His name is Dai YaoThe city gates were wide open, and the aftershocks of the explosion were still echoing, but inside the city gates, it was eerily quiet.
Whether they were disciples of the Three Elements Academy or pursuers from the Heavenly Dou Empire, they all stared in disbelief at the figure wearing a bamboo hat, feeling a suffocating sensation as if they dared not breathe.
"Brother Dai, you..."
Feng Xiaotian felt a dryness in his throat, swallowed hard, and slowly uttered a few words.
Even a city gate that could hold off a Title Douluo for a while couldn't withstand a single blow from Dai Yao. Just how terrifyingly strong had Dai Yao become in ten years?
Back then, he and Dai Yao were known as the young prodigies of the Heaven Dou Empire. Although there was a big gap between his strength and Dai Yao's, making the title somewhat undeserved, in just ten years, Dai Yao had left him far behind, to the point that he could no longer see his back.
Although he had expected it, he still couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness when he actually saw it.
Beside them, Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu also looked at Dai Yao in surprise.
Huo Wu pursed her lips and stared blankly at Dai Yao, her complex gaze seemingly concealing different emotions.
She and Dai Yao had a past relationship, but because of her pride, she chose to hide her feelings even though she knew Dai Yao had a fiancée.
However, after Dai Yao left Auckland Academy in Spirit City and chose to join the Spirit Hall, she never saw him again, only hearing about him through rumors. Although the news was scarce, she still knew from the few words she heard that Dai Yao was highly regarded in the Spirit Hall, becoming more and more outstanding and stronger.
In the quiet of the night, she also felt regret.
If I had let go of some of my pride and tried to spend some time with Dai Yao back then, even if we didn't end up together, I wouldn't be regretting my past self like I am now.
Perhaps it was because Dai Yao's shadow still lingered in her heart that she never accepted Feng Xiaotian's advances all these years.
Now that she saw Dai Yao, she didn't know what to say, especially in such an urgent situation, which was definitely not the time to speak.
Dai Yao glanced around.
When he appeared, the soldiers and soul masters of the Heavenly Dou Empire around him could no longer restrain their killing intent and charged towards him with shouts.
Dai Yao snorted coldly and said indifferently:
"Brother Feng, now is not the time to talk. Please let everyone leave first. I have something I want to ask you. Please wait a moment."
Feng Xiaotian was stunned. Regardless of what Dai Yao wanted to ask, wasn't this situation somewhat inappropriate?
If he gets bogged down, he won't be able to leave even if he wants to.
However, since Dai Yao had something to ask him and asked him to stay a moment, he figured he might as well wait. Moreover, hearing these words from Dai Yao gave him a strange feeling that he would ultimately be safe and sound.
"good."
Feng Xiaotian agreed.
Dai Yao nodded, then turned around, picked up the Trident of Poseidon, and slammed it heavily onto the ground.
Centered on the point where the Trident of Poseidon struck, a shockwave suddenly erupted in all directions, whipping up bricks and stones from the street and crashing heavily onto the soldiers and soul masters like ocean waves.
The Soul Master was fortunate; he reacted in time and used his Soul Skill to block the attack. However, many ordinary soldiers suffered. Faced with the shockwave, numerous soldiers fell to the ground like wheat being harvested, screaming in agony. The once impenetrable encirclement vanished in an instant.
Although Feng Xiaotian and his group had gained some understanding of Dai Yao's strength because the city gates had been breached, it now seemed that they had underestimated Dai Yao's abilities.
The remaining Soul Masters of the Heaven Dou Empire stared at Dai Yao in utter horror.
The two strongest Soul Douluos had stiff expressions, and their eyelids were twitching.
As Contra players, they knew best how terrifying the strength required to break through the city gate with a casual strike at the sight of this suddenly appearing figure, and then effortlessly incapacitate nearly a thousand soldiers.
Even ordinary Title Douluo cannot do this; only Super Douluo can, and it must be a top-tier Super Douluo!
"Tang Hu, this person is extremely powerful. We should retreat immediately..."
A Soul Master with a goatee, while cautiously observing the mysterious man wielding a halberd, carefully advised Tang Hu behind him.
But when he caught a glimpse of Tang Hu out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed that Tang Hu's face was deathly pale, cold sweat was pouring down his forehead, and even the hand holding the Haotian Hammer was trembling.
"Tang Hu, what's wrong?"
"He asked in surprise and doubt."
But Tang Hu seemed not to hear him; his pupils were unfocused, his lips trembled, and he murmured uncontrollably:
"It's him...it must be him..."
In the instant the shockwave erupted, Dai Yao's bamboo hat lifted slightly, and Tang Hu caught a glimpse of the golden hair beneath it, and those unforgettable, brilliant golden eyes. The owner of those eyes was none other than his nightmare of so many years—Dai Yao.
The scene of Dai Yao challenging all the disciples below the title Douluo level of the Clear Sky Sect on the secluded snow mountain peak was like a nightmare, deeply etched in Tang Hu's mind.
