Mu En glanced at Xuan Zi and said, "You look like you want to say something, but are hesitant."
Elder Xuan pursed his lips, his white eyebrows furrowed into a deep frown. "....It's nothing. I'm just a bit tired. Though not to worry, I just need some chicken and wine, and I'll be back in shape!"
Mu En nodded slightly.
Xuan Zi is one of the most powerful powerhouses in the world, a peak Transcendent Douluo of rank 98, but he wasn't at the level he could just rip through space and travel ten thousands of miles in the blink of an eye.
Going from Star Luo City to Shrek Academy really drained a lot of his soul power and physical strength.
"I see. Thank you for your good work, Little Xuan. You may go."
Xuan Zi bowed deeply to Mu En before disappearing to his private quarters in the blink of an eye.
"Hmm." Mu En rubbed his white beard, deep in thought. A little yellow head peaked out of his white hood.
"Quack!"
"I know little ducky. But we all have our own little secrets to keep, and I'm sure he would've told me about it if it were important. Hmm. I wonder what dinner I'll have..."
The next day, Star Luo City
"Oooh! That dress looks sooo cute!"
"Ah!
"That necklace looks so pretty..."
'This is a nightmare....' Were the thoughts that Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, and the other guys had as they were forced—convinced, to come along with the girls on their shopping spree.
Some of them are quite wealthy and aren't afraid to lend some to others, but due to the pressure of the tournament, the girls didn't get to truly appreciate Star Luo City and the various merchandise it had—so they could only sigh and return to the hotel with nothing but street food.
But this time was different, the tournament was over and they came out of it as the champions! The greatest honor the current generation of soul masters can have!
How could they not make use of this great moment to celebrate and let loose? Ning Tian promised them all she would take care of all the expenses.
The boys would also have their expenses taken care of, but....
'How could we shop for anything when our hands are full of shopping bags?!'
All of their storage-type soul tools had been filled, including their Shrek Guardian storage ring soul tool!
"No wonder we had to come along, these girls are going all out on shopping!" He Caitou muttered, a look of fear flashed his eyes when he saw the girls looking at a lingerie store.
Almost any men would feel joy and happiness if the girl they were with was shopping for underwear, but that was only when said girl couldn't easily beat them up and fold them like paperfans!
It's going to be a long and awkward wait....
"If Ancestor Tang San, the Sea God, is listening to us right now....please! Please give us a miracle!" Xu Sanshi went to his knees, yelling to the sky as he dramatically clasped his hands together.
His voice echoed through the busy street, drawing dirty looks from passersby and prompting death glares from the girls.
"He's an idiot." Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei and He Caitou said as they took a few steps back, and as the girls surrounded Xu Sanshi—a piercing scream sounded out.
Huo Yuhao chuckled and looked around him, the street was filled with people as vendors and stores lined the street, each boasting a colorful array of goods. The aroma of sizzling street food wafted through the air, blending with the hum of chatter and laughter.
This was the heart of Star Luo City in full swing, a lively scene due to the tournament—even though it had ended as it had announced just today.
Expectedly the audience was confused, furious and disappointed by the abrupt end to the tournament, as many had eagerly awaited the final showdown between Shrek Academy and the winner between Sun Moon Soul Engineering Academy and Imperial Mystical Academy.
Rumors buzzed through the crowd, some speculating that Shrek's strength had been too overwhelming, while others whispered theories about mysterious forces influencing the competition's outcome. The most verbal thing about the whole affair was some people asking for a refund.
Yet, despite the lingering tension, the city had become a lively hub of activity, drawing merchants, performers, and tourists who all came to capitalize on the excitement.
Huo Yuhao sighed, noticing groups of people nearby discussing the tournament. Fortunately he casted a Genjutsu on himself and the others before they left the hotel so no one would recognize them.
"I wonder how they'd react if they knew the real reason things ended early..."
Huo Yuhao mused, his brows furrowed as a pained expression flashed across his face for a moment.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calming himself.
'Breathe in, breathe out...'
He then let out a long breath and opened his eyes, glancing at his missing left arm.
'Phantom pains again...' Huo Yuhao thought, flexing his remaining hand in an effort to shake off the discomfort that ghosted over where his left arm used to be.
The arm that he had to cut off due to the Ice God trying to kill him. That moment replayed in Huo Yuhao's mind once more, reigniting the fury and hatred that he forcibly buried in his heart.
'Ice God...!' Huo Yuhao's eyes turned red for a moment, his Sharingan gleaming sharply.
His hatred for that God burned as hot and endlessly like the black flames Amaterasu, searing deep within him. The Ice God had pushed him to the edge, forcing a choice that still haunted him.
