
“Yu h ao, last t im e you said t h at you h a d a w ay of su b d u in g it . T r y it . If you

su cceed , it ’s you r s. H ow ever , you m u st b e car efu l. I w ill p r ot ect you , b u t you
h ave t o st op if you feel t h at som et h in g is am iss.”
A Class 4 sou l t oo w as t h e b est it em t h at W an g Yan h ad on h im . T h e Sou l-

Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife w as in d eed evil, an d t h e im p act of car r yin g it on eself
d ir ect ly w as t oo gr eat . H elp less, h e cou ld on ly look for H u o Yu h ao, w h o h ad
p r eviou sly sw or n t h at h e cou ld t ak e car e of it .
“Alr igh t , I’ll t r y,” H u o Yu h ao said gleefu lly. Desp it e Elect r olu x’s p er son alit y,
h e h ad alr ead y ask ed h im m or e t h an on ce t o r et r ieve t h is Sou l-Devou r in g
Car vin g Kn ife. T h is w as a t est am en t t o it s im p or t an ce. Or igin ally, h e h ad
t h ou gh t t h at h e w ou ld h ave t o w ait u n t il h e r et u r n ed t o t h e Acad em y. H ow ever ,
h e d id n ot exp ect W a n g Yan t o give h im a ch an ce n ow .
“Elect r olu x, Elect r olu x,” H u o Yu h ao t r ied t o w ak e Elect r olu x, w h o w as in h is
Sp ir it u al Sea . H ow ever , r igh t n ow , all t h r ee in h ab it an t s of h is Sp ir it u al Sea w er e
asleep . Non e of t h em r esp on d ed t o h is call.
H u o Yu h ao felt a sen se of h elp lessn ess. If h e d id n ot t r y n ow , h e d id n ot k n ow

w h en w ou ld h e n ext h ave t h e op p or t u n it y t o d o so. A sm ile cr ossed h is face. If
Elect r olu x w ou ld n ot w ak e u p , t h en h e w ou ld for ce h im t o get u p .
As h e t h ou gh t ab ou t t h at , H u o Yu h a o h ad alr ea d y r elea sed h is sp ir it u al

d et ect ion t ow ar d t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife. H ow ever , t h is t im e, h e d id
n ot act r ash ly. In st ead , h e w as cau t iou s, b u t n ot fear fu l. H e w asn ’t afr aid of t h e
b ack lash fr om t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife. W h ile h is ow n p ow er s w er e
n ot h in g r em ar k ab le, as h e w as ju st a t w o-r in ged sou l m ast er , h is sp ir it u al p ow er
w as r esp ect ab le. W h ile h is ow n sp ir it u al p ow er w as n ot h in g m u ch , h e h ad a
m illion year sou l b east w it h t h e sp ir it at t r ib u t e, a p ow er fu l p er son fr om an ot h er
w or ld , an d on e of t h e T en Gr eat Savage Beast s in h is Sp ir it u al Sea.
If t h e t h r ee of t h em cou ld n ’t h elp h im over com e t h e sp ir it u a l b ack lash , ver y

few p eop le in t h e w or ld w ou ld b e ab le t o h elp secu r e h is Sp ir it u al Sea.
T h e sp ir it u al p ow er of an y sou l m ast er w as gr eat er t h an t h at of an or d in a r y

m or t al. H ow ever , on ly seven -r in ged sou l m ast er s an d ab ove cou ld con t r ol t h eir
ow n sp ir it u al p ow er , or u se t h eir sp ir it u al p ow er d ir ect ly. T h e excep t ion w er e
sou l m ast er s lik e H u o Yu h ao, w h o n at u r a lly h ad t h e sp ir it at t r ib u t e.
H is sp ir it u a l d et ect ion car efu lly lan d ed o n t h e So u l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife.
T h e m om en t it t ou ch ed it , H u o Yu h ao felt h is b od y t r em b le violen t ly.
Ever yt h in g b efor e h im t u r n ed b lack , a n d t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife
ap p ear ed t o h ave t u r n ed in t o an en d less b lack h ole. A cr azy en er gy d evou r ed h is
sp ir it u al p ow er , an d an ext r em ely d ar k an d cold au r a, b r im m in g w it h t er r or ,
p en et r at ed h is Sp ir it u al Sea t h r ou gh h is sp ir it u al d et ect ion .
T h e m om en t t h e t er r ifyin g au r a en t er ed , H u o Yu h ao cou ld feel h is sp ir it u al

p ow er b ein g d issect ed . It w as as if som eon e h ad cu t it in h alf. It w as a t er r ib ly
u n com for t ab le feelin g, as if h is h ead w er e b ein g for cefu lly sliced op en .
If H u o Yu h ao w er e act in g alon e, t h en t h is p ow er fu l au r a w ou ld h ave in ju r ed
h im sever ely as it en t er ed h is Sp ir it u a l Sea. In fact , h is Sp ir it u al Sea m igh t even
h ave b e d am aged . H ow ever , h e w as n ot figh t in g alon e.
T h e fir st t o r eact w as t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , w h o w as t h e closest t o H u o

Yu h ao.
Sk yd r eam w ok e u p fr om h is sleep , an d w h ile h e d id n ot k n ow w h at h a d

h ap p en ed , h e im m ed iat ely r u sh ed t o d efen d h is t u r f.
H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Sea w as lik e h is h om e, an d h e h a d a w ife an d k id s in h is

h om e. T h e in va sion fr om t h e Sou l-Devo u r in g Car v in g Kn ife w as lik e som eon e
k ick in g d ow n h is fr on t d oor t o st ea l h is w ife. H ow cou ld h e n ot b e en r aged ?
W an g Yan st ood b y t h e sid e. H is h ea r t alm ost m issed a b eat w h en h e saw H u o

Yu h ao’s b od y t r em b lin g violen t ly, an d h e alm ost act ed t o in t er fer e. H ow ever , h e
qu ick ly n ot iced t h at H u o Yu h ao’s t w o eyes sh on e w it h a d azzlin g gold ligh t .
Qu ick ly, h is t w o sou l r in gs ap p ear ed on h is b od y. T h e secon d on e cu r r en t ly gave
off t h e p u r p le glow of a t h ou san d year so u l r in g, w h ile t h e fir st on e w as a glossy
w h it e w it h an in t en se gold en h alo at it s cen t er .
T h e t er r ifyin g au r a t h at h ad sou gh t t o b ar ge in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b r ain h it a

st on e w all. Im m ed iat ely, it r eb ou n d ed , an d t h e k n ife it self m ad e a p at h et ic
w h im p er . It w a s vib r at in g sligh t ly, an d givin g off a gr een gas.
W an g Yan st op p ed h im self as h e st ar ed in sh ock at t h e gold on H u o Yu h ao’s

fir st sou l r in g. H e h a d n ever seen an yt h in g lik e t h is b efor e, b u t h e cou ld feel t h e
vast , u n b r id led sp ir it u al p ow er t h at H u o Yu h ao gave off, w h ich exceed ed t h a t of
a sou l k in g.
Book 13: Life Gold
Chapt er 105: Pur ifying t he Ominous Soul
Devour ing Knife
H u o Yu h ao’s p u p ils h ad b ecom e filled w it h gold en ligh t a n d t r an slu cen t ; it

w as as if t h ey w er e 2 gold en cr yst als.
“W h at ’s w r on g? W h o d ar es at t em p t t o sn at ch m y t er r it or y?” T h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ask ed fu r iou sly.
Aft er b ein g p r ovok ed b y t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife, t h e Ice Em p r ess’

m in d also clear ed u p . A st r eak of azu r e ligh t flash ed acr oss H u o Yu h ao’s gold en
p u p ils, an d an au r a t h at w as 10 0 t im es m or e fer ociou s t h an t h at of t h e Om in ou s
Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife’s w as u n lea sh ed . It vicio u sly slam m ed in t o t h e Om in ou s
Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife.
T h is t im e, t h e k n ife cr ied ou t in sor r ow an d t h e gr een gaseou s ligh t it w as

em an at in g w as d isp er sed .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion w er e b ot h p ar t ially

fu sed w it h H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, t h u s t h eir ow n t r u e p ow er s w er e sealed as w ell.
H ow ever , t h eir sp ir it u al or igin s w er e b o t h in H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea. Even
t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t u n leash t h eir p ow er , t h ey cou ld st ill d efin it ely
p r ot ect H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea!
W h at k in d of t em p er d id t h e Ice Em p r ess h ave? If t h e Ice Em p r ess an d

Sk yd r eam Icew or m cou ld b e d escr ib ed a s a m ar r ied cou p le, t h en t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m w as t h e h en p eck ed on e, w h ile sh e w as t h e t igr ess in t h e fam ily…
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad gon e in t o d efen se m od e t h e m om en t h e felt t h a t

h e w as b ein g at t ack ed , b u t sh e h a d im m ed iat ely cou n t er at t ack ed .
H u o Yu h ao m in d im m ed iat ely clear ed u p . T h e com b in ed sp ir it u a l p ow er s of
t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice Em p r ess gave h im t h e feelin g t h at t h ey cou ld
d evou r a p er son for cefu lly. It w as on ly at t h is p oin t t h at Elect r olu x fin ally w ok e
up.
“Oh ? It 's Life Gold . Lit t le w or m a n d scor p ion , b ot h of you qu iet d ow n p lease.”
Even t h ou gh Elect r olu x, t h e self-p r oclaim ed ‘Calam it y Necr om an cer ’ w h o

follow ed t h e Divin e Law of Necr om an cy, on ly h ad a sh r ed of d ivin e sen se left ,
t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d Ice Em p r ess w er e st ill afr aid of h im . T h ey w er e also
clear ly aw ar e t h at Elect r olu x d id n ’t h ar b or an y ill in t en t ion s t ow ar d s H u o
Yu h ao; h is sp ir it u al sea w as a com m on in t er est t h at all t h r ee of t h em sh ar ed .
W an g Yan n ot iced t h at t h e fer ociou s gaze in H u o Yu h ao’s p u p ils ch an ged on ce

again : H is azu r e-gold en eyes r ap id ly t u r n ed gr ey, w h ile h is au r a seem ed t o
gr eat ly t r an sfor m .
T h e fir st t im e t h at W an g Yan h ad seen H u o Yu h ao’s eyes t u r n gr ey w as b ack

w h en h is sou l p ow er h ad on ly b een Ran k 17 an d h e’d b een figh t in g W u Fen g.
Even w it h all of h is sp ecial p ow er s, H u o Yu h ao h ad on ly m an aged t o w in on ce
h is eyes t u r n ed gr ey.
H ow ever , h e’d b een q u it e far aw ay b ack t h en , an d h ad n ’t b een ab le t o sen se

t h in gs clear ly. H ow ever , r igh t n ow , W a n g Yan w as ver y close t o H u o Yu h ao.
T h e on ly t h in g h e felt w as t h at H u o Yu h ao’s gr ey eyes w er e filled w it h a
b ou n d less m yst er iou sn ess. Bu t w it h in t h is m yst er io u sn ess, h e cou ld sen se an
u n p r eced en t ed d ivin it y. It w as even m or e d ivin e t h an t h e An gel h e’d on ce seen
b efor e.
H u o Yu h ao’s you t h fu l face even exu d ed a t in ge of h olin ess w h en t h e layer of

gr ey ap p ear ed in h is eyes.
Su d d en ly, H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed t o look at W an g Yan . W an g Yan h ad n ever felt

t h at h e n eed ed t o b e cau t iou s again st h im b efor e, b u t t h e m om en t h e saw t h e
b ou n d less gr ey in t h e d ep t h s of H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, h is m in d b ecam e b lu r r y. No
m at t er w h a t h e d id , h e cou ld n ’t b r in g h im self t o r esist it .
If an yon e else w er e p r esen t , t h ey w ou ld see t h at W a n g Yan ’s eyes h ad b ecom e

filled w it h em p t in ess t h e m om en t H u o Yu h ao look ed at h im ; h e w as ak in t o a
w alk in g zom b ie.
On ce t h is w as d on e, H u o Yu h ao t h en t u r n ed b ack t o t h e Om in ou s Sou l-
Devou r in g Kn ife, an d focu sed h is at t en t ion on it . T h e d im gr eyish r ad ian ce fr om
h is eyes seem ed t o b ecom e an en t it y w it h for m as it sh ot o u t an d lan d ed on t h e
k n ife.
Aft er a m om en t , H u o Yu h ao’s con sciou sn ess r et r eat ed t o h is sp ir it u al sea, a n d

Elect r olu x t ook b ack con t r ol of h is b od y. Fr om h is ow n p er sp ect ive, H u o Yu h ao
w as h elp less. W h o’d ask ed h im t o b e so w eak ? Regar d less of if it w as t h e
Sk yd r eam Icew or m , t h e Ice Em p r ess, or Elect r olu x, H u o Yu h ao w as qu it e a lot
w eak er t h an all of t h em b y a sign ifican t am ou n t . H ow else cou ld h is b od y b e
con t r olled b y t h em at an y t im e? H ow ever , t h is t h ou gh t on ly flash ed acr oss h is
m in d . Aft er all, Elect r olu x w as d oin g ever yt h in g for h im .
T h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife sh o ok violen t ly an d r eleased a m ou r n fu l

gr oan t h e in st an t t h at t h e gr eyish sp ir it u al p ow er Elect r olu x r eleased st r u ck it .
If som eon e w asn ’t r esolu t e en ou gh , h is em ot ion s w ou ld b e gr eat ly affect ed b y
t h is gr oan .
Elect r olu x’s t h ou gh t s t h en ech oed t h r ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea,

“In ject in g evil t h ou gh t s an d cu r ses in t o t h e Life Gold is on ly som et h in g t h at an
evil cr eat or cou ld t h in k of. H e sim p ly sen sed t h e im m en se st r en gt h t h at t h is Life
Gold h as, b u t h e d id n ’t k n ow h ow t o let it u n leash it s t r u ly m ir acu lou s effect s.
Life Gold , clean se you r self! I’ll let you r et u r n t o you r or igin al st at e, an d sh a ll
r em ove all t h e st ain s on you . You r p u r est life au r a can b e u n leash ed on ce again .”
H u o Yu h ao’s p u p ils exp er ien ced a ch an ge on ce again . H is p r eviou sly gr ey

p u p ils su d d en ly t u r n ed w h it e—a w h it e t h at w as as flaw less a n d p u r e as jad e. It
w as as w h it e as sn ow . T h e gr eyish sp ir it u al p ow er also t u r n ed in t o a w h it e,
Pu r ifyin g Ligh t in st a n t an eou sly.
T h is t im e, t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife h ad st op p ed sh ak in g. As it

r esist ed , an in t en se gr een ligh t w a s su d d en ly r eleased fr om it ’s b lad e. T h e gr een
ligh t for m ed a fer ociou s-look in g face an d r oar ed m a d ly. It seem ed t o w an t t o
d evou r t h e w h it e ligh t t h a t Elect r olu x w as em it t in g.
H ow ever , even t h ou gh t h e Pu r ifyin g Ligh t seem ed ext r em ely t h in , it w as ak in

t o b oilin g oil b ein g p ou r ed on t o a p ile of sn ow w h en it st r u ck t h e Om in ou s So u l-
Devou r in g Kn ife: T h e gr een ligh t fr om t h e fier ce-look in g face w as b lu r r ed b y
h alf in an in st an t . T h e or igin ally fer ociou s look t h at t h e face h ad also t u r n ed
b lu r r y. H ow ever , t h e gr een ligh t r evolvin g ar ou n d it w as st ill ver y st r on g, b u t
gu st aft er gu st of b lack gas w as evap or at in g an d d issip at in g b en eat h t h e effect of
t h e Pu r ifyin g Ligh t . T h e gr een ligh t t h at t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife w as
em it t in g b egan t o b ecom e b ot h p u r er an d gen t ler as t h is con t in u ed .
T h e en t ir e clean sin g p r ocess w as ver y sh or t an d qu ick . T h e m om en t t h at t h e

last st r eak of b lack gas d issip a t ed , t h e gr een ligh t t h at t h e k n ife’s b lad e w as
em it t in g b ecam e as clean as sp r in g w a t er . T h er e w er e n o lon ger an y im p u r it ies
on it , t h u s t h e or igin ally b lack b lad e a lso t u r n ed in t o a gr een ish cr yst al-lik e
en t it y.
Elect r olu x sigh ed h eavily. “I d id n ’t r ealize I’d b ecom e so w eak . I feel so t ir ed

an d w eak d esp it e ju st u sin g a b it of t h e Pu r ifyin g Ligh t . Alr igh t , you ’ll h ave t o
t ell you r t each er t h a t you n eed t o k eep t h e k n ife on you . I’ll n eed som e t im e t o
fu se t h e t w o of you t oget h er .”
On ce h e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g h e m ad e H u o Yu h ao look at W an g Yan . Aft er

t h at , t h e w h it en ess in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes d isap p ear ed . H u o Yu h ao r egain ed
con t r ol of h is ow n b od y, w h ile W an g Yan ’s em p t y eyes r egain ed t h eir focu s.
“W h at ?” W an g Yan im m ed iat ely n ot iced t h e ob viou s ch an ge in t h e Om in ou s

Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife on ce h e’d r egain ed focu s. T h e or igin a lly-d ead ly sen se of
fer ocit y t h at it h ad p ossessed h a d ceased t o exist . Cu r r en t ly, t h e cr yst a l-lik e
k n ife gave h im a b u r n in g feelin g of life.
W an g Yan w as ver y con fu sed ; h e d id n ’t even r em em b er H u o Yu h ao t u r n in g

t o look at h im . H e w as qu it e sh ock ed b y w h at h ad h ap p en ed . “T h is… t h is is?
Yu h ao, h ow d id you d o t h is?”
H u o Yu h ao on ly ch oice w as t o m ak e u p a lie. “T each er W a n g, I felt sp ir it u al

flu ct u a t ion s com in g fr om t h is k n ife t h e m om en t t h a t I saw it . T h ey w er en ’t ver y
st r on g, an d w er e on ly b ased on t h e st r en gt h con t ain ed w it h in t h e k n ife’s b lad e.
Fr om t h e p er sp ect ive of u s sou l en gin eer s, t h is is k n ow n as a sealin g of on e’s
sou l. In ot h er w or d s, a sh r ed of evil w ill fr om an evil sou l m ast er h ad b een
sealed in sid e of t h is car vin g k n ife, w h ich is w h y it w as so fer ociou s. I sim p ly
u sed m y sp ir it u a l p ow er t o op en t h e seal, w h ich w asn ’t ver y p ow er fu l, an d
r em ove t h e sh r ed of evil w ill fr om t h e k n ife. T h is h as a llow ed t h e k n ife t o
r et u r n t o it s n or m al st at e. It sh ou ld n ’t p ose a t h r eat an ym or e. As for w h et h er
it ’s r ead y t o u se, w e can on ly b r in g it b ack t o t r y.”
W an g Yan w as ver y k n ow led geab le in r egar d s t o t h e r esear ch in t o sou l

m ast er s, b u t h e w asn ’t ver y clear ab ou t sou l en gin eer s. H e cou ld on ly n od w h en
h e h ear d H u o Yu h ao’s w or d s. H e t h en t r ied t o p ick u p t h e k n ife.
In d eed , t h e k n ife h a d lost all t r aces of it s fer ociou s au r a. In st ead , t h e k n ife felt
ver y sm oot h in h is h an d . In fact , it d id n ’t seem t o h ave an au r a at all. It seem ed
lik e h ad b een car ved fr om som e sor t of cr yst al. If n ot for t h e u n ch an ged , sim p le
p at t er n s on t h e k n ife, h e w ou ld ’ve t h ou gh t t h a t H u o Yu h ao h ad sw it ch ed it ou t .
H e lift ed t h e k n ife an d h an d ed it t o H u o Yu h ao, t h en said , “Keep it t h en .

W e’ll let Fan Yu t ak e a look at it w h en w e r et u r n t o t h e aca d em y. I’m n ot ver y
k n ow led geab le w h en it com es t o sou l t ools.”
“T h an k s, T each er W an g.” H u o Yu h ao felt elat ed w h en h e r eceived t h e k n ife.

H e h ad t h e sam e feelin g as W an g Yan w h en h e h eld t h e k n ife: It seem ed lik e t h e
k n ife w as m ad e of or d in ar y cr yst al—t h at w as it .
Aft er ob t ain in g t h e k n ife as h e w ish ed , H u o Yu h ao w as ext r em ely d eligh t ed .
H ow ever , h e also k n ew t h at h e ow ed t h e acad em y a lot . T h e acad em y h ad
n u r t u r ed h im , t h u s h e w ou ld n eed t o r ep ay t h eir con t r ib u t ion s in t h e fu t u r e.
Aft er r et u r n in g t o h is r oom , h e r elayed ever yt h in g t o W an g Don g. Of cou r se,

h e on ly t old h im t h e sam e ver sion of w h at h ad h ap p en ed as w h at h e’d t old
W an g Yan ; h e cou ld n ’t let an yon e k n ow ab ou t t h e secr et in h is sp ir it u al sea .
W an g Don g w as also aw ed w h en h e saw t h e k n ife. “Is it r eally t h at good ? It ’s a

p it y t h at t h er e’s n ot a su it ab le en vir on m en t ar ou n d . If t h er e w as, you cou ld t r y
t o cr eat e a sou l t ool w it h it .”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “T h er e’s n o r u sh . Com e, let ’s con t in u e cu lt iva t in g

t oget h er .” H e’d alr ea d y leap t ou t of b ed b y t h e t im e h e’d fin ish ed sp eak in g.
W an g Don g w as an n oyed an d r ep lied , “You ar en ’t h u m an ! Don ’t you ever feel

b or ed or fat igu ed ? W h y n ot go ou t an d p la y? I’m gon n a d ie of bor ed om !”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led an d said , “If you ’r e n ot t alen t ed , you h a ve t o b e on e st ep

ah ead of ot h er s. M y cu lt iva t ion is t h e w eak est of ever yon e p r esen t ; if I d on ’t
w or k h ar d er t h an ev er yon e, h ow w ill I live u p t o t h e acad em y’s exp ect at ion s?”
W an g Don g sn or t ed an d said , “Fin e, cu lt ivat e b y you r self fir st . I’m h ead in g

b ack t o m y r oom an d sh ow er fir st . You h ave t o ach ieve b alan ce in you r
cu lt ivat ion ; you can ’t alw ays b e so t en se.”
H u o Yu h ao w as d eligh t ed w h en W an g Don g left . H e w as st ill w ait in g for

Elect r olu x t o t ell h im h ow m ir acu lou s t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devou r in g Kn ife w as.
Aft er W an g Don g left , H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely p u lled t h e gr een , cr yst al-lik e

k n ife ou t .
Elect r olu x’s sligh t ly w eak voice r an g o u t , “Pr ess it again st you r for eh ead .
Yu h ao, r em em b er n ot t o p an ic n o m at t er w h at h ap p en s. Rem ain calm an d leave
ever yt h in g t o m e. Do you u n d er st an d ?”
“Alr igh t .” H u o Yu h a o ack n ow led ged , t h en p r essed t h e k n ife t o h is for eh ead .
W h en t h e k n ife ca m e in t o con t act w it h h is sk in , h e felt a su r ge of w ar m

en er gy. Im m ed ia t ely aft er w ar d s, a st r an ge au r a st r eak ed fr om h is sp ir it u al sea
in t o t h e k n ife.
In an in st an t , t h e k n ife sh on e w it h gr een ligh t , an d a st r ea m of vigor ou s life

au r a su r ged in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y t h r ou gh t h e cen t er of h is for eh ead .
In t h at in st an t , H u o Yu h ao’s b od y t u r n ed t h e sam e color as t h e k n ife. Even

h is sp ir it u al sea w as n o excep t ion . As t h e in t en se gr een ligh t sp r ead , t h e
sp ir it u al or igin s of t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion
w er e t em p or ar ily su p p r essed .
An u n p r eced en t ed com for t flow ed t h r ou gh ou t h is b od y, cau sin g H u o Yu h ao

t o feel as if ever y m in u t e ar ea of h is b od y w as m oan in g in h ap p in ess. H is b od y
gr eed ily su ck ed at t h e vigor ou s life en er gy b ein g r eleased b y t h e k n ife.
H e seem ed t o b e ab le t o see ever yt h in g in sid e h is b od y: Ever yt h in g t u r n ed

gr een an d w er e filled w it h t h e sam e life au r a. H is p assagew ays b ecam e m or e
flexib le, h is or gan s b ecam e t ou gh er , h is b on es w er e st r en gt h en ed ... H is en t ir e
b od y seem ed t o it s q u alit y r aised .
T h e m ost ob viou s ch an ge h e sen sed w as in h is p assagew ays. Even t h ou gh t h ey

h ad n ’t d ilat ed , H u o Yu h ao w as su r e t h at h is p assagew ays cou ld d efin it ely
w it h st an d a gr eat er flood of sou l p ow er d u e t o t h eir in cr eased r esilien ce.
As t h e gr een ligh t clean sed h is en t ir e b od y, all of t h e im p u r it ies w it h in h is

b od y w er e r ap id ly exp elled t h r ou gh h is p or es.
H u o Yu h ao h ad on ce con su m ed p ills a n d m ed icin e t h at h ad solid ified h is

fou n d at ion s. In t h e p r ocess, t h ey h ad clean sed h is b od y fr om t h e in sid e ou t aft er
as h e d igest ed it . H o w ever , it w as d iffer en t t h is t im e. T h e st r on g p ow er fu l au r a
con t ain ed w it h in t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Dev ou r in g Kn ife w as lik e t h e w at er of life;
it clean sed ever y sin gle cor n er of h is b od y.
T h is d id n ’t in cr ease h is cu lt ivat ion , b u t H u o Yu h ao w as ab le t o sen se t h at h is
b od y h ad b ecom e as t r an sp ar en t as t h e Om in ou s Sou l-Devo u r in g Kn ife. All of
t h e cu lt ivat ion t h a t h e’d accu m u lat ed ov er t h e p ast few year s w as also clean sed
u n d er t h e n ou r ish m en t of t h is w ave of vigor ou s life au r a. H e felt t h at h is b od y
h ad fin ally b ecom e w h ole; even t h in gs t h at h e h ad n ’t u n d er st ood in t h e p ast
b ecam e clear t o h im as h is m in d clear ed u p .
W as t h is t h e m ir acu lou s effect of t h e Life Gold ? H u o Yu h ao w as ast on ish ed .

H e’d b een exp osed t o m an y t h in gs as h e cu lt ivat ed an d lear n ed : Even t h ou gh h is
ab ilit ies h ad n ’t b een in cr eased , h e w as w ell-aw ar e of w h at t h is ch an ge m ean t t o
h im .
T h e b en efit s h e’d r eceived fr om b od y b ein g clean sed w er e im m ed iat ely

ap p ar en t . H is st at e of w eak n ess h ad t u r n ed in t o st r en gt h , an d h is cu lt ivat ion
sp eed h ad b een gr eat ly in cr eased . On ly a t ou gh b od y cou ld accom m od at e an
ab u n d an ce of sou l p ow er , w h ich in t u r n w ou ld allow h im t o b et t er ab sor b it an d
in cr ease h is cu lt iva t ion fast er .
Chapt er 106.1: The Eye of Life
T h e Life Gold b efor e h is eyes on ly n ou r ish ed h is b od y for an ext r em ely sh or t

p er iod of t im e, b u t h e cou ld clea r ly feel t h at t h e su m of ever y h er b al m ed icin e
an d t on ic h e h ad eat en b efor e w er e n ot a s effect ive as t h at m om en t h e h ad ju st
exp er ien ced . T h e feelin g of su d d en an d sm oot h cir cu lat ion w as u n p r eced en t ed .
H e w as p osit ive t h at , aft er t h is t r an sfor m at ion , h is cu lt iva t ion sp eed w ou ld b e
gr eat ly im p r oved , a n d h is b od y’s en d u r an ce w ou ld b e b o ost ed as w ell. H is
cap acit y for h igh er -r an k ed sou l r in gs w ou ld b e r aised b y at least a t h ou san d
year s, an d t h is m ea n t t h e p ow er of h is sou l sk ills w ou ld b e r aised at t h e sam e
t im e.
J u st w h en H u o Yu h ao w as at t h e clim ax of h is exh ilar at ion , t h e vast au r a of

life p au sed as t h e sen sat ion of com for t an d p leasu r e r eced ed in ju st a m at t er of
secon d s.
H u o Yu h ao w as st ill r elish in g in h is com for t b efor e h is en t ir e b od y st ar t ed t o

feel em p t y. H ow ever , h is u n n a t u r a lly sen sit ive p er cep t ion im m ed iat ely t old h im
t h at som et h in g w as w r on g – h e r ealized , t o h is sh ock , t h a t t h e Sou l-Devou r in g
Car vin g Kn ife h ad d ep ar t ed fr om b et w een h is eyeb r ow s. W h at w as m or e
fr igh t en in g w as t h e fact t h at t h e sh ar p en d of t h e b lad e w as p oin t ed r igh t at h is
for eh ead , ab ove h is eyeb r ow s.
Befor e h e cou ld even r eact , t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife st ab b ed d ow n

fer ociou sly, an d t h e en t ir e b lad e su n k d eep in t o h is sk u ll. H u o Yu h ao w an t ed t o
scr eam an d st r u ggle u n d er t h e agon izin g p ain , b u t h e q u ick ly r ealized t h a t , t o
h is in t en se d ism ay, t h er e w as n ot h in g h e cou ld d o.
T r em en d ou s volu m es of life en er gy in st an t ly flood ed in on ce t h e b lad e

en t er ed h is sk u ll. H is cu r r en t exp er ien ce w as sim ilar t o t h a t of som eon e w h o
h ad ju st eat en a st r ik e of h is Sp ir it u a l Sh ock – it felt lik e h e h ad ju st b een
h am m er ed on t h e h ead , an d h is m in d w as a com p let e b lan k .
It w as t oo lat e for t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion
t o save h im on ce t h ey felt ever yt h in g. T h e ext en sive en er gies of life su r ged in t o
H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea fr om h is for eh ead an d gave t h em an in exp licab ly
com for t ab le sen sat ion as t h eir sp ir it u al or igin s w er e r in sed .
H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea h ad t u r n ed in t o a gr een -color ed ocean at t h is p oin t .

Den se an d t h ick m ist s of life en er gy gr ad u ally st a r t ed t o con d en se, w h ile h is
sp ir it u al sea b egan t o exp an d ou t w ar d s w it h b ed azzlin g sp eed .
T w o sh ad ow s m at er ialized in h is sp ir it u al sea – t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m an d

t h e Ice Em p r ess.
T h ey glan ced at ea ch ot h er , an d im m ed iat ely d et ect ed t h e sh ock in each

ot h er ’s eyes. T h ey h ad b een alive for h u n d r ed s of t h ou san d s of year s, an d even
t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s h ead h ad ju st b een p ier ced b y t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g
Kn ife, t h ey cou ld feel t h at Elect r olu x d id n ’t h ar b or evil in t en t ion s.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h a t vast p ool of life en er gy t h at h ad ju st p ou r ed in t o H u o Yu h ao’s
sp ir it u al sea, an d t h e p r ocess of exp an sion t h at w as t r igger ed , w as gr eat ly
b en eficial t o t h em .
T h e life en er gy n ou r ish ed t h e sp ir it u al sea, an d t h is w as eq u ivalen t t o

n ou r ish in g t h eir sp ir it u a l or igin s. T h er efor e, t h ey r esolved t o calm t h em selves
as t h ey focu sed on p r ot ect in g H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al or igin w h ile p ayin g
at t en t ion t o t h e ch a n ges ar ou n d t h em .
A fr ail old m an cla d in w h it e ap p ear ed in sid e H u o Yu h a o’s sp ir it u al sea

b et w een sh im m er in g gr ey ligh t s.
H e glan ced at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion an d

sm iled as h e said , “Big b u g, sm all scor p ion – I w ill n ot figh t w it h you for
t er r it or y an y lon ger . You can r elease a lit t le b it of you r sealin g p ow er t o boost
Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea an d r aise h is sp ir it u al p ow er . H is b od y can b e con sid er ed
p r ist in e an d im p eccab le aft er t h is t r an sfor m at ion . H ow ever , d on ’t in fu se you r
p ow er s in t o h im t oo qu ick ly – it ’s b et t er t o w ait for h is m ast er y of sou l p ow er t o
b r eak r an k 30 b efor e you t w o con t in u e fu sin g w it h h im .”
Sk yd r eam w at ch ed h im w it h ast on ish ed eyes as h e ask ed , “You ’r e
Elect r olu x?”
T h e old m an n od d ed an d r ep lied , “M y t h r ead of d ivin e sen se h ad n o

fou n d at ion . It w a s em p t y an d w eak , w h ich m ean t t h at it cou ld h ave d issip at ed
at an y m om en t . H ow ever , t h in gs ar e a lot d iffer en t w it h t h is m ir acu lou s Life
Gold – it can p r ovid e m e w it h a vect or , an d I w ill b e ab le t o su st ain m yself
in sid e, an d t h is is b ou n d t o st ab ilize m y d ivin e sen se a lit t le m or e. H ow ever ,
m u ch of m y m em or y h as b een lost – t oo m u ch – an d I can on ly r ed iscover t h ese
m em or ies if m y d ivin e sen se get s st r on ger , an d so I n eed Yu h ao’s h elp . You gu ys
can r elax – w e all sh ar e t h e sam e goal, an d t h a t ’s t o m ak e h im st r on ger . W h en
t h e p ow er of h is d ivin e sen se r each es t h e level I p ossessed b ack in t h e d ay,
ever yt h in g I’ve lost w ill r et u r n . Fu r t h er m or e, I am st ar t in g t o fin d t h is w or ld a
lot m or e in t er est in g ever sin ce fu sin g m yself w it h h is b od y. I n eed t o b e on m y
w ay, an d you gu ys can com m u n icat e w it h m e t h r ou gh ou r sp ir it u al or igin s.”
Elect r olu x’s r igh t h a n d sw ip ed acr oss t h e air as h e sp ok e, an d a gr een d oor

m ad e of ligh t ap p ear ed b efor e h im . H e w aved b ack at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m
an d t h e Ice Em p r ess b efor e h is sh ad ow va n ish ed in t o t h e d oor .
T h e Ice Em p r ess co u ld n ’t h elp b u t give p r aise as sh e w at ch ed Elect r olu x’s

d ep ar t u r e. “Su ch p ow er fu l con t r ol of h is d ivin e sen se. T h is is h u m a n k in d ’s
in n at e t alen t ! I h ave cu lt ivat ed for fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s, b u t I d on ’t
t h in k I can con d en se m y sp ir it u a l or igin en ou gh for it t o evolve in t o d ivin e
sen se.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m w r iggled h is b od y an d said , “Don ’t w or r y. W e ar e

in t egr at ed w it h Yu h ao in or d er t o d r aw u p on h is in n a t e t a len t s n ow . If h e can
su cceed in t h e fu t u r e, t h en w e w ill su r ely su cceed as w ell.”
T h ey w er e st ill en gaged in casu al con v er sat ion w h en som et h in g in sid iou s

st ar t ed h ap p en in g t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
T h e gr een Sou l-Devou r in g Car v in g Kn ife in sid e h is for eh ea d w as t r em b lin g

fain t ly. H ow ever , t h e gash t h at w as op en ed b y t h e b lad e d id n ’t gu sh w it h b lood
– in st ea d , t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife st a r t ed t o soft en , an d even t u ally
m elt ed in t o a gr een liqu id t h at flow ed in t o H u o Yu h ao’s h ead t h r ou gh t h e
op en in g.
H u o Yu h ao’s en t ir e b ein g w as t ain t ed w it h a t h ick layer of gr een as t h e la r ge

volu m es of life en er gy st ar t ed t o w ash h is b od y con t in u ou sly, w it h h is for eh ead
as t h e cen t r al p oin t .
T h e w ou n d slash ed op en b y t h e b lad e d id n ’t close u p follow in g t h e fu sion of

t h e car vin g k n ife. In st ead , it b egan t o op en even w id er u n d er t h e effect s of a
cir cle of gr een -gold ligh t , m u ch lik e t h e m ou t h of an in fan t – it also seem ed lik e
a sin gle eye.
H is w ou n d qu iver ed , w h ile h is m u scles an d h is b on es w er e all b ein g

con t in u ou sly d ist or t ed d u r in g t h e p r ocess. H u o Yu h ao’s b od y t r em b led fr om t h e
effect s of t h e t r an sfor m at ion , an d t h at w as an excr u ciat in g p ain t h at or d in ar y
p eop le w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o t oler at e.
H u o Yu h ao’s m in d h ad b een aw ak e t h is w h ole t im e. H e cou ld even h ear t h e

con ver sat ion b et w een t h e t w o p ow er fu l sou l b east s an d Elect r olu x in sid e h is
sp ir it u al sea. H ow ev er , t h er e w as n ot h in g h e cou ld d o t o in t er r u p t t h e p r ocess,
or t r u ly u n d er st an d w h at w as h ap p en in g t o h im at t h is m om en t .
T h e gr een -gold ligh t gr ad u ally st ab ilized . A sin gle t in y gr ey p ear l m at er ialized

at t h e gash on h is for eh ead an d b egan t o fu se in t r ica t ely w it h t h e b r ok en flesh ,
t en d on s an d b on es ar ou n d t h e h ole.
T h e h ar r ow in g p ain p ier ced H u o Yu h ao’s n er ves lik e cou n t less n u m b er s of

n eed les. T h e p ain h e w as feelin g n ow w a s p er h ap s t en t im es gr eat er t h a n w h at
h e h ad exp er ien ced d u r in g h is fu sion w it h t h e b on es of t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess
Scor p ion .
H u o Yu h ao’s sou l an d sp ir it u al or igin w er e scr eam in g in cessa n t ly as h e felt as

if h is sp ir it u al or igin w as b ein g t or n ap ar t . On e co u ld also say t h at h is sp ir it u al
or igin w as b ein g r ip p ed t o sh r ed s b efor e it w as p ieced b ack t oget h er . T h at k in d
of p ain w as t r u ly in d escr ib ab le. No m at t er h ow vast t h e p ools of life en er gy
w er e, H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t feel a sin gle ou n ce of com for t at t h is p ar t icu la r
m om en t . T h e p ain h e w as feelin g seem ed t o d r ag h im in t o t h e d eep est a n d
d ar k est ab yss, an d h e w as ju st sin k in g ever d eep er .
T er r ifyin g r ip p les of sou l p ow er er u p t ed at t h is m om en t . H u o Yu h ao’s

M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e sou l p ow er in st in ct ively t r ied t o p r ot ect h is b od y,
b u t t h at sou l p ow er h ad n o w ay of en t er in g t h is p ar t icu la r r egion of h is sp ir it u al
sea.
An u n k n ow n d u r a t ion of t im e p assed , an d ju st w h en h e w as b ecom in g n u m b

t o t h e agon izin g p ain , an d h is sp ir it u a l or igin alr ead y felt lik e it h ad b een t or n t o
p ieces, h e su d d en ly felt a t r ace of ligh t .
It w as a d u ll, gen t le a n d t en d er gold en color .
H is sh a t t er ed sp ir it u al or igin w as seam lessly cover ed an d en velop ed b y t h is

all-en com p assin g gold en ligh t . T h at feelin g w as st r an ge, as if h e w as t h r ow n
in t o a w ar m lak e, an d h is fr act u r ed sp ir it u al or igin w as p r o gr essively soft en ed
an d agglu t in at in g w it h in .
T h e lak e w as gold en , an d glu ed h is sp ir it u a l or igin b ack t oget h er w h ile it

in ject ed a m yst er iou s k in d of en er gy in sid e.
T h e n u m b n ess slow ly b ecam e w ar m t h . H u o Yu h ao’s m in d w as also

r ecu p er at in g alon g w it h t h e con valescen ce of h is sp ir it u al or igin .
H e r each ed ou t w it h h is sen ses at on ce. T h e fir st t h in g h e saw w as t h at h e w as

sit t in g b y h is b ed , cr oss-legged , an d h is w aist w as er ect w h ile h is en t ir e b od y
w as ext r em ely silen t . T h er e w as su d d en ly an ext r a eye on h is for eh ead .
T h is eye d id n ’t r ad iat e w it h gr een ligh t , an d t h e sock et w a s a lit t le sm aller

t h an h is or igin al eyes. T h er e ap p ear ed t o b e fain t an d p ale flick er s of gr een ligh t
ar ou n d t h e sock et .
T h e p u p il it self w as gr ey. H ow ever , t h er e w as a su b t le flick er of gold en ligh t
d eep w it h in t h e p at ch es of gr ey. H is st r an ge t h ir d eye m oved a lit t le, an d H u o
Yu h ao in st an t ly r ealized t h a t h e w as st ar in g at h im self – h e sa w t h e vicissit u d es,
t h e ab st r u sen ess, an d a life an d p u r it y t h at w as d ifficu lt t o d escr ib e.
H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al p ow er r et u r n ed t o h is b od y w it h a w h ist le. T h is t im e,

t h e t h in gs h e w as look in g at st ar t ed t o ch an ge – h e cou ld see h is b on es, h is
m u scles, an d h is vein s an d cap illar ies.
T h e cir cu lat ion of b lood w as lik e a flow in g r iver as it t r ick led alon g, an d t h e
d en se essen ce of b lood w as p er m eat ed w it h vigor ou s life en er gies. H is sk elet on ,
h is m u scles, h is vein s an d h is or gan s w er e all cover ed b y st r an ge layer s of gr een ,
an d t h is layer w as cu r r en t ly fu sin g w it h h is b od y w h ile it s color gr ad u ally
r eced ed .
H u o Yu h ao cou ld n ’t w ait as h e d ir ect ed h is sp ir it u al en er gy b ack in t o h is

b r ain an d b ack in t o h is sp ir it u al sea, as h e w an t ed t o see w h at w as d iffer en t
ab ou t it .
T h e ch an ges in h is sp ir it u al sea fell in t o h is eyes ver y sw ift ly.
Descr ib in g it as w or ld -ch an gin g w as as su it ab le as it co u ld get .
H is sp ir it u al sea w a s d r ast ically d iffer en t fr om b efor e. If on e cou ld say t h a t

h is or igin al sp ir it u a l sea w as a p at ch of n ot h in gn ess, h is cu r r en t sp ir it u al sea
w as n ow t r an sfor m ed in t o a p at ch of r eal sp ace.
T h is sp ace w as w h it e, w it h n o en d in sigh t . T h e fir st t h in g h e saw t h e

m om en t h e en t er ed it w as a lar ge gr een lak e. T h is lak e w as filled w it h v it alit y
an d vigor , a n d it s su r face w as calm a n d gen t le lik e a m ir r or . Den se au r as of life
en er gy n ou r ish ed h is sp ir it u al sea.
Su ch a vast sp ace! H u o Yu h ao p er ceived t h e b ou n d lessn ess of h is sp ir it u a l sea
in sh ock . H is sp ir it u al sea w as at least t h r ee t im es lar ger t h an b efor e, an d it w as
h ar d t o say h ow m u ch m or e st ab le it h ad b ecom e.
H e r efocu sed h is eyes, an d n ot iced a sin gle p ear l d r ift in g on t h e su r face of t h e

azu r e lak e – it cou ld also b e said t o b e t h e Su n of t h e sp ir it u al sea.
T h is p ear l w as also jad e-gr een in color . It w as t ot ally t r an sp a r en t , cr yst al-lik e

an d r ad iat ed a gen t e ligh t , m u ch lik e t h a t of t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife.
It ch an ged w h en H u o Yu h ao cast h is gaze u p on it , t r an sfor m in g in t o an eye t h at
gr ad u ally op en ed an d look ed b ack at Yu h ao w it h a t en d er gaze.
Ligh t s flick er ed as H u o Yu h ao d iscover ed , t o h is in t en se sh ock , t h at h e

su d d en ly h ad a b od y. H is sp ir it u al p ow er cr eat ed a figu r e t h at w as id en t ical t o
h im self in t h e b lin k of an eye, an d h e w as ju st st an d in g t h er e b y t h e lak e.
It w asn ’t ju st h im . T h e p lu m p an d r ob u st w h it e b u g, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ,

an d t h e en ch an t in gly b eau t ifu l Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ap p ear ed b esid e h im
as w ell.
“T h is… W h at ’s all t h is? W h a t ju st h ap p en ed ?” H u o Yu h ao w as clu eless ab ou t

ever yt h in g b efor e h is eyes. H ow ever , t h er e w as a feelin g t in glin g at t h e b ot t om
of h is h ear t t h a t t old h im h e w as in con t r ol of ever yt h in g h er e. T h is k in d of
ch an ge t h at h e h a d n ever exp er ien ced b efor e gave h im a st r an ge an d
in com p r eh en sib le sen sat ion .
T h e gian t eye in m id air st ar ed at h im , an d Elect r olu x’s d ecr ep it voice r an g

ou t , “T h is ar e t h e effect s of t h e Life Gold . Don ’t w or r y, for I w ill exp lain
ever yt h in g t o you slo w ly.”
“Let ’s t alk ab ou t w h at Life Gold is. Life is as t h e n am e su ggest s. All b ein gs

h ave life, an d can called livin g b ein gs. It ’s t h e sam e w h et h er it w as m e in t h e
old en d ays or you gu ys. Ever y livin g b ein g is sep ar at ed b y in t elligen ce, an d t h e
or igin al for ce of all livin g b ein gs is life en er gy, or vit alit y.”
“Life Gold is t h e m at er ial r ep r esen t at ion of life en er gy. Pu t m or e sim p ly, it ’s
t h e p r od u ct of con d en sin g cop iou s am ou n t s of life en er gy, an d a t r easu r e of t h e
w or ld t h a t on ly can com e ab ou t aft er m an y year s of gest at ion an d in cu b at ion . I
w as n ot or igin ally fr om you r w or ld , b u t fr om a n ot h er p ar allel d im en sion –
h ow ever , Life Gold sh ar es t h e sam e exist en ce n o m at t er w h ich w or ld you ’r e in .
T h e vast am ou n t s of life en er gy con t ain ed w it h in Life Gold ar e ext r em ely
b en eficial t o an y livin g b ein g. Ever y liv in g b ein g r ep r esen t s a life, b u t ever y
p iece of Life Gold r ep r esen t s an en t ir e w or ld .”
H u o Yu h ao b ecam e m or e p er p lexed as h e list en ed on , an d a look of con fu sion

cam e over h is eyes. H e st ill d id n ’t r eally u n d er st an d t h e exist en ce of t h is Life
Gold .
At t h is m om en t , t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ask ed , “Old m an , you st ill h aven ’t

m en t ion ed h ow Life Gold cam e ab ou t . An d w h at d oes it m ean b y gest at in g
cop iou s am ou n t s of life en er gy over m an y year s? Don ’t m ak e it so ab st r act an d
get t o t h e p oin t .”
Elect r olu x r ep lied p lain ly, “It ’s easy t o b e d ir ect . Even t h ou gh you r or igin s ar e
n ot h in g im p r essive, it ’s a r ar e sigh t for som eon e lik e you t o live for so lon g, an d
you ’ve b een alive for a m illion year s. Pu t sim p ly, t h e su m of you r m illion year s
of age is ab ou t t h e size of a t ear d r op of Life Gold .”
“You can ’t b e ser iou s!” T h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m an d t h e Ice Em p r ess

exclaim ed at t h e sa m e t im e. Even t h ou gh t h e Ice Em p r ess d id n ’t t h in k t oo
h igh ly of t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , sh e k n ew t h at sh e w as u lt im at ely in fer ior t o
h im in t er m s of life en er gy, as t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h ad b een alive for over a
m illion year s.
Elect r olu x con t in u ed , “T h is is alr ead y h old in g h im in h igh r egar d . You gu ys

h ave t o k n ow t h at Life Gold exist s in it ially in a gaseou s for m , an d follow in g t h e
p assage of t im e, gr ad u ally t r an sfor m s in t o a liq u id – m u ch lik e t h e on e H u o
Yu h ao h as ob t ain ed , excep t it h ad alr ead y b ecom e a solid . You gu ys w ill
u n d er st an d as I exp lain . Big b u g, d o you r em em b er t h e for est in w h ich w e fu sed
t oget h er w it h H u o Yu h ao?”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m m u t t er ed t h r ou gh h is t eet h , “Of cou r se. T h e Gr eat
St ar Dou For est . I w a s t or t u r ed b y t h ose b ast ar d s in t h a t cu r sed p lace!”
Elect r olu x said , “T h at for est is h ost t o a p len t it u d e of lives. W h en m y d ivin e

sen se d escen d ed , I cou ld feel t h e in t en se vigor an d vit alit y of t h e gian t for est . If
w e u sed t h at t o m easu r e Life Gold , for m in g a lu m p of solid Life Gold ab ou t t h e
size of a car vin g k n ife w ou ld r eq u ir e ab ou t t w en t y t h ou san d year s – an d t h at is
alr ead y u n d er t h e assu m p t ion t h at n ot h in g is d am aged or in t er r u p t ed .
Fu r t h er m or e, you gu ys n eed t o u n d er st an d t h at t h e for m at ion of Life Gold
r eq u ir es a gr eat m an y ob ject ive con d it ion s. For exam p le, for t h e for est t o
p r od u ce a p iece of Life Gold , t h er e h as t o b e a p lace in sid e t h at is d en se an d
con cen t r at ed w it h life en er gy.”
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “I t h in k I r ou gh ly u n d er st an d . You ’r e t r yin g t o

say t h at t h is car vin g k n ife w as m ad e en t ir ely fr om Life Gold .”
Elect r olu x r ep lied , “Yes, t h at is cor r ect . Life en er gy is b en eficial t o an y for ce

of exist en ce; evil b ein gs can also en joy t h e b en efit s of vast am ou n t s of life
en er gy. M y d ivin e sen se is t oo d ilap id at ed – t h er efor e, I h ad n o ch oice b u t t o
t ak e t h e m ajor it y of it s p ow er w h en w e ob t ain ed t h is p iece of Life Gold . I u sed
it s p ow er as t h e fou n d at ion t o op en a t h ir d eye for you , w h ich is t h e sam e on e
you saw w it h you r con sciou sn ess. M y con sciou sn ess is con t ain ed w it h in t h is
t h ir d eye. Un d er t h e n ou r ish m en t of t h is Life Gold , I d on ’t t h in k m y d ivin e
sen se w ill ever r u n t h e r isk of d issip at in g an ym or e.”
“W it h t h e n ou r ish m en t fr om t h is en o r m ou s p ool of life en er gy, m y d ivin e

sen se w ill b e h ealed con t in u ou sly, an d I w ill also b e ab le t o m an ip u lat e som e of
it s p ow er . You ’r e t oo w eak at t h e m om en t – w h en you ’r e st r on ger , I w ill give
you a ch oice, an d you can d ecid e w h et h er you w an t t o in h er it m y p ow er s.”
“I can st ill r em em b er t h r ee d iffer en t p ow er s fr om t h e r em n a n t s of m y b r ok en

m em or y. T w o of t h em w er e p assed d ow n t o t h e p eop le fr om m y or igin al p lan e,
b u t m y last in h er it a n ce – also m y h igh est on e – is st ill b ein g w it h h eld . W h en you
r each t h e fift h r in g, you sh ou ld h ave t h e ab ilit y t o at t em p t t h is in h er it an ce. Of
cou r se, you h ave t o b e w illin g.”
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m sn or t ed an d said , “So you ar e t ak in g t h e lion ’s sh ar e
of t h e b en efit s of t h is w h at ever Life Gold ?”
Elect r olu x cou ld n ’t h elp b u t lau gh an d an sw er ed , “Ar e you b lin d , you b u g? I

h ave even t r an sfor m ed h is sp ir it u al sea in t o su ch a b eau t ifu l p lace. I d ar e say
t h at t h er e w ill n ever b e su ch a b eau t ifu l sp ir it u al sea in sid e t h is p lan e ever
again . I h ave ju st said t h at ever y sin gle p iece of Life Gold is a n en t ir e w or ld , an d
I u sed t h e p ow er of t h is Life Gold t o seal it s or igin al life en er gy in t o t h is sp ir it u al
sea. Aft er t od ay, t h e gr ow t h of Yu h ao’s sp ir it u a l p ow er w ill b e at least t h r ee
t im es fast er t h an b efor e, an d h is sp ir it u al sea w ill b e as good as et er n al. Even h is
p h ysical b od y h as b een in flu en ced b y t h is Life Gold – w h at ev er h is in ju r y is, as
lon g as h is m in d is st ill fu n ct ion al, it w ill r egen er a t e on it s o w n . It w on ’t b e so
easy for h im t o d ie a n ym or e.”
“You h ave t o r em em b er a few t h in gs, Yu h ao. Fir st ly, t h at ca r vin g k n ife h asn ’t
d isap p ear ed . You r t h ir d eye, an d also t h e Eye Of Life t h at I ju st sp ok e of, is it s
cu r r en t m et ap h ysica l exist en ce. W h en you ’r e in n eed , you ju st h ave t o focu s
you r con sciou sn ess in t o t h e Eye of Life, an d you w ill b e b est ow ed w it h t h e
p ow er of t h e car vin g k n ife. H ow ever , t h is car v in g k n ife w ill p ossess cer t ain
qu alit ies of t h e Life Gold an d a p or t ion o f m y ow n q u alit ies a s w ell. You ’ll h ave
t o t r y it ou t t o k n ow exact ly w h at t h ose a r e.”
“Secon d ly, m y exist en ce fr om n ow on can b e cou n t ed as on e of you r m ar t ial

sou ls – a ver y sp ecia l m ar t ial so u l. H ow ever , t h is m ar t ial sou l can n ot b e fu sed
w it h sou l r in gs. You h ave t o b e clear t h at m y st r en gt h com es fr om you , on ly m y
con t r ol is p r ob ab ly su p er ior t o you r s. T h e m ost I can give you is in t elligen ce an d
w isd om – t h er efor e, you can ’t h ave t oo h igh h op es of m e.”
“T h ir d ly, I h op e you w ill sh u t you r self in for a w h ile aft er you ’ve fin ish ed
w it h t h e t h in gs you h ave a t h an d . You sh ou ld at t em p t t o exp er ien ce an d
u n d er st an d t h e p r ofu n d it ies t h is Life Gold h as b r ou gh t t o you , an d t r u ly
in t egr at e w it h t h e life en er gy in sid e of you . You h ave t o allow it t o b ecom e a
p ar t of you lik e you r fin ger or you r ar m , an d t h is w ill b e ext r em ely b en eficial for
you r fu t u r e d evelop m en t .”
“Last ly, follow in g t h e t r an sfor m at ion s m ad e b y t h e Life Gold , b ot h t h e
st r en gt h an d flexib ilit y of you r b od y h as b een gr eat ly im p r oved – d o m ak e u se of
t h at . Oh , an d you h ave t o t r y you r b est t o con t r ol it h ow ever you can . You r
sp ir it u al sea can n ow con t ain a gr eat er volu m e of sp ir it u a l p ow er . H ow ever , n o
m at t er h ow p ow er fu l you r sp ir it u a l p ow er s ar e, it ’s all w ast ed if you d on ’t k n ow
h ow t o con t r ol t h em . T h is is also on e of t h e r eason s w h y I w ish for you t o sh u t
you r self in t o cu lt iva t e an d m ed it at e in silen ce.”
“Alr igh t , t h at ’s all I h ave t o say. I h ave t o in t egr at e w it h t h e Eye of Life as

soon as p ossib le. You w ill also r egain com m an d of you r con sciou sn ess ver y soon .
Aft er t h is ep isod e, you r con sciou sn ess, you r b od y an d you r sp ir it u al sea w ill b e
flaw lessly in t egr at ed . It w ill b e ver y d ifficu lt for u s t o t ak e over you r b od ies aft er
t h is – all w e can d o is h elp you in you r gr ow t h .”
T h e eye closed , a n d Elect r olu x’s a u r a sw ift ly van ish ed . In t h e n ext m om en t ,

H u o Yu h ao felt h is w or ld sp in n in g lik e a t op ar ou n d h im , an d h e fell in t o a d aze.
W h en h e op en ed h is eyes in t h e n ext m om en t , h e w as b ack on h is b ed .
H e fir st act ion w as t o r each u p t o t ou ch h is for eh ead su b con sciou sly. W h at

cau gh t h im off gu ar d w as t h at h is for eh ead w as sm oot h – w h er e w as t h e t h ir d
eye?
Per h ap s all t h is w as d u e t o t h e u n b ear ab le in t en sit y of p ain t h at h e h ad ju st

exp er ien ced , b u t h is m in d en d ed u p in a t r an ce – cou ld ever yt h in g t h a t h a d ju st
h ap p en ed b e n ot h in g b u t a h allu cin at ion ?
H e t ossed h is h ead fr om sid e t o sid e as h e at t em p t ed t o r eor ien t h im self b efor e

h e focu sed an d look ed in w ar d s on ce again .
It w asn ’t a h allu cin at ion aft er all. At t h is p oin t , h is sp ir it u a l p ow er en ab led

h im t o see ever y cor n er of h is b od y w h en h e look ed in w ar d s, t o t h e p oin t w h er e
h e cou ld see t h e cir cu lat ion of t h e p u r e w h it e color of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven
T ech n iqu e’s sou l p ow er . Ever y d et ail w it h in h is b od y fell in t o h is p er cep t ion –
t h e life en er gy t h at b elon ged t o t h e p iece of Life Gold w as cu r r en t ly b ein g fu lly
ab sor b ed b y h is b od y.
H u o Yu h ao st ood u p an d st r et ch ed a lit t le. H e im m ed iat ely d iscover ed , t o h is
am azem en t , t h at ever y sin gle join t in h is b od y felt in cr ed ib ly flexib le. H e t u r n ed
h is h ead , an d fou n d t h at h is n eck cou ld alm ost r ot at e a fu ll h u n d r ed an d eigh t y
d egr ees. H e lift ed h is r igh t leg b ack w ar d s; it d id n ’t t ak e m u ch effor t at all t o
t ou ch h is h ead .
W h at st u n n ed h im t h e m ost w as t h e cir cu m st an ce of t h e M yst er iou s H eaven

T ech n iq u e’s cir cu la t ion . H e n o lon ger n eed ed t o en gage in m ed it a t ion – it s
cir cu la t ion h a d p r act ically b ecom e a p ar t of h is b r eat h in g p r ocess, an d follow ed
t h e h u ff an d p u ff of h is ever y b r ea t h . T h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e w as
act u ally follow in g t h e p at h s of cu lt iva t ion an d cir cu lat in g au t om at ically. H is
ow n b lood essen ce w as flow in g vigor ou sly, an d w as in t egr at ed im p eccab ly w it h
h is sou l p ow er , as if t h ey w er e b ein g b oost ed w it h ever y secon d t h at p assed .
H u o Yu h ao w at ch ed t h e r ays of su n ligh t com in g in t h r ou gh t h e w in d ow . H e

im m ed iat ely felt as if h is m ood w as over com e w it h an in cr ed ib le sen sa t ion of
op t im ism an d ch eer fu ln ess, a s if h is en t ir e b ein g w as im m er sed an d in t egr at ed
w it h n at u r e.
T h e Life Gold w as so p ow er fu l! H is b od y seem ed t o h ave r isen t o an ot h er level

u n d er it s effect s.
H e con cen t r at ed on h is sp ir it u al sea . Ever yt h in g t h at h e saw b efor e w as st ill

t h er e – t h e ser en e Lak e of Life, t h e d en se essen ce of life en er gy, an d t h e Pear l of
Life h over in g in t h e sk y cou ld all b e seen w it h gr eat clar it y.
Bot h t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice Em p r ess r em ain ed at t h e lak e, as if

t h ey h ad felt t h e p r ob in g fr om H u o Yu h a o’s sp ir it u al p ow er . T h ey t u r n ed t h eir
gazes in t o t h e sk y, an d H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely sen sed t h at t h ey w er e w at ch in g
h im .
At t h is m om en t , t h ese t w o p ow er fu l sou l b east s st ar t ed t o r ad iat e w it h p ale

b r illian ce. Esp ecially t h e Sk yr eam Icew or m , w h o w as a em an at in g t en d er gold en
ligh t t h a t flood ed h is sp ir it u al sea. It loo k ed lik e h e w as fu sin g h is vast p ools of
sou l p ow er w it h h im self t o b oost h is exp an d ed sp ir it u al sea.
T h e Ice Em p r ess w as em it t in g layer s of ligh t t h at w er e a m ix of icy-w h it e an d

gr een . T h ese layer s of ligh t w er e fir st in fu sed in t o t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess
Scor p ion ’s sk elet on b efor e t h ey w er e sp r ead all ar ou n d H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
Neit h er t h e Sk yd r ea m Icew or m ’s n or t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s p ow er

cou ld in cr ease H u o Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er , as t h ey h ad alr ead y b ecom e H u o
Yu h ao’s m ar t ia l sou ls, b u t t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iq u e’s sou l p ow er h ad
also t ak en t w o d iffer en t for m s of exist en ce. T h er e w as n o qu est ion t h at t h e
ch an ges t h ey w er e cu r r en t ly u n d er goin g w er e m ean t t o b oost H u o Yu h ao’s
sp ir it u al sea, h is p h ysical st r en gt h an d t h e p ow er of ever y on e of h is sou l r in gs.
H u o Yu h ao cou ld st ill u se h is sp ir it u al d et ect ion t o p er ceive h is su r r ou n d in gs

b efor e h is ab sor p t ion of t h e Life Gold . H ow ever , t h er e w as n o w ay h e cou ld b e
clair voyan t , an d h is p er son al sen ses w er e on ly sligh t ly su p er ior t o t h ose of
n or m al p eop le. T h e Life Gold h ad t r igger ed an alm ost su b lim e t r an sfor m at ion
in h is b od y, b u t h is p ow er s d id n ’t ap p ear vast ly im p r oved , as t h e effect s w or k ed
t o d evelop h is p ot en t ial w h ile givin g h im a b oost t o h is sen ses.
H u o Yu h ao r u sh ed in t o t h e b at h r oom t o clean se h is b od y an d ch an ged in t o a

set of clean clot h es t h e m om en t h e w it n essed t h e ch an ges t h a t w er e h ap p en in g
t o t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m an d t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion . H e ch eck ed
h im self in t h e m ir r or an d m a d e su r e t h at t h er e w asn ’t a t h ir d eye on h is
for eh ead , as if t h at eye h ad on ly exist ed in h is sen sa t ion s – b u t t h e feelin g of it s
exist en ce w as ju st t o o r eal.
H e r efu sed t o m u ll over it t oo m u ch , an d r et u r n ed t o h is b ed . H e st ar t ed t o

ch an n el t h e M yst er iou s H eaven T ech n iqu e an d act ivat ed h is sou l p ow er t o b egin
h is cu lt ivat ion , as h e h ad a fain t feelin g t h at cu lt ivat in g at t h is t im e w ou ld b e
m ost b en eficial t o h im self.
All W an g Don g saw w h en h e slu n k b ack in t o t h e r oom w as H u o Yu h ao, w h o

w as d eep in m ed it at ion .
W an g Don g w as a lit t le su r p r ised as h e w at ch ed h im . Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao

d id n ’t seem an y d iffer en t on t h e su r face, W an g Don g h ad a feelin g t h at t h er e
w as som et h in g d iffer en t ab ou t h is fr ien d , an d it felt lik e h is t em p er am en t w as
d iffer en t . H u o Yu h ao’s p h ysical ap p ear an ce w as or igin ally sligh t ly ab ove
aver age, b u t h e su d d en ly seem ed t o h ave a n ew an d u n iqu e k in d of ch ar m .
Self-con fid en ce, st ea d in ess an d a few m easu r es of d ep t h – yet , h e w as st ill

filled w it h livelin ess an d b r im m ed w it h v it alit y.
“T h is gu y is ju st t oo h ar d w or k in g. H e ca n st ill b e so in volved even w h en h e’s

cu lt ivat in g alon e – h e can even en t er d eep m ed it at ion .”
Sou l m ast er s gen er ally exp er ien ced t w o d iffer en t st at es d u r in g t h eir

cu lt ivat ion – m ed it at ion an d d eep m ed it at ion . St an d a r d m ed it at ion cou ld
t yp ically b e in t er r u p t ed , an d t h e sou l m ast er w ou ld w ak e u p n at u r ally w h en
t h er e w as ext er n al st im u lu s, or if t h e sou l m ast er d et ect ed an y ch an ge in h is
p h ysical su r r ou n d in gs, so an y ad ver se effect s w ou ld b e h igh ly lim it ed .
T h er efor e, t h is for m of m ed it at ion w as also r efer r ed t o as ligh t cu lt ivat ion .
T h is w as t h e st at e t h at t h ey w ou ld t yp ically en t er w h en W an g Don g an d H u o
Yu h ao t eam ed u p t o con cen t r at e t h e H aod on g p ow er . Aft er all, t h ey h ad t o p ass
t h e H aod on g p ow er ar ou n d , an d t h u s t h ey cou ld n ’t let t h eir sou l p ow er cou r se
ar ou n d fr eely.
On t h e ot h er h an d , d eep m ed it a t ion w as a ser en d ip it ou s occu r r en ce t h a t on ly

cam e ab ou t w h en on e h ad an ep ip h an y in t h e p r ocess of n or m al m ed it at ion . T h e
m ed it at or ’s con sciou sn ess w ou ld sin k d eep in t o h is or h er cu lt ivat ion , an d t h eir
en t ir e b ein g w ou ld b e fixat ed – on e w ou ld n o lon ger b e ab le t o exp er ien ce an y
ch an ges in t h e ou t sid e w or ld an d , w ou ld on ly w ak e w h en it w as t im e.
T h e sou l m ast er ’s sou l p ow er w o u ld b e cir cu lat in g au t om at ica lly d u r in g d eep

m ed it at ion , an d at a sp eed t h at w as m u ch fast er t h an d u r in g n or m al m ed it at ion .
At t h e sam e t im e, t h e sou l m ast er w ou ld exp er ien ce a h igh er level of ab sor p t ion
an d p er cep t ion d u r in g d eep m ed it at io n . M an y t h in gs t h at w er e t yp ically
p er p lexin g or d ifficu lt t o fat h om w ou ld b ecom e a lot m or e t r an sp ar en t an d
u n d er st an d ab le d u r in g d eep m ed it a t ion .
An y sou l m ast er w ou ld w ish t h at h e or sh e cou ld en t er d eep m ed it at ion

d u r in g cu lt iva t ion , esp ecially w h en t h ey w er e b r eak in g t h r ou gh a b ot t len eck . If
t h e sou l m ast er w a s lu ck y en ou gh t o en cou n t er d eep m ed it at ion , h e or sh e
w ou ld exp er ien ce a su ccess r at e of h igh er t h an eigh t y p er cen t .
Becau se of t h e ver y r eason t h at d eep m ed it at ion en com p assed a p r ofou n d

level of com p r eh en sion an d cu lt iva t ion , sou l m ast er s in d eep m ed it at ion w er e
m ost afr aid of b ein g in t er r u p t ed . T h ey r a n t h e r isk of goin g in san e if t h ey w er e
in t er r u p t ed , an d it cou ld even b e r eflect ed in r eal a n d sever e b od ily h ar m .
It w as easy t o d iffer en t iat e b et w een n or m al an d d eep m ed it at ion . T h er e w as

n o ch an ge in p h ysical st at e or ap p ear an ce d u r in g n or m al cu lt ivat ion , as sou l
p ow er w as on ly cir cu lat in g in sid e t h e so u l m ast er ’s b od y. T h er e w ou ld on ly b e a
sligh t ext er n al au r a or r elease w h en t h er e w as a sp ecial or esot er ic t ech n iqu e in
p lay, or if t h e sou l m ast er w as b r eak in g t h r ou gh a b ot t len eck – for in st an ce,
w h en H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e cu lt ivat in g w it h H a od on g p ow er , H u o
Yu h ao’s b od y w ou ld r ad iat in g w it h gold en ligh t u n d er t h e effect s of t h e Gold en
Ligh t Left Ar m Bon e.
Du e t o t h e n eed for p er son al p r ot ect ion , t h e sou l m ast er ’s sou l p ow er w ou ld
b e au t om at ically r eleased t o p r ot ect h im self or h er self d u r in g d eep cu lt ivat ion ,
an d m ask h is or h er au r a at t h e sam e t im e.
H u o Yu h ao w as cu r r en t ly in t h is exact st at e. T h er e w er e layer s of w h it e ligh t

sh im m er in g ou t sid e h is b od y, as if h is en t ir e b od y w er e a jew el t h at sp ar k led
w it h p lain r ays of ligh t .
It w as n at u r al for ot h er p eop le t o d evelop som e sen se of en vy or jealou sy

w h en t h ey w it n essed ot h er s in d eep m ed it at ion . H ow ever , W an g Don g w as
d iffer en t , an d h e o n ly felt glad for H u o Yu h ao. H e m ad e a few m isch ievou s
exp r ession s b efor e h e t ook a ch air , d iscr eet ly d ep ar t ed t h e r oom an d t ook h is
p lace ou t sid e t o p r ot ect h is fr ien d an d p r even t H u o Yu h ao fr om b ein g affect ed
b y an yb od y fr om Sh r ek w h o cam e ar ou n d look in g for h im .
H u o Yu h ao felt a w ave of w ar m t h cou r se t h r ou gh h is b od y t h e m om en t h e

w ok e u p fr om h is d eep m ed it a t ion . T h e gr een color s in h is b od y h ad van ish ed
com p let ely, an d h is sou l p ow er w as vast ly im p r oved . H e h a d ju st r each ed Ran k
28, b u t h e w as n ow clear of a t h ir d of h is jou r n ey in t o Ran k 29. Besid es
cu lt ivat in g w it h H aod on g p ow er in h is d aily act ivit ies, t h is ep isod e of d eep
m ed it at ion p r oved t o b e of gr eat h elp .
H is sp eed of cu lt iva t ion d u r in g d eep cu lt iva t ion w as h igh er t h an w h en h e

ch an n eled H aod on g p ow er w it h W an g Don g. H ow ever , t h is w as on ly a st at e t h at
cam e ar ou n d solely b y ch an ce.
H u o Yu h ao leap t d o w n fr om t h e b ed , an d h e felt ligh t as a feat h er . T h er e w as

an in exp licab le feelin g of com for t , as if h is en t ir e b od y w as a lot ligh t er t h an
b efor e – t h is w as a feelin g t h at cou ld n ’t even b e fu lly d escr ib ed w it h t h e w or d
“b eau t ifu l”.
Ever yt h in g seem ed t o b e d iffer en t , an d h is self-con fid en ce r et u r n ed – w as h e

fin ally get t in g closer t o gr eat n ess?
H u o Yu h ao clen ch ed h is fist s t igh t ly t oget h er as h e glan ced ou t w ar d . It look ed
lik e it w as st ill m id d ay, b u t h e felt as h e if h e h ad b een r en ew ed , an d t h e flam es
r elit in sid e h im .
“W h y h asn ’t W an g Don g r et u r n ed ? H e’s t ak in g t oo lon g t o b at h e,” H u o

Yu h ao d id n ’t feel t h at h e h ad t ak en a lon g t im e t o cu lt ivat e, an d d ist in ct ly
r em em b er ed t h at t h ey h ad b een cu lt ivat in g t oget h er in t h e m or n in g b efor e h e
t ook b ack t h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife. Aft er w ar d s, W an g Don g w en t
ah ead t o t ak e a sh ow er w h ile h e con t in u ed t o cu lt iva t e – h e sh ou ld b e b ack b y
n ow !
H e w alk ed ou t as t h ese t h ou gh t s t u r n ed in h is h ead . T h e m om en t h e p u lled

t h e d oor t ow ar d h im , h e felt a p u sh in g for ce com in g fr om t h e ot h er sid e.
H u o Yu h ao w as cau gh t off-gu ar d , an d su b con sciou sly r eact ed as h e leap t

b ack w ar d s an d qu ick ly r eleased h is m ar t ial sou l – b u t w h at cam e n ext left h is
m ou t h agap e.
“Bam -”
“Ou ch .”
W an g Don g fell b ack w ar d s alon g w it h h is ch air , an d H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely

h u r r ied for w ar d t o h elp h im u p . “W h at ar e you d oin g? W h y ar e you w ait in g
ou t sid e? W h y d id n ’t you com e in ?”
W an g Don g h ad b een sit t in g ou t sid e t h is w h ole t im e, an d h is b od y h ad b een

lean in g again st t h e d oor . H e w as alr ead y st ar t in g t o d oze off, an d w h en t h e d oor
op en ed , W an g Don g fell b ack w ar d s on t o t h e gr ou n d w it h h is ch air .
W an g Don g w as fu r iou s. “You ’r e t er r ib ly u n gr at efu l! I w as p r ot ect in g you ,

an d all you d o w h en you w ak e u p is let m e fall b ack on t o t h e gr ou n d . Ar e you
goin g t o t ak e car e of m e if I cr ip p le m yself b ecau se of t h is?”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led an d sa id , “H ave I n ot b een t ak in g ca r e of you in t h e

d or m ? W h en h ave you clean ed u p t h e d or m ? Or sw ep t t h e floor ? Or m op p ed t h e
floor ? W h en h ave you even d on e an yt h in g at all? Even you r w ar d r ob e is clean ed
b y m e. You ’r e lik e a b ig b oss figu r e ever y d ay.”
“I…” W an g Don g w an t ed t o r et or t , b u t h e cou ld n ’t fin d a su it ab le ar gu m en t

t o m ak e. H e scow led an d said , “St op w it h you r lou d r h et or ic a n d you r fallaciou s
ar gu m en t s. I’ll let you off t h e h ook t h is t im e. You seem ed t o b e h avin g a good
t im e w it h all t h a t d eep m ed it at ion , w h ile m y ass w as ab ou t t o b r eak in t o sever al
p ieces.”
H u o Yu h ao r each ed ou t an d p r essed again st W an g Don g’s b u t t ch eek s. “It ’s all

good . Let m e m assage you .”
W an g Don g w as st ill you n g, b u t h is lit t le b u t t ch eek s w er e fir m an d sp r in gy.

H u o Yu h ao sq u eezed a few t im es, an d im m ed iat ely r ealized t h at t h e feelin g in
h is h an d s w as p r et t y good .
H u o Yu h ao w as q u ick . Befor e h e even fin ish ed h is sen t en ce, h is h an d s w er e

alr ead y in act ion , a n d W an g Don g’s en t ir e b od y fr oze. H e even felt a lit t le
im m ob ilized .
H u o Yu h ao squ eezed a few m or e t im es, b u t fain t ly r ealized t h at som et h in g

w as am iss. H e glan ced at W an g Don g ou t of t h e cor n er s of h is eyes – W an g Don g
w as glar in g at h im , an d h is face w as b lack w h ile h is eyes w er e sp it t in g flam es.
“Does it feel good ?” A ch illy voice float ed ou t fr om b et w een t h e gap s in h is

t eet h .
“Oh , it ’s n ot so b ad .” H u o Yu h ao’s an sw er w as alm ost su b con sciou s.
“Go t o h ell.” W an g Don g t ossed h is h ea d an d r aised h is left leg for a h igh k ick
t h at w as aim ed st r aigh t at H u o Yu h ao’s for eh ead .
H u o Yu h ao t ilt ed h is h ead b ack w ar d s h u r r ied ly an d d od ged h is k ick .

H ow ever , W an g Don g’s b od y w as ext r em ely n im b le, an d h is r igh t foot , w h ich
w as su p p or t in g h is b od y, r ot at ed lik e a fu lcr u m , an d h is left foot r et u r n ed on ce
again – an d sw ep t acr oss H u o Yu h ao’s b od y at on ce.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t even n eed t o see w it h h is eyes as h e sw u n g h is b od y
b ack w ar d s an d avoid ed W an g Don g’s k ick on ce m or e w h ile h is en t ir e b od y
b ecam e lik e a p lan k .
W an g Don g’s sw eep in g left leg p au sed in t h e air an d slam m ed d ow n w ar d s at

H u o Yu h ao’s ab d om en . H u o Yu h ao sp u n ar ou n d in m id air as h e d r agged h is
r igh t leg u p w ar d s a n d p r essed h is k n eecap again st t h e ca lf of W an g Don g’s left
leg t o st op it s m ovem en t . At t h e sam e t im e, h is r igh t leg sp r u n g u p an d b ack
d ow n again an d w r a p p ed ar ou n d W a n g Don g’s r igh t leg lik e a w h ip . H e p u sh ed
again st t h e gr ou n d w it h b ot h h an d s a n d p u lled b ack w ar d s – in st an t ly, b ot h of
t h em fell d ow n t oget h er w it h t h eir legs st ill in t er t w in ed .
It w as clear t h at W an g Don g h ad n ever exp ect ed H u o Yu h ao t o b e so

ad ap t ab le. H e w a t ch ed H u o Yu h ao w it h an ast on ish ed look an d said , “W h en d id
you b ecom e so agile an d flexib le?”
“I’ve alw ays b een flexib le,” H u o Yu h ao an sw er ed p r ou d ly, “an d a gen t lem an
u ses h is m ou t h , n ot h is fist s.”
Chapt er 107.1: The Semifinals Lineup!
H u o Yu h ao, u t ilizin g t h e st r en gt h in h is legs, q u ick ly st ood u p fr om t h e

gr ou n d , t h en r each ed ou t an d gr ab b ed W an g Don g’s an k les.
W an g Don g’s b od y b en t for w ar d s as h e p oin t ed h is d ow n w ar d s-facin g legs

for w ar d s in or d er t o w r ap t h em ar ou n d H u o Yu h ao’s n eck an d t r ap h is h ead
b et w een h is legs.
H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely r et r act ed b ot h of h is ar m s t o b esid e h is n eck , t h en

r each ed ou t an d gr ab b ed W an g Don g’s an k led again .
“You r ar m s can ’t t w ist m y t h igh s.” W an g Don g sn or t ed . H e d id n ’t d od ge H u o

Yu h ao’s st r ik e, in st ead lean in g h is u p p er b od y b ack w ar d s an d su p p or t in g h is
b od y w it h b ot h h an d s on t h e floor . At t h e sam e t im e, h e t r ied t o en cir cle H u o
Yu h ao’s n eck w it h r en ew ed vigor .
H ow ever , H u o Yu h a o h ad an ir on gr ip on W an g Don g’s an k les; n o m at t er h ow

m u ch W an g Don g st r u ggled , h e cou ld n ’t m ove h is legs for w ar d s even an in ch .
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed an d said , “You ’r e st ill t oo w eak . You call t h ese

m at ch st ick -t h in legs t h igh s?”
W an g Don g con t in u ed t o exer t h is st r en gt h in d isb elief, b u t H u o Yu h ao’s gr ip

r em ain ed fir m . H u o Yu h ao w as even slo w ly p r yin g W an g Don g’s legs ap ar t .
“T h at ’s im p ossib le! You on ly h ave t w o sou l r in gs, h ow cou ld you b e st r on ger

t h an m e?” W an g Don g said , u n con vin ced .
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed again . “I h ave a sou l b on e.”
“So d o I!” W an g Don g r eb u t t ed , r efu sin g t o yield t o H u o Yu h a o.

H u o Yu h ao b ecam e sp eech less w h en h e h ear d t h is, an d t h ou gh t ab ou t t ellin g
W an g Don g ab ou t t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s t r u n k b on es. H e’d also felt
h is st r en gt h in cr ease p alp ab ly on ce h e’d ab sor b ed t h e Life Gold en er gy. If it
h ad n ’t b een for t h at , h e w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o r esist W an g Don g’s legs so
easily.
Don ’t t h in k t h a t W an g Don g, w h o p ossessed t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess,

w as w eak . On t h e con t r ar y, h is ab ilit ies w er e m u ch gr eat er t h an h is slen d er
fr am e su ggest ed , d u e t o h is secon d m ar t ial sou l b ein g on e of t h e st r on gest
st r en gt h t yp e m ar t ial sou ls on t h e con t in en t , w h ich on ce b elon ged t o t h e
con t in en t ’s fir st h er ed it ar y m ar t ial sou l of t h e sect —H ao T ian ch u i!
T o t h in k t h at H u o Yu h ao cou ld d efeat W an g Don g w h en h e h ad n ot cu lt ivat ed

as m u ch p ow er as W an g Don g, it m u st h a ve b een a vict or y p u r ely in t er m s of an
in cr ease in h is p h ysical b od y. Of cou r se, n eit h er of t h em h ad u sed t h eir sou l
p ow er eit h er .
W an g Don g h ad alr ead y u sed all h is st r en gt h , yet h e st ill w asn ’t ab le t o clam p

h is legs a r ou n d H u o Yu h ao’s n eck . In st ead , h is legs w er e b ein g p u lled fu r t h er
an d fu r t h er ap ar t , cau sin g t h e b ot h of t h em t o look r at h er com ical. On e w as
st an d in g t h er e w it h h is h an d s ap ar t b esid e h is h ead , w h ile t h e ot h er w as d oin g a
h an d st an d w it h h is legs ap ar t . Fu r t h er m or e, h alf of W an g Don g’s b od y w as
ou t sid e of t h eir r oo m .
“W ow , w h at ’r e you gu ys d oin g? Do you n eed t o b e so affect ion at e?” Xu

San sh i’s voice cou ld b e h ear d as h e, Bei Bei, an d M a Xiaot ao em er ged fr om t h e
r oom . All of t h em cou ld t ell w it h on e look t h at W an g Don g’s b od y w as t h e on e
st ick in g ou t of t h e r o om .
W an g Don g w as b ot h ash am ed an d an n oyed as h e said , “Let go of m e.”
H u o Yu h ao fin ally let go, t h en im m ed iat ely t ook a few st ep s b ack w ar d s as

W an g Don g flip p ed b ack w ar d s an d st ood u p r igh t , glar in g at H u o Yu h ao. W an g
Don g t h en t u r n ed t o face Xu San sh i an d t h e r est an d said , “W e’r e ju st p r act isin g
ou r fu sion sk ills, is t h er e an yt h in g w r on g w it h t h at ?”
H e d efin it ely cou ld n ’t say t h at t h ey w er e figh t in g b ecau se H u o Yu h ao h ad
t ou ch ed h is b u t t .
H u o Yu h ao t ou ch ed h is n ose w it h a sm ile.
M a Xiaot ao b u r st o u t lau gh in g, t h en sa id , “Go on , you n g p eop le sh ou ld b e

lively.”
W an g Don g h u m p h ed , t h en said , “You ar en ’t so old you r self, M s. T ao!”
M a Xiaot ao r ep lied , “Alr igh t , let ’s go. T each er W an g h as called for a p r e-

b at t le m eet in g. W e’ll h ave t o com p et e t om or r ow , so w e n eed t o m ak e ou r fin al
p r ep ar at ion s n ow . ” Aft er b ein g lect u r ed b y W an g Yan t h e ot h er d ay, M a
Xiaot ao’s t em p er w as m u ch m or e r est r ain ed . Sh e h ad b ecom e less of a m an iac,
an d w as act in g m or e calm ; sh e w as fin ally sh ow in g som e sem b lan ce of a t eam
lead er ’s qu a lit ies.
“T om or r ow ?” H u o Yu h ao gasp ed , su r p r ised . “You m u st m ean t h e d ay aft er .

W e ju st com p et ed yest er d ay, so t h e ot h er t eam s sh ou ld st ill b e com p et in g in t h e
q u ar t er -fin als t od ay. W e sh ou ld get a d ay’s r est aft er t h e en d of t h e com p et it ion ,
r igh t ? M s T ao, you m u st h ave r em em b er ed t h e d at es w r on gly.”
W an g Don g sn ap p ed , “M s T ao d id n ’t m ak e a m ist ak e, it ’s you w h o got

con fu sed . You w er e in d eep m ed it at ion for an en t ir e d ay an d n igh t , an d I’m d ead
t ir ed fr om t r yin g t o p r ot ect you , yet you st ill b u llied m e.”
“Er …” H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t exp ect t h at a d a y an d a n igh t h ad alr ead y p assed . In

ligh t of t h is r evelat ion , h e n ot iced t h e d ar k b ags u n d er W an g Don g’s eyes an d
felt d eep ly t ou ch ed .
Bei Bei gave H u o Yu h ao a t h u m b s u p , t h en said , “M y Lit t le J u n ior is am azin g.

Let ’s go.”
W an g Don g said , “Sen ior , you ’r e b ein g b iased . I’m ob viou sly t h e you n gest
on e; sh ou ld n ’t you b e callin g m e you r J u n ior ?”
Bei Bei gave h im a st r an ge look an d said , “Really? Ar e you cer t ain t h at you
w an t t o b e m y Lit t le J u n ior ?”
W an g Don g felt r at h er sh eep ish aft er get t in g st ar ed a t lik e t h at , so h e st u ck

ou t h is t on gu e an d said , “W h o car es, let ’s go.” H e t h en r u sh ed ou t of t h e
m eet in g r oom b efor e t h e ot h er s.
H u o Yu h ao follow ed , r at h er con fu sed as h e ask ed , “Big Sen ior , w h at ’s got t en

in t o h im ? W h y’d h e ju st let it go?”
Bei Bei ch u ck led an d said , “Don ’t ask so m an y q u est ion s, it ’s fin e lik e t h at for
n ow . Let ’s go, w e h ave a m eet in g t o at t en d . T om or r ow ’s com p et it ion is n o
jok e.”
H u o Yu h ao w as st ill in sh ock ab ou t h ow h e’d m an aged t o st ay in d eep

m ed it at ion for a fu ll d ay an d n igh t . Pr eviou sly, h e t h ou gh t t h at h e h ad on ly
m ed iat ed for a ver y sh or t w h ile—on ly a few m in u t es. Now , h e r ealized fir st -
h an d h ow am azin g t h e r esu lt s of d eep m ed it at ion w er e. Besid es, it w as also a
gr eat w ay t o evad e m on ot on ou s t r ain in g. No w on d er ever y sou l m ast er year n ed
for su ch an op p or t u n it y.
As t h ese t h ou gh t s r a n t h r ou gh h is m in d , H u o Yu h ao follow ed t h e ot h er s in t o
t h e m eet in g r oom .
W an g Yan w as clear ly t h e fir st t o r each t h e r oom , an d h ad b een w ait in g for

ever yon e. Seein g t h at ever yon e h ad ar r ived , h e said , in a d eep voice, “Alr igh t ,
let ’s b egin t h e m eet in g.”
“Now t h at t h e qu ar t er -fin als h ave fin ish ed , t h e sem ifin als w ill st a r t
t om or r ow . W e w ill u n d ou b t ed ly b e in t h e fir st m a t ch . An ot h er r ou n d w ill t ak e
p lace t om or r ow . Aft er t h e sem ifin als, t h er e w ill b e 3 d ays t ill t h e fin al.
“T each er W an g, w h o’s ou r op p on en t in t h e sem i-fin als?” Xiao Xiao ask ed

cu r iou sly.
W an g Yan r ep lied , “I’m st ill u n su r e. For fair n ess’ sak e, t h e sem i-fin als
p air in gs ar e t o b e d ecid ed t h r ou gh lot d r aw in gs. As t h e r eign in g ch am p ion s of
t h e t o u r n am en t , w e’ll d efin it ely com p et e t om or r ow . T h u s, w e can ’t m ak e a n y
sp ecific p r ep ar at ion s t o t ar get ou r op p on en t . Ou r on ly op t ion is t o con sid er
ever yon e in ou r p r ep ar at ion s. Even t h ou gh t h is is a d r a w b ack , all of ou r
op p on en t s h ave t o face t h e sam e sit u at ion as u s. T h ey’r e also n ot su r e w h et h er
or n ot t h ey’ll m eet u s.”
“T h e r em ain in g 4 t eam s ar e u s, t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g

Acad em y, t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y, an d t h e Im p er ial M yst ical Acad em y.”
“It ’s fair t o say t h at t h e ot h er 3 acad em ies ar e all old r ivals of ou r acad em y.

T h ey’r e all ver y p ow er fu l, w it h ou r st r on gest r iva l u n d ou b t ed ly b ein g t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y. Even if w e d on ’t m eet t h em in t h e
sem ifin als, w e’ll m eet t h em in t h e fin als. T h u s, w e n eed t o aim ou r st r at egies at
t h em .”
“Let m e b r ief you all on t h ese 3 t eam s, as w ell as w h at w e’ll h ave t o t ak e

n ot ice of w h en w e com p et e, an d t h e sp ecific st r at egies again st t h em .”
“T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y is d efin it ely ou r

st r on gest op p on en t ou t of t h ese 3 t eam s. T h eir t eam lead er , M a Ru lon g, h asn ’t
ap p ear ed yet . H ow ever , b ased on p r eviou s t ou r n am en t s, M a Ru lon g sh ou ld b e a
sou l em p er or . Lu ck ily, h e’s t h e on ly sou l em p er or fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ia l
Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y.”
“Of t h e 14 p eop le in t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s

official an d p r ep ar a t or y t eam s, on ly M a Ru lon g, Xiao H on gch en an d M en g
H on gch en h aven ’t com p et ed yet . Bot h Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en ar e
fr om t h e p r ep ar a t or y t eam . For r efer en ce, M en g H on gch en is t h a t you n g la d y
t h at W an g Don g t r ied t o p ick u p b ack t h en .” W an g Yan cou ld n ’t h elp b u t gr in
an d look at W an g Don g as h e said t h is.
W an g Don g d id n ot seem t o t ak e t h is aw k w ar d ly at all.

W an g Yan con t in u ed , “T h e r est of t h eir official t eam ar e all sou l k in gs, b u t
on ly 2 of t h em ar e a b ove Ran k 55. T h e r est of t h em ar e b elow Ran k 55 b u t ab ove
Ran k 50 . T h ey’ve also all in h er it ed m ar t ial sou ls w it h som e u sefu l
ch ar act er ist ics t o sou l en gin eer s, t h at n o t on es t h at ar e t oo ou t st a n d in g. T h ey’r e
m ain st r on gp oin t is t h eir sou l t ools. As for t h e 5 p r ep ar at or y t eam m em b er s
w h o’ve alr ead y com p et ed , 2 ar e sou l an cest or s an d 3 ar e sou l eld er s. H ow ever ,
w e sh ou ld n ’t see t h ese p r ep ar at or y t eam m em b er s at all.”
“T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y isn ’t ou r st r on gest r ival

b ecau se t h ey h ave n u r t u r ed st u d en t s t h a t can m at ch u s, b u t d u e t o t h e cou n t less
ch an ges in t h eir sou l t ools. W it h ou t a d ou b t , t h ey m u st h ave m an y sou l t ools
t h at t h ey h aven ’t u sed in t h is t ou r n am en t , an d t h ey h ave k ep t t h ese sou l t ools t o
u se t h em again st u s. T h is h as alw ays b een t h e case in p r eviou s t ou r n am en t s.
Over t h ese p ast few d ecad es, t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s sou l t ools h ave b een
ch an gin g at a fast er r at e, an d ar e b ecom in g in cr easin gly d ifficu lt t o h an d le.
T h at ’s w h y ou r st r at egies h ave t o b e able t o ad ap t again st t h em . In t h e t eam
r ou n d , w e’ll lik ely b e at a d isad van t age b ecau se of t h e gr ou p ad van t age of t h eir
sou l t ools. Bu t in t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d or t h e 2-2-3 figh t , w e w on ’t b e at a
d isad va n t age. W e’ll h ave ou r ch an ce t h eir .”
H u o Yu h ao ask ed , “T each er W an g, ar e t h er e an y m or e ch an ges in t h e r u les

for t h e fin als?”
W an g Yan n od d ed an d said , “A t eam r ou n d w ill b e or gan ized , alon g w it h an

in d ivid u al r ou n d an d a 2-2-3 figh t . Fu r t h er m or e, t h ese 3 co m p et it ion segm en t s
w ill b e com p let ed in on e go aft er b ot h t eam s h ave ch osen all 7 com p et in g
m em b er s. T h er e w ill b e n o in t er m ission . T h e even t u al ch am p ion w ill b e t h e on e
t h at w in s 2 ou t of t h e 3 segm en t s.”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed w h en h e h ear d h is w or d s. It w asn ’t easy t o b ecom e

t h e ch am p ion of t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M a st er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g
T ou r n am en t !
W an g Yan said , “H o w ever , t h e Im p er ial M yst ical Acad em y fr om t h e H eaven ly

Sou l Em p ir e is also ou r r ival. On ly u s, t h e Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y, an d t h e Im p er ial M yst ical Acad em y h ave sou l em p er or s am on gst
ever yon e in t h e t ou r n am en t . T h e Im p er ial M yst ica l Acad em y is t h e r oyal
acad em y of t h e H eav en ly Sou l Em p ir e. All t h e r oyal m em b er s of t h e em p ir e w ill
en t er t h e aca d em y t o lear n . T h eir lin eu p for t h is t ou r n am en t is ver y st r on g: 1
sou l em p er or an d 6 sou l k in gs. H ow ever , sou l m ast er s ar e t h eir m ain for ce.
T h eir sou l en gin eer s w ill p r ovid e su p p or t t o t h eir sou l m ast er s. Am on g t h eir 7
official t eam m em b er s, 2 of t h eir sou l k in gs ar e sou l en gin eer s. Fr om m y
ob ser vat ion s, t h ey sh ou ld n ’t even b e Class 5 sou l en gin eer s, an d ar e in st ead
m ost lik ely Class 4 lik e H e Cait ou .”
“Ou r last op p on en t is t h e St ar Lu o Na t ion al Acad em y fr om t h e St ar Lu o

Em p ir e. Am on g t h ese 3 r ivals, t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y is t h e w eak est .
Bu t t h is d oesn ’t n ecessar ily m ean t h at t h ey ar e t h e easiest t o d eal w it h . T h is is
t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e, t h eir h om e t u r f. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e over all p ow er of t h e
St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y isn ’t t h at w eak eit h er . Alt h ou gh t h ey d on ’t h ave a
sou l em p er or t o h old d ow n t h e for t , t h ey st ill h ave u p t o 6 sou l k in gs. T h in gs
h ave gon e sm oot h ly for t h em so far , or at least , t h ey’r e fin d in g it sm oot h er t h an
u s.”
“T h e last 2 r ou n d s w ill b e ver y t ed iou s for u s. Even t h ou gh w e h ave t w o sou l

em p er or s—Xiaot ao an d Yu eh en g—ou r r ivals st ill p ossess a gr eat er over all
st r en gt h in n u m b er s. T h eir over all ab ilit ies ar en ’t in fer ior t o ou r s. T h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y an d Im p er ial M yst ical Acad em y ar e
even som ew h at su p er ior t o u s in t er m s of over all ab ilit ies. T h e on ly w e’ll
b ecom e ch am p ion s is b y givin g it ou r a ll. It ’s lik e t h e fir st t im e w e faced J u st sk y
Acad em y.”
W an g Yan d id n ’t so u n d r elaxed at all. Ever yon e fr om Sh r ek Acad em y also felt
h eavy in t h eir h ear t s.
In d eed ! Even t h ou gh t h ey h ad t w o sou l em p er or s an d Lin g Lu och en , w h o w as

a con t r ol-t yp e sou l k in g, t h eir p r ep ar at or y t eam m em b er s w er e st ill m u ch
w eak er t h an t h eir r ivals.
Am on g t h eir 4 sou l an cest or s, Xu San sh i’s sou l p ow er w as on ly Ran k 4 7. T h e

r est w er e even w or se. As for t h e last 3, W an g Don g w as on ly a sou l eld er , Xiao
Xiao h ad b ar ely b ecom e a sou l eld er , an d H u o Yu h ao w as on ly a sou l
gr an d m ast er . W h ile t h ey all h a d t w in m a r t ial sou ls, t h eir cu lt ivat ion s w er e st ill
ver y w eak ! H ow m u ch cou ld t h ey t r u ly con t r ib u t e in t h e t op -r an k ed t eam
com p et it ion of t h e t ou r n am en t ?
Accor d in g t o W an g Yan ’s ar r an gem en t s in t h e p r eviou s r ou n d , it w as m or e

lik ely t h a t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w ou ld n ’t p ar t icip at e in t h e t eam b at t le.
Even if t h e t w o of t h em w er e sen t o u t t oget h er , it w o u ld st ill p u ll Sh r ek
Acad em y’s over all p ow er d ow n . Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s sou l sk ill w as ver y
p r act ical, an d t h e Gold en Road w as a r a t h er d ecen t cr ow d -con t r ol sk ill, cou ld
t h eir p ow er s b e fu lly u n leash ed again st t ou gh op p on en t s? T h is w as also u n d er
t h e cir cu m st an ce t h at t h eir op p on en t s w er e en t ir ely u n aw ar e of t h eir
cap ab ilit ies.
W an g Yan sw ep t h is gaze fr om left t o r igh t . H e n at u r a lly r ealized t h at n ot

ever yon e w as fu lly con fid en t . H e gen t ly said , “I d id n ’t exp ect u s t o b ecom e t h e
ch am p ion s ever sin ce t h e d ay w e cam e t o St ar Lu o Cit y, as w e’r e n ot ch am p ion
m at er ial. I’m alr ead y ext r em ely sat isfied t h at w e’ve m ad e it t h is far . All of you r
h ar d w or k is clear fo r ever yon e t o see. All of you h ave alr ead y p r eser ved Sh r ek ’s
glor y, t h u s I h op e t h at all of you w on ’t b e p r essu r ed in t h e u p com in g
com p et it ion . W h at ever t h e r esu lt , I w ill ask for all of you t o r eceive m er it s w h en
w e r et u r n .”
W an g Yan ’s w or d s sou n d ed n or m al t o H u o Yu h ao an d t h e r est of t h e

p r ep ar at or y t eam m em b er s, as t h ey h ad in d eed sacr ificed q u it e a lot . H ow ever ,
h is w or d s sou n d ed a b it p ier cin g t o M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, an d Lin g Lu och en .
As official t eam m em b er s, t h ey faced a w or se p r ed icam en t t h an t h e
p r ep ar at or y t eam m em b er s in t h is t ou r n am en t . Even t h ou gh W an g Yan ’s w or d s
h ad p r ick ed t h em , t h ey d id n ’t k n ow h ow t o r ep ly.
W an g Yan seem ed r elaxed as h e sp ok e; it w as as if h e d id n ’t n ot ice t h e

b u r n in g r ad ian ce in M a Xiaot ao an d t h e ot h er t w o’s eyes. “Ou r m ission h as
alr ead y b een com p let ed . I sh all d escr ib e ou r op p on en t s n ow . W e’ll an a lyze t h e
cap ab ilit ies of each t eam m em b er b efor e d ecid in g ou r st r at egies. W e’ll a d ju st
w h o com p et es accor d in gly.”
T h is p r e-com p et it ion m eet in g w en t on for n ear ly 6 h ou r s, all t h e w ay fr om

lu n ch t h r ou gh d in n er u n t il t h e su n set .
Sh r ek Acad em y w asn ’t t h e on ly an xiou s on e. T h e ot h er 3 w er e also an xiou s.

T h e over all vict or of t h e t ou r n am en t w as ab ou t t o b e d ecid ed . T h is w asn ’t on ly
a b at t le of glor y b et w een t h ese 4 t op -r an k ed acad em ies, b u t w as also t h e m ost
cr u cial b at t le for t h e com p et in g t eam m em b er s.
It m u st b e k n ow n t h at t h e m em b er s of t h e t op t eam s w ou ld r eceive t h e m ost

d ist in gu ish ed t r eat m en t n o m at t er w h ich p ow er t h ey join ed . If t h ey w er e t o
assu m e p osit ion s in an em p ir e, t h ey w ou ld b e con fer r ed t it les, an d t h is glor y
w ou ld accom p an y t h em t h r ou gh ou t t h eir en t ir e lives! It w as fair t o say t h a t t h e
Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t h a d
b ecom e a p lat for m for t h e var iou s em p ir es in t h e con t in en t t o p ick an d figh t for
t h e b est t a len t s.
If n ot for t h e p r est igiou s st a t u s t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h eld , m an y p ow er s,

fam ilies, an d even sect s w ou ld h ave p oach ed t h eir st u d en t s alr ead y.
H u o Yu h ao felt t h a t h is b od y w as ext r em ely st iff as h e w alk ed ou t of t h e

m eet in g r oom . Sp en d in g t h e en t ir e aft er n oon m em or izin g t h e cap ab ilit ies an d
st r at egies of h is op p on en t s w as in d eed v er y d u ll an d b or in g. H e w ou ld r at h er
r u n in m et al clot h in g t h an d o t h is.
Aft er st r et ch in g h is lazy b od y, H u o Yu h ao felt m u ch b et t er . As h is b lood
b egan t o cir cu lat e m or e sm oot h ly t h r ou gh ou t h is b od y, t h e fat igu e h e’d felt
ear lier d isap p ear ed . T h e p r osp er ou s life p ow er in h is b od y seem ed t o h ave b een
aw ak en ed b y t h is sim p le act ion .
“J u n ior b r ot h er , go an d get som e food .” Bei Bei p at t ed h im on t h e sh ou ld er .
“Ok ay.” H u o Yu h ao an sw er ed h u r r ied ly.
“Eld est sen ior b r ot h er , d o you t h in k w e can b ecom e t h e ch am p ion s in t h e

en d ?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed soft ly. W h ile M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g ap p ear ed t o
b e t h e m ost p ow er fu l am on g t h em , H u o Yu h ao w as t h e m ost con vin ced b y h is
gen t le-look in g a n d r efin ed , yet in t elligen t an d ap p r oach ab le eld est sen ior
b r ot h er .
Bei Bei sm iled an d said , “W h at ? Ar e you u n con fid en t ?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead an d said , “It ’s n ot t h at I’m n ot con fid en t . I ju st

t h in k t h a t ou r op p on en t s ar e ext r em ely st r on g n ow t h at I’ve h ear d T each er
W an g Yan ’s an alysis!”
Bei Bei lau gh ed . “T h at ’s r igh t , ou r op p on en t s ar e ver y st r on g. T h eir t eam s ar e

alm ost en t ir ely m ad e u p of at least sou l k in gs. Bu t I’m con fid en t t h at w e’ll b e
t h e ch am p ion s in t h e en d .”
“Eh ?” H u o Yu h ao w as a lit t le st u n n ed as h e look ed at h im .
Bei Bei r et r act ed h is sm ile a lit t le an d said gen t ly, “Con fid en ce st em s fr om
on e’s ow n ab ilit ies. Sh r ek Acad em y w as ab le t o b ecom e t h e best acad em y on t h e
con t in en t b ecau se t h e acad em y h as n ever on ce b een h ast y. Ever y sin gle p er son
t h at w as sen t t o p ar t icip at e in t h is t ou r n am en t h as ach ieved ou r sk ills t h r ou gh
ou r ow n h ar d w or k . T h at ’s w h y Sh r ek Acad em y’s sou l eld er s an d sou l an cest or s
ar e d iffer en t fr om t h ose of ot h er acad em ies. Ou r sou l k in gs ar e even m or e
d iffer en t . At t h e sou l em p er or level, t h e gap is even lar ger . M ayb e ou r
op p on en t s can u se sou l t ools or som e st r at egies an d t act ics t o close t h is gap , b u t
if ou r t r u e ab ilit ies can b e sp ar k ed b y ou r figh t in g w ill, an d if w e can ligh t t h e
fir e of glor y for Sh r ek , w e’ll w in for su r e.”
Ever yon e w as w alk in g ou t of t h e m eet in g r oom seq u en t ially w h en Bei Bei said
t h is, an d a s h e d id n ’t low er h is voice, t h ey all h ear d w h at h e’d said .
M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, an d Lin g Lu och en ’s exp r ession s ch an ged . T h e look

in t h eir eyes as t h ey w at ch ed Bei Bei also ch an ged sligh t ly.
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed , t h en ask ed cu r iou sly, “Eld est sen ior b r ot h er , w h at d o you

m ean b y d est r u ct ive en t h u siasm ?”
Bei Bei ch u ck led an d r ep lied , “Do you t h in k t h er e ar e r eally so m an y t alen t s in

t h e w or ld t h a t ar e ab le t o b ecom e a sou l k in g b efor e t h ey’r e 20 year s old ? Ou r
Sh r ek Acad em y n u r t u r es su ch st u d en t s t h r ou gh a t each in g m od el t h a t h as b een
b u ilt u p over t en s of t h ou san d s of year s, as w ell as t h e ext r em ely h ar d w or k of
t h e t alen t ed st u d en t s. Per h ap s ot h er acad em ies can n u r t u r e a few su ch st u d en t s,
b u t h ave you ever w on d er ed h ow t h ose sou l en gin eer s w it h or d in ar y m ar t ial
sou ls ar e ab le t o d o it ?”
“I d ar e say t h at t h ose fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w ill all h ave t h e ab ilit y t o b ecom e

a T it led Dou lu o so lon g as t h ey’r e ab le t o su r vive in t h e ou t sid e w or ld . H ow ever ,
it ’s m u ch less lik ely for p eop le fr om ot h er acad em ies w h o’ve com p et ed again st
t h em in t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g
T ou r n am en t . T h at ’s b ecau se a lot of t h e in cr ease in t h eir p ow er s isn ’t at t r ib u t ed
t o t h eir ow n h a r d w o r k .”
“H aven ’t you ever r ealized t h at t h e m ost ou t st an d in g t eam s a ll com e fr om t h e

r oyal fam ilies of va r iou s em p ir es, or ar e t h e b est acad em ies of t h e d iffer en t
em p ir es? I’m su r e t h at at least h alf of t h ose w h o ar e com p et in g u sed d iffer en t
t yp es of p ills an d t r easu r es t o in cr ease t h eir cu lt ivat ion . Esp ecially t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y fr om t h e Su n M oo n Em p ir e, w h ich is
ver y w ealt h y! You ’v e also seen t h e sou l t ools fr om t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all
b efor e.”
H u o Yu h ao im m ed iat ely u n d er st ood . “So t h eir p ow er s w er e en h an ced
t h r ou gh m ed icin e.”
Bei Bei n od d ed h is h ead an d said , “It ’s u n d en iab le t h a t sever al m ed icin es ar e

b en eficial t o sou l m ast er s. H ow ever , m od er at ion is k ey. A lot of m ed icin es
p ossess p oison ou s com p on en t s t oo. Ap ar t fr om a select few m ed icin es t h at can
solid ify on e’s fou n d at ion s, it ’s b est t o con su m e m ed icin e t h at in cr eases on e’s
sou l p ow er as lit t le as p ossib le. Ask Sen ior M a an d Sen ior Dai; t h ey’ll t ell you
t h at Sh r ek Acad em y h as b an n ed ou r st u d en t s fr om con su m in g su ch m ed icin e.
T h at ’s b ecau se t h is for m of cu lt ivat ion m et h od h as n o fu t u r e. If on e over -
con su m es t h ese m ed icin es, even b y ju st a lit t le b it , it can m ak e it so t h at on e w ill
n ever b e ab le t o b ecom e a T it led Dou lu o.”
M a Xiaot ao’s voice su d d en ly r an g ou t , “J u n ior Bei Bei, you k n ow q u it e a b it .

H ow d o you k n ow so m u ch ab ou t t h e in n er cou r t yar d even t h ou gh you ’r e fr om
t h e ou t er cou r t yar d ? ”
Bei Bei t u r n ed a r ou n d an d sm iled at M a Xiaot ao, “Sen ior , I can ’t t ell you .”
M a Xiaot ao w as st u n n ed for a m om en t . “W h y can ’t you t ell m e? T ell m e.”

Bei Bei sh ook h is h ea d an d said , “Sayin g it w ou ld offen d som eon e.”
Ever yon e k n ew M a Xiaot ao’s t em p er . Sh e slap p ed h er ch est an d said , “So

w h at if you offen d som eon e? I’ll p r ot ect you .”
An u n com for t ab le exp r ession ap p ear ed on Bei Bei’s face as h e said , “Alr igh t ,
Sist er Xiaot ao. You m u st live u p t o you r sid e of t h e b ar gain a n d p r ot ect m e!”
M a Xiaot ao w as im p at ien t an d said , “W h y ar e you d illy-d allyin g lik e a

w om an ? Qu ick ly, ju st say it !”
Bei Bei sm iled an d r evealed a m ou t h fu l of w h it e t eet h as h e said , “You m igh t

h ave n ever eat en p or k b efor e, b u t you ’ve su r ely seen a p ig r u n .”
T h e m om en t h e said t h at , h e violen t ly p u lled t h e d oor n ext t o h im op en .

W h oosh ! H e im m ed iat ely d ash ed in sid e. It ap p ear ed t h at , u n k n ow in gly, h e’d
alr ead y ar r ived ou t sid e of h is ow n r oom .
M a Xiaot ao w as st u n n ed w h en sh e h ear d t h is. Sh e qu ick ly r ea ct ed an d cu r sed ,

“T h e n er ve of you , Bei Bei! You d ar e t o call m e a p ig.” W it h t h at , sh e at t em p t ed
t o r u sh in t o Bei Bei’s r oom .
Lin g Lu och en qu ick ly p u lled h er b ack as sh e t r ied t o st ifle a lau gh an d said ,

“Don ’t r u n . If you r u n , you ’ll h ave fallen for h is p loy. Rem em b er , h e d id t a lk
ab ou t a r u n n in g p ig.”
M a Xiaot ao look ed at h er , an d a ch or t le su d d en ly escap ed h er m ou t h . Sh e

cou ld n ’t h elp b u t la u gh t oo.
Aft er t h is b ou t of t om fooler y, t h e som b er at m osp h er e fr om t h e m eet in g

b efor e w as gr eat ly ligh t en ed .
As W an g Yan st ood in t h e d oor w ay of t h e con fer en ce r oom , h e cou ld n ’t h elp
b u t sigh in ad m ir a t ion aft er seein g w h at h ad ju st h ap p en ed . Bei Bei in d eed
p ossessed ext r aor d in ar y lead er sh ip cap ab ilit ies! As for t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam ,
t h ey ap p ear ed t o b e get t in g b et t er an d b et t er .
Five year s lat er , w h en t h e ch ild r en fr om t h e p r ep ar a t or y t eam gr ew u p ,

t h ey’d p r ob ab ly b e t h e m ost p ow er fu l t eam Sh r ek Acad em y h ad h ad in a lon g
w h ile. T h ey w ou ld p r ob ab ly b ecom e t h e m ost p ow er fu l Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s
in a lon g w h ile t oo.
“Ar e you goin g t o t r ain t on igh t or n ot ?” W an g Don g n u d ged H u o Yu h ao w it h

h is sh ou ld er .
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed an d said , “Of cou r se w e h ave t o t r a in . Last -m in u t e

t r ain in g h as it s u ses t oo. You ’ll see t h e r esu lt s of m y d eep m ed it at ion on ce
you ’ve fin ish ed eat in g.”
W an g Don g’s m ou t h t w it ch ed in volu n t ar ily as h e said , “You ’ve on ly

cu lt ivat ed for a sin gle d ay. Do you exp ect som e sor t of ear t h -sh at t er in g ch an ge?”
Yet , r ealit y p r oved t h at h e h ad exp er ien ced an ear t h -sh at t er in g ch an ge.
Aft er d in n er , t h e t w o of t h em b egan t o cu lt ivat e t oget h er u sin g t h eir H aod on g

Pow er . H ow ever , W an g Don g op en ed h is eyes an d st op p ed h is cu lt ivat ion aft er
on ly a sin gle r evolu t ion .
“H ow … h ow can t h is p ossib le?” W an g Don g look ed at H u o Yu h ao in sh ock .
H u o Yu h ao b eam ed as h e op en ed h is eyes an d said , “H ow cou ld it n ot b e

p ossib le?”
W an g Don g said , “You r cir cu lat ion sp eed of t h e H aod on g Pow er h as

d ou b led .!It ’s even fa st er t h a n m e, a Sou l Eld er . M y god ! W h at d id you d o? If n ot
for t h e fact t h at I’ve b een follow in g you all t h is t im e, I w ou ld ’ve t h ou gh t t h at
you ’d t ak en som e sor t of p r eciou s elixir .”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led . “I d id n ’t eat an yt h in g. Bu t you ’d st ill b e sh ock ed if I
t old you .”
Act u ally, r igh t aft er t h e t w o of t h em lin k ed ar m s t o cu lt iva t e, t h eir H aod on g

Pow er cir cu la t ed m u ch fast er aft er it en t er ed H u o Yu h ao’s b od y. It s sp eed h ad
in d eed alm ost d ou b led . It ap p ear ed t o b e filled w it h a vib r an t life for ce w h en it
r e-en t er ed W a n g Don g’s b od y. Aft er t h eir sou l p ow er h a d com p let ed a fu ll
r evolu t ion , W an g Do n g’s b od y b ecam e m u ch m or e com for t ab le an d r elaxed . H is
en er gy r ose in all asp ect s, an d t h e effect s of h is cu lt iva t ion w er e gr eat ly
en h an ced t oo. W h ile h e d id n ’t k n ow it w as fr om t h e vast life en er gy t h at t h e
r em n an t s of t h e Life Gold h ad left in H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, h e’d st ill felt an ob viou s
ch an ge!
W an g Don g look ed su sp iciou sly at H u o Yu h ao an d said , “Ar e t h e effect s of

d eep m ed it a t ion r ea lly so good ? Next t im e, I’ll calm m yself d o w n t oo, an d t r y t o
ach ieve it .”
H u o Yu h ao sm iled an d said , “It ’s fin e. Com e on , let ’s st ar t cu lt ivat in g. Deep

m ed it at ion is t h e b est w ay t o r est or e on e’s en er gy. I feel t h at m y sou l p ow er h a s
u n d er gon e a sp ecia l k in d of ch an ge. Let ’s n ot w ast e t h is op p or t u n it y; it w ill
b en efit you t oo.”
W h ile t h e vast life en er gy fr om t h e Life Gold w ou ld con t in u e t o con gr egat e

in sid e of h is b od y, it w ou ld gr a d u ally b e ab sor b ed b y h is b od y. It w ou ld n ’t
at t ach it self t o h is sou l p ow er for lon g, ot h er w ise it w ou ld b e d r ain in g on h is
sou l p ow er . H u o Yu h ao w an t ed W an g Don g t o t r ain w it h h im r igh t n ow so t h at
h e cou ld p ass som e of t h e life en er gy t o h im w h ile h e st ill h ad it . In d oin g so,
t h ey cou ld sh a r e in it s b en efit s.
T h e t w o of t h em st ar t ed t o u se t h eir H aod on g Pow er on ce m or e. T h is n igh t

cou ld b e said t o b e t h eir m ost p r od u ct ive join t cu lt iva t ion session .
Aft er t h at n igh t , m or e t h an h alf of t h e vast life en er gy in H u o Yu h ao’s sou l

p ow er w as ab sor b ed b y W an g Don g. T h e fin ish ed cu lt iva t in g at d aw n , an d as
H u o Yu h ao cu lt ivat ed h is Pu r p le Dem o n s Eyes at t h e w in d ow , W an g Don g’s
en t ir e fr am e ap p ear ed t o b e b u r st in g w it h en er gy. H is sk in sh on e w it h ligh t , an d
h is eyes w er e m u ch b r igh t er . H is h an d som e face w as r ed d ish , an d w as
in d escr ib ab ly ad or a b le. H e ap p ear ed w ell-r est ed an d en er get ic. Aft er an en t ir e
n igh t of cu lt iva t ion , t h eir cu lt ivat ion sp eed h ad m or e t h an t r ip led .
Fu r t h er m or e, aft er t h ey’d con n ect ed an d cu lt ivat ed t h at vast en er gy, t h ey w er e
even m or e in -syn c w it h each ot h er . It w a s as if t h ey w er e a sin gle p er son .
Now t h at it w as d aw n , it w ou ld b e t im e for t h e sem ifin als on ce t h ey’d

b r u sh ed u p an d eat en b r eak fast !
T h e t eam fr om Sh r ek Acad em y, clad in in k -gr een at t ir e, w as m et w it h

t h u n d er ou s ap p lau se w h en t h ey ap p ear ed in St ar Lu o Plaza.
T h er e h ad b een m or e t h an a h u n d r ed t eam s at t h e st ar t of t h e com p et it ion ,

b u t t h er e w er e n ow on ly fou r t eam s left vyin g for t h e t op sp ot . T h e com p et it ion
h ad t ak en over a m on t h at t h is p oin t , d u r in g w h ich Xiao Xia o, W an g Don g, an d
H u o Yu h ao h ad all exp er ien ced b r eak t h r ou gh s in t er m s of t h eir sou l p ow er .
Of t h e fou r r em ain in g t eam s, ever y sin gle on e of t h em h ad at least t w o m ajor

figh t s left . T h e d ecisive m om en t h a d com e, an d t h ey w ou ld b e b at t lin g w it h all
t h eir st r en gt h .
Aft er som e r en ovat ion s, t h er e w er e n ow on ly fou r zon es left in t h e

p ar t icip an t s’ r est in g ar ea. Ever y sin gle t eam w as sp r ead qu it e a d ist an ce fr om
each ot h er .
T h er e w as st ill an h ou r u n t il t h e com m en cem en t of t h e com p et it ion , b u t all

fou r sq u ad s w er e alr ead y p r esen t .
Occasion ally, t h ey w ou ld cr oss gazes. W h en t h at h ap p en ed , sp ar k s ap p ear ed

t o fly fr om t h eir eyes. A p ow er fu l b at t lin g au r a cou ld b e felt , a n d t h e
at m osp h er e in t h e r est in g ar ea b ecam e h ar sh an d t en se, som e t r aces of k illin g
in t en t even p r esen t .
T h e su n slow ly r ose t h r ou gh t h e sk y, t h e t em p er a t u r e t od ay n ot b ad . As
su n ligh t cascad ed over t h e vast St ar Lu o Plaza, it ap p ear ed t o b e cloak ed w it h a
layer of ligh t gold . H ow ever , in t h e eyes of t h e fou r t ea m s, it w asn ’t ju st
su n ligh t , b u t t h e h on or of a vict or y t h at t h ey h ad t o st ak e t h eir all for .
T h e fir st d ay of t h e sem ifin als w ou ld b e com p osed of t h e t eam b at t les.
W h at n o on e exp ect ed w as t o see a r ed car p et , ab ou t t en m et er s w id e,

st r et ch in g fr om t h e gat es of t h e p alace all t h e w ay t o t h e fr on t of t h e ar en a. T t en
m in u t es b efor e t h e t eam s w er e t o d r aw lot s, t h e gat es of t h e p alace sw u n g op en
an d t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or , su r r ou n d ed b y h is gu ar d s, st r od e ou t fr om it an d
h ead ed t ow ar d s t h e ar en a.
“Lon g live t h e Em p er or ! Lon g live t h e Em p er or ! Lon g live t h e Em p er or !”

