Chapter 178: The Butterfly Effect The Current State of the Original Protagonist Group
In the small town, after a brief rest, the group set off again. Guang Ling and Qing Luan had been away from Spirit City for quite some time and needed to send a report back.
"Oh, right, Han Li. When I was in Spirit City, Xiao Xue'er mentioned she had found a few geniuses and planned to take them to participate in the Continental Soul Master Tournament to challenge the team selected by the Supreme Pontiff's Hall. Are you interested in picking a few people to join in on the fun?" Guang Ling suddenly remembered something and turned to Han Li with interest.
"The Continental Soul Master Tournament? How much time is left?" Han Li was momentarily dazed he realized it had been a long time since he had interacted with others his age.
"A little over half a year. So? Want to put together a team?" Guang Ling seemed quite enthusiastic about the idea.
"No, it's not worth it. After all, I am the Holy Son of Spirit Hall. When the time comes, I'll definitely have to represent Spirit Hall. If I form my own team, it would be disrespectful to the Supreme Pontiff."
"Having two Spirit Hall teams would just make us a laughingstock."
Han Li shook his head he really had no interest in this.
Then he turned to the three girls and noticed that Dugu Yan and Shui Bing'er seemed intrigued. He considered for a moment before saying, "If you're interested, you can participate. Think of it as a way to relax."
"Bing'er, reach out to Aunt Su. Tianshui Academy is already semi publicly affiliated with me. If you want to play, you can represent Tianshui Academy. When the time comes, we won't take any of the tournament's rewards consider it a gift for Aunt Su."
"Even if Tianshui Academy wins the championship, it wouldn't offend the Supreme Pontiff's Hall too much, since they are technically an affiliated force."
This was Han Li's way of repaying Shui Bing'er's mother. Over the past few years, he had used the business network of his commercial association to support Tianshui Academy significantly.
Now, among the elemental academies, Tianshui Academy stood above the rest, though their relationships with the others would likely never return to what they once were. Shui Bing'er's face lit up with joy, and she nodded gently. Her mother would surely be pleased with this news.
"What about Lingling?" Dugu Yan suddenly asked, looking at Han Li. "I'll handle her this time. But for now, it's best if she stays at Tian Dou Royal Academy. Qian Renxue needs capable people around her, and if I try to poach her, she definitely won't agree." Han Li finally remembered the issue of Ye Lingling, deciding to discuss it with Qian Renxue once he arrived in Tian Dou.
"Can Xiao Xue also condense a spirit core?" Guang Ling asked curiously. "She can, but that's something you should discuss with Grandmaster once you return to Spirit City. We can't make decisions on this matter ourselves." Han Li gave a clear answer but chose to play it safe. Unlike teaching techniques, this required Qian Daoliu's approval. "That makes sense." Guang Ling thought for a moment and decided to bring it up once he returned.
Han Li ignored his master's reaction, closed his eyes, and entered a meditative state. Now that he had some free time, he wanted to check in on the situation over there.
In his spiritual space, Han Li gazed at the now brighter little orb of light in front of him and extended his right hand. The small orb traced an arc in the air before landing in his palm.
"Great Father, congratulations on advancing further!" The moment they met, the little orb eagerly flattered him. "Judging by your condition, you seem much better." Han Li, in a good mood, gently squeezed the orb's surface.
"Yes, Father. I have now taken control of the majority of my functions and can interact with intelligent lifeforms other than yourself." The little orb proudly declared, seemingly waiting for praise, completely unbothered by Han Li's handling.
"You handled that Ice Silkworm matter well. When will it reach the designated location?" Han Li's lips curved slightly what was initially just a backup plan had ended up achieving its goal ahead of schedule. It was worth celebrating.
"At its current speed, it should take a little over a month. However, it remains highly cautious and doesn't fully trust me, so I can't directly control it." The little orb's tone carried a hint of disappointment.
"That doesn't matter. You've already done an excellent job." Han Li encouraged it at the right moment, patting its surface like one would pat a head.
He never expected the Plane's Will to be much help in this area, so this was already a pleasant surprise. He was more than satisfied. Hearing Han Li's praise, the little orb, which had dimmed slightly, brightened again and happily circled around him before perching on his shoulder.
"I want to check on the situation in Tian Dou City. Help me project it." Han Li said with a smile, waiting for the orb to stop bouncing around.
"Understood, Father." The little orb stopped its playful antics, and a beam of light shot from its body, forming a light screen in front of Han Li.
"This is the outsider you've been monitoring Tang San. He has now arrived at Tian Dou Royal Academy, and the hundred thousand year soul beast is still with him."
