24: Chapter 24: Huo Yuhao, deviating from his original trajectory, and the bewildered Tang San

The next morning, the torrential rain that had raged all night finally ceased.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds like golden swords, stabbing through the sky and spilling over the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Crystal-clear water droplets hung on the wet leaves, refracting multicolored light under the sun. The forest was filled with the refreshing scent of grass and trees peculiar to the aftermath of rain, as if the fierce slaughter from last night had never occurred.

Beside an ancient tree that required several people to encircle, Huo Yuhao slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was still somewhat dazed. He subconsciously raised his hand to rub his temples; the sharp pain from the Spirit Beast baboon's attack last night seemed to still linger in his body. He struggled to sit up from the ground and looked down at his own hands—his palms were covered in small cuts, now crusted over and throbbing faintly.

His gaze shifted to the stiff corpse of the baboon not far away. It was a ten-year Spirit Beast, gray-black all over, with exposed fangs. Even in death, it still looked somewhat ferocious. It was this Spirit Beast that had almost turned him into a handful of dirt in the Star Dou Great Forest.

Huo Yuhao's eyes quickly became clear. There was no fear, but rather a flash of calm determination.

He had come to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain his first spirit ring. Although this baboon was only a ten-year Spirit Beast and the spirit ring it produced was of low quality—something many Spirit Masters wouldn't even deem worth mentioning—it was the only opportunity for him to break through his bottleneck.

Although he was the son of Star Luo Empire Marshal Dai Hao, he was an illegitimate child.

Now that his mother had passed away, his father didn't even know of his existence, and his stepmother treated him like a thorn in her side.

In that home, he suffered cold looks and bullying. If not for the unyielding Spirit within him, he likely wouldn't have survived.

He needed to become stronger, to make those who looked down on him sit up and take notice, to avenge his mother, and to escape the fate of being slaughtered at will.

Without hesitation, Huo Yuhao sat cross-legged, took a deep breath, and began to circulate his Soul Power to absorb the spirit ring.

He extended his right hand, aiming his palm at the baboon's corpse, and drove the weak Soul Power within his body to guide the white spirit ring that had not yet dissipated.

The white spirit ring rose from the baboon's corpse as if it had a life of its own, swirling as it flew toward Huo Yuhao. The moment the spirit ring encased his body, a not-so-powerful but exceptionally pure energy instantly surged into his limbs and bones, scouring his meridians.

A stinging pain followed, as if countless fine needles were roaming through his body. Huo Yuhao gritted his teeth, sweat beads seeping from his forehead, but he stubbornly endured it without making a sound. This bit of pain was nothing compared to the grievances and torture he had suffered in that home.

He focused on guiding the spirit ring energy to circulate within his body, feeling his Soul Power grow and condense bit by bit. Time passed quietly in the tranquil forest; sunlight moved through the gaps in the leaves, casting constantly changing spots of light on the ground.

Half a day later, Huo Yuhao suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance in them.

He stood up from the ground and stretched his limbs, feeling full of inexhaustible strength. His Soul Power had stabilized at level 11. Although still weak, it was several times stronger than before.

"Spirit Eye."

He whispered softly, and the white spirit ring rose from beneath his feet, slowly rotating around his body.

At the same time, his eyes began to change. His pupils turned white, revealing a strange agility and depth, as if they could see through people's hearts.

This was his Spirit—Spirit Eye. An extremely rare mental-type Spirit. Although its attack power was not strong, it possessed unparalleled perceptual abilities. Coupled with the first Spirit Ability, "Spirit Detection," granted by this ten-year spirit ring, his perception range had expanded several times compared to before.

Huo Yuhao clenched his fists, feeling the real power within his body, and a faint arc curved at the corner of his mouth, hiding a tenacity that belied his age.

He turned and walked toward the outside of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Stepping out of the forest edge, a vast view came into sight. In the distance, a massive city stood tall, with towering walls and majestic momentum. That was the location of the most prestigious academy on the Douluo Continent—Shrek City.

Huo Yuhao looked at the city, his eyes complex.

Shrek Academy was the holy land that every Spirit Master dreamed of. It gathered the top geniuses of the continent and possessed the most abundant resources. If he could enter Shrek Academy, he would undoubtedly achieve the fastest growth.

But he knew in his heart that it was just a pipe dream.

The entrance examination for Shrek Academy was extremely strict. Not to mention that he only had level 11 Soul Power and his Spirit was the seemingly useless Spirit Eye, even if his Soul Power were higher, with his background, he probably wouldn't even have the qualifications to sign up.

"Shrek..." He whispered the name, a trace of imperceptible desolation flashing in his eyes, immediately replaced by deeper determination.

He couldn't go to Shrek, and he couldn't return to the Star Luo Empire. He didn't want to stay in that home for even a second longer.

Then, only one direction remained.

Huo Yuhao slowly turned around, his gaze cast to the northwest. That was the direction of the Sun Moon Empire.

He had seen in records that the Sun Moon Empire was different from the other three countries on the Douluo Continent. They placed extreme importance on spirit tools, and had even developed the research and application of spirit tools to an astonishing height. There, perhaps they didn't value background, only strength and talent.

"Sun Moon Empire..."

Huo Yuhao's fists clenched tighter, his knuckles turning white. The sunlight shone on his face, reflecting his young but exceptionally resolute profile.

"To become stronger, to take revenge, to no longer be looked down upon..."

He whispered to himself, every word squeezed from between his teeth, carrying deep resentment and determination, saying: "No matter how difficult the road ahead is, I must walk it!"

He no longer hesitated and turned to step toward the direction of the Sun Moon Empire. His small figure appeared particularly thin on the vast plain, but it exuded an indomitable Spirit, as if even if there were a mountain of blades and a sea of fire ahead, he would step into it without hesitation.

Meanwhile, the Divine Realm.

In the cloud-shrouded temple, a warm and peaceful atmosphere permeated the air.

Tang San was being intimate with Xiao Wu on the bed.

As one of the five God Kings of the Divine Realm Committee, he had long been accustomed to the peace and eternity of the Divine Realm. Only when he was with Xiao Wu could he feel the most genuine warmth.

Suddenly, Tang San's body stiffened, and the madness and release on his face vanished without a trace.

He felt as if he had been struck by an invisible bolt of lightning, stopping his movements. His eyes were filled with unbelievable shock and bewilderment.

"What's wrong, Brother?" Xiao Wu noticed his abnormality and was somewhat dissatisfied.

Tang San did not respond. All his attention was focused on his own perception. That connection, which was linked to his bloodline and originated from the depths of his soul, the aura of the daughter he loved and cherished in his heart... had disappeared!

It was as if it had never existed, completely annihilated from this World!

"No... impossible!" Tang San muttered to himself, his face instantly turning pale. He was the Sea God and Asura God of the Divine Realm, controlling vast Divine Power, not to mention that inside Tang Wutong's soul, there was also a divine thought of his own.

But now, he couldn't feel anything. The breaking of that bloodline connection could not be explained by a long distance. There was only one possibility—

His daughter had met with trouble!