Chapter 243: Fury! Exposing Xiao Wu's True Identity
Dai Yao was all too aware of the power of the Zhuge Divine Crossbow. In the original story, the Shrek Seven had used it to wipe out the Savage Gods team, even surpassing their own level. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan had similarly used these concealed weapons, especially the Zhuge Divine Crossbow, to save half of their disciples during Spirit Hall's purge.
This black box may have been a mystery to others, but not to Dai Yao.
These were weapons meant to kill.
His pupils contracted, and his body reacted instinctively, every hair on end. Unfurling the full span of his White Tiger Eight Wings, Dai Yao shielded the team with his back to Shrek Academy. He simultaneously pulled Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong into his arms, protecting them from the oncoming assault.
Under normal circumstances, with his spirit power, he would have blocked the attack directly. But, having exhausted his power to counter the Seven-in-One Fusion, he was left with no choice but to rely on this defensive stance.
With Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong momentarily stunned and pressed tightly to his chest, Dai Yao urgently yelled to the rest of the team, "Everyone, get behind my wings! Yan Yan, hurry over! Dayuan Yi, shield Luo Ling, and get behind me now! Captain, use your strongest spirit skill—stand guard up front!"
Dai Yao's shout shook his teammates into action, and his commanding tone left no room for hesitation. They instinctively obeyed.
Without hesitation, Feng Wutong summoned his Black Tortoise martial spirit, raising a dark green shield and positioning himself at the front. His fourth spirit ring glowed as he channeled its power, fortifying the tortoiseshell to its hardest possible form. Behind him, Dai Yao's White Tiger Eight Wings spread wide, enveloping the team.
"Not good!"
In the spectator stands, Ning Fengzhi saw Tang San retrieve the Zhuge Divine Crossbow and felt his heart skip a beat. As the weapon's buyer, he knew its deadly potential all too well. It could penetrate even the defenses of a Spirit Ancestor-level master.
The Title Douluos in the Spirit Hall, however, were puzzled at Ning Fengzhi's sudden distress. Sword Douluo Chenxin, however, knew better. He summoned his Seven Kill Sword spirit, preparing to intercept the attack.
But Tang San, though enraged, still maintained his calculating mind. He anticipated attempts to stop him and moved quickly, pulling the trigger just as the Sword Douluo's energy surged.
A piercing hum filled the air as the six Zhuge Divine Crossbows unleashed their deadly rain of bolts, hurtling toward the Oakland team like a furious storm.
To Tang San's surprise, however, Dai Yao had reacted with uncanny speed, establishing a defensive formation just in time. Feng Wutong's shield absorbed most of the bolts, while Dai Yao's White Tiger Eight Wings blocked the rest, leaving the Oakland team unharmed.
The moment the assault ended, Dai Yao's fury exploded. His mind raced with the realization that, had his reaction been a fraction slower, the Oakland team would have suffered devastating casualties. Zhu Zhuqing, Feng Wutong, Yan Yan—all people he cared deeply for—would have been lost.
Dai Yao's muscles tensed, veins bulging at his temples as if he were a volcano ready to erupt and incinerate Shrek entirely.
"Zhuqing, Wutong, Yan Yan," he said quietly, his voice smoldering with barely-contained rage, "I need your spirit power. My external spirit bone will absorb your power—please don't resist."
Understanding the severity of the situation, the three nodded without hesitation. They knew Dai Yao's intent without question. Yan Yan, in particular, who held to the belief of "an eye for an eye," felt the fury of having faced death at the hands of the Zhuge Divine Crossbow.
The three girls allowed Dai Yao's White Tiger Eight Wings to pierce their hands, and their spirit power flowed into him, swiftly replenishing his drained reserves.
Meanwhile, Feng Wutong, feeling the intense force pressing down on his Black Tortoise shield, barely managed to maintain his stance, a look of horror in his eyes.
"Were you trying to kill us?!" he roared toward the Shrek team, eyes blazing.
The display of the Zhuge Divine Crossbow's lethal power shocked everyone. The Spirit Hall high officials, in particular, awakened from their initial astonishment, casting increasingly hostile looks at the Shrek team.
As one of the presiding judges, a Red-Robed Cardinal released his own spirit energy, exuding the full might of a Spirit Douluo. The Shrek members instantly froze under the weight of his power.
"Are you trying to commit murder on the Spirit Arena stage?" the Cardinal demanded coldly, his gaze fixed on Tang San. "And concealed weapons are forbidden in this competition. I could rule an immediate disqualification for this violation!"
