The Far North, located to the north of the Heavenly Soul Empire.
To travel from Shrek Academy to the Far North, one must cross the entire Heavenly Soul Empire.
For ordinary people, this journey would likely take several months.
But Huo Yuhao and Hua Huo were no ordinary people!
In the blink of an eye, the two of them arrived in the Far North.
Amidst the swirling snow and biting cold, Huo Yuhao and Hua Huo walked across the snowy ground without the slightest discomfort.
With their strength, such low temperatures were no different from normal weather.
"Little Blackie, the Far North is truly desolate," Hua Huo remarked as they walked.
The Far North was vast and sparsely populated by soul beasts. After walking for half a day, they hadn't encountered a single one.
Of course, this was without using their spiritual senses.
Using their senses would make things too easy.
As an old friend once said: "Every journey will eventually reach its end, so there's no need to rush."
"This environment isn't suitable for human habitation. It's one of the last pure lands for soul beasts," Huo Yuhao replied.
As soon as he finished speaking, three figures descended from the sky, landing in front of Huo Yuhao and Hua Huo.
The leader was a small-statured old man wearing glasses, who appeared quite scholarly.
Behind him were a boy and a girl, both looking around thirteen or fourteen years old.
The girl had white hair and was curiously examining Huo Yuhao and Hua Huo.
"You two young friends have quite the taste for adventure, able to chat and laugh in such a freezing, snowy place," the old man said with a kind smile after observing Huo Yuhao and Hua Huo.
"Unlike my useless grandson, who's already shivering at the mere outskirts of the Far North."
These two youngsters were extraordinary!
Otherwise, given his status and strength, why would he bother stopping here?
"Old man, your grandson looks weak, his soul power is just a tiny bit…" Hua Huo extended her right hand, pinching her thumb and forefinger together.
Seeing Hua Huo's gesture, the old man was slightly stunned, while the boy's body trembled as he looked at Hua Huo in disbelief.
"How can you say that?" the boy exclaimed angrily.
"I'm at least a level 45 soul master! What do you mean by 'a tiny bit'?"
Among his peers, he was considered quite powerful, whether in soul master cultivation or soul tool creation.
"And I'm not weak!!"
What man could tolerate such words?
"How interesting, truly fascinating," the old man thought, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
To remain so calm and even tease his grandson in front of someone like him, they were either incredibly strong and confident or utterly foolish.
This was the Far North, where ordinary soul masters struggled to adapt. Yet, these two youngsters were walking through the snow and wind without any protection, which ruled out the latter possibility.
"Three-tenths of your strength comes from drugs, and you're still not weak?" Hua Huo retorted, hands on her hips, her expression full of disdain.
The boy, the girl, and the old man: "…"
All three of them widened their eyes, looking at Hua Huo with a mix of shock and disbelief.
She… she could tell just by looking at him?
This… this was like seeing a ghost!
The boy subconsciously took a few steps back, pointing at Hua Huo but unable to utter a word.
His situation was known only to his grandfather and sister. As Hua Huo had said, his current soul master achievements were indeed aided by drugs.
And the amount was exactly three-tenths… give or take.
"Xiao, pull yourself together! This is no way to behave!" the old man scolded sharply, snapping the boy named Xiao out of his daze.
"Grandpa… I…"
It wasn't his fault! This girl was like a ghost…
"Tsk tsk, can't even handle a few words. You still need some tempering!"
"Those who achieve great things don't sweat the small stuff. Greatness comes from magnanimity!" Hua Huo declared, placing her hands behind her back like a wise teacher.
Hearing this, the old man's eyes lit up, and he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture toward Hua Huo. "This old man is Jing Hongchen. I've learned something today!"
He had originally come over to make some small talk and gather information about Huo Yuhao and Hua Huo, but he ended up being taught a lesson instead!
Xiao Hongchen looked at Jing Hongchen in confusion. How… how was this a lesson?
He was being bullied by this girl!
"This is my useless grandson, Xiao Hongchen."
"And this is my talented granddaughter, Meng Hongchen."
Xiao Hongchen: "…"
Am I adopted? Tell me the truth!
His sister gets called talented, while he's labeled useless?
Huo Yuhao wasn't surprised by their names. From the moment he saw them, he had already guessed their identities.
"So you're the master of the Illustrious Virtue Hall, Elder Jing Hongchen. I've long heard of your reputation!" Huo Yuhao said, cupping his hands in greeting.
Of course, this was just polite small talk.
"You've heard of me?"
"Never before…"
Hearing this, Jing Hongchen's eye twitched. So it really was just polite talk!
"May I ask for your names, young friends? If you ever visit Mingdu, please come to my residence for a visit!"
Someone who could see through Xiao Hongchen's situation at a glance was no ordinary person. Getting to know such geniuses would be a good thing.
"My name is Huo Yuhao, and this is my fiancée, the most beautiful, most lovely, and most kind Hua Huo in the entire universe!" Huo Yuhao said without a hint of embarrassment, as if he were completely used to such introductions.
Jing Hongchen and his grandchildren, however, felt their spines tingle, as if their lumbar discs were about to pop out.
What a shameless introduction!
Who introduces themselves with such self-praise?
They could admit that Hua Huo had "some charm," but she certainly wasn't the most beautiful in the universe!
Perhaps, in Huo Yuhao's eyes, she was exactly that. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Hua Huo, for her part, struck a proud pose, hands on her hips, perfectly playing her role.
Jing Hongchen's eye twitched, but then he noticed something that made his pupils contract.
"How is this possible?"
"Treading on snow without leaving a trace…"
In this snowy, icy landscape, footprints would quickly disappear due to the constant wind and snow.
But disappearing quickly didn't mean they weren't there. Yet, behind Huo Yuhao and Hua Huo, there wasn't a single footprint!
To tread on snow without leaving a trace, what level of strength would that require?
Only a Soul Sage or stronger could achieve such a feat, unless they were flying. Otherwise, footprints would inevitably be left.
Such young Soul Sage-level experts?
No wonder… no wonder!
Geniuses were as common as carp in a river, but these two were on a whole different level!
"Young friends, if you're interested in soul tools or need any assistance, please do visit the Illustrious Virtue Hall in Mingdu. Here's my token. Please accept it," Jing Hongchen said with utmost seriousness.
If he could recruit these two, he would do so without hesitation.
And if he couldn't recruit them…
He felt a sudden chill, as if death might strike at any moment.
Huo Yuhao didn't refuse Jing Hongchen's goodwill. Taking the token, he said, "We'll visit Mingdu when we have the time. Let's hope you don't turn your back on us then, Hall Master Jing!"