Chapter 671: Defining the Path, Part Three
After days of contemplation and extensive research, Ye Wen ultimately abandoned his initial plan to focus on elemental attributes in the early stages of his cultivation. The main reason was that spirit beasts with multiple attributes tended to possess noble bloodlines and formidable power, far beyond what someone like him without background or connections could feasibly hunt.
However, while he decided not to pursue the elemental path for now, he was equally determined not to haphazardly choose a spirit ring. After all, he didn't want to become a second rate version of Yu Xiaogang. With careful thought, Ye Wen arrived at a new conclusion: he would base his choices on the unique essence of his own spirit.
A spirit master's martial spirit was an extraordinary asset that could be compatible with various spirit rings, whether stronger or weaker, as long as the master could withstand the strain. In theory, nearly any spirit ring could be absorbed if compatible with the individual. Ye Wen's apparent low aptitude of half a level belied the true potential of his spirit. In less than a year, it had helped him reach level ten. This wasn't the sign of a weak spirit but rather one that was likely obscuring powerful abilities. Just as Yu Xiaogang's supposed "Light Holy Dragon" was initially seen as lackluster, so too was Ye Wen's spirit hiding its true nature.
In fact, Ye Wen began to suspect that his spirit might have an especially high ranking bloodline that consumed much of his innate potential, limiting his initial strength but opening up extraordinary possibilities. The absence of clear elemental traits further suggested that his spirit could be widely compatible, meaning he could choose from a broad range of spirit rings.
But the real question remained: which spirit ring would best complement his spirit's latent powers?
A spirit ring granting a powerful offensive ability?
Unlikely. At best, he could only attain a hundred year ring, and such an attack, whether melee or ranged, would have limited potency.
A spirit ring with high defensive capabilities?
That didn't seem fitting either. His Na Na spirit was primarily fluid in nature, with only a small, solid core. Its defensive capacity was inherently limited.
A control type spirit skill?
There was potential here, but he doubted his Na Na spirit would effectively restrain others.
The more he considered his options, the narrower they became until he was left with enhancement abilities as his only option. But even that wasn't perfect, as Na Na wasn't a food based spirit, making a pure enhancement skill challenging.
He let out a sigh as he continued his research in the library, silently cursing the challenges of having such a unique spirit. Once he advanced, he could hunt powerful elemental beasts to develop his spirit's potential. For now, however, randomly chosen skills might result in poor compatibility, like Yu Xiaogang's unfortunate choices.
After days of frustration, Ye Wen finally stumbled upon an intriguing entry that gave him pause:
Spirit Beast: Parasitic Fungus Demon
Ability Traits: A ten year Parasitic Fungus Demon can silently infest insect type spirit beasts, using them to draw nutrients and act as protectors in battle. Studies show that infested insects gain increased speed, enhanced strength, and even enter a berserk state with diminished pain sensitivity. However, upon reaching the next age threshold, the Parasitic Fungus Demon replaces its host, draining the former one of all life.
Age Classification: The ten year fungus is marked by white mycelium; upon reaching the hundred year mark, it turns yellow, and over time deepens in color. At a thousand years, the fungus is purple. While no ten thousand year Parasitic Fungus Demon has been discovered, it is speculated to be black.
Identifying Infested Hosts: Infected insects will have cloudy or white eyes, stiff movement, and visible mycelium growth on the body.
Habitat: Primarily found in Star Dou Forest, Sunset Forest, Ice Forest, and the Great Garo Rainforest.
Beast Assessment: Although classified as a rare plant type spirit beast, it is not uncommon and can provide abilities like parasitism, berserk state, and possession. It also has medicinal properties, making it valuable even after spirit ring extraction.
Ye Wen's eyes shone with newfound clarity. Though he had thought he'd read through all of Notting Academy's books on spirit beasts, he hadn't seen this entry before. After double checking the book's worn cover, he confirmed it too was labeled Introduction to Spirit Beasts, yet it looked far older than the other editions on the shelf. Comparing it to the newer versions, he concluded that certain species like this Parasitic Fungus Demon might have been omitted in later editions.
"Looks like even spirit beast encyclopedias get updated like dictionaries," he mused. Still, it nagged at him. This was precisely the type of spirit beast he needed, but if it was no longer listed, had it gone extinct?
Trying to remain optimistic, he reminded himself that Notting Academy's teaching materials could vary from those used in major cities or sects. Douluo Continent was, after all, a world of power rather than knowledge. Still, if he couldn't find reliable information in his current resources, he had one more option, albeit one he was reluctant to use.
But… perhaps it was finally time to rely on the benefits of his relationship with Huo Yu'er. They were practically family now, so there was no harm in seeking guidance from her family on finding such a spirit beast.
"Thank the heavens for small miracles," he thought as he made his way toward Huo Yu'er.
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Chapter 672: Setting the Path, Final
Offensive techniques didn't suit him, nor did defensive or enhancement abilities Ye Wen found none of these suitable. Even the idea of augmenting his martial spirit left him without a clear direction. However, if his Na Na spirit could learn a parasitic type ability, allowing it to latch onto him, then he could mitigate the summoning type spirit's inability to directly enhance the user. According to the spirit beast's description, once Ye Wen was "infested," he would gain increased strength and defense, with a reduced sense of pain.
Thinking it over, he realized that this wasn't merely a control type technique it was more akin to self enhancement! From a far sighted spirit master's perspective, such a skill was exceptional. Even if it only provided a 10% boost, by the time he reached Spirit Sage or even Titled Douluo, that modest boost could become significant. He also hoped he could retain his ability to shift forms, making him into a virtual human porcupine of weaponized armor.
But Ye Wen knew that all these ideas were just castles in the air for now. Until he successfully acquired and absorbed the spirit ring, everything was hypothetical. Unlike the plotlines of a novel, where the results are often predestined, the skills from spirit rings in this world were unpredictable; sometimes, skills could even mutate. It was a gamble.
Despite the risks, he was reassured by the fact that the Parasitic Fungus Demon wasn't heavily aligned with a specific elemental attribute, so even the worst case scenario wouldn't likely taint his martial spirit or corrupt its purity.
When he approached Huo Yu'er to discuss his plans, she was naturally thrilled. However, she had no idea about the Parasitic Fungus Demon neither in her current nor her past life had she ever focused on such beasts. In her past life, every one of her spirit rings had been meticulously selected by Ye Wen; all she'd ever needed to do was grow stronger.
Of course, Huo Yu'er had her own resources to call upon. So that very day, she insisted Ye Wen come with her to meet her family for assistance.
As they left the school, they ran into Xiao Wu. Upon hearing that Ye Wen and Huo Yu'er were leaving, she immediately turned on the charm, looking at them with teary, pleading eyes that made them feel a little guilty. Though the two didn't interact much with Xiao Wu on a daily basis, they'd been classmates for a year, and both felt a bit of affection for the occasionally innocent Xiao Wu.
