Chapter 412: A Gift from the Past, Returning to Spirit Hall
"By the way, Dai Yao," Ning Rongrong said after Ferdinand left. "There's someone here from the Star Luo Empire waiting to see you."
Dai Yao looked at her in confusion. "Who?"
Instead of answering directly, Ning Rongrong glanced at Zhu Zhuqing before saying softly, "Come with me. Zhuqing, you should come too."
Perplexed, Dai Yao followed her down a path toward one of the nearby buildings. Zhu Zhuqing followed, equally curious. Dai Yao didn't have many old acquaintances from Star Luo—besides his uncle Dai Hengyu and Ye Nantian, nearly everyone else was an enemy. Exchanging a glance with Zhu Zhuqing, he nodded and walked with Ning Rongrong to the doorway.
They stopped at the entrance. Ning Rongrong turned to Dai Yao and said, "This is the place. You'll understand once you go inside."
Dai Yao knocked, and when the door opened, he was taken aback. Looking at Zhu Zhuqing, he could see that she was equally shocked. Zhu Zhuqing asked uncertainly, "Sister Zhu Yue?"
It had been years, but Zhu Zhuyue had changed significantly. Her face was more refined, her figure as alluring as ever, yet she dressed in a subdued and modest manner, as if deliberately concealing her appearance from others.
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Yao, Zhu Zhuyue looked over Dai Yao with an appraising gaze before letting her expression settle back into a mask of indifference. She spoke in a flat voice, "Please, come in."
Still confused about Zhu Zhuyue's purpose in being there, Dai Yao glanced around but did not see Dai Yaming. Years ago, the two of them had clashed intensely. If not for Dai Yao obtaining a thousand-year soul ring as his second, he might have lost his life to Dai Yaming.
Ultimately, Dai Yao had crippled Dai Yaming's arm, stripping him of any future as a Titled Douluo. Inevitably, his family had discarded him. In Dai Yao's mind, he had long since resolved any resentment over their old enmity.
Seated inside, Dai Yao got straight to the point, "Zhu Zhuyue, what is it you came here to say?"
Zhu Zhuyue glanced at Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, as if weighing her words carefully. Then she took out an object from her soul tool—a bone-like relic—and placed it on the table. "This is Yaming's soul bone. He asked me to bring it to you."
The soul power emanating from the bone startled everyone. Dai Yao raised an eyebrow. The memory of his fierce battle with Dai Yaming came flooding back. Dai Yaming's soul bone had given him a considerable advantage back then, particularly with his skill Destruction Ray, which had forced Dai Yao into a corner. Now, seeing that very soul bone here, he realized what it meant for Dai Yaming.
Looking down at the faintly glowing purple soul bone, Dai Yao was briefly silent. It felt surreal; a former adversary had now vanished from his life in such a final way. Still, he didn't have much interest in this thousand-year soul bone. He reached over, lifted the soul bone, and extended it back toward Zhu Zhuyue. "I can't accept this. If I recall correctly, this soul bone was a precious gift from Yaming's mother. Regardless of the circumstances, it should not go to me."
Zhu Zhuyue's face remained emotionless as she responded, "You're right, but after Yaming's defeat, he lost all standing, and his mother soon fell out of favor under pressure from the Empress. She passed away not long after. His mother's family severed all ties, fearing retribution from the imperial family. We have no one left to pass this soul bone to."
"The only thing of value Yaming and I have is this soul bone. After thinking it over, I decided the best course was to give it to you."
Dai Yao sat in contemplative silence. He and Dai Yaming had once been enemies, yet at this moment, it seemed that only a former adversary could be entrusted with this legacy.
With a deep sigh, he asked, "This soul bone wouldn't be suitable for me. Do you mind if I give it to someone else?"
Zhu Zhuyue's face softened slightly. "Now that it's yours, do as you wish. Yaming and I have no further claim to it."
Dai Yao sighed, "In that case, I'll keep it."
Zhu Zhuyue nodded and then stood, clearly indicating the conversation was over. "I've fulfilled my mission. I won't keep you any longer."
As Dai Yao, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing got up to leave, Zhu Zhuyue suddenly spoke up, "Zhuqing…"
Zhu Zhuqing turned, surprised. "Yes?"
Zhu Zhuyue hesitated for a moment before saying, "About what happened in the past… I'm sorry."
Back when Zhu Zhuqing was engaged to Dai Yao, she and Zhu Zhuyue had been rivals. Zhu Zhuyue had repeatedly bullied and humiliated Zhu Zhuqing to protect Dai Yaming's position.
