Haoyu Palace.
Kong Deming held a cup of warm Spiritual Tea, his fingertips rubbing the smooth jade rim of the cup, his gaze falling upon the tall and upright figure standing in the hall.
The gratification in the depths of Kong Deming's eyes almost overflowed, and even his voice carried a bit more warmth.
"Tianhao, your cultivation has broken through to Rank 50 this time; you are already a Quasi Soul King." Kong Deming set down the teacup, the tea rippling into fine waves within the vessel,
"An eleven-year-old Quasi Soul King—such a cultivation speed is unheard of, even looking across the entire continent."
"I have seen countless geniuses, yet I have never seen a child as naturally gifted as you."
Xu Tianhao bowed slightly, the hem of his black robes falling onto the cloud-patterned brocade floor, outlining the youth's tall and sturdy frame.
A year had passed, and Xu Tianhao's height had grown a bit more, and he had become several degrees more mature.
Xu Tianhao said with a smile, "Teacher, you praise me too much. If it weren't for the diligent guidance of you and Master, I wouldn't have been able to break through so smoothly."
Just as he finished speaking, Xu Tianran slowly sat up straight on the soft couch nearby.
"Tianhao, regarding the tracks of the Silver Hero Beast you mentioned, I have sent people to investigate for half a year, and indeed found some traces of Silver Hero Beast activity," Xu Tianran's voice rang out.
"But Silver Hero Beasts are naturally cautious and are now nearly extinct; truly locking onto one is by no means an easy task."
He paused, his gaze falling on Xu Tianhao with a bit more concern:
"Furthermore, the current situation in the Star Dou Great Forest is not stable."
"Since the incident with Zhang Lexuan, Shrek has done quite a few big things this past year. Your trip this time carries far greater risks than before."
"Tianhao, you might as well wait a bit longer. My people already have clues; finding that Silver Hero Beast is only a matter of time."
Xu Tianhao understood clearly in his heart.
What Xu Tianran said was the truth.
But his purpose for this trip wasn't purely to find a Silver Hero Beast as his fifth spirit ring.
The registration date for Shrek Academy was drawing closer by the day. He had to reach the Star Dou Great Forest before then to intercept another immense opportunity.
The Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm and Electrolux.
The Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm, the first million-year Spirit Beast of the Douluo Continent.
Not only could it provide a million-year mental-attribute spirit ring, but that million-year Mental Origin was also something Xu Tianhao wanted.
Electrolux was an even greater super-external brain, the ancestor of ancestors for Evil Soul Masters.
Either of these two opportunities would be enough to make the powers on the continent go mad with greed, let alone obtaining both.
Even if the chance of intercepting them this time was only one percent, Xu Tianhao had to give it his all.
He could not miss any opportunity to change his fate, nor could he let such a peerless opportunity fall into the hands of others.
"Teacher, Big Brother," Xu Tianhao looked up, his gaze firm, his eyes flashing with an unshakeable light.
"I have a premonition that this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest will definitely yield results."
"Whether it's the Silver Hero Beast or other opportunities, I will be able to find them smoothly."
Kong Deming and Xu Tianran exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in the other's eyes.
They knew Xu Tianhao too well; this child had always been steady and cautious, never easily speaking such certain words.
But the conviction in Xu Tianhao's eyes at this moment was like a monolith, making it hard to refuse.
Kong Deming pondered for a moment, then laughed and slapped his thigh. "Good! Since you have such a premonition, Tianhao, then we shall do as you wish."
"However, too many people would draw attention and risk alerting the target. For this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, we teacher and disciple shall set out quietly and act in secret. The fewer people who know, the more we can avoid unnecessary trouble."
"Thank you, Teacher!" Xu Tianhao felt a surge of joy in his heart.
Kong Deming stood up, walked to Xu Tianhao's side, and gently patted his shoulder.
His palm was broad and warm. "You are my Last Disciple, the successor I have poured my heart and soul into cultivating."
"Forget that you just want to go to the Star Dou Great Forest to find a spirit ring; even if you wanted to go to the heavens to pluck the stars, I would accompany you on the journey."
"It's no hardship; being able to watch you grow step by step is my greatest wish."
Xu Tianhao's nose felt a slight sting of emotion.
In the years since becoming his disciple, Kong Deming had treated him like his own son. This bond between teacher and disciple was something Xu Tianhao always kept in his heart.
Seeing this, Xu Tianran also stood up and walked to the palace gates, looking at the distant mountains shrouded in mist, and said in a heavy voice:
"Elder Kong, Tianhao, the path of this journey is perilous; you must prioritize safety."
"Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, there are not only powerful Spirit Beasts but also many unknown dangers. Be cautious in all things, and do not try to act beyond your strength."
"Rest assured, Crown Prince." Kong Deming stood with his hands behind his back, his spirit power surging quietly around him, his aura steady and powerful.
"My cultivation has improved again recently. Even if the Beast God Di Tian of the Star Dou Great Forest comes, I have full confidence in bringing Tianhao back safely."
Kong Deming spoke these words with confidence and certainty.
He naturally knew that in a head-on confrontation, he was by no means Di Tian's match.
But although Di Tian was strong, he wouldn't be able to take him down in a short time.
And his core advantage was the super power resulting from the combination of his Spirit and his Natal spirit tool.
As long as he was intent on escaping, even Di Tian would find it difficult to stop him.
Hearing this, Xu Tianran's heart immediately settled.
He knew Kong Deming's strength well; with him accompanying Xu Tianhao, he would surely be able to keep Xu Tianhao safe.
"Then I wish Elder Kong and Tianhao a successful trip and a bountiful return."
Xu Tianran patted Xu Tianhao's shoulder. "Tianhao, if you encounter any trouble on the way or need support, send me a message at any time."
"Remember, Big Brother will always be your strongest backing. No matter what happens, the Empire will cover for you."
Xu Tianhao smiled. "Rest easy, Big Brother, I cherish my life. I will definitely protect myself and successfully complete the goal of this trip."
After finalizing the target for the fifth spirit ring, Kong Deming and Xu Tianhao secretly left Bright Capital.
As for Long Aotian and Xiao Hongchen, who had also broken through to Rank 50, they had already followed Poison Immortal to the Evil Demon Forest.
In the Evil Demon Forest, there were fifth spirit rings suitable for both of them.
Xu Tianzhen, Ye Guyi, Meng Hongchen, and Nana also went to the Evil Demon Forest together; it was considered a form of training.
If it weren't for the fact that the Star Dou Great Forest was too far from the Sun Moon Empire, and with the precedent set by Zhang Lexuan, the Seven-Person Squad would have gone together.
Furthermore, the things Xu Tianhao wanted to do were better off without too many people, so it was most appropriate for just the two of them, teacher and disciple, to go.
Meanwhile, at the White Tiger Dukes Mansion in the Star Luo Empire, a young black-haired boy knelt on both knees before a burial mound, kowtowing heavily.
"Mother, no matter how much effort it takes, one day, I will return and trample everything here under my feet to avenge you!"
"From now on, I will take your surname, changing my surname to Huo. From now on, my name is Huo Yuhao."
Not long after, at the north back gate of the Duke's Mansion, a thin and small figure quietly slipped out, resolutely walking toward the north.
Huo Yuhao was eleven years old this year and was already Rank 10. He only needed to obtain one spirit ring to become a Spirit Master.
In the current Huo Yuhao's heart, as long as he became a noble Spirit Master, he could avenge his mother!