That night, just as everyone was prepared for a sleepover in Huo Yuhao's room, they were approached by Wang Yan.
"Hm? Teacher Wang? Do you want to sleep here with us as well?" Ma Xiaotao asked jokingly as she opened up the door, dressed in a modest long white dress.
Normally she would be in a very....freeing sort of clothing when she sleeps, but she is with her friends after all.
Though, it would be a whole different story if it was just her and Huo Yuhao...
"Oh, no, no, no. Although it does sound fun....but a teacher hanging out with his students sound unprofessional. I am aiming for a promotion after all." Wang Yan nervously chuckled.
He then let out a cough and said, "I'm here to tell you all a very important piece of good news! Congratulations, you're all officially the champions of the Continental Advanced Academy Soul Dueling Tournament!"
Ma Xiaotao, and the others who ere listening in, blinked several times and exclaimed, "Huh? HUH?!"
"Teacher Wang, you've got to be kidding right? Right? Because that's just..."
"You didn't misheard about it, right?"
"Wait, who are our opponents in the final match? Did the Sun Moon team win or the Imperial Mystical Academy? What's happening here?!"
Expectedly, they were all completely confused and thrown off by the unexpected announcement.
Ma Xiaotao frowned, looking baffled. "Teacher Wang, are you sure? This doesn't make sense!"
Wang Yan chuckled, holding up his hands to calm the chaos. "Believe me, I was just as surprised as you. Turns out, both the Sun Moon team and the Imperial Mystical team have forfeited their match—which automatically makes Shrek Academy the champions!"
They all stared at him.
"Huuu...."
At that moment, Huo Yuhao stepped out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth and raised an eyebrow eyebrow at their expressions. "What happened? You guys have the same expression as when I showed my black soul rings."
"Yuhao! Listen, teacher Wang here says that we became the champions of the tournament by default of both the Sun Moon Academy team and the Imperial Mystical Academy team forfeiting!" Wang Dong'er said.
"Oh. They really forfeited? Good. That saves us a lot of time, ah, and as for the matter of the rewards....you can leave me out of it." He raised his hand when he saw some of them was about to object. "You've already seen the result of me absorbing a the Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Bone, I don't feel like absorbing another one so on."
They stared at him.
Wang Dong'er frowned, "Even so. It feels like we're taking advantage of you when you did so much..."
Huo Yuhao smirked and said, "Well, I won't say no to some of the money though. Building up a sect isn't cheap after all."
"Wait, aren't you surprised that the teams forfeited?" Xiao Xiao asked.
"Thinking about it, it really wouldn't be a surprise." Instead of Huo Yuhao answering, Ning Tian spoke up, crossing her arms thoughtfully.
"Due to the recent incident that put suspicions on the Sun Moon Academy team, the Star Luo Empire confiscated their high-class Soul Tool so their fighting strength has been significantly reduced," She explained, her gaze serious. "Without their advanced soul tools, they've lost a lot of their edge. That, combined with what they saw from Yuhao's performance, probably made them realize their chances were slim."
Wang Dong'er nodded in understanding. "And the Imperial Mystical Academy? Why would they forfeit as well?"
Ning Tian shrugged. "They might have thought it wasn't worth the risk. I've heard that they got one soul emperor while the rest are soul kings, in terms of cultivation, they rank higher than us.
So after Yuhao broke down Princess Jiu Jiu's Star Barrier, which can rival a defense-type soul emperor, and slicing through the Absolute Defense Barrier that only Soul Douluos can destroy....they might've also lost their fighting spirit."
Everyone nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of what Huo Yuhao had achieved.
His performance had shattered not only, honestly common sense, but also the morale of his opponents. Breaking Princess Jiu Jiu's Star Barrier—a feat that should have been impossible for someone of his level—and then effortlessly cutting through the Absolute Defense Barrier had sent shockwaves through the entire tournament.
He Caitou chuckled, "Junior brother is a terrifying person that goes beyond logic and reasoning. I feel lucky that we have him at our side."
The others shivered at the thought of being on the side of the large spectral avatar and a cold chill that they probably couldn't break.
Any feeling of jealousy and rivalry slowly diminished in some of them, replaced by a deep sense of gratitude and respect for Huo Yuhao. They all recognized how fortunate they were to have someone with his incredible power on their side rather than standing against them.
Xiao Xiao laughed nervously. "I don't even want to imagine what it would be like to go up against him in a serious fight. Just sparring with him is intense enough."
