Chapter 356: Rift
"Stop right there!" Yan shouted, his eyes blazing as he glared at Dai Yao. "Who are you, and why are you with Nana?"
Before Dai Yao could respond, Hu Liena stepped in front of him, her expression cold and protective as she stared Yan down. "Yan, this has nothing to do with you. Leave us," she said icily.
Thankfully, Dai Yao still wore his mask, concealing his identity. Hu Liena knew that if Yan recognized Dai Yao, it would shatter any chance of them remaining friends. The moment she discovered Dai Yao's true identity, she realized that the friendship between Dai Yao and Yan could never be the same.
If Yan were to get entangled in their secret, it would no longer remain just between her and Dai Yao. As the Saintess of the Spirit Hall, her romantic future was bound to the interests of the entire organization, and she was certain her teacher would not allow it.
Seeing Hu Liena's protective stance, Yan's jealousy flared. She had never defended him this way. Rage and envy overcame him as he shouted, "Nana, don't protect him. You're not someone this guy deserves. If he knows what's good for him, he'll leave now, or I'll make sure he regrets it."
Hu Liena's anger erupted at Yan's words. They had never shared any romantic relationship, yet Yan acted possessive and entitled to her. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him. "Yan, what do you take me for? I'm telling you now—there's nothing between us! Who I choose to be with is none of your business!"
Yan froze, his gaze filling with pain, as if each word Hu Liena spoke cut deeper than a blade. A chill seemed to settle in the air around them, sharp and piercing.
They had grown up together, and Yan had loved her for as long as he could remember. As they became known as the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall, he had cherished the idea that he was the only man allowed to be close to her, aside from Xie Yue. This bond, this unique place in her life, had been his only comfort.
The distance between them had widened after Hu Liena became Saintess. She had become obsessed with finding the "Shura Emperor," and even as their relationship cooled, she had never spoken to him this harshly before.
Years of hidden admiration now turned to bitterness. He pointed at the masked figure beside her, challenging him angrily. "If you're a man, then face me in a fair duel! If you lose, you will stay away from Nana for good!"
"Yan!" Hu Liena glared at him, seething with anger. Did he really think she was some kind of prize to be won?
Hu Liena opened her mouth to argue further, but Dai Yao stepped forward, silencing her with a glance. He looked at Yan, then let out a heavy sigh. Slowly, he removed his mask, revealing his face to a stunned Yan.
"Dai Yao? It's you?!" Yan exclaimed, shocked and angry.
"There's more to this than you think. Today was my first time learning about the Spirit Master Festival, and I had planned to take Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong along for a day out. But since I don't know Spirit City very well, and Nana happened to be at my place, she offered to show me around," Dai Yao explained calmly.
"So that's why you're wandering around, wearing masks, acting all close?" Yan sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"It was my idea," Hu Liena interjected, stepping between them again. "Because of my status, I can't just go out and enjoy the festival like everyone else. The mask was my idea—it has nothing to do with Dai Yao."
"Nana, you're still defending him?" Yan spat, his voice filled with frustration. "Don't you know how many women he has around him? Why are you throwing yourself at him? You're only degrading yourself!"
Ignoring his outburst, Hu Liena met Yan's gaze with unshakable resolve. She held Dai Yao's arm, then turned to Yan with conviction. "I don't care how many women he has. I love him, and that's all that matters."
Yan trembled, his words choked with emotion. "Nana, you…"
Seeing her so close to Dai Yao, Yan could hardly speak from the pain. The sight of her holding Dai Yao's arm was almost unbearable.
"Let go, Nana," Dai Yao said, turning to look at her, his gaze filled with complicated emotions. Gently, he pulled her hand away, speaking in an even tone, devoid of emotion.
Hu Liena wasn't someone who would love lightly. If she loved someone, she loved deeply and unreservedly. The fact that she was now proclaiming her love for him could only mean one thing: she had discovered his identity as the "Shura Emperor."
But how?
Hu Liena stared at him, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief as he moved her hand away. She had given him her heart, yet here he was, rejecting her so coldly, as if she meant nothing.
