Chapter 450: Encountering Xiao Bai Again – The Hunt for the Evil Demon Orca
Three months later, at Seahorse City...
After months of rest and relaxation, everyone had recovered from the intense exhaustion of the past trials, radiating health and strength once more.
Unlike the previous years, spent almost entirely in rigorous training, they'd enjoyed a more relaxed rhythm, training only as they wished and taking ample time to explore Seahorse City, savoring the exotic scenery, sunsets, and ocean breeze. Surprisingly, this ease didn't slow their cultivation at all; in fact, after such intense pressure, this balance seemed to yield remarkable benefits.
Inside the palace, the door suddenly swung open, and a burst of laughter filled the hall.
"I'm back!" Ning Rongrong announced excitedly. After three months, her skin had regained its soft, fair complexion, glowing with health.
Dugu Yan and Bai Chenxiang entered with her. Dugu Yan maintained a composed elegance, while Bai Chenxiang's face radiated excitement she could barely contain.
At the sound, Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing turned from the window where they'd been admiring the view. Taking in the trio's expressions, Zhu Zhuqing teased, "Looks like you three had quite the haul today, didn't you?"
Ning Rongrong settled on the sofa, lifting her arm to display a jade bracelet and beamed, "Oh, absolutely! There are so many beautiful things in Seahorse City that my storage bracelet is almost full. Xiangxiang and Yan bought a ton too. It's a shame you didn't come with us, Zhuqing, but I picked out a few things for you and Wutong."
Zhu Zhuqing smiled and exchanged a glance with Feng Wutong. "Thanks, Rongrong."
Seeing his wives so close, Dai Yao felt contentment, satisfied that they got along so well. But he also knew that it was time to move forward; they had all reached a bottleneck, and it was time for the fourth trial.
"All right, everyone," he announced. "Let's prepare. In a few days, we'll take on the fourth trial."
The group's expressions grew serious. They were all familiar with the trial's requirements: they were to aid the Demon Spirit Great White Shark clan in overcoming their rivals, the Evil Demon Orca. To succeed, they had to ensure minimal casualties—a daunting task.
Their concern, however, wasn't with the challenge itself but with the lingering resentment they felt toward the Demon Spirit Great White Sharks. After Xiao Bai's attack on Dai Yao during the second trial, a deep hostility toward the entire Great White Shark clan had taken root in their hearts. Now, helping them fend off their sworn enemies wasn't exactly ideal.
"Helping that Demon Spirit Great White Shark... it's more than a little irritating," Dugu Yan remarked coolly, her green eyes flashing with a glimmer of resentment.
"If I had my way," Feng Wutong added in her usual soft yet severe tone, "I'd rather let both sides tear each other apart."
The group fell silent at Wutong's cold words, as if she were merely talking about swatting a fly.
"True, but since the trial calls for us to assist, let's not risk Dai Yao's progress by holding back. Any significant losses among the Great White Sharks might impact his trial," Zhu Zhuqing reminded them, thoughtful.
Hearing their sentiments, Dai Yao was taken aback; their animosity toward the Demon Spirit Great White Shark clan was even stronger than his own!
"What's done is done," he finally said. "The Great Worshiper apologized and compensated us, so let's put it behind us. Now, all of us have reached level eighty except for Xiangxiang, but we're all in need of suitable spirit rings.
"Both the Evil Demon Orca and Demon Spirit Great White Shark are powerful oceanic spirit beasts, comparable to the Titan Giant Ape on land. In their conflict, there's bound to be heavy casualties—a perfect opportunity for us to find our ideal spirit rings.
"Wutong's fire attribute doesn't match these spirit beasts, but for Zhuqing and Yan, this is an invaluable chance. Xiangxiang, you might also be able to obtain a fitting spirit ring."
At this, Bai Chenxiang hesitated. "But... can I really? I'm an agility-type spirit master. Could I really absorb a spirit ring from an Evil Demon Orca?"
