Huo Yuhao's hands grabbed onto Wang Dong's shoulders and gazed at him intensely. The redness within his eyes increased in intensity. "Wang Dong, I consider you my brother. Please keep this a secret for me. "
Although Wang Dong was clearly at a higher level in cultivation than Huo Yuhao, he still felt terror at this moment. However, after the terror, there was a sense of compassion and pity. They were around the same age, yet their experiences were completely different.
Huo Yuhao slowly closed his eyes and tried hard to breath and calm his emotions. The hatred had been buried in his heart for too long. It wasn't until after the freshman examination did he sensed hope; the hope to be able to avenge his mother. After seeing Dai Huabin today, his hatred was ignited once again. However, it was not the time to act. He must continue to be patient, patient for that ray of hope to grow in the future.
"Ai——" A deep sigh sounded and caused Huo Yuhao to shiver. His relaxed mental state once again tensed up. He released his battle spirit to scan the surrounding and said with a low voice, "Who's there?"
The dorms were extremely quiet. There was nothing out of the ordinary even under Huo Yuhao's Mental Detection. Wang Dong looked at him with wonder, not understanding why he was suddenly so nervous.
"Yuhao, what happened?" Wang Dong asked with confusion.
Huo Yuhao paused for a moment, "You didn't hear that?"
"Hear what?" Wang Dong looked surprised.
Huo Yuhao's heart shook, "Someone sighed. I heard it clearly. How could you have not heard it?"
Wang Dong shook his head and said: "Nothing! I heard nothing. Maybe you were hallucinating?"
Huo Yuhao tried his best to increase the range of his Mental Detection. However, he was still unable to detect any abnormal noise after that sigh.
Perhaps I was really hallucinating? Huo Yuhao felt puzzled but soon rejected this theory. He is a mental spirit master, which means his senses should be more sensitive than normal. Besides vision, his other six senses should also be great. Even under the influence of extreme emotional turmoil, he should still have not hallucinated. Besides, the sigh was so clear, as if it was happening right beside his ears.
"Daydream Ge, Daydream Ge." Huo Yuhao called out in his mind. (TL: Ge = older brother)
"What?" Daydream Iceworm's lazy voice sounded. He spent most of his time sleeping. It was just that recently Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong's fusion was of great interest to him, so he stayed slightly awake.
"There was a sigh. Did you hear it?" Huo Yuhao asked.
"Sigh? Have you went over your head with hatred?! Where can you hear the sigh? Don't interrupt me during my sleep. Also, You should calm down a bit. You can't even control your emotions as of now. If anything happens, you won't even know how you are going to die. Of course, it's not important if you are the only one dying. But, you will effect Ge too." Daydream Iceworm said rudely.
This time, Huo Yuhao was really shocked. Daydream Iceworm didn't hear the sigh. Does that mean, the sigh he heard really didn't exist?
No, he really couldn't believe it. He trusts his own judgment. However, where did the sigh come from then? With Daydream Iceworm's ability, no one can ever hide from his senses. It's impossible. Daydream Iceworm is a million years old spirit beast after all. Even if his battle abilities are slightly weak, his mental abilities are unparalleled in this world.
Just as Huo Yuhao was in deep thought, Daydream Iceworm's voice came back. "Oh right, Huo Yuhao. Ge wanted to warn you. Try to limit your use of Soul Assault. If it is too overused, everyone will take caution of you. Even though your Purple Demon Eyes strengthened your attacks, a higher level master can use your own attack to bite you back if they are known. That can lead to great danger."
Huo Yuhao was slightly scared and quickly asked, "Daydream Ge, on average, how much higher in level would they have to be to make my attack backfire?"
Daydream Iceworm said: "If they are careful and can use their spirit power well, then even one level higher can cause your attack to backfire. If not because of this, I wouldn't have been so tragic back in the Star Dou Forest. If Soul Assault is perfect, then Ge wouldn't have been miserable all those years. The reason your Soul Assault performed so well in battle is mainly because of its unexpectedness. That, and the Purple Demon Eyes increased its attack. Also, the addition of the spirit power fusion of you and Wang Dong made your opponents slow to react. If everyone put up guards against your Soul Assault, then you must be careful. However, you can use Mental Disturbance as much as you please. Even though this skill is weaker, it will not backfire. Remember even if you and Wang Dong teamed up to use Soul Assault, it cannot completely win against a three spirit ring opponent. Use it with caution in the future."
