Ning Fengzhi's Residence.
"Lord Patriarch, the mission to assassinate Ye Tian has failed."
"Just as I expected."
Without even glancing at his subordinate, Ning Fengzhi continued flipping through a book.
"Is Rongrong alright?"
"Young Mistress escaped quickly and was unharmed," the masked black-clad subordinate whispered.
"Haha, it seems Rongrong has learned to trim her sails to the wind."
Beside him, Sword Douluo nodded approvingly.
"Lord Patriarch, what do we do now?"
"I've long said that the experts by Ye Tian's side are not to be underestimated."
"Unless I personally intervene, there's no chance of success."
Ning Fengzhi chuckled dryly: "Uncle Sword, your martial soul is too conspicuous."
"If Xue Qinghe catches wind of it, he might think we're trying to undermine him."
"That would backfire."
"Power struggles are such a hassle," Sword Douluo sighed.
"What's the next step?"
After a moment of thought, Ning Fengzhi replied, "For now, there's no opening to strike at Ye Tian."
"I'll have to swallow my pride and speak with Xue Qinghe face-to-face."
...
"The Emperor's residence is nothing special."
Gazing at the grand yet dilapidated palace, Bo Saixi offered a bland evaluation.
Ye Tian smiled faintly: "This shows that the Heaven Dou Empire hasn't been doing well in recent years."
"With the Spirit Hall as a colossal enemy looming over them, of course they wouldn't fare well," Bo Saixi remarked with a sigh.
Qian Renxue received Ye Tian in the imperial garden.
When they met, she was fishing by the lakeside in the garden.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," Ye Tian bowed in salute.
Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes glanced past Ye Tian, landing on Bo Saixi, and a wave of jealousy surged in her heart.
"Hmm."
Countless words condensed into a single syllable.
"I've heard about the assassination attempt on you by the Douluo River from Elder She Long."
"Do you plan to retaliate?"
"I have a few Title Douluos by my side—they're all at your disposal."
Qian Renxue studied Ye Tian closely.
Ye Tian shook his head calmly: "Striking back with a sneak attack might bring momentary satisfaction."
"But the strength around Ning Fengzhi isn't to be trifled with—we wouldn't gain the upper hand."
"Let's maintain what little dignity remains between both sides."
"That's what I thought as well. We shouldn't make any major moves for now."
Qian Renxue set down her fishing rod and turned to face Ye Tian.
"My grandfather has returned," she said quietly.
Ye Tian's lips twitched—this was indeed a major problem.
Bo Saixi, however, showed a flicker of interest: "Qian Daoliu? Where is he?"
"You know my grandfather?" Qian Renxue looked surprised.
She had never seen this beautiful girl before, yet the other party seemed familiar with her grandfather.
"More than just know," Bo Saixi murmured with a trace of nostalgia before smiling faintly.
"Never mind, let's not dwell on the past."
Seeing the girl's reluctance to elaborate, Qian Renxue didn't press further. Instead, she turned back to Ye Tian:
"In the letter my grandfather sent me from Gengxin City, it seemed he had just returned to the mainland when he wrote it."
"At that time, he probably wasn't yet aware of the changes in the Spirit Hall."
"But the letter was sent days ago—by now, he must know."
"I'm worried that he might clash with my sister."
...Gengxin City? Ye Tian raised an eyebrow.
He was familiar with this place—it was known as the Continent's Forging Capital, home to the Blacksmiths' Association.
What was Qian Daoliu doing there?
Regardless, Qian Daoliu's return at this time was undoubtedly troublesome.
If Qian Daoliu, still power-hungry, were to conflict with Bibi Dong, the Spirit Hall might descend into internal strife.
This ticking time bomb had to be defused as soon as possible—it took precedence over all other matters.
"Does Her Holiness the Pope know about this?" Ye Tian asked.
"I've already sent word, but my sister's intelligence network is formidable. She's likely already aware," Qian Renxue sighed.
Both were her closest kin—she didn't know whom to side with.
"Are you planning to leave early?" Qian Renxue lifted her gaze.
"Sigh, we must quell this turmoil," Ye Tian said gravely.
"Otherwise, the Spirit Hall risks falling into an abyss."
