Beneath the Mask, Another Mask

Though his expression was pained, his tone was unusually serious. He looked at Huo Yuhao, waiting for his answer.

"If that's the case, then I have no objections."

Huo Yuhao answered calmly.

In truth, even if Qian Duoduo had not brought up the matter of becoming a teacher, he would have added it himself.

If he wanted to continue harvesting the emotions of others in the future, he would inevitably need to expand his influence and let more people know the name "Master Tianmeng."

Whether it inspired emotions such as jealousy or admiration, his primary goal was undoubtedly to increase his renown.

Becoming a teacher and instructing students was one of the steps.

The Hundred-Year Soul Ring Condensation Method and the Soul Guide Device Soul Ring Replacement Method he had recently developed flashed through his mind.

The so-called Soul Power Storage Core was merely a beginning. Whether in Shrek or the Three Great Empires, his invention would certainly not receive much attention.

Its greater stage was the Sun Moon Empire, the place where his other plan would be carried out.

However, it was an excellent calling card, one that could easily prove his talent and open Shrek's doors to him, allowing him to enter under the identity of "Tianmeng" and then begin a reform of Soul Masters!

This was a crucial part of the plan.

Naturally, Qian Duoduo had no idea what Huo Yuhao was thinking. Upon hearing his answer, the weight in his heart finally lifted. After considering his words for a moment, he said,

"That's wonderful! When does Mr. Sky Dream have time? I can take you to Shrek to familiarize you with the place and arrange accommodations for you while we're at it."

"I'm free now. Let's go."

"Huh?"

No, I was just being polite!

Qian Duoduo's true purpose was to bring Huo Yuhao to see Mu En and determine whether this man harbored any ill intent toward Shrek.

But it had also been a polite offer! Was he really going?!

After thinking for a moment, Qian Duoduo still nodded. Rising to his feet, he invited him,

"Then let's head out now, Mr. Sky Dream."

"Mm."

A short while later, the two landed at Shrek Outer Court.

Huo Yuhao landed first, with Qian Duoduo touching down a step behind him.

Looking at the Flying Soul Guide Device behind Huo Yuhao, Qian Duoduo immediately sensed the gap between them in Soul Guide Technology.

He used a Level Nine Flying Soul Guide, while the one Huo Yuhao used appeared, judging by its fluctuations, to be a Level Eight Flying Soul Guide Device.

In the Three Great Empires, Soul Tool rankings were rather crude, generally judged according to a Soul Tool's energy level.

For example, one containing the energy of a Titled Douluo would be considered a Level Nine Soul Tool, with no consideration given to manufacturing difficulty or other factors.

In the Sun Moon Empire, however, the ranking system for Soul Engineers was much more complicated. Even now, there were only three Rank 9 Soul Guide Masters publicly known in the Sun Moon Empire.

By the standards of the Three Great Empires, Qian Duoduo counted as a Rank 9 Soul Guide Master. But under the Sun Moon Empire's ranking system, he would probably only barely qualify as a Rank 8 Soul Guide Master.

Even that Rank 8 Soul Guide Master evaluation had to take into account the advantage of his Titled Douluo cultivation.

What a gap.

Qian Duoduo sighed faintly to himself before beginning his introduction.

"This side is the Martial Soul Department's teaching building, and that side belongs to the Soul Guide Department. But there's still a month until term starts, so there aren't many people around. And over there is—"

As he introduced the surroundings, he led Huo Yuhao toward the student dormitories.

Before long, the two arrived beneath the dormitory building. Their gazes then instinctively fell upon the figure resting in a recliner beneath a tree, enjoying the shade.

So he really brought me to Mu En?

A trace of thought flashed through Huo Yuhao's eyes. He had expected this.

"Greetings, Senior."

Huo Yuhao bowed slightly, showing his respect.

Qian Duoduo was just about to say something when he saw Muen wave his hand slightly, telling him to leave.

After pausing briefly, Qian Duoduo did not hesitate. He turned and left, leaving the place to Mu En and Huo Yuhao.

"Child, do you know me?" Muen asked, looking at Huo Yuhao with a faintly benevolent gaze.

"I have heard of the Dragon God Douluo's name." Huo Yuhao's tone remained respectful.

He held great respect for this former teacher of his. After all, Mu En had treated him exceptionally well in his previous life.

Yet the moment Huo Yuhao's words fell, everything went silent!

The power of a level 99 Limit Douluo faintly revealed itself. Vast Soul Power formed a modest barrier that enveloped the two of them.

Muen raised his eyes slightly to look at Huo Yuhao, then said,

"Child. Let me see what you truly look like."

In an instant, Huo Yuhao's body stiffened. His expression changed slightly, as though he had not expected his disguise to be seen through, revealing a fleeting trace of panic.

He looked deeply at Muen. After a long while, he sighed softly, a perfectly timed ugly smile appearing on his face. "As expected of a Limit Douluo. Truly impressive."

He sighed again and reached up to touch his cheek. The next moment, pale blue light emerged from his face, revealing a mask.

After removing it, Huo Yuhao no longer wore the appearance of a middle-aged man in his forties. Instead, he looked like a young man in his twenties.

A hint of surprise appeared in Muen's eyes. Then he asked,

"Then what about your cultivation, and your Martial Soul?"

Huo Yuhao sighed faintly and answered in a tone of resigned surrender,

"Level sixty-nine. My Martial Soul is a Mutated Ice Jade Scorpion."

As he spoke, the temperature around Huo Yuhao plummeted. At the same time, his Soul Ring Configuration appeared: yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black!

Muen narrowed his eyes. His gaze paused briefly over Huo Yuhao's Soul Rings, which surpassed the normal optimal Soul Ring Configuration, before settling on the icy blue phantom behind him.

"Ultimate Ice!"

Muen's gaze froze slightly, even more surprised.

In truth, from the very first moment he saw Huo Yuhao, he had sensed an incongruous feeling about him. Though the aura he perceived was indeed that of a Soul Douluo, something about it was different.

That was why he had made Huo Yuhao reveal his true appearance and cultivation earlier.

Yet he had not expected Huo Yuhao's true appearance to be so young!

"How old are you this year?" Muen asked.

"Twenty-two."

Huo Yuhao gave the age he had prepared for his persona. This was the second step of his plan.

A twenty-two-year-old, level sixty-nine Soul Emperor in the prime of youth would naturally find it easier to form bonds with the academy, compared with an outsider over forty who possessed an eight-ring Soul Douluo cultivation. He would therefore be more worthy of trust.

This was the image Huo Yuhao intended to create.

At level sixty-nine, even with Ultimate Ice, under normal circumstances he would pose absolutely no threat to a top power like Shrek within ten years.

Ten years was enough time to establish bonds and completely win Huo Yuhao over!

Furthermore, Mu En was not a narrow-minded man. Thus, barring any surprises, Mu En's response to him would certainly be recruitment—and recruitment without holding anything back!