"No! Huo Yuhao must be kept at Shrek!"
A trace of ruthlessness flashed in Mu En's clouded eyes, and he subconsciously tightened his grip on the dragon-head walking stick in his hand.
At Mu En's current age, he had tasted all the various forms of the mortal world—love, family, hatred, and resentment. Now he had only one thought: Shrek must not be destroyed in his hands! Otherwise, he would have no face to meet the ancestors in the underworld.
It was only a pity that he had few years left to live. Otherwise, even if it meant paying a price, he would want to keep Du Busi here and completely sever the inheritance of the Body Sect.
Du Busi let out a breath. "Dragon God, as for where that kid actually wants to go, let us each rely on our own abilities. I am indeed not your match, but do not forget, Shrek's enemies are not just our Body Sect. The green mountains do not change, and the clear water flows forever; we shall meet again."
A dark green halo flashed and vanished; Du Busi had already disappeared from the spot.
Watching the spatial fluctuations caused by Du Busi's departure, Mu En gripped his cane tightly. He did not lash out, but instead...
...
The next day.
The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duel Elite Championship had finally reached the finals. Moreover, in an unprecedented turn of events, the final battle was between Shrek Academy and Star Luo National Academy.
One must know that ever since the Sun Moon Continent collided with them four thousand years ago, the champion and runner-up had always been Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Engineer Academy. To put it bluntly, other academies—including the royal academies of other nations—only competed for third place.
The fact that Star Luo National Academy could fight their way to the runner-up position this time was an honor worthy of its own page in the Star Luo Empire's genealogy.
As the vice-captain, Dai Yueheng sat in the rest area of Star Luo National Academy, fumbling with the ring on his finger.
Inside was his trump card, an eighth-level soul tool obtained from the Starlight Auction House: the Tiger Taming Soul Refining Saber.
Ending Shrek's ten thousand years of glory seemed like a good idea... Thinking this, Dai Yueheng turned his gaze toward Huo Yuhao of the Shrek team.
He should be taking the field for the team battle...
Dai Yueheng's eyes narrowed slightly, his killing intent almost uncontrollable.
The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duel Elite Championship had been held for over ten thousand years, and countless soul masters had died on the field. It was normal to occasionally fail to restrain one's strength, and this was Star Luo City, the territory of the White Tiger lineage.
Could a waste like Ma Rulong, who relied on drugs to level up, compare to him? His sixth soul skill was the White Tiger Annihilation Kill, specializing in attack and destruction. Assisted by the Tiger Taming Soul Refining Saber, Dai Yueheng was confident he could heavily injure Huo Yuhao with one strike.
As for a kill... it was unlikely. This kid had always been cautious and surely carried an Invincible Barrier.
A powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake; Dai Yueheng was confident that here, even if Shrek Academy backed him up, it would be useless!
Dai Huabin was essentially a walking skeleton at home with not many years left to live; although Dai Yueheng was unwilling to admit it, the fact remained that Huo Yuhao's talent was far beyond his own. Once he was allowed to return to the clan, the seat of the White Tiger Duke would surely be his in the future.
Furthermore, and more importantly, the scandals of the White Tiger family must not be leaked! Otherwise, it would cause unimaginable damage to their reputation.
Only the dead can keep secrets.
My foolish little brother, use your blood to pave the path for your older brother to become the White Tiger Duke!
Just as Xu Jiawei on the high platform was prepared to begin his speech, a somewhat youthful yet steady voice rang out.
"Your Majesty, before the match begins, may I say a few words?"
Huo Yuhao slowly walked out from the Shrek team's formation, arrived at the center of the arena, and bowed slightly toward Xu Jiawei.
Even facing hundreds of thousands of people, Huo Yuhao's expression remained calm, even carrying a hint of ease.
Xu Jiujiu's eyes lit up, and she restrained herself from laughing out loud.
The good show was about to begin.
As the Emperor, Xu Jiawei's expression management was quite good. He raised his hand and smiled, signaling Huo Yuhao to continue.
Huo Yuhao nodded in acknowledgment and then looked at Dai Hao beside Xu Jiawei, smiling as he said, "This must be the world-renowned White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao. Seeing you today truly makes me very excited; I have looked forward to this day for a long time."
Dai Yueheng's brow furrowed, a bad feeling suddenly rising in his heart.
What does this kid want to do? Could he want to return to the clan in front of so many people?
No! You can tell from the fact that he changed his surname to Huo that his feelings toward the Dai family are mostly hatred.
