Bonus Chapter. Enjoy!
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Huo Yuhao met Yan Shaozhe's eyes, which were filled with "sincerity," but he remained unmoved in his heart.
His future had long been clearly planned out in his mind; staying at Shrek Academy had never been part of his plan.
Moreover, with Leng Yaozhu by his side now, a powerhouse at the Limit Douluo level standing behind him, he felt full of confidence.
Therefore, he replied in a calm but firm tone: "Dean Yan, I have no intention of staying at the academy."
Hearing this, Yan Shaozhe frowned slightly.
His gaze lingered on Huo Yuhao's face for a few seconds, as if judging whether this young man was acting on impulse or was truly determined.
Then his brow relaxed, and he put on a sincere and earnest expression: "Yuhao, I know your talent is exceptional, and among your peers, you are definitely one of the best."
"But don't forget, how old are you this year?"
"You are only fourteen. At fourteen, if you don't stay at the academy to settle down properly, where else can you go?"
"Although the World outside is vast, for a young man, the waves are too rough."
When Yan Shaozhe said this, his tone was earnest and sincere. If Huo Yuhao hadn't already made up his mind, he might have been truly moved by these heartfelt words.
Huo Yuhao had no intention of hiding his plans. According to the information sent back by Gongyang Mo, the first main tower of the Spirit Pagoda would be completed within a year, and by then, the reputation of the Spirit Pagoda would surely spread across the continent rapidly.
By that time, his plan would naturally be out in the open. Rather than hiding it, it was better to speak openly about it today.
Meeting Yan Shaozhe's gaze, he said: "Dean Yan, I plan to establish a faction of my own."
When his words fell, the air went quiet for a moment.
Then Yan Shaozhe suddenly laughed out loud.
There was no malice in that laughter, but it carried an almost instinctive disapproval, like a World-weary adult hearing a child say they wanted to pluck the stars from the sky.
He shook his head, his face full of helplessness and amusement: "Yuhao, you child... what should I say to you?"
"Being young and vigorous is a good thing, but is establishing a faction really that simple?"
"There are too many things involved—resources, connections, powerhouses; which one of these doesn't require years of management to accumulate?"
"You are still young; you are thinking about this too simply."
Clearly, Huo Yuhao's words fell on Yan Shaozhe's ears as an absurd notion from a boy acting on a hot-headed impulse, knowing nothing of the height of the sky and the depth of the earth.
A fourteen-year-old child saying he wanted to establish a faction would sound like a joke to anyone, even if he were a Genius.
Huo Yuhao did not argue, nor did he try to explain anything. He knew that words alone were useless; Yan Shaozhe would not believe him.
So he just smiled slightly and said in a calm, unhurried tone: "It is precisely because I am still young that I want to give it a try."
"No matter the final outcome, whether it succeeds or fails, I will accept it. While I still have the capital to make mistakes, I don't want to leave myself with any regrets."
Looking at Huo Yuhao's "unyielding" appearance, the smile on Yan Shaozhe's face could finally no longer hold.
In his eyes, which had originally been filled with eager smiles, a clearly visible impatience gradually emerged. A shallow frown tightened between his brows, and his entire aura became low and oppressive.
His voice also deepened, no longer the earnest tone of an elder from just moments ago, but with a hint of interrogation.
"You should know how the academy has treated you. Over the years, how many resources and how much effort has the academy invested in you? Is that not enough to make you stay?"
However, Huo Yuhao's expression remained calm. He was neither angry at Yan Shaozhe's change of face, nor did he show any annoyance.
He just quietly met the other's gaze and said unhurriedly: "Dean Yan, to borrow the words Elder Mu once said, 'Shrek is just an academy'; it is perfectly normal for a Student to leave the academy after graduation."
As soon as these words were spoken, Yan Shaozhe's expression changed instantly.
Seeing Huo Yuhao bring up Elder Mu to pressure him, the anger that Yan Shaozhe had been desperately suppressing in his heart could finally no longer be contained.
His face twisted with visible speed, veins faintly throbbing on his forehead. A terrifying aura belonging to a level 95 Super Douluo surged out from his body uncontrollably, and a pressure like a physical force crushed everything around him.
Yan Shaozhe took a step forward, staring fixedly at Huo Yuhao, his voice filled with uncontrollable anger: "Those are ordinary Students! Can the resources you enjoy at the academy be compared to theirs?"
Facing the oncoming pressure, Huo Yuhao didn't even frown. He stood straight in place, meeting Yan Shaozhe's gaze, which was almost spitting fire, without dodging or avoiding it.
"I am very grateful for Shrek Academy's cultivation of me; I have always kept this debt of gratitude in my heart."
"Therefore, if the academy needs anything in the future, just say the word, and I will absolutely come back to help without hesitation."
"Moreover, the faction I establish in the future can also cooperate with Shrek Academy..."
"Enough!" Before he could finish, Yan Shaozhe let out a sharp shout like a thunderclap, directly cutting off the rest of Huo Yuhao's words.
His chest heaved violently, his eyes wide open; the dean's demeanor of never showing his emotions was long gone.
Seeing that Yan Shaozhe's aura had spiraled out of control and was pressing down on a fourteen-year-old boy, Cai Meier's expression shifted several times and finally couldn't help but speak up, calling out: "Shao Zhe!"
Cai Meier called out to persuade Yan Shaozhe to calm down.
In all fairness, she didn't think there was anything wrong with what Huo Yuhao said. It was only natural for a Student to leave the academy after graduation; the academy truly had no reason to forcibly stop him.
After hearing her call, Yan Shaozhe just turned to look at her. With just that one glance, Cai Meier's heart sank. She knew her husband too well; she knew this was how he looked when he was angry. In this state, anything she said would be futile.
Yan Shaozhe then turned his head back, refocusing his gaze on Huo Yuhao.
He looked at Huo Yuhao coldly, his tone carrying a hint of undisguised sarcasm: "I have to admit, you are indeed a Genius."
"But don't take yourself too seriously; even a Genius can't succeed at everything they do." He paused, his lips curling into a mocking arc, and then he let out a heavy cold snort: "Also, what do you think Shrek Academy is? Shrek is the continent's number one academy, one of the most top-tier factions on the entire continent!"
"A fourteen-year-old brat like you, opening your mouth to talk about cooperation with Shrek?"
"I don't think you want to cooperate; you want to borrow Shrek Academy's influence and use the academy's name to pave the way for your little games, right? Heh, your scheming is really quite good!"
Huo Yuhao's expression remained calm, as if those words were not spoken about him.
But behind him, Leng Yaozhu's face had completely darkened. Her cold and beautiful face seemed covered in a layer of frost, and the temperature in her eyes plummeted to freezing point.
She had originally been standing quietly behind Huo Yuhao, but hearing this, she had already determined one thing. That was that Huo Yuhao's previous judgment was completely accurate: Yan Shaozhe, this dean, really did not intend to let him go easily.
If bribery doesn't work, then threaten; once the nice words are exhausted, flip the face.
This method is truly using any means necessary to achieve one's goal.
Huo Yuhao was a treasure in Leng Yaozhu's heart; she couldn't bear to say a single harsh word to him herself, indulging and protecting him daily.
Now, seeing him standing here, being mocked and ridiculed by a level 95 Titled Douluo right in front of her.
If she, as an elder, didn't stand up now, she wouldn't be worthy of letting Huo Yuhao call her "Aunt Leng."
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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.