"...Tell me, everything." Despite the shocking news delivered to him, Elder Xuan still acted calm and inquired. However, to any observant person, they would see that his hands were trembling and his eyes were slightly glowing.
"Yes, sir!" The figure in black didn't dally and immediately told everything to Elder Xuan, whose expression turned grave as he listened carefully.
While the figure in black recounted the details, back on the arena, "Huo Yuhao's" body radiated an intense white glow for a moment before both figures of Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong'er were revealed, their martial soul fusion undone, cold sweat running down their face as they stood side-by-side.
"H-Holy crap! Just that one attack exhausted all of my soul power! Ugh..." Wang Dong'er groaned as she struggled to catch her breath, her seemingly non-existent chest heaving with exertion. Next to her, Huo Yuhao wore a similar expression of fatigue, though his eyes revealed an expression of great satisfaction.
He did it. He finally got revenge on that bastard Dai Huabin! No, not just him, but he also managed to implicate Dai Yueheng as well! One was crippled for probably the rest of his life while the latter would be forever shamed and humiliated! He got two of his half-brothers involved in his own schemes, a great and significant victory in his ongoing quest for vengeance.
It took a lot of planning, and Huo Yuhao needed the assistance of the Soul Engineering Department for his scheme to work, and it all paid off. First off, he specifically needed the help of the Soul Engineering Department because he was sure that they had zero close connections with any of the Soul Engineers, making them the perfect choice for his clandestine operation.
Then, he hired a local gang to watch over a shadow clone of his that disguised himself as the 3rd members, which the gang didn't know, and secretly spread the information that the 3rd division was caught and then left behind some breadcrumbs that led to where the gang was hiding. With how desperate Dai Huabin would become, he would for sure follow on that trail and fall into the trap that Huo Yuhao had meticulously set for him.
The only variable was that he asked for Dai Yueheng's help, but thankfully his involvement had only served to further entangle him in the web of deceit that Huo Yuhao had spun. It was a stroke of luck that had played into Huo Yuhao's hands, further solidifying his victory.
With the help of Elder Lin from the S.E(Soul Engineering) Department to act as the clear witness of Dai Yueheng's confession and getting rid of the 3rd division, Huo Yuhao's plan had unfolded meticulously, each piece falling into place with precision.
'With their crimes revealed and the ensuing fallout, the matter of me "unintentionally" crippling Dai Huabin will be but a minor footnote in everything that would soon unfold. Dai Huabin, you deserved this.' Huo Yuhao coldly smiled.
As the black clothed figure finished delivering the details to Elder Xuan, the sound of howling wind was heard that caused everyone to look up at Elder Xuan.
"Unforgivable! These two have truly gone too far!"
Elder Xuan's face distorted into a furious scowl. In all the years he's been in the academy, this was the first he has ever heard of a student going so far to kill a fellow student. Though it was normal for students to fight each other to the death, whether it be in public or in secret, but there hasn't been a case of a student using an external force to have them assassinate other students!
He clenched his fist, unconsciously causing a rift in the space that was about seven feet long. Most of the students and even some of the teachers felt their legs go limp as a powerful pressure shrouded them. Though Elder Xuan hadn't release his martial soul, the aura he radiated was undeniably terrifying, enough to make even the bravest tremble in fear.
Huo Yuhao trembled and Wang Dong'er dropped to her knees with a pale expression, with their soul power exhausted and their bodies drained from the intense battle, they were particularly vulnerable to Elder Xuan's overwhelming presence.
"Prepare a report immediately. We must inform the academy's higher authorities of this atrocity. These students must face severe consequences for their actions." Elder Xuan's voice echoed with a chilling authority that left no room for argument.
The figure in black nodded quickly, sensing the urgency in Elder Xuan's tone. "Yes, Elder Xuan. I will draft the report right away." With a swift bow, the figure turned to leave, hurrying to carry out Elder Xuan's orders.
Getting a hold of himself, Elder Xuan calmed down and hurriedly repaired the rift in the sky, causing everyone to let out a sigh of relief.
"Yuhao! Wang Dong!" Xiao Xiao, Tang Ya and the rest quickly rushed over to their sides after the pressure around lifted up and helped them up. She wanted to be the one to help up Huo Yuhao but was surprised to see Tang Ya beating her, with a huff, she then went to help Wang Dong'er.
"You alright?" Tang Ya asked, concern evident in her voice.
Huo Yuhao managed a weak smile. "We're fine, just exhausted. That last attack took everything we had."
Tang Ya frowned. "You didn't have to use your martial soul fusion, we could've defeated them easily, especially with the hidden soul tools you made."
"Hidden what now?" Xu Sanshi asked aloud with a mix of a puzzled and terrified expression.
"What now? We're the only ones left it seems, as everyone that Elder Xuan saved have all been disqualified. But we're more than just seven members." Tang Ya ignored him and looked at Huo Yuhao with a serious expression, the others also turned towards him with nervous expressions. Although this exam seemed important and something that their respective teachers wanted them each to win, they really didn't want to fight against each other.
Especially Huo Yuhao and Tang Ya, seeing the ten thousand year old soul rings on them, there was no way they could win against them.
Huo Yuhao smiled and separated himself from Tang Ya, despite the latter's quite reluctance. He cracked his neck and turned around, with a wave of his hand and a freezing swirl of breeze, ice covered the ground before him and created a roundtable with numerous chairs around it.
"The answer to that question of yours, Teacher Ya," As everyone looked at him in confusion, Huo Yuhao calmly took a seat at the head of the table. "Is that we do nothing."
"...Huh?" Everyone tilted their heads.
Huo Yuhao smirked, and didn't explain further. Leaning back in his chair, he folded his hands in front of him, his expression calm and indifferent.
