Unfortunately for Huo Yuhao, the God of Emotions, his grand, desperate gambit was flawed from its very inception.
Despite burning his own divine position, siphoning a cataclysmic quantity of the Divine Realm's core Immortal Qi, and using the Eye of Destiny to lock onto the unique signature of his own past self, he was not a true master of time. He was not the Time Dragon King, a being born from the very laws of temporal flow. His power was in emotion, in spirit, not in the fundamental fabric of reality.
He could not force the river of time to bend completely to his will.
His target had been his six-year-old self, a boy on the cusp of awakening his Spirit Eyes, a blank slate upon which a new destiny could be written.
But the river of time resisted.
Instead of arriving at the dawn of his journey, his sacrifice propelled the Eye of Destiny five years further than intended. It found its mark not in a cold woodshed, but within the vibrant, dangerous expanse of the Star Dou Great Forest.
His past self was eleven years old, a small, malnourished boy, yet with eyes that held a fire far older than his years. He was crouched by a clear stream, his small hands expertly sharpening a stick, preparing to catch fish to quell the gnawing hunger in his belly.
And in that instant, the future Huo Yuhao's final, desperate act reached its destination, plunging into the boy's nascent Spiritual Sea.
The world dissolved for the young Huo Yuhao. One moment, he was focused on the glint of scales beneath the water, his stomach rumbling. The next, he was standing in an endless expanse of shimmering, multi-colored light.
Before him stood a man who looked like a perfected, idealized version of himself, radiating an aura of profound sorrow and immense power.
"Who… who are you?" the young Huo Yuhao asked, his voice barely a whisper. He instinctively took a step back, his hand reaching for the dagger hidden in his worn clothes, a gesture of caution honed by a lifetime of abuse.
The man offered a sad, weary smile. "Do not be afraid. I am you."
The boy's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I am your future self," the man explained, his voice echoing in the ethereal space. "And we are inside the Eye of Destiny, a divine tool that I have sent back through time. It is now inside your Spiritual Sea."
He gestured around them. "I have paid an… irreversible price to come here. I did it to give you a choice. Our life, the one I lived, was not our own. It was a play, orchestrated by a god for his own benefit. I lived a life of glory, power… and unbearable regret."
The future Huo Yuhao's eyes, filled with a pain the boy couldn't comprehend, met his. "I am here to give you the tools to forge your own path. A path free from manipulation. A path where you can achieve your goals, your revenge, without becoming a pawn."
An ethereal book, shimmering with a light that seemed to contain all knowledge, materialized in the man's hands. He held it out to his younger self.
"This book," he said, his voice heavy with the weight of its contents, "contains everything. All of my knowledge."
"It has my cultivation methods, the complete blueprints for Soul Tools from Grade 1 to Grade 12, the lost art of creating hidden weapons, and the true method of forging Soul Spirits—a way to bond with Soul Beasts without killing them, allowing them to fight alongside you."
The boy's breath hitched.
"It contains the spells of a Holy Necromancer, the locations of every rare metal and priceless herb on the continent, including the path through the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It details every fortuitous encounter I ever had, every trial I faced."
"More than that," the future Huo Yuhao continued, his gaze hardening, "it contains profiles on every major power. Shrek Academy, the Sun Moon Empire, the Tang Sect. Their strengths, their weaknesses, their hidden agendas. It holds the unvarnished truth about the gods, especially the one who controlled my life: the Sea God, Tang San."
His voice softened slightly. "And… it contains mentions of my comrades. The friends who stood by me. I wish for you to help them, if you can, and cherish them."
The young Huo Yuhao stared at the book, then at his future self. He didn't immediately reach for it. Instead, he took a small, hesitant step forward and bowed deeply.
"Thank you… Elder Huo," he said, his voice filled with a sincere, heartfelt respect.
A flicker of surprise and then a gentle warmth passed through the future Huo Yuhao's eyes. He nodded. "There is no need for such formality. But I appreciate it. Now, you must read it. Do not worry about the time. Here, in this space, hours will pass while only minutes tick by in the real world."
The younger Huo Yuhao straightened up, took the book with trembling hands, and sat down cross-legged. He opened the first page.
The world outside faded away.
For hours, the boy was immersed. He devoured the knowledge within. Much of the advanced theory, the principles behind God-level abilities or the intricate mechanics of a Grade 10 Soul Tool, were beyond his current comprehension. They were like listening to a language he had yet to learn.
But the rest… the rest was a revelation that shook his very soul.
