"Hmm? You want to apply directly for Shrek's Inner Court?" Xian Lin'er looked at Gu Yuena, surprised.
'Are all the new students this bold nowadays?'
'Ah, right—she was brought by Huo Yuhao. That explains it.'
A few months ago, she had learned that Yan Shaozhe approved two Ultimate Martial Soul holders to enter Shrek's Inner Court. Back then, he had been so overjoyed that he couldn't stop smiling, his voice booming with excitement.
And both of those girls were close to Huo Yuhao.
Naturally, Xian Lin'er had discreetly asked Huo Yuhao if he could steer one of them toward the Soul Guidance Department.
'It's only fair!'
Shrek was massive, with three Ultimate Martial Soul holders, yet the Soul Guidance Department only had half of one—Huo Yuhao himself. How was that justified?
If Huo Yuhao had been the only one, the Soul Guidance Department would've had no choice but to accept it. But now, there were three!
Surely, they deserved at least one.
Huo Yuhao had been helpless in the matter.
Xue Di (Snow Empress) was solely focused on her Ice God inheritance, while Qiu'er had zero interest in soul guides—her father wouldn't allow it anyway.
Under Xian Lin'er's relentless pestering, Huo Yuhao reluctantly agreed to dedicate more time to soul guide studies—partly to prepare for their upcoming visit to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
Thanks to his formidable mental power and innate talent, Huo Yuhao progressed rapidly.
In just a few months—unburdened by the Ultimate Single Soldier Plan—he effortlessly crafted a Class 5 soul guide, officially ranking among the top fifth-ranked soul engineers!
Then, he returned to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well with Qiu'er, met Gu Yuena, and brought her to Shrek.
Now, as Xian Lin'er observed Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena standing side by side, she couldn't help but sigh in relief.
'My dear junior brother finally remembered his roots in the Soul Guidance Department.'
It had only been a few months, yet Huo Yuhao had accomplished what Shrek's admissions office had failed to do for centuries.
First, there was Xiaoxue, with her Ultimate Ice and Heavenly Snow Woman Martial Soul.
Then Qiu'er, with her Ultimate Power Golden Dragon Martial Soul.
And now… another beauty?
'This kid truly lives up to his looks.'
'If only I were born a few decades later… Maybe I'd have fallen for him too.'
'Ahem. Back to business.'
Xian Lin'er studied Gu Yuena's ethereal beauty, and a terrifying thought struck her.
'Could she be… another Ultimate Martial Soul holder?'
Generally, powerful martial souls and bloodlines influenced a soul master's appearance. Given Gu Yuena's extraordinary looks, her talent must be exceptional!
Xian Lin'er chuckled and shook her head.
'It can't be that much of a coincidence, right?'
Though she had once longed for an Ultimate Martial Soul from the Martial Soul Department, now she hoped Gu Yuena wasn't one.
After all, the Soul Guidance Department lacked the resources to nurture such a talent.
Still, even without an Ultimate Martial Soul, the girl before her was at least a Soul Ancestor.
The Shrek Inner Court's admission requirement was the Soul Ancestor level. A thirteen-year-old Soul Ancestor was undeniably rare.
But initial entry level didn't mean everything.
Take Dai Huabin, who had already dropped out—he had entered as an eleven-year-old Soul Elder and could've easily reached Soul Ancestor by thirteen.
Rare? Yes. Unprecedented? No.
The real monster was Huo Yuhao.
He had enrolled as a mere Soul Grandmaster, yet in just two years, he skyrocketed to Soul King—nearly thirty levels higher!
Supposedly, the Ultimate Martial Soul slowed cultivation speed, but Huo Yuhao showed no such weakness.
'Ultimate Martial Soul…'
For a moment, Xian Lin'er felt a pang of worry.
Noticing her hesitation, Huo Yuhao spoke up.
"Dean Xian, while Gu Yuena doesn't possess an Ultimate Martial Soul, her talent—both in martial souls and soul guides—is exceptional. In fact, her soul guide aptitude rivals mine!"
