chsdbacks Chapter 174 Dai Youheng's Plan Changes Long-Standing Worries
Chapter 174 Dai Youheng's Plan Changes Long-Standing Worries
Chapter 174 Dai Youheng's Plan Changes Long-Standing Worries
"Actually, there's something else I'm concerned about right now." Dai Youheng's expression turned serious. "My original plan was to live off a woman, first get into the Xu family, then wipe out the Xu family, and finally inherit the Star Luo Empire as the son-in-law of the Xu family and the heir of the Dai family. But now, I'm afraid I can't use that method anymore."
"Why?" Xue Di asked curiously.
"Because the first of the Seven Deadly Sins is called Pride, I now finally understand why the power of destiny that the auspicious beast gave me gave me this feeling. So this is why I unified the continent." Dai Youheng obviously had some guesses about the divine test that would most likely appear later. "Using this method of living off others to gain the world may be in line with laziness, but it does not align with pride. I have to change my methods."
"Furthermore, the Xu family wants to control me in order to control the Dai family's Western Army Group. Therefore, a crucial point is that I must remain within their control. If my strength shows any signs of slipping out of their control, they might..."
""
"You think they can't tolerate your rapid growth and will try to control you, like you used the Yin-Yang Reversal Lotus Seed Pill to control Lingya?" After all, Xue Di was the King of the Far North, and she guessed it before Dai Youheng finished speaking.
Dai Youheng smiled slightly, "That's right. Anyway, if I were in your shoes, I would do the same. I can barely tolerate a sixth ring with a lifespan of 100,000 years, but if my future seventh ring is also over 100,000 years, if I were a member of the Xu family, I would definitely find a way to completely control me."
The Snow Empress nodded. "This is something we must be wary of, but I imagine you already have your own plans, right?"
"Hehe, things will work themselves out. If all else fails, then..." Dai Youheng stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Soon after, the heavy stone door of the secret chamber slowly opened, and Dai Youheng stepped out.
His aura was restrained, and his eyes gleamed with a sharp light, as if a deep abyss lay hidden within them. Clearly, he had gained a great deal from this seclusion.
Ling Ya and Nana, who had been waiting outside, immediately came forward. Ling Ya keenly sensed the increasingly profound aura emanating from Dai Youheng and respectfully said, "Young Master, you've finally emerged from seclusion! Judging from your spirit, you must have made considerable progress during this retreat!"
Dai Youheng smiled slightly, not mentioning the earth-shattering matter of the Original Sin God Trial, but calmly said, "I have made some gains, and my soul power has been fortunately raised to level sixty-four."
"Level 64!" Upon hearing this, Nana's cold face showed a hint of surprise. She carefully examined Dai Youheng. A sixteen-year-old Soul Emperor, and at level 64! This was already astonishing enough. Not to mention that she knew this young master possessed at least three 100,000-year-old Soul Bones, and his true combat strength probably far exceeded his level.
"Among the Shrek Seven Devils of all time, there are probably few who can rival him at the same age," Nana thought to herself, her gaze towards Dai Youheng filled with even greater awe and loyalty.
She and Lingya exchanged a glance, both seeing the same belief in each other's eyes: following such a master, they would surely reach an unparalleled peak in the future!
Just then, Xiaobai's massive figure came running over, its voice booming, "Uncle, you're out! How are you feeling? Atai and I are fine now!"
It patted its thick chest, making a loud thud. The Titan Snow Demon King, Atai, also approached. Though taciturn, his gaze towards Dai Youheng carried a hint of approval.
Dai Youheng nodded as he looked at the two Far North Kings who had fully recovered. The Ice Bear King Xiaobai and the Titan Snow Demon King were indeed incredibly strong; even with such severe injuries, they had recovered completely in a short time thanks to their self-healing abilities.
"It's good that you've recovered." Dai Youheng said, his expression slightly solemn. "I came out this time to say goodbye to you two. I've been away from the human world for too long, it's time to go back."
He looked toward the glacial abyss, his tone turning solemn, "After I leave, the far north will need your continued care."
"Pay special attention to that 500,000-year-old Abyss Ice Tiger King. We killed its offspring this time, and it will never let this go; it will surely seek revenge."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Bai immediately pounded his chest and assured him, "Uncle, don't worry! With Atai and me here, that tiger won't dare to act recklessly! If it dares to show its face, we'll beat it up again!"
Atai also gave a low "hmm," clenching his huge fist to show his stance.
Dai Youheng shook his head. "There's no need to engage it in a direct confrontation. It's severely injured this time, especially since Nana's 100,000-year-old spiritual skill directly damaged its soul essence. Physical injuries may be easy for it to recover from, but this spiritual trauma will be difficult to heal in less than several years. In the short term, it shouldn't be able to cause much trouble."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "In a few years, I will personally return to reunite it with its offspring, collect its soul rings and soul bones, and eradicate this hidden danger completely, preventing future troubles!"
He spoke calmly, yet with a chilling resolve and confidence. It was as if slaying a super soul beast nearly half a million years old was merely a matter of time for him.
Xiao Bai and Atai sensed the determination and strength in his words and both nodded heavily.
Having finished his explanation, Dai Youheng did not linger. He took Lingya and Nana with him, bid farewell to Xiaobai and Atai, and left Snow Emperor Castle, heading towards the far north.
Counting the time, it has been over a hundred days since I left Star Luo City to hunt soul beasts. Among them, hunting the 100,000-year-old Abyss Ice Prison Tiger and absorbing its soul ring took nearly three months, and this seclusion to consolidate my cultivation and complete the second awakening of my martial soul took more than half a month.