He learned of the vastness of the continent, the true power of the empires, the hidden currents of politics and ambition. A cold, calculating light entered his eyes as he absorbed the information on the White Tiger Duke's mansion, its allies, its enemies, its vulnerabilities. His path to revenge, once a hazy dream of righteous fury, began to solidify into a concrete, achievable plan.
He was filled with awe at the power of Brother Skydream, the Ice Empress, and the Snow Empress. He was hopeful in meeting these comrades of his future self.
When he finally closed the book, his entire worldview had been shattered and rebuilt. He stood up, walked over to his future self, and without a word, dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the shimmering floor.
"Thank you, Elder Huo! With this, I can… I can avenge my mother!" he declared, his small body trembling with a mixture of profound gratitude and suppressed rage.
The future Huo Yuhao smiled, a genuine, sad smile. He reached down and gently pulled the boy to his feet. "Never kneel to me. We are one and the same. We are equals."
The younger Huo Yuhao stood, his eyes still shining with unshed tears of gratitude.
"Tell me," Elder Huo asked, his tone curious. "Now that you have this knowledge, what will you do? Where will you go to grow strong? Will you join Shrek Academy? The Sun Moon Empire's Illustrious Virtue Hall? Or perhaps a sect?"
The young boy looked down, considering the vast array of options now open to him. He thought of the internal politics of Shrek, the overbearing ambition of the Sun Moon Empire, the hidden manipulations of the Tang Sect. He thought of the warnings about Tang San, a shadowy puppet master pulling strings from a realm beyond his reach.
After a long moment of silence, he looked up, a shy but resolute expression on his face.
"I… I want to join the Soul Beasts," he said quietly. "I want to help them."
Elder Huo's eyes widened. He was utterly dumbfounded. Of all the paths he had laid out, all the possibilities he had considered, this was one he had never imagined. His younger self, the boy who would one day become a god among humans, wanted to cast his lot with their eternal enemies.
Then, the shock faded, replaced by a dawning understanding. A slow smile spread across his face.
It was a brilliant idea.
'He's right,' Elder Huo thought to himself. 'The Star Dou Great Forest has limitless resources for creating Soul Tools. With my knowledge, he could arm the Soul Beasts with technology they've never dreamed of. He'd be safe from Tang San's influence, completely outside his game board. He could meet Brother Skydream, the Ice and Snow Empresses, and truly be their comrade from the start. He can use Soul Spirits from day one, skyrocketing his combat power.'
A wave of relief washed over Elder Huo. His sacrifice had been worth it. He had not just given his past self a weapon; he had given him the chance to find a path that was truly, completely his own.
"Why?" Elder Huo asked softly. "Why did you choose them?"
The young Huo Yuhao fidgeted, looking a bit shy. "Because… their fate is too pitiful. The book said so. Hunted for rings, their homes shrinking… If I can use the Soul Spirit method, I can help them. And…" he hesitated, "the human factions are all so… troublesome. I don't think I'm smart enough to handle all their scheming. The Soul Beasts seem more direct."
Elder Huo chuckled. A warm, genuine sound. "A wise choice. But there is a flaw in your plan."
"A flaw?" the boy asked, blinking.
"Yes. The Ferocious Beasts who rule the Star Dou Great Forest. Beings like the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian. They are immensely powerful and proud. They might find the Soul Spirit concept interesting, but they will never listen to a proposal from a weak, eleven-year-old human. They would likely kill you for even approaching them."
The boy's face fell, a blush of embarrassment coloring his pale cheeks. He hadn't thought of that.
Seeing his crestfallen look, Elder Huo stepped forward and gently ruffled his hair. "Don't worry. I will handle that part."
"You will?"
"Yes. I will return to a deep sleep within the Eye of Destiny to conserve what little power I have left. You will proceed as planned. Soon, you will meet a certain Million-Year Soul Beast. When you have successfully turned him into your Soul Spirit, I will awaken."
Elder Huo's gaze became serious. "At that time, I will need to borrow your body for a short while. Will you allow me to do that?"
The young Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up. He nodded vigorously, without a shred of hesitation. "Yes! Of course, Elder Huo! You can use it whenever you want!"
A faint smile touched Elder Huo's lips. "Good. Now, go. Your journey is about to begin. I will see you soon."
The world swam back into focus. Huo Yuhao was back by the stream, the sharpened stick still in his hand. Only a few minutes had passed. He took a deep breath, the knowledge in his mind feeling both alien and intimately familiar.
He expertly speared a few plump Green Fish, started a small fire, and began to grill them. The skills were his, yet now he understood the principles of heat distribution and cooking times with a clarity he'd never had before.
The tantalizing aroma of grilled fish soon drifted through the woods.
