As the host announced the verdict, Zhu Zhuqing slowly closed her eyes. A ball of light separated from her body, quickly returning her to her original appearance as a young girl.
The ball of light then landed beside her and turned back into Huo Yuhao.
"How do you feel?"
Huo Yuhao chuckled. Zhu Zhuqing had been in control of the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, while he had only contributed his strength throughout.
Zhu Zhuqing recalled the experience as she spoke.
"It felt incredible. My speed as the Hell Spirit Cat was greatly enhanced. Even the slightest movement felt like teleportation. On top of that, it had the effect of your Simulation Soul Skill, concealing our auras, as well as Spirit Detection. It's a shame we didn't have time to test the other skills."
Huo Yuhao nodded and gently reassured her. "We have plenty of time. There'll be lots of chances to experiment."
Hearing that, Zhu Zhuqing was reminded of the two of them embracing. Her face flushed pink, and she nodded softly. "Mm. We can try more things in the future."
After registering their results, the Hao-Qing Duo stood at one win and zero losses! They exchanged a smile and returned to the academy.
Huo Yuhao opened the door and stood aside, scratching his head as he said awkwardly to the girl beside him, "Come in."
Zhu Zhuqing's face was flushed. She lowered her head and entered the room, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"Sorry to trouble you."
In his mind, Tian Meng was howling, "Well, well, Yuhao! A young man and woman in the prime of their youth, alone together in the dead of night—sparks of love are sure to fly!"
A-Lu's curious voice followed close behind. "Are they going to mate? I'd better pay close attention and learn."
Huo Yuhao, following behind Zhu Zhuqing, stumbled. He felt like Brother Sky Dream was leading A-Lu astray.
"What's wrong?" Zhu Zhuqing asked with concern.
"Nothing. Find somewhere to sit. It's a bit messy, sorry."
Huo Yuhao wasn't being modest. The room really was a little messy.
His desk was covered with all sorts of Soul Tool parts. Zhu Zhuqing looked around curiously. It was messy, but clean.
She then sat somewhat stiffly on Huo Yuhao's bed.
"Let's get started, then. First, let's go over some of the mistakes you made when you fought that Soul Master called A-Ying one-on-one... Here, you could've shifted your position to dodge. You didn't need to activate the Soul Guidance Shield and waste so much Soul Power... And here..."
To ease the awkwardness, Huo Yuhao quickly got down to reviewing the fight.
During the Soul Fighting match, he had kept an eye on the situation through Spirit Detection while holding off Luo Dong's support. He had memorized every detail of Zhu Zhuqing's battle.
His serious expression helped Zhu Zhuqing relax, too. The two of them discussed the fight until well past midnight.
Huo Yuhao took a sip of water to moisten his dry throat. "Did I explain everything clearly?"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up, and she nodded. "I understand. Thank you."
After Huo Yuhao's explanation, Zhu Zhuqing felt her improvement could only be described as a complete transformation.
If she repeated these Soul Fighting matches and reviews every day, her combat experience would improve by leaps and bounds.
She looked up at Huo Yuhao's serious profile, and her face flushed again.
"I have a question."
"Hmm?"
Huo Yuhao looked up with a smile. "What is it?"
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly.
"Y-you and Xiao Wu... are you a couple?"
"Uh?"
Huo Yuhao was taken aback. He hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to ask such a personal question.
"I was just curious. You two seem very close," Zhu Zhuqing added.
Huo Yuhao scratched his head. "Xiao Wu and I met at the junior academy. We're not a couple."
"Then I still have a chance."
Her cool voice rang through the dorm room.
Huo Yuhao stared at Zhu Zhuqing in shock.
"??"
"I can't believe little Yuhao's ancestor was so forward! You really can't judge a book by its cover," the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm snickered.
"Can I pursue you?" Zhu Zhuqing raised her head and met Huo Yuhao's eyes.
Huo Yuhao gave a wry smile and raised a hand to his forehead.
"...If I said no, would you give up?"
