“The world really is better with technological progress.”
Huo Yuhao was currently holding a small lighter in his hand.
He had picked it up shortly before leaving.
Apparently, all he needed to do was channel Soul Power into it and press down to start a fire immediately.
The old method of rubbing sticks together to make fire was hopelessly outdated.
Technology really did make life easier.
By now, Huo Yuhao had passed through the Outer Region of Star Dou Forest.
The terrain he had crossed earlier was relatively flat, with sparse vegetation and only scattered shrubs and weeds.
The ground still bore plenty of traces left by human groups stopping to rest and by carts rolling through.
In the distance, he could even see sentry posts belonging to the various empires and a few broken road signs.
From time to time, Huo Yuhao also came across abandoned tents left behind by passing Soul Masters and dried-out Soul Beast remains.
Although the Outer Region of Star Dou Forest was only the shallowest part of the forest, the Origin Life Energy inherent to the entire Star Dou Forest still permeated the surroundings.
The concentration of Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth was far greater than outside, and even the circulation of Huo Yuhao’s Soul Power during Cultivation felt smoother than before.
At the moment, Huo Yuhao was beside a small stream, preparing to grill a few fish he had just caught.
Relying on the exceptional targeting ability of his Spirit Eyes, he thrust a forked branch precisely into the water and skewered several lively greenfish in quick succession, each more than half a foot long.
He took out the White Tiger Dagger.
Its blade was incredibly sharp, allowing him to scrape off the scales, cut open the belly, and remove the innards in one smooth sequence.
As time passed, the fish skin slowly changed from pale greenish-white to light yellow, then roasted into a glossy golden brown.
Firelight reflected across the surface, giving the fish an enticing amber sheen.
Grilled fish was one of Huo Yuhao’s specialties.
In truth, he could probably live comfortably anywhere on the continent just by selling it.
Unfortunately, such a peaceful life seemed almost impossible for someone like Huo Yuhao.
As the aroma spread through the air, Huo Yuhao sensed a dark figure dart through the nearby grass before lunging straight toward him.
Huo Yuhao immediately sprang to his feet, leaped aside, and held the White Tiger Dagger horizontally in front of him.
The creature was now fully exposed to his view.
It was a baboon roughly a meter tall, covered in brownish-yellow fur.
Its eyes were brown, its arms unusually long, and its hands ended in sharp claws.
Canine teeth protruded from its lips, while a vicious gleam filled its eyes.
Without a doubt, it was a Wind Baboon!
After missing its first attack, the Wind Baboon stopped moving again.
Its eyes glared fiercely at the seemingly relaxed Huo Yuhao, as though waiting for the chance to kill him in a single strike.
With a low growl, the Wind Baboon kicked hard off the ground and lunged at Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao merely stepped to the side and dodged it again.
“How pathetic.
Is that really all you’ve got?”
Whether it understood Huo Yuhao’s mockery or was simply enraged after missing twice in a row, the Wind Baboon reared up and pounded its chest furiously with both fists.
Then it suddenly opened its mouth wide in Huo Yuhao’s direction.
A ball of white light immediately shot from its mouth and flew straight toward him.
Unfortunately, the white light dissipated completely before it had even made it halfway.
Immediately afterward, the White Tiger Dagger shot forward like an arrow and struck the Wind Baboon squarely in the head.
As expected, it collapsed on the spot.
A faint white glow then appeared over the baboon’s body.
Gradually, the light gathered above it and condensed into a white halo.
“Trash Soul Ring.”
Putting aside the fact that it was an ordinary Soul Ring and completely incompatible with his Spiritual Attribute, it was only a 10-Year Soul Ring.
It was practically the worst of the worst.
Soul Beasts with the Spiritual Attribute were incredibly difficult to find, and even then, the age of the Soul Ring had to be suitable.
When was he ever going to encounter a top-tier Soul Beast with the Spiritual Attribute?
“Can’t heaven just send me one directly?
Never mind, I’m kidding.”
Huo Yuhao said it casually, then turned to catch a few more fish.
Suddenly, without any warning, a voice rang out inside his mind.
“Hahahahaha!
It’s true that surviving disaster brings good fortune.
Big Sister has finally found a human with a Spiritual Attribute!”
“What the heck?”
The ground began to shake.
A crack split open beneath him, and an icy chill suddenly spread through the surroundings.
