Chapter 7 - Bei Bei vs Huo Yuhao

Bei Bei and I stood facing each other, a silent agreement that our clash would be a test of skill and strength.

"Brother Huo Yuhao, are you sure about this?" Bei Bei inquired cautiously, a hint of wariness in his voice.

With a confident smile, I reassured him, "Senior Bei, let's have a friendly spar. I want to test my skills against a strong spirit master like you."

As the battle commenced, Tang Ya remained meditating, unaware of the duel unfolding in the midst of the forest.

I opted not to use my dark gauntlets, still wary of being misunderstood as an evil cultivator.

As Bei Bei unleashed his Tyrant Lightning Dragon martial soul, his Third Spirit Ring exploded with intensity.

I prepared myself to rely solely on my bare hands and martial abilities.

"Here I go!"

Bei Bei unleashed countless snakes of lightning that expanded simultaneously forming a dense, thunderous web that tries to envelop me.

I slowly leaned forward and then...

Divine Step

"!!!" 

Bei Bei glanced at me who was in front, I hurled a kick to his abdomen as he curled up like a shrimp. The sounds of ribs breaking resounded.

"Ugh!"

Bei Bei was sent rolling to the ground while I stood still glancing at the man rising from his shaky figure.

"Impressive. You took that hit and still stood up. Most would have screamed in agony." I said with a satisfied look.

'Divine Step. It's a snail in comparison to before... that's to be expected.'

I glanced at my broken feet bone, with a subtle annoyance.

The Godhand coursed through my veins and restored the fractures.

"I take my words back... Brother Huo Yuhao, you're strong." Bei Bei got up with a serious look.

"I will now take you more seriously."

"Good."

Thunderous Dragon Claw!

Bei Bei hurled numerous lightning-infused hands toward me, I smiled at the now different Bei Bei who was prepared to win.

Swiftly, I utilized Divine Step, effortlessly evading his attack with unparalleled speed.

The air around us hummed with the intensity of our movements.

Bei Bei decided to go into close combat as his long-range attacks held no results, he threw his blue-violet scaled fists at me with explosive force.

I blocked the frenzied attack before being sent flying backward while I steadied myself from the force, causing the ground to split from my feet planted on the floor.

Eat this!

When Bei Bei threw his fists again, I collided my fists with him, causing our surroundings to crackle from the force of lightning.

I felt my hands tremble from the electricity as it coursed through my body, but the Godhand defended against the invasion of the unknown energy.

This battle was far more fun than fighting against the Corrupted Marionette.

It was a soulless monster without any shred of fighting spirit. But, the youthful spirit of Bei Bei was a refresher.

"Hahahaha! Not bad!" 

I activated Black Flash, an ability that cloaked my fists in a blue-dark aura, doubling my speed and punching power.

Each strike carried the potential to penetrate even the strongest defenses.

I moved into my boxing form as I made two feints causing Bei Bei to be bewildered, and then after catching him off-guard.

I slammed the Black Flash into his face, causing him to spit out blood.

"Puff!"

"Now, take this!"

At a rapid speed, I continued hurling my dark-blue coated fists into Bei Bei's defenseless body.

In the final combo hit, I sent my fist to Bei Bei's lower chest while sending him flying in the air.

"..."

I glanced at Bei Bei's battered body, almost as if he just fought in a war. 

"Brother Huo Yuhao, I underestimated you. Your strength goes beyond what meets the eye," Bei Bei conceded, his tone carrying a genuine acknowledgment.

I glanced down at him before nodding, a sense of satisfaction in showcasing my abilities without revealing the full extent of my powers.

I carried Bei Bei to my shoulders as I brought him near Tang Ya where she was meditating.

"I'll get camp ready. It's about to get dark. Just rest here."

Bei Bei nods with a bitter look before sitting in a meditative position.

He learned a lot from the battle but couldn't understand Huo Yuhao's strange fighting techniques.

It only took several hours to prepare for the camp and dinner. Tang Ya finally woke up.

"Wow! What happened here?"

Tang Ya stood up from her meditation as she glanced at both Huo Yuhao and Bei Bei.

She looked around the destroyed site where trees were uprooted and a sign of intense fighting must've occurred. 

Tang Ya's eyes widened as she took in the scene of destruction, her gaze shifting between Bei Bei and me.

"Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, what on earth happened here?" Tang Ya's curiosity was piqued, but before any explanation could be given, the aroma of dinner wafted through the air, distracting her.

