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

Chapter 385: A Bowl of Rice as a Reward (Part 2)

"I'm not playing anymore, you're cheating!"

Seeing that neither of them could hurt Huo Yuhao despite their full-force attacks, Wang Dong'er immediately pouted.

This guy is too cunning; he actually secretly activated the Ice Emperor Martial Soul when he sensed something was wrong!

Huo Yuhao's smile froze when he realized that Wang Dong'er seemed to have misunderstood him.

No, I was just telling the truth! Or was my smile too sarcastic?

He scratched his head helplessly and explained patiently.

"I'm serious. Your move was really powerful. If I hadn't activated my Ice Emperor Martial Soul in time, even I would have been injured. You two win this match."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dong'er's expression softened slightly, and Qiu'er, standing to the side, was even more decisive, immediately abandoning her fighting stance.

Unlike Wang Dong'er's misunderstanding, she had sensed from the beginning that there was no sarcasm in Huo Yuhao's tone. Now that she had witnessed the gap between herself and Huo Yuhao, there was naturally no need to continue fighting.

Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly seemed to have thought of something and asked with some curiosity.

"By the way, why didn't you use that... um, what was it called again? I think it was the Scythe of Sin? Why didn't you use it?"

Unexpectedly, Huo Yuhao did not answer directly, but fell into silence, and after a long while, he slowly shook his head.

"The power of the Scythe of Sin is too dangerous. In addition, I cannot fully control it without having completely mastered the origin of the Seven Deadly Sins. So unless I encounter an enemy I want to kill, it is best not to use it."

"Um?"

Immediately intrigued by Huo Yuhao's words, Wang Dong'er and Qiu'er instinctively asked, "What ability?"

"Emotional extraction".

Huo Yuhao sighed softly: "In order to make this divine weapon more compatible with the Judgment Envoy Martial Soul, when I was reforging the Scythe of Sin, I deliberately used the source of original sin to nurture and guide it. Simply put, it's like being influenced by one's surroundings; I used its malleability during the reforging process to make it develop in the direction I wanted."

The two nodded slightly, understanding what Huo Yuhao meant.

If we compare the trident to an adult who has developed self-awareness, then reforging it is equivalent to being reborn after death.

Compared to an adult with mature values, an innocent and ignorant child is undoubtedly more likely to change under the influence of the environment. What Huo Yuhao did in this process was to provide an environment filled with the power of original sin during the process of Trident's reshaping and growth.

"I originally thought it would amplify my control over the power of original sin, just like the Golden Dragon Lance amplifies the power of its wielder or the Silver Dragon Lance amplifies the attributes of its wielder, but the result was beyond my expectations. The Scythe of Sin has gained the ability to absorb desires."

Looking at the golden spear in Qiu'er's hand, Huo Yuhao told the two, "Just like the Golden Dragon Spear devours the life force of its opponent, when it inflicts wounds, it also harvests desires from living beings to strengthen itself and nourish its wielder."

Qiu'er nodded, then asked hesitantly, "It sounds somewhat similar to the effect of your Original Sin Domain?"

"It's different. Although the Sin Domain allows me to absorb negative desires and emotions within its range to strengthen myself, this enhancement is only temporary. Most importantly, it doesn't have much impact on the object being absorbed."

At this point, Huo Yuhao paused for a moment before changing the subject: "But the Scythe of Original Sin is different. After it harvests desire, its own power will be permanently enhanced. Moreover, any being whose desire has been harvested by it will find it difficult to recover in a short period of time. If some beings are much weaker than me, the duration and severity of this state will be significantly increased, and they may even lose their desire forever."

"Something like when you activate the Heart of the Dead? That's pretty scary."

Wang Dong'er murmured a sigh, then tilted her head, seemingly unable to hide her confusion: "But it's not to the point where we can't use a sickle, is it? Come to think of it, I'd quite like to try that out."

However, to her surprise, neither Qiu'er nor Huo Yuhao echoed her words. Instead, they remained silent, looking at her with an eerily calm gaze.

"What's wrong?"

Wang Dong'er looked inexplicably nervous: "Why are you two both staring at me like that?"

"It's nothing," Qiu'er said calmly, arms crossed. "It's just that you seem to have misunderstood the difference between emotions and desires."

