Chapter 319: It's You, Bibi Dong From Now On, You Take the Blame!
Han Li was doing this on purpose. Ning Fengzhi was a master of opportunism, treating everything as a potential bargaining chip.
Unfortunately for him, Han Li disliked that kind of behavior. Even villains wished for good people in their own circles let alone someone like Han Li.
What he needed now was stability.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had a good reputation across the continent. Sure, Han Li could have wiped them out just like he did the Clear Sky Sect, and no one would have dared to say anything.
But he didn't want to spread fear. His primary focus was ensuring a steady stream of faith.
Even though the flow of faith would gradually decline over time, he had already planned for that Xuan Tian Gong was being introduced step by step, and upgraded versions were still to come. The peak period of benefits wasn't over yet.
He didn't want to push other factions too hard. Among them, the most unstable elements were the Star Luo Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
A bit of pressure was necessary, but compared to Star Luo, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect at least knew when to back down. They had already started pulling away from Tian Dou Empire's affairs.
Hearing Han Li's words, Ning Fengzhi's heart sank.
There was no deeper meaning he simply recognized Han Li's tactics all too well.
After all, this was exactly the kind of strategy Ning Fengzhi had used on others in the past. How could he not recognize it?
This was a problem.
Han Li had given him three chances, but it was clearly a way to probe his limits. And while it was framed as three attempts, they all knew the first offer would largely determine the direction of the negotiation.
But was fully siding with Spirit Hall or rather, with Han Li the right choice?
He had personally attended the Soul Master Tournament and knew that the alliance between Bibi Dong's faction and Han Li wasn't as harmonious as it appeared.
Even though Han Li had demonstrated overwhelming strength during that event, according to Sword Douluo, Bibi Dong wasn't just a figurehead. Just being near her gave him an overwhelming sense of danger.
Han Li was strong, but he was still young. Whether he could fully surpass Bibi Dong remained uncertain, and too many things could happen in between.
Ning Fengzhi was deeply conflicted. From the very beginning, this negotiation had been playing out at Han Li's pace, which left him uncomfortable.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi lost in thought, Han Li didn't rush him. Instead, he sipped his tea another high quality steal from Qian Renxue's stash.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong snapped out of her daze and instinctively bit her lip. This wasn't her first time interacting with Han Li. Thanks to Zhu Zhuqing, she had visited often.
This guy was definitely doing it on purpose.
She had never felt that Han Li had any special feelings toward her. Whenever they played around, his eyes were always on Zhu Zhuqing. At most, he treated her as an ordinary friend.
So petty just like Dad. Ning Rongrong mentally added, but still reached out to tug her father's sleeve, shaking her head subtly.
After everything that had happened, she was already a capable young sect master just still a bit inexperienced.
Han Li, of course, noticed their little exchange but didn't stop them. He remained calm, waiting for Ning Fengzhi's response.
After prompting her father, Ning Rongrong turned to Han Li and asked about Zhu Zhuqing. Upon learning she had left for further training, she quickly shifted the conversation elsewhere, trying to buy more time for her father.
Han Li didn't mind her little tricks and chatted with her at a steady pace. He wasn't in any rush.
After nearly five minutes, Ning Fengzhi finally raised his head.
Looking at his daughter conversing with Han Li, a trace of relief flashed in his eyes, but he smoothly took over the conversation.
"It seems the two of you get along well. You should spend more time together in the future."
He smiled at his daughter as he spoke, subtly setting the tone.
Han Li simply looked at him with a smile, nodding without saying a word waiting for what he would say next.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will stand as an ally to Holy Son Han. No matter the opponent, we will stand firmly by your side until the day you ascend to the position of Pope."
Ning Fengzhi's expression was solemn, as if he had just made some grand declaration.
But Han Li found it amusing.
Everyone knew that alliances were meant to be broken. Words like these meant nothing to him it would be foolish to take them seriously.
"Didn't the Clear Sky Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan hear similar promises before?"
Han Li took a sip of tea and lazily lifted his gaze to meet Ning Fengzhi's.
"Let's be direct, Sect Master Ning spare me the empty words. I want something tangible. I don't need your friendship, nor do I lack it."
"And I think you've misunderstood something. The position of Pope doesn't interest me. If I wanted it, it wouldn't be difficult to take do you understand?"
Han Li's tone was casual, but his overwhelming confidence made it clear he wasn't bluffing. Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but furrow his brows he had misjudged Han Li's goals from the start.
And Han Li wasn't making things up.
Qian Renxue was already managing Tian Dou's affairs, and she had even spoken to Qian Daoliu about removing Bibi Dong from power entirely.
Han Li had simply refused.
He had no interest in dealing with such matters. As long as Spirit Hall aligned with his broader goals and continued to provide him with advantages, that was enough.
