Huo Yuhao inexplicitly felt a chill run down his back.
Someone was murmuring about him behind his back?
Oh, no, at today's celebration... quite a few people were probably murmuring about him.
"Yuhao, are the things this device makes really tasty?"
Gu Yuena looked at the exhibit before her, her expression peculiar. "The generated cookie takes on the flavor of your favorite food from memory. It doesn't sound reliable."
Huo Yuhao snapped back to pay attention at her words and looked at the exhibit in front of Gu Yuena.
He, Snow Empress, and Gu Yuena were currently on the third floor of the Spirit Transmission Tower. This was where the Spirit Transmission Tower showcased its latest achievements, mostly related to spirit souls.
What was before Gu Yuena was one of them.
It was a pitch-black cubic device. Its surface had no seams or buttons, as if it had been cut from a single piece of unknown material. When the display stand's light swept over it, the surface of the box would briefly reveal star chart like silver patterns, which then quickly vanished into the darkness.
A line of small characters was engraved on the side of the box: [First Generation Prototype of the Taste Projector]. There was no control panel, no display screen. Only the top had a palm-sized recess and a button, where the raw materials were placed and the device was activated.
"We can try it. Give it a taste and find out."
Huo Yuhao looked at the staff member nearby. "We'll have three cookies."
Since it was a celebration, he could not remain invisible forever. But wherever their group went, their identities would attract the attention of the staff. So to be more at ease, he had slightly altered the appearances of the three of them using his spiritual domain. Those at the Spirit Abyss realm could see through it directly, but ordinary soul masters would not recognize them.
"Certainly. Please wait a moment."
The staff member smiled slightly and began operating the device.
Under his control, the box suddenly trembled slightly. Rippling waves appeared on its black surface, as if another space was folded inside. After a very soft hum, a thin slit silently slid open on the top of the box. Three perfectly shaped cookies were lifted out by some invisible force, suspended in the air, emitting a faint, subtle fragrance.
There was no heating process, no sound of mechanical operation. It was as if the finished product had been "taken" directly out of thin air.
"Please enjoy."
Huo Yuhao took the cookies, distributed them to Snow Empress and Gu Yuena, and took a bite himself.
The moment the crispy outer layer of the cookie melted on his tongue, a wave of hot, numbing, spicy, and savory flavor exploded in his mouth.
This was... hot pot?
A hot pot flavored cookie. Although it could not be called a dark culinary creation, it was still quite strange. But it was also interesting.
Huo Yuhao popped the rest of the cookie into his mouth and swallowed. "By tricking the sense of taste, it makes people feel like they are eating their favorite food. In a sense, they are tasting their own memories. The prototype is a plant spirit beast that affects the mind. A plant related to taste buds... is it Memory Heart Vine?"
The staff member first looked at him with some surprise, impressed by his erudition, then smiled. "Yes, the design of this machine referenced the function of the Memory Heart Vine. It is a masterpiece completed through the collaboration of a ten-thousand-year Memory Heart Vine spirit soul and our researchers..."
On the other side, after Gu Yuena ate her cookie, her purple eyes widened slightly. Her cookie had turned into the taste of Star Dou Honey Roasted Muffin.
It was a pastry Huo Yuhao had made using specialties from the Star Dou Great Forest. It was baked with Century Royal Honey and Moonlight Pine Nut Powder, and sprinkled with her favorite Silver Moon Osmanthus Petals on top.
A frosty mist formed at Snow Empress's fingertips. What she tasted was Frost Sugar Ice Crystal Cake made by Huo Yuhao. It was something he had made for her when they went out together ten thousand years ago. The main ingredients were Snow Honey and syrup boiled from Snow Ginseng, both specialties of the Extreme North. Each bite seemed to carry the pure sweetness of ice and snow.
Gu Yuena and Snow Empress savored the wonderful flavors on their taste buds. After a long while, the former commented, "Because it tricks the sense of taste, it can replicate the flavor, but it cannot replicate the texture. It is still a cookie. And after all, it is an illusion. If a soul master wants to, they can use their spirit power to break free from this influence."
Hearing Gu Yuena's remarks like a food critic, the staff member looked embarrassed. "This is a technology exhibition, not a food exhibition."
Huo Yuhao smiled warmly and sent a telepathic message to Gu Yuena and Snow Empress. "I'll make some for you when we get back."
Snow Empress smiled gently. Just as Gu Yuena was about to say something, a familiar voice came from nearby.
"Not to mention the texture, from a technological standpoint, this combines spatial compression and the Spirit Transmission Tower's unique spirit soul technology. It has great development prospects. I would even like to have a talk with the creator. If tactile illusion could be added on top of taste illusion, it might overcome the current limitation of texture."
An aged figure walked over, looked at Huo Yuhao and the other two, and offered his evaluation with a smile. With his spiritual power, he could naturally see through Huo Yuhao's half-hearted disguise. But since the three of them clearly wanted to participate in the celebration as ordinary people, he naturally would not expose them. He simply slightly slightly to Snow Empress as a sign of respect.
"President Yi?"
Huo Yuhao was somewhat surprised. "You came so early?"
