The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament had completely ended. Star Luo City also gradually returned to its peace.
The final award ceremony was not public, nor was it grand. But the prizes were by no means inferior.
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, as the champion, had Ma Rulong receive the prize on the second day of the competition and immediately left Star Luo City, returning to the Sun Moon Empire.
And the Shrek Academy side, in order to wait for Elder Xuan, stayed for another day. And their prizes, besides the gold soul coins, there was only one thousand-year soul bone. The three soul bones that the champion should have gotten no longer belonged to them. Only Ling Luochen had additionally obtained the Ice Jade Scorpion left arm bone she had longed for.
His Majesty the Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiawei, had also wanted to invite Yan Shaozhe into the royal treasury to see how messy his national treasury was, but was refused by Yan Shaozhe. He, the old man, would not believe that the national treasury of a great empire would be robbed, nor was he willing to have too much of a relationship with the Star Luo Empire. In the end, it was Wang Yan who accepted the trashy thousand-year soul bone on behalf of the academy, which could also be considered as holding his nose and admitting it.
They, Shrek, the esteemed number one academy on the continent, had already lost the competition. Naturally, they could not bring themselves to forcefully demand that the other side give out a very good prize. Besides, Shrek was so close to the Star Dou Great Forest. They could completely source their own materials on the spot.
The value of three soul bones could no longer be completely measured by money. The reason why the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament had to change its host country every session was also related to the pressure of this reward. One must know that the top four all had rewards, but the soul bone reward was only three pieces for the champion and one piece for the runner-up.
A soul bone was a dead thing. Only when absorbed by a soul master could it display its proper function. Therefore, whether it was a country or a sect, after obtaining a soul bone, they would almost always directly give it to their outstanding direct descendants to use. The biggest difference between a soul bone and a soul ring was that once a soul master died, the soul bone would still remain and would not disappear like a soul ring.
The profession of a soul master had been born for tens of thousands of years. Although soul bones had been accumulated, compared to the base number of soul masters, it was still far from enough. More importantly, along with the research on soul bones in the soul master world, a method for synthesizing soul bones had gradually been developed. This made soul bones become even more sought after. If not for the excessively rapid development of soul tools, if not for the collision of the Sun Moon Continent with the Douluo Continent, I'm afraid the most high-end research in the current Douluo Continent would be the synthesis of soul bones.
Yan Shaozhe first forcibly suppressed his anger and paid for Wang Yan's expenses at the Starlight Auction House, then immediately ordered everyone to pack their bags and return to Shrek Academy. Only by returning to the academy could his heart be completely at ease.
The overdrafts of Cao Jinxuan and Tang Wutong had already completely recovered. Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Dai Huabin, after being detoxified, also didn't have any major problems. The consumption of Chen Zifeng and Xixi was even more severe and they were still recovering. The one with the most serious injuries was Xu Sanshi. He had been in a coma for a full week before waking up, but he was so weak that even speaking was difficult. He needed a long time to recuperate.
Just like the last flight, everyone was personally led by Yan Shaozhe and a group of Sea God Pavilion elders. Among them, Xu Sanshi, whose injuries had not yet healed, was personally protected by Yan Shaozhe with his soul power. The others, just like when they had left Shrek Academy, flew together with the help of flying soul tools.
On the morning of the second day after receiving the prize, the members of Shrek Academy changed into ordinary clothes, and without alarming the officials of the Star Luo Empire, quietly left Star Luo City, flying straight for Shrek Academy. It was time to go home. The pride from when they had come had completely turned into frustration and shame—
...
In the great ominous land of the Star Dou Great Forest, hailed as one of the most terrifying ominous lands on the entire continent. No soul master dared to easily set foot here. It could be said that this was a forbidden zone for humans.
Countless people had fantasized more than once about the scene of the great ominous land. All humans felt that the great ominous land must be filled with all kinds of evil and ferocity. But at this time, what kind of scene was presented before Huo Yuhao's eyes?
