As the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City was undoubtedly the largest city in the empire, serving as its political, cultural, and economic center, earning the nickname "The Imperial Capital That Never Falls."
The city's permanent population exceeded eight million, and with visitors included, the total capacity could reach a staggering twenty million.
Yet, despite being such a super metropolis, Star Luo City had recently become overcrowded. Nearly all the hotels were fully booked, forcing the government to requisition some private homes and open official residences as temporary lodgings for the influx of tourists. The number of soldiers maintaining order in the city had also increased significantly.
The reason for this massive influx was singular: the grand event held once every five years, the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament, was about to take place in Star Luo City!
One must understand that the continent had four major empires, and this tournament rotated among the capitals of these empires. Therefore, Star Luo City only had the opportunity to host it once every twenty years. How could such an occasion not attract citizens from across the Star Luo Empire to watch?
Not far from the eastern side of Star Luo Square stood a seven-story building—the Star Emperor Grand Hotel—which had been specially reserved by the Star Luo Empire's royal family. It was used to accommodate participants from advanced soul master academies and soul engineer academies from across the continent.
As the reigning champions and the most prestigious academy on the continent—often considered the sacred land of the soul master world—the participants from Shrek Academy were naturally given the best accommodations.
They were assigned luxurious rooms on the top floor, with each team member having their own bedroom and even a dedicated conference room for their use.
That night, Huo Yuhao sat cross-legged on the floor of his hotel room, meditating with his eyes closed. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and two colorful streaks of light flickered through the dark room.
"Huo Yuhao greets the Sect Master!"
The room's door silently opened, and a tall figure entered, turning on the soul-powered lamp that illuminated the entire room as bright as day.
The person who entered was none other than the current Sect Master of the Body Sect, the rank-98 Super Douluo, Du Bushi.
"Well done, boy. Your sensitivity to spiritual power is truly extraordinary. Although I didn't deliberately conceal my presence, people like us, who have reached the realm of returning to simplicity, are indistinguishable from ordinary folk at first glance. Not only did you sense my arrival, but you even accurately identified me. Well done, Yuhao, well done."
Du Bushi smiled, nodding repeatedly at Huo Yuhao. He couldn't be more satisfied with this future heir he had practically stumbled upon.
Noticing the cold and hard marble floor Huo Yuhao was sitting on, and then glancing at the soft and comfortable bed nearby, Du Bushi asked in surprise, "It's nearly midnight, yet you're not planning to sleep?"
"I've grown accustomed to replacing sleep with meditation," Huo Yuhao said, shaking his head gently. He glanced at the pristine white bed beside him with a smile.
"Getting used to comfort makes it hard to regain the sense of tension when facing dire situations. Relaxation and enjoyment are important, but only by possessing greater strength can one truly have the right to enjoy."
Du Bushi was momentarily stunned, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. Huo Yuhao was remarkably mature, far beyond his twelve or thirteen years.
He constantly pushed himself forward without giving himself even the slightest opportunity to slack off. Du Bushi couldn't help but admit that even he would have found it difficult to maintain such relentless discipline.
"Yuhao, you don't have to push yourself so hard. With me and the Body Sect behind you, there's no need to be so harsh on yourself," Du Bushi said, patting Huo Yuhao's shoulder with a trace of concern in his voice.
"When I was at my lowest, facing humiliation, it was the Body Sect that took me in. I've always considered the sect my home," Huo Yuhao said with a smile. "But there are some things that one must do themselves to give them meaning."
Yes, he didn't need to push himself so hard. Although the White Tiger Duke's mansion held overwhelming power within the Star Luo Empire, it would be nothing more than an ant before Du Bushi, a Super Douluo.
However, if he relied on the Body Sect to seek revenge, it would strip away the significance of that revenge.
The little figure who once left the White Tiger Duke's mansion had harbored one great wish—to prove to Dai Hao and the entire mansion that he was not useless and that his mother, Huo Yun'er, was not a helpless, bullied woman.
Since Huo Yuhao had inherited this life and embarked on a new journey, he had a duty to use this name and identity to prove everything!
All the hatred, all the past, must be settled by him alone!
"Yuhao, I've heard about the colossal trouble that fool Xuanzi caused. Are you alright?" Du Bushi asked with concern.
"I'm fine. Most of the main team from Shrek Academy dealt with those evil soul masters. I was outside helping Elder Xuan look for chickens at the time," Huo Yuhao replied with a laugh.
"Looking for chickens? Him? At his age, he still has that ability?" Du Bushi exclaimed in surprise.
Just then, an annoyed voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"Poison Old Monster, what nonsense are you spouting?! Who says I can't do that anymore?!"
The door swung open, and Elder Xuan entered, followed by a slightly hunched but bright-eyed figure—the Dragon God Douluo, Mu En.
"Bushi, we haven't seen each other in years, but lately, it seems we're meeting quite frequently," Mu En said with a warm smile.
Du Bushi snorted at Elder Xuan, but when his gaze fell upon Mu En, it was filled with respect. Among all the people in the Douluo Continent, Mu En was the only one who could command this kind of deference from him.
"Huo Yuhao, your suspension has been lifted. You can participate in the next few matches. I hope you lead the academy's reserve team to good results," Elder Xuan said.
However, upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao's expression suddenly turned cold. He chuckled softly, then uttered three words, enunciating them clearly:
"Why should I?!"
"You brat, how dare—" Elder Xuan was about to explode in anger, but Du Bushi cut him off with a cold snort. His dark green soul power surged, immediately cowing Elder Xuan.
"Facing a group of evil soul masters led by Soul Kings, I infiltrated their camp alone, completed reconnaissance, and wiped them out without a single hair on my teammates' heads being harmed. Yet, you said my achievement was unworthy and benched me just because I talked back to you.
"Meanwhile, you, a Super Douluo, led a team of two Soul Emperors, five Soul Kings, and three Soul Elders—a lineup as luxurious as they come—yet ended up with dead, wounded, and escapees, a disastrous defeat.
"Elder Xuan, as a teacher, you may criticize my actions, but you should at least tell me what's right and what's a more effective method. But sending these young lives into the jaws of death—did that preserve the honor of Shrek Academy?!"
"You!" Elder Xuan fumed, but he couldn't find a way to argue back.
"What? Should we each lead a few more inner court students to wipe out evil soul masters and see who returns victorious and who loses everything?"
Unable to match Huo Yuhao's barrage, Elder Xuan retreated, fuming silently on the side.
Meanwhile, Mu En found himself quite pleased. He couldn't say some things out loud, but Huo Yuhao had said them all for him, leaving him feeling thoroughly satisfied.
"Huo Yuhao, speak up. What would it take to convince you to participate? Since I've personally come today, you should see my sincerity. Don't hold back, just say it," Mu En said with a cheerful smile.
Huo Yuhao chuckled, nodded to Elder Mu, and said, "It's always pleasant to speak with someone as smart as you."
"After all, those fallen inner court students were my dear friends and beloved classmates. So, I have conditions!"