Chapter 477: Di Tian's Proposal, A New Alliance
Tian Dou City, Tian Dou Palace
"Senior Di Tian, may I ask why you saved me?" Tang San held himself upright, concealing his weakness as he gazed at Di Tian, who was curiously examining the palace's decor. Pushing down his own suspicions, Tang San spoke respectfully.
The fierce battle above Shrek Academy had swept through Tian Dou City like a storm, sending shockwaves beyond the imperial capital's borders. The death of the Seventh Elder and the Regent's near assassination delivered a heavy blow to an already shaky empire. Tang San's control over the Tian Dou Empire visibly weakened.
Yet he had no time to dwell on these developments. After giving the Grandmaster a few brief instructions, he rushed back to the palace to meet Di Tian. Tang San understood that Di Tian, a peerless figure, could give him the support he needed to turn the tide.
Di Tian withdrew his gaze and looked at Tang San. The grandeur of the human realm had indeed impressed him, even stirring a sense of admiration in his ancient heart.
"I'm here to propose an alliance," Di Tian said directly.
Unlike the scheming and complex politics of human society, the world of spirit beasts was straightforward. Although Di Tian understood the ways of humans, he had no intention of adhering to their social norms.
Hearing this, Tang San was momentarily stunned.
He'd been considering how to carefully word his request to avoid offending the powerful senior before him. To his surprise, Di Tian had made the first move, offering an alliance. Tang San felt an unexpected wave of joy; it was as if a pillow had arrived just as he was falling asleep.
Yet, he couldn't help but feel wary. Why would such an invincible powerhouse want an alliance with him?
"Senior Di Tian, may I ask… you are unmatched on this continent. Why do you need an ally? And why choose me?" Tang San asked cautiously.
Di Tian glanced at Tang San and then shifted his gaze beyond the palace doors, observing the neat white jade floors and the disciplined soldiers standing guard. Outside the gates, countless officials awaited, and the lively aura of the city's people flowed into Di Tian's mind, cutting through the palace's somber atmosphere.
"It's because of Dai Yao," Di Tian replied calmly.
"Because of Dai Yao?" Tang San asked, shocked. How could someone as seemingly insignificant as Dai Yao compel such a powerful being to seek an alliance?
Di Tian sighed heavily, a trace of regret flickering in his eyes.
"Though I don't like to admit it, that is indeed the case."
Thinking back on his initial plan to use Dai Yao, Di Tian couldn't help but feel regret. His own arrogance had blinded him to the risks of trying to control the "Child of Destiny." One misstep had pushed Dai Yao to a point of outright opposition to the entire spirit beast race.
Though Di Tian had managed to maintain some control over the situation, recent intelligence from within the Spirit Hall indicated an unexpected alliance between Dai Yao and the Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong.
Di Tian had known that Dai Yao was effectively fleeing for his life when he left the Spirit Hall, yet Bibi Dong had done more than simply let him go. She had sent the Holy Maiden herself to reconcile with him, as if extending an olive branch.
The implications were deeply troubling. If the Spirit Empire unified the continent, Dai Yao's relationship with Bibi Dong would give him access to the secrets of the spirit beast clans in the Star Dou Forest. For spirit beasts, this would be nothing short of catastrophic.
The combined strength of a unified human empire in wartime was a chilling prospect, and Di Tian felt cold sweat prickling his skin at the thought.
Now, he had to make a choice for the survival of the spirit beast race.
Dai Yao's rise was unstoppable; he would undoubtedly ascend to godhood. Before that happened, Di Tian needed to secure Dai Yao's forgiveness.
Tian Dou Empire was his best bargaining chip.
Thus, he needed to keep the Tian Dou Empire standing. If Dai Yao refused reconciliation, Di Tian was prepared to unleash a beast tide. He would rather go down fighting than watch the slow extinction of the spirit beast race.
"As for why I chose you, it's because there's no other force besides your Hao Tian Clan and the Tian Dou Empire that stands a chance against the Spirit Empire. Though the Star Luo Empire is powerful, their strength in spirit masters is too limited, so I won't choose them," Di Tian said.