Ever y sin gle sold ier w h o w as r esp on sib le for m ain t ain in g or d er ch eer ed an d
w aved t h eir w eap on s in t h e a ir .
W h en t h e cr ow d n ot iced t h e ap p ear an ce of t h e em p er or , t h ey b u r st in t o
ch eer s.
T h e fou r t eam s st oo d u p as w ell, an d gazed at t h e em p er or w it h r esp ect .
H u o Yu h ao n ot iced t h at t h er e w er e fou r old m en n ext t o t h e St ar Lu o

Em p er or . T h ey’d for m ed a sq u a r e ar ou n d t h e em p er or . Beh in d t h em , t h er e w er e
n o m or e t h an 20 gu a r d s. H en ce, it d id n ’t ap p ear t o b e over k ill.
H ow ever , ever y sin gle p er son t h er e clear ly k n ew t h a t t h e squ ad of gu ar d s

t h er e w as n ot h in g t o scoff at . T h ose fou r old m en w er e lik ely t h e T it led Dou lu o
of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e.
T en t h ou san d year s ago, aft er t h e M ar t ia l Sou l H all—w h ich h ad p ossessed t h e

m ost p ow er fu l sou l m ast er s on t h e con t in en t —h ad d isin t egr at ed , t h e m an y
p ow er fu l sou l m ast er s w it h in h ad p led ged t h eir allegia n ce t o var iou s st a t es. As
sou l m ast er s b egan t o u n d er st an d m or e ab ou t t h eir m a r t ial sou ls, m or e an d
m or e T it led Dou lu o st ar t ed t o ap p ear . H ow ever , som e of t h em h ad r elied on
m ed icin e t o ach iev e t h eir b r eak t h r ou gh s. H en ce, t h ey w er e com p ar at ively
w eak er .
Of cou r se, even if t h er e w er e m or e T it led Dou lu o t h an t en t h ou san d year s

ago, t h ey w er e st ill scar ce. Fu r t h er m or e, d iffer en t T it led Dou lu o h ad d iffer en t
m ar t ial sou ls, d iffer en t w ays of cu lt ivat ion , d iffer en t sou l r in gs, d iffer en t sou l
b on es, an d d iffer en t am ou n t s of sou l b on es. T h u s, t h eir in d iv id u al p ow er s
var ied gr ea t ly.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g cou ld n ’t fin d t h e p er son w h o’d

t h r eat en ed t h em am on g t h e fou r T it led Dou lu o b elow .
T h e 10 8 sou l m ast er s r esp on sib le for secu r it y all b ow ed t o t h e em p er or .

H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t k n eel.
Accor d in g t o t h e r u les of t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e, sou l m a st er s t h at h ad m or e

t h an fou r r in gs an d w er e u n d er t h e em p loy of t h e em p ir e d id n ’t h ave t o k n eel t o
t h e em p er or .
T h e em p er or ascen d ed t h e ar en a u n d er t h e p r o t ect ion of t h e fou r T it led

Dou lu o. H e t h en faced t h e St ar Lu o Plaza, sm iled , an d said , “Please r ise m y
su b ject s.”
“Lon g live t h e em p er or ! Lon g live t h e em p er or ! Lon g live t h e em p er or !”
Ch eer s er u p t ed fr o m all sid es of t h e St ar Lu o Plaza. Evid en t ly, t h e em p er or

w as w ell-loved b y h is su b ject s.
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or d id n ’t t r y t o st op t h eir ch eer s. In st ea d , h is gaze w as

calm , an d h e h ad a sm ile on h is face as h e look ed at h is su b ject s fr om afar . On ce
t h e p laza h ad qu iet en ed d ow n , h e sm iled an d said , “T h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced
Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t is a m ajor even t for t h e Dou lu o
Con t in en t t h at t ak es p lace on ce ever y five year s. It ’s an h on or for u s t o h ost t h e
com p et it ion t h is t im e. I’d lik e t o t h a n k t h ese r ep r esen t a t ives fr om over a
h u n d r ed sch ools. T h an k s t o t h em , w e’ve b een ab le t o w it n ess m an y excit in g
r ou n d s, as w ell as t h e ever -ch an gin g d evelop m en t s am on g t h e sou l m ast er s an d
sou l en gin eer s of t h e con t in en t . T h is p lea ses b ot h m e an d t h e gen er al p op u lace.”
“T h e sem ifin als w ill com m en ce in a m om en t . In t u r n , t h e Con t in en t al

Ad van ced Sou l M a st er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t w ill soon com e t o an
en d . T h er e w ill b e n o m or e lot d r aw in g a ft er t h e t op fou r t ea m s d r aw t h eir lot s,
t h u s I w ill p er son ally su p er vise t h e lot d r aw in g t h is t im e. I h op e t h at Sh r ek
Acad em y, t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y, t h e Im p er ia l
Pr ofou n d Acad em y, an d ou r ow n St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y w ill p u t on a
gr an d , excit in g sh ow for all of u s.”
“I k n ow t h at ever yon e is d yin g t o w at ch t h e sh ow . I’m ver y excit ed t oo.

W it h ou t fu r t h er ad o, let t h e d r aw in g com m en ce. I w ish t o p ar t ak e in t h e joy
w it h m y p eop le, a n d I h op e t h at ou r St a r Lu o Em p ir e w ill p r osp er for
gen er at ion s t o com e.”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or ’s w or d s w er e m ajest ic, h u m or ou s, an d n ot t oo lon g.

T h e m om en t h e fin ish ed , t h e cr ow d b ega n t o ch eer on ce m or e.
Am on g t h e fou r old m en w h o’d gon e u p w it h h im , t h e fr on t -left on e t ook t w o

st ep s for w ar d as h e faced t h e r est in g ar ea an d said in a low voice, “W ill t h e t eam
lead er s of t h e fou r t eam s com e u p t o t h e st age n ow an d d r aw lot s.”
A h ar d -t o-d escr ib e p ow er fu l en er gy cou ld b e felt fr om t h e b od y of t h is old

m an . T h e p ow er t h a t t h is en er gy h eld m ad e ever yon e in t h e St ar Lu o Plaza feel
as if t h e sk y h ad d a r k en ed .
Chapt er 108.1: The Pr incess
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sm iled fain t ly an d said , “In or d er t o en su r e t h e safet y

of t h e sem i-fin alist s an d t h e fin alist s, I h ave d ecid ed t h at t h e Em p ir e’s Pr ot ect or
Dou lu o w ill b e t h e ju d ges for t h e su b sequ en t r ou n d s, an d b e h ost s t o t h e con t est .
Sen ior H u an g J in xu sh all b e t h e h ost for t od ay’s b allot in g an d t h e fir st r ou n d .
H is t it le is t h e H eaven fien d Lon est ar .”
T h e em p er or ’s in t r o d u ct ion st ir r ed u p a w ave of ap p lau se fr om t h e cit izen s in

t h e au d ien ce. H ow ev er , t h e p ar t icip at in g t eam s w er e all sligh t ly t ak en ab ack .
W an g Yan w as su r p r ised a n d r em ar k ed , “H u an g J in xu , t h e H eaven fien d

Dou lu o. I t h ou gh t h e w as lon g d ead – w h o k n ew t h at h e join ed t h e St ar Lu o
Em p ir e in st ea d .”
M a Xiaot ao w as alr ead y w alk in g u p t o t h e st age. H u o Yu h ao w h isp er ed t o Bei

Bei b esid e h im , “Sen ior b r ot h er , w h at ’s t h e d eal w it h t h is H eaven fien d Dou lu o?
Is h e ver y p ow er fu l? ”
Bei Bei n od d ed h is h ead w it h ou t h esit at ion an d said , “Yes, ver y p ow er fu l. T h e

St ar Lu o Em p ir e is t r yin g t o asser t t h eir d om in an ce an d fla u n t t h eir n at ion al
st r en gt h . T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o’s m ar t ial sou l is ext r em ely sp ecial – h e u ses
t h e st ar s in t h e sk ies ab ove as h is ow n m ar t ial sou l. Legen d h as it t h a t t h er e w as
a st ar t h at w as esp ecially b r igh t on t h e d ay h e w as bor n . H is m ar t ial sou l w as
au t om at ically aw ak en ed aft er h is b ir t h . On t h e sam e n igh t , h is m ot h er d ied
fr om losin g t oo m u ch b lood , an d h is fat h er p assed aw ay w h en h e w as eigh t year s
old . Aft er t h is, h is fr ien d s also d ied on e b y on e. It w as lat er d iscover ed t h at h is
m ar t ial sou l w as t h e H eaven fien d Lon est ar t h at t a r get ed h is fam ily an d fr ien d s.
Becau se of t h is, h e is d est in ed t o b e alon e for t h e r est of h is life.”
H u o Yu h ao’s m ou t h h u n g op en in sh ock . “T h er e can b e m ar t ial sou ls lik e

t h is?”
Bei Bei sm iled an d r ep lied , “Sou l m ast er s can h ave an y k in d of m ar t ial sou l;
w h at isn ’t p ossib le? T h is eld er ’s H eaven fien d Lon est ar m ar t ial sou l cau sed h im
t o lose h is fam ily, b u t at t h e sam e t im e, it gave h im gr eat p ow er . It ’s b een
claim ed t h at h e cu lt ivat ed w it h ou t a m ast er , an d t h at ever yt h in g h e k n ow s is
self-t au gh t . H e h as con t in u ed h is jou r n ey alon e over t h e year s, an d even t u ally
at t ain ed t h e t it le of H eaven fien d . H e’s ar ou n d sixt y year s old t h is year , an d h e is
ar ou n d Ran k 91 or 92. H ow ever , it ’s b een said t h at st ar p ow er of t h e
H eaven fien d Lon est ar en ab les h im t o h old h is ow n again st a Ran k 95
T r an scen d en t Dou lu o.”
“H e h as h ad t o r ely on h im self for ever yt h in g, sin ce h e lost all h is fam ily an d

fr ien d s at a ver y you n g age. Per h ap s t h is exp lain s w h y t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o
is a ver y cap r iciou s p er son w it h a fick le n at u r e, b ecom in g ext r em ely cr u el an d
b r u t al at t im es. H ow ever , r u m or h as it t h at h e p ick ed a figh t w it h sever a l
p ow er fu l sect s som e t im e ago, an d t h ey ch ased h im d ow n lik e a d og.”
J u st as Bei Bei w as in t r od u cin g t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o’s b a ck gr ou n d t o H u o

Yu h ao, t h e r esp ect iv e t eam lead er s of t h e fin al fou r t eam s ar r ived on st age.
M a Xiaot ao r ep r esen t ed Sh r ek Acad em y, w h ile M a Ru lon g r ep r esen t ed t h e

Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y. T h e t eam lea d er of t h e Im p er ial
M yst ical Acad em y w as a you t h w it h b r oad sh ou ld er s an d an aver age b u ild ; h e
h ad a calm d isp osit ion , an d look ed as fir m as a r ock . T h e r ep r esen t at ive fr om
t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y w as a you n g gir l. A fem ale t eam lead er w as a
r ar e sigh t . H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y h ad seen t h is gir l
b efor e – sh e w as t h e ch ief au ct ion eer fr om t h e St ar Lu o Au ct ion , Pr in cess J iu
J iu .
It w asn ’t ju st t h e com p an y fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w h o w er e ast on ish ed . T h e

p ar t icip an t s fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y w er e
eq u ally su r p r ised as t h eir eyes w id en ed – t h ey h ad also b een t h er e d u r in g t h e
t op -r an k ed au ct ion !
T h e St ar Lu o Na t ion al Acad em y’s u n ifor m w as a p ale-yellow w ar r ior r ob e.

T h e p r in cess w as a lot d iffer en t com p ar ed t o h er d ign ified an d elegan t look
d u r in g t h e au ct ion t h at d ay. Don n in g a w ar r ior r ob e ch an ged h er au r a, a n d n ow
sh e seem ed t o em an at e a r ip p lin g h er oic sp ir it . H er flow in g b lon d e h air w as t ied
u p in a p on yt ail, an d sh e w or e a fain t sm ile on h er p r et t y face. T h e yellow
w ar r ior r ob e w as t ailor ed t o h er b od y, an d it b r ou gh t ou t t h e d ist in ct feat u r es of
h er p er fect an d allu r in g figu r e.
Even t h ou gh M a Xia ot ao’s au r a w asn ’t in fer ior t o h er s- in fa ct , M a Xiaot ao’s

figu r e w as even sligh t ly b et t er - t h er e w as a st ill a feelin g t h at sh e w as ou t d on e
b y t h is p r in cess on t h e w h ole.
M a Ru lon g on ly glan ced at t h e p r in cess on ce, an d h is eyes b et r ayed a t in ge of

ast on ish m en t b efor e h e t u r n ed h is ga ze elsew h er e. T h e t eam lead er fr om
Im p er ial M yst ical Acad em y st ar ed at J iu J iu for a lon g t im e b efor e h e sh ift ed h is
eyes aw ay.
W an g Yan fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s as h e w at ch ed t h e p r in cess on st age. Sh e

h ad n ’t ap p ear ed in t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y’s lin eu p b efor e t od ay.
H ow ever , accor d in g t o w h at h e k n ew , t h e St ar Lu o Na t ion al Acad em y’s r eser ve
t eam h ad a sin gle va can cy.
W h et h er it w as h im or t h e ot h er t h r ee acad em ies, n ob od y k n ew an yt h in g
r egar d in g t h is p r in cess.
Su d d en ly, W an g Yan ’s eyes flick er ed as a t r ace of b ew ild er m en t flow ed ou t

fr om w it h in . “I r em em b er n ow . Yu eh en g, t h e St ar Lu o r oyal fam ily’s m ar t ial
sou ls sh ou ld b e…”
Dai Yu eh en g ar r ived n ext t o W an g Yan an d n od d ed . “You r gu ess is cor r ect ,

T each er W an g. M y fat h er h as evalu a t ed t h e em p er or ’s m ar t ial sou l b efor e, b u t
h e on ly said a few w or d s – en igm at ic an d im p ossib le t o p r ed ict . M y fat h er also
said t h at t h e em p er or is t h e m ost t a len t ed an d p r od igiou s in d ivid u al in t h e p ast
t h r ee h u n d r ed year s. H ow ever , I h ave n ever h ear d of t h e p r in cess…”
W an g Yan t ook a d eep b r eat h an d said , “Let ’s w at ch t h e lot s fir st .”

T h e fou r r ep r esen t at ives fr om t h e fin a l fou r acad em ies w er e alr ead y on st age,
an d t h e lot d r aw in g h ad b egu n .
T h e fou r t eam lea d er s ar r ived b efor e t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or u n d er t h e

w at ch fu l eyes of fou r T it led Dou lu os. T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sm iled an d said ,
“It ’s a p leasu r e t o m eet su ch ou t st an d in g you t h s su ch as you r selves. Befor e t h e
com p et it ion b egin s, I’d lik e t o r em in d all of you t h at fr ien d sh ip t ak es p r ior it y
over an yt h in g. I h op e you can fin ish t h e com p et it ion w it h t h at in m in d . I w ill
t oss fou r in scr ib ed b alls aft er t h is, an d you gu ys w ill vie for t h em at t h e sam e
t im e. Ar e you r ead y? ”
M a Xiaot ao n ar r ow ed h er eyes sligh t ly as sh e st ole a glan ce at Pr in cess J iu J iu

b esid e h er . “Read y.”
Pr in cess J iu J iu sm iled an d n od d ed h er h ead as M a Ru lon g an d t h e Im p er ial

M yst ical Acad em y’s t eam lead er t ilt ed t h eir h ead s in r esp on se as w ell.
“Pay at t en t ion .” T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or squ in t ed h is eyes. Im m ed iat ely aft er –

an d n ob od y saw h ow h e d id it – t h e fou r gold en b alls w er e t ossed in t o t h e air a t
t h e sam e t im e.
M a Xiaot ao w as alr ead y lyin g in w ait . Sh e sh ot in t o t h e air t h e m om en t t h e

St ar Lu o Em p er or m ad e h is m ove. Releasin g h er m ar t ial sou l an d u sin g sou l
sk ills w ou ld n ’t affect h er sp eed at su ch a sh or t d ist a n ce. H er ch oice w as t h e
sam e as M a Ru lon g an d Im p er ial M yst ical Acad em y’s t eam lead er , as all of t h em
leap t in t o t h e air t ow ar d s t h e fou r gold en b alls in t h e sk y as fast as t h ey cou ld .
Pr in cess J iu J iu w as t h e on ly on e t h at d id n ’t m ove an in ch – sh e ju st st ood

t h er e w it h a gr in on h er face.
M a Xiaot ao lived u p t o h er st at u s as Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam lead er . On e

sh ou ld n ’t u n d er est im at e h er ju st b ecau se sh e w as a gir l– h er en ch an t in g figu r e
w as lik e a sp r in g as sh e sh ot u p in t o t h e air . Sh e cau gh t t h e t in y b all in an
in st an t b efor e sh e d r ift ed b ack d ow n . As sh e w as d escen d in g, t h e Im p er ial
M yst ical Acad em y’s t eam lead er an d M a Ru lon g cau gh t t h eir s r esp ect ively,
w h ile Pr in cess J iu J iu casu ally r each ed ou t t o cat ch t h e last r em ain in g gold en
b all as it d r op p ed d ow n .
A fain t sm ile ap p ear ed on h er face. Sh e glan ced at t h e t in y b all in h er h an d s.

Even t h ou gh sh e w as t h e last on e t o cat ch t h e b all, sh e w as t h e fir st t o r ep or t .
“On e.”
M a Ru lon g said , “T w o.”
M a Xiaot ao st ar ed st r aigh t at Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s face. “On e.”
Even t h ou gh t h e Im p er ial M yst ical Acad em y h ad yet t o r ep or t t h eir n u m b er ,

t h e r esu lt s of t h e b allot w er e d ecid ed . Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld face off again st t h e
St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y t od ay, w h ile t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y w ou ld go again st t h e Im p er ial M yst ical Acad em y.
Aft er t h e St a r Lu o Em p er or p er son ally ch eck ed t h e lot n u m b er s, h e

an n ou n ced t h e r esu lt s t o t h e au d ien ce. T h e au d ien ce r oar ed w it h a m ix of
excit em en t an d su r p r ise t h e m om en t t h ey h ear d t h eir h om e t eam w as u p again st
Sh r ek Acad em y.
On t h e su r face, it ap p ear ed as if M a Xiaot ao d r ew t h e b et t er n u m b er for Sh r ek

Acad em y. Accor d in g t o W an g Yan ’s an a lysis t h e p r eviou s d ay, t h e t eam fr om
St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y w as t h e w eak est on e am on gst t h e fin al fou r t eam s.
T h e sem ifin als an d t h e fin als follow ed t h e sam e r u les as t h e p r eviou s

elim in at ion r ou n d s an d w er e car r ied ou t over t w o d ays, w it h b ot h gr ou p
elim in at ion r ou n d s a n d sin gle elim in a t io n r ou n d s. T h e on ly d iffer en ce w as t h a t
b ot h r ou n d s h ad t o b e w on b efor e t h ey cou ld ad van ce. If b ot h p ar t ies w on on e
r ou n d each , t h e for m at w ou ld b e ch an ged t o a 2-2-3 r ou n d . T h is m ean t t h at
w in n in g t h e gr ou p b at t le n o lon ger gave a t eam an y ad van t age.
W h ile t h e sem i-fin als w er e h eld t h r ou gh ou t t h e cou r se of a d ay w it h b r eak s in

t h e m id d le, t h e fin a ls’ gr ou p elim in at io n , sin gle elim in at ion an d 2-2-3 r ou n d s
w er e t o b e com p let ed in on e go. In t h e en d , it w ou ld n ’t ju st b e a b at t le of
st r en gt h – it w ou ld b ecom e a b at t le of at t r it ion , en d u r an ce a n d d et er m in at ion .
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sm iled an d said , “I h op e all fou r t eam s w ill give t h eir

b est in t h e su b seq u en t r ou n d s of t h e com p et it ion . T h e b allot in g h as b een
con clu d ed , so m ak e you r p r ep ar at ion s. Sh r ek Acad em y an d t h e St ar Lu o
Nat ion al Acad em y w ill st ar t off t od ay’s gr ou p b at t les, an d t h e secon d m at ch w ill
b e b et w een t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y an d t h e Im p er ial
M yst ical Acad em y.”
M a Xiaot ao r et u r n ed t o t h e r est in g ar ea. W an g Yan w as t h e fir st t o st ep u p as

h e low er ed h is voice an d said , “Xiaot ao – w h at d o you feel ab ou t t h e p r in cess
fr om t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e?”
M a Xiaot ao sh ook h er h ead an d r ep lied , “I can ’t see t h r ou gh h er . Sh e’s ver y

com p licat ed . I h ad h op ed t o gau ge h er m ast er y t h r ou gh h er p h ysical st r en gt h
d u r in g t h e lot d r aw in g, b u t sh e d id n ’t m ove at all. Sh e d id n ’t act ivat e an y sou l
p ow er eit h er , an d t h er e w as n o w ay I cou ld d iscer n h er a b ilit ies. Yu h ao, t r y
u sin g Sp ir it u al Det ect ion .”
H u o Yu h ao’s eyeb r ow s cr eased as h e said , “I’ve alr ead y t r ied . H ow ever , t h e

p r in cess seem s t o b e car r yin g som e sor t of sp ecial it em . W h en m y Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion lan d ed on h er b od y, t h er e w as a m yst er iou s layer t h at b lock ed m e. I
cou ld n ’t d et ect h er sou l p ow er ’s cir cu lat ion or p r ed ict h er act ion s. M y Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion is also affect ed w h en t h e gap in m ast er y is t oo gr eat .”
At t h is p oin t , ever yb od y cir cled ar ou n d a s t h e sem i-fin als w er e ab ou t t o b egin .

T h er e w as a su d d en an d u n for eseen ch an ge in cir cu m st an ces w it h t h eir
op p on en t s, an d t h is w asn ’t good n ew s at all for Sh r ek Acad em y. T h ey w er en ’t
even all fr om t h e official t eam .
W an g Yan ’s exp r ession w as solem n as h e said , “W e w ill follow t h e or igin a l

p lan . Don ’t t h in k t oo m u ch ab ou t t h is, an d t r u st you r ow n a b ilit ies. M a Xiaot ao
an d Yu eh en g w ill an ch or t h e sin gle elim in at ion r ou n d s. Even if Pr in cess J iu J iu
is a p ow er fu l Sou l Em p er or , w e m u st n ot let ou r self-con fid en ce fall. Sin ce t h is is
t h e case, w in n in g t h e gr ou p b at t le is a m u st . I w ill an n ou n ce t h e or d er of b at t le
for t h e gr ou p elim in at ion r ou n d .”
“M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, Lin g Lu och en , Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, H u o Yu h ao, an d

W an g Don g. T h e seven of you w ill st ar t t h e b at t le. W e can ’t let an yt h in g go
w r on g in t h e gr ou p b at t le. I h ave a feelin g t h at St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y w ill
h ave som e sor t of ad van t age in t h e 2-2-3 b at t le. If w e lose t h e gr ou p b at t le, t h e
com p et it ion m ay slip ou t of ou r con t r ol.”
Ever yb od y n od d ed t h eir h ead s as H e Cait ou an d J ian g Nan n an exch an ged a

look . T h ey b ot h saw t h e su r p r ise in each ot h er ’s eyes; t h ey h ad assu m ed t h at
t h ey w ou ld b e p ar t of t h e lin eu p for t h e gr ou p b at t le. H e Cait ou ’s b at t le p r ow ess
w it h h is sou l t ools w as alr ead y p r oven in t h e p r ev iou s r o u n d s, w h ile J ian g
Nan n an ’s close-com b at ab ilit ies w er e in cr ed ib le as w ell. Even Sou l Kin gs w ou ld
fin d it h ar d t o figh t h er if t h ey let h er get close. H ow ever , W an g Yan ch oosin g
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g t o figh t in t h is cr u cial gr ou p b at t le w as u n exp ect ed
for ever yon e.
W an g Yan st ep p ed in fr on t of H u o Yu h ao an d low er ed h is voice. “It ’s fin e if

you d on ’t figh t , b u t t h e m om en t you m ak e a m ove, you h ave t o b e con fid en t of
vict or y. I t r u st you k n ow w h at I’m t r yin g t o say.”
“Yes.” H u o Yu h ao n od d ed cu r t ly.
W an g Yan t ook a d eep b r eat h as h e r each ed ou t h is r igh t h an d , p alm face

d ow n . “I’ve said t h is b efor e, k id s. You gu ys h ave alr ead y exceed ed all
exp ect at ion s, an d fou gh t in all t h e p r eviou s r ou n d s su ccessfu lly. W h et h er ou r
glor y w ill con t in u e t od ay in t od ay’s b at t le is en t ir ely u p t o you . I h ave d on e all I
can as t h e t each er in ch ar ge. Now , I can on ly p r ay for ever yon e fr om t h e sid e of
t h e st age. You gu ys w ill b e t h e h er oes of Sh r ek r egar d less of w h et h er w e w in or
lose. Do w at ch ou t for Pr in cess J iu J iu – if I’m n ot w r on g, h er m ar t ial sou l
sh ou ld b e t h e St ar cr ow n .”
H an d aft er h an d w a s st ack ed on t op of W an g Yan ’s, on e aft er an ot h er . M a
Xiaot ao w as t h e last t o ext en d h er r igh t h an d . Sh e glan ced a t W an g Yan w it h a
ser iou s look an d said , “T each er W an g Yan , I k n ow you ar e t r yin g t o b olst er ou r
figh t in g sp ir it . Don ’t w or r y– as m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y, ou r d et er m in at ion
t o gu ar d ou r acad em y’s glor y is n o less t h an t h e ot h er s. Even if w e h ave t o u se
ou r lives t o fu el t h e flam es of Sh r ek ’s glor y, w e w ill n ever let it b u r n ou t .”
“T o vict or y!” Ever yb od y r oar ed ou t in u n ison . T h e flam es of t h eir figh t in g

sp ir it s er u p t ed in an in st an t .
Com p ar ed t o Sh r ek Acad em y’s en er get ic au r a, t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y

ap p ear ed t o b e a lot q u iet er an d calm er . T h e p ar t icip an t s of t h is r ou n d st ep p ed
u p on e aft er an ot h er . Pr in cess J iu J iu , w h o w as st an d in g at t h e for efr on t ,
glan ced at Sh r ek Acad em y casu ally. T h e fir st p er son t h at sh e sear ch ed for
w asn ’t Sh r ek ’s t ea m lead er , M a Xiaot ao. In st ead , sh e w a s look in g for H u o
Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao w as glan cin g over t ow ar d s t h eir cam p at t h e sam e t im e, an d t h eir

eyes m et at t h at ver y in st an t . H u o Yu h ao w as sligh t ly t ak en ab ack as h e r ealized ,
t o h is ast on ish m en t , t h at t h e d ign ified p r in cess’ eyes b et r a yed a p r ovocat ive
u n d er t on e.
“W h y is sh e t r yin g t o p r ovok e m e? I d on ’t t h in k I’ll b e t h e on e figh t in g h er .”
H u o Yu h ao w as a lit t le b affled . H is eyes sq u in t ed a lit t le as t h ey sp ar k led w it h

a gr een ligh t . T h e t w o p ar t ies m ay h ave b een a w or ld ap ar t in m ast er y, b u t t h at
sin gle flash of ligh t in h is eyes sen t a ch ill u p Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s sp in e.
“Par t icip an t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y, St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y, p lease st ep

on st age.” T h e ju d ge r esp on sib le for t od ay’s gr ou p b at t le w as t h e H eaven fien d
Dou lu o fr om b efor e.
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or h ad alr ead y r et u r n ed t o t h e im p er ial p alace u n d er t h e

p r ot ect ion of t h e ot h er t h r ee T it led Dou lu o, an d w as w at ch in g t h e st age fr om
t h e t op of t h e cit y w a ll.
M a Xiaot ao w alk ed in fr on t w it h Dai Yu eh en g, Lin g Lu och en , Bei Bei, Xu
San sh i, H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g follow in g closely b eh in d as b ot h p ar t ies
st ep p ed on t o t h e com p et it ion st age at t h e sam e t im e.
T h e sem i-fin a ls h a d yet t o b egin , b u t t h e sh ar p sm ell of fir ew or k s d r ift ed

t h r ou gh t h e air as b o t h p ar t ies eyed each ot h er .
Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s eyes ch an ged as w ell. H er or igin ally b r igh t b lu e eyes b egan

t o em an at e a p ale gold en r ad ian ce. H er ga ze felt as vast as t h e ocean .
On t h e ot h er sid e, M a Xiaot ao’s eyes w er e lik e t w o r agin g flam es, an d t h e

scor ch in g au r a t h at sh e let off gave h er op p on en t s an in t en se p r essu r e.
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lou ’s sw ep t h is eyes acr oss M a Xiaot ao’s b od y, an d

b et r ayed a sin gle t r a ce of ast on ish m en t b efor e h is exp r ession qu ick ly r et u r n ed
t o n or m al. H is face w as cold as h e said , “St ep b ack . Befor e I an n ou n ce t h e
b egin n in g of t h e con t est , n ob od y is allow ed t o r elease t h eir m ar t ial sou ls.”
Bot h p ar t ies st ep p ed u p t o t h eir r esp ect ive cor n er s, b u t t h eir eyes h ad n ever
left each ot h er sin ce t h e st ar t . W h ile r et r eat in g, b ot h t eam s’ for m at ion s sw ift ly
ch an ged .
Sh r ek Acad em y t ook u p a d iffer en t for m at ion t h an t h e on e t h ey h ad alw ays

u sed . Dai Yu eh en g an d M a Xiaot ao t ook t h e lead a s p er u su al, b u t Xu San sh i
st ood b eh in d t h em gu ar d in g Lin g Lu och en , w h o st ood b eh in d h im . H u o Yu h ao
an d W an g Don g st ood sid e b y sid e b eh in d Lin g Lu och en . Bei Bei w a s u p at t h e
fr on t b esid e M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g, est ab lish in g a t h r ee-p r on ged
p ow er fu l at t ack for ce.
T h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y also h ad a u n iq u e for m at ion . Six p eop le

for m ed a t r ian gle, w it h on e p er son in fr on t an d t w o m em b er s b eh in d t h em ,
follow ed b y t h r ee m or e m em b er s st an d in g b eh in d t h em . Pr in cess J iu J iu st ood
b eh in d t h is t r ian gle for m ed b y t h ese six p eop le. T h e gold en flash es in h er eyes
gr ew st r on ger , as if sh e w er e t h e gen er a l of t h e com p an y.
Xu San sh i w a t ch ed t h e p r in cess w it h a gr in . H is eyes d ar t ed b ack an d for t h
fr om h er as a m isch ievou s sm ile sn u ck u p on h is face.
Peop le w er e alr ead y fam iliar w it h t h e p ow er fu l effect s of h is M yst er iou s

Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t . St ill, b ein g fam iliar d id n ’t m ean t h at t h ey w ou ld n ’t
fall for t h e sam e t r ick – ju st lik e w h en Sh r ek Acad em y faced off again st J u st sk y
Acad em y in t h e p r ev iou s r ou n d .
Ever yb od y t h ou gh t t h at Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld n ’t u se t h e sa m e t act ics again .

H ow ever , t h e m om en t h e st ep p ed u p , Xu San sh i p layed t h e sam e t r ick w it h ou t
h esit at ion , an d for cefu lly sw ap p ed Ye W u q in g in t o h is ow n for m at ion .
Ye W u qin g w asn ’t given a ch an ce at all b efor e h e w as t r am p led over . Not

ever y p ar t icip at in g p ar t y h ad an exp en sive d isp osab le sou l t ool lik e t h e
In vin cib le Bar r ier . Xu San sh i, t h at in d ecen t fellow , t r igger ed t h e M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld Qu ak e aft er sw ap p in g w it h h is op p on en t t o slow t h e ot h er s d ow n .
H e h ad t h en leap t off t h e st age b efor e h is op p on en t s cou ld su r r ou n d h im .
J u st sk y Acad em y d id n ’t st an d a ch a n ce w it h ou t Ye W u qin g, an d t h e
r em ain d er of t h e con t est b ecam e a w alk in t h e p ar k .
Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s b r ow s cr eased as sh e w at ch ed t h e eager look on Xu San sh i’s

face. It w as clear t h at sh e w as w ar y of sou l sk ills t h at w er e h ar d t o h an d le lik e
t h e M yst er iou s Net h er w or ld Disp lacem en t .
“Begin .” J u st as b ot h p ar t ies w er e closely ob ser vin g ea ch ot h er , t h e

H eaven fien d Dou lu o an n ou n ced t h e st ar t of t h e com p et it ion as a sin gle r ay of
gold en ligh t sh ot a cr oss t h e cen t er of t h e st age. In ju st a sp lit secon d , t h e
p ow er fu l T it led Dou lu o d isap p ear ed w it h ou t a t r ace.
T h e r eact ion s of b ot h p ar t ies w er e ext r em ely qu ick , an d ever yon e r eleased

t h eir m ar t ial sou ls at t h e fir st p ossib le in st an t .
H u o Yu h ao u n leash ed h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion at on ce, an d cast h is gaze

t ow ar d s Pr in cess J iu J iu . H e w as ver y cu r iou s– w h a t w as h er m ar t ial sou l,
exact ly? W an g Yan d id n ’t h ave en ou gh t im e t o exp lain it t o t h em in d et ail, an d
all h e said w as t h a t t h e Pr in cess w as an a u xiliar y-t yp e b at t le sou l m ast er .
“Doesn ’t t h at m ean t h at sh e’s a t ool sou l m ast er ?” H u o Yu h ao alr ead y h ad h is

d ou b t s b ack t h en , b u t h e d id n ’t h ave t im e t o t h in k t oo m u ch b efor e h e h a d t o
get on st age.
A sin gle r ay of gold en ligh t lit u p on Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s for eh ead . It w as a

gold en , d iam on d -sh ap ed jew el. H u o Yu h ao im m ed ia t ely t h ou gh t ab ou t h is Eye
of Life t h e m om en t h e n ot iced t h e p osit ion of t h at jew el – w a sn ’t it od d ly sim ila r
t o t h e p osit ion of h is Eye of Life?
H ow ever , Pr in cess J iu J iu d id n ’t h ave a t h ir d eye. T h e gold en d iam on d -

sh ap ed jew el st ar t ed t o r a d iat e b r illian t gold en ligh t t h e m om en t it ap p ear ed
b efor e p r oceed in g t o leave h er for eh ead an d d r ift u p w ar d s w it h r ays of gold en
ligh t en cir clin g it . A m agn ificen t cr ow n glim m er ed ab ove h er h ead ju st lik e t h a t
b efor e it d escen d ed a n d lan d ed gen t ly on h er h ead .
T h is cr ow n seem ed t o h ave b een for m ed b y cou n t less st ar s, w it h all t h e st a r s

sh im m er in g w it h a gold en h u e. W it h t h e d iam on d -sh ap ed st on e at t h e fr on t of
t h e for m at ion , t h e st ar s sw ift ly r et r ea t ed as eigh t een r elat ively b igger st ar s on
t h e cr ow n flew u p t o for m an exq u isit e t ip .
T h e St ar cr ow n . T h is w as Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s m ar t ial sou l.
T w o yellow , t w o p u r p le an d sin gle b lack sou l r in g ap p ear ed ar ou n d t h e

p r in cess’ b od y– sh e w as a p ow er fu l Sou l Kin g.
T h e six ot h er s in fr on t of Pr in cess J iu J iu w er e all t h e sam e op p on en t s t h at

W an g Yan h ad p r eviou sly exp lain ed t o t h e m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y in d et ail.
T h ey r eleased t h eir m ar t ial sou ls on e b y on e; t h ey t oo w er e all Sou l Kin gs.
Su r p r isin gly, t h e lin eu p fr om t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y w as com p r ised

en t ir ely of Sou l Kin gs.
Xu San sh i’s m ar t ia l sou l w as alr ead y u n leash ed . As if h e w as afr aid of ot h er s
n ot k n ow in g, h e r oar ed in t o t h e sk y, “M yst er iou s Net h er w or ld Disp lacem en t !”
T h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an w u T u r t le er u p t ed w it h b lack ligh t – an d t h e r ays of

ligh t w er e p oin t in g r igh t t ow ar d Pr in cess J iu J iu .
At t h is m om en t , t h e St ar cr ow n on Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s h ead b u r st w it h ligh t as

w ell. T h e t h ir d r in g on h er b od y lit u p as a flar in g p illar of gold en ligh t sh ot u p
in t o t h e sk y.
T h e in n er r egion s of t h e gold en p illar of ligh t w as filled w it h a gold en -color ed

m ist w it h sp eck s of st ar ligh t sp ir a lin g u p t ow ar d s t h e sk y– it w as m yst ical sigh t .
It w as im p ossib le t o fat h om w h at t h e effect s of t h is sou l sk ill w er e fr om it s
ap p ear an ce.
T h e Sh r ek Acad em y t eam ch ar ged for w ar d at on ce. M a Xiaot ao t ook t h e lead ,

w h ile Dai Yu eh en g an d Bei Bei follow ed closely b eh in d . Lin g Lu och en ’s Icy St aff
w as on ce again in h er h an d s as sh e r aised it h igh over h er h ead . A d en se an d
ch illy m ist p er m eat ed t h eir su r r ou n d in gs an d en velop ed Xu San sh i, H u o Yu h ao,
W an g Don g an d h er self. T h is p at ch of icy m ist b egan t o sp r ead t ow ar d s b ot h
en d s of t h e ar en a w it h d azzlin g sp eed , an d for m ed a gigan t ic sh r ou d t h at slow ly
clam p ed d ow n on t h eir op p on en t s. All fou r of t h em w er e com p let ely h id d en
w it h in t h is icy m ist .
T h is w as Lin g Lu och en ’s fou r t h sou l sk ill, an d sh e h a d n ever u sed it b efor e

u n t il n ow .
“J u st k id d in g.” Befor e h e w as sw allow ed b y t h e icy m ist , Xu San sh i w aved at

t h e p r in cess, as h e n ever in t en d ed t o u se t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld
Disp lacem en t .
Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s fa ce fr oze as sh e sh ot a cold look at h im . T h e gold en ligh t

m ist t h at w as r isin g in t o t h e a ir st ar t ed t o sp r ead in all d ir ect ion s an d b lan k et ed
h er six t eam m at es.
In t h e n ext in st an t , ever y m em b er fr om t h e St a r Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y w as
cover ed w it h a layer of gold en ligh t . T h e gold en r ad ian ce ar ou n d Pr in cess J iu
J iu ’s b od y h ad n ’t d issip at ed yet as st a r ligh t con t in u ed t o su r ge ou t of h er
St ar cr ow n .
M a Xiaot ao w as ligh t n in g fast , an d sh ot t o t h e fr on t of h er op p on en t s’

for m at ion in t h e b lin k of an eye. Blazin g p h oen ix flam es su r ged in t o t h e sk y as
sh e ext en d ed h er en or m ou s p h oen ix w in gs an d b last ed h er Ph oen ix Fir elin e
t ow ar d s t h e Sou l Kin g r igh t in fr on t of h er .
T h is Sou l Kin g’s n am e w as H u an g H eyu n . T h e fact t h at h e w as st an d in g in

fr on t n at u r ally m ea n t t h at h e w as an a ssau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er . Befor e Pr in cess
J iu J iu ’s ap p ear an ce, h e h ad b een t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y’s t eam lead er .
H u an g H eyu n ’s m ar t ial sou l w as also ext r em ely fear som e. Follow in g t h e

r elease of h is m ar t ial sou l, d en se b lack en er gy st ar t ed sw ir lin g ar ou n d h is b od y,
an d h is b od y su d d en ly er u p t ed in size. H is m u scles gr ew an d b ecam e m or e
d efin ed , w h ile a “Kin g” ch ar act er ap p ear ed on h is h ead , sim ilar t o Dai Yu eh en g.
T h e d iffer en ce b et w een t h e t w o of t h em w as t h at t h e h air all over H u an g
H eyu n ’s b od y w asn ’t w h it e or a yellow -ch alk color . In st ead , it w as b lack , ju st
p u r e b lack .
H is m ar t ia l sou l w as t h e Dar k d em on T iger . It w as a r ar e d ar k n ess-t yp e

m ar t ial sou l, b u t h e w asn ’t an evil sou l m ast er . T h e fear som e p ow er of d ar k n ess
im b u ed h im w it h n a t u r al p r ow ess t h at w as n ot m u ch in fer ior t o Dai Yu eh en g’s
W h it e T iger .
At t h is m om en t , a m ist of gold en ligh t d iffu sed fr om b eh in d h is b ack , fu sin g

t oget h er w it h h is b lack sou l p ow er . T h e ligh t d id n ’t clash w it h t h e d ar k n ess –
in st ead , it p ain t ed h is sou l p ow er a d u ll gold en h u e t h a t flick er ed w it h sp ecs of
st ar ligh t , cau sin g h is b od y t o n o lon ger b e ju st p u r e b lack . It w as p ecu liar .
H u an g H eyu n h ow led in t o t h e sk y as h e faced M a Xiaot ao’s Ph oen ix Fir elin e.

H e r u sh ed for w ar d w it h ou t h esit at ion an d p u n ch ed ou t w it h h is fist . H is fir st
sou l r in g r ad iat ed w it h yellow ligh t , an d a d u ll-gold en a r c of ligh t w it h a
d iam et er of over on e m et er in st an t ly b u r st ou t in t o t h e sk y.
Sp ar k s cr ack led an d flew , b u t t h e Ph oen ix Fir elin e w as su r p r isin gly n ot ab le

t o p ier ce even a sin gle in ch t h r ou gh t h at ar c of ligh t b efor e it w as st op p ed in it s
t r ack s. It w as t h e Da r k d em on T iger ’s fir st sou l sk ill – Ap h ot ic Dar k w ave.
M a Xiaot ao w as st ill a lit t le b ew ild er ed b y w h at h ad ju st t ak en p lace b efor e

t h e Ap h ot ic Dar k w ave, w h ich n ow flar ed w it h a fier y r ed color d u e t o t h e
Ph oen ix Fir elin e, ar r ived b efor e h er .
Even t h ou gh t h e Ph oen ix Fir elin e u n d er t h e Soar in g Ph oen ix’s am p lificat ion

w as on ly M a Xiaot ao’s fir st sou l sk ill, sh e w as a p ow er fu l Sou l Em p er or w it h
ext r em ely solid fou n d at ion s. H ow cou ld h er op p on en t even com p ar e t o h er ?
Non et h eless, h er op p on en t st ill m a n aged t o fen d off h er Ph oen ix Fir elin e w it h
ju st h is ow n fir st sou l sk ill.
H ow ever , t h e Ap h ot ic Dar k w ave w as r igh t b efor e h er eyes, a n d sh e n o lon ger

h ad t im e t o con t em p lat e. M a Xiaot ao h eld ou t h er r igh t p a lm ou t again st t h e
Ap h ot ic Dar k w ave, an d it sh at t er ed in t o p ieces in an in st a n t w it h a “p u ff”
sou n d . M a Xiaot ao’s r igh t h an d flar ed w it h r agin g flam es on ce m or e as
ab u n d an t p h oen ix flam es p ou r ed ou t an d su r ged t ow ar d s h er op p on en t – t h is
w as h er secon d sou l sk ill, t h e Ph oen ix Ba p t ism .
Faced w it h M a Xiaot ao’s fer ociou s on slau gh t , H u an g H eyu n m ad e a r et r ea t in g

m ot ion as h is b od y ap p ear ed t o sit d ow n . H is t h ir d sou l r in g lit u p , an d h is sou l
p ow er , w h ich sp ar k led w it h d u ll-gold en st ar ligh t , accom p a n ied a b r igh t t iger
r oar as it su r ged ou t as w ell an d t r an sfor m ed in t o t h e for m of a t iger w h ile it
cr ash ed t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao’s p h oen ix flam es.
T h is w as t h e t h ou sa n d -year sou l sk ill of h is t h ir d sou l r in g– t h e Dem on t iger ’s

H eaven sh ock .
M a Xiaot ao’s sen sat ion s w er e m u ch m or e acu t e as t h ey clash ed on ce m or e at

close qu ar t er s. Sh e d iscover ed t h at w h en h er op p on en t ’s sou l sk ills collid ed w it h
h er p h oen ix flam es, t h e gold en st ar ligh t in h er op p on en t ’s sou l sk ills w ou ld
b r eak ou t fir st . T h ose t in y sp eck s of st ar ligh t w er e lik e m in iat u r e b om b s t h at
con t in u ou sly d et on at ed in sid e h er p h oen ix flam es, an d t h ese u n assu m in g
exp losiven ess act u a lly gr in d ed d ow n M a Xiaot ao’s offen sive p ow er . T h e fu ll
for ce of H u an g H eyu n ’s sou l sk ills clash ed w it h M a Xiaot a o’s p h oen ix flam es
on ly aft er t h e d am p en in g of t h e gold en st ar ligh t .
T h is sh ock in g r ealizat ion cau sed M a Xiaot ao t o cast an ast on ish ed look at
Pr in cess J iu J iu b eh in d h er op p on en t . W h at k in d of m ar t ial sou l w as t h at ? Sh e
cou ld act u a lly p r ovid e su ch p ow er fu l gr ou p au xiliar y su p p or t for h er en t ir e
t eam . T h is r ivalled t h e effect s of even t h e Seven T r ea su r es Glazed Pagod a,
w h ich w as w id ely cla im ed t o b e t h e m ost p ow er fu l au xiliar y-t yp e m ar t ial sou l.
M a Xiaot ao con cen t r at ed as sh e sear ch ed h er m in d for a su it ab le an sw er t o

t h e St ar cr ow n . As a st u d en t fr om Sh r ek Acad em y, M a Xiaot ao’s k n ow led ge w as
esp ecially ab u n d an t , an d sh e fin ally r ecalled w h at t h e St a r cr ow n m ar t ial sou l
w as.
T h is m ar t ial sou l w as sim p ly t oo r ar e in t h e con t in en t , even t h ou gh it h a d

exist ed for a lon g t im e. T h e n u m b er of t im es it h a d ap p ear ed in t h e p ast
t h ou san d year s w as ju st t oo few , an d t h u s it w as for got t en . St ill, on e of t h e
lesson s sh e h ad on ce t ak en in Sh r ek Acad em y h ad in t r od u ced t h e St ar cr ow n
b efor e. H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao h ad sp en t t oo lit t le t im e in t h e
acad em y, an d h ad yet t o r each t h at level.
T h e St ar cr ow n m ar t ial sou l u sed t o b e h eld in h igh r egar d w it h in t h e Dou lu o

Con t in en t . It h ad b een ar ou n d sin ce m or e t h an t en t h ou sa n d year s ago, an d
cou ld b e con sid er ed t h e m ost an cien t am on gst t h e t op -r an k ed m ar t ial sou ls.
Over t en t h ou san d year s ago, t h e en t it y t h at h an d led sou l m ast er s w as a n

or gan izat ion called t h e Sou l H all. Back t h en , t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e an d t h e
H eaven Dou Em p ir e, t h e on ly t w o m ost p ow er fu l em p ir es a t t h at t im e, h ad t o
p an d er t o t h em . T h e Sou l H a ll on ce p ossessed six esp ecia lly p ow er fu l m ar t ia l
sou ls, an d each on e of t h em r esp ect ively r ep r esen t ed t h e m ost p ow er fu l en t it ies
in t h e w or ld at t h at t im e. On e of t h em w a s t h e St ar cr ow n .
T h e H eaven Dou Em p ir e an d t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e h ad t h r ee seat s each b ack
t h en , an d t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s r oyal fam ily w as st ill t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s
b lood lin e. H ow ever , t h e W h it e T iger m ar t ial sou l w asn ’t on e of t h e six gr eat
m ar t ial sou ls. In st ea d , t h e St ar cr ow n m a r t ial sou l w as t h e st r on gest of t h e t h r ee
seat s t h a t b elon ged t o t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e.
T h e on ly p r ob lem w as t h at t h e St ar cr ow n b lood lin e’s in h er it an ce w as t h in ,

an d t h u s it w as r ar ely seen on t h e con t in en t . It w as sim ilar t o a h id d en sect .
Over fou r t h ou san d year s ago, t h e Su n M oon Con t in en t collid ed an d m er ged
w it h t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t , even t u ally in st igat in g t h e con flict b et w een t h e Su n
M oon Em p ir e an d t h e em p ir es t h at r esid ed w it h in t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t . T h e
St ar Lu o Em p ir e t ook t h e lead an d ab sor b ed m ost of t h e ext er n al p r essu r e,
cau sin g t h e W h it e T iger Du k e b lood lin e an d t h e r oyal fam ily t o alm ost b e d r iven
t o ext in ct ion . Du r in g t h is p er iod , t h e St a r cr ow n sect st ep p ed ou t of r eclu sion t o
u n ify an d lead t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s ar m ies in a valian t effor t again st t h eir
en em ies. Aft er in t en se an d fear som e b at t les d id t h ey m an age t o d efen d t h e St ar
Lu o Em p ir e an d con solid at e t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s p osit ion as t h e lead in g
sover eign t y am on gst t h e t h r ee n at ion s w it h in t h e or igin al Dou lu o Con t in en t .
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e b lood lin e w an ed , an d w as left w it h a m eager lin eage. T h e
p osit ion of t h e r oyal fam ily w as p assed on , an d t h e St ar cr ow n b lood lin e t ook
over as t h e n ew lea d er s of St ar Lu o Em p ir e. Of cou r se, t h e n ew r oyalt y d id n ot
ch oose t o em p loy an y u n d er h an d ed t act ics again st t h e W h it e T iger Du k e
b lood lin e. T h ey w on over t h eir cit izen s’ h ear t s an d m in d s an d su cceed ed t h e
t h r on e via p r op er m ean s, w h ich cau sed t h e em p ir e t o flou r ish for over a
t h ou san d year s.
Even if t h e Dou Lin g Em p ir e an d t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e for m ed a

coalit ion , t h eir com b in ed p ow er w ou ld st ill n ot b e en ou gh t o com p ar e w it h t h e
St ar Lu o Em p ir e.
T h e St ar cr ow n b lood lin e m an aged t o t u r n t h e t id e all t h ose year s ago, an d

t h is w en t t o sh ow t h eir ext r aor d in ar y p ow er . In t er m s of p u r e au xiliar y
cap ab ilit ies, t h e St ar cr ow n w as p r ob ab ly in fer ior t o t h e Seven T r easu r es Glazed
Pagod a. H ow ever , t h e St a r cr ow n w asn ’t ju st ab ou t su p p or t – it p ossessed
in cr ed ib le figh t in g p ow er , an d even it s au xiliar y cap ab ilit ies lean ed en t ir ely
t ow ar d s b oost in g figh t in g p ow er . T h is w as vast ly d iffer en t fr om t h e Seven
T r easu r es Glazed Pagod a’s over all cap ab ilit ies. It cou ld b e said t h at t h e
St ar cr ow n m ar t ial sou l exist ed p u r ely for b at t le.
Ever sin ce t h e St ar cr ow n sect t ook over St ar Lu o Em p ir e, t h ey b ecam e low -

p r ofile on ce m or e. T h e p assage of a few t h ou san d year s cau sed p eop le t o for get
t h at t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s r oyal fam ily w as on e of t h e m or e p ow er fu l sou l
m ast er sect s in t h e p ast , an d t h e St a r cr ow n m ar t ial sou l w as n ever seen again in
t h e ou t sid e w or ld for m an y year s.
Even t h ou gh M a Xiaot ao w as r ecallin g t h is in for m at ion r egar d in g t h e

St ar cr ow n m ar t ial sou l, h er m ovem en t s d id n ot slow d ow n at all. H er
op p on en t ’s Dem on t iger ’s H eaven sh ock t h at w as am p lified b y Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s
t h ir d sou l sk ill, t h e St ar glor y Sp ell, u lt im at ely b r ok e t h r ou gh t h e Ph oen ix
Bap t ism ’s flam es an d r each ed M a Xiaot ao.
M a Xiaot ao gr u n t ed cold ly. In st ea d of r et r eat in g, sh e ch ose t o ad van ce, an d

r u sh ed t ow ar d t h e Dar k d em on T iger ’s ligh t sh a d ow . Sh e r oa r ed in t o t h e sk y a s
sh e ext en d ed h er fier y w in gs. In t h is m om en t , M a Xiaot ao’s en t ir e b ein g
ap p ear ed t o t r an sfor m in t o a r eal fir e p h oen ix. T h e p h oen ix flam es’ sear in g r ed
color s w er e r aised t o a w h it e in can d escen ce, an d t h e in st an t ou t b u r st of h eat
cau sed even Dai Yu eh en g an d Bei Bei t o d ist an ce t h em selves fr om M a Xiaot ao.
T h e b list er in g flam es scor ch ed t h e Dar k d em on T iger ’s ligh t sh ad ow in an
in st an t . M a Xiaot a o’s b od y flash ed on ce m or e, an d sh e closed in on h er
op p on en t w h ile lau n ch in g an ot h er st r eam of Ph oen ix Fir elin e. T h is t im e, t h e
p h oen ix flam es h ad t h e sam e w h it e in can d escen t h u e.
Nor m ally, sh e w ou ld n ’t d a r e t o r a ise h er p h oen ix flam es’ p ow er s t o su ch a

level lik e sh e d id ju st n ow . T h e r ea son for t h a t w as b ecau se u n leash in g t h e
p h oen ix flam es lik e t h is m ad e h er h igh ly su scep t ib le t o a b ack lash fr om t h e evil
fir e w it h in h er b od y. If sh e d id n ’t h an d le it cor r ect ly, sh e h a d a h igh ch an ce of
losin g h er m in d again .
M a Xiaot ao w asn ’t a fr aid t h is t im e, as sh e h ad an Ult im a t e Ice m ar t ial sou l
m ast er b esid e h er . W it h H u o Yu h ao a r ou n d , sh e w as n o lon ger fear fu l of
su ffer in g t h e p ain fr om t h e evil fir e’s b ack lash . In fact , sh e h ad n ’t h ad an y
p r ob lem s at all sin ce t h e last t im e sh e h ad r eceived h elp .
T h e r eason w h y M a Xiaot ao cou ld b ecom e a t eam lead er an d r ep r ess Dai

Yu eh en g w as en t ir ely d u e t o h er p r ow ess. H ow cou ld Sh r ek Acad em y’s t each er s
n ot k n ow t h at sh e p ossessed a ver y im p at ien t an d sh or t -t em p er ed n a t u r e?
H ow ever , sh e w as on e of t h e m ost p ow er fu l on es am on gst h er age. Dai Yu eh en g
w as act u ally in fer ior t o h er b y an en t ir e class, an d M a Xiaot ao cou ld on ly b e
d escr ib ed as t er r ifyin g w h en sh e w as in fu ll er u p t ion m od e.
W an g Yan h ad b een r ilin g t h eir figh t in g sp ir it over t h e p ast few d ays. Even
t h ou gh sh e d id n ’t exp r ess it , h ow co u ld sh e n ot b e affect ed ? All t h e en er gy,
vigor , an d over flow in g b elliger en ce t h at sh e h ad b een su p p r essin g w er e on fu ll
d isp lay t od ay as sh e faced off again st a p ow er fu l op p on en t .
H u an g H eyu n w as sh ock ed as t h e sw elt er in g flam es b lazed b efor e h im . H e

d iscover ed , t o h is in t en se fear , t h at h e seem ed t o b e com p let ely u n ab le t o d efen d
h im self. T h e w h it e-h ot p h oen ix flam es su r r ou n d ed h im , an d all t h e air w it h in a
few m et er s of h im w as com p let ely d ist or t ed . T h e sk y-h igh t em p er at u r e of t h e
w h it e cir cle of fir e t r igger ed an d d et on a t ed t h e St a r glor y Sp ell’s en er gy in t h e
sk y, p er fect ly b lock in g off t h e St ar glor y Sp ell’s effect s. T h is m ean t t h a t t h e
St ar glor y Sp ell w as n o lon ger ab le t o p r ovid e su p p or t for h im .
J u st as H u a n g H eyu n w as in an in cr ed ib ly d an ger ou s sit u a t ion , h e felt t h e

p r essu r e lift fr om h is b od y as M a Xia ot ao’s w h it e-h ot fla m es st ar t ed t o t ilt
t ow ar d s t h e sid e b efor e t h ey b egan t o d r ift u p in t o t h e sk y.
A gir l ap p ear ed n o t far b eh in d H u an g H eyu n . H er look s w er e aver age, an d sh e

look ed lik e a sim p le an d n or m al gir l. Sh e h ad lon g d a r k -p u r p le h air b eh in d h er
b ack , an d h ad fr eck les on h er face. H er m ost d efin in g feat u r e w as h er eyes– it
seem ed as if h er eyes w er e b lazin g w it h fir e. All five of h er sou l r in gs w er e
u n d u lat in g on h er b od y as h er r igh t h an d r each ed ou t t ow ar d M a Xiaot ao’s
p h oen ix flam es in t h e d ist an ce. Sh e w a s t h e on e t h at h a d d r aw n M a Xiaot ao’s
Ph oen ix Fir elin e aw a y.
Fir e con t r ol t yp e. An exp lan at ion in st an t ly r an g ou t in M a Xia ot ao’s h ead .
W an g Yan h ad r em in d ed Sh r ek Acad em y’s st u d en t s of t h is p u r p le-h air ed

you n g gir l sp ecifically. Befor e Pr in cess J iu J iu ap p ear ed in t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al
Acad em y’s t eam , t h e t w o in d ivid u als t h a t W an g Yan w as m ost w ar y of w er e t w o
con t r ol-t yp e sou l m a st er s.
Chapt er 109.1: The Absolut e Defense and t he St ar
Pr ot ect ion
W an g Yan r efer r ed t o t h em as t h e W in d fir e Du o. T h ey b ot h w er e fem ale sou l

m ast er s w it h elem en t al m ar t ial sou ls: on e w as fir e-t yp e w h ile t h e ot h er w as
w in d -t yp e.
At t h is m om en t , Yi Ch en , t h e r an k 51 fir e con t r ol-t yp e Sou l Kin g, p r essed h er

r igh t h an d d ow n t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao. A b lazin g cir cle of ligh t in st an t ly
ap p ear ed b elow M a Xiaot ao’s feet , gen er at in g an in t en se va cu u m u n d er n eat h
h er . M a Xiaot ao su d d en ly felt h er p h oen ix flam es d r ain in g ou t fr om b elow h er
w it h u n st op p ab le m om en t u m ; t h ey w er e b ein g fr an t ically ab sor b ed b y t h e r ed
cir cle of ligh t .
T h e w eak n esses of H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g st ar t ed t o sh ow

at t h is p oin t . T h e St ar glor y Sp ell u n lea sh ed b y Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s St ar Cr ow n
in t er fer ed w it h H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion , r en d er in g h im t o b e u n ab le t o
su p p or t h is t eam m at es. Ot h er w ise, h ow cou ld M a Xiaot ao’s b at t le b e so p assive?
H u o Yu h ao w as d esp on d en t . Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s St ar Cr ow n seem ed t o cou n t er

h is Sp ir it Eyes. Of cou r se, h e w ou ld n ’t h a ve b een afr aid if t h ey w er e b ot h at t h e
sam e level of m ast er y. H ow ever , h is level of m ast er y w as gr eat ly in fer ior a t t h e
m om en t , so t h e gap in p ow er w as sim p ly t oo gr eat for h im t o over com e.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h is w as t h e case even aft er H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea r eceived a
con sid er ab le b oost – all t h is ser ved t o p r ove t h e p ow er of t h e St ar Cr ow n m ar t ia l
sou l.
W h ile M a Xiaot ao w as b ein g h eld b ack b y H u an g H eyu n an d Yi Ch en , t h e

b at t le h ad sim u lt an eou sly b egu n on t h e ot h er sid e of t h e ar en a.
Dai Yu eh en g w as faced w it h a t a ll, lan k y you t h . H is m ar t ial sou l w as a lion –
t h e Net h er w or ld Cr a zed Lion . H e w as t h e secon d -r an k ed assa u lt -t yp e Sou l Kin g
fr om t h e St ar Lu o ca m p , an d h is n am e w as Du gu Sh an gsh an .
T h e Net h er w or ld Cr azed Lion m ar t ial sou l gave Dai Yu eh en g a h ar d t im e as it

m ad e h im u n ab le t o fu lly u n leash h is st r en gt h . On ce t h e Net h er w or ld Cr azed
Lion w as at t ach ed t o h is b od y, Du gu Sh a n gsh an let off an illu sor y feelin g. W h ile
Dai Yu eh en g’s W h it e T iger m ar t ial sou l w as p ow er fu l, h is for t e w as p h ysical
assau lt . Faced w it h an op p on en t t h at w as h ar d t o h it w it h p h ysical at t ack s,
m u ch of h is st r en gt h w as b ein g n egat ed . W it h t h e su p p or t of t h e St ar glor y Sp ell,
Du gu Sh an gsh an w a s ab le t o h old off Dai Yu eh en g.
It w ou ld h ave b een a lot easier for Dai Yu eh en g if h e w as again st ju st t h e

Net h er w or ld Cr azed Lion Sou l Kin g; h e w ou ld even p r ob ab ly w in if h e p u t in a
lit t le m or e effor t . T h e p r ob lem w as t h at t h er e w as an ot h er con t r ol-t yp e b at t le
Sou l Kin g b eh in d h im – t h e p er son t h a t r ep r esen t ed W in d in t h e W in d fir e Du o.
J u st as Dai Yu eh en g u n leash ed h is W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion , h e

felt h is b od y su d d en ly fr eeze in p lace as a gr een cir cle of ligh t r ose u p fr om
b en eat h h is feet . T h e gr een cir cle of ligh t in st an t ly t r an sfor m ed in t o a m in iat u r e
t or n ad o t h at t r ap p ed h im w it h in . Even t h ou gh it d id n ’t k n ock h im off h is feet
an d t h r ow h im ar ou n d , h is su b seq u en t a ssau lt w a s cou n t er ed ju st lik e t h at .
T h e t w o Sou l Em p er or s w er e t h e m ost p ow er fu l st r ik e for ce on t h e Sh r ek

Acad em y’s t eam , b u t t h ey w er e for cib ly h eld b ack b y t h e com b in ed effor t s of
fou r Sou l Kin gs fr om t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y w it h t h e su p p or t of t h e
St ar glor y Sp ell.
Bei Bei w as also b ein g ob st r u ct ed . T h e op p on en t h e w as facin g w as an agilit y-

t yp e Sou l Kin g w h ose sp eed w as som et h in g t h at Bei Bei h a d n ever en cou n t er ed
b efor e.
H e h ad n ’t b een ab le t o see h is op p on en t clear ly sin ce t h e b egin n in g of t h e

b at t le. If M a Xiaot ao h ad n ’t b een so close, h is op p on en t w ou ld n ’t h ave d ar ed t o
d efen d again st t h e at t ack . Fu r t h er m or e, H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t ab le t o p r op er ly
u t ilize h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g. If H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as
d ir ect ed t ow ar d s h im , h e w ou ld p r ob ab ly b e in d eep t r ou b le.
In t h e eyes of t h e a u d ien ce, Bei Bei ap p ear ed t o b e su r r ou n d ed b y a b olt of

ligh t n in g t h a t flick er ed in cessan t ly. T h is b olt of ligh t n in g w as yellow , w h ich
w as in st ar k con t r a st t o b lu ish -p u r p le ligh t in g on h is b od y. Ever y t im e t h e
yellow b olt of ligh t n in g ch ar ged over , it er u p t ed w it h a fer ociou s assau lt . Bei Bei
seem ed a lit t le h ar d -p r essed as h e t r ied h is b est t o d efen d . Bei Bei w as on ly ab le
t o b ar ely h old on w it h t h e Blu e T yr an t Ligh t n in g Dr agon ’s im m en se p ow er .
H is op p on en t w as t h e on ly agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er in t h e St ar Lou Na t ion al

Acad em y’s t eam . H is n am e w as Ch en Xiaojie w h o p ossessed t h e Ligh t n in g
W ar falcon m ar t ial sou l. W h en W an g Yan w as evalu at in g t h is Sou l Kin g, h e h ad
d escr ib ed h im w it h ju st a few w or d s – t ou gh an d an n oyin g t o h an d le.
Not on ly w as t h e Ligh t n in g W a r falcon ext r em ely fast , it also p ossessed

p ow er fu l offen sive cap ab ilit ies. A lap se in con cen t r at ion w as sim p ly n ot allow ed
w h en en gagin g t h is fellow in b at t le. Bei Bei alr ead y h ad m or e t h an t en w ou n d s
on h is b od y b y t h is t im e. Even t h ou gh t h ey w er en ’t ser iou s, t h e w ou n d s
con t in u ally w eak en ed h is figh t in g st r en gt h .
Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s eyes d id n ot lin ger at t h e b at t le occu r r in g b efor e h er .

In st ead , h er eyes w er e d ir ect ed at t h e t h ick w h it e m ist t h at w as sw ift ly r ollin g
t ow ar d s t h em .
T h e cu r r en t sit u at ion w as t h at t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y u sed five

p eop le t o h old b ack t h r ee assa u lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y’s
lin eu p . In r ealit y, t h ey w er en ’t r eally at a d isad van t age, as on e cou ld say t h at M a
Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g an d Bei Bei m ad e u p seven t y p er cen t of Sh r ek Acad em y’s
figh t in g st r en gt h .
Bot h p ar t ies h a d yet t o give t h eir all as t h e b at t le con t in u ed t o u n fold . T h e

m ost fr igh t en in g a sp ect of gr ou p b at t les w as t h e su d d en ap p ear an ce of
h ar m on iou s t eam w or k . W it h su ch t eam figh t s, eit h er p ar t y w ou ld b e ab le t o t ip
t h e scale an d em er ge vict or iou s w it h a sin gle er u p t ion of exp losive p ow er .
Pr in cess J iu J iu sq u in t ed h er eyes a lit t le as sh e gr ad u ally p oin t ed h er r igh t
h an d in t o t h e sk y. A sin gle gold en sp eck of ligh t sp ar k led on h er fin ger t ip as t h e
b r illian ce of t h e St a r Cr ow n ab ove h er h ead flick er ed on ce m or e. T h is t im e, a
st r eak of gold en ligh t sh ot u p in t o t h e sk y. H ow ever , t h is w a sn ’t t h e sam e ligh t
p illar as b efor e b u t a t h in gold en t h r ead . H er fir st sou l r in g sp ar k led on w h ile
sh e con t in u ed t o m ain t ain h er t h ir d so u l r in g, w h ich p ow er ed t h e St ar glor y
Sp ell.
T h e r ay of gold en ligh t p au sed as it ap p r oach ed t h e p r ot ect ive d om e ar ou n d

t h e com p et it ion st age. Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, a sin gle b r illian t st ar ap p ear ed
ab ove Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s h ead . T h is st a r w asn ’t b ig, b u t it exu d ed a vigor ou s
r ad ian ce.
Pr in cess J iu J iu clo sed h er eyes m om en t ar ily as sh e p oin t ed t ow ar d s t h e

r ollin g Icem ist . T h e p at ch of st ar ligh t t r an sfor m ed in t o u n cou n t ab le r ays of
ligh t in t h e n ext m om en t as t h ey su r ged t ow ar d s t h e p at ch of Icem ist .
Su r p r isin gly, t h ese t h in st r eak s of ligh t w er en ’t im p ed ed b y t h e Icem ist at all.

T h ey en t er ed it w it h ext r em e ease, as t h ey w er e ju st p u r e r ays of ligh t , w it h ou t a
t r ace of offen sive p ow er .
T h e t h r ead s of ligh t glim m er ed as a va st m ajor it y of t h em van ish ed in t o t h in

air . On ly fou r st r ea k s of ligh t r em ain ed as t h ey gu id ed Pr in cess J iu J iu lik e a
b r id ge. T h ese fou r r ays of ligh t sh im m er ed w it h in t h e Icem ist w h ile t h ey p h ased
in an d ou t of sigh t .
T h is w as t h e St ar gu id in g T ech n iq u e, h er fir st sou l sk ill. Sh e su ccessfu lly

locat ed h er fou r op p on en t s h id d en w it h in t h e Icem ist w it h t h e h elp of t h e st a r ’s
gu id an ce.
W it h in t h e Icem ist , t h e fou r p eop le m ain t ain ed t h eir p osit ion s. T h e on ly

d iffer en ce w as t h at t h ey w er e closer t o t h e cen t er of t h e com p et it ion st age t h an
b efor e. T h e p at ch of Icem ist con t in u ed t o close in fr om bot h en d s t ow ar d s t h e
cen t er of t h e st age as w ell.
M a Xiaot ao r eleased a sh r ill p h oen ix cr y in t o t h e sk y as h er b lazin g w in gs
for cefu lly flap p ed d ow n w ar d s, an d a st r eak of r ed ligh t su r ged in t o t h e sk y. T h e
p illar of r ed ligh t w as t ook t h e for m of a fier y p h oen ix as scor ch in g p h oen ix
flam es er u p t ed . T h e con t r ol sp ell t h a t Yi Ch en d ir ect ed t ow ar d s h er w as
im m ed iat ely b r ok en as t h e Dar k d em on T iger Sou l Kin g, H u an g H eyu n , w as
for cib ly p u sh ed aw ay.
T h e d en se Icem ist r iled u p at t h is p oin t an d lu n ged t ow ar d s t h e cen t er lik e a

t su n am i. A sin gle r a y of b lack ligh t flick er ed w it h in , an d it w a s t ar get ed st r a igh t
at Pr in cess J iu J iu . Xu San sh i w h o h ad b een h old in g b ack t h e M yst er iou s
Net h er w or ld Disp lacem en t for a lon g t im e, fin ally u n leash ed it . Even t h ou gh h e
k n ew t h at it w a s alm ost im p ossib le for h im t o su cceed , h e st ill h ad t o u se it . T h e
p u r p ose of t h is m ove w as ju st t o occu p y t h e t h e p r in cess’ at t en t ion .
Dai Yu eh en g u n leash ed h is W h it e T iger ’s Devilgod T r an sfor m at ion in an

in st an t , an d p ou n ced t ow ar d s h is op p on en t . On t h e ot h er sid e, Bei Bei exp lod ed
w it h in n u m er ab le st r eak s of ligh t n in g an d for ced b ack t h e Ligh t n in g W ar falcon
Sou l Kin g. Besid es H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g, alm ost ever y m em b er fr om
Sh r ek Acad em y w as er u p t in g all ar ou n d .
H ow ever , ju st a t t h is m om en t , a fain t sm ile ap p ear ed on Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s

face. It felt as if sh e h ad b een w ait in g for t h is t h e w h ole t im e, as if sh e h a d b een
look in g for w ar d t o t h is m om en t sin ce t h e ver y b egin n in g.
Sh e su d d en ly t ossed ou t a sp h er e of gold en ligh t fr om h er h a n d s. It w asn ’t a

sou l sk ill. T h e gold en ligh t flash ed on ce b efor e sm ash in g aga in st M a Xiaot ao’s
fr igh t en in g p h oen ix flam es t h at w er e soar in g in t o t h e air .
T h e st r an gest of scen es h ap p en ed . A layer of gold en ligh t d escen d ed fr om t h e

sk y an d en velop ed M a Xiaot ao’s sixt h sou l sk ill, t h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er ,
w h ich h ad alr ea d y b een u n leash ed . It cr ash ed d ow n w ar d s w it h ligh t n in g sp eed
as it ap p lied p r essu r e on M a Xiao t ao h er self – h er m ost p ow er fu l sou l sk ill w as
n egat ed ju st lik e t h at .
M a Xiaot ao felt a st iflin g p r essin g w eigh d ow n on h er fr om t h e sk y. Sh e
w an t ed t o d od ge, b u t t h e p at ch of gold en ligh t b or e d ow n on h er in an in st an t ,
an d t r ap p ed h er w it h in .
T h er e w as a sin gle sp h er e w it h a h u n d r ed an d eigh t cr oss-sect ion al ar eas t h at

sp ar k led w it h b r illian t ligh t ab ove t h e layer of gold en ligh t . T h is sp h er e w as
ab ou t t h e size of a fist , an d sp ir a led w it h in t en se sp eed as it flick er ed w it h
b lin d in g ligh t . M a Xiaot ao, w h o w as t r ap p ed in sid e, im m ed iat ely la u n ch ed a
h yst er ical assa u lt again st t h e layer of ligh t , b u t w as on ly ab le t o cr eat e r ip p les
alon g it s su r face. H er effor t s p r oved fu t ile.
T h is su d d en ch an ge sh ock ed t h e en t ir e t eam fr om Sh r ek Aca d em y. T h ey h ad

ch ose t o exp lod e w it h t h e t act ic t h a t W a n g Yan called t h e Du al Sk y Of Ice An d
Fir e. T h e Icem ist u n leash ed b y H u o Yu h ao an d Lin g Lu och en p r ovid ed all-r ou n d
con t r ol an d p r essu r e, b u t t h e m ove t h at w ou ld h ave claim ed vict or y for t h em
w as M a Xiaot ao’s Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er ! W h o w ou ld h a ve t h ou gh t t h at M a
Xiaot ao w ou ld b e so easily lock ed d ow n b y t h eir op p on en t s?
H e Cait ou st ood u p ab r u p t ly b elow t h e com p et it ion st age. In t en se d isb elief

filled h is eyes a s h e said , “T h at … T h at ’s an ab solu t e d efen se sou l t ool! H ow can
t h at b e? T h at Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier sou l t ool is at least Cla ss 7! T h ey act u ally
h ave a Class 7 sou l t o ol! T h e Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier can on ly b e u sed on ce, b u t
it s valu e…”
W an g Yan ’s eyes w er e w id e op en as h e r eact ed w it h an equ al am ou n t of

su r p r ise. H e ask ed h u r r ied ly, “W h at is t h e Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier ?”
H e Cait ou an sw er ed , “It ’s sim ilar t o t h e In vin cib le Ba r r ier . On ce it ’s

d ep loyed , an yb od y u n d er t h e Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier ’s seal w ill h ave t o face
t h e p r ot ect ion of a d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er sim ilar t o t h e p ow er of a st age 8
Sou l Dou lu o for fift een m in u t es. H ow ever , t h is is a sp ecial sou l t ool t h at also
w or k s in r ever se. T h e Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier h as t h e sam e effect s in t er n ally
an d ext er n a lly. Even if on e w an t s t o for cib ly b r eak ou t of t h e p ear l, on e h as t o b e
at least a Class 7 Sou l Sage. T h is sou l t ool can on ly b e m an u fact u r ed b y t h e Su n
M oon Em p ir e, an d it s for m at ion ar r ays ar e ext r em ely m yst er iou s. It ’s
im p ossib le for u s t o p r od u ce an yt h in g sim ilar . T o t h in k it w ou ld ap p ear in t h is
com p et it ion ! It ’s b een said t h a t t h e Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier is w or t h sever a l
m illion gold sou l coin s. H avin g t h is it em d u r in g a d an ger ou s m om en t s is
equ ivalen t t o h avin g an ot h er life! T h is is so m u ch m or e p ow er fu l t h an t h e
In vin cib le Bar r ier , w h ich is on ly effect ive for t h r ee secon d s. Fift een m in u t es is
en ou gh t o accom p lish m an y t h in gs. ”
Pr ot ect ion
H e Cait ou con t in u ed , “In t er m s of ab ilit ies, w e m ay b e at an ad van t age.

H ow ever , h ow can ou r fin an cial p ow er m at ch u p t o su ch d om in an t p ow er s lik e
t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e? T o t h em , even su ch an exp en sive sou l t ool is exp en d ab le.”
M a Xiaot ao, t h e m ost p ow er fu l m em b er , w as t r ap p ed . T h is w as a d isast er for

Sh r ek Acad em y’s t ea m .
Pr in cess J iu J iu h a d ob viou sly p lan n ed ou t h er st r at egy w ell. W it h M a

Xiaot ao ou t of t h e w ay, h er fou r t h so u l r in g lit u p . A b all of t h ick , in t en se
st ar ligh t w as u n leash ed . T h is t im e, t h e st ar ligh t w as as b r igh t as t h e su n . T h is
b all exp an d ed in t o a b ar r ier of ligh t , it for cefu lly exp ellin g t h e Icem ist ou t sid e.
On ly t h e seven m em b er s on h er sid e, in clu d in g Dai Yu eh en g, Bei Bei an d t h e
t r ap p ed M a Xiaot ao, w er e cover ed w it h in t h is layer of ligh t .
On t h e su r face of t h e layer of t h e ligh t b ar r ier , 18 st ar s ap p ear ed an d flash ed

w it h a b r igh t glow .
H u an g H eyu n an d Yi Ch en , w h o w er e b ot h figh t in g M a Xiaot ao in it ially,

ch an ged t h eir t ar get t o Dai Yu eh en g w it h ou t an y h esit at ion . T h e fou r Sou l
Kin gs en cir cled h im . Bei Bei con t in u ed t o su ffer fr om t h e r elen t less at t ack s of
t h e Ligh t n in g W ar fa lcon , an d h e cou ld n ot even en su r e h is o w n safet y.
Pr in cess J iu J iu ap p ear ed in d iffer en t as sh e look ed at t h e Icem ist ou t sid e t h e

layer of ligh t , an d sh e cu r led h er lip s u p sligh t ly. T h er e w a s yet an ot h er sou l
m ast er in fr on t of h er w h o, t ill t h is p oin t , h ad n ot join ed in t h e b at t le at all.
“Not good .” In sid e t h e Icem ist , Lin g Lu och en ’s face gr ew solem n . Sh e qu ick ly
for ced an w ave w it h t h e Icem ist . H ow ever , t h e ligh t b ar r ier t h at flash ed w it h
st ar ligh t con t in u ed t o r esist t h e Icem ist . It w a s u n ab le t o gain an y gr ou n d .
T h er e w as a flick er in g r ad ian ce t h a t sh on e fr om t h e 18 st a r s. It w as ob viou s t h at
u n less t h e ligh t fr om all 18 st ar s d im m ed , t h is ligh t b ar r ier w o u ld n ot b e b r ok en .
No on e w ou ld h ave exp ect ed su ch a sit u at ion b efor e t h e com p et it ion . Pr in cess

J iu J iu h ad d iv id ed t h e seven m em b er s of t h e Sh r ek Acad em y in h alf.
Fu r t h er m or e, Lin g Lu och en h ad d iscover ed t h is p r ob lem far t oo lat e. Am on gst
h er ow n t eam , t h ose w h o w er e offen sively in clin ed w er e cover ed b y t h e ligh t
b ar r ier , w h ile ever yon e else left ou t sid e of it w er e n ot sk illed in at t ack in g.
W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao cou ld m ou n t an offen se, b u t t h eir cu lt iva t ion s

w er e sim p ly t oo w eak .
T h e Ult im a t e Ice cou ld on ly en h an ce Lin g Lu och en ’s sou l sk ill, b u t n ot

ch an ge it . Un for t u n at ely, Lin g Lu och en w as a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er , n ot an
assau lt -t yp e sou l m a st er . Sh e on ly h ad t h e Icem ist at h er d isp osal for at t ack in g.
On t op of t h e cit y w all, t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or r evealed a gen t le sm ile on h is

face, “T o Sh r ek , it ’s n ot an en t ir ely b ad t h in g t o lose. T h e St ar Bar r ier of ou r
St ar Lu o b lood lin e h asn ’t ap p ear ed in t h e con t in en t for a ver y lon g t im e. I’m
afr aid t h e w or ld of sou l m ast er s h as alr ea d y for got t en ou r p ow er fu l d efen se-t yp e
sou l sk ill t h a t ’s k n ow n for b ein g ab le t o isolat e a ll ot h er elem en t s. It ’s r at h er
u sefu l w h ile facin g off again st H u o Yu h ao’s Ult im at e Ice. M y you n ger sist er h as
b een u n con vin ced b y m y ap p r aisal of t h at lit t le fellow b ecau se of t h is. W h en
t h at lit t le fellow gr ow s u p , I w ou ld r eally lik e t o see t h e r esu lt of a figh t b et w een
t h e St a r Bar r ier an d h is Ult im at e elem en t .”
At t h is m om en t , Dai Yu eh en g w as t h e on e w h o w as in t h e m ost d an ger .
T h e at t ack in g for ce of St ar Lu o Acad em y’s W in d fir e d u o h a d in cr eased aft er

t h ey t eam ed u p . W it h ou t t h e su p p r ession of t h e p h oen ix flam es, Yi Ch en loop ed
h er h an d s in fr on t of h er , cau sin g a b r igh t flam in g r in g t o loom over Dai
Yu eh en g.
Dai Yu eh en g cou ld n ’t avoid t h is flam in g h alo. T h is w as b ecau se t h e ligh t r in g
fir st exp an d ed t o cover t h e en t ir e ar ea of t h e St ar Bar r ier b efor e it r et r act ed
t ow ar d s t h e cen t er .
T h e w in d con t r ol-t yp e Sou l Kin g, W an g Sh iyin g, also u n leash ed a sim ilar h alo
of ligh t . On e r ed an d on e gr een ligh t r in g over lap p ed each ot h er an d exp lod ed a t
t h e sam e t im e.
As t h e sayin g w en t , w in d aid ed t h e st r en gt h of fir e. T h e in st an t t h a t t h e t w o

ligh t r in gs ascen d ed , a ser ies of h ow ls an d b oom s r eson at ed in t h e air . W it h Dai
Yu eh en g’s b od y as t h e cen t er , a h u ge p illar of w in d an d fir e r ose in t o t h e sk y.
W it h t h e p ow er of w in d su p p lem en t in g it , t h e b u r n in g flam es b ecam e ext r em ely
d ead ly; t h ey w er e lik e a h u ge m eat gr in d er t h at w as w ild ly cr u sh in g ever yt h in g
w it h in t h em .
Aft er u n leash in g t h e com b in at ion of W in d an d Fir e, H u an g H eyu n , Du gu

Sh an gsh an , Yi Ch en an d W a n g Sh iyin g d id n ot exp loit t h e op p or t u n it y t o
at t ack . Rat h er , t h ey gat h er ed t oget h er r a p id ly an d st ood in a r ow .
T h e ab ilit ies of t h e Sh r ek Acad em y’s Sou l Em p er or s w er e d isp layed r igh t

n ow . Even w h ile M a Xiaot ao w as su p p r essed h eavily, Dai Yu eh en g d id n ’t p an ic
at all. As t h e p illar of W in d an d Fir e w as u n leash ed , H u an g H eyu n an d Du gu
Sh an gsh an w er e n ot ab le t o for ce h im b ack b y even h alf a st ep . In st ea d , t h ey
cau sed h im t o b ecom e even fier cer .
As t h e p illar of W in d an d Fir e w as u n leash ed , t h e im m en se p r essu r e cau sed

h is h air s t o cu r l u p . H ow ever , Dai Yu eh en g faced t h e sk y an d r eleased a r oar . H e
t h u m p ed h is fist s a gain st h is ch est , an d b lazin g gold en ligh t s w er e su d d en ly
r eleased fr om h is b o d y. T h e ch ar act er ‘王’ on h is for eh ead even flash ed w it h a
b r igh t r ad ian ce. Beh in d h im , a h u ge illu sor y figu r e of a w h it e t iger flash ed .
Su d d en ly, h e b en t h is b ack an d slam m ed h is fist d ow n on t h e gr ou n d b en eat h
h is feet .
W h en t h is fist st r u ck t h e solid com p et it ion st age, ever yt h in g seem ed t o go

st ill in t h e St ar Ba r r ier Dom ain . Follo w in g silen ce, a b oo m in g sou n d lik e
t h u n d er r an g ou t . Deb r is flew an d b lew ap ar t t h e p illar of W in d an d Fir e,
scat t er in g fr agm en t s in var iou s d ir ect ion s.
It sh ou ld b e n ot ed t h at t h e t w o con t r ol-t yp e Sou l Kin gs fou gh t w it h t h e

su p p or t of Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s St ar glor y Sp ell. Accor d in g t o t h eir or igin a l
est im at es, a Sou l Em p er or cou ld on ly d efen d p assively if t h e t w o of t h em t eam ed
u p t oget h er t o con t r ol h im . Bu t w h o k n ew t h at Dai Yu eh en g w ou ld m an aged t o
over com e t h em u sin g h is t ou gh st r en gt h an d sou l p ow er . Not on ly d id h e n ot
d efen d , b u t h e u sed h is im m en se st r en gt h t o b r eak ap ar t t h e w in d an d fir e
elem en t s u sin g t h e ear t h elem en t .
Pr in cess J iu J iu fo cu sed h er gaze. W h en t h e r ed an d gr een ligh t r in gs

exp lod ed , Dai Yu eh en g also lift ed h is h ead an d look ed in t h e d ir ect ion of
Pr in cess J iu J iu .
As t h eir gazes m et , Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s exp r ession t u r n ed cold . Dai Yu eh en g’s

eyes flash ed w it h a st r an ge glin t . As h e b ellow ed , h is b od y b en t for w ar d a lit t le.
In t h e n ext in st an t , h e h ad alr ead y leap t ou t lik e ligh t n in g, an d h is t ar get w as
Pr in cess J iu J iu . It w as b est t o go for t h e lead er t o r oot ou t t h e p r ob lem .
H ow ever , fou r figu r es for m ed a qu at er n it y in fr on t of h er a n d b lock ed h is

p at h . Dai Yu eh en g cou ld n ’t see an yt h in g st r an ge fr om t h e fr on t , b u t t h e b ack of
fou r m em b er s of t h e St ar Lu o Acad em y em it t ed d im w h it e r a d ian ces.
T h e w h it e r ad ian ces for m ed a d om e-lik e sh ap e, ju st lik e t h e sh ell on t h e b ack

of a t u r t le. T h ese r ad ian ces sh on e t h r ou gh t h e u n ifor m s t h ey w or e.
Yi Ch en , w h o st ood t h e fu r t h est b ack , p r essed on W an g Sh iyin ’s b ack . W an g

Sh iyin g d id t h e sam e t ow ar d s Du gu Sh a n gsh an . Sim ilar ly, Du gu Sh an gsh an ’s
p alm s also p r essed on H u an g H eyu n ’s b ack . Righ t n ow , t h ey seem ed lik e on e
en t it y n ow .
H u an g H eyu n ’s size seem ed t o h ave b a lloon ed fr om ear lier cau sin g b lood
vessels squ ir m in g u n d er t h e fu r of t h e Dar k d em on T iger ’s Possession t o b e
visib le. As Dai Yu eh en g leap t for w ar d , H u an g H eyu n su d d en ly st r u ck h is p alm s
for w ar d . As t h ey st r u ck , H u an g H eyu n let loose a d eep gr ow l. T h is gr ow l car r ied
an ext r em ely con cen t r at ed a u r a of d ar k n ess an d collid ed w it h Dai Yu eh en g.
“Boom ------” Dai Yu eh en g felt as if h e h ad collid ed w it h a sh eet of ir on . H e w as

sen t flyin g an d w as k n ock ed violen t ly again st t h e ligh t b a r r ier of t h e St ar
Bar r ier . H is or gan s felt as if t h ey w er e on fir e. As h e t r ied t o get u p , h e vom it ed
fr esh b lood .
Im p ossib le! T h is w as t h e fir st t h ou gh t t h at h e h ad in h is m in d aft er h e w as

sen t flyin g.
T h e op p on en t w as o n ly a Sou l Kin g! H ow cou ld h is sou l p ow er b e so gr eat ?

Even if t h e op p on en t w as a seven -r in ged Sou l Sage, h e w ou ld st ill b e u n ab le t o
u n leash su ch p ow er w it h ou t u sin g h is M ar t ial So u l T r u e Bod y!
Below t h e com p et it ion st age, W an g Yan w as a lit t le an xiou s. H e gr ab b ed H e

Cait ou b esid e h im an d ask ed , “W h at , w h a t sou l t ool is t h is?”
H e Cait ou lau gh ed b it t er ly. “T h is is a r ar e sou l t ool called t h e Nin e

T r an sfor m at ion s So u lr it e. T h e cor e for m at ion t h at ’s u sed t o p r od u ce it r equ ir es
a sp ecial m et al called Ch aos Silver . T h e gr eat est st r en gt h of t h is Nin e
T r an sfor m at ion s So u lr it e is t h at it can ch an ge sou l p ow er t yp es. No m at t er w h at
t yp e of sou l p ow er is in ject ed in t o it , t h e t yp e of sou l p ow er t h at com es ou t is t h e
m ost b alan ced ch aos-t yp e t h at can b e ab sor b ed b y an yon e of an y t yp e. T h r ou gh
t h is Nin e T r an sfor m at ion s Sou lr it e, so u l m ast er s can in ject t h eir sou l p ow er
in t o on e an ot h er for a sh or t p er iod of t im e. Bu t a p or t ion of t h e sou l p ow er
in ject ed in t o t h em h as t o b e r eleased qu ick ly. Aft er all, sou l p ow er b eyon d w h at
a sou l m ast er can h a n d le w ill lead t o d a m age in h is p assagew ays. Fu r t h er m or e,
ch aos-t yp e sou l p ow er can on ly b e u sed t em p or ar ily, an d can ’t b e fu sed w it h
on e’s ow n sou l p ow er . I d id n ’t exp ect t h em t o u se t h is. T h e Nin e
T r an sfor m at ion s Sou lr it e is a Class 5 so u l t ool, an d can b e u sed b y sou l m ast er s
w it h less t h an seven r in gs. If t h e p er son it ’s u sed b y is a seven -r in ged So u l Sage
or st r on ger , t h e cor e for m at ion of t h e Ch a os Silver can ’t h an d le t h e su r ge of sou l
p ow er u n less it ’s an ext r em ely lar ge Nin e T r an sfor m at ion s Sou lr it e.”
As h e st r u ck h is p alm s t ow ar d s Dai Yu eh en g, H u an g H eyu n ’s face su r ged w it h
a t in ge of r ed . H e sh ou ld er ed t h e gr eat est p r essu r e, as h e h elm ed t h e t ip of t h e
Nin e T r an sfor m at ion s Sou lr it e. Aft er t h is com p et it ion , h e w ou ld h ave t o r est
for u p t o a m on t h t o h eal h is p assagew ays. H ow ever , h e w ou ld n ot h old b ack
h er e. Am p lified b y Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s St a r glor y Sp ell, t h e co m b in ed p ow er of 5
sou l k in gs h a d h u r t Dai Yu eh en g. H ow ever , M a Xiaot ao cou ld n ’t b e r est r ain ed
for ever . T o w in , t h ey h ad t o en d ever yt h in g b efor e M a Xia ot ao escap ed , an d
gat h er t h e p ow er s of all seven of t h em t o d eal w it h t h e st r on gest Sou l Em p er or .
H en ce, H u an g H eyu n follow ed u p w it h an ot h er at t ack im m ed iat ely. A h u ge

figu r e of a b lack t iger leap t ou t fr om h is b od y. It w as t h e Dem on t iger ’s
H eaven sh ock t h at h e h ad u sed again st M a Xiaot ao b efor e.
T h e d iffer en ce t h is t im e w as t h a t , u n d er t h e su p p or t of t h e fr igh t en in g sou l

p ow er , t h is illu sor y figu r e of t h e Dar k d em on T iger seem ed lik e a r eal en t it y. In
ju st a m om en t , it w as alr ead y in fr on t of Dai Yu eh en g. T h ey w er e p lan n in g t o
in cap acit at e Dai Yu eh en g in t h is n ext st r ik e.
T h e sit u at ion in t h e St ar Bar r ier w as ver y d an ger ou s. H ow ever , w h at ab ou t

t h e sit u at ion ou t sid e t h e St a r Bar r ier ?
W h en H u o Yu h ao a n d t h e r est saw t h at Dai Yu eh en g w as b ein g at t ack ed b y

t h e W in d fir e d u o, t h ey r ealized t h at t h in gs w er e goin g t o b e bad . H ow ever , t h ey
h ad n o ch an ce if t h ey d id n ot over com e t h e b ar r ier of ligh t in fr on t of t h em . Bu t ,
h ow cou ld t h ey h ave t h e p ow er t o d o so?
Xu San sh i r eally w a n t ed t o en t er t h e st a t e of t h e Xu an w u t u r t le. H ow ever , h e

cou ld n ’t ju st su m m on it at an y t im e h e w ish ed . If J ian g Nan n an w as t h e on e
w h o w as t r ap p ed , it m igh t h ave b een a d iffer en t st or y. Bu t w it h ou t h er , h e
cou ld n ’t u n leash it .
Book 13: T h e St r en gt h of t h e Pr ep ar at or y T eam
Pr ot ect ion
Lin g Lu och en ’s Icem ist con st an t ly en gu lfed t h e en t ir e St ar Ba r r ier , an d t h e 18

st ar s ab ove t h e St ar Bar r ier w er e slow ly d im m in g. Bu t if t h in gs w er e d r agged on
at t h is p ace, t h ey m igh t n ot get in b efor e t h e seal t r ap p in g M a Xiaot ao w as
r eleased .
“W h at d o w e d o?” W an g Don g ask ed H u o Yu h ao an xiou sly.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ot h ave a clu e eit h er . As t h e effect of h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion

Sh ar in g w as cr ip p led , h e h a d fallen in t o a b ew ild er ed st a t e. H ear in g W an g
Don g’s an xiou s voice on ly in cr eased h is d ep r ession . A com p et it ion of t h is level
w as ou t of h is con t r ol! H e w an t ed t o sw eep asid e t h is sen se of h elp lessn ess, b u t
t h e gap in cu lt iva t ion r en d er ed h im u n ab le t o d o so.
“Do you k n ow w h y you ar e so h elp less?” An old voice r an g in h is h ead clear ly.
“Eld er Yi.” H u o Yu h ao r esp on d ed in h is con sciou sn ess.
Elect r olu x an sw er ed h is ow n qu est ion . “T h at ’s b ecau se you d on ’t fu lly

u n d er st an d you r self. You h aven ’t u sed you r con t r ol t o t h e fu llest . W h ile
in cr easin g on e’s cu lt ivat ion is im p or t an t , you w ill b e u n ab le t o r each t h e t op n o
m at t er h ow h ar d you cu lt iva t e if you d o n ’t u n d er st an d you r ow n cap ab ilit ies.
Aft er t h is com p et it ion , I w an t you t o en t er closed -d oor cu lt ivat ion . Un d er st an d
t h at p ow er can n ot d ecid e ever yt h in g all t h e t im e. T h e ab ilit y t o con t r ol
ever yt h in g t h a t you p ossess, an d exh ib it you r cap ab ilit ies ap p r op r iat ely in
d iffer en t sit u a t ion s, t h at is t r u e p ow er . For n ow , act accor d in g t o w h at I t ell
you .”
“Yu h ao, w h at d o w e d o?” In W an g Don g’s eyes, H u o Yu h ao w as en t ir ely in a

d aze. T h is w as a cr it ical sit u a t ion . W an g Don g w as aw ar e t h a t h is ow n ab ilit ies
cou ld n o t faze t h e ligh t b ar r ier . In t h is b at t le, t h e on ly ch an ce h e h a d w as if h e
com b in ed w it h H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao’s eyes br igh t en ed , an d h e sh ou t ed , “Sen ior Lin g, m ain t ain t h e

st r en gt h of t h e Icem ist an d h elp t o b lock ou r figu r es. W an g Don g, let ’s st r ik e.”
As h e said t h at , h e t u r n ed ar ou n d su d d en ly an d op en ed h is ar m s w id e. H e
h u gged W a n g Don g t igh t ly an d st r on gly. T h eir sp ir it s an d sou l p ow er s
com b in ed an d m er ged in t o on e en t it y.
……
“T h e st r en gt h of t h e op p on en t is d er ived fr om St ar Pow er . W h at ’s t h e or igin

of t h e St ar Pow er ? It ’s ligh t . No m at t er h ow t h ey ar e st r u ct u r ed in t er n ally, t h ey
ar e all m ad e of ligh t . T h ey can b e con sid er ed a h igh level p er for m an ce of ligh t ,”
ad vised Elect r olu x.
……
W it h in t h e Icem ist ,
H u o Yu h ao’s p u p ils em it t ed a d im gold en glow on on e sid e.
On t h e ot h er sid e, W an g Don g u n leash ed h is Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess,

sp r ead in g h is elegan t w in gs b eh in d h is b ack .
Alt er n at in g sh ad es of b lu e, p u r p le an d gold sh on e w it h in t h e m ist .
W h en t h e illu sor y figu r e of t h e h u ge Radian t Bu t t er fly God d ess sp r ead op en ed

h er w in gs an d h u gged t h e illu sor y figu r e of t h e Sp ir it Eyes, a d azzlin g p u r p lish -
gold en ligh t b u r st ou t . A glow t h at d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y en gu lfed t h e illu sor y
figu r es. A h u ge b lu ish -gold en p u p il d ir ect ed it s gaze t ow ar d s t h e fr on t . Blu e,
p u r p le an d gold en ligh t t h a t in t er t w in ed w it h each ot h er sh ot ou t fr om t h e
d ep t h s of t h e p u p il t h at seem ed t o con t ain a b ou n d less w or ld .
A r ad ian ce laced w it h a m agical color sh ot st r a igh t for w ar d , lock in g on t o t h e

ligh t of t h e St ar Bar r ier .
Block ed b y t h e d en se Icem ist , n eit h er t h e au d ien ce b elow t h e st age n or t h e
com p et it or s in sid e t h e St ar Ba r r ier cou ld see w h at w as h ap p en in g. Even Pr in cess
J iu J iu d id n ot h ave a clu e as h er St ar gu id in g T ech n iqu e cou ld on ly sen se t h eir
p osit ion s w it h h er .
T h e Icem ist su b t ly d im in ish ed . It w as as if it s au r a of u lt im acy h ad b een lost .

H ow ever , Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s at t en t ion w as en t ir ely on Dai Yu eh en g at t h is
m om en t as H u an g H eyu n ’s secon d w ave of Dem on t iger ’s H eaven sh ock w as
ab ou t t o st r ik e Dai Yu eh en g. T o h er , t h is w as t h e k ey t o d et er m in e vict or y. Sh e
ign or ed t h e fou r ou t sid e t h e b ar r ier . Sh e r eck on ed t h at even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao
w as ver y t alen t ed , h e w as u n ab le t o p ose m u ch of a t h r eat t o h er .
H ow ever , Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s exp r ession ch an ged t h e n ext in st a n t .
T h e d im gold en glow on t h e St ar Bar r ier su d d en ly t u r n ed a b r igh t gold en

color . T h e en t ir e b ar r ier act u ally b egan t o em it t h e sam e r ad ian ce as t h e 18 st ar s
ab ove t h e b ar r ier . Pr in cess J iu J iu cou ld on ly fain t ly see w h at w as in fr on t of
h er , on ly cat ch in g a sh or t glim p se of a h u ge p u p il b r iefly ap p ear in g b efor e
van ish in g again . In t h e n ext m om en t , sh e d iscover ed t o h er h or r or t h at h er St ar
Bar r ier seem ed t o h ave b een m elt ed . Dr op s of gold en flu id flow ed d ow n t h e
su r face of t h e b ar r ier . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e sou l p ow er t h at sh e w as con t in u ou sly
in ject in g w as for cefu lly st op p ed .
T h is w as im p ossib le. Sh e w as n ow feelin g lik e Dai Yu eh en g h ad felt ear lier .

Sh e h ad n o id ea h o w t h e fou r m em b er s ou t sid e w er e ab le t o d am age h er St ar
Bar r ier .
H ow ever , t h er e w as n ot h in g im p ossib le in t h is w or ld . At t h e m om en t w h en
t h e St ar Ba r r ier w a s b r ok en t h r ou gh , Dai Yu eh en g r eact ed t o h is op p on en t s’
assau lt .
Blin d in g w h it e ligh t w as su d d en ly u n leash ed fr om h is b od y a n d a h u ge figu r e

of a w h it e t iger su r faced ab ove h is h ead , in st an t ly fu sed w it h h is b od y. Dai
Yu eh en g let ou t a fu r iou s r oar . H is fir st , t h ir d , fift h an d sixt h sou l r in g flash ed
at t h e sam e t im e.
H is t h r ee st r en gt h en in g sk ills, t h e W h it e T iger ’s Sh ield , t h e W h it e T iger ’s
Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion an d t h e W h it e T iger ’s Devilgod T r an sfor m at ion w er e
p ow er ed t o t h eir p eak s w it h h is Sou l Em p er or cu lt ivat ion .
Fr om h is p air of alm ost foot -lon g gold en t iger claw s, a cold r ad ian ce w as
em it t ed . In t h e n ext in st an t , h is b od y su d d en ly d isap p ear ed fr om t h e b r igh t
r ad ian ce t h at h ad fla sh ed fr om w h it e t o gold .
A h u ge ‘k ill’ ch ar act er 杀 su d d en ly ap p ear ed ou t of n ow h er e an d collid ed w it h

t h e b lack t iger for m ed b y t h e Dem on t iger ’s H eaven sh ock . Sh ar p s st r eak s of
p ier in g an d sp lit t in g w er e h ear d in sid e of t h e St a r Bar r ier . It w as com b in ed w it h
t h e r oar s of t w o r agin g t iger s t h at w er e w r eak in g h avoc t o t h eir su r r ou n d in gs.
H u an g H eyu n an d t h e r est w er e in d eed ver y p ow er fu l, as t h ey h ad com b in ed

t h eir sou l p ow er u sin g t h e Nin e T r an sfor m at ion s Sou lr it e. T h eir over a ll p ow er
h ad alr ea d y r each ed t h e in t er m ed ia t e st age of t h e Sou l Sage r an k . In t er m s of
sou l p ow er , Dai Yu eh en g, w h o w as on ly a Sou l Em p er o r , w as com p let ely
su p p r essed .
Pr in cess J iu J iu h a d m et icu lou sly ch osen H u an g H eyu n t o b e p laced at t h e

ver y fr on t . Sh e w as ver y fam iliar w it h Dai Yu eh en g’s W h it e T iger m ar t ial sou l,
so sh e h ad cr eat ed t h is st r at egy t o sp ecifically cou n t er Da i Yu eh en g. H u an g
H eyu n ’s Dar k d em on T iger w as on ly sligh t ly in fer ior t o t h e W h it e T iger .
H ow ever , t h e d iffer en ce w as m in im al. Alon g w it h t h e en h an cem en t of t h e
St ar glor y Sp ell, t h is su p p r ession of m ar t ial sou ls w as com p let ely r em oved .
Un d er su ch a cir cu m st an ce, t h e m igh t of Dai Yu eh en g’s W h it e T iger n o lon ger
h ad t o b e fear ed .
H ow ever , t h in gs d id n ot alw ays go accor d in g t o p lan . Pr in cess J iu J iu cou ld

n ever p r ed ict t h a t H u an g H eyu n ’s st at e of m in d w ou ld exp er ien ce ch an ges
d u r in g t h e b at t le, r esu lt in g in t h e failu r e of h is secon d st r ik e, w h ich w as
su p p osed t o b e t h e d efin in g b low .
T h e ch an ge in h is st at e of m in d w as n ot b ecau se of Dai Yu eh en g, b u t M a
Xiaot ao, w h o h ad fou gh t h im ea r lier .
M a Xiaot ao w as ju st t oo p ow er fu l. Even aft er b ein g in fu sed w it h t h e St a r glor y
Sp ell, H u an g H eyu n h ad st ill felt com p let ely h elp less. H e w as clear ly aw ar e t h at
M a Xiaot ao w as st r on ger t h an Dai Yu eh en g. Aft er t h ey d efeat in g Dai Yu eh en g,
t h eir n ext t ar get w ou ld b e M a Xiaot ao!
H en ce, H u an g H eyu n d id n ot u n leash h is fift h sou l sk ill t o d efeat Dai Yu eh en g

accor d in g t o t h e or igin al p lan . In st ead h e u sed h is t h ir d sou l sk ill. A t h ou san d
year sou l r in g sk ill w as sign ifica n t w ea k er t h an a t en t h ou san d year sou l k ill.
H ow ever , Dai Yu eh en g cou gh in g u p b lood an d seem ed t o b e on t h e ver ge of
fallin g. W it h h is com r ad es su p p or t in g h im , h e h ad felt t h at a t h ou san d year sou l
sk ill b ack ed w it h t h e p ow er of a Sou l Sage w as en ou gh t o fin ish h im off. By t h is,
h e cou ld con ser ve h is sou l p ow er t o d eal w it h M a Xiaot ao. Usin g sou l sk ills w it h
t h e com b in ed p ow er of fou r p eop le cau sed t h e t oll on h is b od y t o b e r at h er b ig.
T h e r eason w h y t h ey com b in ed on ly fou r of t h em an d n ot five w as b ecau se n o
on e cou ld h an d le t h e accu m u lat ion of five in d iv id u al sou l p ow er s.
Again st an y ot h er p er son , H u an g H eyu n ’s d ecision w ou ld h a ve b een cor r ect .

