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Four days later, outside the southern gate of Shrek City.
"Junior Chen, little brother Yuhao, and fellow juniors Ning Tian and Wu Feng," Bei Bei said warmly, standing with Tang Ya as they bid farewell to the four newcomers. "Since you're not heading to registration just yet, we'll part ways here. But we'll be waiting for you at Shrek Academy—feel free to seek us out if you need anything."
Tang Ya, meanwhile, couldn't take her eyes off Huo Yuhao.
More precisely—she was still dreaming of his grilled fish.
With that, Chen Junting's group stepped through the city gates.
Their destination: Nine Treasures Pavilion, right here in Shrek City.
As they wove through the bustling streets, the four finally allowed themselves to speak openly about the Tang Sect—something they'd held back on while Bei Bei and Tang Ya were present.
"I never thought the Tang Sect still had two members left," Ning Tian mused.
"Xiao Tian-jie," Huo Yuhao asked hesitantly, "isn't the Tang Sect supposed to be the number one sect on the continent?"
From his mother's stories, he'd always believed the Tang Sect was the undisputed apex of the martial world. But after seeing Bei Bei and Tang Ya—poorly equipped, struggling to survive—it was clear their "number one" status had long crumbled.
Before Ning Tian could answer, Wu Feng burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha! Huo Yuhao, where'd you get that outdated news? Number one? They've been irrelevant for ages!"
She slapped her chest dramatically—her fiery personality matched by her already-developing figure—drawing more than a few glances from passersby.
Huo Yuhao's face flushed crimson.
Whether from embarrassment or something else… even he wasn't sure.
"Feng, behave," Ning Tian chided gently—and instantly, Wu Feng quieted down.
Ning Tian turned to Huo Yuhao. "Yuhao, the truth is, the Tang Sect completely collapsed four thousand years ago. Until we met Senior Bei Bei and Xiao Ya, we honestly thought the sect had gone extinct. After all, their ancestral headquarters has already been seized by some obscure, no-name sect."
"Ah?!"
Now Huo Yuhao understood why he'd just made a fool of himself.
The former "number one sect" had long since fallen to the bottom of the heap. No wonder Wu Feng had laughed so hard.
Unconsciously, he began comparing the Tang Sect with his new home—the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—and blurted out without thinking: "Our sect is clearly far stronger."
"Of course it is," came the unified reply.
Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and Chen Junting—all wore expressions of quiet pride.
As the conversation deepened, the reasons for the Tang Sect's downfall became clear. In the end, Chen Junting summed it up succinctly: "The Tang Sect failed because it refused to adapt to the times. Clinging to the past, rejecting change—that's their fatal flaw. The tide of history is vast and unstoppable: those who follow it thrive; those who resist it perish."
Hearing this, Huo Yuhao nodded firmly. "But our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is different. We evolve with the era. One day… we will become the number one sect on the continent."
"Exactly," Ning Tian said softly.
She and Chen Junting exchanged a knowing glance. They saw it clearly now—Huo Yuhao's loyalty had shifted. He no longer saw the sect as a debt owed out of gratitude. He truly belonged.
"Oh—Yuhao," Wu Feng suddenly spoke up as they neared Nine Treasures Pavilion. "What are your plans next?"
"My plans?"
Huo Yuhao looked confused.
Wasn't he going to Shrek Academy too?
Seeing his expression, Ning Tian sighed—directed at Wu Feng. "Feng, have you really not been paying attention to what Brother Junting and I discussed? We're bringing Yuhao with us to Shrek."
"Huh?!"
Before Huo Yuhao could process this, Wu Feng frowned. "Ning Tian—if I remember right, Shrek's enrollment requirement is Level 15 by age eleven. At Yuhao's current cultivation, he won't qualify."
Her words doused Huo Yuhao's rising hope like ice water.
Just moments ago, he'd dared to dream: Maybe I can join Shrek Academy—the continent's greatest soul master institution—alongside them.
