The examiners for the other three tests were all Soul Saints, formerly inner court students and members of the Surveillance Corps.
As they walked, Xie Huanyue explained Shrek Academy's current state to Huo Yuhao.
Many of the remaining members had eventually been recalled by their families, like Wang Yan, and left the academy.
Now, including Huo Yuhao and excluding new students, fewer than forty people remained.
The newly rebuilt Shrek no longer divided into inner and outer courts, but it still retained the Soul Engineering Department—headed by Xian Lin'er, with Meng Hongchen as the sole other instructor.
It was truly touching—many of Shrek's strongest returned to their families, but Meng Hongchen, from the Sun Moon Empire, had chosen to stay.
She had followed Shrek back then. That act alone made her a traitor to her empire. There was no returning to the Sun Moon Empire for her now.
The Martial Soul Department remained under Yan Shaozhe, with Cai Mei'er as vice dean.
Currently, the most numerous in the academy were Soul Douluo-level soul masters. Young prodigies like Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen had already broken through to that level.
Most of these Soul Douluo were now cultivating in the core area of the Star Dou Forest, hoping to become Title Douluo and one day battle the Holy Spirit Church.
Thus, many academy affairs had fallen on the shoulders of Soul Saints like Xie Huanyue.
"Wait a minute," Huo Yuhao suddenly asked, "The academy only has two deans? Then... who's the principal?"
Xie Huanyue looked at him with a grin. "What do you think?"
Huo Yuhao blinked, then slowly pointed at himself. "Huh? Me?"
Under Xie Huanyue's lead, Huo Yuhao ventured to the deepest part of the academy, where he met Yan Shaozhe.
Of the three deans, only Yan Shaozhe stayed at the academy long-term.
Seeing Huo Yuhao return, Yan Shaozhe was even more excited than Xie Huanyue. While Xie Huanyue was thrilled at Huo Yuhao's return, Yan Shaozhe was moved by what his return signified.
"Yuhao, your strength?" Yan Shaozhe asked cautiously.
Huo Yuhao smiled and nodded. "I've broken through."
Yan Shaozhe's eyes widened instantly, his lips trembling with excitement. "Good, good, excellent!"
He repeated "good," then tears streamed down his face as he looked skyward, sighing deeply.
"Teacher, Elder Xuan, do your spirits in heaven see this? Yuhao has succeeded! Shrek has a future again!"
Huo Yuhao: "…"
Huo Yuhao thought: *Looking to the sky won't help you find Mu En or Xuanzi. Better look at me.*
Oh, Xuanzi's soul was devoured by the Dragon Pill, now part of Middle Corpse Feng Wudu.
Still, Huo Yuhao could sense that Yan Shaozhe had been under immense pressure lately. His return gave Yan Shaozhe renewed confidence.
Compared to Xie Huanyue, Yan Shaozhe and other academy leaders knew more clearly the kind of enemy they faced.
Not to mention the Holy Spirit Cult's three Limit Douluos, the Corpse God Emperor alone—suspected to have surpassed level 100—was despair-inducing.
Jiang Nannan, undergoing divine trials, had an uncertain timeline to godhood.
Fortunately, there was Huo Yuhao. He'd reached Limit Douluo, favored by ancestors, with a strong chance of becoming a god.
Yan Shaozhe kept Huo Yuhao at the academy for now.
The new Shrek Academy was rudimentary, lacking even a mimicry training ground, but Shrek's name still held some sway.
Shrek students still received respect from the four empires, and many graduated alumni were willing to aid the academy and its new students.
After all, soul master academies offer limited resources beyond cultivation environments and materials. The "alumni network" formed by graduates was a vital connection.
Even if Shrek had declined, as long as its reputation endured, alumni would maintain that network.
Later, Yan Shaozhe gave Huo Yuhao a tour of the new academy.
Currently, it had one dean—Yan Shaozhe—and eleven Soul Sage teachers.
Most were Huo Yuhao's acquaintances, including Xie Huanyue and two others close to him: Lulu and Cao Jinxuan.
The remaining Soul Douluo-level members were training in the Star Dou Great Forest's core.
As for the few Titled Douluos, most were abroad—some working for the academy's growth, others secretly gathering intelligence on the Holy Spirit Cult.
Everyone was thrilled to see Huo Yuhao. Lulu hugged him, crying, clinging to him.
Others watched with knowing smiles.
Huo Yuhao's love life? Those in the know understood.
