Some time had passed since Xu Zihuang's group of four left, yet Huo Yuhao still sat blankly by his grilled fish stall, saying nothing. Even when customers came, he mechanically took their money and handed over the grilled fish.
The surging negative emotions had not been fully suppressed.
"Why, Eldest Brother? I clearly followed your advice and treated him as a goal to chase. But I can only watch the gap between us grow wider and wider—I can't even keep up with my peers. Eldest Brother, were you just deceiving me back then?"
"Ever since entering Shrek Academy, I've put in all my effort to cultivate. When others rest, I cultivate; when others slack off, I still cultivate. Why can they so easily trample over my hard work? Why?" A trace of bitterness appeared in Huo Yuhao's eyes.
He once again felt the cruelty of this world. When he looked up again, a self-mocking smile tugged at his lips, and a chill entered his gaze.
"Of course. I'm just a commoner soul master with no background. Who can I blame? I can only blame my own lack of strength, blame my innate soul power being only level one upon awakening. How could those 'geniuses' from great soul master families, raised in luxury since childhood, ever understand my feelings?"
Murmuring to himself, the images of Xu Zihuang, Ning Tian, Beibei, and Tang Ya grew clearer in Huo Yuhao's mind.
In the year studying at Shrek Academy, his understanding of the soul master world had deepened greatly. He knew that whether it was Beibei's Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon martial soul or Ning Tian's Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, both were backed by top soul master sects with tens of thousands of years of inheritance.
And Yu Tianhuang, with his soul ring configuration far beyond conventional knowledge—in Huo Yuhao's view, his background was only stronger than Beibei's and Ning Tian's, if not equal.
The only one who could truly be considered a commoner was Tang Ya, who cared for him deeply. But where did he rank in Tang Ya's heart?
He definitely couldn't compare to Beibei, and Tang Ya was clearly closer to Yu Tianhuang than to him.
"Perhaps we were never from the same world to begin with. Teacher Xiaoya, you only let me join the Tang Sect out of pity, didn't you?"
Huo Yuhao bit his lip tightly, the bitterness and loneliness in his eyes intensifying. He was trapped in a vicious cycle, with negative emotions piling up layer upon layer.
The more inferior a person feels, the more sensitive they become.
But in reality, very few people paid him any attention. Just like when he cheated in the Spirit Battle Arena, no one deliberately remembered him. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to sell grilled fish here so peacefully.
Still, Huo Yuhao's grilled fish tasted excellent. In less than half an hour, the twenty fish he caught from the stream were completely sold out.
Looking at the bag full of silver and copper soul coins, Huo Yuhao's mood eased slightly. The pain in his eyes was replaced by determination.
Shrek Academy indeed made him feel oppressed and pained, but to gain the power for revenge, he had to endure and stay.
Stowing the grill and utensils into his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges, Huo Yuhao hurried toward the Soul Guidance Department dorms to begin the day's cultivation.
On the other side, Xu Zihuang's group of four walked along the official road toward Shrek City's south gate. The wide, smooth road could accommodate over ten carriages side by side, with exquisite street lamps placed at intervals. In the distance, the tall gate tower of the south gate was clearly visible.
Shrek City was located on the largest plain in the Douluo Continent—the Lima Plain. From here, one could see endless green fields stretching to the horizon, dotted with flowers of various colors. Forests and streams crisscrossed, offering an expansive view.
The group deliberately slowed their pace to admire the scenery, taking nearly half an hour to reach their destination.
Tang Ya had always been a cheerful optimist—her moods came and went quickly. After Beibei's reassurance, she worried less about Huo Yuhao. Having trained hard in the academy for so long, she finally had a chance to relax and let herself go. Ning Tian wore a refined smile, quietly accompanying Tang Ya.
Trailing behind them were Xu Zihuang and Beibei.
The reason Ning Tian walked with Tang Ya instead of Beibei was that she noticed Beibei seemed to have something to say to Yu Tianhuang and had proactively joined Tang Ya.
