Departure

The two groups gathered on the playground, and many students looking for excitement also crowded around, forming a large circle. The open space in the center was left for Huo Yuhao and Xiao Chenyu.

"Who is that? He actually wants to fight Xiao Chenyu? Is he that brave?"

"Looking at who he's standing behind, he must be a Work-Study Student too."

"A Work-Study Student actually dares to challenge Xiao Chenyu? Is he a newcomer? I'm afraid he's going to be beaten so badly he won't be able to get out of bed for a week."

Hearing the passersby's commentary, Xiao Chenyu looked at Huo Yuhao provocatively.

How about it? You're probably already scared enough to wet your pants.

Huo Yuhao was speechless; why was this guy so dramatic?

He urged, "Let's start quickly. If you lose, you will listen to Xiao Wu from now on."

"Oh? Then if I win, that little rabbit has to be my pet."

Xiao Chenyu smiled and glanced at Xiao Wu before speaking.

The hot-tempered Xiao Wu's expression twisted instantly, though it didn't make her look scary at all—in fact, she looked rather cute. She waved her fist at Huo Yuhao and said, "Yuhao, teach him a lesson for me!"

Huo Yuhao nodded, looking at Xiao Chenyu expressionlessly, just waiting for him to get ready.

"Xiao Chenyu, sixth-grade student, Martial Soul Wolf, level eleven Battle Soul Master."

"Huo Yuhao, first-grade Work-Study Student, Martial Soul Spirit Eye, level ten Soul Apprentice."

As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Chenyu was startled. A first-grade student should have just awakened their Martial Soul; could it be Innate Full Soul Power?

Xiao Chenyu immediately felt like backing out, but after glancing at his lackeys cheering him on behind him, he gritted his teeth.

"Hmph, so what if you have Innate Full Soul Power? I have a soul ring."

With that, he summoned his Martial Soul, and a white soul ring rose from beneath his feet.

"Come on!"

Seeing that Xiao Chenyu was ready, Huo Yuhao moved in an instant.

Before Xiao Chenyu could even see clearly, Huo Yuhao had already rushed in front of him. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and in his panic, he retreated while throwing a punch at his opponent's face.

Huo Yuhao didn't slow down. Through his Spirit Eye, he could easily judge his opponent's movements by the lift of his arm, and he struck at the joint of Xiao Chenyu's outstretched limb.

The seemingly light blow instantly caused Xiao Chenyu's right arm to lose all sensation, and the constant tingling left him terrified.

Subconsciously looking up, he met Huo Yuhao's blue eyes, which were emitting a faint glow, and couldn't help but tremble.

Having fallen into a disadvantage in an instant, Xiao Chenyu dared not be arrogant anymore and immediately activated Martial Soul Possession.

Gray-black fur grew over his body, his fingernails became sharp and metallic, and his eyes turned a ghostly green.

He swept his left hand horizontally, hoping to force Huo Yuhao away and gain a moment to breathe.

Huo Yuhao didn't intend to give him that chance; he ducked, dodged, and threw a punch. Thanks to his long-term physical training, the explosive power of this strike caused Xiao Chenyu's stomach to spasm.

Taking advantage of the moment before Xiao Chenyu could recover, he followed up with a whip kick to the head. If Xiao Chenyu hadn't raised his left hand to block at the last second, his face would likely have swollen up.

That's right, Huo Yuhao did it on purpose.

When Xiao Chenyu said he wanted Xiao Wu to be his pet, a flicker of anger had ignited in Huo Yuhao's heart.

Remembering his mother, who had been bullied and died miserably in his past life, he felt nothing but disgust for such bullies. That final kick had been aimed at the head, though he had held back some of his strength.

Looking at Xiao Chenyu now, he was lying on the ground, his arms numb and his stomach cramping. He was tough, though, gritting his teeth tightly without making a sound.

Huo Yuhao didn't show any excitement over his victory, his voice cold and indifferent.

