Douluo Dalu: Lucky Star

Chapter 291: [DD]: 291



Credits: Jonathan

"Shouldn't you be angry?"

A sudden voice from Qian Renxue rang in Han Li's ear. He turned his head to look at her.

The expression on her face was indescribably distorted, a collapse of emotions that defied explanation.

"Why should I be angry?"

"Because our Pope betrayed my interests?"

Han Li appeared entirely at ease, even leisurely popping a grape into his mouth.

"But isn't this something one could foresee from the beginning? Besides, my things aren't so easily taken."

A strange smile crept across Han Li's face as he waved a finger in front of Qian Renxue.

"Everyone in the Spirit Hall took oaths before gaining access to the original version of the Mysterious Heaven Technique. The Pope couldn't possibly have revealed it to Yu Xiaogang."

"She can't and won't do that. So, what is there for me to worry about? Why would you think that the things I let out are so easily taken—or modified?"

"You should know by now, I'm not exactly a saint. The last group that tried to use me as a stepping stone still hasn't recovered in the Spirit Hall."

Qian Daoliu listened quietly. He knew Han Li was referring to Hu Liena and her companions. Glancing at his emotionally unstable granddaughter, he sighed inwardly.

"You did this on purpose?"

Qian Renxue's face twisted into an unprecedentedly evil expression. Since the seventh trial began, the impact on her had been significant. This expression, utterly unfitting for her, now looked disturbingly natural—so much so that it left Han Li somewhat stunned.

The contrast was striking.

Too striking!

Still, it's better if she returns to normal quickly. Looking at her like this, I can't fully trust her, Han Li thought to himself.

"Of course not! How could I know Yu Xiaogang would covet the Mysterious Heaven Technique? But you know me—I always like to keep a backup plan."

"And let's be real, I believe in Yu Xiaogang. He might be useless at getting things done right, but when it comes to messing things up, he's top-tier."

Han Li pointed at the image of Yu Xiaogang on the glowing screen before them, his expression deadly serious.

Just kidding!

With my dimensional awareness, even simplifying the technique took ages. It's only been six months since I made the Mysterious Heaven Technique public, and I've already drained Yu Xiaogang of all his fortune and potential.

If that half-baked fool, who decided to tinker with Ren and Du meridians, can succeed, I'll change my surname to Yu.

Someone who hasn't even cleared their Ren and Du meridians, who doesn't dare to cultivate themselves, trying to rely on a mere incomplete diagram to modify the technique's circulation routes through half-guesswork?

If that works, he wouldn't be the wreck he is today. Besides, I've already tested this with my dimensional awareness. For anyone above Soul Sage, following the modified routes won't show effects at first. But if they persist for more than seven days, their soul power will inevitably go berserk. If it doesn't, I'll admit defeat.

For those below Soul Sage, talented individuals with naturally clear meridians might just experience soul power backlash.

But those with poor talent?

The moment they open their Ren and Du meridians, they'll explode on the spot. Even for those who don't complete the meridians, prolonged use of the modified route will severely damage their meridians. In the short term, it's tolerable.

But after a month?

If they're not crippled, it'll be sheer luck.

Of course, it's not entirely useless.

Altering the soul power flow direction can slightly accelerate cultivation speed in the early stages.

Jealous?

It's trading the future for temporary gains. Looking at Bibi Dong on the screen, attempting the altered technique with Yu Xiaogang's guidance, Han Li almost wanted to laugh out loud.

The smugness on Yu Xiaogang's face and Bibi Dong's carefully concealed emotions amused him endlessly.

He truly didn't mind them spreading it—he even welcomed it. With Yu Xiaogang's arrogance and Bibi Dong's unstable mental state, he doubted they'd spend enough time rigorously testing the modifications. Even if they did test it, it wouldn't matter. Everyone in the Spirit Hall had access to the superior original version of the Mysterious Heaven Technique.

Who would waste a week or more practicing a flawed version?

As for outsiders below Soul Sage, it would take at least a month of use to notice any issues.

Could Bibi Dong or Yu Xiaogang afford to wait that long?

Even if they could, Han Li didn't care. This was an unexpected bonus. His original intent was just to show Qian Renxue the true nature of Bibi Dong and help her pass the Angel God Trial. No matter how he looked at it, it was a win.

Qian Renxue didn't respond to Han Li's words. Her eyes remained locked on the glowing screen, her emotions and soul power wildly fluctuating. She wasn't a fool. As an observer, it was all too easy to notice certain truths about Bibi Dong. A deep discomfort took root in her heart.

" Hmm?"

Han Li raised an eyebrow. His dimensional awareness informed him that someone was approaching the palace where they were speaking. He glanced at Qian Renxue and happened to catch her hastily averting her gaze.

"I'm fine."

The moment their eyes met, Qian Renxue stubbornly declared, "I'm fine."

I didn't even say anything yet, Han Li thought, silently observing her. He didn't press further, though, because the real blow was still to come. To be honest, even though Qian Renxue had chosen to witness this herself, Han Li undoubtedly played a role in steering her toward it. A part of him felt reluctant to let her continue watching.

