Word Count: 2,792 Words
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Ling Bai watched Tang Wu and Tang Si below, huffing and puffing over their Spirit Guidance Devices, or more accurately, Huo Yuhao and He Caitou in disguise.
The Tang Sect's revival hinged on Spirit Guidance Devices, and crafting them demanded vast quantities of rare metals. Naturally, their sights had settled on the Mingdu Spirit Guidance Master Elite Tournament.
Each round of victory brought generous rare metal rewards, and claiming the championship on the Duskwater Alliance's behalf promised an even greater fortune. With such profit at stake, their decision to take desperate risks was perfectly understandable.
Huo Yuhao and He Caitou had undergone Shrek's Spirit Guidance Department's Ultimate Soldier training. They possessed genuine skill, and their disguises were flawless, so convincing that even Evil Douluo Nangong Wan hadn't detected a single flaw.
Ling Bai harbored not a shred of contempt for Nangong Wan. His expectations for the man were already rock-bottom. The other timeline had been even more absurd.
There, Huo Yuhao had overdrawn so heavily from the Extreme Chill Icespring that only his right hand could still move. He had been forced to compete in both tournaments from a wheelchair while displaying the same Dark Gold Terror Claw external spirit bone at both venues.
Such a glaring feature, and somehow his cover had held. Ling Bai had long since abandoned all hope for the Duskwater Alliance's intelligence network and Nangong Wan's IQ. They were simply a pack of useless fools.
"Brother Death Abyss, it looks like Tang Wu wants to make a wager with Old Third's disciple."
Nangong Wan spoke with interest. Huo Yuhao and Spirit Guidance Master No. 98 had approached the notary station together. The former wagered the Class 9 Spirit Guidance Device 'Hongchen's Yearning,' while the latter staked the Darkness Green Dragon, ranked 59th on the Carving Knife Leaderboard.
"Who does Brother Nangong think will win?"
"Both disciples received Old Third's personal instruction. Their Evil Spirit Master talent isn't especially high, but their Spirit Guidance abilities are remarkable. Class 6 Spirit Guidance Masters in their twenties could walk into Illustrious Virtue Hall with ease. Tang Wu is merely a Spirit King. He shouldn't stand a chance against Old Third's disciple."
Nangong Wan paused, suddenly remembering that Ling Bai had shown interest in Huo Yuhao. He gave an awkward laugh and added, "Of course, I don't really understand Spirit Guidance Devices. Just making conversation. Tang Wu caught your eye, so he must have some hidden tricks up his sleeve."
Ling Bai smiled and said nothing. Whether Huo Yuhao defeated Dark Lightning Douluo's disciple was irrelevant to him. His only concern was how much of Skydream's origin power he could extract next.
The Seraphim needed only its first and second spirit rings to complete a full set of 100,000-year rings.
On the tournament stage, both competitors finished their devices and began to duel. Attacks flew back and forth in fierce exchange until Huo Yuhao's superior technique prevailed. He defeated No. 98 and claimed the Darkness Green Dragon carving knife.
No. 98 collapsed to his knees in disbelief, utterly unable to comprehend how he had lost to a mere Class 5 Spirit Guidance Master.
Just then, the ceiling of VIP Room One swung open. A dignified white-haired elder stepped into the air, a kindly smile on his face that immediately put observers at ease.
"Second Martial Uncle! Second Martial Uncle, save me!"
No. 98 flung himself at Nangong Wan's feet like a drowning man clutching at driftwood, pointing at Huo Yuhao through a mess of tears and snot:
"He used underhanded tricks to cheat me out of the Darkness Green Dragon! Master will never forgive me!"
Nangong Wan cast a subtle glance across the crowd of spectators, then kicked No. 98 aside with a hearty laugh:
"What are you standing around for? Hand the wager over to this young friend at once! Our Duskwater Alliance has always prized honesty above all else. We would never go back on our word!"
"Yes, Alliance Master!"
With the order given, the notary judge hurried over to Huo Yuhao and returned both Hongchen's Yearning and the Darkness Green Dragon.
