bookbashuk Chapter 287 Enlightenment
Chapter 287 Enlightenment
Chapter 287 Enlightenment (Free of Charge)
Almost every moment in Dragon Valley is filled with different farces.
Fortunately, thanks to Huo Yuhao's suppression here, the farce that occurred in Dragon Valley never escalated to a large scale.
Their core business, which brought them here, is steadily progressing amidst this peculiar atmosphere.
Huo Yuhao traversed the Dragon Valley Forest, performing demon transformation rituals for one dragon after another whose soul bones had successfully fused.
Time quietly slipped away amidst the fusion, the transformation into demons, and the occasional roar of energy caused by the dragon soul's trials or "accidents."
"Sister Su Tong," Huo Yuhao turned to look at Su Tong, who had been following behind him, "it's time for you to obtain a soul bone."
"There are several ice and water elemental dragons here, waiting for you to come and fuse with them."
Su Tong stood quietly in place and smiled, saying, "It's not too late to go after the Four Dragon Kings have finished transforming into demons."
"You need to focus on the most critical part now. It's always good to have someone else help you stabilize the situation."
"Moreover—"
Su Tong's gaze swept over several dragon skeletons in the distance, emanating a powerful chill: "Their aura is very stable. I can feel that they are also waiting for me. It won't make a difference if they wait a little longer."
Looking into Su Tong's gentle yet unwavering eyes, Huo Yuhao knew that her mind was made up.
She always puts his needs and the team's overall interests first, silently protecting him.
Huo Yuhao sighed: "When the Azure Dragon Guard was first established, you were the one who handled everything, big and small."
"From developing training plans to coordinating resources, the Azure Dragon Guard wouldn't be where it is today without you."
Su Tong smiled faintly, like the first thaw of an ice lake, carrying a hint of warmth: "It's my duty. I cherish the opportunity to see you and the Azure Dragon Guard get to where you are today."
Looking at the unwavering determination in Su Tong's eyes, Huo Yuhao felt a surge of warmth in his heart, mixed with a touch of indescribable guilt.
He opened his mouth, as if to say something more, such as "You should think about yourself," but in the end it turned into a sigh.
Su Tong's past experiences have made this silent protection the cornerstone that supports her to move forward.
"There's a situation over there; Long Teng and I will go and handle it."
After saying that, Gu Mingxi reached out and grabbed Long Teng's arm, as if dragging a cumbersome but necessary piece of luggage, and rushed towards the still and calm Xingyan.
"Hey! Sister Gu! Be gentle! Your arm is going to dislocate!"
Caught off guard, Long Teng was pulled so hard he stumbled: "I have good judgment!"
Huo Yuhao turned his gaze away from the direction where Gu Mingxi had disappeared and back to Su Tong.
Su Tong slowly turned her head to meet Huo Yuhao's complex gaze: "There's no need for those words. Watching our common goal be achieved little by little is the best reward for me."
Nan Qiuqiu, Long Aotian, Yu Tianlong, and Vina's heads were hidden behind a boulder not far away.
"Captain Huo can be quite a jerk sometimes," Nan Qiuqiu said. "Why isn't he decisive and efficient now?"
Long Aotian tried to defend Huo Yuhao, saying things like he was under too much pressure.
But after thinking about it, he finally agreed, saying, "Indeed."
Huo Yuhao usually commands thousands of troops without batting an eye, but when he's around Su Tong and Gu Mingxi, he becomes timid and hesitant. He's truly a scoundrel.
Yu Tianlong also accurately commented: "The Azure Dragon King was indeed pathetic in this matter."
"And on Mingxi's side, the Azure Dragon King is also there—"
Yu Tianlong's words came to an abrupt halt, because Gu Mingxi had already dragged Long Teng over here.
"Captain Gu," Nan Qiuqiu spoke first, "you—"
Gu Mingxi planted Long Teng into the ground like a javelin, leaving only his upper body hanging outside.
Her sharp gaze swept over the four heads peeking out from behind the boulder: "During your duty hours, you're gathering to chat idly and gossip about the captain. You're quite idle, aren't you?"
Nan Qiuqiu shrank her neck and awkwardly pulled her head completely back behind the rock, leaving only a tuft of pink hair showing.
