In reality, the Simulation used by Huo Yuhao during his two-ring period could not achieve such an effect.
At the very least, the Soul Power fluctuations could not have been so realistic.
But since his Soul Power broke through level thirty, a portion of the power Skydream had sealed within his body was released.
This increased the actual age of the Martial Soul abilities attached to his first and second Spirit Rings to ten thousand years.
This not only allowed the Simulation to be more perfect and flawless,
But also greatly enhanced the other three Martial Soul abilities of his first Spirit Ring.
With his Mental Power at the Spirit Emperor level, a Soul Shock comparable to a ten-thousand-year Spirit Ability could pose a sufficient threat even against a Spirit Emperor expert.
"Divine Soul Unification" currently allowed him to trigger a Class 6 excited state human Soul Power configuration Soul-Charging Device to charge a soul guidance sniper rifle.
The range of Mental Detection had expanded; not only could it easily cover the entire competition grounds, but it had also become more intricate.
Most importantly, Mental Sharing provided more possibilities.
For Xiao Hongchen, the most direct effect of the upgraded Mental Sharing and Mental Detection
Was that Huo Yuhao could use Mental Sharing to directly help him control the convergence of some Soul Tool Rays.
In this way, the issue of insufficient Mental Power strength that had always troubled Xiao Hongchen was resolved.
The total amount of Soul Power that could be poured into a single strike was also greatly increased.
Secretly activating his fifth Spirit Ability, Xiao Hongchen had already stacked ten layers of "Heart of Gold."
He extended his right hand, pointing his sword fingers toward the sky, and said with a faint smile:
"The light of a firefly dares to compete with the brilliance of the bright moon!"
"Take this strike!"
At that moment, one of the two blood-colored Spirit Rings suddenly erupted with brilliant light.
A several-meter-tall phantom of a Three-legged Golden Toad gradually took shape behind him.
Over a thousand soul tool light rays materialized out of thin air around him.
Following a peculiar trajectory, they converged at Xiao Hongchen's fingertip into a blinding crimson point of light.
This point of light happened to gather in the mouth of the Three-legged Golden Toad!
The seven students from Tiantong Academy opposite him groaned almost simultaneously, their footsteps coming to a ragged halt.
A sensation of being watched by a peerless Ferocious Beast spontaneously arose.
The captain of Tiantong Academy felt a chill surge from his tailbone straight to the crown of his head.
He was locked on, and there was no way to evade!
At this moment, the captain fell into a dilemma.
If they scattered, they would be betting that the output range of Xiao Hongchen's strike wasn't large enough.
But the stacking range of the defensive halos was limited; without the high-layered defensive halos, this strike would certainly cause multiple casualties.
If they didn't scatter, they didn't know if they could block it.
No one had ever seen the power of a seven-ring Soul Saint releasing a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ability.
Even more conflicted than him was the referee on the field.
He didn't believe for a second that the people from Tiantong Academy could block it, because he wasn't even sure he could.
Huo Yuhao made the decision for the seven people from Tiantong Academy.
Seven weakened versions of Soul Shock, plus the deterrence of the Psychiatrist!
The students of Tiantong Academy, whose nerves were already highly strung, actually had their bodies freeze for a moment under the combined influence of the two skills!
Under Huo Yuhao's mental guidance, Xiao Hongchen seized the opportunity, pointed his finger forward, and shouted coldly:
"Go!"
A thick and massive crimson Cluster Soul Tool Ray, carrying terrifying Soul Power fluctuations, crossed half the competition grounds almost instantaneously.
It directly hit the Soul King captain of Tiantong Academy; once he was pierced, the people behind him would have no way to avoid it.
That Soul King captain truly lived up to his status as captain.
A moment before the crimson Cluster Soul Tool Ray arrived, his black Spirit Ring shone brightly.
A bronze tripod over ten feet tall suddenly appeared in front of him.
But in the face of the crimson Cluster Soul Tool Ray, the seemingly thick and indestructible bronze tripod was like a snowflake meeting a branding iron.
Before actual contact was even made, a large hole was silently melted through it!
Just as the referee was about to activate his Martial Soul Avatar and brace himself to block the strike,
A streak of light flashed from the city wall, and in the next instant, it appeared in the center of the competition stage, in front of the Tiantong Academy captain.
It was the Heavenly Fiend Douluo, Huang Jinxu!
A rich orange light soared into the sky, transforming into a seemingly illusory yet incredibly solid barrier that blocked the crimson Cluster Soul Tool Ray.
This strike had condensed nearly ninety percent of Xiao Hongchen's total Soul Power.
Before the orange barrier, some of it vanished like a clay ox entering the sea, while some was refracted in all directions.
The aftershocks refracted toward the ground left thin, deep holes with a series of "pu pu pu" sounds.
The rest of the aftershocks caused ripples to spread across the white light screen.
The crimson gradually faded, while the orange barrier remained unmoved.
The orange barrier slowly vanished, and Huang Jinxu quietly wiped the thin sweat from his palm, taking a deep look at the proudly standing Xiao Hongchen.
He said in a heavy voice, "I am the chief referee of this tournament, Huang Jinxu."