"It smells so good!" a cheerful female voice cried out. A young woman in black clothes with a scorpion braid appeared, her eyes locked on his fish. Beside her was a handsome, gentle-looking young man.
It was Tang Ya and Beibei.
Tang Ya practically teleported to his side, snatching a fish before he could react. "Wow! This is delicious! Little brother, you're a genius!"
Beibei smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, my junior sister is a bit… enthusiastic."
Huo Yuhao, playing the part of a shy, wary boy, simply handed Beibei another grilled fish.
"My name is Beibei, and this is Tang Ya. What's your name, little brother?"
"Huo Yuhao."
"Huo Yuhao," Tang Ya said between mouthfuls, "your grilled fish is the best I've ever had! You should be my personal chef! What do you say?"
Huo Yuhao conversed with them for a little longer, his mind cross-referencing their words with the information in the book. They were kind, but their path was not his.
"Thank you for the offer, Sister Tang," he said politely, standing up. "But I have somewhere I need to go."
He bowed his head slightly and walked away, deliberately heading deeper into the forest.
"Hey! Wait!" Tang Ya called out.
"Let him go, Master Xiao Ya," Beibei said softly. "But let's follow at a distance. His soul power is so low. It's dangerous for him to be out here alone."
They followed, keeping a safe distance, unaware that Huo Yuhao was perfectly aware of their presence.
He ventured into the Mixed Zone, a place where ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts roamed. But this time, he did something different. He continuously activated his Spirit Eyes, letting the faint, unique spiritual energy of his Martial Soul pulse outwards like a beacon.
The book had been very specific. This was how Brother Skydream had found him.
He didn't have to wait long.
A wave of immense, overwhelming spiritual power washed over him, so potent it made the air itself seem to bend.
A voice, filled with an ancient weariness and boundless arrogance, echoed directly in his mind. "To think that in my final moments, I would actually encounter a human with a spiritual-type Martial Soul. And a body that can withstand my power… The heavens have not abandoned me!"
A massive, ethereal worm, shining like a diamond, materialized before him.
"Listen well, boy! I am the one and only Million-Year Soul Beast in this world! The Skydream Iceworm! I shall grant you a supreme honor! I will become your first Soul Ring! The world's first-ever intelligent Soul Ring!"
Huo Yuhao looked at the magnificent beast, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "Brother Skydream."
The Skydream Iceworm was taken aback. "Brother? Boy, you should be groveling in awe!"
"Instead of becoming my Soul Ring," Huo Yuhao said calmly, his voice clear, "why don't you become my Soul Spirit?"
"Soul Spirit? What nonsense is that?" Skydream asked, confused.
Huo Yuhao recalled the description from the book perfectly. "It's a method that allows a Soul Beast to bond with a Soul Master without a true sacrifice. Your consciousness and power will merge with me, but you won't just be a set of skills. You will retain your identity. You'll be able to leave my body, to move freely and fight alongside me. Your mobility would be limited at first, but as I grow stronger, so will your freedom."
The Skydream Iceworm was intrigued. This sounded far better than simply becoming a memory attached to a ring. "Such a miraculous method… why have I never heard of it? Are you trying to trick me, boy?" He was suspicious, but his time was running out. He decided to take the risk. What could this tiny human possibly do to him?
Huo Yuhao didn't waste words. He focused his Soul Power on his forehead. A third, vertical eye opened, shimmering with a divine light. The Skydream Iceworm gasped. He had never seen such a thing.
From within the Eye of Destiny, Huo Yuhao pulled out the ethereal book of fate. He flipped through the pages until he found the correct one.
Then, he began to chant.
The words were ancient, filled with a power that resonated with the laws of the soul. As he spoke, a contract of light formed in the air between them.
"It is time, Brother Skydream," Huo Yuhao said softly.
With a final, great sigh, the Skydream Iceworm willed his physical body to dissipate, his immense spiritual origin surging towards Huo Yuhao and the glowing contract. The process was exactly as the book described. He was shocked to find it actually worked. His consciousness was intact, nestled safely within the boy's Spiritual Sea. His massive, useless carcass was also drawn into the void of the sea, preserved.
"You… you truly are a shocking individual, kid!" Skydream's voice boomed in his mind, filled with a newfound excitement.
But as Skydream settled in, a tiny wisp of grey light shot out from the dissipating energy and flew into Huo Yuhao's Spiritual Sea.
"My hand grasps the sun and moon and plucks the stars from the sky; this world has no one else like me," a faint, ancient voice whispered. "I never thought that I still have a Soul Fragment left…"
The grey light settled in a corner of the Spiritual Sea. Skydream tried to eject the intruder, but the wisp of light pulsed with a power that easily repelled his own.
