Huo Yuhao played with the Tiger Talisman in his hand.
This was the [Imagination] rule, far more domineering than the Reproduction Authority of the [Understanding] rule branch.
Of course, the consumption was also significant; his spiritual power was visibly reduced.
The Tiger Talisman was by no means a low-end extraordinary item; at least for the Douluo Universe, it was already high-end enough.
The power of balance was high-end power in any world.
In the neighboring Star Iron Universe, it would probably immediately attract the attention of the Balance Star God.
If the Reproduction Authority were used, it would be impossible to create an extraordinary item that was incompatible with this world.
If one could sense the internal power of this Tiger Talisman through its exterior, one could feel a power completely different from the current world.
It had its own rules, which could not be contained or summarized by the artifact system of this universe.
There was a hidden crack on this Tiger Talisman, representing its second ability: the splitting of good and evil.
Splitting the user into a good side and an evil side was far superior to the soul-splitting method of Lao San.
With the Tiger Talisman, Huo Yuhao could allow Xia Die to simultaneously inherit both the Death and Life divine positions.
The Tiger Talisman's balancing power was sufficient to balance the Death and Life divine positions, allowing the two powers to coexist and merge rather than oppose each other.
On its own, the Tiger Talisman itself was rather useless, even hindering the user in battle, but when multiple opposing forces were involved, it became a true treasure!
If Lao San obtained the Tiger Talisman, his nine consciousnesses would immediately become one, allowing him to simultaneously use both the Sea God and Asura God divine positions.
Of course, Lao San could only drool over it; even if he called Huo Yuhao "father," Huo Yuhao wouldn't give it to him.
Bai Xiuxiu, noticing the tiger talisman in Huo Yuhao's hand, asked,
"You big bad guy, what's that?"
"A soul tool or alchemy?"
"That stone feels so strange to me."
Huo Yuhao leaned back in his chair and smiled at Bai Xiuxiu, saying,
"The black and white tigers love harmony."
"It's a universal truth—balance."
Bai Xiuxiu pouted, tossed her hair, and said,
"Tch, I don't understand."
"You just love playing the riddle-maker."
Huo Yuhao's forehead furrowed, and he said,
"Of course you won't understand, because you've never been to school."
"Well then," he continued, "your old man Huo is kind-hearted and can't stand stupidity and ignorance."
"I'll personally arrange for you to go to the research academy in Xilu City, so you can be nurtured by knowledge."
Bai Xiuxiu's pretty face stiffened.
She knew very well what the schools in Xilu City were like—they were practically hell!
Whoever came up with this kind of educational model must be a reincarnation of a demon god!
Wasn't absorbing resentment in the academy faster than slaughtering people? It could even be sustainable. If
the resentment absorption rate was low, then hold a few more exams, and the efficiency would skyrocket!
Sending her there was worse than throwing her back into the ocean to fight that damned deep-sea demon whale king for three hundred rounds, at least giving herself a quick death.
If she was guilty, kill her directly, instead of throwing her into this hell called a school.
"Hehe, I was wrong, I can learn on my own."
"You're so kind, don't send me there. I'll be guiding you on the high seas again in a while."
Huo Yuhao glanced at her and said,
"Corporal Bai Xiuxiu, I hope your navigation skills are accurate enough."
"If we're at sea for too long, I don't mind trying shark fin soup."
Bai Xiuxiu immediately sat up straight and said seriously,
"Don't worry!"
"I know the ocean like the back of my hand!"
"I love strolling around in the ocean!"
"I have ten routes that can safely reach other continents!"
"They can perfectly avoid all ocean currents, undercurrents, and storm-prone areas!"
Huo Yuhao patted her shoulder and said,
"I hope so."
"Alright, the competition is about to begin."
"Let's watch the competition."
...
"The forelimb structure of the Earth Beast is the most perfect skeletal structure in the world."
"Look at this tibia, how perfect! What kind of being could design such a structure!"
"Hey, you over there, I hope you don't fall asleep during the competition!"
