Chapter 154: Journey to the City of Slaughter Wait, You Picked That Up Too?
Han Li didn't know how much time had passed before he finally opened his eyes. Feeling the changes in his body, a smile crept onto his lips as he stood up.
"How is it? A 100,000 year soul bone what's so special about it?"
Dugu Bo stood up from his chair, curiosity evident in his gaze. This was the first time he had ever seen someone obtain a 100,000 year soul bone.
Han Li stretched his body before responding with a smile. "Not much, really. Just a soul bone with two abilities. Honestly, it feels less impressive than self developed external soul bones."
Dugu Bo's mouth twitched he almost wanted to slap him. Was this even something a human should say?
Before meeting Han Li, he had never even heard of anyone obtaining an external soul bone or a 100,000 year soul bone those had always been treated as myths.
"Can you share the details?"
Dugu Bo asked, though given their relationship, he didn't really need permission. Still, he asked out of courtesy.
"Of course. You'll all find out sooner or later anyway."
Han Li answered casually. He would be using these skills eventually, so there was no point in keeping them secret.
"The first skill: Wildfire Cannot Destroy, Spring Breeze Revives. It grants the ability to self heal limbs can regenerate on their own. The effect is even stronger and faster in areas filled with Blue Silver Grass."
Ignoring Dugu Bo's widening eyes, Han Li continued, "The second skill: Absorption. It allows me to rapidly extract energy from surrounding plants to restore my soul power and spiritual power. It's not limited to Blue Silver Grass, but the effect is better with it."
Using the slight cheat his obedient son had provided, Han Li had modified the original flight skill of the soul bone. However, due to his current limitations, he could only expand upon its existing functions rather than create entirely new ones.
Still, it was more than enough for him. This significantly boosted his endurance in battle, addressing his biggest weakness when fighting above his level running out of soul power.
"Healing, limb regeneration, and rapid recovery of soul power and spiritual energy… Damn, I'm really curious once you reach Titled Douluo, is there anything you won't be able to do? You're practically an all type soul master."
Dugu Bo had specialized in an extreme path, making his strengths and weaknesses obvious.
"Hey, I just got lucky. All those so called combat styles don't really matter. As long as you're strong enough, that's all that counts."
Han Li smiled. He was merely covering his weaknesses he was still far from being a true all rounder.
"Have you decided what soul beast you'll hunt for your sixth soul ring?"
Dugu Bo looked at him with a headache. Han Li's fifth soul ring was already 80,000 years old. This time, he would definitely aim for a 100,000 year soul ring.
Dugu Bo wasn't arrogant he knew his limits. The only 100,000 year soul beasts he knew of were deep in the core of the Star Dou Forest.
Even though Han Li was strong and Dugu Bo himself was a Titled Douluo, fighting in the enemy's home turf wasn't a guaranteed win.
"There's no rush for my soul ring. I've already made plans. We need to visit a place first. Once we're done there, we'll gather our forces."
Han Li shook his head. He hadn't planned to hunt a soul beast just yet.
Retrieving the Blue Silver Emperor's soul bone was merely a preparatory step for what was to come.
Their advancements had always been monumental. If they were going to do something, they would do it completely. Making repeated trips to the Star Dou Forest would only attract unnecessary trouble.
And Han Li hated trouble.
"Not getting a soul ring yet? Won't that slow down your progress?" Dugu Bo looked at him in confusion.
"Don't worry. Have I ever made an irrational decision? In fact, our progress is about to speed up. You might even get the chance to break through to Hyper Douluo."
"Our next stop is the City of Slaughter."
Han Li announced solemnly.
"The City of Slaughter? Isn't that a place where fallen soul masters gather? Can you even increase your soul power there? And barely anyone ever makes it out alive."
Dugu Bo frowned deeply. He was starting to feel like he needed to relearn everything. How was it that a Titled Douluo like him seemed to know so little?
"Yes, you can. The method is simple kill. The more you kill, the faster you grow. In the end, all you have to do is survive and walk out."
Han Li spoke about it as casually as if he were discussing butchering livestock.
"Tang Hao and the current Pope both came out of there and they both obtained a domain." Han Li added.
"Then we have to go."
Dugu Bo answered without hesitation. No soul master could resist this temptation after all, the City of Slaughter was one of the few places where a postnatal domain could be obtained.
"When do we leave?"
Dugu Bo was already eager. His strength was vastly different from before. Now, when he activated his martial soul's true form, any opponent below Titled Douluo level would die upon contact with his wings.
And their group? Every single one of them had self created soul skills. He had nothing to worry about.
"The day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, I'm going to visit Uncle Xiao I haven't seen him in a long time."
Han Li thought for a moment before replying.
"Mm, that's a good idea."
Dugu Bo was sentimental by nature, so he smiled at Han Li's words.
"Alright then, let's eat something and rest for now. I'll send the girls off to rest first."
Dugu Bo pointed at the food on the table, still kept warm by soul power, and gestured for Han Li to eat.
"Alright."
Han Li responded, quickly finishing his meal before casually picking a room to rest in.
The next morning, after explaining the abilities of the soul bone to the three girls once more, they disguised themselves and headed toward the City Lord's Mansion.
