Huo Yuhao glanced at the three options before him, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Well, well, it seems all of them are rejections.
Looking at it this way... these three options clearly had no intention of joining the Tang Sect.
They just differed slightly in their methods of refusal.
It made sense, after all. How could there possibly be an option to join the Tang Sect? That would be nothing short of a disaster for Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao pondered in his heart: "The Tang Sect is not a place to be trifled with. It's a massive pit, and once you fall in, even a fifty-meter rope won't be enough to pull you out."
The various experiences from the original story—especially the plot twist in the Love Question Valley—served as a perfect illustration of this.
Once you enter the Tang Sect, it's like diving into an abyss, and from then on, Huo Yuhao, the so-called "Huo the Hanger," becomes nothing more than a loyal dog.
Even now, thinking about it made Huo Yuhao's stomach churn.
In his previous life, he had been drawn into the world of "Douluo Dalu" through the blue-haired Huo Yuhao in the comic adaptation. At first, his understanding of the original story wasn't very deep, and he had once found it quite entertaining.
But later, the plot involving the soul-splitting and merging of "Xiao Qi, Dong'er, and Qiu'er" had left a profound impact on his young mind.
Such tricks were truly beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
Wang Dong'er and Wang Qiu'er each had their own unique charm, but when combined, they became the rather awkward existence known as Tang Wutong.
Moreover, the absurdity of the Love Question Valley wasn't just a matter of whether it was good or bad—it was a complete moral collapse and a distortion of human nature.
It was hard to imagine that the person sitting in front of the computer was even human.
While that person was going crazy in front of the computer, the characters in the story were going crazy in the Love Question Valley.
Later, he had no choice but to adopt the mindset of a "spectator" to continue reading, but even then, he found it difficult to stomach some of the bizarre twists, which were truly nauseating.
Now, as the former spectator had transmigrated into Huo Yuhao, he found himself facing the plot where the Tang Sect's lovebirds were inviting him to join. Naturally, he wanted to avoid getting too entangled with the pure and noble Tang Godking.
"On the Feasibility of a Spectator Transmigrating into Huo Yuhao and Establishing the Huo Domain"
If Sea God Tang San could establish the Tang Sect, then it wasn't too far-fetched for Huo Yuhao, who possessed the Flame Emperor Template, to aspire to establish the Huo Domain.
"Sect..." Huo Yuhao couldn't help but mutter as he thought about the Flame Emperor's Endless Fire Domain in the Great Thousand World.
Tang Ya nodded earnestly: "Yes, a sect. Our sect was once the number one on the continent. If you join, you definitely won't regret it. Moreover, our sect's secret techniques are perfectly suited for your cultivation."
What a wonderful benefit, indeed.
Just look at the neighboring continent where they played with Qi. Their system of cultivation techniques and battle skills was simply on another level, not only in terms of quantity but also in their classification based on effectiveness.
The key issue was that in the Douluo Continent, to develop a Soul Skill, one had to rely on Soul Beasts.
At first, when he was introduced to Douluo, he didn't think much of it. But now, upon closer reflection, this setup was truly frustrating. The strength of a Soul Skill was largely dependent on the Soul Beast, which severely limited the potential for growth in Soul Skills.
This was also the fundamental reason why, ten thousand years later, Soul Beasts and humans completely severed their ties.
Perhaps, the birth of Huo Yuhao, the Child of Destiny, on the Douluo Continent was meant to fundamentally change this phenomenon and elevate the entire Douluo plane.
But alas, it was thwarted by the great wisdom of the Tang Godking.
Under the guidance of Old Yi, Huo Yuhao managed to develop the concept of Soul Spirits, which brought some improvements to the traditional cultivation system of Douluo Continent. However, it didn't solve the root problem, leaving only the Spirit Transfer Pagoda as a legacy.
Tang Ya smiled and counted on her fingers, listing them off like treasures: "Our secret techniques are all very powerful, such as Purple Demon Eyes, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Mystic Jade Hand... Additionally, you can also practice the Mystic Heaven Skill for free."
Upon hearing these so-called Tang Sect secret techniques, Huo Yuhao didn't know how to evaluate them and could only describe them as a mess. According to the grading of Battle Skills, they might be at the Yellow Rank at best.
As for the Mystic Heaven Skill, it was even more absurd.
For tens of thousands of years, there hadn't been a single decent cultivation technique on the Tang Continent. From beginning to end, it was always the same all-purpose Mystic Heaven Skill.
From the first installment of Douluo to the fifth, even when the Tang Godking was reborn in the fifth installment, he was still using the Mystic Heaven Skill, showcasing just how forgiving the technique was.
Despite having the word "Mystic" in its name, it was at most a Yellow Rank technique—nothing higher.
Seeing Huo Yuhao deep in thought, Tang Ya's eyes lit up, and she intensified her persuasion: "Little Yuhao, you're all alone and so young. If you join our sect, we can all take care of each other in the future."
"It's much better than you going out alone to hunt Soul Beasts. What if something happens to you? After all, luck can't always be on your side."
