Chapter 118: Look at the Great Treasure Your Ancestor Prepared for You!
"Hm?"
Not only Gu Yue but even the Snow Empress turned to look.
"What? What's wrong?"
Jiang Chen blinked, feeling the tension in the air. Had he said something wrong?
"Why? Is that… not okay?"
Huo Yun'er, the publicly acknowledged successor to a million-year spirit soul, might be considered a genius, but compared to previous generations of the Huo Family who had inherited power from million-year soul beasts, she was far from that level.
Tang Wulin had the divine backing of his God King bloodline and Golden Dragon King seals. Xie Xie's twin-soul fusion was arguably stronger than even true Twin Martial Souls. Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi shared a martial soul fusion ability powerful enough to fight across ranks.
By comparison, Huo Yun'er was probably only slightly stronger than Xu Xiaoyan.
(Xu Xiaoyan: "Excuse me?")
It simply didn't fit her supposed identity as the granddaughter of a million-year soul beast—a "peerless prodigy meant to dominate her era."
If her real identity were ever exposed, how could they keep their cover?
Even Gu Yue, who could crush all opposition, went around disguised.
If battles ever broke out among the Federation, the God Realm Temple, the Spirit Transmission Tower, and Shrek Academy all at once, and they somehow ended up on the same battlefield, things would turn into a bad joke.
Even though Jiang Chen was closely tied to the Huo Family, he hadn't officially become their spirit soul. That alone would draw the gaze of rival powers—
A million-year soul beast that had rebuilt its cultivation was a prize too tempting to ignore.
If he were in their shoes, he'd covet it too.
The Huo Family might have great influence within the Federation, but in terms of raw strength, they only had one Ultimate Douluo.
Should something happen, they'd be unreliable allies.
So for now? Play low. Survive quietly.
As for giving the external spirit bones to Huo Yun'er—no issue.
They were family, and it was convenient. Why not?
If he weren't trying to make the spirit bones' origin look more legitimate, he could've just gone straight to Lord Bear King for some instead—less trouble.
The Snow Empress and Gu Yue exchanged a long glance, then looked back at Jiang Chen.
Simultaneously, they said, "It's nothing."
Before he could ask what they meant, both abruptly logged out of the Spirit Ascension Platform, leaving him standing there utterly baffled.
"What the hell? You two have problems or what? What's wrong with a casual walk? What do you two even do all day?"
To Jiang Chen, the three of them were basically just wasting time every day.
They barely even cultivated anymore.
The Snow Empress spent her days absorbing the Ice Dragon King's power—and dragging Jiang Chen into "dual cultivation" sessions twice a week. Now that she was growing accustomed to that force, even his help would soon be less necessary.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chen himself spent each day training Ah Yin and supervising the Evil Eyed Tyrants' studies.
As for Gu Yue... best not to comment.
One word from her and she'd get mad again.
Leaving the platform, Jiang Chen returned to reality—only to nearly have a heart attack.
"What happened to you guys!?"
The six remaining Zero Class members stood before him, pale and exhausted, looking as though they'd had the life sucked out of them.
"It's all thanks to that damned Xie Xie!" Xu Xiaoyan snapped.
After escaping the Flame Lion pride, they'd stumbled straight into a Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear.
Surrounded front and back, they had been utterly crushed.
They barely killed a few spirit souls before being ejected from the platform—completely wiped out.
"How's that my fault? You're the one dawdling! If you'd let me scout ahead, this wouldn't've happened!" Xie Xie retorted.
"How dare you—"
"Alright, enough!"
Tang Wulin stepped in, rubbing his temples. Every time those two were in the same room, they had to argue.
"At least Teacher Wu isn't here to see this, or we'd be doomed."
Truthfully, they had gotten complacent.
After defeating Shrek Academy and winning the championship, they'd felt invincible.
Even entering the riot-phase Spirit Ascension Platform, they'd joked around like it was a field trip—until reality slammed them back to earth.
Lesson learned.
Never relax too soon.
As for those three "non-humans," everyone had long accepted that comparisons were pointless.
No human could compete with Jiang Chen, Gu Yue, and Xue Di.
Even Huo Yun'er wasn't surprised; she already knew her ancestor wasn't human. That alone helped her handle the pressure better than the others.
Still, she couldn't help feeling anxious.
Her ancestor suddenly had two companions even stronger than herself—rivals as powerful as he was.
How could she not worry?
That was her ancestor! He couldn't be snatched away by other families' women!
Determined, she swore to surpass them and keep her ancestor firmly tied to her family.
…Except she'd already given up.
"I can't! There's no way to surpass them!" she muttered bitterly. "It's not that I don't want to—it's that they're monsters, just like Ancestor! It's impossible!"
Huo Yun'er was starting to suspect they weren't human either!
They were all the same kind of freak her ancestor was.
Director Long Hengxu, seeing their discouragement, didn't scold them—he just dismissed them for a break.
They already knew their mistakes. Self-reflection would teach them more than any lecture.
"Where are Sister Xue and Sister Gu Yue?" Huo Yun'er asked as she followed Jiang Chen home. "Didn't they come out with you?"
"No idea," he replied, puzzled. "They just vanished out of nowhere."
"Why? Don't tell me you don't want some alone time with me instead?"
Jiang Chen ruffled her hair affectionately as they walked.
Huo Yun'er squirmed but then leaned into his hand, her defiance melting away.
"That's not it! It's just… those women are bad news! I want to always stay by Ancestor's side—just us, forever!"
"Heh." Jiang Chen chuckled. "Oh? Would you dare say that in front of them?"
"Ancestor!!!"
Their playful banter carried through the hall. For once, she looked like an ordinary, mischievous child.
But as they reached the door of their home, Huo Yun'er made her move.
Before he could react, she bolted forward like lightning.
Run! If she didn't, Ancestor would drag her into that forge again!
At home, he turned from gentle teacher to slave driver—it terrified her.
"Wait."
Jiang Chen promptly grabbed the back of her collar and yanked her back effortlessly.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Her expression twisted into one of utter despair.
"Ancestor, I—I just want a break! I don't want to forge anymore!"
Every time she came home, he threw her into that pitch-black underground forge, forcing her to work alone through the night.
Did he have any idea how traumatic that was for a little girl!?
She looked at him with wide, tearful eyes.
"Alright," Jiang Chen said finally. "You can rest today."
"Really?"
Her face lit up instantly, disbelief mixing with hope.
He smirked. "Would I lie to you?"
Her eyes darted uncertainly—then she straightened and smiled sweetly. "Ancestor is the best! The most wonderful ancestor in the whole world! No one treats Yun'er better than you do!"
Jiang Chen nodded in satisfaction. "That's better."
"Now sit down," he said, his tone deceptively calm. "Let me show you the great treasure I've prepared just for you."
(END CHAPTER)
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