The opponent could not have expected Wang Dong to go all out from the start, and everyone had underestimated the power of the Butterfly God's Light.
With the support of Hao Dong's power, its might at this moment was equivalent to a Soul Venerate activating a thousand-year Soul Ring skill. The only thing Wang Dong's three opponents could do was to fully unleash their Martial Souls for defense.
The light exploded, and two Agility Attack System Battle Soul Masters were thrown out of the arena. Although the Strength Attack System Battle Soul Master was able to resist, his Soul Power was depleted by eighty percent and he was ultimately injured by the Butterfly God's Light.
Wang Dong's two wings closed, his body descended, and he looked at his opponent, saying with an imposing air:
"Do you want to leave on your own, or shall I escort you out?"
After that, the match ended quickly. Since the start of the qualifiers, this was the fastest match, and thanks to this match, Wang Dong was regarded by everyone as the strongest Strength Attack System Battle Soul Master in the New Student class.
After the match ended, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong immediately left the competition area and returned to the dormitory. Both understood that although Wang Dong's Soul Power had recovered, the morning match had injured him. If the match had dragged on, both would have been at a disadvantage. Therefore, they decided to concentrate their power for a single decisive blow to end the match. If they had encountered a group with a Soul Master skilled in defense, like Xie Xuanhuan, the match would certainly have been extremely difficult.
After this match, Huo Yuhao's group had advanced to the top four. They only needed to win one more match to definitely receive a reward, and winning two consecutive matches would secure the championship.
Qiu Yi had previously said that the skill level of the groups in the New Student class was much stronger than before. If the three of them could overcome all opponents to win the championship, their potential would be recognized by the teachers.
After returning to the dormitory, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong did not go out to sell grilled fish but immediately cultivated Hao Dong's power. Xiao Xiao would still not recover in time for the next match, so the two would face many difficulties. One method could not be used twice; the quick-win strategy from the afternoon could only succeed when used by surprise. The next group would certainly have a method to guard against it. But while Xiao Xiao could not recover, this was the only thing they could do.
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight began to shine into the room, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong also opened their eyes. Both withdrew their hands, got out of bed, and looked out the window.
The sun in the east emitted a gentle light. At this moment, Huo Yuhao's two pupils also turned purple.
Wang Dong tidied his clothes and went out to wash his face.
Everything happened naturally. A moment later, Huo Yuhao suddenly chuckled softly.
Mother, do you see me? Your son is now a Soul Master. At the continent's number one academy, I have entered the top four in the assessment. Rest assured, when I return, I will give you a proper burial, and I will make those who caused you sorrow and pain repay it many times over.
As he thought of this, Huo Yuhao's eyes blurred again, and tears welled up. In his two pupils, in addition to the purple, a faint red light flashed and then disappeared.
Striving to cultivate and become a powerful Soul Master was not his initial goal, but to avenge his mother, he had to risk his life. The humiliations he suffered as a child, he would never forget. After entering Shrek Academy, he learned the warmth of human connection and felt the camaraderie around him, yet the eleven years of suffering he still could not forget. Those painful images were forever etched in his soul.
One day, he would return, back to the place that had caused him so much pain, and also the place where his mother's remains were kept.
No one could know Huo Yuhao's true ambition; the seed of hatred had long since sprouted in his heart.
Time slowly passed. A moment later, Wang Dong pushed open the door and saw Huo Yuhao lost in thought. He spoke up:
"Yuhao, what's wrong?"
Normally, by the time Wang Dong returned, Huo Yuhao would have already gone out to wash his face, but today he was still standing by the window.
Huo Yuhao quickly rubbed his still-wet eyes, then turned around and forced a smile:
"I'm fine, just thinking a bit about my mother."
Both Wang Dong, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya only knew that Huo Yuhao was an orphan, and that his parents had passed away early, according to his own account.
Wang Dong's gaze also softened. He walked up to Huo Yuhao:
"Don't think too much; it's all in the past. I think your aunt would also hope you live happily. At Shrek Academy, you've had a new beginning. Forget about the unpleasant things from before. Hurry and wash your face; let's grab breakfast and then cultivate a bit more. It's really frustrating; if I had cultivated harder before, I wouldn't be so weak now."
Huo Yuhao smiled, picked up his washing tools, and walked out. Could he truly erase hatred? If he could forget, he wouldn't have been able to reach the Star Dou Great Forest at eleven years old. With his poor talent, if not for the urge of hatred, he wouldn't have been able to get here. Hatred... sometimes it's a driving force for a person, but sometimes hatred also blinds people.
