The group that had just left Wuhun City was Han Li and his companions, now joined by Dugu Bo. The poor old man, eager to please his granddaughter, had even volunteered to drive the carriage.
In the blink of an eye, four years had passed, and they had all changed quite a bit. Their appearances had altered significantly.
However, they were still a band of handsome men and beautiful women. The childishness on their faces had vanished, and their bodies had matured considerably.
If they were in the previous world, no one would believe these people were not even twenty years old, but in the Douluo Continent, it was quite common.
After all, even the youngest, Han Li, had already celebrated his twelfth birthday, which meant he was considered an adult.
This journey was also Han Li's coming-of-age ceremony, a traditional continental tour.
However, his strength was somewhat unusual.
At twelve years old, Han Li was already a Soul King at level 59. (At this age Tang San and Xiao Wu are level 29.)
It did seem a bit high, but it was what it was.
After reconnecting with the consciousness of the plane, Han Li completely calmed down and immersed himself in cultivation.
On his eighth birthday, he successfully broke through to level 35, and then decisively consumed the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid.
The Eight Petal Immortal Orchid is the most gentle yet potent among immortal herbs.
Han Li valued its lasting medicinal properties and its ability to compensate for his slow martial soul cultivation.
Under the high-intensity influence of ice and fire elements, he indeed felt his cultivation speed decreasing.
This immortal herb was perfect for him. Three hours after consuming it, he successfully broke through to level forty.
Without needing to be told, Guang Ling took Han Li straight to the Star Dou Forest, muttering all the way, "You brat, always causing trouble. You should have just taken it earlier."
Han Li had no response. It wasn't that he didn't want to take it earlier, but he had indeed planned to delay a bit longer.
He had originally intended to further temper his body, aiming for a hundred-thousand-year ring for his fifth ring, but now he had to speed up his progress.
Of course, it wasn't just the master and disciple on this trip; Xiu'er was also with them. When Han Li took the immortal herb, he also gave her the Yearning Heartbroken Red.
Without any hesitation, Xiu'er spat out a mouthful of blood and immediately picked the flower. After a reluctant glance, she swallowed it.
After refining it, her soul power reached the level of the limit, and the overall strength of her martial soul increased by another twenty percent. The claws that had been halfway evolved came out fully.
Guang Ling compared and confirmed that Xiu'er's Purple-Gold Bear, aside from the slightly different color, could rival the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear.
Since no soul master with such a martial soul had appeared in the Douluo Continent, there was no direct comparison.
But Guang Ling was certain that even against a same-level Golden Crocodile Douluo, Xiu'er could crush it, clean and straightforward.
After a round in the Star Dou Forest, Han Li emerged at level forty-two. His new soul ring barely reached fifty thousand years, and he also obtained a right leg bone, which he directly gave to Xiu'er.
After Xiu'er absorbed the right leg bone, under the influence of Han Li's summoned obedient son, a barely ten-thousand-year-old Violent Gold Bear became her third soul ring without any resistance.
There was no helping it; the number of bear cubs was simply too few, so they had to make do.
Even so, Guang Ling, watching from the side, began to doubt his understanding of life. Since when were Violent Gold Bears this docile, not even putting up a fight?
Xiu'er also successfully obtained a left arm bone. Although soul bones from the same source are best absorbed, considering it was only ten thousand years old, she decided not to absorb it yet and kept it for future consideration.
After absorbing the soul ring, Xiu'er reached level 38. Absorbing a fifty-thousand-year soul bone, along with the Yearning Heartbroken Red and the ten-thousand-year soul ring, boosted her level by 13 in one go.
Guang Ling didn't want to speak anymore. He felt like his years of understanding had been utterly shattered. Whose maid is this fierce?
In four years, Han Li had increased his soul power by 15 levels through cultivation. When he broke through to Soul King, he obtained an eighty-thousand-year fifth soul ring, which pushed his level up by another two and a half levels.
Now, he was just half a step away from level sixty, but he deeply felt the troublesome nature of his dual Ultimate Elements.
The medicinal power of the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, which was supposed to last until level seventy, was nearly exhausted.
Maintaining a cultivation speed of over three levels a year for these four years was thanks to the assistance of Shui Bing'er and Dugu Yan through dual cultivation. This allowed him to maintain a relatively fast cultivation speed even at the Soul King stage.
Of course, this was beneficial for the two of them as well. During these four years, both of their martial souls underwent significant transformations.
