Chapter 135: Whispers of Power and the Promise of Flame
"What is your new spirit skill?"
After giving instructions, Xiao Qiang immediately turned to Mu Qingxue, curious about her newly acquired abilities.
"The seventh spirit ring grants me the standard spirit body. The eighth spirit ring gives me the Angel Holy Fire Sword and the Angel Flame Explosion. My trunk bone spirit skills include the Ultimate Fire Domain and the Ultimate Fire Body. The Ultimate Fire Body allows me to transform into flames for a short time. In that state, physical attacks are ineffective against me, but the ability has a strict time limit."
Xiao Qiang nodded, satisfied with her answer. He didn't need to delve deeper—he only wanted a general understanding of Mu Qingxue's strength. It wasn't time for her to be deployed in real combat just yet.
"Xiaolan should be close to reaching level 40. Once she fully absorbs the medicinal energy, we'll head to the Star Dou Great Forest to find new spirit rings for her—and for me."
...…
Shrek Academy, Outer Courtyard
Huo Yuhao had been in high spirits lately. At the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Tournament, he had taken the blame for cheating to protect the academy's reputation. At first, the academy had remained silent after his return. But not long after, they quietly rewarded him—a piece of whale glue, a ten-thousand-year spirit bone, and even a rare soul-raising pill that even Wang Dong considered extremely precious.
This recognition reassured him. The academy hadn't abandoned him after all. His sacrifice wasn't in vain. Not only did he receive those precious items, but the academy also promised to help him obtain a thousand-year spirit ring for his second spirit ring advancement.
A thousand-year spirit ring—normally accessible only to a three-ring spirit master. Even his half-brother, Dai Huabin, only had a thousand-year spirit ring as his third one. The thought of receiving such a powerful ring for his second filled Huo Yuhao with excitement. He had barely slept for days.
"Don't worry, Teacher Fan Yu. Don't worry, Teacher Zhou Yi. I'll work as hard as I can to cultivate and repay Shrek's kindness! I won't let this support go to waste! One day, when I become a Titled Douluo…"
His fists clenched tightly. Deep in his heart, his long-held hatred resurfaced. He swore to his mother—he would one day destroy the lineage of the White Tiger Duke. He would personally sever their legacy.
Just as his emotions settled and he was preparing to inform the academy of his breakthrough to level 20, a young man—about 24 or 25 years old—approached him.
"Hey, Xiao Yuhao! Haven't seen you out in a while. My stomach's glutton is going crazy without your grilled fish."
"Brother Feng! Sorry about that. The Soul Guidance Department arranged a trip to observe the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Tournament, so I went along."
"The tournament, huh? Brings back memories."
"You participated in the tournament before?"
Feng Yao chuckled. "Not only did I participate—I was the captain during my session."
"Huh? Really?"
"Yep. Name's Feng Yao. My martial soul is the Wind Two-Headed Wolf. I was the only Soul Emperor in our tournament lineup."
Huo Yuhao stared in shock. He never imagined that the friendly grilled fish enthusiast was actually a former Shrek Seven Devils captain.
"To be honest," Feng Yao continued, his tone turning slightly bitter, "I still can't figure out why the academy had a five-ring Soul King lead the team to clear out evil soul masters before the competition. That Soul King was useless. Yaoheng was strong, and the academy had even prepared a hidden trump card. It should've been a perfect plan… but it was ruined. First time in ten thousand years that Shrek lost in the tournament. A complete disgrace."
He sneered, anger seeping into his words. If given the chance, Feng Yao would have gladly punched Wang Yan and kicked him out of Shrek Academy for squandering their legacy.
Huo Yuhao remained silent, conflicted. Wang Yan had always treated him kindly, and part of him wanted to speak up in his defense. But the truth was undeniable—Wang Yan had made critical mistakes, and Shrek had paid the price. So, Huo Yuhao swallowed his words.
"Anyway, what's your current soul power level?" Feng Yao asked, changing the subject. "A friend of mine is helping his younger brother obtain his fifth spirit ring soon, and I agreed to tag along to the Star Dou Great Forest. If you're in need of a new spirit ring, I can help you too."
With that, Feng Yao casually released his spirit rings—two yellow, two purple, and three black. Seven rings shimmered around him.
"A Soul Saint!" Huo Yuhao exclaimed.
"Level seventy-four. Not quite as good as Senior Sister, but I should hit Soul Douluo before I turn thirty."
"That's amazing… Thank you, Brother Feng. I just reached level twenty. The academy said they'll help me obtain my second and third spirit rings later."
"Oh? Looks like your martial soul is something special," Feng Yao noted, recognizing Huo Yuhao's uniform grade and current level. A second-grade student at only level twenty would usually have been expelled already—yet the academy was not only keeping him but supporting him. Clearly, Huo Yuhao possessed potential worth investing in.
"It's not that powerful," Huo Yuhao said modestly, "but my martial soul is… unique. It's the eyes."
"Your eyes? Wait, are you from the Body Sect?"
Huo Yuhao shook his head. "No idea what that is. I entered Shrek, and then I joined the Tang Sect."
Feng Yao's interest deepened. "Wherever you go to register, let me know. If the timing works, you can come with us to the forest. I'll make sure you're taken care of."
Originally, Feng Yao had just wanted to stay friendly with Huo Yuhao for the sake of grilled fish. But now, knowing that Huo Yuhao wielded a powerful body-type martial soul and had the academy's backing, Feng Yao's interest grew more genuine. Huo Yuhao's future could very well surpass his own.
"Thanks, Brother Feng Yao. I'll be in your care then."
The two soon made their way to the academic affairs office, where Huo Yuhao formally reported his breakthrough to level 20.
Upon learning this, the Dean of Education, Du Weilun, immediately reported it to Elder Xuan.
Not long after, Elder Xuan strode into the office, gnawing on a chicken leg and drinking wine from a flask.
"Alright, alright… Huo Yuhao and you…" He squinted at them, wiping grease from his fingers.
"Elder Xuan, I'm Feng Yao. I'd like to assist Huo Yuhao in acquiring his spirit ring."
Elder Xuan gave a small nod. "Alright, pack your things. We'll all head out together."