Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena approached, just in time to hear the white-haired elder speaking to Li Yucheng in a somewhat teasing tone.
The man wore an eighth-level craftsman's badge on his chest, his expression showed nothing unusual, but there was a subtle sense of disagreement between him and Li Yucheng.
Noticing Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena approaching, Li Yucheng's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "President Zhang, you jest. Haoxuan is highly capable, and I have full confidence in him. Today, I'm here to introduce two young talents to the president."
"Young talents?"
President Zhang raised an eyebrow. "The association has welcomed many geniuses in recent years, with several making it onto the Young Genius Ranking. Xu Yucheng from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and Gui Xing from our Heavenly Dou City are among the top talents. I wonder what kind of geniuses the Eastern Sea Association has produced recently?"
As he spoke, he and the proud young man beside him followed Li Yucheng's gaze, their eyes instantly flashing with surprise and surprise.
These two kids...
Li Yucheng smiled and said, "Yuhao, Na'er, this is President Zhang of the Heavenly Dou City Mecha Association."
Huo Yuhao prepared sensed something from his expression and inwardly shook, while Gu Yuena politely greeted him.
"Hello, President Zhang."
"Hello."
President Zhang nodded, secretly sizing up Huo Yuhao, feeling both surprised and somewhat frustrated.
The name "Yuhao" and his appearance had already revealed his identity.
How did Li Yucheng manage to lure this one from the Spirit Pagoda?
He took a deep breath and touched at the young man beside him, reminding him, "Gui Xing, greet these two young geniuses from the Spirit Pagoda."
Luo Guixing's expression was complicated, but he eventually bowed slightly, his outward pride replaced by a solemn tone, "I've long heard of your names. It's a pleasure to meet you, Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuena."
As the future heir of his family and with his natural talent, Luo Guixing had encountered many attractive individuals since childhood. Yet, even he was stunned by Gu Yuena's breathtaking beauty and ethereal aura.
And as the current 22nd on the Young Genius Ranking, he naturally knew of Huo Yuhao's status— 5th on the ranking, a position he could hardly hope to reach.
But compared to Huo Yuhao, Luo Guixing couldn't ignore the intimate attitude Gu Yuena showed towards him.
First on the Young Genius Ranking, Spirit Sovereign—Huo Yuhao!
This rank and title says it all. He was practically the designated next leader of the Spirit Pagoda, a future peak powerhouse, the leader of one of the four great forces, the Spirit Douluo!
The future peerless beauty and the heir of a top continental power, any sensible person knows which was more important and which must not be offended.
His family elders had repeatedly emphasized that he must not be disrespectful if he ever encountered Huo Yuhao. And no matter how proud Luo Guixing was, in such matters, he remained rational.
Not just him, but many others around who noticed Huo Yuhao gradually realized his identity and began whispering.
"Isn't that Huo Yuhao with the beautiful girl?"
"Yes, Spirit Sovereign—Huo Yuhao."
"I can't feel his soul power... Two years have passed. What level has he reached? Could he already be a Soul King?"
"A twelve-year-old Soul King... That can't be, right? But if it's him, it doesn't seem impossible."
After exchanging greetings with Luo Guixing, Huo Yuhao felt his arm being held and looked toward Gu Yuena.
Gu Yuena naturally linked arms with him, her cool gaze sweeping over the crowd that had just realized their identities, inwardly sighing.
When walking with Yuhao, she usually drew more attention, but once people recognized their identities, the focus quickly shifted to Yuhao.
First on the Young Genius Ranking, the future leader of the Spirit Pagoda, a future Limit Douluo, these titles were too dazzling, too attention-grabbing.
Who wouldn't want to climb the social ladder by associating with him?
Yuhao appears to be twelve, much more approachable than the high-ranking figures of the Spirit Pagoda. And befriending the future leader of the Spirit Pagoda, or even going further... Who wouldn't want such an opportunity?
Gu Yuena keenly noticed that some people's gazes towards Huo Yuhao carried an unpleasant intensity, especially certain girls... Couldn't they see she was standing right beside him?
At that moment, an invisible mental wave flickered, and the eagerness around them quietly disappeared.
Everyone's gaze shifted away, their faces filled with confusion.
Where did they go?
Gu Yuena was started, then looked at Huo Yuhao, warmth filled her heart, but she didn't release her hold on his arm.
Seeing this, Li Yucheng suppressed his desire to show off and said to President Zhang, "We still need to meet the Grand President, so we won't linger. Let's talk another time."
"Then we'll meet again later."
President Zhang nodded, inwardly sighing. He had wanted to show off with Luo Guixing, but Li Yucheng had brought these two prodigies, making his side seem inferior.
This old fox, after two years of absence, had really outdone himself.
Watching Li Yucheng leave with the two, President Zhang turned to his proud disciple.
"Gui Xing, how do you feel?"
Luo Guixing silently watched the crowd in the hall still searching for Huo Yuhao, a bitter smile forming on his lips. "The gap is insurmountable. It's impossible to even think of challenging him."
His spiritual power was decent, already at the late stage of the Spirit Communication Realm, and he could break through to the Spirit Sea Realm around the fourth ring. But when Huo Yuhao used his spiritual power just now, Luo Guixing felt a soul-shaking sense of suffocation.
The rumors were true... Huo Yuhao's spiritual power had reached the Spirit Abyss Realm!
"Don't compare yourself to a monster. You're already exceptional among your peers," President Zhang said helplessly.
With someone like him at the top, the geniuses of this generation could only look up to his shadow. Wasn't that a tragedy for them?
...
Huo Yuhao and the others arrived at the association's upper levels. Before they could enter the president's office, they saw a middle-aged man in luxurious purple-gold robes walking toward them, surrounded by a crowd, a shining ninth-level craftsman badge on his chest.
Seeing him, Li Yucheng's eyes twitched.
Xia Haoxuan still wants him dead...
"Is that Yuhao?"
The middle-aged man smiled warmly, his gaze anticipated appraising Huo Yuhao. Thinking of how the boy was now a dual sixth-level professional, he grew more and more satisfied.
"I'm Xia Haoxuan's teacher, Feng Xuan'ang. You can call me Elder Feng. Two years ago, Haoxuan called me, and I've been wanting to meet you ever since. Finally, here we are."
The genius boy Xia Haoxuan mentioned in that call two years ago was even more outstanding than described.
Feng Xuan'ang didn't forget Gu Yuena, also greeted her with a smile, but his attention remained focused on Huo Yuhao.
"Yuhao, you're here to see the Grand President, right? But he's extremely busy and might not have time to guide you. Why not learn from me instead?"
Hearing this familiar line, Li Yucheng's expression changed.
Like master, like disciple, both shameless…