Chapter 347: Leaving Star Luo
"Everyone, halt! No one is allowed to leave Wu Pass!"
The guard at the pass shouted with a commanding tone, his intense aura making the gathered civilians recoil in fear.
"Hold all people and goods associated with the Spirit Hall for inspection!"
The general's stern voice echoed through the pass.
Above Wu Pass, seven formidable figures floated mid-air, sealing off every path out. Leading them was none other than the Second Elder, who had been hunting Dai Yao. At the general's command, the noisy crowd fell silent. Many powerful spirit masters had also stationed themselves at strategic points within the pass, creating a fortress-like blockade. With such tight defenses, they were certain Dai Yao wouldn't escape under their watch.
Gazing up at the figures in the sky, Dai Yao couldn't help but lower his straw hat further over his face.
"Whew, glad I didn't plan on using the Spirit Hall to leave Wu Pass," he thought with a sigh of relief.
Years ago, he had only managed to escape Star Luo Empire through the Spirit Hall's assistance. He didn't believe for a second that the Elders would let him use the same trick twice. This time, he had taken a different approach, disguising himself as a simple herder, enabling him to make his way to Wu Pass unnoticed.
The intense security along the roads leading to Wu Pass only highlighted how determined the empire was to capture him. But with the pass now closed, Dai Yao wasn't in a rush. He calmly sat cross-legged on the cart and began feeding straw to his ox, blending in with the crowd of civilians awaiting entry.
Nearby, soldiers inspected anyone and anything associated with the Spirit Hall. A guard cast a quick glance at Dai Yao and, seeing nothing suspicious, moved on to the next person.
Meanwhile, some travelers who had passed inspection began murmuring amongst themselves.
"Why has Wu Pass been closed? When are they going to let us through?"
"Relations between the two empires have improved a lot in the past decade, and Wu Pass hasn't closed in nearly ten years. What could these big shots be up to now?"
"Hmph, who knows! The last time I was here, they shut down the pass, and I even saw a battle between two Soul Douluo!" one man said, recalling the event with a hint of irritation. The sight of Soul Douluo clashing had left him terrified.
"Oh, stop bragging! The last closure at Wu Pass was over ten years ago."
"That's when I was last here! I heard they closed the pass to capture a runaway prince. I wonder if they got him?"
"A runaway prince? Could it have been that rumored Fourth Prince?"
"It must've been." The man said uncertainly, then chuckled and added, "Maybe this time, they're closing the pass to catch that Fourth Prince again!"
The remark drew laughter from the crowd; after all, what runaway prince would dare return?
Under his hat, Dai Yao couldn't help but glance at the man who had spoken. Fate was indeed strange; he had encountered this same person during his last attempt to flee through Wu Pass.
The pass was crucial to Star Luo Empire's trade with the Heaven Dou Empire, and a prolonged closure was causing unrest internally and pressure from Heaven Dou. Even the Second Elder felt the strain.
"Second Brother, this can't go on. The imperial decree has become increasingly harsh, and if we don't capture that kid in five days, we'll have no choice but to reopen the pass."
The Third Elder looked at the Second Elder with concern, noting his fatigue.
The Second Elder knew all too well. For the past ten days, he hadn't slept, instead keeping vigil atop the wall, scanning the crowds for any trace of Dai Yao. His eyes were bloodshot, his face deeply lined with exhaustion. Draining the tea in his cup, he shook his head, forcing himself to stay alert.
"I know, Third Brother. But you also know the threat that brat poses if he escapes. No matter the pressure, I'll keep the pass sealed. I have a feeling he'll show up here."
The Third Elder sighed. He understood the gravity of the situation. They had Dai Yao trapped within the empire, and if he slipped away, there might never be another chance to catch him. After a moment, he added, "Oh, Second Brother, by the way. There's still no word from those we sent to pursue the four women who defeated the Tie brothers. It seems likely they've been eliminated."
The Second Elder slammed his fist down on the stone table, emitting a low, frustrated growl.
"That brat really has become a threat!"
It didn't take much to infer that the missing pursuers had likely been killed. The notion that a once-disgraced prince could cause them such trouble was maddening.
