"Right, Brother Skydream — if possible, could you make my first spirit ring appear yellow, like a hundred-year one? A million-year ring would be way too flashy. With this frail body of mine, I don't think I could handle it."
"That's… doable," Skydream Iceworm replied hesitantly. "But if I use extra power to disguise it, the ring's actual effects might be weakened. You know, I calibrated it perfectly for your current body's condition."
"It's fine," Huo Yuhao said. "Just hide it for now — no need to draw unnecessary attention."
"Alright, alright," Skydream grumbled. "Poor me, having to waste my strength on things like this…"
Hearing him agree, Huo Yuhao nodded in satisfaction. The last thing he wanted was to wander around flaunting a white first spirit ring like in the original story, only to get looked down on by everyone — and then have to prove himself later. What a waste of time and energy that would be.
Moments later, under Skydream Iceworm's guidance, Huo Yuhao felt his consciousness being pulled — leaving his spiritual sea and returning to his body.
When he opened his eyes, the world was still a kaleidoscope of colors, but the pain in his body had completely disappeared. Clearly, Skydream had healed his injuries.
"What the…? Why is everything still like this? Don't tell me I'm actually blind now."
Just as he was thinking that helplessly, a startled cry reached his ears. Two blurry masses of light were quickly approaching, their voices echoing anxiously.
"Ah! We're too late! Little Yuhao seems to have been attacked! These Soul Beasts are getting bolder and bolder — this is already outside the Star Dou Great Forest!"
One of the glowing shapes rushed toward him in a flash and stopped right beside him.
Before the person could get too close, Huo Yuhao raised his hand weakly, gesturing that he was fine.
He glanced at his hand — it, too, was made of glowing mist.
So, it wasn't that the others were weird — it was his eyes.
Thanks to the memories he'd inherited, Huo Yuhao quickly realized what was happening and activated his Spirit Eyes. As he "closed" his spiritual sight, his vision finally returned to normal.
The light in front of him faded to reveal a girl — bright-eyed and graceful, youthful and charming. Her beauty would've turned heads even on Earth. But in Huo Yuhao's current view, she almost looked too radiant, as if her skin and hair were literally glowing.
Who the heck shines like that? She looks like a walking light source!
Not knowing what Huo Yuhao was thinking, Tang Ya spoke worriedly, her voice trembling slightly:
"Little Yuhao, are you alright? Are you hurt? Your clothes are all torn!"
"If I hadn't insisted on washing my hands and face, we wouldn't have been delayed. If something had happened to you, I'd never forgive myself…"
Seeing Tang Ya's anxious expression, Huo Yuhao felt a bit awkward. He scratched his head and gave a faint smile.
"Sister Tang, look — I'm fine."
What's going on here? Why's Tang Ya acting this emotionally? In my memory, they've only known each other for a short time…
He didn't have time to overthink it now. For the moment, he just needed to calm her down — then he could figure out his next steps later.
Nearby, Bei Bei had finished inspecting the Wind Baboon's corpse and walked over, watching the interaction between the two with a gentle expression.
When he noticed Tang Ya's growing panic, he finally stepped in.
"Teacher Xiao Ya, don't worry. Yuhao's looking fine, isn't he?"
"Use your soul power to sense him — his blood and spirit power are circulating normally, no internal injuries. He was probably just knocked out when the Wind Baboon threw him against a tree."
Huo Yuhao nodded quickly, speaking a little embarrassedly.
"Yeah, it was reckless of me to come to the Star Dou Great Forest alone. Thank you, Brother Bei and Sister Tang, for worrying about me."
"If it hadn't been for the life-saving soul tool my mother left me, I probably wouldn't have survived this time."
As he spoke, a wave of grief welled up from deep within. His throat tightened, and tears began to fall.
He didn't resist it. He knew this sadness wasn't truly his — it came from the original Huo Yuhao's lingering will.
After all, he had taken over this body. Completing what the original owner had left unfinished was the least he could do.
Tang Ya's eyes widened, guilt flashing across her face.
