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--- Chapter 175 ---
"Oh, look who is back."
Scathach lazily lay on the couch and exposed her bare stomach to everyone. She is snacking on roasted peanuts, staring at the Underworld Television Program.
Today is her resting day, so the god slayer only wears short pants and a loose purple t-shirt.
Huo Yuhao amusingly smiled when hearing Scathach's comment and replied, "It's just one day? It's nothing compared to a full year where I am not around, no?"
"Here, a souvenir." He placed a handguard on the couch.
Scathach's eyes brightened as she could sense something special about this damaged handguard. There is also an immense martial intent left behind each crack.
It gave off the feeling of an "Undying Warrior." like her.
"That's the only armor piece that survived the war I went through in Titania Bolos. Some of my enemies' aura seeped through and added a "bloody effect." on it. You can find me later to fix and strengthen that handguard." Huo Yuhao said with a small smile.
Touching the crack on the handguard, Scathach shook her head and commented, "You went through a lot, huh? Fine, I accepted this small souvenir."
"But I still need a bigger one." She eyed Huo Yuhao's pants, making him sigh in defeat.
"Yes, yes. Everything for my Shishou."
Since the handguard is part of the Black Star Armor Set, it went through harsh tempering in the Monster Dimension. It also survived the big bang-like explosion, which somehow evolved the material.
Huo Yuhao was either lucky or receiving benefits after a disaster at that moment. Still, he was confident his Shishou could do something with the handguard. Her Primordial Rune Mastery isn't for nothing.
Huo Yun'er walked off the kitchen, bringing a massive hotpot onto the dining table. Qianye Ying'er followed from behind and brought some side dishes.
"Everyone, it's lunchtime." Huo Yun'er huffed in satisfaction and told everyone to sit down.
Everyone sat down around the dining table, staring at Huo Yun'er cooking with surprised looks.
'I lost... I didn't know Mistress Huo was such a skilled chef as she never cooked anything around me. No wonder Huo Yuhao-sama has a rich pallet.' Grayfia solemnly thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao grabbed a seat and commented, "Hmm, it smells amazing like usual."
Raising her nose proudly, Huo Yun'er opened her mouth and replied, "Of course! I can't disappoint my beloved son with poor dishes, can't I? You deserved a banquet, but I thought my home cook should ease your homesickness."
"True." Huo Yuhao chuckled, remembering three years without any warm food. Well, it's not like he has to eat because his True Kroman lineage allows him to live without consuming anything for centuries.
Eating up the food, Huo Yuhao looked around the dining table and smiled at this hearty atmosphere. And everyone he cherished. Yes, this is it.
It's what he has been missing for a while.
'Ah, this warm rice in my mouth.'
'This happy environment.'
'I felt emotional...' Huo Yuhao pulled his sleeve and wiped his eyes from the dust. Of course, the ladies noticed his not-so-suspicious action but gave him a knowing smile.
They aren't dumb. Huo Yuhao must have suffered a lot in his trials, and they are here to heal him after that tiring moment.
"Here... Eat more, Hao'er." Huo Yun'er placed a piece of meat into Huo Yuhao's bowl.
"Yeah, eat more veggies too." Qianye Ying'er also placed a leaf of lettuce submerged in the hotpot's broth.
"You're so skinny. It's a miracle that your muscle hasn't deteriorated after being passive for a year." Scathach nodded, pushing a plate of roasted fish near him.
"I couldn't help but wonder what you have been eating there."
"Honestly speaking, I was consuming air most of the time." Huo Yuhao answered weakly, knowing Universal Breathing Technique is his go-to to replenish energy and stamina.
"Try this, Yuhao-sama/Father~!" Grayfia and Gabriel don't want to lose, giving Huo Yuhao some dishes.
And the lunch passed so quickly, leaving the dining table empty.
...
...
Huo Yuhao crashed the couch and leaned on Huo Yun'er soft shoulder, cuddling with her essentially. "I hope my absence doesn't affect the conquering progress." He suddenly said.
Huo Yun'er giggled and replied, "Don't worry. We are doing just fine."
"Those pesky gods couldn't do anything against us. Remember that you're not the only pillar in the Dragon Nest, Hao'er."
"Yeah." Huo Yuhao checked his inventory, scrolling through pages upon pages. "I've been saving this for years."
"That is..." Huo Yun'er blinked in surprise. "Did you get Ajuka to make Evil Pieces for you?"
"Haha, yeah... Something like that."
Yes, Huo Yuhao currently holds a True Evil Piece, an empress piece with a decorated tiara entirely made of unknown materials. It released a dim blue light similar to Huo Yuhao's eye color.
"You'll be my first Empress, Mother."
"What do you think?"
Huo Yun'er played around with his hair and responded, "Me? As expected of my Hao'er. Well, I'll gladly accept that position."
Huo Yuhao pushed the Empress Piece to Huo Yun'er chest, hearing a notification from Evo.
[Ding! You have added "Huo Yun'er." to your peerage]
[Boosting innate power and raw potential of Huo Yun'er by 500%]
[After a certain period, the Host could use some Huo Yun'er abilities...]
