Chapter 145 and 146

Chapter 145: In Illustrious Virtue Hall

"Xiao, what are you planning to do?" asked the old man with a stern face, his expression darkened.

He had been careless for a moment, and his grandson had disappeared.

If he didn't stop him, the next time they met might be in separate worlds.

He knew his grandson was too good. Was a Soul King like him really fit for the battlefield?

Even a Titled Douluo would face the risk of falling there, let alone a Soul King.

The boy called Xiao scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Grandpa, I…"

"Go back, and don't bring this up again!" the old man barked before the boy could finish.

He didn't need to hear the rest. He knew exactly what the boy was thinking.

Hearing this, the boy's expression turned serious as he said, "Grandpa, I'm also a citizen of the empire. With enemies invading, how can I just sit idly by in the academy? I want to go to the battlefield to fight and defend the empire!"

The old man's face darkened as he glared at the boy.

"Your father and mother are already gone. Do you want to leave me too? Go back, and that's final! The matters at the front line are for the emperor, the crown prince, and us old folks to handle. You don't need to worry!"

"But... but every extra person means extra strength. I'm a Soul King, a fifth-rank soul engineer. I can make a difference!"

"Xiao, you are indeed a prodigy among your peers in the academy. Even among those of the same age in Shrek Academy, none are stronger than you. But the arena is the arena, and the battlefield is the battlefield! The matches in the arena are just that, matches. People rarely die there. On the battlefield, a soul engineer army of just a few dozen people can easily annihilate a Soul King like you. Go back. As long as I'm alive, it's not your turn to go to the battlefield."

The old man sobbed. The battlefield was a meat grinder. Even the Holy Spirit Sect had been wiped out, let alone a mere Soul King.

The old man knew Ye Xishui and understood how terrifying her strength was.

She was not only a Limit Douluo but also a ninth-rank soul engineer, just a step away from becoming a ninth-and-a-half-rank existence.

Even such a terrifying figure had fallen on the front line in just one day...

The boy opened his mouth, wanting to say more but ultimately remained silent.

In the end, he lowered his head and accepted the old man's words.

No matter how unwilling he was, the old man was right. He was too weak.

Moreover, he couldn't possibly leave without the old man noticing.

Seeing his grandson give up on going to the battlefield, the old man breathed a sigh of relief. This was his only grandson, after all!

As for his granddaughter, she will eventually marry and couldn't inherit the family legacy.

"Young man, you've been watching us chat here. Aren't you afraid I might suddenly turn on you and teach you a lesson?"

After persuading the boy, the old man turned to Huo Yuhao, who was standing nearby, and asked with a serious expression.

Hearing this, the boy looked up and looked at Huo Yuhao in confusion.

Earlier, he hadn't noticed this boy at all, as he had been too focused on running away and hadn't paid attention to anything else.

"Master Hongchen is known for his integrity. Why would he bother with someone like me?" Huo Yuhao sprung.

Indeed, the old man and the boy were none other than Jing Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen, grandfather and grandson.

Jing Hongchen was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected the boy to recognize him. This was quite interesting.

"Hmm..."

Everyone likes to hear compliments, and Jing Hongchen was no exception.

He stroked his beard and said, "Young man, what brings you to the Illustrious Virtue Hall? If you're here to seek a position, even if you flatter me, you'll still need the corresponding skills to qualify."

Jing Hongchen was willing to give the boy a chance, a chance to rise to the top. But the boy needed to have the necessary skills!

He had a reason for saying this; it wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment remark.

Who would casually loiter around the entrance of the Illustrious Virtue Hall?

As for whether the boy had a clean background, it didn't matter. They could investigate after he entered the Illustrious Virtue Hall.

If he couldn't enter, then the investigation would be pointless.

"I have no particular business here," Huo Yuhao replied calmly.

He hadn't expected Jing Hongchen to think he was here to "apply for a job."

And it was even a "direct recruitment by the boss."

Jing Hongchen was slightly surprised and changed at Huo Yuhao.

No business?

Then why was he at the entrance of the Illustrious Virtue Hall?

Was he here to openly gather intelligence?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Before Jing Hongchen could think further, Huo Yuhao continued, "I heard that Master Hongchen has two descendants, both of whom are prodigies. I came here specifically to challenge them!"

"???"

Jing Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen were both stunned, their minds filled with question marks.

