Douluo Dalu: Lucky Star

The air was fresh, filled with a potent sense of life. The energy concentration was higher than in the outside world, making the elements easier to perceive. Other than that, it wasn't much different from a typical forest.

Gu Yue noticed Han Li looking around, but she didn't mind. To her, this was simply home.

"Where's the Soul Beast?"

Han Li asked casually.

He didn't expect to find anything and wasn't disappointed. He was just curious to take a look, and it didn't matter if he found nothing. That resource wasn't of much use to him anymore; he didn't need it to nourish his body or mind.

Glancing at Gu Yue, who walked ahead, Han Li kept quiet. Even if there were any Gold of Life here, someone as powerful as her had probably already absorbed it.

"Up ahead, there's a Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff, around ninety thousand years old. It fought too much in its early years, and its life force has drained severely. Even Bi Ji can't keep it alive forever. It has agreed to this," Gu Yue explained, her pace slowing slightly. Her expression remained unchanged as she relayed the information from Di Tian and the others.

A soul beast that was nearing death naturally didn't stir her emotions.

"Mm."

Han Li nodded.

"A member of the Scarlet King's race?"

His left wristband glowed, releasing Ning Fengzhi.

"Your Highness, this is…?"

Ning Fengzhi began, looking at Han Li with curiosity, but stopped mid-sentence when he saw Gu Yue. She only glanced at him, yet he immediately felt as if he couldn't breathe.

Han Li patted him on the shoulder.

"Just follow along. Don't ask anything. When I tell you to do something, just do it. I'll handle your martial soul and soul rings."

Ning Fengzhi nodded, not daring to look in Gu Yue's direction again. The aura she radiated was overwhelming, and he sensed she wasn't exactly friendly.

Meanwhile, he wondered about Gu Yue's identity. Could she be a hidden asset of the Spirit Hall, or someone else entirely? Her aura suggested high status, yet he had never heard of her before.

Han Li ignored Ning Fengzhi's thoughts. Ning Fengzhi had already sworn by his martial soul, so he was bound to obey. Even if he discovered more, it wouldn't matter.

In silence, the three of them walked about 500 meters before emerging from the forest.

Ahead, in a clearing, lay a Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff. Though its soul power fluctuated strongly, its life force was weak. Its eyes were barely open, and it was clear it wouldn't live much longer.

Upon seeing Gu Yue, it struggled to rise but couldn't manage.

Gu Yue shook her head slightly, and the beast settled back down.

"Show me the method you mentioned," she said, turning to Han Li and Ning Fengzhi.

"Alright." Han Li didn't hesitate. He turned to Ning Fengzhi.

"A ninety-thousand-year-old Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff. It'll be your eighth soul ring. Any objections?"

Ning Fengzhi's mouth opened slightly, and his fists clenched as he nodded quickly. This wasn't what he'd expected, nor was it a gem-type soul beast suited for him, but it was a ninety-thousand-year-old soul ring! It was on par with, or even stronger than, Sword Douluo's ninth soul ring. He couldn't have asked for more.

After all, the latter soul rings of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had always been blank. If he succeeded, this would make history.

"Good. Follow me," Han Li instructed, leading him closer to the Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff. He activated his spiritual sharing, enveloping everyone present.

"They've already spoken to you, right? You're doing this voluntarily?"

Han Li asked the Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff, somewhat amused.

"Bark!"

Perhaps due to Gu Yue's presence, the Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff merely barked in agreement, then fell silent.

"Don't resist," Han Li's voice echoed. A spirit-constructed formation appeared between Ning Fengzhi and the Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff.

"With my words, I summon the soul spirit array and establish a contract."

In their spiritual world, Han Li's voice was authoritative. The spiritual power of both Ning Fengzhi and the Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff was drawn into the formation.

As he finished speaking, the formation shone brightly, enveloping them.

Light from the formation penetrated their bodies. Ning Fengzhi's martial soul emerged, and the Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff's soul power activated. A black soul ring floated toward the top of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, while the Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff's soul manifested above it.

Immense soul power surged into Ning Fengzhi, forcing him to concentrate on maintaining his cultivation.

Outside, Gu Yue shifted her gaze from Ning Fengzhi to Han Li.

"The formation is just a façade, isn't it? Essentially, you're the one in control. It looks decent, but it can't be scaled up quickly, and it doesn't fully solve the problem."

Gu Yue's suspicions about Han Li's status as the Lord of the realm were confirmed. Though she was stronger, she couldn't achieve what he had.

