Chapter 184: Tearing Open the Wound.jpg – The Breakdown of Tianmeng
In the next second, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm felt a sharp, unbearable pain surge through its body, instantly pulling it back to reality.
This time, Han Li hadn't kicked it. Instead, he had used diluted blazing spring mist to etch the character "冰" (Ice) onto Tianmeng's body.
However, given the complete opposition between their attributes and the sheer intensity of the spring water something Tianmeng could not resist the pain it experienced was even more excruciating than before.
But this time, Tianmeng didn't dare roll on the ground. It merely clenched its teeth tightly and let out muffled groans.
It could feel that the crimson spring water enveloping Han Li posed a fatal threat, even more so than the arrow Guang Ling had pointed at its head. Just a small amount of that liquid could take its life instantly.
And since Han Li hadn't killed it outright, that meant it was still useful.
Such a commotion naturally didn't escape the attention of the three Titled Douluo standing nearby.
A cold glint flashed in Guang Ling's eyes, and he was about to loosen his grip on the arrow's feather, but Qing Luan shook his head, stopping him, forcing him to suppress his killing intent.
"Did it lie?" Dugu Bo looked at Han Li, his poisonous wings already spread and aimed at Tianmeng, ready to strike at any moment.
"No, everything it said was true. But I figured it must really like this mark, so I gave it one. Isn't that right, Brother Tianmeng?" Han Li smiled gently and turned toward Tianmeng at the end of his sentence.
"Yes, you're absolutely right. I love it! Also, just call me Little Tian or Little Meng," Tianmeng forced out a fawning smile, enduring the agony from its wound.
It continuously burned its soul power to resist the fire element within the wound, but it didn't dare remove the mark.
The three Titled Douluo exchanged glances but remained silent. Han Li's flimsy excuse and Tianmeng's reaction already spoke volumes.
At least, the information this big worm had provided earlier was likely accurate; otherwise, Han Li would have corrected it immediately.
As for the "冰" character it was probably referring to that "Bingbing" it mentioned earlier. A fellow ice type? A kin or a lover?
The three couldn't help but speculate in their minds.
This worm really wasn't honest. They had almost overlooked that "Bingbing" due to the flood of new information.
"Maybe we should just kill it after all?" Guang Ling fell silent for a moment, then looked at Han Li with a serious expression.
He knew Han Li's plan he knew that this bug was exactly what Han Li had been waiting for. It was meant to be sacrificed so Han Li could reap maximum benefits.
A million year seventh soul ring… Even if it wasn't from the most compatible soul beast, its sheer age alone would make up for any shortcomings.
But now, seeing how cunning this worm was, Guang Ling feared Han Li might run into danger. As his master, he didn't want his disciple to take such a risk.
Han Li was momentarily stunned as he met Guang Ling's solemn gaze. But when he saw the deep concern in his master's eyes, he smiled and shook his head.
"Trust me, Master. Nothing will happen. Let me talk to it alone."
Hearing this, Tianmeng, whose entire body had been tensed up, finally let out a sigh of relief.
It could sense that not only Guang Ling but also the other two Titled Douluo had locked onto it this whole time.
If Han Li had given the order, Tianmeng knew it wouldn't last even three seconds, no matter what tricks it pulled especially since the water surrounding Han Li posed an even deadlier threat.
Guang Ling stared at Han Li for a long time before finally, albeit reluctantly, nodding and stepping back. However, he did not lower his guard. Instead, the energy fluctuation on his arrow became even more intense.
Qing Luan and Dugu Bo followed his lead, retreating to Guang Ling's side to give Han Li and Tianmeng space for their conversation. But their expressions made it clear that they were ready to strike at any moment.
Han Li chuckled, then, right in front of Tianmeng, activated his Yin Yang Domain, linking it to the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well, completely sealing off the surroundings.
"Now they can't hear us. We can talk freely. I just added a little extra protection you don't mind, do you?" Han Li's smile was as gentle as ever, yet it made Tianmeng instinctively shrink back.
It examined the domain's glowing barrier and the spring water completely encasing the area before ultimately giving up any thoughts of resistance.
"Would it matter if I did? It's not like I could do anything about it," Tianmeng muttered.
Strangely enough, Tianmeng was much more likable now that it had embraced defeat.
"You guided me here you weren't just trying to let me witness a million year soul beast, were you? You know more about fierce beasts than I do. You even know about the Extreme North."
"What do you need me to do? Become your soul ring? Or your soul bone?" Tianmeng sprawled lazily on the ground, looking utterly resigned. It really couldn't think of any other reason.
"Yes, you guessed right. But I want both." Han Li was very straightforward, looking Tianmeng directly in the eyes, making no effort to hide his intentions.
"You?"
Now that it had nothing to lose, Tianmeng suddenly became bold, casting Han Li a sideways glance before scoffing.
"I don't know your exact strength, but you're definitely not a Soul Sage yet. You think you can absorb my soul ring? Keep dreaming. Your only outcome would be getting blown up from the inside."
"And as for my soul bone sure, I may be weak in combat, but detonating my own soul bone is well within my abilities. You'd end up with nothing! Hahaha!"
Tianmeng cackled like a madman, its plump body squirming on the ground as it laughed maniacally.