And then Huo Yu'er did something unusual almost on impulse, she invited Xiao Wu along.
"Xiao Wu, would you like to come with us?"
Xiao Wu's face lit up. Despite Huo Yu'er's cold demeanor, Xiao Wu was drawn to her reliable aura, preferring to stick by Huo Yu'er's side over spending time with Tang San. Yet, knowing Huo Yu'er's family likely held a powerful background, she hesitated, cautiously asking, "Sister Yu'er, are you sure it's okay? I heard your family has a Contra level elder… would my presence be an intrusion?"
The question reminded Huo Yu'er of Xiao Wu's secret, though she quickly dismissed her suspicions. As for Tang San, she was indifferent to him. Taking a quiet breath, she tapped into her godly essence, checking that Tang Hao wasn't around watching. Once satisfied, she began to plot.
Sharing her teacher with others was annoying, but Xiao Wu's clear admiration for her made her an ideal ally. After all, someday, Huo Yu'er would need reliable allies, and Xiao Wu was currently pliable and easy to influence.
Feigning innocence, Huo Yu'er laughed, "Who told you that? My family's strongest elder is only a peak level Spirit Sage, not a Spirit Douluo."
Ye Wen couldn't help rolling his eyes at her "only." While Spirit Sages might not have the grand standing of Titled Douluos, in a place like Douluo Continent, they were undeniably elite. A Spirit Sage was easily the equivalent of a city lord in a large town.
Xiao Wu was delighted. "Then I can really go with you?"
With Huo Yu'er's encouragement, the three set off together, heading toward another nearby town.
They arrived at Tianxin City, one of the region's top tier small cities, ruled by Huo Yu'er's family. The city was highly respected, not for resources but for the influence and power its city lord held as a rare Spirit Sage and a certified noble earl, making her a local powerhouse.
As soon as they approached the city lord's mansion, a dignified house steward greeted them.
"Welcome back, Young Lady," he said with a respectful bow to Huo Yu'er.
Huo Yu'er nodded coolly, slipping back into her lofty demeanor, before pulling Ye Wen and Xiao Wu to meet her grandmother.
When they finally met Huo Yu'er's grandmother, Ye Wen was taken aback. She looked remarkably young, resembling an older version of Huo Yu'er with the same long, blue hair and delicate features. Although there was a hint of age in her face, it was clear she would have been as beautiful as her granddaughter in her youth.
After greeting Huo Yu'er's grandmother, who introduced herself as Huo Rui, Ye Wen tried to be polite despite his surprise. In this era, a youthful looking grandmother wasn't too shocking. Douluo Continent was a feudal society full of love struck idealists. It wasn't uncommon for people to marry and have children as early as twelve or thirteen.
And so, they exchanged introductions. Huo Yu'er cheerfully introduced Ye Wen and Xiao Wu to her grandmother.
"This is my grandmother, Huo Rui," Huo Yu'er said. "And you both can call her Grandma."
Meeting a girlfriend's family as a prospective son in law for the first time especially with such a generational title was new territory for Ye Wen. However, Huo Rui's name gave him a vague sense of familiarity, though he couldn't place it. He responded politely, trying to maintain a sense of decorum.
While Xiao Wu acted natural, Ye Wen's calm demeanor immediately impressed Huo Rui, who found him mature beyond his years. She exchanged a meaningful glance with Huo Yu'er, who subtly nodded, affirming her intentions. As Huo Rui's smile grew brighter, she began to chat warmly with Ye Wen, eager to get to know her future grandson in law better.
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Chapter 673: Spirit Hunt, Part 1
Huo Yu'er's family was part of the first generation of nobility, their title and territory earned not from ancestral inheritance but through military merit in the Star Luo Empire war about ten years ago. At the top of the family's hierarchy was Huo Yu'er's grandmother, a peak Spirit Sage and a countess. In the Heaven Dou Empire, her position was middle tier among nobles; however, if stationed in one of the empire's affiliated kingdoms or duchies, her influence could rival a marquis. For a family built from the ground up, this was quite an accomplishment.
As first generation nobility, Huo Rui held little pretense and showed no condescension toward Ye Wen's commoner background. Instead, the two conversed comfortably, enjoying each other's company.
"Nana Huo," Ye Wen said, slightly shy, "I came with Yu'er this time to ask if you or one of the other elders could help me hunt my first spirit ring."
Though he was growing familiar with Huo Yu'er's family, this was Ye Wen's first time relying on someone else to this degree especially in front of Huo Yu'er's grandmother, making him feel a bit awkward.
To Ye Wen's relief, Huo Rui didn't find his request troublesome; in fact, her eyes sparkled at the idea. Based on their conversation, she'd learned that despite his commoner origins, Ye Wen had reached level ten in spirit power after only one year at the academy. Although his talent didn't quite match her granddaughter's, it was still impressive.
But the most critical point was that her granddaughter had chosen him.
Seeing their strong bond and the lack of a vast talent gap between them, Huo Rui felt reassured about the future of their relationship. If their natural affinity grew, it would reduce the likelihood of emotional rifts down the line. Imagining her granddaughter's future happiness, Huo Rui's face softened with warmth.
"Of course, no problem at all. Leave it to me!" Huo Rui assured him, taking full responsibility.
Ye Wen was taken aback; he'd expected Huo Rui, given her status, to send a Spirit Elder or perhaps a Spirit King at most. He hadn't anticipated that this prestigious figure would offer to help him herself. Instinctively, he started to refuse.
But Huo Rui, seasoned in dealing with prideful commoners, saw through him instantly and cut him off before he could protest.
"Don't feel burdened. We're all family here; no need to be so formal."
As she spoke, her expression grew thoughtful. Years ago, Huo Rui had a younger brother who had been too proud to accept her help, only to perish prematurely in a spirit beast forest. After that, she had vowed that any family member should rely on each other without hesitation.
Ye Wen hesitated, thinking of the effects that favoritism could have on a family. Excessive indulgence could ruin future generations and throw the family into internal strife. Yet, having someone powerful and dedicated to protecting him was an undeniably comforting feeling.
At that moment, Ye Wen made a silent promise: once he grew stronger, he would help the Huo family rise to even greater heights.
When Tang San ascended to the divine realm, Ye Wen vowed he would bring down the Star Luo Empire itself. After all, the Huo family was likely the ancestral root of Huo Yun'er, mother to Douluo 2's main protagonist. Ye Wen intended to prevent that future tragedy from ever occurring.
"Thank you, Nana Huo," Ye Wen said earnestly. "And I promise I'll take good care of Yu'er."
Huo Rui nodded approvingly; her grandson in law had both talent and insight. Beside them, Huo Yu'er listened to Ye Wen's pledge, her porcelain cheeks flushing as happiness spread across her face. Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, standing to the side, felt her irritation bubbling over.
