The following matches in Zone 33 weren't worth mentioning. With Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao working together—and barely expending much soul power—the remaining teams didn't stand a chance.
Most of their opponents had unimpressive martial souls and predictable soul skills. Huo Yuhao, eager to return and refine his new soul circuits, didn't bother dragging things out. Every battle ended swiftly and decisively.
After ten straight victories in the round-robin phase, the trio returned to their dorms. Wang Yan didn't press Huo Yuhao for details about his martial soul or his skills.
While the boy's performance was solid, it wasn't as spectacular as the legend of the "ten-year spirit ring prodigy." In Wang Yan's view, since he'd already deduced that Huo Yuhao possessed a body-type martial soul, there was no need to pry further—he'd simply report it to Elder Xuan.
At Sea God Lake, Sea God Island
In a serene corner of the academy, the plump old man known as Gluttonous Douluo Xuan Zi lounged comfortably—chicken leg in one hand, wine gourd in the other.
Before him, Wang Yan bowed respectfully, delivering his report on the promising new students—especially the rare cases of body-type martial souls: Huo Yuhao and the twin sisters Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo.
"Body-type martial soul?" Xuan Zi raised an eyebrow. "From the Body Sect, then? …No, impossible. The Body Sect would never let top-grade martial souls drift outside their ranks."
"Yes," Wang Yan confirmed. "This student, Huo Yuhao, reported a variant spirit-type martial soul. Based on his assessment results, his perception and foresight are extraordinary—likely tied to his first soul skill. We're not sure which spirit beast the ring came from, but it's an excellent match."
"Spirit attribute, hm? Interesting," Xuan Zi chuckled, setting his chicken aside. "That makes this brat's body-type martial soul top-tier. I didn't expect our Shrek Academy to pick up such a treasure."
"Oh?" Wang Yan asked curiously. "So the twins' hair martial souls aren't on the same level?"
"Of course not," Xuan Zi said, grinning. He stretched lazily, looking amused.
"The strength of a body-type martial soul depends directly on how vital that body part is to a human.
At the top—beyond even the Body Sect's ancestral 'True Body' martial souls—are the brain and the heart, representing thought and power itself.
Next comes overall scale: the larger the proportion of the body, the higher the potential—arms, hands, limbs, and so on."
He took a long drink from his gourd.
"Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eyes may appear ocular, but if they carry a spirit-type attribute, they're certainly connected to the brain. That makes them a hybrid of brain and eye—much more valuable than either alone.
The brain nurtures spiritual power, while the eyes project it outward. Together, they form a perfect channel for mental energy."
He looked at Wang Yan and added bluntly, "That's also why you couldn't understand how they defeated the twins' fusion skill. With your current cultivation, you'll never touch that level of spiritual force."
"As for the hair—yes, technically a body-type martial soul, but hardly an exceptional one. The twins' bond and their fusion skill make up for that."
Xuan Zi's grin widened. "Still, this year's batch looks promising. Save me a front-row seat for the ranking tournament—I'll watch personally."
"Yes, Elder." Wang Yan bowed deeply, showing no irritation at the jab about his talent. After all, if he'd been gifted, he wouldn't have turned to theory.
Meanwhile, back at the dorms, Wang Dong kept her distance. Ever since Huo Yuhao had seen through her identity, she'd stopped pestering him about trying a martial soul fusion.
That was just fine with him. Seems Tang San isn't rushing things yet, he mused. The hidden hand behind Wang Dong still hasn't made a move.
In the Spiritual Sea
Huo Yuhao sat cross-legged, continuing his experiments. He was attempting to layer identical soul circuits without conflict—an imitation of soul skill fusion principles.
He wasn't yet ready to experiment with Martial Soul Fusion Techniques or self-fusion constructs. For now, he stayed within safe boundaries; he was still just a single-ring Soul Master, after all.
His mind might hold infinite potential, but he knew his limits. Structural or genetic changes to his own martial soul would have to wait.
Even so, progress was steady—he could now superimpose two identical soul circuits smoothly.
When the freshman assessment ended, the trio enjoyed a day of rest before the elimination rounds began.
Sixty-four teams remained. Matches were drawn randomly, two rounds per day for three days. The opponents were far stronger—each team among the best of the new intake.
The morning match was easy; their opponents were quickly dispatched. But the afternoon bout was another story.
