Flander was still quite honorable. Although he chose not to use his martial soul to hurry on his way back, instead opting for a stroll, even taking a pleasant walk around the training ground before entering through the side gate, he was kind enough to inform the beloved disciple, Tang San, about Yu Xiaogang's injury after the training session ended.
Flander was a kind-hearted person who couldn't stand to see his old friends suffer.
As for why he waited until after the training session to share the news, well, that was obvious—he was obeying the orders of the Clear Sky Douluo. He had promised to take good care of his son.
He was so "anxious" that he even thought of another piece of good news. After he discussed Tang San joining the Emperor Team with Qin Ming tomorrow, Tang San would no longer be his concern.
Now, he was even somewhat looking forward to Yu Xiaogang's success. In comparison, even the troublesome Ning Rongrong seemed more pleasing to his eyes.
Ideally, Xiao Wu would also be taken away along with Ning Rongrong. As for Dai Mubai, Flander had some affection for him, so it wouldn't hurt to let him stay.
At this thought, Flander suddenly felt happy and, despite his usual stinginess, even considered inviting Zhao Wuji out for a drink, at his own expense. It didn't seem like a bad idea—after all, they could celebrate, though Zhao Wuji would have to cover half the cost.
And with that, he quickly disappeared, leaving behind a somewhat bewildered Ma Hongjun and Oscar, who exchanged glances, confused. The Grandmaster was injured, yet their teacher/dean seemed rather pleased.
—Meanwhile, in the Star Dou Forest.
Seeing Han Li and his group suddenly appear before them, Yang Wudi and Bai He immediately stood up straight.
However, after noticing the group's age, they relaxed slightly, though they remained vigilant.
This was the Star Dou Forest, and while it wasn't the deepest part, it was still in the mixed zone. Anyone who could move around here undetected was certainly no ordinary person.
Most importantly, in the Star Dou Forest, except for acquaintances, people usually avoided getting close to others. This was an unspoken rule because, in such a place, the danger posed by human spirit masters was often greater than that of spirit beasts.
"What do you want?"
Yang Wudi asked coldly, ready to fight at the slightest provocation.
"Senior Yang, no need to be so tense. We mean no harm. As I mentioned earlier, do you need help?"
Han Li said with a smile, pointing at a member of the Speed Clan named Bai Ming, who was still lying on the ground.
"You know me?"
Yang Wudi sensed Han Li's goodwill but didn't accept it right away. Instead, he continued to question him. Although he was somewhat famous, he had been out of the limelight for many years, so few people could recognize him at first glance.
"Of course, I know you. How could I not recognize Yang Wudi, the Clan Chief of the Breaking Clan Clan?"
Han Li replied with a smile.
This was a lie. A few minutes ago, he didn't recognize Yang Wudi. It was only after using his spiritual power to probe the other party that he found him somewhat familiar. After overhearing their conversation, he confirmed their identities. The familiarity wasn't Han Li's imagination; he had indeed seen someone who looked similar—Yang Wushuang, Yang Wudi's younger brother, who was a top general under Yue Guan. Han Li had encountered him during a previous herb trade but hadn't paid much attention at the time.
"And who might you be?"
Yang Wudi's expression changed, and he looked at Han Li with a different gaze.
Accurately identifying him suggested that Han Li must have powerful backing, as most young soul masters wouldn't have this level of insight. After all, he hadn't appeared publicly in a long time.
"I'm from the Spirit Hall," Han Li said, revealing his allegiance without directly stating his identity, wanting to gauge the reaction of Yang Wudi and Bai He.
"So you're a lackey of the Spirit Hall, and you dare show yourself in front of me?"
In an instant, Yang Wudi summoned a black spear, although he didn't attack immediately. Instead, he scanned the surroundings, suspecting that powerful Spirit Hall experts were lurking nearby, watching their every move.
"Senior Yang, are you looking for others? I can assure you, there's no one else—it's just us," Han Li said calmly, amused by Yang Wudi's cautious behavior.
But Yang Wudi remained tense, thinking it was a trap. He would be foolish to trust Han Li's words.
Honestly, if it weren't for his clan members, and the injured member of Bai He's clan lying on the ground, Yang Wudi would have attacked Han Li on the spot. It was an instinctive reaction, ingrained by years of animosity towards the Spirit Hall.
"Could you tell me why you're so hostile towards the Spirit Hall?"
Han Li asked gently, not bothered by Yang Wudi's heightened alertness.
