On the evening after the second round of the round-robin tournament, in an elegant restaurant in Star Luo City, Wang Shengjia and Wang Qingya, an uncle and nephew pair, sat facing each other.
Wang Shengjia pushed up his silver-rimmed glasses and asked curiously, "Uncle, didn't you say you wouldn't contact me again after I started my job?"
"Xuanzi came to find me yesterday," Wang Qingya said, having no appetite for his meal. "He asked me to secretly cheat for Shrek Academy in today's match."
"I planted a Martial Soul Demon Seed along the way. You don't know, but Xuanzi's first words gave me such a fright — — — —"
Wang Shengjia suddenly realized, "So that's it. I was wondering how Tang Yin's ridiculous Blue Silver Pole Vault could carry a mental deterrence effect."
"Uh. Judging by his final remarks, he doesn't actually think the Blue Silver Pole Vault has a mental deterrence effect, does he?"
Wang Qingya stroked his beard and laughed, "There was no deterrence, but the shock was quite intense."
"Uncle, I have to tell you about a shocking discovery I made."
Wang Shengjia looked left and right mysteriously, not seeing anyone watching.
But he still didn't feel safe. He had Wang Qingya reach out his hand, blocked the light, and wrote on his palm: "Xuanzi is the High Priest of the Holy Cult lurking in the Sea God Pavilion."
"With his status, he naturally knows that you and I are also members of the Holy Cult."
"The reason the High Priest asked you to take action must have been carefully considered."
"Uncle, your sixth Spirit Ability, the Martial Soul Demon Seed, is also within the High Priest's calculations. This time, he is letting you take the initiative."
"He is simply waiting for the right moment to extradite certain students from this year's Shrek Academy back to our Holy Cult."
The more Wang Qingya interpreted it, the more horrified he felt.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Wang Shengjia, but this matter was too shocking.
The absolute top brass of the Sea God Pavilion is actually the High Priest of our Holy Cult?
Is this right?
Why not say the Principal of Shrek Academy is also one of us?
He quickly grabbed Wang Shengjia's hand and wrote on his palm: "What makes you say that?"
This matter was indeed sensational.
Wang Shengjia was not surprised by his uncle's reaction and continued to communicate patiently in this way.
He wrote down the details of how Xuanzi had sabotaged Zhang Lexuan's generation of the Shrek Seven Devils a few years ago.
And what he had seen with his own eyes: how Xuanzi intentionally got drunk, acted dazed, and used the corpse explosion of his Cousin to eliminate four of the Shrek Seven Devils from that generation.
Wang Shengjia's fingers paused, then he wrote with emotion: "I didn't expect the High Priest to have such deep affection for the members of our Holy Cult."
"He would rather bear the infamy of not being a match for a Douluo, and use the status of a Super Douluo to let go of a Cousin who was only a five-ring expert."
With so many detailed pieces of evidence, I can't help but believe it! Wang Qingya was suddenly stunned.
Yesterday, Xuanzi had implicitly expressed that he knew the relationship between me and Wang Shengjia.
That was a hint to me!
"I think the reason he didn't kill Ma Xiaotao and the other two while at the Mingdou Mountain Range was because he saw their potential to be assimilated into the Holy Cult."
"If I am not mistaken, the High Priest will take action again during this competition."
"Uncle, if you still don't believe that Xuanzi is the High Priest of our Holy Cult, this guess will prove everything when the time comes."
At this point, Wang Qingya was already ninety-five percent convinced. He wrote tremblingly: "Then have you contacted the High Priest directly?"
"How can that be? Doing so would not follow the rules!" Wang Shengjia wrote sternly: "The High Priest has been lurking for many years, and there must be a deep meaning behind it. Since he is so kind-hearted, how could I create extra trouble?"
At the same time, in a side hall within the Imperial Palace.
Xu Jiawei was still holding a pen, reviewing memorials and signing documents, without looking up as he said: "Jiujiu, the matter of investigating Huo Yuhao through Feng Bujue is left to you. Be quick."
"Yes!" Xu Jiujiu agreed first, then asked curiously: "Imperial Brother, why are you not concerned about Xiao Hongchen anymore, and just fixated on this Huo Yuhao?"
Xu Jiawei pondered for two seconds, then took out a secret letter and handed it to Xu Jiujiu.
Xu Jiujiu was different from other princesses; she was one of the only two inheritors of the Star Crown Martial Soul in the world, and also his own younger sister.
— —
In the future, she would hold power over a region, so there was no need to hide this from her.
Xu Jiujiu took the already opened secret letter and began to read.
Seeing the end, although she had mentally prepared herself, her beautiful face still turned pale.
She gritted her teeth and said: "We were all deceived by Xiao Hongchen?!"
"Doesn't that mean we gave a huge amount of profit to the Heavenly Soul Empire for nothing?"
"There is no need to leak this news. Since the money has been spent, we must make it serve its proper purpose."
Xu Jiawei's pen paused slightly, and he looked at Xu Jiujiu: "Regardless of whether Xiao Hongchen is a Soul Saint, the collected information is already enough."
"According to the plan of the 'Anti-Xiao Alliance', we are to severely injure him in the last match of the round-robin tournament."
"This is beneficial to our Star Luo National Academy."
"Jiujiu understands." Xu Jiujiu nodded and then said: "Imperial Brother, there is one more thing Jiujiu does not understand."
"Speak."
"Why did we sell the 9th-grade God-Sealing Platform and the 100,000-year Soul Beast embryo inside it?"
"That cost Imperial Brother the Star Power you had accumulated for over twenty years. After getting the revelation through astrological divination, we paid a great price to hire that 9th-grade Soul Engineer, and only then did we manage to capture that 100,000-year Soul Beast."
"Its value can no longer be measured in Gold Soul Coins."
