Chapter 471: His Name Is Dai Yao
The city gate had been blasted open, with the aftershocks still reverberating through the air. Yet within the gate itself, there was an unsettling silence. Both the disciples of the Three Elements Academy and the soldiers of the Heaven Dou Empire stood frozen, all eyes locked on the figure in the hat. An oppressive, breathless feeling filled the space, as if none of them dared to breathe too loudly.
"Dai… Brother Dai, you…" Feng Xiaotian's voice was hoarse as he struggled to swallow, finally managing to form a few words.
The city gate, which could hold off even a Titled Douluo for a time, had crumbled with a single strike from Dai Yao. Just how powerful had Dai Yao become over these ten years? Back then, Feng Xiaotian had been hailed alongside Dai Yao as a prodigy of their generation in the Heaven Dou Empire. Though he knew there was a significant gap in their strength, he'd never imagined that Dai Yao would grow so immensely, leaving him trailing far behind, a silhouette he could barely even see.
Even with a sense of what to expect, seeing Dai Yao's power firsthand still stirred a pang of envy within him.
Nearby, Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu stared at Dai Yao in stunned silence. Huo Wu bit her lip, her gaze fixed on him with a mix of emotions.
Years ago, she had once shared a brief, unspoken connection with Dai Yao. Her pride, however, had kept her feelings hidden, particularly once she learned that Dai Yao was engaged. When Dai Yao left Shrek Academy to join Spirit Hall, she hadn't seen him since, only hearing occasional rumors. Though the details were scarce, it was clear that Dai Yao was highly regarded in Spirit Hall, growing more skilled and prominent with each passing day.
In the quiet hours of the night, she had wondered if she'd missed something important. Perhaps, if she had lowered her pride just a little and pursued something with him, she wouldn't feel this lingering regret today.
Now, as she stood there, seeing Dai Yao again, she found herself at a loss for words. This was certainly not the time or place.
Dai Yao surveyed his surroundings briefly, his attention finally drawn to the Empire soldiers and spirit masters who, after sensing his presence, no longer restrained their killing intent and charged toward him.
Dai Yao snorted lightly, his expression cool as he spoke. "Brother Feng, now's not the time for conversation. Take your people and go. I have a question for you—just wait for me a moment."
Feng Xiaotian hesitated, puzzled by the request's odd timing. If they waited here too long, they might lose their chance to escape. But somehow, Dai Yao's words brought an inexplicable sense of assurance, as though they would emerge unscathed.
"All right," Feng Xiaotian agreed.
Dai Yao nodded, then turned and raised the Sea God's Trident, slamming it into the ground with force.
From the trident's point of impact, a wave of energy erupted outward, surging across the street. Bricks and stones tore up from the road, crashing into the surrounding soldiers and spirit masters like a rising tide. The spirit masters managed to react, summoning spirit skills to block the assault, but the ordinary soldiers were not as fortunate. The wave of energy felled them like wheat before a scythe, their cries of agony echoing through the street. The impenetrable circle that had surrounded Feng Xiaotian and the others shattered in an instant.
Despite having already witnessed Dai Yao's strength when he broke the gate, everyone was still shocked. They had underestimated him.
The Heaven Dou spirit masters who remained standing stared at Dai Yao, their faces filled with dread, while the two strongest among them—both Soul Douluo—stiffened in shock, their expressions pale and apprehensive.
As Soul Douluo, they had a keen understanding of how extraordinary a feat it was to break through the city gate with such ease and then disable hundreds of soldiers with a single move. Ordinary Titled Douluo couldn't achieve such a feat—only a peak-level Super Douluo.
"Tiger… this guy's strength is insane. I think we'd better retreat…" muttered a bearded Soul Douluo as he kept a wary eye on the man wielding the trident. He addressed his companion, Tang Hu, urging caution.
But Tang Hu didn't respond, his face drained of all color, cold sweat dripping from his brow. His hand shook as he held the Clear Sky Hammer, his gaze unfocused and his lips trembling as he muttered, "It's him… it has to be him…"
In the brief moment when the energy wave surged, Tang Hu had glimpsed golden hair and bright, golden eyes beneath Dai Yao's hat brim. Those eyes belonged to someone he would never forget—someone who haunted his nightmares: Dai Yao.
