Chapter 231: I'll Be the Ruthless Woman
Oakland Team's Rest Area.
The members of Oakland Academy were still basking in their victory over the Star Luo Royal Academy team. Once a barely notable school in the Heaven Dou Empire, now they had advanced not only to the finals but had defeated a team endorsed by the Star Luo Empire itself.
With the ongoing friction between the two empires, stirred up by Spirit Hall's interference, each side sought advantage, with particular attention on this Soul Master Tournament. A win meant national pride and could earn accolades, prestige, and the admiration of citizens, marking their academy as a place worthy of aspiring spirit masters. News of Oakland Academy's triumph over Star Luo would spread throughout the Heaven Dou Empire, securing their name as a rising powerhouse among academies.
The story of a battle between a rebel prince and the Star Luo Empire's crown prince would give Dai Yao an almost legendary status, with his name echoing throughout the continent. Dai Weisi's betrayal of Zhu Zhuyun would surely become the talk of the Heaven Dou Empire, giving citizens a rare chance to vent their longstanding grievances over the oppression by the Star Luo Empire. The more they ridiculed Dai Weisi, the more they would glorify Dai Yao, using his name as proof that the Star Luo Empire had underestimated him.
However, for the Oakland team, these larger implications were still far off. For now, their primary goal remained to continue advancing in the tournament, securing victories one step at a time.
As the rest of the team relaxed, Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing had wandered to the window, watching the Star Luo team leave. "Zhuqing, we're finally free," Dai Yao said, a hint of wonder in his voice. "We've proven ourselves."
The once helpless boy, struggling to survive in the Star Luo palace's cold, dark corners, had finally gained the strength to shape his own destiny.
Zhu Zhuqing looped her arms around his, gazing at him with warmth and gratitude. "Thank you, Yao-ge," she said softly.
Dai Yao blinked, surprised. "Thank me? For what?"
Zhu Zhuqing laughed, covering her mouth. "Back then, I intended to kill you, and not only did you forgive me, but you took me away from that cold place. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am now."
Dai Yao chuckled, his arm slipping around her shoulders, drawing her close. "Well, you were too beautiful for me to resist," he teased. "How could I not let you go? And looking at you now… I can see I made the right choice."
As he spoke, a flush spread across Zhu Zhuqing's delicate face, her eyes unwilling to meet his intense gaze. Her hand rested against his chest, as if resisting, yet he felt no real strength in her push, and her expression conveyed only a mix of desire and anticipation.
No longer able to hold back, Dai Yao leaned in and kissed her.
…
Moments later, Zhu Zhuqing leaned into him, breathless, her entire body relaxed in his arms. "It's so good to have you with me, Yao-ge," she murmured. "If not for your reminder, I would've killed Dai Weisi in a moment of rage and lost my chance to continue the competition."
Thinking back, Dai Yao felt a surge of relief. Without Zhu Zhuqing's reminder, he might have been disqualified from the tournament. Losing that chance would have allowed Tang San to dominate the competition, a possibility that made Dai Yao uneasy. Zhu Zhuqing was, in every sense, a perfect partner—one any man would be grateful for.
Turning his gaze back to the window, Dai Yao watched the defeated Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun. The once close pair now appeared distant, with Dai Weisi awkwardly attempting to speak to Zhu Zhuyun, only for her to ignore him, her expression void of any warmth. Dai Yao smirked. "After today, Dai Weisi's position as crown prince is more fragile than ever."
Zhu Zhuqing looked over to the Star Luo team. As she saw Zhu Zhuyun's despair, an inexplicable pang of empathy stirred within her, as if she could feel the weight of the heartbreak and betrayal herself. She imagined that had her fiancé not been Dai Yao, she might have been abandoned in the same way, left to deal with the crushing consequences alone.
A small shiver ran through her at the thought, and she instinctively held Dai Yao tighter.
"You two, what mischief are you up to over here?" a teasing voice broke in from behind.
