"The path of refining weapons into souls."
Huo Yuhao recalled the description he had heard and what he had just witnessed, feeling a sense of awe.
Indeed, it was a powerful and unique inheritance. With the method of refining weapons into souls, one could alter martial souls and even improve their quality.
Huo Yuhao had just noticed that as Ji Wufeng meditated and comprehended, his gray sword was becoming sharper.
The name "Wufeng" had another meaning. His sword had not been sharpened initially. It was through battles and the continuous improvement of his sword intent that he gradually sharpened the sword with his own sword intent and soul power.
This was a process of evolution. The sword he wielded was not yet top-tier among sword martial souls, still in the process of refinement. However, under Ji Wufeng's guidance, it was steadily progressing.
Perhaps there were better options. He could have fused with a more perfect sword. But clearly, in the eyes of the Ji family, it was the right path to refine one's own sword to its peak.
After all, a sword that belonged to oneself was the true sword. It was as if the sword was the "wife" of a swordsman.
However, their focus on the sword's spirit and will was something that could be anticipated. Such people were like sticky rice cakes. Fortunately, he had a way to deal with it. Before he could digest the insights from this battle, the other party wouldn't bother him.
As he pondered, Huo Yuhao had already stepped into the Spirit Pagoda. Gu Yuena and Gu Ruiqiu followed closely behind, instantly attracting the attention of the first-floor hall.
The staff, recovering from their shock, looked at the approaching trio and handed over the prepared items. "Please take these. They are your pass and access card for the headquarters. The rewards for passing the red-level test can be claimed using the access card."
Huo Yuhao stored the items and didn't leave immediately. Instead, he said, "Arrange a training ground for me."
"Certainly."
The staff quickly began making arrangements.
As Huo Yuhao waited, he overheard the surrounding whispers.
"To earn the title of Spirit Sovereign, he must be a once-in-a-millennium talent."
"Even the sword maniac lost. Only the reserve Spirit Envoy can surpass him."
"Are the two beside him the Elemental Master Gu Yuena and the Elegant Tyrant... no, the Golden Princess Gu Ruiqiu?"
Did they just mention the Elegant Tyrant? What kind of nickname was that?
Huo Yuhao glanced at Gu Ruiqiu.
She had returned to her previous young lady demeanor, a gentle smile on her lips as she greeted those around her. Clearly, in front of those who didn't know her true nature, she maintained this ladylike appearance.
With her martial soul being the Golden Dragon, it was easy to understand the origin of the "Elegant Tyrant" nickname.
Noticing Huo Yuhao's gaze, Gu Ruiqiu's lips curved slightly, a hint of mischief in her eyes as she transmitted a message.
"Such a senior, bullying juniors without hesitation. Aren't you afraid they'll laugh at you for picking on the weak when they learn your identity?"
Huo Yuhao's expression remained calm, not even shifting his gaze. He replied indifferently, "Unnecessary emotions only cloud judgment. Instead of worrying about that, it's better to think about how to improve oneself."
He paused, then added, "Besides, if we're talking about 'picking on the weak,' none of us should be laughing at each other."
Gu Ruiqiu snorted lightly. "Hmph, you sure know how to make excuses. But you're not wrong. Looking at these humans, it does feel like looking at juniors. There's no joy in surpassing them."
A thousand years had passed. Although her transformation was after the main lord's awakening, she had interacted with the Spirit Pagoda members and humans as a peace envoy. Her experiences and insights were beyond ordinary people's reach.
She might have even met the ancestors of these Spirit Pagoda members. To her, they were all juniors far below her.
Gu Ruiqiu could even say, "I watched your ancestors grow up!"
However, despite the various displeasures, she still enjoyed playing her current role.
"Yuena, was Huo Yuhao amazing just now?"
Gu Ruiqiu smiled and looked at Gu Yuena, patting her hair.
After all, in public, she was the main lord's elder sister!
Gu Yuena: "..."
Her fists clenched.
At that moment, the staff member spoke.
"It's arranged. The training ground is on the tenth floor."
Huo Yuhao, hearing this, looked at Gu Yuena and Gu Ruiqiu. "Are you planning to meet Deputy Pagoda Master Leng, or...?"
Gu Yuena's expression remained cold. "I'll go with you first."
She had maintained this expression for a long time since coming out with Gu Ruiqiu.