"I came to show my support for the Spirit Transmission Tower and to take a look at the technology exhibition. My cousin also came." Yi Hongchen pointed in a certain direction and smiled. "It's a rare celebration. We two old bones came to relax as well."
Huo Yuhao looked in the direction he indicated and saw Wang Hongchen testing out one of the exhibits at a display stand.
It was a Spirit Soul Ball.
Based on suggestions from some soul masters, the Spirit Transmission Tower had also modified the Spirit Soul Ball. On top of the previous foundation, it had developed more functions and uses, as well as colors.
For example, there was the red Blazing Flame Ball, which could attract fire type spirit souls and make them feel more comfortable, and the Darkness Ball for dark attribute spirit souls, and so on.
Yes, they were going further and further down the path of Spirit Soul Pokémon.
What could one say? Should one offer congratulations?
Nearby, Yi Hongchen also requested a cookie. After tasting it, he smiled and said, "It is indeed a wonderful flavor. Placed in some secret research institutes or in the military guarding the borders, it would provide some comfort."
The staff member smiled. "I'm glad you like it. Would you like to try another?"
Yi Hongchen waved his hand and walked over to Huo Yuhao and the other two. He said with emotion, "The replacement of spirit rings by spirit souls was an inevitable occurrence as history progressed. Resources are always finite. If we had continued following the ancient methods, sooner or later, soul masters would have vanished into history. The emergence of spirit souls prevented that. But in my view, the value of spirit souls goes far beyond that."
"The Spirit Transmission Tower has countless spirit souls. Researchers draw inspiration from these spirit souls, and the soul tools they design always bring unexpected surprises. I am quite envious of that. I have even thought about retiring and coming to the Spirit Transmission Tower to study spirit souls."
"If you truly wish to come, you would certainly be given the highest level of treatment," Huo Yuhao said. "However, I doubt Hall Master Wang Hongchen would allow it."
"I am the President of the Mecha Designer Association. What does it matter to the Hall Master of Mingde Hall if I want to come to the Spirit Transmission Tower to do research after I retire?"
Yi Hongchen smiled and shook his head. "All right, enough about matters that are still uncertain. First, I came over to greet you. Second, I wanted to ask Her Majesty about something."
At this point, his gaze turned toward Snow Empress. "I wonder if Saint Spirit Her Majesty will be participating in today's Spirit Ice Ceremony? There is something I wish to ask her."
Snow Empress's eyes flickered slightly. She shook her head.
"That I do not know. After all, strictly speaking, she is not a member of the Spirit Transmission Tower. And you know her wish. If she has a patient in her care, she will never abandon them. Whether she participates in the ceremony depends entirely on what she encounters along the way."
Hearing this, Yi Hongchen smiled helplessly. "That is true. I forgot about that one's style. I do hope Saint Spirit Douluo can come this time."
Having said this, Yi Hongchen looked at Wang Hongchen, who had finished his tour in the distance. "The two of us plan to go to the sixth floor to visit the historical exhibition area. Would you like to come along?"
Huo Yuhao fell silent.
The historical exhibition area? Are you sure it is not an Unofficial History exhibition area? Come to think of it, Mingde Hall already has more than enough Unofficial Histories. Do you need to come to the Spirit Transmission Tower to view them as well? (Wang Hongchen's inner thought: Given that Mingde Hall has too many Unofficial Histories, I need to come to the Spirit Transmission Tower to read some Official History. Is there a problem?)
Snow Empress glanced at Huo Yuhao and declined politely. "There is no need. We plan to look elsewhere first."
When it came to the true history of Spirit Ice Douluo, no one knew it better than her and Huo Yuhao. Going to the historical exhibition area would mean looking at Unofficial History. They had already had their fill of that. Neither she nor Huo Yuhao had any interest in seeing more.
"Then we will see you on the first floor during the worship ceremony."
Yi Hongchen nodded slightly and turned to leave.
...
Yi Hongchen and Wang Hongchen were the first representatives from major forces to arrive. As time passed, more and more representatives gathered at the Spirit Transmission Tower.
The First War God of the War Temple, Haori Douluo. The Blazing Dragon Douluo of Shrek Academy. Members of the Federation Council. The Blacksmithing Association.
By the time Xu Xiaoyan had made a round through the celebration and reunited with her companions on the first floor of the Spirit Transmission Tower, what she saw was a group of important figures who had already arrived before the worship ceremony, engaged in conversation with the Spirit Transmission Tower's senior leadership: Qianku Dongfeng, Bear Lord, Leng Yaozhu, Snow Empress, and others.
As for the younger generation like themselves, they could only stand at a distance and observe.
Xu Xiaoyan stood at the edge of the crowd. Her gaze passed through layers of figures and landed on those imposing personages in the center. She clicked her tongue in amazement.
"This celebration has an even greater influence than I imagined."
"It's a ceremony commemorating that person. Who else could it be?" Xie Xie looked as if he shared in the glory. "He was the First Generation Tower Master who created the spirit soul system. Isn't it only natural that he has such influence?"