Huo Yuhao chuckled bitterly: "It's not me who want to use it all the time. Daydream Ge, out of the 4 spirit skill, besides the Soul Assault, the other three don't have any offensive power."And you also not allowed me to cultivate or show its innate skill snow freeze in front of anyone.
"Uh…, that is also a problem. However, just bare with it for now. You are still very young. Don't worry. Hurry up and reach level 20. Once there, I will make sure you can be strong. At least you won't lose to someone at the same level. I'm going back to sleep now."
Daydream Iceworm's words served as a reminder to Huo Yuhao. At the same time, his urge to search for that sigh faded. This wasn't the first time that Daydream Iceworm had mentioned level 20. Which means, that level 20 was a very important level for him. Being able to reach level 20 means a dramatic increase in his abilities. Then he would no longer need another's help, but able to fight on his own.
Thinking of this, Huo Yuhao gradually calmed down and began to cultivate with Wang Dong to regenerate his Spirit Power.
The battle in the afternoon must be very difficult. Not only will the battle be hard, it will also be torture for his heart. However, this is an unavoidable battle. He will eventually have to face his enemy. If this is the case, then he will just take this battle as training for his heart.
The dorm room became quiet. Due to Battle Spirit Fusion, Wang Dong was able to feel the emotional change within Huo Yuhao. He was not only astonished at how fast Huo Yuhao was able to calm down, but was also filled with admiration.
Judging by looks, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong were not even on the same level. However, at this exact moment, the 11 years old Huo Yuhao was both mature and masculine in Wang Dong's eyes.
The two of them cultivated until lunch time and completely exhausted all of their spirit power. When they arrived at the lunch room, a big surprise was waiting for them.
"Hey, you two. I heard you guys successfully reached the final battles. Good job! Now, I am back. How can there be a final without me?" Xiao Xiao said happily near the entrance of the cafeteria as Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong walked in.
The two of them were elated to see Xiao Xiao and quickly walked toward her. Huo Yuhao asked hurriedly, "Xiao Xiao, have you recovered?"
Xiao Xiao chuckled and said, "Of course! I have dual battle spirits and great potential. I don't need to rest that long for such a small case. See, I'm completely okay now. Let's go. I'll treat you two to lunch; the most delicious and most expensive lunch. We need the nourishment so we can beat up our opponents to the point that they can't take care of themselves. Hehe."
Huo Yuhao smiled slightly and put out his right hand. Wang Dong once again beat Xiao Xiao and put his palm above with Xiao Xiao's hand on the very top. The three looked at each other. A confident smile could be seen on all their faces.
"We are champions!"
Since it was only the start of meal time, not many students had arrived. Just as they were saying "We are the champions," they heard a sharp voice saying, "So shameless. Not even afraid of bragging so much that it comes back on you. The champions will be us Freshman Class Five."
Huo Yuhao's trio turned at the same time and saw three freshmen walking toward them. Wasn't the one in the center Huo Yuhao's enemy and their opponent today, Dai Huabin? As for the one who spoke, it was a black haired girl standing to his left.
This girl had very unique eyes that were of different colors. Her left eye was a pale blue while her right eye was a pale yellow. When her gaze fell on them, the eyes seemed to raise up. It looked very exotic.
Dai Huabin had a stern face and didn't say anything. He looked across Huo Yuhao's trio and went directly into the cafeteria. The black haired girl snorted with disdain. On the other side, a pink haired girl gave an enchanting smile that seemed to sink into the bones. It was obvious that these two girls were Dai Huabin's teammates.
Just as Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were about to react, Huo Yuhao raised his hands and blocked them. Dai Huabin had obviously not recognized him. After experiencing intense emotions in the morning, Huo Yuhao appeared much calmer now.
