Douluo: Dragon King Huo Yuhao Lives Ten Thousand Years Later

Chapter 160 is coming (Part 2)

The figure entering the room had smooth, golden hair that reflected a warm glow, and her ruby-like eyes sparkled with excitement. Her skin was as white and translucent as fresh snow, and her cheeks were flushed with joy, making her exquisite face even more captivating.

She held a delicately woven little basket in both hands, and the white silk skirt swayed with her light steps, making her look like a forest sprite.

"Na'er, look, I brought you..."

The cheerful voice abruptly stopped. Gu Rachel stopped abruptly, her gaze falling on the blue-haired boy beside Gu Yuena. A hint of surprise flashed in her red eyes, and then she narrowed them.

"We have guests. Excuse me."

She gently placed the small basket on the coffee table beside her, folded her hands in front of her skirt, and gave a slight bow. "I am Na'er's older sister, Rachel. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Rachel straightened up gracefully, a smile playing on her lips. "Na'er is rather simple-minded, so please forgive me if there has been any inadequacy in our hospitality."

Huo Yuhao: "..."

He glanced at Gu Yuena's indifferent expression, then fell silent and did not reply.

Na'er's position in this family is precarious.

Gu Yuena took a deep breath and said coldly, "Stop pretending, there are no outsiders here! Who are you trying to fool with this act? Trying to take advantage of me by pretending not to know Yuhao?"

If you don't discipline someone for a day, they'll be climbing on the roof and tearing off the tiles... What will happen if you don't discipline them for three years?

The person in front of her has already given her the answer.

"Pretending? I didn't."

Rachel tilted her head, feigning confusion, and asked, "And what do you mean by 'no outsiders'?"

"..." A faint blush rose on Gu Yuena's face, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes, instantly turning the atmosphere in the room dangerous.

Seeing this, Rachel stopped smiling, picked up a basket, sat down next to Gu Yuena, and took out some delicate desserts. "My lady, it's been years since we last met. I'm a little excited. Just kidding."

As far as she knew, as long as she knew when to stop and offered delicious food as appeasement, her sister... ah, no, the Lord would soon calm down.

Gu Yuena glanced at the dessert, but her gaze didn't linger on it. Instead, she looked at Huo Yuhao on the other side.

"My Lord?" Rachel tentatively pushed the dessert forward.

Gu Yuena ignored him and stared at Huo Yuhao with her bright eyes.

The latter understood and took out a box of pastries. The moment the lid was opened, a rich aroma of milk mixed with the sweetness of honey immediately filled the air.

Gu Yuena's purple eyes brightened noticeably as she picked up a piece with her slender fingers. The pastry flakes fell from her fingertips, revealing the glistening sugar strands inside.

Gu Yuena took a small bite, and the sweet but not cloying taste melted on her tongue, causing her to unconsciously squint her eyes.

Rachel: "..."

The smile on her face gradually disappeared. Although there was no wind in the room, she felt a strange chill and sorrow creeping over her.

So, has her responsibility of feeding the Lord been taken away?

A sentence seemed to echo in Rachel's ear:

There's no place for you in this home anymore!

Huo Yuhao watched this scene from the side, speechless.

Your way of winning is quite unique, Na'er.

But this can only be considered a lose-lose situation, right?
Where is your dignity?
I feel like I've disappeared.

After a brief commotion, Gu Yuena breathed a sigh of relief and stopped being angry. Miss Gu Rachel, her heart still wounded, ate her dessert, gradually calming herself down. She looked Huo Yuhao up and down for a moment before reintroducing herself.

"This should be considered our first meeting in some sense, right? My name now is Rachel."

"My real name is Huo Yuhao. Nice to meet you."

Huo Yuhao glanced at Gu Rachel's appearance and subconsciously compared her to someone else to see if there were any similarities.

Rachel paused her observation and said with interest:
"So you really are human? I've heard some rumors before that you're the reincarnation of Hyotei, and they're quite plausible and hard to refute. If Di Tian hadn't confirmed that you're human, I might have believed them."

She paused, her red eyes flickering slightly, "Di Tian and the Lord should have already thanked me, so I won't say any more thanks... After all, I said those things at your grave, and it feels strange to say them to your face now."

"..."

Is the grave-themed meme going to never be forgotten?
Why do I feel like you all like to harp on this point? You're only happy when I'm gone?
Huo Yuhao was speechless, but looking at Gu Rachel's red eyes, which held a hint of a smile, he couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

“I’m still here, and you’re already thinking about my ‘grave’?”

