"This is Sea God Lake," Tang Ya explained, "built in memory of our Tang Sect ancestor, Thousand Hands Douluo Tang San."
"The Inner Court is located on the island at the center of the lake. All Outer Court disciples consider it an honor to be able to set foot on the island!"
"Me too!" Huo Yuhao replied, though he remained silent, offering no further comment. His current opinion of Tang San was decidedly negative.
Sea God Lake was vast. After walking along the lakeside for nearly half an hour, they entered a wide plaza.
A massive sign read: "Shrek Plaza!"
Behind the plaza stood a series of tall buildings, their facades painted in white, yellow, purple, and black.
In the distance to the north, a cluster of gray buildings could also be seen.
Tang Ya continued her explanation:
"The colors represent different grade levels: white for freshmen, yellow for second and third-year Outer Court disciples, purple for fourth and fifth-year disciples, and black for sixth-year disciples. Only those who graduate from the black building receive their Outer Court graduation certificate.
"The gray buildings in the distance belong to the Soul Tool Department."
"Behind this are the Soul Arena, Assessment Zone, Dormitory Area, Faculty Office Area, and more. I'll show you around when we have time."
As they spoke, the two arrived at the white classroom building at the southernmost end of the campus.
Because it was the beginning of the academic year, the place was bustling with activity. Many freshmen who had passed the assessment were registering.
Bei Bei had been waiting for some time, holding a stack of forms.
"You're here," he said.
"Look over this form. I filled it out for you earlier. If anything's wrong, you can correct it now."
Huo Yuhao glanced over it quickly and saw that everything was correct.
Then, with Bei Bei leading the way, the registration process went smoothly, like a green light all the way through.
He received his dormitory key, two sets of school uniforms, and a white Freshman Badge.
Huo Yuhao felt a bit dazed.
'So... I've just become a freshman at the number one academy on the continent?'
Bei Bei patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Little Yuhao, go back to the freshman dormitory and take some time to process everything."
"The new academic year doesn't officially start for another three days. You have plenty of time."
"Teacher Xiaoya and I have to prepare for the promotion test these next few days to advance to fourth year."
"Once you've settled in, come find me in dormitory 316. I'll introduce you to some friends of mine." Huo Yuhao immediately understood that these "friends" were ones he'd be asked to keep an eye on.
He simply nodded in agreement.
Tang Ya was visibly reluctant to see him go. Dragged away by Bei Bei, she kept glancing back, tears welling in her eyes.
'Won't you stay for dinner?'
Huo Yuhao understood her unspoken plea, but, unaware of the dormitory rules for freshmen, he could only offer a polite farewell.
Once they were out of sight, he hurried toward the white dormitory entrance.
There, sprawled in a lounge chair, was Mu En. His face, etched with wrinkles like tree bark, drooped in a half-asleep, weathered state.
Several freshmen walked by, ignoring him completely.
Huo Yuhao did not.
Approaching respectfully, he said, "Hello, Grandpa. I'm a new student here to check into my dorm. Do you need to see my Freshman Badge?"
Mu En didn't lift his head, his voice raspy as he replied, "The girls' dorms start on the fourth floor. Any guys who go up there will be immediately expelled."
"Thank you," Huo Yuhao said, bowing again before heading to his assigned room, 108.
Mu En raised his eyelids slightly, the wrinkles on his face softening. "Talented and well-mannered. The White Tiger Duke's Manor really does..."
"Now that he's enrolled at Shrek and that mysterious Holy Flame Sect, things are going to get interesting."
The sound gradually faded away until it disappeared.
__
This way.
Huo Yuhao found his dormitory door, took out his key, and was about to enter.
That whole journey had really put him through the wringer!
He couldn't wait to get into bed, cross his legs, and intensively cultivate!
The tangible improvement in his physique was truly irresistible. He didn't want to stop.
But just as he lifted his left foot, a violent gust of wind blew him back.
A handsome youth emerged, with fair skin and features even more striking than Bei Bei's.
His most distinctive feature was his large, pale pink-blue eyes.
Just that appearance.
Instinctively, Huo Yuhao's fondness for him increased by one point. He smiled and waved in greeting.
"Hello, roommate. I've been assigned to this dormitory..."
"Whatever," the youth interrupted rudely, looking down his nose. "If you want to live here, you have to follow my rules."
"First: No bringing unauthorized guests back to the dormitory!"
"Second: No walking around naked and offending others!"
"Third: No snoring while sleeping!"
"Fourth: Don't disturb me at any time!"
"Rule five: You'll be responsible for cleaning the dormitory from now on, but don't touch my bed!"
"Got that?"
Even Huo Yuhao, usually so easygoing, couldn't help but frown.
He lowered his hand, which he'd raised in greeting, and asked calmly, "Why should I listen to you?"
"You won't?" The young man raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll beat you out!"
His arrogant posture reminded Huo Yuhao of the nobles at the Duke's Manor who had bullied him, looking down on him with disdain.
Back then, he'd been powerless to resist. But times had changed!
"Fine, let's try it. Let's fight outside!"
"Let's go!"
The youth's clipped words dripped with contempt, further fueling the fire in Huo Yuhao's heart.
In the spiritual realm, Zhuge Lan stroked his chin, observing the fateful encounter between the two.
This was naturally Wang Dong—Wang Dong'er disguised as a man.
She was Tang Wutong, Tang San's daughter, who, after having her memories of the God Realm sealed, had grown up in the mortal world as a "second personality."
But in the near future, she would be merged with Wang Qiu'er to become Tang Wutong.
Would she still be Wang Dong'er?
Zhuge Lan didn't even believe she was Tang Wutong, merely the daughter of the Tang God King possessing the memories of three women—a "leash" to bind Huo Yuhao.
He disliked this outcome and was determined to change it. While he pondered,
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong had already exchanged over a dozen fierce blows.
This time, Huo Yuhao lacked the Tang Sect's advanced techniques, and his cultivation of the Muscle Transformation Manual was still in its infancy.
Even with the assistance of his spiritual detection, Wang Dong relentlessly pressed him, forcing Huo Yuhao to barely hold on.
Yet Huo Yuhao refused to yield. He used the relentless assault to temper his physique, secretly circulating the Muscle Transformation Manual to recover his strength.
He resolved to outlast his opponent.
Occasionally, when he glimpsed a flaw in Wang Dong's combinations, he would strike for vital points, forcing Wang Dong to abandon his attack and retreat.
After several such incidents, Wang Dong's temper flared.
"You ten-year Soul Ring freak! Are you made of turtle shell?"
"You think you're so good at predicting my moves, huh?"
"Then let's clash head-on!"
Wang Dong abandoned his techniques, his legs whirling like steel whips as he unleashed a tempestuous assault on Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao continued to defend doggedly.
"Tsk!" Zhuge Lan interjected, "If it weren't for that fool's arrogance—mistaking the white Soul Ring and refusing to use his Martial Soul—you'd have lost long ago."
Huo Yuhao remained silent, focusing solely on defense.
Wang Dong was as stubborn as a mule.
True to his word, he refrained from using his Martial Soul and relentlessly pressed his attacks. He refused to believe that this guy could exhaust him!
And indeed, that's exactly what happened.
Wang Dong's attacks were powerful, swift, and relentless.
Huo Yuhao could only barely defend himself, even with his full concentration focused on using his spiritual sense.
But even with the Muscle Transformation Manual restoring his strength, his frail body couldn't sustain a prolonged battle.
So...
"Alright? Need me to step in?" Zhuge Lan asked.
"No!" Huo Yuhao refused. "How can there be a rainbow without enduring the storm? I'll fight him to the end!"