Huo Yuhao gave the little girl an apologetic nod.
"Child, your concealment technique is impressive. I didn't notice you at all."
The black-haired, green-eyed girl stiffened for a moment—Danzo's cold, oppressive gaze clearly startled her.
But she quickly recovered, puffing her cheeks like a balloon.
"You adults are all so annoying!"
She whipped her head away dramatically.
In her heart, however, she muttered:
"Their height is already fixed. But I'm still growing."
"Once I get taller than them, I'm going to look down on every single one of them!"
After completing her internal A-Q victory routine, the tiny girl spun back around, planted her fists on her hips, and declared:
"I'm Xiao Xiao. And you are?"
Huo Yuhao's eyes flickered faintly.
He hadn't expected to meet her here.
By the original story, they should have met at Shrek Academy.
And since he had zero intention of joining Shrek now, he assumed their paths would never cross.
At most they'd see each other again during the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament—
with him watching from the stands while Xiao Xiao's team competed.
Huo Yuhao would absolutely not participate in such events.
Fighting over a few so-called spirit bones, only to attract countless covetous eyes?
Completely contrary to his life philosophy.
It would be an insult to his extraordinary intellect.
Suppressing the strange ripple in his gaze, Huo Yuhao answered:
"I am Shimura Danzo."
Xiao Xiao tilted her head, green eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Shimura Danzo? What a strange name."
Realizing her comment might be rude, she waved her hands frantically.
"I— I didn't mean it like that! I just think your name is very… very… very unique!"
Huo Yuhao chuckled inwardly at her flustered expression.
"It's fine. I don't mind."
"By the way—what's your relation to President Xiao?"
Xiao Xiao relaxed when she saw he wasn't offended. Straightening her expression, she said:
"He's my big brother."
"Your brother?" Huo Yuhao nodded slightly, understanding.
Xiao Xiao glanced at Xiao Dingyuan from afar.
A faint sadness passed through her eyes.
"My brother is amazing. He just… changed a lot in recent years."
She clearly didn't want to linger on the topic.
Her energy returned in an instant.
"Uncle Danzo, can you tell me how you got that scar on your chin? If it's rude, then forget I asked!"
Seeing her "I'm dying of curiosity!" expression, Huo Yuhao thought for a moment, then said:
"I can.
This is a story that would make even the leaves of Konoha shed tears."
"I had a close friend—Sarutobi Hiruzen.
We lived in a village called Konoha."
"We trained together often, though I was superior to him in every way…"
He gave her a heavily "adapted" version of the more outrageous Konoha backstory.
Watching her eyes shine with pure admiration brought him a strange sense of pride.
Huo Yuhao even wondered if he should try writing a novel someday.
He might actually make money.
"Uncle Danzo, I need to pack my luggage! I almost forgot!"
Xiao Xiao suddenly panicked, bowed quickly, and sprinted toward the houses.
Huo Yuhao watched her disappear inside and shook his head.
He was about to look for Lang Shan to ask about the mission plan when he noticed Xiao Dingyuan walking toward him with a gentle smile.
Huo Yuhao nodded politely.
Xiao Dingyuan returned the gesture, his gaze drifting toward the lively Xiao Xiao.
Despite his efforts to hide it, Huo Yuhao caught a faint trace of envy.
"Sir Danzo, thank you for watching over Xiao Xiao just now."
"She's been cooped up at home training because of her talent. It's rare for her to go out, so everything in the world fascinates her."
Huo Yuhao shook his head.
"It's no trouble. A child's curiosity about the world is a good thing. The path of a Spirit Master requires exploring the mysteries of the world."
"The young miss has a promising future."
As he spoke, Huo Yuhao secretly observed Xiao Dingyuan's expressions.
Unexpectedly, there was not a hint of resentment—
only genuine warmth.
"Then I'll borrow your good omen."
"Xiao Xiao and I are different. My Martial Soul suffered a malignant mutation, my talent is poor, and I'm only a Spirit Grandmaster."
"She, however… is our family's hope."
"But as her brother, I care less about her distant future and more about her happiness now."
Huo Yuhao quietly let out a breath of relief.
No dramatic, dog-blood 'sibling rivalry' arc. Good.
But he did wonder why Xiao Dingyuan would share such personal matters with a stranger he'd just met.
Sensing the doubt, Xiao Dingyuan smiled.
"Xiao Xiao may be young, but with her Martial Soul talent, she is extremely sensitive to malice."
"Your appearance may be… intimidating, but you were patient enough to tell a child a long story."
"Most importantly, I trust the instincts I've honed traveling the continent all these years."
"In short— I believe you're trustworthy."
"And I want to ask you for a favor. During this journey, please look after Xiao Xiao. I'll raise your commission to fifty gold soul coins."
Huo Yuhao nodded immediately.
It wasn't difficult at all, and free gold soul coins were free gold soul coins.
Fifty gold soul coins…
He'd have to roast fish for years to earn that much.
"Employer Xiao, Brother Danzo! Over here! We're setting out!"
Lang Shan's rough voice boomed from afar.
"Sir Danzo, shall we?"
After exchanging a look, Huo Yuhao and Xiao Dingyuan returned to the escort formation.
Outside the east gate, the caravan formally assembled—
a hundred-man convoy lined up neatly on the Star Luo Empire–built imperial road.
Blood Wolf Mercenary Group members formed the outer ring of guards.
Inside, twenty one-ring Spirit Masters escorted the wagon convoy carrying precious herbs and rare metals.
Lang Shan, the highest-ranked Spirit Master—a Rank 37 Spirit Elder—led at the front, responsible for scouting and deterrence.
Huo Yuhao, at Xiao Dingyuan's request, took a position in the convoy core to protect Xiao Xiao and other key personnel.
The route would take them from Star Luo Empire's North Bright City, cross into Heavenly Soul Empire territory, skirt the edge of the Heaven Dou Plains, and continue straight to Xuanfeng City.
They would remain on imperial roads the entire journey.
Imperial roads of any nation were patrolled regularly by strong Spirit Masters, preventing high-age Spirit Beasts from approaching.
And no high-rank Spirit Master would dare cause trouble openly on imperial roads—
not when each empire still had Titlde Douluo maintaining order and face.