That's right—Gu Yuena intended to focus on soul guides!
Mostly to pass the time. Since she wasn't a conventional soul master, cultivation wasn't a priority.
She could display any soul power level she wished.
"Well… that's fortunate. Or perhaps a pity." Xian Lin'er nodded.
'At least it's not another Ultimate Martial Soul.'
Since Huo Yuhao vouched for her, she had no reason to refuse.
As for Gu Yuena's soul guide talent matching Huo Yuhao's?
Xian Lin'er was skeptical.
Her expression turned odd as she skimmed the documents Huo Yuhao provided—particularly Gu Yuena's soul power and soul rings.
Suddenly, her pupils contracted.
"Martial Soul: Elementalist. Soul Power: Rank 65. Soul Ring Configuration: Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Red—"
Her voice faltered as she read.
Xian Lin'er rubbed her eyes, disbelieving.
'Thirteen years old?!'
'Monsters appear every year, but this year's batch is especially absurd!'
Even with Xiaoxue and Qiu'er as precedents, she hadn't expected this.
A transfer student brought by Huo Yuhao had to be special—but this extreme?!
After double-checking the details, Xian Lin'er stared at Gu Yuena's crimson sixth soul ring and inhaled sharply.
'It's real.'
'This isn't just a genius—it's a once-in-ten-millennia prodigy!'
In this moment, one thought dominated Xian Lin'er's mind:
'A new god has descended!'
Huo Yuhao—who had supressed Xiaoxue and matched Di Qiu'er—was no longer unsurpassable!
Not just due to age and soul power, but that soul ring configuration.
As someone nearing Super Douluo, she knew the significance of a thousand-year first soul ring—let alone a hundred-thousand-year sixth!
In all of soul master history, only one person had achieved a hundred-thousand-year sixth ring: the Sea God, thanks to his beloved's sacrifice.
And now, Gu Yuena stood before her—matching that legend.
A hundred-thousand-year soul ring!
Even the four deans and Sea God Pavilion elders would covet such a treasure.
For most, securing a hundred-thousand-year ninth ring meant half-stepping into Super Douluo.
Even someone as mighty as Mu En only had three.
Yet Gu Yuena had absorbed one at Rank 60—meaning she could do so again at Ranks 70, 80, and 90!
'Four in total!'
Previously, the Sea God Pavilion elders believed only Huo Yuhao could surpass Mu En by obtaining a hundred-thousand-year sixth ring.
Even Di Qiu'er, with her Golden Dragon Martial Soul, was deemed unlikely.
But now—Gu Yuena had shattered all expectations.
Xian Lin'er felt like she was witnessing history.
She trembled with excitement.
"So… can she join the Soul Guidance Department's Inner Court?" Huo Yuhao prompted.
"Absolutely! No test needed!" Xian Lin'er's reply was instant and fervent.
'Assessments? Who cares!'
She wasn't as rigid as Yan Shaozhe.
A Soul Emperor with a hundred-thousand-year ring was already qualified to graduate from the Inner Court.
If she let such a talent slip, she'd never forgive herself—she'd wake up at night and slap herself!
Still, Xian Lin'er had doubts.
'Is this martial soul prodigy truly suited for soul guides?'
Gu Yuena had no prior experience—how could her talent rival Huo Yuhao's?
But details could wait.
'First, secure her enrollment.'
Even if her soul guide talent was lacking, her martial soul potential alone warranted Shrek's full support.
"Welcome to the Soul Guidance Department's Inner Court, Gu Yuena," Xian Lin'er declared solemnly.
"Mm." Gu Yuena's response was calm.
She didn't care whether she joined the Martial Soul or Soul Guidance Department.
Her purpose here was to protect Huo Yuhao and heal her wounds.
But on his suggestion, she chose the latter.
Joining the Martial Soul Department would've only netted her full soul bones and hundred-thousand-year rings—things she didn't need.
Instead, the Soul Guidance Department offered rare metals for Huo Yuhao's projects—and piqued her curiosity.
