Chapter 367: The Angel's Choice
"What?"
Noticing his movement, Gu Yue exited her meditative state and curiously asked.
"Nothing, just a thirty year long melodrama between two humans. Interested?"
Han Li smiled at her and asked casually.
"Not interested."
Gu Yue shook her head. She had thought it was something related to Han Li.
To be precise, she wasn't particularly interested in anyone other than Han Li. Understanding these irrelevant matters was a waste of time far less meaningful than continuing her cultivation and watching her Creation Power grow.
Han Li chuckled, not surprised at all by her response.
He had anticipated her answer he was teasing her on purpose.
With the long term fusion of their divine souls, Han Li had already figured out her thought process.
To put it simply she was straightforward and easy to fool.
In any case, this involved Qian Renxue. Han Li might make a few sarcastic comments in his mind, but he wouldn't trash talk about it to others.
Besides, with Gu Yue's simplistic way of thinking, she wouldn't necessarily grasp the complexity of human emotions.
And from Han Li's point of view, this entire ordeal was nothing more than a farce.
So far, the pressure from the Worship Hall on Bibi Dong had been relentless.
Her Rakshasa God Trials were progressing far faster than the original timeline.
Recently, whenever she appeared, she seemed more emotionally stable on the surface, but to Han Li, it was another story entirely.
The negative energy clinging to her soul had grown incredibly dense.
Though this was a natural part of the Rakshasa God's power, Bibi Dong's condition was far beyond normal.
At this point, in Han Li's view, she was only slightly more stable than the already insane Tang Chen.
She was teetering on the edge, one step away from completely losing control.
Simply put she was desperate.
Her last trial's negative aftereffects hadn't even fully settled, yet she was already rushing into the next one.
The Rakshasa God's trials were supposed to include periods of rest and adjustment.
On top of that, the Rakshasa God was notoriously stingy, offering very little positive reinforcement which meant Bibi Dong's mental burden was growing exponentially.
In a way, her determination to destroy the Qian family's legacy and everything it stood for was the only thing keeping her grounded.
If she made it through, she would become even more extreme that much was certain.
As for Yu Xiaogang, he was probably one of her last remaining obsessions.
To Han Li, her situation was reminiscent of Skydream Iceworm's.
Under immense psychological pressure, she had created an idealized fantasy to sustain herself one so deeply ingrained that even she fully believed it.
Bibi Dong's case was even more severe, though because this was also a core aspect of her Rakshasa Trials.
Did she really love Yu Xiaogang?
Not necessarily.
If she had, given her obsessive tendencies and Qian Daoliu's past concessions, she would have found a way to keep him locked away forever.
She hadn't done that.
Subconsciously, she was avoiding something even if she wasn't aware of it herself.
Of course, this didn't rule out the Rakshasa God's influence.
The "untouchable love" the one that got away.
Han Li, being a cynical observer, understood that reality would never match the fantasy she had built up in her mind.
In her twisted perspective, even if Yu Xiaogang himself stood before her, he wouldn't compare to the shining version she had crafted in her memories.
That was the real person she wanted the one that only existed in her mind.
And that was precisely what Han Li wanted to see.
To what lengths would she go for this illusion?
Qian Renxue needed this moment.
She needed to shatter the last of Bibi Dong's illusions.
And Han Li?
He just wanted the broken remnants of the Rakshasa God's divine core.
Couldn't the God Realm just replace the position later?
Technically, they still had ways to cheat the system and create another Rakshasa God.
What?
The Shura God's and Rakshasa God's divine inheritances were both fused together in Slaughter City?
That wasn't his fault.
He didn't put them there.
That was on them.
And looking at it from another perspective
If the God Realm were truly "fair", they'd gladly trade the Rakshasa God's position for a self made deity like Han Li.
That was a winning deal.
As for the Shura God…
Han Li wasn't sure what he was up to.
Logically, their side had five potential inheritors, yet there had been no movement from the Shura God.
It was as if he had no plans to interfere.
Tang Chen was still parasitized by the Blood Red Nine Headed Bat King.
Han Li was absolutely going to kill him, and even the Shura God wouldn't be able to save him.
If the Shura God was truly watching, he would already know this yet he remained silent.
Han Li would figure it out later.
Shaking his head, he pushed these thoughts aside and looked toward Gu Yue.
"Recover first. I'm heading out for a bit I'll be back soon."
Gu Yue nodded, not particularly interested.
Han Li's figure disappeared from the Restorative Space.
There were a few things he needed to handle
The Martial Soul Research Institute, and the Qian family's grandfather granddaughter duo.
He was willing to let Bibi Dong stir up trouble, but he wasn't about to let her get her hands on his research.
Even if Yu Xiaogang was doomed to die, Han Li wouldn't allow his knowledge to be leaked.
After all
Han Li had entrusted a great deal of his work to the Martial Soul Research Institute.
Once everything was over, Han Li could publicly share his knowledge because by then, the rules would have changed. Many things would have lost their effectiveness, and even if they spread, not everyone would succeed in mastering them.
