The night in the Dragon's Rest Inn was a deep and profound well of silence. Outside, the city slept under a blanket of moonlight, its draconic architecture softened into gentle, shadowed curves. Inside the luxurious suite, two goddesses slept, their breathing as soft and even as the tide on a tranquil sea. But for Huo Yuhao, sleep was a distant shore. He was adrift in a different kind of ocean—the vast, shimmering, and newly transformed expanse of his own soul.
His consciousness floated in the heart of his Spiritual Sea. But the sea he knew, the familiar, shimmering lake of spiritual energy, was gone. In its place was a greater world.
The lake had expanded into a boundless ocean, its surface a perfect, placid mirror that stretched to an infinite horizon. Above, the shimmering sky of his old sea had become a deep, velvet cosmos, dotted with a billion tiny, pulsing stars, each one a mote of pure spiritual essence. In the center of this cosmos, the three orbs representing his Martial Souls hung like celestial bodies: the multi-colored sun of his Spirit Eyes, the cold jade-green planet of his Ice Jade Empress, and the quiet, sorrowful grey moon of his Necromantic Soul.
He felt a profound, fundamental shift in his very being. Before, his spiritual energy was a finite resource, a well that could run dry. Now, it was a self-sustaining ecosystem. The energy flowed from the ocean, rose to become the stars, and then the starlight would rain back down, replenishing the ocean in a perfect, endless cycle.
This was the Spirit Sea Realm.
A qualitative leap in spiritual power that the book of fate had only hinted at, a realm his future-self had not achieved until much, much later in his life.
The million-year origin of Skydream Iceworm, a treasure beyond all reckoning, had not just given him a Soul Ring; it had rebuilt the very foundations of his soul.
'It's… endless,' he thought, a sense of profound, humbling awe washing over him. 'My spiritual energy… it will recover at a rate I never imagined possible. My capacity for sustained spiritual attacks, for maintaining my domain, for fueling the Soul Tools I create… it has all been magnified tenfold.'
A brilliant, pulsing light drew his attention. Before him floated the new Soul Ring, circling the orb of his Spirit Eyes. Its true form was a sight of breathtaking power—a deep, vibrant crimson, the color of a setting sun, with an internal, golden light that pulsed with the weight of a million years.
This was a Million-Year Soul Ring, a thing of myth and legend.
But as he watched, the crimson light wavered, and under the invisible guidance of his own will, the Imitation skill activated.
The brilliant red faded, shifting to a deep, respectable yellow. A hundred-year ring. It was a perfect disguise, a veil to hide a god-like power behind a mask of simple talent.
The last of Skydream's origin energy, having forged this miracle, washed through his physical body in a final, potent wave. He felt the barrier at Soul Rank 28, which had felt so solid just a day ago, begin to crack and tremble under the assault. With a final, gentle push, it shattered.
His Soul Power surged, a warm, potent current that flooded his newly widened meridians, finally coming to rest at the very peak of Rank 29. He was a breath away from becoming a Soul Elder.
The surge was incredible, but he felt the bittersweet truth behind it. This was the last great gift his first friend could give him in this way.
'Brother Skydream…' he projected softly into the quiet sea.
A faint, tired pulse of light answered him from a distant corner of the cosmos, where a dim, crystalline form was resting. 'Heh. Told you it would be good, kid…' Skydream's mental voice was a weak, sleepy murmur. 'The Boundless Sea… not bad, eh? A fitting home for a brilliant mind like mine to… nap in…'
'Rest, Brother Skydream,' Huo Yuhao said, his voice filled with a gratitude so deep it was almost a physical ache. 'You have done more than enough. I promise you, I will not call upon you. I will not let you exert yourself again. Rest until you are whole. I can handle things from here.'
'Good kid…' Skydream's voice faded into a contented, spiritual snore, leaving Huo Yuhao alone in the silent, magnificent universe of his own soul. He felt a profound sense of power, but also a deep, quiet responsibility. The path forward was his to walk now.
The first rays of dawn were just beginning to paint the sky when he awoke, the feeling of his new power a comfortable, familiar weight within him. Jin Xi was still asleep beside him, one slender arm thrown possessively across his chest, her blonde hair a chaotic, beautiful mess on the pillows. He gently extricated himself, careful not to wake her, and moved to the common area of their suite.
Xue Nu was already awake, sitting in a meditative posture on the balcony, her silver hair catching the pale morning light. She opened her eyes as he approached, a quiet, knowing look on her serene face. She could feel the change in him, the new depth to his Soul Power, the profound stillness of his spiritual aura.
"You have had a breakthrough," she stated simply, her voice as calm as the morning air.
Huo Yuhao nodded, a small smile on his face. "A gift from a friend."
A short while later, Jin Xi emerged from the bedroom, yawning and stretching like a great golden cat. "Morning, you two early birds," she said, her voice still thick with sleep. She padded over to him, her ruby eyes still a little blurry. "Did you sleep well? You were as still as a stone all night."
