Chapter 339: The Truth About the Sacrifice and Han Li's Inner Turmoil
As the unsettling aura around Han Li dissipated, Qian Daoliu looked at him with a complicated expression. Han Li didn't respond immediately but instead sat down in silence.
The room fell quiet.
Han Li carefully analyzed the visions he had seen and the implications hidden within the known information.
The so called "sacrifice" was actually just the final step in unlocking the inheritance, a process to channel divine energy and establish the connection with the god's position.
During this process, the Grand Priest served as a catalyst, using their own divine power to open the path. In fact, their soul would even be guided into the Divine Realm.
Therefore, sacrifice wasn't truly necessary as long as two compatible divine powers could form a stable connection, the ritual could be completed without loss.
More importantly, this "sacrifice" was also a test of the Grand Priest's loyalty. If they passed, they would be granted the qualification to become a divine official, achieving eternal life.
It made perfect sense.
Even the calculations of human nature had been accounted for.
After all, the Divine Realm's divine officials were meant to assist their respective gods. If their loyalty wasn't absolute, then it was considered outright betrayal. If they passed the test, immortality was granted as a reward.
As for those who inherited a god's position, they naturally didn't require such a test who would need to prove loyalty to themselves?
So in the end, the Grand Priest's final step was entirely optional and could be manually controlled. No wonder the Sea God never cared about it.
He understood now.
At this moment, he truly understood.
"Master Uncle, you don't have to die. I mean it."
Han Li looked up at Qian Daoliu and patted his own chest.
"Of course, if possible, I'd like to enter the Angel Sanctuary to take a look."
Qian Daoliu hesitated, as if wanting to say something but holding back.
"I am a devout follower of the Angel God! May the Angel above witness my vow I hold the Angel God in the highest reverence!"
Without hesitation, Han Li raised three fingers of his right hand, swearing with the utmost sincerity.
Well… he was talking about the future Angel God, Qian Renxue, so technically, it wasn't a lie, right?
Besides, on Douluo Continent, oaths were dictated by the power of the one making them.
He defined the rules, so even if he was lying, who could question it?
At that moment, Han Li's face radiated divine holiness, and a faint sacred light shone from behind him.
A complete joke.
He hadn't yet mastered Divine Holy Power, but he had seen Gu Yue demonstrate Light Laws before.
Even though he hadn't fully grasped them, imitating them a little wasn't an issue.
If he wanted, he could even summon an angelic illusion behind him, but in front of Qian Daoliu, there was no need.
Honestly, if not for giving the old man a way out, he wouldn't have bothered to fake the divine glow at all.
Qian Daoliu stared at him in complete silence, as if his faith and reason were waging an intense battle within him.
"Master Uncle, the Angel God is righteous but not inflexible."
"Xue'er has already suffered enough in her life do you really want her to remain alone even after becoming a god?"
Seeing that he had shaken Qian Daoliu's resolve, Han Li delivered the final blow.
Qian Daoliu's so called persistence was founded on two things:
His faith in the Angel God.
His love for his granddaughter.
He cared about the Spirit Hall, but at its core, it was just a byproduct of the Angel Clan's faith.
While he valued it, it was not his top priority.
Besides, if Qian Renxue successfully inherited the Angel God's position, would the Spirit Hall's future even be a problem?
Qian Daoliu's right eyelid twitched.
For some reason, he really didn't like the way that was phrased even though he knew Han Li was trying to persuade him.
"As the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, do I even need a reason to seek an audience with our god?"
"Master Uncle, you are the Grand Priest. Xue'er will soon become the new Angel God she will forgive your actions."
Han Li's silky smooth persuasion continued to pour into Qian Daoliu's ears, irritating him slightly.
"Enough! Stop talking. I agree but you must wear the proper ceremonial attire and act with reverence."
Qian Daoliu finally relented.
No one wanted to die especially after learning the true situation of the Angel God.
However, deep in his heart, he still felt guilty and silently prayed for forgiveness.
"Of course, Master Uncle! No problem at all!"
Han Li instantly dispelled his "holy light", his smile bright and cheerful.
Honestly, his biggest concern had been that Qian Daoliu would refuse outright.
If that had happened, he would've had no choice but to forcefully break into the sanctuary.
They were on the same side, after all negotiation was always better than force.
Under Qian Daoliu's scrutinizing gaze, Han Li quickly changed into the ceremonial robes of the Holy Son of Spirit Hall, then looked directly at him.
After sending a mental message to Ye LingLing, Han Li followed Qian Daoliu into the Angel Sanctuary, much to the elder's resignation.
The energy inside was incredibly dense, filtered through Law based purification to become a perfect match for Angel Martial Souls.
The spatial barriers were thin, meaning this was a small, incomplete demi plane.
Han Li analyzed the sanctuary and quickly formed a preliminary judgment.
"Xue'er will enter to cultivate in an hour."
Qian Daoliu's sudden remark caught Han Li's attention.
"Got it, Master Uncle. This won't take long I just need a quick look."
Han Li understood the underlying message Qian Daoliu didn't want Qian Renxue to know too much before completing her Divine Trials, to prevent it from affecting her growth.
Coincidentally, Han Li felt the same way.
