The Match

"First, no bringing random people back to the dorms; second, no being naked in the dorms; third, no snoring while sleeping; fourth, don't disturb me; fifth, you'll be responsible for cleaning the dorm from now on, but you're not allowed to touch my bed."

Huo Yuhao, hearing his self-entitled tone, felt indignant and shouted, "Why should I listen to you?"

"If you don't listen, I'll throw you out," the youth said, crossing his arms with clear disdain.

This reminded Huo Yuhao of how those people in the Duke's mansion carried themselves with such arrogance. He clenched his fists, hearing them crackle.

"Fine, if you want to fight, let's go outside."

Seeing his unyielding spirit, the youth's contempt was unconcealed. In his eyes, this kind of 'eggs hitting a rock' idea was utterly foolish.

"State your name. I don't fight nameless opponents."

Huo Yuhao's anger flared even more. "Don't you know you're supposed to introduce yourself before asking someone else's name?"

The youth casually replied, "Wang Dong. Remember my name."

"Huo Yuhao."

With that, he walked out first. Huo Yuxi saw his figure and was about to run up to him, but then she noticed her brother's face, as black as the bottom of a pot, and the casual youth following behind.

She stopped in her tracks, deciding to observe the situation first.

Huo Yuhao stood firm in the center of the field, closing his eyes to calm himself. Ancient golden patterns flashed, and when he opened his eyes, a faint golden light emanated, with a white Soul Ring encircling him.

"Heh," Wang Dong chuckled upon seeing his Soul Ring. "Where do you get the confidence to think you can defeat me? I'll let you have it easy, no Martial Soul needed."

With that, he pushed off the ground and charged, instantly appearing before Huo Yuhao. He sprang into the air with a push of his legs, his right leg swinging horizontally towards Huo Yuhao's side.

Huo Yuhao, detected by his Spirit Eyes, anticipated the attack a step ahead. He raised his left hand to block, realizing that despite the youth's tall appearance, his legs were actually as slender as a girl's.

Wang Dong hadn't expected him to block his strike. His left foot quickly shot out, kicking Huo Yuhao in the chest.

Kicked back a couple of steps, he didn't give Huo Yuhao time to think. Wang Dong landed and immediately attacked again.

Huo Yuxi, watching from the side, grew anxious. She could feel the youth's strength. Even without using his Martial Soul, Huo Yuhao would surely not be his match.

But she knew Huo Yuhao's temper best. He was usually gentle and polite, but stubborn as a mule. For a moment, she truly didn't know how to intervene.

They exchanged a few more blows. Huo Yuhao seemed to be at a disadvantage, but in reality, he perfectly dodged Wang Dong's every attack, as if he knew his thoughts.

Wang Dong, unwilling to accept this, had his own pride. He had said he wouldn't use his Martial Soul, and he wouldn't. After another exchange, he raised his right leg high, smashing it towards Huo Yuhao with a gust of wind.

If Huo Yuhao didn't dodge this attack, he would be crippled, if not dead.

"Brother!" Seeing this, Huo Yuxi couldn't stand it any longer. She summoned her Soul Devouring Spider, and Soul Rings lit up from beneath her feet. "Second Soul Skill, Wrath of the Stranglehold!"

Wrath of the Stranglehold, an area-of-effect control skill, significantly weakens enemies by 50% of their soul power, as well as auxiliary effects like recovery, spiritual power, and speed. It lasts for 15 seconds and its duration increases with Huo Yuxi's abilities.

Wang Dong experienced a two-second delay. After Huo Yuhao successfully dodged, his heel landed on the ground, and the thick stone slab cracked with a small pit. It was evident how much force he had put into the strike.

Huo Yuhao was somewhat shocked by his new roommate's strength, especially since he hadn't used his Martial Soul and showed no soul power fluctuations.

Although Wang Dong was annoyed by the interruption, he saw Huo Yuhao awkwardly dodge to the side and decided to end the fight before settling the score.

