Chapter 338: Duel of the Spears
Niu Gao and Bai He exchanged worried glances as Yang Wudi approached, displeasure clear on his face. They both understood that the Li Clan's absence was a direct result of their choice to join the Qinglian Sect, leaving no room to turn back now. Niu Gao was about to explain and introduce Dai Yao's status when Dai Yao raised a hand, signaling him to stop.
Looking straight at Yang Wudi, Dai Yao smiled. "Senior Yang Wudi, Niu Gao and Bai He have both joined the Qinglian Sect. As for me, I am the Sect Master, Dai Yao."
Yang Wudi gave Dai Yao a quick, dismissive glance, then turned to Niu Gao and Bai He with visible frustration. "You two old fools have lost your wits! Joining some unknown sect and swearing loyalty to a mere boy? Ridiculous!" His tone held bitter disappointment, making Niu Gao and Bai He exchange embarrassed looks. Niu Gao sighed, saying, "Old Goat, you know as well as we do that things are changing fast, and there's no doubt that the entire continent will soon be plunged into turmoil."
"We can only protect ourselves by joining forces. The Qinglian Sect has the backing of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which has both strength and resources, so the Yu Clan and I have joined them."
Yang Wudi's gaze flicked over to Dai Yao with a scornful sneer. "So, this kid is just the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's puppet, then?" he mocked. "Back in my city, we were oppressed by one of the Four Lower Sects. I've long wanted to join forces with you all and form our own sect. With the Four Clans united, even the Upper Three Sects would hesitate to challenge us. But instead, you both…" He paused, sighing in deep disappointment.
Realizing the situation was growing tense, Dai Yao spoke up. "Senior Yang Wudi, please allow me to say a word." Yang Wudi scoffed, not even sparing Dai Yao a glance. His indifference made it clear he didn't see Dai Yao as worthy of his attention.
"You…!" Feng Wutong, unable to stand the slight, raised her hand, and a burst of white-hot flames suddenly blazed toward Yang Wudi, the air twisting with heat.
The intense fire made Yang Wudi frown, and in an instant, his Po Soul Spear appeared in his hand. With a flash of silver light, he countered the flames, forcing them back through sheer force of spirit power. Though the flames were weaker than he'd expected, they left Yang Wudi wary. He eyed the cloaked figure behind Dai Yao with suspicion. "Who are you?"
Dai Yao intervened, calming Feng Wutong. Smiling, he addressed Yang Wudi. "Now, will you hear me out?"
Yang Wudi leaned on his spear, his face shifting between suspicion and displeasure. Dai Yao pressed on. "Senior, do you know why Titan hasn't come?"
Yang Wudi raised a brow and glanced at Bai He and Niu Gao. "Speak."
Remaining composed despite Yang Wudi's hostility, Dai Yao explained, "Titan joined a new sect called the Tang Sect. Its leader is none other than Tang San, the son of Tang Hao."
At this, Yang Wudi's eyes flared with rage. His aura radiated a chilling intent, and he snarled, "Tang Hao, and the Clear Sky Clan… so they've decided to toy with us once again."
Yang Wudi shot Dai Yao a cold, suspicious look. "Then why isn't he here? Is he afraid to face me?"
Dai Yao chuckled. "Not at all, Senior. Titan arrived days ago, hoping to recruit the other clans for the Tang Sect. But in trying to recruit the Yu and Min Clans, he lost to me. Knowing he had no hope of swaying the Po Clan, he left."
Yang Wudi studied Dai Yao, uncertain of how this young man had managed to gain the loyalty of Bai He and Niu Gao. Knowing the two well, Yang Wudi doubted they would follow someone unworthy. Dai Yao noticed his skepticism and continued with a smirk. "Senior, I was once the fourth prince of the Star Luo Empire, but I defected and joined the Spirit Hall."
Yang Wudi's eyes narrowed in anger. "You work for the Spirit Hall?!"
Though he despised the Clear Sky Clan for abandoning them to the Spirit Hall's wrath, Yang Wudi held equal hatred for the Spirit Hall itself. His fury flared, chilling the room as he emitted a murderous aura honed through years of survival in the blood-soaked world of spirit battles. Yet Dai Yao remained calm, as if unaffected.
