Rift"stop!"
Yan glared angrily at Dai Yao and coldly demanded, "Who are you? Why are you with Nana?"
Before Dai Yao could explain, Hu Liena immediately stepped in front of him. Hu Liena stared coldly at Yan, protecting Dai Yao, and said in a cold voice:
"Yan, this is none of your business. Leave."
Fortunately, Dai Yao was still wearing a mask, so Yan didn't recognize him at first glance. Hu Liena knew very well that once Yan learned Dai Yao's identity, Dai Yao and Yan would no longer be able to be friends. She knew that from the moment she learned Dai Yao's identity, Dai Yao and Yan could no longer be friends.
However, the secret between her and Dai Yao is currently known only to the two of them. If Yan gets involved, it won't be able to be kept secret anymore. The Holy Maiden's marriage concerns the future of the entire Spirit Hall, and her teacher will definitely try to stop it.
Seeing Hu Liena so protective of the masked man, Yan was consumed by jealousy. Hu Liena had never treated him like this before. He angrily said:
"Nana, don't protect him. Kid, Nana isn't someone you can have. If you know what's good for you, leave Nana. If you don't, I'll make you suffer."
Hu Liena was also furious. She clearly had no relationship with Yan, yet he was displaying possessiveness towards her, which she couldn't accept. She glared at Yan and said sharply:
"Yan, what do you take me for? Let me tell you, we have absolutely nothing to do with each other! Who I want to be with is none of your business!"
Yan's gaze froze instantly, his heart aching as if being torn apart. The surrounding air seemed to turn icy cold, each breath sending a chilling, piercing pain through his lungs.
He and Hu Liena grew up together, and he fell in love with her from a young age. However, the girl's attitude towards him seemed no different from her attitude towards everyone else.
Later, they were known as the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall, which pleased him somewhat. Because with this halo, no one of his peers could remain indifferent in front of Nana; they unconsciously displayed respectful expressions. Only he could still interact with Hu Liena as a friend.
This unique aspect filled him with immense joy. Aside from Xie Yue, no other man could interact with Hu Liena like this.
Oh, right, we also have to add Dai Yao. He wasn't worried about Dai Yao; after all, he already had so many women around him. How could someone as self-respecting as Hu Liena possibly fall in love with Dai Yao?
However, ever since Hu Liena emerged from the City of Slaughter and was canonized as a saint by His Holiness the Pope, he felt the gap between him and Hu Liena widening. Moreover, Hu Liena seemed possessed, frantically searching for that guy called 'Asura Emperor'.
Even though his relationship with Hu Liena became somewhat distant later, Hu Liena never said such cruel things to him.
Years of hidden affection have now turned into resentment. He angrily pointed at the masked man and roared:
"If you're a man, then have a fair fight with me! If you lose, you'll be leaving Nana forever!"
"Yan!"
Hu Liena glared angrily at Yan.
Is she an object? Can someone decide who gets to own her through a duel?
Hu Liena was about to say something when Dai Yao stepped forward and stopped her. Looking at Yan's angry gaze, he sighed heavily. He slowly removed his mask, revealing a face that left Yan speechless.
"Dai Yao, it's you?!"
Yan exclaimed in shock and anger.
"It's a long story. Today is the first time I've heard about the Soul Master Festival. I originally wanted to bring Zhu Qing and Wu Tong along for a visit, but I'm not familiar with Wuhun City. Luckily, Nana is with me, so she suggested that she show me around Wuhun City first."
"That's why I traveled with Nana."
Dai Yao said slowly.
"So you and Nana are so close, and you even wear masks together?"
Yan sneered.
"Yan! It's because of my identity that I can't travel normally, so I'm wearing a mask. It has nothing to do with Dai Yao!"
Hu Liena immediately stopped and shielded Dai Yao from Yan's accusations.
"Nana, you're still protecting him! Don't you know how many women are around him? You're still clinging to him; you're just ruining yourself!"
Yan pointed angrily at Dai Yao, saying in exasperation at his lack of ambition.
Hu Liena was not afraid at all. Since Yan already knew, she might as well go all out and lay everything out in the open. She reached out and hugged Dai Yao's arm, saying to Yan:
"I don't care how many women are around him, I just love him!"
"Nana, you..."
Seeing Hu Liena's intimate actions, Yan trembled, too angry to speak.
"Let go, Nana."
Dai Yao turned his head and looked deeply at Hu Liena, his gaze incredibly complex. He gently pushed away Hu Liena's arm that was holding him, and said without a trace of emotion.
Hu Liena is by no means a fickle person. Once she falls in love with someone, even if that person is her enemy, she remains hopelessly in love. She deeply loves the 'Asura Emperor' he is impersonating, so she will never fall in love with anyone else.
