Your Life Can Only Be Seen by Yourself

"Phew... the road ahead is long and arduous. Forget it, I'll train first. The schedule for Reign Over All can be worked out through actual combat. There's no rush."

Leaving his semi-deep meditative state, Ning Wuque ended his conversation with his martial soul. Reign Over All was not an easy move to learn, especially since Mu En intended for Ning Wuque to forge a path better suited to himself.

Looking up, he saw that the moon had reached the highest point in the night sky. It was roughly between one and two in the morning, which meant his communication with his martial soul had lasted quite a while.

Without resting further, Ning Wuque did some preparatory stretches before beginning his training.

And so, time slowly passed.

Over the following days, Ning Wuque was like an NPC that spawned at a fixed location. Every day, students passing by the training ground could see him exercising nearby with a piece of Soul-Nourishing Jade.

Sometimes, upperclassmen couples sneaking out for late-night trysts would spot him too, forcing them to leave in disappointment and find somewhere else.

Then, from six to eight every day, he would reliably appear at Shrek's Great Soul Arena. He would generally fight two or three soul battles, and unless his opponent's Soul Power Level exceeded thirty-two, no one would see Ning Wuque use his martial soul.

He relied entirely on his monstrous strength and cockroach-like vitality to trade blows head-on with others. Those savage matches, every punch landing solidly on flesh, earned him a modest reputation in just three or four days.

He even had his own "fan club," a group of reckless fellows who loved activating their Beast Soul Spirits and brawling head-on with others. Nearly every one of them had fought Ning Wuque before.

Some of those fans even chose not to use soul skills, instead challenging Ning Wuque directly to an intense clash of flesh against flesh!

Because of this brutal fighting style, more and more spectators came to the Great Soul Arena during the hours when Ning Wuque appeared.

After watching so many clashes and contests between soul skills, this sort of fight based purely on the body was truly rare.

Time came to the night before the school term began.

Late at night, in the small forest beside Sea God Lake, Ning Wuque leaned against a large tree and waited quietly.

Rustle...

Footsteps approached from afar. He opened his eyes and looked at the newcomer. It was Huo Yuhao, whom he had arranged to meet that morning.

"Brother Wuque, I'm here."

"Mm. Have the big bug check whether anyone is nearby. Be careful of eavesdroppers."

"There's no one. I checked on the way here. Tell me, brat, are you plotting something against me?"

Tian Meng's spiritual body bounced out from Huo Yuhao's side. With his hands on his hips, he glared angrily at Ning Wuque.

It was this guy who had kept him so worried these past few days that he could barely sleep. Today, he had to figure out what this human brat was plotting.

Ning Wuque simply ignored Sky Dream Ice Silkworm and turned to Huo Yuhao instead.

"Yuhao, everyone has their own opportunities. Now that the big bug has attached himself to you, he is of no use to me anymore. But you need to understand one thing: in everyone's eyes, soul beasts over a hundred thousand years old are guaranteed to produce soul bones.

"I know this big bug only left you a cast-off shell. I'm not interested in that thing, but others don't know that, and they may not be like me. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Brother Wuque."

"Good. Stay at Shrek and study in peace for now. Next year, I'll find an opportunity to contact the Body Clan and have them take you away. Your martial soul and opportunity would be wasted at Shrek."

Ning Wuque nodded. He had come today to give Tian Meng and little Yuhao a warning in advance. Both his actions over the past few days and his words now conveyed a signal of reassurance.

Yuhao was still young, and with his previous experiences, he would most likely come to regard Ning Wuque—the one person who knew the secret of his opportunity—as the only person he could fully trust.

This was, in fact, an application of psychology.

At the same time, he truly had no interest in Tian Meng's cast-off shell. It was indeed a treasure, but to him, it was nowhere near as valuable as earning Huo Yuhao's deep trust.

What could he even do with the shell? Aside from selling it or keeping it as a collectible, it seemed useless. Ah, it could also serve as bait for the Ice Empress. That was another use.

But once he was strong enough to defeat the Ice Empress, would he need to go through the trouble of baiting her? He could just charge straight into the core region of the Far North!

Besides, he had no need for that. The Titan Snow Demon King's soul ring and soul bone would suit him better, along with that white bear.

Of course, the best fit would undoubtedly be the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear, Xiong Jun, and the Emerald Swan, Bi Ji. Ning Wuque had always had his eye on them as his eighth or ninth soul ring. Perhaps they could even allow his martial soul to advance further!

"So, Brother Wuque, is there anything else? I was planning to return to the dormitory and cultivate. My talent is too poor..."

Huo Yuhao did not question Ning Wuque, nor did he feel there was anything wrong with his arrangements. Brother Wuque could now be said to be the person he trusted most.

First, he had not harmed him and had even helped him. Second, he had not exposed him and had protected him instead. Third, and most importantly, he had never shown the slightest covetousness toward Brother Sky Dream, including the cast-off shell Brother Sky Dream had left him.

These past few days at the academy had been fulfilling, far happier and more joyful than his life at the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.

And all of it was thanks to Brother Wuque. He could never repay such kindness!

"Mm, it isn't anything major. Just a small reminder. You're still young, and your thoughts can easily be shaped by others and by your environment. Personally, I don't really recommend following some of Shrek's educational ideas.

"As for why, I can see the hatred in your eyes. I won't ask about it, but that hatred can easily twist your thoughts and mislead your judgment."

Watching the stunned look in Huo Yuhao's eyes, he continued.

"The scars of the past will not be erased by time. Just as those born incomplete are destined to lose some of the feelings ordinary people possess, your thoughts can only be controlled by yourself. Right and wrong can only be judged by your own feelings.

"But unfortunately, you cannot learn such things within Shrek Academy. Likewise, I will not impose my own views and ideas about this world upon you.

"Whenever you encounter doubts or troubles, you can come to me. I am willing to listen to your suffering, confusion, and joy; to comfort you, advise you, and be happy for you."

With that, Ning Wuque revealed a gentle smile. He did not force upon Huo Yuhao the things he believed, but was willing to serve as a listener and correct some of Huo Yuhao's own misunderstandings.

Huo Yuhao only felt a wave of comfort. Having someone he could trust completely as a listener, that sense of safety, warmth, and reliability enveloped his incomparably fragile heart.

It tore through the barrier of hatred, shattered the sealed cage, and pierced the darkness woven from blood and gloom.

"Mm, thank you, Brother Wuque! I... I..."

"It's alright. There's still plenty of time. Say whatever you want when you feel the time is right. There's no need to rush."

Seeing that Huo Yuhao wanted to tell him something, and seeing the sorrow and hatred in his eyes, Ning Wuque interrupted him.

It was not time yet. Too much was as bad as too little.