I chuckled, realizing that Tang Ya had missed the entire spectacle due to her meditation.

"Oh, Senior Tang Ya, Bei Bei, and I just had a light spar. Nothing to worry about."

Bei Bei, who was still catching his breath, nearly choked on the soup he was sipping.

He glanced at me with an incredulous expression, clearly amused by the understatement.

"A light spar? That looked more like a battle between Titans! The entire forest is witness to the aftermath," Bei Bei exclaimed, wiping soup from his chin.

I grinned, enjoying Bei Bei's reaction.

"Well, you know, Senior Bei Bei is quite strong. It's just a friendly exchange of martial techniques."

Tang Ya, seemingly unconvinced, shrugged off the chaos around her and focused on the dinner.

"As long as you didn't destroy the ingredients for the meal, I suppose it's fine. Let's eat!"

We gathered around the makeshift campfire, the atmosphere lightening as we enjoyed the hearty dinner.

Tang Ya, oblivious to the details of our encounter, seemed content with the delicious food.

The crackling campfire provided a warm glow as Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and I sat in companionable silence.

The events of our friendly spar still lingered in the air, and Bei Bei couldn't help but express his curiosity.

"Brother Huo Yuhao, those techniques you used during our spar were extraordinary. I've never seen anything like them before, even throughout the Douluo Continent. Where did you learn them?"

Bei Bei's gaze held a genuine interest, seeking to understand the origins of the powerful martial techniques.

I glanced into the dancing flames for a moment, a somber expression crossing my face.

"Those techniques were passed down from my father. They are reserved for the next heir to the throne of my kingdom."

Bei Bei's eyes widened in surprise. "You're an heir to a kingdom? That explains the extraordinary skills, but why didn't you mention it before?"

"Pfft! Wh-what!" Tang Ya mouth agape glanced at me with an incredulous face.

I sighed, the weight of my past briefly surfacing.

"It's a long and complicated story, Senior Bei Bei. I'm not ready to share all the details just yet."

Understanding the somber tone in my voice, Bei Bei didn't press further.

Instead, he changed the subject, "Regardless of your background, those techniques are incredible. Do you think you could teach them to me?"

Bei Bei was sure that Huo Yuhao's mysterious techniques were even superior to the Tang Sect.

I considered Bei Bei's request, my eyes locking onto his.

"I can teach you, Senior Bei Bei, but in exchange, I have a favor to ask."

Curiosity sparkled in Bei Bei's eyes. "What favor do you need, Brother Huo Yuhao?"

"I want you to become one of my Commanders. Lead troops and contribute to the growth of our forces.

In return, I'll lend you resources, martial techniques, and the knowledge of the military techniques of my kingdom," I proposed, the weight of my words carrying the gravity of my intentions.

Bei Bei's brows furrowed as he pondered the proposition.

The allure of gaining powerful techniques and resources was evident, but the mystery surrounding my past left him hesitant.

"Brother Huo Yuhao, your story is still a mystery to me. I need to understand more before committing to such a significant role," Bei Bei admitted, his eyes reflecting his thoughtful consideration.

I nodded, respecting his decision. "I understand, Senior Bei Bei. Take your time to think it over. I'll wait for your answer, even if it takes years. We might become Titled Douluos one day, and the offer will still stand."

"I will think about it, Brother Huo Yuhao."

"But, what do you think? My kingdom has a lot of martial techniques, so you learning the boxing technique shouldn't be an issue since the citizens of my kingdom can even learn it! I can teach you the boxing technique for free. It's to show you how incredible it is in a 1v1 battle."

"Thank you, Brother Huo Yuhao. I owe you a favor."

Tang Ya's expression quickly shifted from tranquility to annoyance as she realized the conversation between Bei Bei and me had continued as if she didn't exist.

"What's this? Are you two trying to set up your own exclusive club without inviting me?"

Tang Ya huffed, crossing her arms and shooting us an irritated look.

Bei Bei and I exchanged amused glances before breaking into laughter.

Tang Ya's display of pettiness only fueled our amusement.

"Senior Tang Ya, it's not intentional. We were just discussing some martial techniques," I explained, trying to appease her.

Tang Ya rolled her eyes, clearly not buying it.

"Martial techniques, huh? Well, you could've included me in the conversation. I'm not just some random passerby, you know."

