Chapter 337: Tang San Departs as Events Take a Turn
In the dark forest, Dai Yao watched as Xiao Wu approached slowly, clutching the hidden weapon blueprints. Smiling, he said, "Well done, Xiao Wu. Now, hand over the blueprints."
Only moments ago, Xiao Wu had been overcome with tears and heartache. Seeing Dai Yao, she immediately tensed, clutching the blueprints tightly and stepping back. Her voice was icy as she said, "Dai Yao, before I give these to you, you must swear not to harm my third brother. Otherwise—"
Before she could finish, Dai Yao's spirit power surged, and his hundred-thousand-year spirit ring activated, releasing a force that pulled Xiao Wu's soul from her body, sending it back into Dai Yao's mental world. Her body, now a lifeless shell, dropped the blueprints onto the ground.
"So much unnecessary talk," Dai Yao muttered, walking up to Xiao Wu's body and picking up the blueprints, brushing off the dust as he continued quietly, "You can't even see the reality of things. Both your body and soul are in my control—what could you possibly fight me with?"
Inside his mental world, Xiao Wu stood frozen, overcome by shock, rage, sorrow, fear, and regret. All these emotions surged through her, making her expression painfully conflicted. She finally grasped the truth: before Dai Yao, she had no control, no power to protect anyone. Even preserving her body's integrity depended solely on Dai Yao's whim.
Collapsing to her knees, she pleaded desperately, "Dai Yao, please… I've done everything you asked. Just spare my third brother!"
In the cage of lightning within his spiritual realm, Dai Yao's Chaotic Green Lotus once again formed a brilliant figure. Observing Xiao Wu's pitiful state, the spirit looked on curiously, wondering why this soul beast would continually degrade herself for a mere human.
Dai Yao snorted at her despair, refusing to answer. Better to let her remain fearful and in pain.
In the real world, Xiao Wu's soulless body gazed fearfully at Dai Yao, backing away as if he were some monstrous presence. Without a soul, she was merely a defenseless girl. Her heels caught in the ground, and she stumbled, falling.
Dai Yao flickered over to her, striking her at the nape to render her unconscious, then tossed her into his storage pouch. "The next time I need you, it'll be for the final act," he muttered coldly.
Now that he had taken Tang San's blueprints, Xiao Wu was no longer of use to him beyond tormenting Tang San. But even that had lost its appeal; her body, though beautiful, held no allure for him. She would likely remain in his storage until the day he revived her—if that day ever came.
Flipping through the blueprints, Dai Yao chuckled when he reached the sections on the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle and Buddha Fury Tang Lotus. "So, Tang San gave her these two weapons' designs? His love runs deep… But Tang San, you'd never have guessed that Xiao Wu was working for me."
Tang San had discussed these hidden weapons with Titan before arriving at the Yu Clan, which was why he had prepared so extensively. Thanks to this, Dai Yao could reap the benefits. "Now, with these weapons, the Qinglian Sect has a new source of income. We won't have to depend solely on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's support."
Storing the blueprints, Dai Yao thought, Now all I need are craftsmen capable of creating them. Besides the Clear Sky Clan, only the Blacksmith Association has the skill to forge these weapons. With that in mind, he turned back and swiftly headed toward the Yu Clan.
Around midnight, Titan and the others finally located Tang San deep in the forest, collapsed on the ground. Rushing to his side, Titan asked anxiously, "Young Master, what happened to you…?"
Tang San's vacant eyes filled with tears at Titan's words. "Xiao Wu… I saw Xiao Wu… but why did she leave me again?"
Oscar and Ma Hongjun exchanged glances, both assuming Tang San had gone mad with grief. Oscar sighed and tried to comfort him. "Xiao San, I know you miss Xiao Wu deeply, but you also know she… she died at his hands. You have to find the strength to move forward."
"But Xiao Ao, it felt so real," Tang San insisted. "I could smell her hair, feel her warmth. It wasn't a hallucination! And… she took my…"
A sudden thought struck him. Frantically, he began searching his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges storage. When he found his hidden weapon blueprints gone, he froze. A moment later, like a madman, he started desperately looking around, trying to find some trace of the blueprints.
With Titan and the others watching in confusion, Tang San finally stopped his search, his face filled with disbelief and sorrow. Xiao Wu had taken the blueprints—he didn't need to guess who she had given them to. His voice hollow, he whispered, "Xiao Wu… why? Why would you do this…?"
Unable to do more, Titan and the others could only lead the devastated Tang San back. In the carriage, Tang San curled up in a corner like a wounded animal. Even when they returned to the Yu Clan, he remained lost and inconsolable.
When dawn finally broke, light filtered into his room, revealing bloodshot eyes that hadn't closed all night. Through the night, his thoughts had become clearer. If Xiao Wu had taken the blueprints, then her appearance had been real. Xiao Wu might still be alive, somehow.
He knew Dai Yao must have found some way to control her. Xiao Wu would never betray him willingly. Only a threat could force her hand.
"Xiao Wu, I'll save you from Dai Yao's clutches… Just wait for me," he vowed, gazing at the rising sun with newfound determination.
Turning to the weary Titan and the others, who had stayed by his side through the night, he felt a deep warmth in his heart. Smiling, he said, "Titan Elder, let's go home."
Titan looked at him in surprise and relief, glad to see the young master recovering but also concerned. Forcing a smile, he said, "Young Master, we're already at the Yu Clan."
Shaking his head, Tang San looked out at the rising sun, his voice resolute. "No. We're going back to the Heaven Dou Empire."
He was no match for Dai Yao yet. And with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect supporting him, the Clear Sky Clan would need to return to his side if he hoped to oppose Dai Yao.
