Recruiting Talent, Gongyang Mo
Gongyang Mo, an Inner Court student at the Shrek Academy, is a recognized genius.
He was once the pride of the Inner Court, an object of envy for the students.
But this once high-spirited young man, who should have been full of vigor, now looks like an old man, lying in a chair all day.
His eyes were empty and lost, his expression numb and indifferent, as if he had lost interest in everything.
The reason he is like this can all be traced back to an incident that occurred more than a year ago.
As a regular member of the team, he represented Shrek Academy in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament in the Star Luo Empire.
And it was on the way to this competition that the academy insisted on taking them on Supervisory Mission.
With a Level 98 Super Douluo secretly protecting him, there shouldn't be any problems.
But to their surprise, Xuan Zi, who was supposed to protect them at the critical moment, disappeared, resulting in heavy casualties among them.
Gongyang Mo survived, but he paid a heavy price, losing his right leg.
The academy said they would compensate him, but after his injuries were healed, they arranged for him to stay in this Small Courtyard on the edge of Sea God Island.
Although he wasn't driven off Sea God Island, no one has come to his place for a long time.
His former classmates and teachers seemed to have forgotten his existence.
When he heard someone calling his name, Gongyang Mo thought he had misheard.
He looked up and gazed outside the Small Courtyard. A familiar face appeared beside the low courtyard wall.
That was Huo Yuhao, the boy who turned the tide of the competition, the genius the academy regarded as the future.
Gongyang Mo sat up and looked at Huo Yuhao, a hint of surprise flashing in his empty eyes.
He never expected that Huo Yuhao would come to him.
Gongyang Mo, who had difficulty moving around, didn't feign enthusiasm; he simply called out, "Come in."
The courtyard gate was only slightly ajar, the wooden door swaying gently in the wind and making a soft creaking sound.
Huo Yuhao walked in directly and sat down on the chair next to Gongyang Mo without any ceremony.
He asked, "Senior Gongyang, how have you been lately?"
Gongyang Mo was unaware of Huo Yuhao's purpose in coming, and he had no connection with Huo Yuhao.
He casually replied, "It's alright."
Huo Yuhao sized up Gongyang Mo; he knew it was a lie.
More than a year ago, Gongyang Mo was already Level 59 Soul King.
Now, more than a year has passed, and Gongyang Mo's Soul Power is still at level 59.
During this period, it seemed that he hadn't been cultivating at all.
He seemed to have given up on cultivation, and also given up on himself.
Huo Yuhao then asked, "What are your plans after this, senior?"
Gongyang Mo finally murmured, "And then?"
He stared at the distant sea, his empty eyes seemingly unfocused.
He gave a bitter laugh, a laugh filled with desolation, "I'm a useless person now, what plans can I possibly have?"
His tone was full of despair, as if he had lost all hope for the future.
Seeing Gongyang Mo's utterly dejected expression, Huo Yuhao said, "If Senior Gongyang doesn't have any plans for the future, why don't you come and help me?"
Upon hearing Huo Yuhao's words, Gongyang Mo looked at him, his eyes full of doubt.
He said with a hint of self-deprecation, "I'm just a useless person now, what can I do to help you?"
Huo Yuhao didn't waste any words and said directly, "I will apply to graduate and leave the academy next semester. After that, I plan to go to Star Luo City to establish my own power, so I would like to ask for your help, senior."
A hint of surprise flashed in Gongyang Mo's eyes; he hadn't expected Huo Yuhao to not intend to stay at the academy.
However, even with Huo Yuhao's talent, it would definitely not be easy for him to build his own power base.
After all, he's only Soul Emperor right now, and he's too young.
Gongyang Mo was pondering how to refuse, but Huo Yuhao's next words made him swallow back the words he had prepared.
Huo Yuhao looked at Gongyang Mo and smiled, "In my opinion, Senior Gongyang is not a cripple. I can help you stand up again!"
Upon hearing this, Gongyang Mo's pupils suddenly contracted.
His back straightened instantly, and he stared intently at Huo Yuhao, his empty eyes finally regaining their light.
His voice trembled as he said, "What... what did you say?!"
His tone was full of shock.
Huo Yuhao smiled, but instead of answering directly, he extended his right hand.
The hand was fair and slender, and suddenly an object appeared in the empty palm.
This is a long, narrow metal object, entirely silver-white with smooth lines, but its shape clearly indicates that it is a leg, a leg made of metal.
Its joints have precise gears and pins, and its surface is engraved with complex Soul Guidance Array Pattern.
Gongyang Mo's gaze was fixed on the metal leg in Huo Yuhao's hand, and his empty eyes finally regained focus.
He knew that this was not just an ordinary metal leg; the patterns and craftsmanship on it revealed that it was also a Soul Tool.
Huo Yuhao then said, "This is a Soul Tool that can connect with the human body's nerves. It works almost like one's own legs, and can even unleash the power of Level 7 Melee Soul Tool."
Gongyang Mo had never heard of such a Soul Tool before, but Huo Yuhao's words didn't sound fake.
This made his previously dormant heart beat again.
Seeing the longing in Gongyang Mo's eyes, Huo Yuhao smiled and said, "I can customize a Soul Tool like this for you, senior, to ensure that your actions will be no different from before."
Gongyang Mo's breathing quickened, and his gaze towards Huo Yuhao regained its luster.
His voice was deep and firm. "If what you say is true, then I am willing to follow you until death!"
Losing his right leg was a devastating blow to Gongyang Mo.
He should have been a legend in the Soul Fighting Arena, making great strides on his path of cultivation.
But now, he can only lie in this Small Courtyard, watching helplessly as time passes and he sinks into depravity.
Now that there is hope for him to get back on his feet, he naturally wants to seize it.
As for his promise to follow Huo Yuhao, he was originally Support Type Soul Master with limited combat power. Following powerful Soul Master and joining major forces was his original plan.
Huo Yuhao knew that things had gone well, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Don't worry, senior, I definitely won't let you down."
Gongyang Mo was just the beginning; he then went to find Xi Xi.
In the incident more than a year ago, Xi Xi was also seriously injured by the Corpse Explosion.
She was lucky, though; she didn't lose any limbs, only some scars.
Xi Xi readily agreed to Huo Yuhao's invitation.
Although she is a girl, she has a straightforward personality and doesn't like beating around the bush.
Huo Yuhao was stronger than her, so she trusted that Huo Yuhao could succeed.
More importantly, Xi Xi is not the kind of person who follows the rules; she doesn't like a life that is routine.
The thought of young people like them building a force from scratch made her willing to give it a try, even though she didn't know what Huo Yuhao's goal was.
After that, Huo Yuhao visited many more students in the Inner Court.
But things didn't go so smoothly from then on.
Shrek Academy's reputation is so great that many students have expressed their intention to stay at the academy.
The remaining trainees will either return to their families or go back to serve their country.
After all, the admission requirement for Shrek Academy students is a letter of recommendation from the city lord, so most of those who join the academy are scions of powerful families or nobles, and very few have no connections.
However, Huo Yuhao did not come away empty-handed; he eventually recruited three more Soul King from the Inner Court.
These people may have just acted on impulse, wanting to accompany Huo Yuhao on his adventure.
But in Huo Yuhao's heart, they will be the elders of the Spirit Pagoda.
Ultimately, Huo Yuhao will bring these people unimaginable rewards!