Chapter 157: The Shock of the Spirit Hall
Beside the disciples of the Elephant Armor Sect, there was also the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall, Salas.
Seeing the commotion, many of the spectators who had not yet left turned their eyes in interest towards the scene.
"What do you want to do?"
As the eldest, Feng Qianli immediately stepped in front of Dai Yao and coldly shouted at the people from the Elephant Armor Sect.
Huyan Zhen, a towering figure from the Elephant Armor Sect, lowered his head and glanced at Feng Qianli but did not respond. Instead, he turned to speak to someone behind him:
"Ali! Come here."
Everyone was slightly surprised, and then, from the group of massive figures, a dejected figure stepped forward— it was Huyan Li.
"Ali, since you lost, you must face your failure. Go apologize to Dai Yao," Huyan Zhen said with a low voice.
The members of the Oakland team were a little puzzled. Why would the proud grandson of Huyan Zhen, a high-ranking member of the Elephant Armor Sect, need to apologize to Dai Yao? No matter how powerful Dai Yao was, he was still just a Soul Sovereign. Even though Huyan Li had insulted Dai Yao during the match, Dai Yao was alone. How could he pose a threat to the direct descendants of the sixth-ranked sect in the continent?
Meanwhile, Salas, stroking his beard, watched thoughtfully. His thin, sharp face exuded an aura that deterred strangers. He silently mused, So, Huyan Zhen knows that Dai Yao is a future powerhouse who will make a name for himself. After the match, he immediately arranged for Huyan Li to apologize in order to resolve their grudge. Dai Yao may still be weak now, but if he grows stronger, the cost of this grudge would be enormous...
Huyan Li lowered his head, gritting his teeth, feeling extremely unwilling. But under his grandfather's forceful order, he had no choice. After hesitating for a while, he finally gritted his teeth and said:
"Sorry, Dai Yao. I said things I shouldn't have at the start of the match."
Dai Yao snorted coldly. He understood Huyan Li's intentions and said, "An apology should come with sincerity. Is just a verbal apology enough?"
"I've already apologized! Don't take advantage of me!"
As soon as Huyan Li heard Dai Yao's words, his anger flared up immediately, and he shouted.
Huyan Zhen quickly stopped him, his copper-like eyes locking onto Dai Yao as he said:
"What do you want?"
The atmosphere became tense. Under the gaze of a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse, the Oakland team members felt the pressure, but none of them retreated. Instead, they stood behind Dai Yao, showing their support.
Dai Yao smiled lightly. "Since it's an apology, why don't you slap yourself? Make it loud enough to satisfy me!"
Dai Yao knew very well what Huyan Zhen was planning. A light verbal apology wouldn't satisfy him. If Huyan Li had run his mouth, he would have to pay the price!
Huyan Zhen stared at Dai Yao, his eyes narrowing.
Huyan Li was slapping himself, but it wasn't just his own face that would be hit— it was the face of the Elephant Armor Sect.
However, he had no other choice. He understood Dai Yao well— not only was he a genius that the Spirit Hall had coveted for a long time, but he was also a VIP of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and most importantly, he was the future son-in-law of Poison Douluo.
He couldn't afford to offend any of these forces. Moreover, he had been in contact with the Spirit Hall for a long time and would be joining it in the future.
Dai Yao, though currently only a Soul Sovereign, was already surrounded by such powerful forces. Once he grew stronger, he would become terrifying.
If one slap could resolve this grudge, then losing some face was worth it.
Under Huyan Li's disbelieving gaze, Huyan Zhen ordered:
"Since Dai Yao has said so, why don't you do it?"
Huyan Li gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot, a muffled sound coming from his throat: "Fine! I'll do it!"
Then, he raised his right hand and slapped himself across the face. The force was so strong that his body swayed slightly.
Slap!
The sound was so loud that it left everyone stunned. A vivid red palm print appeared on Huyan Li's fat face.
"That was a brutal slap!" Everyone thought.
At this moment, Dai Yao nodded in satisfaction. Huyan Zhen let out a long breath and said:
"Now that the apology is over, let's go."
He waved his red cloak and led the Elephant Armor Sect disciples out of the Soul Fighting Arena.