Yang Wudi's lip curled in contempt, and he turned on his heel to leave, signaling for his disciples to follow. Niu Gao and Bai He quickly stepped in to block his path.
"Don't be rash, Old Goat," Niu Gao implored.
Yang Wudi shook him off, seething. "How can I not be? You two have chosen to side with the Spirit Hall, but I refuse. Even if it means risking my life, I won't yield to the Spirit Hall."
"Old Goat, don't you trust us?" Bai He asked. "We're brothers who have fought our way through death itself. Do you really think we'd lead you into harm's way?"
The familiar words seemed to soften Yang Wudi slightly, though he responded stiffly. "Fine, I'll stay. But only if you both leave this Qinglian Sect and expel Dai Yao."
Niu Gao and Bai He exchanged uneasy looks, unsure how to respond. Dai Yao, observing the situation, realized that Yang Wudi wouldn't be swayed by words alone. He needed a demonstration of strength to convince him.
"Senior Yang Wudi, how about a wager?" Dai Yao proposed.
Yang Wudi's eyes narrowed, his lethal intent filling the air. Even Sword Douluo, who had been meditating quietly, glanced over at the confrontation. Yang Wudi growled, "You don't have the right to make such a request. Leave now, or I'll ensure you have no place to die."
Ignoring the threat, Dai Yao smiled calmly. "Or is it that Senior is afraid?"
Yang Wudi let out a harsh laugh. "Afraid? You must be joking, boy."
Dai Yao smirked. "Let's have a duel. If you win, I'll be at your disposal. But if I win, you'll stop demanding my expulsion."
Yang Wudi's expression darkened. He could hardly believe that this young soul emperor dared to challenge him—a Contras with unparalleled offensive strength among the Four Single-Attribute Clans. His pride bristling, he sneered, "Fine. If you win, I'll wager my life itself!"
Niu Gao and Bai He exchanged worried glances. Though Dai Yao had already astounded them numerous times, he was still only a soul emperor, whereas Yang Wudi was a soul Contra and the most formidable pure-offense fighter among the Four Clans.
Dai Yao stepped back to put distance between them, offering a respectful nod. "Dai Yao, Rank 68 Assault-Type Soul Emperor. Please, advise me."
"Rank 68?" Yang Wudi paused, a glimmer of surprise crossing his face. For someone in their twenties to reach Rank 68 was an impressive feat. The scorn in his gaze diminished slightly as he replied, "Yang Wudi, Rank 82 Assault-Type Soul Contra."
A spear, jet-black and towering, appeared in Yang Wudi's hand, its fierce aura so piercing that onlookers instinctively shut their eyes. Two yellow, two purple, and four black spirit rings—an optimal configuration for an assault-type Spirit Master—encircled the spear, casting a dazzling display of power.
Measuring the force of Yang Wudi's Breaking Soul Spear, Dai Yao's confidence grew. He slowly released his martial spirit.
A resonating hum filled the room as a fierce, primal energy surged from Dai Yao, the "King" symbol on his forehead gleaming brilliantly, transforming him into a warrior-like force. As six spirit rings appeared—yellow, purple, purple, black, black, and the eye-catching red of a hundred-thousand-year ring—the room fell utterly silent, every eye locked in shock on the unbelievable display. Even those who had seen Dai Yao's spirit rings before couldn't suppress their awe, especially at the sight of the blood-red ring.
Yang Wudi swallowed hard, his expression frozen as he processed the sight. Finally, he looked deeply at Dai Yao, muttering, "So you do have the strength to be arrogant. But don't think even a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring can bridge the gap between our spirit power levels."
"Is that so?" Dai Yao smiled slightly, activating his third and fifth spirit rings.
With White Tiger Vajra Transformation and White Tiger Titan Transformation, his aura grew intensely menacing. In physical power, he now surpassed many Soul Contras. He positioned himself as though holding a spear, right hand extended with his index and middle fingers straightened, other fingers curled back, transforming his hand into an unstoppable weapon.
Watching Dai Yao's stance, Yang Wudi frowned. "What's this supposed to be?"
"A demonstration, Senior," Dai Yao replied, smiling. "I'd like to learn from your spear technique."
Dai Yao had trained in spear techniques under the Snake Spear Douluo, spending a year honing his skills beneath a waterfall and reaching mastery through life-and-death battles in the Slaughter City. He was confident that his spear skills were no less refined than Yang Wudi's, perhaps even superior. Now that Tang San had left, there was no one here who knew his past in the Slaughter City, so he could wield his techniques freely.
