Zhang Lexuan followed Xian Lin'er's gaze and saw a girl who appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen years old, with long black hair. Though the girl wore a mask that obscured her face, her exposed skin was soft and delicate, and her bright, slightly dazed eyes peeked out from beneath the mask. Her loose black robe couldn't hide her curvaceous figure.
It was easy to deduce that she was a top-tier beauty with both looks and body.
At the moment, the girl was chatting and playfully interacting with her friends in the audience, seeming innocent and lively — no different from any other spectator awaiting the start of the match.
Though she tried to remain inconspicuous, Xian Lin'er instantly recognized her. She remembered that the girl's name was Juzi, and she was of common birth.
"Dean, who is she?" Zhang Lexuan asked.
If someone had caught Xian Lin'er's attention, perhaps there was something special about her?
Xian Lin'er responded in an oddly toned voice, "That girl once sparked a rivalry between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince."
Zhang Lexuan narrowed her eyes slightly and guessed, "Does she have some special status or talent?"
"No. She's a student at Mingde Hall, but not among the top elites. What attracted the Third Prince was her beauty. As for the Crown Prince, he was recruiting talents from Mingde Hall, and she was one of his targets." Xian Lin'er explained. She couldn't help but admit that Juzi was indeed a rare beauty, with an adorably naive charm that made people want to protect her.
"Is she worth recruiting?" Zhang Lexuan asked.
"No value in recruiting. Neither the Crown Prince nor the Third Prince made further contact with her," Xian Lin'er shook her head.
Zhang Lexuan lost interest in Juzi.
In truth, Xian Lin'er had specifically investigated Juzi after witnessing the conflict between the Crown Prince and Third Prince over her. She had once considered using Juzi to probe the princes' intentions.
But after observing her for some time, Xian Lin'er found that neither prince had interacted with her again, as if Juzi had merely been a pawn in their clash.
Eventually, both princes left Mingdu, and Xian Lin'er gave up on monitoring Juzi. Recruiting her into Shrek Academy was pointless — Juzi was just a regular student with unremarkable talent.
"Achoo~"
While fooling around with her girlfriends, Juzi suddenly sneezed. She looked around cautiously but found nothing unusual. Her eyes flickered slightly.
"Nothing suspicious… Just my imagination?"
She had been invited here by friends, but in truth, she had already planned to come — this was just a convenient excuse.
Her reason for coming was simple: to observe the rising underground sensation, the Frost Armor Emperor. If his strength was impressive, she intended to recruit him. With the Crown Prince's name, recruiting a soul master shouldn't be difficult. To take revenge on the Star Luo Empire, she needed powerful and talented allies.
Before leaving Mingdu, Xu Tiannan had entrusted her with some authority — a test of sorts. And within his faction, Juzi held a unique position.
With her newfound power, Juzi set her sights on the underground world of Ghost Street, now effectively a massive talent marketplace.
Though Ghost Street's existence was semi-public, most soul masters and soul engineers — even academy students — knew about it. As such, it often attracted restless talents.
Juzi quickly returned to her usual demeanor, chatting with her friends.
Unlike Juzi, her girlfriends were typical fans who came to see the match for one reason: the Frost Armor Emperor's looks.
Although Huo Yuhao had never shown his face, his snow-clad noble appearance and aloof aura were like catnip for women.
Moreover, his consistent, one-strike victories over peers drew the attention of many factions.
Tonight's death match wasn't just watched by underground powers and academy students — even the royal family had sent observers.
Though Huo Yuhao's Soul Sage-level strength wasn't particularly remarkable to major factions, his future potential was worth investing in. If he grew stronger, he might become another powerful Title Douluo!
That's why this tenth death match attracted exceptional attention.
Finally, the death match began!
The gates opened.
Huo Yuhao stepped into the arena, clad in his signature ice armor, wearing a frosty mask, and wielding the Frostbound Twinblade. The moment he entered, the audience erupted in thunderous cheers.
This time, the crowd wasn't focused on the life-or-death stakes, but on his performance.
"There he is — the Frost Armor Emperor! He's so cool!" cried a masked young girl in the stands, practically heart-eyed as she looked at Huo Yuhao. Her innocent aura stood in stark contrast to the chaotic atmosphere around her.
Behind her, two royal Soul Douluo-level bodyguards wiped cold sweat from their brows. One urgently whispered, "Your Highness, we're supposed to be evaluating his strength!"
"Oh, right, right!" the girl snapped back, "If he's strong enough, recruit him! I'll have him train with me, hehe~"
The two Soul Douluo guards were left speechless but dared not object.
This young woman, known for her willfulness and rebelliousness, was none other than the Sun Moon Emperor's favorite daughter, Princess Tianzhen — Xu Tianzhen.
Originally, she wasn't supposed to be here — the two Soul Douluo were sent to evaluate Huo Yuhao. But they bumped into Xu Tianzhen sneaking into Ghost Street. Once she recognized them, she pried the truth out of them and insisted on joining them, forcing them to bring her along and ensure her safety.
