Chapter 337: The Subtle Manipulations of the Divine Realm and a Misaligned Comprehension, Two More Participants in the God Trials
"Alright, release your aura."
Compared to the excitement of the others and the Ice Bear King's tribulation, Han Li remained calm and composed.
Now that he had further strengthened his affinity with rules, while he still couldn't fully control them, weakening them was no longer difficult.
More importantly, he understood the nature of this Heavenly Tribulation.
Yes he saw through it.
Aside from the Lightning Law, the tribulation also contained hidden traces of Judgment and Destruction Laws.
They were weak but they were slyly concealed within the Lightning Law itself.
This was, without a doubt, the handiwork of Shura and Destruction, which explained why even lightning attribute soul beasts struggled to overcome Heavenly Tribulations.
In a world like Douluo Continent, where comprehending laws was extremely rare, most soul beasts would never detect this manipulation.
Even if they prepared for their tribulation, they would only focus on resisting lightning, while remaining completely vulnerable to the hidden Judgment and Destruction Laws.
Or rather, soul beasts like Bi Ji and Blue Silver Emperor, who had life based attributes, would actually have an easier time surviving a tribulation.
Because beyond raw power, they had an innate counter to these hidden laws.
Tch. The Divine Realm's old schemers… Han Li muttered internally but remained unfazed as he suppressed the laws.
Lightning Law → Suppressed by 50%
Judgment Law → Suppressed by 30% (thanks to Slaughter God Domain)
Destruction Law → Not touched.
Even if the Divine Realm wasn't watching, Han Li had no intention of interfering with Destruction just yet.
After all, thanks to Gu Yue, he had already begun comprehending Creation Laws.
And this Heavenly Tribulation was the perfect opportunity to observe Destruction Laws he wouldn't waste it.
As for the Ice Bear King?
Honestly, even without Han Li's interference, it could have survived this tribulation.
Now that he had weakened it so much, if it still failed, it could only mean it was destined to die.
When the tribulation reached its final phase, he would try extracting a wisp of Destruction Law as long as he did it without alerting anyone.
Ignoring the surprised delight on the faces of the Three Rulers of the Extreme North, Han Li focused entirely on comprehending Destruction Law.
Of course, ever reliable Qian Daoliu had already stepped forward when Han Li closed his eyes, standing between him and the three soul beast rulers, glowing golden with spirit energy.
On the ice covered battlefield, the tribulation raged.
The Ice Bear King stood at its center as blue white lightning crashed down.
But for soul beasts that had undergone tribulations before, and even for the Ice Bear King experiencing its first, the damage felt underwhelming.
The lightning wasn't weak, but for soul beasts with incredibly strong physical bodies, it was manageable.
Even as the Ice Bear King was charred black and bleeding, its life force never weakened in fact, it was using the lightning to purify its soul power.
A process eerily similar to how Super Douluos refine their energy after reaching that stage.
But from Han Li's perspective, the scene looked entirely different.
Under the influence of three different laws, the Ice Bear King's original laws perhaps remnants of Ice Law within its bloodline, or even its soul energy were being rapidly eroded by the tribulation.
The Heavenly Tribulation was subtly attacking its very soul.
Though its regenerative abilities allowed it to physically become stronger, most of the law fragments it had accumulated over its long life were being erased.
Only a small portion managed to fuse into its body as instinct the rest was completely wiped away.
...Damn, the Divine Realm is vicious. Even Han Li couldn't help but admire their cruelty.
On the surface, soul beasts that survived Heavenly Tribulations became stronger.
Because some of their rules fused into their instincts, their affinity with laws would increase.
But most of their efforts in comprehending laws would be wasted.
They gained strength but at the cost of severing their future potential.
And since each tribulation was stronger than the last, given the current rules of Douluo Continent, comprehending laws was already difficult.
Aside from God Trials, all knowledge about laws was deliberately hidden.
So by the time soul beasts reached their next tribulation, even if they had trained hard, at best, they would barely counter the law erosion they suffered.
And if you had better talent, you'd just survive a few extra tribulations nothing more.
Unless…
You had explosive growth, like Deep Sea Demon Whale King, evolving so quickly that tribulations couldn't keep up.
Or you had a privileged background, like Gu Yue or Di Tian, with actual knowledge about laws.
Even then?
It was still unbelievably difficult.
Otherwise, why do you think Di Tian kept delaying his tribulation?
And even if you managed to comprehend laws and endure tribulations…
Congratulations.
You've just entered the Divine Realm's radar.
At best? Game Over.
Han Li pushed these thoughts aside. This was just an extra discovery his real focus was still on Destruction Law.
The tribulation was weakening he wouldn't have many more chances.
Then, something odd happened.
The more he focused on Destruction Law, the faster he comprehended Creation Law instead.
By the time the tribulation was about to end, Han Li followed his plan and extracted a trace of Destruction Law, sealing it inside his body.
But… compared to before?
His Creation Law comprehension had improved far more than his Destruction Law comprehension.
This left Han Li completely conflicted.
He had always been aligned with destruction.
Whether it was his Ice Fire Origin, his slaughter based combat style, or even his identity as an agent of the Fourth Calamity, he should have naturally resonated with Destruction.