"I announce that in this match, the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy wins!"
Star Luo Square, which accommodated hundreds of thousands of Spectators, including the Star Luo Empire's imperial family, civil and military officials, and over a hundred other advanced Spirit Master and Soul Engineer academies,
Was silent at this moment.
The Spectators who had previously thought Xiao Hongchen was cynical and frivolous had now changed their minds.
A fourteen or fifteen-year-old teenage Soul Saint, who also possessed two hundred-thousand-year Spirit Rings.
What was wrong with bringing a beauty to a match?
If I had this strength, I would be bringing a princess onto the field.
Tang Yin, who had finally reacted, frowned deeply, no longer even caring about the Son of Destiny Meng Hongchen:
"Even if he had started Cultivating from his mother's womb, it would be impossible to reach this level of cultivation at this age!"
"The Sea God, who had countless fortuitous encounters and the sacrifice of a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast ten thousand years ago, only broke through to Soul Saint during the Divine Trial at the age of twenty-two."
Xu Sanshi asked in confusion, "Tang Yin, how do you know when Ancestor Tang San became a Soul Saint?"
He thought for a moment and added, "No wonder they're willing to show up with someone like Huo Yuhao. With a Soul Saint like that, even a dog tied to the team could win."
"I saw it in ancient records," Tang Yin smiled as he brought the topic back, turning to ask Wang Yan:
"Teacher Wang, you have always been known as the Grandmaster of Martial Soul theory in the Outer Court."
"Do you think it's possible for someone to Cultivate to the level of Soul Saint at fourteen or fifteen?"
Wang Yan looked at Xiao Hongchen, who was elegantly leaving the stage while holding Feng Tingting's hand, and shook his head:
"I don't believe it either."
"But the power of that crimson light ray was indeed at a level that an ordinary Soul Saint could not withstand at all without activating their Martial Soul Avatar."
Atop the city wall, the Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei's eyes were sharp and his expression solemn, with a hint of imperceptible shock between his brows. He said in a heavy voice:
"I want all the detailed information on the members of this Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy representative team!"
"Especially the one for that white-haired boy."
Xu Jiujiu watched everyone leave the stage, feeling self-doubt for the first time.
Even though Li Jie strongly countered soul tools, would there really be a chance against such a seven-ring Soul Saint?
Having already stepped down and walking through the empty corridor, Xiao Hongchen suddenly stumbled, unable to even stand steadily.
Feng Tingting quickly supported him and said with a huff:
"Brother Xiao, didn't we agree on fifty or sixty percent of your Soul Power?"
"How did you almost drain yourself dry?"
"Not dry, not dry, there's still a bit left." Xiao Hongchen waved his hand and chuckled:
"It's a pity I'm a bit exhausted; I left the stage without even reciting my Entrance Poem."
"Senior Brother Xiao, you certainly showed off big time." Huo Yuhao shrugged and said helplessly:
"Now you just wait and see how the other teams 'take care' of you."
That night, outside the Clan mausoleum of the Star Luo Dai Family.
Several beams of white light landed. Dai Hao took off his flying soul guidance device, stored it in his storage ring, and gave a low-voiced instruction to the retinue behind him:
"You are all tired after flying thousands of miles continuously."
"Take a short rest outside the mausoleum. I will go inside to pay my respects and then come out."
"Yes!" the personal guards responded in unison.
Only after Dai Hao strode into the mausoleum did the guards stretch their limbs in small groups, whispering in admiration:
"The Duke values this competition very much."
"The first thing he does upon returning to Star Luo is to come and comfort the Martial Souls of the ancestors."
"After all, it is a grand competition where both young masters of the direct line are participating."
"The Star Crown Spirit hasn't been heard of for decades, while our White Tiger Duke's Mansion has two Prodigies in one generation—a sign of prosperity!"
The Star Luo Dai Family was the former imperial Clan and had held a revered status since ancient times.
Four thousand years ago, when this place was still called the Imperial Tombs, it was guarded by the Imperial Tomb Army.
But ever since the Dai Clan moved out of the Imperial City and established the White Tiger Duke's Mansion,
there was only a small force of a few hundred people here, responsible for daily patrols on the perimeter and periodically clearing fallen leaves and debris.
Though small in number, they were all elite Spirit Masters.
The highest cultivation was eight rings, and no one was below the four-ring level.
To have such a lineup just to guard a mausoleum with no strategic significance that had never seen trouble,
one could see the special status of the Dai Clan in the Star Luo Empire.
After Dai Hao greeted the approaching patrol team, he walked into the mausoleum.
After over ten thousand years of expansion, this place was no smaller than a small town.
He didn't need to pay respects at every single tomb.
This time, the main focus was the tombs of his great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.
As soon as Dai Hao reached the western side of the mausoleum grounds, he saw the tombs buried over the last few centuries.
Coffins were exposed, and white bones were scattered on the ground.
It looked as if they had been directly dug open.
Dai Hao rushed to the tombs of his great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.
His gaze swept coldly over the mess on the ground. He picked up a segment of bleached white spinal bone and examined it carefully.
