Chapter 26: Huo Yun'er
After a peaceful night's rest at the outskirts of the Great Star Dou Forest, the morning sun filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow. With the three members of the Salon Solitaire standing guard, Furina and Huo Yuhao had passed the night undisturbed by any soul beasts.
Furina woke early and stretched, glancing at the still-sleeping Huo Yuhao with a faint smile. Since obtaining the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's soul ring, the boy's entire bearing had undergone a subtle transformation—though his soul power rank still wasn't high, a soul master's keen edge had already begun to glint in his eyes.
"Time to get up, little Yuhao," Furina called softly.
Huo Yuhao opened his eyes at once. He hadn't slept deeply that night—the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm in his spiritual sea had chatted with him from time to time, deepening his understanding of the soul master's world.
"Good morning, Sister Furina." Huo Yuhao rose swiftly and packed his belongings with practiced efficiency.
Furina retrieved water and dry rations from her storage ring, and after a simple breakfast, they set out toward Huo Yun'er's dwelling.
"Where is your mother living now?" Furina asked as they walked, idly toying with her storage ring. The one she now wore was a tier above her previous ring, with more than double the storage space, packed full of daily necessities and cultivation resources.
Huo Yuhao pointed southeast. "In a small village on the outskirts of Star Luo City. She's been recuperating there ever since we left the Duke's manor. It's very quiet, and the villagers are kind—they often help look after her."
Furina nodded and produced an exquisite jade vial from her storage ring. "This is a Heart-Nourishing Pill I prepared specially. It's not some divine medicine, but it's very beneficial for restoring one's constitution. Once we've fetched your mother, have her take it on schedule—I believe she'll recover much faster."
Huo Yuhao accepted the jade vial, his fingers trembling slightly. Ever since meeting Furina, his and his mother's lives had been utterly transformed. Not only had his mother's illness been brought under effective control, but his own soul power had risen from rank 8 to rank 14 in a remarkably short time—a speed he'd never dared to dream of before.
"Thank you, Sister Furina." Huo Yuhao carefully stowed the vial away. "Without you, Mother and I would probably still be struggling just to survive."
Furina waved a dismissive hand, a bright smile gracing her face. "No need to be so formal. You're one of our Church of the Water God's key talents now—not only has your soul power advanced by leaps and bounds, but your cooking is praised by everyone in the church. Taking good care of you is also an investment in the church's future!"
Huo Yuhao smiled bashfully. It was true—during his time at the Church of the Water God, his culinary talent had been given full rein, even earning him the nickname "Little Culinary Prodigy." What surprised him even more was that Furina not only provided cultivation resources but also frequently guided him personally on soul power circulation techniques, making his training twice as effective with half the effort.
"Let's move!" Furina clapped her hands. "Mademoiselle Chevaleyda has already scouted the route. We'll aim to reach your mother before noon."
The two left the makeshift camp and headed toward Star Luo City. As he walked, Huo Yuhao practiced his Spiritual Detection with growing proficiency. At rank 14, his detection range had expanded to nearly a hundred meters, every blade of grass and every tree around him appearing in crisp detail within his mind.
"Sister Furina, there's a ten-year Soft-Boned Rabbit about two hundred meters ahead, resting in the grass," Huo Yuhao suddenly reported, a glint of confidence in his eyes.
Furina nodded approvingly. "Not bad—you're getting more adept with Spiritual Detection. Though Soft-Boned Rabbits are gentle by nature. They won't attack humans unless provoked. And they make excellent roast rabbit, by the way."
Huo Yuhao replied earnestly, "I still need to work much harder."
"Don't sell yourself short," Furina consoled him. "You're a completely different person from who you were before. You know, for an ordinary soul master to go from rank 8 to rank 14 would take at least half a year or more. You've done it in less than three months. That kind of talent is outstanding across the whole continent."
A warm current surged through Huo Yuhao's heart. Indeed, with Furina's help, his cultivation speed far surpassed that of ordinary people. Not to mention the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm—that million-year soul beast now residing in his spiritual sea—who, aside from showering him with benefits, had likely spared him countless detours in his spiritual-attribute cultivation.
Though regarding the matter of his second martial soul, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm had said it would tell him the specifics when the time was right. Now was not yet that time.
Along the journey, Huo Yuhao continuously practiced his two soul skills, Spiritual Detection and Spiritual Sharing. He shared the scenes he detected with Furina, and the two grew increasingly in sync. Furina discovered that Huo Yuhao possessed a heaven-sent talent for controlling spiritual power—often, a single hint was all he needed to grasp the principle and apply it in new ways.
