Soul Land: Xiao Yan Reincarnates as Huo Yuhao

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The deafening explosions echoed relentlessly across the Mingdou Mountain Range, scattering remnants of battle across the forest amid terrifying shockwaves.

Soul-guided artillery shells rained down from above, leaving no refuge for the members of Shrek Academy. The ground trembled with each impact, and the air grew thick with dust and acrid smoke. Splintered earth and shattered rock erupted into the air, enveloping everything in chaos.

"Damn it! They dared to ambush Shrek Academy's people!" An elderly voice roared in anger as an enormous figure descended from the sky. It was Elder Xuan, who had just returned from investigating Elder Song's fate in Mingdu.

Upon landing, Elder Xuan raised his right hand and gestured sharply. A terrifying suction force erupted from his palm, drawing Ma Xiaotao and the other injured disciples toward him.

---

"What is this disaster?" Elder Xuan surveyed the scene, his voice trembling with rage. "Shrek Academy is in shambles! With such losses, how will you represent us in the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament?"

---

"This is your fault!" Wang Dong shouted, his voice seething with fury. He glared at Elder Xuan, his fists trembling. "You told us to head north, and now we've walked straight into a trap! Tell me—are you working with the Sun Moon Empire?"

"Wang Dong, enough!" Xian Lin'er interjected, pulling Wang Dong aside. "Elder Xuan would never betray Shrek! Right now, we need to focus on escaping the Sun Moon Empire's soul engineering troops."

---

"Head east! I'll hold them off!" Elder Xuan's voice boomed like thunder. As his fury ignited, nine soul rings—two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red—rose from his feet. His form swelled with power as spiraling horns emerged from his head.

Activating his seventh and eighth soul skills, Elder Xuan transformed into a colossal Gluttonous Divine Bull and charged into the enemy ranks. A tidal wave of yellow energy radiated from his massive frame, obliterating all seventy-ranked soul masters in his path.

---

High above, flashes of white light appeared in the sky. A group of figures darted rapidly, searching intently. "Those look like my father's White Tiger Guards," Dai Yueheng exclaimed, narrowing his eyes. He raised his hand, launching a burst of white light into the sky. The glowing tiger-shaped aura served as a beacon.

---

"It's the Young Master! Quickly!" Recognizing the signal, the White Tiger Guards, led by Duresse, descended swiftly. Hundreds of elite soldiers joined Elder Xuan in routing the Sun Moon Empire forces.

The members of Shrek Academy were finally rescued, but the toll was devastating: one Super Douluo had self-detonated, two inner court disciples lay dead, and the remaining students were gravely injured.

---

Meanwhile, at the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest, atop a mountain peak.

As Xiao Yan circulated his combat energy, he could feel the fire-elemental energy of the surrounding space merging with his body. After successfully absorbing his third soul ring and refining three types of beast flames, his energy surged to new heights.

---

Finally, Xiao Yan's qi vortex completed its last cycle. Trembling slightly, he opened his eyes. Looking at Yao Lao, who was gazing at him expectantly, Xiao Yan shrugged and said, "Teacher, Flame Mantra is now at Yellow Grade High Level. It only advanced by two levels."

---

"Advancing by two levels with just three beast flames? That's impressive," Yao Lao replied, his voice filled with reassurance. "The energy required to evolve Flame Mantra is immense. Considering the nature of these flames, this result is better than expected."

---

Xiao Yan nodded, though a faint smile of disappointment lingered. Deep down, he had hoped for a miracle that would elevate Flame Mantra to the Profound Grade.

"Let's regroup with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy," Yao Lao suggested. "You've been missing long enough to worry them."

---

Moments later, Xiao Yan descended from the sky, landing near his anxious companions.

"Who goes there?" Ji Juechen demanded, his iron sword drawn. "It's me," Xiao Yan replied, stepping into view. His sudden appearance stunned the group, disbelief evident on their faces.

---

Standing nearby was Lin Jiayi, the Sun Moon Academy's teaching director. He regarded Xiao Yan with a mix of suspicion and intrigue.

"Xiao Yan, you're lucky," Lin Jiayi remarked. "To find a suitable spirit beast amidst such chaos is nothing short of miraculous. I was just about to search for you myself."

