Bonus Chapter. Enjoy!
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Gongyang Mo, a Shrek Academy Inner Court Disciple, was a recognized Genius.
He used to be the pride of the Inner Court, an object of envy for the Students.
But the once high-spirited favored son of heaven was now lying in a chair all day like an old man in his twilight years. His eyes were hollow and lost, his expression numb and cold, as if he had lost interest in everything.
And the reason he was like this all started from that incident over a year ago.
As a Main Team Member, he represented Shrek Academy in the Star Luo All-Continent High-Rank Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament.
On the way to the competition, the academy insisted on taking them on a Supervision Mission.
Originally, with a Rank 98 Super Douluo protecting them in the shadows, nothing should have gone wrong.
But they didn't expect that at the critical moment, Xuan Zi, who was supposed to protect them, disappeared, and they suffered heavy casualties.
Gongyang Mo survived, but he paid a heavy price, losing his right leg.
The academy said they would compensate him, but after healing his wounds, they arranged for him to stay in this small courtyard on the edge of Sea God Island.
Although they didn't kick him off Sea God Island, it had been a long time since anyone visited him. Former classmates and former teachers all seemed to have forgotten his existence.
Hearing someone call his name now, Gongyang Mo thought he had misheard. He looked up toward the outside of the small courtyard; by the low wall, a familiar face appeared.
It was Huo Yuhao, the youth who had turned the tide during the competition, the Genius the academy viewed as the future.
Gongyang Mo sat up and looked at Huo Yuhao, a hint of surprise flashing in those hollow eyes. He didn't expect Huo Yuhao would actually come to see him.
Gongyang Mo had difficulty moving and didn't feign enthusiasm, simply saying directly: "Come in."
The courtyard gate was just ajar, the wooden door swaying gently in the wind with a slight creak.
Huo Yuhao walked straight in without ceremony and sat down on a chair next to Gongyang Mo.
He asked, "Senior Gongyang, how have you been lately?"
Gongyang Mo wasn't sure of Huo Yuhao's purpose; there was little interaction between him and Huo Yuhao.
He replied perfunctorily, "I'm alright."
Huo Yuhao observed Gongyang Mo, knowing it was a lie. Over a year ago, Gongyang Mo was a Rank 59 Spirit King.
Now, after more than a year, Gongyang Mo's Spirit Power was still stuck at Rank 59. During this time, it seemed he hadn't Cultivated at all. He seemed to have given up on Cultivating and on himself.
Huo Yuhao asked again, "What are your plans for the future, Senior?"
Gongyang Mo eventually murmured, "The future?"
He looked at the distant sea, his hollow eyes seemingly out of focus.
He gave a bitter laugh, full of desolation: "I am a cripple now, what plans can I have?"
His tone was full of despair, as if he had no expectations for the future.
Seeing Gongyang Mo's listless state, Huo Yuhao said, "If Senior Gongyang has no plans for the future, why not come and help me?"
Hearing this, Gongyang Mo looked at him, his eyes filled with confusion.
He said with a bit of self-deprecation, "I'm just a cripple now, how can I help you?"
Huo Yuhao didn't waste words and said bluntly, "Next semester I will apply to graduate and leave the academy. After that, I plan to go to Star Luo City to establish my own power, so I want to invite you to help, Senior."
A flash of surprise appeared in Gongyang Mo's eyes; he didn't expect Huo Yuhao wouldn't stay at the academy.
However, even with Huo Yuhao's talent, establishing his own power would definitely not be easy. After all, he was only a Spirit Emperor now, and too young.
Gongyang Mo was thinking of how to refuse, but Huo Yuhao's next words made him swallow his prepared rejection.
Huo Yuhao looked at Gongyang Mo and smiled, "In my view, Senior Gongyang is not a cripple. I can make you stand up again!"
Hearing this, Gongyang Mo's pupils suddenly constricted. His back straightened instantly, and he stared intently at Huo Yuhao, light finally appearing in those hollow eyes.
His voice trembled, "You... what did you say?!"
His tone was full of shock.
Huo Yuhao smiled; he didn't answer directly but extended his right hand. His palm was fair and slender, and in the empty palm, an object suddenly appeared.
It was a long, strip-shaped metal object, silvery-white all over with smooth lines, but one could tell at a glance it was a leg—a metal leg. Its joints had precise gears and bolts, and its surface was covered with complex Spirit Tool formation patterns.
Gongyang Mo's gaze was fixed on the metal leg in Huo Yuhao's hand, his hollow eyes finally finding focus.
He knew this wasn't just an ordinary metal leg; from the patterns and craftsmanship, he could tell it was also a Spirit Tool.
Huo Yuhao then said, "This is a Spirit Tool that can connect to human nerves. It works no differently from your own leg, and it can even unleash the power of a Class 7 close-combat spirit tool."
Gongyang Mo had never heard of such a Spirit Tool, but Huo Yuhao didn't sound like he was lying.
This made his once-dead heart beat again.
Seeing Gongyang Mo's longing gaze, Huo Yuhao smiled, "I can customize such a Spirit Tool for you, Senior, guaranteeing that your movements will be no different from before."
Gongyang Mo's breathing became rapid, and the light returned to his gaze as he looked at Huo Yuhao.
His voice was low and firm: "If everything you say is true, then I am willing to follow you until death!"
Losing his right leg had been too great a blow to Gongyang Mo. He should have been commanding the wind and clouds in the Soul Fighting Arena and advancing rapidly on the path of Cultivation.
But now, he could only lie in this small courtyard, watching time slip away and himself sink into despair.
Now, with the hope of standing up again, he naturally had to grasp it.
As for the promise to follow Huo Yuhao, he was originally a support system Spirit Master with limited combat power; following a powerful Spirit Master or joining a large organization was already his original plan.
Huo Yuhao knew the matter was settled, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Rest assured, Senior, I definitely won't let you down."
...
Gongyang Mo was just the beginning; afterwards, he went to find Xi Xi.
In the incident over a year ago, Xi Xi had also been seriously injured by the Corpse Explosion. However, she was relatively lucky; she didn't lose any limbs, though she was left with some scars.
Facing Huo Yuhao's invitation, Xi Xi agreed very straightforwardly. Although she was a girl, her personality was quite blunt, and she didn't like beating around the bush. Huo Yuhao was stronger than her, so she trusted that he could succeed.
More importantly, Xi Xi wasn't the type to follow conventions; she didn't like a predictable life. The thought of young people like them building an organization from scratch—even though she didn't know what Huo Yuhao's goal was—made her willing to give it a try.
Afterwards, Huo Yuhao visited many more Inner Court Students.
But things didn't go as smoothly after that.
Shrek Academy's reputation was still too resounding; many Students expressed that they would stay at the academy.
The remaining Students either had to return to their families or return to serve their countries.
After all, Shrek's admission requirement was a recommendation letter from a city lord, so most who joined the academy were children of major powers or nobility; those without any Foundation were very few.
However, Huo Yuhao wasn't entirely without gain; in the end, he recruited three more people, all of whom were Inner Court Spirit Kings.
These people might have just been impulsive, wanting to accompany Huo Yuhao on a venture. But in Huo Yuhao's heart, they would be the elders of the Spirit Pagoda.
Ultimately, Huo Yuhao would bring these people rewards beyond their imagination!
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
2 Reviews = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.