"Fan Yu, just what were you thinking on asking for such a permission?!"
"Vice-dean Qian, please listen to me."
Qian Duodou frowned as he and Fan Yu walked into the Beast Dueling Arena.
"What kind of excuse would you give about this? Having our greatest thirteen year old prodigy fight against a ten thousand year soul beast, are you nuts?!"
"There really is a good reason for this, Dean Qian." Fan Yu sighed and looking around him with narrowed eyes, he raised his right hand and soul power emerged from his body that created a protective barrier around them, ensuring their conversation remained private.
He then told him Huo Yuhao's situation and Qian Duodou's eyes widened in utter shock.
"What?! He's a Soul Ancestor, awakened a second martial soul and with four ten thousand year soul rings?! How? That, just... How?!"
Qian Duodou was so flabbergasted at the sudden revelation that he stumbled over his words, unable to fully comprehend the magnitude of Huo Yuhao's abilities.
Fan Yu nodded gravely. "Yes, Dean Qian. Huo Yuhao's progress has been nothing short of extraordinary. His talent surpasses even our highest expectations. Too much that it's suspicious, it's why I wanted him to face a ten thousand year soul beast to test and see how he kills one."
Qian Duodou rubbed his grey beard, nodding in agreement. "I see. But why didn't you apply for a private test for Huo Yuhao to prove his skills?"
Fan Yu shook his head. "Huo Yuhao stands out too much. His talented in both Soul Master and Soul Engineering paths, the perfect mix of both and the greatest candidate for our plan! Rather than hide him and nurture him by ourselves, I say that the entire academy has too see his monstrous talent so that they understand the potential he holds. Besides, a private test wouldn't have the same impact as a public demonstration like this."
"... Do you understand what you're saying, Fan Yu?" Qian Duodou asked, staring at his successor. "If we let the higher-ups witness his skills, he would no longer be just the Soul Engineering Department's disciple, but a possible candidate for the position of a Sea God Pavilion Elder in the future."
Being a Sea God Pavilion Elder is the greatest honor for any soul master that knows about the academy. Not only do they inspire both awe and fear, as being an elder has them at least be as powerful as a Titled Douluo, but also because they have the same or higher status than a department dean!
That makes Huo Yuhao have a higher status than both Qian Duodou and Fan Yu.
If Huo Yuhao does become an elder, will he continue to support the Soul Engineering Department?
"I'm fine with that." Fan Yu unhesitatingly replied. With steady and calm eyes, he continued. "Soul tools and the department are important to me, but I am the boy's teacher. Just like how you did everything in your power to nurture me into the person I am right now, I will do the same for Huo Yuhao."
He smiled.
"Besides, I know him well enough to know that he isn't someone ungrateful and knows to repay the good graces of others. If he becomes an elder, it means he will have the power and influence to further advance our department's goals. And as his teacher, I will support him in every way I can."
Qian Duodou stared at him, stunned.
'Boy, you've grown up into a great man. If your parents were still around...'
Pak!
"Hahahaha! That's my disciple! Very well, let's head inside and see if we can intervene the exam a bit and possibly even put that sly fox in his place." Letting out a hearty laughter and slapping the back of Fan Yu, Qian Duodou then turned towards the end of the tunnel with narrowed eyes.
Fan Yu widened his eyes, dispelling the barrier. "Huh? Elder Yan will be there?"
Qian Duodou grumbled. "I'm pretty sure. Even before Huo Yuhao left the academy, that sly fox was insistent on getting his crummy hands on the boy. Whether that's because of his talent... or something else."
"Something else...?"
"His disciple."
Fan Yu's eyes widened in realization.
"Let's hurry inside now before that old fox does anything-"
They went stiff, an icy wind hit their faces as they saw something amazing.
"What in the—"
....
'One move, it's all I need.'
Extreme chill spread outward Huo Yuhao's arm, white mist emanating from his skin as he channeled the frigid power of the Ultimate Ice through his veins and Mysterious Jade Hands; strengthening his hands.
It wasn't flashy, nor was it complicated.
It was just one punch, and the absolute power of ice.
The flaming soul beast, one with the appearance of a lion with a flaming mane of fiery red; a 9,900 year old Flame Lion King, went stiff. The dazzling flames surrounding its body dissipated like a wisp of smoke in the wind as Huo Yuhao's icy fist connected with its nose.
Crack
Boom
The Flame Lion King, a powerful king of a forest, was completely encased in a layer of ice, its face looked comical as it caved-in from Huo Yuhao's punch; a caricature of its once fearsome self.
The bone-chilling cold of the Ultimate Ice surged through the beast's body, freezing its movements and extinguishing the fiery aura that once surrounded it.
The once fearsome beast now stood frozen in place, its majestic mane of flames subdued by the overwhelming chill emanating from Huo Yuhao's fist.
Moreover, only the soul beast became an ice statue; the ground beneath it wasn't covered in a layer of ice. It showed Huo Yuhao's perfect control over his Ultimate Ice.
The arena fell silent, the spectators and teachers alike stunned by the display of power before them. Huo Yuhao stood calmly, his fist lowered to his side, his expression impassive, as if defeating the Flame Lion King was as simple as breathing for him.
Which, it is.
Huo Yuhao's combat prowess matched that of a soul sage, if they didn't use their martial soul avatar, which meant he could easily handle any average ten thousand year soul beast(at least at 15-25,000 years old). But if they were of ice or fire type, his advantage was even more pronounced due to his mastery of the Ultimate Ice and Ice God's Legacy; he could handle these types at around 80,000 years.
