I Am Huo Gua

Huo Yuhao's consciousness seemed to plunge into an endless, icy blue ocean.

The daze brought on by the forceful impact gradually faded. A gentle, icy power enveloped his consciousness as it sank slowly into the depths of his Spiritual Sea.

Only when his consciousness had fully taken shape did he finally see what his Spiritual Sea looked like.

It was no longer the tiny lake from before, nearly dried up and dotted with only a few faint points of light. It had expanded into a boundless, icy blue sea of stars.

Boundless spiritual power flowed slowly through the sea of stars like a surging river. At its center, a brilliant golden crystal floated motionless, radiating an endless stream of life force. It was none other than Life Gold.

In the deepest part of the sea of stars, a section of ancient, dark green wood had taken root. Like a pillar anchoring the seas, it held the foundations of the entire Spiritual Sea steady.

And right in front of him, a plump, round white worm was wobbling on eight pairs of stubby little legs, smiling at him.

"Little guy, you're awake?" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's amused voice echoed leisurely through the Spiritual Sea.

"So, what do you think? Doesn't your world feel completely different now?"

Huo Yuhao gazed at the vast Spiritual Sea before him and felt the surging power coursing through his body. He was still utterly bewildered.

He instinctively raised a hand to touch his conscious form, his voice trembling. "This...? And... you really are a Million-Year Soul Beast? I'm not dreaming, am I?"

Even now, he still couldn't believe that he, an illegitimate son with only one level of Innate Soul Power, whom everyone in White Tiger Duke Mansion called a "good-for-nothing," had received the sacrifice of a Million-Year Soul Beast and gained an unimaginably powerful Million-Year Soul Ring.

"Your big bro here is the real deal, a Million-Year Soul Beast through and through." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm wobbled his plump body, his tone carrying a trace of pride.

"Your lord here is the only Soul Beast in the history of Douluo Continent to have reached a million years of cultivation. If I hadn't taken a fancy to your character and your Spirit Eye Martial Soul's potential, I wouldn't have given even a Titled Douluo a second glance, even if he begged on his knees."

At that, Tian Meng changed tack, his tone turning coaxing as he began the "sales pitch" Gu Yuan had prepared for him.

"But, little guy, what I've given you is only a starting point. You still have a long road ahead before you can truly stand at the pinnacle of the continent."

Huo Yuhao immediately gathered his thoughts and listened intently. He longed to grow stronger—more than anything.

Only by becoming stronger could he escape the abuse in White Tiger Duke Mansion and avenge his dead mother. He would no longer have to live like an ant, trampled beneath other people's feet.

"Y-You mean...?" Huo Yuhao asked urgently.

"It's simple." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm shook his head, a crafty glint flashing in his eight pairs of little eyes.

"Your Spirit Eye Martial Soul is a rare Mental Attribute Martial Soul. With my Million-Year Soul Ring as your foundation, you'll definitely reach the very top of the continent on the path of spiritual power. What's more, your big bro can give you a Second Martial Soul."

A Second Martial Soul! Those four words exploded in Huo Yuhao's mind like a clap of thunder.

His eyes flew wide open, disbelief filling his voice. "Twin Martial Souls? How is that possible? Twin Martial Souls are a gift only one person in ten thousand possesses. How could I possibly have them?"

He had grown up in White Tiger Duke Mansion and had long since learned the basic facts about the Martial Soul world.

Twin Martial Souls were an innate gift. Most people on Douluo Continent who possessed them were geniuses.

How could a good-for-nothing like him, with just one level of Innate Soul Power, awaken a Second Martial Soul?

"Just because other people can't doesn't mean you can't." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm patted his chest, his tone firm as iron.

"With your big bro here, don't just talk about Twin Martial Souls—even Triple Martial Souls aren't impossible! My origin power is more than enough to forge you a one-of-a-kind Ultimate Ice Second Martial Soul!"

"Ultimate Ice!" Huo Yuhao's breathing instantly quickened.