Nearby, the Fourth Elder sat, utterly disinterested in their discussion. Meanwhile, the Fifth Elder, feeling increasingly weary, left the meeting hall and stood atop the pass, gazing over the sea of heads within the walls. He turned to look at the vast landscape beyond, a twinge of sorrow filling his heart.
It was right here that the Spirit Hall had whisked Dai Yao away to safety. Why would they have risked offending the empire just to save him? Could they have foreseen his potential even back then?
If that were true, then the Elders had indeed failed in their duty, knowing less about their own than an outsider did.
Inside Wu Pass, Dai Yao chewed on his rations, mingling with the crowd of commoners and patiently awaiting the moment when the gates would open. He doubted they could hold out much longer. If Wu Pass remained shut, someone from the Spirit Hall would eventually come to rescue him.
Five Days Later
"Second Brother, we still haven't located the target. We have no choice now but to reopen Wu Pass."
The Third Elder looked helplessly at the imperial decree in his hand.
Clenching his teeth, the Second Elder glared out at the pass, anger flashing in his eyes. At last, under everyone's watchful gaze, he spat out two words:
"Open the gates!"
His order was quickly relayed, and the thick, one-meter-thick iron doors slowly began to open.
"Form orderly lines! No one rush! Any troublemakers will be executed on the spot!"
One of the guards shouted. Wu Pass held enormous strategic importance, and even the slightest disturbance could have disastrous consequences. The orders were strict.
Exhausted, the Second Elder slumped into his chair, looking like a withered old man. Such weariness was uncommon for a Soul Douluo, but it was clear his spirit had been thoroughly worn down.
With the gates open, their mission to capture Dai Yao had failed entirely. Not only would the Soul Douluo suffer disgrace, but Star Luo Empire's pride had been damaged as well. Most importantly, Dai Yao was once again free, and they would be powerless to stop his rise and inevitable vengeance.
The Third Elder looked worried and urged gently, "Second Brother, let's go for a walk."
The Second Elder nodded slowly. After a long pause, he rose from his seat and walked unsteadily toward the wall. As he reached his brother's side, he murmured,
"Let's go…"
Together, the two made their way to the edge of the wall, overlooking the throngs of civilians filing through the gates. The Second Elder let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes, burdened by regret.
"What a chance... and we still failed. Is that brat's luck really so unbreakable?"
The Second Elder's gaze was filled with frustration as he watched the crowd passing through the gates.
"Second Brother, don't be so hard on yourself. The failure to capture Dai Yao isn't your fault; His Majesty will understand."
The Third Elder attempted to console him.
The Second Elder sighed heavily. "It's not just that, Third Brother. Completing the mission is more important to me than the disgrace of failing or any punishment that may come. What troubles me is that brat! He's already a force to reckon with, and given time, he'll pose a tremendous threat to the Empire."
His eyes fixated on the departing crowd, his expression weighted with worry.
Hearing this, the Third Elder also grew silent. For years, he had walked a balanced path, never siding in conflicts. But now, an urgency gripped him; their family needed unity in the face of the threat to come.
A cold wind swept by, and even these Soul Douluo shivered slightly as a chill settled over them.
The two stood in silence atop the wall for a long while. Slowly, the Second Elder's unfocused gaze sharpened, settling on the crowd below. A strange and sudden impulse surged within him, making his heart race.
"Everyone, halt immediately!"
His shout rang out with authority.
The crowd immediately grew restless, but with a single thought, the Second Elder released his spirit rings—two yellow, two purple, and four black, emanating a terrifying aura. The restless crowd fell silent once more under the oppressive force.
"What is it, Second Brother?"
The Third Elder asked, stepping forward.
With his white beard trembling, the Second Elder's eyes shone with excitement as he gasped, "I have a feeling—that brat is hiding somewhere in this crowd!"
The Third Elder's sharp gaze swept through the line of people waiting to pass. Not only him; aside from the three injured Soul Douluo, the remaining seven elders also released their spirits and spirit rings, amplifying their combined aura until its pressure seemed to crush the crowd to the ground, causing pained cries all around.