Zhu Zhuqing smiled softly. "It's fine. I let it go a long time ago."
"Then…that's all. You can go."
Zhu Zhuyue's eyes wavered slightly before she looked away. With a gentle nod, Zhu Zhuqing left, followed by Dai Yao and Ning Rongrong.
Once the room fell back into silence, Zhu Zhuyue sat alone, her gaze distant and thoughtful. "Zhuqing… you made a wise choice. Not only did he take you out of Star Luo, but he's brought you so many opportunities…"
In truth, she felt a pang of envy toward Zhu Zhuqing. Once, the two of them had been quite similar in beauty and talent. Yet, seeing Zhu Zhuqing now—elegant, refined, and exuding a powerful aura—she knew that Zhu Zhuqing's martial spirit was far stronger than the original Nether Spirit Cat.
As for herself, she had remained confined with Dai Yaming in the imperial palace's cold palace. Although they lacked nothing in material comfort, they had no freedom, constantly facing disdain from the palace's maids and servants. Driven by wounded pride, she had locked herself away in her quarters, avoiding those who scorned them.
After Dai Yaming's defeat, his health had steadily deteriorated, exacerbated by the loss of his mother. Finally, he became bedridden, unable to move. Though his body failed him, Zhu Zhuyue had never abandoned him, as he had sacrificed his arm for her sake.
Then, as Dai Yao entered the Star Luo Empire, Dai Yaming passed away. Zhu Zhuyue had initially thought of joining him in death, but he had entrusted her with his soul bone, hoping it could find a worthy successor.
"Yaming, I've completed my task," she whispered softly, as if seeing Dai Yaming's face before her. A smile spread across her face as she took out a dagger and placed it against her snowy-white neck.
With a flash of silver, blood spilled onto the floor—a quiet end to a tragic life.
An hour later, a servant bringing food to Zhu Zhuyue noticed something strange in the room. Opening the door, the servant let out a startled scream. Dai Yao arrived soon after and, seeing Zhu Zhuyue's lifeless body, fell silent.
Zhu Zhuqing looked down at Zhu Zhuyue's still form, feeling a hollow sense of regret settle over her. Although they had only a nominal "sisterhood," the sight of Zhu Zhuyue's tragic end stirred a faint compassion in her. They had been pitted against each other by the Dai family's rigid rules, both of them victims of the same harsh fate.
Ning Rongrong glanced at Zhu Zhuyue, pity flickering in her gaze as she turned to Dai Yao and asked softly, "Dai Yao, what should we do about Zhu Zhuyue?"
Dai Yao sighed deeply. "Take her back to the Star Luo Empire. Let Dai Mubai bury her beside Dai Yaming."
Ning Rongrong looked surprised. "You're still in contact with Dai Mubai? I thought he was your enemy."
Dai Yao gave a complicated smile, walking toward the door as he explained, "My relationship with him is complicated—he's both an enemy and an ally. I left him alive partly because my mother is still buried in the Star Luo Empire. Unless absolutely necessary, I'd rather not disturb her resting place. I haven't said as much, but Dai Mubai likely understands this."
"He'll do his best to ensure no one desecrates her grave," Dai Yao continued, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "But if he can't, I'll have no choice but to move her elsewhere—and if it comes to that, then there's no need for the Star Luo Dai family to exist any longer."
Before leaving the Star Luo Empire, he had stationed a few disciples from the Qinglian Sect there to guard his mother's grave, prepared to relocate her remains if anyone attempted to harm them out of revenge.
"I see," Ning Rongrong said softly. She then looked up at Dai Yao with a warm smile and said, "Dai Yao, when we have the chance, I'd like to visit your mother's grave too. After all, I am also…"
Dai Yao understood her sentiment. As his wife, Ning Rongrong wanted to pay her respects to his mother. Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong had already had the opportunity during their visit to the Star Luo Empire, but Ning Rongrong hadn't. This seemingly simple act held significant meaning.
"Alright, when the time comes, both you and Yan Yan should go," Dai Yao replied earnestly.
Ning Rongrong shyly took Dai Yao's hand, meeting Zhu Zhuqing's gaze with a small nod. Zhu Zhuqing had intentionally brought up this topic, aware that without doing so, it might linger as an unspoken burden for both Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan. As Dai Yao's first partner, she was determined to prevent any potential resentment from taking root.
