Chapter 265: Memories of Xingluo
Inside the cabin, Dai Yao and Ferdinand sat across from each other at a wooden table. Outside, the thunderous waterfall crashed against rocks, spraying mist into the air. Thoughts of the past welled up in both of them.
"Dai Yao," Ferdinand began, reminiscing, "Nine years ago, I knew you were destined to make a name for yourself, but I didn't expect you to reach such heights this soon. Even the Golden Generation couldn't match you."
Dai Yao turned his gaze out the window toward the towering waterfall, now resembling the small cascade at Xingluo Royal Academy. Memories of solitude and suppression resurfaced, yet they seemed almost nostalgic now.
"My thanks to you, Grandpa Ferdinand. If it weren't for your intervention back then, I wouldn't be here today," Dai Yao said, bowing respectfully.
Ferdinand laughed heartily, his large frame leaning back, causing the chair to creak under his weight. "Saving you wasn't entirely selfless. On one hand, I saw your potential, but on the other, it was an opportunity to weaken the Xingluo royal family's power."
"But I never expected your growth would surpass my wildest hopes."
Dai Yao smiled, unbothered by Ferdinand's frank admission. If you want someone's help, you have to prove your worth.
Just then, Wu Tong entered the cabin, carrying cups and hot spring water to serve tea. As she moved to pour, Dai Yao gently stopped her.
"I'll handle it, Wu Tong." He took the cup and poured tea for Ferdinand himself. "Grandpa Ferdinand, this tea is from Bishop Miles' new harvest this year. He gave me a couple of ounces—please, try it."
As he watched Dai Yao pour the tea, Ferdinand's eyes softened. He chuckled, glancing down at the tea leaves floating in the cup. "That rascal Miles only gave me a single ounce, but he gifted you two. Seems I don't hold a candle to you in his eyes, eh?"
Dai Yao laughed. "Your status is too lofty, Grandpa; they're probably afraid to approach you."
Ferdinand beamed, his cheeks rounding into a smile. His gaze then shifted to Wu Tong and Zhu Zhuqing, sitting quietly by Dai Yao's side with the graceful composure of devoted companions. He couldn't resist teasing, "Well, well, it seems you're blessed with good fortune! Ghost Douluo has been grumbling to me nonstop lately. This girl Zhu Zhuqing here, her heart belongs to you, and she barely gives her poor teacher the time of day."
Zhu Zhuqing blushed and lowered her head shyly. With Ferdinand, who was more like family to both of them, she felt the embarrassment of a daughter-in-law meeting her in-laws.
After a few sips of tea, Ferdinand smacked his lips, his eyes narrowing in thought. He glanced at the four maids nearby, then gave Dai Yao a nod. Understanding the cue, Dai Yao gestured for the maids to leave the room.
Once alone, Ferdinand encased the cabin in his spirit power to ensure privacy. Only then did he speak in a serious tone. "So, Dai Yao, how have you found life here in Spirit Hall so far?"
Dai Yao's thoughts went to his early days in Spirit Hall, where Bibi Dong's oppressive presence had been a constant shadow. "It's been... manageable," he replied cautiously.
Ferdinand scoffed, "Oh, don't try to fool me. You wouldn't be holed up here if everything were fine! You're not exactly here to be a recluse for your training, are you?"
Dai Yao let out a resigned laugh. "You're right; you saw through me."
Ferdinand softened. "Coming out here might've been the best decision you've made. By distancing yourself from the politics of Spirit City, you've given yourself space to train. And Bibi Dong has ordered others to leave you alone unless absolutely necessary."
"After all, Dai Yao," he continued, "with enough power, no scheme can bring you down. But I still have a word of warning…"
Seeing Ferdinand's thoughtful expression, Dai Yao grew attentive. "Please go on, Grandpa Ferdinand."
Ferdinand weighed his words before speaking. "We may both serve Bibi Dong for now, but be careful not to get too close. That woman is... unstable. I can't shake the feeling she has a dangerous obsession with destruction."
Dai Yao's heart clenched. Ferdinand's impression echoed the original storyline's themes, where Bibi Dong harbored thoughts of destroying Spirit Hall itself. It seemed others had begun to notice the dark, twisted ambition lurking within her.
