One month later.
Huo Yuhao stared blankly at the girl in front of him, clearly stunned.
"So... you're the one known as the Auspicious Beast Emperor?"
Little Rui twirled a strand of her emerald-green hair around her finger, her gaze drifting elsewhere as she replied nonchalantly.
"Mm, that's right."
Huo Yuhao was speechless.
'Can you not say something so earth-shattering like it's just the weather?! The Auspicious Beast Emperor, for heaven's sake! The one and only Auspicious Beast Emperor!'
Anyone who had read the original Douluo Dalu would know exactly what kind of existence that was. The moment you started explaining, you'd find yourself talking until the sun came up.
Right now, Huo Yuhao was in a state of complete shock, his mind swirling with confusion. 'First of all, how did I just casually bring the Auspicious Beast Emperor with me? And second... why does she look like this? I mean, she doesn't even remotely resemble Wang Qiu'er.'
As if sensing the storm of thoughts behind his bewildered expression, Little Rui glanced up at Huo Yuhao and let out a giggle.
During this month together, the Auspicious Beast had already come to understand Huo Yuhao's nature. In her view, both Huo Yuhao and the humans around him were people she could trust. So she decided not to keep pretending. She simply told him the truth.
She could also clearly read the questions in Huo Yuhao's heart, and said gently,
"Yuhao-ge, do you... also possess the power of life?"
Huo Yuhao's heart skipped a beat. He had never used life energy in front of her. So how did she know?
And then it hit him—she used life energy herself.
'Wait. That's right. The powers of the Auspicious Beast Emperor should be spiritual power, destiny, and the golden dragon's strength. Where did her life energy come from?'
In the world of Douluo, many Soul Masters had some form of life attribute. But to wield pure life force—like she did, or like himself—was exceedingly rare. The only comparable being might be Bi Ji, one of the Ten Great Beasts of the Great Star Dou Forest. And even her control over life force likely didn't match Huo Yuhao's, which was directly blessed by the Goddess of Life.
But over the past month, Huo Yuhao had witnessed Little Rui use life energy a few times. Because it was so similar to his own and he hadn't paid close attention, he'd dismissed it. But now, in this moment of clarity, he realized something.
'No... Her life energy is on par with mine... How is that possible unless—'
"That's right. Just like you're thinking," Little Rui said, nodding gently. "Yuhao-ge, I received the goddess's blessing and took human form. I was chosen to become the soul beast race's emissary of life. And I came to the human world... to find you—the human who also carries the Goddess of Life's blessing."
As those words left her lips, Huo Yuhao fell into deep thought.
In the original work, the Auspicious Beast had been affected by Tang San and partially fused with Tang Wutong's soul to become Wang Qiu'er. But now... Little Rui had taken human form without any influence from Tang San. That meant one thing.
'Tang San has lost all control over the Auspicious Beast. The goddess intervened. He no longer has any say in this.'
That thought was a relief. As much as Wang Qiu'er had been a good person, she'd always carried the baggage of being Tang San's creation. But now, that tether was cut.
Which brought up a new question.
'Tang San once influenced the Auspicious Beast to transfer her fate and fortune to the Tang family. So what is the Goddess of Life trying to do now? With her boundless compassion, it's hard to imagine she has any ill intent... but what is her goal?'
As if reading his mind, Little Rui chuckled.
"Yuhao-ge, you're definitely wondering why the goddess did this. Well, first of all, I've been stuck in the Great Star Dou Forest for so long, I was totally bored! I finally got a chance to come see the human world. Why wouldn't I take it?"
She puffed her cheeks slightly, then continued.
"Of course, that's not the main reason. The main reason is that the goddess told me—if I find her human emissary, and we work together, we can solve the conflict between humans and soul beasts. I don't know how you're supposed to manage that exactly, but that's what she said."
Watching her ramble on, Huo Yuhao felt like he had pierced through a thick fog and seen the bright sky beyond.
'So that's your plan, Goddess of Life...'
Now everything made sense. The goddess must have already learned about his soul spirit system.
By connecting him with the Auspicious Beast, she wasn't just offering Huo Yuhao a powerful ally to help him on the path to godhood. The Auspicious Beast, wielding the power of destiny, could help him avoid crises. And with her aid, Huo Yuhao could promote the soul spirit system among soul beasts, uniting both races.
A win-win situation.
'To think she planned this far ahead...'
Looking at Little Rui, who was still peering curiously at him, Huo Yuhao exhaled slowly and said in a deep voice,
"Xiao Rui, I understand now. Since you've chosen to trust me, I won't betray that trust. Come with me. I'll show you the future of soul beasts and humans."
Without waiting, he turned and started walking forward. The Auspicious Beast scampered to follow, her curiosity bubbling over.
"Also... just call me Yuhao, alright? That whole 'Yuhao-ge' thing feels..."
Hearing his slightly helpless tone from up ahead, Little Rui giggled and caught up to walk beside him.
"Alright, Yuhao-ge~ Just call me Xiao Rui then!"
"Whatever makes you happy."
As they walked together, Huo Yuhao suddenly turned to ask,
"So, Xiao Rui... back then, when you said you didn't have soul power, that was a lie too, huh?"
Little Rui averted her eyes and scratched her cheek.
"Uh... yeah."
"Then your soul power now that you've taken human form—let me guess. Six rings? Soul Emperor?"
"Yuhao-ge is spot on."
Huo Yuhao glanced at her golden-green eyes. Hidden deep within those hues... he could faintly sense the pressure of a dragon.
(End of Chapter)
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