At the top floor of the Moon Pavilion, the faint sound of strings and bamboo instruments drifted up from below, pleasant and melodious.
Tang San, somewhat excited, straightened his appearance and stepped away from Tang Hao's embrace. It was as if he had become a different person. He was a little reluctant to leave his father's arms, as this was one of the few moments of fatherly love he had experienced in both of his lives.
"Father, you finally agreed to see me."
Tang San's eyes were a little wet. Nine years had passed since he had turned six, and he had finally found his father.
"Yes, Xiao San, you've grown up."
Tang Hao praised him, though he looked at his son with a bit of discomfort. Just a few months ago, his son had been quite thin, but now he had grown tall and muscular. He could no longer see any trace of either himself or Ah Yin in his son.
"Brother Hao, let Xiao San sit down first."
Tang Yuehua, who was beside them, looked at Tang San with sparkling eyes. This was her first time meeting her nephew, and she thought that a bit of sturdiness suited him well.
"Father, who is this?"
Tang San, not used to her gaze, asked somewhat awkwardly.
"Your aunt," Tang Hao casually replied, pointing to a nearby chair, and motioning for him to sit down.
Tang San, upon hearing this, wanted to greet her properly, but Tang Yuehua pulled him over and seated him in the chair.
"Good child, we're all family, no need to be so formal," Tang Yuehua said with a warm smile, feeling even more satisfied with Tang San. Talented and well-mannered, she liked him more the longer she looked at him.
Seeing that Tang San still wanted to say something, Tang Hao raised his hand to stop him.
"Alright, from now on, I'll talk, and you listen. If you don't understand something, just ask, and I'll answer all your questions."
Tang San nodded, a look of joy appearing on his face.
Tang Yuehua watched the father and son communicate, occasionally adding a sentence or two. The atmosphere was harmonious.
...
While the Tang family gathered, Han Li was busy revising the simplified version of Mysterious Heaven Skill.
This wasn't the first version he had created. After testing, the previous versions were found to be too powerful. Yes, too powerful.
This was the technique he intended to release across the entire continent at the end of the Soul Master Tournament, using it to harvest the first wave of faith. The faith produced by soul masters was stronger than that of ordinary people.
It wasn't that Han Li couldn't release the original version of Mysterious Heaven Skill, but doing so would create a problem: there wouldn't be enough soul beasts to go around.
You see, once the technique was released, it wouldn't just be those without innate soul power who would choose to cultivate it. Even those with low innate soul power would practice it, and these people made up the majority of soul masters.
For ordinary people, it might take a few years before they'd be able to obtain even the lowest-level soul rings. But these soul masters would undoubtedly breakthrough in a short time, leading to a surge in demand for soul rings.
During his revisions, Han Li realized that even after weakening the simplified version as much as possible, the breakthrough results were still terrifyingly good. This was a technique that guaranteed rewards as long as you worked hard. Talent merely affected the speed of soul power growth.
After dozens of revisions, he finally managed to control the effects so that it was only slightly better than the basic meditation technique—just a little better. The focus was more on activating soul power, ensuring that it wouldn't cause too much ecological strain in the short term.
Of course, he was well aware that even so, this would be enough to drive noble soul masters—and even some members of Spirit Hall—into a frenzy. But compared to traditional noble soul masters, Spirit Hall would be relatively less resistant.
What Han Li was doing was digging at their foundations. However, he didn't care. He had already communicated with Qian Daoliu, and with the Hall of Worship behind him, he had passed the early stages of development and could bear the consequences.
As for convincing Qian Daoliu, the reason was simple: two gods in one hall. Han Li also promised that for the next hundred years, he wouldn't compete for the faith of the Angel God. He even agreed to protect Qian Renxue. Qian Daoliu couldn't find a reason to refuse.
Of course, Qian Daoliu also prayed to the Angel God as promised, but unfortunately, there was no response.
This time, he didn't persist, finally making his stance more flexible. No opposition meant tacit approval. Though deep down, he was reluctant to admit that he was doing this for his beloved granddaughter.
With the top boss handled, what could the others do, even if they went crazy? Once Han Li's technique spread, he would represent the majority.
