HUO YUHAO: I WANT TO BE QUIET

Gu Yuena and Leng Yulai chatted for a long time in the hotel when a voice suddenly echoed in Leng Yulai's ear.

"Bring her over."

Leng Yulai's expression instantly turned serious as she looked at Gu Yuena. "Follow me."

Snow Empress's voice followed, "Just her alone."

Leng Yulai: "..."

What about me?

Her expression was complicated, but she still reminded Gu Yuena and stopped in her tracks, staying outside.

Gu Yuena gave her a subtle glance and walked towards the pavilion.

Why did Dark Phoenix Douluo just share her experiences about love with me? Does Dark Phoenix Douluo even have experiences in love?

Didn't she have unrequited love and almost turn into an evil soul master? How could she teach others like that?

As she pondered, Gu Yuena entered the pavilion, passing through a layer of space, and saw Huo Yuhao and Snow Empress.

At that moment, Huo Yuhao, the "Grilled Fish Hero," was handling fresh fish, with a rack made by a soul skill beside him, clearly planning to grill fish. Snow Empress stood by, quietly waiting.

The height difference between the two was quite noticeable, like an adult with a child.

Yet, Gu Yuena felt an inexplicable discomfort seeing them standing together so naturally and closely.

When she entered, both of their gazes turned toward her.

"Greetings, Silver Dragon King. I apologize for making you come all this way for nothing."

Snow Empress's gaze paused for a moment on the bracelet on Gu Yuena's wrist, but it didn't affect her emotions. She stood up and bowed slightly.

The Extreme North worshipped the Ice God, and the sea soul beasts worshipped the Sea God. Strictly speaking, the title of "Soul Beast Sovereign" for the Silver Dragon King probably only applied to soul beasts in places like the Star Dou Great Forest.

But as a first-level deity, even if only in terms of strength, she deserved respect.

"It's fine."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Snow Empress, Gu Yuena walked over to Huo Yuhao, watching his actions as he grilled the fish. She blinked and asked softly, "Yuhao, is there one for me?"

Huo Yuhao noticed the lack of enthusiasm on Gu Yuena's face and then turned to look at Snow Empress, who was calmly watching him, giving him an inexplicable pressure. He paused for a moment before answering, "Yes."

Is the atmosphere a bit off?

In Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, Bing Bing, who had returned here, sighed softly. After some thought, she sent a message to Huo Yuhao:

"Snow has hinted at it to that extent, Yuhao, think carefully. You've just never thought about it in that direction, but I don't think you're that slow… As for Gu Yuena, think about that too."

She didn't want to be as cryptic as Snow Empress. Why not just say it directly? With their bond, it's not like Huo Yuhao would run away.

If they didn't clarify things now, what if someone like Gu Yuena came along again?

Although Bing Bing didn't think anyone else could make Huo Yuhao feel indebted, nothing was absolute. As Huo Yuhao often said, it's best not to set up flags.

Hearing this, Huo Yuhao sprinkled seasoning on the dozen or so unfortunate fish he had caught from the lake while recalling what Snow Empress had said earlier.

Hmm, status, leveraging favors… When pieced together, it felt like he had seen many similar scenarios.

"Without status, it's not mine."

Recalling Snow Empress's words, Huo Yuhao's heart skipped a beat.

Suddenly, he wanted some peace.

And the next moment, he indeed found peace as a gray aura enveloped him.

Necromancy Magic, Heart of the Undead!

A three-second version, forcing calm!

Nearby, Gu Yuena, who had cheered up upon hearing there was a portion for her, noticed the gray aura around Huo Yuhao and looked at him curiously.

What's Yuhao doing?

Snow Empress, who had seen necromancy magic before, thought: "..."

What's wrong with Yuhao? Why is he forcing himself to calm down? There are only the three of us here. I just exchanged a few words with Gu Yuena and didn't do anything more, nor did I provoke any strong emotional reactions from him.

