Yan, standing to the side, had a face so dark it could drip water. He clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug deep into his palms. "Pretending to be something he's not!" he thought through gritted teeth. "If this kid hadn't suddenly appeared, I should have been the one showing off my skills in front of Nana!"
Xie Yue keenly sensed his companion's emotions and gently nudged Yan's arm. He stepped forward and solemnly bowed to Huo Yuhao: "I am Xie Yue. Thank you for saving my life. The Spirit Hall has always been clear about gratitude and grudges, and will certainly repay you handsomely."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Hu Liena suddenly interjected excitedly, a bright smile blooming on her pretty face. "Our Spirit Hall is wonderful! Why don't you come back with us?" She became more and more excited as she spoke, unconsciously moving closer to Huo Yuhao. "With your strength, you'll definitely become a Holy Son! Then..."
"Holy Maiden!" The old man coughed lightly, a meaningful smile appearing on his aged face. "This matter requires careful consideration."
Hu Liena then realized what she had said, and two blushes instantly rose to her fair cheeks. She hurriedly lowered her head, but couldn't hide the sweet smile on her lips.
Huo Yuhao took in all of this, secretly amused. He feigned surprise and said, "What a coincidence! I was just about to go to Spirit City to participate in the Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academy. It would be my pleasure to travel with you all."
"Hahaha!" The old man laughed heartily, his wrinkles smoothing out. "Good! Good! With you joining us, young friend, our journey will surely be smooth sailing!" He glanced meaningfully at Hu Liena, "Perhaps there will be even more... surprises when we reach Spirit City."
Hu Liena's face turned even redder, as alluring as a ripe apple. She secretly glanced at Huo Yuhao, only to find him smiling back at her, and her heart pounded like a drum.
Huo Yuhao maintained a gentle smile on the surface, but his mind was clear. "The plan is going even more smoothly than expected. We didn't even need to use the Pope Token to successfully infiltrate the Spirit Hall."
He glanced around, his gaze lingering for a moment on Yan's gloomy face before casually looking away.
"In that case, I shall travel with you all." Huo Yuhao bowed slightly, gesturing for them to join him. "I hope you will all take good care of me."
The last rays of the setting sun filtered through the treetops, gilding the unusual group with a golden edge. No one noticed the fleeting, cold light in Huo Yuhao's Golden Pupils as he turned around.
Later, with Huo Yuhao's help, they finally found Hu Liena's Soul Ring, and then the group returned to the Spirit Hall together.
The afterglow of the setting sun cast a golden veil over the journey home. Hu Liena walked beside Huo Yuhao, her steps unconsciously lighter than usual. Her gaze seemed to be drawn by a magnet, always involuntarily drifting towards the boy beside her.
"Um..." Hu Liena hesitated for the third time, a strand of hair Entanglement her fingers. When Huo Yuhao turned to look at her with a questioning gaze, she suddenly quickened her pace, pretending to observe the wildflowers by the roadside.
Huo Yuhao's lips curled slightly, and he deliberately slowed his pace. Sure enough, after a short while, Hu Liena casually moved closer again.
"You..."
"Does the Holy Maiden have something to ask?" Huo Yuhao broke the silence at the opportune moment.
Hu Liena's purple eyes lit up as if she had grasped a lifeline. "I don't even know your name yet!"
" Huo Lai," he answered softly, his black hair blowing in the evening breeze, revealing his smooth forehead.
"Huo... Lai..." Hu Liena uttered each word slowly and deliberately, as if trying to etch the name into her heart. Suddenly remembering something, she pointed to the sword at Huo Yuhao's waist. "Is this your Martial Soul? What a beautiful sword."
Huo Yuhao lightly stroked the hilt of the sword, Demon-Slaying Sword emitted a faint hum. "Yes."
The Spirit Hall team had already dispersed. After all, they were almost at Spirit City, and the old Soul Saint was eager to return to report, so he went ahead. Xie Yue wanted to stay, but Hu Liena sent him away on the pretext of "meeting the Pope." As for Yan—thinking of that gloomy face that looked like it was about to drip water, a hint of amusement flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes.
" Huo Lai," Hu Liena suddenly leaned closer, her hair, carrying a faint floral scent, brushing against Huo Yuhao's cheek, "Are you really Soul Ancestor?" She tilted her head, her eyes full of curiosity, "The strength you just displayed was something even I was ashamed of."
Huo Yuhao subtly increased the distance between them, and said with a wry smile, "Holy Maiden, you flatter me. There are countless powerful figures on the continent, and my meager skills are truly insignificant." He looked towards the undulating mountains in the distance, his tone sincere, "The balance of power can shift, it's ever-changing. As for practical combat experience, I don't have much confidence either; sometimes, I may be far inferior to the Holy Maiden."
"Liar." Hu Liena scoffed, but couldn't hide the smile on her lips. "You're really strange. You're so capable, yet you're always so humble." She kicked away a small pebble at her feet, her voice suddenly lowering. "But... that makes you even more..."
The evening breeze carried away her unfinished words, leaving only a faint lingering echo between the two.
