Homecoming Arrangements

The Quan Family.

Northwest of Tianhun City.

Quan Cangtian led Huo Yuhao through the main gate.

The two guards at the entrance glanced at Huo Yuhao but did not ask any questions.

The person the Young Patriarch brought back was not their concern.

Huo Yuhao lowered his head and clenched the hem of his clothes.

He had never been to a place like this.

The stone walls stood over thirty feet tall, courtyards connected to courtyards, and traces of Soul Power fluctuations could be seen everywhere.

Even the air was thicker than outside.

"Don't be nervous."

Quan Cangtian said.

"You're meeting my father."

"Is he... very strong?"

"Level 99."

Huo Yuhao's steps paused.

He did not know what Level 99 meant.

But he knew that the strongest guards at the Duke's Mansion were only in their sixties.

The study.

The door was closed.

Quan Cangtian pushed it open and entered.

Huo Yuhao followed behind him.

The study was large.

Behind a desk sat a man.

Quan Zhenshan.

The current head of the Quan Family.

A Level 99 Limit Douluo.

He did not look up.

"You brought an outsider back?"

"He isn't an outsider."

Quan Cangtian said.

"His name is Huo Yuhao. From now on, he is a member of the Quan Family."

Quan Zhenshan raised his head.

He glanced at Huo Yuhao.

Then—

Pressure.

The pressure of a Level 99 Limit Douluo descended as though it were tangible.

Huo Yuhao's knees gave way.

His bones creaked.

He nearly dropped to his knees.

But he gritted his teeth and held on.

His legs trembled.

Sweat from his forehead dripped down his chin onto the floor.

The study was so quiet that the sound of his clenched teeth could be heard.

The candle flame swayed beneath the pressure.

Quan Cangtian stood to the side.

His expression did not change.

Quan Zhenshan glanced at him.

"You're steadier than I expected."

He withdrew the pressure.

Huo Yuhao nearly collapsed, steadying himself against the wall.

Quan Zhenshan looked at Huo Yuhao again.

"You've got some backbone."

He leaned back in his chair.

"Tell me. Why take him in?"

"Body Martial Soul."

Quan Cangtian said.

"Spirit Eye."

Quan Zhenshan's expression changed.

"The Body Sect..."

"Mm."

"The Heaven Dou Empire's guardian sect."

Quan Zhenshan said.

"They have always welcomed Soul Masters with Body Martial Souls."

"Huo Yuhao has already joined the Quan Family."

Quan Cangtian said.

"He cannot possibly betray us."

"If he does betray us—"

He paused.

"I'll deal with him personally."

Quan Zhenshan fell silent for several seconds.

"His Soul Ring."

"On the surface, it is a ten-year white one."

Quan Cangtian said.

"In reality, it is a disguised million-year Soul Ring."

Quan Zhenshan's pupils contracted.

"A million years?"

"Mm."

The study fell quiet for a while.

Quan Zhenshan looked at Huo Yuhao.

His gaze was complicated.

As though he were weighing a larger game.

"The Body Sect has eleven Titled Douluo."

He said softly.

"Their sect master, Du Busi, is Level 98."

"If Huo Yuhao connects with them..."

"It isn't making contact."

Quan Cangtian said.

"It is an alliance."

Quan Zhenshan looked at him for a long time.

"You're only six years old."

"Mm."

"...Make the arrangements."

The Quan Family's Core Zone.

It was not a place for outsiders to live.

Quan Cangtian brought Huo Yuhao to a stone house.

"This is yours."

"The Cultivation Room is next door."

"It has a Soul Power amplification formation."

"Go to the Cafeteria in the eastern courtyard for meals. Give them my name."

Huo Yuhao stood at the doorway, unsure what to say.

"All of this... is for me?"

"Mm."

"I..."

"Stop talking nonsense."

Quan Cangtian walked into the room.

"Sit down. Face away from me."

Huo Yuhao did as he was told.

Quan Cangtian pressed his palm against Huo Yuhao's back.

Emerald green light flared.

Abundance Power poured in.

His back grew hot.

Something seemed to crawl through his spine, burning from his tailbone all the way to the crown of his head.

Huo Yuhao bit his lip.

Every pore on his body opened at once.

Black filth began to seep out.

