Douluo Continent: Newcomer Yuhao, thank you Lan Xuanyu

"Uh... well..." Huo Yuhao hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should say it or not.

Yesterday, he received a letter from Xu Jiujiu. In addition to the usual greetings, it also mentioned some recent developments of the Dai family and the royal family, and invited him to the palace to discuss future actions against the Dai family.

It was even said that Emperor Xu Jiawei intended for him to succeed Dai Hao in military power...

Of course, the emperor's words are not very credible, so just take them with a grain of salt.

This is a private matter. Is it necessary to tell Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao?

Although it wouldn't hurt to tell them, since they already knew about my background and had helped me a lot.

The most crucial point is that I need Zhang Lexuan, the homeroom teacher, to approve my leave; any excuse I make up will definitely not pass muster.

After hesitating for a moment, Huo Yuhao told Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao everything about his relationship with the Xingluo royal family and the Dai family.

After listening, Zhang Lexuan nodded thoughtfully, "I see... a short one-month vacation is indeed not enough."

This brings us to Shrek Academy's incredibly irregular schedule, which is practically like that of a wealthy landowner.

After eleven months of school, we only had a one-month break, and then we had to take exams again after the break...

As far as Huo Yuhao knew, other schools in Douluo Continent would have at least two months of vacation a year, while students at the Star Luo National Academy would have at least three months of vacation a year, making it the school with the longest vacation in the Star Luo Empire.

The cafeteria has no tables, and the dormitories have no private bathrooms. It seems that the higher-ups at Shrek Academy are afraid that if students take a break, it will affect their college entrance examination pass rate.

Zhang Lexuan naturally felt this deeply, after all, she had suffered greatly from it herself, and had even planned to comprehensively reform the various systems of the academy after becoming the head of the Shanghai God Pavilion.

Having been caught in the rain myself, I always think of offering an umbrella to others; but looking at the elders of the Sea God Pavilion who had also been caught in the rain, they seemed unwilling to offer umbrellas to these new students, and instead preferred that they run laps in the rain to train...

Ma Xiaotao looked at him meaningfully, "Oh... our Xiao Yuhao is so close to the princess of Xingluo."

Huo Yuhao casually replied, "We weren't really that close, we just ate together a lot when we were kids..."

These words immediately alerted Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao.

When we were little... could we have been childhood sweethearts?

Not only Zhang Lexuan, but even Ma Xiaotao's eyes suddenly turned cold.

They were well aware of this brat's talent for attracting women. For example, there were rumors circulating that Huo Yuhao was on a date with the young lady of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School at a teahouse...

He didn't even spare the princess? What a wicked man!

While he's still young, we need to correct him quickly! It's the teacher's and older sister's responsibility!

Zhang Lexuan smiled gently, but the smile seemed to carry a hint of coldness.

"Hmm... Well, it seems I can't just sit idly by as your teacher. How about this, Xiao Yuhao, I'll go to Xingluo City to help you out."

"Huh? But as the homeroom teacher, Ms. Lexuan can't just take leave whenever she wants, can she?"

Zhang Lexuan spread her hands indifferently and shrugged slightly. "Why do you think I'm still working as a homeroom teacher? It's naturally for some troublesome guy. Such an important matter naturally requires the teacher to come up with ideas for you."

Huo Yuhao's heart pounded. This... this is a home visit, isn't it?

"I want to go too!"

Huo Yuhao blinked twice, almost jumping up in surprise, "Hey? Is Sister Xiaotao going too?"

Ma Xiaotao played with her fingernails and winked at Huo Yuhao.

"I'm going to keep an eye on Xiaoyuhao to see if you've done anything bad~"

Huo Yuhao wiped imaginary cold sweat from his forehead and said weakly, "What bad things could I possibly do..."

Upon hearing Ma Xiaotao's dangerous remarks, Zhang Lexuan narrowed her eyes slightly, showing no sign of backing down. "Xiaotao, if I remember correctly, you still have a mission with the inspection team to complete, right? Three months is not a short time; anything illegal could happen at any moment."

Ma Xiaotao pouted, "But three months is such a long time, and I need Yuhao to help me suppress my lustful desires."

In fact, Ma Xiaotao's evil fire had already been almost completely controlled, and even if she cultivated recklessly for a year, there wouldn't be any problems.

With Huo Yuhao's help, Ma Xiaotao even developed a "Dark Phoenix Form".

Actually, it's not complicated. Whether it's cultivation or combat, it's just a normal Fire Phoenix Martial Soul. When needed, it can mobilize evil fire to fight, like a transformation.

