Morning. Amidst the misty gates of Shrek Academy, a group of people slowly walked out.
Clearly it was Huo Yuhao, his friends and their seniors.
However, they weren't wearing their uniforms today; some of them wore casual clothing consisting of comfortable pants and loose shirts, while others sported trendy outfits that reflected their personal styles.
Huo Yuhao himself was dressed in a simple yet elegant ensemble, with a dark jacket and well-fitted trousers with his storage belt. Due to the changes that had occurred to his body, he looked sixteen to eighteen years old, even though he was really thirteen years old. The well-proportioned muscles underneath his clothes seemed to contain an explosive amount of power within them.
The sun had just risen from the east, but they were already leaving the academy. This group of people naturally consisted of the official and preparatory teams of the Shrek Monsters. Elder Xuan wasn't the only person leading the group, it was Wang Yan.
He turned towards them and said, "Alright students, follow closely. Do not wander around or get separated. We have an important mission ahead, and it's crucial that we stick together," Wang Yan's voice carried authority and seriousness, yet there was warmth and concern in his tone as well.
"Yes teacher."
All of them lazily responded in unison, with some of them grumbling quietly as they felt they were being treated like children or ten-year-olds.
Wang Yan sighed and didn't say anything else. He then turned around and faithfully followed behind Elder Xuan, who was still as messy as ever, with his bottle gourd and chicken legs in his hands.
'....Are we really going to be okay??' Wang Yan couldn't help but wonder silently. He couldn't understand why he was the one to follow his master and the Shrek Monsters to the tournament, there were plenty of other capable teachers at the academy. Yet, here he was, entrusted with this responsibility.
He thought that it was because Elder Xuan wanted to teach him more about more secrets about the martial soul and soul beasts, but he could still have done that in the academy.
The more reasonable explanation might be that Elder Xuan just wanted to bring him along and probably help him out when he gets drunk, which was rare but he sometimes do let himself go like that; he was that eccentric after all.
Wang Yan let out a sigh like an old man, wishing that nothing bad would happen in this trip.
'Star Luo City...'
As he walked alongside his friends, Huo Yuhao was a bit lost in thought. How could he not be? He'd never been to the capital of the Star Luo Empire, but Star Luo City was something he'd heard too many times during his childhood. The Duke's Mansion he'd grown up in was only a few kilometers south of Star Luo City! When the weather was good, he would be able to faintly see the silhouette of the imperial capital from the outskirts of the Duke's Mansion.
Would they pass through the White Tiger Duke's territory? Will they meet up with....the Duke?
Unconsciously, his hands trembled for a brief moment before he curled his fingers into fists. In his eyes flashed with killing intent, but he held in the urge to express it, burying it deep within himself.
'Yuhao, are you alright?' Skydream's concerned voice echoed in Huo Yuhao's mind, snapping him out of his daze. He forced a smile and replied silently, 'I'm fine, Skydream. Just...lost a bit of control over myself there.'
His face darkened as he looked away and towards the distance, not wanting his friends to see his strange behavior. 'I talked about moving pass this, to be mature about getting my revenge....yet I still feel the hatred and resentment boiling inside me. The urge to kill.' His inner conflict weighed heavily on him, but he knew he had to push through it.
The Duke didn't entirely deserve such enmity, he reminded himself. He was as much a victim as he and his mother was to the Duchess. But he was still going to get a bit of revenge on him being a useless father; becoming more powerful and successful than he was in the future by raising the Akatsuki as a top tier sect in the world.
'....We're here for you, Yuhao,' Skydream reassured him, his voice filled with genuine concern and support.
Ice Empress also silently gave her support via her presence in Huo Yuhao's mind, offering him strength and reassurance.
Huo Yuhao slowly smiled back at Skydream's reassurance, grateful for the unwavering support of his companions.
'Thanks, Skydream, Ice Empress.'
After months of being together and experiencing all kinds of memories, the bond between Huo Yuhao and his spiritual companions, Skydream and Ice Empress, had grown stronger than ever. They were like his family, his siblings even.
Though, honestly, Huo Yuhao expected for Elder Electrolux to be the one to console him and tell him sagely advice when he felt conflicted about his vengeance, but he and his Ancestor were all in deep slumber; both of them were building up their energy when they encounter a great danger in the future.