H ow ever , Dai Yu eh en g w as fr om Sh r ek Acad em y. H e w as a m on st er , an d a ver y
exp er ien ced on e at t h at . Kn ow in g t h a t h e h ad n o r oom t o escap e, h is p ot en t ial
w as st im u la t ed . In a sh or t sp an of t im e, h e m an aged t o p in p oin t H u an g H eyu n ’s
flaw .
T h e r esu lt of t h e in fu sin g fou r p eop le’s sou l p ow er in t o on e p er son b oost ed

h is sou l p ow er t o t r em en d ou s h eigh t s. H ow ever , t h er e w as also a d r aw b ack .
T h is d r aw b ack w as ver y sim p le: t h eir at t a ck s b ecam e ver y r igid .
W h ile t h e Dem on t iger ’s H eaven sh ock w as fu ll of p ow er an d sp eed , it lack ed

flexib ilit y. Dai Yu eh en g m an aged t o u n leash h is st r on gest sou l sk ill u n d er t h e
su p p or t of h is t h r ee st r en gt h en in g sk ills.
W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in at ion !
Usin g t h is close-com b at sk ill allow ed h im t o d od ge t h e ch ar ge of t h e

Dem on t iger ’s H eaven sh ock . T u r n in g ar ou n d , h e m a n aged t o for cefu lly d isp er se
t h is at t ack w h ile t ak in g six con secu t ive st r ik es fr om t h e sid e.
Alt h ou gh Dai Yu eh en g vom it in g m or e b lood , h e t ook ad van t age of t h e
sit u a t ion an d d ash ed t ow ar d s Bei Bei in t h e d ist an ce.
Aft er losin g t h eir op p or t u n it y, an ot h er d r aw b ack w as r evea led . T h e fou r of

t h em lack ed d ext er it y. W it h Dai Yu eh en g’s cu lt iva t ion , it w as n ot easy for h is
op p on en t t o for ce h im t o t ak e an ot h er b low w it h ou t d et er m in in g h is exact
locat ion .
“Id iot .” Pr in cess J iu J iu cou ld n ot h elp b u t cu r se. As t h e sayin g w en t , “A w eak

t eam m at e d oes m or e h ar m t h an a st r on g op p on en t .” W h at ad d ed t o h er m iser y
w as t h at h er St ar Ba r r ier h ad collap sed w it h a lou d , b oom in g sou n d .
……
“T h e effect of you r m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill, t h e Gold en Road , is t o m elt an d

d egr ad e. It is a com b in at ion of t h e ligh t elem en t an d sp ir it u al p ow er . T h is sk ill
of you r s on ly fir es in a st r aigh t lin e b u t w ill h ave n o p r ob lem s h it t in g on a
st at ion ar y b ar r ier . Even if t h e op p on en t ’s d efen se-t yp e sou l sk ill isolat es ot h er
elem en t s, all you h a ve t o d o is t o con t r ol t h e p ow er of d egr ad at ion w it h in t h e
Gold en Road an d con ver t it in t o t h e p ow er t o m elt ,” said Elect r olu x.
……
W h en t h e Gold en Road st r u ck t h e St ar Bar r ier , H u o Yu h ao cou ld clea r ly feel

t h e collision b et w een t h e Gold en Road a n d t h e St ar Bar r ier .
In t h e p ast , t h e Gold en Road h ad p assed t h r ou gh ever yt h in g in a st r aigh t lin e

w h en ever it w as sh ot . T h is w as t h e fir st t im e it w as b lock ed . H ow ever , t h e
in st an t t h e b r igh t , t r i-color ed r ad ian ce w as b lock ed , it sp r ead over t h e St a r
Bar r ier .
H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt som et h in g in h is m in d b ein g st ir r ed . A w ave of

w eir d p ow er p assed fr om h is for eh ea d a n d gu id ed h is m in d t o h is Gold en Road .
W it h t h e h elp of t h e st r an ge p ow er , h e w as ab le t o clear ly d iffer en t iat e t h e
con cep t s of m elt in g an d d egr ad a t ion .
H u o Yu h ao con t r olled h is sp ir it u al p ow er an d con ver t ed t h e p ow er of
d egr ad at ion in t o t h a t of m elt in g. T o h im , ever yt h in g h ap p en ed ver y slow ly, b u t
in r ealit y, it all w as com p let ed in t h e b lin k of an eye.
Chapt er 110.1 The Second Fusion Skill!
“W h at ’r e you w ait in g for ? W h en t h at h ar d b ar r ier soft en s, you h ave t o b r eak

it .”
……
T h e Gold en Road en d ed , r evealin g H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s b od ies. H u o

Yu h ao loosen ed h is ar m s an d st r et ch ed ou t h is h an d s, w h ile W an g Don g r aised
h is r igh t h an d .
T h ey look ed at each ot h er , an d saw a r eflect ion of t h eir ow n b od ies in each

ot h er ’s eyes. At t h is m om en t , t h eir sou ls w er e con n ect ed .
H u o Yu h ao cu p p ed W an g Don g’s r igh t h an d w it h in h is t w o p alm s as if h e w as

p r ot ect in g t h e m ost valu ab le t r easu r e in t h e w or ld . T h e in st an t h is p alm s
closed , H u o Yu h ao’s h an d s t u r n ed ice-w h it e. On t h e ot h er h an d , W an g Don g’s
r igh t h an d t u r n ed a st r an ge d ar k -gold . T h e t h r ee p alm s in t er lock ed , cau sin g a
t er r ifyin g st r eam of air t o su d d en ly su r ge fr om t h eir b od ies.
T h e or igin ally t h ick icy m ist q u ick ly r ose in t o t h e a ir lik e a m u sh r oom clou d ,
cau sin g an in d escr ib ab le sen se of aw e t o ap p ear w it h it . At t h is m om en t , t h e
on ly p eop le w h o cou ld t r u ly feel an d see w h at w as goin g on w er e Lin g Lu och en
an d Xu San sh i.
T h ey w er e com p let ely u n ab le t o d escr ib e h ow sh ock ed t h ey w er e feelin g r igh t

n ow . T h e scen e u n fold in g in fr on t of t h em w as ju st t h at sh ock in g!
T h e in st a n t t h e in t en se w h it e ligh t in t er w eaved w it h t h e d a r k -gold ligh t , H u o

Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s figu r es van ish ed . Righ t aft er t h at , a slen d er figu r e
qu iet ly ap p ear ed b eh in d t h at ligh t .
T h is figu r e look ed ar ou n d t w o or so m et er s t all, an d it h ad a slen d er , t all
figu r e an d a h ea d of b lack h air d r a p ed over it s sh ou ld er s. It s gor geou s
ch an gsh an seem ed t o h ave b een in laid w it h d iam on d s, cau sin g it t o em an at e a
r esp len d en t ligh t . H is eyes w er e jad e-gr een ; it w asn ’t an ab st r u se jad e-gr een , b u t
on e t h at flick er ed w it h t h e ligh t of a gem , an d w as filled w it h b ou n d less m igh t .
In t er m s of ap p ear an ces alon e, h e look ed 80 % sim ilar t o H u o Yu h ao. Per h ap s,
t h is w as sim p ly h ow h e w ou ld look aft er gr ow in g u p .
T h e in st a n t h e ap p ear ed , t h e Icem ist in t h e air st ar t ed t o su r ge t ow ar d s h im at

an ast on ish in g r at e, m ak in g it seem as t h ou gh t h e r iver s w er e flow in g b ack in t o
t h e sea. Even Lin g Lu och en ’s ow n sou l p ow er st ar t ed t o b e sw allow ed at a r ap id
p ace.
Lin g Lu och en w as r elat ively clever , a n d t h u s sh e d id n ’t t r y t o r esist or

ob st r u ct it . On t h e con t r ar y, sh e d id all sh e cou ld t o r elease h er Icem ist .
Alt h ou gh t h e Icem ist st ar t ed t o r ap id ly van ish , Lin g Lu och en w as ab le t o
m ain t ain t h e p or t ion of it t h at cover ed t h em .
T h is w as a figu r e t h at w as clear ly in cor p or eal, yet felt ver y r eal. H e ext en d ed

h is r igh t h an d , p lu n gin g it in t o t h e b all of ligh t in fr on t of h im . T h e ligh t
su d d en ly solid ified , an d t h e figu r e su d d en ly van ish ed in t o t h in air r igh t aft er
t h at . T h e in st an t h e d isap p ear ed , Xu San sh i an d Lin g Lu och en felt t h e exact
sam e feelin g in t h eir h ear t s--fer ocit y!
In t h e n ext in st an t , t h e sp ace in fr on t of t h e St ar Bar r ier in st an t an eou sly

sh at t er ed . T h en , an en or m ou s h am m er a p p ear ed .
T h e h ead of t h is h a m m er w as as b lack as in k , b u t it s t w o en d s each h ad a

sh ar p p r ot r u sion t h at w as jad e-gr een . On t h e ot h er h an d , it s h an d le w as fu lly
in laid w it h d iam on d s.
T h e in st an t it ap p ear ed , a p ecu liar , n ever -b efor e-seen w h im p er in g sou n d

r an g ou t in t h e a ir . It w as as t h ou gh t h e air it self w as w eep in g d u e t o it s
exist en ce. T h e t w o p r ot r u sion s on t h e h ead of t h e h am m er sh on e w it h a jad e-
gr een ligh t , an d t h e h ead it self sh on e w it h a d ar k -gold ligh t . T h e h an d le of t h e
h am m er also sh on e w it h an icy-w h it e ligh t , an d t h e t h r ee d iffer en t color s
sim u lt an eou sly exp lod ed ou t . Righ t aft er t h at , t h e su p er h am m er t h at w as m or e
t h an t en m et er s lon g, an d w h ose h ead w as m or e t h an t h r ee m et r es w id e, t u r n ed
b lood -r ed in color .
All ot h er t r aces of ligh t seem ed t o h ave b een sw allow ed b y t h at b lood -r ed

ligh t , an d even t h e St ar Bar r ier in fr on t of it st ar t ed t o t r em b le.
It w as a s t h ou gh an in visib le h an d w as con t r ollin g t h is en or m ou s h am m er . In

t h e n ext in st an t , it fell.
T h e on ly t h in g Pr in cess J iu J iu cou ld see w as t h e in st an t t h at t h e h am m er

d escen d ed . Sh e on ly felt lik e a st r eak of b lood h ad flash ed p ast t h e ou t er p ar t s of
t h e St ar Bar r ier , an d r igh t aft er t h at , sh e su d d en ly felt an en or m ou s b low st r ik e
h er ch est . T h en , a clan g t h at r esem b led t h e sou n d of sh at t er in g cam e fr om t h e
St ar cr ow n on h er for eh ead .
T h e r h om b u s-sh ap ed gem set in t h e cen t er of t h e St ar cr ow n act u ally st ar t ed

t o sh ow cr ack s. Righ t aft er t h a t , t h e St ar Bar r ier in st an t ly collap sed .
T h e b lood y ligh t d isap p ear ed w it h ou t a t r ace, an d t h e Icem ist on t h e

t ou r n am en t st age va n ish ed a lon g w it h it .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g r eap p ear ed on t h e t ou r n am en t st age. On ly, t h e

cu r r en t W an g Don g w as lean in g on H u o Yu h ao’s b ack , clear ly h avin g lost
con sciou sn ess.
H u o Yu h ao w as st ill clear -h ead ed as h e look ed for w ar d w it h a b u r n in g gaze in

h is eyes. H e p r essed on h is for eh ea d w it h h is r igh t h an d , t h en p oin t ed h is
secon d , t h ir d , an d fou r t h fin ger s in t o t h e air .
Im m ed iat ely, a m yst er iou s gr een ligh t flash ed t h r ou gh t h e sk y b efor e

van ish in g. T h e ligh t , h ow ever , w as d ir ect ed t ow ar d s t h e ab solu t e d efen se
b ar r ier t h a t t r ap p ed M a Xiaot ao.
Righ t aft er h e p oin t ed h is fin ger s in t o t h e sk y, t h e gaze in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes
d ar k en ed . H e seem in gly in d iffer en t ly look ed t ow ar d s t h e d ist an t Pr in cess J iu
J iu , t h en fell t o t h e gr ou n d w it h W an g Don g w it h a t r ace of ar r ogan ce, b u t even
m or e sat isfact ion in h is eyes.
“Din g--”
T h e m et al b all locat ed ab ove t h e Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier su d d en ly let ou t a

cr isp cr y, t h en sh ook violen t ly. T h e or igin ally-d azzlin g gold en ligh t it em it t ed
st ar t ed t o d ar k en a t an ast on ish in g r a t e, b efor e van ish in g w it h in t w o b r ea t h s of
t im e. T h e m et al b all t u r n ed gr ey, an d t h e b ar r ier it gen er at ed b ecam e ext r em ely
t h in .
W it h ou t t h e Icem ist con cealin g t h e st a ge, t h e au d ien ce an d t h e St ar Lu o

Em p er or w er e all ab le t o clear ly see w h at w as goin g on .
J u st lik e h is you n ger sist er , t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or su d d en ly b lu r t ed ou t ,

‘im p ossib le’.
Fr om t h e ou t sid e, t h e St ar Bar r ier look ed lik e Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s fou r t h sou l

sk ill. In r ealit y, h ow ever , it cou ld n ’t b e u sed ea sily. T h e St ar cr ow n ’s m igh t far
exceed ed t h at of or d in ar y m ar t ia l sou ls, an d even a few t op -r an k ed on es
w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o go again st it . H ow ever , it s w ield er n eed ed t o cu lt ivat e
ar d u ou sly in or d er t o u se it .
A sou l m ast er w h o p ossessed t h e St ar cr ow n cou ld on ly cu lt ivat e at n igh t , as

t h ey w ou ld n eed t o ab sor b st ar p ow er t o fu r t h er in cr ease t h eir cu lt ivat ion .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h eir sou l sk ills cou ld on ly b e u sed b y con su m in g som e of t h eir
accu m u lat ed st ar p ow er . Of w h ich , t h e sk ill t h a t n eed ed t h e m ost st ar p ow er
w as t h e St a r Bar r ier .
T h e eigh t een gold st ar s t h a t cr eat ed t h e St ar Bar r ier n eed ed a fu ll eigh t een

d ays t o b e fu lly ab sor b ed . H ow ever , t h e st r en gt h of t h e St ar Bar r ier w ou ld
con t in u ou sly in cr ea se follow in g it s ow n er ’s in cr ease in cu lt iva t ion ; it w as an
ext r em ely r ar e an d p ow er fu l sk ill t h at w a sn ’t affect ed b y t h e qu alit y of t h e sou l
r in g t h at b est ow ed it . H ow ever , it s d r a w b ack s w er e ext r em ely ob viou s. Aft er
u sin g it on ce, it s ow n er w ou ld n eed t o w ait eigh t een d ays in or d er t o u se it
again .
It w as b ecau se of t h is exact r eason t h a t t h e St ar Bar r ier ’s d efen sive p ow er s

w er e ext r aor d in ar ily t yr an n ical. It w a sn ’t ju st a d efen se sk ill, b u t on e t h at
allow ed t h e cu r r en t Pr in cess J iu J iu t o p ossess t h e p ow er of a d efen se-t yp e Sou l
Em p er or . T h is w as t h e r eason w h y sh e an d t h e Em p er or w er e so con fid en t in
t h is m at ch .
H ow ever , t h is t yr a n n ical d efen se h a d b een b low n ap ar t at t h is m om en t .

Look in g at Sh r ek Acad em y’s cu r r en t a b ilit ies, t h er e w as n o w ay t h at an y of
t h em sh ou ld ’ve b een ab le t o ach ieve t h is feat . H ow ever , t h e d est r u ct ion of t h e
St ar Bar r ier sign ified on e t h in g--t h at w as su b ju gat ion . On e of Sh r ek Acad em y’s
fou r st u d en t s w h o w er e p r eviou sly h id d en w it h in t h e Icem ist w as ab le t o su b d u e
t h e St a r Bar r ier .
Righ t aft er t h a t , an even m or e ast on ish in g scen e occu r r ed . A p r ob lem h ad

su d d en ly com e u p w it h t h e p ow er fu l Class 7 sou l t ool t h at w as k n ow n as t h e
Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier .
……
“T h e Sou l-Devou r in g Car vin g Kn ife d id n ’t d isap p ear aft er I p u r ified it . T h e

en or m ou s life en er gy con t ain ed w it h in t h e Life Gold isn ’t som et h in g t h a t you ’r e
ab le t o fat h om . Becau se of t h at , you n ow p ossess a com p let ely n ew car vin g
k n ife, on e t h at can fu lly d isp lay t h e t r u e m igh t of t h e Life Gold . Aft er t h in k in g
ab ou t it for a w h ile, I’ve d ecid ed t o n am e it t h e Life Gu ar d ian . T h is Life
Gu ar d ian can n ot o n ly b est ow life en er gy, b u t also t ak e it aw ay. T h is sp ecial
ab ilit y of st r ip p in g on e’s life en er gy aw ay sh all b e called J u d gem en t , an d t h e life
en er gy t ak en aw ay w ill b e ab sor b ed b ack in t o t h e Life Gu ar d ia n .
Ever y sin gle p er son in t h is w or ld p ossesses life en er gy, b u t J u d gem en t on ly

t ar get s exist en ces w h ich d o n ot gu ar d t h eir ow n life en er gy. If you en cou n t er
an y r esist an ce, it ’ll lose all of it s effect s. H ow ever , it can b e a ver y p ow er fu l
w eap on again st t h e sou l t ools fr om you r w or ld .”
-Elect r olu x
……
M a Xiaot ao w ou ld n ’t b e M a Xiaot ao if sh e w asn ’t ab le t o gr asp an op p or t u n it y

lik e t h is. W h ile sh e w as t r ap p ed b y t h e Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier , sh e h ad
con t in u ou sly t r ied t o b r eak fr ee of h er b in d in gs.
J u st w h at k in d of t em p er d id M a Xiaot ao h ave? Sh e w as b asically a can of

gu n p ow d er t h a t w ou ld exp lod e w it h ju st a ligh t sp ar k . H ow ever , sh e ab solu t ely
w asn ’t t h e t yp e of p er son w h o w ou ld let an ger go t o h er h ead ; on t h e con t r ar y,
sh e h ad h id d en h er in t elligen ce u n d er h er ou t w ar d exp losiven ess.
Aft er lau n ch in g a few at t ack s as a t est , sh e u n d er st ood t h a t sh e w ou ld n ’t b e

ab le t o d est r oy t h is b ar r ier w it h h er level of cu lt iva t ion . At t h e ver y least , sh e
w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o d o it w it h in a sh or t p er iod of t im e. Aft er t h at , sh e m ad e t h e
sm ar t est ch oice ava ilab le--t h at w a s t o d ir ect ly sit in a cr oss-legged p osit ion
w it h in t h e Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier an d sen se t h e st r en gt h of t h e b ar r ier w h ile
r ecover in g t h e so u l p ow er sh e h ad d r ain ed ear lier . At t h e sam e t im e, sh e
con t in u ed t o ob ser ve w h at w as goin g on ou t sid e t h e b ar r ier .
M a Xiaot ao k n ew t h at sh e cou ld h ast en t h e d est r u ct ion of t h e Ab solu t e

Defen se Bar r ier if sh e w er e t o st ak e ever yt h in g on on e at t ack . H ow ever , sin ce
t h eir op p on en t s h ad u sed a sou l t ool lik e t h is t o cou n t er h er , sh e u n d er st ood
t h at sh e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o b r eak fr ee lik e Dai Yu eh en g h ad , n o m at t er h ow sh e
at t ack ed . Sin ce t h at w as t h e case, sh e ch ose t o w ait p at ien t ly.
No m at t er w h at t act ics t h eir op p on en t s w er e u sin g, t h e m at ch w ou ld n ’t b e

over as lon g as sh e w asn ’t d efeat ed . Alt h ou gh Sh r ek Acad em y’s over all st r en gt h
w ou ld su ffer d r am at ically if t h ey w er e t o lose h er , t h e t ea m Dai Yu eh en g led
w ou ld n ’t b e d efeat ed so easily. At t h e ver y least , t h eir op p on en t s w ou ld h ave t o
p ay an ext r em ely h eavy p r ice t o d efeat t h em . H ow ever , a sou l t ool lik e t h is
w ou ld b e goin g again st t h e h eaven s if it w as ab le t o b e u sed for a lon g p er iod of
t im e! Becau se of t h a t , M a Xiaot ao w ou ld b e ab le t o t ak e h er op p on en t s on in h er
p eak con d it ion aft er t h e b ar r ier fin ally exp ir ed .
Sh e h ad b een p ayin g close at t en t ion t o ever yt h in g goin g on on t h e b at t lefield ,

ob ser vin g each an d ever y on e of h er op p on en t s an d h ow m u ch t h ey h ad en d u r ed
in t h e b at t le. W h at sh e w as w ait in g for w as a ch an ce t o cou n t er at t ack . Sh e h ad
n ever lack ed an y con fid en ce, b ecau se con fid en ce cam e fr om st r en gt h . M a
Xiaot ao k n ew t h at h er t eam w ou ld ab solu t ely n ever fall ea sily as lon g as sh e
h ad n ’t fallen .
Chapt er 110.2: The Second Fusion Skill!
H ow ever , M a Xiaot a o d id n ’t t h in k t h a t h er ch an ce w ou ld com e so qu ick ly.

T h e in st an t t h e St a r Bar r ier w as d est r oyed , sh e w as gr eat ly ast on ish ed . Sh e
ab solu t ely d id n ’t t h in k t h at t h e fou r of t h em cou ld ’ve d est r oyed t h e b ar r ier t h at
even Dai Yu eh en g cou ld n ’t fr om t h e ou t sid e.
At t h at m om en t , H u o Yu h ao h ad an ext r em ely p ale face as h e su p p or t ed t h e

u n con sciou s W an g Don g. H ow ever , h is eyes w er e ju st t h a t r esolu t e. Alt h ou gh
t h er e w as an age d iffer en ce of seven year s b et w een t h e t w o, M a Xiaot ao h ad n o
ch oice b u t t o ad m it t h at sh e h a d b een m oved b y H u o Yu h ao’s eyes at t h a t
m om en t .
T h is r esolu t e, st u b b or n u n yield in gn ess fr om a you t h w h o w asn ’t even

t h ir t een gave h er an in d escr ib ab le sen se of sh ock . H e w as lik e a t ow er in g, st ab le
m ou n t ain t h at m ad e p eop le t r u st h im .
Aft er t h at , M a Xiaot ao w it n essed ever yt h in g occu r . T h e on ly p er son w h o

cou ld h ea r t h e cr isp sh at t er in g of t h e Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier w as h er , w h o
w as t r ap p ed w it h in it . Sh e d id n ’t k n ow h ow H u o Yu h ao h ad d on e it , b u t sh e
d id n ’t n eed t o p on d er t h is qu est ion at t h is m om en t .
H er silen t flam es on ce again r ose in t o t h e sk y, an d w h en h er p h oen ix on ce

again cr ied ou t in h er voice, it s flam es h ad r each ed an in com p ar ab ly t er r ifyin g
d egr ee of h eat .
It car r ied a few t r aces of d em on ism w it h in it , cau sin g M a Xiaot ao’s eyes t o
t u r n d a r k r ed . Righ t aft er t h at , h er p h oen ix w in gs on ce again b lossom ed fr om
h er b ack . H ow ever , t h e flam es t h at ap p ear ed alon gsid e h er w in gs w er e n ow
d ar k r ed as w ell!
T h e son or ou s cr y of a p h oen ix car r ied b ou n d less t yr an n ical m igh t an d a n ger
as it m igh t ily r a n g ou t , it s d em on ic, d ar k r ed flam es cover in g it s w in gs su r gin g
for t h as it d id so. T h e Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier com p let ely sh at t er ed in it s w ak e,
m ak in g it seem as t h ou gh M a Xiaot ao w as ju st cr u sh in g t h e last w eed in h er
p at h . At t h e sam e t im e, h er b od y sh ot ou t lik e a can n on sh ell m ad e of fir e.
Sh e d id n ’t fly t ow ar d s Pr in cess J iu J iu , b u t t h e fou r sou l m ast er s w h o w er e

gr ou p ed t oget h er .
T h e st u d en t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y h ad n ever lack ed in coor d in at ion . T h e

in st an t M a Xiaot ao st ar t ed m ovin g, Dai Yu eh en g exp lod ed ou t . Alt h ou gh h e’d
b een p r eviou sly in ju r ed , h is in ju r ies w er en ’t sever e. H is p ow er fu l p h ysiq u e t h a t
h ad b een st r en gt h en ed t h r eefold h ad t u r n ed h im in t o t h e p er son w it h t h e
st u r d iest b od y on t h e b at t lefield . H is b od y w as p r act ically in t er t w in ed w it h M a
Xiaot ao’s as h e r u sh ed ou t , b u t t h e p er son h e ch ose t o r u n t ow ar d s w as J iu J iu .
T h e sou l m ast er in fr on t of Pr in cess J iu J iu w h o h ad n ’t m ad e a m ove sin ce t h e

st ar t of t h e b at t le fin ally st ood u p . A p air of en or m ou s w in gs su d d en ly u n fu r led ,
b lock in g Dai Yu eh en g’s p at h lik e a set of w ood en d oor s.
T h is w as Sh en g Yi, a d efen se-t yp e Sou l Kin g w h ose m ar t ial sou l w as t h e

Gigan t Eagle.
Alt h ou gh J iu J iu ’s St ar cr ow n w as p ow er fu l, it s d r aw b ack s w er e ver y ob viou s.

T h e St ar cr ow n w ou ld n ’t give t oo m u ch of a b oost t o it s u ser ’s p h ysiqu e, an d
b ecau se of t h at , Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s p h ysiq u e w as st ill on e of h er w eak n esses, even
if sh e h ad an au xiliar y-t yp e sou l sk ill st r en gt h en in g h er d efen se, or even h er
at t ack s. Becau se of t h at , sh e alw ays h ad t h is d efen se-t yp e Sou l Kin g p r ot ect in g
h er , so as t o avoid an y accid en t s fr om occu r in g.
Dai Yu eh en g’s eyes w en t w id e as h e r oar ed , “Scr ew off!”
H e ch ar ged t yr an n ically for w ar d , t h en u sed b ot h h is p alm s t o aggr essiv ely

cat ch t h e w in gs w h ich w er e sw at t in g at h im .
As a d efen se-t yp e Sou l Kin g, Sh en g Yi w asn ’t so easily t ak en car e of. H is
secon d an d fou r t h sou l r in gs lit u p sim u lt an eou sly, an d h is en or m ou s w in gs
t u r n ed a m et allic gr ey, t h en b u r st for t h w it h a m et allic ligh t .
An ear -p ier cin g sou n d cau sed b y fr ict ion r an g ou t , accom p an ied b y cou n t less
sp ar k s flyin g ab ou t . It seem ed as t h ou gh b ot h p ar t ies w er e m et allic w eap on s
w h ich w er e clash in g w it h each ot h er .
Con sid er in g h ow m u ch r age M a Xiaot ao h ad p en t u p in sid e h er , h ow cou ld

Dai Yu eh en g’s m ood b e an y b et t er ? As t h e eld est son of t h e W h it e T iger Du k e,
t h e ar r ogan ce h e p ossessed in h is h ear t w as n o less t h an h er s. If it w er en ’t for
t h e d isp ar it y b et w een t h eir cu lt ivat ion levels, h e w ou ld ’v e fou gh t for t h e
p osit ion of lead er a lr ead y. Alt h ou gh h e look ed m u ch m or e m at u r e t h a n h is
you n ger b r ot h er fr om t h e ou t sid e, t h er e w asn ’t t oo b ig of a d iffer en ce b et w een
t h em on t h e in sid e.
T h er e w as n o n eed t o even m en t ion h ow d ep r essed Dai Yu eh en g h ad b een

feelin g, seein g t h at h e h a d b een gan ged u p on an d ev en in ju r ed b y h is
op p on en t s. At t h is m om en t , h e w as on ly facin g a sin gle op p on en t ! M or e
im p or t an t ly, Pr in cess J iu J iu h ad b een h eavily in ju r ed b y t h e d est r u ct ion of t h e
St ar Bar r ier , an d h er St ar glor y Sp ell h ad b een in t er r u p t ed as w ell. In ot h er
w or d s, h er com p an ion s cou ld n ’t p r ovid e h er an y assist a n ce at all.
In a sit u at ion lik e t h is, t h e ou t com e of a b at t le b et w een a Sou l Kin g an d a Sou l

Em p er or cou ld b e im agin ed .
If an or d in ar y assa u lt -t yp e Sou l Em p er or fou gh t again st a d efen se-t yp e Sou l

Kin g, t h e lat t er m igh t b e ab le t o h old t h eir gr ou n d for a few b r eat h s.
Un for t u n at ely, Sh en g Yi w as facin g a Sou l Em p er or w h o p ossessed t h e W h it e
T iger , on e w h o w as n ot on ly ext r em ely good at close-com b at , b u t on e w h o h ad
an ext r em ely t yr an n ical p h ysiq u e!
Alt h ou gh Sh en g Yi’s w in gs--w h ich w er e as t ou gh as m et al--b lock ed Dai

Yu eh en g’s p at h , t h e lat t er sh oved h is sh ar p claw s in t o t h e for m er ’s w in gs
am id st an ea r -p ier cin g sou n d cau sed b y fr ict ion .
Dai Yu eh en g let ou t an ot h er exp losive r oar , an d a fier ce, w h it e ligh t su r ged
t h r ou gh h is eyes as h e u n leash ed t h e W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in at ion for t h e
secon d t im e.
H ow ever , h is at t ack st r u ck on ly air t h is t im e. A p ow er fu l ab sor p t ion for ce

su d d en ly d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y, ca u sin g Sh en g Yi t o van ish in t o t h in air ; on ly,
h is w in gs n ow h a d t en ad d it ion al gash es on t h em .
T h is t im e, t h e H ea v en fien d Dou lu o h ad m ad e a m ove. T h er e w as n o d ou b t

t h at Sh en g Yi w ou ld d ie if h e w er e t o t ak e on Dai Yu eh en g’s at t ack , so h e h ad n o
ch oice b u t t o in t er ven e in a sit u at ion lik e t h is. W h ile h e w a s ab le t o gu ar an t ee
Sh en g Yi’s safet y, t h is w as eq u ivalen t t o an n ou n cin g h is d ep ar t u r e fr om t h e
m at ch .
W h ile ever yt h in g over at Dai Yu eh en g’s sid e w en t sm oot h ly, M a Xiaot ao

r evealed t h e st r en gt h b efit t in g of t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l
Du ellin g T ou r n am en t ’s r eign in g ch am p ion .
A d ar k r ed fir e p r op elled h er b od y for w ar d , m ak in g it seem as t h ou gh sh e w as

a r eal p h oen ix--an Evil Fir e Ph oen ix.
T h er e w as n o d ou b t ab ou t it --sh e w as n ow u sin g t h e com p let ely u n r est r ain ed

evil fir e. In t h e p ast , sh e w ou ld alw ays su p p r ess t h e evil au r a h id d en w it h in h er
p h oen ix flam es d u r in g b at t les or cu lt ivat ion session s; t h at w a s t h e on ly w ay sh e
cou ld p r even t it fr om affect in g h er st at e of m in d . H ow ever , su p p r essin g it
w ou ld u n d ou b t ed ly affect h er cu lt ivat ion t o a cer t ain ext en t . T h is w as b ecau se
sh e w ou ld h ave t o u se som e of h er en er gy t o su p p r ess it . Not on ly t h at , b u t t h e
evil au r a w it h in h er w as a p ar t of h er st r en gt h in t h e fir st p lace!
At t h is exact m om en t , t h e d ar k r ed flam es sh e r evealed w er e h er t r u e,

u n su p p r essed p ow er --t h e fu ll p ow er of t h e Evil Fir e Ph oen ix.
Fr om an ot h er st an d p oin t , t h e st r en gt h of t h e cu r r en t M a Xiaot ao’s m ar t ial

sou l h ad alr ead y exceed ed t h at of h er an cest or fr om t h e fir st gen er at ion ’s
Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s, M a H on gju n . T h is w as b ecau se M a H on gju n h ad r elied
on a h eaven ly t r easu r e t o r esolve t h e issu e of h is evil au r a, t u r n in g h is m ar t ial
sou l in t o t h e p u r e Fir e Ph oen ix in t h e p r ocess. Alt h ou gh t h e p u r ified Fir e
Ph oen ix w as even m or e over w h elm in gly p ow er fu l, it lack ed t h e b lazin g st r en gt h
t h at cam e fr om t h e evil au r a .
W it h ou t t h e su p p or t of t h e St a r glor y Sp ell, H u an g H eyu n ’s t eam of fou r w er e

b ogged d ow n for a b r ief m om en t . T h ey w er e or igin ally p u r su in g Dai Yu eh en g,
b u t seein g M a Xiaot ao su d d en ly ch ar ge t ow ar d s t h em h ad left t h em in a d aze.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey h ad b een facin g M a Xiaot ao h or izon t ally. In ot h er w or d s, M a
Xiaot ao w as n ow su d d en ly flan k in g t h em on t h e sid e.
T h e lack of coor d in at ion t h at st em m ed fr om a t eam of fou r on ce again

ap p ear ed , as t h e fou r of t h em cou ld on ly q u ick ly t u r n ar ou n d . H u an g H eyu n w as
left in an even m or e flu st er ed st at e. H e h ad b een p r eviou sly su p p r essed b y M a
Xiaot ao, an d h er su d d en ap p ear an ce aft er b r eak in g t h r ou gh t h e Ab solu t e
Defen se Bar r ier h ad cr u sh ed h im in t er m s of im p r essiven ess.
Pan ick ed , H u an g H eyu n d id n ’t d ar e t o w ast e an y t im e. H e for cefu lly p ou n d ed

h is ow n ch est , a n d h is eyes in st an t ly t u r n ed b lood -r ed . T h en , h e let ou t a t iger ’s
r oar , cau sin g a b lack h u r r ican e t o in st an t ly sw eep t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao.
T h is w as H u an g H eyu n ’s fift h sou l sk ill, h is st r on gest at t ack --Dar k n ess

H u r r ican e. St r en gt h en ed b y h is t h r ee t eam m at es, t h is a t t ack of h is even seem ed
t o h ave som e su b st a n ce t o it . T h e in st an t it ap p ear ed , t h e air on t h e t ou r n am en t
st age seem ed t o m elt . At t h e sam e t im e, t h is h u r r ican e h ad a st r on g ab sor p t ion
for ce, w h ich w as n ow t ar get in g M a Xiaot ao.
Aft er u sin g t h is a t t a ck , H u an g H eyu n ’s vein s t u r n ed p u r p le. H e w as n ear in g

t h e lim it of h is p h ysical en d u r an ce, an d t h er e w as a h igh ch an ce t h at h e w ou ld
self-d est r u ct if h e w er e t o u se an ot h er sou l sk ill.
Du gu Sh an gsh an , w h o w as st an d in g b eh in d h im , h ad n o ch oice b u t t o r em ove

h is h an d s fr om H u an g H eyu n ’s b od y. H e n ow t ook H u an g H eyu n ’s p lace, b u t t h e
for m er q u ar t et n ow t u r n ed in t o a t r io.
T h is at t ack h ad b een lau n ch ed b y t h e com b in ed p ow er s of fou r p eop le, an d it
w as even H u an g H eyu n ’s st r on gest sou l sk ill. Fr om t h eir p oin t of view , even if it
w asn ’t ab le t o d ir ect ly t ak e d ow n M a Xiaot ao, it w ou ld at least b e ab le t o
sever ely in ju r e h er .
H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t exp ect t h e valian t M a Xiaot ao t o ch oose t o n ot t ak e it on

d ir ect ly.
W it h a su d d en flap of h er en or m ou s w in gs of fir e, M a Xiaot ao acceler at ed as

sh e w as su ck ed t ow a r d s t h e p ow er fu l h u r r ican e.
At t h is m om en t , h er ad van t age in t er m s of cu lt ivat ion w as r evealed . T h ey

w er e b ot h So u l Em p er or s, b u t Dai Yu eh en g w as five r an k s low er t h an h er . Sh e
w as alr ead y Ran k 67, an d sh e w asn ’t t oo far fr om t h e Sou l Sage r a n k . Aft er
r eleasin g h er fu ll p o w er an d b r in gin g t h e level of h er flam es t o t h at of evil fir e,
even a Sou l Sage w h o h ad fu sed t h eir elem en t w it h t h eir sou l p ow er m igh t
p ossib ly lose t o t h e cu r r en t h er .
Alt h ou gh sh e cou ld n ’t b r eak fr ee of t h at ab sor p t ion for ce, a st r an ge scen e

occu r r ed as sh e fla p p ed h er w in gs. It w asn ’t h er w h o w as d r aw n in t o t h e
Dar k n ess H u r r ican e, b u t t h e h u r r ican e t h at w as d r aw n t ow ar d s h er .
As h er feet sp ou t ed jet s of b lazin g flam e, M a Xiaot ao’s bod y sh ot ou t . T h e

Dar k n ess H u r r ica n e t h at w as n ear in g h er im m ed iat ely slow ed d ow n gr eat ly as it
w as b last ed b y t h e t w o lava-lik e jet s of d ar k -r ed d ish fir e. Fu r t h er m or e, it even
seem ed t o b e d am aged sligh t ly, cau sin g it t o b e r ed u ced sligh t ly in size.
H ow ever , M a Xiaot a o w as ab le t o b or r ow t h e for ce fr om h er t w o leg sou l b on es
t o exp losively in cr ea se in sp eed . Flyin g in an ar c, sh e b r u sh ed p ast t h e p u r su it of
t h e Dar k n ess H u r r ican e an d flew st r aigh t t ow ar d s Du gu Sh an gsh an ’s t r io.
H er fift h sou l r in g lit u p in m id air , a n d t h e p h oen ix fla m es b y h er sid e

su d d en ly for m ed h alos of fier y ligh t . T h ese fier y h alos sw ep t b eh in d M a Xiaot ao,
an d sh e let ou t a fier ce sh ou t as sh e on ce again sp ed u p . H er figu r e van ish ed
w it h in t h e d ar k -r ed flam es, an d sh e t r an sfor m ed in t o a t r u e Fir e Ph oen ix as sh e
in st an t ly ap p ear ed in fr on t of Du gu Sh an gsh an .
Chapt er 110.3: The Second Fusion Skill!
An even st r an ger scen e ap p ear ed , as t h e fier y r in gs of ligh t t h at w er e sw ep t

b ack w ar d s seem ed t o d am age t h e Dar k n ess H u r r ican e. Alt h ou gh t h ey w er en ’t
st r on g en ou gh t o com p let ely d est r oy it , t h ey w er e st ill ab le t o ob st r u ct an d
w eak en it t im e over t im e. By t h e t im e t h at M a Xiaot ao h ad r each ed Du gu
Sh an gsh an , over h alf of t h e Dar k n ess H u r r ican e h a d d issip at ed .
Du gu Sh an gsh an w as sim p ly u n ab le t o d o an yt h in g. Evad in g h er w as

com p let ely im p ossib le; h ow cou ld t h e t h e t h r ee of t h em d efeat M a Xiaot ao in
sp eed ?
H is fift h sou l r in g flash ed as h e r eleased t h e Dar k d em on T iger ’s m ost

p ow er fu l at t ack . H ow ever , t h e t h r ee Sou l Kin gs b eh in d h im w er e n o lon ger ab le
t o ob st r u ct t h e r agin g M a Xiaot ao’s ad van ce.
“Boom —” T h e en t ir e t ou r n am en t st age w as en gu lfed in an exp losion of d ar k

r ed fir e. T h e in st a n t t h at M a Xiaot ao’s b lazin g flam es b lossom ed ou t , t h e
au d ien ce w a s on ly ab le t o see t h r ee figu r es soar in t o t h e a ir , r escu ed b y t h e
H eaven fien d Dou lu o . H ow ever , t h e t h r ee of t h em h ad su ffer ed h eavy in ju r ies
d u r in g t h e violen t collision b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies; t h e N in e T r an sfor m at ion s
Sou lr it e b eh in d t h em h ad b een sh at t er ed com p let ely.
Oh , w ait , fou r figu r es h ad sh ot in t o t h e air . H u an g H eyu n h ad also b een

r escu ed b y t h e H eav en fien d Dou lu o aft er collap sin g d u e t o over exer t ion .
It w asn ’t ju st Dai Yu eh en g an d M a Xiaot ao w h o’d sim u lt an eou sly en d ed t h eir

b at t les: Bei Bei also d efeat ed h is ext r em ely t r ou b lesom e op p on en t on t h e ot h er
sid e of t h e ar en a at t h at m om en t . Of cou r se, h e h ad n ’t ju st r elied on h is ow n
p ow er .
T h e Ligh t n in g Falcon w as sim p ly t oo qu ick , an d even p ossessed t h e ab ilit y t o
u se ligh t n in g t o som e ext en t . As su ch , it w as ab le t o r esist Bei Bei’s p ar alysis.
For t u n at ely for Bei Bei, h is Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon w as su fficien t ly
st r on g, t h u s h e’d b een ab le t o p er sist t h r ou gh t h e en t ir e b at t le. Gr an t ed , h e’d
b een left in an in ju r ed an d w ear y st a t e aft er t h e St ar Bar r ier b r ok e d ow n .
T h e in st an t t h a t t h e St ar Bar r ier b r ok e d ow n , Ch en Xiaojie felt t h at

som et h in g w as off. H e im m ed iat ely w an t ed t o u se h is m ost p ow er fu l at t ack t o
d eal w it h Bei Bei, b u t a b lack st r eak h ad ap p ear ed b eh in d t h e lat t er at t h at exact
m om en t . T h e in st an t h e exp lod ed ou t w it h all of h is p ow er , a t h ick an d solid
sh ield t h at w as filled w it h t h e au r a of ice faced h im .
T h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t h ad fin ally b een r evealed in t h is

m at ch . On ly, t h e p er son t h at h a d b een d isp laced w as on Sh r ek ’s t eam .
Even t h ou gh Bei Bei’s in ju r ies w er e r at h er h eavy, a lar ge m ajor it y of t h em

w er e on ly flesh w ou n d s. H e d id n ’t h esit at e t o im m ed iat ely ju m p b ack in t o t h e
figh t w h en Xu San sh i t ook h is p lace. Fu r t h er m or e, h e m ad e h is m ove at ju st t h e
r igh t t im e, as Ch en Xiaojie’s en t ir e b od y w as in a slu ggish st at e fr om h is
p r eviou s at t ack at t h at m om en t .
Xu San sh i n at u r ally w asn ’t ab le t o slow Ch en Xiaojie d ow n w it h h is st r en gt h ;

h is con t r ol-t yp e sou l sk ills w er en ’t of m u ch u se t ow ar d s t h e in com p ar ab ly qu ick
Ch en Xiaojie, w h o even h ad a cu lt iva t ion level t h at exceed ed h is. H ow ever ,
Sh r ek ’s t eam st ill h a d an ot h er con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er w h o’d b een t r ap p ed for
qu it e a lon g t im e!
T h e in st an t t h a t Xu San sh i sw it ch ed p la ces w it h Bei Bei, an icy b lu e h alo of

ligh t ap p ear ed b en ea t h Ch en Xiaojie.
T h is w as Lin g Lu och en ’s fift h sou l sk ill, Iceb r illian t H alo.
H ow ever , t h e Iceb r illian t H alo w asn ’t u sed t o t r ap h er op p on en t s, b u t r at h er

sp r ead t ow ar d ou t w ar d s fr om t h e ep icen t er . Un d er Lin g Lu och en ’s con t r ol, t h e
h alo of ligh t in st an t ly sp r ead ou t w ar d s.
No m at t er h ow fast t h e Ligh t n in g Falcon w as, it w asn ’t fast er t h an t h e r elease
of a sou l sk ill, n ot t o m en t ion an om n id ir ect ion al on e. H e w as n at u r ally st r u ck
b y it .
Lin g Lu och en d id n ’t h ave H u o Yu h ao’s assist an ce, t h u s h er Iceb r illian t H alo

d id n ’t con t ain h is Ult im at e Ice. H ow ever , it w as st ill com p let ely p ossib le for h er
t o t em p or ar ily fr eeze an agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er w h o w as b ot h w eak er t h an h er ,
an d w h o d id n ’t sp ecialise in d efen se. Aft er all, t h e fact t h at con t r ol su p p r essed
agilit y h ad b een k n o w n b y ever yon e sin ce t h e old en d ays.
An d w h at d id a r ascal lik e Xu San sh i sp ecialise at d oin g? T h er e w as n o d ou b t

t h at h e w as am azin g at p elt in g a st on e at som eon e w h o w as alr ead y on t h e
gr ou n d ! H e im m ed ia t ely u sed h is t h ir d so u l sk ill, M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld For ce,
follow ed b y h is fir st , M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e, t h en sm ash ed h is sh ield
in t o Ch en Xiaoji r ep eat ed ly.
Even t h ou gh h is at t a ck p ow er h ad n ever b een w or t h m en t ion in g, b ein g h it b y

a sh ield st ill w ou ld n ’t feel good . On ly p eop le w h o’d t ak en t h e Sh ield of t h e
Xu an w u T u r t le h ea d -on w ou ld u n d er st an d h ow h eavy it felt . St r en gt h en ed b y
t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld For ce, t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e’s
st u n n in g effect lan d ed on Ch en Xiaojie’s b od y an d sh ot h im t ow ar d s t h e
ext r em ely an gr y Bei Bei.
Bei Bei lau gh ed , h is sm ile as w ar m an d sch olar ly as ever ...
Aft er w ar d s, a ser ies of t h u n d er clap s r an g ou t on t h e t ou r n am en t st age.

Alt h ou gh t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o w as a T it led Dou lu o, even h e felt som ew h at
n er vou s r escu in g ever y p ar t icip an t a t t h e last m om en t . T h is w as esp ecia lly so
con sid er in g t h e fact t h at t h r ee b at t les h a d en d ed sim u lt an eou sly.
As su ch , h e n at u r ally ch ose t o d eal w it h t h e p er son left in t h e m ost d an ger ou s

con d it ion . Even t h ou gh Ch en Xiaojie w as get t in g w ild ly b eat en u p b y Bei Bei, h e
w as st ill a Sou l Kin g, w h ile t h e lat t er w as on ly a Sou l An cest or . As su ch , t h e
H eaven fien d Dou lu o n at u r ally d id n ’t t h in k t h at Ch en Xiaojie w ou ld su ffer an y
h eavy in ju r ies. Regar d less of w h at on e said , Bei Bei st ill look ed lik e a r a t h er
w ar m -h ear t ed p er son .
Un for t u n at ely, t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o d id n ’t k n ow h ow t w o-faced t h is

‘w ar m -look in g m an ’ w as,
Bei Bei h ad p r eviou sly b een b eat en u p b y Ch en Xiaojie god -k n ow s h ow m an y

t im es, t h u s h e w as n ow all b r u ised u p ! H e’d b een op p r essed for t oo lon g! Bei Bei
w asn ’t a p er son w h o w ou ld b it e t h e h an d t h at fed h im , b u t h e w as d efin it ely a
p er son w h o w ou ld exact ven gean ce on t h ose t h at w r on ged h im .
H e slap p ed Ch en Xiaojie’s sh ou ld er w it h h is T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw ,

sen d in g h im st r aigh t t o t h e gr ou n d . Aft er w ar d s, Bei Bei leap t in t o t h e a ir ,
p oin t ed h is elb ow d ow n w ar d s, an d slam m ed in t o Ch en Xiaojie’s b od y.
In an even m or e violen t m ove, Xu San sh i leap t in t o t h e air t h e sam e in st an t

t h at Bei Bei d id , an d p r oceed ed t o slam in t o Ch en Xiaojie alon gsid e h im .
Ch en Xiaojie let ou t a m u ffled gr oan fr om t h e p ain . Befor e h e cou ld r egain h is

ab ilit y t o m ove, Bei Bei u sed Vigor ou s T h u n d er b olt , w h ich sen t cou n t less
t en d r ils of ligh t n in g in t o h is b od y.
Nat u r a lly, Xu San sh i w as left sh ak in g fr om t h e ligh t n in g t h at st r u ck h im . H e

im m ed iat ely sen t Bei Bei—w h o w as lyin g u n d er n eat h h im —flyin g w it h a k ick .
On ce h e got u p , Bei Bei im m ed iat ely u sed eigh t een con secu t ive T h u n d er ou s
Dr agon Claw st r ik es on Ch en Xiaojie. A w ave of ligh t n in g sw ep t t ow ar d s h im ...
Ch en Xiaojie r esem b led a p iece of ch ar coal t h at h ad b een b ar b ecu ed b y t h e

t im e t h a t t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o r escu ed h im fr om Bei Bei’s clu t ch es.
In r ealit y, on ly seven or eigh t b r eat h s of t im e h ad p assed sin ce t h e b at t lefield

h ad ch an ged . W h at T eam Sh r ek h ad d isp layed w asn ’t ju st coor d in at ion , b u t
exp losiven ess.
Six of t h e seven st u d en t s fr om St ar Lu o Acad em y h ad b een elim in at ed . As Dai
Yu eh en g st ood in fr on t of t h e st agger in g Pr in cess J iu J iu , h e d id n ’t at t ack h er .
In st ead , h e gazed at h er w it h a ca lm gaze.
Pr in cess J iu J iu h a d alr ead y r et r eat ed t o t h e ver y ed ge of t h e t ou r n am en t

st age at t h is p oin t in t im e. T h e in st an t sh e’d b een at t ack ed , h er m en t al st at e h a d
b een affect ed . T h e m at ch h ad p r act ica lly alr ead y en d ed w h ile sh e w as t r yin g t o
r ecover h er m en t al st at e.
Pr in cess J iu J iu m in d w as som ew h at b la n k . Sh e t r u ly w a n t ed t o say, I haven’ t

even used m y st r ongest at t ack yet . H ow ever , sh e cl ear l y un der st ood t h at t h er e
w as n o l on ger an y m ean i n g i n doi n g so. Even i f h er St ar cr ow n w as st r on ger , sh e
coul dn ’ t t ak e on t h e en t i r et y of Sh r ek ’ s t eam by h er sel f .
“ Ji u Ji u, just sur r en der .” Dai Yueh en g sai d i n di f f er en t l y. T h e St ar l i gh t

Auct i on cl ear l y w asn ’ t t h e f i r st t i m e t h at t h ey’ d m et . T h e gaze h e l ook ed at h er
w i t h w as som ew h at m yst er i ous, an d even car r i ed a f ew f ai n t t r aces of w ar m t h .
“ I ’ m n ot sur r en der i n g t o you.” Ji u Ji u sai d col dl y. Sh e t h en t ur n ed ar oun d

an d jum ped of f t h e t our n am en t st age, si gn al l i n g t h e en d of t h e t eam f i gh t .
T h e m at ch h ad been qui t e sh or t , so m uch so t h at a l ar ge m ajor i t y of t h e

audi en ce h adn ’ t m an aged t o w i t n ess t h e m ost br i l l i an t an d i n t en se scen es t h at
h ad occur r ed.
H ow ever , t h i s i n t en se bat t l e w as def i n i t el y t h e m ost m ar vel ous an d f i er ce

bat t l e i n t h e t our n am en t t o dat e.
Fr om St ar Luo Academ y com pl et el y con t r ol l i n g t h e t em po of t h e en t i r e bat t l e,

t o Sh r ek Academ y’ s sudden r ever sal an d expl osi ven ess. T h e en t i r e bat t l e h ad
n ot on l y been i n t en se, but h ad al so been ext r em el y exci t i n g. T h i s w as especi al l y
t r ue f or Sh r ek ’ s t eam , w h o h ad been f eel i n g pal pi t at i on s i n t h ei r h ear t
t h r ough out t h e en t i r e f i gh t .
M a Xiaot ao w at ch ed h er op p on en t leap d ow n fr om t h e st age, t h en
im m ed iat ely t u r n ed ar ou n d an d flew t o Lin g Lu och en . W it h a h oar se voice, sh e
said , “H elp m e su p p r ess it , qu ick .”
At t h at m om en t , h er eyes w er e com p let ely d ar k r ed , an d flick er ed w it h a

savage ligh t t h at seem ed lik e it cou ld sw a llow on e w h ole.
Lin g Lu och en d id n ’t d ar e t o w ast e an y t im e. Sh e q u ick ly p laced h er icy st aff

on M a Xiaot ao’s for eh ead , cau sin g an Iceb r illian t H alo t o ap p ear an d for cib ly
su p p r ess h er evil fir e t h at w as ab ou t t o b low u p .
A ch illy sen sa t ion st im u lat ed M a Xiaot ao’s b od y, an d aft er a b ou t of sh iver in g,

h er exp r ession b eca m e sligh t ly b et t er . H ow ever , t h e d ar k r ed ligh t in h er eyes
d id n ’t com p let ely r eced e.
Aft er w at ch in g Pr in cess J iu J iu leap off t h e st age, Dai Yu eh en g w as left

feelin g som ew h at b lan k . H e qu ick ly t u r n ed ar ou n d , an d a sligh t ly st r an ge—an d
even som ew h at ch illy—ligh t flash ed t h r o u gh h is eyes as h e lo ok ed at t h e fallen
Righ t ! It w asn ’t h im w h o’d d efeat ed Pr in cess J iu J iu . At t h at t im e, h e’d

alr ead y r eceived a few in ju r ies. Fu r t h er m or e, h e h ad n ’t p ossessed en ou gh
st r en gt h t o even d efeat t h e q u ar t et t h at h ad faced h im . Per h ap s t h ey w ou ld n ’t
h ave b een ab le t o im m ed iat ely ch ase a ft er h im , b u t t h ey d efin it ely cou ld ’ve
t ak en car e of Bei Bei, w h o’d b een t r ap p ed b y Ch en Xiaojie. At t h at t im e, h ow
lon g cou ld h e su r viv e in t h e figh t if h e w er e t o h ave t o t ak e on t h e en t ir e t eam
b y h im self? It w ou ld ’ve b een h ar d t o t ell t h e r esu lt s of t h e follow in g b at t le. At
t h e ver y least , t h e scales of vict or y w ou ld ’ve b een t ip p ed in h is op p on en t ’s
favor .
H ow ever , t h e p eop le w h o’d t r u ly p u lled again st t h e st r on g t id e w er e t h e t w o

you t h s w h o h ad collap sed . H ow ever , ju st h ow h ad t h ey d on e it ? Even t h ou gh
t h ey w er e n ow u n con sciou s, t h ey w er e t h e t r u e h igh ligh t s of Sh r ek ’s t eam in
t h is m at ch . It cou ld b e said t h at t h ey’d d om in at ed t h e m at ch d esp it e on ly Lin g
Lu och en an d Xu San sh i clear ly w it n essin g w h at t h ey’d d on e.
Chapt er 111.1: Blaze Amidst t he Fr ost , t he
Heavenly Emper or 's Hammer !
Br eak in g t h e St ar Ba r r ier an d t h e Ab solu t e Defen se Bar r ier on e aft er an ot h er

h ad com p let ely u n r aveled t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y’s b at t le t act ics an d
st r at egy, an d h ad su b sequ en t ly ch an ged t h e en t ir e sit u at ion .
Dai Yu eh en g w alk ed over t o H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g an d , lost in t h ou gh t ,

b en t d ow n t o su p p or t t h e t w o of t h em .
As t h at m om en t , a p air of h an d s flash ed b efor e h im , an d Bei Bei’s face

ap p ear ed in fr on t of Dai Yu eh en g’s eyes w it h a gr in . “Let m e d o it , sen ior .”
Dai Yu eh en g w as m om en t ar ily st u n n ed . H e in st an t ly r ecover ed fr om h is

m ild ly d en se st a t e of m in d an d agr eed as h e t ook a st ep b ack .
“Give h im t o m e.” A p air of sear in g-h ot h an d s r each ed ou t a n d sn at ch ed H u o

Yu h ao fr om Bei Bei’s h an d s ju st as h e w as h elp in g h im u p . H u o Yu h ao w as
clam p ed u n d er h er ar m p it as t h ey leap t off t h e com p et it ion st age alm ost
im m ed iat ely van ish ed fr om ever yon e’s eyes.
T h e cor n er of Xu e Sa n sh i’s, w h o w as st an d in g n ext t o Bei Bei, m ou t h t w it ch ed

a lit t le as h e h eaved a sigh an d said , “I feel b ad for h im . H ow ever , I h ave t o
t h an k h im as w ell. Xiaot ao h asn ’t sou gh t m e ou t even on ce sin ce h e ar r ived .”
“Sh r ek Acad em y h as d efeat ed St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y in t h e fir st gr ou p

b at t le r ou n d of t h e Sem ifin als.” T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o’s in d iffer en t an d
ch illy voice r an g ou t as h e an n ou n ced t h e r esu lt s of t h e b at t le.
On Sh r ek Acad em y’s sid e, Dai Yu eh en g an d Bei Bei h a d su ffer ed var yin g

d egr ees of in ju r ies. As for H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, t h ey cou ld b e said t o b e
u sed t o t h e exh au st ion fr om com p et in g, as t h eir cu lt iva t ion s w er e sim p ly t oo
low . M a Xiaot ao h ad h ad t o en d u r e t h e t oxic b ack lash fr om ch an n elin g h er evil
fir e, an d h ad on ly m an aged t o for cib ly su p p r ess t h e ev il fir e w it h Lin g Lu och en ’s
h elp . H ow ever , sh e n eed ed H u o Yu h ao’s Ult im at e Ice t o com p let ely r ecover ,
w h ich w as w h y sh e’d sn at ch ed h im aw ay.
H ow ever , t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y’s sit u a t ion w asn ’t t h at gr eat eit h er .
Pr in cess J iu J iu w as in ju r ed , an d H u an g H eyu n , t h eir fr on t lin e assau lt -t yp e sou l
m ast er , h ad ab sor b ed an en or m ou s a m ou n t of sou l p ow er an d h ad sever e
in t er n a l in ju r ies. H e w ou ld m ost lik ely n ot b e ab le t o figh t again for a lon g t im e.
Du gu Sh an gsh an , an ot h er assa u lt -t yp e sou l m ast er , as w ell as t h e W in d fir e Du o,
h ad b een h eavily w ou n d ed b y t h e p ier cin g st r ik e t h a t M a Xiaot ao h ad u n leash ed
w h en sh e’d t r igger ed h er Evil Ph oen ix. If n ot for t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o’s
t im ely in t er ven t ion , all t h r ee of t h em w ou ld h ave p er ish ed b en ea t h t h e
scor ch in g h eat of h er p h oen ix flam es. T h e Gigan t Eagle sou l m ast er w as even
w or se for w ear , as h is w in gs, w h ich h e r elied h eavily on , h ad b een t or n ap ar t .
H is w in gs b ein g sever ely d am aged m ean t t h at h is or igin as a sou l m ast er h ad
also b een h u r t . It cou ld b asically b e said t h at n ot a sin gle o n e of t h e St ar Lu o
Nat ion al Acad em y’s seven m ain t eam m em b er s w ou ld b e ab le t o con t in u e in
t om or r ow ’s sin gle-elim in at ion m at ch a t t h eir p eak con d it ion . Fu r t h er m or e,
t h ey’d alr ead y lost t h e fir st r ou n d , t h u s t h ey w ou ld h a ve t o d efeat Sh r ek
Acad em y in t h e sin gle-elim in at ion r ou n d an d t h e 2-2-3 r ou n d if t h ey w ish ed t o
t u r n t h e t ab les.
“H ow d id Yu h ao an d W an g Don g d o t h at , T each er W an g?” Dai Yu eh en g

eager ly p r ob ed W an g Yan t h e m om en t h e st ep p ed off t h e com p et it ion st age.
W an g Yan glan ced at h im , t h en sh ook h is h ead . “I d id n ’t see t h e sit u a t ion

on st age. H ow w ou ld I k n ow ?”
Lin g Lu och en t h ou gh t ab ou t it , t h en m u t t er ed , “It w as m ost lik ely a m ar t ial

sou l fu sion sk ill. T h eir Gold en Road seem ed t o cou n t er Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s
b ar r ier . Aft er w ar d s, t h ey u sed an ot h er com b in ed sou l sk ill. T h at sou l sk ill w a s
u n iq u e, an d con t ain ed a fr igh t en in g au r a of r aw p ow er an d m ajest y; I can ’t even
b egin t o d escr ib e t h e for ce b eh in d t h a t st r ik e. H ow ever , I k n ow t h at t h ey w er e
t h e on es w h o b r ok e t h r ou gh t h e w eak en ed ligh t b ar r ier . Cou ld it b e t h at t h e t w o
of t h em p ossess a secon d m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill?”
W an g Yan eyed Lin g Lu och en d eep ly as h e low er ed h is voice an d said , “W e

sh all n ot d iscu ss t h is an y fu r t h er . Let ’s h ead b ack .”
Dai Yu eh en g fr ow n ed an d said , “Ar e w e n ot goin g t o w at ch t h e ep ic b at t le

b et w een t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y an d t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y?”
W an g Yan sh ook h is h ead an d r ep lied , “Can ’t you t ell fr om t od ay’s

com p et it ion ? T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y w ill n ever u se
t h e t act ics t h a t t h ey h ave sp ecially in st or e for u s b efor e t h ey’r e act u ally facin g
u s on st age. W at ch in g t h em w ill sim p ly b e a w ast e of t im e—w e m igh t as w ell
h u r r y b ack an d r ecu p er at e. Even t h ou gh w e p r ob ab ly w on ’t r eceive m u ch
r esist a n ce fr om St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y in t h e sin gle-elim in at ion r ou n d s, w e
can ’t b e t oo car eless.”
It w as t r u e t h at t h e sou l sk ill t h at H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad u sed t o

over com e t h e St ar Bar r ier w a s a n ew m a r t ial sou l fu sion sk ill t h a t t h ey’d b een
exp er im en t in g w it h . T o b e m or e accu r at e, it w as t h eir secon d m ar t ial sou l
fu sion sk ill.
T h eir com b in ed ab ilit ies w ou ld on ly get st r on ger an d st r on ger as t h eir

cu lt ivat ion s in cr eased . T h is w as esp ecially t r u e r egar d in g t h eir com p at ib ilit y
w h ile u sin g t h eir H aod on g p ow er . T h is m ean t t h at t h eir en er gy con su m p t ion
w h en u sin g t h eir m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ills w ou ld b e m u ch low er t h an u su al.
At t h e sam e t im e, ever sin ce H u o Yu h ao h ad fu sed w it h t h e Life Gold , h is

p h ysical w illp ow er en d u r an ce h ad b een gr eat ly b oost ed , w h ich h ad b een t h e
m ost im p or t an t p ar t of t h eir ab ilit y t o u se t w o m a r t ia l sou l fu sion sk ills in a
r ow .
H u o Yu h ao w ou ld h ave n ever exp er im en t ed w it h act ivat in g t w o m ar t ial sou l
fu sion sk ills in a r ow on h is ow n h ad Elect r olu x n ot t old h im t h at h e cou ld d o so.
T h is w as b ecau se failu r e w ou ld m ean h is d eat h .
Un leash in g a m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill m ean t t h at t w o in d ivid u als m ar t ial

sou ls an d sou l p ow er s w er e b ein g seam lessly fu sed t oget h er , an d in t u r n
r eleasin g a d iffer en t k in d of sou l sk ill. H ow ever , t h er e w as alw ays a sin gle
p er son d ir ect in g t h is h ow it w as r eleased .
T h er e w as n o qu est ion t h at H u o Yu h ao w as t h e m ain d ir ect or of t h e Gold en

Road an d t h e secon d sou l sk ill, t h u s it w as n at u r al t h at h e h ad t o en d u r e m or e.
W h en h e’d ob t ain ed t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s b on es, en d u r in g t h e
Gold en Road n o lon ger p r oved t o b e m u ch of a p r ob lem . In ligh t of h is fu sion
w it h t h e Life Gold , an d in ad d it ion t o h is in cr ease in cu lt iva t ion , u sin g a secon d
m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill r igh t aft er t h e fir st h ad b ecom e h e an d W an g Don g’s
cu r r en t lim it . W an g Don g h ad fallen u n con sciou s b ecau se of t h is, as H u o Yu h ao
h ad ext r act ed all of W an g Don g’s sou l p ow er w h ilst b ein g p u sh ed t o t h e lim it s of
h is ow n sou l p ow er .
T h eir secon d m ar t ia l sou l fu sion sk ill w as t h e p r od u ct of fu sin g t h eir ot h er

t w o p ow er fu l m ar t ial sou ls: t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion an d t h e Clear Sk y
H am m er .
T h e Sp ir it Eyes w er e t h e m ain d ir ect or in t h e fu sion b et w een t h e Sp ir it Eyes

an d t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess, w h ich m ean t t h at it w as a fu sion b et w een
sp ir it u al p ow er an d ligh t p ow er in ad d it ion t o t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes’ m igh t y
p ow er , w it h t h eir H aod on g p ow er as t h e sou r ce of act ivat ion . Com p ar at ively,
t h e Gold en Road w as a p ow er fu l m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill t h at lean ed t ow ar d s
con t r ol r at h er t h an d est r u ct ive cap ab ilit ies.
W h at ab ou t t h eir o t h er t w o p ow er fu l m ar t ial sou ls, t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess

Scor p ion an d t h e Clear Sk y H am m er ?
T h er e w as n o qu est ion t h at b ot h en t it ies w er e t h e p in n acle of offen se an d

d est r u ct ive cap ab ilit ies. On e w as an Ult im at e m ar t ia l sou l, a n d w as k n ow n a s
on e of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ’s T h r ee H eaven ly Kin gs. T h e ot h er h eld t h e
r ep u t at ion for b ein g t h e m ost fr igh t en in g assau lt -t yp e m ar t ial sou l in exist en ce.
T h eir fu sion cou ld on ly m ean on e t h in g: d evast at ion .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s secon d m ar t ial so u l fu sion sk ill h a d a

cor r esp on d in g n am e t o t h e Gold en Road .
Blaze Am id st t h e Fr o st , t h e H eaven ly Em p er or ’s H am m er !
T h e Ice Em p r ess, as an Ult im a t e Ice m ar t ial sou l, b ecam e t h e m ain con t r ollin g
p ow er as t h e Ult im at e Ice’s elem en t al d est r u ct iven ess fu sed im p eccab ly w it h t h e
Clear Sk y H am m er ’s p u r e cat aclysm ic p ow er . T h e r esu lt w as a illu sion of H u o
Yu h ao’s m at u r e figu r e as it r ip p ed t h r ou gh sp ace w it h a t er r ifyin g st r ik e. T h e
d evast at in g p ow er p r od u ced in t h at sin gle in st an ce w as alr ea d y far gr eat er t h a n
t h eir com b in ed m igh t u sin g t h eir H aod on g p ow er .
Per h ap s it w as b eca u se t h eir m ar t ial so u ls’ com p at ib ilit y r a t es w er e so h igh ,

b u t t h eir level of su ccess d u r in g t h eir exp er im en t s w it h m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ills
in t h e p ast few d ays h ad b een so h igh t h at even t h ey h ad n ’t b een ab le t o b elieve
it .
In t h eor y, t w o sou l m ast er s w it h t w in m ar t ial sou ls sh ou ld b e ab le t o u n leash

fou r m igh t y m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ills. In fact , t h ey’d alr ead y ach ieved
elect r ifyin g su ccess w it h t h e ot h er t h r ee b esid es t h e Gold en Road . T h is w as t h e
m ost im p or t an t r eason t h at W an g Yan h ad b een w illin g t o sen d t h e t w o of t h em
ou t in t h e sem ifin als gr ou p b at t le r ou n d . If h e h a d n ’t , t h eir com b in ed st r en gt h
w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o com p ar e t o H e Cait ou an d J ian g Nan n an ’s st r en gt h
w it h ou t a n y sp ecial ab ilit ies.
T h e ou t com e p r oved t h at W an g Yan ’s d ecision w as r igh t : H u o Yu h ao an d

W an g Don g’s t w o p ow er fu l m ar t ial so u l fu sion sk ills h ad b een t h e k ey p ar t in
Sh r ek Acad em y for cib ly t u r n in g t h e t id e. Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u al
Det ect ion Sh ar in g’s p ow er h ad b een gr eat ly w eak en ed , h e’d b ecom e Sh r ek
Acad em y’s sp ar k on ce again in t h is b at t le.
H ow ever , H u o Yu h ao w as cu r r en t ly in t r ou b le, as M a Xiaot ao w as d r aggin g
h im b ack t o t h e Gr an d Im p er ial St ar H ot el.
M a Xiaot ao r u sh ed in t o h er r oom lik e a gu st of w in d , t h en slam m ed t h e d oor

sh u t w it h a b an g an d lock ed it .
H er b od y w as lik e a p ile of b u r n in g coa l at t h is p oin t , w h ile h er sk in w as

cover ed in a sed u ct ive p in k layer d u e t o t h e evil fir e’s ad ver se effect s w it h in h er
b od y. T h e d u ll r ed color in h er eyes h ad gr ow n a sh ad er d ar k er , an d h er flow in g
r ed h air w a s so b r igh t t h at it ap p ear ed t o b e d r ip p in g w it h b lood .
Sh e sh ook H u o Yu h ao w it h all h er m igh t an d exclaim ed in a h oar se an d

t r em b lin g voice, “Get u p , you can ’t sleep n ow !”
H u o Yu h ao h ad exp en d ed t oo m u ch sou l p ow er , an d h is b od y h ad en d u r ed t oo
gr eat a h it fr om h is m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill. H e’d b een u n con sciou s sin ce t h e
m at ch . T h er efor e, sim p ly sh ak in g h im a few t im es w ou ld n ’t w ak e h im u p , b u t
M a Xiaot ao’s sit u at ion w as ext r em ely d ir e at t h is p oin t .
Sh e’d for cefu lly su p p r essed t h e evil fir e w it h in h er b od y w it h t h e h elp of H u o

Yu h ao’s Ult im at e Ice t h e last t im e ar ou n d , an d t h is h ad ch an ged h er at t it u d e
t ow ar d s b at t le, as sh e felt as if sh e cou ld ju st let h er self go. Sh e’d b egu n t o
d evelop a ch an ge in m in d set , as if sh e’d for got t en t h e p ain on ce t h e scar s w er e
h ealed . T h is w as even m or e d u e t o H u o Yu h ao b ein g b y h er sid e. In fact , sh e’d
b egu n t o b e a lot less w at ch fu l ab ou t con t r ollin g t h a t evil fir e w it h in h er b od y.
Recen t ly, sh e’d felt t h e evil fir e w it h in h er b od y b egin n in g t o st ir again , b u t

sh e h ad n ’t h u r r ied t o ask for H u o Yu h ao’s h elp in su p p r essin g it . Sh e in t en d ed
t o ask for h is h elp aft er t h ey’d com p let ed t h e r est of t h e com p et it ion .
Sh e’d t r igger ed t h e evil fir e w it h in h er b od y of h er ow n volit ion in t od ay’s

com p et it ion . T h is h a d cau sed h er p h oen ix flam es t o r each a p et r ifyin g level t h at
sh e w as n o lon ger ab le t o con t r ol, even if sh e w an t ed t o su p p r ess it in cer t a in
sit u a t ion s. Even t h ou gh Lin g Lu och en ’s ice elem en t w as p ow er fu l, t h e gap in
t h eir cu lt ivat ion s w a s t oo gr eat . H er n or m al ice elem en t cou ld n ’t even com p ar e
t o M a Xiaot ao’s evil p h oen ix flam es. T h is in t u r n led t o h er n ot b ein g ab le t o
con t r ol t h e evil fir e w it h in h er b od y w h en sh e r et u r n ed t o t h e h ot el.
For t u n at ely for h er , H u o Yu h ao’s b ody w as ice cold , an d h is b od y also

con t ain ed t h e Ice Em p r ess’ b on es. M a Xiaot ao w as st ill ab le t o r et ain a t r ace of
h er r at ion alit y b y h u ggin g h im ever so t igh t ly. H ow ever , sh e cou ld n ’t even t ell
t h at t h e p eak s on h er ch est w er e cu r r en t ly b ein g p r essed ou t of sh ap e a s sh e
sq u eezed t h eir b od ies t igh t ly t oget h er .
“W h at n ow ? W h at sh ou ld I d o? T h is fellow ju st w on ’t w ak e u p .”
M a Xiaot ao gr asp ed H u o Yu h ao’s b od y im p at ien t ly as t h e evil fir e su r ged

p er iod ically w it h in h er b od y. Sh e cou ld acu t ely feel t h at sh e w as ab ou t t o lose
con t r ol com p let ely. T h is h ot el w as in sid e a b u st lin g d ist r ict , an d sh e w as afr aid
of t h e lives t h at w ou ld b e lost t h e m om en t sh e w en t b er ser k .
As M a Xiaot ao h eld on t o H u o Yu h ao as t igh t ly as sh e cou ld , sh e d ar t ed in t o

t h e b at h r oom . Sh e im m ed iat ely t u r n ed on t h e sh ow er , t h en p lu n ged b ot h H u o
Yu h ao an d h er self u n d er n eat h t h e cold w at er .
Even t h ou gh t h e w at er w as cold , it b egan t o sizzle lik e b u r n in g ch ar coal t h at

h ad b een d ou sed w it h w at er on ce it en cou n t er ed h er b oilin g-h ot b od y. T h ick ,
d en se st eam in st an t ly p er m eat ed t h e en t ir e b at h r oom , cover in g it in a layer of
b lu r r in ess.
M a Xiaot ao felt a w a ve of com for t cou r se t h r ou gh h er b od y on ce sh e’d soak ed

h er self in sid e of t h e cold w at er . Sh e h ea ved a fain t sigh of r elief, t h en gr it h er
t eet h an d st ar t ed t o gr ad u ally in ject h er sou l p ow er in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
Sh e d id n ’t k n ow w h at else t o d o. H er h alf-d azed , u n st ab le st at e of m in d h ad

m ad e h er ir r at ion al, an d cau sed h er t o com p let ely for get ab ou t H u o Yu h ao’s
cu r r en t sit u at ion . Even t h ou gh sh e w a s t r yin g h er b est t o su p p r ess it , t h e
h yst er ically sim m er in g evil fir e fou n d it s w ay in t o H u o Yu h ao’s b od y an d
im m ed iat ely b egan t o w r eak h avoc.
If t h is w as H u o Yu h ao b efor e h e’d ab sor b ed t h e Life Gold , ju st t h is alon e

w ou ld ’ve b een en ou gh t o cau se h im gr ave in ju r y.
H ow ever , h is p assagew ays w er e ab le t o en d u r e m u ch m or e t h an b efor e.

Alt h ou gh h is en t ir e b od y b egan t o t r em b le violen t ly u n d er t h is r ilin g
st im u lat ion , h is p assagew ays st ill m an a ged t o for ce d ow n t h e sm all st r eam of
evil fir e t h at w as flow in g in t o h is b od y.
H u o Yu h ao fin ally cam e t o fr om h is u n con sciou s st at e b ecau se of t h is. T w o
ar m s t igh t ly w r ap p ed ar ou n d h is b od y w er e t h e fir st t h in gs h e felt —alon gsid e
t h e t w o ext r em ely so ft an d sp r in gy p eak s t h at w er e p r essed again st h is ch est .
W hat ’ s happeni ng? H uo Yuh ao w as st un n ed m om en t ar i l y, t h en f el t t h e w ave

of un con t r ol l abl e evi l f i r e sur gi n g t h r ough out h i s ow n body.
Even t h ough h e di dn ’ t k n ow t h e r esul t s of t h e com pet i t i on af t er h e passed

out , h e w as f am i l i ar w i t h evi l f i r e; i t h ad on ce caused h i m un i m agi n abl y
agon i zi n g pai n . H e f i gur ed out w h at w as goi n g on al m ost i m m edi at el y.
Regar dl ess of h ow t h e bat t l e h ad en ded, t h e M a Xi aot ao’ s evi l f i r e h ad r el apsed
an d w as out of h er con t r ol .
Den se st eam obscur ed h i s vi si on , but h e coul d cl ear l y h ear M a Xi aot ao’ s

vi ol en t br eat h i n g. I n addi t i on t o t h e f act t h at bot h of t h em w er e so i n t i m at el y
cl ose, H uo Yuh ao’ s youn g body al so began t o f eel som ew h at st r an ge despi t e t h e
pai n h e f el t f r om t h e evi l f i r e’ s t or t ur e.
“ Xi aot ao… l et m e gr ab… t h at m i l k bot t l e…” H uo Yuh ao st r uggl ed t o say.
H uo Yuh ao di dn ’ t h ave m uch soul pow er l ef t i n h i s body w h en M a Xi aot ao

began t o i n ject evi l f i r e i n si de. H ow ever , t h e I ce Em pr ess’ soul bon e w as st i l l
t h er e, an d r eact ed i m m edi at el y by r el easi n g an Ul t i m at e I ce aur a t o r esi st t h e
evi l f i r e.
T h e ext r em e col d i n st an t l y m ade M a Xi aot ao f eel l i k e sh e’ d just exper i en ced

r ai n af t er sever al l on g year s of dr augh t . As sh e h eaved a l ong si gh of r el i ef , sh e
h ear d H uo Yuh ao’ s voi ce.
Con si der i n g t h ei r ci r cum st an ces an d h er cur r en t un st abl e st at e of m i n d sh e

i m m edi at el y m i sun der st ood h i s i n t en t i on s.
“ You l i t t l e bast ar d. You st i l l w an t t o t ak e advan t age of m e at a t i m e l i k e t h i s?”

M a Xi aot ao w as f ur i ous, an d i m m edi at el y at t em pt ed t o push H uo Yuh ao asi de.
H ow ever , t h e m om en t h er body st opped t ouch i n g H uo Yuh ao’ s, t h e evi l f i r e i n
h er b od y b egan t o r am p age on ce m or e. Sh e m oan ed , t h en h u gged H u o Yu h ao as
t igh t ly as sh e cou ld on ce again .
H u o Yu h ao yet again exp er ien ced t h e p r ocess of t w o lu m p s of soft flesh

d ep ar t in g fr om h is b od y an d t h en b ein g for cefu lly t h r u st b ack on t o it . T h e
en cou n t er felt m agical, b u t t h e agon izin g sen sat ion of evil fir e flow in g in t o h is
b od y m ad e h im gr u n t in p ain . H e su b con sciou sly r each ed ou t t o p u sh M a
Xiaot ao aw ay.
H u o Yu h ao w asn ’t t h at sh or t an ym or e, b u t h e w as st ill a t ad sh or t er t h an M a
Xiaot ao w as. H e w as st u ck in M a Xiaot ao’s ir on gr ip , w it h even h is ar m s t r ap p ed
w it h in h er s, w h ich m ean t t h at h e w as u n ab le t o r aise t h em at all. W h en h e
r each ed ou t w it h h is h an d s, h e n at u r ally p r essed t h em again st M a Xiaot ao’s
w aist . Du e t o t h e for ce of M a Xiaot ao’s for w ar d m om en t u m , H u o Yu h ao felt h is
feet slip b en eat h h im , an d h e im m ed ia t ely st u m b led b ack w ar d s – h is h an d s
slip p ed d ow n as a r esu lt , an d h e en d ed u p gr ab b in g M a Xiaot ao’s fir m an d p er k y
b u t t ch eek s.
H u o Yu h ao’s fir st felt som et h in g r ou n d in h is h an d s, t h en in t en se h eat , an d

fin ally t h at w h a t h e w as h old in g w as sp on gy…
“You …” T h e evil fir e in M a Xiaot ao’s b od y h ad seep ed in t o h er vein s, t h u s sh e

w as t en t im es m or e sen sit ive t h an n or m al even t h ou gh h er b od y w as scor ch in g
h ot . Sh e w as at r isk of losin g con t r ol in h er cu r r en t sit u at ion , yet sh e w as also at
h er m ost p ow er fu l. H er h eigh t en ed sen ses w er e u sed again st h er op p on en t s in
n or m al t im es, so it w as easy t o im agin e h ow sh e felt n ow t h at sh e w as u sin g
t h em on h er self. No m at t er h ow h ar d y an d r esilien t sh e w as, sh e w as u lt im at ely
st ill an u n m ar r ied w om an . Even t h ou gh H u o Yu h ao w as st ill you n g, h e
d efin it ely d id n ’t look lik e h e w as on ly t w elve year s old . M a Xiaot ao gr u n t ed
fr om h is gr ab , an d su b con sciou sly h u gged h im even t igh t er , t h e evil fir e sh e’d
in it ially b een t r yin g t o con t r ol in st an t ly p ou r in g in t o H u o Yu h ao w it h m or e
fer ocit y.
H eat w aves ak in t o a volcan o’s er u p t ion assau lt ed h is b od y fr om all over

b efor e h e cou ld en joy t h e exh ilar at ion of w h at h e’d gr ab b ed .
T h is su d d en flow of h eat m ad e H u o Yu h ao feel lik e h is en t ir e b od y w as
m elt in g. As h is b od y w as st ill w eak , h e w as sen t in t o a d aze. H is h an d s n a t u r ally
d id n ’t let go w h en t h is h ap p en ed —in st ead , t h ey squ eezed even t igh t er , an d h is
fin ger s san k in t o t h e sp on gy flesh of h er b u t t ock s. T h e t w o of t h em t h en
m ain t ain ed t h is d u b iou s p osit ion .
Cold w at er con t in u ou sly sp r ayed d ow n w ar d s, b u t it w as qu ick ly r ed u ced t o

st eam . T h e en t ir e b at h r oom n ow r esem b led a gian t st ea m er . H u o Yu h ao’s
clot h es h ad b ecom e soak in g w et in an in st an t , an d h e felt lik e h e w as ab ou t t o b e
cook ed alive.
H is Ult im a t e Ice’s p ow er w ou ld gr ad u ally r eveal it self at t im es lik e t h is, an d

Ult im at e Ice n at u r ally cou n t er ed t h e p r essu r e t h a t H u o Yu h ao w as w it h st an d in g
fr om fir e-t yp e en er gy. T h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion also r et aliat ed as H u o
Yu h ao faced t h is sh ock w ave fr om all over h is b od y. Of cou r se, even if h e h a d n ’t
h ad a p ow er fu l en t it y lik e t h e Ice Em p r ess, H u o Yu h ao st ill w ou ld n ’t h ave ju st
m elt ed fr om t h is.
Ch illy air qu ick ly sp r ead fr om t h e Ice Em p r ess’ b on es an d p r ot ect ed h is

in t er n a l or gan s. T h e evil fir e w as p ow er fu l, b u t t h er e w as n ot h in g it cou ld d o
excep t b e d isp elled , a s it s ad ver sar y w as Ult im at e Ice.
H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al sea h ad b een d evelop ed gr eat ly ever sin ce h e’d in gest ed

t h e Life Gold . Not on ly h ad h is sp ir it u al p ow er b een b oost ed , b u t h is con t r ol
over h is ow n b od y h ad also b ecom e a lot b et t er t h an b efor e. Neit h er t h e Ice
Em p r ess, t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m , or Elect r olu x cou ld easily t ak e over h is b od y
an ym or e.
H ow ever , t h e Ice Em p r ess cou ld st ill con t r ol t h e p ow er t h at sh e h ad sea led

w it h in H u o Yu h ao’s b od y.
If t h e sear in g evil fir e t h at in vad ed H u o Yu h ao’s b od y r each ed h is h ear t , H u o

Yu h ao w ou ld b e d on e for ; h ow cou ld t h e Ice Em p r ess sit b y an d w at ch t h is
u n fold ? T h e m om en t sh e felt t h at som et h in g w asn ’t r igh t , sh e’d lift ed a cor n er
of h er seal, cau sin g t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion t at t oo on H u o Yu h ao’s b ack t o
glim m er in t o view . An icy au r a in st an t ly flow ed t h r ou gh h is b od y an d for cefu lly
d issip a t ed M a Xiaot a o’s d en se, b list er in gly h ot p h oen ix flam es.
T h e Ice Em p r ess w ou ld n ’t h a ve d ar ed t o at t em p t som et h in g lik e t h is last

t im e, as H u o Yu h a o’s p assagew ays h ad n ot on ly ju st su ffer ed b ein g b ak ed
b en eat h t h e w aves of M a Xiaot ao’s evil fir e, b u t n ow h ad t o su st ain an ot h er r u sh
of ext r em ely cold air . It w as p ossib le t h at H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w ou ld d ir ect ly
cr u m b le on t h e sp ot . H ow ever , it w as d iffer en t n ow , as Elect r olu x w as n o lon ger
ju st a t r ace of d ivin e sen se n ow t h at Yu h a o h ad ab sor b ed Life Gold .
T h e Pear l of Life h id d en w it h in h is sp ir it u a l sea b egan t o glow w it h d en se

volu m es of life en er gy at t h e sam e t im e as w h en t h e Ice Em p r ess m ad e h er
m ove, an d w as r eleased alon gsid e t h e en er gy t h at t h e Ice Em p r ess h ad
u n leash ed . T h is w ay, H u o Yu h ao’s p assagew ays w ou ld p ossess a lar ge am ou n t of
life en er gy an d su st en an ce, in t u r n m ak in g it m u ch h a r d er t h em t o b r eak ap ar t .
H is b od y w as b ein g r efin ed b y t h e clash of ice an d fir e yet again .
T h e en t ir e p r ocess w as act u ally q u it e qu ick , b u t H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y gon e

t h r ou gh an ext r em e case of a t w in t r ib u lat ion of ice an d fir e. H is b od y sh iver ed
fr om h ead t o t oe d u e t o t h e cold , an d h e felt as h is h e’d b een t r an sfor m ed in t o a
w at er cr yst al on ce t h e h eat r eced ed an d h is en t ir e b od y w as fr ozen . H is w h ole
b od y felt as if it h ad b ecom e t r an sp ar en t .
M a Xiaot ao’s felt som et h in g com p let ely d iffer en t ; sh e felt t h at sh e’d
d iscover ed an aven u e t o ven t t h e evil fir e st u ck in sid e h er b od y, an d
im m ed iat ely fu n n eled h er evil fir e t ow ar d s it w it h ligh t n in g sp eed . T h is p r ocess
m ad e h er feel ext r em ely r elaxed an d com for t ab le. H ow ever , r igh t at t h a t
m om en t , H u o Yu h ao’s h an d s—w h ich w er e st ill gr asp in g h er b u t t ch eek s—
t u r n ed cold , an d t w o st r eak s of ext r em ely ch illy en er gy flow ed t h r ou gh h er h ip s
an d in t o h er b od y.
T h is sen sa t ion w as ext r em ely p ecu liar . Sh e d id n ’t h ave a va st am ou n t of life

en er gy p r ot ect in g h er p assagew ays lik e H u o Yu h ao d id , b u t h er cu lt ivat ion w as
en ou gh t h a t h er p assagew ays w er e r esilien t en ou gh t o r esist t h e in t en se cold .
T h e evil fir e fr om b efor e h ad flick ed at h er h ear t st r in gs con t in u ou sly, an d sh e’d
h ad an in st an t an d ob viou s r eact ion w h en H u o Yu h ao h ad gr ab b ed on t o h er b u t t
ch eek s. H er h ip s h a d also b een b u r n in g u p a m om en t ago, b u t w h en t h ey t u r n ed
ice-cold t h e n ext , t h e com b in at ion of h eat an d cold cau sed an in exp licab le
sen sat ion t o cou r se t h r ou gh ou t M a Xiaot ao’s en t ir e b od y.
“M m m m …” M a Xiaot ao b egan t o qu iver vigor ou sly. Even t h ou gh sh e’d

alr ead y fou n d an aven u e t o r elease t h e evil fir e w it h in h er b od y, sh e d id n ’t let go
of H u o Yu h ao’s b od y, in st ead h u ggin g h im t igh t er in st ead . T h e gasp in g sou n d s
sh e’d b een m ak in g b ecam e m or e in t en se as sh e st r u ggled t o b r eak fr ee fr om H u o
Yu h ao’s h an d s b y sh ak in g h er b u t t ock s. H ow ever , at t h at ver y m om en t , a
fer ociou s in d ivid u al su ch as h er su d d en ly felt lik e sh e d id n ’t h ave a sin gle ou n ce
of st r en gt h in h er b od y. H er h ip s b egan t o con t or t w h ile t h e con t in u ou s con flict
b et w een t h e ch illy sen sat ion an d t h e in t en se h eat in sid e of h er b od y cau sed h er
t o en t er an u n ceasin g st at e of con vu lsion s.
“W h y am I d ealin g w it h m y evil fir e lik e t h is?” M a Xiaot ao t h ou gh t t o h er self

in b et w een h er con vu lsion s. Im m ed ia t ely aft er w ar d s, sh e b it H u o Yu h ao’s
sh ou ld er as h er b od y’s con vu lsion s gr ew even m or e in t en se. H er face flu sh ed
r ed as t h e clash of ice an d fir e w it h in h er b od y t h at r esem b led n ir van a fin ally
cau sed h er t o let go of all h er safegu ar d s; sh e cou ld n o lon ger con t r ol h er ow n
em ot ion s.
For t u n at ely, H u o Yu h ao w as st ill in a d aze, an d t h e t r ib u lat ion of ice an d fir e

t h at h e’d ju st exp er ien ced h ad affect ed h is en t ir e b od y fr om t op t o b ot t om . H is
or gan s an d p assagew ays w er e ch an gin g as a d efen sive m ech an ism , an d h is sou l
p ow er h ad b een sw ift ly r ep len ish ed aft er t h e Ice Em p r ess lift ed h er seal. It felt
as if h is en t ir e b od y h ad en t er ed a sp ecial st at e of m ed it a t ion .
T h e t w o of t h em m ain t ain ed t h eir st r an ge h u ggin g p osit ion w h ile t h ey st ood

in sid e t h e b at h r oom , b ot h t h eir m in d s slo w ly b ecom in g even b lu r r ier .
T h e t h ick st eam y m ist in sid e t h e b at h r oom gr ad u ally d issip a t ed , an d

even t u ally d iffu sed ou t w ar d s as layer s of icy m ist an d p lain t r aces of fr ost b egan
t o ap p ear ar ou n d t h em . T h e b at h r oom w as ext r em ely t r an q u il, w it h t h e on ly
t h in g d ist u r b in g t h e p eace b ein g t h e fain t ligh t r a d iat in g fr om t h e Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion t a t t oo on H u o Yu h ao’s b ack .
Neit h er of t h em k n ew h ow m u ch t im e h ad p assed . M a Xiaot a o w as t h e fir st t o

slow ly com e t o fr om h er st at e of d eep sleep . W h en sh e r egain ed h er sen ses, t h e
fir st t h in g sh e felt w as icy cold n ess. It w as som et h in g t h at sh e’d n ever felt
b efor e, an d sh e sh iver ed u n con t r ollab ly.
T h is t in y m ovem en t of h er s w as sm all, b u t in fin it e t in y cr ack in g sou n d s r an g

ou t . Sh e excla im ed in su r p r ise w h en sh e saw p iece aft er p iece of t h in ice b r eak
off of h er b od y an d fall d ow n t o t h e gr ou n d .
T h e ice w asn ’t t h e on ly t h in g t h at sh at t er ed in t o p ieces. H er clot h es, w h ich

h ad b een r oast ed a n d fr ozen in t u r n an d t h u s b ecom e ext r em ely fr agile,
sep ar at ed at t h e sea m s as w ell. M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t h ave a sin gle t h r ea d on h er
b od y b y t h e t im e all t h e ice h ad fallen t o t h e gr ou n d .
“Ah –” M a Xiaot ao gasp ed soft ly, b u t r ealized sh e cou ld n ’t m ove at all. Sh e felt
as if all t h e b lood vessels in h er b od y h ad b een fr ozen solid , an d h er b lood
cir cu la t ion w as u n b ear ab ly slow . Sh e co u ld n ’t even sen se a sin gle t r ace of h er
p h oen ix flam es, let a lon e t h e ev il fir e. It felt as if h er en t ir e b od y h ad gon e in t o
st asis, an d sh e w as ju st a st at u e m ad e of ice.
M a Xiaot ao’s m ovem en t sh ock ed H u o Yu h ao aw ak e. A p er son w ak in g u p

w ou ld n a t u r a lly an d su b con sciou sly m ove h is or h er b od y, an d t h e t h in layer of
ice over H u o Yu h ao’s b od y b r ok e an d d r ift ed t o t h e gr ou n d as w ell. H e w as in
t h e sam e sit u a t ion as M a Xiaot ao – b esid es t h e T w en t y Fou r M oon lit Br id ges
ar ou n d h is w aist , ev er y ot h er p iece of fab r ic on h is b od y b r ok e ap ar t an d fell t o
t h e gr ou n d .
“Ah –” H u o Yu h ao exclaim ed in sim ila r fash ion b efor e h e im m ed iat ely fou n d
t h at h e cou ld on ly see a p at ch of w h it e b efor e h im .
“W h at ar e you sh r iek in g ab ou t ?! An d you sh ou t ed even lou d er t h an I d id , as if

you ju st su ffer ed a loss.” M a Xiaot ao w as fu r iou s.
H u o Yu h ao fin ally saw t h e p er son b efor e h im clea r ly. H ow w ou ld on e

d escr ib e t h e scen e b efor e h is eyes? Ext r em e p er k in ess, b u xom , t en d er an d
d elicat e b r igh t -r ed p each es, an d … an d … “Close you r eyes!” M a Xiaot ao said
in d ign an t ly.
H u o Yu h ao r ecover ed at on ce, an d h u r r ied ly cover ed h is vit a l p ar t s w it h h is
h an d s as h e closed h is eyes at on ce. H ow ever , w h at h e ju st saw h ad b een
im p r in t ed in t h e d eep r ecesses of h is m in d . In fact , h e felt as if h e cou ld see w it h
m or e clar it y w it h h is eyes closed .
M a Xiaot ao w as st ill p an t in g fain t ly. Sh e b egan t o feel a t ou ch of w ar m t h as

h er b lood flow st ar t ed t o sm oot h ou t . H er p h ysical st r en gt h w as far su p er ior t o
n or m al p eop le, aft er all.
Sh e r ecit ed h er m en t al cu lt ivat ion t ech n iqu e in h er m in d an d t h e p h oen ix

flam es w it h in h er b od y w er e gr ad u ally aw ok en . M a Xiaot ao r ealized , t o h er
in t en se sh ock , t h at t h e su p p r ession of evil fir e in h er b od y w as far m or e
com p let e t h an t h e last t im e. T h er e seem ed t o b e a b lack p ear l w it h in h er sou l
p ow er t h at w as locat ed in t h e cen t er of h er p u b ic r egion . Fu r t h er m or e, h er ow n
sou l p ow er also b ecam e a lot clear er an d b r igh t er , an d t h er e w asn ’t a sin gle
vest ige of evil fir e t o b e fou n d .
Ult im at e Ice w as so p ow er fu l! M a Xiaot ao fin ally com p r eh en d ed h ow

in ap p r op r iat e it w as for h er t o seek H u o Yu h ao’s h elp t o su p p r ess t h e evil fir e, as
H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as clear ly exh au st ed , an d h e h a d over d r aft ed h is en er gy
b ack t h en .
“H ey, ar e you ok ay?” M a Xiaot ao ask ed soft ly.
“I’m fin e.” H u o Yu h ao h ad a feelin g as if h e w an t ed t o cr y, b u t t h er e w er e n o

t ear s in h is eyes. A you n g vir gin b oy lik e h im w as sim p ly ju st fu ll of vit alit y an d
livelin ess. H e h a d so m e n at u r al r eact ion s su b con sciou sly aft er seein g som et h in g
h e sh ou ld n ’t h ave, an d h e felt lik e h is h an d s w er e u n ab le t o cover h im u p an y
lon ger . All h e cou ld d o w as b en d h is b od y an d p oin t h is b u t t ock s u p w ar d s t o
avoid exp osin g h is b u ffoon er y as m u ch as p ossib le.
M a Xiaot ao h eaved a soft sigh of r elief an d d id n ’t ask an y m or e qu est ion s.

St r an gely, t h e b at h r oom ju st m ain t ain ed t h is t r an qu il st at e.
T h e st iffn ess in M a Xiaot ao’s b od y gr ad u ally van ish ed follo w in g t h e p h oen ix
flam es’ cir cu lat ion in h er b od y, an d an u n p r eced en t ed r elief an d com for t
cou r sed t h r ou gh h er en t ir e b od y, givin g h er in d escr ib ab le sat isfact ion .
M a Xiaot ao r eally w an t ed t o m oan ou t lou d t o exp r ess h er p leasu r e, an d

w ou ld h ave if H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t b een t h er e.
Cou ld it b e b ecau se t h e evil fir e h a d b een en t ir ely su p p r essed ? M a Xiaot ao

k n ew t h at t h e an sw er w asn ’t so sim p le. W h en h er b od y w asn ’t so st iff an ym or e,
sh e im m ed iat ely felt som et h in g st ick y b et w een h er legs t h at m ad e h er ext r em ely
aw k w ar d an d u n com for t ab le. W h at d ist u r b ed h er even m or e w as t h e fact t h at
h er lon g an d p ow er fu l t h igh s felt a lit t le w eak .
Sh e cu r sed u n d er h er b r eat h , an d color r et u r n ed t o h er p r et t y face. Sh e

glan ced at H u o Yu h ao an d sh e h ad an ep ip h an y as sh e w at ch ed h is st r an ge
b eh avior .
Sh e im m ed iat ely r aised h er leg, k ick ed h im in t h e ch est an d sen t h im

t u m b lin g ou t of t h e b at h r oom .
“Pu t you r clot h es on an d w ait for m e ou t sid e. I’m n ot goin g t o let you leave.
You ’r e n ot allow ed t o leave.”
M a Xiaot ao’s k ick seem ed h eavy an d h ar d , b u t it w as a for ce t h at w as m ean t

t o p u sh h im ou t , an d n ot in ju r e h im . H u o Yu h ao r olled on ce in sid e t h e
b at h r oom , got on h is feet an d b ar r eled ou t sid e as if h e h ad ju st r eceived d iv in e
for given ess.
H e h u r r ied ly sh u t t h e d oor b eh in d h im on ce h e w as ou t of t h e b at h r oom an d

im m ed iat ely st ar t ed t o p an t in d eep b r eat h s.
T or t u r e, t h is w as t or t u r e. Besid es feelin g as if h e w as b ein g t or t u r ed , all h e

felt w as b ew ild er m en t . H ow m an y d ist r act in g t h ou gh t s cou ld h e h ave in h is
m in d at su ch a you n g age? H ow ever , m ales an d fem ales w er e d iffer en t , aft er all,
an d t h er e w as b ou n d t o b e cu r iosit y ab ou t t h e op p osit e gen d er . St ill, seein g
som et h in g t h a t on e sh ou ld n ’t h ave seen w ou ld u n d ou b t ed ly p r od u ce a cer t a in
m easu r e of fear . H u o Yu h ao sw ift ly p u t on som e clot h es h e h a d st or ed in sid e t h e
T w en t y-Fou r M oon lit Br id ges, an d t h en h e w as st ood ju st in sid e M a Xiaot ao’s
r oom feelin g ext r em ely u n set t led . H e r eally w an t ed t o d a r t b ack t o h is ow n
r oom , b u t w h at if M a Xiaot ao w ou ld n ’t for give h im for r u n n in g off ju st lik e
t h at ?
Fu r t h er m or e, w h at m ad e h im even m or e an xiou s an d exasp er at ed w as t h e

fact t h at h e ju st r eca lled t h e in cid en t w h er e h e gr ab b ed on t o Xiaot ao’s b u t t ock s.
H e d id n ’t ju st see t h em – h e h ad t ou ch ed t h em ! W h at w as t h at ?
M a Xiaot ao w asn ’t n er vou s an d st r essed lik e H u o Yu h ao w as. Sh e u sed h er

p h oen ix flam es t o m elt t h e ice fr eezin g u p t h e w at er p ip es an d im m ed iat ely
sw it ch ed on t h e sh ow er t ap . Flow in g w at er r in sed over h er sm oot h an d
im p eccab le sk in , a n d t h is r efr esh in g sen sat ion in st an t ly in cr eased t h e
in vigor at in g feelin g w it h in h er b od y.
Sh e w as alr ead y n in et een year s of age, an d sh e w as far m or e m at u r e t h an H u o

Yu h ao in t er m s of b ot h m in d an d b od y. Even t h ou gh sh e w a s st ill em b ar r assed
ab ou t w h at h ad ju st t r an sp ir ed , h er cu r r en t t h ou gh t s an d feelin gs w er e ver y
d iffer en t fr om h is.
M a Xiaot ao r each ed u p an d t ou ch ed h er h ot ch eek s as sh e r em in isced over h er

r ep eat ed exp er ien ces of t h e t r ib u lat ion s of ice an d fir e, an d t h e feelin g of h er
ar r ival a t t h e p in n acle of b liss.
“W h at a lit t le b ast a r d . Cou ld t h is b e an a t t em p t at r even ge?” Sh e im m ed iat ely

r ecalled H u o Yu h ao’s d ilem m a an d p r ed icam en t in sid e t h e Sea God ’s Lak e –
excep t , it w as h er t h is t im e.
“W h at ever t h e case, I st ill h ave t o t h an k h im .” M a Xiaot ao gasp ed on ce m or e

as sh e ch eck ed t h e evil fir e w it h in h er p u b ic r egion s. Sh e t h ou gh t ab ou t H u o
Yu h ao’s p an ic an d b ew ild er m en t an d sh e slow ly w it h d r ew t h e sm ile on h er face
as sh e t ap p ed h er self on t h e for eh ead . W h at w as t h at ? A sin gle ep isod e cou ld b e
called an accid en t , b u t t h is w as t h e secon d t im e. “H e’s ju st a k id . I can ’t cor r u p t
h im lik e t h at .”
H er t h ou gh t s st op p ed t h er e as M a Xiaot ao qu ick ly w ash ed h er b od y, d r ied

h er self an d fou n d a ch an ge of clean clot h es b efor e sh e st ep p ed ou t of t h e
b at h r oom .
H u o Yu h ao w as sit t in g on t h e sofa w it h h is h ead low er ed a n d b ot h h an d s on

h is k n ees. H is b ack w as as st r a igh t as a n ar r ow , an d h is ap p ear an ce w as ju st lik e
a k id w h o k n ew h e h ad d on e som et h in g w r on g – even h is face w as flu sh ed r ed .
M a Xiaot ao fou n d h is b eh avior ext r em ely cu t e an d am u sin g, an d cou ld n ’t

h elp b u t giggle at t h e sigh t .
H u o Yu h ao h u r r ied ly st ood u p as if h e h ad ju st b een sh ock ed . H e d id n ’t even

d ar e t o look u p at M a Xiaot ao. H is h ea d w as st ill low er ed as h e said , “Xiaot ao, I…
I m ad e a m ist ak e. It r eally w asn ’t on p u r p ose. I… I m essed u p .”
“T h at ’s en ou gh . W h at ’s all t h is t alk a b ou t m essin g u p ? T h e p er son sayin g

sor r y sh ou ld b e m e.” M a Xiaot ao t r ied t o k eep h er t on e as com p osed as p ossib le
as sh e st ep p ed over t o H u o Yu h ao an d t ou ch ed h is h ead . “Sit d ow n .”
H u o Yu h ao w as cau gh t off gu ar d b y t h is am icab le b eh avior . H e h ad t h ou gh t

t h at sh e w as goin g t o r age at h im , con sid er in g h er t yp ical sh or t t em p er an d fier y
p er son alit y.
M a Xiaot ao p u lled on H u o Yu h ao t o sit h im d ow n b efor e sh e t ook a seat on t h e

sofa op p osit e h im .
“I’m sor r y, Yu h ao. T h e evil fir e w as alr ea d y at t ack in g m y h ea r t , an d I d r agged

you b ack h er e in m y d azed st at e an d d ir ect ly for ced t h e evil fir e in t o you r b od y.
For t u n at ely, I d id n ’t cau se an y d am age t o you . You d id n ’t d o a n yt h in g w r on g – I
w as t h e on e w h o m ad e a m ist ak e. I w asn ’t t h in k in g st r aigh t t h r ou gh all m y
an ger , an d t r igger ed m y evil fir e t o a t t ack t h em , excep t I for got you w er e
alr ead y exh au st ed an d cou ld n ’t im m ed iat ely h elp m e su p p r ess t h e evil h id d en
w it h in m y p h oen ix flam es. T h an k fu lly, you ’r e ok ay. Ot h er w ise I’d r eally r egr et
t h is t ill t h e d ay I d ied .”
M a Xiaot ao’s t on e w as ext r em ely ser iou s an d solem n , an d h er p r et t y face w as

fu ll of sin cer it y.
H u o Yu h ao st ar ed b lan k ly at h er , b u t t h e an xiet y an d b u t t er flies in h is

st om ach h ad m ost ly r eced ed .
M a Xiaot ao con t in u ed , “Lu ck ily, n ot h in g h ap p en ed t o you . I d on ’t t h in k

you ’ll b e ab le t o exp lain w h at h ap p en ed , an d it ’s t h e sam e for m e. T h e evil fir e
w as affect in g m y m in d an d m y r at ion alit y. As for w h at h ap p en ed aft er w ar d s…”
H er face t u r n ed r ed as sh e sa id t h is, a n d sh e h u r r ied ly h eld b ack h er em ot ion s
b efor e sh e con t in u ed , “It w as ju st an accid en t . Ever yt h in g cam e ab ou t b y
accid en t , an d I h op e t h is w on ’t d ist u r b you or cau se you an y t r au m a. You ’r e st ill
you n g, an d you ’r e n ot at t h e age w h er e you sh ou ld p in e aft er w om en , so d on ’t
t h in k t oo m u ch . W h at you sh ou ld b e d oin g is focu s on cu lt ivat in g – d o you
“Yes, yes, I u n d er st an d …” H u o Yu h ao ack n ow led ged r ep ea t ed ly. H e n ever

exp ect ed M a Xiaot ao t o give a sp eech lik e t h at . W h ile h e r elaxed h is em ot ion s,
h e d evelop ed a cer t ain level of r ever en ce an d ad m ir a t ion for t h is gir l b efor e
h im .
M a Xiaot ao w at ch ed h is b eh avior an d felt h e w as get t in g cu t er b y t h e secon d .

Sh e cou ld n ’t h elp h im self, an d giggled on ce m or e as sh e said , “Alr igh t , t h at ’s
en ou gh . You d on ’t h ave t o b e so p r im an d p r op er . Even t h ou gh I alm ost m essed
u p b ig t im e an d I alm ost h u r t you , you d id n ’t lose ou t , d id you ? You ’r e t h e fir st
on e t o t ou ch m y b od y b esid es m y fam ily m em b er s – an d it ’s n ot even t h e fir st
t im e.”
“I…” H u o Yu h ao w an t ed t o exp lain h im self, b u t h ad n o id ea w h at t o say as h e

b lu sh ed again .
M a Xiaot ao lau gh ed an d said , “It ’s ok ay. You ’r e st ill you n g, a n d I d on ’t m ean
an yt h in g else b y it . You ’ve t ou ch ed m y b od y, an d t h at ’s it . You ’r e st ill a k id , so
I’m n ot ab ou t t o b ick er w it h you ab ou t t h is. You ’r e alm ost eigh t year s you n ger
t h an m e, an d you can call m e sist er if you ’r e w illin g t o. T h is w ay, you can b e
con sid er ed m y fam ily, an d m y r ep u t a t ion an d in t egr it y w on ’t b e t ar n ish ed . T h e
n ext t im e I n eed you r h elp t o su p p r ess evil w ill t h er efor e b e r igh t an d p r op er . Of
cou r se, b ein g m y lit t le b r ot h er is a good t h in g – I w ill t ak e r even ge on w h oever
d ar es t o b u lly you b y r oast in g h im in t o a su ck lin g p ig. H ow ’s t h at ?”
“Sist er …” A sou r sen sat ion r u sh ed in t o H u o Yu h ao’s n ose, an d t ear s p ou r ed

ou t of h is eyes in st an t ly.
T ear s w er e p r od u ct s of gr ief, b u t t h ey w er e also p r od u ct s of w h en on e w as

d eep ly m oved . M a Xiaot ao’s w or d s p r ob ab ly d id n ’t m ean m u ch t o n or m al
p eop le, b u t it w asn ’t t h e sam e for h im .
H u o Yu h ao h ad b een in t er d ep en d en t w it h h is m ot h er ever sin ce h e w as a k id ,

an d h e h ad lon g b een u sed t o t h e h yp ocr it ical in d iffer en ce in t h e Du k e’s
M an sion . H e h ad h ad n o ot h er k in b esid es h is m ot h er , w h o h ad alw ays
sw allow ed h er an ger .
H e h ad m et Bei Bei an d T an g Ya w h en h e fir st join ed Sh r ek Acad em y, an d

t h at w as w h en h is icy h ear t b egan t o gr ad u ally ch an ge, an d t h e cold sen sat ion s
in h is h ea r t slow ly t u r n ed in t o w ar m t h .
Even W an g Don g d id n ’t k n ow t h at H u o Yu h ao’s t h ou gh t s h a d b een ext r em e

an d r ad ical w h en h e h ad fir st m oved in t o t h e d or m w it h h im , ju st t h at H u o
Yu h ao ch an n eled t h is ext r em it y in t o silen t d et er m in at ion in cu lt ivat ion an d
t r ied h is b est t o im p r ove h im self. H u o Yu h ao’s h at r ed t ow ar d s t h e Du k e’s
M an sion w as st ill ver y st r on g at t h at t im e, t o t h e p oin t w h er e h e w an t ed t o en d
t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s lin eage an d b lood lin e on ce an d for all.
Chapt er 112.1: Familial Love
H u o Yu h ao w as st ill you n g, h ow ever , an d as t im e p assed h e b ecam e m or e an d

m or e n or m al u n d er h is com p an ion s’ in flu en ce. H ow ever , h e st ill felt ver y
lon ely. Aft er all, com p an ion s an d fr ien d s w er en ’t fam ily! H e h ad n o m or e
r elat ives left in t h is w or ld . H e cu lt iva t ed t ir elessly t o avoid t h e lon elin ess an d
d ead silen ce in h is d r eam s at n igh t .
At t h is p oin t , t ear s fell fr om h is eyes b ecau se of w h at M a Xia ot ao h ad said . “I

w ill t ak e r even ge on w h oever d a r es t o b u lly you b y r oast in g h im in t o a su ck lin g
p ig.”
Eld er sist er , if on ly h e h ad an eld er sist er . Sh e cou ld op en ly ask h im for h elp

t o su p p r ess t h e evil fir e, p r ot ect h im a n d t ak e car e of h im . T h e p h r ase ‘eld er
sist er ’ w as a ver y u n fam iliar t er m t o h im .
“W h y ar e you cr yin g?” M a Xiaot ao w as st u n n ed as sh e saw H u o Yu h ao cr yin g.

