Chapter 4 God-level Grilled Fish, Those Who Are Willing to Take the Bait
"You… you agreed?"
Huo Yuhao's crisp "Alright" choked the plethora of excuses Sect Leader Tang Ya had prepared, leaving her stunned.
She and Beibei had discussed for a long time, envisioning countless possibilities. For instance, Huo Yuhao might be arrogant and disdainful of joining the declining Tang Sect; or he might make exorbitant demands, proposing various harsh conditions.
They never expected him to agree so easily, so… casually.
It was as if joining the legendary Tang Sect was as ordinary to him as a mere nod of acquaintance.
"What? Not welcome?" Huo Yuhao glanced at her, asking the obvious.
"No, no, no! Of course, welcome! A warm welcome!" Sect Leader Tang Ya finally awoke from her daze, her pretty face flushed with excitement, as she quickly waved her hands. "From today onwards, you are the third member of our Tang Sect! I am Sect Leader Tang Ya, he is Senior Brother Beibei, and you are our Junior Brother!"
Beibei, who had already been detoxified, had his complexion restored to a healthy glow under the effects of the White Jade Ginseng. He stood up, walked to Huo Yuhao, and with a gentle and sincere smile, said: "Junior Brother Yuhao, welcome to our ranks. From now on, we are family."
"Mm." Huo Yuhao nodded, as if in response.
His attitude remained lukewarm, which left Beibei and Sect Leader Tang Ya somewhat bewildered. This young man, seemingly only eleven or twelve years old, possessed a composure and calmness more seasoned than many adults. Especially those eyes, so profound they seemed to peer into the human Soul, making it impossible to discern what he was truly thinking.
Nevertheless, being able to recruit such a gifted Junior Brother was a great joy for the Tang Sect, which was now merely an empty shell.
"This is great! Our Tang Sect finally has new blood!" Sect Leader Tang Ya excitedly spun around in place. "Beibei, when we return to the academy, we must celebrate properly!"
Beibei smiled and nodded, then looked at Huo Yuhao and asked: "Junior Brother Yuhao, I see you are also heading to Shrek City. Why don't we travel together so we can look out for each other on the way?"
"Sure." Huo Yuhao replied succinctly.
This was already part of his plan.
And so, the three simply packed up and set off together towards Shrek City.
Along the way, Sect Leader Tang Ya chattered incessantly, excitedly recounting the past glory of the Tang Sect to Huo Yuhao, and their grand ambition to revive it. Beibei occasionally added a few remarks, his words filled with a sense of belonging and responsibility towards the Tang Sect.
Huo Yuhao was mostly a quiet listener, occasionally giving an "Mm" to indicate he was paying attention.
While he appeared to be listening to them recount the Sect's history, in reality, his mental force had already silently spread out, thoroughly investigating their physical conditions, and even the subtle details of their spirit power circulation.
Beibei, a Level 26 attack system Spirit Grandmaster, with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit, and a spirit ring configuration of yellow and purple, which was considered top-tier. His Meridians were tough, his spirit power abundant, and his foundation was extremely solid.
Sect Leader Tang Ya, a Level 21 control system Spirit Grandmaster, with the Blue Silver Grass Spirit, and a spirit ring configuration of two yellow. Although her Spirit was a recognized waste Spirit, her spirit power seemed to conceal a cold and domineering Qi, clearly indicating another fortuitous encounter.
These two were indeed worthy of being important supporting characters beside the "protagonist," their talent and strength far surpassing their peers.
However, Huo Yuhao also keenly noticed that whenever they mentioned "Ancestor Tang San," both of them would unconsciously reveal a heartfelt, almost faith-like reverence. That reverence had surpassed mere admiration, resembling more a fanaticism influenced by a spiritual imprint.
"Indeed… the entire Tang Sect is just a tool for him to maintain his influence, isn't it…" Huo Yuhao sneered inwardly, growing a bit more wary of the God King he had never met.
The three continued their journey and soon emerged from the Star Dou Great Forest.
That evening, they arrived at a clear stream.
"Let's rest here for tonight," Beibei suggested. "I'll go hunt some game nearby, and Xiao Ya, you start a fire."
"Alrighty!"
The two split up, while Huo Yuhao walked to the riverbank, looking at the plump river fish swimming by, and a thought sparked in his mind.
In the "script," the next crucial plot point seemed to be "grilled fish."
He needed to use his superb grilled fish technique to completely conquer the stomachs of his Senior Brother and Senior Sister, laying a solid foundation for himself to integrate into the team. At the same time, this grilled fish event also seemed to attract a certain "fated" person.
