Chapter 71

In the early morning, I seek your recommendation votes.

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Wang Yan smiled slightly and said, "That's good. Get some rest early when you go back." He still did not ask what Huo Yuhao's soul technique was. He had his pride and believed that as long as they encountered a strong opponent, Huo Yuhao and the others would not be able to hide it.

"Really refreshing! It was like slicing through melons and winning easily." On the way back to the dormitory, Wang Dong said excitedly. Today, he had his fill of excitement.

Xiao Xiao said, "Tomorrow it should be my turn to take the stage. Wang Dong, I think this way: so far, you have only used your first soul skill. If we encounter a powerful opponent tomorrow, you might have to use your second soul skill. Your second soul skill, formed by a thousand-year soul ring, is the strongest attack method in our team. It's best not to let others see it easily. We can use it when we reach the ranking matches. If we encounter a powerful opponent tomorrow, I will join you in the fight. We will try to use our first soul skills as much as possible. Even if the opponent is strong, I will use my second soul skill to hide yours. This way, we will have two trump cards. What do you think?"

Wang Dong chuckled and said, "Xiao Xiao, you said all that just because you're itchy, right? Okay, let's do it your way. I've had my fill, so I should let you have your fun too."

Fortunately, no adults were around to overhear their conversation, or Wang Dong's words would have been misinterpreted.

Huo Yuhao laughed and said, "Let's go. I'll treat you to grilled fish. I ordered some extra yesterday."

Just as the three of them were about to leave the testing area, they ran into two people. Seeing them, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong were both taken aback.

The newcomers were none other than the inner courtyard disciple Ma Xiaotao, dressed in red, and Xu Sanshi, whom she had taken away a few days ago.

Compared to his usual spirited demeanor, Xu Sanshi now looked pale and drained, as if all his energy had been sapped. He was listless, his clothes wrinkled, and he looked utterly dejected.

Ma Xiaotao was still as beautiful as ever, but her face had an abnormal flush, and her eyes were a deeper shade of pink.

"Isn't that right, Sister Xiaotao? Can I go now?" Xu Sanshi said with a bitter smile. After several days of torment, he had finally endured the intense pain. Both mentally and physically, he was exhausted and just wanted to go back to the dormitory and sleep.

Ma Xiaotao nodded and said, "Alright, you can go."

Xu Sanshi gave Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong a look that said, "You're on your own," and turned to leave. His lack of loyalty made Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong's hearts tighten. What did Ma Xiaotao want from them?

Ma Xiaotao said coolly, "You two, come with me. Little junior, you go back first."

Xiao Xiao was about to say something, but Huo Yuhao immediately shook his head at her, signaling her to go and that they would be fine.

It seemed Ma Xiaotao had come with ill intentions, and he did not want to involve Xiao Xiao. Besides, they were in the academy, and Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong believed she would not do anything to them.

Xiao Xiao reluctantly left, and Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong followed Ma Xiaotao to a path by the lake. After walking for a while, they arrived at the lake where they had been attacked before.

Ma Xiaotao stopped at the edge of the Sea God Lake. Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong kept a noticeable distance from her, Wang Dong looking wary, and Huo Yuhao feeling uneasy.

"Senior Ma, what do you need from us?" Huo Yuhao asked tentatively.

Ma Xiaotao turned her back to them and said, "I know you must have recognized me. Yes, I am the student from the inner courtyard who almost hurt you that day. I had my reasons, and I apologize to both of you."

Wang Dong pursed his lips, thinking, _Is this an apology? It lacks any sincerity!_

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong exchanged a glance and said, "Senior Ma, what's done is done. Besides, the academy has compensated us."

Ma Xiaotao suddenly turned around, her pink eyes darkening, and an indescribable pressure instantly enveloped Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong.

"But for me, this matter is not over," Ma Xiaotao said solemnly.

"That day, an ice-attribute soul master must have stopped me, which is why you were not harmed. This person is very important to me. Tell me everything you know. Or, is one of you the protector? I must find him."

Wang Dong looked bewildered and said, "Senior Ma, I don't understand what you mean. When you lunged at us, the intense heat from your body made us pass out immediately. We have no idea what happened after that, let alone an ice-attribute soul master."

Huo Yuhao nodded in agreement, determined not to reveal the secret of the Heavenly Dream Ice Worm.

Seeing their genuine expressions, Ma Xiaotao's eyes showed a hint of hesitation.

She had come to Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong because, after returning that day, she suddenly remembered why these two students looked familiar. She had seen their profiles in the inner courtyard.

In the past three months, she had suppressed her evil fire with the cold energy left in her body by the Heavenly Dream Ice Worm, making significant progress in her cultivation. After the cold energy disappeared, she had to rely on Xu Sanshi again. However, she found that although Xu Sanshi's Demonic Turtle soul technique was a top-tier beast soul technique, it was water-attribute, not ice-attribute, and its help was becoming less effective.

Unable to suppress her evil fire, she had to stop cultivating, and the evil fire could erupt at any time, causing her to lose her senses.

After much consideration, she decided to find Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong. If she could find the person who had used an ice-attribute to stop her that day, her problem would be solved.

"Do you really not know?" Ma Xiaotao asked sternly.

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong shook their heads simultaneously.

Ma Xiaotao's face suddenly changed, and she said coldly, "Then don't blame me for being impolite. If you don't know, I will force him to come out." As she spoke, a wave of intense heat erupted from her, and crimson flames burst forth from her body like a volcanic eruption.

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong had already sensed something was wrong when Ma Xiaotao called them over, so they had remained vigilant. Plus, they had suffered a significant loss last time. As soon as Ma Xiaotao attacked, they immediately reacted, unwilling to sit and wait for their doom.

The wings of the Goddess Butterfly instantly emerged from Wang Dong's back, and as they unfolded, they were covered in golden patterns. The wing blades were activated in the first moment.