Huo Yuhao felt as if he had sunk into a warm, golden ocean, his whole body wrapped in a gentle power, so comfortable that he almost did not want to wake up.
The terrifying pressure that had been heart-stopping earlier had long since vanished without a trace, replaced by an unprecedented sense of peace.
"Hehe, kid, time to wake up!" A lazy yet slightly smug voice resounded directly in his consciousness.
Huo Yuhao's spirit jolted, and he "looked" toward the source of the voice.
He saw a round, crystal-clear, giant silkworm floating in front of him, its bright, large eyes curiously examining him; it was none other than the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm.
However, its size had shrunk significantly at this moment, losing some of its oppressive aura, making it appear rather... cute?
"Where is this?" Huo Yuhao looked around in confusion, discovering that he was standing in a void space shimmering with a faint golden light.
"This is your mental force Sea." The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm wiggled its chubby body and explained, "Simply put, it is the depths of your consciousness, where your Origin of mental force resides.
Every Spirit Master has a mental force Sea, though their size and strength differ.
Because of Brother Tianmeng's arrival, your mental force Sea has expanded quite a bit!"
"My... mental force Sea?" Huo Yuhao looked down at his own shimmering hands, feeling this wondrous space.
Here, he could clearly perceive every one of his thoughts and every shred of emotion, as if his entire consciousness had become transparent.
"That is right! Brother Tianmeng has temporarily stored his Origin power here." The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm wiggled its chubby body smugly, "How about that, I did not lie to you, did I?
Your Spirit Eyes Martial Soul has evolved, and you even got four Spirit Abilitys for free! Especially Spiritual Detection and Spiritual Sharing; this is a peerless combination. You will understand their wonders in the future!"
Huo Yuhao perceived carefully and indeed found that his visual perception had become completely different, and his mind was filled with many mysterious streams of information.
He steadied his mind and asked the most crucial question: "Brother Tianmeng, are you really a million-year Soul Beast? Why did you choose me?"
Although he craved power, he did not think he had anything special—except for this rare mental attribute.
The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm sighed on the mental level and began to pour out its grievances: "Don't even mention it! Brother Tianmeng's million-year cultivation sounds glorious, but in reality, it is just a mobile health supplement!
Being hunted in the Extreme North Land, and after escaping to the Star Dou Great Forest, being kept in captivity as food by that group of 100,000-year Soul Beasts... Brother Tianmeng had to find some reliance!
Humans with mental attributes are one in ten thousand. Since I finally met you, whose talent is a match, how could Brother Tianmeng not seize the Opportunity?"
It leaned in closer and said mysteriously: "To tell you the truth, Brother Tianmeng's combat strength really is not great, but my mental force is genuinely powerful!
If we join forces, we will definitely carve out a path for ourselves in the future. Brother Tianmeng will help you become a god, and you help Brother Tianmeng get rid of this unlucky fate of being a supplement, how about that?"
Huo Yuhao listened, stunned. This million-year Soul Beast was far from the majestic image he had imagined.
However, this honesty actually made him feel more at ease—it was much better than those people in the Dukes Mansion who were kind on the surface but treacherous behind his back.
"Then... what was that gray energy that drilled into my brow earlier?" Huo Yuhao remembered the cold, deathly aura before he lost consciousness and could not help but worry, "It feels very uncomfortable."
Mentioning this, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was also a bit troubled: "As for this... Brother Tianmeng has not fully figured it out either.
It seems to be an extremely pure Origin of mental force, but its attribute is particularly strange, carrying a strong aura of death.
It forced its way in on its own. Brother Tianmeng wanted to block it outside, but its quality was too high, and since Brother Tianmeng had just completed the Fusion with you, I was negligent for a moment and did not stop it..."
The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm spoke with an apologetic tone: "But do not worry! Brother Tianmeng has already temporarily used my Origin power to Seal it in a corner, so it will not be able to cause any trouble.
When Brother Tianmeng recovers some strength, I will slowly study what exactly it is. Maybe... it is also an Opportunity?" The last sentence was said with a lack of confidence.
Huo Yuhao was still a bit uneasy in his heart. Does this count as a buy-one-get-one-free deal? Or a gift of unknown Origin.
But at the moment, he had no other choice but to choose to trust the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm. At least for now, this big worm did not seem to have any ill intentions toward him.
"Alright, alright, do not think so much!" The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm became active again, "You should first familiarize yourself with your new abilities.
Brother Tianmeng needs to rest for a while; sealing that gray ball just now consumed quite a bit of energy.
That little girl outside and your several... special companions are all guarding you, so it is very safe.
If you need anything, call Brother Tianmeng at any time!"
After speaking, the golden light on the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm gradually dimmed, as if it had fallen into a deep sleep.
Huo Yuhao's consciousness slowly returned to his body, and he felt his head was still a bit dizzy, but that abundant mental force was real.
He slowly opened his eyes, and the first thing that came into view was Furina's concerned face.
"Finally awake? How do you feel?" Seeing him wake up, Furina was visibly relieved, "You were unconscious for quite a while; it is almost dark outside."
Huo Yuhao sat up and rubbed his temples: "Sister Furina, I think I really obtained a million-year intelligent spirit ring, and four Spirit Abilitys."
He tried to activate Spiritual Detection, and everything within a range of dozens of meters suddenly appeared clearly in his mind—the veins of leaves, the wriggling of insects in the soil, every detail was perfectly revealed!
This wondrous experience made him temporarily forget his previous worries, and a look of surprise and joy appeared on his face.
Furina knew exactly what was going on, but she still cooperated by putting on a surprised expression: "Really? A million-year spirit ring! Tell me, what Spirit Abilitys are they?"
Huo Yuhao briefly explained the situation of his communication with the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, as well as the effects of the four Spirit Abilitys, and also mentioned the "gray energy" that concerned him.
As soon as Furina heard "gray energy," she felt a secret joy in her heart: It really is Old Yi! But on the surface, she still feigned deep thought, touching her chin as she said: "It does sound a bit strange... But did the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm not say it could control it?
Since it chose you, it should help you handle it well. Anyway, you do not feel any discomfort right now, right? Do not think too much for now, familiarizing yourself with your new abilities is the most important thing!"
Her words were both a comfort and guidance, thinking that once that wisp of Old Yi's Divine Sense stabilized, it would naturally reveal itself; there was no use in worrying now.
Huo Yuhao felt it made sense and nodded. He stood up and stretched his muscles and bones, feeling that his physical state was better than ever before.
He looked toward the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest, his eyes shining with eagerness.
With these abilities, obtaining a hundred-year spirit ring should not be a problem, right?
"Sister Furina, what should we do next..." Before Huo Yuhao could finish his sentence, his stomach "growled."
From early morning until now, he had not eaten a single thing.
Furina could not help but chuckle: "Next, of course, we fill our stomachs first!
Mademoiselle Crabaletta just caught a plump rabbit, and Gentilhomme Usher also picked some fresh wild fruits.
Let me show you the roasting skills of this Water God... *cough cough*, this Young Miss!"
Huo Yuhao looked at Furina's eager appearance and could not help but laugh.
Although there was an extra chatterbox silkworm and a mysterious lump of gray energy in his mind, at this moment, with Sister Furina and his three magical companions by his side, he was full of real anticipation for the adventures of the future for the first time.
As for the two "uninvited guests" in his mind... he would just take it one step at a time!