H u o Yu h ao leap t u p fr om t h e sofa t ow ar d s h er an d gave h er a t igh t h u g. H e
w ailed as h e h u gged h er .
H e w as b aw lin g h yst er ically t o ven t h is em ot ion s. H e d id n ’t even r ealize t h at

h e h ad b u r ied h is h ead in M a Xiaot ao’s ch est as h e w ep t .
M a Xiaot ao w as in a d aze. A w ave of d ist r ess su r ged w it h in h er h ear t aft er

t h at . Alt h ou gh sh e w as u n su r e w h y H u o Yu h ao w as cr yin g so p it ifu lly, sh e cou ld
clear ly sen se t h e ch an ge in h is em ot ion s. H e d evelop ed a r elian ce on h er as h e
b aw led .
All fem ales p ossess m at er n al in st in ct s. It w as ju st a m at t er of h ow st r on g t h ey

w er e. M a Xiaot ao m igh t seem ver y st u r d y in fr on t of ot h er s, b u t sh e w a s
act u ally ver y d elicat e. T h ose w h o u su ally seem ed t ou gh w er e act u ally t h e on es
w h o w er e t h e m ost vu ln er ab le in t er n ally. H u o Yu h ao’s w a ilin g sp a r k ed t h e
k in d , m at er n al in st in ct s t h a t r esid ed w it h in h er .
Sh e p at t ed h is b ack ligh t ly an d d id n ot m u t t er an y w or d s of com for t . Sh e felt

t h at let t in g h im cr y h is h ear t ou t lik e t h is w as t h e b est for h im .
H u o Yu h ao w as cr yin g ver y sad ly. T h e ven t in g of h is em ot ion s cau sed h is

t ear s t o fall u n con t r ollab ly.
H e r ecalled h is p r ed icam en t w h en h e w as at t h e Du k e’s M a n sion at a ver y

you n g age. H e w as afr aid of w in t er . Ever y w in t er , h e w ou ld sh iver in t h e cold
w it h h is m ot h er a t n igh t . In t h e d ay, h e st ill h ad t o h elp h is m ot h er p er for m
ch or es ou t sid e. H is m ot h er ’s h an d s w er e alr ead y fr ozen , b u t sh e d id lau n d r y for
t h e h igh er -class ser van t s in t h e Du k e’s M an sion in exch a n ge for som e low -
q u alit y gr ease for h im t o r u b on h is h an d s so t h at h e w ou ld n ’t fr eeze u p .
T h e look in h is m ot h er ’s eyes w as so k in d an d am iab le. Bu t it a lso car r ied a

t in ge of sor r ow t h at cou ld n ever b e w ip ed aw ay.
H e d eep ly r ecalled t h at h is m ot h er w as cr yin g ver y sor r ow fu lly on ce. T h at ’s

b ecau se h e ask ed h er , “M om , w h en can w e ever b e fu ll?”
“M om , w h en can w e ever b e fu ll?” H u o Yu h ao t alk ed in h is sleep .
T h is sim p le sen t en ce cau sed M a Xiaot ao’s b od y t o t r em b le. Sh e t ear ed u p as

sh e t h ou gh t of h ow m u ch b it t er n ess H u o Yu h ao h ad exp er ien ced w h en h e w as
you n g.
“M om , m om …” H u o Yu h ao m u t t er ed u n d er h is b r eat h as h e w ailed . H is t ear s

h ad alr ea d y d r en ch ed M a Xiaot ao’s sh ir t . H ow ever , h e w as u n aw ar e, an d
gr ad u ally fell in t o a d eep sleep in M a Xia ot ao’s ar m s.
H e cr ied for 15 m in u t es u n t il h e fell asleep w it h ou t d r yin g h is t ea r s. M a

Xiaot ao h u gged h im ligh t ly.
Per h ap s h e m issed t h e feelin g of b ein g in h is m ot h er ’s ar m s w h en h e w as
you n g, b u t H u o Yu h ao p laced on e of h is h an d s on M a Xiaot ao’s ch est ver y
n at u r ally. Bu t M a Xiaot ao w as n ot an gr y w it h h im for d oin g so. Sh e on ly felt
t h at h e w as ver y p it ifu l.
Ever yon e w ou ld m iss t h eir m ot h er . Bu t fr om t h e w ay h e cr ied , h ow cou ld it

b e t h at h e on ly sim p ly m issed h is m ot h er ? M a Xiaot ao cou ld sen se t h e sor r ow
t h at w as d eep ly in gr ain ed in h is b on es. Sh e also h ear d som e of h is ch ild h ood
st or ies w h en h e t alk ed in h is sleep .
Sh e d id n ot p lace H u o Yu h ao on t h e b ed d ir ect ly. M a Xiaot ao h u gged h im as

sh e lean ed on t h e b ed sid e. Sh e allow ed h im t o sn u ggle in h er ar m s an d
con t in u ed t o p at h is b ack soft ly.
It w as ear ly st ill in t h e m or n in g w h en t h eir m at ch h ad en d ed . Bu t r igh t n ow ,

t h e Gr an d Im p er ial St ar H ot el lit u p w it h b r igh t ligh t s as n igh t ap p r oach ed .
H u o Yu h ao slep t ver y sou n d ly an d sw eet ly. In h is d r eam , h is m ot h er h ad

com e b ack t o life. H e felt h is m ot h er ’s w ar m t h as h e laid in h er a r m s. Lit t le
Yu h ao h ad n ever felt so p eacefu l b efor e.
M om , m om …
H e m u r m u r ed con t in u ou sly as h e st u ck close t o h is m ot h er in h er ar m s. T h er e

w er e n o m or e t ear s, b u t w ar m t h an d lon gin g affect ion .
By w ailin g b it t er ly, h e h ad u n leash ed t h e sor r ow an d h at r ed t h a t h e h a d

su p p r essed for so lon g. T h e w ar m h u g left h im com p let ely r elaxed . M ayb e t h e
k n ot in h is h ear t h ad n ot b een com p let ely u n t ied , b u t a t least it w as n o lon ger a
d ead k n ot an ym or e.
A m an ’s gr ow t h w ou ld n ever b e far aw ay fr om a w om an . A m ot h er , sist er ,

gir lfr ien d , w ife or d au gh t er cou ld n ot b e m issin g fr om a m an ’s life. In M a
Xiaot ao’s sist er -lik e or m ot h er -lik e ar m s, H u o Yu h ao’s b od y an d m in d w er e b ot h
m at u r in g su b con sciou sly.
W h en t h e fir st r ay of su n ligh t p assed t h r ou gh t h e w in d ow t o t h e b ed sid e a t
d aw n , it lan d ed on H u o Yu h ao’s face.
T h e gold en r ay cau sed t h e sleep in g you t h t o slow ly w ak e u p .
H is en t ir e b od y w as w ar m , an d h e w as feelin g ext r em ely com for t ab le. H is

sou l p ow er cou r sed fr eely in h is b od y, an d h is h ear t felt an in d escr ib ab le
car efr een ess. It w as as if all h is accu m u la t ed n egat ive em ot ion s h ad b een ven t ed .
“So com for t ab le…” H e t u r n ed h is h ea d ar ou n d u n w illin gly t o avoid t h e

b eam in g su n ligh t . Bu t t h e ab n or m ally soft p illow cau sed H u o Yu h ao’s
con sciou sn ess t o b ecom e a lit t le clear er .
As h e m oved h is fin ger , an elast ic for ce w as exer t ed on h is fin ger t ip . H u o

Yu h ao w as t r u ly aw ak e n ow . H e op en ed h is eyes an d saw a lazy b u t ser iou s-
look in g face w at ch in g h im w eir d ly, w h er eas h is h a n d s w er e p laced on t h e u p p er
ch est of t h is p er son , an d h e w as even gr a b b in g t h is p er son ’s ch est .
“Sist er Xiaot ao, t h is… t h is is a m isu n d er st an d in g.” H u o Yu h ao r elaxed h is

gr ip qu ick ly an d cr a w led u p aw k w ar d ly. H is face b lu sh ed .
“W h at d id you call m e?” M a Xiaot ao st r aigh t en ed h er face, “Did I h u g you on e

n igh t for you t o call m e t h is?”
H u o Yu h ao on ly r egain ed h is aw ar en ess n ow . H e low er ed h is h ead as h e said ,

“Eld er sist er .”
M a Xiaot ao sat u p st r aigh t an d st r et ch ed h er ar m s an d ach in g b od y b efor e

r u b b in g H u o Yu h ao’s h ead an d sayin g, “Go b ack t o you r r oom an d w ash u p .”
M a Xiaot ao’s in d u lgen t act ion r elieved t h e em b ar r assm en t a n d n er vou sn ess

t h at H u o Yu h ao felt . H e lift ed h is h ead t o look at h er , “Eld er sist er .”
M a Xiaot ao sm iled a n d r ep lied sa t isfact o r ily, “Oh , t h at ’s b et t er .” As sh e sa id

t h at , sh e d r agged H u o Yu h ao d ow n fr om t h e b ed a n d t id ied u p h is sh ir t . “Go
w ash u p an d ea t som et h in g. It ’s n ot ea r ly an ym or e. W e st ill h ave t o com p et e
lat er .”
Chapt er 112.2: Familial Love
“Alr igh t .” H u o Yu h ao r ep lied . Alt h ou gh h is face w as st ill b lu sh in g, h is eyes

w er e filled w it h affab ilit y as h e look ed at M a Xiaot ao.
H e w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e d oor t o h er r oom as h e sp ok e. W h en h e w as ab ou t t o

op en t h e d oor , M a Xiaot ao said su d d en ly, “Yu h ao, I w ou ld lik e t o h ea r you r
st or y w h en you ar e w illin g t o t ell m e.”
H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed an d sm iled b r igh t ly at M a Xiaot ao, “I w ill.” M a Xiaot ao

sen sed t h e in t im acy sh e h ad w it h H u o Yu h ao as t h eir gazes m et .
H u o Yu h ao b r eat h ed ou t h eavily aft er h e closed t h e d oor b eh in d h im . H e felt

ext r em ely en er gized , w h ich w as som et h in g h e h ad n ever felt b efor e. Even t h e
sou l p ow er in h is b o d y h ad b een en h an ced . H e alm ost scr eam ed b ecau se of t h e
car efr een ess h e felt . H e w an t ed t o an n ou n ce t o t h e w or ld t h at h e h ad an eld er
sist er !
Aft er r et u r n in g t o h is r oom an d op en in g h is r oom d oor , H u o Yu h ao saw

W an g Don g sp r aw led on h is b ed in an u n glam or ou s sleep in g p ost u r e. A gr eat er
sen se of w ar m t h filled H u o Yu h ao’s eyes as h e saw W an g Don g. W it h ou t a
d ou b t , W an g Don g m u st h ave h ad b een w ait in g for h im t o r et u r n . T h e b ot h of
t h em w er e ju st exh a u st ed yest er d ay, an d su fficien t r est w as en ou gh for t h em t o
r ecover .
As h e t ip t oed t o t h e b ed sid e, H u o Yu h a o lift ed h is h a n d an d slap p ed W an g

Don g’s b u t t . “T im e t o w ak e u p .”
“Aiyo.” W an g Don g w h in ed in p ain an d ju m p ed u p .
For som e r eason , H u o Yu h ao com p ar ed t h is slap h e gave t o W an g Don g t o t h e

h u g h e h ad given M a Xiaot ao last n igh t …
W an g Don g’s b u t t w as m u ch sm aller , b u t w as eq u ally p er k y. H is b u t t w as
ver y sp r in gy even t h ou gh h e w as w ear in g p an t s.
W an g Don g w as d azed for aw h ile aft er seein g t h at it w as H u o Yu h ao. H e t h en

scan n ed h im for a few m om en t s. Follow in g t h at , h e seem ed aler t ed , “You
w er en ’t w ear in g t h is yest er d ay!”
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied v ey n at u r ally, “Yes! I h elp ed m y eld er sist er su p p r ess h er

evil fir e yest er d ay. M y sh ir t w as b u r n t , an d m an y p ar t s of it w er e t or n .”
“Eld er sist er ?” W an g Don g’s t on e of voice b ecam e h igh er .
H u o Yu h ao n od d ed ser iou sly a n d said , “Eld er sist er said t h at sh e’s u n w illin g

t o accep t favor s fr o m an yon e. If I’m w illin g t o b ecom e h er k in , sh e w ill love an d
p r ot ect m e in t h e fu t u r e. W an g Don g, d o you k n ow t h at I’m ver y h ap p y? Ever
sin ce m om p assed a w ay, I b ecam e an or p h an . I fin ally h ave k in n ow .”
W an g Don g felt h ear t b r ok en as h e looked at t h e flash in g r ad ian ce in H u o

Yu h ao’s eyes. H e said alm ost in st in ct ively, “You st ill h ave m e!”
W h en h e sen sed t h e w eir d exp r ession in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes, h e su p p lem en t ed

h is w or d s h u r r ied ly, “W e ar e b r ot h er s. Don ’t t ell m e t h at you d on ’t t r eat m e as
you r b r ot h er ?”
H u o Yu h ao ch u ck led , “It ’s d iffer en t .”
“W h at ’s t h e d iffer en ce?” W an g Don g asked st u b b or n ly.
H u o Yu h ao r ep lied , “Sh e gives m e t h e feelin g m y m ot h er d id . Sin ce w e ar e

b r ot h er s, you r gen d er is t ot a lly d iffer en t !”
“Er r …” W an g Don g w an t ed t o say som et h in g, b u t cu r b ed h is im p u lse. H e

sn or t ed an d said , “W h ile you w er e en joyin g you r t im e w it h you r eld er sist er , I
w as w ait in g for you h er e. If t h ey d id n ’t let m e fin d you , I’d h ave r u sh ed in
alr ead y!”
H u o Yu h ao lau gh ed an d said , “You call t h is w ait in g? You d id n ’t even k n ow
t h at I cam e in . You w er e sleep in g lik e a p ig.”
“You ’r e t h e p ig.” W a n g Don g leap t t ow ar d s h im . H u o Yu h ao t u r n ed ar ou n d t o

escap e an d said h u r r ied ly, “St op p layin g alr ead y. Go an d w ash u p b efor e w e
h ave b r eak fast . W e st ill h ave t o com p et e.”
“T h er e’s n ot goin g t o b e an in d ivid u al com p et it ion an ym or e. Aft er t h e t eam

com p et it ion yest er d ay, t h e St ar Lu o Na t ion al Acad em y h as alr ead y con ced ed
d efeat . T h eir m ain t eam m em b er s ar e a ll in ju r ed . W h o ca n t h ey sen d t o figh t
u s? W e d on ’t h ave t o go t od ay. W e w ill also r est t om or r ow . It ’s t h e fin al t h e d ay
aft er t om or r ow !”
Aft er lear n in g t h a t h e d id n ’t n eed t o com p et e t od ay, H u o Yu h ao r elaxed . “It ’s

b et t er n ot t o com p et e. W h at h ap p en ed in t h e ot h er sem ifin al m at ch ?”
W an g Don g r ep lied , “I w as also in a d aze, an d d id n ’t see w h at h ap p en ed . Fr om

w h at eld est sen ior said , t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y
gain ed an over w h elm in g ad van t age over t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y. Bu t
t od ay’s in d ivid u al com p et it ion w ill st ill con t in u e.”
“Over w h elm in g ad v an t age?” H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly felt p et r ified . T h e Im p er ial

Pr ofou n d Acad em y h ad 1 sou l em p er or an d 6 sou l k in gs. W it h ou t con sid er in g
st r at egies, t h eir ab ilit ies w er e ab ove t h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y’s. Aft er
r ecallin g h ow Pr in cess J iu J iu u sed a few p ow er fu l sou l t ools t o t u r n t h e t id e
again st h is sid e, H u o Yu h ao felt h is h ea d get t in g h eav ier .
W an g Don g n od d ed an d said , “I h ea r d t h at t h ey u sed less t im e t h an u s in t h e

t eam r ou n d . Fr om t h e st ar t t o t h e en d , t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y w as
com p let ely su p p r essed an d h ad n o ch a n ce. I also h ear d t h at t h e Su n M oon
Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s t eam lead er h as b een p r om ot ed t o a Class
6 sou l en gin eer . H e’s ver y p ow er fu l.”
“Yu h ao, I h ad an id ea aft er I w ok e u p yest er d ay.” W an g Don g st ar t ed t o

b ecom e excit ed .
“W h at id ea?” H u o Yu h ao ask ed cu r iou sly.
W an g Don g said in a low voice, “Do you t h in k t h a t w e ar e con sid er ed 1 p er son

or 2 p eop le w h en w e u n leash ou r m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead at a loss an d r ep lied , “It ’s n ot easy t o t ell. Even if

it ’s on ly 1 p er son , t h e d iffer en ce fr om an or d in ar y sou l m ast er is st ill ver y
gr eat .”
W an g Don g b lin k ed h is lar ge, b eau t ifu l eyes an d said , “If Sen ior Xu can u se
t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t t o sh ift u s in t o t h e m id d le of ou r
op p on en t s, w e can u se……”
T h e t w o of t h em h ad gr eat ch em ist r y. H u o Yu h ao u n d er st ood W an g Don g

im m ed iat ely, “Ar e you sayin g… I u n d er st an d n ow . Bu t is t h is r eally p ossib le?”
W an g Don g said , “W e w on ’t k n ow if w e d on ’t t r y. Let ’s ask Sen ior Xu lat er .”
“Alr igh t .” H u o Yu h a o r ep lied im m ed iat ely.
Aft er t h ey w ash ed u p an d h ad t h eir b r eak fast , t h ey w en t t o fin d Xu San sh i

an d r elayed t h eir id ea t o h im .
Aft er list en in g ser iou sly t o t h eir d escr ip t ion , Xu San sh i sh o ok h is h ead an d
said , “I fear t h a t it ’ll b e ver y d ifficu lt . I m igh t su cceed if I can r em ain in t h e
aw ak en ed for m of t h e Xu an w u t u r t le. T h e t h in g is t h at m y M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t can ’t ju st sh ift an yon e. T h e p r er equ isit e is t h at t h e
p er son I’m t r yin g t o sh ift d oesn ’t p ossess an y d efen se-t yp e so u l sk ills t h at cover
a w id e ar ea, w h ich w ill p r even t an y d isp lacem en t . It ’s ju st lik e h ow I failed
w h en Pr in cess J iu J iu u sed t h e St ar cr ow n sou l sk ill. W h en a sou l m ast er u ses h is
sou l sk ill, m y sou l p ow er w ill b e d ep let ed t w ice as fast if I w an t t o d isp lace h im .
T h e st r on ger t h e sou l sk ill, t h e fast er t h e d ep let ion of en er gy. T h is con t in u es
u n t il t h e sou l sk ill can ’t b e u sed an ym or e. Let ’s n ot even con sid er t h e qu est ion
of w h et h er you ’r e 1 or 2 p eop le w h en t h e b ot h of you u se you r m ar t ia l sou l
fu sion sk ill. Pu r ely b ased on t h e fact t h at you r m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill is
im m en sely st r on g, I m ay n ot b e ab le t o d isp lace t h e b ot h of you su ccessfu lly. I
m ay su cceed if I am in t h e aw ak en ed for m , w h ich w ill m ak e m e close t o t h e r an k
of a sou l k in g an d su p p lem en t ed b y t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld For ce.”
Chapt er 113.1: Heavenquake Axe
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e b ot h d isap p oin t ed as t h ey h ear d Xu San sh i’s

w or d s. If t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t cou ld b e u sed w h en t h ey
u n leash ed t h eir m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill, it w o u ld b e a gr eat st r at egy in a t eam
b at t le.
“Alr igh t , d on ’t b e lik e t h is an ym or e. At su ch a you n g age, t h e b ot h of you

m an aged t o t u r n t h e t id e in a cr it ical sit u at ion . W h at m or e d o you w an t ?
T each er W an g w on ’t even allow m e t o ask you w h at you r m a r t ial fu sion sk ill is.
H ow ever , I saw it t h at d ay. Pow er fu l! I w ou ld lik e t o t r y it if t h er e’s an
op p or t u n it y.”
W an g Don g lau gh ed , “Br ot h er Xu , d o you w an t t o t r y 1 or 2?”
Xu San sh i sn ap p ed , “Non sen se, ob viou sly 1. Do you w an t m e t o d ie?” As h e

sp ok e t ill t h is p oin t , h e r evea led a d ash of cr aft in ess on h is face an d con t in u ed ,
“Do t h e t w o of you w an t t o see w h at ’s goin g on in t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d ? Bu t you
m u st b ot h fu lly r ecover fir st .”
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g t u r n ed t o look at each ot h er , an d t h ey cou ld see

t h at t h ey w er e b ot h st ar t in g t o b ecom e excit ed .
T h e St ar Lu o Nat ion al Acad em y h ad con ced ed d efeat , an d w ou ld n ot b e

p ar t icip at in g in t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d . T h at ’s w h y t od ay’s m at ch w as b et w een
t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y an d t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d
Acad em y. Alt h ou gh W an g Yan d id d escr ib e h ow t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y h ad com p et ed , t h ey h ad n ot seen it for t h em selves.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d w ou ld n ’t t ak e u p t oo m u ch of t h eir t im e.
H u o Yu h ao said , “Xu San sh i, it ’s ju st t h e t h r ee of u s?”

Xu San sh i ch or t led . “T h r ee of u s is en ou gh . W h y d o w e n eed so m an y p eop le?
Bei Bei a n d Sen ior Dai ar e b ot h st ill r ecu p er at in g fr om t h eir in ju r ies. Yu h ao, d id
Sen ior M a d o an yt h in g t o you yest er d ay?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead an d r ep lied , “Eld er sist er t r eat ed m e ver y w ell.”
Xu San sh i r evealed t h e sam e look as W an g Don g ear lier , “Eld er sist er ? You ’r e
good ! You r p r ogr ess is q u ick .”
H u o Yu h ao r olled h is eyes an d sa id , “Br ot h er Xu , w e’ve on ly ack n ow led ged

each ot h er as sib lin gs. Sh e sa id t h at if an yon e d ar es t o b u lly m e… h eh e, you
k n ow .”
Xu San sh i sh iver ed . “You ’ve b en efit ed . Does it m at t er w h et h er it ’s you r eld er

sist er or you n ger sist er ? Let ’s r u sh , w e d on ’t h ave m u ch t im e left .”
“Let ’s go!” H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g an d Xu San sh i cr ep t ou t of t h e h ot el as

t h ey w er e d r iven b y t h eir cu r iosit y. As m em b er s of Sh r ek Acad em y an d fin alist s
of t h e t ou r n am en t , t h ey m an aged t o en t er t h e com p et it ion ven u e t h r ou gh t h e
cor r id or for t eam m em b er s.
At t h is p oin t , t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y an d Su n M o on Im p er ial Sou l

En gin eer in g Acad em y h ad b ot h en t er ed t h e com p et it ion ven u e t oo. W h ile t h ey
w er e in t h e r est in g ar ea, t h e a t t en t ion of t h e m em b er s of b ot h acad em ies w er e
d r aw n t ow ar d s t h e t h r ee of t h em as t h ey ap p r oach ed . T h e r est in g ar ea for Sh r ek
Acad em y w as n ot em p t y eit h er . W an g Yan w as sit t in g t h er e. H is b r ow s
fu r r ow ed as h e saw t h e t h r ee of t h em w alk in g over .
“T each er W an g.” Xu San sh i b r ou gh t H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g t o t h e Sh r ek

Acad em y’s r est in g ar ea b efor e gr eet in g W an g Yan .
W an g Yan said , “Ar en ’t all of you su p p osed t o b e r est in g? W h y ar e all of you

h er e? Yu h ao, ar e you fin e?”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead an d r ep lied , “T each er W an g, d on ’t w or r y. I h ave

su p p r essed Sen ior ’s evil fir e.” H e d id n o t call h er eld er sist er an ym or e b ecau se
h e d id n ot w an t t o b e in t er r ogat ed an ym or e. It w as b est if h e said it t o ever yon e
on ce t h ey w er e gat h er ed .
W an g Yan said , “Alr igh t t h en . Sin ce t h is is t h e case, let ’s a ll w at ch t oget h er .”
T h e t h r ee of t h em sat b esid e h im , an d Xu San sh i ask ed cu r iou sly, “T each er

W an g, w h at h ap p en ed yest er d ay? I on ly h ear d t h at it w as an over w h elm in g
vict or y. H ow d id t h e Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g m an age t o d o it ?”
W an g Yan r evealed a b it t er sm ile on h is face an d r ep lied , “Do you k n ow w h y I

d id n ’t allow all of you t o w at ch t h em com p et e?”
T h e look in Xu Sa n sh i’s eyes ch an ged a lit t le. “W er e you afr aid of sh ak in g ou r

con fid en ce?”
W an g Yan w as st u n n ed as h e r ep lied , “You ar e sm ar t . H ow ever , t h is is on ly

on e of t h e r eason s. An ot h er r eason is t h at t h er e’s n o p oin t in w at ch in g t h em
com p et e.”
H is t on e b ecam e m o r e ser iou s as h e con t in u ed , “T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l

En gin eer in g Acad em y is ob viou sly ver y p r ep ar ed for t h is t ou r n am en t . Let m e
clar ify t h is p oin t . Sin ce t h ey ar e ou r b iggest r ival, I h ave b een m on it or in g t h em
ever sin ce t h e t ou r n am en t st ar t ed , an d w at ch ed a lm ost ever y r ou n d t h a t t h ey
h ave com p et ed in . Bu t d o you k n ow w h at I d iscover ed ? T h ey h ave n ever u sed
t h e sam e st r a t egy in each r ou n d of t h e com p et it ion , esp ecially d u r in g t h e t eam
m at ch es. T ell m e w h at ’s t h e p oin t of w at ch in g t h em t h en ? It ’ll on ly sh ak e you r
con fid en ce.”
“T h eir t eam lead er , M a Ru lon g, com p et ed yest er d ay. H e w as im p eccab le. H e

u sed 2 Class 7 sou l t ools t o su p p r ess t h e en t ir e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y. T h e
ot h er 6 sim p ly u sed Sou l T ool For t r esses. T h in k ab ou t w h at k in d of scen e you
w ill see w h en 6 Sou l T ool For t r esses a r e fir ed at t h e sam e t im e. T h e en t ir e
com p et it ion st age w as r agin g w it h a t t ack s. T h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y w as
for ced off t h e com p et it ion st age b y t h e fr igh t en in g fir ep ow er b efor e t h ey cou ld
even d isp lay t h eir t r u e ab ilit ies. T h eir sou l em p er or w as st r u ck t h e m om en t h e
st ep p ed for w ar d an d w as k n ock ed ou t of t h e com p et it ion st age. T h e com p et it ion
en d ed aft er t h at .”
Aft er h ear in g W an g Yan ’s d escr ip t ion , H u o Yu h ao’s an d t h e ot h er t w o’s

exp r ession s ch an ged . Alt h ou gh t h ey h a d exp ect ed t h em t o d om in at e, t h ey d id n ’t
exp ect t h em t o b e so d om in an t ! If t h is w a s t h e case, h ow w ou ld t h ey figh t ?
W an g Yan con t in u ed , “Aft er seein g yest er d ay’s t eam m a t ch , I t h in k t h a t it

d oesn ’t m at t er an ym or e. W e’ll ju st d o ou r b est in t h e fin al.”
Xu San sh i ask ed in a low voice, “T each er W an g, d o you t h in k ou r m ain t eam

m em b er s w ou ld h av e a ch an ce if t h ey cam e t o p ar t icip at e in t h is t ou r n am en t ?”
W an g Yan r ep lied aft er p on d er in g for a w h ile, “It ’d b e d ifficu lt for t h em .”
Xu San sh i h eaved a sigh of r elief an d said , “Sin ce t h is is t h e case, d on ’t t h in k

t oo m u ch ab ou t it an ym or e. Did n ’t you m en t ion b efor e t h at w e’ve alr ead y
com p let ed ou r m ission b y m ak in g it t o t h is st age? W h et h er w e w in or lose in t h e
fu t u r e, w e’ve ear n ed it . Sin ce w e on ly h a ve on e r ou n d left , so w h at if w e lose, as
lon g as w e give ou r all? M or eover , it ’s n ot ou r fir st t im e cr eat in g a m ir acle. W e
ar e Sh r ek !”
W an g Yan sm iled an d said , “You ar e qu it e op en -m in d ed . I w ill b e r elieved if

all of you car r y su ch a m en t alit y w h en you com p et e. Regar d less of w h et h er it ’s
t h e acad em y or m e, w e w on ’t b ot h er t oo m u ch ab ou t t h e r esu lt . Bu t if w e lose,
t h e p u b lic’s op in ion w ill b ear on all of you . As all of you ar e st ill you n g, I’m
afr aid t h at you w on ’t b e ab le t o b ou n ce back fr om t h e set b ack . If t h at h ap p en s, I
w ill b e a sin n er in Sh r ek ’s eyes.”
Xu San sh i la u gh ed . “No w ay! T each er W a n g, you ar e t h in k in g t oo m u ch . T h e

acad em y gave u s t h is ch an ce b ecau se w e ar e all d et er m in ed an d r esilien t .
Fu r t h er m or e, w e can ju st r et u r n t o t h e acad em y im m ed iat ely if w e lose. Don ’t
t ell m e t h at t h er e w ill b e p eop le in t h e aca d em y w h o w ill sp ou t gib b er ish ?”
As t h ey sp ok e, t h e r efer ee h ad alr ea d y ar r ived on t h e st age. T h e St ar Lu o
Em p er or w as also h er e t o ob ser ve t h e com p et it ion on t op of t h e cit y w all.
Pr in cess J iu J iu , w h o lost t o t h em yest er d ay, w as also st an d in g b esid e t h e St a r
Lu o Em p er or .
H u o Yu h ao cou ld sen se som eon e ob ser vin g h im , an d h e lift ed h is h ead

su b con sciou sly. H e saw Pr in cess J iu J iu glan cin g a t h im . H er r avish in g face
seem ed t o b e filled w it h fr u st r at ion , b u t t h is cou ld on ly b e n ot iced b y H u o
Yu h ao b ecau se of h is Sp ir it Eyes. T h e ot h er s b esid e h im d id n ’t n ot ice t h is.
On t op of t h e cit y w all.
“Br ot h er , I’m in d ign an t . W e w er e su p p osed t o b e ab le t o w in .” Pr in cess J iu

J iu p r ot est ed .
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sm iled an d said , “W h at ’s t h er e t o b e in d ign an t ab ou t ?

It ’s a fact t h at you lost .”
Pr in cess J iu J iu w a s u n con vin ced as sh e said , “Bu t I d id n ’t get t o u se m y

st r on gest sk ill.”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or said , “Bu t it ’s n ot t h a t you d id n ’t w an t t o u se it .

Fu r t h er m or e, it m igh t n ot h ave ch an ged t h e r esu lt even if you h ad . Even if H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g d id n ’t u n leash t h e sou l sk ill t h at su p p r essed t h e
St ar cr ow n , d o you t h in k t h at a ll of you cou ld h ave d efeat ed t h at Ph oen ix
t oget h er ? M a Xiaot ao’s m ar t ial sou l is t h e Evil Fir e Ph oen ix, an d sh e’s t h e
d escen d an t of M a H on gju n , w h o b elon ged t o t h e fir st gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s
Seven M on st er s. Sh e’s a Ran k 67 sou l em p er or , an d h er cu lt ivat ion is t h e b est
am on g ever yon e in t h is t ou r n am en t . You saw w h at h ap p en ed yest er d ay t oo.
Even w h en 3 sou l k in gs t eam ed u p t oget h er , t h ey cou ld n ’t ch allen ge h er . W ou ld
all of you h ave w on if you w er e t ir ed ? An d t h at w ou ld b e even w or se in t h e
in d ivid u al r ou n d . All of you h ad n o ch a n ce w it h M a Xiaot a o an d Dai Yu eh en g
ar ou n d . It ’s st ill ab ou t t h e d iffer en ce in p ow er . W h ile Sh r ek Acad em y d id n ot
sen d it s st r on gest lin eu p t h is t im e, n o on e can u n d er est im a t e t h eir fou n d at ion . I
am excit ed t o see h ow t h in gs w ill p an ou t w h en t h at you n g fellow gr ow s u p 5
year s lat er .”
Pr in cess J iu J iu sn or t ed an d said , “I d on ’t k n ow h ow it ’ll b e lik e 5 year s lat er ,

b u t t h ey’ll lik ely lea ve t h is t ou r n am en t in t h e h u m iliat ion o f failu r e. T h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y is t oo p ow er fu l. T h ey h ave also
p r ep ar ed ver y su fficien t ly for t h is ed it ion of t h e t ou r n am en t . Sh r ek Acad em y
h as also ap p ear ed w it h p r ob lem s. Even if t h eir en t ir e official t eam com p et es,
t h ey m ay n ot h ave a ch an ce at all.”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or lau gh ed an d said , “You n ger sist er , you ar e t oo

con cer n ed ab ou t t h e r esu lt of t h is t o u r n am en t . T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y is lik e you , t ak in g t h is t ou r n am en t t oo ser iou sly. At t h e
sam e t im e, b ot h you an d t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y ar e
t ak in g fam e an d for t u n e t oo ser iou sly. T h at ’s w h y you r eck on t h at t h e Sh r ek
Acad em y h as m ad e a w r on g m ove. In r ealit y, I t h in k t h ey ar e d oin g w h at t h ey
ar e d oin g b ecau se of a d eep er m ean in g.”
Pr in cess J iu J iu w as p u zzled as sh e ask ed , “Deep er m ean in g?”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or ask ed in a low voice, “J iu J iu , w h at d o you t h in k ab ou t

ou r Xu Fam ily’s p ow er s?”
Pr in cess J iu J iu , w h o w as also called Xu J iu J iu , r ep lied w it h o u t an y

h esit at ion , “W e ar e ver y p ow er fu l. W e w er e on ly ab le t o lead t h e em p ir e’s
t r oop s t o for ce ou r en em ies ou t an d d isin t egr at e t h e Du k e’s M an sion b lood lin e
t o b ecom e t h e lea d er of t h is em p ir e b ecau se of ou r fam ily’s p ow er . It ’s ver y r a r e
t o see h u ge clan s lik e ou r Xu Fam ily in t h e con t in en t n ow . Even w h en t h e
M ar t ial Sou l H all b eh aved at r ociou sly t h en , t h ey cou ld n ’t d o an yt h in g t o u s.”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or n od d ed an d said , “You ’r e r igh t . Ou r Xu Fam ily is ver y

p ow er fu l. Bu t w h y d id w e on ly m ak in g ou r m ove w h en t h e em p ir e w as in
t r ou b le? It ’s n ot ju st b ecau se a w ise m an look s aft er h is ow n h id e. W e d id it
m or e for t h e accu m u lat ion of st r en gt h . H ow ever , ou r Xu Fam ily h as b een
get t in g sm aller over t h e p ast few t h ou san d year s. In ou r gen er at ion , it ’s on ly
you an d I t h at h ave in h er it ed t h e St ar cr ow n . Now , t h in k ab ou t Sh r ek
Acad em y’s fou n d at ion . Sh r ek Acad em y h as b een gr ow in g over t h e p ast 10 ,0 0 0
year s, an d t h ey h ave also secr et ly d on e a lot of for t h e con t in en t . M an y h u ge
em p ir es ar e afr aid o f t h em t oo. H ow ever , w h o d o you t h in k is t r u ly aw ar e of
Sh r ek Acad em y’s d ep t h ? An d w ou ld su ch an est ab lish ed aca d em y m ak e su ch a
st u p id er r or ? Fu r t h er m or e, Sh r ek Acad em y can sen d an ot h er gr ou p of official
t eam m em b er s if t h ey w an t ed t o. Sh r ek Acad em y is n ever d evoid of t alen t s.”
Pr in cess J iu J iu ask ed d ou b t fu lly, “Br ot h er , ar e you sayin g t h at Sh r ek

Acad em y d oes n ot valu e t h e t ou r n am en t ? ”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or , Xu J iaw ei, sh ook h is h ea d an d r ep lied , “No. Sh r ek

Acad em y m igh t n ot car e ab ou t t h e t ou r n am en t , b u t I’m su r e t h at t h ey valu e t h is
b at ch of you n g st u d en t s a lot . M an y p eop le m iss ou t on a few t h in gs b ecau se of
t h eir low cu lt ivat ion s, b u t t h ose w h o ar e k een -eyed can t ell t h eir t alen t s. Sh r ek
Acad em y m igh t h ave for sak en t h e ch an ce t o b ecom e t h e t ou r n am en t ch am p ion
in or d er t o t r ain t h em u p . Losin g t h e t ou r n am en t isn ’t scar y. T h e scar y t h in g is
if t h er e a r e n o su ccessor s. I h ave w at ch ed Sh r ek Acad em y com p et in g in ever y
r ou n d . I can fair ly say t h at ever y on e of t h eir st u d en t s h as t h eir ow n sp ecial
t r ait . If t h ey can p r o gr ess r ap id ly, given 5 t o 10 year s, Sh r ek Acad em y w ill h ave a
b r igh t fu t u r e, an d t h at ’ll b e even m or e fr igh t en in g.”
W h en h e r each ed t h is p oin t , Xu J iaw ei st op p ed an d t u r n ed h is at t en t ion t o

t h e d ist an ce, “You n ger sist er , you m u st r em em b er t h is. W it h t h e st r en gt h of
t h eir acad em y, t h ey on ce led t h e 3 em p ir es on t h e con t in en t t o r et aliat e again st
t h e in vad in g Su n M oon Em p ir e. T h ey even r esist ed t h e w ave of b east s fr om St ar
Dou For est . W it h ou t t h em as a st ab ilizin g for ce at t h e b or d er b et w een ou r
em p ir e an d t h e H eaven ly Sou l Em p ir e, t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e w ou ld h ave m ad e
t h eir m ove alr ead y. Alr igh t , let ’s w a t ch t h e com p et it ion .”
At t h is p oin t , t h e com p et it ion h a d alr ead y st ar t ed .
On e m igh t w on d er w h et h er t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y h ad b ecom e

an gr y fr om em b ar r assm en t . T h e fir st m em b er t o com p et e w as t h eir t eam
lead er , w h o w as a sou l em p er or . H e w as also t h e on e w h o d r aw n t h e lot s for
t h em yest er d ay.
T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y sen t a t all an d t h in you t h

up.
In sid e t h e r est in g ar ea, W an g Yan in t r od u ced t h e b ot h of t h em t o H u o Yu h ao

an d t h e ot h er s w it h gr eat fam iliar it y.
“Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y t eam lead er . H is n am e is J ian g Pen g, an d h e’s a

sou l em p er or . H is so u l p ow er is b et w een Ran k 61 an d Ran k 62, an d h e is t h e fir st
in t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y h ist or y t o b ecom e a sou l em p er or b efor e
r each in g t w en t y. Becau se of t h is, h e’s also ver y ar r ogan t . H is m ar t ial so u l is a
H eaven qu ak e Axe, w h ich is ver y p ow er fu l. Am on gst all t h e assau lt -t yp e m ar t ial
sou ls, I on ly k n ow W an g Don g’s Clear Sk y H am m er t h at can su p p r ess h is
“T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y h as sen t on e of t h eir

official t eam m em b er s u p . H is n am e is M ich ael, an d h e is a Class 5 sou l en gin eer .
H e h as m an y st r a t egies, an d I h a ve n o w ay of ap p r aisin g h im . In t h e p r eviou s
r ou n d s, h e w ou ld figh t alm ost ever y t im e. H e is a ver y st a b le p er son , an d h as
n ever on ce m ad e a m ist ak e w h en com p et in g.”
W an g Yan ’s claim t h at h e h ad n ever m a d e an y m ist ak es so far w as alr ead y a
p osit ive ap p r aisal on it s ow n . As h e w as in t r od u cin g t h em , t h e b at t le h ad
alr ead y com m en ced on st age.
M ich ael h ad a lr ead y let ou t a ser ies of m et allic clan gs ju st as t h e r efer ee

sh ou t ed t o sign al t h e st ar t of t h e com p et it ion .
A b r igh t b lu e slab of m et al r ap id ly ap p ear ed fr om h is b ack an d cover ed h is

en t ir e b od y. It w as a s if h e w as w ear in g a su it of ar m or over h is b od y. Slab s of
m et al also ap p ear ed fr om h is w aist an d legs.
Aft er all t h e b r igh t b lu e slab s of m et a l co ver ed h is en t ir e b od y, J ian g Pen g h a d

alr ead y r u sh ed b eyon d t h e h a lfw ay lin e.
M ich ael w as w ear in g a su it of h eavy ar m or . Aft er d on n in g t h e ar m or , h is

b od y seem ed t o h ave exp an d ed b y ab ou t 3 cir cles. T h e b r igh t b lu e m et al flash ed ,
an d a b all of w h it e ligh t sh on e fr om b ot h h is ch est an d b elly. It w as ver y ob viou s
t h at t h ese w er e t h e cor e for m at ion s of t h is sou l t ool of h is.
A sou l t ool t h at cover ed h is en t ir e b od y?
H u o Yu h ao op en ed h is eyes w id e an d ob ser ved ser iou sly. H e h ad n ever seen

t h is so u l t ool b efor e. Bu t Fan Yu h ad on ce m en t ion ed t h a t t h e h igh est class
close-com b at sou l t ool w as t h e m ost p r im it ive ar m or in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e.
H ow ever , t h is t yp e of sou l t ool cou ld n ’t b e ap p r aised u sin g sim p le ar m or s. It s
p r esen ce gr eat ly in cr eased t h e u ser ’s offen sive an d d efen sive ab ilit ies. It cou ld
even am p lify t h e u ser ’s cu lt ivat ion .
Sou l en gin eer s’ m ar t ial sou ls w er e u su ally d efect ive. Bu t a sou l en gin eer cou ld
u n leash t h e p ow er s of assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s w it h t h is t yp e of fu ll b od y
ar m or . T h u s, it w as a p it y t h at t h e Sh r ek Acad em y’s Sou l En gin eer in g
Dep ar t m en t h ad exp er ien ced som e issu es w it h t h eir cu r r en t r esear ch . T h ey h ad
n o exp er ien ce in p r od u cin g t h is k in d of fu ll b od y a r m or . T h ey d id n ’t exp ect t o
see it in t h is t ou r n am en t .
Blu e ligh t flash ed in M ich ael’s h an d s, a n d a h u ge sw or d t h at w as t h e sam e
color as t h e ar m or on h is b od y ap p ear ed in h is p alm . T h e sw or d ’s r ad ian ce w as
even b r igh t er t h an t h at of h is ar m or , an d t h e cor e for m at ion at t h e ed ge of t h e
sw or d r eleased h alos of b lu e ligh t .
As M ich ael com p let ed all t h is, h is op p on en t w as alr ea d y in fr on t of h im .
J ian g Pen g d eser ved t o b e called t h e m ost ou t st an d in g st u d en t in t h e Im p er ial

Pr ofou n d Acad em y’s h ist or y. H e d id n ot u n leash h is m ar t ial sou l w h en h e b u r st
t ow ar d s h is op p on en t . T h a t w as b ecau se h is m ar t ial sou l w ou ld ca u se h is sp eed
t o d ecr ease. It w as on ly w h en h e r each ed h is op p on en t t h a t h e u n leash ed h is
m ar t ial sou l.
6 sou l r in gs - 2 yellow , 2 p u r p le an d 2 b lack - r ose fr om b en eat h h is feet

in st an t an eou sly. A r ever b er at in g b oom t h at sou n d ed lik e ligh t n in g r eson at ed in
t h e sk y. Follow in g J ian g Pen g’s leap in g m ovem en t , a st r eak of h u ge, fer ociou s
r ad ian ce h a d alr ead y d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y.
It w as a h u ge axe. T h e axe w as r ou gh ly 5 feet in len gt h . Bu t t h e scar y t h in g

w as t h at t h e axe b la d e w as over 5 feet in w id t h as w ell. T h e a xe b lad e w as p it ch -
b lack , an d exu d ed a cold au r a. It s im m en se d est r u ct ive st r en gt h cou ld b e sen sed
ju st b y look in g at it .
Gr ab b in g t h e axe w it h b ot h h is h an d s, J ian g Pen g slash ed it w it h ou t u sin g

an y sou l sk ills. T h e H eaven q u ak e Axe r ever b er at ed w it h a m en acin g r oar . It w as
slash ed t ow ar d s M ich ael’s h ead , aid ed b y it s fallin g m om en t u m .
M ich ael d id n ot p an ic, an d h e slid h is feet sligh t ly so t h at h e m oved b ack b y a

m et er . At t h e sam e t im e, h is fu ll b od y ar m or flash ed w it h an in t en se b lu e
r ad ian ce, w h ich con n ect ed w it h t h e sw or d in h is h an d . As h e h eld t h e sw or d ’s
h ilt w it h b ot h h an d s, h e m ad e an u p w ar d s slash in g m ot ion .
It w as clear t h at h e h ad p r act iced t h is a ct ion cou n t less t im es. T h er e w as n o

fan cin ess in volved . It w as sim p le, d ir ect an d accu r at e. H e w a s n ot t ar get in g t h e
axe b lad e, b u t in st ead u sed h is sw or d ’s 7 foot len gt h t o sw eep t ow ar d s h is
op p on en t ’s axe h an d le.
J ian g Pen g sn or t ed , an d h is d ow n w ar d s slash in g m ot ion st op p ed in m id -air .

H e in st ead sw ep t h is axe acr oss h or izon t ally, cau sin g it t o collid e st r on gly
again st t h e sw or d .
M ich ael st agger ed b ack w ar d s as a b oom in g r oar sou n d ed . J ian g Pen g’s
m om en t u m w as also st op p ed , an d h is b od y sh on e w it h a ser ies of elect r ical
ligh t s.
H u o Yu h ao im m ed ia t ely u n d er st ood t h a t M ich ael’s ar m or an d sw or d sh ou ld

car r y t h e effect of ligh t n in g.
It w as n ot r ar e for close-com b at sou l t ools t o car r y elem en t al effect s. H e w as,

h ow ever , sh ock ed b y M ich ael’s p ow er s. T h is w as evid en t ly d u e t o t h e
en h an cem en t b y t h e sou l t ool. W it h t h e sou l t ool en h an cin g h is p ow er s, h e w as
n ot m u ch in fer ior t o a st r en gt h -t yp e sou l em p er or as a sou l k in g. T h is sh ow ed
t h e gr eat en h a n cem en t effect of t h is sou l t ool on h im .
W an g Yan ’s d escr ip t ion also left H u o Yu h ao even m or e sh ock ed . W an g Yan

said , “In t h e ear lier r ou n d s, M ich ael also d isp layed h is lon g-r an ge offen sive
ab ilit ies. T h is is h is fir st t im e u sin g a close-com b at sou l t ool.”
W an g Yan ’s exp lan at ion cau sed H u o Yu h ao t o b e st u n n ed . T h e Su n M oon

Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s ab ilit ies h ad r each ed su ch a t r em en d ou s
st an d ar d ?
H ow ever , M ich ael also d id n ot feel good aft er b ein g st r u ck b y t h e axe. H e d id

n ot m an age t o ch ase aft er J ian g Pen g, w h o w as su ffer in g fr om n u m b n ess all
over h is b od y. Bot h of t h em st op p ed on t h e com p et it ion st age for a w h ile.
Follow in g t h at , M ich ael d id n ot con t in u e t o figh t for cefu lly. T h e b r igh t b lu e
r ad ian ce b eh in d h im sh on e even b r igh t er , an d h is b od y p ick ed u p sp eed . H e
b u r st ou t a few m et er s b efor e h is t oes t ou ch ed t h e gr ou n d . T h en , h e sw it ch ed
d ir ect ion s at a 90 d egr ee an gle, b u t h is sp eed d id n ot d eclin e. H e b u r st t ow ar d s
t h e cen t er of t h e com p et it ion st age.
J ian g Pen g’s ar r ogan ce h ad d ip p ed a lit t le b y n ow . H e n at u r ally k n ew t h e

im p or t an ce of t h is r ou n d t o t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Aca d em y. H e d id n ot
com p et e fir st b ecau se h e w as r eck less. H e h ad p on d er ed h is d ecision ca r efu lly
b efor e m ak in g it . On ly if h e m an aged t o get r id of a few op p on en t s cou ld t h ey
h ave a ch an ce of w in n in g t od ay’s in d ivid u al com p et it ion . T h is w as a lso w h y h e
d id n ot u se h is sou l sk ill w h en h e cam e u p . H e n eed ed t o con ser ve h is sou l p ow er
an d ab ilit ies so t h a t h e cou ld last lon ger !
H ow ever , M ich ael w as m u ch st r on ger t h an h e h ad exp ect ed . H e w as a sou l

k in g, an d it w as ob viou s t h at h is cu lt ivat ion w asn ’t in cr eased solely t h r ou gh h is
ow n t r ain in g. H is fou n d at ion w as n ot as d eep as an or t h od ox sou l m ast er ’s. Bu t
it w as p r ecisely t h is sou l k in g t h at w as n ot at a d isad van t age aft er h e m et h is
st r ik e as h e w or e t h e ar m or .
T ot al b od y n u m b n ess w as n ot a good feelin g. J ian g Pen g k n ew t h at h e cou ld

n o lon ger h old b ack an ym or e. Ot h er w ise, h e w ou ld b e at a d isad va n t age t h e
lon ger h is op p on en t r em ain ed st an d in g.
As h e t h ou gh t t ill t h is p oin t , h is 3r d so u l r in g lit u p as h e t u r n ed . T h e p u r p le

t h ou san d year sou l r in g em it t ed an elegan t glow w h ile t h e H eaven qu ak e Axe
h ad alr ead y m oved a m id st a ser ies of b oom in g air b last s.
T h is H eaven q u ak e Axe w as d eser ved ly t er m ed a p ow er fu l at t ack -t yp e sou l

t ool b y W an g Yan . Aft er it st r u ck , t h e h u ge axe r evolved in t h e air lik e a h u ge
ligh t d isc t h at em it t ed a cold r ad ian ce.
A d ar k , fu ll m oon d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y. It m an aged t o cat ch u p t o

M ich ael’s sp r in t in g figu r e in t h e b lin k of an eye.
H u o Yu h ao saw it clear ly t h is t im e. Bot h h is ar m or an d sw or d r eleased an

in t en se b lu e ligh t n in g cu r r en t as h e d r ew h is sw or d . T h e cu r r en t d id n ot
d isp er se, b u t q u ick ly gat h er ed t ow ar d s t h e t ip of t h e sw or d b efor e b ein g
u n leash ed b r u t a lly on ce again .
Ligh t n in g w as ver y u n st ab le. For t h is so u l t ool t o seal t h e p o w er s of ligh t n in g

an d u n leash it w it h su ch p r ecise con t r ol, H u o Yu h ao w as a lit t le u n cer t a in of
h ow t o d escr ib e t h is sou l t ool an ym or e. H e b elieved t h at it w as n ot on ly a Class 5
sou l t ool, an d m igh t n ot h ave b een p r od u ced b y M ich ael h im self. T h is w as
esp ecially so b ecau se t h e sw or d r eleased a ligh t n in g r ad ian ce t h at alm ost seem ed
solid . W h en it w as u sed , it even felt as if t h er e w as a flow or w ave.
H ow ever , M ich ael h ad m iscalcu lat ed t h is t im e.
J ian g Pen g w aved b ot h h is h an d s in t h e d ist an ce, an d t h e or igin ally fier ce

H eaven q u ak e Axe ch an ged su d d en ly d ir ect ion s in t h e air . It d r ew a w eir d -
look in g ar c an d sw u n g b eh in d M ich ael in st an t ly. T h e axe b lad e slash ed d ow n
h eavily.
M ich ael’s r eact ion w as n ot slow . H e leap t for w ar d im m ed iat ely w h en h e

r ealized t h at t h in gs w er e am iss. T h e sou l t h r u st er b eh in d h is ar m or w as
u n leash ed at fu ll p ow er . Bu t it w as n o lon ger ju st a d r ivin g for ce n ow . Rat h er , it
sh ot ou t a p ow er fu l ligh t t ow ar d s t h e b ack t h at at t em p t ed t o r esist t h e st r ik e of
t h e H eaven q u ak e Axe.
Bu t a sou l em p er or w as a sou l em p er or . T h is sou l t ool on M ich ael’s b od y w as

ver y st r on g, b u t J ia n g Pen g w as n o easy op p on en t eit h er . Aft er all, h e w as t h e
t op t alen t in t h e Im p er ial M yst ica l Acad em y’s h ist or y. Up on closer exam in at ion ,
it w as p ossib le t o d iscover t h a t J ian g Pen g’s yellow fir st sou l r in g w a s flash in g
w it h a su b t le r ad ian ce. T h is r ad ian ce w a s ver y sp ecial, an d w asn ’t ju st lik e t h e
k in d of r ad ian ce em it t ed b y sou l m ast er s’ m ar t ial sou ls. It w as d elicat e, an d
flash ed w it h a fr eq u en cy t h at r esem b led t h e r at e of a h ear t b ea t .
J ian g Pen g h ad n ever u sed h is fir st sou l sk ill b efor e in p r evio u s r ou n d s.
Gen er ally sp eak in g, sou l m ast er s’ sou l sk ills w er e u su ally m or e p ow er fu l t h e

lat er t h ey w er e ob t a in ed . T h a t w as b ecau se t h e ad d ed lim it w ou ld b e gr eat er .
Bu t J ian g Pen g w as sp ecial in a cer t ain a sp ect . H is fir st sou l sk ill w as n ot u sed
for an y d ir ect a t t ack or offen se. It w as a con t r ol-t yp e sou l sk ill t h a t w as u sed t o
con t r ol h is m a r t ial sou l.
T h e H eaven q u ak e Axe w as an ext r em ely t ou gh assau lt -t yp e m ar t ial sou l, an d

it also car r ied a p ow er fu l d est r u ct ive cap ab ilit y. It cou ld b e com p ar ed w it h
W an g Don g’s Clear Sk y H am m er . It s d est r u ct ive st r en gt h w as st ill ver y
fr igh t en in g w it h ou t even u sin g a sou l sk ill. W h en J ian g Pen g h ad fu sed w it h h is
fir st sou l r in g, h e h ad accid en t a lly ch osen t h e w r on g sou l b east . T h is h ad led t o
h is p ossession of t h is con t r ol-t yp e sou l sk ill. Bu t w it h h is in t elligen ce an d solid
fou n d at ion , h e m an aged t o p r ogr ess in an ot h er w ay u n d er t h e gu id an ce of t h e
Im p er ial M yst ica l Acad em y’s t each er s. H e in ven t ed a sp ecia l offen se, w h ich h e
called t h e Eigh t een Dr agon slayin g Slash es.
T h e st r en gt h of t h is Eigh t een Dr agon slayin g Slash es w as t h a t it w asn ’t a sou l

sk ill. It w as b et t er t h an a sou l sk ill, a n d cou ld b e com b in ed w it h ot h er sou l
sk ills. W it h t h e con t r ol of t h e fir st sou l r in g, h e cou ld en ab le t h e H eaven qu ak e
Axe t o st r ik e con secu t ively for a m axim u m of 18 t im es. T h is w as t h e fir st t im e
t h is k iller m ove h a d b een d em on st r at ed in t h e in d iv id u a l m at ch es.
“Ban g—” In fr on t of t h e H eaven qu ak e Axe, t h e ligh t sh ot ou t b y t h e sou l

t h r u st er w as in st a n t ly sp lit , an d t h e axe st r u ck M ich ael’s b ack h eavily.
In t h e n ext m om en t aft er t h e H ea ven qu a k e Axe st r u ck , a d u ll exp losion sou n d

r an g ou t . T h e im p act cau sed M ich ael t o b e p u sh ed for w ar d .
Con cu ssive exp losion . T h is w as t h e d est r u ct ive ab ilit y t h a t t h e H eaven qu ak e

Axe car r ied . Alon g w it h it s im m en se w eigh t , t h is st r ik e w as ver y h eavy.
It w as clear t h at t h e ar m or b eh in d M ich ael h ad b een st r u ck t ill it b en t
in w ar d s. T h e p ier cin g axe con t in u ed t o ad van ce, an d M ich ael sp at ou t fr esh
b lood . H e st agger ed as h e fell for w ar d .
It w as n ot t h at J ian g Pen g w as ext r em ely st r on g. It w as ju st t h at t h e ch an ges

t o h is st r ik es w er e t oo sp ecial. It w as d iffer en t fr om w h at t h e Su n M oon
Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y k n ew ab ou t J ian g Pen g. M ich ael w as at a
gr eat d isa d van t age n ow .
T h e H eaven q u ak e Axe, h ow ever , d id n ot car e. T h e fu r y t h at J ian g Pen g h ad

r est r ain ed in t h e t eam com p et it ion yest er d ay w as u n leash ed r igh t n ow . T h e
H eaven q u ak e Axe slash ed t ow ar d t h e sam e ar ea it h ad p r eviou sly st r u ck w it h an
ear -p ier cin g b oom . M ich ael’s ar m or sh o u ld b e p r ou d of it self for b ein g ab le t o
r esist t h e H eaven q u ak e Axe’s fir st b low . Bu t t h e con cu ssive exp losion it h ad
b r ou gh t w it h it cou ld n ’t b e sh ak en off so easily. If it w a s u n leash ed on ce m or e,
h e w ou ld b e h eavily in ju r ed , if n ot k illed .
T h e r efer ee in t er ven ed in t im e an d b lock ed t h e H eaven qu ak e Axe in t h e air .

H e also an n ou n ced t h e en d of t h e com p et it ion .
J ian g Pen g r ecalled h is m ar t ial sou l. T u r n in g ar ou n d , h e h ook ed h is fin ger

t ow ar d s t h e Su n M oon Acad em y t eam in t h e w ait in g ar ea w it h a cold an d
ar r ogan t look on h is face.
Xiao H on gch en m ade a sw ish in g sou n d as h e st ood u p . H e w as ab ou t t o ascen d

t o t h e st age, b u t w as st op p ed b y M a Ru lon g. Xiao H on gch en glar ed at h im , b u t
M a Ru lon g sh ook h is h ead an d sh ot h im a look . Aft er t h at , h e w alk ed u p t o t h e
st age h im self.
Du r in g t h e t eam r ou n d , u sin g a sou l t ool as a t eam w ou ld ach ieve an

ap p r eciab le effect . Bu t in t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d s, it w as d ifficu lt t o u se a sou l t ool
t o m ak e u p for t h e gap b et w een a sou l k in g an d sou l em p er or . It ’s im p or t an t t o
k n ow t h at J ian g Pen g w as n ot ju st an or d in ar y sou l em p er or , b u t a t alen t
n u r t u r ed b y t h e Im p er ial M yst ical Acad em y. T h ey h ad gat h er ed all t h eir
r esou r ces t o n u r t u r e h im , an d h e w as n o lon ger con ser vin g h is p ow er at t h is
cr it ica l m om en t .
M ich ael w a s sen t t o com p et e fir st , b u t n ot w it h t h e h op e of d efeat in g J ian g

Pen g. H is p u r p ose w as t o d ep let e som e of h is sou l p ow er . H ow ever , it seem ed
lik e t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial En gin eer in g Acad em y w ou ld b e t h e on e at a
d isad va n t age if t h is con t in u ed .
W an g Yan ’s eyes sh ift ed a lit t le as h e saw M ich ael b ein g d efea t ed . H e t h ou gh t

of som et h in g in h is h ear t . Alt h ou gh t h e Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y’s sou l t ools w er e ver y p ow er fu l, t h e p ow er s of a sou l en gin eer cou ld b e
said t o r ely en t ir ely on sou l t ools. Again st an elit e sou l m a st er in a r est r ict ed
com p et it ion st age, t h ey w ou ld n ot con fer h im m u ch of an ad van t age.
J ian g Pen g h ad for ced M a Ru lon g t o com p et e. T o t h e ob ser ver s, t h is w as a

good t h in g. T o a cer t ain ext en t , t h e ab ilit ies an d m et h od s of t h is t h e Su n M oon
Acad em y t eam lead er w ou ld b e t h e k ey t o vict or y in t h e fin als.
J ian g Pen g w as sligh t ly p et r ified as h e saw t h at M a Ru lon g w as t h e n ext t o

com p et e. H e sq u in t ed h is eyes as h e h eld t h e H eaven qu ak e Axe. If h e cou ld
d efeat M a Ru lon g, t h e Im p er ial M yst ical Acad em y m igh t r eally h ave a ch an ce of
t u r n in g t h e t id e. T h is b at t le w ou ld b e ext r em ely cr u cial.
“I w ill d efeat you .” J ian g Pen g p oin t ed h is H eaven qu ak e Axe at M a Ru lon g.

H e w as t r yin g t o p r o vok e h im .
M a Ru lon g lau gh ed gen t ly, “Do you t h in k t h is w ill p r ovok e m e?”
T h e t w o of t h em r et r eat ed t o t h e ed ges of t h e com p et it ion st age as t h ey sp ok e.
J ian g Pen g sn or t ed , “M a Ru lon g, I w ill let you r ealize t h at sou l en gin eer s lik e
you w h o exp loit ext er n al p ow er s w ill n ever b e com p ar ab le t o sou l m ast er s lik e
m yself t h at w or k h ar d t o fu lfil ou r p ot en t ial. You w ill b e d efeat ed u n d er m y axe
ju st lik e t h e on e ju st n ow .”
M a Ru lon g sh ook h is h ead an d said , “M ich ael d id n ’t u n leash h is fu ll ab ilit ies.
It d oesn ’t m ean t h at a sou l m ast er is b et t er t h an a sou l en gin eer ju st b ecau se you
d efeat ed h im . M ich ael d id n ’t u se an y sou l t ools t h at h e d evelop ed h im self. H is
ab ilit ies w er e n ot t r u ly u n leash ed t o figh t you . On e u n d er st an d s h im self b est ,
t h u s a sou l en gin eer is on ly at h is p eak st at e w h en h e u ses h is ow n sou l t ools. I
cr eat ed ever y sou l t ool I u se. I w ill sh ow you w h at a t r u e sou l en gin eer is.”
J ian g Pen g sn or t ed . “I’d b e a fool if I b elieved you . Did you m ak e t h e Class 7

sou l t ool t h a t you u sed t oo?”
“I h ave n o n eed t o lie t o you .” M a Ru lon g said in d iffer en t ly.
At t h is p oin t , t h ey h ad alr ead y r each ed t h e ed ges of t h e com p et it ion st age. As

t h e r efer ee sh ou t ed , “M at ch , st ar t !” a h u ge b at t le en su ed .
J ian g Pen g b u r st for w ar d t ow ar d s M a Ru lon g lik e b efor e.
M a Ru lon g lift ed h is r igh t h an d , an d it w as clear t o see t h at t h er e w as a silver

r in g on each of h is fin ger s. T h e fir st r in g flash ed , an d a m et al b ar r el t h at w as
ar ou n d 1.5 m et er s lo n g an d 10 cen t im et er s w id e ap p ear ed in h is p alm . H e t h en
lift ed it t o h is sh ou ld er , an d u n leash ed h is m ar t ial sou l.
T h e r elease of M a Ru lon g’s m ar t ial sou l cau sed h is b od y t o exp er ien ce w eir d
ch an ges, an d h is h ead su d d en ly b alloon ed . It w as ob viou s t h at it w as n o lon ger
align ed w it h h is b od y. Even h is h air seem ed t o b ecom e sp ar se. H e look ed u gly
am id st t h is b izar r en ess.
H is m ar t ia l sou l w as called t h e Bigh ead ed Sp ir it Ap e, an au xiliar y-t yp e m ar t ial

sou l. H e w as d oin g t h is t o u n leash gr eat er p ow er an d last lon ger lik e m ost sou l
en gin eer s d id . M a Ru lon g’s sou l sk ill w a s also u sed t o aid t h e in cr ease of h is sou l
p ow er or t o en h an ce t h e ou t b u r st of h is sou l p ow er . T h is w as also an im p or t an t
r eason w h y h e cou ld cr eat e a Class 7 sou l t ool t h at w as b eyon d h is level.
M a Ru lon g w as an ab solu t e gen iu s in t h e p r od u ct ion of sou l t ools in Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y. If n ot for h is lack in g cu lt ivat ion , h e
w ou ld alr ea d y qu alify t o b e a Class 7 sou l en gin eer .
6 sou l r in gs – 2 yellow , 2 p u r p le an d 2 b lack – ap p ear ed at t h e sam e t im e. T h e

silver b ar r el also em it t ed an in t en se r ad ian ce in t h e n ext in st a n t .
A silver y b all of ligh t sh ot t ow ar d J ian g Pen g, w h o w as r u sh in g over . T h e

ligh t b all w as flyin g at an im m en se sp eed an d h ad n ear ly r each ed J ian g Pen g
w h en it flash ed w it h r ad ian ce
J ian g Pen g’s at t en t ion w as en t ir ely focu sed on M a Ru lon g’s b od y, an d h e w as

n at u r ally w ar y. H e d od ged im m ed iat ely as h e saw M a Ru lon g at t ack in g. 3
figu r es for m ed as t h e r ad ian ce fr om h is secon d sou l r in g flash ed .
T h e 2 figu r es at t h e sid e lu r ch ed for w ar d qu ick ly, w h ile t h e cen t er figu r e t h at

faced t h e silver ligh t b all ju m p ed u p an d t r ied t o d od ge t h e at t ack .
H ow ever , M a Ru lon g seem ed t o h ave exp ect ed t h at . J ian g Pen g’s ad ap t at ion
seem ed t o b e for n au gh t . Aft er t h e silver ligh t b all su d d en ly st op p ed , a violen t
exp losion sou n d ed in t h e n ext m om en t .
In t en se silver ligh t filled t h e en t ir e com p et it ion st age. All t h e sp ect at or s in

St ar Lu o Plaza in st an t ly sh u t t h eir eyes b ecau se of t h e in t en se ligh t .
Alt h ou gh J ian g Pen g h ad d ivid ed in t o 3 figu r es, h e st ill b or e t h e b r u n t of t h e

at t ack , an d scr eam ed in p ain u n d er t h e in t en se silver ligh t . As h e sh u t h is eyes
r ap id ly, ever yt h in g h ad alr ead y t u r n ed w h it e in fr on t of h im .
Chapt er 114.1: The Body Sect
Flash ligh t . W h o w ou ld ’ve exp ect ed M a Ru lon g t o u se t h e Class 4 Flash ligh t as

h is fir st m ove again st a st r on g op p on en t ? H e u sed h is a ct ion s t o p r ove t o
ever yon e t h at t h e m ost ap p r op r iat e w eap on w as t h e b est w eap on .
J ian g Pen g lost h is sigh t , an d h is b u r st of for w ar d m om en t u m w as h alt ed .

Usin g h is left h an d t o cover h is eyes, h e qu ick ly r et r ea t ed u sin g sou l p ow er . At
t h e sam e t im e, t h e H eaven q u ak e Axe r evealed an axe p r oject ion t h at p r ot ect ed
h is b od y.
Com p ar ed t o h im , M a Ru lon g seem ed a lit t le m or e r elaxed . As t h e Flash ligh t

d isap p ear ed fr om h is h an d , h e r em ain ed st an d in g w h er e h e w as. No on e
m an aged t o see h ow h e d id it , b u t su d d en ly, m or e t h a n 10 t in y ligh t b u llet s
r ap id ly flew ou t fr om h is b ack .
T h ese ligh t b u llet s d id n ot fly d ir ect ly t ow ar d s h is op p on en t . In st ead , t h ey

sp r ayed ou t in all d ir ect ion s sim u lt a n eou sly. Follow in g t h at , a lou d exp losion
ech oed fr om d iffer en t d ir ect ion s on t h e com p et it ion st age.
T h e ligh t b u llet s m a y h ave look ed sm all, b u t t h e exp losive sou n d s t h a t t h ey

gen er at ed w er e ear -p ier cin g. Am id st t h e ser ies of exp losive b last s, J ian g Pen g
lost h is com p osu r e. H e fr an t ically w aved t h e H ea ven qu ak e Axe ab ou t h im , a n d
even u sed h is fou r t h sou l sk ill t o u n leash m or e t h an 10 h u ge a xe p r oject ion s.
H u o Yu h ao w as w at ch in g ver y ser iou sly b elow t h e st age; h e w an t ed t o k n ow

h ow t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s sou l en gin eer s fou gh t t h eir b at t les. As a sou l
m ast er , h e w an t ed t o lear n h ow sou l en gin eer s d ealt w it h sou l m ast er s in b at t le.
H e h ad gain ed a lot of in sp ir at ion fr om t h e con ver sat ion b et w een J ian g Pen g
an d M a Ru lon g. H e w as esp ecially st r u ck b y M a Ru lon g’s w or d s t h a t on ly h e
cou ld u n d er st an d h im self, an d t h at h e cr eat ed h is ow n sou l t ools.
As t h e b at t le st ar t ed , M a Ru lon g qu ick ly t ook t h e in it ia t ive. H u o Yu h ao d id
n ot t h in k t h is w as coin cid en t al. M a Ru lon g w as st r on g, n ot in t er m s of h is sou l
t ool, b u t h is accu r at e ju d gm en t of t h e sit u at ion . T h e fir st sk ill h e u sed r est r ict ed
h is op p on en t ’s vision an d h ea r in g. T h is m et h od w as sim p ly u n h ear d -of, so it
w as n o w on d er t h at J ian g Pen g w as t r ick ed . Of cou r se, t h e effect w ou ld n ’t b e
t h e sam e if t h is sam e m et h od w as u sed again .
At t h is p oin t , t h e sou l t ool on M a Ru lon g’s bod y sh ow ed an ot h er

t r an sfor m at ion . A gold en can n on t h at w as ar ou n d a m et er lon g an d w it h a 3
cen t im et er calib er a p p ear ed on h is sh ou ld er . In t h e n ext in st an t , a st r eak of
t h in , b lood -r ed ligh t b eam sh ot ou t .
H e m ain t ain ed a n at u r al an d sm oot h im p r ession as h e con t r olled t h e sou l

t ool. H e d id n ot st op fr om t h e st ar t t ill t h e en d . Alm ost in st a n t ly aft er t h e ligh t
b alls w er e fir ed , t h is gold en can n on h a d alr ead y ap p ear ed on h is sh ou ld er . T h e
ver y n ext in st an t aft er J ian g Pen g’s fou r t h sou l sk ill w as com p let ed , exp losive
b an gs sou n d ed all ar ou n d , an d t h at st r eak of b lood -r ed ligh t h ad alr ead y
ap p ear ed b efor e h im .
At t h e Sou l Em p er or -level, on e w ou ld d evelop ast u t e sen ses. J ian g Pen g w as

aw ar e of t h e im m in en t cr isis even t h ou gh h is sigh t an d h ear in g w er e b ot h
gr eat ly affect ed w h en t h e st r eak of b lood -r ed ligh t sh ot o u t . H e su b con sciou sly
sw u n g t h e H eaven qu ak e Axe h or izon t ally in fr on t of h im a n d b lock ed t h e st r eak
of b lood -r ed ligh t .
T h er e w as n o b oom in g sou n d . A sm all r ed h ole ap p ear ed on t h e H eaven qu ak e

Axe aft er t h e b lood -r ed ligh t m a d e con t act w it h it . Alt h ou gh J ian g Pen g h a d
alr ead y sh ift ed h is b od y t o d od ge, t h e b lood -r ed ligh t st ill p en et r at ed h is left
sh ou ld er . A sm all, b lack h ole w as for m ed .
H u o Yu h ao h ad n ev er even h ear d of t h is t yp e of sou l t ool b efor e, m u ch less

seen it . W h a t w as m or e fr igh t en in g w as t h at aft er t h e r ed ligh t p en et r a t ed
t h r ou gh t h e H eaven q u ak e Axe an d J ia n g Pen g’s b od y, t h e d efen sive b ar r ier
cr eat ed b y 10 8 sou l m ast er s t oget h er w a s also p en et r at ed .
T h e air r eek ed of a b u r n in g sm ell w h er ever t h e r ed ligh t p assed .
J ian g Pen g gr oan ed in p ain , an d h is b od y sh ook t r em en d ou sly. H ow ever , h e

h ad n o in t en t ion of r et r eat in g even t h ou gh h is left sh ou ld er h ad b een p ier ced .
H e r oar ed an d flu n g t h e H eaven q u ak e Axe ou t again . T h is t im e, h is m ost
p ow er fu l sixt h sou l r in g flash ed w it h a b r igh t r ad ian ce.
W it h ou t a d ou b t , t h is w asn ’t a good op p or t u n it y t o u se h is sixt h sou l r in g. Bu t

J ian g Pen g cou ld n ot d elay an y fu r t h er .
H is eyes w er e b ad ly b u r n t b y t h e Flash ligh t . H e w as fu lly aw ar e t h a t h is eyes

w ou ld n ’t r ecover b efor e t h is com p et it ion en d ed . H is op p on en t also w ou ld n ’t
give h im a ch an ce t o r egain h is h ear in g. Even a sm all exp losive sou n d w a s n ow
en ou gh t o cau se a sever e d isr u p t ion t o h is h ear in g.
H ow ever , J ian g Pen g d id n ot ju st st an d t h er e p assively. As h e w as st r u ck , h e

also p er ceived w h er e M a Ru lon g w as, an d h e flu n g t h e H eaven qu ak e Axe in t h at
d ir ect ion .
Ear -p ier cin g b oom in g sou n d s r an g ou t con t in u ou sly as t h e h u ge axe sp u n

r ap id ly in t h e air . T h ick b lack ligh t su r ged ou t m an iacally fr om t h e
H eaven qu ak e Axe an d cau sed it s size t o r ap id ly exp an d . T h e t h ick b lack ligh t
w as lik e a b lack h ole t h at sw allow ed all t h e ligh t ar ou n d it . Even t h e sp ect at or s
w er e p et r ified as t h ey w at ch ed fr om afar .
M a Ru lon g also t u r n ed ser iou s. H e d id n ot at t em p t t o d od ge. A st r on g su ct ion

for ce w as b ein g u n leash ed fr om t h e H eaven qu ak e Axe. Alt h ou gh t h is su ct ion
for ce w as n ot en ou gh t o d r ag h im over , it p r even t ed h im fr om m ovin g fr om h is
cu r r en t p osit ion .
An in d escr ib ab le, fr igh t en in g p ow er su d d en ly b u r st for t h . Fissu r es ap p ear ed

on t h e gr ou n d b en eat h M a Ru lon g, an d a st r an ge, b lack cir cu lar sym b ol t ook
for m u n d er h is feet . T h ick , b lack flam es sh ot ou t fr om t h e gr ou n d . At t h is p oin t ,
t h e p it ch -b lack H ea ven q u ak e Axe t h at h ad en lar ged t o t w ice it s size d escen d ed
fr om t h e sk y as it car r ied a d azzlin g, b lack flar e.
T h e H eaven qu ak e Axe's sixt h sou l sk ill w as t h e Dar k d em on H eaven qu ak e,
w h ich w as a sin gle-t ar get at t ack t h a t d r ew t h e Yin Fir es of H ell t o u n leash t h e
fu r y of H eaven . It s d em on ic at t r ib u t es allow ed it t o lock on t o it s op p on en t s an d
d est r oy ever yt h in g t h at w as in it s p at h
T h is w as J ian g Pen g’s st r on gest st r ik e. Alt h ou gh h e h ad u n lea sh ed it w it h h is

sigh t an d h ear in g im p air ed , as w ell as h eavy in ju r ies, h e st ill m an aged t o u se
t h is st r ik e t o lock on t o h is op p on en t . In t er m s of b ot h h is t im in g an d ju d gm en t
of t h e sit u a t ion , b ot h w er e d efin at ely fit t in g of a Sou l Em p er or .
At t h at m om en t , a layer of b lin d in g gold en ligh t su r ged ou t fr om M a Ru lon g

an d cover ed h is b od y.
No m at t er h ow p ow er fu l t h e Yin Fir es of H ell w er e, t h ey cou ld n ’t p en et r at e a

sin gle in ch t h r o u gh t h at glow . T h e H eaven qu ak e Axe r eleased a d eafen in g
gr ow l, an d t h e en t ir e com p et it ion st age seem ed t o b e on t h e ver ge of collap se.
T h in cr ack s b egan t o ap p ear all acr oss t h e gold en b ar r ier .
T h is w as a n In vin cib le Bar r ier t h at cou ld d efen d again st an eigh t -r in ged Sou l
Dou lu o for 3 secon d s! It w as a sou l t ool t h at cou ld on ly b e u sed on ce. H ow ever ,
t h is w as on t h e ver ge of b r eak in g again st t h e Dar k d em on H ea ven qu ak e’s sin gle-
t ar get at t ack .
M a Ru lon g r evealed a look of r esp ect . T h e 3 secon d s t h a t t h e In vin cib le

Bar r ier cou ld b e su st ain ed w er e ver y sh or t , b u t it w as en ou gh for it t o w it h st an d
a b low of t h at calib er .
T h e sou l t ool on h is b od y ch an ged again . M or e t h an 50 m et al can n on s of

d iffer en t sizes su d d en ly ap p ear ed on h is b od y. On ce again , n o on e cou ld t ell h ow
h e u sed t h e sou l t ools. It w as as if t h ey gr ew fr om h is b od y.
J ian g Pen g d id n ot give u p eit h er . As h e h ad u n leash ed h is st r on gest st r ik e, h e

h ad im m ed iat ely b u r st for w ar d s t ow ar d s M a Ru lon g. W it h h is con n ect ion t o t h e
H eaven q u ak e Axe, h e cou ld locat e M a Ru lon g’s p osit ion . H ow ever , h is left ar m
d an gled lim p ly b esid e h im a s h e r u sh ed for w ar d . It w a s ob vio u s t h at it h ad lost
it s u se. T h e st r an ge t h in g w as t h at t h e h ole in h is left sh ou ld er w as n ot d r ip p in g
w it h even a sin gle d r op of b lood .
Aft er t h e 3 secon d s w er e over , t h e H eaven qu ak e Axe r et u r n ed t o J ian g Pen g’s

h an d s again . H e w a s less t h an 10 m et er s aw ay fr om M a Ru lon g n ow . As h e
st ep p ed for w ar d , h e lift ed t h e H ea ven qu a k e Axe, an d sever a l of h is sou l r in gs lit
u p . J ian g Pen g b elieved t h at if h e got close t o M a Ru lon g, h e cou ld con t r ol t h e
r esu lt of t h is com p et it ion .
J ian g Pen g cou ld n ot see for h im self, b u t t h e sp ect at or s cou ld . J u st a s b ot h

p ar t ies w er e ab ou t t o com e in t o con t act , t h e m et al can n on s on M a Ru lon g’s
b od y all sh on e w it h a sp len d id r ad ia n ce.
Un exp ect ed ly, t h ese m et al can n on s w er e each u n leash ed in a cer t ain

seq u en ce. T h e fir st w as a r ed can n on on h is ch est t h a t w as as b ig as a b ow l. A r ed
ligh t b all silen t ly sh ot t ow ar d s J ian g Pen g’s leap in g b od y.
H ow ever , ever yon e w as st u n n ed t o see t h at J ian g Pen g d id n ot sen se t h e r ed

ligh t b all com in g t ow ar d s h im . It w as as if h is sen ses w er e b ein g d eceived .
Follow in g t h at , t h e r ed ligh t b all gen t ly st u ck on t o h is ch est . J ian g Pen g d id

n ot seem t o r ealize even at t h is p oin t . Bu t su d d en ly, h is b od y seem ed t o solid ify
in t h a t in st an t , an d h e fr oze in t h e air . T h en , w h at gr eet ed h im w er e cou n t less
st r eak s of ligh t t h at w er e assem b led b efor e b ein g sh ot ou t .
Besid es a select few of h igh er cu lt ivat ion s w h o w er e aw ar e of w h at h ad

h ap p en ed , t h e on ly ot h er p er son w h o cou ld see w h at h ad h ap p en ed w as H u o
Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao h ad w at ch ed t h e en t ir e p r ocess t h r ou gh h is sh ar p ob ser vat ion

sk ills. H e d id n ’t k n ow w h at t h at r ed ligh t b all w as, b u t h e gu essed t h at it w as a
sp ecial sou l can n on t h at cou ld h ood w in k on e’s sen ses. It w a s n ot a sim p le sou l
can n on t h a t con cen t r at ed sou l p ow er u sed b y low er -sk illed sou l en gin eer s. T h e
effect of t h at sp ecial sou l can n on sh ou ld h ave b een it s ab ilit y t o t em p or ar ily
m ak e a p er son lose all m ob ilit y. T h e in st an t J ian g Pen g w as h it , t h e
H eaven q u ak e Axe d isap p ear ed fr om h is h an d s.
St r eak s of sou l ligh t r ays assem b led b efor e sh oot in g ou t , an d J ian g Pen g’s
b od y w as sen t flyin g. Alt h ou gh h is in t er n al sou l p ow er p r ot ect ed h is b od y, h is
b od y on ly st op p ed flyin g w h en h e st r u ck t h e d efen sive b ar r ier on t h e ot h er sid e
of t h e ar en a.
Aft er st r u gglin g a lit t le, h e slid d ow n fr om t h e b ar r ier an d fell on t o t h e

T h e m at ch h ad en d ed . M a Ru lon g h ad ob t ain ed an over w h elm in g vict or y.

T h e on ly t h in g h e h ad sacr ificed w as t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier , b u t w it h h is
cap ab ilit ies, h e sh ou ld b e ab le t o p r ocu r e an ot h er on e. H igh er -level sou l
en gin eer s w er e u su ally w ealt h y, n ot t o m en t ion t h at h e w as even fr om t h e
Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H a ll.
Aft er h e fin ish ed w at ch in g t h e m at ch , H u o Yu h o let ou t a lon g b r eat h . H e

d id n ’t t h in k t h at M a Ru lon g w as ver y scar y. Rat h er , h e w as filled w it h
excit em en t .
T h is w as a b at t le b et w een a sou l en gin eer an d a sou l m ast er ! T h e feelin g t h at

M a Ru lon g gave off w h en h e fou gh t w as a ver y n at u r al a n d sm oot h on e.
Yes, it w as a n at u r a l an d sm oot h feelin g. Fr om t h e ver y st ar t , M a Ru lon g t ook

t h e in it iat ive. Follow in g t h a t , h e r elen t lessly ch ain ed h is a t t ack s w h ile r eact in g
accu r at ely t o J ian g Pen g’s ch an ges, u sin g t h e m ost su it ab le so u l t ool t o r esp on d .
H e seem ed t o h ave ach ieved vict or y ver y leisu r ely. H ow ever , t h e t r u t h w as

t h at h e w ou ld h ave h ad t o face t h e con t in u ou s at t ack s of h is op p on en t if h e
m essed u p even a sin gle ch ain at t ack . J ian g Pen g’s Dar k d em on H eaven qu ak e
allow ed on e t o see h ow fr igh t en in g a Sou l Em p er or ’s exp losiven ess w as.
T h e en t ir e p lace w as st r u ck w it h aw e as J ian g Pen g w as d efeat ed . Over on t h e

Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y’s sid e, t h e faces of J ian g Pen g’s t eam m em b er s
w er e filled w it h d ism ay. If even J ian g Pen g cou ld n ’t d efeat M a Ru lon g, w h o else
cou ld ?
W h at w as even m or e fr igh t en in g w as M a Ru lon g’s com p osu r e. H is ch est

st ar t ed t o sh in e w it h a w h it e h a lo im m ed iat ely aft er h e st r u ck J ian g Pen g.
W it h ou t a d ou b t , it m u st h ave b een t h e effect of som e sou l t ool t h at w as sim ilar
t o t h e M ilk Bot t le. It w as r ep len ish in g M a Ru lon g’s d ep let ed so u l p ow er .
T h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y w as st u n n ed for a w h ile b efor e h esit an t ly

sen d in g a n ew t eam m em b er u p t o t h e com p et it ion st age. H ow ever , w h at ch an ce
d id t h ey h ave left ?
M a Ru lon g d id n ’t d isp lay h is st r en gt h an y fu r t h er . H e on ly u sed t h e few sou l

t ools t h at h e h ad u sed b efor e. Even so, n o on e cou ld r esist h im w it h h is p r ecise
con t r ol.
Accor d in g t o H u o Yu h ao’s ob ser vat ion s, t h e on ly sou l t ool t h a t cou ld p ossib ly

b e a Class 7 sou l t ool w as t h e gold en can n on . T h e can n on sh ot ou t r ays t h at w er e
of ext r em ely h igh t em p er at u r e. T h ese r a ys w er e so h ot t h at even M a Xiaot ao’s
p h oen ix flam es w ou ld b e p en et r at ed if t h ey m et . T h e r efer ees even h ad t o
in t er ven e in t h e follow in g r ou n d s of t h e com p et it ion t o save t h e Im p er ial
Pr ofou n d Acad em y’s t eam m em b er s.
M a Ru lon g even t u a lly en d ed t h e r em ain in g m at ch es w it h h is sou l t ools, an d

t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y d r op p ed ou t of t h e t ou r n am en t . T h e Su n M oon
Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y r each ed t h e fin als w it h ou t a h it ch .
A lot h ad h ap p en ed in t h is year ’s Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y

Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t , b u t it even t u ally w as st ill t h e p air of old r ivals t h at
w ou ld m eet in t h e fin als – Sh r ek Acad em y an d t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l
En gin eer in g Acad em y.
H u o Yu h ao w at ch ed t h e en t ir e com p et it ion car efu lly. On t h e w ay b ack t o t h e

Gr an d Im p er ia l St a r H ot el, h e con st an t ly p on d er ed over som et h in g. W an g Yan
w as also d oin g t h e sa m e.
H u o Yu h ao w as gr eat ly m oved b y M a Ru lon g’s st r at egy an d t h e en t ir e

com p et it ion p r ocess. Fir st ly, H u o Yu h ao lear n ed t h at a sou l t ool cr eat ed b y
on eself w as t h e m ost ap p r op r iat e sou l t ool t o u se. M a Ru lon g h ad also sh ow ed
H u o Yu h ao t h e st r at egy of a sou l en gin eer . T h e k ey t o M a Ru lon g’s su ccessive
vict or ies lay in h is con t r ol of t h e b at t le.
T h ey w er e st op p ed b y 2 p eop le w h en t h ey w er e ab ou t t o go u p t o t h eir r oom s

aft er r each in g t h e lo b b y of t h e Gr an d Im p er ial St a r H ot el.
“Oh ?” W an g Yan w as w alk in g in fr on t , b u t h e w as b lock ed . H e w as st u n n ed ,

an d lift ed h is h ead t o look at t h e t w o p eop le b lock in g h is w ay.
T h ey w er e t w o m en w h o look ed ver y or d in ar y in t er m s of ap p ear an ce, b u t

t h eir figu r es w er e ver y p ecu liar . On e of t h em h ad an ab n o r m ally lar ge r igh t
ar m , w h er eas t h e ot h er on e w as ver y t h in , b u t h is h ea d w as h u ge, as if h e w er e a
b ig-h ead ed d oll.
W an g Yan felt a ch ill in h is h ea r t an d said in a d eep voice, “Excu se m e.”

T h e gu y w it h t h e h u ge r igh t a r m said , “All of you can go, b u t t h is lit t le fellow
m u st st ay. W e n eed t o t a lk t o h im .” T h is gu y w as gr ow lin g. Alt h ou gh h e w as
t r yin g t o r est r ain h im self, h e st ill r eleased a t er r ifyin g, au t h or it at ive au r a. H e
w as p oin t in g t ow ar d s H u o Yu h ao.
H u o Yu h ao w as also st u n n ed . “I d on ’t k n ow eit h er of you .”
T h e b ig-h ead ed gu y look ed at H u o Yu h ao an d sm iled sligh t ly. H e said , “Don ’t

you k n ow u s n ow ?” T h e look in h is eyes w as ver y st r an ge. It w as w eir d ly gen t le.
W h en W an g Yan a n d Xu San sh i p eer ed in t o h is eyes, t h ey w en t in t o a t r an ce.
H u o Yu h ao su d d en ly t en sed u p an d gold en ligh t sh on e fr om h is Sp ir it Eyes.
W an g Don g w as in a m om en t ar y d aze, an d a st r eak of od d r ad ian ce flash ed in
t h e d ep t h of h is eyes. H e also w asn ’t con fu sed b y t h e b ig-h ea d ed gu y’s gaze.
“W e d on ’t m ean an y h ar m . W e ju st w a n t t o t alk t o you . If you d on ’t w an t

t h ose ar ou n d you t o b e h u r t , follow u s.” T h e b ig-h ead ed gu y saw t h e sh ock ed
look in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes an d led t h e ot h er gu y t o t h e r est in g ar ea at on e cor n er
of t h e h all. T h er e w er e a few sofas t h er e for gu est s t o r est .
W an g Yan an d Xu San sh i w ok e u p fr om t h eir t r an ce t oo. T h e t w o of t h em

w er e ast ou n d ed t h at t h e b ig-h ead ed gu y cou ld for ce t h em in t o t h at t r an ce. H is
cu lt ivat ion m u st b e ab ove t h eir s! W a n g Yan ’s ab ilit ies w er e n ot h in g sp ect acu lar
in Sh r ek Acad em y, b u t h e w as st ill a so u l k in g. T o b e su p p r essed b y som eon e
else so easily, t h e ga p in t h eir ab ilit ies sh ou ld n ’t b e sm all.
H ow ever , W an g Ya n calm ed h im self d ow n aft er a p er iod of m om en t ar y

sh ock . H e n od d ed at H u o Yu h ao an d said , “Go an d h ea r w h a t t h ey h ave t o say. I
w ill follow you . W an g Don g, Xu San sh i, t h e t w o of you can r et u r n t o you r r oom s
fir st .”
W an g Don g w an t ed t o r eject t h is p r op osit ion , b u t w as d r agged aw ay b y Xu

San sh i. Xu Sa n sh i sh ot a look at h im , an d W an g Don g fin ally u n d er st ood w h at
h is in t en t ion w as. It w as ob viou s t h at Xu San sh i w an t ed W a n g Don g t o follow
h im t o get r ein for cem en t s. H e on ly left in d ign an t ly u p on r ea lizin g t h is. H e even
sh ot a look at H u o Yu h ao b efor e h e left .
W an g Yan w as a lit t le am u sed as h e said , “It ’s fin e, you d on ’t h ave t o b r in g
an y r ein for cem en t s over . Sin ce t h ey h ave d ecid ed t o in t er cep t u s h er e, t h ey
w on ’t d o an yt h in g. T h is is St ar Lu o Cit y, an d also t h e p lace w h er e all t h e
com p et in g m em b er s of t h e t ou r n am en t ar e st ayin g.”
Xu San sh i ch or t led an d r ep lied , “It ’s b et t er t o b e w ar y.” As h e sp ok e, h e

d r agged W an g Don g u p .
H u o Yu h ao p r oceed ed t o t h e r est in g ar ea w it h W an g Yan . T h er e w er e on ly t h e

t w o w eir d gu ys t h er e. W h ile t h er e w er e m an y gu est goin g in t o an d ou t of t h e
h ot el, n on e of t h em w en t t o t h e r est in g ar ea.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Yan sat acr oss fr om t h e p air of od d balls. H u o Yu h ao

ask ed , “W h y ar e t h e t w o of you look in g for m e? It m u st b e m y fir st t im e seein g
t h e b ot h of you .”
T h e b ig-h ead ed gu y sm iled an d n od d ed . H e an sw er ed , “Of cou r se. Bu t w e’ve

ob ser ved you for qu it e som e t im e alr ea d y. If I’m n ot w r on g, you r fir st m a r t ial
sou l, w h ich is also you r m ain m ar t ial sou l, m u st b e you r eyes, an d you r fir st sou l
sk ill m u st b e som et h in g r ela t ed t o sp ir it u al d et ect ion , an d you can even sh ar e it
w it h you r com p at r iot s. T h r ou gh som e sp ecial m et h od , you ’ve also m an aged t o
cu lt ivat e som e k in d of sh ock ab ilit y w it h you r sp ir it . Based o n m y ju d gm en t , it ’s
lik e t h e Pu r p le Dem on Eyes fr om t h e T a n g Sect . W h er eas you r secon d sou l sk ill
fr om t h at m ar t ial sou l sh ou ld b e som et h in g t o d o w it h b ew it ch in g ot h er s. I
r ecall an Icew or m fr om t h e n or t h t h at u ses su ch an ab ilit y t o h ood w in k it s
op p on en t s. Am I r igh t ?”
T h e b ig-h ead ed gu y w as called Lan g Ya. H is sim p le w or d s ca u sed a ch ill t o go

u p H u o Yu h ao’s sp in e. T h e feelin g of bein g seen t h r ou gh seem ed t o h ave left
h im com p let ely exp osed in fr on t of t h e ot h er p ar t y.
For t u n at ely, h e w as r esilien t . Alt h ou gh h e w as sh ock ed , h e d id n ot say, “H ow

d id you k n ow ?”.
Up on seein g H u o Yu h ao’s sh ock , t h e b ig-h ead ed gu y con t in u ed , “Let m e
in t r od u ce m yself. M y n am e is Lan g Ya. T h is is m y b r ot h er , Yu T ao. W e ar e b ot h
fr om t h e Bod y Sect . I’m su r e you ’ve h ear d of t h e Bod y Sect b efor e.”
Not on ly d id t h e w or d s ‘Bod y Sect ’ leave H u o Yu h ao h or r ified , b u t W an g Yan

also op en ed h is eyes w id e, an d h is p u p ils sh r an k .
Alt h ou gh t h e Bod y Sect r ar ely ap p ear ed in t h e w or ld of sou l m ast er s, t h ey

w er e st ill ver y r ep u t ab le. Am on g t h e few st r an ge exist en ces in t h e w or ld of sou l
m ast er s, evil sou l m ast er s u n d ou b t ed ly t ook t h e t op sp ot . An d in t er m s of
p ecu liar it y an d p ow er , on ly t h e Bod y Sect cou ld m at ch u p t o t h e evil sou l
m ast er s.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e Bo d y Sect w as even m or e scar y t h an evil sou l m ast er s in t h e

eyes of m ost sou l m ast er s. W h ile evil sou l m ast er s w er e p ow er fu l, t h ey oft en
ap p ear ed alon e or in sm all gr ou p s. T h e Bod y Sect w as a t r u e sect ! It w as called
t h e m ost m yst er iou s sect in t h e w or ld t oo. It w as con ceivab le h ow m an y
ven er at ed t h e p ow er s of t h e Bod y Sect .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Yan cou ld n ever im agin e p eop le fr om t h e Bod y Sect

ap p ear in g in fr on t of t h em b ecau se of t h e r ar it y w it h w h ich t h ey r evealed
t h em selves. Bu t n ow t h ey h ad com e sp ecifically for H u o Yu h ao. W an g Yan cou ld
figu r e ou t w h at t h ey w an t ed w it h ou t even ask in g t h em . Bu t t h e st r an ge t h in g
w as t h at h e d id n ’t seem ver y n er vou s.
Lan g Yan sm iled at H u o Yu h ao an d said , “I sh all n ot b eat ar ou n d t h e b u sh an y

fu r t h er . W e ar e h er e t o b r in g you b ack t o t h e sect .”
“Br in g m e b ack ?” H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed . H e h ad n ever join ed an y sect

b efor e!
Lan g Ya n od d ed an d r ep lied , “W e’r e b r in gin g you b ack . T h e Bod y Sect is t h e

h om e of all sou l m ast er s w it h b od y sou ls. Sin ce you r eyes ar e you r m ar t ial sou l,
it m ean s you ’r e p ar t of t h e Bod y Sect . An d sin ce w e’ve fou n d you , it ’s on ly
n at u r al t h at w e’d b r in g you b ack .”
Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h a o h ad h ear d of t h e Bod y Sect a few t im es b efor e, t h ey
w er e filled w it h m yst er y an d p ow er . W it h ou t a d ou b t , join in g t h e Bod y Sect
w ou ld b e ver y b en eficial t o h is Sp ir it Eyes. Bu t cou ld h e t r u st t h ese 2 gu ys w h o
h ad ap p ear ed so su d d en ly? Even if t h ey cou ld b e t r u st ed , cou ld h e ju st leave
Sh r ek Acad em y?
W it h ou t m u ch con sid er at ion , H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead d et er m in ed ly an d

said , “T h an k s for you r offer , b u t I’m a st u d en t of Sh r ek Acad em y an d a m em b er
of Sh r ek . At t h e ver y least , I w on ’t con sid er join in g an y sect b efor e I gr ad u at e
fr om t h e acad em y.”
Lan g Ya lau gh ed in d iffer en t ly an d said , “Sh r ek Acad em y, t h e b est acad em y?

H ow ever , t h ey d on ’t seem t oo im p r essive. Ot h er w ise, t h ey w ou ld n ’t h a ve let
som eon e as you n g as you com p et e. T h e Bod y Sect is t h e m ost fam iliar w it h b od y
sou ls, an d w e’r e t h e m ost su it ed t o gu id e you t o b ecom e t h e b est . W it h you r
t alen t , you w ill sh ock t h e en t ir e w or ld of sou l m ast er s w it h in 20 year s. Alt h ou gh
t h e Bod y Sect r ar ely r eveals it self, w e w ill b e an u n st op p ab le for ce on ce w e d o
so. You r m a r t ial sou l h asn ’t exp er ien ced it s secon d aw ak en in g, an d you h ave yet
t o exp er ien ce t h e t r u e p ow er of a b od y sou l. Follow in g u s b ack w ill on ly b e
b en eficial t o you .”
It w as p r ob ab ly on ly t h e Bod y Sect t h at w as cap ab le of sn at ch in g p er son n el

r igh t u n d er t h e n ose of a Sh r ek Acad em y t each er . W an g Yan , h ow ever , d id n ot
say an yt h in g, an d on ly list en ed in on t h eir con ver sat ion .
H u o Yu h ao con t in u ed t o sh ak e h is h ea d . “No, Sh r ek Acad em y is m y h om e.

T h e acad em y h as given m e fam ily w ar m t h . T h ey h ave n u r t u r ed m e. I w on ’t join
t h e Bod y Sect . Eld er s, I’m sor r y, b u t w e sh all en d t h in gs h er e.” As h e sp ok e, h e
st ood u p b efor e t u r n in g aw ay an d w alk ed t ow ar d s t h e st air s.
“Do you t h in k you ’r e t h e on e callin g t h e sh ot s?” Yu T ao su d d en ly st ood u p . As

h e st r et ch ed ou t h is r igh t h an d , h is t h ick r igh t ar m in st an t ly cau gh t h old of H u o
Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er . H is r igh t ar m seem ed ab le t o st r et ch it self fr eely. It h ad
st r et ch ed ou t a lm ost 2 m et er s w h en Yu T ao gr ab b ed H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er .
Lan g Ya t u r n ed h is a t t en t ion t o W an g Yan t h e m om en t Yu T a o m ad e a m ove.

H e w an t ed t o u se h is p ow er fu l m ar t ia l sou l t o su p p r ess W an g Yan an d p r even t
h im fr om d oin g an yt h in g. Bu t h e w as sh ock ed t o r ealize t h at W an g Yan
r em ain ed calm an d h ad n o in t en t ion of d oin g an yt h in g.
T h e in st an t Yu T ao’s h an d lan d ed on H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er , H u o Yu h ao

sh r u gged h is sh ou ld er an d slip p ed ou t of Yu T ao’s gr ip .
“W h at a slim y k id .” Yu T ao w as st u n n ed for a m om en t as h e felt a gu st of ch ill

r isin g t h e m om en t h e gr ab b ed h old of H u o Yu h ao’s sh ou ld er . Aft er t h at , h e
cou ld see t h at a layer of ice t h a t r esem b led ar m or w as n ow coat in g H u o Yu h ao’s
sh ou ld er . Alt h ou gh it seem ed lik e ice, it w as ver y t ou gh an d slip p er y. Ot h er w ise,
H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ’t h ave slip p ed ou t of h is gr asp .
“Usin g you r Sp ir it u al Det ect ion on m e w on ’t w or k .” Lan g Ya sn or t ed an d
st r aigh t en ed h is gaze. A w ave of for m less u n d u lat ion s sp r ead fr om h is h u ge
h ead .
H u o Yu h ao on ly felt t h at h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion w as cr u sh ed lik e glass. As h e

gr oan ed in p ain , h e st agger ed for w ar d . H ow ever , h is sp ir it u al sea st ar t ed t o
r ip p le w it h in t en se u n d u la t ion s a s it w as in vad ed b y t h e en em y. H is Pea r l of Life
t h at b elon ged t o t h e Life Gu ar d ian flash ed b r igh t ly. Lan g Ya’s sp ir it u al p ow er
su r ged in t o H u o Yu h ao’s h ead an d t h r eat en ed t o in vad e h is sp ir it u al sea. Bu t
t h en , a gr een glow flash ed acr oss H u o Yu h ao’s for eh ead . Follow in g t h at , Lan g
Ya’s sp ir it u a l p ow er w as cu t t o p ieces.
“Oh ?” Lan g Ya w as sh ock ed at t h is. Alt h ou gh h e h ad h eld b ack a lit t le for fear
of h u r t in g H u o Yu h ao, h e w as su r e t h at H u o Yu h ao w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o r esist
h im . H e im m ed iat ely t h ou gh t t h at H u o Yu h ao’s b od y sou l m u st h ave alr ead y
b een aw ak en ed . H ow ever , h ow cou ld h is b od y sou l aw ak en if it cou ld n ’t aw ak en
on it s ow n an d if h e d id n ’t h ave t h e Bod y Sect ’s sp ecial m an u a l?
J u st as h e w as ab ou t t o in cr ea se t h e ou t p u t of h is sp ir it u al p ow er , a figu r e
su d d en ly ap p ear ed in fr on t of Yu T ao. A d ir t y in d ex fin ger p r essed again st Yu
T ao’s b ack .
Yes, it p r essed again st h is b ack . W h en t h at fin ger r eb ou n d ed , it gave off an

illu sor y feelin g. Yu T ao t r ied t o d od ge, b u t h e r ealized t o h is h or r or t h at h e w as
u n ab le t o d od ge even t h ou gh h e w as b ein g gu id ed b y Lan g Ya’s sp ir it u al p ow er .
“Pop —"
“Aiyo.”
Yu T ao’s r igh t ar m b ou n ced u p , an d h is en t ir e p er son st agger ed b ack w ar d t w o

st ep s. A d ep r essed fin ger m ar k w as left on h is t h ick r igh t ar m , w h ich cau sed
h im t o t u r n p ale.
Alt h ou gh h e d id n ot u n leash h is m ar t ial sou l, h is r igh t ar m w as h is m ar t ial
sou l sin ce h e w as a m em b er of t h e Body Sect ! H e w as for ced b ack b y a fin ger
fr om h is op p on en t u n d er su ch a cir cu m st an ce. H is sh ock w as gr eat er t h an t h e
p ain h e felt .
On t h e ot h er sid e, Lan g Ya also r et r act ed h is sp ir it u al p ow er . H e w as cau t io u s

as h e w at ch ed t h e n ew com er w h o h ad su d d en ly ap p ear ed beh in d H u o Yu h ao
an d sep ar at ed h im a n d h is b r ot h er .
H u o Yu h ao h ad also t u r n ed h is b od y qu ick ly b y n ow . Aft er a m om en t ar y d aze,

h e r evealed an in t en se look of su r p r ise. “Eld er Xu an , you ’r e b ack .”
T h at ’s r igh t , t h e p er son w h o h ad ju st ap p ear ed b et w een H u o Yu h ao an d t h e

t w o Bod y Sect m em b er s w as an eld er of Sh r ek Acad em y’s Sea God ’s Pavilion ,
Eld er Xu an .
Eld er Xu an ap p ear ed as sloven ly as ever . H is en or m ou s, oily h an d s w er e

h old in g t h at fam ilia r d r u m st ick , an d h e car r ied a look of r id icu le am id st t h e
calm n ess in h is eyes. H e sp ok e as h e look ed at t h e t w o m en fr om t h e Bod y Sect ,
“W e w on ’t t oler at e you r n on sen se! It ’s so r id icu lou s h ow p eop le d ar e t o clim b
over Sh r ek ’s h ea d . T h e 2 of you ar e b r illian t ! You d ar e t o p oach ou r st u d en t .”
“W h o ar e you ?” Lan g Ya w as ob viou sly t h e on e in ch ar ge am on g t h e t w o fr om

t h e Bod y Sect . At t h e sam e t im e, h is a u r a b ecam e m or e au t h or it at ive. W it h h is
h ead as t h e cen t er , t h e su r r ou n d in g air u p t o a r ad iu s of 1 m et er st ar t ed t o
d ist or t fu r iou sly. W h at w as even m or e d au n t in g w as t h at h e exer t ed all t h is
in cr eased p r essu r e on Eld er Xu an . H e w as ab le t o d o all t h is w it h ou t u n leash in g
h is m ar t ial sou l. T h is r evealed h is im m en se con t r ol over h is ow n ab ilit ies.
Eld er Xu an sn or t ed , “Ar e t h e t w o you fr om t h e secon d or t h ir d gen er at ion of

t h e Bod y Sect ? T h at old fr eak fr om you r Bod y Sect w ou ld n ’t d ar e t o st an d so
close t o m e if h e w er e h er e, yet t h e t w o of you d ar e t o?”
T h e r ar e st r an d s of yellow h air on La n g Ya’s h ead t r em b led a lit t le. T h e
d ist or t ed air ar ou n d h im d isp er sed , an d h is au r a d eclin ed . H e w as sh ock ed as h e
ask ed , “You ’r e fr om t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion ?”
“Sin ce t h e t w o of you k n ow ab ou t t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion , you ’d b et t er

scr am ,” Eld er Xu an r ep lied in d iffer en t ly, “On accou n t of t h a t old fr eak , I w on ’t
fu ss over t od ay’s m a t t er . You ’r e st ill n ot u p t o it yet . I’m sca r ed t h at old fr eak
w ill accu se m e of b u llyin g t h e ju n ior s.”
Yu T ao’s r igh t ar m w as st ill in p ain , an d h e gr oan ed fu r iou sly, “Don ’t t h in k of

b lu ffin g u s w it h you r w or d s. At least p r o ve it t o u s.” As h e sp ok e, h is r igh t a r m
ext en d ed qu ick ly a gain , b alloon in g in size, an d eigh t so u l r in gs su d d en ly
ap p ear ed .
T h e ap p allin g t h in g w as t h at h is fir st 4 sou l r in gs w er e p u r p le t h ou san d year

sou l r in gs, an d fr om t h e fift h sou l r in g on , t h ey w er e b lack . H e h ad 4 p u r p le an d
4 b lack sou l r in gs. Not on ly d id h is so u l r in gs car r y a t r em en d ou s op p r essive
p ow er , b u t t h ey even su p er sed ed t h e r at io of sou l r in gs t h at or d in ar y sou l
m ast er s h a d .
Eld er Xu an act ed a s if h e d id n ’t see it . W h en Yu T ao ext en d ed h is p alm t ow ar d

h im , n o on e cou ld see h is act ion s clear ly b efor e h is h an d w as st op p ed . H e w a s in
a d aze as h e st ood t h er e, an d h is eyes w er e filled w it h fear .
A ch ick en d r u m st ick h ad b een for ced in t o h is m ou t h . T h e d r u m st ick ’s b on e

w as at t h e t ip of h is t h r oat , su ch t h at h is t h r oat w ou ld b e p ier ced t h r ou gh if
m or e st r en gt h w er e exer t ed . Fu r t h er m or e, t h is d r u m st ick h a d b r ok en all of h is
t eet h b efor e it h a d en t er ed h is m ou t h . At t h is p oin t , h is lip s w er e for ced in , an d
all of h is t eet h h ad b een cr u sh ed b y a ch ick en d r u m st ick .
Lan g Ya cou ld n ’t even h elp h im in t im e. Eld er Xu an w as t oo q u ick . If Yu T ao

w er e b old er in h is act ion s, h e m igh t h ave b een ab le t o st r ik e Eld er Xu an . Bu t t h e
d r u m st ick w ou ld h a ve k illed h im t oo. T h at ’s w h y h e d id n ot d ar e t o m ove, an d
on ly st ood t h er e in a d aze.
Lan g Ya w as n ot d ou b t fu l at all n ow , “You , you ar e T aot ie fr om t h e Sea God ’s
Pavilion …”
Eld er Xu an d ar t ed a look at h im , “Scr a m . T ell t h at old fr ea k t h at I can st ill

eat , d r in k , sh it an d sleep .”
“T h an k you , eld er , for you r m er cy.” T h is t im e, Lan g Ya b ecam e r esp ect fu l.

H e slap p ed h is h an d b eh in d Yu T ao’s b ack , an d Yu T ao sp at ou t h is b r ok en t eet h
an d t h e d r u m st ick . T h e t w o of t h em t u r n ed an d left t h e Gr an d Im p er ial St a r
H ot el in an in st an t .
As h e w at ch ed t h eir leavin g figu r es, H u o Yu h ao r esp ect fu lly said in a h u r r y,

“T h an k you , Eld er Xu an .”
Eld er Xu an w aved h is h an d an d said , “You ar e a m em b er of Sh r ek . W h oever

d ar es t o h ar m you is goin g again st Sh r ek . Ret u r n fir st an d t ak e t h e t im e t o
cu lt ivat e. Don ’t w ast e a secon d . I w ill b e w at ch in g you r fin als.”
“Yes.” H u o Yu h ao w as sligh t ly su r p r ised an d excit ed . H e t u r n ed an d w alk ed

t ow ar d s t h e st air s. At t h is p oin t , ever yon e fr om Sh r ek h ad d escen d ed fr om t h e
st air s. M a Xiaot ao led t h e gr ou p an d sh e d r ift ed over q u ick ly.
“W h er e ar e t h ose t w o fellow s? I w ill r oast w h oever d ar es t o b u lly m y you n ger

b r ot h er .” M a Xiaot a o’s r age an d d om in eer in g au r a w er e r evealed . H ow ever , sh e
st op p ed as sh e saw Eld er Xu an .
“Eld er Xu an .” M a Xiaot ao st u ck h er t on gu e ou t . Sh e n a t u r ally k n ew Eld er

Xu an ’s st at u s in t h e acad em y.
Eld er Xu an lau gh ed an d said , “Alr igh t , all of you can r et u r n t o r est n ow . I w ill
h an d le t h is m at t er .”
“Ok ay.” M a Xiaot ao d r agged H u o Yu h ao aw ay b efor e sh e t u r n ed an d left . H er

act ion s m ad e h er seem lik e a h en p r ot ect in g h er ch ick s. T h e r est of t h e t eam
w or e w eir d look s in t h eir eyes as t h ey saw h er an d cou ld n ’t h elp b u t gossip
ab ou t w h at h ad h ap p en ed b et w een M a Xiaot ao an d H u o Yu h a o yest er d ay.
All t h e st u d en t s left , b u t W an g Yan r em ain ed . “Eld er Xu an , t h e Bod y Sect …”
“T h ey’r e t r ou b lesom e.” Eld er Xu an sa id in a d eep voice. “If w e’d k n ow n , w e

w ou ld n ’t h ave sen t t h is fellow t o com p et e. Not on ly is t h a t old fr eak fr om t h e
Bod y Sect d om in an t in t er m s of h is p ow er s, b u t h e is also a d om in an t p er son . I
d on ’t t h in k t h is can b e set t led so easily. Bu t I d on ’t t h in k t h ey d ar e t o t est u s
an ym or e. I w ill r et u r n t o Sh r ek Acad em y im m ed iat ely. I sh o u ld b e ab le t o r u sh
b ack b efor e t h e fin al. I h op e t h at h e act s slow er . H e’s also cap ab le of d oin g
an yt h in g, an d n ever r esor t s t o logic. H u o Yu h ao also p ossesses a b od y sou l,
w h ich w ill sp u r h im t o d o an yt h in g. W h y is h e n ot d ead even t h ou gh h e’s old er
t h an m e b y 30 year s? H an d le t h e sit u at ion over h er e w ell. T h er e m u st n ot b e
an y casu alt ies, d o you u n d er st an d ?”
“Yes.” W an g Yan ack n ow led ged r esp ect fu lly.
“W h at ? Bod y Sect ?” M a Xiaot ao im m ed iat ely in t er r ogat ed H u o Yu h ao as sh e

d r agged h im in t o t h e r oom . H u o Yu h ao d id n ot con ceal t h e t r u t h eit h er .
Ever yon e fr om Sh r ek w as in t h e r oom t oo. Aft er h ear in g t h e w or d s ‘Bod y Sect ’,
W an g Don g, Xiao Xiao, J ian g Nan n an an d even H e Cait ou w er e on ly st u n n ed .
Bu t t h e r est w er e ext r em ely h or r ified , in clu d in g M a Xiaot ao.
Book 14: The Finals!
Chapt er 115.1: The St ar t of t he Final Bat t le
“Is t h e Bod y Sect r ea lly so scar y?” W an g Don g ask ed d ou b t fu lly.
M a Xiaot ao n od d ed ser iou sly an d sa id , “T h ey’r e ver y scar y. T h er e’s n ot m an y

w h o can b e m en t ion ed in t h e sam e b r eat h as Sh r ek Acad em y in t h e Dou lu o
Con t in en t . T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y is on e of t h ose
w h o can . T h ey r ep r esen t t h e h igh est ab ilit ies of t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. All of
you ar e t h e acad em y’s cor e d iscip les n ow , an d it sh ou ld n ’t b e a p r ob lem for all
of you t o en t er t h e in n er cou r t yar d in t h e fu t u r e. I t h in k it ’s fin e if I t ell all of
you . T h er e’s a p lace called t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion on ou r Sh r ek Acad em y’s Sea
God Islan d . T h e eld er s of ou r acad em y live t h er e, w h ich in clu d es Eld er Xu an .
It ’s also t h e or gan izat ion in ou r acad em y w it h t h e h igh est au t h or it y an d p ow er .
Even t h e 4 cu r r en t vice-d ean s h old lit t le au t h or it y in t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion .
T h er e’s a sayin g in t h e w or ld of sou l m a st er s t h a t t h er e a r e 3 st r on g p ow er s on
t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t . On e of t h em is t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y’s Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all. An ot h er is ou r Sh r ek Acad em y’s Sea God ’s
Pavilion . T h e last on e is t h e Bod y Sect . Does an yon e k n ow w h y t h e Sea God ’s
Pavilion w as est ab lish ed ?”
“T h e Bod y Sect ’s ap p ear an ce on ce led t o a h u ge cat ast r op h e. Sh r ek Acad em y

t r ied t o r esist t h em , b u t w e lost .”
“Sh r ek Acad em y w as h igh -flyin g at t h a t p oin t in t im e t oo. Bu t t h e Bod y Sect

w as even m or e p ow er fu l. T o r esist t h em , t h e acad em y h ad n o ch oice b u t t o
r ecall m an y of t h eir t op -r an k ed st u d en t s, an d set u p t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion . T h e
acad em y gat h er ed all it s st r en gt h t o d efeat t h e Bod y Sect , an d m an aged t o aver t
a cat ast r op h e. Ever sin ce t h at in cid en t , t h e Bod y Sect h id it self, an d n ever m ad e
an y fu r t h er m ovem en t s.”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed as h e ask ed , “W ou ld n ’t t h e Bod y Sect b e ju st lik e t h e
evil sou l m a st er s if t h ey t h r eat en t h e con t in en t ? W h y d id n ’t t h e sou l m ast er s
t eam u p t oget h er t o d eal w it h t h em ?”
M a Xiaot ao sh ook h er h ead an d an sw er ed , “T h e Bod y Sect an d evil sou l

m ast er s ar e d iffer en t . T h ey’r e n eit h er good n or evil, an d t h ey d o t h in gs t o
ach ieve w h at t h ey w an t . T h ey ar e a lso ver y d om in eer in g, an d t h u s t h ey ar e n ot
ver y p op u lar am on g t h e ot h er s on t h e con t in en t . Bu t t h ey d id con t r ib u t e
som et h in g p osit ive t o t h e con t in en t b efor e. H ow ever , ver y lit t le p eop le k n ow
ab ou t it . It ’s alm ost im p ossib le t o get r id of t h e Bod y Sect . It ’s said t h at w h er e
t h ey’r e locat ed is t h e scou r ge of t h e ear t h . It ’s easy t o d efen d , an d d ifficu lt for
ot h er s t o at t ack it . W it h ou t t h r ee t im es t h e Bod y Sect ’s a b ilit ies, it ’s alm ost
im p ossib le t o p en et r at e t h eir d efen ses. An d h ow d ifficu lt w ou ld it b e t o gat h er a
for ce t h at is b ot h m or e t h an t h r ee t im es t h eir ab ilit y an d w illin g t o sacr ifice
it self?”
H u o Yu h ao h ad n ev er exp ect ed t h e Bod y Sect t o b e so p ow er fu l. No w on d er

t h ey w er e n ot afr aid of Sh r ek Acad em y.
M a Xiaot ao con t in u ed , sayin g, “T h e secr et files in t h e acad em y d id r ecor d t h e

r e-ap p ear an ce of t h e Bod y Sect on ce m or e. Occasion ally, t h eir m em b er s w o u ld
also ap p ear in t h e con t in en t . Bu t t h ey d id n ’t cau se an y h u ge u p r oar . Do you
k n ow w h at h u ge cat ast r op h e t h e Bod y Sect alm ost b r ou gh t ab ou t ? All of you
w ill r ealize h ow st r on g t h ey ar e on ce I d escr ib e it .”
“T h at t im e, alm ost 4 0 m em b er s of t h e Bod y Sect sn u ck in t o t h e St ar Dou

For est an d k illed seven h u n d r ed t h ou sa n d year sou l b east s. T h is led t o a h u ge
u p r oar am on g t h e b east s in t h e St ar Dou For est , an d t h ey r u sh ed ou t of t h e
for est in an a t t em p t t o m ou n t an at t ack on u s. T h is alm ost cau sed a d isast er .
T h e Fou r Gr eat Sa vage Beast s of t h e St ar Dou For est t eam ed u p t o at t ack Sh r ek
Cit y. T h e r eason w h y w e st op p ed figh t in g w it h t h e Bod y Sect is b ecau se t h ey
join ed u s t o r esist t h e at t ack of t h e b east s. It w as a lso d u r in g t h at t im e t h at w e
d iscover ed t h at t h e Bod y Sect w as ab ove u s in t er m s of over a ll ab ilit y. T h e w ave
of b east s t h a t a t t ack ed en su ed for a year , u n t il t h e acad em y st ar t ed t o r ecall
st u d en t s b ack . At lea st t en s of v illages w er e m assacr ed in t h at t im e. Even t u ally,
w e r each ed a com p r om ise w it h t h e Bod y Sect , an d t h eir lea d er b ack t h en sw or e
n ot t o en t er t h e St a r Dou For est t o h u n t h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l b east s
an ym or e. T h is en d ed t h e cat ast r op h e. H ow ever , t h e sou l b ea st s in t h e St ar Dou
For est w er e an ger ed , an d sou l m ast er s en cou n t er ed p ow er fu l sou l b east m u ch
m or e fr eq u en t ly w h en t h ey en t er ed t h e St ar Dou For est for t h e n ext 50 0 year s.
H u o Yu h ao focu sed an d list en ed . H e w as am azed t h at t h e Fou r Gr ea t Savage

Beast s act u a lly exist ed in t h e St ar Dou For est .
T h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m ’s voice sou n d ed at t h is m om en t . “I k n ow ab ou t t h is

t oo. I w as t r ap p ed in t h e for est t h en t oo. T h e savage b east s t h at sh e m en t ion ed
w er e t h e on es w h o im p r ison ed m e. Bu t t h ey sh ou ld n ’t b e t h e st r on gest cr eat u r es
in t h e St a r Dou For est . T h at ’s b ecau se I over h ear d t h em m en t ion in g a
fr igh t en in g p r esen ce t h at slep t b en eat h t h e St ar Dou For est . T h ey called t h is
t h in g t h eir lea d er . I’m n ot su r e ab ou t t h e cu lt ivat ion of t h is t h in g, b u t t h ey
sacr ificed at least h alf of m y sou l p ow er t o t h is lead er of t h eir s u sin g som e
sp ecial r it u al. T h at lead er m u st b e ver y p ow er fu l. Fr om m y est im at ion , it s
cu lt ivat ion m u st b e t h e gr eat est am on g all t h e sou l b east s on t h e con t in en t . I
fear t h at on ly t h e H egem on in t h e ocean can m at ch u p t o it .”
T h e Ice Em p r ess seem ed t o b e ver y in t er est ed w h en t h ey t alk ed ab ou t t h is,

“Yes, I h ear d t h e Sn ow Em p r ess m en t ion b efor e t h at St ar Dou For est is t h e
scar iest p lace on t h e con t in en t . Sh e w a r n ed m e n ever t o en t er it easily. Over
t h er e, t h er e’s som eon e w h o’s m or e p ow er fu l t h an h er .”
Not ju st on e? H u o Yu h ao w as h or r ified . Fr om t h e Ice Em p r ess an d Sk yd r eam

Icew or m ’s evalu at io n s, it m u st b e a T r an scen d en t Sou l Beast t h at h ad cu lt iva t ed
for at least five h u n d r ed t h ou san d year s! T h e St ar Dou For est w as act u ally so
scar y. H e h ad d ar ed t o en t er t h e for est t o h u n t sou l b east s even b efor e h e h ad a
sou l r in g. H e w as in d eed ver y n aïve t h en !
M a Xiaot ao said , “T h e Bod y Sect ’s a m b ivalen ce t ow ar d s good an d ev il is

in d eed a h ea d ach e. Bu t it ’s n ot t h a t w e d id n ’t w a n t t o set t le t h em t h en . On
accou n t of t h e fact t h at t h ey t r ied t o r igh t t h eir w r on g, it ’s clear t o see t h at t h ey
ar e n ot t oo evil. Also, it w ill b e a d isast er if w e figh t t h e Bod y Sect . T h e Su n
M oon Con t in en t h as b een b ou n d b y ou r Dou lu o Con t in en t for a t h ou san d year s,
an d even p ossesses t h e t en d en cy t o cou n t er -at t ack again st u s.”
T h at ’s w h y t h e con fer en ce h eld w it h in t h e Sea God ’s Pavilion d ecid ed t h at

ou r acad em y sh ou ld set t le ou r d isp u t e w it h t h e Bod y Sect t h r ou gh a
com p r om ise.”
J ian g Nan n an w as a lit t le ir r it ab le as sh e said , “T h en t h e com m on er s d ied for

n ot h in g?”
M a Xiaot ao glan ced at h er b efor e r ep lyin g, “I’m sor r y, I’ve n o id ea h ow t o

an sw er t h is q u est io n of you r s. I can on ly say t h a t ou r aca d em y d id w h a t w e
cou ld . W e st op p ed t h e w ave of b east s fr om t h e Gr eat St a r Dou For est an d saved
at least t en s of t h ou san d s of com m on er s. W e also r esolved ou r d isp u t e w it h t h e
Bod y Sect t o p r eser ve ou r p ow er s for t h e p r ot ect ion of t h e con t in en t . I’m u n su r e
of t h e d et ailed sit u at ion t h en t h ou gh .”
J ian g Nan n an w as silen t , b u t it w a s clea r t h at sh e d islik ed t h at com p r om ise

fr om t h e look of r esen t m en t in h er eyes.
Xu San sh i w a lk ed over t o p at h er sh ou ld er , b u t J ian g Nan n an sh r u gged h er

sh ou ld er w it h for ce.
M a Xiaot ao said t o H u o Yu h ao, “I d on ’t t h in k t h e Bod y Sect w ill d ar e t o d o

an yt h in g w it h Eld er Xu an h er e. Bu t you m u st st ill b e car efu l. Fr om n ow on ,
d on ’t leave t h e h ot el on you r ow n . You m u st t r avel w it h t h e r est of u s. T h in gs
w ill b e fin e w h en w e r et u r n t o t h e acad em y. Regar d less of h ow st r on g t h e Bod y
Sect is, t h ey w on ’t d ar e t o com e t o Sh r ek Acad em y.”
“Alr igh t .” H u o Yu h a o r ep lied h u r r ied ly.
M a Xiaot ao look ed at t h e sligh t ly w eir d exp r ession s of t h e r est an d said , “Ar e

all of you in t er est ed in ou r r ela t ion sh ip ? List en ca r efu lly n ow . Yu h ao w ill b e m y
you n ger b r ot h er fr o m n ow on . H e w on ’t b e an y d iffer en t fr om m y b iological
you n ger b r ot h er . T h at ’s it . Alr igh t , a ll of you can r et u r n t o you r ow n r oom s t o
cu lt ivat e n ow .”
Ever yon e left excep t M a Xiaot ao an d W an g Don g, w h o r em ain ed in H u o

Yu h ao’s r oom .
M a Xiaot ao w as p u zzled as sh e look ed at W an g Don g. Sh e asked , “W h y ar en ’t

you leavin g?”
W an g Don g sn or t ed an d ask ed , “W h y ar en ’t you leavin g?”
M a Xiaot ao said , “I h ave som et h in g t o t ell Yu h ao.”
W an g Don g r aised h is ch est an d said , “I w an t t o cu lt ivat e w it h h im . Don ’t you

k n ow t h at w e a r e m ar t ial fu sion sou l sk ill p ar t n er s? Ou r m ar t ia l sou ls ar e
alm ost p er fect ly com p at ib le. W e’ll ach ieve su ccess m u ch fast er if w e cu lt ivat e
t oget h er .”
M a Xiaot ao cr eased h er b r ow s an d said , “Ok ay, t h en you can r em ain h er e.