"There is no point in arguing. We will see each other on the field this afternoon," with this, Huo Yuhao's trio went to eat.
If it were under normal circumstances, Huo Yuhao would never eat the most expensive meal. Even if it were a treat. It was just too expensive. But today was different. Xiao Xiao's body was overdrafted in the previous match and needed good nutrients. In the end, Wang Dong didn't let Xiao Xiao treat them but paid for it himself. It wasn't that Huo Yuhao didn't want to pay, but after a look at the number on the check, he had to give up. The money he made selling roasted fish was not even enough for his semester's expenditures. He also heard that the second year's tuition fees were even more.
Dai Huabin's trio, of course, also had the best meal. Since they sat not too far away, there was a scent of gunpowder floating in the air. But, no one acted to start a conflict. No matter what, the match in the afternoon was most important.
After lunch, Huo Yuhao's trio found a quiet place next to Sea God Lake to plan their tactics for the afternoon's match. To face a powerful opponent and not be anxious was impossible. Even though they were Freshmen and their power in Shrek Academy was not much, the final match was the most important event for them. Even a small detail may determine the winners.
"It is almost time. Let's head to the Examination District," said Xiao Xiao.
"Okay," nodded Huo Yuhao.
Just then, Wang Dong suddenly said, "Yuhao, hug me."
Xiao Xiao's eyes immediately widened. But she also quickly recovered to normal because what she saw in Wang Dong's eyes was biting cold killing intent."
He and Huo Yuhao had an unspeakable understanding. Just a move of the body, Huo Yuhao had immediately understood him.
"Wang Dong…."
Wang Dong smiled faintly. His eyes were cold but his voice was very gentle, "How will we know if we don't try?"
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath and didn't say more. He opened his arms and hugged.
The Examination District was very quiet. Since it had already reached the final match of the elimination contest, there were no student observers.
Shrek Academy's examination rules considered every student's privacy. That's why the examination was not broadcasted for other students to observe.
All the students who were not participating in the examination had to continue with their lessons. Because of this, the afternoon's final had the least number of students.
Of course, having less students there does not mean there were less people. Almost every teacher who did not hold lessons were present to observe. The dean of Shrek Academy, Yan Shaozhe, also came and stood with the teachers and Du Weilun on the observation deck.
It didn't matter that the examination is held only three months after school starts each other. Almost every Shrek Academy inner school student had revealed their talents in the Freshman Examination and received the attention of the school. Dean Yan Shaozhe came this year because the freshmen students this time were especially strong. Usually, even Shrek Academy students would be third years by the time they have three rings. Due to this, having three rings of cultivation is also the requirement for rising from third years to fourth years.
However, three spirit masters with three rings had already appeared this year. This kind of potential would almost guarantee their entrance into the inner school. Yan Shaozhe also wanted to see who the final winners would be.
Comparatively, his focus lied more on Huo Yuhao's team. He had already heard Du Weilun's report. Huo Yuhao's team used the power of only two Spirit Grandmasters and a Spirit Master's power to win continuously. They managed to defeat Ning Tian's team and Xie Huanyue's team, both lead by Spirit Elders. In those battles, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao's performance can only be described as amazing.
Wang Dong's Bright Goddess Butterfly Battle Spirit was the only one to ever appear in Shrek Academy. And Xiao Xiao's dual innate battle spirit's potential was immeasurable. The rarity of dual innate battle spirit masters have stayed the same since battle spirit masters first appeared on the Douluo Continent. Even though Shrek Academy was the world's number one academy, there were still only three dual innate battle spirit masters, including Xiao Xiao. The other two had already become inner school students and both were ranked in the top ten of the academy.
As for Huo Yuhao, Du Weilun had described his situation to Dean Yan Shaozhe. He has an innate body battle spirit and mental attribute. Unfortunately, he did not receive good education when he was young. Right now, he only has a spirit power level of nineteen and only a ten year spirit ring. Even though he has good potential, the fact that he started late is impossible to recover. At the same time, having a mental attribute battle spirit makes it a problem for obtaining powerful spirit rings in the future for growth. So, for Huo Yuhao's recommendation, Du Weilun put quotation marks around his name and did not recommend for him to become a core disciple.
