Chapter 376 - 73

Chapter 73 Shrek's game encounters Hongchen brothers and sistersDai Youheng tidied his robes and stepped into the bustling streets of Star Luo City.The sun was just right, and the streets were packed with people. Discussions about the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament could be heard everywhere. People excitedly talked about the thrilling matches, powerful Spirit Abilities, and the rising young geniuses.Dai Youheng, like any ordinary spectator, followed the crowd towards the main venue in the city center. The closer he got to the main venue, the more enthusiastic the atmosphere became, with various stalls selling snacks and drinks lining both sides of the road.After paying the entrance fee, Dai Youheng entered the magnificent competition arena. The huge circular venue was packed, and the deafening cheers almost blew the roof off. Inside the Soul Engineer protective barrier in the center of the arena, an intense battle was underway.It was Shrek Academy versus Qianling Academy.Shrek's main team members were still recovering from serious injuries, and they were relying entirely on their reserve team, seemingly struggling quite a bit.Their opponents, Qianling Academy, were full of momentum. Their captain, Shen Ce, exuded Spirit King-level spirit power fluctuations! The two girls beside him, An Lengye and Fei Yuyan, were also peak Spirit Ancestor experts, one ice and one fire, known as the Ice-Fire Dual Controllers.Such a trio undoubtedly placed immense pressure on Shrek's reserve team, whose average level was only that of a Spirit Elder or Spirit Ancestor.Fortunately, Shen Ce's spirit rings were not optimally configured, consisting of two yellow and three purple. Although his Spirit was the powerful Thousand Strike Spear, his overall strength was limited.Dai Youheng did not leave but quietly sat and watched the match. The course of the match was almost identical to the original story in his memory: Xu Sanshi and Xiao Xiao, relying on the Xuanming Shield and the Soul Suppressing Cauldron, took the full force of the Thousand Strike Spear's strongest attack and were injured. Then, Huo Yuhao stepped forward and, with the declaration "Ice, I am the master," used the Ultimate Ice attribute granted by the Snow Empress to forcibly suppress and counter-control the opponent's ice-controlling Spirit Master An Lengye's Frost Bear Spirit, instantly turning the tide of the battle and securing victory!"Ice, I am the master? Hmph, what big words." In his spiritual sea, the Snow Empress's clear voice carried a hint of faint displeasure. "He merely borrowed some of Bing'er's power and dares to claim to be the master of ice? Youheng, if there's an opportunity next time, let him witness what true Extreme Cold is—that which originates from the core of the far north and commands all ice."As a 700,000-year-old Far North Heavenly King, the Snow Empress had her pride. Even though she and the Ice Empress were like sisters, when it came to the "authority of ice," a hint of competitive Spirit was unavoidable.Dai Youheng smiled slightly at her words, but calmly analyzed in his mind, "Sister Snow Empress, there's no need to get angry. Although Huo Yuhao's actions seem arrogant, they are for the sake of victory. However, he won this match by luck and completely exposed his true strength.""In his previous matches, this guy probably bluffed many people with the six hundred thousand year spirit rings he faked using his imitation Spirit Ability. But just now, to block the Thousand Strike Spear, Xiao Xiao instinctively protected him. If he truly were a powerhouse with six hundred thousand year spirit rings, why would he need a girl like Xiao Xiao to protect him? His teammates' subconscious reactions are the best proof of his true strength. After this battle, any opponent with a discerning eye will see through his outward strength and inner weakness."Indeed, as the referee announced Shrek's victory, the arena erupted in thunderous cheers, but many spectators from other academy teams cast more scrutinizing and knowing glances.The match ended, and Dai Youheng stood up, following the crowd out of the arena.Just as he reached the vicinity of the contestant aisle, he happened to see a team emerge from within. The clothing style of this group was distinctly different from the three empires of the Douluo Continent, full of simple lines and metallic textures, with a strong technological feel—it was the team from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.Among them, a handsome young man with a hint of arrogance in his eyes was particularly striking. He looked no older than fourteen or fifteen, similar to Dai Youheng, but Dai Youheng could sense that his spirit power was above his own, likely having reached Spirit King. Coupled with his Marco Polo-like attire, he was likely the ace of the Sun Moon team in this generation, Xiao Hongchen.Walking beside him was a pretty young girl with long burgundy hair, his sister, Meng Hongchen.Xiao Hongchen was speaking to his sister with a hint of disdain, "Heh heh, just as I thought. Huo Yuhao's six hundred thousand year spirit rings are indeed fake! I knew it, how could anyone in this tournament be more outstanding than this genius?"Meng Hongchen covered her mouth and chuckled, "Brother, you already guessed it before, this just confirmed it. But speaking of which, that Wang Dong from Shrek is getting handsomer the more I look at him…"Dai Youheng passed by the conversing siblings with a calm expression.The moment he brushed past them, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen both stiffened almost simultaneously. A sudden chill ran up their spines, causing them to instinctively turn their heads sharply, their eyes filled with surprise as they looked at the tall, black-haired young man who had just walked past."Brother, did you feel that just now? That person…" Meng Hongchen's smile vanished, her voice tinged with uncertainty.Xiao Hongchen's arrogant expression also faded considerably. His brows furrowed, and a hint of trepidation flashed in his eyes. "My Three-Legged Golden Toad Spirit actually conveyed a hint of fear just now? Who is that person?"His Spirit possessed top-tier divine beast bloodline, making his spiritual perception far superior to ordinary people, and his sensitivity to certain beast auras was even keener."I don't know who he is…" Meng Hongchen blinked her large eyes, following Dai Youheng's retreating figure, then suddenly smiled again. "But he's so handsome too! His looks might be a tiny bit less than Wang Dong's, but his aura seems deeper and more attractive! Brother, can I go say hello and get to know him?""Nonsense!" Xiao Hongchen's face hardened. He immediately grabbed his sister's wrist, his tone serious. "This is the Star Luo Empire, a strange place. We don't know his background; don't go looking for trouble! Let's go!"With that, he pulled the unwilling Meng Hongchen, who kept looking back, and quickly departed without further explanation."Youheng, that pair of siblings seems to have noticed you," the Snow Empress's voice echoed in Dai Youheng's mind."It's fine." Dai Youheng's steps did not falter, and he responded in his mind, "Xiao Hongchen's Three-Legged Golden Toad Spirit contains a trace of divine beast bloodline, making its spiritual perception acute. My trip to the far north, where my Golden Adamant Evil Warding Body greatly advanced with the help of the Spirit-devouring malevolence and gold of living beings, the inherent evil-repelling might of the technique combined with the regal aura of the Evil Shadow Demonic Tiger, creates an innate, subtle suppression against Beast Spirits, especially those with high-level bloodlines. It's not strange that they sensed something."He frowned slightly, reflecting silently, "This pair of siblings actually gave me a reminder. My strength has increased too quickly recently, and my power growth is somewhat beyond my control. This inadvertently emitted aura of suppression is not yet perfectly refined and restrained. I still need to spend some time to settle and polish it, to reach a state where I can truly control it at will, returning to simplicity. Otherwise, being like this all the time, attracting too much attention, is not a good thing."The match was over, and the unexpected interlude also served as a warning. Dai Youheng no longer lingered and walked straight out of the arena.The competition was over. Next, he had to deal with his own matters—for example, to see what the Princess of the Star Luo Empire wanted to invite him for.