Huo Lei's Thoughts and Plans

Blazing Fire Academy's principal's office.

Huo Wushuang, Huo Wu, and Huo Lei sat on the sofas, all their gazes fixed on Huo Feng, who stood by the window with a troubled expression.

"Old man, didn't you say there was something to discuss? We're all here, so why aren't you saying anything?"

Huo Wu could not hold herself back any longer and spoke up.

"Just now, Senior Jin Shan, whom I saved, promised to repay his life-saving debt by doing three things within his power for us. This is a major opportunity for our academy, and I want to hear whether you have any good ideas."

Huo Feng turned around, looked at the three seated before him, and voiced his thoughts.

"Can't we keep Senior Jin Shan here?"

Huo Wu looked at her father with her large eyes.

"Senior Jin Shan enjoys freedom and has never attached himself to any faction. Keeping him here is almost impossible. That is why I am so conflicted."

Huo Feng's words were full of helplessness.

"Our academy has no enemies so far, nor have we encountered any thorny problems. There doesn't seem to be anything for him to do. If all else fails, we can have Senior Jin Shan get us three Soul Bones."

Huo Wushuang analyzed the situation as he stated his idea.

"That's right! The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament will be held in a year. Getting three Soul Bones could greatly increase our academy's overall strength."

Huo Wu eagerly echoed her brother Huo Wushuang's idea.

Huo Feng looked solemnly at Huo Lei, who had yet to speak. "Xiao Lei, tell me what you think."

"I think Brother and Sister make sense. Dad, there's still time, so you can think it over."

"You should all go back. I want some quiet."

Huo Feng rubbed his throbbing head, then turned and walked back toward the bed.

Huo Lei returned to his room, shut the door tight, and began dancing with excitement. "Great! This is a heaven-sent opportunity. The problem that has troubled me for so many years will soon be solved."

"Hahaha!"

"The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament will be held in a year. Based on the timeline, Tang San should have already been taken by Dugu Bo to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. In the original story, Tang San stayed at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for around half a year. In another five months, I need to head to Sunset Forest in advance and make preparations, just in case Tang San and Dugu Bo return to Shrek Academy in Heaven Dou City."

"I must secure one of Senior Jin Shan's three promises and have him keep that old poisoner Dugu Bo tied down. Then Tang San will be easy to deal with."

"Once I consume the immortal herbs, coupled with my Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power, becoming powerful in the future will only be a matter of time."

It was still early. He would wait until nightfall before discussing it with his father.

The corners of Huo Lei's lips curled upward. Suppressing the joy in his heart, he sat cross-legged on the bed and began cultivating.

Night fell, and pure moonlight draped over Blazing Fire Academy like a light veil, covering it in a dreamlike coat of silver.

The lights were still on in an exquisite two-story building.

A middle-aged man and a youth sat in the room. They were Huo Feng and his son Huo Lei.

"Xiao Lei, why did you come to see me so late at night?"

Huo Feng asked his son, who had just entered.

"Dad, I've come up with a few ideas regarding Senior Jin Shan's three promises."

Huo Lei looked at Huo Feng with a serious expression.

"Oh? Hurry and tell me."

Huo Feng urged him on expectantly.

"I have two ideas."

"First, since Senior Jin Shan likes freedom, we don't need to restrict him. We can let him take a nominal position at Blazing Fire Academy as a guest elder or honorary vice principal. First, we tie him to our academy. That way, our academy will have a Titled Douluo powerhouse watching over it."

"That's a good idea. I strongly approve. What about the second one?"

Huo Feng's previously calm expression suddenly turned excited. He nodded repeatedly, deeply curious about his son's second idea.

"Second, I want to take Senior Jin Shan as my master. Once Senior Jin Shan becomes my teacher, our relationship will be even closer. When that time comes, he won't be able to avoid looking after our academy."

"Good idea! Xiao Lei, you have Innate Full Soul Power and Twin Martial Souls. There are only a handful of people with such talent on the entire continent. I believe there is a great chance Senior Jin Shan will accept you as his disciple."

"Good! This is truly wonderful. As long as we can establish a connection with Senior Jin Shan, our academy will surely surpass the other four elemental academies."

"Hahaha!"

"This old man can finally sleep soundly tonight."

"Dad! I have one more request. Whether the two ideas just now work out or not, I hope to use one slot and have Senior Jin Shan do something for me."

"What is it?"

Huo Feng looked Huo Lei over curiously.

"I don't know yet. It's something for the future. I just want to secure an opportunity and save it for later."

Huo Lei brushed the question aside.

"Fine. Since you came up with the ideas, I agree to give you one slot."

Huo Feng patted his son's shoulder approvingly.

Having received his father's agreement, Huo Lei was overjoyed. "Thank you, Dad!"

"Go back and rest. Tomorrow, come with me to meet Senior Jin Shan."

"Dad, you should rest early too."

Watching his son leave, Huo Feng sighed sincerely, "If only Wushuang and Huo Wu were as smart as Xiao Lei."

The next day.

"What do you want this old man to do? Have you decided?"

The moment Huo Feng and Huo Lei entered the room where Jin Shan was staying, he got straight to the point.

"Replying to Senior, I have already decided."

Huo Feng answered respectfully.

"Since you've decided, then tell me."

Jin Shan picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.

Huo Feng bowed to Jin Shan. "For the first matter, I would like Senior to take a nominal position at Blazing Fire Academy as an academy advisor and guest elder. Please rest assured, it will only be in name. You will not need to do anything, nor do you have to remain at the academy. You may come whenever you wish and leave whenever you wish. The room you are currently staying in will also be reserved for you permanently."

Huo Feng looked tentatively at Jin Shan, observing his reaction.

Jin Shan said nothing and continued drinking his tea.

Huo Feng glanced at Huo Lei beside him, signaling him to speak.

"Senior!"

"This junior, Huo Lei, wishes to take you as his master. I hope Senior will grant my request. This is the second matter."

Huo Lei bowed respectfully to Jin Shan, who sat before him, and stated his wish.

"What about the third matter?"

Jin Shan set down his teacup and looked at the father and son before him with interest.

"As for the third matter, this junior has not decided yet. However, I have already secured the opportunity from my father. In the future, this junior will definitely need Senior to act once."

"I do not care who among you uses these three opportunities. Once all three matters are completed, this debt of gratitude will be repaid."

"You just said in the future? It cannot be too far in the future. This old man cannot keep waiting for you. I will give you one year at most. If you do not use the opportunity within a year, it will automatically become void."

Jin Shan emphasized this with a stern expression.

"Fine! One year it is."

Huo Lei agreed readily.

"This old man is quite shrewd, but one year is enough. In five months, I'll take you to Sunset Forest and steal Tang San's opportunity."

Huo Lei secretly laughed to himself. At the very least, his plan now had some assurance.

"This old man cannot agree to the first two matters you father and son just proposed."