Free Web NovelChapter 462: Chapter 462: Traveling with Zhang Lexuan, Arrival at the Ming Dou Mountain Range (Extra)
Shrek City and the Ming Dou Mountain Range were separated by a great distance. With the Spirit Master Tournament about to begin, the schedule was tight.
Elder Xuan personally escorted the reserve team on the journey.
Ma Xiaotao and the other six of the Seven Monsters followed using flying soul tools.
This arrangement would save more time. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Huo Yuhao had originally been meant to travel together with Bei Bei and the others.
But then Zhang Lexuan lightly raised her hand and summoned a unique flying soul tool.
It had none of the usual winged shape. Instead, it resembled a moon-white silk ribbon, light and flowing as it draped behind her.
With the ribbon resting upon her,
her already cool and ethereal temperament became even more pronounced—
like a moon fairy descended into the mortal world.
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Zhang Lexuan looked toward Huo Yuhao.
"Junior Brother, I’ll take you."
Huo Yuhao glanced at Bei Bei and the others, whose faces were filled with envy. His eyes briefly met Wang Dong’s complicated expression before he smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
As they watched Zhang Lexuan carry Huo Yuhao gracefully into the sky,
the crowd fell silent for a moment—
then whispers began to spread.
"I’ve never seen Senior Sister this close to a boy!"
"Could the academy rumors be true?! Is Senior Sister really taken?!"
"With Huo Yuhao’s talent, he truly would be a good match for Senior Sister..."
Elder Xuan took a swig of wine, wiped his mouth carelessly, and said with a squinting smile,
"If Lexuan can find a good match, that’s naturally a good thing!"
"Alright, little ones, it’s time for us to set off too!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Amidst the sound of breaking air, one soul tool after another carved white streaks across the sky.
Bei Bei and the others, soaring through the sky for the first time, shouted with excitement. However, Xiao Xiao noticed that Wang Dong, standing beside her, looked quite pale.
"Wang Dong, are you feeling unwell?"
Wang Dong forced a smile,
suppressing the irritation in her heart that had arisen from seeing Huo Yuhao so close to Zhang Lexuan.
"I’m fine. I’ll feel better in a moment."
...
"Junior Brother, how does it feel? Are you adapting well?"
Amid the howling wind,
Zhang Lexuan’s cool voice was softened by the breeze.
Huo Yuhao admired the mountains and rivers beneath them, his expression calm.
"It’s fine, Senior Sister."
"That’s good."
Though Zhang Lexuan appeared composed, faint ripples stirred in her heart.
She had invited Huo Yuhao to ride with her to draw closer to him, making it easier to persuade him to join the academy in the future.
Yet when the youth’s crisp, clean aura drifted to her nose on the wind—
she, who had never been so close to a man before,
found it difficult to maintain her usual composure.
After admiring the sea of clouds and mist for a while,
Huo Yuhao suddenly turned his head and asked,
"Senior Sister, are you traveling with us this time as well?"
"Junior Brother, is this scene any different from the future you saw?"
Zhang Lexuan turned and smiled lightly upon hearing that.
But unexpectedly, their eyes met at close range—so close they could see their reflections in each other’s pupils.
Her expression did not change, but a faint blush spread across the tips of her ears. She subtly turned her face away and continued,
"After learning of the future events, Teacher took the matter extremely seriously."
"Besides informing Elder Xuan and having me accompany you, he has also arranged several layers of contingency plans in secret."
"This time, the tragedy will not be allowed to happen."
Huo Yuhao nodded slightly.
Each generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters represented the academy’s finest seven students. With the Spirit Master Tournament approaching, such preparations were indeed appropriate.
As his thoughts turned,
he gazed with interest into the depths of the clouds.
Since fusing with the Life Guardian Blade, his spiritual power had reached an entirely new realm.
At this moment, he could clearly sense that aside from Elder Xuan and his Senior Sister in plain sight, three Titled Douluo were hidden in the shadows.
