"As for that punch, you can rest assured. I've never heard of Elder Mu passing down his signature technique to anyone. For someone to have figured out this path on their own and developed it to this level, that kid indeed has extraordinary talent."
"However, the skill Domination of the World is something Elder Mu spent many years perfecting. It's not something a child under twelve could fully understand. What he demonstrated shouldn't be the true Domination of the World, and it won't have the effects you're worried about."
Elder Xuan paused briefly, then spoke in a calm tone.
"Without trials and tribulations, one cannot become truly strong. This is especially true for geniuses. Experiencing failure appropriately won't crush their confidence but will instead push them to improve rapidly. This incident is a good thing for Tang San. Let's not intervene for now and give him time to reflect on his own."
"As a warning, that 10,000-year spirit bone will not be given to him. During the break, I will take him to the Star Dou Forest to see if we can find the Eight Spider Lances of Tang San's ancestor."
"Understood, Elder Xuan!"
Hearing Elder Xuan's thorough arrangements, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but feel moved.
Having such a senior to guide one along the path of growth—how could they not become strong?
Having regained his confidence in his genius disciple, Yan Shaozhe was about to leave when a figure in a fiery red school uniform appeared in his view.
"Xiao Tao? What brings you here?"
Hearing Yan Shaozhe's voice, Ma Xiaotao, who had been looking around, instinctively turned toward him and smiled as she explained.
"It's been a while, Teacher. I'm here looking for a student named Huo Yuhao. I heard he has an assessment today, so I came to cheer him on."
Unaware of Yan Shaozhe's stunned expression at her words, Ma Xiaotao continued scanning the assessment area below. However, her anticipation soon gave way to confusion on her delicate face.
"Could it have already ended? But didn't the assessment just begin? It seems Huo Yuhao's opponent wasn't very strong to lose so quickly. Teacher, did you watch the match? Has Huo Yuhao already—"
Not spotting the figure she was looking for, Ma Xiaotao turned back to ask Yan Shaozhe about it, only to be taken aback by his darkened expression. She subconsciously asked, "Teacher, what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, nothing."
Yan Shaozhe coughed twice and waved his hand repeatedly. "His match did indeed end. He's probably on his way back now."
For some reason, seeing this disciple whom he had neglected for several months since taking Tang San as his student, Yan Shaozhe found the situation increasingly unsettling.
"In that case, Teacher, I'll go find Huo Yuhao now."
Ma Xiaotao nodded and left directly, heading toward the assessment area exit.
After watching Ma Xiaotao disappear from view, Du Weilun, who also sensed something amiss, finally spoke hesitantly.
"Dean, I suspect that Zhang Lexuan's personal recruitment of Huo Yuhao wasn't just because of his first spirit ring. She likely knew about his second martial soul as well..."
"I know."
Yan Shaozhe nodded slightly, recalling Ma Xiaotao's earlier demeanor. His fists clenched tightly under his sleeves.
It didn't take much thought. Ma Xiaotao, who had been in the inner courtyard for a long time, wouldn't have had the opportunity to get to know Huo Yuhao without Zhang Lexuan's intervention.
Moreover, her eyes and state made it clear that compared to three months ago, Ma Xiaotao's demonic fire was much weaker—a clear sign of suppression.
Adding this to the fact that Huo Yuhao had just revealed his Ultimate Ice martial soul today, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but feel agitated.
So, in just a few months of neglect, his disciple had been poached?
And now he was the last one in the world to find out about Huo Yuhao's second martial soul being Ultimate Ice?
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became!
If Ma Xiaotao had told him earlier, how could the Martial Soul Department have lost such a talent?
Suppressing his growing dissatisfaction, Yan Shaozhe sighed deeply.
"Old Du, let's go check on Tang San."
"Huh?"
Du Weilun froze. "Dean, what about Ma Xiaotao—"
"Let her be. After all, she's grown up and has her own ideas now..."
Yan Shaozhe's tone was somewhat dejected.
