Seeing Su Ming mention Tang San, Huo Wu decided that if she faced Tang San in the tournament, she'd "treat him well." After reading Su Ming's diary for seven years, she could see that Tang San's character was indeed frustrating. Huo Wu, always direct, also sympathized with Xiao Wu, noting that in the original story, Tang San had continuously taken advantage of Xiao Wu's sacrifices.
Then something clicked. Not only Huo Wu, but all the women noticed it—a seven-in-one martial soul fusion technique?
They were astounded. Did such a fusion even exist?
Now, it made sense why Su Ming believed that Canghui Academy could be stronger than Thunderclap Academy, assuming no one held back. Of course, this would only apply if the two academies actually faced each other since not all teams would cross paths during the preliminary rounds.
Even far away in Spirit City, Bibi Dong was intrigued by this fusion concept. A seven-in-one fusion was beyond her expectations. She speculated that Canghui Academy's technique might relate to illusions, given that their instructor, Shinian, was a master of illusions.
However, her curiosity was purely hypothetical; the students' skills wouldn't necessarily mirror their teacher's. Nevertheless, with three Soul Ancestors and four Soul Elders, such a fusion technique would have power comparable to a Soul Emperor or even a Soul Sage.
Back at the academy, Xiao Wu and the others snuck glances at Su Ming, their eyes full of curiosity about the possible strength of a seven-person fusion technique. Judging by Su Ming's calm demeanor, he seemed to have a way to handle it.
Su Ming only smiled, acknowledging that Canghui's Seven Asura Illusion was formidable and worthy of Shinian's instruction. Under this fusion technique, they had a high probability—ninety percent or more—of overcoming an opponent even two ranks above them, unless the opponent had significant mental strength to break the illusion.
Yet, Canghui's powerful illusion was ineffective against his Fiery Eyes.
Diary Entry: "Speaking of Huo Wu, I can't ignore her fanatical admirer, Feng Xiaotian from Godwind Academy. He's her ultimate fanboy!"
Huo Wu: "…"
Su Ming's mention of Feng Xiaotian left her speechless. She could never like a guy like Feng Xiaotian, a shameless pursuer. Huo Wu liked strong, assertive men, and Feng Xiaotian wasn't her type. While he had once been stronger than her, his personality lacked appeal.
The other women were surprised by the mention of yet another admirer. Su Ming had already referenced two hopeless admirers before, and now Feng Xiaotian made three.
Diary Entry: "Feng Xiaotian is talented, with a dual-purpose martial soul—the Swift Gale Twin-Headed Wolf. He's one of the few innately full spirit power users on the continent."
Xiao Wu and the others were surprised at Feng Xiaotian's high potential—enough for Su Ming to praise him.
Diary Entry: "But he shouldn't have spent so much time developing his own spirit ability instead of advancing his spirit power. If I remember correctly, he's around 24 now, but only has a spirit power level of 44!"
"At the same time, Huo Wu, who's about 18, has already reached Level 43. She's six years younger and only one level behind him! And she wasn't even born with full spirit power. Feng Xiaotian's choice was absurd."
"His talent, other than lacking a twin martial soul, was almost maxed out—enough for a main character in his own right. But instead of maximizing it, he wasted time creating a custom technique!"
"Now, at 24, he's only Level 44. Without that misstep, he could've been a Soul King by now. No wonder Huo Wu isn't interested in him—he's six years older and hasn't outpaced her by much in strength. Strong-willed women like Huo Wu won't look at him."
"And let's be real, there's a bit of a 'cradle-robber' vibe about him, haha."
Ye Lingling / Dugu Yan: "…!"
If Su Ming considered Feng Xiaotian a cradle-robber, what did that make them? At eighteen or nineteen, both of them were several years older than Su Ming, who was only thirteen. Su Ming's comment made them flush with embarrassment.
Ye Lingling took it in stride, already being with Su Ming and dismissing the thought. But Dugu Yan, still in the courting phase, felt more self-conscious. But who could blame her? Su Ming was exceptionally tall for his age—nearing six foot three—and hardly looked thirteen.
Diary Entry: "Actually, Huo Wu's disinterest in Feng Xiaotian might stem from another reason. Feng Xiaotian lacks an understanding of what she really likes—strength and confidence beyond her own."
"Although Feng Xiaotian, believing himself powerful, humbles himself to pursue her, she just can't like him."
"During the tournament, after her attempt to confess to Tang San fails, she eventually settles for Feng Xiaotian. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stood a chance!"
Huo Wu: "What? Me, like Tang San? Impossible!"
Diary Entry: "The circumstances of Huo Wu's affection for Tang San are strange. Due to Tang San's celestial herb enhancement, his Blue Silver Grass developed fire immunity. When Shrek Academy faced Blazing Fire Academy, Huo Wu didn't anticipate this and lost."
"Tang San smugly said, 'My Blue Silver Grass is fire-immune!' This infuriated Huo Wu—fire immunity isn't that impressive! In the subsequent ranking matches, Huo Wu used her ring fusion talent, pouring her full spirit power into her fourth spirit ability to go all out against Tang San, aiming for mutual destruction just to save her academy's face from a total wipeout."
"Classic storyline trope—Tang San activated his Eight Spider Lances and shielded her with his body just as her attack was about to land."