The fact that Hu Liena could say such a thing clearly shows that she already knew his identity.
He didn't know how Hu Liena found out.
Hu Liena stared blankly as Dai Yao gently pushed her hand away, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief and disappointment. Dai Yao had pushed her away so decisively—did he really not like her at all?
He rejected her when he put on the mask, and rejected her again when he took it off. Was fate so cruel? She was the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, and could have anything on the continent at her fingertips, yet in matters of love, she was given hope only to be met with even deeper despair.
"Yan, things aren't as simple as you think..."
Dai Yao wanted to explain to Yan, but Yan angrily stopped him.
"Stop talking!"
Yan roared, veins bulging on his forehead. He stared intently at Dai Yao, his hand clenching and unclenching repeatedly. He took a deep breath before calming down and saying expressionlessly:
"Dai Yao, come with me."
He immediately turned around and led the way on his own.
Dai Yao was about to follow, but Hu Liena, despite her own heartache, stopped him. She didn't know how Yan would treat Dai Yao, but it certainly wouldn't be anything good.
Dai Yao gritted his teeth slightly, pushed away Hu Liena's hand, and followed Yan's footsteps to the bottom of the stone bridge.
The red sun sets, and the cold moon rises.
The shimmering water reflects the bright moon in the sky.
As soon as Dai Yao arrived under the stone bridge, Yan angrily shoved him against the wall with a loud bang, pressing his elbow firmly against Dai Yao's chest. Of course, in terms of physical strength, Yan was no match for Dai Yao; Dai Yao simply didn't want to fight back.
Yan, his eyes red, stared intently at Dai Yao and roared:
"Dai Yao, you're really amazing. I can't compare to you in cultivation, and I can't compare to you in seducing women either. Back when we went to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt soul beasts, you advised me to stop loving Nana. At that time, you should have known Nana's feelings, right?"
"Back then I said I wouldn't marry anyone but Nana. Looking back now, I was such a clown."
At this point, Yan took a heavy breath and said unwillingly:
"I admit, I'm no match for you in any way, and you're a better fit for Nana than I am. But I will never allow you to squander Nana's devoted heart like this!"
"From childhood to adulthood, I've never seen Nana look so wronged. Now that you've accepted Nana, I'm warning you, if you let Nana suffer even the slightest grievance again, I'll risk my life to make you pay!"
Dai Yao said with a complicated expression:
"Yan, things aren't really as you think..."
"Bullshit! Let me tell you, don't think you're all set just because Nana likes you. The first hurdle you have to overcome is His Holiness the Pope! I'll talk to His Holiness the Pope tonight and ask him to approve Nana's choice..."
Yan said with a somber yet resolute expression.
"Dai Yao, be nicer to Nana."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Dai Yao watched Yan's retreating figure and sighed softly. He tried to explain twice, even mentioning the things Bibi Dong had strictly forbidden, but Yan interrupted him both times.
Since that's the case, he simply stopped talking. In any case, he had already decided to temporarily leave the Spirit Hall and avoid Hu Liena.
Moreover, Hu Liena already knows his identity, a fact he must clarify with Bibi Dong so she can thoroughly investigate. Bibi Dong had confidently assured him that Hu Liena had no possibility of knowing his identity, so something must have gone wrong.
Seeing Hu Liena's distraught eyes, he hardened his heart and said goodbye to her.
They arrived at Ghost Douluo's palace and took Zhu Zhuqing away, then they arrived at Spirit Kite Douluo's palace and took Feng Wutong away.
Together with the two girls, they began to stroll around the Soul Master Festival. As night fell, the streets became even more lively.
Dai Yao put veils on both women to cover their faces; otherwise, they might block the street if they walked a few steps.
"I'm sorry, Zhu Qing, Wu Tong. I've been with the Spirit Hall for several years, and I haven't been able to accompany you to the Spirit Master Festival. It's my fault."
Dai Yao said apologetically.
Zhu Zhuqing extended her delicate finger and placed it on Dai Yao's lips, silencing the apology he was about to say. Her beautiful eyes were brimming with tears, filled with emotion and tenderness.
"No need to say these things, Sister Wutong and I both know that there are reasons why you couldn't be with us."
When Zhu Zhuqing was by Dai Yao's side, Feng Wutong didn't say much. She simply held Dai Yao's hand gently, their fingers clasped tightly. For her, being with Dai Yao was the greatest happiness.
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao smiled, no longer harboring any concerns, and resolved his inner conflict. Like an ordinary person, he enjoyed the lively atmosphere of the Soul Master Festival with the two women.
Behind them, a beautiful figure wearing a fox mask followed them closely, her sorrow clearly visible in her beautiful eyes.
······
Wuhun City, Papal Palace.
"What?"
