Chapter 470: Crisis at Tianshui, Encountering Old Friends Again
"What a wild few days…" Dai Yao muttered, striding through the untamed forest of the Sunset Forest, a complex expression crossing his face.
The recent events had shaken Dai Yao, leaving him grappling with the memory of actions he'd never imagined himself taking. Thinking back, the memories felt surreal, almost like a dream. If Tang San and Tang Hao ever discovered what he'd done, their pain would be unimaginable.
"Now, Xiao Wu has become one of my Huchang (Tamed Beasts). And after what happened… her hatred for me runs deep. But under the influence of the Huchang skill, she's become noticeably less hostile, her behavior visibly softened. Once I shatter her remaining hope in Tang San, her loyalty to me will be absolute."
Dai Yao paused mid-step, his brows drawing together in thought. Something was off. In the past, he wouldn't have let his desires guide him so recklessly, nor would he have relied on his strength so blatantly. A sense of something wrong flickered within him, only to fade as an unseen force smoothed over his thoughts, making his concerns dissipate.
"Enough. What's done is done, and there's no use regretting it now."
With a resigned sigh, he continued his journey. "Since I'm here in the Heaven Dou Empire, I should check on Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu. The Empire has suffered so much in its war with the Spirit Empire. I wonder how they're faring…"
Dai Yao felt a surge of concern. Though his time with Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu had been short, he'd come to regard them as his women, and thoughts of them often lingered in his mind.
As he journeyed toward Heaven Dou City, Dai Yao recalled the original timeline, in which the Four Elements Academies were forced to relocate to the city due to the war and ultimately merged with Shrek Academy. In this timeline, despite their relocation to Heaven Dou City, the Four Elements Academies had retained their own names and independence. However, the current political climate was far from ideal for the academies.
In the original timeline, the Four Elements Academies had the support of the Heaven Dou royal family and were regarded with favor due to their loyalty to the crown. But things were different now. In this lifetime, the Four Elements Academies held a frosty relationship with Tang San's faction. They were loyal to the Heaven Dou royal family, not Tang San, and viewed his influence with suspicion. To them, Tang San's rise to power looked disturbingly like usurpation. Empress Xue Ke had been reduced to little more than a figurehead, a puppet under Tang San's control.
As staunch loyalists, they couldn't accept Tang San's dominance, and if it weren't for the Spirit Empire's threat, they would have already risen in protest, demanding that Tang San relinquish power.
Heaven Dou City
At the edge of a mountain overlooking Heaven Dou City, Dai Yao took off his bamboo hat, allowing the mountain breeze to ruffle his hair as he gazed down at the sprawling city.
Even from miles away, Heaven Dou City stretched like a massive beast across the plains. However, the once-bustling metropolis was now eerily silent. No merchants or travelers entered or exited the gates, and soldiers and spirit masters patrolled every corner, lending the city a grim, foreboding atmosphere.
"Is this… really Heaven Dou City?"
Dai Yao's heart sank at the sight. Gone was the vibrant city of his memory, its lively streets stilled by the pall of war.
He weighed his options. "Looks like sneaking in won't be easy. I could force my way in, or use the invisibility skill from the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud."
After a moment's deliberation, he decided to wait. Perhaps by nightfall, an opportunity would present itself. As dusk began to settle and the sun dipped beneath the horizon, an uproar broke out within the city walls, shattering the evening's calm. The clashing of spirit power echoed from the gates, punctuated by the sounds of combat.
The heavy gate quivered momentarily before returning to silence, but the commotion within the city only intensified.
"Looks like someone's trying to break through the gate," Dai Yao muttered, his eyes narrowing. He could sense a mix of spirit energies coming from the commotion. The intruders seemed to be young, with the strongest among them only nearing the Spirit Saint level, while their opponents included at least one or two Spirit Douluo-level fighters. "Their odds of success aren't high…"
Dai Yao's eyes widened as he sensed an unusual familiarity in those spirit energies. Explosive fire, swift wind, resilient water—these were signatures he recognized. "Could it be… the Four Elements Academy?"