You say t h at you ar e even b et t er -look in g t h an a gir l as a gu y. Be car efu l of
b ecom in g a sissy.”
“You …” W an g Don g w as fu r iou s. Bu t h e seem ed t o t h in k of som et h in g as h is

eyeb alls r olled , w h ich cau sed h is an ger t o d issip at e. H e sa t d ow n an d r em ain ed
silen t aft er h e sn or t ed .
M a Xiaot ao said t o H u o Yu h ao in a low voice, “You n ger b r ot h er , t h is m at t er

r egar d in g t h e Bod y Sect is lik ely t o b e m or e t r ou b lesom e t h an you im agin e.
Com e t o t h in k ab ou t it , t h e t alen t s t h at you ’ve d isp layed ar e t oo ou t st an d in g.
Fu r t h er m or e, you ’r e st ill you n g, an d it ’s easier t o sh ap e you . No w on d er t h e
Bod y Sect is t em p t ed , an d even sen d som eon e t o w at ch t h e en t ir e Con t in en t a l
Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t .”
H u o Yu h ao said , “Eld er sist er , d on ’t w or r y. Not h in g w ill go w r on g w it h Eld er

Xu an ar ou n d .”
M a Xiaot ao fu r r ow ed h er b r ow s an d said , “You d on ’t u n d er st an d t h e Bod y
Sect . T h ey’r e cap ab le of r esor t in g t o an yt h in g t o ach ieve t h eir goals. Becau se
t h ey h ave t h e ab ilit ies t o ach ieve t h eir goals, it m ak es t h em scar ier . I’m st ayin g
h er e t o w ar n you n ot t o r esist if t h e Bod y Sect t r ies t o ab d u ct you . J u st follow
t h em . T h e Bod y Sect is ver y p r ot ect ive of t h eir ow n m em b er s. T h ey ap p r eciat e
you r t alen t , b u t I d on ’t t h in k t h ey w ill h ar m you .”
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t exp ect M a Xiaot ao t o say som et h in g lik e t h is, an d h e

r esolu t ely r et or t ed , “Eld er sist er , I w on ’t join t h e Bod y Sect n o m at t er w h a t .”
M a Xiaot ao w as st u n n ed . “You n ger b r ot h er , d on ’t t h in k lik e t h at . Alt h ou gh

you ar e p ar t of Sh r ek , w e’r e an acad em y, n ot a sect . No on e w ill r eally r est r ict
you . Even if t h e acad em y h as h igh h op es for you , you r safet y is t h e m ost
im p or t an t w h en it com es t o t h e cr it ical m om en t .”
H u o Yu h ao sh ook h is h ead an d said , “No, eld er sist er . Ever yt h in g t h a t I h ave

r igh t n ow w as given t o m e b y t h e acad em y. I’m a m em b er of Sh r ek Acad em y,
an d I’m w illin g t o figh t for Sh r ek ’s glor y. Sh r ek is m y h om e. No m a t t er h ow
st r on g t h e Bod y Sect is, it ’s ob viou s t h a t t h ey ar e n ot su it ed for m e fr om t h eir
b eh avior . I’m an or p h an , an d h ave n o k it h or k in . T h e acad em y is m y h om e.”
Look in g at t h e r esolu t e look in h is eyes, M a Xiaot ao cou ld n ot h elp b u t t h in k

t o h er self, “T h is k id is r eally cu t e! No w on d er t h e eld er s of t h e Sea God ’s
Pavilion h eld a con fer en ce for h im .” Per h ap s Eld er Xu an ’s ap p ear an ce w as n ot a
coin cid en ce aft er a ll.
M a Xiaot ao st ood u p an d said , “Yu h ao, I’m h ap p y b ecau se of you r at t ach m en t

t o Sh r ek . Bu t you m u st r em em b er t h at t h in gs ar e on ly p ossib le if you ’r e alive.
You can ’t b e t oo st u b b or n as a p er son . A gr eat m an n eed s t o k n ow w h en t o yield
an d w h en n ot t o.”
Aft er sp eak in g, sh e glan ced at W an g Don g on ce m or e b efor e leavin g H u o

Yu h ao’s r oom .
W an g Don g follow ed h er t o t h e d oor an d asser t ed h is au t h or it y as h e closed it .
H u o Yu h ao said , “W an g Don g, go b ack an d r est fir st . I’ll fin d you lat er .”
“Oh ? Ar e you scar ed ? I act u ally agr ee w it h h er w or d s t h at p r eser vin g you r life
is m or e im p or t an t . If t h e Bod y Sect ab d u ct s you , d on ’t b e st u b b or n .” W an g
Don g said w or r ied ly.
H u o Yu h ao d id n ’t k n ow w h et h er t o la u gh or cr y. “W h at ’s t h er e t o b e scar ed
ab ou t ? Not h in g is scar y w it h Eld er Xu an ar ou n d . I’ve n ever over t h ou gh t t h e
Bod y Sect all t h is w h ile. W h o can p r ed ict t h e fu t u r e? It ’s ju st t h at I gain ed som e
exp er ien ce an d d evelop ed som e t h ou gh t s t ow ar d s sou l t ools aft er seein g t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s p er for m an ce. I n eed som e t im e t o
t h in k t h in gs over , b u t I’ll fin d you lat er . Don ’t t h in k so m u ch .”
“T h is…” W an g Don g w as a lit t le an gr y as h e gr ow led , “You ’r e t ak in g m y

good w ill as m aliciou s. Go an d slow ly t h in k .” Aft er h e fin ish ed , h e op en ed t h e
d oor an d left . H e even sh u t t h e d oor q u it e h ar d .
H u o Yu h ao t ou ch ed h is n ose an d felt as if an u n exp ect ed calam it y h ad
ar r ived .
T h e Bod y Sect ’s ap p ear an ce d id n ’t exact ly st ir u p h is feelin gs m u ch . Bu t as M a

Xiaot ao said , t h er e w as at least on e t h in g t h at h e d oesn ’t h ave t o b e afr aid of n o
m at t er w h at p loy t h e Bod y Sect u sed in t h e fu t u r e. T h e Bod y Sect w an t ed t o t ak e
h im in an d n ot h u r t h im . W h at w as t h er e for h im t o b e afr aid of? H e w as m or e
focu sed on t h e st ar t of t h e fin als.
Aft er w it n essin g M a Ru lon g’s t r em en d ou s p ow er s t od ay, h e w as n ot con fid en t

t h at t h ey w ou ld w in ! It w as also h is fir st t im e seein g h ow M a Ru lon g w as so
fr igh t en in g w it h h is u se of sou l t ools.
H u o Yu h ao’s p u p ils t u r n ed gold en as h e st ood u p , an d 2 of h is sou l r in gs

q u iet ly ap p ear ed . T h e d im gold en color am id st t h e w h it e w as t h e Sk yd r eam
Icew or m ’s sou l r in g, w h ile t h e d ar k er p u r p le sou l r in g w as an im it at ion of h is
secon d sou l sk ill.
T h e r ise in h is cap ab ilit ies cau sed t h e b u r d en on h im t o in cr ease gr eat ly. T h e

Sk yd r eam Icew or m k ep t on r eleasin g t h e p ow er s t h at h e h ad sealed t o in cr ease
t h e st r en gt h of h is sou l r in g, ju st lik e h e h ad m en t ion ed b efor e. T h e st r en gt h of
h is secon d sou l r in g w as at ab ou t five t h ou san d year s r igh t n ow .
“It ’s a p it y t h er e’r e on ly 2 r in gs.” H u o Yu h ao’s clen ch ed h is fist . W h a t h e

n eed ed t h e m ost n o w w as t h e accu m u lat ion of t im e.
H e st r ip p ed off h is ou t er w ear an d sat cr oss-legged on t h e b ed . H e d id n ot

m ed it at e, b u t r ecalled t h e p er for m an ce of M a Ru lon g ear lier . Alon g w it h h is
ow n u n d er st an d in g of sou l t ools, h e com p r eh en d ed t h at sou l t ool st r at egy.
St ar Lu o Cit y. As t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s cap it al, it h ad alr ead y b een

over cr ow d ed for a few d ays.
Over cr ow d in g in t h e cit y m ean t t h a t ever y st r eet w as fu ll of p eop le.

T h e sem ifin als of t h e Con t in en t al Ad v an ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l
Du elin g T ou r n am en t h ad alr ead y en d ed . Aft er t h e Sem ifin a ls en d ed , a q u eu e
h ad alr ead y for m ed in St ar Lu o Plaza. Som e even qu eu ed for 2 d ays an d 2 n igh t s
st r aigh t b ecau se t h ey w an t ed t o w at ch t h e fin als of t h e t ou r n am en t . T h is w a s
on e t h in g t h a t t h ey w ou ld p r ob ab ly r ave ab ou t for t h e r est of t h eir lives.
M or eover , t h e fin als w ou ld b e con d u ct ed in t h eir en t ir et y in 1 d ay even ,

t h ou gh it w as d ivid ed in t o a t eam r ou n d , an in d ivid u al r ou n d an d a 2-2-3 figh t .
T h is w as in d eed an excit in g even t , an d it w ou ld b e w or t h it t o w at ch it , alt h ou gh
t h ey h ad t o en d u r e t h e su ffer in g n ow .
T h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e h ad also d ep loyed 10 ,0 0 0 m or e elit e t r oop s t o m ain t ain

or d er in t h e cit y. All t h e sh op s in t h e cit y ext en d ed t h eir op er a t in g h ou r s t oo. T o
accom m od at e t h e su d d en r ise in t h e cit y’s p op u lat ion , var iou s t yp es of r esou r ces
w er e t r an sfer r ed fr om su r r ou n d in g m ajor cit ies. In an in st an t , St ar Lu o Cit y h ad
r each ed a b u st lin g st at e n ever seen b efor e.
W it h ou t a d ou b t , t h e econ om ic b en efit s t o t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e b r ou gh t ab ou t
b y t h e t ou r n am en t w er e im m easu r ab le. No w on d er m an y em p ir es com p et ed t o
h ost t h e t ou r n am en t , b u t st ill h ad t o r each a com p r om ise even t u ally, so t h at t h e
t ou r n am en t w as h eld b y a d iffer en t cou n t r y ever y t im e.
T h e 2 fin alist s, Sh r ek Acad em y an d t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g

Acad em y, r ep r esen t ed t h e st r on gest p ow er s on t h e con t in en t . T h er e w as an
en or m ou s am ou n t of an t icip at ion for t h e fin als.
H ow ever , t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y w as od d s on t o

d efeat t h e Sh r ek Acad em y on t h e b lack m ar k et d u e t o Sh r ek Acad em y’s w eak
lin eu p . T h ey w er e given a 65% p r ob ab ilit y t o em er ge vict or iou s, com p ar ed t o
Sh r ek Acad em y’s 35% ch an ce.
H ow ever , n o on e w ou ld b elieve t h at Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld lose so easily.

Even t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y t h ou gh t so t oo. Aft er
all, Sh r ek Acad em y’s st u d en t s w er e all filled w it h p ot en t ial. No on e k n ew w h at
k in d of p ow er s t h ey w ou ld d isp lay, or w h et h er t h ey h ad an ym or e t r ick s u p t h eir
sleeves.
In t h e p r evio u s r ou n d s, t h ey h ad alr ead y d ish ed ou t su r p r isin g p er for m an ces

sever al t im es. In t h e fin als, t h ey w ou ld d efin it ely give t h eir a ll t o p r ot ect Sh r ek
Acad em y’s glor y. It w as t h u s d ifficu lt t o p r ed ict w h a t t h e r esu lt w ou ld b e.
T od ay’s w eat h er w as n ot ver y good . T h er e w er e gloom y clou d s, an d a d im fog

even cover ed St ar Lu o Cit y. Ligh t d r izzles fell occasion ally an d b r ou gh t ab ou t a
sen se of ch ill t o t h is m ajest ic cit y.
H ow ever , t h e sp ect at or s’ w ar m t h an d p assion d id n ’t fall even w it h t h e sen se

of ch ill t h at st r u ck t h e cit y. T h e fin als of t h e Con t in en t al Elit e Ad van ced Sou l
M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n a m en t w er e ab ou t t o st ar t . An u lt im at e
b at t le w as ab ou t t o b egin .
Righ t n ow , b ot h t eam s w er e on t h eir w ay t o St a r Lu o Pla za. T r oop s w er e

d ep loyed alon g t h e w ay t o r est r a in t h e p eop le w h o w er e sh ou t in g an d scr eam in g
t h eir n am es. M an y of t h ose w h o w er e u n ab le t o gain ad m ission in t o St ar Lu o
Plaza w er e gat h er ed at t h e sid es of t h e st r eet t o get a close look at b ot h t eam s’
m em b er s.
Lin g Lu och en w as in t h e m id d le of Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam , an d occasion ally

lift ed h er h ea d in t o t h e sk y. H er p r et t y face r ip p led w it h a t in ge of h ap p in ess.
Sin ce sh e con t r olled t h e ice elem en t , t h is gloom y w eat h er t h at sign ified a
p ossib ilit y of r ain w as u n d ou b t ed ly ver y b en eficial for h er ! M or eover , sh e w as
also aid ed b y H u o Yu h ao.
W an g Yan h a d d iscu ssed t h eir st r a t egies yest er d ay an d m ad e fu r t h er

ad ju st m en t s t o acco u n t for t h e w eat h er t od ay. Ever yon e w as over ly n er vou s
b ecau se of t h e u p com in g fin als. H ow ever , it w as in evit ab le t h at t h ey w ou ld feel
lik e t h a t .
Sh r ek Acad em y w asn ’t t h e on ly n er vou s on e. T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l

En gin eer in g Acad em y’s st u d en t s w er e even m or e n er vou s. T h is w as t h e closest
t h at t h eir acad em y h ad ever b een t o w in n in g t h e t ou r n a m en t ! T h ey w er e
ext r em ely p ow er fu l, w h ile t h e Sh r ek Acad em y t eam ’s lin eu p w as com p ar at ively
w eak er t oo. T h is k in d of op p or t u n it y on ly cam e on ce in a lifet im e. T h ey w er e
m or e n er vou s b ecau se t h ey w er e so close t o b ecom in g t h e ch am p ion s.
Even t h e n or m ally ar r ogan t Xiao H on gch en w as ver y t en se n ow .

Occasion ally, h e w ou ld t ak e a p eek at t h e Sh r ek Acad em y m em b er s t h at gr aced
t h e r ed car p et w it h t h em t od ay. H is com p et it ive st r eak an d h u n ger w er e p iqu ed
as h e w at ch ed t h em .
M en g H on gch en w as m u ch b et t er com p ar ed t o Xiao H on gch en ’s an xiet y an d

b u zz. M en g H on gch en ’s gaze lan d ed on W an g Don g.
Fr om t h e sid e, W an g Don g’s facial lin es w er e ext r em ely sm oot h . Alt h ou gh h e

w as st ill you n g, h is figu r e w as alr ead y ver y slen d er . M en g H on gch en ob ser ved
h im in a d iffer en t w a y fr om t h e ot h er s.
Sh e t h ou gh t t o h er self as sh e look ed at W an g Don g, “W ow , h is eyelash es ar e

r eally lon g. Not on ly ar e t h ey lon g, b u t t h ey’r e also r aised . T h ey’r e so b eau t ifu l,
an d even lon ger t h a n m in e b y a lot . H is eyes ar e p in k ish -b lu e, an d t h er e’s an
in d escr ib ab le allu r e ab ou t h im . H e’s 12 year s old , 2 year s you n ger t h an I am . H is
t w in m ar t ial sou l is a lso con sid er ed …”
Sh e w as alr ead y feelin g a lit t le h ot in h er h ead as sh e t h ou gh t t ill t h is p oin t .

For som e r eason , sh e k ep t t h in k in g of W an g Don g aft er h e h ad st r u ck u p a
con ver sat ion w it h h er t h at d ay. Even W an g Don g w as u n aw ar e t h at h e h ad
cau sed h er t o d evelo p a p u r e an d in t en se cr u sh on h im .
T h e r ed car p et led a ll t h e w ay t o t h e r est in g ar ea b efor e loop in g ar ou n d t h e

ar en a. On t op of t h e cit y w alls in t h e d ist an ce, t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or h ad alr ead y
led t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s officials u p . T h is sh ow ed h is r esp ect for t h e t w o t eam s
t h at w er e ab ou t t o com p et e.
H u o Yu h ao w as ver y calm n ow . W an g Ya n h ad t alk ed t o b ot h h im an d W a n g

Don g last n igh t for som e t im e b efor e h e left . H is com p et it ive st r eak h ad n ever
b een so h igh b efor e. W h ile h is p ow er s w er e n ot h in g in com p ar ison t o t h e ot h er
t eam m em b er s of b ot h acad em ies, t h in gs ch an ged qu ick ly in a com p et it ion . H e
w an t ed t o com p et e, an d t h ir st ed for vict or y. H e h op ed t o fu r t h er Sh r ek
Acad em y’s glor y w it h h is ow n h ar d w or k .
H e t u r n ed h is at t en t ion t o t h e t op of t h e cit y w all u n in t en t ion ally. At fir st

glan ce, h e cou ld alr ead y see t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or , as w ell as Pr in cess J iu J iu on
h is left .
Pr in cess J iu J iu also saw h im , b u t sh e d id n ’t seem t oo fr ien d ly.
In t h e n ext in st an t , H u o Yu h ao’s b od y su d d en ly jer k ed . T h e com p osu r e t h at

h e h ad m ain t ain ed w as su d d en ly over w h elm ed b y h or r or .
It w as a m id d le-aged m an t h at ap p ear ed t o b e m or e t h an 30 year s old . H e w or e

gold en ar m or , b u t n o h elm et . T h is r evealed h is facial feat u r es. H is eyes w er e
su n k en , an d h is p u p ils flash ed w it h in h is b lu e eyes. H e look ed a lit t le t h in , b u t
h e gave off a t ou gh feel. H e w as ch ar m in g, r esilien t , t all an d st r a igh t , b u t a lso
b u r st in g w it h en er gy as h e st ood b esid e t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or .
It ’s, it ’s h im …
H ow cou ld H u o Yu h ao r em ain calm u p on seein g t h is p er son ?
Yes, t h e W h it e T iger Du k e t h at p r ot ect ed t h e St a r Lu o Em p ir e’s w est er n

b or d er h ad r et u r n ed for t h e fin als. It w asn ’t ju st b ecau se t h is w as t h e fin als of
t h e t ou r n am en t , b u t also b ecau se h e w an t ed t o see h is eld est son com p et e.
Sin ce H u o Yu h ao sa w t h e W h it e T iger Du k e, Dai Yu eh en g n a t u r ally saw h im

t oo. An excit ed flam e lit u p in h is eyes as h e saw h is fat h er , a n d h e clen ch ed h is
fist s.
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e, Dai H ao, on ly n od d ed sligh t ly at h im . H e en cou r aged

Dai Yu eh en g u sin g t h e exp r ession in h is eyes. As Dai Yu eh en g h ad t r ea t ed h is
fat h er as h is r ole m od el sin ce h is you t h , t h e look t h at Dai H ao gave h im cau sed
h is com p et it ive st r ea k t o su r ge. T h e p r eviou s an xiet y t h at h e felt w as n ow gon e.
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or r evealed a d im sm ile on h is face as h e saw t h e t eam

m em b er s fr om b ot h t eam s en t er in g t h e r est in g ar ea. H e n od d ed at t h e W h it e
T iger Du k e b esid e h im .
“Silen ce, t h e com p et it ion is ab ou t t o st ar t . You r M ajest y, p lease.” Dai H ao

sh ou t ed in a d eep v oice. H e d id n ot u se a sou n d -am p lifyin g sou l t ool, b u t h is
voice st ill ech oed far aw ay. H is vigor ou s en er gy sp r ead ou t fr om t h e t op of t h e
cit y w all ju st lik e t h is.
All t h e p eacek eep in g t r oop s lift ed t h eir w eap on s h igh an d sh o u t ed , “Kill, k ill,
k ill—!” At t h e sam e t im e, t h e en t ir e St ar Lu o Plaza w as filled w it h a st r on g
k illin g in t en t .
T h e p eacek eep in g t r oop s w er e all en gu lfed b y p assion an d fan at icism . In t h eir

eyes, t h er e w as on ly t h e com m an d er st an d in g at t h e t op of t h e cit y w all. T h e
W h it e T iger Du k e’s au t h or it y in t h e m ilit ar y w as even ab ove t h e em p er or ’s t o a
cer t ain ext en t !
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or w asn ’t d isp lea sed b ecau se of t h is. H e con t in u ed t o

sm ile, w h ile all t h e sp ect at or s all k ep t t h eir silen ce b ecau se o f t h e st r on g k illin g
in t en t .
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sm iled an d sa id , “T h e last t im e t h e Con t in en t al
Ad van ced Sou l M a st er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t w as h eld in St ar Lu o
Cit y w as 20 year s ago. Bot h m yself an d Dai H ao w er e on ly you t h s t h en . Fast
for w ar d 20 year s, an d I’m alr ead y t h e r u ler of an em p ir e, w h ile Dai H ao is also
t h e t op com m an d er in t h e em p ir e. W e’r e ab ou t t o w it n ess a b at t le b et w een t h e
st r on gest you t h s on t h e con t in en t . I’m feelin g ver y excit ed . I h op e b ot h t eam s
can p r esen t an excit in g con t est for ever y sp ect at or . As p er t r a d it ion , t h e w in n er
of t h is t ou r n am en t w ill b e aw ar d ed 3 sou l b on es an d 1 m illio n gold sou l coin s. I
h ave alr ead y p ick ed ou t 10 of t h e m ost ou t st an d in g sou l b on es fr om ou r t r easu r y
for t h e w in n er t o ch oose fr om . I w an t ed Dai H ao t o h ost t od a y’s fin al, b u t on e of
Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam m em b er s is h is eld est son . For fair n ess’ sak e, t od ay’s
r efer ee w ill st ill b e t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o.”
“W it h ou t fu r t h er ad o, let ’s all w at ch t h is h ist or ica l b at t le.”
Aft er t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or fin ish ed sp eak in g, a st r eak of r ad ian ce flash ed

fr om t h e t op of t h e cit y w all. It ap p ear ed in t h e cen t er of t h e st age in t h e n ext
m om en t . It w as t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o, H u an g J in xu .
H ow ever , h is b od y jer k ed sligh t ly aft er h e lan d ed on t h e st a ge. H e t u r n ed h is

at t en t ion su b con scio u sly t o t h e r est in g ar ea. H is gaze lan d ed on Sh r ek ’s t eam .
A sloven ly eld er t h at car r ied a w in e gou r d h ad su d d en ly ap p ear ed b eh in d

t h em . As h e saw t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o look in g over , h e p in ch ed h is b r ow
sligh t ly, w h ile H u an g J in xu b ecam e a lit t le fr an t ic, an d q u ick ly t u r n ed h is h ea d .
Ever yon e fr om Sh r ek Acad em y an d t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g

Acad em y d iscover ed t h e ar r iva l of t h is sloven ly eld er b ecau se of t h e r efer ee’s
gaze.
“Eld er Xu an , you ’r e h er e.” W an g Yan said in su r p r ise.
Eld er Xu an t ook ou t an ot h er ch ick en d r u m st ick fr om som ew h er e an d t ook a

b it e. H e said in d ist in ct ly, “J u st give w h at ever in st r u ct ion s you h ave t o an d act
lik e I’m n ot h er e. N o on e w ill d ar e t o p lay an y t r ick s sin ce I’m h er e.” W it h ou t a
d ou b t , t h e T aot ie Dou lu o w as h er e t o h old t h e for t for Sh r ek Acad em y.
Up on seein g h im , t h e faces of t h e t each er s fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l

Acad em y ch an ged . T h ey n at u r ally r ecogn ized Eld er Xu a n . Accor d in g t o t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s r esear ch , t h is T aot ie Dou lu o’s
cu lt ivat ion w as alr ea d y ab ove Ran k 97. H e w as t h e st r on gest in Sh r ek Acad em y.
H ow ever , t h is w as as m u ch as t h ey w er e ab le t o d iscover , as t h e Sea God ’s
Pavilion w as t oo secr et ive.
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o also k n ew Eld er Xu an , ot h er w ise h e w ou ld n ’t h ave

lost h is com p osu r e. H ow ever , h e r ecover ed qu ick ly, an d said in a low voice, “I
am H u an g J in xu , t h e r efer ee for t h e fin als of t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l
M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t . I sh all an n ou n ce t h e com p et it ion
r u les.”
Alt h ou gh b ot h p ar t ies w er e fam ilia r w it h t h e r u les, t h ey st ill h ad t o b e

an n ou n ced as p ar t of p r ot ocol.
“T h e fin als w ill b e d ivid ed in t o t h e t eam r ou n d , t h e in d ivid u a l r ou n d an d t h e

2-2-3 r ou n d . A t eam m u st w in at least 2 vict or ies t o b e t h e over all w in n er . For
t h e t eam r ou n d , each t eam w ill sen d 7 m em b er s ou t . Aft er t h e t eam r ou n d , each
t eam w ill h ave on e ch an ce t o ch an ge t h eir com p et in g m em b er s. No fu r t h er
ch an ces w ill b e given . In t h e ot h er 2 r ou n d s, t h e 7 com p et in g m em b er s can n ot
b e ch an ged . T h e t ea m t h at w in s 2 r ou n d s w ill t h en b e cr ow n ed t h e ch am p ion .
Bot h t eam s can d o w h at t h ey w a n t , an d t h e r efer ee w ill b e r esp on sib le fo r
ever yon e’s safet y. On ce t h e r efer ee t h in k s t h at a p ar t icu lar m ove is fat al, h e w ill
in t er ven e an d elim in at e t h e losin g sid e. Bu t b ecau se of t h e ever -ch an gin g
con d it ion s, t h e r efer ee can n ot gu ar an t ee ab solu t e safet y. I h op e t h at b ot h t eam s
w ill k n ow t h eir lim it s. Righ t n ow , p lease p r ep ar e t o sen d you r t eam m em b er s u p
t o t h e st age w it h in 1 m in u t e.”
As t h e com p et it ion r u les w er e an n ou n ced , t h e at m osp h er e in St ar Lu o Plaza

t en sed u p . T h e sp ect at or s b ecam e ext r em ely silen t as t h ey w ait ed . Ever yon e
w id en ed t h eir eyes. Alt h ou gh t h e com p et it ion w as yet t o b egin , t h ey w er e
u n w illin g t o m iss ou t on an yt h in g.
W an g Yan st ood u p an d sp ok e t o all 10 st u d en t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y in a

d eep voice, “Follow ou r or igin al st r at egy. Sh r ek w ill w in .”
“Sh r ek w ill w in .” 10 p eop le st ood u p t oget h er an d r oar ed in a u n ified ,

d et er m in ed voice.
W an g Yan t u r n ed h is at t en t ion t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g an d

n od d ed h is h ead at t h em . T h e t w o of t h em also n od d ed b ack in
ack n ow led gem en t .
On t h e ot h er sid e, t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y

m em b er s also st ood u p an d list en ed t o t h eir t each er ’s fin al st r at egy.
On e m in u t e p assed v er y q u ick ly.
“M em b er s fr om b ot h t eam s, p lease en t er t h e st age.” T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o

k ep t st r ict w at ch on t im e, an d d id n ’t ext en d t h e t im e lim it b y even a secon d .
7 m em b er s in st an t ly w alk ed ou t fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l

En gin eer in g Acad em y’s sid e. Fir st ly, t h er e w as t h e t eam lead er , M a Ru lon g.
Beh in d h im w er e Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en . Follow in g t h em w as
M ich ael, t h e Class 5 sou l en gin eer t h at H u o Yu h ao an d t h e ot h er s h ad seen in
t h e sem ifin al m at ch . T h e r em ain in g 3 w er e all Class 5 sou l en gin eer s t oo.
Becau se of t h eir u n iq u e ap p ear an ces, ever yon e fr om Sh r ek ’s t eam cou ld
r ecogn ize t h e 7 m em b er s fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y. T h e last 3 w er e Xiao Xiafen g, Ch en Fei an d Lin Xi. Besid es M en g
H on gch en , ever yon e else w as m ale.
Sh r ek ’s t eam w as n ot su r p r ised t o see t h ese 7. T h a t ’s b ecau se t h is w as exact ly

w h at T each er W an g Yan h ad exp ect ed .
Ever sin ce t h e st ar t of t h e t ou r n am en t , W an g Yan h ad b een m on it or in g t h e

Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y silen t ly. J u st yest er d ay, h e
r elat ed ever yt h in g t h at h e h a d gat h er ed an d an alyzed on t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial
Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y t o ever yon e fr om Sh r ek . H e even cam e u p w it h a
d et ailed p lan . T od ay’s vict or y w as h igh ly d ep en d en t on h is t act ics an d
st r at egies.
Sin ce t h eir op p on en t w as alr ead y w alk in g t ow ar d s t h e com p et it ion st age,

Sh r ek Acad em y also d id t h e sam e. Aft er ever yon e en t er ed t h e w ait in g ar ea, 7
w alk ed ou t . H ow ever , t h is w as a su r p r isin g scen e for t h e sp ect at or s an d Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y b ot h .
T h e 7 fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w er e t h e t eam lead er , M a Xiaot ao, vice-t eam

lead er Dai Yu eh en g, Lin g Lu och en , Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, J ian g Nan n an an d H e
Cait ou .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g, w h o h ad b ot h con t r ib u t ed gr eat ly in t h e

sem ifin als, w er e n ot in t h e t eam lin eu p . T h ey sat in t h e w a it in g ar ea.
All t h e sp ect at or s w h o w er e or igin ally silen t st ar t ed t o b ecom e n oisy.
Alt h ou gh H u o Yu h a o an d W an g Don g d id n ot h ave p ow er fu l cu lt ivat ion s,

t h ey h ad left a d eep im p r ession in ever yon e’s m in d s in t h e p r eviou s r ou n d s of
t h e t ou r n am en t .
Ever sin ce H u o Yu h ao im it at ed a sou l em p er or in t h e fir st few r ou n d s an d

u n leash ed 6 h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs, h e m an aged t o cap t u r e ever y
sp ect at or ’s at t en t ion w it h t h at sh ock in g m et h od .
In t h e follow in g r ou n d s, h e w as ver y effect ive as lon g as h e ap p ear ed . T h e

m ost ob viou s exam p les of t h is w er e t h e t im e t h ey w er e again st J u st sk y
Acad em y, an d in t h e sem ifin al again st St ar Lu o Acad em y. T h is p air in g of H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g m an aged t o t u r n t h e t id e on sever al occasion s.
Even t ill n ow , n o on e w as clear on h ow p ow er fu l t h ey w er e. For t h ose w h o

u n d er st ood sou l m ast er s, t h ey k n ew t h a t b ot h of t h em h ad t w in m ar t ial so u ls
even t h ou gh t h ey on ly h ad t w o an d t h r ee r in gs r esp ect ively. T h ey even
p ossessed a m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill. Alt h ou gh t h eir cu lt iva t io n s w er e n o t h igh ,
t h ey w er e st ill ver y you n g, an d t h ey h ad gr eat p ot en t ial. T h ey cou ld aid t h eir
t eam gr eat ly d u r in g a b at t le, an d t h is w as esp ecially ob viou s d u r in g t h e t eam
r ou n d .
No on e cou ld u n d er st an d t h e r eason w h y Sh r ek ’s t eam h ad n ’t sen t t h e b ot h of

t h em ou t for t h e t eam r ou n d , in clu d in g t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y t eam .
Becau se of t h is, ever yon e w or e st u n n ed look s on t h eir faces a s t h ey w at ch ed H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g in t h e w ait in g ar ea.
W as t h is som e n ew w ay of w in n in g? W h at w as Sh r ek Acad em y d oin g?
W an g Yan w as exp r ession less as h e sat d ow n in t h e w ait in g ar ea. No on e

k n ew h ow h e w as feelin g.
W an g Yan w as exh ilar at ed b en ea t h h is calm ext er ior . W h en h e h ad fir st led

Sh r ek ’s t eam t o St ar Lu o Cit y, h e h ad h ad n o con fid en ce. T h is t ou r n am en t w as a
h u ge t r ial for n ot on ly t h e t eam m em b er s, b u t h im t oo. T h e fu r t h er t h e
com p et it ion p r oceed ed , t h e m or e self-con fid en ce h e gain ed , an d t h e m or e id eas
on t act ics an d st r at egies h e d evelop ed .
H ow ever , W an g Yan h ad n ot m ad e t oo m an y d et ailed ar r a n gem en t s in t h e

p r eviou s r ou n d s of t h e t ou r n am en t . T h is w as even t h e case in t h e sem ifin a ls.
W h at w as h is r eason ? It w as b ecau se h e w as t r yin g t o h id e, p u zzle an d con ceal

h is ab ilit ies fr om t h eir op p on en t .
Chapt er 116.1: A Wild Team Fight
W an g Yan on ly h ad on e goal in m in d aft er Sh r ek Acad em y d efeat ed J u st sk y

Acad em y. H e w an t ed Sh r ek Acad em y t o b e t h e even t u al ch a m p ion s an d car r y on
Sh r ek ’s st r eak as t h e t ou r n am en t ch am p ion s. T h er e w as on ly on e t r u e ob st acle
t o Sh r ek Acad em y in t h eir p u r su it for glor y.
T h at ’s w h y W an g Yan h ad n ’t given t oo m an y in st r u ct ion s even t h ou gh h e

h ad a b r illian t set -u p in p lace. H is p u r p ose w as t o con fu se t h eir st r on gest
op p on en t an d t r ick t h em in t o b elievin g t h at Sh r ek Acad em y on ly fou gh t b ased
on ab ilit ies, an d n ot st r at egies.
H e w as su ccessfu l. Even Sh r ek Acad em y’s ow n st u d en t s w er e k ep t in t h e d ar k

b efor e yest er d ay.
As t h e fin als ap p r oach ed , t h er e w as n o n eed for an ym or e con cealm en t . W an g

Yan w as ab ou t t o sh ow h is t alen t in t od ay’s fin al t h r ou gh t h e Sh r ek t eam ’s
com p et in g m em b er s.
W an g Yan cou ld n ot h elp b u t r ecall h is con ver sat ion w it h H u o Yu h ao an d

W an g Don g as h e look ed at t h em . T h e b ot h of t h em sat t o on e sid e an d ap p ear ed
t o b e calm , b u t t h ey w er e gr ip p in g t h eir fist s t igh t ly.
……
“T h e t w o of you w ill n ot com p et e in t h e t eam r ou n d t om or r ow . H e Cait ou

an d J ian g Nan n an w ill r ep lace you .”
“W h at ? W h y? T each er W an g, w e can h elp t h e t eam .”
“I’ve alr ead y d ecid ed . T h is is a st r at egy t h at I’m u sin g. At t h e sam e t im e, I’m

p r ot ect in g you . If you w an t t o h elp you r t eam in t h e t eam r ou n d , u n leash in g
you r m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill can n ot b e exclu d ed . Fu r t h er m or e, m or e t h an on e
of you r m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ills h ave t o b e u n leash ed . Bu t I d on ’t w a n t t o
exp ose so m u ch t oo ear ly on . Don ’t for get t h a t b ot h of you w ill b e t h e d r ivin g
for ces in t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g
T ou r n am en t 5 year s fr om n ow in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. M or eover , it ’s m y
r esp on sib ilit y t o p r ot ect t h e b ot h of you as you r t each er . M y st r at egy also
r eq u ir es you t o con ser ve you r p ow er s in t h e t eam r ou n d .”
“Bu t …”
“List en t o m e fir st b efor e an y b u t s. M ayb e you w ill con t in u e t o t u r n t h e

t ab les…”
……
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or said t o t h e W h it e T iger Du k e b esid e h im soft ly on t h e

t op of t h e cit y w all, “Br ot h er , w h at d o you t h in k of Sh r ek ’s ar r an gem en t ?”
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e said aft er p on d er in g for a w h ile, “T h ey m u st h ave

ad ju st ed t h eir t act ics an d st r at egies. Alt h ou gh I’ve n ever seen t h em com p et e, w e
can ’t u n d er est im a t e t h e im p or t an ce of t h ese 2 fellow s t o t h eir t eam . T h ey’r e
p r ob ab ly n ot b ein g sen t ou t n ow b ecau se t h ey’r e p r ep ar in g for t h e la t er
segm en t s.”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sm iled an d said , “W h at ’r e you r p r ed ict ion s t h en ?”
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e sh ook h is h ead an d r ep lied , “I’m n ot fam iliar w it h

eit h er t eam , t h u s I can ’t m ak e an y p r ed ict ion s. W h at ab ou t you , You r M ajest y?
You seem ver y con fid en t . I’m su r e you h ave m ad e you r ju d gm en t .”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or low er ed h is h ead an d said som et h in g soft ly.
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e w as st u n n ed as h e look ed at h im an d r ep lied , “H ow

cou ld t h is b e?”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sm iled an d said , “Let ’s w ait an d see. Alt h ou gh t h a t
t each er fr om Sh r ek is n o lon ger you n g, it ’s easy t o t ell t h a t h e’s n ot sim p le fr om
h is lin eu p select ion . I b elieve w e’ll see a su r p r ise in t h is fin al.”
As t h ey sp ok e, b ot h t eam s h a d alr ead y ascen d ed t o t h e st age. T h ey for m ed

t w o r ow s an d st ood t o t h e left an d r igh t of H u an g J in xu .
“I’ve an n ou n ce t h e r u les ear lier on , an d w ill n ot r ep eat t h em again . Bot h

t eam s, p lease st ep b ack an d p r ep ar e t o st ar t figh t in g. T h is m at ch w ill en d on ce
on e t eam can n o lon ger con t in u e.”
M a Xiaot ao sq u in t ed h er sm all eyes, an d h er gaze sh on e as sh e st ar ed at M a

Ru lon g. H er eyes seem ed t o su r ge w it h flam es t oo.
M a Ru lon g look ed ver y ser iou s. H e h a d n ot h ad t oo m u ch t r ou b le again st

J ian g Pen g, b u t t h e look M a Xiaot ao’s eyes m ad e h im feel su p p r essed .
T h is w as a r esu lt of Sh r ek Acad em y’s r ep u t at ion . M a Ru lon g k ep t on t ellin g

h im self t h is, b u t t h a t su p p r essive feelin g r em ain ed as h e faced M a Xiaot ao.
Bot h t eam s slow ly r et r eat ed . T h e em ot ion in Xiao H on gch en ’s eyes t u r n ed

fr om an xiet y t o excit em en t . H e w as m ean t t o com p et e. T h e m or e n er vou s h e
w as, t h e st r on ger h e b ecam e. H e an d h is sist er , M en g H on gch en , gr eat ly
d isp layed t h eir p r ow ess b y b ein g ab le t o com p et e in t h is t ou r n am en t as
p r ep ar at or y t eam m em b er s. T h is w a s also t h eir fir st a p p ear an ce in t h is
t ou r n am en t . As secr et w eap on s, w h at k in d of cap ab ilit ies d id t h ey p ossess?
Bot h t eam m em b er s h ad alr ead y r each ed t h e ed ges of t h e st age. M a Xiaot ao

an d Dai Yu eh en g st ill led t h e lin e over on Sh r ek Acad em y’s sid e. Lin g Lu och en
st ood b eh in d t h e b ot h of t h em , follow ed b y Xu San sh i an d Bei Bei. J ian g Nan n a n
an d H e Cait ou st ood t h e fu r t h est b ack .
T h is com b in at ion w asn ’t ver y good . T h er e w er e 3 assau lt -t yp e sou l m ast er s, 1

d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er , 1 agilit y-t yp e sou l m ast er , 1 con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er
an d 1 sou l en gin eer . T h er e w er e n o au xiliar y-t yp e sou l m ast er s am on g t h em . Of
cou r se, n o on e k n ew t h at H e Cait ou w a s a food -t yp e sou l m ast er .
T h ey alr ead y h eld cigar s in t h eir m ou t h s, excep t for M a Xiaot ao an d J ian g

Nan n an . Sh r ek Acad em y’s for m at ion w as lack lu st er , an d t h er e w as n ot h in g
sp ecial ab ou t it . It ev en seem ed a lit t le r ed u n d a n t as 4 r ow s w er e for m ed .
T h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s for m at ion also d id n ’t seem im p r essive. It w as

sh ap ed lik e a con e, w it h M a Ru lon g at t h e t ip an d t h e r est for m in g a t r ian gle
b eh in d h im .
Bot h t eam s w er e ext r em ely focu sed . At t h e m om en t w h en t h ey r each ed t h e

ed ges of t h e st age, t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o H u an g J in xu an n ou n ced , “M at ch ,
st ar t !” T h e fin als of t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l
Du elin g T ou r n am en t h ad fin ally b egu n .
In t h e n ext m om en t aft er H u an g J in xu an n ou n ced t h e st ar t of t h e m at ch ,

b ot h t eam s’ for m at ion s ch an ged , an d a sh ock in g scen e ap p ear ed .
It seem ed as if Sh r ek ’s t eam an d t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s t eam h ad

agr eed on t h is b efor eh an d . Bot h t eam s’ m em b er s gat h er ed t ow ar d s t h e cen t er of
t h e st age an d for m ed on e r ow .
It w as n o lon ger M a Xiaot ao at t h e fr on t for Sh r ek Acad em y, b u t Xu San sh i.
Aft er t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s t eam for m ed t h eir r ow , Lin Xi sw it ch ed

t o t h e fr on t of t h eir for m at ion .
As t h e for m at ion s ch an ged , b ot h t eam s u n leash ed t h eir m a r t ial sou ls. T h e

Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s t eam also u sed t h eir sou l t ools.
Ever yon e fr om Sh r ek st ood in on e st r aigh t lin e. Xu Sa n sh i lift ed h is Sh ield of

t h e Xu an m in g T u r t le an d b u r st for w ar d in gigan t ic st ep s. T h e r est also follow ed
h im as t h ey u n leash ed t h eir m ar t ial sou ls.
T h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s t eam d id n ot m ove on t h e ot h er sid e. T o sou l
en gin eer s, su fficien t d ist an ce w a s r equ ir ed for t h em t o u n leash t h eir p ow er s.
Lin Xi im m ed iat ely w h ip p ed ou t a sou l t ool, w h ich w as also a sh ield , t h o u gh it

on ly look ed as b ig as t h e m ost or d in ar y t r ay. T h e gold en sh ield flash ed w it h
r ad ian ce on it s su r face, an d a yellow h a lo sp r ead ou t fr om it . It t u r n ed in t o a
ligh t sh ield t h at r ea ch ed alm ost 2 m et er s in d iam et er . Not on ly d id it p r ot ect
h im , b u t it also p r ot ect ed t h e r est of t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s t eam b eh in d
h im .
T h ose w h o w er e sh ar p cou ld t ell w h at t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s t eam

w as d oin g. T h e r eason in g b eh in d t h eir act ion s w as ver y sim p le – t h ey w er e
gu ar d in g again st Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t .
T h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t h ad b een ver y u sefu l again st

Sh r ek ’s op p on en t s on m an y occasion s. On ce Xu San sh i com p let ed t h e
d isp lacem en t , h is r ep eat ed d isp lacem en t s w ou ld cau se Sh r ek ’s st r a t egies t o
b ecom e ext r em ely st r an ge. It w ou ld n ’t b e a good t h in g for t h e Su n M oon Sou l
Acad em y t eam if h e su b st it u t ed som eon e over or sen t som eon e aw ay.
On ly Lin Xi cou ld b e seen as t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y t eam st ood in a

st r aigh t lin e. Lin Xi w as h u ge, an d b lock ed ever yon e b eh in d h im . Now t h at h e
h ad u n leash ed t h is sh ield , h e cou ld b lock t h e effect of Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t . H e w as alr ead y p r ep ar ed t o b e sw it ch ed over .
Ever yon e fr om t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y t eam w as p leased w h en t h ey saw

Xu San sh i r u sh in g t o t h e fr on t of Sh r ek ’s t eam . T o t h em , t h eir p lan w as alr ea d y
p r et t y flaw less. At t h e ver y least , Xu San sh i w as u n ab le t o u se h is M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t .
T h is w as on ly t h e for m at ion ch an ges of b ot h t eam s. An even m or e in t en se

b at t le w as ab ou t t o en su e follow in g t h is.
Cou n t less b alls of ligh t con d en sed fr om sou l p ow er an d u n lea sh ed u sin g so u l

t ools w er e r eleased fr om t h e b od ies of t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s t eam
m em b er s b eh in d Lin Xi in an in st an t . T h ese b alls of ligh t r ap id ly sp r ead t o b ot h
sid es an d in t o t h e air b efor e en gu lfin g Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam at an alar m in g
sp eed alon g w it h a fizzin g, ear -p ier cin g sou n d .
T h e b alls of ligh t w er e st ill gat h er in g at an in cr eased sp eed a s t h ey flew in t o

t h e air . Fr om t h eir t r aject or y, t h ey w er e h ead ed t ow ar d s all 7 of t h e Sh r ek ’s
t eam m em b er s w it h ou t an y w ast age.
T h e Su n M oon So u l Acad em y’s sou l en gin eer s w er e all at least Class 5.

Alt h ou gh t h eir sou l p ow er s w er e en h an ced u sin g d iffer en t m ed icin es an d secr et
m et h od s, an d w er e in com p ar ab le t o sou l m ast er s, t h eir sou l p ow er s w er e in d eed
st ill ver y st r on g. T h r ou gh a sou l t ool com m an d ed b y a sou l k in g, it s p ow er s
w er e even su p er ior t o t h e sou l sk ills u sed d ir ect ly b y a sou l k in g. H ow m u ch
m or e p ow er fu l w ou ld a sk ill t h a t w as u n leash ed b y so m an y Class 5 sou l
en gin eer s t oget h er b e?
Again st t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y, t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s t eam

h ad u sed su ch an all-r ou n d ed sou l t ool t o su p p r ess t h eir op p on en t . T h ey h ad
also for ced t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y’s m em b er s d ow n fr om t h e
com p et it ion st age t h r ou gh an in cessa n t a n d r elen t less at t ack .
T h ey u sed a sim ilar st r at egy again st Sh r ek . T h ey d id n ’t h op e t o h ar m t h eir

op p on en t , b u t w an t ed t o su p p r ess t h em so t h at t h ey cou ld n ’t get close t o t h em .
H ow ever , a b eam of w h it e ligh t also sh ot in t o t h e sk y fr om t h e am id st t h e

seven Sh r ek m em b er s ju st as t h eir b alls of ligh t sp r ea d .
T h is b eam of ligh t r evealed a w h it e cr escen t . Follow in g t h at , it t u r n ed in t o

cou n t less st r eak s of w h it e ligh t t h at p ou r ed d ow n on t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial
Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s 7 m em b er s.
W h ile t h e con cen t r a t ion of t h e w h it e ligh t s m igh t seem w eak er t h an t h e ligh t

b alls u n lea sh ed b y t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y, an d t h eir p ow er s m igh t also b e
in fer ior , t h ey w er e u n leash ed at t h e p er fect t im e. J u st a s t h e ligh t b alls w er e
r eleased b y t h e sou l t ool an d gat h er ed t ow ar d s t h e cen t er , t h ese w h it e ligh t s
w er e u n leash ed . T h e t w o offen ses collid ed r igh t in t h e cen t er of t h e com p et it ion
st age.
Dai Yu eh en g’s fou r t h sou l r in g sh on e b r igh t ly as h e u n leash ed h is W h it e

T iger M et eor Sh ow er , a d om ain -t yp e sou l sk ill.
Sin ce it w as a sou l em p er or ’s fou r t h sou l sk ill, it w as b ou n d t o b e m or e

p ow er fu l t h an a Class 5 sou l t ool u sed b y a sou l m ast er . Fu r t h er m or e, it w as on ly
b ein g u sed t o in t er cep t . W h en b ot h offen ses collid ed in t h e cen t er of t h e
com p et it ion st age, t h e in it ia l collision t u r n ed in t o a fu ll-on collision t h at led
in t o an exp losion .
Fr om t h e fir st w ave of at t ack s, Sh r ek ap p ear ed t o b e d oin g b et t er t h an t h e

Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Acad em y h ad .
Xu San sh i d id n ot st op b ecau se of t h e exp losion . T h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an m in g

T u r t le in h is h an d sh on e w it h a b lack ligh t , an d b ot h t h e M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld For ce an d M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Sh ield w er e u n leash ed t oget h er .
W h o k n ew t h at h e w as at t h e fr on t n ot t o d efen d again st t h e op p on en t ’s
at t ack , b u t t o t ak e ad van t age of t h e sh ock w ave p r od u ced a s b ot h t eam s’ sou l
p ow er s collid ed ?
Xu San sh i w as t h e b est am on g all t h e sou l an cest or s in t er m s of d efen se. T h e

M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Sh ield r em oved all t h e sh ock w aves u n d er t h e effect of
t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld For ce, an d h is ad van cin g foot st ep s w er en ’t affect ed
at all. H e seem ed t o en t er t h e cor e of t h e exp losion , an d t h e d ist an ce b et w een
b ot h p ar t ies w as d ecr eased t o less t h an 70 m et er s.
t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s at t ack d id n ot st op . T h ey h ad gr eat ch em ist r y

t oget h er as Class 5 a n d ab ove sou l en gin eer s. As t h e fir st b all of ligh t flew ou t ,
t h e secon d w ave of lon g-r an ge sou l t ools w as also in it iat ed . Rad ian ces, ligh t
b alls an d can n on sh ells t h a t m an y fr om Sh r ek h ad n ever seen b efor e st ar t ed t o
flood t ow ar d s t h em .
Bu t Sh r ek Acad em y also u n leash ed it s secon d st r ik e at t h is p oin t .
Am id st a b r igh t , fier y w h ist le, a d azzlin g p h oen ix flam e sh ot in t o t h e sk y.

Aft er t h e W h it e T iger M et eor Sh ow er , M a Xiaot ao’s st r on gest sou l sk ill, t h e
Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er , w as also u n leash ed .
Dai Yu eh en g’s W h it e T iger M et eor Sh ow er w as on ly a t h ou san d year sou l

sk ill. Bu t M a Xiaot ao’s Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er w as h er sixt h sou l sk ill, an d w as
also a t en t h ou sa n d year sou l sk ill. It m u st m ean t h at sh e h a d alr ea d y p r ep ar ed
t o at t ack at t h e in st an t t h e for m at ion w as set u p , for it t o t igh t ly follow t h e
W h it e T iger M et eor Sh ow er aft er it w as u n leash ed .
T h e b u r n in g flam es cau sed t h e ar ea w it h in t h e com p et it ion st age t o h eat u p

t r em en d ou sly. A Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er t h at w as at least 5 t im es b igger t h an
t h e W h it e T iger M et eor Sh ow er d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y. Not on ly w er e t h e
m et eor s ver y con cen t r at ed , b u t t h ey w er e also ext r em ely p ow er fu l. T h e air
seem ed t o d ist or t com p let ely, an d t h e 10 8 sou l m ast er s h a d t o u n leash all t h eir
sou l p ow er t o p r even t t h e b ar r ier fr om collap sin g.
A r ever b er at in g exp losion sou n d ed at t h e cen t er of t h e t w o t eam s. M a Xiaot ao

on ce again p r oved h ow st r on g sh e w as.
H er Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er su p p r essed all t h e sou l t ools fr om t h e Su n M oon

Sou l Acad em y, an d even at t ack ed t h eir for m at ion .
T h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er su p er sed ed t h e W h it e T iger M et eor Sh ow er in
t er m s of p ow er an d d u r at ion . Sh r ek Acad em y’s t w o sou l em p er or s d ecid ed t o
at t ack t h eir op p on en t s at lon g-r an ge. No m at t er h ow st r on g t h e Su n M oon Sou l
Acad em y’s sou l t ools w er e, t h ey h ad t o lan d t o h ave an y effect . Sin ce t h is w as
t h e case, Sh r ek cou ld ju st p r even t t h eir at t ack s fr om lan d in g. Sou l t ools d id n ot
u n leash r eal sou l sk ills. T h eir at t ack s cou ld n ’t b e con t r olled t h e m om en t t h ey
w er e r eleased . Un d er M a Xiaot ao an d Dai Yu eh en g’s exqu isit e con t r ol, t h eir
op p on en t s’ lon g-r an ge at t ack s w er e all st op p ed . Even if t h er e w er e an y flaw s, Xu
San sh i’s M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Sh ield w ou ld p r even t t h ose b eh in d h im fr om
b ein g h u r t w it h h is a ll-r ou n d ed d efen se.
H ow ever , t h e exp losive for ce w as alr ead y b eyon d Xu San sh i’s d efen se
cap ab ilit y, as t h e secon d sh ock w ave w as t oo p ow er fu l. H e h a d n o ch oice b u t t o
st op in h is t r ack s 50 m et er s aw ay fr om h is op p on en t s.
T h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y also w h ip p ed ou t 3 layer s of b ar r ier s t o r esist

t h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er . All 7 of t h em w er e p r ot ect ed w it h in t h e b ar r ier s.
A figu r e fr om Sh r ek sh ot ou t q u ick ly at t h is p oin t . Bu r n in g p h oen ix flam es

t u r n ed in t o w in gs t h at flap p ed in t h e air . As sh e r ose, a t ou gh fist p u n ch ed h er
foot an d sen t h er flyin g u p lik e a can n on sh ell. H er sp eed r ea ch ed an ext r em ely
fr igh t en in g level. Aft er sh e flew u p 10 m et er s, t w o gu st s of flam es also sp u r t ed
ou t fr om h er feet . T h is cau sed h er sp eed t o soar on ce again . In t h e b lin k of an
eye, sh e h ad alr ead y ar r ived in fr on t of h er op p on en t s.
W it h ou t a d ou b t , t h is p er son w as M a Xiaot ao. It w as on ly h er an d Dai

Yu eh en g w h o d ar ed t o figh t t h eir w ay in t o t h eir op p on en t s’ for m at ion . An d
d ist an ce w as alw ays t h e m ost im p or t an t in a figh t b et w een a sou l m ast er an d
sou l en gin eer .
Ever yon e w as a lit t le d u m b fou n d ed as t h ey saw t h is. Fr om t h e od d s, t h e Su n

M oon Sou l Acad em y sh ou ld b e b eat in g Sh r ek Acad em y easily! Bu t t h e cu r r en t
sit u a t ion sh ow ed t h at Sh r ek h eld t h e u p p er h an d . M a Xiaot ao h ad alr ead y
ar r ived in fr on t of Lin Xi in ju st t h e b lin k of an eye, w h ile t h e ot h er 6 also u p p ed
t h eir sp eed as t h ey r u sh ed closer t o t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y t eam .
M a Xiaot ao w as so st r on g t h at h er fou r t h sou l r in g h ad alr ead y lit u p as sh e
flew qu ick ly. T h e p h oen ix flam es t u r n ed d ar k r ed , an d t h e Evil Ph oen ix Fir e
ap p ear ed on ce again . On ce h er Ph oen ix Sk yw h ist le r est r ain ed t h e Su n M oon
Sou l Acad em y’s m em b er s, t h e r esu lt of t h is r ou n d w ou ld b e d ecid ed .
Un d er t h e st age, H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g an d Xiao Xiao h ad alr ead y clen ch ed

t h eir fist s. Alt h ou gh W an g Yan ’s st r at egy h ad on ly ju st been execu t ed , t h ey
h op ed t h at M a Xiaot ao cou ld u se t h is st r ik e t o en su r e vict or y for Sh r ek .
H ow ever , t h e t r u t h p r oved t h a t it w a s r eason ab le t o t ip t h e Su n M oon Sou l

Acad em y as t h e favor it e t o b e t h e ch am p ion .
Again st M a Xiaot ao’s at t ack , Lin Xi m ad e a leap in g m ot ion . Follow in g t h at , at

least 3 sou l t ools on h is b od y r eleased an in t en se r ad ian ce.
Fir st ly, a w h it e h alo w as u n leash ed fr om h is ch est . T h is w h it e h alo seem ed as

fain t as fog. W h en it ap p ear ed , M a Xiaot ao’s b od y also sh ow ed a w h it e ligh t . M a
Xiaot ao ch an ged h er d ir ect ion sligh t ly b ecau se of Lin Xi’s leap in g m ot ion .
Aft er t h at , a layer of gold en ligh t t h at ever yon e fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w as

fam iliar w it h lit u p on Lin Xi’s b od y. No, it w asn ’t ju st on e layer . It w as t w o
layer s. T h e fir st la yer w as an o r d in a r y In vin cib le Bar r ier t h at b lock ed M a
Xiaot ao’s Ph oen ix Sk yw h ist le. Follow in g t h at , t h er e w as a b igger layer of gold en
ligh t t h at sp r ea d fr om h is b od y. Fr om t h e ou t sid e, it en gu lfed b ot h h is a n d M a
Xiaot ao’s b od y w it h in it . M a Xiaot ao’s Evil Ph oen ix Flam es w er e p r even t ed fr om
b ein g u n leash ed .
An exp losive b oom sou n d ed fr om w it h in t h e t w o layer s of b ar r ier s. W it h in

t h e b ar r ier s, in t en se p h oen ix flam es r ose. Bu t M a Xiaot ao’s d et er m in ed st r ik e
w as b lock ed off b y Lin Xi.
H ow ever , Lin Xi d id n ot h ave it w ell eit h er as h e b lock ed M a Xiaot ao’s at t ack .

W h ile t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier w as d efen sively sou n d , it st ill h ad t o ab sor b a h u ge
am ou n t of t h e u ser ’s sou l p ow er b efor e it s d efen sive cap ab ilit ies cou ld b e
d isp layed . H is sou l p ow er h ad b een d ep let ed t r em en d ou sly aft er u sin g 3 Class 5
sou l t ools, an d h is fa ce h ad t u r n ed p ale.
T h e Su n M oon So u l Acad em y coor d in at ed am on g t h em selves ver y w ell.

M ich ael also u n leash ed a sh ield w h en Lin Xi leap ed u p . T h is cau sed Xu San sh i’s
M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t t o fail.
At t h is p oin t , a st r eak of gold en -r ed r ad ian ce sh ot ou t fr om M ich ael’s

sh ou ld er . Xu San sh i h ad seen t h is gold en -r ed r ad ian ce b efor e. It w as a
fr igh t en in g at t ack b y a Class 7 sou l t ool! It w as also an offen se t h at w as focu sed
on on e p oin t . T h e b ar r ier er ect ed b y t h e 10 8 sou lm ast er s cou ld n ’t h an d le t h is
fr igh t en in g p r esen ce eit h er .
T h is st r eak of gold en -r ed r ad ia n ce cam e at t h e p er fect t im e. Lin Xi h ad leap t

u p t o b lock M a Xiaot ao, an d Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t
w as u n leash ed . A b lack lin e w as b lock ed b y M ich ael’s sh ield , an d t h e gold en -r ed
r ad ian ce also ap p ear ed at t h is in st an t . It s t ar get w as Xu San sh i. H e h ad n o
ch oice b u t t o r esist it for cefu lly, as h e h ad ju st u sed h is sou l sk ill.
Not on ly d id t h is gold en -r ed r ad ian ce ap p ear , b u t cou n t less st r eak s of

r ad ian ce also sh ot ou t fr om M ich ael’s b ack . T h ese ligh t s w er e p u r p lish -b lu e in
color , an d w er e ab n or m ally d azzlin g. Aft er t h ese ligh t s sh ot in t h e sk y, t h ey
t u r n ed in t o p ar ab olas an d flew t ow ar d s Sh r ek ’s t eam .
An u n exp ect ed sit u at ion occu r r ed a t t h is p oin t . A sly look d r ift ed acr oss Xu
San sh i’s eyes, alt h ou gh h e h ad ap p ear ed fr an t ic ea r lier . Follow in g t h at , h is b od y
d isap p ear ed , an d h e w as r ep laced b y som eon e else.
T h e p er son w h o w as sw it ch ed over w as n on e ot h er t h an t h e p r ep ar at or y t eam

lead er of t h e Su n M o on Sou l Acad em y’s t eam , Xiao H on gch en .
T h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t su cceed ed ju st lik e t h at .
If on e w er e t o look car efu lly, t h ey w ou ld see t h at t h e b lack lin e u n leash ed b y

Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t h ad m ad e a st r an ge t u r n as it
w as b lock ed b y M ich ael’s sh ield . It h a d t u r n ed in fr on t of M ich ael an d st r u ck
Xiao H on gch en .
T h is ch an ge w as t o o r ap id . No on e exp ect ed t h at Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s

Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t cou ld b e u sed lik e t h a t .
In t h e w ait in g ar ea, H u o Yu h ao low er ed h is h ead , a n d h is eyes r ep eat ed ly

sh on e w it h gold en ligh t . T h ey r egain ed t h eir n or m al look ver y q u ick ly.
T h er e w as n o w ay it cou ld b e con t r olled so p r ecisely if it w er e on ly b y Xu

San sh i’s M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t . H ow ever , h is M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t b ecam e d iffer en t w it h t h e gu id an ce of H u o Yu h ao’s
All of t h is w as w it h in W an g Yan ’s p lan . M a Xiaot ao’s Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er

h ad st r u ck t h e b ar r ier s ar ou n d t h e com p et it ion st age, m ean in g t h at a p or t ion of
h er sou l p ow er w as w ast ed . H ow ever , w as it r eally w ast ed ?
J u st as t h e b ar r ier sh ook , H u o Yu h ao’s sp ir it u al p ow er w a s con d en sed in t o a

w ave u sin g h is p r ecise con t r ol, an d t h is w ave p en et r a t ed t h e b ar r ier . H e u sed h is
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g on Xu San sh i alon e.
H u o Yu h ao m igh t h ave fu sed w it h t h e Life Gold , b u t even st ill, h is sp ir it u a l

p ow er w ou ld b e d ep let ed aft er h e m an aged t o p en et r at e t h e b ar r ier .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e b u r d en on h is sp ir it u al p ow er w ou ld b e ver y gr eat . H ow ever ,
h is sp ir it u al sea h ad u n d er gon e a t r an sfor m at ion n ow , an d h is sp ir it u al p ow er
h ad in cr eased gr ea t ly. H is con t r ol of h is sp ir it u al p ow er h ad also b een en h an ced .
Alt h ou gh h e cou ld n ot su st ain t h is Sp ir it u al Det ect ion for h is com p at r iot s for
ver y lon g, h e cou ld st ill m an age for a sh o r t w h ile.
W an g Yan h ad exp ect ed t h eir op p on en t s t o gu ar d again st Xu San sh i’s

M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t . H ow ever , sou l sh ield s w er e n ot on e-w ay.
T h is m ean t t h at if a sou l sh ield b ecam e a b ar r ier , it w ou ld affect t h e Su n M oon
Sou l Acad em y’s offen se b ecau se of it s lar ge size. T h is w as n ot w h at t h ey w an t ed .
T h at w as w h y W an g Yan b elieved t h at it w as u n lik ely t h a t t h ey w ou ld b e ab le t o
b lock t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t . Xu San sh i’s M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t w as ver y cr it ical in t h is t eam r ou n d . Sin ce t h ey w er e
in fer ior over all, t h ey h ad t o gr ab h old of ever y op p or t u n it y. Alt h ou gh H u o
Yu h ao w as n ot p r esen t , h is aid offst age w as even m or e im p or t an t t h an t h e
d ir ect h elp h e cou ld give on st age.
T h er e w as n o r oom for Xiao H on gch en t o d od ge. As h e w as sw it ch ed over , t h e

gold en -r ed r ad ian ce h ad alr ea d y r each ed h im . It cam e at t h e sp eed of ligh t , an d
t h u s h e w as u n ab le t o u n leash h is sou l t ools even if h e w an t ed t o. Neit h er h im
n or M en g H on gch en h ad m ad e a m ove in t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s
p r eviou s at t ack . H e w as p lain u n lu ck y n ow !
Befor e h e cou ld ev en t u r n gloom y, t h e fr igh t en in g r ad ia n ce h ad alr ea d y
st r u ck h is ch est . Bu t at t h is in st an t , a layer of even m or e in t en se gold en ligh t
w as su d d en ly em it t ed fr om Xiao H on gch en ’s b od y.
T h is layer of gold en ligh t h ad t o b e act ivat ed . T h e gold en -r ed r ad ian ce’s

p en et r at ive ab ilit y w as ver y st r on g, b u t it w as st op p ed b y t h is gold en ligh t . Xiao
H on gch en gr oan ed an d st ep p ed b ack . H e look ed p ale. T h e gold en ligh t fr om h is
b od y h ad p r ot ect ed h is en t ir e b od y ju st lik e t h e In vin cib le Ba r r ier . H ow ever , it
w as b r igh t er t h an w h at Sh r ek ’s t eam h a d ever seen b efor e. It w as m u ch m or e
eye-b lin d in g.
At t h is p oin t , t h e p u r p lish -b lu e r ad ian ce fr om t h e sk y h ad alr ead y d escen d ed .

On Sh r ek ’s sid e, a h u ge sh ield of ice h a d ap p ear ed m id -air . Not on ly t h a t , b u t
cou n t less st r eak s of ligh t w er e sh in in g t ow ar d s t h e p u r p lish -b lu e r ad ian ce. A
ser ies of d azzlin g fir ew or k s seem ed t o h a ve b een r eleased . Lin g Lu och en an d H e
Cait ou m ad e t h eir m oves n ow .
H ow ever , t h at p u r p lish -b lu e r ad ia n ce w as m u ch m or e d ifficu lt t o d eal w it h

t h an t h ey h a d exp ect ed . Aft er b ein g st r u ck b y H e Cait ou ’s r ays, t h e p u r p lish -
b lu e r ad ian ce st op p ed in m id -air . Follow in g t h at , st r eak s an d st r eak s of ligh t
sp r ead r ap id ly an d b ecam e lik e a cage t h a t m oved d ow n w ar d s.
Sin ce Xiao H on gch en w as sw it ch ed over t h er e, Xu San sh i w as also sw it ch ed t o

t h e ot h er sid e. Im m ed iat ely aft er h e w as sw it ch ed over , h e u n leash ed t h e
M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e t h a t w as en h a n ced b y t h e M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld For ce w it h ou t a n y h esit a t ion .
A b lack h alo en gu lfed t h e ot h er 5 fr om t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y an d

d elayed t h e m ar t ial sou ls t h a t t h ey h ad u n leash ed .
Xu San sh i d id it fla w lessly. Aft er h e u sed t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e,

h e d id n ot st op . H e st r aigh t en ed h is b od y an d d ash ed ou t again . T h e M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t sh on e again , an d Dai Yu eh en g h ad also m ad e a d ash
for w ar d . If t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t su cceed ed on ce again , t h is
secon d sou l em p er or fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w ou ld b e b r ou gh t over as w ell.
Lin Xi an d M a Xiaot ao h ad b ot h lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d . T h e last secon d of t h e
In vin cib le Ba r r ier ’s 3 secon d s r em ain ed .
It w as n ot a good t h in g t o b e in close con t act w it h Sh r ek Aca d em y’s t w o sou l

em p er or s. At least it w asn ’t w h at t h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y h op ed t o see.
T h is w ou ld on ly lead t o t h eir d efeat .
H ow ever , t h e b lack lin e fr om t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t w as

d est r oyed at t h e n ext m om en t . Xu Sa n sh i an d Dai Yu eh en g d id n ’t m an age t o
sw it ch p osit ion s. It w as t h e p u r p lish -b lu e r ad ia n ce t h a t h ad st op p ed t h e
M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t .
T h at w as a h u ge p u r p lish -b lu e b ar r ier t h at h a d t r ap p ed Sh r ek Acad em y’s

r em ain in g five m em b er s w it h in . W h en t h e b lack lin e fr om t h e M yst er iou s
Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t r each ed it , t h e p u r p lish -b lu e r a d ian ce su r r ou n d ed
an d d est r oyed it .
Xu San sh i w as a lit t le d u m b fou n d ed n ow , an d cu r sed t o h im self. H e lift ed h is

sh ield a n d st r u ck t ow ar d s M a Ru lon g, w h o w as n ot far aw ay.
T h at p u r p lish -b lu e r ad ian ce w as u n leash ed b y M a Ru lon g. It w as an ot h er

Class 7 sou l t ool t h at h e h ad d evelop ed h im self.
Xu San sh i’s ch oice of offen se w as qu it e on p oin t . M a Ru lon g h ad u n leash ed 2

Class 7 sou l t ools con secu t ively, an d also n eed ed som e t im e t o r egen er at e h is
sou l p ow er . Xu Sa n sh i’s su d d en ap p ear an ce an d su r p r ise at t ack w it h t h e
M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e h ad cau sed M a Ru lon g t o be st r u ck fr om t h e
sid e.
Bu t t h e in st a n t t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an m in g T u r t le st r u ck M a Ru lon g, a layer

of in t en se w h it e ligh t sh on e fr om h is b od y. A w h it e b r acelet on M a Ru lon g’s
r igh t h an d w as cr u sh ed , an d t h at w h it e ligh t a lso cau sed Xu San sh i t o b e
violen t ly jer k ed aw ay.
It w as t h e Rep ellin g Br acelet , a sin gle-u se Class 5 sou l t ool.

At t h is p oin t , ever yt h in g w as a m ess. T h e sp ect at or s w er e a lso u n ab le t o t ell
w h ich sid e h eld t h e a d van t age.
M a Ru lon g sh ou t ed , “Secon d p lan , figh t t h e en em y sep ar at ely.” As h e sp ok e,

h is h ead lit u p w it h an in t en se b lack ligh t . A h u ge h elm et ap p ear ed on h is h ea d .
Aft er u n leash in g h is m ar t ial sou l, h is h ead w as m u ch b igger t h an b efor e. T h is
w as t h e effect of t h e Bigh ead ed Sp ir it Ap e.
T h e Bigh ead ed Sp ir it Ap e en h an ced M a Ru lon g’s sou ls t ools w it h it s p ow er . It

also h ad t h e ad va n t age of d ou b lin g M a Ru lon g’s sp ir it u al p ow er com p ar ed t o
sou l m ast er s w it h t h e sam e cu lt iva t ion . Alt h ou gh h e w as n ot a sp ir it u al-t yp e
sou l m ast er lik e H u o Yu h ao, it w as a gr eat h elp t o h is con t r ol an d u sage of sou l
t ools.
In t h e cen t er of t h is b lack h elm et w as a cir cu la r r u b y. At t h is p oin t , t h e r u b y

sh on e w it h a w eir d r ad ian ce. Follow in g t h at , a d ar k r ed ligh t p r oject ion b u r st
ou t of it . It w en t st r a igh t in t h e d ir ect ion of Lin Xi’s In vin cib le Bar r ier .
M a Ru lon g’s r eact ion w as n ot slow , b u t h e st ill cou ld n ’t sa ve Lin Xi. T h at w as

b ecau se M a Xiaot ao w as t oo p ow er fu l.
Aft er H u o Yu h ao su p p r essed h er Evil Ph oen ix Fir e, M a Xiaot ao’s cu lt ivat ion

m an aged a b r eak t h r ou gh on ce again . Sh e r each ed Ran k 68, w h ich w as
som et h in g even sh e h er self h ad n ot exp ect ed . Sh e d id n ’t exp ect t o ach ieve su ch
r ap id p r ogr ess. Sh e w as on ly 2 r an k s aw ay fr om a seven -r in ged Sou l Sage.
W h at w as t h e con cep t b eh in d Ran k 68 sou l p ow er ? H er sou l p ow er w as m u ch

gr eat er t h an Dai Yu eh en g’s or M a Ru lon g’s, w h o w er e also sou l em p er or s. T h e
h igh er a sou l m ast er ’s cu lt ivat ion , t h e gr eat er t h e gap in sou l p ow er b et w een t h e
r an k s. In t er m s of sou l p ow er , M a Ru lon g an d Dai Yu eh en g w er e st ill in fer ior t o
h er even if t h ey com b in ed t h eir p ow er .
T h e In vin cib le Ba r r ier d id b lock M a Xia ot ao’s Ph oen ix Sk yw h ist le. Bu t t h at

st r ik e w a s also u n leash ed b y M a Xiaot ao w it h h er fu ll p ow er . T h e t em p er a t u r e
w it h in t h e 2 In vin cib le Bar r ier s r each ed a fr igh t en in g level in an in st an t .
Lin Xi w as or igin a lly a lit t le ela t ed . H e t h ou gh t t h at h e h ad st op p ed t h e
st r on gest t eam m em b er fr om Sh r ek an d ear n ed en ou gh t im e for h is
com p at r iot s. H is act ion cou ld b e con sid er ed n ob le. H e w as also n o lon ger n eed ed
again st M a Xiaot ao n ext . Fu r t h er m or e, h e h ad ot h er m et h od s t o u se.
T h e In vin cib le Bar r ier b lock ed ou t t h e a t t ack an d t em p er a t u r e. H ow ever , t h e

fr igh t en in g h eat w as u n leash ed b et w een t h e 2 layer s of b ar r ier s as t h e In vin cib le
Bar r ier d isap p ear ed .
T h e Su n M oon Sou l Acad em y’s gr eat est m ist ak e w as t o u n d er est im at e t h e

Evil Ph oen ix Fir e’s t em p er at u r e a n d exp losiven ess. If t h er e w er e on ly a sin gle
In vin cib le Ba r r ier t h at b lock ed M a Xiao t ao, M a Xiaot ao cou ld st ill con t in u e t o
at t ack , an d w ou ld n ’t b e t r ap p ed for lon g. T h e m igh t of t h e Ph oen ix Sk yw h ist le
also sp r ead t o t h e ot h er s. Bu t it w as st ill ju st sp r ead in g. At t h is m om en t , even
M a Xiaot ao cou ld n ’t con t r ol t h e h ea t con t ain ed w it h in t h e st r ik e t h at sh ot ou t .
“Ch i—"
T h e sm ile t h at w as p r eviou sly on Lin Xi’s face d isap p ear ed in t h e n ext in st an t .

It h ad d isap p ear ed com p let ely. Even t h e air seem ed t o b e left w it h som e of t h e
sm u g sm ile h e h ad h ad ear lier .
M a Xiaot ao w as also in a d aze. At t h e m om en t w h en t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier

d isap p ear ed , sh e felt a w ave of h eat t h a t su d d en ly sp r ea d . Lin Xi d isap p ear ed
aft er t h at . At t h is p oin t , t h e d ar k r ed ligh t p r oject ion t h at M a Ru lon g h ad
u n leash ed w as for ced b ack as it collid ed w it h t h e w ave of h eat an d r evealed it s
for m .
It w as an ap e t h at w as n ot m or e t h an 1.5 m et er s t all. It s ar m s w er e ver y lon g

as t h ey r each ed t h e gr ou n d . It s d ar k -r ed fu r gave off a sm oot h an d clear feelin g,
b u t it s eyes w er e gold en , an d flash ed w it h a w eir d gold en r ad ian ce. Aft er b ein g
for ced b ack b y t h e w ave of h eat , it ju m p ed r ap id ly on t h e sp ot . It w as gr oan in g
in p ain , as if it h ad b een b u r n t .
“Lin Xi—!"
T h e Su n M oon t eam on ly r eact ed at t h is p oin t , an d t h ey scr eam ed in h or r or .
T h ey h ad n ’t exp ect ed on e of t h em t o b e k illed w it h in su ch a sh or t t im e. H is life
d isap p ear ed ju st lik e t h at . Even t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o w as u n ab le t o save h im
in t im e. It h ad h ap p en ed t oo qu ick ly, an d n o on e h ad exp ect ed M a Xiaot ao t o
gen er at e su ch a fr igh t en in g am ou n t of h eat w it h t h is u lt im a t e b low of h er s. Not
on ly d id it m elt t h e sou l t ool t h at p r ot ect ed Lin Xi, b u t it also t u r n ed h is b od y
in t o air .
M a Xiaot ao’s b r ow s r ose aft er a m om en t ar y d aze. Aft er all, t h is w as ju st a

com p et it ion , an d k illin g som eon e w asn ’t h er in t en t ion . Sh e w as also h elp less
again st su ch a sit u at ion t h at w as eit h er a calam it y or an accid en t .
“Bast ar d .” A figu r e d ash ed ou t fr om t h e Su n M oon t eam . It w as Ch en Fei, an

agilit y-t yp e sou l m a st er . H is m ar t ia l sou l w as t h e Ligh t n in g Bir d .
Chapt er 117.1: Xiao Hongchen's Thr ee-Legged
Golden Toad
Ch en Fei m oved w it h ligh t n in g sp eed as a b all of b r igh t gold en ligh t b last ed

t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao w it h u n d en iab le accu r acy. H is m ovem en t s w er e b lin d in gly
q u ick , an d h e even left an aft er im age in h is w ak e.
M a Xiaot ao gr u n t ed cold ly. Sh e w asn ’t t h e k in d t h at lik ed t o k ill p eop le, b u t

w ou ld n ’t h esit at e if it w as r eq u ir ed . Red ligh t flash ed in h er eyes, an d a Ph oen ix
Fir elin e p ou r ed ou t an d clash ed w it h t h e sp h er e of gold en ligh t r ock et in g
t h r ou gh t h e air .
W h at w as st r an ge w as t h at t h er e w asn ’t an y violen t exp losion or an yt h in g

lik e t h at . T h e ligh t cir cle exp an d ed in st an t ly aft er b ein g t r igger ed , an d
t r an sfor m ed in t o an en or m ou s gold en n et t h at b or e d ow n on M a Xiaot ao.
Sh e h ad alr ea d y su ffer ed a loss u n d er t r a p -t yp e sou l t ools su ch as t h is, an d sh e

h ad b een on gu ar d t h is w h ole t im e. Sh e w at ch ed t h e va r iou s r ed -eyed m em b er s
of t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s cam p as sh e t ap p ed on t h e floor w it h t h e t ip s of h er
feet an d im m ed iat ely flew b ack w ar d s. T w o st r eak s of r ed ligh t sp u r t ed ou t fr om
b en eat h h er as sh e su r ged in t o t h e d ist an ce. H ow ever , sh e w asn ’t r et r eat in g
w it h ou t a p lan in m in d , an d sh e flew t ow ar d s t h e p osit ion w h er e Xu San sh i h ad
ju st b een sen t flyin g.
T h eir b at t le con t in u ed t o r age. On t h e ot h er sid e, Xiao H on gch en faced t h e

Sh r ek t eam ’s siege as w ell.
Xiao H on gch en h ad r elied on h is au t o-act ivat ed a d van ced in vin cib le b ar r ier t o
b lock M a Ru lon g’s st r ik e w it h in t h e ligh t n in g cage, b u t t h e p r ot ect ive b ar r ier
t h at flick er ed w it h gold en ligh t h ad b een gr eat ly w eak en ed .
T h e p r ot ect ive layer of gold en ligh t on h is b od y w as called t h e Im p r egn ab le
W all, an d it w as a Class 6 sou l t ool. T h is sou l t ool h ad t o b e act ivat ed b y a sou l
m ast er ’s ow n sou l p ow er , or m ain t ain ed t h r ou gh a con t in u a l in ject ion of sou l
p ow er .
T h e r eason s w h y in vin cib le b ar r ier s w er e so p r ecio u s w as b ecau se t h eir

d efen sive cap ab ilit ies w er e su fficien t ly p ow er fu l, an d also b ecau se t h ey cou ld b e
act ivat ed w it h a fixed am ou n t of sou l p ow er . Aft er w ar d s, t h e sp ecia l jew el
con t ain ed w it h in t h e sou l t ool w ou ld p r ovid e en ou gh en er gy t o m ain t ain t h e
p r ot ect ive b ar r ier for t h r ee secon d s, an d it w ou ld h ave t h e d efen sive p ow er of
an eigh t -r in ged sou l d ou lu o. T h e on ly p r ob lem w as t h at it w a s a d isp osab le it em ,
an d t h u s w as a lit t le w ast efu l an d ext r ava gan t b y n at u r e.
H ow ever , t h e Im p r egn ab le W all on Xiao H on gch en ’s b ody w as far m or e

ad van ced . It s d efen sive p ow er s w er e sligh t ly in fer ior t o in vin cib le b ar r ier s, b u t
it w as ju st en ou gh t o fen d off at t ack s fr om Class 7 sou l t ools. Fu r t h er m or e, it
w asn ’t a d isp osab le it em . T h is sou l t ool h ad t w o salien t feat u r es: it cou ld b e u sed
r ep eat ed ly, an d it cou ld au t om at ically act ivat e it self. T h at m ean t t h at if Xiao
H on gch en cam e u n d er at t ack an d w asn ’t ab le t o r eact , t h e Im p r egn ab le W all
w ou ld d ep loy it s m ech an ism s au t om at ically, w h ich m ad e it a lot m or e u sefu l
t h an t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier .
Of cou r se, t h er e w er e p r os an d con s t o ever yt h in g – t h e p r ob lem w as t h at t h e

Im p r egn ab le W all a b sor b ed Xiao H on gch en ’s sou l p ow er a u t om at ically aft er
act ivat in g it self in or d er t o p r ovid e p r ot ect ion .
M a Ru lon g’s gold en Class 7 sou l t ool w as on ly a sin gle at t ack , b u t it p ossessed
for m id ab le d est r u ct ive p ow er s. T h e Im p r egn ab le W all d id b lock t h e st r ik e, b u t ,
as h e w as a Sou l Kin g, Xiao H on gch en ’s sou l p ow er w as im m ed iat ely con su m ed
b y m or e t h an fift y p er cen t , w h ich cau sed h is exp r ession t o ch an ge t o on e of
im m en se fear .
Fu r t h er m or e, as lon g as t h a t cage ca lled t h e Net of Ligh t n in g w as ar ou n d , t h e

m em b er s of Sh r ek ’s t eam w er e n ot t h e on ly on es cau gh t in sid e – h e w as t r ap p ed
w it h in a s w ell.
T h is p r ou d you n g m an d isp layed a b at t le p r ow ess w or t h y of h is h igh an d
r esp ect ed st at u s w it h in t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s t eam at t h is cr it ica l m om en t .
T h e Im p r egn ab le W all’s ap p ear an ce w as t oo sim ilar t o t h e In vin cib le Ba r r ier ,

t h u s Sh r ek ’s t eam d id n ’t con t in u e t h eir assau lt at t h e fir st p ossib le m om en t .
In st ead , t h ey w ait ed for t h e “In vin cib le Bar r ier ’s” t im e t o n at u r ally r u n ou t .
Xiao H on gch en t ook ad van t age of t h is gr ace p er iod an d u n leash ed h is ow n

m ar t ial sou l.
A flash of gold en ligh t flick er ed , an d a leg gr ew ou t fr om h is b u t t ock s b eh in d

h im . T h is leg w a s com p let ely gold en , an d a layer of b lin d in g gold b lan k et ed h is
en t ir e b od y.
T h e t h r ee-legged Xiao H on gch en cr ou ch ed a lit t le, an d t h r ee of h is t w o

yellow , t w o p u r p le an d on e b lack sou l r in gs r ad iat ed . H e ar ch ed h is b ack fain t ly,
an d lit t le h u m p s p r o t r u d ed fr om h is clot h es, each on e exu d in g a b r igh t gold en
h u e. H is fir st an d t h ir d sou l r in gs lit u p at t h e sam e t im e b efor e h e w aved b ot h
of h is h an d s an d h u r led ou t sever al h u n d r ed m et al b alls.
T h ese m et al b alls in st an t ly h over ed in m id air an d en cir cled h is en t ir e b od y.
A st r an ge scen e t h en occu r r ed ; r ow aft er r ow of m et al can n on b ar r els gr ew

ou t ju st lik e t h at , w it h t h e m et al b alls as t h e cor e.
It w asn ’t w r on g t o d escr ib e t h em as t h in gs t h at sim p ly ju st gr ew ou t . T h ose

m et al can n on s ju st cam e in t o exist en ce, a n d Xiao H on gch en w asn ’t t h e on e t h a t
r eleased t h em . H is w h ole b od y b ecam e lik e a gian t p or cu p in e in ju st a m om en t .
“Oh … Sh it …” Bei Bei w as n ever on e t o cu r se an d sw ea r , b u t h e cou ld n ’t h elp

b u t sp eak w h at w as on t h e Sh r ek t eam ’s m in d s.
H e Cait ou w as m ost fam iliar w it h sou l t o ols. H e t h ou gh t t o h im self, “Can h e

r ely on h is ow n sou l p ow er t o fir e so m an y m et al can n on s?”
It w asn ’t ju st t h e n u m b er of sou l can n on s t h at w er e ou t t h er e. T h e m ost
im p or t an t t h in g w a s t h a t h is p er son a l m ast er y m u st b e ab le t o h a n d le t h a t
n u m b er of sou l can n on s. Ot h er w ise, t h ey w ou ld n ’t b e fu n ct ion al, an d w ou ld b e
for d isp lay.
Xiao H on gch en sh ow ed ever yon e w h et h er h is sou l can n on s w er e sim p ly

d ecor at ive or n ot .
H is secon d an d fou r t h sou l r in gs r ep laced h is fir st an d t h ir d sou l r in gs. On e

cou ld see w it h cla r it y t h at u n cou n t ab le n u m b er s of gold en sp eck s of ligh t
ap p ear ed in t h e sk y an d su r ged t ow ar d s Xiao H on gch en w it h u n st op p ab le for ce.
Ever y ligh t sp eck r eleased a cir cle of p ale-gold en ligh t as t h ey cam e close t o h is
b od y, as if t h ey w er e b u r n in g u p , an d t h e p oign an t sm ell of m et al im m ed iat ely
p er m eat ed t h e w h ole ar ea.
T h e r ow s of m et al can n on s b egan t o bu r st w it h b lin d in g b r illian ce as t h e

sp eck s of gold en ligh t fu sed in t o t h em , an d t h is fear som e a u r a cast a h aze of
t er r or over t h e Sh r ek t eam .
T h er e w er e a t ot al of on e h u n d r ed a n d t w en t y-eigh t sou l can n on s t h at

ap p ear ed on Xiao H on gch en ’s b od y, an d ever y sin gle on e w as a Class 5 sou l t ool.
T h e son or ou s sou l can n on s act u a lly t u r n ed t ow ar d s t h eir t ar get s au t om at ically,
an d ever y sin gle on e w as p oin t ed at t h e Sh r ek t eam m em b er s. Even t h e sou l
can n on s b eh in d Xiao H on gch en ’s b ack cu r ved for w ar d , an d t h is w asn ’t
som et h in g t h a t cou ld b e exp lain ed w it h t h e h an d lin g of sou l t ools.
T h e n ext m om en t , a t er r ifyin g h u r r ican e of sou l p ow er exp lod ed t h e m om en t

t h e Im p r egn ab le W a ll w as w it h d r aw n .
T h e Sh r ek t eam m em b er s n at u r a lly d id n ’t ju st st an d a r ou n d t o w at ch . Dai

Yu eh en g st ood in fr on t of ever yon e t h e m om en t Xiao H on gch en er u p t ed an d
u sed t h e W h it e T iger ’s Sh ield , t h e W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion an d t h e
W h it e T iger ’s Devilgod T r an sfor m at ion at t h e sam e t im e. All t h r ee w er e
p ow er fu l am p lifyin g sou l sk ills, an d b oost ed h is d efen sive p ow er s t o t h e h igh est
p ossib le level. H e w as t h e vice-cap t ain , an d also a Sou l Em p er or – an d h e w as
u n d er t h e au d ien ce’s w at ch fu l eye an d h is ow n fat h er ’s scr u t in y. T h er e w as n o
w ay h e w as goin g t o b ack off.
A sear in g b all of w h it e ligh t su d d en ly flew ou t fr om b esid e Dai Yu eh en g. H e

Cait ou h ad st ar t ed ch an n elin g p ow er in sid e t h e su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l
can n on fr om t h e st ar t of t h e b at t le, an d r eleased h is ow n at t ack at t h is m om en t .
H ow ever , h e w as also a sou l en gin eer , an d h e w as b ein g su p p r essed far t oo

m u ch . H is su p er en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on p ossessed p ow er gr eat er t h an
n or m al Class 5 sou l t ools, b u t faced w it h Xiao H on gch en ’s on e h u n d r ed an d
t w en t y-eigh t sou l can n on s’ u n ified assau lt , h is su p er en er gy-gat h er in g so u l
can n on w as in st an t ly d isp elled b y t h at fr igh t en in g b la n k et of ligh t . H e on ly
m an aged t o ob st r u ct it m om en t ar ily as t h e p et r ifyin g layer of ligh t b or e d ow n
u p on t h em on ce m or e.
Lin g Lu och en d id all sh e cou ld as w ell. Sh e u sed h er Icy St aff t o r elease w all
aft er w all of ice an d lau n ch ed an Iceb r illian t H alo at Xiao H on gch en at t h e sam e
t im e.
H ow ever , t h ose ice w alls w er e sim p ly u n ab le t o r esist t h e coor d in at ed assau lt

fr om Xiao H on gch en ’s Class 5 sou l t ools, an d ever y sin gle layer w as sh at t er ed in
an in st an t .
Dai Yu eh en g’s face gr ew solem n an d ser iou s. H is b u d d ies w er e r igh t b eh in d

h im , an d h e cou ld n ’t d od ge t h is at t ack n o m at t er h ow m u ch h e w an t ed t o. H e
t ook a d eep b r ea t h , an d vigor ou s st r eak s of w h it e ligh t flick er ed w h ile h e r aised
h is Sou l Em p er or -level sou l p ow er t o t h e h igh est p ossib le level; h e n eed ed t o
w it h st an d t h is st r ik e n o m at t er w h at .
Befor e Xiao H on gch en w as sw ap p ed over w it h t h e M yst er iou s Net h er w or ld

Disp lacem en t , w h o w ou ld h ave t h ou gh t t h at t h is Sou l Kin g w as act u ally t h is
p ow er fu l? H e w as a b le t o act iva t e so m an y Class 5 so u l t ools at t h e sam e t im e,
an d t h is w as clear ly b eyon d a Sou l Kin g’s lim it s. Even Class 6 sou l m ast er s
w ou ld h a ve p r ob ab ly failed at t h is en d eavor ! M a Ru lon g h ad n ever con t r olled so
m an y sou l can n on s a t t h e sam e t im e.
A sm ile b r ok e ou t acr oss Xiao H on gch en ’s face. T h is w as t h e fir st t im e h e h a d
p u t h is m axim u m p ow er on fu ll d isp lay, even t h ou gh t h is st r ik e w as a p ow er fu l
as it cou ld get . H ow ever , h e h ad ab solu t e con fid en ce t h a t Dai Yu eh en g w ou ld n ’t
b e ab le t o w it h st a n d h is at t ack , an d h e w ou ld b e sever ely in ju r ed even if h e d id .
H is ow n sou l p ow er w ou ld b e alm ost com p let ely exh au st ed aft er t h is st r ik e, b u t
h e w ou ld b e sat isfied if h e cou ld elim in at e a Sou l Em p er or fr om h is op p on en t s’
cam p , an d b et t er st ill if h e cou ld even w ou n d t h e ot h er s – fu r t h er m or e, h e st ill
h ad t h e st r en gt h t o r et r eat safely.
H e w as t h e r eser ve t eam lead er . Not on ly w as h e ad ep t w it h sou l t ools, b u t h is

m ar t ial sou l w asn ’t w eak lik e ot h er n or m al sou l en gin eer s. H e w as on ly fou r t een
year s old , b u t h a d m an aged t o b ecom e a Sou l Kin g via va r iou s m et h od s an d
w it h ou t u sin g t oo m an y sequ ela. T h e r eason for t h at w as b ecau se h is m a r t ia l
sou l w as p ow er fu l en ou gh . M or e im p or t an t ly, h is m ar t ial so u l cou ld b e said t o
b e t h e on e m ost su it ab le for sou l en gin eer s in t h e en t ir e w or ld , yet w as
su fficien t ly p ow er fu l b y it self.
T h is w as Xiao H on gch en ’s m ar t ia l sou l: t h e T h r ee-legged Gold en T oad . T h is

r ar e b east sou l p ossessed a sp ecial ab ilit y: it cou ld m an ip u la t e m et al.
H e cou ld con t r ol an y t yp e of m et al. H e cou ld even ab sor b t h e en er gy fr om

cer t ain exot ic m et als t o su p p or t an d en h an ce h is p er son al cu lt ivat ion .
Ot h er w ise, h ow cou ld h e b ecom e a Sou l Kin g at su ch a you n g age? If t h e Su n
M oon Em p ir e lack ed an yt h in g, it w ou ld n ’t b e m et al.
Befor e t h is, ou t of t h e fou r sou l sk ills t h at h e h ad ju st u sed , t h e fir st an d t h ir d

sou l sk ill t h at h e h a d r eleased at t h e sa m e t im e w er e called M et al M a n ip u la t ion
an d Gold en Coagu la t ion . T h e m et a l b alls t h at h e h ad t h r ow n ou t w er e t h e sou l
can n on s’ for m at ion ar r ays, w h ile t h e can n on b ar r els w er e for m ed en t ir ely fr om
h is ab ilit y t o con t r ol m et al on t h e sp ot . H e alw ays car r ied vo lu m in ou s am ou n t s
of m et al p ow d er on h is b od y, an d t h e m et al p ow d er cou ld solid ify in t o an y for m
u n d er h is m an ip u lat ion .
T h e secon d an d fou r t h sou l sk ills aft er t h at w er e called Gold en Su r ge an d

Gold en Sacr ifice.
Gold en Su r ge w as u sed t o gr eat ly b oost h is T h r ee-Legged Gold en T oad ’s m et al
sou l p ow er act ivit y, an d exp on en t ially in cr ease h is ab ilit y t o con t r ol m et al for a
sh or t p er iod of t im e, w h ile ab sor b in g t h e m et al elem en t s con t ain ed in t h e air in
vast am ou n t s for h is ow n u se at t h e sam e t im e.
Golden Toad
T h e Gold en Sacr ifice filled t h e m et al elem en t s t h at h a d com e t oget h er w it h

fir e t o p r od u ce for m id ab le p ow er . Usin g t h ese t w o sou l sk ills at t h e sam e t im e
gave h im t h e en er gy t o fir e so m an y sou l can n on s at t h e sam e t im e. T h e t oll on
h is sou l p ow er w as on ly p r esen t on t h e sou l sk ill, an d t h e en er gy u sed t o su p p or t
t h e sou l can n on s all cam e fr om t h e m et al elem en t s.
H e w as k n ow n as t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s n u m b er -on e p r od igy sin ce t h e

b egin n in g of it s h ist or y for h is im p r essive ab ilit y t o con t r ol m et al. H is over all
b at t le p r ow ess w asn ’t in fer ior t o M a Ru lon g b y m u ch . If h is level of m ast er y
cau gh t u p w it h M a Ru lon g, h is ab ilit ies w ou ld ir r evocab ly over t ak e h is t eam
lead er ’s.
H ow ever , a p er son t h at n ob od y exp ect ed su d d en ly st ep p ed in fr on t of Dai

Yu eh en g ju st as Xiao H on gch en t h ou gh t h e h ad it .
H er figu r e w as t all an d slim , b u t ap p ear ed you n g an d im m at u r e. Yet , t h er e

w as a t in ge of u n w aver in g d et er m in a t ion on h er p r et t y face. T h ick an d vigor ou s
gold en ligh t r ose fr om h er b od y an d for m ed a ligh t b ar r ier t h at p r ot ect ed h er
in sid e.
W h o w as sh e? W h en Xiao H on gch en clear ly saw t h e you n g gir l t h at w as far

m or e good -look in g t h an h is you n ger sist er , M en g H on gch en , h is act ion s b ecam e
a lit t le slu ggish , as h e cou ld n ’t b ear t o h u r t h er .
H ow ever , h is assau lt h ad a lr ead y b een fu lly u n leash ed ; w it h d r aw in g it n ow

w as im p ossib le even if h e w an t ed t o.
W h o w as sh e? Sh e w as t h e n u m b er -on e b eau t y in Sh r ek Acad em y’s ou t er
cou r t yar d , an d cou ld b e said t o b e t h e on e w it h t h e least salien t feat u r es in t h is
com p et it ion fr om Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam —J ian g Nan n an .
J u st as t h at t er r ifyin g st r ik e w as ab ou t t o lan d , J ian g Nan n an w en t b eyon d

ever yon e’s exp ect at ion s an d st ep p ed in fr on t of Dai Yu eh en g. In t h e n ext
m om en t , h er figu r e w as sw allow ed b y t h e sou l can n on s t h at loom ed over
ever yon e.
“No, Nan n an …” Xu San sh i look ed on fr om far aw ay. H is p u p ils w id en ed in an

in st an t as t h e b lood in h is face r eced ed , an d a p et r ifyin g au r a w as im m ed iat ely
u n leash ed fr om w it h in h is b od y. H is St r en gt h of t h e Xu an w u w as fin ally
t r igger ed on ce m or e in t h e m om en t J ian g Nan n an p laced h er self in d an ger .
M a Xiaot ao w as st an d in g b esid e h im . At t h is ver y m om en t , sh e r aised h er

h an d w it h ou t w ar n in g an d ch op p ed d ow n on h is n eck .
Xu San sh i’s St r en gt h of t h e Xu an w u h ad yet t o er u p t w h en h e w as k n ock ed

u n con sciou s. M a Xiaot ao r aised h er leg an d k ick ed h im off t h e com p et it ion
st age.
W an g Yan st ood u p ab r u p t ly b elow t h e st age w h en h e saw M a Xiaot ao’s

act ion s, an d h is eyes sp ar k led as h e m u t t er ed u n d er h is b r eat h , “Sh e’s fin ally a
qu alified t eam lead er .”
J u st as M a Xiaot ao k ick ed Xu San sh i off t h e st age, M a Ru lon g’s d ar k r ed

m on k ey h ad ar r ived b efor e h er . T h e m on k ey cooed in fr on t of h er , an d it s
or igin ally scr aw n y a n d t in y fr am e su d d en ly exp lod ed in size – it h ad b ecom e an
en or m ou s ap e t h a t w as over fou r m et er s lon g in t h e b lin k of an eye. It r aised it s
gian t fist s an d h am m er ed t h em d ow n on M a Xiaot ao’s h ead as t h e d ar k r ed fu r
all over it s b od y st ood on en d , r esem b lin g a layer of ir on n eed les.
T h is w asn ’t a sk ill. It w as a r eal sou l b east , an d it s cu lt ivat ion w as d efin it ely

over t en t h ou san d year s ju d gin g b y it s a u r a. W h o w ou ld h ave t h ou gh t t h at M a
Ru lon g cou ld r elease a sou l b east t o figh t for h im d u r in g t h e com p et it ion ?
T h e m on k ey w asn ’t t h e on ly on e on t h e offen sive. T h ir t y-six ligh t n in g b alls
h ad alr ead y cau gh t u p t o M a Xiaot ao w h en sh e r et r eat ed b efor e t h is, an d it cam e
fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s M ich ael.
All t h e ligh t n in g b alls t r an sfor m ed in t o a lar ge n et t h at d id n ’t h ave a sin gle

loop h ole as it b or e d ow n on h er .
Ch en Fei, t h e Ligh t n in g Bir d Sou l Kin g, p ou n ced for w ar d b esid e t h e

en or m ou s d ar k r ed d em on ic ap e as h e r ep eat ed ly fir ed sp h er es of gold en ligh t
fr om h is h an d s m u ch lik e b efor e. T h ese sp h er es of gold en ligh t follow ed closely
b eh in d t h e ligh t n in g b alls an d sealed o ff ever y p ossib le sp ot t h at M a Xiaot ao
cou ld d od ge t ow ar d s.
Yet , t h is w asn ’t t h e gr eat est t h r eat t h at M a Xiaot ao faced . T h e gr eat est a n d

m ost con sp icu ou s t h r eat sh e w as facin g r igh t n ow w as st ill M a Ru lon g, t h e Su n
M oon Em p ir e’s t eam lead er .
T h e gold en can n on w as on h is sh ou ld er on ce m or e. M a Ru lon g’s em ot ion s

ap p ear ed en t ir ely u n affect ed b y t h e d eat h of h is com r ad e, an d h is h an d s w er e
st ill as st ab le as ever as h e gazed at M a Xiaot ao w it h cold a n d sp ar k lin g eyes.
Even if h e w as on ly lock ed on t o h er , it w ou ld con su m e at least h alf of M a
Xiaot ao’s con cen t r at ion .
T h e on ly p er son t h a t d id n ’t m ak e a m ove fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s cam p

w as M en g H on gch en . Sh e st ood b eh in d M a Ru lon g as if sh e d id n ’t exist at all.
Xiao Xiafen g r u sh ed t o M a Ru lon g’s sid e an d st u ffed a b all of som et h in g r ou n d ,
w h it e an d soft in t o M a Ru lon g’s m ou t h w h ile t h e lat t er b egan ch ew in g w it h ou t
h esit at ion .
A st eam ed b u n … Xiao Xiafen g w as act u ally a food -t yp e sou l m ast er . T h er e

w as n o q u est ion t h a t t h e st eam ed b u n h e h ad st u ffed in t o M a Ru lon g’s m ou t h
ser ved t o am p lify h is sou l p ow er .
H e r oot ed h im self t o t h e gr ou n d t h e m om en t h e fin ish ed sh ovin g t h e st eam ed

b u n in t o M a Ru lon g’s m ou t h . T h er e w as a st eam ed b u n in h is m ou t h as w ell,
w h ile a cacop h on y of m et al clan gin g sou n d s r an g ou t fr om h is b od y. Eigh t y-on e
can n on b ar r els ap p ear ed on e aft er an ot h er , an d a cir cu lar p ed est al sw ivelled
b en eat h h im as h e t u r n ed t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao an d lock ed on t o h is t ar get . T h is
w as t h e Sou l T ool For t r ess b at t le t act ic.
Sou l p ow er w as a lr ead y st ar t in g t o con d en se in t h e b lack ca n n on s’ op en in gs.

