Chapter 108: This Is the True Spirit Hall! So Says Guang Ling

Chapter 108: This Is the True Spirit Hall! So Says Guang Ling

"Hmm, I guess I more or less understand, but won't this cause too much of a stir? Wouldn't it also negatively affect Spirit Hall's reputation?" Han Li was still a bit uneasy. If Shui Bing'er could really become his junior sister, that would be ideal he wouldn't have to go out of his way to recruit her in the future. But wouldn't this escalate things too quickly?

"You, kid, are way too cautious, always overthinking everything."

Guang Ling pulled Han Li into a headlock, ruffling his hair before letting him go. He then spoke with a proud expression:

"Reputation? Hah, it only matters when I say it matters. And right now, I don't think it does. You don't actually think Spirit Hall stands firm because of its reputation and prestige, do you?"

"You're wrong, Han Li. We stand firm because of power pure, overwhelming power. We are the force that all the major clans, sects, and even the two great empires combined cannot hope to resist. Reputation is for the common folk. Between true powers, the one who wins gets to write history."

"You were born after Bibi Dong took the throne, weren't you? Without the support of the Worship Hall, her methods have been far too soft. If this were the past, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would have never been in trouble."

"And as for that so called Thunderclap Academy hmph. It wouldn't even exist anymore. Who gave those trash academies the courage to think they could rule themselves? They should've been wiped out long ago."

Guang Ling's tone was filled with disdain, as if everything he said was simply the way things should be.

"And it's all because of that failure, Qian Xunji. If not for him "

Mid rant, Guang Ling suddenly realized it was inappropriate to say more. He waved his hand dismissively, his enthusiasm dimming.

"In short, you need to understand right now, Spirit Hall is at its strongest in a thousand years. If nothing had gone wrong, by the time you were born, we should have already unified the continent. Right now, we're just biding our time, waiting for the right moment."

"This nonsense about the Three Upper Sects standing together? That only happened because if they didn't, they wouldn't have survived another half a year. Well, to be fair, Tang Chen is strong. But he's been missing for years now."

Guang Ling paused for a moment before adding that last part, acknowledging that even now, he probably still wasn't a match for Tang Chen.

"I'm telling you all this so you won't be afraid. If things blow up, they blow up. I'll handle it no, your grandmaster uncle will handle it. Bibi Dong has made Spirit Hall a mess over the years, even sapping our momentum. If not for your grandmaster uncle keeping her in check, she wouldn't have even kept her seat as Pope."

Guang Ling's sneer was filled with contempt. He had nothing but disdain for Bibi Dong's actions.

What was she afraid of? She was the Pope! Even if the Worship Hall didn't support her, did she really think they'd let her authority be undermined? If she had just been a bit more assertive, Spirit Hall wouldn't be in this mess. Instead, she was practically dividing the Hall from within.

And don't even get him started on that idiot Qian Xunji. All that secret "undercover" nonsense, and he never even let them see the plan? Now Qian Xunji was dead, and Qian Renxue insisted on following through with his unfinished work wasting her talent in the process.

If Qian Xunji were still alive, Guang Ling would've given him a good beating himself.

These two… @#$%!

Seeing his master fume silently, Han Li more or less guessed what he was thinking.

After listening to Guang Ling's speech, Han Li felt as if something inside him had been unlocked.

Maybe it was because he had been influenced by what he read in books, but even though he always felt Spirit Hall's methods were questionable, he never thought too deeply about it. He had simply assumed that because Spirit Hall had religious influence, even with their overwhelming power, they never sought complete domination.

But now, after hearing Guang Ling's explanation, he finally realized Spirit Hall's current state wasn't normal.

It wasn't that they didn't want to unify the continent. It was that two consecutive weak rulers had held them back. No wonder everyone was waiting for Qian Renxue to mature.

It took Guang Ling a while to calm down from his rant.

"So, stop overthinking things. I've got this covered. The only question is, are you willing to part with your precious immortal herbs? I'm getting your grandmaster uncle a disciple, and you a genius junior sister. And, well… Qian Renxue is out of the question, so maybe it's time you worked on getting more wives?"

Guang Ling nearly let slip, "Qian Renxue isn't an option for you," but quickly pivoted, dragging Shui Bing'er into the conversation instead.

Han Li rolled his eyes.

"So the reason you told Senior Uncle you'd consult me… was just so you could get an immortal herb from me, huh?"

He gave Guang Ling a flat stare, completely ignoring his remark about wives. His master was unreliable, but he, Han Li, was an upright man! Having a junior sister was fine, though.

"Now, now, don't put it like that. Just answer the question do you want a junior sister or not?"

"If you weren't interested in her already, why were you spending so much time reading up on Tianshui Academy's students? You barely glanced at Feng Xiaotian's file before tossing it aside, but you kept revisiting hers."

Guang Ling shot him a knowing look, full of amusement.

"A mutated Double Headed Gale Wolf can't compare to an Ice Phoenix. That's a top tier beast martial soul."

Han Li refused to admit that he had focused on Shui Bing'er just because she was a girl. He insisted it was purely because of her martial soul.

"Alright, then. You think Dugu Yan will believe that?" Guang Ling smirked.

"Go ahead and tell her. Tell her that I only read up on others, while you are actively trying to take an immortal herb from me and give me a beautiful junior sister. Let's see who she believes."

Han Li had no fear. He hadn't done anything yet. But his master? He had already made his move.

"Enough talking. I'm bringing her in. Are you giving me the herb or not?" Guang Ling pressed.

"Fine, fine, fine! Since you insist, how could I say no?"

Han Li sighed. His master really was going ahead with this, whether he liked it or not.

"Don't act so reluctant. You think I don't know what you're up to? You've been casually mentioning Shui Bing'er in front of Dugu Yan for a while now, talking about how unique her martial soul is just setting things up so you'd have an excuse to approach her later."

"I'm just saving you the trouble of doing it yourself. What's there to complain about?"

Guang Ling scowled at his disciple. This kid was sly. He had been hinting at Shui Bing'er's talent for ages, thinking he was being subtle. But Guang Ling had played these tricks long before Han Li was born.

"Ah, fine. Whatever you say, Master. What choice do I have as your disciple? For your sake, I will bear these sins upon my shoulders. Ah, such suffering!"

Han Li put on an exaggerated, sorrowful expression, shaking his head dramatically as if he were carrying the weight of the world.

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