Training (Part 1)

"Sister Hongyue, please wait a moment. I'll change clothes and be right out."

"Greetings, Young Master!"

In front of the bamboo hut, ten disciples knelt on one knee in a row, calling out in unison.

According to the sect's rules, the disciple of the Sect Master held a status equal to that of a Titled Douluo Elder. Even ordinary elders had to show respect, let alone these ordinary disciples.

However, one person remained standing—a girl around fourteen years old. She wore a pale yellow gauze short skirt with a snow-white undershirt. Her long black hair was neatly styled, and she had delicate features and a gentle, elegant temperament.

Compared to the other nine, this girl was clearly much bolder. Even when met with Huo Yuhao's gaze, her expression remained calm and unshaken.

"She is Princess Vina of the Heavenly Soul Empire, level thirty-seven," explained Ran Hongyue in a low voice when she noticed Huo Yuhao's attention linger on Vina, worried he might be displeased.

Huo Yuhao gave a slight nod. Indeed, with her royal status, she didn't need to kneel before him. Not that he particularly cared about such formalities. Shifting his gaze to the others, he said,

"Stand up. Introduce yourselves from left to right."

"Lin Kong, martial soul: Hand, level sixty-three Battle Soul Emperor."

"Xiang Wuqing, martial soul: Fingernails, level sixty-one Battle Soul Emperor."

"Xiang Yuqing, martial soul: Fingernails, level sixty-two Battle Soul Emperor."

"Chen Xiao, martial soul: Legs, level fifty-five Battle Soul King."

"Lan Shuang, martial soul: White Bone, level fifty-six Battle Soul King."

"Yang Xu, martial soul: Hair, level fifty-four Battle Soul King."

"Luo Tianlin, martial soul: Foot, level fifty-three Battle Soul King."

"Long Aotian, martial soul: Skin, level forty-two Battle Soul Sect."

"Wang Yanfeng, martial soul: Arms, level thirty-nine Battle Soul Venerable."

"Vina, martial soul: Snow Lotus, level thirty-seven Tool Soul Venerable."

Huo Yuhao's gaze returned to Vina once again. The Body Sect only accepted soul masters with body-based martial souls, and Vina's Snow Lotus clearly didn't fit. Could she possibly be…

As he speculated, Vina continued,

"I have twin martial souls. My second martial soul is the brain, though I haven't attached any soul rings to it yet."

Huo Yuhao nodded slightly. Though he was familiar with the plot, he couldn't possibly remember every single person. He didn't have a strong impression of Vina.

After listening to their introductions, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but feel a bit strange. These body-based martial souls… sounded so underwhelming.

Look at Shrek: Light Goddess Butterfly, Evil-Eyed White Tiger, Ghost Shadow Cat, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—each name more badass than the last. His own team's martial souls sounded like leftovers from a failed anatomy class.

Still, setting aside his internal complaints, their cultivation levels were quite solid. They looked around seventeen or eighteen years old, and among them were three Soul Emperors and four Soul Kings.

The last three were younger—around thirteen or fourteen. One had already reached Soul Sect level, and the other two weren't far behind.

With such a lineup, Huo Yuhao believed that even if they couldn't match Shrek, they wouldn't be far off. Overall, he was satisfied.

"Since you were chosen by the sect, I assume you're all exceptional. Come at me together—let me see what you've got."

His tone was calm, but the words were downright arrogant.

The group immediately felt a surge of unspoken anger. Sure, you're the Young Master, and we believe you're talented, but right now you're just a little Soul Sect. We've got three Soul Emperors, several Soul Kings and Soul Sects—where do you get this confidence?

Ran Hongyue stood by with folded arms, saying nothing, watching with great interest. Among those present, only she knew that Huo Yuhao wasn't bluffing.

She had personally seen him chase a Soul King to the ends of the earth back when he only had three rings.

Since then, Huo Yuhao had awakened a domain and obtained a forty-five-thousand-year soul ring under the Sect Master's guidance—not to mention that the soul beast was the top-tier Dark Devilgod Tiger.

With all that, Ran Hongyue figured Huo Yuhao's combat power must have soared after breaking through to Soul Sect. Maybe not quite Soul Sage level, but Soul Emperors? He could probably crush them.

"Young Master, you're talking big. Aren't you afraid the wind will cut your tongue?"

Huo Yuhao turned to the speaker. It was Long Aotian. With a name that flashy, getting smacked around was basically his destiny.

Huo Yuhao wasn't unfamiliar with him—among the younger generation of the Body Sect, he was one of the few Huo Yuhao remembered. In the original story, the guy was a straight-up monster, breaking through to Soul Sage at nineteen with soul rings in the sequence: yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black. Aside from Huo Hang, no one in Shrek could compete.

He later became the Young Sect Master and the heir to the Sect Master's position. Unfortunately, he was killed during the resistance against the Sun Moon Empire.

With all that talent came arrogance—Long Aotian believed no peer was his match, so of course he was the first to challenge Huo Yuhao.

Truly living up to his name. You had to wonder what his dad was thinking, giving him a name that begged for a beating.

Huo Yuhao had no intention of indulging him. His expression hardened, and he said coldly,

"Since the Sect Master entrusted you all to me, I have full authority. You don't have to obey me—you're free to leave right now. No one will stop you. There are plenty of disciples eager to compete in the tournament."

Long Aotian's face changed. The meaning was clear—either obey, or give up your chance to compete.

The Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament wasn't just a place to show off—it was a fast track to elite training and massive sect resources.

Missing out would be devastating.

Just one sentence from Huo Yuhao was enough to get everyone in line. Even Long Aotian backed down.

Then, following Huo Yuhao's orders, the ten of them teamed up for a friendly match against him. The result? As expected, they were absolutely crushed—Huo Yuhao, using both his soul bone and domain, dominated them effortlessly.

But Huo Yuhao's real goal wasn't to assess their strength. The Body Sect emphasized minimal soul skill use because of their unique martial souls. Their combat techniques relied more on physical prowess, reserving soul skills for key moments.

The sect also passed down many battle techniques.

So from the beginning, Huo Yuhao never planned to test their strength—he just wanted to beat the pride out of them.

Only after humbling them could he lead them effectively.

(End of Chapter)