Chapter 287: Quiet Radiance, Purged of Impurities
In the Pope's Hall, Ghost Douluo and Lingyuan Douluo stood silently before the Pope's throne. Qingluan Douluo, however, appeared impatient, arms crossed as he asked, "Bibi Dong, why have you summoned me here today?"
As the third High Priest of the Spirit Hall, Qingluan Douluo's powerful position afforded him the confidence to forego formalities even with Bibi Dong. Although Bibi Dong's brow furrowed slightly, she held back her anger, casting a glance at both Ghost Douluo and Lingyuan Douluo before saying calmly, "I called you here today regarding your disciples."
"Our disciples?"
The expressions of the three Titled Douluos changed immediately. Lingyuan Douluo, in particular, asked anxiously, "Your Holiness, please tell us, is something wrong with Wutong?"
Bibi Dong shook her head. "No, nothing like that. Both Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong have now reached the Soul King level, but prolonged comfort will only stunt true strength. So, I intend to send them to train in the Death Valley for one year."
Relieved, the three nodded thoughtfully, considering the feasibility of her suggestion. Indeed, as Bibi Dong had pointed out, with their abilities having recently advanced, Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong were in need of practical training to test their progress.
Ghost Douluo stroked his chin, nodding in agreement. "I support the Pope's decision."
"I agree as well," Lingyuan Douluo added.
Now all eyes turned to Qingluan Douluo, who regarded Bibi Dong with a watchful gaze, searching for any ulterior motives. Yet, he found none. This seemed genuinely beneficial for Feng Wutong. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded.
"Very well, I agree too. But let me make this clear: if anything happens to Feng Wutong, don't expect me to overlook it." His voice was steady, but there was no mistaking the warning in his tone. Should something happen to Wutong, not even his caution toward Bibi Dong would prevent him from raising chaos in the Pope's Hall.
Bibi Dong's expression darkened slightly.
Seeing this, Lingyuan Douluo quickly interjected to ease the tension. "Qingluan Douluo, Feng Wutong is a member of the Spirit Hall. Of course, she'll be safe. Besides, even if this is a training assignment, a Titled Douluo will be there to guard them, ensuring their safety."
"That's best. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Qingluan Douluo's response was curt, clearly reflecting the increasingly tense conflict between the Pope's Hall and the Spirit Hall's High Priests.
Bibi Dong gave a slight shake of her head, indicating there was no other business. Qingluan Douluo activated his spirit power and, in a flash, departed toward the Spirit Hall's sanctuary.
Watching him go, Ghost Douluo muttered in his raspy voice, "Qingluan Douluo is too arrogant! To act so boldly before Her Holiness!"
Before anyone could add further comment, a wave of powerful energy suddenly radiated from Bibi Dong. Feeling the formidable aura and its intense pressure, both Lingyuan Douluo and Ghost Douluo knelt down, not daring to look directly at her. This surge of energy wasn't just equal to Qingluan Douluo's—it might even have surpassed it.
It was now clear that Bibi Dong had not shown deference earlier; rather, she had simply chosen to yield.
"Qingluan Douluo's actions are under control. There's no need for further comment. As for Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, you two should see to the arrangements," she instructed, her voice calm yet unyielding.
"Yes, Your Holiness," Ghost Douluo and Lingyuan Douluo replied, bowing as they retreated.
As the hall returned to silence, Bibi Dong sighed softly. It had been a month since her return from the apocalyptic world of the undead, and she still hadn't fully adjusted. For the Pope, revered and feared by all, that experience of being treated like an ordinary person, disregarded for her status, had been a rare experience.
After her harrowing past and the betrayals she endured, Bibi Dong had long stopped trusting others. But during those six months with Dai Yao, she had found herself relying on someone, feeling a trust she hadn't experienced in years.
"Dai Yao… You and Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong have been enjoying your time together, haven't you? Well, I'll separate them from you and see how you manage," she murmured with a sly smile. The thought of Dai Yao's frustration brought a slight, mischievous curve to her lips.
