(Okay, let me explain first. The next two chapters will portray Huo Yuhao as particularly fierce, because Dai Yueheng is also involved in Dai Huabin's affair. You all know what the Duke's Mansion is like.)
(At that time, he will kill everyone, even the chickens and dogs, split the earthworms in half, and shake the egg yolks to pieces. Although he has overcome his inner demons, his hatred will not subside. This is Huo Yuhao's own rational thought.)
(Of course, there is another character, also a Dai Family, who will be spared. That person is Huo Yuhao's half-brother Ang, because his mother often helped Huo Yuhao's mother, so he will be spared later.)
Above the dome of the Soul Fighting Zone, dazzling crystal chandeliers illuminated the entire venue as bright as day.
The reserve team and the current Shrek Seven Devils stood in two neat rows, their eyes meeting with a mixture of scrutiny and anticipation.
Xuan Zi slowly walked to the center of the arena. He was dressed in a white robe, his silver hair was neatly combed, and the wrinkles etched on his face by the years were visible.
His authoritative gaze swept over the crowd before he said in a deep voice, "Everyone's here. In ten days, the new Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament will begin. You all know who's standing opposite you—you should understand their identities. That's right, it's the regulars and substitutes, and of course..."
He paused slightly, his gaze turning towards the entrance. "Another important partner is on their way. The reason for meeting you today is twofold: first, to get to know each other, and second, to understand each other's skills and strengths. Only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win every battle."
At this point, a rare confident smile appeared on Xuan Zi's aged face, "However, I am still confident about this competition. Our academy has a trump card that can turn the tide."
As soon as the words were spoken, the new generation of Shrek Seven Devils perked up, their eyes blazing with fighting spirit, and they responded in unison, "Understood!" Their loud voices echoed throughout the Soul Fighting Zone.
"Very good, young people, very spirited!" Xuan Zi nodded in satisfaction. "Now, each of you will introduce yourselves, starting with the reserve team."
Bei Bei stepped forward, her posture as upright as a pine tree, and declared in a clear voice, "My name is Bei Bei, a fifth-year student, a level 42 Power Attack System Soul Ancestor. I hope to receive guidance from my senior brothers and sisters in the future."
As soon as he finished speaking, He Caitou followed closely behind, his honest face showing a hint of shyness. "I'm also in fifth grade, the same grade as Bei Bei, a level 42 Power Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor."
Xu Sanshi crossed his arms, a carefree smile on his face, " Xu Sanshi, fifth-year student of the Outer Court, level 43, Defense System Battle Soul Ancestor."
Jiang Nannan nodded slightly, her voice soft yet firm. " Jiang Nannan, fifth year of the outer academy, level 41 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor."
When it was Xiao Xiao's turn, the second-year girl was slightly nervous. She took a deep breath and said in a clear voice, " Xiao Xiao, second year of the outer academy, level 29 Control System Soul Grandmaster."
Upon hearing this, the Inner Court disciples immediately began to discuss among themselves. "Level 29? When did the reserve team start recruiting such young students?" "At such a young age, can they really be of any use in the competition?" Doubts rose and fell, but they did not affect Xiao Xiao's stubborn straight back at all.
Wang Dong stepped forward, her eyes clear and sharp. "Second year of the Outer Court, Level 31 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder." Although her voice was calm, it subtly revealed a spirit of not giving up, drawing admiring glances from several senior brothers and sisters of the Inner Court.
Following closely behind, the powerful figures from the Inner Court made their appearance one by one. Ma Xiaotao's Lie Yan red hair fluttered in the wind, her aura imposing. " Ma Xiaotao, Level 67 Power Attack System Battle Soul Emperor."
Dai Yueheng, with her elegant posture and noble demeanor, declared, "Level 64 Power Attack System Battle Soul Emperor, Dai Yueheng." Following her, Chen Zifeng, Xi Xi, Ling Luochеn, and other Inner Court elites also announced their levels and affiliations within the Inner Court.
Chen Zifeng, Level 57 Power Attack System Battle Soul King
Inner Court, Xi Xi, Level 56 Agility Attack System Battle Soul King
Inner Court, Ling Luochеn, Level 55 Control System Battle Soul King
Inner Court, Yao Haoxuan, Level 55 Auxiliary System Battle Soul King
Inner Court, Gongyang Mo, Level 59 Auxiliary System Battle Soul King.
Just as everyone thought the introduction was about to end, a steady footstep came from the entrance of the Soul Fighting Zone. "Wait, there's me too," Huo Yuhao said calmly as he walked over, the soft light casting a faint halo around him.
His steps seemed casual, yet they carried a unique rhythm, as if each step landed on a point of fluctuation in Soul Power...
Just as Xuan Zi was about to introduce Huo Yuhao, Dai Yueheng strode forward, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's as he locked onto the approaching Huo Yuhao. His tone carried a hint of scrutiny and arrogance. "You are Huo Yuhao?"
Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow and chuckled, casually toying with the hem of his clothes, and asked, "Who told you I'm Huo Yuhao?"
Why would Huo Yuhao say that? Because he had guessed why this guy had come: to save face for the Duke's Mansion, and because he was Dai Huabin's older brother.