"Don't ancient books say that absorbing it has a certain probability of obtaining a second Martial Soul?"
"Wouldn't it be better to give it to our own people?"
Xu Jiawei finally stopped his pen, rubbed his eyebrows, and explained: "If it were a one-hundred-percent guarantee of obtaining a second Martial Soul, then Imperial Brother would naturally prioritize you and Li Jie."
"But that so-called theory is just speculation from old piles of paper; for thousands of years, no one has managed to do it."
"In my opinion, would a 100,000-year Soul Beast willingly become someone's Martial Soul?"
"Even if the extremely small probability event of obtaining a new Martial Soul actually happened."
"Would a Martial Soul formed with the terrifying resentment and unwillingness of a dying Soul Beast be normal?"
"Li Jie's Martial Soul is special. As long as he grows up, he will be a sharp weapon for us to deal with the Sun-Moon Empire's Soul Guidance Devices. He cannot take this risk."
"And you, my younger sister." Xu Jiawei looked at Xu Jiujiu and said seriously: "Your talent is even greater than mine, and you are one of the only two inheritors of the Star Crown Martial Soul."
"Half a year ago, the youngest prince still hadn't awakened the Star Crown Martial Soul, and I was so anxious."
"If you were a man, what would it matter if I passed the throne to you? This Star Luo would still belong to my Xu Family."
"Now I only hope that you will recruit a worthy husband for my Xu Family. If the offspring born awakens the Star Crown Martial Soul."
"If they are adopted to me, or if I pass the throne directly, that is not impossible."
"Brother!" Xu Jiujiu's cheeks flushed, her fingers twisting the hem of her skirt, her eyes misty.
Xu Jiawei smiled slightly and said: "Jiujiu, you and Li Jie have been at odds since childhood, so I won't mention him."
"In the upcoming matches, you can focus on observing Dai Yueheng of the Dai Family."
"Being able to represent Shrek Academy in this tournament and become a main force is enough to prove his ability."
"You have met a few times since you were children, and there is no more outstanding eligible man in Star Luo City than him."
"The Dai Family has two sons; what would it matter if they share one with my Xu Family as a son-in-law?"
Xu Jiujiu curled her lips at the thought of the impression Dai Yueheng left on her: "Dai Yueheng seems open and upright, acting with grand momentum."
"But in reality, he is sinister, vicious, and deeply calculating. He's fine as a subordinate, but as a bedfellow — — — — I'm afraid he would swallow me whole."
"Dai Yueheng is not as unbearable as you say." Xu Jiawei said, unable to laugh or cry: "You will be twenty years old in another year. I mentioned this to you at your coming-of-age ceremony when you were sixteen."
"Four years have passed in a flash. In this vast Star Luo Empire, is there not a single man who can catch your eye?"
"When I was your age, your eldest nephew was already born."
"Tell me, what kind of man do you actually like? Your brother will dig three feet into the ground to find one for you!"
"Could it be that you have some hidden trouble?"
Xu Jiujiu was tired of hearing these words. Her pretty face slumped, and she thought for a moment: "The person I like is a supreme powerhouse who can control everything in the world in the palm of his hand."
"His heart must be broad, and his ideals must be lofty."
"I like that kind of powerhouse who cares for the world and is worthy of being looked up to, as well as the feeling of being controlled!"
By the end, Xu Jiujiu had given up and just started spouting nonsense.
Xu Jiawei covered his forehead.
Little sister, you are here to find a husband.
Not to find a master!
Where am I supposed to find someone like that?
Am I supposed to go to the Sea God Pavilion and drag out an old man for you to see? What kind of thoughtless nonsense is that!
Xu Jiawei was completely at a loss, feeling his temples throbbing.
Seeing the situation, Xu Jiujiu quickly ran behind him and gently massaged him.
"Forget it, just keep this in mind. Let the major powers fight over that 100,000-year embryo."
"The Body Sect, Mingde Hall, Shrek Academy, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect — — — —"
"But I feel that Mingde Hall will likely make a move. Xiao Hongchen's personality is very similar to Li Jie's; they are both people who cannot stand being lonely."
"He is hailed as the most outstanding Genius in the history of the Sun-Moon Empire, and he has performed so brilliantly in this tournament. Doesn't he want to show off with his real strength?"
"Besides, if he can complete the Fusion with the embryo, it would definitely be like adding wings to a tiger. How could they miss this opportunity?"
"When it comes to competing in financial resources, Mingde Hall is undoubtedly the best on the continent. But they are here to participate in the competition; how many Gold Soul Coins can they carry with them?"
"What I am targeting are the many systematic advanced Soul Guidance Devices that their competition team brings to every tournament."
"When the time comes, I will set up a special channel for them to sell Soul Guidance Devices in exchange for cash. If it's not an advanced Soul Guidance Device produced by Mingde Hall, we don't want it!"
"Once we get all the products from Mingde Hall, we will immediately send them to the research institute for reverse analysis."
"In this way, we can appropriately narrow the gap in Soul Guidance Device technology with the Sun-Moon Empire."
"Three months later, I will issue a mission to the Adventurer's Guild to seize treasure from Mingde Hall, with a mission reward of 100 million Gold Soul Coins."
"No matter how talented the great-grandson of the Mingde Hall Master is, it is impossible for him to attempt Fusion within at least ten years. And that is even calculating the situation where they use the most precious medicine to help increase his physical strength."
"Ten years is enough for many variables to arise
After three matches, the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy had completely proven their strength.
There were only eight teams in Group Eight, and each team had to play seven matches to complete a round-robin.
By the second match of the round-robin, the situation within Group Eight had become clear.
After the Four Element Academies were miserably eliminated, the remaining qualifying spot was highly likely to be locked by the Di'ao Academy.
From the targeted tactical arrangements of the opponents in the first two matches and the coincidental tournament draw, Huo Yuhao deduced that someone was targeting Xiao Hongchen.