"Although I really don't want to be a cook, since it's a performance, I might as well go all out."
Huo Yuhao chuckled self-deprecatingly, then pulled out a dagger from his waist. This was the only valuable item he had taken from the Duke's Mansion when he left.
He didn't enter the water to catch fish like an ordinary person. Instead, he stood on the bank, his eyes slightly narrowed, his Spiritual Eye Martial Soul quietly activated.
The next moment, the dagger in his hand moved.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three cold flashes streaked past, almost simultaneously.
Immediately after, there were three "plop" sounds on the river surface, and three large, plump river fish, pierced precisely through their eyes, floated up belly-first.
This precise throwing technique left Sect Leader Tang Ya, who had just finished starting the fire, wide-eyed with astonishment.
"Yuhao… you… you're too amazing!"
Huo Yuhao said nothing, merely stepping barefoot into the cool river water to retrieve the three fish.
Back on the bank, he didn't rush to start cooking but began a dazzling series of preparatory steps.
Scaling, gutting, cleaning—his movements were lightning-fast, yet filled with a unique sense of rhythm. The ordinary dagger in his hand seemed to come alive, each stroke precise to the extreme.
After processing the fish, he took out several small paper packets from his travel bag.
Opening the packets, inside were various colors and flavors of seasonings: salt, pepper, cumin, and some spices he couldn't name but smelled absolutely mouth-watering.
These were all things he had collected and bought along the way, relying on his adult Soul and Life experience. All for this very moment.
When Beibei returned with two wild chickens, he saw this scene—
Huo Yuhao was sitting by a bonfire, with three grilled fish skewered on wooden sticks, sizzling over the flames, golden fat constantly dripping, splashing up tiny sparks.
And an indescribable, overwhelmingly potent aroma permeated the air, frantically invading his nostrils, stirring the gluttonous worms in his stomach.
"So… so fragrant!" Beibei couldn't help but swallow, almost dropping the wild chickens in his hands.
Sect Leader Tang Ya was already squatting by the fire, her beautiful eyes fixed on the three grilled fish, practically drooling.
Huo Yuhao ignored their reactions, his expression focused and serious, as if he wasn't grilling fish, but a rare work of art.
He methodically rotated the wooden skewers, ensuring every inch of the fish's skin was evenly heated. At the same time, his other hand, like a painter wielding a brush, sprinkled various seasonings perfectly onto the grilled fish.
As the seasonings were added, the aroma became richer and more layered.
First, the fresh scent of the fish itself, then the savory aroma of salt and pepper, followed by the spicy scent of cumin, and finally, a faint, indescribable vegetal freshness… several flavors perfectly fused, forming an irresistible temptation.
Finally, under Beibei and Sect Leader Tang Ya's eager gazes, Huo Yuhao stopped his movements.
"Done."
He handed two of the perfectly grilled, golden-brown fish, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, to them.
"Thank you, Junior Brother!"
Sect Leader Tang Ya cheered, eagerly took the grilled fish, and without minding the heat, opened her small mouth and took a big bite.
The next second, her eyes widened abruptly.
The crispy fish skin, the tender fish meat, plus the perfectly balanced seasoning… countless wonderful flavors instantly exploded on her taste buds!
Delicious!
So delicious!
She swore this was the best thing she had ever eaten in her Life!
Beibei's reaction was not much better than Sect Leader Tang Ya's. Although he ate more gracefully, his constantly accelerating eating speed betrayed his inner excitement.
Watching them devour the fish, a faint smile finally appeared on Huo Yuhao's face.
However, just then, a clear and pleasant, yet somewhat bossy and arrogant, girl's voice came from the nearby woods.
"Hey! How much for your grilled fish?"
Hearing the voice, Huo Yuhao understood.
The main character, finally took the bait.
He looked up, following the sound.
Under the moonlight, a tall girl in a pink and blue outfit, with neat short hair and a pair of brilliant blue eyes, stood with her arms crossed, looking at him with a proud expression.
The girl was extremely beautiful, even three points more so than Sect Leader Tang Ya. However, her innate pride made her seem somewhat unapproachable.
On her shoulder, a fluffy, snow-white Spirit Beast, looking like a small dog, was perched.
Wang Dong!
Or rather, Tang Wutong!
The female lead who was entangled with him throughout her Life in the "original work."
And also Tang San's other "great gift" meticulously prepared for him.
