The early morning sunlight filtered through the cracks in the windows, spilling onto the two figures on the bed. At this moment, Huo Yuhao held a warm, fragrant jade-like figure in his arms, his expression thoughtful.
Sure enough, not long after he returned to his dormitory on Sea God Island yesterday, he had sensed Ma Xiaotao's approach. After feeding her the grilled fish, the relationship between the two seemed to deepen just a little.
"Yuhao, this grilled fish is so delicious! I never expected your cooking skills to be this good!"
Indeed, he hadn't expected Ma Xiaotao to be so bold. Did she really think that just because Huo Yuhao didn't flaunt his strength, he couldn't handle her provocations? He had given her a taste of his power on the spot.
With Ma Xiaotao's active cooperation, Huo Yuhao had also used the Soul Emperor-level Phoenix Evil Fire to undergo a low-end version of ice and fire tempering, which slightly increased his physical strength.
As for when the real battle would begin, Huo Yuhao thought it best to wait until their feelings had deepened further before discussing it.
Putting everything else aside, there was a high probability that he could use that opportunity to complete an achievement mission. The fourth-level Gu insect was within reach!
After breakfast in the inner courtyard cafeteria, the two of them walked toward the Sea God Pavilion. Everything on Sea GodIsland was peaceful and serene, like a paradise. The pavilions hidden among the lush vegetation were elegant and beautiful.
The vegetation here was at least a thousand years old, with some towering trees reaching up to a hundred meters in height. Walking along the trails, the air was not only fresh but also obscured the line of sight, giving the feeling of being deep in the mountains.
Before long, under Ma Xiaotao's guidance, they followed a path close to the mountain's summit. In the interplay of light and shadow, a pavilion came into Huo Yuhao's view.
It was a three-story wooden building, brown in color, simple yet exuding a sense of timelessness. Upon closer inspection, the wood of the structure had a glossy, almost greasy sheen.
The building stood only ten meters tall, not particularly grand or majestic. However, above the entrance on the first floor hung a black plaque with three gilded characters: "Sea God Pavilion".
Based on its location, the Sea God Pavilion was not only close to the mountain's peak but also at the center of Sea God Island.
'Is this the Ancient Golden Tree?'
In Huo Yuhao's perception, the closer he got to this place, the richer the aura of life became.
Suddenly, a gust of icy wind blew past. Huo Yuhao paused slightly, activating his soul power as he looked up at the Sea God Pavilion, sensing something.
A flash of purple-gold light passed by, and with the powerful perception granted by his Spirit Eyes, he saw through the disguises of the two elders.
One was Yan Shaozhe, whom Huo Yuhao had met before, dressed in white. The other was a slovenly old man with disheveled hair, dirty clothes, a chicken leg in one hand, and a gourd on the other—the classic appearance of a beggar.
'Chicken Leg Douluo? No, it's Taotie Douluo,'
"Yuhao, be careful. The one coming is very powerful."
At this moment, Skydream and Bingdi, who had been chattering in Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, fell silent, leaving only a warning.
"Very keen perception, worthy of the Spirit Eyes Martial Soul!"
The old man's voice rang out, and in the blink of an eye, Xuan Zi appeared before Huo Yuhao.
"I just don't know if your Ultimate Ice Martial Soul lives up to its name?"
Before Huo Yuhao could respond, Ma Xiaotao stepped forward.
"I can testify that Yuhao's Ultimate Ice Martial Soul is genuine!"
"Xiaotao, don't be impulsive. This is a test from Elder Xuan."
Hearing his disciple's words, Yan Shaozhe frowned and stopped her. He then introduced Elder Xuan.
"Yuhao, this is Elder Xuan of our Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion, the Taotie Douluo."
The latter pretended to be aloof, which, though fitting his sloppy appearance, was a stark contrast to his true nature.
"Hello, Elder Xuan."
Facing a ninety-eighth-level Super Douluo, Huo Yuhao knew to show the necessary respect.
"Enough talk. Shall we give it a try?"
Elder Xuan's voice was calm but carried a commanding tone.
"I'm ready."
Huo Yuhao nodded without hesitation. It seemed that Elder Xuan was stepping in to test his strength, perhaps at Yan Shaozhe's request.
"Boy, catch this!"
With that, Elder Xuan spat out a chicken bone from his mouth, sending it straight toward Huo Yuhao's chest.
Huo Yuhao immediately activated his martial soul, and a purple soul ring rose (as previously explained by Huo Yuhao and Yan Shaozhe, the Ice Jade Scorpion Empress martial soul only had one soul ring attached).
He used his first soul skill, 'Ice Empress' Armor', covering his body in a layer of ice crystals before punching the chicken bone.
"Boom!"
The collision between the punch and the bone produced a deafening sound, like the explosion of a soul-guided cannon, generating a terrifying shockwave.
After a brief stalemate, the thick soul power on the chicken bone dissipated under the influence of the Ultimate Ice, turning into powder.
"Good! This aura is truly overbearing and cold to the extreme. Hahaha! Be careful, I have another move."
Elder Xuan took a bold sip of wine, clearly enjoying himself. In the next moment, his oily hand shot out toward Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao didn't dodge, meeting the surging force head-on.
"Northern Dark Ice Soul Domain!"
As the Northern Dark Ice Soul Domain appeared, the power of extreme cold surged endlessly. Huo Yuhao instantly felt a sense of control over the surrounding area, weakening his opponent while strengthening himself.
Facing a Super Douluo, Huo Yuhao held nothing back, using almost all his strength, including his soul bone skills.
Everyone present gasped.
How powerful was Elder Xuan? Yet Huo Yuhao was not only holding his own but even seemed slightly superior!
Elder Xuan was visibly shocked. Although he wasn't using his full strength, he had launched an attack equivalent to a six-ring Soul Emperor's full power. Yet Huo Yuhao had countered it while not effortlessly.
And this domain...
Elder Xuan was the first to feel the indiscriminate suppression and the relentless erosion of extreme cold.
'Terrifying!'
It was well-known that martial souls capable of possessing an innate domain were among the top-tier.
Even for Seagod Tang San, only the awakened Blue Silver Emperor had the innate "Blue Silver Domain", while the Clear Sky Hammer had the acquired "Killing God Domain".
The fact that even the Clear Sky Hammer, known as the world's number one weapon spirit, didn't have an innate domain spoke volumes!
An Ultimate Spirit, Twin Spirits, and an innate domain...
No wonder Xu Sanshi had been overwhelmed and earned the nickname "Xu Sanquan." It was a shame to lose to such a talent!
Elder Xuan concluded that within thirty years, the Douluo Continent would undoubtedly enter the era of Huo Yuhao.
"Good, good! I am willing to call you the most talented!"
Huo Yuhao: 'In truth, I have stronger skills, but it's not convenient to demonstrate publicly.'
[Achievement Triggered!]
[Achieved Xuan Zi's 'Seeing the Prey' Achievement. Reward: Strength Gu.]
…
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