Every Duke of the White Tiger was a powerhouse at the Titled Douluo level; even in bones buried for centuries, residual energy would remain.
However, the internal energy of this bone in front of him had long been sucked dry.
Aside from being slightly heavier, it was no different from the bones of an ordinary person.
Dai Hao's knuckles turned slightly white, and the Killing Intent around him almost solidified. He laughed in extreme rage:
"Draining the bone and blood of my ancestors... Is it another Evil Soul Master? Good, good, good!"
...
In a certain room of the luxurious Prime Minister's suite at the Royal Star Hotel.
"Damn it, letting Xiao Xiao go on stage but not me? Isn't this looking down on me?"
Wang Dong rolled around on the bed clutching her quilt, muttering:
"I also have Twin Martial Souls—well, they don't know that. But I'm still a three-ring Spirit Elder."
"If they let me go, I could definitely do better than Xiao Xiao! Why make me just a spectator?"
"Tang Yin is intentionally suppressing me!"
She suddenly sat up, and after thinking for a moment, her expression became resentful again: "Even though I couldn't use Soul Guidance Devices before."
"Thankfully, I met Miss Meng. It just so happens she's here for the competition too. I'll go find Miss Meng to commission a custom Soul Guidance Device!"
"If Gold Soul Coins can't move her, then as a last resort, I'll just have to sacrifice a bit of my looks."
"Since I started cross-dressing as a boy, I've never failed."
"I, Wang Dong, will absolutely not be weaker than anyone else! I want my moment in the spotlight too!"
Her voice suddenly dropped at the last sentence, and her eyes reddened slightly as she said hatefully:
"I can't touch Soul Guidance Devices, I can't leave Shrek... that damned golden light in my head is always trying to control me."
"First Uncle and Second Uncle won't tell me the truth either, saying it's only for my own good."
"And the mystery of my birth... I've really had enough!"
...
Seven hundred miles south of the Star Luo Empire, the Black Rock Ridge Spirit Hunting Forest.
In mid-air, Xuanzi stood in the the void with Tang Yin, introducing the place to him while taking a swig of old wine and a bite of pig's trotter:
"Tang Yin, this is a public wild Soul Beast forest. There are no imperial troops stationed here and no royal control. It's a lawless zone."
Tang Yin nodded and looked down.
Although it was called a forest, the vegetation was not lush but rather sparse.
The ground was uneven, and underground rivers crisscrossed beneath.
Countless natural caves, shafts, and fissures were scattered throughout the mountains, and the space beneath the surface was interconnected, suggesting a vast and hidden underground world.
Xuanzi drained the wine from his flask and added:
"The overall strength of the Soul Beasts here is quite good. Although there haven't been any hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts for ten thousand years, there are many ten-thousand-year ones."
"The Crypt Demon Spiders you want are plenty here, mostly entrenched in the deepest part of the Dark Spider Caverns."
"You understand their abilities, right?"
Tang Yin nodded and said: "Crypt Demon Spiders are skilled in Earth-type stealth, burrowing attacks, and toxic spider webs. Their physical strength is also decent."
Looking at Xuanzi, who was already appearing tipsy, Tang Yin's facial muscles twitched.
Even if it's just hunting a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast, aren't you being a bit too relaxed?
This old guy really never learns.
Tang Yin wanted to trust Xuanzi, but he had been traumatized by past incidents.
As if seeing through Tang Yin's concerns, Xuanzi said kindly:
"Don't worry, go ahead boldly. I'll guarantee your safety on this trip!"
"The highest level of Soul Beasts in this forest is only fifty thousand years. With me, a level ninety-eight Super Douluo here, what are you afraid of?"
Tang Yin nodded reluctantly. Just as he was about to ask Xuanzi to set him down, the night sky suddenly brightened.
He instinctively looked up and saw several meteors burning with roaring flames falling from the sky, cutting through the firmament and blanketing this area!
"This..."
At that moment, the crimson light reflected in Tang Yin's eyes, giving him a suffocating feeling.
He never expected that just hunting a ten-thousand-year Crypt Demon Spider would lead to a meteor strike!
Xuanzi was stunned, and his wine flask slipped from his hand, falling down.
Still dazed?! Tang Yin's eyes nearly split from shouting in desperation:
"Elder Xuan, save me!"
Xuanzi snapped out of it. Enveloped in intense yellow light, a low muffled boom echoed through the air.
As the yellow light expanded at its peak, he had transformed into a massive, dozens-of-meters-tall Gluttonous Divine Ox.
The moment his True Body manifested, Xuanzi did not hesitate. With a gentle flick of his giant horns, he sent Tang Yin flying far away toward a safe zone.
Immediately after, he charged forward, using his massive Martial Soul True Body to head-on clash with the falling meteors. Yellow light and firelight collided violently.
Boom!
A sound comparable to the explosion of a Grade 9 Stationary Spirit Cannon erupted in the sky.
The brightness at the center of the collision seemed to illuminate the entire night sky.
Even in Star Luo City, over seven hundred miles away, one could vaguely see a flash of light on the horizon!
