Douluo: Dragon King Huo Yuhao Lives Ten Thousand Years Later

Chapter 200 The Idea of ​​Popularizing Souls and Doubts about the Holy Spirit (4000)
The hall on the first floor of the Spirit Pagoda was bustling with noise.

Beneath the towering dome, crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow, illuminating the bustling crowd. Soul Masters, dressed in various uniforms, chatted in hushed tones, occasionally glancing up at the massive soul-guided screen embedded in the wall, which was displaying the latest announcements from the Spirit Pagoda.

Amidst the commotion, Nanali stood beside a carved pillar, her gaze fixed on Huo Yuhao not far in front of her. She tilted her head slightly and said with considerable surprise:
"I let it go that you saw through me last time; it was just my oversight. But how did you recognize me this time?"

Huo Yuhao smiled but remained silent, offering no reply.

Nanali stared at him for a moment, then suddenly waved her hand: "Never mind, since you don't want to talk about it, I'm too lazy to ask."

She lowered her voice and made a shushing gesture with her fingertips to her lips, "But regarding my identity as a member of parliament... please keep it a secret, okay? It can come in very handy on certain special occasions."

She winked knowingly, as if she could already picture some clueless attackers crashing into a brick wall.

Seeing Huo Yuhao nod slightly in agreement, Nanali smiled and continued:
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I came to you because I have something I want to discuss with you. I'm here today as a representative of a federal congressman."

Huo Yuhao was somewhat surprised, "Besides the worship ceremony for Lingbing Douluo, is there anything else important?"

When talking about Lingbing Douluo's worship ceremony, his face remained expressionless, which deeply impressed Gu Yuena, who was standing beside him.

If she were in this rather bizarre situation herself, she would probably find it difficult to remain calm.

"It's important in some ways, and not important in others. It's kind of... an informal survey? With your opinion as the next tower master, I can go back and report without having to deal with those old foxes. Please help me this once, for the sake of my sister protecting you all before."

Nanali joked, then her tone turned serious, "Do you think the Spirit Pagoda's current technology allows spirits to circulate among ordinary people?"

Huo Yuhao frowned. "Your Majesty means to allow non-Soul Masters to obtain Soul Spirits?"

Real... Pokémon?
The Federation has this idea?
Are you guys trying to form a Pokémon League? Will a Team Rocket suddenly appear someday?

While Huo Yuhao was secretly complaining, Nanali explained:

"That's right. Nowadays, spirits are cooperating with spirit masters and are important partners in the advancement of spirit masters. It is very rare for ordinary people to possess spirits."

"But as times have changed, other voices have begun to emerge among ordinary people."

In Nanali's understanding, the Soul Spirits were originally a plan designed by Spirit Ice Douluo to bring peace between Soul Beasts and humans. After ten thousand years of evolution, the Soul Spirits have completed their historical mission.

Each of them plays a role as a partner, elder, and successor within a Soul Master family. Scenes of them accompanying Soul Masters can be seen on the streets. Within the families, one can see the Soul Spirit Ancestor disciplining their unworthy descendants. On the Soul Spirit Tournament stage, young Soul Masters and their Soul Spirit partners can be seen sweating it out together.

These small details together form a picture of the symbiotic relationship between humans and spirits. They may no longer be substitutes for spirit rings, but they have become family members who are closer than blood relatives.

As an old spirit ancestor often said: "A contract can be signed and it can also be dissolved—but the years spent together can never be erased by anyone."

But it is precisely because of the success of the spirit that its existence continues to radiate charm in another large group.

How could ordinary people's children not feel envious when they see Soul Masters and Soul Spirits fighting together on the field, or when they see Soul Spirits and Soul Masters playing in the streets? Don't their parents wish for another long-lived member in their family to protect the clan?

Of course, we hope so!

Nowadays, more and more ordinary people are beginning to question – why can such a magical existence only be bound to a Soul Master? Is there no way for ordinary people to obtain a Soul Spirit?

Of course, there were also opponents who believed that spirits were safer when they were with their spirit masters, and that it was uncertain if they were separated. However, after ten thousand years, spirits had completely integrated into human life, and these voices were almost insignificant, far less loud than those advocating that spirits settle in ordinary households.

This led to a debate in the Federal Parliament about whether to open up the purchase channels for soul spirits, allowing ordinary people to possess them. Events like the Spirit Ice Ceremony amplified these voices, which is why Nanali questioned Huo Yuhao.

