Genshin Impact, Look at the Soldiers You Trained!

Earth Element and Wood Element bound Huo Yuhao so tightly that he could not move. Only his head stuck out, his hair disheveled as he looked helplessly at Gu Yue and raised a hand in surrender. "I give up! Let me out already. You tied me up way too tight!"

Gu Yue crouched down, her violet eyes curving into crescents with a mischievous smile. Then she gave a haughty little huff.

Ning Tian stood nearby, clutching the hem of her clothes, guilt on her face. "Gu Yue, Yuhao, I barely helped at all just now..."

As a support specialist, she had failed to make full use of her boosts and ability to break restraints. She could not help blaming herself.

"Gu Yue, I said I was wrong, okay?" Huo Yuhao's eyes darted, then widened dramatically.

He looked Gu Yue up and down, grumbling inwardly: Her jealousy's practically spilling over. Has she really fallen for me?

The legendary "Lustful Dragon King" really does go straight for the jealous act!

Gu Yue rolled her eyes at him and raised a hand to disperse the elemental restraints. Huo Yuhao pulled free, dusted himself off, and patted his stomach with a grin. "Come on, I'll treat you both to a meal!"

"A meal?" Gu Yue and Ning Tian raised their brows together, both puzzled.

The Shrek Outer Court cafeteria served food, but no one ever volunteered to treat others. Neither of them thought much of it. They followed Huo Yuhao along a shaded path to a secluded courtyard.

Blue tiles topped white walls. Heaven and Earth Essence faintly gathered near the bedroom, far denser than outside the courtyard.

Ning Tian took a deep breath and felt refreshed. Even her Soul Power flowed more smoothly. Gu Yue... well, she did not rely on Soul Power to cultivate, but she keenly sensed the change in the Heaven and Earth Essence too. Surprise flashed through her violet eyes.

"This is where I live at Shrek. Wait here while I cook," Huo Yuhao said with a smile before heading into the kitchen.

It was not that he did not want to go to a restaurant. Good food at Shrek cost a fortune, far beyond his savings, while cheap fare tasted nowhere near as good as his own cooking.

Thirty minutes flew by. Rich aromas burst from the kitchen, sweet, savory, and fresh scents mingling until everyone's mouth watered.

Gu Yue and Ning Tian instinctively sniffed the air and swallowed, casting all their restraint aside.

"Sorry for the wait!" Huo Yuhao emerged carrying trays and set the dishes on the stone table one by one. "Almond Tofu, silky and sweet; Golden Shrimp Balls, crisp outside and tender inside; Mondstadt Potato Pancakes, soft and savory; Matsutake Meat Rolls, so delicious your eyebrows will fall off. There's also Black-Back Perch, Sunset Taiyaki, Dragon Beard Noodles for the main course, and Mint Jelly and Tricolor Dango for dessert."

The table was laden with food as beautiful and fragrant as it was delicious. Every dish was a specialty he had learned from Genshin Impact recipes. A longtime fan of the game, he had practiced cooking for the sheer joy of it and become quite skilled.

Gu Yue was first to scoop up a spoonful of Almond Tofu. Its cool, silky texture melted on her tongue, sweet without being cloying, and instantly dazzled her taste buds.

Her gluttonous Dragon King mode switched on at once. Forgetting her image, she sent her chopsticks flying and devoured the food like a whale swallowing the sea.

At first, Ning Tian maintained the composure expected of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's young master. Then she took a small bite of a Golden Shrimp Ball. The crisp coating gave way to springy shrimp, and its savory flavor rushed straight to her head. She promptly abandoned all airs and dug in.

Watching the two of them wolf down their food, Huo Yuhao smiled with pride. A chef's greatest honor is seeing diners eat happily.

After sampling every dish, Gu Yue and Ning Tian rubbed their round little bellies, cheeks flushed. They stared at the table they had swept clean, too embarrassed to speak.

Huo Yuhao teased, "Well, ladies, was the meal to your liking?"

Ning Tian hurriedly changed the subject, her ears pink. "It was delicious! Oh, right, after the freshman tournament, we'll be assigned to classes. Class One is for the Power Attack System and Control System, Class Two for defense and agility attack, and Class Three for the pure Support System. Class Four is for mixed specializations, including food, healing, and special Martial Souls. I'm so envious that you two can still be in the same class."

