Chapter 483: The Wives' Attitudes and the Looming Beast Tide
"Oh, look who finally decided to come back," Dugu Yan sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"It seems one little escapade in the Star Luo Empire wasn't enough—you had to try storming the Heaven Dou Empire, too?" She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "Going to Star Luo back then, fine, you had no choice. Your uncle Dai Hengyu was in danger, and you had a personal vendetta to settle. But this time? You tell us you have business in the Heaven Dou Empire, and then off you go, straight to see your precious lady friends?"
Without waiting for a response, she continued. "They're saying that you charged right into the heart of Heaven Dou City, single-handedly held off five Titled Douluo from the Clear Sky Clan, and even killed one of their elders, shaking the entire continent. People think you're some unstoppable Douluo. They even say it was all to save a 'cherished beauty,' taking on an entire city full of enemies to do it."
She rolled her eyes. "It seems nothing's better than a wildflower, huh? Four wives waiting at home and even Xiangxiang still hoping for you, and still, your heart can't stay put. And here you are—alone! Where's that cherished beauty from the rumors?"
The recent news of Dai Yao's battle in Heaven Dou City had swept across the continent like a storm, making waves everywhere. Zhu Zhuqing and the others, though confident in his strength, had worried deeply. They knew that even with some cards left unplayed, Dai Yao had barely managed to hold his own against Bo Saixi, the formidable Level 99 Douluo. They couldn't help but worry about his safety, especially after hearing he'd charged into a capital city alone.
While they'd supported him in his Star Luo Empire endeavor, given the life-or-death stakes for his family, this time had been different. He had rushed off to the Heaven Dou Empire without backup, putting himself in unimaginable danger for the sake of a "cherished friend."
If they didn't teach him a lesson this time, he might take on yet another suicide mission, even if it meant facing an insurmountable foe alone. Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, usually the most easygoing, were firmly united with Dugu Yan on this front. Zhu Zhuqing's expression turned icy, while Ning Rongrong, though smiling, made no move to intervene on his behalf.
Dai Yao let out a sheepish laugh, shooting an imploring look toward Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, but they remained unmoved. Resigned, he heaved a deep sigh and averted his gaze, pretending to be deeply hurt.
He knew perfectly well why they were angry—they were worried for him. He realized he had indeed been reckless. Still, at that time, circumstances hadn't allowed him to hesitate. However, he was aware that he owed them an apology. Their love for him was deep; otherwise, they wouldn't be so concerned, nor so forgiving of his recent meetings with Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu.
But apologies required tact, he thought. An overly humble approach would make them brush off his words. No, he'd have to take it slow.
Predictably, his forlorn act caught Ning Rongrong's attention. "Dai Yao, are you okay?" she asked, coming over with concern, her coffee-brown hair cascading down to partially obscure her face, yet unable to hide the beauty of her youthful expression.
Dai Yao's heart fluttered, but he knew better than to break character, so he waved her off weakly, forcing a reluctant smile. "I'm fine, Rongrong."
Zhu Zhuqing's face shifted into a wry smile while Dugu Yan crossed her arms, unimpressed.
"We can see through you, you know," Dugu Yan said, exasperated.
"Alright, Dai Yao," she continued in a milder tone, "Tell us the truth. What happened in the Heaven Dou Empire?"
Seeing through his act, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but speak up. "Dai Yao, we're not mad at you," she said with a sigh, "We're just worried. You have to explain everything to us. We've been so anxious."
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at Ning Rongrong's intervention but let her expression soften. She dropped her icy tone and said, "Alright, Dai Yao, just tell us what really happened over there."
Relieved, Dai Yao silently thanked Ning Rongrong. With a flicker of spirit power, four spirit rings appeared at his feet: red, black, red, red. The room fell silent. The women knew his original eight-ring setup by heart. Now, returning from his journey with only four rings, and these at such astonishing levels, they were stunned.
"Dai Yao," Zhu Zhuqing spoke first, her icy demeanor melting into concern. "What happened? How did your first spirit ring turn into a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring?"
All three women stared at him, their concern unmistakable.
