Looking up, Situ Yu gazed at Huo Yuhao, still floating above him, his tone full of melancholy."I lost. Yunluo Academy admits defeat."
With a thought, Huo Yuhao caused the Ice Arrow to instantly dissipate into mist, and he himself returned to the ground.
Cheng Gang, seeing this, did not hesitate and announced:"The winner of this round of the cycle competition is Shrek Academy."
The audience cheered again, but Huo Yuhao on the competition stage didn't pay much attention. Instead, he said to Situ Yu:
"Your turret strategy was simply countered by me this time. Don't give up on your own path because of this, though I still suggest you change your current turret approach in the future."
Situ Yu looked up, puzzled at Huo Yuhao.
"Anyway, you have a storage soul device. You can prepare a turret base in advance, and all the components can be arranged according to a pattern beforehand. That way, once the turret is complete, you can directly stand on it to control it, instead of using your body as the base and staying in one spot like just now."
"Staying in one spot is too limiting. The enemy won't ignore you as a sitting target. Besides, being alive is necessary to output, right?"
Situ Yu's mind gradually cleared as he listened. Soon, his eyes brightened."I know what I need to do now. Thanks for the reminder."
Huo Yuhao waved with a smile."No need to thank me. It's no big deal."
The two chatted briefly, unaware that their voices had already been amplified across the entire Xingluo Plaza through a sound-transmitting soul device.
The audience's expressions were strange—was this a lesson?Yet for Huo Yuhao teaching his opponent, oddly enough, some of the audience found themselves admiring him.
Shrek Academy, always aloof in the past, now seemed surprisingly humane.
In the rest area, many of the original Douluo Three Kingdoms' soul device-obsessed academies were intrigued. Huo Yuhao's advice wasn't just for Situ Yu—they all gained insight.
Even though Huo Yuhao had only offered guidance spontaneously…
For a while, many viewed him more warmly, their original awe softening.
As for the academies from the Sun and Moon Empire, most remained indifferent.
"What a special Ice-type soul skill."
At the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, Meng Hongchen frowned, murmuring to herself.
"Is there a problem?"
Ma Mingzhu turned to look, and others followed.
Meng Hongchen said solemnly:"The Ice-type soul skill Huo Yuhao used just now gave me a strange feeling. It seems like a soul skill, but also doesn't."
"Could it be a self-created soul skill?" Captain Ma Rulong analyzed."A self-created soul skill is unique to the user and is usually very special."
"Not impossible," Meng Hongchen said, watching Huo Yuhao step down from the stage, her face full of curiosity.
Everyone's eyes shifted. It wasn't that Huo Yuhao was invincible now,but his growth potential was terrifying. He was on the reserve team; five years later, as a main team member, how much stronger would he be?
"This Huo Yuhao is so strong, it's a little scary," Xiao Hongchen sighed.
Meng Hongchen chuckled."You're bluffing. I've never seen you afraid of anyone. Your only thought is victory."
Xiao Hongchen smiled,"I can't wait to have a match with him."
"There will be a chance," Meng Hongchen said, full of anticipation.
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao returned to his team, high-fiving each teammate.He smiled at Beibei and He Caitou:"This time I stole the spotlight, taking your chance to appear."
He Caitou laughed:"We're all on the same side. Doesn't matter."
Beibei nodded in agreement.
"All right, little monsters, let's give other academies their turn," Wang Yan clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.
Turning, they saw the next academy team in the waiting area, looking uncertain.
"Sorry, we'll move immediately."
Wang Yan smiled.
"No problem, no problem."
The team leader of that academy quickly waved.
Soon, the Shrek group returned to the rest area.
"Nice work, Yuhao."
Everyone gathered around immediately.
Ma Xiaotao asked suddenly:"By the way, Yuhao, the technique you used just now—is that your self-created soul skill?"
At her words, the others focused immediately.
Seeing Ma Xiaotao's curious expression, Huo Yuhao quickly explained:"Yes. Using the characteristics of my second Martial Soul, I developed it intuitively. Its power is quite strong."
"Impressive, Yuhao. Self-created soul skills aren't easy. I estimate in the entire Inner Academy, no more than three students have one," Yao Haoxuan marveled.
"Senior Yao, who are the three?" Ning Tian asked curiously.
