Qian Daoliu Delivered an Important Speech

Although Huo Yuhao got off work at ten every day, there were times when there was simply too much barbecue to grill, so he often had to work until around ten-thirty before finishing.

However, Huo Yuhao's workload was not particularly heavy today. Besides the people on the second floor, those on the first floor had also heard that Little Yuhao had arranged a Soul Duel Stage match with Xu Sanshi. Quite a few upperclassmen had slipped into the kitchen, saying they could step in and give Xu Sanshi a proper beating on Huo Yuhao's behalf, but Huo Yuhao politely declined them one by one.

As the one who had started the trouble, Xu Sanshi naturally felt too embarrassed to remain in the shop. He strode out to the entrance and began waiting, but he quickly realized that leaving the shop was one of the stupidest decisions he had made all day.

Watching people constantly come and go outside the entrance, Xu Sanshi began to fidget. Almost everyone knew that he, Xu Sanshi, was going onto the Soul Duel Stage against a child who was only nine years old. Thus, whenever most people left the shop, they would look around with great interest to see exactly who was shameless enough to do such a thing.

On top of that, quite a few people shook their heads as they looked at Xu Sanshi by the door, clicking their tongues in disapproval. Then they called their roommates to reserve tickets for the Soul Duel Stage while running off to buy drinks themselves, clearly intending to enjoy the spectacle.

Xu Sanshi had no way to explain himself. His temper was certainly bad, but he was not so low as to bully children! It was Huo Yuhao who had proposed going onto the Soul Duel Stage with him. To avoid being accused of bullying a child, Xu Sanshi had even specifically stated that he would not use his Second Soul Skill, and that Huo Yuhao would win as long as he lasted one minute against him.

Fortunately, no matter how unbearable the wait felt, time always passed eventually. While Xu Sanshi fidgeted anxiously outside, Huo Yuhao felt as though the past few hours had flown by in a flash.

To Huo Yuhao, his daily work consisted of grilling barbecue skewers and grilled fish according to the orders handed in. He would glance at the quantities listed on the order, activate the Illusory Eye, plate everything once it was done, and repeat the cycle.

In just three short months, Huo Yuhao felt that his Mental Power had noticeably increased. Using the Eyes of Illusion while working at the Repair Shop to engrave Soul Guidance Core Arrays could slowly improve the precision of his Mental Power, while keeping the Eyes of Illusion active continuously when grilling fish could gradually increase Huo Yuhao's total Mental Power reserves.

What troubled Huo Yuhao, however, was that compared with how smoothly his Mental Power cultivation had progressed, his Soul Power Level was improving way too damn slowly!

A full three months had passed. Even though his cultivation speed had increased by another twenty percent after absorbing Qian Daoliu's Million Year Soul Ring, he had only just stabilized his Soul Power Level at eleven and was barely beginning to prepare for a breakthrough to level twelve.

At his current pace, by the time enrollment came next year, he would probably only be around level fourteen. He really would have to wait until the year after next to enroll.

Still, Huo Yuhao was not particularly obsessed with enrolling early. What he was thinking about now was how to increase his cultivation speed.

In response, Qian Daoliu delivered a very important speech that was basically useless.

"If you want to truly improve your cultivation aptitude by a large margin, you still need Natural Treasures—especially Immortal-Grade Natural Treasures."

"For a period ten thousand years ago, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was known as the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School. That was also thanks to Immortal-Grade Natural Treasures."

"I do not know much about the Shrek Seven Devils. My only contact with them was when they participated in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament in Spirit City back then, and my Mental Power sensed them. Aside from that hundred-thousand-year rabbit, it seemed that the other six had all consumed Immortal-Grade Natural Treasures."

"Where are those Natural Treasures? You're asking me—who am I supposed to ask? My daughter reached Hundred-Level Godhood without relying on Natural Treasures. She had an innate Soul Power Level of twenty."

Huo Yuhao helplessly ended his conversation with Qian Daoliu in his mind. The old man had said a whole lot of information that seemed valuable, yet it was as good as saying nothing. Even so, Huo Yuhao committed every bit of it to memory.

"Immortal-Grade Natural Treasures...?"

Huo Yuhao muttered softly as he untied his apron. He still had to make a trip to the Soul Duel Stage and establish his reputation. Since some idiot had stumbled right into his path, there was naturally no need for him to hold back.

The Soul Duel Zone was an extremely important area within Shrek Academy. It was located at the northwestern corner of the Martial Soul Department, near Shrek City.

The Soul Duel Stage was very close to Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Experimental Zone, and it was also a place frequently visited by many upperclassmen.

All kinds of matches could be held there. Dedicated teachers served as referees, determining victory or defeat, protecting the students, providing aid and treatment, and so on. Of course, all of that required payment.

For a Soul Duel match, both sides had to pay at least ten Gold Soul Coins as a venue fee. Yet many students still never tired of it. This showed that while Shrek Academy's annual tuition of ten Gold Soul Coins might be expensive for ordinary people, to this group, it was really no more than the cost of a meal.

Sparring on the Soul Duel Stage was not subject to any restrictions from the academy, and there was no need to worry about danger from striking too heavily. The teachers serving as referees would control the situation well. At the same time, winning matches in the Soul Duel Zone earned a certain amount of credits, which provided bonus points during grade examinations.

After reaching Fourth Grade, Soul Duel Credits became mandatory for advancing further.

For example, advancing from Fourth Grade to fifth required defeating opponents of the same grade in at least ten Soul Duel Zone matches. Advancing from fifth to sixth required even more. After sixth grade, Soul Duel Credits were said to become even more important for entering the Inner Court.

It was worth mentioning that Shrek's leadership had perhaps truly inherited the teachings of Flender, the Three-Eyed Cat Owl. Not only did both participants in a Soul Duel have to pay, but anyone who wanted to enter the Soul Duel Stage to watch also had to pay one Silver Coin.

Naturally, Huo Yuhao did not need to pay that fee, because some unlucky fool who was paying to get beaten had already paid for him.

What surprised Huo Yuhao was that his one-on-one match with Xu Sanshi had actually drawn the attention of many students. Most of the students who had witnessed the commotion at the restaurant, regardless of grade, had chosen to follow them over and watch.

Huo Yuhao could not help feeling a little heartbroken. Although he stopped making barbecue skewers after ten, this was when these people truly started spending money!

The people who remained in the restaurant from ten to twelve were not really there to eat. They were using food as an excuse to guzzle drinks outside, and sixty percent of the shop's daily alcohol sales came during this period.

At that thought, Huo Yuhao's fists clenched even tighter.

Bastard. It was bad enough that you came to my shop to cause trouble, but you even lured away all my customers. Just wait until I beat your head into a pig's head, you asshole.