Di Tian looked deep in thought and shared a look with the other Great Beasts.
"Huo Yuhao, leave us for a moment. I need to discuss this matter privately with the other Great Beasts."
Huo Yuhao nodded. "Understood."
He then turned towards Xuan Zi and others, and said. "Elders, let us give them some space to discuss. This is an important decision for the soul beasts after all."
"Also, I presume you would like to have a talk with me."
Elder Xuan and the others nodded with stern expressions.
Huo Yuhao wryly smiled and gestured for them to follow him out of the cave.
'Yuhao...'
Qiu'er stared at Huo Yuhao's back for a moment before turning towards Di Tian, the other Great Beasts also turned to him as he cupped his chin in deep thought.
"We—"
Di Tian had just opened his mouth when a surge of intense elemental energies erupted before him like a geyser; Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Light, Darkness and Space. Spatial element was the strongest as it enveloped the area around him, the Great Beasts and Qui'er.
The seven elements converged together like seven colored lights forming a radiant door that pulsed with immense power.
"Great Lord!"
Di Tian stood up immediately as the other Great Beasts and Qiu'er knelt down in respect and awe.
Without any hesitation, Di Tian walked towards the seven-colored door and entered it—greeting the true ruler of the Great Star Dou Forest, no, the entire Soul Beast race.
Meanwhile outside of the cave.
"....I have a lot to say to you, Yuhao. So let me say this first, something that we all feel." Elder Xuan began with a stern expression and he placed a hand on Huo Yuhao's shoulder.
Huo Yuhao lowered his head, inwardly sighing, expecting a scolding. He'd experienced a lot of that from elders of his previous lives. It didn't matter that he wasn't the one who did it or had any control of the situation; if he caused them to worry or put himself in danger, he would still be held accountable.
However, instead of the harsh reprimand he expected, Elder Xuan's grip on his shoulder softened. Xuan Zi's expression quickly melted into a relieved smile. "We're glad that you're alright."
Huo Yuhao's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting such gentle words. He glanced up to see Elder Xuan's relieved expression.
Yan Shaozhe stepped forward, his expression a mix of relief and guilt. "Yuhao. I am truly glad to see you safe and sound. And..." He bowed his head deeply.
"I'm sorry! I'm truly sorry for my incompetence! I wasn't able to protect you when I promised to when I accompanied you and the others. As a Dean, an Elder, and a man who promised to look after you, I failed miserably."
After Yan Shaozhe failed to protect Yuhao from the Heavenly Tribulation and being kidnapped by the soul beasts, he had quickly retrieved Ma Xiaotao, Ning Tian and Xiao Xiao(of course after the latter two finished absorbing their soul rings). He knocked them out, knowing they would kick up a fuss if they learned Huo Yuhao wasn't returning with them, and quickly went back to Shrek Academy to report what had happened.
Now normally an academy wouldn't send out almost all of their elites just to save one student—except Huo Yuhao wasn't just an ordinary student.
Recognized as the greatest genius in the academy, the leader of the newly established Ten Heavenly Demons, and the disciple of the Sea God Pavilion Master—Huo Yuhao was no ordinary student.
He was the pride and future of Shrek Academy, a symbol of hope for the next generation.
Losing him was not an option — not to mention that his contributions to the academy and his unique abilities made him invaluable.
Huo Yuhao shook his head and said, "It's fine, Dean Yan. I understand your situation, and frankly, you did the best course of action. I have no grudges or complaints about what happened."
"The Heavenly Tribulation was beyond anyone's control, and no one could have predicted that I would be taken by the soul beasts afterward. You did what you could to ensure the safety of the others and reported back to the academy immediately. That was the right call."
Yan Shaozhe looked up, his guilt not entirely fading but easing slightly at Huo Yuhao's words. "But still.... As a teacher, elder and as someone who owes you deeply, I can't help but feel responsible. You almost lost your life because I wasn't strong enough to shield you."
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly. "Dean Yan, I've always known the risks of cultivation. Becoming stronger means facing danger head-on. So please, I don't blame you."
'Especially since it was mostly my fault that the Heavenly Tribulation activated on me,' Huo Yuhao inwardly grumbled. He desperately wanted to curse whichever God that targeted him, but he didn't want to tempt fate again.