"Assigned to classes?" Huo Yuhao murmured. Inspiration flashed through his mind, and a bold idea took shape.

He looked at them, eyes bright. "After we're assigned, would you mind if we kept getting together?"

"Wh-what do you mean?" Ning Tian's cheeks went scarlet. She stammered, her heart suddenly racing. Beside her, Gu Yue's smile vanished, and her violet eyes fixed on Huo Yuhao with open hostility.

Huo Yuhao cleared his throat and quickly explained, "Don't get the wrong idea. I want to start a club."

"A club? What's that?" they asked in unison, curiosity filling their eyes.

"A club is a small group of like-minded people who come together voluntarily for a shared goal or interest." Huo Yuhao spoke faster, his eyes full of anticipation. "Ten thousand years ago, Shrek started from nothing. Its finances couldn't cover its expenses, its grounds were barren mountains and foul waters, and only a handful of Soul Saints taught there. Yet it held fast to the rule of 'accepting only monsters,' produced Tang Buddha... the Sea God and seven deities, and forged a legend that has lasted ten thousand years."

"Shrek today is more like a major power, but it's lost the spirit of youth. With a club, we could bring together people who truly want to grow stronger and accomplish something. It would also be the first step toward building my own power!"

Of course, he would not call it a student council and give Yan Shaozhe trouble. He would call it—

Lionheart Club!

He was certain Mu En would agree. The Sea God Pavilion Master had a broad vision and never stifled young people's ideas. Besides, this would breathe new life into Shrek's stagnant waters.

Gu Yue's and Ning Tian's eyes lit up. A club could gather strong members and become an ally when it mattered most. It would kill two birds with one stone.

No one on the Douluo Continent had ever conceived of such a thing, not because it was unnecessary, but because no one had thought of it!

After all, the fantasy world had three ranks: ants, fellow cultivators, and seniors!

"We'll apply after the freshman tournament!" Huo Yuhao decided. "First, the tournament will make a name for us and attract more students. Second, there's the matter of funding..."

He looked at Ning Tian with a perfectly candid smile. "With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's young master here, even shamelessly living off her would taste sweet. Funding shouldn't be a problem!"

Ning Tian blushed and shot him a reproachful glare, but did not object. Gu Yue gave a soft huff, tacitly accepting the plan.

Time flew, and the freshman tournament arrived as scheduled.

The assessment grounds lay in the northern-central part of the Martial Soul Department, beside the main Soul Fighting arena. A vast bluestone plaza stretched out beneath fluttering flags, with thirty-three assessment zones arranged in neat rows and voices roaring on every side.

This year's freshman assessment had 311 teams and 933 students. Under Shrek's brutal rules, probably not even half would remain when it was over—

The weak were prey to the strong, and only the fittest survived. That law never changed.

Huo Yuhao, Gu Yue, and Ning Tian were assigned to District 33. The moment they entered, countless hostile gazes turned their way.

Freshman Class Nine's team already stood out. Gu Yue's cool beauty, Ning Tian's gentle grace, and Huo Yuhao's handsome looks drew attention, and all three ranked among the best of the freshmen. Naturally, they became a target for everyone.

Just then, a male teacher of around forty walked over.

He had ordinary features and kindly eyes. Not a trace of a Soul Master's oppressive presence surrounded him, and his friendly smile made him seem like an elder from next door.

"Hello, freshmen. I'm Wang Yan, the referee in charge of District 33."

"Hello, Teacher Wang!" The students bowed in greeting.

Wang Yan waved a hand with a warm smile. "No need for formalities. I've always treated my students as friends, and until the assessment ends, you're all my friends. That's why I absolutely do not want to see anyone deliberately hurt another—

"This assessment determines who stays and who goes. It is not a fight to the death. If anyone intentionally maims an opponent, I will disqualify them immediately and report them to the academy."

His tone was gentle, but the freshmen were sharp enough to hear the severity beneath it. They all nodded in agreement.

Wang Yan nodded in satisfaction, opened the assessment folder in his hand, and announced the first match in a clear voice:

"Round one, match one: Huo Yuhao's team from Freshman Class Nine versus Feng Qingyang's team from Freshman Class Two!"