Yu Tianlong straightened his back instantly, his gaze drifting to the sky or the ground, but he dared not look at Gu Mingxi.
Vina reacted the fastest: "Mingxi, we're on guard of the surrounding area, and we're also exchanging information about our demon transformation progress."
Gu Mingxi's gaze fell on Vina's face, and the latter almost couldn't keep up her smile.
Vina said no more, immediately took Long Aotian's arm, and left the boulder.
"Since you two have so much energy," Gu Mingxi said, looking at Long Teng and Yu Tianlong who had pulled her out, "there are three soul bone energies clashing abnormally over Dragon Valley on the west side. It seems that dragon souls are vying for dominance, and the area affected is expanding."
"Long Teng, take your keen eyesight and go with Yu Tianlong to handle this immediately. I need to see the energy stabilize within fifteen minutes."
Long Teng and Yu Tianlong, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, immediately responded and fled westward as if escaping.
Nan Qiuqiu was a step too slow and was about to slip away when Gu Mingxi's voice rang out again: "Nan Qiuqiu."
"Here!" The pink-haired girl immediately stood still.
"I will truthfully relay your bastard assessment to Captain Huo," Gu Mingxi said expressionlessly.
Nan Qiuqiu's face instantly fell, and she looked miserable.
With Huo Yuhao's mental strength, he naturally took in everyone's evaluations and Gu Mingxi's decisive actions.
Gu Mingxi gave Huo Yuhao a look: the problem is solved.
"Mingxi is still as decisive as ever," Su Tong said with a smile. "She cares a lot about your affairs."
"From the moment she suppressed her cultivation speed and decided to try to transform into the first true demon when she reached the Soul Saint level, she was prepared to take the greatest risks."
If we say that the theory of human soul masters and soul saints transforming into Qi cultivators is like building a pavilion halfway up a mountain.
So Gu Mingxi started rebuilding from the foundation of the mountain.
The danger involved is akin to walking a tightrope over a bottomless abyss; the slightest misstep could lead to utter destruction.
Gu Mingxi completely entrusted her life to Huo Yuhao.
These two women, one like a blazing blade, fierce and resolute, willing to sacrifice herself to test the way forward for him.
Like a deep, still pool, gentle yet resilient, it silently provided him with the most secure rear.
Huo Yuhao's gaze darted back and forth between Su Tong's serene profile and Gu Mingxi's aloof figure in the distance.
Nan Qiuqiu is right, he is a bastard.
The martial arts master, who never flinched even when facing the Dragon God, became as cowardly as an ostrich when faced with these two women who had entrusted their lives and souls to him, burying his head deep in the sand called "responsibility" and "the big picture".
He took a deep breath, suppressing all his distracting thoughts and concerns.
"Sister Su Tong," Huo Yuhao said firmly, "I know you always put me and everyone else first. The Azure Dragon Guard owes its success to you."
After dealing with Nan Qiuqiu, Gu Mingxi was about to turn around and go on patrol when he paused slightly.
"But it is precisely because you are so important that I cannot let you continue to sacrifice your opportunities and time like this."
"Your strength is an indispensable part of our goal!"
"Now, go and fuse with the soul bone immediately." Huo Yuhao's voice carried a commanding tone, yet it was filled with concern: "Your safety, your future, are also core aspects that I, Huo Yuhao, must protect!"
Finally, after a moment's hesitation, he opened his arms and hugged Su Tong tightly: "I'm here, things won't get chaotic!"
A hint of surprise flashed in Su Tong's eyes as she gave Huo Yuhao a deep look.
His gaze was complex and difficult to decipher, containing surprise, emotion, and a hint of bittersweet warmth—the feeling of being "forced to pay attention."
She nodded slightly and said no more.
Immediately, she transformed into a cold, clear streak of light and flew straight toward the dragon skeletons that exuded a powerful chill.
Huo Yuhao's gaze followed Su Tong's figure until she disappeared among the dragon bones before slowly withdrawing it.
Without pausing, his mental energy instantly locked onto the aloof figure in the distance.
