Those scenes that triggered his negative emotions included not just his mother, but also moments of disdain from Wu Feng, open provocation, humiliation by Dai Huabin, and the unfair treatment after winning the rookie championship.

There was the trauma of assassination by the Wuchang Division, being left disabled, and the injustice of Dai Huabin escaping punishment—these memories haunted Huo Yuhao's mind, refusing to fade.

All these painful memories constantly tormented Huo Yuhao, fueling his anger, hatred, and other negative emotions.

Fortunately, under Electrolux's guidance, Huo Yuhao gradually learned to control his emotions.

With strong willpower, he managed to suppress them, and his life was getting better: friendship with Wang Dong and others, growing strength, and hope filled his heart. Those negative emotions could no longer shake his will.

"Oh? His mental will is so strong—unexpected. I heard he was full of hatred and thought he'd soon be consumed by negative emotions!"

Möbius's slender finger tapped her crimson lips, her snake-like eyes showing Huo Yuhao's meditating figure in the hotel room.

"What are you thinking? He's a child of destiny, and even Tang San is watching him!" On the rooftop of a skyscraper, Lu Jingming sat beside Möbius, looking curious.

"That's what makes it fun, doesn't it? Don't worry, you told me about the God Realm, right? That Sea God can't descend easily. The God of Destruction won't allow it. It's just a wisp of divine sense. Are you afraid?"

Möbius smiled meaningfully, full of teasing.

Lu Jingming shook his head. Sea God Tang San's true body couldn't descend at will. The God of Destruction wouldn't allow it.

Unless their actions truly threatened the God Realm.

But given Möbius's wild, unrestrained personality, it was only a matter of time before she targeted the God Realm.

"Fine, just don't go too far!"

By now, Lu Jingming was much more confident than when he first arrived in this world.

He was cautious then; now, he no longer saw the God Realm or Tang San as insurmountable obstacles.

If the worst happened, he could always escape to a parallel universe.

He didn't believe the God Realm could chase him across worlds, and he doubted he'd ever reach that point.

He didn't stop Möbius from experimenting on Huo Yuhao.

To him, Huo Yuhao's fate wasn't his concern.

On the contrary, he was curious what would happen next.

Möbius was unpredictable and eccentric, but she always produced interesting results.

Lu Jingming sometimes thought he was a bit of a fun-seeker too; if he went to the Star Rail Universe, Aha should give him a mask to join the party.

Even if he couldn't be a Joyful Envoy, he could sneak into the tavern for some fun.

…

At dawn, warm sunlight shone between the skyscrapers.

Reflected by the glass walls, it painted Haiyuan City with rainbow hues, making it look like a dreamland.

At this time, the St. Freya Academy team, dressed in white and purple uniforms, appeared by the sea.

Their appearance instantly drew massive attention and thunderous cheers from the crowd.

From over a hundred teams at the start, through round after round of fierce competition, only four remained.

The tournament had lasted over a month and was nearing its end.

With its momentum, Haiyuan City was bustling more than ever.

Even after the tournament, the excitement would last.

The semifinals were different from the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, both team battles and individual eliminations mattered. If tied, a third 2v2/3v3 match would decide victory.

On the first day, the team battles were held first.

To ensure fairness, the draw for the semifinals would be public, with all four captains drawing lots themselves.

Soon, Lu Jingming, Ma Xiaotao, Jiang Peng of Dou Ling Academy, and Ma Rulong of Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy stood on the grand podium.

"The semifinal draw will be hosted by His Majesty!" Changli smiled warmly, handing the container with four red balls to Xu Jiawei.

"All right, let me begin the semifinals!"

Xu Jiawei took the four balls and threw them skyward.

As they arced down, Jiang Peng, Ma Xiaotao, and Ma Rulong exchanged glances and leaped up, each catching a ball.

Lu Jingming didn't care who his opponent was—he was confident he could lead St. Freya Academy to victory either way.

When the others landed, he calmly caught the last ball.

He squeezed it, and a slip of paper fell out—marked "1."

Ma Xiaotao revealed a "2" on hers.

Ma Rulong and Jiang Peng's faces darkened.

Because, whichever number they drew, they would inevitably face either Shrek or St. Freya.

As each ball was opened, Ma Rulong's face grew gloomier.

He had drawn "1," and Jiang Peng "2."

"Draw complete. Semifinal, first match: St. Freya Academy vs. Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy," Changli announced.

On the giant soul screen, the matchup was displayed, and the atmosphere grew tense.

"Players, take the stage!" Dan Heng called precisely.

Shortly after, both teams stepped onto the broad stage.

Lu Jingming was already familiar with Sun & Moon's lineup.

Their leader was Soul Emperor Ma Rulong. Behind him were the powerful siblings Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, and teammates Mi Jia, Xiao Xiafeng, Chen Fei, and Lin Xi—a luxurious lineup of one Soul Emperor and six Soul Kings.

Even the normally arrogant Xiao Hongchen looked serious now.

His gaze burned with fighting spirit, while Meng Hongchen's eyes often drifted to Lu Jingming.

The teams lined up face to face.

The audience's eyes were fixed on the screen and stage, filled with anticipation.

After all, the teams couldn't be more different: St. Freya was one man and six women; Sun & Moon, one woman and six men. Such a matchup was a spectacle in itself.

"Hey, take it easy on us in the match, Lu Jingming~!"

Meng Hongchen winked playfully at Lu Jingming as if joking with a friend rather than about to fight.

"I don't mind, but your brother might not like it!"

Lu Jingming smiled faintly, gesturing for her to look at Xiao Hongchen.

Sure enough, Xiao Hongchen's face was dark and veins bulged on his forehead.

If not for the audience, he might have disciplined his lovestruck sister again.

"Xiao Ming, is Meng Hongchen interested in you?" March 7th poked Lu Jingming's waist, whispering teasingly.

"What do you think?" Lu Jingming rolled his eyes.

Maybe Meng Hongchen was attracted to his looks, but he knew it was just on the surface.

Once the fight began, she wouldn't hold back.

Gradually, both teams spread out.

In soul master tournaments, distance mattered for soul engineers—the farther, the better for them.

But the rules capped it at 100 meters for fairness.

Once at the set distance, Dan Heng solemnly waved his hand: "Match, begin!"

Everyone focused intensely.

At Dan Heng's signal, the highly anticipated semifinal began.

Sun & Moon acted immediately.

Lin Xi swiftly took out a unique shield; as he poured soul power into it, a giant golden shield materialized, blocking his team.

Clearly, Lin Xi was a defense specialist, tasked with setting up a wall.

Meanwhile, soul power fluctuations filled the stage, and mechanical noises rang out.

Apart from Meng Hongchen, all Sun & Moon members produced various uniquely shaped soul devices.

In an instant, a dense barrage of soul device shells and rays rained down on St. Freya's side like a meteor shower.

The attacks came in all colors and forms, each with different properties and effects.

This was the soul engineers' fighting style—overwhelming firepower.

Their tactic was clear: use this first salvo to blast St. Freya Academy off the stage.

This strategy had worked in previous matches, rarely failing to overwhelm other academies.