"According to my sources, shortly after the next semester begins, the academy will hold a selection for the reserve team for the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament," Huo Yuhao revealed directly.
"If Senior Senior Sister Xiao Ya can pass this selection, not only will she easily clear the entrance examination, but she will also almost certainly secure a spot in Shrek's inner courtyard."
After all, Huo Yuhao is now a member of the inner court and has essentially secured his place in the main selection team. Without him, the selection for the reserve team next semester won't be as straightforward—there are many variables to consider.
Especially Dai Huabin's martial soul fusion skill, the Netherworld White Tiger. It's not something to be underestimated. Among the candidates, most of whom are at the Soul Elder level, the Netherworld White Tiger, led by Soul Elder around level 37, won't be easily dealt with.
Huo Yuhao has already planned ahead. He wants to find some reliable allies for Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and the others so they can support each other. These allies are Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and He Caitou. It's the same lineup as in the original story, and they're all familiar faces.
He Caitou is straightforward. Huo Yuhao is currently learning soul tools from Fan Yu. Not only has he achieved remarkable results as a Class 3 soul engineer, but he has also built a good relationship with this eccentric soul engineer and part-time genius food soul master.
Xu Sanshi is also easy to handle—just start with Beibei. With Xu Sanshi and Beibei on board, Jiang Nannan is a sure bet as well.
Thus, the original Shrek Six Monsters have been preliminarily formed, and the remaining spots aren't easily taken by outsiders. After all, the benefits shouldn't go to strangers.
Huo Yuhao plans to give the remaining spot to his close friend, Tang Ya.
"Ah? The reserve team? Are you talking about me?" Tang Ya pointed at herself, her voice filled with disbelief.
Pass the selection? Does she even have the ability?
"Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament? It will indeed be held next year, but Yuhao, with Xiao Ya's current strength, it will be difficult for her to participate, let alone pass the reserve team selection," Beibei shrugged helplessly, expressing his doubts.
Tang Ya is currently struggling with the entrance examination. How could she possibly handle the even more challenging reserve team selection?
"Ah, Beibei, can't you have a little faith in me?" Although she knew Beibei was telling the truth, Tang Ya was still upset and quietly pinched his waist with her right hand.
"It's not easy to find such an opportunity. No matter how difficult it is, I'll give it a try," Tang Ya said, clenching her fists with determination in her eyes.
Beibei, who had been suddenly pinched, took a deep breath and said seriously, "Yes, you should try. It would be a shame to give up before even starting."
Huo Yuhao cut in bluntly, "However, have you forgotten one thing? Even the reserve team selection requires the status of a core disciple."
"Ah? There's such a requirement!?" Tang Ya exclaimed.
"Yes, that's still a factor," Beibei nodded.
Tang Ya pursed her lips and looked at Huo Yuhao resentfully. Beibei also fell silent.
"Alright, alright, let's cut to the chase. The main topic today is the plan to help Tang Ya cultivate and obtain the core disciple status!" Huo Yuhao smiled slightly, then took out a leather bag from his storage soul guide to conceal the soul power fluctuations and placed it on the table.
"This is a 20,000-year-old right leg bone from a Man Faced Demon Spider that I obtained by chance recently. I think it's very suitable for Senior Senior Sister Xiao Ya."
As he spoke, Huo Yuhao untied the bag and revealed the dark soul bone. The rich soul power fluctuations made the air in the room feel thick and heavy.
"The Man Faced Demon Spider!" Tang Ya stood up from her chair in shock the moment she heard the name.
"A 20,000-year soul bone!" Beibei's eyes widened as he stared at the soul bone in Huo Yuhao's hand.
It wasn't that he hadn't thought about finding a suitable soul bone for Tang Ya before, but due to the rarity of such a soul bone and Tang Ya's strong, independent personality, he had let the matter slide.
"Yes, according to my analysis, this soul bone has a high probability of solidifying the soul devouring skill of the Man Faced Demon Spider. It's very suitable for Senior Sister Xiao Ya, so I'm giving it to her. Don't let me down," Huo Yuhao said seriously, handing the soul bone to Tang Ya.
'Toolman Tang Ya, the fourth mission reward will depend on you.'
"Devour..." Tang Ya murmured, clearly moved, but she still hesitated, her expression conflicted.
"Yuhao, this is too precious. I can't accept it. Moreover, with my talent, this soul bone would be wasted."
Beibei remained silent. He truly wanted Tang Ya to accept the soul bone, but at this moment, he didn't seem to have the right to intervene.
"Huh? You don't want it!?" Huo Yuhao pretended to be angry and glared at Beibei, who stood there stunned. "Senior Beibei, you don't want Senior Xiao Ya to miss out on entering the inner courtyard, do you?"
Tang Ya and Beibei: ?
