Chapter 241: Taking the Cat to Star Luo, Gengxin City
Tang Hao left in the morning, but Han Li didn't hear about it until noon.
The delay in information transmission on Douluo really was an issue. It made Han Li even more determined to develop a real time communication system.
It wasn't until Ye LingLing returned at noon, giving a brief description of what had happened at the academy, that Han Li remembered the contingency plan the Blue Silver King had set in place.
After a few casual jokes, they all moved on.
After all, Tang San was simply too weak right now.
Once Ye LingLing fully familiarized herself with the enhanced cultivation techniques, if they faced him in a Soul Arena battle rather than a life and death fight, she might knock him out with a single punch let alone the others.
As for Tang Hao, they only found out about his situation because the entire city went into lockdown.
This happened because that lunatic had stormed the city gates, causing a security alert.
Since this delayed the delivery of their lunch from the merchant association, Han Li pieced everything together from the stories told by the delivery personnel.
"You're only realizing Ah Yin's situation now?!"
Han Li was amused yet baffled.
What a contradictory man.
Years ago, he abandoned his newborn son for his wife.
Now, he was abandoning his powerless wife for his son.
And let's not even mention the Clear Sky Clan.
As a father, a husband, a son, and a clan member, Tang Hao had failed in every role.
Han Li shook his head.
Too late now.
Ah Yin's spirit bone had already fully fused in the last ritual, molding into his shape.
Ironically, the closest Tang Hao had been to Ah Yin in years… was actually this morning.
Still, Han Li had to admit that this time, Tang Hao was smarter.
He didn't storm into Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to cause trouble.
Han Li felt a slight sense of loss.
It would've been fun to watch.
But it didn't matter.
Tang Hao was definitely holding a grudge over "Ning Que."
It was only a matter of when he decided to act.
The Divine Realm... Has Gone Silent?
Speaking of which... hasn't it been almost half a day since I last felt their gaze?
Han Li frowned slightly.
Tang Hao caused such a massive commotion.
Following the logic of "if I'm already watching one, I might as well watch more," Han Li swept through all major enemy factions but then he suddenly realized something.
The Divine Realm's gaze… was gone.
"Did they finally get tired of monitoring us… because of Yu Xiaogang's nonsense?"
A strange thought crossed Han Li's mind.
He was delighted but remained cautious.
I can't jump to conclusions yet.
I'll wait a few more days.
Suppressing his excitement, Han Li forced himself to stay calm.
He'd rather do nothing than make a mistake.
Even if his guess was wrong, at worst, he'd just be playing mind games with the air.
If no one knew, then it never happened.
Seven more days.
If after seven days there was still no sign of the Divine Realm watching…
Then it would confirm that they had temporarily stopped monitoring him.
And that would be very good news.
It would also mean that the Divine Realm wasn't treating him as a threat… yet.
Han Li's "Strange" Behavior
And so, in the following days, Han Li behaved unusually.
To the shock of his companions, the man who hated shopping trips… suddenly suggested going out.
For two whole days, he accompanied the girls on a full tour of Heaven Dou City.
Only after they had their fill did they reluctantly stop.
Han Li, on the other hand, looked completely refreshed.
He was grinning ear to ear.
The reason?
During this time, he hadn't felt a single gaze from the Divine Realm.
Not from himself, nor from the others.
However, he still waited five more days, just to be sure.
Only then did he confirm his judgment.
Although he didn't know why, the Divine Realm had truly stopped watching.
Han Li's mood soared.
To the Divine Realm, ten days had passed.
But for Han Li?
It had been ten whole years.
Do you know how I survived all this time?!
For the past few years, Han Li had felt like he was living in "The Truman Show."
He couldn't think about it too much.
He could only ignore it and endure.
And finally he had made it through.
"Sure… even if I do nothing, I can still become a god."
"But honestly, I'd rather struggle a bit."
Lying in bed, Han Li muttered to himself, staring at the ceiling.
Living in Douluo for over a decade had subtly changed him.
At first, he just wanted to survive.
But now?
Now, he wanted more.
After all, Douluo Planet was practically his territory now.
And if the Divine Realm suddenly decided, "This world belongs to us," what then?
Given how the Divine Realm operated, their expansionist ambitions, and Douluo's future growth…
The possibility of them intervening again was dangerously high.
"I hate fighting. Wouldn't it be better if everyone just got along?"
Han Li sighed and sat up.
Time to take action.
Even if the Divine Realm wasn't watching anymore, he still had things to do.
Actually, even if this issue didn't exist, he would still be traveling soon.
Now, however, it would be easier.
At least, he didn't have to hide from celestial surveillance anymore.
Next Stop: Star Luo Empire
"Let's head to the Star Luo Empire."
Han Li stretched and started walking toward the training grounds.
He wasn't planning a group trip.
