At this moment, the entire Star Luo Square had erupted into a sea of cheers and excitement.
Even though the Sun and Moon team had later admitted defeat—ending the match on a disappointing note—the crowd could hardly contain their exhilaration at witnessing Shrek reclaim the championship and extend its undefeated legacy.
Moreover, just getting to see the true form of Soul Saint Ma Xiaotao's martial soul was worth the trip alone.
And then there was the clash between Huo Yuhao's and the Hongchen siblings martial soul fusion skill—an awe-inspiring spectacle that left the audience breathless.
High above the imperial city, the Star Luo Empire's Emperor, Xu Jiawei, kept his gaze fixed on Huo Yuhao. Despite his lofty status, he couldn't help but be utterly captivated.
'What a prodigious little genius.'
Not only was his martial soul talent exceptional, but his comprehension was downright monstrous.
After witnessing the explosion of the Ice Soul Sword, Xu Jiawei had recognized it for what it was—a combat skill that fused soul power and mental power to their absolute limits, harnessing the very essence of the martial soul itself.
'Just how old is Huo Yuhao?'
'Is this something someone his age should be capable of mastering?'
The first part was somewhat understandable.
Given that the Spirit Eyes Martial Soul was inherently spiritual in nature, it stood to reason that Huo Yuhao's mental power was extraordinarily strong. With proper guidance, mastering such a skill wasn't entirely implausible.
But harnessing the origin power of his martial soul?
That was something only a Soul Saint—a level 70 or above—could achieve. Only after unlocking the Martial Soul True Body could a soul master begin to truly comprehend their martial soul's essence and tap into its primordial strength.
Yet Huo Yuhao was only a Soul Ancestor.
'And you're telling me he's twelve years old?'
'He is a monster among monsters!'
Without a doubt, he was a peerless genius with the potential to one day challenge the realm of Ultimate Douluo!
Such a talent had already pledged himself to Shrek Academy—what a shame…
At this moment, Xu Jiawei glanced at his sister beside him, her beautiful eyes alight with joy, and a sudden idea struck him.
'Hmm… is there a possibility…?'
Similarly, the White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao, was also observing Huo Yuhao.
A pensive look crossed his face. For some reason, this prodigy from Shrek Academy gave him an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
'Is it just my imagination?'
…
The entire Shrek team was overjoyed.
Not only had they secured the championship's glory, but they had also reaped substantial material rewards—a true windfall.
Huo Yuhao, naturally, was ecstatic.
With the conclusion of the tournament, his gains had been immense.
[Achievement Triggered!]
[Meng Hongchen's Achievement completed – "No, it's love at first sight!"]
[Reward: Ai Shengli Gu—A third-level Gu worm, highly toxic, capable of blood-sealing.]
[Evaluation: This is no ordinary sickly girl.]
[Xiao Hongchen's Achievement completed – "Tastes like a formidable enemy!"]
[Reward: Jin Gang Gu —A third-level defensive Gu worm, conjures a layer of golden Gang Qi that forms armor.]
[Evaluation: Jin Gang armor, assemble!]
[Wang Yan's Achievement completed – "Thankfully, the mission is complete."]
[Reward: Careful Gu—A third-level Gu worm that enhances wisdom, aiding in critical decision-making.]
[Evaluation: My life is like walking on thin ice.]
[Xuan Zi's Achievement completed – "Upholding Shrek's Glory."]
[Reward: Eat Strength Immortal Gu—A sixth-level Immortal Gu, capable of enhancing strength through consumption.]
[Evaluation: Eat, eat, eat, eat!]
Of course, the appearance of an Immortal Gu was thrilling.
This Gu could refine the origin power of one's martial soul or even allow the user to perceive the laws of strength.
However, this was already the fourth achievement reward Huo Yuhao had received from Xuan Zi.
He took a quick glance at their relationship status:
[Xuan Zi]
[Relationship: Confidant]
[Achievement Tasks: Awaiting Refresh]
A sudden chill ran down his spine.
'What exactly have I done to earn such favor in Xuan Zi's eyes?'
'Well… it's just his own perception anyway.'
'I refuse to acknowledge it!'
