By evening, Han Li finally woke up on his own and stopped cultivating.
Well, it was simply because he was hungry. This is one downside of being in the Douluo Continent. Even someone like Guang Ling, who had already become a Titled Douluo, still had to eat regularly, and the amount of food needed was quite alarming.
Touching his empty stomach, Han Li got up and headed toward the platform above.
As soon as he got there, he smelled something delicious. Guang Ling and Dugu Yan were already present.
"Where's Senior?" Han Li asked casually.
"Grandpa said there's a kind of soul-beast meat nearby that's very tasty. He went to catch and prepare it, and he should be back soon," Dugu Yan replied without lifting her head.
Just as she finished speaking, Dugu Bo's voice echoed from the sky, "I'm back. You weren't waiting too long, were you?"
"Your timing is perfect, Senior. I just finished cultivating," Han Li replied with a smile.
"Perfect, try this venison. I caught a young one today. Let me show you my cooking skills," Dugu Bo said, raising his eyebrows at his future son-in-law and grand daughter, indicating he would personally handle the cooking.
As they chatted, dinner turned out to be quite lively.
Yes, Han Li confirmed that Dugu Bo's cooking was indeed quite good and could be called delicious.
After dinner, the four did not disperse. Instead, they moved four lounge chairs and lay down, leisurely enjoying the night breeze and the starry sky.
"Senior, Master brought the secret medicine today. Tomorrow, I'll be looking after Sister Yan when she takes it," Han Li turned to the left and spoke to Dugu Bo.
"Is there anything I can help with? Just let me know," Dugu Bo replied, slightly straightening up.
"No, there's no risk involved. It's just a bit unpleasant to take."
"Yes, you'd better prepare in advance. After taking the secret medicine, Sister Yan will probably need to bathe immediately. It would be best if you prepare more bathwater," Han Li said with a smile, thinking of something.
"Sure, no problem," Dugu Bo agreed, saying it was a small matter.
"By the way, Senior, after Sister Yan's martial soul evolves, Master and I are planning to leave. I've found a lead for my third soul ring, and we're likely going to the Star Dou Forest. Do you and Sister Yan have any plans?" Han Li asked casually, as he usually did during their chats.
Hearing this, Dugu Bo and his granddaughter were taken aback. They looked at each other. They had been so excited during this time that they had forgotten to consider this issue.
"Are you heading straight back to Wuhun City after you're done?" Dugu Bo sat up.
"Most likely, we've been away for quite a while now, and it's time to return," Guang Ling said lazily, expressing his stance.
"Yes, I agree with Master. Although Heaven Dou is great, it's not a place for us to stay long," Han Li concurred.
Dugu Bo didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at his granddaughter and then at Han Li, falling into deep thought.
After a while, Dugu Bo spoke again.
"Xiao Li, logically speaking, since I've decided to follow you, I should go with you to Wuhun City. I don't have much attachment to the Heaven Dou Empire; at most, there are some organizations here that aren't very important. But I still owe a significant favor that I need to repay here. How about this: I'll have Yan Yan go with you first, and in at most a year—no, six months—I'll find a way to settle my debt, and then I'll join you. What do you think?"
Dugu Bo spoke in a tentative tone.
"Senior, you can make your own decisions. We agreed earlier that you would only be responsible for protecting me, so there's no need to talk about the following. I won't restrict your freedom. Moreover, once I return to Wuhun City, there won't be any danger. Take your time with your matters," Han Li replied.
"As for Sister Yan..."
Han Li leaned back and met Dugu Yan's gaze. She had turned her attention to him upon hearing their conversation. Smiling, Han Li asked, "Sister Yan, what are your thoughts? Will you return to Wuhun City with me, or go later with Senior?"
"I'll go with you and join the Spirit Hall directly," Dugu Yan replied concisely, surprising Han Li.
Seeing his surprise, Dugu Yan continued, "I've wanted to visit Wuhun City for a long time. I've heard that the current Pope is a woman, and I want to see her for myself. I had planned to join the Spirit Hall Academy, but the people in the Heaven Dou Empire were too weak. However, Grandpa told me he has a nemesis in the Spirit Hall, so I didn't go."