"Little Yuhao, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring up something painful!"
"It's fine, Sister Tang," Huo Yuhao said softly, wiping away his tears. "Thank you for caring about me. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first."
He turned to go, but Tang Ya suddenly blurted out —
"Little Yuhao! Would you… Like to join our sect?"
When Tang Ya had first met Huo Yuhao — and especially after tasting his grilled fish — a sudden, powerful impulse had risen in her heart: she had to bring him into the Tang Sect.
Bei Bei had teased her, saying she only wanted him because his cooking was good, but Tang Ya had been completely serious.
For some reason she couldn't explain, she just knew — if she could recruit Huo Yuhao, she would one day be able to revive the Tang Sect's glory.
So when she saw him preparing to leave, she couldn't hold back any longer and made the offer.
Bei Bei, standing beside her, could only smile helplessly. He honestly didn't understand what Tang Ya was thinking.
Recruiting someone into a sect — even the current declining Tang Sect — still required evaluation, didn't it?
At the very least, they should assess the candidate's talent, temperament, and background. You couldn't just accept anyone who happened to cross your path!
After all, both he and Tang Ya were students of Shrek Academy, one of the most prestigious institutions on the continent.
Though Tang Ya's Blue Silver Grass martial soul barely qualified her for admittance, she was still a formal disciple.
And now, she was inviting a boy she'd just met — without even knowing his origins — to join the sect? Wasn't that a bit… reckless?
Huo Yuhao froze for a moment, showing a hint of confusion.
"Sect? What sect?"
Oh no… so I can't escape this part after all. But should I really join? If not Shrek, maybe I could go to the Sun Moon Empire…
He fell into deep thought.
At this point in history, the two best choices for cultivation were Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Empire.
The Sun Moon Empire had abundant resources — and given his interest in soul tools, he could potentially find opportunities there.
But as someone originally from the Douluo Continent, entering the Sun Moon Empire wasn't easy. It would take time, effort, and luck.
Shrek Academy, on the other hand, might be frustrating at times, but it was still the number one academy on the continent, with an unmatched reputation.
And sticking to the original storyline would make it much easier for him to navigate future opportunities.
As for the Body Sect? That was a reclusive clan — hidden and elusive. Unless he gained fame across the continent, the chance of them finding him was practically zero.
And waiting for that to happen would be a complete waste of precious cultivation time.
Although this body's talent wasn't great, it could still improve — and missing the best age for cultivation would only make things harder later, even if it could be fixed with great effort.
He had just arrived in this world. Rather than gamble on uncertain paths, it was wiser to follow the familiar route for now — and make changes when the time was right.
Having made up his mind, Huo Yuhao looked back at Tang Ya, waiting to hear her reply.
At that moment, Tang Ya was pulled aside by Bei Bei, who lowered his voice.
"Xiao Ya, have you really thought this through? You actually want to recruit Little Brother Huo into our Tang Sect? Don't tell me it's just because his grilled fish tastes good."
Tang Ya pursed her lips, then shook her head earnestly.
"Of course not. Look at him — he came to the Star Dou Great Forest alone. When he mentioned his mother, he looked so heartbroken. And with how young he is, it's clear he doesn't belong to any other sect or power."
"Otherwise, even if he were from an academy, his teacher would've come with him to help hunt his spirit ring."
"We've waited here for so long, and no teacher or guardian has shown up. And besides…" she looked at Bei Bei, her eyes firm. "You said it yourself — Little Yuhao is mature for his age, brave too. You can tell at a glance that he's good material. You agreed with me before, didn't you?"
Bei Bei's mouth twitched slightly.
"Fine, fine. Since you're the sect leader, I can't really argue. But at the very least, we should test him properly before bringing him in. Leave the next part to me — and maybe, Xiao Ya, let me do the talking this time."
With that, Bei Bei walked up to Huo Yuhao and spoke solemnly.
"Our sect is called the Tang Sect — once the number one sect on the continent. But as time passed, the Tang Sect fell into decline, and its former glory has long since faded."
