Chapter 478: A Mother's Concerns
Silence fell over the campfire as many young women from the Three Elemental Academies cast envious glances at Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu. Dai Yao was a formidable and strikingly handsome figure, practically the epitome of a perfect man. Although word was he already had wives, on this continent, wasn't it typical for powerful men to have multiple spouses? Many of the women of Tianshui Academy expected no different.
However, Qiu Ruoshui and others who had once fought alongside Shui Bing'er in the Soul Master Tournament watched her with eyes filled with sympathy and concern. Yes, Dai Yao was exceptional, unmatched even. But he already had a harem. How much affection could Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu realistically expect to receive? Besides, seeing two close friends end up with the same man was hard for anyone to accept.
Hearing Dai Yao's confession, Huo Wu staggered slightly, her eyes downcast as she bit her lip, feeling a pang of resentment. After all, she had met him first…
"Dai Yao, you didn't let us down. It was us who couldn't abandon our fellow academy members and stayed behind in Tian Dou City," Xue Wu quickly explained, holding his hand tightly as if worried others might misunderstand his intentions.
The warmth of her touch moved Dai Yao, for he indeed felt deeply remorseful for what had happened. Back then, he had lost control and taken both their innocence by force. He'd feared they despised him for it, especially since they had turned down his repeated offers to come with him to Hanhai City. However, he later realized through their letters that he had been mistaken. Not only did Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu not resent him, but they harbored sincere feelings toward him.
They understood that he had been in a compromised state at the time and bore him no ill will for what had happened. In one letter, Xue Wu had even openly expressed her affection.
Though Xue Wu was barely mentioned in the original story, here in the real world of Douluo Dalu, she waited for him. And that devotion was something Dai Yao couldn't ignore.
Once Xue Wu's words settled, several women around the fire gazed at Dai Yao with admiration, confirming that he was not the type to abandon those he cared for. Qiu Ruoshui and her friends, however, remained skeptical, thinking that love had clouded Xue Wu's judgment. They turned to Shui Bing'er, hoping for a more grounded response.
Under the watchful eyes of her peers, Shui Bing'er nodded gently. Dai Yao had reached out to her several times, and even sent Ye LingLing to persuade her to leave. However, Shui Bing'er hadn't been able to bring herself to abandon her loved ones.
"Over the years, he's never treated us poorly," she explained softly.
Hearing her words, Qiu Ruoshui and the others' doubts gradually faded. They knew Shui Bing'er was the most level-headed among them; she wouldn't ignore the truth, even if she had feelings for him.
Even so, they couldn't help but sigh. Although Dai Yao hadn't wronged Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu, the two of them marrying the same man still felt like a bitter compromise.
At that moment, a graceful hand parted the tent's entrance, revealing the well-maintained face of Academy Head Ruo Shui. Casting Dai Yao a brief glance, she asked, "What's all this commotion about?"
The students instantly fell silent, leaving only the crackling of the fire. Clearly, Head Ruo Shui commanded respect.
She looked over Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu with a sigh, then instructed, "Bing'er, Xue Wu, and you, Dai Yao—come with me."
Dai Yao took a steady breath, gently took Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu by the hand, and, with a nod to Qiu Ruoshui and the others, followed Ruo Shui away.
"Well, well! Look at Ruo Shui, acting all high and mighty. Now that her academy's two best soul masters, who happen to be sisters, have been taken by one man, she must be fuming," Huo Rong muttered with a smirk, his arms folded as he teased Yi Feng.
Yi Feng cast him a dismissive glance. "You're clueless. Yes, Dai Yao may be flirtatious, but we've all seen his strength. He's undoubtedly destined to become one of the continent's top powerhouses. Even the Spirit Empire would have to give him due respect. Should Tian Dou Empire fall, Tianshui Academy would still have a place under his protection."
"We've left Tian Dou City. Tang San might hesitate to act directly against us, but caution is wise. We need to plan ahead."
The firelight faded behind them as they ventured deeper into the dark forest. Ruo Shui finally stopped by a stream and looked back at Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu's slightly nervous faces, then focused her gaze on Dai Yao, eyes narrowing.