Tang San, struggling under the pressure, shot back, "You accuse me of murder, but no one died, did they? All I wanted was to incapacitate them, not kill. And as for weapons, tell me, where does this device fit among swords, spears, staves, or hammers? It isn't even a spirit tool!"
His retort momentarily caught the Cardinal off guard. Technically, the weapon didn't fall under any category and had thus skirted the rules, allowing Tang San to exploit a loophole.
But Spirit Hall needed no excuse to punish Tang San—his prodigious talents alone had long placed him on their list of threats. This act of aggression merely gave them the justification they needed.
The Cardinal's voice grew icy. "Enough with your word games, Tang San. You attempted murder on this stage, using prohibited weaponry. The penalty is severe. I'm detaining you on behalf of Spirit Hall until a full investigation is conducted."
The look in the Cardinal's eyes betrayed a sinister intent—if he were taken into Spirit Hall's custody, Tang San's future would indeed be grim.
Yet even as he found himself restrained, Tang San didn't protest his arrest. He had expected no better from Spirit Hall. His only regret was his failure to finish off Dai Yao. How had Dai Yao known to react so quickly, as though fully aware of the Zhuge Divine Crossbow's power? After all, he had only ever sold the crossbows to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. The implication was clear, and his anger toward Ning Rongrong burned even hotter.
As the Cardinal restrained him, Tang San couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness. Why wasn't his supposed ally Dugu Bo intervening? And what of Ning Fengzhi, who had always spoken of the three upper clans as one?
But Dugu Bo's gaze was cold as he looked at Tang San, resentment simmering within him. His precious granddaughter Yan Yan had almost lost her life to Tang San's actions, and Dugu Bo had no desire to help him—in fact, he wanted nothing more than to see Tang San punished.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chenxin looked on indifferently. Given Ning Rongrong's recent treatment, they felt no obligation to save Tang San from the consequences of his actions.
Seeing this, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo exchanged pleased glances. Even the serene Bibidong on her golden throne offered a small nod, approving of the Cardinal's swift action. It had been unexpectedly easy to capture Tang San without elaborate schemes or the need for assassins.
But a sudden shout interrupted them.
"Stop!"
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, holding a token in his hand. Everyone turned toward him, initially showing mild contempt—until they noticed the object he held. Even the Cardinal halted, staring at the token in stunned silence.
"A… a Spirit Hall Elder's Token?"
The insignia in Yu Xiaogang's hand was none other than the Spirit Hall Elder Token gifted by Tang Hao. The position of Elder carried immense weight in Spirit Hall, and though they doubted Yu Xiaogang's claim, the token was undeniably real.
Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, his eyes flashing with worry. But he forced himself to remain calm, turning to the Cardinal.
"By the authority of the Spirit Hall Elder, I command you to release Tang San."
The Cardinal hesitated, glancing back toward the golden throne, waiting for the Pope's directive. Yu Xiaogang, too, turned his gaze toward Bibidong, the once-familiar woman who now sat as the Pope, his lips pressed into a thin line.
"My disciple, Tang San, may have acted rashly, but his actions caused no serious harm. Surely there's no need for Spirit Hall to take such drastic measures," Yu Xiaogang pleaded, holding back his anxiety as he addressed Bibi Dong.
Memories of a decade past flickered in Bibi Dong's gaze, her lips pressed tightly together. She looked at Yu Xiaogang in silence for a moment before responding with a cold smile, "Elder Yu, we will not hand over Tang San. This is not because we distrust your judgment, but because of the grave nature of his actions here before Spirit Hall. Tang San's transgression cannot go unpunished."
Her gaze hardened. Though her feelings toward Yu Xiaogang were complicated, eliminating Tang San aligned perfectly with Spirit Hall's interests. It was the ideal punishment for Yu Xiaogang, whose anguish would only deepen if Tang San were destroyed.
Yu Xiaogang's face paled. He knew that if Tang San were taken by Spirit Hall, it would mean certain death. He needed someone powerful enough to intervene. His eyes turned pleadingly to Ning Fengzhi, but Ning's gaze remained impassive, and Yu Xiaogang felt despair begin to set in. Left with no other choice, he swallowed his pride and turned back.
"Ning Sect Master, as part of the alliance between the three great sects, you must understand the consequences Tang San faces if he's taken away. Will you just stand by and watch him die?" he implored. "Is the bond between our sects only an empty promise?"
A hush fell over the arena as everyone turned their eyes toward Ning Fengzhi.