Zhu Zhuqing actually thought it over for a moment. Then, as if she'd figured something out, a faint smile appeared on her face.
"...You wouldn't, would you? Then I'll take that as a yes. I'll do my best. I won't let anyone else have you."
After saying so many impulsive things, she seemed too embarrassed to stay. She took the initiative and hugged Huo Yuhao. "See you tomorrow."
"Mm. Good night." Feeling the warmth and curves of her figure in his arms, Huo Yuhao nodded woodenly and watched Zhu Zhuqing leave.
"A-Lu, see that? You have to be like this girl and take the initiative! In his previous life, Yuhao never took the initiative, never accepted, and never rejected anyone. He ended up owing a mountain of emotional debts. If you don't make a move, you'll never get your chance!" Tian Meng egged her on.
"Brother Sky Dream!!!"
A-Lu nodded, seeming enlightened. "I see. I'll remember that, Brother Sky Dream."
"Mm, excellent. You're a quick learner."
Then Tian Meng went on, full of enthusiasm. "Yuhao! You can't play favorites. If other girls get something, our A-Lu should get it too! Your human race practices polygamy, doesn't it? Don't worry, we all support you!"
"Ice Empress, come out and do something about Brother Sky Dream!" Huo Yuhao shouted in his mental space, his face bright red.
"Heh heh heh. Don't worry, Yuhao. You can shout until your throat gives out; it won't help. Not only the Ice Empress—even Elder Yi agrees!"
"...I don't agree!"
"You don't get a say. Tell me honestly: if Qiu'er and Ma Xiaotao and the others from your previous life stood in front of you again, could you really reject them a second time?"
"I..." Huo Yuhao was at a loss for words.
Then the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm spoke again, this time in a very serious tone.
"Yuhao, your past life taught you a lesson. We all fight with everything we have to live our lives. You should live for the people who love you. That's the right attitude. Don't lose yourself trying to please people who don't love you, only to forget how to be happy around those who do."
"Don't disappoint anyone who truly cares about you again, all right?"
"...I'll think about it..."
Morning.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Yuhao, we're leaving. Aren't you coming out to say goodbye?"
Xiao Wu's energetic voice came from outside the door.
"Coming, coming." The door soon swung open.
"Huh? Yuhao, did you not sleep well last night?"
Huo Yuhao's face looked a little haggard. Anyone could tell he didn't seem to be in the best spirits.
"N-no, I'm fine. I just had some things on my mind and barely slept. It's nothing."
Huo Yuhao waved his hand. He couldn't exactly tell them he'd spent the whole night wrestling with himself.
"That's strange. Zhu Zhuqing had dark circles under her eyes when we went to see her just now, too," Ning Rongrong said suspiciously.
At the back of the group, Zhu Zhuqing's face immediately turned red. Remembering her impulsive behavior the night before, she wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground.
!!!
Huo Yuhao was breaking out in a cold sweat. Were girls really that perceptive?
Wait, why was he nervous?
"Everyone knows those two train the hardest. It's probably because of that," Xiao Wu said, pursing her lips. Though clearly reluctant, she still helped smooth things over.
"True enough. Come on, Yuhao, let's get breakfast together. Then we'll be off."
Ning Rongrong grabbed Huo Yuhao's hand with a beaming smile, without the slightest hesitation.
"?"
Xiao Wu's eyes widened as she looked at Huo Yuhao. After years of knowing each other, he understood at once what she meant: I need an explanation! What's going on with Ning Rongrong, too!?
Heaven knew Huo Yuhao had no idea himself. As Ning Rongrong tugged him away, he shot Xiao Wu a desperate look for help.
"Yuhao, I want Grilled Fish," Xiao Wu said with a cold snort, then clung to Huo Yuhao's arm as well. She gave Ning Rongrong a challenging look, staking her claim.
"Now? Isn't it morning?"
"What does it matter? We're about to be gone for several days. Xiao San wants some too, right?" Xiao Wu said, turning to Tang San and sending him frantic hints.
"Uh... I suppose I do miss it." Tang San nodded stiffly.