If anything happened to her, they'd be doomed.
Until now, they had only known her as spoiled and rebellious — they hadn't realized she was also a hopeless fangirl.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, others were watching the match as well.
Unlike the lively audience outside, this was a dark, secluded VIP room accessible only to high-ranking members of the Duskwater Alliance.
The battlefield's scene was clearly projected onto a Soul Tool screen inside.
Sitting across from the screen, on a luxurious sofa, was the Blue Silver Saintess, the Alliance Leader — Tang Ya, who shockingly sat off to the side, merely accompanying the figure in the main seat.
That figure wore black armor and an iron mask, radiating an aura of cold menace.
When he saw Huo Yuhao's image on the screen, his blood-red pupils fluctuated intensely, but the surge was quickly suppressed by a wave of blood-colored energy.
Tang Ya looked at him gently and said, "Beibei, you just got back, so you may not know — this man has already won ten matches in the arena, each time defeating his opponent in a single strike."
This black-armored man was none other than Beibei, who remained silent. Ever since returning from the Holy Spirit Church headquarters, he had become more withdrawn and cold, his aura tinged with a sinister edge.
Tang Ya didn't mind at all. She continued, "If he wins this tenth match, he'll be eligible to become a high-ranking member of the Duskwater Alliance. But many forces are watching him now — they all want to recruit him."
"So, I've prepared a little surprise for him!"
"Next up, let's welcome the opponent of the Frost Armored Emperor—Scorpion!"
Huo Yuhao's opponent finally entered the arena.
The contestant codenamed "Scorpion" was a burly bald man with a scorpion tattoo on his head. He wore a full set of soul tool armor and carried a large soul cannon on his back, exuding a cold, iron-blooded aura.
The moment he laid eyes on Scorpion, Huo Yuhao immediately saw through his strength. A trace of amusement flashed in his eyes—his opponent this time was unexpectedly a Soul Douluo!
"Upping the difficulty, huh? Sister Xiaoya, are you playing dirty now?" Huo Yuhao chuckled inwardly. "If you're going this far, I might just have to get serious~"
In the spectator stands, Xian Lin'er's expression shifted slightly. She leaned toward Zhang Lexuan and whispered, "This time, Yuhao's opponent is a Soul Douluo."
Zhang Lexuan narrowed her eyes. "Is the Duskwater Alliance targeting Yuhao?"
"It's possible," Xian Lin'er replied calmly. "After all, Huo Yuhao has won nine matches in a row without accepting the Duskwater Alliance's recruitment offer, which probably bruised their ego. But more likely, the Duskwater Alliance and other factions just want to see his limits."
Naturally, they weren't worried that Huo Yuhao would lose—an ultimate attribute Soul Sage could already contend with Titled Douluo. That was a record in the history of Shrek Academy.
Huo Yuhao's combat performance thus far had lived up to that.
What they were concerned about was that if Huo Yuhao went all out, his true identity might be exposed.
After all, his Ultimate Ice and Mutated Ice Jade Centipede Martial Soul were unique to him, and their fame had spread across the continent after the last Soul Master Tournament.
If his identity were revealed, the dangers he would face would be unimaginable.
Whatever the Duskwater Alliance's intentions were, from Zhang Lexuan and Xian Lin'er's perspective, if this pushed Huo Yuhao into a trap, the Duskwater Alliance would essentially be digging its own grave.
Especially Tang Ya—even if she had once been Bei Bei's girlfriend, everything she had done since then was beyond forgiveness.
In the arena, the iron gates fell, signaling the start of the match.
Scorpion instantly activated his soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and four black rings appeared, eight in total. Though he didn't reveal his Martial Soul, the aura of a Soul Douluo was undeniable.
"Soul Douluo? What's going on—did he enter the wrong arena?"
"This is unfair! Totally unfair!"
"The gate's down. It won't open again until someone dies!"
"That kid's done for!"
"Damn Duskwater Alliance—if they can't have him, they'd rather destroy him?"
The battle was about to begin.
Scorpion hoisted the cannon from his back and fired at Huo Yuhao instantly. It wasn't a regular soul power blast—it was a Grade-6 fixed soul cannon shell!
Since this was a no-rules deathmatch, anything went. While Grade-7 and above soul tools were regulated by the Empire, Grade-6 tools still circulated through auctions.
And a Grade-6 fixed soul cannon shell could easily kill a Soul Sage.
Faced with such a ferocious attack, Huo Yuhao—to everyone's shock—charged straight at it.
BOOM—
A massive explosion engulfed Huo Yuhao.
Even the protective barrier of the arena rippled slightly from the force.
But in the very next moment, an unbelievable sight occurred—Huo Yuhao emerged from the blast completely unscathed.
His body glowed with a protective light.
"Did he use a defensive soul tool too?"
