Fusion

Early in the morning, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm and Huo Yuhao sat face to face, with Electrolux appearing beside them to prevent any accidents.

"Yuhao, are you ready? Brother is coming in now~"

That familiar, mischievous sense of humor—how nostalgic it truly was!

Huo Yuhao nodded and sat down cross-legged.

As the ten golden patterns on his body pulsed rhythmically, the body of Sky Dream Ice Silkworm transformed into a mass of white light, slowly surging toward Huo Yuhao's body.

Everything went smoothly, just as it had in his past life.

Opening his eyes once more, a white spirit ring appeared beneath Huo Yuhao, lustrous as jade.

As the spirit ring flickered, Huo Yuhao's pupils turned gold—the familiar Spirit Detection!

Everything was identical to his past life, the only difference being that the range was slightly larger; it spanned a full three hundred meters in diameter, ten times larger than when he had first obtained the spirit ring in his previous life.

"Yo-ho, so impressive! The mental power of a God King really is different."

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's pleasantly surprised voice echoed in his mind.

"It's not just that, Yuhao. This time, I've sealed all of my million-year energy within your body. You can increase the age of your subsequent Spirit Eye spirit rings by absorbing this energy."

"It will also make your cultivation speed incredibly fast. Even with an Ultimate Martial Soul, I guarantee you'll advance as if you're flying," Sky Dream Ice Silkworm said, shaking his head back and forth within the Sea of Spirit.

"We're meeting face-to-face again, Yuhao. I'll be counting on you from now on. And you too, you old geezer—I've missed you to death."

Even though they had never met before, Tian Meng, having gained the memories, acted like an old friend he hadn't seen in years.

As Tian Meng crawled toward the gray bead, intending to latch onto it, Elder Yi gave a gentle tremor, sending the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm flying.

"How boring. Shouldn't old friends hug when they reunite?"

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm grumbled as he climbed back up.

"You bug, if you keep acting up, I won't let the little scorpion see those memories, and you'll have to chase her all over again."

"Don't do that, Elder Yi! I respect you the most. You have to help me when the time comes; I haven't even held Bingbing's little hand yet in this life."

Huo Yuhao couldn't help but burst into laughter. The things Tian Meng brought him were beyond imagination, and the reunion with an old friend had lifted his spirits.

Preparing to leave, Huo Yuhao activated his Spirit Detection, but he suddenly froze in place, as if he had seen something terrifying.

Behind a massive tree not far away, a small beast with three eyes was poking its head out, staring at him with eyes full of curiosity.

"Qiu'er..."

Huo Yuhao looked toward the small beast, his gaze meeting that of the Three-Eyed Golden Ni.

The moment their eyes met, a flash of panic crossed the small beast's eyes.

"I've been discovered!"

It hurriedly turned its head and bolted toward the center of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Huo Yuhao stood still for a long time, watching the direction in which the Three-Eyed Golden Ni had fled.

"Let's go, Yuhao. You two will meet again."

"Mm."

The Three-Eyed Golden Ni, having run far away, looked back and saw Huo Yuhao leaving, and couldn't help but stare at his retreating figure.

The scene of their eyes meeting surfaced in her mind. What kind of look was that?

It was just like the look Bi Ji gave those spirit beasts whose lives were coming to an end and who were quietly waiting for death.

Di Tian had told her that it was a look of sorrow, but that human's gaze was slightly different; it seemed to contain something more.

"Why did he look at me with that kind of expression..."

"What is it?"

A man dressed in black appeared behind her.

"Di Tian, I feel like that person has my scent on him, and he seems to know me..."

The man's expression darkened as he looked in the direction the Three-Eyed Golden Ni had been staring.

"To dare covet the Auspicious Beast..."

His eyes were filled with killing intent.

Unaware of this, Huo Yuhao had already left the Star Dou Great Forest, the joy of his reunion with Sky Dream Ice Silkworm dampened by the appearance of the Three-Eyed Golden Ni.

Looking back at the forest behind him, Huo Yuhao sighed.

"I wonder how Xiao Wu is doing. I hope she returned to the academy on her own."

Huo Yuhao chose to set up camp at the signpost where he had arrived, deciding to wait a few days.

After all, he had only told Xiao Wu he was taking a half-month leave. Counting the time for the return trip, if Xiao Wu didn't show up, it likely meant she had already headed back.

Time slipped by, and two days later, Huo Yuhao finally saw Xiao Wu slowly emerging from the forest.

Seeing Huo Yuhao, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, realizing that he had been waiting for her.

It seems he really does care about me after all!

The corners of his mouth curled up as he spoke first.

"So you've been out for a while, hmph, I'm a Soul Grand Master at level twelve now! Impressive, right?"

