The next morning, Han Li was woken up by the sunlight.
He had been extremely exhausted the previous night and had fallen into a deep sleep after a quick wash, forgetting to draw the curtains.
Feeling his stomach grumble, he ordered breakfast from the attendant. After eating, he knocked on the door next to his.
Guang Ling seemed to have woken up a bit later than him, but he had just finished his meal as well. Seeing him, he pushed his food aside.
"Looks like you're recovering well," Guang Ling said with a smile.
"Not bad, it won't affect our next move."
Han Li found a chair and sat down, looking at his master.
"Should we first go to the local Spirit Hall to get their cooperation? Or do we go directly?"
"The local Spirit Hall? Ha."
Hearing his words, Guang Ling's expression turned a bit sour, and he let out a mocking laugh.
"A big problem?" Han Li asked directly.
"No, not a problem. The key is, it won't be of much use. Do you know what their biggest role in this city is?" Guang Ling asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"To highlight the academy's strength?".
"Yeah, that's about right."
Hearing his disciple's description, Guang Ling's anger dissipated quite a bit.
"Let's not go there then. It's just annoying. We'll set off shortly and go directly."
Guang Ling, always decisive, sighed and spoke to Han Li.
"Directly to Skywater Academy?"
"No, directly to her home. Early this morning, I had the hotel attendant deliver an anonymous invitation. By now, they should have received it," Guang Ling shook his head.
An anonymous invitation? Han Li quickly realized—it was essentially a threat letter. His master had a sense of style.
This time, they were ostensibly here to find a disciple for Azure Luan, but in reality, they were here to poach someone. More accurately, it was a move by the Worship Hall to pressure Bibidong.
Skywater Academy and Shui Bing'er were just pretexts. At best, it was because of Han Li's prior interest that Guang Ling took advantage of the situation, and in doing so, they could recruit a person, benefiting both Azure Luan and Han Li.
As for Skywater Academy and Shui Bing'er, they had no choice. They were like meat on a chopping board, with their only decision being how to sell themselves for a good price.
This is the true style of a cultivation world: having a strong fist is the hard truth.
This was something Han Li only understood on the way here. Through this operation, Guang Ling exposed the raw truth of the Soul Master world to Han Li.
This is why he insisted on bringing Han Li along this time. His methods and actions have also become much more decisive than before.
"Alright, let's go."
Guang Ling glanced at the time, stood up first, and walked towards the door.
Just as they stepped out of the hotel, Guang Ling spread his wings and looked over at Han Li.
Han Li took a deep breath and spread his wings as well.
Then, amidst the astonished gazes of the nearby people, the two of them swiftly soared toward Shui Bing'er's home.
Amusingly, a group of people below were also chasing after their figures. Judging by their uniforms, they were from the Spirit Hall.
Interestingly, the people in the city didn't seem to fear them. Instead, after they passed by, they even discussed with those around them, speculating that the Spirit Hall members might once again encounter some big shot and return empty-handed.
Han Li, observing everyone's expressions from mid-air, silently shook his head, hoping that these people would maintain their current attitude when the news spread.
After what seemed like crossing the entire city, Guang Ling finally stopped in front of a small manor with Han Li.
Han Li looked down. Although the manor wasn't large, it was exquisitely arranged with pavilions, water pavilions, rockeries, and lakes, making him feel as if he had returned to his past life.
At this moment, four people were already waiting at the gate of the manor below. Two beautiful women and two young girls were gazing at the teacher and student duo in the sky.
"You must be the owners of the invitation, but I wonder what your purpose is for coming here."
One of the beautiful women stepped forward, bowed, and spoke in a tone neither soft nor hard.
"Are you the head of Skywater Academy?"
Guang Ling didn't descend from the sky but looked down at her from above.
"Yes, I am Su Yan, the head of Skywater Academy. May I know who you are?"
The beautiful woman didn't get angry at Guang Ling's attitude. Instead, she became even more respectful.
"Martial Soul Hall, Fifth Worship, titled Guang Ling Douluo, level 96."
Guang Ling reported his previous level, speaking as he seemed to step down from the air as if there were invisible stairs, slowly approaching the people below.
Han Li, with a slight flap of his wings, transformed into a green light, instantly appearing behind Guang Ling, half a step back, and remained silent.
"I'm here today for one thing, and that is her."
Guang Ling spoke to himself, pointing at Shui Bing'er without the slightest intention of restraining his aura.
