Boom! Boom! Boom!
A heavy knocking sound echoed at the door.
Yuhao's consciousness instantly returned to his physical body. His eyes opened calmly, without the slightest trace of panic, and his expression remained composed.
The fact that the disturbance could simultaneously alert both Tianmeng Iceworm and the Ice Emperor was already enough to prove one thing—
The visitor was definitely not an ordinary person.
"Is it… them?"
Yuhao murmured softly. Then, without hesitation, he stood up and walked toward the door.
As the door slowly opened, two strange-looking men appeared in Yuhao's field of vision.
Standing in front was a bald old man with a rugged, weather-beaten face. Although his beard and eyebrows were already snow-white, his body was tall and sturdy, overflowing with explosive strength. Even the loose robe he wore could not conceal his well-trained physique.
Behind him stood a middle-aged man with a thin frame and an abnormally large head. His proportions looked extremely uncoordinated, making his appearance somewhat peculiar.
Noumenon Sect!
Because of the special nature of Noumenon Martial Souls, some people would inevitably show physical abnormalities even when their martial souls were not activated.
However, on the surface, Yuhao deliberately pretended to be ignorant. His gaze turned cold as he asked flatly,
"Who are you?"
Seeing Yuhao appear, the expressions of the two men immediately softened. Especially the bald old man—his eyes were filled with unmistakable warmth and kindness, as if a grandfather were gazing at his own grandson.
"Kid, don't be afraid," the old man said gently. "We're here to take you home."
Even though Yuhao already knew that the Noumenon Sect treated those who awakened Noumenon Martial Souls as their own children, he still couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine when he met the old man's gaze.
What Yuhao didn't know was that this bald old man was far from ordinary.
He was the Deputy Sect Master of the Noumenon Sect, a terrifying existence known throughout the continent as Golden Body Douluo—Jin Peng.
Second only to the sect master himself.
The Noumenon Sect did indeed give special treatment to anyone who awakened a Noumenon Martial Soul. Once such a person was discovered, the sect would send experts to bring them back without hesitation.
But under normal circumstances, it would never alarm someone of Jin Peng's status.
The reason Jin Peng personally made the trip was simple—
Yuhao's displayed strength and talent were far too shocking.
At only twelve years old, with a soul power cultivation of merely Rank 23 Great Soul Master, he had blocked the gates of Zhengtian Academy and defeated eight students in succession.
Among them, six were Soul Masters, and one had even reached the level of a Soul King.
Such a feat was nothing short of monstrous.
Even the Sect Master of the Noumenon Sect was deeply alarmed upon hearing the news. When he learned that this astonishing genius possessed a Noumenon Martial Soul, he immediately ordered Jin Peng to personally bring the boy back to the sect.
The creed of the Noumenon Sect was simple and domineering—
Anyone who awakens a Noumenon Martial Soul belongs to the Noumenon Sect.
"So arrogant," yet completely justified.
"Take me home?" Yuhao raised his eyebrows slightly. "So… you're from the Noumenon Sect?"
"I didn't expect you to already know," Jin Peng said with mild surprise.
Yuhao did not dodge the issue and replied calmly,
"I won't hide it from you. The reason I blocked the gates of Zhengtian Academy was precisely to draw you out."
Yuhao's tone remained steady, as if he were stating a simple fact. With countless trump cards in his possession, he had no intention of concealing his ambitions.
These words did not shock Jin Peng or Lang Ya in the slightest.
They were both veterans who had lived for who knew how many decades. From Yuhao's actions alone, they had already guessed his intentions.
But that didn't matter.
As long as Yuhao was willing to join the Noumenon Sect, everything else could be discussed.
"Then," Jin Peng asked gently, "what is your purpose in bringing us here?"
"Very simple," Yuhao replied. "I will join the Noumenon Sect. My martial soul is Spiritual Eyes, and there is no place on the continent more suitable for me than your sect."
"Hahaha! Well said!" Jin Peng laughed heartily.
However, his laughter soon faded, and he added meaningfully,
"But I suspect… you have more conditions."
"Yes," Yuhao said as he lifted his head and met Jin Peng's gaze directly. "I want to become the Young Sect Master of the Noumenon Sect."
Yuhao had no intention of entering the sect as an ordinary inner disciple.
If the Noumenon Sect wanted him, then they had to offer him the position of Young Sect Master.