Huo Yun'er was stunned for a moment and relaxed her slender fingers confusingly. She becomes more powerful with a leap. A leap!
It's not even a little increase as Huo Yun'er could feel the burst of energy within her Soul Core. Like any good Dragon Nest member, Huo Yun'er has formed Three Soul Cores similar to Huo Yuhao's.
The method is somewhat different, though.
Huo Yun'er used Tails-Marked Cores, which separated her power into three parts. The Mind, Spirit, and Body each possessed three tails of Divine Fox.
And now, an additional core developed based on her soul, making it ten tails.
'This should be impossible, but we are talking about my beloved Hao'er here. His miracle-like ability never ceases to surprise me.' The heir of Divine Fox felt a warmth in her chest.
Huo Yun'er clapped her hand and said, "Amaterasu. Gather all high-ranked girls within our association, including Ophis."
"Ying'er, Shishou, Grayfia, Gabriel. Come here, and I'll bestow my True Evil Piece on you." Huo Yuhao waved his hand lazily. He was in his comfort zone at this moment.
Grabbing four True Evil Pieces, Huo Yuhao merged them successfully with the ladies and heard Evo's notifications again.
[Ding! You have added "Qianye Ying'er." to your peerage]
[Ding! You have added "Scathach." to your peerage]
[Ding! You have added "Grayfia Lucifuge." to your peerage]
[Ding! You have added "Gabriel Edelweiss." to your peerage]
[Boosting their innate power and raw potential by 500%]
[After a certain period, the Host could use some of your peerage's members' abilities...]
"Yuhao?"
A small gasp echoed in the room.
Huo Yuhao turned around and saw Ophis stepping out of the magic circle with her mouth wide open. She was in her small form, wearing an elementary student outfit.
There is also a small girl around ophis's size with blonde hair and matching eyes. She has nine soft tails and fluffy fox ears.
"Yuhao!" Ophis rushed like a bullet, hugging Huo Yuhao tightly.
Huo Yuhao patted Ophis and said, "See... I promised you that I'll be back."
"But are you being a good girl when I'm away, Ophis?"
"I..." Ophis tried to dodge his gaze.
"I'm a good girl."
"Is that so? I believed you then." Huo Yuhao knew how awkward Ophis could be, but that was for another day. "Anyway, do you want to join my peerage, Ophis?"
"Peerage?"
"Yes, Peerage. Like what the Devil practiced for centuries."
Ophis tilted her head and replied, "A normal Evil Piece couldn't and never will be able to turn me into a devil. They are too weak compared to my infinity."
"Who said it was a normal Evil Piece? Look at this." Huo Yuhao pulled out Empress Piece from his inventory. "It might look like a normal Evil Piece, but this version can enhance your potential and power. Defeating Baka Red shouldn't be a problem for you."
"And above all things. You'll get connected to me for eternity till death part us apart."
'Smooth...' The ladies thought simultaneously. Unfortunately, Ophis isn't very skilled in romance.
Ophis picked the Empress Piece and swallowed it, making everyone panic instantly.
"Don't eat it! You will get a stomachache." They were speechless.
Ophis frowned and answered, "I'm fine."
"It tastes kind of nice..."
[Ding! You have added "Ophis." to your peerage]
[Boosting innate power and raw potential of Ophis by 500%]
[After a certain period, the Host could use some Ophis abilities...]
"Hmm?" Ophis patted her tummy, feeling the increase in her power.
"With this, Baka Red..."
"My home..." She mumbled and slowly glanced at Huo Yuhao. The definition of "Home." definitely has changed for her.
The Dimensional Gap is where she belongs, but Huo Yuhao is a person she wants to stay with forever.
'Do I really want to return to the Dimensional Gap?' Ophis have been questioning this for a year now. Looking at Huo Yuhao, Ophis realized the attachment and bond she had built.
"Don't overthink it." Huo Yuhao laughed in amusement.
"This is also your home, Ophis. I'm sure everyone has said that to you once, at least."
"Mm." Ophis nodded, burying her face in Huo Yuhao's clothes.
Huo Yun'er grabbed the blonde-haired girl with nine fox tails and cleared her throat slightly. "Yuhao, let me introduce you to Kunou." She said calmly.
"She's the Co-Ruler of Kyoto alongside Amaterasu and her mother, Yasaka."
"N-nice to meet you, Young Master!" The girl responded nervously.
"Nice to meet you too, Kunou." Huo Yuhao smiled at her.
"And then, I believed introducing her wasn't the only issue here."
Huo Yun'er shook her head and continued, "Kunou is here to request help from the Dragon Nest. She has detected some malicious presence in Kyoto."
"I wanted you to laze around, to be honest... However, your appearance will make an impact on our enemy."
"And not to mention that you haven't claimed God's Throne in heaven."
Gabriel's eyes excitedly shone as she added, "Yes, father~! You should visit Heaven and take your rightful position."
"Okay... One by one." Huo Yuhao understood his mother's plan.
"Let's do some light action."