Chapter 324: Progress on All Fronts and Gu Yue's Domain
Han Li wasn't contacting Gu Yue just for idle chatter he wanted her to ask the other powerful soul beasts if any of their clans had ancient beasts nearing the end of their lifespan. If not, bringing one back would work too. After all, extending one's life for a few more decades through a different method was still a good option.
He had studied the concept of contracted soul spirits before. Unlike Electrolux's deep magical foundation, Han Li manipulated the fundamental rules to establish symbiosis between two beings.
At first, he had considered the soul spirit method but ultimately abandoned it it didn't address the root problem.
The most direct solution was to ensure that soul beasts left no residual soul rings upon death and that human soul masters no longer required soul rings for cultivation. But right now… he simply couldn't make that happen.
And to be fair, soul rings weren't entirely useless. They were essentially fixed "spell slots" convenient and efficient, requiring only soul power activation. There was no need to completely reject them.
Why was he doing all this? Simple winning favor.
Since the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was the first major power to align with him, Ning Fengzhi, as its leader, deserved some preferential treatment. And for Han Li, it was hardly an inconvenience.
Plus, it was a good way to earn some goodwill from the soul beast side.
See? Even though I haven't ascended to godhood yet and lack the ability to change the rules outright, I'm still working toward it.
The real reason, though?
It was just the easiest solution.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul had an undeniable flaw its inability to break past its limit. But the core issue was a lack of energy.
How did Ning Rongrong overcome this limitation in the original story?
By consuming an immortal herb.
At its essence, it was simply a high tier energy infusion that brute forced the breakthrough.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's support abilities were exceptional, signifying an incredibly high potential ceiling. But fate's gifts always came with a price. The energy required to push it further was correspondingly immense.
It was similar to the Byakugan in Naruto a system that looked great functionally and numerically. But crossing the chasm to reach the next level required extraordinary effort.
Unfortunately for them, they were auxiliary type soul masters. Normally, body refinement and soul ring absorption were enough. Why push themselves harder than necessary?
This led to a vicious cycle where they never accumulated enough energy for advancement. Even with soul bones, it wasn't enough. The barrier before them was simply too great.
Han Li could use converted immortal energy to help Ning Fengzhi evolve his martial soul.
But would he give that away?
Absolutely not.
Gu Yue was different she provided faith power in return. Could Ning Fengzhi do that?
No.
Even if he could, how much could the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect even generate?
Without knowing exactly how much energy was required for evolution, Han Li refused to waste his resources. He was stockpiling strength why would he share?
So he opted for a cruder, more direct, and ultimately twice as effective solution:
Contracting a soul spirit.
Forcing the martial soul into an Eight Treasure Pagoda.
With a combat capable companion as a bonus, Ning Fengzhi would be ecstatic.
And the shockwave it would send through the continent?
Even better.
With him leading the charge for Han Li, wouldn't that be far more convincing?
And if Han Li was satisfied, maybe Ning Rongrong could receive a boost later.
As for the other Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect members?
Honestly, Han Li couldn't help them right now nor did he want to.
Once he became a god, the energy density of the Douluo Continent would naturally increase.
Given time, they would evolve on their own.
It would just take longer.
Why rush? They could still cultivate, couldn't they?
Ning Fengzhi would understand.
After all, his sect's so called "loyalty" was nothing more than words on a Martial Soul Oath for now.
After confirming things with Gu Yue, Han Li cut the connection and checked in with the others undertaking their god trials.
As expected, Xiu'er and Zhu Zhuqing had already started their tests. Everything was progressing smoothly their trials seemed almost tailor made for them. All they had to do was follow the process.
The elders, however, weren't as lucky.
They hadn't even reached the real trials yet.
Instead, they were going through a screening phase.
Fortunately, it wasn't too difficult.
So far, only Jin Crocodile had passed, moving on to the War God Trial. The details were unclear.
Han Li could sense that he was inside an illusion, but he refrained from interfering.
For now, it was best to wait until he reached out on his own.
As for Guang Ling, Qing Luan, and Dugu Bo, they were in a similar situation.
Their first stop had been the Phoenix God's inheritance site.
Accompanying them was someone else his "future teacher's wife," Spirit Kite Douluo.
After consuming the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and evolving her martial soul into a Phoenix, she like Jin Crocodile had qualified for the real trial.
The other three?
They simply gave up and planned to head to the Speed God's trial site instead.
Speaking of that "future teacher's wife"…
Han Li sighed and rubbed his temples.
So that's why Guang Ling had been holding back all this time.
She owed Bibi Dong a favor.
While she wasn't a direct subordinate like Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, she still felt some loyalty.
So she and Guang Ling had dragged things out.
Considering their cultivation levels, they were still fairly young.
Now, in this situation, there was no way Guang Ling wouldn't bring her along.
And from the looks of it?
Things were going pretty well.
Compared to the younger generation, the older ones had it rough.