She glanced at Dugu Bo, who was smiling sheepishly and did not oppose her decision.
What? Who would have thought you, Dugu Yan, were actually a fan of Bibi Dong?
Han Li quickly recovered and chuckled to himself. It made sense, though. Powerful female soul masters were rare on the continent, and Bibi Dong was one of the top experts and the Pope of the Martial Soul Hall. It wasn't surprising that Dugu Yan admired her.
Unfortunately, you'll be disappointed. Once you choose to stand by my side, Bibi Dong won't be friendly to you.
"Alright, Sister Yan, let's go to Wuhun City together. If you want to join the academy, I'll arrange for you to be admitted," Han Li replied cheerfully.
"Hmm? You're not going with me to the academy?" Dugu Yan looked at him in surprise.
"The academy? I've only visited; I've never attended, and I don't intend to," Han Li said, shifting to a more comfortable position.
"Then how do you usually cultivate? At home?" Dugu Yan asked curiously.
"Yes, Master created a specialized mimicry environment for me to cultivate in. I also have dedicated personnel for various types of knowledge learning. With my current learning progress, I can graduate from the academy anytime as long as I reach the required level. For practical combat, I have Master and Martial Uncle to spar with."
"I have everything the academy offers and more. Why would I need to go?"
"Oh, by the way, I have a sister I grew up with. When we get to Wuhun City, I'll introduce you to her. If you're going to the academy, you can try to persuade her to join you, so she doesn't spend all her time buried in cultivation," Han Li replied casually, eyes half-closed, enjoying the feeling of the wind brushing against his face.
"No wonder you don't want to go to the academy with such excellent cultivation conditions," Dugu Yan said with a hint of envy. Her family used to have a mimicry environment for cultivation, but after her father's death, Dugu Bo ordered it to be sealed.
Moreover, although Dugu Bo wasn't exactly poor, he was far from wealthy. His methods weren't suited for making money, and he refused to align himself with any faction. Supporting her cultivation was feasible, but creating a separate mimicry environment for her was unrealistic.
That's why, despite having a titled grandfather at home, she chose to join the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, mainly to use their mimicry environment for cultivation.
"Well, Sister Yan, when you get to Wuhun City, you can also use these resources with me. I can't use them all by myself anyway. If that doesn't work, we can always spend some money to create a new mimicry environment for you," Han Li said generously.
Is the Martial Soul Hall this wealthy? Do they provide mimicry environments upon joining?
Both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan looked surprised, scrutinizing the master and disciple reclining in the same posture on their lounge chairs, as if seeing bags of gold soul coins.
Noticing their gazes, Guang Ling opened his eyes and said irritably, "What are you thinking? Xiao Li meant he could spend his own money to create a mimicry environment for you."
Before Dugu Yan could respond, Dugu Bo spoke up first, "Is Xiao Li that wealthy?"
"What do you think? This kid probably has more wealth than I do now," Guang Ling replied nonchalantly. "Of course, he earned it all himself. The secret medicine your granddaughter is going to take tomorrow was developed by him, and he chose to sell it to the Martial Soul Hall. Do you think he lacks money?"
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan exchanged glances and fell silent. Compared to Han Li, they felt like mere novices.
"Senior, Sister Yan, don't listen to my master exaggerate. I've only earned a little bit. Besides, we're all going to be on the same side, and you wouldn't be interested in my small assets anyway. Sister Yan coming with us to Wuhun City is like being far from home. A mimicry environment is the least I can offer," Han Li said, sitting up from his lounge chair with a sincere smile.
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, familiar with his usual smile, found it dazzling at this moment, radiating the brilliance of gold soul coins and cultivation resources.
The rest of the night passed without further conversation.
As the morning sunlight filtered through the mist and into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the group woke from their cultivation.
Han Li stretched, easing his legs, which were stiff from sitting cross-legged, and then walked outside. Perhaps due to the resurgence of the aura within his martial soul, his recovery was progressing faster than expected. At this rate, he would be fully recovered in just five days.
Today was the day he had agreed to help Dugu Yan take the "secret medicine." He decided to treat it as a break for himself.
After a quick wash, he headed up to the platform.