What he needed now was time to build his strength.
"But Young Master," Titan said, surprised, "though the Yu Clan and the Min Clan have allied with Dai Yao, we still have a chance to bring the Po Clan to our side. Their attack strength is unmatched among the four clans."
"If we could recruit them, our Tang Sect's strength would be raised to a whole new level!" Tang San mused.
From the side, Ma Hongjun chimed in, "That's right, Third Brother! We shouldn't lose heart over a temporary setback. Even if there's only the slightest chance, we have to try."
Tang San gave a slight smile. "Fatty, Xiao Ao, Elder Titan—you're all correct. But as things stand, we don't have what it takes to recruit the Po Clan. They hold a deep grudge against the Clear Sky Clan. Revealing our identity will only provoke hostility from Yang Wudi. Leaving as soon as possible is our best option."
Hearing Tang San's calm assessment, Titan felt a mix of relief and disappointment. He was glad to see his young master regain his strategic foresight but saddened by the division within the Four Single-Attribute Clans. The opportunity for their long-awaited reunion, ruined by Dai Yao's interference, left Titan feeling both resentful and helpless.
After gathering their belongings and bidding farewell to the Yu Clan, they had just reached the gate when Niu Gao hurried over, looking at Titan with a complex expression. After a pause, he said heavily, "Take care."
Titan gave a curt nod, casting a cold glance at Dai Yao standing behind Niu Gao before turning away. From the rooftop, Bai He watched as Tang San and his group departed, offering a respectful nod from afar. With a heavy sigh, he thought, Next time we meet, we may be enemies...
As the Li Clan's carriages left the gates of Longxing City, Ma Hongjun clenched his fists in frustration. "Seeing the smug look on Dai Yao's face infuriates me! Why are the Yu and Min Clans willing to support him? And the Po Clan will probably end up joining the Qinglian Sect too."
"Third Brother, isn't there anything we can do?"
Tang San smiled, his eyes cold. "There's nothing I can do now since I lack the power to match his, but that doesn't mean I'll make things easy for him."
Hearing this, the others grew curious. Titan leaned in, asking, "Young Master, what do you have in mind?"
Tang San's smile took on an edge. "Dai Yao is a traitor to the Star Luo Empire, and they've long wanted him dead. I've already sent word to Mubai."
"Soon enough, the Star Luo Empire's forces will be heading this way. No matter how powerful Dai Yao may be, the other three clans will pay a steep price. I'd like to see how he plans to lead the Three Clans through such a crisis."
"Elder Niu Gao, let's head back," Dai Yao said, seeing Niu Gao still staring after Tang San's retreating figure. Niu Gao let out a heavy sigh, realizing that their next meeting might require drawing their swords against each other.
After one last, reluctant look, Niu Gao nodded and followed Dai Yao back to the Yu Clan's estate. From the rooftop, Bai He watched the departing figures of Tang San and his entourage, already aware that he would have to sever all ties. Closing his eyes, he disappeared from view.
On the way back, Bai Chenxiang cautiously approached Feng Wutong. Just being near Feng Wutong, Bai Chenxiang could feel her cultivation accelerating, but her real intent was something else. Glancing ahead at Dai Yao, she whispered, "Wutong, may I call you Sister Wutong?"
With her usual reserved expression, Feng Wutong looked at Bai Chenxiang. She had little patience for the prideful heirs of noble families, but Bai Chenxiang, as the Min Clan's treasure, was now a key part of the Qinglian Sect's strength. Reluctantly, she nodded. "You may."
Bai Chenxiang's face lit up with a smile, and she couldn't resist asking, "Sister Wutong, you're so powerful. Why serve as Dai Yao's attendant? And why does he already have a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring as his sixth ring?"
Feng Wutong stopped in her tracks, giving Bai Chenxiang a chilling look. The intensity of her gaze made Bai Chenxiang feel as though she were suffocating. In a steady voice, Feng Wutong replied, "Whatever you may think, never speak ill of my master. He may not care, but I won't tolerate it."
"As for his sixth ring, don't waste your time trying to pry it from me. If you want answers, ask him yourself."
Stunned, Bai Chenxiang nervously released Feng Wutong's hand. Her intent had been to subtly suggest that Feng Wutong's status as Dai Yao's servant was beneath her and that leaving him would be more fitting. But she hadn't expected such a firm rebuke.
She watched Feng Wutong follow Dai Yao closely and pondered, Sister Wutong, what exactly happened between you and him?
Dai Yao spent another day at the Yu Clan, getting to know both clans' disciples. The Min Clan's members no longer treated him as a stranger. Finally, the Po Clan arrived.
Leading the group was a slender, grim-faced elder whose penetrating gaze had a cutting edge, like the tip of a spear. Behind him were two young men, close in age to Dai Yao, who occasionally cast interested glances at Bai Chenxiang.
The moment Dai Yao entered with Feng Wutong, he became the focal point of attention.
Ning Rongrong flashed a polite smile at Dai Yao, casting him a look of helplessness. She had tried to speak with Yang Wudi earlier, but he'd ignored her completely.
Now, with Dai Yao present, the old man hesitated briefly, glancing warily at Sword Douluo meditating behind Ning Rongrong. His voice was low and gruff as he demanded, "Old Rhino, Old Crane—where's the Old Gorilla? Didn't the Li Clan always arrive first? Why aren't they here this time?"
"And tell me this—why is someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect here at a gathering of the Four Great Clans?"
Casting a cold glance at Dai Yao, he jabbed a finger in his direction and said, "And who is this man?"
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