The memory of Dai Yao challenging all the non-Titled Douluo disciples of the Clear Sky Clan alone atop the snowy peak was forever burned into Tang Hu's mind. Even though he was proud to be a member of the Clear Sky Clan, his arrogance and confidence vanished before Dai Yao.
All that remained was a bone-deep fear.
Particularly after Dai Yao had stormed the Star Luo Empire and, at the rank of Spirit Emperor, faced the Star Luo Imperial Elder Council's Grand Elder, a Level 96 Super Douluo, for hours without defeat, that fear had grown even stronger. It took all his self-control not to flee.
"Retreat!" Seeing Tang Hu's terrified state, the bearded Soul Douluo quickly grabbed Tang Hu by the collar, shouting to their companions as he backed away.
In a flash, the three of them retreated several hundred meters.
"Trying to escape?" Dai Yao's gaze turned cold as he stepped forward, his left leg emanating a faint red glow.
Everyone felt a sudden chill as an invisible pressure settled over them, drawing the attention of even the most powerful among them to Dai Yao's leg.
With a flick of his leg, a sharp, ringing sound split the air. Before anyone could grasp what was happening, a piercing scream filled the street. Looking up, they saw blood raining down near the street's end.
Tang Hu's body had been severed in two, his Clear Sky Hammer dissipating into dark light as the two halves of his body slowly fell to the ground. The blood-red blade that had done the deed continued on, slicing into the distant sky before vanishing.
"What… was that? A spirit bone skill?" The bearded Soul Douluo's hand still clutched Tang Hu's lifeless arm, his eyes wide with shock. He was a Soul Douluo, yet he hadn't even sensed the attack that killed Tang Hu!
That Dai Yao hadn't used a single spirit ring suggested that the technique was a spirit bone skill or self-created ability. Even against an opponent like Tang Hu, he, as a Soul Douluo, would have had a hard time in a one-on-one fight. Yet here Tang Hu had been felled without warning.
If Dai Yao's power allowed him to kill Tang Hu so effortlessly, then the Soul Douluo's own life hung by a thread!
Drenched in cold sweat, he backed away slowly. He wasn't a devout Clear Sky follower—he had merely been here to lend support. He had no intention of dying for the clan. Without daring to spare a single glance behind him, he activated his seventh and eighth rings, transforming into a green bird that shot into the sky, vanishing in an instant.
The air was deadly still as everyone stared in horror at the aftermath.
"Just like that… Tang Hu is dead?" After a long pause, Feng Xiaotian murmured in disbelief.
Tang Hu was one of the most talented young members of the Clear Sky Clan, nearly unmatched in all of Heaven Dou City. Though he was only a Spirit Sage, his powerful martial spirit allowed him to challenge even some Soul Douluo. Feng Xiaotian knew well just how strong Tang Hu was—he'd faced him in battle multiple times. But even such a powerful opponent hadn't been able to withstand a single blow from Dai Yao.
It was like they were no longer even in the same league, and as the bitter pang of envy faded, a calm acceptance settled in Feng Xiaotian's heart. Dai Yao now lived in a different world—there was no point in comparing himself.
The disciples of the Three Elements Academy looked at Dai Yao with a mix of awe and terror. To them, Feng Xiaotian was already a formidable warrior, yet even he wasn't a match for Tang Hu. But now, this mysterious man in the hat had effortlessly defeated Tang Hu in a single strike. Just who was he? Why did Feng Xiaotian and the others seem so familiar with him?
"Brother Feng," Dai Yao said as he glanced at the remnants of Tang Hu's body falling from the sky, "your pursuers have been taken care of for now. Take your chance and leave Heaven Dou City."
Feng Xiaotian nodded, though his voice was filled with awe. "Brother Dai… it's been years, and your power is beyond anything I could've imagined."
Then, as if recalling something, Feng Xiaotian turned grave and warned, "Brother Dai, if you're alone, you should leave as soon as possible. You've just killed one of the Clear Sky Clan's most gifted young members. They won't let you go. You may be powerful, but this city is their stronghold. Even you can't take on so many Titled Douluo alone."
As she directed the students to leave through the shattered city gate, Huo Wu couldn't resist glancing in Dai Yao's direction, her lips pressed together thoughtfully. After a word with her brother, Huo Wushuang, she approached Dai Yao with a soft, complicated smile.
"It's been a long time, Dai Yao," she said.