After washing their faces, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong immediately went to eat breakfast, then returned to cultivate until the sun was high before heading to the assessment area. Today, the group was very close to the championship title; no matter what happened, neither of them would back down.
Today, even more people came to watch the battles than yesterday, but most were still teachers; the students still had classes today. Only the disheveled old man who liked to gnaw on chicken feet had yet to appear.
The remaining four groups stood together, preparing to draw lots. Today, the person in charge of the draw was not Teacher Du Weilun.
An old man in white robes was standing in Du Weilun's place. When he saw this old man, Huo Yuhao was startled. He had seen this person before; this was the old man he and Wang Dong had met while battling Ma Xiaotao by the lake.
At that time, among the teachers who appeared from Sea God Island, this old man was the leader. Today, during the draw for the top four places in the New Student Assessment, this old man appeared again, proving that this person held a very high position in the academy. Director Du Weilun of the Outer Court also stood respectfully beside him.
"Hello everyone, my name is Yan Shaozhe. Currently, I am the two hundred and sixtieth generation dean of Shrek Academy."
The old man in white robes smiled and spoke. His demeanor was very gentle and amiable, making others feel as if he were an elder in their own family.
Although Huo Yuhao had somewhat guessed the old man's identity, when the old man introduced himself, Huo Yuhao, like the other disciples, unconsciously straightened up.
The Dean of Shrek Academy—what kind of identity was that? As the current Dean of the continent's foremost academy, he was qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with any emperor of any nation. Moreover, the Dean of Shrek Academy was, of course, a super powerful Title Douluo! He was a true top-tier powerhouse on the Douluo Continent.
The Dean's appearance here was something no student had ever anticipated.
"I know you are all very curious as to why I have appeared here. Indeed, even though the New Student Assessment has reached its final stage, the Vice Dean's presence would have been sufficient to demonstrate the academy's regard for you. But I must say, your performance this time has greatly pleased me. You are the most talented new students in nearly a hundred years. I am truly very interested in you, and so, I have come. Furthermore, I will watch all of today's matches. I hope you can give me some surprises. Very well, let the drawing begin."
The drawing of lots obviously could not be handled by the Dean. Du Weilun hastily took over the task of drawing, but the Dean expressed his desire to personally hold the drawing box for these students, instantly making every invited student feel a surge of passion.
This was a legendary super figure! The Dean of Shrek Academy. Yet he was holding the drawing box for them; let alone them, even an eight-ring Soul Douluo present would feel such glory and fortune. For a moment, the new students present could not control their emotions. Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong were no exception.
"Huo Yuhao's team, New Student Class One, please come forward to draw."
Unexpectedly, the first group to draw today was Huo Yuhao's team.
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong exchanged glances:
"You go."
Huo Yuhao nudged his good friend beside him.
Wang Dong shook his head and said, "No, you are the team leader, you go quickly."
As he spoke, he pushed Huo Yuhao forward, making him the first student to draw in front of the Dean.
Huo Yuhao's mood was a little unsettled, but he calmly stepped forward. As he went up to draw, his entire body's emotions were somewhat uncontrollable, even his hands trembled.
Dean Yan smiled and said, "Young man, don't be nervous. I wish you and your teammates good results."
Huo Yuhao drew a bamboo slip and then retreated a few steps, respectfully saluting Dean Yan, before handing the bamboo slip to Du Weilun and returning. When he returned to Wang Dong's side, he found that his heart rate had doubled.
"Huo Yuhao's team, New Student Class One, the drawn slip is — Number Two."
Number Two meant that in this semifinal round, they would compete in the second area. There were only four bamboo slips in the box, two ones and two twos.
"Dai Huabin's team, New Student Class Five."
A tall young man quickly walked out. Huo Yuhao’s memory had always been good, but looking at this figure, he was startled to realize that he seemed to have never seen him since the competition began. Clearly, because the dean was present today, this team had changed their person for the draw.
The young man slowly walked onto the stage, bowed to Yan Shaozhe and Du Weilun, and then also drew a card. He then bowed his head, just like Huo Yuhao. After handing the name card to Du Weilun, he turned and returned to his spot.
It was a handsome face, cold as ice. Long golden hair cascaded from the top of his head to his waist, disheveled on both sides. A closer look revealed that his deep blue eyes were actually double pupils. His physique was a bit taller than his peers.
The moment Huo Yuhao saw the other person’s appearance, his entire body trembled. His eyes were filled with surprise, and he reached out to firmly grasp Wang Dong’s arm beside him.
