Chapter 431: The Tiger's Aura, The Second Servant
In the sky, Dai Yao's gaze was as cold as ice, fixed calmly on the pirates below, as if Purple Pearl's threats were nothing more than a passing breeze.
"You arrogant brat, just keep putting on airs!" Purple Pearl gritted her teeth, anger flaring as she looked up at Dai Yao's unmoved figure. His indifferent demeanor clearly showed he didn't see her as a real threat. His tone, too, implied that making her his servant would be a favor.
Her soul power surged, causing her clothes to billow in the windless air as a fierce wave of energy radiated outward. One by one, soul rings floated around her.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black.
A ghostly shadow of a sea viper appeared behind her, flicking its tongue and glaring menacingly at Dai Yao, who hovered above. At the rank of sixty-eight, she was a powerful attack-type Soul Emperor, unmatched in her crew, and the reason she, a woman, was able to lead such a vast pirate band.
Seeing their captain release her martial soul, the pirates roared with excitement. It was rare for Purple Pearl to get involved personally.
Above them, Dai Yao watched Purple Pearl, amused by her determination to resist. A smirk appeared on his face, and a spark of interest flashed in his jet-black eyes.
"Taming a wild horse is a primal instinct, isn't it?"
With a casual wave of his hand, a fierce gust shot out from his sleeve, shifting the clouds and clearing a vast section of the sky. His soul power burst forth, the black aura of his hair rippling wildly, and waves of invisible energy expanded from his body, accompanied by a sharp, sonic boom that resonated in every direction.
Only one soul ring rose from beneath him.
But its deep, almost unnaturally rich black hue was so intense that it seemed to eclipse the entire sky, shifting the world from twilight to a pitch-black night.
"What's going on? A single soul ring? Is he some low-level Soul Scholar here to throw his weight around on Purple Pearl Island?" one pirate sneered.
"Are you blind? That… that's impossible! His first soul ring is ten thousand years? How could that even be?"
More knowledgeable pirates turned pale with shock. The idea of a ten-thousand-year ring as a first ring defied the fundamentals of soul mastery. Normally, a first ring had to be below a hundred years, or a person's body would be overwhelmed.
Yet the soul ring they were looking at was beyond ordinary, with an intensity surpassing even many fifty-thousand-year rings.
"Who on earth is this guy?" Purple Pearl stared at Dai Yao, her confidence shaken by the sight of that unnatural ring.
But in a flash, her face hardened. "So what if you've got one strong soul ring? Just one ring, and you think you can defeat me? Keep dreaming!"
Her expression grew cold, and her body tensed. Her sixth soul ring began to glow as she prepared to launch herself into the air. But before she could act, Dai Yao's eyes shot open, lightning flashing within them as he raised his hand—then brought it down with a commanding gesture.
"Kneel."
At that instant, a powerful gust and a crushing spiritual pressure slammed into the ground. Countless pirates gasped, forced to their knees by the overwhelming force. Many groaned in pain, collapsing flat against the ground, unable to move.
The strongest soul masters among them managed to remain on their feet, but with soul power trapped as if in quicksand. They struggled to lift their heads, horror filling their eyes as they looked up at the dark-winged figure above, a force that seemed more like a demon than a man.
It felt as though a colossal black tiger with unfurled wings loomed above them, roaring with abandon. The pressure from his terrifying aura struck them to their very souls, making their hearts race and forcing them to avert their gaze.
Purple Pearl pressed her hand against the ground, struggling against the pressure that weighed down on her shoulders. Her pupils contracted, and she felt a deep-rooted fear, despite her powerful sixty-eight rank soul power. She had an overwhelming urge to flee, but her pride wouldn't allow her to run.
"Damn it… Who is this guy?" She glanced up and prepared to unleash her sixth soul skill in a desperate gamble. Yet the next moment, she found herself face-to-face with Dai Yao, who was suddenly standing in front of her, a towering presence.
Looking up at him, her eyes widened in disbelief. He loomed above her like an insurmountable wall, his cold gaze as piercing as the stare of a god.
Dai Yao looked down at Purple Pearl and spoke, his tone calm and unyielding. "So, do you still want to refuse?"
Purple Pearl clenched her teeth, sweat beading on her brow as she stared at him, her resolve flickering. But then, with sudden determination, she released her sixth soul skill.
Her sixth soul skill—Spectral Serpent Prison!
Dozens of frost-covered serpents erupted from her, spreading out like a web in all directions as they darted toward Dai Yao. The cold, condensed vapor even caused frost to form on the ground around them. Taking advantage of the distraction, Purple Pearl moved to retreat.
Dai Yao removed Purple Pearl's pirate hat, discarding it on the ground, then placed his hand firmly on her head, activating his "Tiger Thrall" ability.