…
With the conclusion of the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament, the once-bustling Star Luo City gradually settled back into tranquility.
The afternoon's award ceremony was a closed affair—neither grand nor public—but the weight of the honor it carried was undeniable.
Of course, the ceremony itself wasn't important.
What mattered was the reward.
As the champions, Shrek Academy received one million gold soul coins and up to three soul bones.
Emperor Xu Jiawei had initially invited Xuan Zi to personally select the soul bones from the royal treasury, but the Xuan Zi declined.
As Shrek's publicly recognized strongest figure, he preferred to avoid excessive entanglement with the Star Luo Empire.
In the end, Wang Yan made the selections on behalf of the academy.
His keen eye for soul bones was unmatched, and his familiarity with the team ensured he picked the most suitable ones.
The final choices made Emperor Xu Jiawei's eyelids twitch in distress—each selection was a priceless treasure, far beyond mere monetary value.
This was precisely why the tournament's hosting nation rotated every five years—the strain of providing such rewards was immense.
Of the four soul bones awarded—three to the champion, one to the runner-up, each was a high-quality ten-thousand-year soul bone—rare even in high-profile auctions.
Even a Titled Douluo would covet them.
Wang Yan's only regret was that he couldn't find a suitable spiritual-type soul bone for Huo Yuhao.
The royal treasury simply didn't have one.
Other attributes were available, but none matched Huo Yuhao's needs in quality.
…
Huo Yuhao stood before a familiar, weathered grave.
This was where he had first awakened on Douluo Planet—the anchor point of his past-life memories.
It was here that his achievement system had activated, setting him on a path entirely different from the original Huo Yuhao.
Gazing at the simple wooden tombstone of his mother—Huo Yun'er—he fell into deep thought.
He had never met Huo Yun'er in person. That gentle woman existed only in his inherited memories.
The novel text described her as beautiful, but years of hardship had long eroded her physical grace. Only the beauty of her soul remained eternal.
Even in her final moments, Huo Yun'er had never resented Dai Hao—only worrying for Huo Yuhao's future.
Pitiable. Tragic. Heartbreaking.
"I'm back." Huo Yuhao smiled—confident, spirited, and free.
He was no longer that helpless, powerless child.
Now, he had led Shrek to victory, defeating the continent's most formidable young talents!
His strength was still limited, but it was enough for now.
[Achievement Triggered!]
[Achievement completed: "Who in the World Doesn't Know You?"]
[Reward: Fixed Immortal Travel Gu—A sixth-level Immortal Gu that allows instantaneous travel to any vividly remembered location within three breaths.]
[Evaluation: You are free!]
"Teacher, can we proceed?" Huo Yuhao asked inwardly.
"Of course," Electrolux replied. "Once I relocate your mother's grave to the Spectral Demiplane, I can summon her soul using necromancy."
Huo Yuhao nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Teacher."
A surge of grayish light emanated from Huo Yuhao's body as a dark portal materialized before the grave.
Slowly, the tomb was enveloped and drawn into the demiplane.
Electrolux had once promised that once Huo Yuhao reached the five-ring Soul King rank, he could begin inheriting his legacy.
Huo Yuhao was more than willing.
Thanks to the Gu worms—especially those related to wisdom—he had already begun dabbling in necromantic arts despite being only a Soul Ancestor.
Though most of what he learned was auxiliary in nature, it had broadened his horizons immensely.
The Spectral Demiplane had become more than just a training ground—it was his sanctuary.
The next morning, the Shrek team donned plain attire and quietly left Star Luo City, avoiding any official send-offs.
Elder Xuan personally led their return flight, cutting the journey down to just two days—a testament to his caution.
'Just what kind of past experiences made him so wary?'
…
Sun and Moon Empire – Mingde Hall (Illustrious Virtue Hall)
In the grand, metallic hall of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, a stout, brown-haired man sat upon a central chair.
This was Jing Hongchen—a 93rd-ranked Titled Douluo, a class 9 soul engineer, and grandfather to Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
Before him, the team's instructor, Teacher Ma, knelt in deference.
"Rise," Jing Hongchen said calmly.
