Chapter 228: You Survive, or Zhu Zhuyun Survives—Choose One!
Within Spirit Hall, power was divided between the Pope and the Grand Worshipper. The Pope managed the day-to-day affairs and ruled over the Pope's Hall, while the Grand Worshipper handled the worship of divine beings and the passage of divine inheritance, overseeing the Elder Hall.
Decades ago, the previous Pope of Spirit Hall was Qian Daoliu's son, Qian Xunji. With Qian Xunji controlling the Pope's Hall and Qian Daoliu leading the Elder Hall, the Qian family, specifically the Angel Clan, maintained a tight grip over Spirit Hall. However, Qian Xunji's sudden death left a lasting impact.
After taking over as Pope, Bibi Dong became a changed person, especially after her time in the secret chamber. She quickly earned the loyalty of Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, who had been confidants of the former Pope. With their support, she promoted loyal allies to high-ranking positions, allowing her to gain control over most of the Titled Douluo within the Pope's Hall. From that point on, Spirit Hall began to divide into two factions: the Pope's Hall and the Elder Hall.
Although both factions technically belonged to Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong's complex relationship with Qian Xunji led to a growing rivalry between them. Due to the immense power held by the seven elders of the Elder Hall, who were all Super Douluo, they often had a high-handed attitude toward those from the Pope's Hall. Fortunately, the elders preferred to stay in seclusion, and the rivalry rarely erupted into open conflict.
But today, Qingluan Douluo's unexpected appearance had exposed the existing tension, bringing it back to the surface.
Under Bibi Dong's icy smile, Qingluan Douluo felt an overwhelming pressure, a kind he had only felt in the presence of the Grand Worshipper and the Second Worshipper. His heart sank. He wasn't foolish; he understood that Bibi Dong's current strength had become unfathomable. And with Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo surrounding him, forcefully taking Wutong as his disciple was simply not an option.
After a moment of silence, he conceded.
"Very well, we'll wait until the competition concludes."
Bibi Dong's gentle smile returned as she spoke, "Excellent." Yet, a cold glint flashed through her seemingly calm eyes, her grip on her scepter tightening until her knuckles turned white.
Since Qian Xunji's death, Bibi Dong had touched upon divine inheritance herself. Once she completely inherited the god's position, she would erase the Angel Clan from existence across the continent. All who stood in her path would face only one outcome—death, especially those decrepit relics of the Elder Hall. She loathed Qian Xunji and his father; had it not been for them, her life would never have taken such a miserable turn.
As Bibi Dong's intervention resolved the tension, Lingyuan Douluo breathed a sigh of relief. Against Qingluan Douluo, she had no chance of taking Feng Wutong as her disciple. Only by relying on the Pope's support could she continue vying with Qingluan.
Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo exchanged a helpless glance, amused by the situation. Dai Yao hadn't even joined Spirit Hall yet, and already the Titled Douluo had begun claiming those around him. Zhu Zhuqing, at least, had a unique martial spirit that only Ghost Douluo could truly comprehend. As for Feng Wutong's Vermilion Bird spirit, its sheer power was palpable to any spirit master. Had Lingyuan and Qingluan not already made their intentions clear, other Titled Douluo might have wanted a piece of the action as well.
On the competition stage, the match resumed despite the brief interruption from Qingluan Douluo. Though the two teams realigned themselves, it was apparent to any keen observer that Star Luo Royal Academy was no match for Oakland Academy.
For Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, however, there was no retreat.
Dai Weisi's eyes were bloodshot with fury, and his face twisted with anger as he glared at Dai Yao. "How? How did you both grow so powerful in just six years?!"
Dai Yao's voice was cold, a glimmer of satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "Because you're still alive. Because that vile woman is still alive. So long as you live, I will continue to push myself to become stronger, until I can destroy all who stand in the way of my revenge, until I can bring her head to my mother's grave to make amends."
Dai Weisi froze, hearing the bone-chilling resolve in Dai Yao's words. If not for the restrictions of the arena, Dai Yao would likely have already taken his life. The once-fragile boy from the Cold Palace had become a fearsome power that made him tremble. He finally realized Dai Yao posed a colossal threat to the Star Luo Empire, a looming danger to the royal family. Should he uncover the secrets of the past, the entire Star Luo royal lineage would be in peril—especially his own mother. Under the watchful eye of someone destined to become a Titled Douluo, she could easily lose her life.
