Chapter 403: A Battle to the Death, Unexpected Help Arrives!
"What? That brutal fight was only a warm-up?" countless onlookers wondered in horror.
Up above, the Grand Elder grew more silent as he observed the unfolding battle. His heart was a mixture of frustration and bitterness—overflowing with regret. Dai Yao, despite being just a Soul Emperor, could still overpower the Star Luo Emperor even in his White Tiger True Form. Star Luo's ruler was considered a top-tier Soul Douluo, yet Dai Yao suppressed him. If Dai Yao ever achieved Titled Douluo status, he could very well be unstoppable. But they had driven such a talent directly into the hands of the Spirit Hall.
All the Grand Elder's emotions condensed into a heavy sigh.
Below, the Soul Douluo of Dai Yao's faction exchanged glances, feeling a hint of dread. This level of combat was lethal—if it were any of them, apart from Yang Wudi, they doubted they'd last more than a few moves.
"Truly terrifying… isn't the Sect Master younger than Niu Ben? And yet, his strength…" sighed Niu Gao in awe.
Yang Wudi patted Niu Gao's shoulder with a chuckle. "There's no use comparing yourself to the Sect Master. He's more monster than man! You'll only make yourself miserable. Niu Ben, though, is doing well—look at how well he's handling the troops. Thanks to him, we've sustained few casualties so far."
Yang Wudi then turned to the quiet Bai He and said seriously, "Old White Bird, by now you should realize it. Our Sect Master's potential surpasses Tang San's by far! Since Tang San became the Regent of the Heaven Dou Empire, he's probably been asking you to defect to them, hasn't he? We're old friends, so while I don't want to interfere with your decisions, I also don't want to see you throw your life away."
"After all the years we've spent hiding and running, we're finally united. Let's not waste it."
Bai He fell silent, struggling with his emotions. Ever since the Clear Sky Clan re-emerged, Tang San had invited the Speed Clan to join the Heaven Dou Empire, and he had indeed been tempted. He had never blamed Tang Hao for the past events, and as Tang San's kin, he knew his clan would be valued if he defected. But they'd only recently pledged allegiance to the Green Lotus Sect. If they betrayed them, what would his clan think? And how would the world see him?
With Dai Yao's strength on display before him, Bai He took a moment, finally making up his mind. "I understand, old friend. I won't leave the Green Lotus Sect."
"Good," Yang Wudi replied with a grin, sharing a look of relief with Niu Gao. Then, the three of them once again released their spirit rings, charging into the Star Luo faction's ranks.
Meanwhile, in the Star Luo faction, the Soul Douluo—though distracted by the fierce battle in the skies—were forced to defend against the relentless attacks from Dai Yao's allies and reinforcements. Neither side dared to let up, knowing any slip could impact the decisive battle between Dai Yao and the Emperor.
In the imperial harem, the Empress watched the sky in horror, her face gradually turning pale. She never imagined that within just a few years, Dai Yao would be able to fight on par with the Star Luo Emperor, even suppressing him in close combat.
"If he's given a few more years…" she thought, feeling a bone-chilling dread.
Seeing his mother's terrified expression, Dai Mubai understood her fears but felt powerless. He couldn't withstand even a single strike from Dai Yao, so what could he possibly do? A profound sense of helplessness engulfed him, sinking deep into his bones.
In the sky, the battle escalated once more as both sides completed their most powerful soul skills' charge.
White Tiger's eighth soul ring shone with dazzling light as soul power waves radiated outward, opening a circular hole in the dense clouds above. Rays of golden morning sunlight poured through, casting a radiant glow on the battleground below.
"Eighth Soul Skill: White Tiger Sky Strike!" roared the Star Luo Emperor.
A blindingly white beam shot down from the sky, tearing through the air with astonishing speed toward Dai Yao. The immense energy compressed the ground below, forcing both sides of the ongoing battle to stop fighting momentarily to brace themselves against the pressure. Screams and shouts filled the air as dust clouds billowed, but the Emperor's gaze remained fixed on Dai Yao—determined to watch him fall to this powerful soul skill.
