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"I can't believe something like this happened to the Seven Treasure Blue Lightning Alliance… Tianyu, Rongrong—please, accept my condolences."
Inside the Crown Prince's mansion, Ning Tianyu and Ning Rongrong had just informed Dai Weisi of the alliance's destruction. Upon hearing that both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had been wiped out by the Spirit Hall, Dai Weisi's face was filled with shock.
Although he had long known that Bibi Dong would launch her soul-hunting campaign against the alliance, he hadn't expected it to happen two years ahead of schedule.
Still… the downfall of the Seven Treasure Blue Lightning Alliance might not be bad news for him. In fact, it was an excellent opportunity—one he could use to take them in.
If he could gain the heavenly support of the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the Star Luo Empire's strength would skyrocket. And with Sword Douluo Chen Xin joining their side, their total number of Title Douluos would finally reach double digits.
As Dai Weisi thought about it, a satisfied smile crept across his face. If he could subdue the remnants of the Seven Treasure Blue Lightning Alliance, then the three upper sects would all, in effect, belong to the Star Luo Empire.
At that moment, Ning Tianyu bit her lip and spoke softly, "Brother Crown Prince, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has been destroyed. My uncle and Grandfather Sword are now homeless. My uncle hopes to settle in the Star Luo Empire and serve under your banner. He wishes that you would take them in."
As she spoke, Ning Tianyu suddenly rose, bowing deeply with a pleading tone. "Brother Crown Prince, please! Let my uncle and Grandfather Sword stay!"
Seeing this, Ning Rongrong quickly stood up as well, bowing even lower. "Brother Dai, Rongrong begs you too—please let my father and Grandfather Sword stay!"
"Haha, there's no need for such formality from you two," Dai Weisi chuckled, waving his hand. In truth, he was delighted by the idea of them coming. The remnants of the two great clans joining him was more than he could ask for.
Once they entered the Star Luo Empire, he had plenty of methods to control, divide, and absorb them, turning all of them into the loyal vassals of the Dai family.
Walking forward, Dai Weisi helped both Ning Tianyu and Ning Rongrong up with a gentle smile. "Since Sect Master Ning wishes to join the Star Luo Empire, it's an honor I can't refuse. With your assistance, our nation's power will rise to a new height—and in time, we will even have a chance to avenge Bone Douluo."
Hearing this, Ning Tianyu's eyes brightened. Tears shimmered at their corners, but she broke into a smile. "Thank you, Brother Crown Prince!"
Then, before he could react, she leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. Her face instantly turned crimson, heart pounding as she struggled to contain her embarrassment. Still, she gathered her courage and looked deeply into his eyes.
Now that the Seven Treasure Blue Lightning Alliance was gone, Ning Tianyu had to think about the future—for herself and for what remained of her sect. No matter what it took, she had to cling tightly to Dai Weisi's thigh.
Dai Weisi, meanwhile, forced an awkward smile, rubbing his cheek. Thank heavens Zhu Zhuyun and the others weren't around—otherwise, he'd have a lot of explaining to do.
After an awkward silence, he coughed lightly to change the subject. "Ahem… back to business. I'll inform my father of Sect Master Ning's intentions. I believe he'll gladly accept Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo into our ranks."
He turned to Ning Tianyu. "Tianyu, write a letter to your uncle. Tell him the Star Luo Empire welcomes them and to come as soon as possible—before the Spirit Hall makes another move."
"When they arrive, we'll discuss how to resettle the Seven Treasure Blue Lightning Alliance together. After all, you'll need to rebuild your sect, won't you?"
"You're right, Brother Crown Prince. I'll write to them right away." Ning Tianyu nodded firmly, then took Ning Rongrong's soft hand.
"Rongrong, let's go."
"Okay."
Once the two girls had left, Dai Weisi went alone to the imperial palace to report everything—the destruction of the Seven Treasure Blue Lightning Alliance, the deaths of Bone Douluo and Thunder Douluo, and Ning Fengzhi's desire to join the Star Luo Empire—to Emperor Dai Po Jun and his brother Dai Tianxing.
When they learned of the alliance's fall, both men's expressions flickered with disbelief and shock. But when they heard Ning Fengzhi intended to defect to the Star Luo Empire, their eyes lit up with excitement. They immediately realized what this meant: the Star Luo Empire's power was about to rise immensely.
Without hesitation, Emperor Dai Po Jun gave his approval, publicly declaring that the survivors of the Seven Treasure Blue Lightning Alliance would be welcomed into the empire.
To ensure their safety from any further attacks by the Spirit Hall, Dai Po Jun ordered Dai Weisi and Lie Tianhu to lead the White Tiger Legion to the border to escort them safely into the empire.
When Ning Fengzhi and the others arrived at the border, they were greeted by the imposing sight of the White Tiger Legion awaiting them. Escorted all the way to Star Luo City, Ning Fengzhi was deeply moved—he hadn't expected the emperor to care even about their safety.
Upon reaching the Star Luo Province, Emperor Dai Po Jun personally rode out thirty li beyond the city to welcome Ning Fengzhi—a treatment of the highest honor.
After arriving at Star Luo City, a grand banquet was held in their honor. The dishes served were none other than the flesh of the Titan Giant Ape itself.
Though Ning Fengzhi was not in the mood to eat, the moment he saw the ten-thousand-year soul beast meat, he couldn't resist tasting a few bites. The power and energy within it were simply too tempting to refuse.
After the banquet, Dai Weisi and Emperor Dai Po Jun began discussing the reconstruction of the Seven Treasure Blue Lightning Alliance with Ning Fengzhi.
The emperor granted him a vast territory southeast of Star Luo City to rebuild his sect. The location was close enough for defense—if the Spirit Hall or the Heaven Dou Empire launched an attack, the Star Luo Empire would face the enemy first.
It was as if the emperor were saying:
"You need only support us from behind. We'll fight and bear the damage."
To show further sincerity, Dai Po Jun even offered to arm Ning Fengzhi's people with multi-shot flintlock guns from the White Tiger Legion's arsenal.
When Ning Fengzhi saw the power of these weapons, his eyes widened in astonishment. These things were leagues above the so-called Zhuge Crossbows of old!
Overwhelmed by gratitude, Ning Fengzhi repeatedly thanked the emperor for his generosity. Never had he imagined that Dai Po Jun would not only shelter them but also equip them and help them rebuild.
For a moment, the whole situation felt surreal—almost too good to be true.
Meanwhile, Dai Weisi stood silently at the side, studying the map with a cold smirk. Ning Fengzhi believed he had gained a great ally, but in truth, the entire Seven Treasure Blue Lightning Alliance had walked straight into the Star Luo Empire's grasp.
The territory Dai Po Jun had granted was surrounded on all sides: the Howling Tiger Mountains to the east, Furious Tiger Mountains to the south, Mighty Tiger Mountains to the west, and Star Luo City to the north. Each direction was heavily fortified—forming a perfect natural cage.
So long as Ning Fengzhi remained loyal, all would be well. But should he ever harbor other intentions… the imperial army would descend in an instant, crushing the alliance before it could even react.
That was why Emperor Dai Po Jun had been so generous with his weaponry—because he knew full well that the Seven Treasure Blue Lightning Alliance would never again be free.
(End of Chapter)