In Heaven Dou City, Xue Qinghe, the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, was handling affairs at the crown prince's residence. Emperor Xue Ye's health was deteriorating. Now, most of the basic matters of Heaven Dou were handled by him, with only important issues requiring Emperor Xue Ye's review.
A figure appeared out of nowhere in the silent room and bowed to Xue Qinghe, who was sitting by the window working.
"Young Master, Ju Douluo sent a message saying that he and Ghost Douluo will go to the Star Dou Great Forest with the Pope in a few days to hunt for spirit rings."
"Alright. Tell him that once I seize power in the future, I will never treat him unfairly."
Xue Qinghe, or Qian Renxue, noticed that Snake Spear Douluo hadn't left and looked at him with confusion.
"Uncle Shemao, is there something else?"
"There is. You asked me to investigate who spread the news that Yuexuan was affiliated with the Clear Sky Sect. I've found out."
"Oh~? Who was it?"
"It's the largest mercenary organization in Tiandou City. Behind them seems to be the Star Crown Sect."
"Star Crown Sect?"
"Yes."
"Alright, I understand. You may leave now."
Shemao's figure vanished within the room. Qian Renxue sat at the table, gazing at the silver moon in the sky, her mind filled with thoughts.
Her father, Qian Xunji, was defeated by Tang Hao and died from severe injuries. Her mother, Bibi Dong, hated her deeply and even wanted to kill her. Qian Renxue had only received care from her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, since childhood.
She had been undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire since she was young. She valued her relatives—except Bibi Dong. Some time ago, news came from somewhere that Yuexuan was the Clear Sky Sect's front in the outside world, earning money and providing various resources for the Haotian Sect.
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue was reminded of her father. From then on, she began targeting Yuexuan, an entertainment venue mainly serving nobles. Under the scrutiny of the Heaven Dou crown prince, the sect quickly declined.
However, Qian Renxue later calmed down and thought it through. Secret information like that couldn't have been known or spread by ordinary people. She asked Snake Spear Douluo to investigate, but she didn't expect such results.
Qian Renxue recalled the Star Crown Sect, which her grandfather had introduced to her in childhood. The sect clearly had a solid foundation, and its leader was a level 97 Super Douluo.
"What exactly are they planning? Do they also want to take part in the mainland's power struggle?"
Qian Renxue was a little wary of the Star Crown Sect, but that was all. With her grandfather's presence, she didn't believe the Star Crown Sect could stir up much trouble, and from the current situation, they seemed to lean toward their Spirit Hall.
With her desire to avenge her father's death, Qian Renxue's hatred toward the Clear Sky Sect far surpassed her hatred of other sects. As long as the Star Crown Sect could confront the Clear Sky Sect, they would be allies.
Just as she was thinking of how to suppress Yuexuan completely, a eunuch knocked on the door and entered.
"Your Highness, Glorious Seven Treasure Sect Master Ning and Bone Douluo are here, waiting in the reception hall."
"Very well. I'll go now."
A trace of doubt flashed in Qian Renxue's mind. Although Ning Fengzhi was her nominal teacher, their relationship was merely a cooperation between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. They weren't truly close.
And what was the Glorious Seven Treasure Sect doing at this time? Could it be related to the Yuexuan matter?
After the attendants helped her dress, Xue Qinghe composed herself. Surrounded by eunuchs, she arrived at the reception hall and dismissed them all.
"Your Highness, it's been a while. How have you been lately?"
"Thanks to your teachings, Master, I'm becoming more adept at handling imperial affairs."
"That's truly a blessing for the empire. But I've come this time to ask, why are you targeting Yuexuan so heavily?"
Ning Fengzhi looked at Xue Qinghe with sharp eyes. How could he not know that Yuexuan was backed by the Clear Sky Sect? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had also quietly contributed significantly to Yuexuan's growth in Heaven Dou City.
Now that the Spirit Hall was growing stronger, the main sects were struggling to survive. He didn't know why Xue Qinghe was targeting Yuexuan, but the Clear Sky Sect was a vital counterbalance to the Spirit Hall. They had already declined greatly—must the Glorious Seven Treasure Sect bear the Spirit Hall's pressure alone?
Xue Qinghe knew Ning Fengzhi came because of this, but she had already prepared an explanation on the way to the reception hall.
"Master, Yuexuan has drawn too much attention from the nobles, and Xue Beng often frequents the place. If they get too involved, it won't be good for the Heaven Dou Empire. The officials have no choice but to act."
"Is that so? Xue Beng is indeed a problem. How about confining him to his manor?"
"Alright. If Master is willing to help, I'll have someone stop him immediately."
Ning Fengzhi glanced at his student once more and left the Prince's Residence with Bone Douluo. Xue Beng was the excuse, but he still harbored doubts.
Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing, who supported him, were nowhere near Xue Qinghe's power in the Heaven Dou Empire, and their national support was much weaker. This level of worry seemed exaggerated.
In the carriage, Bone Douluo looked at Ning Fengzhi, who sat across from him with a gloomy expression, and wondered—since the Clear Sky Sect issue was resolved, what was still troubling him?
"Fengzhi, what is it? Isn't the Clear Sky Sect matter settled?"
"It's nothing. Maybe I'm overthinking it. As long as Yuexuan is safe, it's fine."
Ning Fengzhi returned to the sect and focused on handling affairs of the Glorious Seven Treasure Sect. In the meantime, he spent time with his daughter. The little witch truly gave him a headache.
"Daddy, come play with me!"
"Daddy has a lot to take care of. Rongrong, can you go play with your friends?"
"Hmph, I'm not going to bother with you. I'll play with Grandpa Gu!"
Ning Fengzhi watched Ning Rongrong leap off his lap and run out, a helpless smile on his face.
At that moment, a sect disciple came running in a hurry. But the news he brought made Ning Fengzhi's expression change instantly. Trouble, serious trouble.
Bone Douluo arrived in an instant. Seeing Ning Fengzhi sitting grimly in his seat, their hearts sank. They sat down and began asking questions.
"Fengzhi, what happened? Did the Spirit Hall make a move again?"
"No, something happened to Yuexuan. Yuexuan's master, Tang Yuehua, has died."
"What!!"
Ning Fengzhi looked toward the Prince's Palace, sorrow welling in his heart. Tang Yuehua was bound to pass eventually, but at this critical moment, she had suddenly been poisoned and died at Yuexuan. How could he not be suspicious?
But he had no proof. Even if it was the prince's doing, there was nothing he could do. Yet the seed of doubt had already been planted in his heart.
Yuexuan, the Clear Sky Sect's force in the outside world, was completely destroyed with Tang Yuehua's death and could no longer provide any help.