"No. 66 Tang Wu, No. 88 Tang Si, and No. 96 Huang Zheng, you three will represent the Duskwater Alliance in the Spirit Guidance Tournament finals."
With so many eyes watching, Nangong Wan had to preserve the Duskwater Alliance's reputation. He wore a pleased expression as he congratulated the three victors.
A black figure descended without a sound to stand at Nangong Wan's side, hands clasped behind his back. The instant his features became visible, He Caitou's heart clenched tight. The hot blood in Huo Yuhao's veins went half-cold, and his excitement from swindling a Darkness Green Dragon carving knife vanished without a trace.
Death Abyss Douluo!
His throat constricted as he forced down a hard swallow. The Duskwater Alliance (Xī Shuǐ Méng) shared its name with Ye Xishui, which had led him to suspect it might be a Holy Spirit Cult front.
He had chosen the Duskwater Alliance as his entry point specifically to probe the Holy Spirit Cult's inner workings. A mere underground organization, he had reasoned, wouldn't warrant the Holy Spirit Cult's serious attention. Who could have imagined that Death Abyss Douluo, the Holy Spirit Cult's own Deputy Leader, would appear in person!
"Tang Wu shows exceptional promise. A bright future ahead indeed."
Ling Bai's voice carried a slow, drawn-out cadence, heavy with implication.
Death Abyss Douluo values Tang Wu highly!
Hearts raced across the room. He Caitou broke into a cold sweat on Huo Yuhao's behalf. Being valued by a Super Evil Douluo was fortune and disaster intertwined; gaining the man's trust would be like driving a nail deep into the Holy Spirit Cult's heart.
Huang Zheng stared at Huo Yuhao with naked envy, jealousy, and resentment. With the two Limit Douluo and Cult Leader Zhongli Wu away, the Holy Spirit Cult was effectively Death Abyss Douluo's one-man kingdom. Countless Evil Spirit Masters dreamed of currying his favor, yet somehow this outsider had drunk from the well first!
Sensing the varied gazes from every direction, Huo Yuhao wanted to weep but found no tears. He didn't believe for a single second that Death Abyss Douluo genuinely valued him. The man was calling him out!
Hehe, I see right through you~
Time to pay tribute!
For the next quarter of an hour, Skydream cowered in the depths of his Spiritual Sea while Huo Yuhao's mind churned in chaos. He had no recollection of how he even made it out of the Qingse Hotel.
He drew a deep breath of the frigid night air and fought to maintain his composure, forcing a thin smile:
"Second Senior Brother, head back to the hotel first. I'd like to walk alone for a while."
"All right. Stay safe."
He Caitou still seemed shaken by the encounter with Death Abyss Douluo. After a brief word of caution, he turned and left without suspicion.
Huo Yuhao stood motionless, watching until He Caitou disappeared into the distance. His fists clenched involuntarily, veins snaking across the backs of his hands like writhing serpents.
He knew that fiend was watching from the shadows. There was no escaping this nightmare. Better to ensure his Second Senior Brother's safety and face the demon alone.
"Quite perceptive of you, Tang Wu. Oh, I'm sorry. I should say Shrek Academy's Huo Yuhao."
Death Abyss Douluo's sinister figure emerged from the shadows, his burning gaze locked onto his target.
Huo Yuhao ✗
Walking 500,000 ✓
A faint scent of blood hung in the air. Huo Yuhao's fingernails had bitten deep into his own flesh; only pain could keep him from betraying weakness before Death Abyss Douluo.
Ling Bai smiled at this. "Relax. We actually share quite a bond of fate.
Our first meeting was in the Extreme North, the second in Star Luo City, the third at Illustrious Virtue Hall, and the fourth on the road from Maple Leaf City to Shrek. This encounter at the Duskwater Alliance's Qingse Hotel makes our fifth.
The first three times, you were generous enough to offer greeting gifts. Surely this occasion will prove no exception?"
"Two... two hundred thousand years?"
