Douluo Continent: Reborn as Yuhao, they all have ulterior motives.

Chapter 370 The Scythe of Judgment (Part 2)

"woke up?"

A detached voice sounded in his ear, as if he had suddenly woken up from a nightmare with no end in sight. Niu Tian opened his eyes again, and his senses returned to him quickly.

The remaining ice around him was constantly releasing a biting chill, frantically stimulating his already somewhat numb nerves.

After a sudden shiver, a faint light finally appeared in those empty eyes.

He lay there, panting, staring blankly at the dark sky before him. After a long while, it seemed as if he had finally realized something.

"How long have I been frozen?"

"It's only a few days, not a long time."

Huo Yuhao said calmly, "I think you should already understand why I woke you up."

"Don't worry, since I promised, I won't go back on my word."

Once he regained some of his senses, Niu Tian struggled to his feet. It was then that he finally saw clearly the enormous weapon in Huo Yuhao's hand, a weapon he had never seen before.

It was a very eye-catching scythe, even longer than Huo Yuhao himself.

The enormous scythe was curved into a ferocious arc, its length almost equal to the handle in the boy's hand, yet surprisingly, it did not inspire fear upon seeing it.

The reason, of course, lies in its unique material. Whether it's the handle or the blade, everything about this sickle seems to be pieced together from irregular salt crystals, sparkling and dazzling, radiating a hazy glow at all times.

In addition, its surface also has golden patterns similar to those that Huo Yuhao had after activating the Judgment Messenger Martial Soul, covering his skin.

Like wildly growing thorns, or like adhesive used to fill the gaps between the salt crystals, these golden patterns spread from the handle all the way to the blade, carrying a strange and absurd beauty.

Upon first glance at the sickle, Niu Tian felt it wasn't a weapon, but rather a magnificent yet fragile work of art, easily broken at the slightest touch.

"What? You don't recognize me after only a few days?"

Huo Yuhao casually swung the scythe twice, accompanied by the mournful sound of the blade cutting through the air, and said softly, "I clearly used it to whip you before."

"That's Poseidon's Trident!?"

Upon hearing Huo Yuhao's explanation, Niu Tian's pupils contracted slightly, finally realizing where that inexplicable sense of familiarity came from.

Looking at the trident that had become like this in just a few days, he felt a sense of disbelief.

Not only did they steal the trident that had been with Tang San for many years, they even reforged it into a different shape.

How did this guy do that?

Of course, he knew without even asking that Huo Yuhao would never tell him.

Moreover, as a dying man, he wasn't particularly curious about these things.

Composing himself, the shock in his eyes subsided like a tide, and he turned to ask about what he cared about most now.

"Whom do you intend me to sacrifice?"

"Dong'er".

Niu Tian was stunned for a moment, a mocking look appearing in his eyes: "You really are generous."

"You overestimate yourself."

Huo Yuhao calmly said, "I don't care about what you leave behind after you die, but since it's useful to the people around me, I don't mind making your deaths more meaningful."

"..."

Niu Tian remained silent, then couldn't help but chuckle softly: "It's truly unimaginable that this plane could have created such an arrogant madman as you."

After a pause, gazing at that unbelievably beautiful face, which in his mind was no different from a devil, Niu Tian asked in a cold voice.

Where is Xiaodong?

hold onto

You must persevere.

Yuhao and the others have done so much for me; if I fail here, all of this will be for nothing.

Wang Dong'er gritted her teeth and kept muttering to herself.

Just like Huo Yuhao in her previous life when she fused with the Ice Emperor Martial Soul, even though the Sea God bloodline in her body made it much easier for her to fuse with the Trident, enduring pain for such a long time still brought her mental sea to the brink of collapse.

Just then, a warm current, seemingly from nowhere, suddenly surged into her brow, instantly relieving her mental strain that was on the verge of collapse.

