Star Dou Great Forest, mixed zone, Star Luo Soul Master Academy camp.
After Princess Xu Jiujiu was suddenly abducted, the commotion Huang Shuangping made soon woke everyone else. Zhao Yushan, a defense-type Soul Douluo, stayed behind to protect the three remaining students, while Zhang Xuanyi and Huang Shuangping each searched hundreds of miles through the surrounding area.
They still found nothing. By now, they were filled with bitter regret. Their carelessness had allowed the princess to be snatched away right under their noses.
Even against a Super Douluo, the three of them together would not have been completely helpless. Yet Huo Yuhao's friendly overtures had made them lower their guard, and they had lost the princess without even catching a glimpse of the enemy.
"What do we do, Old Yi? Princess Jiujiu is His Majesty's most beloved daughter. Now that we've lost her, His Majesty is sure to fly into a rage," Huang Shuangping said anxiously.
"Our only option now is to return to the empire, report the truth to His Majesty, and request reinforcements. I'll set out immediately. Keep searching. Since he abducted Her Highness, he must want something. The princess should be safe for the time being."
Zhang Xuanyi's face was full of guilt and regret. If he had not dropped the ball at that critical moment, how could this have happened?
It was all the fault of his useless stomach. The whole reason one of the three Soul Douluos had stayed on watch was to guard against that hidden expert, yet he had ruined everything.
He had to bear the primary responsibility for this incident. Once he returned, he would tender his resignation to His Majesty.
"Alas, that's all we can do," Zhao Yushan and Huang Shuangping sighed in unison.
But just as the three were about to set off, a ripple suddenly appeared beside them. Without the slightest warning, an old man in yellow robes materialized out of the starlight.
As the old man appeared, a blood-red star in the sky could be seen flickering several times.
The moment he appeared, the three Soul Douluos and their three Soul King students all bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Eminence Heavenly Fiend."
"At ease."
"Your Eminence, there is something we must report."
Zhang Xuanyi wore a bitter expression, but the sight of the Heavenly Fiend Douluo eased some of the anxiety in his heart.
Clearly, the Heavenly Fiend Douluo had been here for some time. He might even have witnessed Princess Jiujiu's entire abduction. Since he had appeared here, it seemed she was safe. Still, they had failed in their duties, and they would have to accept whatever punishment they deserved.
"No need. That boy, who doesn't even have a single Soul Ring, forcibly abducted Her Highness from the hands of three Soul Douluos. And you couldn't even catch a hair of him. Tsk, tsk..."
The Heavenly Fiend Douluo's mockery made all three of their weathered faces flush red. But they soon grasped what he meant and exclaimed in shock:
"Your Eminence, do you mean Her Highness wasn't taken by the expert behind that boy, but by the boy himself, without even a single Soul Ring?" Once the meaning of his words sank in, their shock gave way to numbness. A teenage boy with zero rings had actually snatched food from the jaws of three veteran Soul Douluos-and succeeded.
"That boy is truly a heaven-sent genius. Alone, he not only dared to enter the mixed zone of Star Dou Great Forest, but had the ability to do so.
"To achieve his goal, he calmly plotted under the noses of three Soul Douluo experts, then walked away without a care.
"Even I felt the urge to nurture such talent. Unfortunately, my fate is too harsh on those around me. Otherwise, I would truly like to take him as my disciple." A rare smile appeared on the Heavenly Fiend Douluo's face.
"Your Eminence, do you mean that boy never had an expert protecting him at all?" Zhao Yushan asked incredulously.
Hearing his companion's words, Zhang Xuanyi immediately shot him a glare. His Eminence has already made it perfectly clear, yet you insist on asking such a stupid question. He's in a good mood for once, and you can't even read the room. No wonder you're still only a deputy.
"May I ask whether Your Eminence has any further instructions for us?" Zhang Xuanyi asked respectfully.
"No. Her Highness wants you to return directly. She will remain in Star Dou Great Forest for a while longer. In short, with me here, you can return without concern. Her Highness does not wish to distract His Majesty over such a minor matter, so you know what to say."
