Sparring

The infirmary.

Madam Jiang got out of bed and moved around, feeling refreshed from head to toe. The tightness in her chest and shortness of breath that had plagued her for years had vanished completely.

"It's all thanks to you, Doctor Huo. I feel like I've been given a new life!"

"Congratulations, Auntie Jiang! Big Sister Nan Nan will be happy to hear it too!"

Huo Yuhao clapped in congratulations.

"Yes, thinking about the past makes my heart ache... but thankfully, Nan Nan never gave me much to worry about. Apart from her initial tuition, she's supported herself ever since entering Shrek Academy."

"She even sends money home sometimes. I really don't have much to worry about anymore."

Huo Yuhao thought Madam Jiang had finished her reflections, only for her to change the subject.

"The only thing I might still worry about now is her marriage. With everything my Nan Nan has going for her, her partner would have to be a dragon or phoenix among men, and they'd have to share a mutual affection... oh, Doctor Huo, what do you think of my Nan Nan?"

As she spoke, Madam Jiang looked at Huo Yuhao with a kindly smile.

"Me? I-"

"Mom! You need to rest quietly right now!"

Before Huo Yuhao could finish, Jiang Nannan, who had been standing guard outside and eavesdropping on their conversation the whole time, burst in.

I was feeling quite sad, and then Mom started pitching me to Doctor Huo again...

Jiang Nannan did not dislike Huo Yuhao. In fact, after their last few interactions, she had already grown fond of suddenly moving close and giving him a little ruffle.

Even then, though, he would only solemnly declare, "Assaulting a doctor," put up a token struggle, and submit.

So cute.

"Mom, we're going to train now. Let's talk this afternoon."

"Yes, yes, 'train'~"

"..."

"Big Sister Nan Nan, could you tell me about Shrek Academy?"

"Shrek? Have you decided to go to Shrek Academy, Doctor Huo?"

"Yes!"

Huo Yuhao really did not need to think about it for long. He could not go to the Star Luo Empire, and everywhere else was too far away to consider.

Whatever else might be said of Shrek, it was a world-renowned superpower. It was bound to have plenty of heavenly treasures and cultivation resources.

At the same time, when Huo Yuhao saw Shrek's promotional material, his still-slumbering teacher had suddenly flashed once before falling still again. Could that have been a hint for him to go there and find something?

In any case, he would leave after a little more time. The money he had earned lately was already enough for the journey. He, Huo Yuhao, was going to pursue a life roaming the world.

"Hmm... let me think. As far as admission goes, Shrek Academy requires you to reach rank fifteen before turning twelve, and there are freshman assessments and things afterward..."

"Oh, in that case, let's have a spar. It's been a while."

"Sure, sure! Make sure you go easy on me, Big Sister Nan Nan."

Actually, Jiang Nannan had always found it awkward. Doctor Huo kept calling her Big Sister Nan Nan, while she kept calling him Doctor Huo.

She stole a glance at the little Huo Yuhao walking beside her, feeling a little confused about their seniority.

And why did the name Qubing feel a little fake?

Right, how about-

"Doctor Huo, shall we make a little wager?"

"A wager?"

"Yes. I won't use my Martial Soul or Soul Skills, and you can use whatever you like. If I lose, I'll grant you two requests. If you lose, hmm... you'll let me call you little brother. How about it?"

"Those stakes don't seem very fair, Big Sister Nan Nan..."

"Don't worry. Besides, I don't think I'll lose."

"All right, then I'm going to attack. Just so you know beforehand, my Martial Soul, Spirit Eyes, can launch mental attacks. Be careful, Big Sister Nan Nan."

So that was it? Had Doctor Huo been hiding it all along?

In the instant Jiang Nannan's thoughts wandered, the air suddenly tightened.

Sand swirled up as Huo Yuhao's figure abruptly blurred. In a burst of movement, he crossed the distance between them in an instant and charged straight up to Jiang Nannan.

Just as Jiang Nannan had taught him before, Huo Yuhao used his momentum to throw a straight punch.

Jiang Nannan turned sideways, then drew back a little to put some distance between them.

Suddenly, the breeze in the woods seemed to stop. A faint, luminous blue halo sprang up in Huo Yuhao's eyes, his deep, icy gaze locking onto Jiang Nannan.

His spiritual power shot toward Jiang Nannan's sea of consciousness like an invisible arrow, without the slightest warning!

A faint dizziness suddenly assailed her mind, startling Jiang Nannan.

A ranged mental attack?!

Not daring to underestimate him in the slightest, she flipped lightly sideways, her snow-white figure tracing a clean arc through the air as she evaded Huo Yuhao's offensive.

Before that move had fully subsided, Huo Yuhao's mental shock struck again. With no other choice, Jiang Nannan could only keep dodging for now.

After firing off two attacks in succession, Huo Yuhao stopped where he stood, looking as though he could barely hold on.

A perfect opening!

Jiang Nannan charged straight toward Huo Yuhao, her slender palm whipping forward with a rush of wind, intent on closing in and seizing the chance to win.

Suddenly, a faint, composed smile curved Huo Yuhao's lips.

His Spirit Eyes blazed brighter, and one final mental shock struck.

His mana had recovered!

This mental shock locked precisely onto Jiang Nannan's path and slammed into her sea of consciousness.

Jiang Nannan's movements abruptly faltered, her steps staggering slightly. A roar filled her mind, and an opening instantly appeared in her close-range assault.

Now!

Huo Yuhao shifted, turning sideways to evade her palm strike and circling to Jiang Nannan's side in an instant.

A wisp of gentle yet concentrated Soul Power gathered in his palm, without the slightest trace of harmful aggression.

His palm pressed precisely against the side of Jiang Nannan's shoulder.

"Big Sister Nan Nan, you lost."

The boy's clear voice sounded softly through the woods, gentle and certain.

Jiang Nannan stiffened all over and slowly withdrew her attack, her eyes filled with astonishment and helplessness.

In their brief, minutes-long bout, she had not used her Martial Soul and had been held in check throughout by Doctor Huo's Martial Soul ability, the rhythm of the fight perfectly under his control.

Moreover, she had never found a chance to counterattack from beginning to end, and had even fallen for Doctor Huo's trick at the last moment.

She could not help sighing. Looking at Huo Yuhao, unsure whether to laugh or cry, she said, "I never imagined you were hiding so much, Doctor Huo. When school starts, everyone else will probably suffer at your hands too."

"You flatter me, Big Sister Nan Nan. It was just luck."

Jiang Nannan naturally did not agree, but she did not argue, merely continuing, "Then, do you have any requests now, Doctor Huo?"

"Of course."

As he spoke, Huo Yuhao suddenly looked at Jiang Nannan.

"Wh-what?"

Huo Yuhao's unexpected gaze made Jiang Nannan a little bashful, the tips of her ears already faintly red.

"First, call me Huo Yuhao from now on. Hmm... little brother Yuhao works too. That name I gave you before was actually a lie, Big Sister Nan Nan."

"Huh? That shouldn't count. After all, you only used that name out of caution."

Although Jiang Nannan had felt there was something off about his name before, it had only been a guess, and she had not voiced it.

But looking at Huo Yuhao's earnest expression now, she smiled.

"All right, then I'll count that first request as you giving me a concession. What's your second request, little brother Yuhao?"

Wow, it feels so much nicer saying it now.

"I haven't thought of the second one yet. Can I save it for later?"

"Of course you can."