Following the increase in his cultivation, the strength of Huo Yuhao's soul ring had gradually begun to increase, accordingly to Skydream's words. The strength of his tolerance would determine how much strength his first soul ring could manifest.
In the beginning his first soul ring's four soul skills effects had only been equivalent to that of a four hundred year soul ring. However, his first soul ring now possessed the power of a soul ring that was around a thousand years, with the maximum range of his Spiritual Detection now reaching a diameter of 140 meters. Furthermore, the effects of these skills were even more detailed than they had previously been.
Moreover, the first seal that Skydream had made within Huo Yuhao's body had already been unlocked. As long as Huo Yuhao continued to make breakthroughs in his cultivation, Skydream's powerful origin energy would automatically increase the strength of his first soul ring and his future soul rings. This was something only soul masters could ever dream about.
"I see," Xiaotao closed her eyes following Huo Yuhao cancelling his soul skill. Hidden by her eyelids and veil, Xiaotao showed nothing to others of the complicated emotions she was having. She nodded towards Huo Yuhao and deeply at the white soul ring around him, "That's the strongest ten year soul ring I've ever seen."
Huo Yuhao shrugged. "It's still only a ten year soul ring."
Xiaotao softly giggled and said, "I'm Ma Xiaotao, nice to meet you. If I have the chance, I'll come back again to eat your roasted fish and ramen. So be sure to prepare some spices for me." She winked as she said the last part.
She then turned towards Xu Sanshi, "Little Xu, let's go."
"Ah, b-but..." Xu Sanshi tried to argue but Ma Xiaotao's indifferent glance made him quickly rethink his decision. With a sigh, he obediently followed her, casting a regretful glance at the delicious barbecue they were leaving behind.
Ning Tian and Xiao Xiao watched in amusement as Xu Sanshi and Ma Xiaotao disappeared into the distance. They then turned their attention back to Huo Yuhao, both wearing mischievous smiles.
"Well, well, Yuhao," Ning Tian said teasingly. "It looks like you've made quite an impression on senior Ma Xiaotao. Maybe you should consider opening that restaurant after all."
Xiao Xiao giggled, nudging Huo Yuhao playfully. "Yeah, Yuhao. With your cooking skills, I'm sure you'll have customers lining up to taste your food. And who knows, maybe one of those customers might be your future girlfriend."
"Oh, are you hoping that you'd be one of them? Awfully fast for you to start scheming," Huo Yuhao raised a wiggling eyebrow and smirked at Xiao Xiao. "But sure, I'll make sure to reserve a special seat for you."
Xiao Xiao blushed and playfully punched Huo Yuhao's arm. "You wish! I'm just saying, you never know what the future holds."
Ning Tian chuckled. "Indeed, the future is full of surprises. But for now, let's focus on welcoming a certain late duo."
Wang Dong and Wu Feng flinched as they heard their names being mentioned. They turned their heads to see Huo Yuhao, Ning Tian and Xiao Xiao grinning at them.
Wang Dong approached Huo Yuhao with a sheepish smile, putting down his bag on the side. "H-Hey man, we're sorry we're late. We were...caught up in something."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Wu Feng chimed in. "We didn't mean to keep you waiting."
Huo Yuhao waved them off with a smile. "No worries, guys. We managed to have some fun while waiting. Besides, I'm sure you two had a good reason."
Wu Feng froze, Wang Dong sent a glance towards her. "Yeah...a good reason." he said, ignoring the former furiously shaking her head.
"Hm?"
"Hmph. Nothing. Anyways, what was up with that girl in red doing here alongside Senior Xu Sanshi? Hmm," Wang Dong hummed as he pinched his chin. "is she...his sister perhaps?"
Wu Feng rolled her eyes, biting on another piece of chicken wing, she retorted. "They have different surnames, idiot. Besides, senior Xu Sanshi and that girl in red have completely different martial souls. Senior Xu Sanshi possesses a high level dual attributed martial soul; which are water and earth. On the other hand, that girl gave off an intense fire attribute that surpasses mine."
"And although siblings can have different martial souls, their attributes would at least be similar or else it would cause an imbalance or something. Many millennia of research proves that." She glanced at the direction of where the two left.
"Moreover, she was also a inner courtyard student."
"Inner courtyard student?!" Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao stood up in shock.
Ning Tian nodded and said, "Sister Feng is correct. You noticed her clothing, right? That wasn't just some fashion choice, all students from the inner courtyard wears red clothing. And judging by her age...it fits the possibility."