Huo Yuhao's lips quivered. He looked like a cornered lamb still gritting its teeth in defiance.
"No, no, no."
Ling Bai extended one hand. Five slender fingers spread wide, then snapped shut into a fist. Greed was written plainly across his face.
"I want it all!"
All 500,000 years of Skydream's origin power, swept up in a single net!
Two hundred thousand years to advance the Seraphim's first two spirit rings. The remaining three hundred thousand to amplify the seventh: the Snow Empress ring!
A 700,000-year Snow Empress spirit ring stacked with 300,000 years of Skydream's origin. Soaring skyward to a million-year Angel Avatar!
"Impossible!"
Skydream shrieked as it materialized in spiritual form. "This is my final reserve of origin! Give you everything, and I'll have nothing left!"
Ling Bai snapped his fingers. A Spectral Gate reeking of death rose with a shudder, and the Death Abyss Bone Dragon stepped through one thunderous pace at a time, its crushing might locking onto man and silkworm alike in an instant.
"Having nothing is still having your life.
Lose that, and everything is truly gone. You've survived a million years calling yourself king of kings among spirit beasts. Surely you understand that much."
"Two hundred thousand years. Then let us go."
Skydream held firm, determined to preserve a spark for Huo Yuhao.
"Five hundred thousand years. Give, and live."
Ling Bai's voice was ice, brooking no argument. "Refuse, and die!"
The Death Abyss Bone Dragon opened its cavernous maw as if reading his mind. Row upon row of blade-like teeth glinted with cold light as its massive form inched closer to Huo Yuhao.
Beneath the dragon's crushing might, Huo Yuhao swayed in visible agony. Skydream shouted desperately:
"Death Abyss Douluo, aren't you afraid I'll self-destruct? Five hundred thousand years of spiritual origin is enough to drag you to the grave with me!"
"By all means, try."
Ling Bai's expression didn't waver. "Before, I let you go because I genuinely feared your million-year spiritual origin.
Today? I sincerely doubt a mere 500,000 years can do a thing to me!"
The Seraphim's spiritual power ranked among the upper echelon of all Martial Spirits on the Douluo Continent, though it fell short of dedicated spiritual-attribute types.
Over the years, Ling Bai had ceaselessly refined his spiritual strength. After absorbing the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, it had broken through to the Titled Douluo level, perhaps even that of a Super Douluo.
He also wore the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance, a Class 9 spiritual defense device built around a 100,000-year Thousand Illusion Charming Fox skull spirit bone. Its Spiritual Wall ability could repel spiritual attacks outright.
And then there was the Dragon's Will contained within the Dragon King's Crown. With two Dragon Kings standing guard over his Spiritual Sea, a half-crippled Skydream Iceworm could hardly hope to make a splash. Thus, Ling Bai saw no further reason for restraint and bared his cold fangs at his prey.
"You... I..."
Skydream's spiritual form stood slack-jawed. Surrendering 100,000 years one day and 200,000 the next had bought fleeting moments of peace, but its origin power was finite while Death Abyss Douluo's appetite was not. It had now extended to complete subversion.
Huo Yuhao's face turned the color of ash as he stared at Death Abyss Douluo with his mask fully torn away. Perhaps he should have simply stayed put in Shrek Academy and never set foot outside.
"If you do self-destruct, make it thorough. Don't let me capture so much as half a wisp of your remnant souls.
The Holy Spirit Cult has countless methods for tormenting spirits. I swear on my name as Death Abyss Douluo: you will sample every last one! Soul-refining agony, day after day!"
Ling Bai struck while the iron was hot, adding that extra dash of menace. Skydream shuddered from end to end, as if foreseeing the wretched scene of its barely surviving soul being dragged away to fuel soul lamps. More than half its death-defying resolve guttered out on the spot. Its eyes flickered:
"Death Abyss Douluo, we need a guarantee. If we surrender 500,000 years of origin power, what's to stop you from going back on your word?"
As long as the green mountains remain, there will always be firewood to burn. Skydream had finally caved.
