Chapter 493: Discussion of Survival
As Dai Yao's words echoed across the Lake of Life, a strange silence filled the area. Bi Ji let out a soft sigh, though her gentle smile remained; Zi Ji gritted her teeth, glaring daggers at Dai Yao but held her silence. The other spirit beasts responded similarly: Chi Wang closed his eyes, the Myriad Demon King seemed lost in thought, Xiong Jun exhaled heavily to show his irritation, and even Yao Ling appeared slightly uneasy. Clearly, they had all been informed in advance and had a mutual understanding.
Dai Yao hesitated momentarily, then furrowed his brow. "Di Tian, if I remember correctly, when you were trying to get me to agree to your terms before, you promised to offer two spirit beasts in human form as my concubines. It must have been these two, right? Are you planning the same thing now by having them accompany me?"
After all, Bi Ji and Zi Ji were rare and powerful spirit beasts of the Star Dou Forest. Di Tian's arrangements seemed like a slight to them. Furthermore, in the distant future, Bi Ji and Zi Ji would become Di Tian's wives. Although they had not yet formalized their relationships, it was likely that some feelings had already developed, explaining Zi Ji's resentment toward Dai Yao.
Di Tian remained expressionless and replied calmly, "Even if I had such an intention, would you agree? Besides, among the seven of us, apart from Bi Ji and Zi Ji, who else would be suitable to accompany you?"
Though Di Tian didn't confirm his intentions directly, it was clear he still harbored those thoughts. His point was not entirely unreasonable—Xiong Jun, Chi Wang, and Yao Ling were each more ferocious than the last and didn't follow human customs, making them unsuitable for hosting a guest. Meanwhile, the only slightly human-looking Myriad Demon King was too treacherous to be a suitable host.
"Very well then. I'll be in your care." Dai Yao turned to Bi Ji and Zi Ji and nodded in greeting.
Bi Ji smiled gently and inclined her head in return. Zi Ji, however, scoffed, radiating resentment from a distance.
After a few moments, the other spirit beasts excused themselves and left. Di Tian nodded approvingly before leading Dai Yao on a short walk around the Lake of Life. Soon, they reached a large, recessed cliffside. This space had signs of previous habitation, as if a giant creature had once lived there.
Pointing at the space, Di Tian explained, "Dai Yao, this used to be home to a hundred-thousand-year-old Titan Giant Ape. As you know, it has since become your spirit ring. During your time here, you may stay in this place."
"The dwellings of us spirit beasts aren't as luxurious as those of humans. Just finding a place with shelter from the rain is considered a fortune. You'll need to get used to it."
Dai Yao regarded Di Tian with slight suspicion. Though he knew the Titan Giant Ape had been sacrificed to him, Di Tian showed no sign of anger—a reaction that made Dai Yao curious about his true intentions.
Shaking off these thoughts, Dai Yao examined his new lodgings. The recessed cliff offered no wind protection but was sufficient to shield from rain. A large pile of dried grass lay on the ground, the bottom layers compacted from long use while the top layer retained some softness. The rear wall of the cliff, worn smooth over tens of thousands of years of the ape's weight, curved inward slightly.
Dai Yao found himself intrigued by the thought of living there for a while. Once he had agreed to the arrangement, Di Tian gestured to the forest. A massive tree root flew toward them, splitting in midair, and fell as light as a feather onto the pile of dried grass.
At Di Tian's invitation, the two sat on either side of the tree stump. Bi Ji moved gracefully to serve each of them a cup of green liquid. The moment the drink touched the wooden stump, small buds sprouted from the surface as if it were a dead tree given new life.
"What is this?" Dai Yao asked, staring at the drink in wonder.
"This is known as the Water of Life," Di Tian replied with a soft smile. "It contains potent life energy, and just one cup extends a person's life by ten years. Every ten thousand years, the Star Dou Forest produces only a small supply. But even more remarkable than its effects is its taste. Try it and see for yourself."
In the outside world, the Water of Life would likely fetch an exorbitant price, but here, Di Tian offered it as a mere sampling—an extravagant display of wealth.
Without hesitation, Dai Yao took a sip. The warmth that spread through him was almost intoxicating, bringing a relaxed glow to his face.
"The taste is indeed exceptional," he said, savoring it.
"I've heard there's a similarly prized drink in the human world called 'tea.' How would you say the Water of Life compares?" Di Tian asked, his smile unwavering.
Dai Yao's expression remained unreadable as he replied, "I've never developed a taste for tea, so I couldn't say. However, while the Water of Life is a rare delight, it's unlike tea, which can be harvested several times a year."
At this, Di Tian let out a quiet sigh, his gaze drifting toward the lake's shimmering surface. After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice filled with a gravity Dai Yao had not heard before.
"You're right. The Water of Life and tea are akin to the relationship between spirit beasts and humans. The Water of Life is unique and precious, but only appears once every thousand years. Tea may not rival the Water of Life in taste, but it's abundant, with some rare teas rivaling the Water of Life in quality."
"Similarly, a spirit beast must endure tens of thousands of years of cultivation to match a human's few decades. Even then, many humans of exceptional talent surpass us spirit beasts who have cultivated for hundreds of thousands of years. Only an ancient being like me, born at the dawn of the spirit beast race, can truly compare."
"If a human expert fights us to the death, the spirit beasts cannot afford such losses. Though both sides would suffer, humans replenish their strength rapidly. In a mere century, they recover, while for us, a century is often nothing more than a short slumber."
"For this reason, I don't dare allow my kin to roam freely in the Star Dou Forest. Only a few, oblivious young beasts reside by the Lake of Life to keep up appearances."
Dai Yao finally understood why Di Tian and the powerful spirit beasts hadn't appeared in the first book, though some unknown event later forced them to reveal themselves in the second.
