A Woman's Heart Is as Deep as the Sea

After Huo Yuhao left, the three girls remained in the room, staring at one another.

Nanmen Yun'er had only met Wu Feng and Ning Tian yesterday and was not particularly familiar with them. All she could do now was cautiously glance back and forth between the two, waiting for them to speak first.

"Cough, cough. Feng, judging by your aura, did you advance last night?" Ning Tian gave an awkward cough, taking the lead in breaking the stalemate in the room.

"Yes, I went up one level." Wu Feng lowered her head, her face flushing so red it seemed ready to drip.

"Cough. I never expected Huo Yuhao's constitution to be so special that he could draw upon Life Energy to help others advance." Ning Tian sighed. "Yun'er and I also went to his bedside last night, and our Soul Power each rose by half a level. At this rate, I'm confident I can rise five or six levels before Shrek's freshman assessment three months from now."

"I should be able to break through to Soul Elder..." Nanmen Yun'er blinked timidly and murmured softly.

"Then Huo Yuhao really is quite a treasure." The blush on Wu Feng's face faded somewhat. Recalling her domineering advances not long ago, as well as that fellow's gentle compliance, an unusually soft expression appeared on her face, and she smiled foolishly.

"Feng, you..." Seeing Wu Feng's expression, Ning Tian immediately had a bad feeling. "You haven't fallen for Huo Yuhao, have you?"

"How could that be? That skinny little bean sprout, I—" Wu Feng proudly raised her delicate fist, but before she could finish, she noticed the contemptuous looks Ning Tian and Nanmen Yun'er were giving her.

"W-What?"

"Do you think we'd believe that?"

In the end, Ning Tian stepped forward and patted Wu Feng on the shoulder. "I've already sent people to thoroughly investigate Huo Yuhao's background. The moment there are results, I'll tell you immediately. If the circumstances allow it, I'll find a way to bring him into our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Bring him into the sect..." Wu Feng's beautiful eyes immediately lit up. Then, as though she had thought of something, she looked at Ning Tian with a trace of scrutiny. "Could it be that you also..."

Ning Tian did not deny it. "He is indeed outstanding. He should only be one Soul Ring short, right? A Soul Elder not yet twelve years old—you know that, as the current heir of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the partner I need..."

"No! He's mine!" Wu Feng cried unwillingly, her voice even carrying a hint of tears. Ning Tian immediately became flustered as she tried to comfort her.

"Yours, yours, he's yours. Let's first see how things stand. We still haven't figured out his background."

"Um... does Yuhao like soft, cute girls..." Nanmen Yun'er shrank into the corner and asked cautiously.

Huo Yuhao naturally had no idea that an Asura Field had erupted after he left. His destination today was Shrek City's monthly Treasure Appraisal Fair, organized by several of the city's major merchants. As the commercial center of the continent, Shrek City often saw merchants from various nations conducting trade here. Whenever Shrek City's merchants acquired good items, they would first hold a Treasure Appraisal Fair for Shrek Academy.

It was equivalent to letting the academy pick through the goods first. Only what the students did not choose would be put up for auction.

Treasure Appraisal Fairs were mainly divided into three types. The first was held for the academy itself, with the academy making purchases—for example, all kinds of rare metals needed for the development of the Soul Engineer Department, teaching supplies used by the Martial Soul Department, and items ordered by the academy, including precious ingredients and much more.

Not every Shrek Academy student was wealthy. One purpose of the Treasure Appraisal Fair was that purchases could be made on credit. The chance of all core disciples from the Outer Academy graduating was as high as ninety-five percent. Any student capable of graduating from the Outer Academy, regardless of their nation or profession, would be an outstanding talent eagerly sought after by others. After all, the primary requirement for graduating from the Outer Academy was reaching the four-ring Soul Ancestor level.

Thus, these merchants were essentially investing in the students. They would agree on a date with the student who purchased an item, after which repayment would be made once a year according to the schedule. Repayment could even be postponed until after graduation, with only minimal interest charged.

You had taken advantage of them. If they later asked something of you or encountered trouble, could you refuse to help? If they wanted to hire you, could you refuse? This was the merchants' tactic of moral coercion.

These merchants were shrewd; they would never make a losing deal. If a student passed the assessment, became a core disciple, and was able to enter the Inner Academy, the terms would improve further. Not even a trace of interest would be required; they only needed to repay the principal within the stipulated time. Moreover, there were many different ways to repay it.

Although Shrek Academy itself was located within Shrek City, it was not connected to the city. In other words, Shrek Academy had no back gate leading directly into Shrek City.

