Chapter 306: The End, Yet Also the Beginning
Han Li naturally noticed Tang San's reaction. However, he didn't care. To be precise, Tang San was no longer of any use.
The only reason he was still alive was that Han Li needed to maintain his image. He didn't want his deeds to be recorded alongside gruesome, bloody details it would taint the purity of the faith he was cultivating.
After all, in most legends and historical records, heroes defeat their enemies rather than slaughter them. A true divine figure must display overwhelming power but also benevolence. That was how gods were always portrayed, wasn't it?
What is he planning? What does he want?
Unlike the common spectators, the representatives of the major powers and some noble figures hid deep wariness in their eyes. Among them, the officials of the two great empires and various duchies held expressions of barely concealed hostility toward Han Li.
Unlike sects, which relied on talent and strength, empires operated on a different system. The key advantage of the nobility over commoners was their inherent ability to cultivate soul power. But now, that advantage was gone.
Han Li had spoken eloquently, claiming that this new technique would also enhance the cultivation of existing soul masters. But the fundamental difference between enhancement and creating something from nothing was vast.
More importantly, there were simply too many commoners.
Their temporary strength couldn't guarantee their dominance forever. And none of them were strong enough to disregard sheer numbers.
The world is about to change!
Some wanted to protest, but their eyes fell upon the two Titled Douluo still lying at Han Li's feet, their blood not yet dry. They wisely shut their mouths.
None of them considered themselves stronger than a Titled Douluo. And right now, they were in Spirit Hall's territory they had no desire to vanish without a trace.
Is he gathering faith?
Unlike the others, Bibi Dong quickly grasped the deeper truth.
After her initial shock, she even felt a sense of relief perhaps even delight.
Han Li was not walking the traditional path of divine inheritance. Instead, he sought to mimic the Sea God and Angel God, collecting faith to forge his own godhood.
As someone who had a divine inheritance, she knew very well that this process would take thousands of years and even then, success was not guaranteed.
The advantage is mine!
The words flashed through Bibi Dong's mind.
She cast an unreadable glance at Qian Renxue, whose expression betrayed nothing.
Not long ago, Qian Renxue had begun her divine trials. Bibi Dong had sensed that wretched Light aura emanating from her. However, she was still slower than herself.
As things stood, she was in the lead on the path to godhood.
Bibi Dong could already envision the moment she annihilated the Qian bloodline.
At the same time, she noticed that the members of the Elder Hall Spirit Hall's most devout followers were gazing at Han Li with fiery admiration, as if his actions had been no surprise to them.
Heh… so, once again, you've been keeping things from me?
But no matter.
As long as she ascended first, any obstacle in her way would be nothing more than an insignificant insect.
Qian Daoliu, no matter how hard you struggle, it will all be in vain. When the time comes, I will shatter your hopes and watch everything you built crumble to dust.
Seeing Bibi Dong's initial malice fade slightly, Han Li smirked inwardly and looked away.
You only see what I allow you to see.
"Mom! I have soul power! I can cultivate!"
The young boy sitting on the platform opened his eyes, his face full of excitement. The Blue Silver Grass in his hand swayed as if responding to his joy, and faint soul power rippled from his small body.
He had forgotten he was still standing in midair, supported by Han Li's soul power. Gone was his fear he excitedly showed his mother what he had achieved.
"Yes, my child... Mommy sees it."
The young mother wept tears of joy, pulling him close as she once again attempted to kneel before Han Li.
"That's enough. There's no need for this. You helped me demonstrate this to everyone this is merely what you deserve."
Han Li's gentle voice carried across the arena as he held them up with his power, showcasing his warmth to all.
But at his feet, Tang San glared murderously at the child.
That was his Xuantian Technique a secret art belonging to the Tang Sect! He had never taught it to anyone else, yet now, that boy radiated the same aura as he had back then.
The child flinched under Tang San's venomous gaze, instinctively stepping back in fear.
His mother and the Holy Son had told him that this man was not human that he was a wolf bandit, the kind that ate children.
The mother, too, met Tang San's eyes. She clenched her son's hand.
She had come to this tournament after hearing tales of the Blue Silver Grass prodigy, only to find the finals dominated by the Haotian Hammer.
But in the end, the true inheritor of Blue Silver Grass had turned out to be a wolf bandit.
"There's no need to be afraid. He is completely under my control."
Han Li's voice was soft and reassuring as he comforted the mother and child.
So many eyes were on him.
If the boy had been stronger if his soul power had even reached level five Han Li wouldn't have minded letting him activate his martial soul to bind Tang San with Blue Silver Bind.
Unfortunately, he was still too weak.
A rare flicker of disappointment passed through Han Li's heart.
Lowering the mother and child safely to the ground, Han Li finally turned his attention to the countless pairs of eyes watching him with burning anticipation.
"From now on, all levels of Spirit Hall will distribute Xuantian Technique free of charge to everyone. All you need to do is register to receive it. Furthermore, Spirit Hall will assign specialists to provide guidance. Even if you are illiterate, there will be deacons available to help you with cultivation."
"At the same time, the Soul Master Legions across the land will assist in maintaining order. I hope that everyone will cooperate accordingly."
