Tang Ya's eyes slightly turned teary. "You've heard of Tang Sect before, right little Yuhao? We'll be honest with you. We want to recruit you into our sect, sadly however, the Tang Sect of today is a former powerhouse and has fallen into decline. Currently, the only people of the Tang Sect remaining are Bei Bei and I. I'm the current sect master of the Tang Sect, and Bei Bei is my founding disciple."
Bei Bei then added, "I can understand that you'd be hesitant on joining us but there are some benefits—"
"Okay, I'll join. Are there any requirements to join?" Huo Yuhao replied with a straight face, as if he was making a simple decision.
"—that you can enjoy? Eh? What did you just say?" Tang Ya and Bei Bei exchanged glances of surprise, not expecting Huo Yuhao to agree so readily. Tang Ya quickly composed herself and said, "There are no strict requirements to join the Tang Sect, but we do have some expectations. Raise your cultivation, and become even stronger. When the sect needs you, you need to exert yourself for the sect. As I had said, we also have secret techniques and one of them might be quite useful for your martial soul."
"Also, another thing. Our Tang Sect was once the number one sect in the continent, so we still have a few privileges. You should've heard of the number one academy on the continent, Shrek Academy. Shrek Academy is extremely strict when it recruits students, but they're willing to give our Tang Sect an exempted spot every year."
Tang Ya nudges Bei Bei's arm, a smile on her face. "Bei Bei and I have already joined Shrek Academy, and it just so happens that there's a space available this year. If you're willing to join our Tang Sect, this space will belong to you. As for whether or not you can stay in Shrek Academy, that will rely on your hard work. I can give you this much."
'Shrek Academy?' Huo Yuhao's eyes flashed with a knowing light, his hands clenched. In the entire Douluo continent, who wouldn't know about the most powerful and illustrious academy that trains only geniuses? One that kept all four empires from launching an all-out world war on each other?
'This is a great chance. Tang Sect's secret techniques aside, if I can enter Shrek Academy, my future prospects of revenge will be much achievable and sooner than I initially expected.' Huo Yuhao thought to himself. Moreover, had always dreamed of attending Shrek Academy and becoming a powerful Soul Master. His mother had always told him a lot of stories about the school and he once told her that he'd rise whatever ranks there are in Shrek Academy and reach the top. Sadly, she wasn't here anymore.
Without any hesitation, Huo Yuhao nodded and said, "I accept your offer."
"Good! However, little Yuhao, I have a request." Tang Ya closed her eyes, she smiled innocently as she leaned toward Huo Yuhao and grabbed his left shoulder, "Once you've joined Tang Sect, you're a man of Tang Sect for your entire life. If you decide to leave one day, you'll have to return all of the Tang Sect's secret techniques."
A red sheen flashed as her eyes opened, simultaneously, her grip tightened, and for Huo Yuhao that had a lower cultivation than her it hurt like a bitch. "Am. I. Clear?" she said with a terrifying calm and composed voice.
Hup Yuhao's face was quickly drained of all blood, nodding rapidly like a pecking chicken. "Yup! Totally. Crystal clear! I heard you and understood every letter you said in your words."
"....Good boy." Tang Ya's smile seemed more genuine and honest when she heard Huo Yuhao's response. She released her grip on his shoulder and patted him gently. "Welcome to the Tang Sect, Huo Yuhao. We're happy to have you."
'Damn she's scary.' Huo Yuhao revealed a terrified look when she turned around. He turned to look towards Bei Bei for help, only to find the man had turned his head away with cold sweat rolling down his face. '....I want to be angry at you, but I pity you more for your future.'
Bei Bei let out a cough. "Little brother Yuhao, you definitely need to think about this carefully. Joining a sect is not a small matter."
Huo Yuhao crossed his arms and replied, "Big brother Bei, I have thought it through and I would definitely want to join your sect."
"Your reason being?" Bei Bei proded further, which earned him a jab by Tang Ya. She did not want to scare off her newest recruit and disciple, especially with his great cooking skills, away. She'll never forgive him if Huo Yuhao runs away because of him....
"Because I trust you both, even though we've only met, I can tell you two are sincere and kind. And I believe that joining the Tang Sect will provide me with the opportunities and resources I need to become stronger and achieve my goals," Huo Yuhao replied earnestly.
