Huo Yuhao answered the soul communicator, and on the other end came the voice of Lan Fuzi.
"Sir, as per your request, I have already relayed your message back to the Holy Spirit Sect."
"Have you made a decision?"
"...Yes."
At the Spirit Pagoda in Mingdu, Lan Fuzi took a deep breath and spoke with a determined tone:
"Just now, the Holy Spirit Sect assigned me a task. Within a year, the Star Luo Empire will send an exchange team over. According to protocol, the Federation will also form an exchange team to visit Star Luo. They want me to find a way to get you involved..."
It's always necessary to take the first step. After all, it's just betraying the Holy Spirit Sect's information. As long as it didn't involve her mother, Lan Fuzi didn't care.
If she could gain the trust of the two adults through this method, perhaps one day she could ask them to help her mother return to normal...
After a brief conversation, Huo Yuhao ended the call while deep in thought.
"Are you planning to go to Star Luo?"
Huo Yuhao answered the soul communicator without avoiding the three of them. Xiong Jun had also heard the entire conversation and frowned, "That place is not within the Spirit Pagoda's sphere of influence, and we don't know much about the specific situation there."
"But no matter what, the Star Luo Continent is just a place with even fewer resources than the Douluo Continent. What's the use of you going there?"
Huo Yuhao turned to Gu Yuena upon hearing this. After a moment of contemplation, he said straightforwardly, "There should be something left behind by the Dragon God there."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yuena couldn't help but stand up and walk over to Huo Yuhao, her purple eyes flickering with excitement:
"Yuhao, is this true?"
If she could obtain something left behind by the Dragon God, her chances of recovering her peak strength and even advancing further would greatly increase.
Huo Yuhao said, "You should know some things better than I do. You are on Douluo Star, and the Golden Dragon King's core is also here now. Naturally, some things will come looking for you... but it might not be a good thing."
Since it had come to this, he might as well speak openly and have a good talk with her.
Hearing this, Gu Yuena paused, her expression becoming somewhat complicated.
Seeing the atmosphere becoming a bit awkward, Xiong Jun wanted to change the subject, but then he saw Snow Empress smile slightly and leave the place first.
Xiong Jun scratched his head, thought for a moment, and simply ran off to find his disciple.
The matters to be discussed next didn't seem to be something he should be involved in.
Only after the two left did Gu Yuena ask in a low voice, "Yuhao, you don't want me to obtain the Dragon God's legacy?"
There are many things left behind by the Dragon God, but what could potentially bring her trouble would likely be the trial for the Dragon God's divine position.
The super divine artifact left by the Dragon God would not be difficult for her to obtain given her status, but the divine trial would inevitably have tests set by the Dragon God. She wasn't sure what kind of trials the other party would set. But now, she is the only true deity among the dragons, and the Golden Dragon King is only a remnant soul. It is her mission to inherit the Dragon God's divine position.
Huo Yuhao smiled slightly, not letting the atmosphere become too serious, and said in a relaxed tone:
"I've heard of the Dragon God's power. If you become the Dragon God, wouldn't you be able to directly feed me all the way to the God King? Even eating soft rice shouldn't be eaten like this."
Gu Yuena was stunned, then couldn't help but chuckled, her originally serious expression softening.
"Be serious at a time like this."
Before she finished speaking, she came to sit next to Huo Yuhao, her silver hair cascading like flowing water over his shoulder, carrying a faint, delicate fragrance.
"Yuhao, believe in me, I can do it. I am half of the Dragon God, inheriting the Dragon God's position is only natural."
"Sorry, I don't believe it."
Huo Yuhao's straightforward answer made Gu Yuena freeze instantly, and she couldn't help but puff up her cheeks in frustration:
"Why?"
The Sea God, a soul master, was able to inherit the position of God King in the end, so why can't I? Even if the Dragon God is stronger than the Asura God, I am a first-level god!
Yuhao, do you not believe in my strength, or do you not believe in my wisdom?
Huo Yuhao turned around, his ice-blue eyes looking directly at her. After a moment of thought, he didn't answer her question but instead asked, "You and the Golden Dragon King represent two sides of the Dragon God. The Golden Dragon King symbolizes the aspect of madness. Was the divine trial directly set by the Dragon God in a state of clarity, or in madness? Or perhaps, a mix of both?"
Gu Yuena opened her mouth, wanting to say it was surely left in a state of clarity. But facing Huo Yuhao's serious gaze, she ultimately couldn't say it.
She lowered her eyes, her long silver eyelashes trembling slightly, "I'm not sure."
"Do you know the specifics of the trial?"
"...No."
