Chapter 370: The Ultimate Cheat Code
After receiving the cultivation technique Innate Art as a friendly gift from Elder Ye, Huo Yuhao decisively abandoned the Mysterious Heaven Technique and began cultivating the new method. Though this might seem disloyal, he figured why stick with something inferior when a better option was available?
He had only recently joined the Tang Sect, and unlike Tang Ya, who had been raised in it since childhood, he lacked any deep emotional attachment to the sect. So discarding their technique wasn't a big deal to him.
Once he started cultivating, he realized that Innate Art was on a completely different level even in terms of pure efficiency, it was several times faster than the Mysterious Heaven Technique! And that was with his current weak body dragging it down. As his physique strengthened over time, his cultivation speed would only increase exponentially.
How terrifying was this technique?!
Feeling his strength growing at an unbelievable pace, Huo Yuhao was practically dizzy with happiness. He truly believed his luck had finally turned around.
First, he had received Tianmeng's sacrifice, obtaining an unprecedented million year soul ring. Then, he had gained Elder Ye's guidance, receiving a miraculous technique from another world.
This was something he never would have dared to dream of before!
It was as if all the misfortunes of his past had been preparing him for this moment a time when he would finally soar to greatness.
Seeing how diligently Huo Yuhao trained every day, Tang Ya and Bei Bei felt incredibly proud. They were convinced that Tang Sect had a promising future completely unaware that he wasn't practicing their so called "legendary" Mysterious Heaven Technique at all.
Huo Yuhao kept this secret to himself.
First, it involved his own personal growth, something he wasn't obligated to share.
Second, he had just joined the sect if they found out he had immediately discarded their technique for being too weak, wouldn't that be too awkward?
He was certain that if he dared to admit it, Tang Ya wouldn't hesitate to execute him for betraying the sect. After all, from what he had learned about the Tang Sect's rules, joining them was like stepping into an abyss there was no easy way out.
For now, he decided to play along and keep up the facade.
Fortunately, Innate Art was immensely adaptable. In fact, the moment he started cultivating it, the Mysterious Heaven Technique had already been completely absorbed into it.
This meant that if necessary, he could perfectly simulate the aura of the Mysterious Heaven Technique, making it seem like he was still practicing it.
Additionally, Tang Sect's martial techniques such as Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, and Mysterious Jade Hands remained completely compatible with his new cultivation method. In fact, their power would be even stronger when used in conjunction with Innate Art!
Even though the two techniques had almost identical names, the difference between them was as vast as the heavens and the earth.
After several days of travel, Huo Yuhao and his companions finally arrived at Shrek Academy.
Rather than just an academy, Shrek Academy was more akin to an entire city.
Towering city walls stretched far into the distance, enclosing a massive territory known as Shrek City, which had been built on the Lima Plains.
Shrek City was one of the largest cities on the continent, with a population of over two million people. The academy had complete governance over the city, independent of any national control, and was not subject to any taxes essentially functioning as a sovereign state within a state.
However, the academy wasn't located at the city's center but rather on the eastern side, closer to the Star Dou Forest.
Guided by Bei Bei and Tang Ya, Huo Yuhao approached Shrek City's eastern gates. The scene before him was lively and bustling a massive crowd of over 5,000 people had gathered, filling the air with noise and excitement. Merchants had already seized the opportunity to set up stalls, hoping to profit from the event.
"Little junior brother, you've arrived at the perfect time this year's new student admissions are just beginning. You'll be joining this year's batch and will be three years below me and Tang Ya." Bei Bei explained with a smile.
"Unlike special students, ordinary applicants must pass a rigorous entrance exam. On top of that, they need a recommendation letter from one of the three great empires' main cities. Every year, during this time, Shrek City becomes the liveliest place on the continent."
Huo Yuhao whispered, "Senior brother, is the exam… very difficult?"
Bei Bei hesitated and then glanced at Tang Ya. She didn't hesitate at all.
"He'll find out sooner or later," she said. "It'll be a motivation for him to work harder. Might as well tell him now."
Tang Ya then turned to Huo Yuhao and explained, "Little Yuhao, the entrance exam for Shrek Academy's Outer Court has two requirements. First, you must be under 12 years old. Second, your soul power must be at least level 15. Based purely on those criteria… you technically don't qualify."
She didn't bother to pressure him further she could see that Huo Yuhao was already working incredibly hard.
"Fifteen levels before the age of twelve…"
Huo Yuhao muttered to himself, but in his heart, he was actually unfazed.
That's not hard at all.
If this were before, he would have never believed he could reach level 15 before the deadline.
But ever since he started cultivating Innate Art, his training felt like using cheat codes his soul power increased at a ridiculous rate.
After doing some quick calculations, he realized that reaching level 15 in three months might actually be achievable.
Elder Ye's technique was truly insane!
Now that he had a clear path forward, Huo Yuhao didn't worry about it any longer. He figured he would learn everything else over time there was no need to rush.
Having already familiarized himself with basic information beforehand, he felt confident about the process.
Bei Bei and Tang Ya led Huo Yuhao around the crowd, arriving at the eastern gate.
There, they encountered a dozen young men and women, all dressed in yellow training uniforms with green emblems on their chests these were second and third year Outer Court students of Shrek Academy.
Upon seeing Bei Bei, the students immediately straightened up, their expressions filled with respect.
"Senior Brother Bei, welcome back!" they greeted.
Bei Bei smiled and exchanged greetings with them. He then spoke briefly with their leader, who glanced at Huo Yuhao and nodded without hesitation.
"If Senior Brother Bei recommends him, then there's nothing to question. Take him inside to register."
Bei Bei grinned and gave him a thumbs up. "Thanks! I'll treat you guys to a feast later!"
"Haha! You better keep your word!" the student laughed. "We won't let this opportunity slip by!"
Bei Bei chuckled and high fived him. "Don't worry you won't be disappointed."
With that, Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao stepped through the eastern gate the entrance to Shrek Academy.
Inside, the academy's landscape was nothing like Huo Yuhao had expected.
Instead of a solemn, grand institution, the environment was lush, vibrant, and full of life.
The wide roads were lined with various types of plants, all meticulously maintained and pruned.
After walking about 200 meters, their vision was blocked by ten massive statues, each standing ten meters tall, carved from the hardest granite.
(End of Chapter.)
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