"Brother Cheng!"
At Mingde Hall, a familiar figure caught Xu Cheng's attention.
"Huo… cough, cough, YUhao, you're back?" Xu Cheng exclaimed in surprise.
He hadn't expected that old poison geezer to actually follow the rules and release him so obediently.
Back then, he had made a deal with that old guy — they would give the Body Sect two of their geniuses a fortuitous opportunity, and in return, allow Huo Yuhao to undergo his second martial soul awakening at the Body Sect, and send him back once he reached Soul Ancestor level…
"Wait a second, you've broken through to Soul Ancestor?!"
"That's right, and I have to thank the Immortal Herb's trial. I had just advanced past Soul Elder, but with that herb's help, I was able to jump ten ranks in just a few months. Of course, I'll have to slow down after this — if I rush it, I'm afraid it'll mess up my cultivation." Huo Yuhao scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.
Thirteen years old — the age when boys grow fast.
Huo Yuhao had shot up in height, and ever since his second martial soul awakening, his appearance had improved a lot. Although he still lagged behind Xu Cheng and Ji Juechen in looks, he could now be called handsome, especially when compared to how plain he looked before; the difference was striking.
"Not bad." Xu Cheng smiled and patted his shoulder.
Yuhao grinned broadly and said, "Brother Cheng, I've even come up with some new stuff myself. Want me to show you?"
"Self-created soul skills?" Xu Cheng looked a little surprised.
"No…" Huo Yuhao shrank his neck.
Before Xu Cheng could say anything more, Yuhao suddenly shouted.
"Annihilation Three Fists — every punch lands hard!"
"Annihilation Three Swords — each strike hits the heart!"
"Annihilation Three Palms — crush the bones to ash!"
"Tang San! Tang San! Tang San!"
…
As he chanted, Huo Yuhao seriously acted out a full set of martial arts moves.
Xu Cheng looked around, relieved they were inside his office. He shivered all over, and the tea in his mouth nearly went down the wrong pipe.
Off to the side, Meng Hongchen was doubled over laughing, her legs going weak as she leaned into Xu Cheng's chest, shaking with giggles.
By the door stood Na Na, holding a document, awkwardly frozen in place.
"Where… where did you learn that from?" Xu Cheng took a deep breath and calmed down before asking.
"You taught me!" Huo Yuhao said sheepishly as everyone laughed. "You used to mutter stuff like 'Annihilation Winter Fist' and 'Annihilation Winter Palm' all the time…"
"Oh… hahaha…" Xu Cheng let out an embarrassed laugh.
Good thing Wang Dong wasn't here.
"By the way, Brother Cheng, that 'Annihilation Winter Fist' of yours — which 'Winter' is it supposed to annihilate?" Yuhao asked curiously.
"Oh, that… It's someone from the past. A… deceased acquaintance." Xu Cheng replied calmly, taking a sip of tea and waving it off casually. "Anyway, go spend more time studying soul tools. Don't waste your days messing around with weird stuff. Oh, and go report to Teacher Xuan Ziwen's lab. I've already spoken to him. Work hard and ask lots of questions. The Body Sect… is in the past now. If you meet them again in the future, chances are they'll be enemies. Can you handle that?"
"I've already had a feeling it would come to that," Yuhao nodded slightly, his expression serious. "That senior from the Body Sect had deep insights into the Body Martial Soul — I benefited a lot. But after talking with them and spending time there, I realized we're not walking the same path. Their ideals contradict the future you're building."
"And do you approve of the future I'm trying to build?" Xu Cheng asked with a smile.
"I do. I'll dedicate my life to it," Huo Yuhao answered seriously. "My mom and I have relied on each other all my life. Even though I was born a noble, I've lived no differently than an ordinary person. So I understand the hardships of the common folk. If I can… that's the 'Dao' I want to follow."
"Very good. I see you've truly taken my words to heart…" Xu Cheng said with emotion.
"That's right. I've got a whole collection of Brother Cheng's quotes. I write down everything you say." Huo Yuhao suddenly pulled out a small notebook and flipped it open, revealing densely written pages full of text.
Xu Cheng: "…"
He wrote it all down…
Watching this scene, Na Na felt a sudden sense of crisis rise within her.
She was Xu Cheng's top secretary, but in some ways, it felt like she was being completely outclassed by Huo Yuhao. No way — I need to work harder too…
"Oh right, Brother Cheng, I heard there's going to be a war soon. I want to join!" Huo Yuhao said eagerly.
"Uh…" Xu Cheng hesitated.
"Sorry, not this time. Your strength is still too weak. What we're facing are the elite troops of the three original continental powers. At best, you'd be a nameless foot soldier — it would mean nothing. You're better off studying hard and achieving something in the research field. I believe in your scientific abilities…"
"Yes, sir!" Huo Yuhao left.
Xu Cheng watched his back, eyes flashing with thought.
"What's wrong? Surprised at how fast that kid's growing?" Meng Hongchen wrapped her arms around his neck, grinning.
"Yeah. It's only been a few months, but he's completely transformed. There's more confidence in his eyes now — a confidence that comes from strength. At thirteen, already a Soul Ancestor. That's very impressive." Xu Cheng said with admiration.
Unlike in the original story, he was walking a different path now.
It was like a version of Xiao Yan without Yao Lao — still advancing at a crazy pace, worthy of being called a genius.
"Alright then, since that's the case, we'd better get ready too. What's coming next… is going to be a tough battle. And we not only have to win — we have to win fast!"
(End of Chapter)