Xuan Zi's Summons

Before Huo Yuhao could even react to what Wang Dong had said, Xiao Xiao immediately jumped in and followed up. She stepped forward as well, her words even more direct than Wang Dong's. "If the Academy refuses to grant Huo Yuhao the status of Core Disciple, then I don't want my Core Disciple status either!"

Huo Yuhao pulled the two of them back slightly and said in a voice that seemed audible only to them, but which Du Weilun could actually hear, "That's enough, you two. Do you think Core Disciple status is some cheap cabbage? You can't just throw it away whenever you want, or give it to someone else whenever you please. That's not how it works."

Du Weilun glanced at the three of them and secretly nodded. He was very satisfied with all three of their reactions. From his perspective, Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong were loyal and devoted, while Huo Yuhao remained gentle and clear-headed even in adversity. All three were talents worth cultivating.

"As for Huo Yuhao's matter, this was the result of a discussion by the Sea God Pavilion. Of course, I can reveal a little in advance: this is not over yet. What treatment Huo Yuhao will ultimately receive still depends on the Elders meeting with him, so there is no need for you to worry for now."

As Du Weilun spoke to the three of them, his gaze deliberately—or perhaps inadvertently—observed the changes in Huo Yuhao's expression.

Huo Yuhao's expression remained indifferent throughout, as though the matter had nothing to do with him. He merely said calmly to Du Weilun, "Thank you, Director Du, for clearing up my doubts. As for what comes next, it truly makes no difference to me."

Huo Yuhao glanced at Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao beside him, then said evenly, "To me, gaining two true friends who sincerely care about me is far more precious than the status of Core Disciple."

Du Weilun nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Huo Yuhao's words. Instead, he took out a leather pouch identical to the one Mu Jin had given them before and said,

"A Soul Bone?"

At the mention of a reward, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao temporarily forgot about the injustice Huo Yuhao had suffered. Their eyes fixed on the leather pouch in Du Weilun's hand as they blurted out the question.

This time, Du Weilun was somewhat surprised. He looked at Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong with disbelief. "You actually recognize this?"

Huo Yuhao stepped forward to explain. "Our homeroom teacher rewarded us with a Soul Bone before. It was stored in this kind of leather pouch too."

Du Weilun looked at Huo Yuhao in surprise, then said to the three of them, "It seems your teacher values you as much as the Academy does. That is quite good."

As Du Weilun spoke, he untied the cord on the leather pouch. The instant the cord came loose, a ball of yellow light shot out of the pouch.

It was a small bone, only about the length of a palm. A faint yellow glow radiated from it, while the dense fluctuations of Soul Power seemed to make the air throughout the office turn viscous.

Du Weilun smiled slightly as he watched Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong's eyes gradually go blank, then continued,

"I specially selected this Soul Bone for you. Both assault-type and control-type Soul Masters can use it. It is a left leg bone called the Void Leopard Left Leg Bone. After fusing with it, it can increase a Soul Master's speed and grant an attack skill activated through the left leg. The greatest benefit of a Soul Bone is that different Martial Souls produce different skills upon fusion, but the skill will certainly suit you. I will hand it over to you now. You may have this pouch as well; it can conceal Soul Power fluctuations. Fuse with it as soon as possible after you return. Although the Academy is very safe, a man may be innocent, yet he is condemned for possessing treasure. You must also keep the matter of receiving this Soul Bone reward confidential for the Academy. I trust you know what to do."

After putting away the Soul Bone, Du Weilun escorted them to the door. Then he said to Huo Yuhao, "Huo Yuhao, stay behind. An Elder of the Sea God Pavilion wishes to meet you personally and ask you a few questions."

Before Huo Yuhao could say anything, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao abruptly stopped.

Huo Yuhao nodded at them, and only then did Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao reluctantly turn around and continue walking out.

Huo Yuhao was rather curious now. Which Elder was this, putting him down first only to raise him up afterward?

He could already guess that his status would certainly not be lower than that of an ordinary Core Disciple. Everything before him was merely a display arranged by that Elder to establish authority.

Huo Yuhao could not help laughing inwardly. If he truly were just an ordinary Soul Master who had enrolled not long ago, he might really have been thoroughly manipulated by this Elder's tactic of suppressing him before rewarding him.

Unfortunately, that routine was not nearly enough when used on the current Huo Yuhao. Before he had even met the Elder in person, he had already guessed seven or eight parts out of ten of the entire plan.

Du Weilun, however, had no idea what Huo Yuhao was thinking. After watching Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao leave his sight, he turned and led Huo Yuhao down the office building by another staircase.

Huo Yuhao followed closely behind. Though he had already guessed most of what was happening, he also connected with the Eye of Time and Space.

At this moment, though the eye had not opened, Huo Yuhao's will was already flowing through it. The moment he willed it, he could activate it quickly.

A faint warmth rose beneath Huo Yuhao's left eye. That was the prelude to the Eye of Time and Space being ready to activate.

Though Shrek Academy remained neutral and the benefits it had given Huo Yuhao needed no further mention, the people here possessed an abnormal sort of stubbornness and madness.

Huo Yuhao knew that one wrong sentence might earn him a palm strike that killed him outright, so he still had to prepare for the worst.

The more chances he had to Rewind, the more initiative Huo Yuhao could seize. As for opportunities to Rewind, they were not treasures to be hoarded. They had to be used when necessary.

Moreover, Huo Yuhao had specially observed and studied this eye during this time. Though he had not wasted any precious chances to Rewind, he had already confirmed that the damage to this eye's vision was not entirely irreversible. There was a chance for it to recover.

By Sea God Lake stood an inconspicuous bamboo grove. Du Weilun stopped before it, then bowed toward its interior. "I have brought him."

The next moment, an aged voice sounded. "Let him enter. You may return."

Du Weilun bowed again, then turned and walked away. Huo Yuhao naturally needed no prompting and stepped into the bamboo grove first.

The surrounding light was somewhat dim, but he could still make out the scenery around him. It would not interfere with the activation of the Eye of Time and Space.

A straight path ran through the bamboo grove. Huo Yuhao walked onward, and before long, he saw the person behind it all.

It was an old man with white hair and a youthful face. He held a chicken leg in one hand, his fingers glistening with grease, while his other hand gripped a red gourd shining with oil. The intoxicating scent of wine nearly knocked Huo Yuhao over from more than ten paces away...