Chapter 244: Freedom?

Di Tian growled. "Why? Little brat, even I have a limit to my patience. Just what makes this human so important to you that you would risk defying me? Endangering not only your own life, but also the livelihood of other soul beasts in the forest!"

The Auspicious Emperor stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Huo Yuhao. Its golden fur shimmered, and its third eye pulsed with a deep red light.

It then said, "Because he can save us all!"

Di Tian and Huo Yuhao were stunned by its words.

Di Tian narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable.

"Explain," he commanded.

The Auspicious Emperor trembled and lowered its head, explaining itself. "Beast God, you understand how my abilities work. I have three abilities: ultimate light, ultimate fire, and my main attribute — spiritual power, which enables me to manipulate fortune and destiny itself to a certain extent."

Di Tian nodded slowly, his golden eyes glinting. "Go on."

"....This human is destined for great things. Peering through some strings of his destiny, I saw two paths that's closely related to soul beasts — every soul beasts in this world in fact!" The Auspicious Emperor looked up to Di Tian with a grave expression.

"One path leads to total extinction of our kind; humans, with weapons of mass destruction called "soul tools" and "battle armor", easily slaughtering soul beasts, leaving none to survive! E-Even the slumbering Lord would—"

"Impossible!" Di Tian interrupted her, his eyes wide with a furious glint.

He took a deep breath, calming down. "That. Is. Impossible...."

"But since it's you saying this, I cannot ignore it entirely," Di Tian muttered, his voice strained with conflicting emotions.

His golden eyes narrowed, glancing at Huo Yuhao.

The Lord—the Divine Beast slumbering in the depths of the Great Star Dou Forest—was an existence far beyond his own. They were the greatest hope for the rise of soul beasts against soul beasts and would one day lead them on the path of divinity!

If even they would fall in this vision of the future.... then the crisis was beyond anything he had imagined.

"Then I suppose the reason as to why you made a soul contract with this human is because of this second path you have seen in this human's threads of destiny."

The Auspicious Emperor nodded vigorously. "Yes, that is correct. The second path that I saw was, simply put, amazing! A vast and wide land, much bigger than the forest by a thousand fold, with hundreds of thousands of soul beasts freely roaming around. The weakest of them being ten thousand years old!"

"Then I saw you, auntie Bi Ji, and the others floating above them all with strange and powerful illuminating golden rings similar to soul rings but arranged behind your backs."

'Divine Rings?! That signifies Divine Beast status! I...I became a divine beast?! The rest as well?' Di Tian was completely shaken by what he had just heard.

A future where he, Bi Ji, and the other Great Beasts of the Star Dou Forest ascended to the level of Divine Beasts? It was something that had once been possible in the ancient past, during the age of the Dragon God.

But ever since the fall of the of the Dragon God, the lost of the Divine Beasts in the Divine War, such a thing had become nothing more than a myth to even hundred thousand year old soul beasts.

Yet, the Auspicious Emperor had seen a possible future of it? And at the center of that future was this human?!

'Oh Lord, grant me strength.' Di Tian inwardly groaned.

"How certain are you of these paths you speak of?" He asked.

They shook their head. "Fate is never set in stone, the future is never certain but... What I saw more of this human's destiny made me believe that he is the key to our survival." her three glowing eyes reflecting an unshakable faith.

Di Tian stared straight at her eyes.

'She's telling the truth. And with such sincerity and belief....'

Di Tian exhaled slowly, trying to suppress his growing frustration. "So, everything—the rise or fall of soul beasts, our extinction or ascension—all depends on this human?" His golden eyes flickered toward Huo Yuhao, filled with deep doubt.

Huo Yuhao let out a short laugh, "Well, you better believe it! And my name isn't human, I'm Huo Yuhao! The greatest genius in the world!"

Di Tian and the Auspicious Emperor were both speechless by his bold statement.

Di Tian coldly snorted. "You're quite arrogant, human. Or recklessly ignorant. I quite believe the latter considering how you ended up here. Don't you understand that the world is big and there are others humans equally or more talented than you?"

"Arrogance? Ignorance? No. I'm confident in my talent! In this world, I have unrivaled talent, potential, martial soul, physique, and luck!" Huo Yuhao laughed before adding,

"Tell me! Have you ever seen a human, before reaching the Titled Douluo realm, survive a Heavenly Tribulation of that level?"

"...." Di Tian was silent, because he was right. For in his entire lifetime, he has never seen a mortal with Huo Yuhao's cultivation survive a Heavenly Tribulation of such level — especially when it was empowered by a God! Even he would be forced to take an injury if he was in Huo Yuhao's place.

At this point, Huo Yuhao's right arm had completely regenerated and he clenched his fist under the constraints of the black bindings. Thinking: 'My arm regenerated, but my meridians, even in this arm, hasn't been completely healed. Is it because they're intricately complex?'

"....Human." Di Tian interrupted his train of thought, making him look up. "Let me revise my earlier words."

"You have two choices. One, you die."

"Unc—" The Auspicious Emperor raised their voice in protest.

"Don't worry. I'll find a way to keep you alive, little brat." Di Tian cut her off, his golden eyes never leaving Huo Yuhao. "Your existence is too unstable. If you prove to be a threat, I will eliminate you, no matter what fate says."

