Tempering Huo Yuhao's Body

Huo Yuhao stood behind Shen Zhou, witnessing the entire process of Qian Daoliu executing the five evil soul masters with his own eyes.

He felt no fear.

When those five evil soul masters appeared, he sensed a malice radiating from them that was ten thousand times more terrifying than anyone who had ever bullied him at the Duke Mansion.

It was pure, senseless evil.

"Master, are they bad people?" Huo Yuhao asked, looking up.

"Yes," Shen Zhou nodded. "They are the dregs of the soul master world, elevating themselves at the cost of devouring the lives and soul power of others. Every evil soul master's growth is accompanied by the blood of countless innocents."

Huo Yuhao fell silent for a moment, then clenched his fists.

"Master, in the future, I want to be like that lord—slaying evil soul masters and protecting the innocent."

Looking into his disciple's clear and resolute eyes, a sense of gratification welled up in Shen Zhou's heart.

"Very well, Master will teach you."

Huo Yun'er stood to the side, watching her son's face grow increasingly steadfast, her eyes turning slightly red.

She recalled that night ten years ago, the cold back of Dai Hao, and all the grievances and hardships endured over the years.

Now, it was all in the past.

Her son would become a true powerhouse.

Not for fame or fortune, not for revenge, but to protect those who needed protecting.

"It's cold outside; let's go inside."

Azure Luan Douluo walked over and said gently.

Huo Yun'er nodded, cast one last glance at the remains of the evil soul masters that had vanished into ash, and prayed silently in her heart.

She hoped that because of the return of Martial Soul Hall, this world might become a better place.

Meanwhile, because Huo Yuhao's foundation was truly poor, Shen Zhou simply brought him to the Academy Construction Card's Body Tempering Pool.

Steam curled in the air above the circular pool, which was ten zhang in diameter and filled with milky-white water that emitted a faint medicinal fragrance.

The bottom of the pool was carved with dense, intricate formation patterns that pulsed with a soft, flowing light.

This was one of the core facilities provided by the Academy Construction Card, specifically designed for tempering the bodies of entry-level soul masters.

Huo Yuhao stood by the edge of the pool, wearing only a pair of shorts, his frail frame exposed.

His ribs were clearly visible, his arms were as thin as stalks of hemp, and his skin was so pale it lacked any hint of color.

Years of malnutrition had left his physique far behind that of his peers.

"Get in."

Shen Zhou stood by the poolside, his tone indifferent.

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath and stepped into the pool.

Hiss—

A violent pain instantly spread from the soles of his feet throughout his entire body, as if ten thousand needles were piercing his bone marrow.

The medicinal power surged through his pores, frantically scouring his meridians, bones, and muscles.

"Ah—!"

Huo Yuhao gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, yet he refused to cry out.

He walked toward the center of the pool step by step; with every stride, the agony intensified.

By the time the water reached his waist, his legs had already begun to tremble.

"Keep moving."

Shen Zhou's voice came from the shore, devoid of any emotion.

"Walk to the center of the pool, stand firm, and circulate your soul power to let the medicinal strength permeate every cell."

Huo Yuhao nodded and continued forward.

The water rose past his chest, over his shoulders, and finally stopped at his chin.

He closed his eyes and began to circulate the cultivation method taught by Shen Zhou.

It was a version of the Spirit Eye cultivation method optimized by the system, several times more profound than the original technique, specifically designed for eye-type martial souls.

The milky-white medicinal power began to surge madly into his body; the scoured meridians gradually widened under the nourishment, while his atrophied muscle fibers began to tear, reorganize, and grow.

A quarter of an hour passed.

Half an hour.

An hour.

Huo Yuhao's complexion shifted from pale to flushed, then to a deep red, as if he were a boiled shrimp.

Sweat mixed with the pool water trickled down his face, his lips were bitten raw, and blood dripped from his chin into the pool.

Yet he did not make a sound.

Shen Zhou stood on the bank, hands behind his back, his gaze fixed steadily on his disciple.

"Eighth Brother, this child has a good temperament."

Qian Daoliu appeared by the pool at some unknown moment and spoke softly.

"Mm."

Shen Zhou nodded. "His talent is also good, but his physical foundation is too poor.

In those years at the Duke Mansion, he couldn't even get a full meal, let alone cultivation resources."

"How much can the Body Tempering Pool help him recover?"

"At the very least, it will bring him to the level of a normal peer.

If he wants to be stronger, he must rely on himself."

Another hour passed.

The milky white color in the pool water had visibly faded; most of that medicinal power had been absorbed by Huo Yuhao.

His body underwent changes visible to the naked eye. Although he was still thin, it was no longer a sickly, emaciated thinness; a faint luster flowed beneath his skin, and his arms had gained a bit of substance.

"Come up."

Huo Yuhao opened his eyes and slowly stepped out of the pool.

His gait was much steadier than when he had gone in, and his back was much straighter.

"How do you feel?"

Shen Zhou handed him a clean robe.

Huo Yuhao took the robe and draped it over himself, feeling the surging power within his body, his eyes filled with excitement.

"Master, I feel like I'm full of energy!

I used to be out of breath whenever I ran, but now my breathing is much smoother!"

"This is just the beginning."

Shen Zhou patted his shoulder. "Use the Body Tempering Pool once every three days for a month, and your body will reach its optimal state.

Only then can you go to attach a spirit ring and withstand the load it brings."

"A month?"

Huo Yuhao was stunned for a moment. "Master, I'm already at level ten; can't I go attach a spirit ring first?"

"No."

Shen Zhou shook his head.

"Attaching a spirit ring causes a massive impact on the body, especially for rings over a hundred years old.

With your current physical condition, attaching a century-old spirit ring would rupture at least thirty percent of your meridians."

"Then... wouldn't I have to wait a long time?"

"Don't be impatient."

Shen Zhou smiled. "Sharpening the axe will not delay the work of cutting wood.

During this month, you must not only temper your body but also learn the basic knowledge of martial souls, combat techniques, and the application of spirit power.

Once you finish with the Body Tempering Pool, we will go to the Star Dou Great Forest, and I will personally hunt a suitable spirit beast for you."

Huo Yuhao nodded heavily, his eyes full of anticipation.

One month later.

In front of the main gate of Martial Soul Hall Academy, Shen Zhou, Huo Yuhao, and Er Ha were fully prepared to set off.

In this month, Huo Yuhao's transformation could be called a rebirth.

His height had shot up by two inches, and his originally emaciated body had become well-proportioned and sturdy. Although his skin remained fair, it now radiated a healthy glow.

The most obvious change was his temperament—he was no longer that timid boy who walked with his head down, but stood with his chest out and head held high, his gaze firm.

The ten immersions in the Body Tempering Pool had not only strengthened his body but also cleared many of the blocked meridians within him.

Now, although his spirit power was still at level ten, its circulation speed was nearly twice as fast as it had been a month ago.

Shen Zhou had also taught him a few sets of basic fist techniques and footwork; while they were far from reaching a level for actual combat, he was at least no longer powerless.

"Master, are we really going to the Star Dou Great Forest?"

Huo Yuhao stood beside Shen Zhou, carrying a small bundle containing dry rations and a change of clothes.

His voice trembled slightly, but it was not from fear; it was from excitement.

The Star Dou Great Forest, a paradise for spirit beasts and a place that countless spirit masters both yearned for and feared.

For Huo Yuhao, that place was the starting point for obtaining his first spirit ring.

"Mm."