Spring passed, autumn came—Huo Yuhao was now eleven.
For an entire year, he remained quietly within the Holy Spirit Sect, refining his body in the blood pool. The one overseeing his cultivation, Zhongli Yu, also benefited greatly, having absorbed much of the blood pool's essence. Her soul power had surged rapidly as a result.
During this time, even Zhongli Wu and several elders of the Holy Spirit Sect had suggested taking Huo Yuhao outside for some fresh air and relaxation—but Huo Yuhao declined every time.
Are they kidding? Why would I leave when I get to cultivate in the Saintess's embrace? he scoffed inwardly. But deep down, he understood the real reason he refused to leave: as a transmigrator, he feared influencing the world's timeline too early. The sooner the timeline diverged, the sooner he'd lose the advantage of his "god's-eye view."
In the original timeline, he would've still been suffering abuse as a servant in the Duke's manor at this age. But this version of Huo Yuhao had already blown the place up.
A minor noble estate like the Duke's didn't carry much weight in the grand scheme. At most, the White Tiger Duke might grieve the loss of his wife for a while. Given his womanizing nature, Dai Hao would likely marry another woman from the Star Luo imperial family—just another move in their usual political game of reining in powerful vassals.
At eleven, Huo Yuhao was still a boy, but already well aware of the world. Zhongli Yu—who had once teased him with ease—now found herself hesitant. Compared to the original Huo Yuhao at the same age, he stood a head taller, with a balanced, powerful physique. Years of training in the blood pool had left him exuding a wild and dangerous aura, like a beast ready to strike.
In the blood pool, what was once crimson had long turned clear. Huo Yuhao lay contentedly in Zhongli Yu's arms, his face nestled against her chest, utterly at ease.
Zhongli Yu's cheeks were flushed. Her allure could drive any man mad. She was gratified by Huo Yuhao's obsession—over the past year, he hadn't exactly kept his hands to himself. At this point, the once-untouchable Saintess had become his, both in body and soul.
Their relationship, cultivated over a year of closeness, was now deeply intimate—exactly what Huo Yuhao had aimed for. One day, he knew, he would leave the Holy Spirit Sect. And if possible, he would do everything in his power to take this woman with him.
"You're leaving tomorrow?" Zhongli Yu asked softly, propping her head on one hand, her breath fragrant as she gazed down at the boy in her arms.
"Yeah," Huo Yuhao mumbled, eyes closed. "I told the Elders you'd be coming with me to ensure my safety. The Sect Master approved."
The blood pool had lost its body-tempering properties about half a month ago. Now, it was little more than Huo Yuhao's private bath. After testing, the Holy Spirit Sect's leaders had concluded that his body strength rivaled that of a Soul Elder. At his age, no other youth on the continent could compare.
"So what—you planning to elope with me?" Zhongli Yu suddenly asked.
Having spent so much time with Huo Yuhao, she could often sense his thoughts. And sometimes, she could tell: this Holy Son wasn't truly loyal to the Holy Spirit Sect.
After a year of living together, in Huo Yuhao's rare moments of seriousness, Zhongli Yu often felt like she wasn't facing a mere child—but a man who had lived through countless storms. When he drifted into deep thought, the stars and sea in his eyes would mesmerize her.
"Would you really leave the Holy Spirit Sect?" Huo Yuhao suddenly opened his eyes and met her soft, seductive gaze with a smile.
That caught Zhongli Yu off guard. Their eyes locked for a long time before she returned to her usual cold and composed demeanor—the one she wore in front of others. "I'm the Saintess of the Holy Spirit Sect."
Hearing that, Huo Yuhao didn't press further. Some things were better left unsaid. He stood up in the now-clear water, splashing lightly as he strode out of the pool, leaving Zhongli Yu's blank, expressionless face behind.
Only when she could no longer hear his footsteps did the icy mask on her face begin to melt. She let out a bitter laugh, her beautiful eyes filled with sorrow.
Yes, her instincts told her that she might not be able to keep this boy.
Even though she was the Saintess, she hadn't reported her suspicions to Zhongli Wu.
Huo Yuhao may have been lost in her softness, but she too was captivated by the strange emotions he stirred within her.
"Yuhao…" she whispered, eyes dreamy.
The next morning — outskirts of the Demonic Forest.
