Chapter 101: Back to Auckland
A moment later, Dai Yao arrived on the Giant Eagle, sitting next to Salas.
Salas patted Dai Yao's shoulder and praised, "Good kid!"
During the earlier recruitment effort by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Dai Yao ultimately chose the Spirit Hall. Although he hadn't exerted much effort during the rescue of Dai Yao,
This was no surprise, as Dai Yao knew the true strength of the Spirit Hall.
Without even using the strength of the offering hall, they had already eliminated the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Electric Overlord Dragon Sect.
Dai Yao cupped his hands and expressed his gratitude to Ning Fengzhi:
"Thank you, Sect Master Ning, for saving me. I will definitely visit the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect one day to repay you for today's life-saving grace."
Ning Fengzhi, leaning on his green jade staff, smiled gently and said, "Dai Yao, young friend, you are always welcome to visit us. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is awaiting your arrival."
Even though Dai Yao had politely declined, Ning Fengzhi seemed entirely unaffected, his demeanor as warm and gentle as jade—worthy of his position as a sect master.
However, Sword Douluo was not as composed. He shot a cold glance at Dai Yao and said,
"Kid, we all know what you did to Rongrong."
"If you join the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, I can overlook this, but otherwise..."
Ning Fengzhi tugged at Sword Douluo's sleeve and gently shook his head. Only then did Chen Xin close his mouth, letting out a cold snort.
Earlier, he had exerted considerable effort to save Dai Yao, slicing through Dugu Bo with his sword, yet Dai Yao had turned down the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's offer. This left him somewhat angry.
Chen Xin's gaze was sharp, and Dai Yao immediately felt a sharp pain in his eyes, letting out a muffled grunt as he bitterly smiled to himself.
"As expected, a Title Douluo at level 96. I can't even withstand a single look from him."
Salas's expression changed, and he immediately positioned himself in front of Dai Yao, vigilantly watching Chen Xin.
Chen Xin withdrew his gaze, his expression indifferent. He began to channel his sword intent, causing the sword at his feet to emit a ringing sound. Just as he was about to take off, Ning Fengzhi smiled gently at Dai Yao and nodded to him.
Immediately, a powerful sword intent soared into the sky, leaving a dazzling silver streak that pierced the heavens.
After Sword Douluo left, Salas let out a long sigh.
After all, the pressure from Sword Douluo had been immense. Though Spirit Hall had nothing to fear from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, here, it was just him and the two Soul Douluo on the Giant Eagle.
Even a Title Douluo like Dugu Bo wasn't a match for Sword Douluo Chen Xin in a one-on-one battle. So, how could they not fear him?
If Sword Douluo Chen Xin went all out, they wouldn't just be unable to protect Dai Yao—they might even end up staying here themselves.
Watching the direction Sword Douluo had left, Salas still felt a lingering sense of fear. After calming himself, he asked Dai Yao,
"Dai Yao, how about you come back to Spirit Hall with us?"
Dai Yao replied, "I appreciate the help, Bishop Salas, but I'd like to return to the academy first. Zhu Zhuqing must have been waiting anxiously, and I'll visit Spirit Hall later."
Salas nodded. "That's fine."
He then patted the Giant Eagle beneath them and shouted, "Old Jin! Let's go!"
With a sharp eagle cry, the Giant Eagle spread its wings, flapping the air and soaring toward the horizon.
In the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eyes.
Dugu Yan watched Dai Yao's departing figure, standing still like a statue, not moving for a long time.
Seeing his granddaughter like this, Dugu Bo sighed and shook his head. At his age of over seventy, there was little he hadn't seen. He was all too familiar with this reaction from his granddaughter.
"Yan Yan, Dai Yao truly is a talented person, but some things cannot be forced. I can only do my best to help you, whether it succeeds or not is up to fate."
He thought quietly to himself.
·······
Auckland Academy.
The Giant Eagle landed perfectly at Dai Yao's cultivation site.
