Chapter 25: Face-Slapping? What a Cliché
Huo Yuhao didn't bother answering. The so-called Secret Technique Soul Bone was essentially a substitute developed by the Sun Moon Empire due to limited resources.
Why, with such resource shortages, would they still launch large-scale hunts to synthesize these pseudo-soul bones? Wouldn't that only worsen the depletion of soul beast populations? It made no logical sense at all.
As for why Shrek Academy also had such soul bones, the answer was simple: the black market. Other than Level 7 and above soul guidance devices, low- to mid-grade ones weren't tightly controlled. Compared to smuggling high-level soul guidance devices, trafficking a few Secret Technique Soul Bones was hardly worth mentioning.
And why would Shrek even use such a thing? Well… Shrek's image had always been noble and lofty. Since these bones were already made, it was better to put them to use than let them go to waste.
Despite his earlier complaints, Tianmeng still offered her advice.
"Yuhao, this soul bone's special trait will help us in the days to come. Buy it."
Tianmeng also recognized the value of this item.
"Relax, Tianmeng. We're not short on gold soul coins right now."
Indeed, just as Yuhao said, there was no bidding frenzy. Since Secret Technique Soul Bones were exclusive to the Sun Moon Empire and hadn't been smuggled into the Douluo Three Kingdoms for a markup, he acquired it for less than a million gold soul coins.
At the Royal Auction House, purchased items were delivered directly to the private boxes. Security was ironclad—the venue was backed by both the Imperial Family and Illustrious Virtue Hall, with high-ranking soul engineer guards stationed in secret. Anyone attempting malicious bidding or robbery would be killed on the spot. No one with half a brain would cause trouble here.
After stowing away the soul bone, Yuhao lost interest in the subsequent lots—save for a 30,000-year Ice-Poison Wolf King's left leg bone. He placed two token bids, but when it became clear that the box next door was determined to win, he withdrew.
---
Meanwhile, in Box No. 3…
Xiao Hongchen gave a disdainful snort.
"Hmph. Competing with this genius in wealth? Pure wishful thinking."
He glanced at his sister, eyes bright with excitement.
"Perfect, Meng! We were just here to look around, but to think we'd find an ice-fire dual-attribute left leg bone—what a pleasant surprise."
Meng Hongchen was equally delighted.
"Mhm. This soul bone is a surprise. My Vermilion Clear Ice Toad martial soul has both ice and poison attributes—this will push me to the next level."
Though a 30,000-year soul bone wasn't top-tier, its rarity came from the perfect attribute match. Besides, any soul bone over 10,000 years old was a priceless treasure. In the Sun Moon Empire, she had no reason to be picky.
After all, a soul bone you could buy with money was practically the same as being gifted one, and the Hongchen family was never short on gold soul coins.
---
When the auction ended, the Hongchen siblings exited via their box's private passage. They thought the day was over—until a figure ahead caught Xiao Hongchen's attention.
"Meng, I think I just spotted the guy we've been looking for."
He pointed toward Huo Yuhao, eyes filled with disbelief.
Meng Hongchen, however, wasn't even listening. Her gaze was locked on Yuhao's back, her cheeks flushing as pink bubbles seemed to float in her eyes.
"Ice-blue hair, deep sapphire eyes like the starry sky, and that sharp, handsome face… There's no mistaking it. That's exactly how the junior students described Huo Yuhao."
"He… he's so handsome. That cool, aloof air… Do you think our future children would—"
Xiao Hongchen's face darkened instantly, several black lines appearing on his forehead.
"Hey! Meng! You're overreacting! Sure, he's a bit good-looking, but is that worth turning into a lovestruck fool?"
"Idiot big brother, you don't understand love at first sight. Forget it—this feeling is beyond you."
Up ahead, Yuhao finally noticed the two. His brows furrowed. Every private box had its exit; who would've thought he'd run into these siblings here?
Xiao Hongchen stepped forward, doing his best to maintain his proud persona.
"Hey, you're Huo Yuhao, right? I heard you broke the Empire's record for becoming a Level 2 Soul Engineer the fastest. Not bad—I, Xiao Hongchen, acknowledge you."
He smirked.
"But the records for the fastest to reach Levels 3 and 4 still belong to me. I look forward to seeing if you can catch up."
Yuhao: "?"
This kid just walked up to him out of nowhere, chirping nonsense. When had Yuhao ever said he wanted to chase him?
"Uh… you're Dean Jing Hongchen's grandson, right? I've heard of you at the Academy. As you said, my name is Huo Yuhao. Nice to meet you."
Face-slapping? Cliché much. In reality, this was just a competitive, overly confident, male version of a tsundere. Since Yuhao owed Jing Hongchen a favor, he could at least be polite to the man's grandson.
The response completely threw Xiao Hongchen off.
What was going on?
Usually, when he spoke so arrogantly and wore this punchable smirk, other geniuses would snap back at him. But this Huo Yuhao was… refined? Polite? It completely derailed his usual script, leaving him tongue-tied and a little uncomfortable.
This wasn't how the process was supposed to go. Now he didn't even know what to say next.
"Uh… hello. I'm Xiao Hongchen. I went to Teaching Department Class 3 looking for you earlier today."
Almost on instinct, he extended his hand. And strangely, looking at Yuhao now, he felt a faint, inexplicable sense of goodwill.
Meng Hongchen covered her mouth to hide a laugh—it was rare to see her brother flustered like this.
Still, despite her flirtatious words earlier, once she stood before Yuhao, she became shy. With a playful smile, she introduced herself.
"Hello, Huo Yuhao. I'm Meng Hongchen—Xiao's younger sister."
"Ah, Dean's granddaughter. I've long heard your name."
Yuhao extended his hand, giving hers a light, measured shake.
Meng's crimson eyes met his, her heart thumping wildly. As a self-confessed face enthusiast, she was utterly taken in.
Yuhao, meanwhile, was completely baffled.
By now, he had sized up the siblings' personalities: one was a proud, slightly narcissistic peacock; the other, a playful beauty but remarkably contrasting infatuated girl.
The Hongchen family did produce some characters.
Their first meeting ended on an unexpectedly friendly note, thanks to Yuhao's warm approach.
As they chatted and walked toward the Academy, Xiao Hongchen completely forgot his original purpose, even asking Yuhao about his two soul guidance device creations.
The taunts he'd prepared felt impossible to deliver under Yuhao's soft, unshakable courtesy. He even began to feel a strange sense of camaraderie—peer respect between geniuses, as he called it. Maybe they could get along after all.
As for Meng, she made several subtle attempts to close the distance with Yuhao, only for her clueless big brother to block her every time. By the time they reached the Academy and parted ways, she was pouting in frustration.
(End of Chapter)