Old Friends"Let's go, let's go into town."
Gazing at the snow-covered Xingluo City, Dai Yao spoke in a deep voice. He then led Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong slowly into Xingluo City, their feet sinking into the shallow snow.
As a Title Douluo, Dugu Bo had no need to hide his presence. After informing the Star Luo Empire, he was personally welcomed into the palace by the royal family. As for Niu Gao, Yang Wudi, Bai He, and the others, they concealed their identities and entered the Star Luo Empire.
Although the Star Luo royal family's control over Star Luo City surpassed that of all other cities, Star Luo City's defenses were not impenetrable. Through the mediation of the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, some greedy guards acted as Dai Yao's inside men, letting the Green Lotus School members in.
These defenses were bound to be exposed, but in the time before they were exposed, Dai Yao had already left the Star Luo Empire.
After a thorough inspection by the soldiers, Dai Yao, Zhu Zhuqing, and Feng Wutong passed through the long passageway of the city wall. As the light returned, Xingluo City came into view. A strange emotion welled up in Dai Yao's heart, and his body gradually trembled.
Memories that have faded somewhat keep flashing through my mind.
The entire Star Luo City brought him only pain.
A pair of soft, delicate hands gently caressed Dai Yao's fist. Dai Yao turned around and saw Zhu Zhuqing smiling sweetly.
"Brother Yao, don't worry, I'm here with you."
Dai Yao stroked Zhu Zhuqing's long, silky hair and smiled gently. Beside him, Feng Wutong stood silently.
Dai Yao's worries vanished, and he pulled the two women toward the pre-arranged meeting place.
Before long, the three arrived at a teahouse. After Dai Yao entered, he exchanged a few coded words with the shop owner, who then personally led the three to a dark room.
In the dark room, Niu Gao, Yang Wudi, and Bai He had already arrived, waiting for Dai Yao's arrival, but each of them had a frown on their face. Hearing the noise outside the door, the three of them were initially on guard, but relaxed after seeing Dai Yao.
As for Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin, they stayed at the Xingluo Royal Family's hotel, arranged by the family. This was Dai Yao's open strategy: to use Dugu Bo to gather information about the Xingluo Royal Family.
"Three elders, why do you look so distressed? What happened?"
Seeing the expressions on the three elders' faces, Dai Yao smiled and asked.
The three exchanged glances, and Yang Wudi clasped his hands together, saying, "Old Rhinoceros, you speak."
Niu Gao nodded, glanced at Dai Yao, and then said in a deep voice:
"Sect Master, after arriving in Star Luo City, our sect disciples discovered something very strange during their investigation."
The three sat down, and Dai Yao asked calmly:
"What is it?"
Niu Gao explained, "You came to the Star Luo Empire to rescue Prince Hengyu, but as far as we know, Prince Hengyu is still at the Star Luo Royal Academy and can move around freely, seemingly without any restrictions. So, the three of us discussed this for a long time and came to a conclusion."
Niu Gao's words stirred up a storm in Dai Yao's heart. If his uncle was not restricted in his freedom, then what was the so-called execution?
He suppressed his shock, maintained a calm expression, and asked:
"Elder, tell me your speculation."
Niu Gao took a deep breath, met Dai Yao's gaze, and said in a deep voice:
"Sect Master, please forgive our intrusion. What we are about to say may offend you, but please forgive us. We've been discussing this all night, and the only possible theory we've come to is that Prince Hengyu was a deliberate lure to bring you back to the Star Luo Empire, and that Prince Hengyu has already betrayed you..."
Dai Yao's eyes flickered, he waved his hand, and said deeply:
"No need to say anything more, I understand what you mean. Your speculation is indeed reasonable, but I believe that Uncle Hengyu will not betray me."
Niu Gao wanted to say something more, but he shut his mouth under Dai Yao's sharp gaze.
Beside him, Bai He glanced at Niu Gao, then interjected:
"Sect Master, people change. Have you considered that after being separated from Prince Hengyu for so long, your feelings for each other have changed? This mission concerns the lives of five hundred Soul Masters in the sect. Please consider this carefully."
