Douluo Dalu: Lucky Star

In the vast blue expanse, the sudden appearance of three figures mid-air was quite conspicuous—especially Qian Daoliu, who was glowing with golden light, making it nearly impossible not to attract attention.

Perhaps due to the recent manifestation of the Sea God, Sea Soul Masters in various garments were scattered in groups across Sea God Island, deep in conversation. The sudden arrival of Han Li, Ye Lingling, and Qian Daoliu immediately drew all eyes upward. Among them, the seven Titled Douluo known as the Sacred Pillars quickly noticed the trio and soared into the sky, flying toward them with wary expressions. Meanwhile, in the sea surrounding the island, a Demon Soul Great White Shark poked its head out of the water, gazing up.

"Grand Uncle, it seems like they're not too happy to see you," Han Li remarked, glancing at Qian Daoliu beside him. Most soul masters couldn't see from such a distance, but judging by the commotion below, the crowd's reaction seemed mostly directed at Qian Daoliu.

This wasn't surprising. After all, the Spirit Hall had once launched an attack on Sea God Island, only to be forced into retreat. Given the long lifespan of Titled Douluo, many were still around to remember it, so the appearance of an Angel Soul Master was bound to stir up old emotions.

Qian Daoliu's face showed a trace of helplessness. The more he interacted with this kid, the clearer he understood his personality. Although Qian Daoliu didn't dislike him, Han Li had a habit of teasing people—more so than Guangling. The key difference was that Guangling feared him and couldn't beat him, while this brat was an enhanced version who now surpassed him in power. Though Han Li knew how far to push, he certainly tested the limits of an old man's patience.

"By the way, Grand Uncle, do you still like her? If you do, we could talk to Senior Sea God, and I could knock her out and bring her back to Spirit Hall for you," Han Li said, testing the waters.

"This is Sea God Island; mind your words," Qian Daoliu glared at him before shaking his head.

"Do as you see fit, don't worry about me."

Old Qian sure is composed—not the slightest bit of a hopeless romantic, Han Li thought, giving him a thumbs-up. He had been keeping an eye on Qian Daoliu's emotions the whole time and noted how steady they were, showing neither relief nor regret. Perhaps, back in the day, even the competition over a woman was just another part of a battle of egos for him.

So, was your true love Tang Chen? Han Li silently mocked his Grand Uncle but turned his gaze forward.

As the Seven Sacred Pillars flew closer, they gradually slowed down, seeing the trio more clearly. These were the same three figures who had appeared in the vision when the Sea God manifested above Sea God Island. The golden trident mark on Ye Lingling's forehead confirmed it. However, the presence of Qian Daoliu on the right made them hesitate. They knew him as the Grand Worshiper of Spirit Hall. When the figures in the vision had been blurred, it hadn't seemed like a big deal, but now that the Sea God's successor was with Spirit Hall, it was a difficult reality to accept.

"Invite them to Sea God Mountain, and be respectful. That girl is the Sea God's chosen successor."

A faint ripple of soul power came from the center of Sea God Mountain, carrying Bo Saixi's voice to the Seven Sacred Pillars.

After a brief pause, they resumed their normal speed and approached Han Li and the others. Stopping about ten meters away, they bowed and directed their gaze toward Ye Lingling.

"The High Priest invites the three of you to Sea God Mountain."

Ye Lingling and Qian Daoliu both looked at Han Li. Han Li waved his hand. "Lead the way."

The Seven Sacred Pillars were momentarily taken aback but nodded, taking the lead.

So, the young man in the middle is the core of the group?

None of them seemed inclined to land, instead flying directly toward Sea God Mountain in silence. Along the way, the Seven Sacred Pillars were secretly observing the trio, especially Ye Lingling. The faint golden trident mark on her forehead intrigued them greatly. At the same time, they were also trying to discern Han Li's identity.

While they were observing Han Li and the others, Han Li, of course, was also observing them. Most of his attention, however, was focused on Sea Woman Douluo. Her large fishtail extended gracefully up to her waist, and she wore a small black garment on her upper body, which didn't even cover her navel. Her smooth, bare back was fully exposed, reminding Han Li of how Dugu Yan looked when her martial soul manifested.

This woman was much more straightforward than Tang San—she was a true half-human, half-beast. Well, you might even have to put "human" in quotation marks.

She was a member of the mermaid clan—a species almost unheard of on the mainland. But one thing was certain: killing her would yield a soul ring, as Han Li could see a soul ring line above her head, just like that of a soul beast.

Tsk tsk, Sea God knows how to play around, Han Li thought. The mermaid clan might even be one of his romantic creations. If that's the case, then the Titan Snow Demon King could be his offspring too. Collecting faith over a thousand years to become a god must have been quite the journey—he's truly a "Sea King" in every sense of the word.

