Chapter 289: Yu Xiaogang, Tricked into Stupidity
On the top floor of Yuexuan, the faint sound of silk and bamboo instruments drifted up from below, creating a melodious atmosphere.
Tang San, visibly emotional, finally pulled away from Tang Hao's embrace. His father had cleaned up, looking like a completely different person well groomed and refined. Tang San cherished this rare moment of paternal affection, something he had scarcely experienced across two lifetimes.
"Father, you finally agreed to see me."
His eyes reddened slightly. Nine years had passed since he was six years old nine long years before he finally reunited with his father.
"Mm. Xiao San, you've grown up," Tang Hao praised, though he felt a bit uncomfortable looking at his now burly and broad shouldered son. Just a few months ago, the boy had still been lean. Now, there was no trace of A Yin's delicate features left in him.
"Hao, let the boy sit down first," Tang Yuehua interjected from the side, her bright eyes carefully observing Tang San.
Looking at her nephew for the first time, she actually found his robust appearance quite pleasing.
"Father, this is…?"
Tang San, feeling slightly uneasy under her gaze, asked with a bit of hesitation.
"Your aunt," Tang Hao replied casually, gesturing toward a nearby chair for him to sit.
Hearing this, Tang San instinctively tried to offer a greeting, but Tang Yuehua reached out, pulled him down, and seated him beside her.
"Good child, we're family. No need to be so formal."
She smiled warmly, becoming even more fond of Tang San.
Talented, polite he was growing on her more and more.
Tang San seemed ready to say something else, but Tang Hao raised a hand to stop him.
"Alright. From here on, I'll talk, and you'll listen. If you don't understand something, ask. I'll answer all your questions."
Tang San nodded eagerly, joy spreading across his face.
As the father and son spoke, Tang Yuehua occasionally chimed in, making the reunion feel warm and harmonious.
While the Tang family was enjoying their time together, Han Li was busy fine tuning the simplified version of Xuan Tian Gong.
This wasn't his first revision.
Through testing, he found that the earlier versions were still too powerful yes, too powerful.
This was the cultivation technique he planned to introduce at the conclusion of the tournament, a means to harvest the first wave of faith. Soul masters produced far stronger faith than ordinary people.
He could have released the original Xuan Tian Gong, but that would have caused a major issue there wouldn't be enough soul beasts to go around.
Once the technique spread, it wouldn't just be those without innate soul power who would train in it. Even those with low innate soul power who made up the majority of all soul masters would start cultivating it.
While commoners would still take a few years to obtain even the lowest tier spirit rings, these individuals would break through much faster. The demand for spirit rings would skyrocket in a short period.
Even after severely weakening the simplified version, the breakthrough effect remained shockingly effective.
It was a cultivation technique that guaranteed rewards as long as effort was put in natural talent only dictated the speed of growth.
After dozens of revisions, he had finally managed to tone it down to be only slightly better than basic meditation techniques just a little better.
Now, its primary effect was simply awakening latent soul power, meaning it wouldn't disrupt the ecosystem too dramatically in the short term.
Of course, Han Li knew that even this minimal improvement would be enough to drive noble soul masters and even some members of Spirit Hall into a frenzy.
But compared to traditional noble soul masters, Spirit Hall would be slightly less resistant.
This move was a direct attack on their foundations.
But he didn't care.
He had already reached an understanding with Qian Daoliu, and with the support of the Elder's Hall, he had secured a strong foundation.
He could withstand the backlash.
Convincing Qian Daoliu had been simple Han Li had promised a Dual God Hall, assuring that he would never compete for Angelic Faith and vowing to protect Qian Renxue.
Given that, Qian Daoliu had no reason to refuse.
Of course, Qian Daoliu had still attempted to pray to the Angel God, but… there was no response.
This time, he no longer insisted on waiting for an answer.
He finally compromised, loosening his stance slightly.
Though he wouldn't admit it, in his heart, he told himself it was all for his beloved granddaughter.
With the most powerful figure in Spirit Hall on his side, what could a few furious nobles do?
Once Han Li's cultivation method spread, he would represent the majority.