"This is my eighth soul skill—one of the strongest among all Soul Douluo! Let's see if you survive this, Dai Yao!"
But the Emperor's triumphant expression slowly froze.
Feeling the overwhelming energy crashing down on him, Dai Yao looked up, his cloak whipping wildly in the pressure, his golden hair flying. The intense gravitational force bore down on him, making movement difficult.
"So, I'll have to take this head-on?" Dai Yao murmured, as if realizing something.
Looking at the radiant pillar above, almost as bright as the sun itself, Dai Yao tightened his left fist, drawing his arm close before launching it skyward with a fierce swing.
The intense white light enveloping the claws of his Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear spirit bone formed three luminous streaks. These claw marks, sharp enough to tear through the air, soared upward to meet the descending energy.
The Sky-Rending Claw expanded, seemingly slashing through the heavens as it collided with the White Tiger Sky Strike.
Boom!
A deafening explosion reverberated through the sky.
The energy in both attacks clashed and whittled each other down. Under the Emperor's shocked gaze, his sky-piercing light dimmed, while the claw's luminous aura also faded until both skills were entirely neutralized.
The result stunned the onlookers.
"Did the Fourth Prince really counter the Emperor's eighth soul skill?" someone exclaimed in disbelief.
"No, it wasn't a regular soul skill. That move came from the prince's left arm, from those strange blades—it must be an external soul bone. And that attack was likely a soul bone skill!"
"An external soul bone? Is the Fourth Prince some kind of deity? An external soul bone, a hundred-thousand-year soul ring… these are mythical treasures, all on one person!"
Another onlooker whispered, "If he has a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, he must have a matching soul bone…"
At this, everyone gasped in awe. Their gazes shifted to Dai Yao, now filled with admiration and envy, with a tinge of greed. If only they could defeat him and claim even a single soul bone…
But they quickly dismissed the thought, knowing that Dai Yao's strength already rivaled that of a Soul Douluo. They had no intention of courting death.
"How is this possible? You blocked my eighth soul skill?" The Star Luo Emperor stared at the remnants of his skill, stunned.
That attack was his ace in the hole, the move he'd carefully prepared to secure victory. And yet, Dai Yao had withstood it. It seemed absurd that a mere Soul Emperor could bridge such a wide power gap, defending against his strongest attack. For the first time, he felt his grip on reality loosen.
This was a Soul Emperor?
Dai Yao clenched his left wrist, feeling the burn from unleashing the Sky-Rending Claw. The intense heat radiated through his hand as a soothing chill from his Blue Silver Emperor soul bone began to heal the overexerted limb.
Hearing the Emperor's astonishment, Dai Yao sneered, "Did you think I'd come back without a plan to defeat you? I said it before: today, I will take your head!"
For the first time, the Emperor felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He had never seen Dai Yao as a real threat—how could a Soul Emperor endanger a Soul Douluo? But this battle defied all his assumptions. He realized that any moment of carelessness could very well be his last.
His face grew grim, his gaze locked onto Dai Yao. The Emperor activated his first and third soul rings, reinforcing himself with White Tiger Shield and White Tiger Vajra Transformation before charging again at Dai Yao.
With their ultimate skills on cooldown, both fighters were exhausted, their energy waning, and mistakes more likely. Now, it was a test of willpower—whoever held out longer would emerge victorious.
They both knew it, and neither hesitated, diving back into close combat. The battle grew even more vicious and bloody, as if they'd just begun.
The Emperor slashed his claws across Dai Yao's face, leaving trails of blood, while Dai Yao's claw countered, piercing the Emperor's side.
In just a few seconds, both were heavily wounded, their life forces draining rapidly. This brutal, life-or-death exchange left no room for error; every move came with a mortal risk.
Staggering back once again, both men paused to catch their breath. Blood soaked Dai Yao, flowing from gashes along his shoulders and chest. Across from him, the Emperor's face was a bloody mess, with a deep cut stretching nearly to his eye.
