Chapter 24. Spicy Rabbit Heads, Spicy Rabbit Chunks

When the Snow Empress returned, she sensed that the chill she had sent into Huo Yuhao’s body had been dispelled, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Upon seeing her return, Mu Yang asked, “Sister, did you find the person you were looking for?”

Seeing Mu Yang’s innocent expression, the Snow Empress smiled and gently stroked his head. “I found them. I found the person I was searching for. Thank you, little Mu.”

Mu Yang’s eyes widened as he turned to Du Weilen and said, “Uncle, I want to play too! I want to play with the puppy!”

Du Weilen felt immense pressure. If he refused, who knew what Mu Yang might do. But if he agreed, with Mu Yang’s strength, not even all the soul beasts combined could stand up to him.

At that moment, several figures suddenly burst from the side door beside the Grand Soul Arena’s beast ring. Leading them was an elderly man with a face like a red date, tall and imposing, with strikingly red hair. As he charged in, he roared, “What’s going on here? Who did this? The soul beasts under ten thousand years are so terrified they lost control of their bowels, and now they’re all weak and feeble. Du Weilen, did you cause this?”

Du Weilen’s eyes lit up and he quickly replied, “Elder Gong, it wasn’t me.” As he spoke, he floated down from the high platform to the old man’s side and began to explain in a low voice.

This red-haired elder was named Gong Changlong, the director of the Grand Soul Beast Arena. He held an extraordinary position at Shrek Academy and was a leading expert in soul beast studies. Even Du Weilen had to show him utmost respect.

“What? That’s impossible! Absolutely impossible—no twelve-year-old, no matter how talented or aided by the rarest treasures, could possibly absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. What! You’re saying that kid challenged a soul beast in the arena yesterday? Isn’t that just sending these soul beasts to their doom?!” Elder Gong fumed.

Du Weilen wore a bitter expression. “Elder Gong, there’s nothing we can do. Maybe you could bring out a more adorable soul beast. Kids like cute creatures, so maybe Mu Yang won’t make a fuss if you do.”

Elder Gong’s eyes brightened. “That just might work. I recently tamed a Night Cat Demon, but let’s start with a Soft-Boned Rabbit. Du Weilen, since you suggested it, you go explain.”

Du Weilen’s face fell, but there was no way around it. After all, it was Elder Gong.

Turning to Mu Yang, Du Weilen said, “Little Mu, just wait a moment. When you get on stage, that grandpa over there will bring out a little bunny for you to play with.” He gestured toward Elder Gong.

But Mu Yang didn’t care who was sending out the soul beast; he only heard that he’d be facing a rabbit.

“Spicy rabbit head, and the rest can be made into spicy rabbit stew. Since it’s for eating, I shouldn’t use poison, but this is a good chance to test the Tang Blade—no poison required,” Mu Yang mused as he stepped onto the stage.

Du Weilen then turned back to the students from the two classes and announced sternly, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, today’s advancement assessment is suspended. Homeroom teachers, please take your students back to the classroom to study.”

Zhou Yi hurriedly asked, “Director Du, what about Huo Yuhao’s assessment?”

Du Weilen frowned. “He passes. Huo Yuhao, come with me.” With that, he turned and walked back toward Elder Gong.

But Huo Yuhao didn’t immediately follow. Instead, he strode to the front of Class Two, glared coldly at Dai Huabin, and said, “Wait for me outside when I’m done. As I recall, our bet was that whoever had the most points today would win. You lost. I’ll be waiting for you to kneel and admit defeat!”

Sure enough, Elder Gong sent out a Soft-Boned Rabbit that had just passed ten thousand years, but after the earlier pressure, its legs were still wobbly. It could barely stand.

The adorable rabbit should have been irresistible to a child like Mu Yang, but as Mu Yang drew the Tang Blade and slashed at the Soft-Boned Rabbit, both his movements and technique made Elder Gong frown. With such poor blade work, there was no way Mu Yang could hit the Soft-Boned Rabbit, even in its weakened state.

But in the very next instant, Elder Gong’s eyes went wide with shock...