I Picked Up a Dragon, Folks

Although she had never seen the other party in person either, during those ten thousand-plus years, Qiu'er had sensed her aura several times and had personally witnessed Di Tian respectfully address her as Master.

Having once exchanged memories with Qiu'er, Huo Yuhao naturally recognized that unique aura at once.

But precisely because he knew her identity, he was even more astonished. The person before him could practically be called a legendary existence, and judging by her actions, she had clearly let him discover her on purpose.

Even though he had been a god in his past life, that was in the past. Right now, there was an enormous gap in strength between him and the Soul Beast Matriarch. If she wanted to hide herself, he likely would not have been able to find her even with Mental Detection activated.

From that alone, it seemed she had willingly revealed her whereabouts and harbored no ill intent. As for why she had sought him out...

Could it be because Qiu'er sensed me?

As Huo Yuhao pondered this, a faint fragrance suddenly reached his nose. He instinctively looked up, only to see that the girl had already crossed space and arrived before him. Her amethyst-like eyes regarded him with undisguised curiosity.

Feeling rather uncomfortable beneath her gaze, Huo Yuhao finally could not help speaking again.

"May I ask what you seek from me, Senior?"

"Why didn't you kill him?"

"Hm?"

Hearing the girl's question, Huo Yuhao looked deeply at her. "Senior, you jest. I've only just obtained my first ring. How could I possibly kill a Level Ninety-Eight Titled Douluo?"

"I've never heard of a one-ring Soul Master daring to provoke a Titled Douluo."

The girl paused before continuing. "And when he looked at you, you weren't afraid."

"...I'm simply more reserved with my emotions."

Huo Yuhao shook his head impassively and casually changed the subject. "Senior did not seek me out over such a trivial matter, did you? Is there anything else?"

Just as the girl had said, since he had dared to say those things in front of Xuan Zi, he was not afraid of Xuan Zi attacking him. Before merging with Skydream Iceworm, he might not have had that capability, but after the fusion, everything had changed.

By borrowing the Spiritual Power from Skydream Iceworm's Million Years of cultivation, Predestined Death could absolutely affect Xuan Zi. However, it was not something he could use at will. His current body could not withstand such immense Spiritual Power. Even with the Eye of Destiny serving as a buffer and protection, he would likely suffer extremely severe injuries. At most, it could only be used as a last-ditch measure.

The girl before him clearly did not believe his nonsense, but she did not press the matter further. Instead, she spoke calmly.

"...I saw the ritual between you and that silkworm. I want to know what it was."

Huo Yuhao froze for a moment, then immediately realized she was referring to the Soul Spirit Ritual he had performed with Skydream Iceworm earlier. Still, he was not particularly surprised.

When he had entered the Star Dou Great Forest, the Eye of Destiny had sensed Qiu'er's approximate location. After discovering that Qiu'er's position had not changed, he had assumed the connection was one-way and that Qiu'er had not sensed him. Now, it seemed the Silver Dragon King had stopped her.

Looking at the girl before him, an idea suddenly came to Huo Yuhao.

The real leader of the soul beasts was standing right in front of him, and she was curious about the Soul Spirit Contract. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity to pitch it?

Quickly slipping into character, Huo Yuhao cleared his throat twice and began introducing the Soul Spirit Contract with a serious expression.

"This is a new technique invented by my teacher, called Soul Spirits. As for its effects, I believe Senior saw them earlier. It can transform soul beasts into a special form of energy while preserving their consciousness."

Although the Soul Spirit Contract in his previous life had failed to truly stop the decline in soul beast numbers, its overall direction had at least been correct. Now that his teacher Electrolux was by his side again, as long as they were given time to improve the Soul Spirit Contract, those issues could be completely resolved.

The girl merely listened in silence. Only after Huo Yuhao had explained all the benefits the Soul Spirit Contract offered both sides did she calmly ask in return,

"So you wish to persuade me to promote the Soul Spirit Contract?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

An inexplicable emotion seemed to enter the girl's voice as her slightly scrutinizing gaze fell upon Huo Yuhao. "I don't understand what benefit this brings you. You are clearly a..."

She did not say the final words, "Human God," but she believed that was already enough for Huo Yuhao to understand that she had seen through his identity.

Naturally, she could tell that the Soul Spirit Contract would greatly help ease the relationship between humans and soul beasts. The example had been clearly placed before her just moments ago.

