Chapter 2: The Skydream Iceworm
The Iceworm's Tale
The vast, crystalline white space surrounding Huo Yuhao seemed to shimmer as the Skydream Iceworm spoke, its voice tinged with both pride and lament.
“I wasn’t always the almighty being you see before you,” the Iceworm began. “In fact, I was born a very ordinary iceworm in the extreme northern tundras of the Douluo Continent. We iceworms are a dual-attribute species, aligned with both spiritual and ice elements. However, our combat abilities are severely limited by our lack of speed, making us easy prey for countless predators. Most of my kin struggle to even reach a thousand years of cultivation.”
The Iceworm’s tone shifted to one of nostalgic melancholy. “But I was lucky. When I was just thirteen years old, while fleeing from a predator, I fell into an ice crevice and landed in a pool of Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow. At the time, I thought I was done for, but the marrow enveloped me, and I fell into a deep sleep. When I awoke, ten thousand years had passed, and I had absorbed all the energy from the Ice Marrow, becoming a Ten-Thousand-Year soul beast.”
Huo Yuhao’s eyes widened in awe as he listened. “That sounds incredible!”
The Iceworm snorted. “Incredible? Maybe. But also incredibly frustrating. After awakening, I discovered I was trapped in an icy cavern with no exit. The walls were fortified by layers of unyielding ice, far beyond my ability to break through. So, I did what any smart soul beast would do—I searched for a way out.”
“And did you find one?” Huo Yuhao asked, captivated by the story.
“Not exactly,” the Iceworm replied, sighing dramatically. “Instead of an exit, I stumbled upon another, even larger deposit of Ice Marrow. It was a stroke of luck. With food like that, I could continue cultivating. So, I settled down and entered another deep sleep. That time, I slept for tens of thousands of years.”
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A Million Years of Isolation
The Iceworm’s voice grew more somber. “Over countless cycles of waking and sleeping, I absorbed Ice Marrow after Ice Marrow, eventually reaching the pinnacle of what a soul beast could achieve. A million years of cultivation—a milestone so rare it’s practically unheard of. My spiritual strength grew to monstrous levels, but my body... well, I was still just a slow-moving iceworm. My power was wasted in the physical world.”
“And you were still trapped in the ice cavern?” Huo Yuhao asked, his voice filled with empathy.
“Yes,” the Iceworm replied. “It was both my salvation and my prison. But as the years passed, the Ice Marrow began to dwindle, and I realized that I wouldn’t last much longer. Worse, my immense spiritual energy made me a prime target for other soul beasts. If I died, they would devour me and gain my power. I refused to let that happen.”
Its golden eyes glinted as it leaned closer to Huo Yuhao. “That’s when I devised my plan. I decided to become a spirit ring—a special one. Not just any ordinary ring, but a self-aware, intelligent spirit ring. By fusing with a human, I could preserve my consciousness and ensure my survival.”
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Why Huo Yuhao?
“But why me?” Huo Yuhao asked, still struggling to comprehend the surreal events unfolding before him. “I’m not talented. My soul power is only level one... Why not choose someone stronger?”
The Iceworm let out a heavy sigh. “Do you think I had many options? Spirit beasts like me don’t just wander the forest looking for candidates. I needed someone with a spiritual attribute to complement my power. When I sensed your Spirit Eyes martial soul, I knew you were my best chance. Besides, I’ve already suppressed my power enough for your weak body to handle.”
Huo Yuhao blushed at the blunt assessment but remained determined. “I may be weak now, but I’ll prove myself. I’ll train harder than anyone else!”
The Iceworm chuckled, its massive form shimmering faintly. “I like your spirit, kid. That’s exactly why I chose you. Together, we’ll achieve things this continent has never seen. With my knowledge and your determination, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish.”
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The Fusion Begins
The Iceworm’s jovial tone turned serious. “Now, let’s get to it. The fusion process is almost complete, but you’ll need to brace yourself. Even with my power suppressed, integrating a million-year spirit ring is no easy feat.”
Before Huo Yuhao could respond, the Iceworm’s body began to dissolve into streams of radiant white light, swirling around him like a cocoon. The golden rings on its body pulsed rhythmically as they merged with his own spiritual energy.
A searing pain shot through Huo Yuhao’s body, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out. His Spirit Eyes glowed brightly as waves of energy flooded his consciousness, reshaping his very being. He could feel the Iceworm’s vast spiritual knowledge pouring into him, expanding his understanding of the world.
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“Hang in there, kid,” the Iceworm’s voice echoed in his mind. “Once this is done, you’ll not only have your first spirit ring, but also abilities that surpass anything a normal soul master could dream of.”
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A New Power
When the pain finally subsided, Huo Yuhao opened his eyes. He felt... different. His body was lighter, his senses sharper, and his mind clearer. Looking down, he saw a faint white ring circling him—a symbol of his new spirit ring.
