A ray of morning sunlight fell over a basin in the southwestern corner of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Tang Ya's face was filled with pain and regret. Jiang Nannan didn't look much better.
"Yuhao, I'm sorry. This is all our fault. If we hadn't been..."
"Yuhao, turn around and look at us, okay? We'll take responsibility for you like women should."
Huo Yuhao turned around. His lower back hurt just a little.
"Sister Xiaoya, Sister Nannan, please stop shaking me."
"Let my back rest for a bit. I'm not angry with you. I'm just..."
Jiang Nannan covered Huo Yuhao's mouth. "All right, don't say any more. I understand!"
Tang Ya also looked embarrassed. What had happened was their responsibility.
After making sure Huo Yuhao was all right, Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan began to tidy themselves up.
They picked up the tattered clothes from the ground and saw the striking crimson stains on the hems of their skirts.
Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan exchanged a glance, their expressions complicated.
They clearly hadn't expected things to happen like this...
They knew they couldn't blame anyone but that lecherous Evil Soul Master. How could anyone have such a sleazy Soul Skill?
Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan also reflected on what had happened. They had been far too careless this time.
Because their opponent's strength had seemed so pathetic, they'd looked down on him.
If they'd dealt with that Evil Soul Master sooner, perhaps this wouldn't have happened.
They were also incredibly grateful they'd brought Yuhao along. It was far better that he'd been the one to... than that sleazy bastard.
The three of them spent several more days in the basin, resting and recovering.
The start of the term at Shrek Academy was approaching, so they couldn't stay there forever.
On the fourth day, with Tang Ya leading the way, the three of them finally set off.
Because of what had happened a few days earlier, they were all feeling unwell and traveled very slowly.
By the third day, Huo Yuhao and the others were close to Shrek Academy, and night was falling.
They found a clear stream, made camp, and decided to spend the night there.
As soon as they reached the stream, Tang Ya eagerly demanded some of Huo Yuhao's grilled fish.
Given their relationship, Huo Yuhao was happy to indulge her in such a small request.
One tender fish after another was caught by the three of them.
Huo Yuhao set up the grill, and soon he was turning out fragrant, crispy grilled fish. The three of them ate to their hearts' content.
After dinner, they lay together on the grass, gazing at the stars.
"Yuhao, let me ask you something. How do you see our relationship?" Tang Ya asked, stumbling over her words.
It was her first time in this sort of situation, so it was only natural she felt nervous.
Huo Yuhao looked at the anxious Tang Ya. "How do I see our relationship?"
Tang Ya looked at him expectantly.
"That depends on how you see our relationship, Sister Xiaoya," Huo Yuhao replied.
Tang Ya furrowed her pretty brows. She wasn't satisfied with that answer. "Why does it depend on me?"
Huo Yuhao looked up at her. "Because it depends on what kind of relationship you want with me!"
"If Sister Xiaoya wants us to be a couple, I'll do my best to win you over."
"The same goes for you, Sister Nannan!"
Without a change in expression, Huo Yuhao drew them both into his arms.
"If you're willing, then for the sake of love, I can pursue both of you at once."
Tang Ya burst out laughing. "Pursue both of us? Yuhao, you're so young, but you sure have a lot of nerve!"
"That's not right. Being flirtatious is a bad trait," Jiang Nannan said seriously.
Looking at the beauties nestled in his arms, their faces tilted up toward him, their stunning features bathed in moonlight, Huo Yuhao was momentarily entranced.
The two of them noticed his expression and smiled.
"All right, Yuhao. That's enough talk for tonight."
"We both need some time."
Huo Yuhao returned to his tent and entered the Sea of Consciousness.
Three amused gazes turned toward him.
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm put on an exaggerated performance. "Yuhao, you seem so honest, but who would've thought you had such a big heart?"
"'If you're willing, I can pursue both of you at once.'"
Ice Empress snorted. "That's men for you!"
As for Snow Empress, she looked at Huo Yuhao with a somewhat peculiar expression.
"All right, Yuhao's been exhausted lately. Big Bug, give him a break," Electrolux said calmly.
Huo Yuhao was so moved by Electrolux's coming to his defense that tears streamed down his face. "Teacher!"
Electrolux patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder and spoke with the earnest air of a mentor.
"Yuhao, I should remind you to be careful about how far you take your flirtatious ways."
"If you end up in that kind of situation... I won't be able to help you!"
"Teacher, you..." Huo Yuhao stared at him in disbelief. Am I even your disciple?
Tian Meng and the others couldn't help laughing. The Sea of Consciousness was filled with merriment.
After four days of travel, Huo Yuhao and the others finally arrived at Shrek, the greatest academy on the continent.
Once inside the academy, Huo Yuhao was smoothly guided through the new student enrollment process by Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan.
"Yuhao, let me ask you something. There's a White Tiger emblem on your recommendation letter. Are you from White Tiger Duke's Mansion?" Tang Ya asked.
Huo Yuhao answered calmly. "Oh, that. I'm from there. The White Tiger Duke is my father, though we don't know each other well."
"Your father? You're the White Tiger Duke's son?" Jiang Nannan blinked her pretty, wide eyes.
Tang Ya asked, "You don't know your own father well? How can someone not know their own father?"
Huo Yuhao replied, "Out of 365 days a year, he spends 366 of them away fighting. Do you think I know him well?"
"That makes sense!"
"All right, we're at the new student dormitories. You've got your room key, so Sister Nannan and I will be going."
"Yuhao, if you run into any trouble, be sure to tell us right away!"
Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan waved to Huo Yuhao reluctantly. After traveling together all this way, it was finally time to part.
After saying goodbye to the two of them, Huo Yuhao arrived at the entrance to the new student dormitories.
He also saw Mu En, the man Ye Xishui had described as dull and honest, but who was actually a true wolf of war—and the man who had kept the Douluo well fed.
Though, to be fair, at first glance Huo Yuhao couldn't imagine that such a kindly, lazy-looking old man had been so wild in his youth.
A strange feeling welled up inside Huo Yuhao. He walked over to greet him. "Hey, there! Enjoying the sun, old-timer?"
Mu En didn't even raise his head. His voice trembled as he asked, "Are you a new student this year?"
"Yes, old-timer!" A mischievous glint flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes.
"Old-timer, I walked all the way here from the Star Luo Empire. My back aches, and I'm sore all over."
Mu En looked rather dazed by the question. If you're tired, shouldn't you go to your dorm? Why are you telling me?
"Young man, if you're tired, go rest. Why are you telling an old man like me?"
Huo Yuhao smiled brightly. "Old-timer, that chair of yours looks pretty nice!"
"Why don't you stand up and take a walk, and let me lie down in it for a while?"
Before you continue