Chapter 323: The Sea Spirit Beasts and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Allegiance
After exchanging a few more words, Han Li left Tianmeng in charge of the place and gave the Blue Silver King some encouraging remarks before the three of them headed outside.
"If I'm not mistaken, you've already reached what you humans call Rank 90 the Title Douluo level. How do you plan to advance from here?"
On their way out, Gu Yue asked the question somewhat unnaturally.
On the one hand, she wanted Han Li to grow stronger. On the other, she knew that in his current state, breaking through would require hunting soul beasts, which left her conflicted.
She had read the modified Xuan Tian Gong that Han Li provided. But even she didn't believe he would use that method to advance.
It was simply too slow.
No one knew which would come first tomorrow or the Divine Realm. Naturally, she hoped her ally could rise to power as quickly as possible.
"I'm heading to the Extreme North first to help my people start their god trials. As for my breakthrough, I'll probably go to Sea God Island help her start the Sea God Trial and advance at the same time."
"What's wrong? Thinking of stopping me? They don't worship the Dragon God anymore, you know."
Han Li's tone was relaxed as he glanced at Gu Yue. He didn't believe she had no opinion on the matter.
And sure enough, her expression darkened slightly at his words.
Before, it wouldn't have mattered even if they had still worshipped the Dragon God, she wouldn't have gained anything from it.
But times had changed.
The Sea God's past actions had essentially uprooted her foundation. That was pure, raw faith power lost.
Just thinking about it made her heart ache.
Sea God, you have brought upon yourself the path to destruction!
Seeing the icy glint flash in her eyes, Han Li added some mental narration for dramatic effect. Out loud, however, he spoke in a calm, measured tone.
"I'd suggest you hold back for now. Unlike the Angel God, the Sea God's High Priest can contact him at any time. If you don't want to be discovered, you'd best abandon the idea of notifying all soul beasts just yet."
Even if she hadn't mentioned it, Han Li had planned to warn her about this.
The Sea God was incredibly sly ruthless, even. That wasn't an exaggeration.
Han Li wasn't about to let a minor mistake ruin everything.
"At the very least, wait until my people finish their trials. Once I'm ready, then you can act."
His tone wasn't particularly polite, but he was certain she wouldn't mind. They were even more desperate to avoid exposure than he was.
"Fine. But it looks like there's another god that will need to be erased."
Gu Yue's voice carried unmistakable fury.
Han Li, however, shook his head internally.
If all beast gods shared her attitude or if her personality was indicative of the other beast gods' mindset then war was inevitable, with or without the Dragon God's fall.
"You're being too extreme. Once my people inherit the Sea God's position, he'll likely leave. There's no need to provoke another enemy."
"The Sea God may not have been a god for long, but he's a true First Class Deity and a strong one at that. He's also highly pragmatic."
Han Li revealed just a bit of information about the Sea God, offering her a subtle warning.
Gu Yue fell silent for a moment before nodding.
She had been away from the Divine Realm for too long long enough for her intelligence to become outdated.
She trusted that Han Li wouldn't lie about this. After all, he was a fellow rebel.
"Actually, the Shura God also planned to leave. But for some reason, he suddenly refused to pass down his divine position."
Han Li sighed with genuine regret.
At first, he hadn't been interested.
But now? He wanted it.
If the Shura God had offered his divine position now, Han Li would most likely accept it. Inheriting a single god's legacy wouldn't interfere with his goal of creating his own divine domain.
If he timed it right, he might be able to take everything.
And with Shura's usual methods, opening a backdoor for Han Li wouldn't even faze him.
Unfortunately, Han Li couldn't figure out what the Shura God was thinking. For now, he had to continue treating him as an enemy.
His words made Gu Yue and Di Tian momentarily freeze before turning to stare at him.
How could he casually say something like that?
The very person who had sought them out to rally against the Divine Realm… was now lamenting the fact that Shura hadn't handed his godhood over?
"Don't look at me like that. Power has no inherent morality. If I actually became the Shura God, wouldn't that make things easier for your kind?"
Han Li flashed them a smile, offering an answer they hadn't expected.
The two exchanged glances but didn't respond.
To them, the idea was utterly absurd.
But at the same time, it reshaped their perception of Han Li yet again.
He really would take anything that came his way.
Yet this also meant that if he succeeded, they wouldn't need to fear being discarded once their usefulness ended.
Because he didn't care for rules to begin with.
Soon, the three of them emerged from the toxic miasma.
"We'll contact you when we're on our way."
With that, Gu Yue summoned a silver portal and stepped through.
Di Tian gave Han Li a small nod before hastily following her, vanishing into the light.
Han Li watched the now empty surroundings and chuckled.
Behind him, the Evil God Hook extended.
What? They think they're the only ones who can teleport?