"Wretched, evil little human!" Xiao Wu seethed internally. "How dare he steal Sister Yu'er from me? This isn't over!"
After a few more rounds of respectful conversation, Huo Rui finally got down to business.
"So, Xiao Wen, what kind of spirit beast are you hoping to hunt? Tell me about it, and I might know where you can find one."
Ye Wen explained that he was looking for a Parasitic Fungus Demon.
"Parasitic Fungus Demon…" Huo Rui murmured, her expression growing serious.
Noticing her reaction, Ye Wen hesitated, then asked cautiously, "Nana Huo, is there something wrong with this type of spirit beast?"
She shook her head. "Not exactly. A four hundred year old Parasitic Fungus Demon, which would be sufficient for a first spirit ring, is no problem for me. It's just that due to its high medicinal value, many spirit masters hunt this beast specifically for alchemical ingredients rather than for spirit rings. So I'm not entirely sure where we'll find one right away." She paused thoughtfully. "Are you certain that this is the only type of spirit beast you need, or would you consider an alternative?"
Ye Wen grimaced. Now he understood why the information on this spirit beast had been removed from the newer editions of the Elementary Spirit Beast Guide. The species had been over hunted and was nearing extinction.
Yet he remained steadfast in his decision. "I apologize, Nana Huo, but my martial spirit is a bit unique, and after researching for days, I realized that this spirit beast is the only one truly suitable."
Huo Rui nodded in understanding, her appreciation for Ye Wen growing. She admired his careful approach to choosing his spirit ring. From her own experience, she knew that a successful spirit master was both powerful and analytical. Without that combination, he'd end up like the reckless fighters in the Battle Arena who didn't know when their time would come.
Recognizing his limited resources, she called in the house steward and instructed him to bring all the spirit beast books in her possession for Ye Wen to review.
When a stack of books as tall as two grown men was wheeled into the room, Ye Wen was stunned. Huo Rui was indeed a generous benefactor!
"Go ahead and take a look through these, Xiao Wen," Huo Rui said kindly. "Once you're done, if you still can't find anything suitable, I'll see what I can do about finding a Parasitic Fungus Demon for you."
"Thank you so much, Nana Huo!" Ye Wen exclaimed, his heart filled with gratitude.
Over the following days, Ye Wen and Xiao Wu took their time learning and enjoying themselves in the Huo estate, leading a relaxed, carefree life.
Meanwhile, Huo Yu'er, ever attentive, noticed a faint but persistent presence lingering in the shadows.
"So, only a Spirit Sage here?" Tang Hao muttered as he observed from the dark. "Seems I was wrong about someone stealing a hundred thousand year spirit beast."
(Chapter End)
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Chapter 674: Spirit Hunt, Part 2
To safeguard her relationship with Ye Wen in this lifetime, Huo Yu'er would periodically use her hidden powers to survey her surroundings. She had noticed Tang Hao's presence long ago; he'd been lurking, doing nothing suspicious other than keeping an eye on Tang San or heading into town to drown himself in alcohol. Seeing no threat, she had chosen to ignore him.
But now, seeing him trailing them all the way to her family's territory, Huo Yu'er felt a surge of killing intent.
"Should I just get rid of him?"
The thought hovered in her mind, though she quickly dismissed it.
"Forget it. I'll let him cling to life a bit longer. No matter how worthless he might seem, the guy is marked by that meddlesome Asura God's divine consciousness. Killing him would definitely alert Asura God."
The main reason she let him be, however, was because she knew Tang Hao's focus wasn't on her a pure human but rather on Xiao Wu, who was a hundred thousand year spirit beast. However, since Xiao Wu was now designated as a "sister" in her plans, there was no way she'd let Tang Hao or Tang San get close to her.
Having grown up hearing Tang San's story, Huo Yu'er was well aware of the twisted nature of that father and son duo. Once might be a coincidence, but two consecutive spirit beast wives sacrificing themselves was just too much to ignore!
Still, she knew she needed to proceed with caution. She could overpower the Asura God with her full strength, but the last thing she wanted was to alert the other powers in the divine realm. For now, she decided to let things remain as they were, taking care not to reveal Tang Hao's presence to Xiao Wu. Otherwise, that naive rabbit might do something foolish that would only drag her down.
Sometimes the most effective deception was one where the deceived party never even knew they'd been tricked.
As days passed, Ye Wen finally finished reading through all the spirit beast books Huo Rui had provided. Unfortunately, the results were disappointing.
As a countess, Huo Rui's collection was certainly a notch above the standard texts Ye Wen had accessed at school. From them, he learned far more about the Parasitic Fungus Demon.
In earlier, more primitive times, it had been considered an "evil" spirit beast, so people would kill it on sight. But as understanding evolved, scholars realized that spirit beasts themselves would have wiped out the Parasitic Fungus Demon if it were genuinely harmful. Researchers even found it to be a neutral plant based spirit beast without any inherent evil.
Then, a "brilliant" mind discovered by accident that consuming the Parasitic Fungus Demon's remains in a hot pot could significantly boost certain "male attributes." Since then, demand for this creature had skyrocketed, driving it to near extinction.
Ye Wen had hoped to find a suitable substitute, but on the Douluo Continent, the existence of alternative spirit beasts was scarce. Although all organic matter could theoretically become spirit beasts even something as common as Blue Silver Grass fungal spirit beasts that evolved through parasitism were incredibly rare. Some existed, but they were either even rarer or far too powerful.
So, after gathering all this knowledge, Ye Wen found himself right back where he started.
Unable to do much else, Huo Rui decided to take him to the Star Dou Forest and search for the creature there.
Although other forests were mentioned in the texts, the Star Dou Forest remained the largest and most diverse, containing the greatest variety of spirit beasts.
Though Huo Rui wouldn't call herself invincible, she was confident that, as a Spirit Sage, she could keep the group safe in the Star Dou Forest's outer regions. As long as they didn't encounter terrifying beasts like the Titan Giant Ape, she was sure she could get them out unscathed.
Initially, Huo Rui had planned to take Ye Wen alone, but Huo Yu'er wanted to join, and Xiao Wu also expressed interest. Seeing this, Huo Rui ended up calling along Huo Yu'er's parents and the family steward as well, turning the hunt into something more akin to a grand family outing as they left Tianxin City.
Looking at the entourage assembled just to help him acquire a single spirit ring, Ye Wen felt a bit self conscious. But since it was all voluntary, he didn't feel he could refuse.
As he spent more time with the family, he was intrigued by their outlook on marriage. Unlike most noble families, they didn't seem to care about arranged matches. As long as the partners were genuinely drawn to each other, they'd pursue a relationship, a principle even codified as part of the Huo family's motto.
Originally, Ye Wen thought he'd have to marry into their family. To his surprise, they preferred a traditional marriage arrangement.
Honestly, it suited him just fine.