"Star Luo City is just ahead," Huo Yuhao said after they'd traveled for the better part of the day, pointing toward the faintly visible city walls in the distance. His voice carried a tangle of complex emotions.
Furina, sharp as ever, caught the shift in his expression and gently patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm here. We'll fetch your mother and leave immediately. No one will notice a thing."
Huo Yuhao drew a deep breath and nodded. He led Furina around the city gates and down a secluded path toward the outskirts. He'd walked this road countless times before, each time sneaking out to buy medicine for his mother.
"Just beyond that hillside ahead," Huo Yuhao pointed. "The village is very small—barely twenty-some households. We rented a little house at the far end. It's very peaceful there. Mother wanted to help mend clothes for people to supplement our income, but I told her to focus on recovering and not worry about money."
"Then I went to the Church of the Water God looking for work—and that's when I met you, Sister Furina." Huo Yuhao's voice was thick with gratitude.
Furina pulled two sets of plain coarse-cloth garments from her storage ring. "Let's change before we go in, so we don't attract attention."
The two found a secluded spot and changed into the villagers' attire. Furina even wrapped a plain headscarf over her signature blue-white hair. Once they'd confirmed their disguises were passable, they continued toward the village.
As Huo Yuhao led Furina to the simple thatched cottage at the village's edge, his heart began to beat faster unbidden. The small vegetable plot before the house was meticulously tended. A few freshly laundered garments swayed gently on the clothesline in the breeze, and a thin wisp of smoke curled from the chimney.
"Mother?" Huo Yuhao called softly, pushing open the slightly ajar wooden door.
The interior was clean and tidy, sunlight streaming through the window to brighten the whole room. A gentle-faced woman sat in a chair by the window mending clothes. She looked up at the sound, and her face instantly bloomed with radiant, delighted surprise.
"Yuhao! You're back!" Huo Yun'er set aside her sewing and hurried forward.
Huo Yuhao rushed to her in a few quick strides and clasped her hands tightly. "Mother, I'm back! And I've brought a friend to see you."
Furina followed inside, carefully studying Huo Yun'er. This woman who had once been a minor consort of the White Tiger Duke, despite the many hardships she'd endured, looked remarkably well at this moment. Her complexion was rosy, her eyes clear, and her bearing carried a quiet, graceful composure. Only her frame still seemed somewhat frail—clearly, she needed continued care.
"Hello, Auntie. I'm Furina, Yuhao's friend," Furina said with a smile, producing the prepared medicinal vial from her storage ring. "I've brought some heart-nourishing pills—they'll be good for your health."
Huo Yun'er's gaze moved between Furina and her son, a glimmer of understanding passing through her eyes. "Yuhao, this young lady is..."
"Mother, Sister Furina is the Pope of the Church of the Water God," Huo Yuhao explained. "She's been very good to me—teaching me to cultivate, giving me work in the church. We've come to bring you back to live there. The conditions are much better, and there are people to look after you specially."
Huo Yun'er, hearing this, immediately moved to bow. "Thank you, Your Holiness, for your generous kindness!"
Furina hastily caught her, steadying her. "Auntie, please, no formalities. In our Church of the Water God, we dispense with such empty ceremonies whenever possible. Just treat me as an ordinary junior."
So saying, Furina produced an exquisite food container from her storage ring. "Please, try some of this first. Yuhao prepared it especially for you."
Huo Yun'er looked at the delicate pastries and the still-steaming congee inside the container, her eyes growing faintly moist. It had been so long since she'd seen her son looking this full of energy and life. What comforted her even more was that her son seemed to have found companions he could truly trust.
"Thank you for looking after Yuhao," Huo Yun'er said to Furina, her voice catching slightly.
Furina shook her head. "Auntie, you're far too kind. Yuhao is outstanding—not only is he diligent in his training, but his cooking is praised by everyone in the church. Having him with us is our blessing."
Huo Yuhao busied himself beside them, ladling congee for his mother. At this praise, the tips of his ears reddened. His soul power had already reached rank 14, placing him among the top of the Church of the Water God's younger generation, yet Furina always seemed more eager to praise his cooking than his cultivation. It left him both embarrassed and deeply warmed.
"Mother, eat something first, and then we'll pack up," Huo Yuhao said as he carefully helped his mother sit. "Sister Furina says the church has dedicated healing-type soul masters and can bring in the best doctors in Star Luo City. We'll definitely get your health fully restored."