Zhang Lexuan noticed his gaze and was inwardly startled.
My Junior Brother is still hiding his true strength
Her slender fingers unconsciously curled.
With such talent... I must get him to join Shrek!
...
They sped forward at full speed for half a day.
The territory of the Star Luo Empire soon came into view.
A faint purple light flickered in Huo Yuhao’s eyes as he gazed into the distance.
Fifty miles away, a continuous stretch of military camps flew their banners high—it was the western army headquarters of the Star Luo Empire.
The White Tiger Duke, who also held the title of Marshal—his father in name—was stationed there.
In his previous life,
they had stopped there and met that Duke once.
Unfortunately,
that White Tiger Duke
had failed to recognize even his own flesh and blood.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
Yet Huo Yuhao’s expression did not ripple in the slightest.
Within his sea of consciousness, Skydream Ice Silkworm praised him:
"Not bad, not bad. Compared to your previous life, Yuhao, your state of mind has truly undergone a complete transformation."
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly but did not reply.
The fifty-miles distance passed in an instant.
To his surprise...
the group flew straight over the military camp without landing.
Huo Yuhao could not help but glance at Zhang Lexuan beside him.
She spoke softly:
"Junior Brother, since you told me about the future, I naturally know about your circumstances."
"If it isn’t necessary, there’s no need to meet him. The accompanying teachers will inform the camp. We can pass through directly without obstruction."
Huo Yuhao was slightly startled, then smiled and nodded.
They fell silent for a long while.
When rugged peaks gradually appeared ahead,
the outline of the Ming Dou Mountain Range entered their sight.
Just as they were about to descend, Zhang Lexuan’s gentle voice sounded by his ear.
"Junior Brother, if your mother’s spirit watches from heaven and sees you as you are now, she would surely be proud of you."
She paused briefly, her tone growing even softer.
"You don’t need anyone’s recognition. The you of today shines brightly enough."
...
The group landed on the outskirts of the Ming Dou Mountain Range.
Within the dense forest lingered a deathly silence that made one’s heart tremble.
Towering ancient trees twisted their branches like ghostly claws, blotting out the sunlight. The air carried the foul scent of rotting leaves mixed with damp soil.
Each step upon the piled leaves produced a rustling crunch that seemed especially harsh.
Huo Yuhao closed his eyes and focused.
His spiritual power spread outward like an invisible net.
"Look at the Wenlan Trees to the east."
"This tree prefers cold and shaded environments. Its core is highly beneficial to Spirit Masters cultivating yin-cold-type Martial Souls."
Everyone looked at the withered tree whose core had been removed, astonishment flashing across their faces. free𝑤ebnovel.com
"I will search with my spiritual power, following the Wenlan Trees deep into the forest. The place where these trees are most dense should be near the bandit hideout."
Hearing this,
Ma Xiaotao clenched her fist.
"Yuhao, good job! I’ll record this as a contribution for you!"
Rustle! Rustle!
Amidst the subtle rustling, the group followed Huo Yuhao as the surrounding aura grew increasingly cold and biting. Suddenly, Huo Yuhao stopped, and a light flashed in his Spirit Eyes.
"The bandit hideout might be very close!"
All fourteen had already changed into dark green defensive soul tool combat suits, their figures nearly blending into the dense forest.
To avoid alerting the enemy,
Elder Xuan, Zhang Lexuan, and the three hidden Titled Douluo had concealed themselves before entering the forest.
"We’ll scout and clear them first!"
Ma Xiaotao lowered her voice and said to Huo Yuhao:
"Yuhao, you lead the reserve team and stay cautious in the rear!"
With that,
she and her six teammates darted out like leopards.
After only a few bounds, they vanished into the deep, shadowy forest.
"Follow them," Huo Yuhao said, quickly moving toward the direction where Ma Xiaotao and the others had vanished.