He knew what an Ultimate Attribute meant. It was one of the greatest gifts on the continent, a symbol of invincibility among those of the same rank! Soul Masters with an Ultimate Attribute would reach at least the level of Super Douluo in the future!

"That's right. Your big bro is just that amazing." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm proudly lifted his head, his tail nearly reaching the sky.

To Huo Yuhao, Sky Dream was a godlike being right now. He'd better show off while he still had the chance.

Sky Dream kept posturing in front of Huo Yuhao for a while longer. Only when he was basking in his own glory did he remember his actual job.

"Yuhao! There's another especially important reason I sacrificed myself to you. Your big bro wants to make a god."

The grand declaration jolted Huo Yuhao, who had been thoroughly swept up in Sky Dream's pitch, wide awake.

What? Become a god? Him, Huo Yuhao? Huh?

Huo Yuhao pointed at himself, his face full of shock and his voice brimming with uncertainty. "Brother Sky Dream, is that really possible? Isn't becoming a god a little...?"

Though Huo Yuhao didn't finish the sentence, Sky Dream already knew what he meant.

"If your big bro says it's possible, then it is. You have to trust me, the first Million-Year Soul Beast on the continent!" Sky Dream reassured Huo Yuhao while taking the opportunity to praise himself.

"And I won't be the only one in this plan. Your big bro will help you recruit more powerful Soul Beasts to support you. All you need to do, Yuhao, is train hard. Believe in yourself—and believe in your big bro."

Then he changed tack and, following Gu Yuan's instructions, deliberately added a few words to subtly reshape Huo Yuhao's view of the future. "The road to the true pinnacle has never been laid out by other people. The road you're meant to walk is right beneath your feet."

"Besides, in the future, you'll meet two truly powerful people. They can give you a path that's even broader and more open."

Huo Yuhao paused, then asked instinctively, "Powerful people? Who do you mean, Brother Sky Dream?"

"You'll find out when the time comes." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm smiled mysteriously and said no more.

"Just remember: follow me, and I'll put you at the very top of the continent. Everyone who looked down on you will grovel at your feet. All you have to do is answer me: do you want this road or not?"

"I do! I want it!" Huo Yuhao answered at once, without the slightest hesitation.

He had no reason to turn down the chance he'd dreamed of, his only chance to escape his fate. No matter how many unknowns lay ahead, he was willing to take the gamble.

"Good! That's the spirit!" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, an old and imposing voice suddenly rose from the depths of the Spiritual Sea. It drifted over, carrying the vast, timeworn weight of one who had crossed worlds.

"A Million-Year Ice Silkworm, and these two treasures that nourish the soul... Little fellow, your fortune far exceeds even my expectations."

Huo Yuhao shuddered and whipped around.

Beside the Life Gold, a golden figure slowly took shape.

He was a man dressed in a golden robe, with a gentle face and a piercing gaze. A holy yet imposing aura of the undead swirled around him. Though deathly energy surrounded him, he possessed a divine presence that rivaled a god's.

It was Electrolux.

Unlike the course of fate in the original timeline, Life Gold and Soul-Nurturing Wood had been infused into him. This fragment of Electrolux's divine consciousness, which had crossed worlds, had not only avoided the brink of dissolution but had been nourished and stabilized. His soul was whole, his aura vast, and he showed no sign of falling asleep.

"Y-You... who are you?!" Huo Yuhao instantly tensed, instinctively stepping in front of Sky Dream Ice Silkworm.

He didn't know who this man was, but anyone who could appear in his Spiritual Sea was certainly no ordinary person.

"Little fellow, don't be nervous." Seeing his wary expression, Electrolux smiled faintly and waved a hand.

"I am Electrolux, merely a remnant soul that wandered into this world by mistake. If not for the Life Gold in your Spiritual Sea, this remnant of mine would have long since vanished into the turbulence of space-time. You could say you saved my life."

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm relaxed too. He wobbled and bowed to Electrolux with his little legs. "So you're a senior. Please forgive my earlier offense."

He could clearly feel the boundless aura emanating from the old man. Even as a remnant soul, he far surpassed Sky Dream's million years of cultivation. He was no match for him at all.