Shui Bing'er's Ice Phoenix finally evolved into a true Ice Phoenix with ultimate ice attributes, reaching the pinnacle of martial souls on the continent.
As for Dugu Yan, her martial soul was initially weaker, but when Han Li offered her the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, she refused.
In her words, as long as she continued to cultivate, she would eventually possess ultimate fire. There was no need to waste such a precious immortal herb.
Given that she was older than the others, she preferred to use this period, while she didn't yet have ultimate attributes, to enhance her level through combined cultivation, so she wouldn't fall behind later.
Han Li didn't say much, just nodded silently but kept a prehistoric beast in mind as a substitute for her. After all, Sister Yan didn't like transforming into a dragon, so it would be suitable.
Dugu Yan, eighteen years old, increased her cultivation by 19 levels in four years, with soulbeast acquisitions boosting her level by six. She was now at the same level as Han Li, a level 59 Soul King.
Shui Bing'er, thirteen years old, was at level 27 after returning from soul hunting. In four years, her cultivation increased by 17 levels, and soul beast acquisitions boosted her level by 9, making her a level 53 Soul King.
Xiu'er, fifteen years old, was at level 38 after returning from soul hunting. In four years, her cultivation increased by 15, and soul beast acquisitions boosted her level by 6, making her a level 59 Soul King.
This was the current strength of their small team. Even the lowest level, Shui Bing'er, had reached level fifty-three.
The most terrifying was Xiu'er. With the enhancement of two top-tier immortal herbs, she even managed to catch up with Han Li and Dugu Yan in level.
Of course, Han Li hadn't been idle these past four years. Apart from his cultivation time, he devoted almost all his energy to improving his physical strength and mental power. Regarding the laws, he also made some progress under the guidance of his obedient son.
Through honing his abilities, Han Li's physical and mental strength fully stepped into the realm of Titled Douluo.
It could be said that his foundation had been perfectly laid, paving the way for explosive, unhindered progress in the future.
Advancement, naturally, requires opportunities.
Coincidentally, stepping out of Wuhun City now was his way of "seeking opportunities."
He was ready to venture across the continent, prepared to showcase his skills on the grand stage.
Inside the carriage, the three chatted casually, sharing some interesting anecdotes about the continent and expressing their anticipation for this training journey.
However, within just a few minutes, Dugu Yan, whose hair was gradually turning crimson, walked in from the driver's seat.
"Xiao Li, I heard from Grandpa that our first stop is Heaven Dou City? You've taken on a mission, so you can appear openly, and Grandpa is ready to announce it publicly. This time, I can finally meet Lingling, right?"
Dugu Yan stopped in front of him, visibly excited. She had been longing for this. On previous visits to Heaven Dou City, various reasons had prevented her from meeting her best friend, despite her strong desire to do so.
It had been over four years since she and Ye Lingling had only communicated through letters, to the point where she could barely remember what she looked like.
Han Li looked at her somewhat impatiently, and sure enough, he heard laughter from Shui Bing'er and Xiu'er beside him.
He had just finished saying, "Fate will guide us," and within ten minutes, she'd already proven him wrong.
"Of course, you can. You could have met her before. There was no need to hide; after all, the Heaven Dou Empire wouldn't dare show disdain to Grandfather."
Han Li nodded and pulled her into his embrace, playing with her hair.
"It's all Grandpa's fault, saying that Prince Xue Xing had saved him, which delayed things until now. But at least the favor has been repaid."
Dugu Yan shifted her position to a more comfortable one, not minding him twirling her hair in his hand.
Shui Bing'er and Xiu'er, watching this scene, also remained calm, showing no strange expressions. They were long used to it.
Over the past four years, they had spent every day together, and with the influence of their martial soul fusion technique, their feelings had long changed.
In private, the two of them had also shared more intimate moments with him, but due to their personalities, only Dugu Yan was completely unreserved about it.
Hearing Dugu Yan's words, Han Li couldn't help but smile slightly.
As for Dugu Bo, how to describe him? Although his personality was somewhat eccentric, when it came to repaying kindness, he was extremely stubborn.
What was initially planned as a half-year stay in Wuhun City has been extended until now.
Prince Xue Xing was also cunning. Knowing Dugu Bo's temperament, he kept stringing him along while treating him with great hospitality. For small matters, it wasn't necessary; for big matters, there were hardly any, leaving Dugu Bo stumped on how to repay him.
In the end, Han Li couldn't stand it any longer. Six months ago, to help others, he directly summoned his obedient son.
