Chapter 170: Guang Ling and Qing Luan's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, the Reserved Sixth Spirit Ring
"A year without seeing me did you miss your master?"
The voice arrived before the person did. That was typical of Guang Ling.
Before they even caught sight of him, the familiar voice rang in their ears. Only after the words settled did Guang Ling appear before them, smiling.
A few seconds later, Qing Luan arrived, giving them a slight nod.
"Of course! Master, Uncle, I missed you both so much!"
Han Li grinned as he strode forward, even winking at Shui Bing'er. It was only in moments like these that he showed a hint of youthful energy.
Guang Ling, unimpressed, pushed his forehead back with a finger before flicking him on the head. "Shoo, shoo. That murderous aura of yours it's like we're bitter enemies. If I didn't know better, I might just kill you on instinct."
Despite his words, his eyes were full of amusement.
"Master."
Shui Bing'er greeted Qing Luan obediently and walked to his side. Qing Luan nodded slightly, his gaze softening, though he remained silent.
"You all gained a lot. If my brother hadn't forbidden us from entering, I would've gone through Hell's Road myself."
Guang Ling took a serious look at them, lingering on Dugu Bo for a long time before speaking again. Seeing that the old man had already stepped into the Hyper Douluo realm, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Without me in there, you probably wouldn't have gained a single bit of spirit power."
Han Li shook his head. Rapid power growth inside Hell's Road was his unique trait anyone else would be lucky just to keep their sanity intact.
"Yeah, yeah, we get it. You're the best."
Guang Ling rolled his eyes at Han Li's smug expression.
"Alright, looking at you all, I can tell the journey wasn't easy. Let's head to the camp Qing Luan and I have already prepared everything. Rest first, then we'll talk."
Qing Luan spoke from the side.
"Uncle, you really are the best."
Han Li immediately flattered him before glancing at his master, only to receive a dramatic eye roll in response.
Guang Ling had already walked over to Dugu Bo. "You've worked hard. Drinks on me tonight drink as much as you want."
As he spoke, he patted the storage pouch on his waist.
"Deal!"
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. He immediately agreed, delighted.
During his time in the City of Slaughter, he had suffered not a single drop of alcohol. But for the sake of the group's safety, he had remained dutiful. Now, with Guang Ling guaranteeing good wine, his cravings were fully awakened.
"Alright, let's go already."
Unable to wait any longer, Dugu Bo eagerly led the group back toward camp, making the others shake their heads and chuckle.
Together, they walked away, laughing and chatting as Guang Ling and Qing Luan guided them forward.
One Hour Later Around the Campfire
Everyone had cleaned up, changed clothes, eaten and drunk their fill. Now, they lay leisurely on the grass covered ground, carpets beneath them, gazing up at the starry night sky, basking in the beauty of nature in peaceful silence.
After a while, yawns began to spread. The three women bid their goodnights and retired to their tents.
With their tense nerves finally relaxed, all they wanted was sleep, leaving the men behind to chat by the fire.
The damp firewood crackled in the flames, the soft pops and sizzles adding to the tranquil atmosphere of the night.
"That murderous aura of yours is surprisingly useful saves us from needing insect repellent."
Guang Ling smirked as he observed the wisps of killing intent still occasionally leaking from Han Li and Dugu Bo.
"It's not a big deal for me. A few more days, and I'll be able to completely suppress it."
Han Li responded casually, then turned to Dugu Bo.
Unlike Han Li, Dugu Bo was intentionally keeping his aura active, hoping to study its properties further.
"Don't look at me like that. With my mental strength, I don't even need to do anything one month at most, and it'll settle. The real ones who need to refine it are Yan and the others."
Dugu Bo grumbled, feeling like Han Li was underestimating him.
The brat needed to remember Dugu Bo had killed plenty of people long before stepping into the City of Slaughter.
"When we get to Heaven Dou City, we can have Qian Renxue purify them once. After that, they just need to read, travel, and let time smooth it out. As long as they can control it when needed, it's fine. It's not like they need to become nobles or politicians just being able to suppress and release it at will is enough."
Han Li thought for a moment before answering.
"You're not planning to return to Spirit City?"
Guang Ling turned to look at his disciple, suspicious that this kid was getting too comfortable outside.
"Nope. At this stage, going back to Spirit City just to lock myself up and train makes no sense. Besides, I haven't even started my real journey yet."
Han Li replied without hesitation. There were no benefits to going back why return just to be confined?
"Fair enough. You wouldn't do anything productive there anyway. Might as well wander a bit."
Guang Ling acknowledged, realizing Han Li had barely traveled since leaving. He had gone straight to the City of Slaughter and stayed there for a year.
"Want me to come with you?"
Guang Ling's eyes gleamed with anticipation. He was getting restless he needed some excitement.
"Nope. You go have your own fun. I'm not even bringing Old Man Dugu this time we're traveling on our own."
Han Li didn't even need to look at him to sense his thoughts. He rejected the idea immediately.
"Tsk. You brat."
Guang Ling huffed, but there was a trace of amusement in his tone.
