Chapter 390: Ninth Compression, Final Preparations
Under the night sky, the sea was as dark as ink, seemingly capable of swallowing all light. Standing alone on the beach, with waves lapping at the shore and the salty sea breeze blowing against him, Dai Yao felt a pang of frustration.
"If only I had a little more time. Ever since gaining my sixth spirit ring, I've stopped cultivating to adapt to the surge in spirit power. Now I'm already at level sixty-nine, and if I could just absorb the spirit bone of the Blue Silver Emperor, I'd surely break through to seventy."
"Absorbing a seventh spirit ring would grant me the Spirit Avatar, the strongest ability for any beast spirit master, and my power would skyrocket to rival that of a typical Titled Douluo. But those guys haven't given me that much time."
Dai Yao had long planned for his seventh ring to come from the Dark Devilgod Tiger. Just as the Dark Devilgod Tiger had eyed him, he had been waiting to claim its spirit ring. But time was short, and he couldn't afford a detour to the Star Dou Forest to hunt it, nor was he even certain he could defeat it.
In the original story, Tang San had only managed to suppress and ultimately defeat the Dark Devilgod Tiger after reaching the level of a Titled Douluo and even undergoing a rejuvenation transformation. Right now, as a mere Spirit Emperor, Dai Yao doubted his odds. Worse still, if the soul beasts detected his presence in the Star Dou Forest, they would hardly let him leave alive.
Sighing deeply, Dai Yao resolved himself.
"There are only three days left. Within these three days, I must master the ninth compression. Otherwise, if I encounter danger in the Star Luo Empire, I'll be forced to reveal the Chaos Green Lotus spirit."
Revealing the Chaos Green Lotus was a last resort. The stronger Dai Yao grew, the more he understood the terrifying potential of this spirit. He knew exposure was inevitable, but every delay offered him a slight advantage.
Taking a steadying breath, Dai Yao focused, gathering spirit power in his right fist.
A hum filled the air as he began to compress his spirit power, over and over, into his right arm. With each layer of compression, his arm grew increasingly tense, his skin reddening.
By the seventh compression, the fierce energy emanating from his arm created a powerful whirlwind, sending sand spiraling up into the sky like a golden tornado.
The seventh compression was already pushing Dai Yao's body to its limits. Only by activating his spirit skills could he proceed further.
"Third Spirit Skill—White Tiger Dark Gold Transformation! Fifth Spirit Skill—White Tiger Titan Transformation!"
With a sharp exclamation, six spirit rings appeared around Dai Yao, the third purple and the fifth black one shining brightly. Though his appearance remained mostly unchanged, his entire presence transformed—he seemed even more solid, heavier, and exuded an aura that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
"Eighth Compression!"
Thump—
Dai Yao felt the pulse of his heartbeat as his spirit power compressed once again in his right arm.
After a few seconds, the eighth compression was complete, and his fist seemed to vibrate with a power so intense it almost distorted the surrounding air. A crackling sound emerged as air was displaced by the intense energy.
Dai Yao breathed heavily, veins pulsing on his forehead. The eighth compression alone carried the strength of a Titled Douluo's ninth spirit skill, a burden far beyond what a Spirit Emperor should be able to bear. But Dai Yao, accustomed to pushing through such extremes, managed to hold on.
He focused, determined to push past this threshold.
"The eighth compression is complete… Now for the ninth compression. I've attempted this countless times, but always failed. I can feel the barrier—this is the body's limit. Trying a ninth compression inside the body…would likely make me explode."
"But with Sword Douluo's advice, I've realized a new approach."
"I'll use the world itself as my body for the ninth compression!"
With that thought, Dai Yao began a daring attempt, channeling thin strands of spirit power beyond his skin into the air around his arm.
As soon as it entered the air, Dai Yao noticed his control over the spirit power faltered. The air obstructed the flow, significantly reducing his mental control over it.
"So, performing this compression outside the body requires an enormous amount of mental power…"
Dai Yao frowned. Among his peers, he was indeed exceptional, but he wasn't particularly strong in terms of mental power. Several others, like Tang San and Hu Liena, were his equals or better in this regard. Attempting to compress such intense energy outside his body would be a real struggle.
