Unknowingly, three months had passed. Perhaps because they had avoided the incident at Sea God Lake, nothing unexpected had happened to Huo Yuhao during this time.
During this period, Tang Ya and Bei Bei often interacted with Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, the two newest Tang Sect members, while also checking their progress in mastering the Tang Sect's secret techniques.
Each time, Huo Yuhao managed to surprise them, though what they didn't know was that even these "surprises" were the result of him deliberately holding back.
After three months of soul power and Tianmeng Iceworm's spiritual nourishment, the originally narrow and blocked meridians in Huo Yuhao's body had been fully cleared and stabilized, greatly increasing his cultivation speed.
Moreover, due to the improvement of his physique and the consolidation of his meridians, Tianmeng Iceworm, under Huo Yuhao's instructions, had started exploring and opening up the subtle meridians not included in the Xuan Tian Skill's soul power circulation route.
By using his True Eye to observe the soul power flow of other soul masters, Huo Yuhao gradually pieced together methods to impact and clear the remaining minor meridians.
Although the Douluo Continent lacked a systematic meridian cultivation method outside of the Xuan Tian Skill, various sects had their own approaches. When combined, even those scattered "wild methods" were enough to fill in the gaps.
With the aid of the Soul Power Aggregation Array and Conversion Array, and as he gradually mastered control over these subtle meridians, Huo Yuhao discovered that the density and purity of his soul power had become vastly different from what simple Xuan Tian Skill training could achieve.
"This must be what the first Douluo Dalu novel called 'opening the eight extraordinary meridians,' when soul power becomes almost tangible. In truth, it's more about fully circulating and refining the soul power throughout the body, not true materialization , more like the stage before forming a soul core."
"Ordinary soul masters at this stage wouldn't have the mental strength needed to achieve full-body meridian circulation."
"The original version of Xuan Tian Skill likely took a shortcut, using the eight extraordinary meridians as the main path to gradually induce a qualitative change in soul power. But the current Tang Sect version has lost that effect , it only accelerates soul power circulation. No wonder the Tang Sect has declined so much."
"Even though I could reverse-engineer the complete version of Xuan Tian Skill, there's no need. What I'm practicing now is far superior , even Tang San back then didn't have such immense spiritual assistance."
"My current cultivation method is so complex that even a Soul Sage's spiritual power might not be enough to perform such detailed and refined soul power circulation."
"Tianmeng Iceworm can do it easily because he's taking advantage of his overwhelming spiritual foundation."
"At this rate, I'll soon open every meridian in my body, even the smallest ones. When that happens, my soul power will far surpass that of anyone who practices pure Xuan Tian Skill."
"In the language of wuxia novels, the Xuan Tian Skill's 'opening the eight meridians' would be the minor circulation (small Zhou Tian), but when all meridians are opened and unified, that's the grand circulation (great Zhou Tian)."
"Of course, I'm not cultivating immortality here , as long as this method speeds up my training, that's all that matters."
Over these three months, even without the Origin Water Pill or Soul Ascension Pill from the original story, Huo Yuhao's cultivation had reached around level seventeen, close to eighteen.
Although slightly weaker than his counterpart in the original timeline, his actual cultivation speed was much faster , especially considering he hadn't relied on any pills.
Gaining five levels in three months wasn't too shocking since his soul power was still low-level. Most assumed that Huo Yuhao's physique simply matched well with the Tang Sect's Xuan Tian Skill, famous for its cultivation speed.
At level seventeen, he was now on par with most new Shrek Academy students , not outstanding, but no longer an outlier.
"Today's physical training is suspended."
Zhou Yi looked coldly at the fifty-five students in front of her. Without Huo Yuhao's earlier interventions, the class size was smaller than in the original timeline , about ten fewer students.
The number fifty-five was carefully chosen so that groups of three could be formed for the upcoming assessment battles, with one extra student specially assigned to the Soul Tool Department.
"Three months have passed. Your first assessment at Shrek Academy is about to begin. Only by passing this exam will you officially become first-year students and members of Shrek Academy."
"If you pass, barring any accidents, you'll be allowed to remain in the Academy until your year-end examinations."
"The assessment begins tomorrow. Today, I'll explain the key points."
"Wang Dong, hand these out."
Zhou Yi passed a stack of papers to Wang Dong, who quickly distributed them to everyone present.
The students were tense , most already guessed what was coming next.
"After the assessment, your training will be personalized based on your results. Write down the department or combat type you plan to pursue and hand it in afterward."
Without hesitation, Huo Yuhao wrote "Agility Attack Type." He had decided to keep a low profile at Shrek Academy.
Wang Dong nudged him secretly but got no response.
Zhou Yi continued explaining the assessment rules, the team format, and the passing criteria, followed by the classification of soul master types.
As expected, she used her authority to transfer one promising student to the Soul Tool Department.
Watching the excited student, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but shake his head. Still, it made sense , aside from Shrek Academy, few institutions on the continent had any serious soul tool education, and Shrek's program, though weak compared to the Sun Moon Empire, was still better than anything in the three major empires.
