Huo Yuhao answered the soul communicator. On the other end came Lan Fozi's voice.
"My lord, as you requested, I have already relayed your information back to the Holy Spirit Cult."
"Have you made your decision?"
"...Yes."
At the Mingdu Spirit Transmission Tower, Lan Fozi took a deep breath and spoke as if she had made up her mind. "The Holy Spirit Cult just assigned me a mission. Within a year, Xingluo will send an exchange team over. The Federation here should also form an exchange delegation to visit Xingluo as a matter of protocol. They want me to find a way to include you..."
She had to take the first step anyway. As long as it only involved betraying the Holy Spirit Cult's intelligence and did not concern her mother, Lan Fozi did not care.
If through this method she could gain the trust of the two lords, perhaps one day she could ask for their help in restoring her mother to normal...
After speaking for a while, Huo Yuhao hung up the communication, lost in thought.
"You're planning to go to Xingluo?"
Huo Yuhao had not avoided the three when answering the soul communicator. Bear Lord had also heard the entire conversation. He frowned. "That's not within the Spirit Transmission Tower's sphere of influence. We don't know the specific situation there very well."
"But in any case, the Xingluo Continent is just a place with even fewer resources than the Douluo Continent. What use is there for you to go there?"
Huo Yuhao looked at Gu Yuena upon hearing this. After thinking for a moment, he said directly, "There should be remnants of the Dragon God there."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yuena could not help but stand up and come before Huo Yuhao. Her purple eyes sparkled with excited light.
"Yuhao, is this true?"
If she could obtain what the Dragon God had left behind, her chances of recovering her peak strength — or even advancing further — would greatly increase.
Huo Yuhao said, "You should understand certain things better than I do. You are on Douluo Star. The Golden Dragon King's dragon core is also here now. So some things will naturally seek you out... but they may not be good things."
Since he had already brought it up, he might as well speak openly and have a proper discussion with her.
Upon hearing this, Gu Yuena's movement paused. Her expression became somewhat complicated.
Seeing that the atmosphere had turned somewhat tense, Bear Lord wanted to change the subject, but then saw Snow Empress smile slightly and leave first.
Bear Lord scratched his head, thought for a moment, and simply went to find his own disciples.
The matters to be discussed next did not seem like something he should be involved in.
Only after the two had left did Gu Yuena ask in a low tone, "Yuhao, do you not want me to obtain the Dragon God's inheritance?"
There were many remnants of the Dragon God. The only thing that could possibly bring her trouble was the trial for the Dragon God Throne.
As for the super divine weapons left behind by the Dragon God, given her identity, it would not be difficult to obtain them. But the divine trial would inevitably include tests set by the Dragon God. She did not know exactly what kind of trials he had established. But she was the only true deity in the dragon clan now. The Golden Dragon King was only a remnant soul. For her to inherit the Dragon God Throne was her mission.
Huo Yuhao smiled slightly, not letting the atmosphere become too serious. His tone was relaxed as he said, "I've heard about how powerful the Dragon God is. If you became the Dragon God, wouldn't that mean you could just stuff me all the way to God King? Even living off a woman shouldn't go that far."
Gu Yuena was startled, then could not help but laugh. Her originally serious expression softened.
"Be serious at a time like this."
As she spoke, she came to sit beside Huo Yuhao. Her silver long hair cascaded over his shoulder like flowing water, carrying a faint, delicate fragrance.
"Yuhao, trust me. I can do it. I am the Dragon God's other half. Inheriting the Dragon God Throne is only natural."
"Sorry, I don't believe that."
Huo Yuhao's blunt answer made Gu Yuena freeze instantly. She could not help but say in a huff, "Why?"
A soul master like Sea God could eventually inherit the position of God King. Why couldn't she? Even if the Dragon God was stronger than Asura God, she was still a first-class 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. He thought for a moment, and instead of answering her question directly, he asked in return, "You and the Golden Dragon King represent two sides of the Dragon God. The Golden Dragon King represents the insane part. So was the divine throne trial set by the Dragon God when he was sane, or when he was insane? Or rather, was it sanity mixed with madness?"
Gu Yuena opened her mouth, wanting to say that of course it was left behind when he was sane. But facing Huo Yuhao's serious gaze, she ultimately could not bring herself to say it.
She lowered her eyes. Her long silver lashes trembled slightly. "I'm not sure."
"Then do you know the specific content of the trial?"
"...No."
"Then do you know the Dragon God's intention in leaving behind the Dragon God Throne? Does he hope for a dragon to inherit the throne as soon as possible and go easy in the trial? Or does he hope for the inheritor to surpass him in some aspect, thereby increasing the difficulty of the trial?"