Guang Ling and Dugu Bo were getting restless was this brat really planning to ditch them and run off on his own?
Qing Luan, watching the amusing scene from the side, simply shook his head.
"So, let me get this straight you called me and your uncle here just to handle all the logistics for when you guys got out?"
Guang Ling narrowed his eyes at Han Li, looking like he was about to mess him up.
"Of course not. Oh, right, Master, how's the progress on your martial soul fusion skill with Uncle?"
Han Li ignored his master's expression and changed the subject. He knew Guang Ling too well it was all just for show.
"Tch, you're no fun. The fusion skill is complete. It's somewhat similar to the one you and Bing'er have, but mine and your uncle's is more suited for ambushes. Even your great master wouldn't dare say he could detect it with absolute certainty."
At the mention of this, Guang Ling's face lit up with pride, as if inviting Han Li to keep asking so he could brag more.
"An enhanced version of your invisible arrow?"
Han Li asked thoughtfully.
"Exactly. With your uncle's wind element and sonic abilities added, even your great master would struggle to detect it. Our fusion skill is completely silent."
"It's not flashy, but if used for assassinations, hehe…"
Guang Ling let out a sinister chuckle, making Han Li and Dugu Bo shudder involuntarily.
In their minds, they could already picture it two Hyper Douluo hidden in the shadows, taking out one Haotian Sect Titled Douluo after another with a single arrow. Their targets wouldn't even know how they died.
And why Haotian Sect, specifically? Well, they were the so called number one sect they couldn't exactly use Spirit Hall as a hypothetical target. That would be a bit impolite.
"Wouldn't Great Master be able to block it with his martial soul avatar and domain?"
Han Li couldn't help but ask.
"Haven't tested it, but your Grand Elder Jin Crocodile couldn't block it, and he's an Ultimate Douluo. Haha!"
Guang Ling burst into laughter, looking extremely pleased with himself.
Previously, when he fought Jin Crocodile who had just broken through to Rank 99 he had struggled quite a bit. While he hadn't lost, he was forced into a stalemate. But now, with their fusion skill complete, he was back to showing off.
"That's seriously strong."
Seeing his master's smug expression, Han Li couldn't help but smirk. This was perfect.
"You're preparing for your sixth spirit ring? Which hundred thousand year beast are you targeting?"
Qing Luan, having caught on to Han Li's underlying meaning, asked calmly.
"Not a hundred thousand year beast just a fifty to sixty thousand year one. But its combat strength isn't inferior to those of a hundred thousand years. Initially, if you and Master hadn't completed your fusion skill, or if the effect wasn't ideal, I was planning to ask Great Master to assist."
Han Li explained seriously, looking at Qing Luan.
"What kind of beast is this strong? A Titan Giant Ape? Even that shouldn't be too difficult."
Dugu Bo frowned. If it was a Titan Giant Ape, any one of them would be enough to handle it. Not facing it head on, of course his poison alone could slowly wear it down. Even if the Azure Bull Python joined in, two of them would still be more than enough to deal with it.
"No, it's a Dark Demon Evil God Tiger."
Han Li smiled as he revealed the answer.
"Hm? That thing appeared again? Yeah, it definitely needs to be killed."
Guang Ling's expression grew serious upon hearing the name.
According to Spirit Hall's records, this was a legendary soul beast. Every time it appeared, it caused massive disturbances.
The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger didn't just prey on soul beasts it actively hunted soul masters as well. In the past, Spirit Hall had lost several Titled Douluo just to exterminate one.
"Yes, it has reappeared, most likely in the Star Dou Forest."
Han Li stated directly. These were his own people there was no need to hide anything. Besides, they wouldn't bother asking him how he got this information.
"If it's a Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, then yeah, it's comparable to a hundred thousand year beast."
Qing Luan nodded seriously. With just Dugu Bo, things could easily go sideways.
"A Dark Demon Evil God Tiger… Kid, staying around you really broadens my horizons. In just a few years, I've experienced more than in my entire previous life combined."
Dugu Bo sighed. Even he had only heard of this legendary beast before, never expecting to encounter one himself.
"You should be grateful. Otherwise, you probably would've poisoned yourself to death."
Guang Ling teased, tossing him a bottle of wine before chuckling at his own joke.
Dugu Bo didn't mind the jab. A white sword shaped mark appeared on his forehead as he activated his Killing God Domain, looking at Guang Ling with a provocative smirk.
"Damn it, how unlucky what's so great about a dumb domain anyway?"
Guang Ling's smile stiffened. He took a deep swig from his bottle in frustration.
Han Li and Qing Luan exchanged amused glances but stayed out of their bickering.
"When do we head out?"
Qing Luan, noting the slightly more mature air around Han Li, asked softly.
"In a week. I still have something I want to study. Once I figure it out, the benefits will be even greater."
Han Li's gaze drifted to the wristband on his left arm, where the inner core lay silently.
This thing was far more precious than Dugu Bo's poison pill.
And soon, his dear son would awaken.
Because for Han Li, he wasn't just after a sixth spirit ring.
(End of Chapter)
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