"I slept very well," he replied. He decided there was no reason to hide the truth from them. They were his pack. "Brother Skydream… he used the last of his concentrated origin to grant me a second Soul Ring for my Spirit Eyes last night."
Jin Xi's sleepiness vanished instantly. Her eyes went wide, a look of genuine, profound surprise on her beautiful face. She stared at him, then at the empty air where the boisterous spirit usually floated, and a new, complex emotion flickered in her gaze. It was respect. Unadulterated, genuine respect.
"He… he did that?" she whispered, her voice losing its usual teasing lilt. "That noisy, arrogant, completely insufferable bug… he used up that much of his million-year old origin essence… for you?"
She was silent for a long moment, a thoughtful frown on her face. "Hmph," she said finally, crossing her arms. "Well. I suppose he is not entirely without merit. Just a little. It was a good and proper thing for a subordinate to do for his master. A very fine gift."
Huo Yuhao knew that this was the highest praise she was capable of giving Skydream, and he smiled. It was a sign of how far their strange little family had come.
Xue Nu simply nodded, her expression one of calm approval. "A noble sacrifice. He has earned his rest."
They settled around the large table in the common area, a silent servant from the inn bringing them a breakfast of warm bread, fresh fruit, and fragrant tea. The comfortable silence was eventually broken by Jin Xi, her mind, as always, turning to the most immediate and exciting question.
"So!" she declared, popping a bright red berry into her mouth. "What is the grand plan for today, my clever little craftsman? Another tour of the city's finest eateries? A visit to the weapons district to see if they have any spears worthy of my notice? Or shall we go back to the amusement park? I still have not tried the ride that drops you from a great height. It looks terrifyingly delightful."
Huo Yuhao took a slow sip of his tea, his expression thoughtful. The peaceful interlude was over. His new power demanded a new plan. A new direction.
"I've been thinking," he began, setting his cup down. "About our next steps. We have a few options."
The two women gave him their full attention, their breakfast forgotten.
"We could, as we originally planned, return to the Star Dou Great Forest," he said, laying out the first option. "It is the safest place for us. We could spend years there, cultivating in peace, growing stronger."
"Boring," Jin Xi declared instantly, though without any real heat.
"A viable, if slow, path," Xue Nu commented with a thoughtful nod.
"However," Huo Yuhao continued, his gaze becoming more intense, "there is another opportunity on the horizon. An event that could allow us to acquire treasures that would be immensely beneficial for our future. In four months, the Continental Advanced Soul Dueling Tournament will be held."
He paused, letting the famous name sink in. "This year, it is being hosted by the Star Luo Empire. And alongside the tournament, the Starlight Auction House will be holding its most prestigious, top-tier auction of the decade. They will be selling treasures of immense rarity—ancient Soul Bones, legendary rare metals, perhaps even… some powerful Soul Tools."
The last part was aimed directly at Jin Xi. He watched as her ruby eyes widened, a flicker of avaricious interest instantly ignited.
"The problem," he went on, "is that this auction is not open to the public. You cannot simply buy your way in. Attendance is by invitation only, extended to the great sects, the imperial families, and the participating teams from the continent's most powerful academies. To get a seat at that auction, we need status. We need the backing of a recognized power."
"So what are you proposing, Yuhao?" Xue Nu asked, her calm voice cutting to the heart of the matter. "You wish to join one of these powers?"
Huo Yuhao nodded. "Yes. The Imperial family of this Heaven Soul Empire would be the ideal choice. As the ruler of this vast land, their family possesses great power and resources. They have their own academy, the Imperial Mystical Academy, which is considered one of the top five on the continent."
He leaned forward, his plan now fully formed and laid bare before them. "I will seek enrollment in their academy. My second Martial Soul, the Ice Jade Scorpion Empress, possesses the attribute of Ultimate Ice. This is an immense, irresistible advantage. With it, I can create a small area where any ice-attribute Soul Master fighting alongside me would find their own power amplified, their Martial Soul temporarily elevated towards the Ultimate attribute. For a team battle, like those in the tournament, this is a heaven-defying ability. They will not refuse me."
He looked at them, his eyes shining with a calm, strategic light. "I do not care about winning their tournament. I do not care about the glory of their academy. I will use their name, their prestige, to get an invitation to that auction. And while I am there," a small, crafty smile touched his lips, "I will use the academy's resources—their forges, their libraries, their access to rare metals—to continue my own work. I will craft more Soul Tools, perfect my skills, and in the process, acquire the immense wealth we will need to bid for the treasures we want."
The plan was audacious, complex, and filled with a cold, pragmatic logic. It was the plan of a chess master, moving his pieces across the continent to achieve a singular, hidden goal.
Jin Xi and Xue Nu were silent for a moment, processing the sheer, serpentine cunning of the boy before them.