"Arrogant!" Yang Wudi's eyes blazed with anger, gripping his spear tightly, gathering his entire spirit into its form. He would have dared to strike down even a Title Douluo in that moment.
The two moved simultaneously.
With a shout, Yang Wudi thrust the tip of his spear at Dai Yao's chest, an overwhelming sharpness hurtling forward, as fearsome as any spirit ability, seemingly intent on piercing Dai Yao completely.
Dai Yao's gaze sharpened as patterns resembling clouds appeared on his extended right hand. This was his self-created spirit ability, Cloud Patterned Hand. Infused with the powerful metal properties of the Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, it was a formidable defense, once even withstanding Tang San's Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique.
Clang! The sound of metal rang through the room as Dai Yao's hand intercepted the spear's thrust.
Yang Wudi's expression darkened as Dai Yao deflected his initial spear force, closing the distance with frightening speed and thrusting his spear towards Dai Yao's chest. The sharp aura emitted by the spear was so fierce that even the more inexperienced onlookers found it hard to look directly at it.
Sword Douluo and the other elders watched Dai Yao's reaction intently, faces tense as they gauged how he would counter Yang Wudi's deadly offensive.
Dai Yao's blood-red spirit ring glowed, casting a captivating light. His body suddenly became intangible, allowing Yang Wudi's spear to pass through harmlessly.
Yang Wudi blinked in shock as Dai Yao seamlessly shifted out of his intangible state, fingers thrust forward with spear-like precision at Yang Wudi's throat. Although startled, Yang Wudi narrowly evaded by leaning backward, intending to counterattack the instant Dai Yao completed his strike.
But Dai Yao's next attack arrived instantly, lightning-fast.
Only one thought crossed Yang Wudi's mind: So fast!
The sharpness emanating from Dai Yao's fingers was intense. He was certain even Niu Gao wouldn't dare block such a strike directly.
Who is this young man? Why is he so fast that I can't even counter? Yang Wudi was stunned.
In his training under the waterfall, Dai Yao had perfected his speed, capable of executing dozens of strikes in an instant, pulverizing stones effortlessly. He advanced relentlessly, each step closing in on Yang Wudi, leaving no opportunity for counterattack.
With his left hand still held behind him, Dai Yao continued his attacks with the elegance of a master, closing his eyes as if out of indifference. Yet Yang Wudi's desperate counterattacks could not breach Dai Yao's defenses; in fact, with his eyes closed, Dai Yao's strikes only intensified.
What kind of monster is this? Yang Wudi thought as he dodged, a chill running through him.
To think that a Soul Emperor could corner him, a Soul Contra, this way! He felt his dignity slipping away.
Yang Wudi's seventh black spirit ring flared to life, a shockwave of spirit energy radiating from him and repelling several onlookers.
He intended to utilize his seventh spirit ability—Martial Soul Avatar, uniting himself and his spear to create a momentary reprieve and reverse his disadvantaged position. But to his horror, Dai Yao stood firm amidst the shockwave, as if untouched.
Yang Wudi's heart skipped a beat, realizing he'd have to fight with everything he had.
As the seventh spirit ability for an assault-type Spirit Master, Martial Soul Avatar was a formidable force. Tang Hao had once driven back seven Title Douluo using this technique. Now, black flames ignited along Yang Wudi's spear, intensifying as they enveloped it. Once the spear was fully wreathed in black flames, Dai Yao would be forced into a losing position.
The onlookers held their breath. If Dai Yao had no further moves, this would be his only chance to defeat Yang Wudi.
In the span of a breath, Dai Yao finally released his left hand from behind his back, fingers aligned like a spear, moving in for the final blow.
With a swift sidestep, he closed the distance between them, his left hand thrusting forward at Yang Wudi's throat.
His fingers stopped a mere inch from Yang Wudi's neck, their sharpness grazing his skin and leaving a thin line of blood.
At that moment, Yang Wudi's spear was nearly encased in black flames. Just a fraction more, and his spirit avatar would have activated.
Dai Yao opened his eyes, meeting Yang Wudi's stunned gaze with a calm smile.
"Senior, it seems you've lost."
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