Anyone else in Huo Yuhao's position, if offered such an opportunity by a being of unimaginable power, would've immediately knelt and called him "Master" for fear the offer might be withdrawn. But instead, Yuhao asked why.
Electrolux chuckled softly at the question. Stroking his beard and thinking for a moment, he replied,
"Very well, I'll be honest with you. What I sensed from you… was destiny."
"Destiny?"
Skydream Iceworm and the Ice Empress spoke in unison, exchanging puzzled glances.
They had heard of the concept of destiny before—this ethereal, mysterious force. Aside from the Emperor Auspicious Beast of the Great Star Dou Forest, who was known to carry destiny, they'd never heard of any human being marked by it.
"It may sound vague or even superstitious," Electrolux continued, "but I can clearly sense it upon you. Your cousin and cousin-sister both carry destiny as well—but not the same kind as yours."
"Different? How?" Huo Yuhao asked curiously.
"The destiny on you was bestowed by this world," Electrolux explained patiently. "But theirs… is not. I suspect it came from a higher existence—though I cannot say for sure."
"Higher existence…?" Skydream muttered under his breath. The Ice Empress looked at him again.
"No wonder those two kids have such unbelievable talent," she said with realization. "If their destiny comes from something even higher than this world… just what kind of being could that be?"
Electrolux shook his head. "Now's not the time to get distracted. Yuhao—you haven't answered my question."
Huo Yuhao's expression turned serious. He bowed deeply and said,
"Master above, this disciple—Huo Yuhao—pays his respects!"
Seeing him perform the traditional bow of a disciple, Electrolux nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good. From this day forth, you are the personal disciple of I, Electrolux, the Saint Necromancer."
Saint Necromancer!
Even just hearing that title, Huo Yuhao, Skydream, and the Ice Empress felt a powerful pressure washing over them. This was a divine title. The name of a god!
Electrolux continued, "When there's time later, I will begin teaching you necromantic magic. Don't worry—my necromancy is not the same as those so-called 'Evil Soul Masters' of your world.
Mine is pure, holy, and unblemished."
"Yes, Master." Yuhao nodded firmly, without even a hint of doubt.
—
Back in the real world, the moment Yuhao awoke from his spiritual sea, he opened his eyes—only to be greeted by a huge face right in front of him.
It was Jiang Shengyu, leaning in absurdly close and staring at him.
"Ugh—Cousin!" Yuhao flinched and scrambled back, startled. "Weren't you delivering medicine to Shrek?"
Before he could answer, Xiao Hongchen spoke up from the side,
"Already back. But you—eyes closed the whole time—were you suffering internal injuries from Dai Huabin's hit?"
Yuhao gave an exasperated shake of his head.
"Senior Hongchen, Dai Huabin didn't even touch me. How could I have gotten hurt?"
Xiao Hongchen furrowed his brow and said, "Still, better have Dean Gu check you over, just in case. She's still over at Shrek treating Dai Huabin. We'll have her look at you when she gets back."
Yuhao frowned slightly. "That Xuanzi forced Dean Gu to stay and treat him?"
"Who else would it be?" Xiao Hongchen snorted. "He's one of those seniors who think strength gives them the right to do anything. But he's got no guts when it counts. Can't even handle a Soul King Evil Soul Master, and he comes barking at us?"
"Brother, lower your voice!" Meng Hongchen whispered. "If that Titled Douluo hears, he'll come back to cause more trouble!"
"Fine, fine," Xiao Hongchen replied, though his tone remained dismissive.
—
After returning from Shrek Academy, Dean Gu Lingjun checked Yuhao at Xiao Hongchen's request. She found nothing abnormal—other than a sudden increase in his spiritual power.
Before she left, Gu Lingjun reminded everyone on the Sun Moon team:
"Don't leave the hotel for the next few days."
Although Xuanzi had said he would no longer pursue the matter, Dai Huabin was still the son of the White Tiger Duke. If the duke or his wife decided to act from the shadows, things could get dangerous—this was still Star Luo City, after all.
As expected, Gu Lingjun's warning proved prescient.
Upon learning that Dai Huabin had been beaten into unconsciousness by Huo Yuhao, the Duchess personally led a group to the hotel, intent on demanding justice.
—
When he heard she was on her way, Huo Yuhao clenched his fists, his expression tense. The Duchess knew who he really was—but he didn't want his identity exposed just yet.
Seeing his concern, Jiang Shengyu told the others to stay with Yuhao and personally went to open the door.
But when he did, he blocked the entrance and refused to let anyone in.
"This is how the Sun Moon Empire receives guests?" the Duchess said coldly, her brow furrowed. "You injure my son, and now you won't even let me in? Is that how you show hospitality?"
She looked at Jiang Shengyu, who stood lazily leaning on the doorframe, one leg crossed over the other.
"Sorry," Jiang Shengyu said calmly, "this place is small, and there are too many people inside. I'd hate to get your fine clothes dirty. You'll have to stay outside."
"Insolence!" the Duchess barked.
"I am the official wife of the White Tiger Duke—a noble duchess of the Empire! Even your high-ranking officials would treat me with proper respect! And you dare speak to me like this?"
Unfazed, Jiang Shengyu chuckled and replied,
"Sorry, but nobility doesn't impress me. I'm a marquis of the Sun Moon Empire—the Marquis of Sky Moon. You're a duchess, not the duke himself. So how about we both drop the titles?"
The Duchess's expression soured slightly. Realizing she couldn't win that game, she changed tactics.
"I didn't come here to argue titles. I came to seek justice for my son."
"Justice?" Jiang Shengyu tilted his head. "What justice?"
A maid beside the Duchess stepped forward and said angrily,
"Of course we mean justice for the Young Master, who was assaulted by these Sun Moon Empire brutes!"
The moment the word "brutes" left her mouth, Jiang Shengyu's gaze turned ice cold.
In a flash, the Twilight Sword appeared in his hand. A chilling aura swept across the hallway, as if winter itself had arrived.
He casually twirled the sword and said, his voice frigid:
"Who did you just call a brute?"
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