Chapter 159

The figure entering the room had soft, flowing golden hair whose reflected luster gave a warm, cozy feeling; ruby-like eyes flashed with excited light. Her skin was white and translucent like first snow, her cheeks flushed with a rosy glow born of joy, making that exquisite face all the more moving.

She held a delicately woven small basket in both hands; the white silk skirt hem swayed with her light, quick steps, her whole person like a sprite leaping from the woods.

"Sister Na, look, I brought you..."

The joyful voice cut off abruptly. Gu Rachel suddenly halted in place, her gaze falling on the blue-haired youth beside Gu Yue Na; a trace of surprise flashed in her red pupils, then she narrowed her eyes.

"There's a guest, how rude of me."

She gently set the small basket on the tea table to the side, folded her hands before her skirt hem, bowed slightly in greeting, "I am Sister Na's older sister — Gu Rachel, first time meeting."

Gu Rachel straightened gracefully, a smile on her lips, "Sister Na's disposition is rather simple; if there's any lack in hospitality, please forgive."

Huo Yuhao: "..."

He glanced at Gu Yue Na's cold expression, fell into silence for a moment, did not reply.

Sister Na's family status in this household is worrying.

Gu Yue Na took a deep breath, said with a clear cold face: "Stop pretending, there are no outsiders here! Who are you putting on this act for? Want to pretend not to know Yuhao and take advantage of me?"

One day without a beating and she'll tear up the roof... three years without a beating, what will she become?

The person before her has already given her the answer.

"Pretending? I'm not."

Gu Rachel feigned puzzlement, tilted her head, looked at her and asked: "And what do you mean by no outsiders?"

"....." A faint red rose on Gu Yue Na's face, cold light flashed in her eyes, the atmosphere in the room instantly turned dangerous.

Seeing this, Gu Rachel timely withdrew the smile on her face, picked up the basket at the side, sat beside Gu Yue Na, took out exquisite pastries from it, "Master, not seen for several years, I'm a bit excited, just making a joke."

According to her understanding, as long as she knows when to stop, plus delicious food as appeasement, her younger sister... ah, no, Master will soon stop being angry.

Gu Yue Na glanced at the pastries, but her gaze did not linger on her, instead looking toward Huo Yuhao on the other side.

"Master?" Gu Rachel tentatively pushed the pastries forward a bit.

Gu Yue Na ignored her, just stared at Huo Yuhao with her watery eyes.

The latter understood, took out a box of cakes; the moment the lid opened, rich milky fragrance mixed with honey sweetness instantly permeated the air.

Gu Yue Na's purple eyes obviously brightened a few degrees; slender jade fingers pinched up a piece. Flaky crust fell rustling from her fingertips, revealing crystal sugar threads inside.

Gu Yue Na took a small bite; the sweet-but-not-cloying taste melted on her tongue, making her unconsciously narrow her eyes.

Gu Rachel: "..."

The smile on her face gradually disappeared; clearly there was no wind in the room, yet she felt an inexplicable chill and sorrow assail her.

So her duty of feeding Master has been snatched away?

Gu Rachel's ears seemed to hear a line:

This family no longer has a place for you!

Huo Yuhao watched this scene from the side, at a loss for words in his heart.

Your way of gaining the upper hand is quite unique, Sister Na.

But this only counts as mutual destruction, right?

Where's your dignity?

I feel it's already disappeared.

After a bout of noisy commotion, Gu Yue Na vented, no longer angry. The spiritually traumatized Miss Gu Rachel ate her own pastries, gradually calmed her mood, sized up Huo Yuhao for a moment, reintroduced herself.

"This should count as a first meeting in a certain sense, right? My name now is Gu Rachel."

"My real name is Huo Yuhao, first time meeting."

Huo Yuhao looked at Gu Rachel's appearance, subconsciously compared with a certain someone in his heart, checking for any resemblance.

Gu Rachel temporarily stopped her sizing-up, said with interest:

"So you really are human? Before I heard rumors you were the Ice Empress's re-cultivation, well-founded, hard to refute. If Di Tian hadn't confirmed you're human, I might've believed it."

Speaking here, she paused, red eyes flickering slightly, "Di Tian and Master should have thanked already, I won't say more thanks... after all, saying those words at your grave, now saying them in front of the person himself, feels weird."

"..."

Is the grave joke impossible to get past?

Why do I feel you all like to seize on this point, insisting I must be dead to be happy?

Huo Yuhao was a bit speechless, but looking at Gu Rachel's red eyes carrying a few hints of amusement, couldn't help shaking his head and laughing.

