Douluo 2: Check-In Douluo Dalu

"Teacher Wang, I object to this."

Wu Feng, one of the members of the team defeated by Huo Yuhao—who only had the cultivation of a Spirit Elder—sat near Dai Huabin and raised her hand with a displeased expression.

Wang Yan, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao immediately turned toward her.

Unlike the strict Zhou Yi, Wang Yan was known for his warm personality. He smiled and asked, "Wu Feng, what seems to be the problem?"

With a condescending expression, Wu Feng replied, "I don't think Huo Yuhao deserves to be a class monitor candidate. He's just a one-ring Soul Master with a ten-year soul ring. Even if he was one of the champions of the freshman assessment, it was only because he relied on Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao. Why is he even allowed in the class monitor selection?"

Suddenly, Wang Feng stood up from his seat. His steps were calm but filled with authority as he walked toward Wu Feng. With each step, an overwhelming pressure radiated from his body, and the faint silhouette of a dragon emerged behind him.

The entire room felt heavy. The students could feel a terrifying weight pressing on their backs, as if an invisible force was bearing down on them. Even Dai Huabin and Wu Feng—who possessed high-level Martial Souls—were not spared. Only Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao were unaffected.

Wang Feng stopped in front of Wu Feng and stared at her coldly. Wu Feng's face turned pale, but she tried to maintain her composure.

"So, you're really that upset about Huo Yuhao's nomination?" Wang Feng asked, his voice low but piercing.

"Yes!" Wu Feng snapped, though her voice trembled slightly. "There's no way he could beat me alone! He's just a parasite relying on others. If he's a man, he should face me one-on-one! Then I might acknowledge him!"

Wang Feng let out a cold laugh. "And just because of that, you think you can belittle him?"

His hand moved, ready to grab Wu Feng by the collar—

"Enough!"

Huo Yuhao's firm voice broke the tension. He stood up, his eyes ablaze yet calm. Wang Feng paused and looked at him meaningfully.

Huo Yuhao stepped forward. "If a one-on-one battle is what it takes for you to accept the truth, then I accept your challenge." His voice was clear and unwavering. "We'll fight in the Soul Dueling Arena according to the rules. If I win, you take back everything you said and acknowledge my qualification. If you win, I'll withdraw from the candidacy."

Wu Feng was stunned, then grinned. "You dare? Don't regret it when you get hurt!"

Wang Feng looked at Huo Yuhao and gave a slight nod. "Your choice." He turned to Wu Feng, his eyes sharp like blades. "But remember this—if you lose and dare insult him again, the pressure you felt today will be nothing compared to what's coming."

Wu Feng gritted her teeth but remained silent. Even Dai Huabin—usually arrogant and prideful—didn't dare challenge the terrifying aura of this mysterious student.

Wang Yan's pupils slightly contracted as he shifted his gaze to Huo Yuhao. "Are you sure you want to challenge Wu Feng?"

"Yes, Teacher Wang."

Seeing the calm look in Huo Yuhao's eyes, Wang Yan paused for a few seconds. Then he took a deep breath and nodded. "Very well. In that case, I will allow both of you to duel in the Soul Dueling Arena. However, we'll revise the stakes to make it fair—if Wu Feng defeats Huo Yuhao, he will lose his qualification to participate in the selection. Conversely, if Wu Feng loses to Huo Yuhao, she will lose her qualification."

Wu Feng raised no objections to the terms. Either way, she was unlikely to be chosen as a class monitor, given the presence of Dai Huabin and Wang Dong. And really, what were the chances she would lose to someone with just a ten-year soul ring?

After a moment of stunned silence, Wu Feng's face twisted with scorn and disdain. As the other students from Class 1 filed out of the classroom one by one, Wu Feng walked up to Huo Yuhao and whispered, "I'm going to beat you so bad, you won't even be able to take care of yourself."

"Yuhao, are you sure about this?" Wang Feng looked at Huo Yuhao seriously, concern hidden in his eyes.

Huo Yuhao nodded firmly, determination shining clearly on his innocent face. "I have to prove it myself."

Wang Feng let out a long sigh, then suddenly smiled. With a casual gesture, he wrapped his arm around Huo Yuhao's shoulder. "Alright. But remember, if things get bad, I'll step in."

Huo Yuhao's face instantly turned red. He quickly looked down, trying to hide his reaction. "U-um… okay…"

"Wang Feng!" Wang Dong suddenly slipped between them, his face scrunched in irritation. "Did you forget your limits?"

Wang Feng flinched, then gave an awkward laugh while scratching his head. "Ah, sorry! I didn't mean to."

"I-it's fine…" Huo Yuhao muttered, his face still burning.

Beside them, Xiao Xiao stood with a neutral expression. But behind her calm demeanor, her eyes sparkled with mischief. This… this is perfect material! she thought, her fingers unconsciously framing the scene as if capturing a photo.

When Class 1 students arrived at the Soul Dueling Area, Wang Yan helped cover the entrance fee. This duel would be private—only Class 1 students were allowed to witness it. It was also Huo Yuhao's first duel since entering Shrek Academy.

After all of Class 1 had arrived at the duel venue, Wang Yan swiftly paid the fee for arena use. This would be a closed duel—only Class 1 students allowed to watch. For Huo Yuhao, it would be his first duel since joining Shrek Academy.

Wang Feng couldn't hide his worry. With determined steps, he approached Huo Yuhao as the latter was preparing. "Yuhao," he whispered softly, leaning in, "let me help you."

Before Huo Yuhao could react, Wang Feng pressed his forehead to Yuhao's. A gentle energy from his Ethereal Lotus flowed slowly into him, providing spiritual support.

"W-Wang Feng?!" Huo Yuhao gasped, his face instantly flushing red all the way to his ears. His hands trembled at his sides, too shocked to resist.

But as he stood frozen, his spiritual sea stirred restlessly. Tianmeng, who had been assisting in the mutation of Huo Yuhao's Martial Soul, suddenly sensed the Spirit Eyes Martial Soul becoming highly excited.

Tianmeng—initially helping with the mutation—was immediately taken aback by the drastic change.

"This…?"

Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eyes suddenly reacted wildly, greedily absorbing the energy Wang Feng had channeled like a sponge. The mutation process, which had been progressing steadily, now accelerated at a breathtaking pace.

Within Huo Yuhao's pupils, nine faint lotus petals became distinctly visible. One of them—which had previously been dim—was now pulsing with golden light, as if it had awakened from a deep slumber.

Tianmeng was stunned. "The first petal… has activated?"