"As expected of Little Brother Huo—no one escapes him," Xie Huanyue whispered.
Cao Jinxuan sighed. "The girls all fall for Captain, while we're still single. Wasn't joining the Shrek Seven Monsters supposed to guarantee a teammate romance?"
Xie Huanyue glanced at him slyly. "Don't think I don't know about your two sweethearts in town."
"Who's two-timing? It's true love! I'm just following Captain's lead!" Cao Jinxuan panicked.
"I didn't say you were two-timing," Xie Huanyue smirked.
Cao Jinxuan flushed, stammering, "I… you…"
He babbled about "true feelings," "pure love," and "mutual devotion," words no one quite followed, sparking laughter and filling the academy with joy.
Shrek Town was developing quickly, aided by the four empires and major sects, attracting soul masters from other factions.
Cao Jinxuan's two girlfriends were sect-born, minor geniuses around his age, both at Soul King level.
Mid-twenties Soul Kings, with potential to reach Soul Douluo.
But Cao Jinxuan hid their relationships, fearing others might think he'd leave Shrek.
In a small town, though, nothing stayed secret.
Others just didn't call him out.
Today, Xie Huanyue exposed Cao Jinxuan's secret to ease his mind, assuring him no one would suspect betrayal for having girlfriends.
Cao Jinxuan could now openly date them.
Honestly, finding partners wasn't hard for Shrek's remaining members.
They were the elite—strong, talented, with solid martial soul legacies.
Plenty of "wolves" outside eyed this "meat."
Some didn't seek forever, just a night to borrow seed.
Such things were common on Douluo Continent, especially among non-sect, non-clan soul masters. Ma Xiaotao, for instance, was a descendant of Ma Hongjun's stray bloodline.
Major clans and sects guarded their martial soul legacies, monitoring even mutated offspring.
Who knew if a unique martial soul might emerge or a descendant reawaken the inherited one?
Of course, if a descendant's talent was too poor or their martial soul too inferior, great powers wouldn't claim them.
Huo Yuhao hoped Shrek's people would spread their seeds more. It would enrich Douluo Continent's future and his bloodline reserve.
Low-grade bloodlines might not aid him directly, but in enough quantity, they could trigger qualitative change.
One of the four empires' new policies was to boost birth rates. The affluent Sun-Moon Empire even offered a year's tax exemption for each child born to commoner families.
Amid laughter and banter, night fell.
The bustling academy from daytime recruitment grew quiet, but its people's hearts remained stirred.
A bonfire blazed in the academy square, its light dancing on smiling faces.
Yan Shaozhe sat with everyone on the ground, sharing food and wine bought from town, toasting together.
Here, rank and strength didn't matter—everyone was family, Shrek's inheritors.
The string of setbacks had changed Yan Shaozhe. The old him wouldn't have been so "down-to-earth."
This atmosphere relaxed the new students, fostering goodwill toward Shrek.
Tonight's bonfire wasn't just for Huo Yuhao's return but to welcome the new students.
"Yuhao, these are this year's juniors. We've recruited five, two above level 25. They're young geniuses, the academy's future," Xie Huanyue introduced.
The boy with the longbow martial soul from earlier wasn't among them.
---
The boy with the longbow martial soul from earlier wasn't among them.
The five new students consisted of three boys and two girls.
It must be said that those admitted to Shrek Academy not only had exceptional talent but also remarkable looks.
All three boys and two girls were strikingly attractive.
After all, in the Douluo Continent, the higher the quality of a soul master's martial soul, the better their appearance, as superior talent enhances the essence of life, elevating their looks.
While Huo Yuhao observed the five, they curiously studied him in return, their gazes filled with excitement, admiration, curiosity, and… affection for the handsome figure before them.
Xie Huanyue smiled and said to the group, "Come on, juniors, introduce yourselves to our Poseidon Pavilion Master."
The five weren't shy and began introducing themselves from left to right.
The first to speak was a blond boy. "My name is Fei Lingyun, from the border of the Star Luo Empire. My martial soul is the Golden Griffin, an assault-type battle soul master, level 27. I came to Shrek Academy to become stronger!"
Fei Lingyun was the student who had fled from the Star Luo Empire.
He was born into nobility, but during the war, his family was betrayed and wiped out by other Star Luo families, forcing him to escape to Shrek Academy.
Such infighting during wars wasn't uncommon, and even in peacetime, clan exterminations weren't unheard of.