The 9,900 year Flame Lion King, a beast that could terrify most soul masters and other thousand year soul beast, met its match in Huo Yuhao, who effortlessly subdued it with his overwhelming power and control over ice.
He turned towards the two stupefied teachers behind him.
"Teachers, result?"
"Ah, this..."
"Um..."
The teachers looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
This wasn't what it was supposed to go! They let the boy fight against the soul beast to let him and the other kids learn the terror of fighting against a soul beast that was close to ten thousand year old.
But they didn't expect Huo Yuhao to defeat the Flame Lion King, and so easily at that!
This was the first time in the school's history that a student managed to do this.
So, not knowing what to do, they looked towards the ones with the highest authority on how to deal with this.
But even they didn't know to how deal with this.
After that short moment of surprise, the referees in the middle of the arena, as well as the other members of the committee on the tall platform, all looked toward Director Du Weilun. The meaning of their looks was very clear: 'What should we do now?'
'Ice...' Du Weilun stared wide-eyed in shock and awe. How could he not? After all, this was the first time he had seen the boy use such power before. Was it a new soul skill? But he didn't use his martial soul! Then...
'A soul bone then?! That could only be the reason... but how did he get one? And judging by the power of such a soul skill, it could be at least 10,000 years old. Did the Soul Engineering Department give him that? No even...' All kinds of thoughts raced through Du Weilun's mind as he tried to make sense of what he had just witnessed. The sheer magnitude of Huo Yuhao's power left him speechless, and he found himself at a loss for words.
"Dear Sea God..."
Meanwhile, Qian Duodou and Fan Yu exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and pride. They had believed in Huo Yuhao's potential, but even they were taken aback by the extent of his abilities.
"Fan Yu, did you know what he did? I know his second martial soul is the Ice Jade Scorpion, but there wasn't any soul ring around him when he punched the Flame Lion King."
"... It's only a guess but I think he managed to access the ultimate ice even without using his martial soul." Fan Yu paused for a moment and replied.
"That's possible?"
"Probably, if his compatibility with his Ice Jade Scorpion martial soul is high. I'm not sure, I don't have deep knowledge about martial souls. We have to ask Wang Yan."
Du Weilun stood from his seat with a dignified expression, inwardly he was indecisive about what the score he should give to Huo Yuhao.
'Defeating the soul beast effortlessly and without using any unnecessary moves. His cultivation path is 'control', does this count as 'control' though? Should I give him 135 points? Or 140?'
Just as he was hesitating over the score, a hand landed on his right shoulder, startling him.
"Huo Yuhao, exceptional performance! Full marks, 150 points!"
It was Yan Shaozhe, a wide grin set across his lips as he eyed Huo Yuhao.
'That power... I have no doubt, it's what Xiaotao had said. Ultimate Ice!'
"Huh? One hundred fifty points?!" Du Weilun said in disbelief.
Ever since the creation of the advancement exam many millennia ago, there has been no record of a student that managed to score a perfect score!
"One hundred fifty?!"
"A perfect score? Has that ever been scored by a student before?"
"... Did he just one punch that flaming lion?!"
All the students were astonished, the only exceptions were Zhou Yi, Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Wu Feng and Ning Tian, because they had already been informed beforehand, but seeing it firsthand was still shocking. Even the teachers were shocked by the unprecedented score.
Huo Yuhao, however, remained composed, showing no sign of arrogance or pride.
Zhou Yi had already seen and felt the power of the soul rings that Huo Yuhao got from killing ten thousand year soul rings... never would she have expected it to have such a terrifying effect. He hadn't even had to use any of his twin martial souls to win this battle.
'Just how strong is this boy now?'
Huo Yuhao ignored their looks and murmurs. Instead, putting his hands in his pockets, he went toward the front of Class 2, looked coldly toward Dai Huabin and said with a smirk, "Don't forget about our bet, little puss. Kowtow and admit that you were wrong!"
"Kowtow and admit that you were wrong!"
These words struck Dai Huabin like a hammer blow and left him stunned. His already ice-cold countenance turned even paler as the blood seemed to drain out of his face.
He clenched his hands, his nails digging into the flesh that he started bleeding.
'This... this...!'
For a moment, Dai Huabin felt as though there was a mouthful of air stuck in his chest and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Gah..!"
He was simply too competitive. However, the more competitive one was, the harder it would be for one to bear losses or humiliation.
"Huabin!"
Zhu Lu let out an astonished cry and hurriedly rushed over to support him only to be roughly shoved aside by Dai Huabin.
Traces of blood had already appeared in his eyes as he glared fiercely at Huo Yuhao, who stared down at him with a cold glint in his eyes and smirk.
'Damn you... Damn you!'
Suddenly, he dropped to his knees and shouted out loud, "I was wrong!" As he said this, he fiercely smashed his head into the ground, cracking the ground and leaving a trail of blood.
He then stood up, glaring heatedly at Huo Yuhao. Blood dripping from his forehead.
Though he tried to look intimidating, Huo Yuhao didn't miss the look of fear flashing through his eyes.
Huo Yuhao's lips widened, a look of contempt in his eyes. "That's a good look on you, little puss."
He then turned around and walked back towards his classmates, enjoying the sound of grinding teeth behind him.
'This is just the beginning, Huabin. Someday, just give me one opportunity, and I will kill you.'
....,....
AN: Btw, for those wondering when the second special chapter(future reaction) is coming up, I'll upload it soon~
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