Chapter 272 Controlling the Wind and Snow! The Suffering Black Mystic!
In the dark world, in the squares of major cities, Soul Masters looked at the sky, their discussions gradually subsiding, and all eyes were focused on the images that were about to be played.
[In the scene depicting the sky.]
[By the Seagod Lake, Huo Yuhao continued to sit cross-legged.]
A long time has passed.
His understanding of that fusion power had progressed from "how to control" to "how to become." He kept Bai Xuanzi's words in mind: "In the domain, you are the rule."
On this day, he opened his eyes.
As before, he didn't raise his hand, but simply sat still. The ground within a hundred-meter radius began to freeze; the ice layer was thin, but it covered a wider area than before, extending even beyond one hundred and fifty meters.
But this time, the change is different from before.
Huo Yuhao did not intentionally manipulate the ice.
He didn't conjure ice spikes, erect ice walls, or make any other deliberate move. He simply sat there, and the entire icy domain operated according to his will.
He wanted the ice to be thicker, and it became thicker.
He wanted the cold to intensify, so the temperature in the air dropped.
He wanted an ice flower to appear on the distant lake, and the ice flower solidified on its own, without him having to create it manually.
Huo Yuhao raised his right hand and flicked his finger.
[There was no fluctuation of soul power at his fingertips, but the instant he flicked his finger, a rock within his domain was enveloped in icy energy, its surface rapidly freezing.]
In less than a breath, the rock transformed into an ice sculpture, completely transparent with clearly defined patterns.
He flicked his finger again. The ice sculpture instantly shattered, turning into tiny ice crystals that dissipated into the air.
Throughout the entire process, Huo Yuhao did not use any soul skills, release any soul rings, or even deliberately mobilize his soul power.
He simply "wanted" it. He wanted the rock to turn into an ice sculpture, and it did. He wanted the ice sculpture to disappear, and it disappeared.
Bai Xuanzi stood not far away, watching all this, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Not bad." Bai Xuanzi nodded, his tone carrying a hint of approval. "That's right. It's not that you're manipulating the domain, but that the domain itself is a part of you. When you're within the domain, you are the rule."
Huo Yuhao stood up and bowed to Bai Xuanzi, saying, "It's all thanks to your excellent guidance, Teacher."
"Alright, stop flattering me." Bai Xuanzi waved his hand. "Your ability to comprehend this level is due to your own understanding. I merely pointed you in the right direction; you had to forge your own path."
Huo Yuhao smiled but didn't say anything more.
Looking at the dissipated ice around him, he felt an inexplicable sense of peace. From ice marks to the realm of ice, from manipulation to becoming a rule, it had been a long journey for him, but he had finally made it.
In the plaza of the Dark World, the Soul Masters witnessed this scene, and their discussions erupted once again.
"Is this the effect Bai Xuanzi wanted?" A Soul Master's eyes widened. "Not manipulation, but becoming the rule. This is too amazing."
"Did you see that?" someone nearby said. "He flicked his finger, and the rock turned into an ice sculpture. It wasn't frozen with a soul skill; he 'wanted' it to become an ice sculpture, and it did. That's the power of the rule system."
"Compared to before, he's definitely much more powerful." Another Soul Master analyzed, "Before, although he could control ice spikes and ice walls, those were all physical changes that required him to actively control them. Now, with just a thought, the domain operates according to his wishes. This is on a completely different level."
"Bai Xuanzi is still Bai Xuanzi," an older Soul Master sighed. "He saw the crux of the problem at a glance, and with just a few words, he put Huo Yuhao on the right path. Who in the underworld has such teaching ability?"
"Hei Xuanzi?" someone sneered. "All Hei Xuanzi knows is 'Go!' and 'Don't embarrass Shrek Academy.' What can he teach? He can't even teach his own disciples properly."
"Don't say that," someone nearby said. "Hei Xuanzi isn't entirely without ability, but compared to Bai Xuanzi, he is indeed far inferior."
"That's a huge difference," the man retorted. "The disciples they've taught are also vastly different. Huo Yuhao from the dark world created the Three Absolute Techniques of Haodong. Huo Yuhao from the white world created a rule-based domain. That's the difference between teachers."
"Hey, don't get this wrong. Huo Yuhao from the underworld isn't Hei Xuanzi's disciple, he's Hei Mu'en's disciple."
"Although Huo Yuhao's Hao Dong Three Wonders in the underworld are not as good as Bai Yuhao's move just now, even Huo Yuhao in the underworld did not learn his Hao Dong Three Wonders from Hei Xuanzi. Hei Xuanzi taught Xiao Xiao, but Xiao Xiao didn't learn anything."
Discussions rose and fell in the square, with most people praising Bai Xuanzi's teaching abilities.
In a corner of Shrek Academy, Hei Xuanzi sat in the shadows, staring intently at the sky.
He listened to the whispers around him, the words piercing his ears like needles.
"Bai Xuanzi is still Bai Xuanzi." "Hei Xuanzi only knows how to yell 'Attack!'" "That's the difference between teachers." "..."
Every word made him feel bad.
His face grew increasingly pale, and his fingers, gripping the gourd tightly, turned white from the force.
He wanted to refute, to say that he had also taught many outstanding students. But he opened his mouth, and nothing came out.
Because he knew that what those people said was true.
In the White World, Huo Yuhao, under Bai Xuanzi's tutelage, has already grasped the realm of rules. Meanwhile, in the Black World, Huo Yuhao is still basking in the glory of the power of the Three Absolute Techniques of Haodong.
That's the difference.
He lowered his head, no longer looking at the sky, nor listening to the surrounding discussions.
But he couldn't suppress the pain in his heart.
[In the scene depicting the sky.]
Bai Xuanzi looked at Huo Yuhao, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Let's stop cultivating here for now."
Huo Yuhao paused for a moment, then asked, "Teacher, is there anything else we need to do?"
"Hmm." Bai Xuanzi nodded. "Cultivation is the foundation, but actual combat is the standard for testing results. No matter how well you train in the academy, without real combat experience, it's just empty talk."
Huo Yuhao listened attentively without interrupting.
"Therefore, I have a test for you," Bai Xuanzi said calmly. "I hope you can complete it."
Huo Yuhao straightened up, his expression serious: "Please speak, teacher."
Bai Xuanzi looked at him, remained silent for a few seconds, and then spoke—
(End of chapter)