"Dai Yao, I believe you owe me an explanation," she said coolly.
Dai Yao had anticipated this; any mother would want answers if her daughter and her daughter's best friend ended up involved with the same man. Furthermore, Xue Wu was both her daughter's confidante and a prized student.
Shui Bing'er raised her eyes to Dai Yao, violet irises full of worry. The truth involved a dangerous secret: Dai Yao's second martial soul, which manifested as an alternate personality. This dark side of him was what had caused the incident. If that part of Dai Yao was exposed, his second martial soul could be as well. That's why she and Xue Wu had never revealed the details.
"Don't worry," Dai Yao reassured her gently, squeezing her hand.
He turned to Ruo Shui and said earnestly, "This involves a deeply personal secret. I ask for your understanding and confidentiality, Head Ruo Shui."
Seeing his seriousness, Ruo Shui nodded. "You have my word."
A shadowy light emanated from Dai Yao's feet, enveloping him entirely. When he reappeared, it was as though he were a completely different person.
"What is…?" Ruo Shui's eyes widened.
Moments later, Dai Yao's normal persona reemerged, and he turned to Ruo Shui with a solemn expression. She looked at him, still shaken, and murmured, "I understand now…"
The terrifying demeanor of his alternate self had been unsettling. No wonder Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu had kept quiet—this wasn't just a quirk. Another persona, a second martial soul; though a side effect, it was also a formidable gift. Dai Yao's power was already impressive with just his primary martial soul. She could scarcely imagine what he would be capable of once his second martial soul was fully equipped.
"Dai Yao, I now understand what happened between you three, and I see that Bing'er and Xue Wu both care for you. I won't stand in the way. However, they've followed you for so long without recognition or status. Don't you think it's time to make a commitment?"
Dai Yao met her gaze respectfully. "Do you have a particular request, Head Ruo Shui?"
Ruo Shui studied him for a moment, then said, "All I ask is that you marry them openly and give them a grand ceremony, so that the world knows they're not after you for status or wealth."
Dai Yao hesitated. His four wives had all been married in a single, widely publicized event. Hosting a separate ceremony for Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu could create tension with his other wives. Yet not doing so would disappoint Ruo Shui and perhaps even Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu. Gritting his teeth, he was about to agree when Shui Bing'er stepped forward.
"Mother, you're being unfair to Dai Yao! He's already held a grand wedding for his first wives. If he marries us with the same fanfare, what would they think of us?" Shui Bing'er countered.
"If you truly want what's best for us, then let us decide for ourselves," she added firmly.
Ruo Shui's frustration flared. "You foolish girl! The more you bend for him, the less he'll value you! Make him prove his commitment—that's the only way he'll cherish you!"
"But Dai Yao isn't like that!" Xue Wu spoke up in his defense.
"What would you know? I've seen plenty of men like him! The nicer you are to them, the less they care. Trust me, this is the way to get him to value you!" Ruo Shui insisted.
"Head Ruo Shui, I…" Dai Yao began, but Shui Bing'er cut him off sharply.
"Silence!" she commanded, and he stopped, startled by her unexpected assertiveness.
Turning back to her mother, Shui Bing'er spoke with steady conviction. "True love doesn't require trials or tests. I know that Dai Yao will treat me sincerely because of my own genuine feelings. Even if he were to change one day, I wouldn't regret the choice I made today."
Ruo Shui stared at her, speechless, as Dai Yao approached her and nodded before guiding Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu away into the darkness.
As their figures disappeared into the night, Ruo Shui's irritation slowly faded. With a soft smile, she looked up at the starlit sky, murmuring to herself, "Bing'er, my dear… I'm not strong enough to be a pillar you can rely on. But if playing the villain helps show the purity of your love, then that's something I can do. I'll be here for you, always."
Northern Border of the Empire.
Once leaving the last human city in the northern reaches of the Tian Dou Empire, all that remained was an endless expanse of white. The biting wind howled through the silence, drowning out the sound of footsteps crunching into the snow. Three figures pressed northward, cutting through the blizzard.
