Every soul spirit knew exactly what Snow Emperor was thinking, and the same went for Liya—after all, without deep feelings, would she have ever granted him the Mermaid's Blessing?
The long-suffering concubine had finally become the matriarch. Tang Wutong had perished during the God Star cataclysm, and they had unexpectedly returned to the era that originally belonged to them. Naturally, there was no longer any need to hide this relationship.
Her pale, jade-like hand traced light circles on Baili Du's chest. Snow Emperor seemed to be acting a bit coquettish: "...I won't interfere with whatever else you want to do, but you must make sure this you goes to the Far North to find me first."
A gentle curve tugged at the corner of Baili Du's mouth. Such a side of Snow Emperor was truly rare...
He reached out and pinched Snow Emperor's soft, white cheek: "What? Are you afraid this me will take a liking to Princess Tang again?"
Snow Emperor pouted, simply burrowing into Baili Du's arms with a bit of stubbornness.
Huo Yuhao was a visual creature; he had fallen for Tang Wutong purely because the so-called Goddess of Light had left an overwhelmingly stunning impression on his young mind.
One really shouldn't meet someone too dazzling in their youth...
If he had met Snow Emperor—whose beauty was not at all inferior to Tang Wutong's—first, it went without saying who Huo Yuhao would have fallen in love with.
Of course, Snow Emperor wasn't insisting that the Huo Yuhao of this era love her current self; she simply wanted to prevent Huo Yuhao from being deceived by that woman and the Tang family again. As soul spirits, they had seen clearly just how much Huo Yuhao had suffered in the God Realm.
"Even if it is myself, I am unwilling to interfere too much in his choices, because in every sense, he and I are no longer the same person. Who he likes or falls in love with is up to fate. However..."
At this point, Baili Du's tone turned cold and decisive: "Only Tang Wutong is unacceptable! Even if I have to place a mental brand on him, I will never allow this me to have any connection with Tang Wutong again!"
Having stood in the rain himself, he wanted to hold an umbrella for someone else—especially when that person was himself.
"But if that's the case..." Liya spoke up, her voice filled with worry. "Tang San will surely spare no effort to interfere with this you. He'll use every underhanded tactic in the book. What will we do then?"
No one understood Tang San's true character better than Baili Du—not even Xiao Wu.
Baili Du kissed Liya's forehead: "I've anticipated this. That's why this me needs Teacher's help. Then, I will head to the God Realm to personally watch that brat; it's best if I can force him to show his hand early. Besides..."
Thinking of this, a mischievous smirk appeared on Baili Du's face: "Doesn't this era also have Tang San's precious grandson? Two 'Children of the Plane.' Heh, Tang San only has one daughter; I want to see how much he can stir the pot."
Lan Xuanyu's rebirth into this era was, naturally, Baili Du's doing. Otherwise, even if Lan Xuanyu was the Dragon God, with only a sliver of his divine soul remaining, it would have been impossible for him to preserve his consciousness while traversing the two great universal disasters: the Spacetime Turbulence and the Reincarnation Hurricane.
Did they really think he was still a die-hard loyal dog of the Tang family?
...
As dawn approached and his two wives had fallen asleep, Baili Du dressed and went to little Huo Yuhao's room.
Baili Du had always taught that the path of cultivation lies in persistence balanced with rest. One should cultivate when it's time and sleep when it's time. Especially at such a young age, there was no need to be so desperate.
Looking at the soundly sleeping little Huo Yuhao, Baili Du hesitated for a moment before extending a finger to tap the child's brow, transmitting a wisp of his own Divine Consciousness.
He really... really wanted to see Teacher again...
The small grey bead that had been slumbering seemed to sense something. It slowly formed a very blurry figure, manifesting within Huo Yuhao's sea of consciousness to face Baili Du's mental projection.
At this moment, there was no need for Baili Du to continue hiding; he naturally revealed his true appearance.
Looking the handsome blue-haired youth up and down, Electrolux let out a soft sound of surprise and asked uncertainly: "Your Excellency is...?"
Without a doubt, this youth was using Divine Consciousness, and the energy level was so high that even in his own prime, he could hardly have reached it.
Why did such a powerful being have a face full of guilt? Why would he stay in a world with such a mediocre energy level? And why would he appear here?
More importantly... if he wasn't mistaken, the youth's features seemed... very similar to little Huo Yuhao's! Especially those eyes—they were almost identical.
Baili Du pursed his lips, lowered his head in shame, gritted his teeth, and knelt on the ground. He kowtowed heavily, his voice carrying a hint of a sob: "Your unfilial disciple, Huo Yuhao, greets his mentor, Electrolux."
"???"
Electrolux stared at Baili Du in a daze, asking uncertainly: "You actually recognize this old man? And the 'Huo Yuhao' you just mentioned... but... isn't this child..."
"It's like this..." Baili Du took a great deal of effort to finally explain the whole story, including his origins and the complex-yet-simple relationship between him and little Huo Yuhao...
Fortunately, this was a mental space. Coupled with the active sharing of memories, the process of communication and explanation was seamless and completely transparent.
To make Electrolux believe him, he also displayed the Ultra-Divine Artifact, the Necromantic Heavenly Calamity Magic Staff, and the Soul Spirit Magic Contract.
This explanation left even the Necromantic Holy Magic God, Electrolux, dumbfounded and amazed. The Necromantic Heavenly Calamity Magic Staff was the most irrefutable evidence—this person was indeed his disciple!
"To think such a thing could happen. Time truly is the most miraculous power in this world! Then should this old man... should I call you Yuhao or Baili Du?"
Electrolux's tone was now noticeably more affectionate than usual.
Baili Du's expression darkened as he shook his head: "Better call me Baili Du for now. After all, this child is the real Huo Yuhao, and I... I am just a failure who lived his life as 'Dai Yuhao.' I truly have no right to continue calling myself Huo Yuhao."
Electrolux helped Baili Du up, his voice growing kinder: "Child, do not say that. I have seen countless people in my time, but someone as shameless and insidious as your father-in-law is a first for me. Speaking of which, it is my fault as a teacher. I only taught you magic, but never taught you how to conduct yourself..."
Tears overflowed from Baili Du's eyes as he embraced Electrolux, crying like a child: "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Teacher! I... I kept trying to find fragments of your Divine Consciousness across the myriad worlds, but while in the God Realm, I was ordered by Tang San not to leave. By the time Tang San was finally dead and I had enough status and strength, I could no longer find them no matter how hard I looked..."
"It was only then that I understood. Tang San was afraid I would escape his control. He first plotted your death, then destroyed the relics you left for me, and even secretly destroyed every fragment of your Divine Consciousness in the myriad worlds one by one... I... I didn't have the power to avenge you..."