"Damn it. If only I had enough time to absorb the seventh spirit ring, my mental power might be strong enough for this! Or if I could absorb the Blue Silver Emperor's spirit bone, that would increase my mental power significantly!"
He cursed under his breath but steadied his focus.
"There's only one choice left. Qingguang, lend me your strength!"
In his mental world, the Chaos Green Lotus gently swayed, sending out streams of green energy that coursed through Dai Yao's meridians, reaching his brain and restoring his depleted mental power. Although his natural mental power wasn't quite enough for the task, the endless supply of green energy from the Chaos Green Lotus made it possible.
From his inner world, the Thunder Prison Vine and Xiao Wu both awoke, observing the changes with shock.
"Dai Yao, what are you doing?"
The Thunder Prison Vine exclaimed. Xiao Wu looked on, similarly horrified—Dai Yao's technique emitted a pressure almost on par with the final moves of Da Ming and Er Ming. If he became a Titled Douluo, not even those two together might be a match for him!
But Dai Yao was lost in his trance, oblivious to the two spirits' calls. Gritting his teeth, he channeled all his focus into compressing the energy around his arm, feeling the sweat pour down his face in thick beads, only to be whipped away by the fierce winds around him.
"Almost halfway…hold on…"
But the process was anything but smooth. Just as he surpassed halfway, the compressed energy began slipping out of control. Realizing the danger, Dai Yao immediately activated the Chaos Green Lotus to teleport away.
The moment he left, a blinding flash erupted from where he'd stood, followed by an explosive roar that melted sand and pushed seawater back, exposing long-hidden rocks beneath the surface.
Moments later, Dai Yao reappeared, gazing at the crater left in the sand with a mix of fear and exhilaration.
"Such volatile power…a single mistake, and I'd be dead. But the power unleashed here was far beyond the eighth compression, even though the ninth compression was only halfway complete."
"I'm on the right track! With this move, even without using the Chaos Green Lotus, I'll be safe in Star Luo. As long as no Ultimate Douluo intervenes, I'll be able to hold my own even against a Super Douluo!"
Brimming with excitement, Dai Yao realized his earlier failure stemmed from his reduced sensitivity to the compressed energy outside his body. The only way forward was relentless practice.
"I have only three days left. After that, I depart for Star Luo Empire. I have to make the most of every second."
Though Dai Yao had chosen a secluded area far from Seagod City for his training, the energy waves generated by his failed compression were too powerful to go unnoticed by the city's resident Titled Douluo.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged a solemn glance, both turning towards the explosion's origin.
Ning Fengzhi, seated nearby, noticed their tension and asked, "Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, what's wrong?"
Bone Douluo's expression was grave as he replied to Sword Douluo, "If I'm not mistaken, this disturbance was caused by that boy."
Sword Douluo nodded, his expression unreadable.
"It's definitely him. The energy we felt just now is unmistakably similar to Dai Yao's self-created spirit skill, the 'Eightfold Collapse.' It seems he's trying for a ninth compression after his recent breakthrough. What a terrifying kid! The power of that move alone nearly rivals the strength of my ninth spirit skill," Sword Douluo commented, nodding gravely.
Bone Douluo nodded as well, his expression serious. Even he had felt a sense of dread at the blast's energy.
"This kid really is a monster," Bone Douluo marveled. Then, turning to Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong, he explained, "Just now, a powerful energy burst out north of Seagod City, with a force nearly on par with a Title Douluo's ninth spirit skill. That energy almost certainly belonged to Dai Yao."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi inhaled sharply. A Spirit Emperor capable of unleashing a technique comparable to a level-95 Douluo's spirit skill—it was almost unbelievable.
Ning Rongrong stood up excitedly. "Bone Grandpa, is that true?"
Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo exchanged a knowing look, and Sword Douluo chuckled, "It's true. However, based on the unstable energy, Dai Yao still lacks complete mastery. It'll be a while before he can actually use it in combat."
Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong's face fell slightly with disappointment.
Ning Fengzhi gently patted Ning Rongrong's head and said with a smile, "All right, Rongrong, no need to worry. Dai Yao is determined to do everything he can to rescue his uncle, and we won't stand idly by. Sword Uncle, when the time comes, accompany Rongrong to the outskirts of Wuguan City and wait for Dai Yao and his men to return. If they encounter trouble, you can step in and enter the Star Luo Empire yourself."
