A Bold Idea and a Costly Price

Inside the Worship Hall, Broad Hill vividly described his disciple's Martial Soul abilities and development ideas. Then, when he casually mentioned that he might have found a path to go even further, Lion, Qian Jun, and Jiang Mo could no longer hold back.

Azure Luan showed no unusual reaction. He had always spoiled Broad Hill; seeing his younger brother improve only made him happy. Besides, although he possessed a Beast Martial Soul, it also came with an elemental attribute. After hearing Broad Hill's explanation, he felt faintly inspired as well.

Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile said nothing. They exchanged a glance, each seeing surprise in the other's eyes. They had not expected their casual words when allowing Broad Hill to take a disciple to truly bring him gains. Moreover, from Broad Hill's description, they keenly sensed that Han Li's talent might not lie solely in his Martial Soul. His way of thinking was his greatest asset.

Just as the Worship Hall began discussing their future paths of cultivation, Han Li had already followed a guard to the residence Broad Hill had prepared for him.

From his conversation with the guard along the way, Han Li learned that aside from the elders, only he and Xiu'er, the newly arrived siblings, lived here. The elders only stayed here occasionally. Only Broad Hill and Azure Luan resided here permanently, right next door to their residence.

After thanking the guard and seeing him off, Han Li entered the place where he would live for the next several years. The moment he crossed the threshold, he saw Xiu'er rushing toward him. She had clearly been waiting for quite some time.

"Young Master, you're back."

Xiu'er stopped in front of him and cried out in delight.

"Mm, Sister Xiu'er, I'm back. So, are you satisfied with the place Teacher arranged?"

Han Li took her hand and asked with a smile.

"Mm, it's much bigger than the courtyard in Notting City. It's just... there are so many more servants. I told them I'm only Young Master's maid, but they wouldn't listen. They insisted on calling me Miss and serving me. I'm really not used to it."

Xiu'er's little face was full of conflict. When she mentioned the servants, she secretly watched Han Li's expression, as if afraid those people would steal away her work as his personal maid.

Han Li naturally noticed Xiu'er's little movements, but he said nothing. Instead, he looked around, then led her to sit in a pavilion.

"Sister Xiu'er, don't worry. And you should know that I've always treated you as my sister. Don't call yourself my maid anymore."

Seeing Xiu'er rise to her feet with an anxious expression after hearing his words, Han Li waved his hand and pulled her back down before continuing, "Don't rush. Hear me out. I understand what you mean. Sister Xiu'er, you know Teacher is a Titled Douluo, so we can only learn to adapt. Since he says you're my sister, then you are my sister."

Han Li had persuaded her many times before, but this time, he directly brought out Broad Hill Douluo as his ultimate weapon. For the locals, nothing was more persuasive than that.

Seeing that the girl was still conflicted but no longer so resistant, Han Li pressed on while the iron was hot. "Teacher arranged all this, so, Sister Xiu'er, you wouldn't want Teacher to take his anger out on me over such a small matter, would you?"

Xiu'er's expression changed at once, and she hurriedly said, "Then I'll listen to you, Young... Xiao Li."

Seeing Han Li nod in satisfaction, Xiu'er lowered her voice somewhat dejectedly. "Xiao Li, does that mean I won't be able to take care of you like before?"

Han Li did not know whether to laugh or cry. Slowly, then. This was Sister Xiu'er's knot in her heart.

He spoke seriously. "Of course not. Sister Xiu'er is my sister. If an older sister wants to take care of her younger brother, who could stop her?"

Seeing Xiu'er raise her head in delight, he continued, "Besides, I'm used to Sister Xiu'er taking care of me. As far as I'm concerned, Sister Xiu'er is my only personal maid."

"Of course. I'll still be the one taking care of Young... Xiao Li from now on." Xiu'er spoke with complete confidence.

"However, Sister Xiu'er, promise me that you'll also accept the care of the other maids. No problem?"

"No... uh, no problem."

Xiu'er had intended to refuse halfway through, but seemingly remembered something and agreed after a slight pause.

Done. Han Li silently praised himself. Consoling a young girl was truly difficult. Even with Teacher's help, he had only managed to make Xiu'er yield a little. There was still a long road ahead, so he would take it slowly.

