Chapter 253: I've Decided to Take My Talent to Spirit Hall
"A rare gift…" Bibi Dong murmured as she watched Dai Yao on the battle stage, his spirit unbreakable.
Bibi Dong could understand having one external soul bone; even Hu Liena, a fellow prodigy, possessed a fox-tail-shaped external soul bone. But two? That was truly astonishing. The odds of possessing two external soul bones were as rare as those of possessing twin martial souls.
Yet, a twinge of frustration clouded her thoughts. "Dai Yao, I'd love to bring you under my wing, but none of my subordinates at the Titled Douluo level are qualified to train you. Qian Daoliu's faction, however, has two: Golden Crocodile Douluo and Mad Lion Douluo, both Super Douluos with unmatched expertise in offense."
"If I forced you into my ranks, it would limit your future growth." She tightened her grasp on her staff, gazing deeply at Dai Yao. For a fleeting moment, a trace of indecision crossed her mind, but it quickly vanished, replaced by a cold smile and a fierce resolve: "The Angel Clan… I will see you completely eradicated. There's no way I'd let Dai Yao fall into your hands."
Observing the new external soul bone on Dai Yao's left hand, Sword Douluo exchanged a glance with Ning Fengzhi, a look of realization passing between them. Ning Fengzhi chuckled, "I never imagined Dai Yao would keep this card hidden for so long, giving no hint throughout the matches. Even I had nearly forgotten he had this trump card."
Some time ago, Dai Yao had visited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to fully merge his two external soul bones under Sword Douluo's guidance. During this visit, Dai Yao had tested all his skills in a spar with Sword Douluo but was ultimately no match for him. Still, the "Sky-Tearing Claw" skill of the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear left a strong impression on Sword Douluo.
Seeing Dai Yao's three sharp claws, Sword Douluo's eyes gleamed with admiration. "Once Dai Yao uses the skill of that external soul bone, the winner will be clear."
On the battle stage, though Yaomei's mask hid her expression, the shock in her eyes was unmistakable. Both she and Xie Yue realized the source of the unease gnawing at them.
They recalled the high expectations placed upon them by Spirit Hall's leaders, only to face defeat at the hands of a "whetstone" appointed by the Pope herself. Bitterness and determination flared in her eyes as she gritted her teeth, addressing Dai Yao coldly: "Dai Yao, so what if you have another external soul bone? You still can't beat me!"
Pouring all her soul power into the Full Moon disk, she unleashed a dazzling display of cold light from it, cutting deep cracks into the stage floor. Even the cardinals watching found these blade auras difficult to contend with.
Fortunately, Bibi Dong intervened, tapping her staff lightly. A gentle ripple spread out, forming a transparent barrier that confined the violent blade aura to the stage.
Watching Yaomei's increasingly reckless attacks, Bibi Dong sighed softly, "Xie Yue and Nana's Martial Soul Fusion skill has nearly reached its limit. Under Dai Yao's pressure, Full Moon has unleashed power surpassing that of a Soul Sage. The Golden Generation indeed…"
Xie Yue's attack had even stirred some Titled Douluos, not from fear but from recognition. If two Soul Kings could perform an attack on par with a Soul Sage under Martial Soul Fusion, what heights would they reach as Titled Douluos?
"Come, let's end this!" Yaomei's eyes held a fierce determination. This strike had surpassed her limits, reaching an entirely new level. If this move couldn't defeat Dai Yao, she would accept her loss.
Her arm swung like a pendulum, hurling the Full Moon forward. The massive, soundless disk sliced through the air, bearing down on Dai Yao like a mountain of blades.
Seeing the soundless, deadly Full Moon hurtling toward him, Dai Yao could only let out a bitter smile. His original plan was to evade the Full Moon's initial attacks, wearing down its momentum. But revealing his second external soul bone had only spurred Yaomei to push beyond her limits, delivering an even more powerful strike.
"In that case, let's settle this once and for all!"
A torrent of soul power surged from Dai Yao's core, flowing into the bone in his left hand. Dark golden light gathered in his left palm—a pure essence of metallic energy, unstoppable.
