Chapter 18: The Son of Luck Joining(Part 2)

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"It should be about time."

Inside the protective barrier, Chen Junting glanced at the sky. The effects of the Xuanshui Pill were nearly complete, meaning Huo Yuhao's cleansing of tendons and marrow was finishing up.

He stood up. "Xiaotian, Xiaofeng, I'm going to check on Yuhao. Stay inside for now."

"Got it," Ning Tian responded.

She and Wu Feng had no intention of stepping out yet. The stench of impurities expelled during the process was notorious, and neither of them wanted to endure it.

Outside, the air was thick with an unbearable odor. Chen Junting frowned slightly before summoning his Seven Killing Sword. With a single slash—

"Shua—"

The wooden enclosure split apart, revealing a blackened figure sitting cross-legged inside.

"Ugh…"

Huo Yuhao groggily regained consciousness. His eyelids fluttered open, but the moment he inhaled—

"Wow! It stinks!"

A nauseating stench filled his nostrils. His body jolted upright on reflex, but as soon as he caught sight of Chen Junting, he froze in place, stiffening.

Then, looking down at himself—his clothes, now pitch black, his skin covered in a slimy layer of expelled impurities—his confusion deepened.

"What happened to me…?"

In his sea of consciousness, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm spoke up, its voice filled with amusement.

"Xiao Yuhao, this is the effect of that talent-enhancing pill you took. Congratulations, you've taken your first step toward a better physique!"

Just then—

"Here."

Chen Junting tossed him a water bottle from his storage soul guide. It wasn't just an ordinary container; it was a specialized storage-type soul tool designed to store liquids.

"You can wash up first."

Huo Yuhao took the bottle carefully, his fingers tightening around it.

'They're… really looking after me.'

His eyes stung slightly, but the dirt covering his face hid his emotions well.

"No need to be so polite," Chen Junting said with a casual chuckle.

Gesturing toward the half-cut wooden enclosure, he signaled for Yuhao to use it as a screen while washing. At the same time, he handed over a bag of fresh clothes.

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Once Huo Yuhao had cleaned up, they wasted no time leaving the stench-ridden clearing, heading toward a safer, fresher spot to continue their conversation.

About half an hour later, they arrived at an open meadow.

"This should do," Chen Junting said, surveying the area.

Ning Tian and Wu Feng had no objections.

They turned to Huo Yuhao, who had been fidgeting the entire trip. It was clear he had something on his mind.

"Yuhao," Ning Tian prompted gently, "just ask whatever you want to ask."

Huo Yuhao hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

"Brother Junting… what exactly happened to me?"

Although the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm had explained that his talent had improved, Yuhao still didn't fully understand what it meant.

"You just underwent tendon and marrow cleansing," Wu Feng chimed in.

Then, realizing Yuhao might not understand such technical terms, she reworded it in a way that made Ning Tian's face darken instantly.

"In simple terms, your meridians were pooping through your pores, making them smoother."

Bang!

"Ow! Young Master, why'd you hit me?!" Wu Feng yelped, rubbing her forehead.

Ning Tian glared at her. "Sister Feng, how can a girl talk so crudely?! 'Pooping through your pores'? Really?"

"And I told you, outside the sect, don't call me Young Master! It gives the wrong impression. You need to change that habit."

"Oh…" Wu Feng pouted.

Meanwhile, Chen Junting ignored their bickering, chuckling as he looked at Huo Yuhao.

"Even though Xiaofeng's explanation was… colorful, the meaning is correct. The Xuanshui Pill I gave you not only purified your body but also increased your innate soul power by one level."

Huo Yuhao's eyes widened in shock.

"Increase… innate soul power?"

For a moment, his heart pounded in disbelief.

"This kind of medicine must be incredibly expensive!"

Chen Junting smiled lightly. "Not really. Only ten thousand gold coins."

Huo Yuhao froze.

'Did he just say… 'only' ten thousand gold?!'

His worldview shattered at that moment.

The weight of the pill's value hit him hard.

Before Chen Junting or the others could react—

Huo Yuhao suddenly dropped to his knees!

"Yuhao! What are you doing?!"

Chen Junting moved quickly, catching him before he could fully kneel.

Huo Yuhao looked up, his expression firm yet emotional.

"I… I don't know how to repay you!"

A single pill worth a fortune… something far beyond his reach, freely given to him. If not for their kindness, he would never have had such an opportunity.

If he didn't kneel in gratitude, he would feel indebted for life.

But Chen Junting and the others only exchanged glances, half amused, half exasperated.

"This kid is seriously too honest."

Junting, however, saw something else.

"A blank slate… waiting to be shaped."

His gaze sharpened slightly. Then, as if reaching a silent decision, he gave Ning Tian a look.

Understanding immediately, Ning Tian's tone became gentle, yet firm.

"Yuhao, do you want to join our sect?"

"Sect?"

Yuhao blinked in confusion.

Then, suddenly, he remembered—

"Wu Feng called Ning Tian 'Young Master' earlier…"

His heart skipped a beat.

"Ning Tian, are you all… from a sect?"

"That's right," Ning Tian confirmed. "We are from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."

Silence.

Then—

Yuhao's body stiffened as realization dawned.

"Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect… The wealthiest sect in the world!"

No wonder they treated ten thousand gold coins like pocket change!

"You look shocked," Wu Feng smirked, stepping forward and playfully slapping his shoulder—though her strength made Yuhao stagger.

"Your body is too weak," she muttered, grabbing him by the collar before he fell over. Then, she gave him a fierce grin.

"I'm telling you, don't be ungrateful! Young Master—uh, I mean, Ning Tian personally invited you. That's an honor!"

"Feng Mei! That's not how you invite someone!"

Despite Wu Feng's aggressive approach, Yuhao didn't feel any resentment.

Instead, warmth filled his chest.

Without hesitation, he nodded firmly.

"I'd like to join!"

As the words left his lips, Ning Tian and Wu Feng hadn't even reacted yet

—

But Chen Junting?

He simply laughed.

Looking up at the sky, a thought crossed his mind:

"The Son of Destiny has entered Nine Treasure… I've made the first move in this game."

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That night, near the forest's edge…

A bonfire flickered, casting warm light over the group.

Huo Yuhao stared at the items in his hands.

A porcelain bottle containing two more Xuanshui Pills, a storage soul guide belt, a thousand-year whale glue, and a book on spiritual meditation techniques from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

All of it… gifts.

Inside his sea of consciousness, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm wiggled excitedly.

"Yuhao! You made the right choice! This sect is a goldmine! It's PERFECT!"

But Yuhao wasn't listening anymore.

Clutching the gifts tightly, he whispered to himself:

"Brother Junting, Ning Tian, Wu Feng… I won't let you down."

For the first time in his life—

He had a place to belong.

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End of Chapter.