Chapter 270: Secret Mission: The Saintess's Personal Bodyguard
The Pope's Hall was silent. Dai Yao stood tense, a sheen of cold sweat forming on his forehead. He felt the weight of Bibi Dong's gaze as she looked down from her throne. Her reasons for singling him out, for setting up an entire year's worth of plans—were they all coming together now?
"Your thoughts are clear enough," Bibi Dong said coldly, her eyes casually lifting from her hand to rest on Dai Yao. "You wish to spare the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. But tell me—now that you've derailed my carefully-laid plans—how do you expect me to deal with you?"
Dai Yao, seeing his motives exposed, understood there was no point in hiding further. He could sense that Bibi Dong had meticulously orchestrated everything, cornering him to force his hand during the Soul Hunt Council. She would not allow him to get away without securing her own interests in the process. With a resigned sigh, he gritted his teeth and replied, "Your Grace, if you agree to spare the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, I am at your disposal."
Bibi Dong's lips curved into a faint smile, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Good. In that case, I have a task for you."
Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his expression steady. "Please, Your Grace."
"I want you to undergo training in the City of Slaughter under a new identity, using your second martial spirit. You must ensure that Hu Liena returns unharmed. Do that, and I'll consider sparing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan," she said with steely precision. "However, I require your word that the clan will not oppose us when the time comes to unify the continent."
Hu Liena, the one she regarded as a daughter, was one of the few ties to warmth in her cold life, her most cherished protégé. To her, even Dai Yao's remarkable potential was insignificant compared to Hu Liena's safety. To secure Dai Yao's cooperation, Bibi Dong had woven her web carefully over the past year.
To prepare Dai Yao for the task, she had arranged for Snake Lance Douluo to train him in spear techniques, knowing that in the City of Slaughter, where spirit abilities were forbidden, such skills could mean the difference between life and death. The Titan Snow Demon soul ring she had given him strengthened his physical resilience, giving him a greater chance of survival. In Bibi Dong's view, only with the assurance that Dai Yao would return alive would she entrust Hu Liena's life to him.
But her demands went further. In the City of Slaughter, where betrayal and slaughter were routine, Bibi Dong feared that the protection Dai Yao offered Hu Liena might kindle feelings in her. Though she did not think poorly of Dai Yao, she had no desire for Hu Liena to become just one of his many admirers. So, she specifically instructed him to assume a new identity.
Now understanding her reasoning, Dai Yao could only smile wryly. The attachment Bibi Dong felt toward Hu Liena seemed almost maternal, so much so that she would go to any lengths to guarantee her safety—even if it meant sending Dai Yao into peril himself.
"Well, as long as I can protect Hu Liena and see her safely back from the City of Slaughter, I'll consider our agreement sealed," Dai Yao replied with a bow.
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed. "And you will also ensure that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will not stand against us."
Dai Yao clenched his fists as he accepted. "Yes, Your Grace."
Bibi Dong raised her scepter slightly, and with a small motion, a soul tool in the shape of a bracelet and a black mask that covered the entire face floated over to Dai Yao's hands. She explained, "This bracelet will alter certain characteristics, such as your hair color, and the mask's purpose should be obvious enough. Practice with these, then depart tomorrow for the City of Slaughter."
Dai Yao's brow furrowed as he hesitated. "Isn't the timing a bit rushed? Couldn't I prepare a bit longer?"
"The timing is firm," Bibi Dong replied calmly. "Hu Liena has only just emerged from Death Valley. She will rest for half a year at most before heading to the City of Slaughter."
"During that time, you must strive to achieve fifty victories within the city yourself, without drawing too much attention to your protection of Hu Liena. Otherwise, it will defeat the purpose of her trial."
Dai Yao's heart sank. He felt as if he had been assigned to act as Hu Liena's full-time bodyguard.
"That's enough. You may go." Bibi Dong's gaze swept over Dai Yao one last time before dismissing him.
"Yes, Your Grace," Dai Yao replied, swallowing his reluctance as he left the Pope's Hall.