On the top floor of the Royal Star Hotel, Huo Yuhao leaned against the window, watching the faint glow on the horizon, secretly horrified:
"Good heavens, is the power really that great?"
Huo Yuhao leaned against the window, admiring the light as it gradually faded from the horizon.
A minute later, the seismic waves, which weren't too large, arrived first.
On the table in the room lay an open, yellowed notebook.
On it was the handwriting Huo Yuhao had written with the Alzuhod pen before today's match:
"Based on unknown and unexplainable reasons."
"A meteor shower arrived at this planet just as Tang Yin reached the Black Rock Ridge Spirit Hunting Forest."
"The landing point of some of them happened to be exactly where Tang Yin was located. Yes, exactly."
"Due to the protection of a potentially accompanying powerhouse, Tang Yin might not necessarily die."
"If he does not die directly under the meteor shower, then he will happen to be thrown by the accompanying powerhouse into a Solitary Bamboo Forest."
"It is a very large Solitary Bamboo Forest."
"Inside, there are ordinary Lone Bamboos, as well as ten-year and hundred-year-old Lone Bamboos
A breeze blew into the bedroom, and amidst the rustling of paper, lines of text faintly appeared:
"...The story of the Black Rock Ridge Spirit Hunting Forest has not ended."
"That Lone Bamboo forest had no possibility of evading the massive shockwave from the falling meteor. Large numbers of Lone Bamboos fell and snapped, and vast patches of white and yellow Spirit Rings rose throughout the forest."
"Right next to Tang Yin, there was a ten-year Lone Bamboo; its characteristic was tenacity."
"In addition to that, it possessed a mutated Innate Spirit Ability that no other Lone Bamboo had: Sacrifice!"
"This Sacrifice was no simple matter; it broke the convention that Sacrifice could only be used by hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts, granting this ten-year Lone Bamboo the ability to Sacrifice itself freely."
"Furthermore, it could use this to preserve its own seed and escape unavoidable disasters."
"Under the violent shockwave, the survival instinct hidden in its bloodline drove it to activate Sacrifice."
"Although this would cause it to lose its years of cultivation and regrow, it was worth it. This is very logical; our story is not some fabrication."
(Many lines below were scribbled out, followed by new content):
"What is puzzling, and lacks sufficient reason, is that Tang Yin actually quickly recognized it as a Sacrifice ritual. But that doesn't matter, because..."
"Due to the suddenness of the meteor strike and the need to concentrate on evading the terrifying shockwave, Tang Yin did not notice the inconspicuous ten-year Wind Baboon torso bone in the rock crevice next to that ten-year Lone Bamboo."
"This ten-year Wind Baboon torso bone was precisely the one that an eagle had accidentally dropped into the Lone Bamboo forest an hour ago while carrying it to its nest."
"This is a logical coincidence."
"The power of the Sacrifice ritual drew this Soul Bone into the Fusion as well."
(Many lines below were scribbled out, followed by new content):
"It is truly unbelievable!"
"The cultivation of the powerful attendant by Tang Yin's side has actually reached the level of a Level 98 Super Douluo, making him a top-tier combat power on the entire continent."
"His strength is so fearsome that the meteor from beyond the heavens failed to kill him completely."
"Under the effect of an unknown Spirit Ability, he successfully survived after paying a massive price."
"Even though he was heavily injured, his first reaction was to check on Tang Yin's situation."
"He quickly found Tang Yin; this did not affect the development of the story, because..."
...
At this time, in the Black Rock Ridge Spirit Hunting Forest.
Xuanzi's steps were unsteady. His once-proud left chest had now collapsed significantly, with half of his ribs completely broken.
His left arm and left leg were bent at irregular angles, with white bone gruesomely exposed.
He was coughing up large mouthfuls of blood and fragments of internal organs.
Ever since he became a Titled Douluo over a hundred years ago and obtained a hundred-thousand-year torso bone, he had never suffered an injury of this magnitude.
Once such a heavy injury went untreated for a long time,
at best his cultivation would drop, and at worst he would perish directly!
Therefore, Xuanzi suppressed his heavy injuries, intending to take Tang Yin back to Star Luo City immediately.
Fortunately, the Medical Immortal Douluo was still in Star Luo City, and Xuanzi was confident he could request her help.
Tang Yin wouldn't have been killed by the shockwave, would he? Xuanzi rushed toward the spot where Tang Yin had landed, his heart filled with anxiety.
The first thing Xuanzi saw upon arrival was the ten-year Lone Bamboo next to Tang Yin suddenly emitting a soft white light.
The white light transformed into a red halo that instantly expanded.
Everywhere it passed, everything was dyed a faint white.
The ten-year Lone Bamboo's entire body had now turned white—a white similar to that of a ten-year Spirit Ring.
Weak and helpless.
Is this a Soul Beast Sacrifice? Xuanzi was, after all, an expert close to the level of a Limit Douluo; he recognized at a glance that this was a Soul Beast sacrificing itself.
But wasn't the Sacrifice skill exclusive to hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts?
And wasn't it said that once a Sacrifice began, everything around would be dyed red and an invincible barrier would be created?
