[Ice Explosion Gu: A Rank 3 Gu, capable of detonating ice, producing instant and devastating damage.]
[Evaluation: Why must your next Ice Technique be the Ice Explosion Technique?]
A Rank 3 Gu insect—a decent reward. In other words, it could unleash power between that of a four-ring Soul Ancestor and a five-ring Soul King.
However, the true prize was the one-time promotion opportunity that Skydream had dropped (capable of upgrading a Gu up to Rank 5).
In the RI novel, Gu insects embody Dao marks and Dao fragments, each containing unique power. Gu insects possess their own will and typically require refinement by a Gu Master before they can be used. The process of subjugating them is often perilous.
But the Gu provided by the system were different—they had no will of their own and functioned more like pure equipment. Thus, Huo Yuhao could refine these Gu insects instantly!
The rank of Gu insects was not fixed; all Gu insects could be upgraded. This process was known as promotion. Using the promotion opportunity (which directly advances a Gu insect to Rank 5), he could choose any Gu below Rank 5 to instantly upgrade to Rank 5.
A Rank 5 Gu was just one step away from Rank 6—the difference between mortals and immortals! From Rank 6 onward, Gu was known as Immortal Gu. Each one was unique, meaning there could never be two of the same in existence.
Thanks to the system, Huo Yuhao could directly feed and use most Gu insects with his soul power. At least, all mortal Gu below Rank 6 could be sustained this way. But once a Gu reached Immortal Gu level, ordinary soul power alone was insufficient to feed it.
In the classification system of Douluo Continent, Immortal Gu was equivalent to Divine-level abilities!
Of course, most Gu insects focused on specific functions, lacking the sustained destructive power of a true god. Even if Huo Yuhao obtained an Immortal Gu, he wouldn't be able to activate it just yet.
Moreover, without access to the special techniques of the Gu world, refining higher-level Gu insects would be extremely difficult.
In the end, Huo Yuhao chose to upgrade the Hope Gu to Rank 5.
A single leap from Rank 1 to Rank 5 to maximize its effects.
After using Requiem Gu, Huo Yuhao's natural aptitude had already reached the level of a typical soul master with innate soul power around Rank 9. Then, upon merging with the Ice Soul Body Martial Soul, he attained the legendary full innate soul power.
This was the true value of the Demon from Beyond the World! Son of Fortune? Never heard of it.
Even though Hope Gu was initially just a Rank 1 Gu, its effects persisted even after receiving the Ice Emperor's sacrifice. Although the effect was subtle, the Spirit Eye Martial Soul was undergoing a steady transformation. Even the Ice Soul Body showed signs of minute growth.
There was a gap even among those with full innate soul power. Thus, Huo Yuhao did not hesitate when choosing his promotion.
Using up almost all his soul power, he successfully fed the Rank 5 Hope Gu, gaining a permanent buff that would last over six months—a direct boost to his soul master aptitude. Re-feeding it every six months was simple enough.
The effects were immediate—Huo Yuhao could feel improvements across the board. It was as comfortable as putting on brand-new underwear on New Year's morning.
The opportunity for his Spirit Eye's evolution was also getting closer and closer.
For Huo Yuhao, the stronger his Gu insects, the more soul power they consumed. On his way to find a suitable Ice Silkworm, he tested out the Ice Explosion Gu.
For now, he could only barely activate the Rank 3 Gu two or three times.
But its power was already comparable to that of a Five-Ring Soul King!
Skydream was not surprised. Yuhao always had some new trick up his sleeve. In other words, without relying on martial souls, reaching level 30+ was enough to unleash the destructive power of a Soul King.
Was that difficult?
"None of these weird Gu insects are as beautiful as me, Skydream! I'm the one Yuhao relies on most for help! Hahaha!"
…
"Yuhao, look over there—an Ice Silkworm, roughly seven thousand years old. What do you think? Seems just right for you."
"As expected of Lord Skydream, you can see through its disguise at a glance."
"Of course! Back when Master Tianmeng roamed freely, this little thing hadn't even been born yet!"
Huo Yuhao became speechless.
"You submit to others, but you bully your people without mercy, huh?
I hope you show this level of confidence when facing actual ferocious beasts."
With a single strike, the non-aggressive Ice Silkworm was effortlessly slain, and a dark purple soul ring emerged. Finally, the power of Imitation was here!
Due to the rarity of spiritual-attribute soul masters, Huo Yuhao relied heavily on Skydream's guidance in the original timeline.
Early on, he could even deceive a Level 98 Super Douluo with this Imitation skill!
As the purple soul ring glowed, Huo Yuhao transformed—appearing as a mere two-ring Soul Grandmaster, with one yellow and one purple soul ring behind him.
