Chapter 322: The Golden Lotus
Rain fell in torrents.
As the heavy downpour blurred everything around, Bibi Dong stood hidden, watching Hu Liena kneeling, heartbroken in the mud. She took a deep breath, her expression pained as she observed her student's anguish.
"Nana, don't blame your teacher for being heartless," she murmured to herself. "The 'Asura Emperor' simply isn't right for you. After today, I hope you'll be able to let him go. Your future is bound to hold someone more suitable."
A faint energy shield surrounded Bibi Dong, keeping her untouched by the rain as she stood, regal and composed. Then, with a flash, she appeared by Hu Liena's side. The sight of her student, drenched and covered in mud, softened her heart. She called out gently, "Nana…"
Through the sound of the rain, Hu Liena heard her voice. She turned, momentarily stunned, then, as she recognized Bibi Dong, a wave of bitterness welled up inside her. The strength she'd forced herself to maintain shattered, and she reached out, yearning for comfort.
"Teacher—"
Hu Liena clutched Bibi Dong's legs, sobbing.
The shield around Bibi Dong dissipated, and rain poured down on both of them. Yet she paid it no mind, running her hand over Hu Liena's head and speaking gently, "Nana, judging by your appearance, things didn't go as you hoped. If he has no feelings for you, it's time to let go. Someone better suited for you will come along in the future."
"My Nana is our Holy Maiden—beautiful, talented. If he doesn't see that, then it's his loss."
"No, Teacher," Hu Liena's voice was resolute, her sadness replaced with a fierce determination.
Bibi Dong was taken aback, wondering why Hu Liena still clung to this hope after the "Asura Emperor" had so heartlessly rejected her.
Hu Liena clutched the mask tightly, her eyes resolute. "Teacher, he must have a reason for rejecting me. I'll wait for him, no matter how long it takes, until he comes around."
Bibi Dong watched her, stunned. Could Hu Liena somehow know the "Asura Emperor" had rejected her at Bibi Dong's behest? No, she'd overheard every word between them, and Dai Yao hadn't given anything away.
So why couldn't Hu Liena let go? Bibi Dong wanted to shake her, to look inside her mind and see what sort of hopes she'd imagined. Part of her even considered calling Dai Yao back to crush whatever wishful thinking Hu Liena held.
But letting "Asura Emperor" appear again and again would arouse suspicion, especially in someone as intelligent as Hu Liena. She'd eventually piece together that the rejections were Bibi Dong's doing.
So she sighed softly, setting her plan aside for now. The scene reminded her too much of herself years ago—placing all her hopes on one person, willing to give everything.
"Alright, Nana, do as you think best," Bibi Dong said finally, stroking her head.
"Thank you, Teacher," Hu Liena replied with a sweet smile.
But her joy left Bibi Dong with an even greater unease. How could she possibly explain that all her heartbreak was meticulously planned?
In the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong sat on her throne, observing Dai Yao as he entered.
Once the doors closed, her stern air dissipated, and she sighed heavily. Her tone softened as she spoke. "Thank you for what you did."
"It was my duty," Dai Yao replied, noticing her troubled expression. Curious, he asked, "Is something the matter?"
Bibi Dong leaned her head on one hand, frowning. "It's Nana. Despite everything, she still insists on waiting for you to change your mind. How can I not worry? At the right time, I'll need to ask for your help again."
Dai Yao's expression shifted. He understood Hu Liena's feelings but knew she'd built an image of the "Asura Emperor" that couldn't exist in reality. The stronger her feelings, the more he felt the need to avoid her.
"This matter is my responsibility," he replied. "Let me know if there's anything more I can do."
"Thank you," Bibi Dong said with a note of gratitude. "This whole situation arose because of me. Bringing you into it was my only option."
"I'm partly to blame too," Dai Yao admitted.
As she observed his silence, a thought struck her, and she asked, "You're leaving, aren't you?"
Dai Yao's body tensed slightly. "Yes. I'll be leaving Spirit City soon to establish my own sect. Hopefully, I'll be able to win over the neutral factions caught between the empires and us. If they can be persuaded to remain neutral, the pressure on us will lessen in the future."
Bibi Dong pressed her lips together, her gaze flickering with emotion. She knew his desire for independence was rooted in her own actions. If not for her repeated manipulation, Dai Yao wouldn't feel the need to create his own sanctuary. Though their relationship had improved since their time in the City of Slaughter, his trust in her remained guarded.
She wondered if, just once, he might look past her mistakes and sympathize with her motives.
It was a thought that surprised her. Before now, such sentimentality would have been unthinkable for her as the Pope. But the time spent with Dai Yao had stirred feelings long buried, rekindling a part of her heart she'd once thought dead. Still, she would never openly admit it.
Rising from her throne, she walked over to him and said, smiling, "I owe you a sincere apology. When you first arrived, I tested you more than I should have. But your new sect will be a great help to us."
"I remember you mentioned your connection to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Perhaps you can also draw them into your alliance. Even if they don't fully support us, a neutral stance would be beneficial."
Dai Yao bowed in gratitude. "Thank you."
She laughed softly. "Is it necessary for us to be so formal? Right now, you're the only one I can speak to openly. Don't let me down…"
Dai Yao understood the meaning behind Bibi Dong's words, but he simply waved a hand, unfazed.
