Credits: DammS
"Never thought there'd be someone like you."
"No wonder your actions before were so hard to understand. But you are bold. Seems like you've been planning to go against the gods... for quite some time now."
Qian Renxue looked at Han Li with a strange expression, as if observing some rare, exotic creature.
As part of her Angelic Inheritance, she retained basic knowledge of the Divine Realm. She could imagine just how powerful her opponent was.
"Why should it be strange? You have a god-bestowed martial soul and divine ancestors, so why can't I have the blessing of a plane's destiny? To be honest, you've grown up in my territory—if you don't call me Lord, that doesn't make sense now, does it?"
Han Li glared back at her. Her gaze, he thought, was rather presumptuous.
"Do they all know about this?"
Qian Renxue ignored his attitude and abruptly asked.
"They might have some suspicions, but I haven't explained it in detail. Before ascending to godhood, it's too early to touch on such things."
Han Li shook his head, understanding exactly whom she was referring to, and didn't hide it from her.
"Then... are you confident?"
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered. After a moment of silent thought, she asked again.
"Once the dust settles, and if you lend me your share of faith, there's about an 80% chance."
Han Li had initially wanted to say 98%, but he decided to be cautious.
"Eighty percent...?"
Qian Renxue murmured, then refocused her gaze on Han Li.
"So even now, I still can't beat you?"
She seemed obsessively fixated on surpassing Han Li.
"Probably not."
Han Li responded tactfully. He refrained from outright calling her weak. If it weren't for Gu Yue's need to remain hidden, Qian Renxue wouldn't even be able to defeat her. Gu Yue, a fragment of the Dragon God, was already the strongest among first-tier gods, even before mastering the power of creation.
Of course, that was an extreme comparison. Normally, the Angel God wasn't considered weak among first-tier gods. But unfortunately, Han Li played in a different league. For him, ordinary first-tier gods were mere cannon fodder. Qian Renxue, as a newly ascended god, lacked any foundation to compete.
"Ugh."
Hearing his answer, Qian Renxue felt an inexplicable frustration. She had always known Han Li was strong, but she had assumed becoming a god would at least close the gap somewhat.
It was one thing to lose before ascending, but to still lose after becoming a god—what was the point of all her effort?
This thought crossed her mind briefly. Ultimately, her godhood was the culmination of her family's generations-long wish, not just for personal strength or to defeat Han Li. However, she couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened.
"When did you first come up with this idea?"
Still feeling unsettled, Qian Renxue pressed him further, determined to get an answer.
"Probably when I was a Soul Elder. It's been a long time. I wrestled with it for quite a while when I first learned about it."
Now that the conversation had come this far, Han Li saw no reason to keep it hidden.
"You are... ambitious."
Qian Renxue was momentarily stunned. Doing a quick mental calculation, she realized it was shortly after he was named the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall.
Then, she gave Han Li a thumbs-up—a gesture she had picked up from him.
"Not really. If our positions were reversed, would you willingly hand over the reins?"
Han Li gave her an annoyed look and posed the question in return.
"Of course not."
Qian Renxue shook her head without hesitation. Based on Han Li's description, this was a brand-new Divine Realm. No one in their right mind would give up control of it.
"Exactly."
Han Li spread his hands in a helpless gesture. Taking no risks was always the safest option, but anyone with even a sliver of ambition would choose to fight for it.
"You're right. I get it now. Then let's stir things up."
Qian Renxue's mood abruptly shifted. Golden flames flickered in her eyes as her fighting spirit ignited.
Han Li was momentarily taken aback, but a small smile tugged at his lips. He hadn't even started rallying support, yet she was already fired up. He felt deeply touched by her reaction.
"You're not afraid I'm tricking you? As someone who inherited the Angel God, you should know how strong our enemies are."
Han Li interrupted her enthusiasm with a serious reminder.
"I trust you. Your mind is far more cunning than theirs. Besides, you've never lost, have you?"
Qian Renxue smirked.
"Even putting aside uniting the Spirit Hall, you're still the Holy Son. Helping my people is only natural, isn't it?"
"I don't like this whole 'sacrifice upon becoming a god' rule that the Divine Realm has set up," Qian Renxue said, first teasing Han Li before seriously listing her reasons for siding with him.
But as Han Li listened, her words sounded a bit naive and forced—except for the last one. When she mentioned it, genuine killing intent flickered in her eyes.
"Sacrifice? That might very well have been established by your ancestor. Even the Sea God follows it. I'm not sure if it's a rule of the Divine Realm. If she's alive, your great-uncle would probably be welcomed into the Divine Kingdom as a godly official."
