Chapter Fifteen: Another Encounter with a Character from the Original Work

“Wretched beast, don’t run!”
At one end of the Star Dou Great Forest, a fire leopard with around six hundred years of cultivation was fleeing at top speed. Behind it, a figure was pursuing just as swiftly. Judging from the crimson wings on his back and the five soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—gleaming on his body, it was clear he was a Soul King, his martial spirit likely a fire-type flying beast, perhaps a firebird or fire crane.

A six-hundred-year-old soul beast was, at best, the match of a Grand Soul Master. Although leopard-type soul beasts excelled at running, and the Soul King chasing it didn’t have the most optimal soul ring configuration, the overwhelming gap in their levels rendered these points moot. After a brief chase, the fire leopard found its path blocked by the Firebird Soul King.

Seeing its escape route cut off, the fire leopard bared its fangs and roared at the Soul King. With a sudden burst of power from its hind legs, it shot forward like an arrow, launching itself at the Soul King in a desperate attack.

A soul beast's last-ditch struggle, even from a century-old beast, was not to be underestimated by a Soul King. Most importantly, this soul beast was meant for his junior; if he killed it with a single strike, all his efforts would be wasted.

He activated his second and third soul rings, skillfully leveraging his flying spirit’s advantages to wear down the fire leopard’s soul power.

As man and beast tangled, three more figures hurriedly caught up from behind. Leading them was a middle-aged man, followed by a boy and a girl. The boy was of medium build with broad shoulders, his physique developed beyond his years, yet the lingering boyishness on his face betrayed an age of only eleven or twelve. Considering the relationship between soul ring and beast age, it was clear the fire leopard was prepared for him.

The girl looked even younger, about seven or eight, with fair skin, delicate features, and a cascade of dark red, wavy hair—she would surely grow into a beauty.

“Fifth Brother, get over here and help! Let’s finish off this beast quickly!”
As the Soul King shouted, the middle-aged man wasted no time. His martial spirit flared—astonishingly, it was the same fire leopard spirit as the soul beast. Two yellow and one purple soul rings shone; he was a Soul Elder.

With the Soul Elder’s assistance, the century-old soul beast stood no chance. In less than a minute, the fire leopard was subdued by the two.

“Wushuang, come quickly and absorb your second soul ring!”
The named boy broke into a grin and hurried over.

“How wonderful!”

Meanwhile, the girl stayed where she was, cheering, “Brother is about to become a Grand Soul Master!”

In their excitement, the group let down their guard. As Huo Wushuang sat cross-legged to absorb the soul ring, the highest-ranked Soul King suddenly widened his eyes and shouted to the carefree girl in the distance, “Watch out!”

Before the words had faded, a slightly smaller female fire leopard shot out of the undergrowth like lightning, charging at the girl in a frenzy.

“Damn it, the fire leopard had a mate!”
The Soul King, seasoned and experienced, instantly grasped the situation: the female had come to avenge her partner. She was weaker than her mate and couldn’t possibly deal with a Soul King or Soul Elder, so she targeted the lone girl.

“Damn!”
The moment danger was sensed, the Soul King reacted in a flash, his fifth soul ring blazing as he raced toward the girl. But a distance remained between them. The female fire leopard, using the terrain to her advantage, had crept close. She was less than three meters from her target when she struck. The girl, faced with sudden peril, stood frozen and blank-minded.

“Second soul skill: Shadow Gale Burst!”
At this desperate moment, countless dark energy spheres shot from behind the girl, bombarding the charging fire leopard. The beast howled in agony and slowed instantly.

“Wretched beast, die!”
Seizing the opportunity, the Soul King arrived in a flash, striking with full force and reducing the female fire leopard to a bloody pulp.

When all was settled, the little girl finally snapped out of her daze. She turned hurriedly, meeting the eyes of Xiao Yu, who was still in his martial spirit form. It had to be said, Xiao Yu had a handsome, noble bearing when his martial spirit was active—a sight that left the girl a little dazed herself.

At that moment, the Soul King approached the girl, while Hui Huo and Miao moved to Xiao Yu’s side.

“Thank you all for your help,” the Soul King said with a respectful gesture, introducing himself: “I am Huo Kui, a senior teacher at Blazing Fire Academy. May I know your esteemed names? The academy will certainly reward you handsomely in the future.”

Blazing Fire Academy?
Hearing this, Xiao Yu was slightly taken aback. He glanced at the girl standing behind the Soul King and at the boy still absorbing the soul ring. Could they be the Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang siblings from the original story?

Xiao Yu’s guess was correct. These siblings would one day become the captain and vice-captain of the Blazing Fire team at the Soul Master Tournament twelve years later. Huo Wushuang was now eleven, his soul power just reaching level twenty, while Huo Wu was seven, currently at level fifteen.

“Teacher Huo Kui, there’s no need for formalities. We only happened to be passing by,” Miao replied—it was most appropriate for him to speak, as Xiao Yu was too young and Hui Huo too taciturn.

Before Huo Kui could say more, Huo Wu, now recovered, spoke up: “Big Brother, you were the one who saved me just now, right? Your soul skill seemed fire-attributed too. Are you interested in joining our Blazing Fire Academy?”

Huo Kui immediately sized up Xiao Yu, who had just withdrawn from his martial spirit state. This child looked to be about Huo Wu’s age but already possessed the strength of a Grand Soul Master. If he could be recruited to the academy, and teamed up with the equally gifted Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu for the Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, they might not be able to surpass the teams from Spirit Hall, but a top-three finish was well within reach. Such a result would make Blazing Fire Academy renowned across the continent.

Without delay, he began to promote his school: “Our Blazing Fire Academy is one of the top-ranked advanced soul master academies in the Heaven Dou Empire. Alongside Thunderclap Academy, supported by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and Elephant Armored Academy, founded by the Elephant Armored Sect, we are one of the Five Elemental Academies. We possess a complete mimetic training environment. If you’re interested, I, Huo Kui, can personally recommend you for admission. With your talent, you will be nurtured by the academy with the utmost care.”