If not for his grudge against the Sun-Moon Empire, Fei Lingyun might have considered joining them, or, if pushed to extremes, even the Holy Spirit Cult.
Ultimately, he chose Shrek Academy, aiming to grow stronger for revenge.
His gaze toward Huo Yuhao was the most fervent, as he hoped to apprentice under him.
Fei Lingyun's Golden Griffin martial soul was a mutated one. His family originally inherited the ordinary Griffin, a high-tier martial soul. After mutating into the Golden Griffin, it became a top-tier assault-type beast martial soul, no less formidable than the Golden Crocodile martial soul.
Huo Yuhao could sense the rich golden bloodline within Fei Lingyun.
But before Fei Lingyun could express his desire to become Huo Yuhao's disciple, the boy beside him eagerly spoke up.
This boy had black hair, a handsome face, and a well-proportioned build.
"My name is Xiong Rui, from Star Luo City. My martial soul is the Scaled Flying Bear, an assault-type battle soul master, level 24. My family runs a chamber of commerce —the Flying Bear chamber of commerce is ours."
"Senior Huo Yuhao, you're the former captain of the Shrek Seven Monsters, right? The continent's greatest genius! My family and I watched your matches in the Sun-Moon Empire. I've heard your legends and admire you so much—you're my idol! Can you sign something for me?"
"And, can I feel your Ultimate Ice? I heard your martial soul is the continent's only detached beast martial soul. Can I see it? I…"
Silence fell.
Everyone could feel Xiong Rui's overflowing admiration for Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao, wiping sweat, signed Xiong Rui's clothes, finally stopping his relentless chatter.
However, Xiong Rui had potent luck and an unusual fate.
He possessed three fate patterns: [Flying Bear Fate], [Rolling Wealth], and [Inner Demon].
The Flying Bear wasn't a literal flying bear but a tiger that could soar, and those with this fate were destined to be exceptional aides to great rulers.
[Rolling Wealth] was common among the affluent.
Most intriguing to Huo Yuhao was the [Inner Demon] fate. For it to be a fate pattern meant this inner demon was Xiong Rui's innate talent.
That was interesting.
Next was the third boy.
He appeared gentle, exuding a scholarly aura, with slightly curly short hair and black-framed glasses.
Pushing up his glasses, he smiled and said, "My name is Yu Yuecheng, from the Dou Ling Empire. My martial soul is the Illusory Snake, a mental-attribute snake martial soul, control-type battle soul master, level 22."
Meeting Yu Yuecheng's mild demeanor, Huo Yuhao returned a bright smile, but his nose twitched.
He caught the scent of Poseidon's power!
"Is this a pawn placed by Old Man Tang, or is there another reason?" Huo Yuhao mused.
Yu Yuecheng was the calmest when seeing Huo Yuhao and kept his introduction brief.
Then came the two girls.
One had a pink bob haircut, a sweet and cute appearance, and wore a pink dress, resembling a little princess.
"My name is Luoluo, from the Heavenly Soul Empire. My martial soul is the Paradise Flower, an auxiliary-type soul master, level 21. Nice to meet everyone."
Luoluo's gaze toward Huo Yuhao was filled with curiosity.
But Huo Yuhao keenly sensed something off—she harbored ill intentions, a deeply concealed malice.
Even with his primordial spirit and power suppressed, mortals couldn't hide their thoughts from him.
"Another pink-haired schemer?" Huo Yuhao thought.
The other girl had red hair, striking features, a fiery figure despite her youth, and a temperament as bold as her hair. Her gaze on Huo Yuhao was equally intense.
She was smitten at first sight—a blatant fangirl, practically drooling.
Only when Luoluo nudged her arm did she snap back, but her fiery stare didn't waver.
She introduced herself, but it felt like she was pitching herself to Huo Yuhao for a date.
"My name is Ji Lanlan, martial soul Witch Staff, control-type battle soul master, level 26. I'm from the Sun-Moon Empire, and my family holds an earl's title."
Sun-Moon Empire?!
Those hearing Ji Lanlan's origin for the first time were stunned, scrutinizing her.
"How's someone from the Sun-Moon Empire joining the academy?" Cao Jinxuan blurted out.
Ji Lanlan shot back, "What? Can't Sun-Moon Empire people come?"
"Uh, they can, just never heard of it," Cao Jinxuan fumbled.
There was no rule against it.
Shrek Academy always admitted based on talent, not origin.