Despite being a disciple of the Haotian Sect and possessing an arrogance that looked down upon all the talented people in the world, he couldn't muster even the slightest bit of pride in front of Dai Yao.
The only thing that exists is the fear etched into one's very bones.
Especially after Dai Yao led his men into the Star Luo Empire and, with his Soul Emperor realm, fought alone against the Grand Elder of the Star Luo Royal Council, a level 96 Super Douluo, for several hours without being defeated, this fear deepened even further. The fact that he didn't turn and run away already demonstrated his extraordinary composure.
"withdraw!"
Upon seeing Tang Hu's appearance, the man with the goatee seemed to realize something, grabbed Tang Hu by the back of his collar, and shouted at his companion beside him.
In a flash, the three of them fled hundreds of meters backward.
"Trying to leave?"
Dai Yao glanced at it indifferently, stepped forward with his right foot, and his left leg glowed red.
Everyone felt a jolt in their hearts, an invisible pressure enveloping their minds. Some of the stronger individuals seemed to sense this, their gazes involuntarily fixed on Dai Yao's right leg.
Buzz—
Dai Yao casually swung his right leg, accompanied by a piercing whistling sound. Everyone felt a sharp pain in their ears, and before they could see what had happened, they heard a shrill scream from not far away.
Everyone quickly looked in the direction of the sound, and at the end of the street, a shower of blood rained down. Tang Hu's body had been sliced in two, and the Haotian Hammer in his hand vanished in a flash of black light. His severed remains slowly fell to the ground under the force of gravity. A bloody blade disappeared into the distant horizon.
This bloody blade was the culprit that cleaved Tang Hu in two.
"What is this? A soul bone skill?"
The old man with the goat was still holding Tang Hu's hand when his face twitched and his pupils dilated.
He was a Soul Douluo, yet he didn't notice anything when Tang Hu was killed! Furthermore, no soul rings lit up on the mysterious man's body; this must be a soul bone skill or a self-created soul skill. Even for him, given Tang Hu's strength, taking him down wouldn't be easy.
The fact that the mysterious person could kill Tang Hu without him having to react means that the mysterious person's strength is far superior to his!
His life or death was in that person's hands!
Thinking of this, cold sweat broke out on his back. He was only there to cheer on the Haotian Sect, not to risk his life for them! There was no need for him to seek his own death for Tang Hu. He dared not look back even once, nor did he bother to notify his companions. His seventh and eighth soul rings lit up simultaneously, transforming him into a blue swallow that soared into the sky and disappeared.
The air was eerily quiet, and everyone stared in horror at what was happening before their eyes.
"Tang Hu... just like that, he's dead?"
After a long while, Feng Xiaotian said absentmindedly.
Tang Hu, as one of the most talented young members of the Clear Sky Sect, possessed unparalleled strength throughout the entire Heaven Dou City. Despite being only a Soul Saint, his powerful Martial Soul allowed him to contend with even many Soul Douluos.
Having challenged Tang Hu several times, Feng Xiaotian knew his strength well; he was definitely among the top of the younger generation. Yet even someone like him couldn't withstand a single soul skill from Dai Yao. Dai Yao's strength far surpassed his. The bitterness in his heart gradually turned into acceptance.
Now that the two of them are no longer from the same world, why bother to cause themselves pain?
The disciples of the Three Elements Academy looked at Dai Yao with a mixture of fear and dread. Even the incredibly powerful Feng Xiaotian in their hearts was no match for Tang Hu. Yet, this formidable figure had been instantly killed by this mysterious man wearing a bamboo hat?
Who exactly is this person?
Why do Senior Feng and the others look so familiar?
"Brother Feng, the pursuers have been dealt with for the time being. Now you should leave Tiandou City as soon as possible."
Dai Yao glanced at Tang Hu's mangled body falling from the sky, then looked away and said to Feng Xiaotian.
"Brother Dai, it's been years since we last met. Your strength is becoming more and more incomprehensible to me."
Feng Xiaotian said with emotion.
Immediately, as if he had thought of something, he quickly advised:
"Brother Dai, if you are alone, you should leave quickly. The person you killed was one of the two most talented young people in the Haotian Sect. The Haotian Sect will never let you go after you killed him. I know you are very strong, but this is the Haotian Sect's headquarters after all."
"No matter how strong you are, you can't possibly be a match for so many Title Douluos by yourself."
As Huo Wu directed her disciples to leave through the open city gate, she glanced intentionally or unintentionally in Dai Yao's direction, her lips slightly pursed. After instructing Huo Wushuang, she smoothed a stray strand of hair behind her ear and gracefully approached the group, a complex expression on her face as she smiled faintly:
"Dai Yao, it's been a long time."
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao turned to look at Huo Wu.