Dai Yao chuckled. In the original story, Bai Chenxiang had indeed absorbed a spirit ring from an Evil Demon Orca, greatly enhancing her offensive capabilities. With the enhancement of the thousand-year whale gel and the continuous refinement of her physique through his Azure Light, Bai Chenxiang would be more than capable of absorbing a twenty-to-thirty-thousand-year ring.
"Don't worry, Xiangxiang," he assured her. "Both the Evil Demon Orca and the Demon Spirit Great White Shark are exceptional spirit beasts. Their rings will offset any gaps in attributes. In fact, their speed boost may surpass any ring your family has prepared for you. You're mine now, so just listen to me."
Far from being put off, Bai Chenxiang blushed and responded with a soft "Mm," heartened by his words.
Dugu Yan glanced at Bai Chenxiang and then turned to Feng Wutong with a challenging smile. "Even though you reached level eighty before I did, it looks like I'll break through to Spirit Douluo first. Wait for me there, and when you've absorbed your spirit ring, we'll see who's stronger!"
Feng Wutong's eyes sparked, and she nodded firmly.
Dai Yao was pleased by their healthy rivalry. Both women were strong-willed, and by encouraging a positive competition, they'd been able to channel their energy constructively instead of fostering petty jealousy. He also knew Dugu Yan was subtly helping foster this dynamic to keep things harmonious.
"Okay, everyone. Get ready," he announced. "We set off tomorrow."
With their supplies gathered, Dai Yao and his group activated their martial spirits and sped to the coast. Though Sea God Island was vast, it didn't take long for them to reach the shoreline. Standing on the soft sand and gazing over the endless sea, Dugu Yan brushed her green hair from her face, her emerald eyes narrowing.
"Dai Yao, how do we find that Demon Spirit Great White Shark? Are we just supposed to dive in and search?" she asked.
"We could always start killing a few," Feng Wutong suggested coolly. "She'll show up soon enough."
Dai Yao glanced at Wutong in surprise; her hostility toward Xiao Bai was more intense than he'd expected. But he understood. After his own ordeal, he didn't see the need to forgive Xiao Bai, nor would he discourage Wutong from her feelings. After all, he was blameless in this, so why prioritize an outsider's feelings?
Feeling the sea's movements, Dai Yao said, "The spirit beast we're waiting for has already arrived."
Even as he spoke, a dorsal fin sliced through the water like a blade, and a massive, island-sized shadow surfaced before them.
The sight of Dai Yao and his companions, each of whom was glaring at her with undisguised hostility, made Xiao Bai visibly uncomfortable. She forced herself to remain calm, her voice deferential as she spoke.
"I greet the Honored Successor and his companions."
But no one responded warmly. Dai Yao merely nodded, leaving Xiao Bai feeling somewhat flustered. With a bitter smile, she continued, "Honored Successor, I owe you an apology. My reckless actions put you in harm's way, and for that, I'm deeply sorry. Please accept my sincerest regret."
Dai Yao raised an eyebrow, responding evenly, "Understood. Now, I assume you know why we're here?"
Xiao Bai's breath caught, and she found herself instinctively tense. The young man before her, though not identical in aura or appearance to the Dai Yao who had defeated her, gave off an even more formidable sense of power. And every one of the women around him radiated strength as well, particularly the one in red, whose eyes were sharp and unyielding.
Resigned, Xiao Bai maintained a cautious tone. "Honored Successor, as much as I hate to admit it, those ocean-defiling creatures do indeed outmatch us. Every decade or so, we're forced into a sacred battle with them, and we always end up at a disadvantage."
"The fourth trial concerns the fate of our clan, so I implore you to act carefully. Without the utmost caution, the losses could be devastating for us."
The Evil Demon Orca, her longtime nemesis, didn't instill fear in Xiao Bai. What she feared was that Dai Yao might take advantage of this situation to settle scores, deliberately holding back and allowing the Evil Demon Orca clan to slaughter her people.