"It seems our plans to collaborate with the Spirit Hall will have to be postponed," Qian Renxue rubbed her temples.
Just then, a maid approached and bowed:
"Your Majesty, Patriarch Ning requests an audience."
The maid was one of Qian Renxue's confidantes, hence she could approach directly without prior announcement.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue chuckled lightly and glanced at Ye Tian:
"Would you like to avoid him?"
Ye Tian shook his head: "I've neither stolen nor robbed—why should I hide?"
"Why do you think Ning Fengzhi is seeking an audience with you now?"
Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly, feigning thought.
"What else could it be? To persuade you to reject cooperation with the Spirit Hall and join forces against it," Ye Tian replied wryly.
...
As the patriarch of one of the Top Three Sects, Ning Fengzhi couldn't be received in the casual, private setting of the imperial garden.
Thus, Qian Renxue met him in the imperial study, with Ye Tian in attendance.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," Ning Fengzhi bowed.
His eyes flicked toward Ye Tian, but he didn't address him.
Truth be told, Ning Fengzhi felt a twinge of guilt.
Ye Tian had once saved Ning Rongrong, yet he had ordered his assassination.
But in the world of power and interests, sentimentality had no place.
So Ning Fengzhi could only silently apologize in his heart.
"No need for formalities, Teacher," Qian Renxue sat gracefully behind the desk and gestured warmly.
"There are no outsiders here—please take a seat."
This made Ning Fengzhi's lips twitch. Was Ye Tian not an outsider?
He had hoped to speak with Xue Qinghe privately, but that now seemed impossible.
Then again, Xue Qinghe's trust in Ye Tian likely surpassed even his own.
Even if he managed a private conversation, his words would probably reach Ye Tian's ears anyway.
Thus, Ning Fengzhi steeled himself and said:
"My purpose today is singular."
"To unite against the Spirit Hall—this was also the late Emperor's dying wish."
Ning Fengzhi invoked Emperor Xue Ye's name, hoping Xue Qinghe would take it seriously.
In reality, Xue Ye had died of rage—provoked by Qian Renxue herself.
Yet her expression remained unruffled.
"Patriarch Ning's proposal is sound. I'll consider it carefully."
Ning Fengzhi was momentarily speechless.
He'd barely begun when Xue Qinghe cut him off with polite dismissal.
Clearly, the Emperor had no intention of entertaining a lengthy discourse.
Still, Ning Fengzhi refused to relent:
"The Spirit Hall has already covertly taken control of the four subordinate kingdoms of the Heaven Dou Empire—they now have the foundation to sweep across the continent."
"If Your Majesty employs misguided strategies..."
Here, Ning Fengzhi shot a glance at Ye Tian, "...the empire risks destruction!"
Then let it be destroyed.
Qian Renxue thought indifferently.
She had long wished to shed her undercover identity and reclaim her freedom.
Being Emperor was never her ambition.
After this silent complaint, she adopted a ruler's composure:
"I understand everything. There's no need for Teacher to worry."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's face darkened with disappointment.
His fists clenched tightly.
He glared at Ye Tian with fury.
If not for Ye Tian, things wouldn't have come to this!
Ye Tian truly deserved death!
Sensing the murderous intent in Ning Fengzhi's gaze, Ye Tian frowned.
The assassination attempt had already angered him.
Now, Ning Fengzhi dared to look at him like this?
What, planning to strike in front of Qian Renxue?
Ye Tian met his gaze unflinchingly:
"Patriarch Ning, are you perhaps too afraid of the Spirit Hall?"
"Afraid? Of the Spirit Hall? Never!" Ning Fengzhi retorted loudly.
"The Spirit Hall is tyrannical and unrighteous! All forces on the continent should unite to destroy it!"
"Cooperating with them is aiding the villain!"
He glared at Ye Tian indignantly.
"The Imperial Perceptor should also know his place!"
"Oh? Then please enlighten me—what atrocities has the Spirit Hall committed to warrant such universal condemnation?" Ye Tian's tone dripped with disdain.
Playing the righteous card with him?
Ning Fengzhi's face stiffened. The Spirit Hall's crimes were innumerable—he could certainly list them.
But he'd heard of Ye Tian's silver tongue and feared falling into a rhetorical trap.
