Chapter 40: Arrival at Heaven Dou City – Platinum Bishop Salas
At dawn, as Han Li opened his eyes, the small town outside had already begun to stir.
After a quick wash and a satisfying breakfast, their luxurious soul beast powered carriage rolled out of the town, drawing envious gazes from the townsfolk as it slowly disappeared into the distance, heading towards Nuoding City.
Two days later, the carriage drove straight into the City Lord's Mansion and remained there for half a day before departing again, this time toward Heaven Dou City.
Only after they had left did rumors begin to spread the owner of that extravagant, almost otherworldly carriage was none other than Young Master Han, the boy who, a year ago, had been taken as a disciple by a powerful figure from the Spirit Hall. His return was solely to visit the City Lord himself.
Inside the carriage, Guang Ling glanced at Han Li, who had once again immersed himself in a book. "You could have stayed a few more days, you know."
Han Li closed his book and smiled. "No need, Teacher. I just wanted to check on Uncle Xiao. It had been a while. Besides, I did stop by my old home too that was more than enough."
"By the way, why didn't you leave anything for the City Lord's son? You two seem to get along well enough." Guang Ling asked curiously.
"You mean Dust Rain?" Han Li chuckled. "It's not that I didn't want to. Uncle Xiao had already arranged everything for him. His talent isn't great, and he doesn't really enjoy cultivation. In a few years, he'll probably take over the family business. I asked both him and Uncle Xiao about it, and in the end, I passed his share to another child in their family."
"That other kid does he have good talent?" Guang Ling asked offhandedly.
"Yeah, innate spirit power of Rank 4, with a mutated martial soul which is quite decent for Nuoding City. He's currently studying at Balak Academy."
"Oh." Guang Ling instantly lost interest.
Han Li wasn't bothered by Guang Ling's attitude he knew his teacher's personality well enough. With that, he simply returned to his book.
This time, he hadn't left Xiao Zhan too many things just helped adjust their physical conditions and left some basic cultivation resources. More importantly, he left a letter, outlining a modified training plan based on Brother Tao's regimen, adjusted for their martial souls. He also included an invitation for the other Xiao family child to seek him out in Spirit City after graduation.
Since they weren't members of Spirit Hall, Han Li couldn't openly grant them too much support he had to work around it.
Arrival at Heaven Dou City
After another ten days of travel, the three finally arrived at Heaven Dou City.
The long journey had been exhausting, and despite the comfort of the carriage, they were all fatigued.
Upon arrival, they headed straight for the Spirit Hall branch, skipping Platinum Bishop Salas' welcome banquet entirely. They ate a quick meal and immediately collapsed onto their beds.
It wasn't until 10 AM the next morning that Han Li finally felt alive again.
As he stepped out of his room, a Spirit Hall guard informed him that Guang Ling was meeting with Bishop Salas. Without hesitation, Han Li made his way to the reception hall.
"Teacher, greetings to Bishop Salas."
Upon entering, Han Li immediately bowed in greeting.
"No need for formalities. Seeing you in person, I must say, you truly live up to the reputation." Salas responded warmly. "I personally handled your case back then, you know."
Han Li froze for a split second before quickly understanding the message.
His expression turned grateful, and he bowed again.
"Then I must sincerely thank Your Grace. Without your fair judgment, I never would have met my Teacher."
"Hahaha! Perhaps it was fate."
Salas laughed heartily, clearly pleased that Han Li had picked up on his hint and acknowledged the favor.
Meanwhile, Guang Ling sat to the side, expression full of disdain, looking at Salas as if he were an idiot.
His disciple.
He understood him far too well.
For Han Li to wear his emotions so openly in front of a stranger?
Impossible.
This meant only one thing he was planning to use Salas… and as a disposable pawn at that.
Before arriving, Guang Ling had already exposed every bit of Salas' history to Han Li. He knew everything.
Salas thought he was roping Han Li in? Ridiculous. If Han Li truly formed a connection with him, Guang Ling would write his own name backwards.
Also, he finally understood why Bibi Dong had taken an interest in Han Li back then it was this fool's fault for reporting to both sides.
Salas was a fence sitter, trying to play both the Elders' Hall and the Pope's faction.
And Guang Ling despised people like him the most.
On the other hand, Han Li's emotions were half genuine.
He did, in fact, feel a small bit of gratitude towards Salas, but he had no intention of truly acknowledging any debt.
Maintaining a surface level connection was enough Salas could never truly rely on him.
And judging from Salas' careful phrasing, it was clear he was simply trying to use Han Li's rise as a stepping stone.
Too bad… he was about to be disappointed.
"Bring me the Maps"
Guang Ling, fed up with the meaningless socializing, cut in sharply:
"Enough with the small talk. Salas, bring me a geomantic map of the city one with territorial markers."
Salas immediately complied.
"Of course, Fifth Worship."
Yet, instead of leaving right away, he hesitated before stepping closer to Guang Ling.
With a barrier of spirit power, he lowered his voice.
"Your Eminence… shall I also inform 'Her Highness' of your presence?"
Guang Ling fell silent, his expression complicated.
On the journey here, he had already thought about this problem.
He hadn't planned to visit Heaven Dou City in the first place, so he hadn't made prior arrangements.
Now that he was here, it was only right to check in on Her Highness.
But...
He hadn't sought Elder Qian Daoliu's permission beforehand.
More importantly, should he tell Han Li about Qian Renxue's true identity?
That matter involved the previous Pope's dark history revealing it wouldn't benefit Han Li in any way.
Glancing at his disciple, Guang Ling made his decision.
For now, Han Li didn't need to know.
"No need to hide it. Send word that I'll visit her in secret tonight."
"Understood."
Salas withdrew his spirit power shield, gave a brief farewell, and left to prepare the materials.
"Aren't You Curious?"
Guang Ling turned to Han Li and smirked.
"Aren't you curious about what we were discussing?"
Han Li shrugged, completely unconcerned.
"Not at all. If it were relevant to me, Teacher would've told me already. Since you didn't, it means it has nothing to do with me."
He was genuinely indifferent.
After all, what else could it be but Qian Renxue's infiltration mission?
Right now, he had zero interest in meeting her.
She could play her spy games, and he would focus on his own growth.
Mutual non interference was ideal.
Guang Ling raised an eyebrow, then let out a chuckle.
"You're really something, kid."
He quickly changed the subject.
"Now that we're in Heaven Dou City, have you sensed anything yet?"
Han Li glanced around theatrically, then smirked.
"Nope. Let's wait for the maps to arrive. I'll 'divine' the location tonight."
Guang Ling thought back to Han Li's nonsense divination method and wisely chose to shut up.
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