The Empress Dies, Feuds EndIn the sky, the boiling fire elements surged like a raging sea, seemingly intent on destroying everything. Yet, a powerful current of energy carved out a space within this pervasive fire element, pushing the fire elements backward.
A strong wind blew in his face, tearing the elder's clothes. Combined with his unruly appearance, he looked exactly like a beggar.
Staring at the center of the soul skill collision, his expression froze, his mouth slightly open, speechless with shock.
But when the aftershocks of the collision rebounded, he couldn't help but raise his arms and hold them horizontally in front of him. As his soul power surged, several soul skills were added to his body. Even so, he was still pushed back several thousand meters.
"My ninth soul skill was actually blocked?"
Feeling the terrifying force raging within his body, the Grand Elder was filled with shock and disbelief.
This was Super Douluo's strongest attack. Although Dai Yao's situation was unclear, the fact that Dai Yao, as a Soul Emperor, could block his soul skill was beyond everyone's imagination.
"Is that kid still alive?"
Suppressing his turbulent emotions, the Grand Elder narrowed his gaze, which turned somewhat cold, and began searching the sky.
If Dai Yao is dead, that would be best; he has removed a major threat to the Dai family. But if Dai Yao is still alive, and unharmed, then…
In a flash, a surge of soul power emanated from below the clouds. Immediately, Dai Yao leaped out of the clouds, his four pairs of wings flapping gently, rising to the same height as the Grand Elder, looking at him at eye level.
Upon seeing Dai Yao's appearance, the Grand Elder's heart was filled with turmoil.
Dai Yao's clothes were torn, revealing his muscular physique, and several wounds were oozing blood. His once golden hair was now dull, and in some places it even looked like it had been burned.
Although he looked somewhat disheveled, his aura had not weakened at all; in fact, it had even strengthened!
He slowly raised his hand, enduring the excruciating pain, and channeled his soul power, his eyes flashing. Then he lowered his hand again. In his attempt to kill Dai Yao, he had taken a rather risky approach, but not only had he failed to kill Dai Yao, he had also suffered considerable injuries.
"Should we continue?"
Looking at the hesitant Grand Elder, Dai Yao glanced at the retreating Qinglian Sect disciples on the ground and said indifferently.
Now that he had proven his ability to stop the Grand Elder, he could be considered a top-tier expert even on the entire continent. Moreover, the disciples of the Azure Lotus Sect had already left Star Luo City, so he had no reason to continue obstructing the Grand Elder.
If the Grand Elder dares to chase after them, the Spirit Hall will not miss this opportunity, and the palace will inevitably descend into chaos.
Looking at Dai Yao, the Grand Elder vaguely saw the once spirited figure of the Star Luo Emperor, only Dai Yao's achievements far surpassed those of the Star Luo Emperor. He lowered his head and glanced at Star Luo City.
Today, Xingluo City is engulfed in war, with the influence of the Spirit Hall, opportunistic nobles, and Dai Yao's cronies seizing the city gates and disappearing into the snowstorm.
His eyes flickered, and he felt powerless. With the death of the Star Luo Emperor, the forces opposing the Dai family in the entire Star Luo Empire began to tear at him frantically. Under such circumstances, even if he was a Super Douluo, he could not change anything at this moment.
He sighed heavily, turned to look at Dai Yao, his eyes filled with weariness, and slowly said:
Is this what you wanted?
Dai Yao let the wind tousle his hair and said in a deep voice, "No, this is what you want."
The Grand Elder smiled bitterly; he understood Dai Yao's meaning, of course. If they hadn't pushed Dai Yao, he wouldn't have ended up like this.
Squinting, he looked up at the dazzling sun in the sky. The once glorious Xingluo royal family seemed to be burning in the sun. All its glory had turned into ruins overgrown with weeds. Dai Yao would not let the Dai family go, but he was powerless to change anything.
Even when Dai Yao was still a Soul Emperor, he was already no match for him. In a few more years, when Dai Yao's soul power level increased further, he would be even less of a match for Dai Yao.
"Yes, today's result is yesterday's cause. Talented people emerge in every generation. You may leave; I cannot stop you. I have done my best for the family. You may decide how to deal with the Dai family from now on."
The Grand Elder sighed.
Dai Yao narrowed his eyes slightly, not expecting the Grand Elder to accept reality so quickly.
"I only want revenge, not murder. The Star Luo Emperor is dead, and I have avenged most of my grudges. As for the Dai family, I have no interest in them."
Dai Yao said calmly.
Many members of the Dai family were innocent; only a few elders had any connection with Dai Yao. The Fifth Elder remained indifferent, adhering to the established rules, and harbored little ill will towards Dai Yao; while the Second Elder was quite hostile towards him and wanted to kill him. As for the other elders, they had no contact with them.
Those forces that were attached to the Dai family, especially the palace maids and eunuchs who had bullied him, were secretly executed by Empress Xingluo long after Dai Yao became a prince.
Of course, this does not mean that Dai Yao will let the Dai family go. The Spirit Hall is watching closely from the sidelines, Tang San cannot become the Sea God, and the fate of the two empires has already been decided.
