Chapter 335: Tang San, Choose Between Your Hidden Weapons and Xiao Wu
As Feng Wutong slowly removed her black hood, her striking crimson hair and flawless features were revealed. Her stunning face, both regal and beautiful, was like that of a divine figure, leaving everyone in awe.
In that moment, the entire hall seemed to lose its color.
The younger members of both the Speed Clan and Defense Clan stood frozen in place. Some of the disciples who were drinking wine had forgotten to put down their mugs, their eyes fixated on Feng Wutong. The wine trickled down, unnoticed, spilling onto the ground with a faint dripping sound. Only then did they blink and come back to their senses.
Feng Wutong's presence was like that of a noble bird, exuding a prideful, lofty elegance that seemed far above them. It was hard to imagine that the person cloaked beside Dai Yao all this time was such a magnificent woman.
Even Bai Chenxiang found herself feeling unworthy. Where she had once felt slighted by Dai Yao's indifference toward her, the sight of Feng Wutong wiped away all of her grievances. Standing alongside Ning Rongrong and Feng Wutong, she realized that in appearance, poise, and strength, she was far overshadowed. She understood now why Dai Yao looked at her as though she were just an ordinary face in the crowd.
Feng Wutong, aware of the admiring gazes around her, frowned slightly, feeling uncomfortable. She unconsciously moved closer to Dai Yao.
"Are… are you…?" Bai He stammered, standing up suddenly. His gaze held a kind of reverence as he looked at Feng Wutong, his hands trembling with excitement.
Unlike the younger disciples, whose awe was mainly due to her beauty, Bai He felt an almost instinctual draw toward Feng Wutong—a powerful longing that seemed to come from deep within his soul.
Dai Yao noticed Bai He's reaction and smiled, as he had expected this. For bird-type spirit masters, Feng Wutong's divine-grade Vermilion Bird Spirit was an irresistible allure.
"Elder Bai He, this is Feng Wutong," Dai Yao introduced calmly.
Nearby, Ning Rongrong, Sword Douluo, Niu Gao, and the other members of the Defense Clan watched, puzzled, unable to understand why Bai He and the Speed Clan were reacting so strongly just from Feng Wutong showing her face.
Bai He tried to look away, forcing himself not to stare at Feng Wutong, but his gaze kept gravitating back to her as if against his will. He cleared his throat and finally spoke up, his voice almost trembling. "Lady Wutong, forgive my rudeness, but would you allow me to see your spirit?"
Feng Wutong looked to Dai Yao, who nodded his assent, and then nodded to Bai He. "Very well."
Her spirit energy surged, and with a resonant cry, a phantom of a magnificent crimson bird appeared behind her, its feathers aflame with an otherworldly brilliance.
Two yellow, two purple, and two black spirit rings rotated gently around the bird, each glowing with strength and elegance. The bird's noble eyes swept over the Speed Clan members, causing an intense pressure to fall over them. Instantly, they fell to one knee, as if paying homage to a queen. Only Bai He, as a Soul Douluo, managed to stay on his feet, though it took visible effort to maintain his composure.
Even from a distance, Ma Hongjun felt the pressure. His own top-tier Evil Fire Phoenix Spirit was subdued by a primal sense of awe, knowing that a divine-grade spirit was in his presence—a power far beyond his own.
"Oscar, did you feel that?" Ma Hongjun asked, almost in a daze.
"Feel what?" Oscar replied, confused.
Ma Hongjun managed a wry smile. "Nothing, I just had a strange feeling. It's no big deal."
Yet Ma Hongjun knew exactly where this feeling was coming from. A part of him sensed that his Evil Fire Phoenix Spirit could resonate with this divine spirit if he were ever close to its source. If he could somehow work with her, he felt he might even unleash a powerful spirit fusion skill.
But he knew he was unlikely to get close to her—he could see it in the way Feng Wutong looked at Dai Yao. Her heart had already chosen him.
In the hall, Bai He stared, unable to tear his gaze away from the Vermilion Bird. His voice shook as he murmured, "The legends were true… it's really the Vermilion Bird Spirit. Our Speed Clan finally has a way to evolve."
Niu Gao and the others still seemed baffled. Niu Gao finally asked, "Old Crane, what on earth is going on?"
Bai He swallowed hard, his voice steadying as he explained, "Old Rhino, our Speed Clan has always walked the path of pure speed, but it wasn't by choice. Our Sharp-Tailed Swallow Spirit naturally enhances agility, but it doesn't improve our attack or defense. Thus, we're forced to focus on speed, with no other option."
