"However..."
Shen Zhou changed the subject and looked at Huo Yun'er.
"Although Big Brother healed your mother's body, she still needs time to recuperate. She can't keep living in the Duke Mansion."
Huo Yuhao's expression darkened.
Indeed, his mother had worked as a maid in the Duke Mansion for so many years, yet in the end, she did not even have a decent room of her own.
Now that his mother had only just recovered from a serious illness, if she went back to work again, then...
"The academy is currently being built. There will be dedicated residences once it is complete."
"If you're willing, you can do some light work at the academy, or you don't have to do anything at all. Just recover in peace."
"My lord, this... how could we possibly accept..."
Huo Yun'er struggled to get out of bed, but Shen Zhou stopped her.
"No need to be polite. Yu Hao is my disciple, so his family is naturally my family as well."
He paused and took a card emitting a faint golden glow from his robes.
[Academy Construction Card] [Effect: Can construct an academy out of thin air, containing multiple areas such as Mimicry Training Grounds, Soul Tool Workshops, Battle Armor Forging Rooms, and more. Additional areas can be unlocked through future rewards.]
Shen Zhou held the card as his thoughts stirred.
"Use the Academy Construction Card."
[Ding. Please select the academy construction location.]
Shen Zhou closed his eyes, spreading his senses outward. A moment later, he opened them, a smile curling across his lips.
"Choose that wasteland east of the Duke Mansion."
[Academy under construction... Estimated time: one quarter-hour.] [Ding. Detected that the host has accepted Huo Yuhao as a disciple. Side quest triggered: A Disciple's Growth.] [Side Quest: Help Huo Yuhao break through to Rank 20 within three months. Reward: One Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring (Soul Beast may be specified).]
Shen Zhou was delighted. This was truly an unexpected windfall.
Breaking through to Rank 20 in three months?
It might be difficult for an ordinary Soul Master, but Huo Yuhao was a person chosen by fate. With a Titled Douluo like himself personally teaching him, along with the resources of the Spirit Pagoda and the academy, it should not be a problem.
And the reward of that Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring was the real deal.
"Master?"
Seeing Shen Zhou lost in thought, Huo Yuhao called out cautiously.
Shen Zhou came back to his senses and smiled.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking about a few things."
"Yu Hao, pack your things. In a little while, I'll take you and your mother away from here."
"Away?"
Huo Yuhao looked at the dilapidated woodshed, then at his mother on the bed.
This place was run-down, but it was still where he had grown up. The thought of truly leaving made his feelings complicated.
"Yes, away."
Shen Zhou patted his shoulder. "From now on, you and your mother won't have to depend on others anymore."
"Spirit Hall Academy will be your home."
Just then, Guangling Douluo suddenly poked his head into the woodshed, then pulled it back and winked at the others.
"Big Brother, Eighth Brother is really addicted to taking disciples. He took in several back at Spirit Hall, and now that he's come to a new place, the first one he takes in has an eye Martial Soul too."
"Shut up." Qian Daoliu gave him a faint glance.
Guangling Douluo immediately covered his mouth, but he could not hide the amusement in his eyes.
Er Ha seized the chance to sidle up to Huo Yuhao and nudge his leg with his head.
"Kid, from now on, you're my boss's disciple."
"This Emperor has your back. In this territory, whoever dares bully you, This Emperor will bite his leg clean off!"
Huo Yuhao was somewhat at a loss. He was not used to talking to a dog that could speak.
"Thank you... Senior White Emperor."
"Hey! That 'Senior' sounded good!"
Er Ha's tail immediately spun like a propeller. "From now on, call This Emperor Brother Bai. Calling me Senior makes us sound so distant."
"Brother Bai." Huo Yuhao obediently changed the way he addressed him.
"Now that's more like it!"
Er Ha snorted in satisfaction.
Shen Zhou could not help rubbing his forehead. This stupid dog had completely messed up the hierarchy.
But...
Seeing Huo Yuhao gradually relax, warmth rose in Shen Zhou's heart.
This young man had suffered far too much in the original story.
His mother's early death, the bullying in the Duke Mansion, Buddha Ancestor Tang's schemes—he had struggled alone through the darkness until he finally became the God of Emotions.
But in this life, everything would be different.
With Spirit Hall backing him, with Shen Zhou as his master shielding him from the wind and rain, and with seven Offering Elder-level "uncles" protecting him.
Huo Yuhao's path would be a hundred times smoother than it had been in the original story.
And Spirit Hall's glory would bloom anew in this era.
A quarter-hour later, a roar came from the distance.
Several Offering Elders looked up at once, shock flashing through their eyes.
On the wasteland east of the Duke Mansion, a towering structure rose from the ground.
White jade formed its steps, golden tiles covered its roof, and it occupied several hundred acres.
Above the main gates, four brilliant characters shone—
Martial Soul Academy.
Shen Zhou took a deep breath and turned to Huo Yuhao.
"Come on. Let's go see our home."
Huo Yuhao supported his mother as they carefully stepped over the threshold of the woodshed.
The snow outside had stopped, but the cold wind was still biting.
Huo Yun'er was wrapped in the fox-fur cloak Shen Zhou had previously given Huo Yuhao. Though her complexion had improved considerably, her body remained weak.
Huo Yuhao tightly supported his mother's arm, stepping through the snow one pace at a time.
The Offering Elders walked ahead. Qian Daoliu stood in the center, while Golden Crocodile, Guang Ling, and the others stood on either side, naturally forming an imposing formation.
Shen Zhou walked beside Huo Yuhao, while Er Ha trotted along at the very back, a broken wooden stick he had swiped from the woodshed clamped in his mouth as though it were a treasure.
The group had just turned past the side gate when they ran into a party of people head-on.
At their head was an old maid in a brocade-padded jacket, around fifty years old. Her face was caked with powder, and her triangular eyes were filled with malice.
Behind her followed four or five maids and servants carrying food boxes, braziers, and other items. They appeared to be heading toward the main courtyard.
The old maid spotted Huo Yun'er and her son at once. She was briefly stunned before her brows twisted into a knot.
"Well, if it isn't Concubine Huo?"
She deliberately stressed the word "concubine," her tone brimming with mockery.
Huo Yun'er's expression changed slightly. She lowered her head without saying anything.
But Huo Yuhao clenched his lips tightly.
His mother had never been any concubine. She was merely a maid of the Duke Mansion. Dai Hao had taken her after getting drunk, and after she gave birth to him, she had not even been granted a proper status.
The old maid knew this perfectly well, yet she still called her "concubine." She was clearly humiliating them on purpose.
"What, you were sick enough to die, but you came back to life?"
The old maid looked Huo Yun'er up and down, her eyes flashing with greed and jealousy at the fox-fur cloak she wore.
"That robe is quite nice. Where did you steal it from?"
"Watch your mouth!"
Huo Yuhao could not take it anymore and stepped in front of his mother.
"Oh my, the little bastard dares talk back to me?" The old maid put her hands on her hips, spittle flying everywhere.
"I'm telling you, the Duke is returning to the mansion today. First Madam has ordered you mother and son to get as far away as possible. Don't stand here offending the Duke's eyes!"
"If the Duke sees you two filthy things and has his mood ruined, you'd better watch your skins!"
The maids and servants behind her also sneered, chiming in one after another.
"That's right. Take a look at your own status."
"A bastard born of a maid actually thinks he's some young master."
Before you continue