Chapter 332: Bai Chenxiang's Challenge
"What do you want to say?"
Bai He glanced at Dai Yao indifferently, his tone calm but carrying a faint sense of detachment compared to his earlier conversation with Tang San.
Dai Yao cast a glance at Tang San and smiled.
"Senior Bai He, you know very well what I want to say. I'm here to invite you to join the Qinglian Sect. Your concern, of course, is that my connection to Spirit Hall might entangle the sect with them."
"Let me assure you right now—there is no such possibility."
"The relationship between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall is well-known to everyone. There is no basis for cooperation. The sect I am establishing, under the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, could never have any lingering ties to Spirit Hall."
"I am sincerely inviting you to join the sect. But with your pride, using money to tempt you would be an insult."
"So here and now, I promise you this: in the turbulent times to come on this continent, I will ensure the safety of the Speed Clan."
Although Dai Yao's words were spoken calmly, the weight of his promise hit everyone in the room like a heavy blow.
Titan snorted disdainfully, his face full of skepticism. Tang San's expression darkened as he seemed lost in thought. Sword Douluo smiled faintly, clearly confident in Dai Yao's capabilities.
Meanwhile, Bai He frowned deeply. For such a young man to make a claim about protecting an entire clan—wasn't this nothing but empty boasting?
Suddenly, Bai Chenxiang stood up. Her graceful figure was fully revealed as she pointed at Dai Yao and angrily exclaimed, "You've got some nerve for someone so young! My Speed Clan has a name on this continent, and you, just a brat, dare boast about protecting our clan? Who do you think you are?!"
Her words left both Dai Yao's group and Tang San's group in stunned silence.
Though Tang San hated Dai Yao, even he had to admit that what Dai Yao said wasn't a lie—if anything, he was being modest.
But Bai Chenxiang didn't know this. To her, Dai Yao was just someone her age, relying on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to act important.
Ever since entering the Strength Clan's territory, she'd listened to Dai Yao and Tang San both trying to recruit the Speed Clan.
If it had been a famous powerhouse or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's young leader extending the invitation, she wouldn't have said a word. But for Dai Yao and Tang San—two peers around her age—to make such grand claims?
Her pride couldn't tolerate it. Hearing Dai Yao's promise to protect the Speed Clan pushed her over the edge.
Dai Yao turned his head slightly, giving Bai Chenxiang a calm look. "What do you want to do?"
Hearing Dai Yao's response, Bai Chenxiang felt like she had seen through him. She snorted and crossed her arms, highlighting her graceful figure as she looked down on him arrogantly. "Hmph, for someone your age, your spirit power rank might not even be as high as mine. Here's the deal: since we're both Spirit Masters, let's settle this the Spirit Master way."
"I'll give you the chance to challenge me."
Silence.
The hall descended into a deathly quiet.
Everyone stared dumbfounded at Bai Chenxiang, shocked beyond words at her audacity. Dai Yao? He was the core of the last Continental Spirit Master Tournament's champion team, a genius who had single-handedly defeated the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall.
And now, a young girl was offering him the opportunity to challenge her.
From under the black hood, Feng Wutong's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Bai Chenxiang.
Ning Rongrong covered her mouth, unable to suppress her laughter.
Niu Gao and Titan nearly fell off their chairs.
Tang San's hand trembled, almost triggering his Zhuge Divine Crossbow by accident.
"What's the matter? Are you scared?" Bai Chenxiang taunted, seeing Dai Yao remain silent for so long.
Dai Yao chuckled in disbelief. After all these years, not even Spirit Hall's Golden Generation had dared say such a thing to him. And yet Bai Chenxiang had declared she would give him the chance to challenge her.
After laughing for a while, Dai Yao fixed his gaze on Bai Chenxiang and said calmly, "Alright, I'll challenge you. But let's change the rules. If you can so much as touch the hem of my clothes, I'll count it as my loss."
"Such arrogance!" Bai Chenxiang fumed.
To be looked down on like this was an insult to her pride. But then again, with the Speed Clan's agility, how could she possibly fail to touch him? In her mind, this was already a guaranteed victory.
"Talking big is easy. What happens if you lose?" Her eyes sparkled mischievously.
Before Dai Yao could respond, Ning Rongrong interjected with a smile. "If you win, I'll give you one million gold spirit coins."
A collective gasp filled the room. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's wealth was legendary—offering one million gold coins so casually was truly jaw-dropping.
