Chapter 10: The Beautiful Huo Yuhao! First Encounter with Xu Sanshi!

For most people, cultivation is a dull and tedious affair. However, when progress is visible to the naked eye, and the speed of cultivation increases as more impurities are purged from the body, it becomes an addictive pursuit.

Huo Yuhao was exactly in this state. For two consecutive days, aside from eating, he spent all his time in that corner practicing the Yi Jin Jing. Finally, this evening, he achieved a breakthrough, reaching level 12 soul power.

[Fate of Huo Yuhao rewritten, +200 Luck Points!]

Zhuge Lan was lost in thought. Does a breakthrough grant Luck Points? Or is it because he broke through earlier than the original timeline? It didn't matter. With his new cheat, Huo Yuhao’s breakthrough speed would only be faster and stronger than in the original story.

Outside, Huo Yuhao was overcome with joy. He exited his meditative state and jumped two meters into the air. Just as he was about to cheer, he remembered something and clapped a hand over his mouth. He landed gracefully, casting a cautious glance at the old man on the recliner. The man hadn't been disturbed. That was a relief.

"Brother Lan! Brother Tianmeng! I broke through!" he announced in his mind.

"I know, I know. It's only level 12; the road ahead is still long," the Skydream Iceworm dampened his spirits.

Huo Yuhao’s joy dimmed slightly, and he was about to reflect on his progress.

"Hey! No need for discouraging remarks," Zhuge Lan chimed in, displeased. "Little Yuhao only gained 9 levels in over five years before, and now he’s gained a level in just three days! That’s huge progress!"

A smile returned to Huo Yuhao’s face. "It’s all thanks to the Yi Jin Jing that Brother Lan gave me. While cultivating, it improves my constitution. My current cultivation speed is more than five times faster than when I started!"

"Hey, hey, hey!" the Skydream Iceworm protested. "I left some residual soul power when I sacrificed myself. According to the original cultivation speed, he would have broken through within a month at the latest anyway!"

"Now you want to claim credit? Where were you earlier?" Zhuge Lan teased.

The Skydream Iceworm was furious! Yet, since he needed this person's help to awaken his spiritual consciousness, he could only turn to Huo Yuhao. "Little Yuhao, what do you say?"

Huo Yuhao’s grin widened. The Skydream Iceworm now felt exactly like a child competing for attention. To think a million-year soul beast could be so childish. He said in a coaxing tone, "Thank you, Brother Tianmeng. The credit for this breakthrough goes half to you and half to Brother Lan."

"Hmph! That’s more like it!"

Zhuge Lan chuckled.

***

Not wanting to continue bickering with this childish creature, Zhuge Lan said, "Since your level has increased, Little Yuhao, it's time to fulfill your promise. School starts tomorrow, and time will be very tight after that."

Huo Yuhao was stunned for a moment, then let out an exclamation! Elder Mu on the recliner jerked in shock, sitting bolt upright as if rising from the dead.

Huo Yuhao: "..." He had woken the old man after all.

"I'm sorry, Elder. I disturbed your rest!"

"The old man is a light sleeper, it’s no matter," Elder Mu said nonchalantly. "You look like a steady lad, what are you making such a fuss about?"

Huo Yuhao scratched his head in embarrassment. "I was too focused on cultivation these past two days and forgot about a promise I made to a friend. Since it's still early, I’ll go and get it done quickly. Please continue your rest, Elder."

After bidding farewell, Huo Yuhao familiarized himself with the path to the public bathhouse to wash up, then rushed straight to dormitory 316.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

The dormitory door opened from the inside. A young man with yellow hair poked his head out and froze when he saw Huo Yuhao. "What a pretty little junior. Are you here to see Bei Bei? Don't tell me you're the little Yuhao that Bei Bei mentioned?"

Huo Yuhao’s expression stiffened slightly. Pretty? Wasn't that word used to describe girls?

"Slap!" A hand landed on the yellow-haired youth’s shoulder and pulled him aside, revealing Bei Bei’s handsome face.

