Douluo Continent: The Peerless Hunting Heavenly Lord, Huo Yuhao!

“Elder Xuan, there’s no need for that.” Huo Yuhao chuckled, his tone laced with blatant sarcasm. “With fourteen people now, we can easily form two teams. We really don’t need anyone else to serve us.”

From Huo Yuhao, Ning Tian, ​​and Gu Yue, to Cao Jinxuan, Xie Huanyue, and Zhou Sichen, and then to Wu Feng, the Lan sisters, and Wu Meng, plus Tang San and Dai Huabin, two "unofficial" members, most of the fourteen people standing on the stage are core members of the Lionheart Society.

Xuanzi's eyelids twitched, and he immediately tried to salvage the situation: "Then we'll eliminate a few more, leaving the seven strongest, and the rest can observe and accumulate experience. Next time, we'll use them as the core."

"Oh?" Huo Yuhao's fingertips twitched, his knuckles making a crisp cracking sound, and his soul power silently rose. "Does Elder Xuan mean that the competition should continue, and the final seven should be decided fairly and squarely?"

“You”

"This was said by Elder Xuan himself." Huo Yuhao raised his eyes, his gaze clear. "What, Elder Xuan, are you going to go back on your word?"

"Enough, Huo Yuhao!" Tang San finally couldn't help but speak sharply, taking a step forward. "Is this how you talk to your teachers? Don't you have any respect for the rules of respecting teachers?"

Dai Huabin, who was standing next to him, lifted his eyelids, glanced at Tang San, and then silently looked away.

He's crazy, not stupid.

Surrounded by Lionheart Society members, why would he jump out now to be the first to stick his neck out? Is he afraid of not getting beaten up badly enough? Besides, who is Tang San? Does he really think he's someone important?

He's just arrogant because he has a strong martial soul. He shares the same name as Tang San, the ancestor from ten thousand years ago, but he didn't inherit even a bit of his brains.

"Tang San," Huo Yuhao suddenly emphasized, his eyes instantly sharpening, "you mean we should continue the competition according to the rules? That's perfect, we're on the same page."

The words "Tang San" were pronounced with exceptional clarity. Tang San's face stiffened, and he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word for a long time.

"Will Lionheart take up all the spots?" Huo Yuhao withdrew his gaze and looked at Xuanzi again, his tone softening slightly, but still unyielding. "But who stays and who leaves is up to us, not something to be arbitrarily decided by others. After all, Shrek Academy's rules are based on strength, right?"

He paused, then softened his tone: "We have only one small request, and we hope Elder Xuan will grant it."

Xuanzi stared at him for a long time, then hung the wine gourd on his waist and said, "Speak."

"Our entire Lionheart Society wants to observe this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament to broaden our horizons." Huo Yuhao's tone was sincere, but then he changed the subject, spreading his hands with a hint of helpless teasing, "However, as you know, Elder Xuan, soul tools are a money pit. Our society is poor, and we are really struggling to make ends meet with travel and accommodation expenses. So we would like to ask you to do us a favor and help us solve the problem of the accompanying quota and expenses."

They make grand pronouncements, but in reality, they're just trying to squeeze out funding while claiming it's for "student observation."

Xuanzi could easily tell, but he had changed the rules first and was already in the wrong. Too lazy to argue with this brat, he waved his hand and replied, "Okay, a maximum of thirty spots, no more than that."

"Deal." Huo Yuhao answered decisively, without the slightest hesitation.

As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of voices erupted behind him, the pace so fast it seemed rehearsed beforehand:

"Boss, I'm withdrawing my spot in the competition." Zhou Sichen was the first to raise his hand, scratching his head with a calm expression.

“We’ll retreat too,” Lan Luoluo and Lan Susu said in unison, exchanging a glance.

"I'm quitting too." Nammon Yoona rubbed her arm where a stray bullet had grazed her, and smiled easily.

"I'm quitting." Wu Feng crossed his arms and turned his face away, his tone stiff, but without the slightest hint of reluctance.

“I’m backing down too.” Long Xiangyue glanced at Cao Jinxuan beside him, sighed, and shrugged resignedly.

“Count me in then.” Xie Huanyue stepped forward half a step and filled in with a muffled voice.

In just over ten seconds, the seven core contestant positions were finalized, and the contestants voluntarily gave up their spots.

Xuanzi's eyelids twitched as he stared at Huo Yuhao and asked in a deep voice, "You two had already discussed this beforehand?"