"To withstand a Grade-6 cannon shell, it must be a Grade-7 defense tool!"
"There's no way he just tanked that with armor alone, right?!"
That impossible explanation… was the truth.
A Grade-6 cannon shell? It didn't even scratch him. He didn't even need to activate a defensive soul skill.
Only Grade-9 fixed soul cannon shells posed any real threat to Huo Yuhao.
Scorpion didn't get careless. As soon as Huo Yuhao emerged from the explosion, he began retreating rapidly, widening the distance while bombarding Huo Yuhao with his customized soul cannon.
Each shot carried at least Grade-7 power. He had sacrificed some explosive might for rapid fire—a typical strategy.
Soul engineers weren't weak in melee; they simply had a much greater advantage at range.
Scorpion specialized in cannons with armor-piercing and penetrating effects, designed specifically to counter heavily armored opponents like Huo Yuhao.
Indeed, to the public, Huo Yuhao appeared to be an armor-type soul master, skilled in melee soul tools. His Ice Extreme Twin Swords were mistaken for close-range soul tools.
His current Frost Centipede Armor had retracted its wings and cloak. With its evolved form, no one could recognize it as his unique martial soul armor.
Faced with this fierce barrage, Huo Yuhao still charged head-on. A faint dark-golden glow spread across his armor.
It wasn't him activating his "Sovereign's Might"—it was the armor itself utilizing a defense ability: Darkgold Defense, inspired by the terrifying resilience of the Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear.
BOOM BOOM BOOM—
Shot after shot landed and exploded on his armor, but it remained completely intact. Huo Yuhao wasn't injured in the slightest, nor did his pace slow down.
All of the armor-piercing and penetration effects were utterly useless.
Facing this eight-ring Soul Douluo and Grade-8 soul engineer, Huo Yuhao decided to show some respect—he let him demonstrate his full arsenal.
But the arena was only so big. Eventually, Huo Yuhao closed the distance.
Cornered, Scorpion didn't retreat. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. He dropped his cannon and pulled out a close-range soul weapon, preparing for melee combat.
Clad in Grade-7 armor and wielding a Grade-8 soul battle blade, he wasn't afraid of being one-shot.
As he swung the blade, Scorpion activated its killer move, fusing it with the power of a 50,000-year soul bone embedded in the weapon—unleashing a devastating slash that matched the strength of a full-force Soul Douluo strike.
But—
Huo Yuhao vanished into a blur.
Scorpion's pupils contracted.
"He can accelerate even more? Not good!"
Too late.
The audience saw Huo Yuhao withstand the bombardment, close the distance, and just as Scorpion went in for close combat—
Huo Yuhao sped up, flashed past Scorpion, and reappeared behind him.
Scorpion's armor didn't shatter. He wasn't injured.
But when he looked down—
He saw a Grade-6 fixed soul cannon shell strapped to his chest.
And one more stuck to his back.
"W-What?!"
Scorpion was horrified.
Before he could react—both cannon shells detonated.
The twin explosions engulfed him entirely.
Point-blank detonation of dual Grade-6 shells—not even a Soul Douluo could survive that.
When the dust settled, a lotus flower made of solid ice bloomed in the arena.
At its center stood Huo Yuhao, completely unscathed.
This icy lotus defense was more elegant and dazzling than raising an ice wall—and it drove countless female spectators into a screaming frenzy.
As for Scorpion—he had become nothing but a few scattered fragments. His soul and storage soul tool were already in Huo Yuhao's possession.
And this unexpected tactic—using fixed soul cannon shells to assassinate an opponent—shocked many representatives of powerful factions.
They had never imagined that Huo Yuhao would wield fixed soul cannon shells like that.
Who could possibly survive something like this?
The tenth match—Victory!
With that, Huo Yuhao achieved a ten-match winning streak!
Though he didn't display his swordsmanship or his usual skill of instantly defeating opponents of the same rank in this tenth match, his terrifying defense—able to endure the bombardment of an eighth-tier soul engineer without a scratch—was more than enough to prove his value.
Many factions began to take notice.
This method of using fixed-mounted soul tools in close combat was something they had never considered, yet Huo Yuhao had done it—and done it effectively.
What if he used seventh-tier, or even higher-tier, soul tools instead? If he stuck one of those onto a target—even a Super Douluo might not survive.
Some factions were even beginning to consider whether they should establish a suicide infantry force.
But more urgently—they had to figure out how to recruit Huo Yuhao.
The fact that he could casually pull out two sixth-tier fixed-mounted soul tools suggested that he had an extraordinary background and immense resources. Anyone hoping to recruit him would have to pay a high price.
Some factions, recognizing their limitations, gave up on recruiting him altogether.
Others, more ambitious, began preparing to show even greater sincerity.
After all, they were here to win people over, not make enemies. Ruining their own reputations would only make it harder to recruit talent in the future.
Although Huo Yuhao hadn't shown his face, his demeanor and behavior clearly indicated that he was no older than twenty-five. He still had enormous untapped potential—he might even become a Titled Douluo someday.