For the sake of safety, he suggested that Xiao Hongchen should not participate in the next few matches; the main team was already strong enough.
Xiao Hongchen was unruly toward others, but he could not ignore Huo Yuhao's words.
Although he really wanted to go on stage and show off, he held back.
In the following four matches, the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy did not encounter any opponents that could pose a threat to them, and they continued to sing songs of triumph.
Through two singles elimination matches, one two-two-three format match, and one team battle, they defeated their opponents one after another.
As expected, they finally faced the Di'ao Academy, which also had six consecutive wins, in the last match of the round-robin with a six-game winning streak.
During this period, Huo Yuhao occasionally took action.
What impressed him the most was the Dou Ling Du Tian advanced Soul Master Academy, the only one in the group from the Douling Empire.
The clan forces within the Douling Empire were vast, and some clan Geniuses would enter this academy to participate in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament for training.
In the team battle, Huo Yuhao encountered a Spirit Ancestor who looked thirty percent like Xu Sanshi and also possessed the Mysterious Turtle Martial Soul.
"The defensive power is very strong," this was Huo Yuhao's assessment.
A Level 5 piercing cannon with extremely strong armor-piercing capabilities; this was Huo Yuhao's respect.
After taking the fully charged Level 5 piercing cannon from his teammate, Huo Yuhao activated lock-on.
Even though this Mysterious Turtle Spirit Ancestor jumped left and right, dodging up and down, he still could not escape the fate of being blasted off the competition stage along with his shield by a single shot.
After that match, Huo Yuhao finally attracted the attention of hundreds of thousands of Spectators and other teams.
Many people believed that the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy choosing him to enter the Reserve Team was indeed following the standard procedure of training for this session and entering the main team in the next.
Otherwise, they could not explain why a Level 3 Soul Engineer had such a high participation frequency.
After many interested parties used all channels to collect information on Huo Yuhao, they all returned empty-handed.
At the same time, rumors began to spread vaguely.
More than a year ago, Huo Yuhao had gone to Shrek Academy to sign up.
As a result, because he did not have a recommendation letter, he was rejected by Zhou Yi, the accompanying teacher for this year's Shrek representative team.
Hearing about this, other academy representative teams were somewhat gloating, secretly mocking Shrek Academy for lacking the wisdom to recognize talent.
As it currently stands, Huo Yuhao could definitely be considered a little Genius, and Shrek Academy was losing out.
Regarding this, although Zhou Yi felt embarrassed and held some grudge against Huo Yuhao, her public statement was:
"Only a top-tier Genius like Tang Yin is what I value and worth training."
"Even if the Huo Yuhao from back then could have enrolled, he would not have escaped the fate of being expelled by my high-intensity physical training."
Although she spoke righteously, she secretly instructed Tang Yin.
"If you encounter Huo Yuhao on the competition stage, you must use the most violent poison."
One of the driving forces behind the heated discussion about Huo Yuhao's ability as a Level 3 Soul Engineer was Meng Hongchen and Feng Tingting.
Given his personality, he actually felt that this was unnecessary.
Whether Zhou Yi, Tang Yin, and Xu Sanshi were angry or embarrassed, in the end, they would have to speak with their strength on the competition stage.
When the spirit-infused cast iron bullet fired from the Level 6 live ammunition soul tool sniper rifle hit them, those emotions and fantasies would not let them hold on for even half a breath longer.
Huo Yuhao felt it didn't matter, but Meng Hongchen, who knew about his past, found it hard to swallow this anger.
She and Feng Tingting put their heads together and began to secretly build momentum for Huo Yuhao.
They pushed Zhou Yi, the accompanying teacher who was originally just quietly watching the recovered Ma Xiaotao and others wreak havoc and waiting for Tang Yin to dominate in the finals, into the spotlight of public opinion.
They were just waiting for the tournament to end to nail Zhou Yi, the hateful teacher who had made things difficult for Huo Yuhao, to the pillar of shame.
Looking at Shrek Academy again.
Since the third match of the round-robin, Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luochen had begun to participate.
After releasing her Evil Fire once again, Ma Xiaotao surprisingly broke through to Level 68 Soul Power, and her strength advanced further.
With two great attack system Spirit Emperors and a great crowd-control Soul King, Shrek Academy had not tasted defeat in the group either.
But Tang Yin knew deeply that to win the championship in the final, this was not safe enough.
Thus, he secretly recommended the Evil Fire to various Reserve Team members in different ways many times.
Others had reservations, and the situation was not yet that difficult, so they all politely declined.
Only Dai Huabin, who was already very eager for power and desired to perform in front of his father, could not withstand Tang Yin's repeated provocation.
Under Tang Yin's repeated assurances that he had a way to completely resolve the hidden dangers of the Evil Fire, he secretly absorbed the Evil Fire.
It is worth mentioning that Zhu Lu felt that this matter had significant safety hazards, and her attitude of disgust toward absorbing the Evil Fire was the most intense among everyone.
As for Wang Dong, besides Tang Yin occasionally hinting for her to go find Meng Hongchen.
She seemed to have been forgotten by everyone; not only was she not brought along for the Evil Fire.
In these few matches, even Ning Tian had played twice, but she hadn't even gotten a single chance to play!
The night before the last match of the group round-robin against the Di'ao Academy.
At the Star Emperor Grand Hotel, in the meeting room of the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Huo Yuhao, sitting in the middle of the crowd, had gentle eyes, but his temperament, tempered by multiple appearances on stage, carried a bit of steady sharpness.
"Sister Tingting, how is the activation of your Martial Soul characteristic going now?"
Feng Tingting held up one finger, thought for a moment, then held up two more, and said with a giggle, "The heat of the 'tournament genius inventory report' has been rising."