Seeing Gu Yuena about to answer, Huo Yuhao added another sentence, "I have been in contact with a deity before. The gods in the Divine Realm find their own lives deeply boring. Some have the idea of dropping their divine thrones and running away. They might go easy in their trials. But the Dragon God couldn't possibly have that kind of idea, right?"
Rong Nianbing wanted to run away. The Dragon God was dead. Could their intentions be the same?
Gu Yuena: "..."
Stop talking, will you?
I feel like you're targeting me, Yuhao. Each question is more tricky than the last.
Gu Yuena pressed her lips together. A trace of helplessness flashed in her purple eyes. "In any case, this is something I must face. The dragon race needs the Dragon God, and I am the only choice."
Huo Yuhao looked at her determined expression, then suddenly reached out and gently rubbed her head. "That's why I said, I don't believe you can pass. If you want to put my mind at ease, you should tell me now that you plan to postpone your plan to become the Dragon God, properly improve your strength, and investigate the content of the Dragon God Throne trial step by step. Not tell me about responsibilities and obligations... If you had ninety-eight percent certainty, of course I wouldn't say anything."
"And besides, don't forget that you and I have an Equal Contract. If something happens to you, I will suffer backlash too."
While Gu Yuena was silent, Huo Yuhao delivered the finishing blow as if nothing was wrong.
The gloomy Gu Yuena suddenly furrowed her brows tightly. She grabbed Huo Yuhao's arm with startling force. "Yuhao, didn't you say that contract wouldn't affect you? You can dissolve 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 fixedly at Huo Yuhao for a moment, then showed an expression of helpless defeat and released her grip.
"I understand. I will think it over carefully. I won't take risks lightly."
If he even brought out this kind of "threat," if she remained stubborn, Yuhao would get angry.
Confirming that Gu Yuena had truly taken it in, Huo Yuhao smiled slightly. "Then let's talk about our future trip to Xingluo."
...
The next day, before leaving Tiandou City, Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena went to the Blacksmithing Association to visit Zhen Hua.
Gu Yuena, as a disciple, came to see her teacher who had been struck by lightning. Huo Yuhao came to meet Mu Ye and, while he was at it, ask Lord Zhen Hua about his feelings on being struck by the elemental lightning tribulation... ahem, his insights.
After all, the Four Elements Lightning Tribulation was also a method of fusing the four major elements — earth, wind, water, and fire.
Zhen Hua had been struck by the elemental lightning tribulation for so many years that his understanding of it was very profound. After consulting him, Huo Yuhao felt he had gained a great deal.
It was just that Zhen Hua's expression was not very pleasant when he talked about it himself...
By the time the two returned to the Tiandou City Spirit Transmission Tower branch, the soul-powered aircraft to headquarters was already prepared.
When they came, there were nine people. When they returned, there were nine people plus... three spirit beasts.
One of the spirit beasts was naturally Bear Lord. As for the other two...
"What's this?"
Xie Xie's eyes reflected two Dark Gold Fearclaw Bears in the airport. His expression was blank.
The two Dark Gold Fearclaw Bears were crouching obediently at the edge of the tarmac. Their golden fur sparkled in the sunlight. Their round, big eyes looked at the group curiously.
Their size was not large among Dark Gold Fearclaw Bears. Their age was probably around a thousand years. But their sharp claws and the fierce aura faintly emanating from their bodies still made people dare not underestimate them.
"These are my bear sons and bear grandsons. I plan to take them to see the world at this ceremony and worship Spirit Ice Douluo together." Bear Lord walked over and grinned. "Big Bear, Second Bear, say hello to everyone."
Upon hearing this, the two Dark Gold Fearclaw Bears immediately stood upright on their hind legs, clumsily waving their claws. Deep "ow" sounds came from their throats. They really did seem to be greeting them.
Xie Xie's mouth twitched. "Big Bear and Second Bear? Aren't those names a little too... simple?"
He wanted to say "random," but given Bear Lord's status and strength as Tower Master, he did not dare court death.
Bear Lord snorted unconcernedly. "We spirit beasts have always named things simply and directly. Unlike you humans, who insist on being all refined..."
Bear Lord's gaze suddenly fell on Gu Yuena. He cleared his throat lightly and stopped.
He almost included His Majesty in that.
"All right, all right. Enough of this. Let's get on the plane." Bear Lord waved his hand and walked toward the soul-powered aircraft first.
The group followed. Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi exchanged quiet words behind them. "I've long heard that spirit beasts have great respect for Spirit Ice Douluo. Besides the Spirit Ice Ceremony, they also have their own sacrificial activities. Now it seems that's true. Tower Master Bear Lord even brings his whole family when he goes to worship Spirit Ice Douluo..."