While Dai Yao and she had no formal relationship—she was the Pope, and he was merely a promising talent—she could not ignore the pang of irritation she felt at seeing him so content with Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong. Thus, she had found an excuse to send the two young women away for training, removing them from Dai Yao's side.
Dai Yao had never imagined that Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong would leave so abruptly. After months of alternating between sleeping by Zhu Zhuqing's side or Feng Wutong's, he would now have to go back to solitude. She could only imagine how he'd take it.
The next morning, Dai Yao bid a reluctant farewell to Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, his heart weighed down by their departure.
Seeing his expression, Zhu Zhuqing laughed softly and gave him a light kiss. "Come now, we'll be back. No need to look so down."
Dai Yao sighed. "Zhuqing, Wutong, safe travels."
Nodding in acknowledgment, the two young women headed off to the residences of Ghost Douluo and Lingyuan Douluo. After their departure, Dai Yao's life became monotonous once more, sinking him entirely into his studies.
Whenever he encountered a puzzling issue, he turned to the scholars around him for guidance. Initially, his basic questions provoked some disdain. Yet, after witnessing him chase away Li Gongzi without retaliation, the scholars grew to view Dai Yao with respect, gladly helping him with even the simplest of inquiries.
Bit by bit, the knowledge accumulated in his mind. Concepts began to interlink, coalescing into a coherent system. His daily needs were managed by four maids who ensured his meals and lodgings were well-kept.
One year later.
Dai Yao closed a dense, three-hundred-page tome, rubbing his tired eyes as he murmured to himself. "Truly remarkable… This scholar analyzed the compatibility between various spirit beasts and martial souls, following the lives of thousands of soul masters to gather data on their spirit rings and spirit power."
"A monumental work, and invaluable insight."
After a year of intense study, Dai Yao's killing intent was fully subdued. From his calm and scholarly aura, one would never suspect he had once been the infamous Asura King. He now resembled the learned scholars around him, though his striking looks still set him apart.
Now, with his killing intent fully suppressed, today marked his last day in the Spirit Hall's library. Placing the tome back on the shelf, Dai Yao looked around at the vast, towering bookshelves, the volumes upon volumes of knowledge, a hint of nostalgia in his gaze.
As he turned to leave, one of the keen-eyed scholars, taking note of Dai Yao's departure, asked in surprise, "Mr. Jin, are you leaving?"
Dai Yao never revealed his true name to the others, so some had simply dubbed him "Mr. Jin" for his striking golden hair. When he announced his departure, the news surprised them all, as he had been one of the most diligent figures in the library over the past year.
Every morning, when they arrived at dawn, Dai Yao was already there. And each night, as they left, he would still be by the window, endlessly reading, as if he were a statue. Aside from taking out books or eating, he rarely moved. This unyielding dedication made his sudden departure all the more surprising.
"Yes, I'm leaving," Dai Yao said, a hint of nostalgia in his tone.
"May your future be bright!" the scholars offered in farewell.
Their well-wishes soon caught the attention of others, and when word spread that Dai Yao was leaving, congratulations echoed throughout the library. At first, they had only respected his tenacity. But as time passed, his questions grew sharper and more complex, becoming difficult to answer without contemplation. Eventually, they couldn't answer them at all.
Only then did they realize how deeply Dai Yao's understanding of soul master theory had surpassed them, even though they had spent decades immersed in these texts. Had they not witnessed his progress firsthand, they would have found it hard to believe someone could advance so quickly. Clearly, Dai Yao's brilliance marked him as anything but ordinary, especially given how he had once even made Li Gongzi retreat.
"And may you all one day propose theories that shock the world!" Dai Yao replied, bowing to each of them. Over the past year, he had consulted each of them and was grateful for their guidance.
After bidding farewell, he approached the librarian, who was dusting the shelves, and respectfully clasped his hands in thanks. "Thank you for looking after me this past year."