"Don't worry," Dai Yao reassured her. "This trial affects my success, so I won't intentionally hold back. As for guaranteeing absolute victory, who can say? But I promise to do everything I can."
Xiao Bai visibly relaxed at his words, though she still harbored some doubts. However, she had no choice but to comply with the Sea God's command.
Reluctantly, she turned and emitted a low hum that grew in intensity, eventually reverberating across the sea like a booming bell, drowning out the sound of the waves. From all directions, dorsal fins sliced through the water as over two hundred fully grown Demon Spirit Great White Sharks assembled before them in perfect formation, like a powerful army.
"Honored Successor," Xiao Bai said, turning back to Dai Yao. "I have a request before we depart."
"Speak," Dai Yao replied.
With sadness in her voice, Xiao Bai continued, "This time, I am willing to be your sharpest spear against the Evil Demon Orcas, Honored Successor. If I fall in this battle, consider it my penance for my offenses. If that should happen, I ask that you look after my clan for my sake."
Dai Yao glanced at her, and her words eased the resentment he'd felt. He replied, "Don't worry—you won't die. Ning Rongrong's trial is to ensure your survival. If you die, she fails."
Relief flooded Xiao Bai's eyes as she marveled at the Sea God's mercy. She allowed Dai Yao to stand atop her back, while a few of the stronger Great White Sharks carried the other women in his party.
Once they were all settled, the two hundred Demon Spirit Great White Sharks surged forward, leaving white spray and foamy crests that gradually disappeared into the vast blue ocean.
...
A while later, the massive Demon Spirit Great White Shark clan came to a halt.
"Honored Successor, is something wrong?" Xiao Bai asked, puzzled. Dai Yao had signaled her to stop when they were still about a hundred miles from the Evil Demon Orca territory.
Dai Yao answered, "From here, everyone will wait. Xiao Bai, you and I will go in alone. When you see my signal, that's the cue for the full assault."
Though Zhu Zhuqing and the others didn't understand his plan, their trust in Dai Yao was unwavering, so they complied without hesitation. Xiao Bai, however, hesitated, sensing that Dai Yao intended to infiltrate and provoke the enemy, a strategy that, to her, seemed nearly suicidal.
"Honored Successor, please reconsider. You are very powerful, but the Evil Demon Orcas are not to be underestimated. Even deep-sea rulers fear them. If we get surrounded, we may not make it out alive," she warned.
Dai Yao gave no lengthy explanation. He planned to employ the same strategy that Tang San used in the original story: to secretly weaken the Evil Demon Orca by using the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's waters. Calmly, he replied, "If we want to protect your clan's strength as much as possible, we'll need to take extraordinary measures. If you trust me, then let's proceed. Otherwise, I'll call off this plan."
Xiao Bai was silent for a long time, her decision weighing heavily upon her. Finally, she said, "If you truly believe we can weaken them, Honored Successor, then I'm willing to take this risk with you."
If there was a chance to reduce her clan's casualties, she was willing to put her life in Dai Yao's hands.
"A wise choice," Dai Yao said with a smile. With a thought, he enveloped both himself and Xiao Bai in a blue light, and they vanished from sight.
In a burst of excitement, Xiao Bai submerged to a depth of one hundred meters and headed toward the Evil Demon Orcas' territory at Dai Yao's direction. The surrounding seawater grew darker, swallowing light and color. After a long journey, Xiao Bai came to a stop, saying nothing, but Dai Yao knew they'd reached their destination.
He released his spiritual energy, probing for each Evil Demon Orca's location. The closer he looked, the more imposing their auras felt, especially at the center, where one blazing spiritual presence stood out like a burning torch.
Dai Yao knew that he'd found his target: the Evil Demon Orca King.
"A hundred-thousand-year Evil Demon Orca," he thought to himself, feeling the potency of its spirit ring and bones. "Your spirit ring and bone are rare treasures, destined to become part of me. The Holy White Tiger Spirit has no slots left, so you will be my Dark Devilgod Tiger Spirit's second ring."