Chapter 180: What’s there to fear?

Though Xiao Hongchen had lost the verbal sparring match with Ma Rulong, he remained inwardly unconvinced.

This wasn't mere self-delusion.

The power of soul engineers was something traditional soul masters like Huo Yuhao could scarcely comprehend.

If the competition allowed unrestricted use of soul tools, his combat prowess would definitely be no weaker than Huo Yuhao's!

Moreover, his martial soul—the Three-Legged Golden Toad—carried the bloodline of an ancient mythical beast. It naturally controlled metal and could absorb rare ores to accelerate cultivation.

The Three-Legged Golden Toad wasn't just perfectly compatible with his soul tool combat style—its quality was near the pinnacle of metal attributes!

So what if Huo Yuhao had twin martial souls?

Could his second martial soul possibly be Ultimate Ice?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Team leader Elder Ma watched the argument unfold and shook his head slightly.

Perhaps having such an opponent wasn't a bad thing for Xiao Hongchen.

Since childhood, this boy's arrogance had eclipsed everyone else's—especially after awakening his martial soul, it had spiraled out of control.

Frankly, aside from his sister Meng Hongchen, Xiao Hongchen looked down on every student at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.

Until Huo Yuhao appeared.

For the first time, Xiao Hongchen felt a sense of crisis.

As for Meng Hongchen?

Well, as long as she didn't cling to him in the future, things would be fine.

Elder Ma coughed, drawing the group's attention before emphasizing: "Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen—listen carefully. Given Huo Yuhao's age and strength, he will undoubtedly be your greatest rival for the next five years!"

…

Somewhere in the Audience

"Damn, kid's got more than just a body..."

A middle-aged man with an abnormally thick right arm suddenly exclaimed, only to be cut off by another man beside him—one with a head resembling an oversized doll.

"Keep your voice down, Yu Tao."

"Lang Ya, did you see that? That's a body-type martial soul—an eye variant! And he's got twin martial souls!" Yu Tao pointed at Huo Yuhao, barely containing his excitement.

"I'm not blind." Lang Ya nodded in satisfaction.

This edition of the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament was turning out to be quite the treasure hunt. Who'd have thought they'd stumble upon a talent like this for the Body Sect?!

Yu Tao nudged Lang Ya. "But the kid's from Shrek. That complicates things. Use that big brain of yours to figure something out."

"You're the one with the big head," Lang Ya retorted before adding, "As for a plan—just follow my lead and don't act recklessly."

…

Amid the crowd's cheers, Huo Yuhao stepped off the stage, though countless eyes remained fixed on him, reluctant to let him go.

Wang Yan quickly rose to greet him. "Yuhao, excellent work. Let's head back."

Huo Yuhao nodded.

The Shrek team departed.

This had been their strategy from the start—if Huo Yuhao could defeat seven opponents in a row, they would withdraw early, preserving Shrek's mystique.

Thus, under the crowd's watchful gazes, the Shrek Academy team once again left Star Luo Square.

Once outside, Wang Yan finally exhaled in relief.

He turned to the group, his expression easing.

"Honestly, qualifying isn't our biggest concern. Among our group's teams, only Zhengtian Academy posed a real threat—and Yuhao just crushed them. So, no need to stress."

Hearing this, the reserve team's tension melted away, and they congratulated Huo Yuhao on his flawless victory.

The conversation soon turned to his Ice Soul Sword Domain.

Xu Sanshi marveled, "Yuhao's self-created soul skill—fused with his second martial soul's traits—is downright terrifying!"

"Of course!" Wang Dong'er smirked. "It's a combat technique blending soul power and mental power. One move to dominate the battlefield!"

In her eyes, this technique even surpassed the legendary skills of her own Haotian Sect.

Bei Bei nodded solemnly. "If Yuhao can infuse his own 'artistic conception' into it, he'll reach near-invincibility."

"Artistic conception?" The reserve team exchanged puzzled glances.

Jiang Nannan spoke first. "What's that?"

Bei Bei rubbed his head sheepishly. "It's something an elder once mentioned. I only know the basics."

Wang Yan turned to Huo Yuhao. "Do you understand?"

Huo Yuhao: I do—but I can't say.

The infamous Haodong Triple Absolute from the original timeline was the epitome of "artistic conception" pushed to its limits—love and longing.

[The Haodong Triple Absolute = Fist of Remembrance, Sword of Longing, Haodong Palm]

It sounded profound.

In practice? Cringe-worthy.

Those few lines were infamous across the entire web novel community, often mocked as a poor man's Desolate Palm.

Huo Yuhao explained, "Artistic conception is essentially one's path as a soul master—the direction they choose. For example, Senior Chen Zifeng pursues the 'ultimate sword'—that's his artistic conception. But integrating it into soul skills is incredibly difficult."

