Chapter 225: The Duel with Dai Davis!
"Oakridge Academy, Dai Yao. Level forty-five, Assault Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Sacred White Tiger. Ready to begin," Dai Yao announced calmly, his voice echoing through the area before the Pope's Palace like a rumbling thunder, snapping everyone out of their daze.
One yellow, two purple, and one black ring appeared.
Although the second purple spirit ring was striking, it was overshadowed by the mysterious allure of the black ring. Faint arcs of lightning crackled across its surface, spreading a heavy, formidable energy over the arena.
The black ring hovered around Dai Yao, floating with silent power. Star Luo's soul masters stared at it, a wave of shock stealing their breath away.
"No… no way! A ten-thousand-year spirit ring?" Dai Davis's eyes widened, his expression frozen in disbelief. The sight of the ten-thousand-year ring shook him more than Dai Yao's spirit power level ever could.
A ten-thousand-year spirit ring was typically obtainable only by powerful Soul Kings, and even then, only the most gifted among them could achieve it. And yet, Dai Yao, who was a full nine years younger, not only reached level forty-five but also bore a ten-thousand-year fourth spirit ring!
The shock he felt now was just like the moment six years ago when Dai Yao had defeated their second brother, Dai Yaming, showcasing his second purple spirit ring. Both moments defied belief and struck him to his core—only this time, Dai Yao was his opponent.
"This wretched scoundrel—I should have eliminated you long ago!" Dai Davis growled, his face twisted with rage and regret. It hit him hard that he should have killed Dai Yao back in Star Luo. At the time, Dai Davis was fully absorbed in his quest to lead the Royal Academy team, planning to take care of Dai Yao later. But by the time he was ready, Dai Yao had already fled.
The memory of that oversight was like a stabbing pain. Had he acted just a little sooner, none of this would have come to pass.
"Stay calm, Davis," Zhu Zhuyun said, tightening her grip on his arm. "So what if he has a ten-thousand-year ring? He's still only a Soul Elder. We're nearing Soul King level ourselves, and our chances of winning are still high."
Although she too had felt a wave of shock upon seeing the black ring, she regained her composure quickly. Zhu Zhuyun realized they could not afford to lose; for them, as for Dai Yao, defeat meant falling into an abyss with no return.
The faces of the Royal Academy team lost all traces of ease and mockery, replaced by gravity and dread. For a moment, the oppressive silence held the whole stadium captive, as if an unseen hand clutched everyone's hearts.
"What now, boss?" one of Dai Davis's teammates asked in a panicked voice. "They have six Soul Elders, just like us!"
In training, they had only ever considered Spirit Hall's special team as their true opponent, dismissing other teams as beneath them. But this team, from an unassuming academy, now appeared as powerful as they were—or perhaps even stronger. And Dai Yao, of all people, was at its head.
In the audience, Heaven Dou Empire's soul masters began to shout back at Star Luo, and their voices swelled with rising fervor.
"Look at that, Star Luo—our Heaven Dou Empire's team is the best, with a thousand-year second ring and a ten-thousand-year fourth ring! Do you have anything to match that?"
"Who's laughing now? You thought we'd be scared of you? Is your face stinging yet?"
Unwilling to back down, the Star Luo soul masters retorted with sneers of their own.
"Oh? The match hasn't even started, and you're already bragging? Just wait. Let's see if you'll still be laughing when the Royal Academy wipes the floor with them!"
"A coward is still a coward. A ten-thousand-year ring won't change that. In his hands, it's all for show!"
Unable to bear hearing Dai Yao mocked, Huo Wu from Blazing Academy clenched her teeth and shouted, "Go, Oakridge! Dai Yao, give them a beating they won't forget!"
Blazing Academy's first match had been against Shrek Academy, and they'd been defeated. As the finals were single elimination, they'd already been knocked out and secured a spot only among the top thirty-two teams. With the pressure of competition lifted, they'd begun simply enjoying the tournament.
Being part of Heaven Dou, though, made it impossible for them to tolerate insults from Star Luo. And hearing Dai Yao disrespected only fueled Huo Wu's anger. She was vocal in her support.
On the Pope's Palace terrace, Spirit Hall's elite team members focused on the black spirit ring as well. Yan's expression turned wary as he took Dai Yao's power seriously. No fool, he understood that Dai Yao's talent and strength could pose a real threat. With one more level, Dai Yao might even outmatch them.