Hearing the amount, Bai Chenxiang's breathing quickened. She immediately agreed, afraid Dai Yao might change his mind. One million gold coins could sustain the Speed Clan for decades, freeing them from their reliance on the Broken Clan.
"Don't be so hasty," Ning Rongrong said, smiling. "What if you lose?"
Bai Chenxiang froze. The stakes had to be equal. But what did the Speed Clan have that could match one million gold coins? Joining Dai Yao's sect was the only thing that came to mind.
Glancing at her conflicted grandfather, Bai He, she turned back to Dai Yao, gritted her teeth, and said, "If I lose, I'll let you decide what happens to me!"
Bai He wanted to stop her, but Titan and Niu Gao kept signaling him with their eyes. Sensing something was amiss, Bai He hesitated. But the lure of one million gold coins was too tempting. For a clan with barely 120 gold coins to its name, such an amount would change their lives entirely.
The agreement was set. There was no turning back. Reluctantly, Niu Gao led everyone to the training ground outside.
Once Dai Yao and Bai Chenxiang were on stage, Niu Gao pulled Bai He aside and whispered angrily, "Old White Bird, what were you thinking?! I've been signaling you like crazy to refuse!"
Sword Douluo's imposing presence near Dai Yao made Bai He hesitant to object too loudly. Shrugging off Niu Gao's concerns, Bai He replied, "Old Rhino, aren't you underestimating Chenxiang? She's young, but she's a genius of our Speed Clan. She even has the potential to become a Title Douluo someday."
"With our clan's speed, how could Dai Yao avoid her completely, no matter how strong he is?"
Niu Gao sighed heavily. "If it were anyone else, I'd agree with you. But Dai Yao… you'll see for yourself."
Hearing this, Bai He's unease grew. His gaze shifted back to the training ground.
"Hmph, after this duel, your pretentious facade will be exposed. Any last words before your defeat?" Bai Chenxiang said confidently, as though victory was already hers.
"Let's begin," Dai Yao replied, ignoring her provocation.
Bai Chenxiang smirked as her spirit power surged. A pair of translucent white wings materialized on her back. Two yellow and two purple rings—an optimal spirit ring configuration—encircled her.
Her status as the pride of the Speed Clan was evident. Bai He believed wholeheartedly in her potential to become a Title Douluo one day. No wonder her personality was so proud.
The third purple soul ring on Bai Chenxiang's body suddenly flared brightly. Her figure, visibly lighter and more agile, seemed to move with an ethereal grace.
Looking at Dai Yao, who remained motionless where he stood, Bai Chenxiang flashed a smug smile.
"No movement at all. It seems you can't even react! You're all show and no substance!"
Just as she prepared to launch herself toward Dai Yao, aiming for a direct strike, a sudden pang shot through her heart. The next moment, a vast, overwhelming pressure surged toward her from all directions, engulfing her like a tidal wave.
A golden light flickered, and Dai Yao's martial spirit activated. His entire body grew more robust, with golden patterns shimmering on his forehead, exuding brilliance.
The terrifying pressure emanated entirely from him.
Bai Chenxiang stared blankly at Dai Yao, her pupils shrinking as disbelief filled her face.
From Dai Yao's martial spirit, she felt a bone-deep fear, as if he might rip her apart at any moment. The oppressive weight drained her strength, and she collapsed to her knees, unable to move.
She was a four-ring Spirit Ancestor and had even activated her third soul skill, yet Dai Yao, simply by unleashing his martial spirit, had rendered her utterly helpless. Just how terrifying was his true strength?
It was only now that she realized how ridiculous her earlier thoughts had been. Dai Yao wasn't relying on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to posture—he was a tiger in his own right. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was likely investing in him because they recognized his immense potential and wanted to support his sect.
As Dai Yao's martial spirit manifested, it wasn't just Bai Chenxiang who felt the fear. Everyone present experienced the suffocating dread emanating from him.
For the three single-attribute clans, all of whom had beast-type martial spirits, the sensation was especially intense. They wanted nothing more than to flee the Strength Clan's territory immediately.
Under the frightened gazes of the crowd, Dai Yao slowly walked toward Bai Chenxiang. Standing over her as she lay paralyzed on the ground, he looked down coldly and said:
"I'm right here. If you can touch me, you win. But can you even manage that now?"