Under Xuanzi's dumbfounded gaze, that ten-year Lone Bamboo turned inch by inch into spots of white light and merged into Tang Yin's body.
Although Tang Yin had been lying face down on the ground, he had still been fairly seriously injured by the shockwave.
After the white light merged into his body, the wounds on him seemed a bit better, yet also seemed unchanged.
All of this happened too suddenly and rapidly.
So much so that Tang Yin, who had just scrambled to his feet, only then realized what the ten-year Lone Bamboo was doing.
Damn it!
How can the fourth Spirit Ring of a dignified God King be defiled by a mere ten-year Lone Bamboo like you?!
His expression changing drastically, Tang Yin was just about to pull away and attempt to escape the range of the Sacrifice ritual when
his aura began to crawl upward at an extremely slow speed.
Level 40 Middle Stage, Level 40 Late Stage, Level 40 peak.
Pop!
In a crisp sound like a bottle cap being opened, his Soul Power level stopped exactly at Level 41.
A faintly glowing white Spirit Ring slowly rose from within Tang Yin and hovered above his head.
It emitted a Soul Power fluctuation that could be considered weak even among ten-year Spirit Rings.
Simultaneously, a somewhat deformed torso bone, grayish-white and mottled with extremely weak Soul Power fluctuations, merged into Tang Yin's body.
Did the whole process take only half a breath or a single breath?
It was much faster than recorded in ancient texts! Xuanzi was so shocked that even the severe pain in his body seemed to lessen slightly. He said blankly,
"Tang Yin, has the Sacrifice started?"
"It's already over," Tang Yin said incredulously, looking at the white Spirit Ring above his head.
Suddenly, the Fusion of the ten-year Wind Baboon torso bone was also completed.
Amidst Tang Yin's nearly catatonic expression, his torso seemed to become slightly deformed.
If not for his fairly upright posture, from a distance he would have looked like a ten-year Wind Baboon.
But even so, his physique appeared somewhat misshapen, as if he had some Innate disease.
It severely ruined his originally pure and noble temperament,
adding a few hints of wretchedness.
This was not the end. Tang Yin suddenly discovered that the torso bone produced by this ten-year Soul Beast
contained Soul Power intensity and quality that were inferior to the original bones in his own body.
Not only could it not increase his cultivation, but it conversely required him to absorb his own Soul Power to nourish it.
This caused the Soul Power he had just used to breakthrough to Level 41 to drop again!
Level 41, Level 40—it didn't stop until it fell to Level 39!
His other three Spirit Rings were released.
Yellow, yellow, purple, white.
A set of four Spirit Rings that no normal person should have was thus bizarrely imprinted in Tang Yin's eyes.
A path to one's own ruin, a path to one's own ruin!
Tang Yin was instantly so furious that his eyes turned blood-red and he panted like an ox.
He had clearly come to hunt a ten-thousand-year Crypt Demon Spider, yet he ended up with a ten-year Spirit Ring as his fourth ring?
Even ten thousand years ago, he had never suffered such a hardship!
And this ten-year Soul Bone, which defied all heavenly principles, actually made him create history.
Breaking through to Level 39 Soul Power with four rings.
If it were a Soul Bone for any other part of his body, Tang Yin could at most wait until his strength was great,
Awakening the Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul and becoming capable of regenerating flesh and blood before cutting it out and replacing it with another high-level Soul Bone.
But how could he replace a torso bone?
He couldn't exactly take off his limbs and head, could he?
"To actually encounter such a thing, I've truly lived long enough to see it all." Xuanzi sighed with emotion on his old face, but still reminded him,
"Since it has already happened, you should first see what Spirit Ability this ten-year Spirit Ring has provided you."
After Tang Yin felt it for a moment, his face became as black as the bottom of a pot.
The minor disturbance caused by the previous seismic waves in the Royal Star Hotel had already subsided.
Huo Yuhao listened to the dull rumbling that had arrived late, only now echoing through the night sky of Star Luo City.
He looked into the distance again, where several powerful experts were taking flight from the Imperial City to investigate the situation.
Tang Yin should have achieved a four-ring breakthrough and absorbed the ten-year Wind Baboon torso bone by now, right?
Huo Yuhao gave a cold snort and retracted his gaze, drawing the curtains before turning to sit in a chair. He tapped his fingers gently on the small table, sinking into deep thought.
When he had put pen to paper earlier, he had originally intended to write Tang Yin to death directly.
However, although the illusory Quill of Alzuhod was powerful, it ultimately could not exert its full might.
Furthermore, the higher the correlation between the written plot and powerful individuals, and the more specific and intense the plot...
...the Quill of Alzuhod would become increasingly illusory.
To ensure overall feasibility, Huo Yuhao, after a brief attempt, did not choose to write Tang Yin to death directly.
After completing this passage, the quill did not dissipate immediately.
He had no intention whatsoever of using this opportunity to write Duke of the White Tiger Dai Hao and the Duchess to death.
Firstly, Dai Hao was already a Titled Douluo; such a heavily illusory Quill of Alzuhod would likely only be able to cause him some minor trouble.
