Gathering the ForceBuzz—
A thunderous roar erupted in Dai Yao's mind, his blood seemed to boil, and he grabbed Dugu Yan's shoulders, urgently asking:
"Why? What happened? Why is the Star Luo Empire arresting Uncle Dai?"
Dai Hengyu is Dai Yao's only relative. Back when Dai Yao was still in the Cold Palace, if it weren't for Dai Hengyu's frequent help, Dai Yao would probably have died there long ago.
However, since all the power in the Star Luo Empire was in the hands of the Star Luo Emperor, Dai Hengyu, as a prince, had no power and therefore could not rescue Dai Yao from the Star Luo Empress.
Now that Dai Hengyu is in danger of being killed, how can Dai Yao remain indifferent?
Looking at Dai Yao's anxious face, Dugu Yan bit her lip lightly and then explained:
"According to our informants in the Star Luo Empire, Prince Dai Hengyu has not done anything wrong, and we are not quite sure why the Star Luo Empire wants to arrest him."
"However, not long ago, the legendary Grand Elder of the Star Luo Dai Family Elder Council suddenly came out of seclusion and arrived in Star Luo City. He talked with the Star Luo Emperor for one night, and the next day the Star Luo royal family suddenly took action against Dai Hengyu."
"Moreover, our spies in the Star Luo Empire have discovered that more and more powerful individuals have appeared in Star Luo City recently, which must be because they are on guard against something."
"Dai Hengyu's execution will take place a month from now."
Dai Yao's face immediately darkened, his fists clenched tightly, and he growled menacingly:
"Those old fogies in the Elders' Council are definitely after me. Since they can't catch me, they've targeted Uncle Hengyu, trying to force me to show myself!"
Dugu Yan gently stroked Dai Yao's clenched fists. She didn't want to tell Dai Yao about this. Because once Dai Yao knew, he would definitely go to the Star Luo Empire at all costs to try to rescue Prince Dai Hengyu. But she also knew that if she didn't tell Dai Yao, and he eventually found out, the trust between them would be destroyed.
What she feared most was that Dai Yao, in a fit of rage, would return to the Star Luo Empire alone to seek revenge.
Feeling Dai Yao's body tremble, her heart also trembled. She glanced gently at Ning Rongrong, who was still standing there, nodded slightly, and then said to Dai Yao:
"Dai Yao, no matter what you do, I will be by your side. The entire Qinglian Sect is your support."
Ning Rongrong also came up, took Dai Yao's other hand, and said gently:
"Dai Yao, I will always be by your side. I can ask Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone to help you save Uncle."
Dai Yao instantly snapped out of his rage, looking at the two women beside him, and a realization dawned on him. He was no longer the penniless boy; he had people who loved him, and the power he had built from scratch…
After a moment's thought, although the time was not yet ripe, he already possessed the strength to rival the Star Luo Empire.
"Don't worry, Rongrong, Yanyan, I'm not alone now. Since those people want me to go back, I'll do as they wish. However, I'd like to see if they can accept this big gift I'm offering."
He looked at Ning Rongrong and earnestly instructed her:
"Rongrong, this is my private matter. Although we have a close relationship, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School must not get involved. My grudges with the Star Luo Royal Family are well known, and it is understandable that I would like to go back for revenge. However, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School maintains a neutral stance. Once it gets involved in matters with the Star Luo Empire, then this so-called neutrality will cease to exist."
"At that time, both the two great empires and the Spirit Hall will use this as a pretext to attack the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
Ning Rongrong wanted to say something more, but under Dai Yao's stern rebuke, she could only nod in agreement.
Seeing Ning Rongrong agree, Dai Yao immediately looked south, towards the Star Luo Empire, his eyes blazing with coldness and murderous intent, and said in a cold voice:
"Yan Yan, immediately summon all the elders of the Azure Lotus Sect. Once everything is ready, depart for the Star Luo Empire!"
······
Qinglian Sect, Council Hall.
All the elders who had been summoned were completely bewildered, whispering among themselves, trying to figure out what had happened. But this did little to dispel their confusion.
A moment later, all the elders of the Azure Lotus Sect had arrived. Under everyone's gaze, Dai Yao slowly sat down in the sect leader's seat.
"Sect Master, what is it you wish to do by summoning us here at this hour?"
Lou Gao, who has a rather straightforward temperament, immediately asked Dai Yao a question upon his arrival. He had been engrossed in his research and was naturally a little impatient to be suddenly interrupted.
The two pieces of paper were placed together, forming an arch, on the huge wooden table. After scanning the faces of all the elders for a moment, he finally spoke in a deep voice:
"Everyone, before I joined the Azure Lotus Sect, I promised you that the Azure Lotus Sect would always remain neutral, but there was one condition, do you all remember?"
