[DD]: 266

Silence. Absolute silence.

In front of the Sea God's Palace, where not even a whisper of wind stirred, a sudden sea breeze arose the moment Han Li's voice fell, filling the air with its sound. The only thing that could be heard was the wind.

Qian Daoliu remained motionless, like an old monk deep in meditation.

Since the Soul Master Tournament, Han Li has become extraordinarily bold. After the events in the Star Dou Forest and the Extreme North, he had only grown more accustomed to this boldness. When Han Li was young, Qian Daoliu had wanted him to be more assertive, but back then, the boy had been overly cautious. Now, though, when he wished Han Li would be a bit more reserved, he found no reason to ask him to be. After all, even he wasn't a match for Han Li anymore—what more was there to say?

What did Bo Saixi's feelings matter? What did the Sea God's High Priestess have to do with the High Priest of the Angel God?

Bo Saixi? She wasn't even worth a strand of Xiaoxue's hair.

Back when he first learned the truth from Bo Saixi's mouth, he had already made peace with it. Qian Daoliu wasn't some lovesick fool. To be blunt, he had been moved by her, but that was all.

He knew his responsibilities well and understood what was important. If we forget about his son Qian Xunji, Qian Daoliu had led a relatively flawless life. If he had truly wanted to pursue Bo Saixi, would it have been difficult for him to visit Sea God Island a few times? His strength had already peaked, and he had no real obligations in running the Spirit Hall. Had he been persistent, perhaps he would have succeeded long ago.

But he hadn't desired it. A fleeting moment of attraction did not necessitate action. If he had truly wanted to, he could have had his pick of women from Spirit City all the way to the Star Dou Forest.

As for Ye Lingling, what could she possibly think? Han Li had never hidden his true nature from her or the others. Besides, in the eyes of a lover, all flaws are beautified. More than that, Han Li was standing up for her at this moment—how could she not feel moved?

"You're outrageous, brat! You must have a death wish!"

The only person truly wounded by the scene was Bo Saixi, the Sea God's High Priestess. She was furious—extremely furious. She couldn't even remember how many years had passed since someone dared to speak to her like this.

Having occupied such a high position for so long, everyone who saw her showed nothing but the utmost respect. Even when she faced evil soul beasts around Sea God Island, they either fled in terror or begged for mercy if they couldn't escape. When had she ever received such an insult?

The sea breeze and the ocean seemed to echo her anger. In an instant, the seas around Sea God Island began to churn violently, and the winds intensified. Especially at the peak of Sea God Mountain, the wind, infused with her soul power, surged fiercely toward Han Li.

Though her reason had not completely abandoned her, and she avoided targeting Ye Lingling and Qian Daoliu, the full brunt of her attack was directed at Han Li. After all, it was he who had insulted her first, giving her ample reason to strike.

Not only that, but Bo Saixi also looked toward Qian Daoliu, displeased with his silence.

"Qian Daoliu, are the people of your Spirit Hall here to provoke Sea God Island?"

This was her domain—the ocean—and she spoke with full confidence.

Qian Daoliu's eyelids twitched slightly, but still, he said nothing.

"Old hag, what are you barking for? Do you think the world revolves around you?"

Han Li's voice cut through the howling wind, reaching Bo Saixi's ears.

She whipped her head around, only to find that the wind she had summoned, infused with her soul power, did not affect Han Li whatsoever. As it approached him, it vanished abruptly, not even stirring a single hair on his head.

Bo Saixi's pupils contracted sharply. Even now, she could detect no energy fluctuations from Han Li, as if he didn't exist at all.

Could it be that his power surpassed hers?

Impossible.

Bo Saixi immediately dismissed the thought. The only explanation was that he possessed some treasure that completely concealed his strength. This thought flashed through her mind.

At such a young age, to be able to resist her pressure so easily—could he be the successor of the Angel God? Only that would explain why Qian Daoliu deferred to him.

Bo Saixi's mind raced as she analyzed Han Li's hidden identity from every angle, finally concluding that he must be the successor of the Angel God.

"Angel God's successor? But it's a pity—you're on Sea God Island."

Bo Saixi continued to exert pressure on Han Li, though her tone now carried a hint of pride as she voiced her guess. Even with Qian Daoliu present, she wasn't afraid of a challenge on her turf.

"Hah?"

Han Li looked at her as if she were an idiot. He couldn't fathom how she had come to the conclusion that he was the Angel God's successor.

For one, there wasn't an angelic mark on him. Even if she thought the wings he'd revealed earlier marked him as an angel, how could she not see that they had nothing to do with angels? Was this just mindless speculation?

Qian Daoliu's body trembled slightly. He wanted to refute her—after all, someone like Han Li would never be the Angel God's successor. But he held back. In front of outsiders, he wouldn't undermine his people.

"Are you stupid? Who told you I'm the Angel God's successor? If you don't need your eyes, you can donate them to the Deep Sea Demon Whale King—it's in need of a pair."