But no Sun-Moon Empire genius had ever enrolled.
Yan Shaozhe chuckled, explaining, "I approved Ji Lanlan's admission. She's exceptionally gifted, and her family sent her here for better training."
"Thanks to Ji Lanlan's family for trusting Shrek. We won't let them down."
Ji Lanlan waved it off carelessly.
"Training's secondary, but Shrek hasn't disappointed. I'd heard Huo Yuhao was the continent's top heartthrob, and seeing him today, it's true."
"Huo Yuhao, got a girlfriend? If not, consider me—I don't need a title!"
Everyone: "…"
Speechlessness is real.
Huo Yuhao laughed in exasperation.
Five students, one from each of the four empires, and not one was ordinary: a vengeful avenger, a diehard fan, Old Man Tang's plant, a malicious schemer, and a body-obsessed flirt.
Not a single normal one.
Huo Yuhao sighed inwardly, "What a bunch of talents. Shrek's truly thriving!"
---
Huo Yuhao spent the entire night disciplining Lulu, only dressing and leaving the academy at dawn.
Lulu remained unconscious.
Before leaving, Huo Yuhao thoughtfully left a note on the door, instructing others not to disturb Lulu, as she was in secluded cultivation.
Based on Huo Yuhao's estimation, Lulu would be out for at least a week.
The essence of a God King was fundamentally different from that of a First-Level God, and since Huo Yuhao had imbued Lulu with a substantial amount, it would take her considerable time to fully absorb it.
Those in the Divine Realm could rely on its power to quickly assimilate the nectar Huo Yuhao bestowed, but Lulu could only depend on her own abilities.
When Huo Yuhao returned to the academy, Lulu was already at level 79. By the time he left her room, she had broken through to level 80.
Once she fully digested the benefits, her strength would surge to the high-tier Contra level, and with a bit of stabilization, she could step into the Titled Douluo realm.
A jump of at least ten levels—this effect was far superior to ordinary immortal herbs.
Moreover, Lulu's gains wouldn't be limited to soul power.
Her martial soul would evolve again, even gaining a trace of divinity, becoming a "God-Given Martial Soul" in another sense.
As Huo Yuhao's time in the God King realm lengthened, he gained deeper insights into his own condition.
His life essence wasn't just brimming with potent energy—it carried his will and power's legacy.
This was the result of a transformation in his life's essence.
Huo Yuhao finally understood why the Gods of Destruction and Life couldn't have children due to their conflicting attributes. Their attribute powers were etched into their genes.
It wasn't something they could suppress at will.
After leaving Shrek Academy, Huo Yuhao's next stop was the Star Dou Forest, where Cai Mei'er was leading Contra-level students in secluded training.
Naturally, he had to check in.
…
Star Dou Forest, Core Region.
Shrek Academy's Contras, aside from cultivating soul power in the core region, would seek out powerful soul beasts to battle, honing themselves.
Thus, the core region's atmosphere didn't become lively with their presence—it remained desolate.
The only change was the addition of simple wooden cabins by the Lake of Life.
The Silver Dragon King allowed Shrek Academy's people to stay in the core region out of consideration for Huo Yuhao.
Most at Shrek were unaware of the Silver Dragon King's existence, still regarding Di Tian as the leader of all soul beasts.
Only one person knew of her—Jiang Nannan. However, she only knew a powerful soul beast existed, not the Silver Dragon King's true identity.
This was because the Silver Dragon King had struck a deal with Huo Yuhao: she would guide Jiang Nannan to godhood.
But would the Silver Dragon King really be so kind?
Of course not!
She was no longer in a state of mental disarray.
Her hostility toward humans remained strong.
The sole reason she temporarily set aside her animosity to cooperate with Huo Yuhao and Shrek Academy was the crisis and pressure she sensed from the Divine Realm.
The breakthrough of the Corpse God to divine status and the presence of God King-level power on the continent made her realize she could no longer hide.
Forget the Divine Realm's God Kings—just the Corpse God's reckless slaughter across the continent would eventually reach the Star Dou Forest. By then, even if she acted, it would be too late.
Who knew how far the Corpse God would had grown?
The Silver Dragon King, still gravely injured, could be severely wounded or even killed by a mere First-Level God.
Moreover, she had plans for Huo Yuhao and the others at Shrek Academy.
Without revealing her identity, she aimed to restore peace to the continent and use Huo Yuhao and Jiang Nannan to plant spies in the Divine Realm.
