Douluo Dalu: Lucky Star

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Han Li was doing it on purpose.

During the conversation with Tang San, Han Li had been constantly keeping Xiao Wu in check, using his spiritual power to lock onto her so she couldn't move at all. With Xiao Wu's feelings for Tang San, she might have already rushed out, shouting about love, bonds, and her invincibility. Otherwise, Tang Xiao might have whisked Tang San away by now.

At the very least, Xiao Wu still had the option of sacrifice. Although she stood no chance of success with Han Li present, she didn't realize that herself. And it was precisely for this reason that Han Li kept her immobilized. He wasn't worried about her sacrificing herself for Tang San; he was worried she might sacrifice herself for him instead.

In truth, Xiao Wu posed the greatest threat to him in the entire scene. If he made one careless mistake and the rules of sacrifice were triggered, he would be forcibly controlled. He wasn't yet at the level where he could directly resist such powerful rules.

Tang Xiao, standing beside Tang San, was moving in sync with Han Li. He was too close not to notice. Unlike Tang San and the others, Xiao Wu bore the unmistakable mark of a true soul beast transformed into human form—a massive pink rabbit silhouette behind her. This couldn't possibly go unnoticed by the Titled Douluos present.

"Tang Hao, is this the foolproof guarantee you gave me?"

Tang Xiao was on the verge of breaking apart.

From the moment Tang San mentioned the secret technique, Tang Xiao felt everything was doomed. He didn't even need to consider any other possibility. After all, this Clear Sky Secret Technique had already been introduced to the Clear Sky Sect under his guidance.

Tang San was waiting for Han Li to finish speaking, only to see him close his mouth and shift his gaze to the side. A sense of foreboding rose in Tang San's heart. He turned his head to the left, only to see Xiao Wu trembling all over.

"Tang San, how do you plan to explain this?"

Han Li's cold voice rang in his ears.

"What?"

Tang San instinctively responded.

"Don't tell me that this hundred-thousand-year-old rabbit is here to help you and your father research the secret technique?"

Tang San's mind exploded at that instant. His throat went dry, and his movements were sluggish as he turned to look at the girl beside him.

A hundred-thousand-year-old rabbit. So Xiao Wu was a true soul beast in human form.

"As far as I know, you two are a couple, right? You've been together since your time at Nuoding Academy, nearly ten years now."

Han Li's voice, like a devil's whisper, echoed again, causing those who had been swayed by Tang San's earlier words to feel a wave of absurdity and anger.

They had all been deceived. They had considered whether the Spirit Hall fabricated lies to target the Clear Sky Sect, but now it was clear—Tang Hao and his son were completely untrustworthy.

"I didn't know, I didn't."

Tang San instinctively released Xiao Wu's hand, stepping back two paces before stabilizing himself by bumping into Tang Xiao. But in his mind, scenes of Xiao Wu's strange behavior when they hunted soul beasts flashed before him. Indeed, he had never seen Xiao Wu absorb a soul ring.

His spiritual power hadn't been enough to uncover Xiao Wu's true identity, but now he was certain in his heart.

"Brother."

Xiao Wu stared blankly at her released right hand, the sight of Tang San instinctively retreating causing a bitter expression to flash in her eyes.

Could he, in the end, still not accept her true identity?

As for the senior soul beast who had helped conceal her aura, there was no need to look anymore. When Tang Hao revealed his soul rings, she had already sensed the familiar aura from them.

So she had been discovered long ago, and the soul rings were meant for Tang San? No wonder he first appeared when she was about to leave Tang San.

But Brother shouldn't know about this. She glanced at Tang San as if to etch his appearance into her heart. Seeing him still staring blankly at her, Xiao Wu smiled softly, took a deep breath, and stepped forward to look up at Han Li in the air.

"I have no relationship with him. Your Highness, the Holy Son, need not go so far. He is merely someone I used to blend into human society and hide my identity. If I'd known he'd bring such trouble, I would have left long ago."

"I came to Wuhun City simply to seek revenge on someone."

"Bibi Dong!"

Her gaze turned to the stands, her eyes filled with deep hatred.

"Oh, so that's how it is."

Han Li glanced toward the stands where Bibi Dong was seated.

"So, you're the little rabbit that escaped all those years ago, here to seek revenge on me, huh."

Bibi Dong gave Xiao Wu a cold glance and snorted, showing no particular emotion but indirectly confirming her identity.

Han Li raised an eyebrow, looking at Xiao Wu.

"He has nothing to do with me. We soul beasts aren't as hypocritical as you humans. If you want to kill, just kill. Why bother finding excuses?"

Xiao Wu shook her head, looking at Han Li. She knew that if she wanted to help Tang San, she could no longer have any ties to him.

"Hmm, you're right. So, I'll send you on your way now."

Han Li smiled nonchalantly, extending his right hand as a soul-powered palm reached out toward Xiao Wu.

The Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon was indeed useful at times like this.

