Chapter 148, 149 and 150

Chapter 148: Snow Empress Martial Spirit

Jing Hongchen's face darkened. The latter half of the technique was something he had personally created!

And yet, it was being looked down upon by this kid in front of him!

"He must only be saying that because he hasn't seen the complete technique. That must be it!"

Jing Hongchen convinced himself.

"Ahem~"

Jing Hongchen coughed and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Since you've completed the bet, I'll give you that level-nine soul tool, the Red Dust Protection."

"Your talent is something I've never seen before in my life. It's truly eye-opening!"

"As for the match between you, Xiao, and Meng, I don't think there's any need to continue. I'm well aware of their level, you've won."

No one present refuted Jing Hongchen's words. This young man had indeed shown them something extraordinary!

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen lowered their heads, also not refuting.

This "kid," who looked even younger than them, had a terrifying mastery of soul tools!

Who could possibly learn something just by looking at it once?

Yet, he was exactly that kind of existence…

"Then I'll thank Hall Master Hongchen!"

Huo Yuhao cupped his hands and said indifferently.

This old man keeps his words and seems decent enough.

As if reminding something, Jing Hongchen smiled and asked, "I wonder if you have a master?"

Talent is essential for crafting soul tools, but one also needs a master or family inheritance.

Jing Hongchen knew almost every high-level soul engineer within the Sun Moon Empire.

He didn't know which old guy had sent this young man to challenge the Illustrious Virtue Hall!

However, he still had to thank that old guy. Otherwise, it would have been nearly impossible for Jing Hongchen to encounter such a prodigy.

If he could recruit him to the Illustrious Virtue Hall… Thinking of this, Jing Hongchen almost laughed out loud.

Who in the Sun Moon Empire didn't know the name of the Illustrious Virtue Hall?

The Illustrious Virtue Hall was a paradise for soul engineers!

Huo Yuhao spread his hands and said, "I don't have a master."

"???"

Everyone present was dumbfounded.

What was this kid saying?

He didn't have a master?

Without a master, how could he have reached this level?

"Young friend, if you don't have a master, how could you possibly…"

Before Jing Hongchen could finish, Huo Yuhao waved his hand and said, "If I can learn something just by looking at it once, why would I need a master?"

"…"

He was… too honest!

Indeed, if you could learn something just by looking at it once, why would you need a master?

What "the master leads the way, the disciples practice on their own"?

He didn't need that at all!

He could just "copy" and "paste."

"Ahem~"

"Well, young friend!"

"I, Jing Hongchen, am the Hall Master of the Illustrious Virtue Hall and one of the top level-nine soul engineers."

"If you're willing to become my disciple, I'll teach you everything I know, and you can freely use the resources of the Illustrious Virtue Hall!"

Jing Hongchen's eyes gleamed with enthusiasm as he looked at Huo Yuhao. This was truly a natural-born soul engineering prodigy!

Once his soul power level increased, he will at least be a level-nine soul engineer, and perhaps even break through to level ten!

"Damn it, Jing Hongchen beat us to it!"

The other level-nine soul engineers present were pounding their chests in frustration!

Who could refuse the conditions Jing Hongchen offered?

Although they were also level-nine soul engineers, they were somewhat inferior to Jing Hongchen, and their resources were also not as abundant.

If they could take such a disciple, they would surely wake up laughing from their dreams.

They wouldn't even need to teach him, just wait for his soul power level to reach the required level and demonstrate the techniques once.

Their family's legacy could be easily passed down.

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were completely dumbfounded. Who was the real grandchild here?

"Grandpa, our match with this young brother hasn't ended yet. Let's talk about taking a disciple later!"

Xiao Hongchen said awkwardly.

"What do you mean it hasn't ended? I know exactly what level you two are at!"

"We may have lost in soul tool crafting, but what about actual combat?"

"We haven't fought yet, so how can we admit defeat?"

Xiao Hongchen was determined to win back a round!

Hearing this, Jing Hongchen hesitated.