When her injuries healed and she stormed back to the Divine Realm, these preparations would prove invaluable.
Ordinary humans were beneath her notice, but divine inheritors held value for her schemes.
If she could control Shrek's people, they could serve as a protective barrier.
However, the Silver Dragon King wasn't hasty. She diligently guided Jiang Nannan's cultivation, treating her like a true disciple.
She was waiting for the perfect moment.
That moment—when Huo Yuhao was fully devoured by the Golden Ancient Tree!
"Huo Yuhao used the method I taught him to coexist with the Golden Ancient Tree, gaining immense power. In truth, he's nourishing the tree with his entirety. The stronger he becomes, the closer he is to being consumed by it."
"When he's fully devoured, I'll seize the Golden Ancient Tree and use its power to swiftly heal my injuries. Its effects far surpass that worm from before."
"Under my influence, Jiang Nannan's feelings for Huo Yuhao run deep. Once he falls, her heart and mind will crack, giving me the perfect chance to control her!"
"With my nurturing, Jiang Nannan has a ninety percent chance of becoming a god. Once I control her and send her to the Divine Realm, she can scout for clues about the Golden Dragon King. If I find him…"
The Silver Dragon King knew that even if she recovered her God King strength, slaughtering the Divine Realm alone would be nearly impossible.
Her true goal in planting spies was to locate the Golden Dragon King.
The Golden and Silver Dragon Kings were the two halves of the Dragon God. Their fusion could resurrect the Dragon God, but they'd lose themselves.
However, if one devoured the other, the victor would inherit the Dragon God's throne, becoming the new Dragon God!
The Silver Dragon King's plan was to devour the Golden Dragon King, ascend as the new Dragon God, reach the Supreme God King realm, and reclaim what was rightfully hers!
Imagining this future, she felt victory within reach, eager to advance her plans.
Her spiritual force extended through the alternate space beneath the Lake of Life, emerging above the lake, where she found a girl standing by the shore.
The girl appeared in her early twenties, blending maturity with youth. Tall and well-proportioned, her strikingly long, flawless legs drew attention, leaving no gap when pressed together. Her wavy golden hair cascaded down her back, her skin fair as snow, and a captivating charm lingered in her expression.
Her eyes, which should've sparkled with life, gazed at the lake with a faint trace of sorrow, as if yearning for someone who haunted her dreams.
It was Jiang Nannan.
"Nannan, thinking of him again?" The Silver Dragon King's voice sounded in her ear.
"Senior, I… I was just distracted." Jiang Nannan lacked the courage to admit it.
The Silver Dragon King continued, gently coaxing, "You're to inherit the God of Love's position. If you have love in your heart, face it boldly to align better with the divine role and inherit it smoothly. Otherwise, there may be risks."
"But… I…" Jiang Nannan sighed, "He's been gone so long, and he carries heavy responsibilities. How could I let my feelings burden him? I'm not the one in his heart."
That last sentence was the crux!
"No, you're wrong. If you want to help him and stand by his side, nothing else matters," the Silver Dragon King countered. "The only thing that matters is whether you're willing to accept *all* of him—including those he loves!"
"You don't need to break them apart. You can join them."
Her words left Jiang Nannan stunned, lost in thought.
Instead of rejecting such shocking advice, Jiang Nannan's first reaction was to consider its feasibility.
This was, naturally, the Silver Dragon King's doing.
Unversed in human love, she didn't "treat" Jiang Nannan's feelings. Instead, she mirrored Huo Yuhao's tactics—directly tampering with her mind using spiritual force!
After prolonged, subtle interference, the results were clear.
After all, if Jiang Nannan didn't love Huo Yuhao more deeply, how could the Silver Dragon King break her spirit later? ---
As Huo Yuhao approached the core area, he made no effort to conceal his presence. The ferocious beasts in the core zone immediately sensed his arrival.
Di Tian's figure appeared first, standing in midair, gazing at Huo Yuhao rapidly approaching from the distance.
The next moment, Huo Yuhao stood before Di Tian, facing him in the sky. His aura astonishingly matched Di Tian's, holding its own.
"Huo Yuhao!" Di Tian's eyes narrowed slightly. His expression remained calm, but his heart churned with shock.
How long has it been?
A year at most, and Huo Yuhao had returned after a breakthrough—reaching Ultimate Douluo in just one year?
Unlike seasoned monsters who had lingered at the Super Douluo level for years, Huo Yuhao was different.