Watching Xiu'er return to her normal self after their conversation, her unease gone, Han Li's eyes flickered as he thought of Qian Daoliu's promise.

Perhaps it was time to put the plan to let Sister Xiu'er cultivate again on the agenda.

He had been planning this for a long time. After confirming that reawakening was useless, he had developed a bold idea through several years of reading all kinds of books, though he had never had a way to try it. But now, he saw hope, and that hope came from Qian Daoliu.

As the cheerful Xiu'er pulled him around to familiarize him with their new residence, Han Li became increasingly certain of what request he should make.

Certainly, after becoming a god, he could directly bring Sister Xiu'er into the God Realm. But before then, her life would be far too dull. As for immortal herbs, it was not that he was reluctant to part with them. Rather, even with the weakest and mildest immortal herb, he could not be sure whether an ordinary person who had never cultivated could endure it—or whether she would explode and die.

There was nothing to hesitate over, was there? Han Li looked at Xiu'er's happy back ahead of him and made his decision.

After touring the entire new residence, it was already time for dinner. Han Li finally saw his teacher arrive, accompanied by Azure Luan Douluo. Xiu'er decisively ran off to the kitchen; she had to tell those people what flavors Xiao Li liked.

After exchanging greetings, Broad Hill tossed several items to Han Li: a Meditation Technique suitable for Tool Martial Souls that he had improved by referencing the Angel Faction's Meditation Technique, an elder's token, and a handbook.

Han Li curiously opened the handbook when Broad Hill said, "The people in that booklet are considered my followers. You can contact them to handle minor matters. If they can't handle something, tell me. As for the Meditation Technique, don't reveal it to anyone besides your relatives and disciples. Oh, not that you have anyone to pass it on to. Xiu'er can't cultivate either."

The moment Broad Hill finished speaking, Azure Luan poked him. Han Li looked up at Broad Hill's embarrassed expression and knew he had not meant it. Then, seeing Azure Luan give him an apologetic look, he shook his head to show that it was fine.

He glanced around, confirmed that Sister Xiu'er was nowhere nearby, then looked at the two Super Douluo with a serious expression. "Teacher, after I obtain my First Soul Ring tomorrow, I would like to meet the Grand Elder and make a request."

Broad Hill and Azure Luan looked at him in surprise. They had not expected him to use that promise so quickly. Exchanging a glance, they both saw confusion in the other's eyes.

Broad Hill coughed and took the initiative to speak. "Disciple, you probably don't know just how important the Grand Elder's promise is. Let me give you an example. You know about 100,000 Year Soul Rings, right?"

Han Li nodded to show that he did.

Broad Hill continued, "I suggest you don't rush. It would be best to wait until you're preparing to advance to Titled Douluo before making your request. You might be able to obtain a 100,000 Year Soul Ring and its corresponding Soul Bone. By then, surpassing your teacher will only be a matter of time."

Han Li still nodded, but his expression did not change. Looking at the concern in their eyes, he said, "Teacher, I understand very clearly, but I still want to make the request now."

Han Li respectfully stood and bowed to the two of them. "Teacher, Martial Uncle, please hear me out."

"I am not acting out of ignorance or impulse. It is simply that, to me, there are things more important than a 100,000 Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone. I have an idea that perhaps only the Grand Elder can make possible."

"You have both seen Sister Xiu'er's situation. Because of what happened before, she was only partially awakened and has never been able to cultivate. I have a bold idea. The reason Sister Xiu'er cannot cultivate may be because the incorrect awakening failed to fully open the routes through which Soul Power flows in her body, leaving her in a half-possessed state. I need a bear-type Soul Bone no more than a hundred years old—or rather, the weaker the better. Ideally, one from a ten-year soul beast. If she can absorb it, perhaps she can use the energy from the same source to reactivate her Martial Soul and begin cultivating again. If not, I can finally give up completely."

"But I also know how difficult it is to obtain such a Soul Bone. I know my choice may seem childish, but this is what I seek. Besides, a 100,000 Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone are nothing more than that. I believe I will be able to obtain them myself in the future. Therefore, Teacher, please grant my request."

Having finished speaking, Han Li remained bowed for a long time.