Huo Yuhao looked at her, his eyes calm and unmoving, as if looking at a stranger.
He picked up his own grilled fish, took a bite casually, and then slowly said:
"Not for sale."
"Only for the fatedChapter 5: First Encounter, Arranged Nemesis?
"Not for sale? Only for those with predestined affinity?"
The short-haired girl with pink-blue hair, who was Wang Dong, frowned beautifully upon hearing Huo Yuhao's reply.
From childhood, no matter where she went, she was always the center of attention, surrounded by stars; if she wanted something, a mere glance would have countless people scrambling to present it to her.
This was the first time someone dared to speak to her in such an indifferent tone, and it was even when she had actively offered to "buy" something.
"What do you mean?" Wang Dong's voice grew colder, carrying the unique questioning tone of a Young Miss. "This... this young master fancies your grilled fish; that's giving you Face! Name your price, any amount of gold coins will do!"
She seemed to have intended to call herself "this Young Miss," but at the last moment, she stiffly changed it to "this young master," which sounded a bit deliberate.
Huo Yuhao chuckled inwardly, noncommittal about this little girl's disguise game.
He still didn't look at Wang Dong, only concentrating on the grilled fish in his hand, as if there was nothing more delicious in the World.
His unyielding and completely dismissive attitude thoroughly angered Wang Dong.
"Hey! What's wrong with you? Are you mute?" Wang Dong rushed to the bonfire in a few steps, glaring down at Huo Yuhao.
A faint, sweet fragrance, accompanied by the girl's anger, wafted into Huo Yuhao's nose.
He finally looked up, directly at this future "Shrek Campus Belle."
He had to admit, this Face was indeed a masterpiece of God. Her skin was fairer than snow, her features were as exquisite as a painting, especially those eyes as dazzling as sapphires; though burning with anger at this moment, they were still breathtakingly beautiful.
But Huo Yuhao's gaze was as calm as an unfathomable ancient well, without the slightest ripple.
What he saw was not the peerlessly beautiful countenance, but the extraordinary Soul hidden beneath it, wrapped in a faint golden light.
That golden light was sacred, vast, and carried an inviolable Divine Might.
It was the imprint of Divine Sense!
Huo Yuhao instantly confirmed that Wang Dong's Soul was protected by Tang San's divine force. This protection not only ensured her safety during her trials in the Lower Realm but also served as an invisible form of surveillance and... shackles.
"So that's it, even the Soul has been tampered with." Huo Yuhao understood, gaining a deeper insight into Tang San's possessiveness.
"What are you looking at?!" Stared at by Huo Yuhao's gaze, which seemed to penetrate everything, Wang Dong inexplicably felt a pang of guilt and discomfort, and her voice involuntarily rose a few octaves.
"Nothing." Huo Yuhao withdrew his gaze and said indifferently, "I just think your eyes are very beautiful."
His words were as plain as water, as if stating an objective fact, devoid of any emotional color.
But to Wang Dong's ears, it was nothing short of a thunderclap.
She... she had heard countless compliments since childhood, but never had anyone dared to praise her eyes so directly and calmly to her Face.
In an instant, Wang Dong's pretty Face flushed crimson, even her earlobes felt hot.
"You... what nonsense are you spouting!" She retorted incoherently, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, "Who... who asked you to praise me! I warn you, don't think a few sweet words will make me let you off! Hand over the grilled fish now!"
Her outwardly fierce yet inwardly timid demeanor made Tang Ya and Beibei, who were engrossed in eating nearby, burst out laughing.
"I say, classmate, aren't you being a bit too overbearing?" Tang Ya wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth, stood up to mediate, "This grilled fish was made by my Junior Brother personally. If he says he won't sell it, he naturally has his reasons. Why must you force the issue?"
"And who are you two?" Wang Dong only then noticed the two people beside her. When she saw Tang Ya's peerlessly beautiful Face, a hint of undetectable wariness flashed in her eyes.
"We are from the Tang Sect." Beibei also stood up, smiling gently, "I am Beibei, and this is my Junior Sister, Sect Leader Tang Ya. This is our new Junior Brother, Huo Yuhao."
"Tang Sect?" Wang Dong was stunned for a moment, then a look of realization and... disdain appeared on her Face.
"Oh, so it's that fallen Tang Sect." She curled her lips. "I thought it was some formidable Sect. What? Has the Tang Sect fallen so low that it needs a grilled fish kid to maintain its reputation?"
Her words were extremely cutting, instantly causing Tang Ya and Beibei's expressions to darken.
