84: Chapter 84: Attitude Shift, Fire Dance's Favorability Soars

"Wu'er, why is it only your father accompanying you? Where are the other teachers from Blazing Academy?" Su Ling asked.

"Brother Su, this time only my father and one other teacher came. The other teacher had to stay behind to lead the team, so it's just my father and me who came," Huo Wu said.

Huo Lie said, "Su Ling, since you can bring people to search for a fifth spirit ring, why can't I?"

Toward Su Ling, there seemed to be a hint of gunpowder in Huo Lie's attitude.

However, this was normal. Just looking at how Su Ling addressed Huo Wu made it clear that Huo Lie didn't seem to like Su Ling very much.

A man that a daughter likes is highly likely to be disliked by her father, who feels as if his most precious possession has been snatched away, especially when he is severely injured and doesn't have much time left, making it even harder to let go.

"Senior Huo Lie certainly can. Aren't we also just basking in your glory?" Su Ling smiled and said.

This made Ning Rongrong quite unhappy. She knew how powerful Su Ling was, but every time she wanted to say something, Su Ling would stop her.

So in the end, Ning Rongrong simply stopped talking and just followed along behind, watching.

"Hmph, you'll know how amazing my Brother Su is soon enough." Ning Rongrong kept thinking this in her heart, imagining that Su Ling would surely display his strength and make Huo Lie submit.

Huo Wu also didn't know why her father disliked Su Ling so much.

He usually had a much better attitude toward Feng Xiaotian, even speaking well of Feng Xiaotian in front of her.

But no matter how she looked at it, Feng Xiaotian was not the type she liked, or rather, she found him extremely annoying, which became even more obvious after meeting Su Ling.

Entering the area of Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, Huo Lie was clearly much more cautious and took the initiative to activate his Spirit to clear the way.

His Spirit was the same as Huo Wushuang's: the Single-Horned Fire Dragon.

With him clearing the way, things were relatively smooth.

A day later, the group successfully entered the area of Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts.

However, the efficiency of actively searching for a spirit ring was very low. Even if they found a beast with the right attribute, the age might not be suitable; if the age was suitable, the attribute might not be right.

Therefore, the four of them wandered in the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast area for three days without any success.

On the fourth day, Su Ling released his Titled Douluo-level Mental Energy at will.

His Mental Energy covered a large area, allowing him to see regions that others could not.

"Wu'er, there is a fire-attribute Spirit Beast that has just exceeded ten thousand years over there. It should be suitable," Su Ling said.

"In that direction?" Huo Lie glanced over but didn't discover any signs of a Spirit Beast.

"Dad, you have to trust Brother Su. Let's go over and take a look," Huo Wu said.

"Alright, let's go take a look then," Huo Lie said.

Half an incense stick of time later, a smile finally appeared on Huo Lie's stern Face. He said, "Su Ling, you really weren't wrong. An 11,000-year-old Black Cloud Red Flame Snake is very suitable as Xiao Wu's fifth spirit ring."

Xiao Wu—this was what Huo Lie called his daughter.

If there hadn't been a Xiao Wu already, Su Ling might have addressed Huo Wu that way too.

Huo Wu said, "Dad, this was all discovered by Brother Su."

"Mhm, I should properly thank him, but let me deal with this Black Cloud Red Flame Snake first," Huo Lie said before charging out.

Su Ling did not make a move, but instead kept observing Huo Lie.

"Huo Wu, have you noticed that your father's body seems to have a problem?" Su Ling asked.

Huo Wu was stunned and looked at Su Ling with some confusion, saying, "Brother Su, Dad's body is fine. There's no problem."

However, watching the battle ahead, Huo Lie seemed to be struggling against the ten-thousand-year Black Cloud Red Flame Snake, and he hadn't used his Martial Soul Avatar at all.

Huo Wu thought carefully and said, "Dad seemed to accompany a friend to search for a seventh spirit ring last year, and he went into seclusion for two months after he returned."

"Could Dad have been injured that time?" Huo Wu looked over and discovered that Huo Lie had actually been knocked flying by this Black Cloud Red Flame Snake.

The next moment, another identical Black Cloud Red Flame Snake appeared beside the first one, and its age looked significantly higher than the previous one.

Its age was at least over thirty thousand years, and it appeared suddenly. Even Su Ling hadn't noticed it; it was possible their lair was right there and they had been hiding underground the whole time.

"Huo Wu, run!" After being knocked flying, Huo Lie spat out a mouthful of blood. He hadn't expected another one to suddenly appear, and one with such a high age at that.

Huo Lie blocked one, but the other Black Cloud Red Flame Snake, which had just passed ten thousand years, was actually charging directly toward Su Ling.

The Black Cloud Red Flame Snake was extremely fierce, vindictive, and held grudges; once provoked, it would pursue relentlessly.

"No choice then."

Su Ling immediately released his Spirit and held the Primordial War Bow.

