Chapter 401: Treasure Life, Stay Away from Wang Dong
"You know, there's something I've never told you." Ye Lao's voice echoed in Huo Yuhao's mind. "Since we are both fragments of the same whole, we have a strange connection. We can vaguely sense each other's location. If the distance is close enough, I can even pinpoint the exact spot of the other fragments."
"That includes the artifact fragments as well. Before, I didn't think you needed them. But after seeing your future, I've changed my mind. We should gather some to ensure your safety."
"If you carry these fragments, I can channel a small portion of their power at critical moments to protect you."
Huo Yuhao's heart surged with excitement, but just as he was about to respond, his dormitory door swung open.
A breathless Wang Dong stood there, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions, an expression so complex that Huo Yuhao couldn't quite decipher it.
He froze.
Looking at the girl who, in his original future, would become his lover he didn't know how to feel.
Affection? Disgust? Rejection?
Watching the video from an outsider's perspective had revealed many things. He realized that his feelings for Wang Dong likely weren't natural at all. They had been artificially forced by their Martial Soul Fusion Technique a scheme engineered by Tang San.
If that fusion ability never existed, would he have ever fallen for her?
Most likely not.
She wasn't even his type.
The kind of girl he genuinely liked was Juzi, not Wang Dong, nor the later Wang Qiu'er. Those relationships now felt unnatural, like tangled threads he had never wanted to weave.
The video had made him painfully aware his so called romance was nothing more than an arranged fate.
And now, seeing Wang Dong in front of him, he knew one thing for sure:
For his own safety he needed to stay far, far away from "Tang Wutong."
After all, she was the daughter of a God King.
And he?
He was just Huo Yuhao.
There was no need to drag himself into unnecessary trouble.
"Are You Leaving?"
"...You're leaving, aren't you?" Wang Dong finally broke the silence.
"...Yeah." Huo Yuhao hesitated for a moment but nodded.
"I see…"
She fell into silence. For a brief second, the words "Can I go with you?" almost escaped her lips.
But in the end, she held them back.
The video had revealed the truth to her.
She wasn't just Wang Dong. She was Tang San's daughter, a pawn thrown into the mortal world to tempt the so called "Child of Destiny."
A surge of emotions swirled in her chest guilt towards Huo Yuhao, resentment toward the father she had never met.
Right now, she was still Wang Dong, not Tang Wutong.
And after watching the video, she couldn't help but think: Was that really me?
Because that Tang Wutong… didn't feel like the real her at all.
If she regained her true memories, would she still be herself?
Would she still be Wang Dong?
Would she still have the right to love and make her own choices?
A spark of rebellion ignited within her.
But what could she do?
Unlike Huo Yuhao, she didn't have Ye Lao protecting her. She hadn't been forewarned about the future. She had no way to escape her father's control.
Her entire existence her very soul was something Tang San could take back at any moment.
In the end, all she could do was whisper two words:
"Safe travels."
She watched silently as Huo Yuhao quickly packed his belongings, then left the dormitory as if he were running from the plague.
"Bang!"
The dormitory door slammed shut.
The room fell into complete silence.
For the first time, she was alone.
Her annoying roommate was finally gone… so why didn't she feel relieved?
Because deep down, she already knew:
One day, "Wang Dong" would cease to exist.
She would become Tang Wutong.
And when that happened
Would she still be herself?
Leaving Shrek
Huo Yuhao walked swiftly out of the dormitory, then suddenly glanced toward Mu En, who was still lazily lying on his reclining chair, pretending to be asleep.
After watching the video, Huo Yuhao now knew exactly who this old man was.
Would he… or anyone from Shrek try to stop him?
"Relax," Ye Lao's voice sounded in his mind. "He won't dare."
Huo Yuhao blinked.
Then, he suddenly realized he wasn't powerless anymore.
He had a backer now.
Ye Lao was his strongest shield.
If anyone tried to force him to stay, he could simply unleash his full power and in this godless era, not even an Ultimate Douluo could stop him.
If things really got out of hand…
Even if a true god descended, Ye Lao could take them down in one strike.
With that realization, Huo Yuhao's expression relaxed.
He straightened his back, walking boldly toward the academy gates.
As he walked, he felt it.
Eyes. Watching him.
Not just a few.
Countless hidden gazes.
And these were just the ones he could sense.
How many more were there that he couldn't?
But none of them dared to make a move.
Because they knew
Right now, Huo Yuhao wasn't alone.
Ye Lao's presence was a looming sword over their heads.
And they had no idea if he had other hidden trump cards.
So they could only stand by and watch him leave.
But one thing was certain from now on, his every step would be watched.
Mu En's Dilemma
Back at the dormitory building, Mu En opened his cloudy eyes and watched Huo Yuhao's fading figure.
For a brief moment, he had considered stopping him.
He knew that keeping Huo Yuhao at Shrek would be a great benefit to the academy.
But in the end
He didn't dare.
Not when that terrifying presence lurked within Huo Yuhao.
Even the strongest Ultimate Douluo would stand no chance against such an overwhelming force.
Forcing him to stay? Impossible.
Persuading him to stay? Equally pointless.
Mu En chuckled bitterly.
"Why would someone with his potential waste his time at Shrek?"
Huo Yuhao's future as a god was guaranteed.
What could Shrek offer him?
Some meager resources? A comfortable environment?
None of it was worth the risk of staying on Tang San's turf.
Shrek Academy had nothing to offer him now.
So why would he ever look back?
(End of Chapter)
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