Douluo Dalu 2: Peerless Gu master

Hearing Huo Yuhao's response, Tang Ya was momentarily taken aback, but she couldn't take her eyes off the delicious food in front of her. "Little brother, do you want to sell this grilled fish? I can pay you."

"No need to pay, I'll treat you," Huo Yuhao replied without hesitation.

Completing the achievement task was more important, and besides, a few grilled fish were a small price to pay for progress.

"Thank you, little brother! My name is Tang Ya. You're so kind, I won't hold back." Tang Ya took the grilled fish Huo Yuhao handed her and sat down to eat it eagerly, showing no concern for her image.

Just then, the boy who had been with her approached. He raised his hand to greet Huo Yuhao with a helpless smile, then took a piece of the grilled fish himself.

The boy was tall and straight, with long dark blue hair that shimmered like a gemstone under the sunlight. He smiled warmly. "Don't mind her, Xiaoya can be a bit forward. I'm Beibei. What's your name, little brother?"

"It's fine. My name is Huo Yuhao," Huo Yuhao replied with a calm smile. All the gifts from fate have their prices, though hidden from view.

[Achievement Triggered!]

[Achieve Tang Ya's "Revival of Tang Sect, Starting from Grilled Fish" achievement and receive the reward: Bronze Relic Gu.]

[Bronze Relic Gu: Consume Gu worms in one turn to directly increase their foundation, raising a soul master's soul power by 1-3 levels (limited to below level 20).]

[Evaluation: Deep blue, can help you.]

Alright, this is going well! The reward can be saved for later; no need to claim it just yet. 

Huo Yuhao glanced at Beibei.

[Beibei]

[Locked]

Locked? Does that mean other people's achievements need to be unlocked too? Huo Yuhao's consciousness moved, and a prompt appeared: 

[Not enough favorability, failed to unlock.]

In the system's view, the favorability standard is divided into four levels: acquaintance, friend, close friend, and confidant. The first three levels can only refresh one task, while the confidant stage allows for three tasks to refresh in sequence. That means Huo Yuhao can complete up to six tasks for each key plot character.

There are three states for the unlocked [Achievement Task]: Not unlocked or in simple terms - Locked, waiting for refresh, and specific task instructions.

Additionally, Tang Ya's next task has been unlocked.

[Tang Ya]

[Relationship: Friend]

[Achievement Task: Waiting for Refresh]

Beibei is right; Tang Ya is indeed quite lively just like Xiao Wu. Not only do they immediately hit it off, but a grilled fish also boosts their favorability to the second level.

But still, isn't this a bit too easy? No, wait, are we "Jimei" (close friends)? That feels a bit silly.

Could this be because of God King Tang San's manipulation behind the scenes? Or is it just that my appearance has improved after using those Gu, which happens to appeal to Tang Ya?

Ignoring the little teacher-student moment between them, Huo Yuhao began thinking.

Regarding the active achievement tasks, he had studied them during his travels, and the system's judgment had clear standards. First, the character must have a great influence on the plot.

Second, the achievement tasks generally relate to the characters themselves. And of course, unlocking favorability is key.

It seems Shrek Academy is the place to be. The best strategy is to follow the plot—it's low-risk, high-reward. Only in Shrek can he meet the most pivotal plot characters, complete key tasks, and gain the power needed to fight fate.

Although the teaching at Shrek Academy may not be the best, it's not a huge concern. What truly matters is the academy's immense cultivation resources and the protection of Titled Douluo, ensuring safety. Well, except for a certain Supreme Elder from the Holy Spirit Church, most others should be trustworthy.

As for the fact that everyone at Shrek might be loyal to Tang San? No worries. When the time comes, I'll have them all bow to my will with the Killing Move of the Immortal Way and have them join me in eliminating that Tang San.

In short, Huo Yuhao had changed his strategy and decided to head to Shrek Academy, where he could spend his weaker growth period, quietly building his strength until he was ready to rise to power. 

Since he had taken on the identity of Huo Yuhao, he would inevitably have to face the Tang San sooner or later. A hero can never escape the battlefield.

With the Gu Master achievement system at his disposal, even if he bears the weight of being the "son of destiny" and must hold up the Douluo Universe with one hand, Huo Yuhao would still become invincible in the world.

