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Su Yu initially planned to have Huo Yuhao leave Shrek Academy during the Soul Duel Tournament. He intended for the Body Sect to take Huo Yuhao away, bearing the brunt of Shrek's wrath. Sun-Moon Hall would seize the opportunity to collaborate with the Body Sect, setting a trap for Shrek.
The Body Sect and Sun-Moon Hall had irreconcilable differences, belonging to opposing empires in a state of conflict. However, this didn't mean that cooperation wasn't possible—after all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Moreover, the Body Sect was undoubtedly interested in developing soul tools.
Currently, all major factions on the Douluo Continent had begun to tread the same path: the integration of soul masters and soul engineers. Kong Deming was pursuing an extreme soul engineer project, while Shrek was running its strongest single-combatant program. As one of the top forces on the continent, the Body Sect likely had a similar plan, perhaps even centered around the princess with a brain spirit as her martial soul.
Even the evil soul masters of the Holy Spirit Church were following this trend, as seen with Ye Xishui's collaboration with the Sun Moon Empire. However, both Shrek and the Body Sect lagged significantly in the development of soul tools, and their internal understanding of them was lacking. Change was too difficult, and they had no choice but to focus on their single-combatant plans, which would inevitably involve Sun-Moon Hall.
According to Su Yu's understanding, Shrek Academy had an exchange student program in mind, but hadn't yet found the right opportunity to propose it. Meanwhile, the Body Sect was likely considering forcibly abducting someone. When the time came, whether Sun-Moon Hall and the Body Sect used the excuse of the exchange program for a joint study or exploited the Body Sect's attack to reclaim Huo Yuhao, both options were viable.
As for the difference between seizing Huo Yuhao from the Body Sect or from Shrek, it was obvious. However, in all these plans, Huo Yuhao's own wishes seemed to be the least considered. Trapped between three powerful factions, he had little say in the matter.
After conversing with Jing Hongchen, Su Yu reflected on his own actions. He suddenly realized that if he followed through with his plan, how would he be any different from that God King?
"If you want something, just take it. Resorting to plots and schemes only makes you look worse," he thought.
Su Yu, who initially wanted to show off his cunning, now found that doing so might make him appear more like a clown.
"Su Yu, take action directly," Yi Lao suggested.
Su Yu hesitated no more.
"Hall Master, let's go and bring Huo Yuhao back."
Huo Yuhao had just left the Extreme North when he felt a strong grip on the back of his collar, and he was suddenly lifted into the air. The icy wind stung his face.
Squinting his eyes, he glanced around.
"Big Brother Su Yu, what are you doing?"
Su Yu didn't answer.
"This guy isn't particularly strong, but he's carrying something that could seriously injure me, even in my prime," Ice Emperor warned.
"Whoa, Bing Bing, is he really that dangerous? Yuhao, let's not make any sudden moves. I don't think Su Yu means you any harm, so let's talk this out," Skydream Iceworm chimed in.
"Coward!"
"Bing Bing, I'm just looking out for your safety."
"..."
"Yuhao, if Shrek is so bad, why stay there?" Su Yu asked.
"There's my teacher, my senior brother, and Teacher Xiao Ya," Huo Yuhao responded.
"To put it bluntly, I can see you harbor a deep hatred. You won't be able to exact revenge if you stay at Shrek," Su Yu hit the mark.
Huo Yuhao fell silent. Could he really not get his revenge if he remained at Shrek? Deep down, he had always lied to himself, believing that once he became powerful enough, he would be able to settle all his grudges. But Su Yu's words forced him to confront reality once more. His greatest enemy was the White Tiger Duke!
Could he really kill the White Tiger Duke?
Staying at Shrek would never make that possible. On the contrary, the Sun Moon Empire seemed more willing to help him seek revenge.
"Yuhao, I agree with him," said Skydream Iceworm, the one who knew Huo Yuhao's past best and was now starting to sway him.
"Considering the political situation on the continent, the Sun Moon Empire might be the best fit for you."
Neither Skydream Ice silkworm nor Ice Empress had any particular bias toward human factions, so they offered what they believed to be the best solution.
"Are you thinking of leaving Shrek after getting stronger and going off on your own for revenge?" Su Yu scoffed.
"I can tell you right now—that's impossible."
"Do you know the injury rate at Shrek? I mean, the percentage of students who suffer permanent damage from training."
"Injury rate?" Huo Yuhao asked, puzzled.
He truly hadn't heard of such a statistic.
"Hmph, any genius who doesn't make it to the inner court ends up working for one of the three great empires. Most of them get stuck at the Soul Saint or Soul Douluo level, never advancing further. On top of that, they live with constant pain and injuries. Do you know where these injuries come from?"
"They're the hidden wounds left by Shrek's extreme training methods."
At this point, Skydream Iceworm seemed like Su Yu's assistant.
"Yuhao, Su Yu is absolutely right. In just one year, the hidden injuries you accumulated from training were countless. If it weren't for that Soul Emperor with the Life Tree Martial Soul healing you every day, you'd already be crippled. Not to mention, I've used up a lot of my life force repairing your injuries. Even so, your body still carries irreversible hidden wounds from overexerting your potential."
"If that's the case, then I understand now." Ice Empress suddenly realized, "No wonder when I was reconstructing your body, it was in such a terrible state deep down."
If it hadn't been for Ice Empress's sacrifice, those hidden injuries would have become permanent.
Five days later, the four of them returned to Sun-Moon City.
Huo Yuhao was no longer the gloomy figure he had been.
Seeing the bustling streets of Sun-Moon City, he was deeply shaken.
"Yuhao, what level soul engineer are you now?" Su Yu asked.
"Before leaving Shrek for the holidays, I successfully crafted a level-two soul tool core."
"Level two?" Jing Hongchen nodded.
"Level two is pretty good."
"How long have you been learning?"
"Eight months."
"What? Eight months?" Su Yu said in surprise.
Huo Yuhao thought Su Yu was shocked, but from the look on his face, it seemed more like disbelief.
Disbelief that it took him that long.
Huo Yuhao felt a sudden chill in his heart.
No way… Teacher Fan Yu said his progress was considered genius-level even in the Sun Moon Empire.
"A rare genius? Hah!" Jing Hongchen sneered. "That's the Sun Moon Empire for you, always twisting things around."
Su Yu explained further to Huo Yuhao.
"It's like how, on the Douluo Continent, a twelve-year-old at level 25 would be considered a rare genius, but at Shrek, such talent is everywhere."
Similarly, Sun-Moon Hall wasn't lacking in geniuses who could master level-two soul tools within six months.
"Yuhao, something's off. With your soul skills, why did it take you so long to learn?" Su Yu asked, clearly baffled.
(End of Chapter)