Yan Shaozhe: Don't Think Too Highly of Yourself!

Huo Yuhao met Yan Shaozhe's eyes, which were full of "sincerity," but remained unmoved.

His future was already clearly planned in his mind; staying at the Shrek Academy was never part of his plan.

Moreover, with Leng Yaozhu by his side, and a powerful expert at the Limit Douluo level standing behind him, he felt extremely confident.

So he replied calmly but firmly, "Dean Yan, I have no intention of staying at the university."

Yan Shaozhe frowned slightly upon hearing this.

His gaze lingered on Huo Yuhao's face for a few seconds, as if trying to determine whether the young man was acting on impulse or was truly determined.

Then his brow relaxed, and he adopted a serious expression. "Yuhao, I know you are exceptionally talented, definitely one of the best among your peers."

"But don't forget how old you are this year?"

"You're only fourteen. At fourteen, if you don't stay at the academy to learn and grow, where else can you go?"

"The outside world may be vast, but for a young boy, the storms are too great."

When Yan Shaozhe said these words, his tone was earnest and sincere. If Huo Yuhao hadn't already made up his mind, he probably would have been moved by these heartfelt words.

Huo Yuhao had no intention of hiding his plan. According to the information sent back by Gongyang Mo, the first main tower of the Spirit Pagoda would be completed within a year, at which time the reputation of the Spirit Pagoda would surely spread rapidly throughout the continent.

By then, his plan will naturally be out in the open. Rather than hiding it, it's better to speak frankly about it today.

Meeting Yan Shaozhe's gaze, he said, "Dean Yan, I plan to establish my own power base."

After the words were spoken, the air fell silent for a moment.

Then Yan Shaozhe suddenly burst out laughing.

There was no malice in the laughter, but it carried an almost instinctive disdain, like a world-weary adult hearing a child say they wanted to pluck the stars from the sky.

He shook his head, his face a mixture of helplessness and amusement. "Yuhao, you kid... what should I say to you?"

"Youthful vigor is a good thing, but building influence is never that simple."

"There are too many things involved here: resources, connections, and powerful figures. Which of these doesn't require years of cultivation to accumulate?"

"You're still young, you're oversimplifying this."

Clearly, Huo Yuhao's words sounded to Yan Shaozhe as the absurd, impulsive thought of a young man who was acting rashly and unaware of his own limitations.

A fourteen-year-old boy saying he wants to build a power base sounds like a joke to anyone, even if he's a genius.

Huo Yuhao neither argued nor tried to explain.

He knew that words alone were useless; Yan Shaozhe wouldn't believe him.

So he simply smiled slightly and said in a calm and unhurried tone, "It's precisely because I'm still young that I want to give it a try."

"Regardless of the final outcome, whether it's success or failure, I will accept it."

"While I still have the capacity to try and fail, I don't want to leave myself with regrets."

Seeing Huo Yuhao's unyielding attitude, Yan Shaozhe finally couldn't keep up the smile.

His eyes, which had been filled with eager smiles, gradually revealed a clear hint of impatience. A shallow frown appeared between his brows, and his entire aura became somber and oppressive.

His voice also lowered, no longer carrying the earnest tone of an elder, but instead carrying a hint of questioning.

"You should know how the academy treats you."

"Over the years, the college has invested so many resources and so much effort in you. Isn't that enough to keep you here?"

However, Huo Yuhao remained calm. He showed neither anger nor annoyance at Yan Shaozhe's change of expression.

He simply met the other person's gaze quietly and said unhurriedly, "Dean Yan, to borrow something Mu En once said, ' Shrek is just an academy.' It's perfectly normal for students to leave the academy after graduation."

Upon hearing this, Yan Shaozhe's expression immediately changed.

Seeing Huo Yuhao bring up Mu En to pressure him, Yan Shaozhe could no longer suppress the anger he had been holding back.

His face contorted into a ferocious expression at a visible speed, veins throbbing on his forehead, and a terrifying aura belonging to a level 95 Super Douluo surged uncontrollably from his body, a tangible pressure sweeping across the surroundings.

Yan Shaozhe took a step forward, staring intently at Huo Yuhao, his voice filled with barely suppressed anger. "Those are ordinary students! Do you think the resources you enjoy at the academy are the same as theirs?"

Despite the overwhelming pressure, Huo Yuhao didn't even flinch.

He remained standing upright, meeting Yan Shaozhe's almost fiery gaze without flinching.

"I am very grateful to the Shrek Academy for nurturing me; I will always remember this kindness."

"So if the academy needs my help in the future, just say the word and I'll come back to help without hesitation."

"Furthermore, the power I establish in the future can also cooperate with the Shrek Academy..."

"Enough!"

Before Huo Yuhao could finish speaking, Yan Shaozhe suddenly shouted, like a thunderclap, abruptly cutting him off.

His chest heaved violently, his eyes wide open, and the demeanor of a dean who had always kept his emotions hidden was completely gone.

Seeing this, Cai Mei'er's expression changed several times.

Seeing that Yan Shaozhe's aura had spiraled out of control and was pressing down on a fourteen-year-old boy, she finally couldn't help but speak up and call out, "Yan Shaozhe!"

Cai Mei'er called out to Yan Shaozhe to calm down.

To be fair, she didn't think Huo Yuhao was wrong about what he said.

It is a matter of course for students to graduate and leave the academy, and the academy has no reason to forcibly prevent it.

When Yan Shaozhe heard her shout, he only turned around and glanced at her. With just that one look, Cai Mei'er's heart sank.

She knew her husband too well; she knew this was how he was when he was angry, and in this state, nothing she said would make a difference.

Yan Shaozhe then turned his head back and focused his gaze on Huo Yuhao.

He looked coldly at Huo Yuhao, his tone carrying an undisguised sarcasm. "I have to admit, you are indeed a genius."

"But don't take yourself too seriously. Even geniuses can't succeed at everything."

He paused, a mocking smile playing on his lips, then let out a heavy, cold snort, "And what do you think Shrek Academy is? Shrek is the number one academy on the continent, one of the most powerful forces on the entire continent!"

"You're just a fourteen-year-old brat, and you dare to talk about cooperation with Shrek?"

"I think you don't really want to cooperate; you just want to use Shrek Academy's influence and its name to pave the way for your petty schemes, right? Ha, you've really got a good plan!"

Huo Yuhao remained calm, as if those words weren't directed at him.

But Leng Yaozhu, standing behind him, had a completely somber expression.

Zhang Lengyan's face seemed to be covered with a layer of frost, and the temperature in her eyes suddenly dropped to freezing point.

She had been standing quietly behind Huo Yuhao, but after hearing this, she was certain of one thing.

That meant Huo Yuhao's earlier judgment was absolutely correct; Dean Yan Shaozhe truly had no intention of releasing them easily.

If bribery fails, they resort to coercion; if sweet talk fails, they turn hostile.

These methods are truly ruthless; they'll stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

Huo Yuhao was a treasure in Leng Yaozhu's heart. She herself couldn't bear to say a harsh word to him, and she usually indulged and protected him.

Now, watching him stand here, being mocked and ridiculed right in front of him by a level 95 Titled Douluo.

If she, as an elder, doesn't stand up for herself, then she doesn't deserve to be called "Aunt Leng" by Huo Yuhao.