Gradually, Ye Wen realized that he had truly accepted Huo Yu'er in his heart.
Perhaps he was... a bit of a scoundrel.
Though reluctant to admit it, Ye Wen knew he had fallen for seven year old Huo Yu'er. He knew he hadn't been like this in his previous life, and he mused that he must have fallen victim to some sort of "love based law of causality" on the Douluo Continent. That had to be the explanation.
The family dressed discreetly, but their fine fabrics and confident stride toward the Star Dou Forest made it clear that they were both wealthy and powerful. Those with enough insight understood this, and so, thankfully, the journey remained uneventful.
As he looked at the vast forest stretching endlessly before him, Ye Wen marveled at it, thinking, If a place like this existed in my previous life, it would be fenced off and charging admission within minutes.
But the moment he set foot inside the forest, Ye Wen felt an odd sensation, as if the entire forest were celebrating his arrival.
"Must be my imagination," he muttered. "I'm not the Chosen One like Tang San."
With a chuckle, he dismissed the feeling and took his first step into the forest.
A few kilometers into the forest, Huo Rui turned to Huo Jing, Huo Yu'er's father, and her mother, Ye Qingyu.
"Jing'er, Qingyu I'll leave the scouting to you."
The couple, who'd been affectionate and relaxed on the journey, instantly entered their spirit possessed states.
Huo Jing's spirit was the same as Huo Yu'er's a body spirit linked to his eyes, though not nearly as powerful. Ye Wen suspected that Huo Yu'er's Spirit Eyes were also connected to her brain, as her spirit power of innate level nine would otherwise be difficult to explain.
Ye Qingyu's spirit was an eagle. Once in her spirit possessed state, she spread her wings and took off, disappearing into the sky.
They were indeed a compatible pair; both spirits were adapted for heightened perception, and both were Spirit Kings with optimal five ring configurations.
Seeing their capabilities, Ye Wen felt even more confident in his quest to find the Parasitic Fungus Demon.
(Chapter End)
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Chapter 675: Spirit Hunt, Part 3
As soon as they entered the Star Dou Forest, Xiao Wu let herself completely relax, embodying the phrase "fearless like a newborn calf." But Ye Wen was sure only he understood why this little rabbit was really just "coming home," which was why she seemed so at ease.
Just as Ye Wen had researched, the Parasitic Fungus Demon was exceedingly rare now, likely over hunted. The family spent an entire week combing the Star Dou Forest's outskirts without encountering a single insect type spirit beast hosting this elusive spirit creature.
In the process, Ye Wen also truly grasped the sheer vastness of the Star Dou Forest and the astonishing abundance of spirit beasts here. Thankfully, Xiao Wu managed not to cause any disturbances, like summoning her two younger "brothers," Da Ming and Er Ming. Otherwise, Huo Yu'er's entire family would be in real trouble unlike Zhao Wuji, not every Spirit Saint would be reckless enough to confront a hundred thousand year spirit beast head on. Let alone a beast that had reached the ten thousand year level while already capable of facing down hundred thousand year opponents.
"This Parasitic Fungus Demon is turning out to be quite the challenge to find. I think that's enough for today," Huo Rui sighed in frustration.
As night approached, the group settled on a relatively safe area within the forest to set up camp. Observing Huo Rui's face, which now looked a bit worn from days of trekking and outdoor meals, Ye Wen felt a pang of guilt. Here was Huo Yu'er's family, helping him so much, only to end up fruitlessly wandering around for a week. He couldn't help but feel that he was causing them unnecessary trouble.
He even began to consider lowering his standards. Maybe he could just hunt any spirit beast with a suitable attribute instead. After all, it was only his first spirit ring; it wouldn't have that much impact on his future abilities.
But Huo Rui, perceptive as ever, noticed Ye Wen's uneasy expression. Gently patting his shoulder, she offered him a comforting smile.
"No need to worry, Xiao Wen. When I say I'll help you, I mean it. It's normal for spirit beasts to take days, even weeks to find there's no reason for you to feel guilty. We're family, and family looks out for each other."
Ye Wen felt warmth flood his heart at her reassurance and was about to thank her when, suddenly, they heard rustling sounds from deeper within the forest.
Instantly, Huo Jing and Ye Qingyu activated their spirit possessions, eyes trained on the direction of the sound. Even Huo Rui tensed, her heart pounding slightly louder than before, indicating she too was on high alert.
In the spirit beast forest, nighttime was prime hunting time not only for nocturnal spirit beasts but also for less reputable human spirit masters. These rogue spirit masters, with their intimate knowledge of human behavior, were often despised by the more honorable members of the profession.
Despite Ye Qingyu's excellent vision as an eagle spirit user, Huo Jing's eye based spirit, strengthened through numerous spirit rings, allowed him to see even better. Peering intently, he reported, "Mom, it's humans."
Upon hearing this, Huo Rui ceased restraining her spirit power, letting her full Spirit Saint level surge forth. In a commanding tone, she called out, "To whoever is ahead, reveal yourselves at once, or I won't be held responsible for what happens next!"
It was common knowledge that in the Star Dou Forest's outer region, Spirit Saints could move freely, effectively untouchable. However, the intense perception of spirit beasts far surpassed that of humans, meaning that overly strong spirit power would interfere with tracking spirit beast targets. Most powerful spirit masters on the outskirts kept their power suppressed to avoid attracting unwanted attention. But when it came to other humans, the best way to assert dominance was still raw strength.
Now, Huo Rui's formidable aura was pressuring the hidden spirit masters to show themselves.
After a brief pause, the individuals hiding in the trees answered her with a forceful release of their own spirit power.
Ye Wen's expression grew serious. Though his strength was limited, his keen sensitivity to energy told him these new arrivals were every bit as strong as their own group.
Then a somewhat raspy voice called out from the shadows, "Apologies for the intrusion. However, I sense a familiar spirit power is that you, Huo Rui?"
The tense atmosphere instantly dissipated. Huo Rui, initially stunned, quickly broke into a delighted smile and withdrew her spirit power.
"Brother Meng Shu, is that really you?"
"Hahaha, seems I was right. It really is you, Sister Huo Rui."
Following a hearty laugh, three figures emerged from the shadows, approaching Ye Wen and the others.
Ye Wen was surprised to see Meng Shu, a figure whose name was quite renowned. Unexpectedly, Huo Yu'er's family had connections to such influential individuals.
As for the two people beside Meng Shu, Ye Wen guessed they were probably Meng Shu's wife, Serpent Grandmother Chao Tianxiang, and the younger girl was likely the future inheritor of the "Kissing Serpent" title, Meng Yiran.
After some brief, friendly greetings, the group quickly fell into a warm conversation, making the forest campsite seem almost like a lively gathering. And with a Spirit Douluo and a peak Spirit Saint among them, the group could now wander the Star Dou Forest's outskirts almost as they pleased.
