Chapter 7: A Glimpse Beyond the Curtain
"Yes, a six-ringed Soul Emperor fighting a three-ringed Soul Master—someone who just broke through to the third ring. The gap in soul power is thirty-seven levels. I don't have to worry about you."
"I've already marked him in secret. You know how to find him—I don't need to repeat myself. Go, and come back quickly. Don't let him slip away."
"Also, don't just focus on the mission. Didn't you meet someone during the last Sea God Fate Blind Date Conference? Compared to this mission, I'd much rather see you settle down and give me a grandson. Our family line still needs to be passed on."
"I understand. Once I return from this mission, I'll marry."
"Good. It's enough that you understand."
———
After Beibei and Tang Ya confirmed that Xiao Qiang's treatment of Huo Yuhao was equivalent to battlefield triage, they chose not to pursue the matter further.
One had to die, while the other at least had a chance to survive. In such dire moments, morality often bends to necessity. Though a protagonist in setting, even someone like Beibei wouldn't do something unreasonable or foolish.
So, once it was confirmed that Huo Yuhao had survived and chosen to join the Tang Sect, Xiao Qiang left immediately, without the slightest hesitation. He didn't want any lingering connection with Huo Yuhao for the time being.
Xiao Qiang wasn't sure just how potent the luck of the "Son of Destiny" really was. But to avoid any accidents—especially the scenario where Tian Meng might impulsively become Huo Yuhao's Wisdom Spirit Ring—he kept his distance. Until he acquired his second martial soul to bind the Ice Empress, he didn't want too much interaction with Huo Yuhao.
"Huh? We're leaving just like that?" Tian Meng Bingcan murmured, half-asleep in Xiao Qiang's spiritual sea.
"What's wrong, Brother Tian Meng?"
"Nothing… It's just, that kid almost died because of a misunderstanding with your flying soul tool. Feels a bit wrong to just leave like this. Shouldn't we offer him some compensation?"
Tian Meng's words made Xiao Qiang's heart skip a beat. At the same time, he silently thanked his instincts for leaving early. The luck surrounding the Son of Destiny was terrifying indeed.
If he had lingered even a moment longer, and somehow made contact with Huo Yuhao, Xiao Qiang wouldn't be surprised if Alex had dragged Tian Meng into Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea.
"Brother Tian Meng, there's no need to compensate him. After my Sharingan evolved from a single tomoe to two tomoe, I've started seeing things more clearly."
"Like what?" Tian Meng asked, curious.
"For instance, I can now see that the spirit you'll prepare for me in the future will have the form of a scorpion—and it's green, isn't it?"
"…How did you know that?" Tian Meng sat up in Xiao Qiang's sea of consciousness, startled.
"Brother Tian Meng, I told you before—my martial spirit allows me to see strange, mysterious things from time to time. It hasn't shown any specific ability to avoid danger yet, but it clearly helps me seek fortune and opportunity."
"That's how I found you when I broke through to rank 30 and came to the Star Dou Great Forest. My intuition was right. And with you by my side—plus the second martial soul—I can almost guarantee that we'll reach the level of an Extreme Douluo and live for at least a thousand years."
"A thousand years?" Tian Meng latched onto the key phrase.
"Yes. Just now, I sensed the presence of something that can drastically enhance my vitality. Once I obtain it, reaching a thousand-year lifespan is entirely feasible."
Xiao Qiang was referring to the Gold of Life. In the original timeline, Huo Yuhao never had the time to properly develop the tremendous vitality hidden within it, nor to fully benefit from it. But Xiao Qiang was different—he wasn't in a rush.
"Where is it? When can we get it?" Tian Meng asked eagerly.
"It's still quite far, but I can feel it'll only take a year or two. Don't worry—it won't take long."
Tian Meng was visibly excited. If Xiao Qiang was telling the truth, it meant he and the Ice Empress could be together for at least a millennium. Considering Xiao Qiang had sought him out personally, Tian Meng believed him.
"That's a relief. You're definitely the right person. But what does this have to do with Huo Yuhao?"
"Because after my Sharingan evolved to its second tomoe, I could see a pattern—most people who treat Huo Yuhao kindly don't end up with good fates."
"…Seriously?"
"Brother Tian Meng, I have no reason to lie to you. These are things I can truly see and confirm with my eyes."
Xiao Qiang wasn't bluffing. As the protagonist of Tang Jia Continent, Huo Yuhao's fate mirrored Tang San's in certain ways. Those who helped Tang San didn't fare well either.
Take Ning Fengzhi, head of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—he had once invested in Tang San. Yet by the second series, the sect had fallen to second-rate status, barely relevant by the third series.
Ye Zhi, a prominent support-type soul master, didn't even end up with a top suitor. Instead, she was with a man who wasn't even in the top three of the Xingluo Empire's younger generation.
Even Xu Jiawei, the Emperor of Xingluo who once gave Huo Yuhao a top-tier soul bone, later became infamous for hoarding resources and giving sub-par rewards.
By Soul Land III, Xu Jiawei's lineage had fallen. Even Xu Xiaoyan, who was thought to be part of that bloodline, could only shine within a city like Donghai—a far cry from former glory.
Mu En, who taught Huo Yuhao and gave him the Dragon Pill, offered real benefits. But Mu En's soul was eventually destroyed. His great-grandson, Beibei, only managed to get a 30,000-year Tianlongma as a soul ring—far beneath expectations, considering his connections.
The supposed benefits of their "bloodline awakening" barely covered the shortcomings of the soul rings they received. It was nothing compared to what Xiao Qiang planned to achieve.
Electrolux and Moon, both major contributors to Huo Yuhao's growth, ended up like Dugu Bo from Douluo II—all benefits taken, their own legacies diminished.
"They take everything," Xiao Qiang muttered inwardly. "Once you give something to the Son of Destiny, it becomes his. Forever."
The only reason Huo Yuhao appeared "well-treated" was that he served the interests of the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy—both founded or heavily influenced by Tang Jia San Shao himself.
So of course the world bent in favor of those organizations. Huo Yuhao wasn't really a hero of justice—he was a loyal dog to Shrek and the Tang Sect.
Even Ma Xiaotao, who almost killed him twice in the early days, was forgiven when she saved him once. That two-to-one ratio was somehow seen as even. And later, when Huo Yuhao needed her Ultimate Fire to complement his Ultimate Ice, he actually recognized her as his sister without question.
Even after awakening his self-will, he didn't hold a grudge—because plot needed it. It was all orchestrated to benefit Shrek, no matter how twisted the logic.
Compared to Tang San's overpowering protagonist halo, Huo Yuhao's seemed duller, weaker, and far more manipulative.
"If that's the case, let's keep our distance," Tian Meng said thoughtfully. "I don't want to get involved with someone who causes that kind of ending for others."
"Brother Tian Meng, I'm glad you understand."
Xiao Qiang nodded, then increased his speed, leaving the Star Dou Great Forest behind, eyes set firmly on his next goal.