"Do you know the Dragon God's intention in leaving the Dragon God's position? Did he hope for a dragon to inherit the position quickly, thus making the trial easier, or did he hope for the heir to surpass him in some aspects, increasing the difficulty of the trial?"
Seeing Gu Yuena about to answer, Huo Yuhao added, "I once came into contact with a deity. The deities in the divine realm find their lives deeply boring and have thoughts of abandoning their divine positions and running away. They might go easily in the trials. But the Dragon God couldn't have had such thoughts, right?"
Rong Nianbing wanted to run away, but the Dragon God is already gone. Could their thoughts be the same?
Gu Yuena: "…"
Stop talking, okay?
I feel like you're targeting me, Yuhao. Your questions are getting more and more tricky.
Gu Yuena pursed her lips, a hint of helplessness flashing in her purple eyes, "No matter what, this is something I must face. The dragons need the Dragon God, and I am the only choice."
Huo Yuhao looked at her determined expression and suddenly reached out to gently rub her head, "That's why I said I don't believe you can pass. If you want to reassure me, you should tell me now that you plan to postpone becoming the Dragon God, focus on improving your strength, and gradually investigate the contents of the Dragon God's trial. Instead of telling me about responsibilities and obligations... If you had a ninety-eight percent chance, I wouldn't say anything."
"Also, don't forget that we have an equal contract. If something happens to you, I will also suffer backlash."
While Gu Yuena was silent, Huo Yuhao casually delivered the final blow.
The sullen Gu Yuena suddenly furrowed her brows, grabbing Huo Yuhao's arm with surprising strength, "Yuhao, didn't you say that contract wouldn't affect you? You can terminate it at any time, right?"
Huo Yuhao shrugged and smiled, "I'm not a god. How can you be sure it won't affect me?"
Gu Yuena stared at Huo Yuhao for a moment, then showed a look of reluctant defeat and released her grip.
"I understand. I will think it over carefully and won't take risks lightly."
Even such a "threat" has been said. If she remains stubborn, Yuhao will get angry.
Seeing that Gu Yuena had taken his words to heart, Huo Yuhao smiled slightly, "Then let's talk about the future trip to Star Luo."
...
The next day, before leaving Heaven Dou City, Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena visited the Blacksmith Association to see Zhen Hua.
Gu Yuena, as a disciple, came to visit her teacher who had been struck by lightning, while Huo Yuhao came to meet Mu Ye and incidentally asked Zhen Hua about his experience of being struck by the elemental lightning... cough, his insights.
After all, the four-element lightning is also a form of fusion of the four elements: earth, wind, water, and fire.
Zhen Hua had been struck by elemental lightning for many years and had a deep understanding of it. After seeking his advice, Huo Yuhao felt he had gained a lot.
It's just that Zhen Hua's expression didn't look too good when talking about it...
When the two returned to the Heaven Dou Spirit Pagoda branch, the soul aircraft to the headquarters was already prepared.
When they came, there were nine people. When they returned, there were nine people, plus... three soul beasts.
One of the soul beasts was naturally Xiong Jun, and the other two...
"What's going on?"
Xie Xie's eyes reflected the two Dark Gold Terror Claw Bears at the airport, his face full of confusion.
The two Dark Gold Terror Claw Bears were squatting obediently at the edge of the tarmac, their golden fur shimmering in the sunlight, their big round eyes curiously looking at everyone.
Their size wasn't large among Dark Gold Terror Claw Bears, probably around a thousand years old, but their sharp claws and the faintly emanating ferocious aura still made people not dare to underestimate them.
"These are my descendants. I plan to take them to see the world during this grand ceremony and pay respects to Spirit Ice Douluo together." Xiong Jun walked forward, grinning, "Xiong Da, Xiong Er, say hello to everyone."
Upon hearing this, the two Dark Gold Terror Claw Bears immediately stood up on their hind legs, clumsily waved their claws, and let out low growls from their throats, actually seeming to greet everyone.
Xie Xie's mouth twitched, "Xiong Da, Xiong Er? Isn't this name... too simple?"
He wanted to say it was too casual, but given Xiong Jun's status and strength as the Pagoda Master, he didn't dare to push his luck.
Xiong Jun snorted indifferently, "We soul beasts have always named things simply and directly, unlike you humans, who have to make everything so convoluted..."
Xiong Jun's gaze suddenly fell on Gu Yuena, and he coughed lightly, stopping himself.
He almost included the Lady in his remarks.
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this. Let's get on the aircraft." Xiong Jun waved his hand and led the way towards the soul aircraft.