The Dai family of Xingluo is nothing but withered bones in a tomb. Therefore, Dai Yao is too lazy to dirty his hands and prey on the weak.
"Now, one person is still alive. Before I leave, I must eliminate her..."
Dai Yao said in a deep voice, and then his figure flashed and disappeared.
The Grand Elder's pupils contracted, realizing what Dai Yao intended to do. A mixture of shock and anger welled in his eyes, and he tried to stop him, but Dai Yao had already vanished. His anger gradually transformed into helplessness and resignation, and he sighed deeply.
"Your Majesty, you will have to bear the consequences of your own actions."
Then, he slowly descended.
As the ground drew closer, the numerous Soul Douluos of Star Luo surrounded the First Elder, looking at him with a mixture of confusion and surprise. The Second Elder, though already knowing the outcome, still asked, unwilling to give up:
"Big brother, how's the battle going?"
The Grand Elder glanced at the searching faces of the crowd, sighed slightly, and shook his head, saying:
"I can't kill him. He blocked my ninth soul skill."
Upon hearing this, the entire arena fell silent; everyone was too shocked to speak. A Soul Emperor had actually stopped a Super Douluo—no one in the world would believe it if this were to be told. Yet, this unbelievable event had truly unfolded before their very eyes.
"Is this traitor a monster?"
"With the death of Emperor Xingluo, these powerful figures who depended on him have also lost their master, and naturally they hate Dai Yao to the bone," said an eunuch in the palace, gritting his teeth.
"It's over...It's over..."
The First Elder's words exploded in the Second Elder's mind. After a moment, he murmured blankly.
If Dai Yao doesn't die, he will. He couldn't help but complain about the Grand Elder. A Super Douluo couldn't even defeat a Soul Emperor. At his age, he's really wasted his life!
The Fifth Elder's gaze was vacant, his heart completely consumed by regret. If only he had been more dutiful, a little more tactful, a little more worldly-wise about clan rules, perhaps Dai Yao wouldn't have left...
The Third Elder stepped forward, somewhat excitedly saying:
"Big brother, that kid was able to block your ninth soul skill, the price he paid must have been considerable. Why don't you give chase?!"
The Grand Elder smiled bitterly and extended his hand. His withered arm trembled slightly. The power contained in Dai Yao's self-created soul skill was constantly destroying his life force. If he forced his way out, his days would be numbered. Once he died, the Star Luo Empire's forces, which had been eyeing the royal family covetously, would not hesitate for a moment.
"If I could take action, why would I stop?"
He gave a helpless, bitter smile.
Sensing the raging power within that arm, everyone understood why the First Elder hadn't pursued Dai Yao, and a deathly silence fell. The Second Elder, still unwilling to give up, asked:
"Big brother, is there really no way to stop this kid?"
The Grand Elder sighed:
"The dragon is soaring in the sky, it can no longer be restrained."
Everyone fell silent. Although the Grand Elder hadn't finished speaking, they all understood that if Dai Yao didn't want to keep the Star Luo Royal Family, their removal from the continent was already imminent.
The Contra Masters were filled with a sense of absurdity. The Dai family, which had dominated the continent for tens of thousands of years, had suddenly been brought to the brink of annihilation?! And their enemy was a genius disciple who had come from the Dai family?
Upon hearing this, the Seventh Elder of the Haotian Sect clenched his still-intact left hand tightly. His eyes were filled with horror and worry.
"Elder, now that those traitors have left, I must also leave. I must return to the Heavenly Dou Empire as soon as possible to report this matter to the Sect Master."
He said solemnly.
The true identity of the 'Asura Emperor' and Dai Yao's hidden strength were hard for everyone to accept. Therefore, he had to return to the Heaven Dou Empire as soon as possible to report the matter to Tang San so that Tang San could prepare a response.
The Grand Elder's cloudy eyes flickered. The Star Luo Empire was in danger from within due to Dai Yao's presence, and from without, the Spirit Hall was eyeing it covetously. The situation was extremely perilous. They had to unite with the Clear Sky Sect of the Heaven Dou Empire, or the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Go ahead."
He said in a deep voice.
The Seventh Elder nodded, then soared into the sky, transforming into a streak of light and flying swiftly towards the Heavenly Dou Empire.
He first flew eastward for a distance, and then flew northward to avoid running into Dai Yao's group, which would be troublesome.
······
The inner palace was a scene of utter desolation, with cries of weeping rising and falling.
Ever since the body of the Star Luo Emperor was carried back to the palace, everyone's faith collapsed. The palace maids wept uncontrollably, the guards were filled with disbelief, and some screamed in despair. The iron discipline that had once been so strict had vanished without a trace.
But now, nobody cares about these things anymore.
The Empress gazed at the Star Luo Emperor's corpse on the stretcher, as if all her strength had been drained away. She collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face, which was on the verge of collapse. She reached out to touch the man she once loved most, but now she felt no warmth at all.
"The Great Emperor..."
She murmured sadly.