Beibei withdrew his gaze from Tang Ya and turned to Xu Zihuang beside him.
From their first meeting in the Star Dou Great Forest, although Yu Tianhuang's excellence had put great pressure on him, it had also earned his deep admiration.
After more than a year of interaction, fighting side by side against evil soul masters and in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Spirit Fighting Tournament, his bond with Yu Tianhuang was far deeper than with Huo Yuhao.
To put it bluntly, aside from both being Tang Sect disciples, Huo Yuhao had no other connection to him. He had personally given Huo Yuhao a Mysterious Water Pill and done his utmost to guide him—he had truly done all he could.
Huo Yuhao's display of jealousy toward Yu Tianhuang earlier was extremely distasteful. Yu Tianhuang might not care, but if Beibei didn't address it, it would be unfair. After all, Huo Yuhao was someone he and Tang Ya had brought into the Tang Sect.
It was as if he and Tang Ya had failed to manage their own people.
Xu Zihuang met Beibei's gaze and, understanding, smiled softly. "Let's go, Senior Brother Bei. Senior Sister Xiaoya and Ning Tian have already entered the city. We should hurry, or Senior Sister Xiaoya will start urging us."
Beibei and Xu Zihuang's eyes met briefly, and they shared a knowing smile. Everything was understood without words.
As he walked with Xu Zihuang through Shrek City's south gate, Beibei subconsciously compared Yu Tianhuang to Huo Yuhao and shook his head inwardly.
Compared to Yu Tianhuang, Huo Yuhao was far inferior—not just in talent and strength, but in character and personality.
He did not doubt that Yu Tianhuang would become a landmark figure in the soul master world in the future, while Huo Yuhao's achievements would peak at Soul Ancestor, at best.
"Beibei, Tianhuang, what are you two dawdling for? Hurry up!" Sure enough, Tang Ya's voice rang out. Xu Zihuang and Beibei could only helplessly quicken their steps.
Tang Ya stood inside the south gate tower, hands on her hips, scrutinizing Xu Zihuang and Beibei.
"You two are always so secretive. Are you hiding some affair from me and Junior Sister Ning Tian?"
She looked back and forth between them suspiciously.
Beibei stepped forward and flicked Tang Ya's smooth forehead, his lips twitching slightly.
"Stop overthinking. We were just discussing some things with Tianhuang."
He was genuinely afraid Tang Ya, who often spoke without filter, would say something shocking.
"Ouch! Beibei, how dare you flick my forehead?" Tang Ya covered her forehead with her hand, her fair cheeks flushing with playful anger.
Watching their interaction, Ning Tian teased with a smile, "Senior Brother Bei, Senior Sister Xiaoya, you two really have a great relationship."
"Who has a great relationship with him?" Tang Ya's face reddened, and she pouted, turning away to ignore Beibei. She then hooked her arm through Ning Tian's and pulled her into the city.
Xu Zihuang and Beibei, who had been smiling as they watched, followed Ning Tian and Tang Ya, respectively. All four wore Shrek Academy uniforms and had outstanding appearances and auras, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
The four were accustomed to such gazes and felt no discomfort.
Once her embarrassment faded, Tang Ya realized she hadn't eaten since last night. As a natural foodie, she immediately began searching.
Scanning her surroundings, Tang Ya raised her delicate right hand, pointed ahead, and said with a grin, "Junior Sister Ning Tian, how about we have bamboo tube rice for breakfast?"
Naturally, she ignored Xu Zihuang and Beibei's opinions.
"Sounds good." Ning Tian followed Tang Ya's gaze with interest. She didn't want to refuse Tang Ya, but more than that, her meals had always been strictly prepared by sect chefs according to nutritional needs. Something as simple as bamboo tube rice was a novelty to her.
Not far in the direction Tang Ya pointed, an elderly man pushed a cart by the roadside, calling out his wares. Several large pots sat on the cart, covered with layers of bamboo steamers. Two simple wooden tables and a few chairs were nearby.