With the high-end combat forces unable to do anything to him, the lower-level army—well, it should be known that the vast majority of the army were just ordinary people. If the two empires wanted to maintain control, they would have no choice but to grit their teeth and accept it—unless they wanted to hand over their armies to Spirit Hall.
Or perhaps Han Li's actions had touched on their bottom line. Noble soul masters still had certain advantages, after all. Their martial soul was stronger, their talents better, but they could no longer act with impunity.
With such a large base, geniuses would eventually emerge. You wouldn't want to see a world full of Avengers, would you?
As for Spirit Hall, Han Li wasn't stingy. He planned to release the original version of Mysterious Heaven Skill there. Of course, before learning it, they would have to swear an oath in Han Li's name, promising not to leak it without permission.
In Han Li's current position, akin to the Heavenly Father of the Douluo Continent, once the oath was made, breaking it would lead to severe consequences, as the ever-present rules would show them what cruelty meant.
As for the soul beasts—well, setting aside whether the two core figures even considered the soul beasts on the continent as their kin, even if they did, they could only tolerate it for now. By then, the Divine Realm would surely take notice.
From the perspective of the Divine Realm, Han Li's actions would align perfectly with their interests. His strategy to wipe out the soul beasts would be seen as a brilliant move.
Once their attention shifted away, it would be time for Han Li to head to the Star Dou Forest.
Han Li glanced at the three books on the table in front of him: the simplified version, the original version, and the upgraded version of Mysterious Heaven Skill.
The upgraded version had only one effect: bypassing the rules and condensing soul rings on one's own. It wasn't yet fully complete, but it was enough to serve as a tempting promise.
He would continue to adjust it according to the situation and release it at the right time, further harvesting faith while quietly driving change.
Han Li's eyes deepened. If he succeeded, the technique would no longer be necessary. The rules would be his to change at will. If he failed, this would be one of the escape routes he had left behind.
Han Li put away the cultivation manual and immersed himself in further training—his strength still needed improvement.
The night gradually deepened, and the lights were extinguished one by one.
....
After a restful night, Yu Xiaogang felt all his fatigue melt away.
Standing in front of the mirror, he straightened his clothes and almost saw the version of himself from over twenty years ago. However, the increasingly greenish tint of his hair after his body transformation was still something he wasn't used to.
Still, he looked younger this way. Comforting himself with this thought, Yu Xiaogang stepped out of the hotel and walked steadily toward the Pope's Palace.
At the foot of the mountain, two guards stopped him.
"The Spirit Hall is a restricted area. Please leave."
Two gleaming long spears crossed in front of Yu Xiaogang, forcing him to take a few steps back.
"I need to see your Pope. Please inform her."
Yu Xiaogang, with a trace of arrogance, lifted his head and looked at the two guards, sweeping his hand over his waist. A token appeared in his hand.
"An elder's token?"
One of the guards scrutinized Yu Xiaogang and the token in his hand, seemingly unsure.
"Of course."
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly and tossed the token to the guard.
The guard carefully caught it, confirmed its authenticity, and respectfully handed it back with both hands.
"Greetings, Elder."
Both guards bowed in unison, which pleased Yu Xiaogang.
After the salute, the first guard whispered something into the ear of his companion before running up the mountain.
The other guard remained in place, still blocking Yu Xiaogang. They were doubtful about this honorary elder who appeared so weak, but the token was genuine, so they had to follow protocol.
Yu Xiaogang, not impatient, nostalgically took in the surroundings while mentally rehearsing how he should approach Bibi Dong later.
In less than ten minutes, the guard who had gone up the mountain returned, accompanied by another guard dressed slightly differently from the others.
"Follow me. Her Majesty the Pope has instructed me to lead you to a side hall to wait. She has matters to attend to and will see you afterward."
The new guard never mentioned the honorary elder title, which only deepened the confusion in the two guards' eyes. This irked Yu Xiaogang, but since he needed their help, he nodded and silently followed the guard up the mountain.
Along the way, Yu Xiaogang tried to inquire about Bibi Dong's situation, but the guard gave no response.