Wang Dong'er Ya frowned, confusion evident in her features as she leaned against Xiao Xiao. "Do nothing? But what about the exam?"
"Hm." Huo Yuhao hummed, closing his eyes. A moment later he opened them and calmly stated, "Believe in me."
The room fell silent as Huo Yuhao's words hung in the air, leaving everyone with a sense of uncertainty mixed with a sliver of trust. Xu Sanshi exchanged a glance with Jiang Nannan and He Caitou, their expressions reflecting a mixture of confusion and concern.
"Okay, Yuhao." Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, Wu Feng and Tang Ya nodded in unison, their voices quiet but resolute. They trusted Huo Yuhao, even if they didn't fully understand his plan.
Bei Bei widened his eyes in surprise but let out a sigh of reluctance, nodding.
"Very well, brother Yuhao. I'll follow your lead!" He Caitou
"Wait, seriously? Are you all going along with this?! The teachers won't allow this! Right, Nannan-"
Xun Sanshi blinked in disbelief at them agreeing so readily to Huo Yuhao's plan. He turned towards Jiang Nannan but he was surprised to find her already walking up to a chair, totally ignoring him.
"Nannan~!"
Huo Yuhao's smirk widened slightly, his confidence bolstered by their trust. "Good. Now, let's wait and see."
The group looked at each other and began settling into their respective seats, utterly confusing the spectators and causing Elder Xuan to frown. With the news he just received, he didn't like how things was going on right now.
Turning around in the sky, he looked down upon them like a god that was about to give out judgement. With his power and aura he radiated, he truly seemed like one.
"Students, what is the meaning of this?" Though looking calm and indifferent on the surface, Elder Xuan's voice carried a weight that brooked no disobedience. It was as if he were a thundercloud ready to unleash a storm of consequences upon them.
Huo Yuhao's smirk didn't waver as he faced Elder Xuan's imposing figure. It was akin to a lone wolf staring down a tempest, unyielding and unwavering in his resolve. Around him, his comrades stood like pillars of support, each one a stalwart tree in the face of the impending storm.
As the silence stretched, it felt like the calm before a tempest, a brief respite before the tumultuous winds of fate swept over them. But in that silence, there was a quiet determination, a resolve that burned brighter than any flame.
Elder Xuan's gaze swept over them, his eyes like burning coals, searching for any sign of weakness. Yet, he found none. Instead, he was met with unwavering gazes and resolute expressions, each one a testament to their trust in Huo Yuhao's leadership.
"Why aren't any of you fighting? As I have stated beforehand, there can only be seven winners, no more, no less. Also, I just received a very... annoying news just now, so I am not in the mood for games." Elder Xuan's voice rumbled like distant thunder, carrying with it an undeniable sense of authority.
Huo Yuhao's smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with determination. "We understand, Elder Xuan, but," he replied calmly, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "... We're not fighting anymore."
"What?!" Yan Shaozhe shouted out in shock, grabbing onto the handrails. The other teachers also looked stunned, their expressions ranging from disbelief to outrage.
Elder Xuan's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he studied Huo Yuhao. "Explain," he demanded, his tone sharp.
Huo Yuhao remained composed, his smirk unwavering. "We've decided to forfeit the exam!" he stated simply, his voice carrying a note of finality.
"Forfeit?!" Yan Shaozhe exclaimed, his voice rising with incredulity. "Do you realize what you're all doing? The rewards for winning this-!"
"Elder Yan, shut up!"
Elder Xuan's voice boomed, cutting off Yan Shaozhe's protest. The elder's eyes blazed with intensity as he turned his full attention back to Huo Yuhao and his group.
"You dare defy the academy's rules and forfeit the exam?" Elder Xuan's tone was like a whip cracking through the air, sharp and commanding.
Huo Yuhao met Elder Xuan's gaze squarely, his expression unwavering. "We understand the consequences, Elder Xuan," he said, his voice steady. "But rules... they're made to be broken."
Elder Xuan's brows furrowed deeper, his eyes searching for any hint of weakness in Huo Yuhao's resolve. "Does he speak for each of you?" he demanded with a stern glance at the rest of Huo Yuhao's group.
One by one, they rose to their feet, facing Elder Xuan with unwavering determination in their eyes. "Yes, Elder Xuan," they chorused in unison, their voices echoing with conviction.
Elder Xuan's gaze swept over them, his expression inscrutable. For a long moment, silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the faint rustle of wind.
Then, finally, Elder Xuan spoke, his voice resonating with authority. "Very well. If that is your decision, so be it. But be prepared to face the consequences of your actions." he then turned around and left.
"Thank you for your kindness, Elder Xuan!" Huo Yuhao and the others cupped their hands and bowed deeply as Elder Xuan left. Despite the gravity of their decision, they felt a sense of relief knowing that they had stood by their decision.
As they gathered around the roundtable Huo Yuhao had created, they exchanged glances, a mix of uncertainty and determination in their eyes.
"What now?" Tang Ya asked, breaking the silence that had settled over them.
Huo Yuhao leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Now, we wait," he replied, his voice calm but resolute as he took out ceramic cups and a steaming kettle.
"We've made our choice, and we'll face whatever comes our way together," he confidently said, pouring himself tea.
'All according to plan... Hehehe.' He inwardly chuckled.
"This... what's going to happen now?" Yan Shaozhe stepped back in disbelief, as he and the rest of the teachers looked at the ten students, leisurely enjoying tea.
"... We're witnessing history." Xian Lin'er commented, her voice filled with a mixture of awe and anticipation. Her gaze especially focused onto Huo Yuhao, wondering, just how much he'll achieve in his life.
....
AN: All according to Keikaku! Also, sorry for the late upload. I binge-watched some animes last night...
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