But there was a huge difference between sharing information voluntarily and having it leaked.
Han Li did not enjoy killing, but he had no issue doing it when necessary.
When Han Li returned to the courtyard in Tian Dou City, he did not find the grandfather and granddaughter duo.
It was only after waiting for a while that he finally saw them emerging from the Angelic Sacred Hall.
"I've successfully completed the sixth trial."
As soon as she saw him, Qian Renxue proactively spoke up.
Han Li could also tell that her true strength had already reached the Super Douluo level.
Her divine power had begun to transform, and the fluctuations of law energy around her were clearly intense.
It was obvious she had just finished her challenge and hadn't had time to fully suppress the lingering power.
"One incense stick's time?"
Han Li still vaguely remembered the details of her trial.
"Mm."
Qian Renxue nodded.
She had actually passed it quite easily.
Compared to breaking through the divine power seal, fighting a real opponent was much simpler.
The various combat techniques Han Li had taught her before were far more useful than soul skills during the fight.
"That's really impressive."
Han Li nodded in approval, but then, he casually dropped another piece of news
"I just received some information our dear Pope is probably not far from completing the eighth trial either. No, to be more precise, the next time she appears in public, she'll likely be almost finished."
Han Li hadn't directly invaded the Rakshasa Illusion Realm, but based on Bibi Dong's divine power transformation and law comprehension progress, it was easy to deduce her current state.
"I'll be faster than her."
Almost the instant Han Li finished speaking, Qian Renxue's voice rang out resolute and unwavering.
She no longer craved her mother's love, but that didn't mean she would allow herself to lose to her.
"Good."
As Han Li responded to her, he was also communicating privately with Qian Daoliu, informing him about Yu Xiaogang's movements.
"Tell her."
Qian Daoliu glanced at Han Li.
Rather than continuing the mental conversation, he turned to face his granddaughter and spoke out loud
"No matter what, Xue'er will have to confront this issue sooner or later."
"Tell me what?"
Qian Renxue immediately caught on.
She narrowed her eyes, then turned to Han Li with obvious dissatisfaction.
"Oh, so you two were keeping things from me?"
Han Li ignored her slight irritation and got straight to the point
He told her about Yu Xiaogang's decision to travel to Spirit City once again.
Then, he watched her reaction.
Strictly speaking, Yu Xiaogang hadn't even left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's territory yet.
He was still very close to Tian Dou City.
If she wanted, Qian Renxue could go over and kill him at any time with ease.
Qian Daoliu had already handed over control of the Worship Hall's forces to Han Li and Qian Renxue, completely ignoring Bibi Dong.
A large part of this was because Qian Renxue was still conflicted.
She had always known about Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang's past.
However, given her personality, she never took Yu Xiaogang seriously.
To her, the whole thing was ridiculous not even worth her attention.
But now, after hearing Han Li lay out the full picture, including the events before the Soul Master Tournament, she finally sensed that something was off.
For the first time, she realized the depth of the issue.
She finally understood why Han Li had insisted on bringing Liu Erlong to that meeting before.
Unfortunately, since Yu Xiaogang ran away, that attempt had failed.
"What… exactly is she after?"
Qian Renxue frowned, asking a question that was awkward even to think about.
"Maybe… this is what they call love."
Han Li responded in a deliberately strange tone, making no effort to explain further.
Even if Qian Renxue could understand, did that mean she could resolve Bibi Dong's mental state?
Would that erase Bibi Dong's obsession?
Of course not.
Unless Qian RenSnow Empressed right in front of her, there was no way Bibi Dong would give up her fixation.
And Han Li?
Obviously, he had no intention of letting that happen.
Simply put he was protective of his people.
Over the years, Han Li had considered approaching Bibi Dong, but she never gave him the chance.
Aside from mandatory public events, who would believe that the Pope and the Holy Son had zero private interactions?
But Han Li?
He was not the type to waste his time on someone who didn't reciprocate.
Besides, aside from her appearance, Bibi Dong had nothing that interested him.
Yes, Han Li liked beautiful women, but he wasn't some desperate pervert.
So, in the end he decided to kill her.
The only question left was how he wanted to do it.
And now, it was Qian Renxue's turn to decide.
"So, tell me your choice, Miss Angel."
Han Li smiled as he locked eyes with Qian Renxue.
Her decision would determine the course of the next phase and what adjustments needed to be made.
"Is there a way for me to observe from a distance without direct contact?"
Qian Renxue took a deep breath and turned to Han Li.
She already knew he had the ability to make that happen.
"As you wish."
Han Li nodded with a smirk.
This was exactly what he had come for.
After all, among all the god trials, the Angel God's was the easiest to get stuck on.
And by making this choice, Qian Renxue had already set her path
She was no longer naïve, nor arrogant.
The little angel had been tainted.
"Alright… then let's wait for her to emerge."
Qian Renxue, who had yet to formally begin her seventh trial, narrowed her eyes her gaze sharp as a blade.
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