Like parched land finally receiving sweet rain, Wang Dong'er trembled and subconsciously began to absorb that pure energy, slowly opening her eyes.

Upon seeing the tall figure sitting cross-legged in front of her, his entire body seemingly ablaze with flames, she was completely stunned.

Although she had been away from the Haotian Sect for several years, she still subconsciously uttered the name she had in mind when she saw Niu Tian suddenly appear in front of her.

"Big Daddy?"

Niu Tian's face twitched, and he forced a smile: "Long time no see, Xiao Dong."

"You, what are you doing?"

As if finally realizing what the other party was doing, a look of panic appeared on Wang Dong'er's face. However, before she could react, Niu Tian raised his hand first and interrupted her.

"Don't worry about it. This was my father's own choice, and it's the price I have to pay as the loser."

"No, no"

Wang Dong'er's lips trembled. She wanted to stop it, but the sacrificial ritual had already begun, and the power of the rules prevented her from even shaking her head.

Crystalline tears welled up in her eyes, large drops sliding down her cheeks, making the girl's voice choked with sobs.

"Why, why do you have to do this?"

"Consider it a gift to celebrate your independence. This way, you can be a little closer to him in the future."

In his final moments, Niu Tian tried to maintain a smile: "I know you harbor resentment towards your eldest and second uncles, but your eldest uncle does not regret what he did."

"That's how parents are; they always hope that their children can follow the path they've laid out for them step by step and achieve the success they expect."

"You might think this is unfair to the child, but in my opinion, it is truly irresponsible to let a child who is not yet mature, who has no understanding of the outside world, and who is not capable of taking responsibility for his or her own future, make decisions that could change his or her life."

"We may have made mistakes, but compared to the unknown future you chose yourself, this is undoubtedly the most beneficial path for you from our perspective..."

After he finished speaking, he paused for a moment and then changed the subject.

"However, since you have already made your choice, and I am powerless to stop you, all I can do is respect and support your choice, and offer a little more help at this final moment so that you can go further on the path you have chosen..."

At this point, his body, which was almost transparent, turned his head to the side and met Huo Yuhao's gaze, who had remained silent throughout.

"Huo Yuhao, I acknowledge your victory and accept it, but as I said before, I will not change my mind because of this defeat, nor do I think I did anything wrong, and I will not congratulate you."

"I haven't dared to hope for any congratulations from the enemy," Huo Yuhao said softly.

"I've done everything I could. I hope you'll remember what you promised me, and..."

As the last part of his body was about to dissipate into this world, Niu Tian took a deep look at Wang Dong'er, but his voice only reached Huo Yuhao's ears.

"Take good care of Xiaodong."

Why didn't you tell her?

"I've already hurt Xiaodong to this extent, do you expect me to pretend to be a good person in front of her?"

Niu Tian chuckled and shook his head, continuing, "During the sacrifice, I extracted a strand of my pure dragon bloodline. You can give it to the auspicious beast to absorb; it should enhance her golden dragon bloodline."

"Consider this a reward for you and her taking care of Xiaodong for me. I hope you will treat her well because of this gift."

"I understand." Huo Yuhao nodded slightly.

"Then, goodbye forever."

As soon as he finished speaking, Niu Tian's soul disintegrated on its own without any hesitation.

The only remaining cyan dragon pill, after Huo Yuhao examined it, floated leisurely to Qiu'er's side.

Seeing this, Qiu'er couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, looking at Huo Yuhao with some confusion.

"Take it, and absorb it when you have time."

"……good."

Although she didn't know what had happened, out of trust in Huo Yuhao, Qiu'er didn't say much and raised her hand to grab the dragon pill into her palm.

But then, she couldn't help but look at Huo Yuhao again and ask a question out of curiosity.

"By the way, were you hesitant just now?"

"What are you hesitating about?"

"Hesitating whether to stop here, hesitating whether to go all the way."

At this point, Qiu'er paused, gazing intently into Huo Yuhao's calm eyes: "I'm hesitating whether to let him go for Dong'er's sake."

