The rain fell like a curtain.
In the pouring rain, Bibi Dong, hidden from Hu Liena's sight, watched Hu Liena, who was distraught and lost in the rain, and exhaled a painful sigh.
"Nana, don't blame your teacher for being heartless, 'Asura Emperor' is really not suitable for you. After today, I'm sure you won't miss him anymore. There will definitely be a more suitable man for you in your future."
Bibi Dong slowly closed her eyes.
A transparent light enveloped her, completely holding her in place. Despite the torrential rain, not a single drop fell on her; she remained dignified and elegant.
Buzz—
She appeared beside Hu Liena in a flash. Despite the heavy rain and Hu Liena's disheveled, mud-covered appearance, Bibi Dong felt a pang of heartache and softly called out:
"Nana..."
Amidst the torrential rain, upon hearing Bibi Dong's voice, Hu Liena, kneeling in the mud, was startled at first, then turned around with some uncertainty.
Upon seeing Bibi Dong, an uncontrollable bitterness welled up from within, shattering his feigned strength and making him vulnerable, longing for Bibi Dong's comfort.
"teacher--"
Hu Liena suddenly hugged Bibi Dong's leg, her voice choked with grief.
The protective shield around Bibi Dong disappeared, and the torrential rain lashed down on the master and disciple.
Bibi Dong, however, didn't seem to care. She stroked Hu Liena's head and said kindly:
"Nana, judging from your expression, the outcome probably isn't good. Since the goddess is willing but the king is not, then let it go. There will surely be a more suitable man waiting for you in the future."
"My Nana is the current saintess, and she's beautiful. It's his loss if that guy doesn't like you."
"No, teacher."
Upon hearing Bibi Dong's suggestion, Hu Liena seemed to lose her weakness and firmly refused.
Bibi Dong was shocked. She couldn't understand why Hu Liena was still so infatuated with the 'Asura Emperor' after being so cruelly rejected by Dai Yao, who was pretending to be the Asura Emperor.
Hu Liena gripped the mask tightly and said firmly:
"Teacher, there must be a reason why he rejected me. I will prepare myself mentally and wait for him until he changes his mind."
Her gaze seemed to pierce through the thick curtain of rain, revealing a bright future for the two of them.
Seeing Hu Liena's infatuated expression, Bibi Dong's heart skipped a beat: Could it be that Nana knew that the 'Shura Emperor' rejected her because of his instructions?
Impossible. She had been listening to their conversation the whole time, and Dai Yao hadn't revealed a single detail.
Why is Hu Liena still so devoted to him?
She even mentally prepared herself, waiting for him to change his mind. Bibi Dong even wanted to pry open Hu Liena's head to see what she was imagining...
For a moment, Bibi Dong was completely baffled. She even considered calling back Dai Yao, transforming him back into the Asura Emperor, to crush Hu Liena's hopes.
But the 'Asura Emperor' appeared again and again, and even a fool could notice something was amiss, let alone the exceptionally intelligent Hu Liena! She would surely conclude that the 'Asura Emperor' rejected her because of her instructions.
Therefore, she could only temporarily set aside Hu Liena's problem and wait for the right opportunity to bring out the 'Asura Emperor'.
She sighed inwardly. Although Hu Liena had not completely let go of the 'Shura Emperor' as she had expected, she once again saw how similar Hu Liena was to her past self.
Once you've chosen someone, you'll give them everything.
"Alright, Nana, then follow your own ideas. Your teacher can only give you some advice."
Bibi Dong patted Hu Liena's head and said softly.
"Thank you, teacher."
Hu Liena smiled sweetly.
But Hu Liena's radiant smile only made Bibi Dong feel increasingly uneasy. How could Hu Liena know that everything she had encountered was meticulously planned by Bibi Dong?!
······
Inside the Papal Palace.
Bibi Dong returned to the Papal Palace, sat on the papal throne, and looked down at Dai Yao, who had just entered.
After the palace doors closed, Bibi Dong's previously unapproachable aura vanished abruptly. She sighed, appearing like an ordinary person burdened with worries, and said to Dai Yao:
Thank you very much this time.
"It's what I should do."
"Dai Yao answered. Looking at Bibi Dong's worried face, Dai Yao asked curiously, with a puzzled expression:
What's going on here?
Bibi Dong rested her head on her hand, frowned, and sighed:
"It's all because of Nana. Even after what you've done, Nana is still wholeheartedly waiting for you to change your mind. How can I not worry? When the time is right, I'll have to ask you for help again."
Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat, and he fell silent for a moment.
He was fully aware of Hu Liena's feelings. But the one she had fallen in love with was merely the 'Asura Emperor' of her imagination, a 'Asura Emperor' who was destined not to exist in the real world.
