Huo Lei Gives His Father a Fairy Herb, the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower

Huo Lei led Lin Yin across the Blazing Fire Academy plaza, into the office building, and to the dean's office door. He raised his hand and knocked.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in!"

A bold, resonant middle-aged man's voice came from inside the room.

Huo Lei pushed the door open and entered with Lin Yin. Before them sat a burly middle-aged man reading in his office chair. It was Huo Lei's father, Huo Feng.

"Dad! I'm back."

Huo Lei warmly greeted his father, his voice brimming with joy.

"Oh! Little Lei is back."

Seeing that it was his beloved son, Huo Feng's calm face immediately broke into a smile. He set down his book, rose from his seat, and walked over to Huo Lei.

Lin Yin followed Huo Lei into the room, politely closed the door, and stood somewhat awkwardly behind Huo Lei, looking a little like a shy young lady.

"Little Lei, who is this?"

Huo Feng gave the green-clad man a puzzled look, then turned to Huo Lei.

"Dad, his name is Lin Yin. He has the cultivation of a Soul Emperor and has pledged himself to me. He's now one of my most capable assistants."

"Lin Yin, this is my father, the dean of Blazing Fire Academy—Huo Feng."

Huo Lei briefly introduced the two sides.

Lin Yin clasped his hands and bowed respectfully. "This junior is Lin Yin. Greetings, Dean."

"A Soul Emperor? Pledged himself? What's going on?"

Huo Lei's brief introduction left Huo Feng, as his father, completely baffled.

Although Huo Feng was full of doubts, he promptly returned Lin Yin's courtesy. "Good! No need for such formalities."

"Sit down and talk. Don't just stand there."

Huo Feng greeted them cheerfully.

The three of them sat down. Huo Feng spoke first and voiced his doubts. "Little Lei, weren't you and Senior Jin Shan training in Sunset Forest? Why didn't he return with you? And what is this about young friend Lin Yin pledging himself to you?"

"Teacher had some matters to handle, so he didn't return with us. As for why Lin Yin pledged himself to me, that's a long story."

Huo Lei then recounted the entire process, from how he and his teacher had encountered Lin Yin to how Lin Yin had come to follow him. Huo Feng nodded repeatedly as he listened.

"Oh! So that was what happened."

Just as Huo Feng was sighing in realization, the door suddenly opened.

"Old man! My brother, he..."

"Little Lei! When did you get back?"

The one who pushed open the dean's office door was Huo Wu, with Huo Wushuang following behind her. The moment she entered and saw Huo Lei sitting on the sofa, her face filled with surprise, and she swallowed the words she had been about to say.

"You girl are always charging about in such a rush. Why didn't you knock?"

Huo Feng looked sternly at Huo Wu.

"I'll be more careful next time. Hmph!"

Huo Wu shot Huo Feng a glance, then immediately smiled and walked over to Huo Lei. "Little Lei, why didn't you come find us when you got back?"

From the moment Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang entered, Huo Lei and Lin Yin had already risen from their seats.

"Sister Huo Wu, I just got back too. I haven't even had time to warm my seat!"

"Perfect, Brother and Sister, you're both here. Let me introduce someone to you! This brother beside me is Lin Yin, a new friend. He has the strength of a Soul Emperor and is now my right-hand man."

"Lin Yin, this handsome one is my brother, Huo Wushuang. This beautiful, fiery one is my sister, Huo Wu."

"This one is Lin Yin. Greetings, Young Master Wushuang and Miss Huo Wu."

Lin Yin clasped his hands and offered a polite greeting.

Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu both returned the gesture.

"Little Lei, what's going on? Where did you find a Soul Emperor to serve as your assistant?"

Curious, Huo Wu pulled Huo Lei aside and lowered her voice.

"Sister Huo Wu, it's a long story. I'll tell you another day!"

Huo Lei gently removed Huo Wu's hand from his arm and replied with a smile.

"Huo Wu! What were you rushing in here to say just now? What happened to your brother?"

With a trace of curiosity in his eyes, Huo Feng asked.

