Chapter 319: "Teacher, Please Let Me Meet the Asura Emperor!"
The night passed.
Warm sunlight cast its rays upon the mountain where the Pope's Hall stood. Bathed in this golden glow, Ghost Douluo anxiously paced back and forth outside the closed doors of the hall, having waited there all night.
The guards standing nearby couldn't help but remind him, "Your Eminence, you've been pacing outside for hours. As one of the pillars of the Spirit Hall, you should get some rest."
Hearing this, Ghost Douluo paused, sighing as he looked at the tightly shut doors. Dai Yao had taken the hundred-thousand-year soul ring that Bibi Dong had intended for herself. Knowing Bibi Dong's temperament, how could she possibly let him off so easily? Dai Yao was the husband of his precious disciple, Zhu Zhuqing—if anything happened to him, Ghost Douluo had no idea how he would explain it to her.
But without Bibi Dong's permission, he didn't dare barge in.
Bibi Dong's firm, unyielding leadership had turned the Pope's Hall into a unified front. Her orders were supreme; no one dared to defy her.
The thought only made him more anxious. An entire night had passed, and he feared what condition Dai Yao would be in. He hoped, at least, that Bibi Dong would spare his life out of consideration for his immense talent…
As the sun rose higher, a wave of heat filled the air, increasing Ghost Douluo's frustration. Finally, the massive doors creaked open, and he whipped around to see Dai Yao stepping out.
Surprised, Ghost Douluo looked Dai Yao up and down. To his astonishment, Dai Yao was unscathed—no missing limbs, no signs of injury, and his energy seemed as steady as ever, with no indication of any harm to his spirit.
Could it be that Bibi Dong had really just let him go?
Puzzled, Ghost Douluo inspected Dai Yao, then hesitantly asked, "Dai Yao, did the Pope really just let you off without a problem? She didn't… do anything to you?"
Touched by Ghost Douluo's concern, Dai Yao couldn't reveal what had truly happened. With a slight smile, he replied, "Her Eminence was very understanding and didn't make things difficult for me."
"Then why did she keep you in the Pope's Hall all night?"
Ghost Douluo blurted out, suspicion gnawing at him. At that moment, he caught a faint whiff of a familiar fragrance, and his eyes widened in shock—he had only ever smelled this scent on one person: the Pope herself, Bibi Dong!
A startling realization struck him like lightning. Could it be that… Dai Yao and Her Eminence had… spent the night together?
He shuddered, quickly dismissing the thought. Why would someone as exalted as the Pope do such a thing with Dai Yao?
Dai Yao maintained his composure, answering calmly, "We were simply going over the details of the mission, and I described the characteristics of the man in black. An Ultimate Douluo is not to be taken lightly."
Ghost Douluo nodded, reassured. "True…"
He glanced around cautiously, especially at the doors of the Pope's Hall, before pulling Dai Yao aside and speaking in a low, apprehensive tone, "I need to warn you, Bibi Dong has a ruthless side. You mustn't defy her! Just because she spared you this time doesn't mean she's suddenly become lenient."
"If you ever displease her, it won't matter if you're the most talented prodigy in Spirit Hall history—you'll pay a heavy price."
Dai Yao's expression shifted subtly. Was this harsh woman Ghost Douluo was describing really the same Bibi Dong who had shown vulnerability in his arms just last night? If Ghost Douluo knew the truth, he'd probably think Dai Yao was insane!
"Thank you for the warning, Your Eminence. I'll remember it," Dai Yao replied respectfully.
Leaving the Pope's Hall, Dai Yao returned to his secluded valley residence. Gazing at the faintly glowing soul bone in his hand, he couldn't help but marvel, "To think that the soul bone that Tang San had absorbed ended up in my hands instead. Another 'hack' gone, Tang Shenwang."
However, he couldn't absorb the soul bone just yet.
After obtaining Xiao Wu's hundred-thousand-year soul ring, his soul power had skyrocketed to level 68, an eight-level leap that had left his soul power somewhat unstable.
He needed time to adjust to this sudden surge in power. Although absorbing the Blue Silver Emperor soul bone would grant him a significant boost, it would further elevate his soul power level, making the already unsteady energy in his body even harder to control.
For now, taking in this soul bone might actually do more harm than good.
Moreover, he had no intention of absorbing Xiao Wu's Soft-Boned Rabbit soul bone. Even once his foundation was stable, he didn't plan on using it.
