Huo Yuhao in Legend of Dragon King (Douluo Dalu 3 Fanfiction)

Ten thousand years have passed since the Sun and Moon Empire unified the continent and established the Federation.

Over the past 10,000 years, the Douluo Federation's various soul guide technologies have advanced rapidly. Some conservative forces, unable to keep up with the times, have gradually declined, while others have grown stronger in this evolving environment.

Among them is the Spirit Pagoda, which has mastered the technology of soul creation.

...

Eastsea City, Spirit Pagoda.

In the Douluo Federation, Eastsea City is one of the few major cities, and the branch of the Spirit Pagoda here is known as one of the Eighteen Heavenly Pillars, serving as a landmark of the city.

Today, the Pagoda was bustling with adults and children.

It is the annual Awakening Day, when Soul Masters from the Spirit Pagoda travel to various locations to help children awaken their martial spirits free of charge.

Many families from nearby civilian neighborhoods, who cannot afford the cost of awakening their children's martial spirits, bring them to the Spirit Pagoda for this purpose.

Outside the dome-shaped awakening room, a staff member in charge of registration looked at the little boy standing alone before him, puzzled.

"Child, where are your parents?"

The boy, with unusually bright eyes, calmly took out his identification and replied, "I don't have parents. I'm here alone today."

The staff member was momentarily speechless.

"Ahem, I'm just concerned seeing you alone. Although Eastsea City is very safe, it's still possible for someone to encounter danger."

Smiling awkwardly, the staff member took the identification from the boy's hand, paused briefly at the name, and then turned toward the awakening room.

"Alright, Huo Yuhao, come with me. I'll take you to awaken your martial spirit."

"Su Tong has done well. All my information has been erased, and aside from the soul beast side and the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, no one knows my details."

Seeing that the staff member showed no reaction to his name, Huo Yuhao was satisfied.

As he observed his surroundings, he asked inwardly: "When I sensed the Heavenly Tribulation, I thought it was for other reasons. I didn't expect to truly become a soul beast-like existence... Elder, how else can your necromancy achieve this?"

The plan had gone smoothly. Ten thousand years ago, he had used undead magic to resurrect from death, transforming into a sentient undead creature.

This allowed him to shed his identity as the Children of Fortune on the continent and gain an extended lifespan, enabling him to survive to this day.

However, something unexpected had occurred.

The undead creature he had become was not entirely as he had imagined.

For reasons unknown, his life form had become strikingly similar to that of a soul beast.

While his long lifespan remained intact, he now had to face the Heavenly Tribulation.

If he wished to restore his human body, he would need to undergo transformation and reconstruction.

The latter was of little concern to Huo Yuhao.

After all, the term "transformation and reconstruction" was merely the closest concept to describe his situation.

His circumstances were too unique. He could not produce his own soul ring, and there were significant differences between him and a soul beast undergoing recultivation.

If he could leverage this opportunity effectively, he might be able to compensate for these gaps.

Ten thousand years ago, he had primarily focused on the Ice Emperor Martial Soul, while the Spirit Eye Martial Soul had failed to evolve.

The problem lies in the Heavenly Tribulation.

What he needs to face is not a hundred-thousand-year Heavenly Tribulation, but a million-year Heavenly Tribulation!

Huo Yuhao was utterly numb at that moment.

Without the identity of the Child of Fortune and Tang San's attention, it was the perfect time for him to continue his plans and schemes.

However, the million-year Heavenly Tribulation loomed over him like the Sword, forcing him to choose self-seclusion and sleep within the undead half-plane to avoid triggering the tribulation.

For 10,000 years, all he could do was study martial spirits, soul tools, and the various magical knowledge taught to him by Electrolux within the Spirit Sea. He ventured out very few times, wasting a great deal of time.

"Hahaha, I never thought I'd see you as a child again, Yuhao."

In the Spirit Sea, Tianmeng laughed gleefully.

Beside him, Electrolux, whose divine consciousness had fully recovered after ten thousand years, frowned in thought for a moment before replying:

"The rules of this continent are extremely peculiar. Cultivation is a personal matter, yet the soul masters of Douluo Continent can enhance their power through the soul rings of soul beasts, while the soul beasts themselves must face the Heavenly Tribulation to break their limits. It seems as though someone deliberately designed it this way."

"I suspect it was the work of the gods, or perhaps a god far more powerful than I am. This has caused my necromancy to be influenced by the continent's rules, transforming you into a soul beast-like existence."

