The other Soul Spirits all knew what was on Snow Emperor's mind, and as for Li Ya, it went without saying—could she have given him the Mermaid's Blessing without deep feelings?
In the end, after many years, the "daughter-in-law had finally become the mother-in-law." Since Tang Wutong had died in the God Star cataclysm and they had unexpectedly returned to the era that originally belonged to them, there was naturally no longer any need to hide this relationship.
With her soft, white jade-like hand, she lightly drew circles on Baili Du's chest. Snow Emperor seemed to be acting spoiled: "...I don't care what else you plan to do, but you must make sure this you comes to the Far North to find me first."
A gentle curve pulled at the corner of Baili Du's mouth. Such a side of the Snow Emperor was truly rare...
He reached out and pinched Snow Emperor's fair, tender little face: "What? Are you still afraid that this me will take a fancy to the Tang Princess?"
Snow Emperor pouted her lips, simply burrowing into Baili Du's arms with a bit of protest.
Huo Yuhao was a visual creature; he had fallen for Tang Wutong purely because the so-called Goddess of Light had left an overly stunning impression on his young heart.
One really shouldn't meet someone too stunning in their youth...
If he had first met the Snow Emperor, whose beauty was in no way inferior to Tang Wutong's, it went without saying who Huo Yuhao would have fallen for.
Of course, Snow Emperor wasn't insisting that the Huo Yuhao of this era love her current self; she simply wanted to prevent Huo Yuhao from having his feelings manipulated by that woman and the Tang Family again... As Soul Spirits, they had seen all too clearly how much Huo Yuhao had suffered in the God Realm.
"Even if it is myself, I am unwilling to interfere too much in his choices, because in every sense, he and I are no longer the same person. Who he likes or falls in love with is up to fate, but..."
At this point, Baili Du's tone grew a few degrees colder and more decisive: "Except for Tang Wutong! Even if I have to place a spiritual brand on him, I will absolutely never let this me have any connection with Tang Wutong again!"
Because he had stood in the rain himself, he wanted to make sure others had an umbrella—especially when that person was himself.
"But if that's the case..." Li Ya spoke up, her voice filled with worry. "Tang San will surely spare no effort to interfere with this you. He'll use every low-life tactic in the book. What will we do then?"
No one knew Tang San's true character better than Baili Du—not even Xiao Wu.
Baili Du kissed Li Ya's forehead: "I've anticipated this. That's why I need Teacher's help. Then I will head to the God Realm to watch that grandson personally; it would be best to make him show his tail early. Besides..."
Thinking of this, a wicked smile appeared on Baili Du's face: "Doesn't this era also have Tang San's precious grandson... Two [Children of the Plane], haha. Tang San only has one daughter; I want to see how much he can stir the pot."
Lan Xuanyu's rebirth into this era was naturally Baili Du's handiwork. Otherwise, even if Lan Xuanyu was the Dragon God, it would have been impossible for his consciousness to survive the [Space-Time Turbulence] and the [Samsara Hurricane]—two universe-level natural disasters—with only a sliver of his divine soul left.
Did they really think he was still a die-hard loyal dog of the Tang Family?
...
Near dawn, while his two charming wives were asleep, Baili Du dressed and went into little Huo Yuhao's room.
Baili Du had always taught Huo Yuhao that the path of cultivation lies in perseverance and balance—cultivate when it's time to cultivate, and sleep when it's time to sleep. Especially at such a young age, there was truly no need to be so desperate.
Looking at the soundly sleeping little Huo Yuhao, Baili Du stood by the bed feeling apprehensive. Eventually, he reached out a finger and pressed it to the boy's brow, transferring a wisp of his own Divine Consciousness.
He really... really wanted to see his teacher again...
The small grey bead that had been dormant seemed to sense something. It slowly formed a very blurry figure, manifesting within Huo Yuhao's sea of consciousness to face Baili Du's spiritual form.
At this moment, there was no need for Baili Du to continue hiding; he naturally revealed his true appearance.
Sizing up the handsome blue-haired youth, Electrolux let out a soft exclamation of surprise and asked with some uncertainty: "Your Excellency is...?"
There was no doubt this youth was using Divine Consciousness, and the energy level was so high that even in his own prime, he could hardly have reached it.
Why did such a powerful being have a face full of guilt? Why would he stay in a world with such an unremarkable energy level? And why would he appear here?
More importantly... if he was seeing correctly, this youth's appearance seemed... seemed very similar to little Huo Yuhao! Especially those eyes—they were almost identical.
Baili Du pursed his lips, lowered his head in shame, gritted his teeth, and knelt on the ground. He kowtowed heavily, his voice carrying a hint of a sob: "Your unfilial disciple Huo Yuhao greets Teacher Electrolux."
"???"
Electrolux stared at Baili Du in a daze and asked uncertainly: "You actually recognize this old man? And the [Huo Yuhao] you just mentioned... but isn't this child...?"
"It's like this..." Baili Du spent a great deal of effort to finally explain the whole sequence of events, including his origins and the complex-yet-simple relationship between himself and little Huo Yuhao...
Fortunately, since this was a spiritual space, combined with the active sharing of memories, the process of communication and explanation was entirely without obstacles. He revealed everything.
To make Electrolux believe him, he also displayed the Ultra-Divine Artifact [Necromantic Heavenly Calamity Magic Staff] and the [Soul Spirit Magic Contract].
Hearing this explanation, even the Necromantic Holy Magic God Electrolux couldn't help but be dumbfounded and marvel at the wonder of it all. The Ultra-Divine Artifact [Necromantic Heavenly Calamity Magic Staff] was the firmest evidence—this person was indeed his disciple!
"To think such a thing could happen. Time truly is the most miraculous power in this world! Then, should this old man... should Teacher call you [Yuhao] or [Baili Du]?"
Electrolux's tone was now noticeably much warmer than usual.
Baili Du's expression dimmed as he shook his head: "It's better to call me [Baili Du] for now. After all, this child is the true [Huo Yuhao], while I... I am just a piece of trash who lived my life as [Dai Yuhao]. I truly have no right to continue calling myself [Huo Yuhao]."
Electrolux helped Baili Du up, his voice growing kinder: "Child, do not say such things. This old man has seen countless people, but one as shameless and insidious as your father-in-law is a first for me. Speaking of which, it is my fault as a teacher; I only taught you magic, but did not teach you how to be a person..."
Tears overflowed from Baili Du's eyes. He hugged Electrolux and cried like a child: "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Teacher! I... I kept trying to search the myriad worlds for fragments of your Divine Consciousness, but in the God Realm, I was ordered by Tang San not to leave. I finally waited until Tang San died and I had enough status and strength, but when I wanted to look, I could no longer find them..."
"At that time, I realized that Tang San was afraid of me escaping his control. He first plotted to cause your death, destroyed the relics you left me, and even secretly destroyed your Divine Consciousness fragments throughout the myriad worlds... And I... I didn't have the power to avenge you..."