"With the end of the round-robin and the tournament entering the intense elimination rounds, semifinals, and finals, there is definitely still significant room for the heat to rise."
Huo Yuhao nodded in understanding.
Feng Tingting could now charge a Level 6 excited-state human Soul Power configuration baby bottle with one shot just by relying on her Martial Soul characteristic without using any Spirit Ability.
With her Spirit Ability fully activated, this number was three shots.
That was enough for him to eliminate three people.
"Senior Brother Xiao, this match you should still—" Huo Yuhao looked at Xiao Hongchen's resentful expression, and the words to ask him to remain silent for another match suddenly became difficult to say.
Xiao Hongchen was naturally a flamboyant person; it is easy to go from frugal to luxurious, but difficult to go from luxurious to frugal.
If it weren't for Huo Yuhao's existence, and if he were given the explanation that he would be the trump card in the finals.
He might have been able to wait calmly to astonish everyone on the finals stage, help the team turn the tide, and win the championship of this tournament.
But after letting him comfortably show off in the first two matches, and then making him sit on the bench for five consecutive matches.
It truly made him feel stifled.
Huo Yuhao said helplessly, "Senior Brother Xiao, this is the last match of the round-robin."
"If I haven't guessed wrong, there's a ninety percent chance the competition format drawn tomorrow will be a team battle."
"Although there is no concrete evidence to prove that Di'ao Academy will devise any tactics targeting you."
"But their cost is low; they can still qualify as second in the group and advance to the round of sixteen."
"But after tomorrow's match ends, there will be three consecutive days of rest. I really can't sit still." Xiao Hongchen stood up, patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder, and sighed, "Junior Brother, do you know how some people have been sharply criticizing me in posts submitted to Tingting on the tournament forum these past few days?"
"Saying it's understandable that a Soul Saint's Soul Power recovery period is long. Damn it!"
Xiao Hongchen angrily slapped the table, took a breath, calmed down, and said, "Isn't there still your Mental Detection on the field, Junior Brother, which can predict most dangers?"
"Besides, I also have Grandfather's Hongchen's Blessing, so safety is absolutely guaranteed. This is my decision; if something happens, I won't blame anyone else."
Huo Yuhao looked around and realized that the others felt the same way.
Since things had reached this point, he could only remind him, "Senior Brother Xiao, Mental Detection is not omnipotent."
"The opponent is also an all-Soul King team, and we haven't seen them use some of their Spirit Rings."
"Keep your Invincible Barrier ready to be triggered at any moment."
Hopefully, no accidents will occur.
During the final group round-robin match the next day, Huo Yuhao's words actually came true.
Not only was a team battle drawn, but Xiao Hongchen was also specifically targeted by Di'ao Academy!
Originally, Di'ao Academy's main team had a standard opening, systematically blocking the first wave of long-range attacks from the Sun Moon Team.
They employed various sophisticated tactical combinations and Spirit Ability systems.
Powerful Martial Soul abilities, radiating intense Soul Power fluctuations, collided with the incoming colorful energy projectiles and Soul Tool Rays.
For a time, blinding flashes constantly lit up the stage. Even after being filtered through the linked Soul Guidance Device shields, the rumbling and explosions reaching the Spectators' ears remained deafening.
— —
As before, Huo Yuhao stood not far behind Xiao Hongchen, holding a soul guidance sniper rifle.
He activated Simulation while maintaining Mental Detection Sharing.
It is worth noting that while some in the Heavenly Soul Empire are anti-Soul Engineer, they are not anti-Soul Guidance Device.
Through Huo Yuhao's Mental Detection.
This Di'ao Academy main team was openly using two Level 5 melee Soul Guidance Devices and two Level 5 long-range Soul Guidance Devices.
Secretly, however, everyone was equipped with a Level 5 trigger-type Soul Guidance Device shield.
Just as the battle was about to reach a white-hot stalemate, Xiao Hongchen seized an opportunity created for him by Ma Rulong.
Jiang Peng, the captain of Di'ao Academy, had a Soul Power reaching Level 62, and his Martial Soul was the top-tier attack system Tool Martial Soul, the Sky-Shaking Axe.
He had been controlled by Ma Rulong's Level 7 Soul Guidance Device, Prison of Thunder and Lightning!
A perfect opportunity!
Xiao Hongchen raised his hand and scattered a large amount of metal powder, while the five Spirit Rings behind him flashed alternately.
Under a powerful surge of Soul Power, over three hundred metal cannon barrels of various types, all Level 3 or higher, sprouted from the metal powder.
Streams of differently colored Soul Tool Rays were condensing, and a crimson Cluster Soul Tool Ray was about to form.
Under the cover of Simulation, the Soul Power fluctuations felt stronger, and the visual effects were more impressive.
It perfectly fit the persona of Xiao Hongchen as a Soul Saint Genius.
Just as Huo Yuhao calmly marked the weak points he had detected on Jiang Peng's Martial Soul and body.
Suddenly, a strong sense of crisis instantly appeared in his heart.
In the distance, Jiang Peng ignored the dozens of Level 5 Soul Tool Rays and energy projectiles that had already been fired at him.
The two black Spirit Rings on his body, symbolizing his greatest strength, lit up!
An indescribable, terrifying power suddenly erupted. The ground beneath Xiao Hongchen and Huo Yuhao instantly cracked, and a strange black circular symbol formed under his feet.
Suddenly, a pitch-black Sky-Shaking Axe, over ten meters long, came crashing down with a dazzling black trail of flames.
Dark Prison Slash, Fifth Spirit Ability!
Dark Demon Sky-Shaker, Sixth Spirit Ability!
The combination of these two great ten-thousand-year Martial Soul abilities was the strongest single-target attack from a user of a Martial Soul comparable in power to the Clear Sky Hammer!
This giant axe was like a signal to charge.