Such talent must not be missed.
The factions began to move.
"This guy is so shameless!" grumbled Xu Tianzhen, frustrated. "That's not how soul engineers are supposed to fight! Who uses fixed-mounted soul tools like that? He's just relying on his ridiculously strong defense to do whatever he wants!"
"Um, Your Highness, Frost Armor Emperor's battle style does deviate from traditional soul engineering, but… in life-and-death combat, victory is what matters most," a Soul Douluo cautiously offered, hoping to avoid Xu Tianzhen sabotaging their recruitment efforts.
She rolled her eyes. "Do I need you to tell me that? I'm naïve, not stupid! He's mine now. You two—you must recruit him for me. I said must, got it?"
"Don't worry, Your Highness. There won't be any issues. We represent the Imperial Family. Who would dare compete with us?"
Xu Tianzhen sighed. She suddenly suspected these two were brain-dead.
With thinking like that, what were they even doing in talent recruitment? They should go farm instead.
"You think the royal family is unbeatable? Even I don't dare say that out loud—people might beat me to death."
"Uh…"
The two Soul Douluos were momentarily speechless.
"Forget it, I'll handle it," Xu Tianzhen said wearily. "For now, try inviting him in secret. Don't let anyone know the royal family has its eyes on Frost Armor Emperor. If he refuses, don't push him. Just keep an eye on him—and don't let him join any other faction. I'm heading back to the palace to get reinforcements."
"What if he joins another faction voluntarily?" one of them asked cautiously.
"That depends which faction. If it's a public one, we'll let Father handle it. If it's an underground force… well, they won't be existing much longer."
You think you can just poach my guy?
She was Xu Tianzhen—a princess.
Some shady group dares compete with her?
If she couldn't win? Easy. Go cry to Dad.
"What are you waiting for? Move!"
"Y-Yes, Your Highness!"
The princess's words left the Soul Douluos stunned for quite a while.
Who said she was harmless again?
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao proceeded to claim his winnings—standard procedure. But once again, the head of the Evil Dragon Arena, Long She, appeared.
"Congratulations, Frost Armor Emperor, on your ten-match winning streak," Long She said courteously, then quickly got to the point. "Would you be willing to move to a private box? Someone would like to meet you."
Though framed as an invitation, he clearly wasn't giving Huo Yuhao much choice. He raised his hand, already gesturing to lead the way.
"Lead on," Huo Yuhao said coldly.
There was no reason to refuse.
As expected, the one seeking to meet him was likely Tang Ya.
After all, the Evil Dragon Arena was under the control of Duskwater Alliance Naturally, they'd use their proximity to get the first opportunity.
Under Long She's guidance, Huo Yuhao entered a private box.
Inside, the glow of soul tools lit the room—not lavish, but not plain either. The decor had a wild energy to it, suiting the brutal aesthetic of the arena.
There was only one person inside.
A middle-aged man in ornate robes, exuding an air of dominance. His soul power was entirely hidden, but his presence left no doubt—this man was powerful.
Huo Yuhao's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Not Tang Ya? But… he looks familiar."
Long She bowed and exited.
The man stood, warmly ushering Huo Yuhao inside.
"It's an honor to finally meet you, Frost Armor Emperor. Your talent and presence outshine even the most privileged noble youths."
"…And you are?"
"You've probably guessed already, haven't you? I am Nangong Xishui, leader of the Duskwater Alliance, Title: Heavenly Centipede."
Huo Yuhao: "…"
Truthfully, he hadn't guessed at all.
Where was he supposed to guess that from?!
If he already knew the answer, why would he guess wrong?!
What kind of name is 'Nangong Xishui' anyway?
A fusion of Nangong Wan and Ye Xishui?!
Wait… does this mean the truth about Nangong Wan's demise hasn't leaked yet? But surely other factions already know her real name, right?
Spiritual Detection—activate.
In an instant, Huo Yuhao understood.
This "Nangong Xishui" was only a Soul Douluo, using a soul tool to mask his true cultivation.
Even his appearance was fake—clearly altered by some special technique. Huo Yuhao could sense soul power subtly flowing across his face.
No wonder he seemed familiar—he looked about 60% similar to Nangong Wan.
"Greetings, Your Excellency Heavenly Centipede," Huo Yuhao replied blandly.
"Just call me Alliance Leader Nangong," the man responded kindly.
They sat down and began their conversation—Nangong's goal clear: recruitment.
But as they spoke, Huo Yuhao covertly scanned the area with Spiritual Detection—until he discovered a hidden door in the room.
A soul tool concealed it from view, but it couldn't block his mental probing.
Behind it was a secret chamber—with two figures hidden inside, quietly observing the conversation.
"Found you… Sister Xiaoya, Brother Beibei…"
But then he noticed something strange.
"Wait—Brother Beibei's condition… something's off."
