Chapter 190: Seven Man Team × Seven Man Gang, the Superficially United Shrek Seven Devils
After spending a bit more time alone, Han Li tinkered with a few small gadgets before leaving his room. Now that he had condensed his soul core, the group had relaxed slightly. The inner core version of the soul core had an automatic cultivation effect, reaching about twenty percent efficiency. Even with passive training, a single day's results were comparable to long hours of previous cultivation.
With this, they finally had some personal time and no longer devoted every waking moment to training. At the very least, it wasn't like before, when they were completely absorbed in cultivation. So, by the time Han Li came out, the three women were already discussing where to go for a stroll.
"If you're going out, take these with you. They'll make it so others won't recognize you and will see you as someone else. Of course, you three will still be able to recognize each other."
Han Li had no intention of stopping them; instead, he smiled and handed over three identical pendants.
"This is amazing!"
The three women happily took them and started testing them out one by one.
These pendants were crafted by Han Li using some damaged soul bones he had collected earlier. The process was simple he erased the residual patterns from the broken bones, then engraved spirit based simulation patterns modeled after Tian Meng's skull ability, supplemented with a certain level of authorization.
While they couldn't fully replicate his own or an Angelic Soul Bone's effect, they provided a reliable disguise. Anyone with weaker spiritual power than him would be completely unable to see through the illusion. This was far superior to merely changing one's external appearance.
The pendants were mainly designed to conceal Dugu Yan's sixth soul ring. That golden red ring was far too conspicuous, and since she lacked any innate disguise abilities, Han Li had no choice but to intervene. Now, their daily outings wouldn't be a problem truly a solution that killed two birds with one stone.
"These must be quite valuable, right?"
The three women examined the pendants, which were carved with the character "Han" and had a faint red hue, before putting them on and looking toward Han Li.
"Not really. They just have a limited duration. If used continuously, they'll last about six months. Once the red hue fades, just come back to me for a recharge."
Han Li casually explained. The only rare part about these pendants was the material, but to him, they were hardly anything special. He had made more than a dozen of them, all reusable. As far as he was concerned, they weren't precious at all.
"In that case, can I have another one?"
Dugu Yan walked up beside him, shaking his arm playfully.
"Oh, right Ye LingLing! I forgot about her."
Seeing her reaction, Han Li remembered that Ye LingLing would need one too. He pulled out a few more from his wristband and handed them to Dugu Yan and Shui Bing'er.
"Bing'er, you can take these as well and send them back to Aunt Su along with the letter. As long as they're not linked to one's soul power, they can be removed after use, which extends their lifespan."
Since Shui Bing'er had to discuss the Soul Master Tournament with her family, these could also serve as small gifts.
As for losing them? Han Li wasn't worried in the slightest. The pendants were linked to him without his permission, no one else could use them.
"Want to come shopping with us?"
After storing away their pendants, the two women turned their attention to Han Li.
"No thanks, you all have fun. I need to meet with Qian Renxue."
Han Li refused without hesitation. Even now, he had no interest in shopping, and this was the perfect excuse to avoid it.
"Alright then, we'll bring something back for you."
The three women seemed a little disappointed, but they quickly recovered and excitedly walked out hand in hand.
Watching their departing figures, Han Li felt relieved that he had dodged that ordeal. Activating his own disguise, he also left the mansion. His excuse about meeting Qian Renxue wasn't entirely a lie there were matters to discuss.
Following the usual process, Han Li smoothly met with Qian Renxue, conveyed his master's regards, and in return, received the prince's token and an official student registration for Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
After a brief chat and informing her of his current residence, Han Li took his leave.
Initially, he had planned to head home, but knowing the three women were out, he changed his mind. Flagging down a carriage, he directed it toward Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
No need to wait for another day since he had nothing else to do, why not go visit some "old friends" and see if there was anything useful to gain?
Besides, it was about time to put his plan involving Tang San into motion. Those techniques he should seize them now. He had already checked; Tang Hao was still lurking around the Sunset Forest, which saved him a lot of trouble.
After all, he was the master of the Seven Profound Sect. Xuan Tian Gong was meant to be with him!
He also needed to think about renaming the techniques. Xuan Tian Gong and Xuan Yu Shou could stay the same. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track would be renamed Xuan Xing Bu. Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon would become Xuan Long Tan Yun Shou. Purple Demon Eye would be Xuan Ji Tong. As for the other skills, they would be called Xuan Men Hidden Weapons and Xuan Tian Treasure Codex.
Once he obtained them, he would modify them, creating simplified, standard, and advanced versions. That sounded quite promising.
Seven Profound Sect, with seven techniques all starting with "Xuan" it was too perfect!
Still on his way to the academy, before even seeing Tang San, Han Li had already finalized the names.
As usual, he got off the carriage a short distance from the academy and confidently walked toward the entrance.
Even though he wasn't wearing the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy uniform or using any additional disguises, once he activated his simulation ability, he appeared in the eyes of others as a completely normal student, neat and properly dressed. Naturally, no one stopped him.
