Sky Dream Ice Silkworm

"The world really is better off making progress."

What Huo Yuhao held in his hand was a Small Lighter.

He had picked it up before leaving. Apparently, all he had to do was channel Soul Power into it and press down to light a fire.

The old method of drilling wood to make fire was utterly pathetic by comparison. Technology really did change lives.

Huo Yuhao had now passed through the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. The terrain in the previous area had been level, with sparse vegetation and only scattered shrubs and weeds.

The ground still bore numerous traces of human parties resting and regrouping, as well as the ruts of carriage wheels. Farther off, the warning stakes and battered signposts of the various empires still stood.

Occasionally, Huo Yuhao could see abandoned tents and dried-out Soul Beast skeletons left behind by passing Soul Masters.

Although the outskirts were only the forest's outermost layer, the innate life force of the entire Star Dou Great Forest still permeated the surroundings. The concentration of spiritual energy far exceeded that of the outside world, and Huo Yuhao's Soul Power circulated more smoothly than before when he cultivated.

At that moment, Huo Yuhao was beside a stream, preparing to roast a few fish he had just caught.

Relying on the exceptionally powerful targeting ability of his Spirit Eyes, he thrust a forked branch precisely into the stream, spearing several lively black carp over half a foot long in succession.

He took out the White Tiger Dagger. Its blade was incomparably sharp, letting him scale the fish, slit their bellies, and remove their innards in one smooth sequence.

As time passed, the fish skin slowly turned from bluish white to pale yellow, then roasted to a glistening golden brown. The firelight shone on the fish, giving them an enticing amber glow.

Roasting fish was Huo Yuhao's specialty. In truth, he could have lived a stable life on the continent through that skill alone, but such a stable life was far too unlikely to happen to Huo Yuhao.

As the aroma spread, Huo Yuhao sensed a black figure dart through the nearby bushes before pouncing toward him.

Huo Yuhao instantly rose to his feet and leaped aside, holding the White Tiger Dagger horizontally in front of him.

The creature's appearance was now fully exposed to Huo Yuhao's view.

It was a baboon roughly a meter tall, its entire body covered in yellowish-brown fur. It had brown eyes, exceptionally long arms, sharp nails on its claws, and canine teeth protruding past its lips. A savage gleam shone in its eyes.

Without a doubt, it was a Wind Baboon!

When its first strike missed, the Wind Baboon went still again, glaring fiercely at the somewhat casual Huo Yuhao as though preparing to kill him with a single blow.

After letting out a low growl, the Wind Baboon kicked hard against the ground with both feet and lunged at Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao merely turned sideways and dodged again.

"How pathetic. Is that all you've got?"

As though it had understood Huo Yuhao's mockery, and enraged after missing twice in a row, the Wind Baboon reared up and pounded its chest hard with both fists.

He suddenly opened his mouth wide toward Huo Yuhao. Immediately, a ball of white light shot from its mouth, flying straight at Huo Yuhao.

But the white light had completely dissipated before it was even halfway there. Immediately afterward, the dagger shot out as swiftly as an arrow, striking the Wind Baboon square in the head. Unsurprisingly, it toppled straight down.

Then a faint white light appeared on the baboon's body. Gradually, the white light slowly condensed into a white ring above it.

"Trash Soul Ring."

Never mind that this was only an ordinary Soul Ring, wholly incompatible with his Mental Attribute-it was also a ten-year ring, the absolute dregs of the dregs.

Soul Beasts with a Mental Attribute were exceedingly difficult to find, and the Soul Ring's age also had to be up to standard. When would he ever encounter a top-quality Mental Attribute Soul Beast?

"Could heaven just send me one? Forget it, I'm kidding."

Huo Yuhao tossed out the remark casually, then planned to go back and catch a few more fish.

Suddenly, without any warning, a voice rang out in Huo Yuhao's mind.

"Hahahahaha! Surviving a great calamity really does bring blessings afterward! This big sister has finally met a human with a Mental Attribute!"

"What the hell?"

As the ground continued to shake, a fissure split open, and an icy chill suddenly spread outward.

