Chapter 40: Ma Rulong’s Thoughts

"Alright, no need for more talk. Before I came to find you, I already informed Xiao and the others to gather everyone. Now, come with me to the Soul Dueling Arena." With that, Jing Hongchen led Huo Yuhao out of the dormitory. Soul Dueling Arena Ma Rulong stood with his arms crossed, watching Xiao Hongchen from a distance. He then spoke, "Xiao Hongchen, is the Hall Master really adding a Grandmaster level soul master to the reserve team? "Even though the main team is the real force behind this competition, suddenly inserting a Grandmaster level soul master into the lineup seems too strange. Even if Huo Yuhao broke your records, he's still too weak." In Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Ma Rulong was the captain of the main team for this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. He took the goal of defeating Shrek Academy very seriously. To him, only the best of the best should be on the team. It's not that he thought Huo Yuhao lacked talent quite the opposite. However, he was still just a Grandmaster level soul master, and not ready yet. The fact that Jing Hongchen had placed him on the team immediately left Ma Rulong deeply confused. "If you're asking me, then who am I supposed to ask?" Xiao Hongchen shrugged, looking equally confused. "I just know that my grandpa said Huo Yuhao's soul skill is amazing." "But no matter how strong a soul skill is, he's still just a Grandmaster! Oh, by the way, I should mention I've already reached Soul King rank, and I'm now a Rank 5 Soul Engineer!" Recently, Xiao Hongchen had advanced to Rank 50, officially becoming a Soul King and a Level 5 Soul Engineer. With his breakthrough, his confidence which had been slightly shaken by Huo Yuhao breaking his records had now returned in full force. Ma Rulong's eyelid twitched. I asked about Huo Yuhao, not you. Do you think I don't already know about your situation? Xiao Hongchen right now was like those people who catch a big fish and won't stop bragging about it. Taking a deep breath, Ma Rulong said, "I have to take responsibility for the honor of both the Empire and the Academy. If Huo Yuhao doesn't impress me, I don't care if I have to go against the Hall Master himself I'll refuse to let him compete. We need a championship to prove ourselves!" Meng Hongchen, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "Senior Ma, Huo Yuhao's first soul skill is incredibly strong. While he might not be suited for the main team, he definitely qualifies as a reserve member." She had personally experienced Huo Yuhao's Spirit Detection Sharing, so she knew exactly how powerful it was for teamwork. "Oh?" Ma Rulong looked at Meng Hongchen with raised eyebrows. "You're serious?" "Of course!" Meng Hongchen nodded firmly and smiled. "Senior Ma, you'll see for yourself soon. Huo Yuhao is actually really impressive!" Xiao Hongchen, however, was staring intently at Meng Hongchen, his expression turning nervous. "Impressive? How impressive? Meng, you didn't secretly do anything with Huo Yuhao behind my back, did you?" Meng Hongchen rolled her eyes. "Xiao, I just experienced his soul skill, that's all!" Xiao Hongchen let out a sigh of relief. So it was just his soul skill. For a moment, he had thought... Ma Rulong, still skeptical, said, "Regardless of what you say, I have to see it for myself. Hearing about it is one thing seeing is believing. From what I know, most first soul skills for talented Soul Engineers come from hundred year soul rings. "And how powerful can a first soul skill from a mere hundred year soul ring really be?" Meng Hongchen hesitated. "...But Huo Yuhao's first soul ring is a ten year soul ring." Ma Rulong: ??? "Are you kidding me?!" "A ten year soul ring? Even if it's a mutated soul skill, how powerful could it possibly be?" At that moment, two figures descended from the sky. Jing Hongchen landed with Huo Yuhao, smiling at the gathered students. "Looks like everyone is here." "Headmaster!" "Hall Master!" "Grandpa!" The students greeted him respectfully. Jing Hongchen nodded and patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder. "Alright, let me introduce you all. This is the genius Soul Engineer, Huo Yuhao. I'm sure you've all heard of him by now. From today, he's your teammate." "Wait, Hall Master! I need to personally assess this Junior Yuhao's strength. As the team captain, I have a responsibility to protect the honor of Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy!" Ma Rulong spoke firmly. Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes slightly. "You want to test his strength? Fine. But Huo Yuhao is still only a Grandmaster. Ma Rulong, as a Soul Emperor, you wouldn't seriously be planning to bully someone weaker, would you? "Let's do this instead Yuhao will team up with Xiao and Meng, and you can pick two teammates. Then, we'll have a 3v3 match." This arrangement was intentional. Jing Hongchen wanted Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen to form good relationships with Huo Yuhao. After all, they were his grandchildren. As for Ma Rulong? Even though he was part of Mingde Hall, he wasn't as close to him as his own grandchildren or Huo Yuhao. Besides, he was still hoping that Huo Yuhao would one day marry Meng Hongchen! Moreover, if Huo Yuhao didn't prove himself, even if Jing Hongchen personally endorsed him, some people would still be unconvinced. The 3v3 format would save time compared to a full 7v7 match. "Fine, I accept. How about you, Junior Yuhao?" Ma Rulong asked, watching him closely. Huo Yuhao nodded. "Alright, Senior Ma." In Douluo Continent, many things could be settled through battle. Whether it was friendly matches like this or Huo Yuhao fighting all of Holy Spirit Cult's top fighters at once, it was all basically just matches. Xiao Hongchen suddenly muttered, "Grandpa, Meng and I have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. We're basically invincible. Do we really need a third teammate?" Jing Hongchen smacked him on the head. "What do you know? Just do as I say!" "Ugh, fine, Grandpa!" Xiao Hongchen grumbled. But his family was small, and his grandfather was one of the only close relatives he had left, so he didn't argue further. Jing Hongchen then turned to Huo Yuhao, his face gentle. "Yuhao, don't mind Xiao he's always been arrogant, and it's my fault for spoiling him. I'll make sure to discipline him properly!" "Everyone here has been hand picked. You can trust them all. And Ma Rulong and his teammates can take a hit, so go all out!" **In other words, Huo Yuhao was free to use his Ultimate Ice Martial Soul. Huo Yuhao looked at Jing Hongchen's warm smile and felt a bit weirded out. But he still nodded. "Alright, Headmaster. I'll do my best." (End of chapter.)Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon. Read 15 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1