Chapter 358: The Identity of the Spirit Beast
Besides the unresolved mysteries, Dai Yao had gained something else from this meeting. Under Qian Daoliu's immense spiritual pressure, his previously unstable spirit power had solidified completely, removing any lingering doubts. Now, the spirit bones he had prepared could be absorbed, especially the Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone, which would greatly enhance his recovery abilities.
Yet there was no time to savor these benefits now. Gasping heavily and drenched in sweat, Dai Yao forced himself to lift his head, regarding Qian Daoliu with guarded eyes as he asked in a deep voice, "Elder, what is the meaning of this? How do you know that I possess the Shura Domain?"
Qian Daoliu regarded him with a complex expression. With a slight flick of his finger, a small orb of light merged into Dai Yao's body, melting away his exhaustion like snow under the sun's rays. Dai Yao let out a sigh of relief as strength returned to his body, momentarily easing his fatigue.
With Dai Yao's twin martial souls and the Shura Domain, it was possible this young man could surpass Tang Chen and succeed in inheriting the Shura God's position. As the Angel God's protector, Qian Daoliu understood well that the Shura God's status far exceeded that of the Angel God. Thus, although Dai Yao was still a mere Soul Emperor, Qian Daoliu addressed him with a newfound sense of respect.
The old man's voice was calm as he spoke. "Not only do I know about your Shura Domain, Dai Yao, but I also know that you possess twin martial souls."
Dai Yao's heart sank. Just as he had suspected, the Elder Hall was behind his rift with Bibi Dong. But he and Bibi Dong had hidden the identity of the "Shura Sovereign" flawlessly; how had the Elder Hall uncovered it?
"Elder, how did you come to know these things?" he asked.
Qian Daoliu smiled slightly. "Nothing is without flaw. By piecing together fragments of details, I deduced the secrets you both attempted to keep hidden." He paused and continued, "But enough about that. I brought you here because I need your assistance with something."
Though Dai Yao wanted to question him further about how he had deduced his identity, it was clear that Qian Daoliu had no intention of discussing it further. So Dai Yao asked instead, "Elder, I am only a Soul Emperor. What could you possibly need my help with?"
Qian Daoliu chuckled, "Dai Yao, you don't need to be so formal with me. Your potential is far greater than you realize. Do you know what possessing the Shura Domain signifies?"
Dai Yao feigned ignorance and replied, "What does it mean?"
Qian Daoliu's tone grew more complicated, tinged with envy and regret. "The Shura Domain marks one as a candidate for inheriting the Shura God's position. Each person blessed with the Shura Domain has a chance to inherit the Shura God's power. Even among the gods, the Shura God holds immense power. However, this makes his inheritance process especially challenging, and to this day, no one has successfully completed it. I once had an old friend who tried. At the time, he and I were both revered as twin pillars of the soul master world."
He let out a sigh, his expression somber. "So many years have passed without news; I assume he failed. But your talent far exceeds his—if you choose to pursue the Shura God's inheritance, you stand a real chance of succeeding."
Though Dai Yao already knew this, he wore an expression of awe, glancing down at his hands as he summoned the Shura Domain, feeling its chilling aura. "I didn't realize the Shura Domain concealed such a legacy. But Elder, how does this relate to the favor you mentioned?"
"It's closely related," Qian Daoliu replied with a sigh. "My clan has worshipped the Angel God for generations, and any member with sufficient talent is given the chance to inherit the Angel God's position. Apart from myself, our clan has only one other member. That child, however, has the potential to inherit the Angel God's power."
"Due to certain reasons, she went undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire, preparing to destabilize it and pave the way for Spirit Hall's rise. You have met her before—she is none other than the current Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe."
"Xue Qinghe?" Dai Yao's feigned shock was perfect, a believable reaction that anyone would have upon discovering the Heaven Dou Crown Prince was actually a Spirit Hall agent.
Qian Daoliu's face betrayed a trace of sadness. Owing to the enmity between her parents, Qian Renxue had been deprived of parental love from an early age, and while still young, she'd left to assume her disguise in the Heaven Dou Empire. Presenting herself as a man, she'd endured solitude and hardships that her grandfather could scarcely imagine.
