Chapter 56: Xiaotao Ma: I Stole the Old Geezer’s Gold Card—Hurry Up and Spend It!

After Huo Yuhao finished mentally replaying his tragic childhood like a flashing lantern show, the second match of the freshman assessment had already concluded.

The victorious freshman Class 10 team directly and loudly declared, "We concede!"

"Huo Yuhao's team are the champions of the freshman assessment, and we bow to our defeat!"

Are you kidding me?

Cui Yajie, a rank 20-plus Great Soul Master, was defeated by a single glare from him!

A single punch shattered the martial soul fusion skill of a rank 30-plus Soul Zun and a rank 20-plus Great Soul Master!

Coupled with Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, who were equally capable of soloing an entire opposing team three-v-three, how could they possibly fight this?

It was much better to avoid getting beaten up.

Wang Yan immediately announced, "The champion of this freshman assessment is—Freshman Class 1, Huo Yuhao's team!"

[Altered the fates of Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao. Luck value +1500!]

Intense applause echoed through the scene, pulling the dazed Huo Yuhao back to reality.

Looking at those gazes filled with recognition, his mind suddenly cleared.

Strength!

Only formidable strength would allow him to take revenge, earn the respect of others, and make the world operate according to his will!

In the past, he used hatred as the driving force to grow stronger, but from now on, he would grow stronger solely for himself.

[Altered Huo Yuhao's fate. Luck value +25000!]

Within the spiritual realm, Zhuge Lan raised an eyebrow at Yilades. See?

"Can freeing one's grievances truly clear the mind?" Yilades sighed softly. "If I had been able to see things as clearly back then..."

He shook his head and closed his eyes to feign sleep.

In the outside world, Yan Shaozhe announced on the spot, "As the championship team, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao are hereby designated as core disciples of the Martial Soul Branch!"

"In addition, Ning Tian, Wu Feng..."

"Finally, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo are designated as temporary core disciples, temporarily enjoying the treatment of core disciples. If they meet the standards during the next annual assessment, they may be promoted to formal core disciples."

"Huo Yuhao's team, follow me. The championship rewards need to be handed over to you separately."

The three-person team of Huo Yuhao trotted after him.

Meanwhile, the people present buzzed with discussion, their gazes drifting from time to time toward Zhu Lu and Cui Yajie, while Dai Huabin remained unconscious.

They were, after all, the fourth-place team in the freshman assessment, yet they didn't even manage to secure the status of temporary core disciples.

If anyone claimed that Yan Shaozhe, as the senior martial brother, wasn't backing up his own little junior brother, nobody would believe it.

Think back carefully on the duel just moments ago.

Huo Yuhao's attack suppressed the Nether White Tiger, and when he won the beam clash and the attack was about to land on Dai Huabin, the referee should logically have stopped the match.

Yet not a single teacher on the scene made a move.

Elder Zhuang, who had no business being there, only used his first soul skill to heal, pointlessly letting Dai Huabin suffer for well over another minute.

All of this reeked of the flavor of "backing up my little Yuhao."

Yet it remained entirely within the rules.

Even if the White Tiger Duke's Mansion lost its mind and truly dared to come knocking for an explanation, they would only court their own humiliation.

This was proper, unadulterated "dark and evil influence" at work!

Many sharp-eyed observers reached a consensus: provoking Huo Yuhao within Shrek was tantamount to seeking death!

...

Inside the Dean's Office, Huo Yuhao said in a low voice, "Eldest Senior Brother, we've caused you trouble."

"As long as people don't die inside Shrek, whatever happens after they leave Shrek has nothing to do with us," Yan Shaozhe hinted. "Here, your championship rewards."

He produced a green object, and rich soul power diffused outward like a gentle breeze brushing across the three faces.

"A soul bone?" Xiao Xiao exclaimed in shock. "The championship reward for the freshman assessment is this good? Goodness!"

In comparison, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong maintained much calmer emotions.

The former didn't have a high demand for soul bones since his customized one offered 100% compatibility.

The latter already possessed a 240,000-year torso bone, so he somewhat looked down upon this one, which was barely over ten thousand years old.

