White World, Sun Moon Empire, Bright Capital.
The common people looked at the Sky Screen, their faces filled with pride.
"See that! This is Venerable Ming! Reaching the third ring from level 23 in half a semester!"
"Extreme Spirits cultivate so slowly, yet Venerable Ming is still this fast. The cultivation method taught by that Electrolux is too incredible!"
"And those medicinal pills, resources... Venerable Ming now has everything he wants, completely different from his counterpart in that World."
"Of course. In that World, Huo Yuhao is still worrying over a few scraps of resources, while our Venerable Ming already lacks for nothing."
Black World, Douluo Continent.
But the atmosphere in the tavern was completely different.
"Third ring from level 23 in half a semester? Isn't his Spirit an extreme one? How could his cultivation speed possibly be this fast?"
"Weren't you listening? He has the cultivation method taught by Electrolux and endless resources. He gets whatever he wants. How could he not be fast?"
"What about the Huo Yuhao on our side? His extreme Spirit cultivates slowly, he has to earn his own resources, he doesn't even have a proper teacher..."
Someone said with a bitter smile, "This is the gap. The same talent, the same Spirit, one is cradled in the palm of their hand, the other is tossed in a corner. Could the results possibly be the same?"
Shrek City, Inner Court.
Yan Shaozhe gazed at the Sky Screen, murmuring, "His counterpart in that World has reached the third ring. The Huo Yuhao on our side is still struggling at the second ring."
Qian Duoduo gave a wry smile. "Not just struggling, he's desperately trying to catch up. But can he catch up?"
No one answered. Clearly, the Sky Screen had already provided the answer.
...
[After breaking through to the third ring, Huo Yuhao's spirit tool level also rose accordingly, directly surging to level four. He became one of the most dazzling students at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, skipping grades directly to enter the fourth year, in the same class as Nana.]
[When Nana saw him, her eyes were full of surprise. 'M-master... how did you come to the fourth year?']
[Huo Yuhao smiled slightly. 'I skipped grades.']
[Nana stared at him in shock, speechless for a long time. She remembered that a year ago, when she was ordered to'subdue' this youth, he was just a small Spirit Master with a First Ring. And now, he stood at the same height as her.]
['Just what kind of monster are you...' she murmured.]
[Huo Yuhao didn't answer, only smiled.]
...
White World, Sun Moon Empire, Bright Capital.
"Skipping grades! Straight to the fourth year! Venerable Ming is too amazing!"
"That Nana was dumbfounded! A year ago, she was sent to subdue Venerable Ming, and now Venerable Ming is already her equal."
"Equal? Venerable Ming is a level four Soul Engineer. What's her level? She might not even be as strong as Venerable Ming yet!"
Black World, Douluo Continent.
Someone sighed. "Skipping grades... Over there, he's skipping grades. Over here, we're still studying that 'Ultimate Solo Soldier' plan, delaying Huo Yuhao's cultivation."
"Hmph! Ultimate Solo Soldier? In a World where spirit tools are developing so rapidly, can the power of one person truly stand against an entire Empire? Then why hasn't Huo Yuhao driven out the Sun Moon Empire invaders now?"
"So Shrek Academy's choice back then was wrong. It delayed Huo Yuhao's development."
"Isn't Shrek the number one academy? How did it end up like this?"
"Number one academy? That was before. After seeing the education in that World on the Sky Screen, who still thinks Shrek is number one?"
...
[As Huo Yuhao became more and more famous within the academy, his identity also began to draw attention from some—a person from the Star Luo Empire, shining brilliantly at the Sun Moon Empire's highest institution. This information made some extreme nationalists quite dissatisfied.]
['A person from the Star Luo Empire, what right does he have to enjoy the resources of our Sun Moon Empire?']
['Exactly! He should be driven out!']
[However, these voices were quickly suppressed. Because every spirit tool Huo Yuhao researched brought immense contributions to the academy. His contribution points surpassed those of any other student.]
['If you have the skill, invent a few new things yourselves.' A single sentence from the academy's higher-ups silenced those opponents.]
...
White World, Sun Moon Empire, Bright Capital.
"The faces of those who opposed Venerable Ming must be swollen from the slaps, right?"
"Serves them right! Venerable Ming earns his resources through his own abilities. What right do they have to criticize?"
"Exactly! Which of the spirit tools Venerable Ming invented hasn't benefited the common people? Instead of wasting time on this, they should spend more effort researching technology!"
Black World, Douluo Continent.
Someone sighed. "In that World's Sun Moon Empire, although there are extremists, the higher-ups are reasonable. A capable person is respected anywhere."
"Now look at our side... Those people at Shrek only care about spirit power level. To them, Huo Yuhao's innate level one makes him trash. Do they even understand the spirit tools he invented?"
"They don't understand, and they look down on them. This is the gap."
Shrek City, Inner Court.
Xuan Zi was silent for a long time. Although he looked down on spirit tools in his heart, reality forced him to accept it!
...
[News of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament arrived while Huo Yuhao was in the lab crafting a new spirit tool.]
['This year's tournament is being held in the Star Luo Empire,' Xuan Ziwen said, handing him a notice. 'The academy is forming a team to compete. You're on the list.']
[Huo Yuhao was slightly taken aback. 'Me?']
['Yes.' Xuan Ziwen nodded. 'Your spirit tool level is already at four, and your combat ability isn't bad either. The academy thinks you should go see the World.']
[Huo Yuhao was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, 'Will Shrek Academy be competing?']
['Of course.' Xuan Ziwen smiled. 'They come every time. What, are you interested in them?']
[Huo Yuhao nodded. 'The continent's number one academy. Of course I'd like to see it for myself.']
[What he didn't say was that in this World, he wasn't at Shrek Academy, and he didn't know who Shrek Academy would send to participate in this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament!]
[Also, that hundred-thousand-year embryo that would appear in Star Luo City—he absolutely had to find a way to obtain it!]
['Interesting,' he whispered to himself.]
...
Black World, Shrek Academy.
The elders watching Huo Yuhao's actions on the Sky Screen frowned deeply. They were also curious about the other World's Shrek Academy.
They also wanted to know how far Shrek Academy would ultimately go in the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament!
...
White World, Sun Moon Empire, Bright Capital.
The common people began discussing excitedly.
"Venerable Ming is going to the Star Luo Empire! He's going to participate in the Soul Dueling Tournament!"
"If the Venerable Mings from both Worlds were to compete at this time, who knows what the final result would be!"
"A level four Soul Engineer versus a second ring reserve team member—is there even a fight?"