"Having been away for so long, Xu Jiujiu must be getting impatient. Explaining it to her would be a hassle," Dai Youheng said helplessly.
Although Xu Jiujiu didn't hold a high position in his heart, she still had some value to him.
At this moment, inside the princess's residence in the Star Luo Empire's imperial palace.
She sat at her desk for a long time, with several memorials laid out in front of her, but her gaze did not fall on them. Instead, she stared blankly out the window, her fingertips tapping the table unconsciously.
One hundred and three days have passed since Dai Youheng left Xingluo City with Ling Ya to hunt for his sixth soul ring in the Soul Beast Forest.
For the first ten days or so, she didn't pay much attention. For Dai Youheng, who had a Title Douluo as a protector, acquiring a sixth spirit ring should have been a piece of cake.
After all, for a regular Soul Master, reaching the sixth ring only requires 20,000 years to be considered top-grade. Even if his requirements are higher, 40,000 to 50,000 years would be the limit.
A month passed, and he still hadn't returned. Xu Jiujiu frowned slightly, thinking that perhaps he was just unlucky and hadn't found a soul beast that was a perfect match. Given Dai Youheng's pursuit of perfection, he would rather spend more time to find the best option.
Two months passed, and there was still no news. She began to get restless, muttering to herself, "This guy is being far too demanding of himself—does he really have to find a soul beast that's over 60,000 years old?"
She tried to convince herself with this reason, but a sense of unease had already crept into her heart.
As the third month quietly passed, and Dai Youheng and Ling Ya remained as if they had vanished without a trace, with no news coming back, Xu Jiujiu's taut string finally reached its limit.
More than a hundred days have passed. Why does it take so long to hunt down a sixth spirit ring? Even if you were to find a 60,000-year-old spirit beast with the help of a Title Douluo, it shouldn't have taken such an astonishing amount of time!
Various ominous speculations began to flood her mind uncontrollably. Had she been besieged by extremely powerful soul beasts? Although Ling Ya was strong, the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest were fraught with danger, or had she encountered an ambush by a top expert from an enemy country?
Dai Youheng is now rising to fame, and there are certainly forces that want to stifle his genius.
She dared not think any further about the various terrible possibilities.
Anxiety and worry intertwined, making it impossible for the usually calm and composed Princess Xingluo to maintain her composure. She even found herself becoming somewhat restless while handling state affairs, often glancing unconsciously towards the outside of the palace, hoping that familiar figure would suddenly appear.
"No—we can't wait any longer!" Xu Jiujiu suddenly stood up, her magnificent palace dress rippling with her movement. She strode out of the princess's residence and headed straight for her elder brother Xu Jiawei's council hall.
"Your Majesty!" Upon seeing Xu Jiawei, Xu Jiu Jiu disregarded formalities, his tone filled with obvious urgency. "You Heng has been gone for over a hundred days and has not returned, with no news of him whatsoever. I fear he has met with misfortune, and I implore Your Majesty to immediately send men to search for them in the direction of the Star Dou Great Forest!"
Seeing the rare anxiety on his sister's face, Xu Jiawei understood. He put down his pen and reassured her, "Don't worry, Mr. Lingya is a Title Douluo with extraordinary strength. He can surely protect Youheng. Perhaps she's just been delayed by something."
"But a hundred days is far too long!" Xu Jiujiu insisted. "Brother, I must know if they are safe!"
Seeing his sister's insistence, Xu Jiawei no longer hesitated and nodded, saying, "Alright, I will now order a team of elite guards to carefully investigate the route to the Star Dou Great Forest."
"Not enough!" Xu Jiujiu shook his head. "The Star Dou Great Forest is vast and boundless, fraught with danger. Ordinary guards wouldn't dare venture deep inside. Your Majesty, I would like to request that Grandma Manyi and His Majesty Giant Hammer go there personally!"
Xu Jiawei was slightly startled upon hearing this. Nebula Douluo and Giant Hammer Douluo were both royal retainers, with Nebula Douluo being a long-time guardian and holding a highly respected position. They wouldn't be easily mobilized except for major matters. However, seeing the unconcealable worry in his sister's eyes, he finally sighed, "Alright, I grant your permission. I'll trouble you two Your Majesties to make the trip. I'll issue the order to Giant Hammer Douluo, and you can speak to Nebula Douluo yourself."
Having received the Emperor's approval, Xu Jiujiu immediately went to find Manyi.
"Grandma Manyi," she said, holding Manyi's hand with pleading in her eyes, "Please, go to the Star Dou Great Forest and look for Youheng and His Majesty Lingya. I'm really worried about them."
Looking at Xu Jiujiu's genuine anxiety, Man Yi felt both moved and relieved. She gently patted Xu Jiujiu's hand, "Princess, rest assured, I will set off immediately. I will definitely bring that boy back safely."
After seeing Manyi off, Xu Jiujiu stood alone on the terrace outside the palace, gazing at the distant horizon, the empty worry in his heart not diminishing in the slightest.
Only now did she realize that the boy she had once regarded as a "lapdog" and later admired for his talent had unknowingly occupied a much more important place in her heart than she had imagined.
His safety was so deeply affecting to her that it threw this imperial princess, who always prioritized reason and self-interest, into a state of utter disarray.
"Dai Youheng!" she murmured softly, a hint of reproach and worry she herself didn't realize, "Where did you go? You must come back safely!"