Chapter 145: [DD]: 145
Perhaps it was because Han Li had warned them. With Yang Wudi, an expert in poison-making, by their side, they knew that Bai Ming's condition couldn't be delayed.
In any case, Bai He and Yang Wudi quickly came to an agreement.
In less than five minutes, the barrier dissipated, and the two of them returned.
"We accept your terms."
It was Yang Wudi who spoke, his tone still cold.
"We agree, but I don't trust you people from Spirit Hall. Also, the heirloom is far more valuable than this treatment. You must swear on your martial soul at the same time as me that no tricks will be played during the treatment, and that after it's done, you'll let us leave safely."
"Neither you nor any hidden members of Spirit Hall can obstruct us."
To be cautious, Bai He even added a few extra conditions.
Then, he and Yang Wudi noticed the strange looks on the faces of the people across from them, as though they were pitying them.
Han Li suppressed his urge to laugh and responded earnestly, "No problem, if we swear on our martial souls, I agree."
Han Li hadn't expected Bai He to make such a request. In this day and age, there were still people eager to form a martial soul vow with him.
Of course, from their perspective, this wasn't unreasonable.
This Old White Bird was starting to seem a bit cute.
If it weren't for the inappropriate circumstances, Han Li would've even asked Bai He if he wanted to add a few more conditions.
"As long as you agree."
Though Bai He found their reaction a bit odd, especially since they hadn't even asked to inspect the heirloom first, he didn't give it much thought. He didn't suspect anything related to the martial soul vow; he just assumed they found his willingness to trade the heirloom unusual.
After all, swearing on one's martial soul was the highest form of ceremony and promise on the Douluo Continent.
With a heavy heart, Bai He retrieved a box from his soul tool and, after a moment of hesitation, looked at Han Li.
"Swear first. Once the treatment's effectiveness is confirmed, we'll make the exchange."
"No problem."
Han Li nodded without hesitation and began to make the vow.
On the other side, Bai He, seeing Han Li's actions, breathed a sigh of relief and followed suit.
After the vows were made, Han Li turned to Ye Lingling.
"Xiao Ai, the treatment is up to you."
Ye Lingling blushed slightly at the nickname, knowing he was teasing her about her earlier state.
Even at a time like this, he was still joking—in front of her sisters, no less—making her feel a bit embarrassed. Nevertheless, she obediently stepped forward.
According to Han Li, half of the treatment fee—the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng—was hers. As a healing-type soul master, she couldn't resist the temptation of such a rare treasure.
With a flash of soul power, a white staff glimmering with starlight appeared in her hand. Five normally colored soul rings floated above her head. The rings shimmered, and a green light shot toward the unconscious Bai Ming.
"Alright, you two, you can rest easy now. He will make a full recovery."
Han Li turned to the watchful Yang Wudi and Bai He.
"Such pure life energy. Now I believe you."
Yang Wudi withdrew his gaze and looked at Han Li.
"Taking money to solve problems—this much, I can do."
Han Li shamelessly praised himself.
"That does make sense."
Yang Wudi paused and nodded, but then seemed to think of something, causing his grip on his spear to tighten again.
"Looks like Senior is thinking of Clear Sky Sect."
His small gesture didn't escape Han Li's notice, who smiled at Yang Wudi. An enemy is meant to be attacked at every opportunity.
"This has nothing to do with you."
Yang Wudi responded coldly.
"No, it has everything to do with me."
Han Li, unfazed by Yang Wudi's attitude, leisurely replied, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend, don't you think?"
"I'm also an enemy of your Spirit Hall."
Yang Wudi's attitude remained firm.
"Hmm, that's true, but it seems like you don't want to see your brother and son, huh? What a shame."
Han Li's expression of regret made Yang Wudi grip his spear even tighter.
"I've already considered them dead. Now that they're with Spirit Hall, they are my enemies."
Yang Wudi's voice unconsciously grew louder.
"You're right. When I get back, I'll suggest they visit Clear Sky Sect. What do you think?"
When it came to stirring emotions, even Guang Ling considered himself no match for his disciple, Han Li.
Hearing Han Li's words, Yang Wudi froze. Even Bai He, who had been focused on his injured clan members, was stunned.
They thought, "How shameless! This was a blatant threat."
"You dare!"
Sure enough, Yang Wudi couldn't remain calm any longer, feeling the impulse to thrust his Soulbreaking Spear.
"Look, your reaction and what you said don't match at all. It's better to be honest; it benefits everyone."
Han Li laughed, though he wasn't entirely without a bottom line—he just didn't like it when others acted superior when speaking to him.
"You win. What do you want to say?"
Yang Wudi took a deep breath, forcing his anger back down.
