After hearing Bei Bei's introduction to the teacher who would soon be instructing him, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
"Senior Brother, if Teacher Zhou Yi is really like that... doesn't the academy do anything about it?"
Bei Bei lowered his voice.
"Although Teacher Zhou Yi is extremely strict, she's genuinely an excellent teacher. Every student who successfully advances from her class speaks highly of her. Her strictness mainly comes from the incredibly high standards she sets and her harsh teaching methods. But among the students she's taught who have advanced to the next grade, nearly a quarter have gone on to enter the Inner Court. That's one of the best records in the entire academy."
"This time, she was only reassigned to teach freshmen because the controversy she caused became too great. As long as you're hardworking and talented enough, you'll benefit greatly under her guidance."
Huo Yuhao finally relaxed.
"So that's how it is. Teacher Xiao Ya, Senior Brother, you two go ahead with your work. I'll head back to the dormitory first."
Bei Bei smiled.
"Alright. Teacher Xiao Ya and I are also heading to our promotion assessment. If we pass, we'll advance to the fourth year. I live in Dormitory 316. If you need anything, just come find me."
Bei Bei and Tang Ya truly were busy.
Tang Ya had been so eager to obtain her third soul ring precisely because she needed it to pass the fourth-year advancement examination.
After being promoted, even more responsibilities awaited them.
Since Huo Yuhao had already ventured into the Star Dou Forest alone and successfully obtained a soul ring, they knew he was more than capable of taking care of himself.
There was no need to worry.
Passing between the white freshman teaching building and the yellow buildings for second- and third-year students, Huo Yuhao soon spotted the dormitory.
The building covered an enormous area.
Although it was a single structure, it was painted in four colors—white, yellow, purple, and black—clearly representing the dormitory sections for students of different grades.
The building stood six stories tall.
Arriving at the entrance to the white section, Huo Yuhao noticed an elderly man sitting beside the doorway.
The old man wore a simple gray cloth robe.
His face was covered with so many wrinkles that they looked capable of trapping dozens of flies at once.
His eyes were cloudy, his eyelids drooping heavily, giving him the appearance of someone nearing the end of his life.
Warm sunlight streamed perfectly onto him as he reclined comfortably in his chair.
Walking over respectfully, Huo Yuhao greeted him.
"Hello, Grandpa. I'm a new student here to move into the dormitory. Would you like to check my freshman badge?"
Without even raising his head, the old man slowly extended his trembling right hand.
His hoarse voice sounded weak.
"Badge and dormitory key."
Huo Yuhao immediately handed them over.
The old man casually glanced at them before returning them.
"You may go."
"Dormitory 108."
"First floor."
"Third room on the left."
"From the fourth floor onward are the girls' dormitories."
"If you're caught going up there..."
"...you'll be expelled."
"Thank you very much."
Huo Yuhao bowed respectfully once again before entering the dormitory building.
The old man remained motionless.
Rarely opening his eyes, he muttered quietly,
"A polite child..."
While he was speaking, several more freshmen walked past.
None of them even noticed the elderly man sitting by the entrance.
They walked straight inside without greeting him.
The old man didn't stop them.
He simply continued dozing in his chair.
Following the old man's directions, Huo Yuhao quickly found Dormitory 108.
The student dormitory was built in the style of a long corridor, with rooms lining both sides.
Each door bore its own number.
The interior was clearly old, having been used for many years.
At both ends of the hallway were communal washrooms.
Unlocking the door, a wave of stale air rushed out.
Huo Yuhao quickly stepped aside.
Only after waiting for a while did he hold his breath, rush inside, and throw open the window.
The room clearly hadn't been occupied for at least a month.
Everything was coated in a layer of dust.
While the room aired out, he took a careful look around.
The dormitory was tiny—barely ten square meters.
Two beds occupied most of the space.
Aside from them, there was only a single table, two iron wardrobes, and a lamp hanging from the ceiling.
Several metal protrusions were embedded in the wall.
Bei Bei had already explained that the lamp was a simple soul tool requiring soul power to activate.
Those metal nodes served as the input points.
After several minutes, the stale air finally cleared.
Looking at the small room, Huo Yuhao couldn't suppress the excitement welling up inside him.
From today onward...
This would be his home for the next year.
It also appeared he'd soon have a roommate.
Better clean up first.
As the saying went:
Children from poor families learn to manage early.
Although Huo Yuhao had been born in the Duke's Mansion, his childhood had actually been worse than that of most commoners.
He spent what little money he had to buy a washbasin from the student supply shop outside.
He also asked for an old cleaning rag the shop no longer needed.
Then he immediately began cleaning the room.
Half an hour later...
Thanks to the keen observation granted by his Spirit Eyes, every hidden corner had been cleaned spotless.
Not a speck of dust remained.