Huo Yuhao didn't rush to answer, but remained silent.

After a long silence, he finally spoke his thoughts in a low voice: "Back when I first entered Shrek Academy, I had already thought about how to treat Tang San in this life, and the conclusion I came to was—no matter what, he must die."

"Even if the two sides are just on different sides, the moment they chose to attack the people around me, it was destined to be a fight to the death. Tang San is like that, and so is Niu Tian. From the moment he attacked the City of Original Sin, I never intended to let him go."

"What were you thinking about just now?"

"What are you thinking about?"

Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow: "I was just thinking that if Dong'er was too heartbroken, I would rescue him first, take him to a secluded place, and then kill him. But now it seems that Dong'er is stronger than I expected and should be able to get through this on his own."

""

Qiu'er fell silent.

No, how did this guy become so bad?

Isn't this exactly the same as a few days ago?

She thought this guy had turned back into the harmless, innocent, and kind little lamb he used to be, but it turns out he'd only changed on the surface.

As if guessing what Qiu'er was thinking, Huo Yuhao looked at her with a half-smile: "What? Do you think I'm too cold-blooded?"

"Yes, it's a pity I've already fallen in love with you, the kind of love that I can't change even if I wanted to."

As she spoke, Qiu'er leaned closer and hugged him tightly: "And as long as I feel warm, it doesn't matter what other people's lives or deaths, or what they think of you."

""

Seeing Qiu'er's reckless attitude, Huo Yuhao chuckled. Soon, as if sensing something, the two of them looked at Wang Dong'er at the same time.

The next second, a golden light flashed.

A golden trident materialized from the void and landed in Wang Dong'er's hand.

This time, the trident in her hand was not as heavy as before; instead, she felt as if she could control it as an extension of her own arm.

And on that trident, a cyan-gold spirit ring was silently circling around it.

That wasn't all. Before anyone knew it, Wang Dong'er's cultivation had already broken through from Soul Emperor to the peak of Soul Douluo.

Now, all she needs to do is add two spirit rings to the Goddess of Light Butterfly martial soul and condense a spirit core, and she will be qualified to step into the Title Douluo realm that countless people dream of.

Perhaps due to excessive grief, or perhaps due to prolonged tension leading to mental exhaustion, Wang Dong'er fainted immediately after merging with the trident.

Seeing this, Huo Yuhao quickly stepped forward to check on her condition. After confirming that her physical condition was better than ever before, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It worked!

With a huge weight lifted from his heart, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but glance at Qiu'er sideways, chuckling and teasing, "I thought it was just about catching up, but now you've fallen behind."

After carefully sensing Dong'er's aura, he estimated that the girl's cultivation level had reached level ninety-seven, close to level ninety-eight.

Although it seems that she has only leveled up one and a half levels more than Qiu'er when she absorbed the Titan Soul Ring and Soul Bone, considering that Dong'er's cultivation level before absorption was only Soul Emperor, this improvement is already quite considerable.

After all, if calculated using conventional cultivation methods, it would take at least five years of arduous training to make up for the extra level and a half. In addition, Wang Dong'er can add a soul spirit, which will be enough to allow her to break through to level ninety-eight in a very short time.

"It's just that my cultivation level is a little behind; in a fight, strength still matters."

Qiu'er pouted and looked down at the dragon pill in her hand: "Moreover, after absorbing this dragon pill, my cultivation will also improve, and breaking through to level ninety-eight will not be a problem."

Although Niu Tian's cultivation level was only that of a god, his bloodline had evolved during the process of becoming a god, and was now a genuine dragon bloodline. The dragon pill he left behind might not mean much to the Golden Dragon King, but for Qiu'er, who only possessed a wisp of golden dragon bloodline and whose cultivation had not yet advanced to the god level, it was indeed an excellent tonic.

"Yeah?"

