Chapter 209: Gratitude from the Huo Siblings and the Astonishing Victory Over Tianshui
"Oakland wins!" The referee's voice pierced through the heavy silence that had settled over the arena, announcing Dai Yao's victory.
Huo Wushuang was left utterly drained, covered in sweat and breathing heavily. Although Dai Yao had held back, his power had still been formidable.
"Brother, are you okay?" Huo Wu hurried down from the audience seats to the platform, her face filled with concern as she rushed to support Huo Wushuang.
"I'm fine," he replied, clutching his chest with a complex expression as he looked in Dai Yao's direction. After a moment, he said in a weak voice, "Sister, we owe Dai Yao our thanks."
"What? Why? He just defeated all seven of us, disgracing our Blazing Fire Academy, and you want to thank him?" Huo Wu protested, fuming.
Huo Wushuang looked at his sister with a sigh. Having directly faced Dai Yao's terrifying self-created soul skill, he realized its true power. To Huo Wu, it might seem that his own strength had forced Dai Yao to summon his martial soul, but Huo Wushuang knew better.
"Sister, Dai Yao could have defeated me with just his self-created soul skill alone."
"Are you sure?" Huo Wu asked, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"I'm certain. That crushing aura when he unleashed his soul skill... I still shudder just remembering it," Huo Wushuang said, a glimmer of lingering fear flashing in his eyes. "I don't know why he chose to go further and use his martial soul, but that move preserved our last shred of dignity. We should thank him for that."
Huo Wushuang cast a searching look at Huo Wu, half-expecting her to reject his suggestion because of her pride. To his surprise, she paused, seemingly contemplating, and then nodded in agreement.
"You're...not angry with Dai Yao?" Huo Wushuang asked incredulously.
"Why would I be? I'm not unreasonable. He saved our academy's face, so it's only right to thank him," she replied, giving her brother a baffled look.
She recalled the bet she had made with Dai Yao over Feng Wutong. She had promised that if she lost, she would become his servant. Back then, Huo Wu had been a Soul Elder, and Dai Yao, still a Soul Master, had defeated her. She had even contemplated ending her life, partly to preserve her academy's honor and partly because her pride had balked at the idea of serving another.
However, Dai Yao had acted with great restraint and kindness, helping her control her rampaging soul power and burning the wager agreement. That moment had left an unforgettable impression on her. Unlike the men who had always surrounded her, eager to please her no matter how arrogant she acted, Dai Yao's indifference set him apart.
Though she'd initially felt gratitude, a hidden part of her resented it—resented that someone would treat her so indifferently when all others adored her. This resentment had driven her to constantly want to surpass Dai Yao, to see him submit to her, to look up at her from a position of defeat. But this competition had extinguished any remaining pride.
Each victory of Dai Yao's had only added to her sense of awe. Though she had expected her defeat today, she hadn't anticipated that Dai Yao would complete the astounding feat of one-against-six. As her team's losses piled up without even forcing Dai Yao to fully engage, her pride had given way to a growing sense of helplessness. But at that darkest moment, Dai Yao had used his martial soul, giving her academy's honor a slight reprieve.
In his cool generosity, Dai Yao had shown the same graciousness he'd displayed when he tore up their wager. And though her gratitude ran deep, her pride wouldn't allow her to show it fully.
Sensing Huo Wu's quiet acceptance, Huo Wushuang nodded, understanding her better now. "Come on, let's go."
With Huo Wu's support, Huo Wushuang made his way over to Dai Yao, who had just finished dismissing his martial soul and was still eyeing Tang San from the Shrek team. Surprised, Dai Yao looked up to find Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu standing before him.
Huo Wushuang was visibly battered, with dust covering his clothes, a look of weariness etched on his face. Beside him, Huo Wu's red dress highlighted her long, graceful legs. Although injured, she carried herself with a dignified grace that many of the male spectators couldn't help but notice.
"Apologies for any harm done," Dai Yao offered.
Huo Wushuang chuckled, shaking his head. "Come now, Dai Yao, we all know that injuries are part of the game. Your strength is nothing to apologize for."
After exchanging a few polite words, Dai Yao's gaze swept over the two of them with a trace of caution. In the original story, Tang San's one-versus-seven had enraged the Blazing Fire Academy to the point of an uproar. Now that he'd performed the same feat, Dai Yao was half-expecting the siblings to show some resentment.
"Is there something you need?" he asked.
Huo Wushuang took a deep breath, exchanging a glance with Huo Wu, who nodded. He spoke, "We're here to thank you."
