Chapter 201: Operation Begins, Milking Tang San
"Martial Soul Possession."
Without waiting for Han Li's urging, Zhu Zhuqing immediately entered cultivation mode. At the very least, her enthusiasm and attitude were commendable.
Unfortunately, even after ten whole minutes of trying, she failed to enter the same state she had reached in the morning. Instead, her frustration grew.
However, she didn't complain and simply continued trying.
The other four remained silent, patiently watching her efforts. Failure wasn't shameful they were more interested in seeing how long she could persist.
Thus, an hour quietly passed.
Zhu Zhuqing still hadn't succeeded. The closest she got was a faint flicker from the Evil God Orb, but nothing beyond that.
"Alright, stop for now. If you continue, you still won't succeed."
Finally, Han Li called off her attempts.
Zhu Zhuqing released her Martial Soul, but the disappointment in her eyes was hard to hide.
After all, the knowledge had been handed to her on a silver platter she could even smell the meal, yet she still couldn't take a bite.
"Don't be discouraged. This was only your first attempt. It simply means your approach was wrong, nothing more."
Han Li wasn't concerned about her failure this was completely normal.
Expecting her to master Martial Soul Development on the first try was like asking an elementary schooler to solve advanced calculus completely unrealistic.
Even if she had accidentally solved a complex math problem before, that didn't mean she understood the principles behind it.
"Don't forget what I told you earlier 'Invisible to the Eye, Silent to the Ear, that is the Netherworld.'"
"The Netherworld Spirit Cat the 'cat' is its core, while 'netherworld' is its attribute. The Zhu family has already fully developed the 'cat' aspect, passing down their techniques for generations. I don't need to reinvent the wheel."
"However, the 'netherworld' aspect, or more accurately, the dark attribute, is what I want you to explore. If you don't fully understand it yet, try using it first."
"Tell me, what's the biggest difference between the Netherworld Spirit Cat and other similar Martial Souls?"
Seeing her still confused, Han Li changed his teaching approach.
"It has a natural stealth effect and some elemental control."
Zhu Zhuqing answered immediately this was basic knowledge she had heard countless times since childhood.
"Correct. That is your Martial Soul's defining trait. However, many people rely too much on soul skills and neglect their Martial Soul's innate abilities."
"Instead of understanding their Martial Soul, they rely on past knowledge, choosing spirit rings that enhance their existing strengths."
"From a practical standpoint, this isn't wrong but by doing so, you might overlook unique traits, failing to fully develop your Martial Soul's potential."
Since this cat had a weak foundation, Han Li carefully broke down the concepts, piece by piece, so she could fully grasp them.
Zhu Zhuqing listened carefully, nodding as she absorbed his words.
"So, when I tell you to develop your Martial Soul, I don't mean imitate a cat I want you to tap into its dark attribute."
"Use the darkness, combine it with the cat's agility, and enhance your stealth and movement. That's what you should focus on now. Adding it to your attacks will come later. Understood?"
"Thank you. I'll try again."
Finally, Zhu Zhuqing understood the key point realizing why she had failed earlier.
During the fight in the morning, she had instinctively followed Han Li's exact philosophy, unknowingly merging her intent into her strike.
Now that she understood the principle, she quickly entered the correct state.
This time, she achieved results a faint black mist rose around her.
It was weak, but at least there was progress.
"Now, try moving. Compare the difference between normal movement and when you're in the shadows. Also, actively use the dark energy to influence your results."
Seeing that she had grasped the basics, Han Li gave his next instruction.
"Got it."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't waste words she immediately followed his suggestion, experimenting through movement.
Even after exhausting her spirit power, she could only make the Evil God Orb flicker slightly and even then, only sporadically.
However, compared to before, this was already a huge improvement.
"Not bad. Keep training in this direction. For now, keep the Evil God Orb on you it will help you absorb more of the dark energy while cultivating."
Seeing her still eager to continue, Han Li stopped her overtraining would only harm her body.
"Recover your spirit power first. Later, continue practicing. Xiu'er, Bing'er, give her some pressure during training but don't injure her."
"Yan Jie, prepare the letter. I'll go to the Merchant Guild to pick up some basic herbs I'll deliver the message along the way."
Han Li left the training ground with Dugu Yan.
Once she finished writing, Han Li left the manor, heading toward the Merchant Guild.
Half an hour later.
Just as Han Li was about to return, he noticed someone standing near the gate, seemingly watching the entrance.
"Who are you?"
Without making a sound, Han Li appeared behind the man, his true face revealed.
The only ones who knew about this location were the Merchant Guild and Qian Renxue. Since he had just left the guild, the only possible source of this visitor was the latter.
If, by chance, the visitor was not from either faction, then Han Li would personally see him off.