Seemingly sensing the faint joy in her tone, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips: "Then when you advance to level ninety-eight, I'll help you condense a Yin-Yang complementary soul core."

Unlike Xue Di, who needed Gu Yue Na's help, he could help Qiu Er condense her second soul core using their fusion skill, Dragon's Roar of Destiny, just like in his previous life.

Compared to asking Gu Yuena for help, this method is undoubtedly much easier and safer.

Qiu'er neither agreed nor disagreed with Huo Yuhao's suggestion, and continued to press for an answer.

"What's next? What are you planning to do?"

"Let's go to the Earth Dragon Gate first. After I obtain those Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrows, I'll make further plans."

Huo Yuhao sighed softly: "The God Realm must already know about Ning Rongrong's situation. We don't know what the gods' attitude is towards it. Only by increasing our strength as quickly as possible can we have the confidence to deal with any unexpected incidents that may occur at any time."

The Earth Dragon Gate is located in the northern border of the Heavenly Soul Empire. Now that they have come to Heavenly Dou City, it won't take them much effort to go there.

Although the Myriad-Year Profound Ice Marrow was of little use to him, it could greatly increase the upper limit of the soul spirits such as Tianmeng and Bingdi, which could be considered as indirectly improving his strength.

Of course, what Huo Yuhao coveted the most was actually the divine rare metal, the Ice Extreme Divine Crystal, contained in that cave.

With this thing, he could replicate its characteristics through the source of fire, and upgrade his trench coat, Ling Luochen's Winter Aria, and a series of other ice-attribute soul tools, further enhancing his team's combat power.

When Xuan Ziwen used this material to forge his soul tool in his previous life, he was only at the level of a level nine soul tool master. Although he eventually forged a set of level ten soul tool armor, he did not fully unleash the potential of this god-level metal.

Now that he's been reborn and is personally overseeing the project, he has every opportunity to transform his trench coat into a true divine garment.

"Let's go. Now that everything's resolved, it's time to head back."

Huo Yuhao lifted Wang Dong'er up by the waist, softly chanted a spell, and together with Qiu'er entered the light gate that appeared out of thin air in front of them.

"You're back?"

Hearing the noise, Gu Yuena, who was resting in bed, groggily opened her eyes and looked at the people who had suddenly appeared in the room.

"Yes, everything is resolved."

Seeing Gu Yuena's weak appearance, Huo Yuhao asked with concern, "How are you feeling?"

"It's nothing, it's just that the fusion technique is a bit taxing. I'll be fine after a few days of rest."

Gu Yuena shook her head, her ethereal voice now sounding weak and listless.

As the strongest of the three, she naturally bore the brunt of the damage from the Soul Fusion Skill.

In addition, she had been in a state of high excitement during her battle with Huo Yuhao, and had not slept for the past two days, so she was already exhausted.

Although she longed to fight Huo Yuhao again, just like before, for three hundred rounds without hesitation, she felt powerless in the face of the dual depletion of spirit and strength, even as a first-level deity.

"Then you should rest well first, I'll go make you something to eat."

"it is good"

She mumbled a response, then fell asleep again.

Looking at the girl's peaceful sleeping face, Huo Yuhao first placed the equally sleeping Dong'er on another bed, then gently tucked the blankets around them before leaving the guest room that Vina had arranged for them with Qiu'er.

To Huo Yuhao's surprise, they hadn't gone far when they bumped into Xu Sanshi, who was walking towards them from a distance.

"Yuhao, long time no see. I heard you were looking for me?"

"I have something I'd like to ask Senior Xu for a favor. I'm about to go cook now, so why don't we talk as we walk, and we can have a meal together later?"

Xu Sanshi's face lit up with joy: "That's great! I haven't had your cooking in ages. Tell me, what brings you here this time?"

"I've heard that Senior Xu's mother was once a princess of the Douling Empire. If possible, I hope you can introduce me to her."

"Forehead?"