"Classmate, please show some respect!" Tang Ya's tone turned cold. "Although the Tang Sect is not what it once was, it is not for anyone to insult!"
"Insult?" Wang Dong sneered, the arrogance in her eyes becoming even more pronounced. "I'm merely stating facts. A Sect without even a Spirit Emperor, what is it if not fallen?"
"You!" Tang Ya trembled with anger.
Beibei quickly pulled her back, and said to Wang Dong in a deep voice: "Classmate, we have no grievances with you, why must you be so aggressive? We have no right to decide for Junior Brother Yuhao's grilled fish. If you truly want to eat it, perhaps you should discuss it with him properly."
"Discuss?" Wang Dong seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the World. "This young master never needs to discuss things with others!"
Before her words finished, a powerful spirit power fluctuation suddenly erupted from her body. Two dazzling yellow spirit rings rose from beneath her feet, and a sharp Aura instantly locked onto Huo Yuhao.
"I'll count to three. Hand over the grilled fish! Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Twentieth level!
Feeling the spirit power fluctuation emanating from Wang Dong, both Beibei and Tang Ya were startled.
This girl, who looked not much older than Huo Yuhao, was already a Two-Ring Spirit Master! What astonishing Genius this was!
The two subconsciously wanted to step forward and shield Huo Yuhao behind them.
However, Huo Yuhao gently shook his head at them.
He unhurriedly swallowed the last mouthful of fish, then tossed the cleanly gnawed fish bones into the fire, and slowly stood up from the ground.
Facing Wang Dong's aggressive Aura, there was no tension or fear on his Face; instead, there was a playful smile.
"Want to snatch it?" He looked at Wang Dong and asked indifferently.
"So what if I do?" Wang Dong said proudly, "For an ungrateful fellow like you, fists should do the talking!"
"Alright." Huo Yuhao nodded, the smile on his Face growing wider. "Coincidentally, I also want to see just how much a Genius blessed by a Divinity truly weighs."
"What did you say?" Wang Dong was stunned for a moment, not understanding the meaning of the latter half of his sentence.
But Huo Yuhao no longer intended to give her time to think.
"As you wish."
The moment his words fell, an unimaginably vast mental force pressure, like a bursting flood, erupted from Huo Yuhao's body!
Buzz—!
The air seemed to solidify at this moment.
Wang Dong, who bore the brunt, felt as if her head had been violently struck by an invisible giant hammer. Her entire World spun, and her ears buzzed. Her proud spirit power, in the Face of this terrifying mental force pressure, was as fragile as paper, instantly shattered into pieces.
She didn't even have time to release her Spirit before she let out a muffled groan, her Face pale, and retreated repeatedly, eventually falling onto the ground.
And the seemingly harmless Light Goddess Butterfly on her shoulder let out a shrill cry of sorrow, directly knocked unconscious.
Beibei and Tang Ya, who were nearby, were also affected by this sudden mental storm. Both felt dizzy and disoriented, barely managing to steady themselves, and looked at Huo Yuhao with expressions of unbelievable shock.
This... was this truly the power a One-Ring Soul Master, who had just undergone Spirit Awakening, could possess?
The intensity of this mental force, perhaps even some Four-Ring Soul Ancestors specializing in mental force, would fall far short!
The entire scene instantly fell into a dead silence.
Only the bonfire crackled and burned.
Huo Yuhao slowly walked to Wang Dong, who was sitting on the ground, and looked down at her, his gaze still calm.
"Now, do you still want to snatch it?"
Wang Dong looked up at Huo Yuhao with a complex gaze mixed with fear, humiliation, and shock.
She had lost.
Lost completely, without any power to retaliate.
Since childhood, she had been an invincible existence among her peers; when had she ever suffered such humiliation?
A strong sense of unwillingness and anger surged in her heart. She gritted her teeth and stubbornly said, "I... I didn't lose! You just... just ambushed me!"
"Is that so?" Huo Yuhao smiled noncommittally.
He extended his hand, offering the remaining large portion of the fish he had just grilled to Wang Dong.
"I said, it's only for those with predestined affinity."
"Now it seems, you and I, we seem to have quite the affinity."
His tone carried a hint of faint teasing.
Wang Dong looked at the fragrant grilled fish in front of her, then at Huo Yuhao's lightly smiling Face, and for a moment, she didn't know how to react.
She couldn't win a fight, nor could she win an argument.
Ultimately, all her pride and unwillingness transformed into an ill-timed "grumble" from her stomach.