He could sense a strange power interfering with Beibei's mind.
A ritual!
That was it.
His emotions suddenly grew complicated.
Wasn't this the situation that originally happened to Tang Ya in the original story…?
Nan Gong Xishui had always treated Huo Yuhao with a very approachable and friendly attitude. Though clearly an effort to win him over, she never tried to coerce him into anything.
Joining the Duskwater Alliance was inevitable, so Huo Yuhao decided to go with the flow and agree. Still, it was important to negotiate some terms—being too eager might raise suspicions.
"There are many factions out there trying to recruit me. The Commoner Alliance and some nobles have already extended invitations. Why should I choose the Duskwater Alliance? And it's only an underground force, after all," Huo Yuhao asked in return.
Nan Gong Xishui smiled faintly and laid out the offer:
"As long as you, 'Armor Sovereign,' join the Duskwater Alliance, I will personally gift you a Tier-9 soul tool of your choice, excluding fixed-installation types. In addition, we'll provide all the resources necessary for you to break through to Titled Douluo, as well as guidance from both Titled and even Super Douluo."
"As for us being underground—what does it matter? You can operate under a different identity. You've always worn a mask; no one knows your true face or background, right?"
The offer was undeniably generous. Even offers from royalty or noble families wouldn't go far beyond this—maybe some additional prestige, but nothing more.
More importantly, the Duskwater Alliance's promise of mentorship from a Super Douluo was something no other force could match. Even the imperial court had no known Super Douluo on the surface. The only one, Kong Deming, wouldn't possibly teach Huo Yuhao unless he proved extraordinary value and loyalty.
Nan Gong Xishui didn't belittle the Commoner Alliance or other factions because she was confident in the strength of her offer.
She was also subtly revealing that a Super Douluo backed the Duskwater Alliance—an indirect show of power.
This was a strategic intimidation.
Huo Yuhao understood: if he didn't agree now, things might turn ugly. He was sure that if he left that room after refusing, the Duskwater Alliance would send strong forces to eliminate him—especially now that he had sensitive intelligence about a Super Douluo.
"I'll join. I can also do things for you—but I expect proper compensation each time. I work for money, not for people," Huo Yuhao replied coldly.
Nan Gong Xishui's smile grew even brighter.
"Of course. Whether it's soul tool materials, soul beast parts, or beauties—whatever you need, we can provide. The Duskwater Alliance will never disappoint you."
Clearly, the alliance had done its homework. They knew about Huo Yuhao's recent activities: scouring Ghost Street for rare materials and hanging around the Commoner Alliance. His preferences were not hard to deduce.
Inwardly, Nan Gong Xishui chuckled—Huo Yuhao might look like a cold piece of ice, but deep down he was as reservedly passionate as anyone else.
"Now that we're allies, might I ask to see your true face? Don't worry—it's just me in this room. I simply want to avoid any misunderstandings in the future," she said, smiling.
In Douluo Dalu, there's no photography or surveillance, so this wasn't an unreasonable request—and it could serve as a kind of initiation.
Huo Yuhao sneered inwardly. Just you? Please. There are two others hiding next door.
But then he thought of Beibei and Tang Ya—and suddenly felt like revealing his identity would be much more fun.
Time to let them know Shrek Academy was here.
He removed the frosty mask, revealing his true face—a stunning appearance that seemed to brighten the entire private room.
Nan Gong Xishui was stunned. She hadn't expected Huo Yuhao to be so handsome—or so young.
Everyone had guessed he was under 25. But looking at him now, he was clearly under 20.
In fact, thanks to Xian Lin'er's makeup skills, Huo Yuhao's face had been made to look more mature. In reality, he was only 15 years old.
In the hidden chamber, when Huo Yuhao revealed his face, Beibei's emotional response intensified—but a red light suppressed his subconscious reaction.
Tang Ya, however, was struck by sudden realization. After a brief moment of doubt, she gasped—she recognized Huo Yuhao!
She had seen him during the chaos in Tian Dou City with Beibei. Though he was in disguise, the armor and his features gave him away.
Tang Ya knew about his relationship with Beibei and his background.
If Huo Yuhao had appeared here in disguise to infiltrate the Duskwater Alliance, there was only one possible explanation:
Shrek Academy was making its move.
Tang Ya didn't waste time on wishful thinking. Wishful thinking led to disaster. Her expression turned complex.
The now-cold Beibei sensed her change and hoarsely asked, "What's wrong?"
Tang Ya quickly composed herself and smiled gently. "It's nothing. I just didn't expect… him to be this handsome."
"Hm," Beibei replied indifferently, then looked away.
Tang Ya's gaze darkened slightly.
He recognized Huo Yuhao too—how could he not? Yet he's still acting indifferent…
"Is this an act? Fine—I'll play along too," Tang Ya thought.
Since Beibei didn't realize she had recognized Huo Yuhao, she wouldn't expose it either.
Let's see how long you can keep pretending, she sneered inwardly.