Through Huo Yuhao's Mental Detection, he saw the members of Di'ao Academy collectively erupt!
All the Di'ao Academy students on the field ignored their opponents' attacks, and a vast array of Spirit Rings lit up simultaneously.
A glance through Mental Detection revealed five or six black Spirit Rings and over a dozen purple Spirit Rings flashing at the same time.
Locking abilities, control abilities, and, most of all, explosive Martial Soul abilities.
After more than twenty powerful Martial Soul abilities, with effects both known and unknown, locked onto Xiao Hongchen in various ways, they were unleashed directly at him!
The entire arena had suddenly transformed from a seven-on-seven team battle into an assassination mission!
One must know that an Invincible Barrier is not simply finished once released.
Its activation requires a certain amount of Soul Power, and the Soul Power consumed while it persists is calculated based on the damage received.
Xiao Hongchen had only broken through to Soul King over two months ago, and his Soul Power was only Level 52.
Under the full-force output of six Soul Kings and one Spirit Emperor.
The Invincible Barrier definitely wouldn't hold!
"Senior Brother Xiao, stop being greedy for damage output, quickly admit defeat!"
Huo Yuhao quickly warned, but he saw that Xiao Hongchen was already stunned, unable to use his Invincible Barrier or speak.
The opponent actually had mental-type Martial Soul abilities!
It was too late to use soothing now.
The opponents had come prepared, and since it happened so suddenly, there were no other helpers to support them.
Meanwhile, the Heavenly Fiend Douluo on the field was still looking at the seven Spirit Rings on Xiao Hongchen with a hesitant expression.
Forget it, I have more and stronger trump cards than Senior Brother Xiao.
Without any hesitation, Huo Yuhao blocked in front of Xiao Hongchen.
He didn't activate Simulation to cover up again, because the essence of Simulation was externalized Mental Power twisting space.
Spirit Emperor-level Mental Power strength would definitely be torn to shreds under an explosion of this magnitude, which might even have reached the Spirit Douluo level.
In the mental channel.
Huo Yuhao: "I have Hongchen's Blessing, charged by Senior Brother Feng, so don't worry. Everyone, take this opportunity to end this team battle." A layer of dazzling red light shield suddenly erupted from Huo Yuhao, enveloping both of them.
They allowed the various Martial Soul abilities raining down from the sky to strike the red light shield, erupting with incomparable, violent roars, as if the entire competition platform were about to collapse.
A large amount of dust flew up, covering half the competition platform and obscuring the view of all the Spectators.
Outside, after receiving Huo Yuhao's notification, the others from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy took this opportunity to launch a fierce attack on the Di'ao Academy team.
Although the Di'ao Academy team all had trigger-type Level 5 Soul Guidance Device shields, and Jiang Peng even had an Invincible Barrier.
But the shields were not absolute defenses, and the others from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy were no weaklings either.
Even excluding Huo Yuhao, their average strength was already superior to that of Di'ao Academy.
How could their opponents dare to be distracted and focus their fire on Xiao Hongchen?
Consequently, Di'ao Academy lost four members in an instant.
The remaining three had lost the initiative because they had focused on attacking Xiao Hongchen.
They were then quickly defeated, suppressed by the numerical advantage on this side.
Amidst the gradually dispersing dust.
Had this wave of frantic, assassination-like concentrated fire from Di'ao Academy succeeded?
It could be said that it succeeded, just a little bit.
Because a special flying knife made of Soul Power, which had a teleportation effect and was a thousand-year Spirit Ability, had teleported and stabbed into Xiao Hongchen's butt the instant before Huo Yuhao activated Hongchen's Blessing.
The one stroke of luck in this misfortune was:
It didn't stab into the crack, but to the side.
"I'm truly done for." Xiao Hongchen's handsome face twisted into a grimace, and blood sprayed out from between the fingers of the hand he used to cover his butt.
In the Star Emperor Grand Hotel, only the team leader, Huo Yuhao, Meng Hongchen, and Feng Tingting were gathered in Xiao Hongchen's room.
After the seven-ring healing-type Spirit Master invited by Ma Rulong had conducted a detailed examination, he deliberated for a moment before saying, "However, that flying knife Spirit Ability contains a highly destructive Soul Power."
"This Soul Power entered through the Huantiao acupoint and jumped into the Changqiang acupoint. That is the starting point of the Governor Vessel, which connects directly to the main spinal meridian."
"Therefore, Xiao Hongchen must use part of his cultivation to suppress it, and he must not engage in strenuous exercise. Otherwise, if his Qi and blood reverse and collide with the Governor Vessel, it could easily damage his internal organs."
"As for the wound on his buttocks, it didn't actually tear the muscle."
"Overall, under my treatment, he should be able to recover after five to seven days of proper rest."
The Physician repeatedly warned against strenuous exercise, left a bottle of Medicinal Pill, and then left with the team leader.
Lying on the bed with a white cloth covering his buttocks, Xiao Hongchen turned his head to look at the three people who were still holding back their laughter, and said gloomily, "It's over, my lifelong reputation is ruined just like that!"
"Not only did my seven Spirit Rings vanish all at once, but my Soul Power fluctuations also plummeted."
"Once the news spreads, I'm afraid I'll become a laughingstock."
"Senior Brother Xiao, look on the bright side," Huo Yuhao sincerely comforted him. "At least I used Simulation to cover up the sight of your buttocks being stabbed and bleeding all over the floor."
"Besides, after this match ends, there will be three consecutive days of rest."
"According to the Physician, it won't hinder you from participating in the semi-finals and finals."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Hongchen felt slightly relieved.
"Brother, the news has already spread."
Meng Hongchen, whose delicate body was trembling slightly from laughter, finally managed to suppress it.
She waved her fair hand, took out several newspapers from her storage bracelet, and placed them at the head of Xiao Hongchen's bed.