Now he regretted not taking the elders' orders to reconcile with Dai Yao seriously, having pushed Dai Yao fully into opposition. If Dai Yao had agreed to return, they could have feigned peace, only to eliminate him using the family's resources.
After this competition, Dai Yao would join Spirit Hall, where even Star Luo Empire would be unable to touch him. The only chance to eliminate Dai Yao was now, in the arena.
"For my mother, I must stop him!"
Dai Weisi rose, wiping the blood from his lips, and called out loudly to Dai Yao. "Dai Yao! Between you and me, one must emerge victorious! The same goes for Zhu Zhuqing and Zhuyun. Do you dare to face us in a two-on-two match and have the other members stand down?"
"Captain!" The Star Luo Royal Academy team quickly crowded around Dai Weisi, anxious to dissuade him. Worry marked their faces.
"Enough! I know what I'm doing; there's no need to stop me," Dai Weisi declared arrogantly. For a moment, he appeared once more as the fearless, unconquerable Crown Prince of Star Luo.
"So, Dai Yao, do you dare? Answer me!"
Dai Yao didn't hesitate, his voice booming. "Very well!"
"Dai Yao, are you sure about this…?" Feng Qianli began, frowning with concern. They were already in a strong position, so why agree to Dai Weisi's risky proposal?
"Don't worry." Dai Yao turned back, offering Feng Qianli a confident smile.
Seeing the firm resolve in Dai Yao's eyes, the Oakland team members held back their words of caution and moved silently to the edge of the arena.
Even if something unexpected happened, they could still step back into the match if necessary. As the central stage cleared, leaving only four people, Dai Yao turned to Zhu Zhuqing, a determined glint in his eyes.
"Zhuqing, it's time to settle this."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded subtly, preparing herself for the battle as they awaited the referee's announcement.
"Davis, can we really win?" Zhu Zhuyun asked with a hint of anxiety.
Dai Weisi's expression was cold and calculating. "Dai Yao's power has indeed grown. But since both his and Zhu Zhuqing's spirits have mutated, there's a high chance they're unable to perform a Spirit Fusion anymore."
"Even if they could, the Youming White Tiger can't use individual spirit abilities after the fusion, which means Dai Yao would lose access to his ten-thousand-year spirit ability. Meanwhile, we still hold the upper hand in raw spirit power. Our Spirit Fusion has a good chance of overpowering theirs."
Zhu Zhuyun nodded with difficulty, but worry still clouded her eyes. Dai Yao's confidence in accepting so readily suggested he had accounted for their Spirit Fusion and might even have a deeper strategy. But she kept her doubts silent; Dai Weisi's reasoning was their only hope.
They had no retreat, just like Dai Yao.
"Let the match begin!" The red-robed bishop glanced at Dai Yao's team, then at Dai Weisi's, confirming their readiness before making the announcement.
The moment his words fell, all four combatants dashed toward each other.
"Zhuyun!" Dai Weisi roared, exchanging a determined look with Zhu Zhuyun. Understanding instantly, she nodded and became a streak of dark light, colliding with him. At once, a powerful surge of spirit energy burst forth.
"A Spirit Fusion?" Many spirit masters watching the match exclaimed in surprise.
With a male spirit master named Dai and a female named Zhu, many from the Heaven Dou Empire immediately connected this duo to Shrek Academy's Dai Mubai, realizing he must also be of royal lineage.
Seeing Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun in action, Dai Yao tilted his head slightly and gave a calm smile.
"Zhuqing."
Without a word, Zhu Zhuqing's spirit energy surged, her figure taking on an almost ethereal transparency. She extended her arms toward Dai Yao, who, in turn, underwent a transformation, his white fur slowly taking on a faint golden glow.
Finally, like a pair of swallows reuniting, Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Yao embraced.
A dazzling white light burst from them as the divine aura of the Sacred White Tiger merged with the ominous essence of the Youming Sovereign. An overwhelming surge of power radiated outward, leaving the audience in awe.
