Chapter 223: The Papal Meeting with Bibi Dong
"Apologies, Brother Dai Yao. I never imagined we'd encounter such unpleasantness on our first day in Spirit City," said Xue Qinghe within the luxuriously furnished room.
Dai Yao, standing by the window and gazing thoughtfully at the Star Luo Empire's team in the distance, turned back upon hearing Xue Qinghe's apology. "Your Highness, this wasn't your fault. Your coming here to apologize makes me feel almost honored."
Xue Qinghe sighed, smiling helplessly. "Brother Dai Yao, whatever your past, wherever you plan to go, right now, you are one of us in the Heaven Dou Empire. It's my duty to ensure your protection, especially since it was the Star Luo Empire who initiated the hostility. As the Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince, how could I back down?"
"And truly, no need to be so formal," Xue Qinghe added. "Last time, we agreed that, since I'm older, you could call me Brother Xue."
"Ah… Brother Xue." Recalling Xue Qinghe's true identity as Qian Renxue—noble, mysterious, and cool as snow—contrasted with the appearance of the man before him, Dai Yao found himself feeling slightly bewildered. What was it about Qian Renxue, he wondered, that made her insist on being called "big brother"?
Xue Qinghe arched an eyebrow, catching a trace of the strangeness in Dai Yao's expression. For a brief moment, he feared that Dai Yao might have figured out his true identity. Impossible, he reassured himself; only a handful of people knew. Shrugging off his doubts, Xue Qinghe continued, "Dai Yao, I took the liberty of gathering intelligence on the Star Luo Empire's teams. I thought it might be helpful. Unfortunately, we only have limited information on the Star Luo Royal Academy team since they were directly assigned by the Empire. The latest available data is from last year."
"One year ago, when the Star Luo Royal Academy sparred against another elite team, Dai Weisi's spirit power was already at level 45, and Zhu Zhuyun's was at 44. After a year of training, I imagine their improvement would shock most competitors."
"Additionally," he continued, "though a few of their team members were still Soul Elders a year ago, it's safe to assume that, by now, they've all advanced to Soul Masters." Xue Qinghe's expression turned serious. "An entire team of Soul Masters… they won't be easy to handle."
Dai Yao was already well aware of the Star Luo Royal Academy team's strength; Dai Weisi's power had likely reached level 47, with Zhu Zhuyun at 46. Still, he appreciated Xue Qinghe's effort to gather this information and said, "Thank you, Brother Xue, for all your effort. I truly don't know how I'll ever repay you."
Clapping a hand on Dai Yao's shoulder, Xue Qinghe laughed. "If you choose to join me someday, then consider your debt repaid." Seeing Dai Yao's look of awkward hesitation, Xue Qinghe chuckled. "I'm only joking. Do you remember when you once told me with complete certainty that we'd fight side by side one day?"
Dai Yao chuckled with mild embarrassment. He'd only said that because Xue Qinghe seemed intent on speaking in riddles, so he'd played along with his own cryptic words. Now, being reminded of it under these circumstances made him feel even more awkward.
After enjoying Dai Yao's uncomfortable expression for a moment, Xue Qinghe let out a satisfied laugh. "All right, I'll leave you to it. Just make sure you're prepared for the upcoming matches. You may not end up facing the Star Luo Royal Academy, after all."
Dai Yao's eyes took on a steely glint, his fists clenched. "Don't worry, Brother Xue. I'll make sure to face them; count on it."
Xue Qinghe, momentarily surprised, had originally planned to use his influence to ensure Dai Yao went up against Dai Weisi. Now it seemed Dai Yao had already set things in motion. Nodding, he replied, "Then I look forward to seeing it the day after tomorrow."
The initial clash between the soul master teams from the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires had been temporarily diffused by Xue Qinghe's intervention. But everyone knew this was merely a calm before the storm. When the true conflict erupted, it would be nothing short of explosive. The rivalry between Dai Weisi and Dai Yao would reach its inevitable climax, with one destined to lose everything in the end.
Following the clash, those in the Heaven Dou camp began to gain insight into Dai Yao's difficult past—his remarkable strength forged through constant upheaval and adversity. Many of them felt a sense of solace in their own lives. Sure, Dai Yao's power far exceeded theirs, but at least they'd led much more stable, happy lives.
For some, when they encountered someone whose abilities surpassed their own, they instinctively sought flaws or challenges in that person's life as a form of consolation.