"Is the Four Elements Academy really trying to break out of the city? What could have happened in Heaven Dou City to drive them to such lengths? Are Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu there with them?"
Anxiety gnawed at him, and without further delay, Dai Yao vanished from his mountaintop perch, speeding toward the city gates.
"Damn it, there's no end to these soldiers!"
A red-haired young man gritted his teeth, launching a spirit skill with all his strength. As the endless wave of enemies pressed closer, exhaustion weighed heavily on him. This was Huo Wushuang, and beside him stood his sister, Huo Wu.
"Forget it! If it comes down to it, I'd rather die fighting than surrender!" Huo Wu declared, clenching her fists, her tall figure drenched in sweat but burning with defiance.
Alongside them stood Feng Xiaotian, clad in green. He unleashed a blade of wind but couldn't hide the weariness in his voice. "We can't afford to act recklessly. If we don't make a break for it, we'll be trapped here. The only reason they caught us off guard is because Tang San anticipated our every move, and Thunder Academy betrayed us. We can't stay in Heaven Dou any longer…"
Their academy's attempt to escape the city had already pushed them to their limits, and even these three powerful Spirit Emperors were beginning to tire. Surrounded by an overwhelming number of guards and spirit masters, their chances of success dwindled with every moment.
The Four Elements Academy students, many still young and inexperienced, were beginning to lose hope. As the soldiers closed in, the expressions on their faces grew bleak, and some of the younger ones even began to cry.
The air hung heavy with despair.
"Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang. If you surrender now, Blue Hao will not pursue your punishment. But if you resist, you leave us no choice but to execute you all. Choose wisely!"
A commanding voice echoed from the street's end. The approaching guards pulled back slightly, allowing their leader to step forward.
When Feng Xiaotian caught sight of the approaching figure, his eyes widened in shock. "Tang Hu…you're here too?"
It was Tang Hu, one of the twin prodigies of the third generation of the Clear Sky School.
Ever since the Clear Sky Clan had taken control of Heaven Dou City, numerous prodigies of the city had admired the clan, flocking to challenge its members. The result? Not a single one managed to prevail against the Clear Sky Clan disciples. Even talents like Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wushuang, who could best ordinary Clear Sky disciples, were no match for the true elite of the clan's third generation.
Feng Xiaotian, in particular, had suffered numerous defeats at the hands of Tang Long and Tang Hu.
"Haha! Brother Feng, why wouldn't I be here?" Tang Hu said, striding forward with a smug confidence, his gaze brimming with pride as if there were no one under heaven capable of challenging him. "You'd better think carefully now. The lives of hundreds of students from your three academies rest in your hands."
"Dream on! Even if it means death, the Three Elements Academy will never become lapdogs of the Tang Clan!" Huo Wu spat angrily, clenching her fists.
The Four Elements Academy had pledged loyalty to the Heaven Dou royal family, their allegiance sworn to the Xue family, not to Tang San. Despite the fact that Empress Xue Ke and Tang San were nominally married, their union was nothing but a facade. Xue Ke was simply a pawn, confined within the imperial palace while Tang San pulled the strings, ruling Heaven Dou with an iron grip.
For those who had once known the innocent Tang San, watching him turn into someone so cold and ruthless was disillusioning. And with the Clear Sky Clan now basking in fame as Tang San's backers, those loyal to the Heaven Dou royal family had come to view them with increasing disdain.
Tang Hu was momentarily taken aback by Huo Wu's defiance but soon chuckled. "Brother Wushuang, your sister's fiery temper precedes her! Today's the first time I've had the honor of experiencing it firsthand. But you'd do well to advise her, for though Lord Lan Hao is magnanimous, he won't hesitate to crush anyone who dares oppose him."
