Illusion Brain Douluo Han Tianyi

Dai Yuhao felt that this dream had lasted especially long. More than ten days had passed, yet he still had not awakened.

But these past days had been happier than any he had ever known. There was endless delicious food, and everyone around him treated him gently and kindly. No one bullied him or stole his things like they had at the Duke Mansion.

"Xiao Yuhao."

At the familiar voice, Dai Yuhao immediately lifted his head, bright joy rippling through his eyes. "Aunt Leng!"

Leng Yaozhu appeared in the doorway with a gentle smile on her face.

She stepped closer and crouched before Dai Yuhao, meeting his gaze at eye level. In a soft voice, she asked, "Xiao Yuhao, do you want to become powerful? So that you can properly protect your mom in the future."

Those words were like a stone dropped into the lake of his heart, instantly stirring the firmest ripples in Dai Yuhao's eyes.

He nodded forcefully without the slightest hesitation. His little fists unconsciously clenched, and though his voice was childish, it carried a rare stubbornness.

"I do! I want to become stronger. I want to protect Mom!"

As he said this, an image from not long ago uncontrollably flashed through his mind.

He and his mom had been held down, their mouths tightly covered, left at the mercy of others without even being able to cry out.

The deep pain and helpless tears in his mom's eyes, the humiliation and terror born of weakness, were like a thorn embedded deep in his heart.

The seed of wanting to grow stronger had already been quietly planted at that moment.

Now, at Leng Yaozhu's gentle touch, it broke through the soil and grew into a clear desire.

"Good. Then come with me, Xiao Yuhao."

Leng Yaozhu took Dai Yuhao's hand and led him out of the room and into a Soul Guidance Elevator.

Over the past few days, Dai Yuhao had already curiously explored many places within the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters. The dizzying novelty he had initially felt had gradually settled into a hazy familiarity.

The elevator doors slid open again. Leng Yaozhu led him through a softly lit corridor before finally stopping in front of an unassuming door.

She pushed it open, and Dai Yuhao followed close behind.

The room was not large. It even seemed somewhat empty.

Its four walls were white, without any decorations or furnishings, so clean that it was almost desolate.

The only eye-catching sight was an elderly man in a plain gray robe sitting cross-legged directly across from them.

Dai Yuhao subconsciously tilted his little head, a trace of obvious surprise passing through his clear eyes.

There was nothing beneath the elder, yet he floated silently several feet above the ground. The hem of his robe did not move in the slightest, as though he had been frozen in another space.

"Why does Vice Tower Master Leng have time today to visit this humble old man's shabby quarters?"

The elder's voice was vigorous yet calm, faintly echoing through the empty room.

His eyes remained naturally closed, yet he had clearly sensed the identity of his visitors long ago.

A perfectly measured respect and smile appeared on Leng Yaozhu's face. "Elder Han, I apologize for disturbing you so abruptly, but I have come to ask for your help."

As she spoke, she turned slightly and gently guided Dai Yuhao in front of her, placing a hand on the child's thin shoulder. "This child... has a somewhat weak innate foundation. His vital energy and blood are insufficient. I would like to ask you to examine him and see whether you can help restore him."

The Elder Han Leng Yaozhu spoke of was Han Tianyi, a Level 98 Super Douluo with the title Illusion Brain.

His martial soul was extremely unique: it was his own brain. He had originally belonged to the Body Sect, but later joined the Spirit Pagoda, where he was highly respected.

Leng Yaozhu had specifically come to him this time because the Body Sect understood the mysteries of the human body better than anyone else.

Since she had decided to wait for Martial Soul Awakening three years later, she naturally had to ensure that Dai Yuhao remained healthy and built a stable foundation during that time, so he could greet the day of his awakening in his best condition.

Of course, she had also called upon her personal connections to invite Han Tianyi because, after spending these days together, she had grown quite fond of Dai Yuhao.

Even if he ultimately proved not to be "Huo Yuhao," she still hoped that this child, whose fate had been so full of hardship, could have a decent starting point.

