Sun Moon Empire, Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.
In the Martial Arts Arena, two figures had just separated.
One of them wore dark-colored martial attire with a cold expression, holding a long sword in his hand, with faint fluctuations of Spirit Power still remaining on the blade.
It was none other than Ji Juechen. His breathing was somewhat chaotic at this moment, his forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and his chest was heaving slightly.
Standing opposite him was a blue-haired youth with a refined face, his nimble eyes revealing a touch of indifference and composure.
Ji Juechen put away his long sword, took a deep breath, and looked up at Huo Yuhao. In those eyes that were always cold, there was now full of admiration.
"Huo Yuhao." He spoke, his tone carrying a touch of sincerity.
"Your strength... is truly too strong. To possess such strength at this age is stronger than anyone I have ever seen."
When Ji Juechen said this, there was not a hint of unwillingness, but rather a heartfelt admiration.
Huo Yuhao couldn't help but smile upon hearing these words.
He looked at Ji Juechen, feeling a bit of admiration in his heart for this opponent who kept fighting despite repeated defeats.
Over these past few days, Ji Juechen would come to challenge him almost every day.
He would fight once, lose once; after losing, he would go back to continue Cultivate, and come back the next day, seemingly without any intention of being discouraged.
Repeating this, never stopping—this perseverance made even Huo Yuhao feel moved.
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath and said seriously.
"I also admire you quite a lot."
"To be able to possess such perseverance, you can definitely become a powerhouse."
When Huo Yuhao said this, there was not a shred of hypocrisy.
He genuinely felt that this person, Ji Juechen, was not simple.
Just at this moment, the voice of Skydream Ice Worm rang out in Huo Yuhao's mind.
"This little guy really has quite a lot of perseverance."
Skydream Ice Worm's tone carried a hint of emotion.
"He has clearly been defeated by you so many times, yet he still tirelessly comes to challenge you."
"An average person would have given up long ago."
Huo Yuhao nodded silently in his heart.
Skydream Ice Worm suddenly changed the subject and said.
"I think that based on his willpower, passing our Shrek Academy's assessment should be no problem."
Huo Yuhao also understood the enrollment requirements for Shrek Academy; they were very simple: one was willpower, and the other was morality. The rest were merely bonus points; these two were mandatory.
Skydream Ice Worm couldn't help but be stunned upon hearing these words.
"Yuhao, are you... intending to recruit Ji Juechen to Shrek Academy?"
Huo Yuhao shook his head slightly and explained in his heart.
"I will not take the initiative to recruit Ji Juechen."
"After all, when I came to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, I received help from both Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen."
"Doing such a thing as poaching talent... is inappropriate."
Huo Yuhao paused and continued.
"Of course, if Ji Juechen himself takes the initiative to want to know about our academy, I won't hold back."
"Just like with Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen."
Skydream Ice Worm nodded thoughtfully.
Of course, there was one more thing Huo Yuhao did not say, which was that Huo Yuhao felt that compared to Ji Juechen, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were obviously more interested in his academy. Of course, these two were core figures of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy and certainly would not easily leave their academy.
Even if they were willing, the people behind them would certainly not be willing.
However... whatever choice they make, it has nothing to do with Huo Yuhao.
At this moment, Ji Juechen's voice rang out again, interrupting Huo Yuhao's thoughts.
"Huo Yuhao."
Ji Juechen looked at him, and in those cold eyes, a rare trace of confusion appeared.
"I am already in my twenties now."
His tone carried a touch of emotion.
"A Spirit Master's growth speed basically peaks in their forties."
"After forty, a Spirit Master's growth will slow down."
Ji Juechen lowered his head, looking at the long sword in his hand, his voice becoming somewhat low.
"I don't know... if I can reach the limit with the sword in my hand within the limited time."
After hearing this, Huo Yuhao was silent for a moment, then he looked up at Ji Juechen and said with a firm tone.
"Ji Juechen."
"If your heart is firm, then... you will certainly succeed."
After hearing this, Ji Juechen was slightly stunned, and then a smile appeared on his face.
"Thank you."
Ji Juechen put away his long sword and solemnly cupped his hands in a salute towards Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao waved his hand and said with a smile.
"No need to thank me."
"Being able to spar with you, I have also gained a lot."
He paused, and a flash of light crossed his eyes.
"Your sword has made me more firm in my own consistent conviction."
Ji Juechen nodded and didn't say anything more.
The two looked at each other, both seeing the mutual appreciation in each other's eyes.
Just at this moment, a sound of footsteps came from outside the Martial Arts Arena.
Huo Yuhao and Ji Juechen turned their heads at the same time.
They saw a figure walking towards them.
It was a man who looked somewhat aged, his hair messy, and his stubble hadn't been shaved for a while. He wore a simple and plain robe with a few oil stains on it.
He looked disheveled, just like a researcher who had been holed up in a workshop for years.
He walked up to the two, his gaze swept over Ji Juechen, and then landed on Huo Yuhao.
"You are... Huo Yuhao?"
The man's voice was somewhat hoarse, carrying a hint of scrutiny.
Huo Yuhao was slightly stunned, then nodded.
"I am Huo Yuhao."
"May I ask... who are you?"
The man did not answer immediately, but instead looked Huo Yuhao up and down, a gleam flashing in his eyes.
After a moment, he nodded and said.
"My name is Teacher Xuan Ziwen, and I am a teacher at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy."
"I heard... you come from that Shrek Academy in the sky?"
Huo Yuhao nodded after hearing these words. Because he had defeated Ji Juechen in front of everyone not long ago, quite a few people were interested in him, and Huo Yuhao had also gotten to know some people slightly.
Of course, it was just a casual acquaintance. This teacher from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy in front of him probably just wanted to chat about something, right?
Huo Yuhao thought to himself that it would be best to just brush him off, as he still planned to return to the dormitory to Cultivate afterward.
"Yes."
After receiving Huo Yuhao's confirmation, Teacher Xuan Ziwen nodded.
"Then do you have time now? If you have time, I would like to discuss Spirit Tool technology with you."
"I have learned a little bit about you from Xiao Hongchen, and I am very interested in you, so I would like to invite you to discuss matters regarding Spirit Tools together."
Teacher Xuan Ziwen said unreservedly.
After hearing Teacher Xuan Ziwen's words, Huo Yuhao turned his head to look at Ji Juechen beside him, thinking that Ji Juechen should also know something about this person, right?
Ji Juechen also understood Huo Yuhao's meaning and then began to introduce him.
"This is Teacher Xuan Ziwen from our academy. He is also one of the chief researchers of Mingde Hall and is also an eighth-level Soul Engineer. He usually only stays in the research lab and rarely comes out."
Having said this, it was already very clear.
After hearing Ji Juechen's introduction, Huo Yuhao accepted Teacher Xuan Ziwen's invitation.
----------------------------------------------
A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
1 Review = 1 Bonus Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.