Yao Haoxuan smiled:"In our team, only two."
Hearing this, the ten reserve team students all glanced at the main team.
"Don't look at me; my strength is still a bit lacking," Xixi joked.
Chen Zifeng and Gongyang Mo cleared their throats; Ling Luocheng shifted his gaze.
Dai Yaoheng?Oh, he wasn't here today—heard he had some personal matters.
"You must be one of them," Huo Yuhao said, looking at Ma Xiaotao with her hands on her hips, proudly arrogant.
"Mm-hmm," Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow at him.
"And the other must be the senior sister," Jiang Nannan and Zhang Lexuan exchanged looks.
"I only achieved it with guidance from elders. It's nothing," Zhang Lexuan humbly shook her head. Then, with seriousness, she said to Huo Yuhao:"Yuhao, since you've created a soul skill, remember to combine its power with your own spirit and understand your unique artistic conception. Only then is it the strongest self-created soul skill."
Artistic Conception?
Everyone froze, except Ma Xiaotao, who seemed thoughtful."Artistic conception is essentially one's life path. Sometimes sought actively, sometimes appearing passively. A swordsman pursuing the pinnacle of swordsmanship—that's artistic conception."
"In simpler terms, if you're a carpenter, and you immerse yourself in creating a perfect piece, undisturbed, your focus is your artistic conception. Though it sounds profound, it's actually very simple."
"Everyone will have an opportunity in the future to gain insight into artistic conception, but it's extremely difficult. Even my and Yuhao's teacher, Mingfeng Douluo, only barely succeeded."
The last sentence was transmitted to everyone using soul force.
After she finished speaking, the Shrek rest area fell into rare silence for the first time. Everyone sat quietly, thinking.
Huo Yuhao stared deeply at the ground, forgetting the cheering around him.
Artistic conception.
He had some impression of it. The original Huo Yuhao's shameful "Hao Dong San Jue" could be considered a type of artistic conception.
That conception was likely based on longing and love.
It sounded beautiful, though its application could be awkward.
In the web novel world, it was considered explosive.
So… what would his own artistic conception be?Follow a path like Mu En, ruling the world?Huo Yuhao fell into thought.
In the imperial city, Xu Jiawei had already risen and walked deep into the palace. He had no interest in the remaining matches.But as he left, a thought quietly formed in his mind.
Unlike in the original story, where Wang Yan would have the team rest at the hotel, in this timeline, with a main team present, Shrek Academy stayed in the rest area to watch other academies compete.
Meanwhile, the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Master Academy also competed today. Zhang Lexuan reminded everyone to take it seriously, as the two academies were long-standing rivals.
"There's nothing to see. Let's go,"
A middle-aged man with a thick right arm withdrew disappointedly from the stands.
Another big-headed man agreed. The two quickly moved through the crowd like slippery eels toward the exit.
Leaving the noisy Xingluo Plaza, they entered the bustling streets, moving with purpose almost without pause toward the city gates.
Under the vigilant eyes of the city guards, the two left Xingluo City calmly and headed north to a forested area.
The forest air was fresh with a gentle breeze. A five- to six-meter-wide stream ran through it. On a wooden bench by the bank, an elderly man with dark green hair of a Mediterranean complexion squinted as he leaned back, holding a fishing rod.
If one listened carefully, the man was even snoring lightly. Next to him was a metal bucket with a few small fish swimming quietly.
"Shu!"
Suddenly, the fishing line twitched—a fish had bitten.
The elder's half-closed eyes snapped open. He lifted the rod, bringing a roughly ten-centimeter fish out of the water. It thrashed, still alive and strong, trying to escape.
"Sect Leader, no Air Force today?"
As the elder placed the fish into the bucket, two voices emerged from the bushes. Looking, they were the thick-armed and big-headed men from earlier.
"If you say that again, I'll use you two as bait."
The elder didn't look back. From his tone, he was used to such teasing.
The two men laughed, then sobered and respectfully bowed."Sect Leader, no Air Force here either."
The elder's eyes flickered."What level are they?"
"At least comparable to that kid Aotian."
"Shua!" The elder's eyes suddenly glowed, and a terrifying aura spread instantly. The once lively forest became silent, even the wind seemed frozen.
Thankfully, the aura carried no intent to kill.