"Roar!"
With a mighty roar, a massive, transparent tiger appeared beside them.
On the other side, a giant tiger formed as well, courtesy of Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun's fusion.
The two tigers were nearly identical in size but vastly different in appearance. Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun's creation had a transparent body with dark stripes and violet eyes, emanating a fierce, intimidating aura that sent chills through anyone who dared gaze upon it.
However, the tiger that emerged from Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing was markedly different.
It was transparent as well, but its forehead bore a golden "king" marking, with golden stripes and golden eyes. The tiger's presence exuded a sacred aura, one that felt both familiar and oppressive.
But the most striking difference lay in its enhancements.
This holy tiger wore an icy crystal crown upon its head and had large, pure white wings sprouting from its back. These wings stretched wide, almost blotting out the sky.
Momentarily stunned, the Youming White Tiger formed by Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun gaped at the creature. They had not anticipated that Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing would not only perform a Spirit Fusion but that their combined form had evolved into a more powerful creature.
Even they could feel its oppressive aura.
As they hesitated, the holy-winged tiger's gaze turned predatory. Its maw gaped open, and with a flash of vicious intent, it lunged forward.
On the battlefield, the two titanic tigers clashed fiercely. The ordinary Youming White Tiger was immediately at a disadvantage, entirely outmatched in strength and speed.
Slash!
The sickening sound of flesh tearing rang out repeatedly.
The holy tiger's claws, tipped with razor-sharp talons, gouged deeply into the Youming White Tiger, rending flesh and spilling blood like rain.
In a frenzy, the holy tiger tore into Dai Weisi's creation. The audience, even those from Oakland, watched with stunned disbelief; this was the first time they had seen Dai Yao, typically so composed, in such an intense, almost feral state.
The power radiating from each swipe of the holy tiger's claws was clear—an ordinary Soul King would likely be killed with one blow, let alone under such an unrelenting assault.
"Damn you, bastard! Get away from me!" the ordinary Youming White Tiger bellowed in rage and panic, its voice tinged with dread. Its purple eyes turned bloodshot as it struggled desperately, aware that if Dai Yao continued this relentless assault, even their Spirit Fusion would mean certain death.
The Youming White Tiger writhed with all its might, but Dai Yao, now in command of the holy tiger, ignored its furious roars, his eyes red with hatred.
"Dai Weisi! For all these years, I've kept every insult, every injury you and that vile woman inflicted upon me seared into my mind!"
"I trained for one purpose only: to destroy you and her, to avenge my mother!"
The memory of himself as a boy, weak and despised in the Cold Palace; the endless training by the waterfall at Star Luo Royal Academy; the agony of absorbing soul rings, and the cold, sneering contempt—Dai Yao remembered it all too well.
Through Spirit Hall's support, he had finally clawed his way to the top, using his foresight from the original story to develop the strength to confront Dai Weisi.
Aided, of course, by his Qinglian cheat ability.
"That wretch almost killed me! Today, you'll pay the interest!"
The holy tiger's massive maw opened wide, its face twisted in wrath, its golden eyes tinged red with bloodlust.
That killing intent made all who watched tremble inwardly.
"You miserable scum, you can die here, along with Zhu Zhuyun!"
The holy tiger's terrifying roar shook the arena as its gaping maw lunged for the spine of the Youming White Tiger below, certain to kill it in one decisive bite.
"It's over!"
The eyes of the Youming White Tiger were filled with despair as a wave of fear surged through him. Gazing at the bloodthirsty glint in the Sacred White Tiger's gaze, Dai Weisi was convinced Dai Yao would disregard the rules and end him here on the stage.
"Stop!" cried Chrysanthemum Douluo urgently.
If Dai Yao killed Dai Weisi here, the Oakland team would be disqualified from the competition.
At the last second, the Youming White Tiger split back into its two halves, revealing the battered figures of Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun. Compared to the Youming White Tiger, they looked pitifully small, just barely escaping the jaws of the Sacred White Tiger.
They collapsed heavily to the ground, blood spilling from their mouths as they lay motionless in agony. Yet, it seemed that the Sacred White Tiger wasn't ready to let them go.
But Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped forward, blocking the Sacred White Tiger with a sigh.