Ever since Beibei's return, she had sensed something off. While Beibei had once struggled to accept her as an evil soul master, he had still cared for her. Now, he acted as if he no longer gave a damn.
Even when she praised Huo Yuhao's looks, Beibei hadn't reacted. That hurt her even more than his earlier emotional distance.
You think you can just move on?
You're an evil soul master now too—we should be more compatible than ever.
And all of this—was because of Shrek!
They had come between her and Beibei.
Tang Ya stared at Huo Yuhao from the hidden room, her gaze unreadable.
"So… Shrek Academy has come. When did they start tracking us? Doesn't matter. Since you dared come here, I'll show you—Tang Ya is no longer the Tang Sect leader you could push around!"
"Beibei is already an evil soul master. If Shrek sends in another one, what will your faces look like then?"
Her gaze gradually turned maniacal.
After all, the resources Nan Gong Xishui promised Huo Yuhao weren't just ordinary—they were enough to train a Titled Douluo.
Huo Yuhao was personally escorted out of the arena by Nangong Xishui, their interaction notably warm.
"Armor Emperor, the Level 9 soul tool you requested will be ready tomorrow. Just come to the arena to collect it," Nangong Xishui said.
"Thank you, Alliance Leader. Please, stay here," Huo Yuhao nodded lightly, then departed.
For the sake of a Level 9 soul tool, Huo Yuhao decided to be courteous with Nangong Xishui.
This scene was observed by representatives of various factions, deliberately staged to signal that the Frost Heaven Armor Emperor had joined the Duskwater Alliance!
Some were surprised, others displeased, and some opted to watch quietly.
The two royal Soul Douluos frowned. One slipped into the shadows, leaving to report to Xu Tianzhen.
It was unclear whether Xu Tianzhen truly intended to target the Duskwater Alliance.
During the purge of the Aodu Chamber of Commerce, the Duskwater Alliance had displayed formidable strength, not easily dealt with.
As usual, Huo Yuhao headed to the Ordinary Alliance's territory, planning to sneak through the tunnel to the Sun Moon Empire's harem. Even with today's progress, nothing could deter his harem visit.
If Yu Mandance wasn't enough, there were still the Empress, Imperial Consort, and other consorts~
But unexpectedly, just as he reached the Ordinary Alliance's territory, he was intercepted. "Your Excellency Frost Heaven Armor Emperor, our Alliance Leader requests your presence!"
Another alliance leader?
This time, it was the Ordinary Alliance's leader.
With time to spare, Huo Yuhao decided to see what was up.
In a private room at a restaurant, Huo Yuhao met Shangguan Wei'er, the Ordinary Alliance's leader.
Shangguan Wei'er wore a striking red gown, her beauty breathtaking. Her chestnut hair was elegantly piled into a cloud-like bun, her figure enchantingly graceful, like a worldly succubus. Yet her face radiated holiness, the contrast stoking desire—an absolute enchantress.
"Congratulations, Your Excellency Frost Heaven Armor Emperor, on achieving ten consecutive wins in the Evil Dragon Arena! I've heard of your unmatched charisma, and seeing you today, your reputation is well-earned."
"I'm Shangguan Wei'er, leader of the Ordinary Alliance, and I've prepared fine wine and cuisine to celebrate your success."
Her alluring red lips parted, her voice crisp like a young girl's. As she approached Huo Yuhao, her steps swayed, her slender waist twisting, her curves mesmerizingly provocative.
Compared to Nan Shuishui, who practiced seductive arts, or Tu Xijun, born with a charming physique, Shangguan Wei'er's allure was innate, amplified by her contrasting aura.
The private room held only Huo Yuhao and Shangguan Wei'er, with a table of exquisite dishes and wine.
The atmosphere grew subtly intimate.
Huo Yuhao knew Shangguan Wei'er was trying to seduce him.
As the former leader of one of the three major underground factions, Shangguan Wei'er was the eldest—Nangong Wan called her "big sister." She was highly capable, reportedly becoming the Ordinary Alliance's leader at forty, though her true age remained a mystery.
She had royal and noble backing.
Countless strong men had once fallen for her, becoming her devotees.
Clearly, she now aimed to add Huo Yuhao to that list.
"Alliance Leader Shangguan flatters me," Huo Yuhao replied calmly, a glint of gold flashing in his eyes.
Shangguan Wei'er paused, her expression tightening, a hint of wariness in her eyes.
For a moment, she felt as if Huo Yuhao had seen through her!
But how could that be?
In truth, Huo Yuhao had indeed seen through her, both physically and otherwise.
He knew of Shangguan Wei'er only through the original novel and An Litong's accounts, which suggested she was a Soul Douluo.
But she'd concealed her true strength—she was a Titled Douluo, albeit a weak Level 91 one.
Her luck was robust, befitting a faction leader. Her luck bore the heavy auspicious clouds of influence, signaling deep backing. Her martial soul projection, a beautifully ornate fan, indicated high quality.