But now?
His progress in Destruction Law was mediocre at best.
Meanwhile, Creation Law comprehension skyrocketed.
…Was he walking the wrong path this entire time?
Han Li sorted out his emotions. Regardless, this was still a gain his deeper comprehension of Creation Law was an unexpected delight.
"I am not one for slaughter. If I reveal Creation Law, who could possibly refute me?" Han Li amused himself with the thought.
At the edge of the square, the Ice Bear King's aura had strengthened, steadily recovering. Meanwhile, Shui Bing'er was nearing the end of absorbing her spirit ring.
More precisely, she was already absorbing the head spirit bone. Since the 100,000 year Snow Lotus had no intelligence, it posed absolutely no challenge for her to refine.
"Adapt to the new cultivation method as soon as possible. It's more important than you think."
Han Li turned to the three rulers of the Extreme North, dropping a seemingly random statement. There was no need to explain further knowing too much at this point would only add to their troubles.
He never expected that the modified Xuantian Skill, originally created just to pacify the soul beast race, would turn out to be a true treasure for them.
The higher one's bloodline level and innate talent, the greater the effect, making future tribulations much easier to withstand.
Han Li shook his head instinctively then paused.
The next second, the golden threads of Fate surrounding him thickened slightly.
Wasn't this also an embodiment of Fate's power?
This is fantastic. A broad smile spread across Han Li's face.
From the moment he awakened his awareness, he had always been walking the right path.
Compared to Destruction Law, Fate Law was far easier to comprehend.
About half an hour passed before Shui Bing'er and the Ice Bear King finished their cultivation and approached.
Shui Bing'er's progress was complete the next step was to travel with Dugu Yan and begin the God Trials.
Meanwhile, the Ice Bear King, Xiao Bai, lowered itself to the ground in reverence and even offered up its faith energy.
Among all living beings present, aside from Snow Empress, Han Li had now become its highest priority existence.
Han Li couldn't help but sigh.
Compared to human soul masters, gaining the loyalty of soul beasts was far easier.
Even within the upper ranks of the Spirit Hall, despite all the benefits they had received, their faith energy contributions were... not worth mentioning.
They would follow orders, but faith was a different matter.
After sending off Ice Bear King and Titan Snow Demon King, Han Li led his group now including Snow Empress and the ever clinging Ice Empress toward the Icefire Glacier Cave.
The distance wasn't far.
With their speed, they arrived in just a dozen minutes.
Amidst a land of glaciers, streams of molten lava flowed gently, billowing mist into the sky.
Yet, as the mist drifted further away, it rapidly condensed into snowflakes and ice crystals, descending back to the ground.
The scene was truly spectacular.
However, there were no soul beasts in this area.
"For ordinary soul beasts, the conflicting attributes here make this place extremely unwelcoming," Snow Empress explained upon seeing Han Li's puzzled expression.
"And even if some stray too close, they end up being hunted by stronger predators. Over time, this area became abandoned."
Beside her, Ice Empress grinned.
Aside from those damned flying soul beasts, her Ice Jade Scorpion clan was one of those powerful hunters that dominated this region.
But Han Li, even noticing her expression, paid her no mind.
He wasn't here to sightsee or study the soul beast food chain of the Extreme North.
Turning around, he looked at Dugu Yan and Shui Bing'er.
"Do you feel it?"
Both of them nodded simultaneously, their gazes locked on the ice field at the center of the lava.
They could clearly sense something calling to them an overwhelming, irresistible presence.
Han Li could feel it too, but he had no intention of approaching.
Hearing Han Li's question and seeing the girls' reactions, both Snow Empress and Ice Empress wore complicated expressions.
After experiencing mental synchronization, they had some idea of Han Li's purpose.
But the fact that a God Trial site existed within their own territory and they couldn't even sense it was a bitter pill to swallow.
"Alright, off you go then," Han Li said lightly.
"Xiu'er and Zhuqing's progress is already ahead of you two. I still need to take LingLing to her trial."
Hugging them briefly, Han Li gently nudged them forward.
In his eyes, while Rong Nianbing's Trial had strange conditions, it might actually offer the greatest benefits among all the God Trials they had encountered.
Unlike the gods of the original Douluo Divine Realm, Han Li had no allegiance to any faction.
Strictly speaking, he was simply planning to escape so he had zero reservations about giving his chosen candidates the best possible advantages.
"Alright. LingLing, you work hard too."
Having long prepared themselves, the two girls bid farewell to Ye LingLing before leaping toward the center of the ice field.
In the blink of an eye, they vanished before everyone's eyes.
"...Now I must trouble the two of you," Han Li turned to Snow Empress and Ice Empress, flashing a polite smile.
"If they emerge early and need assistance, please take care of them."
Then, his tone turned more serious.
"That said, during their trial, I strongly advise you not to approach. If the Divine Realm detects your presence, it won't be a good thing for you."
Snow Empress and Ice Empress both nodded, though their expressions remained somewhat conflicted.
Still, Han Li's attitude made them feel slightly better about the situation.
(Chapter End)
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