"What did you say!"
Ye Hao was startled.
"I... I'm a dad now?" Ye Hao's eyelids twitched.
The news brought by Xiao Hong was too shocking, like a depth charge exploding in his mind, leaving him in a daze. He still hadn't fully processed what had happened.
"Dog, explain this clearly. I spent nine months in the Slaughter City, plus three months absorbing the god-given soul ring. That's a full year. What do you mean I'm a dad now? Did something happen at the Spirit Hall?"
Facing Ye Hao's questions, Xiao Hong smirked mischievously.
"Let me ask you, a year ago, when you left the Spirit Hall for the Slaughter City, did you go to Heaven Dou City?" Xiao Hong asked.
"Yes."
Ye Hao didn't hide it and answered directly, "I did go to Heaven Dou City, and I also..."
Suddenly, Ye Hao's face turned pale, his eyes filled with astonishment.
"Are you saying... Xue'er... she..."
No way!
"You're quite sharp," Xiao Hong chuckled. "Let me tell you the truth. A month after you left Heaven Dou City, your wife, Qian Renxue, returned to the Spirit Hall from Heaven Dou City.
Not only that, she was pregnant. Three months ago, she gave birth to a baby girl. You should be thrilled."
"Hey, why aren't you saying anything?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
In the forest, Ye Hao fell into silence.
Suddenly becoming a dad was something Ye Hao wasn't prepared for.
"Just that one time, and it was my first time too, and it hit the mark?" Ye Hao's lips twitched, speechless. "What incredible luck, hahaha..."
After a while, Ye Hao finally broke into a radiant smile, like a proud father.
"How's my daughter? Does she look like me? Is she cute?..." Ye Hao bombarded Xiao Hong with questions.
"She looks like you! Exactly like you! The baby is three months old now and is the darling of the entire Spirit Hall, showered with love from everyone.
Especially your mom, who treats your daughter like her own child—no, even more than her own child."
Ye Hao was overjoyed, his face beaming. He couldn't wait to return.
After his journey to the Slaughter City, he never expected such a huge surprise.
"Being a dad for the first time is really something. Wait for me to come back."
On the other side, Xiao Hong scratched his ear impatiently. "You'll see when you get back. By the way, your first trial as the Death God is complete. The second trial requires you to obtain a 100,000-year soul ring for your seventh soul ring. That's easy—just use that rabbit."
"No problem! Wait for me to come back!"
With that, Ye Hao spread his Six-Winged Purple Light Wings and, with the help of the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone, soared into the sky, heading straight for the Spirit Hall.
"Going home to see my daughter!"
Ye Hao smiled. With his sixth soul ring absorbed, his soul power had reached level 65.
The second trial was relatively simple: obtain a 100,000-year soul ring for his seventh soul ring.
In that case, the rabbit was the perfect choice.
"Once my soul power reaches level 70, I'll take that rabbit to Tang San and slaughter it in front of him. Hopefully, it'll piss him off enough to kill him! That way, I won't have to deal with him later. After all, Tang San already wants me dead, so why bother?"
Suddenly, Ye Hao stopped mid-air.
Then he changed direction and flew swiftly toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
"That Sky Azure Bull Python is ready to be harvested. Although Mom will handle it personally, this is a rare opportunity. Once I return to the Spirit Hall, I'll be a full-time dad and won't have time for this."
With that, Ye Hao changed course and flew deep into the Star Dou Great Forest.
At the same time, the Death God's authoritative voice echoed in Ye Hao's mind once more.
"Second Trial of the Death God: Obtain a 100,000-year soul ring for your seventh soul ring. No time limit until you reach level 70. After reaching level 70, the time limit is one year. Reward: 10% affinity with the Death God and the Shura God."
"Easy second trial," Ye Hao whistled a tune, his mood excellent throughout the journey.
One day later.
Noon, the sun was blazing, hanging high in the sky.
The Star Dou Great Forest was eerily quiet, with towering trees and dense foliage everywhere.
As the largest soul beast forest on the Douluo Continent, its resources were abundant.
Ye Hao, returning after a long absence, couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
He reminisced about the days when he captured the Titan Giant Ape and glanced at his left leg.