Xiao Hongchen glanced at them, his expression changing slightly. He quickly picked them up and read them carefully. He saw the headlines written on them: "Shocking! The seven Spirit Rings of the only Soul Saint participant in this tournament are like paper!"
"Professional mental-type Spirit Emperor reviews this soul battle, analyzing the traces of mental-type Spirit Ability."
"Di'ao Academy insider speaks out: The flying knife Spirit Ability is a guaranteed hit!"
"An anonymous seven-ring Soul Saint sharply criticizes Xiao Hongchen: Paper Soul Saint!"
"Guessing game! Xiao Hongchen's future title: Paper Douluo, Flying Knife Douluo, Fraud Douluo——"
"You must know that a Soul King shattered a Soul Saint expert with one strike."
"Pre-quarterfinals! A seven-ring Soul Saint relying on a three-ring Spirit Elder for protection, what does it mean?"
Xiao Hongchen said in agony, "How could it be so fast?!"
After teasing Xiao Hongchen a few times, Huo Yuhao and Meng Hongchen left his room, leaving only Feng Tingting to keep him company.
The two walked side by side, and Meng Hongchen said softly, "Thank you, Yuhao. My brother is one of my only two relatives. I was terrified when I saw him being targeted by concentrated fire."
"If you hadn't been by my brother's side, I don't know what kind of shape he would have ended up in."
"It's only right," Huo Yuhao smiled slightly. "After all, the teacher gave Hongchen's Blessing to me."
In fact, Huo Yuhao had another method to block most of the attacks at that time.
But don't forget, he also had a third Spirit Ability from a ten-thousand-year Silver-Winged Beast.
Imprint!
It had been many days since the tournament started, and he hadn't just been doing nothing while watching the matches.
By now, he had already imprinted an absolute life-saving divine skill.
Jiang Nannan's Invincible Golden Body!
What does it mean to be invincible? Invincible Golden Body is truly invincible.
Compared to it, Invincible Barrier is completely inferior.
But it also has a small drawback: it cannot create a range-type shield and can only protect oneself.
If he had used Invincible Golden Body at that time, how could Xiao Hongchen be howling so energetically right now?
Huo Yuhao had another consideration for choosing Hongchen's Blessing.
Exposing Invincible Golden Body might lead people to guess about his Imprint Spirit Ability.
Once a mechanism-type Spirit Ability is guessed, it's hard to have the effect of surprise.
Whereas his Hongchen's Blessing relies on Feng Yu for energy, this kind of Soul Guidance Device that relies on off-field Spirit Masters to recharge and achieve cross-Realm power.
Once used, according to the tournament rules, it is actually counted as a reduction in personnel.
In the following matches, if anyone tries to force out his Hongchen's Blessing, he can still use Invincible Golden Body to ambush them.
Through this match, Huo Yuhao had also figured it out.
Even Heavenly Fiend Douluo Huang Jinxu, who was praised in the data as having combat power close to the Super Douluo level.
On a competition stage where things change in an instant and multiple points are engaged, it is very difficult to perfectly perform the duties of a referee.
As the two walked straight and were about to enter the large living room, Ma Rulong walked over with two strangers: "Yuhao, these are looking for you. You entertain them, I'm going back to my room to get busy."
Huo Yuhao nodded and brought the two young girls into the conference room.
Meng Hongchen brought in a few cups of water and stood to the side, quietly observing the two girls.
Although the facial features of the yellow-clad girl leading them were beautiful, she was still a bit inferior to me, but she had a pair of alluring breasts.
The other girl in white was completely average in appearance.
The yellow-clad girl smiled slightly, her voice sweet and pleasant: "Miss Meng, little brother Huo, hello. My name is Vina, and she is Mu Xue."
She pointed to the white-clad girl beside her and then faced Huo Yuhao: "I should be two years older than you, so I'll call you little brother Huo. Can we talk alone?"
After speaking, she looked at Meng Hongchen apologetically, the meaning self-evident.
Huo Yuhao looked at Vina's face and felt slightly surprised.
He had already activated Martial Soul Vision, wanting to interpret something from Vina's aether body, expression, and micro-expressions.
Vina's expression and movement management were very well-controlled, with no special implications.
But the main body of her aether body was golden and white.
The more profound and pure the Mental Power, the more the aether body leans towards golden and white; this is a symbol of a highly condensed Sea of Consciousness.
Is Vina's Martial Soul also of the mental type?
Suppressing his doubts, Huo Yuhao shook his head and said, "She is my Senior Sister Meng; there is nothing that cannot be said in front of her."
"I recognize you; you are members of the Di'ao Academy Reserve Team."
"Just say what you have to say."
Meng Hongchen nodded, very satisfied with Huo Yuhao's attitude. She didn't speak either, just looked at Vina and Mu Xue like that.
Senior Sister Meng? Huo Yuhao has already taken the master of Mingde Hall as his teacher? This is tricky. Vina's eyes were soft, her red lips parted slightly, and her voice remained pleasant: "May I ask what little brother Huo's Martial Soul is?"
"Martial Soul Eye, a mental-attribute body Martial Soul." Huo Yuhao said with an unchanged expression.
If one has sufficient theoretical foundation and insight, this information is not difficult to deduce.
Vina nodded with an "as expected" look: "Then do you know about the Body Sect?"
The Body Sect?
Huo Yuhao was taken aback when he heard this and looked at Meng Hongchen; he really hadn't heard of the Body Sect.
"Hmph!" Meng Hongchen snorted, interrupting Vina, who wanted to explain for Huo Yuhao.
She knit her beautiful brows. She didn't belittle the Body Sect but instead explained the characteristics of the people from the Body Sect.
First, they are both righteous and evil; second, they believe that Soul Guidance Devices are external objects.
Third, they believe that all possessors of body Martial Souls in the world are members of their Sect.