She also had three intriguing destinies:
- **[Cherishing Spring]**: Eternal youth, maintaining youthful vitality for a long time.
- **[Acacia Bliss]**: A peerless beauty, gifted for dual cultivation.
- **[Peach Blossom Temptation]**: Fated for romance, a life of indulgence in passion and allure.
These destinies perfectly described Shangguan Wei'er. Those with Peach Blossom Temptation were irresistibly attractive to the opposite sex.
No need to ask—Huo Yuhao was drawn in.
"Dual cultivation talent? A first for me. Let's see just how gifted she is!" Huo Yuhao smirked wickedly.
"Alliance Leader Shangguan, no more talk. I'm short on time~"
With that, before she could respond, Huo Yuhao unleashed a Buddhist glow, enveloping the room.
Caught off guard by his sudden move, Shangguan Wei'er reacted swiftly, summoning her Cherishing Spring Fan martial soul. She wasn't panicked, confident that a mere Soul Sage like Huo Yuhao was at her mercy.
But then, Huo Yuhao pointed, and a golden light struck her forehead. Her dodges and defenses were futile, leaving her dazed.
When she came to, she was on the dining table, stripped bare. The table's dishes had been swept to the floor.
"What are you doing?" Shangguan Wei'er exclaimed, shocked and furious.
Huo Yuhao slowly shed his outer coat, licking his teeth. "Thanks for the hospitality, Alliance Leader Shangguan. I'll enjoy this feast."
And so, cultivation began!
Realizing resistance was futile, Shangguan Wei'er, despite her shock and anger, chose to comply.
But what unnerved her was Huo Yuhao's lack of infatuation. Instead, he exuded a predatory ferocity, chilling her to the core.
What? Shangguan Wei'er was "used"?
Cultivation is cultivation—why fuss over mental purity?
If it could be used for cultivation, Huo Yuhao would turn even dung into a delicacy.
As they say, to shine before others, you must suffer behind the scenes. Huo Yuhao was well-versed in such "suffering."
A tool's cleanliness? As long as it wasn't toxic, it was fine.
Still, Huo Yuhao had to admit her Cherishing Spring destiny was impressive—Shangguan Wei'er showed no signs of wear, feeling as fresh as new.
As for visiting the harem consorts, Huo Yuhao postponed it.
A night of cultivation.
It ended at dawn.
Huo Yuhao found Shangguan Wei'er truly exceptional. Alone, she outshone the four maidservants, weathering his tempest and even seeming invigorated.
This was due to Huo Yuhao's dual cultivation method, not mere extraction.
Shangguan Wei'er's emotions were complex. After initial fear, she felt unprecedented fulfillment, later abandoning restraint. Without Huo Yuhao's precautions, they'd have drawn a crowd.
Though she ultimately "lost," her gaze toward Huo Yuhao shifted, tinged with regret for not meeting sooner.
Examining her, Huo Yuhao noted that passive dual cultivation had boosted her strength and physique significantly.
"Truly a natural for dual cultivation!" *
Before arriving, Shangguan Wei'er had intended to recruit Huo Yuhao into the Commoner Alliance.
But by the time Huo Yuhao left, both the Commoner Alliance and Shangguan Wei'er had essentially become his.
Moreover, Huo Yuhao had left a method inside Shangguan Wei'er's body—similar to what he had once used on Zhu Lu. Now, Shangguan Wei'er's life and death were entirely in Huo Yuhao's hands. She could no longer disclose anything about him, and Huo Yuhao could sense her status at any moment.
After securing this insurance measure, Huo Yuhao also granted Shangguan Wei'er several powerful cultivation techniques: the high-level charm art "Cloud and Rain Technique", the dual cultivation method "Yin-Yang Dual Harmony", and a copy of "Jade Maiden Scripture".
The Cloud and Rain Technique—named after fleeting yet intense encounters—focuses on both inner and outer cultivation, enhancing strength, appearance, and physical constitution.
The Yin-Yang Dual Harmony is an academic compilation that merges various dual cultivation techniques into a single refined system.
The Jade Maiden Scripture is not just a furnace (cauldron) technique; it's also a rapid cultivation method to improve strength.
Huo Yuhao left these behind so Shangguan Wei'er could train diligently, eventually cultivating alongside him and aiding in his improvement.
Dual cultivation is a mutually beneficial practice. Shangguan Wei'er was a natural talent in this area; cultivating with her could bring immense benefits, nearly equivalent to using a top-tier human furnace.
Unfortunately, her current strength was far beneath Huo Yuhao's, so his gains were minimal—thus the urgent need for her to level up quickly.
After receiving the techniques, Shangguan Wei'er became even more reverent toward Huo Yuhao. She realized his power and skills far surpassed hers, and being able to produce such rare techniques implied that his background was anything but ordinary.