Compared to the original story, where Tang San skillfully evaded Bai Chenxiang, Dai Yao's method was far more brutal. Since the condition was that she merely needed to touch him to win, he directly ensured she couldn't move.
The Speed Clan had inherently weaker physiques, and the vast disparity in their martial spirits and spirit power levels made Bai Chenxiang completely immobile under Dai Yao's pressure.
Bai Chenxiang clenched her teeth, sweat dripping from her pale forehead and soaking her bangs.
Her earlier boasts now felt like harsh slaps to her face. Overwhelmed with shame, she wished she could disappear into the ground. But the thought of the stakes—her complete submission to Dai Yao—filled her with dread.
"No, I can't lose!"
She gritted her teeth and summoned every ounce of strength, struggling desperately. Dai Yao was within reach—if she could just lift her hand, she could touch him!
But under the crushing pressure, her efforts seemed laughable. She couldn't even raise her hand, let alone touch Dai Yao.
Bai Chenxiang bit her lips so hard that they bled. She managed to lift her finger slightly, only for it to slam back down onto the ground as if nailed there.
Despair crept into her heart.
The members of the Speed Clan were all stunned. How terrifying was this man named Dai Yao?!
The Strength Clan, having witnessed Dai Yao defeat Titan a few days earlier, had expected him to win, but even they hadn't anticipated such a lopsided outcome.
Bai He closed his eyes in pain and spoke with difficulty. "Enough, Chenxiang… she's lost…"
Dai Yao smiled faintly and withdrew his martial spirit. The oppressive force that had enveloped Bai Chenxiang instantly vanished. She struggled to her feet, but those few minutes had felt like an eternity to her.
Her so-called pride had been crushed under Dai Yao's overwhelming strength.
The thought of the duel's stakes—her complete submission to Dai Yao—made her heart sink. While she prided herself on her looks, she understood men's desires all too well. The prospect of being at Dai Yao's mercy filled her with dread.
"I…"
She hung her head, words catching in her throat.
She knew this was her own doing and that she had to accept the consequences, but the thought of a bleak future left her feeling unwilling and resentful.
To her surprise, Dai Yao didn't even spare her a glance. Instead, he looked at Bai He and said, "Senior Bai He, this was just a joke. The so-called stakes were nothing but playful banter. I hope neither you nor your granddaughter takes it to heart."
Bai He let out a long breath of relief. Regardless of Dai Yao's intentions, he couldn't bear to see his beloved granddaughter subjected to such a fate. Though it wasn't exactly honorable, he gritted his teeth and replied, "Thank you…"
Before he could finish, Dai Yao interrupted him.
"Senior, why don't we raise the stakes for another round? Same conditions as before: if you touch me, I'll give you one million gold spirit coins. But if you lose, you and the Speed Clan must join my Qinglian Sect."
Bai He was silent for a long time before uttering a single word.
"Fine."
In his mind, as a pure agility-type Spirit Douluo, Dai Yao's methods might have worked on Bai Chenxiang, but they wouldn't work on him. For Bai He, this duel was practically a free gift of one million gold coins.
Still, the idea that Dai Yao had dismissed the earlier bet as a joke pricked at his pride like a thorn. Winning this duel wouldn't just earn him money; it would also clear this lingering debt of gratitude.
The Speed Clan owed nothing to anyone.
As Dai Yao issued his challenge, Bai Chenxiang gasped as if surfacing from underwater, greedily gulping in air. Yet Dai Yao's refusal to acknowledge her stung more than any insult.
Other men clung to her tirelessly, much like that obnoxious fat boy she couldn't shake off, yet Dai Yao treated her as if she were invisible.
Meanwhile, Tang San finally realized Dai Yao's intentions. Though he doubted Dai Yao could defeat Bai He, the act of voiding the previous bet had undoubtedly earned Bai He's goodwill.
If Tang San didn't act quickly, the Speed Clan would inevitably fall under Dai Yao's sway.
Gripping his fists tightly, a shadow passed through Tang San's eyes.
As Dai Yao prepared to face Bai He, many people frowned. Bai He was known as the fastest Spirit Master alive—was Dai Yao being overly arrogant?
Only Niu Gao seemed utterly confident in Dai Yao, his mind recalling the unthinkable feats he had witnessed a few days prior.
After a brief moment of comfort for Bai Chenxiang, Bai He ascended the dueling platform. Standing with his hands behind his back, his calm, ancient eyes fixed on Dai Yao.
"Get ready," Bai He said softly.
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