Seven Monsters Reserve Team: Huo Yuhao Wasn't Chosen

[Riolu learned new moves: Swords Dance, Helping Hand, Mimic, Final Gambit, and Reversal.]

[Riolu's bond increased by 20, reaching 62 (Friendly).]

Though Riolu had exhausted his strength and was covered in burns, the increase in power had him so excited that he looked ready for another fight!

"Riolu, nicely done. Eat this."

Chi Hong praised him and tossed him a sugar cube.

Riolu used his last bit of strength to leap up and catch it in his mouth, then swallowed it whole.

[You used a Full Restore. Riolu's HP was fully restored.]

In the blink of an eye, Riolu's injuries healed.

He cried out happily and looked at the people lying on the ground. His tail wagged a few times, as though he wanted another round with them.

"That's enough, Riolu. These guys don't have much experience left to give. Let them recover before we harvest them again."

Chi Hong beckoned.

Riolu turned his gaze to Charizard. That sudden surge in strength had given him another boost of confidence.

Charizard met his stare, sparks flying between them.

The Ice Empress's projection appeared. She looked at Chi Hong with mixed feelings.

One battle had raised Riolu from a hundred years to six thousand five hundred. If other Soul Beasts found out, they would probably fight to become this guy's pets.

"Of course. If you listen to me too, Bingbing, you'll be walking all over the Snow Empress in no time."

The Ice Empress froze, then snapped in embarrassed anger:

"How do you know what I'm thinking?"

Chi Hong smiled.

"Because we're getting closer and starting to understand each other without words."

The Ice Empress gave him a look of disgust. "Don't call me by such a sickening nickname."

Her projection vanished. "If you call me that again, don't expect me to speak to you!"

Chi Hong blinked at the information before him.

[Ice Empress's bond increased by 10, reaching 61 (Friendly).]

Outside the arena, Xuan Zi looked down at the lone person left standing and felt a headache coming on.

He had never expected that Soul Beast kid to wipe out everyone else in one go.

This made things awkward.

Yan Shaozhe chuckled.

"Xuan Zi, you said this kid couldn't become one of the Seven Monsters. Now he's cleared the field by himself. What do you say to that?"

Xuan Zi snorted.

"My judgment wasn't wrong. This kid really isn't suited to being one of the Seven Monsters. He can't work with the others. But he'd make a strong sparring partner. He could help the Seven Monsters Reserve Team learn to handle the pressure of facing Soul Beasts."

Yan Shaozhe paused.

"So you're not going to choose him for the Seven Monsters Reserve Team?"

"Of course not. I have a plan."

Looking solemn, Xuan Zi flew down and announced:

"There is only one winner of this selection match: Chi Hong. However, Chi Hong, you cannot join the Reserve Team for the next Shrek Seven Monsters."

Chi Hong's heart leaped.

That's a perk I didn't expect.

Xuan Zi continued:

"I know this is hard for you to accept, but the Martial Soul Department dean and I reached this decision together. Your Martial Soul isn't suited to being a member of the next Seven Monsters. Still, in recognition of your strength, the academy will allow you to compete in this year's All-Continent Advanced Academy Soul Dueling Tournament. You'll represent Shrek and earn supreme glory!"

Chi Hong's vision went dark.

You're ruthless, grand elder. No benefits, not even an empty promise—you just expect me to fight for you?

Do you expect me to shout 'For Shrek's glory!' in the arena like everyone else?

"Old man, I can live without being one of the Seven Monsters. But with no compensation at all, I'm having a hard time agreeing. You made the rules for this selection match. You're not going back on your word, are you?"

Xuan Zi stroked his beard awkwardly.

"Ahem. What do you want?"

Chi Hong held up two fingers.

"Not much. Two hundred million Gold Soul Coins will do."

Snap!

Xuan Zi tore out a tuft of his own beard and stared at him.

"Are you robbing us, kid? You can't just name a number like that! Where would the academy get that kind of money?"

Chi Hong sighed.

"I didn't realize the academy was so poor. How about this? The tournament's in the Star Luo Empire. I want to buy three treasures at the auction. The academy can reimburse me for those."

Xuan Zi's mouth twitched, but he gritted his teeth.

"Fine. But no more than one hundred million Gold Soul Coins."

"Oh?" Chi Hong thought for a moment. "All right, then. I suppose I can make myself compete."

Xuan Zi looked around at the wreckage, speechless.

You don't look reluctant to compete. You're obviously itching for another fight.

The healing instructors had cast a group healing spell on the students. Those who had fallen were getting back up one after another.

Yan Shaozhe came down too and asked through a voice transmission, "Xuan Zi, who will you choose for the next Seven Monsters Reserve Team?"

Xuan Zi surveyed the students.

"The ones who performed best just now: Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao."

Finally, his gaze settled on Huo Yuhao.

The student's Soul Skills were effective, and he had talent. But his second Martial Soul made him seem like an Evil Soul Master. It might bring trouble.

"Huo Yuhao... Like Chi Hong, you may compete to gain experience, but you cannot join the Reserve Team."

Huo Yuhao had recovered a little strength. There was no disappointment in his eyes. This was hardly the first time the academy had overlooked him.

His outlook had changed long ago.

So what if the academy doesn't value me?

With Brother Sky Dream and Elder Yi helping me, I can still climb to the very top, one step at a time!

Wang Dong stared, then protested:

"Xuan Zi, why can't Huo Yuhao be one of the Seven Monsters? He's strong too! The two of us are at least as good as Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu!"

Xuan Zi glanced at him.

"As you said, the two of you."

Wang Dong clenched his teeth. Huo Yuhao reassured him, signaling that he didn't mind.

Dai Huabin walked past Huo Yuhao, his eyes gleaming with spiteful satisfaction. "Trash is trash," he muttered. "You'll never measure up to me."

"Next time, I'll make you kowtow a hundred times."

Huo Yuhao spoke evenly. Words alone could no longer provoke him. Since gaining the Holy Necromancer God's power, his emotions had grown more muted and his mind clearer.

Dai Huabin suppressed his anger, put an arm around Zhu Lu, and left.

After a few steps, he passed Chi Hong.

Dai Huabin fixed his gaze on Chi Hong.

"Just wait. Sooner or later, I'll grind you under my heel!"

Chi Hong glanced at him and smiled.

"Must be nice having no strength. You tried so hard, then got to lie down and sleep your way onto the Seven Monsters Reserve Team. Should I call you the Nap Monster? The Luck Monster? Or a lucky little kitty? Come on, roll over and show me your belly. Grandpa will make you a full-fledged member of the Seven Monsters."

"You... you..."

Dai Huabin was so furious he spat out a mouthful of blood. His young, proud ego couldn't withstand an attack like that.

How could anyone have such a vicious mouth?