After a long sigh, Qian Daoliu looked back at Dai Yao. "I would like you to support her."
"She may have noble blood, but she's a tragic figure. She lost both her father and mother while still a child. And there exists an irreconcilable enmity between our clan and Bibi Dong. Her heart is dead, and what drives her to live is revenge. She seeks to destroy our angelic clan, perhaps even the entire continent."
"If she becomes a god, it would spell disaster for the world. That is why I ask that you support Qian Renxue in her struggles against Bibi Dong's influence. I believe you are the best candidate for this task, especially with your close ties to the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, not to mention the powerful sect you've built."
Dai Yao's breath caught. Qian Daoliu had him cornered, with only one path before him. First, because of Hu Liena's involvement, his relationship with Bibi Dong was fractured, leaving him seemingly with no choice but to follow Qian Daoliu's plans. Second, the opposing natures of the Shura God and the Rakshasa God meant he and Bibi Dong could never truly coexist.
Regardless, it seemed Qian Daoliu had miscalculated one crucial point—Dai Yao's bond with Bibi Dong went beyond a mere servant's loyalty. And he deeply resented the way Qian Daoliu had tried to force his hand.
He let out a cold laugh. "Elder, is this how you request help—by manipulating people?"
Qian Daoliu looked momentarily taken aback. "What are you talking about?"
Qian Daoliu's genuine puzzlement threw Dai Yao off. Could it be that Qian Daoliu was not behind revealing his "Shura Sovereign" identity to Hu Liena? Studying Qian Daoliu's expression, he couldn't detect a hint of deceit. For a peerless Douluo of Qian Daoliu's status, there was no reason to lie, not in the world of Douluo Dalu, where pride ran deep among the strong.
In that case, Qian Daoliu wasn't the culprit in sowing discord between him and Bibi Dong. But who else could have a motive to sever his connection with her?
Dai Yao fell into contemplation.
Observing his silence, Qian Daoliu granted him time to think. Suddenly, Dai Yao's mind flashed with clarity. The spirit beast, Bibi Dong, Hu Liena, the Shura Sovereign—piece by piece, a logical chain formed.
"So, that's it…" he murmured. "That's how it is."
Qian Daoliu's brows furrowed. "What is it, Dai Yao?"
Dai Yao collected himself, looking deeply at Qian Daoliu. He realized that the elder had been kept in the dark too. Yet Dai Yao knew that Qian Daoliu, sharing a common interest with the true culprit, would not interfere.
Taking a deep breath, he said, "Elder, this matter is complex. I'd like to return and give it some serious thought."
Qian Daoliu chuckled lightly. Though curious about Dai Yao's earlier reaction, he chose not to press him. Patting Dai Yao on the shoulder, he said:
"Before you leave, I need to tell you a secret. Bibi Dong inherited the Rakshasa God's position. The Rakshasa God and the Asura God are natural enemies. If you choose to inherit the Asura God's position, there will be no possibility of coexistence between you and Bibi Dong."
"I hope you'll think carefully about it."
Qian Daoliu's words further confirmed Dai Yao's suspicions. Nodding firmly, Dai Yao turned and left.
"Old Fourth, escort Dai Yao," Qian Daoliu instructed the Lion Douluo standing outside the temple doors as they opened.
The Lion Douluo gave Dai Yao a quick glance before responding with a curt nod.
Once the temple doors closed, the Lion Douluo led the way, with Dai Yao silently following behind.
The Hall of Worship was situated deep within the mountains of Spirit City. Exiting the hall, they were met with lush green woods. As they stepped into the forest, the night breeze rustled the leaves, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Watching the imposing figure of the Lion Douluo ahead, Dai Yao sneered and said:
"The voice I heard in the library—it must have been yours, Lion Douluo."
The Lion Douluo's body stiffened momentarily, but he quickly turned back with an expression of feigned confusion. "Kid, what are you talking about?"
"Still pretending? A soul beast in human form?" Dai Yao stared directly into the Lion Douluo's eyes, his voice calm but resolute.