Traveling by carriage was too slow.
And besides, not everyone liked traveling.
So he would check who actually wanted to come.
As expected, when Han Li announced his plans, Shui Bing'er was the first to express interest.
She wanted to visit home.
Although she had already sent letters back, this was a good opportunity to personally return.
Dugu Yan, on the other hand, was tempted… but ultimately declined.
She had promised Ye LingLing to be her "bodyguard" while she trained in the Soul Arena.
Of course, Han Li suspected that Dugu Yan just wanted to bully weaklings… and enjoy the entertainment.
Among them, she definitely loved combat the most.
Only Xiu'er expressed her desire to follow Han Li wherever he went.
But before she could join, Dugu Yan stopped her.
She pulled Xiu'er aside and firmly stated:
"If you leave, I'll be bored. Stay here."
Along the way, Han Li subtly signaled with his eyes toward Zhu Zhuqing, whose expression wavered with uncertainty.
"Alright, I'll decide then. Zhuqing, since you're from the Star Luo Empire, you're familiar with the region. This time, I'll trouble you to lead the way. Along the journey, I can also assist you in deepening your understanding of your martial soul."
Han Li had naturally noticed her reaction, but instead of asking, he simply made the decision himself.
Zhu Zhuqing was always a bit reserved. Seeing that Han Li had already spoken, she nodded lightly in agreement.
Since the decision was made, Han Li didn't delay. He immediately headed toward the merchant association to pick up some supplies.
Then, he planned to check in with Qian Renxue and inform her that he'd be leaving for a while. He wanted her to keep an eye on the people here.
Han Li wasn't expecting trouble, but it was always best to have extra security measures in place.
An hour later, Han Li left the Crown Prince's Mansion.
Of course, their conversation had included Qian Renxue's usual envious grumbling about how freely he could travel while she remained stuck here.
When he returned home, he greeted everyone, called out to Zhu Zhuqing who had already packed her things and the two left Heaven Dou City, heading toward the Star Luo Empire.
First Impressions of Star Luo Empire
Han Li was not unfamiliar with Star Luo's history. It was part of the mandatory "Continental General Studies" course in his youth.
But once he actually entered the empire, he realized how much the books had downplayed things.
If Heaven Dou Empire was like a federation of duchies, where movement was loosely restricted and traveling felt like sightseeing…
Then Star Luo Empire was a military controlled state.
The population's mobility was tightly regulated.
Of course, daily life within the cities didn't seem much different from Heaven Dou.
Still, after going through checkpoint after checkpoint, even with merchant credentials prepared in advance, Han Li felt exhausted.
At this rate, he had no intention of following normal procedures any further.
He turned to Zhu Zhuqing with curiosity.
"With such strict inspections, how did you manage to sneak into Heaven Dou unnoticed?"
Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a moment before answering softly:
"No one cared. My sister and my father didn't mind my departure. I used the Zhu Clan's token, and after passing through a few cities, I entered the Spirit Beast Forest."
…Damn.
Han Li could hear the bitterness in her voice.
She really had it rough in the past.
"Once we finish our business in Gengxin City, I'll accompany you to Star Luo City to visit your mother."
Han Li keenly noticed that when Zhu Zhuqing spoke, she didn't mention her mother at all.
But according to his intel, the Zhu Clan Matriarch was still alive though she lacked much presence.
"…Thank you."
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip, her voice quiet.
"This isn't something you need to thank me for. However, we do need to speed up."
Han Li grabbed Zhu Zhuqing and veered off the main road.
Before she could react, he glanced at the darkening sky, summoned the darkness element, unfurled his wings, and lifted her into the air, blending into the night.
"What are you spacing out for? Martial Soul Possession. Keep your eyes and ears sharp. Right unleash your little wings too. Watch closely how I use the darkness element. It'll help you develop your domain later."
Their silhouettes flickered through the sky as Han Li's voice echoed in the wind.
As for whether this was truly just for training…
Only he knew.
Arrival in Gengxin City
By avoiding the main roads, their travel speed increased dramatically.
A journey that would have taken much longer was compressed into seven days, even with Gengxin City being deep within Star Luo's territory.
On the seventh evening, the iron gray city walls of Gengxin City finally came into view.
"Alright, let's change our appearances before entering."
Not far from the city gates, in a small forest, Han Li turned to Zhu Zhuqing.
During their journey, they had still entered several cities.
Interestingly, in territories controlled by the Dai and Zhu Clans, there were wanted posters of Zhu Zhuqing.
It wasn't a high profile manhunt, but there were people keeping an eye out.
Gengxin City was a special case.
Despite being an "Iron City" known for forging, it was not under military control.
That was unusual.
Still, for safety, Han Li decided Zhu Zhuqing should change her appearance.
If they were going to cause trouble, they'd do it after finishing business first.
(End of Chapter)
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