Dai Yao immediately recognized the familiar voice and the faint hint of jealousy behind it. "Yan Yan, you're here?"
Dugu Yan's response was quick and a little sharp. "Oh? And why shouldn't I be?" Her heels clicked against the floor as she stepped closer, her gaze lingering between him and Zhu Zhuqing with a hint of disapproval. Despite her irritation, her Medusa-like allure remained impossible to ignore.
In truth, she had arrived some time ago and had watched Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing's tender moment before stepping forward.
Dai Yao turned to her, smiling. "You're just in time." He reached out, wrapping his arms around Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing, pulling them both close.
"What do you think you're doing?" Dugu Yan gasped in surprise, unable to pull away. Though she had accepted Zhu Zhuqing's place beside him, she had yet to share an intimate moment with them together.
Dai Yao's spirits were soaring. Soon, he would join Spirit Hall, while Dugu Yan would remain behind. It was now or never to enjoy a precious moment like this. After a brief struggle, Dugu Yan relaxed in his arms, her usual bold demeanor giving way to an unusual shyness. After a long pause, she sighed and muttered, "You're getting away with a lot…"
Dai Yao grinned as he held the two women close. Defeating Dai Weisi had left him feeling liberated, and this moment was one he'd imagined for a long time.
Seeing the defeated and humiliated Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun walking further away, Dugu Yan's expression softened with a hint of sadness. She looked up at Dai Yao and asked, "If you were faced with the same choice, would you choose me or Zhu Zhuqing?"
Dai Yao froze, realizing he'd been caught in a trap of his own making. It was the question every boyfriend dreaded, like being asked who he'd save if his girlfriend and mother were both drowning.
Dugu Yan immediately answered, "Of course I'd let you live! Don't you believe me?"
Dai Yao chuckled. "I do."
"You trust me that much?" Dugu Yan's green eyes held his in a steady gaze.
"Absolutely," he said without hesitation. For Dai Yao, this wasn't a test of human nature; this was Douluo Continent—or rather, a world where love reigned supreme. On this continent, any woman who loved someone did so with a fierce, unwavering loyalty.
Dugu Yan's usually flexible, snake-like body froze slightly at his response, her green eyes widening in surprise. After a long pause, she asked softly, "And what would your choice be?"
Dai Yao smiled. "I would make sure both of you—Yan and Zhuqing—survived. Do you believe me?"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, looking up at him with trust in her eyes. Dugu Yan, however, let out a wry laugh. "Then we'd all die together! Better to be a bit selfish and save yourself."
Dai Yao laughed along with her. "And if I lived, it would mean abandoning you."
Dugu Yan shrugged, a slight smirk on her lips. "As someone who's lived her whole life around poisons, I'm used to betrayal. Growing up, aside from my grandfather, I had no real friends. If you abandoned me, I'd accept it. Just remember the good times, even after I'm gone."
With that, she leaned her head against his shoulder, her eyes briefly flickering with memories of the past.
Zhu Zhuqing's face reddened slightly upon hearing that Dugu Yan had once tried to kill Dai Yao. So, we both wanted to kill him when we first met? she thought, embarrassed.
"Don't worry—I won't abandon either of you," Dai Yao said firmly, gazing at both women with sincerity.
Seeing their devotion, he felt a pang of disbelief, realizing how rare and beautiful their loyalty truly was. They were like characters straight out of a romantic tale.
"Then so be it," Dugu Yan murmured, eyes closed. "Even if we're doomed to die together, we'll have each other."
Although Zhu Zhuqing didn't say anything, a thought echoed in her heart: Me too.
Dugu Yan broke the silence with a question: "Dai Yao, do you hate Dai Weisi?"
"Of course."
A dark smile appeared on Dugu Yan's lips. "While you were fighting him, I managed to sneak a slow poison into their systems. They won't even realize it, but within a year or two, they'll be dead."
