Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Chapter 42 Qiluo Tulip

As the midday sun bathed the arena in its light, the day's fierce competition was not yet over when the tournament referee slowly ascended the central stage amidst the watchful eyes of the crowd. This white-haired elder's soul power surged, and his deep voice resonated throughout the entire arena:

"We are about to announce an important piece of information."

The entire arena fell silent, everyone holding their breath. The old man surveyed the room, his expression grave, and continued, "The competition organizing committee has confirmed that Shi Nian, the vice dean of Canghui Academy, is suspected of deliberately harming a participating team member, causing the Shrek Academy team member to be unable to participate in today's competition."

These words immediately caused a huge uproar in the stands. Discussions erupted among the audience; some were shocked, some were angry, and others wore expressions of sudden realization.

"After deliberation by the competition organizing committee," the old man raised his voice to quell the noise, "Shrek Academy will receive a bye in the next round."

In the rest area for the participating teams, the representatives from each academy displayed a variety of expressions. Huo Wu from the Blazing Fire Academy suddenly stood up, her red hair flamboyant like fire; Feng Xiaotian from the Divine Wind Academy thoughtfully stroked his chin; while the team leader from the Azure Radiance Academy had a pale face and fine beads of sweat on his forehead.

In the VIP section, Feng Yao's slender fingers gently pressed the vibrating strings of the zither, a knowing glint in his eyes. He slightly turned his head, his gaze lingering on Ning Fengzhi's gentle and refined profile. His fingertips merely tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair; while Qian Renxue, disguised as the Crown Prince of Tiandou, maintained a proper smile, only a barely perceptible, strange light flashing in her deep eyes.

"It seems we won't be seeing Tang San on the field anytime soon." Feng Yao thought to himself as he lightly stroked the strings of his zither. These past few days, watching the matches, he had been using ultrasonic waves to cover the entire arena daily, capturing every detail like an invisible spiderweb.

The exquisite combinations of soul skills from various academies, and the unexpected tactical changes, were all dissected and reassembled in his mind. But what interested him most were Tang San's unique skills and combat techniques.

"I've seen enough," Feng Yao murmured to himself, his white robes swaying gently in the breeze. "It's time to go back to the academy and properly digest what I've learned. Before the finals, I should focus on breaking through to the Soul King level as soon as possible."

With a gentle tap of his fingertips on the zither, he completely suppressed the residual soul energy fluctuations in the air. The combat techniques, tactical variations, Tang Sect secrets, and distraction control he had learned from observing the battles these past few days all needed to be carefully studied and understood in a calm mind.

He glanced one last time at the still-intense match, then slowly rose and left his seat.

The midday sun shone brightly on the empty corridors of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, making Feng Yao's white robes stand out starkly in the light and shadow. The entire academy was unusually quiet; the place was eerily silent, presumably because the noble disciples had all gone to watch the competition.

Inside the cafeteria, a few students who hadn't been able to watch the match sat scattered about. Feng Yao's gaze swept across the empty dining area and immediately spotted the Royal Fighting Team members sitting in a corner. He calmly took a light meal and carried the delicate porcelain plate towards them.

"Xiao Feng?" Dugu Yan noticed him first, a hint of surprise flashing in her purple eyes. "Why are you back so early today?"

Feng Yao gently placed the plate on the carved wooden table and sat down beside Yu Feng. "The qualifiers are nearing their end," he said, picking up his jade chopsticks, his tone gentle. "We've seen enough of the tactics; there's nothing new to watch." He picked up a slice of bamboo shoot and continued, "Why not come back and consolidate what you've learned during this time?"

Dugu Yan nodded thoughtfully, her fingertips unconsciously twirling a strand of hair. Suddenly, Yu Feng leaned over, grinning, and said, "Then we'll have to rely on Xiao Feng's command during the competition." He deliberately made an exaggerated cupped-hands gesture, "Please take good care of me, strategist."

Feng Yao chuckled softly, picked up his celadon teacup, and took a sip: "No problem."

"You guys could at least say something," Yu Feng said, spreading his hands exaggeratedly. "It's so awkward with just Yan Jie and me doing this back-and-forth!"

Upon hearing this, the Shi brothers exchanged a somewhat awkward glance and scratched the back of their heads in unison. Ye Lingling sat quietly to the side, a faint smile playing on her lips. Oslo scoffed, "Not everyone is as noisy as your martial spirit."