"That's really unfair to me." Huo Yuhao shrugged, looking innocent. "I just made a request, how could I have time to arrange it in advance?"

"Nobody would believe that." Xuanzi cursed inwardly, but he couldn't find a single fault—it was all voluntary withdrawal; he couldn't force people to participate.

After a long pause, he managed to utter three "good"s, then flicked his sleeves: "Those who stay, come with me; everyone else, disperse immediately!"

In the end, exactly seven people remained in place: Huo Yuhao, Ning Tian, ​​Gu Yue, Cao Jinxuan, Xie Huanyue, Wu Meng, plus Tang San and Dai Huabin, who were "unofficial members".

Dai Huabin remained silent with a cold face throughout. He was crazy but not stupid; jumping out to cause trouble at this time was just asking for a beating. Tang San's face was ashen, his fists clenched, and he was seething with anger. However, he had been rendered speechless by Huo Yuhao's rebuttal earlier, so he had no grounds to lash out at this moment.

Huo Yuhao turned around and patted Zhou Sichen on the shoulder, speaking in a gentle tone: "Consider this a training bonus for the club members. Once you unlock a few more summons in your manual, you'll definitely have a place as a main force in the next competition."

He knew in his heart that Zhou Sichen's martial spirit in the treasure manual had an extremely high upper limit, but his current cultivation was still shallow, and his control and burst of power were not stable enough.

Zhou Sichen was clear-headed and didn't get emotional at all. He grinned and nodded, "Don't worry, boss, I'll definitely train hard!"

Following Xuanzi through the tree-lined path in the inner courtyard, we arrived at Shrek Academy's inner battle arena.

The heavy stone door was pushed open, and seven figures were already standing in the open space, each with an aura that was more solemn than the last.

The woman in red at the head of the group was tall and slender, with long, fiery red hair flowing freely. Her body was surrounded by faintly surging waves of scorching soul power. She was none other than Ma Xiaotao, the captain of the Shrek Academy's regular team.

"Everyone's here? Get to know each other. For the next while, you'll be training with the regular team." Xuanzi casually gave the instructions, then stepped aside with his wine gourd, clearly abandoning any responsibility.

Huo Yuhao stepped forward, a faint smile on his lips, his voice clear and neither humble nor arrogant: "Huo Yuhao, president of the Lionheart Society, possesses the dual martial souls Heavenly Eye and Emperor Bow of Fate, and is a level 25 master of control and support-type battle souls."

Ma Xiaotao frowned and looked Huo Yuhao up and down, exuding a scorching pressure: "Ma Xiaotao, captain of the Shrek Academy's main team, martial soul: Evil Fire Phoenix, level 67 power attack type battle soul emperor."

Chapter 62: The battle is about to begin; head to the Mingdou Mountains!

"Gu Yue of the Lionheart Society, a Martial Soul Elementalist, a level 43 Control-type Soul Master."

Before Gu Yue could finish speaking, the young man leading the group took a half step forward, his eyes flashing with golden-white tiger stripes, and his Soul Emperor-level pressure silently spread out: "Dai Heng, a member of the Shrek Academy's main team, with the Martial Soul Evil Eye White Tiger, is a level 64 Power Attack-type Battle Soul Emperor."

"Lionheart meets Ning Tian, ​​Martial Soul Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Level 42 Auxiliary Soul Master."

"Gongyang Mo, a member of the Shrek Academy's main team, possesses the Rainbow Dragon Martial Soul and is a level 59 Support-type Battle Soul King."

"Cao Jinxuan of the Lionheart Society, Martial Soul: Time-Fleeting Bell, Level 39 Control-type Soul Master."

"Ling Luochen, Martial Soul Ice Element, Level 55 Control-type Battle Soul King."

"Lionheart meets Wu Meng, Martial Soul: Heaven-Shattering Twin Maces, Level 38 Powerful Attack Soul Master."

"Chen Zifeng, Martial Soul: Soul Chasing Sword, Level 56 Powerful Attack Type Weapon Soul King." The man carrying the sword had a cold face, the scabbard hummed slightly, and a blood-red killing intent was faintly visible.

"Tang San of the Shrek Academy Preliminary Team, with the spirit Blue Silver Grass, is a level 26 control-type spirit master."

