Above the Sky Screen, the image of White World continues to scroll on the right.
With the conclusion of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament, Huo Yuhao's life returned to normal, but his growth rate did not slow down at all.
[ Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Xuan Ziwen Laboratory.]
After Huo Yuhao returned from Star Luo City, the academy's attitude towards him noticeably changed. His Spiritual Detection sharing in the finals showcased his value to everyone. Those who had previously treated him coldly because of his Star Luo Empire identity were now forced to re-evaluate this young man.
" Yuhao, the academy has approved your reward." Xuan Ziwen handed him a file. " Your Cultivate resources have been doubled, plus an additional contribution point. Logically, based on your performance in the finals, you could easily be admitted to Mingde Hall without any special consideration."
Huo Yuhao took the file without speaking. He knew Dao Xuan Ziwen's words had a hidden meaning.
["But—" Sure enough, Xuan Ziwen paused, "your identity is still a bit of a hurdle. Someone at Mingde Hall disagrees. The reason is that ' people from the Star Luo Empire shouldn't have access to core secrets.'"]
Huo Yuhao's expression remained unchanged, and he calmly said, "As expected."
Xuan Ziwen looked at him, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. This young man was even more composed than he had imagined. "Double the resources is already pretty good. The Mingde Hall matter isn't urgent. Once you 've broken through to level five Soul Engineer, who can stop you?"
Huo Yuhao nodded: "I know, Dao."
...
Beyond the Sky Screen, in the Black World, on the Douluo Continent.
Inside the tavern, the people looked at the Sky Screen on the right and discussed it amongst themselves.
"The Sun Moon Empire of that world is still wary of Huo Yuhao. People from the Star Luo Empire can't enter Mingde Hall."
"It's normal to be cautious. After all, they're foreigners; you can't just give them core secrets away casually."
"But Huo Yuhao won the championship for them! Without his Spiritual Detection, could Sun Moon Empire have won so easily?"
"A champion is a champion, and a secret is a secret. They are two different things."
Some people lamented, "Our Huo Yuhao here can't even secure a Core Disciple position in Shrek. Huo Yuhao over there, though guarded by the Sun Moon Empire, at least has doubled his resources. Neither of them has had an easy time."
...
Outside of Sky Screen, White World, Sun Moon Empire, Bright Capital.
The people looked at the Sky Screen with varying expressions.
" Venerable Ming is blocked? People from the Star Luo Empire can't enter Mingde Hall? What kind of rule is that?"
"Rules are rules. Mingde Hall is the core of our Sun Moon Empire; how can we let outsiders in so easily?"
"But Venerable Ming won the championship for us! Without him, could we have won that match?"
"We won, but the rules can't be broken. Besides, Venerable Ming is only thirteen years old, what's the rush?"
Someone whispered, " Venerable Ming must be feeling really bad. He works so hard for the Sun Moon Empire, and in the end, he's still treated like an outsider."
"You have to bear it even if you're uncomfortable. He's smart; he knows when Dao should do what."
...
With double the resources, Huo Yuhao's days became even more fulfilling. During the day, he immersed himself in Xuan Ziwen's lab, learning how to create level 5 spirit tools; at night, under Electrolux's guidance, he cultivated... Necromancy and mental strain are increasing daily.
Holy Spirit Cult Meanwhile, Bright Capital's branch was also steadily supplying resources. Since being subdued by Huo Yuhao, the Elder had been utterly loyal, respectfully addressing him as "Master" every time resources arrived.
"Master, I have completed the tasks you previously instructed me to undertake," Elder whispered. " Ma Xiaotao from Shrek Academy, Black Phoenix... " The message from Spirit has reached headquarters. Headquarters' intention is... they will send someone to Shrek Academy immediately!
Huo Yuhao nodded: "No rush, she doesn't need to pay too much attention to it!"
Elder hesitated for a moment, then said, "Also, the branch recently recruited a batch of new people, all of whom are quite talented. As you instructed, I haven't let them access core secrets; they've just been given normal training."
"Well done," Huo Yuhao said calmly. "It's not about quantity, but quality. They'll come in handy in the future."
...
Beyond the Sky Screen, in the Black World, on the Douluo Continent.
Inside the tavern, the people looked at the Sky Screen with complicated expressions.
" Huo Yuhao is making his move. Ma Xiaotao's Black Phoenix..." He's got his eye on Spirit.
"He's only thirteen years old, and he's already thinking about the future. What was Huo Yuhao doing when he was thirteen? Working hard in Shrek."
"That's the difference. One walks on their own, the other is pushed along by others."
Someone whispered, "That World's Huo Yuhao thinks every step of the way clearly. Our side, every step we take is forced upon us."
...
Outside of Sky Screen, White World, Sun Moon Empire, Bright Capital.
The people were talking about it.
" Venerable Ming is recruiting? What's he up to?"
"Smart people know that Dao should plan ahead. Venerable Ming may only be a student now, but he will definitely be a big shot in the future. How can he get things done without subordinates?"
"That Ma Xiaotao, Shrek's student, is also being targeted by Venerable Ming? That's quite a long shot."
"He's a Genius, everyone wants him. If Ma Xiaotao really falls into the Evil Path, besides Venerable Ming, who can save her?"
...…
[In the lab, Huo Yuhao and Ju Zi's relationship quietly warmed up during this time.]