Feng Yao couldn't help but chuckle softly, his gaze sweeping over the four people. The Shi brothers' gravitas, Ye Lingling's tranquility, and Oslo's aloofness—he suddenly realized that the influence of a martial spirit on a soul master's personality was far more profound than he had imagined.

"So," Feng Yao joked, "that means no one pays attention to you when I'm not around?"

Yu Feng immediately nodded repeatedly as if he had found a kindred spirit: "Except when Sister Yan gives orders, they're practically like four walking stones!" He exaggeratedly clutched his chest, "Little Feng, you have no idea how I've managed to get through this period."

Dugu Yan covered her mouth and chuckled, her purple hair swaying slightly with her movements. "Who told you your martial soul is a wind chime bird?" She winked mischievously. "They're all so quiet, so as the vice-captain, I can only say as little as possible. Besides, snakes like quiet too."

A burst of lighthearted laughter filled the cafeteria, even causing the usually stern Osro to slightly curl the corners of his mouth. Sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing everyone in a golden glow, illuminating this rare and heartwarming moment.

The warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting dappled shadows on the dormitory floor. Feng Yao sat cross-legged in the center of the quiet room, closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment before slowly opening them, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"Since I need to consolidate my insights gained over the past few days, I might as well go all out," he murmured to himself, his fingertips lightly brushing against his storage soul tool. With a few flashes of light, several boxes of different materials appeared neatly arranged before him, each faintly radiating different energy fluctuations.

Feng Yao's gaze shifted between the boxes, his slender fingers lightly tapping his knee. "Wuhun City is only a hundred miles from the Star Dou Great Forest," he said thoughtfully, "but suitable spirit rings are hard to come by. The most urgent task is to break through this bottleneck."

He first ruled out two boxes—the gilded box containing the rare and precious Chrysanthemum and the red jade box holding the Phoenix Sunflower. The former, though capable of tempering the body, was not what he needed at the moment; the latter, containing intense heat, was more suitable for fire-attribute soul masters.

The remaining three immortal plants each had their own unique characteristics, making it difficult for Feng Yao to choose.

The fingertip of the fire-attribute Wind Element paused on a crimson jade box, a golden figure appearing in its mind. "It would suit her quite well." A faint smile unconsciously crept onto its lips.

Feng Yao stared at the cockscomb phoenix sunflower contained in a crimson jade box, his expression gradually becoming dazed. The intense heat of the immortal item emanated from the jade box, reminding him of that golden figure.

"At first, I just wanted to find shelter," he murmured, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of the jade box. His initial approach to that "Crown Prince" was merely to establish a healthy exchange of interests. But he didn't know when it started, this exchange began to sour. Perhaps it was during her late-night wait in the training grounds, perhaps it was the fleeting weariness and loneliness in her eyes when she occasionally let down her guard, perhaps it was when she opened her heart and began to show him her true self.

Feng Yao sighed softly and carefully put the jade box away. The flames of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower gradually faded inside the box, but left a lingering warmth in his heart. That "Xue Qinghe," who was always noble and aloof in public, would express his care in private with disguised words.

"How ironic." Feng Yao shook his head self-deprecatingly. He had approached her with ulterior motives at the beginning, but now he had become the person who knew her other side the most.

Feng Yao's gaze involuntarily fell on the crystal-clear acacia blossom not far away, her fingertips trembling slightly. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the white petals, vaguely reflecting the figure that haunted her dreams.

He took a deep breath, his soul power flowing smoothly within him, surging his blood and qi. A sweet taste rose in his throat, and a mouthful of bright red blood sprayed onto the flower petals. In that split second—

Memories flooded back like a tide. Under the bright moonlight, that aloof and solitary figure appeared clearly; but in an instant, the glitz and glamour of his past life flashed through his mind. Feng Yao's heart trembled, and his consciousness momentarily wavered.

Blood droplets slid slowly down the petals, and the "Heartbreak Red" peony trembled gently, its petals swaying slightly, yet it ultimately did not fall.

"Just as I thought." Feng Yao wiped the blood from his lips with a bitter smile, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He gazed at the still-standing flower, unsure whether to feel relieved or regretful. In the sunlight, the acacia blossoms emitted a faint glow, as if silently telling a story.

Feng Yao gazed at the unmoved Acacia Heartbreak Red petal in his hand, letting out a barely audible sigh. His slender fingers gently stroked the petals, wiping away the bloodstains, his movements as tender as if he were handling a fragile dream.