"No one understands soul bone fusion better than me! Don't belittle yourself. If I say it's suitable for you, it definitely is!" Huo Yuhao played his role perfectly and, without waiting for their response, tossed the soul bone toward Tang Ya. "As a disciple of the inner courtyard, I order you, Tang Ya, to fuse this soul bone. No objections allowed!"
"But, I..." Tang Ya caught the soul bone, still hesitating.
Beibei finally spoke up, "Xiao Ya, since Yuhao has said this, you might as well accept it. This is good for all of us."
"This isn't like the Senior Senior Sister Xiao Ya I know. We're all friends, and it's normal to help each other. If you really feel bad about it, you can repay me later when you're able," Huo Yuhao paused, then added, "Besides, there's Beibei. If you can't afford it, Senior Sister Xiao Ya, you can always let Beibei step in."
"Yuhao is right. I'll take responsibility!" Beibei smiled reassuringly and comforted Tang Ya, "Xiao Ya, you're not alone. I'm here."
Tang Ya stopped joking at this point. Her eyes were complex, and she lowered her head silently. Behind her bangs, it seemed as though a tear had fallen.
"You think... if a soul master has the attribute of devouring, can they still be considered a normal soul master..." Finally, with the encouragement of the two, Tang Ya opened up.
In her heartfelt words, she revealed the life devouring talent of her Blue Silver Grass martial spirit, something she had always kept hidden.
"I've been suppressing the devouring talent of my Blue Silver Grass because I'm afraid that one day I'll completely degenerate and become an evil soul master that everyone condemns. Although sometimes, I really want to give up and let the devouring talent take over..." Tang Ya's voice was filled with helplessness and pain.
Beibei comforted her firmly, "Xiao Ya, no matter what kind of talent your martial spirit has, I believe you can use it for good. So what if it's an evil martial spirit? If anyone dares to attack you in the future, they'll have to step over my dead body first!"
"Beibei!"
"Xiao Ya!"
For a moment, the atmosphere grew intense.
Huo Yuhao felt that the two were about to confess their feelings to each other.
"Cough cough cough."
Huo Yuhao couldn't help but ruin the moment.
"Why are you worried about this? If evil soul masters were defined so simply, things would have gone haywire long ago. Don't forget, the Sea God from thousands of years ago also had an attached soul bone called the Eight Spider Lances. As he grew up, he devoured many soul beasts with the help of the Eight Spider Lances. Does that make him an evil soul master?"
'Of course, it does.'
If it hadn't been for the awakening of the Blue Silver Emperor later on, Huo Yuhao believed that a certain clear as ice and clean as jade martial soul would have gone all the way down the path of the Devouring attribute.
"There are no evil spirits, only evil soul masters! As long as you uphold kindness and justice in your heart, abide by your own principles, and don't let your martial spirit affect your rational judgment, you'll be a good soul master."
Huo Yuhao directly quoted a famous saying and summarized the situation.
It's just a devouring attribute, and the Dark Blue Silver Grass isn't an inherently evil spirit. In fact, this type of martial spirit needs more guidance.
Scorpion Tiger Douluo once said: I didn't do anything bad, I just sucked a little blood, so why was I forced to become an evil soul master?
It just goes to show Shrek's flexibility.
For Shrek, the definition of an evil soul master is ambiguous.
What? Devouring vitality and soul power? Evil soul master! Must be eradicated!
What? This is my Shrek disciple, a top-tier martial spirit! Must be protected!
"Really, Yuhao?" Tang Ya looked at Huo Yuhao, her heart filled with confusion and conflict.
"Senior Sister Xiao Ya, just relax. Besides, in Shrek, as long as you don't degenerate into a true evil soul master, with me and Beibei protecting you, who would dare to do anything to you?"
Huo Yuhao was a little helpless but still reassured her.
Tang Ya is clearly someone who needs a lifetime to heal from her childhood trauma.
Because the Tang Clan was annihilated by traitors colluding with the Ironblood Clan when she was a child, Tang Ya not only lost her parents but also faced the daunting task of reviving the Tang Clan.
It's safe to say that while some sanctimonious soul masters aren't evil soul masters, their actions are no less despicable than those of true evil soul masters.
"In any case, just absorb this right leg bone. With it, you'll definitely be able to fully control your devouring talent. Just develop it well. My personal suggestion is that you focus on absorbing the life energy of Blue Silver Grass."
Huo Yuhao then joked, "In Shrek, there are many top-tier light-attribute martial souls. If they learn of your existence, it'll be hard for you, Miss Xiao Ya, to fall. I'll help you find a good teacher later."
That's right, Huo Yuhao plans to send another talented disciple to Yan Shaozhe.
With Ma Xiaotao as a precedent, Yan Shaozhe would never let such a promising prospect slip away. With his Bright Phoenix Martial Spirit as insurance, her safety is guaranteed.
Besides, there's also the relationship between Mu En and Beibei.