The Iceworm’s voice resonated within him, softer now but still brimming with confidence. “Congratulations, partner. You’ve just made history as the first human to possess a million-year spirit ring. Don’t squander it.”
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly. “Thank you, Skydream—I mean, Skydream Brother.”
The Iceworm chuckled. “That’s more like it. Now let’s see what you’re really capable of.”
As Huo Yuhao stood amidst the quiet forest, he clenched his fists, a newfound resolve burning within him. This was only the beginning. With the Skydream Iceworm as his partner, the path ahead was bound to be extraordinary.
The Awakening
Huo Yuhao’s eyes fluttered open. He was lying under a massive tree, the faint light filtering through the canopy above. A soothing coolness coursed through his body, the lingering effect of the Skydream Iceworm’s fusion. His senses felt sharper, his vision clearer, and his mind surprisingly calm despite the extraordinary events he had just experienced.
He turned his head to see Tang Ya and Beibei nearby, their expressions filled with worry and relief.
“Yuhao! You’re awake!” Tang Ya exclaimed, rushing to his side. “You had us so worried! What happened?”
Beibei knelt beside him, studying him closely. “You’ve been unconscious for hours. When we found you, there was a soul beast nearby—a ten-year Wind Baboon. Did you fight it?”
Huo Yuhao hesitated. How could he explain what had happened without mentioning the Skydream Iceworm? He decided to keep it simple. “I encountered it by accident. It attacked me, and… I think I got lucky.”
Tang Ya frowned. “Lucky? That Wind Baboon was no joke. How did you kill it?”
Huo Yuhao glanced at the White Tiger Dagger, now sheathed at his waist. “I used this. It’s… special.”
Beibei picked up the dagger, inspecting it carefully. “A soul tool? No wonder you were able to hold your ground. Still, for someone at your level to take down a soul beast, even a ten-year one, is impressive. But you need to be more careful next time.”
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A New Bond
As the conversation continued, the voice of the Skydream Iceworm echoed in Huo Yuhao’s mind. “Smart move, kid. No need to spill the beans about me just yet. Let them think you’re a prodigy—it’ll save you some trouble.”
Huo Yuhao resisted the urge to react visibly, instead focusing on Tang Ya’s concerned face. “Thank you for helping me. I think I’ll be fine now.”
Tang Ya patted his shoulder. “You’re tough, I’ll give you that. But next time, wait for us before diving into danger.”
Beibei nodded. “You’re lucky we were nearby. If that Wind Baboon had been a hundred-year soul beast, things could’ve ended very differently.”
Huo Yuhao smiled weakly, grateful for their concern. Deep down, he felt a growing confidence, knowing the Skydream Iceworm was now a part of him.
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Testing the Power
Later that evening, as the group set up camp, Huo Yuhao couldn’t resist testing his new abilities. While Beibei and Tang Ya prepared their meal, he sat cross-legged near the fire, closing his eyes to focus.
“Let’s see what you’ve given me, Skydream Brother,” he thought.
The Iceworm’s voice chimed in, smug yet playful. “Patience, kid. I’m not just some tool you can use on a whim. But fine, I’ll give you a taste. Channel your spirit power through your Spirit Eyes and focus on your surroundings.”
Huo Yuhao did as instructed. Immediately, his Spirit Eyes activated, glowing faintly as his perception expanded. He could feel every detail of the forest—the rustling leaves, the faint movements of nearby creatures, even the subtle changes in temperature.
“That’s just the beginning,” the Iceworm said. “You now possess my spiritual detection ability. It allows you to sense everything in a certain radius. With practice, you’ll be able to pinpoint movements, detect hidden enemies, and even anticipate attacks.”
Huo Yuhao’s eyes widened as he realized the potential of this power. “This… is incredible.”
“Told you I’m amazing,” the Iceworm said with a chuckle. “Now stop gawking and focus. This ability requires precision. Don’t waste it.”
Huo Yuhao practiced silently, his confidence growing with each passing moment.
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The Path Forward
The next morning, the trio resumed their journey. Beibei and Tang Ya, unaware of the true extent of Huo Yuhao’s transformation, continued to guide him through the forest, sharing tips and advice for surviving in the wild.
As they walked, Tang Ya turned to Huo Yuhao. “Have you thought about joining the Tang Sect yet? We could really use someone like you.”
Huo Yuhao hesitated. “I… still need to think about it. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me, but I need to figure out my own path first.”
Beibei nodded understandingly. “That’s fair. But keep us in mind. The Tang Sect has a lot to offer, and we’d be honored to have you.”
Huo Yuhao smiled. “Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
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A New Resolve
As they reached the edge of the forest, Huo Yuhao paused, gazing at the road ahead. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the Skydream Iceworm’s power within him. He had a long journey ahead—a journey to uncover his potential, honor his mother’s memory, and carve out his place in the world.
With his Spirit Eyes glowing faintly, he stepped forward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.