A grand, palace-like building stood before them, its golden glazed tiles dazzling under the sunlight.
From a distance, it appeared vast and hazy, with tiled roofs stretching in all directions, seemingly without end.
Above the five-zhang-tall main gate archway hung three large characters: White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
Seeing this familiar yet unfamiliar place again, Huo Yuhao stopped in his tracks, countless thoughts surging through his mind.
Wang Nan also felt a wave of emotion as he looked at the building before him.
With his powerful mental force, memories from his past life were vivid and clear. Everything seemed to have begun from this palace-like structure.
"Brother Wang?" Huo Yuhao looked up at him.
"Go."
"Mm." Huo Yuhao nodded. He reached toward his chest, and a sky-blue, eight-cornered badge appeared.
Against its background, faint snowflakes emitted an icy blue glow, surrounded by sun-like patterns, with an eye-shaped emblem directly above. On the front, ten dazzling gems were inlaid, shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.
This was the unique badge of a Ten-Rank Soul Engineer on the Douluo Continent.
Taking his mother Huo Yun'er's arm, Huo Yuhao's mental force surged. His aura was no longer concealed as the pressure of a ninety-sixth-rank Super Douluo spread outward.
Such a change could not possibly escape notice.
Before long, Marshal Dai Hao and Dai Yueheng appeared at the entrance of the Duke's Mansion. After several years, Dai Yueheng had also broken through to the Titled Douluo realm.
"Yuhao—"
Marshal Dai Hao's gaze swept over Huo Yuhao, his expression complicated. It lingered briefly on the badge at Huo Yuhao's chest before finally settling on Huo Yun'er, his expression shifting repeatedly.
Standing beside him, Dai Yueheng naturally knew the entire story. Yet after Huo Yuhao left the mansion, so many changes had taken place that he had not recognized him as his half-brother when they met again.
It was only after returning from the Soul Duel Tournament that Dai Yueheng paid closer attention to the reserve member named Huo Yuhao and realized he was the child who had left the Duke's Mansion years ago.
"You already knew," Huo Yuhao said quietly, his brows furrowed.
"I knew this day would come," Marshal Dai Hao replied, letting out a deep sigh. "Come inside, all of you."
After speaking, he turned to Wang Nan. "I've let Duke Heaven's Equal witness our family's disgrace. Please come in as well. Yueheng, properly receive Duke Heaven's Equal."
"White Tiger Duke, there's no need to be so courteous," Wang Nan said calmly. "Senior Brother Dai and I haven't seen each other in a long time. It's a good chance to catch up. I have no intention of interfering in the Duke's family matters."
Marshal Dai Hao understood the implication clearly. If Wang Nan wished to reminisce, he could have done so at any time. Choosing this moment meant he was here to support Huo Yuhao.
Moreover, with Huo Yuhao's identity as a Ten-Rank Soul Engineer, he was no longer someone the White Tiger Duke could look down upon. That was not even considering his relationship with Wang Nan and Shrek Academy.
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Wang," Dai Yueheng said with a smile, smoothly following Wang Nan's lead. "We were supposed to meet earlier, but the war left no opportunity."
Wang Nan glanced back. Tears were already streaming uncontrollably down Huo Yun'er's face. The three exchanged looks, yet no one spoke.
After a brief pause, Wang Nan followed Dai Yueheng deeper into the White Tiger Duke's Mansion. It was better to leave Huo Yuhao and Marshal Dai Hao to resolve their own matters.
"Senior Brother Dai, I heard you have two other brothers. Why aren't they here?" Wang Nan asked casually.
Dai Yueheng's expression remained calm.
"Haobin is young and somewhat impetuous, so Father sent him to the army for a few years of training. As for Luoli, I heard he secretly ran away from the mansion to enlist some time ago. Father thought tempering would do him good, so he let him go."
Wang Nan glanced at Dai Yueheng without comment.
Even if Dai Haobin was young, he was already over twenty, and with the Zhu family's Spirit Fusion Skill, he was the most suitable heir to the White Tiger title. Yet now, Dai Haobin was not at Marshal Dai Hao's side. Instead, Dai Yueheng accompanied him.
Combined with the implications in Dai Yueheng's words, it was likely far more than simple military training.
Succession struggles were always like this, but Wang Nan had never been interested in such matters. After asking a few casual questions, he shifted the topic to his time at Shrek Academy, reminiscing about many amusing experiences.
---
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao, his mother, and Marshal Dai Hao arrived in a main hall.
After a long silence, no one spoke. Huo Yuhao's aura remained fully released. Even Marshal Dai Hao looked slightly uncomfortable under the pressure of a Super Douluo.
"Yun'er—"
Huo Yun'er shook her head, stopping him from continuing.
Back then, she had only been a maid in the Duke's Mansion. Having never seen the outside world, she had once fantasized about love. But after leaving the mansion and experiencing more of life, her heart had slowly changed.
Marshal Dai Hao felt as though a thousand catties weighed on his chest, his breathing growing heavier. "My wife has already passed away. I—"
Huo Yun'er still did not speak, only shaking her head again.
Before seeing him, she had countless grievances and words she wished to voice. Yet standing before him now, she realized the man in front of her was completely different from the one in her memories. She no longer wished to bring any of those matters up.
"Duke, this item should be returned to its rightful owner."
Huo Yun'er spoke calmly. Her tone was unchanged, yet the words felt distant and unfamiliar.
Marshal Dai Hao stared blankly at the White Tiger Dagger she held out.
"Let the matters of the Duke's Mansion end here," Huo Yun'er continued. "It left me with pain, but it also gave me the greatest gift."
She turned her gaze to Huo Yuhao.
Now, he had grown so tall that she had to look up at him. Raising her head slightly, her eyes filled with warmth and smiles.
"Yuhao, let's go home."
At that moment, Huo Yun'er understood that what she had once pursued had never truly been love.
"Okay, Mom."
Huo Yuhao nodded. He turned and walked toward the door, never looking back.
"Yuhao!"
"White Tiger Duke," Huo Yuhao said calmly, "please call me Huo Yuhao."
"I… I understand. I'm sorry!"
Hearing the belated apology, Huo Yuhao clenched his fists. But when he looked at his mother beside him, they slowly relaxed.
He did not turn around. Linking arms with his mother, he left without a backward glance.
---
"Brother Wang!"
Outside the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, Huo Yuhao had not expected Wang Nan to already be waiting.
The clouds overhead gradually dispersed, and the warm evening sunlight bathed them in a golden glow.
Seeing the smile on Wang Nan's face, Huo Yuhao unconsciously smiled as well.
Golden light flickered in his eyes, and the spirit power within his body surged violently.