Less than a decade had passed since Di Tian first met him, when Huo Yuhao was merely a Soul Emperor.
Even now, having broken through to Ultimate Douluo, Huo Yuhao was still under twenty-five years old.
Di Tian found it unbelievable.
Even a god's heir couldn't possess such prodigious talent!
What resources could a god's heir access? And what could Huo Yuhao have accessed? Even immortal herbs couldn't bridge such a gap!
Yet, reality stared him in the face.
Most crucially, Di Tian sensed danger from Huo Yuhao—a sign that Huo Yuhao's combat strength now posed a genuine threat. He was no fraud.
In Di Tian's eyes, Huo Yuhao's heaven-defying talent seemed almost inhuman.
If not for the Lord's prior plans, such talent might well have broken through to godhood. I even suspect he's a god reincarnating, Di Tian mused.
"Senior Di Tian, it's been a while," Huo Yuhao said with a smile.
Di Tian nodded, speaking calmly, "I didn't expect you to return so soon. Your talent surprises me. Rest assured, for saving the Auspicious Beast back then, we've honored our agreement, providing a training environment and resources for Shrek's people. They've all made progress."
Before any falling out, a degree of friendliness was necessary.
Moreover, the stronger Huo Yuhao became, the greater the benefits soul beasts could reap in the future.
Di Tian knew parts of the Silver Dragon King's plans, as did Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao's smile widened. "Thank you, Senior, for your help. Neither I nor Shrek will forget this favor. From now on, Shrek and Star Dou Great Forest are allies in maintaining the continent's balance."
"I only hope that when peace comes to the continent, you humans won't disturb the core zone's tranquility," Di Tian said evenly.
He didn't care for peace between humans and soul beasts, nor did he believe it possible.
Humans and soul beasts living in harmony was as absurd as a cat marrying a mouse.
After their brief exchange, both retracted their auras and descended together to the Lake of Life.
There, a group of ferocious beasts and Shrek's team awaited.
The beasts were still led by Di Tian.
Bi Ji stood beside Di Tian, nodding and smiling at Huo Yuhao. She clearly held a favorable view of him, especially since he'd saved Jin Qiuer.
Unnoticed by anyone but Huo Yuhao, a faint golden Buddhist light glimmered in Bi Ji's eyes.
Over time, the means Huo Yuhao had left in Bi Ji's body under the pretext of healing her had rooted deeply in her heart, entwining with her soul, impossible to remove.
Jin Qiuer stood beside Bi Ji, her golden hair now a blue-gold hue. She nodded at Huo Yuhao, appearing unchanged from before.
But Huo Yuhao could tell that Jin Qiuer, with her soul fully restored, was no longer the same person. Once a mere puppet, she was now a complete "person."
The most evident change was her temperament.
Additionally, Jin Qiuer's fate had transformed into:
Twin Lotus: Black Dragon!
Auspicious Beast Body!
Born Noble!
Peerless Prodigy!
Beast of Fortune!
Golden Fate!
Destined One!
All negative fates had vanished. As the Imperial Auspicious Beast, Jin Qiuer would now shoulder her destined responsibilities.
She was now the soul beasts' Beast of Fortune, their "Destined One"!
The Myriad Demon King and Bear Lord were present, but they remained silent, wary of Huo Yuhao.
As for the most enigmatic of the ten ferocious beasts, Yao Ling, they were still absent.
Perhaps Yao Ling was about to be expelled from Star Dou Great Forest's registry.
Not all soul beasts were willing to engage in the conflict between humans and soul beasts.
When Huo Yuhao turned his gaze to Shrek's side, he was met with warm gazes and friendly smiles.
The first to rush toward him was, surprisingly, Wang Donger.
"Huo Yuhao, you're back! Does that mean you've really broken through to Ultimate Douluo?" Wang Donger was excited, but her voice carried more disbelief and a hint of dejection.
She felt she'd never catch up to Huo Yuhao in this lifetime.
She was only a Soul Douluo now.
Huo Yuhao nodded, confirming her question, then glanced at Wang Donger's fate.
Her fate had become:
Twin Lotus: White Dragon!
Butterfly God's Blessing!
Clear Sky Blessing!
Peerless Prodigy!
Daughter of Fortune!
Sea God's Daughter!
Fate Defier!
Like Jin Qiuer, Wang Donger's soul, now complete, was no longer Tang Wutong's avatar.
Wang Donger's hair was blue-pink.