Yan Shaozhe was satisfied with Du Weilun. As the teaching director, Du Weilun's judgment was usually sharp and fair. He also helped cultivate many outstanding students and made significant contributions.
In Shrek Academy's administration, Yan Shaozhe was not the only dean. He was just the Battle Spirit Division's inner school dean. At the same time, Shrek Academy also had a Spirit Guidance dean. These two deans looked after everything in the academy.
In terms of authority, of course the one in charge of the Battle Spirit Division, Yan Shaozhe, had more. However, the Spirit Guidance Division had their own system and somewhat competed with the Battle Spirit Division. So, Yan Shaozhe did not have any jurisdiction over the Spirit Guidance Division.
Other than these two deans, both the Battle Spirit Division and the Spirit Guidance Division have vice-deans in charge of the outer schools. No matter what, Yan Shaozhe and the Spirit Guidance dean must focus their attentions on the inner school. The inner school is where Shrek Academy's core really is. So, they rarely interfered with the outer school's activities.
The outer school dean of the Battle Spirit Division, also the school's vice-dean, is a scholar type teacher. He spent most of his time teaching fifth and sixth year students. Since these students were candidates for the inner school, they went through many rigorous examinations. He paid less attention to other responsibilities. Other than this vice-dean, most of the authority within the Battle Spirit Division lies with Du Weilun.
As the Battle Spirit Division education director, Du Weilun's authority was quite significant. However, no one had challenged him for this position. With hardwork in the last twenty years, he had given significant contributions to the Battle Spirit Division. So, Yan Shaozhe was very satisfied with his performance and completely believed his judgments regarding students.
"Weilun, who do you favor in today's match?" said Yan Shaozhe with a smile.
Du Weilun chuckled, "I favor Dai Huabin a bit more. Even though Huo Yuhao's team had defeated two Spirit Elder lead teams, their overall power is definitely lower than Dai Huabin's team. Dai Huabin's teammates are also not weak. They all have the potential to enter the inner school in the future."
Yan Shaozhe nodded. Just then, a forceful voice suddenly said, "Since Director Dai thinks Dai Huabin will win, then I will bet on the other side."
Yan Shaozhe did not look back but his face already revealed the hint of a smile, "Qian Duoduo, how come a guy like you is here too? The moment I smelled the stink of copper, I knew it was you." (TL: Qian Duoduo means "lots of money")
The person who just arrived was a sturdy man in his fifties. His face did not have any wrinkles but had needle-like white hair that made him appear experienced in life. His tall and stalwart figure looked as if it were carved from sculpted from granite. He was more than 2.2 meters tall. His shoulders' wide and sturdy muscles did not shrink a bit from his age. His bronze colored skin reflected a metal-like light under the sun and his body also carried a heavy metal smell. Beside him was Fan Yu.
Yan Shaozhe did not turn his head but Du Weilun turned his body and looked with surprise before bowing, "Vice-dean Qian. Good day. What brings you here?"
This good-natured and constantly smiling vice-dean, Qian Duoduo, was the Spirit Guidance director of general affairs. In the Spirit Guidance Division, he was only below one person. His position was even higher than Du Weilun's.
In Shrek Academy, positions were not casually assigned. There were usually two paths. One is to have significant contributions to the academy by teaching students. Another is with personal strength. There were only four deans and vice-deans in the academy and they were the real pillars of the institution. To have such high positions, their contributions could not be taken lightly. All of their strengths were at the peaks of those attainable.
Vice-dean Qian Duoduo chuckled, "Aren't I just passing by? Then I heard you guessing with old Yan about who would win. I love bets. So, old Yan, want to have a bet?"
Yan Shaozhe finally turned his head and smiled, "You bronze-stinking guy who never rises early unless you can gain something from it. I don't believe your aims are pure. You have always coveted people from the Battle Spirit Division. You better pay attention this time."