After describing the situation in detail, Nanali smiled and said, "Tell me your thoughts. Feel free to speak your mind. I was just joking earlier. I will consider your opinion, but I will also look into the opinions of the Snow Emperor Tower Master and the others."

As long as it's Huo Yuhao's opinion, that's naturally impossible. The other party's current talent is enough to shock anyone, but when it comes to soul research and politics, that's another matter.

Huo Yuhao pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Not now. There are too many issues involved. Putting aside other issues, Your Majesty should know why soul spirits constantly need to sign contracts with soul masters, right?"

Nanali nodded. "Yes, because spirits have lost their bodies and are not nourished by them. Their souls are like rootless duckweed and need a spirit master to nurture them."

Although becoming a spirit is a less harmful way to transform into a spirit beast, and they retain more than spirit beasts that directly become spirit rings, spirit beasts still ultimately give up something—their physical body.

"After becoming spirits, without the support of flesh and blood, their souls will gradually weaken over time and eventually dissipate."

Nanali replied, "Therefore, spirits need to sign a contract with a spirit master and use their spiritual sea to nourish themselves. Otherwise, their consciousness will gradually become blurred and eventually return to nothingness."

Spiritual objects and treasure lands that can nourish the soul are extremely rare, but nourishing the soul through the body is another option when such things are unavailable, which is to sign a contract with humans.

If a deity's consciousness is not replenished, it will dissipate; how much more so a soul?
This is why legendary spirits periodically sign contracts with humans. If becoming a spirit meant eternal life, then highly intelligent spirits wouldn't need to sign contracts with humans.

However, the Ascension Platform of the Spirit Pagoda, which can nourish souls, is an exception.

“That’s right, that’s the biggest problem. Ordinary people can’t nourish the souls of spirits. Although the spirit orb can preserve spirits and limit their demise to a certain extent, we can’t let spirits stay in there forever.”

Moreover, ordinary people are not "super rookies," and if some safety accidents occur, it may damage the reputation of the spirit.

After all, there are significant differences between spirits and Pokémon, and simply copying the Pokémon world's system might cause problems.

Furthermore, how more people will use Soul Spirits is also a problem. Currently, Soul Masters occasionally cause trouble, requiring the intervention of mecha units to resolve the situation. Suddenly granting everyone Soul Spirits and extraordinary abilities, without a proper oversight body, could lead to chaos.

"I knew it?" Nanali's expression was calm. "I also think this proposal is not feasible right now, but to list out the problems one by one, we need professionals like you from the Spirit Tower."

What she needs is a report that addresses the technical challenges in a way that ordinary people can understand, preferably provided by the Spirit Tower official. This would temporarily silence those voices.

The idea that spirits can enter every household is currently impossible.

Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow slightly. "I've heard that some people are smuggling souls through various means. If the acquisition channels are further opened up, more souls will be harmed. Isn't that reason enough?"

Nanali: "..."

Seeing Nanali suddenly fall silent, Huo Yuhao gradually narrowed his eyes.

It seems that smuggling souls involves many people.

“It’s not surprising that you know about this, given your position,” Nanali sighed. “However, the world isn’t black and white; there are too many people and too many complexities involved.”

There are quite a few people who smuggle souls. Some do it for profit, some to "stop" war, and others to plant spies on the other two continents. These things can't be exposed.

……

While Huo Yuhao and Nanali were talking, Xue Di temporarily left the crowd at the invitation of the Holy Spirit Douluo.

As Xue Di followed the Holy Spirit Douluo to a relatively quiet place, she heard a voice transmission from the Holy Spirit Douluo, "Your Majesty Xue Di, may I ask if your disciple, Huo Yuhao, is a being similar to me? I can sense the power of faith within him."

Even Limit Douluo find it difficult to comprehend the existence of the power of faith; otherwise, they wouldn't be unable to find an opportunity for advancement.

However, she sensed some power of faith in Huo Yuhao, a child, which was clearly not right.

How did a child achieve something that even many Limit Douluo didn't? Simply worshipping the strong and geniuses can't give one the power of faith. The Holy Spirit Douluo could probably only think that Huo Yuhao was similar to her, or that he had done some great feat.
Upon hearing this, the Snow Empress smiled slightly, "Since Your Majesty the Holy Spirit already has a guess, why ask me?"

Holy Spirit Douluo said gently, "It's nothing. It's just that today's special occasion has given me some incredible speculations, so I'd like to ask for your advice."

