Four years had passed since Huo Yuhao left the Douluo Continent.
The former Heaven Dou City had now magnificently transformed into Satan City. The Demon King is Satan, named so to commemorate the massive contributions Demon King Huo Yuhao made to the continent's development.
This city was like a dazzling pearl, exuding an irresistible unique charm, becoming the most radiant existence on the entire continent, showcasing unparalleled prosperity everywhere.
When the first rays of morning sunlight pierced through the clouds and gently spilled onto the towering buildings of Satan City, the entire city seemed to slowly awaken from its slumber, gradually radiating vigorous vitality.
"Little ones, we're back."
A man led a group of young boys and girls into Satan City. The first thing to catch their eyes were the wide and clean streets. The streets were paved with smooth bluestone, flickering with a faint luster under the sunlight. On both sides of the streets stood various buildings with completely different styles. Some towered into the clouds, their exteriors utilizing the most advanced soul tool technology, flashing with a metallic luster; others were simple and elegant, full of a rich historical atmosphere, their walls covered with emerald green vines, as if showing people the precipitation of time.
"Dad, a year has passed, I can't believe Satan City has changed so much..."
Walking along the street, one could see the bustling crowds. These people came from every corner of the Douluo Continent. They were either nobles in gorgeous clothes, merchants in a hurry, or young soul masters full of vitality. More importantly, amidst the crowd, one could occasionally see soul beasts of various forms. They either followed their contracted masters docilely or looked around curiously at everything.
These soul beasts lived in harmony with humans, together forming a unique and beautiful scenery in Satan City.
This group of people was naturally the divine thought clone Huo Yuhao left on the Douluo Continent and his children.
Ever since the emergence of the Soul Spirit system, human soul masters directly abandoned the traditional model of hunting soul beasts to seize soul rings. What soul master could resist the temptation to become stronger? As long as a Soul Spirit contract was formed, not only could they obtain the most suitable soul bone, soul skill, and soul ring, but its age limit could also increase along with the improvement of their cultivation.
More importantly, the Spirit Pagoda responsible for forming Soul Spirit contracts would not charge any fees for the first Soul Spirit of a child who had just become a soul master. This undoubtedly earned the Spirit Pagoda unanimous praise from all over the continent. This was Huo Yuhao's insistence, and also a business opportunity focused on by those sects that had good relations with him.
After all, only when the overall quality of soul masters goes up will it be easier to earn more lucrative profits later on. This is what is called a win-win situation.
Once upon a time, everyone envied the full set of hundred-thousand-year soul rings of the generation's legend, Sea God Tang San. Now, the Soul Spirit system developed by Huo Yuhao directly turned this beautiful dream into reality. As long as a soul master had the talent and perseverance to cultivate to the Titled Douluo level, they could basically possess a full body of red soul rings in the end.
As the most outstanding eldest son, Huo Yunhan not only had exceptional talent, but just a few days ago on his tenth birthday, he smoothly became a Soul King and directly obtained his fifth soul ring. And the target of his Soul Spirit contract was impressively—the Beast God, Di Tian.
Beside him, on his left and right respectively, were Cui Siting, the daughter of Huo Yuhao and Cui Yajie, and Maron, the daughter of Xie Huanyue. They inherited the Nine-Tailed Fox and Sun God Ape martial souls, respectively.
Therefore, the three of them basically played together normally. After all, they possessed that legendary martial soul Xyz (Exceed) skill.
Satan City's commercial district was undoubtedly the most prosperous and lively place in the entire city. Shops stood in great numbers here, offering a dazzling array of beautiful exhibits; every kind of commodity was available. From precious soul tools and rare soul beast inner cores to exquisite clothing and delicious food, everything was dazzling and overwhelming. The signboards of the shops each had their own characteristics; some hung high in the air, flashing with dazzling light, while others were carved into the walls, incredibly lifelike.
In the center of the commercial district, there was a huge circular square called "Demon King Square" by the people.
The square was crowded and bustling. In the center of the square stood a tall statue, which was of Huo Yuhao and his partners. Around the statue were many exquisite flower beds, blooming with multicolored flowers that looked exceptionally bright and dazzling under the sunlight.
Besides the commercial district and Demon King Square, Satan City also possessed many astonishing buildings and facilities.
Among them, the most famous was Satan Academy. This academy was one of the top soul master academies on the Douluo Continent, having cultivated countless outstanding soul masters over the past two years.
The academy's architecture was magnificent, covering a vast area, and possessing various advanced teaching facilities and training grounds. The academy's main gate was built of huge white jade stone, engraved with the four shining golden characters "Satan Academy," appearing exceptionally solemn and majestic.