Secondly, Huo Yuhao was unwilling to let the Duchess die easily and unknowingly; that would be far too lenient for her.
After careful consideration, Huo Yuhao wrote another sentence that was unrelated to this matter and very vague.
Once he finished writing, the illusoriness within the Quill of Alzuhod completely overwhelmed reality.
It faded as a whole and then vanished.
Knock, knock!
A gentle knocking came from the door.
Huo Yuhao opened the door, his eyes flickering slightly as he discovered with some surprise a person hidden in the shadows ahead.
Even though she was wearing a black face mask, Huo Yuhao recognized her at a glance:
"Senior Sister Meng!"
Meng Hongchen surreptitiously ensured no one had seen her coming to Huo Yuhao's room before quickly slipping inside.
Once she entered and Huo Yuhao locked the door, he sized her up.
At this moment, Meng Hongchen was dressed in a black, somewhat tight-fitting outfit.
Most of her pretty face was covered by the black mask, which only drew more attention to her skin, smooth as jade, and her agile, crafty eyes.
She possessed both the youthful, delicate beauty of a young girl and the heroic Martial Soul and mystery unique to this Assassin's attire.
Huo Yuhao's gaze moved downward.
The black bodysuit outlined her slender neck, narrow shoulders, thin waist, and the already graceful curves of her shapely figure in full detail.
"Junior Brother, you're still looking!" Meng Hongchen discreetly covered herself with her hand and gave him a glare, her face flushing slightly.
Huo Yuhao retracted his gaze without a hint of embarrassment, saying naturally:
"Senior Sister Meng, are you starting to try Acting as an Assassin to prepare for digesting the potion?"
"But why have you come to my place so late?"
Meng Hongchen took off her mask, first giving Huo Yuhao's expression a suspicious look before saying righteously:
"I've come openly to discuss Cultivation matters with you. Why would that be untoward?"
"Besides, this Assassin suit I ordered only arrived tonight."
"I came right after putting it on."
Senior Sister Meng really is a tsundere, Huo Yuhao thought. He nodded, humoring her nature, and asked curiously:
"Senior Sister Meng, Acting as an Assassin doesn't necessarily mean you have to dress like one."
Meng Hongchen found a chair and sat down, voicing all the curiosity in her heart:
"It's not necessary? I didn't know that."
"Junior Brother, which Sequence are you on?"
"How did you act and digest the potion before?"
Huo Yuhao didn't mind sharing his insights with Meng Hongchen, but his path was different from hers!
His Sequence abilities came from his mutated Sea of Consciousness, not from drinking potions.
However, the transformation process and evolutionary direction of the abilities always left a trail to follow.
Huo Yuhao pondered for a moment and said slowly:
"Senior Sister Meng, my situation is quite special."
"My experience might not be entirely suitable for you; just take it as a reference."
Meng Hongchen nodded earnestly; she understood this reasoning perfectly.
Just as her Vermilion-Clear Ice Toad and Huo Yuhao's Ice Jade Scorpion both had the ice attribute, their Cultivation methods and points of emphasis were completely different.
One could only draw lessons; blind copying was a death wish.
"The Sequence I follow is called Spectator."
"Spectator?"
"Yes, Spectator. Sequence 9 of this Sequence is called Spectator."
"Senior Sister Meng, you can probably tell from its name that it isn't suited for combat."
"I had already obtained this ability back when I was selling roasted fish at a stall in Shrek City."
Recalling the past and comparing it to the present, Huo Yuhao felt fortunate.
The pace of his narration slowed down unconsciously:
"The ability granted to me by Sequence 9 Spectator is to be like a Spectator, watching the performances of 'actors'."
"By observing their body language, tone of voice, and subconscious behaviors, I can interpret their thoughts and emotions."
"At that time, while I was studying basic Soul Guidance Device theoretical knowledge with Brother Bujue, I would sell roasted fish while interpreting the thoughts and emotions of pedestrians and customers on the street."
"These actions propelled me to become a Sequence 8 Telepathist of the Spectator pathway."
Huo Yuhao paused and glanced at Meng Hongchen.
Meng Hongchen was now leaning her arms on the small table, resting her chin in her hands, looking at him with a soft gaze.
She didn't show any subconscious defensiveness because of the word Telepathist.
Meng Hongchen said admiringly:
"Junior Brother, you are simply the most amazing person I've ever met!"
"Putting myself in your shoes, if I were in your position, I certainly wouldn't have been able to balance Cultivation, learning knowledge, and digesting the potion."
Huo Yuhao smiled and continued to briefly explain the abilities and Acting requirements for Sequence 8 Telepathist and Sequence 7 Psychiatrist.
"Perhaps this Sequence itself is not good at fighting."
"After three stages, this Sequence has not granted me any direct attack abilities, mostly just auxiliary skills."
"So I can only be a supporter; I don't have powerful frontal combat capabilities like you, Senior Sister Meng."
"Fortunately, the live ammunition soul tool sniper rifle has compensated to some extent for my current lack of damage output."
