Dai Yuhao felt that this dream was exceptionally long; it had already been over 10 days, and he still had not woken up.
But he had been happier than ever these past few days because there was an endless supply of delicious food, and everyone around him was gentle and kind. No one bullied him or snatched his belongings like they did in the Duke Mansion. In that cold, dark place, he was treated worse than a servant, but here, the warmth felt almost suspicious to his guarded heart.
"Little Yuhao..."
A familiar voice called out. Dai Yuhao immediately looked up, his eyes shining with bright joy: "Auntie Leng!"
Leng Yaozhu's figure appeared at the doorway, a gentle smile on her face. She looked like a goddess descending into his bleak world, offering a hand he never expected to hold.
She walked a few steps closer, crouched down in front of Dai Yuhao, met his gaze, and asked softly, "Little Yuhao, do you want to become powerful? So you can properly protect your mother in the future."
This sentence was like a stone cast into the lake of his heart, instantly stirring up the firmest ripples in Dai Yuhao's eyes. The thought of his mother, the only person who had ever truly loved him, ignited a fire in his soul.
He nodded forcefully almost without hesitation. His small fists clenched unconsciously, his voice childish yet carrying a rare stubbornness.
"I want to! I want to become strong, I want to protect Mom!"
As he spoke these words, an image from not long ago uncontrollably flashed through his mind. It was a memory of pure helplessness and terror.
He and his mother had their mouths firmly covered, left to the mercy of others, unable even to cry out. They were nothing but playthings for those with power, insects to be crushed under the boot of the White Tiger Duke's family.
The deep pain and helpless tears in his mother's eyes, the humiliation and fear brought by that weakness, lodged like a thorn in his heart. He hated that version of himself—the one who could only watch and weep.
The seed of wanting to become strong had quietly been planted at that moment. It was a seed watered by resentment and a desperate need for survival.
Now, lightly touched by Leng Yaozhu, it broke through the soil, giving rise to a distinct yearning. The innocent boy wanted to protect, but the soul within already hungered for the power to ensure no one could ever silence them again.
"Good, then Little Yuhao, come with me."
Leng Yaozhu took Dai Yuhao's hand, led him out of the room, and stepped into the Soul Tool Elevator. The cold metal and hum of technology were still strange to him, reminders of a world far more advanced than the stables he once called home.
In these past few days, Dai Yuhao had already curiously explored many places within the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters. The initial dizzying novelty had gradually settled into a vague familiarity. He watched the numbers on the display change, wondering what kind of fate awaited him on the other side.
The elevator doors slid open again. Leng Yaozhu led him through a corridor bathed in soft light, finally stopping before a seemingly plain door.
She pushed the door open and Dai Yuhao followed closely behind. His heart hammered against his ribs, a mix of excitement and the lingering habit of fear.
The room was not large; it even seemed somewhat empty. It felt like a place where time didn't exist, isolated from the bustling activity of the rest of the tower.
The four walls were white, without any decoration or furniture, clean to the point of desolation. The starkness was intimidating, suggesting a level of focus and discipline he couldn't yet comprehend.
The only thing that caught the eye was that directly opposite, a tall elder dressed in a simple gray robe was sitting cross-legged. He looked like a statue carved from ancient stone.
Dai Yuhao instinctively tilted his small head, a clear look of surprise flashing across his clear eyes. He had never seen someone like this before.
The elder was suspended in mid-air several feet off the ground without anything beneath him, the hem of his robe completely still, as if frozen in another dimension. It was a display of control that defied the very laws of the world.
"Vice Tower Master Leng, what brings you to this humble abode of this old man today?"
The elder's voice was robust and peaceful, echoing slightly in the empty room. It didn't sound like it came from his mouth, but rather from the air itself.
His eyes remained naturally closed, but he had clearly already perceived the identity of his visitors. To a Spirit Master of his level, sight was merely one of many ways to see the world.
Leng Yaozhu displayed a perfectly measured respect and smile: "Elder Han, I apologize for the abrupt intrusion, but I have a favor to ask."
As she spoke, she stepped aside, gently guiding Dai Yuhao in front of her, placing her hand on the child's thin shoulder: "This child... his Innate Foundation is somewhat weak, and his vitality is insufficient. I wanted to ask you to examine him and see if you could help condition him."
The "Elder Han" Leng Yaozhu mentioned was Han Tianyi, a 98 Rank Super Douluo, titled Phantom Brain. He was a legend, a man whose mental power was said to be nearly unrivaled.
His Spirit was extremely unique—it was his own brain. He originally belonged to the Body Sect lineage but later joined the Spirit Pagoda, where he is highly respected for his wisdom and strength.
Leng Yaozhu's special visit this time was precisely because she valued the Body Sect's profound understanding of human anatomy. They were the masters of the physical form, and if anyone could fix Yuhao's stunted growth, it was him.
Since she had decided to wait for the Spirit Awakening 3 years later, she naturally needed to ensure Dai Yuhao was healthy and his Foundation was stable during this period, allowing him to meet the day of Awakening in optimal condition. She wouldn't let his potential be wasted by the scars of his past.
