Douluo Continent: The Ruler of Time, Reigning Supreme

Chapter 176 Gu Yuena, the Top Scholar

As Wang Dong finished speaking, his gaze drifted meaningfully to the other side of the classroom.

There, Gu Yuena sat quietly in her seat, as if all the noise outside had nothing to do with her.

She was simply drawing something on the paper, her long silver hair cascading down like a waterfall, her profile so perfect it was like a creation of the gods, forming a breathtakingly beautiful picture.

"Since our classmate Gu Yuena enrolled, senior Jiang Nannan has had to settle for second place."

Wang Dong lowered his voice.

"Gu Yuena has landed at the top of the 'Beauty of the Nation' list with an overwhelming number of votes. Her beauty is beyond the realm of ordinary people, isn't it?"

Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao followed his gaze and nodded in deep agreement.

Gu Yuena's beauty is the kind that carries a sense of holiness and distance, making people only dare to admire from afar and not daring to profane it.

"As for the final 'List of Those Who Deserve to Be Killed'..."

Wang Dong's expression became even more peculiar, a mixture of smugness and displeasure.

"This list is a 'public enemy of men' ranking selected by all the male students in the college out of jealousy. Those on the list are guys who steal the spotlight because they are too handsome, too strong, and too popular with girls."

"And our class monitor, Yin Chen..."

Wang Dong shrugged, his face full of resentment.

"He's at the top of this list, number one. He's the number one target that all the boys want to put in their food and put laxatives in his food, because he's too perfect. So perfect that people can't even find an excuse to be jealous, which makes it even more infuriating, right?"

Xiao Xiao burst out laughing, finding Wang Dong's expression extremely amusing.

Huo Yuhao also smiled.

"And what about you, Wang Dong?"

Huo Yuhao pressed for an answer out of curiosity.

"You're so handsome, you must be on the list too, right?"

Wang Dong puffed out his chest, a hint of pride on his face.

"That's for sure. This handsome guy is number two on the 'List of Deadly Scoundrels'."

He said this with great pride.

Being ranked second is itself an affirmation of his charm.

But then his face fell, and he muttered something under his breath:
"Damn it, if it weren't for that freak Yin Chen, I should have been number one..."

Seeing Wang Dong's unconvinced expression, Huo Yuhao felt a long-lost warmth in his heart.

Since arriving at Shrek Academy, he has suffered endless scorn and exclusion because of his weak martial spirit and soul power.

Fortunately, there was Wang Dong, a partner who was sharp-tongued and somewhat arrogant, but kind at heart.

Then I met Xiao Xiao, a girl with a bit of a temper, but also a kind heart.

He finally made friends.

His feelings toward Yin Chen were more complex.

It wasn't just friendship, but also a deep sense of gratitude and heartfelt admiration.

He still clearly remembered that after the duel with Wu Feng, it was Yin Chen who was the first to stand up, affirm his efforts, and point out the key to his victory.

Because of those few words, his situation in the class improved dramatically.

Those initially disdainful glances turned into curiosity and scrutiny.

The mockery behind their backs gradually disappeared.

Yin Chen, using his prestige as class monitor, gave him some breathing room.

Huo Yuhao always kept this kindness in his heart.

Therefore, when he saw Yin Chen being pulled away by a beautiful senior from the inner court, he felt no jealousy whatsoever, only pure curiosity.

Hopefully it's not something bad.

Huo Yuhao thought to himself silently.

Just as his thoughts were drifting, a lazy, somewhat melancholic voice suddenly rang out in his mind: "Strange...how strange..."

It is the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm.

[Yuhao, why... do I always seem to sense a cold aura?]

Tianmeng's voice was filled with doubt.

'Bingbing? Who's that? Brother Tianmeng?'

Huo Yuhao responded in his mind.

[Bingbing is the Ice Emperor. Back in the core area of ​​the far north, I was chased and beaten by her every day... no, I meant I was chasing and beating her every day. I could recognize her scent even if I were reduced to ashes.]

Tianmeng Bingcan seemed to recall some unpleasant memories, and tried to salvage her reputation.

[But...that shouldn't be the case. This is Shrek Academy, a hundred and eight thousand miles away from the far north. Besides, that aura was faint and elusive, disappearing in a flash, as if...as if you could smell it through something.]

Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was deeply confused.

Its immense spiritual power surged within Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, attempting to capture that fleeting sense of familiarity.

But in the end, they gained nothing.

【never mind……】

Tianmeng Bingcan sighed in frustration, attributing it to her own illusion.

Sigh, maybe it's because I miss Bingbing too much. Being alone in your little world of thoughts is just too boring.

Its voice carries the loneliness and solitude of a million-year-old shut-in.

Huo Yuhao found it both amusing and pitying.

"Brother Tianmeng, when I'm stronger, I'll take you out to play."

Hmph, you don't need to tell me that.

Tianmeng Bingcan immediately perked up, and her voice was full of energy again.

[Yuhao, I've made up my mind.]

[Once the academy has a break, I'll take you to the far north. It's also time to help you acquire your second martial soul.]

'A second martial soul?!'

Huo Yuhao's heart skipped a beat.

That's right, it's the second martial soul.

Tianmeng Bingcan's voice was filled with smugness and indignation.

"I'm a million-year-old soul beast! How can the person I chose be looked down upon every day? This is practically slapping me in the face!"

[You just wait. Once I get you a second, incredibly powerful martial soul, along with a few hundred-thousand-year soul rings, let's see who dares to look down on you then. That Dai Huabin, and that Wu Feng, we'll crush them all under our feet.]

Tianmeng Bingcan became more and more excited as she spoke, as if she could already see Huo Yuhao's triumphant return, shocking the entire academy.

After a brief moment of shock, Huo Yuhao felt an indescribable surge of excitement and warmth.

Second Martial Soul...

He clenched his fist, feeling the weak yet inexhaustible soul power within his body, and flames ignited in his eyes.

"Brother Tianmeng... thank you."

No need to thank me, we're practically family.

From within the sea of ​​spirits came the carefree voice of Tianmeng Ice Silkworm.

Meanwhile, on Huo Yuhao's face, a genuine and radiant smile appeared.

He looked up at the azure sky outside the window, as if he could already see himself soaring above it in the near future.

The noise and gossip in the classroom continued.

(End of this chapter)