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Ye Wen nodded, confirming the accuracy of this statement.
However, Emperor Xu Jiawei quickly noticed a blind spot. "But your disciple is only at the 30th-level Soul Grandmaster rank. How can she absorb such a soul ring?"
Ye Wen replied meaningfully, "Perhaps because the tense relationship between humans and spirit beasts has made Your Majesty forget that 100,000-year spirit beasts possess an ability called 'Sacrifice.'"
Emperor Xu Jiawei's pupils contracted as he recalled the ancient legend.
At this moment, Huo Yu'er finally made her move.
Her steps were unhurried, neither rushed nor hesitant. It was as if she wasn't on a battlefield but leisurely strolling through her own backyard garden.
Looking at the Baiye Academy team trembling like leaves in the wind, a flicker of apology passed through Huo Yu'er's eyes.
Judging by their condition, if she simply said, "You lose," they would likely surrender immediately. However, to make a name for Tian Xing Academy, Huo Yu'er had to demonstrate her strength.
With less than ten meters separating the two sides, Huo Yu'er slowly raised her delicate hands, touching her fingertips together in front of her chest.
"First Soul Skill—Emperor's Palm—"
Before the Baiye team could react—and before even the audience realized what was happening—Huo Yu'er vanished from her original position. When everyone caught sight of her again, she was already standing behind the Baiye team.
It was Instant Step. After activating her first soul skill, Huo Yu'er had moved with incredible speed to attack and reposition herself behind the Baiye team.
"Capta—!"
One member of the Baiye team tried to warn their captain after spotting Huo Yu'er, but by then, frost had already begun spreading from his chest, instantly freezing him solid.
Without exception, all six members of the Baiye team—aside from their captain—were frozen in place.
As for the captain, Huo Yu'er had been slightly gentler, leaving only his head able to move.
The Baiye captain had expected to lose, but not without any chance to resist. A bitter feeling welled up in his heart. Was this the true caliber of a heaven-sent prodigy?
Huo Yu'er's cool voice rang out at this moment. "Surrender. My Ice Empress martial soul carries Ultimate Ice. If you remain frozen for much longer, it will leave irreversible hidden injuries."
The Baiye captain had no intention of putting up a futile resistance. Accepting his mediocrity, he shouted loudly:
"Referee, we concede!"
Upon hearing this, Huo Yu'er gave a slight nod and dispelled the effects of her soul skill. As the frost dissipated, the ethereal Huo Yu'er who had seemed untouchable moments ago returned to her pure, girl-next-door demeanor.
But Huo Yu'er didn't say anything further. She quickly stepped off the competition stage.
Phew, that was so nerve-wracking~
From his seat, Ye Wen naturally noticed the subtle emotions of his disciple. However, this was only human nature. With more practice, she would overcome this awkward self-contradiction.
"Hurry and grow stronger, Little Yu'er. You don't have much time left."
Though Emperor Xu Jiawei wasn't among the top-tier powerhouses of the Douluo Continent, he was still a Titled Douluo. At this moment, he clearly saw through Huo Yu'er's abilities.
Originally, his desire to deepen ties with Ye Wen had waned due to Ye Wen's indifferent attitude. But now, his heart burned with renewed enthusiasm as he began forcing small talk with Ye Wen.
Setting aside Ye Wen, a Supreme Douluo, just the value Huo Yu'er had displayed—if she could grow normally—even if she didn't reach Ye Wen's current level, achieving the 95th rank alone would make her invincible in this world!
Moreover, Huo Yu'er was still so young. Compared to the already seasoned Ye Wen, she was easier to win over. However, this didn't mean Emperor Xu Jiawei would overlook Ye Wen's influence over Huo Yu'er. Thus, he began forcefully building rapport to pave the way for the future.
Given enough time, whether it was the Sun Moon Empire or any other force, they would be nothing more than eggs colliding with stones before this master-disciple pair.
As they chatted, Emperor Xu Jiawei's gaze suddenly flickered as he recalled the profiles of Ye Wen's five disciples.
Aside from Wei Na, the fifth disciple recently taken in, the other four had some background, though not much—and they were all female disciples.
Emperor Xu Jiawei's gaze grew slightly complicated as he glanced at Ye Wen. But soon, he wanted to slap himself. Someone of Ye Wen's stature could have any woman he desired—it wasn't as if he lacked options.
Even Jiang Nannan, the most beautiful of the five disciples, didn't impress Emperor Xu Jiawei, who was accustomed to seeing beauties.
However, if Ye Wen truly had a penchant for women, Emperor Xu Jiawei wouldn't mind gaining another son-in-law connection.
A complex look flashed in Emperor Xu Jiawei's eyes, but he ultimately firmed his resolve and cautiously asked Ye Wen:
"My Lord, I have a younger sister with extraordinary talent. Would you consider taking her as your disciple?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Ye Wen's eyes as he immediately recalled who Emperor Xu Jiawei's younger sister was.
Xu Jiujiu, the youngest sister of Emperor Xu Jiawei, was no ordinary noblewoman. On the contrary, she was highly intelligent. In the original storyline, she would later emerge as the chief auctioneer of a major auction and was one of the few in The Unparalleled Tang Sect to recognize Huo Yuhao's potential early on.
Ye Wen thought for a moment and eventually agreed.
After all, Tian Xing Academy's positioning leaned more toward neutrality compared to Shrek. Regardless of background, as long as a student had sufficient talent, they were welcome. Everything was preparation for Huo Yu'er's future uprising.
When Emperor Xu Jiawei heard Ye Wen's agreement, his face lit up with joy. This meant Ye Wen acknowledged his stance and wouldn't favor the Heavenly Soul Empire just because the academy was located there.
That evening, Emperor Xu Jiawei eagerly invited Ye Wen to share a meal and brought Xu Jiujiu along.
It had to be said, aside from a few special cases, most high-level soul masters weren't unattractive.
Xu Jiujiu inherited the golden hair color of the Star Crown royal family. Thanks to her privileged lifestyle, every strand of her hair shimmered like platinum, even without much grooming. Simply tying her hair into a ponytail at the back exuded an air of nobility.
While sudden plot twists like this might annoy people in real life, Xu Jiujiu calmly accepted the situation. Unlike characters in clichéd stories, she didn't stubbornly insist on her individuality or freedom by refusing to become Ye Wen's disciple.
Since she had formally become his disciple, Ye Wen couldn't show favoritism. That night, he bestowed Xu Jiujiu with a set of immortal herb baptism.
As Emperor Xu Jiawei watched his younger sister absorbing the medicinal energy of the immortal herbs, envy filled his eyes. Though this era had pills capable of boosting cultivation, they paled in comparison to immortal herbs. Overuse of such pills would accumulate impurities in the body, affecting one's potential.
This was precisely why Shrek strictly prohibited its top students from overusing such drugs.
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