Two Months Later: Huo Lei's Conversation with His Father

Huo Feng glanced over the list and said with a smile, "No matter. There is still some time before the Soul Master Elite Tournament. The extra person can serve as a reserve, just in case."

Xie Chong's face lit up with delight. He nodded. "The dean has considered everything thoroughly."

Huo Feng rose from his seat, looked at everyone in the field, and said, "Everyone, please be quiet! After the selection matches and finals, eight people have been chosen successfully. For now, these eight will be the candidates for the Soul Master Elite Tournament. Upperclassmen who were not selected should not be discouraged. If any of you can defeat one of these eight before the tournament begins, you may replace them and become one of the team."

As Huo Feng finished speaking, the crowd erupted in applause. Several upperclassmen, whose eyes had previously been dim, now showed a glimmer of hope.

Huo Feng raised his right hand slightly and pressed it down, signaling everyone to quiet down. Then he continued, "Now, the academy will announce the names of these eight students. They are Huo Wushuang, Huo Wu, Huo Lei, Huo Yun, Huo Yu, Huo Lie, Huo Chui, and Huo Jun."

Cheers and applause rang out once more.

"Good, good, good! Students! The academy hopes that those who were not selected will continue working hard, while those who were selected must not slack off. In the less than three months ahead, I hope you will keep striving and achieve new breakthroughs. Dismissed!"

The gathered students began leaving in an orderly fashion, heading back to their respective classes.

In the time that followed, the eight selected students from Blazing Fire Academy cultivated together beside Fire Spring every morning, since they no longer needed to attend classes. The mornings were free, and the grounds were quiet, making them more conducive to cultivation. In the afternoons, the eight trained together to improve their coordination and mutual understanding.

One morning, two months later. At Fire Spring Plaza of Blazing Fire Academy, the eight participants stood in a row, waiting for Huo Feng's instructions.

Huo Feng swept his gaze over the eight of them and said, "Two months have passed, and everyone has improved considerably. Several students have advanced in rank. Now it is time to assess your results. Report your current levels."

Huo Wushuang, Level 42.

Huo Wu, Level 46.

Huo Lei, Level 53.

Huo Yun, Level 39.

Huo Yu, Level 39.

Huo Lie, Level 38.

Huo Chui, Level 35.

Huo Jun, Level 35.

"Mm! Very good. Among the eight of you, Huo Lei has the highest level and is also the strongest. The academy has decided to use him as the trump card of our Blazing Fire Academy team. We will only let him take the field at critical moments, catching the teams from other academies off guard. The remaining seven of you can compete normally. This is the preliminary arrangement for now. There are still over twenty days before the Soul Master Elite Tournament. During this time, I hope you will continue to work hard, consolidate your strength, and develop greater coordination with one another. Dismissed. Go eat!"

Huo Feng made preliminary arrangements for the eight members of the Blazing Fire team while also encouraging and reminding them.

After lunch, Huo Lei went alone to the dean's office.

Huo Feng looked at Huo Lei on the sofa and asked, "Lei, what did you come to see your father about?"

"Dad, our academy team is entirely fire-attributed. Our advantage is obvious, but so is our weakness. When we encounter teams like Skywater Academy during the Soul Master Tournament, teams that counter fire attributes, we'll be at a huge disadvantage. There will definitely be contestants in the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament whose Martial Souls are not afraid of flames. We have to solve this problem, or we definitely won't get a good ranking." Huo Lei poured out all his thoughts in one breath.

"Lei, your father understands what you mean, but our academy follows the extreme single-attribute path. There are bound to be shortcomings. From the sound of it, could it be that you want to..."

Huo Feng did not finish his sentence. He looked at Huo Lei with uncertainty in his voice.

Huo Lei said firmly, "Dad, you're right. Your son wants to add a Soul Ring to his second Martial Soul and strive to win the tournament championship."

"That is indeed a solution. But with your current endurance, your second Martial Soul can only absorb a Soul Ring of around twenty thousand years. Aren't you worried it's too low?"

Huo Feng nodded in approval, though there was still a trace of doubt in his expression.

"Dad, I've considered that too. I think it only needs to be worthwhile. Leaving Twin Martial Souls unused is nothing but a waste. I can absorb a total of eighteen Soul Rings, and with Soul Bones in six positions, I can gain at least six more soul skills. Think about it—twenty-four soul skills. It would take half a day just to count them all. And what if there are hundred-thousand-year ones? That's even more unimaginable. In truth, when Soul Masters fight at the highest level, they don't need many soul skills at all. There's no need to fuss over the gains and losses of one or two skills right now. As long as the next eight I absorb are high-year Soul Rings, won't that be enough? Besides, once one becomes a true powerhouse, victory and defeat are decided in a single thought. Who would stupidly release soul skills one after another? You use your strongest moves against the opponent. Worrying over such things is for ordinary Soul Masters. My situation doesn't require such hesitation. What do you think?"

Huo Lei spoke at length, analyzing and explaining his circumstances in full.

"Lei, you're right. Your words have convinced me. Even your father did not think that far. It seems my thinking has been too narrow-minded. There are nine empty slots for your second Martial Soul. Using one still leaves eight. If this one can turn the tide, reverse the situation, and make our academy famous across the continent, then it would indeed be more than worthwhile. Now your father even has the urge to let your second Martial Soul absorb two Soul Rings. That would surely win us the tournament championship, and the champion's reward is also extremely generous."

After hearing his son's analysis, Huo Feng was thoroughly convinced. After a brief moment of shame, he became extremely excited, and all his hesitation vanished.

"Dad, thank you for recognizing this. Your son believes one Soul Ring for my second Martial Soul will be enough. Even if the first ring is twenty thousand years old, its power would still rival that of a Soul Emperor. Even a Soul Emperor would not be able to withstand a hit from it. And I don't believe Soul Emperors will appear in the Soul Master Tournament."

As a transmigrator, Huo Lei knew the strength of the Soul Masters participating in the tournament very well. At most, they would only be Soul Kings.

"Lei, when do you plan to add the Soul Ring?"

Huo Feng's eyes were filled with anticipation.

"Tomorrow morning. Your son plans to inform my teacher now."

As Huo Lei spoke, he rose from the sofa.

"Good! Your father wishes you a satisfactory soul skill."

Smiling, Huo Feng patted Huo Lei on the shoulder, his eyes full of gratification.

Huo Lei left the dean's office and headed straight for his teacher's residence.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Teacher, are you in?" Huo Lei knocked on Jin Shan's door.

"Come in!" Jin Shan's voice came from inside the room.

Huo Lei pushed open the door, his face bright with delight as he greeted him, "Teacher, have you been well lately?"

Jin Shan glanced at Huo Lei from the sofa and said irritably, "Hmph! Brat, you still remember you have a teacher?"

"Hehehe! Teacher, listen to yourself. Your disciple thinks about you every day! It's just that, to prepare for the upcoming Soul Master Tournament, I've been either training or cultivating. I really haven't had much time."

Huo Lei's smile grew even brighter as he hurriedly explained.

"So now you have time? You brat, you're definitely up to no good. Spit it out already!"

Jin Shan looked at Huo Lei with a sarcastic expression.

"Look at you. You're a Super Douluo, so speak a little more civilized!"

As Huo Lei spoke, he sat down beside Jin Shan.

"Get to the point. What did you come to see your teacher for?" Jin Shan looked Huo Lei up and down.

"Your disciple wants to add a Soul Ring to my second Martial Soul. I came to let you know that I'll set out tomorrow morning. For the Star Dou Great Forest."

Huo Lei looked solemnly at Jin Shan and stated his purpose.