The first thing that entered his eyes was a lake. The lake was not very large. One could see the other side with one glance. It felt as if it were about the same size as the Sea God Lake.
The lake's surface was as smooth as a mirror. The faint green lake water was like a piece of the most beautiful natural jade, sparkling with a green light full of life. Around the lake water, one after another of ancient trees towered straight into the clouds. On the lake's surface was a faint water mist. The moist air, carrying the unique fragrance of plants, rushed to his face.
Here, it was full of the aura of life. The vigor of its life force was at least several times that of the outside world. Here, there were also active natural elements of various attributes. Their richness was not in the least inferior to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well described in the original novel.
This was like the place where life originated, as if all the living beings of the Star Dou Great Forest were nurtured from here. Here, it was even more so filled with the taste of the ultimate principles of heaven and earth. It was as if even a single sound would destroy the peace and beauty here.
Is this the great ominous land? In Huo Yuhao's view, this place was more like a paradise for living beings!
Sensing Huo Yuhao's awakening aura, Di Tian stood quietly by his side and asked, "How is it? Did you feel it? Is it beautiful here?"
Huo Yuhao unhesitatingly jumped up and replied, "Too beautiful. This is simply a fairyland on earth. It's as if the Goddess of Nature lives here. If I could, this old one would be willing to live in seclusion here for a lifetime!"
The corner of Di Tian's mouth twitched. He continued, "Yes. This is the place that nurtures life. The lake you see is the most sacred water of life in our Star Dou Great Forest. As early as a million years ago, this lake already existed. It was it that nurtured all the creatures of the Star Dou Great Forest. It itself is a miracle. It was it that, using a million years' time, allowed the Star Dou Great Forest to have its own ecological balance. Back then, I and the Revered Lord..." Speaking to this point, he paused, his eyes also filled with melancholy, and also a bit of reverence.
Huo Yuhao looked at him. Even if Huo Yuhao had been completely shocked by the beautiful scenery before him, he could still feel that emotion from Di Tian's tone.
"This place, no matter what, I will guard it well with you all," Huo Yuhao suddenly said.
Di Tian said with melancholy, "This is the masterpiece of nature, the source of life that nature has bestowed upon this world. I hope that your promise just now is all true."
Huo Yuhao nodded forcefully and said, "Soul beasts are a part of this world. Without soul beasts, there would naturally be no soul masters. I'm afraid there also wouldn't be such a beautiful place. You can rest assured. I will do my utmost. You should know that my bet is my life. And a person's life, like a soul beast's, is only once."
"Roar—" Just at this time, a thunderous low roar sounded. A dark-golden figure flashed like lightning and arrived here.
Also in human form, but with the appearance of a strong man, his height over two meters, his entire body's muscles extremely powerful. Seeing Huo Yuhao standing beside Di Tian, he raised a hand, and a terrifying dark-golden sharp blade extended from his claws, going straight for Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao laughed loudly, not dodging or evading, but instead directly met the visitor.
"Hahaha, Xiong Jun, I've long heard of your great name, long heard of your great name, hahaha!"
Di Tian frowned. "Xiong Jun, don't make trouble." He waved his right hand, and a black barrier appeared in front of Huo Yuhao. Amidst a piercing friction sound, it blocked Xiong Jun's one strike.
That's right, this strong man was precisely Xiong Jun in his human form.
Xiong Jun glared at Di Tian and said, "Di Tian, do you know how many of our brothers and sisters have died at the hands of these despicable and shameless humans? You actually brought him here?"
Di Tian did not speak, but instead watched Huo Yuhao jog over to Xiong Jun.
To Xiong Jun's surprise, this human actually did not set up any defense, his doors wide open, and just ran towards him like that.
And when he sensed the thick life aura on Huo Yuhao's body, his raised dark-gold terror claws subconsciously retracted inwards.
"Haha! Old Xiong, hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once. You are really sturdy!" Huo Yuhao hugged Xiong Jun in one go and continued to laugh happily.
"As expected of Star Dou's number one bolster pillow. It really is comfortable and warm!"