"Oh! I nearly forgot. Here's what happened: my brother just broke through to level forty. We came specifically to tell you and ask who you plan to arrange to accompany him in hunting his fourth Soul Ring."

"Oh! Wushuang, you've reached level forty? Wonderful. Let me think about who should accompany Wushuang to obtain his Soul Ring."

Just as Huo Feng fell into thought, Huo Lei suddenly spoke. "Dad, Lin Yin and I have been traveling for several days, and we're exhausted in body and mind. We'll go rest first, so you can continue talking. I seem to be on the verge of a breakthrough these next few days, so I won't be attending classes. I wanted to let you know. And congratulations to Big Brother for reaching level forty. I hope you can attach a good Soul Ring."

"Alright! Go get some rest."

Huo Feng nodded at the two of them.

Huo Wushuang also smiled and nodded to his younger brother.

After settling Lin Yin in, Huo Lei eagerly returned to his own room. He took out the Wishful Treasure Pouch from his Storage Ring and sent his spiritual power inside.

A moment later, Huo Lei grinned foolishly at the Wishful Treasure Pouch in excitement.

"Hahaha..."

"Now I'm really going to take off."

After his excitement subsided, a trace of bitterness appeared on Huo Lei's handsome face. He muttered to himself, "There aren't exactly many of these fairy herbs, but there aren't exactly few either. How should I distribute them? I need to make long-term plans. There will be many problems to face in the future, and deciding who gets them and who doesn't is an art in itself. If I don't distribute them properly, someone may be dissatisfied later."

Huo Lei pondered for a moment before finally making up his mind. He turned and rushed out the door.

Huo Lei arrived at the dean's office and knocked on the door again.

The door opened, revealing Huo Feng.

"Little Lei? Didn't you go rest? Why are you back again?"

A trace of confusion appeared on Huo Feng's resolute face.

"Dad, I have something to tell you."

Huo Lei smiled faintly.

"Oh! Then come in and tell me."

Huo Feng opened the door wider and stepped aside.

"Dad, I won't go in. You should come to my room instead. I have something to give you."

There was a hint of urgency in Huo Lei's voice.

"Oh?"

"Alright!"

Huo Feng hesitated briefly before immediately agreeing.

Huo Lei opened the door to his room. "Dad, come in and sit."

Huo Feng sat on the sofa, confusion in his eyes as he asked, "Little Lei, what is so mysterious that you had to make your father come all the way to your room?"

Huo Lei smiled. "Dad! Here's the situation. Under Teacher Jin Shan's guidance, we obtained some precious medicinal herbs. They will be greatly beneficial to Soul Masters after consumption. That's why I called you here."

Huo Lei deliberately described the fairy herbs as precious medicinal herbs to keep his father from feeling reluctant or having other thoughts.

"You want to give your father medicinal herbs? Does Senior Jin Shan know about this?"

Huo Feng asked with some concern.

"Dad, don't worry about that. I have the right to distribute the herbs."

Huo Lei chuckled at his father. He then took the Wishful Treasure Pouch from his Storage Ring and removed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, which was more suitable for his father.

The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower was entirely composed of red blades of grass. At the very top, the leaves resembled a rooster's comb. A closer look revealed that its veins were actually crimson gold. The instant this herb appeared, the temperature throughout the room rose dramatically.

Feeling the scorching energy emanating from the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Huo Feng's eyes went wide.

"Dad! This herb is called the 'Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.' Its effects are obvious—it can greatly enhance Soul Power and flame effects. But it cannot be chewed or swallowed. You can only extract its Soul Power and guide it through your body. No matter how painful the process is, you must endure it, or all your efforts will be wasted."

In the original Douluo novel, Tang San had specifically warned Ma Hongjun about this, so Huo Lei did not dare be careless and emphasized it especially to his father.

"Dad! Refine it here in my room. I'll stand guard for you."

Huo Lei handed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower to his father.

After receiving the fairy herb, Huo Feng's body trembled faintly with excitement. He impatiently sat cross-legged on the floor and began refining it according to Huo Lei's instructions.