Tang San, perceptive as always, noted the underlying implications of Di Tian's words.
Di Tian was wary of Dai Yao. Yet, he was seeking an alliance to stand against the Spirit Empire. Was Dai Yao somehow connected to the Spirit Hall?
And what force did Di Tian represent? Despite his formidable power, there were no records of such a group—almost as if they had emerged from nowhere. And yet, they were opposed to the Spirit Hall. No human faction like that existed… unless…
A chilling thought formed in Tang San's mind.
"Senior… who exactly are you?" Tang San swallowed, struggling to get the words out.
Di Tian looked at him steadily and replied, "Haven't you already guessed?"
"I am a spirit beast."
Half an Hour Later
The elders who had chased after Dai Yao returned to the palace one by one.
"What? The Young Clan Master is still alive?" the Second Elder exclaimed.
Tang Xiao nodded, his face shadowed with sorrow at the memory of the Seventh Elder's sacrifice. He explained, "Yes, a senior intervened and saved Xiao San, as well as Grandmaster and the others. This senior's power far exceeds my own. I would even say he's on par with our great-grandfather Tang Chen."
The other elders gasped.
Their grandfather Tang Chen had been one of the most powerful figures on the continent. The thought that another person with such strength had suddenly appeared was nearly unbelievable. Yet, Tang Xiao's certainty left them no room for doubt.
"Yes, esteemed elders, we witnessed this senior's strength firsthand. Sect Leader Tang speaks the truth," Grandmaster said from his seat, his voice weakened from the ordeal.
The Fifth Elder's face twisted with pain and anger. "It's good the Young Clan Master survived, but why didn't that senior save Elder Seven as well, if he was so powerful?"
"Fifth Elder!" the Second Elder rebuked, his murky eyes flashing with barely concealed fury. "I understand how you feel, but we should be grateful that the senior saved our Young Clan Master rather than resentful over who he did or didn't save. His help was a blessing, not something we can demand."
The Fifth Elder could only hold back his bitterness, slapping his leg in frustration. Sighing, Tang Xiao quickly shifted the subject.
"Second Elder, what happened during your pursuit of that young man?"
When the Second Elder heard Tang Xiao's question, his face grew dark as he replied, "Sigh, we failed. At first, after detonating our spirit rings, we used all our strength, thinking we could catch up to that brat and avenge the Seventh Elder. But no matter how hard we chased, the distance between us and him stayed the same. When the boost from detonating our rings began to fade, slowing us down, we realized that the distance between us was still unchanged."
"That's when we understood—it was intentional. He was purposefully keeping us close, giving us false hope that we could catch up."
The elder shook his head, his expression turning even graver. "If we had kept pushing and detonated more rings, we might have eventually caught up, but it's more likely he would have worn us down, leaving us vulnerable and easy to kill once we were weakened. After careful consideration, I decided we had to retreat."
Tang Xiao felt the weight of that painful choice. Seeing the distressed faces of the elders, he sighed and said, "Second Elder, you made the right decision. We can't afford to lose any more of our people. Every loss risks tipping the balance with the Spirit Empire, and the entire situation could collapse instantly."
Grandmaster, Liu Erlong, and Flender all felt a chill at the reminder of how precarious things were.
Just then, footsteps echoed from outside the hall. Everyone turned to see Tang San walking in, fully restored to his usual composed and confident self, as though his recent injuries had never happened.
"Tang San, you…?" Grandmaster asked, surprised by Tang San's revitalized state.
"Tang San, how did things go with that senior you met?" Tang Xiao asked quickly.
Tang San smiled, exuding the poised grace he had learned at Yue Xuan, and replied, "The senior and I have allied. While he won't act directly, he will divert some of the Spirit Empire's forces. This will weaken the Spirit Empire's army near Zhen Nan Pass, giving us an opportunity to counterattack!"
Though Di Tian was a spirit beast, Tang San felt that the alliance was worthwhile to prevent the Spirit Empire from bringing catastrophe to the continent. The difference between human and spirit beast mattered little compared to this threat.