These words were like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, instantly creating ripples. Xuan Zi tightened slightly, the reserve team members looked at each other in bewilderment, and the current Shrek Seven Devils were even more confused. For a moment, the Soul Fighting Zone was completely silent, with only the faint hum of the crystal lamp echoing in the air.
Jiang Nannan keenly sensed something amiss; her rabbit ears twitched slightly—this subtle movement betrayed her complex emotions. She took a half-step forward, her eyes filled with concern. " Yuhao, what's wrong?"
Whispers came from behind, the Shrek Seven Devils exchanging pleasantries. " Huo Yuhao? Who's that?"
A Soul Master asked in a low voice. Another immediately leaned in, his tone tinged with surprise. "You don't know him?! He's the genius the Dean called 'the true monster of Shrek Academy,' ' the Soul Master Commander'!"
"A few days ago, a bunch of people challenged him, but he didn't even use his Martial Soul. He just used his Soul Power to completely overwhelm those challengers. He was ridiculously strong!"
Dai Yueheng's face grew increasingly grim as he took a step closer. "If you're not Huo Yuhao, then who are you?"
Huo Yuhao crossed his arms, a playful smile curving his lips, "I never said I wasn't Huo Yuhao."
"Stop playing dumb!" Dai Yueheng's Soul Power suddenly erupted, causing the stone slabs on the ground to tremble slightly under the pressure. "I'll ask you one more time, who exactly are you?"
"Your grandfather." Huo Yuhao's three words were spoken with a firm and resounding tone, his calm voice carrying an undisguised provocation.
The temperature in the Soul Fighting Zone seemed to drop to freezing instantly. The reserve team members stared wide-eyed, and Bei Bei subconsciously touched his nose—this guy, who usually seems so gentle, is actually so fierce when he argues?
"You! Say it again!" Dai Yueheng's veins bulged, and his Soul Power condensed into a dark blue ball of light at his fingertips.
Huo Yuhao remained calm, cleared his throat, and emphasized again, "I said, I--am--your--grandfather."
"Did you hit Dai Huabin?" Dai Yueheng gritted his teeth, and the Soul Ring on his body lit up one after another.
"That's right, it was me." Huo Yuhao straightened his back, his eyes filled with disdain. " Dai Huabin relied on the Duke's Mansion's name to act arrogantly, and came to provoke us. Wasn't he asking for it by getting beaten up?"
Dai Yueheng's expression was cold and stern, the Soul Power surrounding him condensing into a thin golden mist. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone carrying the arrogance and restraint unique to nobles. " Huo Yuhao, I had no intention of being your enemy. But as a direct descendant of the Duke's Mansion, even if Dai Huabin provoked you, you shouldn't have used such severe force to cripple him."
" The Duke's Mansion?" Huo Yuhao threw his head back and laughed, his laughter carrying a chilling aura that caused ripples to appear on the crystal chandelier in the dome. He approached slowly, each step carrying an oppressive force that seemed capable of crushing everything, the icy blue patterns faintly visible beneath his clothes swirling wildly with his rage.
"Since he's on the Soul Fighting Arena, his life and death are in the hands of fate, and his wealth and honor are determined by heaven. I'm already being lenient by sparing his dog's life. So what if he's from the Duke's Mansion? In my eyes, he's nothing but a fart! How dare he act so arrogantly in front of me!"
Ma Xiaotao hurriedly stepped forward, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. " Yuhao, let's talk this out..."
"Shut up!" Huo Yuhao suddenly turned his head, his eyes burning with suppressed anger, and his whole body exuding a chilling aura. Ma Xiaotao was stunned by this sudden ferocity and subconsciously took two steps back, only then realizing that things were far more complicated than she had imagined.
After a moment, Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, the violence in his eyes gradually fading, and a look of guilt appeared on his face. "I'm sorry, Ma Xiaotao... I lost control of my emotions today. As you saw, some people came in with hostility from the start, which made it really hard to stay calm."
Ma Xiaotao bit her lower lip, a hint of hurt flashing in her eyes. However, when Huo Yuhao's explanation reached her ears, she frowned slightly, a look of understanding flashing in her eyes. As one of the best students in the Inner Court, she silently deduced that Huo Yuhao's anger must be related to the Duke's Mansion.
Jiang Nannan's rabbit ears drooped limply, her voice full of worry. "This is the first time I've seen Yuhao like this..." She stared at the boy in front of her, who exuded a cold aura. The gentle and humble Huo Yuhao in her memory seemed to be shrouded in hatred, making her feel both unfamiliar and heartbroken.
Wang Dong clenched her fists. The killing intent surging in Huo Yuhao's eyes was palpable, even more ferocious than when they sparred before. She clearly remembered that while Huo Yuhao had his strengths back then, he was nowhere near as chilling as he was now. What exactly was hidden behind this killing intent?
Xiao Xiao peeked out timidly from behind Bei Bei, whispering, "Brother Huo is unusually fierce today..." Her voice trembled slightly, and the scene before her made the young girl feel uneasy.
Ning Tian crossed her arms, a hint of seriousness flashing in her eyes. "Such strong killing intent..." She could clearly sense that Huo Yuhao's aura was like dark clouds before a storm, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.