Shrek Academy is located at the point where the lands of the three great nations meet: Heaven Soul, Dou Ling, and Star Luo. Shrek City, which grew around this legendary school, is a free city that does not answer to any king or empire. Its true rulers are the leaders of Shrek Academy itself. The academy does not sit in the center of the city but instead controls the eastern part of Shrek City, facing the massive and mysterious Star Dou Great Forest.
Under the guidance of two top masters, Leng Yaozhu and Han Tianyi, Huo Yuhao had already learned to act with a firm and quick style despite his young age. He had recently finished moving his mother, Huo Yuner, from West Arrival City to Shrek City. Over the last few years, Huo Yuhao had saved a good amount of money in his old home. However, in Shrek City, where land is more expensive than gold, his entire life savings vanished the moment he paid for a small house and a shop.
Still, they had finally settled down in this holy city of Spirit Masters, and they finally had a home of their own. Huo Yuhao hung his spirit tool shop sign once again on a busy street in the western part of the city. Compared to his old home, the people in Shrek City were much wealthier and spent more money. He doubled the prices of his spirit tools immediately, but even then, his items were still cheaper than most other shops.
There were many shops selling spirit tools in Shrek City, including the official academy stores and large malls run by wealthy groups. But a Soul Engineer as young as Huo Yuhao was a very rare sight. In just a few days, Huo Yuhao and his shop became a popular topic for the people living on the nearby streets to talk about.
On this day, the shop was quiet as usual. Huo Yuhao sat with his eyes closed, focusing on his cultivation while his spirit power moved slowly through his body. A crisp sound of a bell rang out as the wind chime on the door moved. Someone had pushed the door open, breaking the silence of the room.
Huo Yuhao slowly opened his eyes. The sharp light deep in his Spirit Eyes faded quickly as he turned to look at the door. A middle-aged man walked inside. He was about one point eight meters tall with a very wide and powerful build. His muscles were large enough to push against his simple clothes. Just by standing there, he gave off a feeling of great strength, looking as steady as a mountain.
Huo Yuhao stood up to greet him. At ten years old, he was just over one point six meters tall, which made him look quite small next to this guest. He welcomed the man in a calm voice and asked what kind of spirit tool he was looking for. He offered to give a recommendation based on what the man needed.
However, the man did not answer the question. His eyes moved slowly around the shop. The store was not big and the furniture was simple. A few glass cases held finished spirit tools for attack, defense, and support. Finally, he looked back at Huo Yuhao and asked if the boy had made all these tools with his own hands.
Huo Yuhao nodded with a calm face. Since he opened the shop, many people had asked the same thing because they did not believe someone so young could be so skilled. He was used to it by now. But this man reacted differently than the others. He did not look down on the boy or act like he didn't believe him. Instead, he looked very serious. His eyes shined as he made a sudden request for Huo Yuhao to make a spirit tool right then and there so he could watch.
Huo Yuhao felt a flash of surprise. He did not expect the man to ask for a live demonstration. To him, this request felt a bit rude. He was running a store to sell products, not a show for people to watch him work. However, he knew that being polite was good for business. He did not show his annoyance and simply shook his head. He told the man in a polite but firm tone that he could not fulfill that request.
The big man clearly did not expect Huo Yuhao to say no so quickly. A look of surprise crossed his eyes, but he did not stop there. Suddenly, a thick and powerful aura exploded from the man without any warning. Immediately after, eight spirit rings—two yellow, two purple, and four black—appeared under his feet and began to circle him.
The pressure of a Spirit Douluo filled the small shop like a heavy wave. Huo Yuhao narrowed his eyes. He knew the man was strong, but he did not expect him to be an eight-ring Spirit Douluo. The man saw the surprise in the eyes of the boy and looked a bit proud. He introduced himself as Teacher Fan Yu from the Soul Tool Department of Shrek Academy.
He told Huo Yuhao that if he could make a tool that satisfied him, he would make an exception and help him get into Shrek Academy. This man was indeed Fan Yu, the same teacher who had taught the legendary Huo Yuhao in the history books. He had heard rumors about a young genius in the western district and came to see for himself.
When Huo Yuhao heard the name, he remembered the history of the Spirit Ice Douluo. But he did not feel happy or excited about meeting this future teacher. Instead, he frowned slightly. The way the man spoke as if he were giving a great gift made Huo Yuhao think of the arrogant Shrek students he hated. He realized that this pride had been part of Shrek for a very long time.
Huo Yuhao looked at the man and said that making a tool on the spot was not necessary. He told Fan Yu that he would get into Shrek Academy using his own strength in a fair way. He looked directly into the eyes of the teacher and added that he had no interest in joining the Soul Tool Department.
Even though many people would fight for such a recommendation, Huo Yuhao felt only a sense of disgust. With his talent, any school would want him. He did not need someone to give him a chance as if it were a favor. To him, making spirit tools was just a way to make money and learn new skills. His true path was the cultivation of his spirit. Because of this, joining the Soul Tool Department was not something he ever planned to do.
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