Kid, You Have My Approval

Liu Hao's lips twitched as he watched Xiao Wu stand with her hands on her hips, brimming with confidence despite having no right on her side.

She really has developed feelings for Tang San. Just look at how fiercely she shields him.

Still, he noticed that Xiao Wu's affection for him had stopped falling. Clearly, she wasn't particularly angry with him; she simply wanted to defend Tang San.

Liu Hao decided not to hold it against her.

After all, from another perspective, Xiao Wu was merely protecting someone she cared about.

Once I steal Xiao Wu away from Tang San someday, will she ever lash out at him to defend me?

Now that's something to look forward to.

"Pretty little miss, you can't refuse to see reason just because you're beautiful, cute, innocent, fair-skinned, graceful, lovely-eyed, and slender." Liu Hao looked at Xiao Wu with a smile.

Xiao Wu's affection +5. Current affection: 25.

"You... hmph! Don't think you can fool me with a few sweet words! Tell me, who's refusing to see reason?"

Although Xiao Wu still looked angry, most of the hostility in her eyes had plainly dissipated. A few blushes even colored her pretty face; clearly, the compliments had gone over quite well.

After all, in all the years since she had first gained consciousness as a Soul Beast and later taken human form, this was the first time anyone had praised her with such a long string of compliments.

Seeing her affection rise, Liu Hao secretly rejoiced.

As expected of the most innocent Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast of legend. A few casual compliments, and her affection goes right up.

"My friend, I misunderstood you earlier, and I apologize. But Xiao Wu isn't being unreasonable. She was simply defending me. Could you do me a favor and let this matter rest?"

Noticing Xiao Wu's unusual reaction, Tang San felt an inexplicable sense of danger. He stopped playing mute and tried to end the conversation.

"Fine. For this pretty little miss's sake, we'll leave it at that." With that, Liu Hao left the back of the line and walked toward the front.

Liu Hao had originally wanted to chat with Xiao Wu a little longer, but he noticed that the "no registration fee refunds" scene had already begun at the front of the line. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had also arrived, so he stopped lingering and decided it was time to show off.

At first, Tang San was a little angry that Liu Hao had brought the conversation back to Xiao Wu, then rudely walked away without saying goodbye.

But when he saw the man abandon his place in line and head straight to the front, he grew puzzled.

"Brother, that guy's so strange. Why isn't he staying in line? Is he going to cut in?"

"I don't know. Let's watch. We'll find out soon enough."

As Tang San replied, he silently cursed that ugly man who had sweet-talked Xiao Wu, hoping a teacher from Shrek Academy would give him a thorough scolding. Better yet, they could throw him out outright so he would never appear before Xiao Wu again.

During their brief exchange, Tang San had already realized that this ugly man harbored ulterior motives toward Xiao Wu.

Yet Xiao Wu hardly seemed averse to his advances, which gave Tang San a powerful sense of danger.

It felt as though someone else was coveting something that belonged to him.

Or rather, Tang San was afraid. He feared someone would steal Xiao Wu away.

At that thought, Tang San turned and told Xiao Wu solemnly, "Xiao Wu, you're not allowed to talk to him again. He's not a good person."

"Huh? Oh..." Xiao Wu froze at first, feeling rather confused. But when she saw Tang San's serious expression, she obediently nodded, not daring to object.

Deep down, though, she still felt a faint sense of regret.

After all, that guy was pretty interesting.

Seeing Xiao Wu behave so obediently, Tang San finally breathed a sigh of relief and turned toward the front of the line.

"Mu Bai, someone wants their registration fee back. Handle it."

After the old man at the registration desk said this, a man roughly six feet tall sprang up from the ground nearby.

He had a powerful build, handsome features, and long blond hair that fell straight to his lower back. Had it not been for his distinctly rugged face, broad shoulders, and wide back, he might have been mistaken for a woman.

Most striking of all, each of his deep-blue eyes had double pupils.

"You can have your registration fee back. Beat me, and you'll get a full refund."

After saying this, the man released his Soul Rings.

Yellow, yellow, purple.

A surging Soul Elder aura burst forth, pressing down on the father and son who wanted their fee refunded until they could barely breathe.

Just then, Liu Hao reached the registration desk.

"Hey, kid! What are you doing? Don't cut in line!" The old man noticed him and snapped with a frown.

"Heh, how interesting. You won't admit them, but you won't refund their registration fee either. Isn't that robbery?" Liu Hao folded his arms, his face full of mockery.

"Brat, get lost. Our academy doesn't accept people like you, who disregard the rules and disrespect their elders." Furious, the old man slapped the desk.

"Oh? You want me to get lost? Are you sure?"

"Heh..."

The old man let out an angry laugh, stood up, and stepped around the desk to face Liu Hao.

Suddenly, an immensely powerful pressure erupted from him, enveloping the entire area.

The Long Staff, covered in fine, intricate patterns, appeared in the old man's right hand. Then Soul Rings began rising beneath his feet, one after another.

White, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black!

A powerful Soul Emperor aura spread outward.

Even Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing trembled under its weight, their breathing growing more difficult.

"Kid!" "Huh?"

The old man was astonished to find that Liu Hao, whom he had expected to crush to the ground instantly with his aura, remained standing calmly in place without budging.

He had deliberately approached Liu Hao before releasing his pressure, meaning the young man was bearing the greatest pressure of anyone present.

"Interesting, very interesting. You're actually unaffected by my pressure. No wonder you're so arrogant-you do have some ability. Good, good. Kid, you have my approval. What's your name? How old are you? What's your Soul Power Level?"

As he spoke, the old man looked at him as though he were an outstanding junior, his eyes filled with appreciation.

"Heh, my name is Liu Hao. I'm twelve this year. As for my Soul Power Level, feel it for yourself."

The moment he finished speaking, he released his own Martial Soul, the Heaven-Reaching Ambrosial Arbor Wooden Stick.

A deep, dusky-blue staff, suffused with a mysterious aura, appeared in Liu Hao's right hand.

At the same time, Soul Rings began emerging beneath his feet, one after another.

Purple, purple, black, black, black, red, red, red, red!

A terrifying pressure spread across the entire area, despite Liu Hao deliberately suppressing ninety-nine percent of it.

Even so, the terrifying aura made everyone's hair stand on end. They struggled to breathe as waves of cold washed over them, as though they had plunged into an ice cellar.

Everyone except the old man handling registration instantly collapsed, unable to move.

Even the old man's knees buckled, sending him to the ground.

"T-Titled Douluo! Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings!"

The old man's pupils shook violently, his face filled with horror.

He had never imagined that this godforsaken dump, this shabby academy of theirs, could attract a Titled Douluo with several Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings.

This makes no sense. How could an expert of that caliber have so much time on his hands? Why come to a rundown place like this?

"Well? Old man, can you sense my level now?"

Liu Hao flashed a brilliant smile at the old man kneeling on the ground.