Compared to before, the City Lord's Mansion had become much more extravagant. Instead of entering through the main gate, Han Li and his group circled around and snuck in.
When Xiao Zhan saw Han Li, who had changed so much, he was momentarily unable to recognize him.
After a long conversation, Han Li and the others quietly left, leaving only a ring on the table.
Thinking about his son, who was now serving in Spirit City, Xiao Zhan smiled, put the ring away, and carried on as if no one had ever visited.
Back at the inn, Han Li's group was forced to adjust their plans under Dugu Bo's urging. The journey originally scheduled for the next day was moved up.
What Han Li hadn't expected was that upon arriving at their next city and stopping by his business to swap their ordinary carriage for a luxury one, he would unexpectedly run into someone.
She was in the middle of renting a carriage.
The others noticed that Han Li had suddenly stopped and curiously followed his gaze.
It was a young girl with long black hair draped over her shoulders, fair skin, and a figure that was exceptionally well developed for her age.
Her expression was cold not just surface level coldness but a deep, intrinsic chill. Her black eyes were devoid of life, which contrasted sharply with her stunning features.
Her limbs were slender and well proportioned, but her entire being exuded an unsettling, deathly cold aura.
"Is she that pretty?"
Dugu Yan glanced at the girl once before feeling a pang of jealousy. She then shot Han Li a glare, her hand already reaching for his waist.
So what if she's more well endowed? Is that all it takes to catch your attention?
Shui Bing'er and Xiu'er also lowered their heads, remaining silent. While they weren't lacking in beauty, they still felt somewhat affected.
"Am I that kind of person?"
Han Li chuckled, grabbing Dugu Yan's hand and explaining, "Don't misunderstand, I just recognized her."
Seeing that he wasn't acting guilty, Dugu Yan gave up on hitting him and let him hold her hand. However, she still looked at him expectantly, waiting for an explanation.
"Zhu Zhuqing, second daughter of the Zhu family of the Star Luo Empire. She has been betrothed to the third prince, Dai Mubai, since childhood. There are rumors that they possess a martial soul fusion technique, though they've never demonstrated it publicly."
"The most interesting part? A few years ago, the third prince, Dai Mubai, fled from Star Luo. Now, what do you think she's doing here, in the Heaven Dou Empire?"
Han Li's lips curled into a smirk as he observed Zhu Zhuqing completing her rental paperwork at the counter.
"A member of the Zhu family… and a contender in the imperial succession struggle?"
The three girls now showed genuine interest. Their gazes toward Zhu Zhuqing carried not just curiosity but also a hint of sympathy.
Thanks to Qian Daoliu's limitless support, Han Li's martial soul fusion theory had already been proven.
For fusion techniques that involved progressive evolution, the auxiliary soul master would gradually become a subordinate of the dominant martial soul, even losing their individuality.
Perhaps their blatant stares were too obvious, because Zhu Zhuqing soon noticed them and turned her head.
She saw a young man and three women watching her, with the man holding Dugu Yan's hand. Beside them stood a middle aged man who appeared to be a guard. More importantly, their expressions were odd.
Frowning slightly, she turned back without saying anything.
She had already encountered many people staring at her along the way just not this openly. Some had backed off after she revealed her soul rings.
Forget it, there's no need to cause trouble. The most important thing right now is finding Dai Mubai.
I suppose I should start using disguises from now on. This is getting annoying.
Taking the documents from the staff member, Zhu Zhuqing ignored the group entirely and walked toward the exit.
"The second daughter of the Zhu family, wandering into Heaven Dou territory so openly aren't you afraid of something happening to you?"
Just as she passed by Han Li's group, an unfamiliar male voice echoed in her mind.
She instinctively turned back to look at them it had to be one of them.
At the same time, she saw that Han Li and the others were still watching her.
"You? You know who I am?"
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze locked onto Han Li, her tone wary. Not many people in Star Luo City even knew her, so why would someone here recognize her?
Still, she didn't immediately activate her martial soul. She didn't sense any hostility in his words.
Growing up in her environment, she had always been extremely sensitive to malice.
"Yes, I do. Do you have time? Let's chat over tea."
Han Li gestured toward a teahouse across the street, smiling as he invited her.
Zhu Zhuqing had no idea who he was. By the time Han Li had publicly revealed himself, she had already left Star Luo City.
As for portraits from four years ago, they only depicted him at age six there was no way she would recognize him.
"What do you want? I don't believe we've met."
Zhu Zhuqing frowned, but her gaze shifted toward Dugu Bo. Clearly, they had been expecting her.
She wasn't about to lower her guard if anything felt off, she would flee immediately.
"No need to be so tense. Just a casual conversation. Oh, I almost forgot I'm from Spirit Hall. I wouldn't dare do anything to you in broad daylight."
Han Li casually revealed a token, flashing it in front of her to prove his identity.
Seeing the emblem, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes narrowed slightly. At least a bishop level officer.
"…Fine."
After a moment of silent consideration, she agreed.
Star Luo and Spirit Hall hadn't reached the point of outright hostility. Given her unique status, Spirit Hall likely wouldn't dare touch her so easily.
"Please, after you."
Han Li extended a hand, inviting her to join them.
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