Evil fire, evil fire, is ultimately just fire, only it's a flame imbued with evil attributes.

In the short three months since the start of the school year, Ma Xiaotao's soul power level has even increased to level 66. According to Ma Xiaotao's lowest estimate, it is possible that she will be able to reach level 68 or even level 69 when she goes to Xingluo City to participate in the competition next year.

But the thought of not seeing her adorable younger brother for three whole months was something Ma Xiaotao couldn't even bear to think about, and she was so distressed that she could hardly sleep.

After some discussion, the two easily and happily decided to spend a three-month happy vacation at Huo Yuhao's house together...

Of course, this does not require Huo Yuhao's consent.

"Oh, right!"

Zhang Lexuan suddenly seemed to remember something, her eyes crinkling with laughter as she looked at Huo Yuhao with a hint of ambiguity, "I almost forgot, Yuhao, are you free tonight?"

Huo Yuhao nodded with some confusion, "Uh, I do have some free time. I wonder what Teacher Lexuan needs."

Ma Xiaotao's eyes lit up, and she even looked excited.

Zhang Lexuan casually spread her hands, smiling frankly, "Is there even a question? Of course, I'll ask Yuhao to help me solve the dinner problem."

Huo Yuhao breathed a sigh of relief, thinking something serious had happened...

"Ah, um, of course, no problem."

"Alright... I'll have you in my dorm tonight, it'll depend on how you do."

"Hmph...then I'll leave it to you."

After bidding a pleasant farewell to the two girls, Huo Yuhao returned to his dormitory by himself.

It's past noon; if I take an afternoon nap now, it'll be almost evening.

With his feet casually propped up on the table in a comfortable position, Huo Yuhao then took out the soul bone that Ning Tian had given him.

It was a small bone, about the size of a palm, emitting a faint yellow glow.

The left leg bone of the Void Demon Leopard, judging from its color, should be close to ten thousand years old, but Huo Yuhao already has a left leg bone that is one hundred thousand years old.

Moreover, the age of this soul bone is too young, and for the sake of his future development, he is not allowed to use such a soul bone.

So, what should we do about this?

Huo Yuhao's first thought was to auction it off. Soul bones are always the most precious items in any country's auction house, and Xu Jiujiu is the chief auctioneer of Starlight Auction House. Asking her for help would definitely get a good price.

But it feels a bit unfair to Ning Tian. He was kind enough to give him the reward for the freshman assessment, so it wouldn't be appropriate for him to sell it for money.

With a flash of light, the two spirits, Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm and Golden Tortoiseshell, appeared beside him. Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm lightly landed on Huo Yuhao's shoulder, examined the spirit bone from head to toe, and said boastfully:

"Xiao Yuhao, keep this soul bone for now. When you go to the far north to fuse with the Ice Emperor, I'll give it to you. It should reduce your pain by at least 30%."

Huo Yuhao pouted, "Why do I keep feeling this is unreliable... Brother Tianmeng, are you sure you can let a ferocious beast with nearly 40 years of cultivation become my soul spirit?"

Tianmeng proudly patted his chest, "You can rest assured and leave this to your brother Tianmeng! Don't worry, with talent like yours, even the Snow Empress wouldn't have a reason to refuse!"

Huo Yuhao's reason for asking for leave in advance was not only to deal with the Dai family, but also to go to the far north, which Tianmeng had always longed for, to obtain the first soul ring for his Deep Blue Glazed Dragon Martial Soul.

After they stood up for each other in front of the Silver Dragon King, the ruler of the soul beasts, in the Star Dou Great Forest, there was no longer any barrier between the two souls. Tianmeng naturally revealed his plans, including his feelings for Bingdi that transcended race.

Huo Yuhao naturally wouldn't say much about his feelings for Tianmeng, but he was a little worried that there might be some problems if he went to absorb the soul spirit of a ferocious beast so early.

Tianmeng was much more open-minded, no longer needing to resort to deception and coaxing like she did with Lao Huo in the original timeline.

"If you don't want to go, Yuhao, that's fine. The Ice Emperor won't face the Heavenly Tribulation for almost a hundred years, and with your talent, I'm sure you'll ascend to godhood in at most twenty years, not even a hundred. It's just that high-level soul rings and soul bones are more effective in the early stages of your cultivation, which is why I asked you to go to the Ice Emperor in advance. This way, the soul rings and soul bones that the Ice Emperor gives you can be used to their fullest potential, just like what happened to me and Old Turtle."