The furnishings were still simple.
But the room now felt fresh and comfortable.
Huo Yuhao had no intention of buying bedding.
For someone devoted to cultivation...
A bare wooden bed was more than sufficient.
Feeling hungry, he asked around for the location of the cafeteria.
After purchasing the cheapest food bowl available from the student shop, he headed there.
Each grade had its own cafeteria, located behind the dormitory area.
As soon as Huo Yuhao entered the freshmen cafeteria, he was stunned.
There weren't many students inside at the moment, making the enormous hall seem particularly empty.
There wasn't a single table or chair.
The entire cafeteria was just one vast open space.
Only one side contained washing basins for hands and utensils.
On the opposite side were eight food counters, each displaying different dishes along with their prices.
The prices increased from right to left.
You can't even sit while eating here?
At the entrance, another rule caught his attention.
Food was strictly forbidden from being taken out of the cafeteria.
After his brief surprise, Huo Yuhao walked to the cheapest counter on the far right.
He bought a serving of stir-fried vegetables with white rice.
Though it was the cheapest meal available...
He ate it with great satisfaction.
Having food at all was already a blessing.
Besides...
It only cost two copper coins.
Since the academy provided him with one gold coin every month, he could easily afford meals as long as he spent carefully.
While eating, Huo Yuhao observed the cafeteria.
He discovered that the dishes at the most expensive counter were priced in Gold Soul Coins.
That was a luxury he couldn't even imagine.
After finishing his meal, Huo Yuhao immediately returned to the dormitory.
The early bird catches the worm.
He knew perfectly well how large the gap between himself and the other students was.
Naturally...
He couldn't afford to waste a single moment.
Sitting cross-legged on the hard wooden bed, he quickly entered meditation and began cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Technique.
Although his cultivation speed was still far behind Bei Bei's and Tang Ya's...
Compared to his former self, the improvement was remarkable.
Ever since switching to the Mysterious Heaven Technique, he could clearly feel himself improving every single day.
That alone was far better than before.
During the journey here, all of his previously impure soul power had already been completely converted into Mysterious Heaven Technique energy.
Another tremendous advantage of the technique was that it continuously nourished his meridians while circulating.
The benefits weren't obvious yet.
But Bei Bei had assured him that, over time, it would significantly improve his physique.
Huo Yuhao had already planned out his daily schedule.
Every morning...
He would cultivate the Purple Demon Eyes.
Then spend an hour practicing Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Mysterious Jade Hands, and the grappling techniques Bei Bei had taught him.
Aside from eating...
Every remaining moment would be devoted to cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Technique.
Soul power was the foundation of every Soul Master.
Right now...
Nothing was more important.
"Hmm..."
"This cultivation technique is pretty good."
"It suits your current condition perfectly."
"You humans really are impressive."
Just as Huo Yuhao entered deep meditation, everything before him suddenly turned white.
The lazy voice of the Heavenly Dream Iceworm echoed through his mind.
His consciousness was once again pulled into his spiritual sea.
"Brother Tianmeng!"
Huo Yuhao exclaimed happily.
The Heavenly Dream Iceworm yawned lazily.
"Your body's condition has improved quite a bit these past few days."
"That's a good start."
"Your physical endurance is gradually increasing too."
"Very good."
"The techniques you're practicing all suit you well."
"Especially that meditation technique..."
"And that eye-training method."
"You've already sensed the four abilities I gave you, right?"
"Practice them often."
"Especially the fourth one."
"If you combine it with your eye-training technique..."
"It should produce excellent results."
"At the very least, it'll give you a basic offensive soul skill."
"The results are even better than I originally expected."
"I'll definitely work hard, Brother Tianmeng."
Hearing the Iceworm's voice again completely reassured Huo Yuhao.
His fusion with a million-year soul beast hadn't been a dream after all.
The Heavenly Dream Iceworm continued,
"I'm getting sleepy."
"I'm going to sleep for quite a while."
"Just continue cultivating the way you are now."
"When you reach the point where you need your second soul ring..."
"I'll naturally awaken."
"By then..."
"The Ice attribute martial soul I bestowed upon you should be able to become your primary martial soul."
"It'll bring about a qualitative leap in your strength."
Huo Yuhao hurriedly asked,
"If I want to find you, can I?"
The Heavenly Dream Iceworm chuckled.
"If you encounter danger you absolutely can't handle..."
"I'll naturally help."
"Don't worry."
"As long as you're alive..."
"I'll stay alive too."
"Time to sleep..."
The white light gradually faded.
Huo Yuhao also awakened from his meditation.
Looking outside in surprise...
He realized the sky had already become completely dark.
He had cultivated for over six hours without noticing.
The Mysterious Heaven Technique within his body had advanced ever so slightly once again.