"Dai Yao, where are we actually going?" Shui Bing'er exhaled, her breath immediately forming into icy fog as she spoke in a serious tone. Xue Wu, following close behind, looked at him curiously, clearly wondering the same.
Dai Yao turned to face them, seeing the faint tremor in their frames as they shivered in the intense cold. He sighed inwardly. Though both of them were strong, making it to their destination unaided would be far too difficult for them.
"Bing'er, Xue Wu," he said gently. "Our destination is in the heart of the Far North. The most powerful soul beasts of the region gather there, many of them reaching the hundred-thousand-year level. I'm bringing you both to provide you with a rare opportunity—a gift to make amends for what I've put you through."
Dai Yao brushed the snow from their hoods with a small smile. In the freezing temperatures, both girls were bundled in heavy coats, their youthful figures concealed, giving them a unique charm.
"We've told you already—we don't need any compensation!" Xue Wu said quickly.
After a moment's thought, Shui Bing'er seemed to realize something, her eyes widening in shock. "Dai Yao, you're taking us to the center of the Far North…are you planning to help us hunt down a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?"
Dai Yao was slightly taken aback by her perceptiveness. Shui Bing'er's intuition was keen, piecing together his plan from just a few clues. She was, after all, a control-type soul master from Tianshui Academy.
Indeed, his purpose was to give Shui Bing'er or Xue Wu the chance to acquire a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. Not through hunting, however—neither had the power to absorb one yet—but by obtaining it through a sacrificial offering.
This soul beast had an impressive name: one of the three Kings of the Far North—the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion, Ice Empress.
Each of Dai Yao's partners had received one of his lotus flowers as a gift, yet since he only had one remaining Blue Lotus, it would be impossible to give both women a flower. Rather than showing preference for one over the other, he decided to find a treasure of equal value, specifically a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone.
Though the soul ring and soul bone of the Ice Empress could greatly strengthen him, they held no value compared to what he felt for Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu.
"You're right, Bing'er," Dai Yao replied, smiling. "But we're not here to hunt—we'll obtain it another way."
Before either girl could protest, he gently tapped them on the head to interrupt them. "Don't worry. I'm not so foolish as to take unnecessary risks. I'm confident we'll come out unscathed, even if things don't go as planned. By the way, you remember Zhuqing and Wu Tong, don't you?"
Shui Bing'er still looked slightly concerned about his intentions but nodded slowly. "Of course, I remember Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wu Tong—they made quite an impression back then. Both were incredibly strong and beautiful. At their level, only you could rival them. What levels have they reached?"
The mention of Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wu Tong left Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu stunned. Even Shui Bing'er, the best student at Tianshui Academy, was only at the Soul Emperor level, several levels below Soul Sage. And now Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wu Tong—who were even younger than her—had reached the Soul Douluo level?
"How is that even possible?" Shui Bing'er's rational façade broke, leaving her wide-eyed with disbelief.
"There's a special opportunity behind it," Dai Yao explained. "That's why their soul power increased so rapidly. But there's more to it than that. Do you know why they're so strong?"
Sensing his words held a deeper meaning, Shui Bing'er asked, "Isn't it due to their talent and hard work?"
Dai Yao shook his head with a light laugh. "That's part of it, but not entirely. Many soul masters train diligently, but few reach their level. Their greatest strength lies in their innate talent."
Seeing the confusion in Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu's eyes, Dai Yao gestured, conjuring a barrier to isolate them from the outside world. With a thought, a vibrant blue lotus appeared in his hand.
"What is that?" Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu felt an undeniable pull from the lotus, as if their very souls yearned to consume it. Shui Bing'er's voice trembled as she struggled to maintain composure.
"This is the true secret behind Zhuqing and Wu Tong's strength," Dai Yao explained. "Both of them absorbed a lotus flower, elevating their martial spirits and bodies to a new level. Their martial spirits are now unmatched, even by so-called top-level spirits like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon or Clear Sky Hammer."
"But as you can see, I only have one lotus flower, yet there are two of you. I can't favor one of you over the other, so I'm here to find a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone as a comparable gift for the other."