Dai Yao's heart trembled. The three elders' guesses made a lot of sense, but he just couldn't believe it. Back then, if it weren't for Uncle Hengyu's help, he wouldn't have had a chance to live.
Sensing Dai Yao's inner turmoil, Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong exchanged a glance, then each took one of Dai Yao's hands, trying to give him strength.
Yang Wudi was straightforward and said directly:
"Sect Master, I won't beat around the bush. The situation is urgent, and you must have a plan. Should we save Prince Hengyu or not? If we do save him, how should we do it? If we don't save him, should we go back, or should we help you take revenge on the Star Luo Royal Family?"
Dai Yao fell silent. After a moment, he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the three elders, and slowly spoke:
"Rest assured, elders, I will give you a satisfactory answer. I will personally go to see Prince Hengyu and ask him what exactly happened. Only then will I be able to make further plans."
Upon hearing this, Niu Gao immediately said anxiously:
"Sect Master, no! What if..."
Although Niu Gao didn't say it aloud, Dai Yao already understood what he meant. If Uncle Hengyu really betrayed him, wouldn't he be walking into a trap? Once surrounded, no one would be able to save him.
Beside them, Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong couldn't help but grab Dai Yao's hands tightly.
Dai Yao smiled, gently patted her two delicate hands to reassure them, and looking at the three worried faces, she smiled and said:
"Elders, there's no need to be nervous. I'm not a fool; I won't put myself in danger. Rest assured, there's nothing dangerous this time."
The crowd was skeptical, but Dai Yao's words were quite convincing, so they chose to believe him.
······
Inside a teaching building at Xingluo Royal Academy.
In the spacious teaching hall, a burly middle-aged man was flipping through books, teaching the children below the basics of Soul Master.
Suddenly, a stranger walked in from outside the teaching hall and greeted the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man was puzzled, as he didn't recognize the man. However, the stranger kept gesturing for him to leave. He frowned, told the children to study on their own, then went outside, looked at the stranger, and asked in a deep voice:
"Who are you? What do you want with me?"
His voice was very powerful, deep like a lion's.
The stranger did not answer the middle-aged man's question, but instead handed him a note.
The note contained only one line: Today at 7 PM, White Tiger Hotel, Moon Gazing Waterfall.
The White Tiger Hotel enjoys a long-standing reputation throughout the Star Luo Empire. Named after the White Tiger, its connection to the White Tiger family is self-evident. "Moon-Gazing Waterfall" refers to a room within the hotel.
After reading the note, the middle-aged man frowned even more deeply and asked:
"What exactly do you mean? Explain yourself!"
The stranger smiled and said, "Your old friend is waiting for you here. I hope you will be there on time."
"An old friend? Who is it? Explain yourself! If you don't explain, I'm not going!"
The middle-aged man said angrily. This person's repeated acts of charlatanry were truly disgusting to him.
The stranger sighed softly and said:
"Friend, some things are better left unsaid. As for who it is, isn't the answer already written on the note? Whether you meet them or not is your business. That person has come back quite a while ago, so you'd better go and see them."
He then said no more and turned to leave.
The middle-aged man stared blankly at the man's departing figure, momentarily lost in a great deal of confusion.
"White Tiger Hotel, Moon Gazing Waterfall. Moon Gazing Waterfall, waterfall..."
Thinking of this, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes lighting up, and a cascading waterfall reappeared in his mind.
······
At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), at the White Tiger Inn.
Gazing at the magnificent and dazzling hotel, the middle-aged man was momentarily stunned. As an ordinary citizen, he had never been to such a place before. Composing himself, he told the waiter the name of his room, and then, led by the waiter, he bypassed numerous courtyards and arrived at a secluded spot.
Pushing open the door, a rockery comes into view, with an artificial waterfall cascading down. The bright moon in the sky reflects on the waterfall, truly living up to the name of this villa, Moon Gazing Waterfall.
Passing around the screen formed by the artificial hill, a spacious courtyard comes into view.
