Soul Land II: Transmigrated as Huo Yuhao, Apprenticed to Yao Chen

"Ha, Old Mu, you really like to joke around. A titled Douluo? Are you referring to the Death Messenger who was at the half-step titled Douluo level in the Ming Dou Mountain Range?"

Huo Yuhao felt a slight tremor in his heart. It seemed that Mu En knew he had killed the Guardian Douluo of the Star Luo Empire. Could it be that when Cheng Gang tried to ambush him earlier, Mu En was watching from the sidelines?

Indeed, after not being in dangerous situations for a long time, he had begun to relax a bit. If it were the old him, he wouldn't have so easily exposed the existence of his necromantic demiplane.

Spending too much time with Sea God's Pavilion's higher-ups, like Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe, who clearly had bubbles in their brains, had caused Huo Yuhao to develop a certain degree of contempt for Shrek Academy.

However, he overlooked the fact that although the Douluo Plane's overall power level was relatively low, that didn't mean the people here were lacking in intelligence!

At least Mu En's cunning and strategies were worthy of being called those of a true hero. If not for his arrogance in trying to forcibly absorb the power of the dragon core, Shrek Academy might now have an intact, fully powerful half-god capable of wielding the Sea God's divine technique, the Sea God's Light.

"Heh, Yuhao, no need to play dumb with me." Mu En smiled gently. "You are well-versed in spiritual abilities, so you should understand that those of us who have reached the pinnacle of titled Douluo are capable of using our spiritual power to cover a certain area around us."

"When that titled Douluo entered the hotel earlier, I sensed him immediately. However, after your conversation with him, you used some unknown method to erase his presence, making it seem as though he vanished from this world."

"But I assume that since you're still standing here alive and well, that means he's already dead, correct?"

A gleam flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes, and a smile appeared on his face as he responded to Mu En, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Even though Mu En's words were completely accurate, Huo Yuhao saw no need to admit anything. It would be dangerous if word got out that a mere soul master had the means to kill a titled Douluo.

After all, the trick of luring someone into his necromantic demiplane wouldn't work on someone of Mu En's caliber and cunning. It only succeeded with Cheng Gang because he acted rashly and underestimated Huo Yuhao.

Mu En nodded with a smile, understanding that while Huo Yuhao hadn't verbally confirmed anything, his attitude showed tacit acknowledgment.

"When I first realized you might have a way to escape from me, I was somewhat skeptical. But it seems you do have some hidden methods." Mu En chuckled. "Let me guess—your hidden technique involves some mysterious flame, doesn't it?"

Huo Yuhao smiled lightly and asked, "What flame are you referring to?"

"When you first entered the academy, your spiritual martial soul could devour the flames of Wu Feng's Red Dragon martial soul and assimilate them."

"Later, that girl Ma Xiaotao sought you out, and with your help, the concentration of the Phoenix Evil Flame in her body drastically decreased, making it easier for her to control. At the time, it seemed you used some devouring method."

"In the final match of the freshman assessment, you used that self-created spirit ability, Flame Lotus, which appeared to fuse Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Evil Flame with Wu Feng's Red Dragon Flame, causing a violent reaction and releasing immense power."

"But after you participated in the second-year freshman assessment, you seemed to have gained control over another flame—an ice-white one. This flame was even stronger than Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Evil Flame."

"From what I can tell, your spiritual martial soul has a strong devouring ability toward external flames, even allowing you to assimilate them. That ice-white flame you possess seems to be a naturally occurring heavenly treasure, doesn't it?"

Upon hearing Mu En's deductions, Huo Yuhao was internally shocked. He hadn't expected Mu En to infer so much based solely on the abilities he had displayed.

If it weren't for the limitations of the Douluo Continent, Huo Yuhao suspected that Mu En could even deduce the existence of his Flame Mantra, a cultivation method capable of consuming heavenly flames. As expected of Shrek Academy's last pillar, Mu En's intelligence was truly admirable.

Huo Yuhao smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying Mu En's words.

Mu En chuckled and continued, "Since that's the case, let's discuss the conditions for your participation in the competition."

"First, I'll take care of the titled Douluo you killed earlier. While you may have done it quietly, he still left some traces. If anyone realizes he disappeared in your room, they'll eventually trace it back to you."

"Tell me his name, and I'll announce to the public that Shrek Academy killed a titled Douluo assassin. He attempted to assassinate you to sabotage Shrek's chances of victory, tarnishing our academy's honor. Therefore, regardless of his identity, he deserved death!"

Huo Yuhao nodded in admiration. Now this was the proper way to use Shrek's honor. Honor wasn't something to be used to coerce one's own people; it should be used as a smokescreen to manipulate others at critical moments.

"Star Luo Empire's Guardian Douluo, Cheng Gang!" Huo Yuhao no longer hid the truth and revealed the name. "He carelessly fell into my trap, and I used a heavenly flame to burn away his spiritual sea. No matter how powerful he was, he couldn't withstand my flame, which specializes in destroying spiritual energy."

As he finished speaking, a silver vertical eye appeared at Huo Yuhao's brow, within which a blazing silver flame could be faintly seen.

Since he was bound to reveal the existence of the Holy Spirit Devouring Flame during the upcoming competition, there was no harm in letting Mu En know about it now. Compared to that old trickster Xuan Zi, Mu En was much more aligned with his temperament.

"A third awakening of your body martial soul?" Mu En stood up in shock.

Even with his cultivation level, looking at the silver vertical eye on Huo Yuhao's brow caused him to feel a faint pain. The silver flame emanating from it felt even more powerful than the ice-white flame Huo Yuhao had used before.

With a bitter smile, Mu En half-jokingly asked, "If I offered you the position of the Pavilion Master's successor in the Sea God Pavilion, would you be willing to return to Shrek Academy?"

"No," Huo Yuhao replied decisively. "Being teammates with someone like Elder Xuan? I wouldn't dare close my eyes when I sleep."

"Sigh, Not Dying is truly blessed," Mu En sighed. "Alright then, you call that flame a 'heavenly flame'? It's certainly a fitting name."

"Since that's the case, my second condition concerns this so-called heavenly flame."

Huo Yuhao's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and he looked at Mu En in surprise. "You know of a heavenly flame?"

"Indeed. If I offered information about a heavenly flame as a reward to invite you back to lead Shrek's team and win the championship, how about it?"

"Deal!"