Yu Xiaogang the Clown! Huo Wu's Heart Stirs!

Huo Wu's body went rigid.

Her cheeks quickly flushed red.

"You..."

Qian Chen released her wrist.

Huo Wu immediately turned around, pressing both hands against her skirt, her eyes full of indignation.

"How dare you hit me?"

"You wouldn't listen."

"Even if you're stronger than me, you can't treat me like that!"

"Then do you still want to continue?"

Huo Wu opened her mouth.

She wanted to attack again, but the three red soul rings behind Qian Chen were still slowly rotating.

Their oppressive presence clearly told her that there was an insurmountable gap between herself and Qian Chen.

Huo Wu lowered her head and glanced at the ground.

The spot Qian Chen had struck still burned.

She immediately raised a hand and pointed at Qian Chen.

"This isn't over!"

"We'll settle this in the arena."

"Just you wait!"

Huo Wu turned and walked toward Blazing Fire Academy.

After taking a few steps, she could not help looking back.

Qian Chen had already turned to speak with Shui Bing'er.

He was no longer paying attention to her.

Huo Wu slowly clenched her fingers.

It had clearly only been one exchange.

Yet the moment she had crashed into Qian Chen's arms lingered in her mind.

As did that punishment that had landed behind her.

She raised a hand to touch her burning cheek, then immediately lowered it.

"Huo Wu, what's wrong?"

Huo Wushuang looked at her.

"Nothing."

"Your face is very red."

"The flames are too hot."

Huo Wu quickened her pace.

Huo Wushuang did not ask further.

He looked back at Qian Chen, then led the people from Blazing Fire Academy onto the arena.

Shui Yue'er came to Qian Chen's side.

"You really hit her?"

"She attacked first."

"But you hit her there."

Shui Yue'er gestured behind herself with a smile in her eyes.

Shui Bing'er glanced at her.

"Stop talking about it."

"Sis, didn't you think Huo Wu looked funny just now?"

"Qian Chen has already scared her."

Xue Wu watched the arena.

"She wasn't scared."

Yu Hairou said softly, "She just isn't willing to admit that she lost yet."

Qian Renxue stood on Qian Chen's other side.

She raised her eyes toward Huo Wu on the arena.

"She's been watching you."

Qian Chen did not turn around.

"She wants to regain some face in the match."

"Is that really all?"

Qian Renxue looked at his profile.

Qian Chen did not answer.

On the arena, the referee had already announced the start of the match.

Huo Wu stood in the center of Blazing Fire Academy's formation.

Her gaze fell on Qian Chen.

"Qian Chen."

"Yes?"

"Later, I'll show you that Huo Wu isn't someone who can only be taught a lesson by you."

"Try standing firm first."

Huo Wu's expression darkened.

"Stop looking down on me!"

Flames erupted behind her.

The seven members of Blazing Fire Academy released their martial spirits at the same time.

Crimson firelight illuminated the entire arena.

Shui Bing'er raised her hand.

The Ice Phoenix spread its wings behind her.

Cold air and flames spread across opposite sides of the arena at once.

The referee raised an arm.

"The match begins!"

Blazing Fire Academy launched the first attack.

Huo Wushuang charged at the front.

A fire dragon rose behind him, opening its jaws to spew blazing flames.

Huo Wu raised both hands.

A vast sheet of firelight fell from the air, blocking Skywater Academy's retreat.

Qian Chen stepped forward.

Golden Soul Power spread from beneath his feet.

The arena's surface was swiftly covered in white frost.

The flames had barely drawn close before being suppressed by the cold.

Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er attacked at the same time.

Ice, snow, and moonlight intertwined.

The cold swiftly pierced through the flames, turning into countless ice crystals that fell upon Blazing Fire Academy's members.

Blazing Fire Academy's formation was immediately thrown into disarray.

Huo Wu unleashed soul skills one after another.

Rings of fire crashed toward Qian Chen.

Every ring of flame dispersed before it could reach him.

