Huo Yuhao's Choice

"You could have slept a little longer." In the living room, Old Chen sipped his tea as he spoke to Huo Yuhao, who had just arrived.

Huo Yuhao felt that Old Chen seemed unable to live without tea. "I'm used to getting up early. As the saying goes, the early bird catches the worm."

Old Chen's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "That's not wrong. Go get your breakfast from the kitchen."

Huo Yuhao immediately turned and headed for the kitchen without the slightest hesitation.

People were made of iron, meals were made of steel. Skip one meal, and you'd be starving.

The breakfast was not especially lavish, but it was highly nutritious: a fragrant bowl of milk tea, two boiled eggs as large as an adult's fist, and a piece of roasted meat.

Huo Yuhao finished it quickly. Feeling the fullness in his stomach, he clenched his fists. At that moment, he felt the surge of power.

He could definitely punch a goose that ruled the countryside to death with one blow.

After returning to the living room, Huo Yuhao stood respectfully to one side without sitting down.

Seeing Huo Yuhao return, Old Chen said, "Sit. It's still early, and Luoli won't be back for a while. I'll take this chance to tell you something."

Huo Yuhao nodded and sat down on the sofa.

Old Chen pondered for a moment before asking, "Tell me, on our Douluo Continent, what profession is held in the highest regard?"

"Of course, Soul Masters." Huo Yuhao answered immediately.

"That's right. Soul Masters are the most respected." Old Chen said, "But besides Soul Masters, there is another profession that is also respected: Soul Engineers."

"You can think of Soul Engineers as a branch of Soul Masters. A Soul Master may not necessarily be a Soul Engineer, but a Soul Engineer must certainly be a Soul Master. Soul Engineers specialize in creating all manner of powerful weapons."

Huo Yuhao naturally knew all this, but Old Chen did not know that he was a transmigrator. He simply taught him as though he were a novice student.

Huo Yuhao listened with great focus, and Old Chen nodded in satisfaction. "Although this old man does not wish to discourage you, you know as well as I do that the flaw in your Innate Soul Power will make it difficult for you to become an outstanding Soul Master in the future. So my suggestion is that you work hard to become a Soul Engineer."

"Why?" Huo Yuhao voiced his question.

He had an omniscient perspective, but Old Chen did not. He knew that Old Chen was sincerely offering him advice and hoping that his future would go smoothly.

Old Chen explained, "It's very simple. Your Martial Soul is the Spirit Eye, so your Spiritual Power is innately stronger than that of ordinary Soul Masters. When making Soul Tools, you can achieve twice the result with half the effort. While it will be difficult for you to become a powerful Soul Engineer, becoming a low-level Soul Engineer will be no trouble for you."

"Nowadays, the use of Soul Tools across Douluo Continent is steadily increasing. There are more than a dozen shops in Star Luo City alone that make Soul Tools. They may not be immensely wealthy, but they have no trouble living comfortable lives."

"Don't be fooled by those nobles who reject Soul Tools one after another, claiming that using them disgraces Soul Masters. Low-level Soul Masters do not think that way, especially mercenaries who live with their lives on the line. If a Soul Tool could save their lives, do you think they would not pursue them fanatically?"

"Does Old Chen mean for me to go to Star Luo City and become an apprentice at a shop that makes Soul Tools?" Huo Yuhao looked at him.

"No." Old Chen shook his head. "Since you plan to leave the Duke's Mansion, why stay in the Star Luo Empire? My plan is for you to go to Shrek City and become an apprentice at a shop that makes Soul Tools."

"Shrek City?" Huo Yuhao froze for a moment.

After his soul had transmigrated into Huo Yuhao, he had considered whether he should go to Shrek Academy or the Sun Moon Empire in the future.

But he had yet to make up his mind.

When Old Chen mentioned Shrek City, a thought flashed through Huo Yuhao's mind.

Old Chen chuckled. "The strongest place on the continent for making Soul Tools is undoubtedly the Sun Moon Empire. But among the original Three Great Empires of Douluo Continent, the strongest place for making Soul Tools is certainly Shrek City, home to Shrek Academy. It is also an economic hub, where many transactions among the Three Great Empires take place."

"Once you go there, you will have more opportunities. Moreover, Shrek City is very close to the Star Dou Great Forest, so obtaining Soul Rings in the future will be relatively more feasible for you. After all, your Martial Soul is too unusual. Soul Beasts with spiritual attributes are not easy to find."

"Unfortunately, I do not know any friends in Shrek City who work with Soul Tools. Otherwise, I would recommend you directly. So if you go to Shrek City in the future, you will have to search on your own. Just consider what I have told you today."

Huo Yuhao lowered his head, considering Old Chen's words.

Setting Soul Engineering aside, where should he go in the future?

If he chose to go to the Sun Moon Empire, he would have to start over from scratch. That would mean abandoning the development route of the Original Work and giving up a path he was more familiar with. Of course, given the uniqueness of his Martial Soul, he might receive special attention after going to the Sun Moon Empire—but he might also be ignored entirely. Who could say for sure?

If he chose Shrek Academy, Huo Yuhao was worried that a certain fellow whose catchphrase was "you have already stepped onto the Path to Death" might scheme against him.

He had been a person for too long. He was not used to being treated like a dog and ordered around.

Even being intimate with his own wife would be restricted. It was truly laughable.

However, looking back at the Original Work, Huo Yuhao understood some things.

Although Tang San had sensed the birth of a New Star on Douluo Continent, he had not initially realized it was him. So when exactly did Tang San discover that Huo Yuhao was the New Star he had sensed?

That was a question.

But overall, setting Tang San aside, Shrek Academy was indeed one of the best destinations.

Although Shrek Academy had a poor reputation, most notably for its double standards, one could not deny that Shrek Academy was truly powerful. It was an excellent backer.

In the Original Work, Shrek Academy helped the Three Great Empires withstand the Sun Moon Empire's assault. And in the end? Although Tang San prevented Ju Zi from going further and unifying the continent, the Sun Moon Federation in Legend of the Dragon King had already made clear who the winner was.

Even so, Shrek Academy still existed. Of course... in the end, Shrek Academy was still blown away by two godslayer-class Fixed Soul Tool Cannon Shells.

That was not bad, either. Others had endured for over ten thousand years before finally blowing you away.

As for going to the Body Sect, forget it. Their sect's location was hidden away in some remote corner, and there was no way you could find it.

"Forget it. I'll take it one step at a time."

Caught in indecision, Huo Yuhao decided to set the matter aside for now, even though he had already made a preliminary decision in his heart.

On the other side, Old Chen was in no hurry for Huo Yuhao's answer. He glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, then stood up in confusion and left the living room for the entrance of Falling Maple Courtyard.

Normally, Dai Luoli should have arrived by now. Yet today, he was actually late.

"What is going on? This child is usually quite good at following the rules." Old Chen frowned as he looked at the quiet scene beyond the gate.

"Tap, tap, tap."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from the other side of the artificial stream. A little boy of around nine rushed over in a panic.

The moment Old Chen saw him, his expression turned stern.

It's over. Grandpa Chen really was waiting for me. When Dai Luoli reached the arched bridge, he noticed Old Chen standing at the entrance. Fear immediately appeared on his face. It seemed he was going to be punished with a strike on the palm.

Dear readers, today is the first round of recommendation PK. I'm asking everyone for some follow-up reads and recommendation votes. Thank you all!