Douluo Dalu: Lucky Star

"Still too weak."

Han Li sighed as he stood up, and then walked toward the door. When he left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he had checked on the Blue Silver Emperor's progress—she still hadn't fully reached the hundred-thousand-year level, and he realized he hadn't even been gone for a full day.

Yet, in that short time, his strength had surged again, making him feel somewhat surreal. He knew his power would escalate quickly in the later stages, but this sensation of almost leaping through tiers left him slightly dazed.

As he stepped into the front hall, he noticed everyone was already gathered. At the moment he approached, Qian Daoliu suddenly turned, looking at him with clear shock in his eyes.

Satisfied, Han Li retracted the faint aura he had unconsciously released, returning his presence to complete normalcy.

"Grandfather, what's wrong?"

Qian Renxue asked, looking at Qian Daoliu with concern.

"When did you get back, Xiao Li?"

Dugu Yan, standing beside her, asked in surprise.

"Didn't you say you'd be gone for two or three days?"

"I finished early, so I came back," Han Li replied with a smile.

On the other side, Qian Daoliu shook his head, as if to dismiss his reaction, but his gaze couldn't help drifting back toward Han Li. For a brief moment, sensing Han Li's presence had reminded him of facing the Angel God during his divine trial—but the sensation had disappeared just as quickly.

"You're... different," Qian Renxue followed her grandfather's gaze to Han Li. She and the others nodded in agreement. Outwardly, Han Li seemed unchanged, but those who spent time with him daily sensed something different. He wasn't exuding any aura, yet just standing before them, he conveyed a quiet pressure.

"Maybe I've gained a tiny bit more strength," Han Li said casually, pulling over a chair and sitting down, making a playful hand gesture.

"I feel the same," Qian Daoliu suddenly spoke, a golden light flickering in his eyes. He had been pushing his spiritual power to its limit but still couldn't pierce through Han Li's outer barrier to sense his true power.

Hearing this, the girl's eyes widened as they looked at Han Li.

"Well, how should I put it," Han Li said, unhurriedly picking up a cup of fruit tea from the table (he wasn't sure whose it was, but it certainly wasn't Qian Daoliu's, who was seated furthest away).

"Although I'm still technically a quasi-Title Douluo, I've already crossed that threshold. All that's left is to condense my godhood, which, of course, is the hardest step."

After a brief silence in the hall, cheers erupted, and the girls' eyes sparkled as they looked at Han Li, amazed at his rapid progress.

Only Qian Renxue looked a bit conflicted. She was both happy and anxious. After opening her mouth a few times, she finally muttered, "Do you think I still have a chance?"

Han Li choked on his tea. But seeing her hopeful yet slightly resentful gaze, he encouraged her, "Of course, there's still a chance. After all, you're creating your godhood. I still need to gather more faith energy to complete the final step."

It was a well-intentioned lie. In reality, he didn't need to do any of that. Once his divine body completed its transformation, he would already be a god. Even without a formal godhood, a god was still a god. Condensing a godhood was merely a method for him to strengthen his base combat power.

"Good. I'll catch up to you before you take that final step," Qian Renxue's eyes brightened again. She hadn't lost yet.

Her resolve was admirable, and with every setback, her determination had only grown stronger. Based on her current progress in the divine trials, she remained the fastest among them all.

"Do I still need to accompany you?"

Qian Daoliu asked, glancing at his granddaughter, now more encouraged. Han Li had originally asked for his help due to his insufficient strength, but now Han Li's strength had already surpassed his own. Was his assistance still necessary?

Han Li glanced at Qian Daoliu and sighed internally. Why did Qian Daoliu look at him with the expression of someone being looked down upon?

Originally, Han Li had planned for Qian Daoliu to continue assisting Qian Renxue to speed up her progress, but now… well, he might as well keep him around. He could counsel him on the journey and also get to the bottom of the whole Angel God sacrificial business, which was certainly not the right path.

"You should still come with us. I'm not in a position to act right now," Han Li replied with a casual excuse. Whether it worked out or not, ultimately, it was up to him.

"Alright," Qian Daoliu nodded, seeming to understand something. He didn't hesitate.

Han Li wasn't sure what Qian Daoliu had deduced, but he didn't bother explaining further. His objective was achieved.

"Tomorrow morning, I'll stick to the original plan and take Lingling to obtain her seventh soul ring. After that, we'll set off," Han Li said, yawning. "Oh, by the way, Xiao Xue, I'll leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to you for now. But don't worry too much about it—prioritize your divine trial. Don't let Sister Xiu'er and the others surpass you."