The three Soul Douluos were secretly delighted. They were only too eager to keep this hidden; why would they volunteer the information? Thanking him profusely, they immediately left Star Dou Great Forest with the three students. Elsewhere in Star Dou Great Forest.
Huo Yuhao shattered a thousand-year Fire Monkey with a single punch. A brilliant purple ring of light slowly formed, making Xu Jiujiu's eyes shine again and again.
They wandered aimlessly in search of Soul Beasts. To Huo Yuhao, the choice of beast made no difference. His only goal was to add a Soul Ring to his Divine Sense Orb, and he had never intended to go out of his way to find a spiritual-type Soul Beast.
He was deeply wary of Xu Jiujiu. When he learned that the girl he had casually abducted was Princess Xu Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire, he had inwardly thought, Trouble.
He knew Xu Jiujiu possessed eighteen guardian stars, but he did not believe those were the reason this noble princess was so confident. Thus, Huo Yuhao suspected there was probably a Titled Douluo nearby.
He had considered fleeing, but matters had already reached this point. All he could do was steel himself and take things one step at a time. He had long since begun making calculations in his mind.
"Huo Yuhao, are you really only a rank-ten Soul Scholar? Why can't even a five-thousand-year Soul Beast withstand a single move from you? Why are you so fast? Are you from the Body Sect? Where are you from?"
Xu Jiujiu kept firing questions at him.
Huo Yuhao rolled his eyes.
Slipping in your own agenda, huh? What the hell was that last question? Checking my household registration?
"You can think of it as the physical capabilities the strongest body martial soul ought to possess." Huo Yuhao made no attempt at modesty. His blunt, domineering reply made him seem terribly arrogant.
"The strongest body martial soul? That confident?" Xu Jiujiu murmured after hearing his answer, then hurried to catch up.
She could sense that the cold boy before her was already growing annoyed with her. Still, Huo Yuhao had inadvertently revealed all the information she needed. She knew when to stop and no longer rubbed him the wrong way, simply following quietly and obediently behind him like a demure young lady.
Just then, beside a pool, Huo Yuhao sensed a powerful presence utterly unlike the thousand-year Soul Beasts they had encountered earlier.
He steadied his breathing, softened his footsteps, and turned to look at Xu Jiujiu. Her shoulder rested against him, and her expression had also grown solemn as she carefully studied the enormous creature drinking from the pool.
Before them stood a seven-colored deer, its entire body radiating beautiful, dazzling colored markings. Two enormous crystal antlers, roughly three meters long, crowned its head. Including its tail, its body stretched an astonishing dozen meters or more. Though it was an herbivorous Soul Beast, it was no less intimidating than a carnivore.
Soon, a smile of joy and astonishment spread across Xu Jiujiu's face.
"A Seven-Colored Star Deer! We've struck it rich! I've actually encountered a Soul Beast that cultivates stellar power. This is a miracle! Weren't Seven-Colored Star Deer already extinct?"
"What, is this deer a good match for you?" Huo Yuhao asked calmly.
"Yes. Seven-Colored Star Deer contain stellar power. They're the most suitable Soul Beasts for our Star Crown lineage. And this one happens to be just over ten thousand years old. It's unbelievable that I could encounter such a legendary Soul Beast in my lifetime."
Xu Jiujiu was filled with emotion.
"All right. Since it suits you, let's take it down. I can finally deliver the Soul Ring I promised you," Huo Yuhao said casually. He had plenty of time anyway; obtaining his own Soul Ring sooner or later made no difference.
"I'm sorry. We were supposed to be helping you find a Soul Ring. This one would suit you too, and it happens to be ten thousand years old. But it really is perfect for me, so... thank you!"
Xu Jiujiu spoke sincerely.
"It's nothing." Huo Yuhao sneered inwardly. Had he not been wary of the hidden expert, he would have seized the ring and left long ago. Now he could only use it to earn a favor. It really was a bit of a shame.
Still, as he had said, he was not short on time and could keep searching at his leisure. Besides, after absorbing this Soul Ring, Xu Jiujiu would probably make a proper effort on his behalf. Looking at it that way, wasn't this quite a profitable deal?
I shamelessly tipped myself all the coins I earned from investing in my own work.
(End of chapter)
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