"My third brother currently lacks a disciple, and he has taken a liking to her. What do you think about that?"
After Guang Ling said this, he paused for a few breaths, then clapped his hands and looked at the few people who couldn't speak under his oppressive aura.
"Good, very good. I am very satisfied with your attitude. Since no one opposes, that means you agree."
"Then it's settled. She will come back with me to the Martial Soul Hall later."
Only after saying this did Guang Ling seem to realize he hadn't restrained his aura. He smiled apologetically and then retracted it.
"Oh, it was my mistake. My Martial Soul Hall is fortunate to gain an excellent disciple, and I forgot to restrain my aura. I apologize to you all. I hope you don't mind?"
The two young girls were fine, as Guang Ling had slightly avoided them with his oppressive aura. However, the two beautiful women could barely stand, supporting each other. Upon hearing Guang Ling's words, they quickly bowed their heads and spoke.
"Your Eminence is joking; we wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't dare?"
Guang Ling repeated with a smile, looking at the manor before him.
"What's this? We will be family in the future. Won't you invite me in to sit?"
Despite the two beautiful women looking very displeased, they exchanged glances. Su Yan, who had spoken before, stepped forward.
"Your Eminence, please."
"No rush. I came in a bit of a hurry earlier and forgot to see those incompetent subordinates. Let's wait here."
At this point, Guang Ling seemed unhurried, leisurely turning around to look back at the way they came.
After about three minutes, the Spirit Hall people finally caught up.
But just as they were about to step into the manor's range, they stopped at the edge, gathering together to discuss something, seemingly hesitant to enter.
"It seems you two have quite a presence. This place seems to have become a forbidden area for my Spirit Hall."
Guang Ling turned around with a half-smile, glanced at the two beautiful women who hadn't dared to raise their heads since earlier, then turned his body back to look at the Spirit Hall personnel still lingering outside the manor, peering in their direction.
"Get over here now."
As Guang Ling's words echoed, a token also cut through the air, flying towards them. It was Guang Ling's identity token.
When the Worship token was recognized, a commotion broke out among the group, and a few seconds later, the enforcement team quickly approached the manor.
"Greetings, Worship."
The Spirit Hall enforcers stopped three meters in front of Guang Ling, with the captain bowing and handing over the token.
"I'm aware of some things, so I won't make it difficult for you. Go back and tell the bishop that if he really likes to think ahead as his name suggests, and always considers his retreat before acting, I will personally help him retire completely."
After finishing his words, Guang Ling turned and walked into the manor, passing the hosts.
It wasn't until Han Li and the four from Su Yan's side had entered the manor that Guang Ling's voice reached the ears of the enforcers.
"Oh, I almost forgot. My name is Guang Ling."
Not to mention the reaction of the Spirit Hall enforcers, Guang Ling had already taken the dominant position, entering the manor's castle and directly sitting in the main seat of the hall. He kindly invited the four original hosts to sit wherever they liked and not be so restrained.
Han Li stood behind him, trying his best to minimize his presence.
Once everyone was seated, Guang Ling noticed that his obedient disciple was playing the role of a guard quite well this time.
Originally, he wanted to invite Han Li to sit down, but seeing the look of refusal on his face, he dismissed the idea. Never mind, let him be.
The atmosphere in the hall was very tense, and the four hosts didn't even dare to lift their heads.
"Alright, everyone calmed down. I'm not a bad person. As I said, I'm here to take in a disciple on behalf of my brother."
As Guang Ling spoke, he sounded even more like a villain, causing Shui Bing'er to involuntarily shiver.
"Your Eminence, it's Bing'er's fortune that your brother has taken a liking to her. However, Bing'er is my only daughter, and she is still young. I am reluctant to let her leave. Could you possibly make an exception?"
Upon hearing Guang Ling mention the matter again, Su Rou couldn't care less about her fear. She raised her head and forced a smile as she spoke.
"Reluctant? No problem, you can come along too. Our Spirit Hall also welcomes a Contra."
Guang Ling didn't care about the meaning behind her words and instead followed her excuse.
"Your Eminence, you must be joking." Su Yan's face turned even more unsightly.
"We are all smart people. You know very well whether I'm joking."
Guang Ling put away his smile and swept a cold gaze over the few people present.
"Stop wasting my time. I'm here to take the girl, so don't give me any nonsense."
"Hmph, Five Elements Academy, what a big name. You, a few titled Douluos, trying to play both sides. I don't care what your intentions are, whether you want to be independent or play both sides between the Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. I'll ask you one thing: can I take her today or not?"