From her perspective, the method was effective but akin to drinking poison to quench one's thirst.

"There isn't enough time, so this is the best I can do for now. Isn't it wise to try various methods until I succeed?"

Han Li said nonchalantly. Building trust wasn't always about being overly serious.

Gu Yue nodded, her eyes flickering with a bit more confidence. No matter what, Han Li had indeed shown goodwill all along.

They both stood silently, watching Ning Fengzhi absorb the soul ring. For a moment, there wasn't much conversation as they waited for the outcome.

While Gu Yue focused on the soul spirit's state after the process to assess its viability, Han Li was curious about how the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda would evolve in this way.

Ning Rongrong's case in the original story wasn't relevant, as her martial soul evolved through immortal herbs and custom soul skills. Han Li was more curious to see what Ning Fengzhi would become.

More than an hour later, the fluctuations of soul power around Ning Fengzhi completely disappeared. He opened his eyes, a glimmer of joy flashing across them.

He had finally succeeded! He had broken the curse of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and achieved what his ancestors never could. He was now at level 80—no, he had directly reached level 86. Feeling the immense soul power surging within him, his eyes grew moist.

"Congratulations, Sect Master Ning," Han Li said with a smile, noticing his reaction.

"I can't thank you enough," Ning Fengzhi bowed deeply. This accomplishment meant everything to him, though he refrained from offering the usual empty words of eternal gratitude.

Han Li accepted the bow without objection. This time, he sensed a powerful, genuine faith emanating from Ning Fengzhi. For now, Ning Fengzhi's sincerity was undeniable. As for the future, Han Li didn't care; after all, the martial soul oath wasn't merely symbolic.

"Alright, Sect Master Ning, instead of just admiring your soul ring, why not take a look at your martial soul?"

Han Li gestured toward Ning Fengzhi's martial soul, a broad smile on his face.

"My martial soul?"

Ning Fengzhi looked down at the martial soul in his hand, his left hand trembling as he counted the layers.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight…"

His hand stopped at the topmost layer. The crystal-clear Glazed Tile Pagoda had gained an eighth layer and faint traces of red glimmered at the peak.

"The Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."

He stood there in a daze before finally suppressing his excitement and voicing the name of his newly evolved martial soul. Then, he prepared to bow to Han Li again.

"Hold on. First, tell me about your soul skill, then summon your soul spirit so we can have a look."

Han Li stopped him with a raised hand, glancing toward Gu Yue to remind him of her presence. Ning Fengzhi calmed himself down.

He closed his eyes, and after a moment, his eighth soul ring glowed faintly. A Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff, formed from soul power, appeared before him.

The Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff seemed surprised as well. As soon as it materialized, it began to jump in place and glanced back toward its original body.

"Woof, woof, woof."

It ran happily, stopping to prostrate itself in front of Gu Yue.

Serving as the translator, Ning Fengzhi looked at Han Li and said, "It says it's alive again."

Han Li's lips twitched. Seriously? Are you translating that? Do you think I care?

"Treat it well in the future; it should have decent combat power. Now, what's your eighth soul skill?"

This was what Han Li truly wanted to know. Who cared what the dog said?

Ning Fengzhi collected himself, sensing Han Li's mood, and offered a sheepish smile. The series of miraculous changes had unsettled him, momentarily disrupting his usual composure.

"The eighth soul skill is called Attribute Bestowal. Unlike the previous ability to amplify others' martial soul attributes, this one directly grants the recipient the fire attribute, equivalent in strength to the flames of the Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff. It's powerful but comes with more restrictions."

Explaining the skill, Ning Fengzhi's emotions were more contained. While it was an impressive ability—and the other soul skills also received a 10% enhancement—the eighth soul skill depended on the strength of the soul spirit.

Of course, it was still powerful, as it came from a ninety-thousand-year-old Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff. But compared to breaking through, evolving his martial soul, and gaining combat power himself, this skill was easier to take in stride.

"Not bad," Han Li nodded approvingly. Attribute Bestowal aligned well with his expectations.

"Alright, put everything away. You've just broken through, so take a moment to adjust yourself. I'll send you back soon," Han Li instructed, looking at Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi promptly retracted his martial soul and allowed the soul spirit to merge back into his body. He walked over to Han Li, allowing him to store him back in the wristband.

He understands!

As for Gu Yue's identity, Ning Fengzhi had his suspicions based on the Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff's behavior and deference, but he would keep these thoughts to himself, not sharing them even with Ning Rongrong or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

From now on, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would follow only His Highness the Holy Son!