Yet, Shangguan Wei'er did not develop hatred or resentment for the control Huo Yuhao placed over her. Recognizing she had no way to resist, she started thinking about how to please him and earn his favor.
Besides, after being fulfilled by Huo Yuhao, she developed an unprecedented infatuation with him.
Emotionally, she craved more of his attention.
Coming from the Commoner Alliance, Shangguan Wei'er was particularly adept at how to please men.
Commoner Alliance had also investigated Huo Yuhao's preferences—Shangguan Wei'er began to prepare accordingly.
After cleaning the traces and scent from his body, Huo Yuhao used an underground tunnel to return to the base.
Inside, Zhang Lexuan and Xian Liner were already waiting for him.
They weren't surprised that Huo Yuhao didn't return immediately.
Before last night, Huo Yuhao had explained everything—so as not to draw attention, he would follow his usual routine. Moreover, Huo Yuhao had never once shown any flaws in his behavior. Neither Zhang Lexuan nor Xian Liner could suspect what he'd really been up to.
They believed Huo Yuhao was merely playing the part of a lustful man as a cover, using great self-discipline to resist temptation.
Even his "daily five rounds" with the four maidservants had a plausible explanation.
(Of course, Xian Liner was unaware of the five-round situation.)
So, because Xian Liner was present today, Huo Yuhao couldn't engage in his usual five-round session with the maids.
They didn't mind, but the one who seemed most restless from missing the show was Zhang Lexuan.
Huo Yuhao clearly noticed Zhang Lexuan's abnormality, but she hid it well—her face remained neutral. Given last night's incident, it was easy to attribute her moodiness to her unresolved feelings about Beibei.
No one would suspect that Zhang Lexuan's body was now craving something... Once certain habits form, they're hard to quit.
"Yuhao, how did it go?"
Xian Liner couldn't wait to ask as soon as he entered.
Huo Yuhao nodded seriously.
"Mission accomplished. I've successfully joined the Duskwater Alliance."
"That's great!"
Xian Liner beamed with joy.
Zhang Lexuan also became interested, and her restlessness temporarily subsided.
"However..."
Huo Yuhao's expression turned serious.
"I didn't meet the real leader of the Duskwater Alliance. I only saw a man named Nangong Xishui, who claimed to be the leader. But I could tell—his strength is only that of a Soul Douluo."
Upon hearing this, Xian Liner's expression became stern.
"Then he's probably just a puppet. As the strongest underground force in Mingdu, the true leader of the Duskwater Alliance couldn't possibly be just a Soul Douluo."
"Seems like there are secrets within the Duskwater Alliance,"
Zhang Lexuan added.
"The Commoner Alliance also invited me, but I declined. Still, we established a relatively friendly cooperation."
Huo Yuhao continued.
Of course, he couldn't tell the whole truth about the Commoner Alliance.
Xian Liner nodded.
"You did the right thing, Yuhao."
"The Commoner Alliance may contain even greater temptations,"
Zhang Lexuan said meaningfully.
"Lexuan, don't worry. I trust Yuhao,"
Xian Liner smiled in response.
She had no idea how far things had already gone. And Zhang Lexuan wasn't about to explain it.
They then offered some encouraging words.
Infiltrating the Duskwater Alliance was a major breakthrough. With steady progress, they'd soon uncover its hidden secrets.
After chatting for a while, Xian Liner quietly left.
Zhang Lexuan stared silently at Huo Yuhao for a moment before saying she had intel to collect—and left the base.
In truth, she was secretly watching Huo Yuhao, hoping he'd act again. This was a feeling she'd never had before. Even her disciplined mindset couldn't suppress this sense of anticipation.
And Huo Yuhao didn't disappoint.
The four maids took the initiative to approach Huo Yuhao once more, launching into another wild and intense "battle."
But this time, something had changed.
With a burst of soul power, all four maids broke through to Level 70 simultaneously!
"Did we just… breakthrough during?"
Goldie was stunned.
In the past, their breakthroughs always came afterward. This was the first time it happened mid-act.
The other three were just as shocked.
Even the hidden Zhang Lexuan's beautiful eyes widened slightly.
"Maybe it's because you were already at the verge of a breakthrough. This just helped push it over,"
Huo Yuhao chuckled in explanation.
Do you even understand how valuable a human-shaped elixir is?!
Although the maids were of different ages, their strength had always been equal—not because of talent, but due to deliberate cultivation by the White Lotus Sect, whose techniques didn't rely on aptitude.
As long as resources were sufficient—and lives were sacrificed—power could increase.
Their equal strength was necessary because of a joint attack technique they cultivated, which required balance.
"Ladies, stabilize your cultivation first. Once I speak with the Holy Maiden, I'll help you acquire spirit rings,"
Huo Yuhao added.
"No rush~"
Goldie smiled.
"And since you can help us break through… can't you help us stabilize our levels too?"
With that, Goldie once again pounced on him.
The other three's eyes sparkled—they once again surrounded Huo Yuhao.