Huo Yuhao is able to frequently fight opponents of higher levels, and even contend with a five-thousand-year-old golden-haired lion mastiff. Besides his own superb combat skills, the most important reason is that the soul rings and soul bones provided by Tianmeng and the golden tortoise shell are powerful enough.

Ultimately, battles between Soul Masters boil down to a contest of stats and mechanics; the difference in combat experience isn't that significant.

"I see... Brother Tianmeng, you're so thoughtful. It's settled then, we'll go to the far north during our vacation."

"But Yuhao..." the golden tortoiseshell said, with a hint of embarrassment in its voice, "There's something I need to make clear to you first. I'm afraid I can't provide you with a fourth spirit ring in my current state."

Huo Yuhao looked at the golden tortoise in confusion, "Huh? Old tortoise, you're a 100,000-year-old soul beast! According to Teacher Electrolux's calculations, a 100,000-year-old soul beast, if it has enough energy, can even provide three soul rings."

Golden Tortoiseshell said somewhat dejectedly, "Yeah, you know my state when we merged. My life energy was basically drained by that thing called the Gold of Life. It's a good thing I met you. If I hadn't met you, I probably would have been done for in ten years at most."

"After all, my original water and earth attributes are not very compatible with your Spirit Eye Martial Soul. The power that shaped those two soul skills was the power of destiny that I possessed. In the end, my original power can only help you condense a soul bone, and I can no longer provide you with a soul ring."

"I see..."

Huo Yuhao was somewhat conflicted. Deep down, after acquiring the soul spirits Tianmeng and the old tortoise, he was somewhat reluctant to hunt soul beasts for soul rings.

After all, Huo Yuhao believed that this cultivation method of forcibly seizing power from the other party was inherently problematic. However, since he was not a soul beast in human form and could not produce his own soul rings, it was only by chance that he possessed a soul spirit, a unique existence on the continent.

We can only wait and see if we can find another soul beast willing to sign a soul contract.

The three chatted for a while about all sorts of things, and then Huo Yuhao went to bed to cultivate.

During the three months since enrolling, Huo Yuhao has not been in a hurry to improve his soul power, but has instead focused on consolidating his cultivation.

His three divine-level martial souls and innate level 20 soul power gave him unparalleled talent, but he must not forget the lesson of Qian Renxue, who served as a cautionary tale.

Lay a solid foundation first before thinking about cultivation and advancement. Don't rush things like soul power level; sometimes taking a detour is the fastest way.

The cultivation technique [Spirit Ice Technique] was running steadily within her body. With her body as the center, faint golden and blue light radiated outwards, making the small dormitory feel like watching the aurora borealis in the far north, giving people a bizarre and wonderful feeling.

The primal energy of heaven and earth drawn in by Huo Yuhao grew increasingly dense, but Huo Yuhao's body was like a bottomless pit, accepting all of this pure primal energy without resistance.

Shrek Academy is located near the Star Dou Great Forest and has the Golden Ancient Tree, making it a blessed land. The density of the primal force of heaven and earth far exceeds that of other academies. Moreover, the "Spirit Ice Technique" that Huo Yuhao cultivates was created by a God King and is a true god-level technique.

Baili Du also had something to say: If I had cultivated for so many years and I was still using a third-rate technique like the "Mysterious Heaven Skill", then what difference would there be between me and Tang San?

This also benefited the students in the dormitory, as many of them successfully entered a meditative state.

Soon, Huo Yuhao broke through the bottleneck of level 36, and then smoothly broke through to level 37 without any bottleneck.

After finishing my cultivation, I looked at the sky outside. The sun was already setting. Now I could go and prepare the ingredients for cooking.

Huo Yuhao had just stepped out of the dormitory when he saw someone he didn't expect.

It was Lan Xuanyu returning to his dormitory after finishing his cultivation.

The two made no attempt to greet each other and quickly looked away.

On the surface, Lan Xuanyu had a cold expression, but in reality, he had been carefully observing Huo Yuhao. He immediately noticed that Huo Yuhao seemed to be wearing something around his neck.

It looks like... a silver necklace, it looks somewhat familiar.

Huo Yuhao was wearing a V-neck casual outfit, which easily revealed his fair collarbone. Below his neck, one could vaguely see a small, delicate oval-shaped object.

Lan Xuanyu narrowed his eyes, as if he had seen this somewhere before...

"!!!"

Lan Xuanyu felt as if the sky had fallen; he remembered!

That's...that's...

Mother's...dragon scales?!