Devil Training

The tranquil night was without the howl of wind, while the insects in the trees chirped ever more merrily.

Huo Yuhao lay on the bed, tirelessly fanning Tang Wulin with a folding fan.

Tang Wulin wore a sympathetic expression. "In weather this hot, they're really going to suffer tomorrow."

Huo Yuhao said helplessly, "There's no helping it."

Tang Wulin hugged Huo Yuhao's body, then gave a sly grin. "Big Brother Yuhao's Ultimate Ice is still the coolest."

Huo Yuhao smiled. "As long as you feel cool enough. Hurry up and sleep. It's getting late."

Tang Wulin nodded slightly and quietly closed his eyes.

Five in the morning, the next day.

The academy dining hall.

Following the aroma, Flender arrived here. Seeing the lavish feast on the table, he could not help looking puzzled. He then went to the kitchen, only to discover that Huo Yuhao was actually cooking inside.

At that moment, Shrek Academy's cook—Shao Xin—had just returned from the city after purchasing ingredients. After handing the ingredients to Huo Yuhao, he explained the situation to Flender.

After learning what had happened, Flender's mouth twitched. "Is it necessary to feed those little brats this well? These ingredients cost a fortune."

Huo Yuhao raised a brow as he cooked. "Don't tell me you can't even afford a single meal? Since they're going to be running laps, of course they need some nutrition."

"Fine, fine. The money's already been spent, so I'll reluctantly try it first."

Flender helplessly walked over to the dining table and began sampling the dishes Huo Yuhao had already prepared.

The next moment, Flender's eyes lit up, and it felt as if his entire world had suddenly brightened. Immediately afterward, he could not help wolfing down the food.

After Flender had eaten his fill, Huo Yuhao happened to bring all the dishes to the table. The two were now standing very close to each other.

Flender suddenly rose to his feet, placed both hands on Huo Yuhao's shoulders, and said through streaming tears:

"To think that I could eat something this delicious in my lifetime—I can die without regrets."

Huo Yuhao smiled. "Are you still worried about the money now? Money alone might not be enough to buy food this delicious."

Flender gave a light cough. "It truly was worth the price, but next time, remember to discuss the budget with me first so I can prepare myself mentally."

Huo Yuhao nodded. "This was a special circumstance. Next time, I'll let you know in advance."

Not long afterward, Tang Wulin brought the others to the dining hall for breakfast as well.

Flender was somewhat surprised and teased, "Why is everyone up so early today? Did the smell of the dining hall food drift all the way to the dorms?"

Dai Mubai replied, "Tang Wulin saw the note Huo Yuhao left behind and woke us up to come eat early."

Ma Hongjun directly grabbed a large chicken leg and started gnawing on it without a word. Not to be outdone, Oscar picked up a large pig trotter and began eating as well.

Huo Yuhao smiled. "Everyone, sit down and eat while it's hot. I just made it, so it's still nice and warm."

Ning Rongrong praised, "This is even tastier than what the chefs in my Household make!"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded in agreement. "Even royal chefs would feel ashamed of their skills before this."

Huo Yuhao smiled faintly. "As long as the food suits your tastes."

Seeing Huo Yuhao constantly placing food onto Tang Wulin's plate, Oscar raised a brow and guessed curiously, "The relationship between you two, could it be..."

Xie Yue lightly knocked Oscar on the head. "What nonsense are you imagining? They're biological brothers, traveling the world after leaving home."

Dai Mubai laughed. "That's just how Oscar is. He always likes speculating about other people's relationships."

Flender pushed up his glasses. "Cut the nonsense and eat properly. You still have lap-running training later."

After breakfast and a rest, everyone gathered at the academy square. It was already seven in the morning.

Before each of the seven stood a wooden basket filled with a different number of stones. Flender required each of them to carry their own basket and run fifteen laps around the outskirts of Shrek Academy.

"Devil training begins now!"

The seven immediately hoisted the wooden baskets onto their backs and began jogging.

Huo Yuhao looked at Flender and teased, "Dean, why aren't you setting an example and running alongside your students?"

Flender's eyelid twitched. "These old bones of mine can't withstand that kind of torment."

Tang Wulin reminded him, "Dean, don't forget to prepare a bucket of medicinal liquid for each person."

Flender's mouth twitched. "I know, I know. I'll go arrange it now."

In the end, the seven held hands, supporting and helping one another as they advanced and retreated together. Carrying their stone-filled wooden baskets, they completed all fifteen laps and successfully finished the dean's devil training.

Everyone eventually collapsed into the medicinal liquid, soaking limply in the water. The soreness from running spread throughout their bodies, while the warmth of the medicinal liquid eased their pain. Each of the seven could not help immersing themselves in that comfortable atmosphere.

After resting for two days, they resumed their battles at the Soto Great Soul Arena.

One month later.

With the help of their teachers and friends, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Ma Hongjun each obtained their third soul ring in the Star Dou Great Forest.

Another three months passed.

The Shrek Team achieved forty-two consecutive victories at the Soto Great Soul Arena and advanced to become a Gold Spirit Battle-ranked team.

Flender also secretly marveled at how much the children had improved. Their combat experience had clearly grown, and their ability to adapt had greatly increased as well.

Although there had been a few twists and minor incidents along the way, the children gradually grew accustomed to them.

They encountered a bloody team that had killed countless people, and every opponent was a Soul King. Huo Yuhao gave each of the seven a Zhuge Divine Crossbow, and at the very start of the match, Shrek Academy's seven instantly killed all seven opponents with the Zhuge Divine Crossbows.

After the match, Flender, Huo Yuhao, and Tang Wulin immediately counseled the seven. They eventually came to understand the cruelty of the battlefield and gradually adapted to such bloody scenes.

"Dean Flender, the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament will begin next year. Why don't we set out early and go take a look at other academies in Heaven Dou City, to see whether there's an opportunity to enter the tournament?"

Huo Yuhao suddenly said this to Flender.

Flender frowned slightly. "You mean you want me to hand over the children I painstakingly taught to another academy?"

Huo Yuhao shook his head. "Why not join another academy as an instructor yourself? They would still be your students. For the children's future and your dream, think it over carefully."

Tang Wulin agreed, "And Big Brother Yuhao said we should look for opportunities in Heaven Dou City. Maybe we'll really encounter some unexpected fortune."

Flender pondered for a long time before finally nodding and agreeing to Huo Yuhao's suggestion.

Thus, all the teachers and students of Shrek Academy left Soto City together and set out toward Heaven Dou City.