Dai Yuhao felt that this dream was exceptionally long; it had already been over ten days, and he still hadn't woken up.
But he had been happier than ever these past few days because there was an endless supply of delicious food, and everyone around him was gentle and kind. No one bullied him or snatched his belongings like they did in the Dukes Mansion.
"Little Yuhao..."
A familiar voice called out. Dai Yuhao immediately looked up, his eyes shining with bright joy: "Auntie Leng!"
Leng Yaozhu's figure appeared at the doorway, a gentle smile on her face.
She walked a few steps closer, crouched down in front of Dai Yuhao, met his gaze, and asked softly, "Little Yuhao, do you want to become powerful? So you can properly protect your mother in the future."
This sentence was like a stone cast into the lake of his heart, instantly stirring up the firmest ripples in Dai Yuhao's eyes.
He nodded forcefully almost without hesitation. His small fists clenched unconsciously, his voice childish yet carrying a rare stubbornness.
"I want to! I want to become strong, I want to protect Mom!"
As he spoke these words, an image from not long ago uncontrollably flashed through his mind.
He and his mother had their mouths firmly covered, left to the mercy of others, unable even to cry out.
The deep pain and helpless tears in his mother's eyes, the humiliation and fear brought by that weakness, lodged like a thorn in his heart.
The seed of wanting to become strong had quietly been planted at that moment.
Now, lightly touched by Leng Yaozhu, it broke through the soil, giving rise to a distinct yearning.
"Good, then Little Yuhao, come with me."
Leng Yaozhu took Dai Yuhao's hand, led him out of the room, and stepped into the Soul Tool Elevator.
In these past few days, Dai Yuhao had already curiously explored many places within the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters. The initial dizzying novelty had gradually settled into a vague familiarity.
The elevator doors slid open again. Leng Yaozhu led him through a corridor bathed in soft light, finally stopping before a seemingly plain door.
She pushed the door open and Dai Yuhao followed closely behind.
The room was not large; it even seemed somewhat empty.
The four walls were white, without any decoration or furniture, clean to the point of desolation.
The only thing that caught the eye was that directly opposite, a tall elder dressed in a simple gray robe was sitting cross-legged.
Dai Yuhao instinctively tilted his small head, a clear look of surprise flashing across his clear eyes.
The elder was suspended in mid-air several feet off the ground without anything beneath him, the hem of his robe completely still, as if frozen in another dimension.
"Vice Tower Master Leng, what brings you to this humble abode of this old man today?"
The elder's voice was robust and peaceful, echoing slightly in the empty room.
His eyes remained naturally closed, but he had clearly already perceived the identity of his visitors.
Leng Yaozhu displayed a perfectly measured respect and smile: "Elder Han, I apologize for the abrupt intrusion, but I have a favor to ask."
As she spoke, she stepped aside, gently guiding Dai Yuhao in front of her, placing her hand on the child's thin shoulder: "This child... his Innate Foundation is somewhat weak, and his vitality is insufficient. I wanted to ask you to examine him and see if you could help condition him."
The "Elder Han" Leng Yaozhu mentioned was Han Tianyi, a Ninety-eighth Rank Super Douluo, titled Phantom Brain.
His Spirit was extremely unique—it was his own brain. He originally belonged to the Body Sect lineage but later joined the Spirit Pagoda, where he is highly respected.
Leng Yaozhu's special visit this time was precisely because she valued the Body Sect's profound understanding of human anatomy.
Since she had decided to wait for the Spirit Awakening three years later, she naturally needed to ensure Dai Yuhao was healthy and his Foundation was stable during this period, allowing him to meet the day of Awakening in optimal condition.
Of course, going to the trouble of asking for Han Tianyi's favor was also because she had developed a good impression of this child during their time together.
Even if it turned out he wasn't "Huo Yuhao," she hoped this unfortunate child could have a decent starting point.