"Compared to that, Tang San just lost a match. As his teacher, I should at least go comfort him."
"...Understood."
"Um..."
On the way back to the dormitory, Zhu Lu kept glancing at Huo Yuhao. After hesitating for a long time, she finally gathered the courage to ask, "Do you still plan to take action against the Duchess?"
The icy words of that frail boy from five years ago remained deeply imprinted in her memory. Even now, she remembered them vividly.
Having learned about Huo Yuhao and Huo Yun'er's ordeal later, she naturally investigated further. It wasn't just the Duchess—many in the Duke's mansion were likely already on Huo Yuhao's list.
While he hadn't done anything to Dai Huabin at the academy, she didn't think he would let the Duchess off so easily.
At first, she thought Huo Yuhao's talent was extraordinary, but it would still take years for him to gain the strength to take revenge.
However, after witnessing his performance in today's match, she suddenly felt that this task wasn't so difficult for him anymore.
"Yes."
Huo Yuhao, surprised that Zhu Lu would bring this up, nodded calmly. "Why? Does it concern you?"
This kind of thing wasn't worth hiding. Zhu Lu had heard his words back then, and if she wanted to report them, she would have done so long ago. Besides, he didn't sense any malice from her now.
"Not exactly."
Zhu Lu paused to organize her thoughts before softly explaining, "The Zhu family, as Star Luo nobles, has developed many factions over the millennia. My mother and the Duchess are not from the same faction; they are, at best, lukewarm toward each other."
"Although there are internal disputes within the Zhu family, they generally maintain a close relationship with the Duke's mansion. After all, the two families have a stable martial soul fusion technique. Weakening their bond could jeopardize their status in the Star Luo Empire. That's why each generation arranges a marriage between their most talented individuals."
Seeing Huo Yuhao nod in understanding, Zhu Lu pursed her lips and continued softly.
"The Duchess married the current White Tiger Duke under similar circumstances. However, after the incident five years ago, I grew curious and looked into it. I found some oddities."
She paused, her expression turning peculiar.
"It turns out that the current White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao, wasn't the most talented among his siblings. Instead, he only stood out because he joined the military at around twelve or thirteen years old."
"But this meant that he had no significant interaction with the Duchess early on. She mostly spent time with one of Dai Hao's brothers, who was more talented."
Zhu Lu hesitated before adding, "And their relationship...was very close."
Huo Yuhao's eyes blinked involuntarily, his expression also turning strange.
Close? Just how close?
He had always wondered why the Duchess started targeting his mother and him only after he turned two. If she was worried about his mother threatening her position, why not act the moment Huo Yun'er became pregnant?
Could this be tied to the death of Dai Hao's brother nine years ago?
Huo Yuhao's thoughts raced. Could it be...?
Was Dai Huabin not Dai Hao's biological son? Could this also explain the mutations in his and Dai Luoli's martial souls?
The more he thought about it, the stranger it all seemed.
(End of Chapter)
"Huh? This afternoon, Ho Yuhuo's team encountered Tang San's team?"
Upon hearing Xiao Xiao's words, Wang Dong'er instinctively widened her eyes.
"Did they win?"
"Of course they won. I also heard that the guy used his second martial soul and crushed them in a one-against-three battle."
Xiao Xiao's eyes sparkled with excitement, but as she finished speaking, her expression darkened, and her tone became a little dejected.
"The team with the best chance of winning the championship stopped at the top 32. Old Lady Zhou Yi is probably going to be really angry about this. It's a shame we were competing at the time and couldn't see that scene with our own eyes."
While muttering to herself, Xiao Xiao glanced at Wang Dong'er, who seemed lost in thought, and froze for a moment upon noticing her blank and distracted expression.
"Winter, what's wrong with you?"
"Ah."
Wang Dong'er trembled and instinctively shook her head.
"Nothing, nothing. So, where are Ho Yuhuo and the others now?"
"Now? After the competition, they should be back at their dorm."