Dai Huabin, on the other hand, shrank his neck in fear and moved back. For no reason, he had an ominous premonition.
Before he could take more than a few steps, his entire being was fixed in place, unable to move.
...
Dai Hao looked at him with some surprise. Although he was slightly dissatisfied that Huo Yuhao did not add "Lord" to his title, he still politely raised his hand to signal Huo Yuhao to speak.
Huo Yuhao gave a light smile. "I heard that the Duke held the title of the number one gentleman of Star Luo in his youth; seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved. I would like to ask the Duke a personal matter. I wonder how many wives the Duke currently has?"
If you're asking about this, I'm interested.
Dai Hao perked up, looking righteous and stern: "My ambition lies in protecting the country and securing the borders. To this day, I have only one wife."
"Furthermore..." Dai Hao assumed the image of an elder who had experienced great events and storms, speaking quite earnestly: "If a man cannot control his desire for women, his achievements are destined to never reach great heights."
As soon as these words were spoken, many of Dai Hao's female fans in the audience stands began to cheer for him.
Handsome, devoted, and a great general—Dai Hao's persona perfectly matched the image of a great hero in the public's imagination.
"Pfft."
Xu Jiujiu couldn't help but laugh out loud. Noticing Dai Yueheng's somewhat surprised gaze, she did not explain, but simply sat there composed.
Xu Jiawei was likewise holding back a laugh, looking like he was enjoying the show.
"Oh... so that is to say the Duke currently only has these two sons, Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin, correct?"
"Of course!" Dai Hao nodded calmly, his resolute face carrying a hint of disdain. "Why does young friend Yuhao ask this?"
Huo Yuhao tilted his head in confusion. "Then... what is the deal with Dai Luoli?"
Dai Hao's expression froze. Dai Luoli? Who was that? Why did it sound somewhat familiar?
Oh no! Isn't that my son?!
After a silence, Dai Hao spoke, "If young friend Yuhao wishes to exchange life experiences with me, please find a time for a detailed discussion later. It is time for the match now; let us not waste everyone's time."
It's over... Dai Yueheng's face turned pale. He wanted to stand up, but he was forcibly held down by two Soul Saint experts who had appeared beside him at some unknown time, unable to move.
A mocking look appeared on Huo Yuhao's face. "I didn't expect the dignified White Tiger Duke to not even know who his own son is... how disappointing!"
"Looking at it this way, the White Tiger Duke Manor is under the absolute control of the Duchess. One can imagine how harshly the Duchess suppressed the Duke's concubines!"
Upon hearing Huo Yuhao's words, the entire arena fell silent for a moment, and then the audience stands were filled with the sound of hushed discussions.
"Dai Luoli... that sounds like someone from the White Tiger Dai family at first listen!"
"Exactly, he doesn't even know his own son? What's wrong with this White Tiger Duke!"
"But what is this Huo Yuhao talking about? How does he know all this?"
While matches provided blood and gore, gossip provided even more mental and physical pleasure.
"What are you saying!?" Feeling the strange looks from those around him, Dai Hao felt a sense of dread, but he remained righteous and refused to admit it: "I, Dai Hao, have always been upright and kept my distance from women; my wife is pure as ice and virtuous in character. You are slandering me!"
Huo Yuhao gave a contemptuous smile. Contradicting himself—the man had already lost his composure.
This feeling of watching an enemy walk step by step into a pit is truly nice...
"Then Dai Hao, seeing this, do you have anything to say?"
Huo Yuhao didn't care to waste words with this fool. He reached into the storage soul tool at his waist and pulled out a dagger, waving it. The tiger head on the dagger was particularly eye-catching.
"Th-that's... the White Tiger Dagger!? How do you have that!?"
"My mother's name was Huo Yun'er. If I didn't mention her name, I'm afraid you still wouldn't remember who she was."
"Huo Yun'er, Yun'er... could it be that you are!"
No matter how poor Dai Hao's brain was, he should have realized it by now.
"Th-this matter is my fault, it was I..."
He was just about to open his mouth to smooth things over when Xu Jiawei spoke up at the perfect moment.
In front of hundreds of thousands of citizens of Star Luo City, Xu Jiawei's tone was exceptionally serious. "Minister Dai, what is going on!? Do you know what you were just saying!?"
Dai Hao hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this... I have been guarding the borders for the Empire and did not know what was happening in the manor, this..."
Xu Jiawei flicked his sleeve, acting very angry. "No need to say more! I know everything. Your two fine sons personally mobilized the Duke Manor's forces to assassinate young friend Huo Yuhao. Is this the example you, a Marshal of the Empire, set for the younger generation? Is this how you command troops and lead men!?"