Everyone followed, with Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi whispering behind, "I've long heard that soul beasts hold great respect for Spirit Ice Douluo. Besides the Spirit Ice Grand Ceremony, they also have their own sacrificial activities. It seems to be true. Pagoda Master Xiong Jun is paying respects to Spirit Ice Douluo and even bringing his family…"
Xiong Jun, walking ahead, seemed to have heard and laughed heartily, "You don't understand. My respect for Spirit Ice is like the endless flow of a river, wave after wave. I could bring people to pay respects to him every day!"
Huo Yuhao: "…"
Haha, paying respects every day, huh?
I'll remember that. Just you wait.
...
Mingdu, Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.
At noon approximately, the entire city seemed to be infused with boiling vitality. The streets around the Spirit Pagoda square had already been meticulously decorated, with ribbons and soul light screens intertwining into a dazzling tapestry.
Under the joint arrangement of the Federation and the Spirit Pagoda, this towering pagoda and its surrounding areas had become the core stage of the celebration.
The residents of Mingdu had flocked to the streets early, some being long-time local civilians, others being soul masters who had traveled from afar.
Although the Spirit Ice Grand Ceremony was originally established by the Spirit Pagoda to commemorate the founding of Pagoda Master, over the long years, this grand event had long surpassed its simple commemorative significance.
Those soul masters who had benefited from the Spirit Pagoda's support also came with gratitude in their hearts.
Among the crowd gathered in front of the Spirit Pagoda square were even people Xie Xie and others discovered from Donghai, such as Senior "Blue Silver King," the Guang Long, Guang Biao brothers, and Luoyang Road.
Many souls that spirits had formed contracts with other soul master families also temporarily returned to the Spirit Pagoda today.
They either transformed into streams of light weaving through the crowd or maintained their spiritual forms as they floated in. From a high vantage point, the entire city seemed to flow with a river of soul power, the human tide on the streets and the flying soul spirits in the sky reflecting each other, the metallic luster of flying soul tools and the primal energy of soul beasts shimmering under the sunlight.
The spire of the Spirit Pagoda cast a solemn shadow under the noon sun, while the various soul beasts and soul spirits circling it added a lively rhythm to the scene.
"Every time during the Spirit Ice Grand Ceremony, I can feel the Spirit Pagoda's immense influence and heritage."
Wang Hongchen stepped out of the soul car, looking at the bustling scene around him, and couldn't help but sigh.
Yi Hongchen followed him out of the car and smiled upon hearing this, "What, feeling apprehensive?"
"How could I? That's ancient history."
Wang Hongchen rolled his eyes, "I still remember the joke from thousands of years ago, various forces were worried that the Spirit Pagoda would become the next Spirit Hall and sent people to spy on the Spirit Pagoda's secrets, only to eventually find a civilian soul master support plan."
"The Spirit Pagoda uses open strategies. By now, they are already an inseparable part of the Federation. Otherwise, the Federation wouldn't go out of its way to facilitate the Spirit Ice Grand Ceremony."
Yi Hongchen smiled slightly and was about to continue when his gaze suddenly caught sight of a figure, and he stopped.
At some point, the hustle and bustle in the Spirit Pagoda headquarters square gradually quieted down. Everyone's attention was focused on the central stage.
As the current Spirit Pagoda Pagoda Master, Qiangu Dongfeng naturally had to give an opening speech for this celebration.
Clad in a white robe, he slowly walked up to the square's stage, each step seeming resonating with the soul power between heaven and earth, causing the surrounding space to tremble slightly.
"Distinguished guests," Qiangu Dongfeng's voice, amplified by soul power, echoing throughout the square, "Today we gather here to commemorate the founder of the Spirit Pagoda, Spirit Ice Douluo."
"Ten thousand years ago, Spirit Ice Ancestor created the soul spirit system, resolving the blood feud between humans and soul beasts that had lasted for millennia."
His gaze swept over the crowd below, lingering for a moment on the soul spirits standing side by side with humans, "The peaceful era we see now is a testament to his lifelong efforts…"
Qiangu Dongfeng's opening speech didn't take too long, lasting only about ten minutes. He spoke about the Spirit Pagoda's history and its founding Pagoda Master, the current grand occasion, and finally, his vision for the future.
"...Now, we stand here, witnessing not only the inheritance of history but also the continuation of the future."
His voice paused slightly, then he declared loudly:
"Now, I declare, the Spirit Ice Grand Ceremony officially begins!"
As his voice fell, the entire Spirit Pagoda suddenly erupted with dazzling light, swirling and dancing in the sky, with brilliant soul power ribbons intertwining into a net.
Soul fireworks around the square shoot into the air, exploding into splendid colors, and cheers surged like waves across the scene.