'Fuck,' Huo Yuhao inwardly cursed as he grimly watched the towering beast that stood before them.
It was a gigantic White Tiger. The White Tiger's body was transparent, while its fur was lined with black stripes. Its purple eyes gazed coldly at Huo Yuhao's trio.
Yes, this was the secret that belonged to the bloodline of the White Tiger Dukedom and the Zhu Family, which was also a top-ranked noble family within the Star Luo Empire; the secret of a martial soul fusion.
The fusion of the Evil Eyed White Tiger and Netherworld Civet would create the enormous, eight-meter long, two meter tall figure that had just appeared in the Assessment Arena. It was Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu's fusion skill—the Netherworld White Tiger!
Almost all White Tiger Duke's were wed to a woman from the Zhu Family. This was also the case for the Duke's wife who'd persecuted Huo Yuhao's mother. She was part of the Zhu and current royal family of the Star Luo Empire, granting her a powerful authority in the Duke's Mansion that was on par with the Duke himself! It's why almost everyone in the Mansion was silent on the condition of Huo Yuhao's mother to the Duke.
'The stuff and techniques that I have right now won't do anything to that beast. A martial soul fusion isn't something like a simple 1+1 power up. Skydream, can you estimate how powerful they are?' Huo Yuhao inwardly asked as he and his team retreated back just as the gigantic White Tiger let out a earthshaking roar.
'Oooh, yeah. Considering their high tier status as martial souls and their near perfect compatibility to each other, their power, strength and soul power is comparable to at least a Soul Emperor but is sometimes fluctuating towards being as strong as a Soul Sage.'
"You've gotta be kidding..." Huo Yuhao muttered to himself as he desperately tried to come up with a plan while desperately dodging the huge demonic tiger claw that would've smacked him into paste meat. The power of a fused martial spirit duo at the level of at least Soul Emperor was not something he and his team were prepared to face. They were simply not strong enough, obviously.
But giving up was not an option, not to him at least.
He still wasn't satisfied on beating and humiliating Dai Huabin.
'My martial soul fusion with Wang Dong? Is it possible to do it again?'
'Nah-ah. Impossible for the time being.' Skydream replied. 'Using a martial soul fusion isn't simply just soul power consuming but also on the martial souls themselves as well. To use your martial soul fusion skill once more you need to have your martial souls and energies at peak condition to be used once more. From what I could tell, you need at least three days of rest before using it once more.'
'Chi. So that's out,' Huo Yuhao clicked his tongue and sent a kunai towards the White Tiger's left eye, which it of course swiped it away, but the former expected that as he had only done it to get its attention away from Xiao Xiao who had unexpectedly been using both her martial souls to attack the White Tiger.
As for Wang Dong, he had been silently floating in the air, mysterious golden runes surrounded him as he had his eyes closed and right hand index and middle finger up like a prayer.
Huo Yuhao understood that Wang Dong was planning something, a killing move most likely, so he used a Genjutsu to make the White Tiger think that Wang Dong was flying around below it and evading its attacks.
It's the most that he could currently do. He could cast illusions to the White Tiger to see but he couldn't force much of his spiritual power into the White Tiger's mind for some odd reason.
The martial soul fusion is after all a duo, so Huo Yuhao hypothesized that either of them, most likely Dai Huabin, was controlling the White Tiger's movements and skills while Zhu Lu took charge into circulating the soul power and protecting them both from spiritual attacks or any threat inwardly.
Since the Illusions still worked, Zhu Lu might not unconscious and might be instinctively protecting their body. As spiritual attacks usually involved dense and concentrated harmful spiritual power to attack the target's mind to stun and confuse them, while illusions or Genjutsu are usually casted on the target subtly and with barely noticeable change of their energy pathways if they don't sense it closely or they aren't spiritual-type Soul Master.
Zhu Lu would've already sensed it and dispel the illusion the instant Huo Yuhao casted it, but it looked like his guess was right since they'd been attacking not only illusion Wang Dong but also other fakes he'd conjured as well.
Now, Huo Yuhao could try and make them step away from the stage...
But that's just fucking lame. He wanted to make Dai Huabin suffer more pain and humiliation!
'Xiao Xiao, when Wang Dong is done with, whatever the hell he's doing, I want you to ram that martial soul of yours under that White Tiger's belly. Aim for its weak spot and attack with all your strength. As for the rest, I'll handle it.' Huo Yuhao communicated through their soul bond.
Xao Xiao silently nodded, determination shining in her eyes.
Huo Yuhao furrowed his brows and he pressed a button on his right weight bracelet.
[Deactivating weights]
The bracelets on all fours of his limbs let out a hiss and a ding sound, Huo Yuhao felt a surge of power coursing through his body as the weights were deactivated. Soul power pulsed within him, his muscles felt lighter and his movements became swifter.
'Ooh, yeah. How long has it been since I felt this free?' Huo Yuhao inwardly groaned as he cracked his neck and started stretching out his limbs.
Although his body had gotten to the weights to the point he could move without much difficulty, he couldn't deny the fact that removing them made a significant difference in his speed and agility.
