Chapter 339: The Breaking Clan Joins the Qinglian Sect, Arrival of Dugu Yan
The air was utterly still.
Everyone in the room stared, eyes wide with disbelief, at the two figures in the center.
"Did... Old Goat lose?" muttered Niu Gao, swallowing hard, struggling to accept Yang Wudi's defeat.
White Crane nodded heavily. The speed of Dai Yao's final strike was something even he could barely comprehend. Dai Yao's flawless spear technique and lightning reflexes had allowed him to seize the smallest of openings, striking at the exact moment when Yang Wudi's seventh spirit ability was nearly complete, ultimately bringing him to victory.
The mastery Dai Yao demonstrated in his spear technique left White Crane staring in awe. With his extraordinary spirit rings, rare external spirit bone, and formidable weapon skills, White Crane realized that Dai Yao's future potential was beyond comprehension. Even Tang San's talents seemed insignificant in comparison.
White Crane sighed deeply, silently resigning himself to their choice. "Tang San, don't blame your uncle for not supporting you," he thought bitterly. "For the survival of the clan, I have no choice but to join Dai Yao's sect…"
In the original story, the Four Single-Attribute Clans joined Tang San's Tang Sect for several reasons: not only were they eager to reunite, but they also placed their hopes on Tang San's future. His twin martial spirits, hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, and unparalleled hidden weapons gave them reason to bet on him. However, with Dai Yao now posing a greater threat than Tang San, the clans knew that joining the Qinglian Sect was the only way to avoid Dai Yao's inevitable retribution.
Even Sword Douluo opened his eyes briefly and nodded in silent approval of Dai Yao's skill. He could see the unwavering power in Dai Yao's spear technique, a force he rarely encountered. With such prowess, a Title Douluo might have to surrender the title of "strongest attacker" to Dai Yao someday.
Under her black cloak, Feng Wutong's lips curved into a subtle smile, feeling a surge of pride for Dai Yao's victory.
Next to her, Ning Rongrong watched Dai Yao from afar, sensing a twinge of envy and sorrow. She thought she knew what he had gone through during those five years in the Spirit Hall, yet his mastery of spear techniques had taken her by surprise. She wasn't able to accompany him in the Spirit Hall, yet Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong had been there beside him all along, leaving her feeling a pang of regret.
Feng Wutong noticed her expression and reassured her with a smile, "It's not like he meant to keep it from you, Rongrong. He gave you that precious gift, didn't he? It's more likely he just... forgot to mention it."
Ning Rongrong was taken aback but understood her meaning. "That precious gift" clearly referred to the Golden Lotus she had received from him. Smiling softly, she murmured, "You're right."
As the young mistress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she was known for her poise and composure, but when it came to Dai Yao, all her composure seemed to vanish.
Listening to their exchange, Bai Chenxiang felt a pang of confusion. Was Ning Rongrong, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's heir, another of Dai Yao's love interests? She glanced at Dai Yao thoughtfully, wondering, "Dai Yao may be handsome, but enough to make a sect heiress chase after him even though he already has a wife?"
She couldn't understand why Feng Wutong, powerful and beautiful, would settle for being Dai Yao's maid, or why Ning Rongrong, with her noble background and gentle beauty, would willingly fall for him. Bai Chenxiang let out a haughty hum to herself; she would never lose her pride for a man's favor. If a man couldn't commit to her wholeheartedly, she would not settle, regardless of how exceptional he was.
Amidst the silence, Yang Wudi stared, wide-eyed and stunned, as blood trickled down his neck, each drop resonating in the quiet room. He felt the faint sting where Dai Yao's fingers had grazed his neck, realizing that if Dai Yao hadn't angled his strike slightly away, the attack would have pierced his throat completely.
Yang Wudi stepped back, withdrew his spear, and nodded at Dai Yao. "You've won. I owe you my thanks for sparing my life."
Dai Yao slowly lowered his hand, feeling fatigue from the intensity of the battle. That strike had demanded his full focus and energy, bringing him close to a state of killing intent he had honed in the Slaughter City. With a tired smile, he replied, "I was just lucky. If you'd fully completed your seventh spirit skill, I would have lost."
Though he still held some hidden aces, Dai Yao's words were a polite concession to let Yang Wudi save face.
But Yang Wudi shook his head, raising his hand. "No need to spare my pride. I lost fair and square. And on a battlefield, no opponent would offer a 'fair' fight. Respect is earned, not given; I don't need you to give me face."
Yang Wudi had always been stubborn and hard to approach, but Dai Yao had won his respect through skill alone. That final thrust from Dai Yao was so precise that Yang Wudi, despite years of experience, felt humbled. The refined control and speed behind it had given him new ideas for his own spear techniques. Sighing heavily, he added, "I said I'd follow your orders if you won. Just don't ask me to join the Spirit Hall, and I'll do whatever you wish."
Niu Gao shot Dai Yao a knowing look, urging him to seize this opportunity to recruit Yang Wudi into the Qinglian Sect. However, Dai Yao already had a plan in mind. Forcing Yang Wudi into joining would not guarantee his loyalty.
Dai Yao smiled and reached into his Hundred Treasure Pouch, pulling out a delicate, pale pink flower. The moment the flower appeared, a soft fragrance filled the room, lifting everyone's spirits.