Hu Liena's eyes shone with intrigue as she remarked, "A ten-thousand-year spirit ring, and one of impressive quality. That ring is more potent than any of ours. Dai Yao is truly a phenomenon. I wonder how he's trained to reach this level."
Evil Moon nodded, replying, "He'll be our toughest rival yet. When he joins Spirit Hall, we'll have to learn his techniques."
In the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the black ring. An overwhelming aura of power radiated from it, carrying a depth that even gave her a hint of caution. The hidden bloodline of the Thunder Hell Prison Vine resonated within the ring, giving it the power to command lightning itself. Although Dai Yao's skill was still developing, it bore traces of divine potential. Bibi Dong, who had begun to touch upon godly domains, could sense it.
On the arena, all trace of disdain vanished from the faces of the Royal Academy's seven, replaced by caution and anxiety. The heavy atmosphere weighed down on everyone.
"Davis, what now?" one of the teammates asked, fear trembling in his voice.
In response, Dai Yao merely crossed his arms, his face impassive. From the audience, many Heaven Dou soul masters began to taunt the Royal Academy, confident in Oakridge's strength.
With the tension mounting, the red-robed Spirit Hall bishop stepped to the center of the arena. He glanced at the two teams and waited for the last insults to cease before declaring with a smile, "Oakridge Academy versus Star Luo Royal Academy. Begin!"
Immediately, Dai Davis and Zhu Zhuyun released their spirit power, leading their team with a formidable wave of energy. Dai Davis stood tall, casting a condescending glance at Dai Yao.
"I'll give you one last chance, Dai Yao. Surrender now, and I might spare you once I'm on the throne," he sneered.
Dai Yao remained silent, his face a mask of cool indifference, which only intensified Davis's irritation. Beside him, Zhu Zhuyun glanced toward Zhu Zhuqing with a gentle smile, masking her malice.
"Zhuqing, come back with me, and all will be forgiven," she said sweetly. "You were only deceived by him, after all. It's not too late."
"Enough of the pretense, Zhu Zhuyun. I know exactly who you are!" Zhu Zhuqing's voice was like ice.
As the tension spiked, the Spirit Hall referee once again spoke up, announcing, "The match may now begin!"
"Let's go, team!" Dai Yao ordered, his voice filled with determination. His words were met with a unified shout from the Oakridge team as their soul rings materialized, their spirit power flaring.
And in an instant, Dai Yao's black ring—the fourth, a ten-thousand-year ring—lit up, casting an ominous glow over the stage.
"The thousand-year second spirit ring had already shattered their perception, and it pushed him to defeat even a Spirit Grandmaster at the peak of his abilities—a prince who possessed a spirit bone, no less. And now, Dai Yao was here to shatter their confidence,"
The thought sent shivers down their spines.
Dai Davis's expression turned more severe than ever. Regaining his composure after the shock that Dai Yao's presence dealt him, the aura of authority returned to him. But as his eyes swept over the Oakridge formation, he couldn't shake a sense of dread.
Six Spirit Elders. Five of them were opponents he himself would find difficult to handle. Even the swordsman, though appearing to be slightly weaker, wielded an offensive power that could rival the most advanced martial souls, especially with the support from the auxiliary-type soul master. The prospect of facing them head-on would be tough even for him.
And then, there was Dai Yao himself. Just standing there, his spirit rings on display, he commanded an intimidating presence that filled them all with apprehension.
"Where in the world did this team come from?" he cursed inwardly, his eyes narrowing with a steely calm. He said coldly, "It doesn't matter who they are; we fight until the end. Victory belongs to the Empire!"
His words steeled the resolve of the Star Luo Royal Academy team members, and they turned toward the Oakridge team with renewed focus, prepared to fight.
"Sharp Strike!" Dai Yao shouted, his voice booming over the battlefield.
With a sudden burst of energy, he launched himself like a cannonball straight toward the Star Luo Royal Academy! The force of his movement boomed through the air.
"So fast!"
The thought echoed through everyone's minds. Dai Yao's speed surpassed even some agility-type soul masters. He was a streak of silvery-white light, crossing several hundred meters in an instant, reaching the front of the Royal Academy team in no time.
Beside him, a shadow followed like his very image; above, a fiery Vermilion Bird spread its wings; below, waves rolled, and sword energy crisscrossed. Oakridge Academy's seven members launched their assault with full force.