Though the conversation was lively, Ye Wen remained relatively quiet. Even Xiao Wu, usually cheerful, seemed nervous, as Ye Wen knew she feared Meng Shu might discern her true identity as a spirit beast.
Inwardly, Xiao Wu was likely thinking, You'll never understand the anxiety, people! I just wanted a casual outing, and now we've run into a Spirit Douluo. One wrong move, and I might never return!
Through Huo Rui and Meng Shu's conversation, Ye Wen gleaned that the two had traveled together in their youth, forging a bond of friendship. They might have ended up together if not for Meng Shu's compatibility with Chao Tianxiang for a spirit fusion ability.
Ye Wen couldn't help but find this strange. In such a feudal, supernaturally empowered world, wouldn't it be normal for men to have multiple wives? Yet, under the influence of the "Pure Love Creator," Tang Jia San Shao, the strongest individuals in this world were either single or committed to monogamous relationships. It was almost absurd.
Even Qian Xunji, who had committed atrocities, had no other illegitimate children or scandals apart from what he did with Bibi Dong. It was ridiculous.
But although Ye Wen was mostly silent, it didn't mean others wouldn't talk to him. His youthful looks and mature demeanor were rare and easily attracted the attention of the young girls present.
And soon enough, Meng Yiran, unable to contain her curiosity, approached Ye Wen.
"Hi there, little brother! Can you tell me your name?"
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Chapter 676: Spirit Hunt, Part 4
Ye Wen hadn't expected Meng Yiran to strike up a conversation with him, but after a brief moment of surprise, he responded rather calmly.
"You can just call me A Wen, Sister," he replied, then resumed eating, seeming indifferent.
Since he was already committed to Huo Yu'er even if they were both still children Ye Wen was careful to maintain respectful boundaries. With a mental age close to 30, it felt unnatural for him to keep calling a young girl "Sister" in a cutesy way, so he decided to act like a clueless bystander instead.
But Ye Wen had underestimated Meng Yiran's interest. As a cherished daughter in her family, she was accustomed to admiration and attention. Instead of feeling slighted, she found Ye Wen's aloofness refreshing and amusing.
"A Wen, don't ignore me! Tell me, what spirit beast are you here to hunt? My grandfather might know where to find it! And what's your spirit? Show me, will you?"
Meng Yiran seemed determined to keep the conversation going, throwing question after question at him, which left Ye Wen a bit at a loss. But then, a small hand suddenly pressed on Meng Yiran's shoulder, and Huo Yu'er's cool voice interrupted,
"Sister Yiran, I think that's enough. Can't you see A Wen isn't interested?"
Although Huo Yu'er was thinking of building her own inner circle, she didn't want just anyone in it especially not someone who, at nearly ten years old, was only now seeking her second spirit ring. A person with such mediocre talent didn't deserve a place by her or Ye Wen's side in the future.
Apparently, Meng Yiran hadn't thought about any of that, but seeing the slight annoyance on Huo Yu'er's face only piqued her interest further.
"Come on, little Yu'er, why so serious? A Wen didn't say anything about ignoring me! You two aren't... you know... that kind of pair, are you?"
Her gaze flickered back and forth between Ye Wen and Huo Yu'er with a playful glint. Ye Wen could only shake his head internally how could a ten year old already be this interested in romantic gossip? This really was the so called "Land of Romance."
As he was about to try diffusing the situation, Huo Yu'er decisively cut in, "That's right. Just as you thought, A Wen and I are indeed that kind of pair. Once we're of age, we'll get married, so please, Sister Yiran, stop bothering him."
Huo Yu'er's straightforwardness caught Meng Yiran off guard. What had started as a lighthearted joke had taken an unexpectedly serious turn, leaving Meng Yiran speechless for a moment. She hadn't anticipated that they'd actually be in that sort of relationship. Left with no choice, she stammered out a shy congratulations.
The adults around them, meanwhile, were more than amused by this youthful drama. Dragon Duke Meng Shu, clearly intrigued, perked up. He had assumed that Huo Yu'er, Ye Wen, and Xiao Wu were all Huo Rui's grandchildren, but now it seemed he had been mistaken. Although he hadn't directly assessed Ye Wen, he could tell the boy was only around seven or eight years old.
"A seven or eight year old at level ten," Meng Shu mused, "quite talented indeed. Too bad we met too late he would've been a good match for Yiran."
This idea sparked another thought for Meng Shu. In high society, appearances could be deceiving behind every pleasant smile was a competition more ruthless than anything in the commoners' world. Even though Meng Shu had the strength of a Spirit Douluo, he had only recently broken through to that level. Combined with Chao Tianxiang's assistance through their spirit fusion technique, they were highly respected during this era when Spirit Douluo ranked near the top.
But it wasn't enough.
The entire Meng family relied on Meng Shu alone; none of his clan had reached Spirit Saint. For an emerging family like theirs, this was a precarious situation. If Meng Shu fell, all their hard won gains would likely crumble. He needed a dependable ally.
Thinking along those lines, he realized that Huo Rui a peak level Spirit Saint at just over 40 would make a solid ally. After all, their shared past travels had given him a clear sense of Huo Rui's trustworthy character.
Meng Shu's eyes gleamed with inspiration as he shifted the conversation to his friend,
"A Rui, your granddaughter's quite fortunate! She's found a fine partner at such a young age. With these two's talents, they're bound to leave their mark on the continent in the future."
Huo Rui beamed at the compliment, feeling both proud of her granddaughter's potential and of Ye Wen's promising nature.
"Oh, thank you, Brother Meng. But your granddaughter is outstanding, too I'm sure she'll inherit both your strength and Sister Xiang's."
This was followed by more compliments and good natured conversation, with Huo Rui and Meng Shu happily exchanging stories and praises. Suddenly, Huo Rui thought of something and turned to Meng Shu with a question,
"By the way, Brother Meng, have you come across any Parasitic Fungus Demons while in the Star Dou Forest?"
Unlike Zhao Wuji, Meng Shu was a well educated spirit master with deep family traditions and a link to an advanced academy. He instantly recognized the creature Huo Rui was asking about, and looked at her with some surprise.
"A Rui, what are you looking for that spirit beast for? Is one of the kids going to absorb its spirit ring?"
Huo Rui didn't hesitate to explain, even sharing the frustration they'd faced after a week of fruitless searching, which had left everyone quite worn out. Meng Shu empathized finding the right spirit beast was never a simple task for any spirit master.
Though Meng Shu had been focusing on snake type spirit beasts for his granddaughter Meng Yiran, he began sifting through his memories. The Parasitic Fungus Demon's host type and its age threshold were highly specific: a ten year old spirit beast would host ten year fungi, a hundred year beast would host hundred year fungi, and so on. This type of pairing meant that for Ye Wen's needs, they'd be looking for an insect type host around the hundred year mark.
