5

Heaven Dou City, Martial Soul Hall, Salas's Office.

"Report, Your Grace, an urgent file from the Barak Kingdom, using the highest level of encryption."

An intelligence officer swiftly reported the situation upon entering the room and handed over the document. They were only authorized to receive and transmit, not to decrypt.

"Hmm? A highest-level encrypted file? Alright, you wait outside for my call."

Salas frowned. It had been nearly six years since he handled a file of this level, especially from such a remote place. He hoped it wasn't an overreaction from his subordinates, or they would learn what it meant to deal with a Platinum Bishop.

Opening the file, he glanced at the Angel Codex beside him and began deciphering the document's content.

As he read, his initial casual demeanor turned serious. He had seen a lot, but the content described was something new to him.

"Special Martial Soul structure, innate soul power not inferior to twin Martial Souls. Hmm, these people aren't entirely foolish, but still a bit overreactive."

Salas pondered as he continued reading until he reached the last sentence.

"Hmm? An old acquaintance with Glowing Feather Douluo?"

He quickly flipped back and found the details about Han Li's parents.

He clearly remembered that a few years ago, Glowing Feather Douluo, out of boredom, had casually taken care of the matter, saying he was just passing by. Unexpectedly, it had come up today.

"Nuoding City Martial Soul Hall, well done, deserves a reward. And this city lord isn't bad either; maybe he can be relocated later."

His eyes gleamed. Although he belonged to the Pope's Hall, it didn't mean he didn't want ties with the Worship Hall. Just because Qian Renxue didn't value him didn't mean others wouldn't. This intelligence report might be his opportunity.

After long contemplation, Salas called the waiting intelligence officer back in and spoke seriously, "Two copies. Send the intelligence to Wuhun City, addressing both the Pope's Hall and the Worship Hall, all at the highest level."

After the intelligence officer left, Salas, who originally intended to summon others, paced a few steps. Realizing his training progress had slowed and a title was out of reach, he decided to go to the intelligence room himself.

He prepared to receive a first-hand response. If the feedback from Wuhun City was positive, he might personally visit. He fancied himself quite capable of handling children.

…

News in small towns always spread quickly.

After Lord Xiao took Han Li and Xiu'er home, promising to come back at noon for his birthday, it took just over an hour for neighbors around the area to bring gifts. After rounds of compliments and conversations, Han Li's face was almost stiff from smiling before it finally ended.

Having Xiu'er notify the cook to prepare meals, Han Li returned to his room. After reinforcing his memory by reviewing his diary, he tossed it into the fire basin, watching it burn to ashes. He was no longer the inconspicuous boy he once was; he had to prevent any unexpected incidents.

While taking advantage of Brother Tao making his Martial Soul certification, Han Li saw Xiao Wu's level certification. It was from a nearby village: Martial Soul Rabbit, innate soul power registered at level 7.

This made sense; with a bit of disguise, rapid cultivation could be justified. After all, there was a full soul power Blue Silver Grass nearby for comparison.

This finally solved the puzzle that had plagued his mind. Why were two innate full soul power geniuses attending Nuoding Academy, yet the Martial Soul Hall showed no interest?

It was understandable for Blue Silver Grass not to be valued. Plus, Bibi Dong might have already guessed something. But it was truly unreasonable for an innate full soul power Rabbit Martial Soul not to be valued.

However, he had no intention of interfering now. Not to mention soul rings, he also wanted that soul bone. With invincibility and teleportation, he believed that apart from the Angel Suit, everyone else would be willing to trade their soul bones for it.

Interfering now was dangerous and yielded nothing. Who knew if Tang Hao was lurking nearby? This was why he had seen Tang San and Xiao Wu before but didn't approach them.

Summoning his Martial Soul again, he manipulated them to change forms. Han Li's excitement was no longer concealed. The treatment of the 'Father of the Plane' was always a bit better than that of the Child of the Plane in the early stages.

Without excessive trials, he doubted he could endure until his rise if he suffered as much as Huo Yuhao did early on.

He symbolically aimed with the bow, then quickly split it into dual blades, slashing forward with a whoosh of wind. Satisfied, Han Li put them away.

A bowman who can't fight in close quarters isn't good. The Red Archer template was now active. This was why he registered his Martial Soul as a bow in the certification. Although it wouldn't remain unknown forever, he could catch people off guard.

Thinking about how future opponents would painstakingly break through his ranged attacks, only to be hammered by his dual blades in close combat, he couldn't help but smile.

"Unfortunately, the attack style of the dual blades needs to be readjusted."

Han Li sighed. After learning about his parents' Martial Souls, he had been practicing with blades for two years. Although it was just simple slashing, an attack pattern had started to form. Now, he had to readjust, but at least his physical training paid off, so it wasn't all in vain.

"I wonder if the previous gamble was worth it. I hope it succeeds."

Han Li sat back in his chair, fingers tapping the table unconsciously, pondering his earlier actions.

Over the past two years, he had anticipated many scenarios, but he hadn't expected his Martial Soul to mutate into a bow. He had always taken the elders' teasing as a joke; after all, he couldn't interact with a super Douluo like Guang Ling from the Worship Hall.

But now, perhaps he had a chance. This was better than any of the routes he had previously planned.

Suddenly, his fingers stopped on the table as he thought of the still-dormant Plane Consciousness.

"Maybe this is the treatment of the Father of the Plane? Even if it's a downgraded version?"

"It seems my mindset hasn't fully adapted yet. Luck seems to be more powerful than I realized."

A smile blossomed on Han Li's face, turning into a silent laugh. His handsome face gradually twisted with expression. Finally, unable to hold back, he jumped onto the bed, burying his head in the covers and laughing out loud.

Unbeknownst to him, as he writhed on the bed, the door opened. Xiu'er glanced at his situation, then quietly closed the door and left: "As expected, Little Li is still a child."

After a long while, when there was no sound in the room, Xiu'er knocked on the door again: "Young Master, the City Lord, and the Martial Soul Hall's deacon have arrived. You should come out to entertain them."

After a few seconds of silence inside the room, Han Li, as usual, smiled and opened the door, walking towards the dining room with Xiu'er.