Chapter 3: Tianmeng's Fear
Putting away the three-pointed double-edged spear, a small portion of his spirit power immediately disappeared. Huo Yuhao stood still, pondering for a moment, still deciding not to attach a spirit ring to this Spirit.
It wouldn't be too late to check the spirit ring Spirit Ability granted by the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm before making a decision.
After all, it was now the Heavenly Eye Martial Soul, not the previous Spirit Eyes Martial Soul. Attaching a million-year Spirit Beast's spirit ring might lead to unexpected changes.
The Legacy of Erlang Shen, absorbed just now below the steps of the golden hall, also needed to be digested.
Now, even without activating the Heavenly Eye Martial Soul, his mental force could perceive movements within dozens of meters.
The Wind Baboon's corpse was still here, and the scent of blood would attract Spirit Beasts. He had to leave the Star Dou Great Forest before making further plans.
After exiting the outer area of the Star Dou Great Forest and walking for another ten li or so, about half an hour passed.
The flatbread he had eaten earlier was mostly digested. Huo Yuhao rubbed his empty stomach and activated his Heavenly Eye to search for the direction where the water vapor in the air was denser.
Before long, he arrived by a stream.
The river channel was about two meters wide, with lush grass along the banks. The water was clear to the bottom, where distinct pebbles lay. Occasionally, dark shadows darted through the shaded areas by the water.
He picked up a dry branch from the ground, inserted it into the water, and then pulled it out to examine it. The wet branch was about half a meter long.
Confirming the water wasn't deep, Huo Yuhao untied his satchel, washed off the dry mud stains on his hands, then took off his clothes and used a towel to quickly wipe his body several times.
Ever since leaving the town inn, he had been rushing, and upon arriving at the Star Dou Great Forest, he hadn't had a bath yet; his body had long since started to reek.
After cleaning himself, he washed his clothes once more, then carved a few branches from a tree to prop up his clothes for drying. He also carved another pointed branch.
Huo Yuhao rolled up his pant legs to just above his knees. The cool river water soaked his feet, and the pebbles at the river bottom felt a bit rough.
As he went into the water to catch fish, the green fish at the bottom seemed not to fear humans at all, swimming quickly past Huo Yuhao's feet, then turning back, shuttling back and forth.
"Good heavens, little fish, you're practically asking for death. You're not even running away."
Huo Yuhao squinted, locked onto a green fish, and with quick hands and eyes, he thrust down. He hit it.
Achieving an initial victory, under the Heavenly Eye's perception, the agile swimming fish also seemed to slow down, though his hand speed was still a bit lacking.
The Star Dou Great Forest truly lived up to its reputation as a primitive forest rich in resources. The fish in the river were endless. In just a few minutes, Huo Yuhao had speared more than ten fish.
After cleaning the fish's scales and entrails, Huo Yuhao gathered a pile of dry grass and dead branches, then used a tinder to light a fire.
His memory of the craft was still there, and he had grilling experience. Coupled with the Heavenly Eye controlling the heat, these fish would taste delicious even if he grilled them with his feet.
The fish sizzled with oil, releasing a crispy aroma. A sprinkle of salt, and the simple grilled fish was ready.
Huo Yuhao enjoyed the grilled fish while contemplating the Legacy information he had just received.
It wasn't some profound Law or powerful divine force, but a Cultivation Technique: a simplified version of the Eight-Nine Arcane Art.
It was a method that could utilize spirit power and mental force to circulate Qi and blood, refining the Physical Body. Even in its simplified version, its power was significantly stronger than the Mysterious Heaven Skill.
However, the current environment wasn't suitable for Cultivation yet, and the green fish he had eaten wouldn't sustain the Qi and blood consumption of Cultivating the Eight-Nine Arcane Art.
He wondered if there would be even stronger Legacies on the golden steps.
Huo Yuhao gazed at the flowing water ahead, his lips stained with fish oil, pondering his thoughts.
Just then, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm in his Sea of Consciousness slowly awoke.
"Kid, who exactly are you?! Why is there such high-grade divinity in your Sea of Consciousness? It's even stronger than those who Ascended to the God Realm ten thousand years ago, as if it belongs to a completely different level of existence!"
The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm clamored in Huo Yuhao's Sea of Consciousness, its tone astonished and frantic. It had originally intended to rely on its million-year Cultivation to grant this boy an additional Spirit, achieving twin spirits, and thereby plotting to acquire the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion to create a super Genius capable of becoming a God.
But after coming into contact with him, it realized how terribly wrong it was. Even without absorbing it, this boy's Aptitude was enough for him to Ascend on his own!
The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm felt deceived. It had only focused on finding a Spirit Master with mental attributes, hoping to escape one danger, only to unexpectedly fall into another!
Moreover, the Golden Divine Eye in Huo Yuhao's Sea of Consciousness was continuously purifying and refining its vast mental force. Its purest, most Origin mental power was being guided, thread by thread, wisp by wisp, into that Golden Divine Eye.
The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm felt a sense of being devoured, that familiar feeling had reappeared. Those damned Spirit Beasts had been devouring it like this for ten thousand years.
And if this person willed it, its consciousness would absolutely be destroyed by that Golden Divine Eye!
"As you've seen and heard, I'm just an ordinary boy. But you don't need to be afraid, I'm very kind and won't do anything to you. Just stay peacefully in my Sea of Consciousness. And I also know your plan; I'll help you find that beloved item."
Huo Yuhao comforted the Little Silkworm Baby in his Sea of Consciousness.
Upon hearing this, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm felt as if it had fallen into an ice cave. Its heart was colder than the ice and snow of the Extreme North. Even its deepest secret had been discovered, yet he hadn't examined its memories. How did he know?
The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm tried to mobilize the ten mental force Seals and found they were still under its control. If this person wanted to obliterate its consciousness, it would rather die trying to self-destruct with him!
Having just escaped the clutches of those terrifying Spirit Beasts and not yet seen its beloved Bingbing, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm would not resort to such an action unless absolutely necessary.
Fortunately, it still had a trump card. After contemplating the gains and losses, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm gained some confidence and tentatively asked, "Truly mysterious and unpredictable, what a method. Then tell me, what is this beloved item of mine?"
Thanks to the Heavenly Eye Martial Soul and the protection of the Judicial Heavenly God's Legacy, as well as the memories from the original work.
Huo Yuhao saw the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's inability to control his Sea of Consciousness and its attempts to discern his memories. He understood it all as clearly as a mirror.
"My Heavenly Eye can see through many things. If I'm not mistaken, what you like should be a scorpion, right?"
The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's heart trembled upon hearing this. The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion was indeed the Spirit Beast it had fallen in love with at first sight, but it was its secret crush... "That's right, the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion, a Spirit Beast as beautiful as a work of art, one of the overlord-level Spirit Beasts of the Extreme North. With my million-year Cultivation, I can help you obtain another Spirit prototype. I plan to make the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion your Spirit, allowing it to become an intelligent existence like me, coexisting in your Sea of Consciousness."
After being exposed, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was silent for a long time before revealing its inner plan.