Given the Divine Realm's rejection of soul beasts, the fact that Sea Woman Douluo could remain on Sea God Island as one of the Seven Sacred Pillars meant she must have had deep ties to the Sea God. Han Li refused to believe otherwise.

"Xiao Li," Ye Lingling tugged at his sleeve, slightly displeased. She could get jealous too, and his gaze was a bit too direct.

Han Li blinked and leaned over to whisper something in her ear. Ye Lingling's face immediately turned bright red, and she quickly forgot the previous issue.

Ahead of them, Sea Woman Douluo sensed their movements and tossed a flirtatious glance back at Han Li, only to be startled by his smile, and quickly turned away.

Look all you want; I'm just observing with an appreciative gaze, he thought. But using your innate mind-reading ability to probe me? That's crossing a line. Do I look like someone easy to deal with? Let's see if I can't scare you a bit.

When Sea Woman Douluo used her innate ability on him, Han Li retaliated without hesitation. He sent back the image of a mermaid being butchered in a sewer, an unsettling scene from a painting he'd seen in his previous life, projecting it through her psychic ability in vivid detail. Since she liked probing, he'd give her more than she bargained for, even mixing in a hint of his Deathgod Domain to turn it into a nightmarish experience.

Now, Sea Woman Douluo's face was ghostly pale.

The Sea God manifested, yet the High Priest didn't come out to greet us, and one of the Sacred Pillars even tested us? These factions on Sea God Island don't know how to be polite, Han Li mused. Did Poseidon not inform them beforehand?

As Han Li pondered this, he was unaware that, at that very moment in the Divine Realm, Poseidon had just stepped into Rong Nianbing's residence bearing a carefully chosen gift. Although Bo Saixi's prayers had reached the Sea God Temple, communication between the Divine Realm and the mortal world was restricted by certain rules. Since the Sea God had already left the temple, he was unable to respond to her prayers immediately.

After Sea Woman Douluo's probing, the atmosphere grew even tenser. The ten people were now split into two groups, moving forward with a palpable sense of tension. Fortunately, they weren't moving slowly.

At the foot of Sea God Mountain, the Seven Sacred Pillars halted and turned around.

"Honored guests, the High Priest awaits you in the temple atop the mountain. Please follow me," said Sea Dragon Douluo, the leader of the Seven Sacred Pillars. He had just received a message from the High Priest and signaled for the others to escort Sea Woman Douluo away, as her face was growing increasingly pale.

Han Li nodded and followed him up the steps of Sea God Mountain. So far, the response from the other side hadn't been out of line.

However, transmitting messages in front of him? Sure, this was Sea God Island, their home turf, but it felt a little disrespectful. Moreover, Han Li could sense that the Sea God High Priest's mood wasn't exactly pleasant.

Could this be going down the same old cliché path? No way, right? In this day and age, they're still using such outdated tropes?

He could understand, though. Bo Saixi, after all, likely had no idea what the Sea God High Priest's final duty truly entailed. Given her and Qian Daoliu's ages, they were still considered young for their power levels, and both were leaders in their own right. However, unlike Qian Daoliu, who had descendants and was more at peace, Bo Saixi was still hung up on her old flame, Tang Chen.

While Qian Daoliu had played a substantial role in assisting and guiding Qian Renxue through her divine trials, Bo Saixi had no such relationship with her successor. This wasn't her descendant, after all, and it showed. Most likely, what she couldn't accept was the fact that Ye Lingling had bypassed her, directly taking on the Sea God's Nine Trials. This meant that Bo Saixi would lose her life to someone she didn't even know. Anyone in her position would find that hard to accept.

Each step Ye Lingling took in her divine trials was, in a way, a countdown to Bo Saixi's end. The fact that her mental state hadn't collapsed yet was already impressive.

But what did that have to do with Han Li and the others? This was all arranged by her beloved Sea God; it was her test. If she had a problem, she should take it up with him. If she thought she could treat them as easy targets, she was sorely mistaken—Han Li wouldn't stand for it.

This was precisely why Han Li had arranged for Ye Lingling's Sea God Island trial to be the last. Compared to Qian Daoliu, Bo Saixi was far less qualified and responsible as a High Priest. If the structured Angel trials could be managed, why couldn't the more flexible Sea God trials? Han Li didn't buy it.

In the original story, Tang San had also been a chosen successor, but without Tang Chen's influence and the intervention of both the Sea God and Asura God, Han Li did not doubt that Bo Saixi would have killed Tang San.

But now that Han Li was here, the clear skies of Sea God Island were under his control. Ye Lingling was his, and as a healing-type soul master, she needed protection. Han Li didn't have many virtues, but protecting those close to him was one of them.

If Bo Saixi dared to cause trouble, Han Li wouldn't hesitate to kill her.

With that thought, Han Li's steps grew lighter. As long as Gu Yue didn't challenge him in a fight—

In this world, he was invincible.