The saying rang true: the older one grew, the more one feared death. Skydream had lived a million years and clung desperately to the dream of eternal life.
When the Great Beasts of the Star Dou Forest had once encircled it and drained its power dry, Skydream still hadn't self-destructed. As long as even the faintest hope of survival remained, it would never choose mutual annihilation.
Even now, it dreamed of forging a path forward alongside Huo Yuhao, of someday gaining a God's favor and returning proudly to the Extreme North to invite the Ice Empress on their journey!
Skydream's worm-like face twisted into a humanized expression of pleading. Huo Yuhao blinked at Ling Bai with equally hopeful eyes.
"You want a guarantee? Then I suppose you'll have to bet on my character."
Your character?
Man and worm petrified on the spot.
What kind of answer was that?
An Evil Spirit Master... has what damn character?!
Such thoughts, of course, could never be voiced aloud. Skydream switched to desperate flattery:
"Lord Death Abyss possesses extraordinary talent! With my million-year origin, you will surely become a God and gain eternal life!"
"Keep talking like that."
"Erm..."
Skydream rubbed its appendages together like a fly. "Yuhao and I are mere small fry. All that talk of self-destruction was just a little joke for Your Lordship's amusement. A great man doesn't hold grudges against a little worm.
How about this? We'll surrender the 500,000 years of origin power, but I'll place a spiritual imprint upon it. If someone tries to absorb it by force without first dispersing the mark, the origin will explode.
We return to the Bright Moon Hotel, and then I'll remove the imprint..."
"You still don't trust me?" Ling Bai arched an eyebrow.
Skydream shook its head in a frenzy. "No, no, no! It's purely for insurance... insurance..."
"Fine. Your way. But you know the consequences if you try anything clever."
This was Skydream's bottom line. Pushing any harder might truly trigger a desperate last stand. Securing the 500,000-year origin took priority. Whatever strength the two of them had left posed no real threat to him anyway.
"Yes! Yes!"
Skydream's eager replies sounded exactly like a palace eunuch's groveling obeisance. Five golden rings detached from its body and drifted toward Ling Bai.
"Hmm?"
Ling Bai and Huo Yuhao startled at the same instant. As the last of Skydream's origin left its body, Huo Yuhao felt something profound and ineffable being drawn out of him. He reached out desperately, aching to hold it back. On the other side, Ling Bai sensed he had gained something new.
Invisible. Intangible. Yet undeniably real.
After one final, reluctant glance at its origin power, Skydream urged the stunned Huo Yuhao to run. Minutes later, the spiritual imprint on the golden rings dissolved.
Ling Bai had Electrolux inspect them repeatedly. Only after confirming their complete safety did he store them within his Spiritual Sea. Skydream hadn't dared tamper with anything.
'Very familiar... as though I've touched this before...'
Ling Bai narrowed his eyes in thought, and gradually, a certain person came to mind.
…
In the Bright Moon Hotel's sky villa, Ling Qiuxi sat cross-legged on her bed in silent meditation. Her golden eyes snapped open as she sprang upward with the wild ferocity of a cornered beast and threw a punch at the shadow before her.
"It's me."
Ling Bai caught her fist with one hand. With twenty ranks of spirit power between them, even the violent Golden Dragon couldn't break free.
"What is wrong with you, standing at someone's bedside in the dead of night."
Ling Qiuxi withdrew her dragon fist, exasperation etched across her face.
"There's something only you can answer for me."
"Oh? What is it?"
Curiosity sparked in her eyes as she looked his way, her interest thoroughly piqued.
Ling Bai grasped Ling Qiuxi's warm hand and channeled his Seraphim's holy spirit power into her body, circulating it through one complete cycle.
"Do you feel it?" he asked softly.
"You, you, you!!!"
Ling Qiuxi sputtered the word three times. Her expression became something extraordinary: shock warring with exhilaration, layered over something far more complex that defied easy description.
"The Power of Destiny...
How can you carry the same destiny as mine? You clearly didn't have it before!"