"The soul tools, I've confiscated them."
Huo Yuhao's voice was clear and calm as it echoed slowly across the skies above Shrek Academy.
All the teachers and students changed expression.
In the sky, the gathered powerhouses were speechless.
Truly arrogant!
On the Douluo Continent, there were three great powers that inspired awe.
Foremost was Shrek's Sea God Pavilion—unfathomable in depth.
Second was the Body Sect, which had once confronted Shrek head-on.
Third was the Sun Moon Empire's sacred land of soul tools—the Illustrious Virtue Hall.
Jing Hongchen, as Hall Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall, stood at the pinnacle of the continent in both strength and status.
And now—
a mere youth dared speak to him in such a manner.
Anyone would think: reckless boldness, the arrogance of youth!
"Good. Good." The smile on Jing Hongchen's face deepened, though his eyes were utterly cold.
The soul tool inscriptions on his dark black robe flared brilliantly. A violent aura spread outward, dimming half the sky as clouds churned and darkened.
"Junior Brother / Junior—leave, quickly!"
Ma Xiaotao and Zhang Lexuan darted to Huo Yuhao's side, each grabbing one of his arms, intending to retreat downward at once.
However—
Huo Yuhao did not budge in the slightest.
"Yuhao, Jing Hongchen may appear amiable on the surface, but in truth he is cunning and ruthless." Xuan Zi transmitted his voice with Spirit Power, stepping in front of Huo Yuhao.
"Jing Hongchen, as long as this old man stands here today, you will not touch Huo Yuhao."
"Furthermore, I might as well tell you—Huo Yuhao is the final disciple of that person."
"If you insist on making a move…"
"Then you may as well see whether that person will pay a visit to Illustrious Virtue Hall."
At those words—
Jing Hongchen's expression changed drastically.
Even the flowing light of the soul tools on his robe dimmed somewhat.
"That old mon… is still alive?!"
"Hmph. That person is far sturdier than you. For all you know, he might be watching you from somewhere right now."
Jing Hongchen could no longer maintain his composure.
He suddenly felt as if—
an invisible, calm yet majestic gaze had fallen upon him.
A thought of retreat arose in his heart.
But on second thought—
if he slunk away in disgrace, what would remain of his dignity?
"Does Shrek Academy intend to bully the few with the many?"
Xuan Zi sneered.
With his right hand, he pulled out a piece of Spirit Beast meat from his robes, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed loudly.
"And are you, Jing Hongchen, not bullying a junior as a senior?"
Jing Hongchen's expression shifted between light and dark.
At that moment—
Huo Yuhao stepped forward.
"I have long heard that Hall Master Jing Hongchen's mastery of soul tools is unmatched on the continent."
"Today, setting aside my lineage and identity, I, as a mere Spirit Master, wish to seek a few pointers from Hall Master."
Ma Xiaotao, Zhang Lexuan, and many familiar teachers and students looked on anxiously.
Elder Xuan said in a low voice:
"Yuhao, do not speak recklessly. This is not like the Spirit Master Tournament!"
Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flickering within.
"Arrogant child!"
"Do you think that sweeping the Spirit Master Tournament grants you the right to act presumptuously before this Hall Master?"
Huo Yuhao met his gaze steadily.
"I have always held great interest in soul tools."
"Let me state in advance—if by chance I win, I will select any three soul tools from your person."
Jing Hongchen was so enraged he laughed instead.
"You truly believe you can win?"
"And besides—what do you possess that is worthy to wager against this Hall Master's soul tools?"
Before Huo Yuhao could respond—
three feet before him, the void suddenly shimmered with flowing light.
Three Spirit Bones, suffused with dense Spirit Power, materialized out of thin air.
Huo Yuhao seemed to sense something.
He looked toward the direction of Sea God Island.
Jing Hongchen, however, felt as though struck by thunder.
The propulsion soul tool before him roared to life, blasting him backward a thousand meters in an instant.
His scalp tingled as he swept his gaze around.
The three Spirit Bones had appeared without the slightest warning—he had not sensed them at all.