Gu Ruiqiu blinked and said with a smile, "What, a dignified Spirit Ice Douluo can't even take a joke like this? Besides, we're very serious—your 'grave' is one of the sacred sites of the Star Dou Great Forest, with words personally carved by Di Tian and incense offered by ferocious beasts next to it. It's already the highest level of treatment."

"By the way, although you've returned, only we know about it, so your tombstone is still there, and in recent years some soul beasts have even come to pay their respects."

"...There's no need for that, just stop."

It felt a little creepy, like it was cursing me.

As Rachel Gu took the initiative to ease the atmosphere, Huo Yuhao's expression naturally returned to normal. Seeing the two women casting strange glances at him, he said, "It seems my expression just now was a bit impolite."

"I can vaguely sense your unease. We've only interacted a few times, and we weren't very familiar with each other ten thousand years ago. It's a bit strange that you have a look of reminiscence on your face."

Rachel picked up a teacup and poured tea for the three of them. She then sat down on the other side of Gu Yuena. "I don't think there's anything worth remembering about those preachy scenes from back then."

Her few meetings with Huo Yuhao were all spent listening to his teachings about the future of soul beasts, which was also the source of her ambition.

But honestly, it wasn't a pleasant memory. If she hadn't been outmatched ten thousand years ago, she would have punched Huo Yuhao in the face long ago...

"Nothing, I was just wondering if you resembled someone I've met before," Huo Yuhao said casually, revealing no emotional fluctuation.

Well, the result is good. It doesn't resemble that person at all... Good thing.

Gu Ruiqiu was taken aback. "How could I resemble someone else? I am an Imperial Beast. When I transform, I naturally follow my own preferences. Who do you think I would refer to for my appearance..."

She paused, looked at Gu Yuena, pondered for a moment, and said with a smile, "You didn't think I looked a lot like the Lord, did you?"

"I transform not to please others, nor to become anyone's shadow."

"I just... want to see the world's myriad landscapes from a different perspective with my own eyes, and live my own life. As for appearance, of course, it's just a matter of what I think is good-looking."

Huo Yuhao shook his head and smiled, "That's only right."

Rachel frowned slightly and muttered, "The same as before... the Riddler."

After speaking, she approached Gu Yuena and began their long-awaited reunion, no longer speaking to Huo Yuhao. Over the years, she had spent the most time with her master, and even his subtle habits bore her shadow. Their relationship had long since transcended a simple subordinate one.

After not seeing each other for many years, she had a lot to say.

Watching Gu Rachel and Gu Yuena talk, Huo Yuhao shifted his gaze, quietly observing the tea leaves floating in his teacup, and then picked up the teacup to take a small sip.

For some people, passing by is the best ending.

……

"It's almost time to make dinner."

After chatting for a while, Rachel realized it was getting late and was about to cook when she noticed a figure already standing in the kitchen.

This guy has completely stolen her ecological niche!
Rachel sat down again, still indignant, and stole a glance at Huo Yuhao, who was busy in the kitchen, before turning to Gu Yuena, her red eyes flashing.

“My lord, he is a guest, and it is I who should entertain him.”

Gu Yuena's anger had subsided. Upon hearing her words, she lifted her gaze from the teacup in her hand and looked towards the kitchen, her lips unconsciously softening slightly.

“Yuhao is different,” she said softly, the tea in her cup reflecting the shimmering light. “He’s family.”

"..." Gu Ruiqiu looked at her expression and was slightly taken aback. The aroma wafting from the kitchen suddenly became exceptionally clear, mixed with some emotion she couldn't describe, slowly spreading in the silent air.

Finally, Rachel replied softly, "Yes, I understand."

Soon after the three finished dinner, Huo Yuhao noticed that Gu Ruiqiu's tone of voice seemed closer to him, and she no longer had the aloofness she had shown when speaking to guests.

Did Na'er say anything?

“You’re quite famous at the Spirit Tower headquarters now.” Rachel’s eyes held a mischievous smile. “Many people are very interested in you, and some are even waiting at the door for you to come over.”

Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Then they'll be disappointed. They might have to wait a few days."

“Although I also think their challenge to you won’t end well, it’s best not to be too confident. You might just suffer an unexpected setback.” Gu Ruiqiu shrugged. “Among the candidates for Spirit Transmission Envoy, some have also become interested in you. They are all three-word Battle Armor Masters above the Soul Saint level.”

The four Spirit Transmission Envoys hold a position second only to the three Deputy Tower Masters and the Tower Master of the Spirit Transmission Tower, and are on par with the Tower Masters of the Eighteen Branches.

