Chapter 315: Tang San, Your Wife's Spirit Ability is Really Useful!
Level sixty-eight!
After absorbing Xiao Wu's spirit ring, Dai Yao's spirit power had surged to an astonishing level sixty-eight. He was now just two levels away from becoming a Spirit Saint.
Feeling the immense power coursing through him, Dai Yao couldn't help but let out a sigh of satisfaction.
"Level sixty-eight… Nearly a year without absorbing a new spirit ring, all that pent-up spirit power, combined with the life energy from the Man-Faced Demon Spider, unleashed through the ring absorption. I never imagined it would boost my spirit power to such a level!"
Dai Yao was overwhelmed with emotion. The patience of holding back a breakthrough for an entire year, and decades of meticulous planning, had finally paid off. But most of all, he felt deeply fulfilled by securing a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring.
If he remembered correctly, in the original story, after absorbing Xiao Wu's spirit ring, Tang San's power had only increased to about level sixty-five or sixty-six. Dai Yao's own liquid spirit power was of far higher quality than an ordinary spirit master's, and every level-up required far more power. So reaching this level was more than he had expected.
However, the sudden surge in power had its drawbacks as well.
"A blessing and a curse," Dai Yao mused. "While the increase strengthens me, it's also left my foundation somewhat unstable. When I return to Spirit Hall, I'll need to temper and consolidate this power, or there could be consequences."
As the blood-red ring slowly settled into Dai Yao's body, the previously frozen consciousness of those around him gradually resumed.
Hu Liena stared, stunned, at the scene unfolding before her. Xiao Wu had actually sacrificed herself… to Dai Yao?!
The instant she'd heard Xiao Wu's final, anguished scream, Hu Liena had known what Xiao Wu intended. As the Saintess of Spirit Hall, she had some knowledge of the spirit beast's sacrificial rite and had nearly despaired then and there, unable to imagine how she could ever explain this to her teacher.
Yet somehow, Xiao Wu's sacrifice hadn't gone to Tang San; instead, her spirit ring had gone to Dai Yao. Hu Liena didn't know what had happened in the frozen domain, but at least it hadn't ended in Tang San's favor. That was something.
Yan and Xie Yue, too, snapped back to reality, gaping at the blood-red sixth ring that now glowed around Dai Yao. For a moment, they were speechless, as were the other strong members of Spirit Hall. After realizing what had happened, they all stared at Dai Yao with awe and shock.
A hundred-thousand-year spirit ring was a rarity, usually attainable only by Title Douluo seeking their ninth ring. Yet here it was on a mere Spirit Emperor. They knew full well what this meant: Dai Yao's future potential would likely surpass all expectations.
Though many of them coveted the hundred-thousand-year ring and spirit bone he'd acquired, they wisely suppressed their desires. Swallowing hard to moisten dry throats, they focused instead on suppressing the crazy temptation, understanding clearly that Dai Yao was not someone they could afford to provoke.
As the red glow around him faded and the ring absorption completed, Dai Yao looked down at Xiao Wu's now lifeless rabbit form lying before him, along with the red spirit bone and blue spirit bone next to it. With a simple flick, he gathered both spirit bones into his spirit storage device.
The hundred-thousand-year spirit bone was precious, and Xiao Wu's was especially potent, but Dai Yao had no intention of absorbing it himself. His second martial spirit, the Chaos Green Lotus, already provided a similar ability, and with far greater power. Besides, he intended to revive Xiao Wu eventually and would need to return the spirit bone to her then.
Dai Yao lifted the small, cold rabbit body, placed a Yearning Heartbroken Red herb from his Hundred Treasures Bag into its mouth, and revived it just enough to prevent complete death. Just as he finished, a barrage of flashing projectiles shot toward him from behind.
In an instant, his red spirit ring flared, and Dai Yao's entire form grew slightly transparent. Every sharp dart that Tang San launched passed right through him, without so much as a scratch. Dai Yao turned and watched the projectiles harmlessly disperse around him, an amused smile on his face.
"Impressive," Dai Yao chuckled. He looked at the shocked and enraged Tang San, whose face was twisted in hatred. "I have to admit, Tang San, your wife's spirit ability is incredibly useful!"
The air grew deathly silent.
All around, the Spirit Hall members looked at Tang San with mocking amusement. Hu Liena couldn't contain herself and burst into laughter, glancing at Dai Yao in appreciation.
"Oh, he's absolutely terrible!" she thought, stifling another laugh.
To use Xiao Wu's own spirit ability to render Tang San's attacks ineffective, then cheerfully add that her ability was so "useful"—it was like rubbing salt into a raw wound.
Tang San shook with rage, his whole body trembling. His eyes blazed red, his veins bulging. Glaring at Dai Yao as if he were a demon from the depths, he hissed through gritted teeth, "You… I will kill you… one day… I swear!"
Dai Yao merely gave a dismissive smirk, unfazed by Tang San's threats. After all, Tang San had never been his equal—not even before he'd acquired the hundred-thousand-year ring.
Still, Dai Yao's gaze darkened slightly as a thought passed through his mind.
"If I take care of Tang San here and now, I could avoid any future complications."
If Tang San died here, the Heaven Dou Palace incident wouldn't happen, Qian Renxue wouldn't fall for him, and there would be no journey to Sea God Island or the inheritance of the Sea God's position. Killing Tang San here and now would bring countless advantages without any drawback.
The only potential compromise would be breaking his promise to Xiao Wu. But what was a mere promise? Dai Yao was no longer the same person he once was!
