Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 26: The Four Untouchables

"Is there a place with a waterfall within the simulated environments?" Dai Yao asked.

The male student was momentarily taken aback, puzzled as to why the Fourth Prince would request a waterfall location. To his knowledge, such spots were often claimed by nobles who merely used them for scenery rather than training.

"Could the Fourth Prince be wanting a waterfall just for show?" he wondered privately. Outwardly, however, he maintained a polite demeanor and, after checking his records, replied obsequiously:

"Your Highness, currently all locations with waterfalls are occupied by noble students, save for one spot, and that belongs to a commoner student."

In countless stories, waterfalls were often depicted as ideal training grounds for heroes. In the original tale, Tang San trained his Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique under a waterfall, specially chosen by Tang Hao for its continuous, unyielding pressure.

Dai Yao's decision to seek a waterfall wasn't merely because other heroes did so. After carefully analyzing his current shortcomings, he realized a waterfall was the best environment for his specific training needs.

In battles with powerful soul masters like Dai Mubai and in his recent encounters, he'd faced soul masters whose higher power suppressed his abilities, leaving him defenseless. The ceaseless, relentless force of a waterfall could serve as a constant pressure, similar to that exerted by more powerful soul masters, allowing him to adapt to such stress over time. Additionally, since the Sacred White Tiger spirit thrived in forested environments, a waterfall could provide the ideal surroundings for his cultivation.

Moreover, the waterfall would help him develop his soul power through continuous exertion and replenishment, as he fought against its endless flow.

Hearing the student's response, Dai Yao felt a headache coming on.

Most noble students aligned themselves with either the First Prince or the Second Prince. While his talent was evident, Dai Yao was much younger, and no noble wanted to support him over the older, more established princes. If the nobles learned he wanted a training spot with a waterfall, not only would they refuse, but they'd likely find ways to obstruct him as well.

"What should I do?" he wondered. "The nobles will never let me have it, so my only chance is to appeal to that commoner student."

Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself. "Even though it doesn't feel right to take someone else's training spot, it's a matter of life and death for me. I have to secure that environment, no matter the cost."

He turned to the male student. "Do you know if the training area might be available for purchase?"

If buying it was an option, that would be ideal.

"I'm afraid that won't work, Your Highness. Plenty of nobles have offered hefty prices, but the owner refuses to sell," the student explained.

At Xingluo Academy, once a training environment was assigned to a student, it belonged to them until graduation. Of course, if a student voluntarily sold their spot, that was one thing, but the academy couldn't force them to part with it. The owner of this waterfall location had drawn the ire of many nobles by rejecting numerous offers. Some had even tried to intimidate her into selling.

"There's been a lot of contention over this area, Your Highness," the student explained. "Many noble students want that spot, but the owner refuses to sell, and the tension has only grown."

Dai Yao wasn't deterred. This was the only suitable environment available, and he couldn't let it slip away.

"No need to try to dissuade me; just take me there. I'll see if I can negotiate with the owner myself."

Seeing Dai Yao's determination, the student inwardly cursed his stubbornness, but he kept his face neutral, offering a few sycophantic remarks as he led the way.

Dai Yao, well aware of the student's inner thoughts, said nothing. Having spent six years in the Cold Palace, he was more than familiar with veiled disdain and casual malice.

Without a word, he followed the student, Zhu Zhuqing walking silently by his side.

As night deepened, a crescent moon rose in the sky.

The three walked through the forest, their footsteps crunching on patches of snow. Along the way, Dai Yao asked the student about the academy, and though the student was dismissive of him, he answered politely. After all, a single word from Dai Hengyu, under whom he served, could change his fortunes entirely.

"There are four people you should avoid at the academy, Your Highness. The first two are, of course, the First Prince, Dai Weisi, and the Second Prince, Dai Yaming. Most of the empire's nobles back one of the two princes."

"As for the Third Prince, Dai Mubai… well, he's something of a joke these days. Though he used to train diligently, attracting a few nobles willing to bet on him, he's fallen apart lately."

The student painted a vivid picture of disgruntled nobles berating Dai Mubai, adding, "It's said he went to the palace recently to finalize some marriage contract, but after returning, he's completely given up on himself. The nobles who backed him are furious."

Apparently, word of Dai Yao and Dai Mubai's duel in the palace hadn't spread, so most at the academy were unaware of what had happened.

Dai Yao made a mental note of this as the student continued.

"Prince Dai Weisi recently reached the Soul Elder level. While the Second Prince has always been overshadowed by him, he's managed to hold his own thanks to a certain edge: a soul bone."

"A soul bone?" Dai Yao exclaimed, while even Zhu Zhuqing's cold expression showed a flicker of surprise.

"That's right. The Second Prince possesses a soul bone that's thousands of years old, allowing him to hold his own against Soul Elders despite only being at the twenty-fifth level," the student said, his tone smug as if recounting some precious secret.

Dai Yao felt a surge of shock. Soul bones were coveted treasures on the Douluo Continent, the stuff of soul masters' dreams. In the original story, the prize for winning the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was three soul bones, an unimaginably valuable reward. Though the Shrek Seven Devils eventually amassed several soul bones, for most soul masters, such treasures remained beyond reach.

Learning that Dai Yaming possessed one wasn't good news for Dai Yao.

In his bid for the throne, he would eventually have to confront Dai Yaming. And the stronger Dai Yaming became, the more challenging that confrontation would be.

"What a setback," Dai Yao thought bitterly.

Lost in conversation, they didn't even realize they had arrived until the student suddenly stopped.

"We're here, Your Highness," he said.

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