---

Smiling faintly, Xiao Yan dismissed his actions as mere chance. "I've absorbed my third soul ring. If there's nothing else, I suggest we leave this place. The Star Dou Forest can be unpredictable, and staying too long might bring unforeseen dangers."

Lin Jiayi nodded in agreement, signaling the others. "Let's return to the academy. We've lingered here long enough." As he spoke, the group activated their flying soul tools, transforming into streaks of light as they soared into the sky.

Watching Xiao Yan fly alongside them, Lin Jiayi couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this young man than met the eye. The commotion in the forest earlier couldn't have been unrelated to him. Such a disturbance was no ordinary event, likely involving high-level soul masters.

---

A day later, at Shrek Academy.

Xian Lin'er sat in a chair in the Sea God Pavilion, looking utterly disheartened. Her face was pale, her eyes hollow, filled with anguish and despair.

Footsteps approached, and Yan Shaozhe, the head of the Martial Soul Department, entered the room. "How are the students?" Xian Lin'er asked quietly.

Yan Shaozhe sighed deeply before replying, "Xiao Tao's condition is stable. Chen Zifeng lost a hand, and Dai Yueheng's tiger paw is gone. The Soul Engineering Department is working on prosthetics, which may not be as nimble but should suffice."

He paused, his voice tinged with sorrow. "Gongyang Mo and Yao Haoxuan didn't survive..." Tears welled in Xian Lin'er's eyes as she stood abruptly. "My mother... Her body... The Sun Moon Empire, I will not rest until I've destroyed you!"

"Lin'er, you were too impulsive. I warned you to report Xiao Yan's whereabouts to the academy first," Yan Shaozhe said, frustration lacing his words. "Now, with the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament approaching, we're severely disadvantaged."

"Hmph," Xian Lin'er retorted coldly. "Who knew Xiao Yan would ally with the Sun Moon Empire? We acted because he seemed vulnerable, only to be ambushed."

Yan Shaozhe's face darkened. "Sun Moon Empire... Mingde Hall." His fist struck the wall with a resounding thud, cracks spider-webbing from the impact. At that moment, Qian Duoduo entered the room. "Elder Mu has called for a Sea God Pavilion meeting."

"Let's go," Xian Lin'er said, her voice resolute. She and Yan Shaozhe followed Qian Duoduo, the weight of recent events pressing heavily upon them.

---

In the Sea God Pavilion, the atmosphere was tense. Elder Mu, lying on his chair, seemed colder than before, his presence a looming shadow over the assembly.

"Speak your plans," Elder Mu commanded, his voice calm yet authoritative.

Xian Lin'er stood, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "This incident is my fault due to my impulsiveness. As Head of the Soul Engineering Department, I accept the blame. I request to resign from my position."

She paused, determination hardening her gaze. "I will go to the Sun Moon Empire and take revenge for our fallen students and my mother."

Qian Duoduo stepped forward, grabbing her arm. "Lin'er, don't be rash."

Xian Lin'er shook him off, her eyes blazing. "Rash? My mother is dead. If you're a man, join me. Even in death, I'll turn the world upside down."

"Enough, Lin'er!" Qian Duoduo's voice thundered, halting her rage. "Your actions will only lead to needless sacrifice. We must plan carefully."

Overwhelmed, Xian Lin'er wept, collapsing into Qian Duoduo's arms. The loss of her mother and the students weighed heavily on her heart, pushing her to the brink of madness. Qian Duoduo held her gently, whispering promises of vengeance. "We'll make them pay a hundredfold."

Elder Mu's voice cut through the silence. "The Sun Moon Empire will answer for their actions, but with the tournament approaching, seeking revenge now is unwise."

"Prepare for the tournament. Afterward, I will personally visit Mingde Hall for answers from Jing Hongchen."

Hearing this, Xuanzi's eyes gleamed fiercely. "Xiao Yan and Jing Hongchen dared harm our Sea God Pavilion elder.

From now on, they're on Shrek Academy's wanted list. Their lives are forfeit. Our shame must be washed away with blood!"

----

Happy New Year Everyone! May this year bring you joy, peace, and prosperity. Cheers to new beginnings! 🎉🍻🎊