Chapter 111: Friends

"So what are you going to get with your card?" Wang Dong'er curiously asked after they were told of other instructions when browsing around the Treasure Appreciation Auction.

"Hm. Follow me," Huo Yuhao replied, he then headed towards the soul bone that Wang Dong'er had seen earlier.

Wang Dong'er hurriedly tugged at his sleeve. "Yuhao, you don't need to. I can buy it myself." She naturally understood Huo Yuhao's intentions. There was no doubt that he was going to use his privileges to help Wang Dong'er get that soul bone.

He turned towards her and said, "Dong'er, are we friends or not?"

"Of course!" Wang Dong'er subconsciously replied, staring blankly at him.

Huo Yuhao smiled and nodded. "Then there you go. The friendship between us definitely can't be measured using any benefits or money whatsoever. We're partners who can use a fusion skill! From another standpoint, the two of us are a single entity. If you get stronger, our strength as a whole will similarly increase. If you think of me as a friend, don't say anything else, and follow me."

As he spoke, he walked towards the soul bone while holding onto Wang Dong'er's hand.

'But I think of you more than just a friend...' Wang Dong'er thought, slightly flustered as she followed him.

The reddish-golden soul bone had attracted a lot of attention. Anyone who could participate in the Treasure Appreciation Auction was a core disciple of the outer courtyard, and there were many of them that the two of them recognized.

"Senior brother, brother Xu." Huo Yuhao immediately saw both Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi, he looked around but didn't see either Tang Ya or Jiang Nannan. Which was weird, the two normally don't hang around with each other unless the girls are around.

Looking at Bei Bei, who nodded at him in greeting, he remembered their conversation before going out of the academy.

.....

"The Body Sect?"

Bei Bei nodded with a serious expression. "I was just informed by an elder that a couple days ago, members of the Body Sect was spotted lurking around the remains of the... former Tang Sect headquarters."

"How did they know about them?"

Bei Bei lightly smiled. "Like any organization in the world, the academy has its own intelligence network. It's not surprising that they would be aware of such activities, especially when it involves potentially dangerous factions like the Body Sect."

Huo Yuhao frowned. "The Body Sect... They're not to be underestimated," he said with a serious tone. "Why are they rummaging through the remains of the Tang Sect Headquarters? I razed that place thoroughly, and we brought anything of value out of that place. So why are they..."

"Do you want my guess, sect master?" Bei Bei paused, waiting for Huo Yuhao's nod of consent before continuing. Though weird, he had already gotten used to calling him that once a while. "The Body Sect is a sect whose members possess the Body Soul. They are neither good nor evil, they do whatever they please and are extremely ruthless. Their specialty had always been using one's body as a weapon, so any part of one's body could be used as one. Because of this, the Body Sect is considered one of the best in terms of their research into fighting techniques. In this aspect, even Shrek Academy couldn't compare to them. It was also one of the reasons why the Body Sect was so strong."

"What I'm guessing here is that they're deeply interested by the Tang Sect's secret techniques, you and I both know how powerful they are; strengthening the user's body, increasing their soul power, cultivation speed and so much more. And thanks to the former Tang Sect members having some dignity, they haven't shared the techniques to anyone after they left, which leaves the only remaining people: Tang Ya's family.... and then us, that knows."

Huo Yuhao nodded in understanding. "They came to the ruins because they heard it was ruined by Teacher Ya and me(which they don't completely know), and they probably thought that she had died in the there, leaving behind Tang Sect's secret techniques."

He grinned, "Unfortunately for them, however, is that she didn't die and they're just pointlessly searching around for ashes."

Bei Bei nodded. "True, but please understand that we need to be careful. Body Sect is an extremely formidable existence, they have the confidence to start a war with the academy. With how weak we still are, we can't openly reveal ourselves just yet."

Huo Yuhao deliberated for a moment and nodded in agreement, "Yes, we keep a low profile but we should still put up the name of our sect to others; to recruit new members and get clients in order for us to grow. The Body Sect wouldn't bother with us if we use special techniques that don't align with their attack techniques."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

Huo Yuhao smiled.

"We're not Tangmen, we're the Akatsuki; Shinobis who specialize in covert operations and unconventional warfare; a mix of hidden weapons and jutsus. We operate in the shadows, using a variety of techniques and skills to achieve our goals without drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves."