In a sense, after Jin Qiuer and Wang Donger gained complete souls, the true Tang Wutong had vanished from the world.
All of Wang Donger's negative fates were gone, replaced by new ones, especially Fate Defier, proof of her defiance against Tang San and breaking her destiny.
Moreover, Wang Donger had become a Daughter of Fortune, representing humanity's luck.
As for Huo Yuhao? He was no longer a Child of Fortune. Now, he was the Lord of the Plane!
If he wished, he could refine Douluo Continent's core at any moment, fully claiming control over it.
But doing so would expose everything to the Divine Realm, inviting Tang San's relentless targeting at any cost.
After checking Wang Donger and Jin Qiuer's fates, Huo Yuhao turned inward to his divine kingdom, glancing at the Imperial Auspicious Beast's fate.
The Imperial Auspicious Beast was gleefully gnawing on a bone from who-knows-where, flanked by the sisters Li Jing and Li Ya as her attendants.
On closer inspection, the bone was a dragon bone, bearing Golden Dragon bloodline, likely fallen from the Dragon Realm.
But the bone wasn't the focus—her fate was:
Heaven's Mandate!
Auspicious Beast of Destiny!
Born Noble!
Peerless Prodigy!
Lord of Blessings!
Imperial Fate!
Golden Fate!
The Imperial Auspicious Beast's fate was similarly free of negative effects.
Reflecting on the three women's fates, Huo Yuhao reached a conclusion:
"Without Old Man Tang, everyone can have a bright future!"
As the Master of the Sea God Pavilion and the new dean of Shrek Academy, Huo Yuhao naturally had the authority to know about everyone's situation within the academy.
Without Huo Yuhao needing to ask, after Wang Dong'er spoke, the others began sharing their gains from the past year with him.
The cultivation environment in the core area of the Star Dou Forest was no less impressive than that of Sea God Island back in the day. Moreover, with the Silver Dragon King's approval, Di Tian provided resources for the Shrek Academy members to cultivate, resulting in significant strength improvements for everyone over the past year.
Naturally, this also improved the Shrek members' perception of the ferocious beasts.
The Silver Dragon King's attempt to win their hearts had initially succeeded.
The Shrek Academy group in the core area was led by Cai Mei'er.
Cai Mei'er's strength had stabilized at the level of a Level 95 Super Douluo, but breaking through to Level 96 was no easy feat.
Besides Wang Dong'er, the Shrek Academy students included four maids, Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, Wu Ming, Hua Yao, Xiao Xiao, Jiang Nannan, Meng Hongchen, Xu Sanshi, and seven other members of the inspection team.
So many Contra-level powerhouses would be enough to establish a formidable force in the outside world, but for Shrek Academy, it was still far from sufficient.
Among all the Contras, the highest-ranked were Wu Ming, Hua Yao, Meng Hongchen, and Xu Sanshi.
All four were at Level 89.
The obstacle preventing their breakthrough was condensing a soul core.
Condensing a soul core varied in difficulty for different individuals, but it was never easy.
Most of the others were around Level 85.
Among them, Xiao Xiao and Jiang Nannan had also broken through to Level 85.
Jiang Nannan's rapid breakthrough was partly due to the Silver Dragon King's guidance and partly due to the enhancement of her qualifications through a divine test.
Xiao Xiao's breakthrough to Level 85 came from starting to cultivate her second martial soul, allowing her soul power to catch up with the others.
Meanwhile, peers like Xie Huanyue and Cao Jinxuan remained at the Soul Saint level.
As for Wang Dong'er, after consuming an immortal herb, her soul power had broken through to Level 90. The Sea God's mark within her transformed into a divine soul ring, which now adorned her.
The same was true for Jin Qiu'er.
Currently, Wang Dong'er was cultivating her second martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer.
Huo Yuhao was very satisfied with everyone's progress.
"The next focus will be to help Brother Xu and a few senior sisters break through to Titled Douluo. Once they achieve that, our chances of victory in the final battle against the Holy Spirit Cult will greatly increase."
"So, I will personally guide them in condensing their soul cores!"
Hearing that Huo Yuhao would personally guide them, Xu Sanshi couldn't help but reveal a delighted smile. "Haha, with Little Brother Huo's help, I'll definitely break through in no time!"
Xu Sanshi didn't forget to glance at Jiang Nannan, but seeing that she didn't respond, he restrained his smile.