"You lost. A bet is a bet; don't bother the Work-Study Students again."

"I lost... hiss!"

Xiao Chenyu didn't try to welch; losing a fight was nothing, he was simply outmatched.

If he were to throw a tantrum or act shamelessly, that would be beneath him. It was just that being pulled up by his lackeys made him wince in pain.

"Ha! Remember to call us boss from now on!"

Xiao Wu had already walked up to grab Huo Yuhao's arm, looking at Xiao Chenyu as she spoke.

Xiao Chenyu glanced at Huo Yuhao, and seeing him nod, he finally shouted at Xiao Wu.

"Boss."

Level ten soul power, doesn't that mean he can become a Soul Master immediately... just what kind of monster is he?

Xiao Chenyu thought to himself, though he couldn't help but gasp in pain from time to time.

"...Use ice packs on the painful areas when you get back, apply some medicine, and it should be fine in a couple of days."

Huo Yuhao was soft-hearted after all; there was no need to go too far against a child. He waved his hand, letting Xiao Chenyu's lackeys help him back to the dormitory.

The duel came to an end. Soon, the entire academy would know that there was a very formidable and ruthless character among the Work-Study Students, and no one should be blind enough to come and bully them again.

Back in the dormitory, Wang Sheng and the others looked at Huo Yuhao with admiration.

"Yuhao, you're too amazing! You actually defeated Xiao Chenyu!"

"That's right, that's right! I saw you just give a light touch, and Xiao Chenyu's right hand couldn't move anymore. How did you do that?"

Huo Yuhao naturally attributed it to his eye martial soul, which drew a wave of envy from the others.

"By the way, I might have to go on a long trip early tomorrow morning. It might take about half a month. Wang Sheng, could you please cover my cleaning duty? You can keep the pay."

Huo Yuhao planned to prepare tonight and head to the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow.

Wang Sheng naturally patted his chest and agreed.

"Yuhao, are you going to look for a suitable soul ring?"

Xiao Wu asked as she watched Huo Yuhao busy at his desk.

"Yeah, I want to go to the Star Dou Great Forest to find a suitable soul ring."

"Then can I go with you?"

Xiao Wu looked at Huo Yuhao with an expectant face and big, watery eyes.

This put Huo Yuhao in a difficult spot. He was going to find Brother Sky Dream, and a million-year soul beast acting as a soul ring was too shocking; even Xiao Wu, who was a soul beast herself, would find it hard to believe.

However, if it really came down to it, he could just find an excuse to separate for a while. With Brother Sky Dream's abilities, it should be easy enough to avoid being discovered by Xiao Wu. Thinking of this, Huo Yuhao nodded.

"Sure, but you have to stay close to me and not run around. The Star Dou Great Forest is very dangerous."

Although he didn't think Xiao Wu would encounter any danger while "going home," he still had to put on a show.

"Yay! I'm going to go pack my bags right now."

As for packing, Xiao Wu just stuffed everything she thought might be useful into her bracelet.

At dawn, the boy and girl set off together through the gates.

Nuoding City was a long way from the Star Dou Great Forest.

Relying on a map, the two walked for five days before reaching the edge of the forest. Although they had to sleep in the open along the way, they didn't encounter any danger.

They ate dry rations during the day, and Huo Yuhao would only start a fire to cook something before they set up camp at night.

They couldn't always have fish, which made Xiao Wu realize that not only was Yuhao's grilled fish delicious, but everything he cooked was amazing!

"Hmm? The aura has appeared again! It's very close!"

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, who had been dozing off, suddenly woke up and identified the direction.

"The outer perimeter of the forest, huh..."

The little eyes on his head blinked twice, seemingly in hesitation.

"Hmph, is Brother the type to be timid and fearful? I'm going."

Having made up his mind, Tian Meng wiggled his fat body toward the target location, his little eyes blinking again, filled with anticipation.