Chapter 374: The Angel and Rakshasa Who Simultaneously Stepped Into the Ninth Trial
It was a bit of a shame that Han Li missed the live broadcast of Gentle Mother Dong'er Comforts Middle Aged Baby Xiao Gang.
When it happened, he was still engaged in a deep, meaningful connection with Gu Yue. Fortunately, his obedient son understood the importance and saved the replay for him.
Though the video was only about ten minutes long, Han Li watched it over and over again. He had to admit, the realism of this kind of live experience was far superior to any performance.
Even though she regained her composure after those ten minutes, Han Li couldn't help but reassess Bibi Dong's mental state. He could clearly feel that the darkness within her had deepened.
"You have to hold on a little longer," Han Li murmured to himself. He wasn't worried about Bibi Dong's power growing after becoming a god. After all, even if she ascended, without entering the Divine Realm and fully converting her soul power into divine power, the boost from her godhood wouldn't be enough to surpass him.
What he truly feared was Bibi Dong getting stuck, ending up like Tang Chen. That would mean losing a potential divine spark. But seeing her quickly regain clarity, he finally let out a breath of relief.
The inheritance of the Rakshasa God that Bibi Dong received was something he couldn't quite understand. Not only was it extremely difficult, but it was also ridiculously stingy. He wasn't even sure if the Rakshasa truly intended to pass down the god position. After all, her arch nemesis, the Asura God, had been eerily silent like a salted fish.
Please, don't do this, Brother Asura! He urgently needed divine sparks to strengthen his power. But all Han Li could do was pray. Unlike before, he now both hoped for Asura's attention and dreaded it at the same time.
After all, Asura was supposed to be a key supporting character. So why had he suddenly gone completely quiet? This absolute lack of movement was truly unsettling.
What Han Li didn't know was that, at that very moment in the Divine Realm, Asura was busy running between three godly temples, an uncharacteristic trace of a smile on his cold face.
As the God of Law Enforcement, he wasn't about to let things slide. Did Destruction really think he could challenge him with that level of intelligence? Please. Just because he didn't bother forming factions didn't mean he was incapable.
Besides, even if he manipulated things behind the scenes, ordinary gods wouldn't be able to detect it.
Hmm, time to check in on the God of Emotions. That place was the key to everything.
…
Xiao Gang was now truly under house arrest.
Previously, he had been treated as an honored guest of Bibi Dong, merely kept out of sight due to the surrounding turmoil. But after he completely ignited her emotions, even though she had since regained her sanity, he had truly become a "golden canary" trapped within the courtyard.
The sunlight shone into the garden, yet he felt ice cold all over.
Just recalling Bibi Dong's gentle words sent shivers down his spine.
She was truly insane!
With a smile in her eyes, Bibi Dong softly assured him there was no need to worry she would personally take revenge on everyone who had ever looked down on him.
Especially the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. In a voice as sweet as honey, she promised him that those people would pay the price, with their lives as compensation.
He had screamed "No!" at the top of his lungs, but she merely took it as a joke, growing even more determined.
She even told him that she was no longer pure. But there was no need to rush just a few more months, and she would return to being the young girl she once was. When that time came, she would be his Dong'er again, just as she had been twenty years ago.
Yu Xiaogang couldn't understand, but that only made him more terrified. This was no longer the Bibi Dong he had known.
For the first time, he deeply regretted his choices. He regretted not listening to his father, not staying in his clan, getting married, having children, and living out a peaceful life. Why had he gambled everything on this one chance?
Meanwhile, a large number of vengeful Soul Masters flooded into Spirit City, driven by anger and killing intent. Their reason?
The last time Yu Xiaogang was seen, he had been in a tavern within Spirit City. At that time, he had basked in admiration, a smug smile on his face, like a proud peacock.
But upon arriving in Spirit City, they found no trace of him. After a month of fruitless searching, they moved on, chasing new rumors elsewhere.
What they didn't know was that every single one of them had been observed by a hidden venomous spider, carefully weaving a vast web. And once the web was fully spun, their fate would be sealed.
Han Li was thoroughly enjoying himself. These people stirred up chaos across the continent, and each new commotion brought him another surge of faith energy.
Without contrast, there is no pain. As the world mocked these fools, as people secretly breathed sighs of relief that they had chosen not to follow their path, their thoughts would inevitably drift toward Han Li the "original author" of this fate.
Bibi Dong continued spreading false leads throughout the continent, ensuring that the situation remained a hot topic. And in the shadows, Han Li quietly enjoyed the benefits of her actions.
At first, Han Li had been confused this had been going on for too long. But once he realized Bibi Dong was behind it, her true intent became clear.
She was fishing.
And her bait was all those who had "slandered" Yu Xiaogang.