Xiao Hongchen had lost in soul tool crafting. What if he held a grudge and injured his precious future disciple?

Although the other party hadn't officially become his disciple yet, it was a done deal, he wouldn't refuse.

"Well…"

Before Jing Hongchen could say anything, Huo Yuhao stepped forward and stood in front of Xiao Hongchen, saying, "I was just thinking the same thing!"

He also wanted to see their toad, no, their toad spirit possession.

He had heard that Meng Hongchen looked quite good after her spirit possession.

Since Huo Yuhao had already spoken, Jing Hongchen no longer had a reason to stop them.

"This is just a match. Keep it civil!"

After saying this, Jing Hongchen glared at Xiao Hongchen, making him feel like he no longer had a place in this family.

The other party hadn't even officially become his disciple, and he was already being excluded. If he did become a disciple, wouldn't Xiao Hongchen be kicked out?

"Damn it, why isn't such talent mine?"

Xiao Hongchen roared inwardly, though he didn't envy Huo Yuhao.

His own talent wasn't bad either. He could manipulate metal into any shape he imagined, and this ability alone could surpass ninety-nine percent of soul engineers.

The table on the stage was removed, leaving an empty platform.

Just as Meng Hongchen was about to leave the stage, Huo Yuhao spoke up, "I've heard that the two of you possess a spirit fusion skill, which is your true strength."

"Why don't both of you come at me together? Otherwise, this fight will be completely one-sided."

Hearing this, Meng Hongchen paused and looked at Huo Yuhao.

Everyone else also looked at Huo Yuhao, their eyes filled with confusion.

How did he know that Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had a spirit fusion skill?

Even if he had somehow obtained this information, why would he ask them to fight him together?

Was it absolute confidence, or was he just fearless due to inexperience?

Two Spirit Kings using a spirit fusion skill was no simple matter of one plus one equals two!

Xiao Hongchen's smile froze, and his gaze toward Huo Yuhao changed.

This person knew his trump card, yet he still dared to provoke him!

He wasn't a fool, he knew this young man was no ordinary individual.

"Sister, since he's said so, let's attack together!"

"Alright!"

Meng Hongchen nodded solemnly.

"Kid, if you lose, don't blame us. You brought this upon yourself!"

"Of course. I just wanted to witness your true strength. If I lose, it's because I'm not strong enough."

"Good, then let's begin!"

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen exchanged a glance and instantly completed their spirit possession.

Their spirit possession didn't turn them into toads but instead gave them certain characteristics.

Xiao Hongchen, who had the ability to manipulate metal, had golden light flickering around him.

Meng Hongchen's pupils turned red, and mist surrounded her body. This mist was no ordinary mist, it was poisonous!

Huo Yuhao thought for a moment and said, "Snow Maiden, possess!"

####

Chapter 149: Burn

"Snow Maiden, Possess!"

Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen and the others were utterly baffled.

What possession?

What did this kid just say about possession?

Snow Maiden?

Children might not know what a Snow Maiden is, but these old-timers certainly did.

In the entire Douluo Continent, there is only one Snow Maiden. Although she is just one, she represents an entire race, the Snow Maiden Clan!

One of the Ten Great Fierce Beasts, the Snow Maiden possesses over six hundred thousand years of cultivation, nearing seven hundred thousand years.

Among the Ten Great Fierce Beasts, she ranks third!

Can the Snow Maiden become a human's martial soul?

This must be a dream, right?

After all, the Snow Maiden is the embodiment of extreme ice and snow. Such a super martial soul is simply not something a human body can bear.

Is this kid in front of us a transformed Snow Maiden?

No… impossible!

Even if it were a transformed Snow Maiden, he looks unmistakably male!

Besides, if he were a transformed spirit beast, wouldn't these many ninth-level soul engineers be able to tell?

Ninth-level soul engineers are also titled Douluos!

As the Snow Maiden possessed Huo Yuhao, his appearance didn't change much, except his hair turned ice-white. A massive snowflake "halo" appeared behind him, and snowflakes began to swirl around him, as if cheering…

Huo Yuhao took a step forward, and his first yellow soul ring rose.