He teased Qian Renxue one more time, giving them all instructions before casually dismissing himself to return to his room. Though he couldn't directly aid Qian Renxue's progress, he could at least give her a nudge from the sidelines.

Qian Renxue shot him a glare. What pressure? She was already throwing herself completely into her efforts. She had just come out of the Angelic Shrine, after all.

But thinking about Han Li's absurdly fast progress, she gritted her teeth and said, "Don't worry about me. Just wait—I'll surpass you before long."

"Good luck (^ω^)," Han Li replied with an insincere cheer, then waved to the group and headed back to his room.

He needed a good rest. Although regaining strength so quickly was remarkable, the process had drained his divine soul considerably. On top of that, comprehending the power of rules had left him feeling fatigued. He needed to recover naturally.

...

The next morning, Han Li woke up feeling refreshed. Savoring the comfort radiating from his body, he felt as if he could take down Qian Daoliu with a single blow.

After checking the situation in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he had a simple breakfast. Then, under Ye Lingling's admiring gaze, he took her hand and stepped into a silver spatial portal.

With just one step, the scenery changed.

He exchanged greetings with Di Tian, who looked at him with a mixture of shock and uncertainty, and they proceeded to meet Ah Yin.

The flow of energy around her had ceased the previous night, and she had reverted to the rank of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. However, she knew all too well that she was now little more than a living energy bomb. Her strength had not improved; in fact, it had declined.

This time, she chose neither to assume human form nor to flee. She remained quietly in place, waiting for Han Li.

"Are you ready?"

Han Li asked without preamble. With the enmity between them—the murder of her husband and child—what was there to discuss? They were simply jailer and prisoners.

"I hope you'll keep your word," Ah Yin said, her deep hatred for him now unconcealed. She wished for his death, but there was nothing she could do.

"If anything, I've done more for the Blue Silver Grass clan than you ever have. The energy concentration in the Blue Silver Forest is now as high as it is here, and the number of awakened spirits has increased by nearly one-fifth. You needn't worry about it."

"As for you, the best thing you can do for the Blue Silver Grass clan is to die."

A plant nearing its death, Han Li thought dismissively. He didn't care about her hostility, but he wouldn't tolerate being questioned either.

Most importantly, what right did she have to say such things?

He had struck a deal with the Blue Silver King. She, on the other hand, was merely his prisoner. Granting her any voice in these matters was merely a courtesy to the Blue Silver King. But if she took it too seriously… well, he wouldn't hesitate to show less courtesy.

"You…"

The massive form of the Blue Silver Emperor trembled, and a blue figure appeared, her face flushed with anger. She wanted to say something further, perhaps to offer an explanation, but her words were cut short.

Han Li's hand was already moving, and the power of the rules enveloped her. The sacrificial rule, tied to the lightning tribulation, was currently the most terrifying aspect of the rules for soul beasts.

At this moment, her fate was sealed. Overcome by instinctual fear, she couldn't say another word.

A crimson beam of light engulfed both her and Ye Lingling. The sacrifice had begun.

"Is this your true power?"

Outside the light, Di Tian approached Han Li, still visibly shaken. The moment Han Li had invoked the rules, cold sweat had drenched his back. He felt that even he might die if caught in that power.

Han Li glanced at Di Tian and gave a knowing smile, letting him draw his conclusions.

Di Tian, unnerved by his gaze, still had lingering doubts. Earlier, he had sensed Han Li's weakness. Could it have been a ruse? Was Han Li testing him? If he hadn't agreed back then, would Han Li have acted against him directly?

"Oh, by the way, Di Tian, does this work on Snow Empress and the others, or is it only effective on a select few of you?"

Han Li asked, flipping his hand to reveal a necklace—a gift from Gu Yue. It was a silver-white scale necklace, which he held out in front of Di Tian.

The moment Di Tian's eyes landed on it, he immediately knelt, half-bowing in respect.

"My lord."

"As long as you hold this, even Snow Empress will obey your orders, unless she chooses to betray the Soul Beast clan."

It took Di Tian a moment to find the right words, but eventually, he managed to express himself clearly.

So, this could even strip someone of their soul beast status?

With a flash of light, Han Li stowed the necklace away. He had no intention of using the Reverse Scale to command soul beasts—none at all. Really.

"Get up. I was just asking," Han Li said, lifting Di Tian to his feet, his eyes flashing with thought.