Han Li smirked but wasn't surprised.
God trials prioritized talent and compatibility.
But since the system had already granted them trials, why not be a little more generous?
At this rate, his wind element senior uncle should have no trouble passing the Speed God's trial. However, his master and Old Man Dugu were probably out of luck. At most, they could enhance their soul rings or aim for the Ultimate Douluo level. Tch, looks like they might have to rely on the Sea God after all.
If all else failed, they'd just have to wait until he became a god. No arrangements for my master? Fine, then I'll just kill you all when the time comes.
Han Li muttered darkly to himself. Of course, he was only joking. Gaining two unexpected godhood slots was already a pleasant surprise.
Once he reached his goal, god positions would be his for the taking. He could be as biased as he wanted and proudly so.
After chatting with his master a bit longer, Han Li cut the connection.
Initially, he had planned to reserve the Sea God position for his master, but Guang Ling had refused.
His reasoning?
A fully developed Ye LingLing essentially an upgraded version of herself would be far more valuable than another conventional combatant.
At the same level, Guang Ling believed he was no match for the individuals Han Li had personally nurtured. So, he voluntarily stepped aside, telling Han Li to compensate him properly in the future.
He even joked that he had already "leached" his way to Ultimate Douluo, so he didn't mind waiting a little longer.
Han Li had found it both amusing and irritating, but since his master was adamant, he ultimately agreed.
My master deserves at least the status of an Endless Flame Realm VIP.
Pushing aside these stray thoughts, Han Li resumed his cultivation.
Qian Daoliu's life was quite comfortable these days.
He got to stay close to his granddaughter. And now that Qian Renxue had finished delegating her administrative duties, he was helping her advance through her god trials while enjoying some quality family time.
He wanted to stay in Tian Dou City as long as possible.
Two days passed in a blur.
Just half a day before their scheduled meeting, Han Li received a message from Gu Yue: they had arrived with their "home" in tow.
Not wasting any time, he informed his companions and headed to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's base in Tian Dou City.
"Alright, let's go."
Seeing Ning Fengzhi visibly excited, Han Li didn't mock him for it.
"Alright."
Ning Fengzhi immediately stood up, glancing at Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Ning Rongrong, who was staring eagerly.
"Just you will do. No need to bring everyone. Don't worry, it'll be quick."
Han Li followed Ning Fengzhi's gaze but refused outright.
Even though they had already sworn their oaths, there was no need to bring unnecessary people along. This is a medical procedure, not a family trip.
Ning Fengzhi nodded. Since they had already pledged loyalty, there was no reason to suspect Han Li had ulterior motives.
Ignoring Ning Rongrong's pleading eyes, Han Li stuffed Ning Fengzhi into his wristband space, leaving Sword and Bone Douluo wide eyed in shock.
"Don't worry. I'll have him back in half a day at most. If you're really concerned, you can wait at my place."
As Han Li spoke, his Evil God Hook extended from his back.
Before the three could even react, he stepped into a spatial rift and vanished.
"...Old Bone, can you do that?"
After Han Li disappeared, Chen Xin turned to Gu Rong.
"Do what? Hell no. I can barely shift around inside the courtyard."
Gu Rong, feeling the weight of their stares, flushed in embarrassment before muttering a curse.
"Then we wait."
Chen Xin sighed, glancing at his old friend and then at Ning Rongrong.
His sword… might need sharpening.
On the other side, as soon as Han Li stepped through the spatial rift, he found Gu Yue and the others already waiting.
The once hostile beast kings were now standing obediently behind Di Tian, like well disciplined schoolchildren.
Even Xiong Jun, sporting a massive lump on his head, looked remarkably well behaved.
Han Li had no interest in their internal affairs.
After greeting Gu Yue and Di Tian, he led them toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
As for the beast clans?
He didn't ask.
He had already sensed it Gu Yue had a fully constructed dimension around her. Clearly, she had brought them all inside.
I need to learn this. Way more convenient than storage rings.
Inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Gu Yue first released the beast clans, then established her domain, embedding it within the surrounding mountains.
As the beast kings directed their people and discussed territory distribution within Sunset Forest, Han Li shook his head.
And this was just part of their population.
With these beast kings leading, it wouldn't take long for Sunset Forest to become the second Star Dou Forest.
Meanwhile, the original Star Dou Forest would soon become just as concealed as human soul masters had always believed.
Very well hidden, Han Li noted as he examined Gu Yue's spatial domain.
"Can I go inside and take a look? I still have someone in my ring."
Had they not been in his territory, Han Li wouldn't have noticed it at all.
Back in Star Dou Forest, he hadn't detected it he had needed to actively manipulate things to pinpoint her location.
"Mm."
Gu Yue wasn't surprised she had already exposed this secret before.
With a casual wave of her hand, a silver gateway materialized from the mountainside.
She stepped in first.
Han Li followed without hesitation.
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