Before the match, Jing Hongchen thought that while there was a chance Meng Hongchen and Huo Yuhao might defeat Xiao Hongchen, that chance wasn't exactly high. After all, the difference in strength between the siblings was clear, and Huo Yuhao was just a Grandmaster-ranked Soul Master. Could that really tip the scales?
Reality gave Jing Hongchen a clear answer: yes, it could.
Huo Yuhao hadn't even used his second spirit. Just two soul skills from his first spirit had allowed him and Meng Hongchen to crush Xiao Hongchen completely.
How could Jing Hongchen not be thrilled?
Even Ji Juechen and Jing Ziyan in the stands were stunned by the elegant, overwhelming performance.
"That skill when Huo Yuhao's eyes flashed gold… dangerous. Definitely a rare and powerful mental attack," Ji said.
"And the way she dodged all those shells—not easy," Jing Ziyan replied, pushing up her glasses.
"…Can you say anything without sounding so dull?" she added, rolling her eyes.
Just then, both of them heard a voice in their minds—Jing Hongchen's voice via sound transmission.
"You two, keep Yuhao's soul skills secret. Don't speak of them to outsiders."
Though Soulshock was powerful, it wasn't invincible. If someone knew about it in advance, it wasn't hard to defend. Mental fortitude or a specialized soul barrier could drastically reduce its effectiveness. Understanding this, the two nodded without hesitation.
In the arena, Xiao Hongchen snapped out of his daze and stared in disbelief at his smug little sister.
He sighed, put away his soul tools, and walked over to the pair.
"Little sis… Yuhao… I lost fair and square. Mind telling me how?"
Honestly, he still couldn't figure out how the match that had seemed in his favor ended with him being crushed.
Huo Yuhao explained the two crucial soul skills he used to turn the tide.
Xiao Hongchen was stunned.
"…Two skills. Just two skills and I lost?"
It sounded impossible, but having witnessed their power firsthand, he had no choice but to accept it.
"…No way. One more! That match didn't fully show what I can do. How are we supposed to understand each other's abilities if we don't go all out?"
Unwilling to admit defeat, he stood tall and declared.
Meng Hongchen giggled. "So you're just salty, huh? Alright! Let's beat you until you're convinced. What do you say, Yuhao?"
"No complaints here," Huo Yuhao replied with a smile. He too believed the extra rounds would help them build teamwork—and besides, he was confident they could keep winning.
"Grandpa, we're not done yet!"
Jing Hongchen was delighted, happy to referee again. Ji Juechen and Jing Ziyan, meanwhile, decided to leave. They'd seen enough of Huo Yuhao's secrets and didn't want to overstay.
Three more rounds later…
Xiao Hongchen slumped onto the arena floor, gazing blankly at the sky. He looked like he was reevaluating his entire existence.
If the first loss had been due to unfamiliarity with Yuhao's skills, then the next three were clearly skill gaps.
In the second match, he'd tried to eliminate Yuhao first. But just as he got close, he was ambushed by the Ultimate Ice Domain, frozen mid-step, then comboed by Meng Hongchen.
In the third, despite using full firepower, Yuhao's pinpoint Spiritual Detection Sharing rendered his long-range advantage useless. He got counterattacked instead.
In the fourth round, Xiao finally adapted to their synergy and began a proper war of attrition. The match was neck-and-neck, but he still lost in the end.
"…That floating cannon of yours doesn't even do much damage. But it's so damn elusive! How am I supposed to block that?!"
In the final moments, low on spirit energy, Xiao had dropped his shield for an all-out offensive—only to get blindsided by a floating cannon from behind.
Huo Yuhao shrugged. "Didn't you say it doesn't hit that hard? Just keep your shield up."
"…I was almost out of energy!"
"Exactly."
"Ugh. Two against one isn't fair…"
"Haha! Admit defeat, big bro~" Meng laughed triumphantly, pinching Yuhao's cheek.
"Ugh, I give up. Don't get cocky. If Yuhao weren't here, you'd have lost four straight!"
"Bleh~"
Having truly witnessed Huo Yuhao's strength, Jing Hongchen couldn't be more satisfied.
