As Huo Yuhao slowly put on his glasses, Tianmeng Iceworm felt that even such a small action seemed more pretentious than his own, leaving him momentarily at a loss. "Yuhao, as a Million-Year Wisdom Soul Ring, do you know just how much experience and knowledge I possess?"
"Experience? You mean like a million-year experience pack?"
Huo Yuhao chuckled softly. To those Ferocious Beasts, Tianmeng Iceworm's level of experience was indeed quite a feast.
Feeling somewhat underestimated, Tianmeng Iceworm decided to reclaim his dignity. He turned his gaze to the Sea of Spirit, where ten massive golden-white light spheres floated.
"Yuhao, do you see these ten light spheres? I brought them for you. Aren't they impressive?"
"Yeah, I see them. What's so special about them?" Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow.
Tianmeng Iceworm snorted proudly, straightening his body and striking a lofty pose. "Their function is immense."
"In the entire North Pole, no Soul Beast possesses such vast Source Energy. And now, it's all yours, Yuhao. You're truly blessed."
Not just the North Pole, Tianmeng Iceworm initially wanted to include the Star Dou Great Forest as well, but suddenly, he shuddered as if recalling something.
During his imprisonment, he had once sensed an aura that surpassed even the Beast God Di Tian. Deep within the shimmering Life Lake, there was a dazzling silver light.
Tianmeng Iceworm steadied his swirling thoughts, exhaled deeply, and once again wore a smug expression.
"With these ten light spheres, you essentially have an internal energy reservoir."
"As your cultivation improves and your physique strengthens, the Source Energy within these spheres can elevate the age of your Soul Rings."
"If you can withstand a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring, then this Source Energy will raise all your Soul Rings below that level to ten thousand years."
Huo Yuhao nodded upon hearing this. "That's indeed very useful."
In the Douluo cultivation system, Spirit Souls rely on Soul Rings to enhance their abilities, which is inherently limiting. Ordinary Soul Masters start with a ten or hundred-year Soul Ring, but even as their cultivation advances, their first Soul Ring remains at that level, unable to improve, which is quite frustrating.
Seeing Huo Yuhao's approval, Tianmeng Iceworm couldn't help but puff up with pride, his nose pointing skyward as he became increasingly arrogant.
"With the total amount of Source Energy I've sealed within you, it's enough to elevate all ten of your Soul Rings to the hundred-thousand-year level!"
Then, Tianmeng Iceworm went on and on about the Million-Year Soul Ring and the four Soul Skills he had bestowed upon Huo Yuhao.
Especially the illusion-type Soul Skill, Mental Dream Weaving, which he boasted about endlessly.
It was as if he were saying, "At the peak of Soul Skills, standing above the world, with this Mental Dream Weaving, the heavens are mine!"
After his bragging, Tianmeng Iceworm was so full of himself that he didn't even know who he was anymore, standing in the Sea of Spirit like a towering, unshakable pine tree.
At that moment, an ancient gray bead trembled slightly, and a deep, authoritative voice rang out. "Little worm!"
Tianmeng Iceworm was startled, thinking that his earlier complaint about "some bastard trying to steal my person" had angered the other party. Instantly, his bravado vanished, and he cowered.
"Yuhao, save me!"
Tianmeng Iceworm quickly wriggled over to Huo Yuhao's feet.
"Hello, old sir."
Huo Yuhao bowed sincerely to the gray bead, not for any other reason but because Old Yi had sacrificed so much for him in the original story, even at the cost of his life. After leaving behind a precious gift (Necromancy), he ignited his divine consciousness to protect Yuhao and the Soul Spirits, earning Huo Yuhao's deep respect.
Throughout the entire "Douluo Dalu II," Electrolux's character was nearly flawless. His step-by-step guidance of Huo Yuhao, in terms of sacrifice and dedication, undoubtedly made him worthy of the title "mentor."
"Old sir, how should I address you?" Huo Yuhao asked politely.
The gray bead flickered faintly: "Address? I've been asleep for so long that even I can't remember how much time has passed. I was only subconsciously drawn to this plane."
"Now, only this wisp of a remnant soul remains. But being able to reside in your Sea of Spirit before completely dissipating brings me great joy."
"In my vague memories, only two of my most renowned titles remain clear."
"The Necromancer, Holy Magic God, and the Undead Scourge…"
The gray bead trembled slightly, and the aged voice paused, as if recalling something, trying to piece together the fragments of his shattered memories.
Huo Yuhao stood quietly, while Tianmeng Iceworm remained silent beside him, afraid to disturb the old man's reminiscence.
After a moment.
The gray bead glowed faintly, and the aged voice, now with a hint of realization, spoke again.
"Ah, I finally remember my name. I am Electrolux. You may call me Old Yi."
Threads of gray mist emanated from the bead, barely coalescing into a humanoid form.
Electrolux looked at Tianmeng Iceworm: "Little worm, I just heard you mention the Soul Skill 'Mental Dream Weaving.' Its effect is to plunge someone into a dream and guide their actions through their subconscious…"
"At its core, it is similar to one of my Necromantic Soul Control Techniques, both of which involve controlling another's body and even soul. We must not encourage the misuse of such Soul Skills but rather use them responsibly."
"Oh, I understand, old master," Tianmeng Iceworm replied softly, his spiritual power suppressed.
In terms of the quantity of spiritual power, Tianmeng Iceworm was unparalleled on the Douluo Continent. However, he had a fatal flaw: his power lacked quality.
He was simply not on the same level as Old Yi.
Electrolux turned to Huo Yuhao and spoke earnestly: "Child, remember this: a righteous heart leads to righteous actions. No matter the power, in the hands of a righteous person, it will always be used correctly."
Then his voice grew weak and low.
"I am too tired. The power I have left is nearly exhausted. I need time to gradually recover and will soon fall back into slumber."
As the gray humanoid form slowly dissipated, the bead above the Sea of Spirit dimmed, and Huo Yuhao bowed once more.
"Old Yi, rest assured, I will heed your teachings and use my abilities correctly."
Only when Electrolux's presence completely fell into slumber did Tianmeng Iceworm finally relax his tense spirit.
Then, with a hint of sorrow, Tianmeng Iceworm recounted how, while evading a predator, he had accidentally fallen into an ice cave. There, he had consumed Ten-Thousand Year Cold Essence and inexplicably slept his way into becoming a Ferocious Beast.
Tianmeng Iceworm's expression grew increasingly sorrowful as he recounted his story in great detail—from the ice caves of the Far North, to being imprisoned in the Star Dou Great Forest, and finally breaking through the million-year Soul Beast limit to escape.
"Yuhao, after hearing my story, don't you think my fate has been quite tragic?"
"Earlier, Old Yi mentioned that we shouldn't misuse our abilities, but surely it's fair to give them a taste of their own medicine, right?"
Having endured hundreds of thousands of years of suffering, Tianmeng Iceworm couldn't let go of this grudge.
"Yuhao, once I help you cultivate to become an Ultimate Douluo among humans, we'll return and weave a dream for the Ferocious Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest—one where they're imprisoned and drained of their Soul Power for a hundred thousand years. That seems perfectly reasonable, doesn't it?"
(End of Chapter)