"It'll get better; your Ice Jade Scorpion Martial Soul has the Ultimate Ice attribute, after all," Meng Hongchen encouraged Huo Yuhao. Then she asked:
"Junior Brother, you said the 'Placating' ability of the Sequence 7 Psychiatrist can treat losing control to a certain extent."
"What does this 'losing control' refer to?"
"As far as I know, this is one of the biggest drawbacks of taking a potion," Huo Yuhao said gravely, recalling occult knowledge.
"Potions grant the consumer power, but they also bring a certain amount of mental pollution."
"It causes the consumer to gradually lose control over their power, mind, and self, from the surface to the depths."
"At the end of losing control, one might turn into a Monster or fall into an existence like an Evil Soul Master."
So dangerous? Meng Hongchen's heart tightened, but she immediately felt relieved.
Fortunately, Junior Brother is a Psychiatrist. No wonder he said the danger is mostly controllable. Nothing to fear!
Meng Hongchen clearly misunderstood Huo Yuhao's meaning. She thought for a moment and added:
"Junior Brother, since you just said that digesting a potion is also called Acting,"
"and your Sequence is called the Spectator Sequence,"
"Spectator, Acting. Does that mean your Sequence can help others digest their potions to some extent
That works too? Huo Yuhao was slightly stunned, unable to help but admire Meng Hongchen's quick-wittedness.
Since no abilities from other Sequences had appeared before,
Huo Yuhao himself hadn't thought of this possibility.
However, Meng Hongchen's speculation wasn't without merit.
Just as he would obtain more Chaos Qi if he successfully deciphered the thoughts and emotions of powerful individuals,
For the word "Acting," if one received recognition from a "Spectator" of a higher Status,
Then the Digestion of the potion would very likely yield twice the result with half the effort.
"Senior Sister Meng, what you said makes sense." Huo Yuhao sat on the sofa with his hands clasped, reflecting for a moment before saying:
"The first round of the elimination tournament is over. Isn't there a three-day rest period before the second round's group-stage round-robin?"
"Senior Sister Meng, we can make an appointment to verify if that's indeed the case."
Watching Meng Hongchen nod vigorously, Huo Yuhao thought for a bit and shared his judgment:
"I'll make a bold guess regarding 'Acting' as an 'Assassin' and digesting this potion."
"The emphasis is on the control of infiltration, timing, precision, planning, and secrecy, rather than pure violence."
"If Senior Sister Meng wants to try Acting as an Assassin, you can refer to these five aspects."
"Okay!" Meng Hongchen gave a playful smile and said:
"Junior Brother, I also need to digest it quickly to strive for a rapid increase in strength."
"In the future, if I need you to help me digest the potion, you mustn't refuse."
"Of course!" Huo Yuhao gave a faint smile, accepting the request.
Even if Meng Hongchen hadn't said it, Huo Yuhao, having realized the uniqueness of the Spectator Sequence, would naturally feel it was his duty to help with such issues.
Not to mention, he still felt guilty in his heart for "setting up" Meng Hongchen earlier to attract Tang Yin's attention.
After the two made their agreement, Meng Hongchen quietly looked down at her Assassin outfit, feeling a bit bashful.
I'm dying of embarrassment!
Fortunately, Junior Brother kept his eyes straight and didn't show any inappropriate looks.
Otherwise, how could I face him?
Wait, that's not right.
Meng Hongchen raised her elegant brows, thinking of a key point—why was Junior Brother so calm?
It couldn't be that my figure isn't good enough, right?
But I'm not even fifteen yet; I can still grow.
Lost in her wild thoughts, Meng Hongchen felt her face becoming increasingly hot.
Time to go, or the atmosphere will start getting awkward.
I have to carefully sneak out later.
I can't let anyone see me in this outfit, and I can't let anyone know I came to Junior Brother's room in the middle of the night.
Otherwise, my public image will collapse too hard.
Meng Hongchen stood up, preparing to leave.
Another knock sounded at the door.
I'm doomed!
Meng Hongchen's delicate body jolted, and she started trembling slightly.
No matter who it is, I can't let them see me in Junior Brother's room in the middle of the night.
Especially in this outfit!
She exchanged a look with Huo Yuhao, quickly stood up, and scanned the room.
The curtains!
The curtains are so thick; hiding two people wouldn't be a problem!
She acted on the thought, utilizing the flexibility and exquisite control granted by the Assassin potion to take agile steps.
Without making a single sound, she jumped behind the curtains.
It had to be said that the rooms provided by the Star Emperor Grand Hotel were of extremely high quality.
Even in this single-person room for Huo Yuhao, once Meng Hongchen stepped behind the thick curtains, nothing could be seen.
Senior Sister Meng, I was just praising you for being quick-witted.
Huo Yuhao smiled helplessly.
Did you forget I have the ability to distort light and hide my presence?
With a ten-thousand-year level Simulation Spirit Ability, plus my Mental Power reaching the Spirit Emperor level,
Even if the two leading teachers came, they wouldn't be able to find you if I was prepared.
But since Huo Yuhao couldn't call Meng Hongchen out now, he simply walked to the door and opened it.
"Senior Brother Xiao!"