It is said that Satan Soul Master Academy possessed a strong team of teachers, among which were Huo Yuhao's former partners. These teachers were top soul masters from all over both continents. They not only possessed powerful strength but also had rich teaching experience. They taught by example and carefully instructed every student, helping them discover their potential and improve their strength. Under the guidance of the teachers, batch after batch of outstanding soul masters walked out from here, heading to every corner of the Douluo Continent.
And regarding the brand-new martial soul combination skills, Martial Soul Synchro and Martial Soul Xyz, currently, only the teachers of this academy could explain them.
Compared to traditional martial soul fusion skills, Martial Soul Synchro and Martial Soul Xyz were naturally easier to achieve. For instance, with Martial Soul Synchro, there was no lack of soul masters on the continent whose martial souls possessed self-adjustment abilities, allowing them to complete a combination with the martial souls of one or more other soul masters through adjustments to their own martial souls.
Ever since the destruction of Shrek Academy, there was no longer a situation where a single academy monopolized the continent's talents. Moreover, very few soul master academies would brainwash their students with collective honor, a point Huo Yuhao had severely reprimanded Shrek Academy for during interviews.
Huo Yuhao's divine thought clone led the children through the outer main gate. The first thing to catch their eyes was a wide sports field. On the field, young soul masters were training hard, their figures vigorous and agile, full of youthful vitality. Around the sports field were rows of neat teaching buildings, from which sounds of discussion emanated. Deep inside the academy, there was also a Spirit Pagoda specifically for providing Soul Spirits to the students. Of course, only those exceptionally talented and powerful soul masters were qualified to enter this academy.
Today was the day Huo Yunhan, Cui Siting, and Maron enrolled.
At this time, in front of the gate of Satan Soul Master Academy, there was a sea of people, bustling with activity. Young soul masters from all corners of the Douluo Continent, carrying nervousness and expectations, gathered here to participate in the academy's annual entrance test.
The admission condition remained being under twelve years old, but the requirement was reaching the level of a Great Soul Master with two rings or above.
Among this multitude of examinees, the three of them were particularly eye-catching.
Huo Yunhan had a slender figure, a cold and stern face, and his eyes revealed an innate gentleness and strength. The Demon Eye Death God martial soul he possessed was extremely rare on the Douluo Continent, possessing powerful and mysterious power. A year ago, he followed his father to temper himself in the harsh environment of Star Dou, and his control over the Death God martial soul became increasingly exquisite.
Cui Siting was like a blooming, beautiful flower, moving and elegant. Her Nine-Tailed Fox martial soul endowed her with an agile posture and the ability to bewitch hearts. Maron was a tall girl, her whole body exuding a valiant heroic spirit, without the slightest weakness of ordinary women.
Following a melodious bell ring, the entrance test officially began. The examinees entered the academy's testing grounds in order. Huo Yunhan, Cui Siting, and Maron looked at each other, their eyes full of confidence, and then strode into the grounds.
The first test was the soul power level test, which included the appraisal of the soul master's martial soul quality, soul master cultivation, attached soul bones, and so on. Afterward was the physical fitness test, encompassing multiple aspects such as strength, speed, agility, and endurance, which was a comprehensive test of the examinee's physical fitness...
"You guys are back?"
Just at this moment, a graceful and charming figure walked slowly towards Huo Yunhan and the others. It was Mu Jin, now a professor at Satan Soul Master Academy. She wore a light purple long dress, the hem fluttering gently in the wind, like a blooming violet.
"I'll leave the little ones to you, Mu Jin," Huo Yuhao chuckled and said.
"Alright, I haven't seen Gu Han and the others for a year either." Mu Jin's face was as exquisite and breathtaking as ever. Under her curved willow eyebrows, a pair of peach blossom eyes were full of tender affection, the corners slightly turned up, carrying a bit of charm. Her lips were as delicate and dripping as cherries, and the slightly raised corners of her mouth hung a charming smile.
"Hello, Teacher Mu," Huo Yunhan called out while holding his sister Cui Siting's hand.
"You little guys have grown quite a bit taller." Mu Jin's light and graceful figure swayed as she walked. Her waterfall-like black hair draped casually over her shoulders, swaying gently with her steps, emitting a charming fragrance.
Many parents bringing their children stood there, their gazes instantly attracted to Mu Jin. They watched her walk over with infinite charm, every step seeming to step on people's hearts.
"Welcome to Satan Soul Master Academy." Mu Jin turned to the others, her voice crisp and pleasant, like an oriole leaving the valley, intoxicating people.
"You're even more beautiful, or rather, even more full of charm."
Huo Yuhao sized up this woman from head to toe. Although Mu Jin was not his wife, the extraordinary relationship between the two was already well known to the women.
This was Mu Jin's own choice. Compared to marrying and becoming a housewife, she preferred staying in an academy that supported her teaching philosophy, watching generations of young people grow up.