The already tattered sleeve on his left arm disintegrated as the sharp energy sliced it into ribbons, leaving deep grooves in the ground beneath him.
As Dai Yao's power continued to build, the surrounding cardinals looked on in shock. Ning Fengzhi gasped, "This move from Dai Yao could rival an attack from a Soul Sage in True Body form."
Sword Douluo nodded solemnly. "The last time I saw Dai Yao use this move, it was only comparable to a few Soul Emperor-level skills. To see him reach this level here and now… this tournament will be remembered for generations."
For an elder like Sword Douluo, watching the passionate vigor of the younger generation stirred memories of his own days as a lone swordsman traversing the land.
Beside him, Ning Rongrong smiled softly, feeling a shared pride as she listened to her father and Sword Douluo discuss Dai Yao's feats. She gently placed her hand over her left arm, sensing the soul power from her soul bone. After consuming the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, her body had not only fully recovered but had also gained four levels in soul power.
As she thought about Dai Yao joining Spirit Hall after the tournament, however, a shadow crossed her previously bright mood.
Facing the advancing Full Moon, Dai Yao's eyes suddenly sharpened. He thrust his left arm forward, shouting in his heart: "Sky-Tearing Claw!"
A massive, blinding claw seemed to tear the sky itself as it collided with the Full Moon, emitting a high-pitched screech!
Zzzzzzzz—
The ear-piercing sound of the clash caused many cardinals to flinch and instinctively step back. The team members on the battle stage covered their ears in pain as they looked toward the red mist in horror.
Moments later, the two powerful attacks released their stored energy in an explosive blast. Waves of energy surged across the stage like volcanic eruptions, carrying a terrifying sharpness.
Even Bibi Dong's barrier trembled under the force, rippling outward.
Sensing the surge of energy and piercing aura, all the team members, from both Auckland and Spirit Hall, stopped fighting and gathered together to withstand the impact.
On Auckland's side, Feng Qianli stood at the front with his Xuanwu Shield raised; on Spirit Hall's side, Yan positioned himself as the lead defender.
The energy wave rushed toward them like a raging tide, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Both teams held their ground, gritting their teeth until they were pushed to the edge of the arena. The energy finally subsided, and both teams looked up in unison, their gazes fixed intently in the direction of the red mist.
The battle in that red mist would directly determine the winner of the match!
Moments passed as the red mist gradually dissipated. The sound of two soft coughs instantly drew everyone's attention.
Xie Yue and Hu Liena were both on one knee, clutching their chests in pain, coughing continuously. They looked somewhat battered, with blood trickling from the corners of their mouths. In the instant the energy exploded, the two had instinctively ended their Martial Soul Fusion skill. Doing so just as it reached its limit allowed them to shield themselves from the brunt of the energy wave.
Even so, they hadn't escaped unscathed. But neither of them believed that Dai Yao, as a mere Soul Elder, could have survived this energy onslaught unscathed.
Despite their injuries, their gazes remained fixed on the spot where Dai Yao had been standing, wiping the blood from their mouths with a confident smile of triumph.
However, as the smoke continued to clear, they realized that Dai Yao was nowhere to be seen.
They exchanged startled glances, each recognizing the shock in the other's eyes. Although they'd wanted to win, they had never intended to kill Dai Yao. After all, he was meant to be a future asset for Spirit Hall.
"You lost."
As they looked around in confusion, a gentle tap on their shoulders was accompanied by a calm voice from behind.
They turned sharply, and upon seeing the figure before them, their eyes widened in disbelief.
It was Dai Yao. Though he looked a bit ragged, his breathing was steady, showing no signs of injury—only slight exhaustion from his earlier efforts. He had one hand resting on each of their shoulders, his face expressionless, his bright golden eyes gazing wistfully toward the Pope's palace.
"How… how is this possible?" Xie Yue stammered.
Hu Liena bit her lip, her usual charm replaced by frustration. With a stubborn look, she stared at Dai Yao, demanding, "Dai Yao, can you tell us why you aren't hurt?"
All eyes—those of the team members, the red-robed cardinals, and the white-robed bishops—turned to Dai Yao, filled with curiosity and wonder.
"I'll explain," came a clear, cool voice, drawing everyone's attention toward its source.
