First Meeting with Huo Yuhao

Xu Zihuang snapped back to his senses and hurriedly stored the Life Gold, now exposed in its true form, into the Storage Soul Tool on his wrist. He then circulated his Soul Power, absorbing every trace of the life aura that had dispersed throughout the room.

The Storage Ring that had once held his External Soul Bone, the Brilliant Dragon Claw, was too conspicuous, so he had entrusted it to Yaoyang for safekeeping. He had switched back to this bracelet-shaped Storage Soul Tool.

When he left Yueshu Island, he had not brought much with him.

There were only a few Soul Tools he had made himself, some changes of clothes, and one thousand Gold Soul Coins. The Storage Soul Tool on his wrist was itself a Level 5 Soul Tool, and its capacity was more than enough for him.

This cultivation session lasted a full day and night. The cleansing of the Life Gold's life aura had not increased Xu Zihuang's Cultivation, but it made him feel as though his body had become as crystal-clear and translucent as the Life Gold itself. Everything from the past three years of arduous cultivation seemed to have been nourished by that dense life aura, merging together completely into a single whole.

Carrying that wondrous sensation, Xu Zihuang did not even realize that he had entered a rare state of Deep Meditation.

When Xu Zihuang opened his eyes again, Lin Long, who had been sitting opposite him and keeping watch, was immediately startled. At the sight of Xu Zihuang's eyes, densely covered in brilliant golden patterns, even someone of his Cultivation was momentarily dazed.

Within that incomparably clear gold, his pupils radiated a gentle glow, as though one could see a vast ocean within them.

The intense shock made Lin Long instinctively hold his breath. He could not help calling out softly, "Young Master?"

Feeling the Spiritual Power in his Sea of Consciousness, which had nearly doubled, Xu Zihuang was filled with delight.

He had merely been nourished by a small portion of the life aura leaking from the Life Gold, yet he had gained such benefits.

This only strengthened the conviction in his heart.

He had to make a trip to the Star Dou Great Forest before Huo Yuhao did. If he could obtain Electrolux's help, he would be able to completely integrate this piece of Life Gold into his Sea of Consciousness.

"Elder Lin, how long have I been cultivating?" Xu Zihuang asked Lin Long as he rose to his feet, walked over to the window, and pulled open the curtains.

What entered his sight was an enormous harbor. Rows of massive ships were docked nearby, while the harbor square was bustling with crowds.

"Have we already arrived at the South Sea coast of the Star Luo Empire?"

"Young Master, you have been cultivating for nearly half a month. This ship reached the Star Luo Empire seven days ago. Fortunately, you finished cultivating today." Lin Long gave a wry smile.

"That's good." Xu Zihuang could not help letting out a breath of relief.

There were still nearly two months before Shrek Academy began accepting students, so he had plenty of time.

Xu Zihuang and Lin Long went one after the other to the deck of the massive ship, where quite a few sailors were hauling cargo back and forth.

They had traveled aboard a merchant ship that operated between Yueshu Island and the Star Luo Empire, and it would remain docked at this harbor for some time.

It was precisely for this reason that Xu Zihuang's cultivation had not been interrupted.

Xu Zihuang did not waste any time here. After briefly resting in a city of the Star Luo Empire near the harbor and purchasing some supplies, he parted ways with Lin Long.

This had been decided before they set out.

The war between the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire had already subsided, and the Star Luo Empire was still quite safe. After all, it was the strongest of the Three Great Empires originally belonging to the Douluo Continent.

Moreover, the situation in the Yuenan Islands was also delicate. It was always better to have one more Soul Sage stationed on Yueshu Island.

To eliminate any possibility of exposing information about his background, he had not brought along the Flying Soul Tool he had used before.

After all, that Flying Soul Tool used the latest Soul Tool Technology from the Sun Moon Empire.

With no other choice, he had to use the most primitive method and rent a carriage to travel all the way to Star Luo City.

Though Xu Zihuang was of noble birth, he had never been someone who lived in luxury and could not endure hardship. His three years of imprisonment, followed by three years of bitter cultivation on Yueshu Island, had long since forged his resilient character.

Even within the bumpy carriage, he remained immersed in cultivation. Naturally, he did not find the journey particularly long.

In the blink of an eye, fifteen days had passed. Pulling aside the carriage curtain, he could already see the vast outline of a towering city in the distance.

Before him was the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City, a city with a history spanning tens of thousands of years.

While the carriage was still some distance from the South City Gate of Star Luo City, Xu Zihuang took out ten Gold Soul Coins from his Soul Tool and tossed them to the driver.

"Stop here. There's no need to enter the city."

As they neared Star Luo City, the driver had slowed the carriage considerably to avoid offending any nobles within the city. Delightedly accepting the Gold Soul Coins, he naturally had no objection to Xu Zihuang's request.

"Yes, Lord Soul Master."

Having used all kinds of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to temper his body from a young age, Xu Zihuang had very few impurities in his body. Even after rushing along the road all this way, he did not carry the slightest air of travel-weariness.

His smooth, medium-length black hair fell over his shoulders. His steady steps gave him an unworldly, independent grace. The understated black clothing that fit close to his body further outlined his perfect muscular contours.

But the moment he stepped down from the carriage, strange silver patterns abruptly surfaced between his brows. He hurriedly covered his forehead on instinct.

A series of fragmented images flashed through his mind once more.

Perhaps it was because his Spiritual Power had improved through three years of cultivation, or perhaps for some other reason.

A powerful impulse unexpectedly arose within him—to head for the Star Dou Great Forest immediately.

"Could it be related to that Silver Scale White Whale? What exactly are these images appearing in my mind?"

Frowning as he looked toward the Star Dou Great Forest northwest of Star Luo City, Xu Zihuang had far too many questions in his heart.

After taking a deep breath, he stopped hesitating.

Circulating his Soul Power, his figure flickered several times before swiftly vanishing toward the northwest outside Star Luo City.

But when a golden palace-like building entered his field of vision, his gaze immediately froze. More precisely, it froze upon the figure that walked out from within.

At the rear gate on the northern side of that imposing estate, a small, thin figure quietly slipped out.

He was a boy who appeared to be eleven or twelve years old. His build was well-proportioned, and his simple gray cloth clothes were neat and clean. A small bundle was strapped to his back. His short black hair was tidy and sharp, while his little face bore a determination far beyond his years.

Gently closing the rear gate, the boy quickly took several steps before abruptly stopping. He turned back toward the Duke's Mansion, and deep hatred appeared in his dark blue eyes.

"Mother, watch over me from heaven. No matter how much effort it takes, one day, I will return and trample everything here beneath my feet. From this day onward, I will take your surname. My surname will be Huo—Huo Yuhao."

After saying this, he gave the Duke's Mansion one last deep look before turning away and leaving without hesitation.

"The plot has changed again. Huo Yuhao left the White Tiger Duke's Mansion earlier than expected?!" Xu Zihuang unconsciously clenched his fists, then slowly loosened them.

There was still time!