Douluo Continent: The Rebirth of Huo Yuhao

Chapter 12 proposes a friendly exchange.

"Shut up!" Meng Hongchen was furious when she heard these voices slandering Huo Yuhao, and immediately scolded him.

Hearing Meng Hongchen's rebuke, the whispering people quickly shut their mouths, daring not to say another word. Leaving aside Meng Hongchen's background, her strength as a fifth-level Soul Master and Soul King alone was enough to silence them.

Huo Yuhao noticed that although they had stopped speaking rudely under pressure from Meng Hongchen, the contempt in their eyes had not diminished in the slightest. This was because Huo Yuhao hadn't stepped forward to refute them with his superior strength; instead, Meng Hongchen had spoken up for him, further solidifying their suspicion that Huo Yuhao lacked power.

"Yuhao, don't take what they said to heart. You are more capable than any of them," Meng Hongchen said, turning to comfort Huo Yuhao.

The other reserve team members standing to the side turned red with anger upon hearing Meng Hongchen's words, but dared not utter a word in rebuttal. Huo Yuhao couldn't help but find their angry yet speechless demeanor somewhat amusing.

Meng Hongchen noticed Huo Yuhao's somewhat concealed smile and turned around to see the unconvinced look on the faces of the reserve team members beside him.

"What, do you have a problem with what I said?" Meng Hongchen snapped again.

One student, unable to bear it any longer, stepped forward and said, "Miss Meng, we know you are incredibly strong, even stronger than some of the regular team members, and we all admire your talent and hard work. But you can't expect us to go against our conscience and admit that someone much weaker than us is stronger than us!"

The other trainees nodded in agreement, thinking, "This kid has spoken our minds."

"You..." Meng Hongchen was so angry she couldn't speak. Just as she was about to find the words to retort, Huo Yuhao spoke up beside her:

"Seniors, Yuhao is only a newcomer to the academy and hasn't even participated in the Mingde Hall's assessment to become a core member of the academy. But since the dean recommended me to join the reserve team, Yuhao naturally possesses some unique abilities."

At this point in Huo Yuhao's statement, the surrounding students nodded in agreement. A competition of this caliber—the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament—was undoubtedly a spectacle attracting immense attention. If a powerful but powerless Soul Master were to participate, even Dean Jing Hongchen would face severe criticism within the empire. However, without witnessing Huo Yuhao's true abilities, mere speculation was hardly convincing. Therefore, they deliberately made things difficult for him, aiming to force him to demonstrate his strength.

Huo Yuhao knew that this alone wouldn't be enough to gain their approval, so he continued, "Now that I've joined the team, I naturally won't hold back. It's time to let everyone know my abilities so we can work together seamlessly in the competition a month from now. And the best way to demonstrate my strength is through a battle."

The students standing nearby were all taken aback by Huo Yuhao's words. A Great Soul Master like him was going to challenge other Level 3 Soul Masters who were at least about to break through to Soul Sect? Would there be any suspense in a battle with a difference of almost twenty levels of soul power? Even Meng Hongchen, who was standing to the side, was surprised. She knew that Huo Yuhao did not have any offensive soul skills, so a one-on-one fight would be very disadvantageous for him.

"The battle I'm referring to isn't the one-on-one duel that you seniors are thinking of. That's not what Yuhao is good at. The dean didn't choose me for the reserve team because he valued Yuhao's combat ability." Huo Yuhao didn't intend to fight these Soul Master and Soul Sect level teammates one-on-one. If he didn't use the Ice Emperor Martial Soul, his chances of winning against them were slim. He hadn't forgotten that Xuan Ziwen told him not to show his second Martial Soul to the outside world for the time being.

"Miss Meng Hongchen and I will be on one team, and the four of you will be on another team. Of course, since Miss Meng Hongchen is a Soul King, you can also find another official team member who is also a Soul King to join you. The five of you will face the two of us." Huo Yuhao slowly explained the battle format. He hadn't fought a single battle since arriving at the academy.

Only through battle can one truly understand their shortcomings and better control their power. As a Level 2 Soul Master, Huo Yuhao already possesses considerable combat ability even without offensive Soul Skills, so he decided to take this opportunity to test his fighting prowess!

Meng Hongchen was slightly taken aback by his words, then a slight smile appeared on her lips. "Good suggestion," she silently exclaimed in her heart. Fighting alongside Huo Yuhao sounded pretty good. Especially since she would be the main attacker, with Huo Yuhao supporting her from the side—she could experience what it was like to protect him. Meng Hongchen thought to herself.

The other team members felt a surge of anger upon hearing Huo Yuhao's somewhat arrogant words. How dare a Soul King and a Great Soul Master challenge their side, which included a Soul Venerable, three Soul Sect Masters, and a Soul King? Seeing that Meng Hongchen showed no objection and even seemed somewhat excited, the four became even more furious.

"What do you guys think of this challenge? Should I help you find a full-fledged team member?" Meng Hongchen was eager to try and couldn't wait to start, and even suggested that she help them find a full-fledged team member.

"No need, I happen to know a full-fledged member, I'll persuade him to join us. Tomorrow at this time, right here, the challenge begins!" said the student who had previously stood up against Meng Hongchen and questioned Huo Yuhao.

"Okay, it's a deal!" Before Huo Yuhao could speak, Meng Hongchen quickly agreed, as if afraid they would go back on their word.

……

After leaving the training ground, Huo Yuhao and Meng Hongchen walked side by side. Both had blue eyes, Huo Yuhao's were deep blue, and Meng Hongchen's were crystal blue, but both were extremely beautiful. After absorbing the Ice Emperor's soul bone, Huo Yuhao's physical attributes were exceptionally good, and he had grown considerably taller than when he first entered the academy. Therefore, although Meng Hongchen was two years older and slightly taller than him, their height difference was negligible. Meng Hongchen's flowing wine-red hair paired perfectly with Huo Yuhao's dark blue short hair; from behind, the two appeared remarkably harmonious.

"Miss Meng Hongchen, I'm sorry, the challenge I just made has caused you trouble," Huo Yuhao said first.

"No, I haven't fought in a long time either, so this is a good opportunity to practice my combat skills. The Soul Fighting Tournament is approaching, and there are quite a few tough opponents there, especially those from Shrek Academy. Even I don't have much confidence in defeating them." Meng Hongchen spoke as if she didn't care much about the challenge she had just faced.

Huo Yuhao knew that Meng Hongchen wasn't a battle maniac; she preferred to spend her time creating soul tools. She said this simply so that Huo Yuhao wouldn't feel indebted to her.

"Thank you, Miss Meng Hongchen." Huo Yuhao was also very grateful to this proud young lady who had always protected her.

I'm currently reading the error-free version! This is the first time I've published this novel.

"There's nothing to thank me for. I told you when you enrolled that if anyone dared to bully me, just say so. You've been helping me make soul tools for the past year, and I haven't repaid you yet. This is a good opportunity." Meng Hongchen said with a carefree attitude.

"Also, don't call me Miss Meng Hongchen anymore, just call me Meng. That's my name, that's what my brother and grandfather call me." Before Huo Yuhao could react, she ran off in a flash.

……

(End of this chapter)