For many years, although a thick wall separated her from Emperor Xingluo, her love for him never changed. Now, seeing him die tragically, her heart felt empty.
For so many years, she had been praying for the Emperor's forgiveness, but the Emperor was dead, and her prayers would never be answered.
Beside him, Dai Mubai stared blankly at the Star Luo Emperor lying on the ground, his body trembling slightly.
He couldn't believe it; Dai Yao had actually defeated his father. He didn't have particularly deep feelings for the Emperor; perhaps his elder brother, Davis, had a deeper bond with their father. Therefore, he wasn't particularly saddened by the Emperor's death.
He was only thinking about how the gap between himself and Dai Yao had become increasingly unattainable.
His inner frustration and dejection left him feeling lost and helpless.
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind the Queen.
"Who goes there!"
The guards nearby hurriedly shouted, trying to stop the suddenly appearing figure.
Dai Mubai hurriedly turned his head and stared wide-eyed at the suddenly appearing figure. It was none other than Dai Yao. He immediately realized Dai Yao's purpose in coming here; he must have come for his mother.
His soul power surged, and several soul skills were immediately attached to his body, which he then used to attack Dai Yao!
However, this powerful attack, which even many Soul Emperors found troublesome, was met with Dai Yao's mere slight movement. He reached out and grabbed Dai Mubai by the neck, lifting him into the air, and coldly said:
"Dai Mubai, I've spared your life. If you don't cherish it, I don't mind taking it away!"
Immediately, with a light toss, Dai Mubai slammed into the palace wall like a cannonball.
Seeing this, none of the guards dared to step forward. Several brave guards were swiftly and decisively killed by Dai Yao.
Seeing that no one dared to disturb him, Dai Yao took out the Zhuge Divine Crossbow from his Ruyi Treasure Pouch, and used the spring water from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to attach it to the arrowhead, while asking:
"Now that things have come to this, no one can save you. Do you have anything else to say?"
Dai Yao had long prepared the water from the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire, a gift he had prepared for Empress Xingluo. He would not allow her to die easily. The water from the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire is both extremely cold and extremely hot; when combined, it inflicts extreme pain.
Empress Xingluo didn't turn to look at Dai Yao; instead, she kept staring at Emperor Xingluo, her eyes growing increasingly vacant. Hearing Dai Yao's voice, she smiled expressionlessly and said:
"I never imagined I would die at your hands. I spared your life back then, only to have it lead to this miserable end. Bai Su, oh Bai Su, I have ultimately lost to you, not only in love, but also in raising our children..."
Dai Yao raised the Zhuge Divine Crossbow and pressed it down against the back of Empress Xingluo.
The trigger was pulled, and with the sound of the machine gun churning, several blood-stained blades pierced through the Queen's body and plunged into the earth.
Blood fell, and at the point where the Empress's wound had pierced through, ice froze and charred into ash—two extreme phenomena occurring simultaneously in one person. But the Star Luo Empress did not scream in agony; instead, she coughed up blood in pain as she crawled on, finally collapsing onto the Emperor's corpse.
She gasped for breath, a blissful smile on her face. For the first time in so many years, she embraced the Emperor, and he did not push her away.
The temperature gradually dissipated, and finally, amidst excruciating pain, he slowly stopped breathing.
The snow that had dissipated due to the battle fell again, and soon a layer of snow covered the two corpses.
"He's just a pitiful person."
Gazing at the Empress's corpse, Dai Yao sighed softly.
The reason the Empress was so harsh on Dai Yao and his mother was because she wanted to win the favor of the Star Luo Emperor. However, the Emperor was a cruel and ungrateful man; all he wanted was conquest and domination, not love. The Empress's use of the throne to threaten the still-Crown Prince Emperor violated his greatest taboo, and therefore, the Emperor would never forgive her.
The devoted empress's efforts to gain the emperor's forgiveness were ultimately in vain.
But it was precisely because of this futility that the Empress's resentment grew stronger, ultimately leading to the downfall of Dai Yao and his mother. In this light, the Empress's death was not entirely unjust.
After glancing at the corpses of the Emperor and Empress, Dai Yao looked up at the sky. Snowflakes fell all around, gradually covering Xingluo City in a layer of silver.
Just like Dai Yao looked when he was in the Cold Palace.
"it's over."
Dai Yao said with a sigh.
Hatred propelled him forward relentlessly, leading him to flee Star Luo, travel far to Heaven Dou, join the Spirit Hall, and grow stronger step by step until he finally had the power to kill his two most important enemies today.
Past experiences flashed before my eyes like a slideshow. The humiliation I endured in the cold palace, the hardships at Star Luo Royal Academy, the arduous training under the waterfall, the trials at Auckland Academy, and the experience of being used like a pawn after joining the Spirit Hall…
The image finally settled on the corpses of the Emperor and Empress.
He closed his eyes slightly, and when he opened them again, there was no more hesitation. With a flap of his eight wings, Dai Yao soared into the sky and disappeared into the snowstorm. If nothing unexpected happened, he would never come here again, never return to the Star Luo Empire.
From this day forward, he would live for himself. (End of Chapter)