Upon hearing the familiar voice, Huo Yuhao's wary gaze softened and was replaced by a playful smirk.
"What, Wang Dong, never seen a naked man before? We're all men here; you see me, and I'm not going to charge you for it!"
Huo Yuhao was currently only wearing a pair of underwear, having removed all his clothes due to the application of the Burning Blood. Naturally, he wasn't an exhibitionist; he had been using his spiritual detection soul skill to prevent anyone from entering the mimicry training area without his notice.
On one hand, his current attire was quite indecent, and on the other, he couldn't let others see him using the Burning Blood. With Yao Lao's soul power covering him, even Mu En in the Sea God's Pavilion couldn't detect the anomaly in his training. However, if someone saw him directly, it would be a significant problem.
Although he had endured the pain of using Burning Blood, his body had instinctively stopped using the soul skill to probe his surroundings, which is why he hadn't noticed Wang Dong entering the mimicry training area.
But now, having completely absorbed the medicinal power of the Burning Blood, he wasn't afraid of being seen. Seeing Wang Dong's embarrassed face, Huo Yuhao teased her.
"I'm afraid I'll get an eye infection from looking!" Wang Dong covered her eyes tightly, unwilling to look at Huo Yuhao's well-toned muscles.
Shaking his head, Huo Yuhao put on his clothes. With the operation of the Flame Mantra, a scorching heat emanated from his body, instantly evaporating the water soaked into his clothes.
"What's up?"
Wang Dong slightly loosened her hands and, seeing that Huo Yuhao was fully dressed, no longer covered her eyes. Blushing, she coughed lightly and said, "Teacher Mu Jin asked us to see her in her office before class. It seems there's something important. And it's not just us; all core disciples have to go. It looks like we'll be getting some special training."
"Special training for you core disciples? What does that have to do with a humble outer courtyard disciple like me?" Huo Yuhao shrugged.
"Uh..." Wang Dong was speechless.
"Alright, I'll go with you now." Huo Yuhao waved his hand, no longer teasing Wang Dong. "By the way, did you absorb that soul bone? What's the soul skill?"
Talking about the Golden Radiance Left Arm Bone, Wang Dong's interest was immediately piqued. She raised her left arm, and the wings of the Bright Goddess Butterfly Martial Soul emerged from her back, spreading out slowly. Her left arm turned a bright golden-red.
The golden-red color surged, accompanied by a faint dragon roar, and a layer of golden-red flames instantly rose on her wings. Originally already splendid, her wings seemed to wear an extra coat, expanding in size and radiating the pure light of the Bright Goddess Butterfly.
"Golden Light, an auxiliary skill that can be applied to any of my skills. Its specific effects need to be tested, but it should enhance the destructive power of my light attribute."
"Hmm, an all-around enhancement soul bone skill. Such skills are rare!" Huo Yuhao nodded.
Wang Dong retracted the Golden Light soul bone skill and gave Huo Yuhao a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Huo Yuhao. Thank you for letting me have this soul bone. I've contacted the sect, and all the money will be sent within three days. We won't owe you anything."
"No worries, we're classmates and friends; there's no need to be so calculative. Alright, let's go."
Huo Yuhao turned and headed toward the exit of the mimicry training area, while Wang Dong stood in place, murmuring.
"Friends?"
The weather remained sunny as ever, and Shrek Academy had begun the new academic year. Every grade faced different pressures; new students had their entrance exams, while other grades had promotion exams and more complex courses.
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong pushed open the door and entered, finding Mu Jin's office already full of people—all core disciples from Class One. Besides Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, there were Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Xiao Xiao, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, as well as Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, and Huang Chutian, who had officially become core disciples, making a total of ten people.
"I've called you here today to inform you of a special situation. In three days, the outer courtyard will hold a core disciples' selection tournament. Originally, it had nothing to do with our second-year students, but the academy suddenly decided to let our second-year core disciples participate as well. So, you all need to be prepared."
Zhou Sichen curiously asked, "Teacher Mu Jin, what's the purpose of this selection tournament?"
Mu Jin smiled warmly. "You don't need to worry too much. There's no punishment for losing this selection tournament. The participants are core disciples under the age of fifteen from the outer courtyard, including those from the Soul Tool Department. I've counted about thirty people. Seven will be selected to undertake a task."
"As for the task, only the winning students will know. Originally, these slots were meant for third, fourth, and fifth-year students, but you're lucky this time and can participate. Just do your best. Our class has nine core disciples, so at least don't let me down."
At this moment, the nine core disciples in the room all looked at the only non-core disciple, Huo Yuhao. However, Huo Yuhao remained indifferent, giving them a calm smile.
Hearing Mu Jin's relaxed tone, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alright, you can return to your classrooms now. Huo Yuhao, stay behind; the rest of you may leave."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison. Zhou Sichen, who was always cheerful, gave Huo Yuhao a mischievous look before he and Cao Jinxuan were the first to leave the office.
Ning Tian frowned slightly, whispering to Huo Yuhao, "Wu Feng and I will wait for you outside."
After everyone left, Huo Yuhao, perceptive as ever, closed the office door and turned to Mu Jin, asking, "Teacher, do you have any instructions for me?"
Mu Jin smiled and nodded, her eyes gleaming with surprise. "Dean Yan asked me to tell you that you must secure a spot in the top seven of the selection tournament."
Meanwhile, in a classroom of the Soul Tool Department, Zhou Yi sat with a stern expression behind a desk.
In front of her stood a tall boy, standing over two meters with broad shoulders and a bare, muscular chest. He was much darker than an average person, with a simple and honest face.
"Cai Tou, did you understand what I told you? Because of that incident, both your teacher and I suffered greatly. The hope of avenging ourselves rests on your shoulders."
"I understand, teacher. Don't worry." The boy nodded.
"My sole task in the core disciples' selection tournament is to eliminate Huo Yuhao!"