After finishing, even with Meng Hongchen's good temper, she didn't give these two a good look.
They came to poach someone right in front of her, Meng Hongchen?
Not only did they not send someone in charge, but they sent two girls instead; could they be trying to use a honey trap?
Thinking of this, Meng Hongchen became vigilant.
Huo Yuhao said thoughtfully: "Then let me ask, is your Martial Soul a body Martial Soul?"
"No, my Martial Soul is a Snow Lotus." Vina spread her hands, and an ice-blue Snow Lotus bloomed in her hand: "I came here this time just entrusted by two elders."
"I wonder if little brother Huo is interested in joining the Body Sect?"
Snow Lotus? Huo Yuhao withdrew his gaze.
This Martial Soul has both ice and plant attributes, but it lacks mental attributes.
Excluding all possibilities, there is only one reason: Vina has Twin Martial Souls!
And it must be related to the eyes or the brain.
Watching Huo Yuhao's completely unmoved appearance, Vina couldn't help but say: "The Body Sect has researched body Martial Souls for thousands of years; only there can body Martial Souls have the greatest growth."
"And without the secret techniques of the Body Sect, body Martial Souls cannot undergo a second Awakening, nor can they unleash their maximum power!"
"Then has your body Martial Soul undergone a second Awakening?" Huo Yuhao looked into Vina's eyes and smiled faintly.
How does he know I have a body Martial Soul?!
Vina was shocked upon hearing this and instinctively looked at Huo Yuhao.
In this eye contact, she seemed to see a vast sea of stars in Huo Yuhao's eyes and faced a sacred Dragon, feeling that the difference in their mental levels was immediately apparent.
Also being a three-ring Spirit Master, she had been highly praised by the Sect Master of the Body Sect, and her Mental Power had reached the Soul King level.
To be able to give her this kind of pressure on the Mental Power level, the person in front of her must have Mental Power at the Spirit Emperor level.
No, it was even approaching the Soul Saint level!
Is this the Mental Power cultivation a normal mental-type Spirit Master should have? Her pupils shrank, and she was speechless for a moment: "Awakening——"
Huo Yuhao had already gotten the answer from her face, so he secretly withdrew his "Intimidation" and said seriously: "It seems this second Awakening of the body Martial Soul is nothing more than that."
"Look, you have awakened, and your Soul Power cultivation is higher than mine, but your Mental Power is still not as good as mine."
"Of course, these are not the main reasons why I refuse the Body Sect."
"In the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, I have teachers who carefully cultivate me, close friends who have the grace of remaking me, and Soul Guidance Device technology that I am obsessed with."
"Why should I join this so-called Body Sect?"
Vina and Mu Xue looked at each other and said helplessly: "I will convey your words to the two elders."
Huo Yuhao had already stated his position, so Vina had nothing to stay for and left with Mu Xue.
When she left, she was fuming inside. She had clearly envisioned a journey of recruiting talent with great courtesy.
But she didn't expect that not only was she suppressed by Huo Yuhao's Mental Power, but even the secret of her Twin Martial Souls was tricked out by him.
She failed to gain an advantage and only ended up losing out.
Meng Hongchen watched the two leave in such a dejected manner and said with some confusion: "The Body Sect has always acted arrogantly and imperiously; for important matters like recruiting talent, I heard from Grandfather that they usually send experts to coerce and lure them directly."
"Why have they changed their nature this time? Could it be that they are unable to spare themselves due to something?"
In the wilderness dozens of miles outside Star Luo City.
Beside a crater over ten meters deep, two men were being whipped, howling in pain.
One had a head significantly larger than an average person's, while the other's right arm was noticeably thicker than a normal person's.
Standing before them was a handsome, silver-haired man.
He stood tall and straight; his demeanor appeared gentle and elegant, yet his expression was icy, and he held a metal handle in his hand.
Extending from the handle was a red whip over ten meters long, formed purely of energy.
Just from the Soul Power fluctuations that seemed to warp space, one could determine that this was a close-to-mid-range Ninth Rank Soul Guidance Device.
Even more exaggerated was that the metal handle itself was small enough to be held in one's hand.
Without a peak understanding of integrated core arrays, it would be impossible to manufacture such a Ninth Rank Soul Guidance Device, which was so precise and complex it bordered on showing off.
Jing Hongchen kept a cold face, swung his arm in a full arc, and lashed out; the heaven-shaking rainbow struck the two men with a swish.
Snap! Snap ———— Snap!
In the silent wilderness, under the heavy sound of lashing, even the insects stopped chirping.
Lang Ya and Yu Tao were lashed until their skin split and flesh tore, screaming continuously.
It wasn't that they didn't want to resist.
It was because after being hit by two unknown Ninth Rank Soul Tool Rays.
They were shocked to discover that not only could they not mobilize the Soul Power in their bodies, but even their Mental Power had been locked within their Sea of Consciousness!
They were both Spirit Douluo from the Body Sect, lacking neither strength nor confidence.
They had defeated no fewer than a handful of Rank 8 Soul Engineers and had fought against Ninth Rank Soul Engineers before.
But never had any Soul Engineer given them such a terrifying sense of oppression.
From the moment they were lured out of the city until they were completely suppressed, they hadn't even seen this person's face clearly!
Who was he?
Could there really be such a powerful Ninth Rank Soul Engineer in this world?
Lang Ya struggled to lift his large head, trying to see Jing Hongchen's face clearly, but unexpectedly, he was lashed across the face with a swish.
This blow was powerful and heavy, snap—
"Ouch!"
Lang Ya screamed and hurriedly lowered his head.
Although he was extremely resentful inside, facing a powerhouse who could easily control his life and death, he dared not utter any harsh words, only gritting his teeth with Yu Tao and enduring the lashing.
After a few more whips, the two Body Sect Spirit Douluo were lashed until they fainted.