"Thank me? For what?" Dai Yao looked genuinely puzzled.
Seeing his confused look, Huo Wu's respect for him grew. Here he was, so oblivious to the favor he had done them, trying to avoid making them feel uncomfortable—a rare quality in a man, she thought. Her prideful face softened into a warm smile as she said, "We know why you did what you did today. Blazing Fire Academy will remember your kindness, and in due time, we'll pay our respects properly. We also owe you an apology for the matter with Feng Wutong."
Dai Yao was even more bewildered. "Know what? What did I do?"
He could hardly believe it. After completing a one-versus-seven feat, they weren't angry; they were grateful. Before he could say more, Huo Wu helped Huo Wushuang away, though she glanced back at Dai Yao with a certain gleam in her eye.
"Well, did you enjoy the view?" A teasing voice came from behind him, hinting at mock displeasure, though it was clearly playful.
"Don't start," he replied with a smirk, already knowing who it was.
The familiar figure of Dugu Yan met his eyes. Her tall frame, dressed in a green dress that highlighted her smooth, long legs, radiated elegance and grace. With the toxins in her body now controlled thanks to Dai Yao, her once extreme attitude had softened considerably, enhancing her charm. Every gesture now carried a subtle allure, naturally drawing those around her in.
Satisfied with his response, she didn't press him, instead standing close by with a smile as she watched him celebrate with his teammates.
"Dai Yao, you actually managed a one-against-seven victory! It's a shame, though. If you hadn't used your martial soul in the end, you'd be the first soul master in history to achieve it without summoning a martial soul!"
Dai Yuan leaped onto Dai Yao's back, cheering ecstatically. Dai Yao shook his head with a smile and replied, "The Blazing Fire Academy isn't just any academy. Among the fifteen teams, they're one of the strongest. Pulling off a one-against-seven without my martial soul was out of reach for me."
Though his true reason for using his martial soul was to influence Tang San and Yu Xiaogang's perception of him, he couldn't reveal his actual thoughts.
Feng Qianli added, "Dai Yao, you've made us a huge target in the rankings. Not only did Wutong accomplish a one-against-seven, but you did as well. Now, every team will be gunning for us."
Luo Feng, Dou Yu, and the rest chimed in with congratulations, though their celebrations were more reserved.
"The matches are wrapping up for the day. Once Dean Jackson returns, we'll head back to the academy," Dai Yao said, holding Zhu Zhuqing's hand in one and Dugu Yan's in the other. This sight stirred envy among the other observing soul masters. Not only was Dai Yao a formidable talent, but he was also winning the hearts of two of the most beautiful women. Comparatively, others found their own company lacking after casting an admiring glance at Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan.
As Huo Wu helped Huo Wushuang back to their resting area, she turned back to see Dai Yao, surrounded by his teammates and holding hands with Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan. She huffed, crossing her arms with a cold expression.
After receiving healing from two auxiliary soul masters, Huo Wushuang felt revived enough to watch Oakland Academy leave. Noting the fiery red figure of Feng Wutong walking behind Dai Yao, he couldn't help but say, "Not only is Brother Dai Yao incredibly strong, but he's also quite lucky with the ladies. Even a beauty like Wutong willingly serves him."
Huo Wu furrowed her brows at his words, glancing at Feng Wutong, then back at her brother. "Brother, don't tell me you're interested in Wutong?"
Caught off guard, Huo Wushuang, usually a solid, stoic figure, blushed, covering his face with his hands. "What? No way, no way!"
Seeing their leader acting this way, the rest of the Blazing Fire team covered their eyes, unable to bear the sight. Huo Wu sighed, rolling her eyes and covering her forehead in exasperation.
After Dai Yao's one-against-seven victory, Blazing Fire Academy became the subject of ridicule for many other teams. At the same time, these teams grew wary of Dai Yao, although one defiant team decided to challenge him directly. Dai Yao took them on with a one-against-seven, not even summoning his martial soul, and that team quickly became the new laughingstock.
Despite other academies' attempts to study Oakland's tactics, they couldn't keep Oakland from its winning streak—even Tianshui Academy was no exception.
Days later, at the duel arena:
Silence reigned among the spectators. Tianshui Academy had no chance against Oakland Academy.
Shui Bing'er knelt on one knee, breathing heavily as she looked at the elegant, icy figure before her, filled with a sense of helplessness. Oakland Academy had only sent two people: Feng Wutong and Zhu Zhuqing. Feng Wutong had pushed through Tianshui Academy's first three members despite the attribute disadvantage, and Zhu Zhuqing had taken down four more. Shui Bing'er had given her all but could not best Zhu Zhuqing.