He paused, looking back at the Vermilion Bird Spirit in reverence. "But with the Vermilion Bird Spirit, there's finally a glimmer of hope. The Vermilion Bird can transform any bird-type spirit, providing a chance for evolution. Just being near a Vermilion Bird Spirit wielder can gradually help bird spirits reach new heights."
At this, Bai He's voice grew more impassioned. "If Lady Wutong were to stay close to our Speed Clan, our spirits might overcome their limitations. For the first time, we could hope for something beyond pure speed!"
He went on, excitement lighting up his face. "Not only could our spirits evolve, but the potential for our soul power growth could skyrocket as well. I, myself, as an elder, could even reach Title Douluo if I stayed close enough to her influence."
As Bai He's words sunk in, the entire hall fell silent in awe. Just being near Feng Wutong, for those of the Speed Clan, could potentially lead to immense power.
Niu Gao, an 84th-level Soul Douluo, felt envy rise within him, thinking of Bai He's words. Bai He was only at level 82, yet here he was, with a chance at Title Douluo thanks to Feng Wutong's presence.
"This confirms it," Niu Gao thought, "the Speed Clan is bound to join the Azure Lotus Sect. It's no wonder Dai Yao didn't seem anxious—he had this all planned out."
Bai He looked back and forth between Dai Yao and Feng Wutong, a new respect in his gaze. "Lady Wutong, would you allow some of our clan's female disciples to serve as your attendants?"
A murmur of excitement rippled through the Speed Clan disciples. Serving Feng Wutong wouldn't be a disgrace; it would be an honor and a unique opportunity to grow stronger.
Even Bai Chenxiang felt a sudden desire to join. Watching Feng Wutong's six rings, she was reminded of the vast gulf between them. Feng Wutong was only a little older, yet her soul power was at least twenty levels higher than her own.
Surrounded by eager eyes, Feng Wutong remained impassive, only nodding slightly as she replied coolly,
"No need. I am merely the Young Master's maid. If you wish to select some maids, it would be better to gift them to him. Wherever the Young Master is, that is where I will be."
Feng Wutong's words sent a wave of shock through everyone present.
Such a beautiful woman, with an extraordinary martial spirit and immense talent—a Vermilion Bird martial spirit and a six-ring Spirit Emperor—was merely Dai Yao's maid?!
Bai He's wrinkled face was filled with astonishment. He couldn't comprehend why someone with such a noble martial spirit would lower herself to be Dai Yao's maid.
"Miss, surely you must be joking…" Bai He said incredulously.
Feng Wutong shook her head solemnly and replied, "Senior, I have no reason to deceive you. I have been serving the Young Master as his maid for nearly ten years. All his meals, clothing, and daily necessities are handled by me."
Dai Yao looked at Feng Wutong, a sense of heartache rising within him.
He understood Feng Wutong's intentions perfectly. She was lowering herself to elevate his status, giving him an overwhelming advantage in persuading the Speed Clan to join his sect.
"Senior, as long as you are willing to join the Young Master's sect, I will do everything I can to help the Speed Clan fulfill its dreams," Feng Wutong said earnestly, looking directly at Bai He.
The members of the Speed Clan all turned their attention to Bai He, waiting for his decision.
Bai He clenched his teeth. After a long pause, he seemed to catch hold of a final thread of hope and reluctantly said, "I must wait for the Broken Clan to arrive before making any decisions. The Speed Clan cannot leave alone."
Dai Yao nodded, a trace of admiration in his eyes. "Very well, Senior. You may be poor in material wealth, but your spirit remains unbroken. Let's wait for the Broken Clan's arrival."
Dai Yao knew that Feng Wutong's display had already tipped Bai He's internal scale in his favor.
Niu Gao had joined Dai Yao's sect to secure his clan's survival. Bai He, too, for the sake of the Speed Clan's future, had tacitly agreed to join.
Otherwise, Bai He wouldn't have offered the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng to help Dai Yao recruit Yang Wudi.
After the Banquet
As the banquet ended, Ning Rongrong reluctantly left Dai Yao under Sword Douluo's stern gaze, pouting as she returned to her room.
Dai Yao, meanwhile, retired to his room with Feng Wutong.