While the group waited, Meng Shu thoughtfully reviewed his memories. He'd disregarded any ten year beasts as unworthy, especially given his own and Huo Rui's high ranks; suggesting a ten year beast would be insulting. Anything in the thousand year range was out as well, as Ye Wen wouldn't be able to handle that level yet.
So Meng Shu narrowed his focus to the hundred year range, specifically looking for insect spirit beasts, which fit Ye Wen's requirements. After a moment, he slapped his knee,
"Got it! Now that you mention it, I did come across a creature that looked like it was infected by a Parasitic Fungus Demon while we were on our way. It wasn't what we were looking for, so I didn't pay much attention to it."
With that, Meng Shu eagerly described the location of the spirit beast, giving Huo Rui and the group detailed directions.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 677: Spirit Hunt, Part 5
As fate would have it, while Meng Shu's group hadn't managed to find a suitable snake type spirit beast for Meng Yiran despite encountering many, Ye Wen's party had repeatedly run into them. The next day, Meng Shu, eager to prioritize his granddaughter's spirit hunt, reluctantly decided to part ways with Ye Wen and his group, even though he had hoped to spend a little more time with them.
Before they parted, Meng Shu extended an invitation to Ye Wen and the others, suggesting they attend the Exotic Beasts Advanced Academy once they graduated from their elementary studies. Huo Yu'er didn't seem to care either way and left the decision entirely up to Ye Wen, which made her appear more smitten than ever. Although Ye Wen's rational side leaned towards refusal, he still courteously replied that he would carefully consider the offer when the time came.
Meng Shu seemed to sense Ye Wen's hesitance but wasn't offended. After all, his academy's reputation had been lackluster in recent years, failing even to outperform the Blue Tyrant Academy in the Advanced Spirit Master Tournaments. It was understandable if a promising talent like Ye Wen didn't hold it in high regard. Nevertheless, Meng Shu and Huo Rui reached a strategic agreement, enabling both families to support each other moving forward giving Ye Wen yet another safety net and ensuring he wouldn't have to move cautiously across the continent.
With the coordinates Meng Shu provided, the search became a bit easier, though spirit beasts rarely stayed in one place. Most, except for the most powerful ones, had specific territories where they roamed rather than wandering too far afield, as exploring unknown areas could mean facing unnecessary danger. Even the less intelligent spirit beasts had an instinctive understanding of this.
For two more days, Huo Rui and her family scoured the forest, and as the sun began to dip below the horizon, they finally located the Parasitic Fungus Demon they sought. Its host was a hundred year old Force Ant, a common spirit beast known for its strength. With the Parasitic Fungus Demon's influence, the Force Ant's power was no longer limited by its body, making it almost as powerful as a thousand year old Force Ant during the recent confrontation with Huo Rui.
Now, however, this fearsome beast lay pinned to the ground by a spear, awaiting Ye Wen's kill. The most crucial task for Ye Wen now was to assess the Parasitic Fungus Demon's age accurately misjudging could mean a fatal outcome.
Taking out a book for reference, Ye Wen compared the spirit beast's color against the descriptions. When he saw the distinctive hue of the parasitic fungus edging toward 400 years, he let out a sigh of relief. His family's ten day search hadn't been in vain.
"Huo Nai Nai, this is it. This is the Parasitic Fungus Demon I need, and it's right under the 400 year threshold I can handle."
Huo Rui nodded approvingly, then handed him a container of oil and a flint.
"Go on and finish it off, then absorb the ring. For a hundred year ring, there's no need to overthink things. And if you move quickly, we might even make it back to the spirit beast village to sleep in proper beds tonight."
Grateful, Ye Wen took the oil, drenching the Parasitic Fungus Demon. Sensing its impending doom, the fungus' tendrils began writhing desperately on the Force Ant's body, as though trying to detach itself and escape. But after searching so hard for this spirit beast, Ye Wen had no intention of showing mercy. Striking the flint, he sent a small spark falling onto the ant's oil soaked body.
In an instant, the creature was engulfed in flames.
The Force Ant and the Parasitic Fungus Demon had no organs for producing sound, so they writhed in silent agony as the fire slowly sapped the life out of them, their movements eventually weakening until they stilled.
While watching this, Ye Wen snuck a glance at Xiao Wu. It seemed that Xiao Wu, who hadn't grown close enough to him to interfere, or perhaps simply didn't care about the insect's life, refrained from questioning the necessity of the spirit beast's death as she had in the original story.
But what did it matter to Ye Wen?
As the spirit ring's bright halo materialized, signaling the death of the Parasitic Fungus Demon, Ye Wen let out a quiet breath of relief. His gratitude towards Huo Yu'er and her family deepened, knowing that without their help, he wouldn't have had such a perfect first spirit ring.
Summoning his spirit, he felt the ancient powers stirring as the spirit ring, bearing the Parasitic Fungus Demon's close to 400 year energy, attached itself to Nana, his slime spirit. Initially, he felt nothing unusual. Then, realizing that his spirit was of a summoning type, Ye Wen reminded himself he simply needed to let it absorb the ring on its own.
But being a summoning spirit like Yu Xiaogang's also meant it shared a similar vulnerability: any poison affecting his spirit would be transferred back to him when the spirit returned to his body.
As his slime spirit trembled, the ring's glow gradually dimmed, eventually dissipating altogether. Nana then dissolved and returned to Ye Wen's body, carrying an influx of new information that made him break into a smile though the astonishment in his eyes was unmistakable.
However, Huo Yu'er and the others didn't press him about the result, waiting patiently to hear about his spirit skill and observing this new addition to the family with eager eyes.
Finally, Huo Yu'er broke the silence,
"A Wen, so, was the skill what you hoped for?"
With his spirit ring now absorbed, Ye Wen's body had noticeably matured, making him look closer in age to Meng Yiran and, more importantly, giving him a slight height advantage over Huo Yu'er a small but satisfying victory.
He nodded,
"Yes, it's exactly what I wanted, though my spirit's unique nature caused some... unexpected changes. Actually, maybe it's best if I just show you."
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 678: Armament
"Wuhun, manifest!"
With Ye Wen's sharp command, his spirit Nana, now transformed after absorbing the spirit ring, appeared before everyone. No longer transparent like before, the Nana spirit was now cloaked in a silvery luster that obscured its core completely, looking almost like a ball of mercury.
As Ye Wen focused, the yellow glow of his century spirit ring appeared. He placed one hand atop his Nana spirit and said,
"First Spirit Skill: Armament!"
In an instant, Nana dispersed and wrapped itself around Ye Wen's hand, coating him completely in a silvery, skintight suit that left only his face uncovered. Although he was still young, the spirit skill gave him an imposing air that drew admiring stares especially from Huo Yu'er, whose eyes sparkled with excitement.
The skill's effect bore a faint resemblance to the latest generation battle armor Ye Wen had once known in his world. Even though it was still in its early form, this first spirit skill showed immense potential.