"Sky Azure Bull Python, you and your brother will soon be reunited," Ye Hao smirked.
Then, Ye Hao flew toward the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest.
As he flew, Ye Hao occasionally glanced downward. Based on the information he had gathered a year ago, after the Titan Giant Ape was captured, the Sky Azure Bull Python's hatred for humans had reached unprecedented levels. Any humans who ventured into the Star Dou Great Forest were met with a grim fate.
Over the years, the number of soul beasts had increased significantly.
Ye Hao flew quickly, but he could still make out many soul beasts below, including some species he had never seen before. The forest was thriving.
Soon, Ye Hao arrived at the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Looking around, the central lake was still there, shrouded in a thin layer of mist, resembling a fairyland.
"Is the Sky Azure Bull Python not here?" Ye Hao retracted his Six-Winged Purple Light Wings and landed safely on the ground.
"Let's deal with the Ten-Headed Fiery Snake first. This guy occupies an important position, and capturing the Sky Azure Bull Python will require some preparation."
With that, Ye Hao took off the Death God's Heart from his hair and released the Ten-Headed Fiery Snake.
As soon as the Ten-Headed Fiery Snake appeared, it immediately targeted Ye Hao.
It dragged its massive body, looking around at the unfamiliar environment, its eyes filled with fear.
But soon, the Ten-Headed Fiery Snake opened its bloody mouth, and the scorching flames it gathered instantly engulfed Ye Hao.
"Stupid beast," Ye Hao muttered, using the Death God's Heart to evade the attack. Then, he activated his Death Spider Emperor martial soul.
As his fifth soul ring lit up, Ye Hao's arms transformed into black scythes. With a flash of black light, the Ten-Headed Fiery Snake froze in place, as if time had stopped.
Its massive body exploded, and bright red blood seeped into the ground, gradually flowing into the lake behind it. The clear water was instantly dyed red.
"Boom!"
The Ten-Headed Fiery Snake was sliced into several pieces, its body now floating on the lake's surface. The once serene lake had turned into a scene of horror.
What was once a fairyland now resembled hell.
Ye Hao cut off the Ten-Headed Fiery Snake's head and retrieved its crucial inner core.
"This is indeed the inner core of the Ten-Headed Fiery Snake, the king of snakes. If I showed this to Dugu Bo, even the old poison master would be envious."
Smiling, Ye Hao stored the inner core in the Death God's Heart.
Just as he stored the core, the sky suddenly changed. The once clear sky was now covered in dark clouds, and thick bolts of lightning, as thick as a baby's arm, flashed before Ye Hao's eyes.
"It's here," Ye Hao steadied himself. Judging by the situation, the final boss was about to appear!
A few seconds later, on the other side of the forest.
A massive creature with the head of a bull and the body of a snake slowly emerged from the mist. Its red eyes sent shivers down Ye Hao's spine.
It hadn't been long, but the usually calm and composed Sky Azure Bull Python had become so ferocious. It was understandable.
The Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape were brothers. Now that the Titan Giant Ape was dead, the Sky Azure Bull Python must harbor deep hatred for Ye Hao.
Over the years, due to the Sky Azure Bull Python's actions, the Star Dou Great Forest had become a forbidden zone for humans.
From the moment Ye Hao entered the forest, he had been observing his surroundings.
On one hand, he wanted to track the Sky Azure Bull Python's movements, and on the other, he wanted to survey the area.
The conclusion was that the number of soul beasts had increased, while humans were nowhere to be seen.
The forest was empty, as if it had become a paradise for soul beasts.
The Sky Azure Bull Python frowned as it noticed the once-clear lake now dyed red. The Ten-Headed Fiery Snake, lying quietly in the lake, caught its attention.
The blood from the dismembered Ten-Headed Fiery Snake had drastically changed the environment.
"Damn humans!"
It roared to the heavens, its gaze fixed on Ye Hao standing at the edge of the lake. In its eyes, Ye Hao was nothing more than an ant.
How many humans had it killed over the years?
"Die!"
The Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes glowed red as its horns gathered blue lightning.