Some people were still puzzled, but Niu Gao immediately remembered something and had a bad feeling. He asked:
"Sect Master, could it be that something has happened to the Star Luo Empire?"
Dai Yao nodded.
"That's right. In order to force me to show myself, the Star Luo royal family captured my only relative, Prince Dai Hengyu of the Star Luo Empire. If I don't go back, Prince Dai Hengyu will die because of me. Therefore, I must bring people back to the Star Luo Empire to rescue Prince Dai Hengyu."
"Does anyone have any objections?"
Before the sect was established, everyone made a good promise, but now that they are facing the Star Luo Empire, Dai Yao is not sure that everyone will listen to him.
In the original novel, the reason why the Tang Sect was able to work together to deal with the Spirit Hall was because they had a blood feud with the Spirit Hall. However, now that they have returned to the Star Luo Empire for Dai Yao's own selfish reasons, it is a big question whether these guys will still work together with Dai Yao.
Niu Gao, Bai He, and Yang Wudi exchanged glances. After a moment, Bai He rubbed his fingers hesitantly and said:
"Sect Master, it's not that we don't agree to your proposal, it's just that there are countless powerful individuals in the Star Luo Empire. Not to mention the Soul Douluo level experts from other families, just the elders of the Dai family alone have four Soul Douluo and one expert who is close to the Super Douluo level."
"If we just barge in, wouldn't we be courting death?"
Dai Yao scanned the crowd's faces, and sure enough, everyone shared the same question as Bai He. Then, Dai Yao said:
"Our primary mission is to rescue people, not to confront the Star Luo Empire. Secondly, our Qinglian Sect has five Soul Douluo-level experts: Senior Niu Gao, Senior Bai He, Senior Yang Wudi, Senior Lou Gao, and Senior Dugu Xin."
"Senior Yang Wudi is even comparable to a Title Douluo."
"And then there's Senior Dugu Bo, whose poison skills are unmatched in group battles."
"Even if we are forced to confront the Star Luo Empire head-on, we have enough strength to protect everyone and ensure their safe departure. Unless the Star Luo Empire captures Prince Dai Hengyu deep within the palace, I am extremely confident that I can bring everyone back safely."
Yang Wudi chuckled:
"Since that's the case, then I have no objection. After joining the Azure Lotus Sect, since you've enjoyed the benefits of joining the sect, then when it's time to contribute, then you should contribute."
Dai Yao nodded in satisfaction; Yang Wudi's statement put his mind at ease. Yang Wudi was indeed a man of principle; that fragrant and exquisite immortal artifact had not been wasted.
What are your thoughts, everyone?
Niu Gao nodded and said:
"I have no objection; I will obey the sect leader's orders."
Lou Gao nodded. Although he was annoyed that his research had been interrupted, he knew even better that Dai Yao had made up his mind. For the sake of the development of soul tools, he had to support Dai Yao!
A struggle flashed across Bai He's face. Heading towards the Star Luo Empire, the Min Clan's disciples had the lowest chance of survival on the battlefield. Therefore, after this battle, they didn't know how many disciples would die. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and said:
"Sect Master, our Information Department has no objections either."
Seeing the struggle on Bai He's face, Dai Yao suddenly realized and laughed:
"Senior Baihe, you don't need to worry. The Information Department is no longer fighting alone like before. If anyone wants to harm the disciples of the Information Department, they will have to get past the defenses of the Construction Department and the Medical Department first!"
Upon hearing this, Bai He suddenly remembered that they were no longer the impoverished Min Clan who only had a few dozen gold coins. Now, the disciples of the Min Clan were equipped with hidden weapons from head to toe, armed to the teeth, and possessed attack power no less than that of a power-attack type Soul Master of the same level. Coupled with the speed of the Min Clan, there were basically no Soul Masters of the same level who could match them.
"Thank you, Sect Master. I have no more worries now."
Even if it means sacrificing some disciples, that's the price to pay for joining the Azure Lotus Sect. There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
Dai Yao smiled, then said seriously:
"Everyone, gather all disciples of the Azure Lotus Sect who are at least Soul King level. We will depart for the Star Luo Empire in three days!"
"yes!"
Everyone responded in unison.
······
As night deepened, the lights in the sect leader's mansion flickered like beans.
Looking at the two perfect, beautiful faces, Dai Yao sighed softly and said:
"Rongrong, Yanyan, you don't need to go."
Dugu Yan glared at him and said angrily:
"Why? Why can't we go?"