Yan Shaozhe took in the expressions of all three, the corners of his mouth curving up imperceptibly.

Looking at Xiao Xiao, he introduced, "Although the age of this left leg bone is only 14,000 years, it was produced by a Jiufeng soul beast, and it is named the Jiufeng Mingxiao Left Leg Bone."

"Both Assault-type and Control-type soul masters can use it. Discuss among yourselves who gets it. Absorb it on the spot, and I will use my soul power to accelerate the process. It is expected to complete integration in a single night."

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong pointed without hesitation at Xiao Xiao, who was still caught in shock.

"Huh?" Xiao Xiao pointed at her own nose. "For me? This... is this appropriate? Class Monitor, Wang Dong, both of you are more qualified than I am!"

"This soul bone's attributes don't match mine," Huo Yuhao said rationally. "Besides, Brother Lan won't let me absorb soul bones with an age lower than fifty thousand years."

Xiao Xiao: "......"

So basically, you guys looked down on it?

"I'm pretty much the same," Wang Dong mumbled vaguely. "Xiao Xiao, just accept it with peace of mind. At worst, the next time suitable resources come up, you can give us priority."

Xiao Xiao: "......"

Alright, alright!

So she was just the one who hadn't seen the world, is that it?

Even though it was something others "discarded," she still couldn't conceal her excitement.

This was a soul bone, after all!

"Since everyone says so, very well."

"I won't participate in dividing the loot for the next spoils of war!"

"Teacher, Teacher! Hurry and help me integrate it!"

Yan Shaozhe laughed and agreed.

"Then we'll be leaving first," Huo Yuhao greeted. "Senior Sister Xiaotao is still waiting for us, saying she wants to take us..."

"Go, go," Yan Shaozhe waved his hand. "With Xiaotao around, no one in the academy can hurt you."

Huo Yuhao pressed his lips together.

He could tell that this soul bone was likely "carefully selected" by Yan Shaozhe specifically prepared for his disciple Xiao Xiao.

Playing mind games like this, huh?

As for whose card would be swiped at the Treasure Appreciation Auction tonight, he would simply keep it to himself.

The two walked out of the Dean's Office.

Ma Xiaotao and the others were all waiting outside, along with Ning Tian's trio and the Lan sisters.

There were also the three-person team that conceded during the championship finals and the other team they had defeated.

"You joined the Holy Fire Cult for the top three spots, right?" Huo Yuhao said. "Tomorrow morning under the banyan tree in front of the dormitory building, I will impart your cultivation techniques or Tai Chi. Those who comprehend them may enter the cult."

The six of them happily agreed and turned to leave.

Ning Tian stepped forward and smiled, "I heard you're heading to the Treasure Appreciation Auction. You don't mind if I tag along, do you?"

"My Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect still has some wealth to its name. Since you recommended me into the Holy Fire Cult, Yuhao, feel free to bid on anything you fancy tonight."

Ma Xiaotao, who had originally planned to book out the entire venue, rolled her eyes and turned her thoughts.

She chuckled and said, "Little Yuhao, have their initiation ceremonies been held yet?"

Huo Yuhao: "......"

That train of thought jumped a bit too fast.

Wang Dong, however, caught on in a second and let out a chuckle.

Then came Xu Sanzhi and Tang Ya, and even Beibei's mouth curved upward.

Jiang Nannan remained silent, quietly stepping back a few paces to put some distance between them, also harboring the intent to watch the show.

Leaving Ning Tian and the others completely bewildered.

What was going on?

They somehow felt the atmosphere was all wrong!

"Ahem!" Ma Xiaotao introduced, "This initiation ceremony is like this... and like that... understand?"

Ning Tian's mouth parted slightly, her eyes filled with disbelief!

No way!

You call this an initiation ceremony?

Are you certain this isn't a prank?

They looked at Huo Yuhao, who awkwardly scratched his head.

"This is a rule set down by a senior predecessor, and later arrivals must all abide by it."

Wu Feng keenly seized the crucial point.

"So the rest of you have all done this initiation ceremony too?"

Seeing Ma Xiaotao and the others nod, she suddenly understood.

This was basically falling into a pit yourself, digging it deeper, and continuing to trick later arrivals, right?