Bear Lord, walking ahead, seemed to hear this and laughed heartily. "You don't understand. My respect for Spirit Ice is like a mighty river, wave after wave. I'd be happy to bring people to worship him every day!"
Huo Yuhao: "..."
Heh heh. Worship him every day, is that right?
I've remembered that. Just you wait.
...
Mingdu, Spirit Transmission Tower Headquarters.
Noon was approaching. The entire city seemed to be infused with boiling vitality. The streets around the Spirit Transmission Tower Square had long been carefully decorated. Ribbons and soul-powered light screens intertwined into a magnificent tapestry. Under the joint arrangement of the Federation and the Spirit Transmission Tower, this towering structure and its surrounding area had been transformed into the core stage of the celebration.
The residents of Mingdu had flooded onto the streets early. Among them were commoners who had lived here for generations and soul masters who had traveled from afar.
Although the Spirit Ice Ceremony was originally established by the Spirit Transmission Tower to commemorate the First Generation Tower Master, after the accumulation of long years, this grand event had long since surpassed its purely commemorative meaning. Those soul masters who had benefited from the Spirit Transmission Tower's support had also come to the gathering with gratitude in their hearts.
Among those gathered before the Spirit Transmission Tower Square were even people Xie Xie and the others had met in Eastsea City, such as Senior "Blue Silver King," the brothers Guang Long and Guang Biao, Luo Yanglu, and others.
Many spirit souls that had already formed contracts with other soul master families had also temporarily returned to the Spirit Transmission Tower today.
Some transformed into streams of light weaving through the crowd. Others drifted in while maintaining their spiritual form. Viewed from above, the entire city seemed to flow like a river of stars formed by converging spirit power — the human tide on the streets and the flying spirit souls circling in the sky reflected each other. The metallic luster of flying soul tools and the raw energy of spirit beasts flickered uncertainly in the sunlight.
The spire of the Spirit Transmission Tower cast a solemn shadow under the midday sun, while the various spirit beasts and spirit souls circling above added a dynamic rhythm to the scene.
"Every Spirit Ice Ceremony, you can feel the Spirit Transmission Tower's powerful influence and foundation."
Wang Hongchen stepped out of a soul-powered flying car and looked at the lively scene around him, sighing with emotion.
Yi Hongchen followed him out of the car and smiled upon hearing this. "What, feeling wary?"
"How could that be? That's ancient history from thousands of years ago."
Wang Hongchen rolled his eyes. "I still remember the joke from a few thousand years ago — various factions worried that the Spirit Transmission Tower would become the next Spirit Hall, so they sent people to probe the Spirit Transmission Tower's secrets. But in the end, all they found was a common soul master assistance plan."
"The Spirit Transmission Tower used an open stratagem. By now, they have long been an inseparable part of the Federation. Otherwise, the Federation wouldn't do its best to facilitate the Spirit Ice Ceremony."
Yi Hongchen smiled slightly and was about to continue speaking when his gaze suddenly caught a figure. He could not help but pause.
Before anyone knew it, the noise in the Spirit Transmission Tower headquarters square had gradually quieted down. Everyone's gaze focused on the high platform built in the center.
Qianku Dongfeng, as the current Tower Master of the Spirit Transmission Tower, naturally had to give an opening speech for this celebration. Dressed in a white robe, he slowly walked up to the high platform in the square. Each step seemed to resonate with the spirit power of heaven and earth, causing the surrounding space to tremble slightly.
"Distinguished guests," Qianku Dongfeng's voice spread throughout the square through spirit power. "Today, we gather here to jointly commemorate the founder of the Spirit Transmission Tower — Spirit Ice Douluo."
"Ten thousand years ago, the ancestor Spirit Ice created the spirit soul system, resolving the blood feud between humans and spirit beasts that had lasted for ten thousand years."
His gaze swept over the crowd below, lingering a moment longer on those spirit souls standing shoulder to shoulder with humans. "The peaceful and prosperous era we now see is a testament to his lifelong efforts..."
Qianku Dongfeng's opening remarks did not take too long, only about ten minutes. He spoke first of the history of the Spirit Transmission Tower and its First Generation Tower Master, second of the current prosperity, and finally of 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 announced in a clear tone:
"Now, I declare — the Spirit Ice Ceremony has officially begun!"
As his voice fell, the entire Spirit Transmission Tower suddenly erupted with dazzling brilliance, spiraling and dancing in the sky. The magnificent spirit power ribbons intertwined into a net. The soul-powered fireworks around the square rose into the air together, bursting into splendid colors. Cheers swept across the entire venue like tidal waves.
***
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(End of Chapter)