In the center of the courtyard stood a stone table and chairs, upon which sat a man and two women. The man had a full head of blond hair, which shone brightly in the darkness.
The two women's faces were covered by light veils, obscuring their features, but judging from their elegant figures, they must be exceptionally beautiful.
Looking at the middle-aged man who had finally arrived, Dai Yao smiled and said:
"You've finally arrived, Brother Nantian."
The newcomer was none other than Ye Nantian, one of the "Four People You Can't Mess With" from the former Xingluo Royal Academy.
Ye Nantian stared blankly at the man before him. The contours of his face still held a faint familiarity. He walked closer, scrutinized Dai Yao for a few moments, and finally confirmed Dai Yao's identity. He punched Dai Yao in the chest and exclaimed excitedly:
"Dai Yao, it really is you!"
However, the fist struck Dai Yao's chest as if hitting a block of iron, producing a muffled groan. Feeling the pain in his hand, Ye Nantian gasped. He was a Soul King-level power-attack type Soul Master; just how strong was Dai Yao's body now?!
"As expected, he lived up to his reputation, leading a team that was virtually unknown back then to defeat the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation and win the Continental Soul Master Tournament."
"At first I was a little skeptical, but after seeing it today, I truly believe it. How exactly did you cultivate?!"
Dai Yao smiled, finding it difficult to answer. A large part of his abilities came from the Chaos Green Lotus. He wouldn't mind lying to others, but he was unwilling to tell lies to Ye Nantian.
"Don't ask me anymore. I'd like to ask you something else: you were a tyrant at Star Luo Royal Academy back in the day, how come you're a teacher now?"
Dai Yao asked with a smile.
Ye Nantian sighed softly, downed the wine on the table in one gulp, and only after the spiciness rose in his throat did he slowly say:
"As you know, I am a commoner Soul Master. Someone of your noble status would never understand the difficulties of a commoner Soul Master."
"Without a powerful backer, it's impossible to move an inch on this continent. I'm considered a genius among commoner soul masters. But if I don't join the forces of noble soul masters, I can forget about getting their help. When I graduate and leave the academy, I'll have to start compromising with reality."
"Without the help of powerful individuals, I cannot obtain cultivation resources, and I can only make do with what I have. I want the help of those nobles, but their conditions are unacceptable to me."
"They demanded that I join their family and become their servant."
Upon hearing Ye Nantian's words, Dai Yao fell silent.
Indeed, without the help of a powerful expert, an ordinary soul master can forget about obtaining the soul ring they desire. Back then, wasn't that how I did it? I fought with all my might, risking my life, to finally obtain my first soul ring.
Don't be misled by Shrek Academy's self-proclaimed status as a commoner in the original story. They don't have a single truly commoner member; they're all either of noble birth or exceptionally talented. Ask yourself, which of their spirit rings was obtained through their own strength? While Ye Nantian might receive help from the academy during his student years, after graduation, the academy won't care about them anymore.
Dai Yao could imagine what kind of trials Ye Nantian, such a proud person, had gone through in society to have his rough edges smoothed out and choose to return to Xingluo Royal Academy to become a teacher.
"Brother Nantian, you've really worked hard all these years."
Ye Nantian laughed heartily:
"That's not how it works. I've figured it out now. I'm a teacher at the academy now, so I'll help those commoner students obtain the most suitable spirit rings for them, unite them together, and one day, we commoner spirit masters will be able to help each other and no longer be threatened by those nobles!"
In a daze, Dai Yao saw Ye Nantian, who was once full of vigor and ambition, all over again.
Although Ye Nantian's ideas were still naive, there are some things that you have to do even if you know the answer, so that you will have no regrets.
Dai Yao raised his glass and offered a toast.
While the two were chatting, Zhu Zhuqing picked up the wine pot and filled it with fine wine for them.
Ye Nantian finally came to his senses and, looking at the two veiled women, asked Dai Yao:
Who are these two?
Dai Yao smiled and said, "These two are both people you know."
Zhu Zhuqing removed her veil, revealing her stunning beauty, and chuckled softly:
"I am Zhu Qing."