It wouldn't hurt for her to take her time becoming a god. For a brief moment, Han Li even entertained the thought. Though he couldn't be sure how things would unfold next, based on his understanding of those two, the upcoming events might very well deliver a double blow to Qian Renxue. For her, it was truly too cruel.

Noticing the hesitation in his eyes, Qian Renxue bit her lower lip and forced herself to refocus on the glowing screen. She wasn't unaware of these matters—it wasn't as if this was her first day knowing about them.

Hadn't she already prepared herself for the worst?

Then, from outside the screen, a female voice called out.

"Teacher, you've come out of seclusion. May I come in now?"

It was Hu Liena's voice, brimming with unmistakable joy. Inside the palace, Bibi Dong ceased the circulation of her soul power. She glanced at Yu Xiaogang, hesitated for a moment, and then called out toward the outside, "Come in."

For Bibi Dong, the man and woman inside and outside the palace were perhaps the two most important people in her life. That they would meet today seemed almost predestined. She even harbored a faint trace of expectation—twisted though it was. Yes, the fractured part of her psyche longed for her disciple's blessing, despite knowing Hu Liena had no idea about her relationship with Yu Xiaogang.

"Alright, Teacher."

Hu Liena stepped into the palace, brimming with excitement, only to be greeted by the sight of Yu Xiaogang sitting to one side, his face still wearing a barely restrained smile.

Huh?

Wasn't that Yu Xiaogang, the one they'd encountered before the Soul Master Competition?

The son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's leader, the same one who'd had a public spat with Liu Erlong?

What was he doing here?

Hu Liena was familiar with Yu Xiaogang's reputation as a waste. Combined with her prior impression of him, she found it difficult to form a positive evaluation. Still, it didn't matter much to her. She respectfully saluted Bibi Dong and addressed her, "Teacher."

"Mm."

Bibi Dong's gaze softened as she appraised Hu Liena with evident affection, her face lighting up with a genuine smile. She was deeply satisfied with her disciple, whom she had raised and nurtured as if she were her daughter. Although Hu Liena hadn't followed the path Bibi Dong had meticulously planned for her, it didn't matter. As long as she was happy, that was enough.

And besides, Han Li and his ilk would soon be dead. Once everything was back on track, Bibi Dong would ensure that Hu Liena received the best of everything. At that moment, Yu Xiaogang also turned his gaze toward Hu Liena. She seemed familiar as if he had seen her somewhere before. However, wary of Tang Hao's vengeance, he hadn't dared attend the Soul Master Competition. Moreover, when Han Li had visited previously, Yu Xiaogang had been in a fit of rage due to Liu Erlong and had paid little attention to anyone else. Thus, while Hu Liena's face struck a chord, he couldn't quite place her.

Of course, he was aware of her reputation for thrashing Tang San. His expression stiffened slightly, but he forced a smile and nodded as a gesture of goodwill. Hu Liena returned the nod politely—she couldn't afford to be rude in front of her teacher.

"No need to be so formal. This is a friend of mine," Bibi Dong said, smiling as she observed their courteous interaction. However, her tone carried a trace of unease when she mentioned the word friend.

What?!

Hu Liena's eyes widened in shock. Unlike Qian Renxue, Hu Liena had been practically raised by Bibi Dong. Outside of formal occasions, their relationship was closer to that of a real mother and daughter. When they were alone, Bibi Dong didn't maintain her dignified Pope persona, so Hu Liena had a thorough understanding of her teacher's demeanor. Something was off.

The teacher was… shy?

In all these years, Hu Liena had never seen her act this way.

Him?

Does he deserve this?

That was the first thought that crossed Hu Liena's mind. But when she caught the doting look Bibi Dong directed at her, she swallowed all her doubts.

No, let's observe for now. Maybe I'm mistaken.

"Yes, Teacher," Hu Liena replied obediently, walking over to stand by Bibi Dong's side. Bibi Dong's mood visibly improved. It seemed she hadn't doted on Hu Liena in vain. At least, unlike others, Hu Liena didn't show Yu Xiaogang any disdain.

Taking Hu Liena's hand—perhaps intentionally or not—Bibi Dong completely ignored Yu Xiaogang sitting to the side. Instead, she began inquiring about Hu Liena's life and cultivation during her seclusion.

"They look… positively harmonious, don't they?"

In the courtyard of a mansion in Heaven Dou City, Qian Renxue forced an ugly smile as she glanced at Han Li beside her. Han Li took one look at the silent and impassive Qian Daoliu and sighed inwardly.

Your granddaughter is spiraling. Aren't you going to do something about it?

"Well?" he asked, turning to Qian Renxue.

"Shopping or drinking?"

The glowing screen had vanished without a trace, but Han Li couldn't shake the feeling that snowflakes were falling above her head. Qian Renxue, snow indeed suits you, he mused.

"Both," she replied curtly.


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