Three Months

Wang Dong stood up and dusted herself off, returning to her usual young-master demeanor. "Seeing how sincere they are, I've decided to keep their secret."

Huo Yuhao looked at the pill in his palm. It emitted a faint green glow and carried a refreshing fragrance. Just smelling it made the flow of his Soul Power feel smoother than usual.

"Is this the same as the Mystic Water Pill Senior Apprentice Bei Bei gave us last time?"

"They're pills of the same grade, but for Soul Masters above level thirty, the Soul Ascension Pill is better."

"As its name suggests, it raises Soul Power. Its effect is roughly equivalent to the Soul Power needed to go from level thirty to level thirty-one. Its medicinal properties are also very mild, so Soul Masters above level ten can take it."

Listening to Wang Dong's explanation, Huo Yuhao nodded. It was just right for Xixi. He had no idea that his little sister had not only successfully reached level thirty, but had also formed her third soul ring.

Thinking that Huo Yuxi would become a Soul Elder after taking it, a smile appeared on his face.

When they returned to the dormitory, Tang Ya was already waiting outside. "Little Yuhao, I've prepared everything. Xixi and Bei Bei have gone ahead, so let's go too."

Huo Yuhao turned and pulled Wang Dong along. "Come on, I'll treat you to grilled fish."

When they arrived, they found a long line already forming in front of the stall. The person at the very front was none other than Xu Sanshi, who had come to cause trouble yesterday.

As usual, Huo Yuhao gave the first four fish to Huo Yuxi and the others, while the last two went to Xu Sanshi. Though Xu Sanshi was displeased, he remembered that yesterday's trouble had already left a bad enough impression on Jiang Nannan, so he forcibly held himself back.

After receiving the grilled fish, Xu Sanshi tossed down a Gold Soul Coin and ran to the lakeside path, where he found Jiang Nannan. Happily, he said, "Nannan, I just bought this. Give it a try."

Jiang Nannan froze for a moment before replying, "Thank you, but no need."

"Nannan, I lined up this time. I didn't use any violent methods. Just try it. If it tastes good, we can buy it again next time."

"Xu Sanshi, I've already made myself very clear. There will never be any possibility between us. Stop pestering me, and stop bullying other students because of me."

With that, Jiang Nannan turned and left without looking back.

Xu Sanshi stood there blankly, staring at her retreating back as he murmured, "Do you really hate me that much...?"

After spacing out for a while, he returned to his usual carefree self. He took a bite of the grilled fish, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Mm, it's actually pretty good!"

Since childhood, Wang Dong had eaten every kind of delicacy imaginable, but this was the first time she had tasted fish grilled so well.

"Huo Yuhao, I didn't expect your grilled fish to be this good. I'm reserving two for tomorrow."

Tang Ya reclined in her seat, rubbing her stomach as she suggested to Huo Yuhao, "Little Yuhao, go talk to Aunt Lin at the cafeteria tomorrow and buy more fish. Otherwise, there'll be none left to sell after the few of us finish eating."

Huo Yuxi nodded in agreement. "Right, you can make more. It won't take much extra time anyway. I want two tomorrow too."

With yesterday's publicity, the grilled fish sold quickly today. In no time at all, they were sold out. Huo Yuhao packed up the stall, and everyone went their separate ways.

Bei Bei stopped Huo Yuhao and took out a small porcelain bottle. "This is what we won yesterday. I originally wanted to give it to Xixi, but she refused, so I'm giving it to you instead."

"Senior Apprentice Bei Bei, this is too precious."

"You don't need to be so polite with us. You deserve it." Bei Bei stuffed the pills into Huo Yuhao's hand, then turned and left with Tang Ya.

"Then let's head back too." After saying that, Wang Dong left first, giving the siblings room to be alone.

Huo Yuhao and Huo Yuxi walked behind them. Huo Yuhao took out the Soul Ascension Pill from his Storage Soul Tool and said excitedly, "Xixi, this is a Soul Ascension Pill. It can raise your Soul Power by a whole level, from thirty to thirty-one. Haven't you been stuck at level twenty-nine for a long time? Once you take it, you can become a Soul Elder."

The pill's fragrance wafted into her nose. Huo Yuxi swallowed and forced herself to look away. "Brother, Zhuzhu said these pills are very precious and their effects are amazing, but they won't do much for me. You should keep them for yourself."

The spider doll nodded solemnly, indicating that she was right.

"Alright, then!"

Both of them trusted the Soul Devouring Spider's words without question.

"Oh, right, Brother, I forgot to tell you. I actually broke through level thirty yesterday, and my third soul ring formed too." Huo Yuxi whispered into Huo Yuhao's ear.

"What?"

At his startled cry, Wang Dong, who was walking ahead, thought something had happened and turned around to look at them.

After Huo Yuhao regained his composure, he waved to Wang Dong and explained briefly before lowering his voice. "Yesterday? When exactly? Did anyone see when your soul ring formed?"

"During class yesterday afternoon, Teacher Zhou told me to wait by Sea God Lake for someone. An Inner Sect senior took me into the Inner Sect for training. I suddenly broke through while she was testing my soul skills."

"But my soul ring didn't form until I returned to the dormitory. No one saw it."

"That's good." After the initial shock, Huo Yuhao felt nothing but overwhelming pride. He reached out and rubbed Huo Yuxi's fluffy little head.

Back in the dormitory, Huo Yuhao swallowed both pills without hesitation. His little sister was already a Soul Elder, while he had only recently become a Soul Master. He had to work even harder.

Classes proceeded as usual the next morning. That afternoon, Huo Yuxi went to Sea God Lake to wait for Ma Xiaotao.

A red figure approached from afar, and Huo Yuxi felt a little excited. After all, who didn't like looking at beautiful women?

Once Ma Xiaotao drew closer, Huo Yuxi noticed that something seemed off about her complexion. She looked a little weak, yet there was also a flushed glow, as though she had just vented excess fire from her body. It was contradictory.

"Big Sister Xiaotao, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Huo Yuxi asked.

"I'm fine. Let's go."

Yesterday, her evil fire had erupted out of control. Normally, she should have remained weak for quite some time, but by a fortunate coincidence, she had encountered the owner of Ultimate Ice, which had suppressed it for her.

Today's lesson was on combat techniques. During their sparring, Huo Yuxi hurriedly applied what she had learned yesterday. Even Ma Xiaotao could not help praising her high comprehension, as she lasted longer with each round.

On the way back, Ma Xiaotao casually asked, "Xixi, is Huo Yuhao your brother?"

"Yeah, Big Sister Xiaotao. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Does he also have a materialized martial soul like you?" Ma Xiaotao asked as if casually.

Without thinking, Huo Yuxi replied, "No, my brother's martial soul is Spirit Eyes. It's a body martial soul, but both of us have spiritual attributes."

"Spiritual attribute?" Ma Xiaotao's delicate brows furrowed, her face full of confusion.

After an exhausting afternoon, Huo Yuxi had only Huo Yuhao's grilled fish on her mind and did not notice that anything was amiss.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. Huo Yuxi learned much new knowledge in Zhou Yi's academic classes, and after Ma Xiaotao's physical training, her little face had become more luminous, with a bit more color in her skin as well.

The only thing that depressed her was that Huo Yuhao had grown much taller, while she remained stuck in place.

That afternoon, Zhou Yi entered the classroom with a stern expression. "Today's physical training class is suspended. Huo Yuxi, stay behind as well. I'll explain the rules of your freshman assessment."