"The Spirit Hall's crimes are too numerous to count!" Ning Fengzhi snorted, retreating strategically.
"Then name a few major ones, so I may be convinced."
Seeing Ye Tian's persistence, Ning Fengzhi prepared to respond—but paused again.
He realized what Ye Tian was getting at.
He'd intended to cite the Spirit Hall's oppression of commoners and indiscriminate slaughter of spirit beasts.
But the two empires and Top Three Sects weren't much better.
After decades of experience, Ning Fengzhi knew all too well:
There was no absolute justice in this world—only collective lies spun to protect self-interest.
History was always written by the victors, making it seem as though justice eternally triumphed.
Believing he'd seen through Ye Tian's ploy, Ning Fengzhi suddenly laughed.
"The Spirit Hall seeks to wage war, plunging the continent into misery—is this not the greatest evil?"
He was confident Ye Tian couldn't refute this.
As the defensive side, the Top Three Sects would never start a war—only the aggressors would.
Ye Tian smiled faintly: "Patriarch Ning should visit the countryside more."
"Hmph! Are you suggesting the commoners' suffering is caused by the nobility?"
"But you forget—the ancestors of nobles were once commoners too."
"Everything they have now was earned through battle, blood, and glory!"
"Is that wrong?"
"You're denying the blood shed by the nobles' forebears!"
"If commoners suffer, it's only because they lack diligence!"
Ning Fengzhi's voice grew louder.
He sneered inwardly.
Ye Tian, the silver-tongued debater—let's see him counter this!
"Tsk tsk."
"But the truth is, commoners work no less hard than you, Patriarch Ning."
"Yet they still starve—some even to death."
"It's true that nobles inherited their glory from ancestors."
"But remember—only those with steadfast character deserve that legacy."
"Those devoid of basic morality are nothing but parasites."
Ye Tian's tone was calm yet resolute.
"You—this is sophistry!"
Ning Fengzhi pointed angrily at Ye Tian.
"Don't forget—this world belongs to the strong!"
"Those who can only be prey have no right to voice demands!"
"It is the strong's world, true." Ye Tian's voice grew quieter.
Then he looked up at Ning Fengzhi.
"But you forget—the commoners' strength is the greatest of all."
"The Tang Clan of the Clear Sky Sect is among the mightiest martial soul lineages, yet they produce only a handful of geniuses annually."
"But among the billions of commoners, countless geniuses emerge."
"Who is stronger, Patriarch Ning? Isn't it obvious?"
Ye Tian smiled faintly and stepped forward:
"Let me state a fact."
"A century ago, the Spirit Hall was no larger than one of the Top Three Sects."
"Why did it grow into a behemoth in just a hundred years?"
"Wasn't it precisely because the Spirit Hall provides free martial soul awakenings for commoners?"
"And distributes monthly stipends to nurture them?"
"Though the sum is meager for a soul master, it transforms a commoner family's life."
"Thus, the Spirit Hall attracts soul masters from across the continent."
"While your sects only consume their own."
"If your disciples include one or two geniuses, fine."
"But without them, decline is inevitable."
By now, Ning Fengzhi knew he'd fallen into Ye Tian's trap again.
He inwardly cursed his carelessness.
Ye Tian's reputation as a master debater was well-earned.
Despite his preparations, he'd been thoroughly outmatched.
Though he privately acknowledged the logic of Ye Tian's words, he refused to concede:
"Arrogant nonsense!"
"If the Spirit Hall can awaken commoners' martial souls and give them gold, can't we?"
"It's only because the Spirit Hall monopolizes it!"
"Who dares challenge their monopoly?"
Ning Fengzhi shifted all blame to the Spirit Hall, hoping to salvage the debate.
But Ye Tian only smirked:
"You do awaken commoners' martial souls and give them gold—to ensure their smooth cultivation."
"But not out of conscience, nor because you've turned virtuous."
"It's only because the Spirit Hall did it first."
Ning Fengzhi's nostrils flared.
Yet he couldn't deny Ye Tian's point.
Before the Spirit Hall's initiatives, which sect had ever considered free services for commoners?
This was likely why the Spirit Hall had surpassed other sects to rise so swiftly.
With this realization, Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly.
(End of Chapter)