Bibi Dong stared intently at Yan, who was kneeling on the ground, and released a terrifying aura without any concealment, causing the entire Papal Palace to tremble.
"You want me to agree to Nana being with Dai Yao?"
Bibi Dong's tone was as cold as the depths of hell, causing Yan's body to tremble uncontrollably.
Yan was sweating profusely, but remembering Nana's aggrieved look when Dai Yao pushed her away, he gritted his teeth and insisted:
"yes."
boom!
Bibi Dong flicked a finger, and Yan was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing heavily into the wall of the Papal Palace. He let out a painful groan, spitting blood from his mouth.
"The matter of the Holy Maiden is not for you to decide. Go and bring Dai Yao here!"
Yan's eyes widened in horror.
His Holiness the Pope's power is truly terrifying. Moreover, although Bibi Dong has been ruthless towards them for many years, she has never shown such anger. Clearly, Hu Liena's actions have crossed her bottom line. This matter must be resolved by Dai Yao himself.
Yan struggled to his feet, respectfully withdrew, and then raced towards Martial Soul City.
······
"Dai Yao, His Holiness the Pope is looking for you."
Yan stopped Dai Yao, who was accompanying Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong on their tour, and looked at Dai Yao with a complicated expression.
"Dai Yao, are you alright?"
Zhu Zhuqing pulled Dai Yao back, looking somewhat worried. Feng Wutong also cast a glance at her, making no attempt to hide her concern.
Dai Yao smiled and said, "What could His Holiness the Pope possibly want with me? Don't worry."
He then said to Yan, "Let's go."
Without further ado, Yan led Dai Yao swiftly towards the Papal Palace. After traversing the heavily guarded mountain path, just as they reached the mountainside where the Papal Palace was located, Dai Yao was surprised to find Bibi Dong standing before the palace gates. Leaning on her papal scepter, her face filled with menacing aura, the surrounding air seemed to chill.
The guards surrounding Bibi Dong were all silent with fear.
Dai Yao felt a chill run down his spine.
"Come in with me."
When Dai Yao got closer, Bibi Dong spat out a few words through gritted teeth.
Dai Yao followed Bibi Dong and slowly entered the Papal Palace. As the doors slammed shut, Dai Yao clearly felt the atmosphere in the Papal Palace turn cold.
Bibi Dong stood on the high stone platform, not looking at Dai Yao. Instead, her body trembling, she gripped the papal scepter with one hand and the papal throne with the other, and said with utter disappointment:
"I trusted you so much, but what did you do! How many times did I tell you not to touch Nana! But why did Nana still find out who you are?!"
When she finished speaking, Bibi Dong could no longer contain her emotions. She turned around and yelled at Dai Yao.
A terrifying pressure was released, and the entire Papal Palace resembled a lone boat in a raging storm, emitting a mournful cry.
Dai Yao made no move to resist, slamming himself against the wall by the burst of oppressive force. He then slowly stood up, facing Bibi Dong directly, and said expressionlessly:
Do you believe me?
"What do I believe in you for? Do I believe you'll disappoint me again?"
Bibi Dong said in despair.
She saw Dai Yao as her hope in despair, the reason she could live. She showed him the utmost tolerance, allowing him to recklessly establish his own sect and shielding him from all attacks. Dai Yao was one of the few people she cared about in this world, and sacrificing for him was only natural.
But Hu Liena is the same.
Hu Liena is just like I was back then, that innocent, kind and gentle version of myself.
She wanted Hu Liena to make up for her past regrets and give her a happy life, especially a perfect love. Dai Yao, surrounded by so many women, clearly didn't meet her criteria.
But unexpectedly, the trip to the Slaughter City led Hu Liena to become deeply entangled in the false 'Asura Emperor'.
Fortunately, the 'Asura Emperor' did not exist. She thought that after the 'Asura Emperor' disappeared, Hu Liena would forget about him over time, but to her surprise, Hu Liena continued to search for him relentlessly, even finding her.
Therefore, she had to make Dai Yao put on a big show, cruelly rejecting Hu Liena.
In this way, even if Hu Liena is deeply in love, she won't have any lingering feelings for the 'Asura Emperor'. As long as things continue to develop step by step, it's only a matter of time before Hu Liena forgets a 'Asura Emperor' who doesn't love her.
Therefore, she instructed Dai Yao not to reveal his identity under any circumstances. But after hearing Yan's description of the scene, and knowing Hu Liena as she did, she knew that Hu Liena wouldn't so easily change the minds of her beloved children. The only possibility was that she knew Dai Yao's identity.
Under her arrangement, there was no possibility of Dai Yao's identity being leaked.
Therefore, the only possibility is that Dai Yao deliberately revealed his identity. (End of Chapter)