Chapter Fifty: Your Life Can Only Be Viewed by Yourself

"Phew—what a long and arduous journey ahead. Oh well, let's start training first. The schedule for ruling the world can be carried out during actual combat; there's no need to rush it."

Exiting the semi-deep meditation state, Ning Wuque ended his conversation with his martial soul. The "Ruling the World" technique was not so easy to master, especially since Mu En intended for Ning Wuque to forge a path that was even better suited to himself.

Looking up, the moon had already reached the highest point of the night sky. At this moment, it was roughly between one and two in the morning, meaning his time communicating with his martial soul this time was not short.

Without taking much of a rest, Ning Wuque performed some preliminary stretches before beginning his workout.

Thus, time slowly passed.

During these past few days, Ning Wuque was like a fixed-spawn NPC. Every day, passing students could see him working out near the playground while carrying a Soul-Nurturing Jade.

Occasionally, senior couples out on late-night trysts would also catch sight of his figure, causing them to lose their mood and relocate elsewhere.

Then, every day from six to eight in the morning, he would be found at his fixed spawn point inside Shrek's Great Soul Arena. He would generally engage in two or three soul duel matches, and unless his opponent's soul power rank exceeded thirty-two, one would never see Ning Wuque use his martial soul.

He simply relied on sheer monster-like strength and cockroach-like vitality to fight head-on. This wild, punch-to-flesh style of combat earned him quite a bit of reputation within a mere three or four days.

He even had his own "fan club"—a group of reckless brawlers who loved using beast martial souls to fight head-on with others, almost all of whom had crossed paths with Ning Wuque in a match.

Some of those fans would even forgo using soul skills, choosing to engage in a passionate, flesh-to-flesh collision directly with Ning Wuque!

Because of this barbaric fighting style, the number of spectators arriving during Ning Wuque's scheduled time slots at the Great Soul Arena had been increasing day by day.

Having seen too many clashes and tactical games between soul skills, it was truly rare to witness such a pure, physical melee.

...

Time arrived at the night before the start of the school term.

Deep in the night, in the small forest by the Sea God Lake, Ning Wuque leaned his back against a large tree and waited quietly.

*Rustle, rustle~*

Footsteps approached from afar. He opened his eyes and looked at the newcomer, who was none other than Huo Yuhao, whom he had made an appointment to meet this morning.

"Big Brother Wuque, I'm here."

"Mm, have the big bug help check if anyone is around. Beware of eavesdropping ears."

"No one's here. I checked the way over. Tell me, kid, are you plotting something malicious against Your Big Brother?"

Tianmeng's spiritual body bounced out from beside Huo Yuhao, akimbo as he glared angrily at Ning Wuque.

It was this guy! He had been so anxious and terrified these past few days that he couldn't sleep a wink. Today, he had to figure out what kind of schemes this human kid was cooking up in his mind.

In response, Ning Wuque directly chose to ignore the Ice Silk Worm, turning instead to say to Huo Yuhao:

"Yuhao, opportunities exist for everyone. Since the big bug has attached himself to your body, he is of no further use to me. However, there is one thing you need to understand: in everyone's perception, soul beasts over one hundred thousand years old will invariably drop soul bones.

"I know this big bug only left you with a discarded silkworm cocoon skin. I'm not interested in that thing, but others don't know that, and they might not necessarily be like me. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Big Brother Wuque."

"As long as you understand. Just peaceably study here in Shrek for this period. Next year, I will find an opportunity to contact someone from the Body Sect to take you away. It is far too great a pity for your martial soul and fortune to remain in Shrek."

Nodding, Ning Wuque's purpose in coming this time was to give Tianmeng and little Yuhao a preventive vaccine. Whether through his actions over these past few days or his words at this moment, he was transmitting a signal called reassurance.

Coupled with Yuhao's tender age and prior experiences, he would, in all probability, henceforth regard the person who knew the secret of his fortune as the only one he could completely trust.

This was actually an application of psychology.

At the same time, he really had no covetous thoughts whatsoever toward Tianmeng's silkworm cocoon skin. Although it was indeed a treasure, to him, it was far less valuable than gaining Huo Yuhao's deep, personal trust.

What could he do with the cocoon skin anyway? Aside from selling it or keeping it as a collection, it seemed useless. Ah, there was also using it as bait to hook the Ice Empress, which was one function.

However, once he was strong enough to fight the Ice Empress, would he still need to go through the trouble of fishing for her? He could just charge straight into the core zone of the Far North!

Besides, he had no such needs; conversely, the soul ring and soul bone of the Titan Snow Demon King would suit him much better, along with that white bear.

Of course, the most compatible options were undoubtedly the Dark-Gold Terrorclaw Bear, Wang Qiu'er—no, Di Tian, and the Emerald Swan, Bi Ji. Ning Wuque had always kept them in mind as candidates for his eighth or ninth soul ring, which might even push his martial soul a step further!

"Then, Big Brother Wuque, is there anything else? I plan to return to the dormitory to cultivate. My innate talent is too poor..."

Huo Yuhao did not question Ning Wuque, nor did he feel anything was amiss with these arrangements. Big Brother Wuque could now be said to be the person he trusted most.

First, not only did he not harm him, but he also helped him; second, he did not expose him but instead sheltered him; third, and most importantly, he had never coveted Tianmeng, not even the silkworm cocoon skin that Tianmeng had left him.

These past few days, his life in the academy had been fulfilling, far happier and more joyful than it had been in the Duke Xing Luo's Mansion.

And all of this was thanks to Big Brother Wuque. He could never possibly repay this kind favor!

"Well, it's not really a major matter—just a small reminder. You are still young, and your mindset is easily molded by others and your environment. Personally, I wouldn't quite advise you to follow some of Shrek's educational philosophies.

"As for the reason... I can see the hatred in your eyes, though I won't pry into it. But that hatred can easily distort your thoughts and mislead your decisions."

Gazing into Huo Yuhao's stunned eyes, he continued:

"Past scars cannot be erased by time, just as people of the Heaven-Defying lineage are destined to lose a portion of normal human perception. Your mindset can only be controlled by yourself, and right or wrong can only be judged by your own feelings.

"Unfortunately, these things cannot be learned within Shrek Academy. Similarly, I will not force my own concepts and ideology of this world upon you.

"Whenever you encounter any doubts or troubles, you can come to me. I am very willing to be a listener who hears your hardships, doubts, and joys—to offer you comfort, give you advice, and rejoice for you."

With that, Ning Wuque flashed a warm smile. He did not impose his own views on Huo Yuhao; instead, he was willing to act as a listener to help correct errors in the boy's own understanding.

Hearing this, Huo Yuhao felt a sense of great relief. The feeling of having a completely trustworthy listener, and this blanket of safety, warmth, and reliability, wrapped around his extremely fragile inner core.

It tore open the barrier of hatred, shattered the sealed cage, and pierced through the pitch-black darkness woven from bloodshed and gloom.

"Mhm, thank you, Big Brother Wuque! I... I..."

"It's fine, there's plenty of time. Say whatever you want when you think the time is right; there's no need to rush."

Seeing Huo Yuhao's expression—as if he wanted to pour his heart out, along with the sadness and hatred gleaming in his eyes—Ning Wuque interrupted him.

Now was not the time; too much is as bad as too little.