Chapter 259: The Trial of the Rakshasa God
Despite the late hour, the path up to the Pope's Palace was still brightly lit, guards stationed every ten steps along the way. Dai Yao made his way silently down the mountain, glancing back at the grand edifice behind him, feeling a rare sense of relief after tonight's ordeal. A cool night breeze washed over him, and he finally realized that his back was damp with cold sweat.
"Tonight… was a narrow escape," he thought, letting out a shaky breath. There had been no direct combat, but the exchange of words had been as intense as any life-and-death duel.
"Luckily, I could fabricate a story about a second spirit to ease things, or I'd be in for a much tougher time in Spirit Hall… So much for the idea of quietly focusing on my training," he mused. "Chaos Lotus, you gave me everything, but you've also brought endless trouble."
He felt a pang of complaint toward the Chaos Lotus but knew it was an unavoidable balance—no power came without a price. His caution, cultivated over many years, had saved him tonight.
Looking up at the sky, shrouded in thick clouds, he let out a sigh. Bibi Dong's earlier questioning and pressure still haunted his thoughts as he took in the sounds of cicadas humming and leaves rustling in the forest nearby.
"Spirit Hall," he muttered softly, "it's not home either."
The Star Luo Empire, Heaven Dou Empire, Spirit Hall—he had grown and survived in each of these places but had yet to find one that felt like "home." He recalled the phrase from his previous life, "Home is where the heart finds peace," but where was such a place for him?
Outwardly, he had an enemy in the Star Luo Empire, and Tang San lurking nearby. In the shadows, he sensed the quiet presence of spirit beasts stirring up trouble across the continent.
His mood grew heavy as he reflected on the precariousness of each alliance and the isolation within every safe haven. Suddenly, a voice, sweet and teasing, interrupted his thoughts from behind.
"Walking home alone in the dead of night—doesn't that feel a bit lonely? Why don't I keep you company?"
Turning around, Dai Yao saw Hu Liena smiling at him, a few black-clad guards standing watch behind her. Though a flicker of caution flared up in him, he had watched enough court dramas—and read enough of the original story—to guess at Hu Liena and Bibi Dong's likely intentions.
Returning her smile, he replied, "With such beauty beside me, I'd be delighted."
Hu Liena laughed softly, covering her mouth, her mischievous gaze sparkling. A simple gesture, yet undeniably alluring—her fox spirit's innate charm was potent. She teased, with a slight hint of mock sadness, "I'm sure I can't compare to those two ladies you already have with you."
Dai Yao chuckled, shaking his head, feeling a flicker of amusement. Indeed, Hu Liena's allure didn't quite match up to the extraordinary aura of Zhu Zhuqing or Feng Wutong, both of whom had undergone spirit evolution. Before she could move to join him, however, a guard stepped forward, cautioning her with a concerned tone.
"Your Highness, it's late and you should let us accompany you. It's not appropriate to be alone with a young man in the dark… Your reputation…"
The guard's words trailed off, but the implication was clear to everyone present. Dai Yao noted the hint of admiration in the guard's gaze as he looked at Hu Liena, understanding immediately: the guard's warning was partly motivated by personal feelings.
Hu Liena's beauty, he thought, was indeed impressive. Unfortunately, she was a notorious romantic, having fallen for Tang San—a true testament to her nature. At the guard's words, her smile vanished, and her expression turned cold, her once playfully seductive eyes now glinting with icy disdain.
"Stand down," she ordered, her voice quiet but unyielding.
The guard stiffened, clearly stunned by her sudden coldness. He cast Dai Yao a resentful glance before accepting his defeat with a bow, his heart sinking. He'd been foolish to think he had a chance; even the talented Yan had been unable to win Hu Liena's affection, let alone a lowly guard like him.
Hu Liena's stern gaze softened as she turned back to Dai Yao, offering a smile. "Shall we?"
He nodded, "Of course," and the two of them set off down the winding path together.
They began with light conversation about Dai Yao's first impressions of joining Spirit Hall, and Hu Liena shared insights into Spirit Hall's structure. Dai Yao learned a great deal from her about the internal factions within the Hall. He listened intently as she explained the longstanding tension between the Elder's Hall and the Pope's Palace, though a fragile truce had held between them for the time being.
"Oh, and by the way, your new residence will be ready in three days. It covers several hundred acres, with over three hundred servants," she noted, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "Feng Wutong has already been carefully selecting the staff."
Three hundred servants may have sounded excessive, but those slots had been fiercely contested. As the champion of the Continental Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament and an up-and-coming figure in Spirit Hall, serving in Dai Yao's household was seen as a coveted position, a stepping stone to greater opportunity. Many ordinary folk—and even spirit masters who had lost hope of advancement—had eagerly applied for the honor.
She continued, her tone laced with playful curiosity. "Honestly, I don't understand how Feng Wutong can be so dedicated to you. She's stunning, exceptionally powerful, and yet every move she makes is centered around you."
In their brief time together, Hu Liena had been impressed by Feng Wutong's dedication and efficiency. Not only was she diligent in her training, even earning praise from the Ling Yuan Douluo, but she threw herself just as fervently into organizing Dai Yao's new estate.
