Beside the long table stood Yan Shaozhe, though no one knew when he had arrived. He was positioned at the corner of the table, his expression filled with a rare excitement and solemnity he could not conceal.
When he saw Huo Yuhao enter, his gaze immediately fell on the boy. He looked him up and down several times, as if confirming something.
"Extreme Ice Snow Tiger." Yan Shaozhe's voice was a little faster than usual, carrying the exhilaration of finally being able to say what he had held back for so long. "An Ultimate Ice martial soul naturally restrains evil fire. Huo Yuhao, your martial soul is precisely the one we've been searching for all this time."
Huo Yuhao stood just inside the door. At those words, he froze slightly, his gaze unconsciously shifting toward Tang Wulin.
Huo Yuhao turned back and met Yan Shaozhe's face, faintly flushed with excitement. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a steady, clear voice: "Dean Yan, if I can help, please feel free to arrange it."
Yan Shaozhe nodded almost immediately. He stepped half a pace forward and stopped in front of Huo Yuhao, then lightly patted him on the shoulder. His hand was a little heavier than usual, carrying the joy and solemnity of someone finally relieved. "Good, good boy. Your martial soul means far more to Shrek Academy than you can imagine."
Huo Yuhao nodded forcefully without saying anything else, but his back was straighter than it had ever been.
When the wooden door of Sea God Pavilion closed behind Tang Wulin, several gazes in the hall turned toward him at once.
Mu En stood by the window, holding the cup of freshly replenished tea. When he saw Tang Wulin enter, his aged eyes lit up briefly before curving into