Douluo Dalu: Lucky Star

It was still the place where they had previously tested their Martial Soul Fusion technique.

A few years had passed, and the trees in the area had grown back. Although it was no longer as concealed nor as densely wooded as before, the place remained fairly well hidden.

The soul beast that had been secretly lured nearby had long since been captured and caged after sustaining severe injuries around the time they returned to Wuhun City.

"Zhuqing, you might not know this, but the whole Martial Soul Fusion thing started right here. Who knows, maybe he had his eye on you since then," Dugu Yan teased, glancing around.

Han Li gave her a mildly annoyed look but didn't deny it. Could he say it had started even earlier? That wouldn't be appropriate.

"Alright, let's focus on the main matter."

He took out an unconscious Xiao Wu from his wristband, placing her on the ground.

"Sixth, seventh, or eighth ring—pick one."

The atmosphere grew a bit strange. Though everyone knew Xiao Wu was a transformed soul beast, seeing her like this still felt unsettling.

Han Li's meaning was clear: taking her as the sixth soul ring would likely mean sacrificing her for Ye Lingling, who wasn't picky about soul beasts. While plant-based soul beasts with life attributes had some advantages, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast would certainly be preferable. Besides, Ye Lingling's Martial Soul couldn't evolve further, so the main benefit would be from the accompanying soul bone.

If she became the seventh soul ring, then Zhu Zhuqing would take her. Han Li calculated that, after absorbing her sixth ring, Zhuqing's Hell Spirit Cat could likely evolve further, approaching the level of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger and becoming a top-tier Martial Soul. However, reaching that level wouldn't happen quickly through ring absorption alone. Xiao Wu's soul ring and bones were the best option.

If she were to be the eighth soul ring, Han Li could bypass the ring itself and use only the energy for leveling up. The divine-bestowed soul ring he could acquire through divine trial would better suit his Martial Soul and combat style than the rabbit's ring.

If this didn't pan out today, he was prepared to wait a bit longer and have Dugu Bo undergo a trial. If that failed, the energy sacrifice could be offered to him instead. After reaching Super Douluo, forcing a breakthrough like Bibi Dong's wouldn't be bad. Even a one or two-level increase would be worthwhile, given Dugu Bo's age and talent.

"The eighth ring is too far off. Let's give it to Lingling and Zhuqing," Xiuer suggested, glancing at the two and shaking her head. She didn't mind whether Xiao Wu was in human form or not; she just felt it had been too long.

"I'll pass as well. It's too wasteful for just a soul bone skill. Besides, I have the Blue Silver Emperor," Ye Lingling added, shaking her head. She truly wasn't picky and knew that even if the hundred-thousand-year soul beast wasn't entirely compatible, Zhu Zhuqing would benefit from it more.

All of their gazes fell on Zhu Zhuqing. Excluding Ye Lingling, who was a support-type soul master, Zhu Zhuqing was indeed the weakest among them, with a lagging Martial Soul and soul rings. The main question was whether she could accept this human-shaped old classmate lying on the ground.

"I can."

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Shui Bing'er beside her, took a deep breath, and nodded.

Han Li looked at her, then at Shui Bing'er, and said, "I will erase all of her consciousness."

It seemed that Shui Bing'er had prepared herself for this mentally, perhaps when he had helped Dugu Yan and Xiuer choose the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape.

He had made other plans, but with Zhu Zhuqing's agreement, they were unnecessary. One of the two ninety-thousand-year Shadow Nine-Life Cats would be spared.

"Then Zhuqing, you can start first."

Sealing off the area, Han Li wasted no time. If he could finish everything before sunset, that would be ideal.

...

In the valley, blood-red light flashed continuously—the sacrifice had begun.

Han Li had underestimated the situation. The ritual lasted until the stars filled the sky before it finally ended.

He looked around at the group. Dugu Yan and Xiuer hadn't received sacrifices today—they were mere onlookers. Their soul beasts were still in the core of the Star Dou Forest, and their levels remained at 69 and 68.

Zhu Zhuqing, however, had jumped from level 55 to 73. She had received two waves of sacrifice: a ninety-thousand-year Shadow Nine-Life Cat and Xiao Wu, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, along with two soul bones—one for her right arm and one for her torso.

The first granted her the soul ring ability Civet Possession, as well as a powerful single-target soul bone skill.

The second, during the sacrifice, had been completely controlled by Han Li's spiritual power and the ritual rules, burning itself out.

Even in her final moments, Xiao Wu had a smile on her face. Han Li had granted her a beautiful dream, giving her a peaceful end to her mission.