Looking at her, Huo Yuhao suddenly wondered if Gu Yuena's usual cold demeanor was a habit cultivated by Gu Ruiqiu.
"To watch you crush the juniors," Gu Ruiqiu replied with a smile, then her expression turned serious. "Remember to be ruthless. If you suppress those juniors who want to challenge you quickly, there will be fewer troubles later. This is the wisdom of a senior."
"I never intended to hold back. That's why I waited ten days for the information to spread."
Huo Yuhao turned and left.
...
The news of Huo Yuhao's arrival quickly spread throughout the Spirit Pagoda, attracting the attention of those interested in him.
Although Huo Yuhao's absence had somewhat dampened their enthusiasm, it also allowed more people to learn about him.
Perhaps this was his intention?
Upon learning that Huo Yuhao had entered the Spirit Pagoda and headed straight for the training ground, some who guessed his intentions also arrived.
To gain the recognition of their families, they needed to be convinced first.
They wanted to witness the strength of the first person to be granted the title of Spirit Master at a young age.
Finally, members of the Xuan family, the Qiangu Family, and the Leng family gathered at the training ground, looking at Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao also looked at the ten people before him.
"All here? Then let's go together!"
Let him see what the juniors of the Spirit Pagoda were made of.
"Arrogant!"
Seeing Huo Yuhao not take them seriously, the gathered geniuses frowned. They were the elite juniors of the major families in the Spirit Pagoda headquarters. While they might not be a match individually, there were dozens of them. How could Huo Yuhao take them on?
But Huo Yuhao didn't say anything more. Since they had entered the training ground, they must have prepared for the consequences.
Black, black, black, black, black—five deep soul rings slowly rose, instantly solidifying the air in the training ground.
A glint appeared in Huo Yuhao's eyes as his first soul ring lit up.
Simulation—Dragon King's Aura!
In an instant, a terrifying aura from ancient times swept through the area. Everyone felt their breath catch, as if an invisible hand was choking them. It was a primal fear from the depths of their bloodline. Those with dragon martial souls were crushed, and beast martial souls were under immense pressure.
Even weapon martial souls, due to the dragon soul in Qiangu Chen's Coiling Dragon Staff, felt a strong pressure.
In such a situation, some couldn't help but think that Ji Wufeng had only compared sword intent with Huo Yuhao and hadn't been beaten. Should they have blocked the door instead?
This way, it seemed they would suffer more.
Huo Yuhao's figure became blurry in the next moment.
"Not good! Spread out!"
Qiangu Chen, the Soul King of the Qiangu Family, was the first to react, revealing his soul rings, but it was too late.
Huo Yuhao's figure appeared like a ghost in the center of the crowd. Taking advantage of the brief stiffness caused by the aura, his movements were incredibly fast. His right hand formed a claw, striking with a sharp gust of wind.
Bang!
The Soul Emperor who was hit was instantly sent flying.
At the same time, a mental interference field silently spread. The Spirit Abyss-level mental power turned the training ground into Huo Yuhao's absolute domain.
Everyone felt the world around them distort, an invisible mental pressure washing over them, slowing their thoughts.
Qiangu Chen's eyes narrowed. The fifth soul ring among his two purple and two black rings lit up, and the Coiling Dragon Staff in his hand emitted a dazzling white light. The will to fight heaven and earth rose.
"Coiling Dragon Upholds Heaven!"
Facing this attack, Huo Yuhao simply raised his right hand. His fingertips rippled with strange spatial waves. As the staff's shadow approached, something bizarre happened.
The unstoppable Coiling Dragon Staff "passed through" Huo Yuhao's body as if hitting air. Qiangu Chen stumbled, his pupils contracting.
A mental illusion?
A spatial soul skill? When?
Before he could recover from the shock, Huo Yuhao appeared silently behind him. Huo Yuhao casually swung a fist, the light movement carrying immense power.
Qiangu Chen felt an irresistible force hit him, as if struck by lightning. He lost his balance and fell heavily to the ground. With a loud crash, the ground was smashed into a deep pit, cracks spider-webbing out, silently testifying to the power of the blow.
Facing Huo Yuhao, the group on the training ground couldn't use their abilities. The strange mental field and peculiar aura restricted their performance. Their strength was not on the same level.