Dai Yao turned to her, a smile playing on his lips. In the years since they had last met, Huo Wu's fiery beauty had only grown more striking. She was more mature now, having lost some of her youthful recklessness. Dai Yao couldn't resist teasing her, "So, is this really the Huo Wu I used to know?"
A faint blush crept over her cheeks, and she scoffed, rolling her eyes before sighing. "Hmph, Dai Yao, Feng Xiaotian's right. You should leave while you still can. Once the Clear Sky Clan's powerhouses start hunting you down, you may not be able to escape."
Dai Yao chuckled, unperturbed. "Don't worry. Even if the entire Clear Sky Clan came after me, I'd be able to leave unscathed. Actually, I had some questions for you."
"What questions?" Feng Xiaotian asked, surprised.
Dai Yao's expression turned serious as he continued, "You're from the Four Elements Academy, but I only see three elements here. Where's Thunderclap Academy? And where are the other powerhouses of the Four Elements Academy? I don't see Shui Bing'er or the others anywhere."
Feng Xiaotian's face darkened as he took a deep breath before explaining, "After the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was wiped out, Thunderclap Academy lost its support and grew closer to the Heaven Dou royal family. Once the plot in the palace was exposed, and only Her Highness Xue Ke remained alive, the Clear Sky Clan took control. Over time, Thunderclap Academy pledged its loyalty to the Clear Sky Clan."
He paused, glancing around before he continued in a lower tone. "Our academy has always been loyal to the Heaven Dou royal family. We couldn't stand Tang San and the Clear Sky Clan's ways, so after their defeat at Jialing Pass, we submitted a petition for Empress Xue Ke to regain power. But Tang San brutally crushed our proposal and forced his will on us. And with the empress unwilling or unable to intervene, our academy leaders advised us to leave the city and return to our original locations."
"Our headmasters stayed behind as bait to cover our escape. But Tang San labeled us as traitors and ordered our extermination. Only after we fled did we learn that Thunderclap Academy had betrayed us, undermining our entire plan."
"Our plan was to evacuate the students while the academy heads, who held high standing in Heaven Dou, would stay behind. Even Tang San would hesitate to act against them openly. But after Thunderclap Academy's betrayal, our escape plan fell apart."
Dai Yao considered this quietly. The fact that Tang San had resorted to such brutal measures suggested that the situation in Heaven Dou was reaching a breaking point. But it was not the politics that concerned him most. His face grew solemn as he asked, "What about Shui Bing'er and the others? They didn't remain behind in the city, did they?"
Feng Xiaotian's expression darkened further, and he nodded, his reluctance clear.
They had all thought the plan was foolproof. After all, the Four Elements Academy had stood in Heaven Dou for years and had countless alumni in the city. Leaving was supposed to be easy. Shui Bing'er and the others had remained behind to create a diversion, and once the plan succeeded, the powerful academy heads would protect them from harm. But they hadn't accounted for Thunderclap Academy's betrayal.
Upon hearing this, a rush of heat shot through Dai Yao's body. If Feng Xiaotian and the others were already cornered at the city gate, then how much danger must Shui Bing'er and the others be facing?
"Where are they now?" Dai Yao asked, struggling to contain his urgency.
Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu both froze, surprised by his intense reaction. Did Shui Bing'er and the others have some kind of special relationship with Dai Yao?
Feng Xiaotian quickly provided him with the location, and without another word, Dai Yao unfolded his wings, turning into a streak of light as he vanished into the horizon.
The sudden gust left Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu staring in the direction he'd disappeared, speechless. Huo Wu bit her lip, her expression thoughtful and uncertain.
She couldn't understand why Dai Yao seemed so concerned about Shui Bing'er and the others. Could it be that…?
A flicker of realization dawned in Huo Wu's eyes.
Just then, another female student, her posture graceful, approached Huo Wu and looked toward the direction in which Dai Yao had disappeared. With a slight blush of admiration, she asked softly, "Sister Huo Wu, who was that? The man who just saved us?"
Noticing the admiration in her junior's gaze, Huo Wu realized the girl might already have developed feelings for Dai Yao. With a small smile, she shook her head, amused at how effortlessly Dai Yao managed to captivate others.
Brushing a strand of hair from her face, she let out a wistful sigh.
"Him?" she replied. "I'm sure you've heard of him. His name is Dai Yao…"
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