Dai Yao sighed and lifted his head slightly. Putting on an air of helplessness, he said, "Actually, the rescue was only incidental. I went to the Heaven Dou Empire for another reason. Though the process was rough, I succeeded. All my lower-level spirit rings were erased, allowing me to replace them with higher-level, better-quality rings."
The three women exchanged glances, astonished. They'd never heard of anyone erasing their spirit rings before, not in any record or story. If Dai Yao could replace all his rings with higher-quality ones, his strength would indeed reach new heights. But considering all the extraordinary things that had already happened with Dai Yao, it was hardly a shock anymore.
"Yao-ge, it must have been painful, though…" Ning Rongrong murmured, frowning.
Dai Yao's face twitched ever so slightly. Painful? Yes, it had been, but he was used to it by now. In truth, the aftermath of reviving Xiao Wu had been downright absurd, and he dared not say a word about it.
"Dai Yao, can your method for erasing spirit rings be used on others?" Dugu Yan asked, her curiosity piqued.
If everyone could eliminate their weaker rings at will, it would be a game-changer for the spirit master world. They'd no longer need to be overly selective, knowing they could eventually replace any ring with a higher-level one. Commoner spirit masters could get a fresh start, leveling the playing field.
Dai Yao shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. The main factor in my success was a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring. Beyond that, it required highly specific conditions and the power of the Sea God's Light to complete the process. Even for you, I wouldn't be able to do it."
Dugu Yan nodded, slightly disappointed, but she had expected as much. The idea of erasing one's spirit rings at will sounded almost too good to be true.
"So what happened next? Why did you end up in Heaven Dou City?" Dugu Yan pressed, curious to hear the details.
Though Qinglian Sect had some sources in Heaven Dou City, their intelligence wasn't high-level. Even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, facing pressure from Tang San, couldn't access information as freely as before. So the specifics of what happened in Heaven Dou City were still a mystery.
Dai Yao hesitated, then began recounting the events that had unfolded there.
"I see. I never thought the factional struggles in Heaven Dou City had grown so intense," Dugu Yan murmured thoughtfully after hearing Dai Yao's account. Her sharp emerald eyes glimmered with shrewd insight as she processed the information.
"This battle may have driven out the opposing forces from Heaven Dou City, but it's also left the Clear Sky Clan's grip on power dangerously fragile. With the Wuhun Empire pressing in from every side, it won't be long before the Heaven Dou Empire falls."
She fixed Dai Yao with a stern gaze, her voice firm as she continued, "You listen here, we've all discussed this—Zhuqing, the rest of us, and I. We'll let it slide this time, but if you ever take such reckless risks again without any plan in place, don't expect us to forgive you."
Dai Yao nodded emphatically, a promise clear in his tone. "Of course. There won't be a next time!"
Zhu Zhuqing smiled slightly and, with a more forgiving tone, asked, "Yao-ge, where are Sister Bing'er and Xue Wu? Why did you return alone? Why didn't they come back with you?"
Dai Yao's expression softened as he recalled parting ways with Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu. He explained gently, "It wasn't my choice not to bring them back. They're hesitant because they're worried. They don't know anyone here in Hanhai City, and they're concerned about fitting in. They fear both being isolated from you all and possibly being seen as outsiders by members of the sect."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded in understanding, a smile playing on her lips. "That makes sense. Yao-ge, make sure you let them know that they're welcome here. After all, this is their real home now, isn't it?"
Nightfall.
Just after Dai Yao met with the elders of Qinglian Sect to review recent developments, he was informed of the arrival of important guests from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
"Father, Sword Grandpa!" Dai Yao greeted the familiar figures respectfully as they entered. The sight of Ning Fengzhi and his ever-present companion, the elderly Sword Douluo, brought a nostalgic smile to his face.
"This time you finally got my title right," Ning Fengzhi replied, giving a warm chuckle. Since Ning Rongrong had married Dai Yao, Dai Yao had naturally started calling Ning Fengzhi "Father."
Sword Douluo's expression, however, was considerably less amicable. His piercing gaze swept over Dai Yao as if sizing up where a good, clean strike might land. The old man had clearly heard about Dai Yao's bold venture into Heaven Dou City to save his "cherished companion."