Seconds passed with the White Tiger continuing to swipe at the illusions with its massive claws, the hairs on its back stood on end as it sensed powerful undulations of soul power abruptly erupting from behind. It turned its head just in time to see a blinding golden pillar of light in the sky, its eyes wide in shock.
Wang Dong's Radiant Butterfly Goddess had completely turned a brilliant gold, and following the appearance of the golden pillar of light, he rose into the air like a butterfly bathed in fire. As his body rose into the air, the golden pillar unexpectedly curved, transforming into a terrifying, enormous, crescent-shaped blade of light.
In that instant, the air itself seemed to have been ripped apart as the entire arena was filled with a domineering undulation of soul power that was hard to describe.
Although the White Tiger was confident it could take Wang Dong's attack but it would consume a major amount of its energy, ending their martial soul fusion in a matter of minutes and it wouldn't take long for them to be under the mercy of Huo Yuhao's team.
So it made the decision to take a step back to retreat.
"Oh no, you don't!"
Xiao Xiao rushed forward, her Threelives Soulcrush Cauldron rotating at an incredible speed, both her soul rings lit with great brilliance, covering her with a golden splendor as she launched it towards the retreating White Tiger. With a resounding boom, she smashed the Threelives Soulcrush Cauldron into its belly, causing it to stumble backward.
Moreover, Xiao Xiao's first soul ring skill, Cauldron's Quake, had a stunning effect on anything within 1 meter of the cauldron. Though due to the White Tiger's might it wouldn't last long, it would still be enough.
"HAAAAAA!!" Wang Dong let out a fierce battle cry as he descended from the sky, the enormous golden blade of light trailing behind him. With a swift, powerful swing of his hand, he directed the blade towards the White Tiger.
The proctor who had been waiting by the sideline was hesitating on whether to step in upon seeing the blade of light Wang Dong was releasing.
However, it seemed like he didn't have to as the dazed look on the White Tiger suddenly shifted, clarity appeared in its eyes. It let out a growl, its large beastly muscles contracted, its claws dug into the ground. The White Tiger raised its head towards the blade of light defiantly.
Suddenly, rays of dark light began to appear and converged around the White Tiger, especially its four long limbs.
The huge White Tiger figure suddenly became illusory and as the blade of light hit it, the whole White Tiger suddenly vanished before appearing like a ghost before a stunned Xiao Xiao.
"Is that...Zhu Lu's soul skill?!" Xiao Xiao hurriedly tried to jump back in retreat while raising the Threelives Soulcrush Cauldron as the White Tiger raised its giant tiger claw at her.
"Xiao Xiao!! Ugh..." Wang Dong screamed flapping his wings to try and save her, but he had used up too much soul power. So in the next moment, his wings slowed down before he crushed into the ground.
The White Tiger easily swatted the the giant cauldron aside, sending it flying across the arena. Xiao Xiao watched in horror as the White Tiger's claw descended towards her, ready to strike.
She closed her eyes. In her mind, she wanted to call out the proctor and save her.
But unexpectedly, what came out of her mouth was...
"YUHAO!"
*Swish!*
Suddenly, numerous steel wires shot out from all directions, wrapping around the White Tiger's limbs and body. The tiger growled in confusion as it slightly struggled to break free from the unexpected restraints.
'Sorry for being late...' Xiao Xiao opened her eyes upon hearing a familiar voice, tears slowly flowing out of her eyes, she looked up to see a unexpected sight.
'I needed a bit of time to prepare a few things.'
Huo Yuhao sat on top of the White Tiger's nose with a stoic expression, the latter looked at him in shock.
When did he get here? How come we didn't sense him?! The White Tiger inwardly thought. Suddenly, it felt its instincts screaming at them to move or kill the boy before them!
Without any hesitation, it chose the latter. Dai Huabin took the reigns once more and wanted to kill the person who had humiliated him once more! The White Tiger's let out a explosive roar as its muscles began expanding and tensing, tearing apart most of the wires around its body, preparing to launch a powerful attack at Huo Yuhao.
But before it could make a move, Huo Yuhao's cold voice transmitted into their ears.
"Shut up." Huo Yuhao raised his hands, slowly clenching them
Absolute Domain.
Immense waves of soul power emitted from his body, causing space around him began to distort, air and noise to disappear, and a tremendous weight began to fall upond the White Tiger.
'W-What the? So heavy...!' Dai Huabin muttered, bewildered at the sudden display of power. The White Tiger struggled against the immense pressure, but it was futile. Its movements became sluggish and its strength waned.
It didn't take long before its head came crushing down into the ground, creating a large crater. It looked a bit comical as the White Tiger's head looked as if it was an Ostrich burying its head into the ground.
"Raaagh..." The White Tiger growled, no, groaned in pain and frustration.
Huo Yuhao maintained the Absolute Domain, his eyes cold and filled with apathetic. He turned around and looked straight at the White Tiger's eyes.
"Now then, you have two options. One, you cancel out that martial soul fusion skill of yours and fight us on equal grounds or... I'll increase the pressure until you're both crushed by it or until the proctor steps in. Your choice."
The White Tiger fiercely groaned, its eyes dilating, showing its great arrogance and defiance.