"By the way, your companions can leave, but the injured one has to stay." Han Li pointed to Bai Ming, still lying on the ground.
Han Li intended to reassure Yang Wudi, but to Yang Wudi, it sounded like a blatant threat: "Your weaker members can go, but your strong ones must stay."
He felt despair wash over him, gripping his spear tighter as he nodded to his two clan members behind him.
In response, the young members of the Breaking Clan and Speed Clan also cast hostile looks at Han Li and his group. However, they still chose to follow Yang Wudi's decision and slowly retreated.
Han Li looked at the reaction across from him, puzzled. He had just asked them to step back a bit since some things weren't suitable for them to hear—was there a need for such hostility? Why did they act like they were saying goodbye forever?
It wasn't until the figures of the clansmen disappeared that Yang Wudi flicked his spear tip and assumed a fighting stance, looking at Han Li. "Come on."
Come on? Come on with what?
At this point, Han Li realized the deep-seated hostility these affiliated clans had towards the Spirit Hall. Did they think he was about to make a move? Did they not consider why he let the others go?
"Don't get me wrong; I have no intention of fighting," Han Li said, waving his hand and maintaining his previous non-confrontational stance.
"I already said, let's talk. Why are you so hostile toward the Spirit Hall?"
"Hmph, what's there to talk about? When the Spirit Hall massacred our clansmen back then, they didn't show any mercy," Yang Wudi snorted, still scanning the surroundings for hidden enemies.
"Massacre? Clan Chief Yang, you might fool others but don't fool yourself. You know better than anyone whether it was a massacre or not, so why are you spouting nonsense now?"
Han Li frowned. He had heard the truth directly from Guang Ling. While there was indeed suppression, and they were driven out in an act of venting anger, a massacre never occurred.
When the four affiliated clans were expelled back then, many of their people didn't cooperate and even attacked the Spirit Hall, causing casualties.
Compared to Yang Wudi's words, Han Li naturally trusted what his master had told him.
Yang Wudi was momentarily stunned, but he stubbornly retorted, "The Spirit Hall killed my clansmen. That's a fact. My son and brother also died."
"Didn't you also kill many people from the Spirit Hall? Don't make it sound so noble. Besides, how can you be so sure that your son and brother are dead?"
Han Li knew that the two sides' perspectives on this matter were fundamentally different, so he decided to be more direct.
"What did you say?"
This time, it was Yang Wudi's turn to be agitated. His hand, gripping the spear, trembled slightly.
In his heart, his son and brother had long been dead, but now, he was hearing news about them again.
His heart, which had grown cold, began to beat with hope once more.
"Old Goat, be cautious. Don't forget, he's from the Spirit Hall. He might be trying to deceive you," Bai He, standing beside him, quickly reminded him upon noticing his old friend's unusual reaction.
"Hmm, you're right. I'm just lying to him. I don't know any Yang Wushuang or Yang Yan," Han Li glanced at Bai He and nodded cooperatively, almost sarcastically saying, "Yes, yes, yes."
"Wushuang and Xiao Yan are still alive?"
Even with Bai He's warning, Yang Wudi couldn't stay calm. Yang Yan had been young back then, and by Douluo Continent standards, he was considered a late-born child. Most people in the four clans weren't even aware of Yang Yan's name.
"Of course, they're alive. They're living much better than you are," Han Li said, casting a disdainful glance at Bai He. A soul master clan falling to their current state was rare.
Bai He felt uncomfortable under his gaze and glared back.
"Then why haven't they contacted me all these years?"
Yang Wudi's grip on his spear slackened as he lowered it, feeling a pang of sadness. The Breaking Clan was known for their courage, but in the face of family, they softened.
"You can't blame them. They're not allowed to contact you. And to be honest, you should be grateful to them. If they hadn't joined the Spirit Hall, do you think that with the strength of your four clans, you could have escaped the Spirit Hall's pursuit?"
"Do you think you survived because you were fast at running away? Or because you're Tang Hao's uncle?"
Han Li's words were directed at Bai He, who, in his eyes, was a bit of a nuisance. If Bai He hadn't been with Yang Wudi, Han Li wouldn't have even bothered to engage with him.
Bai He's face turned pale with anger.
What's the meaning of this? I barely said a few words while standing next to Old Goat, but why is all the sarcasm directed at me? How is this fair? I'm a speed-type soul master, not a defense-type!