Before Huo Yuhao could react, an enormous figure appeared before him. It seemed to be a... silkworm?

Its entire body had the color of fine, warm white jade and was completely crystalline and translucent.

Its plump, rounded body gleamed with the soft luster of white jade, making the ten golden rings upon it especially dazzling.

Huo Yuhao extended his senses, only to discover that the other party's spiritual power was like a vast, surging sea, utterly beyond measure.

Such powerful spiritual power-even stronger than Sister Lexuan's back then. Could this be a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?

Unbelievable. If you're going to give me a mental-type Soul Beast, give me a good one!

Master and his wife still haven't woken up. Was this actually going to become my burial ground?

Looking at Huo Yuhao, whose eyes had suddenly turned one green and one purple, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was rather curious.

But I'd better calm him down first. He looks ready to fight to the death.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Big Sister won't hurt you."

The same voice rang out in Huo Yuhao's mind again.

Huo Yuhao was somewhat startled.

"You're talking to me?"

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm nodded at him, his voice still ringing out in Huo Yuhao's mind. "Of course it's Big Sister. Have you been captivated by my beautiful, delicate body?"

As he spoke, Tian Meng happily wiggled a few times.

Sensing that the other party did not seem to show the slightest malice, Huo Yuhao relaxed somewhat, though he still took a few steps back.

"What do you want?"

"Ahem, let me introduce myself first. I am the Incarnation of Wisdom and Beauty, a Peerless Strong One who has cultivated for a million years and set the Douluo Continent's record for the longest lifespan-the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm!"

"A million years?!"

"That's right. Surprised? You're the first human ever to meet a mighty being such as myself."

"Then do you have lots of impressive victories? Like punching Di Tian and kicking Snow Lady?"

While reading, Huo Yuhao had naturally learned about the Top Ten Ferocious Beasts, but this fellow seemed never to have been recorded.

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm: "..."

"Let's not talk about that. Today, Big Sister is going to become your Soul Ring-the one and only Wisdom Soul Ring on the Douluo Continent!"

"Huh?"

A Million-Year Soul Ring, free of charge? Seriously?

"All right, I won't hurt you. Time is short, so Big Sister is getting started. Don't worry, I'll be gentle. I won't hurt you too much!"

The moment he finished speaking, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's ten golden rings swiftly enveloped Huo Yuhao, while the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm himself transformed into streams of white radiance that poured continuously into his body.

"Hmm, his physique is decent, and his spiritual power... excellent! He's even opened up his Sea of Consciousness already. Big Sister really has found a treasure this time. I was thinking I'd add a few more seals if this child was too weak, but he hardly needs that many at all! Hahaha!"

Just then, the sky suddenly darkened, and a thunderous rumble rang out high above.

An immense, suffocating pressure descended from the sky.

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, who was in the midst of merging with Huo Yuhao, immediately revealed a look of horror. Clearly, not only did the oppressive force in the sky have nothing to do with him, it also surpassed his understanding.

"What dares fight Big Sister for him?" the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm raged. Vast waves of spiritual power surged forth instantly, attempting to drive the gray aura out of Huo Yuhao's body.

A blurry human figure appeared beside Huo Yuhao.

"With the sun and moon in my grasp, I pluck the stars; none in this world is my equal. To think a wisp of this old man's remnant soul could still remain in the world!"

Faced with the assault of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's immense spiritual power, the figure seemed entirely unaffected. With a whoosh, it slipped into the back of Huo Yuhao's head and vanished.

"Surely I can't be this unlucky. I finally found a human with a Mental Attribute, and some bastard is trying to snatch him from me. I'm so pitiful!"

"...Forget it. Big Sister won't stoop to arguing with someone like that."

With that, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm accelerated his fusion with Huo Yuhao. Afterward, her figure gradually turned transparent until she disappeared.

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm took one last look at Huo Yuhao, who had long since fallen unconscious, and smiled smugly.

"Just wait. Once I've raised him into a god, I, Tian Meng, will definitely return for revenge!"