Who will win this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duel Competition?
Huo Yuhao truly didn't know the answer to that.
While the Shrek team now featured members like Ling Luochen, Jiang Nannan, and Tang Ya, who had transitioned to the new cultivation system and possessed strength far exceeding ordinary Soul Masters, the Sun Moon Empire was no weakling either—especially considering that deep blue bracelet Huo Yuhao had just handed to Xiao Hongchen.
It was impossible to say whose hand the trophy would end up in.
Besides, Huo Yuhao could never have too much combat data from the clash between these new-system Soul Masters and Spirit-Forging soul tools. From that perspective, no matter who won, Huo Yuhao couldn't lose.
Of course, letting the Sun Moon Empire feel a bit of a threat might even provoke them into starting the war early. This inevitable Great War—the sooner it started, the sooner it could end.
...
A few weeks later, at the Spirit Transmission Pagoda.
Tomorrow was the day the Shrek team would depart for Star Net City to participate in the competition. Ling Luochen, who hadn't appeared in a while, was currently undergoing a physical examination by a certain someone.
Dressed in one of Huo Yuhao's white lab coats—with clearly nothing underneath—Ling Luochen pressed her body against his back, wrapping her arms around his waist and muttering resentfully:
"I'm lying here before you completely clean, and all you're thinking about is recording data..."
Huo Yuhao's pen paused slightly. He turned around helplessly to embrace Ling Luochen, who was sitting on the metal lab table, and said softly:
"First, I told you to change into testing clothes, not to lie there 'clean.'
"Second, you're distracting me. If I really lose control, with your current physical condition, you'd likely have to stay in bed for quite a while...
"Classmate Ling, surely you don't want to be recovering in bed while the competition is happening?"
Hearing him say such heart-pounding things in such a calm tone, Ling Luochen truly witnessed how much this man had "grown" in his verbal play.
As someone who occasionally eavesdropped on certain "wall-listening" sessions with a certain Ice Silkworm, Ling Luochen had a rough idea of Huo Yuhao's physical stamina.
Even an existence as powerful as Ice Bing (the Ice Empress) would have to rest after every session and throw Skydream in to take over, attempting a war of attrition to bring Huo Yuhao down—only for both of them to return in utter defeat.
Of course, she could only listen... the sadness was immeasurable!
There was no helping it; her martial soul attribute was currently at a critical threshold, infinitely close to Ultimate Ice. If she had pushed that door open and joined in, her body would have been nourished by pure energy, and her martial soul would likely have evolved directly into Ultimate Ice.
She hadn't even reached the Soul Saint rank yet! If that happened, her cultivation speed would plummet. Plus, with her current physique, she'd likely just be swept away by the current; if she didn't bring a few others to help her, she'd be completely defenseless.
Despite her many hesitations, Ling Luochen was reaching her limit of endurance.
But now... feeling that hand resting on her waist, Ling Luochen's breathing hitched. Should I just forget it? I'm already level 68. It's only two levels. I can suffer through the slow-down... Even if I can't take it, I can always surrender... After all, there are three "ports," we could take them one by one...
Wicked knowledge from "indescribable books" she had scavenged from senior sisters flooded her mind. Ling Luochen was truly struggling to hold back.
A hazy look crept into her eyes. Huo Yuhao felt a momentary impulse, but he seemed to sense something; his eyes cleared, and he spoke calmly:
"...Don't be in such a hurry. We'll talk when you get back."
His voice was peaceful, and his emotional power worked silently, easily calming the agitated Ling Luochen. After helping her dress piece by piece, Huo Yuhao finally let out a sigh of relief.
Ling Luochen felt a bit dazed, realizing her clothes were back on in the blink of an eye. She wanted to say more, but the laboratory door swung open.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Dong'er's calm voice rang out, her gaze landing naturally on Ling Luochen and Huo Yuhao.
Instantly, Ling Luochen felt the guilt of a "mistress" caught by the "legal wife." She instinctively took two steps back.
"I... I'll be going now."
Her tone was frantic, her eyes shifting unnaturally. As soon as the words left her mouth, Ling Luochen hurried away, as if terrified of being discovered.
However, a few steps outside the lab, her feet came to a sudden halt.
Wait! Why was I feeling guilty?! And why did I instinctively want to run away?! Also! Why did Junior Dong'er come looking for Yuhao at this hour?!
Suddenly realizing something was wrong, Ling Luochen put the pieces together.
Why wasn't Yuhao surprised at all when Junior Dong'er showed up? Why did I instinctively feel like the "other woman"?
Don't tell me... Junior Dong'er is actually ahead of me in line...
Animal! He didn't even spare her?! Scumbag, he really is a scumbag!
...
Back in the lab.
"Well, aren't you something, Huo Yuhao! Ice Emperor, Skydream, and Qiu'er are one thing! But what's going on with Senior Ling?!
"Speak! Did you have your eyes on her since the Sea God's Fate meeting in our previous life?! Huh?! Are you planning to not even spare Ning Tian? Planning to play with them all together?! Huh?!"
Dong'er was flailing her arms like an agitated kitten, baring her teeth as she denounced Huo Yuhao's "crimes."
Huo Yuhao accepted all the accusations in silence. When a girl is angry, don't try to reason or persuade her first; wait for her to finish venting, then comfort her once the anger has subsided. The results are much better that way.
A long while later, a calmed Wang Dong'er sat on the lab table, viciously biting into a grilled fish Huo Yuhao had prepared to her specific taste, as if the fish were him.
"Why did you come to see me?" Huo Yuhao threw out a topic.
Eating the fish, Wang Dong'er paused and blinked. "Are you not coming along for this competition?"
"If the Master of the Spirit Transmission Pagoda goes along, the Star Net Empire would probably send a Titled Douluo to watch my every move. Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?"
Huo Yuhao spoke gently as he reached out with a tissue to wipe a bit of oil from the corner of Wang Dong'er's mouth.
Dong'er frowned, looking at him suspiciously. "What do you mean 'Master of the Spirit Transmission Pagoda goes along'? You're planning to go to Star Net City under a different identity?"
"Guess," Huo Yuhao teased.
Seeing he had no intention of answering, Dong'er didn't press him. She continued, "Fine, that's not important. How do you plan to handle that Tang San?"
Dong'er got back to the main point.
Even before regaining her memories of her past life from Huo Yuhao, she had no good feelings toward Tang San. The guy had approached her from the start acting like an elder and lecturing her—it was hard to like him.
After regaining her memories, she had only one thought: kill Tang San! Even if this Tang San was just a wisp of Divine Consciousness possessing someone, she still couldn't stand the sight of him.
"Don't worry, I won't let him off. However, he still has a lot of utility value. Besides, we might not even need to be the ones to kill Tang San personally, right?"
Huo Yuhao flashed a sincere smile.
Wang Dong'er: Wait, Yuhao, why are you smiling like a villain?!