Only then did Jing Hongchen put away the Soul Guidance Device in his hand and walk over to check their breathing.
Still alive.
Jing Hongchen sneered and kicked them both into the deep pit, one by one: "Yu Tao? Lang Ya?"
"The Body Sect is poaching, and they poached right up to me, Jing Hongchen?"
"I was wondering why I felt vaguely uneasy while staying in the laboratory."
"First Cheng Gang, and now you lot."
"If I hadn't come, my precious Disciple, gifted to me by the heavens, would have really been manipulated by trash like you."
"Since this pit was smashed out by Cheng Gang, let's bury you in it for a few days first."
Afterward, he took out the Eighth Rank Spirit-Suppressing Divine Tower and hit each of them with a few shots, then filled in the pit with satisfaction.
"The delay wasn't too long; I should be able to make it before the auction begins."
Jing Hongchen took out a Ninth Rank flying Soul Guidance Device and transformed into a streak of red light, shooting into the sky.
He flew toward Star Luo City, which was dozens of miles away and illuminated half the sky.
Star Luo City, Starlight Auction House.
The beautiful Qingya led the delegation from the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy along the corridor.
"Senior Brother Xiao, you're limping when you walk, yet you're still coming to attend the auction?"
Hearing Huo Yuhao's teasing, everyone around, whether from the main team or the Reserve Team, laughed out loud.
Ma Rulong was the most gleeful.
"If the invitation hadn't repeatedly emphasized that there were Spirit Master treasures in this top-tier auction that couldn't be missed, would I have come?"
Xiao Hongchen rolled his eyes, paused, and asked confusedly: "Why is it only Senior Brother Feng who came? If the other two lead teachers aren't coming, how are we supposed to coordinate funds to make bids?"
Qingya smiled: "A teacher from your academy is already waiting for you in the VIP room."
Weren't there only three lead teachers this time?
The others were completely baffled.
Huo Yuhao's eyes flickered; could the toad croaking he heard that night in the collective sea of subconsciousness really be ————
Thinking of this, Huo Yuhao hurriedly stepped up to keep pace with Qingya's short steps.
Before long, Qingya brought everyone to the VIP room of the No. 1 Auction Hall and pushed open the door.
The entire rectangular room was decorated with extreme luxury; one of the long walls was crystal clear and white.
And that wall alone had no decorations.
On the jade table in the center, various drinks, spirits, and food were arranged.
On a luxurious sofa capable of accommodating at least twenty people, a man with silver-gray hair and a red mask was sitting.
Huo Yuhao exclaimed: "Teacher?!"
Although the mask covered most of his face, Huo Yuhao, Meng Hongchen, and Xiao Hongchen recognized him at a glance.
Meng Hongchen's eyes lit up, and she ran with small steps to sit beside Jing Hongchen.
Jing Hongchen glanced at the limping Xiao Hongchen, then held up a finger: "Shh!"
Others who recognized or deduced Jing Hongchen's identity flushed, feeling very excited inside.
The Hall Master had actually found time in his busy schedule to come to Star Luo City to watch the competition!
Although they knew it was because of Huo Yuhao and the other two, they were still filled with excitement.
However, seeing him wearing a mask.
The group, all being smart people, knew that Jing Hongchen didn't want to reveal his identity yet, so they didn't call him Hall Master.
Instead, they all called him Teacher.
After all, Jing Hongchen had occasionally taught classes at the academy in the past two years.
Everyone suppressed their excitement, but they sat on the sofa with flushed faces, sitting as straight as javelins.
Qingya stood at the side of the sofa, smiling as she explained the rules of the auction.
While speaking, she signaled to the two young girls wearing golden dresses.
One of the girls walked to the smooth wall and pressed it lightly; suddenly, a layer of soft radiance shone across the entire wall.
The light gradually became intense, and the wall slowly transformed into a huge screen.
The group from the Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy showed no special expression toward this.
Qingya, who was good at observing people, sighed inwardly and smiled: "Distinguished guests, our auction today is about to begin."
As soon as she finished speaking, soft golden light radiated from the Soul Guidance Device screen, and it quickly became clear.
In the center of a clean and simple platform stood a young girl in a red dress.
This girl looked to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, and her beauty could even rival Meng Hongchen's.
Her figure was extremely well-developed, and her red dress and gauze highlighted her ice-like skin and snow-white complexion, giving people a sensation of absolute beauty.
Is this the princess who often stands next to Star Luo Xu Jiawei to watch the competition?
Huo Yuhao raised his eyebrows slightly, recognizing Xu Jiujiu's identity.
Her melodious and pleasant voice rang out in the VIP room: "Hello, distinguished guests. I am today's auctioneer, Jiujiu. It is an honor to host this top-tier auction."
"Welcome, distinguished guests, to the Starlight Auction House top-tier auction."
"Today, we will present a total of nine precious auction items to you. The items will be displayed from lowest to highest value."
""I hope you distinguished guests will like them.""
"Distinguished guests, your time is precious, so let us begin our auction now."
"Next, please appreciate today's first auction item."
The image on the Soul Guidance Device screen shifted, and the entire wall-sized screen now displayed an object.
Xu Jiujiu smiled sweetly and began to introduce it.
"Tyrant Tiger Soul Refining Blade?" Lin Xi looked stunned.
"Senior Lin, do you recognize it?" Huo Yuhao tilted his head and asked.
"Uh, that is the result of a research project led by my grandfather." Lin Xi explained in detail: "———— Obviously, it is an Eighth Rank melee Soul Guidance Device. The main material is a right arm bone produced by a ten-thousand-year Tyrant Tiger Soul Beast."
"A Seventh Rank Soul Saint can use it; its overall strength can only be considered average among Eighth Rank Soul Guidance Devices."
After speaking, Lin Xi looked unnaturally at Jing Hongchen