Yellow, purple…

When the second soul ring appeared, everyone's expressions changed, but it was still within their acceptable range.

On the Douluo Continent, there are many prodigies who can obtain a thousand-year purple soul ring as their second soul ring.

After so many years, isn't it normal for the Sun Moon Continent to finally produce one?

"A genius, no, a monster!"

"Terrifying in soul tool creation, and equally terrifying in martial soul cultivation!"

"Our Sun Moon Empire is about to rise!"

Suddenly, as if remembering something, their faces darkened.

This kid in front of them was somewhat born at the wrong time!

Right now, the Sun Moon Empire is at war with Huo Yuhao's army and the Star Luo Empire. No one can predict how this war will turn out.

If the Sun Moon Empire loses, how could a monster like this kid possibly survive?

Born in such an unfortunate time!

Black…

When the third soul ring appeared, Jing Hongchen and the others felt their vision darken. Their mouths slightly opened, as if they wanted to say something but stopped themselves.

A ten-thousand-year soul ring as the third soul ring?

Everyone swallowed hard, a glint of golden light flashing in their eyes.

They could be sent to the battlefield at any moment, risking their lives.

If this kid could become their disciple, their legacy wouldn't face the risk of extinction.

With such talent, he would learn everything in no time, requiring little guidance.

Was this a gift from the heavens, sent to them out of pity?

"Jing Hongchen, I'll fight you for him no matter what!"

Everyone glanced at Jing Hongchen, their eyes filled with hostility.

Feeling their gazes, Jing Hongchen simply sneered.

In the entire Sun Moon Empire, few could compete with him for a disciple. None of the ninth-level soul engineers here would be among them.

"Hmph~ Overestimating yourselves!"

Yellow, purple, black, black, black, five soul rings appeared on Huo Yuhao's body, and no one was surprised anymore.

If the third soul ring was already a ten-thousand-year soul ring, the subsequent ones would only be stronger, not weaker. That made perfect sense.

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock.

They had seen many prodigies, and those prodigies had called them monsters.

But as monsters themselves, they were merely the threshold to the person standing before them!

"We are soul engineers. The use of soul tools is what matters most."

"As for personal strength…"

Xiao Hongchen spoke somewhat unconfidently.

He truly had no confidence at all!

No wonder, no wonder this kid had asked both him and Meng to face him. It wasn't to belittle them but to state the truth!

"Meng, let's test him with soul tools first. If that doesn't work, we'll unleash our martial soul fusion skill."

"Alright!"

Meng Hongchen didn't refuse Xiao Hongchen's suggestion. She nodded in agreement.

It was time for her to reassess the young man before them.

The two openly discussed their plan, but Huo Yuhao didn't seem to care.

He simply extended his hand, and ice crystals began to form in his palm.

If one looked closely, they would notice that these ice crystals bore inscriptions similar to those found on soul tools!

"Today, I'll teach you all a lesson!"

Huo Yuhao smirked, his hands continuing to move.

The crowd went from confusion to sudden realization, and finally, their faces showed astonishment.

"Is he… using the ice he's creating to make a soul tool?"

"How… how is that possible?"

"Even more outrageous is that he's… he's forming the inscriptions while creating the ice…"

This scene left all the soul engineers present dumbfounded.

Inscribing markings on special metals, then channeling soul power to activate the inscriptions, this is the core principle behind soul tools.

Multiple cores combined to form a soul tool follow the same principle, differing only in complexity.

But Huo Yuhao was showing them that casually formed ice could also serve as special metal!

"This is extreme ice. Many metals can't match the hardness of extreme ice. With the Snow Maiden martial soul, he can control extreme ice to produce inscriptions…"

"He is a born soul engineer!"

Jing Hongchen's words were met with unanimous agreement from all the soul engineers.

"We really were taught a lesson today."

"In the past, we've only focused on special metals as materials."

"Then, is it possible that we don't need metal at all to carve inscriptions and turn them into powerful soul tools?"