Ning Rongrong also walked over, a hint of anger flickering across her usually serene face. Dai Yao wouldn't let them accompany him to the Star Luo Empire—was he still a husband and wife?
With the two attacking from the left and right, Dai Yao was also struggling to hold on and quickly explained:
"That's not the case. I'm taking the elite of the Azure Lotus Sect to the Star Luo Empire, where the sect's defenses are weak. Even with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's protection, if something unexpected happens in the Star Luo Empire, the sect will inevitably run into trouble due to the deliberate instigation of certain individuals."
"Although the three major single-attribute clans have joined the sect, it does not mean that everyone feels a sense of belonging to the sect. Some people still cherish the Haotian Sect. Now that the Haotian Sect controls the Tiandou Empire and is gradually becoming more powerful, once all the high-ranking members leave Hanhai City, they will definitely take the opportunity to cause trouble."
"My revenge is indeed important, but I don't want my revenge to destroy the sect I've worked so hard to build."
"Within the sect, you two are my only direct descendants, and I can only entrust the sect to you. I really don't feel comfortable entrusting it to anyone else."
Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong were both slightly taken aback. After a long while, they exchanged a glance, and Dugu Yan spoke:
"Will Zhu Qing and Wu Tong accompany you to the Star Luo Empire?"
Dai Yao didn't want to hide it and said:
"Yes. Since the Dai family has chosen to take action, they must have made thorough preparations. This is not only a feud between me and the Dai family, but also a feud between Zhu Qing and the Zhu family. Therefore, Zhu Qing must accompany me to the Star Luo Empire this time."
Dugu Yan was silent for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said:
"Okay, I will take good care of the Azure Lotus Sect. You must come back safely. If anything happens to you, I will definitely come looking for you..."
Dai Yao gently stroked Dugu Yan's long, emerald-green hair, feeling touched as he smiled and said:
"Okay, I understand."
He then turned his head and looked at Ning Rongrong, saying:
"Rongrong, what about you?"
Ning Rongrong stared blankly at Dai Yao, her heart clenching. After so many years of waiting, she had only spent one day with Dai Yao, and now they had to part again.
The agonizing wait caused her to sigh softly. She knew she was a support-type Soul Master who could greatly enhance the team, but the Qinglian Sect's journey to the Star Luo Empire was inherently a case of the weak fighting the strong, and no one had the resources to protect her.
Dai Yao's decision to have her stay was the best one.
But she was very unwilling. Dai Yao's departure was uncertain, and she didn't know how she would get through the anxious wait.
She suddenly threw herself into Dai Yao's arms, tears streaming down her face like a burst dam. The emotions that had been building up inside her could no longer be contained and were released in full force. In the eyes of others, she was indeed the perfect, gentle, and virtuous young sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but she was also a woman with her own joys and sorrows.
She is also very vulnerable.
Seeing her beloved headlong into the perilous Star Luo Empire, and being powerless to stop him, was incredibly painful for her.
Dai Yao gently stroked Ning Rongrong's back, trying to calm her down.
"Rongrong, don't worry. Don't forget my second martial soul. Even if something unexpected happens, I will definitely come back alive."
Dai Yao comforted him.
While this is true, it's inevitable to feel anxious when something hasn't happened yet.
After a while, Ning Rongrong stopped crying. Although she looked somewhat embarrassed, she didn't turn around shyly as she usually did. Instead, she said earnestly:
"I will definitely wait for you to come back."
Immediately, she lifted her skirt and strode out. She wanted to ask Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone for help. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School couldn't openly intervene, but helping Dai Yao secretly was an easy thing to do.
"Rongrong, you..."
Dai Yao reached out to stop her, but Dugu Yan gently pulled him back and whispered:
"Just let Rongrong be. She's waited for you for so many years, and things have finally gotten better, but you can't be with her. She has the right to keep her own happiness."
She had witnessed Ning Rongrong's longing over the years. At least she had spent a considerable amount of time with Dai Yao, accompanying him throughout their time at Auckland Academy. But Ning Rongrong was different; Dai Yao only finally married Ning Rongrong when he was preparing to establish the Qinglian Sect.
As a woman, she certainly understands what it feels like to wait anxiously when the future is uncertain.
Dai Yao sighed softly, gazing at the bright moon rising over the dark sea. After a moment of silence, he said:
"Yanyan, I have something to do, I need to go to the beach."
Sword Douluo had given him a method to break through the ninth compression of soul power, and if successful, it would be a major trump card for his trip to the Star Luo Empire! Therefore, time was of the essence, and Dai Yao had to seize every second to unleash this final compression! (End of Chapter)