Feeling a rush of gratitude for Ferdinand's candor, Dai Yao thanked him sincerely. "Thank you, Grandpa Ferdinand."
Ferdinand waved it off. "No need for thanks between us. Just keep that insight close and be discreet. She's not someone you want to cross lightly—even the Great Elder at the Shrine Hall is wary of her."
"But there's no denying that under her rule, Spirit Hall has reached unprecedented heights."
After sipping his tea, Ferdinand continued, "I've just returned from the Xingluo Empire. Interesting things are happening there. Care to hear about them?"
"Absolutely."
Ferdinand's eyes gleamed with amusement. "For starters, here's something that might lift your spirits."
"Since returning home, Davis has had a rough time. First, he quarreled with his fiancée, Zhu Zhuyun, putting a strain on his alliance with the Zhu family. Their support isn't as unconditional as it once was."
"Then, Third Prince Dai Mubai returned from the Heaven Dou Empire. His training there has made him a viable contender for the throne, and many who were disappointed with Davis now support Dai Mubai instead."
"It's obvious to anyone that Dai Mubai has greater potential. But while Davis still has some advantages, the struggle for the throne has turned vicious."
"Our role in this? We're quietly fueling both sides. When one gains an upper hand, we subtly support the other, keeping them equally matched to weaken their power."
Dai Yao felt a twinge of satisfaction. Davis' arrogance back at Xingluo Royal Academy still rankled him. But then he thought of the royal family's dynamics. Both Davis and Dai Mubai were children of the Xingluo Empress. Whoever won the throne would ultimately serve her interests.
A hint of resentment flashed across his face, and he clenched his fist. He thought of another prince. "What about Second Prince Dai Yaming? Do we have any word on him?"
Ferdinand laughed bitterly. "After you crippled his arm, his chances of becoming a Titled Douluo vanished. He's been abandoned by everyone; no one backs a man with no future."
"And his mother, a favored consort, recently fell from grace. The Empress accused her of treason and sent her to the cold palace—she won't live much longer."
Dai Yao felt a pang of sympathy mixed with sadness. Although it was his actions that had cost Dai Yaming his arm, the former prince's fate wasn't solely his doing. In the end, their tragedy was just another product of the Xingluo royal family's ruthless struggle for power.
As Dai Yao recalled the torment he and his mother endured in the Cold Palace, a surge of fury coursed through him. His fists clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palms without him realizing it. One day, he would return to the Star Luo Empire and personally avenge his mother. That day wasn't far off.
Noticing Dai Yao's angered expression, Ferdinand took a sip of tea. After giving Dai Yao a moment to calm down, he spoke seriously:
"Dai Yao, what I'm about to tell you is closely tied to you."
Dai Yao raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"Do you remember when, during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, Dai Weisi tried to convince you to return to the Star Luo Empire?" Ferdinand asked, his gaze sharp.
Dai Yao let out a derisive chuckle. "Of course, but sending Dai Weisi to recruit me? That was absurd. Knowing the blood feud between us, how could they think I'd ever agree?"
Ferdinand gave a faint smile, then grew serious.
"You're mistaken. The one originally tasked with recruiting you was the Fourth Elder of the Dai family's council. He's an exceptionally powerful individual, considered the most likely candidate in the Dai family to ascend to the rank of Title Douluo."
Dai Yao frowned. "Then how did the task fall to Dai Weisi?"
"That's where the Second Elder comes in," Ferdinand explained. "The Second Elder has a close relationship with the Empress Dowager—your stepmother's mother. When she learned that your return could jeopardize the Crown Prince's position, she sought the Second Elder's help to obstruct the Fourth Elder and have Dai Weisi take on the task instead."
The memory of Dai Weisi's arrogant demeanor, as if he were magnanimously offering a way back, made Dai Yao scoff.
"The Dai family truly is short-sighted," he sneered.
For his own selfish motives, the Second Elder had pushed a prodigious talent like Dai Yao—who had performed brilliantly in the tournament—straight into the hands of Spirit Hall, ignoring the family's broader interests. The Fourth Elder's passivity only added to Dai Yao's disdain.