Yet Hu Liena couldn't fully understand why Feng Wutong, with her remarkable beauty and strength, would be so wholeheartedly devoted to serving only as Dai Yao's attendant.
Dai Yao only smiled slightly at her words, leaving them unanswered. Feng Wutong's unwavering support sometimes filled him with a quiet guilt. After his recent encounter in the Pope's Palace, however, he no longer felt any excitement about his grand new estate. Within Spirit Hall, he still felt adrift—without a "home."
Sighing, he turned to Hu Liena, who looked at him with surprise as he finally spoke. "Hu Liena, I no longer want that estate. Could you arrange a training environment for me instead, one with a waterfall?"
Hu Liena was taken aback, unable to hide her shock. "Dai Yao, do you realize that estate is worth millions in gold? Besides, it's something money alone can't buy!"
"I know."
"Then why…?"
"An estate, gold—these things mean little to us as spirit masters. What matters to me is my own strength. In the Star Luo Empire and Heaven Dou Empire, the places I stayed in always had a waterfall. It's… grown on me, you could say. Do you think you could find me something similar?"
Looking into Hu Liena's astonished gaze, Dai Yao smiled. To him, "home" remained a distant dream, yet ever since he'd arrived in the Douluo Continent, the memory of that humble cabin by a waterfall had stayed close to his heart. It symbolized his trials and triumphs, from the Star Luo Imperial Academy, where he endured in silence, to the Heaven Dou Empire, where he rose to new heights.
Even though his spirit power had advanced to a level where the waterfall no longer offered any tangible benefit, it was the closest place to "home" he knew. Hu Liena, after hearing his explanation, felt a surge of respect for him. His single-minded dedication to self-improvement, unburdened by the trappings of wealth, was something few possessed.
She had pursued him on the Pope's suggestion. After Bibi Dong's harsh questioning, Bibi Dong had feared Dai Yao might be holding a grudge, prompting her to use Hu Liena to subtly soothe his discontent. They had decided Hu Liena would play the "friendly" role, providing companionship in his loneliest moments, in order to build an unbreakable friendship with him.
Their hope was that if Dai Yao and Hu Liena forged a deep bond, her claim to the Pope's position would be unassailable, regardless of Bibi Dong's ascension to godhood. Although she understood Bibi Dong's intentions from the start, Hu Liena had initially approached Dai Yao with her own reservations.
Now, however, she had begun to see him in a new light. She hadn't expected such fierce resolve in his pursuit of strength—a resolve so unwavering that he'd willingly abandon an estate in Spirit City that spanned hundreds of acres.
A faint glimmer crossed her eyes as she smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Of course, there's no problem, Dai Yao. Now that you've joined Spirit Hall, I'll do everything I can to meet whatever request you have."
Notably, she phrased it as she would fulfill his request, not Spirit Hall—a small detail that showed her subtle touch. Building trust, after all, began with these small gestures.
"That's very generous of you," Dai Yao said, his tone apologetic. "All your efforts were almost for nothing."
"Me?" Hu Liena grinned and winked. "It's not me you should worry about—it's Feng Wutong. She put in so much time and care."
They approached the inn where Dai Yao was staying, and she smiled softly, turning to leave. "You're almost there; I'll be heading back now."
As Hu Liena's fox tail flicked behind her, casting a streak of pink light along the street, she vanished into the night, darting back toward the Pope's Palace. Watching her graceful figure disappear, Dai Yao shook his head, dispelling any lingering thoughts. She was indeed as captivating as a fox spirit. Her words and gestures, sometimes fiery and alluring, other times as gentle as an orchid, were always tempting.
But he wasn't one to fall in love easily, and his reason ultimately held him back from indulging in fantasies.
The Pope's Palace
Seated high on her throne, Bibi Dong's gaze softened as she looked at Hu Liena, who had just entered. In a gentle voice, she asked, "Nana, how did Dai Yao behave after leaving the palace?"
Hu Liena took a moment to gather her thoughts, then replied, "Your Grace, Dai Yao seemed a bit down afterward. He also turned down the estate you selected for him, requesting a mimicry training environment with a waterfall instead."
"A waterfall?" Bibi Dong echoed, surprised. She knew Dai Yao's background intimately and immediately understood his current mood from this unexpected request. Smiling, she muttered, "Such childish defiance."
Then, looking up at Hu Liena, she chuckled softly. "You only need to interact with Dai Yao sincerely, and he will never betray us. It seems tonight my 'harsh role' may have backfired."
"Nana, before you leave for the Valley of Death, spend more time with Dai Yao—enough so that the elders have no chance to sway him. Spirit rings, soul bones, treasures, beautiful women—whatever he desires, do your best to accommodate him."
"Yes, Your Grace," Hu Liena replied, bowing before exiting the palace.
Watching Hu Liena's retreating figure, Bibi Dong's gaze wavered, an intense glint flashing in her eyes as the door closed with a heavy thud. Her hand gripped her scepter with renewed determination.
