Bringing Yuhao Home, Preparing to Obtain the Spirit Ring Tianmeng

Dawn had barely broken.

Huo Chen carried Huo Yuhao through the air, the vast mountains and rivers beneath their feet racing backward. The fierce currents of high-altitude wind were brushed aside by an invisible force as soon as they came within three feet of them, not stirring even the corners of their clothes.

Resting against his uncle's shoulder, Huo Yuhao watched the mountains and rivers flash past below, his eyes full of wonder and amazement. He had never imagined that one day he would be able to fly through the sky, much less that the person taking him there would be an uncle he had never met before.

"Uncle, how much longer until we get home?"

"Soon." Huo Chen lowered his head with a gentle smile. "About half an hour."

"Half an hour to fly from the border of the Star Luo Empire to the Sunset Forest in the Heavenly Soul Empire?"

Though Huo Yuhao was young, he knew that the two great empires lay tens of thousands of miles apart. His heart filled with shock, and he could not help asking, "Uncle, just how strong are you?"

Rather than answering directly, Huo Chen asked softly, "How strong do you think a Titled Douluo is?"

"A Titled Douluo..." Huo Yuhao seriously recalled what he had heard at the Duke's Mansion. "They're the strongest beings on the continent, capable of facing ten thousand enemies alone. The Duke is only a Soul Douluo, yet he can guard an entire region."

"Well, your uncle is just a little stronger than a Titled Douluo."

Huo Chen's tone was relaxed and casual, as though he were merely mentioning something utterly insignificant.

Huo Yuhao's eyes instantly widened, his face full of disbelief. "Stronger than a Titled Douluo? What realm is that?"

"Limit Douluo. People also call it a demigod."

Huo Chen's voice was calm and composed, carrying an unquestionable confidence. "Only the final half-step separates me from a true god."

The words "demigod" settled softly in Huo Yuhao's heart.

He still could not fully grasp the supreme power and status those two words represented, but he understood one thing clearly: from this day onward, he would no longer be the illegitimate child at the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, bullied by all and cared for by none.

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye, and an elegant manor hidden amidst lush green mountains gradually came into view.

The manor was not particularly vast, but its layout was refined and exquisite, arranged in pleasing order. White walls and dark tiled roofs, with soaring eaves and upturned corners, gave it an ancient charm. Before its gates, a clear stream babbled gently along, its water transparent to the bottom, while several old plum trees stood gracefully by its banks.

The entire manor was shrouded in a faint golden glow. This was a defensive formation personally arranged by Huo Chen, incomparably sturdy and capable of withstanding the full-force attack of a Titled Douluo.

"We're here."

Huo Chen slowly descended and gently pushed open the ancient vermilion gates.

Huo Yuhao immediately jumped down from his arms and curiously looked over this new home. A path paved with bluestone slabs ran through the courtyard, flowers blooming in clusters on both sides amid lush greenery. A faint floral fragrance lingered at his nose, refreshing his spirit.

Beneath the corridor pillars, a snow-white cat lounged lazily in the morning sunlight. Seeing its master return, it let out a soft, sweet meow.

"Her name is Little White. She's a little companion I keep. From now on, she'll be your companion too," Huo Chen introduced softly.

Huo Yuhao carefully crouched down and slowly extended his small hand. The white cat gently sniffed his fingertips, then obediently rubbed its head against his palm, affectionate and well-behaved.

"She... she isn't afraid of me?" Huo Yuhao asked, his face full of surprise.

At the cold Duke's Mansion, everyone despised and excluded him. Even the cats, dogs, and other animals in the residence would flee in panic whenever they saw him. Never before had any living creature treated him with such closeness.

"Why would she be afraid of you?" Huo Chen bent down and ruffled his soft hair, his tone gentle and doting. "You're the only little master here. She can't fawn over you fast enough."

Huo Yuhao's nose suddenly stung. He hurriedly lowered his head, pretending to focus on playing with the cat to hide the bitterness and warmth surging in his eyes.

"Come on, let's go inside first."

Huo Chen stood and took his slightly cool little hand. "Your uncle will first heal all of your old injuries."

Upon entering the main hall, Huo Yuhao found its refinement far surpassed the courtyard's appearance. The rosewood tables and chairs were ancient and weighty. An old landscape painting with a profound artistic mood hung on the wall, while pale smoke curled from a bronze incense burner in the corner. A faint, calming fragrance filled the room, easing both body and mind.

"Sit." Huo Chen raised a hand in indication.

Huo Yuhao obediently sat down, his posture upright and well-behaved.

Huo Chen crouched in front of him. A small, exquisite Reincarnation Other Shore Flower slowly appeared in his right palm. Its crimson petals swayed gently as a soft, warm red glow flowed outward.

"Don't be afraid. It'll only itch a little. Don't move around."

As soon as he spoke, he gently placed his palm over Huo Yuhao's forehead.

A warm and gentle force instantly swept through every limb and bone in Huo Yuhao's body. It felt as though he had been immersed in a soothing hot spring, every pore opening in incomparable comfort.

The bruises accumulated over many years, new and old wounds, and faint scars rapidly faded and healed beneath the caress of the red light. His previously rough and damaged skin became fair and smooth again, as though it had never suffered the slightest injury.

The miraculous transformation did not stop at the surface. Deep within, his body was quietly changing as well. The weakness caused by years of malnourishment vanished completely. His bones gave off faint cracks, while his formerly thin and frail muscles became firm and strong. The very foundation of his body was being slowly reforged.

After no more than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Huo Chen withdrew his hand.

Huo Yuhao hurriedly lowered his head to inspect his hands, his eyes full of shock. His palms, once rough, cracked, and scarred, had become tender and fair, while his damaged fingernails had fully recovered. He rolled up his sleeves, only to see that the old scars crisscrossing his arms had all disappeared without leaving the slightest trace.