Han Li's tone became much more serious as he spoke these words. His soul power erupted, accompanied by a wave of spiritual pressure, and the Slaughter God Domain spread across the sky, suppressing all present.
No one doubted the killing intent and determination hidden behind his words.
As the blood red domain dissipated, Han Li once again returned to his usual warm and radiant demeanor. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he slowly descended onto the stands.
The audience remained in silence for a moment. Then, cheers and sobs intertwined, filling the stadium with chaotic noise.
On the stands, however, all the major figures remained silent, their expressions complex as they looked at Han Li.
The joys and sorrows of people were never the same. Each of them was now considering how to deal with the situation ahead. As for resistance? After witnessing the display of power from this young man, none of them had the courage to face such an opponent directly.
Bibi Dong did not rush to finalize the ceremony. The crowd needed time to vent their emotions. She wasn't foolish enough to provoke them at this moment.
Backstage, a soul master dressed in the attire of the Heaven Dou Empire disregarded the guards and ran toward them.
"Your Highness, terrible news!"
His hoarse voice fell upon the ears of those present, his mental state visibly shaken.
"Don't panic. Speak slowly."
Xue Qinghe's voice was calm and composed after all, hadn't she been prepared for this?
Offering a polite apology to those around her, she walked to the side with the official and engaged in hushed conversation.
Meanwhile, back at the stands, nearly everyone present instinctively extended their spiritual power to eavesdrop including the members of the Elder Hall, who, despite already knowing what had transpired, still played along with the act.
A few moments later, Xue Qinghe returned, forcing a faint smile but saying nothing.
Yet, most of the influential figures on the stands had already gleaned the essential information.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Treasury had been robbed. Emperor Xue Ye, who had been inside at the time, was attacked and severely injured. He was now in critical condition, teetering on the edge of life and death.
Among the stolen treasures was the Nation's Sacred Relic, and judging from the traces left at the scene, the culprit had likely used a heavy blunt weapon type martial soul suspected to be the Haotian Hammer.
Those five words "suspected to be the Haotian Hammer" were more than enough to send imaginations running wild.
The Star Luo Empire's envoys and Davis were ecstatic when they first heard the news.
But their smiles soon stiffened.
Even though they now had this information, what could they actually do?
If they could receive such intelligence so quickly, there was no way Han Li was unaware. And with his Xuantian Technique entering the promotion phase, there was no chance he would allow Star Luo to act recklessly.
Just as expected, Han Li's voice rang out.
"Grandfather Dugu, it's been a long time since you last visited Heaven Dou City. Why don't you stay there for a while?"
Dugu Bo readily agreed, and Xue Qinghe's expression visibly relaxed.
Bibi Dong, on the other hand, remained completely indifferent to everything that was unfolding. She scanned the expressions of the figures on the stands, as if looking down upon the masses from above.
All these underhanded schemes and pitiful political maneuverings… pathetic.
That "Coup d'État" had ultimately succeeded, but in the end, it was merely laying the foundation for her rise.
As the stadium quieted, she finally stepped forward again, announcing the official conclusion of the tournament. She personally handed the three spirit bones to Shui Bing'er and her team before being the first to leave.
The crowd began dispersing. On the stands, members of the Elder Hall and Xue Qinghe remained seated unsurprising to anyone.
The Star Luo delegation was the first to leave, taking Dai Mubai's corpse with them. Han Li did not stop them. In fact, he was quite curious to see how they might attempt to study it.
Before departing, Ning Fengzhi spoke briefly with Xue Qinghe. But after glancing at the figures standing beside Han Li, he decided it would be best to leave first.
As the audience scattered, news of the events spread like wildfire across the continent. Spirit Hall's regional branches also received their orders, immediately springing into action.
"I have to return to Heaven Dou City first and stabilize the situation as quickly as possible. I expect I'll be traveling between the two cities quite frequently in the future."
Qian Renxue spoke directly, no longer concealing her voice. Hearing this, the three Haotian sect members lying on the ground widened their eyes in shock.
"Mhmm. I won't see you off, then. If anything comes up, just contact me using the pendant. There will be some delay, but it's at least semi instant communication. As for the crime, just pin everything on the Haotian Sect."
Han Li chuckled, gesturing toward the three people on the ground. He wasn't concerned with the hatred in their eyes this had always been part of the plan.
Sure, some of it was pure coincidence, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that the timing was perfect, allowing for a smooth transition.
And Haotian Sect? What was one more crime added to their already blackened name?
They had already been condemned as soul beast collaborators and traitors to humanity. Theft of the empire's greatest treasure and attempted regicide were just minor additions to their growing list of sins.
As for why they supposedly did it? Who knew?
Maybe it was a mission from their supposed Soul Beast overlords. Let the conspiracy theorists speculate all they wanted.
"Understood. I'll go see my grandfather before leaving. We'll meet again soon."
"Alright, see you next time."
The next time they met, she would already be Empress provided, of course, that she could reveal her true identity by then. Watching Qian Renxue walk away confidently, Han Li couldn't help but feel a hint of anticipation.
Surveying the now mostly empty arena, he let out a long breath.
The Soul Master Tournament had ended.
But a new era had just begun.
"Time to go, Master."
Han Li turned to look at Guang Ling, who was squatting beside Tang Hao, playfully toying with him. He sighed helplessly.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. Let's go..."
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