A foul stench filled the room.

Huo Yuhao nearly vomited.

"Endure it."

Quan Cangtian said.

The emerald green light continued pouring in.

His meridians widened.

The circulation of his Soul Power accelerated.

Impurities were expelled through his pores—black sweat, reeking and foul.

It continued for roughly three minutes.

Quan Cangtian withdrew his hand.

"It's done."

Huo Yuhao lowered his head and looked at himself.

His arms were covered in black grime.

It stank.

"Throw a punch."

Quan Cangtian said.

Huo Yuhao tried throwing a punch.

The air exploded.

He froze.

"This..."

"This is only the first time."

Quan Cangtian said.

"You'll grow even stronger in the future."

He walked to the door.

"Take a bath. Change into clean clothes."

"Get a good rest tonight."

"Training begins tomorrow."

Huo Yuhao looked at him.

"Why... are you so good to me?"

Quan Cangtian stopped.

"Your path is not limited to one road."

He said.

"Don't narrow it for yourself."

Then he left.

Huo Yuhao remained where he was.

A long time passed.

Quan Cangtian returned to his room.

He sat down cross-legged.

He closed his eyes.

He sensed his Consciousness Sea.

Deep within his Consciousness Sea, Electrolux was curled up weakly.

"Kid..."

Electrolux's voice was very soft.

"This old man needs time..."

"My memories are too chaotic..."

"One month... Give this old man one month..."

"Right now, this old man can't help you with anything..."

Quan Cangtian nodded.

"I know."

Emerald Green light spilled from his body.

The Abundance Power slowly nourished Electrolux's spiritual consciousness.

"I'll nourish you with Abundance Power every day."

"After one month, you'll be able to recover to your peak."

Electrolux said nothing more.

But Quan Cangtian could feel that, under the nourishment of the Abundance Power, that strand of spiritual consciousness was slowly repairing itself.

The next day.

Quan Cangtian went to find his father.

"The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife."

He said.

Quan Zhenshan looked up.

"The Ranked Carving Knife?"

"Yes. Ranked ninety-ninth."

"Its actual capabilities can place it in the top thirty."

"A cursed vicious blade. All thirty-seven of its previous owners died tragic deaths."

Quan Zhenshan frowned.

"What do you want that thing for?"

"For Huo Yuhao."

"He's a Soul Engineer."

Quan Zhenshan fell silent for a moment.

"A Soul Engineer?"

"Yes."

"...You even know that?"

Quan Cangtian did not answer.

"Arrange for people to watch the Star Luo Empire auction house."

"The moment the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife appears, buy it directly, no matter the price."

Quan Zhenshan watched him for a while.

"Fine."

"Anything else?"

"I'm going to Shrek."

Quan Zhenshan put down his pen.

"Shrek Academy?"

"Yes."

"You're only six."

"I know."

"Take someone with you."

"Yes."

Quan Zhenshan thought for a moment.

"Quan Cangyue."

A Level 97 Titled Douluo.

His eldest uncle.

"He'll go with you."

Quan Cangtian nodded.

"That's enough."

"If it isn't enough, invoke the Quan Family name."

Quan Zhenshan said.

"With a Level 97 Titled Douluo standing there, Shrek will have to take you seriously."

Quan Cangtian turned to leave.

"Wait."

Quan Zhenshan called after him.

"Huo Yuhao..."

"He'll stay in the family and cultivate."

Quan Cangtian said.

"Until I return."

Quan Zhenshan said nothing further.

Early morning.

Quan Cangtian stood before the Quan Family gates.

Quan Cangyue stood behind him with his arms folded, looking thoroughly unwilling.

"A six-year-old brat, and I have to escort him."

He grumbled.

Huo Yuhao stood beside them.

"You... are you really leaving?"

"Yes."

"For how long?"

"Not sure."

Quan Cangtian said.

"Cultivate properly in the family."

"Don't slack off."

Huo Yuhao nodded.

Quan Cangtian turned around.

Before leaving, he glanced toward the eastern courtyard.

The place where Zixiao cultivated.

She did not know he was leaving today.

Or perhaps she did.

She had not come.

Quan Cangtian withdrew his gaze.

He strode away.

"Shrek..."

He murmured.

"I'm here."