The streets of Mingdu were bustling and noisy.
The Shrek members walked among the crowd, unaware that the " Huo Yuhao " they were seeing had already been replaced by a different soul.
Wang Dong'er approached quietly, her eyes filled with worry, and whispered, " Yuhao, is your left arm... really alright?"
Huo Yuhao glanced at her sideways, his tone indifferent. "It's nothing."
After giving a brief answer, he said no more, his cold gaze sweeping over his surroundings.
(Everyone assumed he was just feeling down because of his "injury" to his left arm and didn't suspect anything.)
The moment he stepped into the lobby of the Mingyue Hotel, the Original Huo Yuhao in his Sea of Consciousness couldn't help but transmit his voice:
"Now can you give my body back?"
Huo Yuhao sneered and refused outright, "Just focus on healing your injuries and don't cause trouble."
Just then--
" Xiao Ya?!"
Bei Bei's exclamation suddenly rang out. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Tang Ya standing not far away, her eyes gleaming with an eerie dark purple.
Bei Bei excitedly stepped forward, but before he could get close, the Dark Blue Silver Grass around Tang Ya sprang up like a venomous snake, attacking his throat!
"Careful!"
A cold glint flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes, and he suddenly raised his right arm, unleashing an explosion of Ultimate Ice!
Click--!
The Dark Blue Silver Grass froze inch by inch in the frost, shattering into pieces on the ground.
Huo Yuhao slowly stepped forward, blocking Bei Bei's path, a dangerous smile playing on his lips.
"Hey beautiful, you've got quite a temper, haven't you?"
(His gaze, however, bypassed Tang Ya and locked onto the figure in the shadows behind her.)
Scorpion Tiger Douluo Zhang Peng!
Zhang Peng narrowed his eyes, met Huo Yuhao's gaze for a moment, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes, and then waved his hand:
Let's go.
The Holy Spirit Cult's ranks retreated like the tide, leaving only ice shards scattered on the ground.
The atmosphere in the hotel room was somber.
Bei Bei's face was pale, and she whispered, "Thank you, Yuhao... If it weren't for you, I'm afraid..."
Huo Yuhao waved his hand, interrupting him:
"The collusion between the Sun Moon Empire and the Holy Spirit Cult is a foregone conclusion."
He tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his voice icy:
"Their open appearance in Mingdu must mean they have something on their mind; they might be planning something to cause trouble at this competition."
The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions filled with shock.
Wang Dong'er couldn't help but step forward. "So what should we do now?"
Huo Yuhao raised his eyes and said calmly:
"We can't get involved in this matter."
"It would be more appropriate to let Princess Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire handle this."
Wang Dong'er said eagerly, "Then I'll go with you to see her!"
Huo Yuhao stood up abruptly, his tone leaving no room for argument:
"No need."
"One person is enough for negotiation."
(Before he finished speaking, he pushed open the door and left, leaving everyone staring in astonishment.)
After Huo Yuhao left, the room fell into a brief silence.
Xiao Xiao clutched the hem of her clothes, hesitatingly asking, "Don't you guys think... Yuhao seems like a different person?"
Jiang Nannan nodded gently, her eyes filled with worry. "He used to speak so gently, but now..."
She didn't say anything more, but everyone understood what she meant—the current Huo Yuhao was so cold and unfamiliar.
Bei Bei stroked her chin thoughtfully. "The timing and manner of Yuhao's attack just now were completely different from before."
He recalled the Ultimate Ice that erupted in that instant—fast, accurate, ruthless, and with a chilling sharpness.
(Is this really the Huo Yuhao they know?)
All eyes turned to Wang Dong'er.
The girl with light blue hair lowered her head, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning slightly white.
(She sensed the change more clearly than anyone else—the boy who once smiled gently at her now looked at her as if she were a stranger.)
"It's probably because of... the injury to his left arm."
She forced a smile, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible:
"Losing your left arm temporarily would upset anyone..."