Bei Bei blinked, recalling the flaming tornado, Huo Yuhao had used, to raze the Tang Sect land. "Not drawing any unnecessary attention?"

"Of course we-" Huo Yuhao paused. "Well, most of the time. But anyways... just because there's a powerful enemy that might be out to get us, doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to grow stronger and achieve our goals. It just means we need to be smart about it."

Bei Bei nodded in agreement, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Indeed."

...

"Juniors, you took your sweet time." Bei Bei walked up to them with a smile on his face.

Xu Sanshi's eyes blinked, confused by Huo Yuhao's appearance. "Huh? Who are you?"

"Oh come on, brother Xu. It has only been a while and you've already forgotten your favorite junior?"

He was still confused, his face completely blank.

"...Nope, I don't know you at all. Besides, you look like someone around my age. Who the heck are you?!"

Huo Yuhao rolled his eyes and just revealed his Sharingan, it was faster to show his Sharingan than telling him.

His eyes went wide after he saw Huo Yuhao's Sharingan, and said. "Holy Sea God's ass! Yuhao, is that you?! Holy shit bro, how much iron did you lift to get this buff? No wonder I've heard that you've been shining extraordinarily for a while, and even Dean Yan wants you. But why'd you run over to the Soul Tool Department?"

"Brother Xu, you ask too many questions. But simply put, I've been placed in both departments." Huo Yuhao simply replied.

Xu Sanshi indifferently nodded. "Ah, I see, I see. So anyways, can you both help a senior out? I've just told Bei Bei that I'll definitely join the Tang Sect as long as you guys can get Jiang Nannan to join. How about it?"

'No wonder he's sticking with senior brother.'

The two deadpanned. Xu Sanshi don't normally hang out with Bei Bei in public.

Bei Bei interjected, slapping the back of his head. "And for the last time, no. Besides, Tang Sect is no more, Xiao Ya has dissolved the sect."

"What?!" Xu Sanshi loudly exclaimed, surprising the people around them. He was utterly in shock, he understood what the sect meant to Tang Ya and how she meant to Bei Bei, and yet, he didn't have a change of expression after dropping such a bomb.

Huo Yuhao ignored him and Bei Bei. "Did you see the girls?"

He shook his head. "No, but I wouldn't be too worried. Tang Ya decided to go look for them in case they were in trouble, so they should be around here."

Wang Dong'er asked. "Teacher Ya's here? Does that mean that she's..."

Bei Bei smiled. "Yes, after returning to the academy, and getting some scolding and punishment, she took the advancement exam, aced it, and became a core disciple of the outercourtyard."

"Wait, why hadn't she told us?" Wang Dong'er asked.

Huo Yuhao shrugged. "Eh, I already guessed that she was."

 "I'm surprised that she didn't tell you." Bei Bei said, a bewildered look on his face.

He froze, as a hand landed on his shoulder and a frightening purple aura appeared behind him. He stiffly turned around to find his girlfriend standing behind him and the girls; Xiao Xiao, Wu Feng, Ning Tian and Jiang Nannan.

"Isn't it simply because I wanted to surprise them?" Tang Ya sweetly smiled, her eyes lifeless.

"Hehe... I, uh..."

"Hey girls," Huo Yuhao ignored the couple and greeted the girls with a smile. "you took your sweet time to getting here."

Ning Tian rolled her eyes. "Look who's talking. We've been here waiting for you for an hour! I should be the one berating you two for being so late."

Xiao Xiao giggled, and teasingly said. "Don't tell me you two went out on a date."

Wang Dong'er playfully slapped her right arm, her face red. "We just went out to eat, to kill time. That's all."

Wu Feng widened her eyes. "So you did went out on a date!"

"Shut up!"

Jiang Nannan smiled and nodded at them. "Junior brothers, it's been a long time."

"Long time as well, sister Jiang." Huo Yuhao said.

She only stared at him longer before looking away, she had been briefly told by Xiao Xiao about Huo Yuhao's situation so she didn't react much like Xu Sanshi.

Speaking about him...

"Jiang Nannan!"

"Tch. Scram!"

Jiang Nannan quickly gave a savage kick to Xu Sanshi, who tried to sneak up to her. She coldly snorted and turned towards the group, "Well, there's an item I'm interested in nearby. Sorry, but I'll catch up with you guys later." With that, she swiftly made her way towards the item she had her eyes on.

However, Jiang Nannan suddenly turned around, revealing a murderous look. "If you keep following me, I'll leave Shrek Academy."