"Now, only Teacher Xiao Ya and I remain as its last disciples. She is the current — and final — sect master of the Tang Sect."
His tone grew heavier as he continued.
"Although our sect has fallen, the legacy left behind by our ancestors still exists. We still possess the techniques and knowledge of the once-great Tang Sect."
"We can offer you a place to train, resources to cultivate, and — if you're willing — we can use our sect's connections to recommend you to Shrek Academy, the number one academy on the continent."
Bei Bei's deep blue eyes locked onto Huo Yuhao's.
"So now, Little Brother Huo, I must ask you — are you willing to join our Tang Sect, and take on the responsibility of reviving it?"
"Joining a sect is no small matter. Even if we are no longer the Tang Sect of old, we were once the greatest in the world."
"If one day you regret your choice and betray the sect, neither I nor Tang Ya will forgive you."
"I've said all I needed to say. I hope you'll think carefully before deciding."
Behind Bei Bei, Tang Ya watched Huo Yuhao expectantly, her heart pounding with an inexplicable urgency. She didn't know why, but the thought of Huo Yuhao refusing filled her with unease — almost fear.
After a brief pause, Huo Yuhao nodded lightly.
"Brother Bei, Sister Tang… may I have a little time to think it over?"
"Of course," Bei Bei said. "It's a serious decision. Take your time. For now, I still need to accompany Teacher Xiao Ya to hunt her spirit ring. Why don't you come with us? Later, we'll escort you back to the city."
Huo Yuhao agreed quietly. Bei Bei then took out a spare set of clothes.
"It's not a perfect fit, but it's better than nothing. Put it on for now."
Huo Yuhao slipped into the clothes, nodded gratefully, and followed the two deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.
At last, he had some quiet moments to gather his thoughts — to sort through all the information since he'd arrived in this world:
Skydream Iceworm's gift of four spirit abilities, and the strange transformation that had occurred in his Spirit Eyes Martial Soul.
There was no way the Spirit Eyes were supposed to see the world like this. The difference had to be caused by his arrival from another world, triggering some kind of mutation.
As they traveled, stopping and starting through the forest, Huo Yuhao kept his Spirit Eyes activated. With the enhanced physical qualities from his martial soul, he barely managed to keep pace with Bei Bei and Tang Ya.
If they hadn't slowed down for him, his current cultivation level would have left him far behind.
But through this effort, Huo Yuhao gradually began to understand what his Spirit Eyes were truly capable of.
Aside from the four techniques granted by Skydream Iceworm, the current Spirit Eyes had undergone a complete metamorphosis — so much so that calling them "Spirit Eyes" might no longer be accurate.
Perhaps due to the influence of his transmigrated soul, the world he now saw through these eyes was analyzed and deconstructed into countless microscopic layers.
For example, both Bei Bei and Tang Ya — even himself — appeared in his sight as intricate lattices of structure, broken down into their most fundamental components.
Only through deliberate mental control could he reassemble them into their normal, cohesive forms.
The deepest layer, he realized, was the soul. By peering inward, Huo Yuhao could sense subtle differences between his own soul and those of Bei Bei and Tang Ya.
Their souls varied from each other, yes, but both clearly belonged to the same "tier" — while his felt slightly different, somehow foreign.
And within Tang Ya's soul, near her head, he saw a faint blue-golden radiance — though he had no idea what it meant. He could only memorize its structure for future study.
Beyond the soul layer lay the spirit, and beyond that, the body, with its complex network of energy channels.
With careful focus, Huo Yuhao could now see the flow of soul power and blood energy moving within Bei Bei and Tang Ya's bodies — how they pulsed and intertwined with each breath.
"So this is the Xuan Tian Skill?" he thought. "It really is far more advanced than the basic soul power circulation technique I've been using."
"But… it looks like parts of the meridian network have been deliberately bypassed — the soul power doesn't interact with the body's blood energy in those areas. Looks like Tang San really did… 'cut off' those parts of the technique."