"Enough, Dai Yao," he said. "If you kill him, how will you continue the tournament?"
The Sacred White Tiger transformed back into Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing. Dai Yao looked down at Dai Weisi, clenching his fists. After a moment's pause, he turned to Chrysanthemum Douluo, bowing respectfully.
"Elder, my fight with Dai Weisi goes beyond this competition. It's a personal matter. I beg you to grant me this chance to settle it."
"If you kill him, you won't just lose your place in the tournament; your entire team will be disqualified. Think about your teammates," Chrysanthemum Douluo warned from the edge of the stage.
At this, Dai Yuanyi shouted confidently, "Dai Yao, we're already satisfied making it this far! Do whatever you need to do!"
After a moment, Feng Qianli sighed as well, adding, "It's up to you. Just make sure to treat us to a grand celebration afterward."
Hearing his teammates' words, Dai Yao silently thanked them. Every gaze now turned toward Chrysanthemum Douluo, waiting for his decision.
Chrysanthemum Douluo swallowed, knowing that a prince's death on the stage would ignite a direct conflict between Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire. He glanced toward Bibi Dong, who gave a subtle nod.
With a deep sigh, Chrysanthemum Douluo relented. "Alright then, but be sure you won't regret it." He stepped aside, clearing Dai Yao's path.
As Dai Yao approached Dai Weisi, every step felt like the approach of death itself for the fallen prince. The tension in the arena was palpable; Dai Yao's footsteps echoed, each beat like a countdown. All eyes were fixed on him, anticipating his final decision.
Inwardly, many strong competitors hoped he would finish Dai Weisi, leading to Oakland's disqualification. Tang San was no exception. Though he appeared calm, his heart raced with anticipation. "Yes, do it, finish him!" he urged silently.
"If you dare harm our captain, we'll never forgive you!" Star Luo Royal Academy's teammates shouted in desperation.
Dai Yao's icy glare swept over them. "I remember well how you treated me back at the academy. You're lucky I haven't come for each of you yet. One more word, and I'll end you, too!"
At this, they all shrank back in fear. They had been among those who bullied Dai Yao in the past. Now that he was capable of killing the prince himself, their lives would mean even less to him.
Watching them cower, Dai Yao scoffed and continued toward Dai Weisi.
He loomed over the fallen prince, a cold breeze ruffling his golden hair, filling him with satisfaction. His tone was laced with venom as he sneered, "Dai Weisi, that wretched woman's only source of arrogance is you. Without you as the crown prince, let's see how long she keeps her place as empress."
"Today, I'll take a small part of my vengeance!" He raised his hand like a blade, ready to strike. Dai Weisi closed his eyes, resigned to his fate, his pride barely keeping him from pleading for mercy.
But at the last moment, Zhu Zhuqing stopped Dai Yao's hand.
"Zhuqing, you…" Dai Yao began in surprise.
Leaning close, Zhu Zhuqing whispered, "Yao-ge, if you kill him, what about Tang San?"
No one knew Dai Yao's fears better than Zhu Zhuqing. She understood that, of all people, Tang San was the one he most dreaded. Killing Dai Weisi would mean forfeiting the competition, leaving Tang San and the Shrek team free to dominate the tournament. That was something Dai Yao could never allow.
Dai Yao's fists clenched. Dai Weisi lay severely wounded; killing him now would be the perfect chance for revenge.
But Tang San…
Would he really allow Tang San to walk away with the championship as in the original story, claiming three spirit bones? If that happened, events would follow their destined path, eventually leading to Tang San's twin godhood—a future where he would be nearly unstoppable.
"No, Tang San is a far greater threat than Dai Weisi. I can't kill him here."
"But I won't let Dai Weisi go without consequences!"
Dai Yao's gaze darkened as he weighed his options. Many in the audience began whispering, trying to guess his next move. Even Dai Weisi dared to open his eyes, dazed and confused at still being alive, already feeling relief at his near escape.
After a moment's thought, Dai Yao's cold voice rang out: "Dai Weisi, I'm giving you a choice: you live, or Zhu Zhuyun lives. You must choose—only one of you can survive."
Dai Weisi froze.
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