"It still doesn't work," he murmured, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes. As he carefully put the immortal herb back into his soul tool, a relieved smile appeared on his lips.

This outcome was actually within his expectations. Having experienced two lifetimes in the mortal world and witnessed all walks of life, how could he possibly maintain a pure and innocent heart like Xiao Wu? Those past memories and worldly entanglements had long since become a part of his soul.

Feng Yao's gaze drifted out the window, his thoughts wandering. He suddenly thought of Tang San.

"That guy, he must have secretly tried it when he got it," Feng Yao chuckled and shook his head. Given Tang San's cautious and suspicious nature, it was highly unlikely that he would have picked the Acacia Heartbreak Red.

Feng Yao's gaze lingered between the three exquisite boxes, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the table. Each box emanated a unique energy fluctuation, weaving a wondrous rhythm in the tranquil room.

"How should I choose among these three?" he muttered to himself, his brow furrowed slightly.

Suddenly, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he raised his right hand slightly: "I've got it." With a thought, the ancient and mysterious Eight Trigrams Plate appeared in his palm, emitting a faint mystical light.

"now!"

As soul power surged, the ancient patterns on the Bagua plate lit up one by one, and the eight trigrams—Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, and Dui—radiated brilliant light. The Bagua plate slowly rotated and expanded until it covered the entire room, projecting a huge Bagua array onto the ground.

Feng Yao closed his eyes and concentrated, sensing the flow of energy from the three immortal plants within the formation. The white aura of the Narcissus Jade Skin gathered at the Kan position, the fragrance of the Tulip of Beauty lingered at the Zhen position, and the clear radiance of the Eight-Petaled Orchid resonated with the Dui position. The light on the Bagua plate flickered, seemingly deducing the most suitable choice for him.

Just as the Bagua formation reached its peak, Feng Yao suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of enlightenment appearing in them.

“I see.” He murmured softly, his gaze falling on the hexagram representing the “Zhen” position. The shimmering light of the brocade tulips blended perfectly with the Zhen hexagram, creating a mysterious resonance. Zhen represents wood, which aligns with the meaning of growth and development.

"No wonder it caused the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda to evolve," Feng Yao thought to himself.

With a gentle flick of his sleeve, Feng Yao caused the light from the Bagua compass to gradually fade. He reached out and took the jade box containing the fragrant tulips. The moment his fingertips touched the box, a cool sensation traveled up his arm and straight to his heart.

"It's you." He smiled slightly and carefully opened the box.

This is a uniquely shaped celestial plant. Its roots and stems resemble jade-carved vines, layer upon layer, twining together to form an exquisite curtain. Its leaves are as fine as a comb, shimmering with an emerald-like luster. At its very top, however, blooms a golden tulip, its petals shimmering with a light like liquid gold.

When Feng Yao lifted it up, its rich fragrance instantly filled the entire room. The scent was unlike ordinary floral fragrances; it possessed an innate air of luxury, as if transporting one to a magnificent, golden palace. Each wisp of fragrance seemed tangible, condensing into a faint golden halo in the air.

Feng Yao took a deep breath and gently brought the tulip bud to his lips. With his breath, the tulip petals trembled slightly, scattering specks of gold dust. Soon, a faint golden light began to emanate from his body, as if he were bathed in the morning sun.

Feng Yao sat cross-legged with his hands hanging naturally at his sides, the "Fuxi Qin" in his left hand and the "Innate Bagua Plate" in his right simultaneously appearing. Under the golden light of the Qiluo Tulip, the two martial spirits underwent a wondrous transformation—gilded patterns flowed across the ancient qin, while the trigrams on the Bagua Plate were edged with a dazzling gold. The two resonated with each other, constructing a mysterious golden force field around Feng Yao, even causing the air to slightly distort under this power.

Feng Yao's breathing gradually became long and even, each exhale causing golden light around him to ripple like water. The Qiluo Tulip floated in front of his chest, with fine golden light spots constantly seeping from its stamens, like a cascading galaxy flowing into his body.

The Fuxi Qin (a type of zither) played on its own; the Bagua (eight trigrams) plate rotated by itself, illustrating the profound principles of heaven and earth. The resonance between the two created a peculiar rhythm within the room, even causing the dust particles in the air to dance gently to the beat.

"So this is the secret of the Qiluo Tulip," Feng Yao realized in his meditation. This celestial plant wasn't strengthening his soul power, but rather reshaping the essence of his martial soul.

(End of this chapter)