Niu Tian waved his hand, drawing everyone's attention back to reality. "But that's all old news, it's not important anymore. My second brother just said that your eyes look like his, which surprised me."
He looked Huo Yuhao up and down again, his tone filled with admiration, "With young friend Yuhao's talent, given time, he will surely reach the Limit Douluo realm."
Huo Yuhao humbly cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you for your kind words, Sect Masters."
Subsequently, led by Wang Dong, the group spontaneously began to tour this mysterious, secluded sect, with the girls surrounding Huo Yuhao following along as well. Afterwards, Wang Dong took his leave to hunt for Soul Ring, personally accompanied and protected by Tai Tan.
As evening fell, Niu Tian arranged accommodations for everyone. Huo Yuhao's room was the secret chamber that contained the Ice Jade Marrow Bed. After everyone had left, he stood alone in front of the jade bed, his fingertips lightly touching the surface, feeling the immense coldness contained within.
"Things I couldn't handle in my previous life..." Huo Yuhao muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with golden light, "This time, let me see what surprises you can bring me."
He sat cross-legged on the jade bed, and in an instant, the entire bed burst forth with dazzling blue light. Extreme coldness surged into his body like a tide, but was tamed the moment it came into contact with the essence of the three dragon kings.
Subsequently, the Ice Dragon King's essence greedily devoured these cold energies of the same origin; the Fire Dragon King's fiery essence circulated in his meridians, ensuring that the cold energies would not excessively corrode him; as for the Golden Dragon King's essence, it was merely watching the show.
Huo Yuhao's breathing gradually became long and deep, and a faint golden halo appeared around his body. The Eight-Nine Mysterious Art operated on its own, continuously purifying and refining the cold air he inhaled. His Soul Power increased at a visible speed, and the purity of the Ultimate Ice also continued to improve.
As night fell, Clear Sky Castle was enveloped in peace and tranquility. Tai Tan, weary from his journey, pushed open the door to Niu Tian's bedroom.
"Brother, what brings you here so late?" Tai Tan asked gruffly, grabbing the teapot on the table and gulping it down.
Niu Tian waved his hand, setting up a soundproof barrier, his brow furrowed. "Second brother, after much thought, I've concluded that Huo Yuhao is indeed a rare talent." He paced back and forth in the room, his heavy footsteps echoing through the stone chamber. "Tomorrow I plan to test his strength again."
Tai Tan's eyes, as large as copper bells, widened, and he slammed the teapot heavily on the table. "Fine! My hands are itching!" He rubbed his fists together, his knuckles cracking like popping beans. "If he can last ten moves against me, I'll agree to his relationship with Dong'er!"
Niu Tian shook his head, a hint of worry appearing on his rugged face. "That's the problem... I don't think that kid has any special feelings for Dong'er."
"What?!" Tai Tan jumped to his feet, his Soul Power surging, making the tea set on the table clatter. "Our Dong'er is such a beautiful, lovely, and charming girl, how dare that brat look down on her?"
Niu Tian held down the enraged Tai Tan and said in a low voice, "According to Dong'er, he discovered that Dong'er was dressed as a man, but he has not exposed her."
He sighed, "However, it was also 'his' arrangement. Regardless of whether we passed the test or not, let's still try to advance Huo Yuhao and Dong'er's relationship."
A cunning glint flashed in Tai Tan's eyes, and he suddenly grinned. "Hehe, I think this will work. Let's see if that kid regrets it when Dong'er reveals his true appearance!" He rubbed his hands together, looking like he had succeeded in his scheme.
Niu Tian, however, was less optimistic. "That's not necessarily true. That kid has no shortage of girls around him. Look at the girls he brings; they're all pretty good-looking." He looked out the window, his expression complicated. "In any case, we elders still need to put in some effort for the child. Besides, this is also what that person wants."
Tai Tan nodded and hummed in agreement. "That's settled then. We'll test his strength tomorrow."
The next day, as expected, Niu Tian and Tai Tan used the guidance of Wei You to test the strength of the group.
The group was at the Soul Fighting of Clear Sky Castle.
This wasn't some competition among sect disciples; it was being personally conducted by the Second Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, and everyone was eagerly anticipating it.
Huo Yuhao was indeed thinking about how to get through this test. He figured he could just casually activate his Martial Soul, fight a couple of times, and then admit defeat. There was no benefit to be gained anyway, and if he refused, Tai Tan might insist on fighting him anyway, so casually fighting and admitting defeat was the best strategy.
However, there is no requirement on the number of people required to fight the second overlord Tai Tan; that is, several people can go together.
On the sidelines, the disciples of the Clear Sky Sect whispered among themselves. This was an opportunity for the Second Sect Master to personally guide them, an opportunity that even inner disciples rarely had the chance to see. Wang Dong stood beside Niu Tian, his pink-blue eyes sparkling with anticipation.
The first group to take the stage consisted of Ma Xiaotao, Jiang Nannan, and Xiao Xiao. Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Flame had barely been ignited when they were shattered by Tai Tan's punch; Jiang Nannan's teleportation was useless against absolute power; and Xiao Xiao's Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron was directly blasted away. The three were defeated in less than three moves.
"Too weak!" Tai Tan shook his head in dissatisfaction. "Next group!"
Wang Dong, Ling Luochеn, and Ning Tian launched a joint attack. Just as their dazzling golden triangle offensive was taking shape, Tai Tan's Gravity Domain was activated. Ling Luochеn's ice wall shattered instantly, and before Ning Tian's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda amplification could fully take effect, the three of them were blown out of the arena by the violent shockwave.
Needless to say, Tang Ya and Bei Bei were quickly defeated as well.
"That's it?" Tai Tan looked around at everyone, finally fixing his gaze on Huo Yuhao. "Kid, it's your turn."
Huo Yuhao slowly walked onto the Soul Fighting Stage, his tall, slender figure accentuated by his white, fitted outfit. He calmly clasped his hands in a respectful greeting. "Please enlighten me."
In an instant, golden light shone brightly in Huo Yuhao's eyes, and a surge of immense spiritual power erupted like a tsunami. He slowly thrust out his right fist, the seemingly slow movement carrying a suffocating sense of oppression—it was a modified version of " Reign Over the World "!
A terrifying mental pressure materialized behind Huo Yuhao, forming a ten-zhang-tall phantom, like a god descending from heaven. The air distorted as the punch was unleashed, and an invisible Spiritual Shock swept across the entire Soul Fighting Arena.
Tai Tan's pupils contracted sharply, and he crossed his arms to block in front of his chest. As Titled Douluo, he naturally recognized that this was a mental attack, but what shocked him was the extremely high purity of the mental energy contained in this strike.
"Boom--"
With a dull thud, the ground beneath Tai Tan's feet cracked inch by inch, but his massive body remained unmoved. Although he had successfully withstood the attack, his eyes were filled with astonishment. "Good lad! A mere Soul Emperor can actually..."
Before he finished speaking, Huo Yuhao lightly raised his left hand, and dozens of ice spikes suddenly erupted from Tai Tan's feet. At the same time, he flashed forward and engaged Tai Tan in close combat using pure physical skills!
In the audience, Xuan Zi forgot to put down his wine gourd: he had actually grasped the application of this spiritual power on his own, exactly like Mu En's " Reign Over the World," yet somehow different as well—it was truly marvelous!