"Yuhao, you alright?"
Nobody else had noticed anything strange about Huo Yuhao, but Wang Dong'er's senses were very acute. After living with the former for around a year, though most of it was spent being with his clone, she was able to pick up on the subtle changes in his demeanor. Her voice was soft and filled with concern.
Although she knew he had deep hatred and darkness within his heart, she never brought it up directly, respecting his need for privacy. Still, she couldn't help but worry about him.
"I'm fine, Wang Dong," Huo Yuhao replied, his tone gentler this time. "Just lost in thought. Thank you for asking."
Wang Dong'er gave him a reassuring smile. "We're all here for you, Yuhao. Don't forget that."
Huo Yuhao nodded, feeling a bit lighter at her words.
He glanced at her and he didn't know why, but he felt slightly disappointed.
Wang Dong'er, despite telling her closest friends that she was a girl; Xiao Xiao and co, she still insisted on wearing manly clothes and wore her 'manly' disguise, saying that it was some weird family tradition that, basically, she had to disguise herself as a boy until she turns eighteen.
Wang Dong'er, despite her delicate features, slender frame and beautiful eyes, had perfected the art of her disguise over the past couple of years. Today, she wore a well-tailored outfit that enhanced her masculine façade.
She was dressed in a sleek, navy blue jacket with silver buttons that gave her a slightly military appearance. Underneath, she had a crisp white shirt with the collar slightly open, giving her a relaxed yet put-together look. Her trousers were of the same navy fabric, fitting her slim frame perfectly and ending in polished black boots that reached just below her knees.
Her slightly long, blue hair with pink strands was neatly combed, adding to the convincing image of a young man. She wore a simple leather belt, from which hung a small pouch, likely carrying some essentials for their journey. Her confident stride and upright posture further reinforced her disguise, making it hard for anyone to guess her true identity.
"You're really going all out this time, huh?" Huo Yuhao said, looking up and down at Wang Dong'er's outfit with a mix of admiration and amusement.
Wang Dong'er chuckled softly, slightly nudging at his bicep as she can't reach up to his shoulder. "What? Feeling jealous that I can dress better as a boy than you? How about you dress up as a girl?"
Huo Yuhao snorted, ruffling her hair, making her squawk indignantly. "Oh please. If I was better prepared, I could give you a run for your money in any outfit. Even as a girl." he retorted playfully.
Wang Dong'er glared at him unhappily, swatting his hand away from her hair. "Pssssh. I call bullshit. You don't have the finesse or the....necessary assets to pull off a girl's outfit."
Huo Yuhao grinned down at her challengingly. "Wanna bet?"
Wang Dong'er was about to agree, until she notices the mischievous glint in his eyes and paused. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"I feel like this is a trap..."
"Bawk! Bawk! Bawk! That's all I hear though, you being a chicken~"
"No...I-! Eugh! No. I'm not falling for you tricks. I'm gonna ignore you now."
"...Bawk."
"...."
"Bawk. Bawke. Bawk-Bawk? Bawk! Bawk."
"Why are you being so annoying?!"
They continued walking, chatting and messing around with each other for a while, the others such as Xiao Xiao were joining in as well.
The mist gradually dissipating as the sun climbed higher in the sky.
"I'm perfectly straight!"
"Huh?"
"What?"
Huo Yuhao turned his gaze away from Wang Dong'er as he hold down her head when he heard Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi suddenly yelling. Everyone turned their attention towards them, dumbfounded.
Suddenly, everyone felt the temperature surrounding them drop. The words 'killing intent' arose involuntarily in their hearts, making all of them shut up.
The killing intent that had appeared instantly caused Wang Dong'er, Wu Feng, Ning Tian and Xiao Xiao to stiffen up due to their low cultivations. Fortunately, it only lasted for a moment before disappearing.
Elder Xuan acted as if he'd heard and done nothing, and spoke in a low voice, "We aren't far from the academy, and there a few things that I have to say now. You ten juniors have to listen carefully to me. This concerns the future direction of your path in the academy."
...
AN: An extra chapter for missing out yesterday.
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