Douluo Dalu: Beginning with Signing in with Yan Lingji

Chapter 163: Huo Wu, My Precious Disciple

Hearing Zhao Ming's words, everyone present was stunned.

The smile on Huo Shang's face instantly froze, and Huo Wushuang looked utterly dumbfounded.

At Blazing Fire Academy, countless people had pursued his sister. She had been the cherished pride of the academy since childhood. Among her peers, which young man wouldn't like her? And yet, Zhao Ming had rejected her.

"Zhao Ming, don't be ungrateful. My sister is so exceptional; how could she not be good enough for you?" Huo Wushuang's face turned red as he angrily shouted at Zhao Ming. Although he knew Zhao Ming was powerful, he couldn't tolerate his precious sister being slighted.

"Huo Wu is outstanding, and I like her very much. But I already have a girlfriend," Zhao Ming said calmly, looking at Huo Wushuang.

His eyes turned to Huo Wu, whose beautiful eyes showed surprise and a hint of disappointment. Her face was flushed—whether from anger or embarrassment, he couldn't tell. Seeing her like this, Zhao Ming felt a twinge of sympathy. But to complete his system task, he couldn't be with Huo Wu yet. Besides, Huo Wu's current feelings for him were merely admiration for a talented person, not yet reaching the level of love.

Huo Wu looked at Zhao Ming, unsure of how she felt.

At Blazing Fire Academy, nearly everyone admired her and tried to win her favor. Countless people wanted to be with her.

But Zhao Ming had rejected her, even when she was willing to take the initiative.

Although she internally disliked her grandfather arranging her marriage, she believed that if she liked someone, she would pursue them herself, not rely on others to decide for her.

However, disliking the arrangement was one thing; being rejected was another.

Huo Wu considered herself a proud daughter of the heavens. Though she might not be on par with the top-tier geniuses, she believed her talent, beauty, knowledge, and all the qualities expected of a young lady were more than sufficient. And yet, she was rejected.

Her beautiful eyes fixed on Zhao Ming, feeling a bit aggrieved.

This was the first time she had experienced the sting of rejection.

"Brother, don't say anymore. He already has someone he likes. Besides, I don't have those kinds of feelings for Zhao Ming." Huo Wu shook her head and tugged at Huo Wushuang's sleeve, speaking softly.

"Sigh." Huo Wushuang looked at his sister and sighed helplessly. Though he felt indignant, he also understood that Zhao Ming already had many beautiful girls around him. During his time at Shrek Academy, he had seen several stunning girls, each one a beauty. They were all Zhao Ming's girlfriends.

Given that, it was understandable that Zhao Ming had no interest in his sister.

He just felt sorry for Huo Wu. With her proud nature, being rejected must have been a heavy blow.

Nearby, Flender and Zhao Wuji watched the scene with looks of disbelief. Zhao Ming had actually turned down such a great offer. It seemed they had misunderstood him—Zhao Ming was not the lustful person they had thought.

"Young Master Zhao, it seems that fate does not favor a union between you and our Huo Wu," Huo Shang said with a disappointed shake of his head.

He had thought Zhao Ming would certainly agree, given that Zhao Ming appeared to have a favorable impression of his granddaughter. As the saying goes, even heroes fall for beauties. Through Huo Wu, he had hoped to tie Zhao Ming to their family.

But it seemed he was wrong.

Zhao Ming was not the type of man he had imagined.

"Fate may not favor a romantic relationship, but it doesn't mean we can't have another kind of bond. Though Huo Wu and I cannot be a couple, we can still be master and disciple," Zhao Ming said softly, looking at the stunning girl before him.

"Master and disciple?"

Huo Shang was taken aback, but a smile soon reappeared on his face.

If Zhao Ming could take Huo Wu as his disciple, they could still form a connection through that relationship. Moreover, Huo Wu could receive Zhao Ming's guidance. Zhao Ming came from a powerful family, and to reach level 39 in such a short time, he must possess not only a powerful martial soul but also advanced cultivation techniques.

If Huo Wu could learn from him, it would be a tremendous opportunity.

To receive Zhao Ming's guidance without having to marry off his precious granddaughter—this was the best deal possible. After all, even if Zhao Ming wasn't a lecher, he already had several girlfriends. Huo Wu wouldn't find happiness marrying into such a situation.

As for Zhao Ming's age, that wasn't a problem. As the saying goes, "A master is worthy regardless of age." He saw nothing inappropriate about it.

Huo Wushuang, too, looked at Zhao Ming, his earlier displeasure fading. As a fire-attribute soul master himself, he understood the significance of this decision. At twenty years old, he wasn't naïve. He knew Zhao Ming's talent was extraordinary, and his background even more so. His sister becoming Zhao Ming's disciple was undoubtedly a good thing.

"Huo Wu, why aren't you greeting your new master?" Huo Shang urged. Huo Wushuang also quickly tugged at Huo Wu's sleeve.

Huo Wu's beautiful eyes looked at Zhao Ming, surprised that he would want to take her as a disciple. A radiant smile spread across her delicate face.

If they couldn't be lovers, being master and disciple was the next best thing.

As his disciple, perhaps she could still accompany him as he rose to power. As she looked at Zhao Ming, she recalled the words he had spoken to her before. His confident and domineering demeanor had left an impression on her.

"Disciple Huo Wu greets Master." Without hesitation, Huo Wu bowed deeply to Zhao Ming, performing the formal ceremony of apprenticeship.

From today onward, she would have a master.

Watching Huo Wu bow to him, Zhao Ming couldn't help but swallow.

From this angle, he could see Huo Wu's beautiful shoulders, her fair neck, and if he looked further down...

Zhao Ming suddenly understood why Qian Xunji had acted the way he did.

Having such a beautiful disciple was truly a form of torment.

For someone as stunning as Huo Wu to be only his disciple—what a waste...

"Stand up," Zhao Ming smiled, reaching out to lift Huo Wu's small hand and helping her to her feet.

"From now on, are you really my master?" Huo Wu looked at Zhao Ming, her eyes sparkling. Seeing how young Zhao Ming was, she felt a bit strange, but the feeling quickly faded. In a world where strength ruled, age didn't matter.

"Of course. From today on, you are my disciple. I will train you to become the greatest fire-attribute soul master on the continent," Zhao Ming said with a bright smile.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the task."

"Ding! Task reward: Puppet Power Enhancement Card has been issued."

"Congratulations, host. You now have two Puppet Power Enhancement Cards. A friendly reminder: using one on Queen Medusa will not only increase her power but also enhance her vitality."