"Never underestimate these few pieces of wood," thought Huo Yuhao, eyeing the materials in front of him. "The Golden Tree in Shrek Academy might very well be the last one of its kind on the entire Douluo Continent. Even if it isn't, it's definitely the largest."
The academy had set strict regulations over a thousand years ago, forbidding anyone from cutting down the Golden Tree, as it was the core treasure of the academy. The branches in front of Huo Yuhao had naturally fallen off over the years or were leftover scraps from repairs done on the Sea God Pavilion. Their value couldn't be measured by money.
The branches of the Golden Tree contained pure and gentle light-attribute energy. Under their nourishment, a soul master's cultivation speed could be enhanced, and their body strengthened. However, even Shrek Academy's higher-ups rarely had the privilege of obtaining items made from the Golden Tree. Only a select few who resided in the Sea God Pavilion were able to receive small trinkets like pendants or tags crafted from its wood.
What the higher-ups didn't know was that the Golden Tree had become the resting place of Tang Hao and Ah Yin, a bizarre couple who sought to devour the Will of the Plane and turn the Douluo Plane into their family's private domain.
If Huo Yuhao were to craft a staff from these branches, it might well be called "Tang San's Mom's Staff."
"Hm, that does sound quite grandiose," Huo Yuhao mused.
"Since you're being so polite, I'll gratefully accept," Huo Yuhao chuckled, not bothering to act reserved. With a wave of his hand, he stored away the branches of the Golden Tree and then approached Ling Luochen.
Placing a hand on her wrist, Huo Yuhao checked her pulse. He then moved his hand to her forehead, carefully sensing her spiritual sea. After a moment of silence, he said, "Her spiritual power isn't just heavily depleted; it's also extremely chaotic. Once the spiritual sea runs dry, replenishing it becomes an incredibly difficult task."
"The depletion of her spiritual origin has left her remaining spiritual power rootless. Though it will eventually calm down from its chaotic state, the recovery process is extremely slow. It will take at least ten years."
Beibei's eyes lit up. What Huo Yuhao said matched exactly with what the Healing Soul Douluo had diagnosed earlier, and even went into greater detail, proving that he truly understood Ling Luochen's condition.
However, Xuan Zi snorted coldly, "What's this? Can't you heal her, kid? If you can't, you'll need to return all those materials. No one takes anything from Shrek Academy for free!"
Huo Yuhao rolled his eyes and retorted, "No one takes anything for free? Then why did the Death God Envoy take away both Dai Yueheng and Ma Xiaotao, two Inner Court Soul Emperors, without paying you a dime?"
"Ma Xiaotao's martial soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix. If her martial soul evolves into the Ten-Headed Fire Phoenix, like that of her ancestor, Ma Hongjun, she would become a being of Ultimate Fire!"
"Dean Yan went to great lengths to deceive me into joining Shrek Academy, just to secure a soul master with an ultimate martial soul. Yet, you let a perfectly good candidate with an Ultimate Fire soul drift away, possibly becoming food for the beasts in the Ming Dou Mountain Range."
Huo Yuhao was exaggerating here. Evolving the Evil Fire Phoenix into the Ten-Headed Fire Phoenix required extraordinary effort and rare opportunities. However, given the circumstances, he was using some hyperbole for effect.
"And Dai Yueheng, although he was rescued, it wasn't you who saved him! It was me! A Super Douluo unable to catch up to a Soul King-level evil soul master—what a joke! People would laugh their heads off hearing that."
"The Death God Envoy not only took the lives of several Inner Court students right under your nose but also took Dai Yueheng's legs! And now you talk about how no one can take from Shrek Academy for free?"
"So, what? Evil soul masters can take things, but I, Huo Yuhao, can't? Are you on our side or the evil soul masters'? Honestly, you look more like an evil soul master to me!"
Huo Yuhao's sharp words hit Xuan Zi hard, making his face turn pale, then red, as if someone had poured dye all over him. His final remark struck particularly deep, causing Xuan Zi to tremble slightly.
At this moment, Mu En felt a sense of satisfaction akin to drinking a cold soda on a hot day. One of the reasons he appreciated Huo Yuhao so much was because the young man was particularly adept at scolding people—especially those Mu En couldn't discipline so easily himself.
"Thank you, my 'mouthpiece,'" Mu En thought with a chuckle.
"Alright, Yuhao." Mu En waved his hand, cutting Huo Yuhao off with a smile. "Can you help Ling Luochen recover?"
"Yes, but it will take some time," Huo Yuhao nodded. "In about three days, I should be able to help Senior Sister Ling recover and wake her up."
Ling Luochen's problem was that her spiritual origin was depleted, and she couldn't control her remaining spiritual power. Huo Yuhao had a simple solution—after absorbing part of the soul pearl refined from Cheng Gang's soul, he would transfer a portion of its energy to Ling Luochen, replenishing her spiritual origin and waking her up.
Once awake, both the Healing Soul Douluo and Shrek Academy's soul masters would be able to treat her and fully restore her condition.
"Good!" Mu En nodded approvingly. "In that case, I will be able to give an explanation to Ling Luochen's family."
"Now, Yuhao, you probably know what I want to discuss next."
Huo Yuhao shook his head calmly. "Sorry, I don't want to compete. I've already been disqualified twice. As the saying goes, 'Third time's the charm.' I'd rather explore Star Luo City's snack shops."
"Yuhao, please come back and compete," Beibei pleaded. "Senior Sister Ling risked her life for Shrek Academy's honor. She used a forbidden technique with severe consequences, and her final wish before falling unconscious was for you to return to the competition."
"Can't you help us for the sake of Chen Zifeng, Xi Xi, and our other fallen comrades?"
"And why should I?" Huo Yuhao responded coldly, his expression growing icy. "Just because Ling Luochen asked, does that mean I should ignore the fact that I've been disqualified repeatedly? Don't try to guilt-trip me with moral arguments. If I have no morals, you can't guilt me."
"Also, what do Chen Zifeng, Xi Xi, Yao Haoxuan, and Gongyang Mo's deaths have to do with me? Why should I care about competing for their sake? Were we that close?"
"If anyone should be held accountable for their deaths, it's Xuan Zi. I say, why not let Xuan Zi compete? Why burden me with this?"
Beibei was left speechless. Huo Yuhao was right; it was all just wishful thinking on Ling Luochen's part. Why should Huo Yuhao be forced to fight for Shrek Academy just because of her request?
Mu En sighed, waving Beibei away. "Beibei, leave us for a moment. I need to speak with Yuhao alone."
After a brief pause, he turned to Xuan Zi. "Xuan Zi, you should go too."
"Elder Mu, I—" Xuan Zi opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing and left the room.
Once they were alone, Mu En raised his eyes and stared directly at Huo Yuhao.
"The Title Douluo you faced earlier… You killed him, didn't you?"