"Perhaps. I'll follow the arrangements. After all, my cultivation speed isn't as fast as yours. In two years, I'll probably only be a Soul Ancestor, so I might not be able to help much."
Whether he participated or not, Huo Yuhao didn't really care. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Engineer Academy wasn't as fanatical about things like "Shrek's Glory" as Shrek Academy was.
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Engineer Academy simply wanted to beat Shrek due to historical baggage and the desire of a perennial runner-up to prove themselves. Of course, Xiao Hongchen wanted to win purely to prove that he was unparalleled under heaven with the world's greatest talent—that was just his personality, and Huo Yuhao couldn't change that.
"I see..."
Xiao Hongchen pondered for a moment, making a decision in his heart.
I have to find a way to trick this guy into competing with me!
Despite being extremely annoyed that his younger sister was chasing Huo Yuhao, Xiao Hongchen had to admit that Huo Yuhao's Spiritual Detection Sharing was a god-tier skill among god-tier skills!
Combined with his stationary Soul Tool cannons and his own Martial Soul's talent for metal control, it was practically a legal "aimbot."
In short, excluding Martial Soul Fusion Skills and looking strictly at combat synergy, the combination of himself and Yuhao surpassed even his synergy with Meng!
Hmph... even if I have to let Meng use a honey trap, I have to find a way to tie Yuhao to me for that competition!
Meng Hongchen suddenly felt an inexplicable chill. She instinctively hugged Huo Yuhao tighter, scanning the surroundings suspiciously only to see Xiao Hongchen's eyes flickering—a clear sign he was brewing some wicked scheme.
Caught by his sister, Xiao Hongchen quickly cleared his mind, coughed lightly, and looked at Huo Yuhao.
"So... Yuhao, what are your plans for the holiday?" Xiao Hongchen attempted to change the subject.
"Me?"
Huo Yuhao hesitated before speaking: "I want to research an armor-type Soul Tool that can be worn on the body to increase speed, defense, strength, and even the maximum limit of Soul Power. If possible, it should also amplify one's own Martial Soul."
"Isn't that a bit too comprehensive?" Xiao Hongchen asked doubtfully. The Soul Tool Huo Yuhao described was so all-encompassing it sounded like a Soul Tool version of a Martial Soul True Body.
"I don't know, but I want to at least try."
While he said "try," Huo Yuhao actually had a rough plan. The "Soul Armor" Kong Deming mentioned had given him a lot of inspiration. Since a Martial Soul could wear "armor," why couldn't the physical body?
Just like his Ice Ultimate War God Armor from his previous life, he could create two sets of "armor"—one for the Martial Soul and one for the body—thereby gaining a double buff!
Perhaps they could be called "Soul Tool Plate," "Soul Tool Armor," or... "Battle Armor"? Hmm... that was a good name, a counterpart to Kong Deming's "Soul Armor."
All in all, Huo Yuhao felt this plan was highly feasible and easy to experiment with on both sides. After all, "Battle Armor" was essentially a full suit of armor, something the Three Empires of Douluo could accept. Meanwhile, the Sun Moon Empire's acceptance of Soul Tools was nearly 100%, making it much easier to collect experimental data there.
After a brief pause, he looked at Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen:
"When the time comes, I might make a few components for you to test out. For example, a leg component could be equipped with a Soul Power storage device and Soul Tool thrusters. If prepared in advance and controlled properly, you could normalize increased dash and dodge capabilities in battle with almost zero Soul Power consumption."
"That sounds genuinely impressive. The issues to watch for would be the weight, the layout of the thrusters and storage, and how to minimize the volume... It is indeed feasible."
Xiao Hongchen made his judgment, then looked at Huo Yuhao: "Do you need me to act as a test pilot?"
"There will be a chance." Huo Yuhao responded with a smile.
To the side, Meng Hongchen blinked, looking at her brother and then at Huo Yuhao. She suddenly felt like the odd one out. Every time her brother and Yuhao started talking about Soul Tools, she felt like a stranger!
It's super weird, okay?! I feel like my brother is trying to steal my Yuhao!
Meng Hongchen frowned slightly and instinctively hugged Huo Yuhao even tighter.
...
A few days later, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Engineer Academy went on break as scheduled. Except for those like Huo Yuhao who lived at the academy, most students headed home.
Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen went off to cultivate, while Huo Yuhao, after a simple pack-up, prepared to return to Shrek. Even though he was planning his "Battle Armor" research, he had more than a few experiments running. Fortunately, he knew how to find "tools" (people) to help him look after his experiments, which greatly reduced his pressure.
"Mmm... it's about time to collect some experimental results."
...
A few days later, at Shrek Academy, inside Huo Yuhao's private laboratory.
"Mr. Skydream... will eating this really help with cultivation?" Tang Ya asked with a face full of distress.
"Shut up and keep eating."
Huo Yuhao calmly interrupted Tang Ya, continuing to record the data in his experimental report.
Tang Ya looked at the Blue Silver Grass in her hand, feeling her stomach churn. She couldn't help but want to gag. She had been eating grass for an entire semester! Every day, she was made to eat Blue Silver Grass of various flavors—for a whole semester! Now, she felt nauseous just looking at her own Martial Soul!
Tang Ya wanted to cry but had no tears. Recalling the decision she made a few months ago, she desperately wanted to go back in time and slap herself awake!
Months ago, when Shrek started its term, Tang Ya naturally returned to the academy. But as soon as she entered her dorm, she saw Jiang Nannan waiting for her. Before they could even chat, she was dragged to Jiang Nannan's teacher, "Skydream."
Then, this Mr. Skydream directly invited her to become a member of the Spirit Transmission Pagoda, promising to nurture her into a Titled Douluo.
Initially, Tang Ya instinctively thought she had met a scammer. She knew her own talent—Innate Soul Power of only Level 5, and a Martial Soul that was the world-renowned "trash" Blue Silver Grass. Such talent was not Titled Douluo material... unless she let go of all restraint and wantonly devoured life force.
So, she naturally declined. There's no such thing as a free lunch, and even if there were, it probably wouldn't fall into her lap.
However, this Mr. Skydream mentioned the destruction of the Tang Sect and proceeded to directly take control of her body, forcing her Martial Soul to reveal that near-Evil Soul Master ability to devour life!
Then, Mr. Skydream uttered the sentence she would likely never forget for the rest of her life:
"Student Tang Ya, you wouldn't want Shrek Academy to find out you're an Evil Soul Master, would you?"