A Soul Master with powerful skills, sharp tactics, and battle awareness—where could he possibly find a better disciple?
Across the sea, the three empires and even Shrek Academy… just thinking about how they lost a talent like this felt amazing.
Dai Hao—once the famed Marshal—was about to become the greatest sinner of the Star Luo Empire. But to the Sun Moon Empire, he was a national hero!
"Alright, Xiao. Two-on-one really isn't fair. I told you—Yuhao's team battle sense is exceptional."
"Look at it from another angle. Yuhao isn't your enemy—he's your teammate. Just imagine what the three of you could achieve at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament…"
Jing Hongchen's words made Xiao pause and think.
Just his own metal-based soul cannon skill, combined with Yuhao's guidance and detection, could lead to terrifyingly precise and destructive barrages.
The more he imagined it, the more his earlier frustration gave way to excitement. With a bit more growth from Yuhao, their trio might even rival the legendary Shrek Seven Devils.
Why wouldn't he be thrilled? After all, their dream was to defeat Shrek Academy and claim the championship title!
"We're invincible!"
"Pfft. 'We'? Speak for yourself."
"Little sis!"
And so, the siblings began bickering again.
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao noticed Jing Hongchen had disappeared.
"…Elder Kong, did you see all that?" Jing Hongchen said softly, standing in a hidden corner of the arena.
Of course he'd reported this to Kong Deming. The elder had cleared his schedule just to witness Huo Yuhao in action—and it didn't disappoint.
Now, stirred by what he'd seen, the old man's heart raced like it hadn't in decades.
"I saw it. He's… astonishing."
Kong Deming had completely confirmed it: Huo Yuhao was the Light of the Sun and Moon Empire.
"With proper growth, this child will secure the Sun Moon Empire's safety for centuries!"
Jing Hongchen was stunned. "Centuries? He's incredibly talented, yes, but isn't that… an exaggeration?"
Kong Deming shook his head.
"You know of Tang San, the Sea God who ascended to godhood ten thousand years ago?"
Jing Hongchen nodded. "You mean… you think Yuhao could ascend to godhood too? Isn't that… too far-fetched?"
Indeed, no one had achieved godhood since Tang San. Many couldn't even reach Rank 99, the threshold of divinity.
But Kong Deming's gaze turned skyward.
"His background is mysterious, his talent peerless. He's sharp, and even possesses the ability to sense fate. He has every trait needed to achieve greatness."
"I may not be an Ultimate Douluo, but I've touched that realm. For me to believe he has a chance at godhood—even if just a whim—that's no small thing."
"Alright, maybe not centuries. But five hundred years of peace? That's within reach."
He turned serious.
"His teacher. We can't wait another second. I'm going to find the one I've been considering. Hongchen, I'm leaving national affairs to you for now."
With that, Kong Deming vanished.
Jing Hongchen looked up at the sky, lost in thought for a long time.
Back in the arena, the siblings had stopped bickering.
Jing Hongchen returned. "Alright, little ones. The tournament's only a few months away. Don't waste this time—train more, play less."
After giving them a few words of advice, he left to handle Kong Deming's duties.
Xiao Hongchen, understanding the importance, quickly bade them goodbye and dashed off—to "settle down," no, to train.
That left Huo Yuhao and Meng Hongchen blinking at each other.
"Well, seems like big bro's a little salty about losing his vacation to training~"
Then, something dawned on Huo Yuhao.
During the sparring match, when he and Meng used their ice-type spirits together, he had felt something strange—like their soul powers had harmonized.
It felt strangely… familiar.
Huo Yuhao knew that if two people's soul powers were compatible enough, they could perform a Martial Soul Fusion Technique—a rare, powerful skill that combined their spirits.
In the original story, he'd been forcefully paired into all sorts of bizarre fusions by Tang San. Hammer-type tool spirits fusing with eyes and scorpion beast spirits? Butterflies fusing with vision? It made no sense!
As Huo Yuhao pondered this, completely unaware…
High above, in the God Realm, his and Meng Hongchen's faint soul resonance triggered… a ripple.
(End of Chapter)
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