Wang Dong was woken up by a piece of chalk and quickly perked up, looking intently at the blackboard in front of him.
The entire main and reserve teams sat obediently.
Na Kexia figured they were just idling in the rest area anyway, so he might as well teach them some knowledge about the Earth Beasts.
He'd almost finished designing the structure of the Earth Beasts and could create them soon.
He'd then use other continental spirit beast species as explanations and bring them to Douluo Continent via Huo Yuhao's fleet.
He'd added a bunch of ingenious tricks to the Earth Beasts' bloodline:
Alchemy, true dragon bloodline, the horns of the Earth Dragon King, and a meticulously designed spirit power circulation route!
If Huo Yuhao hadn't refused to give Na Kexia the Earth Dragon King's crown, he probably would have included that too!
Just thinking about how he'd created the Earth Beasts of this world made Na Kexia chuckle softly.
The other academies in the surrounding rest area watched curiously.
They hadn't expected that Shrek Academy would even be studying during the competition; no wonder they were the number one academy on the continent.
"Did you all see that? Shrek Academy has to study even at a time like this!
We can't fall behind!"
"Starting tomorrow, our Star Luo National Academy will also begin studying!"
The leader of the Star Luo National Academy team felt the pressure.
They hadn't expected Shrek Academy to play this game, and immediately addressed the team members behind them.
Star Luo National Academy team members: "Thank you, because of you, the seasons are warmed~"
"I see, psychological warfare?"
"Before the competition starts, they attack the other academies' mentality outside the arena using this method."
"Shrek Academy, they're incredibly cunning."
"Tomorrow, we'll do the same!"
"The Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy has never been afraid of anyone when it comes to studying!"
Ma Rulong instantly analyzed Shrek Academy's purpose, a knowing glint in his black eyes. He felt this was indeed a good method.
On one hand, it undermined others' mentality; on the other hand, it improved their own knowledge, and it didn't violate the competition rules.
"Heh, put away your earth beast theories, you great performer."
"And who dressed them in these combat outfits?"
A golden figure appeared in Shrek Academy's rest area at some point.
She frowned, staring at the dark green jackets of the regular and reserve teams, and the earth beast pattern on Bai E's chest—these almost made her heart stop.
At that moment, Xia turned to face a pair of light blue-yellow eyes, those eyes shining brightly. He smiled slightly and said,
"I told you to wear them, how about it, Ms. Aglaia?"
Aglaia crossed her arms, her movements elegant yet pointed, and retorted sarcastically,
"Terrible taste."
"Next time I can give you an art appreciation book to correct your unbearable taste."
"At least it can make you a magnificent earth beast in fine clothes."
Xia showed no mercy, directly retorting,
"Keep it yourself, I don't need those things."
"If you also want to understand earth beasts, go read my papers in the future."
The regular and reserve teams widened their eyes involuntarily.
They sensed the impending conflict. Teacher Xia seemed to know this unfamiliar female teacher, and there seemed to be some grudge between them!
Xia Die's eyes gleamed slightly as she secretly took out a small notebook and began writing something.
"Um, actually I think the clothes Teacher Xia gave me are quite nice,"
Bai E said sheepishly, raising his hand to Aglaia.
Aglaia glanced at him, slapped her forehead, and said,
"I'll design new outfits for you tonight."
"He doesn't understand art at all; let him drown with his earth beast."
"From today onwards, I'll be in charge of your outfits,"
Na Ke Xia said, looking at Aglaia.
"So what are you doing here?"
"Not staying at the academy?"
"I'll take care of things here,"
Aglaia said calmly.
"The Starlight Auction is in a few days."
"The invitations have already been sent to Shrek Academy through the magic network."
"I've been entrusted by the academy to bring some money here to support you."
"After this competition, we'll all participate in this auction."
"Everyone, whether from the main team or the reserve team, can buy whatever they want."
"Consider it compensation for this competition."
"I was originally planning to leave after buying your things, but now I've changed my mind."
(End of Chapter)
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