When Enemies Meet, Their Eyes Burn with Hatred

On the other side, at Shrek Academy, in the Martial Soul Department building, the Dean's office.

Outside the office door, Zhang Lexuan raised her hand and knocked gently.

"Come in."

A calm voice rang out.

Zhang Lexuan opened the door and walked in to find two people sitting in the office.

One was an elderly man with graying hair, and the other was a middle-aged man wearing glasses.

The elderly man had a refined appearance, and one could still discern the dashing charm of his youth through his handsome features.

The middle-aged man was about forty years old, with an ordinary appearance and a strong scholarly air about him.

The elderly man was the Dean of the Shrek Academy Martial Soul Department, a renowned level 95 Super Douluo on the Douluo Continent, the Bright Phoenix Douluo, Yan Shaozhe.

The scholarly middle-aged man was an instructor of the Shrek Academy Outer Court, Wang Yan.

Seeing the visitor, Yan Shaozhe smiled: "Lexuan, you girl, why aren't you staying in the Inner Court? What time do you have to come see me today?"

Wang Yan also greeted Zhang Lexuan with a smile.

Zhang Lexuan bowed slightly to the two of them and said gracefully: "I didn't expect Instructor Wang to be here as well. Lexuan came today to seek Dean Yan's approval on a matter. If it's inconvenient today, I shall come to pay my respects another time."

"Oh? Seeking my approval?" Yan Shaozhe became interested.

As the Dean of the Outer Court Martial Soul Department, Yan Shaozhe was busy with daily affairs and rarely had contact with the Inner Court.

What could possibly require his approval from someone in the Inner Court?

"Wang Yan and I are discussing Xiao Tao's martial soul. Wang Yan is no outsider, so it doesn't matter. Just say what you have to say here."

Yan Shaozhe waved his hand.

"Yes."

"Actually, when Ruoruo and I returned from our trip, we discovered a promising talent and wish to recommend him to the Inner Court. Dean Yan, as the Dean of the Outer Court, this matter naturally requires your consent."

Zhang Lexuan's voice was melodious.

"Oh? A promising talent discovered outside the academy? That is rare. How old is this person, and what is his cultivation level? Spirit King? Spirit Emperor?" Yan Shaozhe asked with curiosity.

"He is eleven years old this year, and as for his Spirit Power, he is only level 15," Zhang Lexuan replied.

"Eleven years old, level 15! And you want him to join the Inner Court?" Yan Shaozhe and Wang Yan exchanged glances, both confirming from the other's surprised expression that they hadn't misheard.

"Lexuan, at eleven years old, level 15 is just a Spirit Master. Even in the Outer Court, he would barely qualify as an entry-level student. You want him to join the Inner Court? That is against the rules," Yan Shaozhe frowned, his refusal quite clear.

Elder Yan, this student is no ordinary soul master; he defeated Xu Sanshi, a Soul Elder, while possessing only fifteen ranks of Soul Power.

"Not only that, his martial soul is extremely unique—a mutated Body Martial Soul of the eye type. The martial soul comes with various powerful spirit abilities and can even manipulate lightning elements, unleashing lightning-based attacks no less powerful than those of a three-ring Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master."

"I suspect this type of martial soul is a new variant never before seen on the continent, and it has great research value."

"Most importantly, Dean Yan, I have investigated. This student is a commoner Spirit Master with no backing. If he can be brought into the Inner Court and properly nurtured, his future will be limitless."

Zhang Lexuan explained hurriedly, emphasizing the lack of any factional ties to pique Yan Shaozhe's interest.

Sure enough, Yan Shaozhe's eyes lit up instantly.

"A one-ring Spirit Master defeating a three-ring Spirit Master? And it was that fellow Xu Sanshi? A mutated martial soul with no background? That is indeed worth nurturing."

Yan Shaozhe knew Xu Sanshi well; as the young sect master of the Black Tortoise Sect, his strength was undeniable. To be able to overcome a three-ring opponent with only one ring was truly shocking.

Most importantly, if the student was truly a commoner with no background as Zhang Lexuan claimed, bringing him to the Shrek Inner Court to be nurtured meant that in time, he could become another member of the Sea God Pavilion.

"That's right, his name is Huo Yuhao, and he is an orphan," Zhang Lexuan added quickly.

"However, there is no precedent for breaking the rules to admit a one-ring student into the Inner Court," Yan Shaozhe rubbed his chin, looking conflicted.

"Beep, beep, beep." Just then, a sound suddenly emitted from Yan Shaozhe.