Huo Yuhao's Class 9 soul guide, Hongchen's Blessing, had intrigued her.
Soul guides were remarkably convenient.
And the future Huo Yuhao described—where they could slay gods with these devices—though dubious, fascinated her.
Thus, both parties were satisfied.
Huo Yuhao, though slightly miffed at not being the undisputed top anymore, quickly moved on.
Next, Xian Lin'er outlined Gu Yuena's privileges—particularly regarding future hundred-thousand-year rings.
"Xiao Gu, if you can continue absorbing hundred-thousand-year rings, Shrek will spare no effort to assist you," she said seriously. "You may seek my help anytime—or approach the elders through Yuhao. They won't refuse."
With Huo Yuhao as the Sea God Pavilion's heir, Shrek's resources were his to command.
Mu En's time was running short.
Huo Yuhao, Zhang Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao, and a few others couldn't shoulder Shrek's future alone—they'd need more allies.
Whether it was alumni like Ling Luochen, newcomers like Qiu'er and Xiaoxue, or Gu Yuena herself—Shrek would invest in Huo Yuhao's future team.
They didn't know the latter three's backgrounds yet, but it didn't matter.
Time would reveal their loyalties.
Just as it had with Huo Yuhao.
Xian Lin'er added a solemn warning:
"However, if you seek Elder Xuan's help for hundred-thousand-year hunts, choose someone more reliable. Yuhao, you know his martial soul's flaw has worsened lately…"
The old man had once been Shrek's great hope.
Now, his authority as Shrek Supervisory Group Head had gradually shifted to Zhang Lexuan.
Once she broke through to Titled Douluo, Xuan Zi would retire fully.
His greatest contribution now? Eating, drinking, and enjoying life at Shrek.
Recent events—like recklessly confronting the Scarlet King, the Death Messenger's corpse explosion, and the Star Dou Forest disaster—had eroded trust in him.
Everyone knew: Elder Xuan was terminally ill.
'Hopeless.'
His frequent ailments these past years had become a liability.
As a leader, he'd caused too many crises.
If he became the Sea God Pavilion's master, Shrek would be doomed.
Thankfully, Huo Yuhao's rise offered a new path.
In just two years, he'd achieved miracles, earning Shrek's unanimous faith.
Once he reached Titled Douluo, he'd likely rival a Ultimate Douluo—enough to suppress all factions!
"I understand," Huo Yuhao said.
Truthfully, Xuan Zi was eccentric.
After completing four tasks tied to him and obtaining the Immortal Gu, Huo Yuhao had kept a polite distance.
No new tasks had appeared—but that was a matter for later.
[Achievement Triggered!]
[Achieved Xian Lin'er's "Soul Guidance's Bright Future" — Reward: Wind Chasing Gu.]
[Wind Chasing Gu: Rank 4 Movement Gu. Grants wind-swift speed.]
[Note: Ride the gale, but mind what follows.]
…
Nightfall
A crisp knock sounded at the door.
Huo Yuhao glanced at the newly risen moon outside his dorm window, puzzled.
'A bit early, isn't it?'
Then he remembered.
This wasn't a session to purge evil fire for Sister Xiaotao or advance Sister Luochen's cultivation.
'For treatment, starting earlier makes sense.'
He opened the door.
Gu Yuena stood there in a white dress, her skin still glistening from a recent bath.
"Come in."
He stepped aside, closing the door behind her.
Right now, Huo Yuhao harbored no presumptuous thoughts.
But since this was their first healing session, tension lingered.
It had been a while since he'd felt this nervous.
"I have something for you. Absorb it first."
Gu Yuena extended her hand, revealing a small, crystalline stone—vibrant as emerald.
'Life Gold!'
And its shape…
'Wasn't this what that unlucky Golden Turtle secretly ate in the original timeline?'
Though this exchange gave him déjà vu, Huo Yuhao didn't hesitate.
"Thank you."
He'd be healing her wounds later—a little compensation was only fair.
…
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