The moment they entered, Dai Yao embraced Feng Wutong from behind as she tidied the bed. Wrapping his arms around her slender waist and breathing in her familiar scent, Dai Yao closed his eyes and said in a low voice, "Why do you always insist on humiliating yourself like this? You don't need to do this. I can recruit the Speed Clan without you lowering yourself."
Hearing his words, Feng Wutong felt a warmth bloom in her heart. She smiled and replied, "Doing this shows I still have some value. At your side, I'm not useless."
Dai Yao released her and turned her around to face him. Looking at Feng Wutong's affectionate and delicate face, he gently kissed her.
Moments later, Dai Yao held the now peacefully sleeping Feng Wutong in his arms. He felt a pang of guilt.
Feng Wutong was completely devoted to him, yet he couldn't remain entirely faithful to her. After all, his "forest" of relationships at home was vast.
Even so, Dai Yao knew his limits. He reminded himself that this was a guest room within the Strength Clan's territory. He wouldn't cross certain lines.
Cradling Feng Wutong, Dai Yao allowed his mind to slip into his spiritual world.
In the Spiritual World
The moment he entered, Dai Yao found Xiao Wu glaring at him, her beautiful eyes blazing with barely contained fury.
"What now? Do you want to feel the pain of being struck by lightning again?" Dai Yao said coldly.
The torment of lightning was nothing compared to the heartbreak Xiao Wu felt now. Earlier, Dai Yao had intentionally synchronized her vision with his to witness Tang San's suffering. Seeing Tang San's anguish was like a dagger piercing her soul.
"You… What do you want? I've already given you my soul ring. Why must you still torment my brother?" Xiao Wu shouted in anger.
Dai Yao smirked faintly. This is only the beginning. If you can't handle this, the worst is yet to come.
He sneered and said, "Xiao Wu, have you forgotten the wager you have yet to fulfill?"
Xiao Wu was momentarily stunned. "What wager?"
"The blueprints for Tang San's hidden weapons," Dai Yao said coldly.
In an instant, Xiao Wu remembered the wager and her face filled with agony.
Those blueprints were more precious to Tang San than his life itself. If she were to take them, how could she ever face him again?
"What's wrong? Refusing to honor the bet?" Dai Yao taunted.
To Dai Yao, Tang San's hidden weapons held little practical value, but they served a greater purpose: to torment Tang San and Xiao Wu. Their pain was worth far more to him than the blueprints themselves.
Moreover, once he obtained the blueprints, they could become a source of wealth for his sect and an arsenal for the Speed Clan.
Xiao Wu turned her head away and gritted her teeth. "So what if I refuse? I will never betray my brother!"
Dai Yao scoffed and walked toward Xiao Wu. She avoided his gaze, but he grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him.
"If you refuse, I'll kill Tang San tomorrow," Dai Yao said icily. "He's here in the Strength Clan's territory. If I decide to act, he won't survive."
"Then kill him!" Xiao Wu retorted, her voice unyielding. "Even if you kill my brother, I will never betray him! I'm already dead. Once my soul dissipates, I'll go join him in the afterlife!"
Dai Yao was momentarily stunned by her defiance, but he quickly smiled. Xiao Wu was in his grasp—he could deal with her however he wanted.
Her delicate face was full of determination. Dai Yao smiled faintly and said, "Very well. I won't kill Tang San."
Before Xiao Wu could feel relief, Dai Yao continued, "But I hear Tang San brought two pieces of spirit bones when he returned to the Clear Sky Sect. They must belong to Tang Hao. Which means Tang Hao is now merely a Spirit Sage."
"I won't kill Tang San, but I'll lead a group to kill Tang Hao. I can already picture Tang San cradling his father's corpse in anguish. It will be glorious."
Dai Yao's tone was filled with excitement, as if he couldn't wait to witness the scene.
To Xiao Wu, his smile resembled the sinister grin of a devil. If Tang Hao died, Tang San would be devastated beyond measure.
"You're despicable!" Xiao Wu spat, trembling with rage.
"Flatter me all you want," Dai Yao replied nonchalantly. "I'll ask you one last time—will you agree? Or face the consequences."
In truth, Dai Yao had no intention of harming Xiao Wu. He needed her to fully absorb the soul ring. His threats were a gamble, one he knew he couldn't lose.
And indeed, he didn't.
Xiao Wu bit her lip, and after a long silence, she painfully whispered, "I agree…"
The words seemed to sap all her strength, and she collapsed onto the ground.
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