As they stood on the field facing three girls, Huo Yuhao leaned toward Wang Dong and murmured, "Take the one with green hair first. Xiao Xiao, stall the redhead. The last one's mine. If anything goes wrong, I'll cover you."
Outside the ring, two teachers—Mu Jin and Zhou Yi—were already at each other's throats over whose students would win. But Huo Yuhao wasn't about to throw a fight just to spite Zhou Yi.
"Teams, state your names," called the referee.
The three girls stood in a triangular formation—the red-haired one and the green-haired one shielding the blonde in the back.
"Class Nine, Wu Feng, level 25, Power Attack–type Battle Soul Master."
"Class Nine, Nanmen Yuner, level 24, Agility Attack–type Battle Soul Master."
"Class Nine, Ning Tian, level 31, Support–type Tool Soul Master."
They introduced themselves formally, though such detail wasn't required.
In contrast, Huo Yuhao's team was curt.
"Class One, Huo Yuhao—Agility Attack–type Battle Soul Master."
He didn't mention his level. Neither did the others.
"Class One, Xiao Xiao—Control–type Battle Soul Master."
"Class One, Wang Dong—Power Attack–type Battle Soul Master."
Wu Feng's eyes gleamed with arrogance as she looked them over, lips curling in disdain.
Wang Dong's own pride flared instantly. She could act carefree among friends, but her pride ran deep.
When the referee shouted, "Begin!", Wang Dong launched forward like an arrow. Her blue-gold wings unfurled in a dazzling burst, with Xiao Xiao's three cauldrons following in perfect sync.
Wu Feng smirked, activating her Dragon Martial Soul. Her body elongated, covered in red scales that shimmered like molten metal. The raw might of a dragon soul filled the arena.
But as she moved to intercept Wang Dong, a sudden volley of eight hidden weapons cut through the air. The projectiles curved around impossible angles, clinking against Wu Feng's scales.
The brief stun was all Xiao Xiao needed. Her cauldrons surrounded Wu Feng, unleashing Cauldron Shock once more. The resulting sonic wave left Wu Feng momentarily dazed.
Meanwhile, Wang Dong clashed with Nanmen Yuner—just as another wave of hidden weapons rebounded mid-air, ricocheting straight toward the green-haired girl.
She barely dodged before Wang Dong's wings struck, driving her backward.
Behind them, Ning Tian raised her Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, chanting calmly:
"The Seven Treasures are: One is Speed, Three is Strength…"
Twin auras of enhancement flowed toward Wu Feng and Yuner.
Then a third command:
"Two is Resolve!"
A light enveloped Wu Feng, clearing her dizziness instantly.
Even so, Yuner struggled. Despite the speed boost, her nimble movements were constantly disrupted. No matter how she dodged, hidden weapons struck her joints and pressure points.
None were lethal—but every impact cost her balance or motion. And Wang Dong's relentless assault left her no room to breathe.
From the sidelines, Ning Tian frowned deeply. How? she thought. How does he hit every time? Even with my speed boost, she can't evade him!
Indeed, even Wu Feng—empowered by the Glazed Pagoda—found herself constantly restrained.
Huo Yuhao's calm voice cut through the noise. "Xiao Xiao, use your fusion soul skill."
He swapped his light weapons for heavier iron projectiles. The dragon flames around Wu Feng rendered needles and knives ineffective—he needed mass.
Then he activated his internal circuits.
Acceleration Circuit + Compression Circuit—Activate!
His movements blurred. A storm of metal filled the air, sealing off every path of retreat.
On the sidelines, several teachers exchanged uneasy looks.
"This… this is the true meaning of an Agility Attack–type?" one muttered.
Another sighed. "We might have to restrict Tang Sect hidden weapons."
A third immediately protested. "Nonsense! Tang Sect arts are part of the continent's heritage. How can we ban what's been allowed for ten thousand years?"
"Exactly. If we forbid hidden weapons today, what's next? Fusion skills? Martial Soul Fusions? It's absurd."
Back in the arena, Wu Feng was battered but unbroken. Her draconic body, strengthened by multiple buffs, endured through sheer toughness. She was bloodied and furious, yet still standing.
But Yuner could not. With one final flurry of strikes, she collapsed, unconscious—carried off the field by the referee.
(End of Chapter)