Just as you guessed, his situation is similar to yours.

"Really? I understand."

Holy Spirit Douluo and Snow Empress exchanged a glance, then silently nodded and thanked her in a gentle voice, their expressions revealing nothing of her true thoughts.

"Your Majesty the Snow Empress must be very pleased to have such an outstanding disciple, right?"

"nature."

After exchanging a few more words, the Holy Spirit Douluo gracefully bowed and took his leave with a gentle smile on his lips.

She wanted to talk to Huo Yuhao again.

Huo Yuhao was talking with Nanali when he suddenly noticed a gentle gaze directed at him. He looked up and saw the Holy Spirit Douluo slowly approaching, his expression serene.

"Did I disturb you two?"

“Your Holiness the Holy Spirit!” Nanali bowed respectfully. “Of course not, please do as you wish.”

The Holy Spirit Douluo nodded slightly, turned his gaze to Huo Yuhao, and said gently:

"Can I have a moment to talk?"

Huo Yuhao nodded, "Of course."

Nanali tactfully stepped aside, saying, "Then I'll go visit the tower lords first. You all continue your conversation."

After Nanali left, the Holy Spirit Douluo used his soul power to create a barrier, looked at Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena, and chuckled, "Do you know my experiences?"

"Didn't His Holiness the Holy Spirit just explain this before the memorial tablet?"

"I mean in terms of soul power advancement."

Holy Spirit Douluo gently touched her chest with her fingertips, and a faint golden light began to flow in her palm.

"In terms of pure cultivation talent, I am actually no match for those Soul Master geniuses, but my Martial Soul can absorb the power of faith to enhance my Soul Power."

Huo Yuhao: "..."

Your words are similar to those of the previous "Guardian".

I think many so-called genius soul masters would love to swap lives with you.

"However, even though I know I can improve myself through the power of faith, my soul power cultivation speed is actually not as fast as I imagined. When I was thirty years old, I was still a Soul Emperor, which is not fast compared to the cultivation speed of many Soul Masters. It was not until I was over forty years old that I was promoted to Title Douluo."

The Holy Spirit Douluo said softly, "But I am personally very happy because my cultivation speed is slow, which indirectly reflects that there is not so much suffering in this world."

Huo Yuhao's eyes flickered slightly.

He remembered that the original Holy Spirit Douluo was around thirty years old when he was a Soul Saint, and he became a Title Douluo in his thirties.

It's gotten much slower...

But upon closer reflection, Huo Yuhao no longer found it strange.

Holy Spirit Douluo was originally born in a slum, but now she was born in an ordinary village. The slum has undergone tremendous changes due to the efforts of generations.

Which place, slums or ordinary villages, produces more injuries? The answer is obviously the former.

Furthermore, although it only took Holy Spirit Douluo one year to advance from Soul Saint to Title Douluo, that was because she had spent fifty years traveling around treating patients during a plague outbreak. She exhausted herself trying to save lives, nearly dying in the process. This also granted her immense faith power, allowing her to directly advance from Soul Saint to Title Douluo.

But this time, during that plague, Emerald Swan and Brigitte did take action. Holy Spirit Douluo didn't need to burn himself, nor was it her turn to burn himself.

By the time she finished treating the patients in a certain town, the plague had already been suppressed.

Just as the Holy Spirit Douluo herself said, the world has become better, and naturally, her cultivation speed has slowed down as a result...

Thinking of this, Huo Yuhao's eyes turned strange.

Is she trying to portray herself as someone like her and impart her life experience?

Sure enough, the Holy Spirit Douluo continued, "I've heard that you and I are in similar situations. If things continue to develop as they are now, the path to advancement through the power of faith won't be so simple. I hope you're mentally prepared."

Finally, the Holy Spirit Douluo thought for a moment, took out a soul-guided communicator and a soul-guided light screen, and smiled, "Regarding the use of the power of faith, I might be able to give you some guidance. If you encounter any confusion, you can ask me."

Although Xue Di said that, she was still somewhat confused.

As someone who had participated in the Spirit Ice Ceremony, the Holy Spirit Douluo had long ago sensed that something here seemed to be collecting faith power. However, since she wasn't a member of the Spirit Pagoda, this matter was none of her concern, so she hadn't given it much thought in the past.

But some of the faith power that should have been collected by the unknown entity during today's worship... seems to have drifted towards Huo Yuhao?
Why is that?
(End of this chapter)