But that was also what confused her. She had originally thought that only the remnant soul of a god had arrived in this world after death, yet the emergence of the Soul Spirit Contract made her realize this matter might be even more complicated than she had imagined.

"...Consider it the struggle of someone afraid of death."

Since she had not mentioned the Auspicious Beast, Huo Yuhao naturally would not take the initiative to reveal his relationship with Qiu'er. He merely tugged at the corner of his lips.

"No matter how powerful I was before, that was before. Now, faced with the Soul Beast Matriarch, I have to show some value if I want to stay alive, don't I?"

"Is that so?"

The girl stepped forward, her violet eyes fixed unblinkingly upon him as though she wanted to see through him completely.

A moment later, her ethereal voice rang out again, mercilessly exposing his lie.

"In my eyes, you were never afraid of me from the beginning, just as you were not afraid of that Titled Douluo. And your eyes tell me that you are not so afraid of death either."

Looking into the girl's violet eyes, Huo Yuhao's smile gradually faded, his expression becoming extraordinarily calm. After a long while, he let out a soft sigh and spoke.

"Because I have the ability, I must do it."

The scene from his previous life before he charged into the Spatial-Temporal Turbulence surfaced in his mind. Huo Yuhao slightly raised his head, his gaze passing through gaps in the leaves. The azure sky seemed to meld with his eyes.

"I was able to come this far only because of the help of many soul beasts."

He slowly lowered his gaze and stared at her with emotions she could not understand, speaking each word distinctly.

"So I believe I should do something for them. That is all."

"..."

The girl seemed not to have expected that answer. She no longer looked into Huo Yuhao's eyes. After a moment of silence, she gently shook her head.

"I'm sorry. Although your Soul Spirit Contract can help repair the relationship between humans and soul beasts to some extent, I cannot agree to your request yet."

"I can indeed promote the Soul Spirit Contract among soul beasts, but you cannot promote it among humans. At least, not in your current state."

Even if the boy before her had once been a god, he was still extremely weak now. Although humans had more order than soul beasts, strength remained indispensable if one wished to have a voice.

"Furthermore, judging from the Soul Spirit Contract's current effects, you humans still benefit more. Among soul beasts, those nearing the end of their lifespan or crippled and dying are not particularly numerous. They simply cannot supply the demand of your Soul Masters. Once those are used up, how can you guarantee that humans will not target other healthy adult soul beasts?"

"Although you said you would improve the Soul Spirit Contract, there has not been the slightest progress so far. Of course, I do not require you to perfect it entirely, but you must let me see that you possess the ability to improve it, rather than using a half-finished product to deceive me."

"Therefore, when you possess enough influence in the human world and let me personally witness the Soul Spirit Contract's progress, I will agree to your proposal. You will also become an eternal friend of us soul beasts."

"...A very reasonable request."

Huo Yuhao nodded. He naturally had not expected to convince the Soul Beast Matriarch with words alone. Her demands were entirely for the sake of soul beasts, and it was already quite good that she was willing to give him a promise.

Besides, even if she agreed now, just as she had said, he had no way to promote the Soul Spirit Contract among Soul Masters. This matter could not be rushed.

"I will produce results as soon as possible. Once the time is right, I'll return to the Star Dou Great Forest to visit."

"There's no need for that trouble."

Before he could finish, the girl directly interrupted him. She shot Huo Yuhao a sidelong glance, her tone calm.

"I will go with you. I also happen to want to see what humanity has developed into now."

"...?"

Huo Yuhao did not react for a moment, while the girl, as though she had anticipated his response, slowly spoke.

"Consider it an investment."

"If you truly can change the circumstances of soul beasts in the future, then this will be my repayment for your goodwill."

Huo Yuhao was somewhat surprised. "You think that highly of me?"

He had guessed that the Silver Dragon King might be curious about what he had displayed, curious about the Divine Realm. But correspondingly, he would have a potential bodyguard even stronger than Di Tian by his side.

Compared to the drawbacks, which would have almost no impact on him, the benefits were simply unimaginable.

The girl shook her head. "I merely believe that someone like you ought to accomplish something."

After saying that, she thought for a moment and added, "Of course, if the investment fails, I lose nothing."

Hearing this, Huo Yuhao opened his mouth, only to find that he did not know what to say.

He always felt like something was strange.

After hesitating for a long while, he looked up at the peerlessly beautiful girl before him and asked somewhat uncertainly,

"Then... where will you stay?"

At that, the girl tilted her head toward him. Her amethyst-like eyes blinked.

Then blinked again...