Furious, Huo Wu's chest heaved, but Huo Wushuang placed a steadying hand on her arm. Glancing back, she saw him give a slight shake of his head, signaling her to remain silent. The anxious eyes of their fellow students were fixed on them, awaiting their decision. Their choice wouldn't just determine their own fates but those of hundreds of academy members. They couldn't afford to provoke the Clear Sky Clan recklessly.
Noticing their hesitation, Tang Hu smirked. "Brother Feng, Brother Wushuang, I'll give you ten seconds to decide. After that, don't blame us if this turns into a bloodbath."
Tang Hu's words landed like a boulder, shaking everyone to their core. All eyes turned to Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, and Huo Wu. Their decision would seal everyone's fate.
"Ten…" Tang Hu began counting down.
Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, and Huo Wu's faces grew taut.
They didn't want to surrender and serve the Tang Clan. But if they refused, hundreds of academy members would die here today.
"Nine…"
Huo Wu bit her lip, trembling.
"Eight…"
Huo Wushuang's fists clenched.
"Seven…"
Veins pulsed on Feng Xiaotian's forehead.
"Six…"
A ring of spirit rings began to materialize around Tang Hu. Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—a flawless lineup of seven rings. In a few short years, Tang Hu had reached the Spirit Saint rank. Dark light gathered in his right hand as he summoned the Clear Sky Hammer. Thunder crackled around him, sending a palpable wave of pressure through the crowd. It was clear—if they didn't surrender, Tang Hu was prepared to strike.
"Five…"
Feng Xiaotian sighed heavily. He couldn't bear to sacrifice hundreds of students for his own pride. Just as he was about to speak, he caught sight of a shadowy figure out of the corner of his eye.
The figure wore a dusky gray cloak that completely concealed his form. A bamboo hat obscured his face, and a long, wrapped object was strapped to his back.
"You…" Feng Xiaotian's eyes widened, his pupils contracting in shock.
The figure had appeared beside him so suddenly and silently. Either this person's strength was too inconsequential to detect, or—more likely—their power was so overwhelming it was beyond his senses. This kind of composed presence in the face of such crushing pressure could only mean the latter.
"Who are you?!" Tang Hu's voice was laced with anger and tension as he noticed the newcomer, a chill running down his spine. For some inexplicable reason, his arm prickled with goosebumps, and he tightened his grip on the Clear Sky Hammer.
"Brother Feng, long time no see," the figure said, ignoring Tang Hu's question. His voice stirred a mixture of familiarity and strangeness in Feng Xiaotian.
Before Feng Xiaotian could respond, Huo Wu gasped in recognition. "It's Dai…" She quickly swallowed the last syllable, realizing they were in Heaven Dou City, where Dai Yao's name was practically taboo. Her reaction, however, clued in Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wushuang.
"Brother Dai, it's been so long! What are you doing here?" Huo Wushuang asked in delighted surprise.
Dai Yao chuckled softly, keeping the brim of his hat lowered. His hand reached for the shaft of the Sea God's Trident strapped to his back. "It's a long story. But now's not the time to talk. Let me get you out of here first."
"Get us out?" Feng Xiaotian couldn't hide the skepticism in his voice. "Brother Dai, we're not doubting you, but this place is heavily fortified. Even a Titled Douluo would struggle to break through…"
He trailed off, eyes widening in shock as Dai Yao moved.
With a casual flick of his wrist, Dai Yao unleashed the power of the Sea God's Trident, shattering the city gate in an explosion of deafening force. The supposedly indestructible gate burst into fragments. A gust of wind whipped through the crowd, blowing back hair and clothing but doing nothing to dispel their stunned expressions.
Even a Titled Douluo might not have been able to break down the gate so easily, yet Dai Yao had destroyed it with a single, effortless motion. It was almost unbelievable.
With a flick of his hand, the golden Sea God's Trident flew back to Dai Yao's grip. Twirling it once, he slung it over his shoulder.
"Brother Feng, take your people and go. I'll handle the ones standing in your way," he said calmly.
To Dai Yao, it seemed as though the countless soldiers and spirit masters blocking the way were no more than trifling obstacles.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Canserbero10