Tang Ya approached and asked, "Boss, how much for the bamboo tube rice?"
The elderly man, busy with his head down, looked up at the four and froze—not just because of their looks, but because the aura unique to soul masters set them apart. When he noticed the green Shrek monster emblem on their uniforms, he understood.
A sincere, honored smile spread across his wrinkled face.
Shrek Academy students were untouchable to ordinary people like him. If they ate his bamboo tube rice, it would be something he could boast about for life. On the Douluo Continent, the gap between soul masters and commoners was greater than imagined.
"My bamboo tube rice is absolutely delicious—three copper soul coins per portion. You're my first customers today, so four portions for just ten copper soul coins. How about it?"
"Really? Thank you, old sir!" Tang Ya's eyes lit up.
"Then give us four portions."
Xu Zihuang, standing closest to the elderly man, casually took a gold soul coin from his storage soul tool and handed it over.
It wasn't much money, and given their close relationship, Tang Ya and Beibei wouldn't fight to pay, let alone Ning Tian.
But the elderly man, seeing the gleaming gold soul coin, smiled bitterly. "Young man, I just opened for the day and don't have enough copper or silver soul coins to make change for such a large amount."
"Then keep the change, old sir." Xu Zihuang smiled and placed the gold soul coin on the stall.
Having grown up without a strong concept of money, he didn't care about such a small sum.
But the elderly man stubbornly refused, returning the coin to Xu Zihuang.
"Young man, I can't accept this. I may not earn much each day, but I only take what I deserve."
Xu Zihuang could only take it back helplessly and looked at Ning Tian beside him.
"I don't have small change either." Ning Tian shook her head, her red lips parting slightly. Like Xu Zihuang, she never carried silver or copper soul coins.
Tang Ya, who was with Beibei selecting bamboo tube rice from the steamers, overheard and rolled her eyes.
"Tianhuang, Junior Sister Ning Tian, you two really are young masters and misses who don't touch the mortal world. How will you manage daily life like this?"
Handing the four selected bamboo tube rice to Beibei, she took a silver soul coin from her soul tool and gave it to the elderly man.
"It's still early, Senior Sister Xiaoya." Tang Ya's casual remark made Ning Tian blush.
At that moment, Beibei returned, carrying four trays with both hands. Each tray held a fresh green bamboo tube, roughly the thickness and length of a forearm.
The fragrance of bamboo and glutinous rice mingled, whetting their appetites.
"Let's sit over there first."
Beibei's bamboo tube rice immediately caught Tang Ya's attention, and she stopped teasing Ning Tian. Following Beibei to the wooden table, her eyes never left the bamboo tubes.
Xu Zihuang led Ning Tian to sit as well.
The elderly man offered to split the bamboo tubes for them, but Tang Ya, eager to try, refused. She even split the tubes for Xu Zihuang and the others.
Opening the bamboo, the distinct, glistening rice grains were revealed, mixed with red dates, dried fruits, and various colored beans. It looked incredibly appetizing, with a thin, translucent bamboo membrane on top.
Tang Ya took a bite and squinted in delight.
"Old sir, your bamboo tube rice is really good." Mumbling through a full mouth, she continued devouring it.
In contrast, Xu Zihuang, Ning Tian, and Beibei ate much more gracefully.
Beibei gazed at Tang Ya with exceptional tenderness, while Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian whispered intimately. The atmosphere was warm, and their relationships grew closer.
Throughout the day, the four explored nearly all of Shrek City's south district. After dinner at a barbecue restaurant, they returned to Shrek Academy and parted ways.
Ning Tian, Tang Ya, and Beibei returned to their dorms, while Xu Zihuang, under Elder Mu's instructions, began living in Poseidon Pavilion from that day onward.