"It's possible, especially since he's almost succeeded…"

The ninth-level soul engineer pointed at Huo Yuhao on the stage, his expression grave.

"His case is special. We need to exclude this special scenario and seek the truth."

"If we can figure it out, it would benefit future generations."

Creating soul tools consumes vast amounts of rare metals. If other materials could replace them, it would reduce the consumption of rare metals, benefiting future generations.

"Speaking of this, I recall something."

"During one of my experiments, I accidentally discovered that steam from boiling water could move a heavy lid, generating motion. This is similar to…"

Hearing this, everyone sneered, their faces filled with disdain.

"That's just boiling water. What's there to talk about? We're discussing alternative materials for special metals!"

"Exactly! I've also discovered that lightning can replace soul power to generate force. But unless you're a lightning-attribute soul master, you can't control lightning. Your boiling water is nothing…"

"This… this…"

The old man was left speechless, his face red from the rebuttal.

Was his discovery really that trivial?

But steam from boiling water can indeed move objects, and it doesn't require soul power…

Huo Yuhao: "???"

Wait, you discovered something so remarkable, but because this is a soul master's world with soul power, you just ignored it?

"My goodness…"

####

Chapter 150: Great Cold

On the Douluo Continent, only Soul Masters and Soul Engineers are the mainstream.

Everything else is heresy!

Even if someone discovered boiling water or that electricity could replace soul power as a kinetic energy source, so what?

Outsiders would regard these people as heretics, and even the discoverers themselves would treat such findings as heresy.

This cycle repeats endlessly.

Soul power is the source of power for soul tools. If soul power were replaced by other energy sources, what use would Soul Masters and Soul Engineers have?

Even if one could present some rationale, it would not gain widespread support. This is the current state of the Douluo Continent.

If this were any other fantasy world, Huo Yuhao might mock those transmigrators who play with 98Ks, grenades, and other firearms.

But this is the Douluo Continent, where the strongest beings are only half-step Blood Moving Realm cultivators, and this is the lower realm at that.

In a world where even hidden weapons can kill Title Douluos, why would they disdain firearms?

Such things are still too advanced for the Douluo Continent. If they could be mass-produced, Title Douluos would lose their intimidation, and Soul Engineers' research would become pointless.

Thus, even if someone discovers a clue, it would be treated as heresy, either destroyed or taken to the grave.

It's pitiful, lamentable.

This is the law of the world's development, and one can't blame the Soul Masters and Soul Engineers. They, too, must survive.

Huo Yuhao shook his head, pushing these thoughts aside, and looked at Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.

These two had not interrupted his soul tool crafting even after the match began.

This match was not a battle between Soul Masters but a competition between Soul Engineers, focusing on the application of soul tools.

"Xiao, we've lost..."

Although the fight hadn't officially started, Meng Hongchen already knew the outcome.

Huo Yuhao could create a soul tool with his bare hands, and even craft one using ice. This was no longer just a matter of being a prodigy.

Carving inscriptions on ice, is that something a human can do?

"Yes, we've lost..."

Xiao Hongchen nodded, agreeing with Meng Hongchen.

Though he was proud, he wasn't one to deny defeat.

"I will work hard and make sure I don't fall too far behind him!"

"In a soul tool competition, we're no match for him, but our Martial Soul Fusion Skill is something he can't withstand right now!"

Though defeated, Xiao Hongchen didn't give up on the match.

He and Meng Hongchen possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, which should make defeating this super prodigy not too difficult.

"That's the only way..."

As they spoke, Huo Yuhao's "ice" soul tool was completed.

This "ice" soul tool looked like a spear, entirely ice-blue, with patterns on its surface that exuded an elegant feel.

"This spear has no name. It's a Level 5 soul tool, and since it's made of Ultimate Ice, its power might be elevated by a level."

Hearing this, the entire arena fell silent.

Not only had this kid succeeded, but he had also crafted a Level 5 soul tool, a Level 5 soul tool!