As she looked at Qian Chen standing in the center of the arena, the firelight in her eyes gradually became complicated.

"I haven't lost yet!"

Huo Wu rushed out of the flames.

She did not use a soul skill, instead charging straight at Qian Chen.

Her fiery red fist, blazing with scorching Soul Power, smashed heavily toward his chest.

Qian Chen raised a hand and blocked it.

Huo Wu's fist stopped before his palm.

Their Soul Power collided head-on.

Huo Wu's blood and energy churned within her body as she staggered back several steps.

Qian Chen stepped forward.

"You've already lost."

"I don't accept that!"

Huo Wu charged at him again.

Qian Chen raised his hand and pressed down.

Golden Soul Power descended onto her shoulder.

Huo Wu's body was immediately forced to the ground.

Her knees touched the arena as her hands braced against the floor, her long crimson hair spilling over her shoulders.

Qian Chen stood before her.

"Do you still want to continue?"

Huo Wu looked up at him.

Her cheeks were reddened by the heat, but her eyes remained defiant.

"If you've got the ability, let me go."

"Are you sure?"

"Let go!"

Qian Chen withdrew his Soul Power.

Huo Wu immediately rose and raised a hand to attack again.

Qian Chen sidestepped.

Huo Wu rushed past him, and frost flowers sealed her feet in place.

Her body pitched forward, and she nearly fell again.

Qian Chen reached out and steadied her arm.

Huo Wu turned back to look at him.

Qian Chen had already released her.

"You're not my opponent."

Huo Wu did not attack again.

She stared at Qian Chen, her chest rising and falling.

Their exchange had already made her understand that the gap between them was not something soul skills could bridge.

The referee looked toward Blazing Fire Academy's members.

"Will Blazing Fire Academy continue the match?"

Huo Wushuang looked at Huo Wu.

Huo Wu bit her red lip.

"We surrender."

The referee immediately announced.

"Skywater Academy wins!"

A wave of cheers erupted from the spectator stands.

Shui Yue'er and Xue Wu hurried to Qian Chen's side.

Shui Yue'er wrapped herself around his arm.

"We won!"

Shui Bing'er also came before Qian Chen.

She took out a handkerchief and brushed a tiny spark from his sleeve.

"You're not hurt, are you?"

"No."

Huo Wu stood on the other side.

Hearing that, she immediately turned her face away.

"Who cares whether he's hurt?"

Huo Wushuang glanced at her.

"No one asked you."

Huo Wu's face reddened again.

She looked up at Qian Chen.

"Next time, I'll definitely win."

"Say that after you can hit me."

Huo Wu clenched her fists.

She desperately wanted to retort, but their exchange had just proven that even touching Qian Chen was difficult for her.

"Remember this."

She turned and left the arena.

After walking down the steps, Huo Wu raised a hand to her chest.

Her heart was beating much faster than usual.

She thought again of the way Qian Chen had stood before her.

His powerful presence had left her unable to move.

Yet that calm face remained fixed in her mind.

Huo Wu stopped walking.

"I just want to defeat him."

She murmured quietly.

"Yes, I just want to defeat him."

But after saying that, her cheeks grew hot again.

Star Dou Great Forest.

Within a valley.

Tang Hao sat cross-legged atop a boulder.

The frost marks on his chest had been suppressed by Soul Power, but his injuries had yet to fully recover.

Tang San stood beside him, looking down at his right hand.

Blue Silver Grass extended from his palm.

The vines had barely emerged before shattering due to his chaotic Soul Power.

His expression darkened.

"Father, I want to become stronger."

Tang Hao opened his eyes.

"Your Soul Power is still insufficient to contend against Qian Chen."

"That is why I need to enter a more dangerous place."

"Do you know what kind of place that is?"

"Slaughter City."

Tang San raised his head.

"That place can allow soul masters to grow quickly."

"It can also cause soul masters to die there."

Tang Hao looked at him.

"After entering Slaughter City, soul skills cannot be used normally."

"There, one relies on Soul Power, martial souls, and killing techniques."