Wang Dong turned to stare at Wu Feng. "Wu Feng...you were actually this smart?"
"I'll kill you, pretty boy!"
Huo Yuhao snorted at their direction. Rolling his eyes, he went back to preparing the fire for the barbecue.
"So, do you two have a team for the upcoming competition?" Xiao Xiao asked Ning Tian. The two unexpectedly becoming fast friends.
Ning Tian nodded, gracefully licking off the sauce from her fingers. "Yes, we already have a team. Both of us are in the same team actually, with another girl in class. How about you?"
"All three of us are in the same team," Xiao Xiao replied, gesturing to Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong. "We're actually in the process of choosing on who the team leader is."
"Huh?" Huo Yuhao raised his head, turning towards Xiao Xiao in confusion. "We are?"
"Yes," Both Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao replied with blank look. Xiao Xiao grumbled as she took a bite out of her isaw, chicken intestine skewered into a stick. "we were supposed to until you bailed on us!"
"Do you guys really need to think it through? Isn't it pretty obvious on whose going to be the leader?" Wu Feng chimed in, raising an eyebrow.
Huo Yuhao frowned, not quite following Wu Feng's line of thought. "Who do you think should be the leader then?"
Wu Feng smirked and pointed at Huo Yuhao. "Obviously, you should be the leader. You're the strongest after all."
"Eh?" Xiao Xiao turned towards her in confusion. 'Huo Yuhao? The strongest?'
"True," Wang Dong nodded, crossing his arms. "I hate to admit it, but with your wit, fighting experience, strange techniques and soul skill you're arguably the strongest control system soul master in our year."
'Even that prideful Wang Dong openly admits it!?' Xiao Xiao thought, surprised at the revelation. She glanced at Huo Yuhao, who was still processing what Wu Feng and Wang Dong had said.
She knew that both of them were Soul Grandmasters, a few soul power rank and soul ring ahead of Huo Yuhao; she had seen Wu Feng's soul rings back in the canteen when they were close to duking it out.
"Hm...Fine," Huo Yuhao reluctantly gave in and nodded. "If you all think I should be the leader, then I'll accept the responsibility." He then looked at Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao. "But that doesn't mean I'll make all the decisions alone. I value your opinions and input, so we'll make decisions together as a team."
Wang Dong smiled and extended his hand towards Huo Yuhao. "Then let's shake on it, team leader."
Huo Yuhao shook his hand firmly. "Deal."
Xiao Xiao joined in, extending her hand as well. "Count me in too. Team, Huo Yuhao!"
"Team Huo Yuhao!"
"...Does our team name have to be my name?"
Ning Tian smiled as she watched the three of them unite. "Looks like we'll have a strong opponent in the competition. Sister Feng, what do you think?"
"What do I think?" Wu Feng blinked her eyes, seemingly in thought and shrugged. "Then we'll just concede when we encounter them in the competition."
"Oh? Don't give up so easily Sister Feng~" Ning Tian pouted.
Wu Feng huffed and went to cross her arms, but then remembering her fingers covered with sauce and grease, she quickly wiped them on a napkin. "I can't even win against Huo Yuhao in any of our spars, even with all the buffs you gave me when he asked you to do so... so what makes you think that we'll have any chance with Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao in their team?"
Ning Tian giggled, "Correct~ Even with Nanmen Yun'er's help, we only have 10% of winning. And that's only if he holds back and won't use his Sharingan."
Wu Feng shivered at the mention of Huo Yuhao's Sharingan, it brought back some very unpleasant memories. Huo Yuhao had truly humbled her and changed her to be more cool headed compared to before. "That Sharingan is no joke," she muttered. "It's almost unfair how strong he is."
Ning Tian smirked. "Welp, let's try our best at least~ As your team leader, that is my order."
"No. No, no, no. No! Sister Tian!!"
"Fufu~"
"Don't you dare just laugh this off! I'm the front liner, I'm going to get beaten the most!"
The night continued on as the group of friends enjoyed their barbecue. They laughed, shared stories, and bonded over their shared experiences in school and some of their personal life. The atmosphere was warm and relaxed, with the scent of delicious food filling the air.
As they ate and talked, they couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for the upcoming competition.
.....
❄️Shout out to the one once more! The great Cultivator of my patreon, may you reach the peak of the heavens and conquer the earth!
•Vora
❄️A bigger shout out to the ones who ascended to become a One Above All!!
•Orion Chung
•Judd
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