Chapter 33: She Wants to Come Home with Me

Creak—

"Mom, I'm back."

"You're back? Did that little girl Xiaoya successfully enroll?"

Huo Yuner, who was sitting on the sofa reading a book, instinctively turned her head, but her voice halted abruptly when she saw the young girl standing behind Huo Yuhao.

Another one!?

Huo Yuner was stunned. It was already surprising enough when her son brought back Tang Ya last time, but now, after just going out to help the girl enroll in school, he's returned with someone even more beautiful?

Is my son really this popular?

Shocked by how efficiently her son seemed to attract girls, Huo Yuner felt a mix of emotions in her heart.

Of course, she was happy.

But she couldn't shake a strange feeling—there was something unique about this girl's aura, something she couldn't quite describe. Even though the girl seemed calm, as if indifferent to the world, Yuner could keenly sense a hidden strength within her.

Although she didn't know much about the girl, she certainly knew her own son!

Can Xiaoyu handle this girl?

Whatever, why should I worry? Let fate take its course.

Seeing his mother's ever-changing expressions, Huo Yuhao knew she was probably thinking he had gotten himself into trouble again.

But this time, it wasn't his fault!

She wanted to come home with him—what was he supposed to do? With his current level of strength, he couldn't exactly refuse her!

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Yuhao cleared his throat and introduced her.

"Mom, this is Gu Yue Na. Uh… the situation is similar to Xiaoya's. She might be staying with us for a while."

After a brief explanation, Yuhao turned to Gu Yue Na. "This is my mother, Huo Yuner."

Gu Yue Na looked at Huo Yuner, a rare hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. She hadn't expected that Huo Yuhao—once a deity—would have a mother who was just an ordinary person without even a trace of soul power.

"Hello, young lady. Welcome," Huo Yuner greeted warmly.

Gu Yue Na snapped back to her senses at Yuner's words. She flipped her hand, and to Yuhao's astonishment, a hexagonal pendant appeared in her hand. It shimmered like crystal, faintly glowing with a silver hue. She then handed it to Huo Yuner.

Yuner was a bit taken aback. "For me?"

Seeing Gu Yue Na nod, she instinctively waved her hands. "No need, no need. We don't accept gifts from guests."

"This is my payment for staying here."

Gu Yue Na's voice was calm, as if she were simply stating a fact, and she pushed the pendant forward again.

Before Huo Yuner could respond, Yuhao spoke up.

"Mom, it's fine. You can accept it."

Yuner shot him a glare but didn't argue further. Smiling, she thanked Gu Yue Na and took the pendant.

The pendant felt cool to the touch. Yuner had no idea what it was made of, but holding it gave her an inexplicable sense of peace. Startled, she looked at Gu Yue Na, but the girl remained as composed as ever.

"Wear it around your neck at all times. Don't take it off."

"Alright." Yuner nodded instinctively. "This must be very valuable. Thank you, dear."

Gu Yue Na shook her head slightly, while Yuhao took the opportunity to suggest that they head upstairs to tidy up the guest room.

As Yuhao glanced at the last available room, his expression turned a bit complicated. He never thought that this house would one day be completely full. Back when he rented it, he'd only done so because his mother liked it. Now, it was becoming quite lively...

Once inside, Yuhao didn't immediately start cleaning. Instead, he looked at Gu Yue Na and sincerely thanked her.

"Thank you."

". . . It seems your knowledge is broader than I thought," Gu Yue Na remarked, her tone teasing.

Yuhao chuckled. "I'll return it to you."

Because in his past life, Di Tian had also given him the same item, Yuhao immediately recognized what the pendant was.

It was a Silver Dragon's Reverse Scale.

With this item, Gu Yue Na had effectively placed his mother under her protection. As the only remaining god-level combatant in the Douluo dimension, the only threat to Yuner's safety would be gods descending from the Divine Realm itself.

As Yuhao busied himself laying out the bedding and organizing some daily essentials, Gu Yue Na's purple eyes blinked a couple of times.

"How will you return it?"

"I'll listen to you."

Hearing this, Gu Yue Na really started to think it over, then shook her head after a moment.

"I haven't decided yet. You can owe me for now."

"Alright."

After making the bed, Yuhao clapped his hands and then pulled out a storage ring, offering it to Gu Yue Na.

"Here, take this."

Since Yuhao had already shown her how it worked during their journey, Gu Yue Na wasn't particularly curious. She took the ring and put it on her slender wrist. Yuhao's voice then came again.

"You'll need a martial soul."

"A martial soul?"

"Mm."

Seeing Gu Yue Na's confusion, Yuhao released his martial soul. His pupils glowed faintly gold, and a purple soul ring slowly rose from beneath his feet as he explained softly.

"If you can use your powers without a martial soul, it might raise suspicions. Even though you might not fear anyone, unnecessary trouble can still arise."

"Is that so?"

Gu Yue Na glanced at the purple soul ring beneath Yuhao and asked, "For someone your age, how many rings would be impressive?"

"Uh..."

Yuhao hesitated. He had half-expected her to conjure up a nine-ring Titled Douluo persona. After thinking for a moment, he replied.

"Two rings, I suppose."

Even for someone with innate full soul power, reaching the rank of a Soul Master within two years was remarkably fast, a talent recognized by any major power. Without the modifications from his pride sin, Yuhao himself would only be at the two-ring level now.

As soon as Yuhao finished speaking, two soul rings, one purple and one black, silently appeared beneath Gu Yue Na's feet. Yuhao's eyelid twitched uncontrollably at the sight, an intense sense of competitiveness suddenly rising within him.

Opening and closing his mouth a few times, Yuhao finally managed to say softly, "I feel like… that might be a bit much."

Gu Yue Na blinked, and the rings changed again, this time into two deep purple rings. Yuhao decided not to comment further.

After tidying up the room, Yuhao made his way out, saying, "You should rest. I'll call you when dinner is ready."

"Alright."

As the door closed, the room returned to quiet. Gu Yue Na took a look around before walking to the window. Listening to the sounds of the street outside, she raised her hand to inspect the storage ring Yuhao had given her under the fading sunlight.

"Not bad."

(End of Chapter)