As the doors closed behind him, the weight of his new assignment pressed down heavily on him. While the rest of the world regarded the Pope's Hall with reverence, for Dai Yao, it was a place that now carried a bitter irony.
After Dai Yao left, Bibi Dong remained alone in the expansive, silent hall. The loneliness reminded her of the night before, of the strange comfort she had found in the god emissary's silent warmth. A faint smile played on her lips as she went to her private chambers, changing into clothing suitable for movement in preparation to enter the Rakshasa God's trial. However, something felt off. Strangely, it took three attempts before she managed to enter the zombie world.
The Next Morning
Outside the small cabin, a massive bird soul beast knelt, waiting patiently. This was the true body of a Soul Douluo.
Inside, Zhu Zhuqing clung tightly to Dai Yao, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Take me with you, please…" she whispered, her voice filled with sorrow.
Dai Yao stroked Zhu Zhuqing's back gently, his own heart aching. He shook his head. "Don't say such things. I'll come back to you."
He was already tasked with keeping Hu Liena safe. Bringing Zhu Zhuqing along would only complicate things, especially as it would jeopardize the hidden identity Bibi Dong demanded.
Reluctantly, Zhu Zhuqing released him, turning her head so he wouldn't see her tears.
Feng Wutong, usually so composed, meticulously adjusted the folds of his clothes, patting away even the smallest wrinkles as she choked out, "Return…safely."
The weight of the unknown filled her heart. Yesterday's revelations had given them all a sense of foreboding, an unspoken fear that his mission carried untold risks.
"Yes, I will," he whispered.
Dai Yao gently ran his hand through Feng Wutong's fiery red hair, nodding firmly as he gave his instructions:
"If anyone comes looking, just say I'm away training with no set return date. Don't share any more than that, and let the four maids know as well."
Feng Wutong and Zhu Zhuqing nodded, each with a solemn expression.
Taking a deep breath, Dai Yao jumped onto the massive bird waiting outside. He turned to gaze once more at the majestic waterfall, feeling a pang of longing in his chest—the ache of parting from the two women he cherished.
Looking toward the rising sun, he felt his spirits soar as he commanded, "Let's go!"
The great bird unfurled its wings and ascended toward the sky, swiftly carrying him in the direction of the Slaughter City.
Though Dai Yao's journey to the Slaughter City was forced by Bibi Dong, he could not deny that it was the ultimate training ground for those seeking strength. Those who survived the trials gained not only the formidable Shura Domain but also a chance at the favor of the God of Shura himself. Ultimately, his resentment came from his lack of strength. To gain true respect and freedom, he knew he would have to seize it himself.
In the Spirit Hall, so many competing interests were at play that he realized they would only support him if he could prove he brought them greater value than his enemies. Dai Yao was no stranger to this reality, knowing it was the price of dealing with any powerful organization, but he still hated feeling like a pawn.
To fulfill his revenge, he would need his own forces, and he knew that going it alone was not enough. To match the gods, he would have to become one himself. Currently, there were only three paths to godhood: the Angel God, reserved for Qian Renxue; the Rakshasa God, for which Bibi Dong was already undergoing the trials; and the Sea God, whose essential artifact, the Sea God's Heart, was guarded within the royal family of the Heaven Dou Empire.
"Then there's the Shura God…"
Thinking of the original story, in which the Shura God was so partial to Tang San that he had effectively handed the position to him, Dai Yao couldn't help but laugh bitterly at the Shura God's favoritism. Still, he resolved to change that fate, one way or another. It was unlikely the Shura God would look away from Tang San, but Dai Yao was determined not to let Tang San inherit the position unchallenged.
"If it's possible, I'll see if I can claim it. Maybe I'll even run into Tang San… or rather, Tang Yin in the Slaughter City," he mused to himself.
With that, he donned the soul tool bracelet Bibi Dong had given him. Instantly, his golden hair darkened to jet black. Next, he fastened the mask over his face, hiding his features completely. Dai Yao as everyone knew him had vanished; for the next few years, no one would recognize him.