After a brief conversation, Dai Yao turned serious. "Alright, Rongrong, once the disciples are on board, I'll take Zhuqing and Wutong to Spirit Hall. I'll return to Hanhai City once I've handled things there."
Spirit Hall had helped him significantly; without their support, he wouldn't have had the chance to defeat the Star Luo Emperor. And it was time to address his relationship with Bibi Dong. Past misunderstandings and interference from the spirit beast faction had created an irreparable rift. He would either reveal everything to Bibi Dong or sever his ties with Spirit Hall for good.
With his primary vendetta settled, resolving matters with Spirit Hall would finally allow him the freedom to live his own life within the Qinglian Sect in Hanhai City.
There was also the issue of Xiao Wu's betrayal. She had been dreading his wrath while hiding in his spiritual domain. Though he'd been too preoccupied to address it, he intended to deal with her as soon as his obligations were complete.
And with his recent breakthrough to the seventieth rank, he was long overdue to find his seventh soul ring. He'd had his sights set on the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's ring for some time now.
Ning Rongrong, though reluctant to part, gazed up at him with deep affection, biting her lip as she held him close and whispered, "Alright, be safe. Sister Yan and I will be waiting for you in the sect."
Heaven Dou Empire, Imperial Palace
In the grand hall, Empress Xueke sat on her throne while the Regent, Tang San, sat beside her. When Seventh Elder finished speaking, Tang San's whole body tensed.
"Dai Yao? The Shura Emperor? Unbelievable. He's been playing all of us this whole time!" Tang San's fists clenched as he ground his teeth, veins throbbing with the intensity of his anger.
Dai Yao had taken Xiao Wu's soul ring, while the "Shura Emperor" had denied him the chance to kill Qian Renxue. Each of these men had been a source of unyielding hatred—and now he realized they were the same person.
Tang Hao, feeling a chill, said gravely, "This is a serious problem. If the Seventh Elder's report is accurate, that boy can already defend against a Super Douluo. Combined with his twin martial spirits, the trouble he could cause us is beyond imagining!"
Second Elder nodded, looking concerned. "Indeed, our conflict with him is irreconcilable. If he grows any stronger, there may be no one left to stop him unless our ancestor Tang Chen returns. The survival of our sect may be at risk."
The room fell into a heavy silence.
Seeing everyone's grave expressions, Empress Xueke tried to ease the tension with a deferential smile. "Everyone, it's late. You're all pillars of the Empire; please rest before wearing yourselves out."
Her words were met with disdainful glances in Tang San's direction. He seemed oblivious to her words, still stewing in his hatred of Dai Yao. Ignored, Empress Xueke's expression faltered. Though she held the throne, no one paid her any respect anymore. Ever since Tang San's regime had taken control, he had grown increasingly indifferent to her, leaving her effectively sidelined. Were it not for the political stability her position provided, the Clear Sky Sect might have overthrown her already.
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward to smooth things over. "Tang San, I know you're upset, but your marriage to the Empress cannot be delayed any longer. With Dai Mubai's recent ascension in Star Luo, uniting the two Empires is our best chance to withstand Spirit Hall."
Tang San glanced briefly at Empress Xueke, then nodded decisively. Gaining control over the Heaven Dou Empire was crucial to avenging his mother and father, defeating Spirit Hall, and safeguarding the Clear Sky Sect from suffering the same fate as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Above all, it was necessary to settle his score with Dai Yao.
Spirit City, Holy Mountain
After resting overnight, Dai Yao reached Spirit City the next day. Gazing up at the towering mountain and the grand Papal Palace halfway up, he felt an odd sense of unfamiliarity.
"Zhuqing, Wutong, you should go meet with your mentors," Dai Yao said, looking back at the two of them.
"Alright," Zhu Zhuqing replied softly. "Be careful."
With that, the two women left, heading for their teachers' residences on the palace grounds.
Dai Yao took a deep breath and ascended the mountain path until he encountered Ferdinand, who came forward with a strange expression and said, "The Pope is waiting for you."
To Dai Yao's surprise, Bibi Dong had not expressed any anger over his identity as the Shura Emperor being revealed. She had only instructed Ferdinand to bring him to the palace. In fact, once she learned of Dai Yao's presence in Spirit City, she had ordered the Papal Palace cleared of everyone else.
Dai Yao nodded, then followed Ferdinand onto the platform leading to the Papal Palace. Looking around the eerily empty palace grounds, he felt a creeping sense of unease.
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