First Signs of Brilliance

Ma Xiaotao stood frozen in place, staring fixedly at the six spirit rings around Huo Yuhao—especially the blood-red Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring.

"Extreme Ice... a six-ring Soul Emperor... and a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring..." Her voice trembled slightly. "Who exactly are you?"

Just as Huo Yuhao was about to speak, a figure came flying through the air.

It was a middle-aged man dressed in splendid robes, his aura as deep as the sea and his features carrying the authority of someone long accustomed to power. He landed beside Ma Xiaotao, and his pupils contracted slightly as his gaze fell upon Huo Yuhao.

"Xiaotao, what happened?" he asked in a deep voice.

Ma Xiaotao hurriedly bowed. "Dean Yan, this youth... he calls himself Xuelian. He's sixteen years old, a level-sixty-two Soul Emperor, and his Martial Soul is the Extreme Ice Snow Lotus. He also has a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring..."

Yan Shaozhe's brow shot up.

Sixteen years old, level sixty-two, Extreme Ice, and a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring.

With such talent, not to mention Shrek, there wasn't another like him anywhere on the entire Douluo Continent.

His gaze sharpened as an invisible pressure quietly spread out, enveloping Huo Yuhao.

"Who exactly are you? What is your purpose in coming to Shrek?"

Huo Yuhao's expression did not change. Neither humble nor overbearing, he said, "This junior is Xuelian, an unaffiliated cultivator from the Far Northern Land. I grew up alongside ice and snow. I heard that Shrek is the number one academy on the continent, so I came to study here and seek further training in the Inner Academy."

Yan Shaozhe stared at him without speaking.

Having lived for so many years, he had seen countless geniuses, but never a youth like this. That composure, that calmness, and that faint yet dangerous aura—none of it was something an ordinary unaffiliated cultivator could possess.

Just then, an aged voice sounded in his mind.

"Have him spar with a few Inner Academy students and see what he can do."

Yan Shaozhe was slightly startled. It was the voice of Sea God Pavilion's master, Dragon God Douluo Mu En.

Suppressing the doubts in his heart, he looked at Huo Yuhao and slowly said, "If you wish to enter the Inner Academy, you may. But the Inner Academy does not accept mediocrities. You must prove your strength."

Huo Yuhao replied calmly, "How?"

"Fight several Inner Academy students," Yan Shaozhe said. "Win, and you will become an official Inner Academy student. Lose, and go back where you came from."

The corner of Huo Yuhao's lips curved slightly. "Fine."

The arena.

This was where Inner Academy students usually sparred. Tier upon tier of spectator stands surrounded a vast stone platform in the center. At that moment, quite a few Inner Academy students who had heard the news were already seated in the stands, whispering among themselves.

"I heard a sixteen-year-old boy came to challenge the Inner Academy?"

"A level-sixty-two Soul Emperor with a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring and Extreme Ice... is that for real?"

"Why would I lie to you? Ma Xiaotao saw it with her own eyes."

Huo Yuhao followed Yan Shaozhe into the arena, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

Just then, he noticed an elderly man with snow-white hair seated in the shadows at the edge of the stands.

The old man wore a faded gray robe that had been washed nearly white. He was hunched over, with a kind face, and looked like nothing more than an ordinary old man. Yet the instant Huo Yuhao's spiritual power touched him, it vanished like a stone sinking into the sea.

Huo Yuhao's heart tightened.

What formidable strength.

The old man seemed to notice his gaze. He raised his head, smiled kindly at him, and even waved.

Huo Yuhao gave a slight nod in return.

The smile in the old man's eyes deepened as he muttered, "An interesting little fellow... sixteen years old, level sixty-two, Extreme Ice, and a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring... Does such a genius truly exist in this world? Or could it be..."

His gaze deepened as he attempted to release his spiritual power to probe Huo Yuhao's true nature.

But the moment his spiritual power touched Huo Yuhao's body, an invisible force gently blocked it. That force was exceedingly concealed, yet extraordinarily resilient, like a bottomless abyss.

The old man was slightly taken aback. He immediately withdrew his spiritual power, an unusual glint flashing through his eyes.

"I can't see through him... I actually can't see through him..." he murmured, though a faint smile appeared on his lips. "Interesting. Truly interesting."

