Chapter 433: Nighttime Talks at Sea
On the vast sea, night fell, casting a blanket of darkness over the endless waves, with only starlight above and the sound of waves against the ship's hull.
"Chenxiang, since you've chosen to join us on this journey to Sea God Island, we'll make sure you're safe. Go ahead and get some rest for now. We'll talk more tomorrow."
In their cabin, Dai Yao glanced at Bai Chenxiang, who, entering this unfamiliar environment, appeared slightly guarded.
Bai Chenxiang subtly glanced around; all four of the women present were Dai Yao's wives, making her feel like an outsider. However, she'd committed to this path, and wasn't about to falter now. After bidding Dai Yao and the others goodnight, she returned to her own room.
With Chenxiang now settled, Dai Yao returned to his cabin, where he found his wives waiting.
Dugu Yan was lying on the bed, propping her chin up with one hand, draped in a familiar green qipao that displayed her grace and allure. Her reclining pose revealed a glimpse of smooth, shapely leg from the slit in her dress, and her pose exuded a mesmerizing, devilish allure that could drive any man wild. Her emerald-green eyes sparkled as she looked at Dai Yao with a soft smile.
Nearby, Zhu Zhuqing sat with Ning Rongrong. Zhuqing was dressed in her signature fitted black outfit, which hugged her fiery figure, capturing anyone's attention instantly. Sitting beside her, Ning Rongrong, in a deep-blue gown, maintained a reserved elegance. Her hands were gently clasped on her lap, and a bracelet-like soul guide adorned her slender wrist. Her chestnut-brown hair cascaded softly, with two parted strands framing her face in a dignified, refined style.
Behind Zhu Zhuqing, Feng Wutong wore a flowing red dress, though she seemed to stand slightly behind the others, as though trying to dim her own light.
"Oh, Master," Dugu Yan drawled with mock hurt. "It seems that someone's been out collecting flowers again while we weren't watching, hmm?"
Dugu Yan's sultry complaint was laced with amusement as her gaze held steady on Dai Yao, keen to see his reaction. The others hadn't missed the term "Master" that had slipped from Purple Pearl's lips. Dai Yao had only been away for a few days, yet somehow managed to return with another woman in tow. While Purple Pearl's beauty might not match theirs after taking the lotus flower enhancement Dai Yao had given them, she was still stunning.
If this kept up, Dai Yao would have a growing entourage of women around him. As his wives, Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others were united in setting boundaries; if he wanted to bring any more women into their circle, he'd need their approval! And now, to top it off, there was a 'Master' role-play? Wasn't that supposed to be their game?
Intrigued, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong turned their curious gazes toward Dai Yao. Even Feng Wutong, typically the most reserved of the group, looked at him with open curiosity.
Under the piercing stares of his four wives, Dai Yao felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. He gave a small, uneasy cough and, after a moment of silence, asked, "Do you really want to know?"
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong exchanged glances, both not wanting to push him too hard if he was uncomfortable discussing it. Dugu Yan, seeing their hesitation, silently cursed their reluctance and replied firmly, "Of course we do."
Dai Yao paused before sighing and quietly saying, "You can come out now." Under the surprised gazes of the four women, his blonde hair gradually darkened, and his bright gold eyes became black and filled with a dangerous glint.
"Greetings, ladies," the darkly charismatic figure said, flashing what he thought was a warm smile.
"Who are you?!" Dugu Yan shouted, springing off the bed, her soul power flaring to life. Her hair flowed upward as she prepared to summon her martial soul. Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Feng Wutong stood as well, their expressions guarded as they stared at this unfamiliar side of 'Dai Yao.'
The stranger in Dai Yao's body seemed unfazed by their cautious stares. Casually sitting down, he leaned back and said, "You were curious about Purple Pearl and me, yes? I can tell you: she's my servant."
The four women, however, were no longer focused on the matter with Purple Pearl. Instead, their attention was fixed entirely on this unfamiliar version of Dai Yao. Zhu Zhuqing's cold eyes flashed with anger as she asked, "Who are you, exactly? And why are you here, in his body?"
The figure took a sip from a teacup, smirked, and shrugged. "Seems I'm not too popular here. Fine, he can explain."
At that, the black-haired 'Dai Yao' returned to his usual form. With a soft golden glow, his black hair turned blonde once more, and his eyes resumed their familiar golden hue. Recognizing the familiar figure before them, the women relaxed slightly and hurried to his side, with Zhu Zhuqing anxiously asking, "Dai Yao, what just happened? It was like there was someone else inside you!"
Dai Yao felt warmth in his heart at their concern. Smiling gently, he reassured them before explaining, "You saw what happened for yourselves..."
He then recounted how he had developed a second personality and what had transpired while hunting soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest. As he spoke, he revealed his third martial soul—the Dark Devilgod Tiger. The revelation left his wives speechless.
"That's the situation. The Dark Devilgod Tiger soul left me with a second personality, though we have an agreement—he can't appear unless I allow it. But that personality is unpredictable, sometimes even cruel."
"Also, since he shares my tendency to be surrounded by women, he's followed suit. Hence, well..."
Dai Yao trailed off with an awkward cough.
"He doesn't seem trustworthy," Ning Rongrong said with concern. "It's possible this agreement of his is just to lull you into complacency. You need to be cautious, Dai Yao."
Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong both nodded in agreement. They loved Dai Yao himself, not merely his physical form. To them, Dai Yao and the dark persona were two entirely different people. If that other personality took over, they would be helpless.