"Luck?" Huo Yuhao adjusted his glasses and murmured, "Tang Sect..."
"Brother Huo, have you heard of the Tang Sect?" Bei Bei asked.
Although he was already familiar with it in his heart, Huo Yuhao still felt a jolt of surprise.
"Yes, I've heard some legends."
Huo Yuhao nodded: "I've heard that this sect was once extremely prosperous, but I don't know where the Tang Sect is located now."
Tang Ya's eyes suddenly reddened: "The Tang Sect's foundation was taken by villains. We no longer have a headquarters, and now the Tang Sect consists of only me and Bei Bei. I am the current sect leader, and Bei Bei is my first disciple."
When the Sea God Tang San ascended to the divine realm, he established a rule that every generation's Tang Sect leader must be a Soul Master with the Blue Silver Grass Spirit Soul, taking pride in the Blue Silver Grass.
However.
Saint Tang claimed he had the Blue Silver Grass Spirit Soul, and people believed it for ten thousand years.
The Mystic Heaven Skill was a watered-down version, and the hidden weapons were also simplified.
In the first installment of Douluo, Tang San himself used Guanyin Tears, with his 96th-level cultivation, to fight against the already divine Qian Renxue, piercing her heart.
By the second installment, when Huo Yuhao fought Di Tian, he had to use Guanyin Tears combined with the Ghost Carving Godly Knife (a super Divine Tool).
Clearly, the hidden weapons in the second installment had been severely weakened, or else the Tang Sect wouldn't have fallen to such a pitiful state.
The Guanyin Tears and Yanwang Tie used by Huo Yuhao were worlds apart compared to the hidden weapons used by the Tang Godking ten thousand years ago.
Bei Bei, standing nearby, introduced to Huo Yuhao: "Ten thousand years ago, the first sect leader of our Tang Sect, Tang San, with his extraordinary power, changed the entire continent's landscape."
"At that time, the Tang Sect's status was unparalleled, and no other sect could compare. Sect Leader Tang San, with the Tang Sect's secret techniques, cultivation methods, and hidden weapons, laid the foundation for the Tang Sect's future development."
Hearing this, Tang Ya, reminded of the Tang Sect's current state, felt deeply saddened: "Our hidden weapons have been overshadowed by Soul Guidance Devices, even though our Flying God Claw and Dragon Whisker Needle are very powerful."
Bei Bei coughed twice and said, "Brother Huo, as you can see, this is the situation. Although the Tang Sect now consists of only me and Xiao Ya, we will definitely work hard to restore the Tang Sect to its former glory."
Tang Ya's eyes were still moist and red from sadness as she spoke sincerely, "Little Yuhao, our Tang Sect has one annual exemption quota for Shrek Academy."
"If you join the Tang Sect, we can use this specific exemption quota to guarantee your admission to Shrek Academy."
"Shrek Academy is the top academy on the continent, after all."
Bei Bei chimed in enthusiastically, "Shrek Academy not only has a strong faculty and rich teaching experience but also a comprehensive Soul Master training system."
"There are teachers with high promotion rates, who have unique teaching and training methods. Moreover, there are highly accomplished elders with unparalleled tactical guidance in leading teams to hunt Soul Rings and compete."
Huo Yuhao's mouth twitched upon hearing this. Teachers with high promotion rates? Could it be Zhou Yi, whose expulsion rate was sky-high?
Unique teaching and training methods? Did they mean running for ten thousand years?
Zhou Yi had no real substance in her teaching abilities. When it came to training Soul Masters, she mainly focused on high-intensity basic physical training like running.
Apart from running, it was just weighted running.
But to be fair, Shrek's ancestral running tradition did produce seven gods in the first generation of Douluo, which was quite impressive.
By the second generation, apart from Tang Princess, a second-generation god, only Huo Gua among the Shrek Seven Monsters became a god. Perhaps the others didn't have a solid foundation in running.
As for the highly accomplished elders, Shrek indeed had many, and they were considered top-tier in the current era.
With so many senior-level experts, one might think studying at Shrek would be safe, but that wasn't necessarily the case. If Huo Yuhao remembered correctly, the original Huo Gua faced life-threatening dangers more than once at Shrek Academy.
Not to mention the other elders, just Chicken Leg Douluo Xuan Zi alone had led countless talented students to their demise.
Wave after wave, they were sent on their way.
The latest novel is first published on 69shu!
It's clear that while the treatment of core disciples in Shrek's inner academy is unknown, the risks are quite high.
Seeing Huo Yuhao deep in thought, Bei Bei thought the "Shrek Academy exemption quota" had swayed him and added, "Although we can guarantee your admission to Shrek,"
"Whether you can stay afterward depends entirely on your own efforts. After all, Shrek, as the top academy on the continent, has fierce internal competition."
Tang Ya smiled reassuringly, "Little Yuhao, you don't need to feel too burdened. Once you join the Tang Sect, you won't be alone. Xiao Ya and I will treat you like a younger brother, and we'll do our best to help you with any difficulties you encounter at the academy."