Facing the incoming attack, Xiao Wu instinctively wanted to dodge it, but she suppressed the instinct and stood her ground.

Brother, if there's a next life, I hope we can meet again.

She closed her eyes.

A gust of wind brushed past her face, and a violent surge of soul power followed. She wasn't captured or killed as she had expected.

She opened her eyes.

In front of her was a figure she knew deeply. Tang San, gripping the Clear Sky Hammer in his left hand, had shattered the soul-powered hand descending from the sky.

"Xiao Wu, I promised you that no matter who it is, if they want to touch you, they'll have to step over my dead body first."

Tang San didn't turn around. His voice still trembled slightly, but his tone was resolute.

As Han Li's palm descended earlier, Tang San's body moved instinctively. At that moment, the thought of Xiao Wu being a soul beast didn't even cross his mind; he only knew one thing—he had to protect her. But even though Han Li's attack had been casual, blocking it had been immensely difficult for Tang San. His left hand, gripping the Clear Sky Hammer, was split open at the webbing between his thumb and index finger, his palm covered in blood.

"Brother…"

Xiao Wu's eyes filled with tears as she rushed behind Tang San and embraced him. She knew that, at this moment, she was happy. But she also knew that they likely wouldn't make it through the day.

Han Li didn't attack again. The result he wanted had already been achieved.

Silence blanketed the area as everyone watched the two hold each other. No further explanations were needed; no one would believe anything now.

"Hahaha!"

Tang Hao, standing beside Han Li, burst into laughter as he watched the scene unfold. He laughed so hard that tears blurred his vision. Blood poured from his mouth, but he didn't stop.

Han Li glanced at him; if he wanted to laugh, then let him laugh.

"Sect Master Tang Xiao, your sect's secret technique truly is impressive," Han Li remarked, shifting his attention to the ashen-faced Tang Xiao. Tang Hao's laughter abruptly ceased.

Tang Xiao suddenly felt the weight of the entire audience's gaze. He had hesitated earlier, failing to prevent Tang San from rushing out, and now the consequences were clear.

He avoided looking at Tang Hao, instead closing his eyes briefly. When he opened them, he had regained his composure.

"Tang Hao was expelled from the sect over a decade ago. He's no longer a member of the Clear Sky Sect, and the Clear Sky Secret Technique he and his son developed has nothing to do with us," he said coldly.

"I came here today precisely for this—to apprehend Tang Hao and his son, as promised years ago. The Clear Sky Sect's reputation cannot be tarnished by traitors."

"Oh, I see. Sect Master Tang Xiao is truly a man of righteousness, even willing to sever family ties for the greater good. A role model for us all," Han Li responded, feigning admiration. But everyone could hear the disbelief in his tone, as no one else believed Tang Xiao's words either.

"Since you've come all this way, Sect Master, why not put your strength to use? Don't let this trip go to waste."

Han Li smirked as he ceased his attack on Tang Hao, then retrieved the two fallen soul bones and kicked Tang Hao toward Tang Xiao's direction.

"Sect Master Tang, kill him. If you execute Tang Hao, I can represent the Spirit Hall and promise to drop this matter. The Clear Sky Sect won't have to close its doors anymore. How about that?"

Tang Hao didn't hit the ground—Tang San caught him. The two of them glared at Han Li, their eyes filled with venomous hatred.

The entire scene was deathly silent, the sound of breathing almost nonexistent.

Han Li's words were shocking, asking an elder brother to kill his younger brother with his own hands. Yet, on reflection, his request didn't seem so unreasonable. Tang Hao and his son had already been proven to have ties to a soul beast in human form. Tang Hao had even killed the previous Pope. For a major power, Han Li's proposed solution was lenient.

Tang Xiao's expression froze as he looked at his brother and nephew. For a brief moment, he was truly tempted. But in the next second, he realized that if he followed through, the Clear Sky Sect would be finished for good. Shutting the mountain might offer protection under the current circumstances. He could already foresee that, per his orders, at least a third of the sect's members had begun the bone replacement process. The Spirit Hall wouldn't miss this opportunity.

"Holy Son Han, isn't this a bit too much? Even if he was expelled from the Clear Sky Sect, he is still my brother," Tang Xiao replied, struggling to maintain the dignity of a sect master.

"You refuse? Should I take this as a sign that the Clear Sky Sect has maintained ties with Tang Hao over these past ten years?"

Han Li's expression turned cold as he glared at Tang Xiao.

"I have every reason to suspect that this so-called Clear Sky Secret Technique is merely a cover-up for a secret pact between the Clear Sky Sect and soul beasts. Otherwise, explain to me how, in just a few decades, hundred-thousand-year soul beasts—a rarity—managed to form romantic ties with both Tang Hao and his son."

Han Li paused, then pointed at Dai Mubai and Tai Long.

"And why do they share the same aura as a soul beast in human form? Is the Clear Sky Sect gradually replacing human bloodlines with those of soul beasts?"

"Come, Tang Xiao. Answer me!"