The Emperor growled, mocking, "What's the matter, boy? Are you finally afraid?"
The White Tiger panted heavily, its breath visible as frost in the chilly air, mocking Dai Yao with a cold sneer.
"Then why did you back away too? Why not keep attacking?"
Both combatants were exhausted. The life-or-death struggle they engaged in had taxed their bodies and minds intensely, and while only seconds had passed, they had both reached their limits. If not for the adrenaline of the ongoing battle, both would have collapsed from sheer exhaustion. This was why Dai Yao had chosen to retreat, and why the Star Luo Emperor had refrained from pursuing, creating a brief moment of mutual rest.
Dai Yao cast a quick glance down at the ongoing skirmish on the ground, feeling a pang of urgency. He had two attacks with power comparable to Soul Douluo-level soul skills: one was the "Sky-Rending Claw" from his external Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear bone, and the other was his fourth soul skill—White Tiger Thunder God Strike. The massive hole in the thick clouds above was a lingering effect of the Star Luo Emperor's earlier skill, now fully covered by dark clouds. Flashes of lightning crackled in the sky.
Dai Yao had already finished charging his Thunder God Strike long ago. With the Emperor unable to use his eighth soul skill again anytime soon, Dai Yao's strike could inflict a devastating blow and likely end the Emperor's life. But there was still one problem—getting his people out safely.
Dai Yao could retreat whenever he wished, but the 500 disciples from the Green Lotus Sect fighting on the ground did not have the same flexibility. Before the battle, he had already devised a plan for their withdrawal, assigning Zhu Zhuqing, Feng Wutong, and Dugu Xin, a Soul Douluo-level expert, to capture a city gate to secure an escape route. By now, Zhuqing and Wutong should be back, signaling that the gate was under their control. Once they returned, Dai Yao could fight without reservations.
Suddenly, two silhouettes—a serene one and a fiery one—emerged from the distant veil of snow, rapidly closing in. With six soul rings glowing, Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong entered the battle, immediately disrupting the Star Luo troops' formation with devastating force. Though both were only Soul Emperors, their strength far surpassed others of the same level, and they had recently even defeated a Soul Douluo.
The arrival of the two women was like driving twin blades into the heart of the palace guards' formation, shattering it and greatly relieving the pressure on the Green Lotus Sect. The guards, lacking the defensive prowess of the Jade Defense Clan, were beginning to weaken, and slowly, the tide of battle started shifting in favor of the Green Lotus Sect.
Netherworld Domain, Vermilion Bird Domain.
Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong unleashed their domains. One was as cold as ice, the other as blazing as magma, creating a realm of extremes that caused intense discomfort among the palace guards. Zhu Zhuqing was as swift and elusive as a spirit cat, her icy presence ethereal and pure, like a snow lotus in the mountains. Feng Wutong's eyes burned with electric fire, regal and fierce like an empress wreathed in flames.
Their sudden appearance drew everyone's attention—not only because of their striking beauty, but also because of their overwhelming power. Even a Soul Sage could barely last a few moves against them.
The head of the Zhu Clan was stunned at the sight of Zhu Zhuqing. Though her daughter's face had matured, she recognized her immediately. She glanced at Dai Yao, feeling a bittersweet mixture of pride and regret as she sighed deeply.
"Zhuqing has really grown up, and her strength is exceptional. Her spirit seems to have changed too—it's no longer just the Netherworld Spirit Cat. I can feel its suppressive power… She's chosen a fine husband."
Below Zhu Zhuqing's feet, her ice field was a chilling grave for the palace guards who had once filled it. Not a single one survived. She looked up at Dai Yao in the sky, concern evident in her eyes.
"Yao!" she called softly.
"I understand." Dai Yao nodded at Zhu Zhuqing, acknowledging that she had completed her task. Then he turned back to lock eyes with the Star Luo Emperor, his gaze filled with a deadly resolve.
"It's time to end this," he said coldly.
