Chapter 35: A Battle for Fathers and the Calm Before the Storm
Just when Zhao Yuanbu had finally made up his mind to get closer to Bai Qingshan and find a good excuse to recognize him as his adoptive father, he returned to his office—only to witness an unexpected scene.
Zhang Zhao was already kneeling on the ground.
"Uncle Bai, I heard that you don't have a son. My father has too many sons and doesn't want to care about me. I hope I can take care of you in your old age."
Zhao Yuanbu: "…"
Isn't your father the Chief Censor and also the Shaoqing of the Taichang Temple? Why are you fighting with me over this?!
Zhao Yuanbu felt like cursing out loud. He never imagined that Zhang Zhao, a soul king with a fifth soul ring already at the ten-thousand-year level, would beat him to the punch in recognizing Bai Qingshan as a father figure.
Aren't you already powerful? With that kind of soul ring quality, you should have plenty of backers. Why are you trying to compete with me of all people?!
What Zhao Yuanbu didn't know was Zhang Zhao's background in more detail. Although his father held powerful titles—as both Chief Censor and a senior official of the Imperial Household—his abilities were so formidable that he had created a small family empire of his own.
But therein lay the problem.
The more capable his father was, the less time or inclination he had to take care of his many children. While the resources at the disposal of such a high-ranking official weren't small, they had to be split among more than ten sons and daughters. Naturally, the legitimate heirs received the lion's share, while the illegitimate ones like Zhang Zhao had to make do with scraps.
Even those scraps had to be split again and again, until each child received just a sliver.
The ten-thousand-year-level fifth soul ring was the greatest opportunity Zhang Zhao had obtained so far. If he could continue cultivating and reach Rank 60, there was a chance he might earn recognition from the main family branch and obtain a sixth soul ring of the same quality.
If not, that dream would remain a fantasy.
In that sense, Zhang Zhao's chances of upward mobility were even more limited than Zhao Yuanbu's. Therefore, as soon as he sensed a possible connection between Xiao Qiang and Bai Qingshan, he didn't hesitate for even a second.
As the son of a top-tier noble, Zhang Zhao's father understood better than most how difficult it was to climb the ladder of power—and how valuable every opportunity could be.
So when Zhang Zhao realized there was a train to a higher class pulling into the station, he jumped aboard without pause.
Sure, some people might laugh at him for suddenly calling someone like Bai Qingshan "father." Some might even scoff at him for recognizing a man far less influential than his own father.
But if Bai Qingshan actually rose in status—and Zhang Zhao was already standing beside him when it happened—no one would dare laugh then.
It's normal to be laughed at when you're weak. If there were no stigma, everyone would kneel for opportunity. But when there's ridicule, it means there's profit in it. If there wasn't, no one would bother.
Zhang Zhao understood this principle all too well. That's why, almost the moment Bai Qingshan and Xiao Qiang finished their communication, he made his move and claimed his place.
"Good boy, get up," Bai Qingshan said calmly.
He wasn't stupid. He knew full well that Zhang Zhao's gesture wasn't out of affection for him, but because of Xiao Qiang. Still, as a four-ring soul master, there was no reason for him to offend a five-ring soul king who was taking the initiative.
The King of Hell is easier to deal with than the little devils.
This was a truth Bai Qingshan had learned after decades in society. A talented "son" who might help him in the future, or the chance to make an enemy of a powerful soul master who had already suffered setbacks—this wasn't a difficult choice.
"Godfather, please accept this small gift. I hope you won't refuse," Zhang Zhao said, presenting all the money he had saved up for his own marriage.
These resources, though limited to someone like Zhang Zhao, were still extremely valuable to Bai Qingshan. Naturally, he didn't refuse.
Both of them understood the situation and recognized the mutual benefits. In the end, this was the wisest move for both sides.
Zhao Yuanbu: "…"
You've blocked all the paths before I could even begin! What am I supposed to do now?!
He wanted to cry but had no tears. At this moment, he couldn't think of a single decent solution.
I could kneel and acknowledge him too, but let's be real. One's a five-ring soul king with top-tier soul ring ratios. The other is a four-ring soul master whose best rings are in the first four. Everyone knows who to pick.
And now, even real benefits are out of the question. I don't know the specifics of Zhang Zhao's family wealth, but even with limited resources, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse.
Zhao Yuanbu, merely the grandson of a great elder in a second-rate city, couldn't compare. He wasn't the family patriarch. He wasn't even close.
In just a few short moments, he felt as if the sky had collapsed.
Meanwhile, near Sea God Lake, Shrek Academy
After a long and tiring day, Huo Yuhao finally found time to accompany Wang Dong for a quiet walk along the shores of Sea God Lake.
When he had first arrived at Shrek Academy, his relationship with Wang Dong had been far from friendly. As the proud young heir of the Haotian Sect, Wang Dong's arrogance clashed violently with Huo Yuhao's humble background, and their personalities sparked immediate conflict.
The result? Wang Dong beat him up.
At the time, Huo Yuhao hadn't yet acquired his Spirit Detection soul skill and could only rely on his own eyes to follow Wang Dong's movements. In that first altercation, he was crushed. It was a brutal welcome to Shrek Academy—a warning from fate.
And yet, Huo Yuhao stayed.
Sharing a room with Wang Dong was difficult. At one point, Huo Yuhao considered going to extremes, but thankfully, Electrolux—an ancient soul residing in his consciousness—advised him against it.
Then came the morning run.
On the first day of school, despite everything, Wang Dong chose to help him during the run. That small act of kindness began to shift their relationship. And when Wang Dong finally tasted the grilled fish made by Huo Yuhao, a friendship began to blossom.
From rivals to roommates, and now to companions.
Later, when their teacher Zhou Yi discovered that Huo Yuhao was a spiritual-type soul master, he was introduced to Fan Yu and He Caitou. Though Huo Yuhao's first soul skill, Shared Vision, was far less effective than the Spiritual Detection of the original timeline, it still showed promise—despite its limited range and power.
Still, with a 100-year soul ring as his base and considering his young age, Fan Yu thought there was potential. It was worth cultivating, if only slowly.
Next came the grilled fish venture. While selling them, Huo Yuhao met Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan. With the combination of his Shared Vision and the spiritual shockwave granted by Tang Ya's external soul bone, the three managed to defeat Xu Sanshi and earned themselves two Xuanshui Pills.
After absorbing his first soul ring, Huo Yuhao's soul power had reached level 11. With the help of the two Xuanshui Pills—each capable of raising his innate soul power—he successfully broke through to level 13.
Now that his soul power had improved and the grilled fish had sold out, Huo Yuhao finally found a moment to breathe. He and Wang Dong went for a relaxing walk.
But as fate would have it, they ran into Ma Xiaotao—while she was in the middle of a berserk outburst.
Without the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm in his body, Huo Yuhao might as well have had the word "danger" glowing over his head in bright red.
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