Chapter 466: Reunion with Hu Liena
"The Sea God?"
The entire room echoed with astonishment.
Ning Fengzhi regarded the golden trident in Dai Yao's hand with awe. As the head of an ancient sect, he'd only heard legends of gods but had never dreamed he'd see a god's weapon himself. Just looking at the golden trident stirred a sense of reverence in his heart, as if an awe-inspiring deity held the weapon in hand, casting a gaze upon him.
"Not much is known about divine powers on this continent. Legends claim that a human spirit master, after surpassing their limits, can enter a new realm—a godly realm that overlooks all living beings. And the Sea God, I imagine, must be a deity who guards the ocean. Dai Yao, how did you come to possess this divine weapon?"
Dai Yao offered a slight smile before explaining, "We recently went to Sea God Island, the very land of the Sea God's legacy. Each person who enters the island must undergo the Sea God's trials."
He continued, "Zhuqing, Rongrong, and the others underwent the Red-Level Eight Trials. For each one they completed, they received an increase in their spirit power and an upgrade of a thousand years to their spirit rings. That's why our cultivation has advanced so rapidly, and why Rongrong's first two rings are now purple."
"I see… And what about you, Dai Yao? What trials were you given?" Ning Fengzhi asked, now with a clearer understanding.
But before Dai Yao could answer, Ning Rongrong's lips curled in pride. Glancing over her shoulder at Dai Yao, her eyes sparkled as she looked at her father, brimming with admiration.
"Father, Dai Yao was granted the Sea God's Nine Trials—the path to inheriting the Sea God's legacy itself. When he completes the trials, he'll become the new Sea God. Just recently, he passed the seventh trial, where he drew the Sea God's weapon, the Sea God Trident."
Her expression exuded pride, almost saying, Look how incredible my husband is!
Ning Fengzhi and the Sword and Bone Douluos froze in amazement, casting long, scrutinizing gazes at Dai Yao, as if they were seeing him for the first time.
Gods had always belonged to legend alone. Now, here stood a young man, striding confidently on the path to divinity, destined to one day watch over all existence from on high. It left them speechless.
"What a remarkable young hero…" Ning Fengzhi marveled.
He'd once believed he had already overestimated Dai Yao's potential, thinking him a future leader of the soul master world. But he had clearly misjudged Dai Yao's true potential. The destitute young man who once sought refuge in the Heaven Dou Empire had grown into a towering force. Even he might one day need to depend on Dai Yao's strength.
The Sword Douluo's keen gaze fixed on the golden trident. The sword intent within his own body surged as if responding to a call, a primal desire to test itself against the Sea God Trident.
"Dai Yao, would you allow me a closer look at this Sea God weapon?" the Sword Douluo asked, his eyes burning with fervor.
Dai Yao smiled, gripping the Sea God Trident firmly as he positioned it beside the Sword Douluo without releasing his hold.
Perplexed, the Sword Douluo asked, "Dai Yao, is there a reason for this?"
Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo exchanged puzzled looks. They knew Dai Yao to be a generous person who wasn't stingy about sharing his treasures. He was clearly willing to show the trident, yet he refused to let go. There must be an explanation.
"Senior, I'm not withholding it out of selfishness. The trident weighs only 108 jin in my hand, but in anyone else's, it weighs a full 108,000 jin. Even a Title Douluo with strength as their main attribute might struggle to hold it."
"So, for everyone's safety, I can only let you examine it while I hold it or while it's planted in the ground," Dai Yao explained, smiling.
Everyone stared, wide-eyed. The Sword Douluo looked at the trident in shock, and finally, he nodded, exclaiming, "No wonder my Seven Kill Sword felt such an intense urge to duel with this weapon. It's truly a god's weapon!"
"Please, Senior," Dai Yao said, firmly planting the trident into the ground and gesturing for the Sword Douluo to examine it.
The Sword Douluo nodded, murmured his thanks, and turned his full attention to the trident, gently tracing the intricate engravings on its shaft, as if in reverence.
Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo exchanged a pleased glance before thanking Dai Yao. "Dai Yao, thank you for this."
They knew well how the Sword Douluo's pursuit of swordsmanship had often led to isolation. To reach new heights, he needed an opportunity like this—a chance to examine a divine weapon, which would help lay a foundation for his advancement to Rank 98.
Dai Yao waved off their thanks with a modest smile before taking a seat. "Father-in-law, the situation is urgent. Can you give me a full rundown of what's happening here?"
The smile on Ning Fengzhi's face faded as he sat back, resting on his jade cane. "Of course," he replied, his tone now somber.
After a long conversation, Dai Yao had a comprehensive picture of the situation. As expected, the Wuhun Empire had mobilized a force of 500,000 troops to besiege the Southern Fortress. To maintain control of the recently conquered southern plains, the troops were dispersed somewhat, but reinforcements from various kingdoms and duchies continued to arrive, with total troop numbers likely reaching a million soon.
In terms of spirit masters, ten Title Douluos and hundreds of Spirit Douluos now stood poised to strike.
But fearing a surprise assault from Hanhai City, the Wuhun Empire had sent two Title Douluos to monitor the city. Although they weren't especially high-ranked, their presence warranted vigilance, leading both the Qinglian and Seven Treasures Glazed Sects to dispatch their elite forces.
Dai Yao frowned. He couldn't tell if the Wuhun Empire's surveillance was Bibi Dong's doing or a decision by the empire's commander. Either way, it was a matter that required immediate attention.
"Dai Yao, what do you intend to do about the Wuhun Empire?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
After a moment of silence, Dai Yao looked up. "Father-in-law, the Wuhun Empire's Supreme Commander is an old acquaintance of mine. If possible, I would like to meet with her directly and negotiate a truce."