"Not good!" Ye Hao quickly evaded.
"Boom!"
A deep crater appeared where Ye Hao had been standing.
Ye Hao was shaken. Even though he was now a level 65 Soul Emperor with a 100,000-year soul ring and two 100,000-year soul bones, he was still an ant in the face of a true 100,000-year soul beast.
"The Forest Emperor is truly terrifying. Its power has grown even more fearsome over the years."
Ye Hao tossed the Death God's Heart into the air. Under the Sky Azure Bull Python's watchful gaze, the Death God's Heart split open, and a black beam of light shot into the sky, making the surrounding environment eerily dark.
"Sky Azure Bull Python, do you remember me?"
Ye Hao spread his wings and flew in front of the Sky Azure Bull Python.
Unbeknownst to the beast, Ye Hao had already secretly manipulated the Death God's Heart, preparing black chains to emerge from the void, targeting the Sky Azure Bull Python!
"You! It's you!" The Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes widened in shock.
It was him! The human who had captured Er Ming was now standing before it.
"Er Ming! I will avenge Er Ming!" The Sky Azure Bull Python unleashed a bolt of lightning, aiming straight for Ye Hao.
At the same time, Ye Hao's sixth soul ring lit up, its crimson glow illuminating the area.
"Sixth Soul Skill: Spider Emperor Clone."
This was Ye Hao's first time using a 100,000-year soul ring. He felt a shiver run through his body, followed by an itch.
Under the Sky Azure Bull Python's gaze, Ye Hao split into two.
Two Ye Haos now stood before it, identical in every way, as if they had been carved from the same mold.
The Spider Emperor Clone allowed Ye Hao to create a duplicate with 100% of his original strength.
The appearance of two Ye Haos caused the Sky Azure Bull Python's attack to miss entirely.
"Gravity Swamp."
The two Ye Haos spoke in unison.
Simultaneously, they raised their left legs, and a fierce red light erupted.
An inexplicable pressure enveloped the Sky Azure Bull Python, and its massive body crashed to the ground.
This power felt familiar...
"This is... Er Ming's Gravity Swamp."
The Sky Azure Bull Python trembled, its eyes filled with hatred as it glared at Ye Hao.
"Left leg."
Suddenly, rage surged through its heart.
"Er Ming, Er Ming..."
It muttered to itself, tears streaming down its cheeks as it recalled the past.
The 100,000 years they had spent together, the deep bond between the two 100,000-year soul beasts.
Now, they were separated by life and death. The Sky Azure Bull Python felt an unprecedented fury.
"Human! You will pay for your arrogance!"
The sky turned gray, and the central lake's surface rippled.
As the Sky Azure Bull Python roared, the ripples turned into raging waves.
At that moment, every soul beast in the forest felt the wrath of the Forest Emperor, the Sky Azure Bull Python.
They all knelt on the ground, trembling in fear.
"Sky Azure Bull Python, your brother has already been dealt with."
The two Ye Haos spoke in unison, "Let me tell you, that rabbit..."
"Sister Xiao Wu!" The Sky Azure Bull Python was stunned. "What did you do to Sister Xiao Wu!"
So many years had passed, and there had been no news of the rabbit.
"You'll meet her soon, but it'll be on the road to the underworld."
Upon hearing this, the Sky Azure Bull Python's expression turned grave. It glared at Ye Hao with intense hatred.
Meanwhile, the lightning gathered by its horns grew even more intense, illuminating the entire sky.
"I will make you pay!"
With a furious roar, the lightning transformed into a blue dragon, descending from the sky to strike Ye Hao.
"Child's play."
"Death God's Heart, assist me!"
Instantly, the six mirrors of the Death God's Heart merged into one, neutralizing the Sky Azure Bull Python's attack in an instant.
The blue dragon vanished into the mirror without a trace.
Seeing this, the Sky Azure Bull Python was dumbfounded.
Are humans this terrifying now?
"My turn," Ye Hao smiled. The two Ye Haos merged back into one.
Then, the Death God's Heart split back into six massive mirrors, flying to different parts of the Sky Azure Bull Python's body.