A carriage-pulling unicorn went berserk unexpectedly, almost piercing through Prince Xue Xing's kidney.
Fortunately, Dugu Bo was nearby at the time. With his full effort in rescue and top-grade medicinal materials, he managed to save Xue Xing's kidney.
Otherwise, even if Xue Xing could wait for the Nine Heart Flowering Apple Soul Master to arrive, his kidney would likely have been completely ruined.
Of course, after this incident, Dugu Bo and Xue Xing were even. Despite Xue Xing's efforts to retain him, Dugu Bo refused to continue serving as a guest elder and chose to become a free soul master.
This led to the recent news mentioned by Dugu Yan about his preparing to publicly join the Martial Soul Hall.
"Alright, once we reach Heaven Dou City, Grandfather's identity will be revealed, and you can find her as you wish."
"Also, you can bring Bing'er and Sister Xiu'er along too. I doubt any of you are interested in meeting the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou."
As he said this, he turned his head to seek the opinions of the two women.
"The famous Nine Heart Flowering Apple Soul Master of our time? I've heard Sister Yan mention her many times. I'd like to meet her."
Shui Bing'er nodded. Compared to carrying out official duties with Han Li, she was more interested in meeting Ye Lingling.
"I'm fine with whatever you decide, Xiao Li."
Xiu'er didn't object. She wasn't particularly interested in either option, so if Xiao Li wanted her to go along, she'd go along.
"Aren't you going?"
Dugu Yan, in his arms, twisted her body and looked up at Han Li.
"Lingling is also a great beauty, you know. She just usually wears a veil and stays low-key, so she's not well-known. Don't regret not going."
Dugu Yan squinted her eyes slightly, full of teasing meaning.
"Since you put it that way, I'll leave it to you. Don't forget, I'm on a mission. Once my identity is revealed, every action I take will likely be monitored, unlike you who enjoys your freedom."
Han Li's playful tone was evident as he pinched her cheek.
Indeed, Han Li was on a mission, both overt and covert.
On the surface, as the Holy Son of the Martial Soul Hall, it was time for him to make an appearance. His debut would represent the Martial Soul Hall's goodwill towards the Heaven Dou Empire.
After all, the Martial Soul Hall had always maintained stability, and in recent decades, their stance had been pro-Heaven Dou and stern towards Star Luo.
Additionally, the reasoning was quite logical. Han Li originally hailed from the Heaven Dou Empire and was even a viscount.
In addition, although several years have passed, the foolish moves of the Heaven Dou Empire back then are still fresh in people's memories. It's quite normal for His Highness the Holy Son to intervene and inquire about it, right? Thus, this became his first task upon making his reappearance.
Of course, secretly, he also carried Qian Daoliu's instructions to make contact with Qian Renxue.
This had no other particular meaning; the main goal was for Qian Daoliu to provoke Qian Renxue. If he could persuade her to give up the undercover mission altogether, that would be ideal. Returning now to focus entirely on cultivation wouldn't be too late.
Qian Daoliu had observed Han Li and several others around him quickly advance to the Soul King level. Even though he believed Qian Renxue was destined to become a god, he couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.
However, Qian Renxue excelled in every way except for her stubbornness. She was exceptionally obstinate. Even when Qian Daoliu informed her about Han Li and the others' rapid cultivation speed, she remained steadfast in continuing her undercover mission.
And Han Li?
This time, his task was simply to come and spar with her.
Yes, it was as straightforward as that.
His combat prowess had already been tested by Qian Daoliu, and dealing with Qian Renxue would be a walk in the park for him.
Qian Daoliu had also briefed Han Li on Qian Renxue's background: she was the daughter of the former Pope, including details of her so-called undercover plan.
Of course, Qian Daoliu still wanted to save face and withheld the most critical information. He didn't reveal who her mother was or what Qian Xunji had done.
During their conversation, Han Li feigned extreme shock and even mentioned that he had once interacted with Xue Qinghe, using a false name.
This amused Qian Daoliu. He was well aware of this and had also informed Han Li that the immortal herb Guang Ling sought back then was given to Qian Renxue.
So, when the time came, there was no need for Han Li to hold back; he should go all out for the best effect.
Han Li couldn't help but click his tongue. It seemed grandfathers on the douluo continent were quite fond of their granddaughters, but they were also truly ruthless.
First, there was Dugu Bo, who believed his granddaughter didn't deserve an external soul bone, and now there was Qian Daoliu, orchestrating a harsh encounter for his granddaughter.