Could it be…

Snow Empress's expression became subtle as she sighed softly.

Bing, really, these matters should be left to the parties involved to resolve. I just said those things because of the emotional fluctuations after not seeing Yuhao for ten thousand years. It doesn't mean I need an answer right now.

Especially after learning about the pressure Huo Yuhao is facing, I don't wish to add to his burdens.

Yuhao has to cultivate again and deal with deities. His pressure is already immense. Don't let him be troubled by me. Ten thousand years have passed; there's no need to rush.

Huo Yuhao continued his actions, his mind now completely calm.

Since things have come to this, he must face what needs to be faced. Some things can be avoided, but others cannot.

Ten thousand years, how could they be summed up in just a few words?

Snow Empress was his benefactor in this life. For ten thousand years, even though they hadn't met, she had always been his protector.

If he were to step back now and say he had no feelings, would his conscience be clear?

No!

With that thought, Huo Yuhao glanced at Gu Yuena, who was obediently waiting for the food, and sighed.

And then there's this one… She seems just as slow-witted as I am.

He had initially thought that Gu Yuena giving him her reverse scale might have been influenced by the atmosphere, so he treated her normally… But the look of disappointment on Gu Yuena's face earlier, wasn't that his imagination?

…She gave him her reverse scale. To treat it as an illusion now would be to run away.

He was the one who initially made Gu Yuena mistake him for a God King, the one who brought her into Tang San's divine sense's view, the one who gave her gifts, the fault lies with him.

This is troublesome; he can't break this situation.

"Did Bing Bing tell you?"

At that moment, Snow Empress's gentle voice echoed in Huo Yuhao's ear as she sent a message:

"Don't worry about it. I know your aspirations, so focus on them. I'll support you as I did ten thousand years ago. On that path, we were merely acquaintances, with at most some mutual fondness. That journey is long, and it's too early to speak of such things. We can discuss answers after everything is settled."

Facing Huo Yuhao's increasingly complicated gaze, Snow Empress tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and glanced at Gu Yuena. "From what I know of you, have you ever thought that if you couldn't repay her, you'd accompany her after everything ends… After all, she gave you her reverse scale. You couldn't just ignore that."

Huo Yuhao instantly felt as if swords were pressed against his body. It seemed like there were eyes staring at him even in his spiritual sea. He coughed lightly and averted his gaze.

Sure enough, the life-threatening question has come!

However, Huo Yuhao didn't refute or argue, silently acknowledging it.

If it really came to that, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't make that choice, so why deceive Snow Empress?

Now, he should quickly think about where to be buried if the Snow Empress gets angry, a place with beautiful scenery.

What should be carved on the tombstone? "Tomb of the Spirit Ice"?

At that moment, Snow Empress said, "I was a bit displeased when I learned from Bing that you gave her a trump card. But! She's a first-level deity. Having her around will be beneficial for your future. I know you don't like everything being about benefits, but even if it's just to avoid making her an enemy, I wouldn't tell you to distance yourself from her."

Huo Yuhao looked up at her, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"By human standards, the one who falls in love first is the loser. I fell for you first, so I've lost a step, and I can only bear the bitterness myself."

Snow Empress's eyes sparkled. "To me, human partners are just people who support each other, companions who understand one another. Being with you like this, as teacher and student, as friends, as family, isn't bad either. The path of cultivation is long; as long as you're willing to walk it with me, that's enough."

"Because of my selfishness and the favors I've done, I shouldn't force you to do anything or favor me. There's no logic in that. My earlier words about leveraging favors were just meant to nudge you. Now, thinking about it, I regret bringing it up. The Divine Realm has disappeared, and this is your time to soar. Don't let me trouble you, that's not like you."

A gentle breeze blew by the lake, causing Snow Empress's long hair to dance like silver threads in the wind. Her skirt billowed like clouds, drifting toward Huo Yuhao, as if silently conveying something.