The more infatuated Hu Liena was, the more Dai Yao wanted to avoid her.
Although he didn't intentionally pretend to be the 'Asura Emperor' and get entangled with Hu Liena, he was, after all, the person behind the 'Asura Emperor' mask.
"Of course I have a duty to do this. If you have the chance, just call me."
Dai Yao replied.
"Then thank you in advance. This matter was ultimately caused by me, and has nothing to do with you. I had no choice but to involve you."
Bibi Dong said apologetically.
"I also bear responsibility."
Seeing the somewhat silent Dai Yao, Bibi Dong's heart skipped a beat, and she asked:
Are you leaving?
Dai Yao's body tensed slightly, and he said:
"Yes, I will soon leave Wuhun City to establish my own sect. I will try my best to win over those wavering forces between the two great empires and us, and keep them in a neutral position. This will reduce the pressure on us in the future."
Bibi Dong pursed her lips, her gaze flickering. She knew very well that Dai Yao's thoughts were entirely because of her.
If she hadn't repeatedly used Dai Yao, he wouldn't have had the idea of establishing a sect. Even though their relationship improved rapidly after returning from the City of Slaughter, it couldn't dispel Dai Yao's concerns.
Sometimes she even wondered why Dai Yao couldn't be more magnanimous and understanding towards her.
If someone had told her in the past that she had such thoughts, she would probably have just laughed it off. How could she, the Pope, act like a little girl?
However, as they spent the next few days together, her dormant heart gradually revived, along with the girlish mindset she once had. But now, she wouldn't voice her true feelings.
Holding the papal scepter, she lowered her crossed legs, slowly rose, and appeared before Dai Yao, smiling:
"I must apologize to you properly. When you first came, I schemed against you too much. However, since you want to establish a sect, it can be considered as sharing the burden for our Spirit Hall."
"Didn't you say you had a good relationship with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School? Then bring them into your camp as well. Even if you can't get them to side with our Spirit Hall, you have to make them remain neutral and not help either side."
Dai Yao gratefully clasped his hands in a fist and said:
Thank you.
Bibi Dong's understanding of his relationship with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was truly unexpected.
Bibi Dong chuckled, "Why bother with so many words between us? In this world, you're the only one I can truly confide in. Don't disappoint me..."
Dai Yao knew what Bibi Dong's words meant, but he waved his hand dismissively:
"I understand. I'm leaving now. My attitude towards you won't change. And it won't be me who disappoints you..."
Bibi Dong's gaze froze. Dai Yao said that he wouldn't be the one to disappoint her, implying that she would be the one to disappoint him.
She gave a soft snort; it had been years since anyone dared to speak to her. This feeling was completely different from the master-servant relationship between subordinates. Seeing Dai Yao about to leave, she quickly appeared in front of him and said:
"etc."
"Is there anything else?"
Dai Yao looked at Bibi Dong with a puzzled expression.
Bibi Dong solemnly took a ring from her jade hand and placed it on Dai Yao's hand, saying:
"This is the ring that stores 50,000 prisms. I took 40,000, and there are 10,000 left."
Seeing that Dai Yao was about to refuse, Bibi Dong said urgently, "Don't be in such a hurry to refuse. These 50,000 coins should have belonged to you. I already feel bad about taking 40,000 coins. Besides, 40,000 coins are more than enough for me."
"You absolutely must accept these remaining ten thousand coins, otherwise you won't consider me a friend."
Dai Yao chuckled: "Alright, then I'll accept these prisms."
Seeing that Dai Yao accepted the prism, Bibi Dongfang made way for him. Watching Dai Yao's departing figure as he went down the mountain, Bibi Dongfang's lips unconsciously curled into a smile.
······
In the valley.
The clouds dispersed and the rain stopped.
Dai Yao held Zhu Zhuqing in his arms, and after some conversation, he learned that Zhu Zhuqing needed to absorb a soul bone given to her by Ghost Douluo in the next few days and could not accompany Dai Yao.
"Brother Yao, let me go with you. We can absorb Grandpa Ghost's soul bone later..."
After a vigorous workout, Zhu Zhuqing's smooth and jade-like body shone with an astonishing luster. Her hair was disheveled, and her large, watery eyes exuded a captivating charm.
No one would have seen Zhu Zhuqing, who appears aloof and ethereal like a fairy in the Cold Palace in front of outsiders, display such a seductive expression.
However, this view is for Dai Yao to enjoy all by himself.
Dai Yao smoothed Zhu Zhuqing's slightly damp, messy hair by her ear and smiled:
"Silly girl, that's your ghost grandpa's good intention. You should absorb it first. Besides, it's not something that can be done overnight for me to establish a sect. You can come find me after you've absorbed it."