"That's fantastic news. But, Young Clan Master, who is this senior exactly? Can we trust him?" The Second Elder looked somewhat rejuvenated. The elders had grown weary from years of fending off the Spirit Empire.
Tang San hesitated briefly. Gazing around at the elders' curious faces, he decided to keep Di Tian's true identity a secret. He realized that not everyone would welcome support from spirit beasts. Such a revelation could create obstacles in their alliance. Great ambitions required looking at the bigger picture. Once the alliance was solidified, any remaining doubts would have to be put to rest.
"Elders," he explained smoothly, "the senior has lived in seclusion for many years and typically refrains from meddling in worldly affairs. It was only his disgust with the Spirit Empire's ambitions that spurred him to help us. He has, however, asked me not to reveal his identity, so I hope you will understand."
Though some remained skeptical, they respected the senior's wishes and didn't press further.
"If he wishes to remain anonymous, we won't pry. Is he still here?" Tang Xiao asked.
"Senior Di Tian has already left," Tang San said, honestly. As soon as their discussion concluded, Di Tian had disappeared.
Though they were disappointed, the news lifted their spirits. Against the relentless onslaught of the Spirit Empire, they had felt increasingly helpless. The arrival of such a formidable ally was a much-needed glimmer of hope. If they could hold on, there was a chance for a brighter future.
Within the Borders of the Tian Dou Empire, in a Forest
A campfire flickered in the dark forest, casting a warm orange glow. Students and teachers from the Elemental Academies gathered around it, resting after their escape from Tian Dou City. They had made it to a pre-arranged safe spot, and while some kept watch, the rest gathered to discuss their future plans.
A group of younger students, including Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, and Shui Bing'er, who had once competed in the Soul Master Tournament, were seated around a smaller fire nearby. However, an awkward silence hung over their group, and other students occasionally glanced at their gathering, particularly at Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu.
Finally, Huo Wu, casting a sharp look at Shui Bing'er, couldn't hold back any longer. Irritated and unable to ignore the tension, she blurted out, "If no one else is going to ask, I will! Shui Bing'er, Xue Wu—are you two really involved with that guy, Dai Yao?"
Qiu Ruoshui interjected sharply, "Huo Wushuang, keep your sister in check! What kind of question is that? Watch your words!"
Huo Wushuang seemed like he wanted to calm his sister, but her stubborn gaze made him bite back his words. He'd long suspected that Huo Wu might harbor feelings for Dai Yao, which had kept her from reciprocating Feng Xiaotian's feelings. Her reaction now seemed to confirm it.
Beside Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er looked at her sister and then glanced cautiously at Xue Wu. In a small voice, she asked, "Sister, is it true? Are you and Xue Wu with Dai Yao? Did he really come to rescue you both?"
Shui Bing'er forced a small smile and exchanged a glance with Xue Wu. How could she even begin to answer? They had indeed shared an intimate experience with Dai Yao, but it had been a complete accident. It was a shameful ordeal they couldn't discuss openly. Moreover, while Dai Yao had shown concern, he had never defined their relationship. If she revealed too much and he refuted it, how would others see them?
She could manage her own reputation, but she didn't want to hurt Xue Wu. Over the years, Xue Wu had grown deeply attached to Dai Yao. Shui Bing'er couldn't bear to see her suffer.
"I…" Shui Bing'er began, unsure what to say.
At that moment, footsteps approached from the darkness. Emerging from the shadows, a figure wearing a conical hat with a long trident strapped to his back walked toward them. The students stared in surprise as Dai Yao removed his hat, settled beside Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu, and murmured an apology to them before turning to address Huo Wu and the others.
"Yes, I came to Tian Dou City to rescue them. I've been with Bing'er and Xue Wu for quite some time," Dai Yao stated calmly. "I owe them both for more than one reason, not only because of the sacrifices they've made for me but also for other reasons I've kept private until now."
A silence fell over the group as his words lingered in the air.
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