Chương 32: Chapter 32: Family with a Dragon
Although she had never seen the person in front of her with her own eyes, over the past ten thousand years, Qiu'er had sensed their presence multiple times and had witnessed Di Tian addressing them respectfully as "Master."
Having once exchanged memories with Qiu'er, Huo Yuhao immediately recognized that unique aura.
But it was precisely because he knew who the other person was that he felt even more astonished. After all, the person standing before him was practically a legendary figure, and from their actions, it was clear they were deliberately letting him notice their presence.
Even though he was once a deity in his past life, that was already behind him. Right now, there was an enormous power gap between him and the ruler of the soul beasts before him. If the other party wanted to hide, even with his Spiritual Detection, it would be nearly impossible for him to discover them.
From this alone, it was clear that the other party revealing themselves willingly meant they likely harbored no ill intentions. The reason they had come to him...
Could it be because Qiu'er had sensed his presence?
Just as Huo Yuhao was deep in thought, he suddenly caught a whiff of a delicate fragrance. He instinctively looked up, only to find that the girl had already crossed space and appeared before him. Her amethyst-like eyes were filled with unbridled curiosity as she examined him closely.
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable under her gaze, Huo Yuhao finally couldn't help but speak again.
"Senior, what business do you have with me?"
"Why didn't you kill him?"
"Hmm?"
Huo Yuhao gave the girl a deep look. "Senior, you must be joking. I only have one ring; how could I possibly kill a Rank 98 Title Douluo?"
"I haven't heard of anyone with just one ring daring to provoke a Title Douluo."
The girl paused before continuing, "Moreover, when he looked at you, you weren't afraid."
"I'm just good at hiding my emotions."
Huo Yuhao shook his head nonchalantly and quickly changed the subject. "Senior, I doubt you sought me out just for such a trivial matter. Is there anything else?"
Indeed, as the girl had said, Huo Yuhao had not been afraid of Xuan Zi doing anything to him after saying those words. If he had lacked the power to protect himself before merging with Tianmeng, things had changed after the fusion.
With Tianmeng Iceworm's million-year spiritual power, his Destiny's Death technique could indeed threaten Xuan Zi. However, using it was not something he could do lightly. His current body was too weak to bear such a vast amount of spiritual energy. Even with the Eye of Destiny serving as a buffer, it would likely leave him severely injured, making it a last-ditch effort at best.
The girl didn't believe his excuses, but she didn't dwell on it either. She spoke calmly.
"I saw the ritual between you and that worm. I want to know what that was."
Huo Yuhao was momentarily stunned, but he quickly realized that she was referring to the spirit ritual he had performed with Tianmeng. He wasn't too surprised by her curiosity.
When he entered the Great Star Dou Forest, the Eye of Destiny had already sensed Qiu'er's general location. Since she hadn't moved, he assumed it was a one-way connection, and she hadn't sensed him in return. Now he realized it had been the Silver Dragon King stopping her.
Looking at the girl in front of him, Huo Yuhao had a sudden thought.
The true ruler of the soul beasts was standing right here, curious about the spirit contract. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity to promote it?
Huo Yuhao quickly adjusted his demeanor, cleared his throat, and began explaining the spirit contract with a straight face.
"This is a new technique my teacher invented called the Spirit Contract. As you saw earlier, it allows a soul beast to transform into a unique energy form while retaining their consciousness."
Though the spirit contract in his past life hadn't completely halted the decline of the soul beast population, it had been a step in the right direction. Now that Teacher Electrolux was by his side again, given time to improve the contract, they could address its flaws.
The girl listened silently. When Huo Yuhao finished explaining the benefits of the contract, she calmly responded.
"So, are you trying to convince me to help promote the spirit contract?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
The girl's voice took on a slightly more emotional tone, her scrutinizing gaze fixed on Huo Yuhao. "I don't understand what you stand to gain. After all, you're a…"
She didn't finish the words "human deity," but Huo Yuhao understood. She had seen through his identity.