I've become a bolster pillow? Xiong Jun's brows immediately slanted and his eyes went askew. He subconsciously wanted to send the human before him flying.
"Old Xiong, do you want to become a god? I think the God of Strength is very suitable for you!" Huo Yuhao said with a cheeky smile. He knew that among the Star Dou ferocious beasts, the one who hated humans the most was precisely this one before him. If he couldn't form a good relationship with him, then his future here would be difficult.
"A god?"
A big doubt was in Xiong Jun's small eyes. He pulled the Huo Yuhao who was hugging him down.
"You told Di Tian that you, boy, are confident in letting us collectively achieve godhood. Are these words true?"
Huo Yuhao's third martial soul's soul ring lit up. The Ice Empress, who had transformed into a soul spirit, immediately revealed her original form. She glared at Xiong Jun. "Smelly dog bear, you show some respect for me!"
Xiong Jun ranked sixth among the ten great ferocious beasts on the continent, just one rank higher than the seventh, the Ice Empress. So no matter how she looked at Xiong Jun, she found him displeasing and had always been trying to determine who was superior.
"Ice Empress? Have you really turned into that thing called a soul spirit that Di Tian and the Master were talking about?" Xiong Jun's small eyes widened as he asked with surprise.
"Smelly dog bear, Yuhao's potential far exceeds your imagination. I have bet everything on him!" The longer she stayed by Huo Yuhao's side, the more the Ice Empress felt how wise her choice back then was. May I ask, which human could contend with a Titled Douluo at the four-ring level?
Do you know how much potential my Brother Hao has?
"Tsk, this old bear still wants to live for a few more years. I don't want to become an accessory for a human!" Xiong Jun expressed his disdain for this. To change this fellow's view of humans would clearly still require no short amount of time.
"Then you just wait and regret it," the Ten Thousand Demon King actually also poked his head out from Huo Yuhao's body. Returning to the shore of the Lake of Life, the thick life aura had also awakened him from his deep sleep.
"You old, undying, sinister fellow, you actually turned into his martial soul?" How could Xiong Jun not recognize the Ten Thousand Demon King's aura? They had often worked together.
If one were to say that the Ice Empress's personality was reckless and willful, then the Ten Thousand Demon King was the kind of steady and composed character who wouldn't rest until he had insidiously killed someone. For Xiong Jun, with his IQ, to partner with him would naturally have twice the result with half the effort.
Since even the Ten Thousand Demon King had chosen this human, Xiong Jun naturally also began to reflect on Huo Yuhao's value.
"Human, what are your plans now?" Di Tian interrupted the exchange between the ferocious beasts and asked Huo Yuhao.
Hearing this, Huo Yuhao held his chin and thought for a moment. In the end, he still decided to first rope in this group of ferocious beasts who were hostile to humans. At least, he had to let them see his sincerity.
"Old Xiong, you are about to pass your five-hundred-thousand-year great calamity, right?" Huo Yuhao looked at the Xiong Jun who had been silently observing him and asked.
"That's right. This old bear's skin is thick and my flesh is tough. Now is my prime. I'm not afraid of any great calamity!" Xiong Jun stood with his hands on his hips, a look of smugness on his face.
Even in the original novel's records, this Xiong Jun had never perished due to his great limit coming. He had even more so successfully advanced to a five-hundred-thousand-year existence twenty thousand years later. From this, one could see how amazing this fellow was.
Huo Yuhao clapped his hands. "I naturally believe in Old Xiong's strength. You will surely be able to pass the upcoming great limit. But can you guarantee that you won't leave any hidden injuries?"
"This..." Xiong Jun was suddenly speechless. One must know that when he had passed his fourth great limit back then, the trauma he had left had taken a full tens of thousands of years to completely heal. And the subsequent fifth calamity would only be more difficult.
"I need everyone's help. Then, I will personally block his fifth great calamity for Old Xiong!" Huo Yuhao snapped his fingers, smiled mysteriously, and said.