Her Face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple.
Under Huo Yuhao's knowing gaze, Wang Dong almost snatched the grilled fish, then took a big, fierce bite, as if venting the frustration in her heart.
However, when that unparalleled deliciousness bloomed in her mouth, all her anger was instantly replaced by astonishment.
"Mmm... delicious..."
She mumbled indistinctly, then, no longer caring about her image, began to eat in large mouthfuls.
Watching her demeanor, the curve of Huo Yuhao's lips became even more playful.
"Tang Wutong, ah, Tang Wutong, casting aside your father's halo, you are nothing more than an immature, somewhat tsundere little girl."
He murmured softly to himself.
"But this is good too. A chess piece... it's always easier to control if it's a bit more innocent."
"Whether it's by him, or... by me."
A gentle breeze blew, stirring the bonfire, and also stirring the hair of the young man and young woman.
A carefully arranged encounter and conflict thus concluded in this slightly comical atmosphere.
And a true game, spanning both the human and divine realms, had just begun to unfoldChapter 6 The Eve of School Enrollment, The Legendary Deity
The night was inky black, and the starlight outside Shrek City was cut into fragmented specks of light by the dense tree canopy, scattering onto the clearing in the forest.
The lingering aftershocks of the previous spirit power collision still hung in the air, along with a faint, almost imperceptible scent of humiliation.
Wang Dong had left, or rather, had almost fled. Her beautiful pink-blue eyes were filled with unwillingness and shock, as if she couldn't accept that she had been defeated by a seemingly unremarkable "Grilled Fish Guy," and so decisively, so thoroughly.
Her magnificent blue outfit disappeared into the night after a few leaps, leaving behind a proud but disheveled figure.
It wasn't until the uncomfortable sensation of being watched completely vanished that Huo Yuhao slowly retracted his outward mental force, and his bright Spiritual Eye Martial Soul returned to its usual depth and calm.
"Phew... she's finally gone," Sect Leader Tang Ya let out a long breath, patted her chest, a look of relief on her face as if having escaped a calamity. "That little girl is too overbearing. Yuhao, are you alright?"
Beibei's expression was much more complex. He walked over to Huo Yuhao, his eyes filled with intense scrutiny and admiration: "Yuhao, you truly make me look at you in a new light. That wasn't just simple spirit power suppression; it was a pure mental force impact. Your Spiritual Eye Martial Soul, has it become this powerful?"
As an heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Beibei's knowledge far surpassed Sect Leader Tang Ya's. He knew very well that the power Huo Yuhao had just displayed exceeded the scope of what a One-Ring Soul Master should possess. Even many three-ring and four-ring battle Spirit Masters might not be able to achieve such precise and powerful deterrence on the mental force level.
Huo Yuhao had already prepared his response. He showed a slightly shy smile, scratched his head, perfectly displaying the appropriate humility and a hint of uncertainty of a young man.
"Brother Beibei, Sister Xiaoya, actually, I'm not too sure either. Ever since my Spirit Awakening, my mental force seems to be... well, much stronger than ordinary people's. Perhaps my Spirit has undergone some mutation."
This explanation was reasonable and flawless. In the Spirit World, anything is possible, and mutations are common. Attributing everything to "mutation" was the best shield.
"It's more than just a lot stronger; it's monster-level!" Sect Leader Tang Ya didn't stint on her praise. She bounced over to Huo Yuhao, her big eyes blinking as she stared at him, as if looking at a rare treasure. "We've struck gold, Beibei! Our Tang Sect has truly struck gold this time!"
Beibei also nodded in agreement, smiling gently: "Yes, Yuhao, your talent is enough to make any Sect take notice. It is our honor that you chose to join our Tang Sect."
"Brother Beibei, you overstate it," Huo Yuhao quickly waved his hand, his attitude sincere. "You gave me a home; the Tang Sect is my home."
He spoke the word "home" with genuine emotion, which moved both Sect Leader Tang Ya and Beibei.
Sect Leader Tang Ya's eyes reddened slightly. She patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder forcefully: "Good! Well said! From today on, you are my little brother! Anyone who dares to bully you will have to answer to my Blue Silver Grass first!"
The atmosphere became incredibly warm at this moment.
Huo Yuhao knew that the time was right. Beneath this warmth, he needed to subtly plant the first seed he desired.
He looked at Sect Leader Tang Ya and asked, feigning curiosity: "Sister Xiaoya, our Tang Sect... was it very glorious in the past? I always feel that a Sect that you cherish so much must have an extraordinary past."
