The Battle Begins

Hu Liena pursed her lips. "So does that mean we missed the wedding?"

Flender cleared his throat. "It is indeed a pity. But it's fine—you can still make up the wedding gifts."

Dai Mubai smiled helplessly. "Dean, you've really gone crazy for money."

Liu Erlong suddenly changed the subject. "Spirit Hall is stirring restlessly. It seems they're about to start a war. Yuhao, does your Tang Sect need the academy to send some graduates to help?"

Huo Yuhao hesitated. "Well..."

Flender chimed in, "The academy's reputation is soaring now. Besides, Four Elements Academy has already merged into Shrek Academy. So you don't need to worry about the academy's side of things."

Huo Yuhao smiled awkwardly and turned to Tang San. "You tell them yourself."

Tang San immediately stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Dean Flender and Teacher Erlong, for thinking so highly of the Tang Sect. As the Tang Sect Master, Tang San will humbly accept."

The Shrek group immediately understood something. Strange smiles appeared on their faces as they exclaimed in surprise, "So you're Yuhao's very close friend, Tang San!"

"???!"

Tang San was instantly bewildered and shocked.

Ning Rongrong covered her mouth and giggled. "If personally helping you establish the Tang Sect doesn't count as being very close, then what does?"

Huo Yuhao smiled helplessly. "It's not what you think... You people are way too good at imagining things..."

Tang Wulin had been snickering beside them, but he could not help laughing out loud. After calming down, he asked the Shrek group:

"We're about to head back to the Tang Sect. Would you like to come along and take a look? If you want to buy hidden weapons, we can give you a discount."

Tang San added, "I can give each of you a set of hidden weapons for free."

Flender's eyes lit up. "That would be wonderful! Come on, come on—I can't wait to see the Tang Sect."

Ning Rongrong spread her hands helplessly. "Just as expected. If there's a bargain to take, Dean Flender wouldn't be Dean Flender if he didn't take it."

Thus, everyone set off for the Tang Sect in pairs.

Along the way, Oscar held Ning Rongrong's hand and said excitedly, "Rongrong, I have combat soul skills now too."

Ning Rongrong stroked Oscar's cheek. "The injury on your face..."

Oscar shook his head. "It's just a minor wound. It's nothing serious. As long as I can be with you, that's enough."

Ning Rongrong rested her head on Oscar's shoulder, and the two walked down the road side by side.

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged smiles at the sight. They tightly held each other's hands and continued forward side by side as well.

Hu Liena and Xie Yue chatted and laughed with Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin the whole way, sharing the experiences of their growth over the past five years.

Qian Renxue wore an indifferent expression as she silently followed behind Huo Yuhao.

Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun deliberately kept a seemingly distant yet not entirely distant space from Bai Chenxiang, occasionally glancing at the one he loved.

Flender and Liu Erlong walked together, both watching this warm and harmonious scene with gratified expressions.

Tang Sect.

Amid repeated cries of amazement, the Shrek group finished touring the grand and imposing Tang Sect before accepting Tang San's gifts of hidden weapons.

"Bad news! Spirit Hall has led a massive army to Jialing Pass and is threatening to attack the Heaven Dou Empire. They say they will attack the Star Luo Empire afterward and ultimately unite the Douluo Continent."

An Agility Hall member suddenly flew over and reported to Tang San and Huo Yuhao, "Prince Xue Beng has been ordered by Snow Night the Great to lead troops in defending Jialing Pass. The two sides may begin fighting very soon."

Tang San made a prompt decision. "Notify the Martial Hall members to follow me into battle."

"Yes, Sect Master!" The Agility Hall member immediately left the hall.

Tang San then began making urgent arrangements.

Huo Yuhao, who had nothing to do at the moment, turned his gaze toward Qian Renxue. He smiled faintly. "Do you still want to return to Spirit Hall?"

Qian Renxue shook her head. "Spirit Hall no longer has anything to do with me. Power is merely something external. Becoming a god is the ultimate destination."

Huo Yuhao nodded approvingly. "You can be taught."

Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin's room.

Tang Wulin praised him, "Brother Yuhao's personal charm really is incredible. In just one year, you managed to win Qian Renxue over."

Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow. "Personal charm? Shouldn't it be that I'm just good with words?"

Tang Wulin grinned. "Because to me, Brother Yuhao is simply overflowing with charm."

Before he had even finished speaking, Tang Wulin was already pawing at Huo Yuhao. In the end, he pounced on him and pushed him onto the bed.

The next day.

Jialing Pass.

When Qian Daoliu saw Qian Renxue behind Huo Yuhao, he immediately frowned deeply. He gave the order at once. "Attack!"

At Bibi Dong's slight nod, the Lower Four Sects affiliated with Spirit Hall immediately mobilized in full force and launched an assault on the Heaven Dou Empire's army.

Seeing this, Dugu Bo, who stood beside Prince Xue Beng, immediately activated his Martial Soul True Body and swept through Spirit Hall's army with Gaze of Medusa, playing an extremely crucial role in the group battle.

"Eighth soul skill, End Realm!"

Spirit Hall's Fifth Worshiper—Guangling Douluo—stood atop a low peak, using both hands and feet to draw a longbow adorned with icy blue crystals.

The next instant, sharp arrows shot forth, streaking toward the Heaven Dou Empire's army. Wherever they passed, translucent ice crystals formed across the ground.

The Heaven Dou Empire's soldiers immediately felt bone-piercing cold, and one after another, they froze stiff where they stood.

"Ice, I am your ruler."

A figure suddenly floated above the Heaven Dou Empire's army. Holding an azure ice sword, he absorbed the surrounding ice and snow into his sword in an instant.

"Imperial Sword, Peerless Ice Extreme."

In the next moment, Huo Yuhao appeared out of thin air before Guangling Douluo, his sword pointed at him, its tip mere inches from his throat.

"Do you feel it? This is Ultimate Ice. Since fate has brought us together, I can give you a chance. Submit or die?"

Guangling Douluo closed his eyes tightly upon hearing this. "I have never suffered such threats and humiliation. You might as well give me a quick death."

With that, he voluntarily threw himself onto the blade and readily returned to death's embrace.

Huo Yuhao shook his head helplessly and returned to Tang Wulin's side in an instant.

Behind them, Qian Renxue softly asked Huo Yuhao, "Why did you deliberately give him a chance to choose?"

Huo Yuhao replied calmly, "Everyone has the right to choose."

Tang Wulin agreed, "Brother Yuhao often gives many people chances. Naturally, you were one of them too."

Qian Renxue bowed slightly. "I understand. Thank you both."