"That's incredible..." Huo Yuhao muttered, his heart shaken.

"This only treats the symptoms, repairing your skin and external injuries." Huo Chen smiled faintly and raised a hand, producing a lustrous white jade porcelain bottle. "The true opportunity that will change your life lies in here."

He removed the stopper, and a pill the size of a longan slowly rolled into his palm.

The pill was milky white throughout, its surface shimmering with tiny, brilliant seven-colored rays. A rich and mellow medicinal fragrance rushed toward them. With only a light breath, Huo Yuhao felt refreshed and invigorated, as though even the blood lying dormant in his body had begun to boil with excitement.

"This is the Samsara Divine Pill."

Huo Chen's expression turned solemn as he placed the pill in Huo Yuhao's hand. "It is a supreme treasure personally bestowed by the God King after I passed the Samsara Divine Trial. It can completely reshape the foundation of your cultivation, forge an immaculate Dao body, eliminate every hidden injury and impurity within you, and purify your innate constitution."

"After taking this pill, your cultivation speed will be many times faster than that of ordinary people. Your affinity with soul power will also reach the utmost limit, and your path of cultivation will be incomparably smooth."

Huo Yuhao carefully held the pill in both hands and asked softly, "Uncle, can it directly raise my soul power rank?"

"You can't directly raise your cultivation." Huo Chen gently shook his head and patiently explained, "You awakened the Spiritual Eyes martial soul at six, with innate soul power at rank one. Through your own perseverance, you cultivated bitterly for four years and steadily broke through to rank ten. That effort was truly commendable."

"I don't want you to reach the heavens in a single step. Rapidly gained cultivation would only leave your foundation weak and unstable; the loss would outweigh the gain. But this divine pill can transform you completely, making every future cultivation session and every breakthrough faster, steadier, and more solid than anyone else's."

After hearing this, Huo Yuhao was not disappointed. Instead, his heart was filled with relief.

Through four years of bitter winters and scorching summers, he had endured endless cold stares and torment in the duke's mansion. He had cultivated day and night without ever slacking, and only he knew the hardship and suffering behind it. If a single pill could erase all of his efforts, he would instead feel unwilling to accept it.

"Thank you, Uncle."

He thanked him solemnly, then raised his hand and placed the Samsara Divine Pill into his mouth.

The pill melted as soon as it entered his mouth, turning into a warm, rich current that slid down his throat and into his abdomen. Vast yet gentle energy instantly burst forth, spreading through every inch of his flesh and every meridian in his body.

There was no domineering, violent pain—only a warm comfort that enveloped him from head to toe.

He could clearly sense his body transforming. The internal injuries left behind by years of beatings, the deficiency in his blood and vitality caused by malnutrition, and the origin energy depleted through excessive cultivation were all repaired and eradicated by the warm current.

His once narrow, fragile meridians became broad and resilient. His blood and vitality circulated freely throughout his body, and with every breath, both body and mind received the utmost nourishment.

The transformation lasted for a full quarter of an hour.

Once the medicinal power had completely dissolved and been fully absorbed by his body, a thin layer of gray impurities emerged on Huo Yuhao's skin—filth and hidden toxins that had accumulated within him for years.

He went to the bathing room and carefully washed himself clean, then changed into the moon-white brocade robe Huo Chen had prepared in advance. His entire appearance was utterly renewed.

His once dry, yellowish-black hair became glossy and smooth. His rough skin turned fair as jade. His features inherited his mother Huo Yun'er's gentleness, while gaining some of the heroic spirit unique to a young man.

Most striking were his eyes. Once dull and lifeless, filled with inferiority and timidity, they were now clear and bright, their gaze limpid as starlight, as though an entire vast galaxy lay hidden within them.

"Very good." Huo Chen looked at his transformed nephew and nodded in satisfaction. "Now this is what a child of the Huo family should be."

Huo Yuhao scratched his head bashfully. Unable to suppress the anticipation in his heart, he hurriedly asked, "Uncle, when are we going to hunt for a soul ring?"

"No rush."

Huo Chen shook his head slightly, his expression taking on a subtly mysterious air. "Before we go to the Extreme North to obtain your soul ring, I'll first take you to meet an old friend."

"An old friend?" Huo Yuhao blinked his clear eyes, full of confusion. "Do I know them? Who are they?"

"A very special fellow."

A faint smile curved Huo Chen's lips, his eyes full of deeper meaning. "It has been waiting for you for many, many years."

Huo Yuhao grew even more confused. He had been trapped in the White Tiger Duke's Mansion since childhood and knew very few people. He had never had anyone from his past who would wait specifically for him.

"Don't bother guessing. You'll understand when you see it." Huo Chen gently rubbed his head. "Rest well tonight. We'll set out early tomorrow morning."

Night gradually fell, and the mountain estate returned to silence. Only the evening breeze brushed through the branches and leaves, bringing soft rustling sounds.

Huo Yuhao lay on a soft, warm bed beneath a brand-new, fluffy cotton quilt, quietly gazing at the stars filling the night sky beyond the window. Warmth surged through his heart.

In his ten years of life, this was the first time he had possessed a safe, warm bed. The first time he did not have to worry about being beaten, cursed, or humiliated in the middle of the night. The first time he truly felt that he finally had a home of his own.

He gently touched his chest, where the lingering warmth of the pill slowly circulated, nourishing his newly transformed body.

"Mother..." he murmured softly, a faint light rising in his eyes. "Did you see it? Uncle came to take me away. From now on, no one will ever bully me again."

Above the night sky, a bright moon hung high, its clear radiance spilling across the entire estate—gentle and peaceful.