The Young Sect Master was the future sect master.
Not only would he receive the sect's full support and cultivation, but his status would also surpass that of most elders.
Simply put, Yuhao was securing a powerful backing for himself.
Although Di Tian and the other Soul Beast Kings of the Star Dou Forest obeyed his commands, they were ultimately soul beasts. It would be extremely inconvenient for them to intervene openly while Yuhao traveled the human world.
Moreover, Yuhao had not forgotten—
Deep within the core of the Star Dou Forest, there was a true co-ruler of soul beasts still sleeping.
Once she awakened, whose orders would Di Tian and the others obey?
According to the original timeline, the Silver Dragon King would not awaken for another ten thousand years.
But Yuhao had already dragged the Golden Dragon King down into the mortal world, completely altering the course of history.
Who could guarantee that the Silver Dragon King wouldn't awaken ahead of time?
A butterfly flapping its wings in a forest could stir a storm thousands of miles away at sea.
Yuhao refused to place his life in uncertainty.
Upon hearing Yuhao's demand, both Jin Peng and Lang Ya frowned deeply.
They had expected Yuhao to ask for the status of a core disciple, or demand soul bones, medicinal pills, or cultivation resources.
All of that would have been acceptable.
Yuhao absolutely had the qualifications.
But the title of Young Sect Master—
They couldn't agree to that.
Not because Yuhao was unworthy, but because they didn't have the authority.
"Child," Jin Peng said with a bitter smile, "I can't decide the matter of the Young Sect Master. Could you consider changing your condition?"
"No."
Yuhao replied without hesitation.
"If I can't be the Young Sect Master, then why should I join your Noumenon Sect at all?"
Even when facing a Super Douluo, Yuhao showed no fear and gave no face.
With that, he turned around, walked back into the room, sat down on the sofa, crossed his legs, and looked completely relaxed.
Seeing this, Jin Peng and Lang Ya exchanged glances, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.
To be honest, if anyone else had dared to say such words, Jin Peng would have slapped them to death on the spot.
Who was this kid?
He hadn't even joined the sect yet, and he already wanted to become the Young Sect Master?
If that really happened, wouldn't the sect master have to abdicate immediately?
But—
If it was Yuhao…
Jin Peng truly couldn't bear to let him go.
An eye-type Noumenon Martial Soul was already extremely rare, second only to the sect master's own "Main Body" martial soul.
More importantly, Yuhao's spiritual power was terrifying.
Without such overwhelming mental strength, it would have been absolutely impossible for a Rank 23 Great Soul Master to defeat a Soul King.
In the end, Jin Peng and Lang Ya could only sigh inwardly and step into Yuhao's room, hoping to negotiate further.
"Child," Jin Peng said as he sat opposite Yuhao, "I'm probably older than your grandfather. I'll call you by name—does that bother you?"
Yuhao shook his head slightly, indicating he didn't mind.
"Yuhao," Jin Peng continued earnestly, "it's not that I refuse your condition. I truly don't have the authority to decide it."
As he spoke, he pointed toward Lang Ya.
"If you don't believe me, ask Elder Lang."
Lang Ya nodded solemnly.
"The position of Young Sect Master concerns the future of the entire sect. Only the Sect Master himself has the right to decide."
"Then summon the Sect Master," Yuhao said calmly.
Jin Peng and Lang Ya's lips twitched.
This kid… really dared to say anything.
"The Sect Master is burdened with countless affairs," Jin Peng replied helplessly. "He can't come personally."
Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind.
"Yuhao," Jin Peng said sincerely, "I truly hope you'll join the Noumenon Sect. I can guarantee that once you enter, you'll be treated as a core disciple. As for the position of Young Sect Master, although I can't grant it now, I can give you a chance to compete for it."
A Super Douluo lowering himself to negotiate with a Great Soul Master—
This alone proved Jin Peng's sincerity.
Yuhao pondered briefly, then nodded.
"Fine."
He had already confirmed that Jin Peng and Lang Ya genuinely lacked the authority to decide the matter. In that case, having a chance to compete was sufficient.
After all, Yuhao didn't believe anyone in the Noumenon Sect could truly rival him.
Becoming the Young Sect Master was only a matter of time.
Just as the atmosphere relaxed slightly, Jin Peng spoke again,
"Wait—there's one more condition."