Douluo: Ice Demon Yuhao (Patreon)

Chapter 19: Shifting Tactics to Full Assault

Tang Ya was still absorbing the Spirit ring, her forehead covered in sweat, yet her face displayed a sense of ease and contentment.

The most arduous and painful part was already behind her, and in a little while, she would be able to fully absorb it.

Bei Bei asked again, "Little Brother Huo, what direction will your future cultivation take?"

Huo Yuhao didn't hesitate as he answered, "Assault System."

Bei Bei: "…"

He had originally thought Huo Yuhao would choose Support or Control System, so this answer was quite unexpected.

Furthermore, his response was so decisive that it seemed Huo Yuhao had contemplated this question for some time.

Bei Bei's confusion deepened.

In his view, although Huo Yuhao was young, his perspective was broad, and he had a knack for profound thinking.

How could he not realize that his martial Spirit wasn't suited for assault?

"Little Brother Huo, why did you choose the Assault System?" Bei Bei asked, "Your first Spirit skill is clearly a support skill. Developing towards the Support System, relying on this skill alone, you could undoubtedly become the core of a team."

Huo Yuhao didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked in return, "When you speak of this 'core,' are you referring to the tactical core of the team or the core of power within the team?"

Bei Bei was momentarily stunned, pondering the distinction between the two.

Huo Yuhao continued, "The true core of a team isn't the tactical core; it's the power core. And the most direct source of power…"

He extended a hand, clenching his fist against his chest, and pronounced each word deliberately.

"...is violence."

Bei Bei was genuinely taken aback, carefully contemplating these statements and the logic behind them, his eyes wide with shock.

"Unfortunately, Assault System often wields the greatest violence. I prefer to rely on myself rather than others when it comes to strength!" Huo Yuhao's gaze grew resolute, "In the end, sheer force is the ultimate truth!"

Bei Bei retorted, "But teamwork is crucial. How could individual strength possibly surpass the power of a team? Besides, your martial Spirit is suited for support, so couldn't you achieve maximum effect by developing in that direction?"

Huo Yuhao nodded his head and responded, "As a Support or Control System, your assistance and control undoubtedly play a vital roles, greatly benefiting the entire team. However, I won't entrust my safety to others!"

"Do you really think the Three Great Empires would station their armies in Shrek City?"

Bei Bei shook his head, "Of course not."

"Exactly." Huo Yuhao shrugged, "Regardless of my martial Spirit, my choice won't change. It's still the Assault System. Even if it's not suited for assault, I'll maintain my offensive nature."

"Shifting tactics to full assault!"

Bei Bei sighed, "You've offered me a different perspective, although I'm not sure how to convince you. But I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Little Brother Huo. Shrek Academy places great emphasis on teamwork. If you're unwilling to cooperate with others, there might be many assessments you won't pass."

Huo Yuhao chuckled and asked, "When did I ever say I don't believe in teamwork?"

"I just want to ensure my offensive role, but I never said I'd give up on teamwork, Brother Bei Bei."

"Ah, forget it, let's stop talking. It seems you two can't grasp these concepts..."

Bei Bei: "…"

He had been exceptionally bright since childhood. When had he been regarded with such a dumbfounded look?

He mulled over Huo Yuhao's words, finding them quite abstract. Just as he was about to retort, he realized they held a certain truth, yet he couldn't quite wrap his head around it.

Bei Bei shook his head and, seeing Tang Ya almost done with her absorption, prepared to approach her. Suddenly, he remembered something and once again thanked Huo Yuhao.

"Little Brother Huo, thank you for imparting the Thunderous Dragon Drill technique to me. I feel it's highly suitable for me. However, even though  Lone Tiger Sect has disbanded, this is still a supreme technique of your  Lone Tiger Sect. Is it appropriate to pass it on to an outsider like me?"

Huo Yuhao: "…"

This matter had already left him speechless, and now Bei Bei brought it up again, leaving him even more speechless.

How could he just shout randomly at the keyboard and pull off a super combo move?

Despite his complaint, he still maintained a serious demeanor, "It's fine. If this supreme technique can thrive in your hands, then I believe the spirit of our sect's former leader in the heavens would also be pleased."

"Bei Bei!" A girl's voice rang out, and it was Tang Ya, who had just finished absorbing the mixed Spirit ring.