"Was that a domain skill?" she asked, looking up at Zhu Zhuqing's cold, unhurried figure.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Yes. Wutong's is called the Vermilion Bird Domain, a gifted domain, and mine is the Nether Shadow Domain, also innate to me."
At this, Shui Bing'er sighed with a mixture of awe and resignation. "Domain skills are rare, even among Titled Douluo. Seeing two gifted geniuses with domains in the tournament… it's hard to say if it's a stroke of luck or misfortune. I can accept defeat by your hands."
She then lifted her head to the referee. "I surrender."
The referee was stunned, verifying the decision with disbelief. "Tianshui Academy concedes?"
Shui Bing'er nodded. Zhu Zhuqing extended a hand, and after a moment's hesitation, Shui Bing'er took it with a grateful smile.
"Oakland wins this match!" The referee's voice echoed throughout the arena, setting off murmurs among the watching soul masters.
Dai Mubai, eyeing Zhu Zhuqing's cool elegance and fiery strength, felt a surge of regret and desire.
"Who would have thought Zhu Zhuqing would become this powerful, stronger even than Shui Bing'er? If I hadn't lost to Dai Yao, Zhu Zhuqing would be my fiancée."
With her strength, he mused, she could help him defeat Davis and win the throne without needing to hide in the Heaven Dou Empire. Shaking his head with regret, he turned to Tang San, troubled. "Xiao San, Oakland Academy is much stronger than we imagined. Even if we face them, it'll be hard to prevail. Among the Shrek Seven, two of us are support-type soul masters who don't specialize in combat. Tai Long and the others wouldn't last a few moves in this level of competition."
"If we run into Oakland, what do we do?"
The rest of the Shrek Seven, as concerned as Dai Mubai, looked at Tang San for guidance. For the first time since forming, the Shrek Seven were facing opponents whose strength seemed overwhelming, making victory feel unattainable.
Tang San's expression grew grave as he considered their dilemma. "If it's a team battle, we might have a chance with our teacher's secret weapon. Using Rongrong's ring fusion skill to activate our Seven-in-One Fusion Technique could give us a shot at victory. But in a singles match, our only hope is for Dai Yao to face me one-on-one. Then, there's a small chance."
"Xiao San, you lost to Dai Yao last time. Are you sure you can win this time?" Ma Hongjun asked, frowning.
Tang San took a deep breath. "Last time, I lost because of the venom on his external spirit bone. I've since prepared an antidote specifically for the toxin from the Man-Faced Demon Spider."
He raised his left hand, letting dark energy gather until a jet-black glow appeared. He looked at it with steely determination. "Without the threat of his poison, my Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique can best him!"
The Clear Sky Hammer was an almost unmatched weapon on the Douluo Continent. No matter the opponent, once it came out, it always found a way to end the fight. Even a powerful Seven-Ring Soul Sage like Qian Renxue had lost to Tang San's Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, even when the hammer was bereft of any spirit rings.
Relieved by Tang San's confidence, his friends began to smile. But Ning Rongrong looked torn, a complex expression on her face as she twisted her fingers. On one hand, she wanted to win alongside her friends; on the other, she didn't want Dai Yao to lose. Clenching her fists, she let out a resigned sigh.
"Rongrong, Dai Yao doesn't matter to you anymore. Stop worrying about whether he wins or loses," she reminded herself.
Oscar's eyes held a gleam of wisdom. "Now everything is set. All we need is for Dai Yao to agree to a one-on-one."
Tang San, touching his chin thoughtfully, added, "Yes, now it's up to Dai Yao to accept our challenge."
Nearby, Xiao Wu, initially frightened at the mention of Dai Yao's name, looked at Tang San's worried expression. Resolving herself, she clenched her fists, preparing for what lay ahead.
In the VIP box, Salas looked delightedly at Feng Wutong and Zhu Zhuqing's power. Just the two of them had defeated Tianshui Academy.
"Zhu Zhuqing is formidable, and that Feng Wutong, brought here by Dai Yao from the Star Luo Empire, is equally outstanding. Our Spirit Hall has truly gained a treasure!"
"Star Luo Empire is truly a blessing to our Spirit Hall. After I return to Spirit City, I'll have to celebrate with that old fatso Ferdinand."
"But Wutong's progress since arriving in the Heaven Dou Empire is astonishing. This must be reported to Her Majesty the Pope."
Stroking his beard, Salas' eyes gleamed with intrigue.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Canserbero10