Huo Yuhao: The Body Sect Is Worse Than Shrek?

At Tang Ya's invitation, Huo Yuhao was actually the first to get excited.

His Spirit Eyes lit up instantly as he stared intently at Liu Yuan, his gaze brimming with anticipation.

Over the past few days, he had come to deeply admire and like this new friend, who was both powerful and steady-tempered.

Liu Yuan's fearless momentum in battle, as well as his sincere praise for Huo Yuhao's grilled fish during their breaks, had given warmth to Huo Yuhao, who had endured cold looks since childhood.

If Liu Yuan could join the Tang Sect with us and go to Shrek Academy together, how wonderful would that be? Huo Yuhao silently thought.

Our Martial Souls are similar, so we could spar with each other regularly. With him around, I'd feel safer too...

Besides, Huo Yuhao felt that Liu Yuan had no reason to refuse.

Though the Tang Sect had declined, it had once been the number one sect ten thousand years ago. Its foundations ran deep, and it possessed many miraculous secret arts.

Not to mention that they could go to Shrek Academy together afterward!

That was the number one academy on the Douluo Continent!

For any young Soul Master, that had to be an irresistible temptation, right?

Yet reality gave him a resounding slap in the face.

Liu Yuan looked at Tang Ya's large, hopeful eyes and fell silent for a moment before gently shaking his head.

"Sorry, Tang Ya, Bei Bei."

Liu Yuan's tone was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable firmness. "I can't join the Tang Sect, nor can I go to Shrek Academy with you."

"Huh?"

The smile on Tang Ya's face froze instantly. She stood there as though someone had cast a binding spell on her.

She had never imagined that Liu Yuan would refuse so decisively!

"Why?" Tang Ya asked anxiously, her voice rising several notches.

"Are the Tang Sect's conditions not good enough? Or do you not like Shrek Academy? Shrek Academy is the number one academy on the continent. It has the best teachers and the strongest cultivation resources..."

"Yes, Liu Yuan." Bei Bei frowned as well, looking at him in confusion.

"If you join the Tang Sect, we can share many cultivation resources, and the Tang Sect's secret arts are tremendously beneficial to Soul Masters. Combined with a place at Shrek Academy, this is an opportunity countless people dream of. Are you... really unwilling to reconsider?"

Faced with their sincere attempts to persuade him, Liu Yuan felt somewhat helpless.

There was no way he was going back to a place like Shrek.

Still, he did not speak ill of Shrek, since Bei Bei and Tang Ya were both from Shrek now.

So Liu Yuan continued, "It isn't about the conditions..."

"The main reason is... there is somewhere more suitable for me."

"Somewhere more suitable?" Huo Yuhao froze, looking baffled.

"Is there really a place more suitable for a Soul Master's cultivation than Shrek Academy?"

Liu Yuan nodded and slowly uttered three words:

"The Body Sect."

"The Body Sect?!"

Huo Yuhao looked utterly confused. Clearly, he had never heard that name before.

But when Bei Bei heard those three words, his body jolted, and a flash of astonishment passed through his refined eyes.

"The Body Sect?! That... reclusive sect that only accepts Body Martial Souls?"

Even Bei Bei's voice had changed pitch.

As a descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Mu En's great-grandson, his knowledge far surpassed that of Huo Yuhao and Tang Ya.

Naturally, he had heard of this powerful and mysterious sect.

"That's right." Liu Yuan nodded.

"But..." Bei Bei knitted his brows, puzzled.

"As far as I know, the Body Sect completely withdrew from the world several centuries ago. No one knows where their sect grounds are, or even whether their legacy has survived to this day. Where... are you going to find them?"

"As long as one is determined, there will always be clues to follow." Liu Yuan smiled faintly and did not explain that, as a transmigrator, he knew their approximate location. He merely joked, "If I can't find them when the time comes, then I'll deal with it then..."

Huo Yuhao, who had been left completely confused, could not help interrupting. "Senior Brother Bei Bei, Liu Yuan, um... is the Body Sect really that powerful? Is it even stronger than Shrek Academy?"

In his simple understanding, Shrek Academy was the ceiling of the Douluo Continent, an invincible existence.

So why had the Body Sect suddenly appeared, making Liu Yuan willing to give up Shrek just to seek it out?

Hearing Huo Yuhao's question, Bei Bei gave a wry smile.

In terms of overall strength and influence, Shrek Academy was naturally the undisputed number one.

But every field had its own specialty...

Before Bei Bei could speak, Liu Yuan took the initiative to explain. "Yuhao, there is no absolute strongest in this world, only what suits you best. Shrek Academy is indeed currently the number one academy on the Douluo Continent. That is a fact."

At this point, Liu Yuan glanced at Bei Bei and Tang Ya. His tone was gentle, giving them ample respect.

"However, just as a chef needs to learn at the finest restaurant, and a blacksmith needs to forge at the best smithy..."

"For Soul Masters with Body Martial Souls, the Body Sect has unique insights into exploring and developing the mysteries of the body."

"The path I wish to take is one that pursues the body's ultimate limits."

"And in that regard... the Body Sect may have more experience."

Liu Yuan's words were flawless.

They made his ambitions clear without belittling Shrek Academy, leaving Bei Bei and Tang Ya, as Shrek students, feeling quite comfortable.

Although Bei Bei found it a great pity, seeing how resolute Liu Yuan was, he could only say, "Since this is Liu Yuan's ambition, it would not be right for us to force you."

"Pursuing the path best suited to yourself is itself the mindset of a strong person."

"All right, all feasts must eventually end."

Liu Yuan clasped his fists toward the three of them again and smiled freely.

"Tang Ya, Bei Bei, Yuhao. Thank you for looking after me these past few days. The green mountains remain, the flowing waters endure. If fate permits, we shall meet again!"

With that, Liu Yuan hesitated no longer. He turned and strode toward another direction in the forest.

His back was straight and resolute, without the slightest hesitation.

Watching Liu Yuan's figure gradually vanish into the depths of the forest, Tang Ya sighed in disappointment and kicked a small stone by her feet.

"Ah... what a pity. Such a talented prospect—if only he could have joined our Tang Sect. Even if he didn't join the Tang Sect, it would have been nice if he went to Shrek as a fellow student. Then we'd have one more helper whenever we got into a fight."

Huo Yuhao also looked reluctant to part with him. Only after Liu Yuan was no longer visible did he withdraw his gaze and say softly, "Yeah, he was a good person... I hope we can meet again."

"Don't be discouraged."

Bei Bei stepped forward, ruffled Tang Ya's hair, then patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder with a smile as he comforted them.

"Everyone has their own aspirations. Besides... the Body Sect has been in seclusion for many years and vanished without a trace."

"Though Liu Yuan is exceptionally talented, finding that legendary sect will probably not be so easy."

As he said this, a crafty gleam flashed through Bei Bei's eyes.

"Maybe after wandering around outside for a while, he'll realize that he can't find the Body Sect, or decide that Shrek Academy is still better. Then perhaps he'll come to Shrek City to find us?"

"That's right!"

Tang Ya's eyes immediately lit up at his words, and her mood instantly improved. "Bei Bei, you're right! If he can't find that Body Sect or whatever, he'll definitely think of us! After all, Shrek's doors are always open!"

"All right, all right, don't dwell on it too much. Since Brother Liu Yuan has left, it's time for us to set off as well."

Bei Bei glanced at the sky. "We should head back to Shrek too..."