Huo Yuhao was unperturbed and slowly increased the pressure on the White Tiger.
But unbeknownst to it, Huo Yuhao was struggling greatly. The cold sweat covering his face and heavy breaths he was having was heavily concealed under a gist of Genjutsus.
Considering that he entered the competition with at least 80% of his soul power and that he had been using his soul skills and Genjutsus for almost the entire match, he was at 40-50% of soul power.
He could maintain Absolute Domain for a whole minute when attacking at his peak condition but now...20 seconds. That's how long he could maintain it right now.
'Lets see whether you'll call me out on my bluff or not,' Huo Yuhao thought to himself as he continued to apply pressure on the White Tiger.
He leaned at its right eye, a maniac grin on his face.
"Tick. Tock. Fucker."
Everyone watched in somber silence.
Never in a million years would things turn out this way.
After all, this was a martial soul fusion! The Netherworld White Tiger! A very famous one that had legends about it capable of fighting against a god when the soul masters reach Titled Douluo.
"Unbelievable... To think that boy would be so strong, decisive and intelligent at his age." An old man with short silver hair and long bangs that cover his entire right eye. Excitement rushed through his veins as he watched the scene unfold. He was none other than Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Institution Dean, Yan Shaozhe.
"If what old sir Xuan Lao and Master said is true, and this Huo Yuhao has a extreme innate fire control, then I must quickly secure him! He is perfect for Xiaotao..."
"Hahahaha! What's with that face of yours, old fart?"
A boisterous laugh immediately attracted everyone's attention, especially Yan Shaozhe who furrowed his brows before a amicable expression appeared on his face as ge turned towards the person approaching him.
"Ah, Qian Duoduo. You look hearty as usual. I thought you'd be lethargic considering that you've locked yourself in your office for months, working on that project of yours."
Qian Duoduo, a sturdy man in his fifties, crossed his arms dismissively. "Hmph. Although our department mainly deals in Soul Tools, that doesn't mean we don't have other interests. I heard about this Huo Yuhao kid and his incredible performance in the tournament. I had to come and see for myself."
Yan Shaozhe's lips slightly twitched and nodded. "Indeed, he's something special. He displays amazing combat capabilities despite his age, he has a rare spiritual-type martial soul, and he seems to possess a rare talent for controlling and manipulating soul power. If I can recruit him into the Martial Soul Institution, I'm sure he'll become a valuable asset–"
"Ah, ah, ah. Let me stop you there." Qian Duoduo cut him off, a serious expression on his face. "You can't recruit Huo Yuhao into your Martial Soul Institute."
The smile on Yan Shaozhe faded, replaced by cold determination. "And why is that, Qian Duoduo? I cannot let this opportunity slip away. Huo Yuhao has the potential to become one of our greatest soul masters."
Qian Duoduo looked at Yan Shaozhe with a steely gaze. "Because he's already a part of the Soul Engineering Institute. Specifically, a personal disciple."
"....What?" Yan Shaozhe was shocked.
He knew that despite Qian Duoduo's exuberant mannerisms, he's a crafty old fox like himself, a bit inferior, but still. The man wouldn't just accept a freshman into his Soul Engineering Institute, especially someone who leaned towards the Soul Master path! He's just wasting time and the potential of that young man!
Unless...
"...Qian Duoduo, you know the rules. Freshmen students aren't allowed to be official disciples of an institute until their second year. If you don't give me an explanation, I will report you to the elders and have you fired." Yan Shaozhe glared at him. He was mostly a calm and intellectual person but since this matter is pertaining to his disciple and a very talented young man, even he couldn't help but lose his composure.
Qian Duoduo grinned, unafraid. "Try it, it wouldn't work since I already brought this up to a few elders as well."
"You...!"
"Huo Yuhao is a rank 3 Soul Engineer, he would've already been a rank 4 if it weren't for him not getting his second soul ring yet." Qian Duoduo replied.
"What...?"
Yan Shaozhe was stunned. He knew just how difficult it was for someone to be a Soul Engineer, taking even years for someone to rise in the ranks, but to do that... in what? Yan Shaozhe recalled that the new students had only been here for three months!
Even still, the livelihood of his disciple, Ma Xiaotao, was important.
"I won't let this slide." A fiery, majestic red aura emanated from Yan Shaozhe as he glared at Qian Duoduo. "You've crossed the line, Qian Duoduo. I will not stand for this interference."
Qian Duoduo chuckled dismissively, a dark oppressive aura erupted from him. "Oh, I'm not interfering, old man. I'm simply playing the game. Besides, Huo Yuhao made his own choice. He came to me, seeking knowledge and guidance in the field of soul engineering. Who am I to turn away such talent?"
Yan Shaozhe clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. "You...!"
"Winner of this match, Team Huo Yuhao!"
Just as the tension between them reached its peak, the final announcement of the match interrupted them. They turned towards the arena to find the match's champions had finally been decided.
....
AN: 3.k words, damn. I was going to split this into two chapters but I wanted to end this competition quickly so by the time it's chapter 50 Huo Yuhao finally heads out to the extreme North and get Ice Empress. Peace✌️
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