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On the way to the Hall of Worship, Ling Yuan and Ye Han walked side by side.
Since Ye Han didn't possess a soul tool, the soul bone was naturally kept by Ling Yuan.
"My dear husband," Ling Yuan began, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern, "what happened when you were alone with Her Holiness the Pope? Why did she give you such a precious gift?"
Ye Han paused for a moment, deep in thought. Now that he and Ling Yuan had built a foundation of trust, he felt it was time to reveal his hidden past to her.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Han looked up at Ling Yuan, a hint of apology in his eyes. "Sister Ling Yuan, there's something I've been keeping from you…"
Ling Yuan's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself, her voice soft and reassuring. "What is it? You can tell me. I promise I won't blame you."
Ye Han, filled with remorse, began to explain his background. He had kept his true identity hidden from her, and now he felt it was time to come clean. After revealing his origins, he also shared how Bibi Dong had used this information to blackmail him and had gifted him the soul bone as part of her scheme.
"Ah!" Ling Yuan gasped, her initial shock quickly replaced by sympathy for Ye Han. She gently pulled him into her arms, stroking his head as she whispered, "It's not your fault. None of this is your fault. Even if the Grand Worship Master learns of your past, he won't blame you. After all, the former Pope's death was ultimately caused by Tang Hao. Besides, the Grand Worship Master isn't foolish. He's probably already sent someone to investigate your background."
She continued, her voice filled with determination, "Don't worry. From now on, I'll protect you and help you grow stronger. One day, we'll take revenge on Tang Hao!"
Ye Han felt a warm surge of emotion, his eyes slightly red as he nodded firmly. "Thank you, Sister Ling Yuan! If you ever face danger in the future, I'll protect you too, even if it costs me my life!"
Ling Yuan smiled softly, touched by his words. "You're still too weak to protect me now. Focus on growing stronger first."
Ye Han scratched his head awkwardly, but deep down, he vowed to keep his promise. If Ling Yuan were ever in danger, he would risk everything to save her!
As they continued toward the Hall of Worship, Ye Han chose not to reveal that Bibi Dong had been the one to kill Qian Xunji. For now, Ling Yuan still believed that Tang Hao was responsible. This secret had to remain hidden, as Ye Han knew that if he were to openly oppose Bibi Dong, Qian Daoliu wouldn't act against her. Qian Daoliu felt that the Qian family owed Bibi Dong, and she was also the mother of Qian Renxue. His competition with Bibi Dong over Ye Han was merely a power struggle, driven by self-interest.
Soon, they arrived at the Hall of Worship. Just as they were about to enter, they encountered Elder Ghost Leopard exiting the hall. He nodded at Ling Yuan and Ye Han in greeting, but when his gaze fell on Ye Han, a strange glint flickered in his eyes.
"Hmm?" Ye Han's heart tightened. It seemed Ling Yuan's prediction was correct—Grand Worship Master Qian Daoliu had indeed sent someone to investigate his background, and that person was Elder Ghost Leopard. The investigation must have already been completed and reported!
"Let's go. Don't be nervous," Ling Yuan said, noticing Ye Han's unease. She gently patted his head and led him into the Hall of Worship.
As they entered, a massive statue of an angel came into view. The angel, with six wings, radiated a sacred and inviolable light. Qian Daoliu stood beneath the statue, seemingly in prayer. Hearing their footsteps, he turned around, his eyes softening with pity as they landed on Ye Han.
"Ling Yuan, Xiao Han, how did it go?" Qian Daoliu asked with a warm, benevolent smile.
Ling Yuan set Ye Han down and replied respectfully, "Reporting to the Grand Worship Master, everything went smoothly. As for the results, perhaps Xiao Han should demonstrate."
Her gaze shifted to Ye Han, filled with anticipation.
Understanding the cue, Ye Han immediately activated his Dark Holy Dragon spirit. A low dragon's roar echoed through the hall as the Dark Holy Dragon materialized, accompanied by three purple thousand-year spirit rings. His aura surged, revealing his level 32 strength.
"This… this is impossible!" Qian Daoliu's body trembled, his eyes widening in shock. "How did he achieve this? Ling Yuan!"
He stepped forward, gripping Ye Han's shoulders, and turned to Ling Yuan for answers.
"Ahem…" Ling Yuan, having anticipated his reaction, hesitated. She wanted to explain the truth but feared Bibi Dong's threats. After all, Bibi Dong had already warned Ye Han not to reveal the theory behind his abilities.
Reluctantly, Ling Yuan looked at Ye Han and said, "Grand Worship Master, perhaps you should ask Xiao Han directly."
Ye Han understood Ling Yuan's concern. He also knew that now was not the time to openly defy Bibi Dong. Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his aura and fabricated an explanation. "Grand Worship Master, my ability to absorb high-level spirit rings might be due to the unique nature of my spirit."
Qian Daoliu's eyes narrowed with suspicion. He wasn't a fool. Even Qian Renxue, with her divine-level spirit, couldn't achieve such a feat. How could Ye Han, with a semi-divine spirit, accomplish this?
Realizing that Ye Han might be under Bibi Dong's threats, Qian Daoliu sighed. "Very well…" He decided not to press further, recalling the debt he owed Bibi Dong. Instead, he changed the subject. "Xiao Han, your enthronement as the Holy Son will need to be postponed. The academy holidays are approaching, and holding the ceremony now might cause disruptions. How about we delay it until two weeks after the holidays begin?"
Ye Han didn't mind the delay and nodded in agreement. "I'll follow your arrangements, Grand Worship Master."
Qian Daoliu smiled approvingly and continued, "Before the enthronement, I'll take you to meet my granddaughter, Qian Renxue—your fiancée. Once you're officially named Holy Son, the political landscape will become turbulent, and it'll be much harder for you two to meet."
The thought of meeting Qian Renxue excited Ye Han, and he immediately agreed.
Qian Daoliu nodded again, patting Ye Han's head. "In that case, Ling Yuan, I'll entrust Xiao Han to your care."
Ling Yuan bowed and led Ye Han back to their residence.
As soon as they returned, Ye Han took out the soul bone gifted by Bibi Dong—a three-thousand-year Dark Shadow Hydra left arm bone!
"An evolvable soul bone? Let's see what it can do!" Ye Han murmured as he began absorbing it.
The absorption was instantaneous, and his spirit power increased by one level. He gained a new skill, both offensive and defensive in nature—Dragon Shadow Art!
Skill Effect:
By channeling spirit power, Ye Han could summon shadowy hydras to attack enemies or defend himself. At its current level, the soul bone could summon up to three hydras. For every additional thousand years of evolution, one more hydra could be summoned. The skill's effectiveness was maximized when used with the mantra, "Three parts attack, seven parts defense."
"This skill is incredible!" Ye Han thought, impressed. For once, Bibi Dong had done something worthwhile. Imagining the soul bone evolving to a hundred-thousand-year level and summoning hundreds of shadow hydras was truly awe-inspiring.
Next, Ye Han began planning his next steps. The third trial of the Dragon God's test awaited him. He recalled that Tang San had recognized Xiao Wu as his sister during the academy holidays, when Xiao Wu had followed Tang San home. With the holidays just a few days away, Ye Han decided to rest for now and set out to capture Xiao Wu afterward. He also needed to cure Du Gu Bo's poison and obtain the immortal herbs, as Xiao Wu would need them to conceal her identity as the rogue rabbit.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 55 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 90 power stones I will publish the next chapter.