Endless streams of dark gray energy spiraled from Dai Yao's palm, binding her tightly like inescapable ropes. Although Purple Pearl was immobilized, she could feel something foreign entering her body—a cold, dark force that rapidly overwhelmed her, consuming all resistance within her heart and leaving her defenseless.
Her fierce gaze gradually softened, flashing through emotions: resentment, confusion, then dependency. Some of her most loyal crew members rushed forward to rescue her, only for Dai Yao to raise his free hand and, with a single wave, pin them to the ground with a crushing aura.
"One more step, and you die," Dai Yao said, his voice calm but chilling.
The words hung heavy, like a whispered death sentence, and the pirates halted, fear overtaking any urge to approach. Watching Dai Yao, they saw that he hadn't directly harmed Purple Pearl, so they chose to wait, uncertain.
Finally, the dark energy dissipated, and Purple Pearl was freed from her restraints. She rose shakily, looking at the man before her. Though a hint of resentment lingered, a growing sense of loyalty and dependence on him filled her heart, and almost unconsciously, she uttered, "Mas... ter?"
The word slipped out, shocking Purple Pearl herself. She felt as if she were under some kind of control, compelled to speak such words. But as she looked up at the man again, her anger seemed to drain away, and she noticed a strange black mark around her neck, resembling a collar. Trembling, she asked, "What did you do to me?"
Dai Yao glanced at her indifferently and, with a flash, appeared directly before her, lifting her chin to meet his gaze. As if compelled by some invisible force, she found she couldn't look away from his dark eyes, brimming with a chilling power. After a moment of studying her face, a slight smirk curled his lips.
"From now on, you're my servant," he declared.
"I'm not your servant, you little—" She clenched her fists, rage burning in her eyes. Yet, as she attempted to curse him, she felt resistance within herself, as though uttering such words in his presence would be a desecration.
Dai Yao's hold on her chin tightened slightly, his gaze piercing her soul. "Try using foul language in front of me again, and I'll make sure you remember the consequences."
She hesitated, fear creeping in under his steely gaze. That strange sense of loyalty gnawed at her resistance, and finally, she nodded submissively.
Dai Yao scoffed. Purple Pearl's rebellious spirit made her a fascinating challenge, but he didn't have time for this. The journey to Sea God Island was pressing, so he had used his "Tiger Thrall" ability to bind her to him.
With "Tiger Thrall," he could contract up to four servants. With both Yin'er and now Purple Pearl under his control, two more slots remained. The effect would deepen over time, and eventually, Purple Pearl would be completely devoted, fulfilling any request he made. Her fate was already sealed, and he turned away, his interest fading.
"My purpose here is done. I'll take my leave."
With a shift in aura, Dai Yao's Evil God Tiger spirit withdrew, his dark power receding as golden hair flowed down his shoulders and his gaze turned a bright gold once more. Purple Pearl noticed the change instantly; the once-dark, foreboding presence was now radiant, as if a divine being had replaced the demon.
Now fully himself again, Dai Yao was slightly surprised at how easily his darker self had subdued Purple Pearl. Noticing her stunned expression, he explained, "As you can see, I'm not the same person as who you met moments ago. Whatever arrangement he made with you has nothing to do with me. I came here to ask you for a favor. I need to reach Sea God Island and require your guidance."
Purple Pearl's eyes widened in shock. The difference between him and his alternate self was stark, yet they looked identical except for the change in aura and color. Still, his request left her more astonished than his transformation.
"You want to go to Sea God Island? Do you know what that means?"
"Of course," he replied calmly. "Passing the island's trials requires complete dedication to the Sea God, leaving no possibility of ever leaving. I'm fully aware of the consequences. You only need to guide me."
Purple Pearl's eyes flashed with intrigue. She sidled closer to him, entwining her arms around his, pressing herself against him, and spoke with a seductive smile. "If that's your wish, I'll arrange it right away. But I'll need to know—when do you plan to leave, Master?"
Her voice was as alluring as it was compliant, tempting him like a siren. Dai Yao raised an eyebrow at her attempt at seduction, recalling how in the original story, she'd tried similar tricks on Tang San. But such allure had no effect on him.
"Save your efforts. Such tactics don't work on me," he replied flatly. "If you're so set on proving your loyalty, save it for the next time he takes over."
He gave her a gentle push back, activating his Holy White Tiger spirit, the radiant wings unfurling behind him. "If you're considering giving up your life as a pirate, I can offer another path. Purge the wicked among your ranks, and I'll support your crew financially. Otherwise, you're never to raid any more ships from either the Qinglian Sect or Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
He shot her a piercing look. "Violate this, and the next visitor won't be as merciful. You've been reckless to attack the assets of two clans that each have Title Douluo-level guardians. Is death what you seek?"
He turned to leave, his voice cutting through the air like steel. "Three days from now, come to Sea Mist City with your crew. I'll board there, and you'll guide me to Sea God Island."
And with that, Dai Yao spread his wings and took to the sky, vanishing in a streak of light.
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