With one step, the space seemed to fold beneath Huo Yuhao's feet, and in the next instant, he landed steadily beside Gu Mingxi.
Gu Mingxi raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly surprised that Huo Yuhao would come over so directly.
Without any preamble, Huo Yuhao extended his hand to Gu Mingxi: "Let's go patrol Dragon Valley together."
"Nan Qiuqiu is right, you are a complete blockhead and a jerk."
Gu Mingxi didn't choose to hold Huo Yuhao's hand, but instead, imitating Vina, lightly rested her hand on his forearm.
Huo Yuhao did not withdraw his hand. Instead, he flipped his wrist and placed his palm on the back of Gu Mingxi's hand that was resting on his forearm.
"I won't let you stop; I know your choice."
Huo Yuhao said, "But I need you to know that any mishap to you would be an unbearable burden for Douluo Star, for the soul beasts, and even more so for me."
Gu Mingxi fell silent.
She didn't pull her hand back, nor did she respond; she didn't even notice the tuft of pink hair that popped out of the ground not far away.
Maybe in a second, maybe in ten minutes, Gu Mingxi finally made a move.
The hand that was resting on Huo Yuhao's forearm slowly turned over, transforming from a mere touch into a genuine grasp.
Her fingers slipped between Huo Yuhao's fingers, their ten fingers intertwined tightly.
"Too verbose."
"I will bear the consequences of the path I chose."
"But if you insist on bearing it, then bear it. If you can't, I'll have Di Tian break your arm."
"I can handle it."
Underground, Nan Qiuqiu pinched Long Teng's arm hard: "I did a great job! I did a great job!! I did a great job!!!"
"Where is the Poison Sect Master? Where is Senior Di Tian? I need to present my betrothal gifts!"
Long Teng rubbed his arm, which had been pinched purple, and grimaced, but couldn't help grinning foolishly.
Behind a large rock not far away, Long Aotian and Vina peeked out and smiled at each other.
Just then, Gu Mingxi's eyes suddenly fell on the tuft of pink fur on the ground, which was trembling slightly with excitement.
She grabbed Huo Yuhao and squatted down on the ground above Nan Qiuqiu and Long Teng's heads.
Nan Qiuqiu froze, a chill creeping up her spine.
Long Teng noticed it too, and the silly smile on his face instantly froze, turning into an expression of terror and despair that was all over.
Huo Yuhao's Mountain Dragon Domain has firmly locked down this area, making it impossible for Long Teng to escape.
"You've done a meritorious service?"
Gu Mingxi slowly and deliberately repeated Nan Qiuqiu's spiritual cry.
Then she reached out her other hand and grasped the tuft of pink hair that was trembling violently.
Nan Qiuqiu was pulled out of the ground by Gu Mingxi with tremendous force, kicking up a clump of soil.
"Gently, gently! My hair! My hair!"
Nan Qiuqiu's feet left the ground, her hands futilely trying to protect the tuft of pink hair that had been grabbed, her appearance completely ruined.
Long Teng's face turned deathly pale, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word.
He felt he was next.
When Yu Tianlong returned, he saw this tragic scene and froze on the spot, not daring to breathe.
Gu Mingxi raised Nan Qiuqiu to eye level with him.
Nan Qiuqiu tried to force a flattering smile, but because her scalp was being pulled, her expression became distorted and quite comical.
With tears welling in her eyes, she clasped her hands together and pleaded, "I was just worried about you and Captain Su!"
"Captain Huo was such a blockhead, but now he's finally figured it out!"
Huo Yuhao's lips twitched involuntarily.
Nan Qiuqiu's mouth has always been a powerful tool for stirring up trouble: "What she said is true."
"What do you mean, 'that's right'? I think it's just that people enjoy watching the show." Gu Mingxi snorted coldly, loosening her grip slightly.
"Since you're so free, you and Long Teng can lead a team to clear a safe path to the Great Rift Valley."
Then she flicked her wrist and finally released her grip on Nan Qiuqiu's hair.
Nan Qiuqiu almost cheered, immediately pulling the emerging dragon out with both hands: "Let's go! Let's get to work! Be careful!"
The two transformed into streaks of light and fled hastily and swiftly toward the Great Rift Valley.