Xiao Xiafen g w as a food -t yp e sou l m ast er , an d h e w a s ab le t o m ain t ain t h e Sou l
T ool For t r ess b at t le t act ic for a lon ger p er iod of t im e t h an n o r m al sou l m a st er s
b ecau se of t h at .
M a Xiaot ao h ad alr ead y b een in a cor n er w h en sh e h ad m oved t o a sp ot b esid e

Xu San sh i. At t h is m om en t , sh e w as u n d er p r essu r e fr om fou r p eop le an d a sou l
b east , an d sh e h a d n o h op e of evad in g t h is on slau gh t . H er op p on en t s’ st r a t egy
w as ob viou s – t h ey w an t ed t o n egat e Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam lead er ’s st r en gt h at
on ce b efor e t h ey t ar get ed an yon e else.
J u st as M a Xiaot ao w as en t er in g a p er ilou s sit u at ion , t h e cir cu m st an ces on t h e

ot h er sid e also b egan t o ch an ge d r ast ically.
Xiao H on gch en ’s face w as fu ll of p r ou d sm iles w h en all h is sou l can n on s h it

t h eir t a r get s. Xu San sh i h ad sw ap p ed h im over w it h t h e M yst er iou s
Net h er w or ld Disp lacem en t , b u t h ad given h im a sh ot at fam e an d glor y in st ead
of h elp in g h is t eam . H e even h ad t h e t h ou gh t t h a t h e’d b ecom e h is ow n
acad em y’s h er o if h e cou ld w ip e ou t Sh r ek Acad em y’s r em ain in g five m em b er s
w it h h is ep ic st r ik e; h e w ou ld even b ecom e a n at ion al h er o! It w as ju st t oo b ad
for t h at lit t le b eau t y.
H ow ever , t h e sm ile on h is face w as q u ick ly r ep laced w it h a h a ze of t er r or . T h e

r eason w as b ecau se a sp h er e of gold en ligh t b u r st for t h as if it w er e r id in g t h e
w aves aft er it b lock ed h is on e h u n d r ed an d t w en t y-eigh t sou l can n on s, an d
ar r ived r igh t b efor e h is eyes. Su b seq u en t ly, h e felt as if t h e sou l can n on s on h is
b od y h ad gr ow n t en t im es h eavier , as if t h ey w er e goin g t o d r ag h is en t ir e b od y
in t o h ell. H e w as afr aid t h at t h is t er r ifyin g w eigh t w ou ld t ear op en h is ow n
p h ysical b od y.
Even t h ou gh h e h ad t h e ab ilit y t o con t r ol m et al, h is b od y w as u lt im a t ely t h e
on e h old in g ever yt h in g u p , a n d t h at w as flesh ! H e alm ost in st an t an eou sly
sever ed h is con n ect ion s w it h h is sou l ca n n on s, an d let t h e d ozen s an d d ozen s of
sou l can n on s fall t o t h e gr ou n d . T h e gold en sh ad ow d ash ed n ext t o h im in a
flash an d k ick ed h im in t h e ch est .
T h e gold en lu st er r eced ed . Xiao H on gch en cou ld clear ly see t h e p er son t h a t

h ad ju st k ick ed h im in t h e ch est . W asn ’t it t h e ch ar m er w it h u n r ivaled b eau t y
t h at h e’d ju st felt b ad for h u r t in g?
W hat , w hat ’ s t h i s? Xi ao H on gch en ’ s eyes w i den ed as h e coul dn ’ t bel i eve t h at

such a t en der -l ook i n g youn g gi r l w i t h on l y f our soul r i n gs coul d f or ci bl y st op h i s
on e h un dr ed an d t w en t y-ei gh t soul can n on s. H e w an t ed t o excl ai m , I s t hi s
r eal i t y?
Ji an g Nan n an ’ s k i ck w as qui t e h eavy, an d k n ock ed h i m over as h e st um bl ed

back w ar ds. Xi ao H on gch en ’ s soul pow er h ad been h eavi l y expen ded at t h i s
poi n t , an d h i s body w ei gh t h ad seem i n gl y i n cr eased expon en t i al l y, w h i ch m ean t
h e di dn ’ t even h ave t h e m ean s t o dodge t h i s at t ack .
Ji an g Nan n an l eapt up t h e m om en t h er k i ck l an ded on h er t ar get bef or e sh e

t r apped h i s n eck i n bet w een h er l egs. Bef or e Xi ao H on gch en coul d st r uggl e or
r et al i at e, h e f el t h i s body w ei gh t decr ease by m ul t i pl e t i m es f r om t h e pr evi ous
den si t y, an d a f or ce t r avel ed f r om h i s n eck as h e w as t ossed aw ay as i f h e w er e
bei n g t h r ow n i n t o t h e cl ouds.
Subsequen t l y, h e saw a sh ar p edge f l i ck er i n g w i t h gol den l i gh t – i t bel on ged t o

Dai Yueh en g, t h e W h i t e T i ger Soul Em per or . T h e sh ar p edge w as h i s
sh i m m er i n g gol den t i ger cl aw .
Xi ao H on gch en w an t ed t o cur se an d sw ear . H e w an t ed t o cur se at Sh r ek

Academ y’ s m em ber s. W h y w er e t h ey so per ver t ed? W er e t h ey st i l l peopl e?
W h at h e di dn ’ t see w as t h at Ji an g Nan n an vom i t ed bl ood an d col l apsed t h e
m om en t sh e t ossed h i m aw ay.
J ian g Nan n an d id n ’t h ave m an y flash p oin t s d u r in g t h is season ’s
com p et it ion . H ow ever , d id t h at m ea n sh e w asn ’t p ow er fu l? No, sh e w as on ly
low -p r ofile b y n at u r e.
Sh e w as ch osen b y Eld er Xu an t o b ecom e on e of t h e r eser ve t eam m em b er s,

an d sh ar ed t h e sam e st at u s w it h Xu San sh i. Cou ld it b e b ecau se sh e w as p r et t y?
On e sh ou ld t ak e a look at h er fou r sou l sk ills.
J ian g Nan n an ’s fou r sou l sk ills w er e: W aist Bow , Gr avit y Con t r ol, In st an t
T elep or t at ion , an d In vin cib le Gold en Bod y.
T h e W aist Bow w a s a r elat ively n or m al sou l sk ill, b u t t h e ot h er t h r ee

r em ain in g sou l sk ills r ivaled even t h e M yst er iou s Net h er w or ld Disp lacem en t ,
an d cou ld ach ieve m ir acu lou s effect s w h en u sed ap p r op r iat ely.
W h at w as t h e In vin cib le Gold en Bod y ab ou t ? Xiao W u fr om t h e fir st

gen er at ion of Sh r ek ’s Seven M on st er s h ad u sed t h is sou l sk ill b efor e. J ian g
Nan n an ’s m ar t ia l sou l w as sim ilar t o h er s, an d even som e of h er sou l sk ills w er e
n o d iffer en t eit h er .
T h e In vin cib le Bar r ier s u sed b y sou l en gin eer s w er e cr eat ed aft er t h ey d r ew
in sp ir at ion fr om t h is r ar e an d p ow er fu l sou l sk ill, t h e In vin cib le Gold en Bod y.
T h e In vin cib le Gold en Bod y’s d efen sive cap ab ilit y w as t h e u lt im a t e for m of
ab solu t e p r ot ect ion . Nob od y w ou ld b e ab le t o b r eak t h r ou gh t h e In vin cib le
Gold en Bod y d u r in g it s execu t ion u n less t h ey p ossessed d ivin e p ow er .
J ian g Nan n an h ad u sed h er In vin cib le Gold en Bod y t o b lock Xiao H on gch en ’s
st r on gest at t ack . Sh e h ad t h en u sed In st an t T elep or t at ion a n d Gr avit y Con t r ol
t o u n lea sh m u lt ip le-p r on ged p r essu r e on Xiao H on gch en a n d fin ally u sed t h e
W aist Bow t o t oss h im ou t .
Xiao H on gch en ’s d isb elief an d b ew ild er m en t cam e fr om t h e con cor d an t

com b in at ion of t h ese fou r sou l sk ills. J ian g Nan n an vom it ed b lood an d cr ash ed
t o t h e gr ou n d as sh e gave h er all t o m ain t ain t h e In vin cib le Go ld en Bod y for ju st
a m om en t lon ger , w h ich t ook a h eavy t oll on h er b od y.
Sh e d id n ’t h ave Bei Bei or Xu San sh i’s in cr ed ib le p ot en t ial. H ow ever , sh e h ad
h er ow n r ep er t oir e of su fficien t ly p ow er fu l sou l sk ills. Sh e w a s t h e n u m b er -on e
sh or t r an ge com b at an t in Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam u n d er p ar t icu lar
cir cu m st an ces, an d it w as h er t h at gave Dai Yu eh en g an op p or t u n it y.
Golden Toad
T h e d azzlin g b lad e r ad iat ed fr igh t en in g h u es as t h e W h it e T iger Sou l Kin g’s

sixt h sou l sk ill, t h e W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in at ion , ap p ear ed in t h e b lin k of an
eye.
T h e r efer ee of t h e com p et it ion , t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o, ap p ear ed n ext t o t h e

t w o of t h em in a flash , b u t h esit at ed m om en t ar ily, as h e w asn ’t su r e w h et h er h e
sh ou ld in t er fer e. T h is w as u lt im at ely t h e fin als of t h e com p et it ion , an d h is
in t er fer en ce w ou ld ver y lik ely affect h ow t h e com p et it ion w ou ld u n fold .
H ow ever , som eon e h ad alr ead y p er ish ed , an d if som eon e else w er e t o m eet h is
or h er u n for t u n a t e d em ise, t h er e w ou ld b e a lot of p r essu r e on h im as t h e ju d ge.
T h e r esp ect ive t eam m em b er s fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e a n d Sh r ek cou ld all
b e d escr ib ed as ext r aor d in ar y p r od igies, aft er all.
Dai Yu eh en g’s st r ik e cr ash ed d ow n w a r d s w it h in t h at m om en t of h esit at ion .
H ow cou ld Dai Yu eh en g n ot b e d esp on d en t ? T h er e h ad alr ead y b een t w o

im p or t an t r ou n d s in t h e com p et it ion . It w as H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s
su d d en exp losion t h at h ad b r ok e t h e im p asse an d for cib ly t u r n ed t h e t id es. It
w as J ian g Nan n an w h o h ad ap p ear ed in fr on t of h im in a sp lit secon d in t h is
r ou n d an d b lock ed h is op p on en t ’s fat al st r ik e. Fu r t h er m or e, b ot h h is fat h er an d
t h e em p er or w er e w at ch in g fr om t h e t op of t h e cit y w all, an d t h is w as t h e fin als.
H e w as a Sou l Em p er or , an d h e let a Sou l An cest or st ep in in fr on t of h im , an d
t h is in t en se st iflin g sen sat ion t h at h e felt w as b et t er off n ot m en t ion ed . Yet , h e
also u n d er st ood t h a t h e w ou ld h ave b een sever ely in ju r ed if n ot for J ian g
Nan n an .
H e sw allow ed all of t h is, an d t h is w as t h e r eason w h y h is W h it e T iger ’s

Ext er m in at ion cou ld b e said t o b e h is b est effor t . T h e ju d ge w as t h er e an yw ay,
an d h e n ever even con sid er ed w h et h er h e m igh t en d u p m u r d er in g h is
op p on en t .
Xiao H on gch en ’s fift h sou l r in g sp ar k led as t h e t er r ifyin g sou l sk ill w as ab ou t

t o h it h im . At t h is p oin t , H e n o lon ger d ar ed t o u se h is Im p r egn ab le W all, w h ich
w as m u ch m or e p r act ical t h an t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier , as h e cou ld clear ly feel
fr om t h e p et r ifyin g au r a loom in g over h im t h at h e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o m ain t ain
t h e Im p r egn ab le W a ll t o fen d off h is op p on en t ’s assau lt even if h e em p t ied t h e
r est of h is sou l p ow er .
T h er efor e, even as a sou l en gin eer , h e st ill r esor t ed t o so u l sk ills at t h is cr u cia l

m om en t .
T h e W h it e T iger ’s claw s flash ed b y, w h ile Xiao H on gch en ’s b od y seem ed t o

in st an t ly m elt ; h e sim p ly t r an sfor m ed in t o a sp h er e of d ar k gold en liq u id , t h en
slid d ow n t o t h e gr ou n d .
T h e W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in at ion also in st an t ly lan d ed on t h is sp h er e of

liqu id .
Dai Yu eh en g’s st r ik e w as for m id ab le, an d h is m a n iacal an d d evast at in g au r a

r each ed t h e h igh est p ossib le level in an in st an t , an d t h e liqu id t h at Xiao
H on gch en h ad t r an sfor m ed in t o w as slash ed ap ar t in t o p ieces as it exp lod ed in
all d ir ect ion s lik e fin e p ow d er .
H ow ever , ju st as t h e liqu id t ou ch ed t h e gr ou n d , it sp r ea d ou t in all d ir ect ion s

w it h b ed azzlin g sp eed , an d t h e d ar k gold en liq u id m er ely look ed a lit t le sin ged
w h en it cam e ou t of t h e Pr ison of Ligh t n in g.
“Br ot h er —!”
M en g H on gch en scr eam ed in sh ock , an d sh e fin ally m ad e h er m ove aft er

h old in g h er self b ack sin ce t h e st a r t as sh e r u sh ed t ow ar d s t h e d ar k gold en liq u id
t h at w as flow in g ou t .
T h e liq u id b egan t o solid ify an d w h en Xiao H on gch en r eap p ear ed in fr on t of
ever yon e’s eyes, h is en t ir e b od y w as fu ll of w ou n d s, an d t h er e w er e d ozen s of
gash es all over . H e cou gh ed ou t m ou t h fu l aft er m ou t h fu l of b lood , an d collap sed
in t o M en g H on gch en ’s ar m s. H ow ever , h e w as st ill con sciou s, an d m u t t er ed a
sin gle sen t en ce. “Su ch b ad lu ck … I’ve b een sever ely w ou n d ed .”
T h e sou l sk ill t h at Xiao H on gch en d isp layed d u r in g t h e m ost cr u cial m om en t

w as called Gold en Year n in g. T h is w as an ext r em ely p ow er fu l t en t h ou san d -year
sou l sk ill, an d t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H all h ad t o sen d t h r ee Class 8 sou l en gin eer s
t o com p let e t h e t ask of k illin g t h e t en t h ou san d year sou l b east for t h is sk ill.
T h ey h ad t h en u sed sp ecial m ed icin es t o am p lify Xiao H on gch en ’s b od y so t h at
t h e ab sor p t ion w ou ld b e su ccessfu l, an d so t h at h e cou ld h ave t h is t h ir t y
t h ou san d year sou l b east ’s im p r essive sou l sk ill.
Xiao H on gch en w as ab le t o in st an t ly liq u efy h im self, an d co n ver t h is en t ir e

b od y in t o liqu id m et al u sin g t h e Gold en Year n in g. It gave h im t h e ab ilit y t o
n egat e ab ou t eigh t y p er cen t of m at er ial at t ack s. H ow ever , h is cu lt ivat ion w as
st ill low , an d h is con t r ol of t h is sou l sk ill w as n ot com p let ely sm oot h .
Ot h er w ise, h e w ou ld b ecom e m u ch m or e fr igh t en in g if h e p air ed it w it h h is
Gold en Coagu lat ion . H e u sed t h e Gold en Year n in g t o escap e im p en d in g d em ise.
H ow ever , t h e W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in at ion w as sim p ly t oo b r u t al. M et a l

con d u ct ed elect r icit y, an d t h is p r op er t y b r ou gh t in su ffer ab le p ain t o h is en t ir e
b od y as h e escap ed fr om t h e Pr ison of Ligh t n in g, an d h e h ad lost h is ab ilit y t o
con t in u e in t h is gr ou p b at t le. H e h ad n ever exp ect ed t o en d u p lik e t h is in h is
fir st ap p ear an ce, an d even h is h a ir h ad b een ch ar r ed a ch ar coal b lack color . T h is
w asn ’t an yt h in g com for t ab le at all.
W h ile Xiao H on gch en w as ser iou sly w ou n d ed , M a Xiaot ao m ad e an

u n exp ect ed d ecision on t h e ot h er sid e. Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam lead er ch ose t o go
on t h e offen sive in st ead of d efen d in g h er self u n d er h er op p on en t s’ b ar r age of
at t ack s.
Sh e flew b ack w ar d s lik e a b olt of ligh t n in g as sh e r aised h er r igh t a r m , an d a

sear in g b all of d ar k r ed flam e con gr egat ed an d t r an sfor m ed in t o a b lack p h oen ix
b efor e it sh ot ou t . At t h e sam e t im e, sh e leap t d ow n fr om t h e com p et it ion st age
in t h e n ick of t im e in t h e face of h er op p on en t s’ at t ack s.
T h e b lack p h oen ix’s t ar get of ch oice w asn ’t t h e en or m ou s a p e, an d n eit h er

w as it t h e st r on gest of t h em all, M a Ru lon g. T h e b lack p h oen ix’s sp eed w asn ’t
fast at a ll, b u t M ich a el’s ligh t n in g p ear ls st r an gely d isap p ear ed t h e m om en t t h e
b lack p h oen ix collid ed w it h t h em . W h en t h e b lack p h oen ix clash ed again st Ch en
Fei’s m et al b alls, t h ey d issip at ed in t o n ot h in gn ess as w ell, an d t h ese sou l t ools
w er en ’t ab le t o u n lea sh t h eir fu ll p ot en t ia l b efor e t h ey w er e vap or ized en t ir ely.
T h e fier y b lack p h oen ix’s au r a w as ju st t oo fr igh t en in g, an d it s fir st t ar get

w as Ch en Fei. Ch en Fei ju st lau n ch ed h is at t ack an d w as st an d in g n ext t o t h e
Blood t h ir st y Dem on Ap e, an d h e n ever t h ou gh t t h at M a Xiaot ao w ou ld go aft er
h im . H is b od y flick er ed as h e at t em p t ed t o d od ge t h e assa u lt fr om t h e b lack
p h oen ix.
T h e flam in g b lack p h oen ix’s su r face ar ea w asn ’t b ig, an d n eit h er w as it fast

fr om h is p er sp ect ive. H is Ligh t n in g Bir d ’s sp eed w asn ’t som et h in g t h at cou ld b e
t h r eat en ed b y t h e b lack p h oen ix.
It w as a p it y t h a t h is ju d gem en t w as er r o n eou s.
T h e b lack p h oen ix w asn ’t t h at la r ge, an d it w asn ’t t h at fast eit h er . H ow ever ,

ju st as it Ch en Fei w as in t h e m id st of evad in g it , t h e scor ch in g b lack flam es
su d d en ly exp lod ed ou t w ar d s.
T h is sp eed of exp an sion w as sim p ly t oo fast , an d t oo qu ick t o b e r egist er ed b y

t h e n ak ed eye. Ch en Fei’s b od y w as sw ift ly sw allow ed in sid e t h is ab r u p t
exp an sion .
Not all m em b er s fr om t h e Su n M oon Acad em y h ad t h e st at u s t o u se

au t om at ed sou l t ools lik e t h e Im p r egn ab le W all. T h e r esou r ces r equ ir ed t o m ak e
t h at p ar t icu la r sou l t ool w er e sim p ly t oo gr eat .
Ch en Fei d id h ave t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier in h is p ossession , b u t t h e In vin cib le
Bar r ier w as a sin gle-in st an ce sou l t ool, an d it w as far t oo valu ab le. H e w as
con fid en t t h at h e cou ld avoid t h e at t ack , an d w an t ed t o save it for fu t u r e u se,
t h u s h e n at u r ally h a d n ’t u n leash ed it s p ow er . H ow ever , b y t h e t im e h e r ealized
som et h in g w as w r on g, it w as t oo lat e.
M a Ru lon g exclaim ed , “J u d ge!”
If t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o h ad b een p ayin g at t en t ion t o t h eir sid e, h e co u ld

h ave r each ed ou t in t im e, b u t it w as a p it y t h at t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o w as
occu p ied w it h Dai Yu eh en g’s st r ik e again st Xiao H on gch en . W h en h e h ear d M a
Ru lon g’s voice an d w an t ed t o m ak e a m ove, it w as t oo lat e.
T h e cr isp an d sh r ill cooin g sou n d s fr om t h e p h oen ix r an g ou t as Ch en Fei’s

fast -m ovin g b od y w as b ar ely scr ap ed b y t h e exp an d in g b lack flam es b efor e t h e
b lack flam es sp ed u p an d su r ged t ow ar d s M ich ael t h e n ext m om en t .
Ch en Fei’s b od y w as st ill su r gin g for w ar d in t o t h e sk y, b u t h alf h is b od y h ad

d isap p ear ed , an d h is cor p se cr ash ed d ow n on t o t h e st age.
M ich ael d id n ’t d ar e t o h old b ack a s h e w it n essed Ch en Fei’s t r a ged y. H e t h r ew

ou t t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier in t h e fir st p ossib le m om en t an d at t em p t ed t o b lock
t h e b lack p h oen ix’s st r ik e. W h at h e d id n 't exp ect w as t h at t h e b lack p h oen ix
sw er ved , an d fin ally lu n ged t ow ar d s M a Ru lon g.
M a Ru lon g’s eyes w er e flu sh ed r ed fr om h is fu r y an d h at r ed , b u t h e h a d n o

ch oice b u t t o u se h is ow n In vin cib le Ba r r ier . Even t h ou gh h e w as also a Sou l
Em p er or , h e k n ew t h at t h er e w as n o ot h er sou l t ool in h is ar sen al b esid es t h e
In vin cib le Ba r r ier t h at cou ld d efen d h im again st M a Xiaot ao’s at t ack .
“Boom –” T h e b list er in g r ed flam es d et on at ed in t h e sk y, an d a d ar k r ed

m u sh r oom -sh ap ed clou d b u r st in t o t h e air fr om t h e collision .
M ich ael in it ially felt as if u sin g h is In vin cib le Bar r ier w as w ast ed w h en t h e
b lack p h oen ix t u r n ed aw ay, b u t h e k n ew h e w as for t u n at e as even t h e
aft er sh ock s of t h e b lack p h oen ix’s d et on at ion t u r n ed t h e st age’s su r face in t o
m olt en lava.
T h e Su n M oon Em p ir e's t eam h a d alr ea d y p laced M a Xiaot a o in h igh r egar d

b y ar r an gin g fou r p eop le t o b esiege h er a t t h e sam e t im e. H ow ever , M a Xiaot ao’s
exp losive p ow er w as st ill alm ost t oo m u ch for t h em t o t ak e.
Lin Xi an d Ch en Fei p er ish ed in b at t le, w h ile M a Ru lon g an d M ich ael’s

In vin cib le Bar r ier s w er e n o lon ger op er at ion al. Even t h ou gh t h ey w er e st u d en t s
fr om t h e Su n M oo n Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y, t h ey h ad all b een
equ ip p ed w it h on ly on e In vin cib le Bar r ier , as t h is it em ’s valu e w as sim p ly t oo
loft y. M a Xiaot ao ju m p ed d ow n fr om t h e st age, an d t h is m ean t t h at sh e w as n o
lon ger ab le t o p ar t icip at e in t h e b at t le, b u t t h is also m ean t t h at sh e m an aged t o
r eser ve h er st r en gt h an d w asn ’t in ju r ed .
M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t glan ce b ack at t h e st age t o see t h e con sequ en ces as sh e leap t

off. Sh e gr ab b ed Xu San sh i an d sw ift ly r et u r n ed t o t h e w a it in g ar ea.
H u o Yu h ao ju m p ed u p fr om h is seat an d gave it t o h er at on ce. H er seat w as

im m ed iat ely vap or ized t h e m om en t M a Xiaot ao sat d ow n , an d W an g Yan
h u r r ied ly sh ift ed t o t h e sid e fear fu lly. It ap p ear ed as if an yb od y w h o t ou ch ed
t h is Ph oen ix Sou l Em p er or w ou ld b e d on e for .
If a t er m cou ld b e u sed t o d escr ib e t h is b at t le, t h en “cat aclysm ic” w ou ld b e

p er fect .
On ly in t h e in it ial elim in a t ion r ou n d s h ad p eop le d ied in t h is season ’s

Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t . T h er e
w er e in d ivid u als w h o w er e gr ievou sly in ju r ed in t h e su b seq u en t r ou n d s, b u t
t h er e h ad b een n o ot h er casu alt ies u n d er t h e ju d ges’ w at ch fu l eyes – yet , t h er e
h ad b een t w o p ar t icip an t s fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s t ea m w h o p er ish ed in
b at t le d u r in g t o d ay’s b at t le even t h ou gh it w as r efer eed b y a t it led Dou lu o. Lin
Xi’s sit u at ion cou ld st ill b e cou n t ed as an accid en t , b u t t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o
t r u ly cou ld n ’t save Ch en Fei in t im e. T h e vigor an d in t en sit y of t h is b at t le on ly
w en t t o sh ow h ow fer ociou s b ot h p ar t ies cou ld b e in t h eir a t t a ck s.
M a Xiaot ao t ossed Xu San sh i asid e, an d W an g Yan su p p or t ed h im as h e
sh ift ed h im t o t h e sid e w it h ou t at t em p t in g t o w ak e h im u p .
H u o Yu h ao q u ick ly p laced b ot h of h is h an d s on t o M a Xiaot ao’s b ack . H e

act ivat ed t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Pin cer an d h is M yst er io u s J ad e H a n d s t o am p lify h is
p ow er s as h e p r essed h is h an d s on t o h er b ack , an d t w o st r eam s of st eam er u p t ed
as t h ey cr ack led lou d ly. M a Xiaot ao’s clot h es in st an t ly vap or ized in t h e sh ap e of
t w o p alm p r in t s w h er e H u o Yu h ao cam e in t o con t act w it h t h em .
Chapt er 118.1: Shr ek Lost ?
H u o Yu h ao on ly felt t w o w aves of h eat com in g fr om t h e p oin t s of con t act

b et w een h is p alm s an d M a Xiaot ao. T h ey flood ed h is b od y an d su r ged
m an iacally in sid e h im .
H ow ever , t od ay w as d iffer en t fr om t h e sit u a t ion b efor e. H e w as in h is p eak

st at e n ow . H is sou l p ow er w as su r gin g r ap id ly, an d t h e au r a t h at t u r n ed in t o
Ult im at e Ice assim ilat ed t h is w ave of su r gin g fir e. At t h e sam e t im e, M a Xiaot ao
felt a w ave of cold n ess in r esp on se.
W an g Don g also ar r ived b esid e H u o Yu h ao n ow . H e p laced h is p alm s b eh in d

h is b ack an d r elieved H u o Yu h ao’s b u r d en w it h an in cr ease in H aod on g Pow er .
T h at b lack fir e p h oen ix t h at w as n o m or e t h an a m et er lon g p ossessed a

fr igh t en in g st r en gt h . H ow cou ld it b e so easily u n leash ed ?
It seem ed lik e M a Xiaot ao h ad on ly lift ed h er r igh t ar m . Bu t t h at st r ik e of h er s

in clu d ed t h e w ill of h er Evil Ph oen ix an d t h e fr igh t en in g st r en gt h of 3 sk ills, t h e
Ph oen ix Bap t ism , Ph oen ix Sk yp ier ce, an d Ph oen ix Ru p t u r e con t ain ed w it h in h er
r igh t ar m sou l b on e.
M a Xiaot ao’s r igh t sleeve h ad d isap p ea r ed b y n ow , r evealin g h er ch ar coal-

b u r n ed ar m .
T h is w as a secr et m et h od of Sh r ek Acad em y – com p r essin g 3 sou l sk ills b efor e

u n leash in g t h em . An d it w as on ly su it a b le for M a Xiaot ao, w h o w as a st r en gt h -
t yp e sou l m ast er . Ev en Dai Yu eh en g cou ld n ’t d o it . W h o fr om Sh r ek Acad em y
w as sim p le? T h is w a s M a Xiaot ao’s t r u e p ow er .
For som e r eason , H u o Yu h ao exp er ien ced a w eir d feelin g w h en h e p laced h is

p alm s on M a Xiaot ao’s b ack . Aft er h e exp er ien ced t h e ch an ge in ice an d fir e sou l
p ow er w it h M a Xiaot ao ear lier , t h ey seem ed t o d evelop som e sor t of
com p at ib ilit y. It w as if t h e b u r n in g sou l p ow er in M a Xiaot ao ’s b od y w as callin g
h im .
Su r ely n ot ? H u o Yu h ao w as in a d aze. T h at ’s b ecau se h e h ad felt som et h in g

sim ilar b efor e b et w een h im an d W a n g Don g. T h at w as w h en b ot h of t h em u sed
t h eir m a r t ial sou l fu sion sk ill! T h e m e in you an d you in m e feelin g t h en w a s
ver y sim ilar t o h ow it w as lik e n ow . H ow ever , M a Xiaot ao w as a Ph oen ix, w h ile
h e w as an Ice Em p r ess an d Sp ir it Eyes. H ow cou ld t h ey h ave d evelop ed
com p at ib ilit y if sh e con t ain ed t h e fir e elem en t an d h e con t ain ed t h e ice
elem en t ? T h is w as t oo w eir d .
M a Xiaot ao also sen sed w h a t H u o Yu h ao sen sed . Sh e even felt it m or e

in t en sely. Sh e m an a ged t o qu ick ly r ep r ess t h e ev il fir e t h at w as en gu lfin g h er
u sin g t h e Ult im at e Ice. Sh e clear ly felt t h e affect ion w h en t h e cool ice cir cu lat ed
t h r ou gh h er b od y.
W h y w as it lik e t h is? W as it a p r ob lem b ecau se sh e h ad in it ia t ed t h e evil fir e

r ep eat ed ly? M a Xiaot ao w as also ver y p u zzled .
Com p ar ed t o t h e last t w o t im es, w h er e H u o Yu h ao h ad su p p r essed t h e evil

fir e p assively for h er , h e d id so act ively t h is t im e. H e w as also in p eak con d it ion .
M a Xiaot ao h ad also in it iat ed h er evil fir e w it h ou t an y h esit a t ion b ecau se h e w as
ar ou n d . Alon g t h e w ay, m in or ch an ges st ar t ed t o occu r b et w een t h eir ice an d
fir e.
W h ile t h ese w eir d ch an ges occu r r ed b et w een t h em , t h e gr ou p m at ch en d ed

on t h e com p et it ion st age.
M en g H on gch en saved Xiao H on gch en an d r et r eat ed qu ick ly. On t h e ot h er

sid e, t h e su r v ivin g T eam Su n M oon m em b er s w er e goin g cr azy aft er an ot h er of
t h eir m em b er s w as k illed . M a Ru lon g led t h e r est as t h ey u n leash ed t h eir
st r on gest sou l t ools. T h ey m ou n t ed a r elen t less at t ack on Sh r ek ’s t eam , w h o
w er e cau gh t in a Net of Ligh t n in g.
Xu San sh i an d M a Xiaot ao h ad left t h e st a ge, w h ile J ian g Nan n an h ad lost t h e
st r en gt h t o com p et e fu r t h er b ecau se of h er cr it ical in ju r ies. On ly Dai Yu eh en g,
Lin g Lu och en , Bei Bei an d H e Cait ou w er e left .
Bei Bei sh ou t ed su d d en ly as t h e op p on en t u n leash ed all t h eir sou l t ools,

“Refer ee, w e con ced e d efeat .”
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o d id n ot feel w ell at t h is p oin t . As t h e r efer ee, h e w as

ver y con cer n ed ab ou t h is ow n r ep u t a t ion even t h ou gh h e d id n ’t car e ab ou t t h e
t w o Su n M oon m em b er s w h o h ad d ied ! T h at w as w h y h e w a s ver y focu sed . Bei
Bei’s sh ou t cau sed h im t o d escen d t o t h e cen t er of t h e com p et it ion st age. A b all
of b r igh t ligh t sh on e fr om t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o at t h is p oin t .
9 sou l r in gs – 2 yellow , 2 p u r p le an d 5 b la ck – sh on e b r igh t ly. H e u sed h is r igh t

h an d t o gu id e a w av e of p r ou d an d n ob le au r a as it w as u n lea sh ed . A w h it e st ar
ap p ear ed in fr on t of h im , an d st ar ligh t in st an t ly sp r ead . It t u r n ed in t o a h u ge
b ar r ier t h a t segr ega t ed t h e com p et it ion st age an d b lock ed off t h e Su n M oon
t eam ’s at t ack .
It w as im p ossib le for a Class 5, 6 or 7 sou l t ools t o h u r t a T it led Dou lu o.

Fu r t h er m or e, t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o h ad p ow er s t h at w er e ver y close t o a
T r an scen d en t Dou lu o.
Dai Yu eh en g t u r n ed an d st ar ed at Bei Bei fu r iou sly, “W h y d id you sh o u t so

r an d om ly? W e h ad n ’t lost . W e cou ld h ave st ill con t in u ed com p et in g.”
Bei Bei cr eased h is b r ow s an d said , “Sen ior , t h is is T each er W an g’s st r at egy.

W e’r e t o follow h is st r at egy.”
“Bu t vict or y is r igh t in fr on t of ou r eyes!” Dai Yu eh en g r oar ed b ack .
Bei Bei sigh ed , “Do you r eally t h in k t h at w e can b eat t h e 4 of t h em w it h ju st

t h e 4 of u s alon e? I cou ld n ’t h a ve r esist ed t h at b low ear lier . Do you t h in k t h at
an yon e of u s cou ld h ave?”
“I…” Dai Yu eh en g r eally w an t ed t o im p r ess h is fat h er . H e k n ew w h at Bei Bei
w as sayin g w as t r u e. Aft er all, h e w as t h e W h it e T iger Du k e’s eld est son . H e
calm ed d ow n aft er a t em p or ar y ou t b u r st of em ot ion an d n od d ed at Bei Bei,
“Sor r y, I w as t oo im p u lsive. It ’s b ecau se I’m feelin g b ad t h at J ian g Nan n an t ook
t h at b low for m e.”
Bei Bei sm iled a n d r evealed a set of w h it e t eet h . “It ’s fin e. You ’ll h ave a
ch an ce t o sh in e lat er .”
T h e sou l t ool at t ack s h ad alr ead y en d ed , an d all of t h e Su n M oon t eam

m em b er s’ eyes st ar t ed t o t u r n r ed . T ou r n am en t , t h is w as ju st a t ou r n am en t ! Bu t
2 of t h eir t eam m em b er s h ad d ied . T h ose w h o cou ld r ep r esen t t h e Su n M oon
Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y t o com p et e in t h is t ou r n am en t w er e elit e
t alen t s! T h ose w h o p er ish ed in b at t le w er e t h eir com p at r iot s a n d b r ot h er s. T h ey
felt ext r em ely sor r ow fu l t h at t h ey h ad ju st d ied lik e t h a t . If t h e H eaven fien d
Dou lu o h ad n ’t in t er ven ed , t h ey w ou ld h ave gam b le w it h t h eir lives again st
T eam Sh r ek .
“Bot h t eam s, p lease calm d ow n ,” H u an g J in xu said cold ly, “Vict or y h as

alr ead y b een d ecid ed . If a n yon e act s r eck lessly, d on ’t b la m e m e for b ein g
u n k in d .”
T h e t each er in ch a r ge of t h e Su n M oon t eam h ad also t u r n ed p ale, b u t

r em ain ed ca lm . H e scold ed h is t eam m em b er s, w h ich st op p ed M a Ru lon g an d
t h e r est fr om act in g r eck lessly.
H u an g J in xu t u r n ed t o t h e d ir ect ion of t h e cit y w all an d said in low voice,

“T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y h as w on t h e t eam r o u n d .
Bot h t eam s, you h ave 1 m in u t e t o r ead ju st . Aft er 1 m in u t e, t h e 1v1 r ou n d w ill
b egin . At t h e sam e t im e, p lease ch oose you r 7 m em b er s for t h e in d ivid u al r o u n d .
On ce d ecid ed , n o fu r t h er ch an ges can b e m ad e.”
Sh r ek Acad em y h ad lost ?
T h e en t ir e St ar Lu o Plaza d escen d ed in t o silen ce. In t h e n ext m om en t , t h er e
w as an u p r oar again .
Alt h ou gh m an y k n ew t h at Sh r ek ’s t eam w as in fer ior t o t h e Su n M oon Sou l

Acad em y’s t eam in t h is t ou r n am en t , ever yon e w as st ill feelin g in cr ed u lou s t h a t
t h ey h ad lost t h is t ea m r ou n d . T h ey w er e all aw ait in g a m ir acle fr om Sh r ek . Bu t
n o m ir acle h ap p en ed .In t h e en d , Sh r ek h ad act u a lly lost . T h ey d id n ’t even h old
on t o t h e en d . Som e of t h e agit at ed sp ect at or s st a r t ed t o cu r se fu r iou sly, an d t h e
en t ir e St ar Lu o Plaza w as n ow in ch aos.
“Silen ce!” A m igh t y an d son or ou s voice r an g acr oss t h e en t ir e ven u e at t h is

p oin t .
T h e com m ot ion in t h e h u ge p laza w as r est r ain ed b y t h is fu r iou s r oar .
It w as t h e W h it e T iger Du k e. H e h eld a sou n d -am p lifyin g sou l t ool in h is

h an d , an d said in a d eep voice, “Bot h t eam s h ave alr ead y d on e t h eir b est .
Vict or y an d failu r e a r e ver y com m on . T h ose w h o h u r l in su lt s at t h e com p et in g
m em b er s w ill b e fou n d an d sever ely p u n ish ed .”
As t h e com m an d er of t h e m ilit ar y for m an y year s, Dai H ao’s sim p le w or d s

w er e filled w it h a m igh t y au r a. H e con t r olled t h e sit u at ion ju st lik e t h a t . H is
m igh t y au r a even p r essed H u o Yu h ao, w h o w as h elp in g M a Xiaot ao su p p r ess h er
evil fir e, t o look u p t o t h e cit y w all,.
H is m ood an d t h e exp r ession in h is eyes w er e ver y com p lex.
As a gu y, w h o w ou ld n ot h op e t h at t h eir fat h er w as a h er o an d t h eir p r id e?

Bu t h e h ad n ever en joyed p at er n al love b efor e. H e on ly h ad h at r ed for t h is
fat h er w h o h e h ad n ot even seen b efor e h e left t h e Du k e’s M a n sion .
Yes, h e r u in ed h is m ot h er ’s ch ast it y. H is m ot h er ’s vict im izat ion w as b ecau se

of h im . Bu t h e w as so valian t an d p ow er fu l. No w on d er H u o Yu h ao’s m ot h er
d id n ’t r egr et givin g b ir t h t o h im b ecau se of Dai H ao.
H u o Yu h ao’s p sych ological m in d set w as n ot as t w ist ed as it w as w h en h e h ad
left t h e Du k e’s M an sion aft er lear n in g an d cu lt ivat in g in Sh r ek Acad em y for t h e
p ast year or so. Bu t h is h a t r ed for t h e W h it e T iger Du k e a n d t h ose in t h e Du k e’s
M an sion w h o vict im ized h is m ot h er h ad n ever w an ed .
“M om , t h is is w h o you loved b efor e. H e is ou t st an d in g, b u t it ’s p r ecisely

b ecau se of t h is t h at h e h u r t you so b ad ly. M om , d on ’t w or r y. On e d ay, I w ill
st an d b efor e h im an d exact r even ge for you . H e’s m y fat h er an d gave m e life,
t h u s I w on ’t k ill h im . Bu t I w ill m ak e h im r ep en t as h e k n eels in fr on t of you r
gr ave.”
“M om , I w ill fin d you aft er t h e t ou r n a m en t is over . Bless m e, so t h at I can

gr ow u p qu ick ly. M o m , I m iss you so m u ch .”
H is eyes w elled u p u n w it t in gly, an d h e d id n ’t even r ealize M a Xiaot ao look in g

at h im .
“You n ger b r ot h er , w h at ’s w r on g?” M a Xiaot ao ask ed soft ly.
“W h at ?” H u o Yu h a o on ly r egain ed aw a r en ess n ow , an d h e sh ook h is h ead

sligh t ly, “Eld er sist er , I’m fin e.”
M a Xiaot ao sm iled an d said , “T h at ’s gr eat t h en . I’m fin e a lr ead y. Qu ick ly

r egain you r sou l p ow er . You m ay b e n eed ed lat er .”
Ever yon e h ad d escen d ed fr om t h e st age r igh t n ow . Bei Bei car r ied t h e

u n con sciou s J ian g N an n an as h e r et u r n ed t o t h e w ait in g ar ea .
W an g Yan r u sh ed for w ar d . T h er e w er e alr ead y h ealin g-t yp e sou l m ast er s

fr om t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e com in g for w ar d t o ad m in ist er t r eat m en t . As m en
w er e d iffer en t fr om lad ies, an d t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d w as ab ou t t o b egin , W an g
Yan let Xiao Xiao t en d t o J ian g Nan n an t em p or ar ily. Aft er t h at , h e r ep or t ed t h e
seven n am es h e w an t ed t o sen d ou t for t h e in d iv id u al r ou n d .
T h ese seven w er e M a Xiaot ao, Dai Yu eh en g, Bei Bei, Xu San sh i, Lin g Lu och en ,
Yes, b ot h H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e b ein g sen t ou t for t h e in d ivid u al

r ou n d . Xu San sh i w as w ok en u p b y Lin g Lu och en u sin g t h e ice elem en t .
“Nan n an , Nan n an !” Xu San sh i cou ld n ’t h elp b u t scr eam as h e r egain ed

con sciou sn ess. H is sou l p ow er su r ged ou t fer ociou sly.
“Calm d ow n .” Bei Bei slap p ed h im , an d Xu San sh i on ly calm ed d ow n b ecau se

of t h at .
Xu San sh i ver y soon fou n d J ian g Nan n a n , w h o w as in Xiao Xiao’s ar m s. H is

b od y w as even t r em b lin g b ecau se h e w as t oo agit at ed .
Xu San sh i w as m or e t h an a lit t le fr an t ic as h e ask ed , “H ow is sh e? H ow is

sh e?”
W an g Yan cam e t o h is sid e, p at t ed h is sh ou ld er an d said in a d eep voice, “H er

in ju r y is ver y ser iou s, b u t h er life w on ’t b e in an y d an ger . San sh i, d o you w an t
t o aven ge h er ?”
Xu San sh i t u r n ed ar ou n d su d d en ly, “Of cou r se.” H is voice sou n d ed d iffer en t

b ecau se h e r ep lied w it h gr eat en t h u siasm .
W an g Yan n od d ed an d said , “I sh all give you a ch an ce. You ’ll b e t h e fir st in
t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d .”
“Good . I w ill go u p a n d d est r oy t h em .” As h e sp ok e, Xu San sh i r eceived a M ilk

Bot t le fr om W an g Yan . H e sh u t h is eyes qu ick ly, an d r egain ed t h e sou l p ow er
t h at h e h a d d ep let ed ear lier .
For t od ay’s fin al, W an g Yan h ad sp ecially b ou gh t a few m or e M ilk Bot t les in
t h e t w o d ays of p r ep ar at ion . Ever yon e h ad on e of t h em n ow , an d u sed t h em t o
r egain t h eir sou l p ow er qu ick ly. T h e in d ivid u al r ou n d w as ab ou t t o st ar t .
W an g Yan w as ver y calm . Alt h ou gh h e seem ed let h ar gic, h e h ad a r esolu t e

look in h is eyes.
Yes, t h e loss in t h e t eam r ou n d w as p ar t of h is p lan .
Sh r ek w as in fer ior in t er m s of over all ab ilit ies. T h e Su n M oon t eam w as m ad e

u p of p ow er fu l sou l en gin eer s, an d t h ey h ad t h e m ost ad van ced sou l t ools am on g
t h ose of t h e sam e r an k . T h ey w er e u n d ou b t ed ly t h e st r on gest as a t eam . T h is
m ean t t h at t h ey w ou ld b e m ost p ow er fu l in t h e t eam r o u n d .
If t h ey clash ed h ead -on , Sh r ek ’s ch an ces of su ccess w ou ld n ’t b e gr eat er t h an

30 %, an d so W an g Yan h ad d ecisively ch osen t o give u p vict or y in t h e t eam
r ou n d w it h ou t k n ow led ge of Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en ’s ab ilit ies.
H is st r at egy w as ver y sim p le. In t h e t eam r ou n d , all h is t ea m m em b er s w er e

su p p osed t o con ser ve. On ly J ian g Nan n an an d H e Cait ou w ou ld u n lea sh t h eir
all, b ecau se t h ey w ou ld n ’t b e in t h e in d ivid u a l r ou n d . T h ey on ly h ad on e t ar get
in t h e t eam r ou n d – h u r t as m an y of t h eir op p on en t s as p ossib le. It ’s im p or t an t
t o n ot e t h at t od ay’s fin als w ou ld b e com p let ed in on e go. W h ile t h e Su n M oon
t eam w as ver y p ow er fu l, t h ey h a d a lim it ed n u m b er of sou l k in gs t oo. W an g Yan
also d id n ’t exp ect Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en t o b e sou l k in gs, b u t even
st ill, t h e Su n M oon t eam on ly h ad 9 sou l k in gs. If on e w as t ak en d ow n , on ly 8
w ou ld b e left .
Realit y p r oved t h at W an g Yan ’s st r at egy h ad su cceed ed .
Lin Xi an d Ch en Fei’s d eat h s w er e n ot p ar t of h is p lan , b u t a M a Xiaot ao w h o

gave h er all w as t oo scar y. Sh e cou ld n ’t b e m er cifu l at all in t h is fin al. Alon g
w it h a lit t le accid en t , sh e act u ally k illed 2 Class 5 sou l k in gs. At t h e sam e t im e,
sh e d ep let ed sever al In vin cib le Bar r ier s. M or e im p or t an t ly, Xiao H on gch en w as
sever ely in ju r ed . H e w as u n lik ely t o p ar t icip at e in t h e r est of t h e m at ch es. Ou t
of t h e 9 sou l k in gs, 2 w er e k illed an d 1 w a s h eavily in ju r ed . T eam Su n M oon w as
ver y r est r ict ed in w h o t h ey cou ld sen d ou t . T h is w ou ld b e ver y d isad van t ageou s
for t h e lat er segm en t s of t h e fin al.
H ow ever , t h e b low t h at J ian g Na n n an t ook for Dai Yu eh en g w asn ’t w it h in

W an g Yan ’s p lan . Bu t h e cou ld u n d er st an d J ian g Nan n an ’s p ain st ak in g
in t en t ion .
Alt h ou gh J ian g Nan n an w as n ever a p h on y in fr on t of Xu San sh i, sh e w as

clear t h at sh e m igh t b r in g Xu San sh i d ow n . T h at ’s w h y sh e t ook t h e b low for
h im w it h ou t an y h esit at ion . It ’s im p or t an t t o k n ow t h at h er life m igh t h ave
b een lost if h er In vin cib le Gold en Bod y cou ld n ’t h old on lon g en ou gh ! Bu t sh e
st ill d ash ed for w ar d an d m an aged t o ach ieve t h e b est r esu lt . Xu San sh i w as
agit at ed , an d h is in t er n al st r en gt h w as h alf-aw ak en ed . It w as also h er effor t s
t h at cau sed Xiao H on gch en t o b e cr it ically in ju r ed . It w as even fair t o say t h at
Sh r ek ’s t eam h a d execu t ed W an g Yan ’s p lan b et t er t h an exp ect ed .
M a Xiaot ao m ad e t h e gr eat est con t r ib u t ion in t h is t eam r ou n d . W it h ou t h er ,

t h is r esu lt w ou ld n ot h ave b een ach ieved . Even so, W an g Yan d id n ot t h in k t h at
J ian g Nan n an m ad e t h e secon d gr eat est con t r ib u t ion . H e t h ou gh t t h at it w as Bei
Bei w h o d id so, aft er h e sh ou t ed t h at Sh r ek con ced ed d efeat at t h e last m om en t .
W h at ’s b ein g ab le t o see t h e b igger p ict u r e? It ’s t h e ab ilit y t o m ak e t h e cor r ect

ch oice aft er ju d gin g t h e sit u at ion at t h e m ost cr it ical m om en t .
Bei Bei h ad sh ou t ed at t h e r igh t t im e. T h e r em ain in g 4 fr om t h e Su n M oon

t eam w er e st ill ver y p ow er fu l, an d t h ey w er e also ver y far aw ay fr om t h em .
T h eir sou l t ools cou ld st ill b e p r eser ved in t h eir b est st at es. Even t h ou gh Dai
Yu eh en g got closer even t u ally, t h e Blood t h ir st y Dem on Ap e t h at M a Ru lon g h ad
su m m on ed w ou ld n ’t b e easy t o d eal w it h . Or at least , it cou ld n ’t b e d ealt w it h in
a sh or t p er iod of t im e. Sh r ek w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o ach ieve vict or y in t h at
sit u a t ion . Sin ce t h is w as t h e case, t h ey sh ou ld con ser ve t h eir p ow er s an d u se
t h em in t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d .
Dai Yu eh en g w as t h e on e w h o w as su p p osed t o con ced e d efeat , b u t it w as

ob viou s t h at h e h a d lost con t r ol of h is em ot ion s. W an g Yan w as m or e im p r essed
w it h Bei Bei, as h e w as ab le t o d o w h at Dai Yu eh en g cou ld n ’t .
Bot h t eam s h ad t o d ecid e t h eir sequ en ce b efor e t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d st a r t ed

an d r elay t h em t o t h e r efer ee. T h is w as t o en su r e fair n ess.
W an g Yan h ad alr ead y p r ep ar ed h is list ear lier on , an d p assed it t o H u an g

J in xu . As t w o m em b er s h ad b een k illed an d on e m em b er w as sever ely in ju r ed ,
t h e t each er in ch ar ge of t h e Su n M oon t eam h ad t o m ak e ch an ges. T h is left h im
ext r em ely fr an t ic.
“No, I h ave t o com p et e. I m u st com p et e. If I d on ’t , I w on ’t be p r esen t for t h e

2-2-3 figh t eit h er . Da m n it , I’m t oo cow ar d ly.”
Xiao H on gch en w as st ill squ aw k in g even t h ou gh h e w as h ea vily in ju r ed . H e

w asn ’t ver y b ot h er ed b y t h e 2 official t eam m em b er s’ d eat h s. H e w as n ot ver y
good at in t er p er son al r elat ion sh ip s, an d t h ose 2 official t eam m em b er s d id n ’t
lik e h im eit h er . Bu t h e w as feelin g in d ign an t !
Xiao H on gch en h ad b een r ecogn ized as t h e t op t alen t in t h e Su n M oon

Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s en t ir e h ist or y. H is t a len t d id n ’t ju st m ak e
h im a sou l en gin eer , b u t also an ou t st an d in g sou l m ast er . H e cou ld even
p er fect ly com b in e t h ese 2 t oget h er .
Bot h h e an d M en g H on gch en w er en ’t sen t t o com p et e ear lier b ecau se t h ey

w er e k ep t t o d eal w it h Sh r ek Acad em y lat er on . Bu t w h o k n ew t h at h e w ou ld
em b ar r ass h im self t h e fir st t im e h e r evealed h im self.
H is all-ou t offen se w as b lock ed b y a r avish in g lad y. W h at w as even m or e
u n for t u n a t e for h im w as t h at h e w a s w r en ch ed in t o t h e air b y t h at sam e lad y
u sin g h er feet . Even t u ally, h e w as h eavily in ju r ed b y Dai Yu eh en g. H e w as
t ot ally em b ar r assed even b efor e h e d id an yt h in g. H ow cou ld h e n ot feel
d ep r essed ?
Xiao H on gch en ’s id en t it y on t h e Su n M oon t eam w as ver y sen sit ive. T h eir

t each er d id n ’t d a r e t o let h im t ak e a r isk ! Aft er h e w as cr it ically in ju r ed an d t w o
of t h e ot h er st u d en t s w er e k illed , h e q u ick ly w it h d r ew Xiao H on gch en ’s
p ar t icip at ion fr om t h e t ou r n am en t an d r ep laced h im w it h a n ot h er p r ep ar at or y
t eam m em b er . W h a t cou ld Xiao H on gch en d o?
Xiao H on gch en st ill w an t ed t o t u r n t h e t id e an d r eveal h im self in fr on t of

ever yon e. If h e left it ju st lik e t h at , it w ou ld b e an ab solu t e far ce for h im !
T h at w as w h y h e w as u n w illin g t o b e su b st it u t ed ju st lik e t h at . As h e w as
t r eat ed b y t h e h ealin g-t yp e sou l m ast er s, h e d eb at ed w it h h is t each er . H e w as
u n w illin g t o d isqu a lify h im self.
T h e t each er said in a d eep voice, “Xiao H on gch en , calm d ow n . Don ’t for get
w h at you m ean t o ou r acad em y. If som et h in g h ap p en s t o you , h ow can I accou n t
t o t h e h allm a st er ?”
Xiao H on gch en r aged , “I d on ’t n eed you t o accou n t t o an yon e. Isn ’t m y sist er

h er e? If I r eally d ie in b at t le, sh e’ll exp lain it t o m y gr an d fat h er . I d on ’t ca r e, I
h ave t o com p et e. Don ’t b lam e m e for com p lain in g t o m y gr an d fat h er if you
d on ’t let m e com p et e.”
M en g H on gch en w a s a lit t le a n n oyed a s sh e said , “T each er , ju st let h im

com p et e if you h ave n o ch oice. At m ost , w e’ll n ot let h im figh t in t h e in d ivid u al
r ou n d . I t h in k 6 of u s is en ou gh . If w e can ’t an d lose, m y b r ot h er an d I can
u n leash ou r fu ll st r en gt h t oget h er for t h e 2-2-3 figh t . H e can also u se t h e t im e
for t h e in d ivid u a l r ou n d t o r ecover a lit t le. Alt h o u gh I h a t e t o ad m it it , it ’s
p ar t ly accid en t al t h a t t w o sen ior s w er e k illed ju st n ow .”
T h e t each er cr eased h is b r ow s. T h ese t w o fellow s w er e ver y t r ou b lesom e!
On ly aft er t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o u r ged h im for a lin eu p d id h e say h elp lessly,
“Ver y w ell t h en . Even if w e lose in t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d , you can ’t com p et e. At
m ost , you can p air w it h M en g H on gch en in t h e 2-2-3 figh t .”
“Ok ay.” Xiao H on gch en agr eed for t h r igh t ly. H e also k n ew h is ow n con d it ion .
H e cou ld n ’t r ecover so fast fr om t h e W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in at ion at t ack s t h at
w er e u n leash ed on t o h im . W it h som e t im e fr om t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d , h e
b elieved t h a t h e cou ld r egain a p ar t of h is t r u e p ow er s. W it h h is sist er ar ou n d ,
h e w as su r e h e cou ld ach ieve som et h in g in t h is fin al. It w as d efin it ely b et t er
t h an w at ch in g fr om b elow t h e st age.
T h e Su n M oon t ea m ’s com p et in g m em b er s an d t h eir sequ en ce for t h e

in d ivid u al r ou n d w er e d ecid ed ju st lik e t h at .
M a Ru lon g h ad exp en d ed a lot of h is p ow er s ear lier , an d cou ld n ’t b e t h e fir st

t o com p et e. T h e fir st t o b e sen t u p w as an official t eam m em b er t h at h ad b een
su b st it u t ed b y M en g H on gch en an d Xiao H on gch en ear lier on . Aft er t h at , it w as
an ot h er official t eam m em b er t h at h ad b een su b st it u t ed . Follow in g t h ese t w o, it
w as M ich ael, M en g H on gch en , an d M a Ru lon g follow ed b y Xiao H on gch en .
T h er e w as a r eason w h y M en g H on gch en w as am on g t h e fir st few t o b e sen t u p .
Sin ce W an g Yan h ad alr ead y ar r an ged ever yt h in g, t h er e w er e n o ch an ges on

Sh r ek ’s sid e.
Xu San sh i w as t h e fir st t o en t er t h e fr a y. H e w ou ld b e follow ed b y Bei Bei,

Lin g Lu och en , Dai Yu eh en g, M a Xiaot ao, W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao.
W it h ou t a d ou b t , t h e fir st 5 w er e t h e m ain for ces for t h is in d ivid u al r ou n d ,

w h ile H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e t h e icin g on t h e cak e. On e of t h em h ad 3
r in gs w h ile t h e ot h er h ad 2 r in gs. W an g Yan in clu d ed t h em in t h e lin eu p w it h
eyes on t h e 2-2-3 figh t . If t h e 2 of t h em w er e p air ed alon g a sou l em p er or , it
w ou ld b e a gr eat ch oice. T h eir m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill cou ld n ’t b e
u n d er est im a t ed , even t h ou gh t h ey w er en ’t t h at p ow er fu l in d ivid u a lly.
W an g Yan d id n ’t sen d t h em ou t in t h e t eam r ou n d b ecau se of h is

ar r an gem en t for Sh r ek t o lose t h e t eam r ou n d , an d also b ecau se h e w an t ed t o
con ceal t h eir t r u e ab ilit ies. W an g Yan m igh t n ot h ave even sen t t h em t o
com p et e for t od ay’s fin al if n ot for H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s in cessan t p leas.
H e w an t ed t o p r ot ect t h em .
In 5 year s, t h ey w ou ld b e t h e cor e of Sh r ek Seven M on st er s. T h e m or e t h ey

r evealed t h em selves n ow , t h e b et t er t h eir op p on en t s w ou ld u n d er st an d t h em .
Fu r t h er m or e, t h e Bod y Sect h ad a lr ead y laid t h eir eyes on H u o Yu h ao. W an g
Yan d id n ’t w a n t t h em t o r eveal even m or e ab ou t t h em selves.
Bu t h ow cou ld H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g n ot w an t t o com p et e b ecau se of

t h at ? Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e w er e on ly 3 p ossib le p er m u t at ion s for Sh r ek ’s lin eu p .
Aft er t h e t eam b at t le, t h ey w er e d efin it ely n eed ed ! T h at ’s w h y su ch an
ar r an gem en t cr op p ed u p .
“T h e in d iv id u a l r ou n d b egin s. T h e fir st com p et in g m em b er of each t eam ,
p lease en t er t h e st age. Fr om Sh r ek Acad em y, w e h ave Xu San sh i. Fr om t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y, w e h ave Li Yan .”
Xu San sh i d id n ot even u se t h e st air s. H e ju m p ed on t o t h e st a ge fr om Sh r ek ’s

w ait in g ar ea.
Even ever yon e fr om Sh r ek felt an u n fam iliar sen se as t h ey look ed at h im r igh t

n ow .
Xu San sh i oft en la u gh ed an d jok ed n or m ally. H e eit h er p est er ed J ian g

Nan n an or b ick er ed w it h Bei Bei. T h e occasion al p r om ise t h at h e sh ow ed
w ou ld n ’t h old u p eit h er . Bu t n ow , h is en t ir e p er son seem ed t o h ave ch an ge at
t h is p oin t .
H e w as silen t , cold , an d even h ad an in d escr ib ab le m an n er t o h im . T h is

m an n er cou ld b e d escr ib ed as d ign ified , or cou ld b e r efer r ed t o t h at of a lead er .
H e w as n o lon ger lik e a you t h n ow . H e w as m or e lik e an ad u lt , on e t h at w as ver y
aloof an d com p et it ive.
T h r ou gh closer ob ser vat ion , on e cou ld n ot ice a su b t le u n d u la t ion of b lack gas

flow in g ar ou n d h im even t h ou gh h e h ad n ot u n leash ed h is m ar t ial sou l. T h er e
w as even a d en se, gen t le r ip p le t h at m oved w it h a sligh t r h yt h m ar ou n d h is
b od y. H e w or e a d eep gaze t h at w as also cold . H is en t ir e p er son seem ed t o h ave
b ecom e a d eep valley t h at su ck ed p eop le in .
T h is w as Xu San sh i in h is com p let e st at e. H e w as n o lon ger a sou l m ast er w h o

con t r olled t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an m in g T u r t le, b u t t h e w ield er of t h e Xu an w u
Sh ield . H e h ad t h e st r on gest d efen se-t yp e m ar t ial sou l on t h e con t in en t .
Coin cid en t a lly, Xu San sh i’s op p on en t w a s a fir e-t yp e sou l m ast er .
Li Yan w as or igin ally on e of T eam Su n M oon ’s official t eam m em b er s. Bu t h is

r an k in g am on g t h e 7 official t eam m em b er s sh ou ld b e q u it e low con sid er in g
h ow h e cou ld b e r ep laced b y M en g H on gch en an d Xiao H on gch en . H is m ar t ial
sou l w asn ’t a p u r e Fir e elem en t ; it p ossessed m an y im p u r e sou r ces of d evia n t
fir es an d im p u r it ies. H e w ou ld n ’t h a ve b een p ow er fu l en ou gh if h e on ly
cu lt ivat ed as a sou l m ast er . T h at ’s w h y h e ch ose t o b ecom e a sou l en gin eer . H e
cou ld n ’t u se h is m ar t ial sou l t o p r ovid e h im self w it h m or e sou l p ow er t o last in
b at t le, b u t h e cou ld u se h is ow n d evian t fir e t o su p p lem en t all h is sou l t ools w it h
a fir e au r a t h r ou gh d iffer en t sou l sk ills. Of cou r se, h is fir e w as m u ch w eak er
t h an M a Xiaot ao’s p h oen ix flam es. Bu t h e w as st ill ext r a or d in ar y t o h ave
b ecom e a Class 5 sou l en gin eer b efor e h e w as 20 year s old .
Bot h of t h eir gazes cr ossed as if t h ey w er e ar ch -en em ies. T h e Su n M oon t eam

h ad lost t w o of t h eir m em b er s! Nor m ally, t h ey w er e p ar t n er s t h at t r a in ed a n d
im p r oved t oget h er . Li Yan w as filled w it h h at r ed n ow t h at t h ey h ad p assed on .
Bu t Xu San sh i felt ev en m or e h a t r ed in h is h ear t com p ar ed t o t h em . W h en h e

saw t h e u n con sciou s J ian g Nan n an , h e w as r u b b ed t h e w r on g w ay, an d h e n ow
on ly h ad on e t h ou gh t on h is m in d . H e h ad t o t ak e r even ge for J ian g Nan n an an d
d efeat h is op p on en t .
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o d id n ’t say an yt h in g m u ch . In st ead , h e gest u r ed for

b ot h of t h em t o st ep b ack w it h an u gly look on h is face. Bu t t h e m ost ch aot ic
t eam r ou n d w as alr ead y over . H e b elieved t h a t h e h ad en ou gh focu s an d en er gy
t o m on it or ever y exch an ge of m oves b et w een b ot h t eam s in fu t u r e b at t les.
“M at ch , st ar t !”
Bot h p ar t ies m a d e t h eir m ove as H u an g J in xu sh ou t ed .
Li Yan w aved h is r igh t ar m u p w ar d s, an d a t h ick sou l t ool can n on lan d ed on

h is sh ou ld er . W it h ou t even look in g, h e fir ed t h e can n on t ow a r d s Xu San sh i.
A h u ge fir eb all w as su d d en ly sh ot t ow ar d s Xu San sh i. T h e fir eb all car r ied a

ser ies of exp losive sou n d s in t h e a ir , d ist o r t in g t h e air w h er ev er it p assed .
H is d evian t fir e w asn ’t ver y st r on g, b u t it w as st ill ver y p ow er fu l as h is sou l
t ool com p r essed an d con d en sed it . Aft er h e in ject ed h is sou l p ow er in t o t h e sou l
t ool, it w as alm ost as if h e h ad cr eat ed t h is sou l t ool h im self.
Un d er n or m al con d it ion s, on e’s fir st r ea ct ion t o t h is can n on sh ot w ou ld b e t o

d od ge it . Aft er Li Ya n ’s sou l p ow er w as com p r essed , t h is can n on sh ot w as r at h er
d evast at in g offen siv ely. T h e b est ch oice w as t o d od ge it .
Bu t Xu San sh i d id n ot d od ge. H e op en ed h is feet w id e an d su d d en ly d ash ed

t ow ar d s h is op p on en t . H is m ar t ial sou l w as also u n leash ed at t h e sam e t im e.
Xu San sh i’s m ar t ial sou l h a d t h e Xu an w u au r a as it w as u n leash ed . T h is w a s

exp ect ed b y W an g Yan an d ever yon e fr om Sh r ek aft er Xu Sa n sh i w as agit a t ed
b ecau se of J ian g Nan n an .
An ot h er d ar k -gr een sn ak e ap p ear ed on t h e fin e an d h eavy t u r t le sh ield . T h e

sn ak e’s eyes w er e fr esh r ed . A t u r t le an d sn ak e com b in ed – t h is w as t h e o r igin al
ap p ear an ce of a Xu an w u .
A b lack h alo sp r ead ou t fr om t h e sh ield . Xu Sa n sh i seem ed t o t u r n en t ir ely

b lack at t h is p oin t . Again st t h e b all of fir e, h e p er for m ed an ext r em ely
d om in eer in g act ion . H e sw ep t t h e Xu an w u Sh ield an d u sed t h e sh ield ’s su r face
t o st r ik e t h e b all of fir e.
Un d er n or m al con d it ion s, an y p ow er r eleased b y a sou l t ool w ou ld cau se an

im p act on ce it collid ed w it h som et h in g else. T h is w as even m or e so for a fir e-
t yp e at t ack lik e t h is
H ow ever , w h at h ap p en ed n ext w as con t r ar y t o ever yt h in g t h at ever yon e

k n ew . W h en Xu San sh i’s Xu an w u Sh ield st r u ck t h e b all of fir e, t h e sn ak e eyes
flash ed w it h a r ed ligh t . At t h e sam e t im e, a gen t le r ip p le st r an gely cover ed t h e
b all of fir e. T h e b all of fir e d id b low ap ar t , b u t it w a s d elayed b y a secon d
b ecau se of t h is r ip p le. Bu t t h is secon d w a s en ou gh t o d ecid e m an y t h in gs.
T h e b all of fir e w as h it m or e t h an 10 m et er s aw ay b efor e it b lew ap ar t . T h e
sh ock w ave it p r od u ced cou ld n ’t r each Xu San sh i. Xu San sh i con t in u ed t o d ash
for w ar d in b ig st ep s. As h is m ar t ial sou l b ecam e t h e Xu an w u Sh ield , h is
cu lt ivat ion h ad a lso in cr eased gr eat ly, w h ich m ean t t h at h e h ad also b ecom e
fast er .
Li Yan d id n ot p an ic even t h ou gh h is st r ik e ach ieved n ot h in g. T h e st age w as

10 0 m et er s w id e. Xu San sh i cou ld n ’t d ash t o t h e fr on t in st an t ly even if h e
w an t ed t o.
M et al b ar r els st ar t ed t o ap p ear on h is b od y, an d st r eak s of in t en se ligh t lit u p

con t in u ou sly. Not on ly t h is, b u t t h e sou l t ool on h is sh ou ld er ch an ged in t o a
h u ge fir e can n on . T h is fir e can n on w as n ot fir ed t ow ar d s Xu San sh i d ir ect ly, b u t
ab ove h im .
A h u ge fier y w eb d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y an d en gu lfed t h e a r ea in fr on t of Xu

San sh i fr om ab ove.
Li Yan h ad calcu lat ed t h is st r ik e b efor eh an d . If Xu San sh i co n t in u ed t o b u r st

for w ar d , h e w ou ld b e cover ed b y t h is fir e w eb . If h e st op p ed , it w ou ld b u y m or e
t im e for Li Yan t o u n leash m or e sou l t ools again st h im . Li Yan w as w ait in g for
Xu San sh i t o d elay h im self. H e cou ld n ot last , b u t h is exp lo siven ess w as gr eat .
Bu t t h a t exp losiven ess of h is h ad t o b e u n leash ed at t h e cor r ect t im in g t oo.
J u st w h en ever yon e t h ou gh t t h a t Xu Sa n sh i w ou ld st op in h is t r ack s or go

ar ou n d t h e w eb , Xu San sh i m a d e a d ecision t h at n o on e h ad exp ect ed . H e d id n ot
st op , an d con t in u ed t o sp r in t for w ar d . T h e fir e w eb cover ed h im .
A cold gr in ap p ear ed on Li Yan ’s lip s. H e w as su r e t h at Xu San sh i w as

u n aw ar e t h at t h is fir e w eb w as a sou l t ool t h at h e h ad in ven t ed . T h is fir e w eb
w ou ld r est r ict t h e op p on en t lik e a cage. H ow ever , all of h is fir e-t yp e at t ack s
cou ld p en et r at e t h e fir e w eb , an d h e cou ld t h u s con t in u e t o at t ack h is op p on en t .
T h is m ean t t h at Xu San sh i w ou ld b e in d eep t r ou b le if h e lan d ed in sid e t h e fir e
w eb . At least t h is w a s w h at Li Yan t h ou gh t .
As t h e fir e w eb w a s ab ou t t o d escen d an d en gu lf Xu San sh i, Xu San sh i’s
Xu an w u Sh ield w as st ill b lock in g t h e at t ack s of Li Yan ’s var iou s sou l t ools, an d
h e cou ld n ’t d efen d a gain st w h at w as ab ove h im .
At t h is m om en t , Xu San sh i st op p ed in h is t r ack s. H e d id n ot even glan ce at

t h e fir e w eb t h at d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y as h e p laced t h e sh ield in fr on t of h is
ch est .
In t h e n ext in st an t , Li Yan saw t w o sp ot s of r ed ligh t sh in in g on t h e Xu an w u

Sh ield . Aft er t h a t , h e felt t h at sp ace h ad d ist or t ed .
Ever yt h in g ar ou n d h im seem ed t o t u r n illu sor y. Li Yan cou ld n ’t d escr ib e t h is

feelin g eit h er . H e w a s a lit t le d izzy b ecau se of t h is, an d h is so u l t ool at t ack s also
seem ed t o b ecom e ver y m essy an d ch aot ic.
T h is d ist or t ion on ly last ed for a m om en t b efor e n or m alcy w as r est or ed . In t h e

n ext in st an t , Li Yan w as ap p alled . T h at w as b ecau se h e d iscover ed t o h is gr eat
h or r or t h at h e w as in fr on t of Xu San sh i an d t h e Xu an w u Sh ield . T h at fir e w eb
h ad on ly ju st lan d ed .
A d en se, b lack sou l p ow er sp u r t ed fr om Xu San sh i’s b od y. H is t h ir d an d

fou r t h sou l r in gs st a r t ed t o ligh t u p .
H is t h ir d sou l sk ill w as t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld For ce, w h ile h is fou r t h

sou l sk ill w as t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t . H ow ever , ever yt h in g
w as d iffer en t w h en t h e Sh ield of Xu an m in g T u r t le t u r n ed in t o t h e Xu a n w u
Sh ield .
Chapt er 119.1: Xu Sanshi Goes All-Out
W it h t h e St r en gt h of t h e Xu an w u su p p or t in g h im , t h e sou l p ow er u n leash ed
cau sed t h e fir e w eb t o d escen d at a m u ch slow er sp eed . H is fou r t h sou l sk ill, t h e
M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t , d id n ot sw it ch h is p osit ion w it h h is
op p on en t . Rat h er , it cau sed h is op p on en t t o b e t r an slocat ed in fr on t of h im .
Xu San sh i w as calm er in su ch im p or t an t b at t les. T h at d ecisive ch ar ge of h is

con fu sed h is op p on en t an d cau sed h im t o slip u p .
Aft er t h e Sh ield of t h e Xu an m in g T u r t le b ecam e t h e Xu an w u Sh ield , a ll h is

sou l sk ills ch an ged t oo. T h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t ch an ged
fr om it s p u r e d isp la cem en t effect t o a sou l sk ill t h at cou ld b ot h d isp lace an d
t r an slocat e op p on en t s.
T h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t n ow allow ed t r a n slocat ion of all

life w it h in 10 0 m et er s t o ju st r igh t in fr on t of h im . T h e t r an slocat ed p er son
w ou ld also b e m om en t ar ily st u n n ed . Alt h ou gh it w as on ly for on e secon d , it w as
alr ead y su fficien t for a d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er t o d o m an y t h in gs. If a fr ien d ly
for ce w as t r an slocat ed over , t h e u ser cou ld st op t h e p er son b ein g t r an slocat ed
fr om b ein g m om en t ar ily st u n n ed .
H e h ad ar r ived so close t o Xu San sh i in an in st an t t h at Li Yan d id n ot even

h ave t im e t o r eact b efor e h e saw Xu San sh i’s cold an d scar y b lack p u p ils.
Follow in g t h at , t h e Xu an w u Sh ield slam m ed in t o h im .
Li Yan w as a sou l k in g, w h ile Xu San sh i w as on ly a sou l a n cest or . Bu t t h e

Xu an w u Sh ield cau sed an u n im agin ab le im p act at t h is m om en t .
Li Yan st ill m an aged t o r eact t h r ou gh h is p an ic. H e w an t ed t o u n leash h is

In vin cib le Bar r ier , seein g t h at t h in gs w er e n ot r igh t . Ever yon e h ad p r ep ar ed an
In vin cib le Bar r ier b efor e t h ey cam e for t h e fin al. Alt h ou gh it w as ver y cost ly, it
cou ld t u r n a sit u at ion ar ou n d if u sed w ell. Fu r t h er m or e, t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial
Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y n ever h ad a la ck of m on ey.
Bu t Li Yan m isca lcu lat ed t h is t im e. Befor e t h e Xu an w u Sh ield even slam m ed

again st h im , h e alr ead y felt a gen t le w at er r ip p le en gu lfin g h is b od y. H e w as a
fir e-t yp e sou l m ast er , w h er eas t h e Xu an w u w as a w at er an d ear t h -t yp e. W a t er
w as t h e m ain elem en t , w h ile ear t h w as t h e secon d ar y elem en t . As h is m ar t ia l
sou l w as su p p r essed , h is sou l p ow er s r et r act ed , an d h e cou ld n ’t u se t h e
In vin cib le Bar r ier . Aft er all, t h e In vin cib le Bar r ier w as n eit h er au t o-act ivat in g
or om n ip ot en t .
T h e Xu an w u Sh ield slam m ed in t o h im in t h e n ext m om en t .
Li Yan ’s en t ir e b od y t u r n ed b lack aft er h e w as st r u ck , an d t h er e w as a feelin g

of w at er b ein g sp lash ed . Cou n t less m et a l sh ar d s flew ou t fr om h is b od y in all
d ir ect ion s. Not on ly t h is, b u t h e seem ed t o h ave b een su ck ed in t o a w h ir lp ool.
H is b od y w asn ’t t h r ow n aw ay, an d a st r in g of b oom s r eson at ed fr om t h e
Xu an w u Sh ield ’s su r face. Xu San sh i’s fir st sou l r in g also st a r t ed t o flash .
M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e. T h e v iolen t M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e.

T h e ever -ch an gin g M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e! Or r a t h er , t h e im p r oved
ver sion of t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e!
Li Yan ’s b od y seem ed t o b e st r u ck t h ou sa n d s of t im es in t h a t in st an t . H is sou l

t ool w as k n ock ed a w ay fr om h im , an d h is sou l p ow er s w er e d issip at ed . H is life
w as also in d an ger …
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o r eact ed in t im e. W h en h e n ot iced som et h in g am iss,

h e h ad alr ead y ap p ear ed b esid e Li Yan in st an t ly. H e u sed on e h an d t o ch op t h e
cen t r al p osit ion w h er e b ot h of t h em h ad collid ed w it h each ot h er .
T h e b lack ligh t fr om t h e Xu an w u Sh ield jer k ed a lit t le, an d Xu San sh i

st agger ed b ack w ar d s h alf a st ep , w h er eas Li Yan collap sed t o t h e gr ou n d . At
least 7 or 8 of h is r ib s w er e p r ob ab ly b r ok en , an d h is in t er n al or gan s w er e
gr eat ly in ju r ed t oo. If h e h ad n ’t b een w ear in g h is so u l t ool ar m or , h is in ju r ies
w ou ld h ave b een even w or se.
Even t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o’s p alm sh ook a lit t le as h e st op p ed Xu San sh i.

T h is sh ow ed h ow p ow er fu l t h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e w as. Xu San sh i
w as n o lon ger sim p ly ju st a d efen se-t yp e sou l m ast er .
A gen t le, im m en se for ce d r agged Li Yan ’s b od y d ow n fr om t h e com p et it ion

st age. H ealin g-t yp e sou l m ast er s im m ed ia t ely t en d ed t o h im .
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o said in a d eep voice aft er h e glan ced at Xu San sh i,
“T h e Su n M oon t ea m ’s secon d com p et in g m em b er for t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d ,
Ch en An , sh all en t er t h e fr ay. You , st ep b ack .”
H is last few w or d s w er e for Xu San sh i.
Xu San sh i d id n ’t r et r act h is Xu an w u Sh ield , b u t st ep p ed b ack a few st ep s.

An ot h er M ilk Bot t le ap p ear ed in h is h an d t oo. As h e st ep p ed b ack , h e u sed t h e
M ilk Bot t le w it h ou t r et r act in g t h e sh ield . M ilk y w h it e r ip p les cou ld b e seen
sp r ead in g ou t w a r d s fr om h is b od y b efor e t h ey w er e r et r act ed b ack in .
“San sh i!” Bei Bei co u ld n ’t h elp h im self, an d scr eam ed fr om b elow t h e st age.
H e w as t h e clear est ab ou t Xu San sh i’s ab ilit y. H e h ad fu lfilled h is p ot en t ia l b y
u sin g t h e Xu an w u Sh ield , w h ich a lso exp en d ed a ll h is sou l p o w er . T o r ecover h is
sou l p ow er t o it s p eak st at e in a sh or t p er iod of t im e, h e w as u sin g t h e M ilk
Bot t le w h ile h is m ar t ial sou l w as st ill ou t . Alt h ou gh t h e im p act on h is b od y b y
h is sou l p ow er w as m in im ized b y h is st r on g Xu an w u au r a, t h e feed b ack on h im
w ou ld b e t oo gr eat if h e left t h is exp losive Xu an w u st a t e r igh t n ow .
J ian g Nan n an h ad also slow ly r egain ed con sciou sn ess in Xiao Xiao’s ar m s
w it h t h e aid of t h e h ealin g-t yp e sou l m ast er s.
J ian g Nan n an w a s a lit t le d azed as sh e saw t h e h u ge an d t all figu r e t h at w as

r et r eat in g st ep b y st ep w it h h is b ack facin g h er , an d w as u sin g t h e M ilk Bot t le t o
r egain h is sou l p ow er .
“H e’s, h e’s d oin g t h is for m e? H e t r eat s m e… b u t …”
Com p lex em ot ion s su r ged in t h is you n g lad y’s h ear t , an d h er p ain d id n ’t seem
ob viou s an ym or e. H er in t en se d ist ast e for a cer t a in som eon e w as slow ly
d isap p ear in g.
“H e’s in d eed aw ak en ed t h e p ow er s of t h e Xu an w u . I’ve su cceed ed . Bu t w h y

d o I feel fr an t ic even t h ou gh I su cceed ed ? Is h e r ea lly t r u e t o m e? Bu t I… b u t
h e…”
J ian g Nan n an ’s m in d d r ift ed w it h t h e scen e w h en sh e saw Xu San sh i for t h e

fir st t im e. H er t en d er face w as also st ar t in g t o flu sh . Sh e low er ed h er h ead , as if
sh e d id n ’t d a r e t o look at h im on t h e st a ge. Bu t sh e lift ed h er h ead ver y soon ,
an d t h e look in h er eyes ch an ged t r em en d ou sly in ju st a b lin k . T h er e w as an
ext r a t in ge of con cer n , or p er h ap s t h at w as w or r y.
Ch en An w as an official t eam m em b er of t h e Su n M oon t eam . H is m ar t ia l sou l

w as t h e Ligh t n in g Bir d . H e w as also Ch en Fei’s b iological you n ger b r ot h er , an d
t h ey w er e on ly a year ap ar t in t er m s of age.
Com p ar ed t o h is b r ot h er , Ch en An w as on ly 18 t h is year . It w as ob viou s t h a t

h e w as m or e t alen t ed t h an h is b r ot h er , as h e cou ld r ep r esen t t h e Su n M oon
Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y as a n official t eam m em b er even t h ou gh h e
w as on ly 18 year s old . Bu t h e on ly h ad t h is on e b iological b r ot h er , w h o h ad
alw ays b een h is goal.
Ch en Fei w as d ead . H e h ad d ied u n d er M a Xiaot ao’s p h oen ix flam es. Ch en

An ’s eyes t u r n ed h a d b lood -r ed fr om t h a t p oin t on .
Li Yan h ad lost . H e h ad alr ead y ju m p ed on t o t h e st age t h e m om en t t h e

H eaven fien d Dou lu o op en ed h is m ou t h . H is en t ir e p er son seem ed t o b e on fir e,
an d a layer of for m less r ad ian ce w a s sh in in g fr om h im .
Chapt er 119.2: Xu Sanshi Goes All-Out
H e fou gh t d iffer en t ly fr om ot h er sou l en gin eer s. W h en t h e H eaven fien d

Dou lu o sign aled t h e st ar t of t h e com p et it ion , h e leap t t ow ar d s Xu San sh i lik e a
b olt of ligh t n in g.
H e w as t oo q u ick . In t er m s of sp eed , h e w as even fast er t h a n h is eld er b r ot h er .

H u o Yu h ao cou ld on ly t ell t h at Ch en An w as w ield in g a p air of sh or t sw or d s as
h is w eap on s even t h ou gh h e h ad h is Sp ir it Eyes.
T h e 10 0 m et er s b et w een t h em seem ed t o b e cover ed so easily. T h at b olt of

ligh t n in g su r ged st r aigh t t ow ar d s Xu Sa n sh i, an d even t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o
h ad t o b e ab solu t ely focu sed in p r ep ar at ion t o en d t h is r ou n d .
T h e r ad ian ce fr om Xu San sh i’s M ilk Bot t le h ad d isap p ear ed w h en h is

op p on en t d ash ed ou t . H e lift ed t h e h eavy Xu an w u Sh ield an d p er for m ed an
act ion t h at d id n ’t seem r elat ed t o t h e com p et it ion .
H e m oved h alf a st ep t o t h e r igh t , an d t ilt ed t h e Xu an w u Sh ield at an an gle.

H e also sh u t h is eyes at t h is p oin t an d sealed h is v ision .
“Dan g—” A st r eak of ad van cin g gold en ligh t gr azed p ast t h e Xu an w u Sh ield
an d am id st a st r eam of sp ar k s. Aft er t h at , a ser ies of exp losion s ech oed fr om t h e
Xu an w u Sh ield . T h e fr igh t en in g exp losive for ce w as t oo m u ch for Xu San sh i,
even t h ou gh h e h ad t h e Xu an w u Sh ield . H e r et r ea t ed a few st ep s r ap id ly, an d
on ly m an aged t o st a b ilize aft er st agger in g a lit t le.
Yes, Ch en An an d Ch en Fei w er e d iffer en t . Ch en Fei u sed h is sp eed , as h e w a s

a sp eed -t yp e lon g-r an ge at t ack er , w h er eas Ch en An w as a close-com b at sou l
en gin eer . H e sp ecia lized in close-com b at an d at t ack ed r a p id ly. A p ow er fu l
assau lt -t yp e close-com b at sou l t ool, alon g w it h h is ext r em e sp eed , m ad e h im
st r on ger t h an an agilit y-t yp e sou l k in g.
T h e p air of sh or t sw or d s in h is h an d h ad b een m old ed b y h im 7 t im es. T h e
sh or t sw or d s w ou ld b ecom e m or e p ow er fu l ever y t im e t h ey w er e m old ed . H e
h ad m ad e t h em Class 6 sou l t ools t h r ou gh all h is effor t . On e sw or d h a d a fla sh
effect , an d w as ext r em ely q u ick , w h ile t h e ot h er sw or d cou ld in vok e a
t h u n d er st or m . On ce st r u ck b y t h is sw or d , a t h u n d er st or m w ou ld r age an d st r ik e
t h e op p on en t . It w ou ld also cr eat e a n op p or t u n it y for t h e ot h er sw or d .
It t ook Ch en An less t h an a t h ir d of a secon d t o slow h is assau lt . In t h e n ext

in st an t , h e h ad alr ea d y at t ack ed Xu Sa n sh i lik e a b olt of ligh t n in g.
Xu San sh i st ar t ed t o sh ift h is feet , an d h is sm all st ep s ch an ged r ep eat ed ly. It

ap p ear ed t h at h is act ion s w er e ou t of t u n e w it h t h e on com in g b olt of ligh t n in g,
b u t h e w as ab le t o d od ge b eh in d t h e Xu an w u Sh ield .
A close-com b at sou l en gin eer w as offen sively st r on ger t h a n a lon g-d ist an ce
sou l en gin eer . W h ile t h e sou l t ool r ays an d sou l t ool can n on s look ed ver y
d azzlin g, on ly a close-com b at sou l t ool cou ld u n leash t h e effect s of a sou l t ool t o
it s fu llest .
Xu San sh i’s d efen se h ad r each ed a sou l k in g’s st an d ar d w it h t h e Xu an w u

Sh ield su p p or t in g h im . H ow ever , h e w as st ill for ced b ack b y Ch en An ’s
r elen t less at t ack s. H e cou ld n ’t even st an d p r op er ly. A st r eak of flash in g ligh t left
st r eak s a n d st r eak s of sh r illin g sp ar k s. Bolt s a n d b olt s of ligh t n in g b r ou gh t
b oom in g, r ever b er at in g sou n d s w it h t h em .
Xu San sh i w as in gr eat jeop ar d y n ow . H e w as at r isk of p er ish in g u n d er t h e

p u lsat in g b olt s of ligh t n in g.
H e w as get t in g closer t o t h e ed ge of t h e st age. If t h is con t in u ed , Xu San sh i

w ou ld cer t ain ly b e for ced off t h e st age even if h e cou ld r esist Ch en An ’s at t ack s.
H ow ever , Ch en An ch an ged t h e d ir ect ion of h is at t ack s at t h is p oin t . Xu

San sh i h a d t o r et r eat lat er ally b ecau se of t h is.
“Rascal, w h at ’r e you d oin g?” T h e Su n M oon t eam ’s t each er cou ld n ot h elp
b u t scold fu r iou sly. Ch en An w as on t h e ver ge of vict or y ear lier !
“H e w an t s t o t ak e r even ge for Ch en Fei. T h is fellow …” M a Ru lon g w as a lit t le

an n oyed as h e sh u t h is eyes. W h at else cou ld h e say? If it w er e h im , w h a t w ou ld
h e d o?
Ch en An d id n ’t for ce Xu San sh i off t h e st age, as h e w an t ed m or e t im e t o

at t ack . H e w an t ed t o fin d a loop h ole an d k ill h im .
Xu San sh i w as for ced t o r et r eat lat er a lly. H e w as st agger in g n ow , an d cou ld b e

k illed a t an yt im e.
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o w as exp er ien ced , an d cou ld t ell Ch en An ’s m ot ive.
“Boom —"
An exp losion r an g fr om t h e Xu an w u Sh ield . Xu San sh i’s h an d s also t r em b led

a lit t le, an d h e st agger ed b ack w ar d s q u ick ly. H e w an t ed t o u se h is sou l sk ill t o
m ak e u p for h is sh or t fall, b u t Ch en An ’s sp eed in cr eased t o it s p eak a t t h is
in st an t . Ch en An ’s flash in g sw or d st ab b ed t ow ar d s Xu San sh i r ap id ly.
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o h esit at ed for a w h ile. H e cou ld t ell t h at Xu San sh i

w as u n ab le t o d od ge t h is b low , b u t h e saw Xu San sh i’s Xu an w u Sh ield ligh t in g
u p t oo.
H e cou ld en d t h is r ou n d if h e m ad e h is m ove, b u t h e cou ld n ’t d et er m in e t h e

vict or . T h at w a s w h y h e h esit at ed . H e d id n ’t st r ik e w it h t h e h an d h e lift ed , as h e
d id n ’t w an t t o in flu en ce t h e r esu lt .
“Psh t —” T h e flash in g sw or d st ab b ed in t o Xu San sh i’s ch est . In t en se ligh t n in g

flash ed acr oss h is ch est , an d h is en t ir e p er son seem ed t o b e coat ed w it h a layer
of ligh t n in g.
“No—!” Below t h e st age, t h e cr it ically in ju r ed J ian g Nan n a n sat u p . Sh e let

ou t a sor r ow fu l gr oa n , t h en sp at ou t a m ou t h fu l of fr esh b lood .
H ow cou ld Xu San sh i n ot h ear t h at ? H is eyes w er e filled w it h r esolve in it ially,
b u t a sh r ed of com for t ap p ear ed w h en h e h ear d t h a t sor r ow fu l gr oan .
T h e ligh t n in g t h at sp r ead acr oss h is b od y w as t h e effect cau sed b y t h e

flash in g sw or d . As t h e sw or d st ab b ed in t o h is b od y, t h e flash in g ligh t n in g
su r ged in h is en t ir e b od y an d cou ld even t ear it ap ar t .
Ch en An w as d eligh t ed w h en h e m an aged t o st ab Xu San sh i su ccessfu lly. H e

m u t t er ed t o h im self, “Eld er b r ot h er , I’ve aven ged you .”
H ow ever , h is sm ile st iffen ed u p at t h is p o in t .
Xu San sh i’s b od y w a s cover ed on flash in g ligh t n in g, b u t t h er e w er e t oo m an y

b olt s of ligh t n in g on h is b od y. J u st as Ch en An w as st u n n ed in p lace, a gen t le
r ip p le u n d u la t ed , an d Xu San sh i’s t o u gh Xu an w u Sh ield soft en ed . It t u r n ed in t o
r ip p lin g w at er t h at en gu lfed h is b od y in t er n ally.
Xu San sh i h ad b een w ait in g for t h is m om en t for t oo lon g. Again st a close-

com b at sou l en gin eer , h is M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Disp lacem en t w as u seless.
Br in gin g h is op p on en t close t o h im w ou ld on ly en ab le h is op p on en t t o in cr ease
h is fr eq u en cy of at t ack s. T h e M yst er iou s Un d er w or ld Qu ak e cou ld n ’t even
q u ak e at a sp eed t h at m at ch ed u p t o t h e op p on en t ’s r at e of at t ack . T h at w as w h y
h e cou ld on ly w ait fo r an op p or t u n it y t o a r r ive.
Did Xu San sh i slip u p ju st n ow ? No, of cou r se n ot . H e h a d in t en t ion ally

r evealed a cr ack in h is d efen ses. T h at w a s b ecau se h e cou ld clear ly sen se t h at h e
w as u n ab le t o h old on , as h is sou l p ow er w as d ep let in g qu ick ly an d h is op p on en t
w as at t ack in g h im r elen t lessly. H e h ad n o ch an ce t o w ait a n y fu r t h er , t h u s h e
n eed ed t o t ak e a r isk .
T h e Xu an w u Sh ield t u r n ed in t o a b all of b lack w at er y ligh t t h at en gu lfed

Ch en An p r ecisely. In t h e n ext in st an t , a h u ge illu sor y Xu an w u Sh ield ap p ear ed
b eh in d Xu San sh i
Chapt er 120.1: The Tang Sect 's Secr et Techniques
T h e sh ield h ad t u r n ed in t o a liq u id ? T h e ch an ges cam e t oo su d d en ly, b u t it

ch an ged t h e ou t com e of t h e figh t .
Even Bei Bei, w h o w as t h e m ost fam iliar w it h Xu San sh i, d id n ’t k n ow t h at

t h is good fr ien d of h is h ad su ch a cap ab ilit y. No on e w ou ld also h ave exp ect ed
t h at t h is sou l sk ill w ou ld b ecom e Xu San sh i’s t r a d em ar k . It h ad a fr igh t en in g
st r en gt h t h at w a s alm ost ir r esist ib le. It s n am e w as Descen t of t h e Xu an w u .
T h is w as an ad d it ion al p ow er t h at t h e Xu an w u Sh ield p ossessed . H ow ever , Xu

San sh i cou ld on ly at t ack w it h in close r an ge, as h e cou ld n ot fu lly con t r ol t h e
sh ield yet . Fu r t h er m or e, t h e ar ea t h at h e cou ld cover w as ver y sm all, an d h e h ad
on ly on e ch an ce. On ce h is op p on en t d od ged t h is a t t ack , h e w ou ld n o lon ger
p ossess an y ch an ce of w in n in g.
T h at ’s w h y h e w ait ed . W h en h is op p on en t ’s flash in g sw or d st ab b ed in t o h is
r igh t ch est t h at h e in t en t ion ally exp osed , h e k n ew t h at t h e op p or t u n it y h ad
ar r ived .
Ch en An low er ed h is gu ar d for an in st a n t aft er h e got w h a t h e w an t ed an d

slow ed d ow n b y a b eat . T h is gave Xu San sh i an op p or t u n it y t o u n leash an a ll-ou t
st r ik e t ow ar d s h im .
T h e flash in g ligh t n in g fr om t h e sw or d d id n ’t cau se an y h ar m t o Xu San sh i.

On ly t h e sw or d b la d e t h at st ab b ed r igh t t h r ou gh h im left h im in in t en se p ain .
W at er con d u ct s elect r icit y. M or eover , Xu San sh i h ad t h e Xu an w u Sh ield . H e

cou ld su p p r ess h is op p on en t com p let ely u sin g h is m ar t ial so u l. T h at ’s w h y t h e
ligh t n in g fr om t h e sw or d w as con d u ct ed ou t fr om h is b od y b y h is w at er -t yp e
sou l p ow er . It w asn ’t t h at easy t o h ar m a d efen se-t yp e sou l m a st er .
Ch en An ’s fir st r eact ion t o b ein g en gu lfed b y t h e w at er r ip p le w as t o b u r st ou t
of it . H e w an t ed t o r et r act h is sw or d , b u t h e cou ld n ’t d o it an ym or e. Xu San sh i
t igh t en ed h is m u scles an d b ot h h is h an d s gr ab b ed t h e sw or d b lad e ver y t igh t ly.
Ch en An h ad n o ch oice b u t t o let go of h is sw or d sin ce st r en gt h w as n ot h is

for t e. H e su b d u ed w it h h is sp eed , t h u s it w as im p er at ive for h im n ot t o get
cau gh t .
Bolt s of ligh t n in g sh on e on h is ot h er sw or d , an d an in t en se b oom

r ever b er at ed fr om it .
Im p u r e w at er con d u ct s elect r icit y, an d t h e r ad ian ce fr om t h e Xu an w u Sh ield

con t ain ed t r aces of w at er .
T h e viscou s flu id p r even t ed Ch en An , a Class 5 sou l en gin eer an d sou l k in g,

fr om escap in g.
Fr esh b lood flow ed d ow n Xu San sh i’s ch est an d p alm s as h e p u lled t h e

flash in g sw or d fr om h is ch est an d glar ed cold ly at t h e en t r ap p ed Ch en An , w h o
w as su r r ou n d ed b y t h e b lack r ad ian ce con ver t ed fr om t h e Xu an w u Sh ield .
“Good b ye.”
T h e illu sor y Xu an w u figu r e b eh in d Xu San sh i t u r n ed in t o an ot h er Xu an w u

Sh ield as t h e b lack r ad ian ce flash ed . T h e sn ak e’s eyes on t h e sh ield t h en sh ot
ou t a r ed ligh t , ca u sin g t h e b lack r a d ian ce t r ap p in g Ch en An t o t u r n r ed in an
in st an t .
“St op .” T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o st ep p ed for w ar d an d at t em p t ed t o st op Xu

San sh i’s at t ack .
H ow ever , t h e Xu an w u Sh ield ’s in n a t e offen sive m et h od w as t oo w eir d . T h e

H eaven fien d Dou lu o er ect ed a layer of ligh t t o segr egat e t h e b ot h of t h em a n d
ext en d ed h is h an d t o p u ll Ch en An ou t . H ow ever , h e qu ick ly r et r act ed h is h an d
w h en h e ext en d ed it in t o t h e r ed flu id , as if h e w as sh ock ed .
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o’s exp r ession h ad ch an ged b ecau se of t h e t er r ifyin g
feelin g h e’d exp er ien ced .
H is sp ir it sh ook fr om t h e Xu an w u ’s au r a of d esolat ion . Aft er t h at , h e w at ch ed

as Ch en An d isap p ear ed w it h in t h e r ed flu id . Or r at h er , h e m elt ed in t h e flu id .
T h is st r ik e w as n o lon ger ju st in flict ed w it h Xu San sh i’s st r en gt h . H e’d

b ecom e t h e in t er m ed iar y b et w een t h e Xu an w u t h at con t r olled t h e w at er an d
ear t h elem en t s.
T h er e w er e on ly t h r ee w ays of p r even t in g t h is b low fr om lan d in g. T h e fir st

w as t o avoid b ein g st r u ck b y t h e b all of b lack ligh t con ver t ed fr om t h e Xu an w u
Sh ield . T h e r ad iu s of t h at b all of b lack ligh t w as on ly 3 m et er s, an d it cou ld on ly
b e u sed on ce ever y 3 d ays, ju st lik e W a n g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao’s m ar t ial sou l
fu sion sk ill. Fu r t h er m or e, it h ad t o b e u n leash ed in t h e aw ak en ed Xu an w u for m .
T h e secon d w ay w as t o t ak e Xu San sh i d ow n b efor e t h e Descen t of t h e

Xu an w u w as fu lly u n leash ed . T h is w a s t h e on ly w ay t o en d h is r it u a l of
su m m on in g t h e Descen t of t h e Xu an w u .
T h e last w ay w as t o su p p r ess t h e Xu a n w u w it h on e’s m ar t ial sou l. H ow ever ,

t h is w as ver y d ifficu lt .
T h is w as Xu San sh i’s fir st t im e u sin g t h is in n at e sk ill, or r at h er t h is b lood lin e

sk ill. Ch en An w as also t h e fir st sacr ificial offer in g t ow ar d s t h e Descen t of
Xu an w u .
“Ah h h —” Sor r ow fu l m oan s r an g fr om below t h e st age. Ever yon e fr om t h e

Su n M oon t eam w as ab ou t t o go cr azy. T h eir t each er w as even ab ou t t o r u sh u p
t h e com p et it ion st age.
T h is w as t h e t h ir d on e! T h is w as t h e t h ir d m em b er fr om t h eir t eam t h a t h a d
p er ish ed in t h e t ou r n am en t ! H ow cou ld t h is b e? T h eir t each er w as ab solu t ely
flu st er ed n ow . T h er e w as n o w ay h e cou ld accou n t t o t h e d ea n aft er t h r ee of t h e
acad em y’s ou t st an d in g t alen t s h ad b een k illed !
Xu San sh i d id n ’t see all t h is. On ce Ch en An w as assim ila t ed b y t h e r ed
r ad ian ce, h e collap sed h im self an d p assed ou t . T h e b u r d en on h im w as even
gr eat er t h is t im e; h e w asn ’t act in g an ym or e.
H e’d m an aged t o b eat t w o sou l k in gs as a sou l an cest or . H e’d alr ead y

con t r ib u t ed a lot t o Sh r ek ’s glor y. Fu r t h er m or e, h e w as on ly a d efen se-t yp e sou l
m ast er !
T h e d efen sive b ar r ier s on t h e com p et it ion st age w er e p r oject ed in w a r d s. T h is

w as t o p r even t an y ou t flow of p ow er s fr om t h e st age, an d t h e b ar r ier s on ly
exer t ed a u n id ir ect io n al for ce. T h at w as w h y it w as ver y easy for ever yon e fr om
t h e Su n M oon t eam t o b ar ge u p t h e st age t ow ar d s Xu San sh i.
“St op !” T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o sh ou t ed . Even t h ou gh h e felt gloom y, h e

st ill h ad t o r est r a in t h e Su n M oon t eam , a s h e w as t h e r efer ee.
T h e Su n M oon t eam cou ld n o lon ger h old b ack as t h ey w er e t oo em ot ion al.

Cou n t less sou l t ool r ays sh ot t ow ar d s Xu San sh i, w h o’d collap sed t o t h e gr ou n d .
H ow ever , a b r azen figu r e ap p ear ed at t h e cen t er of t h e st age at t h is p oin t , an d

all of t h e r ays of ligh t w er e in st an t an eo u sly d isp er sed .
A layer of for m less yellow seem ed t o sp r ead in t h e air . Ever yon e on t h e st age,
in clu d in g t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o, seem ed t o h ave b een fr ozen in p lace, an d all
of t h eir act ion s st op p ed .
T h e figu r e on t h e st age h eld on t o h is w in e gou r d an d calm ly d ow n ed a

m ou t h fu l of w in e. H e p eacefu lly look ed at ever yon e fr om t h e Su n M oon t eam
p eacefu lly.
“T r yin g t o r evolt ?”
T h ese sim p le w or d s of h is seem ed t o h eavily st r ik e t h e m in d s of ever yon e

fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y. N on e of t h em cou ld
sp eak at t h is m om en t .
W it h ou t a d ou b t , t h e p er son t h at h ad ap p ear ed on st age an d cau sed ever yon e
t o b e p et r ified w as t h e T aot ie Dou lu o, Eld er Xu an .
Eld er Xu an said in d iffer en t ly, “T h e h ist or y of t h e Con t in en t a l Ad van ced Sou l

M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t can b e t r aced b ack m or e t h an 10 ,0 0 0
year s. Even w h en t h e M ar t ial Sou l H a ll con t r olled all t h e sou l m ast er s on t h e
con t in en t , t h e t ou r n am en t h as n ever b een d isr u p t ed b efor e. Plea se fin d t h e
r efer ee if som eon e h as b een k illed an d you w an t t o get even . Accor d in g t o t h e
r u les, all com p et in g m em b er s h ave t o giv e t h eir all in or d er t o d isp lay t h eir t r u e
ab ilit ies. W h o can h old b ack aft er t h ey’ve given t h eir all? Fu r t h er m or e, t h e
r efer ee is in ch ar ge of m on it or in g t h e com p et it ion . If som eon e d ies, t h e r efer ee
is t h e on e at fau lt . W h at h as t h a t got t o d o w it h ou r t eam m em b er ? If an yon e
in t en d s t o b r eak t h is t en t h ou san d year -old r u le, t h ey can com e fin d m e.”
H e t u r n ed ar ou n d an d w alk ed t ow ar d s Xu San sh i as h e sp ok e, t h en b en t d ow n
an d lift ed Xu San sh i u p . A gen t le yellow r ad ian ce w as in ject ed in t o Xu Sa n sh i’s
b od y, w h ich im m ed iat ely sor t ed h im ou t . It a lso sealed t h e vein s w h er e h is
w ou n d s w er e locat ed .
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o H u an g J in xu w as ext r em ely d ep r essed aft er h ear in g

t h is. Su b t le st r eak s of b lack seem ed t o d r oop fr om h is for eh ead .
W h y w as t h is old fellow st ill alive? H ow ever , h e d id n ’t say an yt h in g in

r esp on se.
Eld er Xu an t u r n ed ar ou n d on ce again as h e r each ed t h e ed ge of t h e st age,

“T h e t ou r n am en t m u st con t in u e, u n less you w an t t o b e t h e b u t t of all jok es. Oh
yes, I d on ’t ca r e if t h e ot h er s d ie, b u t if t h ese lit t le fellow s d ie, I can ’t gu ar an t ee
t h at I w on ’t go cr azy. I d on ’t t h in k t h er e’s an yon e h er e w h o can st op m e if I go
cr azy.”
T h is w as an ob viou s t h r eat ! H ow ever , n o on e d ar ed t o op en t h eir m ou t h .
On ly aft er Eld er Xu a n h ad car r ied Xu Sa n sh i off t h e st age d id ever yon e fr om

t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y m an age t o m ove again .
T h e st u d en t s st ill w an t ed t o p r ot est , b u t t h eir t each er r each ed ou t h is h an d
an d st op p ed t h em .
“T each er , w e’r e ju st goin g t o leave t h in gs lik e t h is? W e…” M a Ru lon g

p r ot est ed in d ign a n t ly.
“Sh u t u p !” T h eir t each er b ellow ed , “Do you k n ow w h o t h at is? H e’s t h e

st r on gest in Sh r ek Acad em y, an d h e’s also on e of t h e t op 5 on t h e con t in en t . H is
t it le is T aot ie, an d h e’s a Ran k 98 T r an scen d en t Dou lu o. H e h as fr igh t en in g
p ow er close t o t h at of an Ult im at e Dou lu o. If h e goes cr azy, h e cou ld lay w ast e t o
t h is cit y. Even t h e H allm ast er w ou ld n ’t d ar e t o ch allen ge h im if h e w er e h er e.
No on e exp ect ed h im t o ap p ear in t od ay’s fin als.”
Aft er h e sp ok e, it w as as if ever yon e fr om t h e Su n M oon t eam h ad b een

sp lash ed w it h a b asin of ice w at er . T h ey all felt a ch ill in t h eir h ear t s.
As sou l en gin eer s, t h ey b elieved t h at sou l en gin eer s w ou ld su r p ass sou l

m ast er s in t h e fu t u r e. Bu t Ran k 98 w as t oo h igh of a figu r e for t h em ; it w as
b eyon d t h eir k n ow led ge. In t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e, t h er e w asn ’t a sin gle
T r an scen d en t Dou lu o! Ran k 98 w as even m or e r id icu lou s.
“Ar e w e r eally goin g t o leave it ju st lik e t h a t ?” Xiao H on gch en ask ed

in d ign an t ly.
T h eir t each er w as p ale as h e said , “T aot ie m ay b e ver y st r on g, b u t h e car es

ab ou t h is ow n face. So lon g as w e d on ’t an n oy h im , h e w on ’t d o an yt h in g t o u s.
H e w on ’t d isr u p t t h e t ou r n am en t as lon g as t h in gs go accor d in g t o t h e r u les
eit h er . Let ’s all lea ve t h e st age. H e’s also r igh t in t h a t t h at it ’s lar gely t h e
r efer ee’s fau lt t h at ou r t eam m em b er s w er e k illed . T h e a cad em y w ill seek
r ed r ess for t h is m a t t er .”
It h ad b een p r oven t h at a T r an scen d en t Dou lu o w as en ou gh t o su p p r ess

ever yon e. Even t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or an d W h it e T iger Du k e d id n ’t com m en t ,
in st ead on ly w at ch in g fr om afar . T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or , Xu J iaw ei, r evealed a
p en sive look , w h er eas t h e W h it e T iger Du k e fu r r ow ed h is b r ow s an d seem ed t o
b e t h in k in g of som et h in g.
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o w as ver y p r ou d an d w it h d r aw n . If it w er e som eon e

else, h e w ou ld h ave r et alia t ed even t h ou gh it w as in fr on t of 10 0 ,0 0 0 sp ect at or s.
H ow ever , h e d id n ’t d ar e d o so in fr on t of Eld er Xu an . T h at w as b ecau se h e h ad
sp ar r ed w it h Eld er Xu an 20 year s ago, an d h ad n ’t far ed m u ch b et t er t h an a
cer t ain Pr ot ect or Dou lu o fr om t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s r oyal fam ily…
H u an g J in xu t ook a d eep b r eat h , an d t r ied h is b est t o calm h im self d ow n .

T h er e w as n ot h in g em b ar r assin g ab ou t b ein g h u m iliat ed b y Eld er Xu an .
Alt h ou gh Eld er Xu a n h ad sh ift ed t h e b lam e t o h im , h e d id n ’t ar gu e b ack an d
b or e t h e h u m iliat ion .
“Bot h t eam s, p lease sen d you r n ext com p et in g m em b er s u p t o t h e st age. Fr om

Sh r ek Acad em y, w e h ave Bei Bei. Fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y, w e h ave M ich ael. Bot h m em b er s, p lease ascen d t h e st age.”
Sh r ek Acad em y h eld t h e ad va n t age n ow t h at t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d h ad

r each ed t h is st age. T h ey’d even laid a solid fou n d a t ion for t h e u p com in g 2-2-3
figh t .
Sh r ek Acad em y h a d on ly sen t ou t a sou l an cest or , Xu Sa n sh i, yet h e’d b een

ab le t o over com e 2 Class 5 sou l en gin eer s. H is con t r ib u t ion s w er e im m en se.
Fu r t h er m or e, on e of h is op p on en t h ad d ied , w h ile t h e ot h er h ad b een gr avely
in ju r ed . T h ey cou ld n ’t com p et e in t h e 2-2-3 figh t . T h is m ean t t h at Sh r ek
Acad em y h ad alr ead y w on 1 r ou n d ou t of t h e 3 r ou n d s in t h e 2-2-3 figh t . An d
t h ey ju st h a d t o w in 2 r ou n d s ou t of 3 in t h e 2-2-3 figh t !
Even t h ou gh Sh r ek Acad em y h ad lost Xu San sh i, t h eir 2 sou l em p er or s h a d

yet t o com p et e. T h eir ad van t age in t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d w as ob viou s.
T eam Su n M oon ’s t each er sq u in t ed h is eyes, an d h is exp r ession t u r n ed

gh ast ly. H ow ever , h e also k n ew t h at h e cou ld n ’t p an ic at t h is p oin t . If t h ey
m ad e a false m ove, t h ey cou ld lose t h e en t ir e t ou r n am en t . It w asn ’t as if Sh r ek ’s
ad van t age w ou ld last for ever , even t h ou gh t h ey h ad t h e u p p er h an d r igh t n ow .
Aft er all, t h e in d ivid u al r ou n d h ad on ly ju st b egu n .
H e su m m on ed M en g H on gch en over .
“Lit t le M en g, ever yt h in g w ill d ep en d on you lat er . You ’ll b e u p n ext . For t h e
acad em y’s glor y, give it you r all.” T h e t each er said in a d eep voice.
A w eir d r ad ian ce flash ed acr oss M en g H on gch en ’s eyes as sh e n od d ed h er

h ead sligh t ly. “Don ’t w or r y, T each er . I m igh t n ot b e ab le t o d et er m in e t h e
ou t com e, b u t I can d efin it ely ch an ge t h e sit u at ion . I w on ’t let Sh r ek Acad em y
h ave it easy.”
“Yes, w e’r e cou n t in g on you .” T h e t each er b ow ed sligh t ly t ow ar d s M en g

H on gch en .
Xiao H on gch en p u r sed h is lip s fr om t h e ot h er sid e. H e w as d eject ed , as h e

b elieved t h at h e sh ou ld b e t h e on e t o t u r n t h e t ab les ar ou n d . W h ile h is sist er ’s
cap ab ilit ies w er e sp ecial, an d cou ld lead t o u n p r eced en t ed effect s, sh e w as lik ely
t o b e gr eat ly r est r ict ed u n d er cer t ain con d it ion s. H er a b ilit ies w er en ’t as
b alan ced as h is! H ow ever , h e r eally w as ser iou sly in ju r ed . Even t h ou gh h e m igh t
b e ab le t o p ar t icip at e in t h e 2-2-3 figh t , h e w ou ld b e u seless in t h e in d ivid u al
r ou n d . Besid es feelin g d eject ed , t h er e w as n ot h in g h e cou ld d o.
Bei Bei an d M ich ael r et r eat ed t o t h e ed ges of t h e com p et it ion st age. T h e

H eaven fien d Dou lu o d id n ’t r evea l an y exp r ession on h is face as gest u r ed an d
sh ou t ed , “M at ch , st a r t !”
M ich ael w as an official t eam m em b er , t h u s h is p ow er s w er e su p er ior t o t h e

ot h er 2 m em b er s b efor e h im . H is ab ilit ies w er en ’t as sim p le as t h ey’d seem ed
w h en h e’d faced J ia n g Pen g fr om t h e Im p er ial Pr ofou n d Aca d em y.
H e im m ed iat ely d isp layed h is t r u e cap ab ilit ies t h e m om en t t h e com p et it ion

b egan . A ser ies of m et allic clan k in g sou n d s r an g ou t as sever al sou l t ools
at t ach ed t h em selves t o h is b od y.
H ow ever , h e w as d iffer en t fr om h is ot h er t eam m em b er s. T h er e w er en ’t

m an y b ar r els on h is b od y, b u t t h ey w er e all locat ed ar ou n d h is legs an d b ack .
A p air of b lu e, m et al b oot s h ad ap p ear ed ar ou n d h is feet an d legs. At t h e sam e
t im e, 2 m et a l b ar r els h ad ap p ear ed b eh in d h is b ack . T h ese 2 m et al b ar r els w er e
on ly 3 in ch es lon g, bu t t h ey w er e m or e t h an 6 in ch es in d iam et er . T h e b ack s of
t h ese b ar r els w er e sh ap ed lik e b alls, w h ich allow ed t h em t o ch an ge d ir ect ion s
easily.
H u o Yu h ao w ou ld fin d it d ifficu lt t o con t r ol su ch an ad van ced sou l t ool, as h is

sou l p ow er w as in su fficien t , b u t M ich ael cou ld easily con t r ol t h is sou l t ool, as h e
w as a Class 5 sou l en gin eer .
Ot h er t h an t h ese 2 sou l t ools, 4 m et al w in gs ext en d ed fr om M ich ael’s r ib s. Bu t

t h ey w er e n ot flyin g-t yp e sou l t ools. Rat h er , t h ey w er e t h er e t o h elp h im ad ju st
h is aim an d m a in t ain h is b alan ce.
In ad d it ion , M ich al t h er e w as a t h ick b ar r el on each of h is a r m s, as w ell as

an ot h er h u ge, cir cu lar , b all-lik e ob ject t h at seem ed sim ilar t o a con cen t r at ed
sou l t ool on h is ch est .
Bei Bei fou gh t in a sim ilar st yle t o m ost sou l m ast er s: As soo n as t h e st ar t of
t h e com p et it ion w as an n ou n ced , h e b u r st for w ar d t ow ar d s h is op p on en t as fast
as p ossib le.
Closin g t h e gap b et w een t h em w as t h e b est w ay t h at on e cou ld r esist a lon g-

d ist an ce sou l en gin eer .
M ich ael also m ad e h is m ove, t h e lon g b oot s on h is leg flash in g w it h ligh t ,

cau sin g h im t o im m ed iat ely m ove a few m et er s lat er ally at a fr igh t en in g sp eed .
W h ile h e w asn ’t com p ar ab le t o Ch en An , h e w as n ot t h at m u ch slow er eit h er .
T h e sou l t h r u st er b eh in d h is b ack also sh ot ou t a lit t le ligh t as h e m oved
lat er ally, alt h ou gh t h eir r a d ian ce w asn ’t in t en se. H ow ever , it st ill m an aged t o
in cr ease h is sp eed sign ifican t ly, w h ile t h e w in gs on h is b ack au t om at ically
ad ju st ed t o m ain t a in h is b alan ce as h e m oved . H u o Yu h ao an d H e Cait ou w er e
b ot h aw ed w h en t h ey saw t h ese sou l t ools in act ion . M ich ael t r u ly lived u p t o h is
n am e as a d iscip le t h at cam e fr om t h e b est sou l en gin eer in g acad em y on t h e
con t in en t ! M ich ael’s im m acu lat e con t r ol of t h ese sou l t ools h ad left t h em
ext r em ely am azed .
H e cou ld n ’t ju st d od ge t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e figh t t h ou gh . H e lift ed h is h an d

w h ile h e w as m ovin g, an d t h e b ar r el on h is r igh t h an d fir ed t ow ar d s Bei Bei. An
scar let , oval-sh ap ed b all of ligh t q u ick ly sh ot ou t in t o t h e air an d flew w it h ou t
an y r h yt h m . Desp it e it s er r at icn ess, Bei Bei r em ain ed it s t ar get . W h at w as
st r an ge w as t h at it d id n ’t let ou t an y sou n d as it ap p ear ed .
Bei Bei exp r ession b ecam e ser iou s an d h e st op p ed in h is t r ack s. H e w aved h is

r igh t h an d an d u n leash ed h is Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon , h is fir st sou l r in g
sh in in g b r igh t ly. H e t h en u sed h is T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw t o gr ab t h e b all of
ligh t .
It w as im p er a t ive for Bei Bei t o u n d er st a n d w h at t h e offen siv e cap ab ilit ies of

h is op p on en t w er e, b ased off of t h e 2 sou l can n on s on h is op p on en t ’s ar m s.
H e m an aged t o p r ecisely gr ab t h e or an ge-r ed ligh t b all, b u t a st r an ge scen e

ap p ear ed .
T h e ligh t n in g fr om t h e T h u n d er ou s Dr agon Claw w as ext in gu ish ed as soon as

it m ad e con t act w it h t h e or an ge-r ed ligh t b all. T h e b all of ligh t st op p ed in m id -
air , t h en b egan t o sh in e even m or e b r igh t ly t h an b efor e.
H e Cait ou h ad a lr ea d y st ood u p b elow t h e st age. H e said in h or r or , “T h at ’s an

au t om at ic sou l can n on ! T o t h in k t h ey act u ally h ad som et h in g lik e t h is…”
H u o Yu h ao h ad on ce h ear d Fan Yu ’s d escr ip t ion of su ch a sou l t ool. It w as a

p ow er fu l sou l t ool t h at Sh r ek Acad em y d id n ’t p ossess.
On ce an au t om at ic sou l can n on w as fir ed , t h e can n on sh ell w ou ld ab sor b all

su r r ou n d in g en er gy, t h en b ecom e exp losive on ce it st r u ck it s op p on en t or w as
b lock ed . T h e scar iest t h in g w as t h at it cou ld b e also b e d et on at ed at an y t im e.
T h is m ean t t h a t M ich ael cou ld m ak e it so t h at t h e ca n n on sh ell on ly

d et on at ed a few secon d s aft er it w as t ou ch ed . Gen er ally sp eak in g, it w ou ld
exp lod e b et w een on e an d five secon d s aft er con t act . Aft er all, a can n on sh ell w as
a h igh -en er gy en t it y com p r essed fr om sou l p ow er ; it cou ld n ’t b e con t r olled for
t oo lon g.
Bu t m an y t h in gs cou ld st ill b e d ecid ed w it h in t h is p er iod of t im e!
T h is w as t h e ca se n ow . W h en h e saw t h e su d d en in cr ease in t h e in t en sit y of

t h e ligh t , Bei Bei h a d n o ch oice b u t t o st o p an d leap t o t h e sid e.
T h e scar let b all of ligh t exp lod ed aft er a secon d , it s fr igh t en in gly exp losive
for ce cr eat in g a b u r n in g, scar let cir cle of ligh t w it h a d iam et er of m or e t h an on e
an d a h alf m et er s, a n d an even gr eat er exp losive st r en gt h , t o ap p ear . T h e ligh t
cau sed t h e air w it h in a 3 m et er r a d iu s t o d ist or t w h er ever it p a ssed .
Bei Bei t u r n ed p ale a n d w an t ed t o cu r se. T h is sou l t ool w a s t oo p ow er fu l. H e

w as lik ely t o b e cr it ically in ju r ed if h e w as st r u ck h ead -on even on ce!
For t u n at ely, t h e au t om at ic sou l can n on fir ed at a r at h er slow sp eed d u e t o it s

gr eat p ow er , as a h u ge am ou n t of sou l p ow er h ad t o b e gat h er ed b efor e t h e
can n on cou ld b e fir ed .
By t h e t im e t h e fir st can n on sh ell exp lod ed , M ich ael’s secon d can n on sh ell
h ad on ly ju st b een fir ed fr om t h e b ar r el on h is ot h er h an d .
T h is t yp e of sou l t o ol w as ver y u sefu l, b u t t h e h eat t h at it gen er at ed cou ld

easily cau se t h e b a r r el t o cr ack , an d cou ld n ’t b e fir ed r ep eat ed ly. As su ch ,
M ich ael ch ose t o fir e w it h t h e ot h er b ar r el. M a Ru lon g h ad m en t ion ed b efor e
t h at close-com b at w asn ’t h is for t e. T h ese au t om at ic sou l can n on s t h at h ad
ap p ear ed in t h is t ou r n am en t for t h e fir st t im e w er e h is t r u e t r u m p car d s. Of
cou r se, t h er e w as also t h e scar let b all t h at st ar t ed t o ligh t u p in fr on t of h is
ch est ; it w as b ou n d t o b e som et h in g p ow er fu l t oo!
M ich ael’s b od y m oved r ap id ly as h e at t ack ed in a con st an t at t em p t t o

m ain t ain t h e fu r t h est d ist an ce h e cou ld fr om Bei Bei.
T h is secon d can n on sh ell cr ossed in fr on t of t h e p at h t h at Bei Bei w ou ld h ave
t o follow if h e w an t ed t o get t o h im .
A cold r ad ian ce flash ed in Bei Bei’s eyes. T h is t im e h e act ively m oved t o

collid e w it h t h e can n on sh ell, r at h er t h a n u se a sou l sk ill t o in t er cep t it .
A cold sm ile w as r evealed on M ich ael’s face. H e t h ou gh t t o h im self, “Ar e you

t r yin g t o d o d ge m y at t ack ? M y can n on sh ell h a s lock ed on t o you ; you can ’t
escap e it . On ce you ’r e h it b y it , you ’ll b e st u ck , an d I’ll b e ab le t o exact r even ge
for m y b r ot h er s.”
W h en t h e can n on sh ell r each ed in fr on t of Bei Bei, h e lift ed h is left h an d an d

gr ab b ed it .
W h y d id h e gr ab h old of t h e can n on sh ell? T h is w as w h at ever y sp ect at or

w on d er ed . In t h e Su n M oon t eam ’s eyes, h is ar m w a s b ou n d t o b e cr ip p led , even
if h e d id n ’t d ie.
Bei Bei’s m ovem en t s w er e seq u en t ia l. T h e m om en t h e gr ab b ed t h e can n on

sh ell, h is foot st ep s b ecam e sligh t ly fast er . As h e slid t ow ar d s t h e can n on sh ell,
h is b od y b ecam e sligh t ly illu sor y. H e let go of t h e can n on sh ell, b u t t h e can n on
sh ell cam e st ick in g b ack t ow ar d s h im as it t r ack ed h im .
Bu t Bei Bei a lso w r en ch ed h is left h an d d ow n w ar d s at t h is p oin t . T h e can n on

sh ell, w h ich w as a less t h an a foot aw ay, seem ed t o b e gu id ed b y h is p alm , an d
w as slam m ed in t o t h e gr ou n d . It w as com p let ely sm ash ed b y t h e im p act .
Bei Bei t h en b u r st for w ar d w it h in cr eased sp eed as h e p r op elled h im self off

t h e gr ou n d w it h t h e t ip s of h is t oes, in cr easin g t h e gap b et w een t h e can n on sh ell
an d h im t o over 3 m et er s.
A b oom r eson at ed fr om b eh in d h im ; it w as as if t h e su n seem ed w as sh in in g

b r igh t ly at h is b ack .
“I h ave t o r et u r n you r favor . Sin ce you ’ve given m e t w o eggs, I’ll give on e t o
you in r et u r n .” Bei Bei’s r igh t w r ist jer k ed as h e flu n g a p it ch -b lack , b all-lik e
en t it y t ow ar d s M ich ael.
T h is b all-lik e en t it y w as oval-sh ap ed , an d it s t r aject or y w as a s u n r h yt h m ic as

t h e au t om at ic sou l can n on sh ell. It d r ew an ar c in t h e air as it flew t ow ar d s
M ich ael.
M ich ael h ad ju st fir ed h is t h ir d can n on a t t h is p oin t , an d w as sh ock ed b y h ow

h is secon d can n on sh ell w as sm ash ed on t o t h e gr ou n d b y Bei Bei. H ow ever , h e
im m ed iat ely ad ju st ed h is t h ir d can n on so t h at it s can n on sh ell w ou ld b low ap ar t
in st an t an eou sly. If Bei Bei d ar ed t o u se t h e sam e m et h od again , t h e can n on sh ell
w ou ld exp lod e t h e in st an t h e m ad e con t act w it h it . H ow ever , it w as a p it y t h at
h e cou ld n ’t ab sor b an y fu r t h er en er gy fr om Bei Bei’s sou l sk ills, as it w as
u n lik ely t h at Bei Bei w ou ld u se t h em again .
T h e 2 b all-lik e ob ject s seem ed t o in t er lace as t h e scar let b all of ligh t r each ed

Bei Bei alm ost in st a n t ly. Bei Bei p er for m ed an u n exp ect ed lim b o-lik e act ion as
h e b u r st for w ar d . H e con t in u ed t o ad van ce, b u t h is u p p er b od y w as b en t
b ack w ar d s. H e flu n g b ot h of h is h an d s b a ck w ar d s t oo, cau sin g t h e scar let b all of
ligh t t o b e p u sh ed b a ck w ar d s b y a sp ecial for ce. Desp it e t h is, it r em ain ed lock ed
on t o Bei Bei, an d con t in u ed ch asin g h im a ft er flyin g 3 m et er s a w ay.
A load ed ar r ow con cealed in Bei Bei’s sleeve su d d en ly flew ou t an d st r u ck t h e
b all of ligh t at t h is m om en t .
On ce M ich ael’s au t om at ic sou l can n on sh ell w as st r u ck , it w ou ld b low u p . In

ot h er w or d s, it w ou ld n ’t con t in u e t o ch ase it s t ar get an ym or e. It w asn ’t so
in t elligen t aft er all!
A d eafen in g exp losion t h at gen er a t ed im m en se h eat r ever b er at ed fr om

b eh in d Bei Bei, b u t Bei Bei w asn ’t st r u ck b y t h e sh ock w ave as h e con t in u ed t o
ad van ce for w ar d s.
“W ell d on e!” Even Eld er Xu an cou ld n ’t h elp b u t say w h en h e saw t h is scen e.