"Master, I failed in leading the team. I await your punishment,"Teacher Ma said humbly.
Jing Hongchen sighed.
"You did nothing wrong. No one could have anticipated Shrek fielding a Soul Saint. Against such odds, defeat was inevitable. Yet, you brought the team back intact—that alone is commendable."
Jing Hongchen then smiled faintly.
"Besides, this trip yielded something far greater."
Teacher Ma hesitated. "The 100,000-year soul beast embryo?"
Jing Hongchen shook his head. "That was an equal exchange, and it's brought us nothing but trouble—three separate attempts to steal it already."
"Then… Huo Yuhao?"
"His talent is indeed terrifying," Jing Hongchen admitted. "But reaching Titled Douluo takes time. We need not rush."
Jing Hongchen expression turned thoughtful.
"The true prize is that this defeat has humbled Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. They've requested to join Shrek's exchange program."
A slow smile spread across his face.
"And for their safety… I'll be paying Shrek a visit myself."
...
Noon.
Shrek Academy, East Gate.
It was still class time.
The entrance of Shrek Academy was unusually quiet. The small vendors who usually gathered here were absent today, and four figures stood before the massive city gate.
"We're here."
Yan Shaozhe, the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, stood at the forefront. His eyes flickered with joy as he gazed into the distance.
The other four also looked up at the sky.
They were: Xian Lin'er, Dean of the Soul Guidance Department, Cai Mei'er, Vice-Dean of the Martial Soul Department, Qian Duoduo, Vice-Dean of the Soul Guidance Department, Fan Yu, core instructor of the Soul Guidance Department and mentor of He Caitou.
Four deans and an class 8 soul engineer with a promising future—such a lineup was undeniably grand.
In the distant sky, tiny black dots gradually grew clearer, descending under their watchful eyes.
The first to land was the disheveled Xuan Zi.
Glancing at the familiar city gate, Xuan Zi grinned. "The rest is up to you. I'll take my leave first."
Yan Shaozhe and the others bowed slightly in acknowledgment.
One by one, the Shrek students returning from the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament descended, their hearts brimming with emotion.
Excitement burned in nearly everyone's eyes, and the youngest—Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao—even had tears glistening. Though they had been away from the academy for less than two months, their journey had been fraught with twists and turns, leaving them with unforgettable experiences.
"Kids, welcome home."
Yan Shaozhe and the others strode forward to greet the triumphant Shrek team.
While Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo—longtime rivals—managed to keep their composure, the other three couldn't hold back.
But it was Ma Xiaotao who acted first.
"Teacher! Teacher's Wife!"
She rushed forward the moment she landed, throwing herself into Cai Mei'er's embrace.
Cai Mei'er chuckled helplessly, a fond gleam in her eyes. "You're still such a child, even at your age."
Next, Fan Yu hurried over and pulled He Caitou into a tight hug, hot tears streaming down his face.
The Death God's Corpse Explosion incident had terrified him—this was his only direct disciple! Their bond had long surpassed that of teacher and student, resembling father and son instead.
Meanwhile, Xian Lin'er fussed over Huo Yuhao, checking him from head to toe like a worried mother.
The Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament was never completely safe—casualties occurred in almost every edition.
Though Huo Yuhao had been the pivotal figure in this year's victory, one couldn't forget that he was only twelve years old and still a Soul Ancestor.
While this had been Mu En's decision, the burden on Huo Yuhao's shoulders had been immense.
He must have suffered greatly to secure the championship.
At this thought, Xian Lin'er—who already treated Huo Yuhao as her own disciple—couldn't hide her affection.
Huo Yuhao simply smiled, allowing her fussing. Unlike the original timeline, though he was temporarily studying under Fan Yu, his closest bond in the Soul Guidance Department was with Dean Xian.
She had simply given him too much.
Yan Shaozhe, observing the scene, turned to the other equally emotional students and declared, "Kids, the academy is proud of you."
As the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, he made sure to acknowledge everyone.
It definitely wasn't because he was a lonely old man with no one to dote on him.
After the brief reunion, the four deans personally escorted the team back into the academy.
When they arrived at the serene Sea God Lake, several small boats were already waiting by the shore.