This boy looked even younger than Xiao Hongchen. Was he here to challenge them?

"Young man, you're here to pick a fight at my Illustrious Virtue Hall!" Jing Hongchen exclaimed, though it was more out of frustration.

Xiao Hongchen revised at Huo Yuhao and sneezed.

He was the top among his peers. How could this "kid" dare to challenge him?

"Kid, how do you want to challenge? Soul tool crafting or combat? Make your choice!"

When someone came to challenge him directly, how could Xiao Hongchen refuse?

If he didn't accept, people would think he was afraid!

"The rules are up to you. I just want to witness the prowess of the two prodigies!"

This was the Sun Moon Empire, the capital of Mingdu, and it was quite different from the three nations of Douluo.

In the Douluo nations, challenges were usually settled through combat.

In the Sun Moon Empire, soul engineers held the highest regard, so challenges were mostly about soul tool crafting, with combat as a secondary aspect.

"Good, good, good! I, Xiao Hongchen, have finally been looked down upon!"

The challenger was letting him set the rules, which meant he wasn't taking Xiao Hongchen seriously at all!

Since the old man wouldn't let him go to the battlefield, he might as well teach this arrogant kid a lesson!

"I won't bully you. We'll compete in everything from engraving inscriptions to soul tool crafting to combat! With so many categories, there must be something you're good at, right? As long as you win in one category, I'll concede!"

Xiao Hongchen's confidence came from his talent. He had never lost to anyone his age, let alone someone younger.

Seeing this, Jing Hongchen remained silent, although a faint smile played on his lips.

This boy's appearance had indeed lived up the atmosphere. Not bad.

If he truly had talent, it wouldn't hurt to take him in as a disciple.

"Kid, if you can beat my grandson or granddaughter in any category, I'll make an exception and reward you!"

It wasn't unheard of for young people to come to the Illustrious Virtue Hall to challenge, but this one young was a first. Interesting, very interesting!

"Come on, follow me inside. I want to see what gives you the confidence to challenge my grandson and granddaughter!"

"Hahaha~"

Huo Yuhao sprung. He had only spoken the truth, and simply wanted to see Jing Hongchen, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen.

Since they were taking this so seriously, it seemed like this was going to be fun!

####

Chapter 146; Let's Competition Begin

The news of someone coming to the Illustrious Virtue Hall to challenge quickly spread. Except for the old scholars, almost everyone came to watch the excitement.

Indeed, in recent days, the entire Sun Moon Empire had been in a depressing atmosphere. With such a rare opportunity for entertainment, naturally, everyone wanted to take a look.

For a short time, the area around the arena was crowded with people. In the arena, there were three tables for making soul tools and various materials.

"Is this young lad, who overestimates his abilities, trying to challenge the grandson and granddaughter of the hall master?"

"Although Xiao Hongchen is usually a bit arrogant, his talent is undeniable. If not for his soul power level limiting him, he might have gone even further."

"This young lad is going to lose face today."

"Yes, yes, even when I was young, I wouldn't dare say I could defeat Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen at this age."

The speaker was a level 9 soul engineer and also a Titled Douluo.

At this age, he was designated a Soul Elder and a level 3 soul engineer. He stumbled his way to becoming a Titled Douluo and a level 9 soul engineer, purely by luck.

Talents like Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen are destined to become level 9 soul engineers in the future, and they might even go further.

"Young man, you have courage."

That's all.

"Xiao, Meng, you must take this seriously. This lad dares to challenge you, which means he has some skills. Don't be careless!"

A young man who looked about eighteen or nineteen reminded the Hongchen siblings.

His name is Ma Rulong, a Soul Emperor and a level 6 soul engineer. He was supposed to be the captain of this year's participating team, but because Huo Yuhao started a war, it was indefinitely postponed.

"Got it, got it. How could Meng and I lose to this kid?"

Xiao Hongchen sneezed, speaking without concern.

"Captain, don't worry, Xiao and I won't lose."

Meng Hongchen said calmly and peacefully.

She had white hair and black eyes... It was said that her pupils would turn red when she released her martial soul.

Now, Meng Hongchen is graceful and elegant, the object of many students' pursuit.

Beautiful, talented, and with a good background, winning Meng Hongchen's heart would be like ascending to heaven in one step.

Unfortunately, Meng Hongchen was a fan of looks; she liked handsome guys!