"Dai Yao, you're the talk of the continent these days. Your reputation has soared to new heights. Single-handedly breaking into Heaven Dou City, facing five Titled Douluo from the Clear Sky Clan, killing one of them, and managing to escape—all of it has spread far and wide. I'm not sure even I could pull that off," Sword Douluo commented, his tone a mix of admiration and reproach.
"Your strength has taken a giant leap since returning from Sea God Island. You've reached a level that places you among the very best on the continent," Ning Fengzhi said, propping himself up on his jade staff, clearly moved. He looked at Dai Yao with a mixture of pride and nostalgia, recalling how this young man had once fled the Star Luo Empire, an unknown orphan in his care. Now, that young man was a towering figure in his own right.
Dai Yao gave a wry smile. "Father, no need to tease me. I had my reasons for going to Heaven Dou City. Rongrong is in the sect's main quarters—I'll go call her out."
Just as he was about to go find Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi waved him back. "No, Dai Yao. Seeing Rongrong can wait. I came here to discuss something important with you."
Surprised by Ning Fengzhi's grave tone, Dai Yao paused. Anything Ning Fengzhi considered "important" was bound to have serious implications.
"Come with me." Dai Yao gestured for Ning Fengzhi to follow him to the sect's main hall, where they both sat down. Once settled, he looked at his father-in-law intently. "Father, what's happened to warrant such urgency?"
Ning Fengzhi's usually calm face took on a rare look of unease as he gripped his staff. After a moment, he began, "Dai Yao, this issue may not directly concern us, but it's important enough to impact the entire continent's survival. What happens next is up to you."
After a brief preface, Ning Fengzhi continued with a detailed account.
"Recently, there have been alarming reports of unusually frequent soul beast activity within Star Dou Forest. Soul beasts have started straying from their territories and invading human settlements, including a mix of thousand-year and even some ten-thousand-year soul beasts. The casualties so far have reached the thousands."
"This frequency of attacks is unprecedented in the past few centuries. All indications point toward an impending beast tide of a scale we haven't seen in hundreds of years."
"If this tide happens, the Wuhun Empire will be the first to face it, as they now control the territories surrounding Star Dou Forest. However, the Wuhun Empire is currently engaged in heavy battles on multiple fronts, with their forces stretched thin. Without a proper defense against a beast tide, the soul beasts could cut across the land unchallenged, bringing widespread devastation."
Ning Fengzhi paused, his tone heavy. "Asking the Wuhun Empire to withdraw their troops, abandoning their hard-won territories, and forsaking a chance to unify the continent at this critical moment? That's almost unthinkable for them. But if they fail to prepare for the beast tide, it could spell disaster for the entire world."
"This isn't just the Wuhun Empire's problem, Dai Yao. This affects all humankind."
"That's why we need to go to the Wuhun Hall. We have to get to the bottom of this beast tide. If necessary, our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and Qinglian Sect can even offer our assistance."
Though the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had stayed relatively neutral under Dai Yao's protection in Hanhai City, Ning Fengzhi wasn't blind to the eventualities. He understood well that once the Wuhun Empire achieved total unification, it would likely turn on any potential rivals. His hope had always rested on Dai Yao and the younger generation's rising strength to protect them from such a future.
But a beast tide was different—it was an immediate, existential threat to everyone on the continent. Knowing this, he would rather break their neutrality and offer aid to the Wuhun Empire than allow the tide to run unchecked.
The news struck Dai Yao like a blow, leaving him reeling. A beast tide wasn't in the original story. It hadn't appeared until Legend of the Divine Realm, the sequel. And now, with the continent already ravaged by wars, an outbreak of this magnitude could kill thousands, if not millions.
The weight of his influence, his "butterfly effect," sank heavily into Dai Yao's heart. The unexpected beast tide was undoubtedly his doing, an unintended consequence of his presence.
He could no longer stand by idly; he had a responsibility to intervene.
"If it weren't for Hanhai City's isolated position, I could have simply avoided Bibi Dong. Now, however, with this beast tide, I have no choice—I must go to her," Dai Yao thought solemnly, watching as the sun set behind the mountains and darkness slowly enveloped the sky.
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