Everyone was startled when Huo Yuhao suddenly stepped onto the arena. Ma Xiaotao had already planned to send Dai Yueheng up; with his Soul Emperor-level strength, he could withstand the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad's poison.
But Huo Yuhao's move disrupted her plan. Just as she was about to persuade him to come back, Elex stopped her from the side.
"Don't worry! Yuhao knows what he's doing. Besides, even if he loses, it's only one match. This is a competition, not a battlefield."
Those final words left even Xuan Lao speechless. This really was only a competition, and Elex's previous actions showed that he stood on the side of reason and would not favor his own people excessively.
As Huo Yuhao stepped onto the stage, Meng Hongchen saw that the person approaching was the Grand Soul Master from before and kindly reminded him, "Little brother, this isn't a place for a Grand Soul Master like you to compete, you know?"
Huo Yuhao swung the Human Emperor Sword twice and looked at Meng Hongchen with fighting spirit blazing in his eyes. "Is that so? This is a competition, but it's also a place to learn. If I lose, that only means I still have shortcomings."
The moment those words were spoken, Meng Hongchen, who had been giggling moments ago, froze. Then her expression turned serious. This time, she no longer treated Huo Yuhao as she treated the others from Shrek.
She tightened her grip on the Grade Five Soul Tool, the Frost Short Sword, and swiftly stepped forward. From a tricky angle, she thrust straight toward Huo Yuhao's side, but he easily blocked it with the flat of his sword.
Deflecting the force behind Meng Hongchen's thrust, Huo Yuhao swept his sword horizontally. Meng Hongchen retreated, and purple lines emerged across her short