Guang Ling's sharp words echoed in the hall, making the atmosphere even more oppressive.
Seeing that his master had completed his role, Han Li finally stopped playing mute. He took a few steps forward, drawing the attention of everyone present.
"Dean Su, this is just my master's temperament. Please bear with it. I apologize on his behalf."
Han Li first clarified his identity before continuing to speak: "It's also my fault for being negligent and not explaining the situation to you earlier. Let me explain now."
"The situation is like this: my martial uncle recently heard about the unique situation of Shui Bing'er's martial soul. He is very interested and can help, so he wants to take her as a disciple. Originally, he intended to come personally to take Shui Bing'er as his successor, but unfortunately, just before the trip, he suddenly sensed an opportunity to break through to level 97 and went into seclusion."
"My master and my martial uncle have always been as close as brothers, so he wanted to give him a surprise, which is why my master and I came unannounced."
"You can rest assured that we came purely to take in a disciple. It has nothing to do with Thunderclap Academy or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. My master was just speaking casually earlier, so please don't mind. Taking in a disciple should be a mutual agreement, right? There can't be only one side involved, don't you think?"
After speaking, he cupped his hands towards Guang Ling in a respectful gesture, then returned to his position behind him, resuming his earlier demeanor.
"Hmph."
Guang Ling snorted in displeasure but did not refute Han Li's words. Instead, he closed his eyes.
Seeing that Han Li had taken the initiative to smooth things over, the mother and daughter trio on the other side breathed a sigh of relief.
At the very least, they gleaned some useful information from Han Li's words, preventing them from making a blind choice.
As for Han Li's statement that Guang Ling's words were not to be taken seriously, Su Yan didn't believe it at all. They were all adults, not so naive. She wasn't Shui Yue'er, who would trust Guang Ling and Han Li just because they looked good.
After hesitating for a while, Su Yan spoke again:
"Your Eminence, can your brother stabilize Bing'er's martial soul?"
"Is that difficult?"
Guang Ling opened his eyes and responded casually. As he spoke, an extreme coldness emanated from him, instantly enveloping the hall, and then disappearing just as quickly.
On the other side, Shui Bing'er's martial soul involuntarily manifested in response to this aura, appearing above her head. Energy and cold began to spread around her.
Is her martial soul out of control?
This thought simultaneously crossed the minds of Guang Ling and Han Li.
Seeing the few people on the other side looking bewildered, Guang Ling glanced at Han Li, seemingly asking if he could handle it. Han Li nodded.
"Move aside."
As Han Li's voice sounded, he had already moved beside Shui Bing'er, reaching out directly for the ice phoenix above her head.
"Don't, it's dangerous."
Amidst a few panicked voices, Han Li's hand touched the phoenix's shadow.
The next second, the soul power fluctuations on Shui Bing'er quickly calmed down, and her martial soul stabilized instantly.
Han Li turned to the people who had shouted and asked, "What did you say? What danger?"
"Go back."
Han Li patted the top of the phoenix's shadow, and the anomaly on Shui Bing'er's body disappeared completely.
Today's success was due to his perfect control of the ice element.
After resolving this incident, Han Li nodded to the few people, ignored their reactions, and returned to his position behind Guang Ling.
"Do I still need to prove anything?"
Guang Ling's words echoed in the hall, finally waking the few people from their daze.
"No, no need."
At this moment, Su Yan's gaze was fixed on Han Li, and the other three were similar, especially Shui Bing'er, whose face was still flushed. Han Li had directly interacted with her martial soul just now.
"I thought stabilizing the martial soul's form would be enough. I didn't expect her martial soul would go out of control. Tsk, this is indeed a big trouble."
Guang Ling's attitude showed a slight change.
Noticing Guang Ling's change in attitude, Su Yan became anxious.
"Your Eminence, do you have a way to solve the problem of the martial soul losing control?" Su Yan asked cautiously.
"There is a way, but we need to consider whether it's worth it," Guang Ling sat in his chair, staring at his left hand's fingernails, speaking nonchalantly.
"Judging by her condition, it seems this isn't the first time her martial soul has gone out of control. You hid it well. Aren't you afraid that one day, during her cultivation, she'll go berserk and send the entire Skywater Academy sky-high?"
Guang Ling's mocking voice echoed through the hall. Now, he truly wasn't in a hurry at all.