"Where?" The elder quickly put away the rod and stood up, rubbing his hands in anticipation—completely unlike the terrifying aura he had just projected.
"Uh… Sect Leader, this 'fish' is special. He's a student from Shrek Academy. Taking him might be a bit troublesome," the thick-armed man hesitated and explained.
"Shrek Academy, huh? If we say we take him, then we take him." The elder was unconcerned. "Even if Xuanzi shows up, I'll take this 'fish.' I don't believe anyone in the Xingluo Empire can stop me."
The two men exchanged glances, apparently accustomed to their sect leader's ways, offering no objection.
"Why are you still standing there? Lead the way." The elder looked at them impatiently.
"Yes, sir."
The two men hurriedly led the way.
Time slowly passed. From morning to noon, then to afternoon, matches raged on, thrilling the audience—especially the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, whose incredible display first revealed the true power of soul devices.
Academies from the original Douluo Three Kingdoms mostly wore serious expressions. The Sun and Moon Empire academies were excited.
The roaring heavy cannons, the lightning-filled flashes, melee soul masters in armor—compared with the nearly identical soul device usage of the Three Kingdoms academies, the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Master Academy's use was dazzlingly diverse.
If certain soul devices were allowed and the rules permitted, the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Master Academy could show even more impressive displays.
This made many wonder: five years later, at the Dou Hun competition in Mingdu, on their home turf, what might they achieve?
In Shrek Academy's rest area, the main team seven, previously dismissive of soul devices, had now gained great appreciation.
When the final match ended, and spectators and participants left, Zhang Lexuan spoke earnestly as they walked:"This is why the academy promotes soul device reform. I hope you all reflect on this seriously when you return."
Wang Yan unclenched his fists; Zhang Lexuan had spoken what he had intended to tell the students.
He hadn't expected the academy to change its thinking, apparently starting with the Inner Academy. This was good news.
However…
When academies returned to the hotel, Shrek Academy was the last.
Entering the spacious Xinghuang Hotel lobby, they were about to join the crowd for the elevator when two people blocked their way.
Zhang Lexuan and Wang Yan, as vice leaders, naturally walked at the front. Wang Yan was considering training the reserve team next, while Zhang Lexuan furrowed her brows slightly, looking at the two."Do you two have business here?"
Zhang Lexuan's pause drew Huo Yuhao's attention; everyone spread out.
Looking at the two blockers,
everyone's expressions subtly shifted.
They looked odd—one with a huge head, the other with an unusually thick right arm.
"People from the Main Sect?"
Huo Yuhao guessed their identity at once.
While the Shrek group observed them, the two also noticed Huo Yuhao.
The big-headed man stepped forward, introducing himself:"I am Lang Ya; this is Yu Tao."
"I don't think we know each other," Zhang Lexuan clarified.
Using her perception, she realized the two's cultivation was likely not weaker than hers. Her soul force surged, and an invisible aura spread.
"We indeed don't know each other. The reason we stopped you is to find that young man," Lang Ya said, his gaze turning to Huo Yuhao.
Immediately, everyone looked at Huo Yuhao.
Ma Xiaotao frowned, stepping in front of Huo Yuhao.
Lang Ya chuckled:"We mean no harm. Why don't we chat over at the sofa area? This is royal territory; you don't need to worry about anything."
As he spoke, a trace of surprise appeared in his eyes. He had hoped to influence the young people with his spirit power, but didn't expect the girl in front alone to block his intrusion.
Zhang Lexuan's eyes flickered."Teacher Wang, Xiaotao, take everyone back. I'll go with Yuhao." She transmitted via soul force:"Old Xuan has arrived, no need to worry."
Wang Yan and Ma Xiaotao nodded and led everyone away.
Soon, the group took the soul device elevator out of the passage.
"Please," Lang Ya politely gestured to Zhang Lexuan.
"Yuhao." Zhang Lexuan looked at Huo Yuhao, who nodded calmly.
Soon, the four walked toward the sofa area to rest. But upon arrival, both Zhang Lexuan and Huo Yuhao smiled slightly.
In contrast, Lang Ya and Yu Tao's faces changed dramatically.
For in the previously empty sofa area, an elderly man now sat casually—left hand holding a wine gourd drinking juice, right hand devouring a roasted chicken leg.
...................
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