Dai Yao was taken aback, and his face immediately darkened.
This person wasn't afraid of his threats at all, and even threatened him in return! What exactly is this person relying on?
"Do you think I'll be intimidated by your bluff? You have no other choice but to compromise with me."
Dai Yao said in a deep voice.
Lion Douluo smiled indifferently, looked up at the bright moon in the night sky, and sighed:
"Is that so? Hidden in the human world for so many years, if it weren't for you, I would have even thought I had become a real human. Ten thousand years of cultivation is so laughable compared to humans, who are so blessed with natural advantages."
"Humans have reached the level I achieved in a hundred thousand years of arduous cultivation in just a hundred years. No wonder, humans have become the masters of this world, and we soul beasts have become the soul rings of humans."
For a moment, Dai Yao didn't know what the Lion Douluo wanted to say, so he simply remained silent and continued to listen.
"Transformation is a path fraught with peril. Among all soul beasts, few dare to attempt it. Not only does it mean that ten thousand years of arduous cultivation will be in vain, but one will also face endless, greedy gazes from the human world."
"Unlike my companions who are filled with hatred for humanity, I do not hate humans. On the contrary, I am very curious about the human world. Therefore, knowing that I could not survive the heavenly tribulation, I chose to take human form."
"Indeed, becoming human is a riskier move, but I am a dying beast with no choice. I might as well go and see how our enemies, humans, live."
He looked at Dai Yao and smiled:
"In the world of soul beasts, I am considered one of the few doves who still have goodwill towards humans."
"I am not afraid of death. If I had not chosen to take human form, I would already be dead. It is my good fortune to live another hundred years. If you, the chosen one, really want to reveal my identity, then I have no choice but to die."
"But if a dove like me dies, the radicals in the world of soul beasts will completely seize power, and endless soul beasts will surge out from the gathering places and wreak havoc on the continent. The entire continent will fall into the abyss of the beast tide."
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao fell into deep thought.
What Lion Douluo said does make some sense. This also explains why the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts, including Di Tian, did not appear in Douluo Continent I.
Based on the plot of Douluo Continent II, the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest could trigger a beast tide that would sweep across the continent. Ten thousand years ago, the Star Dou Great Forest was even stronger overall, and the scale of the beast tide it triggered was even greater. Furthermore, there were three gathering places for soul beasts at that time, not just the Star Dou Great Forest ten thousand years later.
But he also had some questions. If, as Lion Douluo claimed, he was a so-called dove, then why would he risk his life to make a deal with him?
A strange glint flashed in Dai Yao's eyes, and he said coldly:
"If you think this will make me hesitate to act rashly, you are underestimating me. If you dare to unleash a beast tide, I guarantee that the price you pay will far exceed your imagination."
No, no, no.
Lion Douluo repeatedly refused, saying, "This is not a threat to you, but a statement of facts. If you expose my identity, you will suffer unbearable pain. That is the real threat."
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao frowned.
What exactly is this guy's threat? Why does he always speak so ambiguously? Is he deliberately creating a smokescreen, using a feint to scare him? Or does he really have countermeasures, but is afraid of revealing certain things, so he can't be specific?
Both of these scenarios are possible.
"What exactly does it mean to cause oneself unbearable pain? The only people I care about are those around me..."
Thinking of this, Dai Yao's eyes suddenly lit up, and he understood this guy's plan. However, what puzzled him even more was that if he revealed Lion Douluo's identity, Lion Douluo would surely die in the Spirit Hall, the center of the Soul Master world.
How can you lay a hand on Zhu Zhuqing and the others when they're all dead?
"Could it be some arrangement he made? But if that's the case, Zhu Qing and the others just need to stay by their teacher's side, right? Those guys wouldn't dare to make a move. The Lion Douluo has been able to hide in the Spirit Hall for so many years, he must be extremely cunning, and it's definitely not a method that can be easily broken."
He glanced briefly at Lion Douluo and said in a deep voice:
What other secrets do you have?
The Lion Douluo smiled mysteriously: "No comment."
Dai Yao took a deep breath. Zhu Zhuqing and the others were the people he cared about most; their safety was at stake, and he dared not gamble with his guesses on them. He said with some reluctance:
"Okay, if you're bluffing, then you win."
Lion Douluo laughed heartily: "Rest assured, Chosen One, you will surely be glad you made today in the future."
