Under Jiang Qingtong's gentle persuasion, Huo Yuhao, though still carrying some doubts, eventually accepted the idea that she was his cousin.
After all, he currently had nothing—no money, no status, and was just a small, powerless figure in the world.
He asked again about the martial soul imprinting she had done earlier. Jiang Qingtong didn't hide anything and explained,
"That's my soul skill. I can imprint someone's martial soul."
As she spoke, she summoned her martial soul: Mirror Blossom.
Huo Yuhao looked in awe at the faint, shimmering pattern of Spirit Eyes embedded in one of the crystalline petals.
"A martial soul like that exists? That's incredible!"
Even the Skydream Iceworm in his spiritual sea let out a string of shocked exclamations, saying that in all its countless years of life, it had never encountered such a martial soul!
If she didn't die prematurely, her path to power was practically guaranteed.
Monstrous!
Utterly monstrous!
Huo Yuhao now believed even more firmly that Jiang Qingtong wasn't lying. Someone with such a rare martial soul and a Title Douluo at her side wouldn't need to deceive someone like him.
Looking at his awed expression, Jiang Qingtong asked,
"Yuhao, what are you doing out here?"
"I came to hunt for a soul ring," he replied honestly.
"What about after that? Any plans?"
Huo Yuhao shook his head.
"I don't really know what to do next. I just want to get stronger… to take revenge. Maybe I'll try my luck at Shrek Academy."
Shrek Academy?
No way!
Not while she was standing right here. She couldn't just let Shrek scoop him up!
"You don't have to go to Shrek Academy to get stronger," Jiang Qingtong said.
"…Huh?"
Huo Yuhao was a little confused by her sudden statement. But he quickly added,
"Not that I'd definitely get in. My talent's… pretty bad."
Before gaining his second martial soul, Huo Yuhao's talent really was subpar. His only advantage now was the Skydream Iceworm's million-year soul ring.
Jiang Qingtong held his hand.
"It's okay if Shrek doesn't accept you. You can come to the Sun-Moon Empire instead!"
"Sun-Moon Empire?"
Huo Yuhao hesitated. While the continent was relatively peaceful now, public opinion in the three original Douluo nations was still heavily biased against the Sun-Moon Empire due to official propaganda.
Because of that, Huo Yuhao had never even considered the idea.
Jiang Qingtong continued,
"My brother, Jiang Shengyu, is at the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. If you go there, they'll definitely accept you! With your spiritual-type martial soul, you'd shine brilliantly as a soul engineer."
"Really?"
Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up. He wanted nothing more than to grow stronger. Whether he became a soul master or a soul engineer didn't matter to him anymore.
As long as he could get stronger.
Jiang Qingtong nodded.
"Absolutely. Plus, my brother—your cousin—is already there. You won't be alone."
Huo Yuhao didn't hesitate.
"Alright! I'll go to the Sun-Moon Empire!"
Just as he agreed, Beibei and Tang Ya emerged from the depths of the Star Dou Forest and approached.
They were both surprised to see Huo Yuhao again, standing alongside Jiang Qingtong and Old Hong. After all, they'd just met him earlier.
"Yuhao, who are they?" Beibei asked.
Huo Yuhao turned, clearly happy to see them.
"Beibei, Sister Tang Ya—this is my cousin, Jiang Qingtong. And that's Elder Hong."
"Your cousin?" Beibei and Tang Ya were taken aback—but quickly accepted the explanation, unaware they had just missed the chance to recruit someone who might have helped them revive the Tang Sect.
Huo Yuhao introduced Beibei and Tang Ya to Jiang Qingtong. She already knew who they were, but still put on a convincingly surprised expression.
"Tang Sect? The one founded by the legendary Sea God Tang San?"
Seeing her reaction, Tang Ya couldn't help but feel a bit proud. She nodded.
"Yes, our first Sect Master was Lord Tang San, the Sea God himself."
"An honor to meet you both."
Jiang Qingtong smiled warmly and began building rapport with them. Then she asked,
"I remember Tang Sect was based in Heaven Dou City. Sect Master Tang, are you just visiting Shrek Academy?"
The question struck a bit of a nerve. Tang Ya looked slightly awkward, but seeing Jiang Qingtong's genuine curiosity, she didn't take offense. After all, the girl couldn't have known what had happened.
Tang Ya sighed.
"The Tang Sect has long since fallen from its former glory. A sect called Ironblood Gate took over our headquarters in Heaven Dou City. I was the only one who escaped… and I fled here to Shrek Academy. Right now, it's just Beibei and me."
"I've heard of the Tang Sect's ties to Shrek Academy," Old Hong said, seemingly offhandedly. "In a case like this, doesn't the Academy step in to help?"
Tang Ya's expression dimmed. After a moment, she replied,
"Shrek Academy has its own priorities, I suppose…"
"Hmph. Sounds like they just don't want to get involved," Old Hong snorted bluntly.
"Old Hong!" Jiang Qingtong chided gently.
Then, turning to Tang Ya and Beibei, she said soothingly,
"Please don't take it personally—Old Hong's just a bit blunt."
Tang Ya took a deep breath and smiled.
"It's alright. I understand."
Beibei placed a comforting hand on Tang Ya's shoulder but said nothing. Though he had joined the Tang Sect, he was also a student at Shrek Academy, which made this topic tricky.
Maybe the elders in the Sea God's Pavilion had their own reasons…
That was all Tang Ya and Beibei could tell themselves now, trying to justify the Academy's silence.
But Tang Ya had witnessed the massacre of her sect's last disciples, had seen her parents die in front of her, and had trekked alone for thousands of miles to Shrek City begging for help. Deep down, she knew—
There was no hope of reviving the Tang Sect through Shrek Academy anymore.
She just didn't want to admit it.
Jiang Qingtong studied Tang Ya's expression and could mostly guess what she was thinking. With a kind smile, she said,
"Since fate has brought us together, if there's anything I can do to help, just say the word, Sect Master Tang. If it's within my power, I won't refuse."