The librarian smiled. "You've hardly troubled an old man like me. In fact, I should be thanking you for bringing some liveliness to my quiet life." As he spoke, he took out a black storage ring, placing it in Dai Yao's hand with the care of someone handling a precious child.
"My child, I have seen your growth over this past year. But to seek truth, you cannot remain isolated within four walls." The librarian gestured to the book Dai Yao had recently finished. "The author of that book meticulously tracked the lives of thousands of soul masters to establish his groundbreaking theories. You have built a solid foundation here, but now it's time to explore the world. The library may hold vast knowledge, but it is only a small fraction of all there is to know. Inside this ring are the most treasured works of past scholars. They'll be of great use to you."
"Thank you," Dai Yao said, clasping the ring with gratitude. He knew the works it contained would be invaluable to him, and he accepted it without hesitation. Then, reaching into his own pouch, he took out a purple herb.
The librarian looked at it, puzzled. "What is this?"
"This is a Ninth-Grade Purple Lingzhi," Dai Yao explained, holding it out. "It can strengthen one's essence and vitality, prolonging life. Please accept it as my thanks for your care this past year."
"This… this is too precious. I can't possibly accept it," the librarian protested, visibly shaken by the rare gift.
"It may be rare, but I have no real use for it," Dai Yao insisted. "In my hands, it's just another item. But in yours, it has purpose. Please, accept it."
Relenting, the librarian finally nodded. "Very well then. Thank you, child."
With a final wave, Dai Yao turned and made his way out of the library. Watching his figure disappear, the librarian mused to himself, picturing a future where one groundbreaking theory after another emerged, reshaping the world of soul masters—all because of this young man.
"Perhaps he really will unlock the mysteries of martial souls one day," the librarian whispered to himself as he returned to his work.
Back at his cabin, Dai Yao reflected on his progress over the past year.
First, he had reached the 60th level of spirit power, meaning he only needed one more spirit ring to become the youngest Soul Emperor in history. Even the so-called Golden Generation had just reached level 59. Yet Dai Yao had chosen not to immediately absorb a spirit ring. For one, he had still been focused on dissipating the killing intent within him. Additionally, he had grander plans for his sixth spirit ring—he wanted Xiao Wu's hundred-thousand-year ring.
Given his current strength, he could handle a spirit ring between fifty and sixty thousand years old, but a hundred-thousand-year ring was on an entirely different level. Even if Xiao Wu's ring was not a perfect match, the power boost it provided would far surpass that of a regular ring. Moreover, Xiao Wu was the key to unlocking the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python spirit rings—beasts that were exceptionally well-suited for him.
"So, I'll wait on the sixth ring until the Ju and Ghost Douluo head to Star Dou Forest to hunt spirit beasts," Dai Yao mused. "It won't hinder my cultivation in the meantime. When I do absorb it, the full benefit of all my training will come to fruition."
Looking out at the waterfall outside his window, he thought to himself, "The seeds I planted are finally ready to yield."
Second, there was the God of Slaughter Domain. A year of study had helped him internalize its killing energy completely, cleansing his aura of the wildness that once dominated him. Now, he appeared calm and focused, with the scholarly air of a dedicated researcher. Yet Bibi Dong had forbidden him from using the domain unless absolutely necessary, to avoid detection by Hu Liena.
And lastly, he had made significant progress on a new combat technique. By combining his fourth spirit ability, White Tiger Thunderstrike, with his Baji Crumble technique, he was working to create a new, devastating skill. Both moves required careful charge-up to unleash maximum power, and Thunderstrike left him vulnerable during that buildup. But if he could fuse it with Baji Crumble, it would eliminate that flaw while multiplying the attack's potency.
Once, under ideal conditions, his White Tiger Thunderstrike could rival the power of a Contra. Now, if he succeeded in this fusion, he might be able to reach the level of a Titled Douluo.
The thought excited him. He could hardly wait to refine the new move. But before he could start, the cabin door swung open, and his attendant Dujuan entered hesitantly.
"Master, Her Holiness the Pope requests your presence," she said.
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