"If you cannot adapt, you will become someone else's corpse."

"I'm not afraid."

Tang San lowered his head and looked at the Blue Silver Grass.

"Qian Chen destroyed my Clear Sky Hammer."

"He also defeated Father before everyone."

"I have to become stronger."

Tang Hao fell silent for a moment.

"You will go with me."

Tang San lifted his eyes.

"Now?"

"The sooner, the better."

Tang Hao rose to his feet.

He put away the Clear Sky Hammer and headed deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.

Tang San followed behind him.

Their figures were soon concealed by the dense forest.

Xiao Wu stood at the entrance of the valley.

Behind her, the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python stood silently guarding the forest.

"Tang San, are you really going there?"

Tang San turned back.

"I'll return."

Xiao Wu walked up to him.

"I'll go with you."

"No."

Tang San shook his head.

"Slaughter City is not suitable for you."

"But..."

"You stay in the Star Dou Great Forest."

Tang San looked at the two Soul Beasts behind her.

"This place needs you."

Xiao Wu pressed her red lips together and did not continue arguing.

The Titan Giant Ape walked behind her, its enormous palm gently falling to the ground.

Meanwhile, the Sky Azure Bull Python watched Tang Hao and his son in the distance.

Tang San withdrew his gaze.

"Wait for me to come back."

Xiao Wu nodded.

"I'll wait for you."

Tang Hao did not linger.

Black Soul Power swept up Tang San's body, and the two quickly departed deeper into the forest.

Xiao Wu remained where she was.

Only after their auras had completely vanished did she turn and walk back into the forest.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Yu Yuanzhen stood in the center of the main hall.

Yu Xiaogang stopped outside the hall entrance.

His gray robe was stained with dust from the journey, and his expression was even uglier than when he had left Shrek Academy.

"You still remembered to return."

Yu Yuanzhen looked at him.

"Father."

Yu Xiaogang entered the hall.

"Shrek Academy can no longer continue operating."

"Zhao Wuji was killed, Ma Hongjun's martial soul foundation was destroyed, and Tang San's second martial soul was also destroyed by Qian Chen."

Yu Yuanzhen's fingers landed on the tabletop.

"What do these matters have to do with my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"

"Tang San is a descendant of the Clear Sky Sect."

"Shrek Academy is not a force of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan either."

Yu Xiaogang raised his head.

"Father, Tang San is highly talented."

"His Blue Silver Grass is merely an outward appearance."

"He possesses the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul. In the future, he will certainly become a powerhouse."

"After becoming a powerhouse, what does that have to do with you?"

Yu Yuanzhen looked at him.

Yu Xiaogang did not answer immediately.

He could not speak of the bond between master and disciple that he shared with Tang San, nor could he say that he had nowhere else to go.

Shrek Academy had suffered a devastating blow.

Flender had temporarily left with the remaining students.

Tang Hao had taken Tang San away.

Dai Mubai had returned to the Star Luo Empire.

Zhu Zhuqing had also been summoned back by her family.

Xiao Wu had remained in the Star Dou Great Forest.

Oscar and Ning Rongrong had left with the people of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The Shrek Academy that had once gathered everyone together now had only Yu Xiaogang returning alone to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Yu Yuanzhen looked at him.

"If you are willing to remain in the clan, then behave yourself."

"I will arrange a place for you to stay."

"As for Shrek Academy, do not mention it again."

Yu Xiaogang lowered his head.

"I understand."

"Also, Qian Chen is not someone you can provoke."

Yu Yuanzhen paused for a moment.

"Do not make any more meaningless arrangements."

Yu Xiaogang's fingers curled within his sleeves.

"I will not give up."

Yu Yuanzhen frowned.

"What else do you intend to do?"

"Study his weakness."

Yu Xiaogang raised his eyes.

"A soul master's strength must have limits."

"As long as I find a method, I can defeat him."

Yu Yuanzhen looked at him for a long while.

"After you remain in the clan, settle your own affairs first."

"Do not drag the clan into this again."

