Weekly Vote results are out! DD: SKSW gets 4 chapters/day on Patreon for members. We are currently up to 'Chapter 114: Nine Candidates for Seven Spots?'
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The next morning, the class bell echoed through the corridors.
Just as students began filing out of Class One, Instructor Wang Yan suddenly called out to Chen Junting, Wu Feng, and Huo Yuhao, gesturing for them to stay behind.
"You all go ahead," Chen Junting said to his classmates.
He immediately realized this was about the soul hunt scheduled for that afternoon. He quickly turned to Dugu Xin beside him. "Tell Xiao Tian I'll be delayed—so she doesn't wait for me."
Nearby, Huo Yuhao, having just said goodbye to Wang Dong, walked over with visible excitement. "Big Brother Junting! Sister Wu Feng!"
"Yuhao," Chen Junting greeted with a wave. When Huo Yuhao reached him, he asked with a smile, "I haven't had much time to check in lately—how's your soul engineering coming along?"
"I'm already a Level 1.5 Soul Engineer!" Huo Yuhao's eyes sparkled with pride. "Teacher Fan Yu said that once I obtain my second soul ring and become a Soul Grandmaster, Level 2 is guaranteed."
He couldn't believe how much he'd transformed in just one year—truly reborn.
And none of it would've been possible without the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's support.
"Oh, so the Soul Engineering Department senior Dean Du mentioned must be Senior He Caitou," Chen Junting nodded.
At that, Xu Sanshi—who had just arrived with Bei Bei—burst out, "Damn! I feel like I've wasted my life! Right, Bei Bei?" He turned to his friend, exasperated.
Bei Bei, ever composed, simply smiled and waved politely at the trio. But Xu Sanshi had already charged over, his towering frame slinging one arm around Chen Junting and the other around Huo Yuhao, while nodding to Wu Feng. "So you're the two juniors and one junior sister Dean Du mentioned! What a coincidence!"
"Long time no see, Junior Brother Chen, Junior Sister Wu Feng," Bei Bei added warmly.
"Who said I wasted my life?" Xu Sanshi shot back. "Junior Brother Chen is a monster among monsters—it's only natural we can't compare."
The group quickly gathered at the square. Wang Yan, having finished organizing his lesson plans, led the three students there—since the Outer Sect's soul hunt team was assembling at Shrek Square.
Given that classes had just ended, most students were heading to the cafeteria. Those present were almost certainly participants in the expedition. To the seniors' surprise, the remaining members were all familiar faces.
"Bei Bei! You tricked me again!" Xu Sanshi released Chen Junting and Huo Yuhao, ready to wrestle his friend once more.
Chen Junting paid it no mind. He simply guided Huo Yuhao and Wu Feng over to He Caitou, who stood nearby with a friendly, silly smile, greeting everyone.
"Junior Brother Chen, Little Yuhao, Junior Sister Wu Feng," He Caitou said warmly.
"This is nothing," Chen Junting replied with a smile. "Senior He, we owe you thanks for looking after Yuhao these past months."
He Caitou's expression softened further—relieved that Chen Junting and Wu Feng showed no distance toward him. Clearly, they accepted him as one of their own.
Wang Yan soon joined the group, seamlessly blending in.
Huo Yuhao glanced back at Wang Yan, still tidying his desk on the podium, and lowered his voice. "Teacher Wang Yan's been helping me too—he compiled materials on other spirit-type soul beasts, like the Dread Dragon, Violet Spirit Jackal, and Big-Headed Spirit Ape. He really…"
Chen Junting nodded knowingly. "After you confirmed your path as a Control-type soul master, Xiao Tian submitted your profile to the sect. Our scholars analyzed it and recommended suitable soul beasts. Of course, you're free to reject their suggestions. In the end, the path you walk as a soul master is yours alone to choose."
Huo Yuhao's eyes flickered with gratitude.
Just then, a voice echoed in his mind—Tianmeng Ice Silkworm had awakened the moment Huo Yuhao broke through to Level 20. If not for school obligations, it would've dragged him to the Far North already.
A 12-year-old Soul Ancestor!
After a long, wistful mutter, Tianmeng reluctantly added, "Prepare your gear before the holiday. I'll rest now—need to conserve energy." And with that, it fell silent again.
"A Spirit Illusion Butterfly," Huo Yuhao murmured in response to Chen Junting's earlier question about his second soul ring. "The sect recommended it… but…"
"Wait—Yuhao, what are you spacing out about?" Wu Feng suddenly interrupted, snapping him back to reality.
"N-nothing!" Huo Yuhao waved his hands hastily. "I was just wondering who else is joining the hunt besides us and Senior He."
Chen Junting observed this exchange but said nothing. Instead, he subtly transmitted a thought to Huo Yuhao via soul voice: "The Spirit Illusion Butterfly is an excellent choice. Back when I first ventured into the Great Star Dou Forest, I encountered one too. If not for my strong spirit power, I'd have been ensnared as well…"
Though Huo Yuhao could be dense at times, he wasn't blind to Wang Yan's kindness.
"Wang Yan, you may return now," Du Weilun said as he arrived with Teacher Zhao Gang.
Du Weilun scanned the six students. "This soul hunt is led by me personally—I'm a Soul Douluo, in overall command. Accompanying us is Teacher Zhao Gang, a powerful Assault-type Battle Soul Saint whose martial soul is the Vigorous Vajra Bear. He's said to be distantly related to Vice-Dean Zhao Wuji of ten thousand years ago—his strength is formidable."
"Understood," the group replied.
Du Weilun gave final warnings: "Stay vigilant. The Great Star Dou Forest is treacherous—one misstep, and you may not live long enough for Teacher Zhao or I to rescue you."
Chen Junting, Wu Feng, and Huo Yuhao listened attentively, though they'd heard similar cautions countless times before.
Soon, the team set off.
Along the way, Wang Yan offered endless advice—especially since Chen Junting's targets were 10,000-year super soul beasts, drastically increasing the danger.
But Chen Junting wasn't worried. He understood Wang Yan's motives: unable to recruit Huo Yuhao, the instructor was likely driven by scholarly curiosity about his rare Body Martial Soul.
"Hey, little brother," Xu Sanshi leaned in, eyes wide. "You really broke through to Soul Ancestor?"
All he got in return was a look of utter disdain.
"Brother Tianmeng? Brother Tianmeng? Sigh…" Huo Yuhao sighed inwardly.
He wasn't eager for the Far North trip—after the holiday, he'd surely be returning to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect with Big Brother Junting and the others.
But for now, the hunt awaited.
"Let's go!"
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