First Meeting with Huo Yuhao

Star Luo Empire, White Tiger Duke Mansion.

Inside a remote woodshed, the cold wind bit to the bone.

"Yuhao, Mother is not going to make it."

"This is the White Tiger Dagger. You are his son; take it and live on."

Huo Yun'er lay on a hard wooden bed, though she was covered by a thick quilt.

However, this quilt was stuffed with hemp and wild grass, providing very poor insulation.

Her complexion was terrible, her lips pale, and her time was running out.

"Mother! I still have money, you must hold on."

"I'll go get you some medicine!"

Huo Yuhao, now a young boy, knelt by the bed, clutching two copper coins tightly in his hand.

Even knowing these two copper coins could not buy much medicine, he still dashed out the door wearing only thin clothes.

Outside, snow filled the sky; the boy ran through the snow, his consciousness beginning to blur.

In his haze, he felt as if he had bumped into something.

It was furry and very warm.

Even when huddling with his mother for warmth, he had never felt such heat.

"Hey, you brat, how rude! You bumped into this Great One!"

Huo Yuhao lowered his head and apologized hurriedly.

"I'm sorry... I'm..."

He looked down and saw two paws in front of him.

Looking up, he saw a Slender Dog with a coat of pure silver.

The Slender Dog was snow-white, with a lithe and slender build, a narrow waist, and a long neck.

Its golden eyes were as sharp as cold stars, its pointed ears stood erect, and its fangs were slightly bared.

Its fur was smooth, its limbs powerful, and it carried an aura of ferocity and solemnity.

Especially in this winter, it seemed inexplicably divine.

Looking to the right, a figure stood nearby, draped in a fox-fur cloak. His clothes were smooth and lustrous, with a miniature angel pattern embroidered on his chest.

"My apologies, sir."

Huo Yuhao bowed to Shen Zhou, who was draped in the fox-fur cloak.

"Hey, you look like a cute little brat, what's the matter, are you blind?"

The Slender Dog spoke again.

Huo Yuhao was startled.

A dog that became a spirit?

A dog that can talk??

I haven't eaten in three days; I must be delirious from hunger.

Before Huo Yuhao could react, Shen Zhou spoke, asking softly.

"Little brother, this dog doesn't know any better, don't mind it."

With that, he kicked the Slender Dog, sending it flying far away.

The Slender Dog traced a graceful arc through the sky, still talking as it flew.

"Boss, that kick was fierce!"

Shen Zhou ignored it and crouched down instead.

"I have a few questions, can you answer them for me?"

"Of course, I won't let you work for nothing; take these Gold Soul Coin."

Shen Zhou opened his palm, revealing about a dozen Gold Soul Coin.

Huo Yuhao hesitated for a moment, then finally accepted the Gold Soul Coin.

This gentleman was dressed extraordinarily, possessed an elegant demeanor, and even the dog he kept was so unusual.

Most importantly, the dog could actually talk.

He had stayed in the White Tiger Duke Mansion for so long and had never seen such a strange occurrence; this gentleman's status was likely exceptionally noble.

Of course, what moved Huo Yuhao the most were those dozen Gold Soul Coin.

For a boy who had yet to become a Soul Master and couldn't even get enough to eat, this was a substantial fortune.

"Please ask, as long as I know, I will tell you everything."

Huo Yuhao silently tucked the Gold Soul Coin into his sleeve, fearing they might sprout legs and fly away the next moment.

"No rush. Seeing you dressed so thinly in the middle of winter, take this cloak."

Shen Zhou pulled off his fox-fur mantle and draped it over Huo Yuhao.

The cloak was quite large, crafted from the pelt of a thousand-year fox-type soul beast, and it was more than enough to cover the frail-bodied Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao was pleasantly surprised, feeling the lingering warmth radiating from the fur.

This garment is truly beautiful, and so warm. I've never worn anything this fine in all my life.

This lord is incredibly generous. If I take this back for Mother to keep warm, we won't have to rely on that thin, drafty straw quilt anymore.