Yu Xiaogang did not answer.

He turned and walked out of the main hall.

At the end of the corridor, Yu Xiaogang stopped.

"Qian Chen."

He looked in the direction of Heaven Dou City.

"One day, I will make you understand that Soul Power Level is not the only factor that determines victory or defeat."

Star Luo Empire.

Imperial City.

The carriage carrying Dai Mubai stopped outside the palace gates.

He lifted the curtain and stepped down from the carriage with a dark expression.

The attendants behind him immediately lowered their heads, not daring to look at his legs.

Dai Mubai raised his eyes toward the towering palace gates.

He had not returned here for a long time.

In the past, he had left the Star Luo Empire to avoid his conflict with Dai Weisi.

Now, however, he had no choice but to return.

The injuries on his body had yet to recover.

His Soul Power had also been affected by Qian Chen's palm strike.

Yet compared to those things, what he truly could not accept was the humiliation he had suffered before everyone in Heaven Dou City.

Dai Mubai clenched his fist.

"Qian Chen."

He forced the name out through gritted teeth.

"I will definitely kill you."

Inside the palace gates, a general dressed in black armor walked out.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered you to enter the palace immediately."

"Understood."

Dai Mubai withdrew his gaze.

He stepped toward the imperial palace.

With every step, discomfort shot through his legs.

But he did not stop.

Deep within the imperial palace of the Star Luo Empire, the emperor was already waiting for him.

This time, he had no way out.

Heaven Dou City.

The Crown Prince's Residence, rear courtyard.

Huo Wu stood outside the courtyard gate.

She had changed out of her battle attire from the competition and put on that fiery red short dress again.

Her crimson hair was tied behind her, exposing the fair side of her neck.

She raised her hand and knocked on the courtyard gate.

Footsteps quickly sounded from within.

The door opened.

Qian Chen stood behind it.

Huo Wu looked at him, and the words she had prepared suddenly caught in her throat.

"You came to see me?"

"Can't I come?"

"You can."

Huo Wu lifted her eyes to him.

"I just wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Why didn't you use a Soul Skill today?"

"You weren't my match."

"That isn't what I'm asking."

Huo Wu stepped forward.

"You could have defeated me outright. Why did you wait until I attacked four times?"

"I wanted you to understand the gap yourself."

"So that's why you hit me at the end?"

"That was a lesson."

Heat rose in Huo Wu's cheeks again.

She immediately turned around.

"I don't need a lesson from you."

"You've already been taught one."

Huo Wu stopped.

She turned back to look at Qian Chen.

"You still dare say that?"

"You didn't come here to ask about that."

Huo Wu fell silent for a moment.

At first, she had only wanted to know just how strong Qian Chen was.

But after truly seeing him, she found herself wanting to get a little closer.

She wanted to see how he fought.

She wanted to hear him speak.

And she wanted him to look at her again.

Huo Wu raised her chin.

"The next time we fight, I'll definitely win."

"Improve your Soul Power first."

"I will."

After saying that, she turned and walked down the steps.

After going some distance, Huo Wu stopped.

"Qian Chen."

"Mm?"

"The next time you see me, you're not allowed to treat me like I'm weak."

"You are weak."

Huo Wu turned around angrily.

Qian Chen looked at her.

"But you still have room to improve."

Huo Wu froze.

As those words fell, the irritation in her heart quickly faded away.

She pressed her red lips together.

"Just wait."

"I'll show you."

After saying that, Huo Wu hurried away.

She walked quickly, but the heat on her face never faded.

Only after leaving the Crown Prince's Residence did she raise a hand to touch her cheek.

"Why am I happy over just one thing he said?"

Huo Wu looked back at the residence gate behind her.

"I just want to defeat him."

She reminded herself again.

But the next moment, her steps came to a halt.

"What should I wear the next time we meet?"

The moment those words left her mouth, Huo Wu froze.

She covered her face with one hand and turned to walk toward the other end of the street.

Her thoughts had already become a complete mess.