This scene was unforgettable for the Sky Azure Bull Python.
That day, it was how Er Ming had been captured.
Now, it was its turn.
No! I can't be captured!
Instinct drove the Sky Azure Bull Python to flee, but the Death God's Heart wouldn't let it go!
Six chains shot out from the mirrors, tightly binding the Sky Azure Bull Python, just like they had done to the Titan Giant Ape.
The Sky Azure Bull Python was filled with despair, its gaze fixed on the gray sky.
"Merge!" Ye Hao commanded.
The six mirrors began to merge, and as they did, the Sky Azure Bull Python's body shrank along with the Death God's Heart.
Everything returned to calm.
Ye Hao retrieved the Death God's Heart, glancing at the trapped Sky Azure Bull Python inside. He smiled triumphantly.
"Finally, it's done. Sky Azure Bull Python, your soul ring will go to my mother, and as for the soul bone..."
Ye Hao grinned, his figure flickering as he flew toward the Spirit Hall.
"I hope you can bring me a pleasant surprise."
"Going home to hold my daughter!" Ye Hao laughed heartily.
Two days later.
On this day, a familiar figure appeared in Spirit City.
After two days of travel, Ye Hao finally returned from the Star Dou Great Forest.
The first thing he did upon returning was to go on a shopping spree, carrying bags of gifts.
To leave a good impression on his daughter, he even shaved off the three-month-old beard, restoring his handsome appearance.
When he arrived at the gates of the Pope's Hall, the guards were about to stop him.
But upon recognizing Ye Hao, they rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
The young master is back?
Where has he been all this year?
Under the watchful eyes of the two Spirit Hall disciples, Ye Hao, laden with bags, slowly entered the Pope's Hall.
Meanwhile, in a luxurious room.
Qian Renxue was sitting on the balcony, enjoying a rare moment of leisure in the warm afternoon sun.
"Having a child is so exhausting, but thankfully, Mom is here to help," Qian Renxue sighed with a bitter smile.
Being a mother was tiring. Not only did she have to feed the baby, but she also often suffered from insomnia at night.
However, since the birth of her daughter, Bibi Dong had undergone a complete transformation.
She often helped Qian Renxue take care of the baby, treating her granddaughter as if she were her own daughter.
The warmth she hadn't given to Qian Renxue in the past was now poured unreservedly into her granddaughter.
She was even more doting than Qian Renxue herself.
At that moment, Xiao Hong, who was lying sprawled on the balcony, opened its eyes.
"Ye Hao is back."
With that, it rolled over and continued to lie down.
Qian Renxue was momentarily stunned. Then, the door opened.
She turned to look, and when their eyes met.
The air seemed to freeze, and everything fell silent.
Ye Hao put down the bags he was carrying and looked at Qian Renxue with gentle eyes.
"Sis, no, Xue'er, I'm back," Ye Hao smiled.
Tears welled up in Qian Renxue's eyes. A year had passed, a whole year.
She rushed into Ye Hao's arms, embracing him tightly.
"It's been a year. Do you know how I've lived this past year?" Qian Renxue buried her face in Ye Hao's chest, crying softly, as if pouring out all the longing and hardship she had endured.
Ye Hao felt her pain and hugged her tightly, gently patting her back.
"You've suffered. I'm sorry."
Ye Hao's voice was deep and soothing. At that moment, he had so much to say.
"Xue'er, our granddaughter is hungry. Hurry up."
At that moment, Bibi Dong walked in, holding a cute baby in her arms.
When she saw the scene before her, she rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
Realizing it was her son, she immediately smiled.
"You brat! You finally decided to come back."
Ye Hao and Qian Renxue separated, and Ye Hao looked at Bibi Dong sheepishly.
"Mom, you've worked hard all these years."
Bibi Dong waved her hand, smiling. "It's not hard. As long as I'm with my granddaughter, all the hardship disappears."
"Come, this is your dad. Daddy's back," Bibi Dong said with a warm smile, looking lovingly at the baby in her arms.
Ye Hao smiled and opened his arms.
"Wah! Wah! Wah!"
Well, his daughter wasn't having it.