When Huo Wu saw the spirit rings Su Ling released, she was shocked.

"So Brother Su wasn't wrong; he really is a Spirit Emperor," Huo Wu said.

"Brother Su never lies." After Ning Rongrong finished speaking, she also activated her Spirit and immediately applied Support to Su Ling, and of course, a portion also went to Huo Lie in front.

Huo Lie was struggling greatly against this thirty-thousand-year Black Cloud Red Flame Snake. If his body weren't injured and he could use his Martial Soul Avatar, he would definitely be able to handle this thirty-thousand-year Black Cloud Red Flame Snake.

Even if it were a ten-thousand-year one, he could handle it despite his injuries, though defeating it would be quite strenuous.

But facing two such Spirit Beasts, that wouldn't work.

If he hadn't been in a rush to find the fifth spirit ring for his daughter Huo Wu, he probably wouldn't have risked bringing Huo Wu alone.

The key was that he had brought two burdens along the way, which made him feel extremely uneasy.

Little did he know, Su Ling and Ning Rongrong's arrival was completely beyond his expectations.

Ning Rongrong's Support made him feel much lighter. As for Su Ling, he fired two consecutive arrows and knocked the ten-thousand-year Black Cloud Red Flame Snake to the ground.

Then, with one more arrow, he struck the vital point of the thirty-thousand-year Black Cloud Red Flame Snake.

One arrow pierced through its body; he killed a thirty-thousand-year Spirit Beast easily without even using a Spirit Ability?

Looking at Huo Wu's side, she had already gone up and killed the ten-thousand-year Black Cloud Red Flame Snake.

Since when did Spirit Masters killing Spirit Beasts become so simple?

How did this Su Ling do it?

Right, how is he a Spirit Emperor?

Huo Lie had many questions in his heart. After all, the Su Ling that Huo Wu had told him about should have been a Spirit King, which he didn't actually believe—after all, a Spirit King in his early twenties, how could that be possible?

But right now, Spirit King was an underestimate; this guy was actually a Spirit Emperor?

A twenty-year-old Spirit Emperor!

He was over fifty and only level seventy-two.

Su Ling solved the two Spirit Beasts with ease. After Huo Wu killed the Black Cloud Red Flame Snake, she also obtained the spirit ring suitable for her.

"Wu'er, absorb the spirit ring well. I will protect you," Su Ling said.

"Don't worry about your father here either."

"Thank you, Brother Su."

Huo Wu sat cross-legged and began to absorb the spirit ring directly; she trusted Su Ling very much.

[Ding... Huo Wu's favorability +1, obtained Black Treasure Chest *1]

Very good, Huo Wu's favorability had reached 94, and Su Ling's goal this time was to make Huo Wu's favorability reach 96. This opportunity might lie with Huo Lie.

While Huo Wu was absorbing the spirit ring, Huo Lie had also finished checking the carcass of the thirty-thousand-year Black Cloud Red Flame Snake, but unfortunately, he didn't find any Spirit Bone.

Returning to see Huo Wu absorbing the spirit ring, Huo Lie also came to Su Ling's side.

"Thank you!" Huo Lie said.

"Senior, no need to thank me. These are all small matters," Su Ling said.

Huo Lie shook his head and said, "This cannot be considered a small matter. It was I who underestimated you before; I apologize to you."

"Uh..."

Su Ling didn't know how to answer Huo Lie for a moment.

Actually, for him, it really didn't matter.

But for Huo Lie, it was different.

"Since you are friends with Xiao Wu, you don't need to call me Senior. Besides, you are also a Spirit Emperor, and your Soul Power is not much lower than mine. Just call me Uncle Lie," Huo Lie said.

For Huo Wu's sake, Su Ling said, "Uncle Lie!"

"Mhm, Su Ling, what level is your Soul Power now?" Huo Lie asked with a curious Face.

"Level 64!"

"Wh...what, level 64? It seems the championship of this Advanced Spirit Master Tournament is surely within your grasp."

Su Ling nodded and said, "I don't think any team can stop us."

"Indeed, with your strength, competing for the championship is naturally no problem. Xiao Wu previously said you wanted her to join your Shrek Academy together?"

"Yes, both Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang can come. I will lead them to the championship," Su Ling said confidently.

"I will consider this matter!" Huo Lie said.

"Su Ling, do you like Huo Wu?"

An old father actually asked Su Ling this. If his body were still healthy, he absolutely would not have asked such a question. It was just that the more he felt his time was running out, the more he considered things for his daughter.

Su Ling said, "I do!"

Ning Rongrong, not far away, naturally heard Su Ling's words, but Su Ling was not worried; after all, Ning Rongrong had a favorability of 99.

"As expected, I knew Brother Su liked her. But this Huo Wu is a decent person, and pretty too, so I approve," Ning Rongrong thought.

Huo Lie said, "It's good that you like her. I hope you don't let her down, and treat only her well for the rest of your life."