The girl could clearly see the spirit contract's potential to ease tensions between humans and soul beasts. The evidence had been right in front of her moments ago.
But that only confused her more. She had initially thought he was just a remnant soul of a dead deity who had come to this world. The spirit contract's appearance, however, made her realize that things were more complicated.
"Let's just say it's the struggle of someone who fears death."
Since she hadn't brought up the Azure Dragon Beast, Huo Yuhao didn't mention his connection to it either. He smirked slightly.
"No matter how powerful I used to be, that was in the past. Now, in front of the soul beast overlord, I have to prove my worth if I want to survive, don't I?"
"Is that so?"
The girl took a step forward, her amethyst eyes boring into him as if trying to see through his soul.
After a long pause, her ethereal voice pierced through his facade.
"From the beginning, you were never afraid of me, just as you weren't afraid of that Title Douluo. And your eyes tell me you aren't that afraid of death either."
Huo Yuhao's smile slowly faded as his expression became unnervingly calm. After a long silence, he let out a soft sigh, his lips barely moving.
"Because I have the ability, so I must do this."
Memories of the chaotic time currents from his previous life surfaced in his mind. Huo Yuhao raised his head slightly, his gaze piercing through the leaves toward the blue sky, as if it was merging with his eyes.
"I have come this far thanks to the help of many soul beasts."
He lowered his gaze, staring at the girl with an unreadable expression, and spoke deliberately.
"That's why I feel I must do something for them. That's all."
"…"
The girl seemed surprised by his answer. After a brief silence, she gently shook her head.
"It's a shame. While your spirit contract could help repair relations between humans and soul beasts, I can't agree to it just yet."
"I could promote the spirit contract among the soul beasts, but you don't have the power to do the same among humans—at least not right now."
Despite his past as a deity, he was currently weak. Although humans were more organized than soul beasts, power was still essential for having influence.
"Moreover, the current spirit contract still favors humans. The proportion of dying or crippled soul beasts is relatively small. Once they're gone, how can you guarantee that humans won't target healthy soul beasts?"
"While you claim the contract will be improved, there hasn't been any progress yet. I don't need a perfect solution, but you need to show me you have the ability to improve it, instead of presenting a half-finished product."
"So, when you gain more influence in the human world and show me real progress with the spirit contract, I will agree to your proposal, and you will be a friend to soul beasts forever."
"That's a fair request."
Huo Yuhao nodded. He never expected to convince the soul beast overlord with just words. Her demands were perfectly reasonable, considering her concern for soul beasts. The fact that she even gave him a promise was already generous.
Even if she agreed now, as she said, he didn't yet have the means to promote the spirit contract among soul masters. This wasn't something that could be rushed.
"I'll show results as soon as possible. When the time is right, I'll return to the Great Star Dou Forest to visit—"
"There's no need."
Before he could finish, the girl interrupted him, glancing at him sideways with a calm tone.
"I'll go with you. I'd like to see for myself how humanity has developed."
".?"
Huo Yuhao was momentarily caught off guard, and the girl seemed to have anticipated his reaction, continuing in a slow, steady voice.
"Consider it an investment."
"If the future you envision truly improves the lives of soul beasts, this will be my repayment for your kindness."
Huo Yuhao was somewhat surprised. "You believe in me that much?"
He had guessed that the Silver Dragon King might be curious about what he had shown her or about the Divine Realm. But the prospect of having a potential bodyguard stronger than Di Tian was unexpected.
The benefits far outweighed the negligible risks.
The girl shook her head. "I just believe that someone like you is bound to achieve something."
After a brief pause, she added, "Of course, if this investment fails, I won't lose anything."
Huo Yuhao opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.
Something about the whole situation felt strange.
After a long pause, he hesitated, then asked with uncertainty, "So…where will you be staying?"
The girl tilted her head, looking at him with her amethyst eyes, blinking once.
Then she blinked again.
(End of Chapter)
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