Seeing Wang Dong'er's odd behavior, Xiao Xiao's big eyes quickly darted around, and a teasing smile appeared on her face as she lightly nudged Wang Dong'er on the shoulder.
"What's up? Do you want to go find him? Do you need me to tell you his dorm number?"
"Huh? You know?"
Wang Dong'er looked up in surprise, but upon meeting Xiao Xiao's teasing gaze, she suddenly realized her reaction might have been a bit off, and she stiffened up.
After a brief overload of her not-so-clever mind, she coughed lightly and said seriously.
"Don't think too much, I just want to thank him for helping me beat Tang San. If everything goes well, I plan to invite him for a meal."
".?"
I haven't said anything yet, so why is she thinking so mischievously?
By the way, weren't we always competing together? When did you secretly start flirting with handsome guys behind my back?
Also, why do you want someone to help you beat Tang San?
Of course, Xiao Xiao didn't ask these questions aloud. She was worried her head might suffer another blow, so instead, she skeptically sized up Wang Dong'er and slowly spoke.
"Room 116."
For some reason, as if remembering something, Xiao Xiao added in a strange tone.
"Be careful."
Wang Dong'er, who was about to thank her, froze for a moment upon hearing those words. "Careful? What do you mean by that?"
Noticing Wang Dong'er's confused expression and sensing she wasn't pretending, Xiao Xiao's face turned a little complicated.
So she hasn't figured it out yet!
"Life-and-death safety."
After leaving another cryptic remark, Xiao Xiao snorted and then muttered, "Looks like I'll have to go eat alone in the cafeteria tonight. Someone is already forgetting their friends for the sake of a handsome guy."
After saying that, Xiao Xiao turned and walked away, leaving Wang Dong'er behind with no further glance.
The word "leave" in the dictionary means...
Watching Xiao Xiao's lonely back, Wang Dong'er couldn't help but shake her head.
After shaking off the jumble of thoughts in her mind, the girl couldn't help but walk with light, quick steps toward her destination.
Most of the students had not finished their classes yet, so the dormitory building was a little empty.
As she walked through the first-floor corridor of the male dormitory, Wang Dong'er subconsciously lightened her steps. Her heart, which was beating faster and faster, made her mutter to herself under her breath.
"Winter, it's just a meal, why are you so nervous?"
As the room numbers grew higher, Wang Dong'er finally arrived at Room 116. Staring at the closed dorm door in front of her, she took a deep breath and gently knocked.
Knock knock knock—
"Who's there?"
A somewhat familiar voice came from behind the door, though it seemed a bit panicked for some reason.
Wang Dong'er didn't think much of it, and after a light throat clearing, her sweet voice echoed down the corridor.
"It's me, Wang Dong'er."
For some reason, upon hearing her words, the voice inside seemed even more flustered. After a brief sound of someone hurriedly tidying up, the door slowly creaked open.
A rush of hot air greeted her, and Wang Dong'er finally saw the scene inside the room, frozen for a moment in surprise.
"You... you guys... just now..."
On a large bed formed by two beds pushed together, a figure with long, fiery red hair was sitting cross-legged. Her pale pink eyes looked at Wang Dong'er with a hint of curiosity.
Her red inner courtyard uniform clung tightly to her skin as if it had just been pulled out of water, revealing her toned figure.
The collar was slightly open, and crystal-like beads of sweat dripped down her neck, rolling into the deep, white valley between her chest. Wang Dong'er's face immediately flushed as she looked down, feeling embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, maybe I came at the wrong time."
Noticing Wang Dong'er muttering to herself while subtly stepping back, Ma Xiao Tao couldn't help but laugh.
"Yuhuo, your friend is really interesting, hahaha."
Ho Yuhuo also had to hold back his laughter. He peeked his head out of the door, making sure no one was around, then grabbed Wang Dong'er's arm.
"Alright, come in quickly."
"Ah!"
Before Wang Dong'er could react, she was quickly pulled into the dorm by the strong force.
With a bang, the door slammed against the door frame, and the corridor fell silent once more.