"In my opinion, it would make a better High Priest than you."

Han Li never missed an opportunity to hit where it hurt. Faced with Bo Saixi, who was using her aura to pressure him, he had no intention of holding back.

"You..."

For the first time, Bo Saixi lost her composure. Under Han Li's verbal assault, her expression twisted into one that could rival Bibi Dong's. Comparing her to the Deep Sea Demon Whale King was an unbearable insult.

"'You' what? I'll ask you one more time—can the Sea God's Trident be drawn or not? Can the divine trial begin or not?"

Han Li's divine power surged around him, reversing the wind generated by Bo Saixi's aura and sending it back toward her. His gaze was sharp and unkind.

Having gauged her mental state, Han Li no longer believed he could communicate with her rationally.

This woman might be loyal to the Sea God, but unlike Qian Daoliu, she also highly valued her own life. Whether due to lingering feelings for Tang Chen or some other reason, it was clear that unless this issue was resolved, Ye Lingling's divine trial would encounter unnecessary complications.

And Han Li? He didn't have time for delays. He wasn't unwilling to wait, but the longer things dragged on, the more passive his position would become. That was why he'd been pushing to accelerate the process.

"With your attitude and threats, you can forget about getting my permission. Unless the Sea God himself gives a decree, I will not initiate the trial."

Though Bo Saixi was surprised by the unfamiliar divine aura emanating from Han Li, and though she was wary of how easily he reversed her pressure, she still refused to give in. She felt even more pleased with herself.

On Sea God Island, if the Sea God didn't intervene, she was practically a god herself. What could Han Li do, other than endure it?

Technically, Ye Lingling's status was indeed higher than hers, but since the trials hadn't been formally recognized through the official process, she could pretend not to see it.

Now, with Han Li directly confronting her, she had plenty of justification. She wasn't making things difficult for Ye Lingling—no, it was Han Li who was being unreasonable. By waiting for the Sea God's decree, she could claim that her actions were a testament to her faith.

Qian Daoliu couldn't help but open his eyes, casting a glance at Bo Saixi, who now seemed like a stranger to him.

The Bo Saixi standing before him was nothing like the wise, gentle, and magnanimous High Priestess he had known years ago. As a fellow High Priest, he couldn't understand her actions. The divine trials had set procedures—why not follow them?

At the same time, he knew Han Li well. If the boy was still speaking to her calmly, she should take the opportunity to engage with him properly.

Once he changed his tone and started smiling, things would take a different turn.

Bo Saixi, you're making a mistake.

Bo Saixi noticed Qian Daoliu's gaze but didn't care. She had already mentally placed him in the same enemy camp as Han Li.

In the end, choosing Tang Chen was the right decision. Whether in terms of temperament or strength, Qian Daoliu was inferior to Tang Chen. At the very least, if Tang Chen were here, he wouldn't allow his juniors to insult her like this.

At first, she had thought highly of Qian Daoliu, but now he seemed rather unremarkable.

Meanwhile, Tang Chen's image, though absent from the scene, became clearer and more idealized in her mind.

"Sigh, is that so? You're sure?"

Under Bo Saixi's gaze, Han Li let out a long sigh and smiled warmly.

Bo Saixi sneered—what was the point of putting on an act now?

"Of course, I'm sure. Now, go back down the mountain and wait. Once Lord Sea God gives his decree, I will notify you."

With that, she didn't even wait for their reaction. She turned and began walking toward the Sea God's Palace, not even bothering with the basic courtesies expected of a host. After all, these were unwanted guests.

Besides, they were enemies to begin with. Didn't the Spirit Hall attempt to invade Sea God Island years ago? Perhaps she could even stir up some trouble based on that.

As long as she didn't directly interfere with Ye Lingling's trial, she could expel the other two from Sea God Island, and once the trial did begin, she would have plenty of legitimate ways to obstruct her progress.

But just as she was about to turn fully, she noticed out of the corner of her eye that Han Li had vanished.

Before she could even process the puzzling situation, she felt a sudden weight on her head. A hand pressed down on her, and despite her instinctive resistance, the overwhelming force drove her toward the ground.

"Have I given you too much face? Or do you think your face is worth that much? You're the Sea God's High Priestess, huh?"

A loud crash echoed in front of the Sea God's Palace as Han Li slammed Bo Saixi's head into the stone steps. Her crimson ceremonial robe flared up, and her pale legs swung high into the air before slamming down, embedding her into the ground in a kneeling position.

A true "head-patting" strike—face first into the ground. This was Han Li's response.

Qian Daoliu, standing nearby, couldn't help but swallow hard. But it wasn't because he had caught a glimpse of Bo Saixi's legs—it was because he hadn't expected Han Li to act so boldly.

After all, this was Sea God Island, atop Sea God Mountain, right in front of the Sea God's Palace. And the person being smashed into the ground was the Sea God's High Priestess.

It was over. This time, things had gone too far.

Qian Daoliu had already begun preparing for the worst-case scenario in his mind.