Chapter 323: The Gathering Storm in Dragonrise City
"Beloved…" Feng Wutong, noticing the complex emotions crossing Dai Yao's face, came to his side, gently clasping his hand with a warm smile.
Dai Yao chuckled lightly, regaining his composure as he looked at her. "You're finally calling me that?" he teased.
Feng Wutong lowered her head slightly, her cheeks blooming with a soft blush. She only called him "beloved" when they were alone together, and now that they were traveling together, she felt secretly delighted.
Seeing her shy expression, Dai Yao chose not to tease her further. As they approached the gates of Wu Pass, their black hooded cloaks, hiding their identities, drew the attention of the guards. Dai Yao understood that Feng Wutong's beauty would undoubtedly attract trouble. To prevent any issues, he pulled out a token from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and showed it to the guards.
Upon seeing the clan emblem, the initially wary guards quickly stood down and cleared the way with a respectful salute.
"Let's go," Dai Yao said, taking Feng Wutong's hand as they entered Wu Pass. The guards' respectful stares and the curious glances from the townspeople followed them as they passed.
Once inside, Dai Yao hired a carriage to take them directly to Dragonrise City. Located in the northern Star Luo Empire, less than two hundred miles from Wu Pass, Dragonrise City was a true border town. Although technically under Star Luo's jurisdiction, it fell within a bordering kingdom. Thanks to thriving border trade, the city was remarkably prosperous.
Inside the carriage, Dai Yao and Feng Wutong lowered their hoods and separated themselves from the coachman by drawing the curtain. Feng Wutong smiled gently at Dai Yao, waiting patiently until he seemed more at ease. Then she asked softly, "Beloved, we brought five hundred thousand gold coins to establish a sect—will that really be enough?"
Dai Yao sighed. "You're right; it's not much. But that's all I have left after the Spirit Hall rewards. If I'm to establish a neutral sect, I must remove any connection to Spirit Hall. That means I'll need to wait for Yan Yan to arrive with resources and support from the Jade Scale Clan to start."
Feng Wutong nodded thoughtfully, her hands clasping tightly on her lap as a hint of melancholy crossed her eyes. Establishing a sect was beyond her means; she couldn't offer Dai Yao any significant assistance.
Seeing her disappointment, Dai Yao reached out to hold her hand, gazing reassuringly into her eyes. "Just having you by my side is more help than you realize."
She bit her lip and nodded heavily, her phoenix-like eyes shimmering with emotion.
As the carriage sped toward Dragonrise City, they sat in peaceful silence.
Meanwhile, in the Heaven Dou Empire, at Shrek Academy in Heaven Dou City…
"Xiao San! You're back!"
Seeing his student again, Yu Xiaogang's icy expression softened, a wave of emotions flashing across his face.
Tang San nodded, then turned to the soul masters who had been resisting Yu Xiaogang's training.
"I'll train with you on behalf of the Grandmaster. I'll do twice as much as any of you. No one has ever fully understood human limits. As his disciple, I'll prove to you that my teacher's theories are completely sound," he declared, his expression chillingly cold. His entire being radiated a deadly intent, silencing the rebellious spirit masters. Ever since Xiao Wu had died before his eyes, Tang San's heart had become consumed with an uncontrollable fury, similar to his ruthless demeanor back in the Slaughter City.
After completing his twenty laps and reporting his rank and age, Tang San left the training ground with Yu Xiaogang, leaving behind astonished onlookers.
"Xiao San…what happened to you?"
In the woods, Liu Erlong regarded Tang San with a trace of fear in her eyes, her voice tinged with worry.
Tang San hesitated before managing a forced smile and recounting his recent experiences in the Star Dou Forest. When he spoke of Xiao Wu's sacrificial death, Liu Erlong broke down in tears.
Watching her reaction, Tang San sighed inwardly before revealing how Dai Yao had stolen Xiao Wu's spirit ring.