"Of course, it's also related to the big bug."

Tianmeng's laughter froze, not understanding how this had anything to do with him.

Electrolux continued to explain, "You didn't fully absorb the origin of the big bug, and that origin merged with you when you transformed into an undead creature. This has caused you to be judged as a million-year soul beast by the Heavenly Tribulation."

"I see."

Huo Yuhao pondered this.

He hadn't reached the point of becoming a god, and Tianmeng had naturally retained his origin, helping him enhance the years of his soul rings.

That portion of the origin had always remained within his body.

Moreover, Douluo Continent's definition of soul beasts is incredibly broad.

Animals, plants, and even natural spirits like the Snow Emperor are all classified as soul beasts.

It seems that as long as something isn't human, it is categorized as a soul beast, and those that live long enough are subjected to the Heavenly Tribulation.

A non-human creature with the origin of a million-year soul beast, in the eyes of the Heavenly Tribulation, is it human or a soul beast?

Well, judging by the outcome... it seems the Heavenly Tribulation isn't particularly intelligent?

If he had become an undead creature based on the origin of a million-year soul beast, then facing a million-year Heavenly Tribulation might not be so hard to accept... What a joke!

Tianmeng has never been struck by lightning, and if it were anyone else, they would have to face the Heavenly Tribulation. This is the difference!

"Brother Tianmeng, according to Elder Yi, the Heavenly Tribulation is mocking you for not being worthy of a million-year thunder tribulation," Huo Yuhao said quietly.

Tianmeng: "..."

It seems even the Heavenly Tribulation discriminates. What a world we live in.

"However, blessings and misfortunes depend on each other. This also means that the origin of the big bug has become a part of you. You can fully control it and make it your power as your cultivation recovers. With your sealed cultivation, once you reach the peak again, you will have a foundation comparable to that of a god."

Unlike ordinary soul beast recultivation, Huo Yuhao sealed his cultivation within several souls before rebuilding.

This is also why Huo Yuhao's Spirit Sea feels so empty, those souls are still asleep, having absorbed a large amount of origin.

Ten thousand years ago, Huo Yuhao's cultivation had reached the peak of quasi-godhood.

Rebuilding it once, with the help of Tianmeng origin, and combining the power of two lifetimes, it is not impossible for him to achieve power comparable to that of a god in his human form.

The exchange within the Spirit Sea happened in an instant, and after a few quick exchanges, Huo Yuhao was led into the center of the awakening room by the staff and stood ready.

There, a soul master had been waiting for some time.

"Calm down, I'm going to begin."

After reminding Huo Yuhao, Soul Master channeled the soft soul power in his hand into the awakening room.

In an instant, the intricate patterns on the walls and floor resonated with the soul power, and a warm flow of energy began to travel along the lines on the soles of Huo Yuhao's feet, entering his body.

Watching Huo Yuhao undergo the martial soul awakening for the second time, Tianmeng set aside his earlier frustration and asked curiously, "Yuhao, why did you come to the Spirit Pagoda to awaken your martial soul? You don't really need this process."

"Registering as a soul master at the Spirit Pagoda helps legitimize my identity and avoids unnecessary trouble. After all, I'm no longer the Spirit Ice Douluo, but a young soul master with no power to protect myself. I need to let go of the pride of a strong individual and adapt to this new reality."

Huo Yuhao, who was familiar with the martial soul awakening process, focused on two goals as he cooperated with the spirit transmitter's actions and replied:

"After all, this era is different from the past. I no longer want to isolate myself from the world to cultivate. Safety comes first."

It would have been easy for Huo Yuhao to create a suitable identity, but establishing a credible identity wasn't something that could be done overnight.

Moreover, this era is vastly different from 10,000 years ago. Without a legitimate identity, it's difficult to move even an inch.

Tianmeng was silent for a moment before asking in a low voice, "Yuhao, do you regret it?"

After 10,000 years of hard work, only to face reconstruction—do you regret it?

"No regrets!"

Huo Yuhao's eyes shone with determination.

"Starting over is just another challenge. Why regret it? I have the help of Brother Tianmeng, Elder Yi, the Ice Empress, and others. Compared to a soul beast undergoing recultivation, my conditions are hundreds of times better!"

Most importantly, in this life, there is no God King watching over him!

This is the time for him to truly spread his wings and soar!

"Huo Yuhao, martial soul: Eyes. Innate soul power: Level ten!"