Ignoring Cao Jinxuan's despairing wail, Huo Yuhao resolutely headed toward the edge of the square.
The entire square instantly fell into deathly silence.
All the new students from Class One stared, dumbfounded, at Huo Yuhao's retreating figure.
No way?!
He really did say it, and then actually did it?!
The crowd instantly erupted into chatter as whispers rose all around.
"My god... Yuhao's definitely one tough guy!"
On the square that afternoon, the new students gathered in twos and threes, with every conversation centering on Huo Yuhao.
"Can that stuff really be eaten?"
"Who wants to be the first to try it?"
"Brave Soul Masters get to enjoy life first! I, Lu Renjia, am willing to try it on everyone's behalf!"
"Get lost! I'm Lu Renjia! If you've got the guts, use your own name to brag!"
As they discussed it, the students glanced at Cao Jinxuan. If he hadn't run his mouth, Huo Yuhao wouldn't have gone this far.
Feeling their gazes, Cao Jinxuan hunched his shoulders.
"Why do you all look so glum? Maybe it smells good, you know."
Though he was only guessing, it sounded more like he was trying to reassure himself.
After all, his big mouth had brought this on. When the time came, he'd probably have no choice but to try some himself.
At his words, everyone around him froze.
Could something like that possibly smell good?
Were you in your right mind?
Cao Jinxuan spread his hands, looking completely innocent.
"I only said it might. If it smells good, then I wouldn't mind... probably?"
The more Cao Jinxuan spoke, the less he believed himself.
Damn it, even if it smelled good, he'd still have reservations!
Everyone looked at one another.
If it really did smell good, would they still mind?
"Uh, maybe we could give it a try."
"If you eat it, I'll eat it too!"
"Everyone, I, Bao Hui, am willing to give it a try! Don't any of you dare steal my spot!"
"Damn you, Lu Renjia! Stop using my name!"
Listening to them, Wang Dong'er's brain practically short-circuited.
Wait,
wasn't that beside the point?
No matter what, the sensible thing was not to eat it, right?!
Just then, the sound of footsteps cut through their discussion.
Huo Yuhao approached, his face flushed, carrying an exquisitely crafted wooden box. Everyone immediately turned to look at him.
"This is what Cao Jinxuan was talking about earlier. I've already explained its effects: it can improve your constitution from the roots up and raise your Soul Power and talent."
Huo Yuhao spoke haltingly as his gaze swept over the crowd.
"Would any of you like to buy some?"
The crowd stirred, but no one stepped forward.
Just then, a delicate, refreshing fragrance drifted out of the wooden box. It made their whole bodies feel at ease, and even their Soul Power flowed more smoothly.
"What's that smell? It smells so good..."
"What? So the guess was right? It really does smell good?"
"If that's the case, I might consider it."
Huo Yuhao watched the hesitant crowd, his whole body tense with nerves.
Master, it looks like no one wants to buy this. Did we act too hastily?
Within Huo Yuhao's Sea of Consciousness, Electrolux stood with his hands behind his back while Zhao Ze remained sprawled on a cushioned mat.
"These little rascals want the benefits but are too proud to admit it. They're all waiting for someone else to take the first step."
Electrolux watched the students jostling one another and chuckled, shaking his head.
"People's desire will eventually overcome their misgivings. Among those here, there are plenty with mediocre talent but lofty ambitions. For them, this is a chance to change their fate."
Zhao Ze watched the scene outside in silence, a confident smile on his face.
Someone was bound to lose patience and buy some.
"I'd like to buy some."
Suddenly, a voice came from the back of the crowd. It wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally resolute.
Everyone turned around. A boy of average build and ordinary appearance squeezed his way out. He was the sort who would disappear into a crowd without a trace.
"Classmate Huo, my name is Cheng Cheng. I'd like to buy some of your stuff."
Cheng Cheng stepped up in front of Huo Yuhao and took a deep breath. His fingers trembled slightly, but his eyes were surprisingly resolute.
"My Innate Soul Power is level six. I'm probably among the very bottom here at Shrek."
Cheng Cheng clenched his fist, his knuckles whitening with the force.
"My biggest dream in life is to one day challenge the Titled Douluo realm."
Titled Douluo—the pinnacle of the Soul Master world, a height countless Soul Masters spent their entire lives striving for but never reached.
When someone with level-six Innate Soul Power said those words, it would be a joke anywhere.
But no one laughed now, because he looked far too serious.
"With my talent, breaking through to Titled Douluo will be difficult. Even staying on at Shrek Academy will be incredibly hard.
"I'm afraid that even if I give it everything I've got, I'll only just manage to avoid being eliminated."
He raised his head and looked Huo Yuhao straight in the eye.
"Other people might be put off, but I'm not. As long as it makes me stronger, I'd accept even poison.
"I'll buy your Life Crystal."
In the Sea of Consciousness, Electrolux looked at Cheng Cheng's determined expression and laughed heartily.
"Excellent, excellent! This boy has a fine character! Very good—he's got the makings of a powerhouse!"
Zhou Yi, standing by the square, nodded approvingly.
"Students, this is what a true powerhouse's mindset looks like.
"Fear nothing, and give everything you've got to become stronger!"
Seeing the earnest look in Cheng Cheng's eyes, Huo Yuhao nodded. He took out the wooden box and poured half of the Life Crystal into Cheng Cheng's hand.
Cheng Cheng gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and shoved the crystal into his mouth.
The whole square fell silent. Everyone held their breath.
Zhou Yi turned around as well, her gaze grave.
The Life Crystal melted the instant it entered Cheng Cheng's mouth.
Cheng Cheng's body shuddered. A gentle white glow spread from his chest, traveling along his meridians and reaching his limbs.
A faint radiance appeared on his skin. The Soul Power inside him surged violently, but the surging brought no pain.
The tension gradually faded from his face. His brow relaxed, the corners of his mouth lifted uncontrollably, and he looked as if he were soaking in a hot spring.
The white light lingered for about ten breaths before slowly fading.
Cheng Cheng opened his eyes. In that instant, everyone saw the tears glimmering in them.
"I can feel it—my constitution really has improved!
"And this stuff... really does smell good!"
Cheng Cheng's words blew the whole square wide open.
The silence lasted only a second.
The next moment, the crowd erupted like a barrel of gunpowder set alight.
"Holy crap, it smells good too!"
"Classmate Huo, I want to buy some too! Let me try it!"
"Don't shove! I got here first! All of you, get out of my way!"
"I was here first! None of you try to cut in!"
The new students hurriedly surged forward as one.
All their earlier hesitation, distaste, and mental reservations were cast to the winds in the face of a real breakthrough.
All they wanted now was to get stronger!
And that meant they absolutely couldn't miss this stuff!
They'd do whatever it took to get stronger!
"Yuhao! Save some for me! I want to become a Titled Douluo too!"
"I want some too! This is my only chance in life! Classmate Yuhao, give me a portion first!"
"Yuhao, I want some too! I'll pay double!"
"Ahhh, my dream is to become a Titled Douluo too! Yuhao, save some for me! Save me some!"
Before you continue