“Yuhao, did you pack this thicker jacket?
The nights will be chilly on the road.”
“I packed it, Mom.”
“And your favorite dried meat—I roasted a big pouch for you last night.
It’s right at the top of your pack.
Remember to eat when you’re hungry.”
“I will, Mom.”
“And this canteen, make sure it’s full before you head out.
It’s not like at home out there; finding water won’t be easy…”
In the early morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten outside the small villa, Huo Yun’er stood holding Huo Yuhao’s hand, rattling off the sweet, petty nagging that mothers all over the world give when seeing off a child bound for a long journey.
Huo Yuhao was already seven and a half years old.
He stood quietly, letting his mother carefully straighten his slightly crooked collar, a warm smile lingering in his eyes.
“Aiyaya, Aunt Yun’er, stop nagging!
With your Big Sister Tianmeng here, do you really think Little Haohao could go hungry or thirsty?
Let me tell you, my treasure-hunting skills are top-notch!
Any wild fruit or spring within a hundred miles—I can smell it with one sniff!”
An aggrieved, loli-like voice piped up from Huo Yuhao’s shoulder.
Tianmeng had reverted to her snowy-white, cute silkworm form and was resting on Huo Yuhao’s shoulder, squirming indignantly.
Huo Yun’er chuckled, reaching out to gently poke the silkworm’s head.
“You’re the naughty one.
Listen to Yuhao on the road, understand?”
“I know, I know!” Tianmeng answered vaguely.
Huo Yun’er’s smile gradually faded as she looked at her son, who had already grown quite a bit taller.
His handsome little face already bore the sharp outlines of a youth, his gaze calm and resolute.
She knew that this small courtyard could never hold him forever.
A year ago, when he brought her here, she had realized her son was different.
He had shouldered the burden of their family and given her a peaceful life she had never dared dream of in her entire life.
But peace and quiet were never words meant for an eagle.
Her son was an eagle destined to soar through the highest heavens.
Huo Yun’er’s eyes grew slightly red, but she forced back her tears, smoothing down the folds of Huo Yuhao’s collar one last time.
She released her grip and stepped back, looking at him with a complex mix of pride and reluctance before softly saying, “Go, Yuhao.
You never belonged in this little courtyard.”
Huo Yuhao felt a gentle pang in his heart.
He took a step forward and gently held his mother’s hands, rough from years of hard labor.
“Mom, I’m not leaving for good; I’m just going to school.”
His voice was quiet, yet filled with reassuring conviction.
“I brought Nannan’s mother over.
You two can live together, chat, cook, and keep each other company.
Take good care of yourself while I’m away.”
Yesterday, he had made a special trip to Jiang Nannan’s house to bring her mother—who had fully recovered and was in much better spirits—over to the villa.
The two mothers, both having endured fickle fates and both deeply devoted to their children, hit it off immediately and grew close in no time.
“I…
I know…”
Huo Yun’er’s tears finally spilled over, but she quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand, forcing a smile onto her face once more.
“Mom understands.
I have the house under control, and…
with my in-law here, everything is wonderful.”
“Ah?…
Right.”
Huo Yuhao nodded.
“I’ll write back regularly.
Once the academy break comes, I’ll bring them all back to visit you.”
“Good, good.
Mom will be waiting.”
It was a simple conversation, yet it held the deepest promise between mother and son.
Just then, on the other side of the courtyard, his companions stepped out one after another, fully prepared.
Jiang Nannan was the first.
She had traded her usual long dress for a short, practical martial outfit, her long hair tied back neatly behind her head, making her look crisp and capable.
Yet the nervous tension on her face and the way her fingers gripped the straps of her small bundle betrayed the inner turmoil she felt.
This was her first time traveling far from home, and also her first time…
going on a long journey with her benefactor.
“Benefactor, I…
I’m ready,” she murmured as she walked up to Huo Yuhao.
Tang Ya followed right behind her.
She was far more excited than Jiang Nannan, carrying two swords of different lengths crossed over her back—custom-forged for her by Huo Yuhao.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation for the unknown journey and the thrill of adventure, as if as long as she followed behind Huo Yuhao, she had nothing to fear no matter where they went.
“Benefactor!
When do we set off?” She was already growing impatient.
The last to walk out was Gu Yuena.
She still wore a simple silver dress, her hands empty, carrying no luggage whatsoever.
She always appeared cold and indifferent, as though nothing in this world could ever leave a mark upon her heart.
Yet whenever her gaze settled on Huo Yuhao, those icy purple eyes would melt with a subtle tenderness imperceptible to others.