Bibi Dong rose gracefully from her gilded throne, descending slowly to the stage. Her purple heels touched the ground with a crisp click as she walked forward, flanked by a group of Titled Douluos.
The Pope's palace fell silent. Countless reverent and fervent eyes locked onto her figure. As Bibi Dong drew closer to Dai Yao, her calm voice echoed through the palace, her heels providing a steady rhythm.
"Xie Yue, Hu Liena, when the energy wave erupted, Dai Yao's second soul bone, the White Tiger Eight Wings, shielded him completely. That's why he emerged unscathed."
"Dai Yao, do you have anything to add?"
"No." Dai Yao released his hands from Xie Yue and Hu Liena's shoulders, lowering his gaze respectfully.
Bibi Dong's gaze shifted to Yan, her voice unwavering. "Yan, do you intend to continue?"
Though her tone was gentle, Yan felt as if he could hardly breathe. Cold sweat dripped down his face as he glanced at his teammates, only to find uncertainty on each of their faces.
With their current numbers, it was a close match between their five members and Auckland's six. But now that Dai Yao had defeated Yaomei, adding his strength to the Auckland team made their defeat all but certain.
He let out a deep sigh, loosening his clenched fists with a hint of bitterness. "Your Majesty, we concede."
"And you, Xie Yue and Hu Liena?" Bibi Dong asked, her gaze turning to the two of them.
Hu Liena coughed painfully, blood staining her lips as she met Bibi Dong's gaze. Though her heart burned with reluctance, she knew her weakened state had robbed her of the ability to keep fighting. She exchanged a glance with Xie Yue, sighed deeply, and forced herself to stand, bowing respectfully to Bibi Dong. "Your Majesty, we concede."
As her words fell, murmurs rippled through the crowd. Had Bibi Dong not been present, the news of Spirit Hall's best generation admitting defeat would surely have caused an uproar. Though some had anticipated this outcome, the reality was still hard to accept.
"In the Elite Finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, the winner is the Auckland Team!" Bibi Dong announced in a calm tone.
Although she appeared composed, Bibi Dong was uneasy. She feared her disciples, in a fit of pride, might insist on continuing the battle, which could lead to disastrous consequences. So once Dai Yao had secured victory over Yaomei, she intervened directly to ensure Spirit Hall's team conceded.
"We… we won?" Dai Yuanyi whispered, as though waking from a dream.
"Yes, we won." Feng Qianli, usually so composed, couldn't suppress the joy and excitement surging within him. For once, he wanted to shout with exhilaration.
In an instant, the Auckland team was swept into a tide of celebration.
Principal Jackson rushed onto the battle stage, embracing his students tightly before everyone crowded around Dai Yao, pulling him into a triumphant group hug.
"Thank you, Dai Yao! We're the champions! Tournament champions!" Dai Yuanyi shouted, his voice filled with excitement.
Dai Yao, overwhelmed by his teammates' hugs, finally managed to free himself. As the sun rose, casting a bright light over the sky, a surge of silent excitement filled his heart.
"My new life… it's finally here," he thought, his eyes gleaming with determination as he looked at the grand, majestic Pope's palace.
The Auckland team rejoiced around him, their excitement palpable, while the Spirit Hall team stood on the sidelines, faces marked by disappointment. Xie Yue and Hu Liena, supporting each other, exchanged a bitter smile. After two decades of hard training and being heralded as the Golden Generation, they had both been defeated by a single opponent. The bitterness of giving everything they had, only to still fall short, was difficult to bear.
"Auckland team, congratulations on winning the championship. Now, it's time for your prize," Bibi Dong said, giving a slight wave of her scepter as three spheres of light floated into the air before the crowd. Her gaze on the three soul bones held a hint of complexity. As the glowing soul bones appeared, the entire arena fell into breathless silence.
"Dai Yao, come forward to claim your team's reward."
Bibi Dong's gaze softened briefly as she looked at Dai Yao. He stepped forward, accepting the three soul bones under the heated, envious gazes of the crowd, and then returned to his teammates.