The "Sharp Strike" tactic had initially been Oakridge Academy's means to exploit Dai Yao's power as a focal point, aiming to tear through any defense. But in this match, it wasn't just Dai Yao attacking—the whole team surged forward like the tip of a spear.
Star Luo would be devastated if they couldn't withstand the onslaught.
Dugu Yan's gaze was cold and murderous. Dai Yao's struggles were hers as well, his humiliation her own. She only regretted not being by his side when he needed her the most. Now, with Dai Yao's enemies standing before her, she wouldn't let them escape.
"I know everyone thinks of me as a vicious woman. But you alone understand me, Dai Yao. So, for you, I'm willing to become the poisonous Green Scaled Serpent they all fear."
Her third spirit skill flared, and a faint violet mist spread along the ground, so thin that it would be unnoticeable if not for close inspection.
In the stands, members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy watched the mist creep over the stage and exchanged glances, some of them eyeing Yu Tianheng knowingly. Yu Tianheng remained silent, then finally let out a heavy sigh.
Facing the fierce charge of Dai Yao, a look of grim determination filled Dai Davis's eyes.
"I'll handle Dai Yao," he ordered. "Zhu Yun, take care of Zhu Zhuqing. The rest of you, choose your opponents!"
"Third spirit skill, White Tiger Diamond Transformation!"
Dai Davis's third spirit skill burst forth, enlarging his body and magnifying his aura as he fired a White Tiger Light Wave at Dai Yao. At the same time, his speed surged, razor-sharp claws extended as he aimed for Dai Yao.
But Dai Yao met the White Tiger Light Wave with a calm smile, his third and fourth rings lighting up simultaneously.
An electric charge spread through the air, and, to everyone's shock, lightning poured down from above, filling the sky.
"Dai Davis! I've prepared for this moment for six years! Can you withstand the power I've stored in this one punch?!"
With the writhing silver lightning illuminating him, Dai Yao's wings unfurled. The White Tiger Diamond Transformation amplified his strength to terrifying levels, reaching a height of power that was hard to fathom.
With the thousand-year spirit skill and White Tiger Diamond Transformation combined, Dai Yao's might now surged to a peak. Fueled by the determination of revenge, he stood as a towering force, even without resorting to his external spirit bone.
"White Tiger—Thunder Strike!"
All the Star Luo Empire soul masters bore witness to a scene they would never forget. The sky thundered, and countless streaks of silver lightning coalesced.
Crackle. Crackle.
Within moments, the bolts of lightning gathered around Dai Yao's right fist, forming a cone of pure energy so intense it brightened the entire sky! Activating the ten-thousand-year spirit skill seemed to cast an eerie darkness across the area, with a moisture-laden atmosphere thickening the electric charge.
Some weaker soul masters couldn't even move, paralyzed by the intense voltage. But that was the least of their concerns, as all attention focused on the man in midair, blazing like a deity.
With every eye locked on him, Dai Yao bent his body slightly, wings spread wide, as he readied himself like a fully drawn bowstring.
In the next instant, accompanied by a deafening sound as he broke through the air, the charged cone of lightning shot forward, shattering the White Tiger Light Wave and arriving directly before Dai Davis.
"Help the captain!" the rest of the Star Luo Royal Academy team shouted in panic.
Dai Yao's presence alone made their skin crawl. Even from a distance, they could sense a mortal threat. And Dai Davis was face-to-face with that danger.
"You want to help him? You'll have to get through us first!"
Oakridge's team launched their own attacks, trapping their opponents. Walls of venomous purple mist rose abruptly like barricades, cutting off any attempt to aid Dai Davis.
Dai Davis's pupils constricted, his body bristling with adrenaline. All his spirit rings activated as his survival instincts kicked in. As a White Tiger Clan prince, his pride would never allow him to back down.
"Fourth spirit skill—White Tiger Devastating Slash!"
The White Tiger Devastating Slash was Dai Davis's most powerful single-target skill. With his spirit power, he could even challenge a Soul King. And so, under the awestruck gaze of the audience, the two fierce attacks collided!
But in an instant, the victor was decided.
Dai Davis's body flew backward like a missile, slamming into the ground with enough force to leave a small crater on the reinforced arena floor. Blood sprayed through the air in a vivid arc.
Dai Yao, on the other hand, remained poised, his expression calm. Only his eyes, crackling with lightning, betrayed his killing intent.
A stunned silence blanketed the arena, broken only by the distant rumbling of thunder.
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