"Where did you go? You worried me to death."

To avoid any suspicion from Xiao Wu, Huo Yuhao asked anyway.

Xiao Wu put her hands on her hips. "What? Did you miss me?"

"I was just searching the outskirts for a few days and finally found a soul beast that suited me perfectly. I took it down in a few moves—pretty amazing, right?"

"Amazing indeed, Yuhao!! Is this your mother-in-law from your past life? I support you, go get her!"

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm began to clamor in Huo Yuhao's mind.

"Cough, cough. As long as you're okay."

Huo Yuhao's face flushed slightly; after all, even if it wasn't his intention, the development of his relationship with Xiao Wu was indeed very subtle.

Being teased by Brother Sky Dream made Huo Yuhao feel even more like he had done something shameful.

He said in the mental space, "Brother Sky Dream, what are you saying? I didn't do it on purpose..."

"Oh~ Brother understands. Our little Yuhao likes to be passive now."

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm chuckled, which reminded Huo Yuhao of the Evil Soul Masters he had encountered in his past life...

Seeing Huo Yuhao blush, Xiao Wu assumed she had guessed correctly and grinned, hugging him and planting a kiss right on his cheek.

"Hmph, I knew you couldn't do without me. Do you have your soul ring yet?"

Watching Sky Dream Ice Silkworm laughing like a maniac in his mind, Huo Yuhao rubbed his nose. His eyes lit up, and a white soul ring emerged from beneath his feet.

"White? Hmm??"

Xiao Wu quickly realized her reaction might have been insensitive and began to comfort him.

"It's okay, Yuhao. White is already very impressive..."

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm laughed even louder. Huo Yuhao's face turned dark, and then his soul ring flickered, pulling Xiao Wu into his Spirit Sharing.

"Wow! This skill of yours is too magical! Can a ten-year soul ring really do this?"

Her words of comfort were swallowed instantly, replaced by awe at the power of the soul skill. The three-hundred-meter radius, visible in every detail, was simply beyond Xiao Wu's comprehension.

"Hmph, it's a secret."

"Hmph, fine, don't tell me. You still have to be my little brother obediently."

Xiao Wu pouted, feeling a bit frustrated. She couldn't beat him before, and now that Huo Yuhao had this skill, she feared she would never have a chance...

Thinking of this, her backside seemed to ache again.

"You're finally back!" Wang Sheng's eyes flashed with surprise as soon as he saw the two enter the dormitory.

"Yeah, we even brought you all gifts this time. How was it? Did anyone bully you after we left?" Huo Yuhao asked.

Wang Sheng waved his hands quickly. "No, no. After you left, Xiao Chenyu sent people to take over the chores for us Work-Study Students.

Now we don't have to do the work and still get the benefits. We owe this all to you, Yuhao."

The other Work-Study Students also thanked Huo Yuhao one after another, their gazes treating him as their pillar of strength.

"That's good. Come, take a look at the gifts I brought you."

As he spoke, Huo Yuhao took out the Soul Tools he had made in his spare time on the way back; every roommate received one.

Although they were only second-tier Soul Tools, they were precious to those whose potential might only reach the level of a Soul Grand Master.

Huo Yuhao had customized them according to the characteristics of each person's martial soul; some received tools that amplified their strengths, while others received ones that covered their weaknesses.

Even though he was no longer the God of Emotions, he still possessed the ability to judge a person's character by the emotions revealed in their eyes. The others in the dormitory were still simple-minded children, and as fellow impoverished Work-Study Students who would be living together for several more years, he would help where he could.

Wang Sheng's voice choked up.

"Yuhao, the thing I'm most grateful for in this life is meeting you at Notting Academy. I won't say much more, but if you ever need anything, just say the word!"

The others echoed his sentiments, their eyes moist as they looked at the items in their hands.

"Alright, we Work-Study Students are one big family; helping each other is only right. What's there to cry about? Just remember to keep them hidden and don't let others see them."

Huo Yuhao patted Wang Sheng on the shoulder and smiled at everyone.

They nodded repeatedly. Children from poor families had suffered more since they were young, so they naturally understood the consequences if these things were exposed.

"Yuhao, you're back?"

Tang San, who had been called away by Grandmaster right after class, returned to the dormitory much later than the others.

His eyes lit up when he saw the two, and he said, "I'm a Soul Master now."

As he spoke, a yellow soul ring rose from beneath his feet.

Tang San had already shown it to Wang Sheng and the others upon his return, drawing envy from the Work-Study Students.

This was a hundred-year soul ring! No other student in the entire academy possessed one, so seeing the two return, he naturally wanted to show off a little.