Chapter 420: A Fated Bond
Huo Yu´er watched Ye Wen's sudden movement, unsure of what he was doing.
"Uncle, what are you doing?"
Ye Wen brushed it off, saying he just had an itch to move his hand. As for Huo Yun'er's spirit, he didn't plan on mentioning it. He wasn't ready to reveal his divine identity yet, and with dark soul masters rampant in this era, the idea of meddling with souls might only make this young girl wary.
"Oh." Huo Yu´er didn't press further, as their relationship wasn't close enough for deeper inquiries. Bowing slightly, she said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way. I have things to do."
She turned to leave without hesitation.
But Ye Wen, who had plans for Huo Yu´er, couldn't let her wander off. In a chaotic world like this, someone without the protagonist's fate could easily be lost or abducted.
"Hold on."
Ye Wen's words made Huo Yu´er freeze, turning back with a nervous look.
"Uncle, is there something else? I'm sorry about what happened earlier, but if you want me to pay for the trouble, I don't have anything valuable besides this soul tool."
Ye Wen chose his words carefully.
"Little one, is your martial spirit your eyes?"
Huo Yu´er, lacking formal training as a soul master, only knew basic meditation and soul ring hunting. But since Ye Wen hadn't shown any threat, she nodded.
A warm smile appeared on Ye Wen's face. "I thought so. Would you like to become my disciple?"
"Huh?"
Huo Yu´er was stunned. She had always longed for a teacher, but Ye Wen's sudden offer left her speechless. Pointing to herself with a thin, frail finger, she asked, "Me?"
Ye Wen's gentle smile remained.
For the first time since her mother's death, Huo Yu´er felt a genuine warmth in her heart. Yet, glancing at her mother's grave and her own frail body, she shook her head, feeling unworthy.
"No, thank you, Uncle. I know you're kind and pity me, which is why you offered. But I don't want to be a burden."
Ye Wen silently admired her thoughtfulness.
Since he had already taken the first step, there was no way he'd let her slip away. He stepped forward and placed a large, warm hand on her head.
"Good child," he said gently.
The tenderness in his voice caused this strong young girl's eyes to turn red, and she almost burst into tears. After all, Huo Yu´er was just a young girl who longed for protection. Her mother could no longer be there for her, but now Ye Wen seemed to fill that void.
"It's alright. You can stay with me from now on; I'll protect you," Ye Wen said comfortingly.
Huo Yu´er stepped back, hesitant to accept. She knew how powerful her enemies were and didn't want this kind hearted man to be dragged into her troubles.
Ye Wen, with his sharp gaze honed over thousands of years, instantly understood her thoughts.
"Don't worry, little one. I'll keep you safe. Here, look." He then activated his spirit ring display.
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, red, red, red
Huo Yu´er, who had no spirit rings herself, was utterly stunned. Despite her limited knowledge, she knew that a red ring represented the pinnacle of soul rings a 100,000 year ring. And here was a man with three of them, surpassing any titled douluo she had heard of.
Initially, Huo Yu´er thought the display was fake, but activating her Spirit Eyes, she saw the rings were real.
Ye Wen placed his warm hand on her rough hair once more and said softly, "What do you think? Am I strong enough to protect you?"
Huo Yu´er nodded reflexively, then quickly shook her head. As much as she wanted his protection, she still didn't want to burden Ye Wen.
In her limited understanding, the White Tiger Duke's power was not something a single titled douluo could oppose.
"N no, Uncle… r really… you don't need to," she stammered, trying to refuse.
Ye Wen sighed inwardly. This girl's resilience was truly heartbreaking.
But…
As someone whom countless soul masters had longed to apprentice under, would Ye Wen tolerate being refused by this small girl?
With a smirk, he put away his spirit rings and scooped up the young girl.
"Wha Uncle, what are you doing?" Huo Yu´er struggled.
"What do you think?" Ye Wen's lips curled into a playful grin. "I'm making you my disciple, whether you like it or not. Now call me 'Master,' or you're not getting back down."
"Aah "
Huo Yu´er was at a loss. The kind uncle had suddenly turned slightly mischievous. Although she had been mistreated at the Duke's estate, this close contact with a stranger made her feel embarrassed.
Her mother had always taught her that men and women shouldn't have such close contact!
After struggling for a while, she understood one thing: if she didn't agree to his demand to become her teacher, he likely wouldn't let her down. As thrilled as she was about being taken as the disciple of a titled douluo, the current situation was overwhelming.
"Fine! Master! Master! I accept you as my master, okay? Please put me down!" she exclaimed.
Satisfied, Ye Wen nodded, realizing that sometimes a bit of coercion saved time. Carrying Huo Yu´er had been effortless for him, though she now looked pale from the effort of struggling.
Sigh, what a fragile girl. That White Tiger Duke's estate treated her horribly.
Ye Wen wanted to help her recover but realized he lacked conventional remedies. Using divine power would risk exposure. He could only wait as Huo Yu´er slowly regained her strength, sitting on a boulder to rest.
Thankfully, as weak as she was, she was still a rank 10 soul master, and her energy quickly recovered.
She looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Master, with how poor my talent is, why do you want me as a disciple?"
Ye Wen laughed inwardly; he couldn't exactly say it was because she was a child of fate.
Instead, he smiled and answered, "My first disciple was also a body spirit master. I guess I saw a resemblance and felt we'd be a good match."
(Chapter Ends)
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