"Of course, Teacher Xiao Ya, we didn't mean to exclude you. Please, join us. We'd love to hear your insights as well," Bei Bei chimed in with a grin.

Tang Ya, still sporting a pout, reluctantly joined the conversation.

As we continued discussing martial techniques and sharing stories, Tang Ya made sure to interject with her own experiences, ensuring she wasn't left out of the camaraderie.

The night carried on with laughter, shared tales, and the warmth of the campfire.

The brief display of pettiness had added a lighthearted touch to the evening, and our bond as a trio deepened through both serious discussions and moments of playful banter.

The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of the Star Dou Forest, casting a warm glow over the makeshift camp.

I stirred from my slumber, greeted by the sound of birdsong and the rustling of leaves. Tang Ya and Bei Bei, already awake, greeted me with smiles.

"Good morning, Brother Huo Yuhao!" Tang Ya's cheerful voice broke the morning silence.

"Morning," Bei Bei added with a nod, his eyes reflecting the determination of the day ahead.

I stretched, feeling the stiffness from the previous day's activities.

"Good morning, Senior Tang Ya, Senior Bei Bei. What's the plan for today?"

"We'll put out the fire, pack up, and head in the direction of Shrek Academy," Bei Bei explained, gesturing towards the remnants of the campfire.

As Tang Ya efficiently extinguished the fire, I helped with packing up the essentials.

The forest seemed to come alive with the morning light, and a sense of purpose filled the air.

"So, Brother Huo Yuhao, do you know much about Shrek Academy and the Douluo Continent?"

Tang Ya inquired as we began our journey.

"Hm... not much except for the fact that we are in the Balak Kingdom's territory."

"Huh? Then, where does your Kingdom come from?"

"It's far away, it's not from this continent. It's a powerful kingdom, perhaps enough to level all of Douluo Continent."

I said while making the Demon Realm sound more appealing to both Bei Bei and Tang Ya. It was a fact nonetheless.

"What! Really?!" Tang Ya had an excited look.

"Umm... yes." I stood a bit away from her enthusiastic face while glancing at the thoughtful Bei Bei.

As we all continued, Tang Ya decided to explain the current Douluo Continent and Shrek Academy. How they are all correlated from the past.

As we continued our journey towards Shrek Academy, Tang Ya and Bei Bei took turns explaining the rich history and prestigious reputation of the renowned institution.

"Shrek Academy has stood for over 10,000 years," Bei Bei began, his tone carrying a sense of awe.

"It started as a small and exclusive school for geniuses and has grown into an entity similar to an independent nation. Positioned in the southeast of the Heavenly Soul Empire, it serves as the core junction of the three empires – the Heavenly Soul Empire, the Dou Ling Empire to the east, and the Star Luo Empire to the south."

Tang Ya chimed in, "It's located in Shrek City, which is governed by the academy. Shrek Academy has become the most respected institution on the entire continent, sought out by all countries to produce brilliant Spirit Masters."

I absorbed the information, intrigued by the academy's long-standing legacy and its pivotal role in the continent's spiritual development.

"The number of students in Shrek Academy never exceeds 5000," Bei Bei continued, "and the expulsion rate is exceptionally high. Freshman classes alone have 1000 students. Graduating from the outer academy takes 6 years, during which a student must attain at least 4 spirit rings. To enroll, one must be less than 12 years old with a Spirit Rank above 15. You need 2 rings just to take the upgrade exam from Freshman to Sophomore. After 3 months, classes are divided into combat systems – assault, defense, control, and auxiliary."

Tang Ya added, "Distinguished core disciples who graduate from the outer academy may qualify for the Inner Academy. These students, known as Shrek Guardians, face high-stakes, life-or-death missions. After surviving another 6 years, they become the true graduates of the academy, highly sought after by every country. Inner academy students are expected to graduate with 6 rings. Those who achieve 6 rings before the age of 20 are recognized as seeds – unrivaled talents. Currently, there are only 4 such 'seedling' students in the entire academy, including Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yaoheng."

'Ma Xiaotao... and Dai Yaoheng.'

I grimaced at the second name. Somehow, I was affected by Huo Yuhao's emotions.

Perhaps, the soul of Huo Yuhao still had not yet integrated with me.

"Brother Huo Yuhao is something wrong?" Bei Bei asked, noticing the change of expression.

"No, it's nothing." I shook my head while glancing at the morning sky.