Time flowed on. Thanks to Shrek Academy's elite healing resources and Huo Yuhao's own formidable recuperative abilities, his injuries healed at an astonishing rate.
Though full recovery would take time, he had gradually regained partial mobility.
Simultaneously, he devoted immense energy to developing the Tang Sect's Soul Engineering Hall.
Leveraging advanced knowledge gained at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy and his unique mastery of spiritual power, Huo Yuhao steered the Tang Sect's Soul Engineering Hall onto a solid trajectory. Through Shrek Academy's connections, they secured custom orders and repair contracts for soul devices, showing promising growth.
That day, Xiao Xiao enthusiastically invited Gu La to visit the Tang Sect's newly built Soul Engineering Hall and training grounds.
Gu La readily agreed. Upon arrival, he found Huo Yuhao in the arena, sparring against Jing Ziyan—a former Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy student now with the Tang Sect.
Huo Yuhao's body appeared motionless, yet a formless, razor-sharp spiritual shockwave erupted from him. Jing Ziyan hadn't even raised a proper defense when she grunted, her eyes instantly glazing over. She staggered back as Huo Yuhao's ice sword pressed against her throat.
Gu La's brow lifted, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Even if Jing Ziyan had underestimated him or held back, Huo Yuhao—still recovering—had effortlessly subdued a Soul Emperor with a single strike. The quality, quantity, and precision of his spiritual power were terrifying.
Huo Yuhao had been about to explain the technique's nuances to the Tang Sect members when he spotted Gu La and Xiao Xiao. He smiled and cut himself off.
Gu La approached, grinning with genuine interest: "Why stop? Did seeing us make you hold back? I was eager to hear about your new move's secrets."
Huo Yuhao laughed openly, his tone laced with friendly banter and pre-tournament rivalry:
"Gu La, this is one of my trump cards for the tournament—meant to outmaneuver opponents… ahem, secure victory. Why would I reveal it to you, my strongest rival?"
Gu La's smile didn't waver. His gaze sharpened, piercing through pretenses as he stated plainly: "An extremely potent and perilous application of spiritual willpower."
"It seems anchored and amplified by a powerful emotion, vastly enhancing the penetration and disruptive effect of spiritual waves on the soul. Clever… but dangerous."
He understood now why the future God of Emotions, Rong Nianbing, would take an interest in him.
Huo Yuhao's "Hao Dong Three Ultimate Techniques," born from his obsessive love and protective resolve for Wang Dong'er, were still crude—but they had glimpsed the path to wielding spiritual power through emotion. With time and refinement, they would shine brilliantly.
Huo Yuhao's face betrayed unguarded shock.
He hadn't expected Gu La's insight to be so piercing—to see through the core of his newfound ability in an instant.
Indeed, during the bone replacement's inhuman agony, he had clung to memories of Wang Dong'er. In that crucible of love and devotion, he had accidentally unlocked this advanced spiritual technique.
He conceded with a wry smile: "You always see through everything."
They chatted briefly about cultivation insights before parting ways to prepare for the upcoming journey.
—
Departure day arrived swiftly.
To showcase the Tang Sect's "independence," Shrek Academy's team and the Tang Sect's squad would travel separately to Mingdu.
To Gu La, this "independence" felt hollow—virtually every Tang Sect member had deep ties to Shrek.
Gu La made his arrangements.
He split off a clone possessing half his true strength to accompany Shrek's main team.
His true body slipped away quietly, rendezvousing with the "Natural Sect" squad—founded by his other avatars in the Dou Ling Empire. Together, they set off.
Natural Sect's "eight members" were all Gu La in disguise.
Clad in masks of ancient design, they radiated pure, harmonious natural energy. They traveled at a normal pace along standard routes, unhurried, toward Mingdu.
This year's tournament rewards weren't spirit bones but precious high-tier soul devices.
The champion team would receive a ninth-grade soul device; runners-up, eighth-grade; third place, seventh-grade.
Ninth-grade soul devices were Sun Moon Empire's strategic-level assets—unique and irreplaceable.
For the three Douluo nations, desperate to advance their soul device technology, this was an irresistible lure. They would spare no effort.
For Crown Prince Xu Tianran—who had already prepared for war—even surrendering a ninth-grade soul device mattered little. Neither Shrek nor the three nations would have time to study or mass-produce it.
But if he could recruit sects as Sun Moon's spies during the tournament, they'd gain a decisive edge in the coming war.
—
Along the road, Gu La's eight avatars encountered other teams heading to Mingdu.
His seven avatars—all strikingly handsome or beautiful, exuding varied auras of coolness, fervor, calm, or liveliness—naturally drew attention.