Bibi Dong was better off staying as Pope. Wasn't it preferable to have enemies out in the open? Who knew if, after stepping down, she'd become even more twisted? Worse yet, her Rakshasa God Trial might gain even more momentum.
With her singular focus on destroying the Qian family and Spirit Hall, this setup worked perfectly. At the very least, she wouldn't stray from her path and was diligently working toward her goal. How dedicated. And with Han Li having moved the Worship Hall members elsewhere, she now had even more room to operate.
"So, what do you want?"
After a long silence, Ning Fengzhi finally couldn't hold back anymore.
The issue was that his entire strategy had been moving in one direction, only to be told that direction was completely wrong. What was the point of continuing his thought process then?
"What do I want? Naturally, I want your sect to become part of Spirit Hall. That way, there wouldn't be a need for any negotiations at all. Don't you agree, Sect Master Ning?"
Han Li put down his teacup, smiling.
"That's impossible."
Ning Fengzhi blurted out the response almost instantly, as did Gu Rong behind him. Only Ning Rongrong frowned but remained silent.
"Don't be so absolute. Nothing in this world is truly impossible, is it?"
Han Li looked at the two men bristling with anger and chuckled.
"Here, I'll give you a piece of information. Our esteemed Pope, Bibi Dong, has a plan a little something called the 'Spirit Empire' initiative. Now that you know, do you still think it's impossible?"
"Oh, right. There's even a preliminary phase to the plan, something called… 'Soul Hunt Operation.' Quite fitting, don't you think?"
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong's breaths hitched. Their anger quickly gave way to shock.
They had speculated about this before, but never had they imagined that one day they'd hear confirmation straight from the Holy Son of Spirit Hall.
Taking a deep breath, Ning Fengzhi suppressed his swirling thoughts and locked eyes with Han Li.
"You and her don't get along that well, do you? Won't you try to stop her? If she succeeds, perhaps you'll be her next target."
He was still trying to extract more information while sowing discord between them.
"Hmm, you're right. My relationship with her is terrible my master even wants to beat her up. But why should I stop her? Does it harm Spirit Hall? I don't even want to be Pope why should I care?"
Han Li nonchalantly fed him the information he wanted.
Ning Fengzhi was stunned.
That's right he had forgotten. Han Li had already said he didn't care about being Pope. With his strength and the fame he had gained from introducing Xuan Tian Gong, who could even challenge him?
"What's certain is that once she initiates her plan, the entire power structure of the continent will shift. Tell me, what do you think will happen to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? You are, after all, one of the three upper sects."
Han Li gave Ning Fengzhi a meaningful look, thoroughly enjoying the way his expression shifted.
"Qinghe… is already one of yours?"
Ning Fengzhi's voice wavered as he abruptly looked up, his face filled with conflict.
Han Li didn't answer, merely giving him a polite smile. If you had the conclusion, working backward wasn't that difficult.
"You will participate in this as well?"
Ning Fengzhi asked another seemingly random question.
"I am the Holy Son of Spirit Hall. If the Pope commands it, how could I not obey?"
Han Li answered flippantly.
For a moment, the hall was filled only with the sound of breathing.
"If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect joins Spirit Hall, what will happen to us?"
Ning Fengzhi's voice was hoarse, as if saying those words required immense effort.
"That depends on your decision. But overall, I can assure you your treatment won't be bad. After all, your martial soul has its own value, doesn't it?"
Han Li swirled the tea in his cup, watching the liquid ripple.
"Even if we were to align with Bibi Dong's side, you don't seem to care much."
Ning Fengzhi was struggling to read Han Li. He hadn't even bothered offering them any terms it didn't feel like a real attempt to recruit them.
"I'm not planning on becoming Pope. What benefits could you possibly offer me?"
Han Li's words made Gu Rong's face flush red with anger. The sheer dismissiveness felt like an outright insult.
"Hah…"
Ning Fengzhi exhaled deeply and pulled Gu Rong back into his seat. His gaze toward Han Li was complicated.
In the past, wherever he went, wasn't he always the center of attention?
Yet in Han Li's eyes, he, his people, and even the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were utterly insignificant. The psychological gap was difficult to process.
"I need time to think. Rest assured, no one else will hear of this conversation."
Ning Fengzhi's voice carried a hint of bitterness. Even if he wanted to speak, who would he tell Star Luo Empire?
"I'll be leaving in seven days."
Han Li lifted his teacup, took a sip, and didn't even bother standing up as he watched the three of them, looking somewhat lost, pull their cloaks back on and step onto their carriage.
"So indecisive."
Han Li muttered as he watched the door close behind them. He shook his head and stood up, making his way to the courtyard.
The more time they wasted, the less valuable they would be.
Still, Bibi Dong was proving quite useful saving him a great deal of effort. She was the perfect scapegoat for the future.
(End of Chapter)
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