At headquarters, the typical promotion process is: core disciple → candidate spirit messenger → spirit messenger → candidate for tower master in the council meeting!
The Tower Master election was held three years ago, when Huo Yuhao and the others were nine years old. The next re-election will be held seven years from now, so it has nothing to do with them for the time being. But it's different for the candidate Spirit Transmission Envoys.

Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena will be promoted to the position of candidate Spirit Transmission Envoy sooner or later upon arriving in Mingdu; this is a necessary procedure.

The selection of candidates for Spirit Transmission Envoy requires consideration of factors such as age and strength, but those who can hold this position are basically three-word Battle Armor Masters at the Soul Saint level or above!

"Including you too?" Huo Yuhao looked at the smiling Gu Rachel.

This person has been a member of the Spirit Pagoda for quite some time and is also a candidate Spirit Pagoda Envoy. Moreover, he is the strongest among them and could be promoted to the position of Spirit Pagoda Envoy at any time.

“Hmm… I am somewhat interested.” Gu Rachel blinked. “What, are you scared? I can do it without the battle armor.”

She couldn't defeat him ten thousand years ago, and now that Huo Yuhao hasn't recovered, he's no match for her.

"Don't make trouble."

Gu Yuena said from the side, "A Soul Saint challenging a Soul King is something most people can't do. If Yuhao doesn't take the initiative to challenge, they won't make a move. Tell me about the others."

This girl shouldn't act recklessly. Once they clash, Yuhao won't hold back because of his own goal.

From Gu Rachel's perspective, Huo Yuhao is definitely an opponent she needs to fight with all her might.

The situation might become rather ugly then. She would be heartbroken if either of them got hurt, so she should stop Gu Rachel's idea.

"..." Seeing Gu Yuena's gaze, Gu Rachel muttered, "I understand, I won't do anything."

At this point, her gaze shifted to Huo Yuhao, "Among those who are eager to challenge you, some are related to you..."

……

At the Spirit Pagoda headquarters, many Soul Masters waited for a long time but the person they were waiting for did not appear, which puzzled them.

What happened? Why didn't they come?

Only after Ling Zichen walked out of the research institute and saw the group of people blocking the entrance did he speak calmly:

"Don't wait any longer. He went to the headquarters of the Mech Pilots Association today and received an invitation from Mingde Hall as a result. He won't be coming for the time being."

"what?!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar!

"An invitation from Mingde Hall? He's the one who received the title of Spirit Transmission Master, how could he possibly gain the favor of Mingde Hall?"

"Mingdetang hasn't sent out an invitation for about a hundred years, has it? How could he manage to do something like this..."

A young Soul Master exclaimed in surprise, "He's reached this level in both Soul Master and secondary profession? Is he destined to reach the pinnacle in both?"

"Sister Ling, is this true?"

Many people looked in Ling Zichen's direction.

"If you think it's fake, then go and verify it yourself." Seeing Ling Zichen snort coldly and turn to leave, the Soul Master who asked the question felt a jolt in his heart and his scalp tingled.

Ling Zichen is not someone to be trifled with. She is arguably the best among her peers because she is already the most capable and promising researcher of the younger generation in the Soul Guidance Research Institute.

But even someone as capable as Ling Zichen seemed to be outmatched when facing Huo Yuhao? How could the latter actually gain an invitation from Mingde Hall based on his research abilities?
"Since it was an invitation from Mingde Hall, but the news hasn't spread yet, it means he hasn't gone to Mingde Hall. Arriving in Mingdu, instead of reporting to headquarters, he went to the Mech Pilots Association first... what does that mean?"

A Soul Master muttered to himself, sighed, and walked towards the training room, "I'm not waiting anymore. It seems he won't be coming today."

The group dispersed for the time being, planning to look at it again tomorrow.

Only one person remained in place, radiating a sharp aura that chilled everyone to the bone.

……

For several days in a row, Huo Yuhao did not go to the Spirit Pagoda headquarters, but instead traveled back and forth between his home and the headquarters of the Mech Pilot Association.

During this time, through Yi Hongchen's connections, he confirmed the time to report to Mingde Hall, and also studied the collections of the Mech Pilots Association headquarters over the years, increasing his own knowledge.

It wasn't until the tenth day, when Gu Yuena and Gu Ruiqiu saw Huo Yuhao finish his morning practice and instead of heading towards the Mech Pilots Association, look towards the center of Mingdu, that they had a sudden thought.

coming soon.

(End of this chapter)