Huo Rui, however, didn't notice her granddaughter's infatuated gaze. Despite her unconventional background, she could tell right away that Ye Wen's skill was exceptional.
"Xiao Wen, that spirit skill looks impressive! Could you explain what it does?" Huo Rui asked, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity and a slight probing edge.
Ye Wen smiled, catching on to Huo Rui's hidden intent. Despite her outwardly carefree demeanor, Huo Nai Nai had a sharp mind and a cautious heart. Still, Ye Wen had already come to trust the family, and so he responded openly.
"My first spirit skill, Armament, compensates for my summoning spirit's limitations by granting me a boost similar to what a Beast Spirit's possession might provide. And thanks to my spirit's unique properties, I also gained a few additional features."
As he spoke, Ye Wen raised his hand, and in a flash, a sharp blade materialized along the side of his forearm.
"My spirit doesn't have a fixed form, so I can manipulate it to take on various shapes at will. Even in this armed state, that function remains, so my entire body can essentially become a weapon."
"But that's not all…" Ye Wen's expression grew amused.
Picking up a rock from the ground, he turned to Huo Rui and said,
"Nai Nai, watch this."
The next moment, a deep, pitch black hole formed in Ye Wen's left hand. He tossed the rock in, and it vanished completely.
Huo Rui's pupils contracted.
"Spatial attribute?!"
Ye Wen nodded, still a bit shocked himself. He hadn't been sure if he possessed the seventh attribute, space, but now, with his first spirit ring, his suspicions were confirmed.
In this era, spatial abilities weren't as commonplace as they would become in the future; on the current Douluo Continent, very few possessed spatial abilities. The most well known example was Bone Douluo, the Guardian of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Any spirit master with spatial abilities was considered a rarity.
Upon hearing Ye Wen confirm it, Huo Rui struggled to contain her excitement. She had already felt that Ye Wen was a good match for her granddaughter, but discovering his unique talent was like finding a pot of gold.
Huo Rui's natural soul power had only been level five at birth, so reaching Spirit Saint at her age was already impressive. Still, few knew that her luck had changed dramatically after Huo Yu'er's birth, with her abilities spiking just as she acquired her sixth ring. Six years of diligent cultivation had brought her to the peak of Spirit Saint, and she might still reach Spirit Douluo if fortunate.
But it was never easy to reach this level, and Huo Rui dreamed of seeing the Huo family rise to greatness. Huo Yu'er's talent had revived that hope, and now, with Ye Wen another prodigy with spatial abilities joining them, Huo Rui began to envision a future in which her family could rival the continent's top sects.
Excited by this prospect, Huo Rui turned to her son and daughter in law with a stern look.
"Keep this a secret. No one must know that Xiao Wen possesses spatial abilities, or it'll only bring us trouble."
Huo Jing and Ye Qingyu, experienced in managing the family's affairs during Huo Rui's training, nodded immediately. Even Ye Wen, familiar with the unsavory side of the Douluo Continent, promised not to reveal his spatial attribute.
The group then fell silent as everyone's eyes slowly turned to Xiao Wu.
Realizing that she was the only outsider present and that Ye Wen's spatial attribute was a dangerous secret, much like her own identity as a hundred thousand year spirit beast Xiao Wu began to panic. She wondered if she should signal her two powerful friends, Da Ming and Er Ming, to help her escape.
Ye Wen noticed her anxiety. Wanting to prevent any reckless action, he approached her and spoke calmly,
"Xiao Wu, I know we're not particularly close. But I hope you'll keep my spatial attribute a secret once we leave Star Dou Forest. I'm going to ask you to swear an oath to keep this secret. Swear on your spirit that you'll never tell anyone. Otherwise, I can't guarantee what Nai Nai and her family might do."
Huo Rui, still somewhat suspicious of Xiao Wu's background, found Ye Wen's request a reasonable compromise. And Xiao Wu, seeing this as a way out, hesitated only briefly before making the oath.
From that moment on, Xiao Wu felt a small twinge of goodwill toward Ye Wen, grateful for the way he handled things. And with that, the group returned to a warm, harmonious atmosphere, everyone satisfied with the resolution.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 679: Building a Future, Part I
During the vacation days, Ye Wen stayed at the Huo residence. After growing accustomed to the expert guidance at his side, he found it hard to go back to training alone and figuring out his own path.
Huo Rui's spirit was unique, and in her early years as a commoner with little access to directly combative spirit rings, she had focused on developing her own martial arts. Now, having reached the peak of Spirit Saint, her powerful skills allowed her to temporarily hold her own against Spirit Douluo level opponents.
With a top tier martial arts master guiding him, Ye Wen's combat abilities skyrocketed in just one short vacation. And while his past life as a regular college student hadn't required much physical skill, now, under Huo Rui's guidance, he found himself grasping new techniques with surprising ease, as if he'd known them long ago but was only now reacquiring them. The feeling was strange, but he quickly chalked it up to his "transmigrator's gift."
Even so, the foundation of martial arts alone could only go so far without a strong body to support it. After teaching him various martial forms, Huo Rui encouraged Ye Wen to focus on building his physical strength. Ye Wen accepted her advice wholeheartedly after all, Huo Yu'er had undergone the same training.
School break passed quickly, and soon, Ye Wen was back for the second semester. He wasn't the type to show off, so as the semester wore on, none of the other students had yet realized that this "useless" Ye Wen was actually already a one ring spirit master. During this time, he also began receiving a small stipend from the Spirit Hall.
One gold spirit coin. Enough to support an average family for a whole year, and he had received it just by becoming a spirit master. This made Ye Wen realize that spirit mastery was indeed the quickest path to changing one's social standing.
"But this isn't enough," Ye Wen murmured, clenching the coin in his hand as a flash of determination lit up his gaze.
Now that he had moved out of the poverty class and no longer had to worry about food or shelter, he could even attract a wife just by revealing his spirit master status. Many girls would happily marry him.
But this wasn't the life Ye Wen wanted.
"Though Grandma Huo has shown me much kindness and Yu'er genuinely cares for me, I need to grow stronger if I want our relationship to thrive long term. Only a love built on mutual support will last. Relationships built on one sided dependency or giving will ultimately sour."
Ye Wen reminded himself.
Even though he had never been in a romantic relationship, Ye Wen's view of love had been shaped by countless online "love experts." In his view, true love was about mutual respect, shared goals, and personal growth not a relationship where one person was simply looking for material benefits or support.
With this in mind, Ye Wen resolved to start a small business after saving some funds.
The knowledge of traditional medicine that he carried in his mind would be a game changer here on Douluo Continent. If he fully developed it, he could create a large business empire just like Tang San did. However, Ye Wen was well aware that both ordinary worlds and superpowered worlds like Douluo were rife with power struggles. Unless he had powerful connections, he risked being devoured by the upper echelons, with potentially ruinous consequences.