It seemed she planned to go all out to capture them all in one fell swoop.
Not only that, but she also needed this highly publicized spectacle to mask her other movements.
Of course, the higher ups of Spirit Hall weren't fooled. Many of these actions required their approval to carry out.
The message was clear:
Her Holiness the Pope intended to unify the continent.
That was what Bibi Dong's various decrees told them.
Fear gripped their hearts, but alongside it… a trace of excitement.
The continent had been at peace for too long, and the hierarchy within Spirit Hall had remained relatively stable, leading to many people staying in the same positions for years. This was a monumental event if successful, it would be recorded in history and provide ample room for advancement. Those involved would be the greatest beneficiaries.
The faction within the Worship Hall, after using their hidden communication channels to report the news, received a response: full cooperation. This left them wide eyed with shock.
So, the disappearance of the high ranking members of the Worship Hall was actually to consolidate power? To conspire for something grand? Those unaware of the crucial details held discussions and ultimately arrived at this conclusion.
Meanwhile, the news that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had officially become a vassal force was also placed before Bibi Dong.
After her initial surprise, she broke into a delighted smile, though beneath that smile lurked a hint of madness.
Good, very good. So, you're willing to cooperate too?
However, the outcome might not be what you expect. Deep inside, she laughed hysterically, already deciding how the Qian bloodline would meet its end.
Beneath the undercurrents, the massive entity that was Spirit Hall began to move silently.
Various arrangements were set in motion, infiltrating the forces of the Star Luo Empire and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye. On the continent, as the search for Yu Xiaogang continued to yield no results, public interest in the matter finally started to wane.
After one final secret meeting with Yu Xiaogang, Bibi Dong withdrew once again into the Rakshasa Illusion Realm.
The message she left behind was clear: the next time she emerged, it would mark the official launch of the plan. The upper ranks of Spirit Hall were already on high alert, prepared for what was to come.
In Han Li's private residence in Heaven Dou City, Qian Daoliu gazed at his granddaughter, who had become unreadable to him, and smiled in satisfaction. She had finally reached this stage.
"Grandfather, when is Han Li coming?"
A faint smile adorned Qian Renxue's face. She only had one final trial left, and her mood was quite good.
She just didn't understand why her grandfather insisted on waiting for that guy.
Tch, ever since last time, she hadn't seen a trace of him.
"You'll find out soon enough," Qian Daoliu replied, looking slightly uneasy. He could only hope that brat's method would work otherwise, he, as an old man, would have to take the final step himself.
"Oh? Is the little Angel getting impatient?"
A teasing voice echoed, and Qian Renxue looked up. Han Li had already appeared on a stone chair behind her, casually holding her cup in his hand.
"Scram."
She shot him an annoyed glare, her red lips parting as she spat out a single word.
This guy only called her that when he was teasing her, and now, with her grandfather present, it made her feel embarrassed.
"Alright, enough jokes. Let's go to the Angel Shrine. Oh, by the way, here's some news: Her Holiness the Pope has also announced her seclusion today at noon."
Han Li didn't care about her attitude, calmly delivering the intelligence he had received.
"Mm."
Qian Renxue's expression didn't change much. She simply furrowed her brows slightly and nodded in response.
Having undergone the seventh and eighth trials, she had gained a new perspective on many things. This kind of news no longer shook her resolve.
It seemed she had truly grown. The only question was whether she could endure the ninth trial.
Come to think of it, both mother and daughter had particularly difficult ninth trials. Tests of the soul and spirit were never easy to overcome.
As the doors to the Angel Shrine opened, Han Li followed behind the grandfather and granddaughter, stepping inside.
Deep within the Angel Shrine, the three of them stopped.
At Qian Daoliu's signal, Qian Renxue stepped forward and placed her hand on the Angel Statue.
A golden light erupted as the final trial's contents echoed in her mind.
"Angel God Trials, Ninth Trial Seven Emotions Ordeal, Angel's Inheritance."
As the golden light faded, Qian Renxue remained frozen, unable to turn around for a long time.
She was no longer the ignorant examinee from the original story. Through interactions with others, she had learned enough about the ninth trial's prerequisites to feel an ominous premonition.
"Sigh, it looks like you've realized it too, Xiaoxue. That's right your ninth trial requires Granduncle to sacrifice himself in order to proceed."
Han Li's voice rang out behind her, shattering the last sliver of hope in Qian Renxue's heart.
"No, I won't "
She whipped around, but before she could finish, Han Li firmly covered her mouth, allowing only muffled protests to escape.
"No, you will."
His voice was cold.
And in Qian Renxue's despairing gaze, Qian Daoliu transformed into a beam of light.
(End of Chapter)
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