Chapter 35: Zhu Lu

Xie Huanyue was someone he had pulled strings for to get into Class Two. He had intended to use this trump card to contend for the first place in the Freshman Tournament, yet who could have guessed that he would be defeated in a single move by this bizarre one-ring soul master.

Wait.

One ring?

The teacher’s expression shifted several times before he slumped back into his seat, feeling utterly defeated.

He had heard of Huo Yuhao’s reputation here and there—things like the gambling duel with Xu Sanshi, defeating one of the Gemini Stars, Bei Bei, alongside his classmates, and the "look at who dies" rumor from the Freshman Tournament...

Originally, he had dismissed these as mere hyperbolic gossip among students, assuming Huo Yuhao was at most a two-ring combatant capable of fighting above his rank, someone talked about only because of his ten-year soul ring.

Who would have thought he was actually a person of such extraordinary ability?

"A proper three-ring genius, actually falling in the round of thirty-two!" the Class Two head teacher muttered, caught between laughter and tears.

This truly is a once-in-a-millennium event.

***

"Huo Yuhao?"

Wang Dong, having finished his match with ease, strode over with his head held high, only to see Huo Yuhao slumped on a bench, waiting.

The two dead weight teammates of his were keeping him company.

One on the left, one on the right, both looking guilty, paired with Huo Yuhao’s paper-white complexion, which made him look as if he might kick the bucket at any moment...

At first glance, it really looked like they were saying goodbye to a terminally ill patient.

"Are you alright?!"

Wang Dong’s expression changed in an instant. He rushed over, cradling Huo Yuhao’s face to inspect it from both sides. "Did you lose? Or is your soul power exhausted? Or tell me, who did this to you?!"

By the end of his sentence, his blue butterfly wings, shimmering with light, snapped open with a flap, and the intense surge of soul power created ripples across the surface of the wings.

This imposing display of power frightened the two teammates, who scrambled away, terrified of being caught in the crossfire of his rage.

"I’m fine~"

Watching Wang Dong look ready to pick a fight, Huo Yuhao offered a helpless smile. "I just pushed a bit too hard earlier, and my mental energy is a bit overdrawn. I’ll be fine after a rest."

He had named that strange soul skill, derived from his Spiritual Detection Sharing, "Spiritual Storm."

The principle was not complex: he simply detached the mass of mental energy attached to his soul ring—the part meant for processing vast amounts of information—packed and sealed it with his own mental energy, and sent it out directly through the spiritual link.

Once it entered the opponent’s mind, the chaotic, jumbled stream of information would explode instantly, completely scrambling the opponent’s consciousness.

Compared to a direct soul shock collision, this method of throwing a bomb via a shared link was much gentler. If the opponent didn't know how to actively control their mental energy to build a defense, they could only passively receive Huo Yuhao’s barrage.

Of course.

Logically speaking, the consumption for this move was ridiculously high. A rough estimate suggested it was equivalent to launching five to ten soul shocks, which was a considerable burden for him at his current level.

Since this was his first time using it on an enemy, and Xie Huanyue’s bizarre martial soul possessed an unknown degree of mental resistance, Huo Yuhao had chosen to go all out.

One move, and it would be either you or me going down.

"I see..."

After understanding the situation, Wang Dong slowly deflated, tapping his head in annoyance. "Sheesh, I knew it... who in this entire Freshman Tournament could possibly beat you! The final championship will definitely be yours."

What a waste of worry.

"Hmph!"

An untimely snicker came from the side. A curvaceous girl with short hair brushing her ears crossed her arms, her eyes flashing with a mocking provocation. "What big words~ you two famous figures~"

"Oh?"

Wang Dong cast a cold glance over, one hand on his hip, matching her aura without hesitation, clashing head-on with this mood-ruining stranger. "And might I ask which passerby you are? You’ve got quite the nerve, actually recognizing this young master?"

"You!"

Faced with Wang Dong’s aggressive retort, the girl was momentarily at a loss for how to respond. She could only sneer, "All you know how to do is wag your tongue..."

"In the face of absolute strength, everything is just empty talk. First place in the Freshman Tournament?"

The girl seemed to lose patience with them, turning around and tossing back one final sentence: "You aren't worthy!"

Wow.

What a high-and-mighty attitude.

Wang Dong’s eyes narrowed slightly. Never one to take a loss, he wanted to teach this brat a lesson right then and there.

But just as he was about to move, Huo Yuhao grabbed his hand.

"Yuhao?"

Wang Dong turned back in surprise.

"It really is those two!"

Huo Yuhao had shed his previous look of weakness. His eyes were cold as he locked onto the girl, but the killing intent bubbling in his heart was directed at the person waiting for her at the end of the path.

"Dai Huabin... then this must be the daughter of the Zhu family."

In a sense, the future Duchess?

"Pfft~"

For a moment, Huo Yuhao was amused by his own strange association.

But the coldness seeping from his eyes grew even deeper.

Seeing his strange expression and bizarre actions, Wang Dong suddenly felt a sense of dread and couldn't help but pull his hand away. "Yu... Yuhao?"

"I'm fine."

Huo Yuhao calmed his emotions. "I just wanted to say: we’ll see the truth on the field. No matter how much is said or done now, it doesn't compare to giving them a sound beating in the arena."

"Easier said than done. How likely is it that we'll even run into them?"

Wang Dong pouted.

Besides, even if they did run into them, it would be him fighting three people by himself; how could that be easy to win?

Fortunately, those two defensive dead weights were still useful for now. Facing strong enemies, they could shrink into their shells and hold out for a dozen seconds or so, giving him the opportunity to unleash the Butterfly Goddess Light Slash.

"The preparation process is still too slow... I can't just pull out the Clear Sky Hammer in the next match, can I?"

A flash of irritation crossed Wang Dong's face.

The combo skill was great in every way, but the consumption was too high and the preparation time was too long.

That was exactly why he was so envious of Xiao Xiao’s ability to instantly fire off combo skills.

If he could develop the Butterfly Goddess Light Slash to that level, he wouldn't be afraid to take on a three-ring master in a solo fight right now.

"Come to think of it, why aren't you heading back to the dorm to rest?"

After waiting for a while, Wang Dong finally sensed that something was off.

Huo Yuhao’s complexion had almost returned to normal from its pale state, so why was he still sitting on this bench?

Was he waiting for someone?

Wang Dong vaguely caught a scent of something ominous.

"It's fine~ you go ahead, don't wait for me."

Huo Yuhao gave Wang Dong an apologetic smile. "Xiao Xiao said she has a very valuable gift of thanks to give me tonight, and asked me to wait for her here after my match."

"..."

"..."

Finally, Wang Dong took a deep breath, flashing a gritted-teeth smile. "Then do enjoy spending this wonderful evening with her!"