Ning's face remained composed, but he felt deeply uncomfortable. Tang San's earlier actions had already shaken his goodwill, yet he was aware of the symbolic power of their alliance. If he failed to speak for Tang San now, the relationship between the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan and the Clear Sky Clan would be severely strained. He cast a frustrated look at Yu Xiaogang, feeling cornered by this appeal to honor.
Finally, with a gentle smile, Ning Fengzhi turned to Bibi Dong. "Your Holiness, Tang San belongs to the Clear Sky Clan, and the three great sects share a bond. Taking him before me would be…unwise, don't you think?"
Bibi Dong's shrewd gaze locked with Ning's, and in that instant, she understood his intentions. She scoffed, recognizing that Ning was only asking for Tang San's release in his presence. With a slight pause, she nodded and replied coolly, "Since the Seven Treasures Clan pleads for him, I will put aside Tang San's punishment…until after the tournament."
At her words, Yu Xiaogang's face fell, realizing Tang San's life was merely postponed rather than spared. Still, he could see no other option but to remain silent, helplessly watching as the decision resonated throughout the Hall of Spirits.
Even as the Shrek team breathed a sigh of relief, unease remained heavy in the air. It was clear that once Ning Fengzhi left, Tang San would again be at Spirit Hall's mercy.
Dai Yao looked at Tang San with cold malice, anger boiling at the memory of the earlier ambush. He suspected that Tang Hao was watching from the shadows, ready to intervene if Tang San were truly in peril.
But Dai Yao's expression darkened, his mind racing with plans. Tang San, do you think you'll escape unscathed? I promise you'll taste suffering today.
Feeling the strength of his spirit power restored to nearly half, Dai Yao retracted his White Tiger wings and nodded at Dugu Yan's quiet encouragement.
Turning back to Spirit Hall, he addressed Bibi Dong respectfully, "Your Holiness, justice demands that punishment be meted out. Tang San may have led the attack, but the others are equally culpable, and I'd like the opportunity to settle the score."
Bibi Dong gazed down at him, her expression calm. "We pride ourselves on justice. If that is your request, then Spirit Hall will not interfere. How do you wish to proceed?"
"With my strength."
"Very well."
The words echoed through the hall, and a heavy silence settled over the arena.
Dai Yao instantly activated his martial spirit, his fourth spirit ring glowing wildly as storm clouds gathered overhead. Thunder boomed as lightning cracked through the darkened sky. Immersed in the electric glow, Dai Yao's eyes flashed with a cold, murderous intent. In a heartbeat, he shot forward like a cannonball, hurtling straight for the Shrek team.
With lightning pooling in his hand, Dai Yao's voice rang out, "Tang San, prepare to die!"
Seeing Dai Yao hurtling toward him, Tang San's heart pounded. His spirit power was exhausted from activating the Haotian True Body, leaving him defenseless. He could only watch in horror as Dai Yao drew closer, the scent of death thickening with every second.
Desperation etched across the faces of the Shrek Six Devils as they scrambled to protect Tang San. However, their own chaotic spirit energy left them unable to assist. Nearby, Liu Erlong and Flender attempted to intervene, only to be blocked by a Red-Robed Cardinal.
Not far beyond the arena, a shabby figure in black clenched his fists, muscles tensed in preparation. But just as he readied himself to act, a flash of pink appeared before Tang San.
It was Xiao Wu, her arms outstretched and body glowing with golden light. She glared defiantly at Dai Yao. "You'll have to go through me first!"
Dai Yao's lips curled into a sinister smile. His real target hadn't been Tang San but Xiao Wu. With Tang Hao likely watching, directly attacking Tang San would've been futile. But Xiao Wu's appearance was all he'd hoped for—Xiao Wu, whose significance to Tang San would be his downfall.
His fourth spirit skill struck Xiao Wu, her Invincible Golden Body protecting her from harm. But her eyes widened as Dai Yao reached into her chest and pulled out a small red flower.
Xiao Wu's expression shifted to horror as she realized what he had taken—the Yearning Heartbroken Red flower. Without it to disguise her aura, her true nature would be exposed before the gathered Spirit Hall experts.
"No!" Xiao Wu screamed, her voice a mixture of panic and desperation. But Dai Yao remained unmoved, slipping the flower into his Hundred Treasures Pouch and giving her a cold, disdainful look.
"If you wanted me dead, then this Yearning Heartbroken Red is mine now," he said with icy indifference, his words resonating across the Hall.
But his voice was quickly drowned out as several of the Title Douluo stared at Xiao Wu with ravenous interest. In their eyes, a spirit beast as rare as Xiao Wu was a delicacy, impossible to resist.
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