Qian Duoduo loudly walked over to Yan Shaozhe's side and sat down, then loudly said, "Who are you calling your Battle Spirit Division's people? They are only freshmen. They haven't even picked a division yet. Also, they have to wait until the third year until they can pick which division they want to specialize in. Your Battle Spirit Division is only giving them basic education. Bet or not, just get on with it."
Du Weilun had already dodged to the side and greeted Fan Yu. Fan Yu smiled and nodded. Then, the two found places to sit behind the two deans.
Fan Yu's position within the Spirit Guidance Division was very high. Even though his current rank is lower than Du Weilun's, Du Weilun knows that Fan Yu will one day become the Spirit Guidance Division's vice-dean. He could even become the successor to the current dean. However, his own position as the education director would probably be his end.
Yan Shaozhe did not fall for Qian Duoduo's provocation but just smiled and shook his head, "No bet. Old Qian, you are actually trying to get money from me. Watch, I'm going to tell Lin'er about it later."
Qian Duoduo's face twitched. He said with a face full of depression, "Don't you mess around. You were shameless when you were young too. My character is much better. You're always using Lin'er as a shield. Do you know no shame?"
Du Weilun was listening behind them with his heart shivering. These two prominent figures in the entire Douluo Continent are actually here arguing. If the students hear…
Yan Shaozhe glanced at Qian Duoduo's displeased face and laughed, "Fine, what do you want to bet?"
Just then did Qian Duoduo revealed a smile again, "If the team I bet on wins, then within three years, you will let me pick a freshman to enter the Spirit Guidance Division and not block me in any way."
Yan Shaozhe snorted, "I knew you had something bad in mind. No bet."
Qian Duoduo said calmly, "Don't be in such a hurry. Let me finish first. The student I will will not be one of your core disciples. Plus, I will also not pick any student who has reached level thirty before graduating from their second year. Now, isn't this good enough?"
Yan Shaozhe blanked, "Old Qian, you need to bet with me for this? Don't you already take these students every year?"
Qian Duoduo said with a face full of sadness, "Oh don't mention it. Youngsters these days aim too high. They don't understand my Spirit Guidance Division and put us to the side. Although we took many students these last few years, the ones who actually fit with us are very few. You also know our program. It is not something normal Spirit Guidance engineers can achieve. Even though the engineering is important, the use is just as important! So, I want to pick a few students with good battle spirits. But you, like a mother hen, are too protective. You don't even give me a chance to pick. If I don't come now, then our program would be a disaster. Don't forget, in our last deans meeting, you agreed that if you don't support our job, then I will let Lin'er grab students from the inner school. Let's see if you dare to stop her."
Seeing Qian Duoduo's sincerity, Yan Shaozhe thought for a moment, then said, "You really won't choose a core disciple? You won't pick any student who have reached level thiry by their third year?"
Qian Duoduo revealed a kind and serious face, "When have I not kept my promises?"
Yan Shaozhe nodded and said, "Okay. Then, let's bet. Also, even if you lose, I will still let you pick a student like it. That way, you won't say I'm not supporting your work. However, if you lose, then you will let me play with a hundred of those mounted spirit guidance cannon shells. I want high-explosives. That way it's more satisfying."
Qian Duoduo's face changed color, "Old Yan, you are too evil. A hundred high-explosive cannon shells? Do you know how much money that would cost? Even the material cost is a hundred gold coins each."
Yan Shaozhe smiled, "You don't have to if you don't want to. I don't want to bet with you anyway."
Qian Duoduo showed a face of being hurt, "Fifteen."
Yan Shaozhe was afraid that he would back out and immediately said, "Deal." It was enough to get enough of the specialized high-explosives for the mounted spirit guidance cannon to enjoy himself. Even though he was the dean, he can't rob his own home!
Qian Duoduo blanked, then said to Yan Shaozhe with shock, "You old bastard. I got played again."
Yan Shaozhe suddenly started laughing. Unfortunately, he didn't see the sly look in vice-dean Qian Duoduo's eyes.