Huo Yuhao stopped in his tracks and turned around, seeing a familiar figure. Clad in fiery red, with a strong and robust presence, it was Ma Xiaotao, Yan Shaozhe's disciple and Huo Yuhao's spirit bone supplier.
Standing beside Ma Xiaotao was another student dressed in the inner courtyard uniform.
This person was about 1.8 meters tall, with broad shoulders, a handsome face with a hint of ruggedness, and long golden hair cascading down his back, almost reaching his waist. His eyes were peculiar, with double pupils in deep blue irises that exuded an air of authority and latent menace.
On Ma Xiaotao's other side stood a tall, graceful young man with delicate features, almost making one feel protective of him. He held several snacks in his hands, seemingly not for himself but for carrying Ma Xiaotao's things.
"Dai Yaoheng?" Huo Yuhao's eyes showed a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected to encounter him here. Dai Yaoheng's gaze was fixed on Huo Yuhao, his eyes narrowing with a hint of coldness flashing through them.
The White Tiger Duke's manor had two sons born to the Duchess. The eldest son was Dai Yaoheng, the heir to the White Tiger Duke's title.
Even though Dai Huabin was exceptionally gifted, reaching the level of a Rank 39 Soul Elder before the age of thirteen, he still lived in his elder brother's shadow.
In the original work, Dai Yaoheng was more like a noble heir from a great family compared to the brash Dai Huabin. Although he appeared modest and elegant on the surface, he was impulsive and easily angered, but at least he knew how to play dumb.
As the saying goes, "Comparison brings out the worst in people." While Dai Yaoheng's cunning and intelligence were nothing extraordinary, he seemed like a prodigy compared to his hot-headed younger brother.
"Huabin's personality is too extreme. I have educated him many times, but I didn't expect this to happen. But he is him, and I am me. You don't need to worry; the White Tiger Duke's manor will compensate you satisfactorily."
Dai Yaoheng's smile was sincere, but Huo Yuhao inwardly sneered.
When he first saw Dai Yaoheng, the fleeting cold killing intent in Dai Yaoheng's eyes did not escape Huo Yuhao's sharp eyes.
The ancients said, "One whose heart holds thunder but face remains calm is worthy of high office." While Dai Yaoheng had more schemes than Dai Huabin, he still couldn't fully conceal his emotions. Such a person was not worthy of being Huo Yuhao's opponent.
Moreover, Dai Yaoheng was also the Duchess's son, and the Duchess was one of Huo Yuhao's greatest enemies, a person he must kill. Therefore, both Dai Yaoheng and Dai Huabin were enemies in Huo Yuhao's eyes.
"Heh, there's no point in talking any further. Goodbye!" Huo Yuhao's expression suddenly turned cold as he turned to leave.
If he had shown a hypocritical smile like Dai Yaoheng, or even surpassed him in pretense, it would undoubtedly arouse suspicion and killing intent from Dai Yaoheng and the White Tiger Duke's manor.
However, his current straightforward display of dissatisfaction with the White Tiger Duke's manor would instead lower their guard and align with the natural behavior of a young person.
"Huo Yuhao, I sincerely apologize on behalf of the White Tiger Duke's manor." Dai Yaoheng adopted a sincere expression and said to Huo Yuhao.
"The prescription you provided previously cured my mother's illness, but Huabin's ungrateful actions have pained me deeply. In the future, if you encounter any trouble at Shrek Academy, you can come to me. I, Dai Yaoheng, will do my best to help you."
"Dai Yaoheng, Huo Yuhao is my friend. Are you disregarding me by speaking like this?" Ma Xiaotao quickly interjected upon seeing Huo Yuhao's displeased expression. Recently, her evil fire backlash had intensified, and she was looking for Huo Yuhao's help. She wouldn't miss any opportunity to support him.
"You also know Huo Yuhao?" Dai Yaoheng's eyes narrowed. He knew Ma Xiaotao's strength and talent, and her status in the inner courtyard was even above his. For Huo Yuhao to know Ma Xiaotao and for her to willingly help him meant that Huo Yuhao's background was likely significant.
"Are you also here for the Treasures Fair?" Huo Yuhao asked.
"Yes, I don't know why, but this time the Treasures Fair at the Treasure Pavilion is jointly attended by inner courtyard students and outer courtyard core disciples, and there's even an auction." Ma Xiaotao nodded and then pointed to the delicate young man beside her.
"Let me introduce you. He is also your senior in the inner courtyard, named Gongyang Mo, a support-type spirit master."
"Nice to meet you, senior." Huo Yuhao, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng all nodded to the young man and then were about to leave.
"Wait a moment, Huo Yuhao, when the incident with Huabin occurred, Teacher Zhou Yi severed his arms. Do you know where those arms are now?" Dai Yaoheng suddenly asked.
Huo Yuhao inwardly sneered. He knew Dai Yaoheng had something to ask.
Attaching severed arms might be possible, but regenerating limbs was out of the question; it was beyond the capability of healing spirit masters.
"Sorry, senior, Dai Huabin's arms were incinerated by Teacher Zhou Yi's flames. There's no way to reattach them." Huo Yuhao smiled faintly. "And as for the so-called compensation from the White Tiger Duke's manor, I don't need it. What I'm waiting for now is the academy's fair handling of your White Tiger Duke's manor."
With that, Huo Yuhao turned and left. Behind him, Dai Yaoheng's eyes flashed with cold light, and his aura suddenly turned icy.
Huo Yuhao led Ning Tian and Wu Feng to the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion, where they were greeted by a familiar young lady in a white dress who escorted them inside.
As they stepped into the Treasure Pavilion, a luxurious atmosphere greeted them. The golden hall was opulent, illuminated by a large crystal chandelier, and lined with rows of young girls.
These girls were younger than the ones welcoming guests outside and wore short skirts with little fabric, revealing their slender, fair legs. Each one had above-average looks and excellent figures, with curves in all the right places.
Entering this golden hall felt like stepping into a paradise.
"Welcome, esteemed guests." The girls bowed in unison, startling Ning Tian and Wu Feng.
Huo Yuhao looked at the deep cleavages revealed by the bowing girls and inwardly marveled at how far Shrek Academy would go to bind its students to its cause.
While these girls wouldn't be taken away by the guests, their presence would certainly arouse the desires for power, wealth, and beauty in the core disciples, turning them into puppets easily controlled by the academy.
Suddenly, Huo Yuhao's vision went dark as his eyes were covered, and Wu Feng's voice rang out.
"Huo Yuhao, why were you staring at them like that? Have you learned to misbehave now?"
At that moment, Ning Tian exclaimed in shock.
"This, this is impossible! How could such an item appear at this auction?!"