On Dai Yao's other side, Feng Wutong also removed her veil and smiled:
"What, Brother Nantian, have I even forgotten about you?"
Ye Nantian was initially surprised that Zhu Zhuqing had grown so beautiful after not seeing her for several years. Upon hearing that familiar tone, he immediately turned his gaze, and when he saw Feng Wutong's appearance, his eyes widened in surprise.
"You...you're Wutong?! You're alive? You really went to find Dai Yao? And what happened to you?"
Back then, Feng Wutong went to the Heaven Dou Empire alone. He thought Feng Wutong had died on the way, but he never expected to meet her in such a place.
Many years have passed, and Feng Wutong is completely different from when she was in the Star Luo Empire; they are worlds apart. The noble air she exudes now makes him somewhat hesitant to approach her.
Feng Wutong couldn't help but look at Dai Yao tenderly and smiled:
"Brother Nantian, it's a long story. He didn't lie to me. He saved my life and completely eliminated the side effects of my martial soul. Because of this, my appearance has changed drastically."
Seeing Feng Wutong's reaction, Ye Nantian was shocked again and said in disbelief:
"Dai Yao, Wu Tong, you two are together? What about Zhu Qing?"
Feng Wutong wanted to explain, but Dai Yao stopped her and explained on Ye Nantian's behalf:
"They are all my wives."
Ye Nantian was stunned. He hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to allow Dai Yao to have other women around him. However, he was also happy for Feng Wutong.
"That's good. We all saw Wutong's feelings back then. But because of our different statuses, we couldn't say anything. Now that the lovers have finally gotten together, it's us who were worried."
Ye Nantian thought with melancholy.
Dai Yao straightened his expression, then reached into his Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch with one hand, took out a crimson soul bone, placed it on the stone table, and handed it to Ye Nantian, solemnly saying:
"Brother Nantian, this soul bone is a ten-thousand-year-old Crimson Flame Tiger soul bone, which is extremely compatible with your Xuanjia Mad Lion Martial Soul. After absorbing it, your strength will definitely increase significantly."
This Crimson Flame Tiger Soul Bone was a gift from Dean Jackson of Auckland Academy to Dai Yao. However, Dai Yao didn't find this ten-thousand-year-old soul bone appealing and therefore didn't absorb it. After receiving the soul bone, he decided to give it to Ye Nantian to repay his guidance.
Ye Nantian stared intently at the Crimson Flame Tiger Soul Bone, his Adam's apple bobbing. Having spent so many years in the Soul Master world, he certainly understood the value of Soul Bones, but it was precisely because of their value that he could not accept them.
He gazed longingly at the soul bone, suppressing his heavy breathing, and said:
"Dai Yao, this soul bone is too precious, I cannot accept it."
Having said that, he was about to push the soul bone to Dai Yao. Dai Yao didn't budge, and instead pushed it to Ye Nantian, saying in a deep voice:
"Brother Nantian, if it weren't for your guidance back then, I would have died in the dueling arena long ago. I can't forget your kindness in guiding me back then. Do you really think that this soul bone is more important than my life?"
Ye Nantian gave a helpless, bitter smile.
Back then, he had only been invited by Feng Wutong to guide Dai Yao, and it was unintentional; it hadn't had any decisive effect. But given Dai Yao's harsh words, and his own intense desire for this soul bone, he swallowed hard and gritted his teeth, saying:
"In that case, I'll shamelessly accept it."
Seeing that Ye Nantian accepted the gift, Dai Yao smiled, understood the grudges from back then, composed himself, and then asked about the purpose of his visit:
"Brother Nantian, there's something I wanted to ask you. You're from the Star Luo Royal Academy, so you should know about Prince Hengyu, right? I've heard he can now move freely within the academy. I'd like to know if that's true?"
Ye Nantian was taken aback, met Dai Yao's gaze, remained silent for a moment, and then said:
"You heard correctly, Prince Hengyu can move freely within the academy, or rather, he's not restricted at all. Actually, he's been waiting for you, waiting for you to see him..." (End of Chapter)