She herself felt a little guilty about the reason she gave.
Xu Sanshi suddenly slammed his hand on the table and burst into laughter. "Hey, you guys don't suspect that Yuhao has been switched with someone else, do you?"
He spread his hands exaggeratedly. "If you ask me, this kid is just putting on a cool act! After going through a life-or-death experience, he's become somewhat similar in temperament to that Wang Qiu'er."
Wang Dong'er's fingernails unconsciously dug into her palms.
In the Xu Jiujiu reception room, the crystal chandelier cast a soft light, illuminating Huo Yuhao's cold profile.
He explained in detail the intelligence regarding the collusion between the Holy Spirit Cult and the Sun Moon Empire. After listening for Xu Jiujiu, he lightly tapped the table with his fingertips and solemnly said:
"This matter is of great importance. I will report to my elder brother immediately. The Star Luo Empire is willing to fully assist in the investigation."
Just then, the door to the reception room was gently pushed open—
" Xu Jiujiu, I heard you have something important to discuss... Huo Yuhao?!"
Princess Vina strode in, but stopped abruptly when she saw Huo Yuhao's empty left sleeve, a look of shock flashing in her beautiful eyes:
Your arm...!
Huo Yuhao's expression remained unchanged; he simply said:
"A mere arm is nothing to worry about."
Vina stared at him, keenly sensing something:
You... have changed a lot.
(That once gentle and polite boy now has only coldness in his eyes.)
Huo Yuhao did not respond to Vina's probing, but simply explained the plan again. Vina pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement:
" The Heavenly Soul Empire is also willing to participate in the joint operation."
Xu Jiujiu, he stood up and solemnly said, "I will report to my elder brother as soon as possible and mobilize elite forces."
However, Huo Yuhao's next words caused the atmosphere to freeze instantly—
"Remember, the item for this collaboration—"
He looked up, a cold glint flashing in his eyes:
"It's the Tang Sect, not Shrek."
(The coldness and aloofness in his tone startled both princesses.)
Seemingly tired of continuing the negotiations, Huo Yuhao suddenly closed his eyes.
When she opened her eyes again, the coldness in them had faded, replaced by a familiar gentleness.
Original Huo Yuhao smiled and took out a brocade box:
"This is a modified version of the Godly Zhuge Crossbow from the Tang Sect. It's just a small token of our appreciation; you two can take it back and study it."
His voice regained its usual humility:
"We await good news from the two princesses."
After leaving the reception room, " Huo Yuhao " suddenly stopped walking down the corridor.
"You knew perfectly well what was going to happen, so why didn't you just tell me?!"
Original Huo Yuhao, in his Sea of Consciousness, questioned, "Do you already have a plan to deal with this?"
Huo Yuhao's voice was icy cold:
"Noisy."
"You're really annoying. I have my own plans, and it's none of your business to tell me what to do. Why are you spouting so much nonsense?"
Original Huo Yuhao was about to ask another question when he felt a powerful mental force suppressing him.
(Clearly, my future self has completely lost patience.)
Huo Yuhao stood in the night of Mingdu, the cold wind blowing through his robes and lifting his empty left sleeve.
At this moment, he had already abandoned any pointless mercy.
( The Mingdu Explosion, the Qiankun Asking Love Valley... he will not escape any of these predetermined calamities.)
(On the contrary, he wants to personally orchestrate all of this, making those who deserve the price pay in blood!)
Deep within his Sea of Consciousness, Huo Yuhao's pupils contracted slightly, Sisi golden light flickered in his originally azure eyes, exuding a sinister aura.
( Qiankun Asking Love Valley...)
(That place that once caused him unbearable pain has now become the stage he looks forward to most.)
He slowly curled the corners of his mouth into a chilling smile:
" Tang San..."
"Don't you like to use 'experience' as an excuse?"
"This time, it's my turn to 'test' you—"
"A hundred times, a thousand times... until you've tasted death!"