After Huyan Zhen left, Salas turned his attention back to Dai Yao. The cold expression on his face faded, replaced by a broad smile.
"You're really something, Dai Yao."
"Don't make fun of me, Grandpa Salas. Why did you call for me?" Dai Yao asked.
Salas led Dai Yao to the exclusive office of the Spirit Hall in the Soul Fighting Arena and made a cup of tea. Only then did his expression turn serious.
"Dai Yao, are you sure you're going to join the Spirit Hall after the tournament?"
"Yes, Grandpa Salas. Is there a problem?" Dai Yao asked.
Salas sighed in relief and joked, "You've been so deeply involved with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School recently. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were about to become their son-in-law!"
"No, no," Dai Yao quickly waved his hands, a bit embarrassed.
If he didn't know the plot, he would have been swayed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School long ago. Ning Rongrong was not only beautiful but also a little rich girl— she had both money and looks. Marrying her would be a blessing for many men.
Salas continued, "This issue actually caused some dissatisfaction with an elder from the Elder Hall. That's why they sent the Elephant Armor Sect to trouble you."
Dai Yao thought for a moment but couldn't figure out which Title Douluo might be unhappy with him.
"You don't need to worry," Salas reassured. "Since you're joining the Spirit Hall, and with your extraordinary talent, the Spirit Hall will do everything it can to support you."
"Given the talent you've shown, even that elder will back down. You don't have to worry."
Dai Yao let out a sigh of relief. After all, being targeted by a Title Douluo wasn't something good.
"However, don't relax too soon. Your current strength has already caught the attention of the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall..."
Dai Yao suddenly looked up, stunned.
In the side of the Xiangjia Sect's disciples, there was also the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall, Salas.
As the commotion here grew, many of the audience who had yet to leave turned their attention with interest.
"What are you trying to do?"
As the oldest among them, Feng Qianli immediately stepped forward and stood in front of Dai Yao, coldly addressing the members of the Xiangjia Sect.
Tianxiang Hu Yan Zhen, an imposing figure, lowered his head and glanced at Feng Qianli, but ignored him. Instead, he spoke to the person behind him.
"Ali! Step forward."
Everyone was slightly stunned, and then, from the group of large figures, a dejected figure emerged—it was Hu Yan Li.
"Ali, since you've failed, you must face your failure head-on. Apologize to Dai Yao," Hu Yan Zhen said in a low, gruff voice.
The people from Auckland were surprised, not understanding why Hu Yan Zhen's own grandson, Hu Yan Li, needed to apologize to Dai Yao. Dai Yao, no matter how skilled, was just a Soul Master. Even if Hu Yan Li had insulted Dai Yao during the match, Dai Yao was alone, and there was no way he could pose a threat to the direct descendants of the sixth greatest sect in the world.
Meanwhile, Salas, stroking his beard, wore a thoughtful expression. His sharp, yet lean face exuded a forbidding aura as he privately thought to himself:
"What a clever move from Tianxiang Hu Yan Zhen. He knows that Dai Yao will certainly become a powerful force in the future. After the match, he immediately arranged for Hu Yan Li to apologize and resolve their conflict."
"Dai Yao may be weak now, and resolving the dispute carries little cost, but if Dai Yao grows stronger, that cost could become significant…"
Hu Yan Li, head bowed, gritted his teeth, unwilling but helpless under the pressure from his grandfather. After hesitating for a long time, he finally forced out the words:
"Sorry, Dai Yao. I said things I shouldn't have said at the start of the match!"
Dai Yao snorted coldly. He naturally understood Hu Yan Li's intentions and responded, "An apology should have the right attitude. Is just a verbal apology enough?"
"I've already apologized. Don't get too greedy!" Hu Yan Li's anger flared immediately upon hearing Dai Yao's words.
Hu Yan Zhen quickly stepped in to stop Hu Yan Li, his large, copper-like eyes locking onto Dai Yao as he said, "What do you want?"
The atmosphere grew tense. Under the watchful eyes of a Soul Douluo-level expert, the members of the Auckland team felt uneasy but did not retreat. Instead, they stepped behind Dai Yao to support him.
Dai Yao chuckled lightly and said, "Since it's an apology, then slap yourself. It has to be loud enough to satisfy me!"