[As the most senior Grandmaster among Xuan Ziwen's students, Huo Yuhao... ] Regarding the Junior Brothers... The junior sisters were very caring. When Orange was just starting out, she wasn't familiar with many basic operations, so Huo Yuhao taught her step by step. From refining the soul guide core to inscribing the magic circle, he patiently explained every step.
"Here, apply a little less pressure." Huo Yuhao stood behind Ju Zi, pointing to the carving knife in her hand. "The soul guide core requires very high precision; even the slightest deviation will drastically reduce the energy conversion rate."
[Ju Zi adjusted the controls as instructed, and it was indeed much smoother than before. She looked up, a smile in her eyes: "Thank you, Grandmaster."]
Huo Yuhao shook his head: "No need to thank me. Feel free to ask me anything you don't understand in the future."
[Such scenes frequently occur in the lab. Orange's talent isn't top-tier, but she's incredibly hardworking. She practices what Huo Yuhao teaches her repeatedly until she masters it. Their relationship, too, develops through this daily interaction, from strangers to acquaintances, and from acquaintances to close friends.]
However, there was always a hurdle in Orange's heart.
She was able to come to Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy because of Crown Prince This was Xu Tianran's arrangement. Xu Tianran valued her abilities and wanted to groom her as a confidante. In return, she needed Xu Tianran's power to avenge her deceased family. This deal prevented her from freely choosing her own life like ordinary students.
[" Grandmaster …" Orange hesitated once, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.]
Huo Yuhao looked at her calmly and said, "Some things aren't urgent."
[Ju Zi was taken aback, then understood. He didn't press her, didn't force her, but simply gave her time and space. This thoughtfulness softened her heart even more.]
[But both of them knew that this relationship wouldn't have a future in the short term.]
...
Beyond the Sky Screen, in the Black World, on the Douluo Continent.
Inside the tavern, the people watched the Sky Screen and discussed it animatedly.
" Huo Yuhao and Ju Zi... are they going to get together?"
" I wonder if Dao will become the Empress of the Sun Moon Empire in the future, but even if she's dating Huo Yuhao now, it shouldn't be a problem!"
"But she's still being watched by Xu Tianran. How could someone from the Crown Prince's faction be so easily swayed?"
" Xu Tianran from that world isn't dead yet. What will happen to his family if Ju Zi doesn't listen to him?"
Some people lamented Dao: "No matter what world you're in, being an orange is never easy. One is the queen, the other is a pawn. Neither of them has a choice."
...
Outside of Sky Screen, White World, Sun Moon Empire, Bright Capital.
The people looked at the Sky Screen with complicated expressions.
"Did the Empress Dowager have this relationship with Venerable Ming when she was young?"
"That's a matter for another world. Our Empress Dowager here takes a different path."
"But isn't she much happier in that world than she is here? At least she can openly like someone."
Someone whispered, "Stop talking. The Empress Dowager is still in the palace; it wouldn't be good if someone heard us."
...
White World, Reincarnation God Realm.
Gu Yuena and the others watched Huo Yuhao interact with Ju Zi with envy in their eyes.
Orange spent the most time with Huo Yuhao, which is an advantage they don't have!
The four of them, in order, are Orange, Snow Empress, Wang Qiuer, and finally Gu Yuena.
...
[At the end of the second semester, Huo Yuhao's spirit tool] Rank has ushered in a new Breakthrough.
"Level 5." Xuan Ziwen looked at the completed Soul Core, his eyes full of admiration. "Energy conversion rate 91%. Yuhao, you are now the youngest Level 5 Soul Engineer at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy."
Huo Yuhao wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled slightly. He had gone from level one to level five in less than two years. This speed, even within the Sun Moon Empire teeming with Geniuses, was enough to draw attention.
" What about spirit power?" Xuan Ziwen asked.
"Level 34." Huo Yuhao Dao, "One level away from the Fourth Ring."
Xuan Ziwen nodded: "Was the third spirit ring absorbed in the Jingyang Mountains?"
"Hmm, it's a ten-thousand-year-old silver wolf." Huo Yuhao raised his hand, a wave of mental energy spreading from between his brows. " Spirit Ability: Mental Chaos. Combined with my Spiritual Detection and Mental Shock, few within the Third Ring can withstand it."
Xuan Ziwen looked at him, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled: " Yuhao, do you know what you lack most right now, Dao?"
Huo Yuhao was taken aback: "What?"
"Time," Xuan Ziwen patted his shoulder. "You're only thirteen. In five or ten years, who can stop you?"
Huo Yuhao didn't speak, but he knew that Dao was right; all he needed was time.
...
Beyond the Sky Screen, in the Black World, on the Douluo Continent.
Inside the tavern, the people stared at the Sky Screen on the right, remaining silent for a long time.
"Level 5 Soul Engineer... A thirteen-year-old Level 5 Soul Engineer."
" Huo Yuhao here is only at level 8 at 23. Over there, he's already at level 5 at 13."
"It's not that he doesn't work hard, it's just that their paths are different. One is in the Sun Moon Empire, where he can have anything he wants. The other is in Shrek, where he has to earn everything himself."
Someone whispered, "If he had gone to the Sun Moon Empire back then..."
No one answered.
...…
Shrek City, Inner Court.
Xuan Zi stared at the Sky Screen, remaining silent for a long time.
Yan Shaozhe said softly, "A thirteen-year-old Level 5 Soul Engineer... that's several years ahead of Huo Yuhao here!"
Xuan Zi nodded without saying anything.
Qian Duoduo sighed: "The paths are different. They were different from the very beginning."
He's now wondering if that extreme individual soldier project really delayed Huo Yuhao.