Wang Dong was startled by his sudden action. He turned to look at him, only to find that Huo Yuhao’s face had turned completely pale, and his eyes were full of hatred. Huo Yuhao’s grip on his arm was so tight that it went numb.
***
“Mother, let me help you hang the clothes.”
A lovely boy, only about seven or eight years old, struggled to carry a large wooden basin, tottering as he spoke, heading outside to dry the clothes.
In the courtyard, a middle-aged woman watched the child with eyes full of joy, murmuring,
“My Yuhao has truly grown up, becoming more and more sensible.”
Little Yuhao painstakingly carried the wooden basin out to the yard. He only needed to walk a few more dozen steps to reach the clothesline.
Just then, a sudden force from the side struck his body, causing him and the wooden basin to stumble and fall to the ground. The pile of freshly washed clothes immediately scattered across the ground.
“You scoundrel, are you blind? Don’t you see Young Master has returned? Get out of the way.”
An overbearing and arrogant voice rang out. Little Yuhao suppressed the pain in his body and looked back. He saw eight tall and strong guards standing on either side of the corridor. The one who had knocked him down was one of them, a young man in white clothes embroidered with a python pattern, striding quickly towards him.
His appearance was extremely handsome, with double pupils, and an overwhelming noble aura emanated from him. His gaze was extremely cold; he didn’t even bother to look at Huo Yuhao lying on the ground. It wasn’t until his foot stepped on a muddy shirt that he coldly looked at Huo Yuhao and said,
“Beat him for me.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he continued to walk quickly, as if afraid his eyes would be defiled by such vulgarity.
Two of the eight guards immediately rushed forward to beat Little Yuhao. Little Yuhao was only eight years old at the time; how could he resist? Hearing the commotion outside, his mother rushed out from the courtyard, using her body to shield him, constantly pleading. But in the end, it wasn’t until his mother was beaten to the brink of death that the two guards stopped. His mother had been ill for many years, her body already very weak. With these severe injuries added, two years later, her illness finally worsened to the point where she could no longer get up, and she left this world forever.
Three years later, Huo Yuhao had grown much larger than before, but he could never forget those cold, icy eyes.
It was him, it was indeed him, one of the culprits who had harmed his mother. His eyes slowly turned crimson; those twin pupils alone spoke volumes, they were the symbol of the bloodline of the Duke's Mansion. And he was also one of the children of that madam, the one who truly caused his mother's death. Dai Huabin's expression remained as cold as ever, even when he stood before Dean Yan Shaozhe. This composure far surpassed that of other disciples. Only by noticing his tightly clenched fists could one tell that his inner self was not as it appeared. Evidently, he didn't recognize Huo Yuhao at all. Perhaps before that fateful day, he had never even paid attention to this half-brother.
"Team Dai Huabin, card number one."
After Du Weilun announced the result, Dai Huabin returned to his team. It wasn't until his face was out of sight that Huo Yuhao's emotions temporarily stabilized. At this moment, he had to lean on Wang Dong to stand firm.
Wang Dong's heart was filled with dread. Huo Yuhao's emotions like this were a first. He had no idea what had just happened to Huo Yuhao, but he was certain it was related to Dai Huabin.
"Yuhao... Yuhao, calm down a bit. What's wrong with you?" Wang Dong whispered comfortingly.
The drawing of lots continued. No one paid attention to Huo Yuhao's expression at this moment. It wasn't until the drawing was complete that Huo Yuhao stood firm again, but Wang Dong still felt his whole body trembling. That was a sign of someone reaching the limit of their emotional endurance.
"Can you still fight?" Wang Dong asked worriedly. Now was not the time to ask for reasons; the semifinals would begin immediately.
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, trying to regulate his tormented inner self, and nodded slightly. "I can still fight. Just now, what card did Dai Huabin draw?"
Wang Dong raised an eyebrow. He hadn't even heard such a loud announcement; his emotions were indeed fluctuating greatly. "He drew card number one. If both we and he win our opponents, we'll meet in the finals. I just heard people say he's the final Soul Venerable among the New Students."
"Soul Venerable?" Huo Yuhao's eyes flashed with a cold and stern light.
"That's right! A Three-Ring Soul Venerable. With such good cultivation, how could he not reach this level? Anyway, prepare for your own match." He made it seem as if he had fully recovered; his trembling body and violently fluctuating emotions vanished in that instant. Wang Dong felt as if everything that had just happened was his own illusion. But clearly, those were absolutely not illusions.