Chapter 7: Loli Huo's Embrace
Since that day, Qian Zhaoguang hadn't paid any more attention to his Martial Soul, whose use he still didn't know.
Aside from his fixed routine of five hundred saber swings daily, he practically lived in the blacksmith's forge.
This method of tempering his physique through forging was far more effective than simple meditation and refinement.
During his forging, Qian Zhaoguang also noticed some differences between the techniques of current blacksmiths and those from ten thousand years ago.
Firstly, there was the matter of technique.
The passage of ten thousand years had seen violent forging methods, once represented by techniques like the Disorderly Hammer Technique, gradually fade from the blacksmiths' repertoire.
Modern blacksmiths had progressively started to control the force applied during forging, rather than solely pursuing immense power and brute strength.
The ability to remove large amounts of impurities in a short time through extreme methods was no longer the standard for judging a blacksmith's skill level.
Highly accomplished artisans, like the old master blacksmith, were gradually beginning to tread the path towards Spirit Forging.
Although there was still some distance from the Hundred Refinements technique of ten thousand years later, it could definitely be said that the rudimentary form was already emerging.
While forging, Qian Zhaoguang consciously tried his best to control the force of his strikes, recalling the forging techniques described in the third Douluo novel, and consciously attempted to "communicate" with the metal.
In this fulfilling yet exhausting forging life, more than two months passed.
The high-intensity tempering, coupled with the old butler frequently purchasing medicinal herbs for Qian Zhaoguang's medicinal baths, significantly boosted the cultivation speed of his Golden Body Art once again. He was steadily advancing towards the threshold of the Flawless Body.
He had now completed a preliminary tempering of his entire physique.
Although his soul power level remained stuck at Level 1, his physical condition could already rival that of a Power Attack-type Beast Soul Master (Level 21-30).
Factoring in his martial arts skills, if he had his saber in hand, killing a Beast or Tool Soul Grandmaster (Level 21-30) would definitely not be difficult.
Against Elemental-type or Control-type opponents, however, it would be a different story.
Even with his enhanced physique now, he was still made of mortal flesh, wasn't he?
Getting burned by fire would still result in blisters.
One morning, Qian Zhaoguang was practicing his saber swings against a wooden stake in the courtyard as usual.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who is it?"
Qian Zhaoguang lowered his long saber, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
A small head peeked through the crack in the door, calling out timidly.
"Brother Zhaoguang."
Seeing the visitor, he couldn't help but smile, "Hm? It's Yutong. Long time no see. How have you been lately?"
During these past two months of intense training, his life had been almost entirely a monotonous routine between two points (home and forge), naturally leaving no time or energy to deliver food to the Huo mother and daughter.
Before Huo Yutong could reply, the old butler walked out from the house.
"Xiao... cough cough cough... Xiao Tong hasn't had it easy these days, cough cough cough..."
Qian Zhaoguang quickly rushed to his side, helping the old butler pat his back to soothe his coughing.
"It's nothing, I'm fine."
The old butler waved his hand dismissively.
"That damned woman seems to have gained some nerve recently; her oppression of the mother and daughter has become increasingly blatant. Sometimes, even I am stopped when trying to deliver food to them. What a venomous woman! Xiao Tong is fine since she's a Soul Master, but Huo Yun'er's body was already weak to begin with. I'm truly afraid... ai!"
The old butler didn't continue, just let out a heavy sigh.
He had been retired for many years. The saying 'people leave, the tea cools' (influence fades after departure) was vividly demonstrated in this Duke's mansion. He had managed to protect himself and maintain a low profile for years primarily due to his lingering prestige from decades ago and his own cultivation as a Soul Saint.
The only person who still gave him face, Dai Hao, was required to constantly guard the Ming Dou Mountain Range against surprise attacks from the Sun Moon Empire. Coupled with concerns about the old Emperor's suspicions, Dai Hao hadn't returned home for several years.
Around this vast mansion, there were numerous spies sent by the Emperor, and the movements of the entire large family were subject to various restrictions.
Originally, the White Tiger Duke had a few opportunities to return home, but his wife had managed to deflect them all with various excuses.
With the old butler's sole backer absent from the mansion, it was incredibly easy for the Duchess, who held all the power, to bypass him and oppress a helpless mother and daughter who lacked any strength.
Being able to deliver some food to the Huo mother and daughter every few days and teach Huo Yutong some basic cultivation knowledge was already the absolute limit of what the Duchess would tolerate.
Any more than that, and that venomous woman would likely tear off all pretenses and openly clash with the old butler.
The old butler didn't dwell on Huo Yun'er's situation, instead turning to ask, "Xiao Tong, are you ready? Is everything alright with your mother?"
Huo Yutong nodded lightly.
"Grandpa Zhu, I'm all ready. Mama said she'll be fine by herself in the mansion during this time."
"Good. Then wait for Grandpa to pack a few things, and we'll set off immediately."
Saying this, the old butler turned to Qian Zhaoguang, "Xiao Guang, you go back, wash up, and change your clothes too. Bring that saber you forged yourself. We're going on a long trip."
"Huh? Wait, Grandpa, what's going on? Where are we going?"
Qian Zhaoguang, having been an outsider to this conversation, was completely bewildered.
"To a Soul Beast Forest, where else? Xiao Tong reached Level 10 yesterday. Once she obtains a soul ring, she'll become a true Soul Master."
The old butler's slightly exasperated voice came from inside the house.
What?
Level 10 already?
Qian Zhaoguang finally processed the information, looking at Huo Yutong with excitement.
He had been hammering away at the forge for over two months. Considering her diligence and innate soul power, it was indeed about time for her to reach the bottleneck.
"Ah, look at my brain, I completely forgot about this. Xiao Tong, congratulations! You're about to become a real Soul Master!"
"Thank you, Brother Zhaoguang."
At this moment, a faint smile finally touched Huo Yutong's usually somber face.
"When I become a Soul Master and can earn money, I will definitely move Mama out of this Duke's Mansion."
"Keep it up! A wonderful life is waiting for you."
Qian Zhaoguang made a gesture as if to give Huo Yutong a hug.
However, as he stepped forward to embrace her, he realized he was still shirtless and covered in sweat.
Hugging her like this seems rather inappropriate.
Unexpectedly, in that brief moment of hesitation, Huo Yutong herself stepped forward and hugged him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Feeling her head buried near his neck and catching a faint fragrance from her long, dark hair, Qian Zhaoguang froze on the spot for a moment, somewhat unsure how to react.
"Don't... don't, Xiao Tong. I'm covered in sweat, I'm dirty..."
His words seemed to have the opposite effect; Huo Yutong hugged him even tighter.
Her warm breath ghosted across his skin, causing a strange, tingling numbness.
In either his past life or his current one, Qian Zhaoguang had never had such close, intimate contact with someone of the opposite sex.
Even if Huo Yutong was currently just a six-year-old girl.
A few hot teardrops suddenly traced paths down Qian Zhaoguang's chest; Huo Yutong had started to sob softly.
Yes, she's still just a six-year-old girl. How could she possess the same mental fortitude as the original Huo Yuhao, who had been conditioned into subservience?
"Silly boy, hug her back! What are you waiting for?"
A voice transmission from the old butler entered his ears. Almost reflexively, the stiff Qian Zhaoguang closed his arms, gently embracing Huo Yutong, lightly patting her back.
(End of Chapter)