Dai Yao knew well that a simple apology wouldn't satisfy him. Since Hu Yan Li had been rude, he should face the consequences.
Upon hearing this, Hu Yan Zhen's gaze hardened as he stared at Dai Yao.
Hu Yan Li had to slap himself—this would not only disgrace him but also bring shame to the Xiangjia Sect.
But he had no choice. He understood Dai Yao's background. Not only was he a genius long coveted by the Spirit Hall, but he was also a VIP guest of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and, more importantly, the future son-in-law of the Poison Douluo.
He couldn't afford to offend any of these forces. Moreover, he had already been in contact with the Spirit Hall and planned to join them in the future.
Even though Dai Yao was still a Soul Master, he was already surrounded by such powerful forces. If Dai Yao grew stronger, the consequences would be unimaginable.
If a slap could resolve Dai Yao's hatred, it would be worth losing some face.
With Hu Yan Li's incredulous eyes on him, Hu Yan Zhen ordered:
"Dai Yao has said so, why are you still hesitating?!"
Hu Yan Li gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot, and he let out a muffled growl, "Fine! I'll do it!"
Then, he raised his right hand and slapped himself hard across the face. The force of the slap caused his body to lean slightly to the side.
Smack!
The sound was so loud that it shocked everyone around them. A bright red handprint appeared on Hu Yan Li's chubby face.
"Such a hard slap!"
That was the feeling shared by everyone present.
At this point, Dai Yao finally nodded in satisfaction. Hu Yan Zhen let out a sigh of relief and said:
"Since the apology is done, then we can go."
He flicked his red cloak and led the Xiangjia Sect disciples away from the Soul Fighting Arena.
After Hu Yan Zhen left, Salas turned to look at Dai Yao. The coldness on his face disappeared, replaced by a warm smile.
"You're quite impressive, Dai Yao."
"Sorry to have made you laugh, Lord Bishop. I was only relying on the Spirit Hall behind me to intimidate them," Dai Yao responded.
Salas chuckled, "I've told you countless times, just call me Grandpa. Why call me like we're strangers?"
The other members of the Auckland team, who had been following behind, quickly greeted Salas.
"Greetings, Lord Bishop."
Salas smiled politely and waved his hand, saying:
"Hello, everyone from Auckland. I have a few things to discuss with Dai Yao. You can head back first, and once we're done, Dai Yao will return safely to Auckland."
The members of the Auckland team exchanged looks and then said their goodbyes to Dai Yao.
As they watched the girls leave, Salas smirked and teased:
"Dai Yao, you sure have great luck. Three women, each more beautiful than the last. Truly enviable."
"Grandpa Salas, please stop teasing me. What did you need to talk to me about?" Dai Yao asked.
Salas led Dai Yao to the Spirit Hall's private office in the Soul Fighting Arena, made tea, and then, with a serious expression, spoke:
"Dai Yao, are you sure you want to join the Spirit Hall after the tournament?"
"Yes, Grandpa Salas. Is there a problem?" Dai Yao replied.
Salas relaxed and smiled. "You're quite the character. I heard you've been getting very close to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School recently. People might think you're going to marry into their family!"
"No, no," Dai Yao waved his hands awkwardly. "That's not the case."
If he didn't know the plot, he would have never dreamed of being in a position to marry a beautiful and wealthy girl like Ning Rongrong. With her money and looks, marrying her would be a dream for many.
Salas continued, "The problem is that this caused some displeasure from one of the elders in the Elder Hall. That's why they sent the Xiangjia Sect after you."
Dai Yao thought for a moment but couldn't figure out which Title Douluo might have an issue with him.
"You don't need to worry. Since you plan to join the Spirit Hall, and you have such exceptional talent with a 10,000-year soul ring for your fourth soul ring, the Spirit Hall will show you as much leniency as possible."
"Given your talent, that elder will likely stop pursuing this matter."
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao relaxed. Being targeted by a Title Douluo was certainly not a good thing.
"However, don't let your guard down. The Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall is already watching you closely…" Salas added.
Dai Yao was taken aback and stared at Salas, his eyes wide with surprise.
(End of Chapter)
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