Chapter 78: Are Freshmen Always This Bold?

"What?"

Upon hearing Bei Bei's words, Xu Sanshi felt his mind almost freeze. He raised his hand to pinch his brow.

"Wait, so your sister's husband is younger than you?"

After a moment, Xu Sanshi lifted his head and said, "Then wouldn't it be easier to call him 'Little Brother-in-law'?"

"Little Brother-in-law."

Bei Bei murmured softly, then his eyes suddenly lit up. He happily reached out and gave Xu Sanshi a pat on the shoulder.

"Nice one! I didn't expect you to be so clever at times like this!"

"Get lost! I've never heard anything good come out of that mouth of yours!"

Xu Sanshi immediately smacked Bei Bei's hand away in annoyance. "So, are we still fighting or not?"

"No idea."

Bei Bei glanced once more at the two instructors still in a heated debate, then sighed.

"By the looks of it, though, it might take a while before they're done."

Just then, a clear voice sounded from outside the resting area.

"Director Du, why hasn't the competition started yet? Everyone's been waiting to see it."

Everyone instinctively turned towards the doorway. There stood a woman in her fifties striding in. Despite her age, her graceful features hinted at the beauty of her youth.

The newcomer was none other than Xian Lin'er, the Head of the Soul Engineering Department, who had attended the Sea God Pavilion meeting the previous night.

For some reason, Huo Yuhao felt a strange sense of déjà vu upon seeing this. It reminded him of the time he ventured to the Extreme North to obtain his second martial soul, where the Martial Soul Department and Soul Engineering Department had also quarreled over him. Only this time, Yan Shaozhe had been replaced by Du Weilun.

"Greetings, Dean."

Du Weilun quickly bowed, realizing at once that he couldn't stop what was coming. Despite the bitter look on his face, he actually felt a sense of relief inside.

It wasn't that he wanted to antagonize Zhang Lexuan, but sometimes, duty required him to. If he didn't hold her back, Yan Shaozhe would consider him incompetent.

But now that the Head of the Soul Engineering Department was here, he could step aside without Yan Shaozhe blaming him for it.

"No need for formalities."

Xian Lin'er gave a slight nod and didn't make things difficult for the instructor stuck between them. Her gaze shifted instead to Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na beside Zhang Lexuan, and she spoke calmly.

"Director Du, I'm a straightforward person. Unlike your Martial Soul Department Dean, I won't mince words. I know you're in a difficult position, so I came in person. When Yan Shaozhe returns, just tell him I pressured you into it. Now, can we proceed with the assessment?"

"Cough… there's no need for that."

Du Weilun wiped the sweat from his brow and responded awkwardly.

"If the Dean says so, then the assessment can continue. Who's going first?"

He directed the question at Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na. Huo Yuhao stepped forward, speaking softly.

"I'll go first."

Seeing Huo Yuhao take the initiative, Bei Bei also took a step forward, surprising Xu Sanshi as he said with a smile.

"Junior, I'm Bei Bei. I'll be your opponent today. Looking forward to it."

Huo Yuhao hadn't expected Bei Bei to volunteer to face him, and there was something strange in the way Bei Bei was looking at him. But he simply nodded with a polite smile.

"Thank you, Senior Bei Bei. I'm Huo Yuhao."

Soon, the two walked into the competition arena, accompanied by Xian Lin'er, who had personally offered to referee.

With a Rank 95 Super Douluo as the referee, even Bei Bei couldn't help but feel a touch of nervousness.

"Thunderous Bei Bei—Thunderous Bei Bei—!"

"Is that freshman over there the one challenging Bei Bei? He actually looks even more handsome than Bei Bei."

"Are all the freshmen this bold? First day, and he's challenging the twin stars of the outer court."

The crowd erupted with cheers and chatter as soon as the two appeared, the contrast between Huo Yuhao's white freshman uniform and Bei Bei's fifth-year black uniform further stirring the crowd's excitement.

As Huo Yuhao took his position several meters from Bei Bei, a loud cheer came from behind him.

"Yuhao—go for it!"

He instinctively turned and paused in surprise, seeing Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan seated in the audience, both waving excitedly at him. Tang Ya even clenched her fists, signaling for him to knock his opponent down.

After a brief moment of surprise, Huo Yuhao grinned and gave them a thumbs-up.

"Contestants, ready—"

Xian Lin'er's voice, infused with soul power, resonated in everyone's ears, quieting the bustling arena.

"Begin!"

A deep blue lightning surged around Bei Bei's right arm, his entire forearm bulging as it transformed into a dragon claw.

"Apologies, Junior Huo, but I won't hold back for this assessment."

Even without the assessment, Bei Bei had been itching to test the boy who had drawn so much attention from Lexuan.

It was common knowledge in the academy that Inner Court Senior Zhang Lexuan had recently taken a position as an outer court instructor, a curious decision that didn't escape anyone's notice.

Upon hearing his assessment target's name, Bei Bei had suddenly realized who Lexuan had been talking about.

After all, "Huo Yuhao" was a name he'd heard her mention repeatedly over the past three years.

He still remembered the incident in the Great Star Dou Forest three years ago, which had taken much of the usual joy from Lexuan's face. But ever since her mission with the Evil Soul Masters a year ago, she had gradually returned to her old self, and the name "Huo Yuhao" had only grown more frequent in her conversations.

Though Zhang Lexuan didn't seem aware of it, everyone around her knew full well.

Finally meeting the young man named Huo Yuhao in person, Bei Bei felt he understood.

Hmm… indeed, he's quite handsome, though a bit young. But that's not a big issue; for Lexuan to personally endorse him, he must have incredible talent.

Wow, so she's been grooming him all along!

Turns out you're not so serious, Sister Lexuan. You secretly like the younger ones!

Unaware of Bei Bei's thoughts, Huo Yuhao's eyes shone with golden light, and two striking purple soul rings rose from his feet.

The audience fell into stunned silence, as if unable to believe their eyes.

"No wonder…"

Xian Lin'er's gaze burned as she looked at Huo Yuhao, muttering softly. Seeing those two purple soul rings, she finally understood why Du Weilun had tried so hard to stop this assessment.

Yan Shaozhe, you old fox…

(End of Chapter)