"You are the most talented genius I've ever seen."

"I admit that in terms of soul tool crafting talent, I am completely inferior to you!"

"But... I, Xiao Hongchen, will work hard to surpass you!"

Xiao Hongchen said with determination.

Though he was less talented than the person before him, he would use more time to make up for it and definitely surpass his opponent!

"Logically speaking, those who don't understand soul tool crafting see me as if looking at the moon through a well."

"Those who understand soul tool crafting see me as mayflies gazing at the vast sky."

"Brother Xiao, seeing me, still has the will to catch up. That shows a pure heart!"

Huo Yuhao gently stroked the spear in his hand and said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes twitched. Was this kid insulting Xiao Hongchen or praising him?

If he was insulting, his words carried a compliment.

If he was praising, his words carried sarcasm.

One thing Huo Yuhao didn't say wrong was that the truly great Soul Engineers would indeed feel like mayflies gazing at the vast sky upon witnessing his feat!

Even if they were Level 9 Soul Engineers, they couldn't accomplish such a thing!

It was simply too unbelievable.

Xiao Hongchen's mouth slightly opened, but he hesitated to speak.

"Little brother, you're quite the talker. We'll only know after we fight."

Meng Hongchen smiled and said.

Then she patted Xiao Hongchen's shoulder.

Her brother, she could mock him, but others couldn't, even if they were a peerless prodigy.

Feeling his sister's concern, Xiao Hongchen regained his composure, his eyes filled with fighting spirit as he looked at Huo Yuhao.

"Fight!"

In an instant, countless pieces of metal appeared around Xiao Hongchen, then turned into liquid metal, forming hollow black tubes aimed at Huo Yuhao.

Meng Hongchen, meanwhile, took out several soul tools. Her soul tools were larger than Xiao Hongchen's, resembling cannons but not for firing projectiles, more like energy-gathering cannons for condensing soul power.

As long as they weren't fixed soul ammunition, such soul tools could be used in the arena, so Meng Hongchen's actions weren't against the rules.

Seeing this, Huo Yuhao showed no trace of panic. He raised his spear and aimed it at the two.

As if suddenly remembering something, Huo Yuhao's first soul ring flashed, and then he pulled the trigger.

"First Soul Skill: Great Cold Without Snow!"

The first soul ring's skill seemed to be absorbed by the spear in Huo Yuhao's hand, and then...

Like a streak of aurora, it transformed into a rainbow and surged toward Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.

At that moment, the temperature of the entire arena dropped to minus 100 degrees Celsius, yet no snowflakes flew.

Great Cold, Without Snow.

"My god, the soul tool he crafted can actually synergize with his soul skill. That's terrifying!"

Some close-combat soul tools can indeed synergize with soul skills.

But the soul tool in Huo Yuhao's hand was a long-range one!

Not only could it synergize with a soul skill, but it also enhanced the speed and power of the skill's release. This was beyond what a Level 5 soul tool could achieve.

"As expected of a peerless prodigy. Such talent, such ingenuity, he should become my disciple!"

Everyone: "..."

Keep dreaming!

Great Cold Without Snow wasn't an offensive soul skill but one that altered the "terrain" and "weather."

Different elemental Soul Masters can greatly enhance their strength in environments that match their attributes.

This was why, ten thousand years ago, members of the Shui Bing'er's team from the Skywater Academy would immediately change the arena's environment and climate upon entering the stage.

Only in a snowy, icy environment or a place with water could they maximize their strength.

The Great Cold Without Snow, enhanced by the soul tool, not only altered the "climate" and "environment" but also possessed immense destructive power!

The aurora-like beam landed at the center of the Hongchen siblings' position. Xiao Hongchen immediately activated a protective barrier, while Meng Hongchen hesitated.

Her Martial Soul was ice and poison, so fighting in an ice-attributed environment would also benefit her.

Ordinary ice couldn't harm her.

But this ice... was Ultimate Ice!

As Great Cold Without Snow landed, it erupted across the arena like a snowstorm tornado.