In the future, when he resurrected Xiao Wu, he intended to replace her earlier, lower-level soul rings with more powerful ones. At that time, her soul bone would have to be returned to her as well.
Thinking of Xiao Wu, Dai Yao suddenly remembered that she was still trapped in his mental world.
"I have to resolve this issue. Now that she's seen my Chaos Green Lotus, the moment I revive her will also be her death sentence."
A cold glint flashed in Dai Yao's eyes.
He had no intention of showing mercy. Xiao Wu could never be swayed to his side, and once resurrected, she would inevitably seek out Tang San. Since she held sway over the two great beasts of the Star Dou Forest, Dai Yao had no intention of handing Tang San a source of strength.
He even considered reviving Xiao Wu, only to have Zhuqing or Wu Tong kill her again to obtain a hundred-thousand-year soul ring each. That way, they could cleanse their weaker soul rings and replace them with the highest quality.
Using Xiao Wu multiple times would be the ultimate form of efficiency.
Dai Yao chuckled to himself, realizing how ruthless he was being. Poor Xiao Wu had truly drawn the short straw…
"But for now, I'll have to pretend for a while longer. If she dies, my plan falls apart…"
With that thought, he entered his mental world.
In the pure white expanse of his mindscape, a prison of blue-purple lightning immediately caught his attention.
Approaching the prison, he looked at Xiao Wu's defiant eyes, her anger barely contained, and smiled faintly.
"Traitor! Liar! What have you done to my Third Brother?" Xiao Wu clung to the lightning bars, enduring the pain they caused her as she shouted furiously.
"Relax, your Third Brother is still alive," Dai Yao replied calmly.
He had initially shared his vision with Xiao Wu so she could witness Tang San's death with her own eyes. But Di Tian's sudden appearance had saved Tang San, forcing Dai Yao to sever the shared vision link just in time, leaving Xiao Wu uncertain of Tang San's fate.
With a wave of his hand, Dai Yao projected the events that had occurred after he cut the vision link.
Xiao Wu watched the memory play out intently, scrutinizing every detail until she confirmed that Tang San was indeed safe, just as Dai Yao had said. Finally, she sighed in relief.
Observing her reaction with a faint smile, Dai Yao knew he needed to give Xiao Wu a reason to keep going, lest she try to end her own life when he was distracted.
But his unsettling smile sent a chill down Xiao Wu's spine. Her instincts warned her that Dai Yao was plotting something sinister.
"What are you planning this time?!" she demanded, her unease clear in her voice.
Dai Yao stared at Xiao Wu, his tone cold and indifferent.
"Do you still remember the wager you made with me?"
"Didn't I fulfill it by sacrificing myself to you? What more do you want?" Xiao Wu retorted angrily.
Dai Yao chuckled softly. "You didn't even remember the terms of our bet, did you? Seems like you never intended to keep your end of the deal. In that case, I'll just take this opportunity to kill Tang San."
"Wait!" Xiao Wu cried out, panicked, her voice breaking with sorrow. "Are you talking about wanting my Third Brother's hidden weapon blueprints…?"
"Correct. If you give me Tang San's blueprints, I can spare his life. But if you refuse or think you can escape through death, I'll kill Tang San without hesitation!" Dai Yao's voice grew icy. "If you want to follow Tang San in death as star-crossed lovers, I don't mind."
The chilling tone in Dai Yao's words sent a shiver down Xiao Wu's spine. She knew without a doubt that he would kill Tang San.
For years, Dai Yao had seemed bent on targeting her and Tang San, causing untold harm and forcing them apart in life and death. Her eyes brimming with hatred, Xiao Wu glared at Dai Yao and screamed in anguish.
"Why? What has my Third Brother done to you that you won't let him live? You forced me to sacrifice myself and now you demand his blueprints! Why do this?!"
Dai Yao sneered. "You think I'm the one giving him no choice? Then let's review: who brought out the Zhuge Divine Crossbow in the tournament, hoping to kill me?"
"You…" Xiao Wu had no words to defend herself. Finally, she muttered, "Fine, that was wrong of him, but he didn't kill you! Why are you tormenting us like this?"
Dai Yao laughed incredulously, unable to believe her words. "It's true; I am targeting the two of you! And I should tell you, my White Tiger's Eight Wings soul bone came from Tang San's Eight Spider Lances. And now, I've taken the one he loves most—haven't I?"