The light screen displayed an image of Tang San and Xiao Wu cultivating. "Has no one discovered its true identity?" Han Li asked curiously. "For now, the Tian Dou Academy hasn't noticed. That former Haotian Douluo regularly conceals her aura in secret," the little light orb explained in detail. "However, the Titled Douluo who wields a sword seemed to sense something when he went to find Ning Rongrong. Later, Tang Hao met with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's master, and they reached an agreement." Han Li tapped his fingers on the armrest with interest. "Oh? There's such a thing? Tell me more about this agreement."
"As long as Ning Fengzhi pretends he knows nothing and helps conceal the truth, Tang Hao will provide the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with a batch of hidden weapons at cost price." The little light orb summarized their conversation.
"So does Tang San know about Xiao Wu's identity, or was this just Tang Hao's unilateral promise?" Han Li perked up. Without immortal herbs, Tang San's current mastery of Purple Demon Eye shouldn't be enough to see through Xiao Wu's disguise.
"Tang San is unaware; this was entirely Tang Hao's promise," the little light orb confirmed.
"Is that so? How interesting." A mischievous smile appeared on Han Li's face as an idea formed in his mind. "Use your power to help temporarily conceal Xiao Wu's identity. Also, given their connection, I assume we can tap into Tang San's fate energy? Use his luck for the operation."
"It's possible. Please wait a moment," the little light orb responded swiftly. It never questioned Han Li's orders or asked for explanations. The orb dimmed for a few seconds, as if it had shut down, before regaining its glow.
On the screen, Han Li saw Tang San furrow his brows while meditating. He opened his eyes, scanned his surroundings cautiously, and, finding nothing unusual, resumed his cultivation. Han Li, however, could see a mist like aura above Tang San's head partially flowing toward the adjacent room.
"Good. Very good." A devious grin spread across Han Li's face. Xiao Wu's spirit ring had exceptional effects. Even if he didn't use it personally, he had already made other plans. Now, using this to undermine Tang San, who was destined to be an enemy, felt incredibly satisfying.
"By the way, what about Zhu Zhuqing?" Han Li suddenly remembered a loose end from before he entered Slaughter City.
"Father, her situation isn't great. She has distanced herself from the group and refuses to attempt martial soul fusion with Dai Mubai. Her only close companion in the team is Ning Rongrong." The little light orb, anticipating Han Li's interest, immediately switched the display to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Perhaps I'll visit her when I return," Han Li mused with a hint of amusement before shifting his gaze away. "No need to check on everyone individually. Just give me a brief summary." Since most of them were in training, there wasn't much to observe.
"The Shrek team has joined Tian Dou Royal Academy, replacing their second team and securing eligibility for the tournament. Their teachers have also joined, though they now have additional teaching responsibilities. Only Yu Xiaogang remains solely focused on training the second team, but even he only holds the position of assistant instructor. The main responsibilities fall on Flender."
"And what about Liu Erlong? Be more specific." Due to changes in the original timeline, Han Li needed precise details and interrupted the report.
"Half a year after you entered Slaughter City, Fourth Prince Xue Beng died under mysterious circumstances. Emperor Xue Ye was furious but found no answers. Disheartened, he gradually began transferring power to the crown prince. Around the same time, Shrek Academy defeated Tian Dou Royal Academy's training team and was invited by Qin Ming to join Tian Dou Academy, successfully becoming the new second team.
"Yu Xiaogang lacked the qualifications to be a full instructor, but given his background, the three education committee members discussed and ultimately made him an assistant instructor responsible only for the second team's training. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's noble status became known to the crown prince, who personally met with them and promised assistance if they achieved notable results." The little light orb hesitated slightly before continuing.
"Oh? That does sound like something Qian Renxue would do," Han Li chuckled and gestured for it to go on.
"As for Liu Erlong, after Shrek Academy moved to Tian Dou City, she had discussions with Flender. However, due to her status, she cannot visit Tian Dou Royal Academy frequently. There has been no substantial progress in their relationship.
"Furthermore, Qian Renxue has been deliberately suppressing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's influence, which has indirectly affected Liu Erlong. She has been repeatedly denied entry and left in frustration multiple times. As for Yu Xiaogang, he continues to avoid Liu Erlong and, due to Tang San's diminishing luck, has started facing misfortunes himself."
The little light orb knew Han Li was particularly "interested" in Yu Xiaogang, so it provided extra details.
"Keep monitoring the situation. If anything amusing happens, make sure to inform me," Han Li said, standing up and ending their conversation.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/johanssen