"My Ice Soul Sword Domain doesn't use artistic conception. It's a fusion of soul power and mental power, drawing from my second martial soul's innate properties."

'And the Ice Blade Gu's origin.'

"Innate martial soul properties?" The group fell into thought.

Huo Yuhao continued, "Normally, only Soul Sages can begin grasping a martial soul's essence. My spiritual eye and mental strength allowed me to perceive it earlier, leading to this self-created skill."

Even the concept of a martial soul's essence was beyond most of the reserve team.

In fact, across all of Shrek's inner courtyard, fewer than three students—including Zhang Lexuan—could create soul skills this way.

Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi had innate advantages, though.

Their martial souls—Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and Black Tortoise Shield—were formidable. Once they reached Soul Sage, unlocking their potential wouldn't be hard.

As for artistic conception?

That depended on life experience and comprehension.

Though the Ice Soul Sword Domain didn't yet incorporate it, Huo Yuhao's earlier experiments had brushed against the power of will—giving him some authority on the subject.

A Will. Artistic conception.

At their core, both were manifestations of intent.

Huo Yuhao shook his head. "For now, focus on cultivation. Even Dean Yan Shaozhe—Sister Xiaotao's teacher—struggles with artistic conception, let alone us."

Wang Yan nodded. "Exactly. Right now, improving your soul power is what matters."

He smiled. "Alright, everyone, rest up. I'll scout our group's other teams—and future opponents."

Strategy was key.

Even with the two main team members recovering—and Ma Xiaotao returning as a Soul Sage—qualifying was just the beginning.

The real battles lay ahead.

Shrek's goal was always the championship.

Huo Yuhao's seven-win streak was a boon, but until the title was secured, Wang Yan would remain vigilant.

As the group walked back, the reserve team chatted animatedly, each reflecting on the match.

Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao—both still three-ringed—understood their limits.

Focusing too much on soul skill development now would be counterproductive.

Even with twin martial souls, their foundations paled next to Huo Yuhao's.

And the Tang Sect's secret techniques alone were a lifetime's study.

Xu Sanshi, meanwhile, pondered deeply.

'If artistic conception is one's life path… does love count?'

'My devotion to Nannan is absolute. Could that be my path?'

'…Yes!'

He'd glimpsed his future!

Suddenly, Huo Yuhao's gaze snapped toward the distant Star Emperor Hotel.

His spiritual eyes locked onto two oddly built men—one with a massive head, the other with a monstrous right arm.

Body Sect.

They'd come, as expected.

Lang Ya noticed Huo Yuhao's stare, surprise flickering in his eyes before he offered a friendly nod.

Yu Tao sighed. "Keen perception for a spiritual-type soul master. At this distance—his mental strength might rival a Soul Douluo's."

Lang Ya agreed. "His martial soul isn't just eyes—it's eyes and brain. A top-tier body martial soul. Likely a congenital awakening, too."

Yu Tao flexed his arm. "Then why wait? If he's at least silver-rank awakened, we must recruit him!"

Lang Ya frowned. "Patience. He's from shrek. Force won't work. Let's talk first."

Not that Shrek's opinion matters. The Body Sect knows body souls best!

With that, the two vanished.

…

Back at the hotel lobby, the group was intercepted by Lang Ya and Yu Tao.

Bei Bei stepped forward calmly. "Why are you blocking Shrek's students?"

Though he couldn't gauge their strength, their pressure was undeniable—these were powerhouses.

Yu Tao pointed at Huo Yuhao. "You all can leave. We're keeping him."

Lang Ya's gaze softened unnaturally. "Please, step aside."

The moment their eyes met, the team's minds fogged—all except Wang Dong'er, whose pupils flashed with a strange light.

Snap!

Huo Yuhao's fingers cracked sharply, snapping everyone awake.

"Go ahead. I'll talk to them."

He strode to the lounge, nodding at the duo.

Lang Ya's eyes lit up. "Impressive!"

Meanwhile, Bei Bei exchanged glances with the others.

Wang Dong'er whispered, "Should we get backup?"

Xu Sanshi's face darkened. 'Backup? Without Elder Xuan, who's left?'

But Bei Bei caught on—she was bluffing for their eavesdroppers.

He played along. "No need. They wouldn't dare attack here. Besides, Elder Xuan's nearby."

Wang Dong'er grinned. "Better safe than sorry."

Huo Yuhao sat calmly across from Lang Ya and Yu Tao.

"What do you want?"

Yu Tao smirked. "Aren't you afraid we'll hurt you?"

Huo Yuhao smiled.

Elder Xuan might not be here—but against two Soul Douluos?

'What's there to fear?'

…

Enjoying the story? Get early access to 10 advanced chapters for just $3.

👉 Join me on Patreon: patreon.com/DarkLord621