First Meeting with Yuhao

Time always passed quickly, especially for Soul Masters wholly immersed in cultivation. Winter gave way to summer, spring to autumn, and another year was drawing to a close.

A rare light rain fell over Shrek Academy, lending the entire campus a touch of chill. Wang Nan held an umbrella as he walked out of the academy through the rain.

He planned to obtain his Fourth Soul Ring during this Winter Break.

Ever since obtaining the Right Arm Bone, Wang Nan's physical strength had also been rising rapidly. He estimated that the Soul Ring he could withstand this time would exceed that of an ordinary Soul Ancestor, somewhere between six thousand and eight thousand years.

Soul Beasts of that age were rather rare in the Outer Zone of the Star Dou Great Forest. He might have to venture into the Mixed Zone, so it would be safer to return home and bring his father along.

At the academy gates, a luxurious carriage was parked there. Wang Nan merely glanced at it before looking away. Just as he was about to pass by, a voice suddenly called out from behind him.

"Junior Brother Wang, are you returning to Star Luo City?" Dai Yueheng poked his head out of the carriage and called to Wang Nan.

"So it's Senior Brother Dai."

Dai Yueheng stepped down from the carriage and approached Wang Nan. A burly man behind him came forward and held up a large umbrella.

"There's no telling when this rain will stop. If Junior Brother Wang doesn't mind, come ride in my carriage. We happen to be heading back the same way."

A faint smile rested on Dai Yueheng's face as he looked at Wang Nan.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Dai, but this little rain is nothing. I can just walk back."

"No need to stand on ceremony, Junior Brother Wang. We're classmates, and..." At this point, Dai Yueheng lowered his voice and discreetly gave Wang Nan a meaningful look. "Ever since that incident, I've wanted to find a chance to thank you properly. But you missed the Soul Fighting Competition, and you're usually busy with your studies, so it's rare for us to meet. This is the perfect opportunity for me to show my gratitude."

Seeing that Dai Yueheng was not merely being polite but sincerely inviting him, Wang Nan agreed. Riding together was no great matter, after all, so he followed him into the carriage.

Whether it was due to the carriage's materials or something placed inside, Wang Nan felt a warm current spread through his body the moment he entered.

"When this carriage was built, some Crimson Spirit Warm Jade was installed inside," Dai Yueheng explained of his own accord. "I was still young when Mother gave me this gift. She was worried I might catch cold, so she had some added. But I rarely used this carriage after that."

"Oh? Why was that?" Seeing Dai Yueheng look at him, Wang Nan naturally played along.

"You may not know this, Junior Brother. Although I was born in the Duke's Mansion, Father was strict with me from a young age. Before I had even awakened my Martial Soul, he made me fight low-year Soul Beasts. After obtaining my First Soul Ring, I entered the army with Father, so I had little use for this carriage."

Dai Yueheng reminisced with some emotion before steering the topic toward Wang Nan. "When we carried out that mission last time, I saw how decisive and efficient you were. Did you have similar experiences as a child?"

"At the time, I saw such a horrific scene and was overcome with anger, so I didn't think much about it. Looking back afterward, I was somewhat afraid as well," Wang Nan explained, half truthfully and half falsely.

"Junior Brother truly has a righteous heart." Dai Yueheng nodded. "The first time I went to the battlefield was during the war against the Sun Moon Empire. Their Soul Tools remain unforgettable to this day."

As Dai Yueheng watched Wang Nan's reaction, he guided the conversation toward Soul Tools. He knew Wang Nan differed from the other Shrek students in that he had been interested in Soul Tools from the very beginning.

As the heir of Duke White Tiger, Dai Yueheng had been trained from childhood in every word and gesture. How to converse with others and how to draw closer to them came naturally to him.

The carriage traveled for a day and a night. Aside from meditation, Dai Yueheng kept searching for topics to discuss, and the two of them got along quite well.

"Young Master, we've arrived."

Wang Nan and Dai Yueheng stepped down from the carriage together. Before them stood a palace-like structure, with golden roofs and red gates, ancient and elegant in design. The words "Duke's Mansion" were written atop the several-zhang-high archway.

"We're here already?" Dai Yueheng said in surprise. "It seems Junior Brother and I are quite in sync. We talked for so long without even realizing it."

Wang Nan merely smiled.

Along the way, Dai Yueheng had either discussed the development of Soul Tools or foods from different regions—all topics Wang Nan enjoyed. It was obvious he had prepared beforehand. Wang Nan had not noticed at first, but after the entire journey, he could tell Dai Yueheng was deliberately trying to befriend him.

"Junior Brother, since you're here, why not stop by my home for a while?" After getting down from the carriage, Dai Yueheng came to Wang Nan's side again. "My mother has always taught me to treat guests well. If you leave now, Mother will scold me again when I return."

"You wouldn't want to see your senior brother get reprimanded by his mother, would you?"

Seeing this, Wang Nan knew he could not refuse, so he agreed along with Dai Yueheng's words.

They entered the gates of the Duke's Mansion and passed through the courtyard. Ahead lay a pebble-paved path, with lush green bamboo planted on both sides.

Dai Yueheng whispered something to the guard beside him, then quickly returned to Wang Nan's side.

"I've already arranged for a simple meal to be prepared. I'll show Junior Brother around the residence first, and afterward I'll have someone send you home."

"Then thank you, Senior Brother Dai." Since he was already here, one more meal made little difference, so Wang Nan no longer declined.

"It's only proper." Dai Yueheng smiled. "Look, Junior Brother. These are Soul Tempering Bamboo. They may not count as Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, but planting more around oneself can still keep one refreshed and energized."

Dai Yueheng introduced the surroundings as they walked. Everyone they encountered lowered their heads and stepped aside. Wang Nan got to experience the treatment of someone above others while following Dai Yueheng—until a boy appeared before them.

This was a side courtyard. When Dai Yueheng arrived, all the servants lowered their heads and stood to one side. Among them was a child who looked six or seven years old. He seemed somewhat frail due to malnutrition, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.

This is... what a coincidence?

Fine, Wang Nan admitted that part of why he had agreed to visit the Duke's Mansion with Dai Yueheng was because he wanted to see this person. After all, in his previous life, he had gone through many things alongside this child. Still, he had not expected to truly meet him.

Following Wang Nan's gaze, Dai Yueheng frowned slightly. "This is a child born to one of the servants in the residence and some..."

At that point, Dai Yueheng seemed to feel that his wording was inappropriate, so he changed his phrasing. "A child she had with someone unknown. My mother is kindhearted and could not bear to see him wandering the streets, so she kept him here to do odd jobs."

"I see." Wang Nan nodded, appearing to genuinely believe the explanation.

Wang Nan followed Dai Yueheng a few more steps when he suddenly felt someone's gaze fall upon him.

His Spiritual Power was extremely sharp. With such an undisguised stare, he identified its source almost instantly.

Wang Nan abruptly turned around and saw Huo Yuhao lower his head in panic. His hands were clenched tightly, his entire body stiff with obvious tension.

"What is it, Junior Brother?"

"Nothing."