Although he did have the backing of two Spirit Douluo level figures, in the grand scheme of Douluo Continent, that was still only a mid level force. They wouldn't be able to secure the biggest profits. So, Ye Wen decided to start small.
Though he had never started a business himself, Ye Wen wasn't the type to rely on luck to succeed. Throughout this semester, he conducted numerous small investigations, which led him to an untapped market niche: medical remedies.
On Douluo Continent, while there were basic medicines, the field was still very underdeveloped, and the few available medicines were primarily geared toward serving spirit masters, who dominated this world. High level elixirs and toxicants had yet to appear, but medicinal baths and some poisons were already available.
These were tightly controlled by powerful clans, completely inaccessible to ordinary spirit masters. Fortunately, Ye Wen's goal wasn't to challenge them. He intended to target regular people with affordable medical remedies.
On this continent, commoners lived in poverty, often unable to afford the services of a healing spirit master. Even a mild illness could lead to death in this world. To Ye Wen, if he could offer remedies that cost only a few meals' worth of money to save someone from death, most families would be willing to pay. After all, money can be earned again, but life only comes once.
Although he had a clear business direction, Ye Wen knew that bringing his vision to life wouldn't be an immediate process.
Currently, most herbs on the continent were either geared toward enhancing spirit masters or incapacitating them. Ordinary medicinal herbs were essentially nonexistent here. Yet, with ample time on his side, Ye Wen, uninterested in claiming power, was content to proceed slowly, crafting his formulas one step at a time.
After obtaining his first spirit ring, he also discovered a hidden function within his Nana spirit that would support his plans. Nana's heightened sensitivity to elemental properties allowed Ye Wen to store items within it and discern some of their qualities.
Stone: Hard, composed of earth elements, inedible.
Lake water: Composed of water elements, contains impurities, causes severe diarrhea if ingested. Mildly toxic.
River shrimp: Small organism, contains trace parasites, edible, causes mild indigestion.
Through countless experiments, Ye Wen had gleaned detailed information about various substances. As he identified more plant properties, Ye Wen marveled at how versatile his spirit was it was like a Wuhun version of "Shennong," tasting hundreds of herbs to understand their properties.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 680: Building a Future, Part II
Before he knew it, another semester had passed. During this time, Ye Wen began compiling his own "Compendium of Herbs." Thinking back to stories he had read, he realized that Tang San's courage was remarkable boldly brewing medicines based on theories from an entirely different world. Fortunately, Tang San mostly concocted poisons; otherwise, he might have ended up with serious medical mishaps.
Even so, Ye Wen knew to tread carefully. The same herb grown in different regions could have entirely different properties, as shown by the classic story of how oranges in the south became bitter trifoliate oranges in the north. Thus, he worked on his herbal guide in secluded areas, well out of sight. If Tang San were to find out that Ye Wen had such a valuable resource, he'd likely try to pressure him into sharing it.
If that happened, Ye Wen doubted he could stand Tang San's double standards without either demanding he hand over his Mysterious Heaven Technique or challenging him to a fight, which would inevitably draw out his hidden "boss" Tang Hao. Having a powerful connection was a double edged sword when the other side's connection was even stronger.
Throughout this semester, Ye Wen also introduced Huo Yu'er to his family, which deepened their relationship. While a bit slow on the uptake emotionally, he wasn't blind. After nearly two years, Huo Yu'er's feelings remained steady, even stronger than those of the characters in other young adult stories. Clearly, in a world so defined by romance, normal adolescent logic didn't apply.
But Ye Wen found himself increasingly fond of her unwavering dedication. He'd never been truly loved before, and experiencing it now fueled his resolve to build his own path forward.
And, well, living off someone else's support once makes doing it multiple times easier.
Although Ye Wen initially had mixed feelings about relying on the Huo family, he found himself gradually growing used to it. But was he still his independent self?
In the end, he rationalized it: he had only accepted their guidance, which was invaluable but didn't involve taking actual resources, and he convinced himself that training under a Spirit Saint wasn't the same as relying on someone else.
With the semester break came another chance to train hard, and Ye Wen took Huo Yu'er to the countryside to research the most common ailments among ordinary people. His funds were limited, so he needed remedies that could treat many people without costing much.
Noting his frugality, Huo Yu'er handed him a gold soul coin card.
"Um…" Ye Wen looked at her, full of question marks.
In an unusually gentle tone, she explained, "Ah Wen, this is my allowance over the years ten thousand gold soul coins. I don't really need it, so please, use it as you see fit."
Ye Wen fell silent.
Was she serious? The words made sense, but how did someone not yet ten years old have ten thousand gold coins in "allowance"? Each word was understandable on its own, but together, it was absurd. A commoner family could live for years on that much.
Before Ye Wen could process it, Huo Yu'er quickly stuffed the coin card into his pocket, leaving him speechless.
In all his lives, he had never had anyone stuff "soft rice" in other words, financial support down his throat like this. He wanted to hand it back to her, but Huo Yu'er activated her body spirit and firmly kept his hand in place.
"Oh, come on, Ah Wen," she said playfully. "It's been two years, and you still act like a stranger. We're getting married someday, aren't we? What's yours is mine, and what's mine is yours. Isn't that how it should be? Don't make me get mad."
Ye Wen stayed still, caught off guard. While Huo Yu'er's words were gentle, the silver markings that appeared around her eyes showed her spirit was activated. After two years, Ye Wen knew better than to ignore her when she looked this serious. If he resisted, she'd only force him to take the money and possibly make him pay with a few bruises for the trouble.
So, he reluctantly accepted her support.
Huo Yu'er nodded with satisfaction, while Ye Wen thought, If she's my financial backer, at least I can expand my future products.
Busy with his research, Ye Wen missed the flushed look on Huo Yu'er's face. Watching him obey her, she felt her heartbeat race.
"Serious Master is great, but obedient Master… so cute!"
Past selves kept dying as new versions arose; Huo Yu'er's thoughts twisted further as she pondered her happiness. She realized she didn't want to "slack off" anymore; she needed to grow stronger and turn this world into her eternal paradise.
Unaware of her thoughts, Ye Wen continued his field research, hoping to take his first step toward launching his project. The most common ailments among ordinary people were colds, fevers, and injuries. Ye Wen wasn't interested in developing injury remedies, though.
Injuries were already covered on this continent, as spirit masters frequently experienced wounds from combat. Items like wound medicine were well known and essential for war, so any country involved in frequent battles stocked up on such medicines as military supplies. There was no room for Ye Wen's tiny start up here.
But while spirit masters rarely suffered from common colds and fevers, due to their strong bodies, ordinary people had no such immunity. And with healing spirit masters being costly and education being scarce, commoners tended to endure illnesses untreated, creating a large gap in the market exactly the kind of niche Ye Wen wanted to fill.
(End of Chapter)
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