Without top tier experts to stop him, the armies of the two empires…
Hah.
The vast majority of soldiers were just ordinary people.
If the empires wanted to maintain control, they would have no choice but to accept his technique unless they wanted to hand their armies over to Spirit Hall.
Or rather, his actions had precisely struck at their baseline limits.
Noble soul masters would still hold an advantage better martial souls, better innate talent but they would no longer be untouchable.
With a massive enough population base, geniuses would inevitably rise.
And no one wanted to see an army of avengers emerge.
Within Spirit Hall, Han Li had no intention of being stingy.
He planned to distribute the original version of Xuan Tian Gong.
Of course, before anyone could learn it, they would be required to swear an oath in his name.
Without explicit permission, they would not be allowed to pass it on.
As the current equivalent of the Will of Douluo, any oath made under his name would be bound by universal laws. If broken, the consequences would be… quite severe.
As for the soul beasts
Never mind whether the two great figures at the core of the Star Dou Forest actually saw the rest of the continent's soul beasts as their kind.
Even if they did, they would have to endure it for now.
Because by then, the Divine Realm would be watching.
And to the Divine Realm, Han Li's plan would be perfectly aligned with their desires.
A long term extinction plan for soul beasts?
A stroke of genius.
Once their attention shifted away, Han Li would finally make his way to the Star Dou Forest.
His gaze landed on the three books laid out before him.
One was the simplified Xuan Tian Gong, another was the original version, and the last was an upgraded version.
The upgraded version served only one purpose to bypass existing rules and allow self condensation of spirit rings.
It wasn't fully complete yet, but even as an unfulfilled promise, it was a powerful bargaining chip.
He would continue adjusting his approach based on circumstances.
At the right moment, he would release it, further securing faith while quietly reshaping the world.
His eyes grew dark and contemplative.
If his plan succeeded, this cultivation method would no longer be needed.
Rules? He could rewrite them at will.
If he failed, this would remain one of his backup plans.
After storing away the manuals, Han Li turned to his own training.
His strength still needed to grow.
As the night deepened, the lights in his residence gradually went out one by one.
After a full night's rest, Yu Xiaogang felt all the exhaustion in his body fade away.
Standing before the mirror, adjusting his attire, Yu Xiaogang seemed to see his younger self from over twenty years ago. However, his now slightly greenish hair an effect of the bone replacement process made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Still, he consoled himself that it made him look younger. With that thought, he stepped out of the hotel and headed steadily toward the Supreme Pontiff Palace.
At the foot of the mountain, two guards blocked his way.
"This is a restricted area of Spirit Hall. Please leave."
Two gleaming spears crossed in front of him, forcing Yu Xiaogang to take a step back.
"I wish to see your Supreme Pontiff. Please deliver my request."
Yu Xiaogang held his head high, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance as he reached for his waist and produced a token.
"A Spirit Hall Elder Token?"
One of the guards gave Yu Xiaogang a scrutinizing glance, then looked at the token in his hand, uncertainty flickering across his face.
"Indeed."
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly and tossed the token over.
The guard carefully examined it, then, after confirming its authenticity, returned it with both hands.
"Greetings, Elder."
Both guards bowed in unison, and Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction.
After saluting, the first guard whispered a few words to his companion before quickly heading up the mountain.
The remaining guard, however, did not move aside, still blocking Yu Xiaogang's path. Though they found it odd that a man who seemed so weak could hold an Elder Token, they had no choice but to follow protocol.
Yu Xiaogang wasn't impatient. Instead, he nostalgically surveyed his surroundings while mentally rehearsing how he would speak to Bibi Dong.
Less than ten minutes later, the guard who had gone up the mountain returned, accompanied by another soldier in a slightly different uniform.
"Follow me. Her Holiness has ordered that you wait for her in the side hall. She is occupied and will see you later."
The soldier never referred to him as an Elder, which only deepened the confusion in the two guards' eyes. Yu Xiaogang felt slightly displeased but, knowing he needed something from Bibi Dong, he simply nodded and silently followed the soldier up the mountain.