Simply by standing there quietly, she naturally became the focal point of everyone’s attention, as if the most beautiful scenery in the world were gathered around her.
Huo Yuhao took one last look at his pack.
There wasn’t much inside, but every item was vital.
A portable meditation array plate designed to aid spiritual power cultivation, specially crafted for him by Electrolux at great expenditure of effort.
A few bottles of Mind-Refreshing Potion he had brewed himself from herbs, capable of restoring spiritual power at critical moments.
These were his true trump cards for this trip.
“Mom, Auntie Jiang, we’re off.” Huo Yuhao bowed deeply to the two mothers at the doorway.
“Go on, stay safe on the road!”
“Have a safe journey, Benefactor!”
Amid the farewell waves of the two mothers, the party of five officially embarked on their journey.
They did not hire a carriage.
For Soul Masters, traveling long distances on foot was a form of cultivation in itself.
Following the broad official highway, the group headed due west, opposite the direction of the rising sun.
The group’s formation took shape naturally.
Huo Yuhao walked at the lead, guiding the direction for the entire group.
His steps were unhurried, yet steady and powerful, inspiring an absolute sense of reliability.
Gu Yuena walked to his left rear, trailing by only half a step.
She was like the most loyal shadow, and also the most powerful guardian.
Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya walked side by side behind them.
Tang Ya was clearly brimming with curiosity about the outside world, looking left and right along the way and occasionally letting out quiet exclamations.
Jiang Nannan, on the other hand, appeared somewhat constrained, walking with her head bowed most of the time, though the corners of her eyes involuntarily drifted toward that slender back leading the way.
The noisiest of all was naturally Tianmeng, perched on Huo Yuhao’s shoulder.
“Little Haohao, Little Haohao!
Where are we going?”
“…”
“Are we going to the Great Star Dou Forest?!”
“…”
“Tell me, are there any delicious soul beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest?
Let me tell you, there’s a little soul beast called the Soft Bone Rabbit that tastes amazing when roasted!
And those Dark Golden Terrorclaw Bear paws—they’re exceptionally delicious too…”
The Skydream Ice Worm, a million-year soul beast, was currently chatting up her host with boundless enthusiasm about how to cook her fellow soul beasts.
Huo Yuhao had already tuned out her nonsense.
His mind was racing, calculating routes and planning their upcoming schedule.
Heading southwest from Heaven Dou City, they would reach the outer perimeter of the Sunset Forest in about ten days.
The soul beasts there were low in level, mostly ranging from ten to a hundred years.
It was the perfect opportunity for Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan to engage in basic practical combat training and get used to real battles.
Once they adjusted, they could venture deeper in search of thousand-year soul beasts.
What he sought for them were not soul rings, but partners with whom they could sign a Soul Covenant.
Tang Ya’s martial soul was Blue Silver Grass, possessing immense control and versatility; what suited her best would be a plant-type soul beast with potent poison or strong binding capabilities.
Jiang Nannan’s martial soul was the Soft Bone Rabbit, specializing in close-combat soft grappling skills; she needed a power-attack or agility-attack beast soul beast that could enhance her instantaneous explosive force, speed, and defense.
All of this required time to search and screen.
After completing their trial in the Sunset Forest, the group would head further south into their true destination: the Great Star Dou Forest.
That was the core of this journey.
Not only did he need to find a suitable second soul ring for himself there, but he also had to meet those legendary, true rulers of the Great Star Dou Forest.
Of course, there was an even more important objective.
A pair of large, golden eyes surfaced in his mind.
Wang Qiuer…
No, right now she should still be the sleeping Emperor Auspicious Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Ni.
He needed to confirm a few things.
“Little Haohao!
What are you thinking about?
You’re so spaced out!” Tianmeng rubbed her soft body discontentedly against Huo Yuhao’s cheek.
“I’m thinking about whether to have grilled fish or roasted bear paw for dinner,” Huo Yuhao replied offhandedly.
“Wow!
Really?!
I want bear paw!” Tianmeng immediately squealed with excitement.
Beside them, Gu Yuena’s ears twitched imperceptibly at the mention of “grilled fish.”
Feeling the varied moods of his companions beside him and gazing at the road stretching out to the horizon, Huo Yuhao felt at peace.
Life at the White Tiger Duke Mansion already felt like a lifetime ago.
The small villa in Heaven Dou City had also faded into scenery left behind.
Awaiting them ahead was the boundless Douluo Continent, the peril-filled soul beast forests, and an unfathomable fate.
But this time, he was no longer alone.
He had them…