Dai Yao felt a wave of gratitude as he gently stroked her back. After a pause, he laughed softly. "Thank you, Yan. Actually, I wanted to use my external soul bone to inject a venom from the Man-Faced Demon Spider into him. I just didn't get the chance."
Surprised, Dugu Yan then laughed. "It's just as well you didn't. Poison masters have a bad reputation, you know. Let me be your deadly viper while you stay the dominant force on the battlefield."
Her tone was gentle, yet her words sent a chill through the air. From where he lay resting nearby, Dai Yuanyi shivered, a wry smile crossing his face as he thought, They really are perfect for each other. Only Dai Yao could keep someone like her in line.
Their intimate moment was interrupted by a sudden, polite cough.
"Ahem—"
Dai Yao turned to see Ju Douluo, Yue Guan, standing nearby.
The moment he appeared, Zhu Zhuqing sprang away from Dai Yao, while Dugu Yan only glanced at Ju Douluo with an uninterested expression, unfazed by their public display of affection.
"Senior, is there something you need?" Dai Yao asked.
With his usual soft voice, Ju Douluo replied, "I think you've had enough cozy time together. I've been watching you for a while now. Come along; the Supreme Pontiff wants to see you."
"Supreme Pontiff?" Dai Yao repeated, a little surprised.
Ju Douluo smiled slyly. "Not just you, but Feng Wutong as well. There's going to be quite a show today."
Dai Yao felt a heavy sense of foreboding settle over him. After saying goodbye to Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan, he followed Ju Douluo out of the room.
…
In front of the Supreme Pontiff's Hall, Bibi Dong stood at the forefront, with Qingluan Douluo behind her, followed by several other titled Douluos. With Ju Douluo's arrival, five titled Douluos were now gathered, enough to make the entire continent tremble.
"Your Holiness, I have brought them," Ju Douluo said respectfully, indicating Dai Yao and Feng Wutong.
Bibi Dong nodded lightly, then fixed her gaze on the two newcomers. Her eyes held an unreadable mix of emotions as she smiled and said, "Dai Yao, I have heard much about you. It is a pleasure to meet you at last."
Her voice held a softness that contrasted with the aura of authority she carried as Supreme Pontiff.
Dai Yao bowed with utmost respect. "For one as unworthy as me to be remembered by the Supreme Pontiff is an honor beyond measure."
As he straightened, he caught a glimpse of her face, and a glimmer of surprise flashed in his eyes. Up close, Bibi Dong's beauty was truly breathtaking, enough to captivate anyone. Yu Xiaogang was lucky indeed, he thought, though he knew that this was no time to be distracted.
The powerful presence of five titled Douluos, even without their soul pressure, created an atmosphere so heavy it felt like the air itself had thickened. Both he and Feng Wutong felt a nearly unbearable weight on their chests.
Pleased by Dai Yao's respectful demeanor, Bibi Dong turned her gaze to Feng Wutong, her expression softening with admiration. "You are beautiful indeed, a fitting bearer of the Vermilion Bird Spirit."
Bibi Dong then turned back to introduce those gathered. "Wutong, these individuals are Qingluan Douluo, Third Enshrined of Spirit Hall, and Lingyuan Douluo, an Elder of the Hall. You have already met Ghost Douluo, and of course, Ju Douluo here needs no introduction."
As Bibi Dong introduced them, Qingluan Douluo and Lingyuan Douluo both offered Feng Wutong kind smiles, while Ghost Douluo merely nodded indifferently. Dai Yao and Feng Wutong returned the greetings with respectful bows.
Feng Wutong couldn't help but feel a natural affinity with Qingluan Douluo and Lingyuan Douluo, sensing a connection to their shared lineage as bird-type spirit masters.
Noticing her reaction, Bibi Dong smiled slightly. "Wutong, I'm sure you've felt it—these two titled Douluos share a unique kinship with your Vermilion Bird Spirit. They would like to take you as their disciple, but we are leaving the decision to you."
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