"Ah..." Xu Sanshi immediately stopped, his shoulders slumped.

"You deserve that," Tang Ya said, towards Xu Sanshi, she had no mercy.

"I wonder what he did to piss off elder sister Jiang Nannan." Xiao Xiao muttered, saying out loud what everyone had thought excluding Huo Yuhao.

"Uh, that..." Xu Sanshi had an awkward expression, his face turning red. "I can't say it, I absolutely can't say it. I'm going to take a stroll now." After saying these words, he quickly slipped away.

"Ah, he ran away." Ning Tian said, looking at his retreating back. "Seriously, I'm really curious."

Tang Ya shook her head. "Leave it. I've been friends with Nannan for a couple years now, and even she wouldn't tell me. Let's just leave them be."

Huo Yuhao was the only one who looked at him in sympathy, as he knew the history behind the two's relationship; he had momentarily looked into his memories when he used a genjutsu on him.

Although he certainly had a great deal of blame of doing... "that" to Jiang Nannan, it wasn't entirely his fault. He was simply just... inexperienced on what he was doing.

"So, have you guys decided on what to get?" Tang Ya asked.

Huo Yuhao tilted his head to the booth where the soul bone was. "Yup."

Ning Tian blinked, staring at a metal plaque. "Uh, are you sure about this one?"

Hearing her words, everyone else crowded near her and let out a gasp of surprise.

The soul bone was priced at 9.5 million Gold Soul Coins.

When Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Tang Ya and Wu Feng saw this price, their pupils immediately shrank.

"Why is it so expensive?!" Wang Dong'er said, astonished, "From what I remember, although expensive, the price of a soul bone will rarely surpass 3 million Gold Soul Coins!"

"It should be because it has the concentrated, "pure" light dragon bloodline within it. A soul bone with a dragon bloodline isn't cheap, I even heard a thousand year leg bone with a true dragon bloodline having reached 12.6 million gold soul coins." Wu Feng said.

Ning Tian turned towards Huo Yuhao. "Do you need to borrow some money? For a friend, I won't give you an interest and you can pay me back in twenty years."

As expected of the Seven Treasure Tile Clan's young lady, they're inarguably the wealthiest clan in the continent.

Huo Yuhao shook his head. "No thanks, I got it covered."

Wang Dong'er quickly turned her head and looked to Huo Yuhao, her eyes watery. "Yuhao, it's too expensive. I think I understand what the academy wants. The academy's giving you these privileges because you have great talent and an Ultimate martial soul. The more precious the thing you take from here is, the more you'll feel indebted to the academy. And in the future, you'll surely need a lot of these things. With that, you'll be tied down to the academy. Yuhao, if you want to be free, you can't take things from here as you wish."

Huo Yuhao shook his head lightly and said, "Wang Dong, you underestimate me. It's just a few million, within ten years or even half of that time, if the plan I have goes well, I can just pay it off. And even before that, I'm sure I can repay them as being one of their pillars of strength one day."

Wang Dong'er looked carefully at Huo Yuhao. He knew that this guy that seemed nothing more than a blockhead was actually more mature than his peers. Under that roguish face, he had a blazing heart.

Wang Dong'er finally gave up and replied, "Fine, I'll take this soul bone. You can go and make the exchange; I still want to take another look at it. Also, do you really not want to buy something? I still have a hundred thousand gold soul coins."

"Hm." Huo Yuhao closes his eyes for a moment, subtly using his Spiritual Detection to see everything that the booths had to offer.

'Huh? Those are...'

A black crystal that looked completely ordinary, but with his Spiritual Power, he could see the vast vitality hiding beneath.

Next was a strange metallic ore, it was uneven and was as large as a watermelon. What was intriguing about this was the description that said: "absorbs physical attacks and converts it into powerful gales of wind".

Lastly was an egg-shaped red gem that radiated off extreme heat, which is why it was contained in an expensive, see through, 1,000 year old Snow Lotus Crystal Glass. The heat it radiated was almost as hot as the sun's surface! Although it sounded extremely powerful, the price was astonishingly low for it. It was probably because of its intense heat that not a lot of people wanted to buy it.

Huo Yuhao smirked and opened his eyes, a reddish-gold light flickered across his eyes.

"Yes, a couple of things that should be well in your budget."

....

AN: I wonder what's he's going to buy? :>

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