"Qian Renhan?"
Dugu Bo was momentarily dazed. He stared at Huo Yuhao, seemingly unable to believe his eyes, but once he confirmed it, his face lit up with overwhelming joy.
"Little Monster, you're still alive? And you reached rank ninety-five in just ten short years? How old are you, anyway!"
After recognizing Qian Renhan, Dugu Bo ushered Huo Yuhao and Xiao Wu inside in astonishment.
But when he saw Xiao Wu, his breathing immediately quickened. Only when he looked at Huo Yuhao beside her did he rein in his expression.
"Where have you been all these years? You little brat, you never came back to return my core, so I could only go ask your grandfather for it. But your grandfather said you were dead, and I could only swallow my bad luck. Who would've thought you were still alive!"
"It's good that you're alive. It's good that you're alive!"
Dugu Bo's concern warmed Huo Yuhao's heart. He cupped his hands and bowed to him, then took the inner core out of his body.
"Thank you for your concern, Senior. This inner core may be late, but it's finally here! Please forgive me."
"Forgive you for what? The inner core is a trivial matter to me. Having it or not doesn't really make much difference!"
Dugu Bo casually accepted the inner core and swallowed it in one gulp. His eyes lit up as he felt the surging soul power within.
To think he had actually come out ahead!
The soul power in his inner core was abundant enough to raise him another few ranks. That was a boost comparable to a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring! It seemed his investment back then had been a good one.
"I won't ask where you've been all these years. You must have had your reasons. What are your plans now?"
Huo Yuhao paused slightly at that, then continued, "First, I came to return your core, Senior. Then I'll go back to see my grandfather and younger sister. Once that's settled, I'll go do what I want to do."
Dugu Bo nodded, his gaze drifting toward Xiao Wu from time to time. "And she is?"
Dugu Bo could tell that Xiao Wu was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast cultivating anew in human form, but out of consideration for Huo Yuhao, he had kept quiet. After holding it in for so long, however, he finally couldn't help himself.
"Her? She's a hundred-thousand-year Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit who took human form to cultivate anew. Just now, I accidentally exposed her identity, so I'd like to ask you to agree to one request, Senior."
Dugu Bo's expression grew solemn. "Go ahead!"
"I'd like to entrust her to you and let her live in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. I don't have many friends, and you're one of them, Senior, so I can only swallow my shame and ask this of you!"
"What?"
Dugu Bo was stunned. He had never expected Huo Yuhao to ask him to take in Xiao Wu, to take in this hundred-thousand-year soul beast-a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone and soul ring that he could obtain at the lift of a hand!
These were supreme treasures of the soul master world! Even for him, that soul bone would have extraordinary effects. As for Xiao Wu's soul ring, he could save it for his precious granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
Wasn't Huo Yuhao sending this hundred-thousand-year soul beast straight into a pit of fire?
"You actually trust me? Aren't you afraid I won't be able to resist the temptation and will attack her? We're talking about a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and soul bone!"
"That's why I want to hear you agree in person, Senior. I know your word is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Though you're eccentric and act entirely according to your whims, you always fulfill the promises you make to friends."
"In my heart, you're a friend, Senior!"
Dugu Bo: ...
Dugu Bo was moved. He hadn't expected Huo Yuhao to trust him so much. Had it been anyone else, he might have agreed casually, then turned around and killed Xiao Wu for her ring and bone the moment they left.
But it was different with Huo Yuhao. Huo Yuhao had saved both his life and his granddaughter's, practically giving them a second life. Though Dugu Bo had an infamous reputation across the continent, he was a true man with genuine feelings!
He regarded Huo Yuhao as a brother, a friend despite their difference in age. If this was Huo Yuhao's request, he would fulfill it even at the cost of his own life.
"All right. You really do have nerves of steel. I'll look after her for you. It's just one more person and one more pair of chopsticks! She can be friends with Yanyan, too!"
A smile appeared on Huo Yuhao's face after he received Dugu Bo's answer.
"Then I can rest easy."
Then he turned his gaze toward the frightened Xiao Wu and said, "Don't be afraid, and don't feel you have to hold back. This senior is someone you can trust. Since he promised me he'd look after you, he absolutely won't break his word. Humans aren't as despicable as you think."
"Since you've survived, cherish this chance. Don't ask who I am, and don't grieve over Tang San and the others anymore. They aren't worth it."
"Good luck. Goodbye!"
With that, Huo Yuhao bid Dugu Bo one final farewell, then turned and left.
Spirit City, the Elder Hall!
As usual, Qian Daoliu remained before the Angel Temple in the Elder Hall, devoutly worshipping the Angel God.
Suddenly, however, Qian Daoliu's eyes snapped open, blazing with golden light, and he turned toward the doors of the hall. The moment he saw the newcomer, he froze. He abruptly rose to his feet, his face filled with disbelief. "Han'er? Is that you? Am I really not hallucinating?"
"Grandfather, it's me. I didn't die. I'm back."
Huo Yuhao's voice was choked with emotion. When he saw Qian Daoliu's aged figure, no matter how cold-blooded he was, he couldn't hold back. Tears spilled from his eyes.
"As long as you're all right. As long as you're all right!"
Qian Daoliu was certain that the Huo Yuhao before him was his own grandson. That feeling of shared blood could not be mistaken. Though he found it hard to believe, and though Huo Yuhao's aura made him deeply uncomfortable, he was still happy.
Because his grandson was still alive!
"Han'er, where have you been all these years? How did you survive, and how did you reach this rank in just ten short years?"
After their brief reunion, Qian Daoliu could no longer suppress his questions and began asking Huo Yuhao, who explained everything to him bit by bit.
Half a day later, though Qian Daoliu still looked incredulous, he had accepted Huo Yuhao's account.
"Grandfather, where's Xue'er? Why haven't I seen her?"
Qian Daoliu stiffened at the question, his expression turning evasive. In the end, however, he still said it. "Xiao Xue is working undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire. She's been there for more than ten years."
"What?"
"Didn't she tell me that Bibi Dong hadn't forced her to go undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire? Wasn't she living carefree in Spirit Hall all this time?"
Qian Daoliu remained silent. After a while, he merely let out a long sigh and replied, "I know this is hard for you to accept, but Xiao Xue volunteered. And after she learned that both you and Bibi Dong had died,
she never returned to Spirit Hall even once. I know she's angry with me, but I believe time will smooth everything over."
Huo Yuhao was speechless. To think Qian Renxue was still working undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire, just as she had in the original story. Could nothing be changed?
Did Qian Daoliu have to die, too?
No, I have to overturn this ending. This time, I'll keep Qian Daoliu alive. If someone has to die, I alone will be enough.
This was also the third thing he intended to do!
After bidding Qian Daoliu farewell, Huo Yuhao beat his wings and flew at full speed toward Heaven Dou City in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Before you continue