"Dean Yan, this…?"
Bei Bei's face was filled with shock, and the others mirrored his expression. Thanks to Huo Yuhao, even the reserve team members were familiar with this route.
Yan Shaozhe explained:
"You've given your all for the academy. Despite fielding a depleted lineup, you fought valiantly in the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament and brought home the championship.
"This achievement will forever be etched into Shrek Academy's history. As such, your rewards will be distributed in an unprecedented manner—within the Sea God Pavilion."
Whoosh—
In an instant, the previously cheerful atmosphere turned to stunned silence.
Everyone was shocked.
Especially the reserve team, who knew little about the inner courtyard. The Sea God Pavilion was a distant legend to them—even most outer courtyard students had never set foot inside.
Even Dai Yuheng, Ling Luochen, and Xixi from the inner courtyard were taken aback.
They had never been permitted entry either.
The Sea God Pavilion was not only the highest decision-making body of Shrek Academy but also its true treasury, safeguarding all of the academy's deepest secrets.
Normally, only the Sea God Pavilion elders and the four deans were allowed inside.
Huo Yuhao, however, wasn't surprised.
This was just the Sea God Pavilion—he was already accustomed to it.
Though the winning lineup differed slightly from the original, this was undoubtedly Mu En's doing, aligning with his habits.
Moreover, during his earlier exchange with Xian Lin'er, he had learned that Mu En intended to deepen the integration of martial souls and soul tools.
Everything was proceeding smoothly. The exchange program with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy was now inevitable.
…
The boats sailed for over fifteen minutes, cutting through the mist before arriving at Sea God Island.
Under the deans' guidance, the group ascended to the island's highest point.
The four deans halted before the Sea God Pavilion, stepping aside.
The next moment, the entire pavilion glowed, showering everyone in rich, golden light.
The warm, heavy radiance enveloped them, even revitalizing Wang Yan, instantly dispelling the fatigue of their journey.
Their meridians seemed to widen, their soul power purifying and surging with renewed vigor.
Among them, Wang Dong'er and Bei Bei felt the most profound effects.
Bei Bei's body faintly echoed with a dragon's roar, while Wang Dong'er radiated a translucent golden hue, harmonizing with the light.
Since both their martial souls were light-aligned, they reaped the greatest benefits—a boon for their future cultivation.
Even Ma Xiaotao, now a Soul Sage, felt her recently unstable soul power due to her breakthrough and frequent use of the Evil Fire solidify further.
Aside from foundational improvements, everyone's soul power saw noticeable growth.
Huo Yuhao, however, barely felt the foundational changes.
His innate talents were already exceptional, and he had undergone a similar baptism shortly after enrolling.
Moreover, after fusing with the Life Gold, the light's power only served to boost his soul power.
Seizing the opportunity, he freely circulated his meditation technique, devouring the life energy in the air.
Already near the bottleneck of Level 42, he broke through to Level 43 effortlessly.
As the light baptism ended, Huo Yuhao felt a twinge of regret.
'If I could cultivate like this all the time, it'd be faster than using Yuanshi…(from Tianyuan Treasure Lotus Gu)'
But that was unrealistic.
His customized meditation technique was still in development, stuck in the theoretical phase.
He made a mental note to prioritize its completion.
One by one, the students awoke from their trance.
"Enter."
A gentle, aged voice resonated.
Yan Shaozhe immediately stepped forward. "Follow us."
The four deans and Fan Yu entered first, leading everyone into the Sea God Pavilion.
The hall inside was vast, centered around a massive wooden table. The deans took their seats, while Fan Yu stood behind Qian Duoduo and Xian Lin'er.
The elders, including Xuan Zi, were already seated, casting proud and encouraging glances at the Shrek team.
Yan Shaozhe bowed deeply to Mu En, who reclined at the head of the table.
"Teacher, they have returned."
"Good. You may proceed."
"Yes, Teacher."
Turning to the students, Yan Shaozhe smiled.
"Welcome back, kids. Whether you've heard of it or not, let me reiterate—this is the Sea God Pavilion, the highest authority of Shrek Academy. Its meetings determine the academy's future direction. Aside from us four deans, every elder here has contributed immensely to the academy."