Masked or unmasked, he rejected her. It felt like fate was toying with her, dangling hope only to deepen her despair. As Saintess, she could have anything she wanted—except his heart. Just when she thought she'd found him, he turned her down even more cruelly than before.
"Yan, it's more complicated than you think…" Dai Yao began, only for Yan to cut him off with an angry shout.
"Save it!" Yan snarled, his hands clenched in anger. He glared at Dai Yao, struggling to control his rage. After several deep breaths, he regained some composure, his face expressionless as he said, "Dai Yao, follow me."
He turned and walked ahead, not waiting for Dai Yao to respond.
Despite her heartbreak, Hu Liena instinctively reached for Dai Yao, afraid of what Yan might do to him. But Dai Yao gently moved her hand away and followed Yan, eventually stopping beneath the stone bridge.
As the sun set, casting long shadows across the water, the moon began to rise, its light reflecting on the rippling surface.
The moment Dai Yao arrived, Yan shoved him against the wall, pinning him with his elbow. Of course, Dai Yao could have resisted easily, but he allowed it, not wanting to fight back.
Yan's eyes were bloodshot as he stared Dai Yao down. "You're something else, aren't you, Dai Yao? Stronger than me, and even better with women. When we were in the Star Dou Forest, you told me not to pursue Nana. That's because you already knew how she felt, didn't you?"
"All those years… I was just a fool."
He let out a shaky breath, his voice turning bitter. "I'll admit it—you're stronger, and you probably are a better match for her. But if you dare to hurt her, even for a moment, I will make you pay, Dai Yao. I may not be as strong as you, but I will not let you treat her like she's nothing."
Dai Yao's expression softened as he replied:
"Yan, things aren't as simple as you think..."
"Bull!" Yan interrupted fiercely. "Don't think that just because Nana likes you, you're in the clear. Your first hurdle is getting past Her Majesty, the Supreme Pontiff! I'll go see her tonight and request her approval for Nana's choice..."
Yan's tone was heavy yet resolute. "Dai Yao, treat Nana well," he said, then turned and walked away.
Dai Yao watched Yan's retreating figure and let out a deep sigh. Twice he had tried to explain the situation, even contemplating breaking the strict order to reveal the truth of the matter. But each time, Yan had cut him off. With that, Dai Yao decided it was best to leave things unsaid for now. He'd already made up his mind to distance himself from Spirit Hall for a while to escape the turmoil with Hu Liena.
Now that Hu Liena knew his true identity, he needed to report this to Bibi Dong. She had assured him there was no way Hu Liena could learn his identity, which meant there had to be a flaw in her plan.
With a heavy heart and Hu Liena's desolate gaze lingering in his mind, Dai Yao hardened himself and bid her farewell.
He then went to Ghost Douluo's palace to fetch Zhu Zhuqing, and after that, to Ling Yuan Douluo's palace to bring along Feng Wutong. Together, they began exploring the Soul Master Festival, which was livelier as night descended.
To avoid attracting too much attention, Dai Yao provided Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong with veils to conceal their faces. Without them, the girls' presence alone would have caused a commotion on the bustling streets.
"I'm sorry, Zhuqing, Wutong," Dai Yao said apologetically. "These past few years in Spirit Hall, I haven't had the chance to take you both to the Soul Master Festival. That's my fault."
Zhu Zhuqing gently placed a finger to his lips, stopping his apology. Her gaze softened, brimming with affection. "You don't have to apologize, Dai Yao. Both Wutong and I know you had your reasons."
When Zhu Zhuqing was by Dai Yao's side, Feng Wutong rarely spoke, but she, too, held his hand tightly, fingers entwined. Simply being with him brought her the utmost happiness.
Dai Yao smiled, letting go of his worries. Side by side with them, he began to enjoy the festival as any ordinary person would.
Yet within the crowd, a figure wearing a fox mask trailed them closely, her beautiful eyes filled with unmistakable sorrow.
Spirit City, the Supreme Pontiff's Palace
"What?"
Bibi Dong's fierce gaze bore down on the kneeling Yan, her powerful aura radiating an oppressive force that made the entire hall tremble.