Huo Yuhao chuckled, unfazed. "And the second choice?"

Di Tian's expression turned unreadable. "For the next few decades, you will live here and cultivate up to Titled Douluo. I'll be sure to provide you with the best resources that we have."

The cavern fell silent.

"That's a pretty good offer but..."

Huo Yuhao tilted his head. "I refuse."

"Human!" The Auspicious Emperor snapped their neck towards him in shock.

"So, you have chosen death." Di Tian muttered, propping out his claws.

"What? No, no, no, no." Huo Yuhao shook his head, unfazed by the looming threat of Di Tian's claws. "You're misunderstanding me, Beast God. I never said I wanted to die. I just don't agree with your conditions."

Di Tian narrowed his golden eyes. "Explain."

Huo Yuhao sighed, sitting down cross-legged on the ground. "Think about it. Cultivate up to Titled Douluo? Are you willing to sacrifice soul beasts, your kind, in order for a human like me to become stronger?"

"It's fine. Without sacrifice, there can be no victory." Di Tian said with a dark expression.

"Then how are you certain that being stuck here for years, decades, would lead to your desirable future?" Huo Yuhao challenged, his sharp gaze locking onto Di Tian's.

"What if keeping me here makes things worse? What if the path to extinction you're so afraid of becomes inevitable because you tried to control my fate?"

Di Tian's expression darkened. "Watch your words, human."

Huo Yuhao smirked. "Oh, I am. But let's be real—if I really am the key to all of this, then my strength alone isn't enough. What about knowledge? Experience? Connections? You think I'll gain any of that rotting away in a cave? Or frolicking in the forest?"

The Auspicious Emperor hesitated, muttering. "He… has a point, Beast God. Yuhao cannot remain here, for his and our sakes."

Di Tian clicked his tongue, clearly frustrated, but he didn't refute it. He was ancient, wise, and powerful, but he was not human. He wouldn't understand the limits and potential of a human like Huo Yuhao.

Humans were unpredictable, adaptable, and capable of achieving miracles through sheer will and intelligence.

After a long silence, Di Tian exhaled sharply. "Tch. You truly are an infuriating human. However, until we have a solution, you will here for an indefinite amount of time."

"....I have a suggestion, which would be the answer to all our problems." Huo Yuhao said.

"Two years. For two years, I will stay in this forest but! You cannot restrain my clones that I would send out to do some unfinished business outside. I can ask for some rare herbs and metal. And during the duration of my stay here, I will prove my worth and gain your trust."

"So? What do you think?" Huo Yuhao smirked, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

Di Tian narrowed his golden eyes, studying Huo Yuhao carefully. "Two years… and in that time, you expect to prove your worth to me?"

Huo Yuhao nodded. "That's right. You want results? I'll give you results. But locking me away completely is counterproductive. My clones will handle my unfinished business outside, while I stay here and cultivate, and befriending you all."

"....Why are you willing to help us? After what I've done to you?" Di Tian asked.

Huo Yuhao snorted. "Please. I'm not doing this for you or for some sense of morality, but doing this because of...uh, her? You're a girl, right?" He turned towards the Auspicious Emperor.

The Auspicious Emperor nodded slowly.

"I kinda got a feeling that the reason I survive the Heavenly Tribulation was because of her, so I'm doing this to settle the debt. The other reason...well, have you sensed what's wrong with the stump of where my left arm should be?"

Di Tian frowned, nodding. "A Divine Curse... Looks like Gods don't like you that much, huh?"

Huo Yuhao dryly chuckled. "Yeah, looks like it."

Di Tian stared at Huo Yuhao, he grunted and snapped his fingers.

The bindings around Huo Yuhao's body unraveled instantly, dissolving into particles of dark-gold light.

Huo Yuhao rolled his shoulders, stretching his stiff limbs. "Finally..." He muttered.

He flexed his right arm, feeling the remnants of pain from his injuries, but at least he could move properly now.

Di Tian crossed his arms. "Consider that a gesture of trust—for now."

Huo Yuhao smirked.

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AN: Fellow daoists, let's welcome a mortal that has ascended to become a cultivator and patron—AscensionDio! May he achieve great things and gain further enlightenment towards the path of cultivation.

1/3 chapters of the week!

AN2: Fun fact, some toy snakes look eerily similar to a real one.

Yeah, a buddy of mine put a toy snake in the bathroom. I didn't notice until I was already on the toilet—scared the hell outta of me.

Unfortunately for him, I got back at him by changing a few things in his phone. Example? The moans and groans of a guy for all his ringtones and alarm. Why?

We were hanging out with friends and family in the balcony, discussing personal stuff. So, when no one was looking, I called his phone.

Imagine someone you were talking casually with about something, when you suddenly heard a sharp, piercing moan of a guy from the person you were talking with.

"Mmmmhmm! Yeah, I like that..."

Everyone went dead silent. And we all stared at him.

Hah! I'm still laughing my ass off when writing this. There were more pranks that was committed yesterday but I'll leave it up for next time. You guys got any stories of pranks you went through or did?