Electrolux gave a slight nod and looked Huo Yuhao up and down for a moment, approval flashing in his eyes.

"To be so young, caught in a mire and yet steadfast of heart... Rare indeed, rare indeed! And with treasures like these protecting you, your future has no limits."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Life Gold and Soul-Nurturing Wood in the Spiritual Sea. A look of understanding crossed his eyes. "These two treasures are no ordinary things. There's no way they could have appeared in your Spiritual Sea without reason."

Huo Yuhao froze and hurriedly asked, "Senior, do you mean these two things didn't come with you?"

"Of course not." Electrolux shook his head.

"I crossed the turbulence of space-time barely able to protect myself. How could I have brought treasures like these? Just before my divine consciousness entered your Spiritual Sea, two powerful beings from the outside sent these treasures into your body."

Two powerful beings? Huo Yuhao instantly remembered what Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had said earlier, and his heart gave a violent thump.

"Senior, those two beings you mentioned... who are they? Why would they help me?" Huo Yuhao asked urgently.

"I don't know who they are." Electrolux smiled faintly and looked up at the sky above the Spiritual Sea, as if he could pierce the layers of barriers and see what was happening outside.

"You only need to know that they mean you no harm. On the contrary, they have high hopes for you. They've paved a far broader road for you than the one fate originally laid out. How far you go is up to the choices you make."

With that, Electrolux's figure slowly turned into a golden streak of light and merged into the Life Gold. But he did not fall asleep. He simply drew in his aura and settled quietly within the Life Gold, becoming another pillar anchoring Huo Yuhao's Spiritual Sea.

Huo Yuhao stood where he was, Electrolux's and Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's words echoing again and again in his mind. He was filled with shock and curiosity.

Who were those two powerful beings? Why were they helping him? And what would they bring him?

Countless questions circled in his mind. Just then, a powerful wave of dizziness swept over him. His consciousness receded like the tide, slowly pulling free of the Spiritual Sea and returning to his body.

Huo Yuhao's eyelashes fluttered a few times before he slowly opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was the towering ancient trees of Star Dou Forest, their branches blotting out the sky. Sunlight streamed through gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows.

The rich fragrance of grass and trees lingered beneath his nose. Its fresh, clear scent instantly cleared the haze from his mind.

He abruptly sat up and instinctively felt his body.

The wounds on his back had completely healed, without leaving even a scar. His once-weak body now brimmed with a seemingly endless supply of strength.

He instinctively circulated his Soul Power, and a dazzling platinum Soul Ring slowly rose from beneath his feet.

At first glance, it seemed like an unremarkable white Soul Ring, but on closer inspection, it was covered in golden patterns. The aura it emanated far surpassed that of a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

"This... this is real! It wasn't a dream!" Huo Yuhao stared at the platinum Soul Ring, trembling with excitement as tears welled in his eyes.

He hurriedly looked inward and instantly gasped.

His Spirit Eye Martial Soul had also undergone earth-shattering changes. It had once been an ordinary Mental Attribute Martial Soul, but now faint golden patterns swirled around it, and light shimmered deep within its pupils. It had evolved into the Ultimate Mental Attribute!

His Soul Power had also surged straight from level 10 to level 20! He only needed a Second Soul Ring to officially become a Soul Grandmaster!

That wasn't all. He could clearly feel the Million-Year Mental Head Soul Bone at his brow had completely fused with him. His spiritual power had multiplied hundreds of times. With the slightest shift of his Spirit Eye, he could sense every stir of wind and grass within several hundred meters—even hear an ant crawling.

In less than an hour, he had gone from a good-for-nothing whom anyone could bully to a genius with a Million-Year Soul Ring, a Soul Bone, an Ultimate Mental Attribute, and level 20 Soul Power!

"Wonderful... just wonderful! Mother, can you see? I've grown stronger! I can finally avenge you!" Huo Yuhao clenched his fists, tears streaming down his cheeks as he murmured to himself, his voice full of ten years' worth of pent-up pain and excitement.