Chapter 34: Ice Pop

One year later.

In a desolate clearing outside Heaven Dou City, two figures stood facing each other. Beside Huo Yuhao were more than a dozen large pits still radiating intense heat.

Looking at Huo Yuhao, who could barely stand, Gu Yuena stretched out her pink tongue and licked the ice pop in her hand, which was exuding cold mist. She savored the sweet and icy sensation spreading from her tongue, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly as she asked softly, "Want to continue?"

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, his golden vertical eye on his forehead flickering uncertainly. He slowly raised the White Tiger Dagger in his hand and closed his eyes. "One last time."

Gu Yuena said nothing more. She waved her staff, glowing with silver light, and a massive fireball, half a meter in diameter, appeared out of thin air, hurtling towards Huo Yuhao at high speed.

Using his Spiritual Detection, Huo Yuhao could still observe the fireball with extreme precision even with his eyes closed. But in his mind, a different scene was unfolding. Both the orange fireball and the entire world seemed to fade into a gray haze as his spiritual power was rapidly consumed. Finally, bright cracks appeared on the fireball.

In an instant, Huo Yuhao moved. He stepped forward twice, without any form of defense, and thrust the White Tiger Dagger into the fireball, as if he didn't care about the damage the fireball could inflict.

A strange sight followed. The moment the dagger pierced the fireball, which had been emitting terrifying heat just seconds before, it instantly shattered as if it had never existed. Even the searing heat waves, strong enough to warp the air, vanished without a trace.

Seeing this, a smile broke across Huo Yuhao's face. After countless attempts, he had finally succeeded.

A wave of sharp pain made his vision go black, and he collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air as he stared up at the sky.

As footsteps approached, the hem of a white dress came into Huo Yuhao's view, carrying a faint orchid-like fragrance.

"Incredible ability," an ethereal voice spoke. Gu Yuena gently lifted her skirt and crouched beside him, revealing her long, smooth, pale legs.

Looking at the exhausted Huo Yuhao, she couldn't resist poking his cheek with her delicate finger.

Hearing her comment, Huo Yuhao grinned, unable to hide his joy. "After dying once, it's only right to gain something special. It wasn't easy, but I finally did it."

Thanks to Gu Yuena's help, his mastery of the "Fate's End" ability had improved rapidly over the past year. He had discovered months ago that this power could affect not only living beings but also different types of energy, meaning he could use it to counter attacks. However, because it took time to focus and see the cracks on energy attacks, it was difficult to use in fast-paced combat. He had been training hard to shorten that focus time.

Just now, he had barely managed to use it during high-speed combat.

Gu Yuena pursed her lips and glanced up at the setting sun. "It's almost time for dinner. Didn't you say you had to visit the clinic later?"

"Oh, right."

Huo Yuhao had nearly forgotten about the errand. But feeling the soreness in his limbs, he swallowed and gave an awkward smile. "Uh, I might need to rest a bit longer."

Gu Yuena didn't say anything. Instead, she handed the ice pop she was holding to Huo Yuhao. "Want some?"

"Hmm?"

Huo Yuhao was stunned for a moment, seeing the icy pop with a few sparkling crystals still on it. Before he could react, it was already in his mouth.

"You looked thirsty."

A cool sweetness spread through his mouth, and Huo Yuhao instinctively took a slurp. His body felt somewhat rejuvenated. "Thanks."

"Don't thank me. You bought it."

One hour later.

The two arrived at the clinic once again. It had been three years since Huo Yuhao first came to Heaven Dou City. With both Huo Yun'er's and his own health greatly improved, their visits to the clinic had become less frequent.

As they entered, the middle-aged man who had once served him stepped forward. He glanced at Gu Yuena, then looked at Huo Yuhao with a knowing smile and discreetly gave him a thumbs-up, hidden in his sleeve.

"You're doing well, kid. Always bringing different companions!"

"Good to see you again, young brother."

Huo Yuhao pretended not to notice the man's teasing gesture and handed over a note listing the herbs he needed. "These are the herbs I need this time."

Unlike the past treatments for his hidden ailment, these herbs were primarily for health maintenance. The middle-aged man scanned the list and then gave Huo Yuhao a meaningful look, impressed by the youth's knowledge of medicine.

He nodded. "We have everything in stock. I'll get them for you."

While Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena waited in silence, the clinic door suddenly opened, and a panicked young girl rushed inside. She looked around briefly before stopping one of the apprentices, her tone urgent.

"Excuse me, where is my mother?"

The girl was dressed simply, with delicate features, her eyebrows like distant mountains and eyes like clear spring water. Her long, dark purple hair cascaded down like waves. Though young, she was tall and well-proportioned, her slender legs standing out even through her pants.

The apprentice seemed taken aback at first but then recognized her. "You're Jiang Nannan, right? Please, follow me."

"You know her?" Gu Yuena's voice sounded beside Huo Yuhao. He nodded slightly. "Sort of, though she probably doesn't know me."

His gaze followed Jiang Nannan as she walked away, his voice tinged with curiosity. "But what's she doing here?"

"It's her mother. She's had heart problems for a while," came the middle-aged man's voice. He was approaching with several bags of herbs, but his eyes were on Jiang Nannan's departing figure, sighing softly.

"Her mother was brought here about a year ago. It's complicated. Many of our best doctors have examined her, but no one has found a cure. They can only try to alleviate the symptoms."

The man paused and glanced at Huo Yuhao. "I've noticed that you have some knowledge of medicine. Would you be interested in taking a look?"

(End of Chapter)