Huo Yuhao and Zhongli Yu were geared up and ready to depart. A group of Holy Spirit Sect elders came to send off the Holy Son.
Unlike the original timeline, where he departed alone with some basic supplies, Huo Yuhao, as the Holy Son, was armed to the teeth. Inside his storage soul device were several high-grade, trigger-type Soul Cannons, and he wore over a hundred instant-activation invincibility shields.
As Zhongli Wu put it: even if Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui attacked together, Huo Yuhao would still survive for several seconds unscathed.
He gave the excuse of visiting his mother's grave. The Holy Spirit Sect, eager for him to take a break, readily agreed—especially with the near-Titled Douluo-level Saintess accompanying him. They had no concerns for his safety.
After all, a flower raised in a greenhouse could never become truly strong.
It was also Huo Yuhao's first time seeing Zhongli Yu's martial soul—Deathfiend Marionette, a top-tier evil spirit martial soul passed down through the Zhongli bloodline. Eight soul rings appeared under her feet—seven black, one red. Huo Yuhao couldn't help but reevaluate her true strength.
Zhongli Yu carried Huo Yuhao through the air. Their speed was nearly equal to their inbound trip. Huo Yuhao took in the fresh air with delight. After spending a whole year underground amidst rot and blood, the crisp morning breeze was almost intoxicating.
Though he had grown a lot over the past year, he was still significantly smaller than the tall and graceful Zhongli Yu. Without hesitation, he rested his head on her back, inhaling her intoxicating scent and closing his eyes to rest.
"If you move around, I'll throw you down," Zhongli Yu warned coldly.
Huo Yuhao paused, then chuckled softly—but obediently stayed still. That, in turn, annoyed Zhongli Yu even more. In the past, whenever she threatened him, he'd shamelessly flirt in response. What had changed?
Was it because I rejected him yesterday? Does he really intend to leave the Sect?
The thought made her even more uneasy. Her eyes grew clouded with complex emotion.
"Don't try anything reckless. As the Holy Son, your martial soul's dark abilities, if exposed, will bring disaster!"
Was she… trying to protect him?
Huo Yuhao found it amusing. Whether a martial soul was "evil" or not depended on the person wielding it. There was no such thing as an innately evil martial soul—only evil hearts.
"That's not necessarily true," Huo Yuhao replied lazily.
"You—!" Zhongli Yu abruptly halted mid-air and grabbed his collar. "If you dare betray the Holy Spirit Sect, we'll hunt you down to the ends of the earth!"
Looking into her furious, breathtaking face, Huo Yuhao felt a wave of softness in his heart. She had inherited Ye Xishui's stunning beauty and added a demonic charm of her own. In her long, slanted eyes, Huo Yuhao saw his own youthful reflection—uncertain, wavering.
The mark Zhongli Yu had planted on him had long been discovered by Bibi Dong in his spiritual sea. To someone like her—let alone the soon-to-appear Skydream Iceworm and Electrolux—removing it was child's play. Leaving it there was just to keep up appearances.
Huo Yuhao's eyes suddenly turned tender. He raised a hand and gently touched her flawless cheek. In that moment, all Zhongli Yu could see in his eyes was herself. Yes—only her. Of course, that was an illusion subtly crafted by his spiritual power.
"Could you let me go?"
Just four simple words—and Zhongli Yu found herself breathless. She didn't know whether to be angry or moved.
Could she really let him go? Neither of them were heartless machines. After a year of being together day and night, a seed had quietly taken root in her heart.
"Didn't expect you to be such a Casanova," Bibi Dong's strange voice rang in Huo Yuhao's mind.
He chuckled silently in response. Even the greatest heroes struggled to resist a beautiful woman. Huo Yuhao was no exception. Before transmigrating, he was just a regular guy.
As he fumbled through an excuse in his thoughts, Zhongli Yu suddenly pulled him into her arms.
"You're not allowed to leave… I won't let you go…" Her voice trembled.
Ah… Huo Yuhao sighed deeply in his heart. Truly, nothing is more difficult to bear than the love of a beautiful woman.
He gently patted her back without giving a direct answer. He didn't want to lie to her.
"Don't worry…"
Suspended in the morning light, the two embraced tightly. The soft sunlight bathed their bodies in warmth.
For a moment, the world felt completely serene.
[End of Chapter 15]
If you'd like to read advance chapters support me at patreon.com/YugiroTL