"Brother Huo, is there a problem?" Beibei asked urgently upon hearing Huo Yuhao say it was tricky.
Huo Yuhao nodded.
No problem? Then how do I make you squirm?
"Brother Beibei, if it's just ordinary fire-induced disfigurement, even from a regular fire-attribute soul master, some rare ice-attribute herbs could heal it. A strong healing soul master could even restore the face directly."
"But if it's near-Ultimate Fire, it's complicated."
"How so?" Beibei frowned, clenching his fists nervously.
Huo Yuhao leaned in, whispering conspiratorially.
"Brother Beibei, you don't know—near-Ultimate Fire has some of Ultimate Fire's traits, like its unextinguishable nature! Even after the damage stops, the Ultimate attribute lingers in the wound, preventing healing. Erasing it requires extremely rare ice-attribute herbs."
Huo Yuhao's knowledge of Ultimate attributes came from the original story, Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's limited insights, and Pudu Cihang's understanding of power.
He wasn't hiding anything here.
Ultimate attributes were simply power at an extreme level.
The stronger the power or entity, the harder to eliminate.
In Pudu Cihang's world, a wound from a powerhouse could take centuries to heal—not due to the injury itself, but the lingering force within.
"Brother Huo knows about Ultimate attributes?" Beibei was surprised, a hint of doubt creeping in.
How did Huo Yuhao know something even he didn't?
Ultimate attributes weren't secret—many soul masters knew they existed—but their intricacies weren't common knowledge.
Most only knew they were powerful and hard to cultivate, not why or how.
Even Shrek Academy, over millennia, had only trained a handful of Ultimate attribute soul masters—success stories, at that.
Other academies hadn't managed one.
Huo Yuhao didn't seem to have a prestigious background—how was he privy to such secrets?
Was this a scam?
Beibei cared for Tang Ya, but he wasn't naive.
Unfazed by Beibei's skepticism, Huo Yuhao put on a proud look.
"Brother Beibei, you don't know—my ancestors included an Ultimate attribute soul master!"
A bombshell.
"What?!" Beibei gasped.
He scrutinized Huo Yuhao, who didn't seem to possess an Ultimate martial soul.
Curious, he asked, "Brother Huo, may I ask what your martial soul is? What level are you?"
Huo Yuhao feigned disappointment, sighing. "As you suspect, Brother Beibei, I inherited my ancestor's Ultimate attribute, but… my generation let it decline."
"How? An awakened Ultimate attribute wouldn't fade! If you truly have one, no matter your level, I can get you into Shrek Academy and ensure you're fully nurtured!" Beibei doubted but made a promise.
Recruiting an Ultimate attribute soul master for Shrek might convince the Sea God Pavilion elders to help Xiao Ya.
Even now, Beibei's mind was on Tang Ya.
Huo Yuhao raised his hand with a bitter smile. "Brother Beibei, see for yourself."
In his mental sea, he kicked Tian Meng Ice Silkworm.
Grudgingly, Tian Meng began activating Huo Yuhao's unawakened ice martial soul.
"Brother Hao, all this effort just to fool a guy?" Tian Meng grumbled.
If it were a beauty, Tian Meng wouldn't mind.
Huo Yuhao's voice echoed in the mental sea. "Brother Tian Meng, forgot Beibei's status? If we pull this off, we'll rake in a ton of luck!"
"Fine, fine."
Tian Meng activated Huo Yuhao's incomplete second martial soul.
A chill emanated from Huo Yuhao's hand.
The barbecue joint's temperature plummeted, making everyone shiver and glance around.
Some soul masters pinpointed Huo Yuhao and Beibei, sensing soul power fluctuations.
An annoyed soul master wanted to teach the disruptive youngsters a lesson but was stopped by his companion.
"One's wearing a Shrek Academy uniform!"
"So what? They can freeze me while I eat?" the soul master scoffed.
His companion rolled his eyes. "Their casual chill froze you. You think you're tough?"
"…Tch, bad luck."
The soul master sat back down.
No one spoke up—most soul masters here were weak and avoided trouble.
Ordinary folks, clueless, grew paranoid.
"Why's it so cold?"
"Is it a ghost?"
"I'm out—the table moved!"
Many paid and fled.
The baffled owner was left staring.
Beibei was stunned, feeling pure ice-attribute soul power from Huo Yuhao's hand!
His already frail body shivered hard.
He was certain—Huo Yuhao's martial soul was an Ultimate attribute!
Having faced near-Ultimate Fire, he knew what he was talking about.
Tian Meng's ice martial soul, even without Ice Emperor, could reach Ultimate Ice with other ice soul beasts, though at a cost to Tian Meng's origin.