Through the one eye he could still open, the White Tiger sneered mockingly. "You've already used your external soul bone skill—surely that skill has a long cooldown, right? What else could you possibly have left to kill me?"
Despite his words, the Emperor's tension was evident. Dai Yao had yet to use the blood-red soul ring, and its presence kept him constantly on edge.
Dai Yao grinned, raising his right fist. His tattered robe fluttered in an unseen wind, and his fourth black soul ring began to glow. The sky turned ominously dark, and thunder roared as lightning streaked down, concentrating on his raised fist.
The entire battlefield trembled with the resonant thunder, and the countless streams of lightning coalesced around Dai Yao's fist. The sight was so awe-inspiring that even the Star Luo Emperor's confidence faltered.
Dai Yao's cold voice broke through the thunder. "Did you think I only had one surprise for you? You don't have your eighth skill now—how will you defend against this one? Fourth Soul Skill, White Tiger Thunder God Strike!"
In a flash, Dai Yao launched himself at the Emperor, his fist and the massive lightning pillar hurtling downward as one. The immense electrical force numbed the White Tiger, paralyzing it with terror. Yet again, this was the power of a Soul Douluo-level soul skill!
Alarmed, the Emperor instantly activated his first, third, fifth, and sixth soul rings. Boosted by his third and fifth soul skills, his sixth soul skill, White Tiger Destruction, surged to its peak strength, but it still fell short of Soul Douluo-level power.
White Tiger Thunder God Strike met White Tiger Destruction in a fierce clash. The two moon-shaped blades of the Emperor's attack shattered, and, after losing some of its lightning energy, Dai Yao's Thunder God Strike shattered the White Tiger's defensive shield, striking its head with full force.
Boom!
With a crackling of electricity, the White Tiger let out an anguished roar and plummeted to the ground, bouncing off the earth before shakily rising. It shook its head, trying to recover from the daze. Its once pristine white fur was charred and bloodied; Dai Yao's blow had left the Emperor gravely wounded.
Though his aura was greatly diminished, the Emperor forced himself upright. His eighth soul ring flared to life once more as he glared at Dai Yao.
"Hmph, you brat! You thought you could kill me with that strike? I endured it so I could finish charging my eighth soul skill!" the Emperor sneered. "Your last attack was indeed strong, but if you could hit me again, I might actually die. But I doubt you could muster that kind of power twice. Two Soul Douluo-level strikes must have drained you!"
The Emperor laughed triumphantly, but his laughter faded as he noticed something that stopped him cold.
In the sky, Dai Yao's left hand glowed, activating the Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear's external soul bone once more. That fearsome, razor-sharp aura filled the air again.
"Were you talking about this?" Dai Yao asked, his voice ice-cold, his smile radiating deadly intent.
The two soul skills collided yet again, mutually canceling each other out. The Star Luo Emperor's heart sank into despair as his desperate counterattack was neutralized by Dai Yao.
"How is this possible?! How do you still have enough soul power to use that skill again?" the White Tiger shouted, nearly hysterical.
Dai Yao chuckled before roaring, "Do you have any idea how long I've waited, restraining myself from killing you?"
Calling forth his Chaos Lotus Martial Soul, he felt his drained soul power surging back to life. His fourth soul ring lit up once again as clouds gathered in the heavens, thunder rumbling and lightning streaking down to create a massive tempest.
The Star Luo Emperor stared at the gathering storm in shock, unable to believe his eyes.
To this point, Dai Yao had shown no signs of exhaustion, executing one Soul Douluo-level attack after another, as though his skills had no cooldown period. Everyone around, both friend and foe, gaped at Dai Yao as if he were a monster.
If this next strike landed, there was no doubt that the Star Luo Emperor, in his current state, would die. But no one dared to step forward to shield the Emperor. They all knew—anyone who stood in the way of that strike would die instantly.
Within the palace, a figure in a gray robe stood on a rooftop, watching the battle. He sighed softly.
"It appears it's time for me to step in."
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