Time passed swiftly over the following days.
In the secret room, Bibi Dong once again attempted to enter the undead realm for her god trials. As she suspected, it failed. Since Dai Yao's departure, Bibi Dong had been unable to enter that realm at all, making it impossible to continue her trials.
The timing, lining up perfectly with Dai Yao's departure, struck her with a sudden realization. After a moment's stunned silence, she let out a cold laugh, her delicate hands clenching tightly.
"A god emissary? Dai Yao!" Her voice dripped with ice. "To think I was deceived by a mere boy!"
Her spirit power surged, extinguishing the room's candles in an instant. When her rage subsided, the room was in shambles. She briefly considered storming to the Slaughter City to retrieve him, but reasoned that her Rakshasa aura would make entering a Shura domain place nearly suicidal.
"Just wait, Dai Yao," she muttered through gritted teeth. "I'll be sure to make you pay for this when you return."
A faint warmth lingered in her memory—a certain embrace she had thoughtlessly enjoyed the night before. But she quickly dismissed it, her icy gaze hardening once more.
Six Months Later
In the Pope's Hall, Hu Liena knelt with one knee to the floor, her voice resolute. "Teacher, I hope you will not send anyone to protect me on my journey to the Slaughter City. I want to grow stronger on my own."
Bibi Dong sighed and teleported down from the high dais to lift Hu Liena to her feet. "My dear, I see the future of the Spirit Hall in you. Very well, you have my permission to go. But remember—you must return safely. As both your teacher and the Pope, this is my command and my only request. Do you understand?"
Hu Liena looked into her teacher's heartfelt gaze and felt her own resolve deepen. She nodded firmly. "I understand, Teacher. I will return."
With a slight twist of her hand, Bibi Dong summoned a white soul bone from her ring. "Absorb this before you depart," she instructed softly.
Hu Liena's eyes widened. "Teacher, this is too precious!"
"No matter how precious an object is, its value can only be realized when put to good use," Bibi Dong replied. "Take it."
Touched by her teacher's gesture, Hu Liena accepted the white soul bone with great reverence, her eyes misty. "Teacher, I promise I will return safely, and I will earn the Killing God Domain and surpass Dai Yao in strength!"
While Bibi Dong appreciated Dai Yao's potential as a weapon for the Spirit Hall, Hu Liena was determined to prove herself his equal before she could ever consider wielding such power. Her heart would not rest until she was his match.
A strange, unreadable smile crossed Bibi Dong's face at Hu Liena's declaration. With a slight cough, she quickly regained her composure and said, "Go on, Na'er."
The Slaughter City
Hu Liena's pink-hued eyes glinted with menace as she sheathed her dagger, the lifeless body of the fallen knight, Scott, thudding heavily to the ground behind her.
Scott, who had barely regained his footing, stared at her in horror, his helmet fallen to reveal a middle-aged man's trembling face.
"S-stop!" he shouted, his voice weak.
Hu Liena slowly turned back, her gaze icy. "Get in my way again, and I'll gladly add another body to the pile."
"No, no," Scott stammered, "I'm not stopping you. You've passed the entry trial for the Slaughter City. With your strength, you're clearly a genius here to complete the Slaughter Trials. In fact, the arena is currently hosting the Shura King's sixty-sixth match—if you're interested, you should hurry to the inner city and witness it."
The terror she instilled had compelled him to share the latest news without even thinking.
"The Shura King?" she murmured, rolling the name over her tongue.
From Bibi Dong, she already knew the distinction between the inner and outer city and the challenge within the Slaughter Arena. To attain the coveted status required by the Slaughter Trials, one had to complete a hundred victories—a feat few could accomplish. Now, hearing of a competitor already in their sixty-sixth match, she couldn't help but smile.
"A Shura King?" she mused with a smirk, her tongue briefly tracing her lips. "Let's see if you're as formidable as the title suggests."
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