"I"

Wang Dong'er subconsciously opened her mouth, but suddenly seemed to realize her mistake, and her expression froze.

"Qiu'er is right. Emotions and desires are not the same thing. The Heart of the Dead only blocks out the emotions that affect my decisions, but I will still act to satisfy the desires in my heart."

Having affirmed Qiu'er's explanation, Huo Yuhao's eyes flashed with a thoughtful look before he shared his thoughts.

"Although I haven't tried it, judging from the effects of this ability, in the most severe cases, the person whose desires have been harvested may become devoid of desires, such as having no appetite or will to survive. Even if food is placed in front of them, they will not eat it, and it is not impossible for them to starve to death in the end."

"Of course, for such a person, even suicide has lost its meaning."

In fact, Huo Yuhao had considered finding a suitable test subject to see to what extent the Scythe of Original Sin could harvest desire.

That's why he held the Scythe of Sin when he thawed Niu Tian and made him sacrifice himself to Wang Dong'er.

If Niu Tian had even the slightest thought of going back on his word, he would not hesitate to give the guy a scythe.

To his surprise, Niu Tian actually sacrificed himself to Wang Dong'er, leaving not even a trace of his soul behind, which is why the Scythe of Sin was unable to be used for so long.

"."

Upon hearing Huo Yuhao's description, Wang Dong'er subconsciously put herself in his shoes for a moment, then couldn't help but shiver, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes.

After all, this isn't as simple as some elderly people telling everyone they've become free of desires.

Desire is the fundamental factor driving the behavior of living beings. If a person loses their desires, then eating, sleeping, and even the most basic breathing will become meaningless.

In addition, he will also lose the so-called joy, anger, sorrow and happiness, because emotions are inherently self-aware beings that react differently after their desires receive different responses.

Happiness comes from satisfying desires, disappointment comes from not satisfying them, and losing desires means losing everything.

Despite possessing consciousness and being able to perceive the things around them, they no longer react to anything from the outside world.

It's simply a mutated creature that transcends cognition and imagination.

"It seems you've already realized just how bizarre this ability is."

Taking in the emotions displayed by the two, Huo Yuhao shrugged: "Now you know why I didn't use this weapon, right?"

"That's too dangerous."

Wang Dong'er shrank back: "Speaking of which, as the holder, you shouldn't be affected by it, right?"

Huo Yuhao shook his head: "No, the information we have now was actually obtained by Gu Yuena with me through testing. Because her cultivation is much stronger than mine, the Scythe of Sin's effect on her was correspondingly weakened, and she fully recovered in less than half a day."

"And don't worry, the reason I'm not using it right now is simply because I can't control it yet. Maybe once I create my own divine position and completely control the Judgment Messenger Martial Soul, I'll be able to control this ability on my own."

"Well, that's good. Anyway, be careful, I don't want you to turn into a stone."

Huo Yuhao smiled and took their hands, one on each side: "Let's go, it's time to go back and make breakfast."

"Then I want to eat the steamed buns you made last time, make a few more baskets!"

"You might as well eat yourself to death, Qiu'er, what about you?"

"Eat meat."

Two days later.

During dinner, Huo Yuhao, who was engrossed in eating, suddenly stopped what he was doing and abruptly brought up a topic.

"Mom, I'm planning to go on a long trip in a few days."

The companions of the Spirit Pagoda have been basically settled. Except for Zhu Lu, Xiao Xiao, and Nan Qiuqiu, whose cultivation has not yet broken through to the Soul Emperor level and reached the minimum absorption standard of the Qiankun Creation Pill, the others have successfully broken through to level 70 with the help of the pill and completed the contract with several 100,000-year-old immortal herbs in the Undead Plane.

Considering that the remaining three of them would find it difficult to break through in the short term, and that Nan Qiuqiu would not have a suitable soul spirit even if she did break through, she was worried that they would not be able to.

After much deliberation, Huo Yuhao decided to leave each of them a portion of the Qiankun Creation Pill first, and then resolve the issue of their souls after he returned from the Sun Moon Empire.

Of course, while everyone else has broken through to level 70, many people, like Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen, have already obtained their own soul spirits. In the past month, only Jiang Nannan and Xu Jiujiu have truly signed a contract with the 100,000-year-old immortal herb.