Han Li and Qian Daoliu swiftly walked to the Angel Statue, where Han Li's gaze fell upon the Angel Holy Sword embedded before it. Unlike ordinary weapons, this was a genuine divine artifact, its rich laws and divine energy proving its authenticity.
Sensing the divine power radiating from Han Li, the Angel Holy Sword shimmered with a brilliant, pure light.
For a brief moment, Han Li had the impulse to pull it out but then he glanced at Qian Daoliu, whose sharp gaze was already locked onto him.
Han Li forced a sheepish smile. He had only entertained the thought and wasn't actually going to do it.
Technically, he could forcefully extract the sword, but doing so would disrupt the inheritance grounds, and that wouldn't be fun.
Following the Spirit Hall's ceremonial protocol, Han Li bowed before the Angel Statue before pressing his hand against the base of the sculpture.
Only a select few devout believers could do this, but with Qian Daoliu's silent approval, Han Li wasn't restricted.
Besides, he technically counted as a god himself even if he hadn't fully ascended, he was still on the path.
Activating his law based perception, Han Li quickly analyzed the intricate patterns inscribed within the structure.
Then, his eyes flashed with understanding, and he smiled.
Just as he had suspected the core mechanism of the Angel Statue was a direct connection to the Divine Realm.
At full power, it would briefly open a pathway, allowing divine energy from the Angel God's divine domain or temple to flow into this world.
Most importantly it was completely legal under the rules of the Divine Realm.
The only issue? Activating it would definitely trigger the Divine Realm's awareness.
Otherwise, Han Li really wouldn't have minded abusing this loophole to "steal" some divine energy.
What a shame.
"When the time comes, I can replace you in channeling the energy and opening the passage."
Han Li turned to Qian Daoliu with absolute certainty.
He had already examined the divine energy signatures they contained traces of the Angel God's power but had undergone neutralization, meaning they were essentially unclaimed divine energy.
It made sense.
After all, this inheritance was meant for the Grand Priest and the successor without the Angel God's active control, tricking the system was surprisingly easy.
Otherwise, how else had the Sea God managed to interfere in the original timeline?
A flicker of joy passed over Qian Daoliu's face.
After all, who would willingly choose death if given an alternative?
He then turned to Han Li.
"I can try to persuade Xue'er… but I can't guarantee success."
Though he hadn't explicitly stated that he would side with Han Li, in his heart, he had already made his decision.
"Alright, Master Uncle, let's head back for now. This might not even be our final plan."
Han Li tore open a spatial rift and pulled Qian Daoliu back to their room.
Qian Daoliu's expression stiffened this brat wasn't even pretending to be respectful anymore.
Considering that he had previously modified the Angel Sanctuary's entrance, Han Li's current skill level meant he probably didn't even need permission to enter anymore.
"Master Uncle, you should try absorbing some of the faith energy."
"Letting it flow into the Divine Realm for free is just wasteful."
"Those excess remnants of faith energy could actually be beneficial to you."
Han Li casually suggested.
Unlike Sea God Island, where faith energy was actively harvested, the Angel God's faith collection process was automated.
If Qian Daoliu siphoned a little off the top, no one would even notice.
After all, that was exactly how Han Li had been secretly boosting himself over the years.
Honestly, if Han Li had been in Qian Daoliu's position, after a century of passive absorption, even if he lacked natural talent, he would have reached the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's level.
Of course, that was only in terms of bodily transformation not raw power.
After all, the Demon Whale King had sheer age and size on its side.
That being said, with how automated the Angel God's trials were, given Han Li's "faith level," he doubted he'd ever qualify as a Grand Priest.
Qian Daoliu glanced at Han Li but remained silent.
Han Li wasn't bothered he had simply given him something to think about.
The first step had already been taken the rules had already been broken.
Even if Qian Daoliu remained reluctant, there was no going back now.
And yet, knowing his stubborn personality, Han Li felt like he would still cling to his responsibilities.
A strange contradiction.
"Tsk, I really do think like a villain sometimes."
Han Li nearly laughed at himself.
"Honestly, compared to me, you seem more like the one making preparations for the future."
Qian Daoliu, who had been sitting silently, suddenly spoke up.
"Yeah, I think so too."
Han Li's smile remained unchanged.
He was simply accustomed to planning ahead.
Calling it "preparing for the future" wasn't entirely wrong.
Over time, as his strength and understanding of the bigger picture grew, his original plans had changed multiple times.
At first, he had fully intended to forcefully drag both Spirit Hall and Qian Renxue into his scheme.
But as his power grew, and after interacting with the Soul Beast faction, his thoughts became more complex.
He had made it a priority to send all his close allies and Spirit Hall elders into divine trials, hoping to keep Qian Renxue out of the final battle.
Some of his actions weren't necessarily the most strategic choices.
Han Li was aware of this his thoughts were becoming increasingly conflicted.
Many of his decisions were instinctive rather than optimal.
When the final moment arrived, would he be able to cut ties and separate himself from those around him?
He wasn't sure.
He had promised the Soul Beast faction that at least five of them would become first rank gods.
But in the end, he might be the only one left standing.
After all, the Soul Beast faction was the only group with an undeniable reason to fight.
Ultimately, everything would depend on his final power level upon ascension.
"This is like asking a supercomputer for solutions and always getting 'Use Overwhelming Force' as the answer."
Han Li mused to himself.
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