The grilled fish, which had never been much to begin with, was quickly finished by the three of them. 

After a brief cleanup, Huo Yuhao stood up, preparing to leave. "Beibei, Tang Ya, I'll head out first. Hopefully, we'll meet again someday," Huo Yuhao said with a smile.

Beibei, concerned, spoke up, "This place is close to the Star Dou Forest. Are you sure you want to go into it alone?"

"Thank you for your concern, but I have my plans," Huo Yuhao shook his head and waved goodbye.

Watching him leave, Tang Ya murmured, "Beibei, he is heading into the Star Dou Forest."

Beibei nodded. "It seems so. I can faintly sense that he has soul power. I wonder what he's going to do."

Tang Ya's eyes sparkled, and she shook her head. "He has soul power. Why not recruit him into our Tang Sect?"

Beibei frowned. "Are you trying to recruit Yuhao just because the grilled fish was delicious?"

Tang Ya, caught off guard, blushed and stuck out her tongue at him.

Beibei sighed. "He has a sharper mind than most, but I'm curious about his talent."

A bright smile appeared on Tang Ya's face. "So you agree, then?"

Beibei sighed again, giving her a gentle smile. "Before you accepted me as a disciple, the Tang Sect was just you—its Leader. Your ambition is to strengthen the Tang Sect, so naturally, we must recruit the right people. Let's follow him and make sure he doesn't get into any danger."

Tang Ya nodded eagerly. "Alright, we'll follow him after I finish cleaning up."

As Huo Yuhao walked on, he remembered his mother, Huo Yun'er, once told him: "Only reveal three-tenths of what you want to say to others and don't give your heart to everyone." This wisdom rang true. His creed was similar. If someone treated him with sincerity, he would return that trust; if someone deceived him, he would discard them without a second thought.

Although he had a positive impression of Beibei and Tang Ya from their brief interaction, they were merely useful targets for achievement tasks, not companions he wanted to travel with. After all, the key plot awaited him, and he couldn't afford to be distracted.

This was the real world, and while the original story served as a reference, it was no longer his sole guide.

Soon, a wooden sign appeared, warning him: "You are about to enter the territory of the Star Dou Forest. Soul beasts are present. Please be cautious." He was getting close to his destination, but there was a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

With his White Boar Gu in hand, even a mere wind baboon wouldn't be an issue. Those days of eating grilled fish weren't wasted!

As he continued walking, his Spirit Eyes began to alert him. A shadow darted across the left side of the road. Thanks to the Requiem Gu, Huo Yuhao's mental power was now extraordinarily strong, and he could see the true form of the shadow.

It was a wind baboon, about a meter tall, with brownish-yellow fur, brown eyes, long arms, sharp claws, and exposed canine teeth. Its fierce gaze locked onto him, and it looked ready to attack.

Huo Yuhao didn't shy away. Instead, he clenched his right fist and charged toward it with anticipation.

"Bang!"

The two collided, and with a muffled thud, the wind baboon was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, slamming into a tree trunk nearby. Blood poured from its mouth. The results were clear—Huo Yuhao had easily defeated it.

It was only a ten-year-old soul beast, so there was no need to expect too much from it.

[Achievement Triggered!]

[Achieved the "Beginner" achievement and earning reward: Liquor Worm.]

[Liquor Worm: A first-level venomous worm that can help soul masters refine their soul power.]

[Evaluation: A towering building rises from the ground!]

Huo Yuhao didn't rush to claim the reward but instead waited for a moment. Then, a voice suddenly rang in his mind.

"Finally, I have found a special human boy with spiritual attributes."

The ground in front of him trembled, and a crack appeared, releasing a chilling aura that caused the temperature around him to drop significantly. From the crack emerged a Skydream Iceworm.

The creature was a large Iceworm, its body jade-white and crystalline, with a halo glowing beneath its skin. Two small golden eyes stared at him, and ten golden patterns marked its body, starting from half a meter from its head.

Above its head, a new achievement task appeared.

[Tian Meng]

[Relationship: Acquaintance]

[Achievement Task: Wisdom Soul Ring]

Huo Yuhao's thoughts raced. 'No, not you too? Am I some kind of succubus? Wait, isn't this line a bit off?!'

...

If you'd like to support me and gain access to extra chapters, you can follow the link:

patreon.com/DarkLord621