Shui Bing'er looked at Dai Yao with a mix of surprise and skepticism. "So, every one of your partners has a lotus flower?"
Dai Yao let out a slightly awkward laugh. "That does seem to be the case," he admitted with a cough. "But let's stay focused. Between the lotus and the soul ring and bone, which would you choose?"
He wanted to involve them in the decision to avoid future resentment. Such a choice, if made poorly, could sow seeds of discord.
Shui Bing'er bit her lip, longing for the Blue Lotus. The lotus would not only grant immense power but also held symbolic significance—it would signify her as Dai Yao's woman. However, she knew that if she requested the lotus, Xue Wu would undoubtedly yield to her.
Sighing softly, she spoke with a hint of bitterness, "Then let the hundred-thousand-year soul ring go to me…"
"Absolutely not, Bing'er!" Xue Wu quickly interrupted.
Her eyes softened as she looked at Dai Yao, her face glowing with contentment. "Bing'er, I'm not as strong as you, nor do I have the same ambitions. You should be the one to absorb the Blue Lotus. As for the soul ring and soul bone, I don't need them. They wouldn't make much difference to me."
Dai Yao gave her a stern look and playfully smacked her. Xue Wu gasped, her face turning red as she looked at him in surprise.
"Don't pull that nonsense with me! I know perfectly well that you're a Soul Emperor with an empty soul ring slot. A hundred-thousand-year soul ring would benefit you immensely! There are countless soul masters who would do anything for such a ring, and you're just going to turn it down?" Dai Yao chided her with a smile.
Xue Wu's martial spirit was an ice attribute, and absorbing the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion's soul ring and soul bone would elevate her spirit to the level of Ultimate Ice. The benefits were second only to the power of his lotus flowers. With these enhancements, reaching the Titled Douluo level would become much easier, perhaps even giving her the potential to pursue divinity.
Rubbing her behind, Xue Wu, face flushed, nodded obediently.
Three days later.
They had ventured several hundred miles deep into the Far North, where the bitter cold was too much for Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu to handle. Dai Yao activated the Hanhai Qiankun Shield, enveloping them in warmth as they walked.
This was forbidden territory for humans, home to countless powerful soul beasts. Dai Yao sensed the presence of several creatures whose aura matched or even surpassed that of Da Ming and Er Ming. In theory, he could hunt one of these beasts to fill his empty soul rings. However, not wanting to risk complications, he chose to focus solely on finding the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion's dwelling.
Though it was an enormous challenge to locate her in this vast wilderness, Dai Yao could trace the flow of spiritual energy in the air toward its densest source, where a powerful beast likely resided.
Arriving at the edge of a massive basin, Dai Yao stopped, his expression turning serious. "We're here."
The air was saturated with soul energy, even more so than the Lake of Life in the Star Dou Forest. Without a doubt, one of the three Northern Kings resided here.
Peeking out from behind him, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu gaped in awe at the colossal basin before them, their eyes widening. Glancing at each other, they saw their mutual astonishment reflected.
"Stay within the Hanhai Qiankun Shield and don't come out until I say so," Dai Yao instructed. Once they nodded in agreement, he unfolded his eight wings and flew out of the shield.
The freezing temperatures hit him instantly, and even with his thick coat, he barely felt warmer after releasing his soul power. "No wonder they call this place the Far North. It's freezing beyond belief. Which one of the Three Kings could be residing here?"
Taking out his Seagod Trident, he activated the golden trident symbol on his forehead, sending waves of golden energy sweeping across the basin. Soon, he felt the temperature plummet further as a fierce pressure bore down on him.
Then, a graceful figure appeared in front of him.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, with pure white hair flowing down to her ankles and a delicate frame wrapped in a flowing white dress. Barefoot and floating in the air, she exuded a cool elegance, her icy blue eyes holding an ancient, detached wisdom. But those same eyes were locked onto Dai Yao's Seagod Trident, a hint of shock flickering across her face.
After a moment, her gaze shifted from the trident to Dai Yao himself. Her delicate features betrayed a trace of disbelief as she spoke.
"Who are you?"
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