This question perfectly hit Sect Leader Tang Ya's sweet spot.
At the mention of the Tang Sect's glory, her previous melancholy instantly vanished, replaced by an inner pride and longing. Her back straightened, and her chin lifted slightly, as if she were recounting a sacred epic.
"More than glorious!" Sect Leader Tang Ya's voice rose by an octave, full of pride. "Yuhao, let me tell you, our Tang Sect was founded by a true Divinity!"
"Divinity?" Huo Yuhao's eyes widened at just the right moment, his mouth slightly agape, perfectly portraying the shock of a country boy hearing a secret for the first time.
"That's right! A Divinity!" Sect Leader Tang Ya's expression became incredibly devout, and even Beibei's face showed reverence.
"The founder of our Tang Sect is a legend of the Douluo Continent for ten thousand years, a living myth! He came from humble beginnings, but with his talent and hard work, he overcame all obstacles and eventually ascended to the God Realm, becoming the Sea God, revered by all people!"
"Sea God... Tang San!"
When the name "Tang San" came out of Sect Leader Tang Ya's mouth, Huo Yuhao's heart felt as if an invisible hand had squeezed it, but his facial expression was flawlessly controlled, still showing that look of utter shock.
It's here.
Finally, it's here.
What he had been waiting for was this name, appearing in his World through someone else's mouth, in a "normal" way.
"God... do Gods really exist?" Huo Yuhao's voice trembled slightly, sounding both excited and incredulous.
"Of course they exist!" Beibei took over, his tone utterly certain. "Divinity is the ultimate goal of Spirit Master Cultivation, the guardian of the World. Our ancestor, founder Tang San, after becoming a God, still cared about the Continent and left behind countless legends. The reason Shrek Academy can be the number one Academy on the Continent is precisely because of the divine light and protection of our ancestor."
Sect Leader Tang Ya added: "Yes, yes! Legend has it that after our ancestor became a God, he often paid attention to everything happening on the Douluo Continent! Especially our Tang Sect and Shrek Academy. Whenever a talented junior appears, they might even receive guidance and blessings from our ancestor in the unseen!"
These words, like a thunderbolt, exploded in Huo Yuhao's mind.
Paying attention to everything?
Guidance and blessings?
He almost sneered aloud. This was not guidance and blessings at all; it was surveillance and manipulation!
It turned out that this blind worship of Divinity had long been deeply ingrained, becoming a "common sense" of this World. Tang San's actions, in their eyes, were protection, a gift.
How ridiculous, and how tragic.
"Then... will God care about ordinary people like us?" Huo Yuhao continued to play the role of the innocent and longing young man, cautiously posing his question. "Can someone like me also receive God's attention?"
His eyes were clear and pure, filled with a yearning for the unknown World, enough to deceive anyone.
Sect Leader Tang Ya was amused by his appearance. She ruffled his hair and comforted him like an older sister: "Silly boy, of course he will! As long as you are devout, Cultivate diligently, and bring glory to the Tang Sect, our ancestor will definitely see you! Who knows, you might be the next lucky one to receive our ancestor's favor!"
"Mhm!" Huo Yuhao nodded heavily, his eyes seemingly ablaze with a roaring fire, full of aspirations for the future.
However, deep within that fire, there was a trace of coldness and mockery that no one could detect.
Favor? No, I don't need it.
What I want is to break free from this suffocating "favor" and drag that so-called Divinity, high above in the clouds, down with force!
The night wind blew, and the leaves rustled.
Beibei and Sect Leader Tang Ya were still enthusiastically recounting various legends about Tang San, while Huo Yuhao listened quietly, nodding in agreement from time to time, like the most devout believer.
But his heart had never been so clear and firm.
He knew who his enemy was now.
It was a God, worshipped by everyone in this World.
And his path, starting tonight, would be a god slaying path, destined to be against the whole World.
The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight pierced through the thin mist and shone upon the ancient and majestic gates of Shrek Academy, the place was already bustling with activity and noise.
Young Geniuses from all over the Heaven Dou Empire gathered here, their Faces filled with excitement, anticipation, and a hint of imperceptible nervousness. They wore various outfits, representing diverse Families and Sects, but from today onwards, they would share a common identity—Shrek Academy freshmen.
Huo Yuhao, Beibei, and Sect Leader Tang Ya moved slowly forward, caught in the crowd.