"That's it!" Hu Liena suddenly clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm going to tell the teacher about you! She'll definitely reward you handsomely!"
Huo Yuhao's eyes flickered slightly. Bibi Dong... the woman who shared storms with him in the cave, is now the high and mighty Pope. With all this time, does she still remember those past events?
"I am unworthy of the Holy Maiden's kindness." He bowed slightly, concealing the complex emotions in his eyes. "It is already a great honor to join the Spirit Hall Team and participate in the competition."
Upon hearing this, a sly glint flashed in Hu Liena's eyes. "What's so difficult about that? With your abilities, Teacher will definitely agree!" She suddenly tugged at Huo Yuhao's sleeve, "Don't worry, I'll go see Teacher soon. You can wait for me at His Pope's Hall. Let's go quickly."
Huo Yuhao let her pull him forward, his gaze fixed on the girl's joyful back. The plan was progressing even more smoothly than expected—not only had they successfully infiltrated the Spirit Hall, but they had also gained the Holy Maiden's favor. However...
He gazed at the majestic Spirit City in the distance, a dark and ambiguous light flashing in his Golden Pupils.
" Bibi Dong..." The name rolled softly between his lips, carrying a complex mix of emotions that were hard to describe.
Hu Liena turned around, the setting sun gilding her delicate profile. "What are you daydreaming about? Hurry up and catch up!"
Huo Yuhao pulled himself together and quickly caught up. Their shadows were stretched long in the afterglow of the setting sun, gradually merging into one.
Pope's Hall, the light and shadow cast by the stained-glass windows intertwined to create magnificent patterns on the floor. Hu Liena knelt on one knee, the fine beads of sweat on her forehead glistening slightly in the light. She cautiously raised her head, gazing at the figure on the high throne.
"Teacher, your disciple has successfully obtained the Fifth Soul Ring." Hu Liena's voice echoed in the empty hall.
Bibi Dong leaned back on the magnificent Pope throne, her slender fingers lightly tapping the armrest. Her exquisite face was like a Ice Seal lake, revealing no emotion whatsoever. The jewel-encrusted Pope's Scepter rested beside the chair, gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
"Very good." Bibi Dong's red lips parted slightly, her voice as cold as a winter spring, "In this Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academy, the champion must belong to the Spirit Hall."
"However..." Hu Liena hesitated, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of her dress.
Bibi Dong slightly raised her eyes, a hint of impatience flashing in her purple pupils. "Speak."
"We were attacked by four Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest, and we were almost wiped out," Hu Liena said, her voice lowering. "Thanks to the sudden appearance of a young man, we were able to escape."
"Young man?" Bibi Dong's fingers, which were tapping the armrest, suddenly stopped. She sat up slightly, a strange light flashing in her eyes.
Unaware of her teacher's unusual expression, Hu Liena continued excitedly, "His name is Huo Lai, and his strength is astonishing! He single-handedly killed two Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!"
"Ho... Lai..." Bibi Dong repeated the name softly, the light in her eyes gradually dimming. She leaned back in her chair, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the gems on the scepter. "No... Hao Yi..."
"He said he used some kind of secret technique to unleash that power," Hu Liena said, her cheeks slightly flushed. "But he's really amazing, teacher!"
Bibi Dong closed her eyes, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows on her face. "Since he saved you, the Spirit Hall should reward him handsomely. A reward of 300,000 Gold Soul Coin is appropriate; feel free to make any other requests."
"He wants to join the Spirit Hall Team and participate in this competition!" Hu Liena said eagerly.
Bibi Dong opened her eyes, her gaze scrutinizing. "Oh?" A meaningful smile curved her red lips. "Interesting. Approved. You'll be a substitute for now. If there's nothing else, you can step down. I'm tired."
"Yes, teacher!" Hu Liena bowed happily, her skirt tracing a cheerful arc as she turned. She strode towards the palace gate, eager to tell Huo Yuhao the good news.
The heavy palace doors slowly closed, separating the inside from the outside into two worlds. Bibi Dong sat quietly on the throne, her fingertips gently tracing a fine scratch on the scepter—a scratch left many years ago in a cave by a boy named Hao Yi.
" Hao Yi..." she murmured softly, a crack finally appearing in her cold mask, "Where are you...?"
The sun still shone brightly outside the Pope's Hall, it seemed as if a layer of frost could never be melted away.
At the same time, Hu Liena had already dashed out of the Pope's Hall, her short golden hair fluttering behind her. She spotted that familiar figure in the distance and excitedly waved her arms.
" Huo Lai! Great news! The teacher has approved your joining the team!"
Huo Yuhao turned around, his Golden Pupils gleaming in the sunlight. He gave a gentle smile, but his gaze inadvertently swept over the tightly closed palace door behind Hu Liena.
"Thank you for your kind words, Holy Maiden." He bowed slightly, his voice as soft as a whisper, "I wonder... did His Holiness the Pope say anything else?"
P. S.: There are still some issues with the plot of Douluo Dalu III: The Legend of the Dragon King, particularly regarding time travel, including the division of Gu Yuena into Na'er and Gu Yue. I'm planning to have Huo Yuhao travel directly to the prologue. What do you all think?