As they looked at the three soul bones—each emitting a tempting power like a demon's whisper—the Auckland team couldn't help but swallow nervously. But they knew well who deserved them most.
Feng Qianli took a step forward, glanced at Dai Yao, and then gave the others a steely look. "We all know who these soul bones belong to, so don't even think about it. Without Dai Yao, we wouldn't have won the finals, so it's only fair to say these soul bones belong to him."
"Anyone want to object?" he asked, scanning their faces.
The others could only smile wryly and shake their heads. They understood, but the allure of soul bones was overwhelming—it was something people would risk their lives for.
Dai Yuanyi let out a deep sigh, giving Dai Yao a complicated look. "Dai Yao, all three soul bones should go to you. After all, we're lucky to win, but we wouldn't survive long trying to use them."
Hearing this, a few Titled Douluos watching nodded approvingly. Resisting the temptation of soul bones and thinking rationally showed a maturity that would bring future success, regardless of talent.
Dai Yao exhaled in relief, not wanting the soul bones to create conflict among his teammates. "I won't refuse. I know I played a big part in winning, but you all put in effort, too. So, to make it fair, I'll give each of you one of my herbs."
At his words, the team's spirits lifted immediately. While Dai Yao's herbs weren't as valuable as soul bones, they were perfectly suited to their needs. They would enhance their strength, build a solid foundation, and wouldn't carry the danger of making them targets like soul bones would.
"Thank you, Dai Yao," Feng Qianli said with admiration.
Dai Yao nodded and distributed the soul bones to those most suited to them: the Swift Wind Left Leg to Zhu Zhuqing, the Blazing Fire Right Arm to Feng Wutong, and the Wisdom Head Bone to Dugu Yan.
Zhu Zhuqing accepted hers with a soft smile, but Dugu Yan and Feng Wutong hesitated, a bit overwhelmed.
"You're giving this to me?" Dugu Yan asked, surprised. The Wisdom Head Bone was valuable even for power-attack soul masters, and if Dai Yao absorbed it, his power would increase significantly.
Dai Yao nodded, smiling. "Why are we still counting favors between us?" He pressed the soul bone into Dugu Yan's arms, then turned to Feng Wutong, noticing her hesitation.
"What's wrong? Don't you like it?" he asked.
Feng Wutong stared at the flame-like soul bone, feeling a thrill of desire but forcing herself to resist. She whispered, "Why are you being so good to me?"
Dai Yao chuckled, gently brushing his hand through her flowing hair. "You're my attendant. Who else would I be good to?"
At his words, Dugu Yan let out a small huff, Zhu Zhuqing covered her mouth, laughing, and the rest of the Auckland team exchanged knowing looks and teasing smiles.
Behind Bibi Dong, Dugu Bo's eyes gleamed with pride upon seeing his granddaughter receive a ten-thousand-year soul bone. Despite the many women surrounding Dai Yao, he felt even more certain of Dai Yao's worthiness as a future grandson-in-law.
Lingyuan Douluo and Qingluan Douluo, seeing Dai Yao give the Blazing Fire Right Arm to their disciple, felt a surge of warmth. However, at Dai Yao's exchange with Feng Wutong, their faces darkened noticeably.
Dai Yao's actions sparked discussions among the crowd. Such precious soul bones, yet he didn't keep a single one. Was this truly a case of valuing beauty over power?
Yan, wide-eyed, watched Dai Yao's generosity toward the girls and seemed to reach some new understanding.
Bibi Dong approached him and, looking into his eyes, said, "Now, it's time for you to fulfill your promise."
Dai Yao turned to look at the breathtakingly beautiful Bibi Dong, then closed his eyes. Memories flooded over him—the struggles in the Cold Palace, the resilience at Star Luo Imperial Academy, the training in the Heaven Dou Empire. One scene after another flashed by like a slideshow, each leading up to his triumph over Spirit Hall's team.
Finally, he lifted his head and opened his eyes, a serious expression on his face. "I have decided to bring my talent to Spirit Hall!"
In an instant, the entire Pope's palace fell into dead silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. A moment later, an overwhelming wave of cheers erupted!
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Canserbero10
Friends can now purchase any novel with a 25% discount. This promotion ends on October 7th.