"Wow, there are so many people!" Sect Leader Tang Ya exclaimed, her petite figure almost swallowed by the crowd. Fortunately, Beibei was carefully protecting her.
Huo Yuhao, on the other hand, appeared unusually calm. His Spiritual Detection had already silently spread out, like an invisible giant net, taking in everything around him. The spirit power fluctuations and emotional shifts of every freshman, and even the subtle strengths of the teachers maintaining Order in the distance, formed a clear, three-dimensional image in his mind.
He was observing, analyzing, and searching.
Searching for those who, in "destiny," were supposed to intersect with him.
"We're here!"
Finally, a commotion came from the front of the line. The teacher responsible for registration sat behind a long table, loudly calling out the procedures.
"Name, age, Spirit, spirit power Rank! One by one, no pushing!"
When it was Huo Yuhao's turn, he stepped forward, neither humble nor arrogant, and presented his identification—a Tang Sect Disciple's credential that Beibei had prepared for him earlier.
"Huo Yuhao, eleven years old, Spiritual Eye Spirit, eleventh Rank one-ring Tool Spirit Master."
The teacher in charge of registration was a middle-aged man who looked about forty or fifty. He recorded the information without lifting his head. When he heard "eleventh Rank one-ring," his eyebrows twitched slightly, but he said nothing more. After all, everyone who came here was a Genius. An eleven-year-old with one-ring spirit power was only considered standard.
"Mm, next."
The entire process was unremarkable, without any of the "hiding one's strength" or "Genius stunning the crowd" clichés common in novels.
Huo Yuhao didn't care about this at all; in fact, he welcomed it. What he needed most now was to keep a low profile, accumulate strength in the dark, and not be exposed to the spotlight too early, especially not under the "key attention" of a certain Divinity.
"Yuhao, your dormitory is in Room 108 of Dorm 7." Beibei held the dormitory key and map he received after registration, pointing to a location. "Xiao Ya and I need to go to the Martial Soul Department to complete some procedures. Can you go ahead and familiarize yourself with the environment?"
"No problem, Big Brother Beibei, Sister Xiao Ya, you two go ahead and be busy." Huo Yuhao took the key and nodded obediently.
After bidding farewell to the two, Huo Yuhao walked alone through the bustling academy plaza, heading towards the freshman dormitory area.
The architectural style of Shrek Academy was ancient and grand, exuding a sense of historical weight everywhere. Whether it was the bluestone slabs paving the ground or the towering ancient trees lining the roadside, everything seemed to narrate the academy's glory and honor over ten thousand years.
Huo Yuhao walked, a cold sneer forming in his heart.
Ten thousand years of glory? It's probably also a ten-thousand-year chessboard.
He appeared to be admiring the scenery, but in reality, his mental force was highly concentrated, firmly locked onto the room he was about to occupy—Dorm 7, Room 108.
He was very curious what kind of "surprise" that "God King" would arrange for him.
Dorm 7 was the most ordinary building in the freshman dormitory area, with an unremarkable exterior. Huo Yuhao ascended the steps and quickly found Room 108 at the end of the first-floor corridor.
The door was ajar, as if someone had already arrived.
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, adjusted his expression, making himself look like an ordinary young man full of curiosity and apprehension about a new environment. Then, he reached out and gently pushed open the door.
Creak—
The scene inside the room came into view.
It was a standard quadruple room, simply furnished but spotlessly clean. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm patches of light on the floor.
There was only one person in the room.
That person had his back to the door, standing by the window, seemingly gazing at the distant scenery. He had a tall, slender figure, dressed in a neat white school uniform, with a refreshing short blue hair that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
Just a back view exuded an indescribable elegance and... pride.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, the person slowly turned around.
A strikingly handsome Face appeared in Huo Yuhao's field of vision.
His skin was as fair as snow, his features as exquisite as a painting, his nose bridge high, and the curve of his lips seemed meticulously sculpted. Especially those pinkish-blue eyes, as clear as the purest crystal, but at this moment, those beautiful eyes were filled with undisguised astonishment and shock.
Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze at that moment.
Huo Yuhao's lips curved into a barely perceptible arc.
It's really you.
Wang Dong.
Or rather, Tang Wutong.
There really isn't... any "surprise." This arrangement, so precise it's laughable, is as if he was afraid he would go off script.
"How... is it you?!" Wang Dong broke the silence first, his voice filled with disbelief, and his handsome Face was full of disdain and displeasure, as if he had found a fly in his favorite cake.