"Even if we can't rescue Dai Yao directly, you can at least help alleviate some of the pressure on him."
"Rongrong may still be a Spirit Emperor, but her Ten Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is already capable of providing a boost comparable to that of a Spirit Douluo like myself. With her support, even if you encounter a level-98 Title Douluo, you'll be able to withdraw safely."
Sword Douluo nodded. "Understood, Fengzhi."
Despite Ning Fengzhi's arrangements, Ning Rongrong's face still showed a trace of worry. She knew this was already the maximum extent to which the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could intervene. The moment Sword Douluo stepped in, it would signify that their sect was no longer neutral, and they would once again be drawn into the conflicts of the mainland.
Three days later, within the Qinglian Sect estate, three lines of warriors stood in perfect formation. Altogether, five hundred Spirit King-level and above fighters gathered, all among the sect's elite. Their combined aura was powerful enough to rival that of an army of tens of thousands.
"Construction Division, ready!" announced Niu Gao, stepping forward.
"Information Division, ready!" Bai He echoed.
"Healing Division, ready!" Yang Wudi stroked his goatee with a grin.
"And we're ready too in the Technology Division!" Lou Gao said, patting his round belly with a hearty laugh.
Seeing the robust line of five hundred warriors, Dai Yao pushed aside his frustration over failing to complete the ninth compression and spoke with renewed resolve. "Everyone, our mission in the Star Luo Empire is to rescue, but also to ensure each of you returns home. You are the pillars of the Qinglian Sect."
"I promise you this: anyone who returns safely can select one spirit ring. Any ring, from now until you reach the Title Douluo level, and it will be at least thirty thousand years old! If any spirit bone is dropped, it belongs to you!"
At this, a wave of excitement spread through the crowd. A spirit ring of over thirty thousand years was a treasure most spirit masters could only dream of. With the promise of such a prize, many felt their doubts about the journey to Star Luo fading away.
One bold spirit master asked, "Master, what if I become a Title Douluo? Can I still choose?"
Everyone turned to look at the speaker, prompting Dai Yao to laugh heartily. "If you become a Title Douluo, the entire sect will mobilize to hunt down your ninth spirit ring! Achieving that would mean you get two chances to choose!"
The crowd burst into laughter at the question. If they reached Title Douluo, they'd be the sect's very foundation, and the sect would undoubtedly go all-out to provide them with the perfect spirit ring—Dai Yao's promise would be unnecessary by then.
Still, the idea filled them with motivation. For some, the prospect of two custom-configured spirit rings stirred a deep desire. Several of the elder Spirit Douluo in attendance felt their breathing quicken; they were closest to becoming Title Douluo, and if they achieved that level, their souls would be set.
After a moment, Dai Yao's expression turned serious. "If any of you fall in the Star Luo Empire, the sect will provide for your children, covering all costs until they reach their sixth spirit ring. Does anyone have any objections?"
At this, any remaining doubts among the crowd melted away.
The crowd responded in unison, "No objections!"
"Good," Dai Yao said with a shout. "Let's move out!"
In three lines, the troops mounted the prepared carriages, which stretched across the landscape like a long dragon. A billowing cloud of dust rose as they headed south toward the Star Luo Empire.
Dugu Yan watched silently from the walls of Seagod City, her expression unreadable.
In the lead carriage, Dai Yao sat across from Sword Douluo and Ning Rongrong, who had decided to accompany him. They would stay outside Wuguan City, awaiting his return.
As he looked down at his right hand, his face grew solemn. "Still no progress. The ninth compression reaches ninety-nine percent completion, but the last fraction remains impossible. Damn it, what am I lacking? Why can't I finish it?"
Ning Rongrong noticed his concern and gently offered, "Dai Yao, don't worry. Even if something goes wrong, Grandpa Sword and I will be there to help."
Dai Yao looked up and smiled at her reassurance. "I know. I was just thinking of something else."
Looking out the window at the passing scenery, Dai Yao made up his mind: "If I can't complete the ninth compression, then in a life-or-death battle, I'll let this uncontrolled explosion hit my opponent. Even if it harms me, the Chaos Green Lotus will help me recover."
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