Wang Jinxi nodded in agreement while looking at Huo Yuhao, whose expression was peculiar. "Yuhao, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I am just a little moved inside."
Huo Yuhao shook his head and surveyed the surroundings.
Gu Ruiqiu, Ling Zichen, Ji Wufeng, and others were also here. After seeing him, Ling Zichen and Ji Wufeng reacted normally. One nodded in greeting. The other was very excited. Only Gu Ruiqiu... her eyes were somewhat evasive.
This was far from normal. Based on Huo Yuhao's understanding of her, she should currently be like Bear Lord, sizing him up with an interested expression.
How many guilty deeds have you committed? What have you been busy with lately, Miss Gu Ruiqiu?
I am very curious...
"We ran into Teacher Luo earlier," Zhang Yangzi's voice interrupted Huo Yuhao's thoughts. "I originally thought Carefree Tower Master would come to participate in the celebration."
Gu Yuena explained in a calm tone, "If all branch tower masters gathered together, the impact would be too great. So basically, each sends someone they trust to participate. It is actually not common for Tower Master Bear Lord to come personally like this."
With evil soul masters appearing again, if all the tower masters left their jurisdictions, it would be hard to guarantee that the Holy Spirit Cult would not take advantage of the situation. Naturally, not all of them could come.
Bear Lord certainly understood this as well.
But he was still somewhat regretful that Emperor Tian and the others had not come to pay their respects in person.
Quite a few Spirit Transmission Tower senior leaders had already come to participate in the ceremony. But what Bear Lord most wished for was for the spirit beasts who knew Huo Yuhao's identity to come in person.
Why didn't you come? Isn't it fun to watch Spirit Ice make a fool of himself? Could it be that you're worried Spirit Ice will settle accounts with you afterward?
What is there to be afraid of?
Even if His Majesty is a bit biased toward outsiders, she wouldn't just stand by and watch Spirit Ice beat us, right?
Bear Lord sighed inwardly. He swept his gaze across the scene and finally rested it on Huo Yuhao. Suddenly, he grinned. His rough, booming voice, amplified by his spirit power, spread throughout the entire hall.
"Everyone, since the worship ceremony hasn't started yet, allow me to introduce someone."
He strode over to Huo Yuhao and, amid the surprised gazes of the crowd, threw an arm around Huo Yuhao's shoulder. "This is the next heir of our Spirit Transmission Tower, Huo Yuhao!"
The brows of Leng Yaozhu and Qianku Dongfeng both twitched simultaneously.
Bear Lord... what does he want to do?
Leng Yaozhu's gaze instinctively turned to Snow Empress, who had a cool expression. Seeing that she had no reaction, she could only withdraw her gaze and watch the unfolding situation.
Huo Yuhao's own teacher had said nothing, so she had even less standing to object.
As for the representatives of the various major forces, they clearly had considerable interest in Huo Yuhao. After Bear Lord brought him forward, they all put on kind smiles and carefully sized him up.
Upon closer inspection, several of them revealed expressions of astonishment. Haori Douluo was especially surprised.
"Soul Emperor?"
Unlike Wang Hongchen and Yi Hongchen, who frequently met Huo Yuhao, many of the people here were meeting him for the first time. Added to that, Huo Yuhao usually kept a low profile and rarely went out. For a moment, they were all surprised by the pace of his cultivation progress.
A thirteen year old Soul Emperor... that was not common. Not to mention Huo Yuhao's powerful spiritual power and excellent secondary profession abilities. To call him unprecedented would not be an overstatement.
Haori Douluo narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Huo Yuhao with a burning gaze, as if trying to see through his true capabilities. The Blazing Dragon Douluo from Shrek Academy frowned slightly, feeling very uncomfortable.
Although he did not know the details, Huo Yuhao had definitely gone to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well yesterday. Now, with his aura exposed, it was clear he had recently made a major breakthrough. His cultivation level probably owed some credit to an immortal herb as well. This was all Cai Yue'er's fault. That spendthrift had made things even more awkward for him at the Spirit Transmission Tower.
Huo Yuhao glanced at Bear Lord, who was smiling broadly. He took a deep breath and calmly met the gazes of the crowd. He nodded slightly.
"I am Huo Yuhao, junior. I am honored by the affection of my elders in bestowing upon me the name of Spirit Transmission. As for my cultivation level, it was merely a fortunate breakthrough. There is nothing worth mentioning."
"Fortunate?" Haori Douluo could not help but laugh. "If a thirteen year old Soul Emperor is 'fortunate,' then everyone in the soul master world might as well die of shame."
"Indeed. As the next heir of the Spirit Transmission Tower, you must not be overly modest."
Bear Lord grinned. "I have a proposal. Let Huo Yuhao be the first to worship Spirit Ice Douluo, with the rest of us as witnesses. What do you all think? When a successor this outstanding, one who has advanced equally in cultivation and soul tool crafting and is similar to himself, appears, Spirit Ice Douluo would surely be very pleased if he knew."
Huo Yuhao's eyelid twitched. Bear Lord's image was reflected in his eyes, and a chill spread through his heart.
This rage in my heart... how can it be released?
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!
patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!
(End of Chapter)