As one of the continent's most prosperous economic centers, Shrek City was exceedingly bustling. Its total population was close to five million, nearly comparable to the imperial capitals of several great empires. Huo Yuhao walked along the main road, curiously looking around at both sides. The main roads within Shrek City were exceptionally broad, wide enough for eight carriages to travel abreast. The grand and majestic atmosphere was truly breathtaking, broadening one's horizons.

The map Huo Yuhao had bought was extremely detailed, and Shrek City's streets were neatly laid out, making them easy to navigate. After walking for about fifteen minutes, he saw the location of the Treasure Appraisal Fair—the Gathering Treasure Pavilion.

The Gathering Treasure Pavilion itself was a large shop dealing in all sorts of items related to Soul Masters and Soul Engineers. From afar, it was a massive four-story building over twenty meters tall. It occupied a considerable area, and its exterior glittered with gold and jade, resembling a treasure basin.

Such a luxurious building was nothing much to Huo Yuhao, who had crossed over from another world. Yet when he saw the four young women in long dresses standing on each side of the Gathering Treasure Pavilion's entrance, he could not help widening his eyes.

These young women, clearly responsible for receiving guests, appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen. They had sweet faces and slender figures. Their lower bodies were concealed beneath long skirts, but their upper bodies exposed their shoulders. Their full chests were tightly wrapped, revealing deep cleavage. Their fair skin appeared even more graceful against the glittering splendor of the Gathering Treasure Pavilion. Huo Yuhao was instantly dumbstruck, his mouth going dry.

"Cough, cough!" Bibi Dong's violent coughing suddenly rang out in his mind.

"Why are you coughing so loudly?" The intense coughing jolted Huo Yuhao out of his daze. When he entered his sea of consciousness, he found Bibi Dong glaring fiercely at him.

"What are you looking at? There are already so many pretty girls in your bed, and the Holy Spirit Cult has even assigned you a fiancée. Isn't that enough?" Bibi Dong snapped.

Looking at Bibi Dong's alluring eyes, Huo Yuhao replied innocently, "Everyone appreciates beauty. I was only looking. Those girls are really pretty."

"Hmph! Really pretty, are they?" Bibi Dong looked disdainful. She seemed to want to say something, but ultimately held it back.

Huo Yuhao rubbed his brow helplessly. "Fine, I won't look anymore. You won't even let me look at beautiful women now. Isn't that a bit excessive?"

Bibi Dong ignored him, so Huo Yuhao could only continue striding toward the Gathering Treasure Pavilion.

Before he even reached its entrance, one of the eight young women standing outside approached him with a faint smile. Stopping beside Huo Yuhao, she respectfully asked, "Lord Soul Master, are you here to attend the Treasure Appraisal Fair?"

Huo Yuhao was wearing the uniform of Shrek Academy, so he was naturally easy to identify. Coupled with his distinctive melancholy aura and aloof expression, he had already drawn plenty of attention along the way.

Huo Yuhao took out the invitation he had received from the academy and handed it over. After reading it, the girl's smile became even gentler. "This student, please follow me." As she spoke, she made a guiding gesture and walked ahead.

Clearly, even among Shrek Academy's core disciples, few were Huo Yuhao's age and came to the Gathering Treasure Pavilion to attend the Treasure Appraisal Fair. As he passed between the girls, he could feel the curious gazes from both sides.

Huo Yuhao held his head high and puffed out his chest. Look all you want. I'm just that irresistible—don't fall for me!

Upon entering the Gathering Treasure Pavilion, an air of extravagance immediately washed over him. The golden hall was filled with luxury, brightly illuminated by crystal lamps hanging high above. Two rows of young women also stood along either side of the hall.

Compared with the eight young women in long dresses outside, the girls within, dressed in short golden skirts, were even more eye-catching. They were somewhat younger, and their skirts used very little fabric, exposing their fair, long legs. Every one of them was above average in appearance and had an excellent figure. Curves where they should be, slim where they should be. The first impression upon entering this golden hall was like stepping into paradise on earth.

"Welcome, honored guest." The young women on both sides suddenly bowed in unison. Watching them all bend ninety degrees, each revealing deep cleavage, Huo Yuhao once again felt his mouth go dry.

Having come here, Huo Yuhao vaguely understood. No wonder this was known as the continent's blight—how could ordinary people possibly afford to enter such a luxurious place?

Though he did not think there was anything particularly good about such an environment, his body was still that of a young man, an absolute virgin. With so many beautiful women so close at hand, his physical response gave him the strange sensation of his blood speeding up.

Just then, Huo Yuhao's vision suddenly went dark, blocked by an overwhelming force of Spiritual Power. Bibi Dong's voice followed. "If I'd known this place was like this, I wouldn't have let you come. It'll only lead you astray."

Her Majesty was angry, and the consequences were severe. To soothe Her Majesty, I humbly beg all you dear readers to bury me in votes and let her vent her anger!