12: Chapter 12 Farewell Before Departure... Don't worry, your in-laws are here~

"Huo Yuhao, did you pack this thicker coat? The nights on the road will be cold."

"I did, Mom."

"And your favorite dried meat; I roasted a big bag for you last night. It's right at the top of your pack, remember to eat it when you're hungry."

"I know, Mom."

"And this water bottle, make sure it's full before you leave. It's not like home out there, finding water isn't easy..."

Early in the morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, at the entrance of the small villa, Huo Yuner was holding onto Huo Yuhao, giving him the sweet and trivial reminders that mothers all over the World give when seeing their children off on a long journey.

Huo Yuhao was already seven and a half years old. He stood quietly, letting his mother carefully straighten his slightly crooked collar, his eyes filled with warm smiles.

"Oh my, Auntie Yuner, stop nagging! With me, Sister Tianmeng, around, could I ever let Huo Yuhao go hungry or thirsty? Let me tell you, my treasure-hunting skills are top-notch! Any wild fruit or spring water within a hundred miles, I know it just by sniffing!"

A dissatisfied, loli-like voice came from Huo Yuhao's shoulder.

Tianmeng had transformed back into her cute, snow-white silkworm form, lying on Huo Yuhao's shoulder, twisting her body in dissatisfaction.

Huo Yuner was amused by her and reached out to gently poke her head: "You're the naughtiest one. You must listen to Yuhao on the road, understand?"

"Got it, got it!" Tianmeng replied vaguely.

Huo Yuner's smile gradually faded as she looked at her son, who was already much taller than her.

On that handsome little face, the contours of a young man were already visible, and his eyes were calm and firm.

She knew that this small courtyard would ultimately be unable to keep him.

A year ago, when he brought her here, she knew her son was different.

He supported this home and allowed her to live a peaceful life she had never imagined in her entire life.

But peace was never a word that belonged to an eagle.

Her son was an eagle destined to soar above the nine heavens.

Huo Yuner's eyes turned slightly red, but she forcibly held back her tears, only smoothing out the wrinkles on Huo Yuhao's lapel one last time.

She let go, took a step back, looked at him with a complex gaze filled with pride and reluctance, and said softly: "Go, Yuhao. You have never belonged to this small courtyard."

Huo Yuhao's heart trembled slightly.

He took a step forward and gently held his mother's hands, which were somewhat rough from years of labor.

"Mom, I'm not leaving, I'm just going to school."

His voice was very soft, but full of convincing strength. "I've brought Nannan's mother over. In the future, you can live together, chat, cook, and have each other for company. When I'm not here, you must take good care of yourself."

Yesterday, he had specifically gone to Jiang Nannan's home and brought Jiang's mother, who had fully recovered and was in better Spirits, to the villa.

The two mothers, both with turbulent fates and equally concerned about their children, hit it off immediately and quickly became familiar with each other.

"I... I know..."

Huo Yuner's tears finally couldn't be held back and fell, but she quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand and put a smile back on her face. "Mom understands. You can go with peace of mind. I'm here at home, and... the in-laws are here, everything is fine."

"Ah?... Mm."

Huo Yuhao nodded. "I will write back regularly. When the academy is on break, I will bring them back to see you."

"Good, good, Mom will be waiting."

A simple conversation, yet it was the deepest promise between mother and son.

At this moment, on the other side of the courtyard, his companions had also prepared and were walking out one after another.

Jiang Nannan was the first.

She had changed out of her usual long dress and put on a short, sturdy outfit convenient for movement, tying her long hair neatly behind her head, making her look much more capable.

But the nervous expression on her face and her hands tightly clutching the straps of her small bundle still exposed her inner restlessness.

This was her first time traveling far away, and also the first time... she would embark on a long journey with her benefactor.

"Benefactor, I... I am ready." She walked up to Huo Yuhao and said softly.

Following closely behind was Tang Ya.

She was much more excited than Jiang Nannan, carrying two swords of different lengths crossed on her back; they were ones Huo Yuhao had specially crafted for her.

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation for the unknown journey and the light of adventure, as if as long as she could follow behind Huo Yuhao, she would fear nothing wherever they went.

"Benefactor! When do we set off?" She was already a bit impatient.

The last to walk out was Gu Yuena.

She was still in a simple silver long dress, empty-handed, not bringing any luggage at all.

She seemed to always have that cold and indifferent demeanor, as if nothing in this World could leave a mark in her heart.

But when her gaze fell on Huo Yuhao, that cold purple gaze would always melt with a hint of softness that others could hardly notice.