Then, his tone deepened.
"Now, let us announce the rewards."
"First—Wang Yan."
"Dean Yan." Wang Yan stepped forward, bowing slightly.
"As the team leader, you ensured Shrek's millennia-old glory remained untarnished in this tournament. Your reward: promotion to Special Teacher of Shrek Academy, granting you the right to teach in the inner courtyard. Additionally, you may access all sections of the inner courtyard's library for one year."
"This…!" Wang Yan was so overwhelmed he could barely speak.
The inner courtyard library!
Though he had previously helped Huo Yuhao gain access, his own privileges had been limited to the outer courtyard's collections.
The forbidden section of the inner courtyard's library housed countless rare and invaluable texts—in Wang Yan's eyes, it was Shrek's greatest treasure!
"This is your rightful reward. If you have no objections, you may rest now."
"Understood, Dean!" Wang Yan left, his voice brimming with excitement.
Next, Yan Shaozhe's tone turned stern.
"Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yaoheng, Ling Luochen, Xixi—the four of you, as inner courtyard disciples, failed to protect yourselves and your teammates during the surveillance mission, impacting the tournament's proceedings. You will be punished."
Ma Xiaotao and the others: 'What?'
'This isn't right!'
They had fought desperately to eliminate the evil soul master, yet instead of rewards, they were being reprimanded?
Though the punishment was harmless, it was still a blow to their pride as inner courtyard elites.
The Soul Saint-level corpse explosion had been unforeseeable—they were lucky to survive at all!
Seeing their defiance, Yan Shaozhe's expression darkened.
"Do you have objections? Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yaoheng—as the team's primary attackers, did you face the enemy head-on and protect your teammates?"
"Ling Luochen—as the control-type soul master, did you adequately restrain the Death Messenger? Xixi—as a agile attacker, why did you fail to scout the enemy and instead engaged in close-quarters combat in a confined cave?"
His voice sharpened.
"Your carelessness and underestimation of the enemy nearly cost the team dearly! Is this the conduct expected of Shrek's inner courtyard? Even outer courtyard students know—a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit! And yet, you—?"
After the scathing rebuke, the four hung their heads, chastened.
Then, Yan Shaozhe's tone softened.
"Now, look at Huo Yuhao's performance. As a mere Soul Ancestor on his first mission, he not only saved Gong Yangmo and Chen Zifeng but also mitigated the corpse explosion's damage and slew the mastermind. Compared to him, how do you measure up?"
The classic someone else's child comparison!
At this moment, the four inner courtyard disciples truly grasped Huo Yuhao's monstrous capabilities.
This twelve-year-old had not only survived the explosion unscathed but also teleported repeatedly to shield them—all while having the presence of mind to eliminate the enemy.
Compared to him, they truly seemed… useless.
After the stick came the carrot.
"However, thanks to Huo Yuhao and the reserve team's stellar performance in the tournament, you ultimately secured the championship. Thus, the punishment is revoked, and each of you will receive 300,000 gold soul coins."
"Remember this lesson well—life is precious, and no one gets a second chance."
"Thank you, Dean!"
The four nodded vigorously, relieved.
Next, Yan Shaozhe turned to the reserve team.
"As for you seven—your performance was exemplary. Each will receive 300,000 gold soul coins, and the three champion soul bones will be distributed among you."
"Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, He Caitou, and Tang Ya—having reached the Soul Ancestor rank, you may now take the inner courtyard entrance exam in advance. For guidance, consult any of the four deans."
"Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao—you will remain. The Sea God Pavilion Master has a special reward for you."
At this point, Ma Xiaotao couldn't stay silent.
"Teacher, what about Huo Yuhao? This isn't fair! He was the main contributor to Shrek's victory!"
Yan Shaozhe's face twitched.
'Did she really think he'd overlook his top performer?'
Truly, a daughter grown is no longer her father's to control.
"The academy hasn't forgotten him. Huo Yuhao, you will stay with Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao."
"Understood." Huo Yuhao nodded calmly.
This was shaping up to be quite the spectacle.
…
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