Still, Xu Sanshi clenched his fists, silently vowing, "Nannan, just watch me. I'll definitely break through to Titled Douluo. After I complete my revenge, I'll win your heart back!"
How could one easily forget their first love?
As for Wu Ming, Hua Yao, and Meng Hongchen, their expressions varied.
Wu Ming and Hua Yao both blushed slightly, knowing full well that their rapid breakthroughs were largely thanks to Huo Yuhao's help.
When Huo Yuhao said he would guide them, they hoped he truly meant just guidance.
As for Meng Hongchen, she wore a faint smile, but there was a subtle trace of melancholy in her eyes. Compared to a year ago, her skin was even paler, but it was a sickly pallor, lacking any trace of vitality.
After everyone exchanged updates, Huo Yuhao and the Shrek members held a banquet to celebrate his return and to help everyone unwind.
Jin Qiu'er and Bi Ji also joined the banquet.
As for the other ferocious beasts, they had no interest in the banquet and didn't want to spend time with humans.
At the banquet, many drank wine, as if releasing the stress and pent-up emotions from the past year.
Huo Yuhao's return brought a glimmer of hope to everyone.
The banquet wasn't just about eating and drinking.
Jin Qiu'er, ever the restless one, picked up her Golden Dragon Spear and challenged Huo Yuhao directly.
Upon hearing Jin Qiu'er's challenge, Wang Dong'er stood up as well, saying she wanted to join in.
"Are you sure?" Huo Yuhao asked, confirming with both of them.
Jin Qiu'er and Wang Dong'er nodded.
Xu Sanshi, thinking of something, patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder with a smile and whispered, "Yuhao, there's a surprise!"
"A surprise?"
Huo Yuhao's interest was piqued, and he accepted the challenge, curious to see what these two daughters of divine kings had up their sleeves.
Jin Qiu'er and Wang Dong'er stood opposite Huo Yuhao, exchanging a glance as if their minds were perfectly in sync, instantly understanding each other's intentions.
In truth, they were indeed in sync, even able to sense each other's condition from a distance.
They attributed this to the effects of the immortal herb they had consumed.
Thus, both knew one thing: they couldn't possibly defeat Huo Yuhao. However, if they went all out, they might be able to give him a "shock."
Yes, their challenge was really about startling Huo Yuhao.
So, the two women embraced, their soul power merging into a pillar of blue, gold, and black light that shot into the sky.
"This is a martial soul fusion skill!" Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow.
Ma Xiaotao, smiling, explained from the side, "They were able to develop this martial soul fusion skill thanks to your immortal herb. Though, Nannan also gave them some pointers on martial soul fusion skills."
Jiang Nannan shook her head and said, "My pointers were just the icing on the cake. They already had the talent to develop a martial soul fusion skill."
Since Huo Yuhao's return, Jiang Nannan had acted normally, but Huo Yuhao could sense the unspoken longing hidden in her eyes when she looked at him.
Yet, Jiang Nannan was restrained enough to keep her feelings in check.
Their relationship had only progressed slightly before Huo Yuhao left, but even after so long, her feelings hadn't faded—they had only grown deeper.
Huo Yuhao didn't call attention to Jiang Nannan's feelings.
At this moment, Huo Yuhao recalled that in the original story, Wang Dong'er and Wang Qiu'er also had a martial soul fusion skill. Would Wang Dong'er and Jin Qiu'er's fusion be the same as in the original?
What was certain, however, was that their martial soul fusion skill was powerful enough to threaten an UltimateDouluo.
A martial soul fusion skill from Titled Douluo with top-tier martial souls was incredibly rare on the continent, even surpassing the configuration of Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's Nether White Tiger from back then.
As the light pillar of the martial soul fusion skill dissipated, a golden divine dragon with massive, radiant butterfly wings appeared before Huo Yuhao. Ten meters long, it exuded majesty, nobility, and beauty. Its butterfly wings were covered in pink-blue scales, breathtakingly stunning. Its pure white eyes radiated the aura of life, while the jet-black dragon horn on its forehead carried the power of destruction.
The voices of the two women echoed simultaneously from the dragon's mouth.
"Huo Yuhao, this is our martial soul fusion skill—Life and Death Butterfly Dragon Transformation!"
"Here we come!"
"Heaven and earth perish, all things return to nothingness!"
A dragon's breath of black and white sprayed from the dragon's mouth, intertwining the auras of destruction and life, carrying an unstoppable force of annihilation.