"I'm still right here, and you're already thinking of my 'grave'?"

Gu Rachel blinked, smiled and said: "What, the dignified Spirit Ice Douluo can't take this little joke? Besides, we were very serious — your 'grave' is one of the holy sites of the Star Dou Great Forest, Di Tian personally carved the characters, there's even incense from fierce beasts beside it, already the highest standard of treatment."

"By the way, although you've returned, ultimately only we know, so your tombstone is still there, oh, in recent years soul beasts still go to pay respects."

"... No need, stop right there."

Feels a bit ominous, like cursing me.

With Gu Rachel actively adjusting the atmosphere, Huo Yuhao's expression relaxed; seeing the two women cast inexplicable gazes, "Seems my expression just now was a bit rude."

"Can faintly sense your unnaturalness; our interactions were only those few times, ten thousand years ago we weren't familiar, making you show an expression carrying memories, a bit strange."

Gu Rachel picked up the tea cup at the side, poured tea for the three people, sat on Gu Yue Na's other side, "I don't think those sermon-type scenes back then had anything worth remembering."

Her few meetings with Huo Yuhao were all spent in his admonitions about the soul beasts' future, also the source of her career drive.

But honestly, those weren't beautiful memories; if not for being unable to beat him ten thousand years ago, she would've long since punched Huo Yuhao in the face...

"Nothing, just thinking whether you resemble someone I've met." Huo Yuhao said casually, no psychological fluctuation visible.

Mm, result good, not a trace of resemblance to that person's appearance... good thing.

Gu Rachel froze, "How could I resemble someone else? I'm an Emperor Beast; when I take human form, naturally it's based on my own preferences, did you think I'd reference someone's looks..."

Words stopped, she looked at Gu Yue Na, considered a moment, said amusedly: "You didn't previously think my appearance looks a lot like Master, did you?"

"My human form is neither to please others, nor to become anyone's shadow."

"I just... want to use my own eyes, to view the myriad scenes of this world from another angle, and live my own life. As for appearance, of course it's fine as long as I think it looks good."

Huo Yuhao shook his head and smiled: "Rightfully so."

Gu Rachel's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she muttered: "Same as before... riddler."

Finished speaking, she sought out Gu Yue Na and began catching up after a long separation, no longer conversing with Huo Yuhao.

Over these years, she was the one who had accompanied the Master for the longest time; even the other party's subtle habits bore her shadow. The relationship between them had long since surpassed a simple master-servant relationship.

Not having seen each other for many years, she had quite a lot to say.

Watching Gu Rachel and Gu Yue Na converse, Huo Yuhao moved his gaze away and quietly watched the tea leaves floating in the teacup, lifting the teacup and taking a light sip.

For some people, brushing past each other is the best ending.

"It's about time to make dinner."

After chatting for a long while, Gu Rachel only then realized the hour was not early; she was just about to go cook, but discovered a figure was already standing in the kitchen.

This guy has completely stolen her ecological niche!

Gu Rachel resentfully sat back down, stole a glance at the busy Huo Yuhao in the kitchen, then turned to Gu Yue Na, her crimson pupils flashing.

"Master, he is a guest; it should be me entertaining him."

Gu Yue Na's anger had already dissipated; hearing her words at this moment, her gaze lifted from the teacup in her hand and looked toward the kitchen's direction, the corners of her lips unconsciously softening a few degrees.

"Yuhao is different." She said softly, the tea water in the cup reflecting swaying light and shadow, "He is family."

"..." Gu Rachel looked at her expression, stunned for a moment; the aroma drifting from the kitchen suddenly became exceptionally clear, mingling with a certain emotion she could not put into words, slowly spreading in the silent air.

Finally, Gu Rachel replied in a low voice: "Mm, I understand."

Before long, the three ate dinner; Huo Yuhao discovered Gu Rachel's tone when speaking to him seemed to have grown a bit closer, the previous sense of distance when facing a guest gone.

Did Sister Na say something?

"At the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters, you're quite famous now." Gu Rachel's eyes held a teasing smile: "Quite a few people are very interested in you; there are even people blocking the doorway, just waiting 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 challenging you won't end well for them, it's still best not to be too confident; who knows, they might capsize in the gutter?" Gu Rachel shrugged, "Among the Candidate Spirit Envoys, there are also people who have taken an interest in you. They're all Three-Word Battle Armor Masters at Soul Sage or above."