Conversely, Ice Emperor could amplify Ultimate Ice.
Tian Meng was useless, not trash—his sheer volume was undeniable!
"This, this…" Beibei was at a loss.
He questioned reality.
What's going on?
Bumping into an Ultimate attribute soul master?
So casually?
Ultimate Ice, no less!
Wasn't that exactly what *she* needed?
Beibei wasn't sure if he was unlucky or lucky.
Lucky to meet an Ultimate Ice soul master, unlucky because the one needing it was his enemy who hurt Xiao Ya.
Seeing Beibei freeze, Huo Yuhao smugly retracted his martial soul.
Beibei snapped back, exhaling, reaching for his ale to calm down—only to find it frozen solid.
Setting the glass down with a wry smile, he said, "Is this an Ultimate attribute?"
Huo Yuhao feigned nonchalance. "It's all I've got now."
"What do you mean?" Beibei asked, puzzled.
"Didn't you see, Brother Beibei? I can only summon the attribute, not the martial soul."
"You mean…"
"My Ultimate martial soul hasn't fully awakened. Even using its power like this is tough. I'm not alone—our family's decline stems from this. The silver lining? We can still cultivate, and my family researched Ultimate martial souls extensively, so I know a lot."
Huo Yuhao hid his Spirit Eyes martial soul.
Revealing an unawakened Ultimate Ice showed potential without seeming threatening.
As expected, Beibei pitied him. "Heaven envies talent."
"Why didn't you come to Shrek sooner? Why didn't your family seek Shrek's help? Shrek has trained Ultimate soul masters—they could've helped," Beibei asked.
"No city lord's recommendation letter," Huo Yuhao said bluntly.
Beibei: "…"
Awkward.
"So I planned to head to the Far North, seeking ice treasures to fully awaken my martial soul. I'm just passing through Shrek City to earn travel funds," Huo Yuhao added.
Looking at Beibei, he said, "Brother Beibei, now that I know about Sister Tang Ya, I'll do my best. Even if I don't find treasures to awaken my martial soul in the Far North, I'll seek ice herbs to help her."
Huo Yuhao's sincerity shone.
Beibei frowned. "You're going to the Far North alone?"
"Yup, gotta take a shot," Huo Yuhao said with a carefree smile.
Guilt and admiration for Huo Yuhao's boldness stirred in Beibei.
Huo Yuhao was too kind—facing life-or-death risks yet still thinking of helping him and Xiao Ya.
He needed ice treasures more, yet prioritized Xiao Ya's herbs.
Suspecting him earlier was so wrong!
As Xiao Ya's boyfriend, could Beibei sit comfortably at Shrek, letting others sacrifice?
His thoughts churned. "I'm Xiao Ya's boyfriend. I failed to protect her before—how can I let Brother Huo risk himself for her again? Even if he brings back herbs, how could I accept them with a clear conscience?!"
Beibei stood, looking at Huo Yuhao earnestly. "Brother Huo, I'm going to the Far North with you! Xiao Ya's my girlfriend—as a man, I must find her herbs myself!"
"Huh?" Huo Yuhao feigned shock. "Brother Beibei, no need! The Far North is harsh. My dad and grandpa went there and never returned."
Beibei's hand trembled.
He'd suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed Huo Yuhao's lack of family.
"Brother Huo, since you call me big brother, I can't let you go alone! If I don't protect you, how could I face your family?"
"No worries, Brother Beibei. I grew up with my mom, who passed away. I decided to head north after her death—I've got no ties left," Huo Yuhao shook his head.
Beibei's eyes widened.
*I'm such a jerk!*
Brother Huo's so open with me, and I was scheming against him!
"Brother Huo, don't worry—I'll help you fully awaken your martial soul! If we find nothing in the Far North, I'll beg… I'll find a way!" Beibei said, heart aching for Huo Yuhao.
"But, Brother Beibei, I haven't earned enough travel funds…" Huo Yuhao hesitated.
Beibei cut him off. "I'll cover the costs! We leave… not tomorrow—tonight! Right now!"
"No time to waste!" Beibei urged.
He realized he was skipping school—if caught, he'd be stuck!
"This meal's unpaid," Huo Yuhao said, eyeing Beibei.
Beibei waved grandly. "I've got it!"
"Sweet! Boss, add fifty kidney skewers, fifty lamb skewers… and two barrels of iced ale for me and my bro on the road!"
Beibei: "…Brother Huo, isn't that a bit much…"
"Big bro, you're so weak—you need to eat and recover. This is for you, giegie!" Huo Yuhao swore earnestly.
Beibei was touched—Huo Yuhao was still thinking of him.
"Brother Huo, you're too kind!"
Huo Yuhao: *Got him~*