"Oh, in that case, forget that point. But even without it, I have enough reasons. If you succeed, doesn't that mean the Spirit Hall's influence expands too? I'm just following ancestral teachings."
"Huh? You're seriously thinking like that?"
"Stop talking nonsense, or I'll take Grandpa straight to the Divine Realm and sell you off."
"You still want the power of faith, don't you? And don't forget—you owe me. I became a god before you, and you promised to do one thing for me. If you die, the entire continent is doomed. Who will I demand payment from then?"
"Uh, you've got a point."
"Hey, I'm your ally! Is this how you treat me?"
"..."
As the two chatted casually, Qian Renxue ended up learning quite a few secrets from Han Li. However, when it came to fighting alongside her, Han Li didn't give her a definitive answer.
The situation would depend on whether he successfully consolidated his divine position. That, to some extent, would determine the scale and direction of his confrontation with the Divine Realm.
If things didn't reach the worst-case scenario, Han Li preferred not to involve all his loved ones. For the Divine Realm, it was a matter of colleagues and subordinates. But for him, it was his dearest family and friends—losing them would make even victory meaningless.
Originally, Han Li had considered sending Qian Renxue into the Divine Realm first. But with the rules intentionally modified by the enemy, he abandoned the idea. He wasn't foolish enough to hand over a hostage.
One year. The timeline was tighter than he had anticipated. If not for his thorough preparations, he would have been at a disadvantage from the very start.
Damn it, Asura. You sly dog. I thought you'd changed, but in the end, you're still the one who loves underhanded tricks the most. Just wait. Even if I have to give up my divine position, I'll make sure to take you down.
After sending Qian Renxue away, Han Li clenched his teeth at the thought, his blood-red "Han" insignia growing even brighter.
...
Bibi Dong had separated from the main forces of the Spirit Empire, leaving behind only an empty carriage as a decoy.
She was rapidly approaching the headquarters of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Beside her, bound by divine power and looking utterly vacant, was none other than Yu Xiaogang.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was currently in a state of isolation. To be precise, they had been forced into seclusion. Worse still, apart from Liu Erlong, an external member, almost none of them had managed to escape.
As fate would have it, shortly before Bibi Dong proclaimed the establishment of the Spirit Empire, Yu Yuanzhen finally broke through to Rank 96. The news delighted the clan, as it signified another century of security to nurture their talents and avoid extinction.
With Yu Xiaogang's scandal stirring up a storm outside, most of the prominent members had returned to the clan for safety and unity.
But it was at this exact moment that news of the Spirit Empire's founding reached them. The Spirit Hall soul master legions tasked with monitoring them revealed themselves, immediately locking down the sect.
Remembering the fate of the Clear Sky Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect chose not to resist. Instead, they obediently sealed off their mountain, hoping to avoid further trouble.
While some members sensed danger, none dared to attack the soul master legions directly. To them, such an action wasn't worth the risk. As one of the former Three Upper Sects, it wasn't unreasonable for them to be under scrutiny during such a time.
And so, they allowed themselves to be locked away.
This played perfectly into Bibi Dong's hands. Now, she was on her way to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
For Bibi Dong, the sect had to be eradicated before the war with the Star Luo Empire began. Otherwise, she would have to wait until after the war to act.
Although it wasn't impossible to delay until she fully ascended as a god, she didn't want to wait that long. She was eager to show Xiaogang her devotion. For abandoning her, for humiliating her people—how could she cleanse those wounds without blood?
As for Yu Xiaogang's opposition? That didn't matter.
He might claim he didn't want revenge or didn't want her to be vilified. She knew it was because he feared she would be criticized as he had been.
But she didn't care. She wanted him to see her determination. She wanted him to know that she was willing to do anything for him.
Once the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was wiped out, with no blood relatives left to tie him down, there would be no one left to blame him. He wouldn't have to suffer anymore.
She had considered dealing with Liu Erlong first, but Han Li and Qian Daoliu were likely in Heaven Dou City. If she appeared, she wouldn't be able to hide her intentions from them.
Right now, she wasn't fully ascended as a god and didn't have the confidence to defeat both of them together.
Besides, Liu Erlong's death wasn't necessarily required.
Liu Erlong also loved Xiaogang. When everything was over, Bibi Dong planned to take Xiaogang to the Divine Realm. Watching helplessly as she claimed him, forcing Liu Erlong to endure the pain Bibi Dong had once suffered, might be punishment enough.
With Han Li's interference accelerating events by nearly a decade, Bibi Dong, who had prematurely forced her way through the Rakshasa God trials, was far more twisted and ruthless than in the original timeline.
She stopped at the foot of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's mountain, Yu Xiaogang still bound beside her.