But all were bound for the tournament. Few sought trouble, and the group reached the Sun Moon capital uneventfully.
Mingdu's streets were unnaturally wide, paved with soul-device metals and special stone—a seamless blend of modernity and soul-tech.
Patrols of soldiers in standardized soul-armor moved methodically. Order reigned, yet an undercurrent of martial tension lingered.
At the registration desk, officials barely glanced up at the unfamiliar name "Natural Sect."
The continent was vast—hidden sects occasionally surfaced for competitions. After verifying their bone ages (all under twenty), they were swiftly registered.
As unknown newcomers with no reputation, Natural Sect was assigned to the hotel's second tier—poor accommodations.
Famed teams like Shrek Academy occupied the luxurious top floor. Coincidentally, the likewise obscure Tang Sect was also placed on the second tier.
Soon after settling in, Huo Yuhao habitually expanded his spiritual detection, relaying the hotel's layout and occupants to his teammates.
"I'll mark Soul Saints and above with black dots, Soul Emperors with purple, Soul Kings with yellow… We can gauge each team's strength."
His million-year soul skill operated silently, undetected by the hotel's many powerhouses.
"Impossible!" Xu Sanshi blurted first. "In the room two doors down, there are four black dots and four purple ones! That's…"
Bei Bei's expression turned grave: "Could it be a team of instructors meeting privately?"
But eight dots matched a standard competition squad's size. Adding instructors would exceed that number—too coincidental to dismiss.
Huo Yuhao's face darkened as he intensified his scan. "Their life-force signatures… are all youthful. They're definitely competitors!"
"What sect could this be?" Jiang Nannan frowned. "Even Shrek Academy—barring Gu La, who leveraged his Angel martial soul and luck to reach Soul Saint before twenty—has no second under-twenty Soul Saint. Yet they have four?"
He Caitou's eyes narrowed. "Could they be… evil soul masters?"
If so, forbidden techniques for devouring others' cultivation might explain their speed.
Huo Yuhao shook his head, puzzled: "No. Their energy is pure and natural. One has a ghostly-cold martial soul; another wields Ultimate Darkness and Ice. But both are immaculate—no trace of the chaos, corruption, or resentment that marks evil soul masters."
Silence fell over the Tang Sect members.
All were Shrek's elite, geniuses among their peers. Suddenly discovering a completely unknown team whose strength might dwarf theirs triggered profound pressure and disbelief.
As captain, Bei Bei knew morale had to be steadied—ideally, ignited.
He took a deep breath and stepped forward: "Yuhao, what's your analysis? How should we proceed?"
After a pause, Huo Yuhao replied: "First, we must identify them. Earlier, we met Princess Xu Jiujiu of Xing Luo Empire's team, right?"
"We can leak this information to her, asking her to investigate their background. Learning their martial souls and abilities would be ideal."
"A team with four Soul Saints won't reveal all their cards early. Every scrap of intel increases our chances."
Privately, Huo Yuhao also planned to use the Princess—and Xing Luo's intelligence network—to spread word of this mysterious powerhouse. Other strong teams would inevitably test them, wearing them down.
Otherwise, facing Soul Saint-level True Body abilities head-on, Tang Sect's chances of victory were near zero.
"I'll speak to Princess Xu." Bei Bei volunteered. Adjusting his robes, he stepped out.
Back in the Tang Sect's room, tension hung thick. Everyone pondered tactics.
But Bei Bei had barely walked a few steps down the corridor when his gaze locked onto a figure at the far end. He froze like a statue struck by lightning.
That slender silhouette was none other than Tang Ya—the woman he'd yearned for, searched for endlessly.
"X…Xiao Ya?" Bei Bei's voice trembled with disbelief and raw hope.
Instinctively, he activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps. Like a phantom, he materialized before her, reaching desperately for her hand.
Her response wasn't the tender smile he remembered.
It was cold, emotionless eyes—and a palm wreathed in dark-blue vines, lashing out with lethal force!
Thud!
The blow struck Bei Bei square in the chest. Unprepared, he spat blood, his body crashing backward like a broken kite into the corridor wall.
"Bei Bei!"
"Senior Brother!"
The Tang Sect members rushed out at the commotion. They found Bei Bei on the floor, bleeding and pale, facing Tang Ya—expressionless—and the terrifying, gloomy elder beside her: Scorpion Tiger Douluo, Zhang Peng.
Every heart plummeted.
Huo Yuhao's pupils contracted. He stared at Tang Ya and the elder, horror surging within: Holy Spirit Cult!
Blood trickled from Bei Bei's lips. Pain and disbelief contorted his face as he fixed his gaze on the familiar-yet-alien figure.
