On Sea God Island at Shrek Academy, the air was filled with the breath of life, and all was quiet and peaceful.
Suddenly, a woman's anguished scream rang out in the air. Immediately afterward, a blaze of searing fire shot into the sky, setting a small patch of forest alight.
A woman with a striking figure burst out of the flames. Her eyes were a sinister dark red, without a trace of reason in them.
Just then, a piercing phoenix cry rang out. With it came a gentle power of light that enveloped the woman completely.
Yan Shaozhe appeared before her, frowning as he used the power of light to temporarily suppress the Evil Fire within her.
The woman gradually came to her senses and murmured softly.
"Teacher..."
"Xiaotao..." Yan Shaozhe's aged voice rang out. He heaved a long sigh. "I've only suppressed the Evil Fire inside you for the moment, but remember this: you must stop cultivating for now. I happened to come looking for you this time. Otherwise, you would have made a terrible mistake!"
Ma Xiaotao lowered her head, but she remained defiant. "No, Teacher, I want to cultivate! Even if I don't cultivate, the Evil Fire will still build up slowly. In the end, I'll still lose control and be burned to death by it. If I can break through to Titled Douluo, perhaps I can control the Evil Fire and solve my Martial Soul problem once and for all!"
"I'd rather die on the road to becoming stronger, fighting for that sliver of hope, than stay where I am, helplessly waiting for death to come at some unknown time!"
Yan Shaozhe sighed deeply. "Very well. A little fellow with the ultimate sacred attribute enrolled in the outer academy this time. Even I can't compare to him. Go find him tomorrow. Perhaps the ultimate sacred attribute can purify the Evil Fire in your body."
Ma Xiaotao looked up sharply, her slender phoenix eyes shining with surprise and delight. "Teacher, is that true?"
Yan Shaozhe said, "Of course. That little fellow has a Body Martial Soul and good potential. Get along well with him. If he really can help you suppress or even purify the Evil Fire in your body, he would make a fine match, and you would truly be able to soar to the heavens in the future."
Ma Xiaotao's pretty face flushed. "I don't want to get married! Besides, that junior you mentioned just enrolled, so he must be only eleven or twelve, right? Teacher, I'm already twenty, and you actually want me to flirt with a little brat of eleven or twelve? You shameless old man!"
Yan Shaozhe snorted. "When you can no longer suppress your Evil Fire, you'll know whether I was right."
The Douluo I world, Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
At the Imperial Fighting Team's private training ground, the team members were resting.
The two girls, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, sat close together. Ye Lingling was expressionless, and Dugu Yan tried to tease her from time to time, hoping to see another expression on her face, but she never succeeded.
Just then, Yu Tianheng approached Dugu Yan with a warm smile.
"Yanzi."
Dugu Yan turned to look at Yu Tianheng. The other members of the Imperial Fighting Team looked over as well, and Osler let out a whistle.
Captain Yu Tianheng had been pursuing vice captain Dugu Yan all along, but had never succeeded. Recently, Dugu Yan's attitude had finally softened. Seeing that a happy occasion was near, everyone watched with gossip written all over their faces, ready to eat some melon.
Yu Tianheng took out two gold-stamped invitations and said gently, "I happened to get two invitations to a recital by the students of Moonlight Pavilion. Yanzi, would you like to go with me?"
Dugu Yan hesitated for a moment, then started to raise her hand to take them.
A delighted smile appeared on Yu Tianheng's face, and the others began to whistle too.
Just then, a refined, gentle voice sounded.
"Moonlight Pavilion is a fine place to listen to music. How about I invite everyone to go and relax together?"
Everyone turned toward the voice.
A refined young man walked toward them with a smile. Three dignified, distinguished-looking elders followed behind him.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince! Honored members of the education committee!"
The members of the Imperial Fighting Team hurriedly bowed.
The newcomers were none other than Huo Yuhao and the three members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's education committee.
All three were Soul Douluo, and they were on Huo Yuhao's side.
"No need for formalities."
Huo Yuhao waved a hand amiably, then came up to Yu Tianheng, his eyes smiling.
"Tian Heng, you truly are worthy of being the Imperial Fighting Team's captain. To have such cultivation at so young an age, you truly are the future of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
Yu Tianheng immediately puffed out his chest with pride.
Huo Yuhao plucked the two invitations from Yu Tianheng's hand. Yu Tianheng was taken aback, and just then, Huo Yuhao said:
"In the future, if you want to listen to music at Moonlight Pavilion, you need only give my name. There's no need for an invitation. I'll accept these two invitations from you as a return gift."
Yu Tianheng stood there in a daze, unsure whether to be grateful or angry.
Huo Yuhao walked over to Ye Lingling next.
The girl's small face was framed by thick purple hair. She was expressionless, and her bearing was quiet and secluded.
Huo Yuhao's spiritual power was keen, and he still noticed the girl's body suddenly tense.
Ye Lingling was very nervous!
Was Ye Lingling socially anxious? Was her expressionless face merely a protective shell?
Huo Yuhao considerately kept a safe distance from the girl and said softly, "You must be Lingling, the heir to the Nine Heart Begonia family, with the continent's number one healing-type Martial Soul. The Ye Clan has always saved lives and healed the wounded. I deeply admire you for it."
Then he went to the next member of the Imperial Fighting Team, offering each of them a thoughtful greeting that left them thrilled.
This was the convenience that came with status.
If you were a beggar, doing this would only make others think you were a lunatic. If you were the leader of a nation, someone who shook your hand might not even be willing to wash it after using the toilet.
Only at the end did Huo Yuhao come to Dugu Yan and size her up.
Dugu Yan's looks could not be considered top-tier. She could not compare to Jiang Nannan, nor could she compare to him, but the girl had one advantage no one else could match.
Dugu Yan had a supple, boneless, serpentine waist. Merely standing there, her slender waist unconsciously formed a lovely curve, like a delicate willow swaying in the breeze.
Huo Yuhao's smile remained gentle. "Miss Dugu Yan, I came for you today."
"For me?" Dugu Yan was puzzled.
The other members of the Imperial Fighting Team were just as puzzled.
Huo Yuhao nodded. "I have already asked Imperial Father for your hand, to take you as my crown princess. Imperial Uncle is preparing to discuss the marriage with His Majesty Poison Douluo."
Dugu Yan's eyes unconsciously turned into snake pupils, giving her a dangerous air. Her willow brows knitted as her vertical pupils fixed on Huo Yuhao.
"Your Highness and I are not well acquainted. Why do you wish to marry me?"
"A graceful maiden is a gentleman's heart's desire." Huo Yuhao smiled.
By then, the others had finally recovered from their shock. Shi Mo, Osler, and the others exchanged glances, unsure whether to support His Highness the Crown Prince or their teammate.
Ye Lingling's expression changed for an instant. A flicker of excitement flashed in her eyes as her gaze moved between Huo Yuhao and Yu Tianheng.
As for Yu Tianheng-he let out an angry shout:
"Impossible! Yanzi could never marry you!"
Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Can Tian Heng make decisions for Miss Dugu Yan? Or is Poison Douluo preparing to leave our Heaven Dou Empire and join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, so that your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan can make decisions for Poison Douluo?"