Dai Yao offered a reassuring smile. "You don't need to worry. The Dark Devilgod Tiger isn't compatible with the Chaos Green Lotus, which keeps me safe. With it, I'm unshakable. But I'll stay vigilant."
His wives all relaxed slightly. Dugu Yan sighed. "Well, gaining a powerful new martial soul—even at the cost of a second personality—isn't such a bad trade-off. At least now, no one in this world could possibly compare to you."
Dai Yao smiled faintly. Without the Chaos Green Lotus, there might indeed be rivals, but they wouldn't emerge for many years. And even then, he had seen how easily others could destroy even the most promising figures.
"Let's leave it at that," he concluded. "As for Purple Pearl, just treat her normally. She's his servant, not mine. Now, Yan Yan, could you step outside with me?"
The group looked surprised, especially as they noticed Dai Yao's request for Dugu Yan to step outside. Zhu Zhuqing, however, soon understood why.
"Hmm? So, little brother wants some time alone with his big sister, out here on the wide-open sea?" Dugu Yan teased, her captivating gaze full of mischief.
Dai Yao's expression darkened slightly as he reached out to grasp her slender wrist. Indeed, he was younger than her by a few years, and she often enjoyed calling him "little brother"—even during their private moments. Without a word, he led her outside.
"Hmm, looks like I might have guessed right," she called back to the other three women, casting a playful smile at their shy expressions. "Ladies, I'm going to borrow your 'beloved' for a while. I'll return him to you in the morning."
Once they were on the ship's deck, Dai Yao turned to face her. He could see the seductive gleam in her eyes, but he sighed and said, "Enough teasing. I actually wanted to discuss something serious."
Her teasing expression softened, her demeanor shifting to match his tone. Folding her arms across her chest, she lifted her gaze to the dark horizon, where the vast ocean stretched endlessly under the starry sky, and said in a steady voice, "I imagine you want to talk about Bai Chenxiang."
Dai Yao nodded. "Yes. I understand your concern—the Min Clan has had lingering ties to Tang San and the Clear Sky Sect. But now that they're integrated into Qinglian Sect, our fate is theirs. Anyone considering betrayal would have to think about the whole clan's fate."
"Don't worry," he continued, "they won't dare to betray us. There's no need to keep an eye on Bai Chenxiang."
Dugu Yan turned back to him, a gentle look in her eyes. She placed a hand on his cheek, speaking softly, "I know that. But I also know that if we see a problem coming, it's our duty to nip it in the bud. Sure, they might not act openly, but White Crane's nature makes it likely he'd inform Tang San or the Clear Sky Sect if things got dire for us."
"To him, it might seem harmless enough, but even the smallest intel could give Clear Sky crucial insights," she said seriously. "That could drag our sect into a devastating war."
"Dai Yao, you're kindhearted," she continued, "but kindness doesn't always work in leadership. Trust is necessary, yes, but for someone like White Crane, you have to hold leverage over him. And Bai Chenxiang...she's his weakness."
Since the founding of Qinglian Sect, Dugu Yan had discovered and eliminated dozens who harbored lingering loyalties to Clear Sky, all without alarming the elders. She'd taken on the role of an unyielding guardian for the sect, putting her own reputation on the line, sacrificing much to help stabilize Dai Yao's domain.
Moved, Dai Yao wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her close. In the quiet of the night, he could feel her warmth and the steady beat of her heart—a heartbeat that mirrored his own dedication. He understood just how much she'd done for him, stepping into the shadows to eliminate any threat that could destabilize his hard-earned sanctuary.
"It's my fault you've had to carry so much," he said softly.
She gave a small shake of her head, her eyes affectionate. "You're my husband. Who else should I help if not you? White Crane wouldn't dare act out if we hold Bai Chenxiang close. You don't want to see the sect destroyed in some pointless war, do you?"
Dai Yao felt a chill run through him at her words. "Wait...what exactly are you planning?"
A small, knowing smile touched Dugu Yan's lips. "If you don't want the sect torn apart, take Bai Chenxiang as your own. Once we reach Sea God Island, she'll be isolated. She'll see her limits compared to ours during training and, in time, come to admire you. That's when you can—"
"Stop right there," Dai Yao interrupted, his face flushing slightly. "This is getting absurd! Chenxiang is here because she trusts us. We can't just—"
"Please," Dugu Yan scoffed. "You're not fooling anyone. That 'second self' of yours was born because you keep suppressing your desires, right? Instead of letting the Min Clan become a potential threat, why not let her become yours fully? You'd be resolving both issues."
Dai Yao paused, caught off guard by her blunt insight. Indeed, she saw through him better than anyone. Her words made him realize just how long he'd stifled his emotions, burying them in training and revenge. With Ning Rongrong, it had taken time to open his heart, and the same had been true with Hu Liena. Years of repressed feelings and the influence of the Dark Devilgod Tiger's evil energy had created a second self, embodying desires he'd locked away.
It was this second self that had led him to break ties with Bibi Dong and accept Hu Liena's affection.
However, when it came to Bai Chenxiang, he felt more pity than affection due to what he knew of her fate in the original story. Dugu Yan's suggestion left him deep in thought. Should he accept Bai Chenxiang as his own?
There was no denying her beauty, but he didn't want to take on a harem simply to collect women. He didn't want to become a mere romantic opportunist.
Dai Yao sighed, shaking his head. "Emotions can't be forced, Yan Yan. Let's leave things to fate."
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