"Did you hear that the Clear Sky Sect is in trouble again? I heard the entire sect was destroyed this time."
"Oh."
The major powers on the continent seemed to have long grown used to such things. This was the third time, and the destruction of the Clear Sky Sect no longer came as a surprise.
It only made them more wary of the Spirit Hall, and movements among the powers became more frequent, drawing them closer to major sects like the Star Crown Sect.
Ning Fengzhi was sipping tea at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, watching his beloved daughter Ning Rongrong play with her friends. The resolution of the Xue Qinghe matter brought him relief.
Now, Marshal Ge Long had backed Xue Beng's ascension to the throne, leading the entire Heaven Dou Empire. He had severely punished a group of officials, and the atmosphere was even better than during Emperor Xue Ye's reign.
Attitudes toward the Spirit Hall had also hardened slightly, and many of the privileges tacitly granted by Xue Qinghe were withdrawn.
The only thing that gave him a tinge of regret was Emperor Xue Ye, who had been with him for years and could almost be considered a friend, had finally passed away.
After Xue Qinghe fell, Yang Wudi re-examined Emperor Xue Ye and found the poison had penetrated into his bones—he would not live much longer.
So that he could exert a final bit of strength and make Xue Beng's succession more legitimate, everyone pleaded with Yang Wudi to use the Po Yi Clan's secret medicine to burn off a bit of his remaining vitality and briefly awaken him.
When the awakened Emperor Xue Ye learned that Prince Xue Xing had died and that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was a disguise created by the Spirit Hall, he remained silent for a long time.
He gazed at his youngest son Xue Beng, who knelt before his bed, then at the succession decree and the decree to appoint Marshal Ge Long as regent. A boundless sorrow filled his heart.
Under the watchful eyes of Marshal Ge Long and Ning Fengzhi, Xue Ye signed both decrees with only one request—that whatever the outcome, they preserve the Xue family bloodline.
Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire passed away, and the entire nation mourned. Xue Beng's ascension marked a new chapter for the Heaven Dou Empire.
"At last, I can rest. Rongrong, don't bully your friends."
"Understood~."
Ning Fengzhi watched Ning Rongrong playing in the courtyard. Though still young, she already showed a witch-like demeanor. He smiled and shook his head. Those two uncles had truly spoiled her.
He lifted his teacup to take a sip—when suddenly, a black hole appeared in the hall. Bone Douluo emerged and walked straight to the door, closing it.
This was bad. Something had happened again. Ning Fengzhi saw Bone Douluo's actions, and the corners of his mouth tightened. He had a sinking feeling.
"Fengzhi, the Clear Sky Sect was attacked again."
"How many casualties this time? Do you know who did it..."
"The entire mountain gate has vanished. No disciples of the Clear Sky Sect were found at the scene. Judging from the corpse, Tang Xiao shouldn't be dead.
As for the attackers—who else but Spirit Hall would do it? I just don't know why this time."
This time, it was serious. The entire mountain gate was gone. Ning Fengzhi took his tea and sipped it in silence. How could the world's number one sect keep running into such trouble?
But he also understood how grave this was. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was destroyed, the Clear Sky Sect had been thoroughly defeated, and its master was missing. Now, the only obstacle left was their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi didn't know that Qian Daoliu didn't even consider them a true threat—the real focus of the Spirit Hall was the Star Crown Sect.
"Uncle Gu, pack up and prepare a gift. We're leaving now."
"Where are we going?"
"The Star Crown Sect."
---
Meanwhile, after Bibi Dong absorbed many souls at the Clear Sky Sect, she returned to the Spirit Hall and began secluded cultivation to digest her gains, successfully breaking through to Rank 96.
Just as she was about to summon two Title Douluo to go hunt a 100,000-year spirit beast, she found that they weren't in Spirit Hall at all.
"Come here. Where are Ju Douluo and Ghost Douluo?"
"Your Majesty, the two elders said their strength was too low to be of much help to you, so they chose to go train, hoping to increase their power."
"Alright, I understand. That will be all."
Sitting on the throne, Bibi Dong tapped her mask with a long fingernail. She didn't care where Ju Douluo and Ghost Douluo had gone—only that now she had no aides for hunting a 100,000-year spirit beast.
Should she ask Qian Daoliu for help? No—that was impossible. She would never bow to him.
Bibi Dong sat on the Pope's throne and pondered. In truth, she was strong enough to hunt a 100,000-year beast alone, but she wanted one with a stronger bloodline.
She had her eyes on the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape on the battlefield, which made things difficult. Even if they couldn't beat her, they could still escape.
Bibi Dong had originally thought that with Chrysanthemum Douluo's bipolar static domain, they wouldn't be able to escape. Now that both had left, she could only summon Hu Yanzhen and Tuoba Xi—but speed wasn't their strong suit.
While sending people to search for Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, she began seeking other suitable elders in Spirit Hall.
The two Douluo Bibi Dong was referring to had already reached the southwest of the continent. Looking at the mountains ahead, Chrysanthemum Douluo laid down a map.
"Old Ghost, it should be around here."
"Will this really work? We're from Spirit Hall. Won't they kill us?"
"Let's give it a try. This might be the only chance in my life to interact with the true Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum."
"Alright, I'll follow your lead. But these mountains are huge—how are we supposed to find them?"
"Just wait till nightfall. I heard the starry sky over these mountains is one of the most beautiful sights on the continent."
The two Douluo waited on the hillside. Ever since Chrysanthemum Douluo caught the scent of the fairy grass from Xu Mingxi in the Beast City, he had been obsessed with it. It was the dream of his life.
Moreover, Bibi Dong was cruel, and the Elders' Hall disliked them. Maybe joining the Star Crown Sect was a good choice.
"Wait, Yueguan, who do you see?"
"Ning Fengzhi? What's he doing here? Is he going to the Star Crown Sect too?"
Flying through the sky with Bone Sword Douluo, Ning Fengzhi spotted Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo on the hillside. He rolled his eyes and asked Bone Douluo to descend.
"Lord Ning, it's been a long time."
"Your Majesty, are you also going to the Star Crown Sect?"
"Yes, but we don't know its exact location, so we're still waiting."
"I'm also going as a guest. Why don't the two of you come with me?"
Ghost Douluo was about to agree, but Chrysanthemum Douluo pulled him back.
"Thank you for your kindness, Master Ning. We're in no rush. If possible, please pass along our calling cards to the master of the Star Crown Sect."
"Alright."