Within his spiritual realm, after Xiao Wu's spirit ring was bound to his Holy White Tiger and with the power of the Chaos Green Lotus's energy, Xiao Wu's soul gradually stirred back to awareness. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw a green lotus swaying in the pure white spiritual world.
Feeling Dai Yao's killing intent, Xiao Wu's fury burst forth. She cursed at him, her voice filled with anguish:
"Dai Yao, you liar! Didn't you say if I sacrificed myself to you, you'd spare my brother?"
Tears streamed down her face. She regretted everything and wished she could turn back time to die alongside Tang San. Having sacrificed herself to Dai Yao, only to see him still intending to kill Tang San, she felt that she had sealed her brother's fate. Worse yet, Dai Yao would continue using her spirit ring and bone, eternally torturing her with every use.
Watching Tang San's rage in the outside world, Xiao Wu felt his pain as her own. Her beautiful face twisted in agony, and she turned to the lotus in Dai Yao's mindscape, her voice seething with hatred.
"So, this lotus is something vital to you, isn't it, Dai Yao? If you're going to hurt my brother, I'll make sure you suffer too!"
With a surge of determination, she lunged toward the green lotus, reaching out to crush its stalk. But just as her fingers grazed it, a bolt of lightning struck her hand, and she recoiled in pain, screaming.
Staring at the lotus with a mix of fear and fury, she grit her teeth and extended her hand again, spurred on by hatred.
"Even if it kills me, I won't let you have it easy!" she vowed, her voice filled with despair.
"Self-destructive…" Dai Yao muttered indifferently, fully aware of Xiao Wu's actions within his spiritual realm. "No matter. Tang San must die here. To resurrect Xiao Wu, I only need her soul intact, whether or not she's in her right mind. Once I place my first few spirit rings into her body, her revival is no longer my concern."
Dai Yao's resolve to kill Tang San hardened.
"These blood-red spider lilies make the perfect grave for you, Tang San. Thunder Prison Vine—restrain the rabbit!"
Dai Yao's voice echoed through his spiritual realm like thunder. Instantly, lightning bolts crackled down around Xiao Wu, forming a cage that pinned her in place. She struggled toward the lotus with all her might, but the binding lightning held her fast.
As her white robes touched the destructive lightning, they charred, her skin scorched to black as her anguished screams filled the mindscape. But even in agony, she continued her fight toward the lotus. Dai Yao's efforts to contain her only confirmed its significance to him—if she could destroy it, he would suffer deeply.
Watching Xiao Wu's relentless struggle, a sigh sounded, and a stunning figure in violet slowly materialized.
"Why put yourself through this? You'll never break free of my lightning. Why not just stay still and avoid the pain?" the figure asked, her icy voice tinged with curiosity.
Xiao Wu glared through her torment at the violet-clad figure, her eyes blazing with hatred. She gasped, voice choked with pain, "Help me. Help me destroy that lotus! If you have any compassion left, please… destroy it."
The Thunder Prison Vine sneered.
"I'm friends with Dai Yao. Why would I help you? Compassion? You hardly deserve it."
"Can't you see what he's done to me and my brother? Aren't you also a spirit beast, one who became a spirit ring in his hands? How can you support someone so cruel?" Xiao Wu shouted, fury distorting her voice.
As a ten-thousand-year-old spirit beast, Xiao Wu could sense that the figure before her—the Thunder Prison Vine—was the spirit beast Dai Yao had slain to acquire his fourth ring. She couldn't understand why the Vine would serve Dai Yao despite his killing her.
The Thunder Prison Vine looked down at her, expression disdainful as she replied, "A ten-thousand-year-old spirit beast like you, with two spirit beast kings as guardians, and yet you've done nothing to unite the Star Dou Forest, to turn it into a fortress. Had it been me, I'd have summoned every spirit beast and forged a haven, so any enemy would perish upon entering.
"Your one chance at revenge was to take human form and pursue divinity. A slim chance, yes, but still a chance, and worth any sacrifice. But what did you do?" She scoffed. "You fell in love with a human, and even risked entering human lands repeatedly for him. I imagine if Dai Yao hadn't given you that identity-concealing herb, you'd have foolishly followed him into Spirit Hall!"
With a final glance of contempt, the Thunder Prison Vine transformed into a purple droplet, rolling back onto the Chaos Green Lotus. Dai Yao had shared Xiao Wu's story with her, knowing the Vine would find Xiao Wu's actions contemptible and aid in her restraint.
Stunned, Xiao Wu gazed ahead, the fire gone from her eyes.
Meanwhile, the earth rumbled louder as the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape charged closer. Knowing he had little time left, Dai Yao moved in to end Tang San. Three claws extended from his left hand, the sharp energy around them palpable and lethal. Absorbing a hundred-thousand-year ring had elevated his Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's skill—the Heaven-Splitting Claw—to near Spirit Douluo level. A single blow would surely kill Tang San.
Sensing the lethal aura, Tang San's pupils contracted, then blazed with frenzied determination. Xiao Wu was already dead; he had nothing left to lose.
Dai Yao's arm descended, a blinding white light arcing down like a blade slicing through the heavens. But just as it neared Tang San, a single finger intercepted it, and the fearsome claw attack dissolved instantly.
"What—?" Dai Yao's eyes widened in shock at the figure that had materialized: a man with jet-black hair, exuding an aura of supreme command, as if he were the center of the world. Seeing him, Dai Yao felt his scalp prickle, a chill racing through him.
Though he had never seen this person before, only one name came to mind: Di Tian!
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