Huo Yuhao, however, showed a "matching" shocked expression, even exaggerating by taking a step back, pointing at Wang Dong, and stammering, "You... aren't you that... that domineering girl... no, domineering guy from yesterday?"
He deliberately said "girl" and immediately corrected himself, as if he had accidentally let it slip.
Sure enough, Wang Dong's Face instantly flushed red, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, suddenly bristling.
"What nonsense are you talking about! Who's a girl?!" He lunged in front of Huo Yuhao, his pinkish-blue eyes practically spitting fire, "Do you have a problem with your eyes? This Young Lord is a proper man!"
To prove his point, he even puffed out his flat chest.
Huo Yuhao chuckled inwardly, but his Face held an innocent expression of "I'm wrong but that's just how I feel," and he mumbled, "But... you're prettier than all the girls I've ever seen..."
The destructive power of this sentence was comparable to ten Great Spirit Abilities.
Wang Dong's body stiffened, the anger on his Face instantly froze, and then, at a visible speed, it spread from his earlobes to his neck.
In all his life, this was the first time he had been "complimented" in such a way, and by a man at that. This made him feel an unprecedented shame and... panic.
"You... you, you, you... shut up!" Wang Dong shouted in exasperation, yet found no reason to retort.
"Oh." Huo Yuhao obediently closed his mouth, then silently walked to the empty bed in the back and began to organize his luggage, as if everything that had just happened had nothing to do with him.
This feeling of being completely ignored made Wang Dong even more frantic.
He felt like he was punching cotton, with nowhere to exert his strength. The humiliation of being crushed in mental force yesterday surged back into his heart.
"Hey!" Wang Dong couldn't help but speak again, his tone unfriendly, "Who allowed you to stay here? This is my room!"
Huo Yuhao stopped what he was doing, turned his head, and held up the key in his hand, saying innocently, "But, the teacher arranged it this way. Look, Dorm 7, 108, my key opens the door."
"I don't care!" Wang Dong said unreasonably, "I don't like sharing a room with anyone. You, get out now!"
Huo Yuhao blinked, looked at him, and suddenly asked, "Are you afraid of me?"
"Who... who's afraid of you?!" Wang Dong's voice suddenly rose, as if to cover something up.
"Then why don't you dare to live with me?" Huo Yuhao pressed on, his gaze pure and direct, "Yesterday you couldn't beat me, and today you want to drive me away. Are all Shrek Academy students so bullying?"
He emphasized the words "couldn't beat me."
Wang Dong's Face alternated between green and white, choked into silence.
What could he say? That he, the Young Lord of the Clear Sky Sect, the owner of the Butterfly God Spirit, was actually afraid of a "Grilled Fish Guy" with a Spiritual Eye Spirit?
If that got out, would he still have any Face left?!
Watching Wang Dong's frustrated yet dare-not-to-act expression, Huo Yuhao sneered inwardly.
Tang San, oh Tang San, is this the "whetstone" you sent? Unfortunately, this stone seems a bit too brittle.
Well, since you sent her to my side, wanting her to monitor me and guide me at all times, then I'll make good use of this chess piece.
At least, before you show your true colors, she will be a very good smokescreen, and... a very interesting toy.
Thinking of this, Huo Yuhao's attitude suddenly softened. He sighed and said in a negotiating tone, "Alright, alright, since you don't want to see me so much, then I'll sleep on the floor, okay? I won't bother you."
As he spoke, he actually started taking out bedding from his package, preparing to spread it on the floor.
This, in turn, stunned Wang Dong.
Although he was proud and domineering, he wasn't inherently the kind of truly unreasonable person. To make him watch a roommate sleep on the floor, he really couldn't bring himself to do it.
"You... what are you doing!" Wang Dong shouted with a lack of confidence.
Huo Yuhao looked up, saying with a "matter-of-fact" expression, "Didn't you say I couldn't sleep on the bed? Then I can only sleep on the floor. You can't expect me to sleep on the streets on my first day, can you?"
"I..." Wang Dong was completely speechless.
He looked at Huo Yuhao's delicate and calm Face, and suddenly felt that all his previous anger and pride were like a joke.
In the end, he could only squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth: "...Do as you please!"
With that, he turned around in a huff, flopped back onto his bed, and faced Huo Yuhao with his back, saying nothing more.
A cohabitation drama personally arranged by the "God King" thus ended in a somewhat comical manner.
Huo Yuhao looked at Wang Dong's tense back, and the corners of his mouth turned up again.
He knew this was just the beginning.
The days ahead would definitely be... very interesting