Coming back to his senses, Xu Zihuang quickly stored the exposed Gold of Life into the storage soul tool on his wrist and circulated soul power to absorb every wisp of the overflowing life aura in the room.
Because the storage ring that held the external soul bone, the Sovereign Dragon Claw, was too conspicuous, he had handed it over to Yao Yang for safekeeping. Now he wore this bracelet-shaped storage soul tool instead.
When leaving Moon Pivot Island, he hadn't brought much.
Only a few soul tools he had crafted himself, some spare clothes, and a thousand gold soul coins. The storage soul tool he wore was itself a rank-five soul tool, and its space was more than enough for him.
This cultivation had lasted a full day and night. Though the life aura of the Gold of Life hadn't raised Xu Zihuang's cultivation, it made him feel as crystalline and transparent as the Gold of Life itself. The results of three years of painstaking cultivation seemed to merge seamlessly under this nourishment, forming a perfect whole.
Carrying this marvelous sensation, Xu Zihuang hadn't even noticed when he slipped into a rare deep meditation.
When he opened his eyes again, Linlong, who had been guarding nearby, was instantly startled. Seeing the dense golden patterns covering Xu Zihuang's eyes, even with his level of cultivation, he was momentarily dazed.
Within the incomparably clear gold, his pupils radiated a gentle light, as though one could glimpse a vast ocean within.
The shock made Linlong unconsciously hold his breath, and he couldn't help but whisper: "Young Master?"
Xu Zihuang felt the mental power in his spiritual sea had nearly doubled, filling his heart with joy.
He had only been nourished by a small portion of the life aura leaking from the Gold of Life, yet had gained such benefits.
This made his resolve even firmer.
He had to reach the Star Dou Forest before Huo Yuhao. If he could gain Electrolux's help, he would be able to fully merge the Gold of Life into his spiritual sea.
"Elder Lin, how long have I been cultivating?" Xu Zihuang asked as he rose and walked to the window, pulling open the curtains.
Outside was a massive port. Rows of giant ships were moored nearby, while the square bustled with countless people.
"Have we already reached the southern coast of the Star Luo Empire?"
"Young Master, you've been cultivating for nearly half a month. This ship arrived at the Star Luo Empire seven days ago. Luckily you ended your cultivation today," Linlong said with a bitter smile.
"That's good." Hearing this, Xu Zihuang let out a breath of relief.
There were still nearly two months before Shrek Academy's enrollment began. He had plenty of time.
Together with Linlong, he went up to the deck, where sailors were busily loading and unloading goods.
They had taken a merchant ship that traveled between Moon Pivot Island and the Star Luo Empire, which would stay docked at this port for some time.
That was why Xu Zihuang's cultivation had gone undisturbed.
Not wasting time, he left the port for a nearby Star Luo Empire city to rest briefly and purchase supplies, then parted ways with Linlong.
This had been their plan all along.
The war between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire had already subsided, and the Star Luo Empire remained relatively safe. After all, it was the strongest of the three empires of the former Douluo Continent.
Meanwhile, the Yuenan Archipelago's situation was delicate. Having one more Soul Sage guarding Moon Pivot Island was undoubtedly a good thing.
To avoid exposing any clues about his background, Xu Zihuang also chose not to carry the flying soul tool he had once used, as it was crafted with the Sun Moon Empire's latest technology.
With no other option, he resorted to the most primitive method—renting a carriage and hurrying straight toward Star Luo City.
Though of noble birth, Xu Zihuang had never been the pampered sort who couldn't endure hardship. His three years of imprisonment, followed by three years of bitter cultivation on Moon Pivot Island, had long tempered his resilient character.
Even in the jolting carriage, he remained immersed in cultivation, so he didn't feel the journey long at all.
Fifteen days quickly passed. Lifting the carriage curtain, he could already see the towering outline of a massive city.
This was the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City, with a history stretching back tens of thousands of years.
When the carriage was still some distance from the southern gate of Star Luo City, Xu Zihuang pulled out ten gold soul coins from his storage tool and tossed them to the driver.
"Stop here. No need to enter the city."
As they neared Star Luo City, the driver had slowed to avoid disturbing the nobles within. Delighted at the generous tip, he readily agreed.
"Yes, Soul Master."
Xu Zihuang's body, tempered since childhood by countless heavenly treasures, contained almost no impurities. Despite rushing along the road, he bore no trace of dust.
His smooth black medium-length hair hung loosely over his shoulders, his steady steps giving him an air of unworldly elegance. The fitted black clothes outlined a flawless physique.
But just as he stepped down from the carriage, strange silver patterns suddenly surfaced on his brow. He instinctively raised his hand to cover his forehead.
A series of fragmented images flashed through his mind.
Perhaps it was because his spiritual power had grown after three years of cultivation—or perhaps for some other reason.
A powerful urge welled in his heart: to head straight for the Star Dou Forest.
"Is it related to that Silver-Scaled White Whale? Just what are these images appearing in my mind?"
Frowning, he looked northwest toward the Star Dou Forest, his heart filled with questions.
Taking a deep breath, he stopped hesitating.
Circulating his soul power, his figure flickered several times before vanishing into the northwest beyond Star Luo City.
But then, a golden palace appeared in his vision, and his gaze froze—not at the building itself, but at the figure quietly slipping out its back gate.
It was a small figure, stealthily leaving the grand residence.
A boy of about eleven or twelve. His build was lean and balanced, dressed in clean gray cloth with a small bundle on his back. His black hair was short and neat, his young face already bearing extraordinary determination.
After gently closing the gate behind him, the boy took a few quick steps, then suddenly stopped. He turned back to face the Duke's Mansion, deep hatred burning in his dark-blue eyes.
"Mother, please watch from heaven. No matter how hard it is, one day I will return and trample everything here beneath my feet. From now on, I will take your surname. I will be Huo—Huo Yuhao."
With those words, he gave the Duke's Mansion one last deep look, then turned and left without hesitation.
"The plot has shifted again? Huo Yuhao left the White Tiger Duke's Mansion earlier than expected?!" Xu Zihuang unconsciously clenched his fists, then slowly loosened them.
There was still time for everything!