"Nothing much just wanted to chat about the past and align our interests."
Han Li showed a playful smile. Seeing that Yang Wudi and Bai He were frowning again, he quickly added, "Don't worry, I don't intend to recruit you. But as a member of the Spirit Hall, I must inform you of something to prevent you from picking the wrong side later."
Han Li's words sent a shiver down their spines, making them feel uneasy.
Picking the wrong side? Is the Spirit Hall planning something big again?
"Oh, don't misunderstand. Everyone knows that our Spirit Hall has always been benevolent, taking it upon ourselves to fight evil and maintain peace. We never initiate conflicts with any power."
Seeing their expressions, Han Li could guess what they were thinking, so he spoke with righteous indignation.
Yang Wudi and Bai He exchanged a glance but didn't refute. Even though they considered themselves enemies of the Spirit Hall, they couldn't deny that the Spirit Hall had indeed taken on these responsibilities over the years; although they sometimes acted a bit domineering, overall, it was true.
But what did this have to do with them? They never asked the Spirit Hall to do this.
"So, you never wondered why the Former Pope of the Spirit Hall hunted Tang Hao back then?"
"Why do you think Tang Hao didn't dare return to the Clear Sky Clan?"
"And why was the old clan leader of the Clear Sky Clan so angered that he died?"
"And why, despite the support from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, did the Clear Sky Clan choose to seal their mountain?"
Han Li threw out a series of questions, leaving the two momentarily unable to respond.
"Wasn't it because the Clear Sky Clan was too prominent back then, making you feel threatened?"
Almost without thinking, Bai He blurted out what everyone believed.
"Is that really what you think?"
Han Li looked at Bai He as if he were some rare species, shaking his head with a tut.
"Isn't it?"
Bai He felt a bit embarrassed. He had only voiced what was commonly thought; what's wrong with that?
"Ah, yes, yes, you're right. But then why do you think Tang Chen could rise to power? And why did Sword Douluo survive unscathed after his father's death?"
"If the Spirit Hall truly acted as you said, would they have been able to cultivate to the Titled Douluo rank?"
With just a few words, Han Li made Bai He fall silent.
Indeed, what Han Li said made sense.
Even Yang Wudi began to ponder. Apart from those evil soul masters, Tang Hao seemed to be the first one for whom the Spirit Hall issued a public manhunt, even dispatching the Former Pope.
And if he remembered correctly, the crime back then was collusion with soul beasts?
Collusion with soul beasts?
These words floated through Yang Wudi's mind again, making him tremble uncontrollably.
"The announcement made by Qian Xunji back then—was it true?"
Yang Wudi's voice had unknowingly become hoarse and dry.
"What?"
Bai He instinctively looked at his old friend, only to find Yang Wudi's face frighteningly pale.
"Of course, it was true. Don't forget, the Spirit Hall is also responsible for dealing with soul beasts on the continent."
Seeing Yang Wudi's reaction, Han Li knew he had understood.
"What are you talking about?"
Bai He felt a tingling on his scalp as if something was about to grow out, and he also felt like he was missing something important.
"The Spirit Hall's announcement back then, the crime was collusion with soul beasts."
Yang Wudi stared at his friend, enunciating each word.
"Heh, how could that... be possible..."
Bai He thought his friend was joking, but as he began to laugh, something clicked in his mind.
His voice grew quieter until, at the end, his lips moved, but no sound came out.
"Damn."
After a long pause, Bai He managed to spit out one word.
A hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast could take on a human form—this wasn't common, but it did happen. Several recorded soul masters who had a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone had acquired them this way.
The concept of sacrifice was known to soul masters because such events had occurred before.
A hundred-thousand-year-old soul ring and soul bone were universally recognized as the most valuable treasures in the soul master world.
Countless soulmasters desired them, and this knowledge naturally spread widely. Many even fantasized about encountering such an opportunity when they were young.
But now that they were faced with it, it was in the hands of Tang Hao.
"So, what did Tang Hao do?"
Bai He stammered, barely able to speak.
"Nothing much just had a child with that hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast."
Han Li maliciously altered a word for emphasis, hoping to make it more vivid and easier for the two to understand.
Yang Wudi and Bai He opened their mouths but couldn't find the words to respond. Should they ask what species it was?
"So, after learning the truth, do you still think the Spirit Hall's actions were wrong? Or that your resistance against the Spirit Hall back then was just?"
Han Li continued to press.
"We didn't know the truth either; we were deceived."
Bai He weakly tried to defend himself.
"But if I remember correctly, didn't the former Pope publicly announce the reason for hunting Tang Hao to all the soul masters on the continent back then?"
Han Li tilted his head as if seeking confirmation from the two.
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