While the Giant Eagle was still flying above Auckland Academy, Dai Yao spotted a lone, familiar figure standing by the waterfall, and a sense of pity surged in his heart.
A huge shadow suddenly appeared on the ground. Zhu Zhuqing, startled, looked up and saw the Giant Eagle transformed by Spirit Hall's Soul Douluo.
She stood on tiptoe, trying to catch a glimpse of the person on the eagle.
When she saw that familiar figure, a surge of joy filled her heart, and tears unknowingly flowed down her face.
"I'm back."
Dai Yao jumped off the Giant Eagle and walked up to Zhu Zhuqing, softly speaking.
Seeing the exhaustion on Zhu Zhuqing's face and her dry lips, Dai Yao's heart ached deeply. He could only imagine how much suffering Zhu Zhuqing had endured while he was gone.
Without thinking, he suddenly embraced Zhu Zhuqing tightly, as if afraid he would lose her if he held her too gently.
Breathing in her fragrance and feeling her rapid heartbeat, his eyes also reddened.
Having been taken by Dugu Bo, and with life hanging in the balance, the tension he'd felt was finally released, and his whole body relaxed.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't mind the force with which Dai Yao held her. She silently leaned on his shoulder, hugging him tightly in return, quietly sobbing.
"Don't leave me again, okay?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked up, her eyes red, and said in a trembling voice.
Ever since she learned that a Title Douluo had kidnapped Dai Yao, she felt as though the sky had fallen, losing all appetite for food and drink.
"Mm, I won't leave."
Dai Yao gently stroked Zhu Zhuqing's back and comforted her softly.
After a moment, he felt her trembling body gradually calm down, the sobs subsiding. Looking down, he saw that Zhu Zhuqing had fallen deeply asleep. He immediately understood the immense pressure she had been under.
Bending down, he carefully picked her up, carried her into the wooden house, and placed her gently on the bed. Just as he was about to stand up, he realized that Zhu Zhuqing's hand was tightly gripping his neck, not letting go.
Her brow furrowed tightly, her body occasionally shaking.
Only when he held her did her brows slowly relax.
Dai Yao's heart warmed, and at the same time, he felt a deep sense of pity. He carefully embraced Zhu Zhuqing and lay beside her.
He was also exhausted. After all the effort he'd expended in fighting and struggling to survive when Dugu Bo was injured, he hadn't rested and was feeling equally fatigued.
Unconsciously, his eyelids grew heavy like a mountain, and he slowly closed his eyes.
Midnight.
Sensing movement beside him, Dai Yao suddenly opened his eyes. The sight before him left him dumbfounded.
Zhu Zhuqing, half awake, was lying on the bed with one hand propping herself up, the other scratching her head.
Her long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall. Though it was a bit messy, under the moonlight coming through the window, she appeared to be surrounded by a faint silver glow.
Her graceful and alluring figure, bathed in moonlight, was irresistibly enchanting.
She looked like a goddess under the moon.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed as she avoided Dai Yao's gaze, softly saying.
"You're so beautiful."
Dai Yao muttered, lost in admiration.
At that moment, he felt incredibly fortunate that he had spared Zhu Zhuqing when she tried to kill him. Otherwise, how could he have someone as wonderful as her in his life?
"Gulp, gulp, gulp..."
Both their stomachs growled at the same time.
After Dai Yao's return, they both relaxed, only realizing that neither had eaten or drunk anything. Their stomachs were empty.
They exchanged a glance and both burst out laughing.
Dai Yao stretched out his hand and said, "Let's go, let's grab something to eat."
Zhu Zhuqing placed her hand in his, nodding in agreement.
Though it was late, the cafeteria at the Soul Master Academy was open all day.
They entered the cafeteria, where a few students were having a late-night snack. Upon seeing Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing, they were stunned by Zhu Zhuqing's radiant beauty, dropping their chopsticks in surprise.
Wasn't this the legendary Ice Mountain Fairy?
(End of Chapter)
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