Chapter 224: Huo Yuhao Turns Dark
Ma Xiaotao died.
She died by self-immolation.
She was too proud, and too cowardly, unable to face reality. Under the weight of a great blow, she simply let herself perish.
As for Huo Yuhao, he was tormented by Ma Xiaotao so harshly he almost met his mother.
It took three days for him to wake from his coma, and upon waking, the intense pain nearly knocked him out again.
With great effort, he took some healing medicines from his storage soul-guiding device and shakily applied them to his battered body.
However, each time he saw what he had lost—the injuries inflicted on his manhood—his eyes reddened even more.
How could he not see the high heel marks Ma Xiaotao left on him?
It was clear she had pinned him down, using him as a vent for her evil fire, costing him his dignity as a man. After all, it's hard to say who took advantage in this affair.
And then she woke up and just kicked me?
No, it was two kicks—he hadn't forgotten that kick to his already useless pride. Even though it was useless, it wasn't something you just destroy after using!
Feeling nearly fatal injuries on his body, Huo Yuhao nearly crushed his teeth.
The hatred in his eyes intensified.
Thus, Huo Yuhao medicated himself while unleashing the darkest emotions in his heart, freely venting his hatred and anger.
Ping—
Unbeknownst to him, a dark purple scythe shadow flashed across his forehead.
…
Time does not stop for anyone, and what's to come will always arrive.
In three months, the next Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition would be held, hosted by the Sun-Moon Empire.
Without any surprises, the Sun-Moon Empire negotiated with the three great empires, turning the Soul Master Academy Competition into a broader Soul Master Competition.
The rules changed to allow not only advanced soul master academies to participate but also clan forces to form teams and compete.
To ensure the competition wasn't overcrowded, the Sun-Moon Empire imposed restrictions: participants had to be under twenty years old, and each team must have at least four Soul Honor level members to enter the competition.
This news sent shockwaves across the Douluo Continent, especially among clan forces, which reacted explosively, preparing to send their disciples to Mingdu for the competition.
The three great clans of ten thousand years ago—the Haotian, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile, and Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon clans—had varying interests.
Haotian Clan, still secluded, showed no interest in this competition. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, now the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, was also uninterested.
However, Tianlongmen, descended from the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Clan, was eager to test its mettle.
Not that these clans cared much about the rewards—those were incidental. What mattered most was showcasing their clan's prowess, elevating their renown across the Douluo Continent.
Clans, unlike academies where students graduate, involve a lifelong commitment once joined. Thus, making their strengths known could attract more members, vital new blood for the clan.
Fame, at times, can be more enticing than profit!
Moreover, the Sun-Moon Empire had announced the competition's prizes: a seventh-level soul-guiding device for third place, an eighth-level device for second place, and a ninth-level device for the champions!
Although the Sun-Moon Empire didn't have as many soul bones as the Douluo three empires—since they mostly produced soul engineers who didn't hunt soul beasts for bones except when breaking through—their soul-guiding devices were prized treasures.
Indeed, during the last competition, the soul bones Du Qianjue picked from Star Luo Empire didn't match the value of a ninth-level soul-guiding device.
A top-quality ten-thousand-year soul bone could sell for millions of gold soul coins; the worst might fetch several hundred thousand. The three bones he chose were probably worth around ten million together.
Ten million can't buy a ninth-level soul-guiding device.
This competition, with good performance, promised both fame and substantial benefits—how could that not drive the clans to frenzy?
Shrek Academy was gone!
The most potent soul master force of ten thousand years had vanished, making this competition an open field—anyone could become the champion.
The destruction of Shrek didn't dent their confidence; rather, it made them feel even more capable of winning against the 'weaklings' of the Sun-Moon Empire.
Except for a few clans aware of the power of soul-guiding devices, most still believed that soul powers were supreme.
So, they thought, if they could defeat Shrek, they could certainly beat anyone, especially a bunch of soul engineers who relied solely on external aids rather than their own combat abilities.
Thus, the clans of the Douluo Continent were in a frenzy, all gearing up to select their representatives for the competition.
"Elder, don't tell me you want our Body Sect to participate in this competition too," Du Qianjue said, his face twitching as he looked at the eager Elder Du, a few veins throbbing on his forehead.
"Why not? It's a perfect opportunity to make our sect known!" Elder Du said enthusiastically.
Good opportunity? More like a good chance to send people to their doom!
Knowing full well that the Sun-Moon Empire was restless and might instigate a war at any time, it was foolish to let talented sect members participate, but Du Qianjue was at a loss for words.
Elder Du's reasoning was simple: as a Limit Douluo, couldn't he protect the sect members participating in the competition? If necessary, he'd just pull out the ninth-grade fixed soul-guided shells and have a showdown with the Sun-Moon Empire!
"It's possible, but how would we arrange it?" Du Qianjue frowned, slightly resistant, "I was nearly bored to death at the last competition. I'm almost a Titled Douluo now, and I'm definitely not participating, so don't count me in!"
"You going would indeed be bullying. I wasn't planning on you participating," Elder Du said nonchalantly, "Apart from you, our sect has a promising seed who has just broken through to the Soul Sage level; I'm planning on him leading the team."
"As for you… just be a team coach!"
(End of Chapter)
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