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao felt a surge of power. His Soul Power skyrocketed, breaking through several ranks in an instant, settling at level 13. A single, pure white Soul Ring materialized and began to circle around him. Four abilities bloomed in his mind: Spiritual Detection, Spiritual Sharing, Spiritual Shock, and Spiritual Interference.
Just then, Tang Ya and Beibei burst through the trees.
"Huo Yuhao!" Beibei called out, his eyes wide as he saw the white Soul Ring. "What are you doing? Why is your Soul Ring active?"
Huo Yuhao turned, his face a perfect mask of shy innocence. "I was just using my first Soul Ring ability, Spiritual Detection, to check for enemies. Why are you two following me?"
Tang Ya and Beibei exchanged a glance. "We were worried," Tang Ya admitted. "We sensed a huge spike of spiritual energy and thought you were in trouble."
"I didn't sense anything," Huo Yuhao replied, feigning ignorance.
Tang Ya's eyes lit up as she saw he was now a Soul Master. "You have a Martial Soul! And a Soul Ring! Huo Yuhao, you must join my Tang Sect! Help me revitalize it!"
"Master Xiao Ya," Beibei sighed. "You should know, there are only two of us in the sect right now. Little brother Yuhao, you should think carefully before joining."
"But you can learn our Tang Sect's secret techniques!" Tang Ya insisted. "Like the Purple Demon Eye! It's perfect for strengthening a spiritual-type Soul Master like you! And you can use our quota to enter Shrek Academy!"
Huo Yuhao thought of the book. The Tang Sect was Tang San's legacy. Shrek Academy was his playground. He wanted no part of either. He shook his head politely.
"Thank you, Sister Tang, Big Brother Beibei. You have been very kind. But I cannot join. I have… other things I must do."
Without waiting for a reply, he gave them another polite bow and turned, walking purposefully deeper into the forest, towards the Core Zone.
Tang Ya and Beibei watched him go, a mixture of confusion and worry on their faces. They saw the direction he was heading and knew the danger, but they also understood that he had secrets he was unwilling to share. They could only hope he would be safe.
Once he was a safe distance away, Skydream's panicked voice erupted in his mind. "Kid! Are you crazy?! Why are you going towards the Core Region?! That's where the Ferocious Beasts live! They are monsters who have been feeding on my origin for millennia! They'll kill you! Even I can't protect you from them!"
Huo Yuhao smiled calmly. "Don't worry, Brother Skydream. You'll see soon enough."
He stopped in a secluded clearing, ensuring no one was around.
He closed his eyes and called out into his Spiritual Sea.
"Elder Huo. It's time."
A moment later, Huo Yuhao's eyes snapped open. But the shy, cautious boy was gone. The eyes that now looked out at the world were ancient, cold, and filled with an indomitable will. A terrifying pressure began to radiate from the small boy's body.
Skydream Iceworm felt the change instantly and recoiled in shock.
"This… this presence! It's you! But it's not you! This power… it's stronger than mine! Stronger than anything I've ever felt! It's… the aura of a God!" His mind reeled. The boy he had chosen was not just a lucky kid; he was host to a divine consciousness. His plan to nurture a god suddenly seemed far more certain than before.
Elder Huo did not waste a moment. He raised his small hand, and with a casual gesture that defied all logic, tore a shimmering crack in the fabric of space itself.
He stepped through the Spatial Rift.
The world shifted, and he was standing in the absolute core of the Star Dou Great Forest, on the shore of the Lake of Life. Before him, a colossal black dragon, whose very presence warped the light around him, opened its golden eyes in bewilderment.
Di Tian, the leader of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts, stared at the tiny human boy who had just appeared out of thin air. He felt not much soul power from the boy, yet the aura… the aura radiating from him was more powerful than anything he had ever encountered.
Elder Huo looked up at the fearsome dragon king, his borrowed face completely impassive. He moved his younger self's lips, and a voice that was both a whisper and a cold tone that echoed in the clearing.
"I always did want to beat you up, Di Tian, and get some revenge for my Brother Skydream."
A faint, cold smile touched the boy's lips.
"I guess I can take care of that last regret now."
~~
A/N: Check out my other novels like "Blood Silver Emperor", "Harem Master: Seduction System" and the "Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist" and I hope you like this story and those stories as well.
Check out more chapters on my P.atreon. The P.atreon will have 20+ Chapters ahead for this story. I hope you like it.
The link of p.atreon is: bit.ly/evildragon