"Do your little geniuses still need to be tested?"
Her gaze swept over Huo Yuhao and the children, her eyes flashing with gentleness and care. That gaze seemed to possess a magic that could instantly make people let go of the nervousness and unease in their hearts.
As soon as these words came out, the crowd immediately focused their gazes on these three children. Not everyone knew Huo Yuhao, mainly because this Demon King usually didn't put on airs and spent most of his time staying in the former Heaven Dou Imperial Palace without showing his face.
"One of them is that fatty's daughter, don't get it wrong," Huo Yuhao smiled.
Mu Jin nodded, looked at Huo Yunhan, Cui Siting, and Maron, and couldn't help but smile, "They remind me of your team from back then again."
"Yeah..." Huo Yuhao felt somewhat emotional. In a flash, over a decade had passed, and they had all become top powerhouses of this continent one by one.
Mu Jin looked gently at Huo Yunhan's trio: "You three just come straight in, no need to test."
"This..." As soon as this statement came out, someone immediately became unhappy. So this Satan Academy also has people coming through the back door?
"Gu Han, Siting, Maron, release your soul rings." Mu Jin naturally wouldn't leave people room to gossip.
Soon, the three children immediately completed their martial soul possession. Those rings of different-colored soul rings amazed everyone—
"Cui Siting, nine years old, Level 47 Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul: Nine-Tailed Sky Fox."
"Maron, nine years old, Level 49 Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul: Sun God Ape."
"Gu Han, ten years old, Level 51 Soul King, Martial Soul: Demon Eye Death God."
Everyone was shocked by the scene before them. Were these really children around ten years old?
Huo Yunhan immediately retracted his martial soul and revealed a smile to his father beside him.
"When you get to the academy, don't show off too much, you know? And you two as well." Huo Yuhao rubbed his head, the latter sentence directed at Cui Siting and Maron.
"Teacher, I'm hungry," Maron tugged at Mu Jin's professional attire and said in a low voice, clearly having perfectly inherited her father's large appetite.
"Okay, okay, okay, all of you come in, Teacher will make something delicious for you." Mu Jin pinched her cheek and led them inside, holding one hand in each of hers.
Those parents still at the testing area stopped talking. Their privilege was built on the foundation of strength; most of their children were still working hard to advance to three rings...
Huo Yuhao also followed them in.
"Time really flies," Mu Jin sighed with emotion.
"Yeah, in the blink of an eye, the few of us have completely grown up," Huo Yuhao smiled.
Mu Jin suddenly paused, leaned in close to Huo Yuhao, breathing like orchids, "Do you want to stay overnight at the academy tonight? I also want to see how much you've grown."
"Uh, this..." Huo Yuhao scratched his head. He was currently just a divine thought clone. Just because the main body could do things didn't mean the divine thought clone could too. Mu Jin didn't know about his main body leaving the Douluo Continent for the Tianma Twin Stars.
"What? You don't want to discuss academics with me anymore?" Mu Jin's tone seemed somewhat resentful. Ever since Huo Yuhao entered the Dragon Realm for closed-door cultivation, they hadn't been alone together for ten years.
"Dad, what academics is Teacher Mu Jin going to discuss with you? Can I listen?" Huo Yunhan asked innocently and romantically.
Is this something to be listened to? Huo Yuhao instantly felt embarrassed. Even if he wanted to, it was nonsense right now...
Seeing Huo Yuhao's embarrassed appearance, Mu Jin's beautiful eyes couldn't help but dim. Yes, this kid was already married, and which of his brides wasn't prettier than her?
She was already over fifty, the so-called fading of youth and beauty.
As for those absurd things between the two of them in the past, just treat it as the frivolity of youth...
Huo Yuhao naturally didn't know Mu Jin's intentions. To him, Mu Jin was considered a very important female confidante, just that the situation was special right now...
"You three, be good and listen to Teacher Mu at the academy, do you hear me?" Huo Yuhao patted the heads of the three children.
"We heard you," the three children answered in unison.
"Mmhmm, when you have time, you three should gel with each other more. When Siting and Maron reach five rings, you must properly research Martial Soul Xyz again." After giving a few exhortations, Huo Yuhao looked at Mu Jin: "I'll leave these three little guys to you."
"Why are we saying such things between us." Mu Jin smiled slightly, burying those thoughts deep in her heart.
"Alright, then I'll head back first." Huo Yuhao turned and prepared to leave. For no other reason than this divine thought clone of his couldn't hold on for much longer; he had to return home as soon as possible to nourish it.
Moreover, he also had to pass on the information he received not long ago about the main body arriving at the Tianma Twin Stars to his family and the Divine Realm.
Looking in the direction Huo Yuhao left, Mu Jin sighed softly.
"Yuhao..."