Among them, the one who signed a soul contract with Xu Jiujiu was the Star Luo Spirit Pearl that Huo Yuhao had promised was the most suitable for her.

Like the Star Crown Martial Soul, this thing strengthens itself by absorbing the power of stars every night. After fusing with Xu Jiujiu, they complement each other perfectly.

In addition, its fruit can be transformed into a soul core, greatly reducing the difficulty for Xu Jiujiu to break through to the Title Douluo level in the future.

This alone makes the Star Luo Spirit Pearl irresistibly attractive to Xu Jiujiu.

After all, support-type Soul Masters are often not as physically strong as other Soul Masters, and their mental strength is not particularly outstanding. This makes it more dangerous for them to condense their Soul Cores than for others, and they can easily lose their lives as a result.

Xu Jiawei made a great deal of determination when he broke through, and paid a considerable price for it.

Now, the appearance of the Star Luo Spirit Pearl has undoubtedly completely resolved the long-standing worries. Throughout the tens of thousands of years of history of the Star Crown Sect, there have been very few people who have been able to possess a 100,000-year spirit ring. Not only will she become one of them, but she will also become the first titled Douluo in the sect's history to possess three 100,000-year spirit rings.

Upon hearing such momentous news, Xu Jiawei was naturally extremely excited. He even took time out of his busy schedule to personally visit the Spirit Transmission Tower, expressing that he would give Xu Jiujiu a separate page in the family genealogy for such a glorious event.

Then there's Jiang Nannan. Huo Yuhao was having a hard time choosing a suitable soul spirit for her, not because there weren't any suitable ones, but because there were just too many.

As the owner of the Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul, Jiang Nannan's abilities can be enhanced by almost any immortal herb, except for a very few. However, the problem is that these enhancements are not particularly outstanding.

Finally, after discussing with the immortal herbs, Huo Yuhao came up with two plans, each consisting of two immortal herbs.

One of the options is a combination of the Qiluo tulip and its eight-petaled fairy orchid.

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

Although this combination doesn't significantly improve physical attributes, it greatly enhances Jiang Nannan's cultivation level, cultivation speed, and the effects of her several very useful soul skills, allowing her to maintain her original fighting style while becoming more adept at it.

Another option is a combination of Qirong Tongtianju and Shuixianyujigu.

Compared to the previous combination of immortal herbs, these two focus more on improving physical constitution. If Jiang Nannan were to fully absorb them, even as an agility-type attacker, she would possess physical qualities and strength surpassing those of a power-type attacker. Although she wouldn't be able to go toe-to-toe with Qiu'er of the same level, she would definitely be one of the top individuals among those around her.

After some deliberation, Jiang Nannan ultimately chose the first option.

The reason for this choice is that her cultivation level has reached the Soul Emperor level, she already has six Soul Rings, and her fighting style has been basically finalized after so many years of development. Changing her style at will would only backfire.

If you think about it carefully, you'll understand that even if her physical attributes are comparable to Qiu'er's, offensive-type Soul Masters often possess many physical enhancement Soul Skills, which means she still doesn't have much of an advantage in terms of strength.

Secondly, with the soul tool tailor-made by Huo Yuhao, she will never lack offensive means. On the contrary, her soul skills are not only very useful, but also difficult to replace with the soul tool. This is her real advantage.

"Um……"

Huo Yun'er didn't react much to Huo Yuhao's words. Over the years, she had obviously gotten used to this brat's constant absence from home. She nodded and casually asked a question.

"How long will it take?"

Huo Yuhao took a sip of juice and replied carefully, "There are quite a few places to go, and I don't know when I'll be back... Oh, by the way, Na'er and Gu Yi will be coming with me."

As soon as they finished speaking, Gu Yuena and Ye Guyi attracted jealous or envious glances from everyone, instantly becoming the focus of the dinner table.

As if sensing that the atmosphere was a little awkward, Huo Yun'er turned her head to look at Gu Yuena, who had remained calm throughout, and Ye Guyi, who was blushing because she couldn't bear everyone's gaze. She then chuckled and smoothed things over.

"Then I'll trouble you two to take good care of Yuhao on the way."

"Okay, Auntie..."

