บท 130: Chapter 127: Recruitment

As the students were slowly walking out of the arena, they soon froze when they heard Huo Yuhao's voice echoing through the air. "Wait."

They turned back to see Huo Yuhao casually sitting in his ice chair, hands folded in front of him, his expression composed yet serious. The students exchanged curious glances, their attention fully drawn back to Huo Yuhao.

"... Are you all not frustrated? Losing like this, being suppressed by your own peers. I know that each and every one of you is capable of greatness. So, why is it that you all lost against us?" He said with a calm yet commanding tone, his words resonating in the silence of the arena.

Some of the students shifted uncomfortably, while others exchanged uncertain glances. They hadn't expected this question, especially not from Huo Yuhao, who had just emerged victorious with his team and backtalked to one of the strongest elders in the academy.

'Yuhao, what are you doing?' Wang Dong'er and the others thought, wondering what plans their leader was planning.

The teachers, who were also observing the situation, exchanged puzzled glances among themselves, unsure of Huo Yuhao's intentions. Xian Lin'er and Qian Duodou turned towards Fan Yu and Zhou Yi, thinking that they knew what their disciple/student was doing, but they shook their heads, also confused of his actions.

Huo Yuhao continued, his gaze sweeping over the crowd of students. "Is it because you lack the skill? Talent? Hard work? Or perhaps the determination to win?"

He shook his head. "No, no. We may have varying talents, but our resolve and determination to win is no less than yours."

"Huo Yuhao, what are you getting at exactly?" A big and chubby figure stepped forward from the group of students, his brows furrowed in confusion. It was Xie Huanyue, the person who once fought against Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao in the freshmen competition and possess the Rubber Elephant martial soul. "You defeated us with your martial soul fusion, it was as simple as that."

Huo Yuhao smirked.

"Is it though? Xie Huanyue, I think you and every 2nd year students know how I was when I first arrived in this academy. I was... weak, relatively speaking. I only had a single soul ring to my name, a ten year old soul ring, the weakest of them all. Yet, I and my friends had managed to win the competition from last year." he chuckled, making a handseal with his right hand, and a scorching blaze of flames surged out of his hand like a miniature inferno.

The students gasped in surprise, their eyes widening at the display of elemental mastery before them.

"I-I remember now! Back then, you were using some strange skills even though you only had a white soul ring..." Xie Huanyue mumbled, realization dawning on his face, the other second year students nodded in agreement.

Huo Yuhao raised his hand, controlling the flames with ease as they danced in intricate patterns above his palm. "Yes, what you all lack are "skills" to fight us equally."

"What?" Xie Huanyue frowned, the rest of the students looked at each other in surprise, their confusion evident.

Huo Yuhao's smirk widened slightly as he leaned back in his ice chair, his demeanor relaxed yet confident. "Let me clarify," he continued, his tone measured. "I'm not talking about your soul skills or adaptability. I'm talking about the lack of... secret techniques you guys don't have."

'Huh? Yuhao, is he... doing what I think he's doing?' Tang Ya immediately caught on what Huo Yuhao was doing, clenching her hands in disbelief and excitement.

He's recruiting.

"I'm sure that some of you don't understand what I'm talking about, due to certain reasons, but secret techniques are essentially self-created soul skills, abilities that you can use as long you guys have soul power." he explained, his voice carrying a hint of encouragement.

The students listened intently, intrigued by Huo Yuhao's words.

"I'm sure all of you know about Tang Sect, correct? Teacher Ya's classmates might've seen her and senior brother displaying strange skills that are not aligned to their soul rings, so that can further serve as an example of what secret techniques can do." Huo Yuhao's words piqued the students' interest even more. Tang Ya, who was sitting beside, nodded with a proud smile, confirming Huo Yuhao's statement.

"With secret techniques, we have a natural advantage against our peers and perhaps against other soul masters. As those owning a secret technique or two are only those who are in a sect or a high-ranking person in some soul master family, and judging by the lack of showing from you all, I'm guessing that none of you don't have one. Or it just simply helps with your cultivation."

The students listened with rapt attention, the idea of secret techniques sparking their curiosity and excitement.

"This boy..." Yan Shaozhe and the other teachers soon realized what Huo Yuhao was playing at. He turned towards Xian Lin'er with a wry smile.

"Did you already know about this?"

Xian Lin'er softly coughed, turning away.

Huo Yuhao's eyes turned goldish-red and the flame flew out of his hand and started circling behind him, giving off an ethereal glow that illuminated him. "But fear not," he continued, his voice echoing with reassurance. "I'm not here to boast about our achievements or belittle yours. I'm here to offer you something more."

The students leaned in, their curiosity piqued by Huo Yuhao's words.

"I have created a sect, although the main headquarters and its facilities are not ready yet, I am in need of new seeds who want to become strong and help lead my sect to both glory and fame," Huo Yuhao declared, his voice carrying a weight of solemnity and determination.

The students exchanged glances, a mixture of surprise and doubt evident on their faces.

"A sect? Is it Tang Sect?" Xie Huanyue echoed, his eyes narrowed.

Huo Yuhao shook his head. "No, it's entirely new. Do you want to join or not?"

"... And why should we join? Why ask us now?" Xie Huanyue asked.

Huo Yuhao smirked, his expression slightly dark. "Because every student here is in the top 1% of the academy's outer courtyard, doing this now seems much convenient than go around asking you one by one. As for why you should join, heh, tell me, do you prefer to start at the bottom? Or do you want to start at the top of a new order, shaping the future of cultivation with me?"

The students exchanged glances, pondering Huo Yuhao's words carefully. Joining a new sect meant taking a leap of faith into the unknown, but it also presented an opportunity for growth and adventure unlike anything they had experienced before.

