Although many were tempted, no one spoke up.
Instead, everyone looked toward Mu En.
As Yuhao's teacher, current Pavilion Master of the Sea God's Pavilion, and the strongest of Shrek Academy,
this decision rested with him.
"Yuhao, your intentions are good," Mu En said calmly, "but things aren't as simple as you think."
"The Muscle Transformation Manual indeed has miraculous effects, capable of turning the rotten into the wondrous. But it also demands extremely high comprehension."
"Most soul masters won't even be able to get started. Even if they manage to learn it by luck, few can walk far on this path."
"And remember this—possessing a treasure makes you guilty of it. The Holy Flame Meow Meow Sect recruiting openly with such methods is bound to invite calamity."
Huo Yuhao blinked.
Eh? The Muscle Transformation Manual… is it really that hard?
He looked at Wang Dong, who just shook his head blankly.
Wasn't this just use hands, get results?
The two of them wore an expression of "why can't they just eat meat porridge,"
which actually made Mu En chuckle.
"Since you don't believe me, let's test it."
"Shaozhe, arrange for Yuhao's class to be the trial group. Let him teach."
"Yuhao, Wang Dong—how long did it take you to master Muscle Transformation Manual?"
"Dunno, just kinda practiced until it worked." Wang Dong muttered, dazed.
"About half a day," Huo Yuhao estimated. "But back then in the Star Dou Forest, we wasted a lot of time traveling."
"Good. Then teach it for one day," Mu En decided.
"If half the class can grasp it, you may recruit whomever you like. But if not, you'll follow the Academy's plan. Agreed?"
Huo Yuhao nodded repeatedly.
From the sound of it, his teacher did intend to promote Muscle Transformation Manual—
but most likely within the inner court, among the true geniuses.
Even without Sister Xiao Tao's 20,000 Fortune Points buff, at least half of them should succeed, right?
That's another fortune waiting to be earned!
"Then I'll go make the arrangements," Yan Shaozhe said. "Little Yuhao, you stay and chat with Teacher. Come to class in half an hour."
"Okay, Senior Brother." Yuhao replied.
"See you, Senior Brother~" Wang Dong waved.
Lin'er and the others also said their goodbyes.
Now Mu En gave some guidance on cultivation.
Wang Dong had solid foundations, so Mu En only gave a few pointers.
But Yuhao was trickier—despite Zhuge Lan's crash-course tutoring improving his physique, his theory was still lacking.
"These things, I'll have Shaozhe compile for you later," Mu En said.
Yuhao nodded obediently.
But soon, Mu En's energy faltered.
Unbelievably, the mighty Limit Douluo actually yawned.
"Teacher, what's wrong?" Yuhao asked with concern.
"Old age," Mu En said naturally. "This body isn't what it once was. You two go ahead, I'll sleep a while…"
His voice trailed off, sinking into slumber.
How tired must he be…?
Wang Dong pulled out a blanket to cover him, then quietly left with Yuhao.
"Brother Lan, what's happening to Teacher?" Yuhao asked in his heart.
"His lifespan's running out," Zhuge Lan chuckled. "Now you've got a choice: use your latest fortune to awaken Tianmeng's spiritual power early, or spend 550,000 Fortune Points to buy a drop of Life Essence to extend Mu En's life by ten years."
Huo Yuhao's eyelid twitched.
He checked his balance: 571,287 Destiny Points.
Another cruel choice!
Inside his spiritual sea, Tianmeng Iceworm glared at Zhuge Lan.
"You sure that 550k price isn't you messing with us?"
Zhuge Lan wasn't bothered.
"This Life Essence comes directly from the Life God King's body. It can take an ordinary soul master all the way to Titled Douluo. But for Mu En, a Level 99 Limit Douluo, it only buys ten years."
"Now tell me—too expensive, or a bargain?"
Tianmeng smashed his head into the ground in frustration.
Expensive? Not at all!
If not for Zhuge Lan, such a divine treasure couldn't even be found on this continent.
And Tianmeng understood all too well how vital a backer was.
—If it had someone like Mu En protecting it back then, would Di Tian have dared drag it off for mass absorption?
So Tianmeng whispered:
"Forget it, Little Yuhao. Give the old man the drop. Next time, awaken me."
"Sorry, Brother Tianmeng, next time—I promise!" Yuhao swore.
That soothed Tianmeng a little.
Zhuge Lan only smiled knowingly.
---
Freshman Class One.
Yan Shaozhe presided personally.
The students sat in meditation, connected through spiritual detection sharing, learning Muscle Transformation Manual.
Even with near first-hand transmission, more than 90% still couldn't enter the door.
Only a few caught glimpses of it.
Huo Yuhao sighed inwardly.
Teacher was right after all…
He decided to drop his original scheme.
Although Brother Lan could always whip up a watered-down version of the technique,
as Teacher warned, it would attract too much attention.
He hadn't thought that far before.
Now he understood—pushing it further would just be reckless.
If he wanted to change the world, he needed enough strength first.
Having decided, Huo Yuhao calmed his mind and cultivated the Muscle Transformation Manual for himself.
Time passed quietly, until the evening bell rang.
"That's enough, wake up," Yan Shaozhe's voice pulled everyone from meditation without harm.
"Those who mastered the technique, stand up."
A small figure jumped up excitedly.
Xiao Xiao!
[Fate of Xiao Xiao altered, +750 Fortune Points!]
Everyone else exchanged awkward looks.
Not a second success.
Yan Shaozhe raised an eyebrow.
So the entry barrier really was that high?
But thinking of its effects, he nodded.
Of course. If everyone could grasp such a heaven-defying scripture easily, this continent would be chaos.
"Xiao Xiao stays. Everyone else, class dismissed."
He added sternly:
"Remember the confidentiality agreement. Anyone who leaks this will face Shrek Academy's full wrath!"
"Yes, Dean Yan!"
The students filed out.
Xiao Xiao skipped over to Huo Yuhao, grinning like a flower.
"Class Monitor! I'm amazing, right?"
"No one else learned it, but I did!"
"Do you like me more now?"
Huo Yuhao gazed up at the sky helplessly.
Why her, of all people?
Trouble ahead…
Yan Shaozhe's eyes flicked between her and Wang Dong, who was just watching the scene with amusement.
Tsk! Didn't she know that when a girl chases a boy, it's like a thin veil between them?
If she really snatched Huo Yuhao away, Wang Dong would be crying.
No, this wouldn't do.
He had to help his little junior sister!
Yan Shaozhe looked at Xiao Xiao.
For someone who could comprehend Muscle Transformation Manual, her talent was definitely first-class.
"Xiao Xiao, would you like to become my registered disciple?"
The girl froze mid-flirt.
Huh?
Yan Shaozhe—the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, a Titled Douluo—
wanted her as a disciple?!
Even if only a registered one, it was still a heavenly fortune!
"Really? I—I'm willing!" Xiao Xiao cried.
She dropped to her knees and knocked her head three times.
Yan Shaozhe nodded in satisfaction.
"Then you'll team up with Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong for the academy's elimination rounds."
"If you earn your way into the inner court, you'll join your senior sister in living under my tutelage."
After giving a few instructions, Yan Shaozhe soared away—he had much work to do.
Xiao Xiao waved until he disappeared.
Only then did her excitement calm down enough for her to notice—
…something wasn't right.