"Jing Hongchen…"
An aged and peaceful voice echoed simultaneously from all directions between heaven and earth.
"These three fifty-thousand-year Spirit Bones shall serve as the wager I place on Yuhao's behalf."
"If Yuhao loses, I can also decide to gift you a portion of Shrek's Spirit Power cultivation manuals."
Jing Hongchen, who had originally intended to withdraw, felt a sharp gleam flash through his eyes upon hearing this.
The Sun Moon Empire's soul tools might be unrivaled in the world—
but when it came to the foundation and methods of Spirit Power cultivation, Shrek was indeed second to none.
He pondered for a few breaths.
In the end, he cupped his hands toward the void in salute.
"Jing Hongchen pays respects to Elder Mu."
"Since Huo Yuhao is your disciple, then as an elder, offering him a bit of guidance would be appropriate."
His tone shifted slightly, still carrying a trace of probing intent.
"However, soul tools have no eyes. If by chance I am careless and injure your disciple…"
"So long as his life is not endangered, this old man will not interfere."
Jing Hongchen quietly relaxed inwardly. Within his sleeve, his fingers lightly rubbed together—he had already formed a plan.
He raised his eyes toward Huo Yuhao and slowly nodded.
"In that case, this Hall Master accepts the battle."
At this moment, however, Huo Yuhao spoke again.
"Since my teacher has already put forth the academy's Spirit Power manuals as the wager, then Hall Master Jing Hongchen…"
"Hmph." Jing Hongchen gave a cold snort, cutting him off.
"If you can withstand three of my moves without falling, you win."
"If you truly accomplish that, the soul tool manuals of Illustrious Virtue Hall will be yours to choose from."
"Agreed."
From the moment Mu En manifested across the void and spoke but a few sentences,
the outcome of this duel had already been set.
Even if others were anxious, they could only remain silent and watch.
Xuan Zi, Zhang Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao, and the others felt slightly reassured.
With Elder Mu presiding,
Huo Yuhao's life should not be in danger.
Boom!
Boom!
With the agreement made, there was no need for further words.
Though Jing Hongchen's speech had been full of disdain for Huo Yuhao, by nature cautious and suspicious as he was, his very first move was a true killing strike.
Overwhelming Spirit Power and soul tool energy erupted from his body. His dark robe billowed like ink in a storm, the surrounding space violently fluctuating.
Under the astonished eyes of Shrek's teachers and students—
twelve pitch-black floating soul cannons lined up in a row at his sides.
Buzz—
Boom!
Space trembled violently.
Blinding energy rapidly gathered within the muzzles of the twelve cannons.
All twelve were Level 8 soul tools. If activated simultaneously and their power merged, their might would rival that of a Level 9 soul tool.
Even an ordinary Titled Douluo would struggle to withstand it head-on.
Boom boom boom boom!
Boom boom boom boom!
At the instant the energy condensed to its limit—
the twelve muzzles suddenly turned crimson.
The violent recoil blasted the cannon bodies backward a hundred meters.
Immediately afterward—
twelve massive beams of energy, thick as ancient trees, tore through the air straight toward Huo Yuhao's position.
When they neared within a hundred meters of him—
the twelve beams abruptly fused together,
transforming into a colossal crimson pillar like a mountain, completely engulfing him.
The beam did not stop.
Shrek's many powerhouses quickly dodged aside.
They watched as the destructive pillar shot straight into a mountain several miles away, piercing a gigantic hole clean through it. Stones exploded into the clouds; heaven and earth trembled.
Such terrifying destructive power—
plunged the entire scene into dead silence.
"Yuhao!" Xuan Zi, Zhang Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao, Beibei, and the others cried out in alarm, staring in panic at the spot completely swallowed by the soul tool beam.
"Hm?"
The smile on Jing Hongchen's face stiffened slightly.
He cautiously swept his gaze around.
He was certain Huo Yuhao could not possibly survive that strike.
Why had Mu En not intervened?
"Elder Mu, we agreed earlier—if any mishap befalls your disciple, you cannot blame me…