He gave up on probing him.

Having lived for over a century, he had seen countless geniuses and countless pretenders. But this youth gave him an indescribable feeling—as though he concealed some incomparably ancient and powerful force within him.

"Then let this old man see just how far you can go," the old man murmured.

Yan Shaozhe stepped onto the platform, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"Dai Yueheng, you."

A figure rose from the crowd and strode onto the platform.

He was a young man around twenty years old, broad and powerfully built, with resolute features and some of the same arrogance Dai Huabin possessed between his brows. His aura was deep and steady. He was clearly a level-sixty-four Soul Emperor.

Whispers rose from the stands.

"Senior Dai is already level sixty-four."

"That Xuelian is only level sixty-two. With a difference of two levels, he should still stand a chance."

"But he's so young. His combat experience is probably inferior to Senior Dai's."

Ma Xiaotao stood in the stands with a slight frown. She had wanted to go first and personally test this youth with Extreme Ice, but Dean Yan had chosen Dai Yueheng instead.

She could only suppress her impulse and watch quietly.

On the platform, Dai Yueheng sized Huo Yuhao up, his eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"You're Xuelian?" he asked, his tone tinged with arrogance. "I heard you're quite bold, challenging the Inner Academy the moment you arrived?"

Huo Yuhao looked at him, and his pupils narrowed slightly.

That face bore some resemblance to Dai Huabin's.

The eldest son of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, Dai Huabin's half-brother from the same father.

A surge of killing intent suddenly erupted from the depths of his heart.

It was hatred buried for far too long: the memory of his mother dying in injustice, the humiliation he had endured all those years at the White Tiger Duke's Mansion. Although Dai Huabin was already dead, although Lady Liu was already dead, although he had personally razed the White Tiger Duke's Mansion to the ground—

When he saw that similar face, the hatred still came crashing in like a tide.

Within his Spirit Sea, Electrolux's voice quietly rang out.

"Yuhao, calm down."

Huo Yuhao's body stiffened slightly.

"You have already taken your revenge," Electrolux said slowly. "Dai Huabin is dead, Lady Liu is dead, and the White Tiger Duke's Mansion has been destroyed. This person had nothing to do with your mother's death or your humiliation. If you expose your identity in a moment of impulse, all your prior efforts will have been wasted."

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, and the killing intent in his eyes gradually faded.

That was right.

His revenge had already been taken.

Dai Yueheng had never taken part in those matters. He had never bullied him or his mother. If he took his anger out on him because of this, how would he be any different from Dai Huabin back then?

He slowly loosened his clenched fist, and his gaze became calm once more.

Seeing that he did not speak, Dai Yueheng assumed he was afraid and sneered. "What? Too scared to make a move?"

Huo Yuhao did not respond. He merely raised his hand and released his spirit rings.

One yellow, two purple, two black, and one red.

Six spirit rings gleamed brilliantly beneath the sunlight. In particular, the blood-red Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring radiated a chilling aura that made hearts tremble.

The smile on Dai Yueheng's face froze.

"A... a hundred thousand years?" His voice was dry.

Huo Yuhao looked at him and said flatly, "Make your move."

Dai Yueheng took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart as he released his Martial Soul. A phantom White Tiger appeared behind him, and six spirit rings slowly rose—two yellow, two purple, and two black.

A level-sixty-four Soul Emperor!

White Tiger Fierce Light Wave!

Dai Yueheng did not hold back. He opened with an assault-type spirit skill. A brilliant beam blasted from his palm straight toward Huo Yuhao's face.

Huo Yuhao shifted slightly, his footwork strange as he easily evaded the attack. At the same time, he raised his right hand, and a crystalline ice lotus slowly bloomed in his palm.

Ice Snow Lotus Blossom.

The ice lotus suddenly exploded, turning into countless ice crystals that swept toward Dai Yueheng like a vast canopy. Every shard contained the chill of Extreme Ice, and fine frost condensed in the air wherever they passed.

Dai Yueheng's expression changed as he hurriedly circulated his soul power to protect himself. But the chill was too tyrannical. It pierced through his soul power barrier and invaded his meridians directly.

"So cold..."

His movements immediately slowed, as though his limbs had frozen stiff.