Han Tianyi had now fully opened his eyes. His eyes, which seemed capable of perceiving the slightest detail, rested on Dai Yuhao for a moment as invisible senses swept over the child's entire body like a delicate stream.

With his cultivation, he instantly detected that the child's vital energy and blood were indeed weak. His bones and muscles had not been damaged, but he was clearly malnourished, and there were faint traces of old hidden injuries within his body. It was not simply a case of "innate weakness."

Then, his gaze shifted to Leng Yaozhu, and an oddly amused smile suddenly appeared on his aged face.

"This kid... is the one you brought back from outside some time ago, isn't he?"

"What exactly is his relationship with you?"

At his words, Leng Yaozhu lightly raised a brow. "I didn't expect even Elder Han to be interested in such baseless rumors, just like everyone else."

She naturally knew of all the speculation within the Spirit Pagoda regarding Dai Yuhao's identity. Some said he was her junior, others claimed he was a disciple she intended to take in, and there were even rumors that Dai Yuhao was her illegitimate son from outside.

She had never offered a single word of explanation for any of it, and her attitude remained the same in the face of Han Tianyi's probing.

She merely smiled faintly, her tone easy yet carrying an unquestionable decisiveness. "If Elder Han does not wish to help, then I will take him elsewhere."

As she spoke, she made as if to take Dai Yuhao's hand and turn to leave.

"Hey... no, no, no!"

Seeing that Leng Yaozhu truly intended to leave, Han Tianyi hurriedly called out to stop her.

The hint of amusement on his face quickly vanished, replaced by helpless yet amused seriousness. "You girl, still as impatient as ever! When did this old man say I wouldn't help?"

He naturally understood Leng Yaozhu's standing. Not only was she the powerful Vice Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda, she was also the clan head of the Phoenix Clan, a top-tier soul master family. She herself was a Four-Word Battle Armor Master and a Quasi-Demigod-level powerhouse.

When a figure like her personally came to make a request, he naturally had no reason to refuse, whether out of sentiment, reason, public duty, or private consideration.

Leng Yaozhu turned back around, a smile of success appearing on her face. "Then I'll trouble you, Elder Han. Xiao Yuhao will be in your care."

She gently patted Dai Yuhao's back, signaling for him to step forward.

Dai Yuhao looked timidly at the elder floating in midair, then turned back toward Aunt Leng, who was encouraging him. At last, he gathered his courage and shuffled a small step forward.

Imitating the way he had seen others pay their respects, he awkwardly yet earnestly bowed. "E-Elder Han, hello."

Han Tianyi's cross-legged legs silently unfolded, and his body steadily rose upright.

Only then did Dai Yuhao truly feel how tall the other man was—probably more than two meters, like a steady mountain carrying an invisible sense of pressure.

Han Tianyi first smiled at Dai Yuhao, then the smile faded from his face as his gaze turned to Leng Yaozhu.

"This old man can agree to help restore this child's health, but... I have two conditions."

Seeing Leng Yaozhu nod slightly and assume a posture that invited him to continue.

Han Tianyi extended a withered finger and spoke slowly. "First, for a child of this age, the best way to strengthen his foundation is through dietary nourishment."

"However, some of the ingredients required are quite rare and difficult to gather. These old bones of mine are not suited to running around everywhere."

Leng Yaozhu immediately understood and answered crisply, "Elder Han need only make a list. I will handle the ingredients."

"Good."

A trace of satisfaction flashed through Han Tianyi's eyes. He then raised a second finger. "Second, this boy is not a member of the Body Sect. This old man can help restore his body."

"But the Body Sect's true core secret arts and cultivation methods will absolutely not be passed on to him."

"This must be made clear in advance."

Leng Yaozhu was not surprised in the slightest and nodded solemnly. "Naturally. Elder Han's willingness to restore his foundation is already a great kindness. We will never force the matter of the Body Sect's secret arts."

"Since Vice Tower Master Leng has agreed to both conditions." Han Tianyi's expression relaxed as he turned his gaze back to the slightly nervous Dai Yuhao. "Then from this moment onward, this boy will temporarily be entrusted to this old man."