Huo Yuhao reacted instantly. Shoving down his own shock, he flashed between Bei Bei and the attackers. Subtly supporting his swaying body, he channeled stabilizing soul power into him.
"Senior Brother, stay calm!" Huo Yuhao's voice was low but unshakable. "Xiao Ya's state is unnatural—her eyes hollow, her energy… She's likely under evil control! We must retreat!"
His words doused Bei Bei's near-hysteria with cold clarity.
'Yes. My Xiao Ya would never look at me like a stranger. Never strike me so hard. She's controlled. She must be.'
Xu Sanshi half-carried, half-supported Bei Bei while signaling the others. Wang Dong'er, He Caitou, and the rest quickly formed a protective circle, retreating into their room and slamming the door shut—blocking Zhang Peng's icy glare and Tang Ya's vacant stare.
Inside the relative safety of their room, Huo Yuhao fed Bei Bei a healing pill. Seeing his ashen face and shattered spirit, he said firmly. "Senior Brother, our priority is uncovering the Holy Spirit Cult's goal and freeing Xiao Ya. Impulse solves nothing."
His gaze swept the team, sharp and commanding: "Compared to the Holy Spirit Cult's presence, that mysterious sect next door is secondary. They're a continent-wide scourge. We must spread this warning."
After stabilizing Bei Bei and leaving Xu Sanshi to watch him, Huo Yuhao wasted no time. He personally sought out Princess Xu Jiujiu on a higher floor.
In her lavishly decorated sitting room, Huo Yuhao's face was grim as he disclosed all he knew of the Holy Spirit Cult. He emphasized Zhang Peng's presence, even hinting cryptically at the terrifying possibility that Long Xiaoyao, the Dragon Emperor Douluo—peer of Dragon God Douluo—might be linked to them.
Princess Xu Jiujiu, well-versed in world affairs, paled. She grasped the crisis's severity.
"…Therefore, Your Highness, the Holy Spirit Cult's appearance at the tournament signals grave intentions. We must prepare early."
Huo Yuhao concluded, smoothly pivoting to promote the Tang Sect's Zhuge Crossbow Cannons: "If Xing Luo's borders were equipped with Tang Sect cannons, they'd stand firmer against the looming threat."
Xu Jiujiu, sharp and calculating, understood Huo Yuhao's intent—and the value of his intelligence.
She solemnly promised to relay the warning through secret channels and deploy Xing Luo's spy network to track the Holy Spirit Cult.
She also showed keen interest in the cannons. Learning ordinary soldiers could operate them after training, she placed massive orders on the spot.
—
Meanwhile, in Shrek Academy's luxury suite on the hotel's top floor.
Gu La's clone lounged comfortably in a plush chair, sipping Mingdu's signature juice.
Sharing Gu La's synchronized mind and memories, the clone relished the opulent setting—starkly contrasted with the Tang Sect's humble quarters below.
Team leader Zhang Lexuan returned from a secret meeting with Huo Yuhao. She carried the shocking news of the Holy Spirit Cult's appearance.
Her elegant face showed little emotion, but her furrowed brow and heavy steps betrayed her turmoil.
Entering the living room, she scanned the relaxed clone. Composing herself, she approached him.
"Gu La, you seem carefree? I have grim news."
The clone set down his cup, meeting her gaze. A faint smile lingered on his lips: "Senior sister, what weighs on you so heavily?"
Zhang Lexuan lowered her voice, sharing Huo Yuhao's discovery of a team with three Soul Saints—and the Holy Spirit Cult threat. She felt the Angel martial soul wielder deserved to know, her tone thick with worry.
"…That's the situation. An unknown team with at least three Soul Saints poses a massive threat. The Holy Spirit Cult no longer hides—they stand openly, unafraid of the three Douluo nations or Shrek Academy."
The clone's expression remained unruffled, no trace of shock or tension.
Of course—he knew the "mysterious team" was his own Natural Sect avatars.
As for the Holy Spirit Cult… mere walking resources.
Seeing Zhang Lexuan's anxiety, he smiled. His voice held unshakable confidence:
"Don't worry, Sister Lexuan."
He rose, walking to the window. Gazing down at Mingdu's glittering lights and hidden currents, he spoke slowly, meaningfully:
"I will show the world that not all Soul Saints are equal."
His words were soft but carried the weight of mountains. An aura of absolute power—calm, arrogant—filled the room. Zhang Lexuan's unease eased inexplicably.
Perhaps this inscrutable youth truly held cards that could turn the tide.
Zhang Lexuan watched Gu La's back, vision blurring as if seeing a colossal angelic avatar blotting out the sky—judgment poised for all evil.
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