"A very human plan," Jin Xi said finally, a slow, predatory grin spreading across her face. "And it is wonderfully practical. I approve."
"Your path is clear," Xue Nu agreed with a simple, elegant nod.
"But," Huo Yuhao's expression turned serious, his gaze soft as he looked at them. "This is my path. My mission. It will be dangerous, and it will require me to be immersed in the world of human politics and rivalries. It is not a place for you."
He took a deep breath. "I want you both to go back. Return to the Star Dou Great Forest. You will be safe there, with Lord Di Tian and the others. You can cultivate in peace. It is the best place for you."
He raised a hand, forestalling Jin Xi's immediate, fiery protest. "I will not be in danger. I have my new abilities. The Imitation skill can keep me hidden in plain sight. And," he touched the small pouch at his waist, where he could feel the faint, potent thrum of the dragon scale, "I still have this. If I face a danger I truly cannot handle, I can summon Lord Di Tian. I will be safe."
He looked at them, his heart aching at the thought of separating, but his mind convinced it was the right, logical, and safest choice for them. "Go back, Xi'er, Xue Nu. Wait for me there. I will return after the auction is over."
The silence that followed his words was heavy, profound, and filled with an impending storm.
Jin Xi stared at him. Her ruby eyes, which had been sparkling with amusement and greed, now held a look of such profound, icy fury that it made the air in the room crackle.
"No," she said.
Her voice was not loud. It was a quiet, perfectly controlled, and utterly final statement.
"What did you say?" Huo Yuhao asked, taken aback by the sheer, unshakeable force of her refusal.
"I said, no," she repeated, leaning forward, her veiled face inches from his, her eyes burning like twin coals. "Did you not hear me, Yuhao? Or did you think my opinion was merely a suggestion to be considered and then discarded?"
She stood up, her fists clenched at her sides, her regal form radiating an aura of pure, indignant rage. "Are you a fool? Do you truly think, after everything we have been through, that I would simply turn around and go back to the forest like a good little pet and wait for you? We are a pack! You, me, and her," she gestured towards Xue Nu. "Packs do not abandon their members to go on dangerous hunts alone! Especially not the smallest, cleverest, and most foolishly brave member of the pack!"
Her voice trembled with a fierce, protective passion. "And what about my Seventh Soul Ring? You promised you would help me find a suitable beast and turn it into my Soul Spirit when I reach level 70. Are you giving up on that promise? No. I am not leaving. I will stay here, in this city. I will find a nice, quiet courtyard to rent. I will cultivate, I will eat pastries, and I will wait for you to visit me when you are not busy playing academy student. And if you think you can stop me, you are welcome to try."
Before Huo Yuhao could even respond to her passionate, furious declaration, Xue Nu's calm, serene voice cut through the air.
"She is correct, Yuhao," she said, her sky-blue eyes fixed on him, her expression one of unshakeable, logical resolve. "Your plan to send us away is born of concern, but it is strategically flawed."
She stood and walked to stand beside Jin Xi, a silent, beautiful wall of united feminine will. "As Jin Xi has stated, we are comrades. The strength of a group is greater than the strength of an individual. My own combat power is sufficient to handle most threats this Empire can muster, even an ordinary Titled Douluo. Should you find yourself in a situation where even Di Tian's scale cannot be used, our presence here in the city would be a far swifter and more reliable line of defense."
She tilted her head, a hint of her own quiet pride in her voice. "And while the cultivation speed here is indeed inferior to the Lake of Life, it is not without its merits. To be immersed in this world, to observe its laws and its people, is a form of cultivation in itself. It will temper my spirit and broaden my understanding. I, too, will remain."
Huo Yuhao stared at them. At the furious, radiant golden queen and the serene, unshakeable snow empress. He was outnumbered. Outmaneuvered. Out-argued. He saw the absolute, unyielding conviction in their eyes. There was no changing their minds.
A feeling of profound, overwhelming helplessness washed over him. It was the helplessness of being cared for so fiercely, so completely, that his own logical plans were rendered moot.
And beneath the helplessness, a deep, quiet, and incredibly warm happiness bloomed in his chest.
He dropped his head into his hands and let out a long, suffering sigh that was halfway to a laugh.
"Fine," he said, his voice muffled by his hands. "You win. You both win. You can stay. But do remember Xi'er that I wasn't going to abandon my promise to you, I planned to get you a Soul Spirit for your Seventh Soul Ring soon."
A triumphant, beaming smile broke across Jin Xi's face. She rushed over and threw her arms around him in a tight, victorious hug. "Of course, we win. We are always right. Now," she said, her voice once again buzzing with practical energy. "Let's finish breakfast. You have a prestigious academy to infiltrate, and I need my strength for a long day of courtyard-hunting!"
Huo Yuhao just shook his head, a helpless, happy smile on his face. His path forward was set. And he would not be walking it alone.