Huo Yuhao gave him no further opportunity. With a flash, he appeared in front of Dai Yueheng and pressed a palm against his chest.

Icy-blue soul power surged in. Dai Yueheng was instantly frozen into an ice sculpture, standing rigidly in place and unable to move.

The entire arena fell silent.

Three moves.

Only three moves.

A level-sixty-four Soul Emperor had been defeated in three moves by a level-sixty-two Soul Emperor.

Everyone in the stands stared with wide eyes, their faces full of disbelief.

Yan Shaozhe's brow twitched slightly, and shock flashed through his eyes.

Ma Xiaotao's mouth hung open as well, and she could not speak for a long while.

Huo Yuhao withdrew his hand. The ice sculpture shattered, and Dai Yueheng staggered back several steps, his face pale as paper. He looked at Huo Yuhao, his eyes filled with complicated emotions.

"I... lost."

He turned and walked down from the platform, his back somewhat desolate.

In the stands, Ma Xiaotao finally could not hold herself back any longer and leaped onto the platform.

"I'll do it!"

She stood opposite Huo Yuhao, looking him over from head to toe. Her eyes held both provocation and a trace of admiration.

"Kid, you're pretty impressive." She crossed her arms, a teasing smile curling her lips. "But don't think defeating Dai Yueheng means you can enter the Inner Academy. I, Ma Xiaotao, am not like him."

Huo Yuhao looked at her without speaking.

Ma Xiaotao continued, "Hey, why aren't you saying anything? Are you scared? Don't worry, big sister will go easy on you. I won't beat you too badly."

As she spoke, she released her Martial Soul. A phantom Fire Phoenix appeared behind her, and six spirit rings slowly rose—two yellow, two purple, and two black.

A level-sixty-seven Soul Emperor.

Blazing flames spread instantly, and the temperature across the entire platform rose sharply.

Huo Yuhao remained calm. He merely raised his hand and once again released the chill of Extreme Ice.

The two forces collided on the platform. Ice and fire intertwined, producing sharp hissing sounds.

Excitement flashed through Ma Xiaotao's eyes. "Interesting! Take this!"

Her figure flashed as she transformed into a streak of fire and lunged fiercely toward Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao neither dodged nor retreated. He simply raised his hand and struck out with his palm.

Icy-blue soul power and crimson flames collided explosively, making the entire platform tremble violently.

Ma Xiaotao was sent several steps back, her eyes full of shock. Her flames had actually been suppressed!

Huo Yuhao gave her no chance to catch her breath, pressing forward step by step. Every palm strike carried the chill of Extreme Ice, and every blow dimmed Ma Xiaotao's flames a little further.

The more Ma Xiaotao fought, the more alarmed she became. This youth was far stronger than she had imagined. His combat experience, reaction speed, and control of soul power all vastly surpassed those of others at his level.

Even more terrifyingly, that chill of Extreme Ice naturally countered her evil fire. With every collision, her flames were suppressed, while the evil fire within her body faintly stirred.

"Damn it..."

Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth and pushed her soul power to the limit. But no matter how hard she tried, she could not break through Huo Yuhao's defenses.

Finally, after the eighteenth clash, Huo Yuhao pressed a palm onto her shoulder.

Icy-blue soul power surged in, and Ma Xiaotao's entire body stiffened. Her limbs instantly lost all feeling.

She staggered back several steps and dropped onto the ground, gasping for breath.

Huo Yuhao withdrew his hand, looked at her, and said calmly, "You lost."

Ma Xiaotao stared blankly at him, unable to speak for a long while.

Applause surged through the stands like a tide.

Yan Shaozhe took a deep breath and stepped onto the platform, his gaze falling on Huo Yuhao.

"Xuelian, you won both battles. From today onward, you are an official student of Shrek's Inner Academy."

After a pause, he added, "The Pavilion Master has instructed you to make a trip to Sea God Pavilion."

Huo Yuhao was slightly startled, then nodded.

He turned and headed toward the exit of the arena.

As he passed the edge of the stands, the white-haired old man smiled and waved at him again.

Huo Yuhao nodded slightly without stopping.

The old man watched his departing figure, the smile in his eyes growing deeper and deeper.

"Interesting... truly interesting..."

He murmured, his voice scattering into the wind.