Ye Guyi's cheeks flushed slightly, and she confessed somewhat shyly, "Actually, Yuhao takes care of me more often."

Upon hearing this, Huo Yun'er revealed a meaningful smile: "Is that so? Then if he bullies you, just tell me, and I'll stand up for you."

"OK……"

Ye Guyi's cheeks flushed even redder as she uncontrollably recalled the afternoon Huo Yuhao had forced her to tutor her in the room. A surge of emotion welled up inside her, and her thighs unconsciously tightened.

Just as she had initially predicted, this naturally evil King of Evil Souls clearly approached her with the intention of toying with her feelings.

His purpose was likely to make her, who possessed sacred blood, lower her guard, succumb to desire, and spend day and night making babies with him!

The thought that she had actually been so easily swayed by Huo Yuhao's few words and led by the nose without her even realizing it filled her with shame and anger.

It was just that they took advantage of the surprise attack and caught themselves off guard.

As long as I prepare in advance next time, I will definitely be able to resist temptation and stick to my principles!

Huo Yuhao had no idea what kind of nonsense Ye Guyi was thinking, because after he finished speaking, he picked up his bowl and chopsticks and went to the kitchen, intending to reward himself with another bowl of rice.

With his body's energy nearing saturation, Huo Yuhao, who hadn't used his gluttonous nature for a long time, began to visibly eat less. What used to be a large pot of rice that barely filled his stomach, he could now easily eat three bowls of rice and feel full...

Hmm, there are still empty seats here, we can add a few more.

Huo Yuhao pressed the rice in the bowl down firmly as if laying a foundation, then added two more spoonfuls on top. Satisfied, he turned around, only to bump into the black-haired figure walking towards him.

"Hmm? Zhu Lu, do you want more rice?"

He subconsciously put down his rice bowl and reached out his hand to the girl: "Let me help you."

"Forehead……"

Zhu Lu glanced subconsciously at Huo Yuhao's towering bowl of rice, hesitated for a moment, and took a half-step back, replying awkwardly.

"No, no need, I can do it myself..."

However, before she could finish speaking, the bowl in her hand was taken away.

"Why are you being so polite with me? Seventeen or eighteen is a crucial period for physical development, especially for someone like you with an agility-based attack style. You expend much more energy than other soul masters. How can you grow if you don't eat more..."

As he spoke, Huo Yuhao made the same rice tower for the other person, but when he noticed Zhu Lu's hot figure, which far surpassed everyone else's and was only inferior to Sister Xiao Tao's, he couldn't bring himself to say the rest of his sentence.

Hmm... I feel like... this figure really doesn't need to grow any bigger.

No, Sister Tao grew so big because she had a large appetite under the influence of evil fire in the past, but this girl doesn't usually eat much, so how could she be so big...?

Could it be that she's secretly giving herself extra food?

Whether she noticed Huo Yuhao's subtle scrutinizing gaze or for some other reason, Zhu Lu puffed out her chest, her cheeks flushed.

"Are you done?"

"Ah, I'm sorry..."

Realizing belatedly that his behavior seemed a bit impolite, Huo Yuhao quickly handed over the bowl and explained apologetically.

"I'm thinking about something else."

"Oh……"

In the past, Zhu Lu might have thanked Huo Yuhao for adding rice to her bowl without really understanding what was going on, and then walked out of the kitchen in a daze, missing another opportunity.

But this time, the scene of her private conversation with Huo Yun'er that night suddenly appeared in her mind. Then, an unknown force suddenly surged from her heart, prompting her to forcefully stop her legs again.

Looking up and meeting Huo Yuhao's eyes, she blinked her beautiful eyes and asked softly.

"Are you thinking about me?"

"...?"

Huo Yuhao was taken aback.

This isn't right!

What on earth happened? Why are you saying these things too?

Having no idea how many good deeds his mother had secretly done, Huo Yuhao coughed lightly, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Lu seemed to be greatly encouraged by his reaction, and took a few more steps forward, closing the distance between them.

"Well, I actually wanted to say this at the dinner table: my cultivation level broke through a couple of days ago, and I've reached the standard to absorb the Qiankun Creation Pill."

She bit her lower lip lightly, trying to lift her full chest, and asked shyly.

"Could you... could you help me absorb this tonight?"

(End of this chapter)