Han Li's disappearance and reappearance elsewhere drew no attention from anyone.
Since Han Li had already informed them in advance, everyone simply assumed he had taken a short trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. No one asked any further questions.
During dinner, with everyone present including Qian Daoliu Qian Renxue, as usual, showed up to freeload a meal. As she ate, she vented about the various things she had encountered throughout the day. The atmosphere was quite pleasant.
"So? How did things go with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
Qian Renxue looked at Han Li, inquiring about the outcome of his conversation with Ning Fengzhi earlier that day.
"He said he needs some time to think. But it should be within the next couple of days he'll likely come knocking again. Your teacher has a keen sense for these things. I'm sure he'll make the right choice."
Han Li casually recounted the morning's events, throwing in a playful remark at Qian Renxue.
"If possible, I'd prefer not to fight them. We've worked together for years, after all."
Qian Renxue shot him an annoyed look but answered calmly. That was her genuine opinion.
"Then have you considered this? Since we won't be laying all our cards on the table, as the newly crowned Emperor of Tian Dou, you might just end up as Ning Rongrong's ideal husband. And I bet the ministers of the empire would love to see that happen."
Han Li's eyes glinted as he entertained a new possibility, his tone laced with amusement.
"Hah?"
Qian Renxue froze, her hand stopping midair just as she was about to pick up some food.
That… actually could happen.
What was she supposed to do about that?
Ning Fengzhi acted even faster than Han Li had expected.
The next morning, before Han Li and the others had even finished their usual morning training, a knock came at the courtyard gate.
Outside, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong stood there but Ning Rongrong was absent.
"Have a seat."
Han Li gestured to a chair as he watched the servants usher them in.
Ning Fengzhi didn't look great. On the surface, he was still the same distinguished and elegant gentleman. But Han Li could tell he had likely stayed up all night and had only used a soul skill to restore his appearance.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will follow the orders of the Holy Son from now on."
Ning Fengzhi's smile was slightly forced, but his words made his stance unmistakably clear.
In the past, he had always addressed Han Li by his full title, never referring to him simply as "Holy Son."
"You've decided? No turning back?"
Han Li took a bite of the freshly served meal, glancing up at him.
"Of course. A gentleman's word is his bond."
Ning Fengzhi seemed far more at ease after making his declaration. His mental state even appeared to be improving.
"Besides, His Highness the Holy Son doesn't seem to mind much, does he?"
After a brief pause, Ning Fengzhi let out a slightly bitter smile. It was precisely Han Li's nonchalant attitude that had made his decision even clearer.
Han Li finished his food, wiped his hands, and straightened up.
"You do have a sharp sense for these things. You weren't too late, though I'd say you were a bit late."
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly in confusion.
"If, back when I first revealed myself, you hadn't secretly been on guard against me hadn't spoken ill of me behind my back things might have turned out differently."
Han Li smiled at him, though his expression carried a hint of amusement.
He hadn't forgotten how Ning Fengzhi had "guided" Qian Renxue back then, showering her with praise while subtly warning her about him.
At Han Li's words, Ning Fengzhi's face stiffened awkwardly.
He knew about that?
For a moment, cold sweat formed on his back.
Had they been entangled for that long already?
If so, the way things had played out was really no one's fault but his own. He simply hadn't been cautious enough.
"I hope His Highness will overlook that. It was merely an attempt to survive in a dangerous world."
Ning Fengzhi tried to rise and bow, but Han Li casually used Dragon Capture and Crane Control to press him back into his seat.
"Enough with the formalities. Let's get to business."
Han Li's expression turned serious.
"For now, you don't need to do anything. Keep things as they were just act as you always have. When the time is right, I'll make the announcement myself."
"As for your martial spirit issue, that's actually quite simple. There's more than one solution."
Seeing the flicker of excitement in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, Han Li tapped his fingers lightly against the table.
Since they had already pledged loyalty, it would be too cruel to keep using their bottleneck against them.
"Of course, you haven't fully earned my trust yet. But you can start preparing. In a few days, we'll deal with your eighth soul ring first."
Han Li stopped tapping the table and turned to look at him.
"Understood. No problem."
Ning Fengzhi stood up abruptly, his voice tinged with excitement.
This was something the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had pursued for centuries.
"Don't get too excited just yet. Here, take a look at this first. Before we help you obtain your eighth soul ring, we need to build even greater trust."
Han Li pulled out a sheet of paper densely packed with tiny, handwritten characters the long forgotten Martial Soul Oath.
Half an hour later, Ning Fengzhi left alongside Gu Rong, taking the oath document with them.
As soon as they departed, Han Li pulled out a token inscribed with the character Han and infused it with his spiritual energy.
"Hey, Gu Yue? I've got something to discuss with you…"
(End of Chapter)
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