Of course, going to the trouble of asking for Han Tianyi's favor was also because she had developed a good impression of this child during their time together. There was a resilience in him that she found fascinating.
Even if it turned out he wasn't "Huo Yuhao," she hoped this unfortunate child could have a decent starting point. She wanted to see what a child with such eyes could achieve if given the right tools.
Han Tianyi had now fully opened his eyes. His gaze, which seemed capable of discerning the minutest details, paused on Dai Yuhao for a moment. An invisible perception swept over the child's body like fine water flow.
With his cultivation, he instantly noticed that the child's vitality was indeed weak, and although his bones were undamaged, he was clearly malnourished, with traces of old, hidden injuries inside him—it wasn't simply 'Innate deficiency'. It was the result of long-term abuse and neglect.
Immediately after, his gaze turned to Leng Yaozhu. A strange, slightly playful smile suddenly appeared on his aged face, as if he had caught onto a secret.
"This kid... is the one you brought back from outside recently, right?"
"What exactly is your relationship with him?"
Leng Yaozhu raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this: "I didn't expect even Elder Han to be interested in these unfounded rumors like everyone else."
She was naturally aware of the various speculations within the Spirit Pagoda regarding Dai Yuhao's identity. Some said he was her junior, others that he was a disciple she was taking on, and there were even rumors that Dai Yuhao was her illegitimate son from outside. The gossip mill was always turning, regardless of the truth.
Regarding this, she had never offered a single explanation, and her attitude remained the same when facing Han Tianyi's probing. She didn't feel the need to justify her kindness to anyone.
She merely smiled faintly, her tone relaxed yet carrying an unquestionable decisiveness: "If Elder Han is unwilling to grant this favor, then I will take him to someone else."
Saying this, she made a gesture as if to take Dai Yuhao's hand and turn to leave. She knew exactly how to handle the old man's stubbornness.
"Hey... wait, wait, wait!"
Seeing Leng Yaozhu genuinely about to leave, Han Tianyi quickly called out to stop her. He couldn't let such a talented peer walk out in a huff over a little teasing.
The playfulness on his face quickly disappeared, replaced by a look of helpless amusement mixed with seriousness: "You girl, still so impatient! When did this old man say he wouldn't help?"
He naturally understood Leng Yaozhu's standing. Not only was she a high-ranking Vice Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda, but she was also the Clan Chief of the Phoenix Family, a top Spirit Master Family, and was herself a Four-Word Battle Armor Master, a Quasi-Demigod level expert.
For someone of this stature to come in person to request a favor, under all circumstances—emotionally, logically, publicly, and privately—he certainly would not refuse. It would be foolish to offend a woman of her power.
Leng Yaozhu turned back, a smile of achieving her goal on her face: "Then I must trouble Elder Han. Yuhao, I'm leaving him in your care."
She gently patted Dai Yuhao's back, signaling him to step forward. She gave him a look that promised he would be safe, even if the old man looked a bit strange.
Dai Yuhao glanced timidly at the elder suspended in the air, then looked back at Auntie Leng who was encouraging him. Finally, gathering his courage, he shuffled forward a small step. His legs felt a bit heavy, but his resolve remained firm.
He imitated the way he had seen others bow and clumsily but earnestly curtsied: "H-hello, Elder Han."
Han Tianyi's crossed legs unfolded silently, and his figure stood up steadily. He moved with a grace that was unsettling for a man of his age.
Only then did Dai Yuhao truly feel the elder's height—likely over 2 meters—like a steady mountain, carrying an invisible sense of pressure. The air around him felt denser, vibrating with a power that made the boy's skin tingle.
Han Tianyi first smiled at Dai Yuhao, then his smile faded, and his gaze shifted to Leng Yaozhu. The business of cultivation was not something to be taken lightly.
"I can agree to help condition this child, but... there are two conditions."
Seeing Leng Yaozhu nod slightly, adopting an attitude that invited him to speak freely. She knew that in their world, nothing came without a price, even a favor between friends.
Han Tianyi raised his thin, withered fingers and said slowly: "First, for a child of this age, the best method to condition the Foundation is through diet."
"However, some of the required ingredients are quite rare, and gathering them is quite troublesome. This old body of mine is not fit to run around everywhere."
Leng Yaozhu understood immediately and replied decisively: "Elder Han only needs to provide a list; I will handle the procurement of the ingredients."
"Good."
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Han Tianyi's eyes, and he raised his second finger: "Second, this boy is not a member of the Body Sect. I can help condition his body."
"But the true core secrets and cultivation paths of the Body Sect will absolutely not be taught to him."
"This must be stated clearly beforehand."
Leng Yaozhu was not surprised by this and nodded solemnly: "Naturally. It is already a great kindness that Elder Han is willing to help condition his fundamentals. We will absolutely not force the secrets of the Body Sect."
"Since Vice Tower Master Leng has agreed to both conditions," Han Tianyi's expression relaxed, and his gaze fell back onto the slightly nervous Dai Yuhao, "then this boy, from now on, will temporarily be under my care."