Chapter 359: The Truth and the Betrayer
Dai Yao's face immediately darkened, and his eyes narrowed with suspicion. Not only did Lion Douluo show no fear at his threats, but he also dared to counter with a threat of his own! What was he relying on?
"Do you really think I'll fall for your bluff?" Dai Yao said, his voice cold. "You have no choice but to comply with me."
Lion Douluo laughed carelessly, looking up at the moon above. He sighed, "Is that so? I've hidden among humans for so long that sometimes even I forget I'm not one of you. Ten thousand years of cultivation… it's almost laughable compared to human potential."
"Humans accomplish in a single century what takes soul beasts ten thousand years to reach. No wonder humans became the masters of this world, while we soul beasts are reduced to soul rings."
Dai Yao remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
Lion Douluo went on, "The transformation process is a path filled with danger, a choice few soul beasts dare to make. The transformation not only risks the destruction of a soul beast's hard-won cultivation but also invites the relentless gaze of human greed. I'm different from my kin who loathe humans; I was drawn to your world. So, with no other choice, I chose to become human."
Turning his gaze on Dai Yao, he continued, "Among soul beasts, I'm considered a 'dove,' one who doesn't despise humans."
Lion Douluo's tone became dark. "I don't fear death. I would have died long ago if I hadn't chosen transformation. Living a few extra centuries is a blessing. However, if you expose my identity, I'm as good as dead."
"But if I, a dove, am removed, then the hawks—the aggressive soul beasts—will take full control. Endless legions of soul beasts will surge from their dens, sweeping across the continent. All of humanity will drown in a tide of beasts."
Dai Yao fell silent, considering Lion Douluo's words carefully. His claim made some sense and could explain why certain soul beasts hadn't attacked in the original timeline. With three major soul beast strongholds, a war would be devastating.
But then another thought crossed his mind—if Lion Douluo was indeed a "dove," why would he risk so much to force a bargain with him?
Dai Yao's eyes glinted with suspicion. "If you're trying to make me hesitant by threatening a soul beast uprising, you're gravely underestimating me. If you dare to unleash a beast tide, I assure you, the consequences will be unimaginable."
"No, no," Lion Douluo replied, shaking his head. "This isn't a threat. It's simply the truth. But make no mistake—if you expose me, I guarantee that you will suffer far worse than I will."
Dai Yao frowned, perplexed by the meaning behind Lion Douluo's words. His hints were maddeningly vague, perhaps intentionally so. Was this a bluff, a scare tactic, or a veiled warning?
Then, a thought dawned on him, a flash of insight connecting Lion Douluo's threats and his loved ones. "If he has a contingency plan... then Zhu Zhuqing and the others might be in danger..."
Dai Yao clenched his fists, glancing back at Lion Douluo. Reluctantly, he said, "Fine. If you're bluffing, you've won this round."
Lion Douluo laughed. "Rest assured, child of destiny. One day, you will be grateful for this decision."
With the tension slightly easing, Lion Douluo added, "Respected one, we have no interest in becoming your enemy. A mutually beneficial arrangement is always the best outcome. As promised, if you accept our terms, ten-thousand-year spirit rings, ten-thousand-year spirit bones—treasures every soul master desires—will all be yours."
"Oh, and two unparalleled beauties, each with strength beyond compare. One of them, in fact, rivals even the Second Elder."
Dai Yao felt his thoughts stir slightly at the mention of the two powerful soul beast women—likely Jade Swan Bi Ji and Hell Dragon Zi Ji. While others might be tempted by these promised rewards, he steeled himself against the allure.
He shook off the thought, his tone resolute. "You're wasting your breath. My answer won't change. I won't betray humanity."
Dai Yao turned his focus back to the real issue. He couldn't yet expose Lion Douluo, meaning he couldn't clear the misunderstanding with Bibi Dong. Still, there was information he needed.
"Lion Douluo, I'll keep your secret, but you have to tell me—how did you uncover my identity as the Shura Sovereign?"
Lion Douluo smiled. "Of course. I don't deny that you and Bibi Dong hid it well. But as the saying goes, 'the darkest place is under the lamp.' Bibi Dong trusts Snake Spear Douluo, and you… didn't hide it from your maids, did you? So, by analyzing those closest to you, I found what I needed."
Dai Yao's heart sank at the revelation. It was painful to realize someone close to him had betrayed his secret.
His gaze turned icy as he stared at Lion Douluo. "This isn't over."
With a surge of spirit power, Dai Yao disappeared into the forest, leaving Lion Douluo standing alone. As the night wind swept through the trees, Lion Douluo let out a quiet sigh.
Spirit City, the Pope's Palace
"What? The Pope doesn't want to see me?" Dai Yao stared at the guard in surprise.