The burly young man next to him suddenly widened his eyes, leaned over and scratched his head: "Yao Haoxuan...wait a minute? You have the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul? Not from the Lionheart Society?" He chuckled and patted his chest, "It's okay, it's okay, I'm from the student council, just joining in the fun!"

Tang San's forehead twitched, but he didn't reply.

"Idiot, report your own." Chen Zifeng glanced at him, his tone disdainful. "You've put all your soul power into your muscles, haven't you?"

"Oh, oh!" Yao Haoxuan quickly stood up straight and said, "Yao Haoxuan, Martial Soul: Heaven-Shaking Ape, Level 55 Control and Support Type Battle Soul King!"

"Dai Huabin of the Shrek Academy preliminary team, with the Martial Soul Devouring White Tiger, is a level 48 Power Attack Soul Master."

"Xixi, Martial Soul Lightning Leopard, Level 56 Agility-Attack Type Battle Soul King."

"Beibei, Martial Soul..."

"..."

After everyone had greeted each other, Xuanzi tapped his wine gourd in his palm and said, "Alright, you all know each other pretty well now."

He chuckled, his eyes full of amusement. "Let's have a free-for-all. The losing team has to shout 'I'm a pig' three times at the top of their lungs."

Before anyone could react, Xuanzi pointed to the leaders of the two teams: "Xiao Tao will choose first, followed by Heng. Take turns picking people, and start the fight once you have enough."

Ma Xiaotao crossed her arms, her fiery red hair radiating a scorching heat, and without a second thought, declared, "I want Huo Yuhao."

The young man standing beside her had gentle features. Hearing this, he simply nodded slightly, his dark eyes calm and unwavering.

Dai Heng's gaze swept across the entire room, finally settling on Dai Huabin: "Dai Huabin."

"I choose Gu Yue." Ma Xiaotao directly secured core control with her second choice.

“Cao Jinxuan.” Dai Heng added the time-controlling command.

"I want Yao Haoxuan." Ma Xiaotao chose the group buff support.

"Chen Zifeng." Dai Heng followed up with the attacking point.

"Ning Tian." Ma Xiaotao obtained the top-tier support skill of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

“Tang San.” Dai Heng glanced at the lowest-ranking boy and ultimately chose this Blue Silver Grass Soul Master.

“Ling Luochen.” Ma Xiaotao added another ice-type crowd control skill.

“Gongyang Mo.” Dai Heng followed up with Rainbow Dragon’s support.

With only two spots remaining, Ma Xiaotao's gaze was initially fixed on Xixi—a level 56 agility-attack battle spirit king, whose combat strength was obvious.

But suddenly her sleeve was gently tugged. She turned her head and saw Huo Yuhao take half a step closer, his voice low and carrying a hint of sharp sarcasm: "Choose Wu Meng."

Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow and immediately changed her mind: "I want Wu Meng."

Dai Heng was not surprised and directly chose the last person: "Xi Xi".

The two teams stood at opposite ends of the training field, their spirit rings lighting up one after another, with yellow, purple, and black halos overlapping, instantly filling the entire field with a sense of oppression.

Xuanzi took two steps back and waved his hand: "Begin!"

Before the words were even finished, the two support units moved simultaneously.

Behind Gongyang Mo, five soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and one black—vibrated simultaneously. A rainbow dragon phantom rose, and five beams of light—red, orange, yellow, green, and cyan—sweeped across the entire team in succession: First Soul Skill: Crimson Power; Second Soul Skill: Orange Soul; Third Soul Skill: Yellow Speed; Fourth Soul Skill: Green Defense; Fifth Soul Skill: Azure Flourishing!

With the five-fold buffs fully activated, Dai Heng and the others' auras surged dramatically.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in Ning Tian's palm floated up, its four soul rings—two yellow and two purple—shining brightly. A clear, melodious voice rang out: "The Seven Treasures are renowned for their speed, strength, and attack!"

With three consecutive buffs, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's top-tier support effect directly elevated the team's basic combat power to a new level.

Yao Haoxuan took another step forward, his Heaven-Shaking Ape Martial Soul activating, causing his body to swell to a size larger. His first Soul Skill – Battle Activation! His second Soul Skill – Battle Intent!

Two deafening roars exploded in succession, the sound waves spreading with soul power. Ma Xiaotao's team members felt their blood surging, their strength and speed increasing once again, and even their fighting spirit boiling over.

The Time Clock phantom beside Cao Jinxuan flickered, unleashing his first soul skill—Time Slowdown!