Enraged, Liu Erlong's face flushed as flames erupted around her, fists clenched. "What? I should have killed that monster a long time ago! Dai Yao, Spirit Hall—I'll kill you all!" she shouted, turning to leave.
Tang San quickly stepped forward, grabbing her arm. "Teacher Erlong, please, calm down!"
Liu Erlong shook him off angrily. "Calm down? How can I be calm? Tang San, if you're any kind of man, come with me to Spirit Hall! Even if we die, we'll turn their world upside down!"
"Enough!" Yu Xiaogang roared, silencing them.
"What would you accomplish? Dai Yao now has a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, and even you may not be his match. Spirit Hall has even stronger fighters than him. Going there would be throwing your life away!"
Liu Erlong gritted her teeth, her shoulders shaking as she fought back sobs. Her heart was shattered knowing her goddaughter had died, her body lost forever.
After a long pause, Yu Xiaogang turned to Tang San, his voice deep. "Xiao San, what do you plan to do now?"
Tang San's voice was steady. "Teacher, I plan to establish a sect. With Spirit Hall growing stronger, facing them head-on isn't wise."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up. "So, you plan to use your inventions to establish a sect?"
Tang San nodded, a faint smile breaking through his icy demeanor. Reviving the Tang Sect had always been his second dream, next to being with Xiao Wu. Now, with Xiao Wu gone, establishing the Tang Sect was his highest priority.
Yu Xiaogang smiled approvingly. "Your inventions indeed narrow the gap between ordinary people and soul masters. Establishing a sect and arming the Empire's forces with these devices could be a tremendous asset."
Tang San nodded confidently. He intended to set high prices for Tang Sect weapons, like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, ensuring their worth.
Yu Xiaogang smirked, an idea coming to him. "Xiao San, if you're founding a sect, I know someone who can help."
"Who?" Tang San asked curiously.
"Of the original Seven Devils of Shrek, Ning Rongrong has returned to her clan, and Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing are now part of the Star Luo royal family as a prince and princess-consort, so they cannot join you."
"But Hongjun and Oscar are still in Heaven Dou City," Yu Xiaogang explained. "Recently, Hongjun's, uh…needs have grown as his spirit power has increased, driven by his evil fire. On my suggestion, he joined the Heaven Dou Empire to manage this more easily."
"With his talents, Emperor Xue Ye recognized his worth, and, well, let's just say Hongjun now has no shortage of female companions around him," Yu Xiaogang continued, shaking his head with mild exasperation. "Oscar, meanwhile, joined the Heaven Dou Empire as well, spending most of his time with Hongjun."
Together, the two even earned a somewhat…unflattering nickname in the city's most renowned brothel.
Yu Xiaogang hesitated to name it aloud, but Tang San understood, chuckling despite himself. Hongjun's evil fire issue remained untreated without the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's healing properties, and he could only manage it through his vices. And Oscar, feeling the void left by Ning Rongrong, had taken to drowning his sorrows in the company of women.
Even with their debauchery, however, both had kept up with their spirit power training, reaching the fifty-sixth rank.
"Master, do you think they'll actually help me?" Tang San asked, somewhat skeptical.
"Well, let's call them over, and you can ask them yourself," Yu Xiaogang replied with a smile.
"What? Third Brother's founding a sect, and you think I'd just sit by and do nothing?" A large, stocky man embraced two twin girls while he complained indignantly.
Next to him, a bearded man sneered, "Fatty, you're practically living in a woman's lap these days. Can you even still fly? I doubt you'll be much help to Third Brother—probably just a burden!"
Hongjun's face turned red with anger as he released the twins from his grip, standing to retort, "You sausage seller! Look at yourself—if strangers didn't know better, they'd think you were forty! And you want to call me out for that? Got the guts to fight me?"
The bearded man quickly scurried to the other end of the couch, wary. "Look, I'm a support-type spirit master, and you're a power attacker. What's fair about a duel? Besides, if I cleaned myself up, I'd be stunning!"