It wasn't until they arrived at a secluded palace that the guard stopped and pointed inside.
"You may wait here for the Pope's summons. Please make yourself comfortable."
Without waiting for Yu Xiaogang's response, the guard turned and left.
Yu Xiaogang wanted to call out to him, but seeing a patrol team approaching, he hesitated and instead stepped into the hall.
He waited for an entire hour. The premium tea that had been served by the maids had lost its flavor by the time clear footsteps echoed from outside the hall.
"No guards are needed here. Go elsewhere. And without my orders, no one is to disturb me."
A cold yet authoritative female voice sounded outside the hall.
"Understood."
Immediately, Yu Xiaogang heard the sound of the guards departing.
She's here.
Yu Xiaogang froze for a moment, then adjusted his posture and sat upright, his gaze fixed on the doorway.
A woman walked in.
She wore a luxurious black robe adorned with golden patterns, a nine-curved purple-gold crown on her head, and held a two-meter-long staff embedded with countless gems. Her pale skin and near-perfect features made her stand out, appearing almost otherworldly.
The aura of nobility and divinity that surrounded her made it difficult not to feel a sense of reverence and awe.
Yu Xiaogang remained seated as the woman entered, and she stopped after stepping through the door.
Their gazes met in the air without a single spark igniting.
Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but lower his head, feeling a sense of inferiority in front of her.
Bibi Dong noticed him lower his head and let out a soft sneer, though it was unclear whether she was laughing at him or herself. But soon, her expression softened again.
"You've come?"
"Yes, I've come."
Bibi Dong remained standing, not moving closer. Yu Xiaogang stood up but still kept his head lowered.
For a moment, the hall was filled with silence.
"How have you been, Bibi Dong?"
After a long while, Yu Xiaogang squeezed out a sentence and finally lifted his head to look at her.
"Bibi Dong? Heh."
Bibi Dong let out a self-deprecating laugh, walked past Yu Xiaogang, and seated herself in the main chair.
"If you're not calling me 'Dong'er,' then you should address me as 'Your Majesty the Pope.'"
The staff in her hand struck the floor heavily as she worked hard to maintain control over her twisted expression.
"Yes, Your Majesty the Pope."
Yu Xiaogang stiffly turned around, the head he had just raised now bowed again.
Bibi Dong's grip tightened on her staff as her eyes filled with conflict—both sorrow and anger—but she said nothing more.
"Alright, sit down. Why have you come to see me? It's been twenty years since we last met, hasn't it?"
Bibi Dong regained her composure, seemingly curious about his answer.
Yu Xiaogang bent over, took a deep breath, and when he sat back down, met her eyes again.
"I've come to ask for your help."
He forced himself to maintain eye contact with Bibi Dong, despite his urge to look away.
"What help?"
A faint flicker of joy crossed Bibi Dong's eyes. He hadn't avoided her gaze, and her voice softened a little.
There's hope, Yu Xiaogang's heart raced.
"I want to know how you overcame the challenge of having twin martial souls."
Bibi Dong's grip on her staff tightened again, the light in her eyes dimming. What had she been expecting?
"Why?"
She asked, though she already knew the answer—or perhaps she was asking something more.
Yu Xiaogang thought she was wavering and hurriedly said, "My disciple is just like you—he also has twin martial souls. I hope he can become as strong as you."
"On the entire Douluo Continent, only you have solved this problem on your own..."
He even flattered her.
"Enough. Be quiet."
Bibi Dong's voice turned cold again, cutting off Yu Xiaogang's rambling.
"Don't think for a moment that I don't know your disciple is Tang Hao's son. Do you expect me to give you a method so he can oppose me in the future?"
Yu Xiaogang shuddered and raised his voice in shock: "How do you know?"
"Why wouldn't I know?"
Bibi Dong sneered. This wasn't something she had only recently learned. Even if she hadn't known before, the news had already spread widely by now. Did he think she was a fool?
She tossed a document in front of Yu Xiaogang. He picked it up, and after reading its contents, his vision darkened, and he collapsed into the chair.
"This..."