Chapter 8 – Treating Heavenly Treasures Like Candy
Someone completely failed to notice the green-tea undertone in Huo Yuhao's words.
(T/N: "Green tea" is internet slang in Chinese for someone who pretends to be pure and innocent while being manipulative.)
As for why someone with such outstanding talent only had a soul power level of fifteen at this age, hadn't the boy already explained it? He'd been suppressed and bullied since childhood. How high could his cultivation possibly get under those circumstances? Even so, having a soul power of level fifteen at eleven years old was by no means low.
Damn it, Star Luo Empire—you're truly despicable!
Lin Jiayi couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the boy. What kind of determination, what deep-seated hatred must it have taken for him to drag his weak body from the Star Luo Empire to Mingdu?
At this moment, Lin Jiayi had fully accepted Huo Yuhao as one of his own, with not a trace of suspicion left in his heart.
As he'd thought before, who in their right mind would send a child as a spy to the enemy nation—and not just any child, but a rare twin-martial soul genius? If that were the case, Lin Jiayi would love for the Sun Moon Empire to receive a few more such "spies."
(A certain innate level-20 Angel Martial Soul user mutters, "This is pure nonsense.")
"Disappointed? Not at all. You have nothing to worry about, child. Your current level of soul power means little in the grand scheme of things. You possess a talent beyond compare. The hardships you've endured will serve as stepping stones in your path to greatness. You will become powerful. You will have your revenge."
Huo Yuhao knew he had passed the test. Even if there were more questions later, with Lin Jiayi vouching for him, no one would dare doubt him now. His first step had been a complete success.
Only now did he feel a bit of relief—the suffocating pressure of his carefully woven lies momentarily lifted from his chest.
He didn't want to act innocent, but given his current circumstances, staying silent wouldn't be ideal either. So, with reddened eyes, he looked gratefully at Lin Jiayi and said:
"Thank you, Director. You're right. I will live up to my potential. I will become strong."
"Good, good!" Lin Jiayi clapped with joy.
Looking at Huo Yuhao, he felt as though a new spring was blooming before his eyes. 'This is it. A super-genius joins the Sun Moon Empire. The tide is turning in our favor.'
"Yuhao, your situation is a bit special. I'm guessing you haven't studied soul guidance devices before, so I want to place you in the first-year class for foundational training in soul guidance device theory. As for your martial souls... Well, I haven't made up my mind yet. But don't worry, I'll figure something out soon. How does that sound?"
Truth be told, he thought that assigning a twin martial soul genius like Huo Yuhao solely to soul guidance device studies might be a bit of a waste. But for the moment, he couldn't think of a better plan.
The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy had always focused more on soul guidance devices, with their martial soul teaching (instruction) being relatively weak, at least compared to the soul guidance department. That said, even though they couldn't compare to a place like Shrek Academy, they remained among the top institutions in the Sun Moon Empire.
Still, Lin Jiayi felt that this matter couldn't be delayed—he needed to report it to the dean immediately.
"Thank you, Director. I'll follow your arrangements."
Huo Yuhao understood that Lin Jiayi's role was akin to that of Du Weilun in Shrek. These types often hesitated on big decisions, but he didn't mind—the longer things took, the more leverage he could gain.
After all, he had inherited everything from "Huo Hang," including his talent.
At Shrek, Huo Yuhao had balanced martial soul studies with soul guidance device training, physical conditioning (including running laps in iron shorts), and even grilling and selling fish. And despite all that, he became a Level 2 Soul Engineer within eight months. Huo Yuhao had no reason to do worse.
Now that his martial soul talent had been revealed, once his aptitude for soul engineering came to light as well, what kind of influence would that have at the negotiating table?
Once Huo Yuhao agreed, Lin Jiayi immediately arranged everything for him. He also conducted a full check-up, assessing soul power, physical fitness, and mental strength.
Naturally, the results gave Lin Jiayi another shock. He carefully recorded everything, planning to use the data to give the dean a good surprise—let him share in the excitement.
Soon, Huo Yuhao received his white academy uniform, a "Green Card" signifying his new identity as a Sun Moon Empire citizen, and a silver soul guidance token, exclusive to the Imperial Academy.
This soul guidance token served not only as a student ID but also as the key to the academy gates and dormitories. The academy's entry systems were all connected to intelligent soul guidance devices. Beyond basic access, the token could even monitor a student's soul power in real time—incredibly convenient.
Lin Jiayi escorted Huo Yuhao to his private dorm. Just as he was about to leave, he noticed the boy seemed hesitant to speak and instantly realized what was going on. Slapping his forehead, he said:
"Look at me, getting all excited and completely forgetting your current situation."
He pulled out a black soul coin card.
"This is an exclusive Soul Coin Card from the Empire. It has 10,000 gold soul coins on it. Consider it my personal investment in your future. You can use this card to top up your soul guidance token for meals at the academy's canteen."
"Your room already has bedding and toiletries. If you need new clothes or want to buy anything else, just head over to the campus shopping area."
"The academy library is open 24/7. Since you're new to soul guidance device theory, I'll have someone prepare a learning list for you. You can borrow books directly based on that list, so you won't fall behind the curriculum."
Huo Yuhao was filled with complex emotions. Compared to the suffering he endured at Shrek, the Sun Moon Empire treated its students with utmost care. He silently made a note to remember Lin Jiayi's kindness.
"Thank you, Director."
Waving it off, Lin Jiayi finally tore himself away and flew toward Illustrious Virtue Hall using an eighth-level flying soul guidance device. He simply couldn't wait any longer.
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao used his personal soul guidance token to open his dormitory door. A fresh, clean atmosphere greeted him. The room was spacious and bright, equipped with all the essentials, including a private bathroom.
Looking at the bed that was solely his, his tightly wound nerves finally relaxed.
"No more sharing a toilet with hundreds of others, no more sleeping with Blue Silver Entanglement fragments—this is freedom. And it's awesome."
Tian Meng emerged from the Spiritual Sea, glancing around before commenting:
"Eh, it's okay, I guess. Not as fancy as my luxury suite made of Manifold Mysterious Ice Essences. Plus, there's nothing here I can snack on."
"Tian Meng, not everyone is like you—treating heavenly treasures like candy!"
It was absurd. Most soul beasts feared heavenly tribulation like the plague. But to Tian Meng, it might as well not exist. And those ice-element divine treasures? She had eaten so many, they became her all-you-can-eat buffet. Was she some kind of chosen one of the soul beast world?
Shaking his head and ignoring Tian Meng's humblebragging, Huo Yuhao began organizing his new room.
A new chapter of life had begun.
And when tomorrow's sun rises, a new story is about to unfold.
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T/N: This Fanfic has a very high rating.
(End of Chapter)