"You're asking me to approve Nana's relationship with Dai Yao?" Bibi Dong's tone was icy, each word laden with menace, making Yan tremble where he knelt.
Despite the cold sweat beading on his skin, Yan clenched his jaw, unwilling to retreat. Remembering Nana's pained expression when Dai Yao had rejected her, he spoke through gritted teeth, "Yes."
Boom!
With a flick of her finger, Bibi Dong sent Yan flying like a ragdoll, his body crashing against the palace wall. He coughed painfully, blood spilling from his mouth.
"The affairs of the Saintess are not yours to meddle in. Now, go summon Dai Yao to me!"
Yan's face paled with fear. Her Majesty's strength was terrifying, and while she was often stern, she had rarely shown this level of anger. It was clear that the matter with Hu Liena had struck a deep nerve. This was something Dai Yao would have to resolve himself.
Struggling to his feet, Yan respectfully withdrew, then rushed out to find Dai Yao in the city.
"Dai Yao, Her Majesty has summoned you," Yan announced, finding Dai Yao with Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong. His expression was complex, revealing the gravity of the situation.
"Dai Yao, are you alright?" Zhu Zhuqing held onto his arm, a note of concern in her voice, while Feng Wutong gazed at him with equal worry.
Dai Yao gave them a reassuring smile. "There's nothing to worry about. Her Majesty simply wants to see me." Then, he turned to Yan, "Let's go."
Without another word, Yan led him swiftly toward the Supreme Pontiff's Palace. As they approached the palace, Dai Yao noticed Bibi Dong standing at the entrance, her grip on her staff tight, her gaze icy, and her aura chilling the air around her. The guards nearby kept their heads bowed, shivering in fear.
Dai Yao's heart sank.
"Come inside," Bibi Dong said through clenched teeth as he drew closer.
Dai Yao followed her into the vast hall, and the doors slammed shut behind them, the sound echoing ominously in the silent space. The atmosphere grew colder.
Standing upon the elevated stone platform, Bibi Dong gripped her staff with one hand and leaned heavily on the throne with the other. Her shoulders shook as she faced away from him, her voice tinged with betrayal and disappointment.
"I trusted you," she said quietly. "But what did you do with that trust? How many times did I tell you to stay away from Nana! And yet she still discovered your identity!"
With that final accusation, Bibi Dong turned, her voice rising in anger. A surge of oppressive energy burst forth, filling the entire hall as if a storm were raging within. Dai Yao made no attempt to resist, allowing the wave of power to throw him back against the wall. Slowly, he rose, meeting her gaze with a calm expression.
"Do you trust me?" he asked softly.
"Trust you?" Bibi Dong's voice was filled with despair. "Trust you only to be disappointed again?"
To Bibi Dong, Dai Yao had been the beacon of hope in her darkest hours, her reason to keep going. She had shielded him, even allowing him to establish his own sect despite the opposition it stirred within Spirit Hall. Dai Yao was one of the few people in this world she truly cared for. She would go to great lengths for him.
But Hu Liena, too, held that place in her heart. Hu Liena was like a mirror of her younger self—innocent, kind, and gentle. Bibi Dong wanted nothing more than to give her the happiness she herself had lost, especially a perfect love. To her, Dai Yao, with his numerous relationships, was not the right match.
However, Bibi Dong hadn't expected that Hu Liena's mission to the Slaughter City would lead her to fall deeply for the mysterious "Shura Emperor." She had always believed that this infatuation would fade over time, with Hu Liena eventually moving on. But instead, she had grown more desperate, even turning to Bibi Dong for answers.
Thus, Bibi Dong had reluctantly devised a plan for Dai Yao to reject Hu Liena in the cruelest way possible, hoping that this would extinguish her feelings for the Shura Emperor. Yet now, she knew her plan had failed. Hu Liena's enduring passion could only mean she had uncovered the truth—she knew that Dai Yao was the Shura Emperor.
Bibi Dong had meticulously ensured that there was no way for Hu Liena to discover the truth, leaving only one possibility: that Dai Yao himself had revealed his identity.
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