Huo Yun'er looked at her son's hope-filled eyes, then at Furina standing to the side with a gentle smile, and finally nodded. She slowly ate the food her son handed her, savoring every bite, her face aglow with quiet happiness.
Furina stepped outside, giving mother and son a moment alone. She pulled a detailed map from her storage ring and began carefully planning their return route. Though Huo Yuhao's current strength was decent, traveling with Huo Yun'er—who still needed care—meant extra caution was warranted.
"Sister Furina." A short while later, Huo Yuhao's voice came from behind her. "Mother has agreed to come with us. She says that as long as we're together, anywhere is fine."
Furina turned to see Huo Yuhao standing in the doorway, tears of emotion glistening in his eyes. She walked over and gently hugged the boy, who stood half a head shorter than her. "That's wonderful! Let's help your mother pack at once."
The three began sorting through Huo Yun'er's belongings. In truth, there wasn't much that needed to be brought—Furina's storage ring had ample space. Huo Yun'er's condition was better than expected; she was at least mobile and could help with the packing.
"These bedding items—no need to bring them. The church has everything prepared," Furina said, efficiently stowing daily necessities into her storage ring. "Auntie, is there anything in particular you'd especially like to take with you?"
Huo Yun'er looked around the little house she'd lived in for so long. A trace of reluctance flickered in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resolve. "The most important things are some of Yuhao's childhood keepsakes and some medicinal herbs. Everything else can be left behind."
As they packed, Huo Yun'er would cough from time to time, but her overall condition remained stable. Huo Yuhao stayed close by his mother's side the entire time, attentive and caring.
"Auntie, take this." Furina handed Huo Yun'er a delicate sachet. "There are some soothing herbs inside. The fragrance will help you feel more comfortable on the journey."
Huo Yun'er accepted the sachet gratefully, but a sudden violent fit of coughing overtook her. Huo Yuhao quickly supported his mother, his eyes filled with heartache.
"I'm fine..." Huo Yun'er steadied her breathing with effort and patted her son's hand. "Just a little tired. To leave this place and be together with Yuhao—I'm very happy."
Watching this scene, Furina silently resolved to do everything in her power to help Huo Yun'er recover completely. She turned and shot a meaningful glance at Madame Hevmayer, who was drifting in the air nearby. The latter understood at once, floating over to Huo Yun'er and releasing a gentle ripple of water-elemental energy to ease her discomfort.
By that afternoon, everything was ready. Huo Yun'er sat in a comfortable "palanquin" that Mademoiselle Chevaleyda had fashioned from bubbles, escorted in turns by Lord Usher and Madame Hevmayer. Huo Yuhao and Furina walked ahead to scout the path, Spiritual Detection fully deployed to ensure no danger lay in wait.
"Sister Furina," Huo Yuhao suddenly stopped in his tracks as they passed through a small grove, his expression uncommonly solemn, "thank you—for everything you've done for me and my mother. I... I will repay this kindness with a lifetime of loyalty."
Furina blinked, then laughed and ruffled his hair. "What silly talk is that? In the Church of the Water God, we're all family. Isn't looking after one another simply what we do?"
Huo Yuhao nodded emphatically, a steadfast light shining in his eyes. In his spiritual sea, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm lazily rolled over and, in a voice only Huo Yuhao could hear, remarked, "That young lady's a good sort. My judgment was spot-on as always!" And in another corner of that spiritual sea, the mysterious gray orb of light still floated silently, awaiting its appointed time to awaken.
As the setting sun cast its golden glow, the group pressed steadily onward toward the Church of the Water God. Huo Yuhao knew that their new life was only just beginning. With Furina's help, his mother's health would surely improve, and he himself would walk further and further down the path of a soul master.
The night deepened, but the road ahead remained clear under the moonlight. Huo Yuhao supported his mother, while Furina chatted and joked beside them to lift Huo Yun'er's spirits. The three members of the Salon Solitaire kept vigilant watch around the group. In this moment, Huo Yuhao felt a warmth and security he hadn't known in a very long time.
"Once we're back at the church, I'll make Mother her favorite steamed fish," Huo Yuhao silently resolved. "And I'll keep training with everything I have—I won't let Sister Furina's expectations down."
The stars dotted the sky, lighting the path ahead, and illuminating the boundless hope for the future that glowed within Huo Yuhao's heart.