Yet, to their annoyance, many of the young women felt immense sympathy for Dai Yao. Soul masters or not, young women tend to be compassionate at heart, and though Dai Yao's remarkable feats in the preliminaries and advancement rounds had earned him their respect, learning of his difficult life struck a deeper chord. As he prepared each day in Spirit City, he often received cheers and words of encouragement from these girls.
While Dai Yao secretly enjoyed the attention, he couldn't ignore the increasing chill from the gazes of Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing. Realizing he was on thin ice, he quickly started to keep a respectful distance from his admirers, turning his focus to his training.
In the Star Luo camp, meanwhile, Dai Yao's name had begun to circulate once more. Memories of his years at the Royal Academy and the "coward" label he'd once carried resurfaced. Although his later victory over Dai Yamin and the reveal of his thousand-year second soul ring had left a strong impression, none dared to mention anything positive about him under Dai Weisi's orders.
Above all, Dai Yao's defection to the Heaven Dou Empire stained his reputation further. A prince who became a traitor—what a disgrace to Star Luo!
Within the Oakridge team's quarters.
As everyone gathered after dinner, all eyes were on Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing, the topic of animated discussion.
"Dai Yao, to think you're a prince of the Star Luo Empire," remarked Dai Yuanyi, eyeing him with a look of mild disbelief.
"Why, do you not recognize me anymore?" Dai Yao retorted, rolling his eyes.
"No, no, not at all!" Dai Yuanyi quickly backtracked, his thoughts racing. Dai Yao's status turned out to be even higher than his own!
"Enough fooling around," said Feng Qianli, turning to face Dai Yao. "Regardless of your past or position, you're one of us in Oakridge. We'll stand by you, no matter what."
A warm feeling rose in Dai Yao's heart. Even Zhu Zhuqing, who was normally so reserved, had a small smile on her face, signaling her acceptance of this team.
"But you and Dai Weisi are brothers. Why the hostility?" Feng Qianli asked, curiosity piqued.
Dai Yao briefly explained the brutal succession rules within the Star Luo royal family, detailing the merciless competition for the throne.
Yet he omitted the tragic death of his mother. That wound remained too raw to expose to others.
Everyone fell silent as they digested his words. They were stunned at the Star Luo Empire's ruthless succession practices: princes raised like animals in a pit fight, each vying for the title of Crown Prince. The victor would inherit the kingdom, while the defeated would lose everything, including their lives.
Even the fiancées of failed princes would be executed.
At last, they understood why Zhu Zhuqing was so cold and distant, only softening in Dai Yao's presence. It was clear now just what kind of life they had endured together in the Star Luo Empire.
Who else could they rely on but each other?
"Despicable! I can't believe that a royal family like Star Luo's has such brutal family rules. Even primitive tribes wouldn't have regulations like that!" Feng Qianli exclaimed, clearly furious.
Dai Yuanyi sighed. "Maybe it's these very customs that have kept the Star Luo Empire so powerful all these years."
Noticing the others' looks, Dai Yuanyi's eyes widened. "Why are you looking at me like that? Of course, I support Dai Yao. I was just making an observation. But if we lose this match, does that mean the Star Luo Empire will send people to eliminate him?"
Dai Yao chuckled. "Not at all. I've allied myself with Spirit Hall, so even if we lose, it's fine."
Feng Qianli, locking eyes with Dai Yao, could see how much this match truly meant to him despite his calm demeanor. Extending his right hand, he said with conviction, "Dai Yao, don't worry. We're going to win."
"Victory!" Dai Yuanyi, Dugu Yan, and the others followed, each placing a hand over Feng Qianli's. When Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Yao finally joined, the nine of them shouted with all their might:
"Victory!"
As anticipation for the duel between the two empires grew, tensions mounted, and three days later, the grand finale officially began.
Outside the Hall of the Pope lay an enormous arena—a perfectly round, granite platform stretching over a hundred meters across, reinforced with countless Soul Devices. According to Spirit Hall, the stage could withstand attacks from any Soul Emperor or lower.
The continent's top thirty-three teams gathered here to fight for the championship. Youth, sweat, grudges, and love would converge at this tournament, each match bursting with brilliance.
Each team also had its own resting area. While other teams fought, the remaining competitors could spectate, while VIP guests, like Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe, had seats of honor just below the Pope's Hall.
Dai Yao surveyed the teams and noticed that Shenfeng Academy and Blazing Fire Academy remained separated, lacking any indication of merging as they had in the original story.