He clenched his fist and charged, delivering a punch to Huo Yuhao's abdomen.

While he didn't take Huo Yuhao seriously, he was serious with this blow. To his surprise, it was dodged again.

Wang Dong found it hard to believe. What kind of ten-year Soul Ring did Huo Yuhao have to last this long?

He turned and intensified his assault. The difference in strength was clear. He refused to believe he couldn't defeat a brat with only a ten-year Soul Ring.

Gradually, Huo Yuhao began to feel the strain. His living conditions since childhood had been poor, and his physical fitness was far inferior to Wang Dong's.

With his stamina failing, even with Spirit Eyes predicting ahead, he struggled to dodge. If this continued, defeat was inevitable.

Wang Dong's strength was immense. The places he was hit now burned with a searing pain.

In the subsequent exchanges, Huo Yuhao's footwork became increasingly erratic, and he was forced to retreat repeatedly under Wang Dong's onslaught.

"Heh, you've done quite well, lasting this long with a ten-year Soul Ring," Wang Dong said as he charged forward.

Huo Yuhao closed his eyes tightly, listening to the sounds around him. He slowly clenched his fists, then suddenly opened his eyes, a purple light flashing.

Wang Dong had been observing his expression. When their eyes met, he suddenly felt a sharp prick in his head, his consciousness blanking for a moment.

Huo Yuhao seized the opportunity, lunging forward in a swift movement. In a sloth-like embrace, he pinned Wang Dong, and they both tumbled to the ground.

After recovering, Wang Dong found himself incredibly close to Huo Yuhao, close enough to see the pores on his face.

"Huo Yuhao!" Wang Dong was furious, his handsome face flushed like a boiled shrimp, whether from shame or anger.

Huo Yuhao was no different. He couldn't understand it – Wang Dong, as a boy, had a faint, pleasant scent.

"Get off me, quickly!" Wang Dong roared when Huo Yuhao didn't react.

"You surrender first," Huo Yuhao retorted loudly, not backing down.

Wang Dong's defiance was evident on his face, but he still said, "I surrender. Now let me go."

Huo Yuhao released him and stood up first, then turned and extended his hand towards Wang Dong.

"Tch," Wang Dong ignored him, standing up on his own and dusting himself off. He then turned to Huo Yuxi, "Was it you who attacked me just now?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

"You think an apology makes it all better?" Wang Dong scoffed.

Huo Yuhao blocked Wang Dong's line of sight. "I'm sorry about what happened just now. Whatever you want, I can compensate you. Please don't make things difficult for her."

Seeing Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong thought of what had just happened, and her anger flared up again. Her yellow and purple Soul Rings lit up, and the wind from the pressure caused the hair on the foreheads of the three of them to blow.

Huo Yuxi immediately stepped in front of Huo Yuhao. Similarly, two Soul Rings, one yellow and one purple, circled around her. Seeing this Soul Ring configuration, Wang Dong became a little interested, and her anger instantly dissipated.

"Not bad. Much more impressive than your idiot brother. Seeing as your body isn't that great, it must be the Martial Soul itself. What is your Martial Soul? How can it also absorb Soul Rings that cross age limits?"

Before Huo Yuxi could answer, Wang Dong spotted a conspicuous pinkish-blue color on her dark, black hair.

"Is this your Martial Soul? And it's even a physical Martial Soul." He looked at the Soul Devouring Spider, blew away the strands of hair on his forehead, and said unrestrainedly, "However, it seems to be a better fit for me?"

The little spider proudly turned away.

"I suspect so too. Even its personality is exactly the same," Huo Yuhao added.

"Hmph." Wang Dong glanced at him and turned back towards the dormitory.

Huo Yuxi looked at his retreating back, her confused gaze shifting to Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao rubbed her head. "I'll go get your books. But don't read too much tonight; pay attention to resting. You don't need to cultivate too diligently either; we believe in balancing work and rest."

Huo Yuhao applied the same advice Tang Ya had given him to Huo Yuxi, while he himself raced against every second.

"Got it."