Dai Hao was completely stunned. Wait, what time is it now? Can you be saying these things here? Are you not worried the matter isn't big enough?!
"Your Majesty, and Huo..." Dai Hao paused. The sharp gazes from the Imperial Guards guarding the arena no longer held their former respect and admiration; instead, they were full of contempt.
There was no helping it. Dai Hao had just boasted so grandly, repeatedly claiming he had only one wife, and now this...
It was simply too embarrassing...
Dai Hao took a breath. Having survived in the imperial court and on the battlefield for so long, he knew that at this moment, only a submissive apology would leave room for recovery.
He bowed solemnly in Huo Yuhao's direction. "Yuhao, this matter is my fault. I was busy with military affairs and neglected you. No matter what compensation you and your mother want, I will give it."
Huo Yuhao shook his head. If he hadn't promised Xu Jiawei to act out this play with him, he wouldn't have bothered with these useless words.
"To be frank, I am truly disappointed in you."
"You say you were busy with military affairs, yet you had time to go back to the Duke Manor to sire another son, but no time to visit my mother? Then again, in my memory, the two woodsheds where my mother and I lived were only ever visited by those arrogant servants and Dai Huabin bringing people to make things difficult for us. How could a Great Marshal of the Empire like you deign to visit such a place?"
"..." Dai Hao spoke bitterly. "Yun'er... I have failed her, and I have failed you. I imagine it must have been the Duchess... she hid news of you from me. She is jealous and selfish, so..."
Then he immediately added: "If I had known you were my son, I would never have let you and your mother be neglected for so long! Please believe me!"
Huo Yuhao looked at Dai Hao as if he were looking at a madman.
"You just said, [my wife is pure as ice and virtuous in character]. I remember very clearly. Now you intend to push all the blame onto her?"
"!!!"
Dai Hao was speechless, wishing he could slap himself twice.
Why did I say those big words just now!
Huo Yuhao nodded to Zhang Lexuan and smiled slightly. "Just as my teacher said, you are not fit to be my father. In my heart, everyone in your Dai family is on my blacklist, and you are no exception. Today is merely to notify you."
Then he looked around and declared loudly: "Five years! Your White Tiger Duke Manor has five years at most! Five years from today at the latest, I will personally visit the White Tiger Duke Manor. At that time, everyone who ever oppressed my mother and me..."
Huo Yuhao paused. His voice was calm, without a trace of killing intent, yet it made people shudder.
"Not a single one shall remain!"
The previously silent audience and arena suddenly erupted into an uproar. This finals ticket was worth it!
What was this?
The five-year term has arrived; welcome back the Dragon King!
This was a full twenty-five years earlier than "Thirty years in the East, thirty years in the West, do not bully a poor youth"!
Dai Hao only felt his scalp go numb. He knew that after today, his reputation was ruined.
Just as he was about to take a step forward, he suddenly felt an extremely strong spiritual power rushing toward him. His whole body stopped uncontrollably for a moment, his head spinning.
Huo Yuhao smiled, then released his four soul rings. This time he used Simulation slightly: two purple and two black.
The third soul ring flashed as he raised a hand toward the Star Luo National Academy rest area. A powerful suction erupted, and a figure suddenly flew out from the Star Luo ranks, hurtling straight toward Huo Yuhao.
Spirit Eye martial soul, third soul skill: Traction.
This person was none other than Dai Huabin.
Huo Yuhao caught him with a casual swipe, clutching Dai Huabin by the throat as if he were pinning a chicken.
Dai Huabin's face turned beet red from the constriction as he hissed hoarsely, "You... what are you trying to do! Let me go!"
"Do you remember what I said back then?" Huo Yuhao tilted his head with a smile. "I said I would officially take your life when you were twelve. Unfortunately, I broke my word and let you live until thirteen."
"So..." Huo Yuhao's voice softened considerably. "I'll make sure your death is a little easier."
The four soul rings vanished, replaced by a single, pitch-black soul ring. Eight dragon wings extended from his back, and deep blue dragon scales crawled across his arms.
Dai Huabin instantly sensed impending doom. That year, Huo Yuhao had used this very martial soul to subject him to a bout of electrocution, leaving him with a crippling heart condition.
"No... NO!"
No matter how he struggled, it was futile; he couldn't even manage to release his own martial soul.
"You are the first to see this move, and the first to die by it. You should be proud."
Huo Yuhao spoke with chilling indifference.
"Shadow Thunder!"