Faced with Ma Xiaotao's inquiry,
Huo Yuhao answered vaguely, "Ah... I had some opportunities in the Extreme North."
"I don't care!" Ma Xiaotao's eyes were full of fighting spirit. "We agreed back then, have a fight with me! And you're not allowed to use that dagger soul tool!"
Wang Dong stepped forward unobtrusively, positioning himself in front of Huo Yuhao.
"Sister Xiaotao, Yuhao just got back and has already fought two matches in a row."
"Look, his clothes are stained red with blood."
"Let him rest for now."
Ma Xiaotao found this reasonable and pouted in dissatisfaction.
"Fine then, we'll fight another day."
She looked at Zhang Lexuan and smiled.
"Little Yuhao, hurry up and 'collect' Senior Sister!"
Her wording was rather ambiguous.
But pointing it out would make him seem like he had a dirty mind.
Huo Yuhao changed the subject—
"Right now, you have two choices."
"One is to join the Holy Flame Sect and become a Saintess like Sister Xiaotao, sharing the teaching resources of the Holy Flame Sect."
"The other is to join the Ice God Temple. If you choose this one, I can promise you a full set of 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone. And you don't have to wait until level 90; you can get them right away."
His words caused an uproar among everyone present!
Before anyone could question it,
Ma Xiaotao and Wang Dong both released their soul rings.
Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Red!
Yellow, Purple, Black, Red!
Everyone: o(°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
What the hell!
Two 100,000-year soul rings?
But more eyes were on Wang Dong. Could that progression speed be right?
Ahem! Wang Dong vouched for him, "My 100,000-year soul ring was obtained with Yuhao's help. You don't need to be max level to absorb it."
Obviously!
The fact that you could absorb it as your fourth soul ring is proof enough!
Now, everyone's eyes changed.
If you had mentioned this condition earlier, would Senior Sister have been able to refuse?!
This is a matching set of 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone!
Who could resist that?
Plus, the Holy Flame Sect has a close relationship with Shrek, so there's no opposition between them.
Only a fool would refuse...
"I refuse." Zhang Lexuan said without hesitation. "I've sworn an oath to protect Shrek Academy for life. This Ice God Temple sounds like some kind of faith-based organization. I cannot join."
Ah, this...
Huo Yuhao also didn't expect Zhang Lexuan to refuse?
That's a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone!
"You forgot to mention the key point," Zhuge Lan said. "Tell her who the High Priest of the Ice God Temple is."
Will that work?
Huo Yuhao explained, "The Ice God Temple is indeed an organization devoted to an individual. However, the High Priest is my teacher—also your foster father, Teacher Mu. Would you like to reconsider?"
"What?!"
"Dragon God Douluo?"
"Teacher joined this Ice God Temple?"
The people on the side were emotionally stirred, stunned by this news.
Zhang Lexuan, however, frowned deeply, unable to believe it at all.
But the one saying this was Huo Yuhao, Teacher Mu's last disciple.
Could it be...
Really true?
"I need to verify this," Zhang Lexuan said.
"Of course. The doors of the Holy Flame Sect or the Ice God Temple are always open to you," Huo Yuhao said. "Oh, and the Ice God Temple has a special mental cultivation method that requires severing emotions and desires, cultivating the Path of No Emotion."
Zhang Lexuan paused, a growing light in her eyes.
"The Path of No Emotion? It can truly sever emotions and desires?"
Huh?
Her tone actually carried a hint of anticipation?
Just as Brother Lan said, this Zhang Lexuan is the most suitable candidate for that plan.
"Correct," Huo Yuhao confirmed. "With each advancement in the Ice Heart Art, one of the seven emotions and six desires will be severed. Of course, the boost gained is also tremendous. The specifics can only be accessed after you join."
Zhang Lexuan nodded in understanding, turned around, and left quickly.
"I'm going to find Teacher Mu. I'll be back soon!"
Her tone carried a trace of urgency, clearly very interested in the Ice Heart Art.
This piqued many people's curiosity.
Xiao Xiao asked Ma Xiaotao, "Sister Xiaotao, this Senior Sister... is there someone she really wants to forget?"
"Yes," Ma Xiaotao said with complexity. "It involves Senior Sister's past, so I shouldn't say more. In short, if she could forget that person, it would be a kind of liberation for Senior Sister."
Such vague words only fueled more curiosity.
But even someone as straightforward as Ma Xiaotao was avoiding the topic, so pressing further would be impolite.
They could only change the subject.
"Class Monitor!" Xiao Xiao moved closer. "What is this Ice God Temple? Its priority is actually higher than the Sacred Fire Sect?"
Huo Yuhao weighed his words.
Because this is an organization that worships him, and a hidden trump card in future plans.
So he said vaguely—
"The Holy Flame Sect believes in 'Isn't it a joy to have friends come from afar?'"
"Any sect or school can join; there aren't many restrictions."
"The Ice God Temple, however, is a religious faith that requires offering loyalty and belief. Its rules are extremely strict."
"Of course, the benefits and treatment are also the best. Based on talent, the highest level, like for Senior Sister, includes a full set of 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone upon joining."
"If any free individuals are willing to join, you can sign up with me."
"But let me state clearly in advance, after joining the Ice God Temple, faith comes first. Moreover, cultivating the Ice Heart Art involves severing emotions and desires. Please consider carefully."
That last sentence made most of the present individuals dismiss the idea.
They were all teenagers in their teens. Without suffering a bit of stimulation, why would they choose to sever emotions and desires?
Furthermore, people like Wang Dong, Ning Tian, and Xu Sanshi are young masters of their respective clans and cannot leave their clans to join the Ice God Temple.
Only two people were quite affected.
"I want to give it a try!" Long Xiangyue spoke up. "My family is just a minor nobility. My talent places me at the bottom within the Holy Flame Sect. My limit in the future is probably a seven-ringed Soul Sage at best... If I can get a set of 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone, I should at least reach Soul Douluo, right?"
Huo Yuhao blinked.
Did you miss something?
What he said was—the highest treatment is the matching 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone!
But if someone was willing to offer their faith, he naturally welcomed it.
"Alright, come with me to find Teacher. He is the High Priest of the Ice God Temple."
"I'll go too," a female voice said.
"What? I disagree!" a male voice exclaimed loudly.
"Xu Sanshi, what right do you have to decide whether I stay or go?"
"Nannan, I'm not trying to interfere with you..."
"You are interfering with me right now!"
Just from the dialogue, it was clear.
The one wanting to join the Ice God Temple was Jiang Nannan, but Xu Sanshi's resistance was intense.
Regarding this, Huo Yuhao couldn't say much; he let the two resolve it themselves.
"Nannan, I can also provide 100,000-year soul rings and soul bones!" Xu Sanshi said through gritted teeth. "My Xuanming Sect also has resources. I can help you hunt..."
"No need!"
Jiang Nannan's clear, cold eyes suddenly became distorted.
Anger, gratitude, hatred, resentment, disdain, guilt...
Extremely complex.
"Xu Sanshi!"
"I really, really dislike you!"
"Originally, it was just a transaction between us. We each got what we needed and went our separate ways. Wouldn't that have been fine?"
"Why do you still have to pester me!?"