Shrek Academy also had a notorious pitfall—
When Chicken Leg Douluo Xuan Zi led the team, one had to pay attention to the most critical main quest:
Avoid being killed by Evil Soul Masters.
Moreover, several of Huo Gua's most important cheats—Tianmeng Iceworm, Electrolux, the Snow and Ice Emperors, and the Gold of Life—had little to do with Shrek Academy.
At this point, Bei Bei spoke seriously, "Little brother Huo, although our Tang Sect has declined, it was once the top sect in the world. Our Tang Sect's secret techniques and the Mystic Heaven Skill have been validated over ten thousand years, with excellent cultivation effects."
"Moreover, your Spirit Soul is the Spirit Eye. Xiao Ya wasn't wrong; the Tang Sect has a secret technique called 'Purple Demon Eyes' that is particularly suitable for you to cultivate."
"So, if you're willing to join, Xiao Ya and I warmly welcome you."
"We will surely create the glory of the Tang Sect together."
Bei Bei thought that when Huo Yuhao was all alone, the Tang Sect had taken him in and allowed him to study at the continent's top academy, Shrek Academy. Once Huo Yuhao grew stronger, he would then dedicate himself to the revival of the Tang Sect.
Facing Bei Bei's invitation, Huo Yuhao needed to give a direct response.
All three options presented to him were to decline. The choice depended on the rewards, and the technique "Burning Decision" was definitely not something to miss. Thus, Huo Yuhao decisively chose the third option.
Meeting Tang Ya's earnest gaze, Huo Yuhao sighed softly and spoke sincerely, "Sister Tang Ya, I can understand your feelings."
"But in truth, I also bear the heavy responsibility of restoring my sect's glory. It's just that my sect is a small, unknown one called the Endless Fire Domain, the Huo Domain."
"Ah?" Tang Ya was stunned for a long moment, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
She was well aware of the Tang Sect's current situation, and it wasn't a pleasant feeling.
The once-proud hidden weapons had paled in comparison to the Soul Guidance Devices, and the pressure Tang Ya felt was unimaginable to others. Yet, she stubbornly clung to the hidden weapons.
One could only say that fate, or rather, the Godking, played tricks.
Hadn't the Tang Godking told Tang Ya that he wasn't some trash Blue Silver Grass Spirit Soul, but the top-tier Blue Silver Emperor?
For ten thousand years, the Tang Sect's foundation had been taken away, and the Sea God had turned a blind eye. Could it be that the Sea God's divine light only shone on Shrek Academy and not the Tang Sect?
...
In the Divine Realm.
Before the majestic azure palace.
The pure and noble Tang Godking stood with his hands behind his back in the clouds. In his plan, the Child of Destiny's fate would intersect with the Tang Sect around this time.
And the second step in his "How to Perfectly Tame the Child of Destiny" was about to be completed.
"Destruction must be secretly laughing at me for not expanding the Divine Realm and being short-sighted. Little do they know, I've already thought of a deeper level."
The Tang Godking looked proud; this time, he was several steps ahead.
"Once the Child of Destiny joins the Tang Sect and enters Shrek Academy, it will be time for Xiao Qi (Wang Dong'er's soul version) in the mortal realm to disguise herself as a man and meet him, forming a bond."
The Tang Godking sighed softly, "Ah, I can only let Xiao Qi endure a bit of hardship."
All of this was for the sake of the Divine Realm.
At that moment, a woman in a pink dress approached Tang San, his sword-sheath wife, Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu's eyes showed concern, "Brother San, Xiao Qi is so playful. I haven't seen her for a long time. I wonder where she's run off to."
Tang San's eyes flickered, his expression slightly unnatural, but he quickly turned it into a reassuring smile for Xiao Wu, comforting her:
"Don't worry, Xiao Wu. Xiao Qi is fine; she's doing well now."
Tang San had already planned everything. It wouldn't be long before Xiao Qi returned completely.
Suddenly, the Tang Godking's expression changed drastically.
What was going on? Why hadn't the Child of Destiny agreed to join the Tang Sect?!
Xiao Wu noticed Tang San's sudden emotional turmoil and asked with concern, "Brother San, what's wrong?"
Tang San forcibly suppressed his emotions, "It's nothing, Xiao Wu. You go back and rest first. I need to review the development plan I wrote earlier for our faction in the Divine Realm to ensure there are no deviations."
"Alright, Brother San. You've been putting too much effort into the Divine Realm. Please take care of your health."
After Xiao Wu left, Tang San's ferocity erupted.
His plans had been devastatingly disrupted, and the Tang Godking's face twisted into a hideous expression, his eyes filled with rage as he cursed:
"Who! Who is it that interfered and ruined my ten-thousand-year plan? No matter who you are or how powerful you are, you have already set foot on the Path to Demi
se!"
"No, I must bring things back to the original course."
At the same time, in a certain part of the divine realm, the God of Destruction, clad in a purple robe and holding a dark red scepter, let out a cold snort.
"Hmph, don't think that no one in the divine realm is aware of your little schemes."
"You can't bring it back."
(End of Chapter)