Yang Wudi stared at the flower in astonishment, his body trembling. Suddenly, a look of pure joy replaced his usual stoicism. His hands shook as he held the flower with reverence, as if it were the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
Niu Gao and White Crane exchanged uneasy glances, both slightly disturbed by the tenderness in Yang Wudi's gaze.
Dai Yao spoke calmly, "Senior Yang Wudi, if you join the Qinglian Sect, this Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb is yours."
Yang Wudi didn't question how Dai Yao had come by the Youxiang Qiluo, one of the rarest herbs in existence.
Hearing Dai Yao's words, Yang Wudi's eyes widened as he stared at Dai Yao in disbelief, barely containing his excitement.
"Are you serious?!"
Dai Yao nodded.
With that confirmation, Yang Wudi, usually so reserved, suddenly burst into an almost hysterical excitement, gesturing wildly with joy.
Niu Gao, slightly annoyed, muttered, "Who would have thought Old Goat could get so worked up over a single herb? If you'd shown him this sooner, Dai Yao, we could've had him in the Qinglian Sect long ago without all this fuss."
Dai Yao chuckled. "Perhaps. But if he hadn't already accepted me, even the rare Youxiang Qiluo wouldn't have been enough to sway him."
The gathered disciples laughed at the sight, unable to contain their amusement at seeing Yang Wudi, who was usually so serious, acting so exuberant. Even Ning Rongrong had to stifle a giggle behind her hand.
"All right, it's been delayed long enough. Old Goat, let's get that welcome feast started!" Niu Gao said with a hearty laugh.
Due to Dai Yao and Yang Wudi's duel, they had postponed the original welcome banquet prepared for Yang Wudi. However, Yang Wudi was still too absorbed in admiring the Youxiang Qiluo to notice.
Just then, the crisp sound of high heels clicking on the floor echoed from outside, gradually drawing closer. The crowd looked around in confusion, wondering who the new arrival might be. Then the doors swung open, revealing three figures standing in the entrance.
At the front was a woman clad in an emerald green cheongsam, her presence instantly drawing every man's gaze. The tight-fitting dress hugged her form, accentuating her curves and making her allure undeniable. With each step, the dress slit slightly revealed her sleek, graceful legs, leaving many in the room breathless.
Her dark green hair was pinned up in a high bun with a jade hairpin shaped like a dragon, and she wore matching high heels that complemented her tall, elegant frame. Her appearance exuded an almost intoxicating allure that filled the air like ripe fruit.
Following close behind were two elders. The one on her left was tall and slender, his features sharp, with dark green hair streaked with age. His expression was cold and distant, exuding an aura of pride and solitude. Meeting his eyes was like feeling the piercing gaze of a snake.
The other elder, on her right, also had dark green hair but kept his presence restrained, shadowing his two companions almost as if in servitude.
Niu Gao's gaze shifted to the motionless guards of the Yu Clan standing outside, who had been struck dumb by the newcomers' aura. He scowled and called out sharply, "Who are you, and what have you done to my people?"
The elder on the right waved a hand, and the guards snapped back to alertness, hastily surrounding the three guests, still wary and tense.
Yang Wudi, snapped out of his amazement over the Youxiang Qiluo, sensed the deadly aura emanating from the aloof elder and gripped his Breaking Spear, readying himself defensively. His instincts told him that this man's strength was enough to pose a serious threat, the sort only a Titled Douluo could bring.
The guests, however, remained perfectly calm. The alluring woman in the lead wore a faint smile that seemed to mock the tense hostility in the air.
The tension grew thick, as though an invisible fire might ignite at any moment. Seeing this, Dai Yao hurriedly stepped forward and, to everyone's surprise, approached the woman with a smile.
"Yanyan, you're here," he said softly.
The newcomers were, of course, Dugu Yan, her grandfather Dugu Bo, and a fellow member of the Jade Phosphor Clan.
"Yes," Dugu Yan replied, casting a glance around the room. Her eyes lingered briefly on Feng Wutong in her dark cloak, then settled on Ning Rongrong. She had purposefully delayed her arrival to give Dai Yao the chance to bond with Ning Rongrong. Now, she wondered if the notoriously charming man had won her over already. With Ning Rongrong's influence, establishing a sect would be much easier for him.
Dai Yao nodded politely to Dugu Bo, then turned to introduce them to the others.
"Everyone, these three are from the Jade Phosphor Clan. This is Dugu Yan, the granddaughter of the present-day Poison Douluo."
There were collective gasps as everyone looked at Dugu Yan with renewed awe and trepidation. The Poison Douluo was a name feared far and wide, often used to frighten children into behaving. The mysterious, intoxicating aura Dugu Yan exuded now made perfect sense.
But seeing Dai Yao's familiarity with her left many in the room puzzled. Why did every stunning woman seem to have some kind of close relationship with Dai Yao?
Bai Chenxiang furrowed her brows as a wild idea crossed her mind. Could it be that Dugu Yan was yet another of Dai Yao's close companions?
Next, Dai Yao moved to stand beside Dugu Bo. "And this is none other than the Titled Douluo himself, the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo."
The crowd instinctively took a step back, shocked into silence. Though not the most powerful Titled Douluo, Poison Douluo's reputation for cruelty and his merciless methods were well known. It was said that no one captured by him had ever escaped alive.
With a calm demeanor, Dai Yao reassured them, "There's no need to be alarmed. As it stands, the Jade Phosphor Clan was, in fact, the very first to join Qinglian Sect."
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