Ning Fengzhi's expression darkened. He stared at Dai Yao, his voice tense. "Dai Yao, your actions will affect both our sects' survival. Do you realize the risk you're taking?"
"Of course I do."
"Then why would you even consider meeting with the Wuhun Empire's commander? Don't you know who this Hu Liena is? She's not the naïve Holy Maiden she once was. She has proven herself a ruthless strategist, key to the Wuhun Empire's victory at Jialing Pass."
"She's every bit as cunning and merciless as her teacher, Bibi Dong."
"I know you have history with her, but she's changed. No one knows how she'll react to you now! We're the biggest power in the spirit master world outside the three empires—how many in the Wuhun Hall want us gone? Walking into their hands, do you really think they'd pass up the opportunity to get rid of you?"
Ning Fengzhi's worried words left Dai Yao feeling slightly embarrassed.
Was he supposed to explain to Ning Fengzhi that Hu Liena was also one of his romantic interests, and would never harm him? He knew Hu Liena's character well—while she valued power and position, those things paled in comparison to the one she loved.
He couldn't very well mention this detail to his father-in-law. Dai Yao cleared his throat, then said seriously, "Father, I wouldn't go if I didn't have a way to ensure my own safety. Don't forget, I was chosen by the Sea God, and this Sea God Trident is one of my cards to play."
Ning Fengzhi sighed, recognizing the determination in Dai Yao's gaze. With ten titled Douluos stationed at the Wuhun Empire's base near Zhen'nan Pass, along with a few others on their way from the Wuhun City, it sounded impossible for Dai Yao to escape safely. Yet, when Dai Yao said it, there was a weight to his words that made it convincing—so much so that Ning Fengzhi found it oddly believable.
"All right, if you're certain, then I'll arrange contact with them. I should have an answer for you shortly," Ning Fengzhi said reluctantly.
Three days later, outside Zhen'nan Pass, Wuhun Empire's military encampment.
A long flag billowed in the ground-sweeping wind, bearing the standards of each kingdom and duchy, the banners flying high. Beneath the flags, ranks of soldiers stood vigil, alert and disciplined. Beyond the inner circle, more soldiers moved about, some on guard while others took a moment to relax.
At this time, two brightly dressed red-robed priests escorted a figure who wore a wide-brimmed hat and carried something wrapped in cloth, resembling a lance, strapped to his back. The priests, far from appearing as traditional clerics, had the sharp discipline of soldiers, their expressions taut and youthful.
"Halt!"
As they stepped into the command tent's perimeter, two guards moved to block their path, watching them warily.
"No one enters the command tent without direct authorization from the Marshal!" one of the guards barked.
One of the red-robed priests sneered and held up a token bearing the Marshal's insignia. The guards immediately paled, dropping to one knee.
"The Marshal's direct authority! We are guilty, sir, forgive us."
The red-robed priests waved them off. "Get up; you were just doing your duty."
When the guards stepped aside, the two red-robed priests led the cloaked man toward the command tent. Pausing outside, one priest turned to him and said, "My lord, we're here."
"Thank you," the cloaked man replied with a respectful nod.
At last, a smile flickered on the face of one priest, who said, "We once served Lady Feng Wutong, but since she left and the war began to rescue the citizens of the Heaven Dou Empire, we were transferred under the command of Her Highness, the Holy Maiden."
The two priests shared a glance, grinning. "We're no match for you, my lord, but if you ever cross Lady Wutong, the Linyuan Squad will definitely stand up for her!"
The cloaked man blinked in surprise before letting out a chuckle. "Fine, fine, you've made your point. I wouldn't dare mistreat Wutong."
He could sense that despite their youth, the two priests before him had reached the level of spirit emperors; their potential was substantial, likely to reach Spirit Douluo level one day.
With a final nod of farewell to them, the cloaked man gazed up at the towering, formidable command tent, slightly taken aback by Hu Liena's current circumstances. Taking a deep breath, he called into the tent, "Holy Maiden, an old friend has come to visit."
"Enter," came a cold voice from within.
It was a voice utterly unlike the sweet, gentle tone Dai Yao remembered from Hu Liena. Her words were crisp, forceful, and held the decisive edge of a commander—a trait that was likely essential to lead this vast army of nearly a million.
Lifting the flap, Dai Yao took in the sparse, almost austere interior of the command tent. The setup was utilitarian, focused on function over form. A suit of armor, slightly curved, hung on a wooden rack, and a slender figure sat at a low table, writing intently.
She wore a plain robe without any ornate details, and her orange hair fell forward, concealing her beautiful face. Though she seemed to downplay her allure, her graceful figure was still striking.
Despite hearing him enter, she kept her head down, fully absorbed in the documents in front of her.
Dai Yao hesitated, feeling like the reunion wasn't going as expected. Removing his hat, he revealed his face with a smile. "Nana, it's me," he said.
Hu Liena barely glanced up. Those familiar peach blossom eyes held none of their old warmth, merely giving him a fleeting look before she coolly replied, "I know."
Dai Yao's smile faded, confusion flashing across his face. He had revealed himself, yet Hu Liena remained unmoved. What had happened over these past few years?
The quiet tension grew awkward. Leaving would be petty, and he hadn't come just for personal reasons; he was here to address Hanhai City's predicament. With a sigh, he started, "Nana, I came here to discuss—"
But before he could finish, a figure threw itself into his arms.
Stunned, he refrained from reacting. The orange-haired figure clung tightly to him, her icy mask melting away as all her pretenses vanished. She held onto him, her voice breaking with suppressed emotion, "Three years… three whole years, and this is all you have to say to me?"
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