Tang Ya and Bei Bei exchanged a knowing glance, both touched by Huo Yuhao's trust and sincerity. Tang Ya smiled warmly and said, "Thank you, Huo Yuhao. We promise to guide and support you on your journey. With your talent and determination, we believe that you will become a great asset to the Tang Sect. So how about calling me teacher and Bei Bei senior brother to further oure bond?"
Huo Yuhao nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "I will do my best to live up to your expectations and contribute to the Tang Sect. Teacher, eldest senior brother." he then slightly bowed his head towards them.
Although there was a more formal way of greeting his teacher, Ancestor taught him to not easily kneel and bow his head towards anyone that wasn't his parents, period. This was a way to build up the boy's mentality and confidence while still showing respect.
A man should always have great pride in their heart, bones and mind if they want to succeed in life. Huo Yuhao took his Ancestor's word to heart. The only reason he gave a bow towards Tang Ya and Bei Bei was because he felt that they deserved his respect and he wanted to show his gratitude for giving him a shortcut for getting stronger.
'Soon you fuckers....The time for you all to die will come sooner than you'll ever suspect.' He clenched his hands, his Sharingan blazing with killing intent.
Both Tang Ya and Bei Bei didn't notice this however, when they saw him clenching his hands they thought he was withholding his excitement. The former crossed her arms and nodded in satisfaction while the latter softly smiled.
Huo Yuhao raised his head and asked. "So, what happens now?"
Tang Ya hummed, "Well, first things first. Here's a copy of our Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record; our Tang Sect's secret techniques are recorded inside. It has the Mysterious Heaven Technique, the foundation to all of the other techniques contained within; later on, Bei Bei and I will guide you in cultivation. Then comes the five other secret techniques: Mysterious Jade Hands, Purple Demon Eyes(which is what I mentioned that fits you perfectly), Controlling Crane Catching Dragon, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Tracks, and Hidden Weapon Hundred Separation"
Huo Yuhao nodded, receiving a old leather book. He was paying much attention to the Purple Demon Eyes and Hidden Weapon Hundred Separation techniques, they very much suited him.
The Ancestor had taught him a lot but the most Huo Yuhao could perform right now was some throwing techniques of kunais and throwing stars(which he could hit with pinpoint accuracy due to his eyes) and some basic Taijutsu that honestly could only beat chickens and cats!
Well, that would change the moment he could TRULY train.
"Also, as a welcoming gift as your eldest senior brother, I'll give you this imitation of the Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges that our Ancestor Tang San once had. With it, carrying a few items on you will be much more convenient."
"Ooh, neat. Thank you senior brother."
"You like them? Good. Good." Tang Ya clapped her hands and then began to grin. "So, with all that out of the way, what do you think about hunting down a soul beast for your teacher?"
...
As it turns out, Huo Yuhao wasn't the only one finding a soul ring. Tang Ya and Bei Bei had originally come here to find the former a suitable soul ring as well. While they were heading into the Great Star Dou Forest, Bei Bei took the time to explain some basic knowledge about how the Mysterious Heaven Technique operates and Huo Yuhao soaked it all like a sponge.
Both teens were further stunned, not about him learning things quickly, but how easily he was catching up to them despite having a lower cultivation.
You have to understand, Tang Ya and Bei Bei were sprinting inward the forest with a speed that an average Soul Master would have already tired out. But Huo Yuhao, using the tall trees as some springboards, followed after them like he was a monkey!
As if that wasn't shocking enough, both their jaws literally dropped when Huo Yuhao began using the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Tracks to follow beside them after Tang Ya used it once to show off to her newest disciple.
He hasn't even learned the Mysterious Heaven Technique! The cultivation technique needed to use the other secret techniques!!
What kind of monster did they recruit....?!
While the two were bewildered, Huo Yuhao was ecstatic. Finally! He could use the skills he learned in his mind, though it seemed like he could only exert 20-30% of his true abilities. His body couldn't handle more physical exertion or he was going to tear a muscle or worse, breaking a bone.
'It seems like Ancestor was right, I can copy certain abilities, within my physical limitations of course.' Huo Yuhao grinned, his Sharingan on full display, its strange golden pupils spun lazily with one white soul ring floating around his body, shining softly. He could see anything in a thirty metre radius around them, which he shared with both of his fellow sect members, shocking them further.