Even if Tang Ya strays from the right path, the Blue Silver Emperor will step in later. What's there to fear?
Show off the might of your Blue Silver Saint!
Hearing this, Beibei also looked at his palm.
Is it the light attribute?
Tang Ya smiled, wiping away her tears, and hugged Huo Yuhao's neck. "Yuhao, thank you so much."
[Achievement Triggered!]
[Achieved Tang Ya's 'Stalled Soul Power' Achievement. Reward: Numbing Gu.]
[Numbing Gu: Level 4 Gu. Upon activation, paralyzes the target, rendering them almost immobile. Duration depends on the soul power level.]
[Evaluation: Left numb, without the passion of the past.]
[Achievement Triggered!]
[Achieved Beibei's 'Tang Ya's Heart Knot' Achievement. Reward: Thunder Exploding Gu.]
[Thunder Exploding Gu: Level 3 Gu. Upon use, it releases a burst of lightning to attack the target..]
[Evaluation: As powerful as a thunderbolt.]
'Wow, buy one, get one free! I also completed Beibei's second mission.'
Looking at the excited Tang Ya, Huo Yuhao cheered her on in his heart: 'Go for it, toolman.'
Huo Yuhao felt that he might be the first to complete all six missions before Tang Ya. He wondered if there would be any additional rewards at that time.
'After many twists and turns, I've finally obtained the Tang Sect's unique skills,' Huo Yuhao thought as he watched the two leave, feeling a bit helpless.
Because Tang Ya accepted Huo Yuhao's 20,000-year soul bone, she felt she had nothing to repay him with, so she made an exception and taught him the Tang Sect's unique skills.
"Yuhao, the Tang Sect's unique skills are truly suited for you. If you don't accept them, I'll have to return this soul bone to you. You don't want Senior Sister Xiao Ya to fall into the trap of becoming an evil soul master, do you?"
"Alright, I'll take it."
Even if it's a simplified version, it's still a good reference.
…
Regarding the fifth-turn (Level 5) Memory Gu he obtained recently, the Wisdom Gu he had been contemplating for so long was finally in his hands, and Huo Yuhao couldn't wait to start experimenting.
Relying on the Memory Gu, Huo Yuhao reviewed his memories and could even use the "memories" produced to perform complex operations.
For example, hiding memories, modifying memories; calculating killing moves, practicing soul skills and combat techniques; and laying out strategies and planning games.
However, the effectiveness of "memories" in the above three areas diminishes in order. After all, human power has its limits, and divine will is unpredictable.
"Memory" itself is most suited for memory-related operations, and its effectiveness is halved for other tasks.
Wisdom is merely an auxiliary tool. It enhances the brain's computing power and thinking speed, primarily used for calculating killing moves and deducing the unknown from the known.
Moreover, the number of thoughts generated by "memory" isn't infinite. It depends on one's own experience, knowledge, and cultivation level.
Add to that the issue of feeding the Gu.
Although the fifth-turn Gu can consume Huo Yuhao's soul power, it's difficult to sustain, and it mainly requires special ingredients.
The ingredient for the fifth-turn Memory Gu is memory.
But it consumes about a year's worth of memory each time. Who could handle that?
So, Skydream, who volunteered, stepped forward and said she could use her sleeping memories freely.
"A mere year's memory? I have nearly a million years' worth here!" Skydream declared proudly.
And the fifth-turn Memory Gu can last for a year after being fed once.
Thus, Huo Yuhao confidently began the experiment and finally reached the above conclusion.
In simpler terms, on the Douluo Continent, "Remembrance" has a special effect on memory, primarily accelerating Huo Yuhao's practice in soul skills and killing moves.
It's also because of this that Huo Yuhao successfully refined his previously rough killing moves, and his mastery of soul skills has reached a higher level.
Moreover, he has begun practicing the battle techniques of the King of the World.
**[King of the World is associated with Tang Wulin, the protagonist of "Soul Land III: Legend of the Dragon King." Tang Wulin develops a set of battle techniques known as the Nine Arts of the Golden Dragon.]**
Huo Yuhao intends to calculate the spiritual battle techniques suitable for his practice.
Of course, the most important task at hand is still related to the soul.
Relying on the Memory Gu, Huo Yuhao successfully recalled the settings of the corners and edges from his previous life's memories.
With the joint efforts of Electrolux and Huo Yuhao, the soul contract is now on the stage!
'Of course, I won't go into detail about the soul beasts that sacrificed themselves for the truth during the calculation process.'
'I believe the soul beasts of the Extreme North must be very happy to die for the Snow Empress.'
That's right, Huo Yuhao has returned to the Extreme North once again.
In truth, he had no intention of seeking out the Snow Empress's martial soul, but he couldn't resist Bingdi's (Ice Empress) request, so he came.
Now that he's here, he's prepared to have a face-to-face conversation with the Snow Empress!
'I hope she's still there.'
…
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