However, what it didn't expect was that Han Li remained completely calm.
Han Li continued to smile calmly at it, as if watching a clown, even though, in a way, everything Tianmeng had just said was completely true.
At this moment, Tianmeng still retained most of its soul power. Unlike when it encountered Huo Yuhao, where it was already half crippled, right now, even though Han Li had refined his body and spiritual power to a level beyond ordinary Titled Douluo, he still wouldn't be able to withstand the full force of Tianmeng's energy infusion.
But then again, he never planned to kill it outright.
"It doesn't matter. If you don't cooperate, I'll just take my people and go kill the Ice Emperor. Oh, and the Snow Emperor too. Even if you throw in that Titan Snow Devil King and that little white bear, they won't be able to stop us."
"When the time comes, I'll make sure to tell the Ice Emperor right before she dies that this was all your doing. That you asked me to do this because she rejected your confession."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm froze in place, its laughter stopping abruptly. For the first time, it felt a chilling fear.
It widened its eyes, staring at Han Li in disbelief, as if trying to comprehend how such cold blooded words could come from this seemingly warm blooded human. He was more ruthless than Di Tian.
Moreover, it couldn't understand how did this human know about something that only it and the Ice Emperor were aware of?
"You can't do this! How do you know about that?!"
Tianmeng suddenly straightened its upper body, its expression full of panic.
"Why wouldn't I know? I guided you out of the Star Dou Forest's core region does it really surprise you that I know these things?"
Han Li tilted his head slightly, smiling.
Given his striking appearance, the gesture would have been aesthetically pleasing under any other circumstance. But in Tianmeng's eyes, it was like gazing at a demon.
"A mere Ice Silkworm falling in love with a creature that sees it as food don't you think that's ridiculous?"
"I'm simply helping you end this twisted fantasy. You should be thanking me, right, Tianmeng?"
A magnificent ice crystal throne appeared beneath Han Li, elevating him as he sat upon it, gazing down at the massive silkworm on the ground. His smile even carried a trace of compassion.
"No! That's not true! I do love Bingbing! You're wrong!"
Tianmeng seemed to have been provoked, its expression contorting in distress as it shouted at Han Li.
"Just because you say it louder doesn't make it true. Tianmeng, you're panicking. You know deep down, don't you? You never truly loved the Ice Emperor, and she could never love you either. Isn't that right?"
"This so called love for the Ice Emperor it was nothing more than an excuse you created for yourself while enduring suffering. A reason to keep going without breaking down, because you knew this wish could never come true."
"Who would ever love a predator that hunts them down and drives them out of their home? Especially when you are the prey. Would you ever love a soul beast that sees you as food? Like the Ten Thousand Year Cold Marrow you've consumed if there was any feeling there, it would be hunger, not love."
"If you really loved the Ice Emperor, then why, after escaping the Star Dou Forest, didn't you return directly to the Extreme North? Because you knew that even if you went back, you would only suffer the same fate as in the Star Dou Forest, if not worse. Isn't that right?"
"So, are you going to keep lying to yourself, Tianmeng? 'Heaven's Dream' what a fitting name. I wonder if, after all these years, the meaning behind it has changed."
Han Li's voice was not particularly loud, but to Tianmeng, it was like a thunderclap echoing in its mind.
Every word was like a hammer, every sentence a razor sharp blade, striking and stabbing at its fragile heart over and over again.
"Please… stop talking…"
Tianmeng buried its head into the ground, no longer carrying the arrogance or nonchalance from earlier. Its massive body curled up tightly, its voice reduced to a near whisper, as if pleading.
A thousand sharp blades couldn't compare to the pain of tearing open an old wound.
Han Li knew he was being cruel. But he never claimed to be a virtuous person, and while a tiny voice inside him condemned his actions, another part of him one he couldn't quite suppress felt an inexplicable thrill.
This isn't right, he told himself. But damn, does it feel good.
"It's time to wake up, Tianmeng. Now, tell me what is it you truly desire most?"
Han Li continued his verbal assault, not giving Tianmeng even the slightest chance to breathe.
"I… I…"
Tianmeng's front limbs clutched its head, its wide, golden eyes filled with helplessness as it looked up at Han Li.
"I want to live. That's it. I just… want to live."
Tianmeng murmured, but its expression gradually became firmer this was the primal instinct to survive.
"Exactly. You just want to live. But the problem is, I really want your soul ring and soul bone. What should we do about that?"
Han Li twisted the knife even further, mercilessly.
"There's… there's got to be a way! There has to be a way, right?!"
Tianmeng, now in full panic mode, turned to Han Li for help.
At this moment, its survival instincts had completely taken over, and it found itself seeking assistance from its enemy, hoping Han Li would come up with a solution.
Even Han Li was a bit surprised by the absurdity of the situation. He always knew Tianmeng was a coward, but he never expected it to be this pathetic.
I literally just told this thing I wanted its soul ring and soul bone. And now it's asking me to find a way to save it? Is its brain broken?
Still, despite how ridiculous things had turned out, Han Li saw no reason to complain.
Staring at Tianmeng for a moment, his previous cold demeanor faded, replaced by a warm, almost gentle smile.
"Tianmeng, you were the one who asked me, weren't you?"
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/johanssen