Xiao Wu froze, trembling with rage as she glared at him with venomous hatred. "You're vile… You'll meet a terrible end!"
Dai Yao laughed, his voice calm once more. "Thank you for the compliment. The angrier you are, the more it pleases me. Now, do you agree, or don't you?"
Xiao Wu trembled, biting her lip. If she didn't comply, Dai Yao would certainly kill Tang San. But even though Dai Yao had spared her after taking her soul ring, she doubted he'd honor his promises.
"How can I trust you?"
"Do you really have a choice?" Dai Yao replied, opening his hands in a casual gesture, as if Xiao Wu and Tang San's lives were both in his hands.
At his words, Xiao Wu fell silent, tears slipping down her cheeks. Her rabbit ears drooped, lifeless.
By agreeing to give Dai Yao her Third Brother's precious blueprints, she was essentially betraying Tang San, driving a dagger into his heart. But if she refused, her Third Brother would die without question.
"I'm only doing this so my Third Brother can survive… Someday, he'll understand," she told herself, justifying her decision.
After a long silence, she collapsed to the ground, exhausted, and replied weakly, "Fine… I agree."
Hearing her answer, Dai Yao felt a wave of relief. As long as he had Tang San's life as leverage, Xiao Wu wouldn't dare end her own life.
"Good. Remember what you promised today. When I restore your body and return your soul, you will fetch Tang San's blueprints and bring them to me."
"Don't try any tricks," Dai Yao added, his tone steely. "With your hundred-thousand-year soul ring in my possession, I control your soul. Should you betray me, you know what will happen to Tang San."
Gritting her teeth, Xiao Wu nodded. "Fine…"
With her agreement, Dai Yao turned his gaze to the droplet of violet liquid atop the Chaos Green Lotus and said, "Thunder Prison Vine, release this rabbit's restraints so she can walk around in the mental world. And surround the Chaos Green Lotus with lightning so she can't approach it."
As soon as he finished speaking, the lightning flashed around the purple liquid, and the dozens of bolts restraining Xiao Wu vanished. Meanwhile, thousands of lightning bolts descended from above, encircling the Chaos Green Lotus.
Though now free, Xiao Wu felt no joy. Her mind was consumed by thoughts of whether she was betraying her Third Brother.
Casting her a final glance, Dai Yao returned to the real world.
The news that Dai Yao had returned safely and obtained a hundred-thousand-year soul ring sent shockwaves throughout Spirit Hall. Numerous red-robed and platinum-robed bishops sought him out for confirmation, but Bibi Dong shielded him from these inquiries.
Previously, Bibi Dong had wanted to limit Dai Yao's interactions with the high-ranking bishops. This time, however, it was Dai Yao who wanted to avoid their politicking and requested that Bibi Dong deflect the rumors on his behalf.
After the Golden Generation returned and learned of Dai Yao's safe return, they immediately sought an audience with him. Though they congratulated him, he saw the disappointment in their eyes. As geniuses themselves, they now realized the vast gulf between him and them, unable even to glimpse his shadow.
For the proud Golden Generation, this realization brought a deep sense of frustration and loss.
Yet since returning from the Star Dou Forest, Hu Liena seemed preoccupied, often distracted and occasionally making mistakes in her work.
Recognizing that she couldn't go on like this, Hu Liena finally approached the entrance of the Pope's Hall. Though she had visited many times, the doors felt strangely unfamiliar to her now.
Taking a steadying breath, she calmed herself. As the doors opened, she stepped inside.
In the vast expanse of the hall, Hu Liena gazed across the distance at Bibi Dong, seated on her throne. To her surprise, her teacher's face seemed softer, a faint smile lightening her expression. Even the stern lines of her brows appeared gentler.
Bibi Dong looked like a cold, celestial beauty, fallen to the mortal world.
Hu Liena hesitated, wondering if she was imagining things. She quickly lowered her head in respect and greeted her.
"Greetings, Teacher."
Bibi Dong smiled softly. "Nana, there's no need to be so formal with me. Ever since you returned from the Star Dou Forest, you've seemed distracted. Tell me, what's on your mind?"
Hu Liena's heart skipped a beat. She bit her lip, gathering her courage, then lifted her head to meet Bibi Dong's gaze, a look of pleading in her eyes.
"Teacher, please… please allow me to meet the Asura Emperor!"
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