Nearly a decade has passed, and Huo Wu's figure has become even more alluring and mature. Compared to back then, she's lost some of her fiery energy and gained a touch more serenity. Dai Yao jokingly remarked with a smile:
"Long time no see. Is this still the Fire Dance I knew back then?"
Huo Wu blushed, gave a disgruntled snort, rolled her eyes at Dai Yao, and sighed:
"Hmph, Dai Yao. Feng Xiaotian is right. You'd better leave as soon as possible. Once the experts from Haotian Sect catch up, you might not be able to leave."
Dai Yao chuckled:
"Don't worry, even if the entire Haotian Sect attacks, I'm confident I can leave safely. Actually, I have a few questions for you."
"What's up?"
Feng Xiaotian was taken aback.
"You are the Four Elements Academy, so why do we only see the Three Elements Academy? Where is the Thunder Academy? Also, where are the experts from the Four Elements Academy? Why are we only seeing a few of you? Where are Shui Bing'er and the others?"
Dai Yao asked.
Upon hearing Dai Yao's question, Feng Xiaotian's expression immediately darkened. He took a deep breath before explaining:
"After the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan was wiped out, Thunder Academy lost its backer and thus grew closer to the Heaven Dou Royal Family. With the Spirit Hall's conspiracy in the Heaven Dou Royal Palace exposed, the Heaven Dou Royal Family's bloodline was wiped out, leaving only Princess Xue Ke. After that, the Clear Sky Sect seized the imperial power."
"Thunder Academy gradually sided with Haotian Sect."
"Our Elemental Academy has always been loyal to the Heaven Dou Royal Family and disapproved of Tang San and the Clear Sky Sect's behavior. Therefore, taking advantage of the Empire's defeat at Jialing Pass and Tang San's plummeting prestige, we jointly petitioned Empress Xue Ke to assume power. However, we did not expect that Tang San's methods would be so ruthless, disregarding our objections and forcibly suppressing our dissenting opinions."
"Empress Xueke ignored this, and we were all somewhat disheartened. The deans suggested that we leave Tiandou City and return to our original places."
"The dean and teachers of the academy stayed in Heaven Dou City as bait to cover our escape. But Tang San didn't let us go and labeled us as traitors, trying to wipe us out in Heaven Dou City. It wasn't until we were escaping that we discovered Thunder Academy hadn't appeared. It turned out they had betrayed us long ago."
"We originally planned to escort the academy disciples out of the city. However, the deans are very powerful and have a lot of prestige in the Heaven Dou Empire. Even if Tang San wanted to deal with them, he would have to consider the impact."
"But after the traitor Thunder Academy came out, our plan completely failed."
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao paused. With the Spirit Hall at the city gates and a formidable enemy at hand, Tang San's choice of such a ruthless method clearly indicated that the situation was on the verge of collapse.
But he ignored these concerns, his expression turning serious as he pressed for an answer:
"Could it be that Shui Bing'er and the others are also staying in Tian Dou City?"
Feng Xiaotian's face darkened, and he nodded with difficulty.
They thought their plan was foolproof, after all, the Four Elements Academy had stood in Tiandou for many years and had graduates all over Tiandou City, so leaving Tiandou City would not be difficult.
Shui Bing'er and the others could remain in Tiandou City to mislead the enemy, and once the plan succeeded, they would be protected by the powerful members of the Four Elements Academy, so they wouldn't be in any danger. However, the betrayal by Thunder Academy was completely unexpected.
Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Dai Yao felt a surge of excitement rush to his head.
Feng Xiaotian and his group were surrounded at the city gate. How dangerous must it be for Shui Bing'er and the others, who were used as bait?!
Where are they now?
Suppressing his anxiety, Dai Yao hurriedly asked.
Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu were both taken aback. Dai Yao's reaction seemed a bit off; they didn't seem to have any connection with him...
Feng Xiaotian quickly pointed out the location to Dai Yao.
Dai Yao could no longer care about concealing himself. He spread his wings and transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the horizon.
A strong wind blew, and Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu stared blankly in the direction Dai Yao had left, speechless.
Huo Wu pursed her lips slightly, her eyes flashing.
She didn't understand why Dai Yao was so worried about Shui Bing'er and the others.
"Could it be that Shui Bing'er and Dai Yao...?"
Suddenly, Huo Wu's eyes lit up, as if she understood something.
A woman with a stunning figure walked up to Huo Wu, followed Huo Wu's gaze, and looked with some admiration in the direction the mysterious man had left. She cautiously asked:
"Sister Huowu, who was the person who saved us just now?"
Huo Wu turned her head and noticed the undisguised admiration in the eyes of her junior, who was quite good-looking and had a great figure. She immediately realized that her junior probably had developed feelings for Dai Yao.
He couldn't help but shake his head, secretly chuckling that Dai Yao had unintentionally stirred another girl's heartstrings.
She smoothed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, sighed, and said wistfully:
"Him...you've heard of him too, he's Dai Yao..." (End of Chapter)