But reality struck hard.
Wu Feng's blunt truth shattered the fantasy.
"Forget it, Xiao Tian-jie," Huo Yuhao said quietly, waving a hand. He didn't want to burden them further. He'd already taken so much—how could he ask for more?
"Yuhao, don't worry about that," Ning Tian reassured him. "There's something Feng doesn't know. As a sect with deep historical ties to Shrek Academy, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect holds a special privilege in the Outer Academy: one exemption slot. Of course…" Her tone turned serious.
But before she could continue—
"Xiao Tian—I don't recommend using the exemption."
"Huh?"
Chen Junting, walking beside her, spoke up—cutting her off and drawing all three pairs of eyes toward him.
"Brother Junting… what do you mean?" Ning Tian didn't doubt his intentions; she knew he had another reason.
"As an exempted student," Chen Junting said, turning to lock eyes with Huo Yuhao, "you'll face constant scrutiny, whispers, and disdain. It's… hard to bear." His gaze pierced through Huo Yuhao's deepest insecurity. "Can you handle the judgment behind your back?"
"Brother Junting… I can endure it," Huo Yuhao said, though his eyes dimmed at the thought. But the chance to study at Shrek—to not fall further behind them—was worth the pain. He clenched his jaw. "I'll manage."
"No need."
Chen Junting shook his head. "After the Profound Water Pill, you're already at peak Level 12—and with your recent training, you've likely broken through to Level 13. As for the remaining two levels…" He pointed to Huo Yuhao's storage-type soul-guided belt.
"Didn't I give you two more Profound Water Pills?"
"It's been five days since your last dose—the effects are fully absorbed. Take the second pill now to reach Level 14. Then, have someone from the sect help refine part of the residual energy. That should let you take a third pill before enrollment closes—and safely break through to Level 15. With this, your foundation won't suffer."
"Thank you, Brother Junting!" Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up. If given a choice, who'd willingly endure scorn?
"Just keep your resolve," Chen Junting said.
At that moment, they arrived at the entrance of Nine Treasures Pavilion.
The instant Huo Yuhao stepped inside, he was stunned speechless by the sect's staggering wealth.
Ten-thousand-year soul bones.
Top-tier soul-guided devices.
Heaven-grade treasures…
Rare cultivation resources seemed to fill every shelf!
Even the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm—deep in slumber within Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea—jolted awake at the surging waves of soul power radiating from the goods!
"Yuhao! You joined the perfect sect!" Tianmeng whooped inside his mind. "With these resources—and the second martial soul Big Bro's gonna find you—you'll definitely become a god! Trust me!"
"Tianmeng… these are for sale," Huo Yuhao reminded him weakly.
"Of course I know that!" Tianmeng retorted. "My point is—if the sect's this rich, they won't skimp on your share!"
"Tianmeng, I—"
Before Huo Yuhao could finish, Chen Junting's group halted. Chen Junting stepped beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Yuhao—you alright?"
"I'm fine," Huo Yuhao quickly replied, snapping back to reality.
Chen Junting didn't press further. Instead, he gave instructions: "Wu Feng will take you to eat. Since you were personally recruited by Ning Tian, your treatment matches hers for now—premium-grade ingredients. After the meal, have Wu Feng arrange for someone to refine the Thousand-Year Whale Gelatin she gave you. It'll boost your physique."
"But listen carefully," Chen Junting added, his tone suddenly grave.
"Whale gelatin has… aphrodisiac properties. When you take it, make sure no women are nearby. Otherwise…"
"Aphro—aphrodisiac?!"
Huo Yuhao's brain short-circuited.
He knew exactly what could happen if a girl were present. He nodded rapidly, cheeks burning. "I'll—I'll be careful!"
Satisfied, Chen Junting signaled Wu Feng to take Huo Yuhao away—tasking her with ensuring his cultivation and physique improved before Shrek's enrollment deadline.
Then, with Ning Tian at his side, he turned and walked in another direction.
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