"Alright, alright. That's enough talking about me," Huo Yuhao interrupted them off with a modest smile, though a hint of red mark flashed across his cheeks. "Jeez. Teacher Wang, what's going to happen now? Are we heading to the park tomorrow for our rewards?"
Wang Yan smile and said, "Not yet. The royal family still has to deal with explaining to the masses of how there's not going to be a final match to end the tournament, cleaning up the venue, etc. You'll be getting your rewards in a few days."
"Huh? Then, what are we suppose to do until then?" Jiang Nannan asked.
"Isn't it obvious, Nannan? Girls?" Tang Ya said, holding her friend's shoulders. She then glances at Ma Xiaotao, Xi Xi, Ling Luochen, Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng.
The girls shared knowing smiles and exchanged mischievous glances.
"Shopping!" Tang Ya declared, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Yeeeeaaaahhh!"
Huo Yuhao and the other boys blinked.
Xu Sanshi, who couldn't help but open his mouth, "Wait, all this time....you girls have only been window shopping?!"
"Huh?!" The girls glared at him, their icy gaze freezing Xu Sanshi in place. He gulped, realizing he might have spoken out of turn.
"I, uh, I didn't imply anything of what I said...."
Jiang Nannan coldly stared at him and said, "That you think of us as broke?"
"No! No, no, no, no. I didn't mean it like that, Nannan!"
He glanced over at Bei Bei, Huo Yuhao, He Caitou and Wang Yan for support, but they all wisely kept their mouths shut.
"Well, I'll leave you all now. I've got some....paperworks to do!" Wang Yan said, rushing out of the room.
'Teacher—!!' Xu Sanshi inwardly cried out as he tried to pacify Jiang Nannan.
"Well, good luck girls. I'll be staying in for the entire time." Huo Yuhao said, he then turned to Bei Bei and He Caitou. "What about you guys?"
"Well, since it's clearly their girl's out, I think I'm just gonna stay in as well and continue training. I'm almost done mastering that Jutsu you taught to me," Bei Bei replied.
He Caitou shrugged. "Same as me. I'm reaching a breakthrough with my research, so I'm staying in the hotel until we return home."
"Huh? What are you boys saying?" Ning Tian said, quirking an eyebrow, her hand on her hip. "You're coming with us."
"Huh?" Huo Yuhao and the others stared at her.
Ning Tian smirked, crossing her arms. "You're all coming with us, of course. After all, whose going to help carry out bags?"
"Uh..."
The girls stared at them.
He Caitou sweatdropped and muttered,
"We're outnumbered...."
Both Huo Yuhao and Bei Bei nodded.
The girls laughed, and the boys resigned themselves to their fates with reluctant smiles.
At this moment, in Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion....
"—I then chased them off. That's all." Elder Xuan finished giving his report to an elderly man on his declining years.
He reported everything—from Huo Yuhao's heist, his power of the undead, wrecking havoc upon Star Luo City that implicated the Sun Moon Empire, to the end of being scouted by members of Body Sect—he didn't left out a single detail to this old man.
This old man, who seemed to be a few steps away from embracing death, was Elder Mu—the true leader of Shrek Academy, the Sea God Pavilion Master, one of the most strongest soul master of the entire continent!
Elder Mu hummed, clutching his cane with both hands as he leaned his head against it.
"....You made a good and sound decision, Little Xuan. Until we have a clear picture of things, we shall not persecute student Huo Yuhao for his actions."
"What about the Body Sect?"
Elder Mu's perpetual closed eyes slightly cracked open, revealing a pair bright golden eyes that contradicted his seemingly frail body—showing a great brilliance that seemed to match the sun itself!
"If they come seeking trouble, then they better be prepared to lose a limb or two. Huo Yuhao, or any other student of ours, are protected entirely by the academy. Unless he commits a grave crime befitting of death or graduates, we shall continue looking after the boy."
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
AN: Let us welcome back a fellow patron that had achieved One Above All status: Gilgamos! May you achieve greatness and prosperity in your future, and spread thy great wisdom to ye fellows.
On another news! The tournament arc is coming to a close and the training arc in the inner courtyard and then journey to the Sun Moon Empire is coming up next—the Holy Son will soon arrive to enlighten thy fools who perverted the dead.
Lastly, use this code: 97397 for 50% off on membership~ C'mon now, feel the spirit of Christmas~ Hohohoho~
P.S. There's going to be a surprise in the 24...or 25th? Depending on the timezone differences really.