"Only through godhood… will I finally have everything I desire."
After dismissing her attendants, she descended into a hidden chamber within the Pope's Palace. Flames flickered, casting eerie shadows across the damp, foggy air that filled the room, lending it an ominous aura. At its center stood a stone throne, upon which rested a ghastly skeleton adorned in tattered golden armor. The ribs were shattered, as though pierced by a lethal weapon directly through the chest.
The skeleton before her belonged to none other than the previous Pope, Qian Xunji—a former ruler of Spirit Hall, whose life had ended in gruesome tragedy, right within these walls. Gazing at the skull, Bibi Dong's beautiful face twisted into a fierce, terrifying expression, her eyes ablaze with seething hatred.
"Qian Xunji, you never expected it, did you? Killing you led me to the path of divine inheritance!" she hissed. "Every bit of my suffering has been because of your Angel Clan! Tonight, I begin my journey to godhood, and when I succeed, I will erase your entire clan from this continent!"
She drove her scepter hard into the floor, raised her head, and spread her arms wide, allowing the full might of her Titled Douluo power to surge forth.
The air grew thick as if haunted by the spirits of the tormented, welcoming her into the trial of divine inheritance. A beam of unnatural energy shot from the Pope's Palace, parting the heavy clouds above and leaving a hole in the sky, undetectable even to most Titled Douluo. Only the Grand Priest in the Worship Hall felt the disturbance, his gaze alarmed as he looked up.
Inside the chamber, a large eye, with intricate green and purple markings, appeared before Bibi Dong, rotating slowly and ominously, as if able to peer into her very soul. After a moment, it stopped, its pupil expanding as a dense purple-black light formed at the center and opened into an eerie portal.
The portal, a dark vortex as if leading to hell itself, gave Bibi Dong pause, yet she pressed forward without a second thought. After all, she already lived in hell. What was another step further?
Returning to the inn, Dai Yao settled beside Zhu Zhuqing and looked apologetically at Feng Wutong, who was sitting across from him, visibly tired.
"Thank you, Wutong. You've really put in a lot of effort over the past few days," he said gratefully.
Feng Wutong gave him a gentle smile. "You're my lord. This is what I'm here for."
Dai Yao shook his head, smiling back. Then, with a hint of apology, he added, "Actually, Wutong, I've changed my mind—I've decided to let go of that estate. All the work you put into it was for nothing, I'm afraid."
Feng Wutong blinked, momentarily stunned, while Zhu Zhuqing looked over in surprise. Feng Wutong, puzzled, asked, "Then where will we stay, my lord?"
"I'd prefer a training ground with a waterfall. Any objections?"
Dai Yao's gaze shifted between the two women, seeking their opinions. Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with shared delight. For Dai Yao, the waterfall held great sentimental value; it did for them, too.
"No objections," Feng Wutong replied with a bright smile.
"Good."
Relieved, Dai Yao offered her his gratitude, then retreated to his room to unwind. The day had been full of strange encounters, and he couldn't help but reflect that, without Lei Prison Vine's timely warning, things could have turned disastrous.
With that thought, he closed his eyes and slipped into his spiritual realm. Approaching the blue lotus, he looked at the purple droplet resting on one of its petals and said, "Lei Prison Vine, thank you for the warning today. If not for you, I might have had to go on the run."
At his words, a spark of lightning struck, and the purple droplet transformed into a woman clad in flowing purple robes. Her expression remained impassive as she replied, "I'm borrowing your artifact to train, so it's only right to repay the debt. Saving you meant saving myself."
"Still, I'm grateful," Dai Yao said earnestly.
The purple-robed woman paused at his sincere gratitude, a strange expression flickering across her face before vanishing.
After thanking her, Dai Yao looked thoughtfully at the blue lotus, and asked, "Lei Prison Vine, do you know what this lotus truly is?"
Though he'd always called it the Chaos Lotus, it was a name he'd assigned based on memory alone. Sensing Lei Prison Vine might know more, he couldn't resist asking.
She gave him a faintly disdainful look, as if lamenting that such a treasure lay unrecognized. With a sigh, she explained, "I don't know its exact origin. Even within the legacy of my Thunder God bloodline, not even gods have encountered such a powerful artifact. The aura it holds… it reaches straight to the essence of power. If you could grasp even a fragment of it, you'd attain god-king status!"
"And if you were to master it fully, you could create a world from scratch."
Her words left Dai Yao speechless. Lei Prison Vine's mention of an aura that reached the essence of power must surely refer to the "Dao." And the power to create worlds? Could this truly be the legendary Chaos Lotus?
He rubbed his hands together, eyeing the unassuming blue lotus with newfound excitement, a smile breaking across his face. Despite all the hardships, if it really was the fabled Chaos Lotus, it was all worth it!
Lei Prison Vine observed his enthralled expression, shaking her head as she recalled the first time she'd seen the lotus; she, too, had been similarly mesmerized.
But just then, the blue lotus burst with radiant green light, sending forth beams that seemed to capture something unseen. In their guarded gazes, a purple-black portal slowly took shape.
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