The sight of his own blood on the ice, the bitter cold that had sunk into his bones as he severed his own arm to survive—those memories were burned into his mind, fueling a fire of resentment that he could barely contain.
'One day...' Huo Yuhao clenched his remaining fist tightly, the red and golden glow of his Sharingan intensifying. 'One day, I'll have the power to face you again. And next time, I'll be sure to return the favor!'
He closed his eyes once more and calmed down, all of it happened in a brief moment and no one noticed it.
And it was intentional. He didn't want anyone to know, he didn't want any of them to be part of the problem he was getting through.
This was his to do, and his right to finish what had started between him and the Ice God.
They continued walking around, the girls went shopping while the boys followed them as their packing mules. Though it was fun for a short while, it was still a boring experience for the men.
Even Xu Sanshi, a top-tier simp for Jiang Nannan, was at his breaking point now.
'Screw it. I'm replacing myself with a Shadow Clone!' As Huo Yuhao was contemplating just ditching them with a clone, his eyes slightly widened.
He noticed a familiar figure sitting in their lonesome on a wooden bench not far, dressed in a white blouse and blue long pants, her short golden hair with strands of black hair and beautiful sharp facial features garnered looks from almost everyone around her. Especially at the cast on her right arm and bandages over her forehead.
There were a couple of people, delinquent-looking especially, who were trying their luck on her—but they were quickly scared off by a sudden surge of killing intent radiating from her body.
'Zhu Mei Lan? What is she doing here?' Huo Yuhao thought to himself, not expecting to see his half-sister at this moment—especially as it looks like she isn't done recovering.
"Yuhao?"
Huo Yuhao glanced at his side to find Wang Dong'er looking at him.
"Go. I'll distract the others." She said, slightly smiling, having also noticed Zhu Mei Lan and understanding the situation.
Huo Yuhao's eyes widened and he smiled back, "Thanks. I'll roast you a few fishes later on."
"Hehe. You better make them spicy!"
Huo Yuhao chuckled, using Shadow Clone Jutsu and then used Body Flicker Jutsu to disappear from the spot.
"Haaa..." Zhu Mei Lan let out a deep sigh, wincing as she felt a dull ache from her head.
"Ugh, my head..."
The bombing incident that her brother caused via suicide bombing, who certainly was brainwashed by someone else to do it, severely injured her, the Duke, the Duchess, and Dai Yueheng.
Out of her family, she had the least severe injuries—all because her father protected her and took on most of the impact. Her older brother and mother only managed to survive because of their respective Soul Barriers, but the explosion was too strong and pierced through the barriers and left them critically injured.
The traumatic experience left her more wrathful towards Evil Soul Masters than ever before and developed a bit of fear of closed spaces, which is why she left her room to get some air and try to watch the finale of the tournament to get some peace of mind.
Unfortunately, the tournament had ended with the champions being from Shrek Academy.
Not wanting to return to her quarters just yet, Zhu Mei Lan decided to just sit down on a random bench and enjoy the view of the festive atmosphere.
'This was a bad idea...' Zhu Mei Lan inwardly grumbled after shooing off the 15th people trying to talk to her.
Can't they tell she was brooding and wanted to be left alone? She also looked injured, so she couldn't understand why these people kept trying to talk to her.
She looked up at the clear sky, her cat-like blue eyes appeared dim and dark. Tears started swelling up in her eyes.
"Mom, Dad, brother Yueheng....and brother Huabin...."
She choked, almost breaking into a sob.
But she didn't want to sob, especially in front of so many people....!
"Ah...." As she opened her mouth to let out a cry, she went stiff as she saw a hand hover over her eyes.
'Who—!?'
Just as she was about to move, she heard a familiar voice.
"Shhhh. It's me, it's alright. I...casted a sort of illusion around us, so, you can let out all of your frustrations." Huo Yuhao's words were kind and warm to Zhu Mei Lan's ears.
She didn't understand why, especially how he appeared right at this moment, but she felt an incredible amount of trust towards this boy.
"....You won't tell anyone?"
"Tell them what?"
"...." Zhu Mei Lan sniffed, and the tears came flowing out.
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AN: Wondering why I focus a lot of scenes on fighting and drama more? I like writing fighting scenes and I love drama, no, I crave for it. As a Filipino, it is in our blood, our soul, our nature to gush over juicy drama and soaking it up like a sponge.
Use this code over at my patreon: 97397 for 50% off on membership~ C'mon now, feel the spirit of Christmas~ Hohohoho~
P.S. There's going to be a surprise in the 24...or 25th? Depending on the timezone differences really.