Xie Huanyue stepped forward, cupping his hands, his expression determined. "I want to be part of this," he declared, his voice resolute.

He was part of a new generation of soul master family, so although his martial soul was among the top, his foundation was unstable. If he could get his hands on some secret techniques that can help compliment his martial soul and physique, then

'Besides, I can always just leave if it gets hard or his sect fails.' He thought to himself, hiding his emotions.

One by one, the other students followed suit, expressing their willingness to join Huo Yuhao's new sect and become stronger.

Huo Yuhao smiled, "Welcome, to the Akatsuki."

Time passed by and the students went back to their classroom, the exam done. In Class 1, Zhou Yi's loud and strict voice filled the room.

"DO YOU ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU HAD DONE?!" She shouted, harshly scolding Huo Yuhao, Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong'er and Wu Feng at their faces.

All four of them had blank expressions and thin smiles, their hands behind their backs and a heavy metal tub on each of their heads as they stood in front of the class.

Zhou Yi's anger seemed to rise at their nonchalant demeanor. "You four and the others decided to take matters into your own hands and challenge the authority of Elder Xuan! He's basically the vice leader of the entire school! Do you have any idea of the consequences of your actions?"

Huo Yuhao, Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong'er, and Wu Feng exchanged glances, their expressions unyielding despite Zhou Yi's admonishment.

Zhou Yi's eyes twitched, she turned towards Huo Yuhao. "This entire fiasco is all your doing, why do it? Yuhao, as the smartass that you are, I know you have a reason behind this madness. So, why?"

Huo Yuhao's gaze met Zhou Yi's, his expression serene yet determined. "Teacher Zhou, we did it to challenge the status quo. I know why Elder Xuan and the other higher ups wanted seven winners, they wanted candidates for the next Shrek Seven Monsters."

"The Shrek Seven Monsters?!" Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Wu Feng and the rest of their classmates yelled out in disbelief. The legendary seven heroes that liberated the continent from the evil Spirit Hall that had almost conquered the whole continent ten thousand years ago, they are also known as the strongest soul masters in recorded history.

Zhou Yi narrowed her eyes and let out a sigh. She crossed her arms before her chest and said, "You guessed right, the seven winners for this exam would likely be groomed as potential successors to the Shrek Seven Monsters. But challenging such a system isn't something to take lightly. It's not just about defying authority; it's about questioning the very foundation of our school and its values. Also, being Shrek Seven Monsters give you all kinds of benefits. One of them being that, upon graduation, if you continue being in the academy, you will given the position of at least a low ranking Sea God Pavilion elder or a guest elder if you don't."

She then glared at the students at the back. "This is, of course, classified information to most people. So if you don't want to get expelled... or worse... then all of you better stay silent."

They hurriedly nodded like chickens, their faces pale white.

Huo Yuhao shook his head. "Teacher Zhou, although it sounds very tempting, but I don't like to cling to some past glories. I respect their legacies and achievements, but I believe in forging our own path, creating our own legacy. The Shrek Seven Monsters are admirable figures, but they belong to a different era. We should strive to surpass their achievements, not simply imitate them."

Zhou Yi regarded Huo Yuhao with a mix of frustration and admiration. "Huo Yuhao, your idealism is both your greatest strength and your greatest weakness. But remember, challenging the status quo isn't easy. It requires sacrifice, determination, and sometimes, a willingness to face the consequences of your actions."

Huo Yuhao nodded solemnly. "I understand, Teacher Zhou. We're prepared to face whatever challenges come our way. We won't back down from our beliefs."

"Yeah! We need to carve our own path!" Wang Dong'er chimed in, her eyes shining with determination.

Xiao Xiao nodded in agreement. "We won't be bound by tradition or expectations. We'll create something new, something that reflects who we are and what we believe in."

Wu Feng added, "And if that means challenging the established order, then so be it. We won't shy away from the responsibility of shaping our own destiny." she clenched her hands, speaking from her heart.

Zhou Yi sighed, but there was a hint of pride in her eyes. "Very well, then. If you're determined to pursue your own path, I won't stand in your way. But remember, the road ahead won't be easy. You'll face opposition, criticism, and perhaps even hostility. Are you prepared for that?"

Huo Yuhao and his friends exchanged glances, their resolve unwavering. "We are, Teacher Zhou. We'll face whatever comes our way together, as long as we stay true to ourselves."

"And I'm sure the others share the same feeling, even if some are being forced to it..." Wang Dong'er said to herself, giggling as she thought of a certain simp.

Huo Yuhao's eyes flashed with a glint of goldish-red and he grinned. "Looks like you're right..."

Sea God Island, within the pavilion, numerous key figures of the academy gathered together for a meeting once more.

While the one sitting at the head was silent and seemingly asleep, the one beside him, Elder Xuan was not sitting idly by.

With a fierce and overwhelming aura exuding all around his body, he slammed his fist onto the table, causing it to shatter into pieces. His eyes wide with rage as he looked at the calm Elder Lin.

"Let the trial of Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin, commence. The punishment for the crimes that they have committed: death. Any objections?"

....

AN: Sorry for the late update. There has been a thunderstorm in my place for a couple of days, causing power poles and electrical wires to snap. No worries, everything's fine, except for some property damages. The reason behind my absence is because the internet went down for a few days. See, after power was restored and everything was getting fixed, the wires for the wifis around the town got cut and internet was out.

It was momentarily restored, but wanting to prevent any bad connections from happening, the people responsible for the wifis/internet connection in our town had to do some maintenance that took 2 days. 2 days!

So yeah, I'm still alive! See ya'll next week with the usual schedule. I gotta amped up writing, I'm so behind on some things...

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