The two locked eyes as the night wind carried fallen leaves between them. The Lion Douluo held Dai Yao's gaze in silence.
After a long pause, his gleaming golden irises shifted, transforming into amber beast-like eyes. He laughed—a chilling sound that resonated in the darkness of the forest.
"How did you know? I've never shown any flaws."
Dai Yao replied calmly, "I was puzzled about how Hu Liena discovered my identity as the 'Asura Emperor.' The only possibility was a powerful entity capable of piecing together details to reveal the truth."
"And the only place capable of doing that is the Hall of Worship."
"It's true that the Grand Worshipper has motives to undermine my relationship with Bibi Dong, but there was one factor you overlooked: the Grand Worshipper's sincerity."
"The Grand Worshipper's genuine attitude made me question whether he would resort to such tactics. So, I deliberately made a few ambiguous remarks, but the Grand Worshipper seemed completely unaware. This proved that he wasn't the one behind it."
"Then I began to analyze: who else would have a motive to cause Bibi Dong to lose trust in me?"
"I've offended many people in Spirit Hall, but none of them have the power to manipulate the Hall of Worship. Just as I was at an impasse, I recalled something important: the soul beast hiding in Spirit Hall. Only that being would have such a motive."
The Lion Douluo regarded Dai Yao in surprise, impressed that he could deduce so much from seemingly insignificant clues. "But how did you know that the shapeshifting soul beast was me?"
Dai Yao sighed. "I never imagined a soul beast not only surviving among humans but rising to become a worshipper in Spirit Hall."
"Among the seven worshippers, the Grand Worshipper is ruled out. Also, on the day I heard that voice in the library, the Second Worshipper was far away at the Clear Sky Sect, so he's also excluded."
"That leaves the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Worshippers. But all three possess tool-type martial spirits. A soul beast's martial spirit after transformation always mirrors its original form, meaning it would have to be a beast-type martial spirit. This eliminates those three."
"That leaves only the Third Worshipper, Azure Phoenix Douluo, and you, Lion Douluo."
"I've met Azure Phoenix Douluo a few times because of Feng Wutong, so I can't rule him out solely on familiarity. However, one detail confirmed it was you."
Dai Yao's gaze sharpened as he looked at the Lion Douluo, speaking with unwavering conviction.
"Oh? What detail?" the Lion Douluo asked curiously.
"It's because the person who sought me out was you," Dai Yao replied evenly.
The Lion Douluo froze. After a long silence, his expression turned complex, and he said, "Fate is truly unpredictable. To think my identity was exposed by such a minor detail. You truly live up to being the child of destiny…"
He paused, his face growing cold.
"But aren't you afraid I'll kill you here and bury this secret forever?"
Dai Yao laughed lightly, utterly relaxed. "You won't—or rather, you wouldn't dare."
"You've spent so many years hidden among humans, rising to the pinnacle of their society. Your importance to the soul beast race is immeasurable. If you were exposed because of me, the cost would be far too great."
"Secondly, this is the Hall of Worship. While you may be a Level 97 Titled Douluo, I'm no pushover. I can hold out for a few seconds, long enough for Qian Daoliu to arrive. What would you say to the Grand Worshipper then?"
"And finally, you need something from me, don't you? If you intend to negotiate with me, how could you kill me without being cornered first?"
The Lion Douluo's icy expression melted away. Clapping his hands, he chuckled in genuine admiration. "Well done, child of destiny. You even deduced my reservations. Since you've exposed my identity, do you plan to use it to threaten me?"
Dai Yao's expression darkened.
The Lion Douluo wasn't wrong—Dai Yao did intend to use his identity as leverage. Resolving the misunderstanding with Hu Liena was key to mending his relationship with Bibi Dong, and the Lion Douluo was the perfect witness to help him achieve this.
But the Lion Douluo's tone suggested he wasn't particularly afraid of being exposed.
"That's correct. If you don't want me to reveal your identity, you'll have to help me with something," Dai Yao said seriously.
The Lion Douluo laughed heartily before narrowing his gaze and replying coldly, "You can't threaten me. Let me tell you this: if you reveal my identity, I'll die for sure—but you'll suffer a fate far worse than mine…"
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