Suddenly being called out by an unfamiliar girl, Yan paused, momentarily stunned.
He didn't recognize her, nor did he know what her intentions were.
"You're talking to me?"
"Mm-hm."
The girl nodded with a bright smile, then continued:
"Your performance in the arena just now was incredible.
To tell you the truth, I'm a Fire-attribute Soul Master too—and so is my brother."
As she spoke, she gestured toward the young man standing behind her.
The boy gave Yan a polite nod.
Sensing no hostility from them, Yan realized they were likely just curious.
"So, what can I do for you two?"
"Oh, nothing much. Since we're all Fire-attribute Soul Masters, I thought we could be friends?"
The girl stepped forward as she spoke, extending her slender, delicate hand toward him.
Yan didn't know her, but he could sense her personality at once—confident, a little proud, perhaps even domineering in everyday life.
She reminded him somewhat of Hu Liena.
Still, she carried herself with a straightforward and candid air.
Seeing that Yan hadn't immediately responded, the boy behind her grinned.
"Brother, we've been waiting here for you for days.
You're really not going to give us even that much face?"
"Waiting for me… for days?"
The girl picked up the conversation again:
"That's right. We arrived in this city a few days ago.
We heard rumors that a rather extraordinary Fire-attribute Soul Master had appeared in the Great Spirit Arena.
So we've been coming to watch the matches every night, hoping to meet you in person."
Her pale hand was still extended patiently in front of him.
There's an old saying—you don't slap a smiling face.
Yan thought for a moment.
Making connections with other Fire-attribute Soul Masters might be useful for his future plans.
So he smiled faintly and shook her hand, his manner gentlemanly and composed.
The girl's smile deepened.
"Then let's introduce ourselves properly.
Hello, I'm Huo Wu, from Blazing City.
This is my brother, Huo Wushuang."
"Nice to meet you both. I'm Yama or you can you me Yan—though I suppose you already know that."
As Yan looked the siblings over carefully, realization dawned on him.
So these two were the Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang.
He knew of them.
The siblings came from a well-off family—their father was none other than the Dean of Blazing Academy.
Both possessed exceptional talent.
Huo Wu was a Control-type Soul Master, her Martial Soul being the Fire Shadow.
Huo Wushuang was a Power-attack type, with the Martial Soul One-Horned Fire Tyrannosaurus.
The two of them served as captain and vice-captain of Blazing Academy's team.
In the Soul Master Academy Tournament two years from now, both would reach above the fortieth rank.
For now, though, they were still in the low thirties—Soul Elders.
Huo Wu truly was beautiful, full of personality and fire—
no wonder Feng Xiaotian would one day fall completely under her spell.
Yan couldn't help his curiosity.
"So, what brings you two here? Sightseeing—or training?"
"To be honest, we're here for training,"
Huo Wu replied frankly, without hesitation.
Just then, Yue Guan walked over slowly.
Yan gave him a respectful nod.
"Teacher, I just met a couple of new friends. I'll talk with them for a bit."
"All right. I'll wait for you outside."
"Mm, I'll be right there."
Yue Guan's gaze swept briefly over Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang.
With a glance, he could tell they were both Fire-attribute Soul Masters.
Once Yue Guan had left, Yan turned back to the siblings.
"So, what made you choose this place for your training?"
"Probably the same reason as you," Huo Wu said with a smile.
"There are plenty of Water-attribute Soul Masters here.
They're challenging opponents for people like us—and that makes them perfect for our growth."
"Ah… so you're preparing for the Soul Master Tournament two years from now?"
"Exactly."
In the previous Advanced Academy Soul Master Elite Tournament, Blazing Academy had lost to Tianshui Academy.
Although the three Elemental Academies—Godwind, Tianshui, and Blazing—maintained good relations,
Huo Wu refused to accept another loss to Tianshui.
That was why she and her brother had come here:
to familiarize themselves early with Water-attribute opponents' techniques and weaknesses,
and to gain the upper hand when the next tournament arrived.
"By the way, Brother Yan," Huo Wu said suddenly, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
"I heard that the Spirit Hall Academy has a very powerful Fire-attribute Soul Master whose Martial Soul is the Flame Lord.
You have the same Martial Soul, don't you? Could it be that you two are—"
"Just a coincidence,"
Yan interrupted calmly, already guessing her question.
Though young, the siblings were experienced Fire-attribute Soul Masters themselves—recognizing the Flame Lord Martial Soul was only natural.
Huo Wu, being the outspoken type, already addressed him as "Brother Yan" after only a few minutes of conversation.
"What a coincidence then," she said with a playful smile.
"Still, you must belong to some academy, right?
They've really kept you hidden well—
to think such a genius Fire-attribute Soul Master has been flying under the radar!"
Yan chuckled lightly.
"Let's just say… that's a secret for now.
You'll find out eventually."
"All right, fair enough.
Such a shame, though—you'd have fit right in at our Blazing Academy.
If you were one of us, we'd definitely make the top three in the tournament!
Looks like there's going to be a dark horse in two years' time."
"I've heard Blazing Academy is quite strong as well," Yan replied.
"Reaching the finals shouldn't be a problem for you."
"I'll take that as a blessing,"
Huo Wu said, exchanging a cheerful glance with her brother.
Yan knew that the major Elemental Academies under the Heaven Dou Empire all possessed considerable strength.
For them, reaching the finals was hardly a challenge.
"Brother Yan," Huo Wushuang said sincerely,
"even if you're from another academy, it doesn't matter.
If you ever feel unhappy where you are, you're welcome at Blazing Academy anytime.
Our father's the Dean—if you want in, I can make it happen."
"Sure," Yan said casually.
He already understood—this was likely the real reason Huo Wu had approached him so enthusiastically.
Still, he agreed politely; there was no harm in keeping things cordial.
He knew that day would never come anyway.
As they chatted, a group of girls in light blue uniforms happened to pass by.
The girls glanced briefly at the trio, then lowered their heads and walked straight toward the exit.
Huo Wu spoke softly:
"So many beautiful Soul Masters all at once…
If I'm not mistaken, they must be from Tianshui Academy."
Yan nodded slightly.
"They look about the same age as you two.
Most likely your future opponents in the tournament."
"Mm, that's very possible,"
Huo Wushuang agreed.
"Tianshui Academy is right next door in Tianshui City.
Their team often comes here to the Great Spirit Arena for training.
That's actually one of the main reasons we came here as well."
The siblings were eager to assess Tianshui Academy's strength ahead of time—
and, if possible, find a chance to spar with them.
Yan glanced at the time. It was already getting late.
"All right, it's getting late. My teacher's still waiting for me outside. I should go. See you next time."
"Mm. See you."
Yan left the arena.
After taking only a few steps, he spotted Yue Guan waiting patiently nearby.
"Yan, who were those two?"
"They're students from Blazing Academy—here for training."
Yue Guan frowned slightly.
"Blazing Academy—one of the Five Elemental Academies?
Both of them are Fire-attribute Soul Masters, then.
They must have recognized your Martial Soul."
"They did.
But they don't know my true identity."
"Good."
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