The status of the Four Great Soul Masters is only below the three Vice Tower Masters and the Spirit Pagoda Tower Master, and on par with the eighteen Branch Tower Masters.

And on the Headquarters side, the general promotion process is Core Disciple — Candidate Spirit Envoy — Spirit Envoy — then, in the Councilor Meeting, campaign for Tower Master!

The Tower Master election was held three years ago, which was when Huo Yuhao and the others were nine years old; the next re-election is in seven years, temporarily unrelated to them, but Candidate Spirit Envoy is different.

Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na coming to Mingdu, sooner or later they must be promoted to the Candidate Spirit Envoy position; this is a necessary procedure.

Candidate Spirit Envoy requires considering age, strength, and other multi-faceted factors, but those able to hold this position are basically all Three-Word Battle Armor Masters at Soul Sage level or above!

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

This one has been in the Spirit Pagoda for quite some time as well; she is also a Candidate Spirit Envoy, and moreover the strongest among them, possibly promoted to Spirit Envoy at any time.

"Mm... there is some interest." Gu Rachel blinked, "What, scared? I can not use Battle Armor."

Ten thousand years ago she couldn't beat him; right now Huo Yuhao hasn't recovered yet, so he's no match for her.

"Don't mess around."

Gu Yue Na said from the side: "A Soul Sage challenging a Soul King, ordinary people wouldn't do that; Yuhao won't actively challenge, so they won't make a move. Let's talk about the others' situations."

This girl must not act recklessly; once they exchange blows, Yuhao won't hold back because of his own goals.

And in Gu Rachel's view, Huo Yuhao is definitely also an opponent who requires going all out to fight.

At that time the scene might become a bit ugly; no matter who gets hurt, she would feel heartache, so she might as well stop Gu Rachel's idea.

"..." Seeing Gu Yue Na's gaze, Gu Rachel grumbled: "I know, I won't make a move."

Speaking to here, her gaze turned to Huo Yuhao, "Among those impatiently wanting to challenge you, some have a connection with you..."

At the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters, quite a few Soul Masters waited for half a day, yet didn't wait for the person they wanted to wait for, secretly finding it strange.

What happened? How come the person didn't come?

Until Ling Zichen walked out of the research institute, saw the line of people blocking the doorway, and only then said in a flat tone:

"Stop waiting; today he went to the Mecha Master Association Headquarters, and because of that received an invitation from Mingde Hall; he won't be coming for the time being."

"What?!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole venue erupted in an uproar!

"An invitation from Mingde Hall? He's someone who has accepted a Spirit Pagoda Title; how could he possibly gain Mingde Hall's favor?"

"Hasn't it been about a hundred years since Mingde Hall last issued an invitation letter? He actually managed to pull this off..."

A young Soul Master said in astonishment: "A Soul Master and a sub-occupation both reaching this realm — could it be he intends to reach the pinnacle in both?"

"Sister Ling, is this true?"

Many people looked toward Ling Zichen's direction.

"If you think it's fake, then go verify it yourself." Seeing Ling Zichen coldly snort and directly turn around and leave, the Soul Master who asked the question felt his heart jump and his scalp go numb.

Ling Zichen is not someone to be trifled with; her status among her peers can contend for first place, because in the Soul Guide Research Institute, she is already the most capable and promising researcher of the younger generation.

However, even such a Ling Zichen, when facing Huo Yuhao, seems to have been suppressed by a head? The latter actually managed to obtain an invitation from Mingde Hall relying on research ability?

"Since it's an invitation from Mingde Hall, but the news hasn't spread yet, it shows he hasn't gone to Mingde Hall yet. Coming to Mingdu, not coming to Headquarters to report, but instead going to the Mecha Master Association first... what does this mean?"

A Soul Master murmured to himself, sighed, and walked toward the training room, "Not waiting anymore; looks like he won't be coming today."

The group temporarily dispersed, planning to look again tomorrow.

Only one person remained in place, their figure emitting a sharp edge that made one's heart turn cold.

For several consecutive days, Huo Yuhao did not go to the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters, instead shuttling between home and the Mecha Master Association Headquarters.

During this period, through Yi Hongchen's connections, he confirmed the time to report to Mingde Hall, and also studied the Mecha Master Association Headquarters' collections over the years, increasing his own Foundation.

Until the tenth day, Gu Yue Na and Gu Rachel saw Huo Yuhao finish his morning cultivation, not heading in the direction of the Mecha Master Association, but instead looking towards the center of Mingdu, and their hearts stirred.

It's coming.

End of Chapter