Huo Yuhao was like a tiger among sheep, each strike precisely hitting the opponent's weak points. His movements were smooth, as if performing a well-rehearsed act.
Some thought of using their battle armor but then gave up with a bitter smile.
Huo Yuhao, having been invited by the Illustrious Virtue Hall, likely had two secondary professions at level six. It was highly unlikely he didn't have battle armor. Using it might only make the loss more humiliating.
"Can he really match the reserve Spirit Envoy?"
A girl, knocked out by the soul shock, thought this.
What kind of monster was he?
The battle ended quickly. When the last opponent fell, the aura around Huo Yuhao slowly dissipated. He stood among the fallen soul masters, his breathing steady.
Gu Yuena and Gu Ruiqiu looked at the fallen geniuses. The Coiling Dragon Staff of the Qiangu Family, the Phoenix martial soul of the Leng family, they were like toys in front of him.
However, they had expected this and knew Huo Yuhao's strength, so they weren't surprised.
But Qiangu Dongfeng, upon receiving the news, frowned slightly.
From the information he had gathered, Huo Yuhao's personality was quite indifferent. He wouldn't do something so forceful. Yet now, he had acted against his usual behavior, using the most direct method to establish his authority in the headquarters.
After this, the Soul Kings and Soul Emperors wouldn't dare challenge him, except for the oddities of the Ji family.
Among the geniuses of his age, none could be his match.
"Such forcefulness. The Northern Faction must be planning to unify the Spirit Pagoda."
With this thought, Qiangu Dongfeng called a subordinate.
"Have Huo Yuhao come here."
No matter what, as the next candidate for the Pagoda Master, he had to meet Huo Yuhao.
...
When Qiangu Dongfeng's envoy arrived, Huo Yuhao was in the deputy Pagoda Master's room on the 100th floor of the Spirit Pagoda, watching Leng Yaozhu fuss over Gu Yuena and chatting with Gu Ruiqiu.
In the headquarters, there were those who harbored resentment and those who wanted to curry favor.
But Huo Yuhao didn't intend to pay attention to either. While waiting for a certain "summons," he simply went to Leng Yaozhu's place for some peace.
He didn't have time for power struggles, nor did he need to. He only needed to make himself a figure that all factions had to take seriously, using his irreplaceable value, strength, and identity to make power come to him.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Leng Yaozhu's gentle voice stopped, returning to its usual tone.
The door opened, and a staff member in Spirit Pagoda uniform bowed respectfully. "Deputy Pagoda Master, the Pagoda Master has sent me to invite Huo Yuhao to the Pagoda Master's room for a talk."
The atmosphere in the room became subtle. A glint of something unreadable flashed in Leng Yaozhu's eyes before she said gently, "Since the Pagoda Master has summoned you, Huo Yuhao, you should go."
Huo Yuhao stood up calmly and followed the staff out of the room.
Leng Yaozhu, seeing this, looked at Gu Yuena and said warmly, "Yuena, have you made up your mind?"
"Yes, I will help Huo Yuhao reach the top," Gu Yuena smiled. "Thank you, teacher."
Leng Yaozhu patted her head, pleased that she wasn't as resistant as before. "I only have you as my disciple. Who else would I help?"
...
The light in the room was dim. Qiangu Dongfeng stood with his back to the door, his figure as straight as a pine tree. Hearing the door open, he turned around, a perfect smile on his face.
"Huo Yuhao, you're here," Qiangu Dongfeng's voice was gentle but carried an undeniable authority.
Huo Yuhao bowed slightly. "Pagoda Master, what are your instructions?"
"Not instructions. I just wanted to see the most outstanding junior of the Spirit Pagoda."
Qiangu Dongfeng gestured for him to sit and walked to the large desk.
"I've been watching the two battles today," Qiangu Dong said directly, his expression appreciative. "Especially the one against Ji Wufeng. To grasp a stronger intent at such a young age is impressive."
"However, you seem reluctant to engage with the family factions. But this is a necessary process. Without their support, your path will be difficult."
Huo Yuhao looked at Qiangu Dongfeng, his tone calm. "Pagoda Master, you jest. This world is ultimately... ruled by the strong!"
Qiangu Dongfeng paused, then heard Huo Yuhao continue.
"Regarding the reserve Spirit Envoy position, my teacher and Deputy Pagoda Master Leng will nominate me…"
••••
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