On the way, Yu Xiaogang attempted to ask about Bibi Dong, but the soldier ignored him entirely.
It wasn't until they reached a relatively secluded palace that the soldier finally stopped and pointed inside.
"You may wait here for the Supreme Pontiff's summons. Make yourself comfortable."
With that, he turned and left without waiting for a response.
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth to call after him but hesitated when he saw patrols approaching. Instead, he sighed and stepped inside.
He waited for an hour. The fine tea served by the maids had lost its flavor, and just as he was growing restless, clear footsteps echoed outside.
"There's no need for guards here. Go elsewhere. Also, no one is to disturb me without my orders."
A cold yet commanding female voice rang out.
"Understood."
Yu Xiaogang heard the guards leaving.
She had arrived.
Yu Xiaogang stiffened momentarily, then straightened his posture, adjusting his appearance before turning his gaze toward the entrance.
A woman stepped inside.
Dressed in luxurious black robes embroidered with gold patterns, she wore a Nine Curve Purple Gold Crown upon her head and held a two meter long scepter embedded with countless gemstones. Her flawless, fair skin and nearly perfect features made her appear otherworldly.
The noble and sacred aura emanating from her presence made it hard not to feel the urge to kneel in reverence.
Yu Xiaogang remained seated. As the woman entered, she too came to a halt.
Their gazes met in the air, but no sparks flew.
Unable to withstand the pressure, Yu Xiaogang lowered his head, feeling deeply inadequate before her.
Seeing him bow his head, Bibi Dong let out a quiet scoff, though it was unclear whether she was mocking him or herself. A moment later, her expression softened.
"You're here?"
"Yes, I'm here."
Bibi Dong remained standing, making no move to approach. Yu Xiaogang, however, stood up, though his head remained lowered.
Silence filled the hall.
"How have you been, Bibi Dong?"
After a long pause, Yu Xiaogang finally forced out a question, lifting his head to meet her gaze once more.
"Bibi Dong? Hah."
A self deprecating chuckle escaped her lips as she walked past him, taking her seat at the head of the hall.
"If you're not calling me 'Dong'er,' then you should address me as 'Your Holiness, the Supreme Pontiff.'"
Her scepter struck the ground with a heavy thud as she struggled to keep her expression from twisting.
"Understood, Your Holiness."
Yu Xiaogang's body stiffened as he turned around, his freshly raised head once again bowing.
Bibi Dong's grip on her scepter tightened slightly. Hidden within her gaze was a mixture of reluctance and fury, but she said nothing more.
"Sit down. It's been twenty years since we last met. What brings you here?"
Her voice had regained its usual calm, though there was a hint of anticipation in her tone.
Yu Xiaogang exhaled deeply, suppressing the turmoil within him as he sat back down and met her eyes.
"I have come with a request."
He forced himself not to look away.
"What request?"
A fleeting glimmer of hope flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes, and her voice softened slightly.
There's a chance!
Yu Xiaogang's heart pounded faster.
"I want to know how you overcame the limitations of twin martial souls."
Bibi Dong's grip on her scepter tightened once again, the light in her eyes dimming.
What was she expecting?
"Why?"
She knew the answer but asked anyway. Or perhaps she wanted to hear a different response.
Yu Xiaogang mistook her hesitation as willingness to help and spoke eagerly:
"My disciple, like you, possesses twin martial souls. I want him to become as powerful as you."
"You are the only person in all of Douluo Continent to have solved this issue on your own…"
He even tried to flatter her.
"Enough. Shut up."
Bibi Dong's voice turned icy, cutting off his rambling.
"Do you really think I don't know? That your so called disciple is Tang Hao's son? You want me to help him, only for him to turn against me later?"
Yu Xiaogang shuddered, his voice rising in shock.
"How do you know that?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
Bibi Dong sneered.
It wasn't as if she had just found out this news had been spreading everywhere.
Did he really take her for a fool?
She threw a document onto the table. Yu Xiaogang picked it up, and as he read its contents, his vision blurred.
His legs gave out, and he collapsed into his chair.
"This…"
(End of Chapter)
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