Before Huo Yuhao could react, an enormous figure appeared in front of him.
It seemed to be…
a silkworm?
Its entire body was the color of fine, warm white jade and was almost completely translucent.
Its plump body had the smooth luster of white jade, making the ten golden rings wrapped around it stand out even more brilliantly.
The moment Huo Yuhao tried to sense it, he discovered that the creature’s Spiritual Power was like a vast, surging ocean, completely beyond measure.
Such powerful Spiritual Power!
It was even stronger than Sister Lexuan’s had been.
Could this thing be a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?
Huo Yuhao was speechless.
If heaven was going to send him a Spiritual-Type Soul Beast, did it really have to send him one this outrageous?
His master and master’s wife still had not awakened.
Was this really going to become his burial ground?
The Iceworm stared curiously at Huo Yuhao, whose eyes had suddenly turned one green and one purple.
Still, she had better calm him down first.
Judging by his expression, he looked ready to fight to the death.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.
Big Sister won’t hurt you.”
The same voice echoed through Huo Yuhao’s mind again.
Huo Yuhao stared at her in surprise.
“You’re talking to me?”
The Iceworm nodded, her voice continuing to sound directly inside his mind.
“Of course it’s Big Sister.
What, have you been captivated by my beautiful, delicate body?”
As she spoke, the Iceworm happily wriggled a few times.
Realizing that she did not seem to harbor even the slightest hostility, Huo Yuhao relaxed somewhat, though he still took several steps backward.
“What do you want?”
“Ahem.
First, allow me to introduce myself.
I am the embodiment of wisdom and beauty, a peerless powerhouse who has cultivated for a full million years, and the holder of the longest lifespan record on the Douluo Continent.
Skydream Iceworm!”
“A million years?!”
“That’s right.
Surprised?
You’re the first human ever to meet a great being like me.”
“Then you must have plenty of amazing battle achievements, right?
Like punching Di Tian and kicking Snow Lady around?”
Huo Yuhao had naturally learned about the Ten Great Savage Beasts from the books he had read, yet Skydream had seemingly never appeared in any records.
Skydream fell silent.
“…”
“Forget about that.
Today, Big Sister is going to become your Soul Ring, the one and only Intelligent Soul Ring on the Douluo Continent!”
“Huh?”
A free 1,000,000-Year Soul Ring?
Was this for real?
“All right, I won’t hurt you.
We don’t have much time, so Big Sister is starting now.
Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.
It won’t hurt too much!”
The instant she finished speaking, Skydream’s ten golden rings rapidly spread out and enveloped Huo Yuhao.
At the same time, Skydream herself transformed into streams of white light that continuously poured into his body.
“Hmm, his physical condition is decent, and his Spiritual Power…
excellent!
He’s even opened up his Spirit Sea Realm already.
Big Sister really struck gold this time.
I was originally planning to add a few more seals if this kid was too weak, but there’s no need for nearly that many now.
Hahahaha!”
At that moment, the sky suddenly darkened.
A thunderous rumble echoed high above.
An enormous, suffocating pressure descended from the heavens.
Skydream, who was in the middle of fusing with Huo Yuhao, immediately revealed a look of shock.
Clearly, the oppressive presence in the sky had nothing to do with her.
Worse still, it was something beyond even her understanding.
“What dares to compete with Big Sister for him?”
Skydream flew into a rage.
Her immense Spiritual Power surged out instantly as she attempted to drive the gray current out of Huo Yuhao’s body.
A blurry human figure appeared beside Huo Yuhao.
“I grasp the sun and moon and pluck the stars.
There is no one in this world like me.
I never imagined that even a wisp of this old man’s lingering soul would remain in the world!”
Faced with Skydream’s overwhelming Spiritual Power, the figure seemed completely unaffected.
With a whoosh, it shot into the back of Huo Yuhao’s head and vanished.
“I can’t possibly be this unlucky, can I?
I finally found a human with a Spiritual Attribute, and now some bastard is trying to steal him from me.
Poor me!”
“…Forget it.
Big Sister won’t bother arguing with someone like that.”
With that, Skydream accelerated her fusion with Huo Yuhao.
Her figure gradually became transparent before disappearing completely.
Skydream took one last look at Huo Yuhao, who had long since fallen unconscious, and smiled smugly.
“Just you wait.
Once I’ve raised him into a god, I, Skydream, will definitely come back for revenge!”