Threatening Death!

Meanwhile.

In the dense woods at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Huo Yuhao quickly pushed aside the sorrow of parting.

He drove the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to its limit, darting between tree trunks.

He also activated his Purple Demon Eyes, trying to pick out every foothold and possible danger in the dark.

His destination was clear.

The deepest part of the Star Dou Great Forest.

He had once lived there for a long time.

Even though this was ten thousand years earlier, he still remembered exactly where its core region lay.

As long as he found Brother Sky Dream.

And merged with him again, Huo Yuhao would have the power to change his fate completely.

Thump.

Huo Yuhao pushed off a thick branch, rising toward the next tree.

But before he could land.

A dark figure drifted out of the shadows ahead without warning.

It seemed to squeeze out of the tree trunk itself, silently blocking his path.

In an instant.

The air turned deathly cold.

The crushing pressure of a Titled Douluo descended, locking down the space around Huo Yuhao.

At the sight.

Huo Yuhao's heart sank.

He lost his balance and slammed into the leaf-strewn mud.

He used the impact to roll back to his feet, his right hand already gripping the Soul Ray Gun inside his Storage Soul Tool.

Not far away.

The shadow slowly took shape.

Gui Mei's frighteningly pale face finally emerged.

He looked down at Huo Yuhao, his mouth twisting as he spoke in a chilling voice.

"Young Master, where are you going in the middle of the night?"

"Uncle Gui Mei, were you following me?"

Huo Yuhao confronted him outright.

Gui Mei took a step forward.

The air seemed to grow colder at once.

"Young Master, the Star Dou Great Forest is far too dangerous."

"You don't even have a Soul Ring. If you encounter a Soul Beast, you'll die. Go back. Don't make this difficult for me."

But Huo Yuhao gritted his teeth and refused to retreat an inch.

"And if I won't?"

Gui Mei's face darkened. He shook his head, but his tone remained firm.

"Young Master, you should know."

"I'm a Titled Douluo. If I decide to take you back, you can't resist me."

"Whether you like it or not, I must ensure your safety. Those are His Holiness the Pope's orders."

The moment he finished speaking.

Huo Yuhao pulled a sharp Carving Knife from his Storage Soul Tool.

Without the slightest hesitation, he pressed it to his own throat.

At once.

The keen edge cut his skin, and blood seeped out.

"Let me leave."

Huo Yuhao stared Gui Mei down, enunciating every word.

"Or I'll die right here in front of you."

Gui Mei's eyes widened, and he stopped in his tracks.

His expression turned grim.

He had clearly never expected Huo Yuhao to threaten his own life!

Had the young master gone mad?

Then he heard Huo Yuhao continue.

"Uncle Gui Mei, you know my Martial Soul isn't as good as Eldest Brother's or Second Brother's. But I'm still the Pope's own son."

"If I die here, do you think you'll get off lightly?"

"The Pope will never let you go."

Gui Mei fell silent.

He had never imagined that this usually quiet young master would be so resolute that he would threaten to kill himself.

Gui Mei did not dare take the chance.

If Huo Yuhao really drew the blade across his throat.

Unless Gui Mei possessed the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, even a Titled Douluo could not save someone whose throat had been cut.

And when Qian Xunji flew into a rage.

Gui Mei would pay dearly for it.

With no other choice, Gui Mei softened his voice, trying to calm Huo Yuhao.

"Young Master, why go this far?"

"I don't understand why you suddenly want to leave."

"What's so good about the world outside?"

"Can you really bear to leave the Eldest Young Master? He's always treated you well."

"Even if you insist on leaving, shouldn't you at least tell His Holiness the Pope?"

At the mention of Qian Renchuan, the hand holding Huo Yuhao's Carving Knife trembled.

He immediately remembered the half piece of top-grade Whale Rubber Qian Renchuan had saved for him, and the painting Qian Renchuan had given him.

He remembered all the little things that had happened between them.

But he could not stay.

He had his own path to follow.

After a moment of silence, Huo Yuhao spoke again, his voice as resolute as ever.

"Let me go."

"Or I die."

Gui Mei frowned deeply, at his wits' end.

"Young Master, don't make this difficult for me. If you do this, I truly won't be able to explain it when I return."

Just then, footsteps sounded behind them.

Qian Renchuan's voice came from behind, startlingly clear in the night forest.

"Uncle Gui Mei, let Third Brother go."

In an instant.

Huo Yuhao whipped around.

He looked at the small figure in the distance.

Qian Renchuan stood there, the night wind stirring the hem of his clothes. Huo Yuhao's eyes instantly grew hot.

So Eldest Brother had been worried about him all along and had followed him here.

He had known Huo Yuhao was running away, yet not only had he kept quiet, he had stepped forward to help him now.

At that moment.

Huo Yuhao's chest ached.

By saying this, Qian Renchuan was taking responsibility for his departure too.

Gui Mei turned to Qian Renchuan.

"Eldest Young Master, we can't do that! If the young master is out there alone..."

Qian Renchuan remained where he was, his eyes fixed on Huo Yuhao. His tone was light.

"Third Brother isn't happy at Spirit Hall. If he has something he wants to do, there's no point forcing him to stay."

"He'll come back when he wants to."

"You can't force someone to stay against his will, Uncle Gui Mei. Even if you tie him up and take him back now, he'll run away again."

Gui Mei looked helpless.

"But I can't explain this to the Pope."

"I'll speak to Father. I'll take responsibility for everything; none of the blame will fall on you. Just let him go."

Gui Mei fell silent again.

He looked at Qian Renchuan in the distance, then at Huo Yuhao, who still held the Carving Knife to his throat.

He had no idea what was going on today.

Why did the young master suddenly want to leave?

Where could he even go?

And why was the Eldest Young Master stepping in, even offering to take the blame?

Gui Mei had been with them throughout this time, yet he seemed to have no idea what had been happening.

Whatever the reason, Gui Mei knew there was no easy way to settle this now.

But with the Eldest Young Master willing to take responsibility, there was no need to push the young master to his death.

After giving Huo Yuhao a long look.

Gui Mei sighed, turned, and vanished into the darkness nearby.