"So, my presence has kept Shenfeng Academy and Blazing Fire Academy apart. In the original story, they merged because of Huo Wu's feelings of resentment toward Tang San."
"Since Huo Wu didn't clash with Tang San in this timeline and actually respected me, the famous fusion between the two teams never happened," he reasoned, satisfied with the outcome.
Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd. Dai Yao, surprised, looked around and noticed that everyone's gaze had shifted toward the Pope's Hall, their expressions filled with reverence and awe.
Dai Yao noticed that, particularly among some of the men, there was more than just admiration in their eyes; an intense passion was also evident.
Following their gaze, he saw a woman standing in front of the Hall, holding a purple-gold staff. Her expression was cold, her beauty unmatched—a woman with a divine aura. She instantly captivated everyone's attention. This was none other than Bibi Dong, the current Pope of Spirit Hall.
To soul masters, the Pope was the ultimate figure of reverence.
Though most gazed at her with pure reverence, Dai Yao couldn't ignore the yearning in the eyes of some men. Her beauty was truly stunning.
"Such a beautiful woman," Dai Yao murmured to himself, though his next thought was laced with irony. "But such a pity—she's a love-obsessed and rather twisted soul."
Despite her elevated status, Bibi Dong's personality was complex and extreme. If Dai Yao recalled correctly, when Yu Xiaogang visited the Pope's Hall to meet with her for Tang San's sake, she had sat in his seat afterward, savoring the lingering warmth of the tea he'd left behind.
Of course, her tragedy also stemmed from misplaced love. Without that ill-fated romance, she might have remained the innocent Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall, and even as Pope, she would have avoided the cruelty and malice of her later years.
It was the two men closest to her who had utterly shattered her.
For Yu Xiaogang, whom she loved deeply, she continued to care even until her dying moments, worried that her appearance in death would repulse him.
In the original story, there were conflicting reasons for their separation. One was that Yu Xiaogang left Bibi Dong due to the Pope Qian Xunji's and others' pressures, as well as his own shame of being labeled useless. The other was that Bibi Dong, feeling tainted and unworthy of him, drove him away to protect him.
Regardless of the reason, their breakup was undoubtedly forced upon them, leaving a scar on Bibi Dong's heart. Whatever Yu Xiaogang's character flaws, Bibi Dong had little fault in their relationship—except for the fatal error of falling deeply for someone she shouldn't have.
The other man, Qian Xunji, her revered mentor turned nightmare, was the true culprit who destroyed the innocent maiden she had once been, plunging her into a path of darkness and hatred.
From then on, she walked the path of the Rakshasa.
However, much of her misfortune was also a consequence of her own nature. If she hadn't harbored such obsessive love for someone like Yu Xiaogang, perhaps none of this would have happened…
Well, then again, knowing Qian Xunji's character, he might have targeted her regardless of any connection to Yu Xiaogang. But for the beloved Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall to fall for a failed soul master from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family? It must have been a bitter pill for Spirit Hall to swallow. No wonder Bibi Dong's actions angered them so much.
In the midst of this twisted web of emotions, Bibi Dong bore much of the blame for her own suffering. Yet there was one person truly innocent in all of this—Bibi Dong's daughter, Qian Renxue.
In the Shrek Academy rest area, Liu Erlong held Yu Xiaogang's shoulder with a tender smile, as if to taunt Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong's gaze swept over the teams with a detached expression, lingering briefly on Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong before she spoke:
"Your arrival here proves you have all faced and conquered many battles. As such, I'll keep it brief."
"The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament—Grand Finals, officially begins!"
The finals lacked the pomp and ceremony of the preliminary rounds, but none of the thirty-three teams took the event lightly.
Following Bibi Dong's declaration, the team leaders began drawing lots.
"Heaven Dou Empire, Blazing Fire Academy, versus Heaven Dou Empire, Shrek Academy."
"Heaven Dou Empire, Shenfeng Academy, versus Star Luo Empire, Dragon Sun Academy."
The results were announced one by one, causing murmurs throughout the audience. Teams lucky enough to draw weaker opponents were visibly delighted, while those who faced stronger adversaries looked distressed.
Finally, the last pairing was announced.
"Heaven Dou Empire, Oakridge Academy, versus Star Luo Empire, Star Luo Royal Academy!"
The atmosphere fell silent, as if frozen in time. All eyes shifted back and forth between the Oakridge and Star Luo Royal Academy teams.
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