Chapter 12: A Precious Welcome Gift and Qian Daoliu’s Promise

Chapter 12: A Precious Welcome Gift and Qian Daoliu's Promise

Guang Ling strode into the grand hall without a word, heading straight for his usual seat.

The other worshippers noticed his arrival and opened their eyes. Seeing that his demeanor remained unchanged from when he had left, they were momentarily surprised.

"You're already back, Fifth? Where's the disciple Big Brother told you to take in?" Qing Luan Douluo couldn't help but ask.

"Right behind me. Look, he's here."

Guang Ling sat down indifferently, gesturing toward the entrance with a slight tilt of his chin.

The other worshippers turned their gaze toward the door, where a delicate featured young boy hesitantly crossed the threshold and stepped inside.

Not bad.

Unconsciously, the worshippers nodded in approval.

Most people were, after all, superficial creatures first impressions mattered. A good looking child was far less likely to evoke dislike.

Under their scrutinizing gazes, Han Li felt an instinctive tension.

These were some of the most powerful individuals in the world. Even without actively exerting their pressure, the mere weight of their presence carried a subconscious spiritual intimidation.

It felt as though their gazes stripped him bare, leaving him cold and exposed.

Taking a deep breath, Han Li steadied himself and walked to the center of the hall. With a respectful bow, he greeted, "This junior, Han Li, greets the honored worshippers."

Hearing his choice of words, Jin Crocodile and Qing Luan both frowned slightly and glanced at Guang Ling.

Xiong Shi, however, spoke up directly, "Fifth, what's the meaning of this? You didn't explain anything to him? And why is this child empty handed? You took in a disciple and didn't even give him a basic storage soul tool?"

For those at their level, scanning Han Li was effortless.

Hearing Xiong Shi's complaint, Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, who had been preparing to tease Guang Ling, exchanged glances but remained silent.

Guang Ling snorted coldly and turned toward Xiong Shi with clear dissatisfaction. "Fourth Brother, is this my disciple or yours?

If you think I've been a poor teacher, why don't you provide for him?"

Then he suddenly looked at Han Li and said, "Han Li, this is your Uncle Xiong Shi. Greet him. He'll be gifting you a storage soul tool one of the best ones, capable of storing living beings."

His tone left no room for argument.

Han Li hesitated, glancing at Xiong Shi and then at his teacher.

Seeming intimidated, he cautiously bowed and said, "Han Li greets Uncle Xiong Shi."

Guang Ling gave another cold snort, his expression filled with smug provocation as he looked at Xiong Shi.

The blatant challenge in his gaze was obvious.

Xiong Shi's face twitched.

With everyone now watching him, and Han Li still bowed in front of him, how could he possibly refuse?

Biting his tongue, he relented.

"Fine. It's just a storage soul tool."

He reached to his waist and pulled out a wristband like object.

With a push of his soul power, the item floated toward Han Li though his expression clearly showed his reluctance.

The moment the item left Xiong Shi's hands, Guang Ling practically teleported to Han Li's side, pressing him back into a bow while grinning widely.

"Hurry up and thank your uncle!"

The entire hall fell silent for a moment.

Then, realization dawned on them all at once.

This wasn't just a casual gift.

This was planned.

Guang Ling had deliberately set up his disciple to trick Xiong Shi into giving away his prized storage soul tool.

And the level of detail…

Specifying exactly which soul tool…

It was clear this had been his goal from the start.

They shouldn't have been surprised.

This was so Guang Ling.

Yet what truly confirmed how much he valued this new disciple was the fact that he was willing to go through the trouble.

Xiong Shi, who had been slow on the uptake, finally caught on.

He clenched his jaw.

Guang Ling, you bastard…

Looks like we'll be having a spar soon.

The atmosphere in the hall shifted.

Even Qian Daoliu, who had kept his eyes closed the whole time, let a rare smile tug at his lips.

Nothing escaped his perception within the Worship Hall, but he had chosen not to intervene.

With Qian Renxue away on her mission, the Worship Hall had become far too rigid.

Perhaps bringing in a new junior was a good thing.

A bit of fresh energy.

A bit of liveliness.

As the realization of what had just happened sank in, Xiong Shi's stare intensified.

Han Li knew it was his cue.

Abandoning his earlier cautiousness, he put on a warm and confident smile.

"Uncle Xiong Shi," he began, "before we arrived, my teacher told me that among his peers, he had the best relationship with you.

So, he instructed me to cooperate and help lighten the mood."

His tone was innocent, his words seemingly heartfelt.

"But now that everything's settled, I feel this gift is far too valuable. I truly cannot accept it.

Please, Uncle, take it back."

With that, he stepped forward and respectfully offered the storage tool back.

Xiong Shi stared at the boy.

Then at Guang Ling.

Then at the soul tool.

And back at Han Li.

After a long silence, he scoffed and turned his head.

"Something as insignificant as a storage soul tool what kind of uncle would I be if I took it back?"

Han Li's grin widened as he immediately secured the wristband on his left arm.

"Thank you, Uncle! Teacher was right you and he really are the best of friends."

Xiong Shi let out a dry chuckle.

Guang Ling? That bastard? Best friend?

Hah.

Guang Ling merely smirked.

Without missing a beat, he pulled Han Li over to Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, expression full of meaning.

Han Li got the hint immediately.

With his best "pure and adorable" face, he called out, "Uncle Qian Jun, Uncle Jiang Mo," and then proceeded to silently stare at them with his large, expectant eyes.

Guang Ling was worth a lot of face, after all.

By the time the round of introductions ended, Han Li had filled his newly acquired storage soul tool with quite a number of treasures.

Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, though initially unprepared, ended up giving him two gold soul coin cards, each worth a hundred thousand coins.

Qing Luan Douluo, amused by the whole affair, handed Han Li a personal cultivation manual, telling him he could visit anytime for guidance.

Guang Ling didn't dare take Han Li near Jin Crocodile.

Instead, he nudged his disciple forward alone.

Jin Crocodile chuckled, said nothing, and simply handed Han Li a key and a property deed.

Han Li internally screamed.

An actual house?!

Yep, oldest Worshippers really are built differently…

Once the introductions were complete, Guang Ling's expression grew more solemn.

Together with Han Li, he bowed respectfully before Qian Daoliu.

Qian Daoliu opened his eyes, his gaze lingering on the disciple who was practically a miniature version of Guang Ling.

Then, for the first time in a long while, he smiled.

Gently patting Han Li's head, he said,

"From now on, this will be your home. Train well.

I'm unsure what to gift you, so instead, I will make you a promise.

If you ever have a request, you may come to me.

As long as it does not go against the principles of the Spirit Hall…

I will grant it."

Han Li froze.

It wasn't until Guang Ling nudged him that he snapped out of it.

With a deep bow, he responded,

"Thank you, Great Worshipper no, thank you, Uncle."

His innocent act was so convincing that the entire hall burst into laughter.

Even Qian Daoliu himself chuckled.

"Alright, good disciple, go rest now. I'll catch up later," Guang Ling hastily said, sensing impending embarrassment.

Han Li, more than happy to reunite with Xiu'er, politely bid farewell and left with a guard to his new home.

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