All of their surroundings had appeared inside of their minds as three-dimensional shapes. Furthermore, any subtle changes that occurred would immediately be reflected in their minds
It was a combination of soul skills he got from Skydream Iceworm, which was—Spiritual Detection and Spiritual Sharing. These two skills were auxiliary-type skills, the former can let you see everything within the range, from any angle desired, even if one's eyes are closed. And Huo Yuhao can share his thoughts with others using the latter.
With the current strength of his body, the might of the Skydream Iceworm's soul rings were roughly equivalent to that of a four hundred year soul beast's. Because of this, the range of his Spiritual Detection and Spiritual Sharing was roughly thirty metres. However, with his current power, the maximum number of people that he could simultaneously share his Spiritual Detection ability with was three. His strength wouldn't be enough if there were more people.
Since this was the first time he used it while moving around, he had quickly become exhausted after ten minutes of using it and asked for a short break.
"Little Yuhao, how did you do that? Being able to catch up to us is one thing, but using the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Tracks without cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Technique and that mystical soul skill of yours was just–just, wow!" Tang Ya couldn't contain her curiosity and started to ask him with wide eyes.
Even Bei Bei couldn't help but lean in to hear Huo Yuhao's response, because this was too bizarre.
Huo Yuhao sweated, not wanting to divulge his secrets to anyone, and decided to think up a reasonable response. "Well, I've always been naturally nimble and agile, so I guess that helped me keep up with you two. As for the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Tracks, I just observed how you did it and tried to mimic the movements. It seems like my body is able to replicate certain techniques without having to cultivate them directly. It's like a natural talent, I suppose."
"As for my soul skill," He simply shrugged with an innocent expression. "I dunno. It's what I got."
The two nodded in acceptance while feeling both in awe and intrigued by Huo Yuhao's abilities. Tang Ya couldn't help but comment, "You really are a natural talent, Huo Yuhao. It's impressive how quickly you learn and adapt. With your potential, I have no doubt that you will become a powerful Soul Master in the future."
Bei Bei chimed in, "Yes, Huo Yuhao. We are lucky to have you in the Tang Sect. Your skills and determination will be valuable assets to us. Let's continue on with our hunt for a suitable soul beast. With your abilities, I'm sure we won't have any trouble finding one."
Huo Yuhao nodded.
Suddenly, they heard a rustle in the bushes and Huo Yuhao didn't hesitate on releasing his Sharingan and used his skills, sharing his vision with both Tang Ya and Bei Bei, they all immediately spotted two soul beasts near their vicinity.
One was a Wind Baboon, who was approaching them with an evil grin, while the other was a three-metre-long snake, whose entire body was pink. There was also a small protrusion on its forehead that faintly resembled a flower. It was coming up from behind the Wind Baboon.
Both let out their respective martial souls.
Two light rings simultaneously rose up from Tang Ya's legs, the bright yellow colours moving up and down in a rhythmical manner, long blue vines were rapidly released from Tang Ya's body. One of them just so happened to wrap around Huo Yuhao's waist, while even more dispersed into the distance.
Bei Bei on the other hand, had a more dramatic transformation. With a scholarly exterior and warm attitude, one would think that he'd be a sophisticated person with a noble martial soul. They'd be dead wrong.
Dazzling blue light had shone from in-between Bei Bei's eyebrows. Following that, the blue light instantly expanded outwards from his eyebrows, and spread to his entire body. The fierce blue light resembled several small snakes as they exploded out, surrounding and moving all over his body and his right arm burst with violet-blue lightning, turning his right sleeve into ashes, revealing an impressive violet-blue scaled dragonic arm. Three soul rings circled around his transformed arm; yellow, yellow, and purple.
"Huo Yuhao, obediently stay here. Bei Bei, get ready to rush in to attack." Tang Ya ordered, her joking behavior turned serious.
Bei Bei had just nodded when Huo Yuhao's voice interjected, "Wait, teacher Ya. Can I borrow some throwable weapons, like some knives or throwing stars?" his golden two comma-like pupils spun a little faster.
Well then, shall we see if what he learned for a week straight in his spiritual sea was useful or not.
.....
AN: Just edited out that bow cause after reading it again...yeah. I didn't know how the 90 degree bow was until I search it.😅
Comment, review, share, power stones! Let this story spread out!
Wanna read ahead and support my work? You already what to do...😉😉
patreon.com/FroztDouluo