"Uncle Lie! I might not be able to promise you that," Su Ling said with a serious Face.

"Why?" Huo Lie had just felt that Su Ling was pretty good, but this sentence from Su Ling left him speechless again.

Su Ling said, "Let me be direct. I, Su Ling, have more than one woman, so I will treat many people well, not just Huo Wu alone."

"You..." Huo Lie was instantly speechless.

"Sigh, forget it. We are all men, I understand. But if you bully Xiao Wu or let her down, I will definitely not be finished with you," Huo Lie said.

His days were truly numbered, and he had just been injured earlier.

Someone had previously told him that he had at most one year left to live. If he used Soul Power to fight others in simple sparring, it would be fine, but once injured, that time would become very short.

He had been forcing himself to endure the injuries on his body. He had a belief in his heart: one was to entrust his daughter Huo Wu, and the other was to see Huo Wu successfully break through to Spirit King.

"Uncle Lie, you were injured earlier, take a rest. I will Guard Huo Wu here," Su Ling said.

"Very well, then I will trouble you," Huo Lie said, taking a medicine bottle out of his spatial spirit tool, and after taking some medicine, he began to rest.

Ning Rongrong also came to Su Ling's side, and Su Ling simply set up the High-Level Protection Array.

A day later, Huo Wu's spirit ring absorption was successful, and her Soul Power had successfully reached level 51.

"Xiao Wu has finally succeeded. Ying'er, did you see? Our daughter has grown up," Huo Lie said before spitting out a large mouthful of blood.

"Dad!" Huo Wu stood up and immediately came to Huo Lie's side.

"Dad, what's wrong with you?"

"Huo Wu, Dad's time is running out. I might not be able to accompany you and Wushuang in the future..." Huo Lie's injuries could no longer be suppressed at this moment and erupted completely.

"Actually... actually, your mother did not die, but is at the Fire... Fire God..."

Seeing that he was about to pass away, he hadn't managed to say the crucial sentence.

"System, use the 100,000-Year Healing Spirit Ability Card..."

After saying this, Su Ling raised his hand and emitted a gentle light, injecting it into Huo Lie's body.

"Brother Su, what are you doing?" Huo Wu looked at Su Ling and asked.

"Wu'er, your father's last words haven't been finished yet; he cannot die yet..."

The 100,000-Year Healing Spirit Ability Card had healed Su Ling back then; he had a deep understanding of its healing effects.

Huo Lie's injuries were recovering visibly under the treatment.

The entire process lasted for half an hour, and only after half an hour did the treatment end.

Huo Lie, who had been pale, now had a normal complexion, and his body seemed to have recovered as well.

"I..."

"I'm already healed?" Huo Lie felt his body, feeling like he was dreaming.

Su Ling said, "Uncle Lie, your body should be mostly healed. After recuperating for a period of time, you should be able to recover to your Peak."

"Su Ling, did you save me?" Huo Lie said.

"Yes, I happened to have one chance to save someone," Su Ling said.

[Ding... Huo Wu's favorability +5, obtained Black Treasure Chest *3, Red Treasure Chest *2]

[Ding... Huo Wu's favorability is greater than or equal to 96]

[Bound Goddess: Huo Wu]

[Goddess Comprehensive Value: 93]

[Favorability: 99 (Never betray, willing to sacrifice everything for you)]

[Bonding Effect: The Host can obtain 50% of the daily Cultivate effect of the Bound Goddess without reducing the Bound Goddess's cultivation speed.]

[Bonding Skill 1: Charm (Passive skill; when Bound Goddess Huo Wu is within 500 meters of the Host, Charm increases by 40%)]

[Bonding Skill 2: Fire Attribute Bonus (When the Host uses the fire attribute alone, the fire-attribute Soul Power's power increases by 50%)]

[Bonding Skill 3: Perception (When Huo Wu is within 1,000 meters of the Host, the Host can perceive all dangers and her location in real-time)]

[Bonding Skill 4: Fusion (Cast Martial Soul Fusion Skill by merging into the Host's body; can be stacked with other Goddesses)]

Huo Wu's favorability had actually increased directly to 99 points. One had to know that this was saving her father's life; it would be strange if her favorability didn't increase.

"Brother Su, thank you!" Huo Wu still thanked Su Ling.

Su Ling said, "Wu'er, we are all family, no need to thank me."

Huo Wu's Face flushed red, but she seemed to recall the sentence Huo Lie had said just now.

"Dad, you said Mom isn't dead, she is at the Fire God... what?" Huo Wu immediately turned around and asked.

Growing up, she had no impression of her mother in her mind.

Huo Wushuang was three years older than her and often told her about her, but Huo Wushuang was only three years older, so he didn't have many memories either.

"This... hmm! Did I say that just now?" Huo Lie looked left and right, appearing not to want to talk about this matter.

"Dad, tell me quickly, where is Mom exactly?" Huo Wu asked in a hurry.