Safe and Sound

Manufacturing and selling Soul Tool is no easy task.

Those rare metals are incredibly expensive, and there is no guarantee one can even find a source to purchase them.

With only a few dozen Gold Soul Coin to his name, he probably couldn't even afford a single pound of the most common metal.

Therefore, until he accumulates enough Gold Soul Coin, he must rely on the low-cost grilled fish business to make a living.

After undergoing a simple inspection by the guards at the city gate, the mother and son stepped into this bustling city.

The streets were crowded with people coming and going, bustling with noise and excitement.

Huo Yun'er looked at everything around her with curiosity, her eyes revealing a hint of unease toward the new environment.

In contrast, Huo Yuhao appeared much more composed.

He simply followed quietly by his mother's side, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings from time to time as if observing something.

Upon seeing a blacksmith shop at the street corner, Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up instantly.

Since he planned to make a living by selling grilled fish, he would need a custom-made grill.

He took Huo Yun'er's hand and headed straight toward the blacksmith shop.

Once the details for the grill were settled at the shop, the two spent the rest of the time searching for a suitable place to stay.

However, considering that they would surely move to a larger and better house once he earned enough money, Huo Yuhao was in no rush to sign a long-term lease.

After all, Heaven Dou City is the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, and the cost of living is high. Renting a satisfactory house for a long term would likely cost a significant amount.

Eventually, after some comparison by Huo Yuhao and various rounds of bargaining between Huo Yun'er and the agent, they successfully rented a house with a small private courtyard. The lease was set for three months.

Watching Huo Yuhao handle everything in an orderly fashion, Huo Yun'er couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

When Huo Yuhao returned covered in blood that day, Huo Yun'er knew that they could no longer remain in the White Tiger Duke Mansion.

Recalling the scene when they first fled the White Tiger Duke Mansion, she remembered being filled with panic and confusion, not knowing where to go.

Yet, at only ten years old, Huo Yuhao had remained exceptionally calm and mature, arranging everything with precision.

From escaping the mansion to traveling all the way to Heaven Dou City, almost everything had been managed by Huo Yuhao.

Even on the road, Huo Yuhao would channel a warm current into her body, which greatly eased her exhausted frame.

All of this felt like a dream, somewhat unreal.

"Mother."

Just as Huo Yun'er was lost in thought while tidying the bedding, Huo Yuhao suddenly called out.

"Hmm? What is it, Yuhao?"

Huo Yun'er snapped back to reality and asked softly, looking at him.

"I don't want to carry the Dai surname anymore. I want to change my name to Huo Yuhao."

Huo Yuhao stated this in a calm tone, leaving Huo Yun'er stunned. Before she could react, his voice sounded again.

"From now on, I am no longer the son of that White Tiger Duke; I am only your son. I will not let a single one of those who bullied you go unpunished. I will make them pay the price they deserve."

Hearing this, Huo Yun'er felt a sudden ache in her heart, her eyes turning red.

She quickly dropped the bedding in her hands, took a few steps toward Huo Yuhao, and pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Yuhao, don't be impulsive. Don't do anything foolish."

Huo Yun'er took a deep breath, struggling to calm her emotions, and reached out to gently stroke Huo Yuhao's hair.

"Mother has never cared about whether you can take revenge. As long as you can grow up safe and sound, Mother will be content."

The Black Tortoise Sect, a sect that was once somewhat famous on the Douluo Continent.

After ten thousand years of baptism and accumulation, it has now risen to the ranks of the super sects of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Inside a private room of a restaurant in Heaven Dou City.

"Heaven Dou City..."

"If it's chaotic, the Xu family calls the shots..."

"The Black Tortoise Sect is the sky of Heaven Dou City..."

A middle-aged man lay on a recliner, humming a tune while sipping wine.

The man was named Xu Sheng. Although he possessed the Black Tortoise martial soul, his talent was mediocre; at over forty years old, he was only a four-ring Soul Ancestor.

He was primarily responsible for scouting virgins for the Black Tortoise Sect, as the main line of the Xu family possessed a martial soul known as the Black Tortoise Turtle Shell Shield.

It is said that this martial soul contains the bloodline of the divine beast Black Tortoise, but it requires a second awakening.

Therefore, a secret known only to them circulated within the Black Tortoise Sect—the secret of the evolution of the Black Tortoise Turtle Shell Shield.

Direct-line males of the Black Tortoise Sect, while possessing the Black Tortoise martial soul, can trigger the Black Tortoise power within them through a second awakening.

After ten thousand years of constant exploration and experimentation by the Xu family, they have gradually mastered the safest and most successful method for this second awakening.

That method requires a young man of the Xu family, while still a virgin, to consummate the union with a maiden who has also never known a man, all within the context of a specific sacrificial ritual.

"Knock, knock, knock."

A series of short, sharp knocks echoed.

A youth with a somewhat sleazy appearance pushed the door open and bowed in greeting:

"Uncle Sheng, I have finished investigating the matter you entrusted to me."

"The girl's family is indeed in dire straits, and her mother has recently met with an accident."

Seeing Chen Wen enter, Xu Sheng's face broke into a smile.

"I knew this wouldn't go wrong; San Shi has been relentlessly pursuing that girl back at Shrek Academy."

"If this task is completed successfully, the rewards for both of us will certainly be substantial."

As Xu Sheng spoke, he raised an eyebrow and shifted into a more serious expression.

"However, you must be careful when handling this. Do not be overly hasty or provoke the other party."

"If it truly cannot be done, then so be it; there are plenty of other candidates to choose from."

After all, this sort of business was hardly honorable.

Although the Black Tortoise Sect was a reclusive sect, they had no choice but to resort to such measures for the sake of their heritage and continuation.

Therefore, whenever an outstanding young disciple of the family encountered such a situation, they would carefully select a woman of clean background.

Provided the woman was entirely willing, they would offer a large sum of Gold Soul Coin as compensation.

If the woman was willing to join the Black Tortoise Sect, she could at least become a concubine, and there had even been precedents where deep affection led to them becoming legitimate wives later on.

If she did not wish to join the Black Tortoise Sect, she could take the money and leave to start a new life.

It was just that the target they had chosen this time was a student of Shrek Academy.

Although she was only an outer court student, it was said that her talent was quite exceptional, so Xu Sheng naturally did not want to make too much of a scene and risk complications.

"Rest assured, Uncle Sheng, you can put your heart at ease regarding my work."

Chen Wen nodded repeatedly, patting his chest in assurance.

"Just wait and see, I will definitely handle this matter for you perfectly."

With that, Chen Wen exited the room and gently closed the door behind him.