The tense atmosphere between the two sides has eased considerably, and Lion Douluo laughed:
"Revered Chosen One, we are undoubtedly your enemy, and mutual destruction is always the worst outcome. The original deal still stands. As long as you agree to our conditions, a 100,000-year soul ring and a 100,000-year soul bone—things that everyone dreams of—are within your grasp!"
"There are also two peerless beauties, each one a rare beauty in the world. Moreover, their strength is extremely powerful, one of them even possessing strength comparable to the Second Elder."
"With just a word from you, these two beauties will automatically come to your side and treat you with the utmost respect."
Dai Yao's already somewhat heavy mood was immediately thrown into disarray. Those 100,000-year-old soul rings and soul bones might be incredibly precious in the eyes of ordinary people, but in his heart, they were utterly worthless.
Although he currently only has two soul bones, and both are external soul bones, without having absorbed any of the six major soul bones, he already has targets for all the soul bones in his body. Each one is not only powerful, but also highly feasible.
Is it unlikely that following the original work would be feasible?
As for the two peerless beauties mentioned by Lion Douluo, they should be Jade Swan Bi Ji and Hell Demon Dragon Zi Ji. He remained unmoved by spirit rings and spirit bones; how could a little beauty possibly tempt him...?
Thinking of this, his tone softened, becoming less certain.
He forcefully shook off his distracting thoughts and said coldly, "You don't need to waste your time. My answer will not change. I will not agree to your conditions."
He wouldn't become a human traitor just because of a little beauty.
Because of the Lion Douluo's threat, he dared not reveal the guy's identity, and therefore, Bibi Dong's misunderstanding could not be cleared up. Since that was the case, he could only hope to get some clues from the Lion Douluo.
"Lion Douluo, I can keep your identity secret, but you must tell me how you knew my identity as the 'Asura Emperor'!"
Lion Douluo smiled slightly: "Of course I can tell you that."
"It's undeniable that you and Bibi Dong concealed your identity as the 'Asura Emperor' very well, leaving no details that could expose you. But as the saying goes, 'the darkest place is right under your nose'—that's where everyone is most likely to overlook!"
"Bibi Dong trusts Serpent Spear Douluo, and you, didn't you also keep it from those maids? By starting with the people around you, I obtained the information I wanted. With just a little deduction, I naturally learned your identity as the 'Asura Emperor'."
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao was shocked and also felt a pang of regret. He never expected that it would be someone close to him who had betrayed him.
He took a deep breath and stared coldly at Lion Douluo:
"This isn't over between us!"
His soul power surged through his body, and with a few leaps, Dai Yao disappeared into the forest.
The Lion Douluo watched Dai Yao's departing figure, his smile vanishing instantly. A low sigh echoed through the darkness.
······
Wuhun City, Papal Palace.
"What? You're saying His Holiness the Pope doesn't want to see me?"
Dai Yao looked at the guards in front of him and said in surprise.
The guard was somewhat embarrassed and said, "Sir, please don't make things difficult for me. His Holiness the Pope doesn't want to see you, and there's nothing I can do about it."
Dai Yao turned his head and stared blankly at the closed door. He could clearly feel that there was also a closed door between him and Bibi Dong.
He sought out Bibi Dong to explain things. Although he couldn't directly reveal the identity of the Lion Douluo Soul Beast, he could state some facts. If Bibi Dong verified them, she could clear him of suspicion. However, Bibi Dong now didn't even want to see him.
He forced a smile and said, "Okay, thank you for your trouble."
He turned around and walked down the stone steps of the mountain path. A faint sense of loss suddenly rose from the depths of his heart.
······
Has he left?
Bibi Dong sat cross-legged on the papal throne, one hand supporting her head and the other holding the papal scepter. With her eyes closed and expressionless, she asked the guard.
The guard lowered his head, somewhat trembling with fear. For some reason, Her Holiness the Pope had reverted to her former cold demeanor these past few days; just one glance from her was enough to make his hair stand on end, as if his life didn't belong to him. Hearing Bibi Dong's question, he immediately answered:
"Yes, Your Majesty. I have driven Dai Yao away as Your Majesty instructed."
Didn't he say anything?
Bibi Dong asked, seemingly unintentionally.
Recalling what had just happened, the guard quickly replied, "He didn't say anything, but he seemed somewhat disappointed as he descended the mountain..."
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong felt a sudden pang in her heart.