"Little Yuhao is here," Bei Bei smiled. "That’s my friend, Xu Sanshi. He doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut, so don't mind him."

Huo Yuhao waved his hands quickly. "It's fine. If anything, I should be the one apologizing for waiting until the last night to come."

"You came within the agreed time, so what is there to apologize for?" Bei Bei said warmly. "As it happens, Sanshi is the one I wanted you to take a look at. Would you mind?"

Huo Yuhao subconsciously turned his gaze toward Xu Sanshi. Xu Sanshi had clearly been expecting this; he took a white jade porcelain bottle from his belt and pushed it toward Huo Yuhao with his soul power. "This is my payment: three Profound Water Pills. They have the miraculous effect of cleansing the marrow, increasing soul power without injury, and improving a soul master's cultivation talent."

As he spoke, he stared at Huo Yuhao, eager to see his reaction. Most people would have been awestruck upon hearing of such effects, but Huo Yuhao didn't seem particularly moved.

He even asked inwardly, "Brother Lan, the effect of these Profound Water Pills is similar to the Yi Jin Jing. Should I ask for Gold Soul Coins instead?"

"It can still boost your soul power a bit, and paired with the Yi Jin Jing, it will help purge impurities faster. Just take it," Zhuge Lan replied.

Huo Yuhao nodded and accepted the Profound Water Pills. He then activated his Spirit Eye martial soul and looked at Xu Sanshi. He noticed the latter was scrutinizing him, but he didn't pay it much mind. Following Zhuge Lan's instructions, he recited:

"Senior Xu, your martial soul is similar to Brother Bei Bei’s; is it also in an unstable state that can evolve autonomously?"

"It seems to be caused by an incomplete ritual."

"If you want to stabilize the evolution of your martial soul, you could try absorbing the soul ring or soul bone of a Golden Tortoise."

"If you can’t find those, your martial soul has dual water and earth attributes. Currently, the water attribute is dominant and the earth attribute is thin. If you can balance them, it will surely be of great benefit."

"It won't just stabilize the evolution of your martial soul; it will also reduce the aftereffects of its autonomous evolution."

Xu Sanshi’s expression was incredible! He snapped his folding fan shut and pointed at Huo Yuhao, then looked at Bei Bei. "Bei Bei, did you tell him about my intelligence?"

Bei Bei gave him a look as if he were an idiot. Was that something that could just be shared?

Xu Sanshi slapped his own forehead with the fan, realizing the same. He slid over to Huo Yuhao and enthusiastically grabbed his hand. "Little Yuhao, I apologize for my earlier rudeness."

"Come, come, don't stand at the door. Come in and sit for a while."

"And you, Bei Bei, didn't you have someone else to call? You should go ahead."

"With me here, I’ll make sure Little Yuhao feels right at home!"

Huo Yuhao was dragged into the dormitory in a daze, while Bei Bei, the original owner, was pushed out the door. Xu Sanshi gestured for Huo Yuhao to sit, took a ceramic jar from his storage belt, and carefully extracted some tea leaves to brew a pot.

Moments later, a rich tea aroma wafted out. Just smelling it made Huo Yuhao feel his soul power circulate a little faster.

"Come, Little Yuhao, have a taste," Xu Sanshi said warmly. "This is top-grade Green Spring Tea produced by a ten-thousand-year Green Spring soul beast. It’s one of the auxiliary ingredients for the Profound Water Pills, and long-term consumption has the effect of increasing soul power."

Is it this valuable? Huo Yuhao instinctively wanted to decline, but the teacup had already been pushed in front of him. To refuse now would be an insult rather than modesty.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Senior Xu."

"Hey! Don't call me Senior. Just call me Brother Sanshi, just like you call Bei Bei," Xu Sanshi said with a smile.

"Alright, Brother Sanshi," Huo Yuhao complied.

Xu Sanshi nodded with a smile, thinking the lad was teachable.