Of course, because Zhu Zhuqing was the recipient of the sacrifice, Han Li had deliberately adjusted the skills. If he had left Xiao Wu's Eight-Stage Drop, it would have been a bit too much for Zhu Zhuqing to handle.

In the fixed state of her Martial Soul True Body, Han Li had used all his strength to exploit a small loophole, barely preserving abilities like void, teleportation, and invincibility.

One had to admit, a hundred-thousand-year transformed soul beast was truly remarkable. Xiao Wu's skill database contained almost every powerful rabbit-type soul technique.

As for her charm abilities, Han Li didn't find them particularly useful. Besides, with Purple Demon Eyes, charm abilities were practically useless.

As expected, with the spatial awareness gained from teleportation, Zhu Zhuqing was the easiest among the group—aside from Han Li—to form her soul core.

Ye Lingling had already crossed into level 60. After half a year of soul power accumulation and the soul beast sacrifice, she jumped to level 66 and successfully condensed her soul core.

She hadn't absorbed the soul bone yet, planning to do so after receiving another sacrifice from the Blue Silver Emperor and crossing into the Soul Sage level.

According to Han Li, after the Blue Silver Emperor's second sacrifice, it would be difficult to obtain another soul bone from it. Currently, the Blue Silver Emperor was merely a hollow shell in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, with Han Li constantly compressing its energy to increase its age limit.

The Blue Silver Emperor had nothing left but its age, which was ideal for Ye Lingling. All she needed was to cross the threshold to Soul Sage. By then, with the soul core, the advancement to Soul Sage, and the absorption of the soul bone, her spiritual power, physique, and soul power would all improve together, providing maximum benefit.

Zhu Zhuqing had absorbed her soul bone earlier because her level was the lowest, and back-to-back sacrifices were taxing on the body, so it was better to proceed cautiously. Similarly, Shui Bing'er had also received the same treatment, with an Ice Dragon helping her reach level 68. Since she wasn't yet ready to obtain another soul ring and her attribute was Ultimate Ice, Han Li had directed all the soul bone energy to her to keep her progress in line with the others.

"This will be the last time—no, no more than three times," Han Li silently promised himself.

Truthfully, it was a bit cruel to the soul beasts. Even though they were technically his subjects, this was the fastest way to strengthen everyone. The Divine Realm had set the minimum level for the divine trial at Soul Sage. He needed this, plain and simple. Clearing his mind of extraneous thoughts, Han Li led the group back to Wuhun City.

...

Over the next week, Han Li was incredibly busy, constantly moving between different parts of the Spirit Hall. Following the public release of the Mysterious Heaven Skill, the continent's response was massive, and various issues arose. Naturally, it was Han Li who managed these matters, monitoring the continent at all times. Despite having made arrangements in advance and receiving support from the Worship Hall, he still found himself overwhelmed.

As for the Clear Sky Sect, it had been destroyed, though the news hadn't yet been fully disclosed. With Han Li's blockade, the Clear Sky Sect had no chance of escape. The power disparity between the two sides was simply too great. Spirit Hall suffered only a few minor injuries, and even those were due to carelessness when dealing with the remnants.

The entire Angel Legion could fly and with soul skills resembling a seven-in-one fusion technique, combined with an Ultimate Douluo and two Super Douluos using Martial Soul Fusion techniques, the Clear Sky Sect was helpless. Their mountain gate fell without much resistance.

In the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Ye was gone. By the time Qian Renxue arrived, Xue Ye had already shown no signs of life. With Qian Renxue as the only legitimate heir to the Heaven Dou Empire, the succession was obvious. Meanwhile, rumors of Xue Ye's death had already begun to circulate.

The Clear Sky Sect's reputation had soared, while Tang Yuehua, still in Moon Pavilion, had unknowingly fallen under strict watch by nobles loyal to the royal family. Once news of the Clear Sky Sect's destruction broke, she might be the only survivor, with Qian Renxue personally sending her to the execution grounds.

At this time, the Douluo Continent was in turmoil, and everyone was absorbed in their agendas.

Deep in the core of the Star Dou Forest, a human-like figure suddenly appeared.

It cast a glance at the Azure Bull Python, lazily soaking in the Lake of Life, and the Titan Giant Ape, snoring on the shore. A shadow of unease flickered in its eyes. Without paying them any further attention, it vanished with a ripple in space, a hint of urgency on its face.

This time, the information it had obtained was truly terrifying—enough to strike fear even into a soul beast.