Without Ning Rongrong's companionship, Oscar had lost his drive to improve and had missed the opportunity to acquire the Mirror Beast, which would have allowed him to copy others' abilities. Instead, he and Hongjun, now infamous drinking buddies, bickered more often than they fought.
Annoyed by their antics, Yu Xiaogang sighed, rubbing his temples.
Despite his exasperation, Tang San was thrilled by their willingness to help. But even with their support, he lacked one critical component—funding.
"Tang San, what's with the long face?" Oscar asked casually. "With us all pitching in, we'll get that sect up and running!"
Tang San shook his head with a wry smile. "We have the manpower, yes, but the finances are a problem. I've saved some money from selling hidden weapons to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, but it's not nearly enough for founding a large sect."
Yu Xiaogang cut in, "Tang San, why don't you ask Rongrong for help? She's now the young master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, with considerable wealth. You're old friends, so she'd likely be willing."
Tang San's expression darkened. Back at the tournament, when he'd tried to use the Zhuge Crossbow to kill Dai Yao, Ning Rongrong had refused to help. Her apparent lack of loyalty had caused her rift with the others, making him reluctant to ask her for money now—it would feel like swallowing his pride.
Hearing Ning Rongrong's name, Oscar's hand flew to his chin, smoothing his scruffy beard. Perhaps it was time he groomed himself more carefully.
"Look, Tang San, if you're unwilling to accept royal funding, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is the only option with the resources to help. Rongrong was our teammate, and any old disagreements should be water under the bridge by now," Oscar advised.
After a long silence, Tang San finally nodded. "You're right, Oscar. I've been too petty."
The next day, Tang San arrived at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan with a well-groomed Oscar. Upon seeing Ning Fengzhi, he requested a meeting with Ning Rongrong.
With a polite smile, Ning Fengzhi raised his jade staff and said, "Tang San, I'm afraid you're just a bit late. Rongrong recently left for a trip beyond the Heaven Dou Empire. If you need help, feel free to tell me."
Slightly crestfallen, Tang San declined, saying, "If she's already left, then there's no need to bother her."
As they left, Tang San and Oscar exchanged rueful glances. Staring at the grand gates of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Tang San sighed. "Is fate really against me? Just as I decided to see her, Rongrong is gone. I suppose I should go visit the Power Clan—maybe they'll lend us a hand…"
At the Power Clan's residence, Tang San's hidden weapon designs immediately caught Titan's interest. Titan then proposed traveling to Dragonrise City to meet with the other single-attribute clans, sparking Tang San's hopes.
If he could unite the four single-attribute clans under one sect, the nascent Tang Sect could instantly become one of the continent's major powers!
A caravan soon left Heaven Dou City, bound for Star Luo Empire's Dragonrise City.
Meanwhile, where had Ning Rongrong gone after leaving Heaven Dou City?
Inside a luxurious Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan carriage, polished wheels glided smoothly over the road, making the journey feel as steady as solid ground. As the carriage sped along, a serene young woman sat inside, her gaze distant as she stared at the passing scenery.
Her thoughts drifted back to a conversation that had occurred days earlier.
"Ning Rongrong, do you want to see Dai Yao?"
This was the first time Ning Rongrong had encountered such a strikingly beautiful woman, whose elegance seemed almost otherworldly, surpassing her own beauty. She furrowed her brows slightly, sensing something vaguely familiar in the woman's expression. Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Are you... Dugu Yan?!"
Dugu Yan smiled lightly, crossing her legs with a poised elegance, and gazed at Ning Rongrong with a serious expression. "Yes, it's me. So, I'll ask you again: Do you want to see Dai Yao?"
Ning Rongrong bit her lip, her eyes flickering with hesitation. She did indeed want to see Dai Yao, and she knew Dugu Yan seemed to have a close connection with him. If Dugu Yan claimed she could help her meet him, it might indeed be possible. However, the Bi Lin clan's reputation was less than stellar—could she really trust Dugu Yan?
