Having finally found someone he could confide in, Baili Du naturally didn't need to put on a brave face anymore. Before his mentor Electrolux, he had a long, thorough cry.
Back in the Douluo God Realm, he was the pillar of the family. Aside from occasionally speaking a few words to his mother, he had no one he could truly trust.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing claimed they lived with him as ancestors for the sake of a lively household, but in reality, they were sent by Tang San to keep an eye on him.
His two children? He didn't want to burden the younger generation with the grievances of the old...
Could he really cry to Dai Hao about the sorrow in his heart? That brat Dai Hao was practically Tang San's lackey; no matter what conflict arose between himself and Tang San, even if the fault wasn't his at all, Dai Hao would force him to kneel and apologize to Tang San...
As for Tang Wutong... having her was worse than not having her at all. Although his master Rong Nianbing stood on his side, even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes, so there wasn't much he could say.
Electrolux did not interrupt, nor did he blame Baili Du, because he knew this disciple had already done his best.
However, in his heart, Tang San had already been placed on his must-kill list.
To bully his disciple like this, and even to have plotted his own death—did Tang San truly think the Necromantic Holy Magic God was known for having a good temper?
After Baili Du finished crying, the two sat down casually within little Huo Yuhao's Sea of Consciousness.
"In short, Yuhao, you wish for this old man to help train this other version of you to achieve godhood?"
Baili Du nodded seriously: "Exactly. But there is one major difference. In this redo, I never want this 'me' to live as a dog of the Tang family. When he meets Tang Wutong, I'll have to trouble Teacher to act and block any interference from Tang San's Divine Consciousness. If necessary, you can use forceful means! In a word: I don't want this 'me' and Tang Wutong to ever have a relationship that goes beyond being strangers!"
Electrolux nodded silently, but then let out a somewhat melancholic sigh: "...Sigh, in the end, did you also fall out with your beloved?"
"Also? Could it be that you, Teacher..." Baili Du was startled. After all, his previous time with Electrolux was short before he was victimized by Tang San at the Clear Sky Sect, and Electrolux rarely mentioned his own past.
Electrolux's eyes looked deep into the sky of the Sea of Consciousness: "Recovering during this period has brought back many old memories. I shall tell you about them."
Then, Electrolux briefly explained his past on the Holy Magic Continent to Baili Du, including the betrayal of the woman named Fuluo...
Regarding this, Electrolux was quite philosophical; after so many years, he had long let it go.
Baili Du gave a dejected, self-deprecating laugh: "The two of us are quite alike. Truly worthy of being master and disciple..."
He and Tang Wutong were matched together by Tang San. Although they eventually married and had children, various conflicts resurfaced in the days following Tang San's death.
Tang Wutong's various forms of arrogance, irrationality, and making trouble out of nothing... Baili Du could endure all of it, but the one thing he couldn't stand was that Tang Wutong never once spoke up for him.
Whenever he had a conflict with anyone else in the Tang family, no matter how big or small, Tang Wutong would always demand that he retreat without limits... retreating again and again, until outsiders would have thought he wasn't a son-in-law of the Tang family, but a dog they raised.
[In reality, a key reason why couples face divorce is exactly this: either the husband always listens to his parents, or the wife always sides with her maternal family.]
Baili Du timely changed the subject: "Teacher, the injuries on my body are still too heavy; I cannot stay on the Douluo Continent indefinitely. Now, let me tell you my plan. Of course, more than completing the plan, I simply hope this 'me' can live a happy and joyful life, and not be as tired as I was. So, I will have to trouble you to guide this 'me' through it all."
Electrolux immediately caught the key words: "Injuries too heavy? What happened?"
Baili Du smiled and waved it off dismissively: "Don't worry, Teacher, I know what I'm doing. To be able to arrive at this timeline alive is already a stroke of luck; I don't ask for much more."
He then laid out his entire plan to Electrolux.
According to his investigations, because of the Reincarnation Hurricane, there were likely a few other "outsiders" who had been brought back to life... Therefore, on the Douluo Continent, letting the unknowing little Huo Yuhao deal with these people was the best choice.
This included how to handle Tang San's interference and how to deal with the two biggest problems: Lan Xuanyu.
After hearing this, Electrolux pursed his lips and remained silent for a long time.
Only after a while did he speak with a complex expression.
"Yuhao, you... you've treated even yourself as a chess piece..."
Baili Du's plan was naturally not like Tang San's Ten-Thousand-Year Grand Plan—which was abstract and left a high body count. In fact, in the end, the one most hurt by it was himself.
"This is what they call 'the strategist entering the game in person to win by half a move.' I'll take that as a compliment."
Then his expression became exceptionally solemn: "All I hope for is to let things be the way they were meant to be. For this hope, I am willing to use myself as a chess piece."
Electrolux also became serious, patting Baili Du firmly on the shoulder: "Whatever the case, Teacher is with you!"
"Good! Teacher, then tomorrow we will go to the Star Constellation Great Forest to find Skydream!"
...
Long after the sun had risen, little Huo Yuhao took a comfortable stretch.
"Mmm..."
Then, a familiar and gentle voice sounded in his ear: "Awake?"
Little Huo Yuhao's hazy eyes immediately cleared, and he looked at Baili Du sitting by the bed in surprise.
"Uncle Baili!"
Baili Du ruffled his hair and smiled: "Hurry up and wash up. Today, I'm taking you to the Star Constellation Great Forest to obtain your soul ring."
Little Huo Yuhao immediately jumped up from the bed and shouted in delight: "Ah? Really?!"
His soul power had been bottled up for over a year; now that he could finally become a true soul master, how could he not be excited?
Any soul master yearns to become stronger!
Baili Du said calmly: "How is your water and lightning control practice? If you don't meet my standards, I won't take you."
"Um..." Little Huo Yuhao scratched his head sheepishly. "I think I should be okay."
He extended his hands; a vortex of water and a surging snake of lightning appeared in his left and right hands respectively. Then, he brought his hands together toward the center. The vortex and the lightning merged, turning into a purple-black whirlpool with occasional thunderous streaks flashing across it, without any hint of repulsion.
Baili Du's eyelids twitched twice. Controlling lightning—the most violent of elements—as easily as flowing water... Having such control at this age was simply ridiculous!
His mental power was already approaching the Spirit Sea Realm? Well, that made sense then.
Why didn't he have such talent back then...
But he still maintained a calm facade: "Mmm... it's passable. Tell your mother after breakfast, and then I'll take you to get your soul ring."
"Yay!" Little Huo Yuhao jumped off the bed and dashed into the bathroom.
Watching the child's joyful figure, even Baili Du couldn't help but smile.
I really wish he could stay this happy forever...