Inside the room, Ho Yuhuo firmly pushed Wang Dong'er into a seat, then looked up at Ma Xiao Tao.
"Xiao Tao, this is my friend, Wang Dong'er."
Upon hearing Ho Yuhuo's introduction, Ma Xiao Tao, who had been sizing up Wang Dong'er, looked at him with a teasing expression and said playfully.
"Another little beauty, Yuhuo, you really are quite lucky, always surrounded by such pretty girls."
Ho Yuhuo pulled the corner of his mouth as he responded to Ma Xiao Tao's teasing.
"Xiao Tao, are you complimenting yourself indirectly?"
"Little brat."
It seemed that Ma Xiao Tao's comment had triggered memories of the first time she suppressed her internal "evil fire," and she blushed, muttering under her breath before she finally stopped teasing Ho Yuhuo.
"Winter, this is Xiao Tao, an inner courtyard disciple."
After briefly introducing Ma Xiao Tao, Ho Yuhuo coughed lightly and awkwardly added an explanation.
"Before you came, Xiao Tao and I were in the dorm, trying to suppress the evil fire."
"Evil fire?"
Wang Dong'er blinked in confusion.
Maybe it was because of the playful teasing between Ma Xiao Tao and Ho Yuhuo that lightened the mood, or maybe it was because she realized they hadn't been doing anything inappropriate, but Wang Dong'er clearly wasn't as tense as before.
"Yes."
Ho Yuhuo nodded slightly. "Xiao Tao's martial soul has some defects, so she needs help from my ice-elemental martial soul. Occasionally, she comes to me for assistance. But why did you come here?"
As soon as that last question was asked, Wang Dong'er, who had just relaxed, immediately stiffened up again.
"I heard you beat Tang San, so I came to fulfill my promise."
Hearing Wang Dong'er's somewhat hesitant voice, Ho Yuhuo suddenly understood and glanced at Ma Xiao Tao. He hesitated before speaking.
"Xiao Tao."
"You two go ahead, I'll clean up here. I'll dry your clothes before I leave."
Ma Xiao Tao looked back and forth between them, as though she had spotted something interesting. Her lips curled into a slight smile.
"Well, the evil fire is mostly under control now. Today's done. Next time I'll come over when I'm free."
"Thanks, Xiao Tao."
After thanking her, Ho Yuhuo glanced at Wang Dong'er. Seeing she hadn't responded yet, he reached out and lightly poked her waist.
"Ah! What are you doing?"
Wang Dong'er, who had bounced out of her seat like a spring, looked at Ho Yuhuo in amusement.
"Of course, I'm telling you to fulfill your promise. Just so you know, I have a big appetite, so get ready."
As the daughter of the Haotian Sect, who had never had to worry about money, Wang Dong'er wasn't going to take such a comment lying down. She immediately snorted.
"Get ready? I want to see how big your appetite really is. Are you going to eat me poor over just one meal?"
With that, under Ma Xiao Tao's slightly strange gaze, the two left the dormitory.
"This guy... he really does have a natural talent for flirting."
Shaking her head, Ma Xiao Tao looked at the now-empty room, and her gaze slowly fell on the pillow on the bed.
After a brief internal struggle, she finally buried her head into it, feeling the cool scent that filled her nose. The residual "evil fire" inside her finally began to calm down.
"Well, there are so many already. One more doesn't hurt."
After a long pause, Ma Xiao Tao spoke to herself as if justifying her actions.
For some reason, the thought of the "little cabbage" that the senior sister had so carefully nurtured being eaten by her made Ma Xiao Tao feel a strange surge of emotions.
Anda mungkin juga menyukai
Komentar Paragraf
Fitur komentar paragraf sekarang ada di Web! Arahkan kursor ke atas paragraf apa pun dan klik ikon untuk menambahkan komentar Anda.
Selain itu, Anda selalu dapat menonaktifkannya atau mengaktifkannya di Pengaturan.
MENGERTI