Taking another sip, Dai Yao's gaze flickered with curiosity. "Let's not dance around the subject. What exactly are you trying to tell me?"
Di Tian paused before responding, his voice serious. "Dai Yao, how would you describe the relationship between humans and spirit beasts?"
Dai Yao answered without hesitation, "A relationship of hunters and prey."
Di Tian's expression shifted slightly in surprise, but before he could respond, Zi Ji stood up, her face contorted with anger. She pointed a trembling finger at Dai Yao, her voice shaking with rage.
"We spirit beasts may not be as powerful as you humans, but we're not here for you to mock! We've retreated time and again—why must you continue to insult us?"
As Zi Ji scolded him, Dai Yao's expression remained unchanged. He glanced briefly at Di Tian, then casually picked up his cup and took a light sip.
Di Tian sighed and gently advised Zi Ji, "Sit down, Zi Ji. Even though Dai Yao's words are harsh, aren't they simply a reflection of the cold reality we face? Why get so angry over the truth? Can we not even muster the courage to confront it?"
Zi Ji didn't look at Di Tian but seemed to calm down slightly, although she continued glaring at Dai Yao as she reluctantly took her seat.
After a moment of silence, Di Tian said, "Dai Yao, as you rightly stated, humans and spirit beasts are locked in a relationship of killing and being killed. For every advancement, your kind must hunt a spirit beast to gain a spirit ring. Some spirit masters even hunt us recklessly."
"Like I mentioned before, humans are akin to 'tea,' whereas we, as 'Water of Life,' are few in number and cannot endure this constant consumption."
"But, Dai Yao, have you ever considered that once the spirit beasts are hunted to extinction, the spirit masters will also cease to exist? In that sense, we are interdependent. When spirit beasts truly disappear, what future will humanity face?"
These words left a profound silence. Zi Ji looked stunned, Bi Ji's warm smile faltered slightly, and the three spirit beasts all turned their eyes toward Dai Yao, each with a unique expression.
Under their watchful gaze, Dai Yao began to ponder. Di Tian's question was one he had considered before, even in his past life. The fundamental enmity between humans and spirit beasts stemmed from the need for spirit rings. In the original story, Douluo Dalu 2, Huo Yuhao proposed the idea of spirit souls as a potential solution to this conflict. However, due to various factors—chief among them Tang San's interference—this alternative never succeeded in replacing spirit rings.
In later sequels of Douluo Dalu, Dai Yao had stopped reading, but he vaguely recalled that the spirit beasts ultimately migrated to a place known as the Beast Plane.
Thus, as long as humans needed spirit rings to advance, a peaceful relationship between humans and spirit beasts was impossible. Yet, what would happen to humanity when spirit beasts truly disappeared? Would they all revert to being ordinary people?
The Douluo Continent was not without danger. Numerous invasive planes existed within the universe, and if humanity lost its power, they would be left defenseless against such threats.
Dai Yao lifted his gaze slightly, scanning the expressions of the three spirit beasts before leaning back on his hands on the pile of dried grass. With a cool, measured tone, he said, "True, humans and spirit beasts are indeed interdependent; should spirit beasts die out, spirit masters would cease to exist. But Di Tian, have you thought about what kind of relationship would exist between us if humans and spirit beasts were no longer locked in this cycle of killing? Coexistence? Impossible."
"Between any two species, competition for resources and space is inevitable. Unless one species completely subdues the other, only a fight to the death remains."
"Tell me, Di Tian, if it were up to you, which would you choose?" Dai Yao smirked.
Their opposing perspectives were obvious; to Di Tian, the dominating species should be the spirit beasts. Thus, even if the spirit ring issue were resolved, coexistence was unthinkable. The two species were evenly matched in strength, but humanity's potential for growth far exceeded that of the spirit beasts. The only possibility for coexistence would be for Di Tian and the other high-level spirit beasts to submit, crippling the backbone of their species, forcing them to submit to humans.
But would Di Tian give up his status among the spirit beasts? If he died, would those loyal to him remain passive? Wouldn't that just spark a new conflict?
It was clear that Di Tian understood this as well. The composure etched into his face over countless years slipped, his hand trembling slightly as he held his cup. His dark eyes fell, gazing at his reflection in the drink, lost in thought.
He fully understood Dai Yao's implication. If sacrificing himself could ensure the longevity of the spirit beast race, he would gladly do so. However, if the spirit beasts submitted, would humanity show them mercy? Once the powerful beasts were gone, if humans harbored malicious intent, the spirit beasts would be defenseless.
He could not afford to gamble on humanity's word.
Moreover, lurking in the depths of the Lake of Life lay their hidden "Master." As long as their Master remained, there was hope. If one of their kin reached godhood and connected with their other "Master," then the gods above would fall, and the spirit beasts would ascend. The world would turn upside down, and the final victor was yet to be decided.
Zi Ji and Bi Ji exchanged glances; Bi Ji's smile faded for a moment but soon returned. Zi Ji looked at Di Tian, her eyes reflecting complex emotions before she inexplicably glanced over at Dai Yao.
Seated on his own, Dai Yao remained indifferent, and seeing the others fall silent, he turned away to take in the scenery around the Lake of Life.
After a while, a light breeze carried a few fallen petals, one of which drifted into Dai Yao's cup and visibly began to grow, blossoming fully within moments.
It was only then that the spirit beasts snapped out of their thoughts. Di Tian, seemingly returning to his senses, wore a faintly resigned expression as he stood. "Dai Yao, I'll take my leave. Bi Ji and Zi Ji will remain here to accompany you. If you need anything or wish to see me, simply let them know."
Dai Yao nodded in acknowledgment.
In the next moment, Di Tian vanished, leaving only Dai Yao, Bi Ji, and Zi Ji by the lake.
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