After Huo Yuhao left, the three girls in the room exchanged glances.
Nanmen Yun'er and Wufeng Ning Tian had only met yesterday and were not very familiar with each other, so Nanmen Yun'er cautiously observed the other two, waiting for them to speak first.
"Ahem, Feng sister, judging by your aura, did you advance last night?" Ning Tian awkwardly cleared her throat and broke the silence.
"Yes, I leveled up." Wufeng lowered her head, her face flushed as if it could drip water.
"Ahem, I didn't expect Huo Yuhao's constitution to be so special that he could activate life energy to help others advance," Ning Tian sighed. "Yun'er and I also went to his bedside last night; our soul power rose half a level. At this rate, before Shrek Academy's newcomer assessment in three months, I'm confident I can raise five to six levels."
"I should be able to break through to Soul Sovereign…" Nanmen Yun'er blinked timidly and whispered softly.
"So it turns out Huo Yuhao is quite the treasure." Wufeng's blush faded slightly as she recalled her earlier assertiveness and his gentle cooperation. A rare soft smile appeared on her face, somewhat foolish yet happy.
"Feng sister, you…" Ning Tian noticed the expression on Wufeng's face and had a bad feeling. "You haven't… fallen for that guy, have you?"
"No way! With his skinny arms and legs, that bean sprout…" Wufeng proudly raised her small fist, but stopped mid-sentence when she caught the disdainful looks from Ning Tian and Yun'er.
"H-How?" she stammered.
"Do you think we believe you?"
Finally, Ning Tian stepped forward and patted Wufeng's shoulder. "I've sent people to thoroughly investigate Huo Yuhao's background. Once there's news, I'll let you know immediately. If conditions permit, I'll try to recruit him to the Nine Treasure Glazed Sect."
"Recruit him into the sect…" Wufeng's beautiful eyes lit up, then she looked at Ning Tian with some suspicion. "Ning Tian, are you also…"
Ning Tian didn't deny it. "He really is outstanding. He probably just needs one more soul ring. A Soul Sovereign under twelve years old, you know, as the current heir of the Nine Treasure Glazed Sect, I need a partner…"
"No! He's mine!" Wufeng shouted stubbornly, her voice almost cracking with tears. Ning Tian hurriedly tried to comfort her.
"Yours, yours, he's yours. Let's see how things turn out first; his background isn't fully investigated yet."
"Um… does Yuhao like gentle girls…" Nanmen Yun'er shrank into a corner and asked timidly.
…
Naturally, Huo Yuhao had no idea his departure had sparked a tense situation in the room. His goal today was the monthly Treasure Viewing Fair in Shrek City, organized by major merchants. As a commercial hub of the continent, Shrek City regularly attracted traders from many nations. When merchants received valuable goods, they would first hold a Treasure Viewing Fair for Shrek Academy students.
The students got the first pick, and only the leftovers would go to auction.
There were three main types of fairs: the first was organized for the academy's procurement needs—rare metals for Soul Guidance, teaching supplies for Martial Souls, precious food ingredients, and so forth.
Since most Shrek students weren't wealthy, the fair also allowed purchases on credit. Over 95% of outer academy students graduated successfully, and any who did were highly sought after talent by nations and industries alike. To graduate from the outer academy, one had to reach at least a Four-Ring Soul Master level.
Thus, merchants essentially invested in these students. They signed contracts with students to repay annually or even only after graduation, charging minimal interest.
If you gained favor with someone, they'd be more willing to help or even employ you. This was the merchants' subtle moral leverage.
They were shrewd businessmen, never doing loss-making deals. If a student passed assessments to become a core disciple and entered the inner academy, the conditions improved: no interest on loans, just principal repayment within the term, and flexible payment methods.
Though Shrek Academy was located inside Shrek City, there was no direct access between them—no backdoor connecting the two.
As one of the continent's most prosperous economic centers, Shrek City bustled with nearly five million people, comparable to imperial capitals. Huo Yuhao walked along the wide main street, wide enough for eight carriages side by side, marveling at the grandeur and scale.
Following the precise map he bought, it took about fifteen minutes to reach the Treasure Viewing Fair venue—the Treasure Pavilion.
This Treasure Pavilion was itself a large store specializing in items for soul masters and soul guides. From afar, it was a towering four-story building, about twenty-plus meters tall, occupying a large area. Its exterior gleamed like a golden treasure bowl.
Such luxury was nothing special for Huo Yuhao, but when he saw the four young women in long dresses standing at the entrance, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.
These reception girls appeared about seventeen or eighteen years old, with sweet faces and slender figures. Their long skirts concealed their lower halves, but their shoulders were bare, and their chests tightly wrapped, showing prominent cleavage. Their fair skin stood out even more against the golden Pavilion backdrop. Huo Yuhao was dumbfounded, feeling dry-mouthed.
"Ahem!" Suddenly, a loud cough echoed in his mind.
"What's with the loud cough?" The harsh cough snapped Huo Yuhao out of his daze. Peering into his spirit sea, he saw Bibi Dong glaring at him fiercely.
"What are you staring at? With so many beauties in your bed and an arranged fiancée from the Holy Spirit Sect, isn't that enough?" Bibi Dong snapped.
Looking at her alluring eyes, Huo Yuhao protested innocently, "Everyone loves beauty; I'm just looking. These ladies really are pretty."
"Hmph! Pretty, huh?" Bibi Dong sneered, hesitant to say more but ultimately held back.
Huo Yuhao rubbed his forehead helplessly. "Alright, I won't look then. Not even allowed to look at beauties now—isn't that going too far?"
Bibi Dong ignored him. Huo Yuhao resumed walking toward the Pavilion.
Before he reached the door, one of the eight girls at the entrance stepped forward with a faint smile, stopping beside him and politely asking, "Are you a soul master here to attend the Treasure Viewing Fair?"
Wearing Shrek Academy's uniform and with his unique melancholic yet proud demeanor, Huo Yuhao had already drawn much attention.
He handed over the invitation he got from the academy. After reading it, the girl's smile softened, "Student, please follow me." She gestured and led the way.
Clearly, even core disciples rarely came here at Huo Yuhao's age. As he passed between the girls, he felt their curious stares.
Huo Yuhao stood tall and proud: "Look at me, ladies—don't fall for me!"
Inside the Treasure Pavilion, opulence overwhelmed him. The golden hall glittered under the grand crystal chandeliers. Two rows of girls stood inside as well.
Compared to the eight long-dress girls outside, these inside were younger and wore skimpy golden short skirts, exposing long, fair legs. Each was above-average in looks with perfect figures—curves in all the right places. Entering the hall felt like stepping into paradise.
"Welcome, honored guest." Both rows bowed simultaneously. Seeing them bend at ninety degrees, revealing cleavage, Huo Yuhao again felt dry-mouthed.
He understood now why this was known as a decadent place on the continent. Such luxury was not for ordinary people. Although he found the environment distasteful, as a young boy, surrounded by so many beautiful girls, his body reacted instinctively.
Suddenly, his vision darkened, blocked by overwhelming spiritual power. Bibi Dong's voice rang out, "If I'd known it was like this, I wouldn't have let you come. Wouldn't want you to go bad."
(End of chapter)
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