Chapter 37: A Classic Scene Recreated, Guang Ling's Overactive Imagination
Racing through the forest, Guang Ling's overwhelming power allowed them to cover in less than half an hour what had taken Han Li an entire day of cautious travel.
Not only that, but Guang Ling had also thoughtfully chosen a secluded area, far from any wandering soul masters, and cleared out all the low level soul beasts in the vicinity.
Meanwhile, Han Li wasn't idle during the trip. He closed his eyes and focused on adjusting his state, determined to face the upcoming moment in peak condition.
As Guang Ling set them both down, Han Li opened his eyes his state had been fully restored.
Guang Ling glanced at him, then at the faintly stirring Golden Scale Eagle, before speaking: "Begin. I'll stand guard for you."
"Yes, Teacher."
The moment Han Li responded, his bowstring had already been drawn. A solid fire arrow shot straight into the eagle's eye, pierced through its skull, and detonated inside, instantly incinerating its brain.
Still in a dazed state, the Golden Scale Eagle never even had the chance to let out a final cry before losing its life.
As the purple soul ring slowly rose from the corpse, Han Li took a deep breath. Seeing the concerned look in his teacher's eyes, he didn't hesitate he took a step forward, sat down, and activated his martial soul to begin the absorption process.
Instantly, a familiar yet overwhelmingly intense surge of energy rushed into his body, violently stirring his soul power. But this time, his spiritual power and control had significantly improved, allowing him to immediately take command of the chaotic energy.
With both mental strength and physical endurance exceeding the required threshold, the process of absorption wasn't as challenging as it could have been.
As he carefully guided the energy, Han Li took the opportunity to observe the changes within his body.
His soul power flowed rapidly, and he noticed that his spiritual meridians were also undergoing significant changes. With each circulation of energy, his meridians were being gradually expanded, almost as if a clogged river was being cleared and widened.
So that's why the optimal soul ring configuration is so crucial…
Some talented soul masters struggled to break through bottlenecks simply because their early stage soul rings weren't strong enough. Han Li had previously assumed it was only because their martial souls lacked enhancement, but now he realized that the development of their internal meridians played a huge role as well.
It was just that no one else on the Douluo Continent had conceptualized this yet.
Outside, Guang Ling Observes
Guang Ling carefully watched his disciple.
Feeling the steadily rising aura emanating from Han Li, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Even though he trusted Han Li's judgment, it was impossible not to worry.
By now, the sun had shifted from directly overhead to just above the treetops over two hours had passed since Han Li started absorbing the soul ring.
Seeing that his soul power had stabilized and was no longer leaking outward, Guang Ling finally let go of the last bit of tension in his heart.
But then
Han Li's eyes suddenly snapped open.
His right eye lit up with a mysterious golden glow, and an eagle's cry echoed faintly through the air.
Guang Ling, who had been about to step forward, instantly froze in place.
His expression twisted into a mix of joy and disbelief, making his already youthful looking face appear even more comically distorted.
This scene… felt way too familiar.
The last time Han Li absorbed a soul ring, the exact same thing had happened.
And back then
He had gained an external soul bone comparable to a hundred thousand year one.
And now?
It was happening again.
Guang Ling's gaze flicked to Han Li's right eye.
Could it be… another external soul bone?
His hand unconsciously moved to his own left eye, feeling the scar beneath his eyelid.
Okay… okay, I can accept this.
…
ACCEPT, MY ASS!
Even though the beneficiary was his own disciple, Guang Ling felt an overwhelming urge to curse.
Since when did soul bones drop so easily?!
He had never heard of anyone consistently obtaining an external soul bone every time they acquired a soul ring.
And not just any soul bones both of Han Li's were growth type external soul bones.
If Han Li weren't completely unrelated to the Qian family, Guang Ling would have seriously started suspecting that Han Li was the true heir of the Angel God's inheritance.
Forget Qian Daoliu.
Forget Qian Renxue.
Han Li should be the real protagonist of the Martial Soul Hall.
…
Back when Guang Ling obtained his own external soul bone, it was already partially broken, had no growth potential, and was barely over ten thousand years old.
Even worse he had nearly lost his life trying to absorb it.
As a result, his left eye was permanently damaged, and he had to keep it closed most of the time.
Even though it did perfectly suit his combat style, it was still just a regular ten thousand year soul bone.
But even that had been enough to make the other Titled Douluo envious.
And Han Li?
Two soul rings. Two external soul bones.
Even his personal maid had undergone a complete transformation.
Han Li had given her some mysterious enhancement, allowing her to awaken a Crystal Bear martial soul and leap from being unable to cultivate to an innate soul power of rank eight.
That kind of improvement was already terrifying.
Now, Guang Ling suddenly thought of something
Ever since taking Han Li as a disciple, his own cultivation speed had increased dramatically.
Even though he had been stuck at Rank 97 for years, his breakthrough to Rank 98 had come suspiciously smoothly.
Could it be that… Han Li was some kind of divine reincarnation, unconsciously blessing those around him?
The more he thought about it, the more sense it made.
As Guang Ling spiraled into his own overthinking, Han Li finally finished absorbing the soul bone and opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was his teacher staring at him intensely, his gaze filled with a strange curiosity.
…Why does Teacher look so weird?
Feeling slightly uneasy, Han Li quickly got up from the ground and asked, "Teacher? What's wrong?"
Guang Ling looked straight into his eyes and, in an unusually serious tone, asked:
"Han Li, tell me honestly am I a good teacher?"
Han Li blinked in confusion but answered immediately: "Of course! You've always treated me incredibly well."
"Good." Guang Ling nodded.
"Then tell me the truth are you some kind of reincarnated god?"
Han Li immediately burst out laughing. "Teacher, you're overthinking this. I'm just lucky, that's all."
"Lucky? Two external soul bones, and you're calling that 'just lucky'?"
Guang Ling's eyebrow twitched violently.
"Yes! I really am just lucky! Look, even when I go for a walk in Martial Soul City, I randomly find money on the ground! I've already picked up almost ten gold soul coins just from strolling around."
Han Li spread his hands helplessly.
Guang Ling stared at him in complete disbelief.
"…You not only get free soul bones, but you also randomly find money?"
The proud and mighty Titled Douluo was now completely speechless.
"Yeah, I don't know why, but gold soul coins just roll to my feet when I'm walking. That's why I always say it must be the Angel God's blessing."
Han Li repeated his earlier explanation with a completely sincere expression.
Seeing no signs of deception in Han Li's face, Guang Ling finally gave up trying to figure it out.
He was just going to pretend this conversation never happened.
Instead, his expression suddenly turned serious.
"From now on, you need to keep this hidden. Don't let anyone else know even Xiu'er."
Han Li felt warmth in his heart.
His teacher truly cared about him.
With a solemn nod, Han Li promised, "I understand."
And in his mind, he added: "Sorry, Teacher."
Some secrets… he could never tell anyone.
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