Han Tianyi had now fully opened his eyes. His gaze, which seemed capable of discerning the minutest details, paused on Dai Yuhao for a moment. An invisible perception swept over the child's body like fine water flow.
With his cultivation, he instantly noticed that the child's vitality was indeed weak, and although his bones were undamaged, he was clearly malnourished, with traces of old, hidden injuries inside him—it wasn't simply 'Innate deficiency'.
Immediately after, his gaze turned to Leng Yaozhu. A strange, slightly playful smile suddenly appeared on his aged face.
"This kid... is the one you brought back from outside recently, right?"
"What exactly is your relationship with him?"
Leng Yaozhu raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this: "I didn't expect even Elder Han to be interested in these unfounded rumors like everyone else."
She was naturally aware of the various speculations within the Spirit Pagoda regarding Dai Yuhao's identity. Some said he was her junior, others that he was a disciple she was taking on, and there were even rumors that Dai Yuhao was her illegitimate son from outside.
Regarding this, she had never offered a single explanation, and her attitude remained the same when facing Han Tianyi's probing.
She merely smiled faintly, her tone relaxed yet carrying an unquestionable decisiveness: "If Elder Han is unwilling to grant this favor, then I will take him to someone else."
Saying this, she made a gesture as if to take Dai Yuhao's hand and turn to leave.
"Hey... wait, wait, wait!"
Seeing Leng Yaozhu genuinely about to leave, Han Tianyi quickly called out to stop her.
The playfulness on his face quickly disappeared, replaced by a look of helpless amusement mixed with seriousness: "You girl, still so impatient! When did this old man say he wouldn't help?"
He naturally understood Leng Yaozhu's standing. Not only was she a high-ranking Vice Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda, but she was also the Clan Chief of the Phoenix Family, a top Spirit Master Family, and was herself a Four-Word Battle Armor Master, a Quasi-Demigod level expert.
For someone of this stature to come in person to request a favor, under all circumstances—emotionally, logically, publicly, and privately—he certainly would not refuse.
Leng Yaozhu turned back, a smile of achieving her goal on her face: "Then I must trouble Elder Han. Yuhao, I'm leaving him in your care."
She gently patted Dai Yuhao's back, signaling him to step forward.
Dai Yuhao glanced timidly at the elder suspended in the air, then looked back at Auntie Leng who was encouraging him. Finally, gathering his courage, he shuffled forward a small step.
He imitated the way he had seen others bow and clumsily but earnestly curtsied: "H-hello, Elder Han."
Han Tianyi's crossed legs unfolded silently, and his figure stood up steadily.
Only then did Dai Yuhao truly feel the elder's height—likely over two meters—like a steady mountain, carrying an invisible sense of pressure.
Han Tianyi first smiled at Dai Yuhao, then his smile faded, and his gaze shifted to Leng Yaozhu.
"I can agree to help condition this child, but... there are two conditions."
Seeing Leng Yaozhu nod slightly, adopting an attitude that invited him to speak freely.
Han Tianyi raised his thin, withered fingers and said slowly: "First, for a child of this age, the best method to condition the Foundation is through diet."
"However, some of the required ingredients are quite rare, and gathering them is quite troublesome. This old body of mine is not fit to run around everywhere."
Leng Yaozhu understood immediately and replied decisively: "Elder Han only needs to provide a list; I will handle the procurement of the ingredients."
"Good."
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Han Tianyi's eyes, and he raised his second finger: "Second, this boy is not a member of the Body Sect. I can help condition his body."
"But the true core secrets and cultivation paths of the Body Sect will absolutely not be taught to him."
"This must be stated clearly beforehand."
Leng Yaozhu was not surprised by this and nodded solemnly: "Naturally. It is already a great kindness that Elder Han is willing to help condition his fundamentals. We will absolutely not force the secrets of the Body Sect."
"Since Vice Tower Master Leng has agreed to both conditions," Han Tianyi's expression relaxed, and his gaze fell back onto the slightly nervous Dai Yuhao, "then this boy, from now on, will temporarily be under my care."