The next morning, in a first-floor room of Poseidon Pavilion, Xu Zihuang opened his eyes, which gleamed with sharp light, after meditating cross-legged. The silver hexagonal pattern at the center of his forehead slowly receded. The concentration of heaven and earth essence in the Golden Tree was several times that of the outside world, and under the effect of his external spirit bone, the Silver Scales, the essence in his room was nearly tangible.
Since Elder Mu had seen through his disguise, his external spirit bone, the Silver Scales, was naturally exposed. There was no need to hide it anymore.
"Soul power has broken through to level forty-five. This cultivation speed should no longer be affected by the extreme attributes."
Xu Zihuang carefully sensed the results of the night's cultivation. Even with his composure, a trace of joy passed through his heart.
Continuing like this, he was confident he could reach the level fifty bottleneck in about one and a half years. By then, he would be just fourteen years old.
A fourteen-year-old Soul King, and one with extreme attributes at that. It would likely set a new record in Shrek Academy's history.
After washing and dressing, Xu Zihuang bowed respectfully at the entrance of Poseidon Pavilion before leaping away.
Not long after he left, specks of golden light gathered in the first-floor hall of Poseidon Pavilion, and Elder Mu's figure appeared out of thin air, reclining in a wooden chair with a gentle, gratified expression.
"As expected, an external spirit bone capable of condensing heaven and earth essence. My guess was correct. Child, you truly carry great fortune. Even I cannot fully see your future. But no matter what, it is a blessing for the three great empires of the original Douluo."
In a hidden chamber on Poseidon Island, Ma Xiaotao sat cross-legged on a stone bed, her body glowing fiery red and trembling uncontrollably. The scorching aura radiating from her distorted the surrounding air.
Yet in this environment, a white-robed elderly man stood unmoved, his face full of concern.
The elderly man was none other than Yan Shaozhe, dean of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department.
Cold sweat poured from Ma Xiaotao's forehead, her body convulsing. Suddenly, she snapped open her pink eyes. However, under the backlash of the evil fire, the depths of her eyes had turned completely fiery red, with madness raging within.
At that moment, a deep blue light glowed at her forehead. Enveloped in blue light, a cold, refreshing aura emerged.
An invisible wave instantly enveloped the entire chamber. This was the ability to project spiritual power outward.
Undoubtedly, Ma Xiaotao had successfully fused a skull bone. And this skull bone was of extremely high quality, propelling her spiritual power to the level of external projection.
Her strange eyes, interwoven with pink and fiery red, turned completely deep blue. The madness transformed into clarity.
"Teacher." Ma Xiaotao looked up at Yan Shaozhe, her gaze carrying a hint of pleading.
"Xiaotao, why must you be so stubborn?" Yan Shaozhe sighed softly.
"That skull bone of spiritual condensation and wisdom from the eighty-thousand-year Saint Illusion Demon Ape can only keep your consciousness clear, but it cannot fully resolve your evil fire backlash."
Ma Xiaotao pressed her lips together, her expression resolute.
"Teacher, I want to go to the Far North."
Yan Shaozhe's gaze sharpened, and he pondered for a long time.
"Xiaotao, have you really thought this through?"
Ma Xiaotao nodded.
Beneath her fiery temper and bold personality, she harbored her own pride. After Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian confirmed their relationship, she refused to seek Xu Zihuang's help to suppress her evil fire, even if it meant enduring the torment herself.
Later, Yan Shaozhe had helplessly retrieved that top-tier skull bone from the academy's treasury, taken from an eighty-thousand-year Saint Illusion Demon Ape, to at least keep her consciousness clear.
With the skull bone of spiritual condensation and wisdom maintaining her clarity, combined with the Far North's extreme cold, it could theoretically help Ma Xiaotao suppress her evil fire. But the Far North was also filled with dangers.
Letting his only direct disciple travel alone to the perilous Far North, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but hesitate.
As he wavered, Elder Mu's kind voice sounded in his ear.
"Shaozhe, let Xiaotao go. This is a tribulation in her destiny, and also an opportunity."
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