Then came team assignments.
"First group: Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, Xiao Xiao."
"Second group..."
The list went on quickly. Huo Yuhao was already familiar with most classmates and their martial souls after three months of observation, especially the combat logic behind their soul skills.
Xiao Xiao, being a notable character even in the original story, naturally caught his attention.
Unlike the original timeline, however, she hadn't yet attached a soul ring to her second martial soul. Zhou Yi's harsh training had pushed her to the verge of doing so out of desperation, but Huo Yuhao had taken the chance to advise her otherwise.
In his view, Xiao Xiao's twin martial souls were a tremendous advantage , unlike his artificially created dual (or triple) martial soul setup, hers was natural.
For ordinary soul masters, natural twin martial souls were an extraordinary blessing, granting them overwhelming potential. It would be a shame to waste it, and she was worth befriending.
When she heard her group assignment, Xiao Xiao smiled at Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao. Amusingly, just like in the original, she seemed captivated by Wang Dong's appearance.
"That's it for today. You have one day to think things over. If anyone wants to appeal their team, report it early."
"Hand in your chosen training direction before leaving. And tomorrow , do not embarrass me. If anyone gets eliminated, don't say I didn't warn you."
Her cold tone sent chills down everyone's spine.
"Alright, class dismissed. Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, Xiao Xiao , stay behind."
Zhou Yi glanced at their papers, her expression tightening. "Wang Dong, care to explain why you put down Agility Attack Type?"
"Your first two soul rings are clearly for Power Attack, not Agility. Aside from those wings of yours, what part of you screams agility?"
She then turned to Huo Yuhao's form, suddenly understanding. "Ah, so that's it. Huo Yuhao, you want to join the Agility Attack Type too?"
Huo Yuhao nodded. "My first soul skill mainly supports myself and lacks offensive power. Combined with the Tang Sect's combat style, I think Agility Attack suits me best."
Zhou Yi frowned slightly. Both of these were students she viewed as top-tier prospects, and their choice directly affected her teaching results , she couldn't just let them switch paths.
As for Xiao Xiao's Control Type submission, it barely drew her attention.
"Alright, Wang Dong, change yours back. A Power Attack soul master doesn't belong in Agility Attack."
"As for you, Huo Yuhao, I suggest you reconsider. Your martial soul focuses on the spiritual type , not ideal for physical enhancement. Even with Tang Sect skills, your weaknesses will become clearer as you advance. You should consider the Control Type, like the Sea God Tang San himself , a balanced path isn't bad."
"Alright, teacher. I understand."
Though he wanted to refuse, seeing the golden runes flicker in Wang Dong's spiritual sea, Huo Yuhao ultimately held back.
So Tang San wanted him to get closer to his precious daughter? Fine. But he would remember this.
"Good," Zhou Yi said with satisfaction. "This assessment may be your first, but it's crucial. It's also your chance to make an impression on the Academy's higher-ups."
"Only those who perform exceptionally will enter the official cultivation list. I'm most optimistic about you three."
"Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao , your goal for this assessment is simple: first place."
"If you fail, then starting next year, you'll train directly under me. I'll make sure you 'improve.'" She smiled coldly.
Though inwardly speechless, Huo Yuhao simply nodded, as did the other two.
"Seriously, how does Zhou Yi have the face to give us that task?" he thought. "Still, this will be a good chance to test the soul bone's structure."
"Alright, go rest and prepare for tomorrow."
As they left the classroom, Xiao Xiao called out, "Wang Dong, I wanted to,"
But Wang Dong quickly pushed Huo Yuhao forward, cutting her off. "Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao and I need to prepare for the test. You too , good luck!"
Watching Wang Dong flee, Xiao Xiao stomped her foot in frustration.
"What's wrong, shy all of a sudden?" Huo Yuhao teased.
"Ugh! You knew this would happen, didn't you?" Wang Dong gritted her teeth.
"Well, I was curious whether the young lady disguised as a boy joined Shrek because she liked girls."
"Stop talking or I'll kill you!" Wang Dong shouted in embarrassment.
After three months together, she already knew Huo Yuhao had seen through her secret, and he never denied it.
Though embarrassed, she hadn't moved out , after all, that would only spark rumors.
And truthfully, Wang Dong didn't _want_ to move out. Over time, she'd grown more and more curious about Huo Yuhao.
He always seemed calm and in control, lazy on the surface, often reading piles of books instead of training , yet when it mattered, he consistently stunned everyone with his insight and strength.
"How did you even figure out my identity?" Wang Dong finally asked.
"Read more," Huo Yuhao replied with a grin. "In the outer courtyard library, there's a silly book called The Continent's Hundred Most Beautiful Martial Souls. Page thirteen , the Light Goddess Butterfly, said to be the most beautiful butterfly-type martial soul on the continent."
"The book's nonsense overall, but it does say that every Light Goddess Butterfly soul master is female. Combine that with your behavior, and the answer was obvious."
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