"It hurts so much. I can't believe I feel heartache for him. Humph, I've told him so many times not to touch Nana, but he still won't listen. Who can I blame? Sigh, once I came out of the secret room, I was destined to be alone, unworthy of any feelings."
Her past with Dai Yao kept replaying in her mind's eye. The past had now become the most hurtful knife, stabbing deeply into her heart.
The gentleness in her eyes slowly vanished, leaving only coldness.
······
valley.
With a tremor in the air, Dai Yao retracted the eight wings of the white tiger on his back and landed on the ground.
Having sensed Dai Yao's presence long ago, Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong immediately came forward. Zhu Zhuqing asked with some concern, "Brother Yao, are you alright?"
While they were touring the Soul Master Festival, Dai Yao was suddenly summoned away by His Holiness the Pope and didn't return until midnight, causing them great concern. Beside them, Feng Wutong's eyes were also filled with worry.
Dai Yao forced a smile and said softly:
"It's alright, Wutong, please call Kongque and the other three over for me."
Upon hearing Dai Yao's words, Feng Wutong felt a chill run down her spine. At midnight, he suddenly ordered her to wake up the four maids, including Kongque, which made her sense something ominous.
She nodded and immediately walked towards the wooden house on the other side.
"What's wrong, Yao-ge?"
Zhu Zhuqing realized that Dai Yao was in a bad mood, so she gently took Dai Yao's hand and whispered.
Betrayed by those close to him, Dai Yao was in a foul mood. He believed he had treated his maids well and had never wronged them in any way. He never imagined that one of the key factors that exposed his identity as the 'Asura Emperor' would be his own maids!
"It's okay, don't say anything yet, I have something very important to announce."
Dai Yao looked at the four maids who had been suddenly awakened and were still somewhat dazed, and said in a cold voice.
Zhu Zhuqing immediately understood what was happening, stepped aside, and stopped talking.
The four maids were initially puzzled, but upon seeing Dai Yao's icy expression, they all felt a chill run down their spines. Having served Dai Yao for so many years, they had never seen him with such a stern expression. The four women quickly lined up, and Peacock cautiously asked:
"Young master, what happened?"
Dai Yao looked the peacock up and down, and his cold gaze made the peacock tremble.
The Lion Douluo did not specify who the maid who leaked his information was, so any of the four maids could be the culprit.
He scrutinized the four maids one by one, making them increasingly uneasy. After a moment, Dai Yao said coldly:
"Since you became my maids, I believe I have never treated you unfairly. However, some of you have chosen to betray me. Now, if you confess willingly, I will give you a chance to live."
These words shocked everyone. Zhu Zhuqing's gaze sharpened instantly as she searched for any suspicious individuals. Feng Wutong's phoenix eyes were filled with coldness. These four maids were carefully selected by her for Dai Yao. Now that a traitor had emerged, she also bore some responsibility.
She already felt guilty for not being able to help Dai Yao, and now, failing in her own job made her feel ashamed and even more disgusted with the traitor.
Of these four maids, except for Peacock, each of their families had greatly benefited from becoming Dai Yao's maids. Moreover, the four women's strength had increased dramatically. Under these circumstances, to choose betrayal was something she could never forgive!
Upon hearing Dai Yao's words, the four goddesses reacted differently. Peacock was taken aback at first, then casually glanced at the other three women. Heron, on the other hand, huddled together in fear and lowered her head.
Du Juan's delicate face turned deathly pale in an instant, her expression filled with terror. Partridge was even more terrified; her body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground.
Du Juan gritted her teeth slightly and immediately said:
"Young master, I'll talk. I'm a teacher..."
Before she could finish speaking, Dai Yao interrupted her. He waved his hand and said, "I know about your matter, you don't need to say anything more. Since you dare to admit your mistake, then let's leave your matter at that for now."
Dai Yao didn't lack the desire to punish Du Juan; rather, Du Juan was Bibi Dong's person. His relationship with Bibi Dong was currently very tense, and if he drove Du Juan away, it would mean a complete break with Bibi Dong. Although he didn't intend to do so, it would inevitably cause Bibi Dong to overthink things, potentially leading to an undesirable situation.
Du Juan was stunned for a moment, then a smile of relief spread across her face. Unbeknownst to her, cold sweat was already pouring down her forehead.
Dai Yao turned his head, looked at the partridge lying on the ground, and said calmly:
"Tell me, what made you betray me?" (End of Chapter)