Why is everyone coming at this time? Huo Yuhao looked at the blue-purple bruise on Xiao Hongchen's left eye, which had faded quite a bit, and his eyelid twitched as he asked: "Senior Brother Xiao, who beat you up like this?"
"Junior Brother, don't even mention it," Xiao Hongchen said with a face full of gloom. He walked into the room, found a chair to sit on, and then began to vent his grievances:
"Didn't Little Meng drink that potion you gave her called Assassin?"
Huo Yuhao nodded, not surprised that Xiao Hongchen knew about it from Meng Hongchen; it was something he had allowed.
"This evening, you said you had things to do and went back to your room first."
"Later, Little Meng came to find me, insisting that I go to the hotel's training ground to be her sparring partner to test the strength of her Assassin abilities."
"I was so miserable!"
Xiao Hongchen pointed at the blue-purple bruise on his left eye with a look of deep distress.
This nearly exaggerated performance almost startled Huo Yuhao.
"Originally, I could still go sixty-forty with Little Meng, but after she took the Assassin potion, she became too unreasonable!"
"She actually learned from you to smash all the Lighting Spirit Tools first, then used stealth to evade my Soul Tool Rays. Her movements were as agile as a Wind Baboon, and she was right next to me in just a few steps."
"She gave me such a beating."
Senior Brother Xiao, you should say less. Otherwise, you might get beaten up again.
Huo Yuhao watched him finish his performance with a sympathetic look, patted Xiao Hongchen's shoulder, and said sincerely and bluntly:
"Senior Brother Xiao, I understand what you mean."
"In the future, as soon as I get a Sequence 9 potion, I'll give it to you first, okay?"
"How could I be so bold as to accept that?" Xiao Hongchen chuckled and lowered the hand pointing at his bruise: "Let me tell you something about Little Meng."
"That's probably not a good idea, right?" Huo Yuhao calmly glanced at the slightly swaying curtains in the room and refused righteously: "I respect Senior Sister Meng very much. I won't listen to anything she hasn't agreed to."
"You'll be interested." Xiao Hongchen chuckled, looking at him with an 'don't play dumb with me' expression.
Huo Yuhao also smiled, but his expression was a bit strange.
Senior Brother Xiao, if you keep this up, I can't guarantee you'll be able to go on stage and show off in the next match.
"Before coming to Star Luo, I accompanied your Sister Tingting for some shopping."
"Didn't I tell you last time which shop Little Meng likes to buy stockings from?"
"That shop actually released a new product, some rare limited edition with patterns."
"Your Sister Tingting said Little Meng would definitely like it and wanted to buy it for her, but I stopped her!"
"Since you call me Senior Brother Xiao, what else is there to say? I'll just help you out!"
"When we return to Mingdu in triumph, it will happen to be Little Meng's and my fifteenth birthday."
"If you buy them and give them to her then, won't she be over the moon with joy?"
Huo Yuhao glanced at the curtains, which were already showing some movement. Seeing that Xiao Hongchen was already immersed in his desire to talk and couldn't stop himself, he quickly changed the subject:
"Senior Brother Xiao, after today's match, how is Sister Tingting's popularity?"
"To what extent can it push her Martial Soul characteristics to manifest?"
Xiao Hongchen followed the lead and said:
"The effect is good; there were over three hundred thousand people watching. And that's just inside the venue."
"After just this one match, the attention Sister Tingting received is comparable to the attention she got from managing the academy journals for several years."
"Although she only has level forty-three Soul Power, when she's in full state, her total Soul Power is no longer inferior to most Soul Kings."
"She feels there's still room for expansion and is currently in the meeting room writing the 'tournament genius inventory report'."
"She wants to use this to further gain more attention."
Huo Yuhao asked curiously: "Won't the Star Luo officials prohibit this kind of behavior involving public opinion warfare?"
"As long as we don't put others down, don't smear the Star Luo officials, and don't cause property loss through fraud, it's fine." Xiao Hongchen explained to Huo Yuhao with a chuckle:
"Have faith in Sister Tingting's professionalism."
"Our 'tournament genius inventory report' only lists and promotes geniuses; it's not easy to cross the line."
"And the newspapers are given away for free, focusing on letting people get a free ride!"
After a brief exchange, Xiao Hongchen didn't want to disturb Huo Yuhao any longer and left the room.
After walking quite a distance down the corridor, Xiao Hongchen glanced back from the corner of his eye.
Seeing that indeed no one was following, he breathed a sigh of relief.
In fact, he had long guessed that Meng Hongchen was in Huo Yuhao's room. She probably just wanted to ask about the Assassin Sequence.
Or perhaps she subconsciously wanted to be near Huo Yuhao.
Having lived and grown up together for nearly fifteen years, Xiao Hongchen knew her too well.
Compared to Meng Hongchen's blank slate of romantic experience, Xiao Hongchen was confident he could crush her in this regard.
Oh, Little Meng.
Even though you hit me with real force, I'm still so good to you.
I never forget to play matchmaker for you two at any time; I'm really putting in a lot of effort!
Thinking about Meng Hongchen's likely red-faced state, Xiao Hongchen chuckled. He definitely had no intention of getting revenge for being pummeled today