H e w as im m en sely am azed . Bei Bei h a d d ealt w it h h is op p on en t ’s sou l t ools
ext r em ely b r illian t ly.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g look ed at each ot h er an d saw t h e am azem en t in

each ot h er ’s eyes.
Bei Bei h ad n ’t r esist ed t h e a u t om at ic sou l can n on w it h h is Blu e Ligh t n in g

T yr an t Dr agon , b u t w it h a secr et w eap on fr om t h e T an g Sect ! As t h e T an g Sect ’s
eld est d iscip le, h e’d fin ally r evealed t h e t r u e ab ilit y t h at h e’d con cealed for so
lon g in t h e t ou r n am en t . H e’d u sed t h e T an g Sect ’s secr et t ech n iqu es!
W h ile Bei Bei h an d led t h e t h ir d au t om at ic sou l can n on , t h e m et al b all t h at h e

t h r ow n r each ed M ich ael.
M ich ael w asn ’t car eless, b u t h e w as st ill ext r em ely scor n fu l su b con sciou sly.
As an ou t st an d in g st u d en t fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g
Acad em y, h e w as acq u ain t ed w it h t h e h ist or y of sou l t ools. T h r ow n sou l t ools
h ad exist ed for a lon g t im e, b u t h e cou ld n ’t t h in k of an y p ow er fu l on es am on gst
t h ose t h is size.
It w asn ’t ju st ar r oga n ce for Bei Bei t o flin g a t h r ow n sou l t ool t ow ar d s a Class

5 sou l en gin eer lik e h im —it w as m u ch w or se t h an ar r ogan ce.
H ow ever , h e d id n ’t r eact t o it car elessly d esp it e h avin g su ch an op in ion . H e
lift ed h is r igh t h an d an d t h e T h u n d er ou s Sou l Sw or d t h at h e’d on ce u sed again st
J ian g Pen g ap p ear ed .
A b olt of ligh t n in g sh ot ou t an d t u r n ed in t o a ligh t n in g w h ip t h at h e sw u n g

t ow ar d s t h e m et al b a ll.
Ligh t n in g w as n at u r ally at t r act ed t o m et al. H e w ou ld n ’t let t h e m et al b all get

close t o h im . A sim p le exp losion w o u ld n ’t affect h im w it h t h e d ist an ce h e
m ain t ain ed fr om t h e m et al b all. Fu r t h er m or e, h e w as r ap id ly r et r ea t in g
b ack w ar d s as h e w ield ed t h e sw or d , w h ile also p r ep ar in g t o fir e h is fou r t h
can n on . Bei Bei m igh t b e ver y agile at d o d gin g, b u t M ich ael w asn ’t scar ed of Bei
Bei get t in g close t o h im . In ad d it ion t o t h is, h e cou ld t ell t h at Bei Bei h ad
exh au st ed all of h is p ow er d od gin g h is p r eviou s 3 ca n n on sh ells. H e fir ed t h is
fou r t h can n on t ow ar d s t h e gr ou n d in fr on t of Bei Bei; d elayin g h is op p on en t w as
im p er at ive.
A seq u en ce of st r at egies for m ed in M ich ael’s m in d . T h e on ly t h in g t h at d id n ’t

cr oss h is m in d w as t h e p ot en t ial p r ob lem t h at t h e m et al b all cou ld p ose t o h im .
“Boom —” T h e m et al b all b lew ap ar t t h e m om en t it w as st r u ck b y t h e

ligh t n in g.
Com p ar ed t o M ich ael’s can n on sh ells, t h is exp losion seem ed v er y m ild ; it w as

as if a w at er m elon h ad b een sm ash ed . It d id n ’t even cat ch m an y p eop le’s
at t en t ion .
H ow ever , a gu st of fog r ose t h e m om en t it exp lod ed . T h is fog car r ied a sw eet

scen t t h a t d iffu sed in t h e air . As ligh t n in g flash ed t h r ou gh it , t h e gu st of fog
su r ged sligh t ly.
Poison ?
T h is w as M ich ael’s fir st t h ou gh t . H e w as called an elit e t alen t fr om t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y for a r eason , as a b ar r ier im m ed iat ely
sh on e ar ou n d h is b od y.
As h e w as a Class 5 sou l en gin eer , t h is b ar r ier w as n at u r ally a Class 5 b ar r ier

as w ell. Alt h ou gh t h is b ar r ier cou ld n ’t w it h st an d M a Xiaot ao’s at t ack s or Xu
San sh i’s Descen t of Xu an w u , it w as st ill r esist an t again st m ost sou l k in g-level
at t ack s.
H e b elieved t h a t h is d efen se w as a lr ead y ver y st ab le. W h ile Bei Bei w as q u it e

in t elligen t t o u se p oison ou s gas, h e w as on ly d elayin g M ich ael’s at t ack b y a b it .
Poison ou s gas w asn ’t of m u ch u se again st h im .
Bu t w as it r eally ju st p oison ou s gas?
A soft cr ack lin g sou n d r an g ou t . T h er e w as in su fficien t su n ligh t b ear in g d ow n

am id st t h e gloom y w eat h er , t h u s M ich ael on ly b r iefly saw a b lack figu r e flash
t h r ou gh t h e air . T h e cr ack lin g sou n d h ad or igin at ed fr om t h e b ar r ier on h is
b od y.
Aft er w ar d s, h e felt h is b od y t u r n in g n u m b . It w as as if h e h ad b een st ab b ed ,

an d h is b od y b ecam e st iff. T h e m ost t r agic t h in g w as t h at t h e can n on sh ell h e’d
ju st fir ed h ad st op p ed in fr on t of h im .
H ow cou ld t h is h ave h ap p en ed ? W as it a d u d ?
T w o t h ou gh t s p op p ed u p in M ich ael’s m in d at t h e sam e t im e. H e h ad n ’t

exp ect t o face som et h in g lik e t h is. Fu r t h er m or e, h e d id n ’t k n ow w h at t r ick Bei
Bei h ad em p loyed .
H ow ever , a b eam of ligh t d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y en gu lfed h is b od y at t h is

p oin t . T h is b eam of ligh t sh ield ed h im w h en t h e can n on sh ell b lew u p .
Ever yt h in g h a d t u r n ed scar let in fr on t of M ich ael, an d h is gaze st iffen ed . H is

h air st ood on en d , a n d cold sw eat r an d ow n h is b ack . If t h e b eam of ligh t h ad
com e even a secon d lat er , h e w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o r eact in t im e. If h e’d
b een en gu lfed en t ir ely b y t h at scar let r ad ian ce, h e w ou ld ’ve follow ed in t h e
foot st ep s of h is com p at r iot s. T h er e t r u ly w as a t h in lin e b et w een life an d d ea t h .
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o h ad b een t h e on e t o save h im .
T h e t h in gs t h at h a d h ap p en ed b efor e h ad left t h is T it led Dou lu o on h is t oes.

H e’d alr ead y r ead ied h is on ly d efen se-t yp e sk ill in h is p alm . On ce h e r ealized
t h at som et h in g w as am iss, h e’d im m ed ia t ely p r ot ect ed M ich a el.
Bei Bei seem ed r egr et fu l as h e m u t t er ed , “It seem s lik e I’m b et t er . H e u sed so

m an y eggs, b u t t h ey w er e all in fer ior t o m in e!”
As t h e scar let r a d ia n ce slow ly fad ed aw ay, t h e m u ffled sou n d t h u n d er cou ld

b e h ear d fr om t h e sk y. T h e w eat h er b ecam e even m or e gloom y.
Bu t t h is gloom in ess cou ld n ’t com p ar e t o t h e Su n M oon t eam ’s m ood .
Sin ce t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o h a d in t er ven ed , it m ean t t h a t M ich ael h ad lost .

W h at t h ey cou ld n ’t com p r eh en d w as h ow M ich ael h a d lost .
W h at w as t h at m et a l b all t h at Bei Bei h ad t h r ow n ? Even m ost of t h ose fr om

Sh r ek Acad em y w er e con fu sed .
Secr et w eap on ; it w as d efin it ely a secr et w eap on fr om t h e T an g Sect . H u o

Yu h ao clen ch ed h is fist an d w a t ch ed t h e loft y Bei Bei in aw e.
T h e T an g’s Sect secr et t ech n iq u e h ad fin ally ap p ear ed aft er m an y year s of

d isap p ear an ce. H ow ever , h ow m an y st ill k n ew ab ou t t h e T an g’s Sect secr et
t ech n iq u es n ow ?
It w as a p ow er fu l secr et w eap on fr om t h e T an g Sect k n ow n as t h e Clu st er ed

Sou lch asin g Balls. T h e b lack figu r e t h at h ad ap p ear ed w as t h e m et al b all. Aft er
t h e Clu st er ed Sou lch asin g Balls b lew ap ar t , cou n t less Oxh air Need les h ad flow n
ou t . W h ile t h ese n eed les w er e p oison ou s, t h e p oison ou s fog h ad ap p ear ed in
or d er t o m ask t h eir p r esen ce.
T h e Clu st er ed Sou lch asin g Balls w er e a m on g t h e t op 10 secr et w eap on s in t h e
T an g Sect , an d sp ecialized in b r eak in g d ow n all sor t s of d efen sive b ar r ier s. Even
a Class 5 d efen se b ar r ier cou ld on ly slow t h ese n eed les d ow n . In t h e en d , t h e
b ar r ier w as even t u ally p en et r at ed b y t h e n eed les, an d t h e au t om at ic sou l
can n on sh ell w as d et on at ed . Bei Bei h ad n ’t in t en d t o d o t h e last p ar t , h ow ever ;
t h at w as ju st a coin cid en ce.
M ich ael collap sed ju st lik e t h at at t h e cen t er of t h e st age. T h e H eaven fien d

Dou lu o’s facial m u scles t w it ch ed , an d h e b u r st t ow ar d s M ich a el t o p r op h im u p .
H e qu ick ly exam in ed M ich ael’s b od y.
“Poison ?” T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o w as sh ock ed an d t u r n ed t o look at Bei Bei.
Bei Bei sh r u gged an d said , “Don ’t w or r y, it ’s n ot let h al. I’ll give h im t h e

an t id ot e on ce t od ay’s com p et it ion en d s. It ’s n ot lik e I can give it t o h im n ow ,
r igh t ?”
T h e 2-2-3 figh t h a d yet t o b egin . Givin g h is op p on en t t h e a n t id ot e n ow w ou ld

m ean t h at h e’d h ave an ot h er op p on en t t o d eal w it h in t h e 2-2-3 figh t .
W h at else cou ld H u an g J in xu say? H e cou ld on ly p er son ally escor t M ich ael

d ow n fr om t h e st age.
Sh r ek Acad em y h ad w on yet again .
Up u n t il n ow , on ly 1 ou t of t h e 7 Sh r ek Acad em y m em b er s h ad b een
elim in at ed , w h er eas t h e Su n M oon t eam h ad alr ea d y lost a t ot al of 3 m em b er s.
T h e con clu sion seem ed for gon e in t h is in d ivid u al r ou n d .
T h e h ealin g-t yp e so u l m ast er s w er e a lso h elp less again st t h e p oison ; t h ey

w er e on ly ab le t o t r eat in ju r ies. Fu r t h er m or e, it w asn ’t easy t o r em ove p oison
fr om t h e T an g Sect .
As t h e t eam lead er of t h e p r ep ar at or y squ ad , Bei Bei’s m ove w as ver y
in t elligen t . Now t h at on e of t h em h ad b een p oison ed , t h e Su n M oon t eam w ou ld
b e m or e cau t iou s in t h e lat er st ages. If t h ey w en t all-ou t , w h o w ou ld b e ab le t o
p r ovid e t h em w it h t h e an t id o t e aft er t h e com p et it ion en d ed ?
“W ill t h e fou r t h con t est an t fr om t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g

Acad em y, M en g H on gch en , p lease st ep for t h .”
M en g H on gch en sa u n t er ed on t o t h e com p et it ion st age. H er look s cou ld n ’t

com p ar e t o J ian g Nan n an ’s, b u t sh e w as st ill a ch ar m in g an d good -look in g
you n g gir l, an d w as ab ou t J ian g Nan n an ’s age as w ell. H er flow in g lock s w er e a
r ar e w in e-r ed color . It w as a d eep er h u e t h an M a Xiaot ao’s, an d r esem b led
m ellow w in e fleck ed w it h p ale h u es. H ow ever , h er eyes w er en ’t r ed , b u t w er e
b lu e. T h is ch a r act er ist ic w as d iffer en t fr om h er b r ot h er , Xiao H on gch en .
Sh e w as t h e fou r t h con t est an t fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s t eam t o

p ar t icip at e in t h e sin gle-elim in at ion r ou n d . T h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s t eam on ly
h ad fou r in d ivid u als left w h o cou ld st ill p ar t icip at e, in clu d in g h er an d h er
sever ely in ju r ed eld er b r ot h er .
T h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s t eam h a d w on t h e gr ou p b at t le, b u t ever yt h in g w as

st ill goin g accor d in g t o W an g Yan ’s p lan an d ar r an gem en t . Sh r ek Acad em y’s
t eam cou ld b e said t o h ave ob t ain ed a n over w h elm in g vict or y in t er m s of b at t le
st r at egy an d t act ics; all t h eir p at ien ce in t er m s of b at t le st r at egy in t h e
com p et it ion b efor e t h is h ad b een w or t h it at t h is m om en t .
W h o else d id Sh r ek Acad em y h ave t o sen d ou t in t h is sin gle-elim in at ion

r ou n d ? Ot h er t h a n Bei Bei, Sh r ek w as ab le t o sen d ou t t h e con t r ol-t yp e Sou l
Kin g, Lin g Lu och en . Aft er t h at , t h er e w as st ill t h e W h it e T iger Sou l Em p er or ,
Dai Yu eh en g, as w ell as t h e Evil Ph oen ix Sou l Em p er or , M a Xiaot ao. As for t h e
Su n M oon ?
Besid es M en g H on gch en , t h ey on ly h ad a food -t yp e Class 5 sou l en gin eer , Xiao

Xiafen g, t h eir t ea m lead er , M a Ru lon g, an d t h e h eavily w ou n d ed Xiao
H on gch en .
Sou l en gin eer s sh o u ld gen er ally h ave an ad van t age over sou l m ast er s of t h e
sam e level. H ow ever , w h ich of t h e con t est an t s fr om Sh r ek Acad em y w asn ’t a
m on st er ?
W h y h ad M ich ael lost ? Becau se h e h a d n ’t exp ect Bei Bei’s b at t le t act ics.
Accor d in g t o t h eir r esear ch , Bei Bei’s gr eat est st r en gt h w as h is m ar t ia l sou l
m u t at ion on t h e b at t lefield —a cr oss b et w een t h e Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon
an d t h e Gold en H oly Dr agon . H e’d b een on gu ar d again st t h is t h e w h ole t im e,
w h ich w as w h y h e h ad n ’t u sed h is st r on gest offen sive m ove. H e’d u n w it t in gly
lost t h e b at t le d u e t o t h at sin gle Clu st er ed Sou lch asin g Ball w it h ou t even get t in g
t o u n leash h is fu ll p ot en t ia l.
T h e b at t lefield cou ld h ave a m yr iad of ch an ges in an in st an t , b u t ever y sin gle

on e of Sh r ek ’s t eam m em b er s w er e p er ver t ed ly st r on g.
T w o Sou l An cest or s h ad st ep p ed on t o t h e b at t lefield an d d efeat ed t h r ee Sou l

Kin gs t h a t w er e also Class 5 sou l en gin eer s! H ow p ow er fu l w ou ld t h eir Sou l
Kin gs an d Sou l Em p er or s b e?
Even if on e d id n ’t m en t ion Dai Yu eh en g, t h e d om in an ce t h at M a Xiaot ao h ad

d isp layed in t h e com p et it ion t h u s far m ean t t h a t sh e w ou ld b e Sh r ek ’s
cor n er st on e an d p illar of st r en gt h in t h e su b sequ en t b at t les.
H ow w ou ld t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s t eam st an d a ch an ce in t h e sin gle-

elim in at ion r ou n d s? H ow w ou ld t h ey st an d a ch a n ce in t h e follow in g 2-2-3
b at t le?
T h e fin als’ sit u at ion w as qu ick ly u n fu r lin g aft er t h is ab r u p t t u r n , w it h t h e

scales of vict or y slan t in g in Sh r ek Acad em y’s favor . T h is w as Sh r ek , t h e
m on st er acad em y w it h over t h a n t en t h ou san d year s of h ist or y.
M en g H on gch en st ep p ed on t o t h e com p et it ion st age u n d er su ch

cir cu m st an ces, an d faced h er op p on en t : T h e Sou l An cest or w it h t h e Blu e
Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon , Bei Bei.
“Begin !” T h e r ou n d t h at t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s t eam cou ld n ’t lose b egan
follow in g t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o’s b ellow .
Bei Bei gr ow led as h is feet slid for w ar d , an d h is en t ir e b od y r ock et ed t ow ar d s

h is op p on en t at t h e fast est sp eed p ossib le. H e’d alr ead y com p let ed h is or igin a l
t ask on ce h e’d ach ieved vict or y again st M ich ael. H e k n ew t h at h e cou ld n ’t u se
t h e sam e t act ic t o at t ain vict or y a secon d t im e. Bu t d esp it e t h is, an d even if h e
lost , h e w an t ed t o w h it t le d ow n M en g H on gch en ’s p ow er as m u ch as p ossib le in
or d er t o lay d ow n a solid fou n d at ion for Lin g Lu och en , w h o w ou ld b e t h e n ext
t o com e on st age.
W an g Yan ’s cu r r en t em ot ion s w er en ’t r elaxed at a ll as h e st ood b elow t h e

st age, d esp it e t h eir r ecen t v ict or y. H is eyes w er e fixed u p on M en g H on gch en ,
w h o’d ju st st ep p ed on st age, b u t h e cou ld n ’t exp lain t h e su d d en om in ou s feelin g
t h at h ad su r faced in h is h ear t .
A p r ofu se n u m b er of t alen t s an d p r od igies h ad com e fr om Sh r ek Acad em y. Xu

San sh i an d Bei Bei h ad alr ead y su fficien t ly p r oven t h eir st at u s as t h e cu r r en t
ou t er cou r t yar d ’s st a r s, as w ell as t h e fu t u r e in n er cou r t yar d ’s p illa r s w it h t h eir
b ack gr ou n d an d p r ow ess. Bu t w h at ab ou t t h eir op p on en t s? T h e Su n M oon
Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y w ou ld n ’t h ave b ecom e Sh r ek Acad em y’s
n em esis over t h e p ast few t h ou san d year s if t h ey w er e t h at ea sy t o d eal w it h .
Xiao H on gch en ’s ab ilit ies w er e en ou gh t o at t r act W an g Yan ’s at t en t ion . Xiao

H on gch en w ou ld ’ve p r ob ab ly cau sed gr eat t r ou b le an d d an ger for t h e Sh r ek
Acad em y t eam if n ot for J ian g Na n n an ’s su d d en ou t b u r st of st r en gt h —w h ich
h ad st op p ed h er op p on en t in h is t r ack s—follow ed b y Dai Yu eh en g’s all-ou t
st r ik e, w h o w asn ’t even fift een year s of age.
T h en , w h at ab ou t M en g H on gch en ?
Xiao H on gch en w as t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s t r u m p car d , an d h is ab ilit y h ad

b een t o con t r ol m et al. W h at w as M en g H on gch en ’s ab ilit y? T h is b efu d d lin g
q u est ion m ar k h ad b een in W an g Yan ’s m in d t h is w h ole t im e, an d st ill r em ain ed
u n an sw er ed .
M en g H on gch en ’s exp r ession r em ain ed as calm as ever as Bei Bei lu n ged
t ow ar d s h er . Sh e w asn ’t lik e h er com r a d es, w h o’d r eleased t h eir sou l t ools or
en gaged in lon g-r a n ge com b at r igh t fr om t h e st ar t . H er feet sh ift ed fr om
b en eat h h er b od y an d sh e t r aip sed for w ar d —r igh t t ow ar d s Bei Bei. At t h e sam e
t im e, con sp icu ou s ch an ges b egan t o occu r all over h er b od y.
H er flow in g w in e-r ed h air t u r n ed sn ow y w h it e, w h ile h er icy b lu e eyes

in st an t ly t u r n ed b r igh t r ed —t h e k in d of color t h at m ad e it seem lik e h er eyes
w er e d r ip p in g w it h b lood .
W h oever w it n essed t h e su d d en ch an ge in h er eyes w ou ld d efin it ely b e sh ak en

b y t h e sigh t ; som e w ou ld even feel t er r or .
Bei Bei h ad a sen sat ion sim ilar t o w h en h e’d faced off again st t h e evil sou l
m ast er , t h e En voy of t h e Deat h God , w h en h e saw h er , an d an in exp licab le ch ill
in st an t ly r an u p h is sp in e.
It w as ju st at t h is m om en t t h at t h e sk y r an g ou t w it h t h e cr ack lin g sou n d s of a

ligh t n in g st r ik e, an d a t h in d r izzle flit t ed d ow n fr om t h e sk y.
M en g H on gch en r a ised b ot h of h er h an d s in t o t h e air a n d su d d en ly p u sh ed

for w ar d s. Ever y p ar t of h er sk in t h a t w as visib le b ecam e a sn ow y-w h it e color ,
an d ap p ear ed sp ar k lin g an d t r an slu cen t . H ow ever , h er eyes st ill seem ed
ext r em ely ou t of p lace. T h ey w er e in cr ed ib ly b r eat h t ak in g an d elect r ifyin g.
H er p alm s seem ed t o fain t ly flick er w it h a p ale gr een lu st er as w ell.
M en g H on gch en d id n ’t look lik e a sou l en gin eer at all. In st ea d , sh e ap p ear ed

m u ch m or e lik e a sou l m ast er .
H ow ever , n ot a sin gle p er son fr om Sh r ek cou ld t ell w h at h er m ar t ial sou l w as;

n ot even t h e T aot ie Dou lu o Eld er Xu an or W an g Yan .
Eld er Xu an ’s eyes n ar r ow ed in t o a squ in t , an d h is eyes sp ar k led w it h

ast on ish m en t . Even t h ou gh h e st ill cou ld n ’t t ell w h at M en g H on gch en ’s m ar t ia l
sou l w as, h e p ost u la t ed t h a t h er m ar t ial sou l cou ld n ’t b e as w eak as a t yp ical
sou l m ast er ’s, an d even if sh e cou ld n ’t com p ar e t o Xiao H on gch en , t h ey
w ou ld n ’t b e t oo far a p ar t .
Xiao H on gch en ’s m et al-t yp e m ar t ial sou l w as com p at ib le w it h h is st a t u s as a

sou l en gin eer . H is p ot en t ial in t h e fu t u r e w as b ou n d less, an d h e w a s alr ead y a
Sou l Kin g even t h ou gh h e w as st ill so you n g; on e cou ld on ly im agin e w h at k in d
of p ow er h e w ou ld p ossess w h en h e gr ew u p .
It w as ap p ar en t t h at M en g H on gch en h a d ch osen a d iffer en t p at h fr om h er

eld er b r ot h er .
W h ile ever yon e w as flab b er gast ed b y M en g H on gch en ’s m a r t ial sou l, b ot h

p ar t ies w er e h ead ed st r aigh t at each ot h er w it h d azzlin g sp eed . T h e d ist an ce
b et w een t h em w as q u ick ly r ed u ced t o less t h an t h ir t y m et er s.
T h e fir st on e t o a t t a ck w as M en g H on gch en . Sh e r aised h er h an d s an d d r ew

t w o sem icir cles ou t w ar d s, t h en p u sh ed t h em in Bei Bei’s d ir ect ion .
H er sou l r in gs b egan t o sp ar k le b r illia n t ly on h er b od y—t w o yellow , t w o

p u r p le an d on e b la ck . T h is w as t h e st an d ar d an d m ost op t im al sou l r in g
com b in at ion . At t h e sam e t im e, a ligh t p r oject ion gr ad u ally d r ift ed in t o view
b eh in d h er .
It w as a t oad , sp ot lessly w h it e lik e a p iece of jad e, an d w it h eyes t h e sam e

b lood -r ed color as h er s. H ow ever , t h e m ar t ial sou l b east t r an sfor m at ion t h a t
h ad ap p ear ed on Xiao H on gch en ’s b od y d id n ’t ap p ear on M en g H on gch en .
“T h is is…” W an g Yan ’s eyes in st an t ly w id en ed . H e’d p er u sed an d scr u t in ized

all sor t s of en cyclop ed ias an d a r ch ives fr om t h e acad em y ab ou t m ar t ial sou ls
fr om t h e m om en t h e’d join ed Sh r ek . H e h ad a st r an gely fam iliar feelin g ab ou t
t h e w h it e jad e-lik e t oad b efor e h im , an d k n ew t h at h e’d seen t h is in som e
an cien t r ecor d b efor e.
A b eam of w h it e en er gy t h at w as a foot lon g in d iam et er su r ged t ow ar d s Bei
Bei fr om M en g H on gch en ’s p alm s w h en sh e p u sh ed t h em ou t , an d h er fir st sou l
r in g lit u p alon g w it h it .
T h e r eason w h y sh e’d r eleased a b eam of en er gy an d n ot r ad ia n ce w as t h e fact

t h at t h is b eam d id n ’t seem qu ick at all. T h er e w er e t in ges of gr een t h r ou gh ou t
t h e w h it en ess, an d t h e w h ole t h in g seem ed lik e a lu m in ou s p a t ch of m ist .
W h at w as even m or e sin ist er w as t h a t t h e t in y r a in d r op s d r ift in g d ow n fr om

t h e sk y n at u r ally in fu sed t h em selves n at u r ally in t o t h e b eam of en er gy, w h ich
m ad e it look lik e a w h ir lp ool.
Bei Bei n at u r ally w ou ld n ’t u n d er est im at e an u n k n ow n m ar t ial so u l. H is

p er son alit y w as a lot calm er an d m or e st ab le t h an Xu San sh i’s, t h u s h e ab r u p t ly
h alt ed in h is t r ack s. H is t h ir d sou l r in g, t h e T h u n d er o u s Fu r y, lit u p fir st ,
follow ed im m ed ia t ely b y h is fou r t h so u l r in g. H e’d act u a lly u sed h is m ost
p ow er fu l offen sive m ove, t h e T h u n d er ou s Dr agon H ead , at t h e ver y b egin n in g
of t h e b at t le.
Bei Bei k n ew ju st b y look in g at M en g H on gch en ’s ap p ear an ce t h at it w ou ld b e

ext r em ely d ifficu lt for h im t o em er ge vict or iou s. M en g H on gch en seem ed t o
exu d e an air of m yst er y in w h at ever sh e d id . T h u s h e’d assign ed h im self a
sim p le t ar get : h e w ou ld gr in d h is op p on en t d ow n as m u ch as h e cou ld .
An u n cou n t ab le n u m b er of st r eak s of ligh t n in g accom p an ied t h e T h u n d er ou s

Fu r y an d cr ack led all ar ou n d h im . T h eir r ad ian t ligh t r eflect ed off of t h e d r agon
scales on t h e r igh t h alf of Bei Bei’s b od y, cau sin g t h em t o glea m ed w it h a b lu ish -
p u r p le b r illian ce. At t h e sam e t im e, h is fear som e d r acon ic au r a w as com p let ely
u n leash ed am id st t h e d r izzle ar ou n d h im , an d a cr isp d r acon ic r oar cou ld b e
h ear d as t h e colossal T h u n d er ou s Dr agon H ead fer ociou sly b oom ed ou t . Un d er
t h e T h u n d er ou s Fu r y’s am p lificat ion , t h e for ce of t h is st r ik e w asn ’t on e w h it
in fer ior t o t h e st r ik e of a p ow er fu l Sou l Kin g.
Ligh t n in g an d t h u n d er w er e r ollin g in t h e sk ies, cau sin g t h e T h u n d er ou s

Dr agon H ead t p ap p ear even m or e r u t h less t h an b efor e. T h e en or m ou s d r agon
h ead h ad a d iam et er of over on e m et er , an d p ier ced t h r ou gh t h e m in iscu le
r ain d r op s fallin g fr om t h e sk y as it sla m m ed in t o t h e d en se w h it e w h ir lp ool
com in g t ow ar d s h im .
Righ t at t h is m om en t , M en g H on gch en m ad e a d ecision t h at w as com p let ely

b eyon d ever yon e’s exp ect at ion s. Sh e d id n ’t in t en d t o figh t fir e w it h fir e, an d
n eit h er d id sh e p u sh for w ar d —in st ead , sh e st ood u p on h er t ip t oes, an d h er
b od y sp r u n g in t o t h e sk y lik e a b olt of ligh t n in g as sh e flew b ack w ar d s w it h
b ed azzlin g sp eed .
T h e T h u n d er ou s Dr agon H ead b ar r eled for w ar d an d b lew t h e w h it e m ist

en er gy t h at sh e’d u n leash ed in t o sm it h er een s, t h en p r oceed ed t o ch ase aft er h er
w it h t h e sou n d s of t h u n d er ou s h ow ls an d d r agon -lik e r oar s.
M en g H on gch en d isp layed ast on ish in g agilit y as sh e ar r ived on t h e

com p et it ion st age’s ed ge w it h t w o flip s b efor e sh e ab r u p t ly lea p t t o t h e sid e.
T h e T h u n d er ou s Dr agon H ead w as ab le t o lock on t o it s t ar get . H ow ever ,

in st ead of ch asin g aft er h er , it p r oceed ed t o cr ash in t o t h e p r ot ect ive b ar r ier
su r r ou n d in g t h e com p et it ion st age w it h a lou d b oom .
In n u m er ab le st r eak s of ligh t n in g er u p t ed w h en it st r u ck t h e p r ot ect ive

b ar r ier , cau sin g a sp h er e of ligh t n in g t h a t w as over t h r ee m et er s in d iam et er t o
ap p ear . Sever al seco n d s p assed b efor e it gr ad u ally d issip at ed .
M en g H on gch en d id n ’t m ove an in ch as sh e d r op p ed b ack on t o t h e gr ou n d .

Sh e d id n ’t t ak e t h e in it ia t ive t o lau n ch an ot h er at t ack , n or d id sh e d o an yt h in g
else; sh e ju st w at ch ed Bei Bei on t h e ot h er en d of t h e st age.
Bei Bei ju st st ood t h er e, h is gaze a lit t le lack ad aisical. T h er e w as a t r ace of

d isb elief in h is eyes, b u t t h e t w in k lin g glow in h is eyes w a s d w in d lin g w it h
t r em en d ou s sp eed .
Boom . Bei Bei’s b od y collap sed b ack w ar d s on t o t h e com p et it ion st age ju st lik e
t h at . H e d id n ’t m ove an in ch aft er t h e in it ial b ou n ce w h en h is b od y fir st cr ash ed
on t o t h e st age.
T h e au d ien ce look ed on w it h b ew ild er m en t , w h ile ever yb od y fr om t eam

Sh r ek st ood u p in u n ison , t h eir exp r essio n s t h at of in t en se d isb elief.
H ow cou ld t h is b e? It w as clear ly Bei Bei’s T h u n d er ou s Dr agon H ead t h at h ad

b r ok en t h r ou gh h is op p on en t ’s at t ack . H ow cou ld h e ju st cr u m p le on t o t h e
gr ou n d , u n con sciou s, w h en h e h ad n ’t even t ou ch ed h is op p on en t ?
W h at exact ly h ad h ap p en ed ?
Even t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o look ed a lit t le d azed , as n ot even h e k n ew t h e

r eason w h y Bei Bei h ad fain t ed on t h e sp ot . T h er e w as n o r eason for h im t o
collap se, n o m at t er w h ich p er sp ect ive h e look ed at it fr om .
H ow ever , t h e t r u t h w as t h at h e’d gon e d ow n , w h ich m ean t t h at t h e Su n

M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y w as vict or iou s t h is r ou n d .
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o u sed a st r an d of gen t le sou l en er gy t o car r y Bei Bei’s

u n con sciou s b od y t ow ar d s Sh r ek Aca d em y’s t eam m em b er s. H u o Yu h ao
h u r r ied ly cam e for w ar d an d gr ab h is sen ior b r ot h er , an d r ea lized t h at Bei Bei’s
face w as ext r em ely p ale. All it t ook w as t h at t in y m om en t b efor e h is b r eat h in g
b ecam e ext r em ely w eak . It felt as if h is vit alit y h ad b een fr ozen , b u t t h e m or e
fr igh t en in g fact w as t h at Bei Bei’s sk in color h ad b ecom e as w h it e as M en g
H on gch en ’s sk in , excep t t h at h e d id n ’t h ave h er cr yst al-lik e t r an slu cen ce.
M en g H on gch en gr ad u ally st ep p ed in t o t h e st age’s cen t er , t h en sh e glan ced a t

t h e ot h er t eam m em b er s fr om Sh r ek w it h a p air of ch illy eyes. Sh e r aised h er
r igh t h an d an d p oin t ed at t h e t r ou p e in t h e w ait in g ar ea an d cold ly said , “Next .”
Lin g Lu och en slow ly st r aigh t en ed h er b a ck . T h e t h ir d con t est an t fr om Sh r ek
Acad em y’s t eam w as h er .
Su d d en ly, W an g Yan an d H u o Yu h ao exclaim ed at p r act ically t h e sam e t im e.
“I k n ow w h at h er m ar t ial sou l is!”
“I fin ally r em em b er !”
T h e fir st sen t en ce b elon ged t o H u o Yu h a o’s, w h ile t h e lat t er w as W an g Yan ’s.

H u o Yu h ao’s ju d gm en t cam e fr om t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion , w h o’d ju st
b een ab r u p t ly sh ak en aw ak e in sid e h is m in d , w h ile W an g Yan ’s d et er m in a t ion
cam e fr om h is accr u ed k n ow led ge fr om r ead in g a m yr iad of m at er ials.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Yan exch an ged a look , t h en sh ou t ed a t t h e sam e t im e.

“H er m ar t ial sou l is t h e Ver m illion Ice T oad ! It ’s ext r em ely p oison ou s.”
T h e Ice Em p r ess w as in a d eep slu m b er in sid e h is sp ir it u al sea, b u t sh e’d b een

aw ak en ed t h e m om en t H u o Yu h ao cau gh t Bei Bei a n d h ad said t h e Ver m illion
Ice T oad ’s n am e.
H u o Yu h ao q u ick ly p r ob ed for in for m at ion ab ou t t h e Ver m illion Ice T oad .

T h e Ice Em p r ess t old h im t h at it w as an ice-t yp e sou l b east t h a t p ossessed
ext r em ely st r on g p oison , an d w as k n ow n in t h e Ext r em e N or t h as t h e ‘Kin g
W it h in t h e Cr evice’. T h e r eason for t h is w as b ecau se it s t er r it or y w as in t h e
Ext r em e Nor t h ’s ou t er r egion s, alon g t h e b or d er t o t h e h u m an w or ld . T h er e
w er e ver y few of t h em ar ou n d , an d t h eir w h er eab ou t s w er e u n p r ed ict ab le, as
t h ey alw ays m oved fr om p lace t o p lace. As su ch , t h ey w er e r ar ely-seen an d
exot ic. T h e Ver m illion Ice T oad ’s for t e w as p oison , an d t h ey ab sor b ed t h e
cold est air an d en er gies b et w een h eaven an d ear t h t o for ge t h eir p oison s. T h e
t w o r eason s t h at t h ey h ad n ’t m oved d eep er in t o t h e Ext r em e Nor t h w as b ecau se
t h e T h r ee H eaven ly Kin gs w er e h old in g d ow n t h e for t , an d t h e Ver m illion Ice
T oad ’s b od y w as an ice-t yp e sou l b east , w h ile it s eyes w er e fir e-t yp e—an
ext r em ely p ecu liar com b in at ion . T h u s, p laces of ext r em e cold w er en ’t su it ab le
for t h em t o in h ab it . T h ey in t er t w in ed b o t h t h eir fir e an d ice ab ilit ies t o p r od u ce
t h eir sp ecial icy p oison .
T h e Ver m illion Ice T oad w ou ld leave a t r ail of acu t e p oison w h er ever it w en t ,

w h ich w ou ld r em a in t h er e alm ost in d efin it ely. Even sou l b east s m or e p ow er fu l
t h an it fou n d it ch a llen gin g t o h ar m t h e Ice T oad . T h er e h ad b een r ecor d s of
sou l m ast er s w it h t h is m ar t ial sou l on t h e con t in en t , b u t t h ey w er e ext r em ely
r ar e. T h e r eason for t h is w as b ecau se t h e Ver m illion Ice T oad ’s sit u at ion w as
sim ilar t o M a Xiaot ao’s Evil Ph oen ix; t h e icy p oison w it h in it w ou ld cau se a t oxic
b ack lash t o it s ow n er . On e m isst ep , an d t h e sou l m ast er w ou ld p er ish fr om t h e
icy p oison en t er in g h is or h er h ear t . T h is w as t h e m ain r eason w h y t h er e w er e
ver y few of su ch sou l m ast er s w h o cou ld cu lt ivat e t o an ext r em ely h igh level.
H ow ever , t h er e w er e t w o sid es t o ever yt h in g. T h e st r on ger t h e t oxic

b ack lash , t h e m or e for m id ab le it s p ow er , an d t h e st r on ger t h e p oison in b at t le.
T h er e w as n o qu est ion t h at t h e sp h er e of w h it e m ist t h a t sh e’d r eleased w as

ch ar ged w it h t h e Ver m illion Ice T oad ’s in t en se p oison . Bei Bei h ad b een
u n w it t in gly p oison ed , t h u s h e h ad n o lon ger b een ab le t o con t r ol t h e
T h u n d er ou s Dr agon H ead , w h ich n at u r ally m ean t t h e la t t er w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o
lock on t o it s t ar get an ym or e. M en g H on gch en w asn ’t on ly p ow er fu l an d
u n iq u e—h er ca lcu la t ion s w er e accu r a t e a n d im p eccab le. Sh e’d d efeat ed Bei Bei
p r act ically w it h ou t b r eak in g a sw eat , an d it w as ap p ar en t t h at sh e cou ld con t r ol
t h e Ver m illion Ice T oad ’s in t en se p oison at a w h im , as t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o
w ou ld ’ve b een affect ed ot h er w ise. W h et h er sh e’d su ffer fr om a t oxic b ack lash
w as h ar d t o say.
Bei Bei h ad n ’t let M ich ael u n leash h is fu ll p ot en t ial, an d h e en d ed u p w it h t h e

sam e fat e. T h e Gold en H oly Dr agon ’s r ad ian ce w ou ld n o lo n ger sh in e in t h is
season ’s gr an d com p et it ion .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Yan ’s u n ified excla m at ion w as so lou d t h at even M en g

H on gch en h ear d it fr om t h e com p et it ion st age. Sh e gla n ced t ow ar d s Sh r ek
Acad em y’s w ait in g a r ea, t h en gr u n t ed an d said , “You gu ys ar e fr om Sh r ek aft er
all. Look s lik e you d o k n ow som e t h in gs.”
T h e com p et it ion car r ied on , as t h e sin gle-elim in at ion r ou n d s cou ld n ’t b e
st op p ed h alfw ay. H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Yan ’s w or d s w er e clear ly m ean t t o
r em in d Lin g Lu och en as sh e st ep p ed on t o t h e com p et it ion st age.
H ow ever , b ot h of t h eir faces w er e fu ll of w or r y an d an xiet y.
T h e r ain w as b ecom in g even fin er . T h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at Lin g Lu och en ’s

ice-t yp e con t r ol ab ilit ies w ou ld r eceive a gr eat b oost u n d er su ch a d elu ge.
H ow ever , w ou ld n ’t t h e d ow n p ou r also cr eat e m an y p er fect aven u es for p oison
t o sp r ead ?
Som eon e w it h Bei Bei’s cu lt iva t ion , an d w it h t h e Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t

Dr agon ’s n at u r al r esist an ce, h a d lost t h e ab ilit y t o b at t le in ju st a few gasp s of
b r eat h . On e cou ld on ly im agin e h ow in t en se t h e Ver m illion Ice T oad ’s p oison
w as, an d M en g H on gch en w as alr ead y a Class 5 sou l en gin eer .
Lin g Lu och en w alk ed on st age w it h a calm look in h er eyes an d st ood b efor e

t h e ju d ge. Sh r ek st ill h ad t h e ad van t age in t h e sin gle-elim in at ion r ou n d for n ow ,
as sh e w as t h e t h ir d con t est an t , w h ile M en g H on gch en w as t h e fou r t h .
T h e ligh t d r izzle con t in u ed as b ot h p ar t ies gr a d u ally r et r eat ed t o t h eir

r esp ect ive cor n er s. M en g H on gch en ’s exp r ession at t h is m om en t w as lik e an
ar r ogan t an d aloof p eacock .
Lin g Lu och en m oved b ack t o t h e ed ge as sh e b r eat h ed ou t ligh t ly. T h e

r ain d r op s ar ou n d h er b od y d r ift ed aw ay an d cou ld n ’t t ou ch h er b od y at all.
“Begin .”
Lin g Lu och en im m ed iat ely m ad e an ext r em ely m agn ificen t an d gor geou s
m ove.
Sh e r eleased h er m a r t ial sou l, h er sou l r in gs n at u r a lly ap p ear in g as w ell. T h e

m om en t t h ey cam e in t o view , all five of h er sou l r in gs st ar t ed t o sp ar k le
alt er n at ely.
Lin g Lu och en h ad act u ally u sed all five sou l sk ills on e aft er an ot h er w it h in a
sp an of t h r ee b r eat h s. Ever yb od y cou ld see t h at all five cir cles of ligh t w er e
flick er in g a lt er n a t ely, fr om h er fir st h u n d r ed year sou l r in g, t o h er last t en
t h ou san d year sou l r in g.
T h is w as n o lon ger ab ou t sim p le t act ics or t r ick s, it w as m or e ab ou t h er

p er son al u n d er st an d in g of ice.
Sou l m ast er s cou ld n ’t p ossib ly u n leash so m an y sou l sk ills w it h su ch d azzlin g

sp eed u n d er n or m al cir cu m st an ces, yet Lin g Lu och en h ad m an aged t o d o so. Sh e
h ad com p let e con t r ol over ice, an d h a d t h u s m ad e u se of t h e con n ect io n
b et w een h er sou l sk ills an d exp loit ed t h eir r elat ion sh ip s. Not on ly h ad sh e
u n leash ed five sou l sk ills w it h in su ch a sh or t p er iod of t im e, b u t sh e’d also
m an aged t o r ed u ce t h eir con su m p t ion b y ab ou t t h ir t y p er cen t .
Ever y sin gle d iscip le fr om Sh r ek Acad em y t h at cou ld en t er t h e in n er

cou r t yar d cou ld b e d escr ib ed as b ot h t a len t ed an d p r od igiou s.
Follow in g h er five sou l r in gs’ alt er n at e sp ar k lin g, t h e fir st t h in g t h at

ap p ear ed in h er p alm w as n a t u r a lly h er Ice St aff. Sh e r aised h er Ice St aff in t o
t h e air as h er sou l r in gs con t in u ed t o flick er , an d a cr yst al-lik e Ice Ar m or
cover ed h er en t ir e b od y; even h er m ou t h an d n ose w er e com p let ely p r ot ect ed .
At t h e sam e t im e, an icy p r ison d escen d ed u p on M en g H on gch en an d t r ap p ed
h er in sid e. T h e sp r aw lin g Icem ist er u p t ed w it h Lin g Lu och en at t h e cen t er ,
follow ed b y h er Iceb r illian t H alo.
T h e t em p er at u r e on t h e com p et it ion st a ge in st an t ly d r op p ed t o fift y d egr ees

b elow zer o, t h e Icem ist ’s ext r em e cold n ess p er m ea t in g an d w r eak in g h avoc
w it h in t h e st age’s p r ot ect ive b ar r ier s at ligh t n in g sp eed .
As Lin g Lu och en d id n ’t h ave t h e Ult im at e Ice’s p ow er , t h e low est

t em p er at u r e t h at sh e cou ld r each w it h h er cu r r en t level of con t r ol w as on ly
ab ou t eigh t y d egr ees b elow zer o. In com p ar ison , H u o Yu h ao’s level of
cu lt ivat ion w asn ’t t h at h igh , b u t h e cou ld r ed u ce t h e t em p er at u r e in h is
im m ed iat e vicin it y t o m or e t h an t w o h u n d r ed d egr ees b elow zer o if h e w an t ed
t o b ecau se h e h ad Ult im at e Ice. T h is w as t h e d ist in ct ion b et w een t h eir t w o
d iffer en t k in d s of ice, an d t h is w as a lso t h e r eason w h y H u o Yu h ao w a s
r ecogn ized .
T h e lack of Ult im a t e Ice d id n ’t m ean t h at Lin g Lu och en w asn ’t p ow er fu l,

h ow ever . Sh e w as st r on g en ou gh t o b e ch osen as Sh r ek ’s official t eam ’s m ain
con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er , an d h er con t r ol of t h e ice elem en t h ad lon g r each ed
n ear ly com p let e fr eed om .
Sh e w as u n cer t ain w h et h er sh e w ou ld b e affect ed b y t h e acu t e p oison .

T h er efor e, sh e h ad t o u se h er m ost p ow er fu l ab ilit ies in t h e face of su ch d an ger .
Sh e n eed ed t o u se h er st r on gest d efen sive ab ilit ies w h ile sim u lt an eou sly
con t r ollin g b ot h t h e st age an d h er op p on en t .
W h at m ad e h er a lit t le su r p r ised w as t h at M en g H on gch en d id n ’t d o an yt h in g

t o st op h er self fr om b ein g en t r ap p ed b y t h e icy p r ison aft er Lin g Lu och en ’s
m u lt i-p r on ged r elea se an d h er elegan t u n leash in g of five d iffer en t sou l sk ills.
Sh e d id n ’t even seem lik e sh e w an t ed t o b r eak ou t fr om t h e in sid e. In fact , t h er e
w as a t in ge of in d iffer en ce at t h e cor n er of h er m ou t h .
T h e Icem ist an d t h e Iceb r illian t H alo’s effect s r ed u ced t h e t em p er at u r e t o an

ext r em ely low level an d sp r ead ar ou n d w it h d azzlin g sp eed ; b ot h h ad p er m eat ed
t h e en t ir e st age in t h e b lin k of an eye.
M ost of t h e au d ien ce d id n ’t r ea lly ap p r eciat e sou l m ast er s lik e Lin g Lu och en ,

as sh e w ou ld gr ea t ly affect t h e com p et it ion ’s visib ilit y t h e m om en t sh e m a d e a
m ove.
T h e Icem ist sw ift ly b lan k et ed t h e en t ir e com p et it ion st age, m ak in g it so t h at

n ot h in g else cou ld b e seen on st age.
Bot h Sh r ek Acad em y’s t eam m em b er s an d t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l

En gin eer in g Acad em y’s t eam m em b er s w er e as n er vou s as ever in sid e of t h eir
r esp ect ive w ait in g ar eas. Vict or y w as im p er at ive t o Sh r ek Acad em y in t h is
r ou n d , as a loss w ou ld m ean t h at t h eir ad van t age w ou ld d isap p ear . Even t h ou gh
t h ey st ill h ad t w o p ow er fu l Sou l em p er or s, t h eir op p on en t s’ t eam lead er h ad yet
t o st ep ou t eit h er .
A m in u t e p assed , a n d t h en t w o m in u t es p assed … Soon , five m in u t es h ad

p assed in t h e m id st of ever yon e’s agon izin g an xiet y.
T h e Icem ist cover in g t h e en t ir e st age gr ad u ally d issip at ed . W h en ever yt h in g

t h at w as on st age b ecam e visib le, ever yb od y cou ld see t h at M en g H on gch en w as
st ill st an d in g in sid e t h e icy p r ison . H er p ale w h it e sk in seem ed t o b e even m or e
p ale at t h is p oin t , as it w as cover ed in a la yer of fr ost .
Lin g Lu och en also r em ain ed in h er or igin al sp ot on t h e ot h er sid e, as h er Ice

St aff w as r a ised h igh ab ove h er h ead , w h ile h er en t ir e b od y w as cover ed in h er
Ice Ar m or .
W as it over ? W h o’d w on t h e r ou n d ?
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o, H u an g J in xu , st ood at t h e cen t er of t h e st age, as h e

w as t h e ju d ge. A layer of st ar ligh t h ad con d en sed in t o a p r ot ect ive b ar r ier t h at
en velop ed h is b od y w it h in it . It w a s ob viou s t h at h e w as r a t h er fear fu l of t h e
b at t le t h a t h ad t r an sp ir ed b efor e h im .
At t h at m om en t , p iece aft er p iece of t h in ice d r ift ed d ow n fr om M en g

H on gch en ’s b od y follow in g a ser ies of cr isp cr ack lin g sou n d s, w h ich sh a t t er ed
in t o d u st as t h ey fell t o t h e gr ou n d . T h er e w as st ill a look of d isd ain p air ed w it h
a fain t sm ile on h er face.
“Did you t h in k t h a t ice cou ld b lock off m y p oison ? It ’s a p it y for you , as m y

m ar t ial sou l is an ice-t yp e on e as w ell. Passin g ven om t h r ou gh ice is m y for t e,
t h u s you r loss is n ot u n ju st ified .”
Blu e ligh t flash ed t h r ou gh h er r igh t h an d as sh e sp ok e, a b lu e lon gsw or d

ap p ear in g in h er h a n d . Sh e slash ed it in fr on t of h er b od y, an d a ch illy an d
sin ist er b lu e ligh t flick er ed as sh e cu t op en t h e ice p r ison , w h ich Lin g Lu och en
n o lon ger h ad con t r ol over . Sh e t h en elegan t ly sau n t er ed ou t fr om in sid e.
“T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y is vict or iou s. Sh r ek

Acad em y, sen d for t h you r n ext con t est an t .” T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o w aved h is
ar m in t h e air , an d a sp h er e of ligh t en velop ed Lin g Lu och en an d sen t h er off t h e
com p et it ion st age. Lin g Lu och en w as lik e an ice st at u e.
H u o Yu h ao w as t h e on e w h o cau gh t h er yet again . H e t ap p ed h er an d

in st an t ly d isp elled t h e ice ar m or t h a t w a s en velop in g h er b od y.
Lin g Lu och en h ad com p let ely lost con sciou sn ess lik e Bei Bei b efor e h er ; even
t h e color of t h eir faces w as id en t ical. Su ch p ow er fu l p oison !
W an g Yan w as also over com e w it h a h aze of t er r or .

No m at t er h ow in t elligen t h e w as, an d n o m at t er h ow w ell h e cou ld ar r an ge
b at t le st r at egies, h e w as at h is w it s’ en d , an d cou ld on ly look on h elp lessly in t h e
face of su ch a sit u at ion . W h o w ou ld h ave t h ou gh t t h at su ch a for m id ab le p oison
sou l m ast er w ou ld em er ge fr om t h eir op p on en t s’ cam p ? Bot h Bei Bei an d Lin g
Lu och en h ad b een d efeat ed in b at t le w it h ou t even h a vin g a ch an ce t o d ir ect ly
clash w it h t h eir op p on en t .
H u o Yu h ao w ou ld b e ab le t o get r id of a p u r e ice p oison . H ow ever , even

t h ou gh M en g H on gch en ’s d u al-t yp e ven om or igin w as ice-b ased it also
con t ain ed t r aces of fir e in sid e of it as w ell. T h e m om en t t h e ou t er layer of ice-
t yp e ven om w as r em oved , t h e fir e-t yp e p oison in sid e w as lik ely t o b e u n leash ed .
On e m isst ep cou ld co st Lin g Lu och en h er life; h ow cou ld H u o Yu h ao d ar e t o t ak e
t h is r isk ?
“Next .” M en g H on gch en ’s voice—ak in t o t h e h ar b in ger of d eat h —cou ld b e

h ear d on ce m or e. H er exp r ession w as st ill con d escen d in g an d ext r em ely
ar r ogan t , b u t t h is sin gle w or d cau sed a n im m en se p r essu r e t o fall on t o t eam
Sh r ek in sid e of t h e w ait in g ar ea.
Sh e’d d efeat ed t w o p eop le in a r ow , b ot h of w h ich cou ld b e d escr ib ed as

effor t less vict or ies. M en g H on gch en w as t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial So u l
En gin eer in g Acad em y’s cor n er st on e at t h is p oin t , as b ot h p ar t ies h ad n ow b een
p u lled b ack on t o t h e sam e foot in g in t er m s of ab le-b od ied con t est an t s.
Dai Yu eh en g gr ad u a lly r ose t o h is feet , h is b r ow s fu r r ow ed . W an g Yan h ad

exp lain ed t h e Ver m illion Ice T oad ’s sit u at ion t o t h e b est of h is ab ilit y t o t h e r est
of Sh r ek ’s t eam w h ile Lin g Lu och en w as b at t lin g w it h h er op p on en t .
T h e W h it e T iger w as fer ociou s en ou gh , b u t it st ill b elon ged t o t h e sam e

cat egor y as Bei Bei’s Blu e Ligh t n in g T yr an t Dr agon . Bei Bei h ad n ’t b een ab le t o
r esist M en g H on gch en ’s p oison ; w ou ld h e b e ab le t o as a Sou l Em p er or ? Dai
Yu eh en g d id n ’t k n ow t h e an sw er t o t h is qu est ion .
Yet , even if h e k n ew h e w ou ld n ’t b e ab le t o r esist it , h ow cou ld h e ju st ch ick en
ou t ? Bot h t h e em p er or an d h is ow n fat h er , t h e W h it e T iger Du k e, w er e
w at ch in g.
T h e d esp on d en ce a n d exasp er at ion t h a t Dai Yu eh en g felt in h is h ear t w as

alr ead y at t h e h igh est p ossib le level, cau sin g vein s t o p op ou t all over h is
for eh ead . H e’d r at h er ch allen ge a Sou l Sage t h an figh t som eon e lik e M en g
H on gch en . It w ou ld n ’t b e m u ch if h e w on , b u t it w ou ld b e an em b ar r assm en t if
h e lost , an d h e’d b e h u m iliat ed in fr on t of t h e vast au d ien ce.
T h e list w as fixed an d cou ld n ’t b e ch an ged , h ow ever , so h e cou ld on ly gat h er

h is cou r age an d p r ep ar e t o en gage in b at t le.
“Dai Yu eh en g.” A d eep voice r an g ou t fr om b esid e h is ea r .
“Eh ?” Dai Yu eh en g t u r n ed ar ou n d . M a Xiaot ao w as t h e on e w h o’d ju st called

h is n am e.
M a Xiaot ao h ad com p let ely su p p r essed t h e evil fir e in h er b od y d u r in g t h eir

p er iod of ad ju st m en t an d r ecover y b efor e t h is, an d sh e’d even r egain ed m u ch of
h er sou l p ow er t h r ou gh a M ilk Bot t le.
M a Xiaot ao gazed at h im , an d a ser iou s look flash ed acr oss h er eyes. Sh e

low er ed h er voice an d said , “H er ven om is p ow er fu l, b u t sh e’s u lt im at ely st ill a
level b elow u s. You r t h r ee p ow er fu l t r an sfor m at ion s t h at a r e m ean t t o am p lify
you r p ow er s w ill gr a n t you a gr eat b oost t o you r r esist a n ce. Rain h ell u p on h er
in t h e t im e t h a t sh e t r ies t o t ak e you d ow n w it h p oison !”
All of t h em w er e in t elligen t ; t h is sin gle p oin t er w as en ou gh . Dai Yu eh en g

im m ed iat ely u n d er st ood t h e m ean in g in h er w or d s, an d h is eyes sq u in t ed a lit t le
as h e n od d ed h is h ea d . H e gave M a Xiaot ao a t h u m b s-u p , t h en leap t in t o t h e sk y
an d lan d ed on t h e com p et it ion st age.
As t h e on look er , h e cou ld see m or e of t h e gam e, an d im m ed iat ely u n d er st ood

w h at h e h a d t o d o w it h M a Xiaot ao’s t im ely r em in d er . H e p ossessed a p ow er fu l
m ar t ial sou l an d w a s a Sou l Em p er or over Ran k 60 . T h e am p lificat ion s t h at h is
m ar t ial sou l cou ld ap p ly on t o h is b od y w er e ext r em ely for m id ab le. Un d er su ch
cir cu m st an ces, a cer t ain d u r at ion of t im e w as n eed ed for p oison t o t ak e effect on
h is b od y n o m at t er h ow acu t e h is op p on en t ’s ven om w as.
Bei Bei’s level of cu lt iva t ion w as in fer ior t o h is op p on en t , p lu s h e’d b een

cau gh t off gu ar d .
As for Lin g Lu och en ? T h eir r ou n d h ad on ly con clu d ed t en m in u t es aft er h er

Icem ist h ad p er m eat ed t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e com p et it ion st age. M en g
H on gch en h ad m en t ion ed aft er w ar d s t h at ice w as in effect ive in b lock in g h er
fr om sp r ead in g p oison , b u t it w a s clea r t h at sh e’d n eed ed a cer t ain am ou n t of
t im e t o d eal w it h Lin g Lu och en . Lin g Lu och en w as a con t r ol-t yp e sou l m ast er ,
an d t h u s w as m or e ad ep t at con t r ollin g t h e b at t le r at h er t h an u sin g b r u t e for ce.
H e, on t h e ot h er h an d , w as d iffer en t .
M en g H on gch en look ed b ack over h er sh ou ld er at h er ow n cam p ’s w ait in g

ar ea as Dai Yu eh en g st ep p ed on t o t h e com p et it ion st age. T h e Su n M oon
Em p ir e’s t each er -in -ch ar ge m ad e a few gest u r es t ow ar d s h er , an d M en g
H on gch en r olled h er eyes, t h en sh e n od d ed h er h ead sligh t ly t o sh ow t h at sh e
u n d er st ood . An ad d ed t in ge of self-con fid en ce in st an t ly ap p ear ed in h er eyes.
“St ep b ack ,” t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o h ab it u ally said .
Dai Yu eh en g squ in t ed sligh t ly as h e st a r ed at M en g H on gch en w it h a ch illy

gaze.
M en g H on gch en felt h er b od y t igh t en u p an d a ch ill r an d ow n h er sp in e. Sh e

felt as if sh e w as act u ally facin g off again st a fer ociou s t iger . H e w as a Sou l
Em p er or fr om Sh r ek Acad em y, an d h is in t im id a t in g a u r a w as cau se h er st om ach
t o fr eeze.
Sh e q u ick ly r ecover ed , h ow ever , as h er t w o p r eviou s vict or ies h ad b u ilt u p

h er con fid en ce.
Dai Yu eh en g’s d isp o sit ion seem ed t o ch a n ge d elicat ely w h en h e r each ed h is
cor n er . H e d id n ’t m ove ver y fast , b u t t h e d ist an ce b et w een ever y st ep t h at h e
t ook w as ext r em ely b alan ced an d even . H is au r a k ep t b ecom in g d en ser a n d m or e
st ab le, as if h e w er e a m ou n t ain t h at w as gr ad u ally t ak in g sh a p e.
On t op of t h e r oyal cit y w all.
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or gr in n ed an d said , “M y fr ien d , d o you t h in k t h at Dai

Yu eh en g w ill b e ab le t o d efeat t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s r ar e p oison sou l m ast er ?”
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e fr ow n ed fain t ly a n d r ep lied , “H e ca n w in if h e p lays it

sm ar t . H ow ever , h e w ill st ill p r ob ab ly en d u p h u r t in g h im self even if h e d oes
em er ge vict or iou s, as p oison sou l m ast er s ar e t r ou b lesom e—esp ecially t h ose
fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e. You r M ajest y, you n eed t o st a r t t ak in g t h at gir l
ser iou sly.”
“In d eed , t h e Su n M o on Em p ir e is get t in g m or e ou t of con t r ol. T h e m essen ger

t h at I sen t t o Sh r ek Acad em y r et u r n ed yest er d ay.”
“Oh ? W h at d id Sh r ek Acad em y say?” It w as ap p ar en t t h at t h e W h it e T iger

Du k e k n ew ab ou t t h e St ar Lu o Em p ir e’s effor t s t o for m a r ap p or t w it h Sh r ek
Acad em y.
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or lau gh ed an d r ep lied , “W h at else? T h ose cu n n in g foxes!

T h ey p olit ely d eclin ed m y offer . T h e M ar t ial Sou l Dep ar t m en t ’s d ean , Yan
Sh aozh e, sen t a m essage: Sh r ek w ill n ever fall in . T h ey w ill on ly n u r t u r e, an d
t h ey w ill on ly p r ot ect . Sh r ek ’s in flu en ce w ill n ever leave Sh r ek Cit y.”
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e gr u n t ed an d said , “T h ey’ve alr ead y b ecom e t h e

Con t in en t al Gu ar d ia n s, yet t h ey’r e st ill n ot com in g ou t of t h e cit y? T h ey’r e ju st
n ot goin g t o exp an d ou t w ar d s.”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or sigh ed an d said , “W e st ill h ave t o ad m it t h at it ’s on ly

b ecau se of t h e Sh r ek Acad em y’s st ead fast b elief in t h eir p r in cip les t h at t h ey’ve
r em ain ed as t h e n eu t r al p ar t y b et w een t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ’s t h r ee or igin al
em p ir es. W e m igh t ’ve h ad t h e op p or t u n it y if n ot for t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s
exist en ce, an d it w ou ld ’ve b een ou r ch a n ce t o u n ify t h e con t in en t . H ow ever ,
Sh r ek w ill n ever a llow an y for m of in figh t in g, an d w e d on ’t h ave t h e st r en gt h t o
con t est an yt h in g u n d er t h e cu r r en t p olit ical cir cu m st an ces.”
T h e W h it e T iger Du k e r ep lied , “T h e Su n M oon Em p ir e h as b een r elat ively

qu iet r ecen t ly; I im a gin e t h ey w on ’t cau se m u ch d ist u r b an ce in t h e n ear fu t u r e.”
T h e St ar Lu o Em p er or w aved h is h an d an d said , “T h e com p et it ion h as b egu n .

Let ’s w at ch .”
Dai Yu eh en g an d M en g H on gch en ’s con t est h ad b egu n w h ile t h e r u ler an d h is

m in ist er w er e d iscu ssin g t h e gr ea t t h r oes of p olit ics.
Dai Yu eh en g r oar ed lik e a t iger as soon a s t h e ju d ge gave t h e gr een ligh t , an d

h is en t ir e b od y sh ot for w ar d lik e an ar r ow . H is fir st , t h ir d an d fift h sou l r in g
im m ed iat ely b egan t o sp ar k le seq u en t ia lly as h e flew t h r ou gh t h e air , an d h e
t r an sfor m ed as fast a s h e cou ld .
Gold en fu r a n d gold en claw s ap p ear ed as h e u sed t h e W h it e T iger ’s Sh ield , t h e

W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion , an d t h e W h it e T iger ’s Devilgod
T r an sfor m at ion . T h ese t h r ee p ow er fu l a m p lificat ion sk ills co u ld r aise h is p ow er
t o t h e h igh est p ossib le level in a m at t er of secon d s.
H e’d alr ead y r each ed t h e cen t er of com p et it ion ’s st age b y t h e t im e h is t h ir d

sou l r in g h ad b een com p let ely r eleased , an d it w as ob viou s h ow fr igh t en in gly
q u ick h is m ovem en t s w er e. It felt as if h is fear som e au r a w as goin g t o t ear
ever yt h in g b efor e h im t o p ieces.
Below t h e com p et it ion st age, M a Ru lon g’s exp r ession ch a n ged again an d
again . H e w as also a Sou l Em p er or , b u t t h e r ift b et w een h im an d Dai Yu eh en g
w as sim p ly t oo vast in t er m s of t h eir m a r t ial sou l an d cu lt iva t ion . H e on ly h ad a
fift y p er cen t ch an ce of d efeat in g Dai Yu eh en g at b est , even if h e u n leash ed h is
sou l t ools w it h all h is m igh t . H e h ad t o ad m it t h a t Sh r ek w as su p er ior in sin gle
com b at at t h e sam e age an d t h e sam e level of cu lt iva t ion . H e k n ew t h at h e
w ou ld n ’t even h ave a t h ir t y p er cen t ch an ce of vict or y if h e w er e t o go u p again st
M a Xiaot ao in a on e-ver su s-on e m at ch u p .
M en g H on gch en fin ally r eleased h er sou l t ools as sh e faced off again st Dai
Yu eh en g.
An icy b lu e r ad ian ce glow ed fr om t h ir t een sp ot s on h er b od y—t h ese t h ir t een

sp ot s w er e h er for eh ead , sh ou ld er s, ch est , elb ow s, ab d om en , h ip s, k n ees, an d
b ot h of h er h an d s.
T h ir t een sp h er es of ch illy b lu e ligh t for m ed fr om , t h en sw ift ly t r an sfor m ed

in t o an exq u isit e b lu e ar m or t h at p r ot ect ed M en g H on gch en ’s b od y.
Even t h ou gh h er ar m or cover ed h er en t ir e b od y, t h er e d id n ’t ap p ear t o b e an y

r ed u n d an cies in it . T h e en t ir e set of ar m or seem ed ext r em ely d elicat e an d fin e,
an d w as even en gr aved w it h m agn ificen t b lu ish -gold flor al p at t er n s. M en g
H on gch en w as alr ead y en ch an t in g, b u t t h is b od y ar m or m ade h er ap p ear even
m or e valian t an d for m id ab le.
Sh e also h eld a p air of icy-b lu e lon gsw or d s in b ot h of h er h an d s. T h e sw or d s

w er e t h in , an d w er e each t h r ee feet lon g. T h r ee p air s of fold ed w in gs t h at w er e
r ou gh ly a foot lon g ext en d ed fr om b eh in d h er b od y. T h e b od y ar m or in an d of
it self w as en ou gh for h er t o r elease a d en se, ch illy au r a.
H e Cait ou ’s ab ilit y t o d ist in gu ish sou l t o ols w as r elat ively ad van ced , t h u s h e
im m ed iat ely gave h is op in ion . T h is w as a Class 6 sou l t ool; a fu ll-b od y ar m or
w it h at t ach ed w eap on s an d a flyin g-t yp e sou l t ool. Fu r t h er m or e, a Class 5 sou l
en gin eer w ou ld b e a b le t o u se t h is Class 6 sou l t ool. H e w as also p osit ive t h a t
M en g H on gch en cou ld n ’t p ossib ly h ave m ad e t h is; t h is so u l t ool h ad d efin it ely
com e fr om t h e h an d s of som e exp er t .
Chapt er 122.1: Dai Yueheng's Det er minat ion
Gen er ally sp eak in g, sou l en gin eer s cou ld on ly u se sou l t ools of t h e sam e class
u n less t h er e w er e sp ecial p r ocesses in volved d u r in g t h e cr aft in g of said sou l
t ools, or if t h e sou l t ool it self h ad som et h in g u n iq u e ab ou t it t h at allow ed it t o
b yp ass class d iffer en ces.
H ow old w as M en g H on gch en ? T h e fact t h at sh e w as alr ead y a Sou l Kin g w as

ext r aor d in ar y; t h er e w as n o n eed t o ask t o k n ow h ow m u ch im p or t an ce t h e Su n
M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Aca d em y p laced on h er . It w as alm ost
im p ossib le for h er t o h ave r each ed h er cu r r en t level of cu lt iva t ion all b y h er self,
an d sh e’d also h ad t o t r ain in sou l en gin eer in g at t h e sam e t im e.
H u o Yu h ao p ossessed t w in m ar t ia l sou ls, an d t h e Ice Em p r ess, Sk yd r eam

Icew or m , an d Elect r olu x all lived in h is b od y sim u lt an eou sly. Yet , even w it h all
of t h ese fact or s, even h e w asn ’t con fid en t t h at h e’d b e ab le t o r each Ran k 50 an d
b e a Class 5 sou l en gin eer b y t h e age of fift een .
T h er e w as n o qu est ion t h at b ot h M en g H on gch en an d Xiao H on gch en h ad h a d

a lot of m an -m ad e fact or s in volved in t h eir gr ow t h . T h er e w as n o u se t ellin g
ot h er s w h at exot ic t r easu r es or h er b s t h ey’d in gest ed , b u t t h e sh eer level of t h eir
cu lt ivat ion s a lso im p lied t h at t h eir fou n d at ion s w er en ’t st ab le.
Ran k 30 , Ran k 60 , Ran k 70 , an d Ran k 90 w er e t h e fou r im p or t an t m ilest on es

t h at sou l m ast er s faced . M en g H on gch en an d Xiao H on gch en w ou ld exp er ien ce a
d eclin e in t h eir cu lt ivat ion sp eed if t h eir fou n d at ion s w er en ’t solid en ou gh .
T h ey w ou ld h ave t o st ab ilize an d con solid at e t h eir fou n d a t io n s over a su fficien t
p er iod of t im e if t h ey w an t ed t o ach ieve r eal su ccess in t h e fu t u r e.
T h is w as t h e r eason w h y it w as so ap p ar en t t h at M en g H on gch en h ad n ’t b een

t h e on e t o for ge an d p r od u ce t h e Cla ss 6 sou l ar m or t h at sh e w as cu r r en t ly
w ear in g.
T h is d id n ’t m ean t h at sh e cou ld n ’t d isp lay for m id ab le p r ow ess u sin g t h is sou l
t ool. In st ead , sh e w as u sin g h er ow n ap t it u d e a n d ab ilit ies t o sh ow Sh r ek w h at
t h e fu t u r e d evelop m en t of sou l m ast er s on t h e con t in en t w as lik ely t o b e.
M en g H on gch en ’s sp eed in cr eased exp on en t ially as h er figu r e flash ed on ce.

Sh e d id n ’t in t en d t o clash d ir ect ly w it h Dai Yu eh en g. Rat h er , t h e t h in sw or d s
sh e w as h old in g cu t t h r ou gh t h e air as sh e st ep p ed t o t h e sid e.
T w o st r eak s of icy b lu e ligh t ap p ear ed in m id air lik e t w o b olt s of ligh t n in g

an d for m ed som et h in g lik e a cr oss, t h en soar ed t ow ar d s Dai Yu eh en g. T h ey
d id n ’t ap p ear as if t h ey w ou ld d issip a t e eit h er ; it w as a s if t h ey w er e p ar t of a
sou l sk ill.
Dai Yu eh en g d id n ’t even at t em p t t o d od ge, as h e w as aw ar e t h at h e d id n ’t

h ave m u ch t im e. H e sw u n g h is t iger -lik e left h an d an d u n leash ed h is sou l
p ow er , cau sin g five b eam s of gold en ligh t t o collid e w it h t h e cen t er of t h e cr oss.
H is for w ar d m om en t u m r em ain ed u n ch a n ged an d u n affect ed as h e d id so.
T h e cr oss w as im m ed iat ely sh at t er ed in t o p ieces, b u t t h ick w h it e m ist

im m ed iat ely p er m eat ed t h e air . T h er e w a s n o qu est ion t h at t h is at t ack h ad b een
ch ar ged w it h t h e Ver m illion Clear Icet oad ’s in t en se ven om .
Dai Yu eh en g h eld h is b r eat h , b u t h e st ill felt h is en t ir e b od y t u r n in g cold . It

w as as if som et h in g w as in vad in g h is b od y w it h u n st op p ab le for ce.
H e con cen t r at ed h is sou l p ow er an d r elied on h is b od y’s p ow er fu l r esist an ce

t o d isr egar d t h is feelin g as h e con t in u ed h is for w ar d lu n ge t ow ar d s M en g
H on gch en .
M en g H on gch en ’s fir st sou l r in g h ad b een sp ar k lin g ever sin ce sh e’d m ad e h er

fir st st r ik e, w h ich r ep r esen t ed h er Ver m ilion Clear Icet oad ’s acu t e p oison . At
t h is m om en t , h er secon d an d t h ir d sou l r in gs lit u p on e aft er t h e ot h er .
An icy-b lu e ligh t r in g ext en d ed ou t fr om b en eat h h er feet an d cover ed t h e
en t ir e com p et it ion st age in a m at t er of secon d s. T h is w as h er secon d sou l sk ill—
Iceven om Rin g.
Ever y ou n ce of ven o m t h at b elon ged t o h er Ver m ilion Clear Icet oad w ou ld b e

am p lified in sid e t h e Iceven om Rin g. Sh e’d t ak en ad van t age of t h e cover
p r ovid ed b y Lin g Lu och en ’s Icem ist p r eviou sly t o u se t h e Iceven om Rin g t o
am p lify h er fir st sou l sk ill an d even t u a lly d efeat Lin g Lu och en in sid e of h er ow n
Icem ist .
W h en h er t h ir d sou l r in g lit u p , som et h in g st r an ge b ega n t o h ap p en . A

m ir r or -lik e solid p iece of ice t h at w as ab ou t five m et er s in d iam et er ap p ear ed
b en eat h h er feet . T h is ice b lock p r oject ed h er r eflect ion , b u t t h e scen e t h at
ap p ear ed w as ext r em ely p ecu liar .
Dai Yu eh en g ar r ived in fr on t of h er ju st as sh e fin ish ed u n lea sh in g t h ese t w o

sou l sk ills. H e sh ot ou t t h e W h it e T iger ’s Fier ce Ligh t W av e at h er as soon as
p ossib le.
T h e W h it e T iger ’s Fier ce Ligh t W ave w as ext r em ely for m id ab le u n d er t h e

am p lifyin g effect s of h is t h r ee t r an sfor m at ion sk ills. A b eam of w h it e ligh t as
t h ick as an ar m t or e t h r ou gh t h e air , b oom in g an d cr ack lin g w it h en er gy. If t h is
b eam of ligh t h it it s t ar get d ir ect ly, it s p ow er w asn ’t in fer ior in t h e least t o t h at
of a Class 5 en er gy-gat h er in g sou l can n on .
A sin ist er scen e ap p ear ed at t h at m om en t : T w o M en g H on gch en s su d d en ly

ap p ear ed on t h e su r face of t h e ice b lock . T h e st r eak of w h it e ligh t flash ed b y,
an d t h e M en g H on gch en t h at it w as t ar get in g sim p ly d issip at ed lik e a sh ad ow ,
w h ile t h e or igin al M en g H on gch en r elocat ed t o an ot h er p osit ion . Not on ly h a d
sh e m an aged t o evad e t h e W h it e T iger ’s Fier ce Ligh t W ave, b u t sh e’d also
m an aged t o r elocat e t o a p osit ion b eh in d Dai Yu eh en g.
H er t h in sw or d s sp ar k led an d t r a n sfor m ed in t o sw or d sh a d ow s t h at p er vad ed

t h e sk ies b efor e t h ey st ab b ed r igh t t ow ar d s Dai Yu eh en g. H er sw or d s’ foot -lon g
r ad ian ces b ecam e con cen t r at ed , cau sin g t h e air ar ou n d t h em t o r elease ch ir p in g
sou n d s.
T h is w as M en g H on gch en ’s t h ir d sou l sk ill—Ice Reflect ion . It allow ed h er t o

sw it ch p osit ion s w it h t h e ligh t im ages of h er self t h at w er e r eflect ed on t h e
su r face of t h e b lock of ice t h at sh e’d r eleased . Even t h ou gh it w asn ’t as p ow er fu l
as In st an t T elep or t a t ion , it w as an ext r em ely p r act ical sou l sk ill t h at w or k ed
w ell in com b in at ion w it h h er sou l ar m or .
W h o w as Dai Yu eh en g? H e w as t h e W h it e T iger ’s h eir , an d a Sou l Em p er or

w h o’d st ep p ed ou t fr om Sh r ek ’s in n er cou r t yar d . H e cou ld b e cou n t ed as a
vet er an of cou n t less b at t les.
H e w as n ot in t h e least b it w or r ied or fr igh t en ed d esp it e h is op p on en t ’s

u n iqu e sou l sk ills. H e im m ed iat ely sw ep t h is t iger -lik e p alm s ou t b eh in d h im t h e
m om en t t h at h is left leg lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d . T h e sh ar p t alon s on h is t iger -lik e
p alm s b lazed w it h la r ge p at ch es of gold en ligh t w h en t h ey clash ed d ir ect ly w it h
t h e t h in sw or d s com in g t ow ar d h im .
T h e t h in sw or d s in M en g H on gch en ’s h an d s w er e Class 6 sou l t ools; t h eir

offen sive p ow er w as ju st as st r on g as Dai Yu eh en g’s t iger cla w s. Sh e r elied on
h er sou l t ools’ p ow er t o for cefu lly b r id ge t h e gap b et w een t h eir levels of
cu lt ivat ion .
Dai Yu eh en g h ad sever ely w ou n d ed Xia o H on gch en b efor e t h is, t h u s it w as

n at u r al for M en g H on gch en t o feel an acu t e sen se of b elliger en ce w h en sh e
u n leash ed h er fu ll p ow er .
H ow ever , h e w as st ill a Sou l Em p er or aft er all. Dai Yu eh en g w ou ld b e ab le t o

over com e M en g H on gch en in t er m s of st r en gt h , sou l p ow er , an d m ar t ial ab ilit y
if h e d id n ’t h ave w or r y ab ou t t h e effect s of h er ven om . Even t h ou gh a Class 6
sou l t ool w as p ow er fu l, M en g H on gch en st ill w asn ’t a Class 6 sou l en gin eer , t h u s
sh e w as on ly ab le t o t em p or ar ily m ain t ain t h is b alan ce. W h en Dai Yu eh en g t ook
t h e op p or t u n it y t o sp in ar ou n d an d face h er d ir ect ly, sh e st ar t ed t o cr u m b le
u n d er t h e p r essu r e.
M en g H on gch en ’s figu r e flash ed on ce m or e as sh e u sed h er Ice Reflect ion t o
r elocat e h er self again . H er t h in sw or d s slash ed t h r ou gh t h e air , t h eir sh ad ow s
p er m eat in g t h r ou gh t h e en t ir e ar en a as sh e r elen t lessly t r ied t o fin d an y
w eak n esses or loop h oles in Dai Yu eh en g’s d efen se.
Sh e cou ld w ait ; sh e u n d er st ood t h a t Dai Yu eh en g w as r elyin g on h is

r esist a n ce t o figh t again st h er Icet oad ’s Ven om . H ow ever , sh e w as p osit ive t h at
t h is r esist a n ce w as t im e-b ased . Dai Yu eh en g w ou ld feel t h e Icet oad Ven om ‘s
effect s m or e an d m or e over t h e con t in u ou s p assage of t im e, w h ich w ou ld
u n d ou b t ed ly lead t o h er b ein g t h e u lt im at e vict or .
T h is w as t h e t r u t h , an d Dai Yu eh en g cou ld feel a ch ill t h at p ier ced r igh t in t o

h is b on es in cessa n t ly assau lt in g h is b od y. Even t h ou gh h is b od y w as t ou gh an d
h e cou ld d elay t h is p r ocess for a lon g t im e, com p let ely st op p in g it w as
im p ossib le for h im .
M en g H on gch en w as n o m at ch for h im in close-qu a r t er s com b at , b u t sh e w as

n im b le an d agile t h a n k s t o h er Ice Reflect ion . In or d er t o h old b ack Dai Yu eh en g
for as lon g as sh e co u ld , sh e t ossed ou t exp losive sou l t ools fr om t im e t o t im e,
m ean t t o d ist r act r at h er t h an d am age h er op p on en t .
T h eir ep ic b at t le m ad e t h e a u d ien ce d izzy as t h ey look ed on , ear -p ier cin g

cr ack lin g sou n d s con st an t ly au d ib le. Dai Yu eh en g w asn ’t slow , b u t h e w asn ’t
ab le t o gain an y sor t of ad van t age over M en g H on gch en , w h o h ad a Class 6 so u l
t ool an d t h e h elp of h er Ice Reflect ion . T h e sit u at ion on t h e st age r em ain ed a t a
p r olon ged im p asse.
Ever yb od y in Sh r ek ’s w ait in g ar ea b egan t o fr ow n an d cu r se. T h ey cou ld t ell

w h at sor t of b at t le t act ics M en g H on gch en w as em p loyin g, b u t n ob od y h ad
exp ect ed h er close-com b at p r ow ess t o b e so for m id ab le—sh e w as act u a lly ab le t o
h old b ack Dai Yu eh en g, an d sh e d id n ’t look lik e sh e w ou ld b e d efeat ed an yt im e
soon .
Dai Yu eh en g su d d en ly slow ed d ow n , h is en t ir e b od y sh iver in g as a st r eak of

icy-b lu e ligh t flash ed acr oss h is sh o u ld er .
H ow ever , h e h ad t h e t h r ee am p lifyin g t r an sfor m at ion sou l sk ills p r ot ect in g
h im , t h u s t h e icy-b lu e sw or d r ad ian ce m er ely sh aved off som e of h is gold en t iger
fu r . It d id n ’t d am age h is b od y at all.
“Oh n o.” W an g Ya n ’s exp r ession su d d en ly ch an ged . “I d on ’t t h in k t h at

Yu eh en g can w it h st a n d t h e p oison an ym or e.”
Dai Yu eh en g h a d u sed all t h r ee t r an sfor m at ive so u l sk ills fr om t h e b egin n in g

of t h e b at t le, w h ich w as t h e on ly w ay t h at h e cou ld r aise h is r esist a n ce, an d in
t u r n h is offen sive p o w er s, t o t h e h igh est p ossib le level.
H ow ever , M en g H on gch en h ad r efu sed t o clash w it h h im d ir ect ly; sh e w as as

slip p er y as an eel. Dai Yu eh en g h ad a lm ost b r ok en t h r ou gh h er d efen se sever al
t im es, b u t h is at t ack s h ad im m ed iat ely b een d isp elled b y h er au t om at ically
t r igger ed Im p r egn a b le W all. M en g H on gch en ’s sou l p ow er w as gr eat ly
d im in ish ed w h en ever t h is h ap p en ed , b u t Dai Yu eh en g’s w as b ein g con su m ed a t
a far gr eat er r at e.
“Believe in h im . As a d iscip le fr om Sh r ek ’s in n er cou r t yar d , if h e can ’t d efeat

an op p on en t on e t ier of cu lt ivat ion b elow h im , t h en h e isn ’t w or t h y of st ep p in g
ou t fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d .” M a Xia ot ao w as t h e on ly on e ab le t o r em ain
calm , as on ly d iscip les fr om t h e in n er cou r t yar d cou ld t r u ly u n d er st an d each
ot h er .
St ill, t h e sit u a t ion on st age w asn ’t ver y op t im ist ic. Dai Yu eh en g h ad slow ed
even m or e aft er h e’d su ffer ed t h at fir st st r ik e—it seem ed t h at t h e Icet oad ’s
Ven om h ad b egu n t o t ak e effect . T h e t h in sw or d s in h is op p on en t ’s h an d s b egan
t o b ecom e m or e fer ociou s as m or e an d m or e st r eak s of sw or d r ad ian ce cr iss-
cr ossed t ow ar d s h im . H is b od y w as q u ick ly cu t sever al t im es.
Even w it h t h e W h it e T iger ’s Sh ield , t h e W h it e T iger ’s Vajr a T r an sfor m at ion ,

an d t h e W h it e T iger ’s Devilgod T r an sfor m at ion , h e cou ld n ’t com p let ely d efen d
h im self again st a Class 6 sou l t ool’s at t ack . T r aces of b lood r ap id ly b egan t o
ap p ear on Dai Yu eh en g’s b od y. H ow ever , w h at w as m or e im p or t an t w as t h e fact
t h at M en g H on gch en ’s w eap on s w er e also t in ged w it h ven om as w ell. T h e
p oison w ou ld on ly sp r ead fast er n ow t h a t it h a d m ad e con t act w it h h is b lood .
“Ur gh h !” Dai Yu eh en g seem ed t o h ave b ecom e in fu r iat ed , or m ayb e it w as

b ecau se h e’d r ealized t h e cu r r en t st a t e of h is b od y. H e su d d en ly r oar ed in t o t h e
sk y, an d a d en se gold en ligh t er u p t ed fr om h is b od y as h is sixt h an d fin al so u l
r in g fin ally b egan t o sp ar k le b r illian t ly.
Dai Yu eh en g’s m ost p ow er fu l sou l sk ill, t h e W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in at ion , h a d

fin ally b een u n leash ed .
A t er r ifyin g au r a im m ed iat ely en velop ed an ar ea ar ou n d five m et er s in

d iam et er as t h e in t en se gold en ligh t gat h er ed t oget h er for m a gian t w or d “Kill”
in m id a ir . T h e sh ad ow of t h e W h it e T iger also slow ly cam e in t o view b eh in d Dai
Yu eh en g at t h e sam e t im e.
W as t h is h is fin al st r ik e? M en g H on gch en ’s m ou t h cu r led in t o a cold sm ile

an d a b eam of gold en ligh t im m ed ia t ely em er ged fr om h er b od y.
Sh e w as n a t u r ally u n ab le t o w it h st an d h is W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in a t ion ; t h e

r esu lt w ou ld b e t h e sam e even if sh e u sed h er Im p r egn ab le W all. T h e gap in
t h eir sou l p ow er w as u lt im at ely t oo gr ea t , an d t h e W h it e T iger Sou l Em p er or ’s
m ost p ow er fu l st r ik e w h en h e w as fu lly am p lified w as p ow er fu l en ou gh t o sap
h er en t ir e p ool of sou l p ow er , w h ich w ou ld cau se h er t o collap se an d cr u m b le.
T h is r ay of gold en ligh t w asn ’t fr om t h e Im p r egn ab le W all, b u t … follow in g

t h e flash of gold en ligh t , M en g H on gch en w as in st an t ly m oved t en m et er s aw ay,
com p let ely evad in g Dai Yu eh en g’s m ost p ow er fu l st r ik e.
On e cou ld n ’t u n d er est im at e t h e p ow er of sh ift in g t en m et er s aw ay in t h e

b lin k of an eye. T h is w as a Class 7 sou l t ool k n ow n as t h e r in g of t elep or t at ion ;
even Xiao H on gch en d id n ’t p ossess a sou l t ool lik e it .
T h e r in g of t elep or t at ion cou ld on ly b e u sed on ce p er d ay, b u t it w asn ’t a

d isp osab le sou l t ool, an d w as oft en t o u t ed as a m ir acle am on gst Class 7 sou l
t ools. Possessin g an it em su ch as it w as essen t ially eq u ivalen t t o h avin g a secon d
life in m ost sit u at ion s, even t h ou gh it s in st an t t elep or t a t ion d ist an ce w as
lim it ed t o a h u n d r ed m et er s.
M en g H on gch en h ad t elep or t ed a m er e t en m et er s, an d h a d b een w ait in g for

an op p or t u n it y lik e t h is.
T h e W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in at ion h ad m issed , t h u s h er fift h sou l r in g fin ally

st ar t ed t o sp ar k le w it h eye-cat ch in g lu st er .
Sh e’d b een w ait in g for h im t o u se h is u lt im at e m ove. Now t h at h e h ad , M en g

H on gch en ’s h ear t w as filled w it h self-con fid en ce, an d sh e w as su r e t h a t sh e
w ou ld em er ge vict or iou s. H er elegan t figu r e flew in t o t h e air , h er en t ir e b od y
st ar t in g t o vigor ou sly sp in in t h e sk y; it w as as if sh e’d t r an sfor m ed in t o a
w h ir lp ool. Sh e t h en lau n ch ed h er self d ir ect ly a t Dai Yu eh en g, w h o’d yet t o
r ecover fr om u sin g h is W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in at ion .
Dai Yu eh en g w as in t h e w eak est p ossib le st at e r igh t n ow , as h e w as b ot h

su ffer in g fr om h er acu t e p oison , an d h ad ju st u sed all of h is st r en gt h in h is la st
at t ack . M en g H on gch en ’s op p or t u n it y of ch oice cou ld on ly b e d escr ib ed as
op t im al an d im p ecca b le.
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o q u ick ly ar r ived at a sp ot n ot far fr om w h er e t h e

b at t le w as occu r in g at ; h e w as p r ep ar ed t o en d t h e con t est at a m om en t ’s n ot ice.
Red ligh t glim m er ed in t h e cen t er of t h e w h ir lp ool, w h ich flick er ed icy-b lu e.

T h at p ale r ed ligh t gave t h e sp ect at or s a sear in g sen sat ion ; it w as as if t h er e
w er e a p illar of b list er in g fir e in t h e icy w h ir lp ool’s cen t er .
T h is w as t h e m ost p ow er fu l at t ack t h a t M en g H on gch en cou ld u n leash —t h e

Icefir e Ven om d r agon ’s Cor k scr ew .
T h is w as a p er fect com b in at ion of a t en -t h ou san d -year sou l sk ill an d a Class 6

sou l t ool, an d it s p o w er w as en ou gh t o r ival a for m id ab le Sou l Em p er or ’s sou l
sk ill. It w as ap p ar en t t h at sh e d id n ’t in t en d t o give Dai Yu eh en g an y ch an ce at
all b y u sin g su ch a m igh t y sou l sk ill.
H ow ever , w h at M en g H on gch en d id n ’t r ealize w as t h at t h e m ir r or -lik e ice

b lock t h at en ab led h er t o u se Ice Reflect ion b en eat h h er feet h ad b een sh a t t er ed
in h er figh t again st Dai Yu eh en g.
T h e Icefir e Ven om d r agon ’s Cor k scr ew h ad alr ead y r each ed Dai Yu eh en g,

w h ose eyes seem ed t o b e gr ow in g m or e an d m or e clou d ed , an d w h ose au r a w as
gr ow in g w eak er . T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o’s h an d s w er e alr ead y r aised in t o t h e
air .
H ow ever , Dai Yu eh en g su d d en ly m oved a t t h is m om en t .
H is m ove w as sim p le: H e st ep p ed ou t w it h h is left foot , t h en t ook a st an ce

sim ilar t o t h at of u sin g a b ow an d ar r ow as h e cr ossed h is ar m s in fr on t of h is
ch est .
“Ban g—”
A ser ies of exp losion s r an g ou t as Dai Yu eh en g’s r igh t a r m sp ar k led . A
b r illian t gold en ligh t cover ed an d p r ot ect ed h is en t ir e b od y in an in st an t ,
st op p in g M en g H on gch en ’s Icefir e Ven om d r agon ’s Cor k scr ew ju st lik e t h at . It
d id n ’t ach ieve an yt h in g at all.
A sear in g w h it e ligh t glow ed on ce m o r e im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, an d Dai

Yu eh en g’s b od y w as lik e a fer ociou s t iger as h e en t r ap p ed M en g H on gch en .
H e’d act ivat ed t h e W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in at ion on ce m or e!
M en g H on gch en h ad b een w ait in g for h er op p or t u n it y t o st r ik e Dai Yu eh en g

d ow n for good , b u t Dai Yu eh en g h ad also b een w ait in g for t h e sam e t h in g all
alon g.
T h e r esist a n ce p r ovid ed b y t h e W h it e T iger ’s t h r ee am p lifyin g sou l sk ills w er e

even st r on ger t h an M en g H on gch en h ad im agin ed . Dai Yu eh en g h ad
d elib er at ely r evealed ever y sin gle w eak n ess or loop h ole t h at sh e’d d iscover ed .
M en g H on gch en w a s ju st t oo slip p er y a n d agile. As sh e w as a sou l en gin eer ,

Dai Yu eh en g w as acu t ely aw ar e t h at sh e h ad m u lt ip le t ools an d m et h od s t o
p r ot ect h er life. T h is w as t h e r eason t h at h e’d ch osen t o r eveal w eak n ess—t o
lu r e h is en em y d eep w it h in , an d t o let t h em t h in k t h at h e w a s n o lon ger ab le t o
con t in u e.
H ow cou ld M en g H on gch en ’s exp er ien ce in b at t le com p ar e t o Dai Yu eh en g,

w h o w as t h e t r u e vet er an ?
Dai Yu eh en g’s r igh t ar m flick er ed w it h ligh t . T h is w as a sou l b on e sk ill, an d

w as som et h in g t h a t h e h ad yet t o u se t h r ou gh ou t t h e en t ir e com p et it ion . It w as
called Ab solu t e Defen se.
It w as d issim ilar t o Pr in cess J iu J iu ’s ab solu t e d efen se b ar r ier fr om b efor e, as

h is Ab solu t e Defen se cou ld on ly b e u sed for a fr act ion of t h e t im e, an d on ly on ce
a d ay. T h at m in iscu le m om en t w ou ld r en d er h im in vin cib le, b u t it w as
im p er at ive t h at h is op p on en t ’s at t ack st r ik e h is r igh t ar m .
Con sid er in g Dai Yu eh en g’s cu r r en t level of cu lt ivat ion , h e w ou ld b e ab le t o
n egat e an y at t ack or sou l sk ill w it h in t h at in st an t as lon g as h is op p on en t w asn ’t
a T r an scen d en t Dou lu o.
M en g H on gch en w as r elat ively p ow er fu l, an d Dai Yu eh en g h ad alm ost n o w ay

t o d eal w it h h er Icet oad Ven om . H ow ever , ju st as M a Xiaot ao h ad sa id b efor e, a
Sou l Em p er or fr om Sh r ek ’s in n er cou r t yar d w as sop h ist icat ed . Dai Yu eh en g h a d
r elied on h is ow n b at t le exp er ien ce t o fin a lly for ce h is op p on en t , w h o’d ju st w on
t w o r ou n d s in a r ow , in t o d esp er a t e st r ait s.
M en g H on gch en h ad con su m ed a lar ge a m ou n t of sou l p ow er in h er h it -an d -

r u n t act ics fr om b efor e. Fu r t h er m or e, sh e’d ju st u n leash ed h er Icefir e
Ven om d r agon ’s Cor k scr ew , d efin it ely n ot exp ect in g Dai Yu eh en g t o t u r n t h e
t ab les at a t im e su ch as t h is. Sh e, w h o w asn ’t even fift een year s old ,
im m ed iat ely b ecam e h yst er ical.
H er Im p r egn ab le W all w as t r igger ed at t h e fir st p ossib le m om en t . H ow ever ,

M en g H on gch en felt h er sou l p ow er im m ed iat ely d r ain a t ligh t n in g sp eed
follow in g t h e gold en ligh t ’s p r ot ect ion . H er Im p r egn ab le W all w ou ld on ly b e
ab le t o last for t w o secon d s b efor e it cr u m b led u n d er t h e W h it e T iger ’s
Ext er m in at ion .
Fr igh t en in g t iger cla w s slash ed h er Class 6 sou l ar m or an d m ad e ear -p ier cin g

gr in d in g sou n d s.
“W e ad m it d efeat !”
T h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s t each er -in -ch ar ge’s su d d en ly sh ou t ed , a r ay of

st ar ligh t d escen d in g fr om t h e sk ies t o p r ot ect M en g H on gch en ’s b od y.
In t h is sh or t d u r at ion of t im e, d ozen s of cr ack s an d m ar k s h ad ap p ear ed all

over M en g H on gch en ’s Class 6 sou l a r m or . It s d efen sive cap ab ilit ies w er e
for m id ab le, b u t Dai Yu eh en g’s all-ou t st r ik e w as in cr ed ib ly t er r ifyin g as w ell. If
n ot for t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s t each er -in -ch ar ge an d h is q u ick r eact ion , Dai
Yu eh en g w ou ld ’ve sh at t er ed t h e sou l a r m or t o p ieces aft er a n ot h er secon d , an d
M en g H on gch en w ou ld ’ve b een r a vaged an d t or n t o p ieces b y t h e W h it e T iger ’s
im m en se p ow er .
T h is w as ab solu t e st r en gt h ! Dai Yu eh en g, as a Sou l Em p er or w it h W h it e T iger

as h is m ar t ial sou l, h ad p r oved t o ever yon e w it h h is ext r aor d in ar y p r ow ess t h at
Sh r ek w as st ill a s p ow er fu l as ever , even if t h eir m ar t ial sou ls w er e r est r ain ed .
M en g H on gch en w a s st ill h eld in t h e vice-lik e gr ip of t er r or even aft er t h e

W h it e T iger ’s Ext er m in at ion ’s r ad ian ce h ad d issip at ed . Sh e cou ld st ill feel h ow
close t o d eat h sh e’d ju st b een in t h a t t in y am ou n t of t im e. H er Im p r egn ab le W all
h ad b een com p let ely d est r oyed , w h ile h er sou l ar m or ’s for m at ion s h a d b een
h eavily d am aged . T h is valu ab le Class 6 sou l t ool h ad b een laid t o r u in ju st lik e
t h at , t h e on ly t h in gs left in t act b ein g h er t w in sw or d s.
“Ah —” M en g H on gch en su d d en ly vom it ed a m ou t h fu l of b lood , an d h er b od y

qu iver ed as if sh e w as ab ou t t o fall over . Sh e w ou ld ’ve collap sed if sh e d id n ’t u se
h er t h in sw or d s t o su p p or t h er self.
Dai Yu eh en g gazed at h er cold ly, t h e fer ocit y in h is eyes sen d in g a cold sh iver
d ow n M en g H on gch en ’s sp in e. Sh e k n ew ver y w ell t h at , w it h ou t h er Icet oad ’s
Ven om an d h er sou l t ools, sh e w ou ld n ’t even b e w or t h y of b at t lin g t h is
in d ivid u al.
W h at su r p r ised ever yon e w as t h at Dai Yu eh en g on ly sh ot a sin gle look

t ow ar d s M en g H on gch en b efor e qu ick ly leap in g off t h e st age an d r et u r n in g t o
Sh r ek ’s w ait in g ar ea .
H e st ep p ed b efor e M a Xiaot ao. H is b od y’s t r an sfor m at ion s fr om h is m ar t ial

sou l an d sou l sk ills w er e r eced in g w it h d azzlin g sp eed , r evealin g h is or igin al
for m on ce m or e.
“I d id n ’t let Sh r ek d ow n , t eam lead er .” Dai Yu eh en g’s eyes sp ar k led as h e

gazed in t o M a Xiaot ao’s eyes. T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h at h e’d t ak en t h e
in it iat ive t o ad d r ess M a Xiaot ao as h is t ea m lead er .
M a Xiaot ao st ood u p an d n od d ed h eavily in h is d ir ect ion .
Dai Yu eh en g r aised h is h an d an d r em oved a m assive r in g fr om t h e in d ex

fin ger of h is left h an d . T h e r in g w as ligh t silver , an d h ad a fear som e t iger h ead
en gr aved u p on it .
“T h is is for you . I’m su r e t h at you ’ll b e a b le t o u se it . Sh r ek can n ot lose, t eam

lead er . Please.” H e st u ffed t h e r in g in t o M a Xiaot ao’s h an d s as h e sp ok e.
Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, h is eyes closed an d h is b u r ly b od y collap sed
b ack w ar d s.
M a Xiaot ao gr ab b ed on t o h is ar m t o p r even t h im fr om fallin g. H er r ed lip s

w er e p r essed t igh t ly t oget h er , an d h er p er k y ch est u n d u lat ed vigor ou sly for a
w h ile.
“An ad m ir ab le r esolve. You ’r e n ot a good -for -n ot h in g aft er all.”
Dai Yu eh en g h ad b een vict or iou s—h e’d b eat en M en g H on gch en . H ow ever ,

h e’d also b een k n ock ed u n con sciou s b y h er in t en se ven om , an d h ad lost all
ab ilit y t o con t in u e b at t lin g.
H ow ever , h is fer ocit y galvan ized ever y sin gle m em b er of Sh r ek , an d

r ek in d led t h e r agin g flam es in ever y on e of t h eir h ear t s.
Yes, Sh r ek h ad t o w in .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g clen ch ed t h eir fist s t igh t ly. T h e t w o of t h em ,

alon g w it h M a Xiaot ao, w er e t h e on ly p eop le st ill con sciou s in Sh r ek ’s seven -
m em b er p ar t icip at in g t eam for t h e sin gle-elim in at ion b at t le.
T h ey look ed at t h e ot h er s, w h o w er e eit h er u n con sciou s or sever ely in ju r ed ,

an d t h eir h ear t s w er e im m ed ia t ely filled w it h b ot h d esp air an d an u n r ivaled
figh t in g sp ir it . Righ t n ow , t h ey w ou ld p lace t h eir lives on t h e lin e for Sh r ek ’s
h on or an d glor y w it h ou t a sin gle in st an t of h esit at ion . T h is w as t h e on ly
t h ou gh t on t h eir m in d s.
“It ’s m y t u r n .” M a Xiaot ao p u t Dai Yu eh en g’s r in g on h er r igh t h an d ’s t h u m b
as sh e sp ok e, an d w as ab ou t t o go u p on t o t h e com p et it ion st age.
At t h is m om en t , t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o lou d ly an n ou n ced , “As t h e ju d ge, I

h ave con fir m ed t h at t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y h ave
given u p t h e r est of t h is r ou n d an d h a ve ad m it t ed d efeat . Sh r ek Acad em y is
vict or iou s in t h is sin gle-elim in at ion r ou n d . Bot h p ar t ies w ill h ave on e m in u t e t o
r est . T h e 2-2-3 figh t w ill t h en b egin im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s. As b ot h p ar t ies n o
lon ger h ave en ou gh p eop le t o com p let e t h e t h ir d r ou n d , a n d as b ot h p ar t ies
h ave a sin gle w in ea ch fr om t h e p r eviou s t w o r ou n d s, t h e t h ir d r ou n d sh all b e
com p let ed w it h each t eam ’s r esp ect ive r eser ve t eam m em b er s t h at d id n ot
p ar t icip at e in t h e sin gle-elim in at ion r o u n d .”
T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y h ad ad m it t ed d efeat ?
M a Xiaot ao, H u o Yu h ao, an d W an g Don g w er e all ast on ish ed .
T h er e w er e t h r ee p eop le in t h eir op p on en t s’ cam p w h o w er e st ill ab le t o

p ar t icip at e. M a Ru lon g, t h eir t eam lead er , w as t h e m ost p ow er fu l on e, an d w as
st ill ab le t o figh t . H ow cou ld t h ey ju st ad m it d efeat ?
W an g Yan gr ew solem n an d m u t t er ed , “Im p r essive.”
M a Xiaot ao fr ow n ed an d said , “W h a t ’s w r on g, T each er W an g?”
W an g Yan ’s exp r ession w as as d ar k as ever . H e low er ed h is voice an d said ,

“Alt h ou gh t h ey’ve given u p on t h e sin gle-elim in at ion r o u n d s, t h is is t h em
r et r eat in g in or d er t o ad van ce. T h ey’r e aw ar e t h at n on e of t h em w ill b e ab le t o
d efeat you on e-on -on e, an d t h at , as sou l en gin eer s, t h ey’r e st r on ger w h en
t h ey’r e t oget h er . T h u s, t h e 2-2-3 b at t le w ill b e m or e ad van t ageou s for t h em .
Fu r t h er m or e, of t h e or igin al seven p ar t icip at in g con t est a n t s, on ly t h r ee of you
ar e st ill ab le t o figh t . Even t h ou gh t h ey also on ly h ave t h r ee con t est an t s left ,
M en g H on gch en h asn ’t lost h er ab ilit y t o figh t – sh e’s sim p ly over ly exh au st ed .
Sh e’ll b e ab le t o r eco ver , given en ou gh t im e.”
“T h e fir st p eop le t h ey’ll sen d ou t w ill b e M a Ru lon g an d Xiao Xiafen g for t h e

fir st r ou n d of 2-2-3 b at t le, iso t h at Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en h ave
en ou gh t im e t o r est . H ow ever , w e on ly h ave t h e t h r ee of you left . Even if M a
Xiaot ao w in s a r ou n d w it h on e of you , t h ey’ll alm ost cer t ain ly w in t h e n ext on e.
Even if w e get a w in , it ’ll b e equ ivalen t t o a loss for u s.”
All t h r ee of t h em im m ed iat ely u n d er st ood t h e sit u at ion w h en t h ey h ear d

W an g Yan ’s w or d s. W h at h e’d said w as t r u e. W h o else w as left in Sh r ek ’s
r eser ve lin eu p ?
On ly H e Cait ou an d Xiao Xiao w er e left . Xiao Xiao’s in ju r ies h a d yet t o

com p let ely h eal, w h ile H e Cait ou w as on ly a Class 4 sou l en gin eer .
T h e last r ou n d w ou ld b e a t h r ee-ver su s-t h r ee. It w ou ld n ’t b e a p r ob lem for

t h eir op p on en t s t o ch oose t h r ee Class 4 sou l en gin eer s fr om t h eir r eser ve t eam
t h en —Sh r ek d id n ’t st an d a ch an ce for it .
T h is m ean t t h at in t h e su b sequ en t b at t le, t h eir op p on en t s w ou ld p r act ically

w in t h e en t ir e t ou r n am en t so lon g as t h ey w on a sin gle t w o-on -t w o b at t le.
M en g H on gch en an d Xiao H on gch en w er e b ot h w ou n d ed , an d w er en ’t at t h eir

p eak con d it ion . H ow ever , M en g H on gch en ’s ven om com b in ed w it h t h e fact t h at
t h ey w er e b ot h Sou l Kin gs as w ell as Class 5 sou l en gin eer s st ill m a d e t h em
ext r em ely for m id ab le.
Fu r t h er m or e, t h ey st ill h ad M a Ru lon g an d Xiao Xiafen g. M a Ru lon g w as a

p ow er fu l Class 6 sou l en gin eer , w h ile Xiao Xiafen g w as a Class 5. It w ou ld b e
ext r em ely ch allen gin g for Sh r ek t o w in even a sin gle r ou n d . T h is w as t h e
d isp ar it y b et w een t h e t w o t eam ’s d ep t h s—Sh r ek h a d on ly h ad t h r ee official
t eam m em b er s t o b egin w it h . T h e r ift in t h eir st r en gt h s cou ld n ’t even b e
com p ar ed .
W an g Yan look ed u p w ar d s an d h eaved a sigh , an exp r ession of d efeat on h is

face. Bot h h e an d h is t eam h ad alr ead y given u p so m u ch , yet t h is w as h ow t h ey
w er e goin g t o b e d efeat ed in t h e en d ? H e cou ld n ’t r econ cile w it h t h is fat e… h e
ju st cou ld n ’t ! Ever yb od y cou ld on ly p ar t icip at e on ce in t h e 2-2-3 b at t le—t h ey
d id n ’t st an d a ch an ce.
“Yu h ao, W an g Don g.” M a Xiaot ao su d d en ly sp u n ar ou n d an d p laced h er

h an d s on b ot h of t h eir sh ou ld er s.
“Leave t h e fir st r ou n d t o m e. T h e t w o of you w ill h ave t o face Xiao H on gch en

an d M en g H on gch en in t h e n ext r ou n d . W e can ’t r et r eat ; w e h ave t o figh t t o t h e
en d . Look at t h e r est of you r com r ad es w h o h ave alr ea d y fallen —it ’s u p t o u s t o
d efen d Sh r ek ’s h on or an d glor y. Sh r ek m u st w in .”
M a Xiaot ao’s eyes flash ed r ed . H er valia n t figh t in g sp ir it h a d n ’t w aver ed at

all, even aft er W a n g Yan ’s an alysis.
“T ell m e—can you gu ys d o it ?” M a Xiaot ao’s voice in st an t ly b ecam e

som ew h at over b ear in g as h er w or d s r eson at ed .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g exch an ged a look . T h e flam e of p assion in t h eir

h ear t s h a d b een com p let ely r ek in d led a t t h is p oin t .
“Sh r ek m u st w in !” T h ey sh ou t ed in u n ison . Even t h ou gh t h eir voices w er e

sligh t ly h oar se, t h e r esolu t e d et er m in at ion an d u n w aver in g sp ir it t h ey
d isp layed w as filled w it h b r aver y, as if t h ey w er e cu r r en t ly facin g d eat h w it h
equ an im it y.
W an g Yan felt a lit t le d azed w h en h e saw t h is. H e felt as if h is sou l w as ab ou t

t o ju m p ou t of it s sh ell at t h is m om en t . T h ese k id s w er e ju st t oo cu t e. Not h in g
cou ld d escr ib e t h e feelin g h e cu r r en t ly felt .
T ear s p ou r ed fr om h is eyes u n con t r olla b ly as W an g Yan t ook a gian t st ep
for w ar d an d en com p assed all t h r ee of t h em in a h u g. “Ch ild r en —it ’s all on you .”
Eld er Xu an r em ain ed seat ed in t h e b ack , b u t h e p u t h is ch ick en w in g d ow n , as

w ell as t h e w in e gou r d in h is o t h er h an d . A r ad ian t lu st er flick er ed in h is eyes
t h at w er e filled w it h vicissit u d e.
T h ese ch ild r en w er e d est in ed t o b ecom e t h e sou r ce of Sh r ek ’s p r id e, n o

m at t er w h et h er or n ot t h ey em er ged vict or iou s in t h e en d . T h ey w ou ld leave a
h eavy m ar k on Sh r ek ’s h ist or y, an d Sh r ek w ou ld b e ext r em ely p r ou d of t h em .
“Bot h t eam s, ap p r oach t h e st age,” T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o’s voice cou ld b e
h ear d on ce again .
Bot h t h e au d ien ce in sid e of t h e St ar Lu o Plaza an d t h e r u ler a n d h is m in ist er s

at op t h e r oyal cit y w all w er e com p let ely silen t at t h is p oin t . T h ey h a d all
p r ed ict ed t h at t h e fin als w ou ld b e excit in g, b u t cou ld t h is con t est st ill b e
d escr ib ed as “excit in g”?
Bot h Sh r ek Acad em y an d t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s

t eam s cou ld on ly b e d escr ib ed as b it t er an d d esp er a t e at t h is p oin t .
Yes, t h is w as a b it t er an d d esp er a t e com p et it ion , b u t it w as also a fin al t h at

r at t led ever yon e’s h ear t s!
Bot h p ar t ies h ad w on on e r ou n d each aft er t h e gr ou p b at t le an d t h e sin gle-

elim in at ion r ou n d s. T h is w as t h e u lt im at e r ou n d t h at w ou ld d ecid e ever y; t h e 2-
2-3 b at t le w as t h e m ost u n cer t ain con t est for m at .
Sh r ek h ad t h r ee ab le p ar t icip an t s, w h ile t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l

En gin eer in g Acad em y h ad fou r . Ever yb od y cou ld t ell t h a t t h is com p et it ion w as
n ow t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s t o lose. Un less Sh r ek
cou ld em er ge vict or iou s in t h e fir st t w o b at t les of t h is r ou n d , t h ey w ou ld lose
t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t ’s
ch am p ion t it le for t h e fir st t im e in sever a l t h ou san d year s. H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t
even h ave en ou gh p eop le t o p ar t icip at e; h ow w ou ld t h ey b e ab le t o ou t m at ch
t h eir op p on en t s?
J u st as W an g Yan h ad p r ed ict ed , M a Ru lon g an d Xiao Xiafen g st ood u p fr om

t h e Su n M oon t eam ’s w ait in g ar ea an d st r od e on t o t h e com p et it ion st age in
or d er t o give M en g H on gch en an d Xiao H on gch en en ou gh t im e t o r ecover . T h eir
sou l p ow er s h ad b een alm ost fu lly r est or ed fr om t h e t im e t h ey h ad t o r est ; it
cou ld b e said t h ey w er e n ear ly at t h eir p eak con d it ion . M a Xiaot ao w as t h e on ly
on e t o st ep on t o t h e com p et it ion st age fr om Sh r ek Acad em y’s sid e.
“You …” T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o glan ced at M a Xiaot ao, d ou b t in h is eyes.
M a Xiaot ao said p la in ly. “I’ll r ep r esen t Sh r ek for t h e fir st r ou n d . I’m su r e

t h at ’s allow ed . W e’ll give u p t h e ot h er en t r y sp ot for t h is b at t le.”
T h e r u les st a t ed t h at on ly a m axim u m of t w o p eop le w er e allow ed t o

p ar t icip at e in t h e t w o-ver su s-t w o b at t le, b u t t h er e w asn ’t a r u le t h at st a t ed t h a t
on ly on e p er son cou ld n ’t r ep r esen t a t ea m . T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o h esit a t ed ,
t h en n od d ed h is h ea d an d said , “Ok ay.”
M a Ru lon g’s eyes n ar r ow ed in t o slit s as h e m u t t er ed , “You ’r e t oo

con d escen d in g an d d isr esp ect fu l, M a Xiaot ao.”
M a Xiaot ao gr u n t ed in d iffer en t ly as sh e look ed u p an d sh ot a cold look at t h e

t w o p eop le b efor e h er . “So w h at if I’m look in g d ow n on you t w o? I alon g am
en ou gh t o t ak e d ow n t h e t w o of you . Com e. If you w an t t ak e r even ge for you r
fallen com r ad es, you ’ll h a ve t o t ak e m e d ow n . H ow ever , t h at ’s if you h a ve t h e
ab ilit y t o d o so, b ecau se I’ll d est r oy you if you d on ’t .”
Even t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o felt h is h ear t sk ip a b eat w h en h e h ear d t h ese

w or d s; t h is gir l w as t r u ly fer ociou s an d d a u n t less!
H ow cou ld M a Ru lon g an d Xiao Xiafen g n ot feel in t en se h at r ed w h en t h ey

h ear d h er w or d s? T w o of t h eir fr ien d s h ad ju st p er ish ed u n d er M a Xiaot ao’s
h an d s, even if it h ad n ’t b een in t en t ion al. T h is feelin g w as in t en sified n ow t h at
t h ey w er e st an d in g b efor e t h e t ar get of t h eir ven gean ce, an d w as even fu r t h er
aggr avat ed w h en M a Xiaot ao t ook t h e in it iat ive t o p r ovok e t h em .
M a Ru lon g h ad n o con fid en ce at all if h e w as t o b at t le M a Xia ot ao b y h im self.