Yan Shaozhe opened his mouth and let out a sigh, not knowing what to say.
'I now owe the boy more. I had promised to hunt him a soul beast that he wants, but unfortunately, with the deal he's making with Di Tian, I don't think we can hunt down a soul ring for him and Xiaotao right now—well, I can still find one for Xiaotao in another forest.'
Xian Lin'er started checking up on him frantically. "Are you sure you're alright, Yuhao? You must be hungry. Here," she brought out a container that she opened to reveal several still steaming buns.
Huo Yuhao was the greatest genius in their department, the one likely to become the first Class 9 soul engineer in the academy and a Class 10 soul engineer. Of course she was worried about him.
He indeed felt a little hungry. "Thank you, Dean Xian." Huo Yuhao thanked her and started eating.
Xuan Zi furrowed his brows. Elder Song noticed his expression and asked, "What's wrong?"
Xuan Zi gave a gestured to have her wait.
In just a few minutes, Huo Yuhao finished the buns, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He looked noticeably more energetic, and his eyes seemed a bit brighter.
Xuan Zi finally spoke up, his tone full of worry. "Yuhao, your body..."
Huo Yuhao's expression turned serious. "Elder Xuan, everyone. I'm sorry but I can't go back you all, yet." He then started to explain about his situation, well, most of it.
He told them that his body was on the verge of death and the Auspicious Emperor had saved him in exchange of helping resolve the issue the soul beasts face, but Di Tian wasn't fully on board with it and decided to have him stay in the Great Star Dou Forest for a few years. However, he can still send out his clones outside in order to resolve a few unfinished businesses.
He didn't tell them about the soul contract he had with Qiu'er and that a God was actively targeting him with the Heavenly Tribulation—simply because he felt like they didn't have to know about it.
"....The Heavenly Tribulation was not easy, even with my injuries healed, the heavenly lightning ravaged my insides more severely than I realized. My meridians are still slowly recovering, by my estimations, it would take a couple weeks at least to make a full recovery."
Xuan Zi and the others went quiet after hearing his explanation, processing the gravity of the situation.
Elder Xuan's expression turned grim, and he stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"So the Auspicious Emperor really did something to you, the good thing that is. Haaa. I really thought that you hunted down the Auspicious Emperor and incited the Great Star Dou Forest's soul beasts' wrath. It wasn't until you both showed up unexpectedly that something was up..."
"Tch. That damn Di Tian! So the reason why he fought us was because he was bored or frustrated?! That bastard. Is he not satisfied of keeping Huo Yuhao here?"
Huo Yuhao nodded. "Yes. Di Tian is still wary of me and doesn't fully trust that I won't go against their interests. Staying here is a way to monitor me while I work on developing the plan of saving them."
Yan Shaozhe frowned deeply. "I understand why Di Tian would want to keep an eye on you, but for you to stay here for several years....That's not easy to accept."
Xian Lin'er folded her arms, looking displeased. "Leaving one of our most talented students in the middle of the soul beast territory for years — that's practically a hostage situation!"
"There's no need to worry, Dean Xian. As long as my meridians recover, I can create my Shadow Clones and meet up with you all to continue my studies."
"How are you so calm about this?"
"I've faced death, several times. I've basically become numb to stressful situations."
Elder Song frowned. "What would Mu En say about this?"
"Elder Xuan. I noticed that you were about to use some sort of trigger earlier, what was that all about?" Huo Yuhao curiously asked.
Xuan Zi looked hesitant, glancing at the cave.
"I'll tell you later, through your Shadow Clone. All I can say that they're "gifts" from a guest afar." He gave a vague reply.
'Guest from afar?' Huo Yuhao narrowed his eyes.
At that moment, Di Tian and his group came out of the cave.
With an emotionless look on his face, he said this,
"We soul beasts accept your proposal. So long as Huo Yuhao adheres to his promises."
Huo Yuhao slightly smirked. He clenched his fist and pressed it against his left chest, and said.
"I swear, I will do everything in my power to make this plan a reality. I will not betray your trust, nor will I allow this opportunity to be wasted. I will prove that cooperation between humans and soul beasts is possible. That a world beyond soul masters can be achieved!"
Di Tian stared at him with a steady gaze, "Words alone are meaningless. Prove it through your actions."
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2/3 chapters of the week