She just stood there quietly, and naturally became the center of everyone's attention, as if the most beautiful scenery in the whole World was concentrated on her.

Huo Yuhao took one last look at his pack.

There weren't many things inside, but every single one was crucial.

A set of portable meditation arrays that Electrolux had spent great effort to specially craft for him to assist in cultivating Mental Energy.

A few bottles of mental-awakening potions that he had concocted himself using herbs, which could restore Mental Energy at critical moments.

These were his trump cards for this trip.

"Mom, Auntie Jiang, we're leaving." Huo Yuhao bowed deeply to the two mothers at the door.

"Go on, be careful on the road!"

"Safe travels, Benefactor!"

Amidst the waving farewells of the two mothers, the group of five officially embarked on their journey.

They did not take a carriage.

For a Spirit Master, long-distance travel is in itself a form of cultivation.

The group followed the wide official road, heading in the opposite direction of the rising sun, traveling westward all the way.

The formation of the team formed quite naturally.

Huo Yuhao walked at the very front, guiding the direction for the entire team.

His pace was not fast, but every step was steady and powerful, giving people an incredibly reliable feeling.

Gu Yuena walked to his left rear, only half a step behind.

This position would not hinder him, and she could react immediately in any unexpected situation.

She was like the most loyal shadow, and also like the most powerful guardian.

Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya followed side by side behind.

Tang Ya was clearly full of curiosity about everything in the outside World, looking around along the way, occasionally letting out soft exclamations.

While Jiang Nannan appeared somewhat reserved, walking with her head down most of the time, but the corner of her eye would always involuntarily drift towards the not-so-tall figure at the very front.

The noisiest one was naturally Tianmeng, who was lying on Huo Yuhao's shoulder.

"Huo Yuhao, Huo Yuhao! Where are we going?"

"..."

"Are we going to the Star Dou Great Forest!"

"..."

"Tell me, are there any delicious Spirit Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest? Let me tell you, there's a small Spirit Beast called a Soft Bones Rabbit that is super fragrant when roasted! And that Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's paw is also especially delicious..."

Tianmeng Iceworm, a million-year Spirit Beast, was currently excitedly discussing with her host how to cook her own kind.

Huo Yuhao had already automatically filtered out her nonsense.

His brain was running at high speed, calculating the route and planning the upcoming arrangements.

Starting from Heaven Dou City, after traveling southwest for about ten days, they could reach the outskirts of the Sunset Forest.

The Spirit Beasts there were not high-level, mostly between the ten-year and hundred-year levels.

It was just right for letting Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan conduct primary actual combat training, to familiarize themselves with real battles.

After they adapted, they would continue to go deeper to search for thousand-year level Spirit Beasts.

What he wanted to find for them was not spirit rings, but partners with whom they could sign a "Spirit Contract".

Tang Ya's Spirit was Blue Silver Grass, which had extremely strong control and plasticity; the most suitable for her should be a plant-type Spirit Beast with highly toxic or strong binding abilities.

And Jiang Nannan's Spirit was Soft Bones Rabbit, which excelled in close-quarters grappling techniques; what she needed was an attack system or agility-attack system Beast Spirit that could enhance her instantaneous explosive power, speed, and defense.

All of these would require time to search for and screen.

After completing their training in the Sunset Forest, the team would continue south to enter their true destination, the Star Dou Great Forest.

That was the core of this journey.

Not only did he want to find a suitable second spirit ring for himself there, but he also wanted to meet those legendary true rulers of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Of course, there was another more important purpose.

A pair of large golden eyes appeared in his mind.

Wang Qiuer... no, right now she should still just be the sleeping Emperor Auspicious Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.

He needed to go and confirm some things.

"Huo Yuhao! What are you thinking about? So distracted?" Tianmeng rubbed her soft body against Huo Yuhao's cheek in dissatisfaction.

"Thinking about whether to have grilled fish or roasted bear paw for dinner." Huo Yuhao replied casually.

"Wow! Really! I want to eat bear paw!" Tianmeng immediately became excited.

Gu Yuena, on the side, had her ears twitch imperceptibly when she heard the words "grilled fish".

Huo Yuhao felt the different moods of his companions beside him and looked at the road extending to the horizon in front, his heart completely calm.

Life in the White Tiger Dukes Mansion already felt like a lifetime ago.

The small villa in Heaven Dou City had also become scenery behind him.

Ahead waiting for them was the vast and boundless Douluo Continent, the perilous Spirit Beast forests, and unfathomable fate.

But this time he was no longer alone; he still had them...