People from the Sun Moon Empire generally had darker skin, with only a few exceptions. Among them, the Hongchen family was one.

Jing Hongchen, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen looked more like people from the Douluo Three Empires than "natives" of the Sun Moon Empire.

Huo Yuhao, for the sake of disguise, naturally even changed his skin color.

So, up to now, no one had doubted his identity.

Look at his skin, if he's not from the Sun Moon Empire, which empire could he be from?

When the three of them stepped onto the arena, Meng Hongchen looked at Huo Yuhao and shook her head.

He was quite handsome, but not much, not her type.

"Little brother, it's too late to admit defeat now. Just wait to leave the Illustrious Virtue Hall in disgrace."

Meng Hongchen teased Huo Yuhao.

Hearing this, Huo Yuhao spread his hands and said, "Who wins and who loses is not certain yet. You just wait to be proven wrong."

Everyone: "..."

"Alright, alright, alright, I, Xiao Hongchen, want to see how you're going to prove us wrong!"

Xiao Hongchen, with a dark face, pointed to the soul tool-making table and said, "Don't say we're manipulating behind the scenes. You choose first!"

The materials on the three tables were the same, with no differences.

The Illustrious Virtue Hall despised using underhanded methods to achieve victory.

They were not people who couldn't afford to lose.

In this regard, Shrek Academy was truly inferior to the Sun Moon Empire, resorting to any means to win.

"???"

"I'm roasting myself?"

In the original timeline, wasn't it Huo Yuhao who broke the rules the most?

Using spirit sharing from below the stage was one thing, but also using a martial soul fusion skill with Wang Qiu'er on stage!

This was no longer something that could be explained by simple cheating.

Huo Yuhao looked at the three tables and randomly chose one, saying, "This one, it looks better."

Seeing Huo Yuhao choose a table, Xiao Hongchen snorted coldly, exchanged a glance with Meng Hongchen, and each walked towards a table.

"To make a soul tool, the first step is to engrave the core, which is also the most important part."

"This round is about engraving inscriptions!"

After Xiao Hongchen finished speaking, he looked at Huo Yuhao.

"I have no problem, whatever the competition!"

"You overestimated the guy, just waiting to be laughed at!"

Xiao Hongchen mocked, then started selecting materials for engraving inscriptions, and Meng Hongchen did the same.

Only Huo Yuhao stood with his arms crossed, unmoved.

Seeing this, everyone frowned.

The competition had already begun, what was this kid up to?

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen shook their heads, why should they bother with a child?

To save time, they chose to engrave a level 4 soul tool core, which was both safe and fast!

As for the challenger, let him see the methods of geniuses!

The two selected their materials, took out their engraving knives, and focused intently on engraving the inscriptions.

Huo Yuhao didn't move, and everyone's attention wasn't on him but on the Hongchen siblings, nodding in praise from time to time.

After about a quarter of an hour, the two put down their materials and said to Huo Yuhao, "Kid, did you see that?"

"This is what genius is!"

This kid didn't make a move, so he must have admitted defeat, right?

Hah, what a clown!

Huo Yuhao spread his hands, "confused" and asked, "Is that all?"

"???"

Wait, the Hongchen siblings made a level 4 soul tool core in just a quarter of an hour, and he didn't say anything in that time, yet he still acting like that?

Do they really need to beat him up to make him understand he provoked the wrong people?

Just as everyone was about to say something, Huo Yuhao picked up two materials, the ones Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had chosen...

"What is he going to do?"

Everyone was puzzled but didn't interrupt Huo Yuhao's actions.

After selecting the materials, to everyone's astonishment, Huo Yuhao started engraving inscriptions with both hands.

What can't be learned after seeing it once?

People with cheats are just so unreasonable.

In a short while, two level 4 soul tool cores lit up, indicating Huo Yuhao's engravings were flawless.

"???"

"No, this is impossible!!"

Everyone was stunned. How could a human do this?

This kid not only uses both hands but also replicated the soul tool cores made by the Hongchen siblings!

"Nothing is impossible. Isn't this just something anyone with hands can do?"

Everyone: "..."

Alright, alright, 'anyone with hands can do it,' implying that we level 8 and 9 soul engineers don't have hands!

Although they could also replicate the Hongchen siblings' work in a short time, they couldn't do it simultaneously!

This kid has some skills!