Amid the chaos, however, one person—a young man sitting on a bull-drawn cart, wearing a straw hat—remained unaffected.
The Second Elder's eyes narrowed in excitement. "It's him! After him!"
In unison, the seven Soul Douluo took to the air, surging towards the man in the straw hat.
Without hesitation, Dai Yao sprang into action. His simple robes tore away as he moved, revealing a flash of brilliant white as he transformed into a streak of light darting toward the gate.
"Damn it, these old fools are sharper than I thought! I was so close!" he cursed inwardly.
He had almost made it through Wu Pass unnoticed, but the Second Elder's order had forced him to reveal himself. Now he had no choice but to flee, risking exposure of his Chaos Lotus Martial Spirit if the seven Soul Douluo closed in on him.
"Close the gates!"
Seeing Dai Yao's rapid approach, the guards shouted and began lowering the heavy gates. But the iron doors hadn't even begun to close when Dai Yao surged through, leaving them flying in his wake as the seven Soul Douluo pursued him out of the pass.
"You won't escape today, brat! This is where you'll meet your end!"
The Second Elder's triumphant laugh echoed after him.
He'd waited so long for this moment. All his fatigue vanished as he locked eyes on Dai Yao, the only focus of his attention. But suddenly, the seven elders froze in shock.
Ahead on the path, a green-robed figure slowly emerged from the shadows, exuding a fearsome aura that made every Soul Douluo's body tremble.
Two yellow, two purple, and five black spirit rings circled the figure.
A Titled Douluo.
"Let's see who dares to threaten Dai Yao with me here," the figure spoke with a voice as cold and unsettling as a serpent's hiss. His piercing gaze sent shivers down their spines.
"Dugu Bo, sir!"
Dai Yao called out with relief, quickly descending to land beside Dugu Bo.
The Poison Douluo gave him a nod, positioning himself between Dai Yao and his pursuers.
"Dugu Bo! Don't be foolish. This person is a wanted criminal of Star Luo Empire. If you help him, you'll be making an enemy of us!"
The Second Elder's voice shook, containing a hint of bluster. He knew Dugu Bo wasn't the most powerful Titled Douluo, but his poison made him dangerously unpredictable. A single misstep could lead to a fate worse than death.
Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes with a smirk. "You don't have the right to speak to me that way. Today, I'm taking Dai Yao with me. If you have a problem, send that old monster from your clan after me."
"You…"
The Second Elder opened his mouth to retort, but the Third Elder quickly pulled him back.
Glaring at the warning look in his brother's eyes, the Second Elder hesitated before finally spitting out,
"Fine, well played, Poison Douluo. Star Luo's royal family will remember this offense."
He then shifted his gaze to Dai Yao, his voice icy with venom. "Consider yourself lucky today, Dai Yao, escaping from us this time. Next time, your luck will run out."
Dai Yao stepped out from behind Dugu Bo, his gaze meeting the seven Soul Douluo without a trace of fear as he addressed the Second Elder coldly.
"Second Elder, that's my line. This time, you got close only because I was caught off guard. Next time I come back, prepare yourselves for the consequences. And tell the Empress—I have unfinished business with her as well."
The elders bristled with rage at his defiance, furious at his audacity. The Third Elder scoffed,
"Young man, don't let a little success get to your head. There are many on the continent stronger than you. Without that Titled Douluo by your side, you'd already be dead."
Dai Yao replied with a smirk,
"But I did escape your trap, didn't I?"
Ignoring him further, the Second Elder shot Dugu Bo a resentful look before turning away. "We're leaving!" he barked.
After the Star Luo Empire's forces left, Dugu Bo turned to Dai Yao, looking him up and down with a hint of admiration. "Five years, and you're even stronger. Escaping from a group of Soul Douluo—impressive."
"I was lucky. Thank you for your timely arrival, sir," Dai Yao replied gratefully.
Dugu Bo chuckled, waving off the thanks. "No need. Now, come along. Yan Yan and the others have been waiting for you. Don't keep them worried any longer."
Nodding, Dai Yao followed Dugu Bo, their figures soon disappearing down the road.
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