"Good morning, Senior. Good morning, Sister Yan," he greeted as soon as he saw the grandfather and granddaughter standing in front of the small wooden cabin, waiting for him.
Seeing him, Dugu Bo didn't waste any words. He turned and descended into the basin below, leaving space for the two of them. Judging by the direction, he was likely going to find Guang Ling.
"Sister Yan, do you have everything ready?" Han Li asked with a smile, turning to confirm with Dugu Yan once more.
"Don't worry, everything is in here," Dugu Yan replied, patting a bag hanging at her waist to indicate she was prepared.
"Alright, let's go inside," Han Li said, nodding toward the small wooden cabin behind her.
"Sure, little brother," Dugu Yan teased, throwing him a flirtatious glance before entering the cabin first, even beckoning him provocatively.
Han Li ignored her antics and followed her inside. Over time, they had grown accustomed to each other, and Han Li was familiar with her style.
Dugu Yan typically had two modes. When Dugu Bo was present, she was the epitome of a well-behaved, ladylike demeanor. When alone with Han Li, she enjoyed teasing him with harmless banter, which Han Li had come to accept.
Inside the cabin, Han Li noticed a hole in the roof now covered with a piece of transparent glass. He casually shut the door behind him.
"Alright, get on the bed," he instructed.
Dugu Yan shot him a playful glare but obediently sat cross-legged on the bed, ready for his next command.
"Close your eyes," he said.
Dugu Yan complied, closing her eyes obediently.
The room suddenly fell silent. Then, through her closed eyelids, Dugu Yan felt the room brighten as a wave of heat washed over her. A pungent smell permeated the space, suggesting that Han Li had ignited something.
However, she kept her eyes shut, squeezing them even tighter. The next second, she heard Han Li's voice in her ear again.
"Open your mouth."
Instinctively, she opened her mouth wide.
"Mmmph!"
Before she could react, something sticky and slimy was shoved into her mouth, causing her to reflexively jerk her tongue. It was fishy and hot—her first impressions. A peculiar taste spread in her mouth, and she was about to spit it out. (It's not what you think guys...)
Just then, Han Li's voice came again: "Swallow it directly, then start cultivating quickly."
Fighting the urge to vomit, enduring the indescribable fishy taste, Dugu Yan struggled to swallow the strange substance down her throat and quickly entered a state of cultivation.
Soon, she felt a difference from her usual cultivation. The substance she had swallowed rapidly transformed into a warm current within her body, flowing to her limbs and bones, continuously strengthening her physique.
Outside, Han Li observed Dugu Yan, who had entered a state of cultivation. Her face had turned bright red under the effect of the whale glue, and the heat generated from the strengthening process had soaked her clothes. After some thought, he decided to open the door and step outside.
Outside, Han Li reclined on a nearby lounge chair, enjoying the sunlight while sensing the soul power fluctuations inside the cabin.
After about half an hour, the fluctuations in the cabin began to subside. Just as Han Li was about to get up and leave, the cabin door burst open, and a figure dashed toward him.
Han Li halted his movement and looked up to see Dugu Yan standing in front of him, blocking the sun, her expression filled with excitement.
"Uh, Sister Yan—"
"Xiao Li, thank you." Dugu Yan grabbed his hand.
"Um, Sister Yan, maybe you should change your clothes first?" Han Li suggested awkwardly, scratching his nose and turning his head slightly, pointing to her soaked clothes as a reminder.
A gust of wind blew, and Dugu Yan felt a bit of heat being carried away from her body, causing her to shiver. She looked down in confusion and realized her clothes were almost entirely wet, revealing a faint outline of her skin underneath.
She finally understood why Han Li's behavior had been so strange and why she felt a chill. Her face turned crimson instantly. She glanced at Han Li, who had turned his head away, and opened her mouth to say something, but ultimately said nothing. She quickly let go of his hand and dashed back into the cabin with even greater speed.
"Bang!"
With the cabin door slammed shut behind her, Han Li turned his head back with a peculiar expression. He squinted at the sun in the sky before closing his eyes and lying back down.
To be honest, it wasn't his fault. He had reminded them to prepare bathwater in advance and had even left the cabin voluntarily. Who could have predicted that Dugu Yan would rush to him immediately after finishing her cultivation?
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