Unlike in the original story, he did not bother hiding his soul rings under a white disguise.
Why? Because now, Huo Yuhao was playing the role of a genius!
Thanks to his accumulated strength and the 7,000-year soul ring, his soul power instantly rose to Level 27. Once he obtained his third soul ring, it would be time to obtain a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.
"Yuhao, are you leaving?"
"Yes. If I don't hurry, I'll miss Shrek's enrollment deadline. That would be a disaster."
"Alright, then I am going to rest first…"
Huo Yuhao did not linger and swiftly departed.
On his next visit to the Extreme North, he hoped to see the Snow Empress!
The Snow Empress, the leader of the Three Arctic Kings, had a 700,000-year cultivation and ranked third among the top ten ferocious beasts. She was born from the purest ice-attribute elemental force in the core of the Extreme North.
According to the original timeline, her 700,000-year lifespan was reaching its end. However, unlike the Ice Empress, she was not as desperate.
She once obtained a 100,000-year-old Snow Lotus, which allowed her to seal her origin and rebuild as a human, extending her life.
But in the original story, because Huo Yuhao took the Ice Empress one year early, the Snow Empress lacked protection during her rebirth.
She was captured by a Level 9 Soul Engineer carrying a God Sealing Altar, eventually auctioned off at Starlight Auction House—and ironically, ended up with Huo Yuhao himself.
"There must be someone behind this. It might be Tang San."
Since Huo Yuhao took the Ice Emperor away one year early, everything is likely to change greatly, and the future is uncertain.
...
Shrek Academy was built on the Lima Plain, occupying a vast area. The academy itself formed an entire city—Shrek City. Situated at the intersection of the three former empires, Shrek City enjoyed excellent transportation links and had become a highly developed commercial hub.
On the Douluo Continent, Shrek City was one of the largest metropolises, home to more than two million residents. What made it truly unique was that Shrek Academy held absolute governance over the city, without needing to pay taxes to any nation. This level of autonomy was unparalleled among all academies, even within the Sun and Moon Empire.
Because of Shrek Academy's presence, public security in Shrek City was remarkably good. Business transactions were not only fair but also conducted with a sense of safety and trust.
Shrek Academy itself was located on the eastern side of the city, facing the direction of the Star Dou Forest. Shrek City had three open gates—to the south, west, and north—allowing unrestricted entry and exit. However, the eastern gate was exclusively reserved for Shrek Academy.
Huo Yuhao had spent nearly half a month on his journey to the Extreme North. On his way back to Shrek City, he managed to obtain a recommendation letter from the city lord. He also took some time to… redistribute wealth—robbing the rich to help the poor.
Well, in reality, he was using others' wealth to alleviate his poverty. It was far more efficient than selling grilled fish.
The Shrek Academy entrance exams lasted for almost half a month. By the time Huo Yuhao arrived at the eastern gate of Shrek City, only a few days remained before the enrollment period ended.
"Is this one of the most prosperous cities in human civilization?"
"Yes, Bing Bing," Skydream replied. "Look at how vibrant and lively the human world is. If you had stayed hidden in the extreme north forever, how would you have ever witnessed such a sight?"
"Hmph, even among the soul masters of Shrek City, few are worthy of my attention," Bing Bing scoffed. "With a single move, I could wipe them all out!"
Huo Yuhao, already accustomed to Skydream and Bing Bing flirting in his spiritual sea, interjected.
"Bing Bing, keep in mind that Shrek City's strongest fighters are concentrated within Shrek Academy. There are many Titled Douluo there who can match your strength."
"Exactly, Bing Bing!" Skydream chimed in. "Yuhao is right. Human soul masters don't always flaunt their abilities. According to Yuhao, they call it 'playing the pig to eat the tiger.'"
Skydream nodded sagely. "You really should work on that 'I am the supreme' attitude. Right now, Yuhao's soul power level isn't very high."
"Hmph, I get it." Bing Bing suddenly shifted her tone. "But that fire-attributed person over there… she's quite strong. Yuhao, do you know her? It looks like she's here specifically for you."
If everything had gone as expected, now something unexpected had happened.
Standing before him was a woman dressed in red, with a proud and curvaceous figure. Her striking blood-red hair flowed behind her, making her presence even more eye-catching.
Huo Yuhao felt a headache coming on.
[Ma Xiaotao]
[Locked]
Why was she appearing near the freshman registration office? Was Ultimate Ice a trap?
Ah, the destiny of a protagonist.
But what blinded his eyes was the exaggerated fullness that was practically bursting out!
From Huo Yuhao's perspective, the name "Xiaotao" (Little Peach) seemed far too modest. This was way bigger than a peach.
...
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