His expression changed, and in the next second, he stood up abruptly.

"No, Xiao Tao's evil fire has flared up again."

Following that, a dazzling light erupted from Yan Shaozhe—blinding, yet warm, carrying an aura of brightness.

In the next second, Yan Shaozhe transformed into a bright white light and vanished from the office.

Only a faint voice remained, echoing in the ears of Zhang Lexuan and Wang Yan.

"There is no precedent for a one-ring student joining the Inner Court. Let the child train in the Outer Court first. If he can prove himself in the freshman assessment, it won't be too late for him to join the Inner Court then."

"Wang Yan, you will be the homeroom teacher for this year's freshmen. Keep a close eye on this child."

In the Dean's office, Zhang Lexuan and Wang Yan looked at each other.

"It's still not that easy to join the Inner Court," Zhang Lexuan sighed inwardly. After bowing to Wang Yan, she took her leave.

"Huo Yuhao, Huo Yuhao... defeating a three-ring with one ring? What a heaven-defying little fellow."

After hearing Zhang Lexuan's words, Wang Yan felt a great deal of interest in Huo Yuhao.

As a research-oriented Spirit Master, Wang Yan's greatest hobby was studying the characteristics of various martial souls. Clearly, Huo Yuhao's mutated Body Martial Soul had piqued his curiosity.

I wish I could see it with my own eyes.

"Right, let's see which class he was assigned to."

Wang Yan took a list out of his storage soul tool and examined it carefully.

"Huo Yuhao, Grade One, Class One. Homeroom teacher: Zhou Yi."

Upon seeing this information, Wang Yan couldn't help but frown.

"How is it that perverted old hag? Has that psycho woman still not been fired by the academy?"

Huo Yuhao was naturally unaware of this episode concerning himself.

At this moment, Huo Yuhao was walking along the streets of Shrek City. As the largest city on the Douluo Continent, Shrek City was indeed extremely prosperous, with patrolling soldiers and vendors selling all sorts of goods visible everywhere.

Huo Yuhao found it all novel, stopping and starting as he wandered, looking at everything around him with curiosity.

The shops lining the roads were also diverse, ranging from stores selling various commodities to the currently most popular ones: shops selling soul tools.

The soul tools within were incredibly varied, and Huo Yuhao watched with burning interest until a flash of inspiration suddenly struck his mind.

If he were to combine soul tools with ninja tools, would that be viable?

In truth, Sasuke's combat style in Naruto leaned toward the precise, much like a sharp scalpel; he could often execute intricate tactics, and these precise tactics were inseparable from the use of those ninja tools.

The most basic examples were things like kunai, shuriken, and explosive tags.

Since this world possessed things like soul tools, Huo Yuhao could completely integrate them with ninja tools, transforming them into soul-tool-style ninja gear.

In this way, Huo Yuhao would be able to employ a greater variety of tactics when facing enemies.

It was feasible! After a brief moment of thought, Huo Yuhao felt extremely excited.

The next step was to find a shop and place a large custom order for these soul tools.

Huo Yuhao searched the streets of Shrek City, but just then, the sound of hooves echoed from ahead, and a commotion drew his attention.

Not far from Huo Yuhao, two horses seemed to have lost control, letting out shrill cries as they rampaged through the streets of Shrek, knocking over many vendors and pedestrians along the way.

The figures riding the horses showed not a shred of remorse; instead, they kept whipping their mounts, making them even more violently agitated.

The two horses collided with many pedestrians along the way, only slowing to a halt a short distance from Huo Yuhao.

The crowd on the street glared at the pair on horseback, yet the two riders chatted and laughed as if the incident of hitting pedestrians had nothing to do with them.

Huo Yuhao frowned as he watched the scene, but when he clearly recognized one of the familiar figures on horseback, he froze in place.

His entire body began to tremble, his eyes became bloodshot and turned a deep crimson, and his palms clenched involuntarily, his fingernails digging deep into his flesh.

Sitting on the lead horse was a youth dressed in luxurious robes, with regular features and a cold expression, his long golden hair parted down the middle and draped over his cheeks.

Most peculiar were the youth's eyes; a closer look revealed he was born with double pupils, appearing quite extraordinary.

On the other horse sat a girl with a hot figure; she had beautiful features and a proud expression, wearing a tight black dress that perfectly accentuated her explosive physique.

"Dai Huabin." A murderous aura surged uncontrollably from Huo Yuhao's body, causing everyone around him to feel a sudden chill.