"Oh well."
Zhu Zhuqing reluctantly agreed. Her slightly furrowed brows were quite endearing. After a moment of silence, she cautiously asked:
"I heard that Sister Yan is coming to help you too, is that right?"
Dai Yao nodded.
"Then I'll absorb the soul bone first. Once I'm done, I'll head over there."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flickered.
Establishing a sect, the family to which Dugu Yan belongs, can provide Dai Yao with tremendous assistance. And what about her? Alone and isolated, she can't help Dai Yao in any way except for herself.
Therefore, she didn't want to risk a secret confrontation between Dugu Yan and Dai Yao by going along, which could prevent Dai Yao from establishing his sect. She decided to use the excuse of absorbing soul bones and wait until the situation was more settled before going.
After chatting for a while, the two fell asleep in each other's arms.
However, Dai Yao did not fall asleep immediately. His heart sank, and he entered the spiritual world.
After passing through the ring formed by purple lightning that prevented Xiao Wu from entering, she glanced at the Chaos Green Lotus, which was unharmed, and then turned her gaze to a new lotus flower next to it.
Golden Lotus.
This is a new lotus flower that the Chaos Green Lotus nurtured after Dai Yao obtained his sixth soul ring.
Each lotus flower possesses an incredible power of creation.
By consuming the Purple Lotus, Zhu Zhuqing obtained the Netherworld Overlord Martial Soul; by consuming the Red Lotus, Feng Wutong obtained the Vermilion Bird Martial Soul; and by consuming the Green Lotus, Dugu Yan obtained the Azure Dragon Martial Soul.
The only black lotus that Dai Yao didn't consume was thrown into the Yellow Spring Dew below the Hell Road. It's unknown what kind of terrifying being will be born within the Hell City under the lotus's influence.
With a gentle gesture, the golden lotus floated up and landed in Dai Yao's hand.
The golden lotus swayed, and golden light shone upon it. The moment he touched it, Dai Yao felt a vast energy rush into his mind, giving him a sense of peace and tranquility.
When he held the Golden Lotus in his hand, Dai Yao even felt an invincible sense of being impervious to all magic and unbreakable by anything.
"What a magnificent golden lotus! This is a supreme defensive treasure. If a Soul Master were to consume it, I'm afraid no one in the world could break through his defenses."
Dai Yao exclaimed in amazement.
His expression immediately darkened. The golden lotus was perfectly suited to someone, but now he couldn't find any reason to give it to her…
With a sigh, perhaps this golden lotus can only remain forever hidden in his spiritual world.
After all, each lotus flower is a divine object that defies the heavens. If it were given to someone he cannot trust, even if he joined the Spirit Hall and had Bibi Dong's protection, he would still be unable to move an inch once exposed.
He gave the first few lotus flowers to his women. These three women were completely trustworthy, but he might not have been so trustworthy with other women.
He would rather keep this golden lotus hidden in his own hands forever than give it to someone he could not trust.
Moreover, he didn't need to use the Golden Lotus to enhance his own people's strength. Although he had been with the maids for several years, they hadn't faced any life-or-death trials, and Dai Yao couldn't fully trust them.
The next day.
Facing the rising sun, Dai Yao, accompanied by Feng Wutong, bid farewell to Zhu Zhuqing and headed towards Longxing City.
Since it is a sect that has established a neutral camp, it cannot use the power of the Spirit Hall. Otherwise, once it is associated with the Spirit Hall, it will inevitably arouse the vigilance of many neutral camps.
Dai Yao's plan was to leverage the power of the Azure Scale Clan to recruit several branches from the four single-attribute clans as the foundation for establishing his own sect. This would provide a backup plan should unforeseen circumstances arise.
The two men, disguised and dressed in black, hurried towards the Star Luo Empire.
"Tang San, it seems our fates are truly intertwined and inseparable. I'd like to see how many of the four single-attribute clans you can take with you."
Thinking of this, Dai Yao smiled gently.
Now that he no longer has a 100,000-year soul ring, a 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor soul bone, and the opportunity of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Dai Yao is very much looking forward to seeing how Tang San, with his strength, can gain the recognition of the other three single-attribute clans besides the Power Clan.
After several days of trekking, looking at the still majestic Wuguan Pass, Dai Yao was filled with a myriad of emotions.
He escaped from the Star Luo Empire from here. If it weren't for Bishop Ferdinand's timely intervention, he would probably have been taken back to the Star Luo Empire by the Fifth Elder and died in a dark and hopeless prison.
"Dai family, Empress Xingluo, just you wait, the time to settle the score is fast approaching!"
Dai Yao's gaze was intense, his eyes seeming to burn with fire. (End of Chapter)