"Greetings, Holy Son. Please forgive my inability to bow. I am here under the young master's orders. This is intelligence regarding Zhu Zhuqing at the Tian Dou Academy. Please review it."
The visitor was a Soul Emperor, not exactly weak. However, since they were still on a public street, he did not salute but instead made a respectful hand gesture while presenting a sealed letter with both hands.
"Mm, wait a moment."
Han Li accepted the letter and opened it directly, reading its contents.
After finishing, he burned the letter in his hands, letting the ashes scatter onto the ground.
"Go back and tell her that Zhu Zhuqing is with me. The rest is up to her discretion. Once I finish my current matters, I will personally go find her."
Han Li had originally planned to visit Qian Renxue after tonight's operation, but since she had already sent someone, there was no need to rush.
"Understood, Holy Son."
The Soul Emperor bowed with his hands once more, briefly surveyed his surroundings, and quickly disappeared into the night.
Han Li simply shook his head and re entered the estate.
He wasn't concerned about the messenger's identity after all, he had sensed the Angel Martial Soul's aura on him, something that couldn't be faked.
After preparing a custom medicinal blend suitable for Zhu Zhuqing's current state, he saw the group emerging from the training grounds.
"There are no servants here, so you'll have to prepare the medicinal bath yourself. The facilities have been modified though still a bit basic, they're sufficient for your training needs."
Glancing at Zhu Zhuqing, who was practically being carried out, Han Li immediately recognized that she had merely exhausted her spirit power rather than overexerting herself.
He handed a medicine pouch to Xiu'er.
"Once she recovers a little, Xiu'er, show her around the estate."
A while later, the Merchant Guild delivered dinner, and the group, after freshening up, was once again full of energy.
"By the way, I'll be heading out tonight. When I return, I'll need to help Zhu Zhuqing with her conditioning. No need to wait for me just focus on your own training."
Han Li addressed Dugu Yan and Shui Bing'er, as tonight's accelerated cultivation session was supposed to be theirs.
"Alright, do you need help?" Shui Bing'er looked up and asked.
"No need. I'll be more efficient alone, and there's no real danger." Han Li shook his head.
Tonight, he was going after Tang San.
Due to the Zhu Zhuqing situation, he had only managed to copy partial sections of Tang San's cultivation methods specifically, some incomplete soul power circulation routes.
Now, Tang San's emotions had been thoroughly shaken, making it the perfect opportunity. Han Li planned to strip him completely, and bringing others along would only slow him down.
"Alright then."
Dugu Yan sighed in disappointment.
She had been excited when she heard Han Li was heading out, thinking she could finally have her own 'silent infiltration under the night sky' moment.
But now, it seemed that dream was dead.
"Focus on training. Once you both reach Soul Saint and gain your Martial Soul True Body, your cultivation speed will increase significantly. Even without me, your dual cultivation method with Bing'er is still very efficient."
Han Li, familiar with her personality, chuckled and didn't take her complaints seriously.
Then, he noticed Zhu Zhuqing blinking at them in confusion, clearly clueless about their conversation.
"If you're really that bored, use this time to explain things to Zhuqing. I'm leaving that task to you."
"No problem!"
Dugu Yan readily accepted, thinking of it as practice for when Ye Lingling arrived.
After finishing dinner, Han Li confirmed the situation at the estate before leaving, heading straight for Tian Dou Imperial Academy.
Tian Dou Imperial Academy, Royal Battle Team's Luxury Villa
Dinner had just ended, but the atmosphere was unusually heavy.
Ning Rongrong was absent she had immediately returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan after the events of the morning and had not returned since.
That afternoon, Flender had taken Dai Mubai to visit the Ye family.
After obtaining Xue Qinghe's approval, Ye Lingling's mother, a fellow Nine Heart Begonia user, personally examined and treated Dai Mubai.
However, her diagnosis was the same as Master Gou's there was no improvement.
His basic bodily functions were intact, but… as for everything else? He could forget about it.
After they left, Ye Lingling's mother couldn't help but admire the precise blade work, even considering making contact with the mysterious attacker.
Of course, it was just a passing thought her family's rule of survival was to never dig too deep.
"Zhu Zhuqing has disappeared. Ever since she left the training ground, no one has seen her."
"His Highness the Crown Prince and the three deans have already deployed personnel to search for her. If she's found, we will be notified immediately."
Flender, looking at the silent group, relayed the latest update from the academy.
"Mubai, regarding the Star Luo Empire, you'll have to make your own decision. The Crown Prince has sent word he will fully support whatever actions you choose to take."
Hearing this, Dai Mubai clenched his fists, finally receiving one piece of good news.
"Alright, everyone, go get some rest. I'll continue searching she couldn't have just disappeared into thin air."
With that, Flender left the room, vanishing into the darkness.
(End of Chapter)
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