"Got it. Don't worry—I won't be the one to let you down," he replied, subtly hinting that the only one who might disappoint her was herself.
Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned, realizing his implication. It had been years since anyone had dared to speak to her so directly. The feeling was far removed from the usual hierarchical exchanges with her subordinates. Seeing Dai Yao about to leave, she quickly appeared in front of him.
"Wait," she said.
"What is it?" Dai Yao asked, a bit surprised.
With a serious expression, Bibi Dong removed a ring from her hand and placed it in his. "This is the ring that held fifty thousand crystals. I've used forty thousand, so there's ten thousand left for you."
Seeing him about to decline, she quickly added, "Just hear me out—those fifty thousand were originally yours. I already took forty thousand, and it doesn't sit well with me. Besides, I don't need more than that. If you refuse, it means you don't consider me a friend."
Dai Yao chuckled. "Alright, I'll take them."
Only after he accepted the crystals did she step aside, allowing him to leave. As she watched his figure fade into the distance, an unbidden smile crept onto her face.
In the Valley
The clouds had cleared, and the rain had stopped.
Dai Yao held Zhu Zhuqing close, learning through conversation that she would soon be absorbing a soul bone gifted to her by Ghost Douluo and wouldn't be able to join him.
"Brother Yao, let me go with you instead. I can absorb Grandpa Ghost's soul bone later…"
After an intense bout of training, Zhu Zhuqing's fair skin glowed, her hair slightly tousled, and her usually calm, dark eyes sparkled with charm—a sight that only Dai Yao could enjoy.
Dai Yao brushed aside a damp lock of hair from her face and smiled. "Silly girl, that's a precious gift from Grandpa Ghost. Go ahead and absorb it. Besides, setting up a sect will take some time, so once you're done, you can come join me."
"Alright, if you say so," Zhu Zhuqing replied reluctantly. She furrowed her brows in a way that made her look even more endearing. After a pause, she asked cautiously, "I heard that Yan will also be helping you, right?"
Dai Yao nodded.
"Then I'll absorb the soul bone now, and I'll join you as soon as I'm done."
She tried to hide her uncertainty. She knew that Dugu Yan's family would be a strong ally in the establishment of Dai Yao's sect, while she herself had no family support to offer and could help only in limited ways. She also didn't want her presence to spark conflict between her and Dugu Yan, which might complicate Dai Yao's plans. So, she decided to use the soul bone absorption as a reason to wait until things were more settled.
They chatted for a bit before falling asleep together. However, Dai Yao didn't sleep immediately. He turned inward, entering his spiritual realm.
Passing through the circle of purple lightning that barred Xiao Wu's entry, he made sure the Chaos Green Lotus was safe and then turned his attention to a new lotus blooming beside it—the Golden Lotus. It was a new addition after he acquired his sixth spirit ring.
Each lotus flower he had possessed unique powers with profound effects. The Purple Lotus had gifted Zhu Zhuqing her Nether Sovereign Martial Soul; the Red Lotus had given Feng Wutong the Vermilion Bird Martial Soul; the Green Lotus had granted Dugu Yan the Azure Dragon Martial Soul. As for the Black Lotus, he had left it in the Yellow Spring under the Hell Road, unsure of what powerful creature it might yet create.
With a gentle gesture, the Golden Lotus floated up and settled into his hand, shining with an ethereal golden glow. As he held it, he felt an immense energy flooding his mind, filling him with a sense of calm and invincibility.
"A true treasure for defense. If a soul master absorbs this, no one in the world would be able to break their defense," Dai Yao murmured in awe.
But his expression dimmed slightly. He had someone in mind who could benefit from it, but he had no way of justifying giving it to her. Sighing, he realized this lotus might remain hidden in his spiritual realm.
Every lotus was a heavenly treasure. Giving it to someone he couldn't fully trust was unthinkable, even with Bibi Dong's protection. Unlike Zhu Zhuqing, Feng Wutong, and Dugu Yan, others hadn't proven their loyalty through shared trials, so the Golden Lotus would remain hidden until then.
The next day, at dawn, Dai Yao left the valley with Feng Wutong, saying goodbye to Zhu Zhuqing as they headed toward Dragonrise City.
Since he wanted to form a neutral sect, it was essential not to rely on the Spirit Hall's power; otherwise, it would raise suspicions and push neutral forces away. Dai Yao planned to use the support of the Jade Scale Clan and recruit several of the four single-attribute clans to serve as the foundation of his sect and as a backup plan if things ever went wrong.
In disguise, dressed in black, the two traveled toward the Star Luo Empire.
"Seems our paths are destined to cross, Tang San," Dai Yao thought with a faint smile. "Now that you've lost the ten-thousand-year spirit ring, the Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone, and the opportunity with the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, I wonder which of the single-attribute clans you'll manage to win over?"
After days of traveling, he found himself at the grand fortress of the Star Luo border. As he looked at the imposing structure, memories flooded back.
Back then, he had fled the Star Luo Empire through this very fortress. If not for Archpriest Ferdinand's timely help, he would have been dragged back to the Empire, imprisoned in darkness, and probably would have died there.
"Dai family, Star Luo Empress… your time will come, and we'll settle the score soon enough!" he murmured, his eyes blazing with anticipation.
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