Ferdinand shook his head. "It's not that simple. I know the Dai family's elders well, and their behavior isn't as shallow as you might think."
"The Second Elder is a stubborn traditionalist who believes the ancestral rules must never be altered. He clashed frequently with the Fifth Elder, who wanted to support you, and harbored a deep disdain for those who betrayed the Star Luo Empire."
"Thus, the Empress Dowager's plea was well-placed. The Second Elder's personality ensured he would never allow your return."
Dai Yao thought for a moment, understanding the Second Elder's character. He then asked, "And the Fourth Elder? He just stood by and let this happen? He let Dai Weisi take over?"
Ferdinand explained further:
"The Fourth Elder's martial soul is also the White Tiger. You should understand what that means."
The White Tiger martial soul was synonymous with the Dai royal family. Every member with this martial soul was destined to compete for the throne. Those who lost faced certain death. Yet the Fourth Elder had become a member of the council instead.
Dai Yao's eyes narrowed. "You're saying…?"
Ferdinand nodded. "Exactly. The Fourth Elder was once a prince, a direct competitor for the throne. He was the full brother of the former Crown Prince and shared a close bond with him."
"He was the most gifted of his generation, but witnessing the fratricidal nature of the competition left him disillusioned. He deliberately abandoned his training and, after his brother ascended to the throne, was spared as a gesture of magnanimity."
"Afterward, he joined the council with the Grand Elder's support and became one of its members."
"However, being the only survivor of the royal competition meant violating the ancestral code. As a result, the Second Elder often targeted him. When Dai Weisi sought his help to deal with you, he turned a blind eye and passed the task to Dai Weisi."
Dai Yao couldn't help but laugh bitterly at the absurdity of it all. His fate had been determined by one elder's stubbornness and another's apathy. The ridiculousness of it stung deeply.
Ferdinand continued, "After you rejected Dai Weisi and announced your allegiance to Spirit Hall, reconciliation with the Star Luo royal family or the Dai family council became impossible."
"Your talent alarmed even the Grand Elder, who has already surpassed level 96. He personally reprimanded the Second and Fourth Elders and has begun weaving a web of schemes against you."
"Given his cunning, once this web is complete, you won't be able to hide in Spirit Hall. You'll have to return to the Star Luo Empire and resolve all grudges yourself."
"For now, Spirit Hall hasn't fully broken with the two great empires, so we may not be able to offer much assistance."
The mention of a level 96 Title Douluo made Dai Yao's pupils constrict slightly. In the original story, the Star Luo Empire's Title Douluos were never mentioned. To think the Dai family hid a Super Douluo among their ranks was unexpected.
However, Dai Yao recalled that during the Jialing Pass battle, dozens of Title Douluos clashed. When the Clear Sky Sect emerged, five of their elders—Title Douluos—were sent to aid the Star Luo Empire. Clearly, the situation within Star Luo was also precarious, and they likely had other Title Douluos.
A ruthless smile spread across Dai Yao's face. Licking his lips, he replied coldly:
"Don't worry, Grandpa Ferdinand. I've been waiting for this day. If they want to come for me, I won't sit idly by. When the time comes, I'll make sure to give them a big surprise."
"When I return, all debts will be settled!"
Hearing Dai Yao's resolute words, Ferdinand was momentarily stunned before laughing heartily. He clapped Dai Yao firmly on the back.
"Good! That's the spirit! Spirit Hall may not be able to do much for you, but we won't stand by if you're in danger."
"Train hard—I look forward to that day!"
"Understood!" Dai Yao nodded firmly.
After Ferdinand's departure, Dai Yao plunged into relentless training once more. The momentary ease he'd felt upon joining Spirit Hall had vanished. The debts he owed the Star Luo royal family would ultimately have to be repaid by his own hand.
The next day, someone unexpected appeared.
At the eastern edge of the valley stood a figure as thin as a javelin, holding a long serpent spear. The man's sharp aura bore a striking resemblance to Sword Douluo's.
It was none other than Snake Spear Douluo.
(Chapter End)
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