The guard looked troubled. "My apologies, sir. If the Pope refuses, I can do nothing."
Turning away, Dai Yao looked toward the sealed palace doors, a hollow feeling growing inside him. He realized that between himself and Bibi Dong, an unbridgeable distance now lay.
Dai Yao had approached Bibi Dong to explain everything. Although he couldn't outright expose Lion Douluo as a soul beast, he could present enough facts for Bibi Dong to investigate, which would clear his name. Yet, Bibi Dong was unwilling to see him.
He forced a smile and said, "Alright, I understand. Thank you."
Turning, he walked down the stone steps, each step heavy with a growing sense of loss deep within his heart.
"Is he gone?"
Bibi Dong, seated on her throne, her long legs crossed, supported her chin with one hand and held her scepter in the other, eyes closed as she questioned the guard.
The guard, intimidated, bowed low. Recently, the Pope had reverted to her former cold demeanor. Just one look from her made him shudder, as if his life no longer belonged to him. Hearing her question, he quickly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty. I did as you instructed and sent Dai Yao away."
"He didn't say anything?" Bibi Dong asked, as if in passing.
The guard recalled the scene and answered hurriedly, "No, he didn't say anything. Though… he seemed a bit down as he left…"
Bibi Dong's heart clenched.
"This pain… I actually feel heartache for him? Hmph. I warned him again and again not to get involved with Nana, but he still disobeyed. Who's to blame now? Since leaving that dark chamber, I was destined to be alone, unworthy of feelings."
Memories of her time with Dai Yao replayed in her mind, now cutting like the sharpest blade. Slowly, the warmth faded from her eyes, leaving only a frigid chill.
In the valley, with a gentle hum of displaced air, Dai Yao retracted his eight-winged white tiger spirit and landed on the ground.
Sensing his return, Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong quickly approached. Zhu Zhuqing looked at him with concern, "Brother Yao, are you alright?"
The Pope had summoned Dai Yao in the middle of the Soul Master Festival, and he had returned only at midnight, causing both women to worry deeply. Beside her, Feng Wutong's gaze also brimmed with worry.
Dai Yao managed a faint smile and said gently, "I'm fine. Wutong, could you please gather Kongque and the others here?"
A flicker of unease crossed Feng Wutong's face. Summoning his four maids so late at night hinted at something troubling, but she nodded and quickly headed toward the other cabin.
"What's wrong, Brother Yao?" Zhu Zhuqing, sensing his distress, gently held his hand.
Dai Yao's mood was dark; he was furious at the betrayal from within his inner circle. He had never mistreated these four maids, yet one of them had helped reveal his identity as the Shura Sovereign.
"It's fine," he said quietly. "But please don't speak for a moment. I have something important to announce."
Zhu Zhuqing sensed the seriousness in his tone and withdrew to the side, silently watching as the four drowsy maids filed in. Noticing Dai Yao's cold expression, the four maids quickly lined up, nervous under his steely gaze. Kongque, the eldest, cautiously asked, "Master, did something happen?"
Dai Yao looked at Kongque with a cold stare, making her shiver. Lion Douluo hadn't disclosed which maid had betrayed him, so any one of the four could be guilty.
His piercing gaze moved from one to the next, and the maids grew increasingly anxious. Finally, he spoke in a chilling tone, "Since you became my maids, I believe I've treated you well. And yet, one of you chose to betray me. If that person steps forward now, I'll allow her a chance to live."
All four were visibly shaken. Zhu Zhuqing's eyes sharpened, searching for signs of guilt, while Feng Wutong's gaze grew icy with anger. She had personally selected these four to serve Dai Yao, and now a betrayal felt like a personal failure, adding to her guilt and intensifying her rage.
The four maids wore varied expressions in response to Dai Yao's words. Kongque looked momentarily surprised, then casually eyed the others. Egret appeared fearful, shrinking back and lowering her head, while Cuckoo's face turned pale, displaying clear signs of panic. Pigeon fared the worst; her knees gave out, and she collapsed to the floor.
Cuckoo, biting her lip, finally spoke up, "Master, I have something to admit… I was sent by the…"
Dai Yao raised a hand, interrupting her. "I'm aware of your circumstances," he said with a dismissive wave. "Since you're willing to admit your mistakes, I'll set them aside for now."
Dai Yao didn't want to punish Cuckoo too harshly. She had been sent by Bibi Dong, and with their relationship strained, dismissing Cuckoo could be perceived as a hostile gesture, further escalating tensions with Bibi Dong.
Cuckoo blinked in surprise, a look of relief crossing her face as cold sweat trickled down her forehead.
Dai Yao then turned his gaze to Pigeon, who lay trembling on the floor. In a cold tone, he asked, "Tell me, what led you to betray me?"
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