Compared to him, that White Tiger Duke Mansion isn't even as good as a stranger.

As Huo Yuhao thought this, Shen Zhou had already asked his question.

"What is your name, and where is this place?"

"Reporting to you, my lord, my name is Huo Yuhao, and this is the White Tiger Duke Mansion of the Star Luo Empire."

Shen Zhou's heart churned with a thousand waves, yet his expression remained calm.

"It's nothing. You may go."

Huo Yuhao nodded, pulled the fox-fur cloak tighter around himself, and ran toward the apothecary.

Left behind, Shen Zhou stood with a look of utter misery, as if he had just swallowed something foul.

"Damn it! Damn you, wretched heavens!"

"Could this really be the era of Douluo Dalu II?"

Shen Zhou was speechless.

Originally, he had already transmigrated once, becoming a figure from the era of Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen.

He had awakened the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear and the Heavenly Eye as his martial souls, accompanied by his companion soul beast, the Howling Celestial Dog, with an Innate Soul Power as high as level 20.

Without any surprises, he had risen quickly, maintaining close personal ties with the seven elders of the Worship Hall, who were in their prime with Qian Daoliu at their head.

He was even set to become the eighth elder once he broke through to the Title Douluo realm.

A super martial soul, super talent, and a super background—it was a perfect, god-tier start.

He had originally thought that by arriving on the continent a hundred years early, even if that "Third Brother" became overpowered later, he would be no match for him.

But now, look at this: the "pure and noble" Third Brother had already become a god, and he had been forced to transmigrate here, bringing the seven brothers of the Worship Hall along with him.

Yes, not only had he transmigrated, but he had also brought the seven elders with him.

"What is going on? I was just absorbing my ninth soul ring!"

"What kind of catalyst could have triggered a transmigration?"

Shen Zhou shook his head, ultimately choosing to accept his fate.

Since he was here, he would make the best of it.

This era was acceptable, too.

Of course, that was on the condition that the "pure and noble" God King Tang didn't interfere.

Martial Soul Hall was likely gone, but with Qian Daoliu around, everything was still there.

Evil soul masters running rampant?

Did they really think Qian Daoliu was just sitting around doing nothing?!

A single ninth soul skill would be enough to blow them to pieces.

After adjusting his mindset, Shen Zhou prepared to return and relay the information to his brothers.

Seeing Shen Zhou leave, the Slender Dog at his side hurried to catch up.

"As expected of the boss, you gathered information so quickly."

"You, Er Ha."

Shen Zhou laughed and scolded.

Er Ha could grow alongside him, and now, bolstered by Shen Zhou's status as a Title Douluo, Er Ha had reached the level of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

Er Ha looked solemn and respectful. "Fierce, fierce!"

"Then what do you think of that boy?"

Shen Zhou asked in return.

"Uh... cute."

"It would be great if he could be this Emperor's pet."

"This Emperor has some rare items here; I guarantee that if that kid eats them, he'll be fierce and strong."

Er Ha smacked his lips, his copper-bell-sized eyes filled with lewdness; it was clear he was cooking up nothing but trouble.

Shen Zhou twitched his mouth. If this silly dog knew that was the future God of Emotions, he would be scared to death.

"Alright, stop running your mouth. Let's go back and report."

"Alright then."

Man and dog trekked through the heavy snow, coming to a halt at a dilapidated temple.

Shen Zhou brushed the snowflakes from his body and stepped inside.

The temple was empty, save for a handsome figure sitting cross-legged; under the influence of his soul power, the entire space felt as warm as spring.

This man was none other than Qian Daoliu, who had just broken through to the realm of a Peerless Douluo.

As for the others, they had gone to different locations to gather intelligence.

"Xiao Ba is back. What information did you find?"

"Big Brother, the situation is a bit complicated."

Shen Zhou sighed.

"Oh?"

Qian Daoliu looked surprised. "Did you not contact the nearby Spirit Hall branch?"