She hugged Bei Bei tightly, burying her head in his chest. Her voice was muffled, "Are you planning to leave Tang Sect?"

Bei Bei looked flustered, "When did I ever say I want to leave Tang Sect?"

He hadn't even had a chance to congratulate Tang Ya, and now this question left him dumbfounded.

"The Thunderous Dragon Drill suits you so well... Are you planning to leave me and revive  Lone Tiger Sect?"

Bei Bei: "…"

Huo Yuhao: "…"

What kind of thought process was going on in this woman's mind? How did she come up with all of this in just a moment?

Huo Yuhao cleared his throat lightly and said, "Master Wang Xiaohu told me before he died that the birth of the Lone Tiger Sect was a mistake. Let it disappear if it must."

Finishing his words, Huo Yuhao looked at Tang Ya with a calm expression.

Sometimes, you needed to weave a web of lies to cover up a single lie. If he had known, he wouldn't have rambled in the first place.

He was a responsible person. He wouldn't allow Bei Bei to revive the fictional  Lone Tiger Sect.

Bei Bei also reassured Tang Ya, saying, "Xiao Ya, don't worry. I promised you that I would work with you to restore the glory of Tang Sect. I will definitely stand by your side."

His eyes were gentle and incredibly resolute, bringing a sense of security to Tang Ya.

"Okay." Tang Ya smiled playfully and stuck her tongue out at Huo Yuhao, "Huo Bro, don't even think about stealing Bei Bei away from me~"

Huo Yuhao: "…"

What was going on in her mind just now...

The three of them didn't linger in the forest any longer and headed out.

As the dense jungle disappeared behind them, not far away, the dark sky revealed a hint of pale light. Unbeknownst to them, dawn had arrived.

"Sorry, Little Brother Huo, wait for us."

Bei Bei smiled slightly, sitting cross-legged alongside Tang Ya. They looked to the east, a faint hint of purple radiating from their eyes.

Huo Yuhao didn't say anything either. It was already morning, and he needed to prepare breakfast.

With practiced skill, he started a fire. As Huo Yuhao debated between grilling fish or pork belly, he suddenly remembered the Wind Baboon's forearm and snapped his fingers.

"Alright, Bro Hao is trying a new flavor today."

Ten minutes later...

"It's dry and tough, and the skin isn't crispy at all..." Huo Yuhao grimaced as he chewed, "It tastes terrible... Shouldn't higher-level ingredients taste better?"

"Yuhao."

"What is it, Skydream?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

"You're only eleven years old this year, and even if we count your past life, you've only lived for a little over twenty years in total." Skydream curiously asked, "Why do you seem to understand everything? I feel like I've lived for a million years, yet you think about so many things more profoundly..."

"Hehe." Huo Yuhao countered, "Skydream, where do you think wisdom comes from?"

"Um... Innate?"

Huo Yuhao waved his hand, "Genetics do play a significant role, but wisdom primarily comes from learning and contemplating."

"Throughout my twenty-plus years of life, I've been continuously learning and approaching problems from different angles. So, naturally, I would be a bit smarter than others."

"On the other hand, if a person eats and sleeps all day without ever learning or thinking, even if she lived for a million years, she wouldn't be much smarter than a tortoise."

Skydream nodded thoughtfully, "I see."

She realized belatedly, finally understanding the meaning behind Huo Yuhao's words.

"Wait! Yuhao, were you secretly calling me a tortoise?"

"I didn't say that. You said it yourself." Huo Yuhao innocently shrugged.

"A tortoise for a thousand years, a turtle for ten thousand, and a million years is just a thousand turtles' lifespan. If we calculate like this, it doesn't seem that long. Brother Hao has probably defeated at least eight hundred turtles, so it's like you've slain a million-year Spirit beast."

"Is that so... Wait, Yuhao, are you saying that I’m equivalent to a thousand turtles?"

"I didn't say that. You said it yourself."

As Huo Yuhao and Skydream bantered, Tang Ya and Bei Bei looked at the disappearing purple hue on the horizon and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Alright, since Little Ya has acquired her Spirit ring, let's take Little Brother Huo back to Shrek Academy."

"Okay."

Shrek Academy, huh?

A faint smile played on Huo Yuhao's lips, and his eyes gleamed with interest, and even a hint of... disdain.

"Well then, I'll see what mysteries you guys have in store!"