H ow ever , it w as a d iffer en t st or y w it h Xiao Xiafen g b y h is sid e, w h o w as a Class
5 sou l en gin eer . H e w ou ld h ave a m u ch easier t im e d ealin g w it h M a Xiaot ao w it h
Xiao Xiafen g im p ed in g an d ob st r u ct in g h er .
Xiao Xiafen g w as in fu r iat ed at M a Xiaot ao’s w or d s, an d n ear ly p ou n ced

for w ar d b efor e M a Ru lon g h eld h im b ack .
“Do you gu ys r eally t h in k you st ill st an d a ch an ce? You m ay n ot even b e ab le

t o b eat u s, an d so w h at if you d o? Do you r eally t h in k t h a t t h ose t w o lit t le fellas
over t h er e can d efea t Xiao H on gch en an d h is sist er ? St op you r w ish fu l t h in k in g;
t h ey h ave n o w ay of cou n t er in g M en g H on gch en ’s ven om .”
M a Xiaot ao ch u ck led an d said , “Is sp ou t in g n on sen se a ll you k n ow h ow t o d o?

If you ’r e t r yin g t o b eat d ow n m y figh t in g sp ir it , t h en you ’r e d r eam in g. T h a t
ven om is b u llsh it . W h y d on ’t you ask t h at im m at u r e lit t le gir l if sh e d ar es t o
face m e in b at t le? I’ll b u r n h er alive. St op t h is n on sen se an d let ’s get t h is over
w it h .” Sh e t h en t u r n ed an d w alk ed t o t h e ed ge of t h e com p et it ion st age.
M a Ru lon g t ook a d eep b r eat h , as h e k n ew t h at M a Xiaot ao w ou ld n ’t b e easy

t o h an d le. H er t em p er w as fier y an d exp losive, b u t h er t h ou gh t s an d r eason in g
w er e m et icu lou s an d t h or ou gh , t o t h e p oin t w h er e h e w asn ’t even su r e w h at M a
Xiaot ao’s t r u e st r en gt h w as. H e h ad yet t o see w h er e M a Xiaot ao’s b aselin e lay,
even u p t o t od ay.
M a Ru lon g led Xia o Xiafen g b ack t o t h eir cor n er , gr ad u ally d ist an cin g
t h em selves fr om t h eir op p on en t .
T h is r ou n d cou ld b e said t o b e t h e u lt im at e sh ow d ow n b et w een t h e Sh r ek

Acad em y an d t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s r esp ect ive
t eam lead er s, an d w as also a clash of t h e h igh est level in t h e com p et it ion . Sh r ek
Acad em y w ou ld h av e a sh ot at vict or y if sh e w on , b u t if M a Xiaot ao lost , it
w ou ld au t om at ically d ecid e t h e com p et it ion ’s r esu lt .
M a Xiaot ao q u ick ly b ack ed off t o t h e ed ge of t h e st age, h er eyes flick er in g

w it h ch illy ligh t . Nob od y k n ew w h at w as on h er m in d as h er exp r ession gr ew
solem n .
M a Ru lon g w h isp er ed som et h in g in t o Xiao Xiafen g’s ear as t h e t w o of t h em

t ook t h eir t im e ar r ivin g at t h eir ow n cor n er .
A ligh t d r izzle con t in u ed t o flit t er d ow n . T h e cu r r en t w eat h er w as ext r em ely

h u m id , w h ich w as n at u r ally d isad va n t ageou s for M a Xiaot ao, b u t t h e n egat ive
im p act sh e’d r eceived d efin it ely w asn ’t t h at gr eat .
T h e sp r aw lin g com p et it ion st age seem ed t o b e r id d led w it h gap in g w ou n d s

fr om all of t h e b at t les t h at h ad t ak en p lace b efor e; ever y su r face w as eit h er
d am aged or sm ash ed in w ar d s lik e a cr at er .
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o glan ced at b ot h p ar t ies. T h e fin als w er e ab ou t t o en d

at lon g last . Even h e felt a lit t le exh au st ed fr om fu lly con cen t r at in g for su ch a
lon g t im e, d esp it e h is cu lt ivat ion .
“Let t h e com p et it ion b egin !”
T h e u lt im at e sh ow d ow n h ad fin ally st a r t ed . M a Xiaot ao d a sh ed for w ar d s,

w h ile h er p h oen ix w in gs sw ift ly em er ged fr om h er b od y in t o t h e air an d flap p ed
b ack w ar d s. H er b od y b ar r eled t ow ar d s M a Ru lon g an d Xiao Xiafen g lik e a
m et eor . As sh e d id so, sh e op en ed h er m ou t h , a Ph oen ix Fir elin e su r gin g ou t
fr om it an d asser t in g lon g-d ist an ce p r essu r e.
M a Ru lon g an d Xiao Xiafen g w er en ’t slo w eit h er . M a Ru lon g w as w ell-aw ar e

t h at t h e m et h od s h e’d em p loyed again st J ian g Pen g w ou ld b e u seless again st M a
Xiaot ao. A t h ick , b lu ish -p u r p le can n on b ar r el in st an t ly ap p ear ed on h is
sh ou ld er , w h ich alm ost im m ed ia t ely fir ed a b lu ish -p u r p le b all of ligh t .
H e an d Xiao Xiafen g sh ar ed a d ecen t ch em ist r y, as a u n id ir ect ion al so u l sh ield
w as u n leash ed t h at p r ot ect ed t h em b ot h fr om t h e Ph oen ix Fir elin e a t t ack w h en
h e d id so. At t h e sam e t im e, h e r oot ed h im self t o t h e gr ou n d an d q u ick ly
r eleased h is Sou l T ool For t r ess. M et al clan gin g sou n d s cou ld b e h ear d as a ser ies
of can n on s ap p ear ed on h is b od y w it h ligh t n in g sp eed ; t h er e w as n o d ou b t t h at
h e in t en d ed t o u se h is m ost for m id ab le fir ep ow er t o coor d in a t e w it h M a Ru lon g.
Relyin g on h is food -t yp e sou l m ast er ’s salien t ch ar act er ist ics, h is ab ilit y t o
con t in u e b at t lin g w a s t h e b est am on gst t h e ot h er Su n M oon t eam m em b er s.
T h e b lu ish -p u r p le ligh t n in g st r ik e t h at M a Ru lon g h a d fir ed fr om t h e can n on

in h is h an d s w asn ’t d ir ect ed at M a Xiaot ao. In st ead , it st r u ck t h e cen t er of t h e
A b lu ish -p u r p le ligh t w all w as im m ed iat ely er ect ed at t h e exa ct sp ot it st r u ck ,

b ar r icad in g M a Xia ot ao’s ad van ce. Accor d in g t o M a Ru lon g’s ju d gm en t , M a
Xiaot ao w as fear som e an d fer ocio u s, t h u s sh e w ou ld d efin it ely at t em p t t o
for cefu lly ch ar ge for w ar d . An d w h en sh e so, sh e w ou ld fall in t o h is t r ap .
Chapt er 123.1: Dar k Phoenix Tr ansfor mat ion!
T h is Class 6 sou l t ool t h at M a Ru lon g h ad ju st u sed w as st r on g in t h e sen se

t h at , on ce M a Xiaot ao t ou ch ed it , sh e w ou ld b e st u ck t o it lik e a h ou sefly in a
sp id er ’s w eb . Im m ed iat ely aft er w ar d s, t h e ligh t n in g en er gy con t ain ed w it h in
w ou ld en velop h er en t ir e b od y. W h en t h at h ap p en ed , M a Xia ot ao w ou ld h ave t o
d eal w it h t h e m igh t of t h eir at t ack . Alt h ou gh it cou ld n ’t t r u ly h ar m h er , it
w ou ld b e ab le t o b u y su fficien t t im e for h er t o b e su b ject ed t o t h eir im m en se
fir ep ow er w h ile sh e w as t r ap p ed .
H ow ever , t h ey d id n ’t exp ect M a Xiaot ao t o st op t h e m om en t t h e ligh t n in g

scr een ap p ear ed . Sh e st op p ed ext r em ely q u ick ly, an d h er sixt h sou l r in g lit u p .
“Dam n it , t h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er .” M a Ru lon g cu r sed t o h im self, h is

exp r ession ch an gin g d r ast ically.
W as M a Xiaot ao’s sixt h sou l sk ill so easily r esist ed ? T h at ligh t n in g t r ap h ad

b ecom e h er d efen siv e b ar r ier in st ead .
T h e gold en b ar r el t h at h ad given T eam Sh r ek a lot of t r ou b le ap p ear ed on ce

again at t h is m om en t . M a Ru lon g squ in t ed h is eyes as h e aim ed t h e gold en
b ar r el t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao.
W h en ever M a Xiaot ao u n leash ed t h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er , an y m ovem en t

sh e m ad e w ou ld gr eat ly affect it s p ow er . M a Ru lon g h a d Xiao Xiafen g t o d efen d
h im , t h u s h e w ou ld n ’t su ffer t oo m u ch if h e w er e st r u ck b y t h e Ph oen ix M et eor
Sh ow er a few t im es. On t h e con t r ar y, M a Xiaot ao w ou ld b e t h e on e in d eep
t r ou b le if sh e w as st r u ck b y h is at t ack . M a Ru lon g’s r eact ion w as b ot h qu ick an d
ap p r op r iat e.
H ow ever , t h e Ph oen ix M et eor Sh ow er d id n ’t st r ik e w h en h e exp ect ed it t o.

W h en t h e gold en b a r r el ap p ear ed in M a Ru lon g’s h an d , M a Xiaot ao su d d en ly
st ep p ed b ack w ar d s a n d p u n ch ed ou t w it h h er r igh t fist . A b all of fir e w as sen t
t ow ar d s t h e ligh t n in g b ar r ier in fr on t of h er .
T h e ligh t n in g im m ed iat ely en gu lfed t h e b all of fir e, t h en b lew ap ar t . M a

Xiaot ao’s figu r e t u r n ed illu sor y w h en t h is h ap p en ed .
On closer in sp ect ion , h er flam in g w in gs w er e flap p in g r ap id ly b eh in d h er

b ack . It w as d u e t o t h is flap p in g m ot ion t h at sh e m an aged t o r ap id ly ch an ge h er
p osit ion in t h e air . Sh e even left a ser ies of sh ad ow s b eh in d h er t h at sh im m er ed
as sh e con t in u ed t o ad van ce for w ar d . M a Ru lon g r ealized , t o h is h or r or , t h at h e
cou ld n ’t lock on t o h er exact p osit ion .
W h at ab ilit y w as sh e u sin g? It w as ob viou s t h at sh e w asn ’t u sin g a sou l sk ill,

as h er b od y w asn ’t sh in in g w it h an y sou l r in gs. T h is w as ob viou sly a secr et
t ech n iq u e su it ab le for sou l m ast er s.
Even t h ou gh b ot h p ar t ies h a d yet t o t r u ly clash w it h on e an ot h er , t h ey’d

alr ead y d isp layed w h at t h ey w er e cap ab le of.
It w as also at t h is p oin t t h at su p er ior it y in n u m b er s b egan t o sh ow it s w or t h :

Xiao Xiafen g’s sou l t ool for t w as fin ally com p let ed .
W aves an d w aves of ligh t w er e r ap id ly u n leash ed . Ligh t b alls, ligh t r ays, an d

even m et al b alls t h at r ose in t o t h e a ir an d d r ew p ar ab olas w er e u n leash ed .
T h e im m en se fir ep ow er of h is sou l t ool for t w as in st an t ly u n leash ed .
M a Ru lon g h ad b een w ait in g for t h is op p or t u n it y. H e clasp ed b ot h of h is

h an d s in fr on t of h im , an d a b all of in t en se, gold en ligh t sh on e as on e of h is sou l
r in gs st ar t ed t o flash r ep eat ed ly. H is au r a b alloon ed , w h ile t h e gold en b ar r el
d isap p ear ed an d w as r ep laced w it h a h u ge, gold en -r ed sw or d .
W as it a close-com b at sou l t ool? H ad M a Ru lon g given u p h is lon g-r an ge

offen sive cap ab ilit ies for a close-com b at sou l t ool?
T h is w as t h e fir st t im e t h e sw or d h ad ap p ear ed in t h e t ou r n a m en t . M a Ru lon g
h ad also con cealed h is t r u m p car d , an d w as on ly u sin g it n ow .
T h e offen sive m igh t of a sou l en gin eer w h en t h ey u n lea sh ed ever yt h in g t h ey

h ad w as ext r em ely for m id ab le. M a Xia ot ao t r ied h er b est t o d od ge, b u t Xiao
Xiafen g d ep let ed h is sou l p ow er in or d er t o in cr ease t h e offen siven ess of h is
var iou s sou l t ools, w h ich left h er fr an t ic.
T eam Su n M oon w as m u ch st r on ger in t er m s of ap p lyin g sou l t ool for t s

com p ar ed t o ot h er o r d in ar y sou l en gin eer in g acad em ies.
Xiao Xiafen g’s at t ack w as h olist ic. T h er e w er e au t om at ic exp losion s, in t en se

r ays… even t r ap p in g-t yp e sou l t ools in volved .
T h e en t ir e com p et it ion st age seem ed t o ligh t u p w it h d azzlin g ligh t s. It w as

im p ossib le for M a Xiaot ao t o d od ge all of h is at t ack s, t h u s sh e cou ld on ly face
t h em h ead -on .
M a Xiaot ao w as m or e p ow er fu l t h an Dai Yu eh en g, b u t h er b od y w asn ’t as

t ou gh as h is.
Sh e u sed h er w in gs as h er sh ield , an d exer t ed all of h er sou l p ow er t o r esist

t h e w ave aft er w ave of Xiao Xiafen g’s r elen t less a t t ack .
Even t h ou gh M a Xia ot ao w asn ’t a sou l en gin eer , sh e w as r a t h er fam iliar w it h

t h e st r at egies t h at t h ey u sed . Xiao Xiafen g’s sou l p ow er w as b ou n d b e d ep let ed
ext r em ely q u ick ly if h e k ep t t h is u p , as h e w as on ly a Class 5 sou l en gin eer , yet
h e w as t r yin g t o su p p r ess a sou l em p er o r . H is a t t ack s cou ld n ’t last lon g at t h is
r at e. Xiao Xiafen g w ou ld b ecom e less an d less u sefu l t o M a Ru lon g as h is
in t en sit y d ip p ed , .
M a Xiaot ao w as t h e calm est at t h e m ost cr it ical m om en t s. Sh e car efu lly

ob ser ved M a Ru lon g act ion s w h ile sh e w as r esist in g Xiao Xiafen g’s at t ack s. Xiao
Xiafen g w as, w it h ou t a d ou b t , aid in g M a Ru lon g. M a Ru lon g’s at t ack s w er e
m u ch m or e t h r eat en in g t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao b ecau se of t h is.
M a Ru lon g su d d en ly gr ab b ed t h e gold en sw or d ’s h ilt w it h b ot h of h is h an d s
an d slow ly lift ed it , in t en se gold en ligh t sh in in g fr om t h e sw or d ’s b od y as h e d id
so. Nin e cor e for m at ion s cou ld b e seen ext en d in g fr om t h e sw or d t ip d ow n t o
t h e h ilt . St r eak s an d st r eak s of ligh t sh ot in t o t h e air as t h e in t en se gold en ligh t
sh on e. M a Ru lon g lift ed t h e sw or d far ab ove h is h ead , h is p u p ils slow ly st ar t in g
t o t u r n gold en .
“Aw ak en , J u d gem en t Sw or d !” M a Ru lon g sh ou t ed , in ject in g h is sou l p ow er

in t o t h e h u ge sw or d at a fr igh t en in g sp eed . A w h it e h alo cou ld b e seen r isin g
fr om h is feet b ecau se h e w as in ject in g h is sou l p ow er in t o t h e sw or d so
in t en sely. As t h e h alo m oved r ou n d h is en t ir e b od y, it even t u ally r each ed h is
h an d s, t h en en t er ed t h e sw or d .
T h e sw or d also st ar t ed t o exp er ien ce ch an ges: T h e gold en ligh t on t h e h ilt

r et r act ed , w h ile t h e sw or d gr ad u ally t u r n ed t w o d iffer en t color s. On e sid e of t h e
sw or d t u r n ed w h it e, w h ile t h e ot h er sid e t u r n ed b lack . T h e t w o con t r ast in g
color s exu d ed an od d sen se am id st t h e gold en ligh t t h a t flash ed .
“Or d ain ed as d ar k n ess, gu ilt y of h er esy.” M a Ru lon g gr ab b ed t h e h u ge sw or d

w it h b ot h h is h an d s, t h en p oin t ed t h e b lack sid e of t h e b lad e in M a Xiaot ao’s
d ir ect ion .
A st r eak of b lack r ad ian ce flash ed t h r ou gh t h e air , t h en su d d en ly d isap p ear ed .
M a Xiaot ao’s en t ir e b od y r aged w it h flam es. H ow ever , w h en t h e b lack

r ad ian ce r each ed h er , all of h er d efen ses failed . T h e b lack r ad ian ce sim p ly
flash ed as it en t er ed h er b od y.
M a Xiaot ao im m ed iat ely felt h er b od y t u r n in g ab n or m al. H er cr im son -r ed

p h oen ix flam es in st a n t ly t u r n ed b lack a n d d ar k an d ch illy sen se filled h er en t ir e
b od y. T h e evil en er gy t h at h ad b een su p p r essed im m ed iat ely r am p aged t h r ou gh
h er b od y an d com b in ed w it h t h e b lack p h oen ix flam es. Sh e w as ab ou t t o lose
con t r ol.
W h at sou l t ool is t h is? M a Xiaot ao w as ap p alled . It w as h er fir st t im e
exp er ien cin g som et h in g as st r an ge as t h is. T h is sou l t ool at t ack cou ld n ’t b e
d efen d ed again st ?
It w as also at t h is p oin t t h a t M a Ru lon g flip p ed t h e h u ge sw or d over . T h e

w h it e sid e t h en em it t ed an in t en se w h it e color an d sh on e w it h an ext r em ely
b r igh t w h it e r ad ian ce. T h e su r gin g au r a of ligh t in st an t ly filled t h e en t ir e
ven u e.
M a Xiaot ao gr oan ed in p ain as t h e b lack p h oen ix flam es on h er b od y t u r n ed

in t o a h aze; sh e felt as if sh e w as goin g t o b e d ecom p osed b y t h e ligh t . T h e
p h oen ix flam es in h er b od y st ar t ed t o flood ou t of h er .
M a Ru lon g ap p ear ed ver y p leased . T h e sch em e t h at h e’d p lot t ed h ad fin ally

su cceed ed .
H e’d on ce m en t ion ed in h is com p et it ion again st J ian g Pen g t h at a sou l

en gin eer w as t h e m ost fam iliar w it h h is ow n self. T h at w as w h y all of h is sou l
t ools w er e self-d evelop ed . H e h ad n ’t said it for J ian g Pen g, h ow ever . H e’d said it
for Sh r ek Acad em y.
In r ealit y, t h e J u d gem en t Sw or d cou ld n ’t h ave b een cr eat ed b y h im , as it w as

a Class 8 close-com b at sou l t ool. In fact , it w as on e of t h e b est Class 8 sou l t ools.
T h e J u d gem en t Sw or d com b in ed b ot h ligh t an d d ar k n ess. It cou ld in fu se t h e

p ow er of d ar k n ess in t o t h e en em y’s sou l an d cau se t h e en em y t o t u r n d ar k
u n con t r ollab ly. At t h e sam e t im e, it co u ld u se t h e im m en se p ow er of ligh t t o
t h en ju d ge t h e en em y. If t h e en em y w as w eak er , h is sou l p ow er w ou ld b e
in st an t ly d egr a d ed . It cou ld even b e com p let ely d est r oyed u n d er t h e a u r a of
ligh t .
M a Ru lon g w as st ill on ly a Class 6 sou l en gin eer h ow ever . H e’d h ad t o p ay a

h u ge p r ice in or d er t o u se t h is Class 8 sou l t ool. W h at M a Xiaot ao cou ld n ’t see
w as t h at a b lood -r ed cor e for m at ion w as cu r r en t ly sh in in g b eh in d M a Ru lon g’s
b ack , in t en se b lood -r ed flam es b u r n in g fr om it .
T h at w as t h e p ow er of a Class 7 sou l t ool, w h ich w as k n ow n as t h e Sacr ificial
Seal. M a Ru lon g h a d sacr ificed h is ow n life en er gy an d p ot en t ial t o in st an t ly
in cr ease h is p h ysical an d sou l p ow er . T h is w as n eed ed t o su p p or t t h e J u d gem en t
Sw or d . Of cou r se, h e st ill cou ld n ’t last lon g. Bu t h e on ly n eed ed t o d efeat M a
Xiaot ao.
M a Ru lon g k n ew t h at even if h e an d Xiao Xiafen g lost t o M a Xiaot ao, Xiao

H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en w ou ld st ill b e ab le t o em er ge vict or iou s. Bu t h e
w as ju st lik e Dai Yu eh en g: H e w an t ed t o b e t h e on e t o d ecid e vict or y.
Fu r t h er m or e, h e w as t h eir t eam lead er .
T h at w as w h y h e’d p aid t h e p r ice n ecessar y t o u n leash t h e J u d gem en t Sw or d

fr om t h e Illu st r iou s Vir t u e H a ll.
T h is J u d gem en t Sw or d w as u seless again st on ly an op p on en t w it h a ligh t -t yp e

or d ar k n ess-t yp e m a r t ial sou l. H ow ever , M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t h ave eit h er of t h ese.
H er m ar t ial sou l w as a fir e-t yp e.
M a Ru lon g felt t h at t h e p r ice h e’d p aid w as w or t h it w h en h e h ear d M a

Xiaot ao gr oan in g in p ain . An in d escr ib ab le sat isfact ion filled h is en t ir e b od y; h e
w as ab ou t t o t ak e r even ge for h is t eam m em b er s t h at h a d p er ish ed at h er h an d s.
H is d et er m in a t ion t o w in r each ed it s p eak . M a Ru lon g su d d en ly st ep p ed

for w ar d an d lift ed h is J u d gem en t Sw or d , t h en sw u n g it t ow ar d s M a Xiaot ao yet
again .
M a Xiaot ao w as also exp er ien cin g w eir d ch an ges as w ell as sever al em ot ion al
ch an ges.
H er p h oen ix flam es t u r n ed en t ir ely b lack as h er Evil Ph oen ix Fir e su r ged ou t

fr om h er b od y, gu id ed b y t h e d ar k p ow er . T h e Evil Ph oen ix Fir e t h at h ad b een
su p p r essed b y t h e Ult im at e Ice h a d in st an t ly b een u n leash ed an d t u r n ed in t o
d ar k flam es, w h ich w er e r agin g an d su r gin g t h r ou gh ou t h er b od y.
M a Xiaot ao cou ld n ’t con t r ol h er flam es a n ym or e, even if sh e w an t ed t o.
T h e in t en se au r a of ligh t su p p r essed h er fr om t h e ou t sid e, cau sin g t h e d a r k

flam es on h er b od y t o b e ext in gu ish ed , w h er eas t h e Evil Ph oen ix Fir e con t in u ed
t o r avage h er b od y n ow t h at it h ad b een com b in ed w it h t h e p ow er of d ar k n ess.
M a Xiaot ao’s b od y w as on t h e b r in k of collap se.
T h e evil au r a h ad b ecom e a p ar t of d ar k n ess. T h e J u d gem en t Sw or d ’s effect

on h er w as even gr eat er com p ar ed t h a n it w ou ld b e t o an or d in ar y sou l m ast er ;
h er eyes t h at h ad or igin ally flash ed w it h flam es h ad in st an t ly t u r n ed p it ch -
b lack .
W as t h is t h e en d …? W as sh e goin g t o lose? W as Sh r ek Acad em y goin g t o lose?

Sh r ek ’s glor y w as at st ak e h er e!
M a Xiaot ao b ecam e filled w it h fu r y. Sh e w as ext r em ely in d ign an t .
J ian g Nan n an , Xu San sh i, Bei Bei, an d Lin g Lu och en h ad a ll b een d efeat ed .

Even Dai Yu eh en g h ad lost h is com b at ab ilit ies d u e t o figh t in g again st t h eir
op p on en t ’s p oison -t yp e sou l m ast er . T h ey’d given t h eir all in or d er t o
con t r ib u t e t o t h e ev en t u al v ict or y of Sh r ek ; t h ey’d even p u t t h eir lives on t h e
lin e for Sh r ek ’s glor y. Bu t as t h eir t eam lead er , w as M a Xiaot ao goin g t o collap se
ju st lik e t h is?
“J u d gem en t . W h at b u llsh it ju d gem en t ? I’m n ot con vin ced . I d on ’t b elieve

t h at t h er e’s an yt h in g t h at can ju d ge m e in t h is w or ld !”
M a Xiaot ao’s d esir e t o su r vive, cou p led w it h h er st r on g r esen t m en t , w as

r evealed .
As t h e in h er it in g d iscip le of Sh r ek Acad em y’s d ean , M a Xiaot ao w as on e of t h e
b est in t er m s of ab ilit ies, t alen t , an d com p et it iven ess a m on g all t h e in n er
cou r t yar d d iscip les. Nob od y h er age cou ld r ival h er ; sh e w as Sh r ek Acad em y’s
fu t u r e h op e.
W it h h er t alen t , sh e cou ld ’ve gon e even fu r t h er an d b ecom e t h e fir st in Sh r ek

Acad em y’s h ist or y t o b ecom e a sou l sa ge b efor e sh e w as 21. H ow ever , sh e’d
r egr et fu lly b een d elayed b ecau se sh e h ad t o r ep r ess t h e evil fir e w it h in h er .
T h u s, t h is w as n ever fu lfilled .
All of t h is r ep r ession d isap p ear ed at t h is m om en t . H er m a r t ial sou l b egan t o

sh ow sign s of ch an gin g d u e t o t h e p u r ificat ion at t h is in st an t u n d er t h e effect of
h er r esilien ce.
T h e p h oen ix w as t h e k in g of all b ir d s. Even on ly t h e st r on gest an d m ost

p ow er fu l d r agon cou ld b e m en t ion ed in t h e sam e b r eat h as a p h oen ix.
Am on g p h oen ixes, Fir e Ph oen ixes h ad t h e p u r est b lood lin e. H ow ever , t h ey

w er en ’t t h e on ly on es w it h an ext r em ely p u r e b lood lin e.
M a Xiaot ao h ad a p ar t of t h e fir e p h oen ix’s b lood lin e in h er b od y. H ow ever ,

t h is b lood lin e w asn ’t p u r e; sh e’d n ever b e a t r u e Fir e Ph oen ix b ecau se of t h e evil
au r a t h at a lso exist ed in h er b od y.
Bu t t h e b lood lin e in h er b od y su d d en ly ch an ged . It b ecam e t h at of a d ar k

p h oen ix—filled w it h d esolat ion an d violen ce. T h is p h oen ix’s sole p u r p ose w as
t o d est r oy an d w r eak h avoc.
T h is w as t h e evil sid e of t h e Fir e Ph oen ix—t h e Dar k Ph oen ix. It h ad ap p ear ed

in t h e w or ld for t h e fir st t im e as a m ar t ial sou l.
A clear an d cr isp p h oen ix w h ist le r eson a t ed fr om M a Xiaot ao’s m ou t h . At t h e

sam e t im e, a h u ge, gold en ligh t b lad e h ad ju st t ak en for m on t h e J u d gem en t
Sw or d . It t h en slash ed t ow ar d s h er .
T h e b lack flam es w er e q u ick ly ext in gu ish ed as t h ey m et t h e gold en ligh t
b lad e. T h e com p et it ion w as also b ou n d t o en d w h en t h e sw or d slash ed d ow n ;
t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o w ou ld d efin it ely st op t h e sw or d fr om st r ik in g M a
Xiaot ao.
Bu t t h e b lack flam es on M a Xiaot ao’s bod y t h at h ad qu ick ly t u r n ed t o h aze

b egan t o gat h er an d com p r ess in sid e of h er . Follow in g t h at , a h u ge p r oject ion
ap p ear ed b eh in d h er b ack .
A en t ir ely b lack p h oen ix t h at w as m u ch sm aller t h an t h e or igin al Evil

Ph oen ix ap p ear ed . H ow ever , a fr igh t en in g au r a w as exu d ed fr om it s p it ch -b lack
b od y, an d it s d eep , p u r p le eyes w er e filled w it h an a u r a of d esolat ion an d
in san it y.
“T h is isn ’t good . Xiaot ao h as ch an ged .” Eld er Xu an su d d en ly st ood u p . H is

eyes r evealed a look of an xiet y. Even w it h h is exp er ien ce, h e cou ld n ’t d et er m in e
w h et h er t h is ch a n ge t h at M a Xiaot ao w as exp er ien cin g w as good or b ad .
T h e p it ch -b lack fla m es r efor m ed in t o a p air of w in gs b eh in d M a Xiaot ao’s

b ack . H er figu r e su d d en ly flash ed t h r ou gh t h e air as sh e d od ged t h e J u d gem en t
Sw or d .
H ow w as t h is p ossib le? M a Ru lon g eyes w id en ed . H e’d alr ead y exp en d ed h is

life p ow er ! If h e d id n ’t fin ish M a Xiaot ao off q u ick ly, h e’d h ave t o st op u sin g t h e
J u d gem en t Sw or d . Ot h er w ise, t h e b ack lash w ou ld n ’t ju st cost h im a year ’s
w or t h of h is cu lt iva t ion .
M a Xiaot ao lift ed h er h ead as sh e m oved lat er a lly, h er on ce-b r igh t r ed h air

n ow b lack .
“Ah —!” M a Xiaot ao scr eam ed . W h en sh e op en ed h er eyes, a p u r p lish ligh t

flash ed , an d a fr igh t en in g au r a em er ged alon gsid e h er b lack flam es.
A st r eak of cr yst allic yellow ligh t in st an t ly em er ged an d t u r n ed in t o a h u ge
b lad e of ligh t alon gsid e h er m an iacal, t iger ’s r oar . It st r u ck t h e sid e of t h e
J u d gem en t Sw or d h eavily, an d a lou d b oom r eson at ed .
M a Ru lon g’s J u d gem en t Sw or d w as st op p ed in p lace, w h ile M a Xiaot ao h eld

an ot h er h u ge b lad e in h er h an d .
T h is w as w h a t h ad b een con cealed w it h in t h e r in g t h at Dai Yu eh en g gave t o

h er : It w as t h e T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb la d e, t h e Class 8 offen sive close-com b at
sou l t ool t h at t h ey’d ob t ain ed fr om t h e t op -r an k ed au ct ion . T h is sou lb lad e w as
fou r an d a h alf feet lon g, an d iw as at least on e in ch t h ick . It w as cu r ved lik e a
cavalr y sab er , w h ile it s h ilt w as m ad e of b on e, an d it s p om m el w as ext r em ely
w id e. Over a ll, it w a s sh ap ed lik e a t iger ’s h ead .
T h is sou lb la d e w asn ’t com p ar ab le t o t h e J u d gem en t Sw or d in t er m s of

qu alit y, an d t o u n leash it s fu ll m igh t , on e n eed ed t o b e a sou l sage at t h e ver y
least .
H ow ever , M a Xiaot ao h ad u n d er st ood Dai Yu eh en g’s in t en t ion w h en sh e’d

r eceived t h e r in g. Sh e also b elieved t h a t sh e’d b e ab le t o at least la n d a few
st r ik es w it h t h is sou lb lad e if sh e u t ilized h er p h oen ix flam es.
Bu t sh e h ad n ’t exp ect ed t o u se t h is sou lb lad e u n d er su ch cir cu m st an ces. Now

t h at sh e t u r n ed in t o t h e Dar k Ph oen ix, sh e cou ld sen se t h at ever yt h in g w as
d iffer en t . A b ou n d less au r a of b r u t alit y a n d violen ce r aged fr om h er h ea r t , w h ile
a fr igh t en in g a u r a w as in st an t ly u n leash ed . T h e T yr an n ica l T iger Sou lb la d e’s
seven -r in g r est r ict ion cou ld n ’t even st op h er fr om u sin g it .
As sh e h eld t h e sou lb lad e, b lack flam es in st a n t ly en t er ed it . M a Xiaot ao

scr eam ed on ce again , an d t h e b lack p h oen ix b eh in d h er slow ly d r ift ed in fr on t
of h er , t h en fu sed w it h t h e sou lb la d e. As sh e h eld on t o t h e so u lb lad e’s h ilt w it h
b ot h h an d s, h er d elicat e figu r e m ad e a h alf-t u r n in t h e air . Sh e t h en sw u n g t h e
sou lb lad e again .
M a Ru lon g cou ld n ’t r esist h er an ym or e t h is t im e. H is cu lt iva t ion w as n ot on ly
b en eat h h er s, b u t h e’d also u sed t h e J u d gem en t Sw or d again st h is ab ilit ies. T h e
sou lb lad e st r ik e t h at w as p r eviou sly u n leash ed again st h im n ear ly cr ip p led h is
ab ilit y t o w ield t h e J u d gem en t Sw or d fu r t h er . W h en M a Xiaot ao st r u ck again ,
t h e J u d gem en t Sw o r d flew ou t of h is h an d . T h e h u ge sou lb lad e lan d ed on h is
b od y w it h a t iger ’s r oar , an d a b lack ligh t flash ed .
T h e In vin cib le Bar r ier lit u p in t im e. H o w ever , som et h in g ext r em ely sh ock in g
ap p ear ed : T h e In vin cib le Bar r ier w as t or n ap ar t w it h in t h e fir st secon d , even
t h ou gh it w as su p p osed t o la st for t h r ee secon d s. M a Ru lon g’s b od y flew
b ack w ar d s an d h ea vily st r u ck t h e d efen sive b ar r ier ar ou n d t h e com p et it ion
st age.
M a Xiaot ao t h en sw u n g t h e T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb lad e t ow ar d s Xiao Xiafen g.
Xiao Xiafen g con t in u ed t o p er sist en t ly at t ack M a Xia ot ao aft er sh e

t r an sfor m ed . H ow ever , h e w as ab solu t ely h or r ified w h en h e d iscover ed t h a t
alm ost all of h is Class 5 sou l t ools h a d lost t h eir effect . T h e at t ack s u n leash ed b y
h is sou l t ool for t w er e ab lat ed b y M a Xia ot ao’s b lack flam es, w it h n o t r aces left
b eh in d .
M a Ru lon g an d Xia o Xiafen g’s p lan w as t h at Xiao Xiafen g w ou ld t r y t o

r est r ain M a Xiaot ao, w h ile M a Ru lon g w ou ld u n leash t h e J u d gem en t Sw or d .
T h e J u d gem en t Sw or d w as an elit e Class 8 sou l t ool, close in m igh t t o a Class

9 sou l t ool. It w as a lso a close-com b at sou l t ool. Even a sou l sage or sou l d ou lu o
w ou ld b e elem en t a lly su p p r essed b y t h e J u d gem en t Sw or d . T h ey’d on ce
exp er im en t ed b efor e; a Ran k 69 Sou l Em p er or cou ld n ’t r esist even a sin gle st r ik e
fr om t h e J u d gm en t Sw or d . T h is sou l t oo l w as t h u s t h eir m ost p ow er fu l w eap on
in t h is t ou r n am en t . Even t h ou gh t h ey h ad n ’t u sed it in t h e t eam r ou n d , t h ey’d
p r ep ar ed it in t h e even t t h a t t h ey n eed ed t o t u r n t h e t ab les.
Bu t w h o cou ld ’ve k n ow n t h at t h is p ow er fu l sou l t ool w ou ld cau se M a Xiaot ao

t o t r an sfor m , an d en ab le h er t o b ecom e even m or e p ow er fu l. Sh e’d b ecom e
n ear ly in vin cib le.
M a Xiaot ao’s sou l r in gs w er en ’t even visib le am id st t h e b lack flam es an ym or e.
An en or m ou s b lack b lad e ligh t d escen d ed fr om t h e sk y t ow ar d s Xiao Xiafen g,
b u t h e cou ld n ’t even d od ge it , m u ch less r esist it .
T h e b lack flam es sw allow ed ever y t r ace of ligh t . Even t h e com p et it ion st age
seem ed t o h ave b een d ivid ed in t w o.
A st r eak of st ar ligh t su d d en ly ap p ear ed in fr on t of Xia o Xiafen g; t h e

H eaven fien d Dou lu o seem ed t o h ave t elep or t ed over .
A st ar -sh ap ed sh ield w it h five cor n er s t h en ap p ear ed in fr on t of h im an d

b lock ed t h e b lad e ligh t .
“Boom —” Black flam es scat t er ed an d in st an t ly cover ed t h e en t ir e r egion .

W h en t h e b lack fla m es lan d ed on t h e gr ou n d , t h e gr ou n d also st ar t ed t o
com b u st an d t u r n ed in t o a sea of fir e. T h e r egion s t h at w er e on fir e t h en b egan
t o m elt an d even b egan t o collap se.
M a Xiaot ao’s flash in g, p u r p le gaze w as fixat ed on Xiao Xiafen g. As sh e h eld

t h e b lad e w it h b ot h h er h an d s, sp ot s of p u r p lish r ad ian ce seem ed t o sp r ead fr om
h er eyes. A fr igh t en in g au r a w as r eleased fr om h er b od y, an d sh e slash ed ou t
w it h h er sou lb lad e a gain am id st a t er r ifyin g r oar .
“St op , t h e m at ch h as en d ed .” H u an g J in xu ’s fr an t ic voice sou n d ed . M a

Xiaot ao’s T yr an n ical T iger Sou lb lad e st op p ed m id -st r ik e an d d id n ’t slash d ow n .
T h e b lack flam es ar ou n d M a Xiat ao w eak en ed a lit t le, an d sh e slow ly low er ed

t h e h u ge sou lb lad e. A p u r p lish r ad ian ce flash ed t h r ou gh h er eyes, b u t sh e
r em ain ed st ead fast .
H u an g J in xu seem ed a lit t le p at h et ic even t h ou gh h e w as a T it led Dou lu o.
H e qu ick ly led Xiao Xiafen g—cover ed in a glob e of st ar ligh t —t o M a Ru lon g.

T h e sh ield fr om ear lier h ad alr ea d y d isa p p ear ed , an d m an y h oles h ad ap p ear ed
in h is lon g r ob e. Even a sm all segm en t of h is h air seem ed t o h ave b een ch ar r ed
aw ay.
W h at w as h ap p en in g? Ever yon e w as sh ock ed . No on e exp ect ed M a Xiaot ao t o

b e so p ow er fu l. Even t h e H eaven fien d Lon est ar w as n ot en t ir ely ab le t o r esist
M a Xiaot ao’s b lack flam es.
Aft er H u an g J in xu a n n ou n ced t h e en d of t h e com p et it ion , a figu r e b u r st ou t

fr om Sh r ek Acad em y’s w ait in g ar ea an d cam e t o t h e com p et it ion st age.
“Xiaot ao, calm d ow n .” Eld er Xu an ’s d eep voice r an g ou t .
M a Xiaot ao seem ed t o sh iver b efor e h er b od y st ar t ed t o t r em b le qu ick ly. It

seem ed as if sh e w as in a lot of p ain .
Eld er Xu an lift ed h is p alm an d slap p ed h er n eck . M a Xiaot ao’s h an d s m oved a

lit t le, as if sh e w as t r yin g t o r esist . Bu t in t h e en d , sh e d id n ’t lift t h em , an d Eld er
Xu an slap p ed h er t o t h e gr ou n d .
Eld er Xu an gr ab b ed ah old of h er , an d an in t en se yellow r ad ian ce sh ot ou t

fr om h is b od y. M a Xiaot ao w as en gu lfed b y t h is yellow r ad ia n ce, b u t t h e b lack
flam es on h er b od y’s su r face con t in u ed t o su r ge t r em en d ou sly. It r esist ed Eld er
Xu an ’s sou l p ow er a n d w ou ld n ’t allow it self t o b e su p p r essed .
Eld er Xu an ’s face t u r n ed ser iou s as h e ju m p ed d ow n fr om t h e com p et it ion

st age an d r et u r n ed t o t h e w ait in g ar ea .
H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g an d W an g Yan w en t u p t o h im .
H u o Yu h ao w an t ed t o t ak e M a Xiaot ao fr om Eld er Xu an , b u t Eld er Xu an

r eleased a layer of yellow ligh t t h at b lock ed h im .
“You can ’t .”
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed , “Eld er Xu a n , I’m t h e on e w h o su p p r esses t h e evil
fir e for eld er sist er ever y t im e!”
Eld er Xu an sh ook h is h ead an d h e look ed d ism al. “It ’s n ot ju st t h e effect of t h e

evil en er gy. H er m ar t ial sou l w as gr eat ly agit at ed , an d a ser iou s t r an sfor m at ion
h as occu r r ed . I’m afr aid …”
W an g Yan w as h or r ified , “Eld er Xu an , ar e you sayin g t h at Xia ot ao…”
Eld er Xu an n od d ed h is h ead sligh t ly, an d a look of lam en t at ion flash ed acr oss
h is face.
W an g Yan said fr an t ically, “W h at d o w e d o t h en ? Is it b ecau se of t h e Su n

M oon t eam ’s sou l t o ol? Do w e set t le t h e scor e w it h t h em ?”
Eld er Xu an sh ook h is h ead an d said , “It ’s u seless. Alt h ou gh t h e

t r an sfor m at ion in Xiaot ao’s m ar t ial sou l w as sp ar k ed b y t h eir sou l t ool, t h eir
sou l t ool cou ld n ’t h ave affect ed h er aft er t h e t r an sfor m at ion . Xiaot ao is in a
r eally u n st ab le con d it ion n ow . I can on ly h elp t o su p p r ess h er t r a n sfor m ed
m ar t ial so u l u sin g m y sou l p ow er . W e can on ly w ait u n t il w e r et u r n t o t h e
acad em y. Let ’s see if Eld er M u h as an y ot h er m et h od s.”
H u o Yu h ao w as con fu sed , an d h e a sk ed in a p an ic, “Eld er Xu an , w h at ’s w r on g

w it h eld er sist er ? I’m t h e Ult im at e Ice. Can I h elp h er ?”
Eld er Xu an look ed at h im an d sigh ed , “If you r cu lt ivat ion w er e ar ou n d

Xiaot ao’s level, t h er e m igh t b e a ch an ce. Bu t you ’r e t oo far aw ay fr om h er .
You ’ll b e en gu lfed by t h e b lack flam es if you t r y. Xiaot ao is in b ig t r ou b le n ow .
Sh e m ay even b ecom e an evil sou l m ast er if t h in gs go aw r y.”
“W h at ?” Aft er h ear in g t h e w or d s ‘evil sou l m ast er ’, H u o Yu h ao r ealized h ow

ser iou s t h in gs w er e. M a Xiaot ao’s p h oen ix flam es h ad act u ally exp er ien ced su ch
a h u ge t r an sfor m at ion . No w on d er Eld er Xu an cou ld n ’t h elp h er even t h ou gh h e
w as ext r em ely p ow er fu l.
Eld er Xu an w as filled w it h t or m en t . “T h e Evil Ph oen ix is alr ead y a t op -r an k ed
m ar t ial sou l. T h is t r an sfor m at ion is in d eed ver y gr eat . H ow ever , t h e evil en er gy
in h er b od y h as com p let ely evolved aft er b ein g st ain ed b y t h e p ow er of
d ar k n ess. Bu t t h is evolu t ion is also t ow ar d s d a r k n ess. H er m in d h as also b een
gr eat ly affect ed b y t h is evolu t ion . H er b lack flam es h ave alr ead y r isen t o t h e
level of Ult im at e Fir e, b u t it ’s on e t h a t is filled w it h d a r k n ess an d evil. H er
cu lt ivat ion h as b een p r op elled t o at least Ran k 70 t oo. If sh e r eally b ecom es an
evil sou l m ast er , sh e can ’t b e st op p ed b y an or d in ar y T it led Dou lu o w it h h er
cu r r en t cu lt iva t ion a n d t h e b lack flam es.
H u o Yu h ao w as st u n n ed , an d h e cou ld n ot h elp b u t m oan , “Eld er Sist er .” H e

h ad on ly ack n ow led ged M a Xiaot ao as h is eld er sist er for a few d ays. Aft er losin g
h is m ot h er , h e’d a lw ays b elieved h im self t o b e an or p h an . Now t h at h e h ad
fin ally fou n d h im self an eld er sist er , h is eld er sist er w as ab ou t t o b ecom e an evil
sou l m ast er . H e w as filled w it h sor r ow an d fu r y.
T h e H eaven fien d Do u lu o d id n ot r u sh b ot h p ar t ies t o st ar t t h e n ext r ou n d of

t h e com p et it ion . T h at ’s b ecau se t h e d am age d on e t o t h e com p et it ion st age w as
t oo gr eat . M a Xiaot a o’s b lack p h oen ix fla m es b u r n ed for a w h ole m in u t e b efor e
d isap p ear in g. If r ep air s w er en ’t m ad e, t h e com p et it ion cou ld n ’t con t in u e. A few
ext r aor d in ar y ear t h -t yp e sou l m ast er s w er e car r yin g ou t t h e r ep air s r igh t n ow .
Aft er t h is b at t le, t h e t r agic au r a h ad b ecom e t h ick er an d t h ick er . Ever yon e

w h o h ad w at ch ed t h e figh t h ad d ifficu lt y b r eat h in g. Alt h ou gh Sh r ek h ad
em er ged vict or iou s, t h eir st r on gest sou l em p er or w as in t r ou b le. T h e last r ou n d
b et w een b ot h sid es w it h lim it ed t eam m em b er s left w as ab ou t t o b egin t oo. If
Sh r ek lost , t h ey w ou ld lik ely lose t h e glor y of ch am p ion s t oo.
Eld er Xu an sigh ed an d said , “For get it , let ’s for feit .”
H u o Yu h ao, W an g Don g an d W an g Yan w er e all sh ock ed w h en h e said t h at .
T ear s st r eam ed d ow n Eld er Xu an ’s aged face, “Kid s, all of you h ave

con t r ib u t ed gr eat ly t o t h e acad em y. H ow can w e sen d t h e b ot h of you t o d ie?
Xiaot ao is t h e st r on gest , b u t even sh e’s h u r t . If som et h in g h ap p en s t o t h e b ot h
of you , it ’ll b e a cat ast r op h e for Sh r ek ! W e can ’t let t h e b ot h of you con t in u e
figh t in g for t h e acad em y’s p r id e an d glor y an ym or e.”
“No, Eld er Xu an . W e w an t t o figh t .” H u o Yu h ao said d et er m in ed ly. As h e

look ed at t h e u n con sciou s an d t or m en t ed M a Xiaot ao b efor e t u r n in g t o t h e r est
of h is t eam m em b er s w h o w er e h u r t , H u o Yu h ao’s eyes b u r n ed w it h a st r on g
figh t in g w ill.
“Eld er Xu an , w e w er e all con flict ed w h en w e fir st cam e t o St ar Lu o Cit y t o

com p et e. Non e of u s w er e even fr om t h e official t eam t h en . T h e en t ir e squ ad
w as m ad e u p of p r ep ar at or y t eam m em b er s. Sh r ek ’s glor y h as su p p or t ed u s in
ou r jou r n ey, an d su p p or t ed u s in t h e t ou gh t im es t h at w e’ve faced . W e’r e all
filled w it h t h e w ill t o figh t . T h is glor y d oesn ’t b elon g t o t h e acad em y alon e; it
b elon gs t o ever y on e of u s t oo. As lo n g as Sh r ek ’s glor y r em ain s, Sh r ek ’s
cam ar ad er ie r em ain s t oo. M an y of ou r sen ior s h ave sacr ificed t h em selves for
t h is glor y. Ou r p ar t n er h as also collap sed for Sh r ek ’s glor y. T h ey’r e all w it h ou t
an y r egr et s. W e’ve given ou r all for t h is glor y. If w e for feit , w e’ll b e safe, b u t ou r
h ear t s w ill n ot b e sat isfied . For Sh r ek ’s glor y, for t h e T an g Sect ’s glor y, for all of
ou r t eam m em b er s w h o cam e t o com p et e, an d for ou r selves, w e m u st figh t t h is
b at t le. W e m u st even w in it .”
H u o Yu h ao w as r esolu t e an d d ecisive w h en h e sa id t h ose w or d s. H is face even

t u r n ed p ale b ecau se h e clen ch ed h is fist s so h ar d as h e sp ok e.
W an g Don g’s eyes flash ed w it h a r esolu t e an d d et er m in ed r ad ian ce as h e

st ood b esid e H u o Yu h ao. Bot h of t h em h ad t h e sam e t h ou gh t . W h a t H u o Yu h ao
said w as exact ly w h a t h e felt .
Eld er Xu an op en ed h is eyes again . As h e look ed at t h is p air of lovely k id s, h e

t ook in a d eep b r eat h . H e even b ow ed t o t h e b ot h of t h em . “I u n d er st an d n ow . I
d on ’t h ave t h e r igh t t o st op t h e b ot h of you . Bu t t h e you n eed t o k n ow t h at you
ar e Sh r ek ’s p r id e an d h er oes n o m at t er t h e r esu lt . On ce w e r et u r n , t h e acad em y
w ill con fer t h is glor y t o all of you . All of you h ave left an im p or t an t m ar k in
Sh r ek ’s h ist or y. I on ly h ave on e r equ est , t h at is t o p r ot ect you r selves. If I sen se
an y p ot en t ial d an ger s t h at m igh t in cap acit at e t h e b ot h of you , I w on ’t h esit at e
t o st op t h is m a t ch .”
“Yes!” H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g ch eer ed . H u o Yu h ao lift ed h is h an d s, an d

W an g Don g lift ed h is h an d s t o gr ip H u o Yu h ao’s. It w as n ot ju st H aod on g Pow er
t h at cir cu lat ed t h r ou gh t h eir b od ies at t h is in st an t . A st r on g figh t in g w ill an d
r esolve also filled t h eir b od ies.
W an g Yan t ook in a st r on g, d eep b r eat h . H e on ly st op p ed w h en h is lu n gs felt a

p ier cin g p ain . H e t r ied h is b est t o calm h im self d ow n .
H e t r ied n ot t o ch ok e on h is voice as h e look ed at H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g.
“Yu h ao, W an g Don g, t h e t w o of you ar e ab ou t t o face Xiao H on gch en an d

M en g H on gch en . You h ave alr ead y w it n essed w h at t h ey ar e cap ab le of. T h e fir st
t h in g t o d eal w it h is M en g H on gch en ’s p oison . If you can ’t do t h at , I w on ’t let
you com p et e n o m at t er h ow d et er m in ed you ar e t od ay.”
W an g Don g w as h esit an t , b u t H u o Yu h a o said d ecisively, “T each er W an g, I

can d o it .”
W an g Yan h eaved a sigh of r elief an d n od d ed . “T h at ’s good . Alt h ou gh t h ey

ar e p ow er fu l, t h ey ar e b ot h st ill in ju r ed . T h eir figh t in g w ills ar e d efin it ely
b en eat h you r s. I h av e alr ead y p r esen t ed a st r a t egy for t h e b ot h of you . You m u st
b elieve in you r selves an d t r y you r b est . Yu h ao w as r igh t w h en h e said t h a t w e
can ’t lose at t h is st age. J u st give ever yt h in g you h ave. Com e on .”
As h e sp ok e, W an g Yan ext en d ed h is h a n d . H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g also

st ack ed t h eir h an d s ab ove h is.
T h er e w as n ot h in g m or e t o say at t h is p oin t . At t h is st age of t h e com p et it ion ,

on e’s figh t in g sp ir it an d w ill w er e even m or e im p or t an t t h a n on e’s p ow er .
T h e com p et it ion st age w as alr ead y p r ep ar ed , an d t h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o

h ad also calm ed d ow n .
“T h e secon d m at ch of t h e 2-2-3 r ou n d sh all com m en ce. Bot h t eam s, p lease
sen d you r com p et in g m em b er s u p .”
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g look ed at each ot h er . T h ey cou ld see t h em selves

in each o t h er ’s eyes. T h ey w er e ab ou t t o com p et e in t h e m ost u n even fin al of t h e
Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M ast er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t ’s
h ist or y
Chapt er 124.1: A Wide Gap, t he Last Bat t le!
W h en Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en w alk ed u p t o t h e com p et it ion

st age, t h eir m in d s w er e st ill p r e-occu p ied b y M a Ru lon g an d Xiao Xiafen g’s lost
look s.
In t h e p r eviou s r ou n d , M a Xiaot ao h ad st ill m an aged t o d efeat t h em even

t h ou gh sh e w as ou t n u m b er ed an d h a d t o face t h e fr igh t en in g at t ack s of t h e
Class 8 J u d gem en t Sw or d . M a Xiaot ao d id n ’t ju st ach ieve vict or y. Sh e even
d en t ed t h eir con fid en ce.
T h is w as esp ecia lly so for M a Ru lon g. Alt h ou gh h e w as n ot h eavily h u r t , h e

w as t or m en t ed in t er n ally.
As t h eir t eam lead er , h e st ill lost even t h ou gh h e h ad u sed su ch a p ow er fu l

sou l t ool, com b u st ed h is ow n life p ow er an d h ad a n u m er ical a d van t age over M a
Xiaot ao.
T h e over -d ep let ion of h is sou l p ow er m ean t t h at h is p ow er s w ou ld n ot ju st

st agn at e for a year . W h at w as even m or e fr igh t en in g w as t h at M a Xiaot ao’s
b lack flam es h ad left a t r a u m a in h is h ea r t t h at cou ld n ’t b e o b lit er at ed . Bo t h h e
an d Xiao Xiafen g h ad b een t r ou n ced in t h eir figh t .
H ow ever , Sh r ek w asn ’t in good sh ap e eit h er . T h ey n o lon ger h ad an y

alt er n at ives. H ow ev er , t h ey cou ld b ecom e t h e even t u al ch am p ion s of t h e
t ou r n am en t if t h ey m an aged t o ach ieve vict or y in t h is u p com in g 2 v 2 b at t le.
“You n ger sist er , I m u st ad m it t h at m y p ast op in ion ab ou t Sh r ek Acad em y w as

w r on g. Sh r ek is r eally p ow er fu l.” Xiao H on gch en d id n ot look ar r ogan t
an ym or e. H e w as st ill a lit t le p ale fr om t h e in ju r y h e h ad r eceived . Bu t t h er e w as
a sen se of r esilien ce am id st t h at p alen ess t h at h ad n ever b een t h er e b efor e.
M en g H on gch en sigh ed . “If all t h eir official t eam m em b er s w er e h er e, w e’d
n ot even st an d a ch a n ce.”
Xiao H on gch en looked in t o t h e sk y. T h e r ain w as get t in g h eavier , an d t h er e

w as even a layer of m ist in t h e air . T h eir clot h in g w as also w et , b u t d id n ’t
b ecom e d r en ch ed , as t h eir so u l p ow er eva p or at ed som e of t h e r ain .
“I m u st st ab ilize m yself aft er t h is t ou r n a m en t . Gr an d p a w as r igh t . It ’s n ot a

good t h in g t o in cr ease ou r cu lt iva t ion so qu ick ly. It ’s n ot ju st b ecau se ou r b od ies
can ’t h an d le t h e b u r d en . It ’s m or e b eca u se of ou r p sych ological m in d set . If I
d on ’t st ab ilize m yself, I’m afr aid t h at I’ll con t in u e t o b e u n ab le t o r each m y
p eak .”
M en g H on gch en n od d ed h er h ead h ar d ily an d said , “Alr igh t , I sh a ll

accom p an y you .”
M en g H on gch en ’s eyes su d d en ly lit u p , “Bu t w e h ave t o w in t h is b at t le fir st .

Ou r p ar t n er s can ’t ju st d ie for n ot h in g. W e m u st sn at ch ou r glor y b ack fr om
Sh r ek ’s h an d s. W e m u st w in t h is b at t le.”
M en g H on gch en ’s eyes lit u p t oo. At t h is p oin t , sh e saw H u o Yu h ao an d W an g

Don g ascen d in g t h e st age h old in g h an d s. W an g Don g’s p in k ish -b lu e eyes w er e
filled w it h h is figh t in g sp ir it . As M en g H on gch en look ed at h im , h er
h ear t st r in gs w er e t u gged .
“Yes, w e m u st w in .”
T h e fou r of t h em t ook t h eir p osit ion s on t h e com p et it ion st age. T h eir

com p et it ive st r eak s r ose as t h ey look ed at on e an ot h er . Besid es M en g
H on gch en ’s gaze t h at car r ied a sligh t b iza r r er ie w h en sh e look ed at W an g Don g,
t h e r est w er e all r eso lu t e.
T h e fou r of t h em also h ad an ot h er feelin g at t h is p oin t . It w as as if som et h in g

h ad gu id ed all of t h em t o gat h er on t h is st age an d m eet on e an ot h er in t h is
im p or t an t t ou r n am en t .
W as t h is fat e? If t h is w as r eally fat e, t h en p er h ap s t h ey w er e d est in ed t o b e
r ivals. 5 year s lat er , t h ey w ou ld st ill com p et e for t h eir r esp ect ive acad em ies in
t h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Sou l M a st er Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t .
T h ey w er e b ou n d t o b e t h e m ain for ces in t h eir r esp ect ive t eam s t h en . W h a t
cou ld ch a n ge aft er 5 year s? T h ey d id n ’t k n ow . Righ t n ow , t h ey on ly k n ew t h at
t h ey h ad t o b e t h e ch am p ion s.
M or e t h an a m on t h h ad alr ead y p assed . Aft er all t h e h a r d -fou gh t b at t les an d

effor t t h ey h ad m ad e, t h ey h ad fin ally r each ed t h is st age. T h is w as esp ecially so
for ever yon e on Sh r ek ’s t eam . It w asn ’t easy for t h em t o b e st an d in g h er e in t h e
fin al.
T h e b u r n in g com p et it ive st r eak in H u o Yu h ao’s eyes d ip p ed a lit t le. In h is

eyes, a d im gold en ligh t su b t ly ap p ear ed . Alt h ou gh h e w or e an ob viou s look of
in n ocen ce, t h er e w as also a sh ock in g calm n ess ab ou t h im t oo.
W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao w er e d iffer en t . A ligh t seem ed t o sh in e fr om

W an g Don g’s b od y. T h at p u r e feelin g of ligh t seem ed t o cau se h is b od y t o b u r n
u p . No m at t er h ow gloom y it w as or h ow t h e r ain d r o p s k ep t on fallin g,
ever yt h in g ar ou n d seem ed t o t u r n clear a s h e st ood t h er e.
Xiao H on gch en w as a five-r in ged sou l k in g. H is m ar t ial so u l w as a T h r ee-

Legged Gold en T oad , an d h e w as a Class 5 sou l en gin eer .
M en g H on gch en w as a five-r in ged sou l k in g t oo. H er m ar t ial sou l w as a

Ver m ilion Clear Icet oad , an d sh e w as also a Class 5 sou l en gin eer .
H u o Yu h ao h ad t w o sou l r in gs. H is m ar t ial sou ls w er e t h e Sp ir it Eyes an d Ice

J ad e Em p r ess. H e w as a Class 2 sou l en gin eer .
W an g Don g h ad t h r ee sou l r in gs. H is m ar t ial sou ls w er e t h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly

God d ess an d t h e Clear Sk y H am m er .
T h e d iffer en ce in cu lt ivat ion b et w een b ot h sid es w as ver y ob viou s. Bu t n o on e
t h ou gh t t h a t t h e Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y w ou ld
d efin it ely em er ge vict or iou s.
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g h ad cr eat ed a lot of m ir acles in t h is t ou r n am en t .

M or eover , Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en w er e b ot h h u r t n ow , an d t h eir
sou l p ow er h ad b een d ep let ed gr eat ly t oo. T h eir sou l p ow er cou ld b e r ep len ish ed
b y sou l t ools lik e t h e M ilk Bot t le, b u t w h at ab ou t t h eir vigor ? W h at ab ou t t h eir
in ju r ies?
T h eir p ow er s w axed an d w an ed , m ak in g t h e gap in t h eir p ow er s less ob viou s

t h an t h e gap in t h eir r an k s.
“Bot h sid es, p lease st ep b ack .” T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o sh ou t ed . T h is w as

lik ely t o b e t h e last m at ch t h at h e w ou ld r efer ee. H u an g J in xu sw or e t o h im self
secr et ly t h a t h e w ou ld n ’t ser ve as a r efer ee if t h er e w as a n ext t im e.
No on e w as m or e sh ock ed t h an h im r igh t n ow . As t h e r efer ee, h e cou ld t r u ly

sen se t h e p ow er of t h ese you t h s. H e saw m an y t h in gs on t h em t h at h e sh ou ld n ’t
h ave seen on you t h s. T op -r an k ed m ar t ial sou ls, t w in m ar t ial sou ls an d even
Class 8 sou l t ools. T h e t r an sfor m at ion o f M a Xiaot ao’s m ar t ial sou l ear lier left
h im t h e m ost ap p alled . H is H eaven fien d Lon est ar w as even u n ab le t o en t ir ely
r esist M a Xiaot ao’s b lack flam es. W h a t w as it exact ly? W er e t h ese you t h s r ea lly
n ot even 20 yet ?
Esp ecially t h ese t w o r ep r esen t in g Sh r ek Acad em y n ow . T h ey w er e p r ob ab ly

n ot even 15 year s old yet , m u ch less 20 yea r s old .
H ow ever , t h e exp r ession in t h eir eyes t old H u an g J in xu t h at t h ey w er e

con fid en t t h ey w ou ld w in .
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o w as even in a sligh t t r an ce n ow . T h at ’s b ecau se h e

r ecalled w h en h e w as on ly 15. H e w as t r yin g h is b est t o cu lt ivat e t h en , an d h is
fam ily h ad n ’t b een k illed b y h is H eaven fien d Lon est ar ’s cu r se yet . Bu t h e d id n ’t
even k n ow m u ch ab ou t t h e w or ld of sou l m ast er s t h en !
H e cou ld n ’t im agin e h ow far t h ese you t h s cou ld go 20 an d even 30 year s fr om
n ow .
H u o Yu h ao an d W a n g Don g h eld each ot h er ’s h an d s as t h ey st ep p ed b ack .

T h ey k n ew t h at t h is w as p r ob ab ly t h e t ou gh est an d t h e m ost in t en se b at t le t h a t
t h ey w er e goin g t o figh t ever sin ce t h ey h ad en t er ed Sh r ek Acad em y.
It w as n o lon ger ju st a t ou r n am en t . It w a s w ar . It w as a w ar w h er e t h eir lives

w er e at st ak e.
Bu t t h e m or e it w a s lik e t h at , t h e m or e excit ed t h ey felt . T h eir p ot en t ial

seem ed t o b e com p let ely st im u lat ed n ow .
H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g w er e t h e k in d of t alen t ed you t h s t h at r esem b led

sp on ges t h at h ad fu lly ab sor b ed w at er . T h e gr eat er t h e p r essu r e, t h e gr eat er t h e
p ot en t ial t h ey sh ow ed . Befor e t h e com p et it ion even b egan , t h eir en er gies h a d
r each ed t h eir p eak s alr ead y.
As t h ey h eld each ot h er ’s h an d s, t h eir m in d s w er e con n ect ed .
H u o Yu h ao’s figu r e flash ed , an d h e m oved b eh in d W an g Don g aft er t h ey

r et r eat ed t o t h e ed ge of t h e com p et it ion st age. H e p laced h is h an d s on W an g
Don g’s w aist , w h ile W an g Don g w as calm as h e look ed op p osit e h im .
T h is w as alr ead y st ar k ly d iffer en t fr o m w h at t h ey h a d d isp layed in t h is

t ou r n am en t b efor e.
In t h e p r eviou s r ou n d s, H u o Yu h ao t ook t h e lead w h en t h ey u n leash ed t h eir

m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill. Ever yon e b eliev ed t h a t W a n g Don g w as on ly h is aid e.
Besid es u n leash in g t h eir m ar t ial sou l fu sion sk ill t oget h er , W an g Don g d id n ’t
r eally st a n d ou t . T h e on ly su r p r ise t h at h e gave w as p r ob ab ly w h en h e
u n leash ed h is Clea r Sk y H am m er . Bu t t h at w as t h e on ly t im e.
T h er e w er e ver y few w h o r em em b er ed W an g Don g. Bu t n o on e w ou ld for get

H u o Yu h ao’s six h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in gs at t h e st ar t of t h e
t ou r n am en t ! Alt h ou gh ever yon e fou n d ou t t h at it w as fak e, t h e sh ock t h a t t h ey
felt w as st ill d eep ly im p r in t ed in t h eir m in d s.
H u o Yu h ao w as act u ally st an d in g b eh in d W an g Don g r igh t n ow . It w as

ob viou s t h at W an g Don g w as goin g t o lead t h is t im e. No on e exp ect ed t h is, even
t h eir op p on en t s.
Aft er seein g H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g’s m ovem en t s, Xiao H on gch en an d

M en g H on gch en ’s exp r ession s ch an ged sligh t ly. T h ey d iscover ed t h a t t h ey k n ew
ver y lit t le ab ou t W a n g Don g.
T o ever yon e, W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h a o cam e as a sin gle en t it y. T h ey fou gh t

t oget h er fr om t h e st ar t . Bu t w h at w er e h is ab ilit ies? W h a t w a s h is m ar t ial sou l?
M an y w er e alr ead y st ar t in g t o t h in k ab ou t t h is qu est ion .
Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en r et r eat ed t o t h e ed ge of t h e com p et it ion

st age t oo. M en g H on gch en st ood in fr on t , w h ile Xiao H on gch en t ook u p t h e
r ear . Bu t n eit h er of t h em m ad e an y con t act w it h each ot h er .
Xiao H on gch en w as n ot p h ysically w ell yet . H is p h ysical b od y w as com p let ely

r avaged b y Dai Yu eh en g, an d h e d id n ’t even d ar e t o u se t h e M ilk Bot t le t o
r est or e h is sou l p ow er . T h at w as b ecau se h is p assagew ays cou ld n ’t h an d le it .
H is d islocat ed b on es w er e alr ead y set , an d h is in ju r ies w er e alr ead y h ealin g

t oo. Bu t h e st ill felt t r em en d ou s p ain t h r ou gh ou t h is b od y at t im es. H e w as n ot
even u p t o t h ir t y p er cen t of h is p eak con d it ion . T h at w as w h y h e cou ld on ly aid
h is you n ger sist er . M en g H on gch en w as t h e on e lead in g n ow .
M en g H on gch en ’s Class 6 sou l t ool ar m or saved h er at t h e last m om en t w h en

sh e fou gh t Dai Yu eh en g. Bu t sh e w as st ill h u r t t o som e d egr ee. Even so, sh e st ill
m an aged t o m ain t ain m or e t h an 70 % of h er ab ilit ies. M or e im p or t an t ly, sh e w as
con fid en t in h er Ver m ilion Ice T oad ’s let h al p oison .
Dai Yu eh en g cou ld d elay t h e sp r ead of t h e p oison w it h h is sou l em p er or

cu lt ivat ion , b u t w h at ab ou t t h ese t w o? W h at cu lt ivat ion d id t h ey h ave? T h e
t ou r n am en t w ou ld lik ely en d if t h ey w er e even sligh t ly t ou ch ed b y t h e
Ver m ilion Ice T oad ’s p oison .
T h e on ly t h in g t h at M en g H on gch en cou ld n ’t figu r e ou t w as w h y t h e t w o of

t h em h ad su ch t en aciou s look s in t h eir eyes. Did t h ey st ill t h in k t h at t h ey h ad a
ch an ce in t h is t ou r n am en t ? T h ey w er e Sh r ek ’s last st an d in g m em b er s, an d t h ey
h ad n o ch oice b u t t o com p et e. M en g H on gch en r evealed a cold look on h er face.
T h ou gh sh e w a s at t r act ed t o W an g Don g, t h is w as a com p et it ion t h at in volved
t h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y’s glor y. T h is t ou r n am en t
m igh t even con cer n t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e’s glor y. Sh e cou ld n ’t lose. T h e p r id e
in h er h ear t h ad n ev er b een in fer ior t o h er b r ot h er ’s.
T h e H eaven fien d Dou lu o t ook in a d eep b r eat h . Aft er t h at , h e lift ed h is r igh t

h an d u p b efor e it jolt ed d ow n w ar d s, “M at ch , st ar t !”
As h e sh ou t ed , ever yon e op en ed t h eir eyes w id e. T h eir p u p ils even sh r an k .

Ever yon e’s at t en t ion w as d r aw n t o t h e com p et it ion st age.
On t h e cit y w all, t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or an d t h e W h it e T iger Du k e d id n ’t r eally

con ver se eit h er . T h eir p alm s w er e p r essed on t h e cr en elat ion s, an d t h ey w er e
w at ch in g t h e m a t ch an xiou sly.
T h e W h it e T iger squ in t ed h is eyes, an d t h ey glow ed w it h ligh t . W h en h e saw
H u o Yu h ao, h e h ad a w eir d feelin g. H e co u ld n ’t t ell w h at it w a s exact ly, b u t H u o
Yu h ao n at u r ally d r ew h is at t en t ion . Cou ld t h is you n g fellow cr eat e a m ir acle?
Bot h p ar t ies u n leash ed t h eir m ar t ial sou ls as t h e com p et it ion b egan . M en g

H on gch en lift ed h er ar m s, an d t w o st r eak s of icy-b lu e ligh t in st an t ly ap p ear ed .
H er ar m or w as d am aged . Bu t h er Cla ss 6 sw or d s w er e st ill in t act . H er d efen se

m igh t h ave b een w eak en ed w it h ou t t h e Im p r egn ab le W all a n d ar m or , b u t h er
offen sive ab ilit y w asn ’t m u ch affect ed .
Xiao H on gch en t ook in a d eep b r eat h b eh in d M en g H on gch en an d r ep r essed

t h e p ain in h is b od y. H e also u n leash ed h is T h r ee-Legged Gold en T oad . Gold en ,
m et al foam sp illed ou t , an d b ar r els st a r t ed t o ap p ear on h is b od y.
Alt h ou gh t h ese m et al b ar r els on ly for m ed a t h ir d of t h e b ar r els t h at h e h ad

for m ed in t h e p r eviou s r ou n d u n d er h is Gold en Coagu lat ion an d M et a l
M an ip u la t ion , a st ab le cor e for m at ion st ill ap p ear ed . Not on ly t h at , b u t h is au r a
also b alloon ed , an d t h e op en in g of ever y b ar r el sh on e w it h st r on g ligh t . T h ey
also seem ed r ead y t o b e fir ed .
Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en h ad m ast er ed lon g-r a n ge r an ge sou l

t ools an d close-com b at sou l t ools r esp ect ively. T h ey d iv id ed u p t h eir r oles w ell,
an d t h ey excelled in t h eir r esp ect ive r oles. Alt h ou gh Xia o H on gch en w as
cr it ica lly in ju r ed , on e w as lik ely t o su ffer if h e d ar ed t o u n d er est im at e Xiao
H on gch en .
W h en t h ese m et al b ar r els w er e for m ed , Xiao H on gch en also for m ed a t h ick ,

p it ch -b lack b ar r el on h is sh ou ld er . W h en h e lift ed t h is b ar r el, h is en t ir e face
t u r n ed p ale. H is b od y also t r em b led a lit t le. T h is sh ow ed h ow h eavy t h is sou l
t ool can n on w as.
W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao h ad alr ead y b u r st t ow ar d s t h em as t h ey

u n leash ed t h eir sou l t ools.
T h e d azzlin g Rad ia n t Bu t t er fly God d ess ap p ear ed b eh in d W an g Don g,
w h er eas H u o Yu h ao’s b od y w as b lock ed , an d h e cou ld n ’t b e seen .
W an g Don g h ad u n leash ed h is m ar t ial sou l in t h e p r eviou s r ou n d s, b u t n o on e

h ad n ot iced a t h r ee-r in ged sou l m ast er lik e h im . Bu t n ow h e w as t h e cen t er of
at t en t ion .
H is b lu e w in gs flap p ed op en , an d gold en ligh t p at t er n s su r faced . An in t en se

au r a of ligh t sp r ead , alon g w it h h is ch ar m in g look s, an d M en g H on gch en w as
su d d en ly left in a d aze.
M en g H on gch en h ad a su d d en feelin g t h at on ly su ch a d azzlin g m ar t ial sou l

w as w or t h y of h im !
W an g Don g’s figu r e st ar t ed t o r ise as h is w in gs flap p ed op en . As t h ey st ar t ed

t o flap , h e leap t in M en g H on gch en an d Xiao H on gch en ’s d ir ect ion .
H u o Yu h ao w as t igh t ly st u ck t o W an g Don g’s back , an d h is h an d s w er e

ar ou n d h is w aist . T h e t w o of t h em seem ed lik e t h e sam e p er son n ow .
Bu t M en g H on gch en an d Xiao H on gch en cou ld n ’t see H u o Yu h ao’s ar m s

ar ou n d W an g Don g’s w aist , as H u o Yu h ao’s Im it at ion st ar t ed t o t ak e effect .
W an g Don g’s sp eed w as n at u r ally in fer ior t o M a Xiaot ao’s, b u t h e w as n ot

slow . As h e flap p ed h is w in gs, h e em it t ed a d azzlin g an d b lin d in g gold en -b lu e
r ad ian ce w h ich en a b led h im t o qu ick en h is sp eed t h r ou gh t h e air . H u o Yu h ao
h ad also u n leash ed h is sou l t ool t h r u st er b eh in d h im . Alt h ou gh it w as on ly a
Class 2 t h r u st er , it st ill allow ed W an g Don g’s sp eed t o in cr ease b y at least 30 %.
Xiao H on gch en ’s at t ack b egan . St r eak s of ligh t sh ot ou t , an d t h ey st ar t ed t o

en gu lf W an g Don g’s b od y.
Sin ce h e w as a sou l en gin eer , u sin g a lon g-r an ge sou l t ool t o lock on t o h is
t ar get w as ver y b asic. Even t h ou gh h e w as cr it ically in ju r ed , h e w as con fid en t
t h at h e cou ld st r ik e h is op p on en t .
Sou l t ool r ays an d sou l t ool can n on sh ells en gu lfed W an g Don g as if t h ey w er e
w in d st or m s. T h er e w er e even sou l t ools am on g t h em t h at cou ld lock on t o t h eir
op p on en t s.
H ow ever , t h e t w o of t h em fell in t o a sligh t t r a n ce ju st as t h ey w er e ab ou t t o

at t ack .
Xiao H on gch en ’s at t ack h ad alr ead y b een u n lea sh ed , b u t it s lock -on effect
d id n ’t w or k .
W h at w as goin g on ? Xiao H on gch en w as sh ock ed . Bu t h e h ad u n leash ed

sever al of h is lon g-r an ge sou l t ools a t t h e sam e t im e. H is all-r ou n d at t ack h ad
alr ead y b een lau n ch ed .
Xiao H on gch en b elieved t h at it w ou ld b e ver y d ifficu lt for H u o Yu h ao an d

W an g Don g t o r esist h is w ave of at t ack s w it h t h eir ab ilit ies. H e u sed Class 5 sou l
t ools t h at even sou l k in gs h ad t o b e car efu l of. M or eover , h is at t ack w as so
con d en sed . Even if t h ey u sed t h e Gold en Road , w h at k in d of effect cou ld it
p r od u ce? T h at m ar t ial fu sion sou l sk ill of t h eir s w as a con t r ol-t yp e sk ill,
m ean in g t h at it w as u n lik ely t o st r ik e b ot h Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en .
Even if t h ey w er e st r u ck , n ot h in g w ou ld h ap p en . T h er e w as n o w ay t h at H u o
Yu h ao an d W an g Don g cou ld get close t o t h em .
Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en h ad t h e sam e t h ou gh t s. Bu t t h eir eyes

soon op en ed w id e. T h at w as b ecau se t h ey d iscover ed t h at t h ey w er e w r on g.
Again st t h e at t ack s of Class 5 sou l t ools, on e cou ld d od ge in st ead of r esist in g

t h em !
W an g Don g’s w in gs r et r act ed b efor e h e m ad e a b r eat h t ak in g escap e.
H is p air of w in gs seem ed t o h ave a life of t h eir ow n . T h ey flap p ed op en b efor e

r et r act in g, flap p in g an d d r ift in g. Ever y t r an sfor m at ion a d ju st ed h is flyin g
p ost u r e sligh t ly.
T h e st r eak s of sou l t ool r ays an d sou l t ool can n on sh ells slid p ast h im b ecau se
t h ey cou ld n ’t lock on t o h im .
W an g Don g w as lik e a Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess t h at w as facin g a h u ge w eb .

No m at t er h ow all-en gu lfin g t h a t w eb w as, h e cou ld fin d a loop h ole t o escap e.
H is glit t er y d od ges even left st r eak s of d azzlin g sh ad ow s in m id -air . Br igh t ,

gold en -b lu e flow in g ligh t cau sed t h e sp ect at or s t o er u p t in ch eer s.
Ever yon e sym p at h ized w it h t h e u n d er d ogs. T h e sp ect a t or s’ em ot ion s r each ed

t h eir h eigh t as t h ey w it n essed W an g Don g’s im p eccab le d od ges. T h ey w er e even
p r ayin g for Sh r ek Acad em y. It d id n ’t m at t er w h et h er t h ey h ad w ager ed on t h e
Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y.
As t h e sayin g goes, “T h e in sid er k n ow s t h e r op es, w h ile t h e ou t sid er ju st

com es alon g for t h e r id e.” T h e sp ect a t or s w er e ext r em ely excit ed as t h ey
w at ch ed t h e com p et it ion , b u t t h e t r u e sou l m ast er s w er e also w id e-eyed r igh t
n ow !
In clu d in g t h e St ar Lu o Em p er or an d W h it e T iger Du k e, t h ose w h o w er e

ob ser vin g car efu lly or sou l m ast er s w it h gr eat visu al p ow er s cou ld t ell t h at H u o
Yu h ao’s sou l t ool t h r u st er h ad d evelop ed sligh t ch an ges a s W an g Don g w as
d od gin g Xiao H on gch en ’s at t ack . T h is m ean t t h a t h is sou l t ool t h r u st er h ad
lau n ch ed , b u t n ot w it h gr ea t in t en sit y. Bu t it w as t h ese gen t le p r op u lsion s t h a t
en ab led W an g Don g t o d od ge su ccessfu lly t im e an d t im e again . T h e coop er at ion
b et w een t h e t w o of t h em cou ld n ’t ju st b e d escr ib ed u sin g gr eat ch em ist r y; t h ey
w er e alm ost lik e t h e sam e p er son !
H ow ever , t h ey w ou ld vom it ou t b lood if t h ey k n ew w h at H u o Yu h ao w as

t h in k in g.
W it h ou t a d ou b t , Xiao H on gch en h ad lost h is ab ilit y t o lock on t o W an g Don g

b ecau se of h is Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce.
As h is sp ir it u al p ow er b ecam e st r on ger , h is Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce st ar t ed t o
r eveal it s st r en gt h . W h a t en ab led W an g Don g’s agile d od gin g of Xiao
H on gch en ’s at t ack s w as n at u r ally t h e Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g. W it h b ot h
t h e Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce an d Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g, it w as n ot d ifficu lt
for t h e t w o of t h em t o coop er at e w it h each ot h er .
H u o Yu h ao w as w h in in g in h is h ear t r igh t n ow . H e w as w h in in g ab ou t W an g
Don g’s t h in w aist . Bot h h is h an d s w er e a lr ead y t ou ch in g w h en h e h u gged W an g
Don g’s w aist . H e d id n ’t feel as if h e w as h u ggin g W an g Don g t igh t ly en ou gh .
Bu t W an g Don g’s b u t t w as ext r em ely p er k y an d p r essed again st H u o Yu h ao’s

b elly. It w as a lit t le w eir d an d u n com for t ab le.
Even H u o Yu h ao w as u n su r e w h y su ch a t h ou gh t w ou ld flash acr oss h is m in d

am id st su ch a t en se com p et it ion .
A ser ies of d od ges en ab led W an g Don g t o slip t h r ou gh t h e w eb of sou l t ool

r ays an d sou l t ool can n on sh ells. If Xiao H on gch en w er e in h is p eak st at e, h is
at t ack s w ou ld b e at least 3 t im es m or e con d en sed p r act ically flaw less. No m at t er
h ow p ow er fu l H u o Yu h ao’s Sp ir it u a l Det ect ion w as, h e w ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le
t o h elp W an g Don g escap e t h en . Bu t t h ey su cceed ed n ow .
At t h is p oin t , t h e ga p b et w een b ot h p ar t ies h ad alr ead y b een r ed u ced t o 30

m et er s.
M en g H on gch en ’s t o es w er e p oin t ed t ow a r d t h e gr ou n d , an d h er t en d er figu r e

flash ed as sh e m oved . Sh e sw u n g h er p air of t h in sw or d s, an d t w o st r eak s of
ligh t w er e lau n ch ed t ow ar d s W an g Don g’s p at h .
H er m en t alit y b ecam e ap p ar en t as sh e u n leash ed t h is st r ik e. T h at ’s b ecau se

sh e coin cid en t ally sh ou t ed , “Be car efu l!”
W an g Don g gazed at h er d eep ly, an d t h e ligh t in h is eyes b ecam e gen t ler . T h is

cau sed M en g H on gch en t o b e st u ck in a sligh t d aze. Sh e t h ou gh t t o h er self
su b con sciou sly, “W h at ’s h e t h in k in g ab ou t ?”
W an g Don g t u r n ed t o h is left a t t h is in st an t an d m an aged t o slid e in b et w een

t h e t w o st r eak s of ligh t .
Bu t M en g H on gch en ’s at t ack w asn ’t so easily avoid ed . T h e ligh t b lad es st r u ck

each ot h er b eh in d W an g Don g an d u n leash ed a layer of icy fog.
T h e Ver m ilion Ice T oad ’s let h al p oison h ad fin ally ap p ear ed in t h is cr it ical
last m at ch of t h e t ou r n am en t .
Below t h e st age, Eld er Xu an , W an g Yan , H e Cait ou an d Xiao Xiao w er e all

ext r em ely an xiou s. T h e k ey lay in w h et h er H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g cou ld
r esist t h is let h a l p oison !
T h e icy fog cover ed a h u ge ar ea. W an g Don g an d H u o Yu h ao w er e

im m ed iat ely en gu lfed , b u t W an g Don g d id n ’t seem t o r ealize t h e let h al p oison
t h at w as com in g fr om h is b ack . H is w in gs r evealed a gold en ligh t p at t er n b efor e
h is secon d sou l r in g flash ed b r igh t ly.
A h u ge n u m b er of gold en b alls of ligh t su d d en ly ap p ear ed . T h ey st ar t ed t o

b om b ar d Xiao H on gch en , w h o h ad also ju st u n leash ed h is secon d w ave of
at t ack s.
T h e Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess’ secon d sou l sk ill, t h e Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly
God d ess.
An in t en se au r a of ligh t filled t h e en t ir e ven u e. T h is w as ever yon e’s fir st t im e
seein g t h e m igh t of W an g Don g’s sou l sk ill.
W it h H u o Yu h ao’s Im it at ion cover in g t h em , t h e sou l r in gs t h at b ot h H u o

Yu h ao an d W an g Don g u n leash ed w er e w h it e. No on e cou ld see exact ly w h a t
class t h eir sou l sk ills w er e in . Bu t t h e p o w er of t h eir sou l sk ills w ou ld n ’t ch a n ge
b ecau se of t h is!
W an g Don g qu ick ly t old Xiao H on gch en w it h h is ab ilit ies t h at

u n d er est im a t in g h im w as a b ig m ist ak e.
An exp losive b oom r ever b er at ed w it h in a 20 m et er r ad iu s. Logically sp eak in g,

W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess sh ou ld n ’t h ave b een ab le t o r esist
t h e sou l t ool r ays even if t h ey cou ld r esist t h e sou l t ool can n on s. Bu t Xiao
H on gch en ’s at t ack w as p er fect ly in t er cep t ed . T h e exp losion on ly occu r r ed
b et w een t h e t w o of t h em . A few of t h e b alls for m ed b y W an g Don g’s Ligh t of t h e
Bu t t er fly God d ess la n d ed even in fr on t of Xiao H on gch en an d for ced h im t o
r esist u sin g h is Im p r egn ab le W all.
On ly a sou l a n cest or ’s st r on gest sou l sk ill w ou ld h ave su ch an effect . Xiao

H on gch en cu r sed in h is h ear t . H is cu lt ivat ion w as in d eed n ot u p t o st an d ar d yet ,
su ch t h at t h e p ow er of h is sou l t ools cou ld n ’t b e fu lly u n leash ed . H e w as
su p p r essed b y W an g Don g’s secon d sou l sk ill, an d felt ext r em ely d ep r essed b y
t h at .
W an g Don g h ad t h r ee r in gs. W it h t h e a id of H u o Yu h ao’s t w in m ar t ial so u l

t h at w as close t o a t h r ee-r in ged cu lt iv at ion , t h e com b in at ion of t h eir sou l
p ow er s r each ed ab ove Ran k 4 0 .
H u o Yu h ao’s sou l p ow er m igh t on ly b e at Ran k 28, b u t t h e su m of h is sou l

p ow er w as n ot an y less t h an W an g Don g. T h at w as b ecau se h is secon d m ar t ial
sou l m igh t h ave a sou l r in g! Alt h ou gh m ost of t h e p ow er of t h e h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year sou l r in g w as sealed , h is t ot a l sou l p ow er st ill m an aged t o
in cr ease som e.
T h e H aod on g Pow er d id n ’t fu n ct ion b ased on t h e law s of ad d it ion . W an g
Don g’s Ligh t of t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess w as also a t h ou san d year sou l sk ill. Un d er
su ch a cir cu m st an ce, t h eir com b in ed st r ik e w as alr ead y com p ar ab le t o a t op -
r an k ed sou l an cest or . T h ey w er e as p ow er fu l as Bei Bei an d Xu San sh i w it h t h eir
u n ch an ged m a r t ial sou ls, an d t h at w as w it h ou t con sid er at ion for t h eir m a r t ial
fu sion sou l sk ills
M en g H on gch en w a s sligh t ly sh ock ed a s sh e saw W an g Don g sh ow in g h is

m igh t . Sh e qu ick ly ad ju st ed h er m en t alit y an d b u r st for w ar d r ap id ly. H er t h in
sw or d s t u r n ed in t o a sk y fu ll of ligh t p r oject ion s t h at slash ed d ow n t ow ar d s
W an g Don g. It w as a p it y t h at h er ar m or w as d am aged , ot h er w ise sh e w ou ld
h ave flow n in t o t h e air t o figh t W a n g Don g.
M en g H on gch en h ad a qu est ion in h er m in d r igh t n ow . W h y h ad n ’t t h e

Ver m ilion Ice T oad ’s p oison t ak en effect yet ?
T h e Ver m ilion Ice T oad ’s p oison d id en gu lf H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g. Bu t

it w as a p it y t h a t h er p oison w as u seless a gain st t h em .
W h y w as t h is? On ly H u o Yu h ao u n d er st ood w h y. T h is cou ld on ly b e t r aced

b ack t o t h e t im e w h en H u o Yu h ao cau gh t h old of Bei Bei aft er h e w as d efeat ed
b y t h e Ice T oad ’s p oison .
“Oh ? H ow cou ld t h is b e? Su ch a sou l b east st ill exist s?”
“Ice Em p r ess, w h at ’s goin g on ? W h at ’s w r on g w it h m y eld est sen ior ?”
“H e’s con t r act ed a v er y h at efu l Ice T oad p oison . T h e m ar t ial sou l t h a t h u r t

h im is a Ver m ilion Ice T oad , a sou l b east t h at r oam s t h e b or d er s of t h e Ext r em e
Nor t h . It s p ow er s ar e qu it e ext r aor d in ar y. Alt h ou gh it ’s n ot r eally accom p lish ed
in t h e asp ect of ice, it h as m an aged t o gr asp t h e t r u e m ean in g of t h e
com b in at ion of ice an d fir e. T h at ’s w h y t h e Ice T oad ’s p oison is ext r em ely
let h al, an d ver y d ifficu lt t o b e n eu t r alized .”
“Oh ? T h en w h at d o w e d o? Ice Em p r ess, can you n eu t r alize t h is p oison ?”

“I can ’t . T h at ’s b ecau se you r p ar t n er can n ot b ear t h e Ult im at e Ice’s
en cr oach m en t . H e can on ly d isp el t h e p oison t h r ou gh t h e ext r em e ch ill in h is
ow n b od y. T h er e’s n o ot h er w ay. If t h a t m et h od is u sed , on ly an ice-t yp e b od y
can h an d le t h e b u r d en . Ot h er w ise, on e’s in t er n al or gan s w ill b e fr ozen .”
“W ill I b e p oison ed ? ”
“Ar e you jok in g? As on e of t h e T h r ee H eaven ly Kin gs of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h , I

am t h e k in g of all ice-t yp e sou l b east s. Alt h ou gh t h e Ver m ilion Ice T oad is a
r at h er st r on g sou l b east , t h er e’s a r eason w h y it d oesn ’t d ar e t o en t er t h e
Ext r em e Nor t h r egion . T h at ’s b ecau se t h e Ice J ad e Scor p ion s ar e it s jin x.”
“W h ile w e gave u p let h al p oison t o ach ieve t h e Ult im a t e Ice, w e can ’t b e h u r t

b y an y ice-t yp e p oison . You d on ’t h ave t o b e afr aid of h er p oison w h en you face
h er . No ice-t yp e or fir e-t yp e p oison can w or k again st t h e Ult im at e Ice.”
If H u o Yu h ao h ad t o ap p r aise w h ich sou l sk ill of h is w as t h e m ost p ow er fu l, it

h ad t o b e on e of t h e fou r sou l sk ills t h at t h e Ice Em p r ess con fer r ed on t o h im . In
t er m s of b ot h offen se an d d efen se, t h e Ice Em p r ess lived u p t o it s n am e as on e of
t h e T h r ee H eaven ly Kin gs of t h e Ext r em e Nor t h .
Bu t if h e h a d t o ch oose t h e m ost p r act ical sou l sk ill, w h ich on e w ou ld h e

ch oose?
If som eon e r eally u n d er st ood h is cap ab ilit ies, h e m igh t t h in k it w as t h e

Sp ir it u al Det ect ion . Bu t H u o Yu h ao w ou ld cer t ain ly ch oose t h e Sp ir it Eyes’
secon d sou l sk ill, Im it at ion .
Im it at ion w as a t h ou san d year sou l sk ill b est ow ed on t o h im b y t h e cla n

m em b er s t h at t h e Sk yd r eam Icew or m h elp ed h im t o fin d . Am on g all of H u o
Yu h ao’s sou l sk ills, Im it at ion w as t h e least offen sively in clin ed . Bu t it w as t h e
m ost im p or t an t sou l sk ill t o h im , even far m or e im p or t an t t h an h is Sp ir it u a l
Det ect ion .
Alt h ou gh Im it at ion w as a t h ou san d year sou l sk ill, it d ep let ed H u o Yu h ao’s
sou l p ow er t h e least w h en it w as u n leash ed d u e t o it s sp ecial ch ar act er ist ic. H u o
Yu h ao cou ld su st ain it for a ver y lon g t im e, an d h e w ou ld n ’t even b e d iscover ed
b y h is op p on en t , u n less h is op p on en t ’s sp ir it u al p ow er w as b eyon d h is, an d t h ey
cou ld u se a sp ecial sp ir it u al d et ect ion p ow er t o see t h r ou gh h im .
T h e on ly p it y w as t h at Im it a t ion cou ld on ly b e u sed w it h in a 3 m et er r ad iu s

w it h H u o Yu h ao as t h e cen t er . Ot h er w ise, t h is sou l sk ill w ou ld h ave b een
u n b elievab ly p ow er fu l.
H u o Yu h ao w as u sin g Im it a t ion at t h is exact m om en t . N ot on ly d id h is

Im it at ion p r even t h is op p on en t fr om seein g h im , b u t it a lso p r even t ed h is
op p on en t fr om seein g w h at h e w as d oin g.
Even t h e sp ect at or s cou ld n ’t see. W h en Im it at ion w as u sed , H u o Yu h ao an d

W an g Don g w er e act u ally m ask ed b y a layer of t r an sp ar en t ar m or t h at seem ed
t o b e m ad e u p of d iam on d -lik e p ar t icles. T h eir en t ir e b od ies w er e cover ed .
It w as t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Bar r ier , H u o Yu h ao’s st r on gest d efen se-t yp e sou l sk ill.
It w as on e of t h e t w o sou l sk ills b est ow ed on t o h im b y t h e fou r h u n d r ed
t h ou san d year Ice J a d e Em p r ess Scor p ion ’s sou l r in g.
T h e Ult im a t e Ice’s d efen sive st r en gt h r ea ch ed it s p eak u n d er t h e Ice Em p r ess’

Bar r ier . H ow cou ld t h e Ver m ilion Ice T oa d ’s p oison over com e it ?
A d im r ad ian ce fla sh ed . H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g seem ed t o b e t h e sam e

en t it y n ow . In fact , H u o Yu h ao d ep let ed m or e of h is sou l p ow er t h an W an g
Don g, w h o w as at t ack in g m or e act ively.
Sp ir it u al Det ect ion , Sp ir it u al Det ect ion Sh ar in g, Sp ir it u al In t er fer en ce an d

t h e Ice Em p r ess’ Bar r ier . T h ese sou l sk ills w er e u n leash ed w it h all of H u o
Yu h ao’s m igh t .
H u o Yu h ao h ad m an aged t o ach ieve sign ifican t p r ogr ess in h is cu lt ivat ion an d

sp ir it u al p ow er aft er t h e con st an t im p r ovem en t s an d en h an cem en t s of t h e Life
Gold . H is b od y w as also ab le t o b ear m o r e t h a n w h a t som eo n e of h is age sh o u ld
b e ab le t o. At least in t er m s of h is p h ysical st r en gt h , h e w as n ot w eak er t h an
Xiao H on gch en an d M en g H on gch en .
A d im r ad ian ce flash ed , an d H u o Yu h a o r evealed a cold , d ivin e r ad ian ce on

h is face. It w as t im e t o sn at ch t h e fin al vict or y!
T h e cou n t less sw or d p r oject ion s t h at M en g H on gch en cr eat ed as sh e w aved

h er sw or d s en gu lfed W an g Don g. T h e en h an cem en t s of h er Class 6 sw or d s w er e
all in t er m s of offen se. T h ey w er e ext r em ely d est r u ct ive, an d h ad even h u r t Dai
Yu eh en g ear lier . T h e Ver m ilion Ice T oad p oison t h at it con t ain ed w as also t h e
m ost let h al.
Alt h ou gh M en g H on gch en h ad lost t h e h elp of h er sou l t ool t o aid h er in

flyin g, h er cu lt ivat ion w as st ill far b eyon d H u o Yu h ao an d W an g Don g. W h en
h er sw or d s w er e u n leash ed , t h ey soar ed u p im m ed ia t ely.
T h e h eigh t of t h e d efen sive b ar r ier s on t h e com p et it ion st age h ad a lim it .

M en g H on gch en cou ld r each t h is h eigh t w it h t h e ext r em e lea p in g ab ilit ies of t h e
Ver m ilion Ice T oad .
T h at ’s w h y n o m at t er h ow im p eccab le W an g Don g’s flyin g t ech n iq u es w er e,

h e cou ld n ’t escap e fr om h er at t ack s.
Bu t W an g Don g d id n ’t d od ge.
W h en M en g H on gch en ju m p ed u p , h is Rad ian t Bu t t er fly God d ess’ w in gs

flap p ed t ow ar d s t h e fr on t an d p r op elled W an g Don g b ack w ar d s. At t h e sam e
t im e, a b all of gold en ligh t sh on e on h is ch est . Fr om t h e ed ge of t h e Rad ian t
Bu t t er fly God d ess’ w in gs, all t h e gold en ligh t st ar t ed t o gat h er t ow ar d s W a n g
Don g’s ch est as cou n t less gold en sp ot s ap p ear ed .
A sm all su n seem ed t o h ave ap p ear ed in fr on t of W an g Don g’s ch est . T h e

r ad ian ce of t h is su n w as ext r em ely b lin d in g.
M en g H on gch en ’s a t t ack st op p ed , an d W an g Don g p u sh ed t h e b all of ligh t
fr om h is ch est at t h is cr it ical m om en t . It st r u ck t h e cen t er of M en g H on gch en ’s
sw or d p r oject ion s.
Chapt er 125.1: Year ning for t he M or t al Wor ld
An ear -p ier cin g b oom en velop ed t h e en t ir e st age, an d t h e seem in gly-or d in ar y

gold en b all of ligh t in st an t ly exp lod ed t h e in st an t it collid ed w it h M en g
H on gch en ’s sw or d sh ad ow .
T h is w as t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess Slash , W a n g Don g’s t h ir d sou l sk ill.
T h is w as a sou l sk ill t h at W an g Don g u sed ver y, ver y r ar ely. H ow ever , it s

st r en gt h w as ab solu t ely n ot as or d in ar y as t h at of a n or m al t h ou san d year sou l
sk ill.
W an g Don g’s secon d sou l r in g w as a lr ead y a t h ou san d year on e, an d h is t h ir d

on e h ad act u ally su r p assed t h r ee t h ou san d year s of age. In ot h er w or d s, h is
t h ir d sou l sk ill w as p r act ically eq u ivalen t t o M en g H on gch en ’s fou r t h on e.
Alt h ou gh h is at t ack cou ld n ’t t ak e on a Sou l Kin g, t h e exp losive p ow er gen er at ed
b y t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess Slash t h at w a s st r en gt h en ed b y t h e H aod on g Pow er
w as ext r em ely gr eat .
It clear ly w asn ’t p ossib le for h im t o u se t h is so u l sk ill t o d efeat M en g

H on gch en , b u t it w a s en ou gh for h im t o m er ely st all for t im e.
T h e w aves of ligh t b lad es in st an t an eou sly d et on at ed , m ak in g t h e h u n d r ed s of

gold en ligh t b lad es r esem b le t h e b loom of a r ose b u d . T h en , it on ce again
exp lod ed in t o cou n t less flow er p et als. T h e in st an t t h e t igh t ly p ack ed b lad es of
ligh t d et on at ed , t h ey car r ied t h e au r a of t h e su n an d flew ar ou n d in all
d ir ect ion s.
M en g H on gch en w as flu st er ed as sh e faced W an g Don g’s at t ack . Aft er all, sh e

h ad lost h er p ow er fu l d efen sive ar m or , w h ich m ean t t h at sh e w ou ld b e in ju r ed
if t h e b la d es of ligh t st r u ck h er . If sh e w er e in h er p eak con d it ion an d fu lly
eq u ip p ed w it h h er sou l t ools, sh e w ou ld ’ve even d ar ed t o ch ar ge t h r ou gh an
at t ack lik e t h is w it h ou t feelin g an y p r essu r e.
H ow ever , t h is w as clear ly im p ossib le n ow . T h is w as t h e fin al b at t le, an d

vict or y in t h is m at ch w ou ld d et er m in e w h et h er or n ot t h ey w ou ld b e ab le t o
b r in g t h e ch am p ion ’s t r op h y b ack . H ow cou ld sh e d ar e t o b e car eless at all?
Fu r t h er m or e, sh e su b con sciou sly felt t h a t W an g Don g w as ver y st r on g. Per h ap s
t h ese w er e h er in n er feelin gs w r eak in g h avoc on h er , or ju st t h e feelin gs of a
you n g gir l.
Becau se of t h at , M en g H on gch en in st an t ly d an ced ab ou t w it h h er sw or d s t h e

in st an t sh e collid ed w it h t h e Bu t t er fly God d ess Slash , cr eat in g an air t igh t
b ar r ier t h at b lock ed all of W an g Don g’s at t ack s. W h en ever h er t h in sw or d s
collid ed w it h a b la d e of ligh t , t h ey w ou ld r elease a lar ge am ou n t of t h e
Ver m illion Clear Icet oad ’s p oison . As lon g as h er p oison t ook effect , t h is b at t le
w ou ld b e over .
At t h is exact m om en t , an in d escr ib ab le sen se of t er r or su d d en ly r ose in M en g

H on gch en ’s h ear t . H er m in d st ar t ed t o u n con t r ollab ly t r em b le violen t ly.
T h is su p p r ession ca m e fr om h er m in d it self, or r at h er , t h e sou r ce of h er

p ow er --h er m ar t ial sou l.
An en or m ou s illu sor y figu r e n oiselessly em er ged b eh in d W an g Don g. It s

cr yst allin e an d t r an slu cen t b od y em it t ed a ch illy au r a, an d it s jad e-gr een t ail
gave off t h e ligh t of a ser en e for est . T h e m ost t er r ifyin g t h in g ab ou t it w as t h e
su p p r ession it cau sed t o t h e ver y d ep t h s of M en g H on gch en ’s sou l, cau sin g h er
m ovem en t s t o slow gr eat ly d u e t o h er ast on ish m en t .
T h is w as t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion , H u o Yu h ao’s secon d m ar t ial sou l. At

t h is m om en t , t h e au r a of a fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g h ad com p let ely
em er ged d u e t o h is Im it at ion .
Alt h ou gh t h e Ver m illion Clear Icet oad d id n ’t r esid e in t h e Ext r em e Nor t h ,
n or w as it a p u r e ice-t yp e m ar t ia l sou l, a lar ge p ar t of it s com p r eh en sive p ow er
cam e fr om t h e elem en t of Ice.
It w as ju st as t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion h ad said --sh e w a s t h e m ast er of

Ice, an d all ice-t yp e sou l b east s w ou ld h ave t o r ever e h er as t h eir k in g. H ow
cou ld t h e Ver m illio n Clear Icet oad ’s au r a b e com p ar ab le t o t h at of t h e Ice
Em p r ess? M or eover , t h is w as t h e au r a of a fou r h u n d r ed t h ou san d year Ice J ad e
Em p r ess Scor p ion .
M en g H on gch en an d Xiao H on gch en h ad w at ch ed over H u o Yu h ao’s p r eviou s

m at ch es, b u t t h eir lin e of sigh t h ad b een b lock ed b y t h e p r ot ect ive b ar r ier
su r r ou n d in g t h e t o u r n am en t st age. As su ch , t h ey w er e on ly ab le t o see H u o
Yu h ao’s h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g an d t h e im p osin g au r a t h at it gave off;
t h ey h ad n ’t sen sed it s t r u e a u r a.
T h e fact s h ad sh ow n t h at w h at H u o Yu h ao h ad d on e w as m er ely an illu sion .

Aft er t h at b at t le, H u o Yu h ao h ad n ’t u sed an ab ilit y lik e t h at in an y of h is ot h er
b at t les. Alt h ou gh t h e ot h er t eam s w ou ld n ’t go so far as t o com p let ely ign or e h is
sou l sk ill, a lar ge m ajor it y of t h em r eckon ed t h at h e h ad b een seen t h r ou gh ,
w h ich m ean t t h at t h er e w as n o lon ger an y p r act ical m ean in g t o it an ym or e.
H ow ever , as M en g H on gch en faced t h e au r a t h at b elon ged t o t h e Ice J ad e

Em p r ess Scor p ion , sh e im m ed iat ely r ealised h ow m u ch of a jok e h er ju d gem en t
h ad b een .
T h e t er r ifyin g au r a of t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess Scor p ion w as ju st so r ealist ic, an d

even if t h ey w er e t r a p p ed in a n illu sor y d om ain , t h is w as on e t h at w as in fin it ely
close t o r ealit y! H er m ar t ial sou l w as fu lly su p p r essed in fr on t of t h is t er r ifyin g
au r a, t o t h e ext en t w h er e sh e w asn ’t even ab le t o r elease a h alf of h er t r u e
cu lt ivat ion . T h is w as even com p ou n d ed w it h t h e sen sa t ion of t er r or t h at cam e
fr om t h e ver y d ep t h s of h er h ear t , ca u sin g a t r em en d ou s im p act t o h er w ill t o
figh t .
It w as n o w on d er t h at so m an y p eop le h ad su ffer ed d isast r ou s d efeat s w h en
facin g t h e h u n d r ed t h ou san d year sou l r in g t h at H u o Yu h a o h ad r eleased ; t h e
d et er r en ce it gave off w as ju st t h a t p ow er fu l.
M en g H on gch en w asn ’t t h e on ly p er son affect ed b y t h e Ice J ad e Em p r ess

Scor p ion ’s au r a. Even Xiao H on gch en w as sim ila r ly affect ed b y it .
T h e Ver m illion Clea r Icet oad a n d t h e T h r ee-Legged Gold en T oad w er e b ot h

t oad -t yp e m ar t ial so u ls. Ou t of t h e five p oison s, t h e p oison t h at cam e fr om a
t oad an d t h e p oison t h at cam e fr om a scor p ion w er e equ ally m at ch ed . T h er e
w asn ’t t oo m u ch of a d iffer en ce b et w een b ot h p ar t ies, an d t h u s vict or y an d
d efeat w ou ld b e d ecid ed b y t

Soul Land 2 - The Unrivaled Tang - Tang Jia San Shao

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Soul Land 2 - The Unrivaled Tang - Tang Jia San Shao

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Table of Cont ent s

Sou l Lan d 2: T h e Un r ivaled T an g Sect

Book 1: Sk yd r eam Icew or m

Book 3: Fu sion of M ar t ial Sou ls

Book 4 : T h e Gold en Road

Book 5: T h e Ch am p ion sh ip Figh t

Book 7: T h e Ext r em e Nor t h

Book 10 : Sh r ek 's Sev en M on st er s

Book 11: T h e Con t in en t al Ad van ced Acad em y Sou l Du elin g T ou r n am en t

Book 13: Life Gold

Book 14 : T h e Fin als!

Book 15: Vict or s

Book 16: T h e Gr eat St ar Dou For est

Book 17: T h e Ult im at e Sold ier Plan

Book 18: T h e Su n M oon Im p er ial Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y Exch an ge

Book 19: Ret u r n t o t h e Su n M oon Im p er ia l Sou l En gin eer in g Acad em y

Book 21: Reu n ified

Book 22: T h e Clear Sk y Sect

Book 23: T h e En d of t h e Exch an ge

Book 24 : T h e Sea God 's Fat ed Blin d Dat e

Book 25: Sou l Rin g Exp ed it ion

Book 26: H id d en Dan ger

Book 27: T h e New Con t in en t a l Elit e You t h Sou l M ast er T ou r n am en t !

Book 28: Escap e fr om t h e Su n M oon Em p ir e

Book 29: T h e Yin Yan g Love Qu er yin g Valley

Book 31: T h e Evil Em p er or 's An ger

Book 34 : T h e Calm Befor e t h e St or m

Book 35: T h e Fr on t lin es!

Book 36: M ovin g For w ar d s

Book 37: Vin d ict ive Plan s

Book 38: T h e M er folk 's Blessin g

Book 39: Decisive Blow

Book 4 1: T h e W ar God d ess' T er r ifyin g Pr ow ess

Book 4 3: T h e Ice-Sp ir it Dou lu o an d t h e Dr agon Bu t t er fly Dou lu o

Book 4 4 : Legacy of t h e Dar k n ess H oly Dr agon an d t h e Deat h God Dou lu o

Download all your Favorite Light Novels

Tang Jia San Shao

T h e legen d of t h e con t in en t , t h e b at t le t h at b r ou gh t fam e; t h e Sacr ed Ph oen ix

A m illion -year -old sp ir it b east , a sacr ed d eat h god t h at h old s t h e su n , t h e

Can t h e T an g Sect ’s h id d en w eap on s r ally t h e w in d s, an d can t h e glor y of t h e

T h e gen t le h a los of ligh t w er e ak in t o a m ot h er ’s p air of h a n d s w h en t h ey

A figu r e qu iet ly st ood w it h in t h e clou d s for a lon g t im e, gazin g in t o t h e

H e h ad lon g b lu e h air t h at d r ap ed t o t h e floor lik e a w at er fall. If n ot for h is

H is lu xu r io u s b lu e r ob es seem ed t o con t ain r ip p lin g w at er . If on e w er e t o

H ow ever , fr om t h e p air of equ ally d eep eyes on h is h an d som e face, it d id n ’t

“Ai...” T h e m an ligh t ly sigh ed , a fain t ly d ist r essed look ap p ear in g u p on h is

“T h ir d Br ot h er .” A soft voice ech oed ou t . A figu r e st ep p ed ou t fr om t h e

Sh e w as w ea r in g a p in k -colou r ed lon g d r ess an d sh e h a d lon g h air t h at h ad

A fain t sm ile ap p ear ed on h er b eau t ifu l face as sh e p u lled t h e on t h e b lu e-

A lovin g sm ile t h at con t ain ed a t r ace of h elp lessn ess ap p ear ed on t h e b lu e-

T h e w om an w ear in g t h e p in k d r ess w as som ew h at d iscon t en t as sh e p ou t ed ,

On ce Xiao W u h ear d T an g San b r in g u p t h eir d au gh t er , a gen t le look in st an t ly

T an g San n od d ed h is h ead as h e ligh t ly sigh ed an d said , “A sin gle d ay in t h e

Xiao W u said , “T h e T an g Sect also b egan d eclin in g at t h at t im e! T h ir d

T an g San n od d ed h is h ead , “You ’r e r igh t , b u t aft er all, t h e T an g Sect w as

Xiao W u ’s eyes b r igh t en ed as sh e r ep lied , “H e’ll d efin it ely b e a good

T an g San r aised h is h an d an d lovin gly p in ch ed h er n ose, “You ! You on ly

“I’ve alw ays h ear d d ad an d m om t alk in g ab ou t t h e Dou lu o Con t in en t ! It

T h e gold en , glazed r oof t iles at op t h e h u ge, p alace-lik e b u ild in g sh on e w it h a

W h en gazed at fr o m afar , a fog seem ed t o lin ger a r ou n d t h e p alace. T h e

T h is en or m ou s m an sion t h at occu p ied an ar ea of over 2 kilom et r es d id n ’t

Du r in g t h e cu r r en t t im e of d ay, t h e b r igh t an d b eau t ifu l su n ligh t w ou ld sh in e

T h e b ack d oor of t h e Du k e’s M an sion ’s n or t h er n a r ea n oiselessly op en ed , an d