With his omniscient understanding of the academy layout and the map provided by Qian Renxue, Han Li effortlessly navigated his way to the area designated for the Heaven Dou Second Team.
As Han Li chose his observation spot and looked toward the training grounds, he couldn't help but chuckle what a coincidence.
In the middle of the training field, the ever dedicated Grandmaster was instructing the group in their training.
With a slight sweep of his spiritual power, Han Li quickly assessed their current levels. Compared to the original timeline, they were about one or two levels higher than when they first arrived in Heaven Dou City. Given the time frame, this was expected.
It seemed the training environment and resources here had given them some benefits, though none had yet reached the Soul Ancestor level.
The strongest among them was probably Xiao Wu. That thought made Han Li think of Tian Meng.
And indeed, it was true. If Xiao Wu were to sacrifice herself in a life or death situation, without trying to suppress the explosion of energy, she could still take down a Title Douluo. A normal Title Douluo who wasn't prepared wouldn't survive the violent energy shockwave caused by a 100,000 year old soul beast's self sacrifice.
Watching the group perform their clumsy training in such a luxurious facility, Han Li shook his head and decisively activated his soul bone ability, observing the flow of soul power within their bodies.
At that very moment, the intertwined fate energy above Tang San and Xiao Wu trembled slightly.
The two of them stopped in their tracks, feeling momentarily dazed. Turning toward Han Li's direction, they saw nothing.
"Oh? Pretty sharp, but too bad it's useless."
Han Li's figure emerged behind a tree, a mischievous smile on his face.
The reaction of their fate energy had confirmed something for him, though this was his first time actively manipulating fate, so he was still a bit unskilled. Next time, such a disturbance wouldn't happen. When it came to fate, he now far surpassed all of them combined.
"Tang San's spiritual power is quite good. He's almost at the Soul Emperor level, practically skipping two ranks. Grinding away for over a decade did pay off, I suppose."
Han Li muttered his assessment and continued to observe from the shadows.
Back in the training grounds, Tang San and Xiao Wu's unusual behavior caught Yu Xiaogang's attention.
"Tang San, is something wrong?"
Yu Xiaogang frowned and followed their gaze, but all he saw were dense trees swaying gently in the breeze.
"It's nothing, Teacher. I'm probably just too tired and got distracted."
Tang San glanced at Xiao Wu before wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Yu Xiaogang checked the time and noted the exhaustion on everyone's faces before speaking. "Alright, take a break."
Upon hearing this, Ma Hongjun and Oscar shot Tang San a grateful look before flopping down onto the ground without a shred of dignity.
God knows why they were still doing this kind of training after coming to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Just like Team One, couldn't they just use the academy's training facilities?
The results would be the same, but it would be so much easier!
The two of them exchanged helpless glances, complaining silently in their hearts. If it weren't for Flender and Tang San, they would've long since quit this nonsense.
After all, in Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, they were quite popular now especially Oscar. Shave off the stubble, showcase his talent, and plenty of soul master girls were eager to throw themselves at him. He had even voluntarily given up pursuing Ning Rongrong he preferred softer, more gentle types.
Even Ma Hongjun, despite his looks and not so charming personality, had attracted the attention of several noble ladies. Some had even fully covered the costs for his Evil Fire issue.
As for Ning Rongrong? She wasn't tired at all. She had only completed about a third of the training, yet the Grandmaster acted as if he hadn't noticed, turning a blind eye.
The reason?
Ever since Sword Douluo had visited once, things had become this way. Ning Rongrong was oblivious to it all she hadn't complained to anyone.
So, when the break was announced, she immediately walked over to Zhu Zhuqing, pulling her aside while flashing a sweet smile at Dai Mubai.
Zhu Zhuqing, however, was exhausted. She had meticulously completed all the training, even pushing herself to add extra intensity.
She had, of course, noticed Ning Rongrong's little actions, but she didn't care. She had no interest in getting involved. All she wanted was to recover quickly and throw herself into the next round of training.
Get stronger. Get stronger.
That was her only thought now.
She didn't know when the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall who had once sought her out would come looking for her again. But the stronger she was, the more valuable she would be as a bargaining chip. That principle applied everywhere.
Besides, even the Heaven Dou Crown Prince had offered her favorable conditions. She knew she was just an auxiliary piece, but still, her situation was far better than before.
As for the Martial Soul Fusion Technique? Ha forget it. After learning the truth, anyone who tried to persuade her would immediately become her enemy.
Not far away, Dai Mubai sat with a dark expression, staring in the direction of Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing before glancing at Oscar and Ma Hongjun, who no longer fawned over him.
Who knew what he was thinking?
"Tsk tsk, this change is far too entertaining. I can't help but want to see how this plays out."
Han Li observed the group with keen interest, the smirk on his face growing wider.
The last time he had gathered intel from Qian Renxue, things weren't like this. Yet in just over a month, the situation had shifted once again.
(End of Chapter)