Gritting her teeth, she asked, "Tell me, where is he?"
Dugu Yan smiled mysteriously. "The Star Luo Empire, in Dragonrise City…"
A look of bewilderment crossed Ning Rongrong's starry eyes. She had barely heard of Dragonrise City before, but after a brief mental search, she recalled its location. As the young master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, she was familiar with the major trade hubs on the continent. Still, she wondered why Dai Yao would be in Dragonrise City. And why was Dugu Yan telling her this?
With a sharp gaze, Ning Rongrong eyed Dugu Yan and asked, "Why are you telling me all this?"
Dugu Yan only smiled enigmatically. Suddenly, a green mist rose up, and Ning Rongrong instinctively stepped back in alarm. As the mist dissipated, Dugu Yan was nowhere to be seen…
"Rongrong, are you still thinking about that?" A low, gentle voice broke through Ning Rongrong's reverie, bringing her back to the present. A man dressed in simple robes, with a long, ancient-looking sword resting across his knees and meticulously combed silver hair, sat cross-legged nearby. He was none other than one of the two pillars of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—Sword Douluo Chenxin.
Ning Rongrong nodded slightly.
Chenxin smiled warmly. "Well, since you now have a lead, then go. With me by your side, you won't be in any danger."
If he hadn't heard about Dai Yao's defense of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan within the ranks of the Spirit Hall, there's no way he would have allowed Ning Rongrong to go out in search of him. In fact, it was surprising he hadn't already skinned Dai Yao alive.
But seeing how his precious granddaughter was so deeply affected by her feelings for this man, even the ever-composed Sword Douluo couldn't help but harbor a hint of hostility toward Dai Yao.
"When I see him, I'll be sure to give him a stern lesson," Chenxin resolved silently.
Ning Rongrong clenched her fists.
Years ago, she had impulsively left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to join Shrek Academy. But this time, leaving the clan to seek out Dai Yao was something entirely different—this was her heart's long-held desire, a pursuit of the one who occupied her thoughts.
"Five years, Dai Yao… Have you been well?"
At the Yin-Yang Icefire Springs, Dugu Yan sat by the icy bank, looking out over the lush array of herbs around her with a gentle smile. A slight sigh escaped her lips.
"Old Dai, I've sent Ning Rongrong your way. I'll join you in a few days, and if you haven't won her over by then, well, I might just start doubting you," she mused wistfully.
Dai Yao's ambition to establish a neutral sect would be unfeasible with only the support of the Bi Lin clan. While Poison Douluo's name carried weight, it was not enough to sway the truly powerful figures of the continent. In the face of war, the strength of the Bi Lin clan alone would not grant them neutrality. Without choosing a side, they would face annihilation.
Dugu Yan was all too aware of this reality. And having learned of Ning Rongrong's true feelings from Feng Qianli, she saw an opportunity. By aiding Dai Yao's venture, she could also create a path for Ning Rongrong.
If Dai Yao could secure Ning Rongrong's affections, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would naturally lean in his favor. With their backing, his sect would gain a solid foothold on the continent.
But she also held a private hope of her own.
Dai Yao had been stationed at Spirit Hall for years, growing closer to Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, leaving her feeling distanced from him. Yet she knew that Ning Rongrong remained an unresolved part of Dai Yao's past. If she could bring the two of them together, she expected nothing in return, but knowing Dai Yao's nature, he would likely feel a renewed sense of appreciation toward her.
She gazed at the shimmering water, heaving a wistful sigh.
"If fate hadn't played such tricks, would I be offering up another woman to the man I love? As if this doesn't break my own heart…"
Across the continents—Heaven Dou Empire, Star Luo Empire, and beyond.
The Agility Clan, Strength Clan, Breaking Clan, and the allied forces of Dai Yao, Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Yan—each of these groups, motivated by their own goals, converged toward the same destination.
Dragonrise City!
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