It was already nighttime.
His stomach growled with hunger.
Judging by the darkness outside, the cafeteria had long since closed.
Fortunately, he still had several pieces of dried food in his bundle.
After eating them with some water to satisfy his hunger...
He resumed cultivating.
At dawn...
After absorbing the mysterious power carried by the Eastern Purple Qi, Huo Yuhao returned to his room to practice the Tang Sect's secret arts.
His mastery of them was still superficial.
Since they weren't his primary focus, he only practiced them briefly.
By the time he finished, the sky outside was already bright.
After washing up, he headed to the cafeteria.
The moment he entered, he couldn't help frowning.
Ever since cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Technique, his appetite had steadily increased.
A stronger body required proper nutrition.
But...
He simply didn't have enough money.
His tuition had already been paid by Senior Brother.
How could he possibly ask Bei Bei for even more?
Fortunately...
Breakfast was both simple and inexpensive.
He bought several eggs and a bowl of porridge.
This time, however, he reluctantly spent three copper coins.
At least he managed to supplement his nutrition a little.
Yesterday, the food had seemed cheap.
Today...
He suddenly realized that prices inside Shrek Academy were actually higher than outside.
"Junior Brother..."
"You can't save money on food."
"If your nutrition isn't sufficient, it won't do."
"The academy offers various jobs students can take on."
"You can earn your living that way."
At some point, Bei Bei had quietly walked over.
"Senior Brother!"
Huo Yuhao exclaimed happily.
At least for now...
The only people he knew at Shrek Academy were Tang Ya and Bei Bei.
Bei Bei smiled apologetically.
"The reason I didn't simply give you money..."
"...is because I want you to learn self-reliance."
"Combat ability is only one part of strength."
"A truly capable person also possesses many other qualities."
"And the most important one..."
"...is the ability to survive under any circumstances."
"Do you understand?"
"I do."
"You've already helped me so much."
"I still have a few silver coins."
"Once classes begin, I'll take on some work."
Bei Bei gently patted his head.
"I'll be going."
"Remember this."
"Money can always be earned again."
"But never skimp on food."
"You need proper nutrition."
After leaving the cafeteria together, Huo Yuhao decided to follow his senior brother's advice.
At lunch...
He would treat himself to something better.
Returning to the dormitory...
As soon as he reached his room, Huo Yuhao noticed the door standing open.
He was briefly startled.
Then he realized—
His roommate had probably arrived.
Just then, a young boy walked out of the room.
Seeing Huo Yuhao, he paused in surprise.
The youth was exceptionally handsome.
His skin was fair.
His large eyes were an unusual pale pinkish-blue.
Even his neat short hair shared the same beautiful color.
His appearance was even more striking than Bei Bei's.
Without question...
He was the most handsome person Huo Yuhao had ever seen his own age.
The two appeared to be roughly the same age and height.
"Who are you?"
Huo Yuhao asked instinctively.
The boy shot him an arrogant glance.
"Move."
"Oh..."
Huo Yuhao quickly stepped aside.
The boy walked past him.
After only a few steps, however, he stopped and turned back.
"You're my roommate, right?"
"Since you've cleaned the room so well..."
"I'll allow you to stay with me—for now."
"There are a few rules."
"Remember them."
"First."
"You're not allowed to bring people into the dorm without permission."
"Second."
"Don't wander around half-naked and disgust people."
"Third."
"Don't snore when you sleep."
"Fourth."
"Don't disturb me."
"Fifth."
"You'll be responsible for cleaning the room from now on."
"But don't touch my bed."
"Understand?"
Seeing the boy acting so superior immediately angered Huo Yuhao.
"Why should I listen to you?"
The boy snorted coldly.
"If you don't..."
"I'll beat you and throw you out."
"If you don't believe me..."
"Try it."
Having grown up oppressed within the Duke's Mansion...
What Huo Yuhao hated most were people who acted superior to others.
He replied coldly,
"Fine."
"Let's try it."
"We'll settle this outside."
Instead of becoming angry...
The boy actually smiled.
His smile was beautiful.
Yet the disdain and contempt within it only further ignited Huo Yuhao's fury.
"I don't even know your name."
The boy asked dismissively.
Huo Yuhao answered firmly,
"Shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking someone else's name?"
The boy shrugged.
"I'm Wang Dong."
"I'm Huo Yuhao."
Wang Dong smiled faintly before suddenly stepping close enough to stand face-to-face with him.
"Very good."
"I think..."
"Your name will disappear from Shrek Academy very soon."
"Let's go."
"Idiot."
With that, he turned and walked outside first.
Huo Yuhao clenched his fists tightly and strode after him.
Although he knew he wasn't particularly strong...
He would never allow himself to be bullied.
Especially not by someone who would be his roommate for at least the next year.