First Meeting with Huo Yuhao

The fact proved that there was a reason why the Body Sect had so few members.

Aside from the innate rarity of Body Martial Souls, the Body Sect's almost perverse cultivation methods were also beyond what ordinary people could endure.

Besides aerial training, Mu Ye had once submerged Xu Tianming in the Far North Sea.

Using the Far North Sea's extreme cold, the sea soul beasts, and the water pressure, he continuously tempered Xu Tianming's body.

Of course, all sorts of heavenly treasures had never been lacking during his physical training.

Especially the meat of certain sea soul beasts—after being cooked by Mu Ye, the master chef—it was impeccable in color, aroma, and taste.

Under such near-torturous training, Xu Tianming had ultimately gritted his teeth and endured.

"Too much is as bad as too little. Your Highness's physical strength has already reached the limit for someone of your level."

At the northwestern entrance to Star Dou Forest, Mu Ye looked at the valiant youth beside him, a hint of satisfaction flashing through his eyes.

Even he had not expected Xu Tianming, who appeared to have been pampered, to persist through the Body Sect's inhuman training.

Five years passed in the blink of an eye.

Xu Tianming was no longer the six-year-old child he had once been.

Standing in the morning light, he had a tall, upright posture. His understated formal attire outlined the firm, streamlined contours of his body.

His sharply defined face had a jawline as cleanly cut as a blade, yet it had not acquired the overly harsh angles of adulthood.

Most striking of all were his exceptionally bright eyes, which shimmered with an unusual light like stars.

"Elder Mu, are you sure you investigated this thoroughly?"

His gaze unconsciously swept across the dense vegetation around them. Xu Tianming's voice was cool, though it still carried a trace of the innocence unique to youth.

"Yes. Following Your Highness's orders, I located the still-young Spirit Ice Douluo."

Mu Ye raised a hand and pointed in a certain direction.

"I presume that Spirit Ice Douluo should appear in that direction before long?"

It could only be said that Tang San was truly insidious. In order to make Huo Yuhao obediently serve as his dog in the God Realm,

he had actually pulled Huo Yuhao into the God Realm before he was prepared.

This was why, in the era of Legend of the Dragon King ten thousand years later, Huo Yuhao was recorded as missing.

And Douluo Continent's sole faith naturally remained that Tang God King.

"Then let's wait a little longer."

Xu Tianming rubbed his chin, a contemplative expression appearing on his face.

He had first sent Mu Ye to gather information, then traveled all the way from the Sun Moon Empire to Star Dou Forest. Naturally, he had not come sightseeing.

No matter what, he had to get involved with Sky Dream Ice Silkworm and Electrolux, the two greatest opportunities of the Peerless Tang Sect era.

But his feelings toward Huo Yuhao were somewhat complicated.

After all, he was Douluo Continent's Child of Destiny, yet in the end he had fallen into becoming one of Tang San's dogs.

By the finale, he had even changed his own name to Dai Yuhao. That was a bit too much of a dark joke.

"Hm?"

Just as thoughts churned through Xu Tianming's mind, an enticing aroma of grilled food drifted over from nearby.

"Elder Mu, just hide in the shadows."

After a brief pause, Xu Tianming instructed Mu Ye.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Mu Ye nodded slightly, then flashed away and vanished from where he stood.

Seeing Mu Ye disappear, Xu Tianming immediately headed toward the source of the fragrance.

"Great! This is enough to last at least two days, and once it's cooked, it won't spoil so easily!"

Beside a stream not far from Star Dou Forest's entrance,

a youth dressed plainly, his clothes even faded from repeated washing, was happily preparing several fish in his hands.

After washing the fish clean, the youth used dead branches to set up several racks before lighting a small campfire.

Before long, a distinctive fragrance wafted from the fish roasting beside the flames.

"Lighting a fire in Star Dou Forest isn't a very smart thing to do."

Just as the youth focused on the grilled fish before him, a voice abruptly sounded behind him.

Looking at the youth before him, who was about his own age but more than half a head shorter and extremely thin, Xu Tianming knew he had found the right person.

"Who are you?"

Perhaps because Xu Tianming had appeared so suddenly, Huo Yuhao was clearly on guard.

"Could it be... could it be that Star Dou Forest doesn't allow people to light fires?"

"It's not that you can't light a fire. It's just that flames can easily attract powerful soul beasts, so Spirit Masters generally don't light fires in Star Dou Forest."

Xu Tianming smiled softly.

"Ah... then I... I should put it out!"

Hearing that his fire might attract powerful soul beasts, obvious panic flashed across Huo Yuhao's face.

"It's fine. This is the outer region of Star Dou Forest, so there probably aren't any particularly powerful soul beasts around."

Xu Tianming winked at Huo Yuhao and plopped down beside the fire.

"Besides, if you put out the fire, where am I supposed to get such delicious grilled fish?"

"Little brother, we met by chance. Could you treat me to a meal? Of course, I won't eat for free. I'll help you hunt a Soul Ring. What do you say?"

Xu Tianming's words made Huo Yuhao blush, and he hurriedly replied,

"Then I... I'll treat you!"

As he spoke, Huo Yuhao prepared to hand the grilled fish beside the fire to Xu Tianming.

"It smells so good!"

At that moment, another delighted cry rang out. The voice was crisp and pleasant, but it startled Huo Yuhao so badly that the grilled fish in his hand nearly fell to the ground.

The two of them looked toward the voice at the same time and saw two people walking along the stream.

One was a pretty, charming young woman, while the other was a handsome and refined young man.

"Little brother, are you selling that grilled fish? It smells so good! How did you make it?"

The young woman hurried over to Huo Yuhao in a few quick steps, staring hungrily at the grilled fish in his hand.

"Um... I'll treat you both."

Huo Yuhao's face reddened as he instinctively handed the grilled fish to the young woman.

"Heh, then I won't stand on ceremony."

Ignoring the heat in her hands, the young woman took the grilled fish and sat down nearby to eat.

"Teacher Xiaoya, these two brothers haven't even gotten to eat any themselves!"

The young man following behind her sighed. His gaze swept over Huo Yuhao and Xu Tianming before finally settling on Xu Tianming.

For some reason, he sensed an extreme danger from this person.

"It's fine. I was also drawn here by the aroma of this little brother's grilled fish."

Xu Tianming knew these two were Beibei and Tang Ya, so he immediately shook his head with a smile.

"Then I'll treat everyone to some!"

Huo Yuhao was clearly flustered. He hurriedly took out two more cleaned fish and placed them beside the fire.

"Then thank you."

Beibei smiled at Huo Yuhao, then clasped his hands and said,

"My name is Beibei, and she is Tang Ya. May I ask the names of you two little brothers?"