The Plan Ahead

Di Tian brought the conversation back on track. "Enough. We can speak of old matters and old wounds later. Huo Yuhao, speak plainly. What do you need, and what can you offer us?"

Huo Yuhao's expression turned serious. "First, I need a safe identity to establish myself and recover in this world. In my current condition, I need to start over from nothing. In the human world today, everything revolves around the Spirit Pagoda system. They monopolize the granting of Soul Spirits and access to the Ascension Platform. I have no money, no influence, and no identity. It is even less possible for me to buy Soul Spirits from them—or obtain official Soul Master certification."

"And?" Di Tian waited for him to continue.

"And so, I want to blend in from the bottom, in the most inconspicuous way possible. For example, I could use the forest's specialties to open a grilled fish shop in a human city. It would serve as both a livelihood and a cover." Huo Yuhao said, "I need an initial sum of Gold Soul Coins, along with a stable and discreet source of ingredients."

"In exchange," he said, raising his wrist to display the silver-gray, intricately structured bracer unit, "this is a 'Full-State Mental and Soul Tool Auxiliary Wrist Unit,' forged by me. It integrates detection, communication, information processing, and other functions. One of its most important core modules is the 'Multilayer Composite Energy Shielding Field Generator.'"

His fingers lightly brushed several concealed nodes along the side of the wrist unit. With faint clicks and flickers of light, an independent module was detached from within. It was roughly palm-sized and as thick as a copper coin, covered in finely engraved Soul Tool circuits. At its center was set a strange crystal that steadily emitted a faint glow. Without this module, the wrist unit's overall luster seemed to dim slightly, and some of its more complex functions would inevitably be restricted.

"This is it." Huo Yuhao held the detached shielding module in his palm, where it emitted steady, restrained fluctuations. "After calibration and anchoring, it can establish a small but persistent energy shielding field at designated locations around the outer perimeter of this area's core. It can effectively interfere with and weaken the Spirit Pagoda's ordinary wide-range Soul Power fluctuation detection, life-sign scans, and energy tracking. It would have limited effect against high-intensity targeted reconnaissance or attacks, but in daily life, it would be enough to provide a relatively quiet area for your rest and the young beasts' activities—one less subject to prying eyes."

This concrete proposal and demonstration of the actual item truly moved the ferocious beasts. They had had enough of feeling as though they lived inside a transparent cage. Hope welled in Bi Ji's eyes. "If we could have a truly peaceful place to raise our young, even if it were only a small one..."

Di Tian stared intensely at the shielding module. "This... you are willing to part with it? It should be of great use to you as well."

Huo Yuhao answered frankly, "My foremost goal right now is concealment and recovery. If I am active in human cities, overly powerful active detection and shielding would instead attract attention. Retaining the basic detection and communication functions is enough. Keeping this here would allow it to create greater value. It is also my way of showing sincerity and making amends for my guilt." He paused. "I will leave behind the complete Soul Tool formulas for calibration, anchoring, maintenance, and emergency shutdown, so you can control it safely."

Di Tian pondered it. This was a genuine trade. Gold Soul Coins and ingredients were no difficulty for soul beasts, while the brief peace brought by this shielding module was priceless. "The deal is accepted. I can provide Gold Soul Coins, ingredients, and even medicinal materials among the forest's specialties. As for this module, you must ensure its safety and leave behind complete knowledge of its operation." His gaze turned distant as he looked at Huo Yuhao. "In addition, since you intend to enter the human world and restore your strength, your eyes and ears will be limited if you act alone. I need to know the true movements of the outside world, especially the Spirit Pagoda's deeper activities, as well as... any clues that may concern the Silver Dragon King."

Huo Yuhao immediately understood. "Senior Di Tian, you wish to send a trustworthy clansman who can take human form and conceal herself to travel with me? She can assist me while also serving as your eyes and ears."

"Correct." Di Tian swept his gaze over the figures behind him. "Demon Spirit."

The young girl hiding behind a tree trembled and timidly stepped out. "Uncle... Uncle Di Tian?"

"Your mind is relatively pure. You are skilled at concealment and sensing emotions, and your human form is the most stable, making you less likely to be exposed by human experts." Di Tian instructed, "Accompany Huo Yuhao into the human world. Follow his arrangements, learn the rules of human society, observe the Spirit Pagoda, and watch for any clues that may be related to our lord. Unless it is a matter of life and death, you must not reveal your identity or power."

Demon Spirit looked at Huo Yuhao, then at Di Tian. In the end, she obediently nodded. "Yes... Demon Spirit understands."

"As for you, Huo Yuhao," Di Tian said at last, his tone grave, "Demon Spirit will accompany you as both a partner and a means of supervision. You must teach her about human society and keep her safe. In turn, she will be an aid as you establish yourself. Once you have recovered somewhat, I need you to investigate the Spirit Pagoda more deeply—especially what they are extracting and researching through that wall and the Ascension Platform! This may concern the very survival of the soul beast race."

"The Ascension Platform..." Huo Yuhao committed the key term to memory and nodded solemnly. "I understand. Investigating the Spirit Pagoda's truth was something I intended to do anyway. As for knowledge..." He glanced at the curiously looking Demon Spirit, then at the other ferocious beasts. "If you do not mind, I can share, when the opportunity arises, some basic knowledge of the nature of energy, the fundamental principles of Soul Tools, and even some simple rules I came to understand in the Divine Realm. Perhaps it will help you better understand your enemies—or even... find a way to save yourselves."

This promise carried more weight than Gold Soul Coins or the shielding device. Even the Myriad Demon King's eyes brightened. Di Tian looked deeply at Huo Yuhao, then slowly nodded. "Agreed."

The agreement was tentatively reached beside the Lake of Life. A fallen god and a group of trapped ferocious beasts had crossed paths once more, bound by an old pact from ten thousand years ago and their shared predicament. Huo Yuhao left behind the wrist unit and began instructing Bi Ji and the Myriad Demon King on how to connect to and maintain it. Although Bear Lord was still somewhat resentful, even he lost his temper after being intrigued by the shielding device's prospects and amused by Huo Yuhao's account of the Golden Dragon King's fate.

Not long afterward, Huo Yuhao prepared to depart with a small pouch of Gold Soul Coins supplied by Di Tian, a map of secret supply routes, and Demon Spirit, now transformed into a girl in a green dress. Though the unit on his wrist had simplified functions after its main shielding module was removed, its basic mental power amplification, environmental detection, information recording, and identity-disguise support remained intact—more than enough for his early needs.

Before he left, Di Tian gave one final warning. "Remember our agreement. Demon Spirit may assist you, but she is also the eyes of my race. Keep her safe, and fulfill your promise to investigate."

Huo Yuhao nodded and boarded the Realm Patrol with Demon Spirit, who was both afraid of and curious about the new world. The Soul Tool vehicle activated its stealth mode and silently departed this forest sanctuary, hemmed in by towering walls yet still stubbornly enduring, heading toward the bustling Eastsea City.

His new identity—the ordinary owner of a grilled fish shop—was about to go live. And beneath the surface, dark currents had already begun to stir.